PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 11 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 216,977 words · 456 reading sections
198 2 Peter, Iii. 10 — 14. [1175.
thing wherewith to compare it upon eartli. Alas ! the visions of the godly are not so bright ; r.or do their sublimest rap- tures make so deep an impression a§ do the terrors which are ins]Mrod by sudden and appalling daiiger. But, as contrasted witii the feelings of the ungodly, we may conceive in some little mea…
476 wordsSECTION 1821175.] The Day Of Judgment. 199
ardent arid affectionate expectation ; " our loins being girt, and our lamps trimmed," and our whole souls as " those who wait for the coming of their Lord." Maintaining tliis frame, you may rest assured, that " the Lord Jesus Christ will confirm you to the end %" and present you faultless before the presence of h…
457 wordsSECTION 183The Benefits Arising From Faith In Christ.
forbearing to call you to your great account. " Beloved Brethren," '* Despise not this goodnsss,ancl forbearance, and long-surtering of your God ; but let them lead you to re- pentance'." Though tht; general judgment should be long deferred, your own particular doom will be fixed, the very instant that you shall b…
366 wordsSECTION 1841176.] Benefits From Faith In Christ. 201
the truth of all that he affirmed : and he urges upon the whole Christian Church the reception of his testi- mony, by representing the incalculable benefits which all who believed it would receive. That we may enter fully into the declarations be- fore us, let us consider, I. His testimony — This may be understo…
655 wordsSECTION 1851176.] Benefits From Faith In Christ. 201
But, whether we imderstand the expressions as relating to the Gospel of Christ, or to his person,] It must of necessity be understood as declaring, that in Christ Jesus there is life, even eternal life — • [The Apostle testified of Christ, as he says in a subse- quent chapter of this Epistle : " We have seen and d…
279 wordsSECTION 1861176.] Benefits From Faith In Christ. 203
nesses of his Majesty : for they were with him in the Holy Mount, when he received from God the Father honour and glory, and when there came to him a voice from the Excellent Glory, saying, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased ■"." Whether therefore they speak of his sufferings or his glory, their test…
787 wordsSECTION 1871176.] Benefits From Faith In Christ. 203
Know ye, then, that this is the state into which you will be broi'.ght, if only you receive the testimony of God respecting his dear Son. Believe truly, that " in him is life," and that through faith in him your souls shall live ; and then all the fulness of tliese blessings shall be yours : nor shall even the bel…
395 wordsSECTION 188206 1 John, I. 5—7. [1177.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING CONFORMED TO GOd's 1 John i. 5 — 7. This is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. Jf we say that we have fellowship with him^ and ivalk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth : but if we walk in the light as he …
655 wordsSECTION 189206 1 John, I. 5—7. [1177.
God is a holy Being; yea, " glorious in holiness," as well as in every other perfection. " He hateth all the workers of miquity :" " He is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity ''," without the utmost abhorrence of it. In this respect also, as well as in the former, " there is no darkness at all in him ;" there is…
696 wordsSECTION 190206 1 John, I. 5—7. [1177.
2. The benefit of this conformity — [If a person be walking unfeignedly and progressively in the study of God's will, and in obedience to it, he possesses two great and unspeakable benefits; namely, commimioiL iviih God, and accept ance before him. lie has communion with God^. God loves the humble, diligent, obed…
595 wordsSECTION 191Vol. Xi. P
210 1 JOHN', i.s, g. [117T. we should he religious: we should study ^o know and do the will of God. Then we should be happy in sickness as well as health, and in the prospect of death no less than in the midst of earthly enjoyments.] 3. The connexion between grace and glory — [The saints in glory are called " sai…
300 wordsSECTION 1921177.]C0Nfessi0N Necessary To Forgiveness. 211
1 John i. 8, 9. If ue say that we have no sin, we deceive our- selves, avd the truth is not in us: if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. THESE words are rendered familiar to our ears by being read almost continually as introductory to t…
668 wordsSECTION 1931177.]C0Nfessi0N Necessary To Forgiveness. 211
But when they trust in their morality, they deserve our pity — [I do not suppose that any persons Avould affirm, that they never had sinned at all. I rather conceive, that the Apostle speaks of persons affirming that they never had sin- ned to such a degree as to deserve God's uralbful displeasure. This, alas ! i…
364 wordsSECTION 1941177.] Confession Necessary To Forgiveness. 213
law, I thought my obedience to it so perfect that I was in no danger of condemnation for my offences against it : but when my eyes were opened to see the extent of its demands and the defects of my obedience, I saw at once that I was deservedly under a sentence of death and condemnation. Thus it is with multitudes…
392 wordsSECTION 195214 Ijohn, I. 8,9- [1177.
the -soui, or the degree of obduracy to which it may have attained. " Though our sins may have been as scarlet, or of a crimson dye, they sliall all be washed away in the blood of Christ, and the soul become white as the driven snow^." " Clean water also shall be sprinkled on us, even the Holy Ghost in his sanctif…
483 wordsSECTION 1961177.] Confession Necessarv To Forgiveness. 215
necessities require ! and every thing confirmed to him by the very justice and faithfulness of Jehovah! Wipe away thy tears, thou weeping penitent ^ and " put off thy sackcloth, and gird thee with gladness :" for God has here " given thee the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of hea…
464 wordsSECTION 197Mclxxviii.
faith in him." And let this abide with you to your latest hour. Let neitlier a relapse into sin deter you from coming thus to Christ ; nor the most spotless continuance in hohness render such a mode of coming to him unnecessary in your eyes. This is the way in which you viay come, however ao-- gravated may have be…
685 wordsSECTION 198218 1 John, Ii. 1, 2. ■ [U78.
He is also our " Advocate with the Father" — [The office of an advocate is to appear for his client in a court of justice, and to plead his cause. Now this office also the Lord Jesus Christ executes in behalf of his people: He is gone up to the Court of Heaven, where " he appears in the presence of God for usV The…
677 wordsSECTION 199218 1 John, Ii. 1, 2. ■ [U78.
2. The suitableness of those offices to produce them — [The intercessions of sinful men have often availed for the benefit of those for whom they were offered : but Christ is a " righteous" advocate, who, having no sins of his own to obstruct his access to God, may come with boldness into his presence, and with a…
699 wordsSECTION 2001179.] Christ An Example To His Followers. 221
' John X. g. "' 1 Cor. iii. 11. ' Acts It. 12. • Gen, iviii. 23 — 32. " Exod, xxxii. Q — 14. 1 John ii. 6. He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to ivalk evcfi as he walked. AMONG the various excellencies which distin- guish Christianity from all other religions, one of very- considerable importa…
696 wordsSECTION 2011179.] Christ An Example To His Followers. 221
In this he glories as his most exalted privilege — [Humiliating as this life of dependence at first sight ap- pears, he considers it as his highest honour, and as raising him even above Adam in Paradise. Adam, when in Paradise, was indeed perfect : but to him was committed the task of working out a righteousness f…
283 wordsSECTION 2021179.] Christ An Example To His Followers. 223
What would you say, if I were to affirm, that the life of faith, resembles the very hfe which the Lord Jesus Christ lived when on earth ; and that the Believer has the same depen- dence on the Lord Jesus Christ, as Christ himself, during his incarnate state, had on the Father ; and the same security in him too ; w…
442 wordsSECTION 203224 Ijohn, Ii. 6. [1179.
the very end for which his Saviour died was, to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works."] He makes it his constant and determined aim — [The true Believer is, not a mere follower of Christ, but an imitator also'': and it is his delight to set the Saviour be…
460 wordsSECTION 2041179.] Christ An Example To His Followers. 225
pearance betray an indifiference towards them. But I would ask, Does any advocate for the merit of good works ever propose to himself so high a standard as that in my text? and, if any one inculcate the necessity of walking to the very uttermost as Christ walked, do they not account him " righte- ous over-much ?" …
531 wordsSECTION 205The True Light.
1 John iL 8. The darkness is past and the true light now shineth. OUR blessed Lord is supposed by many to have enlarged the demands of the Moral Law. That he speaks of giving a New Commandment is certain: " A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one ano…
735 wordsSECTION 206The True Light.
it ^ 1 John lii. 16. i Rom. vii. 7, 9. • John xiv. 6. 228 1 JOHX, ir. e. [1180. it had been obscured; declaring, that it extended to the thoughts and desires of the heart, no less than to the overt act. In particular he made known the great duty of love, as comprehending the whole law in all its branches, and in …
478 wordsSECTION 2071180.] The True Light. ' 229
declared only, but enforced also by every species of argument that could address itself to your understanding, your con- science, or your will. I say not, that these things have been so fully manifested as they ought to have been, or might have been : because, if my own views had been more enlarged, and my own sou…
511 wordsSECTION 208230 1 John, 11. 8. [1180.
blinded his eyes \" You perceive that a man may be very confident that he is in the hi>ht ; and yet be so defective in re- spect of love, as to be in utter darkness, and going he knows not whither. I pray you, guard against so fatal a delusion as this ; and never conceive yourselves to be " children of light," til…
629 wordsSECTION 209232 1 John, Ii. 12—14. [1181
THE DIFFERENT GROWTH AND PRIVILEGES'OF GOD's CHILDREN. 1 John ii. 12 — 14. 7 write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake, I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is foom the beginning. I ivrite unto you^ young men, because ye have overcome the wicked o…
668 wordsSECTION 210232 1 John, Ii. 12—14. [1181
a child 1181.] PRIVILEGES OF GOd's CHILDREN. 233 a child of God. But remember for whose sake this pardon has been bestowed upon you. It has not been for your own sake ; for you deserved nothing but wrath ; yea, if God at this moment were to enter into judgment with you according to your present deserts, you must …
776 wordsSECTION 2111182.1 Love Of The World Forbidden. 235
O remember these your high privileges, and labour con- tinually to walk worthy of them! ] III. Lastly, we would speak to you also who are ** fathers " in Christ — [As age and experience elevate a man to a higher rank in the community than he possessed while in the vigour of his youth, so it is in the Church of Go…
532 wordsSECTION 212236 1 John, Ii. 15—17. [1182.
1 John li. 15 — 17. Love not tlie world f neither the things that are in the ivorld. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the luit of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, is not of of the Fathei; hut is of the world; mid the world passeth …
803 wordsSECTION 213238 1 John, Ii. 15—17. [1182*
The Apostle's own explanation of his meaning will throw further light on this matter. " The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life," are very generally under- stood as importing all those things which administer to sensual gratification ; and those things which, when beheld, are apt to fasci…
557 wordsSECTION 2141182.] Love Of The World Forbidden. 239
With the help of these distinctions I think we may fix, with some precision, the true import of the in- junction before us, and may proceed in a satisfactory manner to consider further, II. The reasons with which it is enforced — In confirmation of what he says respecting the world, the Apostle declares, 1 . Tha…
463 wordsSECTION 215240 1 John, Ii. 16—17. [1182.
soul ; and the poor gratifications it does afford, are all perish- ing even whilst they are in our hands ''.] 2. That a love to it is absolutely incompatible with love to God — [How solemn is the declaration, " If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him ?" This, if de- livered on maris author…
474 wordsSECTION 216H82.] Love Of The World Forbidden. 241
charitable judgment upon others. But we are not capable of judging rightly for others, unless we can put ourselves ex- actly into their , situation. A person in lower life has little conception of what may be proper for a person of opulence and distinction. Besides, there are a thousand circumstances which may pro…
541 wordsSECTION 217The Fruits Axd Effects Of Hope.
IJohniii. 3. Every one that hath this hope in hiviy purifieth himself, even as he is pure. THE people of God are but little known to an im- godly world : instead of being considered according to their true character, they are regarded as hypo- crites, enthusiasts, and disturbers of their brethren's peace. But thi…
658 wordsSECTION 218244 1 Johx, Hi. 3. [118S.
[The Christian cannot; wilfully live in any known sin : he wiU search out his corruptions, in order to subdue them ; and his duties, in order to fulfil them He will propose to himself the Lord Jesus Christ as his pattern : and though he can never hope to attain absolute perfection in this Ufe, he will not rest sat…
615 wordsSECTION 219Christ Manifested To Take Away Sin.
fore these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God°\" We must not wait till we are cleansed, and then em- brace the promises : but first embrace the promises ; and then make use of them for the cleansing of our souls. What encouragemen…
349 wordsSECTION 220246 1 John, Iii. 5. [1184.
know that he was manifested to take away our sins ; and in him was no sin." The destruction of sin being the great scope and end of our Ministry also, we will, I. Open to you his appeal — The great end of our Saviour's incarnation was to take away sin — [Sin had separated man from God, and God from man * : nor …
440 wordsSECTION 2211184.] Christ Manifested To Take Away Sin. 247
avoiding sin is, to imitate his example, and to " tread in his steps ^"] This was known and acknowledged through the whole Christian world — • [No one who helieved in Christ was ignoi'ant of the end for which he had come into the world. Hence the Apostle could appeal to all without exception, and could say, " Ye …
432 wordsSECTION 222248 1 John, Iii. 5. [1184.
endured to deliver you from it, What will ye say to him ? Will ye then make the foolish excuses that ye now do ? No, verily : your mouths will then be shut : you will be amazed and confounded at your present folly and impiety : and it will be no consolation to you then that there are so many in the same condemnati…
493 wordsSECTION 2231184.] Christ Manifested To Take Away Sin. 249
salvation. And if you will conceit yourselves to be " rich and increased in goods, and in need of nothing, when you are wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked," nothing remains for you but to reap the bitter fruits of your pride and folly " ] 3. Ye who, whilst ye profess to believe in Christ, are …
478 wordsSECTION 224Mclxxxv.
in him ? What then is there in your case that renders you an exception? Oh, do not so dishonour your adorable Saviour, as to doubt his sufficiency for the work that has been assigned him. Know that his blood is a sufficient " propitiation, not for your sins only, but also for the sins of the wliole world ;" and th…
723 wordsSECTION 22525-2 . 1 John, Hi. 8. [1185.
of *" 2 Cor. iv, 4. • Luke xxii. 3. Acts v. 3. * Eph. ii. 2. & vi. 1 1, 12. • 1 Thess. iii. 5. 2 Cor. xi. 3. ^ John viii.41, 44. ^ Rora. v. 12, 15— ip. of that first transgression : injieriting a corrupt nature, they follow the bent of their own inclinations, and rush on blind- fold to everlasting perdition ^ " T…
454 wordsSECTION 2261185.] The End Of Christ*S Incarnation. 253
Christ our Lord^" " In him we are strong;" and through his gracious communications " we can do all things :" " none can be eftectually against us, whilst he is for us." Having infused into our souls a principle of life, " he dwells in us," and " is himself our life%" and can-ies us forward " from conquering to con…
444 wordsSECTION 227Mclxxxvi.
THE LOVE OF CHRIST A PATTERiV FOR US, TO EACH OTHER. 1 John iii. 16. Hereby peiceive we the love of God, because he laid doun his life for us : and ue ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. IN contemplating Christianity as a system, we scarcely know whether to admire more, the depth of its mysteries, or t…
662 wordsSECTION 228256 1 Johx, Iii. 16. [1186.
3. What wonders of love are contained in it — [To what, but love, can we trace this merciful inter- position of the Deity in our behalf? was there any thing in us to merit it at God's hands? We, alas! were in the very state of the fallen angels, " ungodly," " sinners," " enemies," filled with all evil, and destitu…
802 wordsSECTION 229256 1 Johx, Iii. 16. [1186.
2. Towards our Brethren of the Church in parti- cular— [There is an especial duty towards those who are united to the Church of Christ: "We are to do good unto all men, but especially unto them that are of the household of faith.'* We owe to them a pre-eminent degree of love, because ihey are so near to us, and b…
702 wordsSECTION 230The Love Of God In Giving His Son For Us.
subser- •'Rom.xvi.4. " Phil. ii. 30, ' ib. vcr. 1(5, 1/. subservient to the welfare of mankind, if only we will endea- vour to improve them with diligence, and to exercise them with fidelity. You see what God would have us hoth to be and do : he would have us overwhelmed with a sense of his love to us, and aboun…
363 wordsSECTION 231260 1 John, Iv. 9, 10. [1188.
Instead of entering at large into the subject of our Saviour's incarnation, we shall confine ourselves strictly to the consideration of the Father's love in the different steps of it, as mentioned in the text. How astonishing is it, 1. That he should desire the restoration of our souls to life ! [Why should he e…
464 wordsSECTION 2321188.] Love Of God In Giving His Son For Us. 261
recovery, it seems absolutely incredible that he should ever condescend to use such means to effect it : yet we are told that he actually did so ; and that he sent, not an angel, not all the hosts of angels, but even " his only-begotten Son, into the world, that we might live through him''^"] 3. That he should sen…
427 wordsSECTION 233262 1 John, Iv. 9, 10. [1188.
than to that which, of his own free and sovereign grace, he bore to them. Hence the Apostle says, " Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us." It is indeed surprising that any Child of man should ever entertain such an idea of this which the Apostle explodes : but experience proves, that there …
481 wordsSECTION 2341188.1 Love Of God Ix Giving His Sox For Us. 2G3
Hear also what Jesus said to his OAvn iinmediate Disciples, who had certainly as good ground for boasting as any of us can have*" Hear further what St. John says in a few verses after our text, and which is applicable, not to one age or peo- ple, but to the saints of God in every age; " We love him, i'C- cmise he …
515 wordsSECTION 235264 1 John, Iv. 9, 10. [1188.
Or what can we have more than they, except it be given us fr(nn above? Know then, tliat, if God would burn with indignation against them for such pride and ingratitude, so will he against its, if we refuse to give him the glory due to his name. If Herod was made a monument of wrath for ac- cepting from others a tr…
491 wordsSECTION 236Christ The Saviour Of The World.
or self-denial which we should not willingly exercise for the good of others ; yea, even to the laying down of our life for them'. Here then we see the pro^.er duty of this season : Search out the poor, the sick, and the afflicted, that you may administer to them the consolations the}' stand in need of: and especi…
711 wordsSECTION 2371189.] Christ The Saviour Of The World. 267
power • Matt. xvii. 2. Maik ix. 2, 7. ^ John. i. 14. 2 Pet. i. I6— 18. * Matt. xvi. l(j. John vi. O'y. power and pollution, of sin^. And the prodigies attending his dissolution Avere such, that the Centurion who attended the crucifixion exclaimed, Truly this was a righteous man, this was the Son of God^] 4. His …
659 wordsSECTION 2381190.] Distinctive Character Of A Christian. 269
[If this glorious truth had never been revealed, we might well have made the same inquiries as Balak'. But what room is there for such inquiries now ? Do we despise this un- speakable gift of God ? or do we hope that we shall be able to establish a firmer foundation for our hope, than that which is laid in the blo…
546 wordsSECTION 239270 1 Johx, Iv. 16. [1190.
1 John iv. 16. We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. NEVER was there a truth so deep, so compre- hensive, so endearing, conveyed in so short a space as that immediately following our text; "^ God is love." It is engraven on the face of universal na- ture : the heavenly bodies, in their various …
437 wordsSECTION 2401190.] Distinctive Character Of A Christian. 271
statement given of it in the Scriptures ; but it is the Christian alone that justly apprehends it. The light of others, like that of the moon, is inoperative, uninfluential : but the Christian's hght is like that of the sun : it diffuses a genial warmth through the soul, and causes every grace to flourish and abou…
461 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1819); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.