PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 12 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 246,696 words · 540 reading sections
1444."] Blind Bartimeus Cured. 123
minute descriptions given of those whom he does invite, are far more satisfactory to the soul, than the most express mention of our names could be : we might doubt whether there were not others of our name ; but who can doubt whether he be a sinner, a lost sinner ? Yet such are repeatedly declared to be the very p…
453 wordsSECTION 122124 Mark, X. 49, 50. [1444.
We shall conclude with recommending to your imita- tion the conduct of this blind beggar. Imitate, 1. His humility — [It is scarcely possible for words to express deeper humi- lity than that manifested by Bartimeus. He sought nothing but mercy for mercy's sake: he had no plea but that of his own misery, together …
439 wordsSECTION 123The Importance Of Faith In Prayer.
ever engraven on our hearts, and a grateful sense of it be ever legible in our lives. Thus shall we answer the end for which his mercy is imparted, and be numbered among his followers in a better world.] Mark xi. 24. / say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye s…
359 wordsSECTION 124120 Mark, Xl 24. [1445.
as they are given; if they are given absolutely, we must expect them absolutely; if conditionally, conditionally. Our faith in each must be equally assured : we must as fully expect the accomplishment of a conditional promise on the performance of the condition, as of any promises to which no condition is annexed.…
503 wordsSECTION 1251445.] Importance Of Faith In Prayer. 127
are no further promised than the bestowinent of them shall accord with God's will, and be subservient to his glory. We shall have them in that measure that shall be conducive to our spiritual and eternal welfare. Promises also which relate to others, are of this kind. God engages to " pour out his Spirit on our se…
434 wordsSECTION 126128 Mark, Xi. 24. [1445.
our own. We have invited a person to come and receive some great benefit : and he no sooner comes into our presence, than he betrays a doubt about our sincerity, and a suspicion that we intend to disappoint him. Should we be pleased with such a person ? Should we feel disposed to extend our benefits tc him in such…
497 wordsSECTION 1271445.1 Importance Of Faith In Prayer. 129
namely, the will of God : and if the desire be within that limit, every believer may rest assured, that God either has answered his prayers, or will answer them in due time0.] Learn then from hence, 1. The true nature of prayer — [It is thought by men in general to be a duty: and a duty it certainly is in some po…
489 wordsSECTION 128130 Mark, Xii. 6. [1446.
Yet, in exercising faith, we must guard against presumption; for if our faith be of an unhallowed kind, and go beyond the promise, it shall not be crowned with success. When Elisha heard that the widow's son was dead, he sent his servant with his staff, conceiving that the touch of that would suffice to restore hi…
312 wordsSECTION 1291446.1 The Regard Due To Christ. 131
Mark xii. 6. They will reverence my son. THERE are many passages of Scripture, wherein God speaks of himself as frustrated and disappointed by the conduct of his creatures. We are not how- ever to suppose that events happened really contrary to the purposes he had fixed or the expectations he had formed : for it …
851 wordsSECTION 1301446.] The Regard Due To Christ. 133
3. On account of the benefits he will impart to us — [If we hoped for nothing more than to avoid the miseries of hell, methinks we could never sufficiently reverence that adorable Saviour who came to deliver us from them. But this is a small part only of the blessings- which he will bestow upon us. He will introdu…
487 wordsSECTION 131134 Mark. Xii. 6. [1446.
his honour, or his interests, every word we utter will be duly weighed, and produce an effect suited to its importance. But if we say to any one, ' Our blessed Lord requires this, or forbids that,' we only excite a smile of contempt ; and the person goes on his way without the smallest concern. Nor is this peculiar…
511 wordsSECTION 1321446.1 The Regard Due To Christ. 135
faith in Christ is rather nominal, than real ; and that, while they acknowledge him as a Saviour, they do not cordially cleave unto him, or unreservedly embrace him.] 4. His cause and interests are opposed — [One would imagine that they who do not reverence Christ themselves, would at least permit others to honour…
447 wordsSECTION 133Duties To Our Earthly And Our Heavenly King.
hither those that were mine enemies, who would not that I should reign over them, and slay them before me."] 2. Those who are endeavouring to fulfil the will of God — [Thanks be to God ! there are some who " honour the Son even as they honour the Father ;" and whose delight it is to render him the fruits which he…
353 wordsSECTION 1341447.] Duties To Our Earthly And Heavenly King. 137
perpetrate by themselves a. It was in answer to a question put to him by them, that he gave the direc- tion in my text : in considering which, I will point out, I. The wisdom of it, as a reply to the question pro- posed— [The persons sent to him were of two widely different castes : some were Pharisees, who were …
456 wordsSECTION 135138 Mark, Xii. 17. [1447.
not at all aware of the drift of his question, answered, " Caesar's;" thereby unwittingly acknowledging that they were under the dominion of Caesar ; seeing, that on no other supposition could they acknowledge his money as the current coin of the king- dom. Thus they were taken in their own snare : for on their an…
412 wordsSECTION 136The Resurrection Proved From The Pentateuch.
subordination to our duty to God ; and so endeavour to per- form the commands of both, that both may be honoured and both be pleased. The Pharisees had much to say for themselves against the right claimed by the Romans to govern that peopled The Herodians, on the other hand, had much to say in support of the Roman…
376 wordsSECTION 137140 Mark, Xii. 26, 21. [1448.
relating to them. In this manner the Free-thinkers among the Jews discarded the greater part of the Scriptures, together with the most fundamental arti- cles of their religion. They denied, for instance, the resurrection of the body, and it is supposed, the immortality of the soul also : and having, as they imagi…
338 wordsSECTION 1381448.] The Resurrection Proved. 141
The Sadducees acknowledged only the five books of Moses as of divine authority : and therefore our blessed Lord, passing by the many plainer passages which are contained in the prophetic writings, adduced one from the book of Exodus b, which, obscurely indeed, but certainly, contained the doctrine in question — […
484 wordsSECTION 139140 Mark, Xii. 26, 21. [1448.
Sadducees; insomuch that "not one of them dared to put any other question to hime."] Let us proceed to consider the quotation, II. As declaring the believer's privileges — All that the passage implied in reference to the patriarchs, it implies in reference to believers in every age. It implies, 1. That a relatio…
455 wordsSECTION 1401448.] The Resurrection Proved. 143
3. That in the last day these blessings shall be fully and eternally enjoyed — [Whatever we possess in this world, it is only transient. The believer's path is not always smooth : he has many trials ; and u through much tribulation is his way to the kingdom." But in heaven he has arrived at a state of unmixed, uni…
467 wordsSECTION 141141 Mark, Xii. 28—30. [1449.
lay hold upon him, and cleave unto him with full purpose of heart ; and then you may with confidence call God your Father, and say, " This God is our God for ever and ever."] 3. To look forward with joy to the eternal world — [There will you meet all the glorified saints from Abel to the present hour. Not one of t…
250 wordsSECTION 1421449.] The Great Commandment. 145
Mark xii. 28 — 30. And one of the Scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and 'perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first command- ment of all ? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, 0 Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord : and thou shalt …
585 wordsSECTION 143146 Mark, Xii. 28—30. [1449.
In fact, as learned Jews thought that in these words some peculiar mystery was contained, so some of the early Christians thought that they saw in them a strong intimation of the doctrine of the Trinity in unity b. But I am always afraid of indulging the imagination upon topics so sacred and mysterious : and there…
414 wordsSECTION 1441449.] The Great Commandment. 147
affections, whereby we may enjoy him ; and bodily powers also, whereby we may serve and glorify him. These no other creature on earth possesses. Hence man has been called a religious animal; because he alone has those capacities which fit him for religious exercises. Now for what end were these peculiar faculties …
451 wordsSECTION 145148 Mark, Xii. 28—30. [1449.
offices for which they were originally given. The understand- ing will have its capacity for the comprehension of divine truth renovated and enlarged : the will of itself will turn to every thing which God requires : and the affections will all fix on God as their proper centre, from which neither force nor attrac…
406 wordsSECTION 1461449.] The Great Commandment. 149
" Hear this," secondly, for your humiliation, that you may see how grievously you have failed in your duty towards him — [In order to form a right estimate of your character before God, you must bring yourselves to this test, and try yourselves by this commandment. But who can abide this test? Who can find any on…
403 wordsSECTION 147Love To Our Neighbour.
Mark xii. 31. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighhour as thyself. There is none other command- ment greater than these. A QUESTION had been put to our Lord, What was the first and great commandment ? To this he had answered, " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God." But, lest the Scribe shou…
304 wordsSECTION 1481450.] Love To Our Neighbour. 151
" wrong or defraud us in any matter :" we should wish to find in all his dealings the strictest integrity. Such then should be our conduct in all our intercourse with him. We should take a lively interest in whatever relates to him, and rather suffer wrong ourselves, than commit the smallest trespass upon himb We…
490 wordsSECTION 149152 Mark, Xii. 31. [1450.
It appears indeed, at first sight, that the love here inculcated, is to be confined to those of our own community k : but other passages in the same chapter prove, that it is to be extended even to strangers1 ; and our Lord's illustration of it shews, that it must reach even to our enemies"1.] Having, though very …
408 wordsSECTION 1501450.] Love To Our Neighbour. 153
love of God are vainq. We may have the most eminent gifts, and appear to exercise the most distinguished graces, and after all be " nothing" in the sight of God, if we be not under the influence of this Divine principle1-. By this we fulfil the law8 ; and therefore the want of it must constitute us transgressors o…
452 wordsSECTION 151Excellence Of The Moral Law.
Mark xii. 32 — 34. And the Scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth : for there is one God, and there is none other but he : and to love him ivith all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than …
372 wordsSECTION 1521451.] Excellence Of The Moral Law. 155
conciliated his esteem, and disposed him for receiving further information. The answer which our Lord gave to him has already been considered. That which we are now to attend to, is the Scribe's reply ; which naturally suggests to us the following observations : I. That the great practical duties of the law are …
379 wordsSECTION 153156 Mark, Xii. 32—34. [1451.
bodies of slain beasts; but he cannot " present his own soul a living sacrifice to God ;" he cannot have that inflamed with the fire of divine love, unless he be regenerate and created anew in Christ Jesus ] Respecting the practical duties of the law, we may farther observe, II. That they are such as must commend…
405 wordsSECTION 1541451.] Excellence Of The Moral Law. 157
regulates all our dispositions, and transforms us into the very image of our God More cannot be said in confirmation of this truth, than what St. John hath said, " God is love : and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in himc."] 4. Are they instrumental to the honouring of God— YES. [We know of no o…
434 wordsSECTION 155158 Mark, Xii. 32—34. [1451.
2. A willingness to embrace the offers of salvation — [This necessarily follows from the former. A man, who feels himself perishing, cannot despise an offer of deliverance. One who had not committed homicide, might view a city of refuge with indifference ; but one who saw the pursuer of blood close upon him, would…
438 wordsSECTION 1561452.] N°T Far From The Kingdom Of God. 159
be " not far from the kingdom of God," if they be not after- wards brought into it? To what purpose is it to be "almost Christians," if they do not become such altogether ? To what purpose is it to have " a name to live," if yet they continue "dead?" The Wise Virgins only, who had oil in their lamps, were admitted…
331 wordsSECTION 157100 Mark, Xii. 34. [1452.
Mark xii. 34. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. OUR blessed Lord has given us this caution : "Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine a." But, in following this sugges- tion, we must be careful not to …
401 wordsSECTION 1581452.] Not Far From The Kingdom Of God. 1G1
very undue stress upon outward rites and ceremonies; and upon circumcision in particular, (as many amongst ourselves do upon baptism,) as though that were of itself sufficient to secure a man's acceptance with God. The having of Abraham for their father, was, in their estimation, a sure title to heaven g; whilst a…
434 wordsSECTION 159162 Mark, Xii. 34. [1452.
was among them, and there exists to a vast extent amongst ourselves, an idea, that if a man were punctually observant of all the rites and ceremonies of religion, he must of necessity be in a good state before God. But this Scribe justly sets down the outward observances of religion as of no account, if the person…
461 wordsSECTION 1601452.1 Not Far From The Kingdom Of God. 163
mean, an approbation of what is good : it consists in a thorough conversion of the soul to God, in a way of deep penitence, and simple faith, and unreserved obedience: and till these be found in you really, deeply, abidingly, you are not really partakers of the kingdom of God. You may be " not far from it ;" but yo…
481 wordsSECTION 161The Widow'S Mite.
instead of being, as we would fondly hope he was, brought effectually into the kingdom of God. Learn, then, tenderness towards such characters ; and " instruct in meekness them that oppose themselves ; if God peradventure may give them repent- ance to the acknowledgment of the truth ; and they may recover themselv…
699 wordsSECTION 162166 Mark, Xii. 41—44.. [1453,
Now it may well be doubted whether there be a man upon earth who would not have disapproved of this act, if our Lord himself had not expressly commended it : they would have blamed it as unnecessary, as useless, as presumptuous •' unne- cessary, because God could not require any offering at the hands of one who wa…
596 wordsSECTION 1631454. J The Duty Of Watchfulness Enforced. 167
her that God was privy to it. Thus " our left hand should not know what our right hand doeth." There are occasions indeed, when, for the sake of example, it is necessary that our liberality should be known : but, when that is not the case, we should rather affect privacy, and be satisfied with approving ourselves …
412 wordsSECTION 164168 Mark, Xiii. 32—36. [1454.
Mark xiii. 32 — 36. But of that day and that hour knoiveth no wan, no, not the angels ivhich are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray : for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, ivho left his house, and gave authority to his servants,…
426 wordsSECTION 1651454.] The Duty Of Watchfulness Enforced. 169
exercise they are inseparable : neither would be of any avail without the other : prayer without watchfulness would be hypocritical ; and watchfulness without prayer, presumptuous. We shall therefore combine the duties, as though it had been said, Watch in the exercise of prayer. And that we may yet further simpl…
460 wordsSECTION 166170 Mark, Xiii. 32—36. [1454.
For the attainment of this happy frame of mind, we should be watching our progress in the Divine life, and praying day and night to God to perfect in us the work that he has begun ] Let us next attend to, II. The considerations with which it is enforced — These may be comprehended in the two following: 1. The un…
453 wordsSECTION 1671455.] Waiting For Christ'S Second Coming. 171
Who that contemplates these tremendous consequences, must not determine with God's help to watch and pray through the whole remainder of his days? ] Our Lord's concluding admonition, " What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch," will lead us to address some different descriptions of persons : 1. The old — [Is so…
313 wordsSECTION 168172 Mark, Xiii. 37. [1455.
Mark xiii. 37. What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. GOD is pleased to speak to us, not only in his word, but by the dispensations of his providence. Calamities, whether foreign or domestic, whether public or personal, are sent by him to awaken our drowsy consciences, and to stir us up to a remem- brance of …
447 wordsSECTION 1691455.] Waiting For Christs Second Coming. 173
II. Our duty arising from this consideration — Thrice in the space of a few verses does our Lord repeat the same injunction, " Watch a." To enforce this, we would say, 1. Expect the second coming of your Lord — [Put not from you, as you are too apt to do, the thoughts of death and judgment, but cherish them in yo…
387 wordsSECTION 170174 Mark, Xiii. 37. [1455.
reference to our souls ? Are our souls of less value than our property, or the concerns of time than those of eternity? Are not the consequences of unwatchfulness sufficiently awfulc? And is not our real danger increased, rather than diminished, in proportion to our security d? To every one then who is unconcerned…
460 wordsSECTION 171Commendation Of Marys Love.
your holy profession™. " Have your loins continually girt, and your lamps trimmed, and yourselves as those who wait for the coming of their Lord n."] m 1 Thess. v. 2, 4—8. 11 Supposing this were a Funeral Sermon for a truly pious person, some little mention of his character might be made here. Mark xiv. 8. She ha…
312 wordsSECTION 172176 Mark, Xiv. 8. [1456
was one of the guests invited to meet him. Our Lord did not refuse to sanction a feast prepared for his sake : nor, when Mary, the sister of Lazarus, manifested her regard for him in a way that had an appearance of extravagance, did he condemn her for it : on the contrary, he judged that it was suited to the occa…
677 wordsSECTION 173178 Mark, Xiv. 8. [1456.
Such was the act : let us next consider, II. The commendation given it — The Disciples blamed it as an act of extravagance and waste : and thinking lightly of the honour done to their Master, reflected only on the loss sustained by the poor ; since if it had been sold and given to them, it would have provided rel…
611 wordsSECTION 1741456.] Commendation Of Marys Love. 179
Not content with applauding her at the moment, he ordained that this act of hers should he recorded in his Gospel, and con- tinue to be held up to the admiration of mankind even to the end of the world11. But was this memorial of her to be re- corded solely for her honour? No: as the record of Abraham's faith bein…
508 wordsSECTION 175180 Mark, Xiv. 8. [1456.
[Nothing is more common than to hear persons assert, that " they do all they can :" nay, many found on this very thing their hopes of acceptance with God. But this is dreadful presumption in any one, and more especially in those who are most forward to arrogate this character to themselves. Indeed the assumption o…
472 wordsSECTION 176The Self-Diffidence Of The Apostles.
living unto God? Let us then endeavour to approve ourselves to our all-seeing and ever-adorable Saviour. Let us guard against entertaining uncharitable thoughts either of those who fall short of us, or those who go beyond us, in acts of love to him. We all have our different views, different tempers, dif- ferent t…
381 wordsSECTION 177182 Mark, Xiv. 17—19. [1457.
and grief. They all looked one upon another, to see whether any one would avow such an intention as that : and when no one seemed conscious of any such purpose, all began to suspect themselves, and to ask, " Lord, is it I? Is it I?" We shall find it not unprofitable to consider, I. The self-diffidence of the Apos…
448 wordsSECTION 1781457.J Tiie Self-Diffidence Of The Apostles. 183
must attach, presumed also to put the question, " Master, is it I b ? " And our Lord told him plainly that it was ; and after- wards pointed him out also to the other Apostles, by giving to him a sop in the presence of them all ; that so, when the act should have been committed, and all the distressing conse- quen…
456 wordsSECTION 179184 Mark, Xiv. 17—19. [1457.
predictions concerning it: and the Apostles shewed a just con- sciousness of the depravity of our fallen nature, when each, believing that the words of Jesus would be fulfilled, inquired whether he himself were the person destined to fulfil them.] 2. That there is no person so eminent, but he has reason to distrus…
473 wordsSECTION 1801458.] Self-Confidence Condemned. 185
Now, who shall say what Almighty God foresees respecting us ? The probability is, that were futurity now to be disclosed to our view, it would be said, ' One in that assembly will betray me, and, for the sake of some present gain, will sacrifice my honour and interests in the world. Another will commit such or suc…
463 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.