PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 12 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 246,696 words · 540 reading sections
186 Mark, Xiv. 31. [1458.
Mark xiv. 31. He spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any ivise. Liheivise also said they all. THE influence of example is exceeding powerful, whether it lead to good or evil. This is well known in armies ; where courage or timidity beget a kindred feeling speedily, and to…
373 wordsSECTION 1821458.]] Self-Confidence Condemned. 187
It was a resolution worthy of the Apostles, and worthy to be adopted by every one of us. 1. Our blessed Saviour deserves it at our hands — [What has He not done for us? And what has he not suffered for us? And should we be afraid to confess him? Should any consideration under heaven induce us to deny him? ] 2. H…
402 wordsSECTION 183Mcccclix.
[Doubtless, this is great and arduous : nor must you, for a moment, wish to lower it. You must see that nothing under heaven should stand in competition with Christ1. The state of every man's mind should accord with that of the holy Apostle, when he said, " I am willing, not only to be bound, but to die for the Lo…
668 wordsSECTION 184190 Mark, Xiv. 71. [1459.
In the conduct of Peter we may further see, II. The danger of yielding to the fear of man — [Peter was naturally of a bold intrepid spirit. But he was left on this occasion, that he might know his weakness, and have a convincing evidence that his strength was in God alone. It is common indeed to represent his temp…
725 wordsSECTION 185Mcccclx.
1480.] Christ's appearance to mary magdalene. 191 Christ's appearance to mary magdalene. Mark xvi. 9. Noiv when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. ON few subjects has the ingenuity of critics been exercised more than in recon…
321 wordsSECTION 186192 Mark, Xvi. 9. [1460.
[It was necessary that our Lord should rise on the third day after his crucifixion. Not only did the period of Jonah's deliverance from the belly of the fish determine the time of Christ's continuance in the grave3, but it was expressly declared by David, that " God's Holy One should not see corruption15," and con…
895 wordsSECTION 187194 Mark, Xvi. 9. [1460.
Let us now proceed to, II. Inquire, Why he appeared first to Mary Magda- lene in particular ? It is said of Mary Magdalene, that " he had cast VOL. XII. o out of her seven devils." And if she was, as she is generally supposed to be, that Mary who anointed the feet of Jesus in the Pharisee's house f, she had bee…
658 wordsSECTION 188194 Mark, Xvi. 9. [1460.
3. To give encouragement to all future penitents to the end of time — [The various events recorded in the Scriptures are not to be limited to the persons to whom they more immediately refer. Many judgments were inflicted, and many mercies vouchsafed, for the benefit of the Church in future ages : and " they are w…
270 wordsSECTION 189On The Gospel Message.
[Behold how effectually every ground of doubt is removed from us ! Can we doubt Christ's poiver and authority to save ? He has risen from the dead, and thereby given the most con- vincing evidence that he is ordained of God to be the Saviour of the world : and his numerous appearances to his Disciples after his re…
352 wordsSECTION 1901461.] The Gospel Message. 197
Apostles were commanded to publish it to the world, and yet think himself at liberty to disregard it ? Shall the very recital of it beget suspicion, as though no- thing were desired but to establish the Shibboleth of a party ? Let us put away such unbecoming jealousies, and enter in a fair and candid manner into t…
360 wordsSECTION 191198 Mark, Xvi. 15, 16. [1461.
great or so general concern, that the Apostles needed to go forth " into all the world," or to preach it to " every creature." Our Lord " came to seek and to save that which was lost ;" he came to open a way for the recovery of our fallen race, and to restore men to the happiness which they had forfeited by their…
390 wordsSECTION 1921461.] The Gospel Message. 199
hath not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God." And in the close of that chapter it is added, " He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life ; but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." Not that there is any thing meritorious in this grace mor…
377 wordsSECTION 193200 Mark, Xvi. 15, 16. [1461.
to reverence the Christian revelation, while they live in a constant violation of every duty it enjoins. If the receiving of Christ, as he is offered in the Gospel, be the faith that saves, then the not receiving of Christ in that manner must be the unbelief that con- demns. This observation is of great importance…
378 wordsSECTION 1941461.] The Gospel Message. 201
submit to this ordinance, and yet be destitute of true faith, their baptism should not save them; they should perish for their unbelief : baptized or unbaptized, they should surely perish. The parts of the text being thus explained, there remains no difficulty in the meaning of the whole as it stands connected to…
347 wordsSECTION 195202 Mark, Xvi. 15, 16. [1461.
afterwards produces, lest any one should be led to confound faith with its fruits, or to ascribe that to faith and works conjointly, which properly belongs to faith alone. Consider then a person coming in this penitent manner to Christ, and trusting in the promises of his God ; is it unreasonable that such a pers…
371 wordsSECTION 1961461.] The Gospel Message. 203
substitutes what he esteems a safer and better method of his own. The most stupendous display of divine love and mercy that ever was or can be exhibited, he dis- regards : and thus, both " tramples under foot the Son of God, and does despite unto the Spirit of grace :" yea, to use the language of an inspired Apost…
377 wordsSECTION 197204 Mark, Xvi. 15, 16. [1461.
While the Gospel of Christ is misrepresented and opposed by man, the angels, who are incomparably less interested in its provisions, are ever contem- plating it with admiration and joy. And, if it were better understood amongst us, it could not but meet with a more favourable reception ; for it has innu- merable …
394 wordsSECTION 1981461.] The Gospel Message. 205
with humility and earnestness, beg of God that "Christ may be made unto me wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption?" These questions are easy enough to be resolved ; and by the answer which conscience gives to them, we may know assuredly whether we be in the way to heaven or to hell. And who…
357 wordsSECTION 199206 Mark, Xvi. 15, 16. [1461.
after them will I go." Under the various calamities of life, also, believers find consolation in the thought that the salvation of their souls is secured by Christ. Hence they are enabled to bear their trials with firmness : they " know how both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." And …
381 wordsSECTION 2001461.] The Gospel Message. 207
Lastly — The last excellency which I shall mention as belonging to the Gospel, is, that it most of all secures the practice of good works. Here is the chief ground of jealousy with the world : and if the Gospel were indeed liable to the imputations cast on it, if it gave licence to men to continue in sin, we shoul…
383 wordsSECTION 201208 Mark, Xvi. 15, 16. [1461.
emboldened primarily and principally to recommend the Gospel from this consideration, that while the zealous advocates for self-righteousness are miserably defective in all spiritual duties, the Gospel of Christ invariably stimulates us to a holy, spiritual, and unre- served obedience. Many more excellencies of t…
717 wordsSECTION 202210 Mark, Xvi. 15, 16. [1461.
VOL. XII. p are naturally more averse : what our Lord said to the Jews of old may be addressed with equal propriety to the greater part of nominal Christians, " Ye will not come unto me, that ye may have life." But let it be remembered, that, however humiliating it may appear to our proud nature to renounce all s…
398 wordsSECTION 203John The Forerunner Of Jesus.
Saviour will, ere long, issue this vindictive sentence — " Bring him hither, and slay him hefore me." The decree is gone forth, nor shall all the powers of hea- ven or hell reverse it, " He who believeth and is baptized, shall be saved ; but he that believeth not, shall be damned." MCCCCLXII. MCCCCLXIII. MCCCCL…
377 wordsSECTION 2041466.] John The Forerunner Of Jesus. 213
Respecting this person, thus solemnly foretold, and thus miraculously born, we shall be led to notice two things ; I. His character — It is in a comparative view that the text requires us to consider this : He came " in the spirit and power of Elijah," whom he closely resembled — [The resemblance may be seen in…
397 wordsSECTION 205214 Luke, I. 17. [1466.
was John the Baptist f. It was highly proper that so glorious a person as the Messiah should not even appear to come in a surreptitious or clandestine manner ; but that the minds of men should be directed to him, and his arrival be made the subject of general expectation. Hence we find, that the great argu- ment b…
456 wordsSECTION 206The Angel'S Message To Mary.
2. How important must be the knowledge of him — [The very end for which John was miraculously given to the world, was to bear witness to Christ, and to commend him to the Jewish nation. Was then the knowledge of Christ of such importance to the Jews? Surely it is no less so to us: our salvation depends upon it, as…
381 wordsSECTION 20721G Luke, I. 35, 88. [1467.
We propose to consider, I. The honour promised her — She was informed, that God had ordained her to be the happy instrument of bringing into the world his only dear Son : and, on her inquiring how that should be accomplished in her virgin state, she was told that the Holy Ghost, who at the first creation of the …
397 wordsSECTION 2081467.] The Angel'S Message To Mary. 217
Of this corruption Christ must have participated, if he had been born in the way of other men : for " who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one c," says Job: and again, " How can he be clean that is born of a woman d?" In this case, he could not have been " a Lamb without spot or blemish ;" and conseq…
455 wordsSECTION 209218 Luke, I. 35—38. [ 14(>T.
truth of the promise, but merely for information respecting the mode of its accomplishment. Now in this she shewed the eminence of her piety : and for this she was particularly com- mended by God himself, who inspired Elizabeth, at the first appearance of the Virgin, to exclaim, " Blessed is she that believed ; fo…
460 wordsSECTION 210Learn,
in God my Saviour." She justly acknowledged, that, " He who was mighty had done to her great things," in the contem- plation of which " all generations would call her blessed." She viewed with ineffable delight the accomplishment of that pro- mise which had been made to Abraham ; and doubtless, to the latest momen…
459 wordsSECTION 211The Virgin'S Song Of Praise.
we should commit to the hands of a faithful Creator, equally ready to suffer for him, or to be more illustrious monuments of his paternal care. O happy should we be, if in this manner we could embrace every promise he has given us, and in full expectation of its accomplishment say, " Behold the servant of the Lord…
807 wordsSECTION 212222 Luke, I. 46, 47. [1468.
And have not we the same ground of joy d? or rather, ought a ver. 48, 49. b Compare Ps. ex. 1. with Matt. xxii. 43 — 45. c ver. 4-3,44. a Luke ii. 10, 11. not our joy in him to be more sublime, in proportion as our knowledge of him is more clear ? O let not our views of him be less exalted, or our affiance in him …
485 wordsSECTION 2131468.] The Virgin'S Song Of Praise. 223
But are not the commands on this head as clear, and as forcible, as on any subject whatever? " Rejoice in the Lord alway ; and again I say, Rejoice f;" " Rejoice evermore, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning youg." Indeed the exercise of this heavenly disposition is represented as charac- terist…
448 wordsSECTION 214The Song Of Zacharias.
Luke i. 67 — 75. And his father Zacharias to as filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David; as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets which …
358 wordsSECTION 2151469.] The Song Of Zacii\Rias. 225
[It was announced to Adam immediately after his falla. To Abraham it had been promised with an oathb. To David, from whose loins the Messiah was to spring, it had been con- firmed by an everlasting covenant0. In a more particular manner it had been foretold that Christ should "visit and redeem" his people. The sta…
459 wordsSECTION 216226 Luke, I. 67—75. [1469.
But the incarnation of Christ was a ground of joy to him : II. As a mean of spiritual blessings — Here the reference to the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt is yet more manifest than before. The re- quisition made by Moses to Pharaoh was, that Israel should go into the wilderness to serve the Lord. This was th…
673 wordsSECTION 217The Causes Of Our Saviour'S Incarnation.
2. Let us seek to participate the blessings accruing from it — [Though we are not properly affected with our spiritual bondage, because we are in love with our chains, yet is it far more terrible than any to which our bodies can be subject. Now we are well assured, that if heavy tasks were daily im- posed on us, …
653 wordsSECTION 218The Causes Of Our Saviour'S Incarnation.
Under that character he has visited our benighted world — [A dawning of his appearance had been long visible in the promises of God, and in all the prophetic writings, as also in the whole of the Mosaic ritual. But at his incarnation he began more clearly to illumine this horizon. He diffused a light around him b…
348 wordsSECTION 219230 Luke, I. 78, 79. [1470.
notwithstanding all our advantages, are, like them, " in darkness and the shadow of death," on the very confines of destruction.] To dispel this darkness He came into the world — [Human reason could not break through the clouds with which we were enveloped; still less could the lucubrations of reason convert the s…
700 wordsSECTION 220232 Luke, Ii. 10, 11. [1471.
p 2 Pet. i. 19. i See Eph. ii. 4, 7. r 1 John ii. 9. s 1 John i. 7. Christ's incarnation glad tidings to all. Luke ii. 10, 11. Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. IT has pleased God o…
668 wordsSECTION 221234 Luke Ii. 10, 11. [1471.
3. His sufficiency for it — [Had the person announced as a Saviour been a mere creature, he never could have effected all that was necessary for those whom he came to save. But he was " the Lord," even Jehovah himself. It had been said of him by the pro- phet, eight hundred years before, " To us a Child is born, t…
653 wordsSECTION 222234 Luke Ii. 10, 11. [1471.
1472. J the angels' song. 235 then we say, " Go to Bethlehem," or rather, Go to the Bible, and search whether these things be not as they have been re- presented ? What would you have thought of the shepherds, if, when they had such an opportunity of obtaining satisfaction on the point, they had neglected it, and …
422 wordsSECTION 223236 Luke, Ii. 13, 14. [1472.
Luke ii. 13, 14. And suddenly there was with the angel a mul- titude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men. THE circumstances of our Saviour's birth charac- terize in a measure, the dispensation which he came to introduce. The Gospel ex…
671 wordsSECTION 224236 Luke, Ii. 13, 14. [1472.
And by all this is "the highest possible glory re- flected upon God himself" — [There is not a perfection of the Deity which is not honoured by this, yea, and more honoured than ever it was before. Wisdom and goodness and power and love had been displayed before in the formation of angels, and in the blessedness …
252 wordsSECTION 225238 Luke, Ii. 13, 14. [1472.
blessed assembly pour forth their praises in this appropriate song, " Glory to God in the highest ; peace on earth, good-will toivards men"'] But to contemplate this subject will be of no use, unless we enter fully into it, II. As a mercy devoutly to be acknowledged — The angels, though in comparison of us they h…
700 wordsSECTION 226240 Luke, It. 15. [1473.
But raise your thoughts to heaven, my brethren, and con- sider for a moment what is passing there. There are already millions of redeemed souls that rest not day or night from these songs of praise. There the chorus is swelling louder and louder every day by the accession of saints made perfect, every one having t…
353 wordsSECTION 2271473.] Inquiry Into The Gospel Recommended. 211
Luke ii. 15. Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. IT is a rich mercy to have a faithful instructor, who will declare unto us the whole counsel of God. But, to obtain any solid benefit, we must search into the truths we hear, and endea…
690 wordsSECTION 228242 Luke, Ii. 15. [1473.
a Mic. v. 2. b Isai. ix. 6. c Isai. vii. 14. d Ps. xxii. 6. VOL. XII. R his birth had no other mansion than a stable, no other cradle than a manger, that same Jesus, I say, was " God manifest in the flesh e," even " God over all blessed for everf. We more- over declare unto you, that he is " the Saviour of the wor…
466 wordsSECTION 2291473.] Inquiry Into The Gospel Recommended. 243
guilt ; and he must have resembled them in respect of misery, if such a way had not been devised and executed for his reco- very. Moreover, it was in this way only that God could save man, and at the same time maintain the honour of his own perfections. Without an atonement, his justice could not be satisfied : no…
471 wordsSECTION 230244 Luke, Ii. 15. [1473.
shall we attain " a full assurance of understanding" with respect to it. Let this then incline us to go with one accord to Bethlehem, and to commence the pious search : yea, let the hope and prospect of so rich a benefit stimulate us to united and instan- taneous exertions.] 2. You will be disposed to communicate…
457 wordsSECTION 231The Circumcision Of Christ.
Luke ii. 21. And when eight dags were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, ivhich was so named of the angel before he urns conceived in the womb. THE naming of children has often been used, not merely for distinction's sake, but also to express some expectation or wish which …
338 wordsSECTION 232246 Luke, Ii. 21. [1474.
name on a child was generally that of his circum- cision. It was thus in the case of Johnc, as also in that of Jesus : the solemnity of that rite giving an additional weight to the name imposed. But it is to the rite itself, that is, to circumcision, that we shall confine our attention at this time : for, in poin…
446 wordsSECTION 2331474. J The Circumcision Of Christ. 247
when that famous controversy respecting circumcision was brought before the whole College of Apostles at Jerusalem : he reproved those who insisted on the observance of that rite, for " putting a yoke upon the Christians, which not even the most eminent among the Jews had been able to bearg." Of course, if circumc…
477 wordsSECTION 234248 Luke, Ii. 21. [1474.
2. That he might be fully under the obligations of the Mosaic law — [Mankind at large were subject only to the moral law; and therefore for their redemption it would have been sufficient for the Son of God to assume our nature : but the house of Israel, for whose salvation he was sent in the first instance, were …
483 wordsSECTION 2351474.] The Circumcision Of Christ. 249
Let us now turn our attention to, III. The lessons, which his submission to it may teach us — It may well teach us, 1. To observe the instituted ordinances of our religion — [Circumcision, with respect to us, is done away, and is superseded by the milder rite of baptism. But baptism is as necessary for us, as c…
414 wordsSECTION 236250 Luke, Ii. 21. [1474.
Once more: Are not children capable of receiving the blessings of the covenant? for our Lord says, " Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not ; for of such is the kingdom of God." And if they are capable of the blessings of the covenant, are they not also of the seal; when that seal is nothing m…
439 wordsSECTION 237Presentation Of Christ In The Temple.
Luke ii. 22 — 24. And when the days of her purification accord- ing to the lato of Moses tvere accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; fas it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the ivomb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice according t…
344 wordsSECTION 238252 Luke, Ii. 22— M. [1475.
[A woman was deemed unclean for seven days after her deliverance from child-birth, so that she rendered every one unclean who even came in contact with her : and for thirty- three clays afterwards she was not permitted to touch any holy thing, or to enter into the temple. The time was doubled for a female child : …
461 wordsSECTION 2391475.] Presentation Of Christ In The Temple. 253
heart was so full of love to God, that she counted nothing a burthen that she could do for him. She determined therefore, as Jesus himself did in the instance of his baptism, to fulfil all righteousness to the utmost of her power. It may be asked however,] What is this law to us ? [Doubtless, as to the ceremonial…
439 wordsSECTION 240254 Luke, Ii. 22—21. [1475.
to each should be ascertained ; and it being found that the first-born were two hundred and seventy-three more in number than the Levites, he ordered that they should be redeemed at the price of five shekels a-piece, (about \2s.6d. each,) and that the money should be paid to Aaron and his sons for the service of t…
510 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.