PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 12 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 246,696 words · 540 reading sections
1535.] The Infirm Woman Cured. 507
compatible with that holy rest which God had en- joined. To this effect he spake in the passage before us ; in discoursing upon which, we shall consider, I. The miracle he wrought — There was in the synagogue a woman much afflicted in body — [By the force of some disorder her whole frame was so contracted or rel…
382 wordsSECTION 482508 Luke, Xiii. 15, 16. [1535.
of his being altogether destitute of compassion to his fellow- creatures ! And how thin the veil under which he endeavoured to cover these detestable qualities !] Our Lord, however, vindicated his own conduct in a most unanswerable manner — [He tacitly acknowledged the necessity of sanctifying the Sabbath ; but a…
456 wordsSECTION 4831535.] The Infirm Woman Cured. 509
Sabbath-day ? Let us all then acknowledge the evil of our own hearts ; and give God the glory if we be in any measure freed from the prejudices by which so many in every age and place are blinded.] 2. How desirable is it to embrace every oppor- tunity of waiting upon God ! [The woman broke through every difficult…
464 wordsSECTION 484The Last First, And The First Last.
Luke xiii. 80. Behold, there are last which shall be first ; and there are first which shall be last. THIS is a declaration frequently made by our blessed Lord ; and therefore we may be sure it con- tains some very important truths, that deserve our deepest attention. Persons who are addicted to human systems wil…
331 wordsSECTION 4851536.1 The Last First, And The First Last. 511
by the devil at his will. But in the apostolic age the case was altogether changed ; the Jews being cast off from God ; and the Gentiles being admitted into covenant with him, and made partakers of far higher privileges than were ever accorded to the Jews. There is, in fact, scarcely any comparison between the mer…
478 wordsSECTION 486512 Luke, Xiii. 30. [1536.
disputer of this world ? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world6?" The truth is, that the wisdom of this world is so deeply impregnated with pride, that it cannot submit to the humiliating doctrines of the Gospelf. " The wisdom of God is foolishness with man : and the wisdom of man is foolishness with …
492 wordsSECTION 4871536.] The Last First, And The First Last. 513
from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory p."] Having endeavoured to elucidate the words before us, I will now, II. Suggest the improvement which, in my judgment the subject calls for — I cannot conceive any subject more calculated, 1. To put down presumption — […
443 wordsSECTION 488The Man Cured Of The Dropsy.
remember who it is that is engaged in our behalf, we shall never despond. For what is there that God cannot effect? If there ever was any thing to be despaired of, it was, that Jesus should be restored to life after he had been committed to the tomb. But did not " the stone which the builders had disallowed become…
368 wordsSECTION 4891537. J The Man Cured Of The Dropsy. 515
the history before us. He was in a Pharisee's house, whither he had been invited to dinner ; and his con- duct there will afford us many useful lessons. We shall consider, I. The character of those who entertained our Lord — The lawyers and Pharisees professed a high regard for religion, and on this occasion appe…
425 wordsSECTION 490516 Luke, Xiv. 1—4, [1537.
reproved." They have no ears to hear, no eyes to see any thing that condemns themselves ; but are all eye, and all ear, when a religious person is to be exposed. Nor is this charac- ter found only among the profane; but often among those who affect a great regard for religion, and sometimes even among those, whose…
428 wordsSECTION 4911537.] The Man Cured Of The Dropsy. 517
decline from the path which God, in his word or providence, has marked out for us.] Three cautions naturally arise from this subject : 1. Let us be on our guard when in the company of the ungodly — [The more friendly the world appear, the more are we in danger of being ensnared by them. While they continue car- …
420 wordsSECTION 492The Ambitious Guest.
Luke xiv. 7 — 10. And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room ; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him ; and he that bade thee and him come a…
353 wordsSECTION 4931538.] The Ambitious Guest. 519
claim precedence among our equals ; but if we have an humi- liating sense of our own extreme vileness, we shall readily concede pre-eminence to others, and take the lowest place, as that which properly belongs to us. Such a disposition can- not but spring from self-knowledge ; nor can it fail of operating in this …
400 wordsSECTION 494520 Luke, Xiv. 7—10. [1538.
envy are they beheld, to whom precedence has been given ! What indignation do they excite, who overlook our superior claims e! A slight, whether real or supposed, will often fill us with rancour as much as the most serious injury could have done : but let humility possess our minds, and this source of uneasiness i…
440 wordsSECTION 495Liberality To The Poor Recommended.
humility, what others in vain seek for by dishonesty and arro- gance ! This is well illustrated in the parable before us. Let us then simply endeavour to glorify God by a holy conver- sation, and leave our temporal advancement to his all-wise disposal.] 2. The excellence of religion — [Religion does not merely im…
369 wordsSECTION 496522 Luke, Xiv. 12—14. [1539.
whatever our blessed Lord inculcated on his Dis- ciples, that would we also inculcate on all who profess to belong to him. Our Lord, dining at the house of a Pharisee on a Sabbath-day, set himself to correct some evils which he saw peculiarly predominant there. Amongst the company he perceived a spirit of ambitio…
385 wordsSECTION 4971539.] Liberality To The Poor Recommended. 5L23
we devote to them any considerable portion of our income. The generality of persons account the keeping of high com- pany, and the being able to entertain them in a splendid way, as the chief use of wealth ; and they launch out into these kinds of expenses the very instant they have received such an accession of f…
511 wordsSECTION 498524 Luke, Xiv. 12—14, [1539.
far as our circumstances will admit of it, should make them partakers of our temporal blessings.] This, though felt and acknowledged by us as a duty, needs yet to be enforced upon us, in order that it may be reduced to practice: we will therefore pro- ceed to enforce it by, II. Some reasons — The two things whic…
396 wordsSECTION 4991539.1 Liberality To The Poor Recommended. 525
members, and to regard every thing which is done for them, not only as done for him, but as done personally to himk. O what a thought is this to one who feels his obligations to Christ ! I suppose there is scarcely an enlightened Christian in the universe, who has not envied, the women who had the privilege of " m…
495 wordsSECTION 500526 Luke, Xiv. 12—14, [1539.
must certainly be supposed ; else the liberality, however great, will only turn to the confusion of him who exercises it, and prove a foundation of sand to him who builds upon it : but, supposing the person's state to be right before God in other respects, and his motives to be pure in the distribution of his alms…
402 wordsSECTION 501The Great Supper.
[We are enjoined to " be followers (imitators) of God as dear children :" " to be merciful as he is merciful, and perfect as he is perfect." Behold then at what expense he has made provision for our needy souls ! "he has not spared even his own Son, but has delivered him up for us all." Let not us then grudge any …
436 wordsSECTION 502528 Luke, Xiv. 1G— 18. [1540.
The Gospel dispensation is fitly compared to a sumptuous feast — [In feasts every thing is set forth that can gratify the palate. Thus in the Gospel there is every thing that can ad- minister delight or vigour to the soul. There is pardon for all the sins that we have ever committed : there is strength against al…
436 wordsSECTION 5031540.] The Great Supper. 529
Few find any inclination to accept the invitations of the Gospel — [The Jews in their day withstood the solicitation of the Apostles : so now, all, however importuned, " begin to make excuse." Some plead the importance of their earthly business ; others urge that they must attend to the concerns of their families…
401 wordsSECTION 504The Foolish Builder And The Inconsiderate King.
or unworthiness any ground of exclusion. Let none then )Tield to unbelieving fears. We would " compel" you all, by every argument we can devise. Reflect on the greatness of the host that invites you, and the excellence of the feast he sets before you. Consider the blessedness of partaking of it, and the certain co…
369 wordsSECTION 5051541.] Foolish Builder And Inconsiderate King. 531
Both of them have the same general tendency to guard men against a hasty and inconsiderate pro- fession of religion. But, The former points out the jolly of such conduct — [Every one sees, that a builder, who, through neglecting to count the cost, should be compelled to leave his structure unfinished, would be un…
427 wordsSECTION 506532 Luke, Xiv. 28—33. [1541.
Our Lord did not amuse his hearers with specula- tive truths, but brought them home to their conscience by a direct and personal application — 1. We must count the cost — [Here the cost is plainly told us; " We must forsake all ;" that is, forsake all comparatively in respect of affection, and absolutely, wheneve…
448 wordsSECTION 5071541.] Foolish Builder And Inconsiderate King. 533
wages without work, and victory without a conflict. But such conduct will expose them to " everlasting shame and contempt," and will ultimately involve them in irrecoverable ruin. Let it be remembered then, that, as it is no easy matter to be a Christian, so nothing but real Christianity will be of any avail. If w…
450 wordsSECTION 508The Lost Sheep.
like men:" and let us reflect for our encouragement, that, though our " enemies may encompass us like bees," " there are more for us than against us."] 4. The steadfast Christian — [Have any ever found cause to regret that they endured the cross ? Will any complain that they ever suffered too much for Christ ? Ha…
383 wordsSECTION 5091542.] The Lost Sheep. 535
provoked only the spleen and malice of the haughty Pharisees. Our Lord however took the best method of silencing their murmurs. By appealing to their own consciences he forced them to condemn themselves. We shall consider, I. The parable — The scope of the parable is not so much to mark the resemblance between a…
440 wordsSECTION 510536 Luke, Xv. 3—7. [1542.
he regrets not the pains he has bestowed : he is satisfied with all the travail of his soul when he beholds us safe. With joy he brings us to the society of his peculiar people, and calls on them also to rejoice together with him. This is beautifully described by the pen of inspiration6 — , and gloriously realized …
751 wordsSECTION 511538 Luke, Xv. 8—10. [1543.
1 ver. 2. m Not because they take pleasure in sin, but because they regard us as brands plucked out of the fire. Luke xv. 8 — 10. What woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it ? And when she hath found it, she call…
452 wordsSECTION 5121543.] The Lost Piece Of Silver. 539
Nevertheless he is greatly concerned about the loss even of one amongst them. Though he has myriads that are now safely lodged in his hands, he cannot rest satisfied about those that are yet in danger. By the prophets he expressed his deep regret for those that were in a perishing condition6: in the days of his fl…
431 wordsSECTION 513540 Luke, Xv. 8—10. [1543.
III. There is nothing so pleasing to him as the re- covery of one from his lost state — The woman is represented as inviting all her neigh- bours to rejoice with her — [The cause of her joy seems very inadequate to such expressions of it : but women, being conversant mainly with domestic matters, are apt to be af…
444 wordsSECTION 5141544.] Angels Rejoice Over Penitents. 541
among the Lord's treasures And let us be thankful that, though lost, we are not yet gone beyond recovery.] 2. How blessed are the effects of a faithful admi- nistration of the Gospel ! [It is by the Gospel that Jesus comes to search for lost sinners. If indeed it be delivered only in a general way, it will scarce…
273 wordsSECTION 515542 Luke, Xv. 10. [1544.
Luke xv. 10. I say unto you, There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. HOWEVER paradoxical the observation may ap- pear, man is really an enemy to his own happiness. He loves sin, which is the source of all misery: and hates repentance, which is the only remedy for that mis…
546 wordsSECTION 5161544.1 Angels Rejoice Over Penitents. 543
them a : and every one who really knows himself, will exclaim with Job, " Behold, I am vile, I repent, and abhor myself in dust and ashes V] 4. A fleeing to Christ from the guilt and power of sin — [As long as we retain a hope of healing our own souls, we have not that " repentance which is unto life :" we evi- …
409 wordsSECTION 517544 Luke, Xv. 10. [1544.
as soon as ever a sinner repents and becomes an " heir of salvation, angels are sent forth to minister unto him." " They encamp round about him" for the purpose. If they behold him turning out of the path of duty, as Balaam ; or lingering in a place of danger, as Lot ; or in any respect likely to " dash his foot a…
474 wordsSECTION 5181545.] The Prodigal Son. 545
too how the evil angels are exulting over you ; ' There they are ; we have them fast in our chains ; we shall soon have them as partners of our misery ; then how shall we triumph over our God ! Yes ; the Fathers counsels with respect to them will all be frustrated ; the blood of Christ will have been shed in vain;…
282 wordsSECTION 519Vol. Xii. N N
Luke xv. 23, 24. Bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it ; and let us eat, and be merry. For this my son was dead, and is alive again ; he was lost, and is found. THE willingness of God to receive sinners is abun- dantly declared in Scripture ; but in no place is it so amply, or so beautifully described as in th…
538 wordsSECTION 5201545.] The Prodigal Son. 547
of themselves in such a state, they are really " dead," and " lost."] But the Prodigal was not gone beyond recovery, as is evident from, II. His return — During his departure he had been as a person desti- tute of reason. At last however, "coming to himself" he thought of his father's house. The various steps o…
398 wordsSECTION 521548 Luke, Xv. 23, 24. [1545.
[The sight of his returning child caused the father's bowels to yearn over him ; nor would he suffer an upbraiding word to escape his lips. When the Prodigal began his confession, the father interrupted him with kisses ; and not only would not hear the whole of his confession, but would not even hurt his feelings …
490 wordsSECTION 522The Prodigal'S Elder Brother.
Luke xv. 28. And he ivas angry, and would not go in : there- fore came his father out, and entreated him. IT is an undeniable fact, that many who have lived a profligate life are received afterwards to God's favour; and that many who have been externally moral are excluded from it. But this ought not to be a stum…
332 wordsSECTION 523550 Luke, Xv. 28. [1546.
paid to his services ; he rehearsed with envious triumph and malicious exaggeration the misconduct of the Prodigal ; and disdained to acknowledge him as a brother, whom his father had received and entertained as a son. How strongly does this exhibit the disposition and conduct of modern Pharisees ! It affords them…
670 wordsSECTION 524552 Luke, Xvi. 8. [1547.
3. His love — [The love shewn by him to the returning Prodigal excites our admiration ; but that was no less which was manifested to his ungracious brother : the solicitude expressed was not at all inferior to the joy. And is he not shewing to us also the same parental tenderness? Is he not as unwilling to give us…
406 wordsSECTION 5251547.] The Unjust Steward. 553
Luke xvi. 8. And the Lord commended the unjust steward, be- cause he had done wisely : for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. THE parables never were intended to bear to the same point in every particular : some admit of a fuller, and others of a more partial appli…
554 wordsSECTION 526554 Luke, Xvi. 8. [1547.
text itself explicitly declares the only ground of our Lord's applause b.] It admirably illustrates (what alone our Lord in- tended to illustrate), II. The comparative folly of God's own children — " The children of this world" are very indefatigable in prosecuting their temporal interests; but " the chil- dren …
365 wordsSECTION 5271547. J The Unjust Steward. 555
[The children of this world have at all times an eye to their own advantage. Though their thoughts be not imme- diately engaged about business, they can turn them into that channel the very instant that prospects of gain arise. But the children of light are often wholly indisposed for spiritual exercises f. Too of…
420 wordsSECTION 528Pressing Into The Kingdom.
2. Be diligent in his service — [We see how diligent worldlings are in the service of the world. Let not us be surpassed by them. We have a far better Master, and an infinitely richer reward.] 3. Stand ready to give up your account to him — [We know not how soon he will say, Give an account of thy stewardship : b…
331 wordsSECTION 5291548.1 Pressing Into The Kingdom. 557
out to the people as " that very Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world." He called men to repentance, and to an acknowledgment of the Saviour, by being baptized in his name ; and announced that as the sure and only way of obtain- ing the remission of their sinsa ] Immediately, such was the impression o…
454 wordsSECTION 530558 Luke, Xvi. 16. [1548.
Lord Jesus should do ; whereas we declare to you what he has done ] And what is the effect of our ministrations ? [Do we see every one pressing into this kingdom ? I had almost asked, Where we do see any one pressing into it as he ought? Alas! the word which we preach, "comes," to the generality, " in word only, …
460 wordsSECTION 531The Rich Man And Lazarus.
" many shall seek to enter into the kingdom, and not be ablep." How comes this ? They seek, with good desires ; but they do not strive with the full bent and determination of their hearts. But this is necessary, indispensably necessary, to the attainment of God's heavenly kingdom. The pursuit of it must be regarde…
368 wordsSECTION 532560 Luke, Xvi. 25. [1549.
addressed to them a personal and severe reproof, and added another parable, that should enforce, with ten- fold energy, his preceding admonitions. He repre- sented a rich man, after a short enjoyment of his carnal pleasures, doomed to eternal misery in hell ; and a poor man, after a transient scene of sufferings o…
380 wordsSECTION 5331549.] The Rich Man And Lazarus. 561
and therefore we cannot justly impute any to him. His elegant clothing and costly fare were not in themselves sinful, provided they were such as were suited to his station in life. That which constituted his guilt in the sight of God was, that his heart was set upon them ; that he sought his happiness in them rath…
505 wordsSECTION 534562 Luke, Xvi. 25. [1549.
who had " fared sumptuously every day" on earth, has not so much as a drop of water to cool his tongue ! Nothing now remains to him of all his former sorrows, except indeed their sanctifying influence upon his soul. Now he has the good things which he sought on earth, the things in which alone he found delight. Th…
449 wordsSECTION 535Scriptures.
death will soon terminate our present joys or sorrows : and our condition in the future world will depend entirely on the man- ner in which we have lived in this state of probation. God has drawn aside for a moment the veil of the invisible world ; and shewn us what we shall all be in a little time : yes ; all of u…
370 wordsSECTION 536564 Luke, Xvi. 29—31. [1550.
down a rapid river, and involved in one common, but unsuspected, ruin. Thus the different generations of men pass away; and each surviving race, concluding of course that those who went before are happy, follow the same fatal track, till it is too late to remedy their error. The passage before us will illustrate …
374 wordsSECTION 5371550.] Effects Of Neglecting The Scriptures. 565
Scriptures can doubt the issue of a carnal and worldly life? " To be carnally-minded is death." Or who can doubt the acceptance of a sinner that humbles himself before God, and flees to Christ for refuge ? Will it be found that any one was ever cast out, who came unto God through Christ? In a word, there is no ins…
419 wordsSECTION 538566 Luke, Xvi. 29—31. [1550.
reach of doubt. But this has been already declared by all the inspired writers, who in successive ages sealed the truth with their blood. Besides, the Scriptures corroborate their testimony by a thousand other proofs, which a person coming from the dead could not, supply : and consequently, he who rejects the weig…
472 wordsSECTION 5391550. J Effects Of Neglecting The Scriptures. 567
[Many hear the Gospel, and approve it, who yet are never truly converted by it, never stirred up to flee from the wrath to come, never quickened to lay hold on eternal life : religion never becomes the one business of their lives : they never engage in it as the voluptuary in his pleasures, or as the worldling in …
490 wordsSECTION 540Hear Them."]
of Christ. Be thankful that it is not yet too late for you to lift up your voice in prayer to God. Read the Scriptures, with prayer for the teachings of God's Spirit, and improve every opportunity of hearing them explained to you in public : they are given you as " a light shining in a dark place ;" and it becomes…
388 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.