PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 13 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 248,782 words · 530 reading sections
Herod'S Reconciliation With Pilate.
Luke xxiii. 12. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together : for before they ivere at enmity between themselves. IT was truly said of Christ at the time of his birth, that " he should be a sign that should be spoken against, that the thoughts of many hearts should be re- vealed:" for by means of…
255 wordsSECTION 122130 Luke, Xxiii. 12. [1582.
From this last circumstance we notice, I. That sin is a common bond of union among men — Sin certainly has produced in families and nations the greatest disunion : and generally causes the fiercest animosities among them that are nearest to each other. But it is also true, that sin often forms a bond of union amo…
376 wordsSECTION 1231582.1 Herod'S Reconciliation With Pilate. 131
1. It was so in the present case — [Pilate and Herod were appealed to as judges; and, when they found the accused person innocent, they should have rescued him out of the hands of his oppressors. It was no fit occasion for paying compliments to each other, when the life of an innocent person was at stake ; nor wer…
642 wordsSECTION 124Barabbas Spared, And Christ Condemned.
Luke xxiii. 13 — 25. And Pilate, when he had called together the chief-priests and the rulers and the people, said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things tvhereof ye accuse…
250 wordsSECTION 1251583.] Barabbas Spared, And Christ Condemned. 1;J,J
THE prophets enter very minutely into the subject of Christ's sufferings, in order that, instead of being- led by them to doubt the truth of his Messiahship, we might see in them a demonstration that he was the very person to whom the prophecies referred. But it is not in this view only that we should dwell upon …
434 wordsSECTION 126134 Luke, Xxiii. 13—25. [1583.
confessed, that though he was to be " cut off, it was not for him- self " or, in other words, that " he was the true Messiah V] 2. His ineffectual attempts to save him — [Pilate, being convinced of the innocence of Jesus, was very averse to condemn him: yet, being afraid of offending the Jews, he did not dare to a…
488 wordsSECTION 1271583.] Bara.Bbas Spared, And Christ Condemned. 135
Satan, methinks, exulted now in having accomplished the final destruction of Jesus: but little did he imagine, that, whilst he was thus " bruising the heel" of the Messiah, his own head should receive a deadly blow, which he should never to all eternity recovere: and that the Messiah's kingdom should be immoveably…
451 wordsSECTION 128136 Luke, Xxiii. 13—25. [1583.
is this, that the generality of the world would rather be seen in public with a known rake or infidel, than with a man eminent for piety and godly zeal Behold then, I say, the human heart in general, and your own in particular; and whilst you justly wonder at the impiety of the Jews, learn no less to wonder at, an…
501 wordsSECTION 129Mdlxxxiv.
Christ's address to the women who lamented him. Luke xxiii. 27 — 31. And there followed him a great company of 'people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jeru- salem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the d…
356 wordsSECTION 13013S Luke, Xxiii. 27—31. [1584.
[It is possible, that some of those whom he addressed were moved to pity him merely from a natural sense of huma- nity ; whilst others were influenced both by faith and love. At all events, we are sure that he did not mean to forbid the exercise of sympathy and compassion ; since it was his desire that these amiab…
820 wordsSECTION 131140 Luke, Xxiii. 27—31. [1584.
2. Contemplate the probable issue of sin, even in this life — [It is in the future world that sin will receive its full reward. But it not unfrequently receives a tremendous recom- pence even here. How many have their health impaired, their fortunes injured, their reputation blasted, and their peace destroyed, by…
555 wordsSECTION 132The Green And Dry Tree.
done in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" " If judgment begin at the house of God," says the Apostle, "what must the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of Godh?" If those who are comparatively as "a green tree" are afflicted by God for the purging of their sins, what must not they expect, who, l…
367 wordsSECTION 133112 Luke, Xxiii. 31. [1585.
days were coming, when they who accounted barren- ness so great a calamity, should congratulate them- selves upon it; and when, to be crushed to death under rocks and mountains, instead of being dreaded, should be coveted as a blessingV His own suffer- ings were indeed great : but, says he, " If these things be d…
410 wordsSECTION 1341585.] The Green And Dry Tree. 143
the globe. So that in them is the text fully verified. We have seen what was done in the green tree ; and we now see what has been done, and is even yet doing, in the dry.] But, in these words we may yet further see, II. A solemn warning to all mankind — All are fitly compared to " a dry tree" — [A tree which is …
450 wordsSECTION 135144. Luke, Xxiii. 31. [1585.
1. The double aspect in which our Lord's suffer- ings should be viewed — [We ought to view them as an atonement to God, and as an exemplar to man. As an atonement to God, we delight to contemplate them ; seeing that they are " a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of t…
469 wordsSECTION 136Christ Interceding For His Enemies.
To all, then, I say, " Fear and tremble before the God of heaven ; and lose not one hour in seeking reconciliation with him through the Son of his love" ] Luke xxiii. 34. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them ; for they know not ivhat they do. AS one of the most essential qualifications for a due discharge of the…
310 wordsSECTION 137146 Luke, Xxiii. 34. [1586.
[This was certainly the case with respect to those who crucified our Lord : the prejudices of their education, together with the mean appearance of our Lord, blinded their eyes, so that they knew not how to acknowledge him as their Messiah. This our Lord himself confessed f; St. Peter also declared the sameg ; and…
479 wordsSECTION 1381586.] Christ Interceding For His Enemies. 147
The reason of this is evident ; for an ignorant rejection of Christ will consist with a desire to please Godr: whereas that rejection of him that militates against the clear convictions of our own mind argues a rooted love of sin, and an inveterate hatred to God and his Christ s. While therefore the latter is " a …
446 wordsSECTION 139148 Luke, Xxiii. 84. [1586.
so much as their ruin, and desiring nothing so much as to have them partakers of his glory ! Well might the Apostle call this, a " love that passeth knowledge ?."] To improve this subject, let us reflect, 1. How earnest we should be in seeking know- ledge— [Some might be ready to conclude that, if ignorance is a…
640 wordsSECTION 140Mdlxxxvii.
our lord's answer to the penitent thief. Luke xxiii. 42, 43. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be ivith me in Paradise. THE history of Christ in every view is replete with wonders : in every part of it we…
706 wordsSECTION 141Mdlxxxvii.
To guard this subject against abuse, we must suggest a caution — [Some may take occasion from it to defer their repen- tance: but it does not afford any just ground for such conduct. The case was singular as it respects both Christ1, and the Thiefn. It is extreme folly, therefore, to reject the present overtures …
359 wordsSECTION 142The Effect Of Christ'S Death On The Beholders.
Nevertheless we may derive from this history much [It forbids any, however long or heinously they may have sinned, to despair. It points out the simple way in which we may attain salvation. The substance of our Lord's answer is applicable to every penitent. Such joy is offered to all x : let all seek it in the sam…
309 wordsSECTION 1431588. J Effect Of Christ'S Death On Beholders. \53
The execution of criminals is of itself calculated to impress the mind with pity for the sufferers, and to evince the evil of those crimes for which they suffer : but the crucifixion of our Lord drew the attention of the spectators to their own state, and led them to contemplate their own guilt and danger in being…
453 wordsSECTION 144154 Luke, Xxiii. 47, 48. [1588.
manner in which he resigned his life, evincing indisputably that it was not taken away from him, but that he surrendered it voluntarily into his Father's hands ; all this together con- vinced the Centurion, that Jesus was the very person whom he had professed himself to be. Hence, in the hearing of all around him,…
408 wordsSECTION 1451588.1 Effect Of Christ'S Death On Beholders. 155
and true holiness. Yet with what vehemence was it opposed at its first establishment ! Not all the wisdom and innocence of Jesus, nor all the benevolent miracles that he wi'ought, could disarm his enemies : though " it was without a cause that they hated him," they hated him unto death. In like manner they persecu…
462 wordsSECTION 146156 Luke, Xxiii. 47, 48. [1588.
this distant place and period, are witnesses for him that his cause has triumphed, and that it shall finally prevail throughout all the earth. God had set the world at defiance ; and had pronounced obedience to the Gospel to be the true wisdom of every man, of kings and governors, as well as of the lowest classes …
475 wordsSECTION 147The Necessity Of Christ'S Sufferings And Exaltation.
without first abasing ourselves before God for the guilt we have contracted, and looking unto Jesus for the expiation of it. Doubtless the change that took place in them, was wrought by the agency of the Holy Spirit, whose office is " to glorify Christ, and to take of the things that are his, and shew them unto us…
348 wordsSECTION 148158 Luke, Xxiv. 26. [1589.
I. The necessity of Christ's sufferings unto death — There was no necessity for Christ to undertake the redemption of man ; but, supposing him to have under- taken it, then there was a necessity for his sufferings unto death ; 1. To fulfil the Scriptures — [The death of Christ had been exhibited in types from the…
433 wordsSECTION 1491589. J Necessity Of Christs Sufferings. 159
of justice? What would become of his truth and faithfulness? How could " mercy and truth meet together, and righteous- ness and peace kiss each other ? " The perfections of God would be set at variance, and some would triumph at the ex- pense of others : but this would be directly contrary to the ends of Christ's …
440 wordsSECTION 150160 Luke, Xxiv. 26. [1589.
to his incarnation, we should feel many misgiving thoughts respecting the acceptance of his sacrifice, and the efficacy of his mediation. But when he is restored to that glory which for our sakes he had laid aside, we cannot entertain a doubt respecting his sufficiency for our full and complete salvation. Though b…
419 wordsSECTION 1511589. J Necessity Of Christ'S Sufferings. 161
[The Scriptures had foretold the sufferings, and the eon- sequent glory, of the Messiah ; and therefore it ought not to have been a matter of surprise that the events had cor- responded with the predictions. Thus every thing relating to men's acceptance or rejection of the Messiah, is foretold; and, whatever they …
477 wordsSECTION 152162 Luke, Xxiv. 32. [1590.
to neglect him : but, as to your final doom, you must perish under the aggravated guilt of rejecting and contemning your incarnate God. O that you may consider this, and " flee for refuge to the hope set before you ! "] 2. How blessed is the state of those who are in- terested in the Saviour ! [Guilty and helples…
300 wordsSECTION 1531590.] Blessedness Of Communion With Christ. 163
Luke xxiv. 32. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures ? THE divine authority of the Christian religion was chiefly to be proved by the resurrection of Christ. Hence our Lord gave his Disciples the most unques- ti…
446 wordsSECTION 154164 Luke, Xxiv. 32. [1590.
1. In the private duties of the closet — [Christ has said to his Church, " Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world." This is to be understood, not of his corporeal, but spiritual, presence ; according to what St. Paul prayed for in behalf of Timothy, " The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit*." In …
508 wordsSECTION 1551590.] Blessedness Of Communion With Christ. 165
Good is then done, and sinners are converted to God, when the power of the Lord is present to work, and when the word comes to their hearts, " not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurancep." Hence it is that persons, who but a little time before "knew not that the Lord God was in th…
426 wordsSECTION 156166 Luke, Xxiv. 32. [1590.
" glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ" in his soulx, as to make him " rejoice with joy unspeakable and glorified y." Yes, the joy that he imparts, is such as disembodied spirits may be supposed to feel, an earnest and a foretaste of heaven itself2.] 2. The most independent — [For all other pleasures we are dependent e…
694 wordsSECTION 1571(>8 Luke, Xxiv. 33, 31. [1591.
We apprehend then that the genuine experience of com- munion with Christ may be distinguished from enthusiastic pretensions to it, both by its rise, and its operation on the mind. Enthusiasts found their pretensions on some visions, or dreams, or on the word of God coming in a peculiar manner to their minds : and …
439 wordsSECTION 158Mdxci.
Christ's resurrection. Luke xxiv. 33, 34. And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed. AMONG the various proofs of the truth of Chris- tianity, that which arises from the credibility of the witne…
500 wordsSECTION 159170 Luke, Xxiv. 33, 34. [1591.
First, If Jesus was not risen, he was an impostor. Our Lord, in his discourses, had frequently foretold his resurrection : sometimes he reminded his hearers of the Prophet Jonas, who, as a type of him, was three days and three nights in the belly of a whale : at other times he declared it in still plainer terms ; …
703 wordsSECTION 160172 Luke, Xxiv. 33,34. [1591.
But further : If Christ be not risen, we, notwith- standing we be believers in Christ, are yet laden with the guilt of all our sins. By believing in Christ, we profess to be delivered from condemnation and to be cleansed from the guilt of all sin : but it has already appeared, that if Christ be not risen, he is a …
791 wordsSECTION 161174 Luke, Xxiv. 33, 31. [1591.
The last testimony shall be from God himself. Jesus had said, that after his ascension to his Father, he would send down the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, and that the Father also would send the Spirit in his name. Accordingly on the day of Pentecost, God poured out the Spirit upon the Disciples, and imme- diately a…
795 wordsSECTION 16217G Luke, Xxiv. 38, 34. [1591.
issue, like Christ's, in a life of endless happiness and glory. The last use of his Resurrection which I propose to mention, is, that we should make it the ground of our hope. Our salvation is most generally ascribed to the death of Christ ; but sometimes also to his Resurrec- tion : and when St. Paul mentions th…
794 wordsSECTION 163The Gospel To Be First Preached At Jerusalem.
in the highest degree that it ever appeared in a fallen creature, and perish at last, if we made any thing but Christ the ground of our hope. Let us look then to this exalted Saviour : let us regard his Resurrection as the pledge of our resurrection, the pattern of our life, and the ground of our hope; and then we…
312 wordsSECTION 1641592.] Gospel First Preached At Jerusalem. 179
[Repentance is unknown to the law : that says, ' Do this, and live;' and in the event of transgression, denounces a curse against usb. Whatever there was of repentance enjoined by Moses and the Prophets, it was altogether from a respect to that sacrifice which was in due time to be offered for the sins of men. Tha…
457 wordsSECTION 165180 Luke, Xxiv. 46,47. [1592.
and xvii. 30 [If the Apostles had left Jerusalem, and gone at once to the heathen, it would have appeared as if they had despaired of succeeding where their testimony might be inquired into, and were practising an imposition on those who were unable to contradict them. Thus the Gospel would have been uni- versall…
471 wordsSECTION 1661592. J Gospel First Preached At Jerusalem. 181
[It is common with men, when convinced of sin, to de- spond, as if they had sinned beyond the reach of mercy : the advantages they have lost, the favours they have abused, the iniquities they have committed, seem to form such a load of guilt as can never be removed from their souls. But who ever lost more advantag…
404 wordsSECTION 167The Ascension Of Christ.
Luke xxiv. 50 — 53. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and re- turned to Jerusalem with great joy : and were continually in the temple, prai…
335 wordsSECTION 1681593.1 The Ascension Of Christ. 183
passed over as a mere accidental and uninteresting occurrence; it surely may be considered as intimating to us, 1. What was his object in coming into the world — [We are told by St. Peter, that " God sent him to bless usb." Man was cursed, as a transgressor of God's law: nor could he, by any means, remove the cur…
437 wordsSECTION 169184 Luke, Xxiv. 50—53. [1593.
the remotest corners of the earth : for " in him shall all the nations of the earth be blessed f."] If we look only to the past history, we shall be surprised at, II. The effect it produced upon them — When our Lord had told them of his intended departure, they were " filled with sorrow ;" but now that he was re…
394 wordsSECTION 1701593.1 The Ascension Of Christ. 185
were bei'eft of his bodily presence, and were as yet but par- tially acquainted with the benefits that were to result from his ascension, " returned to Jerusalem with great joy," much more should we, to whom the full extent of those benefits is opened, " rejoice with exceeding great joy." Let Israel then " rejoice…
416 wordsSECTION 1711594.] Divinity Of Christ. 187
John i. 1. In the beginning ivas the Word, and the Word teas tvith God, and the Word was God. WHAT astonishing majesty and dignity are dis- played in these brief but comprehensive words ! The other Evangelists commence their histories at the period of our Saviour's incarnation : but St. John carries us back to et…
658 wordsSECTION 172188 John, I. 1. [1594.
II. The deep interest we have in it — On the very face of the question, " Whether our Saviour be God, or only a created being?" it cannot fail of appearing a subject of extreme importance. Know, then, that Christ is truly God, as well as man: and on this truth depends, 1. The efficacy of all that he did and suffe…
428 wordsSECTION 1731595. J Christ The Only True Light. 189
[I wonder not at the unbelief of those who call in question the Divinity of Christ: for if it were not so fully revealed, as that it is impossible for a truly enlightened man to doubt it, I should be ready to doubt it myself; so inconceivable does it appear, that God should become a man, and make himself the suret…
332 wordsSECTION 174190 John, I. 9. [1595.
John i. 9. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. AS in the material world there is but one source of light to all the heavenly bodies; so in the spiritual world there is one Sun of Righteousness, that lighteth everv man that cometh into the world. There are other lights: Jo…
490 wordsSECTION 1751595.] Christ The Only True Light. 191
Moreover, II. He was the only true light, also, during his so- journing on earth — [So he himself repeatedly and strongly affirms11 He explained the law, which had been obscured and corrupted by the false glosses of the Scribes and Pharisees ! and made himself known, in the plainest terms, as the only Saviour of…
482 wordsSECTION 176192 John, I. 9. [1595.
we shall have any just discernment of " the things which have been freely given to us of God1. '] Inquire then, I pray you, 1. What light you have received from the Lord Jesus Christ — [I ask not what proficiency you have attained in worldly knowledge; for that, however excellent, can never save the soul. But I …
389 wordsSECTION 177Benefit Of Receiving Christ.
John i. 10 — 12. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he poiver to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. THE blessings which administer to our worldly i…
352 wordsSECTION 178194 John I. 10—12. [1596.
[The Jews were called " Christ's own" because he had separated them from all other people, brought them out of Egypt, led them through the wilderness, and derived his human nature from the stock of Abraham, their father. Their very country was called " Emmanuel's lande. But we are his in a still more appropriate s…
418 wordsSECTION 1791596.] Benefit Of Receiving Christ. 195
God. There is no interval of time left for us to give proofs of our sincerity, before God will acknowledge us as his : but the instant we believe in Christ, we are " sons and danghters of the Lord Almighty"."] 2. To enjoy the privileges of this relation — [The children of a stranger are not noticed by us, while o…
427 wordsSECTION 18019G John, I. 13. [1597.
them to accept Him who is of more value than ten thousand worlds, they turn a deaf ear to our most importunate entreaties. See, ye unbelievers, see your extreme folly ! and remember, that the day is coming, when that rejection of Christ, in which you now glory, will become the ground of your bitterest lamentation.…
253 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.