PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 13 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 248,782 words · 530 reading sections
1597.1 Christians Born Of God. 197
John i. 13. Which toere born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. IT is obvious, that there is at this day, even as there was in the days of Christ himself, a most essen- tial difference between persons enjoying the same privileges and making the same professions. All th…
552 wordsSECTION 182198 John, I. 13. [1597.
own will begets he us with the word of truth0." From all eternity did he select the objects of his choice, predestinating them to the adoption of children ; that to all eternity they may be "to the praise of the glory of his grace d." All this is alto- gether irrespective of any works of theirs, past, present, or …
513 wordsSECTION 1831597.] Christians Born Of God. 199
separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen V Now precisely thus it is with every one that is brought to the faith of Christ: he is born, " not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Nor is …
474 wordsSECTION 184200 John, I. 13. [1597.
he is not willing, to afford me the succour which I stand in need of. But of his ability how can I doubt, when I reflect on what he has already done for me, in quickening me when dead, and bringing me thus far on my journey heaven-ward ? Nor can I doubt of his willingness to help me, since the very first motions o…
484 wordsSECTION 1851597.1 Christians Born Of God. 201
change taken place in you ? Think again : It is a change that depends not on your descent from Christian parents ; a change which no endeavours of friends can ever accomplish, and which no efforts of your own can ever merit or effect : it is a new creation ; and a work of God alone, as much as the creation of the …
521 wordsSECTION 186Incarnation And Character Of Christ.
do the will of his Saviour and Redeemer." Now, then, bre- thren, this is the way in which you will live, if you are sons of God. " You will shine as lights in a dark world ;" and " your light will shine brighter and brighter to the perfect day." Once attain this conformity to your Saviour's image, and you will nee…
355 wordsSECTION 1871598.] Incarnation And Character Of Christ. 203
It does not appear probable that the Jews should borrow the term Logos (here translated " the Word," and elsewhere trans- lated " Wisdom,") from the Platonists ; or that the Apostle would adopt it from them. We rather suppose that the Jews, and consequently the Apostle also, received the term from the Scriptures t…
445 wordsSECTION 188204 John, I. 14. [1598.
types of every description ; and there was not one which had not its accomplishment in him : view the prophecies ; all of which were fulfilled in him : and at the same time all the curses denounced by the moral law are turned into blessings, to all them who embrace his Gospel. Hence he is justly said to be "full o…
455 wordsSECTION 1891598.1 Incarnation And Character Of Christ. 205
Is any one disposed to doubt this truth ? let him tell us then, why God's co-equal, co-eternal Son became incarnate. In vain will he seek for a reason, except (where St. Paul found it) in the lost state of man : "If one died for all, then were all dead" Know ye then, beloved, every one of you, that you are, in you…
467 wordsSECTION 190The Believer'S Interest In Christ'S Fulness.
enjoy everlasting lifec Shall we then be indifferent about that which brought him down from heaven ? How shall we bear the sight of him in the day of judgment, when we shall behold him in the very same body which he assumed on earth ? How will that stupendous effort of his love reproach and confound us ! How shall…
769 wordsSECTION 191208 John, I. 1G. [1599.
D Col. ii. 9. c Col. i. 19. d John viii. 12. e Jer. xxiii. 6. f Rom. x. 4. e Zech. xiii. 1. Tit. ii. 14. h Heb. iv. 15. and ii. 18. > Heb. vii. 25. k Eph. iii. 19. > Eph. iv. 7. m John iii. 34. Mai. ii. 15. n John i. 4. and v. 26. ° Matt. xxv. 9. that, being Head over all, he may impart out of it, and " fill all …
708 wordsSECTION 192208 John, I. 1G. [1599.
Infer — 1. How glorious is Christ in himself, and how suited to our necessities ! [We admire the sun in the firmament because it pours out its blessings upon so many at once : but that can enlighten only half the globe at one time. Not so the glorious Person of whose fulness we speak : if every person in the whol…
259 wordsSECTION 193Father.
in himself, all which he can do on earth, and all which he can bestow in heaven, is the portion of every the weakest saint, according to the measure of the grace that is in him, and according to the capacity which he has for receiving more grace. Every vessel of the sanctuary, from " the smallest cups to the large…
355 wordsSECTION 1941600.1 Manifestation Given Of The Father. 211
God himself is invisible to the eye of sensea: even Moses was permitted to see only his back parts b. But Christ had a peculiar relation to the Father as " his only-begotten Son ; " and a most intimate acquaintance with him, as being from all eternity, and at that very hour, " in his bosom." He has made known the…
398 wordsSECTION 195212 John, I. 18. [1600.
Hence a sight of him was, in fact, a sight of the Father himself1.] 2. By making known his counsels — [Much of the Father's counsels had lain hid from the foundation of the world, or had been very imperfectly revealed. Christ opened them to his hearers as they were able to bear themu. He made known God's intentio…
418 wordsSECTION 196Christ The Lamb Of God.
sacred oracles entire ! In these is recorded every thing that Christ has declared ; and by these we may be made wise unto salvation h. Let us then search them with diligence, and trea- sure them up in our hearts ; nor let a day pass without our digging into those invaluable mines1.] 3. How inexcusable are they who…
353 wordsSECTION 197214 John, I. 29. [1601.
they had seen Christ only at a distance, and spoken of him only in dark prophecies ; but he beheld him personally; and, having discovered him by an infal- lible sign from heaven, pointed him out to others as that very Lamb of God, who should take away the sin of the world. Through the goodness of God, we may be a…
457 wordsSECTION 1981001.] Christ The Lamb Of God. 215
II. Call more particularly your attention to him — 1. Let the careless sinner " behold" him — [It is but too evident that they, who live in the neglect of God and their own souls, know little of the evil and malignity of sin. But let such persons view the Son of God leaving the bosom of his Father, and assuming ou…
495 wordsSECTION 1995316 John, I. 45. [1602.
of the whole world," and is there such malignity in the sins of any individual, that there is not a sufficiency in his blood to atone for them ? Let us put away such disparaging thoughts of this Lamb of God : let us view him as infinite both in power and grace : let us listen to his encouraging invitation, " Look …
284 wordsSECTION 2001602.1 Sight Of Jesus, A Source Of Joy. 217
John i. 45. Philip findeth Nathanael, and sailh unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. A GENERAL expectation of the Messiah pre- vailed in Israel at the time of our Saviour's advent : and when his forerunner, John the Baptist, was s…
464 wordsSECTION 201218 John, I. 45. [1602.
to himself, from the fatal effects of Adam's transgression b. He, at a period far distant from that, announces the Saviour as a descendant of Abraham ; and as one " in whom all the nations of the earth should be blessed0. Afterwards, he comes more fully to declare both the time of his advent, and the character he …
502 wordsSECTION 2021602.] Sight Of Jesus, A Source Of Joy. £19
himself under all these trials, was also made known : " He should be led as a lamb to the slaughter ; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so should he not so much as open his mouth"." The manner in which he should be put to death was to be by crucifixion0; though that was not a Jewish, but a Roman punishme…
498 wordsSECTION 203220 John, I. 45. [1602.
At the time of his advent, and during his sojourn- ing on earth, the discovery of him was deemed a sub- ject of self-congratulation — [As announced by the angelic choir to the shepherds, we behold him in this view : " Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people : for unto you is bor…
453 wordsSECTION 2041602. J Sight Of Jesus, A Source Of Joy. 221
price," which every one who finds, will sell all that he has to purchase1 ? What, though we behold him not with our bodily eyes, is our joy the less on that account ? No : for " though we see him not, we love him : yea, though now we see him not, yet, believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory ; …
474 wordsSECTION 205Evil, And Cure, Of Prejudice.
and inadvertence, put a stumbling-block in the way of any: but, if despised for the sake of Christ, we should welcome the shame, and rejoice that we are counted worthy to bear it. No consideration whatever should intimidate us : but, having found " Christ precious to our own souls," we should " con- fess him openl…
358 wordsSECTION 2061603. J Evil, And Cure, Of Prejudice. 223
was known that the Messiah was to be born at Beth- lehem0. But, had that been the case, I conceive that the answer would rather have been, " Can the Messiah come out of Nazareth?" and not, " Can any good thing come out of Nazareth ?" For, though Beth- lehem was to give birth to the Messiah, it was not the only ci…
389 wordsSECTION 207224 John, I. 46. [1G03.
doubt : " Can any good thing come out of Nazareth ?" Now here was extreme injustice done to the people of that city : for though the majority of them might be worthless, there might be some as estimable characters as any in Israel. But it is in this way that prejudice condemns both things and persons in the mass. …
843 wordsSECTION 208226 John, I. 46. [1603.
Happily for Nathanael, he had a friend, who, if not able to satisfy all his doubts, was capable of giving him such advice, as, if duly followed, would issue in the removal of them.] In this advice of Philip we shall see, II. The remedy of it — Inquiry is the obvious remedy to be applied, in all cases. To all then…
584 wordsSECTION 2091603.1 Evil, And Cure, Of Prejudice. 227
suited to fallen man ; nor will any other be found worthy of Almighty God. His justice must be honoured, as well as his mercy ; and it is only by the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ that its demands are, or can be, satisfied. And as to the per- formance of good works, respecting which you are so jealous, look a…
472 wordsSECTION 210228 John, I. 47. [1604.
more of a friendly spirit with those of the Jewish nation, it is highly probable that our mutual animosities would be soon abated, and that an easier way might be opened for them into the fold of Christ. At all events, on our own part, prejudice should cease ; and on every subject, and towards every man, our minds…
305 wordsSECTION 2111604.1 An Israelite Indeed. 229
John i. 47. Jesvs saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in lohom is no guile! IT is comfortable to reflect, that there are many whose hearts are upright before God, while, from a variety of circumstances, they are unknown to the world. Nathanael was not yet evangelized ; nor ha…
513 wordsSECTION 212230 John, I. 47. [1604.
We have yet another proof of his sincerity in his determina- tion to approve himself to God at all events. He could not but know that the prejudices he had imbibed, were common to the whole nation ; and that to become an open follower of Jesus would expose him to much obloquy and contempt. But he would not confer …
422 wordsSECTION 2131604. 1 An Israelite Indeed. 231
balance, in order that he may give to every man his proper portion of censure or applause. Of those who were truly upright he will say, ' Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile : I saw him under the fig-tree ; I heard his groans ; I saw his wrestlings with God in prayer; I treasured up his tears in my vi…
448 wordsSECTION 214The Water Turned Into Wine.
with pleasure and delight, and will now in your hearing, as it were, and ere long in their hearing also, hear testimony to your integrity, to the unspeakable comfort of your souls. O be careful to keep a conscience void of offence both towards God and towards man. Remember that, as your comfort de- pends on the pr…
337 wordsSECTION 2151605.1 The Water Turned Into Wine. 233
He, by a miraculous power, turned water into wine — [It is probable, that, when it was known that Jesus was to be at the feast, more guests came than had in the first instance been expected. Hence, after a time, the wine which had been provided, was exhausted. On this account the mother of Jesus intimated to him,…
481 wordsSECTION 216234 John, Ii. 11. [1605.
for them which was essential to their well-being either in time or in eternity ? He might indeed withhold for a season, what they, through impatience, were too eager to obtain : but he would grant to all his believing people whatsoever should be needful for them, only I'eserving to himself the times and the season…
366 wordsSECTION 2171605. J The Water Turned Into Wine. 235
2. We should place full affiance in him under that character — [" Our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, and our complete redemption," should be sought in him alone. We should see " all fulness of spiritual blessings treasured up in him for us," and we should " receive them daily out of his fulness," …
449 wordsSECTION 218236 John, Ii. 11. [1605.
his was intended to supersede ; the Jewish dispensation con- sisting mainly of restraints, (" touch not, taste not, handle not;") but Christianity " giving us all things richly to enjoy." But, that our liberty may not be turned into licentiousness, we should always invite the Lord Jesus Christ, if I may so say, to …
468 wordsSECTION 219Buyers And Sellers Driven Out.
John ii. 17. And his Disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. WE are apt to think that we receive no benefit from what we read or hear, unless it produce an immediate effect upon us: but the word, like seed, often springs up long after it has been sown. God often brings …
327 wordsSECTION 2209,38 John, Ii. 17. [1606.
traders to depart ; nor did any of the people dare to oppose his sovereign command.] This act of his could not fail of attracting universal notice : It discovered, 1. His holy indignation against sin — [Such a profanation of the temple was indeed a grievous sin : nor could his righteous soul behold it without th…
389 wordsSECTION 2211606.] Buyers And Sellers Driven Out. 239
a portion of Scripture which they had never before noticed, II. The words themselves — The words were justly quoted in reference to Christ- fin their primary sense indeed they had their accomplish- ment in David. David elsewhere expresses in very strong terms his zeal for God d : nor can we forget how he manifes…
425 wordsSECTION 222840 John, Ii. 18, 19. [1607.
presume to use the petulant language of Cain™—, but rather endeavour to obey the injunction which God has given us" — ; and, with respect to ourselves, let us seek in all things that conformity to Christ which is required of us° — .] They afford us a proper example for our imitation — [Phinehas of old was called t…
347 wordsSECTION 223The Resurrection, A Proof Of Christ'S Messiahship.
John ii. 18, 19. Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things ? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up. THE work of reformation usually involves in dif- ficulties those who undertake it. They who …
423 wordsSECTION 224242 John, Ii. 18, 19. [1607.
In this figurative prediction he intimated, 1. That his own body was typically represented by the temple — [Both were formed, the one by man, and the other by God himself, as a residence for the Deity a; and in both God vouchsafed to dwell: in the one symbolically, by a visible cloud; in the other really, persona…
737 wordsSECTION 225244 John, Ii. 18, 19. [1607.
But it is not in speculative truths that we should rest. We proceed therefore to inquire, III. What practical instruction is to be gathered from it — In this part of our subject, we shall limit our ob- servations to the event as it stands connected with the occasion on which it was foretold. We have c Exod. vii.…
533 wordsSECTION 226The Nature And Necessity Of Regeneration.
literally have destroyed the temple and built it again in three days ; and did actually raise to life again his own " crucified body ;" He, I say, can easily effect the renovation of our hearts : with him all things are possible : whatever difficulties we may have to surmount, " his grace is sufficient for us" We …
400 wordsSECTION 227246 John, Iii. 3. [1608.
in numberless other passages, so particularly in his conversation with Nicodemus ; when, instructing him in the mysterious doctrine of regeneration, he required a full assent to it upon the testimony of his own word. May we bow to his authority, while we consider, I. The nature of regeneration — The mistakes whic…
402 wordsSECTION 2281608. J Nature And Necessity Of Regeneration. 247
[But can we conceive that, when a ruler of the Jews came to our Lord, acknowledging him to be a teacher sent from God, and desiring to be instructed in those things which he was come to reveal, our Lord would tell him that wicked men could not be saved without reforming their lives ? Did Nicodemus need such inform…
476 wordsSECTION 229248 John, Iii. 3. [1608.
affections also are exercised in a very different manner from what they were before, so that, instead of being called forth principally by the things of time and sense, they are set upon things spiritual and eternal? We say not that this change is perfect in any man, (for there still are sad remains of the old and…
449 wordsSECTION 2301608.] Nature And Necessity Of Regeneration. 219
holy joy, when there is nothing in his state which does not rather call for rivers of tears ? But if any one doubt what answer he must return to these questions, let him go to his chamber, and see whether he be competent to form his mind to these sublime employments ; and he will soon find that no power but that w…
481 wordsSECTION 231The Brazen Serpent A Type Of Christ.
as has been before described? O, let every one put home to his conscience this question, Am I born again ? And know that neither circumcision, nor uncircumcision will avail you any thing, but a new creation s. You must be born again, or perish ] 2. The regenerate — [St. Peter, writing to such persons under the se…
348 wordsSECTION 2321009.] Tiie Brazen Serpent A Type Of Christ. 251
presence : and there is nothing but his atoning sacrifice that can avail for this. Hence our Lord, after shewing Nicodemus that he must experience a change of nature by means of a new and heavenly birth, tells him, that he must prepare to see the Messiah crucified for the sins of men, and must look to him for the …
396 wordsSECTION 233252 John, Iii. 14, 15. [1609.
the other being appointed to make satisfaction for the sins of men, and to merit in our behalf the Divine favour. In both cases, however, the occasion was the same : death was inflicted as the punishment of sin ; and the remedy, the only remedy, against it, in either case, was to look to the object, proposed by Go…
444 wordsSECTION 2341609.] The Brazen Serpent A Type Of Christ. 253
shall one be found in our camp ? Where is there one whose whole man is not impregnated with the venom of sin ? If you feel it not, that only shews that your wounds are the more deep and deadly : but know assuredly, that, unless you be brought to a sense of your perishing condition, your doom is sealed ; and in a l…
440 wordsSECTION 235The Love Of God In Giving His Son For Man.
could heal him, will he think lightly of his sins ? Will he not rather " look on him whom his sins have pierced, and mourn, and be in bitterness, as one that is in bitterness for his first- born?" Truly this is the proper effect of faith in Christ, who, if he redeem us from guilt and condemnation, will also " puri…
363 wordsSECTION 2361610.] Love Of God In Giving His Son For Man. 255
of us ; " our goodness extendeth not to hima ;" " it is no profit to him that we are righteous13:" he would have been equally happy and glorious, though no creature had ever been formed; and he would remain so, if every creature in the universe were annihilated. How wonderful, then, was it, that he should condesce…
475 wordsSECTION 237256 John, Iii. 16. [1610.
But how will this stupendous love be heightened in our esteem, if we take into consideration the persons on ivhom this gift was bestowed! [It was not vouchsafed to angels, though angels needed it as much as we. This was a mercy reserved for fallen man, even for " the world" that lieth in wickedness1. To form an e…
469 wordsSECTION 2381610.] Love Of God In Giving His Son For Man. 257
pation of these benefits, yet further illustrates and magnifies his love — [Suppose God had said, " Find me fifty righteous, or forty, or thirty, or twenty, or only ten, and for their sakes I will pardon and save all the rest":" we must have perished, because among the whole human race there is " not one righteous…
472 wordsSECTION 239258 John, Iii. 1G. [1610.
[There is not a human being upon earth, who shall not be a partaker of all these benefits, if only he believe in Christ. There is no limitation, no exception : God gave his Son, that " whosoever" believeth in him should not perish. Past sins, however numerous or heinous, are no bar to our acceptance with God, if o…
449 wordsSECTION 240The End For Which God Sent His Son.
John iii. 17. For God sent not his Son into the ivorld to condemn the world ; but that the world through him might be saved. AN expectation generally prevailed among the Jews that their Messiah would interpose on behalf of their nation alone, and bring all other kingdoms into sub- jection to them. Our Lord took fr…
350 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.