PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 13 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 248,782 words · 530 reading sections
326 John, V. 17, 18. [1625.
b Compare Matt. xii. 8. with the text. c John viii. 41. d "Iciov Jlarepa, his oivn, in the most appropriate sense. e John x. 37, 38. that, in fact, they who did not thus honour the Son did not truly honour the Father who had sent him*.] From hence we may see, II. What construction we must put upon them — If the …
656 wordsSECTION 302326 John, V. 17, 18. [1625.
Yes, pardon, and peace, and holiness, and glory, would he at this instant confer on us, if we would but seek them at his hands x. Was he incessant in his labours, rendering even the Sabbath-day subservient to his great work ? So will he now impart to our souls continually, and to the full extent of our necessities…
338 wordsSECTION 303Mdcxxvi.
perform, and all the best instructions he can give. Only think, my beloved brethren, what the Jews lost on this occasion ; and how different their condition now is, in the eternal world, from what it might have been if they had obeyed the counsels of our Lord ; and you will see, that the advice I now give you is w…
714 wordsSECTION 304330 John, V. 21—23. [1626-
Let us now, in discoursing on these assertions of our Lord, consider, I. The account he gives of his own character — Had the Jews been mistaken in what they * vcr. 18. supposed to be the scope of our Lord's assertions, he would have set them right : he would have told them plainly, that he did not intend to clai…
799 wordsSECTION 305332 John, V. 21—23. [1626.
2. The necessity of paying it to him — [It might be thought sufficient to honour the Father : and so it was whilst the Father alone was known : but when he had revealed himself in the person of Christ, and " made all his glory to shine in his face ;" when " in Christ he had reconciled the world unto himself," and …
594 wordsSECTION 306The Believer'S Happy State.
you also that such a state would be incompatible with the necessary affairs of life. But where does God caution us against excess in religion, provided our religion be of a right kind? or what are those affairs which could not be conducted, if all men possessed the highest measure of true religion ? Were Joseph, D…
393 wordsSECTION 3073,'34 John, V. 24. [1627.
plainest terms. Having told us that " the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment to the Son," he adds, " Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation ; but is passed from death unto life." No…
651 wordsSECTION 308336 John, V. 24. [1627.
The whole of this subject being so plain and obvious, I have not judged it necessary to enter very fully into it in a way of discussion, that I may have the more time to improve it in a way of appli- cation. Two things, then, I earnestly request of you, my beloved brethren : 1. Inquire carefully into the state o…
592 wordsSECTION 309The Resurrection.
this. Let " the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wis- dom :" and in dependence on it, go to the Father, and " lay hold upon him," and remind him of his covenant : yea, take all " his exceeding great and precious promises," and plead them before him : and see whether it shall be in vain to call upon God. N…
346 wordsSECTION 310338 John, V. 28, 29. [1628.
are not wanting many strong intimations of itc and in the New, it is declared in every paged ] 2. The power of God to effect it — [See what God has done : look at the whole creation ; and then ask, Whether He who formed the universe out of nothing, cannot as easily re-unite our scattered atoms (whatever changes t…
435 wordsSECTION 3111628.1 Tiie Resurrection. 339
should we be so, if we knew all that is comprehended in it ! It is in vain to attempt to describe the anguish which the body shall endure in the lake that burnetii with fire and brimstone. But we are persuaded that the soul will bitterly bewail the necessity it is under of being re-united to that body, which once, …
424 wordsSECTION 312John Baptist'S Character.
John v. 35. He tvas a burning and a shining light. IT might well be expected that the advent of the Messiah should be marked by such concurrent cir- cumstances, as should carry conviction, to every dispassionate mind, that the person assuming that character was indeed the person predicted by Moses and the prophet…
675 wordsSECTION 313342 John, V. 35. [1629.
3. The holiness of his life — [" He was filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's wombV And so holily did he demean himself, that Herod could not but reverence and stand in awe of him, and, in many instances, comply with his admonitions1. In the whole of his ministrations his attention was particularly tu…
657 wordsSECTION 314Mdcxxx.
Address — 1. Be " willing, then, to rejoice in his light" — [Surely such a ministry as his, so instructive, so faithful, so convincing, is an unspeakable blessing to every one that enjoys it. And such a ministry we have, not in him only, but the holy Apostles, yea, and in multitudes of the present day. Shew, then…
259 wordsSECTION 315344 John, V. 39. [1630.
that of Almighty God, it was necessary that he should bring abundant evidence of his Divine mission, and prove, by testimonies of the most unquestionable kind, his title to the honour he assumed. Nor was he backward to give all the proof which the occasion required. He appealed to the testimony of John the Baptis…
904 wordsSECTION 316346 John, V. 39. [1630.
have divined, and which no impostor would have ventured to predict. And who would ever have imagined, that one so ignominiously treated in his death, should yet " have his grave with the rich?" The very price which was to be paid for his blood, together with the subsequent application of it in the purchase of a po…
777 wordsSECTION 317348 John, V. 39. [1630.
But in particular we must search the Scriptures with a more especial view to derive from them the knowledge of Christ. As they all testify of him, so it should be our most anxious care to see and learn what they do testify. A mere critical knowledge of Scripture, though good, will bring with it no saving benefit. …
658 wordsSECTION 3181631.1 Reason Of Men'S Destruction. 349
not whether is the greater, the impiety or the cruelty of such conduct. The Lord Jesus Christ says, " Search the Scrip- tures." ' No,' says the Papist ; ' ye shall not search them : I will not even suffer them to be in your possession : and if they be given you, I will wrest them out of your hands.' But if it be r…
306 wordsSECTION 319350 John, V. 40. [1631.
John v. 40. Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. TO doubt whether men wish to be saved or not, may appear absurd. No man would hesitate to answer such a question in the affirmative. But though every one would prefer happiness to misery, they are but few who really prefer the way that leads to happines…
563 wordsSECTION 3201631.1 Reason Of Men'S Destruction. 351
What encouragement to come continually to Christ does such a prospect afford thee !] One would suppose that, with such prospects, all should be pressing toward the Saviour with their whole hearts. Let us then proceed to inquire, II. Whence it is that any fall short of these blessings? The reason assigned in the t…
440 wordsSECTION 321Mdcxxxii.
words of our Saviour verified, " How often would I, but ye would notf."] Infer — 1. What ground for self-condemnation will there be in the day of judgment ! [Every condemned sinner, however full of excuses now, will then have his mouth shut ; yea, even now a moment's reflection must convince us, that every sinne…
337 wordsSECTION 3221632. J Men'S Want Of Love To God. 353
Nathanael himself: but, in denouncing those whom he was now addressing as destitute of the love of God, he appealed to their obstinacy in rejecting him, notwithstanding the full evidence he had given them of his Messiahshipb. It is probable that this testimony of his gave great offence : yet is there occasion for …
446 wordsSECTION 323354 John, V. 42. [1632.
But the existence of such characters will not be doubted by any of us, when once we have seen, II. How they may be known and distinguished — Doubtless such characters may be known, by them- selves at least, if not by their fellow-creatures also. Our fellow-creatures, it is true, can judge only by outward acts, be…
660 wordsSECTION 324356 John, V. 42. [1632.
III. In what an awful condition they are — No words can adequately describe the misery of such a state. The persons who are obnoxious to this charge, are in a state, 1. Of fearful delusion — [However pointed out by God, they put far from them the accusation, and boldly deny the charge. They cannot conceive of th…
710 wordsSECTION 3251633.1 Faith Incompatible With Love Of Applause. 357
course of your feelings and habits declares the contrary ? You cannot deceive God ; nor can you prevail on him to give in your favour a judgment contrary to truth. Bring the matter to a trial. Be not content to leave it in suspense. Indeed, if you can be content to leave it in doubt whether you love God or not, yo…
292 wordsSECTION 326358 John, V. 41, [1633.
John v. 44. How can ye believe, ivho receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? IT is certain that great care is requisite in inter- preting the Holy Scriptures ; lest, on the one hand, we explain away their meaning altogether; or, on the other hand, we take occasion, from th…
485 wordsSECTION 3271633.1 Faith Incompatible With Love Of Applause. 359
and take up his cross daily, and follow me." And so unre- served must our surrender of ourselves to him be, that, if we be not ready even to lay down our lives for him, we shall be regarded by him in no other light than as aliens or traitors. A faith which does not operate in this manner, and to this extent, is no…
480 wordsSECTION 3283G0 John, V. 44. [1633.
stand in competition with each other ; or rather, I should say, are always opposed to each other, where the higher duties of Christianity are concerned: for, of "the circumcision of the heart, which is in the Spirit and not in the letter," we are told, " its praise is not of men, but of Godh." Indeed the praise of …
466 wordsSECTION 3291633.1 Faith Incompatible With Love Of Applause. 301
when truth is set before them, they reply, " This is a hard saying: who can hear it0?" Especially if they be called to renounce self altogether, and to glory in Christ alone, they have no ears to hear it : they are like those of whom our Lord said, " Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear …
441 wordsSECTION 330362 John, V. 45, 46. [1634.
their souls ; so that either you could produce no conviction upon their minds, or, if you have silenced their objections, you could not prevail upon them to act agreeably to the light they had received ? I ask also, in reference to yourselves, Whether, if at any time you have suffered your minds to be influenced b…
336 wordsSECTION 3311634. J Unbelief Rebuked. 363
John v. 45, 46. Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom, ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me : for he wrote of me. THERE is nothing more painful to a pious Minis- ter, than to reflect, that, instead of having to present all …
505 wordsSECTION 332364 John, V. 45, 4G. [1634.
is all hypocrisy ; for, instead of receiving my testimony respect- ing their Messiah, they shut their eyes and ears against every word that I have spoken; and make no other use of my testi- mony, but to pervert it, and to found upon it their rejection of that very Saviour whom I have revealed."] But stronger far i…
459 wordsSECTION 3331634.] Unbelief Rebuked. 365
my hearers, who have never yet been renewed by the grace of God. And I ask, 1. Is not the charge true of you ? [Look, I pray you, and examine the matters before pro- posed. See in what state you are, as it respects repentance for sin, and faith in Christ, and holy obedience to the commands of God. Compare yoursel…
476 wordsSECTION 334Mdcxxxv.
if it have been " a fountain sealed," whose fault is that? Has not God promised, by his Holy Spirit to open it? and has not Christ told you, that " if you would ask of him, he would give you living waters, which should be in you a well of water springing up unto everlasting life ? " What is there that has been wan…
673 wordsSECTION 335368 John, Vi. 14. [1635.
Again : God having done so many and great wonders for his people, may see fit to try their faith and love, in order that the faithful amongst his people may display their fidelity, and the hypocritical their hypocrisy. And for this end we may conceive him to suffer some impostor to assume the character of a prophe…
660 wordsSECTION 336368 John, Vi. 14. [1635.
II. Our duty to him under that character — The history before us will enable us to state this to advantage. Our duty to him is, 1. To believe in him — [At the time that Jesus abode on earth, it was generally expected that the Prophet spoken of by Moses would appear ; " the Prophet like unto Moses," who should be …
367 wordsSECTION 337Labouring For Heaven.
[Though he had withdrawn from them, they concluded that he would follow his Disciples ; and therefore they followed him, though with much difficulty, and to a great distance, in the confidence that he would supply their every want. Herein also they erred, because they sought only " the meat which perisheth:" but i…
374 wordsSECTION 3381636. ] Labouring For Heaven- 871
king, he departed into a mountain himself alone V His Disciples he sent over the sea, towards Caper- naum : and multitudes, though they saw he was not with them, concluding that, by some means or other, he would follow them, went thither to meet him : and when they had found him, they expressed their sur- prise, …
356 wordsSECTION 339372 John, Vi. 27. [1636.
[It is a duty we owe to ourselves : we are, by the very necessities of our nature, constrained to " obtain our bread by the sweat of our browd." We owe it to our families : for " if a man provide not for his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel e. We owe it to the poor : for if we h…
503 wordsSECTION 340163G.] Labouring For Heaven. Sis
as " the meat that perisheth." But the peace of God which passeth all understanding, the light of his reconciled counte- nance, a sense of his love shed abroad in the heart, the joy of the Holy Ghost, the earnests and foretastes of the heavenly bliss ; what shall I say of these ? what are earthly things in compari…
456 wordsSECTION 341374 John, Vi. 27. [1636.
2. He will give it to them all, without exception — [There is no want of power in him to give it to whom- soever he will. Nor will he be constrained to work a miracle to supply any number that call upon him. " In his Father's house there is bread enough, and to spare." Nor will he shew any partiality to one above …
487 wordsSECTION 3421636.] Labouring For Heaven. 375
generation wiser than the children of light." For one Mary that sits habitually at the Saviour's feet, there are many Marthas, who, in spite of their professed love for Christ, are careful and cumbered about many things. But, if this be the case with the most spiritual amongst us ; what shall I say to those who ha…
492 wordsSECTION 343The Necessity Of Faith In Christ.
absolutely unanswerable. Be of good cbeer then ; and bless your God for the privileges which you enjoy. True, indeed, no rich man shall perish because he is rich ; nor shall any poor man be saved because he is poor : but if the rich neglect their Saviour and their God, however full their tables may now be, they sh…
356 wordsSECTION 3441637.] Tiie Necessity Of Faith In Christ. 377
done by us; and we want to know what they are, in order that we may commence the performance of them." It must here be observed, that they use, throughout their reply, the very same word as Jesus had used when he bade them " labour*? Our blessed Lord, still using the same word, says, " This is the work of God," (…
422 wordsSECTION 345378 John, Vi. 28, 29. [1637.
he commanded his Gospel to be preached to the whole world, this was the declaration which was to be universally and in- variably made; " He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved ; and he that believeth not, shall be damned."] To justify what is here said of faith, I proceed to shew, II. Why it has this g…
433 wordsSECTION 3461637.1 The Necessity Of Faith In Christ. 379
ourselves, all the gracious purposes of God the Father, who hath sent him ; and all that Christ himself has done, in dying for us ; and all that the Holy Spirit has done, in bearing testi- mony to him, and in revealing him to the world. There is no other grace, the want of which does such dishonour to God, as this…
502 wordsSECTION 347880 John, Vi. 28, 29. [1637.
Jesus Christ, he may find acceptance with God: " though his sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as wool ; though they have been red like crimson, they shall be made white as snow." Our blessed Lord has expressly declared this, without any limitation or exception : " Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise c…
506 wordsSECTION 3481637.] The Necessity Of Faith In Christ. 881
parable from it : " You will walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."] 2. But methinks I hear the voice of an objector — [Some one, perhaps, is saying, ' A fine easy way to heaven indeed ! Only believe ; and you may live as you will, and be sure of heaven at the last!' But this objection will never be urg…
484 wordsSECTION 349The Living Bread.
suspense about the state of his soul : but thou hast in thine own bosom a ground of the fullest assurance. The work of faith is such as will at once commend itself to thy conscience as really done. Thou wilt feel a consciousness that thou renouncest every other hope, and reliest on Christ alone. And in Christ ther…
343 wordsSECTION 3501038.] The Living Bread. 383
Our Lord enters very minutely into this subject. He institutes a comparison between the manna, and himself as the bread of life ; and shews the superiority of the true bread, 1. In its origin — [They supposed that the manna had been given them from heaven: whereas it came only from the clouds c; and was as earth…
452 wordsSECTION 351384 John, Vi. 34. [1638.
hungry, clothing to the naked, riches to the poor, health to the sick, life to the deadq; He is all and in ALLr.] Such a glorious account of this bread being given by Christ himself, it becomes us to inquire into, II. The means by which it may be obtained — Every provision for the body must be obtained by labour;…
457 wordsSECTION 352Mdcxxxix.
Christ's willingness to receive sinners. John vi. 37. Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. IT is a pleasing reflection that there is a people secured to Christ, who, having been given to him by the Father, shall, each in his appointed time, " be gathered unto Shiloh," to be the fruits of his travail, …
343 wordsSECTION 3533.86 John, Vi. 37. [1639.
I. What we should come to Christ for — [In general, we answer, that we must come to him for every thing ; since all fulness is treasured up in him, on pur- pose that we may receive out of it according to our necessities. But more particularly, we must come to him for pardon, which we all need ; which we cannot oth…
783 wordsSECTION 354388 John, Vi. 44. [1640.
Address — 1. Those who are afar off from Christ — [Can it be supposed, that, if we will not go to Christ, we can ever participate his benefits? Doubtless we cannot: if we keep at a distance from him in this world, there will be an " impassable gulf between us" in the world to come. Let us remember then, that we m…
488 wordsSECTION 355Man'S Inability To Come To Christ.
John vi. 44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him. THERE are in the Holy Scriptures many doctrines which prove an offence and a stumbling-block to the world : but the reason of their exciting disgust and aversion, must be looked for, not so much in the doc- trines themselves, as in…
529 wordsSECTION 356390 John, Vi. 44. [1640.
pressure of a very grievous famine: he was informed that there was plenty of corn in Egypt; and that his dearly-beloved Joseph was the Lord of all that land, and that he disposed of the good things thereof to whomsoever he would : he was told, moreover, that Joseph had expressly invited him ; and had sent waggons …
673 wordsSECTION 357390 John, Vi. 44. [1640.
2, On our impotency — [The impotency of man to do what is good is certainly rather of a moral than a natural kind : his inability is not like that which incapacitates him to stop the sun in the firmament: it consists principally in a want of inclination : yet, together with that, there is a positive weakness ; the…
256 wordsSECTION 358392 John, Vi. 44. [1640.
point; more especially because it is confirmed by the strongest declarations of Holy Writ. God himself has told us, that without Christ we can do nothings ; that we cannot, of our- selves, even speak a good word11 ; nay, that we have not suffi- ciency even to think a good thought1: that " God must give us both to …
795 wordsSECTION 359394 John, Vi. 53—55. [1641.
Address — I. To the self-confident — [If you be not yet convinced of your need of Divine influences, go home, and try to perform some spiritual acts in your own strength : try to go to Christ with contrition ; to cast yourself upon him with humble confidence ; and to devote yourself to him in unreserved obedience…
270 wordsSECTION 3601641.1 Importance Of Living By Faith On Christ. 395
John vi. 53 — 55. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life ; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. THE natural…
613 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.