PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 13 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 248,782 words · 530 reading sections
458 John, Viii. 39. [1654.
Are we then going to him, and relying on him, and receiving from him all that we need for the salvation of our souls? Are we looking to him daily, and to him alone, for " wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and complete redemp- tion ? " O ! inquire whether you are thus living a life of faith on the Son …
425 wordsSECTION 422Love To Christ A Test Of Our Relation To God.
John viii. 42. Jesus said unto them, If God ivere your Father, ye ivoicld love me. IF experience did not convince us, we could scarcely believe that presumption should be so rooted in the heart of man as we find it is. That it should exist, not only without any grounds, but in oppo- sition to the strongest possib…
307 wordsSECTION 423160 John, Viii. 42. [1655.
and hating one another," by regeneration their evil dispositions are mortified, and a spirit of humility and love becomes the governing principle of their souls. This change is universal : it is the leading feature by which every child of God is known. The want of it, whatever else we may possess, infallibly proves…
448 wordsSECTION 4241G55.] Test Of Spiritual Relation To God. 461
which each person has made, or thinks he has made, in religion ; every one fixing his own standard, and so drawing the line as to include himself within the number of God's elect. They are children of God, because, 1. They have committed no gross sin — [Be it so : they have kept within the bounds which the world…
470 wordsSECTION 425462 .John, Viii. 42. [1655.
assent to any system of divine truth can never be an adequate test of our relation to God.] 3. They have experienced a change both in their views and conduct — [This comes to nearly the same point as the two preced- ing : for the circumstance of our having formerly been more erroneous in our views, or more viciou…
423 wordsSECTION 4261655.1 Test Of Spiritual Relation To God. 463
we seen concentered in him all divine and human excellence, so as to be constrained to say, " Who is like unto Thee ? " And do we " account all things but dung for the excellency of the knowledge of him?" If we love him aright, our love to him must infinitely exceed all creature-attachment : life itself must have …
466 wordsSECTION 427464 John, Viii. 42. [1655.
perfections will fill the soul with rapture, and constrain it to vie with all the hosts of heaven in singing, " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing : therefore bless- ing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that si…
465 wordsSECTION 428Unbelief Traced To Its Source.
our relation to God, then would he have had many children amongst us, whose evidence would be clear, and their claim indisputable. But we must stand or fall by another test, even by that proposed by our Lord himself*1. See then what ye have to do. You have not to fulfil the whole law in order to become children of…
359 wordsSECTION 429466 John, Viii. 46. [1656.
Men believed not even our Lord himself — [He spoke to more advantage than any other person ever did : he spoke with more wisdom : his very enemies were con- strained to say, " Never man spake like this man3." He spoke with more authority : in this respect he differed widely from the Scribes and Phariseesb, yea, an…
488 wordsSECTION 4301656.1 Unbelief Traced To Its Source. 467
undeserving of any serious regard. Yet will not men believe us, any more than they believed our blessed Lord. They will cry out against us, as introducing new doctrines, though they are so fully maintained by our own Church, and by all the Apostles and Prophets from the foundation of the world. Let a minister prea…
428 wordsSECTION 431468 John, Viii. 46. [1656.
the impossibility of saving yourselves by any thing that you can do, and the indispensable necessity of looking for salva- tion through Christ alone, you are offended, and represent us as depreciating good works, and encouraging licentiousness. If we call you to renounce the world, and to give up your- selves to t…
477 wordsSECTION 4321656."] Unbelief Traced To Its Source. 469
only111?" This is at the root of unbelief, in all instances where much instruction has been given; " Men hate to be reformed; and therefore cast God's word behind them"."] Address — 1. Those who persuade themselves that they al- ready believe — [If an assent to the truths of Christianity were real faith, there w…
460 wordsSECTION 433Mdclvii.
every one of you be saved. You must renounce all depen- dence on yourselves, and look to the Lord Jesus Christ as your only hope. If you will not believe this, go and try the experiment : go and try by your own righteousness to satisfy the justice of Almighty God; and by your own arm to vanquish all your spiritual…
654 wordsSECTION 434472 John, Viii. 56. [1657.
[He saw that there was some particular person who should spring from him, distinct from, and superior to, all his other descendants^ He saw that the covenant which God had condescended to make with him was confirmed and rati- fied in that particular individuals He saw that that person was to be a source of blessin…
715 wordsSECTION 435472 John, Viii. 56. [1657.
From knowing what his views of Christ were, we shall be at no loss to say, II. Why he so exulted in them — Though we should estimate his knowledge by the lowest standard, the event which he foresaw could not fail of being a source of much joy to him, 1. Because of the mystery contained in it — [Frequently does S…
796 wordsSECTION 436472 John, Viii. 56. [1657.
« Isai. xii. 2. x Isai. lxi, 10. y 1 Pet. i. 8, 9. z Ps. xcviii. Read, and quote, the whole psalm, a Luke i. 44. b Luke ii. 10, 11. c Luke ii. 27—32. d Acts ii. 44 — 47. e Acts viii. 8, 39. 1657.] Abraham's views of christ. 475 when he heard, as it were, an universal jubilee proclaimed : his heart at least, if no…
562 wordsSECTION 437The Need Of Working Whilst It Is Day.
John ix. 4. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day : the night cometh, when no man can work. IN the circumstances of mankind we behold an inequality, which, at first sight, appears strange and unaccountable. One is born possessed of all the faculties that can conduce to his welfare : another is…
358 wordsSECTION 4381658.] The Need Of Working Whilst It Is Day. 477
previous to that which men now have on earth, and that they were either rewarded or punished in this world, according as they had conducted themselves in that from whence they had come ; and that God also recompensed in men the good or evil that had been done by their parents ; the Disciples asked our Lord, which…
406 wordsSECTION 439478 John, Ix. 4. [1658.
advance to the uttermost the glory of his name : for " herein is our Father glorified, when we bring forth much fruit d." This is the duty of every man, without exception. Men's duties, in reference to society, differ according to the rank and station which they hold : the prince and the peasant, the parent and th…
465 wordsSECTION 4401658.1 The Need Of Working Whilst It Is Day. 479
[A. day is given us; and that is little enough for so great a work: yet it is time enough, if duly and diligently improved. It is, however, of very uncertain continuance. The sun of many goes down at noon ; and often without the slightest warning. Yea, scarcely is the sun risen with many, ere it sets. This is a tr…
493 wordsSECTION 441480 John, Ix. 4. [1658.
your God " in judgment ? Yes, indeed : but it is a sad and melancholy truth, that few who have advanced beyond the middle term of life impenitent, are brought to repentance afterwards. Their habits are fixed ; their conceit of their own safety is become inveterate ; and their very consciences, as far as it respect…
474 wordsSECTION 442The Blind Man Healed At The Pool Of Siloam.
yet sound in your ears ! Be thankful, I pray you, for this distinguishing grace which has been vouchsafed to you : and increase not your guilt by a further continuance in sin. What a fearful reflection will it be at a future period, that you lived but to " add sin to sin," and to " treasure up wrath against the da…
409 wordsSECTION 443482 John, Ix. 6, 7. [1659.
the occasion of that calamity being inflicted on him ? Our Lord informed them, that it was owing to a far different cause : that it had been ordained of God on purpose " that the works of God mierht be made manifest in him," and that in him the Messiah might be glorified. What a consoling thought is this to those …
511 wordsSECTION 4441659.] The Blind Man Healed. 483
called to suffer for him, will take up his cross with cheerful resignation, yea, and rejoice that he is counted worthy to bear it. Our blessed Lord soon found his faithful confessor, and amply rewarded his fidelity by a fuller manifestation of himself, and a more abundant communication of grace to his soul. And t…
414 wordsSECTION 445484 John, Ix. 6, 7. [1659.
2. The end for which Christ came into the world — [Our Lord himself gave this exposition to the miracle, at the very time he wrought ith ; and enforced it afterwards by more express declarations. He was not only to be a light to lighten the world1, but was to open the eyes of the blindk. He was not only to set bef…
468 wordsSECTION 4461659.1 The Blind Man Healed. 485
With respect to the latter, he will leave them to the opera- tion of their own minds, and give them up to their own delu- sions. He will not actively mislead them; nor is there any need that he should in order to produce the increase of blind- ness in them : for if left to themselves, they will bewilder themselves…
415 wordsSECTION 447Disposition To Be Exercised Towards The Gospel.
John ix. 35 — 38. Jesus heard that they had cast him out ; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him ? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord,…
330 wordsSECTION 4481660.1 Proper Disposition Towards The Gospel. 487
I. The disposition exercised by him — We cannot but observe, that, to the question put to him by our Lord, there was something very re- markable in his reply: " Dost thou believe in the Son of God ?" " Who is he, Lord, that I might be- lieve on him?" Now, In this he manifested a singular degree of can- dour— [T…
440 wordsSECTION 449488 John, Ix. 35—38. [16(30.
hearing this, Pilate asked, " What is truthd?" But he waited not for an answer ; and thereby discovered that he had no de- sire to be informed. Not so the man before us : he really wished to be informed, that he might conduct himself as it became him towards the person after whom he inquired. Contrast it with scep…
498 wordsSECTION 4501660.] Proper Disposition Towards The Gospel. 489
displeasure of Almighty God. The Gospel purports to be a revelation from heaven, declaring a way for our recon- ciliation with God. It announces to us a Saviour, even the only-begotten Son of God, as becoming incarnate, and dying upon the cross for our sins; that, through Him, all that believe may be justified fro…
472 wordsSECTION 451490 John, Ix. 35—38. [1660.
And to those who questioned his doctrines, he said, " If any man will do God's will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself"1:" so, to those who would approve themselves to him, he says, " If a man love me, my Father will love him ; and we will come unto him, and make our…
446 wordsSECTION 4521660.] Proper Disposition Towards The Gospel. 491
1. Propose to you the inquiry — [To every individual amongst you would I propose the question, " Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" And let no one imagine, that it is an unnecessary inquiry. This man had argued well on the subject of evidences, and yet needed to have the question put to him. And many amongst ou…
477 wordsSECTION 453Discriminating Effects Of The Gospel.
make the whole book of God both luminous and easy to be received. Let me then recommend, that you regard the sacred volume as " a mould, into which your soul is to be poured b," and by which its every feature must be formed. Be ready to " obey it from the heart ;" and it shall be as effectual to create your souls …
811 wordsSECTION 454494 John, Ix. 39. [1661.
b Luke xvi. 15. Hence arose a necessity for our blessed Lord to come into the world — [Doubtless, the first ground of his advent was to make reconciliation for the sins of men, and to work out a righteous- ness for them by his own obedience unto death. But sub- ordinate to this was the purpose specified in our te…
729 wordsSECTION 455496 John, Ix. 39. [1661.
On the other hand, he gave sufficient evidence of his Messiahship to convince any humble inquirer — [The testimony borne to him by angels at his birth, the descent of the Holy Ghost upon him at his baptism, the numberless miracles wrought by him in his life, the wonders attendant on his death, his resurrection fro…
665 wordsSECTION 4561661.] Discriminating Effects Of The Gospel. 497
f Luke iv. 18—22. r Luke iv. 25—29. the mere populace who thus persecuted him : they were only instruments in the hands of their sujjeriors : it was the act of the Scribes and Pharisees, and of all who presided in their nation, whether in the Ecclesiastical or Civil department : and this shewed how, by his ministr…
491 wordsSECTION 457498 John, Ix. 39. [1661.
3. At the present hour — [No where is Christ faithfully preached, but " a division" is made among the people : and in all the families where his truth prevails, " a sword" is introduced, even amongst the nearest and dearest relatives". No caution in the preacher will suffice to abate the enmity of the heart agains…
464 wordsSECTION 458The Good Shepherd.
2. To those who are willing to be taught of God — [The docility of a little child is one of the choicest gifts that can possibly be bestowed upon you. It is a certain pre- lude to divine instruction, and the best preparative for all the blessings of the Gospel. You need not be discouraged at the thought of your ow…
385 wordsSECTION 459500 John, X. 9. [1662.
We shall consider, I. The metaphor by which Jesus represents his own character — He had been delivering " the parable" of " the Good Shepherd";" in elucidating which, he speaks of himself as " the door of the sheepfold." The Church of God is here compared to a sheep- fold— [All men in their natural state are wa…
433 wordsSECTION 4601662.] The Good Shepherd. 501
This description of Christ is of great importance. II. The benefit of receiving him under that cha- racter— There is no benefit which can accrue to a well- attended flock, which does not arise to those who believe in Christ — 1. Security; " He shall be saved" — [Protection is of unspeakable benefit to a defencel…
419 wordsSECTION 461502 John, X. 9. [16(52.
by an express promise to all his people a. This privilege too, no less than the others, is the consequence of entering into the fold by the appointed doorb.] Address — 1. Those who are wandering at a distance from the fold— [Perhaps, like the silly sheep, you are insensible of your danger ; but the more confiden…
456 wordsSECTION 462Life Abundantly By Christ.
John x. 10. / am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. THE parables of our blessed Lord, though exceed- ingly clear and striking, lose much of their force by reason of the difference of our habits from those which obtained amongst the Jews. For instance, the office of a shep…
317 wordsSECTION 463504 John, X. 10. [1663.
But the text leads us further to consider, II. The extent to which he has accomplished it — " He has come, that we might have life more abundantly." And, the very instant we believe in him, we have life, 1. With more abundant evidence than was enjoyed under the Mosaic dispensation — [The promises given to the Je…
443 wordsSECTION 4641663.] Life Abundantly By Christ. 505
had never fallen, he would have had very narrow and con- tracted views of God, in comparison of those which are revealed to him in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. As a creature, he would have beheld the goodness of God : but he could have formed no conception of the justice, and holiness, and mercy, and truth o…
446 wordsSECTION 465Voluntariness Of Christ'S Undertaking.
John x. 1 7, 1 8. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This com- mandment have I received of my Father. THE subject here insisted on, whilst, at…
350 wordsSECTION 4661664.] Voluntariness Of Christ'S Undertaking. 507
as Mediator, was the Father's servant: as says the prophet; "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delightethV And hence he is spoken of continually as " sent by the Father to be the Saviour of the world V But, as God, he was equal with the Father, and voluntarily concurred with the Father…
440 wordsSECTION 467508 John, X. 17, 18. [1664.
every one of his Disciples the bread and the wine, as represent- ing his body broken, and his blood shed, for the remission of their sinsm." When Judas, with an armed band, came to apprehend him, he, by a word, beat them all backward to the ground, to shew that, in his subsequent surrender of himself to them, he a…
470 wordsSECTION 4681664.] Voluntariness Of Christ'S Undertaking. 509
Person of the ever-blessed Trinity, but officially, as man and as Mediator. Personally he needed nothing, nor could do any thing, to augment the Father's love : for " He and the Father are one," in glory equal, and in majesty co-eternal. But in his office he greatly commended himself to the Father's love: 1. In u…
458 wordsSECTION 469510 John, X. 17, 18. [1664.
God or man to desire. His atonement fully satisfied Divine justice: his righteousness is fully adequate to our necessities: and now that he has again resumed his life, and has all power committed to him in heaven and in earth, he will complete the work he has begun ; and God shall, to all eternity, be glorified in…
488 wordsSECTION 470Security Of Christ'S Sheep.
Amen to that? Who does not feel the justice of it? Who does not wonder that it has not long since been executed on himself, for his base ingratitude to the Saviour ? And who, if hell were at this moment to open and swallow him up quick, must not justify God, and say, " Righteous art thou, O Lord; and true and just…
372 wordsSECTION 471512 John, X. 27, 28. [1665.
long dost thou make us to doubt ? if thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you ; and ye believed not." He then informs them what the source was of their unbelief ; " Ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep :" you are des- titute of those gracious qualities which would have fitted…
403 wordsSECTION 47216G5.] Security Of Christ'S Sheep. 513
his heavenly Father ; and thither they direct their steps, cultivating in every thing " the mind that was in him," and endeavouring " to walk as he walked."] In proportion as they pursue this path, they aug- ment, II. Their happiness — The Lord Jesus Christ regards them with appro- bation— [It is true that he "…
432 wordsSECTION 473514 John, X. 27, 28. [1665.
very moment that they are brought home to his fold, he bestows it on them: they have instantly a right and title to it; and when they go hence, they go and take possession of it, not as a new gift which shall then be conferred, but as an inheritance, which by the surest of all titles, they have before been enabled…
437 wordsSECTION 4741665.1 Security Of Christ S Sheep. 515
Powers, yea, and greater than he himself also, as man, and as Mediator, should effectually preserve them; and that no enemy should prevail against them, unless he should first overcome Jehovah himself. This then being secured to them by a pro- mise that cannot fail, and by a power that cannot be overcome, we may c…
495 wordsSECTION 475516 John, X. 27,28. [1665.
the appointed path to heaven; and " without holiness no man shall see the Lord." To those, therefore, who would take the comfort arising from this subject, we recommend, that they judge of their state by their character and conduct: if they resemble Christ, and are walking truly in his ways, let them confidently t…
468 wordsSECTION 4761665.1 Security Of Christ'S Sheep. 51
caution on our part ; nay, I am persuaded, that they are carried into effect by means of that very fear which his warnings inspire. And this is, I apprehend, the true solution of the difficulty, as far as it can be solved by man. God's precepts teach us what we ought to do : his exhortations put us upon making eve…
500 wordsSECTION 477518 John, X. 21, 28. [1665.
Will not men be tempted to trust in an arm of flesh ? and will not that issue in disappointment ? and will not repeated disappointments tend to create despondency? People are apt to dread the idea of despondency as connected with the doctrines of grace : but we will venture to affirm, that, for one instance of des…
478 wordsSECTION 478Christ One With The Father.
your weakness too, and your utter inability to withstand that roaring lion that seeketh to devour you. What then would you do, if you were left to preserve yourselves by the unas- sisted efforts of your own strength and resolution ? To you it is no little joy to be assured, that you are in the hands of an Omnipote…
367 wordsSECTION 479520 John, X. 30. [1666.
worship, were the height of absurdity, and impiety. The subject before us relates only to the union sub- sisting between Christ and his Father : to that there- fore we shall confine our attention. We begin with considering, I. The truth of our Lord's assertion. Here mark, 1. The assertion itself — [Our Lord say…
441 wordsSECTION 4801666.1 Christ One With The Father. 521
lie himself was in his human or Mediatorial capacity ; and " that none should ever be able to pluck them out of his Father's hand." Yet, that they might know that he would not, on account of his removal from them, remit his care of them, he added, " I and my Father are one;" 'we are one, as in will, so in power; a…
461 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.