PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 14 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 258,605 words · 560 reading sections
194 John, Xix. 31—37. [1727.
John xix. 31—37. The Jeics therefore, because it urns the pre- paration, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken aivay. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of th…
532 wordsSECTION 1821727.] Treatment Of Our Lord'S Body. 195
crucified persons should be broken, in order to effect and secure their death ; thus making up by increased agony what might be equivalent to the longer duration of their misery. Permis- sion is granted ; the order given ; and in part executed : the legs of both the malefactors were broken ; but, our Lord being al…
497 wordsSECTION 183196 John, Xix. 31—37. [1727.
do to him what they were not ordered, and to refrain from doing what they tvere ordered. If this also had not been done, our Lord's claim to the Messiahship had failed ; and equally so, if the spear, instead of piercing between the bones, had struck a rib. But there are no such things as casualties, where God's wi…
475 wordsSECTION 1841727.] Treatment Of Our Lord'S Body. 197
sin-offering for us, we, who have no righteousness, may be made the righteousness of God in him."] 2. What blessings we are to expect — [The Apostle's solicitude to impress our minds with the tilings which he beheld, marks unquestionably the importance of them. He declares that his testimony was founded, not on r…
484 wordsSECTION 185198 John, Xix. 31—37. [1727.
place : only we must remember, that they both flow from the wounded side of Christ ; and that Christ is the only fountain from whence either the one or the other can be derived. It is possible that this interpretation may appear fanciful : but it will no longer be thought so, if only we consult the ex- position wh…
463 wordsSECTION 186The Burial Of Jesus.
John xix. 38 — 42. And after this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus : and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus…
387 wordsSECTION 187200 John, Xix. 38—42. [1728.
is very particularly described : the different Evangelists being- consulted, we learn his name and place of abode : he was " Joseph of Arimathea," or Ramah, in the tribe of Ephraim, the birth-place and residence of Samuel. Next, we have his rank and condition : he was " a rich man, and an honourable counsellor," o…
489 wordsSECTION 1881728.] The Burial Of Jesus. 201
place where Jesus was crucified, he deposited the body there : and, for the sake of decency and security, rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre. Such is the account given us of the burial of our Lord : and at first sight perhaps it may appear, if not uninteresting, at least destitute of any important i…
473 wordsSECTION 189202 John, Xix. 38—42. [1728.
was stolen from it by the Disciples; but the very nature of the grave precluded a possibility of removing the body from it, without the knowledge of the Roman guard. Thus far then the facts are clear : and now mark their cor- respondence with the voice of prophecy. It had been expressly foretold, that, though Chri…
478 wordsSECTION 1901728.] The Burial Of Jesus. 203
own time and way. We have no occasion to inquire, Hoio shall he do this or that ? it is quite sufficient that he has pro- mised : and it is our privilege to know, that " what he has promised he is able also to perform ;" and that of all the good things which he has authorized us to expect, " not one shall ever fai…
494 wordsSECTION 191204 John, Xix. 39. [1729.
like Paul, are training in the ranks of Christ's enemies, who shall one day come forth as champions to fight and conquer in his cause.] 4. To reconcile us to the thoughts of death — [Death is universally regarded as " the king of terrors." Our nature revolts at the idea of being committed to the tomb. But why sho…
383 wordsSECTION 1921729.] Character Of Nicodemus. 20~)
John xix. 39. There came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night. IT is generally supposed, that by conversion a man's character is altogether changed. But this is by no means true. Divine grace gives a new direction to a man's natural powers ; but it does not divest him of them, so that he shal…
406 wordsSECTION 193206 John, Xix. 39. [1729.
authority himself, addressed that despised and per- secuted Teacher by the respectful appellation of " Rabbi ;" confessing his belief in him as a Teacher sent from God. Thus far all was well. But there were in Nicodemus two great defects, to which I must now call your attention : 1. His cowardice — [Twice is Nic…
435 wordsSECTION 1941729.] Character Of Nicodemus. 207
water and of the Spirit, he could neither see nor enter into the kingdom of God. This, it might have been expected, Nicodemus should be well acquainted with : for the prophets, with whose writings he was so conversant, had most distinctly affirmed itc But Nicodemus could not at all compre- hend such mysterious tru…
457 wordsSECTION 195208 John, Xix. 39. [1729.
fearful he is of subjecting himself to public observation and reproach. In St. Paul's day it was thus. He appealed to the whole Church of Corinth : " Ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called11." And so it is in every age : let a man poss…
492 wordsSECTION 1961729.1 Character Of Nicodemus. £09
can often do things which more decided characters would be unable to effect. I think it highly probable, that not all the Disciples together could have prevailed on Pilate to give them the body of Jesus ; nor would the chief priests have suffered even Joseph and Nicodemus to have the body, if they had been general…
494 wordsSECTION 197The Resurrection Of Christ.
3. Let us, whatever talents we possess, improve them for the Lord — [Doubtless Joseph and Nicodemus felt, that on this occasion they could exert an influence which others did not possess : and they did well, in improving it for the Lord. Now, all of us, in our respective situations, have influence of some kind : a…
359 wordsSECTION 1981730.] The Resurrection Of Christ. 2\\
shook, and became as dead men :" and all the heads of the Jewish nation, when they saw how ineffectual their precautions had been, were mad with disappoint- ment. The Disciples too were overwhelmed with grief: they had been taught to expect the resurrec- tion of their Lord ; yet they seemed to have really less ex…
383 wordsSECTION 199212 John, Xx. 8,9. [1730.
II. The means by which it was overcome — The Apostles diligently investigated the subject proposed to them — [They were informed by Mary Magdalen, that the body of our Lord was removed from the sepulchre. Without loss of time they set out, as expeditiously as possible, to investi- gate the point. John being the y…
389 wordsSECTION 2001730.1 The Resurrection Of Christ. 213
believe the evidence of their own senses". Nor, when all the others had been overpowered with the weight of evidence, would Thomas yield assent, till, by feeling the very wounds which had been made in the hands and side of Christ, he had a testimony which he could no longer doubt0.] But all this tends exceedingly …
394 wordsSECTION 201Inspiration And Authority Of The Apostles.
John xx. 21 — 23. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you : as my Father hath sent me, even so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost : ivhose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them ; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are r…
314 wordsSECTION 2021731.1 Inspiration Of The Apostles. 215
from Christ resembled that which Christ himself had received from the Father — [Christ was furnished by the Father for the office that was assigned him. " The Spirit of the Lord God was upon himV' yea, and "was given to him without measure0." "The Spirit of the Lord rested upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and under…
468 wordsSECTION 203216 John, Xx. 21—23. [1731.
were kept from error of every kind : so that all which they have spoken must be regarded as the word of God, no less than if their very words had been dictated from above : for though, I say again, they were left to record every thing in their own language, yet, in all that they stated, and in all that they reveal…
478 wordsSECTION 2041 7£>] ~ Inspiration Of The Apostles. 217
stead of saying " I forgive you," he referred Cornelius and his company to the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only source of hope and peace ; saying, " To HIM give all the prophets wit- ness, that, through his name, whosoever believeth m him shall receive remission of sins1." When our blessed Lord himself forgave sins,…
457 wordsSECTION 205Thomas'S Unbelief Reproved.
Spirit" still abiding in him": and if you pray, " Lord Jesus, breathe on me!" he will in no wise refuse your request1.] 2. How to judge of your state before God — [Men will pretend to declare, with great confidence, that such and such characters, which they account good, have nothing to fear. You yourselves, too, …
676 wordsSECTION 206220 John, Xx. 27, 28. [1732.
2. The testimony of Thomas in particular— [His doubts might seem to justify a suspicion of the veracity, or at least of the judgment, of all the other Apostles : but it rather adds weight to their testimony; since it shews his absolute determination never to acknowledge that fact to have taken place, till it shoul…
657 wordsSECTION 207220 John, Xx. 27, 28. [1732.
From a more particular view of this narrative, we may learn — 1. The evil of unbelief — [Infidels pretend tbat their doubts arise from a want of evidence : but they in reality arise from an indisposition of heart to weigh with candour the evidence before them. This was the fault which Thomas now committed. He did…
374 wordsSECTION 208John, Xx. 27, 28. [1732.
do not condemn him for it : but his loss was the same, by- whatever it might be occasioned. And have not many of us suffered loss through our absence from the house of God, or the neglect of private ordinances ? It is highly probable that the doubts and fears of many are to be traced to this source : they live wit…
452 wordsSECTION 209The Use And Intent Of Our Lord'S Miracles.
John xx. 30, 31. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the 'presence of his disciples, ivhich are not written in this book : but these are ivritten, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God ; and that believing ye might have life through his name. THOUGH the miracles which are recorded in t…
326 wordsSECTION 210224 John, Xx. 30, 31. [1733.
when wrought in confirmation of any point, they are justly considered as authenticating that which they are intended to support; because they prove a divine concurrence; and we cannot suppose that God should enable any man to work miracles merely to establish falsehood, and to deceive his people. There have indeed…
747 wordsSECTION 211226 John, Xx. 30,31. [17#&
2. Of eternal life — [The life begun on earth, is not like the natural life that shall soon expire; it is an incorruptible seed, an immortal principle, which, when watered and invigorated by continued supplies of grace, shall flourish in heaven for evermore. The soul that is quickened by faith in the Lord Jesus, h…
600 wordsSECTION 212Inquiries About Love To Christ.
John xxi. 17. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me ? Peter ivas grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me ? And he said unto htm, Lord, thou hnoioest all things ; thou knowest that I love thee. IT requires much wisdom to discharge the office of a reprover ari…
344 wordsSECTION 213228 John, Xxi. 17. [1734.
to be indications of love to Christ: and many, on the con- trary, might have been discouraged, under the idea that they never had experienced what was necessary to their salvation. But the evidence of an obedient life is such as no man can have who does not love the Lordb, and as every man will have who does love …
473 wordsSECTION 2141734.1 Inquiries About Love To Christ. 229
II. That the very existence of a doubt respecting it ought to fill us with deep concern — Let it only be considered, what such a doubt im- plies : it involves a doubt, 1. Respecting our interest in God's favour — [There is no medium between a state of acceptance with God, and of obnoxiousness to his wrath and ind…
474 wordsSECTION 215230 John, Xxi. 17. [1734.
would create considerable anxiety : how much more then should it, when it respects everlasting happiness or everlasting misery ! Well indeed may that man be grieved, who is in the least doubt what answer he shall give to the question in our text, " Lovest thou me?"] We cannot however but take occasion from the in…
702 wordsSECTION 216232 John, Xxi. 17. [1734.
3. Be determined, through grace, to live and die for Christ — [If sin be unrepented of, or self-confidence be indulged, our resolutions, like Peter's, may prove fallacious : but if formed with a humble dependence upon Divine grace, and with a penitent sense of our former miscarriages, they afford a strong additio…
608 wordsSECTION 2171734.1 Inquiries About Love To Christ. 233
transient; whereas, in the other, it will be unspeakable and eternal. Not that it is at all needful to err on either side : the marks and evidences of true love to Christ are laid down with the utmost precision in the Holy Scriptures ; and if you read the Scriptures with earnest prayer to God for the illumination …
469 wordsSECTION 218Christ S Ascension.
Acts i. 9 — 1 1. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he ivas taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward hea- ven, as he ivent up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel ; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into …
703 wordsSECTION 219®*6 Acts, I. 9-11. [1735.
t> ver. G. c Isai. liii. 10. d Ps. xcvii. 7. with Heb. i. G. e Heb. xii. 2. f Phil. ii. 6—11. that vision of the prophet Daniel : " I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was …
676 wordsSECTION 220®*6 Acts, I. 9-11. [1735.
1. At the period of the Millennium, to establish his kingdom — [Christ laid the foundation of his kingdom in the Apo- stolic age : and it has been maintained and carried forward, even to the present day. But there is a time coming, when all the kingdoms of the world shall be subdued unto him, and he alone shall r…
303 wordsSECTION 221238 Acts, I. 9—11. [1735.
late, and which has tended exceedingly to draw away the minds of many pious people from the more sober and serious contemplation of matters of far deeper interest, and of incom- parably greater certainty. I object not to the consideration of any point contained in holy writ: but I deprecate the giving of such extr…
496 wordsSECTION 2221736.1 Out-Pouring Of The Spirit. 239
the glory of his power2." " In that day every eye shall see hima," and every soul receive from him his everlasting doom b. This being universally acknowledged amongst us, I will wave any further discussion of it as a fact to be established, and call your attention to it only as a truth to be improved. A mere vacan…
365 wordsSECTION 223240 Acts, Ii. 1-4. [1730.
Acts ii. 1—4. And when the day of Pentecost urns fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they ivere sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each o…
439 wordsSECTION 2241736.1 Out-Pouring Of The Spirit. 241
unerring information on the great subject of religion, which, till that hour, they very imperfectly under- stood. Now, if we reflect how difficult it is even for men of learning to attain a new language, and how much time and study are necessary to acquire any proficiency in speaking it, we shall see how stupen- …
420 wordsSECTION 225242 Acts, Ii. 1—4. [1730.
Lord f," and were accepted of the Lord, " being sanctified by the Holy Ghosts"] 2. The manner in which it was wrought — [As in the time of working the miracle we see types ful- filled, so in the manner of its being wrought we behold emblems illustrated and realized. The attention of the whole multitude was fixed …
404 wordsSECTION 2261736. J Out-Pouring Of The Spirit. 243
us from death and hell ? He so loved the world as to give his Son for us. Was more necessary ? Was it necessary that the third Person of the blessed Trinity should bear testimony to Christ, and qualify persons to make him known to the world, and actually render their labours effectual for that end? Behold, God sen…
473 wordsSECTION 227244 Acts, Ii. 1—4. [1736.
due time " the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea :" and we have reason to believe that that time is fast approaching. Behold with what astonishing rapidity the work has been carried forward of late ! In this land, schools have been set on foot for the education of the poor ; s…
467 wordsSECTION 228Sending Forth Of The Holy Spirit.
Acts ii. 32, 33. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore, being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye noiv see and hear. MARVELLOUS, beyond conception, was the miracle wrought on the day of…
339 wordsSECTION 229246 Acts, Ii. .32,33. [1737.
therefore, if they were convinced by it, even three thousand of them in one single hour, we may be sure that the evidence was clear and irresistible. If " by his resurrection from the dead, the Lord Jesus was proved to be the Son of God with power," much more was he by his visible ascension to heaven, and his send…
479 wordsSECTION 2301737.] Sending Forth Of The Holy Spirit. 247
Holy Ghost k." In all subsequent effusions of the Holy Spirit has the glory of Christ been advancing, even unto this time1; and by this, at a future period, will his kingdom be extended over the face of the whole earth : " when the Spirit will be poured out from on high, the wilderness shall become a fruitful fiel…
445 wordsSECTION 231248 Acts, Ii. 36. [1738.
declaration of Almighty God, that, " if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his1."] 2. Ill what respects we may ourselves confirm the testimony here given — [The Apostles, on the day of Pentecost, were witnesses for Christ, not only in a way of oral testimony, but especially in the miraculous pow…
321 wordsSECTION 2321738. J Jesus Is The Christ. 249
Acts ii. 36. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesiis, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. WHEN we consider the advantages possessed by the Apostles, we are astonished to find how slow of heart they were to receive and understand the great mystery of the …
401 wordsSECTION 233250 Acts, Ii. 36. [1738.
the most abandoned of men could have been drinking to intoxication so early as nine o'clock in the morn- ing, and that upon a solemn feast-day, when they were about to worship God in his temple ; and then proceeds to argue with them respecting the Messiah- ship of Christ, as proved by this event. He states, 1. Th…
447 wordsSECTION 2341738.] Jesus Is The Christ. 251
permitted to continue in the grave long enough to undergo any change : he rose on the third day, as all his Disciples could testify, because they had themselves seen him on that day, and occasionally conversed familiarly with him for forty days after- wards, even to the very hour when in their presence he ascended …
444 wordsSECTION 235252 Acts, Ii. 36. [1738.
II. The importance of his conclusion — If God has constituted Jesus both Lord and Christ, then we may know assuredly, 1. That Christ is our only Lord and Saviour — [The force of this was felt by Peter's audience, insomuch that three thousand of them instantly obeyed the heavenly mandate, and surrendered up themse…
448 wordsSECTION 236Repentance Exemplified In The First Converts.
Jews, and we shall see a perfect pattern of what God is ready to do for us, the very instant we believe in Jesus " Know this," my brethren ; know it " every one of you ;" know it " most assuredly ;" know it for your inexpressible comfort : and may God make this another Pentecost to our souls, for his mercy's sake …
342 wordsSECTION 237254 Acts, Ii. 37—39. [1739.
1. Deep contrition — [They were " pricked to the heart" with a sense of all their sins, and especially the sin of crucifying the Lord Jesus. And we also must be humbled in like manner ; seeing that our sins were the procuring cause of Christ's death b ; yea, and we have crucified him afresh ten thousand times by o…
381 wordsSECTION 2381739.] Repentance Of The First Converts. 255
Such is the direction given to every one of us. We have scarcely thought Christ at all worthy of our regard ; now he must be " precious to us," " fairer than ten thousand, and altogether lovely." We must renounce every self-righteous method of seeking acceptance with God, and believe in him for the remission of o…
440 wordsSECTION 239256 Acts, Ii. 40. [1740.
[Some possibly may be led to question whether this sub- ject be properly addressed to them : since, having never cru- cified Christ, as the Jews did, they need not " repent ;" and having been " baptized in the name of Christ," they have " received the remission of their sins," and " the gift of the Holy Ghost :" t…
308 wordsSECTION 2401740.] Separation From The Ungodly. 257
Acts ii. 40. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward genera- tion. IT is in many respects a great advantage to lis that we have the Holy Scriptures comprised in so small a space : for if they had been very voluminous, they would have been far less accessible…
452 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1833); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.