PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 14 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 258,605 words · 560 reading sections
The Magnanimity Of The Apostles.
Acts v. 41, 42. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted ivorthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. IN the annals of the world we find many examples of magnanimity, which excite our…
337 wordsSECTION 3021755. J The Magnanimity Of The Apostles. 321
injuries which they themselves had sustained, and gloried in their sufferings as an honour conferred upon them, an honour ot which they deemed themselves utterly unworthy.] 2. They persisted unalterably and mdefatigably in the path of duty — [Though they gloried at present in their sufferings, it might have been …
411 wordsSECTION 303322 Acts, V. 41, 42. [1755.
1. Let us get that love to Christ, which was the governing principle in their hearts — [Without a supreme love to Christ, it is in vain to hope that we shall attain to any eminence in the divine life, or indeed to any real experience of it, We shall never be willing to endure much for him, much less be able to glo…
461 wordsSECTION 304The Zeal Of Moses.
[ It is no easy matter to unite firmness and constancy with meekness and love. We are in danger on the one hand of yielding to intimidation, or on the other hand, of indulging an angry, complaining, ostentatious, or vindictive spirit. It may be well therefore frequently to set before us lie examples of our blessed…
839 wordsSECTION 305The Zeal Of Moses.
a 1 Kinsrsiv.80. »» Heb. xi. 24— 26. c Exod. ii. 11 — 15. 1756.] THE ZEAL OF MOSES. $2o was right, I presume not to judge. It is the desire of de- livering his people, and not the mode of his attempting that deliverance, that is the object of my commendation: and that is held forth to us, by God himself, as worthy…
428 wordsSECTION 306326 Acts, Vii. 22, 23. [1756.
subserve the honour of God and the interests of our fellow- creatures. Instead of imagining that any elevation of rank exempts us from such labours, I hesitate not to say, that the possession of influence is itself a call for benevolent exertions ; and the greater our talents are, the greater is the obligation upo…
466 wordsSECTION 3071756.1 The Zeal Of Moses. 327
of the promised land, and on the prosperity to be enjoyed there : whereas the Christian missionary knows assuredly, that every true convert shall possess, in due season, all the glory and felicity of heaven. And if his own converts be but few, still he has a consciousness that distant harvests may arise, when " th…
446 wordsSECTION 308The Death Of Stephen.
all the talents that any man can possess. It is but too common amongst us to assign to youth of great promise those services whereby their temporal interests may be advanced, and to reserve for those of inferior capacity the service of God's sanctuary. But this is very dishonourable to God, and very injurious to t…
386 wordsSECTION 3091757.1 The Death Of Stephen. 0^9
their temporal concerns, they proceed to detail the history of one whose piety was most distinguished, and whose end was most glorious ; and who, as being the first martyr in the Christian Church, was to be an example for the imitation of Christians in all future ages. In relation to this history of Stephen, ther…
388 wordsSECTION 310330 Acts, Vii. 59, 60. [1757.
the law was given by Moses; that Moses himself was rejected by the people whom he was sent to deliver; that he also had directed the people to look for another Prophet who should arise after him, and whom they must obey at the peril of their souls. He then shewed, that whilst the temple was yet in all its glory, a…
465 wordsSECTION 3111757.] The Death Of Stephen. Jj1
3. The confirmation of it by an actual vision of Christ himself — [They were sufficiently irritated by this reproof; " they were cut to the heart," even as if they had been sawn asunder0; and " they gnashed upon him with their teeth." But the preacher, " being filled with the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly to …
655 wordsSECTION 3121757.] The Death Of Stephen. Jj1
This is the faith which we should cultivate : this view of Jesus as an almighty and all-sufficient Saviour will quicken us to every duty, and strengthen us for every trial, and make us victorious over every enemy. Though appointed as " sheep for the slaughter, we shall be more than conquerors through Him that love…
278 wordsSECTION 3131757. J The Death Of Stephen. 333
death will be to us only as reclining on a bed to sleep. Stephen, with this grace in his heart, and this prayer upon his lips, " fell asleep."] Here then let the world judge ; 1. Whether there be not an excellency in true religion ? [We acknowledge that many heathens have shewn a wonderful composure in death, ye…
420 wordsSECTION 314Philip Preaches Christ In Samaria.
Acts viii. 5 — 8. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hear- ing and seeing the miracles ivhich lie did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them…
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preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ*." He shewed them, 1. Concerning the kingdom of God — [This kingdom had been distinctly spoken of by the prophets, as to be established in due time : and the Gentiles, as well as Jews, expected the erection of it about that time. The p…
444 wordsSECTION 316336 Acts, Viii. 5—8. [1758.
[It was well known, from the prophetic writings, that the Messiah was to come, and to erect an universal empire in the world. This Messiah was come; and Jesus had proved, by the most unquestionable evidence, that he was the person so long foretold, and so earnestly desiredb. These proofs Philip doubtless set befor…
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its excellency. It could not fail to rejoice all who were related to the persons on whom the miraculous cures were effected, yea, and all too who had any measure of benevolence in their hearts. And there is similar ground for joy wherever the light of the Gospel shines; for it banishes many dark and wicked supers…
457 wordsSECTION 318338 Acts, Viii. 5—8. [1758.
[The kingdom into which believers are brought, is but the commencement of that which is perfected in heaven. The peace and holiness which are enjoyed here, are the blossom which will be brought to maturity in a better world. Grace is glory begun ; and glory is grace consummated. Besides, the subjects of the Redeem…
431 wordsSECTION 319The State Of Ungodly Men.
Acts viii. 23. I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. IT is no real disparagement to the Gospel of Christ, if some hypocrites be found among the professors of religion. This has been the case in every age of the Church, even when the temptations to hypocrisy were far less…
361 wordsSECTION 320340 Acts, Viii. 23. [1759.
he who " for a morsel of meat sells his birthright," and for a momentary gratification consigns his soul over to perdition.] 2. A state of condemnation on account of sin — [This necessarily accompanies the former. There is no freedom from condemnation where there is bondage to sin. Christ came not to save his peop…
437 wordsSECTION 3211759.] The State Of Ungodly Men. 34]
practise, or desire to practise, the same iniquities that they did in their unenlightened state, they are surely " in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity." « Whosoever allowedly committeth sin is most unquestionably the servant of sin," and the child " of the devil6."] 2. They who pursue religion for c…
452 wordsSECTION 322342 Acts, Viii. 23. [1759.
heart. If then our " thoughts be not so far captivated to the obedience of Christ" that we cherish those that are holy, and mortify all that are corrupt, we may perceive beyond a doubt that we are in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity.] Infer — 1. What need is there for the professors of religion to…
401 wordsSECTION 323Philip And The Eunuch.
Acts viii. 35. Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. IF God have designs of love and mercy towards any person, he will be at no loss for means whereby to accomplish them. We can have no doubt but that the Ethiopian Eunuch was chosen, like the Apostle Paul, eve…
787 wordsSECTION 3241760.] Philip And The Eunuch. 345
a Acts ii. 25 — 36. b Isai. Hi. 13. and liii. 11. c Isai. lii. 14. and liii. 3. d Isai. liii. 4 — 6. c Isai. liii. 9, 10. f Isai. liii. 12. e Isai. liii. 12. conversion and salvation of a ruined world h : and lastly, the certainty of salvation to all who should know, and believe on him'1: these, and many other glo…
477 wordsSECTION 325Learn,
in all the rich communications of grace and peace which were now imparted to his soul ] Such being the effect of this blessed interview, let us 1. To improve our leisure in reading the Holy Scriptures — [The Eunuch, though so great a man, thought it not un- worthy of him to study the word of God ; nor, though occ…
422 wordsSECTION 326Mdcclxi.
but he regarded not the judgment of man: he desired and determined to approve himself to the heart-searching God : and it was in consequence of this that he went on his way rejoicing. If he had halted in his mind, or indulged the fear of man, he would not have been favoured with those sublime and heavenly joys: bu…
342 wordsSECTION 327348 Acts, Viii. 37. [1761.
" Rabbi, thou art the Son of God ; thou art the King of Israel V And Peter also, in his own name and that of all the Apostles, said, " We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the Living Godc." In these expressions all of them intended to convey a general view of their creed ; and not of their…
895 wordsSECTION 328350 Acts, Viii. 37. [1761.
f 1 Cor. xi. 28. e ver. 20, 21. In fact, this view of Christ is never duly appre- ciated, unless it be regarded, III. As a title to all Christian blessings — [Nothing but faith in Christ is necessary for salvation. (Of course, I speak not of it as a speculative assent, but as an operative and influential principl…
460 wordsSECTION 329Conversion Of St. Paul.
out ever once considering what effect this conduct might have on his earthly prospects. Like Moses, he esteemed the " reproach of Christ greater riches than all the treasures of Ethiopia," and greater honour than all that Candace could confer upon him. And to him it became a source of the subhmest joy, such as he …
394 wordsSECTION 330352 Acts, Ix. 3—6. [1702.
forms in support of it : then I shall be indeed con- vinced that it is of Divine original :' I say, suppose a person unreasonable enough to desire such a proof, and determining, like Thomas, not to believe, till this evidence has been afforded him ; we would meet him on his own ground, and produce him precisely s…
658 wordsSECTION 331354 Acts, Ix. 3—6. [1762.
2. How sovereignly God acts in the exercise of his grace — [Madly as Saul was persecuting the Church, our blessed Saviour stopped him in his career, discovered to him his error, and made him a chosen vessel to propagate the faith which he had so laboured to destroy. Of those that were in company with him, not one…
653 wordsSECTION 332354 Acts, Ix. 3—6. [1762.
of our understand,,,," '« CitST^,^*1^ tages he may enjoy, receiveth not the things of th Sni it „f God, for they are foolishness unto him- njfte, ™£ 1 Pi them, because they are spiritually dLce„ed» Z tl T treasured np in hfs mind before it ^f™ °f "''S™1 the Gospel! as a L^^^^"^0?*' "^ winch he has been rescued fr…
295 wordsSECTION 33335C> Acts, Ix. 3—6. [1762.
we must say to our blessed Lord, " Other lords beside thee have had dominion over me, but henceforth I will regard none but thee :" ' I will search out thy will, as it is revealed unto men ; I will take it in all things as a light unto my feet ; and I will labour, through grace, to have even the thoughts of my hea…
717 wordsSECTION 334358 Acts, Ix. 11. [1763.
saul's prayer. Acts ix. 11. Behold, he pray eth. WHEN we speak of the grace of God as the free and only source of good to man, we are often mis- understood, as though we affirmed that man is wholly passive in the work of salvation : whereas, the truth is, that though, in the first instance, God puts into his hea…
656 wordsSECTION 335360 Acts, Ix. 11. [1763.
This fact is very instructive : it shews us, 1. That God is observant of our frame and con- duct— [" The eye of God is in every place, beholding the evil and the good." But more especially does he look upon the humble suppliant: he himself declares, "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a cont…
660 wordsSECTION 336Dorcas Restored To Life.
k Isai. lxv. 24. ' Jam. i. <>, 7. Any little thing, however trifling and insignificant, is sufficient to divert our attention from prayer, or to distract our minds in the performance of it. Hence we are so often exhorted to pray without ceasing, to watch unto prayer, to continue instant in it with all perseverance…
393 wordsSECTION 337362 Acts, Ix. 39, 40. [176-1.
she therefore regardless of good works ? Did she not rather abound in them ? and was not this the foundation of that high esteem in which she has been held by the Church of God in all ages ? That we may be stirred up to follow her example, let us con- sider the account here given of her : I. Her character — What…
423 wordsSECTION 3381764.] Dorcas Restored To Life. S6S
says respecting the value of such works in his sight, lest they should appear to countenance a self-righteous spirit: but, if only we carefully exclude the idea of their being meritorious, or availing any thing for our justification before God, it is scarcely possible to state too strongly the delight which God ta…
473 wordsSECTION 339364 Acts, Ix. 39, 40. [1764.
we may all have some " works to praise us in the gatesh," and some fruits " to evince the sincerity of our faith" and love.] The success of their application to Peter leads us to notice, III. Her restoration to life — Peter having been introduced into the chamber where the corpse lay, desired all to depart, that …
429 wordsSECTION 3401765. J How To Attend Ordinances. 365
he might serve and honour God in the work of the ministry ; so might she be well content to live on earth again, seeing that her opportunities of benefiting the poor, and honouring God, and advancing her own eternal welfare, would be thus prolonged.] Address — 1. Those who are living for themselves — [This is th…
323 wordsSECTION 341366 Acts, X. 33. [1705.
Acts x. 33. Now therefore are ive all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. HERE we see the door of salvation opened to the Gentiles : and it is a sight in which we are deeply interested ; for it is in virtue of the commission then given, and then executed, that you are assemb…
477 wordsSECTION 3421765.] How To Attend Ordinances. 367
But it is of peculiar importance that we should observe, II. In what frame of mind they were prepared to receive it — We see in that assembly of heathens, 1. A reverential sense of the Divine presence — [" Now," said Cornelius, " are we all here present before God." And should it not be so with us, whenever we c…
407 wordsSECTION 343368 Acts, X. 34, 35. [1766.
in Jesus as the true Messiah, the Saviour of the world. Nor should any thing in the Gospel prove a stumbling-block to us. Nothing should be regarded as " a hard saying." How- ever mysterious the declarations of the Gospel may be, we should implicitly embrace it as " the wisdom of God :" and, however self-denying h…
335 wordsSECTION 3441766.1 Salvation Offered Equally To All. 369
Acts x. 34, 35. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons : but in every nation lie that fear eth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. GOD's purpose of love towards the Gentile world had been made known even from the time that God separated A…
417 wordsSECTION 345370 Acts, X. 34, 35. [176G.
1. What they do not mean — [They do not, as many imagine, restrict the Supreme Being in the exercise of his grace. God's grace is his own ; and lie dispenses it according to his own sovereign will and pleasure. That he has done so in former times, it is impossible to deny. Was not Abraham an idolater in the land o…
505 wordsSECTION 346I 766. 3 Salvation Offered Equally To All. 371
We will now proceed to state,] 2. What they do mean — [The Jews imagined themselves to be the only people whom God would ever admit to his favour. As for the Gen- tile world, the Jews regarded them as dogs, and as accursed of the Lord. Some of them went so far as to think, that no Jew, however wicked, would be co…
443 wordsSECTION 347;J72 Acts, X. 34, 35. [1700.
1. That we have nothing to hope from any worldly distinctions — [The Jewish notion of God's regarding men on account of outward distinctions is generally prevalent amongst ourselves. Many fancy, that because we have been baptized we must of necessity be in a state of favour with God ; and many who will not altoge…
482 wordsSECTION 3481766.] Salvation Offered Equally To All. 373
himself: but that he reprobates any, and from all eternity de- creed to consign them over to perdition without any offence or fault of theirs, we cannot admit: we think that oath of God's, that " he has no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live," is deci- siv…
493 wordsSECTION 349Mdcclxvii.
sweet savour unto the Lord11, so " the prayers and alms of Cornelius came up for a memorial before God0." Such a memorial shall our prayers and alms-deeds be, if offered unto God with real humility of mind, and with an earnest desire to obtain a fuller knowledge of his will. Though therefore I would not exhort any…
734 wordsSECTION 350S76 Acts, X. 38. [1767.
The scope of every thing that he either said or did, was to benefit mankind. Whether his discourses savoured of affection or severity, and whether his miracles were more or less bene- volent in their immediate aspect, his design was invariably the same; namely, to prepare men for the reception of his truth, and th…
820 wordsSECTION 351378 Acts, X. 43. [1768.
3. Every true Christian will resemble Christ in doing good — [Though some things which our Lord both said and did are not proper for our imitation, because they were peculiar to his office, yet many things were done by him on purpose that they might be imitated f; and, in respect of the general tenour of his cond…
273 wordsSECTION 3521768. J Leading Doctrines Of The Gospel. 379
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LEADING DOCTRINES OF THE GOSPEL. Acts x. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name lohosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. FOR the space of two thousand years the know- ledge of the true God was confined to one nation. But from the beginning it was…
653 wordsSECTION 353380 Acts, X. 43. [1708.
' Acts x. 32. through him only, through him exclusively, we must find acceptance with God.] 2. By faith as the means — [Here again our best illustration of the subject will be from the context. Had Peter simply told Cornelius that he must seek remission of sins through the name of Christ, Cor- nelius might have …
432 wordsSECTION 3541768.] Leading Doctrines Of The Gospel. 381
doctrines, than that which arises from this harmony and con- currence of so many prophets, who lived at periods so distant from Christ and from each other ?] 2. God wrought many miracles, in order to draw men's attention to them — [In the first place he sent an angel to Cornelius, to inform him where he might fin…
409 wordsSECTION 355382 Acts, X. 43. [1768.
the prejudices of the Apostles, have been admitted to a parti- cipation of all its blessings, by submitting to circumcision first, and afterwards to baptism, provided he had really believed in Christ. There is reason therefore to fear that, notwithstanding his eminent attainments in natural religion, he could not h…
467 wordsSECTION 356Necessity And Sufficiency Of The Gospel Salvation.
deceive you to your ruin ! Let them argue as they will, no other foundation can ever be laid for a sinner to build upon, but that which God has laid, even the Lord Jesus Christ ] 2. Improve them for the end for which they are delivered — [God has sent them to you by my mouth, even as he did to Cornelius by Peter …
358 wordsSECTION 357384 Acts, Xl 13, 14. [1769.
removed, by a special interposition of God for that purpose ; and fresh instructions given him, as much as if the purposes of Heaven, in relation to that matter, had never been revealed to him. Indeed, all the other Apostles were in this respect as ignorant as he : for, when he had executed the divine com- missio…
369 wordsSECTION 3581769.] Sufficiency Of The Gospel Salvation. 385
sary for his salvation : and, rather than he should be left with- out an interest in it, God sent an angel to inform him where he might find a person who should " tell him those words whereby he should be saved." That such a man as Cornelius could not have been saved under other circumstances, is what I am by no m…
497 wordsSECTION 359386 Acts, Xi. 13, 14. [1769.
With the necessity of the Gospel for our salvation, let us contemplate also, II. Its sufficiency — This is fully and unequivocally declared in the history before us — [The proofs of it here are manifold. Observe the decla- ration of the angel: no doubt was expressed by him respecting the efficacy of Peter's word…
398 wordsSECTION 3601769. J Sufficiency Of The Gospel Salvation. 387
sent an angel to inform Cornelius where he might find a minister competent to instruct him; and at the same time gave Peter repeated visions for the purpose of removing his religious scruples, and an audible voice from heaven, also, to authorize his going to a man that was uncircumcised. But what need was there of…
478 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1833); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.