PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 14 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 258,605 words · 560 reading sections
1800.] Ministerial Fidelity. 517
gence, and earnestly sought instruction from God, they should " be guided into all truth," and " be made wise unto salvation." If, being themselves blind, they commit themselves to the guidance of the blind, they must participate in their leaders' fate, and with them " fall into the ditch V] 2. To those who minist…
487 wordsSECTION 482518 Acts, Xx. 26, 27. [1800.
of discouragement, like others, we have never shrunk from our duty, or shunned to execute it to the very utmost of our power. On your own souls, therefore, must lie the guilt of neglecting God ; or, as the Apostle expresses it, " Your blood must be upon your own heads: I am clean a." Yet God forbid that I should r…
493 wordsSECTION 483Watchfulness Recommended.
in the conversion of the soul to God. But let it not be thus with you. Let the word of God, and not the word of man, be your guide. Let every thing be received from him with the simplicity of little children. And if there be in his word things which you cannot understand, sit not in judgment upon them with unhallo…
379 wordsSECTION 484520 Acts, Xx. 31. [1801.
farewell discourse which he delivered to the elders at Miletus, put them on their guard ; and thus, by fore- warning them of their danger, contributed in a very high degree to the preservation of that Church in peace and purity. From the caution contained in the words before us, we observe, I. That to warn men o…
448 wordsSECTION 4851801.] Watchfulness Recommended. 521
II. That there are none so established, but they need to be put upon their guard — [The persons warned by St. Paul, were not the low, the ignorant, the obscure, but the most distinguished persons in the Ephesian Church : they were the elders, who superin- tended and governed the Church, and had doubtless been app…
442 wordsSECTION 486A Farewell Discourse.
has been pressed upon them, the more aggravated is their dis- obedience or neglect ? Surely then we should " remember how many years we have been warned ;" and expect, that " to whom much has been committed, of them will God require the more."] Application — [Let believers watch, " lest being led astray by the er…
752 wordsSECTION 487524 Acts, Xx. 32. [J 802.
* Gal. iv. 19. But, as occasional separations from them in this world are unavoidable, we may contemplate, II. His consolation when absent from them — Though useful to his people as an instrument, he knows that he is not necessary to them ; and that God carries on his work within them without his puny efforts. H…
449 wordsSECTION 4881802.] A Farewell Discourse. 525
knowing, that, if they will but make a just use of it, it will, as God's instrument, accomplish every end for which it has been sent, and perfect the whole of God's work within them.] What, then, shall now be my parting advice to you? 1. Live nigh to God — [On this your whole stability will depend. " If you be wi…
474 wordsSECTION 489The Blessedness Of Liberality.
let us live for God, and for eternity : let us live, as we shall wish we had lived, when we shall stand before the judgment- seat of Christ to receive our eternal doom. Let us go forward in the path of duty, assured, that the rest which awaits us will richly repay our labours, and the crown of righteousness our co…
329 wordsSECTION 4901803.1 Blessedness Of Liberality. 527
cultivate to the uttermost a spirit of benevolence ; remembering the example which he himself had set them, and bearing in mind that saying of our Lord, of which he had so often reminded them, namely, that " it was more blessed to give than to receive." Happily for us, St. Luke was inspired to record in the histo…
397 wordsSECTION 491The Blessedness Of Liberality.
let us live for God, and for eternity : let us live, as we shall wish we had lived, when we shall stand before the judgment- seat of Christ to receive our eternal doom. Let us go forward in the path of duty, assured, that the rest which awaits us will richly repay our labours, and the crown of righteousness our co…
330 wordsSECTION 4921803.1 Blessedness Of Liberality. 527
cultivate to the uttermost a spirit of benevolence ; remembering the example which he himself had set them, and bearing in mind that saying of our Lord, of which he had so often reminded them, namely, that " it was more blessed to give than to receive." Happily for us, St. Luke was inspired to record in the histo…
397 wordsSECTION 493528 Acts, Xx. 35. [1803.
Father's mandate? did he fly on the wings of love to execute his divine commission ? did he administer consolation to Jesus with unutterable tenderness; and return with ardent gratitude to express his sense of the high honour conferred upon him ? In him then we behold the true image of a saint, performing towards …
465 wordsSECTION 4941803. J Blessedness Of Liberality. 529
tivated the principle of love1. Moreover, the benefits extend to all around him. Who can estimate the good which he does to the souls of others, while he adorns and recommends the Gospel of Christ ? for, he not only makes himself an example to other professors of religion, and provokes them to emula- tion, but he …
471 wordsSECTION 495530 Acts, Xx. 35. [1803.
should afford us no pleasure, in comparison of devoting it to pious purposes : for, if it is more blessed to give it away, than to receive the most needful supplies, much more must the giving it away render us more blessed than either the spending or the saving of it can do. This is manifestly the scope of the div…
605 wordsSECTION 496Mdccciv.
Paul's readiness to suffer for Christ's sake. Acts xxi. 13. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart ? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. INNUMERABLE are the devices of our great adversary, to blind our eyes, and to keep us in a…
256 wordsSECTION 497532 Acts, Xxi. 13. [1804.
be delivered into the hands of the Romans. Imme- diately all the saints at that place besought Paul with tears to desist from his purpose, that by staying away from Jerusalem he might avoid the predicted evils. This advice, though well meant on their parts, proceeded in reality from Satan himself; who knew, that …
699 wordsSECTION 498534 Acts, Xxi. 13. [1804.
Above all, see what he is doing for his believing people ; how he watches over them for good, supplies their every want, carries on his good work in their souls, and makes them more than conquerors over all their enemies ! Think of these things ; and then say, Whether such love should not constrain you to live to …
833 wordsSECTION 499534 Acts, Xxi. 13. [1804.
2. Those whose attachment to him is wavering — [Many desire to follow Christ, but are afraid to bear his cross. But, brethren, you must have a cross to bear. Though I am no prophet, like Agabus, yet I can tell you, by the Spirit of God, that " all who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution." You m…
282 wordsSECTION 500Paul Becoming A Nazarite.
there are multitudes who " loved not their lives unto the death," so amongst us, I trust, there are some who would willingly die for the name of the Lord Jesus. Happy, happy they who feel this readiness of mind to do and suffer whatever they may be called to ; for great is their reward in heaven. Go on, beloved, s…
430 wordsSECTION 5011805.]] Paul Becoming A Nazakite. 537
for them to err. The conduct of the Apostle Paul in the passage before us has been much condemned; and a minister almost endangers his own character by undertaking to defend it. But I am persuaded it is defensible, and that he acted as became him in exist- ing circumstances : and I cannot but think, that when the…
383 wordsSECTION 502538 Acts, Xxi. 20— 23. [1805.
this prejudice remained, the Christians at Jerusalem were not likely to reap any benefit from the ministry of Paul ; or rather, that great dissensions and divisions were likely to be occasioned by him : and therefore they wished to reconcile the minds of the people by some public act on the part of Paul. It happen…
399 wordsSECTION 5031805.] Paul Becoming A Nazarite. 539
" that all may know that those things whereof they were in- formed concerning thee, are nothing, but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the lawc." But can we sup- pose that James exhorted him to declare a downright false- hood, which thousands of Jews there present were able to contradict? Would n…
465 wordsSECTION 504540 Acts, Xxi. 20—23. [1805.
abolished, and that both Jews and Gentiles were henceforth to form " one body in Christ :" and, it may be said, that in this act of his, he was " building again the things he had destroyed." But again, I say, we must distinguish between an occasional conformity to a rite for the sake of removing prejudices, and an…
451 wordsSECTION 5051805.1 Paul Becoming A Nazarite. 541
of." In acting according to circumstances, we must take care not to be influenced by unhallowed principles, or to carry our concessions to too great an extent. It will sometimes happen, that the path of duty is extremely difficult to find, and that even good men may differ in their judgment respecting it: but in s…
481 wordsSECTION 506Conversion Of St. Paul.
conduct, apply to him for an explanation of it, if you will ; but judge him not. Are you weak? judge not the strong: are you strong ? despise not the weak : but all of you deter- mine this rather, to " take up every stumbling-block out of your brother's way," and " seek those things whereby one may edify another11…
310 wordsSECTION 5071806.] Conversion Of St. Paul. 543
I. As given to the Apostle on this occasion — Being a Jew, he had been circumcised in his in- fancy, according to the Divine appointment. But now, being converted to the faith of Christ, he must be baptized also, in order to participate in all the blessings of the Christian covenant. Mark, 1. The particular thing…
472 wordsSECTION 508544 Acts, Xxii. 1G. [1806.
connected with it. Of itself, indeed, it could no nothing ; but, as used in faith, it did much. As appointed of God, it was a sign of the person's believing in Christ, and a seal of the righteousness which he had received through faith e. It was also an acknowledgment on the sinners part that he was bound to serve…
528 wordsSECTION 5091806. J Conversion Of St. Paul. 545
But to all to whom it proves effectual, we may safely say, "Being buried with Christ in baptism, ye are also therein risen with him, and stand complete through him" in the presence of your Godm.] But this direction may be considered, II. As addressed to all who are convinced of their sinful and undone state — To…
450 wordsSECTION 510.516 Acts, Xxii. 16. [1806.
Father to be " Head over all things to the Church1:" and " in him is treasured up a fulness of all spiritual blessings"," that "out of his fulness we may all receive31" according to our faith, and according to our necessities. Comply, then, with this appointment, and go to him on every occasion; and " let the life…
867 wordsSECTION 511548 Acts, Xxiv. 14, 15. [1807.
b Ps. cxix. 60. Paul's vindication of himself before felix. Acts xxiv. 14, 15. But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets: and have hope toward God, which they them- selves also all…
702 wordsSECTION 512550 Acts, Xxiv. 14, 15. [1807.
In all this there appears to be nothing very remark- able. But before we affirm that, let us consider, II. In what light this service of his is often viewed — [Where these sentiments are held in a merely specula- tive manner, they give no offence : they are even approved as orthodox: but where they are practically…
650 wordsSECTION 513550 Acts, Xxiv. 14, 15. [1807.
1807.1 Paul's vindication before felix. 551 thing is really from God, then we must " hold it fast." We must " not be tossed to and fro, like children, with every wind of doctrine;" nor, on the other hand, must we be deterred from confessing Christ through the fear of man : but we must " hold fast that which we hav…
704 wordsSECTION 5141808.] A Conscience Void Of Offence. 553
Acts xxiv. 16. Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. THE Gospel of Christ has in all ages been stigma- tized as having an unfriendly aspect on morality ; and its professors have been accused as maintaining this position, " that we may continue in sin t…
522 wordsSECTION 515554 Acts, Xxiv. 16. [1808.
prudential considerations respecting them. It is a monitor in every man's own bosom that may be called, in a qualified sense, the voice of God within him. It is not wholly subject to his own controul : for though much may be done to bribe, or silence it, yet some- times it will speak out, and force the most obdura…
376 wordsSECTION 5161808.] A Conscience Void Of Offence. 555
against it; that they cannot be obnoxious to his wrath, because they have not committed any heinous sins, 01% if they havevJthey were only such as the fashions of the world, and the frailties of their nature might well excuse. By such principles as these they per- suade themselves that they have no ground for fear…
360 wordsSECTION 517556 Acts, Xxiv. 16. [1808.
injurious, and a persecutor, yea, the very chief of sinners." Our Lord tells his Disciples, that many would think, " whosoever killed them would do God service :" but could this conceit excuse their murder- ous acts ? No. If we act upon wrong principles, our actions must be bad : nor can our error change the qual…
365 wordsSECTION 5181808.] A Conscience Void Of Offence. 557
necessity of abasing ourselves before God in dust and ashes, and of " fleeing for refuge to the hope set before us." In short, it must be convinced, that " a life of faith on the Son of God," and " a cleaving to him with full purpose of heart," are the distinguishing features of the true Christian. But besides thi…
363 wordsSECTION 519558 Acts, Xxiv. 1G. [1808.
the approbation of their fellow-creatures, and maintain a character for probity in the world. They are there- fore chiefly attentive to their external conduct, and not very solicitous about the thoughts or desires of their hearts. But this will not satisfy the true Christian. He knows that the eye of God is upon …
387 wordsSECTION 5201808.] A Conscience Void Of Offence. 559
him from his purpose. He is not insensible how hard it is to flesh and blood to " cut off a right hand, and to pluck out a right eye :" but no regard to carnal ease will induce him to spare his idol. He expects not that the world should love or honour him, when he recollects how it treated his divine Master : he i…
372 wordsSECTION 521560 Acts, Xxiv. 16. [1808.
before the Jewish Sanhedrim, that he had " lived in all good conscience before God until that day." And in another place he speaks of the testimony which his own conscience bore to his character in these respects, as a source of most exalted pleasure to his soul : " our rejoicing," says he, " is this, the testimon…
402 wordsSECTION 5221808.J A Conscience' Void Of Offence. 561
children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness, is not of God." Now what can be the import of this passage? To interpret it rigorously according to the strict letter of the words, would certainly render it inconsistent with other passages of Scripture, which declare …
360 wordsSECTION 523562 Acts, Xxiv. 16. [1808.
let that be far from us : we know, that, if we had done all that had been commanded us, we should have been only unprofitable servants : but instead of being merely unprofitable, we feel that we are vile and miserable sinners. Nevertheless, we trust that we are monuments of thy grace ; and we desire now to join i…
381 wordsSECTION 524A Conscience Void Of Offence".
good work in your hearts; and be u utterly purposed" that from this moment you will no more offend.' Glad should we be if all were acting thus agreeably to their profession, and walking thus in the paths of peace. But have the consciences of all approved these acknowledgments ? Have none felt any mis- givings ? H…
299 wordsSECTION 525504 Acts, Xxiv. 10. [1809.
A metaphysical inquiry into the nature of con- science would be to little profit. Its office is to testily the quality of our actions, and to regulate our con- duct agreeably to some standard of right and wrong6. The rule whereby it should judge, is, the word of God, and it is considered as good or evil, according…
378 wordsSECTION 5261809.] A Conscience Void Of Offence. 565
duty to God1; and that pride, envy, selfishness, &c. may accord with love to manm. How should conscience, thus blinded, give a just verdict ? or how should its blindness cause that to be good which is in itself evil ?] It should be able also to testify upon good grounds that there is a correspofidence between that…
434 wordsSECTION 527Mdcccx.
who has not attained ity. This is expressly asserted by David2, and St. John*.] Application — [We all are willing to believe ourselves real Christians, and it is painful to rob any one of so comfortable a hope. Let us then, as Christians, unite our acknowledgments to Godb. Let us adore him for that grace, whereby…
650 wordsSECTION 528568 Acts, Xxiv. 25. [1810.
What degree of success attended his efforts will appear from, II. The effects it produced — On Drusilla's mind it seems to have produced no effect — [She, as a Jewess, must have often heard these subjects treated ; but, having sinned against light and knowledge, she was unaffected by all she heard : and thus are…
486 wordsSECTION 529Mdcccxi.
Paul's commission. Acts xxvi. 17, 18. Unto whom now I send thee, to open then eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the poiver of Sata?i unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them ivhich are sanctified by faith that is in me. NEVER was there a more glorious t…
320 wordsSECTION 530570 Acts, Xxvi. 17, 18. [1811.
between us are general, while the points of difference are only few and particular. What, we would ask, is our state with respect to knowledge and practice f [From education we have obtained some general notions of Christianity. But what views have we of the extreme depravity of our nature, and the total alienati…
765 wordsSECTION 531572 Acts, Xxvi. 17, 18. [1811.
2. The bringing you to the final and everlasting possession of his glory — [Our object is not fully attained, till you are placed beyond the reach of harm, in the complete possession of happiness and glory. Could we but prevail with you, we would leave not so much as one of you in a perishing or doubtful state : w…
616 wordsSECTION 5321811.] Pauls Commission. 573
There, if we really desire it, our eyes shall be opened, our clouds of darkness dispelled, our chains broken, our iniquities pardoned, and the whole work of salvation perfected within us._ _ Should we then grudge the time that will be occupied in waiting upon God? Should we prefer business, or pleasure, or any wor…
495 wordsSECTION 533Mdcccxii.
the character of Christ more and more ; in order that we may know his excellency, and " receive continually out of his ful- ness;" and that " God may make him unto us Wisdom, and Righteousness, and Sanctification, and Redemption."] Paul's testimony. Acts xxvi. 22, 23. Having obtained help of God, I continue unto …
650 wordsSECTION 534576 Acts, Xxvi. 22,23. [1812.
Truly his labours and his sufferings had been such as no human being could have sustained, if he had not been aided and upheld by Almighty power — [His " labours were more abundant than those of any other Apostle;" and his trials, beyond measure, great"1 But " he obtained help of God," and therefore was enabled t…
705 wordsSECTION 535578 Acts, Xxvi. 24, 25. [1813.
paul's vindication of his own ministry. Acts xxvi. 24, 25. And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said ivith a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus ; but speak forth the tvords of truth and soberness. AMONGST the duties of a Ju…
755 wordsSECTION 536578 Acts, Xxvi. 24, 25. [1813.
But whence arises this? It arises, first, from their want of candour: they will not give us an attentive hearing; but will run away with any detached expressions, put on them a con- struction that they were never designed to bear, and draw conclusions from them that we should utterly disavow ; and then impute to u…
292 wordsSECTION 537580 Acts, Xxvi. 24,25. [1813.
He maintained that he spoke only " the words of truth and soberness" — [He was not afraid of his assertions being brought to any test : he knew that they were the very truth of God, and that unbiassed reason must approve of all that he had taught.] And, as far as our doctrine agrees with his, we also are ready to…
435 wordsSECTION 5381814.] The Almost, And The Real, Christian. 581
of God must be accounted madness, then take up your cross bold y and say with David, " I will yet be more vile for the Lord. J 2. Be careful to give no just occasion for them— [There certainly is such a thing as enthusiasm, and under the influence of it many are led to act so as to excite strong prejudices agains…
343 wordsSECTION 539582 Acts, Xxvi. 28, 29. [1814.
Acts xxvi. 28, 29. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. ^ IT is surprising to see what different effects the Gospel produce…
460 wordsSECTION 5401814.] Tjie Almost, And The Real, Christian. 583
[Many are convinced that the Gospel is true, and that there is " no other name under heaven but that of Christ, whereby we can be saved." They even envy the state of those who follow Christ ; and wish, if it might be so, to share their lot in the eternal world. But to expose themselves to shame or loss for profess…
473 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1833); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.