PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 15 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 259,427 words · 557 reading sections
252 Romans, V11I. 9. [1866.
But whilst, in order to guard against misapprehen- sion, I speak thus, I well know that there are many, very many, in the midst of us, who can form the most accurate judgment of all we say, and who, if not in * Heb. xi. 27. c John i. 5. '• 1 Cor. ii. 14— Hi. relation to every word, will yet, as a whole, set their …
426 wordsSECTION 242I860.] The Spirit'S Work In Believers. 253
confine myself : and whilst I address myself to this arduous and momentous subject, may the Lord Jesus Christ himself "be with us," as he has promised1, and " baptize us with the Holy Ghost and with fireg," to consume the dross that is within ush, and to kindle in our hearts an inextinguishable flame of love towar…
384 wordsSECTION 243254 Romans, Viii. 9. [1866.
that great enemy of souls8; but he knows not yet how to use it, so as to defeat him, who is but too justly called ApollyonV He has in his hand "the word, which is the sword of the Spirit";" but he knows not how to use it with effect : " he is unskilful in the word of righteousness x." It is not till after many co…
753 wordsSECTION 244256 Romans, Viii. 9. [1866.
b John xvii. 2, G, 9, 11, 12, 24. c Col. ii. 9. d Col. iii. 3, 4. e John i. 16. f Rom. iv. 16. g 1 John ii. 27. h Eph. i. 17, 18. '1 Cor. ii. 9, 10. k 1 Cor. ii. 11, 12. perform its office in the one ; and then only is the end answered for the illumination of the soul in the other. Till that take place, " the nat…
438 wordsSECTION 2451866.] The Spirit'S Work In Believers. 257
But we will next consider his operations, under the office of a Sanclifier. In this view we speak of him in our catechism, as " sanctifying the elect people of God." In fact, all that he does as a Teacher, is in order to his work as a Sanctifier. Does he " reveal Christ in us," so as to give us brighter views of h…
382 wordsSECTION 246Vol. Xv. S
258 ROMANS, VIII. 9. [lStiG. body and mind, departing from God, and proceeding with fatal indifference and perseverance, till he is finally lost in that abyss from whence there is no return. But, within a certain distance from the sea, we may behold that same river arrested in its course by the tide, and returnin…
707 wordsSECTION 247260 Romans, Viii. 9. [1866.
And what is the result of all this ? What, but that in and by the whole of this work, the Holy Spirit performs the office of a Comforter? Under this u Rom. vii. 18, 19. x Rom. vii. 21 — 24. y Rom. viii. 1, 5. * 2 Pet. iii. 18. a Eph. iv. 7, 13. * 1 John ii. 12—14. c Mark iv. 28. d Eph. iv. 24. e Ps. cxlix. 4. f 1…
760 wordsSECTION 248262 Romans, Viii. 9. [1866.
And now, will any one say that these blessings were peculiar to the apostolic age, and are not to be expected by us ? What then is the meaning of that interrogation, which St. Paul addressed to the whole Corinthian Church, " Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you*?" …
735 wordsSECTION 249264 Romans, Viii. 9. [1866.
On the other hand, if any have experienced the workings of the Holy Spirit to bring them to Christ, let them watch and pray against temptation and sin of every kind, lest by any open or secret declension from the ways of God, they " grieve k" and " vex the Holy Spirit1," and " quench" his sacred motions"1, and th…
556 wordsSECTION 250Mdccclxvii.
god's dwelling in us is a motive to holiness. Rom. viii. 12. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. IN the Scriptures, privilege and duty are insepa- rably connected. By this means we are kept at an equal distance from presumptuous confidence and painful servility ; and th…
391 wordsSECTION 251266 Romans, Viii. 12. [1867.
Such being the premises from which the conclusion is drawn, we proceed to consider, II. The conclusion itself — We certainly are "debtors to the flesh" to a cer- tain degree — [The flesh cannot subsist without care and labour; and whatever is necessary for the preservation of life, or the restora- tion of our he…
368 wordsSECTION 252Mortification Of Sin.
Rom. viii. 13. If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die : but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. IT is of infinite importance to know our state as it is before God, and to ascertain on scriptural grounds, what our condition will be in the eternal world. Numberless are the pa…
357 wordsSECTION 253268 Romans, Viii. 13. [1868.
death d. Nor can there be a doubt but that this will be the fruit and consequence of a carnal life. And shall this be thought an hard saying? Surely not: for such a sentence is only a repetition of what the person has before passed upon himself: he has practically said to God, " Depart from me ; I desire not the k…
446 wordsSECTION 2541868.]) Mortification Of Sin. 269
excuse for our subjection to the flesh, since the Holy Spirit shall be given to all that ask it at God's hands".] The consequence of successfully combating the flesh shall be unspeakably blessed — [If eternal death be the fruit of self-indulgence, eternal life shall be the fruit of self-denial. There is this diffe…
447 wordsSECTION 255The Leadings Of The Spirit.
sin, though dear as a right eye, or needful as a right hand, must be cut off; at least, its dominion must be destroyed, and its motions be incessantly resisted*. In short, to root out sin, and to serve, honour, and enjoy God, must be our daily busi- ness, our unintermitted employment. Nor must we ever think that w…
365 wordsSECTION 2561869.1 The Leadings Of The Spirit. 271
will altogether vanish. We know that a poor man thinks himself liberally paid for his labour, if, after toiling a whole week, he receive a pound or two for his trouble : but the child of a monarch would account himself very ill rewarded for such work, though he should be paid at a much higher rate. It is thus with…
399 wordsSECTION 257272 Romans, Viii. 14. [1869.
him " words, whereby he and all his household should be saved a." If that instance be thought doubtful, we will adduce two others that admit of no doubt. The Rich Youth in the Gospel thought he had " kept all the commandments from his earliest youth :" and Paul, while he was a Jew, " had walked before God in all g…
473 wordsSECTION 2581869.] The Leadings Of The Spirit. 273
Our Lord himself says, " No man can come unto me, except the Father, who hath sent me, draw himg." If therefore we are daily coming to Christ with self-lothing and self-abhorrence, and building all our hopes of salvation on the merit of his blood, we can affirm, on the testimony of Christ himself, that we are of t…
459 wordsSECTION 259274 Romans, Viii. 14. [1869.
Judge ; but now they have " a spirit of adoption given to them, whereby they can call him, Abba, Father." What an unspeak- able honour is this ! If David thought it " no light matter to be called the son-in-law of such a king" as Saul, what is it to be called the sons of the Most High God, the King of kings, and L…
493 wordsSECTION 2601869.] The Leadings Of The Spirit. 275
Are you then really under the leadings of the Holy Spirit? Rejoice and adore your God, who has called you into so near a relation to him, and invested you with honours higher than even the highest archangel is privileged to possess.] From this subject we may further learn, 1. The importance of discovering by what …
470 wordsSECTION 261The Spirit Of Bondage And Of Adoption.
a blameless conduct ; you should shine as lights in the midst of a dark world n, and " walk worthy of him who hath called you to his kingdom and glory." Would you see the particulars wherein such conduct consists ? read it in that direction which St. Paul gives to the Colossian Church; " Put on, as the elect of Go…
371 wordsSECTION 2621870. Spirit Of Bondage And Of Adoption. 277
Corresponding with these different states of men was the difference between the Jewish and the Chris- tian dispensations ; the one of which was intended to introduce the other : and it was good, as fin- as it an- swered that end: but, as an ultimate state to rest in, it was bad : it consisted only of " weak and be…
367 wordsSECTION 263278 Romans, Viii. 15. [1870.
confirm, rather than relieve, the bondage of their minds. For how could they imagine that " the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sin?" Hence " the offerers were never made perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;" and the annual repetition of the same sacrifices confirmed their apprehensions, that the…
490 wordsSECTION 2641870.1 Spirit Of Bondage And Of Adoption. 279
mercy, there is a manifestation of it made to the souls of the faithful by the Spirit of God, who " sheds abroad in their hearts the love of God" the Father, and " takes of the things that are Christ's to shew unto them," and by his own sancti- fying operations " delivers them from the bondage of corrup- tion into…
436 wordsSECTION 265280 Romans, Viii. 15. [1870.
balance all the evil he has done. By degrees his mind becomes more enlightened, and he sees that his sins have been neither so few, nor so venial, as he had imagined. And now his legal hopes vanish, and are succeeded by slavish fears. The declara- tions of God respecting the final condemnation of the wicked are cr…
490 wordsSECTION 2661.870.] Spirit Of Bondage And Of Adoption. 281
with God as clear children, and to live habitually as in his presence; they " dwelling in God, and God in them;" yea, being " one with God, and God with them." As brought into the family of God, they now, through the power of that same blessed Spirit, live in a humble dependence upon God for all that they stand in…
491 wordsSECTION 267282 Romans, Viii. 15. [1870.
[Despise it not : the fears and terrors with which he has filled your minds, may be introductory to your final liberty, and your complete salvation. It is thus that the Spirit usually, if not invariably, works in those who are " translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son." He first …
522 wordsSECTION 268The Witness Of The Spirit.
Rom. viii. 16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. THERE is a tribunal before which we must all appear at the last day : but we need not wait till that time to ascertain our true character. Every man has a tribunal erected in his own bosom. The conscience, according…
285 wordsSECTION 269284 Romans, Viii. 16. [1871
to use itd. St. Peter represents the attainment of this as a principal part of our baptismal engagement6; St. John also assures us, that this is the way in which God would have us to know our state f.] 2. In a way of immediate impression — [The Spirit, as a " Spirit of adoption," testifies to the believer's soul,…
491 wordsSECTION 2701871.] The Witness Of The Spif.It. 285
to help forward such delusions. But the witness of the Spirit may be distinguished from all enthusiastic pretensions to it, if we consider attentively, 1. What precedes it — [Conviction of our lost estate, faith in the Redeemer, and devotedness to God as our rightful Sovereign, must precede it. If we have not the…
362 wordsSECTION 271Mdccclxxii.
[The manifestations of God to the soul are a very heaven upon earth ; let them therefore be duly esteemed and diligently improved ; but beware lest you " grieve the Spirit by whom you are sealed : " be looking forward with increasing earnestness to your inheritance ; and while you enjoy the inward witness that you…
708 wordsSECTION 272J288 Romans, Vi1T. 17. [1872.
In some respects indeed the parallel does not hold : for, amongst men, the eldest only is the heir, and the younger have smaller portions allotted to them : but, of the children of God, every one has an equal right to the whole inheritance. Besides, the heirs of men may die, or be defrauded of their inheritance: b…
674 wordsSECTION 273J288 Romans, Vi1T. 17. [1872.
Now it is not easy for flesh and blood to endure these things: we are ever ready, through pride and anger, to resent such treatment; or, through shame and cowardice, to shun it. But the condition is plain and absolute, No cross, no croivn: "We must suffer with him, if ever we would be glorified together."] 2. The …
389 wordsSECTION 274290 Romans, Viii. 18. [1873.
Address — 1. Those who are afraid of the cross — [Hope not ever to alter the condition which God has imposed: that is absolutely irreversible0." Consider the time when our Lord imposed the condition ; and blush for your timidity d. Consider how little it is in the power of man to do against you, and what a sad al…
339 wordsSECTION 2751873.1 Present Troubles And Future Glory, 291
Rom. viii. 18. / reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not ivorthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. AN expectation of ultimate advantage is that, which gives activity to men in every situation of life. But, while it operates with full force in things relating to this worl…
457 wordsSECTION 276292 Romans, Viii. 18. [1873.
words before usa; and, taken together, they comprise all the glory and felicity of heaven. The very place to which we shall be admitted, is described by all the powers of language, in order to convey to us some faint idea of its beauty b. There we shall behold all the angelic hosts with the spirits of just men mad…
434 wordsSECTION 2771873.3 Present Troubles And Future Glory. 298
does the glory exceed all the sufferings that we can endure in this life, that if we add hyperbole to hyperbole, and strain all the powers of language and of thought, to express the diffe- rence11, we never can do justice to the subject, or declare a thousandth part of that which really exists. The Apostle's estim…
457 wordsSECTION 278Mdccclxxiv.
[Are we under trials ? we should view our sufferings as ordered by God himself in number, weight, and duration, and consider them as means appointed by him for the perfecting of his work within us. Then, whatever our trials be, we shall not give way to an undue depression of mind ; but shall commit ourselves to Go…
756 wordsSECTION 279296 Romans, Viii. 23. [1874.
a Gen. iii. 17, 18. b Isai. xi. 6—9. Thus throughout the whole creation shall, to a certain extent, the paradisiacal state be restored.] Now, as this will be a state of inconceivable blessed- ness, the whole creation is represented as looking and longing for it — [It will be remembered that our blessed Lord was f…
442 wordsSECTION 2801874.] The State Of God'S Children. 297
and whilst they sanctified the whole harvest, they assured to the possessor the full enjoyment of itg. Now the harvest of " the Spirit " is that abundant effusion of holiness and happi- ness which God will pour forth on his people in the latter day, not unlike to what they enjoyed on the day of Pentecost, or to th…
484 wordsSECTION 281298 Romans, Viii. 23. [1874.
soul. What then shall the public manifestation of this honour in the presence of the whole assembled universe be, when his " redeemed body " shall possess all the purity and perfection of his soul, and not only partake of all the joys of his soul, but aid the soul in its everlasting possession of them? I wonder no…
713 wordsSECTION 282298 Romans, Viii. 23. [1874.
2. Let us press forward more earnestly after the happiness reserved for us — [Who can conceive the blessedness of that state to which we are hastening ? If " eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived the things which are enjoyed by God's people in this present world," how much less can any just concept…
261 wordsSECTION 283The Office Of Hope.
Rom. viii. 24, 25. We are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope : for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for ? But if tve hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. IF it be asked, What is that feeling of the mind, which, beyond all others, gives life and activity to rational a…
337 wordsSECTION 2841875.] The Office Of Hope. 301
We are most generally said to be saved by faithb : but here salvation is ascribed to hope. There is, in fact, a near affinity between the two : and we cannot adopt any better method of illustrating the nature and operations of hope than by instituting a compa- rison between it and faith. That faith and hope are v…
458 wordsSECTION 285302 Romans, Viii. 24, 25. [1875.
angels ? They believe it, as much as we do : but, having no evidence in themselves that they comply with the terms on which that mercy is vouchsafed, they do not hope in it : " they believe and tremble0." It is the penitent alone that has hope in God: and his hope arises from his consciousness, that he does embrac…
519 wordsSECTION 2861875.1 The Office Of Hope. 303
faith brings that good into the soul which hope had only anti- cipated ; and, by presenting invisible realities to our view, gives to hope a more ample scope for exercise. Faith is the parent of hope: but hope, once formed in the soul, becomes an active helper to faith. Neither can operate to any good effect witho…
467 wordsSECTION 287304 Romans, Viii. 24, 25. [1875.
not merely to bear their persecutions with patience, but to make them a ground of joy and exultation, because of the glorious recompence that awaits them in the eternal world2. And who that has ever suffered much for righteousness' sake, has not found this to be the effect of his hope towards God ? Many amongst us…
477 wordsSECTION 2881875.] The Office Of Hope. 305
ficulties, and cheers his mind during the long continuance of an inclement winter, so the prospect of reaping in due season enables the Christian to endure unto the endk. He has never seen the felicity which he pants after ; but he expects assuredly the ultimate possession of it ; and therefore " patiently waits f…
492 wordsSECTION 289306 Romans, Viii. 24, 25. [1875.
diligence that humility and contrition, that faith and love, that purity and holiness, that zeal and devotedness to God, which are the distinguishing characters of all who shall ultimately attain the kingdom of heaven. If you are " without Christ, you are without hopes:" but if you flee to him for refuge, you may …
487 wordsSECTION 290Mdccclxxvi.
way of holiness. Rest not in low attainments : think nothing yet attained, whilst any thing remains to be attained. Keep your evidences clear : let them not be clouded by any unmor- tified lust, or secret neglect: and then shall you "hold fast the rejoicing of your hope firm unto the endy." This is the way to be b…
347 wordsSECTION 291308 Romans, Viii. 26. [187C
overcome us, if we were left to ourselves ; and they who have endured heavy trials, often faint under small ones.] But God sends his Spirit to help the infirmities of his people — [We cannot exactly discriminate between the Spirit's agency and theirs. Indeed the Spirit acts in and by their endeavours e. He leads …
388 wordsSECTION 2921876.1 The Work Of The Spirit. 309
for us at the throne of glory. He sometimes enables us to pour out our hearts with fluency. This he does by discovering to us our wants, quickening our affections, and testifying to us God's willingness to answer prayer. He does not, however, always operate in this way.] He will make intercession " with unutterabl…
409 wordsSECTION 293All Things Work For Good.
Rom. viii. 28. We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. TRUE believers have the greatest encouragement to draw nigh to God ; they have supernatural assist- ance when pouring out their hearts before him, and are assured by God himsel…
324 wordsSECTION 2941877.1 All Tiiings Work For Good. ,311
and made them his people; and this distinguishing favour is the true source of their love to him. To this effect both our Lord and his beloved Apostle testify e — To the eternal pur- poses of God, therefore, and not to the inclinations of our carnal minds, must all the good that is in us be traced.] To persons of …
420 wordsSECTION 295512 Romans, Viii. 29, 30. [1878.
1 . A rule whereby to judge of God's electing love — [Our election of God can be known only by its effects'. To ascertain it, we must inquire whether we have been called by his grace, and whether, in consequence of that call, we love God supremely ? If we experience these effects, we may safely conclude, that God …
361 wordsSECTION 2961878. J Predestination Considered, 313
Rom. viii. 29, 30. Whom he did foreknow, he also did pre- destinate to be conformed, to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called : and whom he called, them he also justified : and ivhom he justified, them he also glorified. T…
414 wordsSECTION 297314 Romans, Viii. 29, 30. [1878.
calling, their free justification from all their sins, and their final glorification at his right hand for ever. In the Apostle's statement we may see, I. The principal ends of predestination — God acts in all things according to his own sove- reign will and pleasure : yet is that will regulated by the counsels o…
438 wordsSECTION 2981878.] Predestination Considered. 315
acquainted with grief." " Though he was a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered :" and " he was made perfect through sufferings." In like manner we also must be " a poor and afflicted people11." We must " take up our cross daily, and follow him :" we must be " hated of all men for his sake.…
487 wordsSECTION 299316 Romans, Viii. 29, 30. [1878.
of his soulu." Had not this been absolutely decreed, it might have happened, that not so much as one might ever have been saved, and that, consequently, Christ might have shed his blood in vain. For, if every thing had been left entirely dependent on the free will of man, all might have used their free will precis…
752 wordsSECTION 300318 Romans, Viii. 29, 30. [1878.
Hoping however that the truth of the doctrine has approved itself to you, we shall proceed to state, II. The way in which those ends are accomplished — The order and method of God's dispensations, from eternity to eternity, are here clearly marked : 1. He " foreknows" men as objects of his love — [As far as relat…
654 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.