PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 15 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 259,427 words · 557 reading sections
1914.1 Putting On The Lord Jesus Christ. 519
every thing which tends to foster his corruption, or to give scope for its exercise. When the priests went into the taber- nacle of the congregation to minister before the Lord, they were to " drink no wine nor strong drink," lest they should be in any respect unfitted for the holy service in which they were engag…
511 wordsSECTION 482520 Romans, Xiv. 7—9. [1915.
If you would not fall and perish by your indwelling corruptions, you must " crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts2," and must " perfect holiness in the fear of God a."] Address — 1. Those who are satisfied with their attainments — [What ! Have you, then, attained the perfection that was in Christ? Are y…
316 wordsSECTION 4831915.] Extent Of Christian Obedience. 521
Rom. xiv. 7 — 9. None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live there- fore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead an…
442 wordsSECTION 484522 Romans, Xiv. 7—9. [1915.
II. The grounds of it — All possible obedience is due from us to God by creation; but God has acquired a new right over us by redemption. Christ has died, risen, and revived — [He died to make atonement for our guilt : lie rose for our justification before God : he revived, and lives to carry on the work.] He h…
391 wordsSECTION 485The Future Judgment.
he is now doing for us in heaven ? Is it reasonable that we should defeat the ends of all his love ? Ought we not rather to requite it to the utmost of our power ? Should we account any thing too much to do for him? Let all then confess the reasonableness of being devoted to Christ. Let every Christian exert himse…
731 wordsSECTION 4861916.1 Tiie Future Judgment. 525
judgment to the Son*:") that, at a period fixed in the Divine counsels, " he will come in his own glory, and in the glory of his Father, with myriads of his holy angels," and will sit upon the throne of his glory ; and that " before him shall be gathered all nations'5:" that "the books," in which the trans- action…
503 wordsSECTION 487526 Romans, Xiv. 10—12. [1916.
Lord Jesus ; and being constrained, whether willing or not, to acknowledge Christ as his rightful Lord, and as the only Saviour of the world.] Such is the certainty of that day. Let us next consider, II. Its awfulness — In that day, "every one of us shall give account of himself to God." Not one shall be absent …
665 wordsSECTION 488528 Romans, Xiv. 17—19. [1917.
St. Paul, speaking of the day of judgment, says, " Knowing, therefore, the terrors of the Lord, we persuade men." Permit me then to improve the subject, and to persuade you, 1. In reference to the main subject of the context — [We have before observed, that the Apostle is speaking- respecting candour in judging ;…
436 wordsSECTION 4891917.1 Practical Christianity Illustrated. 529
Rom. xiv. 17 — 19. The kingdom of Godis not meat and drink ; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore folloiv after the things which make for peace, and things ivherewith one may edify another. T…
564 wordsSECTION 490530 Romans, Xiv. 17—19. [1917.
Pharisees, " who paid tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin, but neglected the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith d." In these things vital Christianity consists. The turning of the whole heart to the observance of God's laws, is the great promise of the Gospel, and the certain effect of it, w…
428 wordsSECTION 4911917.] Practical Christianity Illustrated. 531
token of his love which he will not vouchsafe to those who cultivate a loving spirit, and seek all their happiness in him. " He will set his love upon them ; and will hear and answer all their petitions : he will be with them in trouble : he will deliver them and honour them : with long life also will he satisfy t…
469 wordsSECTION 492532 Romans, Xiv. 17—19. [1917.
When therefore we speak of these dispositions as accepted of God and approved of men, it is supposed that in them " we serve Christ," by whose grace alone we can do them, and through whom alone they can ever be accepted.] Having- now shewn the nature and excellence of practical Christianity, we shall, in conclusio…
414 wordsSECTION 4931917.1 Practical Christianity Illustrated. 53S
[Those who saw their Christian liberty, despised their weaker brethren, for scrupling to eat what had been offered to an idol ; whilst, on the other hand, they who doubted the lawfulness of eating such things, condemned their stronger brethren, as presumptuously disregarding the commands of God. A similar disposit…
476 wordsSECTION 494534 Romans, Xiv. 22. [1918.
no flesh while the world standeth, lest we make our brother to offend'."] 4. Be anxious, not to proselyte to a party, but to edify your brother in love — [Here almost all classes of the Christian world are greatly to blame. If a brother begin to have his conscience awakened, the first object of the generality is …
328 wordsSECTION 4951918.1 Regard To Conscience Recommended. 535
Rom. xiv. 22. Happy is he that condenmeth not himself in that thing which he alloiveth. IT is well known that there is a great diversity of opinion amongst good men respecting the principles of religion. Nor are they altogether agreed upon the subject of moral duty. Some have a clearer insight into the nature and…
471 wordsSECTION 496536 Romans, Xiv. 22. [1918.
he desire to act agreeably to its dictates, it will be a most kind and faithful monitor on all occasions. It will say to us what no fellow-creature could venture to say ; and it will take the same freedom in the bosom of a king as in the meanest of his subjects. It is rarely very clamorous, except after some enorm…
452 wordsSECTION 4971918.] Regard To Conscience Recommended. 537
the pre-eminent authority with which it is invested, and the influence which it exercises over our whole man. We ought, then, 1. To get it well informed — [We have before observed, that conscience prescribes no rule to us, but only gives its testimony according to a rule which has previously existed in the mind. …
480 wordsSECTION 498538 Romans, Xiv. 22. [1918.
proposed, is presumptuous in the extreme, and shews that we have not really the fear of God before our eyes. Nor is the testimony of conscience easily obtained. Sometimes, indeed, it speaks instantly, and without much previous consultation : and in that case its testimony is almost always according to truth ; and …
492 wordsSECTION 4991918.1 Regard To Conscience Recommended. 539
inflict an irreparable injury on our own souls, and to seal, 1 had almost said, our eternal condemnation. The utmost possible caution, therefore, should be used on this head. No standard should be referred to, but that which God himself will approve ; and according to his written word should every sentiment and ev…
461 wordsSECTION 500540 Romans, Xv. 1—3. [1919.
is uncleanq." Yet it is by no means advisable to rest without obtaining satisfaction to your mind. It is a painful state in which to be ; and you should use all proper means to obtain deliverance from itr: but, till that deliverance come, take my text for your guide : " Happy is he who condemneth not him- self in …
351 wordsSECTION 5011919.1 Self-Denying Love Inculcated. 541
Rom. xv. 1 — 3. We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the iveak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself ; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee, fell on me. WHILST many sc…
474 wordsSECTION 502542 Romans, Xv. 1—3. [1919.
his ministerial office, he was subjected to evils and distresses of every kind ; being from first to last " a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief," as his daily and hourly companion? So poor was he, that he had not a place where to lay his head: and so hated, that he was " a sign spoken against," a butt of co…
497 wordsSECTION 5031919.] Self-Denying Love Inculcated. 543
Let us now proceed to consider, II. The instruction founded upon it — This is two-fold : 1. That we also should not please ourselves — [There is a proneness in men to follow their own incli- nations, without considering what may be the effect of their conduct on the minds of others. But in no case whatever shoul…
465 wordsSECTION 504544 Romans, Xv. 1—3. [1919.
2. That we should seek rather the edification of others — [To " please our neighbour" is an object well worthy our pursuit : for it is by pleasing him that we shall gain the more easy access to him, for the benefit of his soul. Not that we should attempt to please him by any sinful compliance : for "if ire that s…
474 wordsSECTION 5051919.] Self-Denying Love Inculcated. 545
prevailed ! Some have thought that piety thus exercised would excite admiration in all who beheld it: but unhappily we know the contrary : for our blessed Lord exhibited it in its utmost possible perfection ; and was the more hated on account of the brightness of his example. But still there is something in this c…
484 wordsSECTION 506546 Romans, Xv. 1—3. [1919.
send forth sweet water and bitter f." But woe be to those in whom " this earthly, sensual, devilish, wisdom" is foundg: they cannot on earth, nor will they in heaven, be found accept- able worshippers before God. Pray then, brethren, to our common Father, that your souls may be filled with more holy dispositions ;…
402 wordsSECTION 507Preferring The Good Of Others.
Rom. xv. 5, 6. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be Ukeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus : that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.* IN order to glorify God, we should deny ourselves for the benefit of others. In the aposto…
363 wordsSECTION 508518 Romans, Xv. 5, 6. [1920.
man, as redeemed, continues also but a selfish creature. Self- denial is a grace which we are very averse to exercise : we press even duty to the side of self-indulgence, and enlist con- science in the service of our own lusts. But love should be seated on the throne of our hearts ; its dictates alone should be fo…
508 wordsSECTION 509The Universality Of Christ'S Kingdom.
Rom. xv. 8 — 12. Noio I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the pro- mises made unto the fathers : and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy ; as it is tvritten, For this cause I ivill confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And …
337 wordsSECTION 510550 Romans, Xv. 8—12. [1921.
The ministry of our blessed Lord had respect, 1. Primarily, to the Jews — [Jesus was himself born a Jew ; and he submitted to cir- cumcision, which was the initiatory rite whereby the Jews were received into covenant with God. When he entered upon his ministerial office, he addressed himself exclusively to those o…
443 wordsSECTION 5111921.] Universality Of Christ'S Kingdom. 551
Testament, " the law of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalmsm," to prove his point. It is needless to enter into a minute exami- nation of all the passages adduced, since the authority of an inspired Apostle is proof sufficient that they all relate to the point in hand. In the first passage, David speaks in the pers…
432 wordsSECTION 512552 Romans, Xv. 8—12. [1921.
him, " I will not have this man to reign over me8," he will ere long say respecting us, " Bring hither those that were mine enemies, who would not that I should reign over them, and slay them before me1."] 2. To trust in him — [Christ comes, not only as a Lord, but as a Saviour; through whom we are to find delive…
484 wordsSECTION 5131922.] The Holy Ghost The Author Of Hope. 553
4. Walk in his steps — [This is the particular scope of the text; the intent for which all these quotations are introduced. Our blessed Saviour has shewn a gracious and merciful regard for all the human race : nor has he permitted any diversity in their habits or conduct to exclude them from his kingdom, provided …
277 wordsSECTION 514554< Romans, Xv. 13. [1922.
Rom. xv. 13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. CHRISTIANS, even in the purest ages of the Church, have been too ready to indulge a spirit of bigotry and contention. The Jewish and Gentile converts in every place were …
451 wordsSECTION 5151922. J The Holy Ghost The Author Of Hope. 555
is the " God of hope," and the source of all goodh. It is he who provided for us the Saviour, and accepted him in our behalf; and has promised to cast out none who come to him in his Son's name. In vain will be the use of other means, if we apply not to him in prayer. But nothing is too great for God to give to th…
366 wordsSECTION 516Ministering To The Gentiles, A Good Work.
Rom. xv. 15, 16. [The] grace [that] is given to me of God, that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, minis- tering the Gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. THE calling of the Gentiles was, with the Apostle Paul, a very fav…
347 wordsSECTION 5171923.] Ministering To The Gentiles. 557
In discoursing on the Apostle's words, we shall open to you, I. The office committed to him — He was appointed in a more peculiar manner " the minister of the Gentiles b." To this he was ordained at his first conversion0; and he accounted this as a very singular honour, for which he was most highly indebted to t…
435 wordsSECTION 518558 Romans, Xv. 15, 16. [1923.
believers are a " holy priesthood* :" and all of them " are begotten of God by the word of truth, that they may be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures1." But it is "by the Holy Ghost that they are sanctified," even by his Almighty opera- tion on their souls : " He sanctifies them wholly, in body, soul, and spi…
416 wordsSECTION 5191923.1 Ministering To The Gentiles. 559
all may co-operate with effect. St. Paul speaks of " women who laboured with him in the Gospelq :" and not unfrequently are they of most extensive service to the Church of God; assisting in a great variety of ways the cause of God, and advancing, in their own line, as much as ministers do in theirs, his kingdom in…
515 wordsSECTION 520560 Romans, Xv. 15, 1(5. [1923.
many to righteousness, shall shine as the stars for ever and ever*."] Application — 1. Remember, in the first place, to offer up your- selves to God — [This must precede every thing else. Nothing that you can do will be of any value, till this is done. St. Paul, when commending the Macedonians for their unparall…
488 wordsSECTION 521Christians Debtors To The Jews.
Rom. xv. 26, 27. It hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carna…
344 wordsSECTION 522562 Romans, Xv. 26, 21. [1924.
of other countries, especially of Macedonia and Achaia, gladly contributed for their relief. The pleasure with which they exerted themselves in this labour of love, is twice noticed by the Apostle : " It pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia; it pleased them verily;" that is, they took great delight in this act of…
357 wordsSECTION 5231924.] Christians Debtors To The Jews. 563
obligations of the whole Christian world to Abraham are manifest to an unknown extent, inasmuch as every individual among them is indebted to him, for that covenant, which is the fountain and foundation of all their hopes. To Isaac and Jacob also are we very greatly in- debted : for they, in conjunction with Abra…
759 wordsSECTION 5241924.] Christians Debtors To The Jews. 565
e Acts iii. 22. structed how to please and serve his God. It is a compendium of all that God requires of us : and, if only we follow that in all things, we are as infallibly sure of pleasing God, and of being rewarded by him at the last, as we are sure that there is a God in heaven. Are we not then greatly indebt…
392 wordsSECTION 525566 Romans, Xv. 26, 27. [1924.
him away into the wilderness never more to be seen by manf: who that contemplates this, and realizes in his mind the transaction, does not see the actual transfer of his sins to Christ, and the everlasting removal of them from his own soul ? I say then, that for the ceremonial, no less than the moral law, we are g…
376 wordsSECTION 5261924.1 Christians Debtors To The Jews. 567
connected series of prophecies we ought to feel the greatest obligations. There is however one prophet in particular whose name we cannot possibly pass over in silence ; — 1 mean, the Prophet David. He has committed to writing all the secret workings of his heart, under all the diversified conditions into which h…
366 wordsSECTION 527563 Romans, Xv. 26, 27. [1924.
and peace, and joy, and holiness, which through their instrumentality we possess. We will content ourselves however with this brief mention of them, that we may fix our attention on Him to whom infinitely above all we are indebted, — the Lord Jesus Christ. He also was a Jew, " of the seed of David as pertaining t…
377 wordsSECTION 5281924.] Christians Debtors To The Jews. 569
neither on earth nor in heaven is there one who can arrogate any glory to himself: it all belongs to that blessed Saviour, " who liveth in us :" and to all eternity our song must be, " Not unto us, not unto us, but unto thy name be the praise :" " To Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood…
740 wordsSECTION 5291924.1 Christians Debtors To The Jews. 571
h Isai. v. 3, 4. > Heb. ii. 3, 4. k 2 Cor. viii. 3 — 5. service1." I would, in the name of the Most High God, lay claim to every soul here present, and say, " Ye are not your own ; ye are bought with a price : there- fore glorify God with your bodies and your spirits, which are hism." We call upon you, not to per…
393 wordsSECTION 530572 Romans, Xv. 26, 27. [1924.
duty to do it, more especially as it is God's avowed purpose, that " they shall be graffed in," as soon as ever they repent them of their former sins, and look with sorrow on the Messiah, whom they have pierced. In this respect we may regard the Jews of this gene- ration as the representatives of those of former a…
398 wordsSECTION 5311924.] Christians Debtors To The Jews. 573
obtained mercy through their unbelief; even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy8." Here let it be clearly seen, that the very end for which this mercy is com- mitted unto us is, " that through our mercy they also may obtain mercy .-" and if we do not improve, for…
373 wordsSECTION 532574 Romans, Xv. 26, 27. [1924.
converts from among them ? Would none of them have been stirred up to make inquiry into the evidences of our religion, and to seek its blessings ? But be it so, They are blind and obdurate. And what were we, when in our Gentile state ? yea, what should we at this very instant have been, if their fathers had done …
405 wordsSECTION 5331924.1 Christians Debtors To The Jews. 575
grace among them ; but in both cases it relates to the commencement of that period when the work shall be completed. The diminution of the Jews was progressive ; and so we trust will be the bringing in of the complement both of Jews and Gentiles. Indeed so far is it from being true that the whole Gentile world mu…
382 wordsSECTION 534576 Romans, Xv. 26, 27. [1924.
gave himself up altogether to the work of his ministry among the Gentiles; and counted not his life dear unto him, so that he might but fulfil it to their greatest advantage. He indeed had a particular call to the ministry, which does not extend to us : but we in our private capacity should be as strenuous for the…
373 wordsSECTION 5351924.1 Christians Debtors To The Jews. 577
welfare which we would urge you to promote : and in this view all our claims upon you as debtors come with ten-fold weight. Alas ! we are greatly and shamefully in arrears ; but in proportion to our past neglect should be our future exertions : and, as we know not how little time may be allotted us for fulfilling…
273 wordsSECTION 536578 Romans, Xv. 26, 27. [1924.
4. To the Lord Jesus Christ — like Abraham, merely engage as a party in the covenant, but ratified it with his blood — [He did not, ^ like the prophets, utter predictions ; but fulfilled them — like the Apostles, merely preach salvation ; but obtained it for us — He secures to us also by his life, what he procu…
295 wordsSECTION 537Mdccccxxv.
2. He has stirred up attention to the Jews — 3. He has excited an expectation of the Messiah, here and on the Continent — 4. He has given success already — Some pious — and studious, preparing — Success great, considering the efforts — Ergo, it is come. Rom. xi. 25, misunderstood. See ver. 12. But if it were no…
343 wordsSECTION 538580 Romans, Xv. 29. [1925.
among them, he considered himself " a debtor unto them, as well as unto other Gentiles ;" and that " he longed exceedingly to see them, that he might impart to them some spiritual gift for the increase and esta- blishment" of their faith and love3 ; and that " he was sure, that, when he should come to them, he sho…
426 wordsSECTION 5391925.] The Gospel A Source Of Blessings. 581
power of Satan unto Gode." But there is an expression of St. Peter's that deserves particular attention. He represents men as " called by the Gospel out of darkness into marvellous light f." And marvellous indeed it is. It is such light as not all other books in the universe can impart ; — a light proceeding immed…
491 wordsSECTION 540582 Romans, Xv. 29. [1925.
3. Of growth and stability — [The Gospel does not merely beget souls to God, but fosters and nourishes them to their latest hour ; so that they progressively advance, from " babes to young men, and fathers," in the Christian Church. Under its influence they " proceed from strength to strength, till in due time the…
443 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.