PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 16 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 269,554 words · 584 reading sections
1948.] Means Of Attaining True Wisdom. 127
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked %" we never can " know any other truth as we ought to know it." On this the whole Scripture turns. It is because of our guilt and misery, that we need the atoning blood, and unspotted righteousness, of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is because of our blindness and pollution, th…
355 wordsSECTION 122138 1 Corinthians, Iii. 18. [1948.
III. Its importance — Every word of God deserves our deep attention. But the exhortation in the text is singularly impor- tant ; for first, It declares the only zvay in which we can ever attain true wisdom. If we could attain the end by different means, it would be of the less consequence whether Vv^e used these…
355 wordsSECTION 1231948.] Means Of Attaining True Wisdom. 129
Whether God requires us to become fools in our own estimation, in order that we may be wise in his ? And if he do require it, then shall men become wise in his way, or not at all. But there is another view in which the importance of this precept will appear, namely, that if zve obey it not, our reason, instead of…
377 wordsSECTION 124130 1 Corinthians, Iii. 18. [1948.
overcome the world ? Does it disarm death of its sting ? Does it inspire them with a hope full of im- mortality ? Does it sanctify them throughout in all their tempers and dispositions, and transform them into the image of the blessed Jesus ? We may even ask. Whether, so far from loving to be taught of God themse…
379 wordsSECTION 1251948.] Means Of Attaining True Wisdom. 131
part with it, even for " the wisdom that cometh of God"." Being therefore too proud to learn, they are left in ignorance ; and, stumbling at the very threshold of the sanctuary, they never enter within the vail. Here then let us call to mind the first words of the text : '' Let no man deceive himself." We all, and…
357 wordsSECTION 126132 1 Corinthians, Iii. 18. [1948.
when we recommend a cheerful submission to the voice of inspiration, and a humble dependence on God's promised aid, we cut up pride by the very roots, and lead men to confess, that all their sufficiency is of God alone. And if any pervert this doctrine to the fostering of their own pride (and what doctrine is the…
445 wordsSECTION 127Mdccccxlix.
THE christian's PRIVILEGES. 1 Cor. iii. 21 — %S. Let no man glory in men. For all things are yours ; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come ,- all are yours ,- and ye are Christ's ; and Christ is God's. IT is scarcely to be expected, considering t…
253 wordsSECTION 128134 1 Corinthians, Iii. 21—23. [1949.
having exposed the evil of such a spirit, he now, in conclusion, shews, that to " glory in men" is highly criminal ; because of, I. Our interest in God — All that God has, belongs to us, if we believe in Christ : 1 . His servants are ours — [They are ours, with all their talents, and with all their labours : th…
800 wordsSECTION 129136 1 Corinthians, Iii. 21—23. [1949.
Before we point out the particular bearing of this part of our text, we will notice the latter part, wherein is stated, II. God's interest in us — Here it will be necessary to mark distinctly the drift of the Aposle's argument. He is shewing, that we ought " not to glory in men," that is, not to indulge such par…
536 wordsSECTION 1301949.] The Christians Privileges. 137
sent to bring us to God the Father, and to deliver us up to him when the vi^hole work entrusted to him shall be complete. The Lord Jesus Christ is to be considered in a three-fold view; as God, as man, and as the Mediator between God and man. As God, he is equal with the Father : as man, and as Mediator, he is inf…
524 wordsSECTION 131138 1 Corinthians, Iii. 21—23. [1949.
from those whom he so ungratefully undervalues : he contri- butes to excite divisions in the Church of God; and, as far as in him lies, weakens the hands of those ministers, on whom, in comparison of his favourite, he pours contempt. Brethren, let the arguments of the Apostle have their proper weight. The object o…
521 wordsSECTION 132Mdccccl.
BELIEVERS ARE CHRIST's PROPERTY. 1 Cor. iii. 23. Ye are Christ's. TRUE Christians, however poor in this world, are indeed the richest people in the universe. There is not any thing of which they have not the best use and enjoyment. All things temporal, spiritual, and eter- nal, belong to them : yet they are not s…
319 wordsSECTION 133140 1 Corinthians, Iii. 23. [1950.
vassals'*? Our Lord himself declares, that all such persons are, not merely the friends, but the property, of the world®.] 3. To Satan — [Satan rules in all the children of disobedience *^; he leads them captive at his will^. Hence he is called the god of this world '' : and who amongst us has not fulfilled his wi…
680 wordsSECTION 134142 1 Corinthians, Iv. 1,2. [1951.
2. What inestimable privileges he possesses — [Is he Christ's? Then Christ acknowledges him as his, and fixes his eye upon him for good, and orders every thing for his eternal welfare. Yes, the Lord Jesus " keeps him even as the apple of his eye," and will suffer neither men nor devils " to pluck him out of his ha…
367 wordsSECTION 135Mdccccll
MINISTERS, THE LORD's STEWARDS. I Cor. iv. 1. 2. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and steivards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in steivards, that a man he found faithful. THE apostolic Churches were not so blameless as we are apt to imagine. Many evils obtained among th…
600 wordsSECTION 136144 1 Corinthians, Iv. 1,2. [1951.
A steward in an household must be faithful to his charge : and so must a minister be in the Church of God : he must be faithful, 1. To his Master — [He is to receive instructions daily from his Master, and to carry them into effect to the utmost of his power. He must never be doing his own will, or following his …
651 wordsSECTION 137146 1 Corinthians, Iv. 3—5. [1952.
[If faithfulness be required on our part, so is it also on yours. You must come to the ordinances with a real dis- position and desire to " hear what the Lord God will say concerning you." You must have your minds open to convic- tion, and " receive with meekness every word you hear, that it may be an engrafted wo…
655 wordsSECTION 138146 1 Corinthians, Iv. 3—5. [1952.
all these characters will be brought before him ; and, according as that has been conformed, or contrary, to his revealed word, will be his sentence of condemnation or approval in that day.] To that period therefore we must all look, and for it we must all prepare — [As by the written word we must all be judged, w…
407 wordsSECTION 139God To Be Acknowledged In Every Thing.
1 Cor. iv. 7. Who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive ? noio if thou didst receive it, ivhy dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it ? IF there are advantages derived from education, there are also disadvantages not unfrequently at- tached to it ; inasmuch as…
787 wordsSECTION 140150 1 Corinthians, Iv. 7. [1953.
But the text may also be very fitly applied, II. To those who glory in themselves — [If we have any particular endowments, whether of body or mind, we are apt to arrogate something to ourselves, as if a 1 Cor. xii. 6, 11. ^ T.sai. x. 15. ^ Jam. i. 17. we had ourselves been the authors of our own excellencies. But…
722 wordsSECTION 141152 1 Corinthians, Iv. 12, 13. [1954.
2. 1 will turn the reproof into a fund of rich encouragement — [Must it be said even to an Apostle, " Who made thee to differ ? and what hast thou which thou hast not received ? " It may with equal truth be said to the most insignificant of men. What shall you not receive, if you are willing to accept it at God's…
731 wordsSECTION 142152 1 Corinthians, Iv. 12, 13. [1954.
Doubtless such treatment is hard to be borne ; but the Christian distinguishes himself by, II- His behaviour under it — There are two things that characterize a true Christian under all his trials : 1. A passive meekness — [The saints are men of like passions with others ; but, through grace, they are enabled to…
301 wordsSECTION 143154 1 Corinthians, Iv. 12, 13. [1954.
souls of those who injure him. He is grieved for them"; and would be willing to sustain any temporal evils whatever, if by means of his own sufferings he might bring his enemies to a better mind, and avert from them God's heavy displeasure^. He will even bless his enemies, and pray for them ^, and ren- dering to t…
475 wordsSECTION 144An Important Alternative.
transform the vilest of the human race into the image of our incarnate God. Let us then follow the example of the saints and martyrs that have gone before us"™. Let us exert ourselves in dependence on the Lord Jesus, and not doubt but that " his grace shall be sufficient for us." Then shall our very enemies be con…
343 wordsSECTION 145156 1 Corinthians, Iv. 21. [1955.
dare to obtrude himself among them. He, however, assured them that he would come to them, and with power too, if they constrained him to do so : and he submitted it, as it were, to their option to determine in what way he should come to them ; whether of needful severity, or of unmixed love. Now the Apostles had,…
387 wordsSECTION 1461955.3 An Important Ai,Trrn Ative. 1,57
At the same time, he must act under the influence of love — [Even in the use of " the rod," a father is actuated by love : but where it is possible to effect his purpose without it, he would rather cast it away, and conduct himself only in a spirit of affectionate endearment. St. Paul, towards this very Church, a…
416 wordsSECTION 147158 1 Corinthians, V. 6. [1956.
[What is your conduct, in your collective capacity, as a Church? Are there among you " debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, wliisperings, swellings, tumults?" Dear brethren, if tliis be the case, and " I find you such as I would not, you can expect only that I shall be found unto you such as ye would n…
391 wordsSECTION 1481956.] Sin A Malignant Leaven. 159
1 Cor. V. 6. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump ? THAT ungodly men may glory in their shame, may easily be conceived : but that persons professing godliness should ever be led to do so, can scarcely be imagined. Yet, such is the force of habit, that it may bhnd the eyes of persons who are n…
431 wordsSECTION 149Igo 1 Corinthians, V. 6. [1956.
changed, as we shall see presently, almost into the image of an incarnate fiend ] 2. Spreading — [However large the mass of dough may be, the smallest leaven will leaven it throughout. And thus did sin operate on the soul of Adam. His understanding was rendered dark ; his will, perverse ; his affections, sensual …
375 wordsSECTION 1501956.3 S^N ^ Malignant Leaven. 161
Apostle gave the same salutary warning. The Galatian Chuixh were in danger of seduction by Judaizing teachers : indeed, even Barnabas himself had been seduced by Peter's dissimu- lation. To them, therefore, St. Paul suggested this salutai-y admonition, " A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump*^:" and in numberle…
447 wordsSECTION 151162 1 Corinthians, V. 6. [1956.
evil in the heart ! How afFectingly does it warn us to " pluck out the right eye, and to cut off the right hand or foot," lest our whole body be contaminated, and be consigned, as utterly irrecoverable, to the flames of hell ^! Nor does it less forcibly instruct us to guard against the means of evil, and the tempta…
438 wordsSECTION 152Christ Our Passover,
and powers : and never rest till it has had its perfect vv^ork within you, and " changed you into your Saviour's image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord""."] m 2 Cor. iii. 18. 1 Cor. V. 7, 8. Christ our passover is sacrificed for us : there- fore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, ne…
317 wordsSECTION 153164 1 Corinthians, V. 7, 8. [1957.
had forfeited his life to divine justice. Precisely in this way has Christ been sacrificed for us : "he died, the just for the unjust ;" he was put to death not merely for our good, but in our stead : and in his sufferings we may behold a figurative representation of what we had merited by our transgressions.] In …
689 wordsSECTION 154166 1 Corinthians, Vi. 9— 11. [1958.
From this most instructive subject we may observe — L How plain is the way of salvation ! — [Ask of every one that was saved that night, To what he was indebted for his preservation ? Would there be two opinions throughout the whole nation of Israel ? Would there be so much as one that would ascribe it to his own …
515 wordsSECTION 155Mdcccclviii.
god's mercy to the vilest sinners. 1 Cor. vi. 9 — 11. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither for- nicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covet- ous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor e…
486 wordsSECTION 156168 1 Corinthians, Vi. 9— 11. [1958.
[The Apostle next cautions us against self-deception. We are apt to extenuate these crimes, and to conceal their enormity by some specious name. Fornication and adultery are youthful indiscretions : drunkenness is conviviality : covetousness and extortion are prudence, and the common licence of trade. Thieving is …
697 wordsSECTION 157170 1 Corinthians, Vi. 19, 20. [1959.
Address — 1. To those who are yet living in sin — [Is there a person here, who, whether openly or in secret, gives way to uncleanness? Thou " shalt never inherit the king- dom of God." Is there a person here who corresponds in any respect with those described in the text ? Does not thy con- science tell thee. Tho…
365 wordsSECTION 1581959.|] Duty Of Devoting Ourselves To God. 171
1 Cor. vi. 19, 20. What ? know ye not that ye are not your own ? for ye are bought zvith a price : therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. THE word of God reveals to us many things which unenhghtened reason could never have discovered. This is particularly manifest with respect to …
536 wordsSECTION 159172 1 Corinthians, Vi. 19, 20. [1959.
III. The exhortation he founds upon it — *' Our body and our spirit are entirely God's" property. We are bound therefore to glorify him with both to the uttermost — [We cannot indeed add any thing to God's glory ™. God however esteems himself glorified by our services". There are many ways in which we may glorify…
338 wordsSECTION 160The Importance Of Family Religion.
1 Cor. vii. 16. What knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shall save thy husband ? or how knowest thou, 0 man, whether thou shalt save thy wife ? WE, who live under laws generally known and acknowledged, have little conception what difficulties arose to the Church in the apostolic age, from the licentious habits of…
766 wordsSECTION 1611960.1 Importance Of Family Religion. 175
ground for complaint on his side, who still retains his former sentiments and habits : and we must be prepared to endure unkindness from him, on whom we have inflicted so deep a wound. We must possess our souls in patience ; and labour, by meekness and by love, to win him, whose heart has never submitted to the pr…
772 wordsSECTION 1621961.1 Abiding In Our Calling. 177
3. In the world at large — [Wherever thei'e is an immortal soul, there should be an object of our care and love. We should not ask, in reference to any human being, " Am I my brother's keeper?" We all have a debt of love, which we should be paying to every child of man. Especially should we be concerned for the sa…
329 wordsSECTION 163178 ] Corinthians, Vii. 24. [1901.
1 Cor. vii. 24. Brethren, let every man, ivherein he is called, therein abide with God. THE state of the Church, at the first introduction of Christianity, was full of embarrassment : the Jewish converts knew not how to conduct themselves in re- ference to the Mosaic law, which was now abrogated; nor did the Gent…
502 wordsSECTION 1641961. ]J Abiding In Our Calling. 179
appointment: and, from the apostolic age, the followers of Christ have, in like manner, been honoured as the depositories of the Gospel, whereby alone we are instructed how to obtain favour with God, and secure to ourselves the possession of an eternal inheritance. If we compare the state of Mahometans or Pagans w…
448 wordsSECTION 165180 1 Corinthians, Vii. 24. [19G1.
for discontent : for it brings eternity to view : and a person, once beginning to feel the value of his soul and the importance of eternity, contemplates with more than common interest the advantages which men of learning and of leisure have, for the acquisition of knowledge, and the advancement of their eternal i…
439 wordsSECTION 1661961.] Abiding In Our Calling. 181
body. He has given us many members ; and has endued every member with faculties suited to its state, and proper for the discharge of its pecuHar office. All the parts have not the powers of the eye or of the ear : but some have a higher, and others a lower, office assigned to them, so as most to conduce to the goo…
486 wordsSECTION 167182 1 Corinthians, Vii. 24. [1961.
diffusive benevolence. It is not in great things only that God is glorified : for, as he has told us, " whether we eat or drink, to do all to his glory," we may be sure that, even in the most conmion acts that can be performed, this blessed end may be attained. Aim, then, at this : keep your eye steadily fixed on …
485 wordsSECTION 168Moderation In The Use Of Earthly Things Inculcated.
account which we must shortly give to him at the judgment- seat of Christ. Whilst we look to him in such a mind as this, we need not fear but that he will lead us aright, and prosper us in our ways, and conduct us in safety to his heavenly kingdom.] 1 Cor. vii. 29 — 31. This T say, brethren, the time is short : it…
326 wordsSECTION 169184 1 Corinthians, Vii. 29—31. [1962.
[If all do not set their hearts upon the same object, there is something which every unconverted man regards with an idolatrous attachment. Has he some prospect of attaining it? his mind goes forth to it in warm and eager desire. Is there reason to apprehend a disappointment respecting it? he is kept in anxious su…
490 wordsSECTION 1701962.] Moderation Inculcated. 185
And while we " use" our good things with thankfulness to the Donor, we should be careful never to " abuse" them to the purposes of pride, intemperance, and carnal ease.] This direction derives great force and importance from, II. The reason with which it is enforced — Every thing here below is transient and of sh…
437 wordsSECTION 171186 1 Corinthians, Vii. 29—31. [1962.
preparation to give up our account to God, and our hope of an approving sentence from the Judge of quick and dead? Let then the transitoriness of earthly things moderate our affection to them, that whether we attain and enjoy them, or lose and want them, we may still have God as our abiding and all-sufficient port…
443 wordsSECTION 172Against Carefulness.
things above, and not upon things below s?" You have hitherto regarded the blessed Savioui', and your own immortal soul, as though you regarded them not; and suffered your whole heart to be occupied about the world. Now reverse your conduct, and all will yet be well : let the greatest con- cerns of time and sense …
350 wordsSECTION 173188 1 Corinthians, Vii. 32. [1963.
found more easy to serve the Lord fully in a single state, than in a state which must necessarily he at- tended with some " distraction" and embarrassment. Upon this particular question I have no design to enter. But the basis upon which the Apostle framed his decision, is alike applicable to all cases, and in all…
375 wordsSECTION 1741963.1 Against Carefulness. 189
[Whatever engages the affections strongly, will warp the judgment, and produce a strong bias upon the mind. Duties, which would interfere with the prosecution of our object, will be neglected ; and measures, which may facilitate the attain- ment of it, will be adopted, without any scrupulous attention to their exa…
412 wordsSECTION 175Proper Accompaniments Of Knowledge.
[Dear brethren, I would have you all like Mary ; who, when her sister " Martha was careful and cumbered about many things, was intent only on the one thing needful." In relation to the concerns of eternity, be as careful as ye will. In reference to these things, the Apostle approves of, and applauds, our care* And…
339 wordsSECTION 1761964.] Proper Accompaniments Of Knowledge. 191
themselves. This, as might be well expected, gave great offence to their weaker brethren, and proved a stumbling-block to many ; who were induced, by this example, to pursue the same line of conduct, whilst yet they doubted the lawfulness of it in the sight of God; and thus were led to the commission of damning s…
353 wordsSECTION 177192 1 Corinthians, Vii L 2. [1964.
one who has studied a subject thoroughly to imagine himself as ignorant of it as he was before he turned his attention to it, or as another person who has never spent one hour in the contemplation of it. It is not possible for a philosopher to suppose himself on a level with a peasant in point of intellectual atta…
461 wordsSECTION 1781964.1 Proper Accompaniments Of Knowledge. 193
a just view of them, we must be indebted to much deep learn- ing and critical research. And it is an evil, a very great evil, when religious people, because their eyes have been opened, and they can say, " Whereas I was blind, I now see," imagine that they can see what is really beyond the sphere of their observat…
470 wordsSECTION 179194 1 Corinthians, Viii. 2. [1964.
how much is there of it in the present day ! How many are *' fond of vain jangling, desiring to be teachers, though they understand not what they say, nor whereof they affirm," but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmises, and perverse disputings'^ !" Wherea…
435 wordsSECTION 1801964.1 Proper Accompaniments Of Knowledge. 195
not unwise, not unjust, not unmerciful, and so on : but, if we should attempt to declare what he is, we should only " darken counsel by words without knowledge." Of man, too, how little is known ! Self-knowledge is exceeding rare : and the person in whom it exists in the highest degree will be the most ready to ac…
476 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1833); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.