PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 16 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 269,554 words · 584 reading sections
196 1 Corinthians, Viii. 2. [1964.
discern the expediency or inexpediency of their conduct. It is right to declare the Gospel without fear : but it is not right to " cast pearls before swine." In every thing, therefore, of a practical nature, we should so attend to every minute circum- stance of time and place, as to keep clear of offence to any, a…
452 wordsSECTION 1821964.]] Proper Accompaniments Of Knowledge. 197
mind for all of us is, that of the Centurion and his friends : " Now we are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God™. " If we come to God " poor and hungry, we shall be filled with good things : but if we come rich and full, we shall surely be sent empty away"." " Seest thou …
486 wordsSECTION 183Preaching The Gospel.
1 Coi*. ix. 16. IFoe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel ! RESPECTING men's call to the ministerial office, it would be difficult to speak with any degree of cer- tainty. That of the Apostles was clear and unques- tionable : that of individuals, amongst ourselves, must be judged of by many circumstances, known …
339 wordsSECTION 1841965.] Preaching The Gospel. 199
love. They must speak to men nearly in the same strain as they would if they had received a commission to preach to those who are already suffering the penalty due to their sins. They should not flatter men with any conceits about their own goodness, or the ability which they possess to deliver them- selves ; but …
399 wordsSECTION 185200 1 Corinthians, Ix. 16. [1965.
{Now any foolish excuse will satisfy us : but how will our conduct appear in that day? Methinks our self-reproach will be the bitterest ingredient in that cup of bitterness which we shall have to drink for ever.] But let lis not close the subject without reflecting on what is evidently implied in it — 1. The woe …
460 wordsSECTION 186The Nature And Extent Of Christian Liberty.
1 Cor. ix. 19 — 23. Though I he free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jeivs I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jeivs ; to them that are under the laiv, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law ; to them that are without law…
659 wordsSECTION 187The Nature And Extent Of Christian Liberty.
Neither must we do evil for our oion advantage. If an act be sinful, we must, like the Hebrew Youths, refuse to do it, even though we saw the fiery furnace, already burning with seven-fold intenseness, ready to destroy us. So likewise, if a duty be clear, we must not be deterred from the performance of it, even th…
628 wordsSECTION 188204 1 Corinthians, Ix. 19—2;:?. [1966.
their regards, to " choose out acceptable words," to accommo- date ourselves to their apprehensions, are all legitimate methods of gaining a more easy access to their minds, in order that we may ultimately " win their souls :" and, as we administer milk or meat to persons according to their capacity to profit by it…
491 wordsSECTION 1891966.1 Nature Of Christian Liberty. 205
concern for the welfare of your superior : the very self-denial, which such an act would call forth, would itself be a more substantial benefit to the soul, than all the gratification which would have followed from self-indulgence: and St. Paul him- self has set us an example of this conduct : " I," says he, " ple…
413 wordsSECTION 190Remark,
1. Of what infinite importance is the salvation of the soul ! [Wiience was it that the Apostle laboured so indefatigably k I Cor. X. 33. 1 Acts xxi. 26. 20r) 1 CORINTHIANS, IX. 19—23. [1966. in every possible way to save the souls of men ? Whence was it that he even " wished himself accursed from Christ, or after…
504 wordsSECTION 191Directions For Running Our Race.
desires. In these things none but God can keep us from error; none but God can "perfect that which concerneth us." Pray then, that the Holy Spirit may guide you into all truth. Pray, that He, who upheld the Saviour in all his arduous work, may " form in you the mind that was in Christ Jesus." Thus you may hope to …
326 wordsSECTION 192^^08 1 Corinthians, Ix. ^4. [1967.
1. Disentangled from worldly cares — [St. Paul, as he tells us in the foregoing context, had equal liberty with others to marry, and to take a wife with him in his journies. But he knew that such a step would involve him in n)any cares, and impede his exertions in the cause of Christ. He therefore lived in celibac…
469 wordsSECTION 1931967.] Directions For Running Our Race. 209
Such is the way in which we are to run. But O, how many professors of religion have been retarded (yea, and have cast stumbling-blocks also in the way of others) by a rigorous exaction of their dues, or by an unwillingness to sacrifice their worldly interests ! How many also have been kept from making a progress t…
705 wordsSECTION 194The Manner In Which St. Paul Sought For Heaven.
and never-fading inheritance in heaven'' ] Let every one that is engaged in the race, survey the prize. Let him at the same time contemplate the consequence of coming short, (not a transient disappointment, or loss of some desirable object, but everlasting misery in hell,) and the labour necessary to attain it wil…
492 wordsSECTION 195212 I Corinthians, Ix. 26,21. [1968.
" If a man strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully*'." Now in running the Christian race, there are rules indispensably necessary to be observed, if we would have the prize adjudged to us. One rule in particular we mention, because it is expressly specified by the Apostle, and becaus…
651 wordsSECTION 196214 1 Corinthians, Ix. 26, 21. [1968.
1. A hope of gaining the prize — [This is manifestly implied in his words: and such a hope is the main spring of activity to every Christian that is under heaven. The Apostle well knew, how infinitely an unfading crown of glory surpasses the perishable chaplets that were awarded to the victors in the different gam…
626 wordsSECTION 197The Manna And Rock Types Of Christ.
terminated, and that the prize shall be adjudged, not to the one who surpasses all others, but to all who " run their race with patience." Methinks, the Saviour, the Judge of all, is holding forth the prize to you ; and the whole host of heaven are witnesses of your exertions. Consider the countless mul- titudes t…
378 wordsSECTION 198216 1 Corinthians, X. 3, 4. [1969.
peculiar people, perished in the wilderness for their manifold provocations. Among the privileges which he specifies, we shall fix our attention upon that referred to in the text ; and shall take occasion from it to inquire, I. What was that spiritual food which the Israelites partook of in the wilderness ? God,…
413 wordsSECTION 1991969.]] The Manna And Rock Types Of Christ. 217
The same truth he also establishes, in reference to the water that proceeded from the rock. He told the Samaritan woman, that if she would have asked of him he would have given her living water ^ And on another occasion he stood in the place of public concourse, and cried, " If any man thirst, let him come unto me…
426 wordsSECTION 200Pas 1 Corinthians, X. 3, 4. [1969.
and the water, was the same that still nourishes the Church of God. To elucidate this we may observe, it was the same, 1. In its nature and substance — [As their bodies could not have maintained their vigour without the daily use of bread and water, so neither could tlieir souls flourish, unless they daily fed up…
441 wordsSECTION 2011969.1 The Manna And Rock Types Of Christ. 219
[The Israelites were left to feel their need of food before the miraculous supplies were given them : and with what avidity would they gather up the new created bread ! with what insatiable appetite would they bow down to drink of the flowing stream ! Such is the spirit with which we should approach the ordinances…
477 wordsSECTION 202The Judgments On The Israelites Typical.
" Let all then take heed, lest, a promise being left them of entering into God's rest, they should by any means come short of it P."] P Heb. iv. 1. See Sermon on 1 Tim. i. 11. zohere it forms the third Sermoii of a series. 1 Cor. X. 1 1 . Noiv all these things happened unto them for ensamples : and they are writ…
271 wordsSECTION 2031970.J The Judgments On The Israelites Typical. 221
were also sustained by food miraculously afforded them, food, not carnal only, but " spiritual," if spiritually improved^ But, instead of following the Lord fully, " they forgat God their Saviour," and addicted themselves to idolatry, to fornica- tion, to distrust and murmuring''. For these, and other impieties, t…
389 wordsSECTION 204222 1 Corinthians, X. 11. [1970.
power as well as the form of godliness s. On the contrary, as God disowned the people before referred to, so, however con- fident our claims to his favour may be, will He disown us in the day of judgment'^. Let us seek then to be Christians, " not in word, and in tongue, but in deed and in truth." Let us not only …
465 wordsSECTION 2051970.1 The Judgments On The Israelites Typical. 22S
humble aiRance in him, " who alone is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy ^."] Be admonished then, every one of you, my beloved brethren — 1. Ye who are resting in outward forms — [See how earnest the Apostle Paul was in impressing these f…
425 wordsSECTION 206Against Self-Confidence.
1 Cor. X. 12. Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall. THE things which are recorded in the Holy Scrip- tures are written, not for the entertainment, but for the real improvement, of our minds. Doubtless, as gratifying our curiosity, there is no book under heaven so interesting as the Bible : bu…
350 wordsSECTION 2071971.] Against Self-Confidence. 225
[Self-confidence naturally emboldens us to rush into temptation And necessarily provokes God to leave us to ourselves By means of the former, our occasions of falling are greatly multiplied : by means of the latter, our ability to stand is utterly w^ithdrawn^ God, for his own honour's sake, is concerned to let us …
276 wordsSECTION 208226 1 Corinthians, X. 13. [1972.
1. To those who are offended at the falls of others — [Many, when they see a professor of religion act amiss, are ready to impute his misconduct to the Gospel itself, as though Christianity were only a cloak for hypocrites. But, considering the temptations that surround us, and the corrup- tions that are within us…
361 wordsSECTION 209Mdcccclxxii.
THE SECURITY OF GOD's TEMPTED PEOPLE. 1 Cor. X. 13. There hath no temptation taken you hut such as is common to man : hut God is faithful, ivho will not suffer you to he tempted above that ye are able ; hut will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may he able to hear it. WE are ever prone to ru…
544 wordsSECTION 2102^8 1 Corinthians, X. 13. [1972.
will shorten its duration^ If he do not see fit in any of these ways to lighten the temptation, he will proportion their strength to their trials, so that, if there be not a way to escape, they at least " may be able to bear them." This he effects sometimes by communicating more abundant grace^, and sometimes by f…
434 wordsSECTION 211Appeal To Men Of Wisdom And Candour*.
scenes which most endanger their virtue. What hypocrisy is this ! If flesh and blood be, as they justly acknowledge, so weak and frail, why do they not flee from the occasions of sin ? and why do they not cry unto God for help? Let all know that their impoteucy is no just excuse; that all shall receive succour if …
331 wordsSECTION 212230 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1973.
indeed to only one particular point, the maintaining of communion with heathens in their idolatrous sacri- fices and oblations. This, as he observes, was incon- sistent with their professed allegiance to Christ, and with all hope of participating the blessings of his salvation : and so unquestionable was this trut…
339 wordsSECTION 2131973.] Appeal To Men Of Wisdom And Candour. 2.31
with the conceit of their own sufficiency, and wise in their own eyes, are ready to prescribe to God what he shall speak ; receiving only what accords with their own preconceived opinions, and rejecting every thing that is not accommodated to their carnal ap- prehensions. They do not read the Scriptm-es to learn …
370 wordsSECTION 214232 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1973.
than any that can be adduced for any other record under heaven. As a remedy, it appears exactly suited to the necessities of fallen man, providing wisdom for the ignorant, righteousness for the guilty, sanctifica- tion for the polluted, and redemption for the bond- slaves of sin and Satan. It is further recommende…
366 wordsSECTION 2151973.] Appeal To Men Of Wisdom And Candour. 5333
it, and to shew that, at least in our own judgment, there is such a reasonableness in all our doctrines as must of necessity commend itself to every candid inquirer. We wish not one sentiment to be em- braced, without a firm conviction of its truth : we wish every word we utter to be brought to the test of Script…
370 wordsSECTION 216234 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1973.
In executing this important duty we shall do well to observe the following rules ; namely. To form our judgment with care — To exercise it with candour — and To implore of God the enlightening and sanctifying influences of his Spirit, that we may be preserved from error, and be guided into all truth. We must, in…
376 wordsSECTION 2171973. J Appeal To Men Of Wisdom And Candour. 235
truth that place and that measure of importance which seem to be given to it in the sacred voknne. Were this mode of investigating the Holy Scriptures more generally adopted, there would be an end of almost all the controversies which agitate and distract the Christian world. The very disposition of mind which wo…
366 wordsSECTION 218236 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1973.
must be expected therefore, that some diversity of sentiment will remain in reference to religion, as well as on every other subject under heaven. Aware of this, we should form our judgment with diffidence, especially on those points where men of piety have differed from each other. We should consider our- selves…
769 wordsSECTION 219238 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1973.
instructions of Paul, but the teachings of the Holy- Spirit, to render them effectual : " Consider what I say/' says St. Paul to him ; '^ and the Lord give thee understanding in all things." This need of divine teaching we are all by nature averse to acknowledge. One of the last things that we are brought to conf…
379 wordsSECTION 220On The Corruption Of Human Nature.
the Spirit, let us examine every part of God's word. Let us in particular desire to be conformed to the word as far as we understand it ; and then there is no fear but that we shall be guided into all truth, as far at least as shall be necessary for our own personal welfare, and for the transforming of our souls i…
307 wordsSECTION 221210 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1974.
fallen creature, guilty, polluted, helpless. The know- ledge of this lies at the root of all true religion. In proportion as this is seen and felt, will the provision made for our recovery by Jesus Christ be valued : and in proportion as persons either overlook, or maintain in theory only, this truth, the whole pl…
350 wordsSECTION 2221974.3 Corruption Of Human Nature. 241'
In like manner we concede that persons may be moralhj good, not merely in comparison of others, but to a certain degree really and substantially so : that is, a person may possess by nature such a mea- sure of candour, and benevolence, and integrity, as almost to put to shame those who profess to have been renewe…
370 wordsSECTION 223242 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1974
might be supposed, that the universal fruit of our fall should be contrition, and self-Iothing, and self- abhorrence ; and that, a way having been revealed for our restoration to God's favour, we should be occupied day and night in the grateful contempla- tion of it, and in the pursuit of so inestimable a blessin…
374 wordsSECTION 2241974.J Corruption Of Human Nature. 243
When a nature is so depraved^ as ours from the foregoing statement appears to be, there can be no disposition to any thing truly and spiritually good : on the contrary, there must be an aversion to what is good, and, in consequence of that, an incapacity to engage successfully in the prosecution or performance of…
379 wordsSECTION 225244 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1974.
is altogether destitute of every thing that is truly and spiritually good, and altogether prone to evil ; though, in respect of the visible fruits of evil, there is a con- siderable difference between one and another. We say too that man is incapable of doing any thing that is truly and spiritually good ; but that…
370 wordsSECTION 2261974.] Corruption Of Human Nature. 245
perhaps, to refer to a passage where an inspired Apostle is estabhshing the very point in question. Look we then to the third chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, and let us hear what he says. He is proving that all mankind, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under sin ; and in support of his asser- tions he b…
369 wordsSECTION 227246 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1974.
article, intitled " Original or Birth Sin," it is said, " Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the fault and corruption of eve?'i/ man that naturally is engen- dered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and is…
380 wordsSECTION 2281974.'] Corruption Of Human Nature. 247
with candour, and doubt what the sentiments of our reformers were on these subjects. But we will bring the matter still nearer home, and agree to have the point determined by every man's own experience. Let every one of us look back to the earliest period of his life, and see what have been his dispositions towar…
389 wordsSECTION 229248 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1974.
great reward.' Do this ; do it, not for a constancy, but only for the remainder of this day ; and then will we confess, that all that we have spoken is a libel upon human nature, and that man is neither so cor- rupt nor so helpless as the Scriptures and the writings of our reformers have represented him. Whatever …
370 wordsSECTION 2301974.] Corruption Of Human Nature. 219
Indeed it is not a mere sigh that the occasion calls for ; nor is it a few heartless acknowledgments that will suffice : the very best of us has need to smite on his breast with anguish of heart, and to cry from his inmost soul, God be merciful to me a sinner ! Nothing less than this will in any respect answer the…
692 wordsSECTION 2311975.3 On The New Birth. 251
* Ninth Sunday after Trinity. 1 Cor. X. 15. / speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. THE subject to which we would now draw your attention, and which is most intimately connected with that of our fallen state, and of our depravity by nature, is the doctrine of the New Birth. It lias been already shewn, that w…
432 wordsSECTION 232252 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1975.
respecting our sentiments, we shall begin with stating what we do ?iot mean, when we insist upon the doc- trine of the new birth. It is supposed by many, and indeed affirmed by some, that we require a sudden impulse of the Holy Spirit, which, without any co-operation on the part of man, is to convert the soul to …
402 wordsSECTION 2331975 1 ^^ ^"^ ^^^ Birth. 253
human being can determine; but that " God gives us both to will and to do," we are certain, since " every good and perfect gift cometh down from him." But at the same time we know, that man does and must " work out his own salvation with fear and trembling;" and so far is the Divine agency from being a reason for…
362 wordsSECTION 234254 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1975.
heart, and exhibited in the whole of the life and con- versation. Before we proceed, we will beg leave to ask, Is this, or is it not, a reasonable statement and a rea- sonable requirement ? I speak as mito wise men ; and I call upon you to judge, as in the sight of God, whether these requirements can justly be br…
376 wordsSECTION 2351975. J On The New Birth. 255
our Lord, with repeated asseverations, says to Nico- demus, " Verily, verily, I say unto thee. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God^" These declarations of our Lord to Nicodemus are peculiarly strong ; because the import of them can- not with any appearance of reason be explained away. So…
364 wordsSECTION 236256 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1975.
Israel, and knowest not these things?" Nicodemus might have well replied, ' Yes, I am a master in Israel, and yet know not these things : for how should I know them ? Where are they revealed ? What is there in the writings of Moses or the prophets that should have taught me to expect so much from bap- tism ? God …
353 wordsSECTION 2371975.] On The New Birth. 257
to them, and the Holy Spirit in a more abundant measure communicated to them, we should not dis- agree with them. If they meant that infants dedicated to God in baptism may and sometimes do (though in a way not discoverable by us, except by the fruits) receive a new nature from the Spirit of God in, and xvith, an…
362 wordsSECTION 238258 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1975.
Whether in your consciences you can affirm such things of baptism ; and. Whether, if you cannot, the new birth must not be a thing very different from baptism ? I will even abide by the testimony which every individual must give of himself: you have all been baptized : but have you all overcome the world ? Are yo…
768 wordsSECTION 239J260 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1975.
h Rom. ix. 4. These expressions are doubtless strong ; and so are St. Paul's expressions respecting the benefits of cir- cumcision : and every blessing which he asserts to have been conveyed by circumcision, we may safely and truly apply to baptism. By the very admission of persons into covenant with God, they ar…
393 wordsSECTION 2401975.] On The New Birth. 261
itself does not communicate it now, any more than in the apostohc age. Simon Magus was baptized ; and yet remained in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity, as much after his baptism as he was before. And so it may be with us : And this is an infallible proof, that the change, which the Scriptures call …
355 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1833); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.