PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 16 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 269,554 words · 584 reading sections
2Gp. 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1975.
Next, they make it irresistible ; for the child can- not withstand the power of the priest. Next, they make it zvithout any co-operation on our part ; for the child is wholly passive. Next, they make it arbitrary according to the will of man ; who may hasten it, or delay it, or prevent it, exactly as he pleases :…
353 wordsSECTION 2421975.1 ^N The New Birth. 263
of the doctrine which requires men to seek from God an entire change both of heart and hfe ; and declares them to be incapable of entering into the kingdom of heaven till they have experienced this change ? Its tendency manifestly is to awaken men from their slumbers in the way of sin, and to stir them up to seek…
751 wordsSECTION 2431975.] On The New Birth. 265
k Rom. ix. 6. 1 Gal. vi. 1'). '" Rom. ii. 28, 29. sufficient : but he will say, ' Depart, I never knew you : My words were plain enough, if you had desired to understand them ; but you did not choose to let go your beloved lusts; you did not choose to give yourselves up to me in newness of heart and hfe; and ther…
356 wordsSECTION 244On Justification By Faith.
1 Cor. X. 15. 7 S2)eak as to wise men; judge ye lohat I say. IF there be any one question of more importance than all others, it is this, " How shall a man be just with God?" Many errors in relation to other points may be entertained in the mind, and yet our final salvation not be affected by them : but an error i…
345 wordsSECTION 2451976. J On Justification By Faith. 267
Gospel, as having by his own obedience unto death ob- tained eternal redemption for us. To him we are com- manded to look as to the propitiation offered for the sins of the whole world : and we are assured, that, on our doing this with penitence and faith, "we shall be justified from all things, from which we coul…
396 wordsSECTION 246268 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1976.
their opinions, in any plausible manner, with the statements of St. Paul. Let one passage suffice to settle this point. It is said (where the point in ques- tion is expressly debated), " If Abraham were justified by zoorks, he hath whereof to glory." But what works could the Apostle mean ? Those of the ceremonial …
347 wordsSECTION 2471976.1 On Justification By Faith. 269
II. What evidence we have that this is the only true v\^ay ? Under the former of these heads we will distinctly examine. What was the way of salvation dictated by the moral law ? what by the ceremonial law ? what was proclaimed by the prophets ? what by our Lord Jesus Christ himself? and what was maintained by h…
381 wordsSECTION 248270 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1976.
given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law : but the Scripture hath concluded (hath shut vp) all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to all that believe. Wherefore the lazv was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith^T Next, l…
385 wordsSECTION 2491976.] On Justification By Faith. 271
through his all-atoning sacrifice ? Verily, if we make no better use of the explanations given us in the New Testament than to refine, and cavil, and obscure the truth, we had better go at once, and learn of a poor ignorant Jew : for there was no Jew so ignorant, but, when he saw that rite performed, could tell yo…
380 wordsSECTION 2502'2 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1976.
spoke them ironically. We are persuaded that our Lord would not have indulged in irony or sarcasm on such an occasion, and least of all towards one whom " he loved *^." The meaning of his answer was ; " Come, and follow me in all that I command you, and you shall gradually be guided into all truth." And the comma…
393 wordsSECTION 2511976.1 On Justification By Faith. 273
neither is there salvation in any other : for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved V Of St. Paul it is scarcely needful to speak. Only let a man, desirous of know- ing the truth of God, read with an unprejudiced mind the Epistles to the Romans and the Galatians, and he c…
395 wordsSECTION 252274. 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1976.
St. James's argument, we shall see that he does not at all contradict St. Paul. St. James is writing to some who were disposed to abuse St. Paul's doctrine of justification by faith only ; who " said that they had faith 1," but had no works to support their claim. These he tells that their faith was dead, and no …
396 wordsSECTION 253.1976.1 ^N Justification Bv Faith. 275
faith is counted for righteousness : even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness xvithotit works ; saying. Blessed are they whose iniquities are for- given, and whose sins are covered : blessed is the man, to whom the Lord will not impute sin^" We regret that we h…
353 wordsSECTION 254276 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1976.
minutely ; and to shew, first, that this alone accords with the character given of the true Gospel; and, next, that this alone is suited to our condition as fallen sinners. As to the marks which characterize the Gospel, one of peculiar importance is, that it magnifies the grace of God. We are told by St. Paul, th…
385 wordsSECTION 2551976.1 On Justification By Faith. 277
" If," says he, " salvation be by grace, then it is no more of works ; otherwise grace is no more grace : but if it be of works, then it is no more of grace ; otherwise work is no more work'." Hence he else- where says, *' It is of faith, that it may be by grace :" and again, " Christ is become of no effect unto y…
404 wordsSECTION 256278 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1976.
boast ;" and there will be an end of all further argu- ment on this subject. One more mark of the Gospel salvation is, that it secures the 'performance of good works^. The grace of God, that bringeth salvation, teaches us, that, deny- ing ungodhness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godl…
398 wordsSECTION 2571976.^ O^ Justification By Faith. 279
will " work by love," and '' overcome the world," and " purify the heart." What if the works it produces be not to be rehed on for our justification before God ? Is it nothing that they will be adduced in the day of judgment as the evidences of our love to Christ, and as the measure of our everlasting reward ? Is …
361 wordsSECTION 258280 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1976.
But it may be said, that of those offences zee repent. Be it so : still our tears can never wash out the guilt we have already contracted. Even in human govern- ments, a criminal that is under sentence of death may be truly sorry that he has transgressed the laws, and may determine never to repeat his crimes any m…
427 wordsSECTION 2591976.] On Justification By Faith. 281
But if you cannot find one such work, then see how unsuitable to your state is the doctrine for which you contend. Perhaps it will be said, that God does not require of us imperfect creatures any thing that is perfect, but only that we be sincere. But who will venture to make his own sincerity the ground of his s…
389 wordsSECTION 260282 1 Corinthians, X. 15. [1976.
confidence about the justness of your views : now you can discuss these matters as if it were of little moment what your sentiments are, or what is the ground of your affiance. But if you hold fast any of the foregoing delusions, you will not find them so satisfactory in a dying hour as you now imagine. Doubts li…
379 wordsSECTION 2611977."] True Wisdom And Charity. 283
not the Son shall not see life ; but the wrath of God abideth on him^" " He that believeth and is bap- tized shall be saved ; but he that believeth not shall be damned *^." Both of these declarations were uttered by our blessed Lord himself when on earth ; and he will not forget them, when he shall come again to …
315 wordsSECTION 262284 1 Corinthians, X. 32, 33. & Xl 1. [1977.
1 Cor. X. 32, S3, & xi. 1. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God : even as I please all men in all thi?igs, not seeking mine own profit, hut the profit of many, that they may he saved. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ, CHRISTIAN morals, in their sub…
394 wordsSECTION 2631977.] True Wisdom And Charity. 285
were never intended but as types and shadows, which were to vanish when the substance should appear. There were not in those rites any essential qualities, either of good or evil. They derived all their force from their having been divinely appointed; and, of course, they lost all their force when that appointment …
476 wordsSECTION 264286 1 Corinthians, X. 32, 33. & Xl 1. [1977.
consciences of others, and lead them by our example to do what their own consciences condemned, we should abstain from the most innocent indulgence, as long as the world shall stand*. The rule given in relation to all such matters is, " We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to pleas…
423 wordsSECTION 2651977.1 True Wisdom And Charity. 287
will have a tendency to promote the salvation of others? If any self-denial or forbearance on my part can advance, in the remotest degree, the salvation of a weak brother, I will die rather than gratify myself at his expense.] That this is no extravagant requirement, will ap- pear if we consult, III. The examples…
428 wordsSECTION 266288 1 Corinthians, X. 32, 33. & Xl 1. [1977.
to the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak : I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some*^." Here you see, not only what his constant habit of life was, but the principle by which he was actuated throughout the whole ; preferring the "winning" of men to Christ, and the " savi…
439 wordsSECTION 2671977.1 True Wisdom And Charity, 289
yourselves. You must consider, under all circumstances, how you may best advance the welfare of men's souls; and then act as in the sight of God, so as most to promote that great object. That is what Christ did, when he left the bosom of his Father, and died upon the cross : and in so doing you will fulfil those i…
413 wordsSECTION 268Mdcccclxxviii.
THE DESIGN AND IMPORTANCE OF THE LORD's SUPPER. 1 Cor. xi. 24, 26, This do in remembrance of me for as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. THE Corinthians had shamefully profaned the Lord's supper. St. Paul reproves them, and rectifies their views of that ordi…
693 wordsSECTION 269292 1 Corinthians, Xi. 27, 29. [1979.
® If a man had contracted any ceremonial defilement, or were on a journey, he might omit eating the passover at the appointed time ; only he must eat it a month afterwards. But if he forbore to eat of it without any such impediment, God said concerning him, " That soul shall be cut oif, that man shall bear his sin.…
454 wordsSECTION 2701979.1 Eating And Dkinking Our Damnation. 293
1 Cor. xi. 27, 29. Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, umvorthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord .... For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. THE more excellent any thing is, the greater is…
414 wordsSECTION 271294 1 Corinthians, Xl 27,29. [1979.
be as carnal as they. A want of spirituality and affiance in Christ makes our service carnal ; nor can such a service be acceptable to Him who will be worshipped in spirit and in truth.] To attend at the Lord's table in such a manner is no slight or venial offence. 11. The consequence of so doing — The consequen…
468 wordsSECTION 272296 1 Corinthians, Xi. 28. [1980.
ON THE PREPARATION REQUISITE BEFORE THE LORd's SUPPER. 1 Cor. xi. 28. Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. GOD is a holy and jealous God, and greatly to bo feared : in all our approaches to him we should be filled with awe ; but a want of reverence prevails among the…
538 wordsSECTION 273No Knowledge Of Christ But By The Spirit.
To assist in the discharge of this duty we shall shew, III. The subjects which we should then more espe- cially inquire into — We should examine ourselves respecting, 1. Our knowledge of the ordinance — [To come without a proper discernment is dangerous ^ We should inquire what we know of the nature and ends of …
306 wordsSECTION 274298 1 Corinthians, Xii. 3. [1981.
influence, wrought " signs and lying wonders" in confirmation of their word. Amongst behevers themselves also, there were some, who made a very unbecoming use of the miraculous powers with which they were endowed, priding themselves upon them, and exerting them rather for the furtherance of their own glory, than …
373 wordsSECTION 2751981. J Christ Known Only By The Spirit. 299
contemplated, they are " to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness :" and " the natural man neither does, nor can, receive them^"] 2. With a just sense of its importance — [Supposing the mysterious truths of Christianity to be admitted from the force of reasoning alone, the importance of them c…
804 wordsSECTION 2761982."] Operations Of The Holy Spirit. 301
3. How thankful we should be for the smallest measure of his influence — [If we have been taught truly and from our hearts to say that Jesus is the Lord, we then have certainly received the Holy Ghost; since it is by his gracious influence alone that we *> John i. 18. and xvii. 26. ' John xv. 26. and xvi. 14. ^ M…
292 wordsSECTION 277302 1 Corinthians, Xii. 11. [1982.
1 Cor. xii. 11. All these worketh that one and the self -same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. THE Corinthian Church was richly endowed with gifts : but the persons so endowed were not pro- portionably enriched with grace. Hence their gifts in too many instances administered only to strife and …
593 wordsSECTION 2781982.1 Operations Of The Holy Spirit. 3(K)
" that one and the self-same Spirit," the Third Person in the ever-blessed Trinity. And here we wish it to be distinctly- noticed, how repeatedly that adorable Person is mentioned as the author of all the gifts : "To one is given, by the Spirit, the word of wisdom ; to another, the word of knowledge, by the same S…
499 wordsSECTION 279304- 1 Corinthians, Xii. 11. [1982.
have entered into the mind of man. The members of the Co- rinthian Church composed all one body in Christ: and tlieir respective tuk-nts, whether of a higher or inferior order, were committed to them by the Spirit of God, not for their own use or honour, but for the good of the whole : God himself in the whole of …
451 wordsSECTION 2801982.] Operations Of The Holy Spirit. 305
to Daniel, wisdom ; to Paul, zeal and love. Whence was it that these were so eminent for those particular graces by which they were severally distinguished ? Whence was it that a few poor fishermen were chosen to be the depositaries of divine knowledge in preference to any of the Scribes and Pharisees, or any of t…
475 wordsSECTION 28130G 1 Corinthians, Xii. 13. [1983.
Church even to the present hour. To him therefore must we look. Let us suppose the present assembly to be in the very state in which that assembly was on the day of Pentecost ; our eyes as blind, our hearts as hard, yea, our hands yet reeking with the Saviour's blood : must we despair ? No : He, who converted thou…
281 wordsSECTION 2821983.] Christians One In Heart. 307
1 Cor. xii. 13. By one Spirit are we all baptized into one hody, whether we he Jews or Gentiles, tvhether we be bond or free ; and have been all made to drink into one Sjnrit. IT has been said, to the reproach of Christianity, that the professors of it have no union amongst them- selves, either of sentiment or aff…
517 wordsSECTION 283308 1 Corinthians, Xii. 13. [1983.
the same office, there would be no more a body : if all were an eye, or an ear, it must soon cease to exist, for want of such powers as the other parts of the body supply. There is nothing in the body either superfluous or defective. It needs no addition : in truth, it admits of no addition : and if it suffer defa…
405 wordsSECTION 2841983.] Christians One In Heart. 309
may be some difference amongst different persons, just as there is a distinctive difference of features and complexion amongst persons of different countries ; but in all essential matters they are alike. There are some points of doctrine wherein good men are not agreed ; in points, for instance, of a Calvinistic …
465 wordsSECTION 285310 1 Corinthians, Xii. Ij. [1983.
of men to Christ, even in the remotest quarters of the globe, is a matter of deep interest to the real saint : and the declen- sion of any is with him a source of grief and pain. And if he can administer to the welfare of any, he accounts it a high privilege to exert his influence for that end. A true believer has…
482 wordsSECTION 286Gifts And Graces Compared.
and bj him be filled with all the fulness of God"^. Come, then, to the table of the Lord, that ye may receive " a supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ" !" for " He has the residue of the Spirit"," and will send Him to you from the Father p, in answer to your prayers'). Come, all of you ; and ye shall par- take mor…
361 wordsSECTION 287312 1 Corinthians, Xii. 31. [1984.
the judicious exercise of their miraculous powers ; but yet told them, that there was an object far more M^orthy of their ambition; namely, charity, which was the sum and substance of all Christian perfection. He does not altogether blame their desire of useful gifts : on the contrary, he says^ *' Covet earnestly …
686 wordsSECTION 288314 1 Corinthians, Xii. 31. [1984.
b 1 Cor. xii. 4, 7—11. ' Eph. iii. 9. have been a slow process, if they had to bear down their adversaries with the mere force of reason ; and to convince them would have been a difficult under- taking : but the performing of miracles superseded, if not entirely, yet in great measure, these laborious efforts, and…
368 wordsSECTION 2891984.1 Gifts And Graces Compared. 315
now the substitute for those gifts : and by learning must we labour to attain the ends for which those spiritual gifts were formerly bestowed; namely, to acquire the hioivledge of religion ; to attaiii a facility of diffusing it; and to maintain it agai?ist all its adversaries. By learning we must attain the know…
370 wordsSECTION 290316 1 Corinthians, Xii. 31. [1984.
it may well be doubted, whether the insph'ed volume will ever be fully understood, unless a Spirit of inspiration be again vouchsafed to unfold it to us. Nor is learning at all less necessary for the diffu- sion of sacred knowledge. We admire and revere the memory of one favoured servant of God^, who, possessed a…
364 wordsSECTION 2911984.1 Gifts And Graces Compared. 317
be pleased to restore to his Church those powers which for so many centuries have been withdrawn. Nevertheless, whilst, as becomes me, I exalt amongst you the importance of learning, it is proper that I proceed to point out, in The second place. The infinitely greater value of spiritual graces. " Covet earnestly …
362 wordsSECTION 292318 1 Corinthians, Xii. 31. [1984.
of it. But, then, it does nothing towards the sancti- fying of the heart, or the improvement of the soul in heavenly dispositions : on the contrary, it is too often found to operate precisely as the spiritual gifts did at Corinth, to the engendering of pride and envy, of conceit and jealousy, of hatred and maligni…
371 wordsSECTION 2931984.] Gifts And Graces Compared. 319
see the difference between the learned Saul and the pious Paul, and we shall behold this matter in its true light. I may here add, that learning, how beneficial soever it may be to some, has but few objects, com- paratively, with whom it can come in contact. The learned only can appreciate its worth, or make a du…
379 wordsSECTION 294320 1 Corinthians, Xii. 31. [1984.
translation of the word ; and that, instead of being a reproof, saying, " Ye do covet" (and covet impro- perly) the best gifts, it is a co?icession. " Covet ear- nestly the best gifts ;" for that is an ambition, which, if duly exercised, I cordially approve. I observed, that this view of the word had an important …
351 wordsSECTION 2951984.3 Gifts And Graces Compared. 321
as this way is, " I have shewn you a more excellent way," and would most earnestly exhort you to walk in it. The way of charity is indeed a more excellent way ; and it may well regulate you, even in the pro- secution of your studies. You will remember that the Apostle says, " Covet earnestly the best gifts." And …
364 wordsSECTION 296The Importance Of Christian Charity.
advance the welfare of men and the honour of your God. You will not consider it sufficient to attain gifis, however great and splendid, when you recollect how empty and worthless they are without charity. The Apostle says, " Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not charity, I am be- come as…
338 wordsSECTION 2971985.] The Importance Of Christian Charity. 323
the primitive believers, tended greatly to fix their attention on the truths that were delivered, and to confirm the faith of those who heard them. On the other hand, these gifts were attended with some dis- advantages ; inasmuch as they gave rise to an unholy emulation in the persons who possessed them, and an u…
402 wordsSECTION 298S24> 1 Corinthians, Xiii. 1—3. [1985.
which these powers had been imparted, and trampled upon that principle of Christian love, which was of more value than all the powers that either men or angels could possess. Besides, all the properties which in this chapter are ascribed to love, shew it to have man, and man alone, for its object. And those who in…
502 wordsSECTION 2991985. J The Importance Of Christian Charity. S25
are principles in our fallen nature capable of producing these effects in men who have never received one atom of the grace of God, or felt one spark of true charity. Many thousands of our fellows-subjects in India are awful examples of this truth; men reducing themselves to the most wretched state of want and mis…
420 wordsSECTION 300326 1 Corinthians, Xiii. 1—3. [1985.
tramples habitually on all the duties of the second table, is an absurdity too glaring for any one seriously to maintain. If we are destitute of love to man, we cannot possibly be possessed of love to God. Now then, we would ask, in what light must that man be viewed who has no love to God? Of what value are his g…
489 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1833); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.