PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 16 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 269,554 words · 584 reading sections
1985.1 The Importance Of Christian Charity. 327
ment, (the very end for which the law was given, and which it was principally intended to effect,) is charity, out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned*^:" and this end not being answered, the whole law is made void. Again ; St. Paul says, that " all the law is fulfilled in one word, e…
501 wordsSECTION 302328 1 Corinthians, Xiil 4—7. [1986.
2. Of ascertaining our state in relation to it — [Often should we bring ourselves to the touchstone, to try what our state is before God. We have seen how high we may be in the estimation of men, whilst yet we are nothing in the sight of God. Perhaps there are no persons more eminent in their own eyes, than tliose…
340 wordsSECTION 3031986.] A Description Of Charity. 329
1 Cor. xiii. 4 — 7. Charity svffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed zqi, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her otvn, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil ; rejoiceth not in imquity, hut rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all thin…
422 wordsSECTION 304330 1 Corinthians, Xiii. 4—7. [1986.
long, and is kind :" from whence we may see that charity in us is of the same nature with charity in God ; or, in other words, that it is a conformitij of heart to God, whose name and character is love^. It is yet further observable, that there is, in the original, a marked difference between the mode in which th…
398 wordsSECTION 3051986.] A Description Of Charity. 331
it him, and are disposed to detract from his merits, and to reduce him to a level with ourselves, we are actuated by the hateful principle of envy, and, in that instance at least, are destitute of the sublimer principle of love,] 2. Pride : " Charity vaunteth not itself ; is not puffed up ; doth not behave itself …
447 wordsSECTION 306332 1 Corinthians, Xiii. 4—7. [1986.
the good of others'; and to become the servants of all for Christ's sake*^, sacrificing our just rights^ abridging our un- questionable liberty'", and accommodating ourselves either to the wishes or the prejudice of others'^, for the better pro- motion of their welfare. This is charity : but whereinsoever se/f pre…
459 wordsSECTION 3071986.1 A Description Of Charity. 383
how universally prevalent is this malignant disposition ! Has any person, especially one whom we have regarded as a superior or a rival, done any thing whereby he has lowered himself in the estimation of mankind ? with what pleasure do we listen to the tale! what gratification do we feel in circulating the report!…
427 wordsSECTION 308334. 1 Corinthians, Xiii. 4—7. [1986.
hastily all manner of evil would be directly contrary to love. In the things which we either see or hear, there must of necessity be a great deal which cannot come under our observation. Acts are visible ; but the motives which lead to them are hid from us. Results too may be visible ; but all the circumstances th…
491 wordsSECTION 3091986.1 A Description Of Charity. 335
of ultimately benefiting his soul, we can bear up under his ill treatment with much long-suffering and forbearance. This at least is the proper effect of love; as we see in St. Paul, who says, " I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."…
662 wordsSECTION 3101986.1 A Description Of Charity. 335
3. How thankful should we be for the rich pro- visions of the Gospel ! [Who amongst us could stand, if we were to be justified only by our obedience to this law ? Who would venture his salvation upon it, even for one single day? Alas ! "in many things we all offend :" there is not a human being who does not come …
669 wordsSECTION 311338 1 Corinthians, Xiii. 9—12. [1987.
a Matt. xi. 27. ^ Jer. xvii. 9. « Eph. iii. 8. ^ Eph. iii. 18, 19. day-time ? Even so the light within us, and the light without, will add nothing to the brightness of the objects in heaven, or to the clearness of our perception of them, when once we shall behold them in their " perfect" state.] But this will rec…
782 wordsSECTION 312310 1 Corinthians, Xiii. 13. [1988.
2. In what hght we should regard this present life — [This is a state of childhood ; and, as children are educated for the purpose of acting their part as men upon earth, so should we be preparing daily to act our part in heaven. We should now be searching into all those truths which will there be more fully reve…
367 wordsSECTION 3131988. J Faith, Hope, And Charity, Compared. 341
1 Cor. xiii. 13. Jnd noiv ahideth faith, hope, charity, these three ; but the greatest of these is charity. THE scope of the whole chapter is, to shew the superiority of Christian love or charity to all the gifts that were so erroneously estimated, and so ostentatiously displayed, in the Church of Corinth. In the…
759 wordsSECTION 3141988.1 Faith, Hope, And Charity, Compared. 343
2. Of hope— [This is a less comprehensive grace than faith : for faith has respect to every thing that is revealed, whether past, pre- sent, or future ; and to things evil, as well as good : whereas hope respects futurity only, and only that which is either really, or in its own conception, good. It is also a less…
655 wordsSECTION 3153U 1 Corinthians, Xiii. 13. [1988.
g Ps. xxvii. 13. h Heb. xi. 26, 35. i Rom. viii. 24, 25. ^^ 1 Cor. xv. 58. Gal. vi. 9. consequently, the existence of this grace in the soul most assi- milates us to Christ, " in whom was no sin, and in whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." Nor should it be overlooked, that the production of love in …
472 wordsSECTION 3161989.] Christ A Dying And A Risen Saviour. 345
faith only : but by love we must prove the truth of our faith. We must not imagine, that, because love is greater than faith, we are therefore to be saved by love. The eye is more excel- lent than the ear ; but it cannot on that account perform the office of the ear, nor supersede the necessity of hearing, in orde…
359 wordsSECTION 317Christ A Dying And A Risen Saviour.
1 Cor. XV. 1,2. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel zvhich I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and ivherein ye stand ; hy which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory ivhat I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. SCARCELY had the good seed of the Gospel been sown in the …
443 wordsSECTION 3181989.] Christ A Dying And A Risen Saviour. 347
goat that had been slain ^. Both the one and the other had also been subjects of prophecy ; his death being foretold in all its minutest circumstances and his resurrection being fixed to a precise time after it, even the third day, before any change towards corruption should have taken place upon his body". What …
427 wordsSECTION 319348 1 Corinthians, Xv. 1, 2. [1989.
of our own existence. We must be thoroughly established in these great and fundamental truths. To question either the one or the other of them in any degree, were little better than to renounce Christianity altogether. We must receive it also as suitable, yea, as exactly suited to our necessities. We must feel tha…
475 wordsSECTION 3201989.] Christ A Dying And A Risen Saviour. 319
III. The benefits that will accrue to those who duly receive it — St. Paul says of them, that " they were saved by it :" and this benefit we confidently assure to all who embrace the Gospel with their whole hearts. 1. They shall be brought into a state of accept- ance with God — [When our Lord gave his Disciples…
455 wordsSECTION 321350 1 Corinthians, Xv. 1, 2. [1989.
salvation ;" for the Gospel still is, no less than in the Apostolic age, " the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth."] We would IMPROVE this subject, 1. In a way of inquiry — [Have you received this Gospel as you ought ? We ask not whether you have a mere notional and speculative belief of it …
448 wordsSECTION 322All Of Grace.
forth judgment unto victory." He has said that "of those who have been given him he will lose none ;" and he is faithful who hath promised. " Fear not ; only believe : and according to your faith it shall be unto you."] 1 Cor. XV. 10. Bt/ the grace of God I am what I am. EVERY one, however exalted, may find points…
306 wordsSECTION 323352 1 Corinthians, Xv. 10. [1990-
[View him in his first conversion, and there can be no doubt but that the mercy vouchsafed to him was all of grace. He was a bitter persecutor of the Church of Christ. He was a volunteer in this bloody service : and, of his own accord, sought from the Jewish Sanhedrim a commission to search out, even in a foreign …
497 wordsSECTION 3241990.] All Of Grace. 353
we not a "carnal mind that is enmity against God?" Do we not_ " walk according to the course of this world, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind ? " and are we not all " children of wrath, even as others?" What then is there in us that can operate as a motive with God to bestow his grace upon us rat…
457 wordsSECTION 325354 1 Corinthians, Xv. 10. [1990.
to lead to a total disregard of all moral virtue. Let us then inquire into, 1. Its source — [Does it indeed proceed from pride ? Those who cannot endure the thought of God's sovereignty, will affirm confi- dently that it does : and in reference to all who maintain the doctrine of election, they will exclaim, " Th…
462 wordsSECTION 3261990.] All Of Grace. 355
or is a deeper sense of obligation to God likely to produce in any mind a less disposition to fulfil his will ? Surely its proper tendency is the very reverse of this, even to foster in us every holy disposition towards both God and man. Towards God — a sense of our entire dependence on his sovereign will, and of …
474 wordsSECTION 327356 1 Corinthians, Xv. 17, 18. [1991.
the grace of God : " By the grace of God I am what I am." What then must they do who are yet afar off from God, and have no part with the Apostle either in his privileges or attainments? Let them seek grace from God: let them not trust in their own goodness or strength, but look simply to the Lord Jesus Christ, th…
320 wordsSECTION 3281991.1 Necessity Of Christs Resurrection. 357
THE NECESSITY OF CHRIST's RESURRECTION. 1 Cor. XV. 17, 18. If Christ he not raised, your faith is vain ; ye are yet in your sins : then they also tvhich are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. THE wisest among the heathen philosophers could not speak with any certainty respecting the future existence of the sou…
431 wordsSECTION 329358 1 Corinthians, Xv. 17, 18. [1991.
not by sight : he lives upon a Saviour whom he has never seen with his bodily eyes, and receives a supply of every want out of his fulness. By faith we view- Jesus as a surety: we consider him as having dis- charged our debt : this is the ground on which we hope that our sins shall never be put to our account. We…
655 wordsSECTION 330360 1 Corinthians, Xv. 17, 18. [1991.
The next consequence that would follow upon a denial of Christ's resurrection would be, that we should be yet in our sins. It is the believer's privilege to be free from sin, and to stand in the presence of God without spot or blemish. But this removal of his sins depends upon various circumstances, which are gro…
527 wordsSECTION 3311991.1 Necessity Of Christs Resurrection. 361
of our sins entirely depended ; so that if Christ be not risen, we must be yet in our sins. Once more : The removal of our sins depends on our Lord's execution of his office. Our Lord under- took the offices of Prophet, Priest, and King; and though he did in part fulfil these offices on earth, yet he fulfilled th…
396 wordsSECTION 332S62 1 Corinthians, Xv. 17, 18. [1991.
and as he commends himself to the Divine protec- tion when he hes down upon his bed, so he commits his departing spirit into his Saviour's hands, and falls asleep in Christ ; and while his body lies mouldering in the dust, his soul is carried by angels into Abra- ham's bosom : but if Christ be not risen, all who …
701 wordsSECTION 333S64' 1 Corinthians, Xv. 17, 18. [1991.
say that Stephen was not an eminently pious man ? Was he not chosen out by the people, because he was full of faith and the Holy Ghost ? Was he not endued with peculiar gifts, insomuch that his adver- saries could not resist the spirit and wisdom with which he spake ? Did he not also manifest a peculiar excellenc…
771 wordsSECTION 334366 1 Corinthians, Xv. 17, 18. [1991.
Lastly. We see from hence how happy is the state of true believers ! The resurrection of Christ, which is the foundation of all their hopes, is proved beyond a possibility of doubt : the very means taken to con- ceal it are among the most convincing proofs of its reality. On the very same basis, your hopes are fo…
409 wordsSECTION 335Adam A Type Of Christ.
you with these dehghtful words, " Come, thou blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for thee, from the foundation of the world!" 1 Cor. XV. 22. As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. THE fall of man in Adam, and his recovery in Christ, comprehend the whole circle of Divine trut…
347 wordsSECTION 336368 1 Corinthians, Xv. 22. [1992.
to the eternal death, we see it not : but if we believe the word of God, we can have no doubt, but that thousands are descend- ing daily into those dread abodes, where not so much as one ray of hope can ever enter.] Nor is it less clear that " in Christ shall all be made alive"— [Christ was sent into the world to…
442 wordsSECTION 3371992.] Adam A Type Of Christ. 369
way, or, iu other words, must be chargeable with Adam's guilt. This is tlie Apostle's own statement ; and his conclusion is irresistible''. Christ in the same manner was the head and representative of the elect world : what he did and suffered, he did and suffered in our place and stead ; " he, who knew no sin, be…
444 wordsSECTION 338370 1 Corinthians, Xv. 31. [1993.
come";" and Christ, in reference to him, is called the second Adam P. Both of them were the representatives of their re- spective seeds; but, blessed be God! not with the same suc- cess : the one destroyed, the other saves, the souls committed to him. Let us then renounce, as far as possible, our con- nexion with …
367 wordsSECTION 3391993.1 Dying Daily. 371
1 Cor. XV. 31. I jjrotest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. THERE were many in the apostolic age who denied the resurrection of the dead*. St. Paul, in a ver. 12. opposition to them, maintained the truth of that doctrine. In confirmation of his word, he asserted that he himsel…
418 wordsSECTION 340.'>T2 ] Corinthians, Xv. 31. [1993.
like the gladiatoi's, who were to engage in renewed combats till they died*^. In truth, he was regarded only as " the filth of the world, and as the ofF-scouring of all things;" fit only to be sacrificed for the pacifying of a daemon, or for the removal of a common plague^. Thus " he was in jeopardy every hour of …
448 wordsSECTION 3411993.3 Dying Daily. 373
profess godliness." That there is no such persecution now, as existed in the apostolic age, is certain ; and, consequently, the preachers of the Gospel exercise not their ministry so much at the peril of their life : but there is as much need of zeal now as ever: and the servants of God are as much bound to be fai…
478 wordsSECTION 342374 1 Corinthians, Xv. 31. [1993.
is a strong presumptive proof of a future resurrec- tion— [A few enthusiasts may be supposed to be carried forward to strange excesses of zeal, even in a bad cause. But to act and suffer as the Apostles did, could not be general amongst pious Christians, if they were not animated by a hope beyond the grave : and …
406 wordsSECTION 343The Shamefulness Of Being Ignorant Of God.
1 Cor. XV. 34<. Some have not the knowledge of God : I speak this to your shame. KNOWLEDGE is the foundation of all acceptable obedience. We must know whom we are to serve ; and why we are to serve him ; and what are the ser- vices that he requires at our hands. Hence the Scrip- tures represent us first as " rene…
332 wordsSECTION 344376 1 Corinthians, Xv. 34. [1994.
not merely a speculative knowledge of him that we ought to possess, but such a knowledge as produces suitable emotions in our minds. The devils could say to our Saviour, " We know thee who thou art:" and in like manner they are ac- quainted with all the perfections of Jehovah ; but their know- ledge is unattended …
478 wordsSECTION 3451994.] Shamefulness Of Being Ignorant Of God. 377
Of many things we may all be ignorant without any imputation on our character. But to be desti- tute of the knowledge of God is a shame to all, because it is, 1. The most excellent of all knowledge — [The knowledge of philosophy is a very valuable acqui- sition : but it is not to be compared with the knowledge of…
474 wordsSECTION 346Death A Conquered Enemy.
[There are many things which men have- not a capacity to learn. But even the weakest of men may attain the know- ledge of God, if they will seek it in God's appointed way. Our Lord returns thanks to his heavenly Father on this very ac- count, " because the things which he has hid from the wise and prudent, are rev…
423 wordsSECTION 3471995.1 Death A Conquered Enemy". 879
THE doctrine of the resurrection was altogether unknown to the heathen world, and but imperfectly known even to the Jews themselves. The idea of bodies, once mouldered into dust and scattered over the face of the earth, being ever restored, and re- united to their kindred souls, appeared so visionary, as to be wh…
369 wordsSECTION 348380 1 Corinthians, Xv. 51—58. [1995.
But in due time they shall assuredly triumph over it— [It is the body only that death can reach : it cannot affect the believer's soul : and it is for a time only that it can affect the body. When once the last day shall arrive, there will be an end of that empire which death has so widely extended. The bodies of…
457 wordsSECTION 3491995. J Death A Conquered Enemy. 381
child of man, " The soul that sinneth, it shall die." And this law cannot be set aside: it is as immutable as God himself: and hence it is that sin is itself so powerful, and invests death also with such power over our fallen race.] But the Lord Jesus Christ has taken away our sin — [He has put himself in our pla…
449 wordsSECTION 350382 1 Corinthians, Xv. 51, 52. [1995.
Let the expectation of this triumph stimulate thee to prepare for it. Prepare for it by, 1. A steadfast adherence to the faith — [Much will thy faith be tried : temptations from without and from within will assuredly assault thee : perhaps even the glorious truths contained in our text may be wrested from thee by…
477 wordsSECTION 3511995.J Death A Conquered Enemy. 383
has said, that " you shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the dead ;" and he will with his own hand bestow the reconi- pence : " nor shall even a cup of cold water given for his sake lose its reward."] Address — [Happy should we be, if death had this aspect upon all, and we had no occasion to change our vo…
532 wordsSECTION 352Christian Counsel.
live as to enjoy the testimony of your own conscience, and so walk, " that you may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless."] 1 Cor. xvi. 13, 14. Watch ye, standfast in the faith, quit you like men, he strong. Let all your tk'mgs he done with charity. OF all the apostolic Churches, not any one seems …
339 wordsSECTION 3531996.1 Christian Counsel. 385
temptations as are peculiar to Christians, whether in their collective capacity as a Church, or in their personal experience as saints. Now Christians, as collected into a society, have many things in their temper and deportment against which it becomes them to guard with all vigilance. Pride, envy, prejudice, unc…
442 wordsSECTION 354386 1 Corinthians, Xvi. 13, 14. [1996.
delight attendant on close intercourse with God ; and a corre- spondent change in the whole tone and temper of his mind will soon follow. In proportion as the eyes are turned from the Lord Jesus Christ to any matters of doubtful disputation, will a stop be put to a progressive transformation of the soul into his b…
456 wordsSECTION 3551996.] Christian Counsel. 387
IV. Persevere with constancy — [This I conceive to be the precise distinction which the Apostle intends between those nearly parallel expressions, " Quit yourselves like men ; be strong^." We are not to suppose that the opposition made to us will be of short con- tinuance. We shall experience it more or less to th…
474 wordsSECTION 356The Guilt And Danger Of Not Loving Christ.
persons, in particular, I would give this caution. You will probably find your greatest enemies amongst those of your own household : and as you must, of necessity, " obey God rather than man," you will be called to shew your fidelity to God in this respect: but do not, under the idea of quitting your- selves " li…
342 wordsSECTION 3571997.1 Guilt Of Not Loving Christ. 389
man," &c. These are in the form of a judicial sen- tence, which we shall, I. Explain — The solemnity with which this sentence is delivered surely bespeaks our most candid attention : but how shall we, in drawing the line between nominal and real Christians, speak with such precision, as neither to discourage the…
419 wordsSECTION 358390 1 Corinthians, Xvi. 22. [1997.
fore a person committed any crime, that would have been punished with death by the Jewish law, the Jews excommu- nicated the offender, and expected that God would visit him in some signal manner ; or at least inflict an adequate punishment upon him at the last day. In reference to this, it should seem the Apostle …
431 wordsSECTION 3591997. J Guilt Of Not Loving Christ. 391
Awful as it is, it will appear both just and reason- able, if we only consider the exceeding sinfulness of not loving the Lord Jesus. This sin imphes, 1. Rebellion against the highest authority — [God has by an audible voice from heaven commanded us to " hear" his Son, that is, to regard him with attention, love,…
448 wordsSECTION 360Mdccccxcviii.
can any punishment short of that denounced in the text, be adequate to such impiety.] Application — [Let us seriously examine into the evidences of our love to Christ ; that if he should ask us, as he did Peter, " Lovest thou me?" we may be able to reply with him, "Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that…
355 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1833); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.