PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 16 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 269,554 words · 584 reading sections
2023.1 The Way Of Reconciliation With God. 531
for your justification ; and the benefits of both are offered you freely, without money and without price. All that is necessary to your reconciliation on God's part, is already done by Jesus Christ : and all that remains to be done on your part; is to receive gratefully what God offers freely. Truly this is, if I …
403 wordsSECTION 482The Grace Of God Not To Be Received In Vain.
2 Cor. vi. 1, 2. fFe then, as workers together ivith him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee : behold, now is the accejited time ; behold, now is the day of salvation. " THE grace of Go…
683 wordsSECTION 483534 2 Corinthians, Vi. 1, 2. [2024.
To impress this exhortation the more deeply on yom- minds. We will call your attention to, II. The considerations by which it is enforced — The Apostle urges his request — 1. From the written word — [" Whatsoever was written aforetime, was written for our learning, that we throug^h patience and comfort of the Sc…
739 wordsSECTION 484534 2 Corinthians, Vi. 1, 2. [2024.
That this subject may be yet further impressed upon your minds, consider, 1. How v^^onderful this grace is — [The more we consider the gift of God's only-begotten Son to assume our nature, and to expiate our guilt by his own blood, the more shall we be lost in wonder, love, and praise And shall all this be done i…
253 wordsSECTION 485The Character Of A Christian Minister.
"2 Cor. vi. 4 — 10. In all things approving ourselves as the mifiisters of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in neces- sities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in ivatchings, in fastings ; hy pureness, by knoio- ledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by l…
348 wordsSECTION 4862025.] Character Of A Christian Minister. 537
he submitted with unconquerable " patience." Those two words (" afflictions" and " patience") may be con- sidered as comprehending the whole, which in all that follows is branched out into a variety of particulars. Bearing that in remembrance, there will be found a cli- max throughout the whole. It will be proper …
433 wordsSECTION 487538 2 Corinthians, Vi. 4—10. [2025.
stantly upon his lips; and it was attended always, in a greater or less degree, by " the power of God" to the souls of men: whilst, in consequence of being clad with " the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left," he was enabled to defy all the assaults, whether of men or devils. At the same time…
462 wordsSECTION 4882025. J Character Of A Christian Minister. 581)
Let us conceive of the Apostle as set apart to this office by Almighty God, and, as informed, at the very time of his appointment to it, " how great things he should suffer" for his Master's sake ; and let us fur- ther bear in mind, that all who are in every age ordained to the office of the ministry are called to…
487 wordsSECTION 489540 2 Corinthians, Vi. 4—10. [2025.
[There was nothing in the Apostle's experience which we ourselves are not, according to our measure, called to undergo : and we ourselves must approve ourselves servants of God, pre- cisely in the same way as he " approved himself a minister" Jn degree, our trials may differ from his; but in suhstajice they will b…
689 wordsSECTION 490Paradoxical Experience.
2 Cor. vi. 10. As sorroivful, yet alway rejoicing ; as poor, yet making many rich ; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. THEY who form their opinions on mere outward appearances, will almost invariably err. But in no- thing will they be more mistaken, than in their judg- ment of the Christian state. …
579 wordsSECTION 4912026.] Paradoxical Experience. 543
II. How rich he is in Christ — With respect to this, every Christian is on the same footing with the Apostle himself — 1. He has an inexhaustible fulness of all good — [Is not he rich, that has reconciliation with God; and that has " all his iniquities cast into the depths of the sea ?" Is not he rich, that has l…
394 wordsSECTION 492544 2 Corinthians, Vi. 11-13. [2027.
part, arc increased, in proportion as other comforts are with- drawn "i. Let Christians then shew by their contempt of this world, that the}' are born from above ; and prove in the midst of all their tribulations, that they possess indeed the magnanimity imputed to them.] 2. How pitiable is the state of unconvert…
333 wordsSECTION 4932027.1 Effects Of The Gospel In The Heart. 545
2 Cor. vi. 1 1 — 13. 0 ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, hut ye are straitened in your own boicels. Now, for a recom- pence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) he ye also enlarged. THE ministers of the Gospel sustain an office cha- racterized i…
420 wordsSECTION 494Vol. Xvi. N N
5Mi 2 CORINTHIANS, VI. 11—13. [2027. In the discharge of this high office they have many difficulties to encounter — [The Apostle here, with astonishing enlargement, sets them forth, and adduces them as evidences of his fidelity to God and man. He had " approved himself as a minister of God " in the diversity and…
460 wordsSECTION 4952027.1 Effects Of The Gospel In. The Heart. 547
partakers of the same benefit. This hope it was that made him so indefatigable in all his labours, and so invincible under all his sufferings. And I may safely say, that the same blessed hope will ani- mate every faithful minister to tread in the Apostle's steps, and to be a follower of him, as he was of Christ.] …
399 wordsSECTION 49654S 2 Corinthians, Vi. 11—13. [2027.
be instrumental to the advancing the Redeemer's kingdom upon earth ? — — ■ — ] 4. Let your sacritices for it be alike welcomed — [By the cross of Christ, in which St. Paul gloried, " the world was crucified to him, and he unto the world*^:" and he regarded all that it contained, just as a man dying on a cross wou…
455 wordsSECTION 497Separation From The World Enjoined.
2 Cor. vi. 14 — 18. Be ye not unequally yoked together loith unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? and what communion hath light with dark- ness ? and what concord hath Christ zvith Belial ? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel ? and what agree- ment hath the tem…
354 wordsSECTION 498550 2 Corinthians, Vi. 14—18. [2028.
I. What is that separation from the world which Christianity requires — It must be confessed, that the expressions in our text are often quoted and urged in too unqualified a manner, and without a due consideration of the dif- ference between the heathen world, amongst whom the Corinthians dwelt, and the professe…
387 wordsSECTION 4992028.] Separation From The World Enjoined, 551
[Under the law, men were forbidden to sow their fields with different kinds of seed, or to wear clothes that were formed of different kinds of materials, as of woollen and linen : nor were they to yoke together an ox, which was a clean animal, with an ass, which was unclean*^. The import of these different laws wa…
692 wordsSECTION 5002028.1 Separation From The World Enjoined. 553
Such being the separation from the world which Christianity requires, we proceed to shew, II. Whence the necessity for it arises — On this part of the subject the Apostle speaks very fully : and, because of the perfect conviction of his own mind, he addresses us in a way of appeal, deter- mining to make us judges…
682 wordsSECTION 501554 2 Corinthians, Vi. 14—18. [2028.
Nor will this separation be thought painful, if only we bear in mind — III. The honour which God will confer on all who steadfastly maintain it — The people of the world, in order to retain the believer in a state of bondage, hold out to him the benefits of which a separation from them will de- prive him — [The…
440 wordsSECTION 5022028.] Separation From The World Enjoined.. 555
but you are infinitely more likely to be injured by them, than to impart any solid benefit to them\ They must come to you ; not you to them. To attempt to unite with them is folly and madness. You do not meet on equal terms. There is nothing that they will not say and do to draw you from God : but they will not su…
510 wordsSECTION 503Sanctification Wrought By The Promises.
2 Cor. vii. 1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all pithiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. CHRISTIANITY, if viewed aright, is a remedy suited to the necessities of fallen man. Man has lost both the favour and the image of God: and th…
345 wordsSECTION 5042029.] Sanctification By The Promises. 557
spirit," we understand, those sins which are more independent of the body, and have their proper residence in the mind ; as pride, envy, malice, wrath, revenge ; discontent, covetousness, deceit; impenitence, unbelief, and numberless other evils. But from all of these we are to be cleansed. If one be re- tained wi…
476 wordsSECTION 505558 2 Corinthians, Vii. 1. [2029.
patience and meekness, his compassion and love towards the children of men, even towards his most inveterate enemies : these are to be the dispositions which we are to cultivate, and in which we are to grow up even to perfection'. Whatever we have attained, we are to "forget it all, and press forward for more*^," …
430 wordsSECTION 5062029.] Sanctification By The Promises. 559
God promise to " dwell and walk in us" as in his temple? Does he engage to " be our God," as much as if there were no other creature in the universe besides ourselves that had any interest in him? Does he declare that he will both " receive us," and act towards us, as the most indulgent Father towards his own belo…
511 wordsSECTION 507560 2 Corinthians, Vii. 1. [2029.
Spirit of promise ^" When applied to the soul by him, they have, if I may so speak, a buoyancy, bearing up the soul to high and heavenly things. We know that we, by filling a capacious vessel with air of a lighter species, can cause it to rise by its own buoyancy, and to soar above the clouds : how much more then …
471 wordsSECTION 5082029.] Sanctification By The Promises. 561
righteousness, and seeking to be saved by grace alone, we shall never have so much as one of them fulfilled to us^ Nor is the legal Christian in reality building on any better foundation than the self-righteous formalist : for, though he does not profess to found his hopes on his ovs^n righteousness, yet he looks …
507 wordsSECTION 509The Grounds Of A Minister'S Regard For His People.
I must entreat all then to shun this deadly heresy ; and to search and try themselves, and see what effect the promises have produced upon them ; for, as God is true, " without holi- ness shall no man see the Lord."] 3. Those who are seeking the end by the appointed means — [Shall you fail of success ? Assuredly …
370 wordsSECTION 5102030.] Grounds Of A Minister'S Love. 563
declare his innocence with respect to the things that were laid to his charge. But fearing that, in doing this, he might appear to cast a reflection indiscrimi- nately on the whole body, he adds, with exquisite tenderness and affection, that, so far from intending to condemn them all, he was wilhng, if his other d…
379 wordsSECTION 511564 2 Corinthians, Vil 3. [2030.
[He boasted of them wherever he went : he held them up as peculiarly worthy of imitation*^: and so great was the satis- faction which he felt in hearing of their welfare, that it far over-balanced all the sufierings he endured. What clearer proof could he give of his affection for them ?] 2. His faithful admonitio…
435 wordsSECTION 512Repentance Exemplified In The Corinthian Church.
heirs of his glory. And the Lord grant that we may then be your joy, and that you may be " our joy and crown of re- joicing" to all eternity"!] " 1 Thess. ii. 19, 20. and 2 Cor. i. 14. 2 Cor. \'ii. 10, 11. Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salva- tion not to be repented of : hut the sorroiv of the world worketh …
332 wordsSECTION 513566 2 Corinthians, Vii. 10, 11. [2031.
We shall take occasion, from the words before us, to trace repentance, I. In its nature — [Repentance, as a grace, proceeds from God, the giver of every good giff^, and from Christ, who is exalted to bestow it*^ ; and who alone can produce in the heart that " godly sorrow which worketh it." To ascertain what god…
434 wordsSECTION 5142031. J Repentance Exemplified. 667
shall be foi-given him He goes to God with love in his heart, determining to justify God in whatever he shall do, yea, even in his own eternal condemnation Now this sorrow worketh repentance to salvation : it disposes a man to search out all his sins, and to humble himself for them in dust and ashes : it urges him…
444 wordsSECTION 515568 2 Corinthians, Vii. 10, 11. [2031.
sin of which they were repenting, or be drawn aside again to any similar enormity. They "vehemently desired" pardon of God for their past transgression, and grace, that they might be enabled to act with more consistency in future. They were animated in this with a " zeal" which nothing could damp, and with a " rev…
469 wordsSECTION 516Liberality To The Poor.
Let us exanaine throrouglily the effects of our sorrow, and see whether they accord with those which were produced in the Church at Corinth ? Can we appeal to God, that we have " approved ourselves to he clear in this matter," so that there is no room to doubt whether our repentance be genuine or not ? If God were…
409 wordsSECTION 517570 2 Corinthians, Viii. 1—5. [2032.
Paul well understood, and bore, as it were, in con- stant remembrance. Not that he on any occasion acted with artifice : no ; his caution was the result of his own exquisite delicacy and holy refinement : and his success in affecting the minds of others bore ample testimony to the wisdom of his measures. He was a…
392 wordsSECTION 5182032.] Liberality To The Poor. 571
it was in this very state, and under these circumstances, that the Macedonian Churches exerted themselves for the relief of persons belonging to a different and distant country, of per- sons too, who, though agreeing with them in the profession of Christianity, differed widely from them in many points of sub- ordi…
474 wordsSECTION 519572 2 Corinthians, Viil 1—5. [2032.
without it. Every thing emanating from it has " an odour of a sweet smell, and is a sacrifice truly acceptable and well- pleasing to God." At the same time they openly and boldly confessed Christ before men : " They gave themselves to the Apostle and to the Church, by the will of God." They were not timid Christi…
432 wordsSECTION 5202032.] Liberality To The Poor. 573
to him. " With the heart man believeth unto righteousness ; but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." " If we will be Christ's disciples indeed, we must take up our cross daily and follow him :" we must follow him " without the camp, bearing his reproach :" and so far must we be from dreading his cros…
496 wordsSECTION 521574 2 Corinthians, Viii. 7, 8. [2033.
You cannot personally perform all the offices that are executed by those who have undertaken to dispense your charity*' Nor will it be necessary for you to *' pray others with much entreaty " to be your agents ; since a number of suitable persons have voluntarily devoted themselves to this good work. Let me then …
339 wordsSECTION 5222033.] Liberality To The Poor Recommended. 575
2 Cor. viii. 7, 8. As ye abound in every thing, i?i faith, and utterance, and knoivledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. THOUGH there is no such t…
465 wordsSECTION 523576 2 Corinthians, Viii. 7, 8. [2033.
confirmed in you ; so that ye come behind in no gift ; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ*^." So again, after the high eulogiura which he had given them in my text, he tells them, in the very next chapter, that all who had heard of their liberality " both prayed for them and longed after them for the …
428 wordsSECTION 5242033.] Liberality To The Poor Recommended. 577
1. Because he wished them not to be outdone by others — [He had said of the Macedonians, that " they, out of their deep poverty, had abounded unto the riches of liberality^." Now, shall the rich Corinthians be exceeded by the poor and afflicted Macedonians ? God forbid. It would be a disgrace to them to be found …
462 wordsSECTION 525The Grace Of Christ.
Brethren, let me, in conclusion, entreat you, 1. To merit this commendation — [Verily, if the Christian world at large were addressed in such terms as these, it would be as keen a satire as the most malignant infidel could utter But I must say, that if you answer not, in some measure at least, to this character, …
359 wordsSECTION 526,2034. J The Grace Of Christ. 579
unreserved obedience. This was the consideration by which St. Paul enforced his exhortations to libe- rahty when writing to the Corinthian Church : and it will be universally operative, wherever it is under- stood and felt. In discoursing on this subject we shall not enter in a general way into our fall, and our …
396 wordsSECTION 527580 2 Corinthians, Viii. 9. [2034.
2. The humiliation to which he submitted — [It was a marvellous act of grace that he should conde- scend to form creatures, and to give them a sight of his blessedness and glory. But that he should notice them after they had left their first estate, and despoiled themselves of their original righteousness, this wa…
497 wordsSECTION 5282034."] The Grace Of Christ. 581
in some poor measure to comprehend its unexplored heights, its unfathomable depths^!] 3. The objects for whom he interposed — [It was not for angels, the highest order of created beings., that Jesus interested himself, but for man : he passed by them, and deigned to notice us^. But was there any thing in us more …
452 wordsSECTION 529582 2 Corinthians, Viii. 9. [2034.
enjoyment of God. Moreover, to all the blessings of grace and peace he determined finally to add that of everlasting glory. He determined, not merely to remove our poverty, but to make us " rich." And in order to see how rich he makes his people, contrast for one moment the state of Dives in hell, crying in vain f…
447 wordsSECTION 5302034.1 I'He Grace Of Christ. 583
and that laying aside, as it were, for a season that glory, he become a man, and lived and died for you ; that by his atoning blood he might reconcile you to God, and by his all- perfect righteousness he might obtain for you a title to an heavenly inheritance. You believe that if ever you possess the felicity of h…
465 wordsSECTION 531584 2 Corinthians, Viii. 13—15. [2035.
necessary for the attainment of divine knowledge ? What are all earthly sciences in comparison of " the grace of Christ V St. Paul, the most learned man of his day, " accounted all things but dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord^" And you also, if you estimate things aright, will never…
284 wordsSECTION 5322035.] Liberality Encouraged. 585
2 Cor. viii. 13 — 15. I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened : but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abun- dance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: as it is written. He that had gathered much had nothing over ; …
527 wordsSECTION 533586 2 Corinthians, Viii. 13—15. [2035.
hand, what bereavements have been suffered, from fire, from inundation, from reverses in trade, from the failure of others, from war, from civil commotion, or even from sickness, which has incapacitated men for their proper duties ! ] And what do these call for at our hands ? [Are the rich to sit down satisfied, a…
420 wordsSECTION 5342035-1 Liberality Encouraged. 587
on the care of heaven. If tempted at any moment to repine, they learn to say, ' " Shall a living man complain ? " If I had my desert, it is not bodily sustenance that I should want, but a drop of water to cool my tongue in hell I see the birds, that plow not, nor sow, nor gather into barns, have food in due season…
477 wordsSECTION 535588 2 Corinthians, Viii. 13—15. [2035.
the exceeding grace of God in you." And then he adds, with a heart overflowing with gratitude to God, " Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift^l" Now, if there were no such inequalities, there would be no scope for the rectifying of them ; and, consequently, none for the adorations and thanksgivings offered u…
432 wordsSECTION 536The Benefit Arising From Attention To The Poor.
sparingly, shall reap also sparingly ; and he that soweth boun- tifully, shall reap also bountifully '"." Nor is it unwise for you to consider what changes may yet occur with respect to your own temporal condition : and how much you yourselves may hereafter need relief from the very persons you now relieve. In thi…
375 wordsSECTION 537590 2 Corinthians, Ix. 12—15. [2036.
divided into districts ; in each of which, two persons, one of each sex, are appointed to superintend their immediate vici- nity, to inquire into such cases of distress as may come within their knowledge, and to afford them such reUef as their imme- diate necessities may seem to require. As in such seasons the ear…
416 wordsSECTION 5382036. 3 Benefit From Attention To The Poor. 591
acceptable at such a season, what must the poor man feel at the unexpected and unsolicited attentions of a perfect stranger ! But conceive the poor man now for the first time led to call upon his God ; now instructed in the knowledge of a Saviour; now blessed with the first dawn of spiritual light, and begotten to…
471 wordsSECTION 539592 2 Corlnthians, Ix. 12—15. [2036.
a despicable reward ? But consider how such benefactors are loved by the objects whom they relieve ; " how greatly they are longed after for the exceeding grace of God in them." How do the poor people count the hours, and almost the minutes, when these kind friends are expected to arrive ! Truly this is a great ho…
472 wordsSECTION 5402036.J Benefit From Attention To The Poor. 593
" thanksgivings abound to Him ;" and the person who perhaps thought nothing of his God before, now adores him and mao-- nifies him from his inmost soul. This is the only tribute that man can pay to his Maker : but it is " a sacrifice most pleasing unto God."] Conclusion — [We now call upon you all to adopt the la…
504 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1833); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.