PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 17 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 215,167 words · 500 reading sections
60 Galatians, Ii. 20. [2058.
nor fears arising from it. But are we therefore regardless of the interests of morality? Does not the Apostle himself say, that " he, through the law, was dead to the law ?" Yet what does he conclude from this? That he might live as he pleased? No: he was, " dead to the law, that he might live unto God." And then …
476 wordsSECTION 62Departing From The Simple Gospel.
I confess, that the right eye being plucked out, and the right hand cut off, does imply a considerable degree of pain and self-denial. But we would ask, whether, in those seasons when the in-dwelling operation of Christ is plainly felt, and his unspeakable love in giving himself for you is distinctly seen, the exe…
353 wordsSECTION 6362 Galatians, Iii. 1. [2059.
I. Wherein their disobedience to the truth consisted — The Galatians had formerly " received the truth in the love of it" — [They had entertained the highest respect for him who first evangelized themb; they had been knit to him with the most cordial affection0; they had found much blessedness by means of the Gos…
346 wordsSECTION 642059.] Departing From The Simple Gospel. Gs
ends of Christ's death : he always declared the efficacy of it as an atonement for sin : he earnestly exhorted all to trust in it for their acceptance with God: he had dwelt so much, and in so affecting a manner, on this subject, that the crucifixion of Christ might be said to have been depicted, or even ex- hibit…
371 wordsSECTION 6564 Galatians, Iii. 8, 9. [2060.
also a mixture of pity : he felt deeply in his soul for their spiritual welfare*1; he therefore expostulated with them in order to reclaim them.] Inferences — 1. How great is the evil and danger of self-right- eousness ! [The Galatians intended to honour God's own institu- tions; hut by laying an undue stress up…
288 wordsSECTION 662060.] Tiie Gospel Preached To Abraham. 65
Gal. iii. 8, 9. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the Gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. THE point which St. Paul above all things labours to establish, especi…
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Abraham was informed, that " in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed" — [This was repeatedly declared to him, and at an interval of nearly fifty years a. The full import of this promise was not clearly revealed in the declaration itself; but it was doubtless made known to him by the Spirit of Go…
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grace, but a reward of debt, to which he was entitled, and in which he would to all eternity have had a ground of glorying before God^.] In this promise " the Gospel was preached to him"— [This way of salvation is emphatically and exclusively called " the Gospel" It was glad tidings to Abraham, when taken out of…
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on a perfect equality with the circumcised ; and that, as faith alone was available for Abraham's salvation, so it would avail for the salvation of all who truly relied upon the Promised Seedk. True it is, we are to " walk in the steps of our father Abraham," and not to imagine that we can be saved by a dead inope…
474 wordsSECTION 702060.1 The Gospel Preached To Abraham. 69
the woman should bruise the serpent's head." That persons who have the Scriptures in their hands should speak of this as a new doctrine, is perfectly surprising; since it is written in every page of the sacred volume as with a sun-beam : but that a member of the Established Church should be so ignorant, is yet mor…
486 wordsSECTION 71The Spirituality And Sanctions Of The Law.
worthies like those recorded in the Epistle to the Hebrews, or like the holy Apostles, and shew that they were actuated by a different principle from that of faith in Christ, and then will we confess that the Gospel is not so excellent as it is said to be : but till that is done, we must affirm, that in point of p…
382 wordsSECTION 722001.] Spirituality And Sanctions Of The Law. 71
This was written under the lawa; and it is confirmed to us by the Apostle's citation of it under the Gospel. Now we must remember, that on our perfect obedience to it all its promises are suspended ; and if, in any one instance, even in thought or desire, we fall short of it, we must then be considered as violator…
473 wordsSECTION 7372 Galatians, Iii. 10. [2061-
[We all are under the law. The law was given to man in Paradise. It was written in his heart, when he came out of his Creator's hands. We all, therefore, are under it ; and, consequently, " every mouth must be stopped, and all the world become guilty before Godd." If this inference be not true, I would ask, which …
454 wordsSECTION 742062.] Redemption By Christ. 73
of the law can no flesh living be justified f." St. Paul himself renounced all hope of acceptance with God by any righteous- ness of his own, and sought it solely by faith in Christ g : and so must you, if ever you would obtain mercy at the hands of Godh.] 2. The happiness of those who have obtained an interest i…
341 wordsSECTION 7574 Galatians, Iii. 13. [2062.
Gal. iii. 13. Christ hath redeemed us from, the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. THE law, which subjects all mankind to a curse, is the moral law ; that is principally intended in the passage before usa : it remains unalterable in its de- mands of obedience or punishment. But in the Gospel a remedy is…
420 wordsSECTION 762062. 1 Redemption By Christ. 75
3. Who they are that shall enjoy the benefits of redemption — [Many imagine that, because Christ has died for all, all shall be saved ; but redemption is by no means so extensive as the curse. With respect to heathens we know little how God will deal with them ; but we know what will be his conduct towards the Ch…
402 wordsSECTION 7776 Galatians, Iii. 19. [2063.
Infer — 1 . How great was the love of Christ towards our fallen race ! [That he who was happy in the bosom of his Father should become a curse ! That he should submit to such misery in our place and stead ! Well might that anathema be denounced against the ungrateful11 — Let us then study to " comprehend the hei…
271 wordsSECTION 782063.] The Uses Of The Law. 77
Gal. iii. 19. Wherefore then serveth the law? PERHAPS, of all the subjects connected with re- ligion, there is not one so rarely unfolded to Christian auditories as the law. We are ready to suppose, either that men are sufficiently acquainted with it ; or that it is antiquated, and unnecessary to be known. But th…
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the law ?" that is, * If we are not to be saved by the law, for what end did Moses give us the law ? What end can it answer?' Now, to this inquiry I purpose to address myself. My first point will be, to shew the incalculable impor- tance of the inquiry itself; and then, in my future discourses, to give what I con…
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of the Deity is, and must be, marked in the law, which he has given for the government of his rational creation : and, if we suppose that law to be a perfect transcript of his mind and will ; if we suppose it to extend to every action, word, and thought, and to require, that in the habit of our minds we shall reta…
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of course, proportionally lower our ideas of divine justice, and accommodate our views of it to the standard of human imperfection. Respecting his mercy, also, we may make the same observations. If we suppose the guilt that man has contracted to be beyond all measure and conception great, and the judgments to whi…
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exceeding great ; and that every deviation from God's perfect law brought upon us a curse, an everlasting curse, under the wrath of Almighty God : suppose, too, that the demands of law and justice could never be satisfied without the punishment of the offender, either in his own person, or in the person of an ade-…
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the less there is for him to do within us. And hence it is, that many deny the necessity of his influences altogether, either for the illumination of our minds, or the sanctification of our souls. The truth is, that the whole denial of the doctrine of the Trinity, and of all the doctrines dependent on it — the doc…
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only evil continually :" it is such a sense of this as makes us really to " lothe and abhor ourselves, and to repent before God in dust and ashes." This is that " broken and contrite heart which God will not despise." But where do we find persons penetrated with this contrition, and smiting on their breasts, and …
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blesses his redeeming God, and calls upon all that is within him to bless his holy name. But where do we find this transport ? Where do we see persons oppressed under the weight of the obligations con- ferred upon them ? Were we to behold a person so elevated with joy, or so depressed with a sense of his great un…
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obtained this knowledge of the law, nothing under heaven can prevail upon us to exercise faith with becoming simplicity. As to an entire devotedness of heart to God, as his redeemed people, we shall be equally defective in that also. We shall be contented with a low stan- dard of obedience, and never aspire after…
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investigation of it. I certainly do feel that it is not sufficiently considered by Christians in general ; and that, in comparison of other subjects, it is very rarely discussed. And most assuredly do I know, that an ignorance of it is at the root of all those superficial views and statements, with which the Chris…
360 wordsSECTION 88The Spirituality Of The Law.
Gal. iii. 19. Wherefore tlten serveth the law? WE now enter upon the second part of our sub- ject. We proposed to inquire into the use of the law. But, without entering distinctly into that point, we endeavoured to call your attention to it by an exposition of its vast importance. We were aware that we should ant…
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its use will be in vain ! ' I am aware that this must be first clearly and distinctly stated. I was con- strained, in my former discourse, to pass over this point ; and to assume, that the Apostle was speaking of the moral law. But now, as I then gave you reason to expect, I will address myself to that con- sider…
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were partly moral, and partly ceremonial. It may be asked, then ; In publishing this law, did God intend to set aside the promise ? No : he did not ; and he could not: he could not, because the promise made to Abraham was made to him and to his believ- ing seed, whether of Jews or Gentiles, to the end of the worl…
387 wordsSECTION 912064. "] Spirituality Of The Law. 91
" Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth3!" Further proofs of this point will be adduced in their proper place. What I have here stated is quite sufficient to establish the point proposed ; namely, that the moral law is that chiefly respecting which the Apostle's inquiry is ins…
371 wordsSECTION 9292 Galatians, Iii. 19. [2064.
especially also directed in the words of my text. The Apostle says in my text, " We know that the law is spiritual." Now, that is not true respecting either the judicial or ceremonial law: not of the judicial ; for that was only a code of laws for the regulation of the state, just like any other code of laws that …
380 wordsSECTION 9320G4.] Spirituality Of The Law. 93
words or acts, but must extend to the entire habit of our souls : for, as I have said, the prohibition in- cludes an injunction of all that is contrary to the thing prohibited. We must not only have no other gods besides him, but must love him with all the heart, and all the mind, and all the soul, and all the st…
383 wordsSECTION 9494 Galatians, Iii. 19. [2064.
look, even the looking on a woman to lust after her, is a commission of adultery with her in the heart ; who has not need to humble himself before God, and to tremble for the judgment that awaits him ? The eighth and ninth commandments must be understood as reaching, in like manner, to every in- jury that may be …
365 wordsSECTION 952004. J Spirituality Of The Law. 95
Thus I have, as briefly as possible, marked the spirituality of the law : and sure I am, that all who consider it aright must subscribe to that saying of the Psalmist, " I have seen an end of all perfection ; but thy commandment is exceeding broad," far beyond the reach or comprehension of any finite intelligence…
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it is done in heaven ? Nay, who has come near this standard ? Who has ever come up to it for so much as one day in his whole life ? Again, if we look at the duties of the second table, wherein men are par- ticularly ready to vaunt themselves as innocent, where is there one who has fulfilled all that is re- quired…
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shall we say to the last command ? If even the Apostle Paul was slain by that, who shall stand before it ? Who must not acknowledge, that, times without number, he has been under the influence of irregular and inordinate desires ? and who, under a sense of his guilt, must not put his hand on his mouth, and his mo…
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stone of God's perfect law, have been no better than splendid sins ; or, rather, they have been one con- tinued accumulation of guilt and misery against the day of wrath. If we try ourselves only by the letter of the law, we shall see nothing of this : but if we enter into the spirit of it, and examine ourselves b…
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establishing a righteousness of our oxmi by the works of the law. If God required only an observance of the letter of his law, then indeed we might entertain a hope of this kind. Yet even then, when we reflected on the tenth commandment, we should see how vain and hopeless would be the attempt. But when we see t…
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be the duty of a creature to love and serve his Creator ; and to love, in subordination to him, all the works of his intelligent creation. I must say, then, that this law is unalterable ; and that, if any would obtain righteousness by it, they must obey it per- fectly, from first to last : and as this is impossibl…
377 wordsSECTION 101The First Use Of The Law.
prepared to understand the uses of the law, as they shall be more fully developed in my future discourses. You will not then be ready to exclaim, as otherwise you possibly may, " This is a hard saying ; who can hear it?" You will see that our future statements necessarily grow out of this : and you will find no d…
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The law was originally given to man in Paradise, as a covenant between God and him. It was not, indeed, written in a book ; but it was written on his heart. The terms of it were, that man was to obey whatever God should command ; and then both he and his posterity should live. But if he transgressed in any partic…
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reasonings chiefly, that we gain a clear insight into it. Though published in the form of a covenant, it is not really intended to be a covenant of life to man, nozv in his f alien state : it is intended only to shew him what this covenant is which he is under, and how impossible it is for him to obtain salvation …
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you but " everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." 'b This, let it be observed, is no inference of mine ; but the deduction of the Apostle Paul : for he says, " As many as are of the works of the law, are under the curse." And on what does he ground this sweeping se…
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moment that you ever lived : Are all the powers of your soul called forth in these acts, so that there is no more defect in you than in Adam before the fall ? If this be not the case, you are guilty ; and these your most exalted virtues, instead of being merito- rious in the sight of God, stand in need of his pard…
390 wordsSECTION 106106 Galat1Ans, Iii. 19. [2065.
I am aware that this counsel of the law appears harsh. But it is not really so : nay, it is a statement in which the Israelites of old zvere expected cordially to acquiesce. The very passage which, with some slight alterations, the Apostle quotes in Gal. iii. 10, are contained in the words which the Levites, as G…
390 wordsSECTION 1072085.] First Use Of The Law. 107
Having pointed out this first use of the law, I now come to recommend it in that particular view, and for that express end. It is well known that men have a great propensity to cleave to the law, and to seek salvation by it. This was the besetting sin of the Pharisees of old : " they had a zeal for God, but not a…
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Nebuchadnezzar's vision ; the parts of which could never cohere, nor form any permanent basis for the superincumbent weight. Others rather think to enter into a composition with the Lord, and agree to render him service, if he will impart to them salva- tion. Thus, though they do not expressly unite their merits …
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you not hear how inflexible it is in its demands, and how inexorable in its denunciations ? Alter it you cannot, in any respect ; obey it you must, if you will still found your hopes on it in any measure or de- gree : and therefore it is your wisdom to adopt the determination of St. Paul, and to seek henceforth to…
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he would have found but little reason for his self- preference and self-applause : he would have seen that his boasted righteousness was as defective as that of the poor Publican : and the only difference between the two, supposing the one to have been as good as he imagined, and the other as evil as was supposed…
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I am aware that there has been an aspect of seve- rity about this part of my subject; of severity, which I would gladly have avoided, if it had been com patible with that fidelity which became me. But I speak to an audience who can distinguish between the harsh anathemas of man, and the authoritative declarations…
343 wordsSECTION 1122060.] The Law Brings Us To Christ. 113
Gal. iii. 19. Wherefore then serveth the laiv? WE are now arrived at the second use of the law, which is very strongly pointed out in the passage before us. The law itself has been explained as spi- ritual ; and as extending to the whole of man's duty, whether to God or man. This, as you have heard, was originall…
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it is a better covenant ? And, after all, what it has to do with the subject before us ? To these points I will briefly address myself in succession. What the covenant is, the Prophet Jeremiah will inform us : " Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and w…
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But in what respects is this a better covenant ? It is by God himself called " a better covenant :" and well does it deserve that name ; since, as he tells us, it is " established upon better promises." The cove- nant, so far as it was a national covenant, made with the Jewish people, promised nothing but temporal…
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this that we derive all our hopes both of grace and glory1. You will still ask, What, after all, has this to do with the argument before us ? I answer, It is the covenant which St. Paul declares to have been made with Abraham for the benefit of himself and all his believing posterity ; and which he therefore call…
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justified by faith.'" Hence he concludes, that, "faith being now come, we are no longer under a school- master, but are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." We see, then, what the better covenant is, and wherein its superiority consists ; the one being a covenant of works, and the other, of grace. W…
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never be set aside : in its requirements, and in its sanctions, it is unalterable, even as God himself is. It is holy, and can never abate of its commands ; it is just, and can never mitigate its sanctions ; it is good, and must eternally continue so, whatever may become of those who are subject to its dominion. I…
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come a period when that curse shall end, and the cup which the sinner is doomed to drink of shall be ex- hausted. So also, if a creature, even the highest archangel, were to subject himself to the controul of the law, he could obey only for himself. As a crea- ture, he would be bound to fulfil all that the law has…
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Let me now suppose one to ask, ' But how shall I go to the Saviour ? How shall I obtain an interest in him ? How shall I procure his favour? What would he have me do, in order to recommend myself to him11?' In reply to all these anxious inquiries, our "schoolmaster "gives us this important information : — : You m…
422 wordsSECTION 120122 Galatians, Iii. 19. [2066.
may be made the brightest monuments of his grace. " It was for sinners that he came, to call them to re- pentance:" it was " the lost, and them alone, whom he came to save :" and the more deeply you feel your need of him, the more readily will he receive you to the arms of mercy : for his address to persons in you…
410 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.