PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 17 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 215,167 words · 500 reading sections
374 Ephesians, V. 2. [2114.
none," they may add, " but such as I have, give I unto thee ;" and then may proceed to speak to them of the Saviour, through whom they may obtain all the blessings of salvation. Thus, " though poor, we may make many rich."] 3. Self-denying — [Our blessed Lord " emptied himself of all the glory of heaven," and end…
406 wordsSECTION 362Fatal Consequences Of Indulged Sin.
[Whatever attainments you may have made, you must still be aspiring after higher degrees of lovee. Look at him then, not only as the ground of your hopes, but as the pattern for your imitation. Trace him in all the labours of his love: trace him from heaven to earth, and from earth to heaven : trace him in all tha…
378 wordsSECTION 363376 Ephesians, V. 5—7. [2115.
this, I think that the mention of distinct heads would be an interruption to us, and weaken the impression which the text itself is calculated to convey. We declare then to you, brethren, that sin in- dulged will destroy your souls — [The Scriptures speak of sin under the twofold character, of the " filthiness of…
422 wordsSECTION 3642115.] Fatal Consequences Of Indulged Sin. 377
whether it be in a man of opulence, or in a person of low degree, is equally " idolatry," and will infallibly exclude a man from the kingdom of God. As for all the pretexts that may be urged either for this or for uncleanness, they are but " vain words," that will " deceive you," to your eternal ruin. Look and see…
461 wordsSECTION 365A Consistent Walk Enjoined.
[Blessed be God ! your state is not hopeless, though you may have fallen into sin. For at Corinth there were some who had been guilty of the very transgressions here referred to, and yet had obtained mercy through Christ: " Such were some of you," says St. Paul ; " but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye …
369 wordsSECTION 3662116.] A Consistent Walk Enjoined. 379
not preserve them. Their safety is in watchfulness and prayer : in watchfulness, that they give not occasion to Satan to inflame their souls with evil : and in prayer, that, as soon as any spark shall light upon them, it may be extinguished. To all, without exception, of whom it may be said, " Ye were some- times…
413 wordsSECTION 367380 Ephesians, V. 8. [2116.
St. Paul assures us, that it was once his own state, no less than that of others f and therefore we may be sure that it is common to all. Indeed a very little knowledge of mankind will convince us, that " the whole world lieth in wickednessg," and unconverted men are not only dark, but " darkness" itself, even dar…
427 wordsSECTION 3682116.1 A Consistent Walk Enjoined. 381
the unconverted world pursue ; as the Apostle tells us in the words following our text : " The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth." Whilst the ungodly indulge in all the fore-mentioned iniquities, our conduct is to be the very reverse of theirs. In opposition to all unholy tempers1,…
469 wordsSECTION 369382 Ephesians, V. 8. [2116.
peace. Nor is it merely on some particular occasions that they obey his voice : they do it constantly, and without re- serve : " they delight to do his will;" and " run the way of his commandments with enlarged hearts." This characterizes the angels around the throne : and it distinguishes also the children of the…
475 wordsSECTION 3702117.] Practical Christianity. 383
2. Those who have an evidence in themselves that it has been wrought in them — [However the world may despise it as enthusiasm, there are many who have " passed from death unto life," and " been brought out of darkness into marvellous light." O rejoice in the Lord, who hath done such great things for you ! And no…
261 wordsSECTION 371384 Ephesians, V. 9. [2117.
Eph. v. 9. The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth. THERE is in the minds of many a prejudice against the writings of St. Paul, as though they con- tained nothing but dissertations about predestination and election, and were calculated rather to drive people to despondence than to…
489 wordsSECTION 3722117. J Practical Christianity. 38
towards others as we, in a change of circumstances, should think it right for them to do unto us. There is in the heart of man a selfishness, which disposes him to see every thing with partial eyes ; magnifying his own rights, and overlooking the rights of others. This disposition the Gospel will subdue and mortif…
409 wordsSECTION 373386 Ephesians, V. 9. [2117.
Godg. True indeed, having been " baptized into Christ," we are become, by profession, branches of the living vine. But then we are only as dead and withered branches, that can pro- duce no fruit ; and will shortly be broken off, and cast into the fire11. It is the Spirit alone who engrafts us into Christ, as livin…
453 wordsSECTION 3742117.] Practical Christianity. 887
It must be confessed, that in many natural men there are found virtues very nearly resembling the graces before spoken of. There is in many a very diffusive benevolence, a strict regard to equity, and a high sense of integrity : and you will reasonably ask, How are these to be distinguished from those things whic…
427 wordsSECTION 375388 Epi1Estans, V. 9. [2117.
in the esteem of others, is the height of his ambition. But the Christian desires that God, and God only, may be glorified. He seeks not applause from man : he cherishes no fond con- ceits of his own superior excellence : much less does he go about to establish a righteousness of his own, wherein to stand before G…
448 wordsSECTION 37621 18. J An Exhortation To Careless Sinners. 389
of them. There is a great difference in the natural constitu- tions of men ; so that we cannot absolutely say, that a person, comparatively moral, is therefore a spiritual man. This must be learned rather from the conflicts he maintains, and the vic- tories he achieves, under the influence of the Holy Spirit. And,…
327 wordsSECTION 377390 Ephesians, V. 14. [2118.
Eph. v. 14. Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. THERE is a harmony in the Scriptures which many overlook and destroy : detached passages are often wrested to establish a favourite system3. But a Calls to duty are supposed to imply the sufficiency of man to do the w…
696 wordsSECTION 378392 Ephesians, V. 15, 16. [2119.
Comfort — [A sense of guilt shall yield to holy joyz: deplored weak- ness shall be succeeded by divine energy a. Our delight in him shall be spiritual and exalted1': it shall far transcend all earthly pleasures0.] Glory— 1 See Matt. xii. 10, 13. The man with the withered hand was unable to stretch it forth ; but…
279 wordsSECTION 3792119.] Redeeming The Time. 393
Eph. v. 15, 16. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. WHILE the Christian has so many corruptions within, and temptations without, he needs to be con- tinually urged to vigilance and activity in the con- cerns of his soul. It was to the sain…
606 wordsSECTION 380394 Ephesians, V. 15, 16. [2119.
[We should consider what it is that has robbed us of our precious hours, and guard particularly against it. Has pleasure allured us by its charms ? We should renounce its gratifica- tions, as far as they interfere with our spiritual welfare. Has business too much occupied our time ? We should apportion to it what …
408 wordsSECTION 381The Believer Filled With The Holy Ghost.
a reason for vigilance and circumspection : for if they might so quickly be called to give up their account to God, it became them to be ever on their guard, and ever ready. Our lot, through the tender mercy of our God, is cast on happier clays : we are not exposed to the fury of persecutors : the utmost that we s…
383 wordsSECTION 382396 Ephesians, V. 18—20. [2120.
state, been proverbially dissolute ; and the Ephesians, even in their religious rites on some occasions, had addicted themselves to intemperance : and both the one and the other brought with them into the Church their former sentiments and habits, against which they needed the most explicit warnings b. On the oth…
388 wordsSECTION 3832120.] Tiie Believer Filled With The Holy Ghost. 397
all our faculties and powers subjected to bis controul. By him our understandings may be enlightened; so that we shall view every thing, in a measure, as God himself views it. By him, too, our will may be regulated ; so that it shall be conformed to the mind and will of God. By him, also, our affections may be so …
465 wordsSECTION 384398 Ephesians, V. 18—20. [2120.
Lord1'." We should have a happy and peaceful frame of mind, whether alone or in company ; and should be expressing our joy in songs of praise. Not that we should resemble those, whose spirits, being raised with wine, entertain themselves, and each other, with vocal and carnal songs: no; we should " make melody in …
450 wordsSECTION 3852121.] The Marriage Union. 399
Do not, I beseech you, brethren, take your own experience as the standard of truth, or imagine that no one else can possess what you have never received : but look to God for the accom- plishment of his gracious promises to your souls s ; and never rest, till you have obtained those supplies of his Spirit, whereby …
279 wordsSECTION 386400 Ephesians, V. 21—33. [2121.
Eph. v. 21 — S3. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own hus- bands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the tvife, even as Christ is the head of the Church : and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the Church is subject unto Christ, so l…
540 wordsSECTION 3872121. J The Marriage Union. 401
light peculiarly simple and beautiful. He compre- hends both under one single term : " Wives, submit : Husbands, love."" Thus far we are prepared to ap- prove of his requisitions ; the duties respectively belonging to the two parties-being generally acknow- ledged. But, if I should proceed to place these requisit…
370 wordsSECTION 388402 Ephesians, V. 21—33. [2121.
as Christ is the Head of the Church. And I hope I shall not appear to speak too strongly, if I say, that there is no other limit to her submission to her earthly lord, than to her heavenly ; unless he require any thing that is contrary to the will of God : for then she must yield to that authority which is paramou…
391 wordsSECTION 3892121.] The Marriage Union. 403
beforehand whose judgment should preponderate, and whose will should stand, there might be collisions, which might painfully interrupt domestic harmony. But God, having required unqualified submission on the part of the wife, has cut off all occasion for dis- cord ; I may almost say, all possibility of it, where …
381 wordsSECTION 390404 Ephesians, V. 21—33. [2121.
Now, let us suppose a husband to act on this prin- ciple : let us suppose him ready to exercise self- denial, to the utmost possible extent, for the good of his wife : let us suppose him so to pant after her happiness, as to be willing to do any thing, or suffer any thing, in order to promote it : let us suppose h…
403 wordsSECTION 391Mmcxxii.
unto Christ : for he has expressly warned us, that " if, in coming to him, we forsake not all that we have, we cannot be his disciples." We must also fulfil his will in every thing, without hesitation and with- out reserve. Obedience to him must be our delight : and if, for a moment, a wish arise in our minds that…
346 wordsSECTION 392406 Ephesians, V. 25—27. [2122.
But the Apostle can never touch upon so glorious a topic as the love of Christ, without expatiating upon it, and being transported, as it were, to a forgetfulness of his proper argument. The view which he here gives us of it, is deserving of peculiar attention. It will lead us to consider, I. The demonstrations w…
391 wordsSECTION 3932 122. J Benefits Of Christ'S Death. 407
people, and he was prepared to pay the price, even though it were his own life. Accordingly he took our nature for the express purpose of offering it up a sacrifice for sin. In that nature he made a full atonement for all our transgressions, and satisfied the utmost demands of law and justice. In short, he so gave…
449 wordsSECTION 394408 Ephesians, V. 25—27. [2122.
2. A participation of his glory — [When sinners are in a measure cleansed with the washing of water by the word, the ministers who have been instru- mental to that change, " espouse them to one husband, and present them as a chaste virgin to Christ'." And while the work of sanctification is advancing in them, they…
425 wordsSECTION 3952123.] Union With Christ. 409
[The word is the means which God in every age has made use of for the recovery of fallen man. By that he converted thousands in the primitive ages of the Church : and by that he is still carrying on his work in the souls of men. Let the Scriptures then be searched by you, not to gratify curiosity merely, or to exe…
332 wordsSECTION 396410 Ephesians, V. 30. [2123.
Eph. v. 30. We are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. THAT the eternal Son of God assumed our na- ture, and lived and died for the salvation of men, is doubtless the fundamental truth on which we are to build our hopes. But we shall have a very partial view of that truth, if we consider it merel…
462 wordsSECTION 3972123. J Union With Christ. 411
we (who had no righteousness) might be made the righteous- ness of God in himg."] 2. Spiritual — [Very much is spoken in Scripture respecting the spiritual union which subsists between Christ and his people. To mark that they stand by him alone, it is compared to a foundation and the superstructure11. To shew tha…
447 wordsSECTION 398412 Ephesians, V. 30. [2123.
1. He has communion with us in all our trials — [One who understands the duties of a husband, and labours faithfully to discharge them, is ever ready to sympa- thize with his partner in her afflictions of whatever kind, and solicitous to the utmost to relieve them. What is done to her, whether it be good or evil, …
465 wordsSECTION 3992123. J Union With Christ. 413
[If we congratulate our friends when they are settled in life with a fair prospect of happiness, shall we not much more congratulate you; you, who by your connexion with Christ are become children of the living Godm? What earthly ad- vancement can be compared with this? Who among the children of men is so wise to …
496 wordsSECTION 400Union Between Christ And His People.
I am hisb." Then shall you have the most delightful fellow- ship with himc: you shall have such manifestations of his regard, as the world can neither know nor receive d : and, when all earthly connexions shall cease, your happiness shall be consummated in the everlasting fruition of his lovee.] b Cant. ii. 16. c …
329 wordsSECTION 4012124.] Union Between Christ And His People. 415
parents and children, masters and servants. That of husband and wife, as existing before all others, is introduced first. He specifies their duties — [He specifies hers to him, and his to her. Her duty to him is comprised in reverence and subjection ; in reverence to him as her head ; in subjection to him as her …
449 wordsSECTION 402416 Ephesians, V. 32. [2124.
draws a similar comparison between Christ's love and tender- ness to his Church, and that which a man should exercise towards his wife. The object he should have in view also, in all the controul which he exercises over her, should be precisely such as Christ has manifested towards his Church ; namely, the advance…
421 wordsSECTION 4032124. J Union Between Christ And His People. 417
exists the same relation as between a man and his ivife. The Lord Jesus Christ is " a Bridegroom, and the Church is his bride." This is the language both of the Old Testament' and the Newk: and between them exists a closer union than ever existed between a man and his wife : for they are, by their union, made " on…
516 wordsSECTION 404418 Ephesians, V. 32. [2124.
too big for utterance, too deep for any finite intelligence to explore. In its practical importance, too, it far surpasses all human comprehension. For to effect this union, is the very end for which the Gospel itself is ministered to man. St. Paul preached through immense regions, from Jerusalem round about unto …
508 wordsSECTION 4052124.] Union Between Christ And His People. 419
white : for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of Gody." Say now, whether any thing can exceed the importance of this mystery? You perceive, that to acco…
474 wordsSECTION 406420 Ephesians, V. 32. [2124.
then, that no unworthiness whatever is, or can be, a bar to your union with Christ, if only you will accept his overtures of love and mercy. Nay, if, after having been by profession united to him, you have dishonoured him by the basest un- faithfulness, still he says to you, " Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that…
487 wordsSECTION 407The Christian'S Strength.
they know into what close connexion ye have been brought to the Lord Jesus Christ, and how " mightily his Spirit has wrought within you :" and they will readily receive the mystery which they cannot see, when they are constrained to acknow- ledge the mystery which they do see. They will be forced to confess that y…
339 wordsSECTION 408422 Ephesians, Vi. 10. [2125.
place the most unlimited confidence in his skill and power. The exhortation being contracted into a very small space, and conveying far more than appears at first sight, we shall consider, first, What is implied in it ; and afterwards, What is expressed. I. What is implied in the exhortation — The first thing th…
672 wordsSECTION 409424 Ephesians, Vi. 10. [2125.
8 Isai. xxix. 11, 12. h 1 Cor. ii. 14. j 2 Pet. i. 16. and Ezek. xx. 49. * Luke xxiv. 4 1, 45. 1 Acts xvi. 14. for™, and assisting him in offering the petitions"." If he be insufficient for this work, it may be hoped ^ he is able to do something. But our Lord tells us, that, without the special aid of his grace, …
431 wordsSECTION 4102125.] The Christian'S Strength. 425
winds were still ; the waves forbore to roll ; the storm that threatened to overwhelm him, became a perfect calm. What then can he not do for those who trust in him ? " Is his hand now shortened, that he cannot save ? or is his ear heavy, that he cannot hear?" Can he not heal the diseases of our souls, and calm o…
369 wordsSECTION 411426 Ephesians, Vi. 10. [2125.
The fulness that is in Christ is treasured up in him for usc, that we may receive out of it accord- ing to our necessities. As he came down from hea- ven to purchase for us all the gifts of the Spirit, so he has ascended up to heaven that he might bestow them upon usd, and fill us, each according to his measure, …
386 wordsSECTION 4122 125. J The Christian'S Strength. 427
give himk. What David thus illustrated, we may see exemplified in the conduct of St. Paul : " If God be for us," says he, "who can be against us?" Who is he that shall condemn me ? (shall the law curse me ? or Satan overcome me ?) I fear none of them ; since " Christ has died, yea rather, is risen again, and make…
362 wordsSECTION 413428 Ephesians, Vi. 10. [2125.
evidence both of Scripture and experience that we cannot succeed ! How much better would it be to trust in that " mighty One, on whom help is laidq!" Learn, brethren, before it be too late, that " without Christ you can do nothing :" that " all your fresh springs are in him1:" and "of him must your fruit be found…
396 wordsSECTION 4142125.] The Christian'S Strength. 429
over all thine enemies g. " Be strong then and very courageous11 :" abhor the thought of indulging a cow- ardly spirit, as long as " God's throne is in heaven1 ;" and assure yourselves, with David, that though your " enemies encompass you as bees, in the name of the Lord you shall destroy themV Lastly, let the vi…
369 wordsSECTION 415Mmcxxvi.
THE MEANS OF WITHSTANDING SATAN's WILES. Eph. vi. 11. Put on the tohole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the iviles of the devil. TO be possessed of courage is not the only requi- site for a good soldier ; he must be skilled in the use of arms ; he must be acquainted with those stratagems which…
330 wordsSECTION 4162126.] Means Of Withstanding Satan'S Wiles. 431
well knew the covetous dispositions of Judas, and of Ananias and Sapphira : when therefore he wanted the one to betray his Master, and the others to bring discredit on the Christian name, he wrought upon their natural propensities, and instigated them with ease to the execution of his willa. Thus he stimulates th…
371 wordsSECTION 417432 Ephesians, Vi. 11. [2126.
him up with pride f, that so he might bring him into the condemnation of the devil5. And with more suc- cess did he assault Peter immediately after the most exalted honour had been conferred upon him ; whereby he brought upon the unguarded saint that just rebuke, " Get thee behind me, Satan ; for thou savourest no…
382 wordsSECTION 4182126-3 Means 0F Withstanding Satan'S Wiles. 433
to lay aside the thoughts of suffering for the sins of men ? his friend Peter must offer him this advice, " Master, spare thyself"1." Thus in leading us to the commission of sin, he will use sometimes the autho- rity of magistrates, of masters, or of parents, and sometimes the influence of our dearest friends or …
380 wordsSECTION 419484 Ephesians, Vi. 11. [2126.
they had before been, would be frustrated at once. The next labour therefore of our great adversary is, to secure his captive, that he may not escape out of his hands. The wiles he makes use of to accomplish this, come next under our consideration. He will begin with misrepresenting to his captives their own char…
691 wordsSECTION 420436 Ephesians, Vi. 11. [2126.
Thus have we seen the temptations by which Satan leads men into sin, together with the seasons, the 1 Zech. iv. 1,2. u Ps. lxxvii. 7—9. * 2 Cor. ii. 7, 11. * 2 Cor. xi. 3, 13—15. means, and the manner, of his assaults. We have seen also how he keeps them from God, even by misrepresenting to them their own charact…
403 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.