PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 17 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 215,167 words · 500 reading sections
2126,] Means Of Withstanding Satan'S Wiles. 437
we are told, that " the Lord opened his armoury, and brought forth the weapons of his indignation2;" so, when he has commissioned us to go forth against sin and Satan, he must supply us with the arms, whereby alone we can execute his will : and we must be daily going to him in prayer, that he would furnish us fro…
379 wordsSECTION 422To Withstand The Power Of Satan.
stripped of every defence ! If Satan, while yet a novice in the art of tempting, " beguiled our first parents by his subtilty," how much more will he beguile and ruin us, after so many thousand years of additional experience ! Arise then, all of you, and gird yourselves for the combat. Ye careless ones, know that…
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or emolument. It was far otherwise with Christ and his Apostles. When our Lord invited men to enlist under his banners, he told them that they would have to enter on a course of pain and self-denial ; " If any man will be my disciple, let him deny him- self, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Thus St. P…
387 wordsSECTION 424440 Ephesians,, Vi. 12, 13. [2127.
It is not merely in a rhetorical way that the Apostle accumulates so many expressions, to designate our enemies : the different terms he uses are well cal- culated to exhibit their power ; which will appear to us great indeed, if we consider what he intimates respecting their nature, their number, and their office…
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fore to think that their number far exceeds that of the human species ; because there is no human being beyond the reach of their assaults, no, not for a single hour. Nor are they formidable merely on account of their number, but principally on account of their union, and subordination under one leader. We read o…
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his controul, and concur with men and devils to fulfil his will. Would he deprive Job of his substance ? hosts of Sabeans and Chaldeans come at his call, to plunder him u. Would he destroy all his family ? the wind rises at his command to smite their house, and overwhelm them in its ruins x. Such are the enemies …
412 wordsSECTION 4272127.] T0 Withstand The Power Of Satan. 443
he addresses himself to the concerns of his soul, shall not see, that there is in him an impotence and reluctance, for which he cannot account, unless he acknowledge, what the Scripture so fully warns him of, a satanic agency. But shall we be intimidated by this account, and induced to surrender ourselves to Sata…
318 wordsSECTION 428411 Ephesians, Vi. 12, Vs. [2127.
The time mentioned in the text as " the evil day," refers to those particular periods when Satan makes his most desperate attacks. Sometimes he retires from us for a season, as he did from our Lordh ; or, at least, gives us somewhat of a respite from any violent assaults. But he watches his opportunity to renew h…
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think soV' his efforts against us shall ultimately con- duce to our good, to make us more humble, more vigilant, more expert. This is particularly intimated in the text ; and in this the encouragement given us exceeds what was contained in the former exhortation. There we were taught to expect that we should not …
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Nor is this your greatest encouragement : for as soon as you have "done all" that God has designed for you in this state of warfare, you shall " stand " before God, united to that noble army that are now enjoying their triumphs in his presence. Having "fought the good fight and finished your course, there shall b…
355 wordsSECTION 4312127.] To Withstand The Power Of Satan. 447
that day wherein God shall say, " Let him alonep:" from that hour your condemnation will be sure, and Satan will have perfectly gained his point. Judge then whether it be not better to contend with Satan, than with God ? with him whom you are sure to conquer, to your eternal happiness, than with him, by whose ave…
369 wordsSECTION 432The Christian'S Girdle.
Eph. vi. 14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth. IT is not possible to exceed in magnifying the grace of God : to it must every part of our salvation be ascribed : grace begins the work in our hearts ; grace carries it on ; grace completes it. No ground of glorying is left for man : his own …
321 wordsSECTION 4332128.1 The Christian'S Girdle. 449
I. What we are to understand by truth — II. Its use and office in the Christian warfare — I. What are we to understand by " truth ?" It is a term of extensive signification. It is some- times put for the Gospel ; in which sense the Apostle speaks of " obeying the truth." But in this place, it rather means sinceri…
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was on that very account avenged by God himself upon his posterity1. The Jews also complied with the institutions of Moses in observing their religious fasts and feasts : but because " they did fast and feast unto themselves rather than unto God," and sought rather to cover their own enormities by such observance…
360 wordsSECTION 4352128.J The Christian'S Girdle. 451
convince any man that was not blinded by prejudice, and carried away by his own impetuous passions'1. Besides, he might have gone to the fountain head, and inquired of Jesus himself, what grounds there were for believing him to be the Messiah. Above all, he lived when the Gospel was preached in all its purity, an…
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the trials be ever so severe, we shall still " hold fast our integrity y," and adopt the language of the same Apostle ; " None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and fulfil my duty to my Godz." This representation of " truth" is both illustr…
340 wordsSECTION 4372 128. J The Christian'S Girdle. 453
arrayed like all the soldiers of his army, is repre- sented by the same prophet as habited in this man- ner ; " Righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins*." The use of the girdle was to keep the armour com- pact, and to strengthen the loins. And these are the offices…
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Rock, the high God their Redeemer ; nevertheless they did but flatter him with their mouth, and lie unto him with their tongues ; for their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant f." On the other hand, how impenetrable to the darts of the adversary were the graces of those who w…
356 wordsSECTION 4392128.] The Christian'S Girdle. 455
most eminent professors in utter and everlasting ruin. For the former instance we will refer vou, not to a man professedly ungodly, no, nor to a mere novice in religion, but to the most distinguished of all the Apostles. With the name of Peter we associate the idea of courage undaunted, and of piety irreproach- a…
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instances of persevering zeal in others, whose hearts were right with God. Behold the patriarchs sojourn- ing for years in a strange land, when " they had opportunities enough of returning to their native country," if they had been so minded : but they were sincere in " seeking a better country, that is, an heave…
323 wordsSECTION 4412128. J The Christian'S Girdle. 457
on the ministration of God's word, on purpose that we may have our sentiments and conduct more en- tirely conformed to the will of God ? And finally, do we disregard the scoffs of an ungodly world, and determine to sacrifice even life itself, rather than violate the dictates of our conscience ? This is sin- cerit…
364 wordsSECTION 442The Christian'S Breast-Plate.
to fasten this girdle round our loins, that we may have in ourselves, and give to all around us, an indis- putable evidence that we both possess and improve it. Then shall we have a consolation arising from it, and " rejoice in the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have our con…
320 wordsSECTION 4432129.] The Christian'S Breast-Plate. 459
divine image, after which we are renewed*. Now this, though nearly allied to sincerity, differs mate- rially from it : sincerity relates to the aims and motives of a person ; but righteousness to his actions and habits. Righteousness is that in actual attain- ment, which sincerity is in desire and purpose. Righte…
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believe notc :" and it is astonishing to what a degree he deludes their souls. He instigates them to the commission of sin under the idea that it is at least excusable, if not altogether justifiable and right d. He teaches them to " call evil good and good evil ; to put darkness for light, and light for darkness, …
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they are no longer deceived by specious appear- ances ; they taste and see the real qualities of things : being "brought out of darkness into marvellous light," they view every thing, in a measure, as God himself views it : and the greater their proficiency is in the divine life, the clearer is their perception of…
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well knows that, as long as they are unrenewed, they are fast in his chains, and incapable of any effectual exertion : " Ephraim, though armed, and carrying bows, were so enfeebled by sin, that they turned back in the day of battle :" nor could Israel stand before their enemies while an Achan was in their camp*. …
375 wordsSECTION 4472129.] The Christian'S Breast-Plate. 463
us into his hands : he has but to strike a spark, and there is within us combustible matter in abundance, that instantly catches fire, and that, if not extin- guished by grace, will burn to the lowest hell. But when the soul is endued with righteousness, its dis- positions are altogether changed : " old things are…
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shewn themselves unable to endure the scorn and contempt that universally attach to religious charac- ters : so true is that declaration of Solomon, " The fear of man bringeth a snare h." But righteousness emboldens the soul ; and enables it to meet the hatred and menaces, or (what is still worse) the sneers and …
360 wordsSECTION 4492129.] The Christian'S Breast-Plate. 465
principle which actuates the godly, is mighty in operation : however numerous or powerful their enemies may be, the "grace of Christ is sufficient for them0;" and the weakest in the universe may say, " Through Christ strengthening me I can do all things p." Their inherent weakness does not at all militate against…
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any righteousness which you can attain in your own strength, will thus protect you ; or that even that which is wrought in you by the Holy Spirit, has in itself such mighty efficacy : that to which such glori- ous powers are ascribed, is wrought in you by the Spirit of God : and after all, it is not your inherent …
325 wordsSECTION 451The Christian'S Greaves.
Eph. vi. 14, 15. Stand . . . having . . . your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. THERE are many things which the art of war has rendered necessary for the success of an army, besides those rude weapons which an untaught savage would employ : and though they may be of inferior and subordinate …
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" heals his wounds slightly, and says, Peace, peace, when there is no peace0." It is in the Gospel only that a Saviour is revealed. But there we are in- formed, that God's only dear Son became our surety, and our substitute. There we behold our adorable Emmanuel bearing our sins in his own sacred body upon the tr…
371 wordsSECTION 4532130.] The Christian'S Greaves. 469
to destroy us ? Would to God we had been con- tent, and dwelt on the other side of Jordan11. Thus will " our spirit fail," and our progress be stopped, if "the peace of God keep not our hearts and minds1." But let " the love of God be shed abroad in the heart," and instantly " the rough places become plain, and t…
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eyes to the Apostle Paul, who " laboured more abun- dantly than all the Apostles'." What the main-spring was of his activity, we are at no loss to determine : it was " the love of Christ that constrained him :" he had been redeemed from death by the death of Christ; and therefore to Christ he consecrated all his t…
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The soul of man is naturally proud, irritable, vin- dictive b. An injurious act, or an insulting word, is sufficient to call forth all our angry passions, and, in many instances, creates within us a resentment, that can be pacified with nothing less than the blood of the delinquent. Behold David, when Nabal refuse…
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himself too, on one occasion, was so irritated with the injustice of his judge, that he brake forth into passionate revilings against his ruler and governor, and was constrained to apologize for his conduct in the presence of his enemies1. If then these holiest of men were thus sorely wounded through their occa- …
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like him, we can pray for our murderers s, we have the noblest of all victories, that of overcoming a vin- dictive spirit : and, though we fall in the conflict, we maintain the field against all our enemies. Who, do we suppose, was victor, the Jews, who, at Satan's instigation, put our Lord to death ; or Jesus, wh…
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faith of others0. Which of the Churches, planted in the apostolic age, was free from their influence ? In which were there not " some who perverted the Gospel of Christ d," and some who, by their means, were "turned aside after Satan6?" At Rome there were those who made it their business to " cause divi- sions; a…
667 wordsSECTION 459476 Ephesians, Vi. 16. [2131.
1 1 Tim. i. 3, 4, 6, 7, 19, 20. and iv. 1, 6. and v. 12, 15. and vi. 3 — 5, ("from such withdraw thyself,") 20, 21. and 2 Tim. i. 13 — 15. and ii. 16 — 18, 23. and iii. 5, (" from such turn aivay") 6—9, 13. and iv. 3, 4, 14, 15. Tit. i. 9—11, 13, 14. and iii. 9—11. See also Rom. xvi. 17, 18. before cited, " avoid t…
414 wordsSECTION 4602131.] The Christian'S Shield. 477
Eph. vi. 16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. NOTWITHSTANDING the armour of the an- cients was generally so constructed, that it could repel any weapon that might come against it, the warrior did not conceive himself to be completely ar…
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raises a doubt whether there be a God ; or, at least, whether he interfere at all in the concerns of men1*, or will judge the world in righteousness at the last dayc. He will take occasion also from the difficulties that there are in Scripture to draw men to infidelity. " How can that be the word of God which is s…
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manner the Antinomian advocate for faith excludes good works from his system ; whilst the Moralist, from an ignorant zeal for good works, discards all concern about the faith of Christ. The rigid Predes- tlnarian asserts the sovereignty of God to the subver- sion of man's freedom and responsibility ; while the co…
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considering what spirit they are of, or conceiving it possible that they should be misled ; we cannot but confess that they are the unhappy victims of satanic agency. Now we come to the point proposed, to consider how faith repels these fiery darts. Faith, provided it be a true and living faith, receives the wor…
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truth";" and that every believer has within himself the witness of all the fundamental doctrines of our religion x; so that, " though he be a mere fool" in all other matters, " he shall surely be kept from error" in the concerns of his soul y. We must next call your attention to the tempta- tions wherewith Satan …
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riches, or the honours of the world, he has accom- plished his purpose, and effectually alienated their hearts from Godf. Now these also are as " fiery darts," which, if they once enter into the soul, will burn up all the good that is within it, and destroy it utterly. But faith is as useful to protect the heart,…
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sake ? Avaunt, Satan, for what thou offerest me is poor, transient, delusive : whereas the blessedness of the saints, both in this world and the next, is sub- stantial, exquisite, everlasting.' Thus it was that Moses argued, when he " refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, and chose rather to suffer …
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Let this consideration then operate on all, and stir us all up to seek faith. Let us not hastily con- clude that we possess this principle ; for " all men have not faithp." "Faith is the gift of Godq:" nor can we have it, unless it have been given us from above. O that all would seek it at the hands of a reconcil…
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Let this then operate as a further inducement with us to seek faith, since none of us can get the victory without itb; and by it the very weakest on earth shall be able to remove mountains0. Lastly, we may affirm, that its success is sure — But for their faith, the most eminent of God's saints would have been des…
464 wordsSECTION 469The Christian'S Helmet.
fury. Nor is this true of some temptations only ; it extends to "all" without exception. Nor can it be said of some believers only, who are of the highest class ; for all who are armed with the shield of faith, whether they be old or young, rich or poor, learned or unlearned, " shall be able" perfectly, and for ev…
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In opening this subject we shall shew, I. What we are to understand by " salvation" — II. Its use and importance in the Christian warfare — I. What are we to understand by the term " sal- vation ?" It is evident that the expression is elliptical ; nor should we know how, with any certainty, to complete the sense…
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justice, rather than as a gift of unbounded mercy. This, for distinction sake, we may call a self-righteous hope : whereas the hope of every true Christian is founded altogether on the merits of Christ, and has respect to salvation, as purchased for us by his obedience unto death. Further, true hope has God for i…
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in sin. Christ came to " save us from our sins," but not in them. We are expressly told that " the grace of God which bringeth salvation, teaches us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live righteously, soberly, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious ap-…
337 wordsSECTION 4732132.] The Christian'S Helmet. 491
it is said " He put on righteousness as a breast-plate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head1." But, to mark it more distinctly, we may observe, that it prepares us for conflicts, sustains us in them, and brings us victorious through them. Hope prepares us for conflicts. A man armed with a helmet, feels himsel…
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opportunity to return" to their own country and kindred : but they accounted the trial as nothing, because " they looked for a better country, that is, an heavenly ;" and expected in due time to arrive at " a city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is Godq." Many women also who were tor- tured by the …
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the powers of earth or hell ever to " separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus x." Yea, such " an anchor shall it be to our souls," that we shall be steadfast7 in the midst of this tempestuous world, and be enabled to outride the storm, which causes many to " make shipwreck of their faith2," and u…
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to deprive you of it ; and great his triumph if he succeed. Above all things, be careful that you " cast not away your confidence, but hold fast the rejoicing of your hope firm unto the endf." If at any time you begin to be distracted with doubts and fears, instantly check yourselves as David did ; " Why art thou…
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and surveys the land of promise, the land that floweth with milk and honey r. He longs to leave this dreary wilderness, and to " enter into the joy of his Lord." Knowing that " when his earthly tabernacle shall be dissolved, he has a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, he groans, earnestly desiring …
392 wordsSECTION 478The Christian'S Sword.
Whatever you have to do, you will do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inherit- ance0." May God enable you thus to live, till faith shall be lost in sight, and hope be consummated in enjoyment ! c Col. iii. 22. Eph. vi. 17. Take the sioor…
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Now the appellation here given to the Scriptures is deserving of particular attention. They are called, " the word of God," and " the sword of the Spirit." They are called with great propriety, " the word of God ;" first, because they were inspired by him. They were indeed written by men ; but men were only the a…
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instruction. Even the epistles are supposed to relate only to the particular Churches to which they were written : and thus the use of the Scriptures with respect to ourselves is wholly superseded. But we are abundantly guarded against this fatal error by the application which the inspired writers themselves make…
386 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.