PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 18 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 232,894 words · 530 reading sections
2186. J Christian Constancy Displayed. 249
under circumstances of heavy trial. Tell me not of your in- ward experiences before God : I must judge by your spirit and conduct toivards man : and, if I find you not endued with the graces of the Spirit, I can account you no better than others ; yea, rather, I must account you worse ; since, with all your high p…
441 wordsSECTION 242Love To The Scriptures Recommended.
professed himself the Messiah ; and therefore they put him to death : his tempers, and dispositions, and habits, they could not but admire. And so, at this day, the men that hate us, under the idea of " God's elect," cannot but acknowledge that the consistent Christian is, of all characters, the loveliest upon the…
334 wordsSECTION 2432187.J Love To The Scriptures Recommended. 251
I. In what light it should be regarded — The word which has been transmitted to us was written by different men, in different and distant ages of the world. But though it was written by men, it is indeed the word of God ; because those holy men wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Ghostb. Indeed, the word is, …
470 wordsSECTION 244252 Colossians, Iii. 16. [2187.
ings, and lightnings, and earthquakes, and the sound of the trumpet waxing louder and louder1; should we not tremble? should we not be ready to engage, as the Israelites did, " All that the Lord hath spoken will we do, and be obedient ?" Were we to hear him speaking to us in any of these ways, the word would not m…
441 wordsSECTION 2452187.1 Love To The Scriptures Recommended. 253
sought for from any other source. Indeed " all wisdom" is to be " drawn from these wells of salvation." The person whose mind is cast into the mould of the Scripture, will view every thing as God views it : he will have the same practical judgment as God himself has. " Good and evil, light and darkness " will not …
481 wordsSECTION 246Doing All In The Name Of Christ.
Col. iii. 17. Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. SUPPOSING the existence of one Supreme Being to be acknowledged, our obvious duty towards him must be, to exercise such a dependence on him, as shall evince a consciousness, that " in …
320 wordsSECTION 2472188. J Doing All In The Name Of Christ. 255
1. From respect to his authority — [St. Paul says, " We command you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly15." It was by the authority of Christ that lie issued that command ; and from a respect to that authority was that command to be obeyed. …
496 wordsSECTION 248256 Colgssians, Iii. 17. [2188.
shall we rely for assistance in our difficulties, but on him who has directed us to be "strong in the Lord g," and assured us that "through his strength we shall do all things11?" And through whom can we hope for acceptance, but through Him, our Mediator and all-prevailing Intercessor1 ?] 4. For the advancement of…
429 wordsSECTION 2492188. J Doing All In The Name Of Christ. 257
clear and visible as if it were pointed out to us by a voice from heaven. For who does not see how trials wean us from the world, and purify us from our dross ? We are told, and we find it true, that " tribulation worketh patience, and pa- tience experience, and experience hope, even a hope that maketh not ashamed…
498 wordsSECTION 250258 Colossians, Iii. 17. [2188.
Not a voice is heard in heaven which does not give glory to God and to the Lamb : nor on earth should a soul be found that does not say, " Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name be the praise."] Let me now observe, 1. If this be religion, how little is there of true religion upon earth ! [Where do y…
451 wordsSECTION 251The Relative Duties Explained.
Col. iii. 18. — iv. 1. Wives, submit yourselves unto your oivn husbands, as it is Jit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things : for this is ivell pleasing unto the Lord. Fa- thers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be dis- courag…
375 wordsSECTION 252260 Colossi Ans, Iii. 18— Iv. 1. [2189.
season. Convinced of this, we enter with great pleasure on the consideration of our relative duties ; that is, of the duties, I. Of husbands and wives — It is worthy of observation, that, not in this place only, but in all other places where the Apostles speak of the relative duties, they mention those of the in-…
432 wordsSECTION 2532189.] The Relative Duties Explained. 261
but to obey with "reverence0," " even as Sarah obeyed Abra- ham, calling him lordd." This may be thought to sound harsh by those who are not accustomed to consider what the Scripture speaks on this subject : but it will not be thought so, if we contemplate what God has required,] 2. Of husbands — [Your duty, is …
463 wordsSECTION 254262 Colossians, Iii. 18— Iv. 1. [2189.
Here again we are called, in the first place, to notice those of the inferior : 1. Of children — [Obedience is your duty also : nor is there any limit to the exercise of this duty, except where you are required to violate a command of God. Reason indeed is sufficient to teach you this : for your own ignorance and…
454 wordsSECTION 2552189.] The Relative Duties Explained. 263
vour to subdue. There can be no doubt but that many parents harden their children's hearts against their authority in the first instance, and ultimately against the authority of God himself, purely by the tyranny which they exercise, and by the continual irritations which they occasion g: and in the last day they …
444 wordsSECTION 256264 Colossians, Iii. 18— Iv. 1. [2189.
office of angels in the service of your God and Saviour. It is your privilege also to expect your wages from him. What you receive from man, is for your body only : but you shall have wages for your soul also, even " the reward of an eternal inheritance11." This is represented as the state even of slaves, and of t…
459 wordsSECTION 2572189. J The Relative Duties Explained. 265
which are lower and less honourable ; neither are they envied by them : but each occupies with content and satisfaction the place assigned it by its Maker, and finds its own happiness in contributing, according to its ability, to the good of the whole. If it be said, that these effects are not visible in the world,…
497 wordsSECTION 258The Character And Aim Of A Christian Minister.
which will make obedience easy and delightful to yourselves. Habituate yourselves then to realize the thought, that it is Christ whom you serve, or in whose place you stand whilst others are serving you. So shall your whole deportment become exquisitely pure, and holy, and refined ; and you will " adorn the doctri…
652 wordsSECTION 259268 Colossians, Iv. 12. [2190.
0 It is easier to preach to men ten hours, than to pray for them one. 1. That they might have no secret reserves in their obedience — [He well knew that one sin indulged would destroy the soulp : he was aware that nothing but the most unreserved dedication of ourselves to God's service would be of any avail*1: he…
403 wordsSECTION 260270 1 Thessalonians, I. 2—4. [2191.
1 Thess. i. 2 — 4. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers ; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father ; knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. THIS epistle, …
592 wordsSECTION 2612191.] True Piety Described. 271
vine has in its root and trunk that sap, of which all the branches partake, and by which they are nourished8 Faith, moreover, brings him to Christ for daily supplies of those blessings which his various necessities require11 And having received communications of grace according to his ne- cessities, he is stirred …
485 wordsSECTION 262272 1 Thessalonians, I. 2—4. [219L
God are yea, and amen." It is a patient grace, leading us to expect all that God has promised, however long we may have to wait for it*; and to fulfil all that God has required, to the utmost possible extent11 ; and to suffer all that God has ordained us to suffer, in hope of a final recompencex; and, finally, to …
451 wordsSECTION 2632191.] True Piety Described. 273
prayers and supplications in their behalf. In a word, these things form a bond of union between a minister and his people, such as exists not in the whole world besides.] 2. An assured confidence in their state — [When he beheld these fruits produced by his converts, he " had no doubt of their election of God :" t…
439 wordsSECTION 264274 1 Thessalonians, I. 2—4. [2191.
empty name? what their hope, but presumption? We would not willingly speak thus, God knoweth ! We would be glad to be found false accusers in this matter. Greatly should we rejoice to be convinced of our error, and to revoke every intimation we have here given. But, whilst the fruit pro- duced by you is no other t…
474 wordsSECTION 265The Manner In Which The Gospel Becomes Effectual.
1 Thess. i. 5. Our Gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. IT is not uncommon for persons to be troubled in their minds respecting their interest in the Divine favour : they want to know whether they belong to the elect. But this is a point which can…
333 wordsSECTION 266276 1 Thessalonians, I. 5. [2192.
1. When it makes no impression on the minds of those who hear it — [Many hear the Gospel for years, and yet never come to the knowledge of it. Not that they want a capacity to under- stand it ; but they want an inclination to attend to it with that seriousness that it requires. They listen to the voice that utter…
425 wordsSECTION 2672192.] Manner Of The Gospel Being Effectual. 277
1. With a divine energy to the soul — [The Gospel is " the rod of God's strength," even that wonder-working rod whereby the most astonishing miracles are wrought6. By it " the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life again f." Weak as it is in it…
500 wordsSECTION 268278 1 Thessalonians, I. 5. [2192.
he will not be satisfied with barely looking upon the things that are set before him ; he feels an appetite for them ; he believes them to be good for him ; and he partakes of them for his own personal benefit and satisfaction. When the Gospel comes in this manner, even as it did on the day of Pentecost, it lays o…
727 wordsSECTION 269280 1 Thessalonians, I. 9, 10. [2193.
2. How we are to obtain benefit from the word delivered to us — [If the mighty working of God's power be requisite, even of the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the deadk, we should implore his presence before we go up to his house ; we should be lifting up our hearts in ejaculatory prayer while we are he…
260 wordsSECTION 2702193.] Scope And End Of Christian Ministry. 281
1 Thess. i. 9, 10. They themselves shew of us what manner of entering in ive had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God ; and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. ST. PAUL delighted in bestowin…
760 wordsSECTION 271282 1 Thessalonians, I. 9, 10. [2193.
b 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20. c 1 Cor. i. 7. their master, when he shall find every thing clone, though not with absolute perfection, yet in all material points agreeably to his will. Thus we would have you with your loins continually girt, and your lamps burning with undiminished splendour11. But perhaps we may give a yet…
484 wordsSECTION 2722193. J Scope And End Of Christian Ministry. 283
whole assembly of you should come to the ordinances as to a banquet prepared of the Lord ; or as the sick and diseased came to our Lord in the days of his flesh, each feeling his own ma- lady, and determined, if possible, to obtain a cure : however difficult it may be to gain access to him, you should press throug…
500 wordsSECTION 273The Ministerial Character Portrayed.
2. How may it be rendered more effectual for our good ? [Search what it is that has hitherto obstructed the opera- tion of the word upon your souls. Some are careless and inattentive, so that the word never enters into their hearts ; in others, the word takes not any deep root ; whilst in others its growth is hin…
354 wordsSECTION 2742194.] Ministerial Character Fortrayed. 285
communications that we revive both in ourselves and others those sublime affections, which constitute the basis of Christian friendship. The Apostle, when writing to the Corinthians, was constrained to sound forth, as it were, his own praises, in order to answer the calumnies that had been circulated respecting h…
335 wordsSECTION 275286 1 Thessalonians, Ii. 7, 8. [2194.
duty of ministers is portrayed ; I mean that of a mother, nursing her infant offspring d. St. Paul, declaring his anxiety for the welfare of his converts, compares his feelings with the pangs of a woman in child-birth6; and his delight in them, with that of a mother cherishing in her bosom her new-born infant. Th…
417 wordsSECTION 2762194.] Ministerial Character Portrayed. 287
wants : and, according to its efficacy upon their souls, will be his hopes and fears, his joys and sorrows. " He has no greater joy than to see his children walk in truth8."] 2. His self-denying exertions — [St. Paul wrought with his hands by night, to supply his own temporal necessities, whilst he laboured, with …
409 wordsSECTION 277288 1 Thessalonians, Ii. 7, 8. [2194.
and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you ; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake1." We speak not here of that partiality, which renders men unwilling to receive the Gospel from any one besides their own favourite minister; — that is a reprehensible attachment, leading to an idolatrous …
474 wordsSECTION 2782194.] Ministerial Character Portrayed. 289
as they that must give account ; that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for youq."] 4. Co-operation with him in every good work — [A minister cannot do every thing. Moses had seventy elders given to him, as assistants in his great work : and such should our people be in the Chur…
428 wordsSECTION 279The Duty Of Those Who Are Called.
[It must be expected that where the Gospel has been long preached, Satan will sow tares with the wheat, and that evils of some kind or other will arise. It was so in the apo- stolic age, and it will be so in every age. It were unreasonable to expect that it should be otherwise, considering how corrupt the hearts o…
385 wordsSECTION 2802195.] The Duty Of Those Who Are Called. 291
less than eight times in eleven verses does he repeat this appeal; so conscious was he that he had exerted himself to the utmost of his power to promote the welfare of his fellow-creatures, and the glory of his God. In the appeal before us we may notice, I. The duty of Christians — The first great duty of those …
407 wordsSECTION 281292 1 Thessalonians, Ii. 11, 12. [2195.
strive incessantly to "glorify his name?" Shall I think any thing too much to do or suffer for his sake ? Shall I not seek to be " pure as he is pure," and " perfect as he is perfect?" Surely, " as He who has called me is holy, so should I be holy in all manner of conversation0." This is the Christian's duty ; thu…
398 wordsSECTION 2822195.1 The Duty Of Those Who Are Called. 293
" by your well-doing put to silence the ignorance of foolish men ;" you will constrain them to confess, that the principles which operate so powerfully on your souls, must needs be good ; and you will perhaps win many, who would never have been won by the word alone d. Consider further how it will advance your ete…
458 wordsSECTION 283294 1 Thessalonians, Ii. 11, \2, [2195.
importance, will then present themselves to your mind as the most awful realities. What will you then think of cold and lifeless services ? What bitter regret will seize you, and ter- rible forebodings too, perhaps, when you look back upon a partial obedience, and an hypocritical profession? O that you may not fil…
465 wordsSECTION 284A Due Reception Of The Gospel.
matter in suspense; but to obtain of God that " grace that shall be sufficient for them." Let me at the same time suggest some considerations proper to " comfort" and support their minds. They would ask perhaps, How shall I gain the object of my wishes ? How shall I walk worthy of my God ? I answer, " Walk in Chri…
344 wordsSECTION 285296 1 Thessalonians, Ii. 13. [2196.
to his mind, he could not but pour out his soul before God in praises and thanksgivings in their behalf. It is our intention at present to shew, I. What there was in his ministry among them which occasioned such incessant thankfulness to God — His success among them was great, not only as to the number of his con…
420 wordsSECTION 2862196.] A Due Reception Of The Gospel. 297
among them," in that " they had turned from idols to serve the living and true God :" and, immediately after our text, he mentions the heavy trials they had had to endure ; which yet they had sustained with unshaken fortitude : and the tidings he had heard from Timothy, of their advancement in faith and love and e…
440 wordsSECTION 287298 1 Thessalonians, Ii. 13. [2196.
Where such children are multiplied, Zion, the mother of them all, may well rejoice : her honour will be great ; her happiness exalted : with what joy will she draw forth her breasts of con- solation to her numerous offspring! with what delight will she dandle them on her knees, and bear them in her armse! In the s…
441 wordsSECTION 288Christians The Joy Of Their Ministers.
hear it." Men do not hear it as the word of God. They see nothing, and hear nothing, but a man like themselves ; and therefore they hear without interest and forget without re- morse. But be it known to all, that their disregard of God's messages, by whomsoever delivered, involves them in the deepest guilth, and w…
377 wordsSECTION 289300 1 Thessalonians, Ii. 19,20. [2197.
welfare his chief concern. The epistles of St. Paul, not those addressed to Timothy and Titus merely, but those addressed to whole Churches, are full of this subject. This to the Thessalonians is almost one continued breathing of parental tenderness, on the Apostle's part, and a call on his converts for correspon…
407 wordsSECTION 2902197.] Christians The Joy Of Their Ministers. 301
these truths they hope to turn men from the guilt and domi- nion of sin, to peace with God, and universal holiness. Obsti- nate unbelievers will deride this attempt as visionary : but the minister of God can point to his converts as living witnesses for God, and as monuments of the saving efficacy of his Gospel ; …
468 wordsSECTION 291302 1 Thessalonians, Ii. 19, 20. [2197.
rejoice0. They point to such persons as " seals of their ministi-yd," and as attestations from God, that the word deli- vered by them is His word. It is said of women, that, when once they behold the fruit of their travail, they " forget, as it were, all their pangs, for joy that a man-child is born into the world…
438 wordsSECTION 2922197.] Christians The Joy Of Their Ministers. 303
who are called by the name of Christ are far from being " a joy and crown of rejoicing" to their minister. Even of religious professors, there are great multi- tudes " of whom we must stand in doubt," and of whom we cannot speak, but with grief1. Those who alone will ultimately prove the joy and crown of their mi…
451 wordsSECTION 293304 1 Thessalonians, Ii. 19,20. [2197.
they are a grief to him herek : they will be yet more so in that day when the Lord Jesus Christ shall come to judge the world1 : they themselves too, if they be not undeceived in time, will have to bewail their delusions to all eternity. Love is abso- lutely and indispensably necessary to prove the sincerity of our…
752 wordsSECTION 294306 1 Thessalonians, Iii. 8. [2198.
O ye, who have never yet been converted by the labours of your minister, let him now prevail on you to turn unto the Lord with your whole hearts And let those of you who look up to him as your spiritual Father, hold fast the truth ye have received, and endeavour to shine more and more as lights in the world, that …
672 wordsSECTION 295306 1 Thessalonians, Iii. 8. [2198.
2. In the profession of it — [When persecution arises because of the word, a separa- tion is made between the professors of religion, as the corn and chaff are separated when tossed to and fro in the sieve. But woe be to us, if we be like the chaff, that is driven away with the wind. We must " not put our light un…
308 wordsSECTION 296308 1 Thessalonians, Iii. 8. [2198.
[In times like ours, it is easy to retain orthodox opinions, and to keep up a profession of religion : but many are found enlisted under the banners of Christ, who are not really " fight- ing the good fight of faith." Even in matters of plain truth and honesty, it is not every professor that can bear a scrutiny in…
656 wordsSECTION 297310 1 Thessalonians, Iii. 8. [2198.
it— [It is not sufficient that men " run well for a season ;'" they must " endure to the end, if ever they would be saved." To what purpose are we in Christ, if we do not stand fast in him? Our departure from him only makes "our hist end worse than our beginning." And is not this a fearful con- sideration to all …
664 wordsSECTION 298Mmcxcix.
2199.] a minister's joy in his people. oil him, he is engaged to " keep you by his own almighty power unto everlasting salvation." "Be strong then in the Lord, and in the power of his might." " His grace is sufficient for you," and shall " make you more than conquerors" over all your enemies. Weak as you are in yo…
367 wordsSECTION 299312 1 Thessalonians, Iii. 9, 10. [_2199.
steadfastness, he felt extreme anxiety in their behalf: and " when he could no longer forbear, he thought it good to be left at Athens alone," rather than continue any longer in such painful suspense respecting them. He dismissed Timothy therefore, though he could but ill spare the labours of so dear a friend, to …
737 wordsSECTION 300314 1 Thessalonians, Iii. 9, 10. [2199.
3. Their future destinies — [For them is prepared a throne of glory, on which they shall reign for ever and ever in the presence of their God : and the very angels in heaven are waiting, as it were, with eager expectation, to instal them there : nor do they ever execute a commission with sublimer joy than when sen…
837 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.