PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 18 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 232,894 words · 530 reading sections
Mmccxi.
Christ's coming to judge the world. 2 Thess. i. 7 — 10. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking ven- geance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ : ivho shall be punished ivith everlasting destruction from the presence o…
302 wordsSECTION 362378 2 Thessalonians, I. 7—10. [2211.
of his Israel, and rest to the troubled." The men- tion of this period is introduced by the Apostle in this very view : and, to impress the thought more powerfully on our minds, he describes, in most ener- getic terms, the manner in which our Lord will come to judgment, and the ends for which he will come. Let us…
682 wordsSECTION 363380 2 Thessalonians, I. 7— 10. [2211.
Would to God this point were sufficiently considered ! Bre- thren, mark attentively the declaration in the text, and then see what becomes of those presumptuous sentiments which are so confidently asserted, and so generally received. See whether morality be all : see whether you are at liberty to disregard the Gos…
659 wordsSECTION 3642211.] Christ'S Coming To Judge The World. 381
1 Rev. xiv. 11. m Matt. xxv. 41. Mark ix. 43 — 48. » Cant. v. 10, 16. ° Isai. xlv. 25. 1 Pet. i. 8. how will he be admired when all the millions of his redeemed shall stand together, all of them " his workmanship," trans- formed from the image of the devil into the very image of their God ! How will the virtue of …
504 wordsSECTION 365Meetness For Heaven Desired.
Beloved brethren, let us not fear the face of man ; let us not regard a few scoffs or reproaches for the Lord's sake ; let us not be backward to endure hardness as good soldiers : but let us look unto the end of all things ; when the state of all shall be fixed in perfect correspondence with their present character…
365 wordsSECTION 3662212.] Meetness For Heaven Desired. 383
Three things we must distinctly notice ; I. The great object which he desired in their behalf — This was, that they might find acceptance with God in the day of judgment — [Of that day he is speaking in the preceding context : and he declares, that a sweet " rest" in the bosom of their God will be the portion of …
459 wordsSECTION 367384 2 Thessalonions, I. 11, 12. [2212.
and the unexpected sentences that will be then awarded, and not earnestly desire, both for himself and for all who are dear to him, that the sentence which God shall pass on them may be one of approbation, and not of condemnation? I pray you, brethren, lay to heart this infinitely important subject; and never ceas…
420 wordsSECTION 3682212.] Meetness For Heaven Desired. 385
[Even in this world he is glorified in and by his saints, as he himself has expressly declared f. But the Apostle has respect rather to that day, wherein Christ will " come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe g." Verily he will then be glorified in them. In what bright colours…
458 wordsSECTION 369386 2 Thessalonians, I. 11, 12. [2212.
attained by it ; and this prayer will be found no less instructive to the mind, than it is reviving and refreshing to the soul.] Address — 1. Those who have no experience of the things here prayed for — [How many are at this moment ignorant of " the work of faith," and of that " divine power" with which it operat…
456 wordsSECTION 370Progress Of Unbelief.
meetness for his glory may be conspicuous in the eyes of all. So shall your intercessions prevail for others also ; and in that great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, you shall shine forth as the sun in the firmament for ever and ever.] 2 Thess. ii. 11, 12. For this cause God shall send them…
317 wordsSECTION 371388 2 Thessalonians, Ii. 11, 12. [2213.
The Gospel requires of them a humiliation of soul, a renun- ciation of self-dependence, and a sanctity of heart and life, to which they are utterly indisposed. "They love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evila" ] Their rejection of it arises altogether from " an evil heart of unbelief b" — [The…
356 wordsSECTION 37222 13.] Progress Of Unbelief. 389
Yet, to that shall the unbeliever be finally con- signed— [Plainly is this declared f: and our blessed Lord com- manded all his servants to declare it to the whole world s. In truth, this is no other than the necessary consequence of unbelief: for the Gospel is the only remedy for the salvation of fallen man; and…
368 wordsSECTION 373The Salvation Of Men Traced To Its Proper Source.
2 Thess. ii. 13, 14. We are bound to give thanks ahvay to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sancti- fication of the Spirit and belief of the truth : whereunto he called you by our Gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Ch…
344 wordsSECTION 3742214.] Salvation Traced To Its Proper Source. 391
The grounds of his thanksgiving are, I. Their election of God to the blessings of sal- vation— In his thanksgiving he distinctly specifies, 1. The end to which they were elected — [It was " salvation," even " the salvation that was in Christ Jesus with eternal glory a." It was not to the means of salvation merel…
461 wordsSECTION 375M2 2 Thessalonians, Ii. 13, 14. [2214.
God had chosen them to salvation " through sanctification of the Spirit." Sanctification is necessary for the enjoyment of heaven. Heaven would afford no happiness to an unsanc- tified soul. The presence of a holy God would inspire no- thing but terror: and an unintermitted engagement in holy exercises would be an…
456 wordsSECTION 3762214.]] Salvation Traced To Its Proper Source. 393
by which all the wonders of his grace are wrought. Miracles gave credibility to the testimony which Christ and his Apostles bore : but it was the testimony itself, as applied by the Holy Spirit to the soul, that wrought effectually upon the hearts of men. And in all ages it is the same word, either read or preache…
434 wordsSECTION 377394 2 Thessalonians, Ii. 13, 14. [2214.
help myself.' No ; ye shall not thus cast the blame of your condemnation upon God. Who has told you, that you are not of God's elect? Who has searched the book of God's decrees, or been told by God that your name is not inserted there? Then you have no right whatever to conclude that you are not elect of God, or t…
505 wordsSECTION 3782215.] God 0Ur Benefactor. 395
ye have not reason to thank your God; or rather, whether your every breath should not be an effusion of praise ? But forget not that the path by which alone you can arrive at your desired home is that of faith and holiness. This is the king's " highway0," by a patient continuance in which you are to " obtain the g…
254 wordsSECTION 379396 2 Thessalonians, Ii. 16, 17, [2215.
2 Thess. ii. 16, 17. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and 'work. IN reading the epistles of St. Paul, we cannot but be struck with the de…
525 wordsSECTION 3802215.] «0D Our Benefactor. 397
We are yet exposed to many trials, and to great dangers ; and shall be so, as long as we continue in the body. But " God will never leave us nor for- sake us." On the contrary, his past benefits are a pledge and earnest of future blessings, to the utmost extent of our necessities. He will, under all the cir- cums…
436 wordsSECTION 381The Spread Of The Gospel.
1. With adoring gratitude — [It is not possible that you should be in any state, wherein this frame of mind is not called for And think what boldness the recollection of God's undeserved love and un- bounded mercies will give you, in your addresses to him Truly, if you had but the slightest sense of what God has …
351 wordsSECTION 3822216.] The Spread Of The Gospel. 399
In this request of his we see, I. What we should desire for the word of God — 1. That it should "have free course" — [It is surprising that any should be averse to the circula- tion of the Scriptures ; or should be jealous of the Scriptures, unless accompanied with human compositions to forestall and determine th…
456 wordsSECTION 383400 2 Thessalonians, Iii. 1. [2216.
both the word itself, and God in it, were greatly glorified^: nor is it possible to see such effects yet produced in the hearts and lives of men, without acknowledging, that " he who hath wrought them to the self-same thing is Godh" ] Let us next inquire, II. How that desire is to be obtained — The Apostle speaks…
403 wordsSECTION 3842217. J All Men Have Not Faith. 401
We conclude this subject with, 1. A word of admonition — [Many profess a reference for the Bible, and even display a zeal for conveying the Holy Scriptures to heathen lands, who yet make but little use of it for themselves. But this zeal for the good of others will never be admitted as a substi- tute for personal…
252 wordsSECTION 385402 2 Thessalonians, Iii. 2. [2217.
2 Thess. iii. 2. All men have not faith. IF we considered the condition of fallen man, and the merciful provision which God has made for him in the Gospel of his Son, we should think it impos- sible for any one, who heard the glad tidings of salvation proclaimed to him, not to embrace the offers of mercy, and to …
446 wordsSECTION 3862217.] A^L Men Have Not Faith. 403
dering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for everd."] If it be thought hard to say, of all these persons, that they have not faith, I will, II. Adduce evidence in confirmation of it — Amongst the persons that have been specified, not a few are "unreasonable and wicked men" — [All of them will,…
435 wordsSECTION 387Mmccxviii.
obstruct the Gospel by an envious opposition to those who are more distinguished than himself, he esteems himself " less than the least of all saints," and rejoices in all the good that is done by God's most-favoured servants. Whether, therefore, we view the unbeliever as he is in himself, or as contrasted with a …
699 wordsSECTION 388406 2 Thessalonians, Iii. 5. [2218.
b vicofioviiy tov Xpiarov. long keep our attention to such subjects, nor can we get them suitably impressed upon our hearts ] Hence St. Paul prayed, that the Lord, even the Holy Spirit, would direct the hearts of his people into that state — [It is the province of that Divine Agent to give a right direction0 to …
678 wordsSECTION 389408 2 Thessalonians, Iii. 16. [2219.
served him not On this subject St. Paul had no doubt and therefore, "knowing the terrors of the Lord, he both persuaded men" to seek these necessary at- tainments, and implored of God to communicate to them all needful supplies of his Spirit and grace.] Application — Permit me now to express the same benevolent …
383 wordsSECTION 3902219.] The Desirableness Of Peace. 'Wo
2 Thess. iii. 16. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. CONTENTIONS too naturally spring from our corrupt nature, the fruitful parent of every thing that is evil. There are indeed occasions when it is neces- sary to act in a manner that seems not pacific ; and that too even towards tho…
632 wordsSECTION 391410 2 Thessalonians, Iii. 16. [2219.
II. To societies— [Scarcely is there any society of men on earth, where feuds and animosities do not awfully prevail. Nor is this true with respect to the unregenerate only; even in the Church of God itself disputes and divisions are too often found f. But, O ! how lamentable is it when the seamless coat of Christ…
484 wordsSECTION 3922219.3 The Desirableness Of Peace. 411
his Spirit we may every one of us supply our part toward the compacting together of all the members, in order that the whole body may be edified in lovem.] III. To individuals — [Whatever be the state of the nation in which we live, or of the society in which our lot is cast, we are concerned at least to obtain p…
481 wordsSECTION 3932220.] Charity The True Scope Of The Gospel. 418
1 Tim. i. 5. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith un- feigned. THE Gospel of Christ is thought by many to be a source of evil : and certain it is, that evils have not unfrequently followed in its train. But we must dis- tinguish between two things, …
674 wordsSECTION 394414 1 Timothy, I. 5. [2220.
a ver. 3, 4. b Col. ii. 8, 16—19. the Calvinist and Arminian, the Churchman and Dissenter, as if there were no common bond of union for them in Christ Jesus. This is cast in our teeth by the Papist, from whom we have separated: and it lays a stumbling-block before the Jew; who, with some shadow of justice, says to…
498 wordsSECTION 3952220.] Charity The True Scope Of The Gospel. 415
information upon different subjects, it is not possible tbat all men should have precisely the same views, even of any subject, and much less of all ; but it will induce a mutual forbearance, in reference to things that are dubious and non-essential ; and will form all the variously-constructed members into one har…
400 wordsSECTION 396416 1 Timothy, I. 5. [2220.
the fear of GodV Having a good hope that he is " accepted in Christ," he will labour to purify himself, even as Christ is pure1, j Then, through the combined influence of these, it works its destined end — [The soul is, by nature, narrow and contracted : its desires both originate in self, and end in self. Self i…
507 wordsSECTION 3972220.] Charity The True Scope Of The Gospel. 417
an inspired Apostle ; a declaration in which not only the same truth is maintained, but the very same process is accurately described. St. Peter, speaking to his believing brethren throughout all the world, says, " Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth, through the Spirit, unto unfeigned love of …
456 wordsSECTION 398The Law Good, If Used Aright.
way to adorn the Gospel" ; this is the way to answer all God's purposes of love towards you. Remember this, then, I pray you. And as I am " charged of God to teach no other doc- trine among youx," so I must charge you, in the name of God, to receive no other amongst yourselves. You will find per- sons without numb…
346 wordsSECTION 3992221.] The Law Good, If Used Arioht. 119
In confirming the Apostle's assertion, I shall con- sider it, I. In reference to the law which belonged exclu- sively to the Jewish people — The Jewish dispensation itself was good, as being well adapted to the persons to whom it was given, and for the purposes for which it was established. God intended to keep …
394 wordsSECTION 400420 1 Timothy, I. 8. [2221.
are no less clearly marked. For here we see the offender transferring to his victim all his guilt ; and liberated from the judgments to which, on account of his transgressions, he had been exposed. Whatever his offence had been, we see him bringing an appropriate offering, which God had promised to accept ; and no…
442 wordsSECTION 4012221. J The Law Good, If Used Aright. 421
It is of the Moral Law that the Apostle principally speaks in my text : for it was that law which forbad all the different kinds of immorality which he pro- ceeds to specifyh. And this law was not, so to speak, " made for the righteous," but, as all human laws are, for the prevention of evil : and hence, with the …
429 wordsSECTION 402422 1 Timothy, I. 8. [2221.
Having thus explained the Apostle's assertion, I will now endeavour to point out the proper bearings of it, in a few reflections. 1. How inexpedient is it for novices to dogmatize in matters of religion ! [It was in a way of reproof to such persons, that the Apostle uttered the words before us. There were some wh…
433 wordsSECTION 4032221.] The Law Good, If Used Aright. 4^3
3. How necessary is it to distinguish justly be- tween the use, and the abuse, of that which is in itself good! [The world is good, to one who makes the proper use of it : and therefore we are told to " use the world as not abusing it." So the law is good, and the Gospel also, if used lawfully; and, as I have sai…
497 wordsSECTION 404Nature And Office Of The Gospel.3
1 Tim. i. 11. The glorious Gospel of the blessed God. THE words which I have just read, being only an incomplete member of a sentence, without any de- finite sense, must be considered only as a motto to what I shall have occasion to advance, and not as a foundation whereon any statement is to be established. The …
347 wordsSECTION 4052222.] Nature And Office Of The Gospel. 425
whilst it reveals a salvation from God, it imparts that blessing to all who truly receive it. But the desig- nation given to it in the passage before us is pre- eminently grand and beautiful ; and will properly lead me to take a view of the Gospel in all its boundless extent, and to mark in succession, its nature …
333 wordsSECTION 406426 1 Timothy, I. 11. [2222.
Now, there are two things which characterize the condition of fallen man ; namely, guilt, and weak- ness : as the Apostle has said, " While we were yet zvithout strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly*." Let us then contemplate these two points, the sin- fulness of fallen man, and his zoeahiess. Exceed…
342 wordsSECTION 4072222.] Nature And Office Of The Gospel. 427
mouth must be stopped, and all the world become guilty before Godf." With equal force the Scriptures mark the incapa- city of man to restore himself either to the favour or the image of God. So far is man from being able to recommend himself to God, that " every imagination of the thoughts of his heart is evil, o…
380 wordsSECTION 408428 1 Timothy, I. 11. [2222.
remnant of goodness or power in themselves, that shall lessen their obligations to the grace of God. But let a man acknowledge himself as wholly and for ever lost, and then he will be prepared to hear of a Saviour, and to embrace the salvation that is provided for him in the Gospel. II. What provision God has mad…
385 wordsSECTION 4092222.] Nature And Office Of The Gospel. 429
person to take away sin from us : if he must be a victim for the sins of others, he must himself be without spot or blemish. Thus, in the person of the Lord Jesus, were united both God and man. In his own nature he was God equal with the Father, even " God over all, blessed for ever1." By assuming our nature into…
372 wordsSECTION 410430 1 Timothy, I. 11. [2222.
Trinity, to reveal the Saviour to us, and to " fulfil in us all the good pleasure of his goodness" for our full and final salvation. Our incapacity to save ourselves was, in fact, like that of a body actually dead. So far as relates to spiritual feeling or power, we are altogether destitute either of the one or th…
400 wordsSECTION 4112222.] Nature And Office Of The Gospel. 431
complete my series'1. But, be that as it may, my object on the present occasion is to simplify every thing, that my subject, from beginning to end, may be clearly seen, and fully comprehended. As to any nice speculations relative to the mode of the Spirit's agency, they would be altogether beside my purpose. It i…
369 wordsSECTION 412432 1 Timothy, I. 11.
not follow, the performance of any good act what- ever : and, consequently, we must be indebted alto- gether to the sovereign grace of God, which first " gives us to will, and then to do, of his good pleasure." The truth is, as the first gift of a Saviour sprang altogether from the sovereign grace of God, so must…
779 wordsSECTION 413434 1 Timothy, I. 11. [2222.
remedy (for, whilst here, he is only in a convales- cent state, and not perfectly recovered) : and when taken hence to his heavenly inheritance, he ascribes all the glory to his Almighty Physician ; saying, " To Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests unt…
367 wordsSECTION 4142222.] Nature And Office Of The Gospel. 435
remedy operate on him as it did on them. Then we may hope, indeed, that his heart is right before God ; and that the remedy which he applies for the benefit of his own soul is that which will prove effectual for the whole world. You will perceive that I have cautiously abstained from any thing which might anticip…
386 wordsSECTION 415436 1 Timothy, I. 11. [2222.
way to comprehend God's system is, to consider for what ends he has revealed his Gospel. We have said, His Gospel is a remedy : and it is a remedy, suited in itself to the necessities of man ; and suited, in the manner of its proposal, to the powers of man. Now man, however fallen, has faculties and powers, agree-…
369 wordsSECTION 4162222. J Nature And Office Of The Gospel. 437
endeavour. It is the practical effect of the Gospel which I am alone anxious to promote : and now, therefore, in conclusion, I take the liberty to recom- mend two things : first, That we all seek a deep ac- quaintance with our state before God : and next, That we apply to ourselves the remedy which God has set be…
362 wordsSECTION 417Richness And Fulness Of The Gospel.
our eternal ruin. We must look to Christ for the justification, and to the Holy Spirit for the sanctifica- tion, of our souls. " There is salvation for us in no other way whatever. There is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we can be saved, but the name of Jesus Christ." But " through Him, all t…
351 wordsSECTION 4182223.] Richness And Fulness Of The Gospel. 489
" the glorious Gospel of the blessed God." Let it not, however, be thought that this high commission has any tendency to generate pride in the hearts of those who have received it : on the contrary, it will operate rather to humble and abase the soul under a sense of its own unworthiness and insufficiency. Thus i…
335 wordsSECTION 419440 1 Timothy, I. 11. [2223.
the mind of any finite intelligence. Whether such an exercise of mercy could have consisted with God's honour, it is not for us to determine. None but God can know what is within the power of God to do. But we may safely declare, that, even supposing such an exercise of mercy, under the existing circum- stances, …
374 wordsSECTION 4202223.] Richness And Fulness Of The Gospel. 441
whole world, and of sustaining the punishment due to all the millions of mankind ? Was there an angel that could take upon him this office ? Were all the angels in heaven capable of rendering such a service to mankind 1 Could any one less than God himself undertake so great a work ? And could it be con- ceived po…
378 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.