PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 18 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 232,894 words · 530 reading sections
2229.] The Mediation Of Christ. 503
mony amongst you on this subject were more fully credited, and more deeply felt ! We do declare it : we declare it with joy : for " it is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, even the chiefp." None are excluded from an interest in him, but through…
493 wordsSECTION 482The Great Mystery Of Godliness.
1 Tim. iii. 16. Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness : God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. IT has been often said by infidels, that, where mystery begins, religion ends. But, if this w…
331 wordsSECTION 4832230.] The Great Mystery Of Godliness. 505
and New Testament1 uniformly assert. He had for many ages manifested himself in the Shechinah, the bright cloud that first abode upon the tabernacle, and afterwards resided in the most holy place of the temple: but at the appointed time he assumed our very nature, with all its sinless infirmities, into a real unio…
458 wordsSECTION 484506 1 Timothy, Iii. 16. [2230.
him," in order to counterbalance the offence which his humi- liation had occasioned1?] III. He was " seen of angels " — [The angels had beheld his face, and had worshipped before his throne from the first moment of their existence : but when he became incarnate, they had views of him, which, before that period, t…
436 wordsSECTION 4852230.1 The Great Mystery Of Godliness. 507
instrument of conveying this mercy to them ; and had the happiness of seeing, that he had not laboured in vain, or run in vain. There were multitudes in every place who received the word with all readiness of mind, and rested all their hopes of salvation on their incarnate God. Their prejudices vanished ; their pa…
484 wordsSECTION 486508 1 Timothy, Iv. 8, 9. [2231.
wonderful as it is, it is still daily experienced, and daily mani- fested, by all that believe.] We conclude with submitting to your consideration two important questions : 1. What reception have you given to this mystery ? [Are the great subjects of Christ's humiliation and glory entertained by you with that rev…
266 wordsSECTION 4872231.] Godliness Profitable Unto All Things. 509
1 Tim. iv. 8, 9. Godliness is profitable unto all tilings, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation. AS in the natural man there is a total alienation of heart from God, so, after that he has been in some measure awakened to a se…
453 wordsSECTION 488510 1 Timothy, Iv. 8, 9. [2231.
is that the best of men are yet subject to wants, diseases, and death ; so that how holy soever they may be, they must yet partake of the bitter consequences of sin. But the advantages enjoyed by the godly over all the rest of mankind are exceeding great. First, The godly are delivered from the dominion of evil p…
469 wordsSECTION 4892231.J Godliness Profitable Unto All Things. 511
is not realized in fact, I grant that the generality of religious professors do not experience them to the extent that we have spoken of them. But why do they not experience them to this extent ? Is it that they do not necessarily attach to vital godliness ? No: but that godliness is but at a low ebb amongst those…
450 wordsSECTION 490512 I Timothy, Iv. 8, 9. [2231.
of the truth easily account for the solemnity with which it is introduced : but where there is nothing affirmed but the profitableness of godliness, we seem to think so solemn a confirmation of it quite unneces- sary. But we shall soon be of a different opinion, if we contemplate this truth in connexion with the s…
423 wordsSECTION 4912231.] Godliness Profitable Unto All Things. 513
How then are we to guard against such deceivers ? I answer, By having our minds fully intent on practical and vital godli- ness. We shall see in a moment, that by suffering our minds to be turned into the channel of controversy, we shall lose much of that heavenliness of mind, that sweetness of temper, that expans…
466 wordsSECTION 492514 1 Timothy, Iv. 8, 9. [2231.
will " forget all that is behind, and press forward to that which is before ;" like persons in a race, who have no desire but to fulfil the will of God, and to " finish their course with joy." In this respect then, no less than in the former, is godliness truly profitable ; and that it is so, " is a faithful saying…
463 wordsSECTION 493Address To Young Persons.
that may impede our progress in it ; and determinately engage in it as those who will at least take care not to lose the prize through any fault or negligence of their own. You well know how those who were to contend in the Olympic games denied themselves, and by what a long course of training they endea- voured t…
347 wordsSECTION 494516 1 Timothy, Iv. 12. [2232.
[Their knowledge is contracted, in comparison of what it most probably will be at a more advanced period of life: and consequently their judgment cannot yet have been ma- tured. Their experience too must, of necessity, have been small ; so that, as yet, they do not exactly see what will be the probable result of a…
426 wordsSECTION 4952232.] Address To Young Persons. 517
[It will be well for young persons to bear in mind the two points which we have just adverted to ; namely, their own liability to err, and the proneness of their seniors to judge them harshly. To obviate both these evils, the greatest cir- cumspection is necessary : nor can I give any better rule to the young than…
451 wordsSECTION 496518 1 Timothy, Iv. 12. [2232.
glorify their Father who is in heaven6." There is no eminence to which it is not their duty and their pri- vilege, to attain. And, if Timothy, at his early age, was to be " an example," not to the world only, but "to believers" also; so should every young person endeavour to be, in the place and station where God …
424 wordsSECTION 4972232. J Address To Young Persons. 519
to " render nothing but good for evil," until they shall have "overcome the evil with their goodV] 4. In spirit — [There is a peculiar need for young persons to guard against every thing of conceit and forwardness, and every dis- position that is contrary either to humility or love. Who does not admire modesty, a…
406 wordsSECTION 498520 1 Timothy, Iv. 12. [2232.
conflicts, and many humiliating falls : and the fair way to judge any man, is, to inquire what he would have been without reli- gion, and then to compare that with what he is as professing godliness. I may go further, and say, that even that is scarcely a fair criterion ; because he is, by means of his new disposit…
503 wordsSECTION 499Of Judgment.
only, and not from wilfulness : and be ready, not only with meekness and fear to assign your reasons for your conduct, but to submit those reasons to the test of sound wisdom and of real piety. In a word, endeavour " by your good and blameless conversation to win those" who would not listen to God's revealed will …
361 wordsSECTION 500522 1 Timothy, V. 24, 25. [2233.
Taking the words in tins sense, they will be found to express the very same idea, and in the very same connexion, which the same Apostle has suggested in other places ; to which, in the progress of our sub- ject, we shall have occasion to refer a. Fully persuaded in my own mind that the words do ultimately refer …
453 wordsSECTION 5012233.] Discovery Of Works At The Last Day. 523
light and venial by the ungodly world, stamp the character so clearly and manifestly, that no one who believes the Scriptures can doubt one moment what the issue of them will be in the day of judgments But whilst these " go before to judgment," others of a more secret and dubious nature " follow after." There are …
477 wordsSECTION 502524 1 Timothy, V. 24, 25. [2233.
their knee to the image of Baal. Indeed, it is of the nature of true religion to affect secrecy. The sighs, and groans, and prayers, and tears of the real penitent are poured forth in secret : and the consciousness of being seen or heard by any mortal man, would be sufficient to stifle all. The inward affiance of …
456 wordsSECTION 5032233.] Discovery Of Works At The Last Day. 525
will be the same, and his judgment will be in perfect corre- spondence with them. We should not therefore be inquiring, What the opinions of men are in relation to these things, but What God speaks in his word. We should study that word with care: we should bring ourselves to it as a touchstone q: we should pray o…
496 wordsSECTION 504526 1 Timothy, V. 24, 25. [2233.
" he will bring forth our righteousness as the light, and our judgment as the noon-day."] 3. We should however be jealous over ourselves with a godly jealousy — [As our conduct may be misrepresented by others, so may it also be misjudged by ourselves. Self-love is very apt to blind us, and to make us form a favou…
462 wordsSECTION 505The Gospel Productive Of Good Works.
object must be, to approve ourselves to God ; and then we need not be much concerned whether our actions be followed by an " evil or good report" from the partial judges that are around us. I mean not by this that we should be inattentive to the opinions of men, or that we should disregard their censures: for, as …
379 wordsSECTION 506528 1 Timothy, Vi. 3. [2234.
injunctions given them was owing only to their own pride, and ignorance, and love of sin. The expression contained in the text is peculiarly worthy of our attention. It gives a just, and very important view of the Gospel ; to illustrate and con- firm which is the intent of this discourse. In order to prove that t…
408 wordsSECTION 5072234.] The Gospel Productive Of Good Works. 529
he might i-edeem him from iniquity, have any influence on his mind ? Will he readily trample on the blood that was shed for him, and crucify his Lord afresh by continuing in sin ?] Let us prosecute the same inquiry, in relation to, II. Its precepts — View the precepts relating to God and our neigh- bour— [The tw…
411 wordsSECTION 508530 1 Timothy, Vi. 3. [2234.
and in the very agonies of death, he prayed for nothing but blessings on the head of his cruel murderers. Now we are told, that in all this " he set us an example, that we should follow his steps :" and that all his followers must " walk even as he walked."] 2. His holy Apostles — [These were far inferior indeed …
432 wordsSECTION 509Godliness With Contentment.
benefit to their souls: yea rather, inasmuch as it argued light and knowledge, it will only enhance their guilt, and aggravate their condemnation. Let those who are not occupied in a careful imitation of their Lord, and an unreserved obedience to his will, know assuredly, that if, on the one hand, he that believet…
352 wordsSECTION 510532 1 Timothy, Vi. 6. [2235.
I. What we are to understand by " godliness "— The frame of mind which we may conceive the angels to enjoy, would be by no means suited to our state : we are sinners, redeemed sinners ; and there- fore " godliness " must include such a frame of mind as becomes persons in our condition. In this view, it implies, …
377 wordsSECTION 5112235.] Godliness With Contentment. 533
affliction light, yea, lightness itself, in comparison of the misery he deserves ? Will he not, under the pressure of the heaviest calamities, thank God that he is not in hell ?] 2. A sense of infinite obligation to God for mer- cies received — [One who has within him the constituents of real godli- ness, must se…
410 wordsSECTION 512584 1 Timothy, Vi. 6. [2235.
But in these respects it cannot for one moment stand in competition with godliness, — that godliness I mean which is connected with contentment. Suppose money to afford ever such high gratifications, (though it is very much over- rated by the generality,) will not pardon of sin, peace of conscience, and the enjoym…
441 wordsSECTION 5132236.] Love Of Money. 535
[That persons may feel contentment while enjoying all that they can wish, we readily acknowledge. But we have not real contentment, unless we could be contented with any change of circumstances which God might see fit to appoint. Nor indeed can this fruit spring from any thing but real god- liness. Therefore the c…
320 wordsSECTION 514536 1 Timothy, Vi. 9, 10. [2236.
1 Tim. vi. 9, 10. They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil : which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through ivith many…
440 wordsSECTION 5152236.] Love Of Money. 537
unbounded sway. In fact, so completely will it occupy the soul, as to make all its faculties subservient to the acquisition of gain ■ — ] 4. A damning principle — [I am aware that I speak strongly. But would you have me withhold this awful truth ? Would it not be cruelty to you to conceal this, or to soften it, w…
397 wordsSECTION 516538 1 Timothy, Vi. 9, 10. [2236.
gone to Thessalonica," a trading city, where he may find ample scope for indulging his predominant propensity. And, no doubt, multitudes of professing people, who have not thus openly made shipwreck of their faith, have, by their inordinate anxiety about their worldly interests, destroyed all the comfort of their …
441 wordsSECTION 517Practical Piety Enforced.
has peace with God ! how rich the soul that has all the glory and felicity of heaven! Yet " is it all yours, if ye are Christ's." In your desires after these riches, you cannot be too enlarged. You may " covet as earnestly as you will these gifts :" nor will this principle ever operate, but for the production of go…
354 wordsSECTION 518510 1 Timothy, Vi. 11. [2237.
[An inordinate desire of wealth, and an eager pursuit of it, are unworthy of the Christian character. Contentment is that rather which becomes him: for, in truth, it is but little that a man needs in this world, The richest man in the uni- verse, what has he beyond "food and raiment?" That his food is more delicat…
685 wordsSECTION 519542 1 Timothy, Vi. 11. [2237.
The graces too of " faith and love," what scope have they for exercise in a heart imbued with selfishness ? Darkness is not more opposed to light, than this evil is to those divine principles : nor can any person under its malignant influence follow, or even discern, the path which those sublime feelings would pre…
646 wordsSECTION 520The Good Fight Of Faith.
1 Tim. vi. \2. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life. THE Apostle Paul, being particularly conversant with the cities of Greece, and writing many of his epistles to Churches which he had established in that country, frequently alluded to the games which were there celebrated, taking from them me…
300 wordsSECTION 521544 1 Timothy, Vi. 12. [2238.
the Saviour, whom he loves, ever been revealed to his organs of sense. It is by faith alone that he apprehends both the Father and the Son ; deriving from their love all his motives to action, and from their power all his ability to act. It was thus that St. Paul lived: " The life which I now live in the flesh," s…
496 wordsSECTION 5222238.] The Good Fight Of Faith. 545
[It is " a good fight" which we have to fight: no contest was ever so reasonable as this or so profitable to the soul or so pleasing to Almighty God But remember, no truce is to be made with any one of our ene- mies: we must contend with them as for our very life. We are " not to fight as one that," in a fictitiou…
436 wordsSECTION 523546 1 Timothy, Vi. 12. [2238.
Let us never rest, till we are in actual possession of it— [We must " lay such hold upon it," that none shall ever be able to wrest it from us : as our Lord has said, " Hold fast that thou hast, that no man take thy crown11." " Look that ye lose not the things that ye have wrought, but that ye receive a full rewa…
463 wordsSECTION 524The True Use Of Riches.
dying hour ; when, in the retrospect of your present conflicts, you will be able to say, " I have fought a good light, T have finished my course, I have kept the faith : henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give mez." Above all, think of the plaudi…
376 wordsSECTION 525548 1 Timothy, Vi. 17—19. [2239.
fulfil the duties which pertained more immediately to himself. The rich were not in this respect to be overlooked, any more than the poor ; nor were they to be addressed with less authority than the poor. Timothy, though quite a young minister, was to con- sider himself as speaking in the name and with the author…
372 wordsSECTION 5262239.] The True Use Of Riches. 549
with this folly, when the Babylonish ambassadors came to visit him : and the judgments inflicted on him on account of it, sufficiently shew how hateful it is in the sight of God. Yet, such is the infirmity of human nature, that a man of this description is ready to arrogate also to himself some superior value even…
496 wordsSECTION 527550 1 Timothy, Vi. 17—19. [2239.
them bv Him who said to the rich man, " Thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee." Let me then guard you all against "making gold your hope, or saying to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence ;" for it is a grievous impiety in the sight of God, and " an iniquity to be punished by the judge11."] We…
471 wordsSECTION 5282239.] The True Use Of Riches. 551
and of benevolence to man, than from all the selfish gratifica- tions that wealth can ever purchase. But besides the present satisfaction arising from these sources, there is a full confidence in the soul that God himself will minister to our necessities in the time of need1, and an assured hope of his approbation …
434 wordsSECTION 529552 1 Timothy, Vi. 17—19. [2239.
God in having imparted more liberally to you than to others, has conferred on you the distinguished honour of being his almoners : yea, if I may so speak, of being in his place to your more necessitous fellow-creatures : and by your cheerful exe- cution of your trust he will judge of your love to him : for " if yo…
430 wordsSECTION 530• 1 " *-■• • 4 f u o University of Toronto Library Acme Library Card Pocket Under Pat "Ref . Index File" Made by LIBRARY BUREAU…
22 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.