PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 19 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 235,702 words · 486 reading sections
2 Timothy
BS 491.5 .S5 1832 v. 19 Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 Horae homileticae v^-TT London: NOW FIRST DIGESTED INTO ONE CONTINUED SERIES, AND FORMING A COMMENTARY lO WHICH IS ANNEXED, AN IMPROVED EDITION OF A TRANSLATION OF / AMEN CORNER, PATERNOSTER ROW. MDCCCXXXITT. 2240. i. 7. 2241. i. 9. 2242. i. 10. 2243.…
275 wordsSECTION 2V. 11—14.
rexl. Subject. Pago. 2266. 7. Benevolence encouraged 117 2267. 10, 11. The Efficacy of the Gospel . . . 123 2268. i. 3. Christ's Ascension to Glory . . . 131 2269. i. 6. Chrisfs Incarnation 134 2270. i. 8. Excellency of Christ's Person and Government 138 2271. i. 10—12. Christ's Superiority to…
285 wordsSECTION 3X. 38, 39.
vn 2296. 2297. 2298. 2299. 2300. 2312. 2313. 2314. 2315. 2316. 2317. 2318. 2319. 2320. 2321. 2322. 2323. 2324. 2325. 2326. 2327. 2328. vii. 1 — 3. vii. 19. vii. 25. vii. 26. viii. 6. 2301. ix. 11, 12 2302. ix. 13, 14. 2303. ix. 22. 2304. ix. 23. 2305. ix. 24. 2306. ix. 26. 2307. …
292 wordsSECTION 4The Spirit Of Vital Christianity.
,H.c„„r.e. Tcxl. subject. Page, 2329. xi. 30. I'he Walls of Jericho thrown down by Faith 422 2330. xi. 31. Rahab concealing the Spies . . . 428 2331. xi. 32—35. Power of Faith 435 2332. xi. 38. God's Estimate of his People . . . 441 2333. xi. 39, 40. The Advantages enjoyed under the Christian Di…
470 wordsSECTION 52 2 Timothy, I. 7. [2240.
I. The spirit which God infuses into the souls of his people — It is " not a spirit of fear" — [" Fear" is discarded from the soul that is truly given up to God. There may remain, indeed, what I may call a con- stitutional fear ; (some persons, whose piety cannot be dovibted, have a strange and unaccountable fear…
437 wordsSECTION 62240.] 1He Spirit Of Vital Christianity. S
Even towards his persecutors this must be in active and con- tinual exercise ; his fixed determination being, " not to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with good^"] Yet, not even love must be left to operate but under the direction of " a sound mind " — [Enthusiasm is no part of true religion : it is rath…
424 wordsSECTION 74 2 Timothy, I. 7. [2240.
of all the afflictions that can come upon him, he must say, " None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so tliat I may but finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God"."] But in them must be conspicuous…
432 wordsSECTION 82240.] The Spirit Of Vital Christianity. 5
minister are more arduous, and his trials more diversified, than tliose of others, so a want of judgment in him is more deeply felt than in any other person ; because the prejudices of many are strengthened by it, and the souls of many are hardened in their sins. A minister, therefore, must be particularly attenti…
482 wordsSECTION 96 2 Timothy, I. 9. [2241.
2. To those who have received it, I would say, " Stir it up within you " — This was the direction given to Timothy: " Stir up the gift of God that is in thee ;" that is, stir it up, as you would a fire which is in a languishing condition^. The fire, which burned upon the altar, came down, as you well know, from h…
296 wordsSECTION 102241.1 Effectual Calling. 7
2 Tim. i. 9. JVho hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, hut according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. THE deepest truths of our religion were familiar to the mind of the Apostle Paul. He introduced them, on all occas…
507 wordsSECTION 118 2 Timothy, I. 9. [2241.
Nothing can be more plain than the Apostle's statement : he tells us, both negatively/, what our calling does not arise from ; and positively, what it does : 1. It is not founded on our works — [It cannot be founded on any good works already done.; for we never had done, or could do any, till we were called by g…
406 wordsSECTION 12Death Abolished, And Life Revealed.
3. What privileges do I enjoy as one of God's elect ? [Survey the wheels of a watch, and see how, in all their complicated motions, they accomplish one important end. Thus does all the machinery of the universe, whether more or less connected with men or devils, move in reference to your present and eternal good.…
324 wordsSECTION 1310 2 Timothy, I. 10. [2242.
curse the Lord Jesus Christ has dehvered us. " He has abolished death," 1. From the soul — [The soul, by reason of transgression, was despoiled of all spiritual life, and was doomed to everlasting death. But the Lord Jesus Christ, by " becoming a curse for usV' has so cancelled our guilt, that " there is no conde…
448 wordsSECTION 142242.] Death Abolished, And Life Revealed. 11
But let US further view, II. What he has done for us through the instru- mentahty of his word — " He has brought hfe and immortahty to hght through the Gospel." These were not known to the heathen world. As for the resurrection of the body, it was derided by them, as a vain and foolish imagination : " What will …
340 wordsSECTION 1512 2 Timothy, I. 10. [2242.
[How merciful is the warning which he has given to all to " enter in at the strait gate, and to walk in the narrow way*!" Surely the thought of an eternal existence, either in happiness or misery, should operate upon all ; and, if duly contemplated, it will operate on all, to deter them from evil, and to stimulate…
445 wordsSECTION 16Confidence In God A Source Of Consolation.
awaits you. Only hold fast your confidence firm unto the end, and his crown shall be your crown, his kingdom your kingdom, his glory your glory, for ever and ever.] 2 Tim. i. 12. T know ivhom I have believed, and am 'per- suaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. MAN is…
300 wordsSECTION 1714 2 Timothy, I. 12. [2243.
[We know what it is to commit a large sum of money to the care of a banker : and from thence we may attain a just notion of the Christian's conduct. He has a soul which is of more value than the whole world : and he feels great anxiety that it should be preserved safely " against that day," when God shall judge th…
448 wordsSECTION 182243.1 Consolation By Confidence In God. L5
[He is informed by the inspired writers, thai God created the ivorld out of nothing ; and that he upholds and orders every thing in it ; insomuch that not a sparrow falls to the ground without his express permission. Hence then he argues ; ' Did God create my soul, and can he not uphold it ? Did he form my enemies…
462 wordsSECTION 1916 2 Timothy, I. 12. [2243.
these, more than from any others, he is enabled to say, " I know whom I have beheved."] Moreover, III. This persuasion is a strong support to him under all his trials — Many are the difficulties of the Christian's warfare: but a persuasion of God's ability to keep him, 1. Encourages him to duty — [The path of d…
394 wordsSECTION 202244.1 Strength In The Grace Of Christ. 17
We shall further improve the subject, 1. For conviction — [All persons are ready to think that they are possessed of true and saving faith. But faith is not a mere assent to the truths of the Gospel, or even an approbation of them. It includes three things; a committing of the soul to Christ; a persuasion of his …
267 wordsSECTION 2118 2 Timothy, Ii. 1. [2244.
2 Tim. ii. 1. My son, he strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. HOW shall it be that all of us, who are assembled here this day, should ever get to heaven, so weak as we are, and so corrupt, and in the midst of so many and great dangers ? I look back to the Apostle's days ; and find, that when he was in pri…
441 wordsSECTION 222244.1 Strength In The Grace Of Christ. 19
much of it as if he alone existed upon earth. Nor has he the less of its influence from its being extended to all the millions of mankind. Thus has every believer as much of Christ's gracious influence as his soul can need; having it neither increased by the paucity of those who partake of it, nor dimi- nished by …
433 wordsSECTION 2320 2 Timothy, Ii. 1. [2244.
grace than Christ Jesus : and without hesitation we should go to him from day to day, and from hour to hour, to receive it out of his fuhiess. We should not dream of meriting it at his hands, or of earning it by any thing that we can do: we should receive it as freely as the Israelites did the waters that •issued …
436 wordsSECTION 24Consideration Enforced.
lessened? When "virtue went forth from him," in the days of his flesh, " to heal all the multitudes that waited on him," was there less virtue in him than before ? or has the sun lost any of its splendour by all the rays that it has emitted these six thousand years ? Know, then, that Christ is still as able to sav…
342 wordsSECTION 2522 2 Timothy, Ii. 7. [2245.
whole armour of God; which we are to put on," and by means of which we are to withstand all our enemies. But in this warfare we must, of necessity, meet with great trials, yea, and must sustain many afflictions. For, where is there a Christian who has not " his cross to bear, whilst following his Lord?" A soldier,…
472 wordsSECTION 262245.1 Consideration Enforced. 23
the contending parties. Now we, both ministers and people, are called to " wrestle, not with flesh and blood only, but with all the principalities and powers of hell :" and we have laid down for us, in the inspired volume, rules, to which we must rigidly adhere in all our conflicts. It is not sufKcient that we put…
520 wordsSECTION 2724 2 Timothy, Ii. 7. [2245.
utterly have failed. But that self-same day that the period was completed, he brought them forth. So, however long we may have to wait for a successful issue of our labours, we must " never faint or be weary in well-doing;" but must pro- ceed with cheerfulness, assured, that " in due season we shall reap," and '* …
461 wordsSECTION 282245.1 Consideration Enforced. 25
fciculty of your souls be wholly and exclusively devoted to your God. Yet one thing more I beg you to " consider ;" and that is, Jlotv rich is the recompence that awaits you. Look at the hus- bandman toiling at his work in the midst of winter ; what a hopeless task does he, in appearance, perform ! but look at hi…
504 wordsSECTION 29Mmccxlvi.
soon see that, however " man may devise his way, God alone can direct his steps." Once more : — It is God alone that can uphold us in the dis- charge of such duties. Recall to mind all that has been set forth under the images to which my text refers ; and then say, " Who is sufficient for these things?" Who can su…
667 wordsSECTION 3028 2 Timothy, Ii. 10. [2246.
How amiable and praiseworthy was this heavenly disposition ! [Certainly the love of Christ in dying for us, infinitely exceeds all that ever was manifested by any human being. But, next to Christ, St. Paul seems to have most abounded in love to man. He was indeed a very bright resemblance of his Divine Master. An…
724 wordsSECTION 3180 2 Timothy, Ii. 11 — 14. [2247.
3. How must they be blinded by the devil, who oppose the salvation of their fellow-creatures ! [There are too many who scoff at piety, and endeavour, by ridicule or persuasion, to turn men from the practice of it, Alas ! what an awful contrast do their characters form with that of the Apostle ! Let such consider t…
700 wordsSECTION 3280 2 Timothy, Ii. 11 — 14. [2247.
Now how will God deal with these ? Will he overlook them as unworthy of his notice 'i Will he afford them no succour, and recompense them with no reward? Far be it from him; for " if we be dead with Christ, we shall also live with him;" that is, he will enable us to execute our holy purposes, and to rise superior …
439 wordsSECTION 3332 2 Timothy, 11. 11—11. [2247.
2. With the ungodly — [These are here designated as " those who deny him." Now there are two ways in which this may be done ; namely, either by an open and avowed rejection of his Gospel p, or by a timid concealment of our convictions. Of the former we shall have no occasion to speak, because it is the latter clas…
657 wordsSECTION 3432 2 Timothy, 11. 11—11. [2247.
But, whether believed or not, they shall all be fulfilled in their season — [" Our unbelief will not make the truth of God of none effect''." Whatever he has spoken, he will surely execute ; as it is said, " God is not a man, that he should lie ; neither the son of man, that he should repent. Hath he said, and sha…
296 wordsSECTION 3534 2 Timothy, Ii. 11—11. [2247.
suffered for him. He will say, " Thou hast been faithful in a few things; be thou ruler over many things'^ :" and the precise measure of their glory shall be proportioned to the labours and sufferings to which in this life they had submitted for his sake^ In like manner, to the ungodly he will award a sentence of …
463 wordsSECTION 362248.1 '^^^ Stability Of The Covenant. .35
for if God requke them, and will receive to mercy those only in whom these requisites can be found, it will be to no purpose to contend with him. Be wise in time : and so endeavour to approve yourselves to God now, that he may approve of you in the day of judgment.] 2. For your comfort and support — [The workings…
346 wordsSECTION 3736 2 Timothy, 11. 19. [2248.
2 Tim. ii. 19. The foundation of God siayideth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them, that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity. GOD has a people whom he will preserve from apostasy : but he will keep them by the instrumenta- lity of their own care and watchfuln…
415 wordsSECTION 382248.1 The Stability Of The Covenant. 37
[Knowledge is here, as in many other places, put for love'': in this sense it is represented as a seal of the covenant. Love is stamped, as it were, on every part of the covenant, gives a kind of validity to it, and is inseparable from it.] This unchanging love is the stabihty of the cove- nant— [We should contin…
380 wordsSECTION 39Saints, Vessels Of Honour.
[There ever have been some apostates from the Church of Christ ; but their defection does not disprove the stabihty of God's covenant. The reason of their departure is accounted for by St. John'^— Let not then any be dejected when they see the falls of others. God " knows" his sheep, and will suffer " none to pluc…
339 wordsSECTION 402249.1 Saints, Vessels Of Honour. 39
Two things he mentions, as necessary for us to be purged from ; 1. Error in principle — [Even in that early age of the Church, there were many, who, instead of upholdhig the faith, sought, by all imaginable subtilties, to turn men from their adherence to it. False teachers there were in great numbers, who " strov…
440 wordsSECTION 4140 2 Timothy, Ii. 20, 21. [2249.
controversial habits generate, must, of necessity, give advantage to Satan for the infusion of all manner of evil into our souls. Hence St. Paul, in his advice to Timothy, combines with a caution against error, a caution against sin also : " Flee youth- ful lusts ; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace wi…
412 wordsSECTION 422249.1 Saints, Vessels Of Honour. 4-1
rather to corrupt others, than to benefit their souls ; and to dishonour their profession, rather than adorn it. In fact, they are base in themselves, and subserve only base purposes : and " their end will be according to their works."] But " those who are purged from these will be regarded by him as vessels of ho…
307 wordsSECTION 4342 2 Timothy, Ii. 20,21. [224D.
1. For anxious inquhy — [To which of these widely-different vessels may you be compared ? Which of them do you resemble, in theu* essen- tial qualities, or in their habitual use? Are you of gold or silver, or of the baser materials of wood or earth ? Are you altogether consecrated to God ? or are you occupied sole…
618 wordsSECTION 442250.1 The Great Ends Of The Ministry. 43
assert, too, with the Apostle, thcat the same power which the potter has over the clay, our God has over all the works of his hands. But there is a distinction which the Apostle has made, and which we must ever bear in mind, that, though it is God alone ivho preioares any for glory, yet man Jits himself for destru…
336 wordsSECTION 4544 2 Timothy, 11. 25, 26. [2250.
2 Tim. ii. 25, 26. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves ; if God peradventure tvill give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth ; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken cap- tive by him at his will. THE work of the ministry is arduous in the ex-…
487 wordsSECTION 462250.1 The Great Ends Of The Ministry. 45
they do: nor could he wish them more habitually to cheat themselves with a mere name and form of godliness than they do ] And this is the state of all, without exception — [Men have their different tastes : one loves gross im- morality, whilst another prefers a self-complacent round of outward duties. But these a…
391 wordsSECTION 474G 2 Timothy, Ii. 25, 26. [2250.
truth as it is in Jesus." They set forth the claims of their God and Saviour to their allegiance, and the evil and danger of continuing in rebellion against him. They declare, that if they will submit themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, he will forgive all their past sins, and bring tiiem into the glorious libert…
419 wordsSECTION 48Self-Love Reprobated.
without your own cordial co-operation. Doubtless it is he that must give you both to will and to do : but still you must " work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." Though you are " drawn by God, and made willing by him in the day of his power," you are " drawn by the cords of a man" and from thencefor…
335 wordsSECTION 4948 2 Timothy, Iii. 1,2. [2251.
For the elucidation of the subject before us, I will endeavour to shew, I. What is the disposition here reprobated — It is self-love : " Men shall be lovers of their own selves." But we are not to imagine that every kind and degree of self-love is sinful. On the contrary, the desire which God has infused into the…
424 wordsSECTION 502251.] Self-Love Reprobated. 49
nothing less than practical atheism, or a " banishing of God from all our thoughts"."] 2. When it operates to the injury of our neigh- bour— [Our neighbour, in his place, has claims upon us, no less than God himself. Whoever we be, whether of high or low degree, what are we but members of one great family ; yea, …
397 wordsSECTION 5150 2 Timothy, Iii. 1, 2. [2251.
false-accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." It is not necessary, indeed, that all these evil qualities should be combined in the same person: but there is in self-love a tendency to produce them, so far as a perso…
491 wordsSECTION 522252.1 Form And Power Of Godliness. 51
Apostle Paul acted : he accounted not his life dear to him : on the contrary, if called to lay it down fur his brethren, he regarded it as an occasion, not of grief, but of joy'. Ah! brethren, see how much you have acquired of that spirit ; and how much you possess of " the mind that was in Christ Jesus, who, when…
384 wordsSECTION 5352 2 Timothy, Iii. 5. [2252.
2 Tim. iii. 5. Having a form of godliness, hut denying the power thereof : from such turn away. THERE were, even in the Apostolic ages, many awful declensions from piety and sound religion : but in the last days we expect they will prevail to a far greater extent. Even at the present day, a thorough acquaintance …
459 wordsSECTION 542252.1 Form And Power Of Godliness. 53
The Apostle says, " From such turn away." To explain this, I will shew, 1. In what sense we are not to turn away from such characters — [We are not to turn away from them in contempt. That were highly unbecoming us ; who, if we differ at all, owe the whole of that difference to the distinguishing grace of God. A…
416 wordsSECTION 5554 2 Timothy, Iii. 5. [2252.
godliness may yet be in a state so hateful to God, what must be the condition of those who are destitute even of the form? Can it be that they should be approved of the Lord ? They will indeed, and with great confidence too, affirm, that they have no ground to fear : but they awfully deceive their own souls : for …
429 wordsSECTION 56A Want Of Profiting By The Gospel, Censured.
2 Tim. iii. 7. Ever leariiing, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. FROM what we know of the excellency of the Gospel, we should naturally conclude that it can never produce any thing but good. And this is frue. But, as the law, notwithstanding it is good, is some- times, through the corruption o…
303 wordsSECTION 5756 2 Timothy, Iii. 7. [2253.
The Gospel, in this age, has acquired a consider- able degree of popularity; so that, wherever it is preached, it is attended by multitudes who previously had shewn no regard whatever for religion : yea, to such a degree does it interest many, that their whole souls appear to be engaged in an attention to it. Yet…
443 wordsSECTION 582253.1 Want Of Profiting By The Gospel, Censured. 57
truth are very contracted : but still, the crude notions which many form of" it clearly prove that they have never received the Gospel aright ; because, if they had really been taught of God, they could not but discern its fundamental truths ; since, " what God has hid from the wise and prudent, he does clearly an…
481 wordsSECTION 5958 2 Timothy, Iii. 7. [2253.
Let me, then, go on to shew, II. Whence their want of proficiency proceeds — Many more reasons might be assigned for it than we shall have time to notice. All the different classes which we have mentioned may trace their ignorance to causes in some respect peculiar to the class to which they belong. On the other …
407 wordsSECTION 602253.] Want Of Profiting Dy The Gospel, Censured. 59
3. Because the knowledge acquired is not con- scientiously improved — [Men, under the word, are made to see their own faces in a glass : but, having no desire to comply with its requisi- tions, they soon " forget what manner of persons they are V If they would follow the instruction which they receive, and take i…
422 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1833); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.