PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 19 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 235,702 words · 486 reading sections
200 Hebrews, Iv. 2. [2282.
spoken of? What have we experienced of a spiritual redemp- tion? What are we yet daily experiencing of a life of faith uj)on the Son of God ? and how far does the prospect of eter- nal glory animate us to do and suffer all things for the attain- ment of it? I pray you, brethren, put these questions to yourselves, …
761 wordsSECTION 182202 Hebrews, Iv. 9. [2283.
"• 1 Cor. X. 1 — 6, 11. Jude, ver. 5. THE REST THAT REMAINS FOR GOd's PEOPLE, Heb. iv. 9. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. THE servants of God possess many distinguished privileges. Their state in this world is far happier than that of the ungodly ; but there is an infinitely richer portion…
659 wordsSECTION 183204 Hebrews, Iv. 12. [2284.
They will be exempt from all influence of sin or temptation — [Sin now defiles their very best services. Satan is also unwearied in his endeavours to corrupt them^ These are sources of much pain to them at present. But the souls of all in heaven are made perfect^: nor can any unclean thing enter to defile them**.…
411 wordsSECTION 1842284.] Word Of God Quick And Powerful. 205
Heb. iv. 12. The word of God is quick, and jioiverful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, jnercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and i?itents of the heart. THE state of a Christian's mind should he alike distant from slavish fe…
540 wordsSECTION 185206 Hebrews, Iv. 12. [2284.
And the different things spoken of it in the text are far more suited to the written word, than to the Lord Jesus Christ. To that, therefore, we limit the de- scription before us. Its properties are set forth, 1. In figurative terms — [It is " quick," that is, a living word. Our blessed Lord represents it in the …
466 wordsSECTION 1862284.] Word Of God Quick And Powerful. 207
cannot stand the strict scrutiny of God's all-seeing eye. If he lay judgment for a line, and righteousness for a plummet, there is not any thing in which there will not be found some obli- quity. Such a perfect standard is the word of God : " it will discern between the good and evil that is in the most holy thoug…
434 wordsSECTION 187208 Hebrews, Iv. 12. [2284.
threatenings, it cannot be that theii should ever be executed, because such a procedure would be inconsistent with the Divine perfections, and an act of injustice towards man. If the pro- mises of God be the object to which our attention is turned, they are too great, and too good to be performed ; or at least, th…
670 wordsSECTION 188208 Hebrews, Iv. 12. [2284.
2. How fearful we should be of unbelief — [As there is no grace which so honours God, as faith, so there is no sin which so dishonours him, as unbelief. Other sins, though they oppose his authority, do not deny his right to command : but unbelief questions the very existence of his truth. Hence does St. John so fr…
322 wordsSECTION 189God Sees Our Inmost Thoughts.
earnest; and you shall not ask in vain'. It is the Spirit's office to " take of the things that are Christ's, and to shew them unto you^." It is his office to make the word effectual to your souls : for it is then only effectual, when " it comes in demonstration of the Spirit and of power^" Read not then, nor hear…
324 wordsSECTION 1902285. J <'Od Sees Our Inmost Thoughts. ^1 I
quartei- of the globe, and however hidden from mortal eyes, are visible to him'' All future events, whomsoever they concern, even the eternal states of all that ever shall be born, are known by him with as much certainty as if they were already accomplished *= ] 2. All men — [The actions of men are not only notic…
399 wordsSECTION 191212 Hebrews, Iv. 15, 16. [2286.
2. We must ''give an account to God'" of all that we do — [Every thing we do is noticed by God, in order that it may be recompensed at the day of judgment'^. The book of his remembrance will assuredly be opened in that day'; and every action, word, and thought, during our whole lives, will have an influence on hi…
303 wordsSECTION 192Mmcclxxxvi.
ENCOURAGEMENT DERIVED FROM THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST. Heb. iv. 15, 16. We have not an High-priest which cannot he touched with the feeling of our injirviities ; hut was in all points tempted like as we are, yet ivithout siti. Let lis there- fore come holdly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and fi…
440 wordsSECTION 193214 Hebrews, Iv. 15, 16. [2286.
was ever pursued with such bitter unrelenting animosity as he. No terms were too vile to be applied to him : he was called " a glutton and a wine-bibber," a deceiver and blasphemer, a Samaritan and a devil : and the whole nation rose against him with that indignant cry, " Crucify him, crucify him." Of his assaults…
467 wordsSECTION 1942286.] Encouragement From Ciirists Character. 215
Such being indisputably the character of our High- priest, let us contemplate, II. The encouragement to be derived from it in all our addresses at the throne of grace — The thought of having such an High-priest passed into the heavens to further our cause in the presence of his God, emboldens us to come to God hi…
437 wordsSECTION 195216 Hebrews, Iv. 15, 16. [2286.
in future. Now these are the very things specified in our text, as to be asked by us in the name of our High-priest with boldness and confidence : and we are assured, that they shall be granted, both in the time and measure that we need them. We are not to be accounting any thing too great to ask, because there is…
652 wordsSECTION 196216 Hebrews, Iv. 15, 16. [2286.
[We are not to be wavering in our minds when we draw- nigh to God. To doubt either his power or his willingness to help us, is to disparage both the Father and the Son : and prayers offered with a doubtful mind will never bring with them an answer of peace*. It is quite a mistaken humility that leads persons to qu…
356 wordsSECTION 197Christ Benefited By His Own Sufferings.
Heb. V. 7 — 9. Who in the days of his Jlesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplicatiojis ivith strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared,- though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things lohich he suffered; ^and being made perfect, he …
320 wordsSECTION 1982287.] Christ Benefited By His Own Sufferings. 219
he knew that his Father was " able to save him from death:" he therefore repeatedly besovight him to remove the bitter cup, and urged his petitions " with strong cries and floods of tears ;" not that he repented of the work he had undertaken ; but only desired such a mitigation of his sufferings as might consist w…
402 wordsSECTION 199220 Hebrews, V. 7—9. [2287.
2. Official— [As the priests were consecrated to their office by the blood of their sacrifices, so was Jesus by his own bloocU. From that time he had a right to impart salvation : from that time also he exercised that right. The persons indeed to whom alone he is " the author of eternal salvation," are, " those w…
370 wordsSECTION 200The Slow Progress Of Many Reproved.
Heb. V. 11 — 14. TFe have many th'mgs to say, and hard to be tittered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again lohich be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For ever…
343 wordsSECTION 201Hebrews, V. 11—14. [2288.
In explaining the drift of his address we shall, I. Inquire whence it is that men's progress in divine knowledge is so disproportioned to the advan- tages they enjoy — That many who hear the Gospel are but little pro- fited by it, is a melancholy and undeniable fact — [That persons should continue ignorant when l…
442 wordsSECTION 2022288.] The Slow Progress Of Many Reproved. 22S
are ready enough to hear; and perhaps, like Ezekiel's hearers, are pleased with the sound of the Gospel, as j'ou would be with some delightful music® : but are you careful to apply to yourselves what you hear? Do you examine yourselves by it? Do you labour to treasure it up in your hearts ? Do you pray over it? Do…
425 wordsSECTION 203224 Hebrews, V. 11—14. [2288.
hearing." When we speak to " those who are of full age/' we can enter largely into every part of the Gospel ; because " they, having their spiritual senses exercised by use and habit, can discern both good and evil." They have a clear perception of the things we say, just as a man has of things bitter or sweet. We…
753 wordsSECTION 204226 Hebrews, Vi. 1—3. [2289.
k John ii. 12—14. i 1 Pet. ii. 2. ^ i Cor. xiv. 20. n Rom. XV. 14. Heb. iii. 13 ° Prov. xi. 25. Heb vi. 1 — 3. Therefore leaving the jorinciples of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection ; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead, tvorlcs, and of faith toivard God, of the doctri?ie of …
500 wordsSECTION 2052289.1 Going On To Perfection. 227
be utterly forsaken, as an object of our most unfeigned abhor- rence.] The second is, " Faith towards God " — [This also is required, as indispensably necessary to sal- vation. Not only must we " believe that God is, and is a rewarder of all who diligently seek him ;" but we must believe that he is reconciled to …
424 wordsSECTION 206228 Hebrews, Vi. 1—3. [2289.
of all our hopes : and it has assured to us, beyond a possibihty of doubt, our own resurrection ; seeing that " Christ was the first-firsts" of the harvest that shall in due season be gathered in^.] The last is, " Eternal judgment" — [Temporal rewards and punishments were chiefly insisted on under the law ; but u…
361 wordsSECTION 2072289.1 Going On To Perfection. 229
not partake, because he was of the tribe of Judah. But a new order of priesthood was to arise, after the order of Melchizedec : and this was the priesthood to which Jesus was called. In all its offices it resembled the Levitical priesthood ; by which it was, in fact, shadowed forth, in all its parts. Our blessed L…
475 wordsSECTION 208230 Hebrews, Vi. 1—3. [2289.
2. The ''perfection" of our privileges, as secured by it— [This also the Apostle unfolds, though, alas! we have only time to specify one or two particulars. But through our great High-priest we receive a full and perfect and everlasting remission of all our sins. The forgiveness obtained by the Levitical sacrific…
452 wordsSECTION 2092289.1 Going On To Perfection. 231
heaven are continually "desiring to look into." See what was St. Paul's prayer in behalf of the saints at Ephesus, tvhom he speaks of as eminent for their ^' faith in the Lord Jesus, and their love to all the saints ;" " I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers ; that the God of our …
486 wordsSECTION 210The Danger Of Apostasy.
things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calUng of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded*." Mark, I pray you : it is to those who are perfect, that he gives this advice. What advice, then, must be given to those who are so far from perfection…
369 wordsSECTION 2112290.] The Danger Of Apostasy. 233
for the benefit of those who could digest strong meat, and make a due improvement of the truths he should set before them*". But, in the meantime, he warns them, that the neglecting to advance in religion is the surest road to apostasy ; and that apostasy, after such attainments as they had made, would in all hu- …
381 wordsSECTION 212234 Hebrews, Vi. 4—6. [2290.
Their potvers may be enlarged, as well for the discharging of duties which their unassisted nature would be unequal to perform, as for the working of miracles, to which no created power is competent. By " the heavenly gift," or the gracious operations of the Holy Spirit, they may make some consider- able advances …
405 wordsSECTION 2132290.] The Danger Of Apostasy. 235
" impossible;" by which we are to understand, not that it is an absolute, but only a moral, impossibility. When our Lord declared that it was " easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven," he explained himself by saying, " With man this is impossib…
433 wordsSECTION 214236 Hebrews, Vi. 4—6. [2290.
[This, though not adverted to in the text, is necessary to a just view of the subject, and is expressly mentioned in the same connexion in a subsequent part of this epistle''. It is not possible but that such apostates must have experienced on many occasions " the strivings of the Holy Spirit" with them; they must…
435 wordsSECTION 215Mmccxcl
2. Be not satisfied with low attainments — [It was to enforce this idea that the warning- in the text was introduced by the Apostle : and therefore it demands our peculiar attention. Persons who, like " babes," are weak in the faith, are of course more liable to be turned from it : and if they do not grow towards …
357 wordsSECTION 216238 Hebrews, Vi. 7, 8. [2291.
danger of apostasy. It exhibits figuratively, in a way of contrast, I. The benefit of ordinances when duly improved — What is that improvement which God expects us to make of divine ordinances ? [Every one knows what benefit the cultivator of any land expects from showers which water the earth ; he expects, whet…
381 wordsSECTION 2172291.] Fruitful And Barren Professors. 239
impenitence and unbelief, as much as if they had never heard of the Saviour's love, or received the offers of a free sal- vation ] And what can these expect, but the curse of God upon them ? [A man will not always cultivate a field that requites all his labours with nothing but " thorns and briers:" neither will …
463 wordsSECTION 218The Things That Accompany Salvation.
I wish very particularly to put you on your guard, that you do not convert the blessing of God into a curse, and render the very means which he has bestowed for the salvation of your souls, into an occasion of deeper and heavier con- demnation.] Heb. vi. 9 — 11. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you…
310 wordsSECTION 2192292.] Things That Accompany Salvation. 241
there are which belong to the true behever exclu- sively, and which will assuredly issue in his ever- lasting happiness. Wherever there is genuine love to the saints for Christ's sake, there is salvation. But to speak more particularly — It must be a love to the saints as saints — [There may be a strong attachmen…
472 wordsSECTION 2202*2 Hebrews, Vi. 9—11. [2292.
There is yet one more ingredient in this love, namely, that it must be exercised towards the saints for Christ's sake — [It must be " shewed towards the name of our God" as reconciled to us in Christ Jesus. It is this which gives to love its chief excellence. Though the saints are ostensible objects towards whom …
665 wordsSECTION 221244 Hebrews, Vi. 9—11. [2292.
In so acting we benefit ourselves no less than others — [The exercise of love is, as has been observed, an evi- dence of grace, and as such, a foundation of hope. And the more the acts of love are formed into a habit, the livelier our hope becomes, till at last it grows into a " full assurance of hope." We must a…
653 wordsSECTION 2222293.] Exhortation To Diligence. 245
I desire it, first, on your own account : for truly the exei'cise of love is a heaven upon earth. " Love is of God ; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him." Look at the Christians that are full of doubts and fears; ^ ver. 4, 5. ^ inSv^ov^tv. and you will almost invariably find, that they ar…
462 wordsSECTION 223246 Hebrews, Vi. 12. [2293.
Heb. vi. 12. Be not slothful, hut followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. IN the general course of God's providence, we perceive that blessings are dispensed in proportion to men's exertions in the pursuit of them : and though the Disposer of all events sees fit, on some occasions, …
393 wordsSECTION 2242293.1 Exhortation To Diligence, 247
to spiritual things, this evil disposition will discover itself, and pi'ove, that notwithstanding it has hitherto been concealed from our view, it had taken deep root in our souls. In temporal things, our exertions are all on the side of nature. And, though we may feel some reluctance from contrary principles with…
458 wordsSECTION 225248 Hebrews, Vi. 12. [2293.
religion : how little victory have they over the world and their own corruptions, in comparison of what is attained by more diligent Christians ! How little do they know of heavenly consolations ! For the most part they are full of doubts and fears ; and instead of enjoying that peace which passeth all understandi…
406 wordsSECTION 2262293.] Exhortation To Diligence. 249
was slain from the foundation of the world." They all lived and " died in faith." " To their faith they added patience." They, no doubt, as well as we, had " fightings without, and fears within;" and sustained many sore conflicts, both with the world around them, and with their own hearts. But they " ran their rac…
399 wordsSECTION 227The City Of Refuge.
devoted to God : and let us contrast our state with that of one who has never done any thing but treasure up wrath against the day of wrath, or one, who, though on the whole, pious, has filled his dying pillow with thorns by his remissness ; and surely we shall want no other motive to fight a good fight, and war a…
383 wordsSECTION 2282294.1 The City Of Refuge. 251
God sanctions the use of oaths in concerns which are of great moment, and which cannot be settled in any- other way. We are even assured that God himself has condescended to adopt this very method of con- firming and establishing the minds of his people. From the Apostle's account of this astonishing trans- actio…
362 wordsSECTION 229252 Hebrews, Vi. 17, 18. [2294.
to fear, yet in him they have reason to exult and triumph. They should " know in whom they have believed, and that he is both able and willing to keep what they have committed to him'^."] In order to this he would have them persuaded of "the immutability of his counsel" — [Nothing more contributes to the comfort …
713 wordsSECTION 230254 Hebrews, Vi. 19, 20. [2295.
God may lie Hence, instead of children and heirs of God, they are children of the wicked one, and inheritors of his portion. Let these awful truths sink deep into our minds. And " let us not be of those who turn back unto perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of their souls^."] " 2 Cor. vi. 1, o 1 John…
828 wordsSECTION 231256 Hebrews, Vi. 19, 20. [2295.
•^ layy^av TrapaicXijcriy k^w^ufr, {)y wg uyKvpav t-^ofxer a(T<pu\T] t£ kcu fitftaiav. as could not possibly have been avoided, if that member, which is a mere periphrasis, or description of the persons possessing that consolation, had not intervened. But can " consolation" properly be called " an anchor of the …
732 wordsSECTION 232258 Hebrews, Vi. 19, 20. [2295.
*> Isai. liii. 10. ' Numb, xxiii. 19. '^ A-er. 18. ' 2 Sam. xxiii. .5. has been given to Christ, pardon and peace, and hohness and glory. On nothing short of this must our anchor fix. It must rest on nothing that is in us ; no frames, no feehngs, no experiences, no attainments. From God's covenant all our hopes …
735 wordsSECTION 233260 Hebrews, Vi. 19, 9.0. [2295.
It may still however be asked, what are his tri- umphs to tis ? I answer. He is not entered within the vail for himself only, but " for us ;" that he may " appear in the presence of God for us^," and secure ^ Heb. xi. 10, 14, 16, 26, 85. ' John xix. 11. " Isai. 1. 7—9. ^ Heb. xii. 2. >' Heb. ix. 24, to us the sam…
812 wordsSECTION 234262 Hebrews, Vi. 19, 20. [2295.
* Heb. xii. 2. 2. The advantage which the Christian has over all other people upon earth — A man that knows not God as a merciful and un- changing God, knows not where to look in a time of trial. He may, indeed, comfort himself with some general notions of God's mercy ; but he has no solid ground of hope ; nor c…
498 wordsSECTION 235264 Hebrews, Vii. 1—3. [2296.
Heb. vii. 1 — 3. For this Melchizedec, king of Salem, priest of the most Iiigh God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him ; to whom also Abra- ham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is. King of…
635 wordsSECTION 2362296.] Melchizedec A Type Of Christ. 2()5
regarded as a priest by Abraham, who presented to him the tenth of all his spoils. As for Jesus, there was not any part of the priestly office which he did not perform. He was not indeed of that tribe to which the priesthood belonged, and therefore he was not instituted " according to the law of a carnal commandme…
411 wordsSECTION 237266 Hebrews, Vii. 1—3. [2296.
altar. Nor has he ceased from his priestly work : he is now within the vail, offering up the incense of his own prevailing intercession, while his people continue praying without. Nor will he desist from his labour as long as there shall continue one single soul, for whoin to intercede before God. As he had none t…
429 wordsSECTION 238Mmccxcvil
sufficient : we should dedicate to him all that we possess in mind, or body, or estate. We are not indeed called to dispose of all our goods in charity, but to ascribe to his bounty every thing we possess, and " whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, to do it all to his glory." Have we overtaken as Abraham di…
364 wordsSECTION 239268 Hebrews, Vii. 19. [2297.
Jezvs, through the ignorance of its nature, expected to he answered by it. As a scaffolding is of use for the building of a house, but most unprofitable if re- sorted to as a residence instead of the house, so the law was good, as a typical exhibition of the way of salvation, but weak and unprofitable to those who…
399 wordsSECTION 2402297.^ Superiority Of Christian Dispensation. 269
from all things, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses''." In this view the Gospel is called " the ministry of reconciliation :" and the one message which all the ministers of the Gospel have to declare, is, that " God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespa…
443 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1833); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.