PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 20 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 248,754 words · 519 reading sections
120 James, V. 16. [2377.
not; for " I will make of thee a great nation'." But Moses would not " let him alone," but pleaded for them with all imaginable earnestness and importunity : and the consecpaence was, " the Lord repented oi' the evil which he thought to do unto his people5." My next instance shall be that of Joshua, who, desiring …
492 wordsSECTION 1222377-3 Efficacy Of Fervent Prayer. 121
had understood, from the prophecies of Jeremiah, that the time for the close of the Babylonish captivity was near at hand : and he set himself to seek more particular instruction from God respecting it, in order that he might be able to take advantage of such circumstances as might occur for the benefit of his nat…
486 wordsSECTION 123128 James, V. 16. [2377.
Whatever they ask in Christ's name, shall be given thenim. Let them "open their mouth ever so wide, it shall be filled"." They mav exhaust all the powers of language in their petitions, and may then extend their thoughts to the utmost limit of a finite conception ; and they shall not only have all, but more than a…
422 wordsSECTION 1242377.] Efficacy Of Fervent Prayer. 123
the one his ears are open, to hear their every request1: " the sacrifices of the other are an abomination to himu." Look at Abraham, when interceding for Sodom : there you see the friend of God. Look at those who, merely under the pressure of some calamity, cry and plead for help, whilst yet they have no love to G…
633 wordsSECTION 125Conversion Of A Sinner A Great Benefit.
Jam. v. 1{), 20. Brethren, if any of you do err front (he truth, and one convert him ; let him know, that he which convert el h the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from dcatli, and shall hide a multitude of sins. IN the apostolic age, the power of working miracles was vouchsafed to many; and was…
681 wordsSECTION 126126 James, V. 19, 20. [2378.
Towards these our duty is to use all possible means for their conversion — [We arc not all called to take upon us the ministerial office : but we all in our respective circles should exert our- selves tor the edification of those around us. No man is at liberty " to put his light under a bed, or under a bushel:" n…
494 wordsSECTION 1272378.] Benefit Of A Sinner'S Conversion. 127
" everlasting burnings ! " If we laboured throughout our whole lives, and succeeded but in one instance to accomplish our desire, how richly should we be recompensed ! What if the great mass of those whose welfare we had sought, had derided us as weak enthusiasts ? the thought of saving one soul from everlasting p…
474 wordsSECTION 128128 James, V. 19, 20. [2378.
how or whither to return. That they may not irremediably perish, God has appointed ministers, to go forth, as under shepherds, to search out the wandering sheep, and to bring them hack to his fold. '1 'his is the one object of our lives ; to shew you how far you " have erred from the truth ;" to con- vert you from…
506 wordsSECTION 1292378.] Benefit Of A Sinner'S Conversion. 129
with power from on high, and to render it effectual for the salvation of your souls. You should bear in mind, that, " though Paul should plant, and Apollos water, it is God alone that can give the increase ;" and you should judge of your profiting, not by the pleasure with which you heard, but by the insight which…
506 wordsSECTION 1302379.] Offices Of The Holy Trinity. 131
1 Pet. i. 1,2. Peter, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge, of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ : grace unto you, a?id p…
655 wordsSECTION 1312379.] Offices Of The Holy Trinity. 131
answer to this, I would say, that we know nothing, cither of the one or of the other, but from the revelation which God has given us ; and that, it' that revelation affirm the one and deny the other, we must receive that which it affirms, and reject that which it denies. That it does deny the doctrine of abso- lut…
516 wordsSECTION 1322379. J Offices Of The Holy Trinity. 133
men may be saved without any regard to holiness. This objec- tion is of the same kind with the former: and that there is no just ground for it, our text itself sufficiently declares : for we are " elect unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ;" — elect, not to salvation only, but to obedience als…
428 wordsSECTION 133134 1 Peter, I. 1,2. [2379.
life:" and thus they receive "redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of all their sins." We must not however imagine that God elects any in a way inconsistent with his own honour, lie does not by a mere absolute decree forgive them: he does not so overlook the honour of his own law, or disregard the de…
386 wordsSECTION 1342380.] Regeneration Considered. 135
Above all, he reveals the Saviour to the soul, and thereby changes the soul progressively into the Saviour's image ". This is precisely what St. Paul also has spoken in his Second Epistle to the Thessalonians : " We are bound to give thanks to God for you all, brethren, beloved, because God hath chosen you to salv…
321 wordsSECTION 135186 1 Peter, I. 3-5. [2380.
1 Pet. i. 3 — 5. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ivhich according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefded, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are k…
475 wordsSECTION 1362380.] Regeneration Considered. 137
become "new creatures in Christ JesusV in a word, all agree, that, in order to be children of God, we must be " be- gotten of God :" and that being admitted, I am indifferent as to the name by which it shall be called : call it a new birth, a new creation, a renewal in the spirit of the mind, or a conver- sion of …
464 wordsSECTION 137138 1 Peter, I. 3—5. [2380.
" begetting us again ;" and forming us, as it were, altogether anew. This he does by the operation of his word upon the hearts and consciences of men, and by the Almighty power of his Spirit working effectually in them. Hence we are said to be " born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the wor…
488 wordsSECTION 1382380.1 Regeneration Considered. 139
remission of all our sins. But here the blessing of regeneration is traced to the resurrection of Christ; and with great pro- priety ; because, if " he was delivered to death for our offences, he was raised again for our justification11." To enter into this aright, we should place ourselves in the situation of the …
858 wordsSECTION 1392381.] The End Of Affliction. 14J
Observe then, beloved, 1. How happy are the saints, the sons of God — [If we consider only the " hope," " the lively hope," to which they are begotten, methinks they are by far the happiest of all mankind. But, if we take a view of the inheritance itself, s Rev. xxi. 27. l Jer. xxxii. 40. u Markxi. 22. John xiv. …
452 wordsSECTION 140112 1 Peter, I. 6,7. [2381.
1 Pet. i. 6, 7. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Je…
389 wordsSECTION 1412381.] The End Of Affliction. 143
[God could save them without leaving them to endure any trial ; but he " perfected his own Son by sufferings :" he has ordained that the members shall in this respect be con- formed to their Heade.] Their temptations, however afflictive at the time, are permitted for their good. II. The end for which they are suf…
635 wordsSECTION 142The Christian'S Happiness.
1 Pet. i. 8, 9. Whom having not seen, ye love ; in whom, though noiv ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeah- able and full of glory : receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. THE world often wonder that Christians do not conform to the vices of the agen: and are yet mo…
450 wordsSECTION 1431 L6 1 Peter, I. 8, 9. [2382.
love him, and rejoice in him. But a sight of him with the bodily eves only never in any instance produced this effect. Many who even heard his discourses, and beheld his miracles, were amongst his bitterest enemies. The Christians to whom St. Peter wrote had never seen Christ. The Apostle twice mentions this circu…
447 wordsSECTION 144The Importance Of The Prophecies.
Christ : and their adversaries are most irrational, in that they can love and rejoice in the things of time and sense, and yet feel no love to, nor any joy in, our adorable Lord and Saviour. Let those who are now despised as enthusiasts, think who will be accounted rational in the day of judgment ■] 2. How clearly…
675 wordsSECTION 1452383.] Importance Of The Prophecies. 149
a Rev. xix. 10. and John v. 39. b See Ps. xxii. 8, 1G, 18. and lxix. 21. and Tsai. liii. c Ps. lxviii. 18. and ii. 6. d Ps. ii. 8. Compare Rom. xv. 9 — 12. « Compare 1 Pet. iii. 18—20. t o Pet. i. 21. 2. The Prophets themselves " inquired and searched diligently" into their meaning — [The inspired men did not un…
521 wordsSECTION 1462384.]] An(5Els Interested About The Gospel. 151
1 Pet. i. 12. Which things the angels desire to look into. THE Gospel comes recommended to us by a great variety of most important considerations. It occu- pied the mind of God from all eternity. From the beginning of the world it has been revealed with gradually increasing light and evidence. When the period arr…
665 wordsSECTION 1472384.]] An(5Els Interested About The Gospel. 151
a John xi. 49 — 52. h ver. 10, 11. " Exod. xxv. 20. d InSvi-iovfJii' irapaKv\pcu. 152 l PETER, I. 12. [2384. his necessities, or to attest his triumphs. After his temptations in the wilderness, and his conflicts in the garden, they gladly interposed their friendly oflices to comfort and support him. Though we are…
492 wordsSECTION 1482384.] Angels Interested About The Gospel. 153
and the completion of the Redeemer's glory. And at that great and solemn day will whole myriads of them attend, to perform their last kind offices to God's elect ; to assemble them in one collective body ; and to unite with them in ascribing everlasting praises to God and to the Lamb. They cannot indeed say, " He …
693 wordsSECTION 1492384. J Angels Interested About The Gospel. 155
Infer — 1. How unfounded is men's contempt of the Gospel ! [The Gospel ever has been despised by proud self-sufficient men, and ever will be, as long as such men continue upon earth. It will ever appear " foolishness to the natural man." It is still loaded with reproach, and stigmatized with oppro- brious names;…
546 wordsSECTION 150Directions How To Seek Heaven With Success.
1 Pet. i. 1.5. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. THE truths of God deserve our attention on ac- count of their own excellence ; but they are prin- cipally to be valued for the effects they produce …
319 wordsSECTION 1512385.] How To Seek Heaven With Success. 157
Gospel he was yet more fully revealed. The glory of God as shining in his face is most transcendently displayed f; still however " we see him as yet only through a glass darkly8." But in the last day he will appear in all his majesty and glory h : he will " be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, in flami…
428 wordsSECTION 152158 1 Peter, I. 18. [2385.
round us, but our thoughts and desires should be carefully gathered in. We should pray, like David, " Unite my heart to fear thy name P." Heaven is not to be sought with a divided heart. Earthly affections would impede our progress, as flow- ing garments in a race: the prophet compares them to an in- cumbrance of …
436 wordsSECTION 1532386.] Necessity Of Holiness. 159
this present life. Alas ! what an awful contrast is there be- tween you and the true Christian ! What then, suppose ye, shall be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ ? The Apostle, in a fore-cited passage, tells you, it will be " vengeance b;" yes, and Jesus will bring it with his own hand. It is in va…
291 wordsSECTION 154Necessity Of Holiness.
1 Pet. i. 15, 16. As lie which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation ; because it is written, Be ye holy ; for I am holy. IT is thought by many, that the Gospel is un- friendly to morality : and it must be confessed, that, when stated in all its freeness and in all its richness, it …
499 wordsSECTION 1552386.1 Necessity Of Holiness. 1G1
[Holiness is a conformity to the mind and will of God. And to it are we called by the Gospel e. " The grace which brings salvation to us, teaches us, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world f." Negative holiness, if I may so express myself,…
496 wordsSECTION 156I-:-1 1 Peter, I. 15, 16. [23S6.
there. He would find no one there that resembled him, or that had a like taste with him, or that could join with him in anv of his pursuits. He would be out of his element alto- gether: nor would one in hell pant more for deliverance, to get rid of his pains, than he would for an escape from the company and occupa…
445 wordsSECTION 1572386.] Necessity Of Holiness. 163
our souls, even that we might be " created anew after Ids image, in righteousness and true holiness s." And, if our hearts be upright before God, this is the thing which we shall pant after, no less than after heaven itself. Sin will be our burthen and aversion ; and a conformity to God will be regarded as the fir…
475 wordsSECTION 158The Necessity Of Holy Fear.
f<34 1 PETER, I. 17. [2387. the promises of God : whereas they must first take to them- selves the promises of God as sinners ; and then, through their influence upon the soul, obtain a conformity to the Divine image. " God has given to us exceeding great and precious promises, that by them we may be made partaker…
368 wordsSECTION 1592387.1 The Necessity Of Holy Fear. 1G5
The children of God maintain communion with God as their Father in Christ — [The Apostle speaks of Christians as " obedient chil- dren ;" and as calling upon the Father for a supply of their daily wants. This is the privilege of all true Christians ; " a spirit of adoption is given them, that they may cry, Abba, …
406 wordsSECTION 160166 1 Peter, I. 17. [2387.
[Shall I be judged according to my works? Will every action, word, and thought, be weighed in the balance of the sanctuary? Will all my motives be inspected by Him, who " searcheth the heart, and weigheth the spirits?" Surely I have need to fear, lest some hidden abomination lurk within me, and lest I should be " …
419 wordsSECTION 161Redemption From A Vain Conversation.
wherein we do not bathe in that fountain, lest sin be found upon us in the day that we give up our account to God.] 4. Be much in prayer for the direction and assist- ance of the Holy Spirit — [In vain will be all our fear and caution, if God do not both direct and uphold us : if he leave us for one moment, we fa…
334 wordsSECTION 162168 1 Peter, I. 18,19. [2388.
practices in time formed a kind of law. What was sanctioned by one generation was followed by another. And the "con- versation received by tradition from their fathers" was that which was adopted by every succeeding age.] It is almost superfluous to observe that such con- versation has been " vain" — [Let any one…
418 wordsSECTION 1632388.1 Redemption From A Vain Conversation. 1G9
Gold and silver might rivet our chains, and fix us more strongly in a vain conversation ; but it could never detach us from the love of present things.] That, which alone was of value sufficient, was, " the precious blood of Christ" — [The lamb that was offered daily in sacrifice to God was to be spotless and wit…
424 wordsSECTION 164170 1 Peter, I. 18, 19. [2388.
[Were we laden with bags of gold, we should be cautious how we ventured ourselves among thieves and robbers. And shall we be careless when we carry about with us what is of more value than the whole world ? Shall we triile with that which nothing but the precious blood of God's own Son could redeem? Shall Satan as…
481 wordsSECTION 165Mmccclxxxix.
the father's part in the work of redemption. 1 Pet. i. 20, 21. Who verily ivas foreordained before the foun- dation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory ; that your faith and hope might be in God. THE salvati…
351 wordsSECTION 166172 1 Peter, I. 80,21. [2389.
motion of a dove. In all the miracles which he wrought, the Father bore witness of him* — even in the hour of his disso- lution, when most of all his divine mission might seem doubt- ful, even then did the Father so testify of him, as to make the Centurion, who superintended the execution, exclaim, Truly this was …
863 wordsSECTION 167It 1 1 Peter, I. 20,21. [238^.
In conclusion let me tell you — 1. Who they are that are especially interested in this great mystery — 1 Rom. xv. 13 [It was manifested for " those who by Christ do believe in God :" these arc the persons interested in it, these universal h/, and these alone. Shew me a poor self-condemning sinner, one who under …
546 wordsSECTION 168Love To The Brethren.
palities and powers of earth and hell, is that which, he will exercise towards every believing soulm" Look then to God and " believe in him :" yea look at Christ Jesus, and " hope," that, for his sake, all that has been done in and for him, shall be clone in and for you. Think of nothing less : expect nothing less…
339 wordsSECTION 16917G 1 Peter, I. 22. [2300.
humility and thankfulness; and when we so embrace it as to found all our bopes of salvation entirely upon it, then we may properly be said to obey the truth. Now this every Christian does ; lie does not merely give his assent to any propositions about Christ, but he " flees to Christ for refuge," and relies upon h…
465 wordsSECTION 1702390. J Love To The Brethren. 177
4. That they had attained all this through the influence of the Holy Spirit — [Faith itself cannot exist in the heart, till the Spirit of God has wrought it in us : he must overcome our reluctance, and make us willing to obey the truth1". Neither can our hearts be purified but by the same almighty power. Faith in…
430 wordsSECTION 171Vol. Xx. N
its i PETER, I. 22. [2390. young persons, lest our hearts betray us into indiscretion of any kind, and Satan take advantage of us to lead us into sin.] 3. With fervour — [An empty profession of benevolence to the poor will not be deemed equivalent to an actual relieving of their wants ; nor will a cold expressio…
448 wordsSECTION 172Growth In Grace Is To Be Desired.
1 Pet. ii. 1 — 3. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the ivord, that ye may grow thereby ; if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. A STRANGE opinion has obtained amongst some, that there is…
345 wordsSECTION 173N 2
180 i PETER, II. 1—3. [2391. newly born ; and they are urged to desire and feed upon that blessed provision which God has made for them in his word, and which alone can secure their growth in the divine life. The words, thus viewed, will lead us to consider, I. The character of God's children — Many are the desc…
458 wordsSECTION 1742391.] Growth In Grace To Be Desired. 181
contracted by their own actual transgressions. Consequently, they have never trembled for fear of God's wrath, nor with strong crying and tears sought deliverance from it through the atoning blood of Jesus. Hence the grace of God has never been extended to them; and consequently they have never " tasted that the L…
424 wordsSECTION 17518S 1 Peter, Ii. 1—3. [2391.
2. What they must seek after, as conducive to their growth — [As " the word is the incorruptible seed of which they are borng," so is it the food, upon which, as " new-born babes," they must subsist. In the inspired volume, they have truth without any mixture of error. The writings of men take partial views of th…
463 wordsSECTION 1762391.] Growth In Grace To Be Desired. 183
the question. The only point I wish to ascertain is this ; "Have you been born again?" If you have not made any progress in the divine life, are you " as new-born babes ?" Have you been brought, as it were, into a new world ? and are you living altogether in a new way ? I do not ask whether, in " passing from deat…
717 wordsSECTION 1772392. J The Temple A Type. 185
m 1 Cor. hi. 1—4. " Heb. v. 12, 14. ° Heb. vi. 4— G. 1 Pet. ii. 4, 5. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disal- lowed indeed of men, but chosen of God and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priest- hood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Chr…
612 wordsSECTION 178186 1 Peter, Ii. 4,5. [2;392.
who labour under his direction, selects some from the rest, and fashions them for the places which he intends them to occupy in this spiritual building-. But, as the temple of Solomon was built without the noise of an axe or hammer, or any other toolf, so arc these brought in a silent manner*, and "fitly framed to…
404 wordsSECTION 1792392."] The Temple A Type. 187
him they have boldness to enter into the holiest," and to pre- sent themselves before the majesty of heaven.] Nor shall the sacrifices which they offer be pre- sented in vain — [They come not indeed with the blood of bulls and of goats; but they bring the infinitely more pi'ecious blood of Christ. On account of h…
485 wordsSECTION 180The Security Of Those Who Believe In Christ.
1 Pet. ii. 6. It is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious : and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. THE Scriptures universally speak the same lan- guage with respect to Christ : in every part he is represented as the only Saviour, and the all-sufficie…
266 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.