PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 20 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 248,754 words · 519 reading sections
2393.] Security Of Those Who Believe In Christ. 189
an union with each other3. For this purpose " God laid" him in Sic-n from the beginning ; lie laid him, I say, in types and prophecies, and declarations, and promises ; and he requires all both in heaven and earth to honour him as the one source of their strength, and the one bond of their union.] Tn this view he …
392 wordsSECTION 182190 1 Peter, Ii. 7. [2394.
the sting of death is taken away, and they are " delivered from their bondage to the fear of death."] Hereafter — [Terrible indeed must be the apprehensions of an unbe- liever, when first dismissed from the body and carried into the presence of a holy God; and at the day of judgment how will he stand appalled! Bu…
352 wordsSECTION 1832394.] Christ Precious To Believers. 191
1 Pet. ii. 7. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious. THERE is a great difference between the views of natural and spiritual men. This exists even with respect to things temporal; much more in those which are spiritual and eternal. It appears particu- larly with respect to Christ. Hence St. Peter repre- …
435 wordsSECTION 184192 1 Peter, Ii. 7. [2394.
wonders at them on account of their attachment to him. II. Account for the fact, and shew why he is so precious to them — They have reason enough for their attachment : They love him for his own excellence — [He is infinitely above all created beauty or goodness. Shall the}- then regard these qualities in the cr…
300 wordsSECTION 185The Different States Of Believers And Unbelievers.
None but devils and unbelievers despise him ; and shall any, who do not account him precious, be objects of his regard? Surely his final decision will correspond with that declaration11. — Let all then believe in him, that he may become precious to them ; nor let any be dejected because they cannot delight in him …
358 wordsSECTION 186194 1 Peter, Ii. 7—10. [2395.
Gospel is preached in its purity. Such being unques- tionably the dispensations of God's providence, we must not wonder if a similar exercise of sovereignty appear in the dispensations of his grace. To draw the precise limits, where human agency concurs with the operations of God's Spirit, or where it resists and…
660 wordsSECTION 187196 1 Peter, Ii. 7—10. [2395.
II. In their states before God — In the words of the text there is a double anti- thesis, which is rather obscured by the present trans- lation, but which should be noticed in order to a clear understanding of the passaged " These (the unbelievers) stumble at the word, being disobedient" — [In what manner they s…
633 wordsSECTION 1882395.1 States Of Believers And Unbelievers. 197
applicable to believers in a higher and more appropriate sense. Believers are " a chosen generation:" they have been " chosen of God from before the foundation of the world1." Though the misery of unbelievers is owing, not to any absolute decrees of reprobation, but to their own pride and wickedness, we must not …
416 wordsSECTION 189Subjection To Civil Government.
God's richest mercy an occasion of your more aggravated condemnation !] 2. Believers — [You see in the latter part of the text how infinitely you are indebted to your God: once you were in darkness ; now you are i( brought into the marvellous light" of his Gospel: " once you were not the people of God; now you ar…
367 wordsSECTION 1902396.] Subjection To Civil Government. 1D9
those which are given to regulate the inmost work- ings of our souls towards God. And we should be essentially wanting in our duty as Christian pastors, if we did not take occasion, especially from the inter- esting events of this daya, to open to you a subject of such great and universal importance. The words wh…
441 wordsSECTION 191200 1 Peter, Ii. 13—17. [2390.
may be rendered more easy, or more difficult, by the personal character of him who exacts it: but it is due, not to the man, but to the office ; and therefore it must be paid, even though the man who executes the office may be far from deserving the homage he requires. If only we recollect that Nero was the govern…
455 wordsSECTION 1922396. J Subjection To Civil Government. 201
authorities of the realm? If we are to obey God in the duties of the first table, so are we in those of the second also: and if, "for the Lord's sake" we are to submit our- selves to the religious ordinances of God, so are we, with equal readiness, for his sake, to submit ourselves to every civil ordinance of man.…
480 wordsSECTION 193202 1 Peter, Ii. 18-17. [2390.
appointed by him. They judged, therefore, that all other authority was an usurpation; and they were ready at all times, if possible, to throw offa foreign yoke. This being the known character o( the Jews, (though it was in direct opposition to the command which God himself had given them, to "seek the peace of the…
427 wordsSECTION 1942396.] Subjection To Civil Government. 203
had done well in resisting the authority that would have kept them from honouring the true God, or have compelled them to transfer his honour to any created object. And the Apostles, when forbidden to preach in the name of Jesus, did well in answering, " Whether it be right to hearken unto you, more than unto God,…
507 wordsSECTION 195I 1 Peter, Ii. 13—17. [2396.
proceedings. Surely, if the true character of God's people be, that they are "the quirt in the land''," these persons would do well to consider whether they are not carried by a party- spirit beyond what Christ or his Apostles ever practised, or ever sanctioned, and whether they would not honour their profession m…
480 wordsSECTION 1962396.] Subjection To Civil Government. 205
towards the saints, a love of complacency. We are united to them in the closest bonds; and should " love them with a pure heart, fervently" and intensely11. We must " fear God" also. Our regards must not be con- fined to man : they must soar upwards to God ; and be fixed on him supremely. We must love man ; but no…
474 wordsSECTION 197How To Bear Injuries.
"Almighty God, whose kingdom is everlasting, and power infinite, have mercy upon the whole Church ; and so rule the heart of thy chosen servant * * * * * our king and governor, that he, knowing whose minister he is, may above all things seek thy honour and glory : and that we, and all his subjects, duly consideri…
328 wordsSECTION 1982397.] H0W To Bear Injuries. 207
But the Apostle did not intend this instruction to be limited to servants ; for, in the close of the chap- ter, he extends it to all, who " like sheep have gone astray, but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls." His words suggest, I. A precept for our observance — It is here taken for grant…
433 wordsSECTION 199208 1 Peter, It. 19—23. [2397.
so bright in contrast with the spirit and conduct of our ungodly persecutors. They aiv the means, too, of augmenting our happiness in t lu- eternal world ; since there is not ;i sacrifice which we are called to make, or a Suffering to endure, which shall not be richly recompensed al the resurrection of the justR. …
437 wordsSECTION 2002397.] Ii0W To Bear Injuries. 209
But how did he conduct himself under his trials ? [Not so much as one hasty word escaped him ; nor one angry feeling betrayed itself in him : " when he was reviled, he reviled not again: when he suffered, he threatened not; hut committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously." Truly " he was as a lamb led to the…
484 wordsSECTION 201210 1 Peter, Ii. 19-23. [2397.
Would wc know the issue of such a life? Look at him; and see him seated at the right hand of God, and all his ene- mies become his footstool. Such shall be the end of all who tread in his steps : " having suffered with him, they shall surely reign with him\" Take him then, beloved, as your example ; and be content…
401 wordsSECTION 202The Vicarious Sacrifice Of Christ.
1 Pet. ii. 24. Who his oivn self bare our sins in his oivn body on the tree, that loe, being dead to sins, should live unto right- eousness : by ivhose stripes ye were healed. AN attentive reader of the New Testament cannot but have observed, that there is one subject in parti- cular to which the Apostles frequent…
314 wordsSECTION 203%\% 1 Peter, Ii. 84. [2998.
as man, even " Emmanuel, Crod with usa." Tic was " Jehovah's Fellow1';" " the Mighty Clod1';" "God over all, blessed for evermore3." He it was, "who, being in the form of God, and thinking it not robbery to be equal with God, yet made him- self of no reputation, and took on him the form of a servant ; and being fo…
471 wordsSECTION 2042398.] The Vicarious Sacrifice Of Christ. 213
the very instant that the redemption price is paid for him. But really, and in fact, our souls are healed, the very instant we believe in Christ: " our sins are blotted out as a morning cloud," and are " put away from us as far as the east is from the west;" " nor shall they be remembered against us any more for e…
420 wordsSECTION 205214 1 Peter, Ii. 24, [2398.
to him111?*' If he submitted to " stripes, that you might be healed," will not you welcome them, if* by any means " he may be glorified" ?" Surely, if you reflect aright on this subject, you will regard the sacrifice even of life itself as a small matter, or rather as a ground for self-congratulation0, and for tha…
470 wordsSECTION 206The Nature Of True Conversion Stated.
1 Pet. ii. 25. Ye were as sheep going astray ; but are noio returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. NOTHING so reconciles the Christian to suffer- ings, or so quickens him to exertions, as a recollec- tion of the mercies he has experienced at the Lord's hands. The Apostle is speaking here to servants,…
290 wordsSECTION 207216 1 Peter, Ii. 25. 12390.
knows not whither, and exposes itself to dangers, from which, by continuing in the fold, it might have been exempt. In re&peci 6j criminality, onr conduct justly subjects us to blame, from which the senseless animal i^ free : for our departure from God has been, 1. Wilful, without any just occasion — [The mind o…
448 wordsSECTION 2082399.] Tiie Nature Of True Conversion Stated. 217
Then takes place the change which is described in my text, and which leads me to set before you, II. Our state by grace — " We return to the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls :" we return to the Lord Jesus Christ, 1. As our Owner — [By grace we are taught, what in an unconverted state we little consider, that the…
876 wordsSECTION 2092399.1 The Nature Of True Conversion Stated. 219
2. For the inflaming of your gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ — [If you have been brought home to the fold of Christ, need I ask, whence this change arose ? You will know full well that it did not originate with you, nor was carried into effect by any power of your own. The silly sheep would as soon return by i…
391 wordsSECTION 210Mmcccc.
god's disposition towards the righteous and wicked. 1 Pet. iii. 1:?. The eyes of the Lord arc over the righteous, and his cars arc open unto their prayers : but the face of the Lord is against then/ that do evil. THERE is an error which obtains, to a conside- rable extent, amongst religious people, and which meet…
713 wordsSECTION 211Mmcccc.
desires of their hearts " Even before they cry, he will answer ; and whilst they are yet speaking, he will hear."^ Such, however, are not his feelings towards all : for, in perfect contrast with this, is, II. His indignation against the wicked — " Those that do evil" must also be here defined— 222 1 PETER; III. t…
523 wordsSECTION 212The Persecuted Encouraged.
2. How desirable it is to obtain the approbation of our God — [If there were no future world, the sense which the right- eous have of God's favour were an ample recompence for all their services. But we must take eternity into our account. We must follow the righteous and the wicked into the presence of their God…
659 wordsSECTION 2132401.] The Persecuted Encouraged. 225
Experience, however, proves that sufferings for righteousness' sake cannot altogether be avoided — [This is conceded in my text ; and in other parts of this epistle is plainly intimated : " This is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye…
597 wordsSECTION 214826 1 Peter, Iii. 13—15. [2401.
[Would any one wish lor a testimony from God, that he is in the right way, ami that God is well-pleased with him? Behold, that is the very satisfaction which such evil treatment is intended to convey : " They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you; delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons; bei…
523 wordsSECTION 2152401.1 The Persecuted Encouraged. 227
ungodly men to put us into a furnace, that he may " purify us from our dross ;" and he makes " our light and momentary affliction to work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory x." Now, who that knew the designs of Heaven in relation to us, would dread the process by which such ends were to be…
493 wordsSECTION 216228 1 Peter, Iii. 13—15. [2401.
men's love of religion ; but to the protection afforded by human ! iws, and to t he prevalence of an idea, that toleration /';/ reli- gion is essentia] to civil liberty. It is however a ureal mercy to us to live in these days: and I call upon you to improve the opportunities afforded you. Von can assemble together,…
495 wordsSECTION 217The Christian Ready To Give An Account Of His Hope.
1 Pet. iii. 15. Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meek- ness and fear. THE Christian's life must of necessity appear strange to those who know not the principles by which he is actuated. They see a friend or relative pause amidst the crowd of h…
729 wordsSECTION 2182402.1 The Christian'S Reason Of His Hope. 231
a 1 Pet. i. 3. The Christian has a further ground of hope, in his own actual experience of these things : for in coming to God through Christ, he has found peace to his soul : he has received grace, whereby he is enabled to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear : and " through the hope that is in him …
433 wordsSECTION 219.'.;.'-' 1 Reter, Iii. 1."). [2402.
that the subject of conversation. To do this is hateful. St. Paul, when forced by the accusations of his enemies to vindi- cate himself, and to declare the experience of his soul, again and again, with indignation, as it were, against himself, says, " I speak as a fool." And, where it is done without necessity, it…
497 wordsSECTION 2202402.] The Christian'S Reason Of His Hope. 233
" speak the truth m love," and " instruct in meekness them that oppose themselves, if God peradventure may give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth that so they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, by whom they have been taken captive at his will'1." A Christian on such occasions mus…
438 wordsSECTION 221234 1 Peter, Iii. 15. [2402.
[You must expect that your faith and patience will be tried: but you must not give way to fear, or be diverted from your duty by any consideration whatever. There should be in you such a hope, as, like an anchor of the soul, shall keep you steadfast amidst all the storms and tempests with which you may be assailed…
395 wordsSECTION 222The Nature And Ends Of Christ'S Death.
1 Pet. iii. 1 8. Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. " SUFFERINGS, of whatever kind, are not in themselves joyous, but grievous :" nevertheless they may on some occasions become a source of joy and triumph, If, for instance, they be inflicted for righte…
332 wordsSECTION 223836 1 Peter, Iii. Is. [2403.
suffered for sins ;" and though his punishment was not pre- cisely the same cither in quality or duration, as ours would have heen, yet was it equivalent to our demerit, and satisfactory to the justice of an oll'ended God.] 2. Vicarious — [It was not for any sin of his own that Jesus was cut offc: he was " a Lamb…
445 wordsSECTION 2242403. J Nature And Ends Of Christ S Death. 237
consequently, if once endured by us, could never be remitted. But, when it was impossible for us to restore ourselves to God's favour, we were reconciled to him by Christ's obedience unto death"; and to effect this reconciliation was the very end for which he laid down his life0.] 2. To the enjoyment of his presen…
454 wordsSECTION 225Noah'S Ark A Type Of Christ.
1 Pet. iii. 21. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also note saw as. GOD has marked the necessity of holiness no less by the dispensations of his providence than by the declarations of his grace. His destroying of the whole world for their iniquity, evinced as strongly as any thing could, that sin should…
685 wordsSECTION 226210 1 Peter, Iii. 21. [2404.
God lias determined to punish the world with an everlasting destruction — [His word bears frequent and most undeniable testimony to this solemn truth'1 ] But he has prepared a Saviour for those who repent and turn unto him — [ 1 1 imiaii sagacity never could have devised a way of saving sinners consistently with…
782 wordsSECTION 227A Worldly Life To Be Relinquished.
1 Rom. vi. 4, 5. k If the opposition between cWuiQ/jo-av ZC vSaroc and aw£ei. oi avaartHTEwc be marked, the sense of this difficult passage will be more apparent. 1 Pet. h\ 3. The time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles. THE end of all God's dispensations towards his people …
680 wordsSECTION 228244 1 Peter, Iv. 3. [2405.
2. In a determined prosecution of your own will — [The character given of the Gentiles is, that " they lived to the lusts of men, and not to the will of Goda." And what have you done ? By what standard have you regulated your conduct? and whose will have you consulted? A decent heathen regulates himself according …
572 wordsSECTION 2292405.] A Worldly Life To Be Relinquished. 245
vanity; and what but vanity has been your recompencef ?" St. Paul puts the question to us; " What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamedg?" Has not the creature proved, what God forewarned you it would prove, " a broken cistern, that could hold no water ? " You are come, I will suppose, to a …
872 wordsSECTION 2302406.] Death A Motive To Watchfulness. 247
Beloved brethren, be persuaded, — whatever be your age, be persuaded, I say, — that the time past is abundantly suf- ficient for the course which you have followed. And now, without any further delay, begin to " work the works of God." Do you ask, " What is the work of God ? " I answer, as our blessed Lord did, " …
398 wordsSECTION 231Nearness To Death A Motive To Watchfulness.
1 Pet. iv. 7. The end of all things is at hand : be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. THE office of the Gospel is, not to fill the mind with notions, but to renew the heart, and sanctify the life. It is true indeed, that the smallest con- formity to its precepts will cause us to be loaded with obloquy an…
599 wordsSECTION 2322406. J Death A Motive To Watchfulness. 249
The consideration of this solemn truth may well prepare us for, II. The exhortation grounded upon it — 1. Be sober — [Sobriety does not merely import temperance with rela- tion to meat and drink, but moderation with regard to our desire of earthly things, or our enjoyment of them. Our minds are apt to be very st…
460 wordsSECTION 233850 1 Peter, Iv. 8. [2407
approach to our latter end, the more " abundant let us be in supplication and thanksgivings."] Application — [To the elder part of this assembly one would think it should be needless to add any thing on this subject : for they who have already lived out half their days, must feel (one would imagine) that their " …
336 wordsSECTION 2342407.] Duty And Office Of Christian Love. 251
1 Pet. iv. 8. Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves : for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. THE divine authority of our religion is fully esta- blished. Its external evidences demonstrate God to be its author ; nor are its internal evidences less convincing. The tendency of Christianity i…
415 wordsSECTION 2351 Peter, Iv. 8. [2407.
The Apostle's words may be considered as relating to, 1. The sins of others — [" To cover the sins " of others (extenuating what we can- not approve; concealing what we cannot but condemn; and throwing a veil over, not errors only, but " sins," yea, even "a multitude" of sins,) is the proper office of loven. From…
474 wordsSECTION 2362407.1 Duty And Office Of Christian Love. 253
and the words in the original most naturally bear this sense1. This sense of them also exactly accords with our Lord's descrip- tion of the day of judgment8. Moreover, in this view the Apostle's argument is far stronger than on the other construc- tion of his words. Let it then operate as a strong incentive to mut…
437 wordsSECTION 237Persecution For Christ'S Sake.
1 Pet. iv. 12 — 16. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you : but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are par- takers of Christ's sufferings ; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached…
369 wordsSECTION 2382408.] Persecution For Christ'S Sake. 255
same rancour in the hearts of men against vital god- liness now, as there was in former days : for there are not wanting at this hour many proofs of what men would do to suppress real piety, if the toleration accorded to us by the laws did not restrain them. At all events, we know not what trials we ourselves per…
431 wordsSECTION 239256 1 Peter, Iv. 12—10. [2408.
We should rather regard it as a ground of joy — [On this subject there is but one testimony throughout all the Holy Scriptures. Our blessed Lord says, " If ye be persecuted for righteousness' sake, rejoice ye, and leap for joy." St. Paul tells us, that the true Christian will " glory in tribulations0:" and that he…
425 wordsSECTION 2402408.] Persecution For Christ'S Sake. 257
account that his people suffer any tiling. If we would but renounce our allegiance to him, the world would find no more occasion against us. It is for His sake that they hate us. They hate not lis, but Christ in us : nor do they persecute us, but Christ in us. Therefore our sufferings are his ; and, in enduring th…
496 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.