PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 20 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 248,754 words · 519 reading sections
Vol. Xx. S
m 1 PETER, IV. 1~>— 1G. [2108. of words, he may be silent, as a lamb before its shearers : but by his actions, he proclaims in accents that cannot be mis- understood, ' My Lord is worthy of all this: never can I shew my love to him sufficiently: if I had a thousand lives, they would be well disposed of in his serv…
497 wordsSECTION 2422408.] Persecution For Christ'S Sake. 259
But, as this subject may be misapplied, let me shew you, III. What we should especially guard against, in relation to it — We must not bring trials on ourselves by any mis- conduct of our own — [It is possible enough, that a wild enthusiast may fancy himself at liberty to disregard all human laws, and, whilst s…
447 wordsSECTION 243260 1 Peter, Iv. 17. 12109.
Two hints, as rising from this subject, I would beg leave to suggest : 1. In embracing religion, be deliberate — [Religion, sooner or later, will subject you to trials : for our Lord lias plainly warned us, that, " if we will be his dis- ciples, we must deny ourselves, and take up our cross, and follow him." He t…
366 wordsSECTION 2442409.] The End Of Unbelievers. 261
1 Pet. iv. 17. What shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God ? MANY are the troubles of the righteous: and though their afflictions are not always penal, yet they are for the most part to be considered as pater- nal chastisements, and as the judgments which God inflicts on his own household with a…
416 wordsSECTION 245262 1 Peter, Iv. 17. [2409.
and the answer given by Paul to the awakened jailer1', abun- dantly confirm this view of the Gospel, and shew that a cordial acceptance of Christ as our only Lord and Saviour is the sum and substance of a Christian's duty.] According to this statement, very many will be found disobedient to the Gospel : 1. They w…
429 wordsSECTION 2462409.1 The End Of Unbelievers. 263
To awaken such from their slumbers, we proceed to shew, II. What their end shall be — The peculiar manner in which the Apostle speaks of their " end," intimates that it will be dreadful, 1. Beyond expression — [In the text St. Peter infers from the trials, which God suffers to come upon believers here, the far g…
436 wordsSECTION 247264 1 Peter, Iv. 18. [2410.
We may learn from hence, 1. How to judge of our state before God — [Mere morality is by no means a sufficient criterion whereby to judge of our state: we may be free from gross violations of God's law, and yet be far from yielding obedience to the Gospel. Let us then inquire whether we be obeying the Gospel by a …
257 wordsSECTION 2482410. J The Difficulty Of Salvation. 265
1 Pet. iv. 18. If the righteous scarcely be saved, ivhere shall the ungodly and the sinner appear ? EARNESTNESS in the concerns of religion is often thought unnecessary; but the attainment of salvation is by no means easy. This appears from the representations which the Scriptures give of re- ligion ; a race, a w…
454 wordsSECTION 249866 1 Peter, Iv. Is. [2410.
as sheep from the goats, and widely different portions will be assigned unto them'". How can it be supposed to be other- wise, when the difference of their characters is considered? If hell be not an abode fit for the righteous, much less is heaven a proper residence for the ungodly ] 2. Most reasonable — [We con…
396 wordsSECTION 250Advice To The Persecuted Or Tempted.
1 Pet. iv. 19. Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. GOD has mercifully engaged to save his people at the last. They may however meet with many severe conflicts in their way. Nor are they to expect to be save…
319 wordsSECTION 251206 1 Petkr, Iv. Id. [2-111.
To reconcile us to these dispositions, we proceed to shew, II. Why it is the will of God that we should suffer — God is pleased to permit it, 1 . For the trial of our faith — [God can discern our graces, though we should have no opportunity to exercise them ; but, if they be not called forth into act, neither ha…
324 wordsSECTION 252Humility Inculcated.
2. Let us at the same time persist " in well- doing " — [We must neither be irritated to do evil, nor deterred from doing good. The more we are persecuted for the sake of Christ, the more studious we should be " to put our enemies to silence by well-doing:" the very efforts of the enemy to extinguish our light sh…
333 wordsSECTION 253270 1 Peter, V. ... [2412.
sentiments which arc in direct opposition to the mo- rality of the Gospel. Humility is the grace which alone becomes the Christian moralist ; and the che- rishing of any feeling contrary to humility, will, as the Apostle informs us in my text, expose us to God's heaviest displeasure. In confirmation of this, I wi…
352 wordsSECTION 2542412.] Humility Inculcated. 271
undone creatures, who have no hope but in the tender mercy of God in Christ Jesus. We must, as far as respects all hope in ourselves, feel ourselves in the very condition of the fallen angels, whose sin we have followed, and whose punishment, we are doomed to share. Indeed, indeed, this is our very state, whether …
501 wordsSECTION 255272 1 Peter, V. 5. [2412.
reproaches of his wife Michal : but, when ho heard them, instead of being moved with indignation against her, he meekly replied, " I will be yet more vile than thus, and will be base in my own sight11." It was but a small matter to the holy Apostles, that they were considered " as the filth of the world, and the o…
431 wordsSECTION 2562412.] Humility Inculcated. 273
and " knows them afar off," as objects whom he disdains to look uponq. He will not hear any prayer that they may offer up. See the Pharisee and the Publican. You would imagine that a man who could make such appeals to God, respecting his manifold and self-denying services, should surely find accept- ance at the t…
494 wordsSECTION 257874 1 Peter, V. 5. [2412.
and bitter tiling it is to cherish such a disposition in your hearts : for, as " pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall*," you may expect the effects of a spiritual dere- liction ; you may expect, that, " being lifted up with pride, you will fall into the condemnation of the devil >'."] …
498 wordsSECTION 258The Duty Of Casting Our Care On God.
hopes or fears. To have God your enemy, determined to " resist you," would be the greatest evil that could befall you : but to have him your friend, pledged to supply you with all the blessings of grace and glory, would be the summit of human bliss. Commending then this alternative to your devoutest meditations, I…
345 wordsSECTION 259276 1 Peter, V. 7. [2413.
they see many dishonouring their holy profession : they feel within themselves also "an evil heart of unhelief;" nor are they ignorant of Satan's devices to overthrow them. More- over, they frequently anticipate future evils; and tremble, lest in the day of adversity they should faint. Thus do they torment themsel…
379 wordsSECTION 2602413.] The Duty Of Casting Our Care On God. 277
He is possessed of almighty power p — [There is no difficulty from which he cannot extricate <1, nor duty which he cannot enable us to discharge. Should we, for whom such wisdom and power are exercised, be anxious1-?] Moreover he is good and gracious — [What innumerable blessings has he already bestowed upon us! …
347 wordsSECTION 261The Means Of Defeating Satan'S Malice.
1 Pet. v. 8, 9. Be sober, be vigilant ; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, ivalkcth about, seeking ivhom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith. THERE are many who deny the influences of the Holy Spirit. No wonder therefore if the agency of Satan be called in question. But there is abu…
321 wordsSECTION 2622414.] The Means Of Defeating Satan'S Malice. 279
attacks, it is but for a season, that he may return afterwards with greater advantage1.] He is cruel — [The lion little regards the agonies which he occasions ; nor has Satan any compassion for the souls which he destroys. The savage animal kills to satisfy the calls of nature; but our adversary reaps no benefit …
392 wordsSECTION 263280 1 Peter, V. 8,9. [2414.
Vigilance — [Unwatchfulness, even in a victorious army, exposes it to defeat: much more must it subject us to the power of our subtle enemy. St. Peter had experienced its baneful effects. He had been warned of Satan's intention to assault himu. He had been commanded to pray lest he should fall by the temp- tation…
362 wordsSECTION 264Mmccccxv.
god's goodness an encouragement to prayer. 1 Pet. v. 10, 11. But the God of all grace, who hath called tis unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. AMONGST the various test…
753 wordsSECTION 265Mmccccxv.
To these he added a doxology well suited to the occasion — d avrbq, though not noticed in the translation, seems to have con- siderable force. e Ps. lxxxi. 10. f Acts xiv. 22. 6 6\iyov Tradovraz. 2415.3 god's goodness encourages to prayer. 2S3 [Who can reflect on what God is in himself, or on what he has done fo…
405 wordsSECTION 266Mmccccxvi.
peter's salutation to the saints. 2 Pet. i. 1 , 2. Simon Peter, a servant and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with Us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ : grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord…
647 wordsSECTION 267Every Thing Needful Provided For Us.
comfort and encouragement of the soul in its progress heaven- ward ] These the Apostle desired to be " multiplied" unto the saints — [There should be no measure of these in which we should rest ; seeing that there is no measure which may not be greatly and abundantly increased. We should therefore, even if our a…
332 wordsSECTION 2682417.] Every Thing Needful Provided For Us. £87
mighty working of his power. This rendering of the words is so extremely different from that which our translators have given us, and at the same time is maintained by so many persons of eminence, that I have chosen rather to wave the consideration of them altogether, than to determine which of the two is the mor…
403 wordsSECTION 2692 Peter, I. 3. [2417.
3. Examples — [The force of example is pre-eminently great, as affording us both direction and encouragement. And there is no grace which we can be called to exercise, but we have it exhibited and embodied in some bright pattern that is set before us. As for faith, the first leading grace from which almost all oth…
435 wordsSECTION 2702417.] Every Thing Needful Provided For Us. 289
made " more than conquerors : " not all the powers of darkness can stand before them. Have they to sustain the heaviest afflictions ? Through Christ they are enabled to " glory in tribulations;" and to " take pleasure in every species of distress for his sake," under a full assurance that " his strength shall be m…
434 wordsSECTION 27110 2 Peter, I. 4. [2418.
never "hiding it under a bushel," or "shutting it up in un- righteousness." Have you good desires in your hearts I Labour to carry them into effect; and rest not till you have attained the object tor which they were given. Let. every grace " have; its perfect work in you, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting…
252 wordsSECTION 2722418.] Preciousness Of The Promises. 291
2 Pet. i. 4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and •precious promises : that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. COMMENTATORS are not agreed with respect to the connexion of these words. Some connect " whereby" with "glory a…
548 wordsSECTION 273292 2 Peter, I. 4. [241N.
blessedness to which a glorified soul is exalted before the throne of God. Eternity will be too short to count the in- estimable worth of the exceeding great and precious promises which are contained in the Gospel of Christ.] Let us pass on to consider, II. Their sanctifying efficacy — We must not imagine that an…
790 wordsSECTION 274894 2 Peter, I. 5—9. [2419.
Infer — 1. How desirable is an interest in Christ Jesus! [It is in Christ that all the promises are treasured up for us0; and in Him alone are they ratified and confirmed to usp. Unless as found in him, and united unto him by faith, we have no part in any one of them : but " all are ours, when we are Christ's*1."…
289 wordsSECTION 275The Christian'S Graces.
2 Pet. i. 5 — 9. Beside this, (jiving all diligence, add to your faith virtue ; and to virtue knowledge ; and to knowledge temperance ; and to temperance patience ; and to patience godliness ; and to godliness brotherly kindness ; and to bro- therly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they…
670 wordsSECTION 276296 2 Peter, I. 5—9, [2410.
b 2 Tim. i. 7. c 1 Chron. xii. 32. li Prov. iii. 21—23. e Ps. ci. 2. catalogue of graces it would appeal a small thing to say, that we should abstain " from surfeiting and drunkenness;" (though that doubtless is necessary for Christians too'.) We are, as has been before noted, in a state which calls for bold and j…
527 wordsSECTION 2772419.] The Christian'S Graces. 297
to know us for Christ's disciples11;" and by it we ourselves also are to judge of our having " passed from death unto life0." That which closes the train, and which must of necessity be added to all the rest, is " charity." For though there is an especial regard due to " the household of faith p," our love must no…
476 wordsSECTION 278298 2 Peter, I. 5—9. [2411).
to a great extent, without any practical effect: but the circum- stance of its being inoperative, clearly shews, that the person possessing it has no spiritual discernment. He is blind, or at best very dim-sighted, as to the excellency of the principles which he maintains: he sees not their proper tendency: he is …
402 wordsSECTION 2792419.] The Christian'S Graces. 299
[There is not any situation in which we can be placed, wherein religion does not prescribe the path that shall be pur- sued ; nor any variety of circumstances that can occur, in which it does not meet with a corresponding variety of limitations and exceptions. There is not an operation of the human mind which it d…
748 wordsSECTION 2802420.] Making Our Calling And Election Sure. 301
I pray you, brethren, consider this ; and let the truth of it receive a daily illustration from your conduct. Never place religion in any one duty, or in any one set of duties; but let all the graces of the Spirit have their appropriate place, their seasonable attention, and their harmonious exercise.] 3. How love…
333 wordsSECTION 281>2 2 Peter, I. 10, 11. [2120.
2 Pet. i. 10, 11. Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure : for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall : for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abun- dantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. IN the system of religion which the inspired pen- men…
674 wordsSECTION 2822420.] Making Our Calling And Election Sure. 303
« Eph. i. 4. d 2 Thess. ii. 13, 14. e Rom. ii. 7. t 2 Cor. v. 1. 8 1 Cor. ix. 27. h 2 John, vcr. S. and Ileb. iv. 1. fill us with a delight in heavenly things ; " brotherly-kindness," that shall knit us to every member of Christ's mystical body ; and " charity," that shall engage us in all offices of love even to…
437 wordsSECTION 283304 2 Peter, I. 10, 11. [2120.
they afford to those who know their weakness and their frailty ! Surely the hope of being enabled to " do all things through the strength of Christ," and of being made " more than con- querors through him that loved us, and of having " our strength in all respects proportioned to our day of trial," may wrll stimul…
433 wordsSECTION 284A Pastoral Admonition.
[He who has been " the Author of your faith must also be the Finisher V " Be strong only in the Lord, and in the power of his might u." Commit your soul into the Saviour's hands, and entreat him to " keep you from falling x :" so shall you " stand perfect and complete in all the will of God y," and " be kept by th…
382 wordsSECTION 285Jog 2 Peter, L 12—15. [2421.
Thus does the Apostle Peter, in this his second epistle to the Jewish converts dispersed throughout the world, endeavour to " stir them up," by calling to their remembrance the truths he had inculcated, that so they might, after his removal from them, retain their steadfastness even to the endd. In conformity wit…
339 wordsSECTION 2862421. J A Pastoral Admonition. 307
to those who had obtained like precious faith with him, through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ :" and he calls upon them to " add to their faith, virtue," and a whole series of other graces suited to the Christian character g. These were the things which their profession of Christianity ind…
362 wordsSECTION 287308 2 Peter, I. 12—15. [2421.
Secondly, Why he was, as I myself also am, anxious that you should " have these things always in re- membrance." Amongst the numberless reasons that might be assigned, I shall content myself with stating the three following : — First, I would impress these things on your minds, because on your remembrance of the…
338 wordsSECTION 2882421.] A Pastoral Admonition. 309
midst of all endeavours to keep you in the " good old way," have you never seen any " turned from the simplicity that is in Christq ?" Alas! alas! even in the apostolic Churches such declensions were common : we must not wonder, therefore, if, amongst ourselves, some be drawn aside by Satan r, to " make shipwreck…
391 wordsSECTION 289310 2 Peter, I. 12— 15. [2421.
the taking down of a tent or tabernacle, to rear it again in a better place : but, as it would put a ter- mination to his earthly career, he was anxious to improve his few remaining hours in fixing these things upon their minds, in order " that they might have them in remembrance after his decease." And though I …
396 wordsSECTION 2902421.1 A Pastoral Admonition. 311
truth." As long as I am able to bear any testimony amongst you, I will still declare, that Jesus, our adorable Lord, is the only Saviour of sinners ; and that as his atoning blood alone can ever cleanse you from the guilt of sin, so his blessed Spirit alone can ever renovate you after the Divine image, or make yo…
385 wordsSECTION 291812 2 Peter, I. 12—15. [2421.
who is the great Proprietor of the fold, and who will " require at my hands the blood of every one amongst you that has perished through my neglect f." Alas ! What account shall I inve to him when he shall summon me to his tribunal, and inquire into my discharge of my pastoral office ? ' Did I not send you to wat…
399 wordsSECTION 2922421.] A Pastoral Admonition. 313
But now, in the third place, what shall I say in order to effect my purpose ? What considerations shall I urge upon you in order the more effectually to impress your minds with the truths which I have before stated ? I will adopt the line of argument suggested by the Apostle himself in the preceding context. An …
376 wordsSECTION 293814 '2 Peter, I. 13—15. [2421.
other evils, and you will be " left to fall" and perish. It matters not what that virtue is which you neglect: if " intemperance," or " impatience," or " uncha- ritableness," or "ungodliness" of any kind0 be suf- fered to retain an ascendant over you, it will, as water in a leaky ship, in a little time fully occup…
652 wordsSECTION 294316 2 Peter, I. 16. [2422.
s Gal. ii. 20. * 1 John iii. 21. u 1 Thess. ii. 19. 2 Pet. i. 16. We have not followed cunningly-devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. AMONGST the various proofs which we have of the truth and certainty of our holy religion, one of great importance is, that amo…
435 wordsSECTION 2952422.] Truth And Certainty Of The Gospel. 317
Both the epistles of Peter are catholic, addressed to the whole Church. In the former especially he speaks very fully, and forcibly, of the Lord Jesus Christ, and of the different ends and purposes of his advent. He declares him to have been " fore-ordained before the foundation of the world, but mani- fest in the…
471 wordsSECTION 296S18 2 Peter, I. 16. [2122.
If they appear to any to be a cunningly-devised fable, I ask, Why do they appear so? The only answer that can be given is this; That these things are too great to be comprehended by us, and too good to be expected or believed. They arc great, no doubt ; and they are good also, beyond all that any finite intelligen…
385 wordsSECTION 2972422.] Truth And Certainty Of The Gospel. 319
[He with James and John had been taken up to Mount Tabor by his Divine Master, who had there been transfigured before them0. On that occasion the bright effulgence of the Deity had been made to shine forth in the person of the Lord Jesus, whose " face was as bright as the meridian sun, and whose raiment was as whi…
482 wordsSECTION 2983^0 2 Peter, I. 16. [2422.
followed any cunningly-devised fable," as ignorant Gentiles, or superstitious Jews, were wont to do. And to these things do we also make our appeal : for in these things the three Apostles could not be deceived : and their whole life and death shewed dearly enough, that they had no design or wish to deceive.] Appl…
426 wordsSECTION 299The Testimony Of Prophecy.
evidence of your own experience; for it is certain, that "he who truly believeth in Christ, hath the witness in himself2:" he knows the power and grace of Christ in a way that he never could know it from mere argument : and in speaking of Christ he can say, " What my eyes have seen, my ears have heard, my hands ha…
387 wordsSECTION 300Vol. Xx. Y
322 ~> PETER, 1. ID. [~2i23. it, as Job did under a similar impression of the manifold grace of God, " If I had called to God, and lie had answered me (and told me by an audible voice from heaven that Christianity was true), yet would I not believe that he hearkened to my voiceV As Peter, when actually liberated …
357 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.