PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 20 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 248,754 words · 519 reading sections
2423.] The Testimony Of Prophecy. 323
depended on. Consider the vast collective body of prophecies : consider, 1. Their fulness — [There is not any one point relating to Christianity that has not been the subject of prophecy. Every thing relating to Christ, his person, his work, his offices; his life, his death, his resurrection and ascension ; his i…
436 wordsSECTION 302$24 2 Peter, I. 19. [2423.
Let us enter a little into this point. — The person of the Messiah. He must be " Jehovah's fellow," " the mighty God," and yet " a man," yea " a worm, and no man, the very scorn of men and the outcast of the people." He must be " the Root and yet the Offspring of David," " David's Son, and yet David's Lord." He mu…
422 wordsSECTION 3032423.] The Testimony Of Prophecy. 325
[In the world at large we have nothing to guide us in relation to this point : and even from Judaism we gain but little light. The whole Mosaic dispensation was dark and shadowy : and the very predictions which were handed down to us by successive prophets were so dark, that they were not understood by the very pe…
508 wordsSECTION 304326 2 Peter, I. 19. [2423.
so does every prophecy lead me nearer and nearer unto Jesus, till they iix infallibly on him as the object of my pursuit, Thus, 1 say, 1 take prophecy for my light; and I follow it, till it stands over the very person of my adorable Lord, and leaves me no possibility of doubt respecting his being the true Mes- sia…
731 wordsSECTION 3053138 2 Peter, Ii. 4—9. [242-1.
2. The folly of resting in them — [A man who lays a foundation proceeds to build upon it. And so must we do. We have ascertained beyond a doubt that Jesus is the Christ. But what does the assurance of that fact avail us, if we go not to him for the salvation which he has purchased for us? The Israelites, when they…
271 wordsSECTION 306God The Punisher Of Sin.
2 Pet. ii. 4 — 9. If God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to he reserved unto judgment ; and spared not the old loorld, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood, upon the world of the ungodly ; and…
308 wordsSECTION 3072424.] God The Punisher Of Sin. 329
traits of such characters is, the boldness and con- fidence with which they propagate their errors ; pro- fessing to expect for themselves, and promising to others, impunity in " their pernicious ways." But, whatever they may dream of in relation to their security, "their judgment now of a long time lin- gereth n…
367 wordsSECTION 308330 2 Peter, Ii. 4—9. [2421.
vengeance on account of sin. Scarcely had the world existed fifteen hundred years, before wickedness abounded in it to such a degree, that " God repented that he had made man." On this account, he determined to destroy the world: and for that purpose he sent a deluge, which soon covered the face of the whole world…
458 wordsSECTION 3092424.1 God The Punisher Of Sin. 3S 1
seeing such proofs of the Divine veracity, we will not believe, we shall be constrained to believe when our own bitter expe- rience shall leave no room for a possibility of doubt. The judgments may be delayed, even as the deluge was : but at the appointed season the vengeance shall come, and shall not tarry.] But…
427 wordsSECTION 310332 2 Peter, Ii. 4— 9. [2121.
yet they were dear to God, and were saved by him with a meat and glorious salvation: and so shall you be saved also from your trials, whether they regard your temporal or your eternal welfare: nor shall so much as one thing occur, which shall not be ultimately over-ruled for your good.] Express ye then your faith …
439 wordsSECTION 311Apostates In A Worse State Than Ever.
2 Pet. ii. 20, 21. If after they have escaped the pollutions of the loorld through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have knoivn the way of right- eousness,…
321 wordsSECTION 312S34 2 Peter, Ii. 20,21. [2425.
profess to seek. That this is the sad effect of their labours, the Apostle does not scruple to affirm : he even declares, that the persons so deceived by them are brought into a worse condition than they were in previous to their first acquaintance with the Gospel salvation. In this statement of the Apostle we ha…
384 wordsSECTION 3132425.] Apostates In A Worse State Than Ever. 335
may bring forth, or what a change may, through the influence of some unforeseen temptation, be speedily wrought in his moral or religious character. Consider farther, what both Scripture and experience teach us on this very subject. Do not the Scriptures tell us, that many had already " made shipwreck both of fait…
472 wordsSECTION 314336 2 Peter. Ii. 20, 21. [2425.
weaken the force of the supposition in my text, by an appeal to human systems ; but to admit it as a salutary caution to yourselves, and to improve it with all diligence, that you yourselves may not become examples of the case that is supposed.] Admitting then the possibility of the case supposed, let me draw you…
426 wordsSECTION 3152425.3 Apostates In A Worse State Than Ever. 337
he must have been the more deeply "grieved1." And when once " the Spirit is quenched V' and caused " to depart1," and is so " vexed" as to become an " enemy"1" to the backslidden soul, "What can be expected but that Satan should re-occupy the post from which he had been driven, and bind in stronger chains than eve…
473 wordsSECTION 316538 2 Peter, Ii. 20, 81. [2425.
of the apostate is worse than his beginning : and that it would have " been better for him never to have known the way of righteousness, than, after he has known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto him."] Application — There are, it is to be feared, many here present, who have never yet been deli…
494 wordsSECTION 3172425. J Apostates I\ A Worse State Than Ever. 839
and such is the state of all who have not yet devoted themselves to the service of their God.] But some there are, we may hope, who have, through the knowledge of Christ, been delivered from the world — [It is well you have thus far answered one end for which our blessed Saviour died : for " he gave himself for o…
495 wordsSECTION 318The Day Of Judgment.
adorable Lord and Saviour'," that, through the abundance of his grace communicated to you, you may live more than ever unto God; and that, " shining already as lights in the world-," your " path may shine brighter and brighter unto the perfect day V] { 2 Pet. iii. 18. s Phil. ii. 15. h Prov. iv. 18. 2 Pet. iii. 7…
297 wordsSECTION 3192426. J The Day Of Judgment. 341
[As, at that period, rewards and punishments will be alike distributed, one would suppose that that day might with equal propriety be called " the day of the salvation of godly men." But this designation would by no means be so proper as that which is given to it in my text. For, though the salvation of the godly …
501 wordsSECTION 320342 2 Peter, Iii. T. [2420.
mankind, attended with solemnities which will greatly augment the keenness of their perceptions; and the bodies of all will be made partakers of the sentence that shall be accorded to their souls. In that day every child of man, from the very beginning to the end of time, will be called forth, and summoned to appe…
449 wordsSECTION 3212426.] The Day Of Judgment. 343
relation to our own experience : for there is much hypocrisy in the human heart; and " a hypocrite, even though his excel- lency mount up to the heavens, and reach unto the clouds, will be detected by God, and will perish for ever, like his own dung ;" so that his former admirers, with a mixture of surprise and gr…
482 wordsSECTION 32231-1- 2 Peter, Iii. 8, 9. [2427.
and the smoke of their torment will ascend up for ever and ever: and they will have no rest day nor nightu!" Who can reflect on this, and not determine, through grace, to shun so awful a doom, and to make " the long-suffering of God the means and prelude of everlasting salvation*?"] 3. To improve to the uttermost …
332 wordsSECTION 323Mmccccxxvii.
god's forbearance. 2 Pet. iii. 8, 9. Beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is icith the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness ; but is long-suffering to us-tcard, not willing that any should perish, bu…
500 wordsSECTION 324346 2 Peter, Iii. 8, 9. [2427.
with God there is no scope for any such views or feelings. He is able to punish whensoever he will : nor is it possible for any to escape from his hands. He, however, is averse to proceed to extremities, till he has used every possible method to re- claim sinners, and to open a way for the exercise of his mercy to…
857 wordsSECTION 325388 2 Peter, Iii. 8, 9. [2427.
Having seen the long-suffering of God towards this sinful world, let us consider, II. What improvement we should make of it — From a sense of it, we should be led, 1. To acknowledge our obligations to him — [Who amongst us has not reason to acknowledge the long- suffering of God towards him ? Who is not a sinner …
484 wordsSECTION 326The Day Of Judgment.
2 Pet. iii. 10 — 14. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night ; in the which the heavens shall pass aivay with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what mann…
370 wordsSECTION 327350 2 Peter, Iii. 10—14. [2428.
will be no more expectation at the time, than there was of the former. In the clays of Noah they were eating and drinking', and marrying and giving in marriage, as securely as at any former period of the world : and would not believe that they were in any danger, till, on the entrance of Noah into the ark, the flo…
505 wordsSECTION 3282428. J The Day Of Judgment. 351
Contemplate the feelings of the godly at the moment that this glory bursts upon them. In vain shall we look for any thing wherewith to compare it upon earth. Alas ! the visions of the godly are not so bright; nor do their sublimest rap- tures make so deep an impression as do the terrors which are inspired by sudde…
485 wordsSECTION 329352 2 Peter, Iii. 10—11. [2428.
of us to be in, is that of ardent and affectionate expectation ; " our loins being girt, and our lamps trimmed," and our whole souls as " those who wait for the coming of their Lord." Maintaining this frame, you may rest assured, that " the Lord Jesus Christ will confirm you to the endf," and present you faultless…
582 wordsSECTION 330354 2 Peter, 111. 17,18. [2429.
2 Pet. iii. 17, 18. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led azvay ivith the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. HOWEVER averse men are to receive warnings and exhortat…
649 wordsSECTION 331The Benefits Arising From Faith In Christ.
heaven. Go on adding to your grace, says God, " and you shall never fall1."] Advice — 1. Reflect much and often on the day of judg- ment— [Through a forgetfulness of that day we become the sport of every temptation: but if we would frequently endeavour to realize the strictness of the scrutiny, and the severity …
502 wordsSECTION 3322430.] Benefits From Faith In Christ. 357
of all that he affirmed : and he urges upon the whole Christian Church the reception of his testimony, by representing the incalculable benefits which all who believed it would receive. That we may enter fully into the declarations before us, let us consider, I. His testimony — This may be understood as relating…
412 wordsSECTION 333£58 1 John, I. 1—3. [2430.
And it was his existence that was so determinately denied by the heretics whom the Apostle wished to silence. He, too, not only had lived in closest intimacy with his disciples before his crucifixion, but, after his death and resurrection, had appeared to them for forty days; and, when they doubted whether it were…
494 wordsSECTION 3342430.] Benefits From Faith In Christ. 359
not follow cunningly-devised fables, when they made known the power and coming of the Lord Jesus, but were eye-wit- nesses of his majesty : for they were with him in the holy mount, when he received from God the Father honour and glory, and when there came to him a voice from the excellent glory, saying, This is m…
801 wordsSECTION 3352430.] Benefits From Faith In Christ. 359
Know ye, then, that this is the state into which you will be brought, if only you receive the testimony of God respecting his dear Son. Believe truly, that " in him is life," and that through faith in him your souls shall live ; and then all the fulness of these blessings shall be yours : nor shall even the belove…
392 wordsSECTION 336S62 I John, 1. 5—7. [2431.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING CONFORMED TO GOD's IMAGE. 1 John i. 5 — 7. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we ivalk in the l…
658 wordsSECTION 337S62 I John, 1. 5—7. [2431.
God is a holy Being ; yea, " glorious in holiness," as well as in every other perfection. " He hateth all the workers of iniquity:" " He is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity k," without the utmost abhorrence of it. In this respect also, as well as in the former, " there is no darkness at all in him .•" there i…
413 wordsSECTION 338S64 1 John, I. 5—7. [2431.
II. The necessity and benefit of a conformity to him — The saints are said to be renewed after the Divine image : and it is worthy of particular observation, that the only two points in which this renovation is said to consist, are knowledge 9, and holiness r. We see then from hence wherein that conformity, which…
801 wordsSECTION 339386 1 John, I. 8, J). [2432.
2. The connexion between duty and happiness — [The greater part of the world expect happiness in the ways of sin : but God has warned us that there is " no peace to the wicked." There is no real happiness but in fellowship y " Cleansed." z Eph. v. 26, 27- a Jude, ver. 24. with God : and there is no fellowship with…
374 wordsSECTION 3402432. J Confession Necessary To Forgiveness. 307
1 John i. 8, 9. If we sag that we //are no sin, we deceive our- selves, and the truth is not in us : if ive confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. THESE words are rendered familiar to our ears by being read almost continually as introductory to…
532 wordsSECTION 341368 1 John, 1. 8, !». [24;52.
askj What is tin- treatment which that young man would have experienced from the great mass of religious professors? 1 greatly fear that the general feeling towards him would have been that of contempt, rather than of love. But how did our blessed Lord and Saviour regard him? We are told, "Then Jesus beholding him…
456 wordsSECTION 3422432.] Confession Necessary To Forgiveness. 369
law once ; but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I diedd:" that is, before I understood the spirituality of the law, I thought my obedience to it so perfect that I was in no danger of condemnation for my offences against it : but when my eyes were opened to see the extent of its demands and the defects o…
399 wordsSECTION 343370 1 John, I. 8,9. [2432.
sins that may have been previously committed ; nor any ex- ception as to the measure of depravity which may have defiled the soul, or the degree of obduracy to which it may have attained. " Though our sins may have been as scarlet, or of a crimson dye, they shall all be washed away in the blood of Christ, and the …
479 wordsSECTION 3442432.] Confession Necessary To Forgiveness. 371
How blessed is the condition of the penitent when viewed in this light ! Every thing is secured to him that his necessities require ! and every thing confirmed to him by the very justice and faithfulness of Jehovah ! Wipe away thy tears, thou weeping penitent ; and " put off thy sackcloth, and gird thee with gladn…
663 wordsSECTION 345The Advocacy And Atonement Of Christ.
1 John ii. 1, 2. If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous : arid he is the propi- tiation for our sins : and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. THERE are two extremes to which men are apt to incline, namely, presumption and despair ; and against bot…
612 wordsSECTION 346374 1 John, Ii. 1,2. [2433.
[The ofiice of an advocate is to appear for his client in a court of justice, and to plead his cause. Now this office also the Lord Jesus Christ executes in behalf of his people: He is gone up to the court of heaven; where " he appears in the presence of God for usf." The Holy Spirit also is our advo- cate: but th…
750 wordsSECTION 34776 1 John, Ii. 1, 2. [2433.
The consolations arising from this office are heightened and confirmed by the consideration of his atonement : for in his one offering of himself there is a sufficiency of merit to justify all that shall believe in him. His death was a propi- tiation, not for the sins of a few only, " but for the sins of the whole…
554 wordsSECTION 348The True Test Of Love To God.
1 John ii. 3 — 5. Hereby we do know that we Jcnoiu him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected : hereby know we that toe are in him. THERE are many who i…
757 wordsSECTION 3492434.]] True Test Of Love To God. 379
Of course, you will all he anxious to know, II. How this assurance is to be obtained — It is not the fruit of any enthusiastic impression or conceit. *> Cant. ii. 16. c 1 John iii. 14, 19, 24. rt 1 John iv. 1.'3. e 1 John v. 19, 20. f Gal. ii. 20. 8 Rom. viii. 15. 10". h 2 Cor. v. 1 — 3. ' Rom. viii. :J4 — 39. I…
501 wordsSECTION 350380 1 John, 11. 3—5. [24;M.
" without him we can do nothing." It is by its union with the vine, that a branch bears its fruit: and it is only by union witli the Lord Jesus that we also can have a sufficiency for any thins that is <joodr. Have we then a clear evidence that we are bringing forth fruit to God? it is manifest that we are united …
510 wordsSECTION 3512434.] True Test Of Love To God. 381
yourselves," and to try your faith a by this standard? Do not imagine that the knowledge here spoken of is a speculative acquaintance with divine truth : no ; it is such a knowledge as both justifiesb and sanctifies0 the soul; it is that knowledge in comparison of which St. Paul " accounted all things as dung and …
490 wordsSECTION 352Christ An Example To His Followers.
evidence of his love; audit shall assuredly issue iu everlasting felicity : for, as sure as God is true, " light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart*."] k Ps. xcvii. 1 1. 1 John ii. 6. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. AMONG the various …
336 wordsSECTION 3532435.] Christ An Example To His Followers. 383
in all that he did as a man, we are to follow his steps : and if we neglect to do so, we shew, that we have no part or lot in his salvation. The words I have read will lead me to set before you the principles, and the practice, of every true Christian. I. His principles — The Christian is united unto Christ by f…
433 wordsSECTION 354384 1 John, Ii. 6. [2435.
indeed perfect: but to him was committed the task of working out a righteousness for himself, and of maintaining by his own. inherent powers his steadfastness in the divine life. And hence he fell, and died, and involved both himself and all his posterity in ruin. But the believer has a righteousness wrought out f…
460 wordsSECTION 3552435.] Christ An Example To His Followers. 385
this reasoning is altogether fallacious : since everv one who by faith abides in Christ, acknowledges it his bounden duty to " walk as he walked." He acknowledges it, I say, as his bounden duty — [He does not conceive of Christ as liberating him from the obligations of morality : for though he is free from the law…
482 wordsSECTION 356386 I John, Ii. 6. [2435.
feeling that is opposite to love, and to " purify himself even as bis Lord and Master was pure'."] Now as this subject gives us a deep insight into the whole of the Gospel system, I will embrace this opportunity, 1. Of establishing the principles of those who are in doubt — [The Christian world has been much div…
447 wordsSECTION 357The True Light.
" spirit of his mind" and the whole course of his conduct. Of course, what he spake as the Great Prophet of the Church, or did as the Redeemer of the world, was peculiar to himself, and can be no pattern for us : but in all that he either spake or did as man, we are to follow him without reserve. If we propose to …
654 wordsSECTION 3582436.] The True Light. 389
I. As verified at that day — The darkness of the Mosaic dispensation was then dispelled — [That was a dark and shadowy dispensation altogether. God himself was not made known by it as the common Father of all, but as the friend only of one peculiar people, whom he favoured above all others. The way of acceptance …
584 wordsSECTION 359390 1 -John, Ii. 8. [2436.
darkness into marvellous light1'." So that they were able to appreciate the necessity and the excellency of the command- ment which was now enjoined.] But let us contemplate this glorious change, II. As fulfilled also amongst ourselves — Certainly, the true light does shine among you — [The Lord Jesus " Christ is…
802 wordsSECTION 3601 John, Ii. 8. [243G.
It may be that you would wish to have two questions solved : With answering them, I will conclude the sub- ject— 1. How shall I obtain the change spoken of in the text ? [Many directions I might give you ; and all proper in their place : but there is one, which, if it do not supersede all others, will at least …
550 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.