PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 21 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 271,014 words · 572 reading sections
V. 27, 28.
^. Imi/eMt^^^ fy?-/^ (Jlaa/ioq MciL-n^ ^iou itd>lL f(n<^ t^tua/'i y/A^ cieAa^leuJ ^^y%e^ TO Wlllrll IS ANNF.XEn, M ATT n E W. 18, ST. Paul's church-yard. MDCCCXXXri. 3*f" % niscourse. Tex I :»ii: jt^ct. P^Se. 1278. i. 21—23. Import of the Names given to Christ . 1 1279. ii. 1, 2. The Wise Men seek…
255 wordsSECTION 2V. 47.
Text. 1304. 1305. 1306. 1307. 1308. 1309. 1310. 1311. vi. 1—4. 1312. vi. 5 — 8. 1313. vi. 9. 1314. vi. 10. 1315. vi. 11. 1316. vi. 12. 1317. vi. 13. 1318. vi. 13. 1319. vi. 14, 15. 1320. vi. 16—18. 1321. vi. 19—21. 1322. vi. 22, 23. 1323. vi. 24. 1324. vi. 25—34. 1325. vii. 1, 2. 1…
287 wordsSECTION 313G0.
171 176 181 185 190 194 199 203 207 212 217 221 226 230 236 242 245 250 255 259 268 271 276 279 283 288 292 296 300 303 Ml Text. Siilyect. Page. MATTliKW 1341. Limited Commission of the Apostles . 307 1342. Diffusion of the Gospel, a Duty . . 311 1343. Wisdom and Innocence to b…
289 wordsSECTION 4Xxv. 35 — 40.
Formal Worshippers, Hypocrites . . 429 1371. The Daughter of the Canaanitess dispossessed 433 1372. Great jMultitudes Healed .... 437 1373. xvi. 6. Against Formality and Indifference . 440 1374. xvi. 15—19. Peter's Confession rewarded . 445 1375. xvi. 21 — 23. Peter's mistaken Tenderness reproved 45…
391 wordsSECTION 5The Import Of The Names Given To Christ.
Matt. i. 21 — 23. Thou shalt call his name Jesus : for He shall save his people from their sins. Noio all this was done that it mif/ht be fulfilled ivhich ivas spoken of the Lord by the pro- phet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be loith child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, whi…
262 wordsSECTION 62 Matthew, I. 21—23. [1278.
things he always acted with unerring wisdom. When men have attempted to give significant appellations, they have only manifested how ignorant they were of futurity 'i. But (jod sees all things from the beginning to the end. And his desig- nation of Christ's name was a prognostic of his character.] The appellation …
682 wordsSECTION 7The Wise Men Seeking Christ.
I cannot conclude without a short address, to those who make this a season of carnal mirth — [The great majority of Christians seem to think that the incarnation of Christ gives them a greater licence to commit sin. And this impious thought greatly aggravates their guilt. But what madness is it to imagine that the…
883 wordsSECTION 86 Matthew, 11. 1, 2. [1279.
4. How they conducted themselves towards him when they had found him — [Filled with holy awe and reverence, they no sooner beheld him, than they prostrated themselves before him; and presented to him the offerings which they had brought with them for that purpose. It is possible, that their worship was only such a…
566 wordsSECTION 9The Joy Of The Magi.
they had found Him whom they sought. Thus, let us resolutely seek the Lord Jesus, till we have found him. He is pointed out to us, not by a star, but by " the more sure word of the Gospel." True enough, we may inquire after him of many who might well be expected to give us all needful information; and, after all, …
410 wordsSECTION 108 Matthew, Ii. 10. [1280.
weeks, or several months. What the star was, we know not. It could not be a common star ; but only a meteor, resembling one. How they came to regard it as intimating the birth of any one, and especially of one who should be the King of the Jews, we know- not. It is probable that they were astronomers ; and that, …
372 wordsSECTION 111280.] The Joy Of The Magi. 9
than the star, which they had seen in the East, and which had for some time disappeared, came again ; and guided them, not to the city only, but to the house where Jesus was ; thus pointing out, with in- faUible precision, the very child whom they desired to find. On this occasion it is said, " When they saw the …
369 wordsSECTION 1210 Matthew, Ii. 10. [1280.
In their labours, we behold also, II. The ardour of mmd with which it should be pur- sued— Their journey, whether from Arabia or any other country, was long and arduous — [Their setting out from their own country, and prose- cuting their journey to Judaea, argued no little zeal : but to persevere when the star h…
361 wordsSECTION 131281.1 The Slaughter Of The Infants. 11
[Though not truly interested in the Saviour, you are highly privileged : because you have an infinitely better guide than ever the Magi had, even the word of God, which will be a light to your feet, and a lantern to your paths ; and will infallibly, if duly followed, lead you to the Saviour's presence. Improve, th…
316 wordsSECTION 1412 Matthew, 11. 16, 18. [1281.
Matt. ii. IG, 18. Then Herod, ivhen he saw that he ivas mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that ivere in Bethlehem, and iti all the coasts thereof , from tivo years old and under, according to the time which he had diligejitly inquired of the loise men. Then was …
437 wordsSECTION 151281.] "Ihe Slaughter Of The Infants. 13
into t]ie principle from which this unparalleled barbarity proceeded — [The murderous purpose originated in jealousy. Herod possibly had heard of the birth of Jesus, previous to the arrival of the Wise Men : but that was the circumstance which put him upon making inquiries into the pretensions of this new- born i…
471 wordsSECTION 1614 Matthew, Ii. 16, 18. [1281.
Happy would it have been for the world, if such dispositions and conduct had been altogether banished by the Gospel of Christ: but the human heart is the same in every age and place : we still see that the love of power is a predominant principle in the mind of man ; that where it is suffered to gain an ascendency…
654 wordsSECTION 1716 Matthew, Iii. 7—10. [1282.
2. How vain are any attempts of man to counter- act the designs of God — [Herod foolishly thought to defeat the purposes of heaven ; but " God held him in derision, and laughed him to scorn ^" God knew his murderous plans, and warned the parents of our Lord to escape his fury; yea, and provided too for their jour…
607 wordsSECTION 18Of Him.
John's address to those who came to be baptized Matt. iii. 7—10. But tvhen he saw mamj of the Pharisees and Mdueees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O qcnera- tion of vipers! who hath warned you to flee from the iv rath 1282.] John's address to his followers. 17 to come ? Bring forth therefore fruits meet f…
403 wordsSECTION 1918 Matthew, Iii. 7—10. [1282.
As this is the only criterion whereby the excellence of a tree can be known, so is it the only true test of reho-ion. There are " fruits meet for repentance ;" fruits that manifest its existence, and denote its power. Let us inquire what they are: and, as they will be found in every part of our conduct, let us exa…
658 wordsSECTION 2020 Matthew, Iii. 7—10. [1282.
The Jews were apt to found their hopes of mercy on their relation to Abraham — [Many of them had a strange conceit that no child of Abraham could perish : and it is probable that they built that notion on the promise of God never to cast off the seed of Abraham*^. They had no idea that there was such a thing as a…
654 wordsSECTION 2120 Matthew, Iii. 7—10. [1282.
1282. J John's address to his followers. 21 God giving his orders to him that is to use it. Disease or accident are just tarrying awhile, but coming at the appointed moment, to execute their commission. And here let it be remembered, that it is not a mere nega- tive goodness that will obtain a respite. It is not s…
449 wordsSECTION 2222 Matthew, Iii. 7-10. [1282.
reproaches which they bear on account of their fidelity; but a hope of benefiting your souls emboldens them to proceed ; and they account themselves richly recompensed, when they see you bringing forth fruits meet for repentance. Do not then be angry with them for speaking plainly and pointedly, as the Pharisees w…
486 wordsSECTION 23The Baptism Of The Spirit.
even to look behind you ; but " what your hand findeth to do, do it with all your might." The Saviour is ready to receive you : he will cast out none that come unto him : and the ex- press promise of your God is this, " Repent, and turn from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin™."] m Ezek. x…
316 wordsSECTION 2424 Matthew, 111. H. [1283.
[The person of John might well be considered as dignified in no common degree. He was the subject of prophecy many hundred years before he came into the world =»: his formation in the womb was announced by an angel from heaven, and that too at a period when his parents, according to the common course of nature, co…
474 wordsSECTION 251283.] The Baptism Of The Spirit. 25
and to whose directions all were commanded to submit. He was the Messiah himself, the very " Lamb of God that was to take away the sins of the world," of whom " John himself needed to be baptized," and by whom alone John himself could be saved. Surely then the words of John respecting him were not an unmeaning hyp…
417 wordsSECTION 2626 Matthew, Hi. 11. [1283.
was there concealed. What a change it effected in the cha- racters of men may be seen by its operations on the day ot Pentecost: how was the lion instantly transformed into a lamb! and how did the noxious qualities, which had so lately rendered men like incarnate fiends, immediately subside and disappear! And such…
485 wordsSECTION 271283.1 The Baptism Of The Spirit. 27
It is easy to put this off with a sneer : but we cannot change that declaration of God, that, " If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his^;" or that, " Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God™: and, if we will brave those explicit declarations, we s…
442 wordsSECTION 28The Issue Of The Final Judgment.
Matt iii 12 Whose fan is in Ms hand, and he tvill thronghly purge 'his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; hut he will hum up the chaff loith unquenchahle fire. THE great duty of a Christian Minister is, to set forth the Lord Jesus Christ in all his characters, and to impress on the minds of all the neces…
353 wordsSECTION 291284.] Issue Of The Final Judgment. 29
They may, to a superficial observer, appear like solid grain : but they will not bear a scrutiny. Examine their repentance : it has no depth in it : they have never known what a broken and contrite spirit means. Examine their faith : it has nothing beyond a bare assent to certain truths : they have never fled to C…
474 wordsSECTION 3030 Matthew, Iii. 12. [1284.
into the mansions of bliss ^ and therefore we are sure that no hypocrite can find admittance there. The distuiction between the wheat and the chaff will be unerring and complete.] Let us proceed to contemplate, II. The final issue of it to the souls of men— '' The wheat will be treasured up in his garner" — [The …
467 wordsSECTION 31Fulfilling All Righteousness.
the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch^." " The worm," that is in their consciences, "shall never die ; and the fire that shall torment them shall never be quenched"."] See, then. Brethren, 1. What need there is to examine the real state of your souls — [Nothing would be more easy th…
323 wordsSECTION 3232 Matthew, Iii. 15. [1285.
baptism to him at that time was a measure not only expedient, but necessary : for that " thus it became him to fulfil all righteousness." The precise force of our Lord's assertion not being perfectly clear, I shall, I. Confirm it as a truth, in relation to our Lord — John, feeling his own utter unworthiness to ad…
408 wordsSECTION 331285.3 Fulfilling All Righteousness. 3S
in order to the completion of that righteousness which he had undertaken to fulfil.] 2. Because it became him to give his pubhc attes- tation to the divine mission of John — [John had been sent into the world as his forerunner, to announce his advent, and to call men's attention to him as the true Messiah''. More…
479 wordsSECTION 3434 Matthew, Iii. 15. [1285.
been enjoined, and not be diverted from his purpose by the well-meant, but mistaken, scruples of the Baptist. In truth, from the administration of this ordinance to him, and the consequent testimony borne to him by the Father and the Holy Spirit, we have an evidence of his Messiahship, which ought to carry convict…
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obligations to holiness are, if possible, increased ; since the very- end of Christ's mediation was " to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify unto liimself a peculiar people, zealous of good works ^." Besides, he came to " set us an example, that we should follow his steps'." Was " he then without sin ; and w…
502 wordsSECTION 36Mcclxxxvi.
36 MATTHEW, IV. 1. [l28G. Christ's temptation. Matt. iv. 1. Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilder- ness to he tempted of the devil. THE agency of Satan in the affairs of man cannot be doubted by any one who really believes the repre- sentations given us in the inspired volume. His great employment …
817 wordsSECTION 3738 Matthew, Iv. 1. [1286.
c Ps. XXX. 6, 7. ^2 Cor. xii. 7. ^ Matt. xvi. 17—19, 22, 23. GodV who alone can render any thing available for our real good. Having failed in this, Satan urged him to an opposite extreme, even to a j)resumj)tuous tempting of the Fathers power. He took our Lord, doubtless with his own concur- rence, as one man w…
918 wordsSECTION 3840 Matthew, Iv. 1. [1286.
n Gen. iii. 24. ° Heb. i. 14. p Luke xvi. 22. <J Lukexxii. 53. "■ Gen. iii. 15. = Heb. ii. 14. t Col.ii. 15. " Eph. iv. 8. ^ John xvi. 11. to the regions of the damned, to see what misery he has entailed on millions of immortal souls, and will entail on us also, if the Saviour make not his victories available for …
539 wordsSECTION 39The Call Of Four Apostles.
tarry" one moment beyond the fittest time^. If, on the other hand, you are tempted to presumption, and to run uncalled into scenes of bodily or moral danger, remember that, what- ever stress you may lay on garbled extracts from God's word, you cannot hope to be preserved, except in the ways that God himself has pr…
384 wordsSECTION 4042 Matthew, Iv. 18-22. [1287.
to receive blessings from God, than when we are occupied in performing the offices which he himself has assigned us. But it is not so much to the season when these Apostles were called, as to the call itself, that we now propose to direct your attention. For this end let us inquire, I. How far the call given to …
405 wordsSECTION 411287.] The Call Of Four Apostles. 43
with increasing abundance, proceed from it. Our blessed Lord came, not only to save us by his meritorious death and passion, but, to "set us an example that we should follow his steps." To follow him, therefore, we must " walk as he walked." Behold his zeal for the glory of his God and Father ; it even " consumed …
452 wordsSECTION 4244 Matthew, Iv. 18—22. [1287.
We need only notice the conduct of these holy Apostles, and we shall be at no loss how to regulate our own. The command itself is plain ; and we must obey it, 1. Instantly, without delay — [We see not the smallest hesitation in any one of those whom Jesus called, in our text. Elsewhere we find that one expressed…
464 wordsSECTION 431287.] 1'"E Call Of Four Apostles. 45
of Christ was sufficient for them ; and they willingly forsook all for him. Thus must we do : we must give a preference \ a strong and decisive preference ^, to Christ, above all earthly relatives, or worldly possessions. We cannot now be called to act as Levi did; but the zeal of Levi must be in us^, and all thin…
458 wordsSECTION 44The Blessedness Of The Humble.
your losses shall be repaid a hundredfold in this life be^des I proportionable weight of glory in the woilc^ o come Thousands can attest the truth of this " ^3°f ^^' better part, which shaU never be taken away from jou !] 3. Those who are engaged in following the Lord— [Though you may not be called, as preachers t…
369 wordsSECTION 451288.] The Blessedness Of The Humble. 47
being too numerous to be accommodated in any house or synagogue, our Lord went up into a mountain, and sat down after the custom of the Jewish teachers, in order to instruct them. Those disciples who were most eager for instruction, drew nigh unto him; whilst those who were more indifferent about it, con- tented …
387 wordsSECTION 4648 Matthew, V. 1—4. [1288.
every thing that is good But many who are in this state, are far enough from poverty of spirit; they think they are " rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing" When they are become poor in spirit the}' are of a very different mind; they know that " they are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and bh…
470 wordsSECTION 471288.1 The Blessedness Of The Humble. 49
always participate in each other's feelings, and always are sub- jects of the same blessedness. Let us, in the next place, inquire,] II. In what their blessedness consists — Doubtless, to carnal eyes, there is little in such characters that can render them objects of envy : to a superficial observer, they appear …
409 wordsSECTION 4850 Matthew, V. 1—4. [1288.
Christian reckons the seasons of his deepest humiliation among the happiest hours of his life. But view the penitent when applying to his soul the great and precious promises of the Gospel : feels he no comfort in this exercise ? — _ View him when he obtains a glimpse of his Lord and Saviour, and a taste of his pa…
468 wordsSECTION 491289.1 Christian Meekness. 51
2. To those who seek after rehgion, but are not happy— [Whence is this? Has our blessed Lord deceived us? Has he talked so much about the blessedness of being poor in spirit, and of mourning for sin, and is it all a delusion ? No, surely: if you find not happiness in these exercises, it is because you do not enga…
351 wordsSECTION 5052 Matthew, V. 5. [1289.
Matt. V. 5. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. WHILST it is acknowledged on all hands, that Christianity far surpasses all other religions in the sublimity of its doctrines, few are aware how much it excels them also in the purity of its precepts. But we need go no further than to the words b…
432 wordsSECTION 511289.] Christian Meekness. 53
[He is courteous. If in his unconverted state he has been rough, severe, and harsh, he will not appear to the same advantage as one whose temper and habits have been mild: but the operation of divine grace will be more conspicuous in him, by reason of the greatness of the change that has been produced. He is becom…
504 wordsSECTION 5254 Matthew, V. 5. [1289.
is " not to recompense evil for evil unto any man," but rather to " heap coals of fire on the head of his enemies," if by any means he may at last melt them into love : " instead of being overcome of evil, he strives with all his might to over- come evil with good'^." The rule to which he endeavours to conform, is…
417 wordsSECTION 531289.] Christian Meekness. 55
every posture is uneasy, every food insipid, every office trou- blesome ; so, to an impatient fretful man, every thing becomes a source of trouble and vexation. Both the one and the other are ready to think that people are in league, as it were, against them : but the disease is within themselves ; and it is the s…
474 wordsSECTION 5456 Matthew, V. 6. [1290.
holy disposition, are of necessity unacquainted with these sources of heavenly consolation. As it is not possible for an impeni- tent unbelieving soul to taste that peace which passeth all understanding ; so neither can one who is morose, or irritable, or vindictive : " His sins will hide good things from him, and …
308 wordsSECTION 551290.1 Hungering After Righteousness. 57
Matt. V. 6. Blessed are they which do hunger a)id thirst after righteous7iess ; for they shall be filled. MEN naturally desire happiness : but they know not in what it is to be found. The philosophers of old wearied themselves in vain to find out what was man's chief good. But our blessed Lord has informed us whe…
478 wordsSECTION 5658 Matthew, V. 6. [1290.
3. Insatiably — [Every other desire may be satiated ; but the more of spiritual nourishment we receive, the more will our hunger and thirst after it be increased. St. Paul himself could not sit down contented; but forgetting what he had attained, he reached forth for higher degrees of holiness''. It is only " whe…
407 wordsSECTION 571290.] Hungering After Righteousness. 59
life, yet every righteous person may expect it, as the completion of his wishes, and the consummation of his bliss. The moment that his soul is released from this frail tabernacle, it shall bid an everlasting farewell to sin and sorrow. The hunger and thirst which characterize him in this world, will then cease for…
504 wordsSECTION 58The Reward Of Mercifulness,
Matt. V. 7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtam mercy. THERE can be no doubt but that every Minister should set forth the pecuhar doctrines of the Gospel with frequency and firmness. If he lay not the found- ation well, he can never hope to have his labours crowned with success. On the other hand, it b…
286 wordsSECTION 591291.1 The Reward Of Mercifulness. 61
to them''. Are they distressed on account oi painful hereave- metits? he will labour to assuage the anguish of their minds by tender assiduities and suitable consolations'^. If their trials be of a spiritual nature, he will labour to bring them to that heavenly Physician, who will apply " the balm of Gilead " to t…
481 wordsSECTION 6062 Matthew, V. 7. [1291.
To prove that all such characters are " blessed," we shall proceed to inquire, II. What is the reward promised to them — " They shall obtain mercy," says our blessed Lord. But from whom ? from man ? yes, from man. Good men universally will account it the joy of their hearts to administer to them, whenever occasio…
376 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.