PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 21 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 271,014 words · 572 reading sections
186 Matthew, Vi. 10. [1314.
Let this petition then be offered by us with constancy, and with an earnestness proportioned to its importance. Let us pray that " the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified amongst us :" that he would *' gird his sword upon his thigh, and ride on in the cause of meekness and truth and righteousnes…
324 wordsSECTION 182188 Matthew, Vi. 10. [1314.
mysteries contained in it, so are the angels represented by St. Peter as "desiring to look into" the Gospel salvation''; and St. Paul says, that the revelation vs^hich God has with progressive clearness made of himself unto the Church, is no less instructive to them than to us\ But we are well assured that they ne…
702 wordsSECTION 183Mcccxv.
2. What happiness it is calculated to produce — [Let these petitions be answered; let this state of things prevail ; let the Messiah reign in the hearts of all mankind ; let the example of angels be emulated by every human being. Will any one say, that this would lessen the happiness of the world ? Will any one sa…
759 wordsSECTION 184Mcccxv.
The measure also of these necessaries is limited. We are not to ask for a store on which we may subsist for a time inde- pendent of God ; but simply for such things as are requisite for our present subsistence. The term that is used in our text^ is indeed variously interpreted : but, when compared with the cor- re…
279 wordsSECTION 185192 Matthew, Vi. 11. [1315.
[Our hearts are naturally set on earthly things. Our Lord tells us, that the Gentiles think of little except what they shall eat, and drink, and vvear^. And it is precisely thus with the great mass of those who bear the Christian name. The heathen themselves do not exceed us in an eager pursuit after the good thin…
964 wordsSECTION 186Mcccxvi.
r John vi, 27. ^ 2 Thess. iii. 12. t Matt. vi. 33. Ps. xxxiv. 10. " Prov. xxii. 2. X Prov. X. 22. VOL. XI. o the Father's love is not to be judged of by his external dis- pensations, or his children's happiness materially affected by them. Are any of you then under circumstances of trial ? Be of good cheer : it …
811 wordsSECTION 187Mcccxvi.
There are two sorts of persons indeed, who are apt to indulge very erroneous conceptions on this subject: some suppose that they are so completely justified as not to need any renewed applications for pardon : and others, that they arc so perfectly sanctified as not to have any fresh occasion for pardon. But as Da…
710 wordsSECTION 188Mcccxvi.
2. A consent that the mercy we shew to others should be made the pattern of God's mercy to us — [We cannot with propriety request, that the forgiveness which we exercise towards others may be the measure of that which we would receive from God ; (because every thing we do is so extremely imperfect:) but the 'patte…
297 wordsSECTION 189198 Matthew, Vi. 1£. [1316.
From this view of our subject, we learn, 1. The temper of a Christian — [Knowing that his own debt to God is ten thousand talents, and that his fellow-creature can at the utmost owe to him only a few pence, the Christian dares not take him by the throat unmercifully, lest God should retaliate on him, and require …
548 wordsSECTION 190200 Matthew, Vi. 18. [1317.
Matt. vi. 13. ^nd lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. THE obtaining of pardon would satisfy a person who was merely alarmed by the terrors of hell : but a truly regenerate person will desire deliverance from sin as much as from hell itself. He knows that he could not be happy even in heaven, if…
688 wordsSECTION 191200 Matthew, Vi. 18. [1317.
a Rom. vii. 23. " Gal. v. 17. " Jam. i. 13—1'). d Rom. ix. 17. « Hos. ii. 6, 7: ^ 1 Sam. xxv. 32—34. s 1 Cor. X. 13. Isai. xli. 10. '' Amos v. 9. ' Matt, xxvi, 41. i' Ps. cxlii. 1 — 7. cxxxviii. 3. and 1. 15. 1317.] THE lord's prayer. 201 But as we cannot hope to be kept from every temp- tation, we should also pr…
509 wordsSECTION 192202 Matthew, Vi. 13. [1317.
and his triumph was speedy and complete : and in like manner shall " God's strength be perfected in our weakness," if only we rely on him for our deliverance : were we a thousand times weaker than we are, his grace should assuredly be sufficient for us 'I.] The petition, thus explained, is of use, 1. For caution …
602 wordsSECTION 193204 Matthew, Vi. 1,3. [1318.
THE lord's prayer. Matt. vi. 13. For thine is the kingdom, and the potver, and the glory, for ever. Amen. ON a review of the Lord's Prayer, we cannot but be thankful that such a summary is here given us, not only because we are hereby instructed what to pray for, but are assured that, great as the petitions are, …
651 wordsSECTION 194204 Matthew, Vi. 1,3. [1318.
<= Rom. xvi. 27. 1 Pet. v. 11. Judc, ver. 24, 25. '' Eph. iii. 14, 20, 21. e Pg. cxlv. 10. f Ps. cvii. 1, 2. cxlv. 1, 2. and cxlvi. 1, 2. g Ps. cxlvii. 1. Ji Rev. v. 1.3. 1318.] THE lord's prayer. 205 Nor is there a small emphasis to be laid on the word with which the prayer concludes. " Amen," when annexed to pr…
503 wordsSECTION 195206 Matthew, Vi. 13. [1318.
he will with his own," and therefore may hear and answer its, though we be the meanest and the vilest of the human race. It is this idea which we express, when we say, "for tlmie is the kingdom." The word for shews that it has respect to what goes before, and that we urge this consideration as a plea, to enforce t…
518 wordsSECTION 196With God.
Matt. vi. 14, 15. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father tvill also forgive you : but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither tvill your Father forgive your trespasses. THE different petitions of the Lord's Prayer are collected from different parts of the Old Testament, and concenter…
735 wordsSECTION 1971319.] Necessity Of A Forgiving Spirit. 209
The import of the term condition being fixed, we shall ])roceed to shew, XL The reasonableness of the condition here imposed — Here it will be proper to mark the precise nature and limits of the condition imposed — [The forgiving of others is not so to be understood as to supersede the exercise of magisterial ai(…
565 wordsSECTION 198210 Matthew, Vi. 14, 15. [1319.
that we are renewed in the spirit of our minds. There are, it is true, some persons of so easy and gentle a disposition, that they would rather pass by an offence than be at the trouble to resent it. But the forgiving spirit of which we are speaking must proceed from a sense of our own utter unworthiness, and of t…
446 wordsSECTION 1991319.1 Necessity Of A Forgiving Spirit. 211
to sinners, will not endure the mention of a condition, or admit that there is any kind of conditionality in such passages as that before us. Others, because of such passages, will not endure to hear of God's electing grace, which they suppose to be inconsistent with them. Others again, because of the difficulty o…
499 wordsSECTION 200212 Matthew, Vi. Ig— 18. [1320,
that any are saved or condemned contrary to strict justice. Not one ungodly person will be found amongst those that are saved, nor one godly person amongst those that perish. Both the forgiving and unforgiving will have judgment " measured to them, according as they have meted unto others ;" and every man's happin…
409 wordsSECTION 201Directions Respecting Fasting.
Matt. vi. 16 — 18. Moreover lohen y'e fast, he not, as the hypo- crites, of a sad countenance : for they disfigure their faces, that they may ojrpear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto 1320.] DIRECTIONS RESPECTING FASTING. Sl.'j you, They have their reward. But thou, ivhen thou fastest, anoint thine head, and was…
419 wordsSECTION 2022U Matthew, Vi. Ig— 18. [1320.
fasts were instituted: by Joshua, when some of his men had been slain by the men of Ai'': by the eleven tribes of Israel, when in two successive conflicts they had been defeated with great slaughter by the tribe of Benjamin''. Besides other public fasts ordered by those in authority, we find the most eminent of Go…
453 wordsSECTION 2031320.] Directions Respecting Fasting. 215
Here are directions given for the due performance of this duty. It should be performed, 1. Unostentatiously — [Religion, of a certain kind at least, was in high repute among the Jews: and consequently there was a great tempta- tion to assume an appearance of piety amongst them. Hence the Pharisees observed freque…
452 wordsSECTION 204216 Matthew, Vi. 16—18. [1320.
which we ought to have observed in deed and in truth. But " God is not deceived ; nor will he be mocked :" if we thus pour contempt on him and his ordinances, he will require it at our hands at the last day. Let us then, on every renewed occasion, endeavour so to approve ourselves to God, that " he who seeth in se…
457 wordsSECTION 205Laying Up Treasures In Heaven.
recommend the example of NehemiahP; confident that such intercessors are the real bulwark of the nation If the humiliation of so wicked a prince as Ahab succeeded so far as to defer the judgments of God to the next generation, we may well hope, that the genuine repentance of many would prevail for the entire remov…
322 wordsSECTION 206218 Matthew, Vi. 19—21. [1321.
reasoning, can they be considered as acting more suitably to their Christian profession who neglect to make a necessary provision for their children ^ But we may gather from the very terms in which the direction is expressed, what are the limitations with which it is to be understood. The measure, the manner, the …
486 wordsSECTION 2071321. ~1 Laying Up Treasures In Heaven. 219
now possess we sliould dispose of for the good of others ; but what we lay up in heaven can be enjoyed by ourselves only ; and should be regarded by us as the only portion deserving our pursuit. This then is the direction which we are to follow : and herein we may well take for our guides those persons who go abro…
459 wordsSECTION 208220 Matthew, Vi. 19—21. [1321.
happiness must be short, because Hte itself is coming speedily to a close : but there is not a human being who does not feel the insufficiency of earthly things to make him happy : What then can they contribute to our happiness in that day, when nothing of them shall remain, except the fearful responsibility for ha…
483 wordsSECTION 2091322.] The Single Eye. 221
Think not that we mean to decry industry ; for diligence in earthly pursuits is recommended and enjoined by God himself^: but it is the regarding of earthly things as the sources of our happiness that is condemned in the text : and if we will make them our treasure, they are the only treasure which we shall ever p…
313 wordsSECTION 21022;2 Matthew, Vi. 22, 23. [1322.
Matt. vi. 22, 23. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye he siiigle, thy ivhole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall he full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee he darkness, how great is that darkness ! REASON is certainly the richest endowme…
455 wordsSECTION 2111322.1 The Single Eye. 22^
to others. We all are sensible of this weakness in others; and it would be well if we were more on our guard respectino- it in ourselves. Not to mention the innumerable instances which manifest themselves in our conduct towards each other, how universally are men blinded in their conduct towards God ! While Christ…
408 wordsSECTION 212224 Matthew, Vi. 22, 23. [1322,
[Though there is much ignorance in the world, yet there^ are few, if any, whose practice does not fall very far short of what they know to be their duty. There certainly are dif- ferent dearrees of lioht in the minds of unconverted men ; but all in some measure " resist the truth," and " imprison it in unrighteous…
464 wordsSECTION 2131322. J The Single Eye. 225
4. It is an evil that involves us in the greatest danger — [If we will not receive the truth in the love of it, we have reason to fear that God will give us up to our own delusions, that we may believe a lie, and receive tlie condemnation due to our perverseness^. He sometimes suffers the light itself to have no …
428 wordsSECTION 214The Services Of God And Mammon Inconsistent.
Matt. vi. 24. JSfo man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he ivill hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. THE dictates of pure and undefiled religion are so remote from the apprehension of the natural man, and so contrary to his incl…
313 wordsSECTION 2151323.] The Services Of God And Mammon. 227
He does not mean that we cannot render them a7iy services — [This is not the case even with earthly masters : for we may serve two or three masters, provided they be contented with services that diXe partial, subordinate, ox successive And in such a manner as this, we may serve both God and Mammon.] He does not …
388 wordsSECTION 216228 Matthew, Vi. 24. [1323.
of his kingdom throughout the world ^. He longs to bring down heaven upon earth, that men may be, as nearly as possible, in a paradisiacal state, and in a constant meetness for glory''. The world knows nothing of such an interest as this: it proposes nothing of the kind : on the contrary, to please and gratify the…
810 wordsSECTION 217230 Matthew, Vi. 25—34. [1324.
3. Those who are halting between the two — [Many are convinced that they ought to serve God alone; and yet they know not how to turn their backs upon the world: they are afraid of the contempt and ridicule which they shall incur, or of some losses which they shall sustain : and therefore they are undecided in thei…
360 wordsSECTION 218Against Carefulness.
Matt. vi. 25 — 34. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, ivhat ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink ; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body thari raiment? Behold the fowls of the air : for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into bar…
621 wordsSECTION 219232 Matthew, Vi. 25—34. [1324.
winter : and in like manner should we improve all present op- portunities with a view to our future good, both temporal and spiritual*". But they know nothing of anxious care. Thus precisely should it be with us. We cannot be too industrious in our respective callings, if only we leave events to God, and rest sati…
448 wordsSECTION 2201324.] Agatnst Carefulness. 233
1. It is unnecessary — [Let us only look around us, and see what God is doing i?i the animal and vegetable creation ; how he feeds the fowls of the air, which make no provision for themselves ; and clothes with unrivalled beauty the flowers of the field, which have so short a continuance, and such an ignominious e…
468 wordsSECTION 221234 Matthew, Vi. 25—34. [1324.
man who indulges anxiety greatly injure himself hy it ? Every day brings evils enough along with it : and every man shall find scope enough for the exercise of all his patience, without multiplying sources of discontent. What should we think of a man, who, being doomed every day to carry a burthen which he was but…
500 wordsSECTION 2221324.] Against Carefulness. 235
will and pleasure. Let us " cast all our care on him," assured and satisfied that " he careth for us."] Advice — Our Lord traces this evil to a want of faith': hence we see what is its proper antidote ; and what advice should be given to all who would avoid it. It is that which our Lord himself repeatedly gave to…
471 wordsSECTION 223Against Uncharitable Judging.
doubt should enter into the mind of man. Be ashamed then, ye who are filled with such anxiety about the issue of your warfare, and are saying, like David, " I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul." Be ashamed, I say, and learn rather, like Paul, to say, " I know in whom I have believed." You may be reduced to …
373 wordsSECTION 2241325.1 Against Uncharitable Judging. 237
I. The prohibition — The prohibition, though given in general terms, must of necessity be hmited: and it is of great im- portance to have its hmits clearly defined. We shall therefore, 1. Point out what is not included in it — [It does not forbid the exercise of magisterial judgment. Magistracy is of God's appoi…
441 wordsSECTION 225238 Matthew, Vii. 1, 2. [1325.
Doubtless, if these things be done in an uncharitable spirit, they are wrong : but, if done with kindness, and from a sense of duty to God, they will be approved and applauded by him.] 2. Mark distinctly what is forbidden — [The judgment which we pass on others is then faulty, when it is needless, unfounded, hasty…
496 wordsSECTION 2261325.3 Against Uncharitable Judging. 239
opportunity of assigning the reasons of his own conduct. It is the motive which chiefly stamps the quality of an action ; and, till we have ascertained the principle from which any thing proceeded, we never can form a proper estimate respecting it. What injustice was there in the construction which Michal put on t…
501 wordsSECTION 227240 Matthew, Vii. 1, 2. [1325.
II. The considerations with which it is enforced — There is frequently, though not always, a visible correspondence between the work and the reward of men, even in this life. " With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful," says the Psalmist ; " and with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright ; with t…
425 wordsSECTION 2281325.] Against Uncharitable Judging. 241
speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law : but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another^?" So again by another Apostle, " Who art thou …
448 wordsSECTION 229The Beam And The Mote.
towards your own faults ; and how ingenious in finding excuses for any thing which you have done amiss. Deal thus then with all mankind : regard them all as your friends, and love them as yourself. Only think what, in a change of circumstances, you would judge it right for them to do to you, and let that be the ru…
388 wordsSECTION 2301326.] The Bkam And The Mote. 243
1. Base in itself — [The man who censures others professes a high regard for virtue, and a zeal for the honour of God. But what regard has he for virtue who does not cultivate it in his own soul ? or what zeal has he for the honour of God, who does not bring his own heart into an obedience to his will ? Even suppo…
459 wordsSECTION 231244 Matthew, Vii. 3—5. [1326.
Our Lord having exposed the unreasonableness and impiety of this sin, gives, II. The advice proper for those who are addicted to it — The evil here reprobated is but too common, and that too, even among the professors of religion : yea, perhaps, (their profession not being sufficiently tempered with humility and …
423 wordsSECTION 2321327.]] Caution To Be Used In Reproving. 245
character by a single act ; or take an instance or two of indis- cretion, and consider them as fixed and accustomed habits? Surely our " brother" should receive far different treatment at our hands. We should cast a veil over his infirmities, and exercise towards him that charity which hopeth all things and believ…
293 wordsSECTION 233246 Matthew, Vii. 6. [1327.
Matt. vii. 6. Give not that tvhich is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. IN the holy Scriptures there are not only such directions as are necessary for the saving of the soul, but such also as are of a prudential natur…
488 wordsSECTION 2341327.] Caution To Be Used In Reproving. 247
Many, instead of being pleased, are only irritated and offended at it — [Nothing under heaven has ever given more offence than this. Men may utter lewdness and blasphemy, and create but little disgust : but let them bear their testimony against sin, or proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ, and instantly an …
481 wordsSECTION 235248 Matthew, Vii. 6. [1327.
*' the troublers of Israel ;" and those who are reproved will say of you, "I hate Micaiah, for he doth not speak good of me, but evil."] From this aversion which men feel to religious instruction, it appears, II. That great caution is to be used in administer- ing it — The direction in our text was given to the …
428 wordsSECTION 2361327.] Caution To Be Used In Reproving. 249
SO God, when he illuminates any soul, expects that the light he has imparted should be diffused for the good of others. But in endeavouring to instruct others, we should consider the time, the manner, the measure of instruction, that will be most likely to ensure success. In particular, we should not press matters…
454 wordsSECTION 237The Importance And Efficacy Of Prayer.
discouraged. Think not every one assimilated to dogs or swine because he resists the truth for a season ; but give " line upon line, and precept upon precept," and " instruct in meekness them that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance, and that they may recover themselves out of the snar…
356 wordsSECTION 2381328.1 Importance And Efficacy Of Prayer. 251
with it : and it will naturally lead us to set before you the nature, the importance, and the efficacy of prayer. I. Its nature — Prayer is not indeed defined in the words before us ; but we may collect from the different terms by which it is designated, what are its inseparable atten- dants and its characteristi…
426 wordsSECTION 23925^2 Matthew, Vil 7,8. [1328.
and supplication in the Spirit, watching thereunto with all perseverance*^."] 3. Humble expectation — [Here again the terms of our text afford us a correct idea of the duty of prayer. It is evident that when a person " asks," it is with some hope of receiving ; and when he " seeks," he has some prospect of findin…
444 wordsSECTION 2401328. J Importance And Efficacy Of Prayer. 253
between the means and the end; still, if God has united them, it does not become us to put them asunder ; nor can we ever expect the Divine blessing, if we attempt to separate them. Moses was commanded to take his stick, or rod, and with that to work miracles in Egypt. What would he have wrought, if, in contempt o…
480 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.