PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 21 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 271,014 words · 572 reading sections
254 Matthew, Vii. 7, 8. [1328.
answer us immediately; and, it may be, that he may not grant the precise thing which we pray for ; but he will answer in the best ti7)ie, and in the best manner, granting that which even- tually will be most conducive to his own glory and to our good. David and the Canaanitish woman were suffered to wait for the b…
483 wordsSECTION 2421329.] God Willing To Give His Holy Spirit. 255
heathen, what pains and penances do not they undergo to ob- tain the favour of their gods ! Yet no such things are required of us: we have nothing to do, but to ^' ask, and seek, and knock." Surely we should rejoice in so great a privilege, and determine to " take the kingdom of heaven by the holy violence " of fa…
286 wordsSECTION 243256 Matthew, Vii. 9—11. [1329.
god's readiness to GIVE HIS HOLY SPIRIT. Matt. vii. 9 — 11. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, 'will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, zvill he give him a serpent? If ye the?i, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heave…
587 wordsSECTION 2441329.] God Willing To Give His Holy Spirit. 257
to act towards his children, in the general tenour of his conduct, in the manner stated by our Lord. But God, on the contrary, is good, supremely, and ojily good, and therefore incapable of doing any thing, which may in the smallest degree impeach his character. Besides, he has manifested his goodness in that most…
427 wordsSECTION 245258 Matthew, Vit. 9—11. [1329.
2. What we ought principally to desire in all our addresses to him — [The leading subjects of men's petitions usually are ; that their sins may be pardoned, and their ways reformed : and certainly these are important subjects for our supplications. But the offices of the Holy Spirit are very much overlooked even …
500 wordsSECTION 2461330.] Doing As We Would Be Done Unto. 259
when he has once communicated this desire, he expects that it should be cultivated and improved at a throne of grace ; nor will he open the gate of heaven to any, who do not knock at it with importunate and believing prayer. And can we think hardly of this condition ? What if we ourselves had invited a child to co…
390 wordsSECTION 247260 Matthew, Vii. 12. [1330.
Matt. vii. 12. Therefore all things whatsoever ye ivould that men should do to you, do ye even so to them ; for this is the law and the prophets. GOD is graciously pleased on some occasions to take those things which are good in men, for the pur- pose of illustratins^ his own ineffable and unbounded s2 goodness.…
418 wordsSECTION 2481330.] Doing As We Would Be Done Unto, 261
It is almost dangerous to attempt an elucidation of so plain a command, lest we only obscure, whilst we endeavour to explain it. But it is obvious that something must be supplied, in order to guard against the misconstructions which a caviller might put upon the words. The fact is, that all people do of them- sel…
438 wordsSECTION 249262 Matthew, Vii. 12. [1330.
in the situation of a poor man, we might ivish our rich neigh- bour to divide his property with us: but this is no reason why we should go and act thus : the thing is unreasonable in itself: and, however we might wish it, we should not for a moment think that justice or equity required it. So, if we were to put our…
453 wordsSECTION 2501330.] Doing As We Would Be Done Unto. 263
common centre. We speak not indeed of the doctrinal part of this volume, but of the preceptive. This limitation, like those before mentioned, is necessarily implied, though not ex- pressed : and, if we do not bear it in mind, we shall pervert this best of principles into an occasion of the most destructive error. …
510 wordsSECTION 251264 Matthew, Vii. 12. [1330.
with the Christian : there would be many times and occasions, when, if destitute of this rule, he would not know how to conduct himself aright : but, by the help of this, the most ignorant cannot lose his way : his path in every situation is made plain by it ; and the " way-faring man, though a fool, shall not err…
488 wordsSECTION 2521330.] Doing As We Would Be Done Unto. 265
more or less important, no difference shall be made : if the point relate to states and kingdoms, or if it concern only the smallest branch of moral duty to an individual, it shall equally be made known to us : and if, after that, we err, the error will not proceed from any defect in the rule itself, but from a wan…
1,018 wordsSECTION 2531330. J Doing As We Would Be Done Unto. 267
^ Rom. X. 4. Isai. xlv. 24. Jer. xxiii. G. submission to the golden rule, and make the practice of that to be an indispensable test of men's regard for their testimony. Let this then sink down into our ears; let it be remembered, that the very Scriptures, which inculcate most forcibly the doctrine of salvation by …
534 wordsSECTION 254The Strait And Narrow Ways.
to rejoice ! And, if that principle were universally prevalent, what happiness would pervade the world ! Such then is the effect, and such the benefit of true religion. It only remains that we urge you all to cultivate this principle. Let it not be said of any of you, ' He talks of faith in Christ, but he is covet-…
332 wordsSECTION 2551331.] Thje Strait And Narrow Ways. 269
The path of the godly is narrow, and the entrance upon it strait — [The way of God's commandments is that to which the godly are confined ; and the entrance upon it is by conversion. A man must have seen the evil and danger of his former ways: he must have come to Christ who is " the door'';" and, re- nouncing ev…
417 wordsSECTION 256270 Matthew, Vii. 13, 14. [1331.
Hebrew Youths rendered less acceptable to God on account of the fewness of those who dared to follow the voice of con- science'^. Neither indeed will the end of any way be changed on account of the numbers who walk in it. The inhabitants of Sodom, and of the antediluvian world, were not exempted from punishment be…
448 wordsSECTION 257Men Known By Their Fruits.
2. To those who are walking in the narrow way — [You, no doubt, are blamed for your singularity. But "it is a small matter to be judged of man's judgment." To be reproached for righteousness' sake is no new thing. Nor have you any reason to repine if it be your lot. You have rather reason to rejoice and leap for j…
403 wordsSECTION 258272 Matthew, Vit. 15—20. [1332.
the followers of Christ should know how to distinguish them : and for that purpose our Lord gave them a rule which, in its use and application, was easy, certain, and universal. Let us consider, L Against whom we are here cautioned — The term " prophets," though often applied to those who foretold future events,…
387 wordsSECTION 2591332.] Mf.N Known By Their Fruits. 273
beyond : we must not be led by tlielr influence, either to reject truth, or to embrace error ; but must be on our guard against them ; and " follow them only so far as they themselves are followers of Christ."] 2. Who corrupt and pervert the Gospel — [Thus it was with the Judaizing teachers : they blended the obs…
479 wordsSECTION 260274 Matthew, Vii. 15—20. [1332.
house," says St. John, " neither bid them God speed '^." And well ritiay we be on our guard against them. Many of them are extremely subtle; and some would almost withstand an Apostle himself ^ But they are only wolves, yea ravening wolves too, in sheep's clothing ; and though they may express much concern for the…
460 wordsSECTION 2611332. J Men Known By Their Fruits. 275
we may safely yield ourselves to its influence : but, if it be calculated to lower the standard of real piety, and to make us rest in low attainments, we should beware lest we be led astray by it, and beg of God that nothing may ever " corrupt us from the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus." It may be said, that t…
468 wordsSECTION 262The Nature And Importance Of True Religion.
2. Judge of your own state and character by the fruits you produce — [If we are concerned to judge of others, much more are we of ourselves : for however wise and pious our instructors may be, it will be of no use to us, unless we be pious ourselves ; nor, however erroneous they be, shall we suffer, if we be taugh…
386 wordsSECTION 2631333.] The Importance Of True Religion. 217
impress on our minds by an application of them to our hearts and consciences. There are three distinct characters, to whom, in prosecution of our purpose, we shall address ourselves : I. To those who make a profession of religion, but walk unworthy of it — [Our Lord not only intimates, but expressly declares, tha…
472 wordsSECTION 264278 Matthew, Vii. 21—23. [1333.
of religion : but that our faith in Christ is of no farther value than as it manifests itself by these fruits. If we have not oil in our lamps, whereby we are enabled to make our light shine before men, we shall, like the foolish virgins, be excluded, however confidently we may knock at the gate of heaven in expec…
449 wordsSECTION 265The Wise Builder.
they are jealous over themselves v^'ith a godly jealousy : and instead of being forward to boast of what they have done for Christ, they are ashamed of their best services, and ready rather to dread his displeasure for what they have omitted, than to claim his favour for any thing they have done. They still have i…
423 wordsSECTION 266280 Matthew, Vii. 24—27. [1334.
among whom we minister, will be led to a knowledge of their own proper character and condition. Our blessed Lord, at the conclusion of his Sermon on the Mount, shews us how we should apply our subjects to the hearts and consciences of our hearers. In the words before us he describes, I. The character and conditio…
443 wordsSECTION 2671334.] The Wise Builder. 281
then he finds the benefit of having " digged deep," and laid his foundation well. Then he stands immoveably secure: the promise and oath of Jehovah are his firm support: Omnipotence itself upholds him. In vain do troubles from without, or temptations from within, assault him: even in the immediate prospect of deat…
655 wordsSECTION 268Mcccxxxv.
or scriptural ; but in a conformity of heart and life to the will of God. We must not, however, mistake, as though our works were the foundation whereon we are to build {tlial would indeed be a foundation of sand) : Christ is the only foundation of a sinner's hope''; the only rock on which we must build: but then …
566 wordsSECTION 269284 Matthew, Vii. 28, 29. [1335.
its depth : " I have seen an end of all perfection ; but thy commandment is exceeding broad." But the height, and depth, and length, and breadth of it were open to the view of Jesus, who saw it in all its spirituality, and in its utmost perfection. He was able to expose and refute all the false glosses with which …
707 wordsSECTION 270286 Matthew, Vii. 28, 29. [1335.
Doubtless there were many other things conspicuous in his ministrations : his gracefulness and ease, his tenderness and compassion, his zeal and diligence, could not fail of attracting notice ; but the points above specified, are those which seem more particularly adverted to in the words of our text.] Such was th…
809 wordsSECTION 271286 Matthew, Vii. 28, 29. [1335.
2. Ill what a lamentable state are the generality of hearers — [Multitudes, where the Gospel is preached with fidelity, will approve the word, and perhaps admire the preacher ; but they are apt to put those feelings in the place of true conver- sion*^. Surely this is a point that deserves to be well con- sidered.…
293 wordsSECTION 272How We Are To Follow Christ.
the sermon of our blessed Lord is in our hands; that we may hear him preach it over to us, as it were, again and again ; yea, that we may even ask him to explain to us every point in it. What an advantage is this ! What a value should we set upon it, if now, for the first time, his sermon \vere put into our hands …
398 wordsSECTION 2731336.] How We Are To Follow Christ. 289
yet are they singularly instructive, and applicable to every human being. They serve in a peculiar manner to put us on our guard against two destructive errors, precijntancy on the one hand, and procrastinatio7i on the other: they guard us, I say, against, I. Precipitancy — This is a common and fatal error in the…
431 wordsSECTION 274290 Matthew, Vlil 19—22. [1336.
regarding every thing as he regarded it, and doing every thing as he did it. This is a work not to be undertaken lightly, or to be executed easily. There are also innumerable difficulties to be encountered. Whatever a man may think about ivorldly ease, or interest, or honour, he will find that he must sacrifice al…
858 wordsSECTION 275292 Matthew, Viii. 27. [1337.
From hence then we may further learn, 1. How to estimate the things of time — [Our blessed Lord has taught us this effectually by his example. Though he was the Maker and Proprietor of all things, he chose to dwell in a more destitute condition than the beasts of the field or the fowls of the air, even without an…
434 wordsSECTION 276Christ Stilleth The Tempest.
Matt. viii. 27. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him ? THE more we see of Christ, the more we are con- strained to admire him. Every fresh miracle discovers to us more of his unbounded power and grace. The disciples had often been struck with wonder at…
502 wordsSECTION 277294 Matthew, Viii. 27. [1337.
the Lord Jesus. Well therefore might the disciples exclaim, *' What manner of man is this!"] So stupendous a miracle should lead us to consider^ II. What views of Christ will naturally arise from this display of his power — The disciples, through their ignorance and per- plexity, scarcely knew what to think. But …
423 wordsSECTION 2781337. J Christ Stilleth The Tempest. 295
however, the stronger our faith, the more speedy and effectual, for the most part, will our deliverances be.] 4. He is as able to save us out of the greatest diffi- culties as from the least — [We are ever prone to limit him in the exercise of his goodness; nor are even the most signal manifestations of his power…
392 wordsSECTION 279Mercy Before Sacrifice.
Matt. ix. 13. Go ye and learn lohat that vieaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice. ST. PETER, speaking of his brother Paul, says, that in his writings there are **^some things hard to be understood." The same may be said, in some degree, respecting all the inspired writers. There is, in many of their statem…
323 wordsSECTION 2801338.] Mercy Before Sacrifice. 297
I. The lesson that is here commended to us — Our blessed Lord, after callmg Matthew the pub- lican to the apostleship, condescended to attend a feast which his new disciple had prepared for him. To this feast many publicans and sinners were in- vited ; and our Lord did not disdain to sit down to meat in their com…
408 wordsSECTION 281298 Matthew, Ix. 13. [1338.
no better than the killing of a dog : and if God had so ordained, the blood of swine would have been as good as the blood of bulls and of goats. As commanded of God, even the slightest ordinance is to be regarded with the deepest reverence : but, divest even Sabbaths and sacrifices of their divine authority, and I…
436 wordsSECTION 2821338.] Mercy Before Sacrifice. 299
ought to be diligently studied by every child of man. It is a lesson of vast importance, 1. For the forming of our principles — [In the true spirit of the Pharisees of old, many amongst ourselves lay a very undue stress on outward observances, as recommending us to God. But the answer of Balaam to Balak, who had …
501 wordsSECTION 283Two Blind Men Healed.
founded on the rule before us. There is a medium to be observed between a superstitious adherence to forms and a profane neglect of them : and it must be our endeavour so to approve ourselves to God, that we may have his Spirit \vit- nessing with our spirit that we are accepted of him°.] o The question of the Brit…
401 wordsSECTION 2841339.] Two Blind Men Healed. 301
another miracle, exactly similar to this% shall be con- sidered, we shall fix our attention upon two things, which are very strongly marked in the words before us : I. The object of faith — The whole sacred volume is to be received by us ; but God has revealed in it the proper object of our faith : his perfection…
415 wordsSECTION 285302 Matthew, Ix. 28—30. [1339.
exercised '^ ; and disregarded every thing that was apparently good, if this were wanting' He invariably bestowed the highest encomiums upon it^; and made it, not only a condition, but the very measure of his favours' ] Application — 1. To unbelievers — [If men may manifest a very considerable earnestness about …
456 wordsSECTION 286Our Duty To The Benighted World.
prophets, so shall ye prosper". But if ye will not believe, neither shall ye be established p.] 3. To believers in general — [You will find that peace of mind, purity of heart, victory over the world, and indeed all that you hold dear, vary accord- ing to the weakness or stability of your faith. Beware then of ev…
344 wordsSECTION 287304 Matthew, Ix. 36—38. [1340.
whose condition, in respect of piety, was truly de- plorable. The authorized teachers were altogether intent on their own temporal interests, whilst they forgot entirely the spiritual and eternal interests of the people : so that the people were really as sheep without a shepherd. Happy would it be if there were …
439 wordsSECTION 2881340.1 Our Duty To The Benighted World. 305
place of refuge. A Deliverer, indeed, is at hand with them; if they did but know where to find him, and how to make their application to him. But they have no man to care for their souls, or to give them the information which they stand in need of. Hence " they perish for lack of knowledge :" not indeed like sheep…
448 wordsSECTION 289306 Matthew, Ix. 36—38. [1340.
inconsistent with it : and another has married a wife, or intends to do so, and therefore cannot go. Much labour and little pay, is not the preferment which the generality of us affect : a thousand difficulties rise up to view ; and every mole-hill becomes a mountain. And who but God can overcome this sad reluctan…
475 wordsSECTION 290The Limited Commission Of The Apostles.
OVt zeal for Grod, who has so distinguished you ; and it" you do not endeavour to impart to others the blessings which you yourselves enjoy. To you who are educating for the ministry I would particularly commend this subject, and say, Not only pray that God would send forth others into his harvest, but beg him to…
380 wordsSECTION 291808 Matthew, X. 5—7. [1341.
to bring new tidings to the people's ears, but only to call their attention to the truth which had already been extensively circulated throughout the land.] But in the execution of their commission, they were restricted to the house of Israel — [They were " not to go into the way of the Gentiles, or to enter into…
926 wordsSECTION 292310 Matthew, X. 5—7. [1341.
f Col. ii. 15. g Eph. iv. 8. ^ Rom. xi. 15. ' Eph. ii. 12,13. k Eph. ii. 19. i Acts xx. 25. and xxviii. 31. Now then learn, 1. What evidence there is of our commission — [You may well inquire what authority we have to declare these things ; and expect that we should be able to adduce some testimony from God himse…
447 wordsSECTION 293Diffusion Of The Gospel, A Duty.
Matt. X. 8. Freely ye have received, freely give, COMPASSION for the wants and miseries of men is a very distinguished feature of the Christian cha- racter. It is a lovely grace, even when it has respect only to the temporal necessities of mankind : but it is of a far higher stamp, when it is called forth by a vi…
320 wordsSECTION 294312 Matthew X. 8. [1342.
power which they were not able to withstand. They had been selected from all the people of Israel, to be more especially instructed by their Lord in the nature of his religion, which he was about to establish : for to them did our Lord explain in secret the truths which he had delivered only in parables to his pub…
710 wordsSECTION 295314 Matthew, X. 8. [1342.
1. The call on us is as urgent as it was on the Apostles — [Were the bulk of the Jewish nation ignorant ; what must the heathen be, who possess not one of their advantages ? Cast an eye over a map of the globe, and see how small a part of the world is enlightened with divine truth. Not so much as the very name of…
708 wordsSECTION 296Wisdom And Innocence To Be United.
of Christ) like theirs, ver. 7 : their success wonderful ; (twenty-eight thousand in the West Indies and two thousand among the Hottentots, besides thousands elsewhere) ; so that the number of their converts exceeds that of the members of their own communion : their necessities urgent, for their own people are poor…
384 wordsSECTION 297316 Matthew, X. 16. [1343.
that we would apply it, but to Christians in general, whose situation in the world so far accords with that of the Apostles, that they universally need the same warning to be given them, and the same path of duty to be pointed out. We shall proceed to notice then, I. The situation of Christians in the world — It…
411 wordsSECTION 2981343.] Wisdom And Innocence To Be United. 317
magnified beyond all bounds: what he has done once or twice in his life, will be represented as his daily practice : and the faults of one will be imputed to the whole body : nor can a wolf more delight in the blood of a lamb, than these do in tearing to pieces the characters of the Lord's people. We appeal to all…
493 wordsSECTION 299318 Matthew, X. 16. [1343.
a footing of equality with others ; and that, in respect to such treatment, they are as sheep in the midst of wolves ? Yes, verily, it both is so, and must be so : " The servant cannot be above his lord ; and, if they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, much more will they those of his household."] Let …
433 wordsSECTION 3001343. J Wisdom And Innocence To Be United. 319
Gospel. In this way we shall truly comply with the direction in our text, and make the enmity of others against Christianity an occasion of displaying its unrivalled excellence.] 2. In the doing of good — [It is lamentable to see how often well-meaning Christians defeat their own purposes by their want of judgment…
451 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.