PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 21 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 271,014 words · 572 reading sections
452 Matthew, Xvi. 21—23. [1375.
2. How to improve it — [Let us be ready on all proper occasions to " confess Christ before men." How astonishing is it that any should be. ashamed of Christ, ashamed to acknowledge him as their Lord and Saviour ! What is there to be ashamed of in loving him, serving him, rejoicing in him ? Shall wicked men be so …
319 wordsSECTION 422Peters Mistaken Tenderness Reproved.
Matt. xvi. 21 — 23. From, that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, hoiv that he must go imto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders, and chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee. L…
697 wordsSECTION 423454 Matthew, Xvi. 21—23. [1375.
^ TrpoffXa(36iJ.efos, taking him kindly and affectionately by the hand. Compare Rom. xiv. 1. ^ This is the meaning of the word " Satan." <= ffKciv^aXi'iy. The other thing which our Lord condemned him for was, that he manifested a carnal and worldly spirit. God expects that his creatures should seek only his glory …
650 wordsSECTION 424454 Matthew, Xvi. 21—23. [1375.
2. How to requite his love — [On this our Lord insisted with peculiar emphasis. In the words following the text it is said, " Then said Jesus unto his disciples. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,'' &c. But another Evangelist informs us, that he called the people to him on this occasion, that the…
310 wordsSECTION 425456 Matthew, Xvi. 24, 25. [1376.
God or of man. Bring it to the test of Scripture, even though they should be apostles, or even angels, that offer it. That per- sons in their general habits are pious, is no reason that we should implicitly follov^^ their advice in every thing; for the best of men are fallible, and liable to be biassed by their int…
317 wordsSECTION 4261376.3 Importance Of A Christian'S Duty. 457
Matt. xvi. 24, 25. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man ivill come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and folloiv me. For ivhosoever will save his life shall lose it : and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. THE precepts of the Gospel are often considered as harsh…
546 wordsSECTION 427458 Matthew, Xvi. 24, 25. [1376.
be willing to suffer in conformity to his example. He must not indeed bring trials on himself by his own misconduct : but, if the cross lie in his way, he should not be solicitous to avoid it ; but rather should take it up and carry it. Nor, while he is bearing the cross, should he account it a heavy and insup- po…
459 wordsSECTION 4281376.J Importance Of A Christian'S Duty. 459
Indeed, there are few, if any, real Christians, who are not on some occasions made to endure the fiery trial, and to approve themselves as pure gold, by sustaining, without loss, the action of the fire. At all events we must in the habit of our minds be " ready, not only to be bound, but even to die at any time, an…
494 wordsSECTION 429460 Matthew, Xvi. 24, 25. [1376.
Amongst the many reflections arising from this subject, we may observe, 1. How different a thing is Christianity from what is generally supposed ! [It is generally thought that the embracing of certain tenets, with a confoi'mity to some rites connected with them, is sufficient to constitute us real Christians. Bu…
425 wordsSECTION 430The Worth Of The Soul.
Matt. xvi. 26. What is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose his oion soul ? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul ? THE precepts of the Gospel oppose our natural inclination. They are also in many respects adverse to our worldly interests. The whole of Christianity is a system of self-…
320 wordsSECTION 431462 Matthew, Xvi. 26. [1377.
[It is exalted in its origin'', capacious in its powers, eternal in its duration ; and it is doomed to everlasting happiness or misery. Already therefore its superior importance abun- dantly appears.] Moreover, as estiinated by the best judges, it is in- valuable— [Many have thought nothing too much to do or suff…
504 wordsSECTION 432464 Matthew, Xvti. 10—13. [1378.
Elijah's advent in john baptist. Matt. xvii. 10 — 13. And his Disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the Scribes that Elias must first come ? And Jesus ansioered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him 7iot, hut …
665 wordsSECTION 433464 Matthew, Xvti. 10—13. [1378.
1378.] Elijah's advent in john baptist. 465 plishnienf^. Hence, when all things relating to our Lord's death had been fulfilled, except the offering of vinegar to him in his extremity, he said, " I thirst :" and then, after tasting of the vinegar, " he gave up the ghosf^." We may assume it, therefore, as an unques…
432 wordsSECTION 434466 Matthew, Xvii. 10—13. [1378.
by his Spirit transform men into the image of their God, in righteousness and true hoHness"^. Thus he fulfilled the office which God, by the Prophet Malachi, had assigned to the Fore- runner of our Lord, " Behold, 1 send my Messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me ;" and thus shewed himself a fit represen…
740 wordsSECTION 435466 Matthew, Xvii. 10—13. [1378.
Moreover, if only we believe in him, " he will baptize us with the Holy Ghost and with fire," even as he did the three thousand on the day of Pentecost. Beloved brethren, think of all that ye can need, for body or for soul, for time or for eternity ; and assure yourselves that ye shall find it all in him : for the…
296 wordsSECTION 436Christ Paying The Tribute Money.
the more satisfactory will they be found ; and that the more cordially the truth itself is embraced, the more influential will it become, for the comforting and sanctifying and saving of every believing soul.] Matt. xvii. 27. Notwithstanding , lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and t…
736 wordsSECTION 437470 Matthew, Xvii. 27. [1379.
From the miracle thus illustrated we may, II. Found upon it some profitable advice — 1. Was the Lord Jesus thus poor? Let us learn contentment with our lot, however poor and afflicted it may be — [The Lord's people are often most destitute and afflicted. But shall any one repine at poverty when he reflects on the…
529 wordsSECTION 438A Little Child.
embarrassed with temporal distresses ? The Lord can multiply our barrel of meal, or send us fresh supplies by a raven or a fish ; nor though his interposition should be less visible, shall it ever be w^ithheld from those who ask it. He requires indeed that we should be diligent in our lawfril calling ; and it is u…
416 wordsSECTION 439472 Matthew, Xviii. 1—4. [1380.
subject of their conversation. But they, ashamed of it (as well they might be) held their peace. Finding however that all attempts to conceal it from him were in vain, they referred the matter to his decision. But their disingenuousness sadly appears, in that they pro- pose the question to him only in a general wa…
393 wordsSECTION 4401380.] A Little Child. 473
gainsaying, the instructions given him, so the converted person, conscious that he knows nothing as he ought to know, desires to have the eyes of his understanding enhghtened. He no longer disputes against the declarations of Scripture, but receives them implicitly, and looks up to God for that spiritual discernmen…
440 wordsSECTION 441474 Matthew, Xviil 1—4. [1380.
ment of it. The glorified saints all cast their crowns before the feet of Jesus, and prostrate themselves in deep humility, ascribing all their salvation to him. How could we unite with them when we have never deigned to glorify him thus on earth? As for our worldly desires, what should we find to gratify them the…
660 wordsSECTION 442476 Matthew, Xviii. 14. [1381.
THE SECURITY OF GOD's CHILDREN. Matt, xviii. 14. It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. OF all the images used in the Holy Scriptures for the representing of the Christian character, that of a little child is perhaps the most just and the most in- structi…
691 wordsSECTION 443476 Matthew, Xviii. 14. [1381.
2. He determines to preserve them even to the end — [We are not to understand by the words of our text, that God has no ill design towards them ; for he entertains not these against any child of man : " He willeth not the death of any sinner, but that all should come to repentance and live." But, in behalf of " t…
355 wordsSECTION 444The Efficacy Of Social Prayer.
1. What should be our minds towards " the little ones" of Christ's flock — [We should " not despise them," either because they are his, or because they are but weak^^: still less should we put any obstructions in their way: for " it were better that a millstone were hanged about our neck, and that we were cast in…
360 wordsSECTION 4451382.1 The Efficacy Of Social Prayer. 479
their wants before him in prayer, assuring them, that they shall never apply to him in vain. Let us consider, I. The promise here given us — A gracious answer to our prayers is here promised to us, 1. Individually — [Supposing that two persons, feeling deeply in their own souls their spiritual wants, agree to s…
420 wordsSECTION 446480 Matthew, Xvi 11. 19, 20. [1382.
II. The security we have for the performance of it — The Lord Jesus assigns this as a ground of assurance to the supphants : " It shall be done for them by my Father which is in heaven : for, where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Now, as the Shechinah, the bright s…
423 wordsSECTION 4471383.] The Unmerciful Servant. 481
[Were it proclaimed abroad, that, at a certain time and place, all who would come should assuredly meet the Lord Jesus Christ, in the very body that he possessed on earth, no church in the universe would be large enough to contain one half of the people who would be assembled together. Yet, what would it be to see…
265 wordsSECTION 448482 Matthew, Xviii. 32—35. [1383.
Matt, xviii. 32 — 35. Then his lord, afte?' he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy felloiv-servant, even as I had pity on thee ? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors,…
550 wordsSECTION 4491383.] The Unmerciful Servant. 483
III. The necessity — [There is an intimate connexion between the exercise of God's mercy to us, and ours to others. Though our forgiving of others cannot merit forgiveness from God, yet it will cer- tainly be followed by it. On the other hand, an unmerciful disposition towards others will be the certain means of e…
390 wordsSECTION 450The Labourers.
Matt. XX. 6, 7. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and, saith unto them. Why stand ye here all the day idle ? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them. Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. THERE is a manifest …
323 wordsSECTION 4511384.1 The Labourers. 485
them, and to prune the luxuriant branches'^; and finally, he must keep up the fences that nothing enter to destroy them". If the Christian's duties accord not with his in respect of ordei-, yet they are the same in substance ; he must root out of his soul all earthly, sensual, and devilish affections. If his open …
450 wordsSECTION 452486 Matthew, Xx. 6, 7. [1384.
The Gentiles, who had hitherto been overlooked, were now to be invited at the eleventh hour.] But it may also be applied to individuals of every description — [The occasion on which it was spoken relates equally to all''; and persons of different ages or circumstances may fitly represent the different hours. Some…
458 wordsSECTION 4531384.] I'He Labourers. 487
labourer ; but if we regularly persevere in duty, our labour will be light and easy''. Let us then be thankful that the invitation is sent us at this late hour; and let the account once given of the Jews now be realized amongst US'" — ] That this invitation may not be slighted as others have been, we observe, III…
393 wordsSECTION 454Children Vindicated.
[Ye serve the best of masters, and have the most honour- able of all employments. Doubtless ye see but too much reason to lament your unprofitableness. But God is not ex- treme to mark what is omitted or done amiss. If ye really make it " your meat to do his will," be of good cheer ; the evening, when your labours…
336 wordsSECTION 4551385.3 Children Vindicated. 489
say ?" ' It is a disgrace to thee to be pleased with the acclamations of weak, silly children ; or of an ignorant and infatuated mob''.' Yes, these, who should have been the foremost to encourage early piety, were the very first to repress it. But our Lord repelled their objection by an unanswerable appeal to Scri…
430 wordsSECTION 456490 Matthew, Xxi. 16. [1385.
II. That devotion, by whomsoever condemned, will be found conformable to that standard — [The hosannahs of the children were most probably re- garded as the effusions of weak and uninformed minds. And this is the construction which is still put on the conduct of those who endeavour to exalt the Saviour, and who ar…
660 wordsSECTION 457492 Matthew, Xxi. 18—22. [1386.
[Those children had to oppose the example and authority of the Priests ; and, of course, were very imperfectly acquainted with the character of our Lord and Saviour : yet they praised and adored him with all their power. But we see Jesus as our incarnate God : we know the true end of his death as an atone- ment fo…
651 wordsSECTION 4581386.] The Fig-Tree Cursed. 493
are the objections urged by infidels against the truth of our holy religion".] Respecting the prophetical meaning of the miracle all are agreed — [The Jews had enjoyed every advantage of care and cul- ture ; yet they constantly disappointed the expectations of their God. They professed themselves indeed to be his…
421 wordsSECTION 459494 Matthew, Xxi. 18—22. [1386.
predicted by them should instantly and infallibly be produced. Thus he prepared them for their future ministrations, and encouraged them to rely on the invisible agency of an Almighty God.] The latter may be understood in reference to the Church at large — [This indeed, like the former, may be taken in a limited …
454 wordsSECTION 460The Two Sons.
3. What exalted thoughts we should entertain of Christ's power — [This was the peculiar improvement which our Lord him- self made of his miracle. And alas ! what need have we to be continually reminded on this subject! At every fresh difficulty we are ready to be discouraged, as though He were not able to deliver…
366 wordsSECTION 461496 Matthew, Xxl 28—31. [1387.
condemn themselves, declined giving him any direct answer. Our Lord, seeing their perverseness, changed his mode of dealing with them, and drew from them an involuntary acknowledgment of their guilt, by means of a less obvious, but well-adjusted, parable. In opening the parable we shall, I. Compare the conduct of…
372 wordsSECTION 4621387.] The Two Sons. 497
through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, and have shewn the truth of their repentance by the renovation of their lives. Others there are, who have been sober and moral in their conduct : they profess to respect all the commands of their heavenly Father: but they rest in " the form, while destitute of the power of …
410 wordsSECTION 463498 Matthew, Xxi. 28—31. [1387.
will they submit to the painful necessity of making " Christ their all." But more notorious sinners are more easily con- vinced of sin ; they see at once that they can have no righte- ousness of their own ; and, when humbled for their iniquities, gladly embrace the Gospel salvation. Thus it was with the different …
482 wordsSECTION 464The Marriage Feast.
no more remembered^; and that every thing they do for God shall be accepted of him. If only they believe in Christ, and engage in his service, they need not fear. While unbelieving Pharisees shall be cast out, they sliall find favour in God's sight. O that these blessed tidings may be welcomed as they deserve to b…
368 wordsSECTION 465500 Matthew, Xxii. 2, 3. [1388.
name to invite all the Jews to a participation of this feast : but their message was despised and their per- sons injm-ed ; so that God w^ould now cease any more to call the Jews, and would send forth his invitations to the Gentiles, whom he would receive with all ima- ginable kindness, whilst he left the Jews to …
447 wordsSECTION 4661388.] The Marriage Feast. 501
feast to be enjoyed, " a feast of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined"^," "to satiate every weary soul, and to replenish and exhilarate every sorrowful soul^." In calling you to be guests, we require of you no pre-requisites of goodness and worthiness for the meriting of this distinction : …
469 wordsSECTION 467502 Matthew, Xxil 2, 3. [1388.
feast, even if they were admitted to it. But they never can be admitted, nor to all eternity shall they ever " so much as taste " what the favoured guests shall feed upon in the presence of their God.] But let me once more endeavour to execute my commission — [Once more in the name of Almighty God I invite you, …
474 wordsSECTION 468The Sin Of Making Light Of Christ.
Matt. xxii. 5. But they made light of it. WE are apt to condemn the Jews as blind and obstinate, because they rejected Christ in spite of the clearest evidence in his favour. But we ourselves are more guilty than they, because we enjoy much greater advantages for understanding the Gospel than they did, and yet ar…
335 wordsSECTION 469504 Matthew, Xxii. 5. [1389.
To a participation of this feast we are sent to invite you— [In one view, they to whom we are sent, are the bride ; but in another view, they are the guests. The commission God has given to his servants is, to " go out into the highways and hedges, and to bring in as many as they can find." To you therefore we co…
437 wordsSECTION 4701389.J The Sin Of Making Light Of Christ. 505
is like that of God's children? ov what comparison is there between the riches and honours of this world, and those which are imparted to us on our union with Christ ? If then our joy and gratitude excited by the Gospel salvation, be not in some measure proportioned to its value and importance, we cannot but be co…
455 wordsSECTION 471506 Matthew, Xxii. 11—13. [1390.
thing else: but to hope for happiness without God is a desperate delusion ; and consequently, to make light of the invitations of the Gospel is nothing less than madness itself.] 3. That which they are sure to value, when it will be gone beyond recovery — \Here men are of very different sentiments; some account- …
379 wordsSECTION 4721390.] The Wedding Garment. 507
Matt. xxii. 1 1 — 13. And ivhen the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment : and he said unto him, Friend, hotv earnest thou in hither, not having a wedding-garment ? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him. hand and foot, and take him aiva…
402 wordsSECTION 473508 Matthew, Xxil 11—13. [1390.
decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth her- self with her jewels^."] But beyond all doubt it is chiefly formed of our own inherent righteousness — [Moral qualities are often represented under the figure of a garment*'. By them chiefly we " put on the Lord Jesus Christ'." And they beyond all quest…
400 wordsSECTION 4741390.] The Wedding Garment. 509
sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven — [The king, in the parable, was filled with indignation at the intrusion of the unworthy guest. He ordered him to be bound hand and foot, and cast into outer darkness *•. This fitly represents the vengeance that will be inflicted on all such intruders. They m…
446 wordsSECTION 475510 Matthew, Xxii. 41, 42. [1391.
[As Christians we profess to have accepted the Saviour's in\atation ; and to feast at his table here as an earnest of that richer feast above. But have vs^e indeed received Christ as our righteousness^? Are we also renewed by his Spirit in our inward man " ? We may easily deceive those who minister to us here belo…
309 wordsSECTION 4761391.] Inquiry Into Our Views Of Christ. 511
Matt. xxii. 41, 42. While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saijing, What think ye of Christ^? THEY who are prejudiced against the Gospel, are ever studious to ensnare the preachers of it with a Before a congregation where less critical accuracy is required, this subject may be treated thus :…
463 wordsSECTION 477512 Matthew, Xxii. 41, 42. [1391.
Of his reception in the world : he was to be an object of uni- versal contempt and abhorrence ; and yet to be universally admired and adored ^. Of his end : he was to die an accursed death, and yet to Hve for ever and ever But the Phari- sees noticed only those passages of Scripture which flattered their pride, an…
419 wordsSECTION 4781391.J Inquiry Into Our Views Of Christ. 513
to all eternity. However exalted the creature might be, his blood could no more be available for the salvation of the whole world, than the blood of bulls and of goats, of which, we are told, it is not possible that it should take away sins^." Nor could his intercession he of any avail for us ; seeing that he woul…
441 wordsSECTION 479514 Matthew, Xxii. 42—46. [1392.
of the New Testament. We should view him as " God mani- fest in the flesh," and " purchasing the Church with his own blood." We should view him in his person, work, and offices : for if we know him not as he is delineated in the Scriptures of truth, we can never truly believe in him, nor can we ever finally be sav…
358 wordsSECTION 4801392.1 Christ The Son And Lord Of David. 515
Matt. xxii. 42 — 46. What think ye of Christ ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying. The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, hoiv is he his s…
460 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.