PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Horae Homileticae — Volume 21 of 21
Simeon, Charles, 1759-1836 · 271,014 words · 572 reading sections
516 Matthew, Xxii. 42—46. [1392.
who are at a loss to answer this question ; and who, from their inability to reconcile the apparently oppo- site assertions, are led to doubt, or even to deny, the divinity of our blessed Lord. That you may be established in this fundamental truth of our holy religion, I will, I. Solve the difficulty that is here…
424 wordsSECTION 4821392.1 Christ The Son And Lord Of David. 517
state of Christ is clearly declared ; declared, too, in terms that can refer to none but God himself, seeing that he alone is "from everlasting." This passage alone was sufficient to furnish them with the true answer. But the Prophet Isaiah had spoken more clearly still; and had distinctly declared, that the perso…
504 wordsSECTION 483518 Matthew, Xxii. 42—46. [1392.
equal with the Father, and altogether one with him. In his Mediatorial capacity he is doubtless indebted to the Father's agency : for who knows not, who acknowledges not, that, as Mediator, he is the Father's "servant," sent to do his will™? But if we are so blind as not to be able to distinguish be- tween his ess…
452 wordsSECTION 4841392.] Christ The Son And Lord Of David. 519
Know, then, what a foundation you have for your hopes towards God. Know that Christ is a sufficient " propitiation for the sins of the whole world;" that " his blood will cleanse from all sin;" and that " all who believe in him shall be justi- fied from all things."] 2. The efficacy of his grace — [The Lord Jesus…
492 wordsSECTION 485520 Matthew, Xxii. 42—46. [1392.
wonderful, and which forms the one subject of adoration and thanksgiving amongst all the myriads of the redeemed in heaven. Divest it of this, and you despoil God of his honour, and man of his felicity : for I hesitate not to say, that it is from these considerations, chiefly, that heaven itself will derive its ch…
441 wordsSECTION 486Our Relation To Christ And To Each Other.
Matt, xxiii. 8. One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. THE mind of man naturally affects pre-eminence and power : and this was peculiarly the habit of the Scribes and Pharisees in our Lord's day. The hate- fulness of such a disposition he pointed out to them, and strongly guarded his disciples …
351 wordsSECTION 487522 Matthew, Xxiii. 8. [1393.
place in the offices of love, even as our blessed Lord himself did, when he washed his disciples' feet^ ] But as this view of the words is rather for persons who take a lead in the Church, I shall proceed to notice them, II. In a more general and extended view — " We have but one Master, even Christ" — [O, breth…
412 wordsSECTION 488Mcccxciv.
Christ's compassion and man's obstinacy contrasted. Matt, xxiii. 37. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them lohich are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! THE enmity of the …
314 wordsSECTION 489524 Matthew, Xxiii. 37. [1394.
1. By his providence — [All the dispensations of Providence, whether relating to the world at large, or to ourselves in particular, have a voice which may be heard with ease, and interpreted with certainty. Whether they be of a more painful or pleasing nature, they may alike be regarded as calls to turn from sin, …
690 wordsSECTION 490526 Matthew, Xxiv. 1^, 13. [1395.
Let us IMPROVE this subject in a way of, 1. Inquiry — [Have we ever felt our danger of perishing, and taken shelter under our Redeemer's wings ? We can be at no loss to answer this question, if only we will consult the records of our own conscience. The necessity of fleeing thus to Christ is plainly intimated in …
480 wordsSECTION 4911395. "1 Against Declension In Religion. 527
Matt. xxiv. 12, 13. Because iniqiiity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. THESE words are a part of the discourse which our Lord held with four of his disciples in private, after he had retired from the Temple to the Mount of Olives''. Bei…
657 wordsSECTION 4921395. J Against Declension In Religion. 529
[To this truth the whole voice of Scripture bears witness. We know full well that there are many promises made to the people of God; and that of those who have been given to Christ he will lose none. But it were a dreadful perversion of those promises, to think that we can be saved in any other way than that of " …
608 wordsSECTION 493The Ten Virgins.
of his Spirit ; and that " the grace of Christ shall be sufficient for us." See how graciously the Lord supported Paul, when all his Christian friends had forsaken him in his greatest extremity : "At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me : I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge : …
729 wordsSECTION 494532 Matthew, Xxv. 10. [1396.
Now such is the difference that still exists between many professors of religion ; many have really the grace of God in their hearts ; these have seen the danger of an unconverted state, and have received that unction of the Holy One, which they stood in need of: they know how strict the scrutiny will be in the la…
538 wordsSECTION 4951396.] 1He Ten Vuigins. 533
The IMPROVEMENT Suggested by our Lord will pro- perly close the subject — [The grand scope of the parable is, to shew us the need of watchfulness ; and the chief argument to enforce that duty is, the uncertainty of the time when our Lord shall come. And is there any one, to whom we have not occasion to direct our…
464 wordsSECTION 496The Talents.
Matt. XXV. 22, 23. He also that had received two talents, came, and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents : behold, I have gained, two other talents beside them. His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many thi…
352 wordsSECTION 4971397.] The Talents. 5S5
[The greater part of the world are left by him in gross darkness. To tlie Jews he vouchsafed the light of his revealed will. The light that just dawned on them, has visited us in its meridian splendour. But some in this Christian land are scarcely more instructed in the knowledge of Christ, than if they had no con…
458 wordsSECTION 498536 Matthew, Xxv. 22, 23. [1397.
[The mere possession of great talents does not alter our moral character. Judas was not at all inferior in knowledge to the other Apostles; nor was he less endued with a power of working miracles than they. All his opportunities of spiritual improvement were the same as theirs ; but his heart was not changed by me…
420 wordsSECTION 4991398.1 The Day Of Judgment. 537
reason to lament our past unprofitableness. Let us therefore rather improve what we have, than covet what we have not.] 2. How earnest should every one be in trading with the talent committed to him ! [The time is shortly coming when we must give up our account to God: and how awful will it be to be cast out as "…
289 wordsSECTION 500538 Matthew, Xxv. 34, 41,46. [1398.
Matt. XXV. 34, 41, 46. Tlien shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the loorld .... Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his…
521 wordsSECTION 5011398.] The Day Of Judgment. 539
is no difficulty with God : he who created them out of nothing by a mere act of his will, can by a similar act of volition reunite the atoms that are necessary to constitute our personal iden- tity : and he will do it " in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump :" and when the dead are raised, then…
441 wordsSECTION 502540 Matthew, Xxv. 34, 41, 46. [1398.
body, and perfectly of one heart and mind. Nor will there be so much as one hypocrite found amongst them : the tares which now grow among the wheat will all be plucked up : the wolves in sheep's clothing will all be detected ; and the whole collective mass be holy, even as God himself is holy. Then also will all t…
437 wordsSECTION 5031398. J The Day Of Judgment. 541
Then he will turn unto those upon his left hand — [But how is his countenance now changed ! Wliat anger, what indignation flames in his eyes ! And what terrible dis- pleasure is conveyed in his voice ! The grounds of their con- demnation are explicitly declared. They had neglected to serve -him, and to do the thin…
664 wordsSECTION 5041398. J The Day Of Judgment. 541
Infer — 1. How desirable is it to be prepared for death and judgment! [This is the time for preparation : the moment death arrives, our state is fixed for ever: " As the tree falleth, so it lieth." What folly then is it to procrastinate, and to defer our preparation ! If death would stay for us, and we could com-…
264 wordsSECTION 5051399.] Importance Of Charitable Exertions. 543
but we are stirred up to greater diligence and circumspection; and are stimulated to exert ourselves more earnestly for the securing of the prize. But what if we lean too much to the favourable side ? It will be too late to remedy our error when once we pass into the eternal world. There is no repentance in the gr…
284 wordsSECTION 506514 Matthew, Xxv. 35—40. [1399.
Matt. XXV. S5 — 40. I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink : I toas a stranger, and ye took me in : naked, and ye clothed me : I was sick, and ye visited me : I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, ivhen saw we thee an hungered,…
745 wordsSECTION 507514 Matthew, Xxv. 35—40. [1399.
text attest this as does also that saying of the A^jostle, " Bear ye one another's burthens, and so fulfil the law of Christ^."] To such exertions we may well be stimulated, if we consider, II. The acceptableness of them to the Lord Jesus — The Lord Jesus identifies himself with his afflicted people — [He has s…
266 wordsSECTION 508546 Matthew, Xxv. 35—40. [1399.
What a fund has this one declaration laid up for them in every age of the world ! [We cannot conceive any other thing which could have so forcibly interested the mind of man. The obligations which we owe to Christ infinitely exceed any thing which words can express, or imagination can conceive. Were he therefore t…
448 wordsSECTION 5091399.] Importance Of Charitable Exertions. 547
to the whole assembled universe that there is an equity in his proceedings, and that the destinies of all exactly correspond with their moral characters. The labours of love, in which the righteous had abounded, are here produced ; and those whom Christ here speaks of as " his brethren," are ready to attest the tr…
463 wordsSECTION 510The Fearful Prospect Of The Impenitent.
for " if there be in us a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not : " but if we have not, let us not deceive ourselves with vain hopes ; for, " as unprofitable servants, we shall be cast into outer dark- ness, where is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of te…
382 wordsSECTION 5111400. ^ Fearful Prospect Of The Impenitent. 549
prediction, our Lord says, " The Son of man goeth as it was written of him ; but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed ! it had been good for that man if he had not been born." That we may make a suitable improvement of this awful declaration, I will, I. Shew of whom this may be spoken — We must n…
404 wordsSECTION 512550 Matthew, Xxvi. 24. [1400.
that were mine enemies, and slay them before me?" Yes, " there remaineth for them no other sacrifice for sin, but a certain fearful looking-for of judgment, and fiery indignation, to devour them®."] 3. The Apostate, who renounces him — [We are told respecting those who, " after having once escaped the pollutions …
452 wordsSECTION 5131400.] Fearful Prospect Of The Impenitent. 551
II. Take up a lamentation over them — Our blessed Lord ** wept over Jerusalem," which he saw devoted to destruction. And shall not " mine eyes be a fountain of tears, to run down day and night'" for so many of you as, I have reason to fear, are perishing in your sins ? Alas ! respecting multi- tudes, I must say, …
456 wordsSECTION 514552 Matthew, Xxvi. 24. [1400.
find sufficient to express their feelings of self-reproach ? My dear brethren, I would that you would all place yourselves for a moment in the situation of a person at the first moment of his entering into the presence of his God ; looking back upon the scenes which he has just left ; and looking forward to the sc…
513 wordsSECTION 515Mcccci.
THE lord's supper. Matt, xxvi, 29. / say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you i7i my Fathers kingdom. THE great object for commemoration, under the Jewish dispensation, was, the redemption of that peo- ple out of Egypt: and that which ought t…
326 wordsSECTION 516554 Matthew, Xxvi. 29. [1401.
never be forgotten, he brake the bread, in token of '* his body given for men ;" and poured out the wine, in token of " his blood shed for them ;" and expressly commanded, that in all future ages this ceremony should be observed " in remembrance of him\" It was to be a " shewing forth of his death till he should c…
703 wordsSECTION 517556 Matthew, Xxvi. 29. [1401.
His kingdom, properly speaking, is now come — [The Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testament, continually represent the Christian dispensation as the esta- blishment of the Messiah's kingdom upon earth. This kingdom is called " the kingdom of God;" and it is that which the Father establishes, through the agenc…
650 wordsSECTION 518Advice :
out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests : and we shall reign on the earth''." Tliis, by its reference to the redemption of the world, may well be called " The Song of Moses and of the Lamb^:" and to all eternity will "this wine be new" to those who …
489 wordsSECTION 519558 Matthew, Xxvi. 29. [1401.
many ages, observe it. No one felt himself at liberty to neg- lect it : nor would any man have been accounted a Christian, indeed, if he had neglected it. This then shews, that none who desire to serve and honour God should abstain from it. They should come to it, to express their gratitude to the Lord Jesus for w…
610 wordsSECTION 520Mccccii.
Christ's apprehension. Matt. xxvi. 53, 54. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But hoto then shall the Scriptures he ful- filled, that thus it must be? THE Christian is by profession a soldier : he is to fight a good fight, and to w…
253 wordsSECTION 521560 Matthew, Xxvi. 53, 54. [1402".
maintained by such means. Our Lord has declared that " they who take the sword shall perish with the sword :" and has shewn us, by his own example, that we are rather to " possess our souls in patience ;" and to conquer, not by shedding the blood of others, but by suffering our own to be poured forth with meeknes…
712 wordsSECTION 522Observations :
e Dan. vi. 22. ^ Acts v. 19. s Acts xii. 8 — 10. !> Luke iv. 29, 30. John viii. 59. » John xviii. 6. k 2 Kings i. 10, 12. 1 Computing a legion at six tliousand, " twelve legions" would be seventy-two thousand. m Ps. ii. 1 — .3. " Ps. xxii, 12, 16. o Ps. xli. 9. and Iv. 12, 13. with John xiii. 18. deliver himself…
499 wordsSECTION 5231403.] Christ Forsaken By His Disciples. 563
we are to follow". Who are we then that we should be exempt from trials ? If we were to consider them as punish- ments, they are infinitely lighter than what we deserve : but if we consider them as a furnace to purify us from our dross, and as an honour conferred upon us to render us conformed to our Saviour's ima…
344 wordsSECTION 524564 Matthew, Xxvi. 56. [1403.
Matt. xxvi. 56. Then all the Disciples forsook him, andjled. NEXT to the presence of God, there is nothing so comforting in affliction as the sympathy of friends. The kind offices of those we love afford us tenfold pleasure in those seasons when trouble has depressed o o2 our spirits. On the other hand, the unkin…
473 wordsSECTION 5251403.1 Christ Forsaken By His Disciples. 565
II. What great evils are even good men capable of committing ! [That the Disciples were good men is certain ; for our Lord himself had recently testified, that " they were clean through the word which he had spoken to them." But their conduct on this occasion was most base and shameful. What ingratitude were they…
445 wordsSECTION 526566 Matthew, Xxvi. 56. [1403.
tions which they had founded on his numerous miracles were delusive. Jesus seemed to them now to be like Samson after his locks were cut : he was become weak as other men. Hence they could no longer repose any confidence in him, but fled like sheep without a shepherd. And is it not thus with the ungodly? Wherefore…
624 wordsSECTION 5275G8 Matthew, Xxvi. 63—66. [1404.
OUR lord's condemnation by the JEWISH COUNCIL. Matt. xxvi. 63 — 66. And the high-priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee hy the living God, that thou tell us whether thou he the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him. Thou hast said : nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Sofi of M…
824 wordsSECTION 5285G8 Matthew, Xxvi. 63—66. [1404.
3. His sentence — [No sooner was this confession uttered, than the high- priest, to testify his abhorrence of what he called blasphemy, rent his clothes. This, though a common way of expressing grief or indignation among the Jews, was forbidden to tiie high- priest, whose august character was supposed to render hi…
269 wordsSECTION 529570 Matthew, Xxvl 63—66. [1404.
act as they did, if God did not interpose to enlighten and restrain our minds. The haste and acrimony with which godly persons are calumniated amongst us, shew clearly that we are actuated by the same principles as the Jews were, and, as far as occasion is afforded, are ready to tread in their steps.] Let us next …
735 wordsSECTION 530The High Priest.
4. Look forward to his second coming — [Ere long he will surely come again, according to his word; and " every eye shall see him, and they also who pierced him." But with what eyes will his enemies behold him then ! How glad would they then be, if they could hide themselves from his presence under rocks and mounta…
599 wordsSECTION 5311405.] Indignities Offered To Christ. 573
2. The meekness and gentleness of Christ — [We are told in the foregoing verses, that " Jesus held his peace" amidst all the accusations of his enemies. The same conduct he observed under the aggravated trials that he now endured. Not an angry or vindictive word escaped his lips. How justly might he have vindicate…
396 wordsSECTION 532574 Matthew, Xxvi. 67, G8. [1405.
hid not his face from shame and spitting'." With these lights let me go and search for the Mesi,iah. Where shall I find him? I go into the hi^l -priest's palace: I descend into the hall among the servants ; there I see the indignities offered to the despised Nazarene : I behold him smitten on the face with sticks,…
497 wordsSECTION 533Impenitence.
former title, as was annexed to the pretensions of our blessed Lord to the office and character of the Messiah. But as then the contempt poured on Jesus confirmed that very truth which it was designed to invalidate, so the reproach cast on God's elect at this day, is an evidence in their favour : our Lord himself …
372 wordsSECTION 534576 Matthew, Xxvii. S—5. [1406.
even the wretch who betrayed him should, with very pecuHar solemnity, attest his innocence. We might from this circumstance proceed to prove the Messiahship of Jesus, and the consequent truth of the religion which he has established. But it is our intention to enter more deeply into the passage before us ; and to…
435 wordsSECTION 5351406.] Impenitence. .577
to the hook : he promises himself that nothing very calamitous shall result from his conduct : he trusts that through the mercy of God it shall pass unnoticed ; or that he shall, by repentance, make compensation for it; or that he shall, by some other means, enjoy the pleasures of sin, without experiencing its bit…
465 wordsSECTION 536578 Matthew, Xxvii. 3—5. [1406.
[While some are awakened to a sense of their guilt, others proceed in the commission of the most horrible ini- quities without remorse or concern. The conduct of Judas in criminating himself before those at whose instigation he had betrayed his Lord, should certainly have operated to suspend their proceedings, and…
442 wordsSECTION 5371406.1 Impenitence. 579
behold it issuing in suicide. Indeed, it is a very principal device of Satan to urge men to this fatal act, because it most effectually secures his object, the destruction of their souls. He first hides from them the consequences of transgression ; then represents to them their guilt as unpardonable ; and then sug…
421 wordsSECTION 538Judas.
Matt, xxvii. 9, 10. Theii was fulfilled that which was spoken hy Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value ; and gave them for the potters field, as the Lord appointed me. THE more we consider the number an…
330 wordsSECTION 5391407.] Disposal Of The Money Paid To Judas. 581
the prophet and the Jews. The prophet, as God's agent and representative among them, demanded. What value they set upon his labours ? They de- spising both him and the Deity from whom he had received his commission, weighed for his price thirty pieces of silver : upon which, God, indignant at such an insult, orde…
393 wordsSECTION 540582 Matthew, Xxvii. 9, 10. [1407.
but when we have swallowed the bait, then we begin to feel the hook ; and oftentimes would gladly restore, if it were possible, all the pleasure we have felt, provided we could at the same time get rid of the sting that it has left behind. And what will be our views of sin, when once we come into the eternal world…
703 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical edition (1832-33); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.