《Simeon ’s Horae Homileticae –Isaiah (Vol. 1)》(Charles Simeon)
Commentator
Charles Simeon (September 24, 1759 - November 13, 1836), was an English evangelical clergyman.
He was born at Reading, Berkshire and educated at Eton College and King's College, Cambridge. In 1782 he became fellow of King's College, and took orders, receiving the living of Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge, in the following year. He was at first so unpopular that services were frequently interrupted, and he was often insulted in the streets. Having overcome public prejudice, he subsequently gained a remarkable and lasting influence among the undergraduates of the university.
He became a leader among evangelical churchmen, was one of the founders of the Church Missionary Society in 1799, the London Society for Promoting Christianity Amongst the Jews (now known as the Church's Ministry Among Jewish People or CMJ) in 1809, and acted as adviser to the British East India Company in the choice of chaplains for India.
In 1792 he read An Essay on the Composition of a Sermon by the French Reformed minister Jean Claude. Simeon found that their principles were identical and used the essay as the basis for his lectures on sermon composition. Claude's essay also inspired Simeon to make clear his own theological position, the result being Horae Homileticae, his chief work.
He published hundreds of sermons and outlines of sermons (called "sermon skeletons"), still in print, that to some were an invitation to clerical plagiarism. His chief work is a commentary on the whole Bible, entitled Horae homileticae (London). The Simeon Trust was established by him for the purpose of acquiring church patronage to perpetuate evangelical clergy in Church of England parishes. It continues to operate to this day.
Charles Simeon is often hailed as something of an ancestor of the evangelical movement in the Church of England.
According to the historian Thomas Macaulay, Simeon's "authority and influence...extended from Cambridge to the most remote corners of England, ...his real sway in the Church was far greater than that of any primate." He is remembered in the Episcopal Church of the United States with a Lesser Feast and in the Anglican Church of Canada with a Commemoration on 12 November. In the Church of England he is remembered with a Lesser Festival on 13 November. His memorial by the monumental mason Hopper in Holy Trinity Church (Cambridge), was described by architectural critic Nikolaus Pevsner as an "epitaph in Gothic forms."
00 Introduction
CONTENTS TO VOL. VII.
Discourse / Text / SubjectIsaiah
856. / Isaiah 1:2-3. / God’s Complaint against his People
857. / Isaiah 1:4-5. / The Sinfulness of the Nation
858. / Isaiah 1:10-17. / Service which alone is pleasing to God
859. / Isaiah 1:18. / Crimson Sins made White
860. / Isaiah 1:25. / God purifying his People
861. / Isaiah 2:5. / Exhortation to a Holy Walk
862. / Isaiah 3:10-11. / Final State of Man
863. / Isaiah 4:5. / God the Protector of his Church
864. / Isaiah 5:3-5. / God’s Appeal to Man’s Decision
865. / Isaiah 5:20. / Sinfulness of confounding Good and Evil
866. / Isaiah 6:5-7. / Isaiah’s Vision of Christ
867. / Isaiah 6:8. / A Missionary Spirit described
868. / Isaiah 8:12-14. / God the only proper Object of Fear
869. / Isaiah 8:18. / Believers are for Signs and Wonders
870. / Isaiah 8:19. / Seeking after God
871. / Isaiah 9:2-4. / Blessings imparted by the Gospel
872. / Isaiah 9:6. / Christ’s Incarnation and Character
873. / Isaiah 9:13. / Impenitence under Divine Chastisements
874. / Isaiah 10:12-17. / Abasement of the Assyrian Monarch
875. / Isaiah 11:2-3. / Christ’s Qualifications for his Office
876. / Isaiah 11:6-9. / Change to be wrought in the latter Day
877. / Isaiah 11:9. / The Millennium
878. / Isaiah 11:10. / Christ a Standard for the Gentiles
879. / Isaiah 12:1-2. / The Believer’s Song
880. / Isaiah 12:3. / The Wells of Salvation
881. / Isaiah 12:3-6. / The Believer’s Song
882. / Isaiah 14:2. / The Christian Warfare
883. / Isaiah 14:27. / Immutability of God’s Counsels
884. / Isaiah 14:32. / God’s Church and People secure
885. / Isaiah 19:20. / Christ a great Saviour
886. / Isaiah 19:24-25. / The Conversion of Jews and Gentiles
887. / Isaiah 21:11-12. / Profane Scoffers instructed
888. / Isaiah 22:12-14. / Unconcern amidst Calls to Repentance
889. / Isaiah 22:24. / Eliakim a Type of Christ
890. / Isaiah 24:23. / The Reign of Christ glorious
891. / Isaiah 25:4. / Christ a suitable and all-sufficient Help
892. / Isaiah 25:6-8. / The Gospel a Source of richest Blessings
893. / Isaiah 25:9. / Christ’s Advent a Ground of Joy
894. / Isaiah 26:3-4. / Trust in God recommended
895. / Isaiah 26:13. / Humiliation with Zeal
896. / Isaiah 26:20-21. / The only Refuge of Sinners
CONTENTS TO VOL. VIII
Discourse / Text / SubjectIsaiah
897. / Isaiah 27:3. / God’s Care for his Church
898. / Isaiah 27:6. / The future Prosperity of Israel
899. / Isaiah 27:12-13. / Conversion of the Jews gradual
900. / Isaiah 28:5. / The Felicity of God’s People
901. / Isaiah 29:17. / The Millennial Period fast approaching
902. / Isaiah 29:18-19. / The Gospel a Source of Blessings to Mankind
903. / Isaiah 30:7. / Confidence in God recommended
904. / Isaiah 30:26. / Benefits arising from God’s Return to the Soul
905. / Isaiah 31:4-5. / God the Protector of his People
906. / Isaiah 32:2. / Security and Comfort in Christ
907. / Isaiah 32:16-17. / The Work of Righteousness is Peace
908. / Isaiah 33:6. / The Use and Excellency of True Wisdom
909. / Isaiah 33:16. / Protection promised to the Godly
910. / Isaiah 33:20-22. / The Church’s Security
911. / Isaiah 33:23. / Encouragement to the Weak
912. / Isaiah 35:1-2. / Glorious Prospects of the Gospel Church
913. / Isaiah 35:3-4. / Encouragement to the Weak
914. / Isaiah 35:5-7. / Streams in the Desert
915. / Isaiah 35:8-10. / The Way to Zion
916. / Isaiah 38:14. / Help for us in God
917. / Isaiah 38:17. / Forgiveness known and enjoyed
918. / Isaiah 38:19. / Praising God for his Mercies
919. / Isaiah 38:20. / Hezekiah’s Thanksgiving for his Recovery
920. / Isaiah 40:1-2. / The Scope and Tendency of the Gospel
921. / Isaiah 40:6-8. / The Immutability of the Gospel
922. / Isaiah 40:9. / The Messiah’s Advent
923. / Isaiah 40:11. / Christ’s Care for his Sheep
924. / Isaiah 40:27-31. / The Desponding encouraged
925. / Isaiah 41:10. / The weak Believer comforted
926. / Isaiah 41:14-16. / The Worm Jacob threshing the Mountains
927. / Isaiah 41:17-18. / Consolation for the Desponding
928. / Isaiah 42:5-7. / Christ’s Commission
929. / Isaiah 42:16. / God’s Dealings with his People opened
930. / Isaiah 43:1-3. / God’s Care for his People
931. / Isaiah 43:4. / The Blessedness of the True Christian
932. / Isaiah 43:12. / The Saints are Witnesses for God
933. / Isaiah 43:20. / God’s Kindness to his People
934. / Isaiah 43:22-26. / The Greatness of God’s Mercy
935. / Isaiah 44:1-5. / The Out-Pouring of the Spirit promised
936. / Isaiah 44:20. / The Folly of spiritual Idolatry
937. / Isaiah 44:22. / The Work of Redemption a Motive to Conversion
938. / Isaiah 44:23. / Redemption a Ground of Joy
939. / Isaiah 45:8. / The Efficacy of the Gospel
940. / Isaiah 45:9. / Striving with our Maker
941. / Isaiah 45:17. / The Extent and Certainty of Israel’s Salvation
942. / Isaiah 45:21. / Jehovah a just God and a Saviour
943. / Isaiah 45:22. / Looking to Christ
944. / Isaiah 45:23-25. / Exaltation of Christ
945. / Isaiah 46:3-5. / God’s Care for his People
946. / Isaiah 46:12-13. / Christ the Salvation of Israel
947. / Isaiah 48:16. / Offices of the Holy Trinity in the Work of Redemption
948. / Isaiah 48:17-18. / God’s tender Concern for his People
949. / Isaiah 49:6. / Christ the Light and Salvation of the Gentiles
950. / Isaiah 49:7. / Christ’s future Reign
951. / Isaiah 49:8-10. / The Greatness of Christ’s Salvation
952. / Isaiah 49:14-16. / God will not forget his People
953. / Isaiah 49:18-23. / Promised Increase of the Church
954. / Isaiah 49:24-26. / Desponding Fears removed
955. / Isaiah 50:5-9. / Messiah’s Sufferings and Support
956. / Isaiah 50:10-11. / A Word Season
957. / Isaiah 51:1-3. / Consolation for the Afflicted
958. / Isaiah 51:7-8. / A Dissuasive from the Fear of Man
959. / Isaiah 52:9-10. / The Church pleading with God
960. / Isaiah 52:1-3. / Despondency reproved
961. / Isaiah 52:7. / The Nature of the Gospel
962. / Isaiah 52:8. / The Saint’s Vision of Christ
963. / Isaiah 52:13. / Christ rewarded for his Services
964. / Isaiah 52:14-15. / The Depth of our Saviour’s Humiliation
965. / Isaiah 52:15. / The Means and Evidence of Conversion
966. / Isaiah 53:1. / Men’s Neglect of the Gospel
967. / Isaiah 53:2-3. / The Characters and Treatment of the Messiah
968. / Isaiah 53:4-5. / The True Cause of our Lord’s Suferings
969. / Isaiah 53:6. / Means of Man’s Restoration to God
970. / Isaiah 53:7. / Christ’s Behaviour under his Sufferings
971. / Isaiah 53:8. / Our Lord’s Trial and Execution
972. / Isaiah 53:9-10. / The Father’s Conduct towards the innocent Jesus explained and vindicated
973. / Isaiah 53:10. / Christ’s Death a Condition of our Salvation
974. / Isaiah 53:11. / Christ’s Satisfaction in his People
975. / Isaiah 53:11. / Means of our Justification before God
976. / Isaiah 53:12. / Fruits of Christ’s Death and Intercession
977. / Isaiah 54:5. / Our Maker our Husband
978. / Isaiah 54:6-10. / God’s Faithfulness to his Covenant
979. / Isaiah 54:13. / Peace the Fruit of Divine Teaching
980. / Isaiah 54:17. / The Saints’ Heritage
981. / Isaiah 55:1-3. / The Blessings of the Gospel
982. / Isaiah 55:4. / Christ a Witness and Commander
983. / Isaiah 55:6. / Of seeking the Lord in time
984. / Isaiah 55:7. / Encouragement to turn to God
985. / Isaiah 55:8-9. / God’s Ways above ours
Isaiah 55:10-11. / Resemblance of the Gospel to Rain and Snow
987. / Isaiah 55:12-13. / The Change wrought by the Gospel
988. / Isaiah 56:4-7. / Acceptance for all sincere Worshippers
989. / Isaiah 57:15. / The Majesty and Holiness of Gad
990. / Isaiah 57:17-18. / God’s Mercy to obstinate Sinners
991. / Isaiah 57:20-21. / No Peace to the Wicked
992. / Isaiah 58:1. / The Ministerial Office
993. / Isaiah 58:5-11. / The Services which God requires
994. / Isaiah 58:13-14. / Observance of the Sabbath enjoined
995. / Isaiah 59:8. / No Peace in the Way of Sin
996. / Isaiah 59:15. / The Righteous a Prey to the Wicked
997. / Isaiah 59:19. / The Means of spiritual Victory
998. / Isaiah 59:20-21. / The Perpetuity of Christ’s Kingdom
999. / Isaiah 60:1. / Our Duty arising from the Advent of Christ
1000. / Isaiah 60:8. / Millennial Piety described
1001. / Isaiah 60:13. / Excellency of the Church of Christ
1002. / Isaiah 60:15; Isaiah 60:10. / Future Prosperity of the Jewish Church
1003. / Isaiah 60:19-20. / The Church’s Prosperity
1004. / Isaiah 61:1-3. / Christ’s Commission
1005. / Isaiah 61:9. / Blessedness of the Lord’s People
1006. / Isaiah 61:10. / The Believer clad with the Garments of Salvation
1007. / Isaiah 61:11. / The Conversion of the World promised
1008. / Isaiah 62:3. / The Church a Royal Diadem
1009. / Isaiah 62:5. / God’s Delight in his People
1010. / Isaiah 62:6-7. / Duty of interceding for the Church
1011. / Isaiah 62:10-12. / Restoration of the Jews
1012. / Isaiah 63:1. / Messiah’s Triumphs
1013. / Isaiah 63:7. / The Loving-kindness of the Lord
1014. / Isaiah 63:8; Isaiah 63:10. / Vexing the Holy Spirit
1015. / Isaiah 63:9. / The Love of God towards his People
1016. / Isaiah 63:11-14. / God contemplated
1017. / Isaiah 63:15-16. / Pleading with God
1018. / Isaiah 64:6. / Imperfection of our best Services
1019. / Isaiah 64:7. / The Consequences of neglecting Prayer
1020. / Isaiah 65:12-14. / Danger of disregarding God
1021. / Isaiah 65:17-18. / The new Heavens and the new Earth
1022. / Isaiah 65:24. / The Efficacy of Prayer
1023. / Isaiah 66:2. / The Poor and Contrite the Objecte of God’s Favour
1024. / Isaiah 66:10-13. / God delights to comfort his People
1025. / Isaiah 66:18-20. / The Jews to convert the Gentiles
01 Chapter 1
Verse 2-3
DISCOURSE: 856
GOD’S COMPLAINT AGAINST HIS PEOPLE
Isaiah 1:2-3. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
IT is the Lord God Almighty that now speaketh respecting us. Let every ear attend; let every heart be humbled in the dust before him. He hath a controversy with us, and a complaint against us: and he summons both heaven and earth to attest the truth of his charge, and the equity of his judgment. Though he is a Sovereign, and amenable to none, yet he does frequently make his appeal to the whole creation, and constitute his creatures judges between himself and us [Note: Micah 6:2.]. In this charge we behold,
I. The evil we have committed—
The charge is doubtless in the first place uttered against the Jews—
[God had truly “nourished them, and brought them up as children.” He had chosen them to himself, as his peculiar people; he had brought them up out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and an out-stretched arm: he had fed and supported them forty years in the wilderness; he had given them a revelation of his mind and will; and he had planted them in that good land which he had promised to their fathers. In all this he had acted towards them with all the care and tenderness of a most affectionate Parent [Note: Deuteronomy 1:31; Deuteronomy 32:9-12.] — — —
But how had they requited him for all his kindness? From the very beginning did they show themselves a rebellious and stiff-necked people [Note: Deuteronomy 9:24.]. They were always murmuring under every succeeding trial, and distrusting God in every difficulty, and in heart going back again to the flesh-pots of Egypt. They were often ready to stone those servants of God who had been the instruments of their deliverance; they retained their idols which they had worshipped in Egypt; and even made a golden calf, as the representative, or rather, as the rival and competitor, of Jehovah. In their history we find some seasons of amendment; but, on the whole, they were “a rebellious and gainsaying people.”]
But this is no less applicable to ourselves—
[Certainly we are quite as much indebted to the Lord as ever the Jews of old were: for though we have not had such visible interpositions in our favour, we have been no less the objects of his paternal care: and, in that which constituted their “chief advantage,” we greatly excel them [Note: Romans 3:2.].” “To them were committed the Oracles of God:” but to us is given the Gospel of his dear Son; in comparison of which the Law, glorious as it was, had no glory at all; being eclipsed as a star before the meridian sun [Note: 2 Corinthians 3:7-11.]— — —
And what has been our conduct towards him? Have we been sensible of the benefits conferred upon us; and have we endeavoured to render to him the recompence that was due? Alas! we have been unmindful of his kindness, and regardless of his authority altogether. It has never entered into our hearts to say, “Come, let us serve the Lord, who hath done such great things for us [Note: Jeremiah 2:5-6; Jeremiah 5:23-24.].” Whilst we have violated his holy laws, we have “puffed at his judgments,” saying in our hearts, “God seeth not, neither regardeth what we do.” If called to obey him, we have replied, in spirit, if not in word, “Who is the Lord, that we should serve him? We know not the Lord, neither will we obey his voice [Note: Job 21:14-15. Exodus 5:2.].” “Our lips are our own: Who is Lord over us [Note: Psalms 12:4]?” In truth, we have lived “without God in the world [Note: Ephesians 2:12.];” and have practically said, “There is no God [Note: Psalms 14:1.].”]
Not content with charging upon us our multiplied rebellions, God proceeds to set forth,
II. The extent of our criminality—
The brute creation demean themselves, for the most part, in a way suited to their several capacities—
[The ox and the ass are amongst the most stupid of the brute creation: yet have they some knowledge of their master, and some sense of their dependence on him. Though fed only for their master’s benefit, and used only to subserve his interests, they often express themselves with a kind of grateful acknowledgment towards him.]
But we, notwithstanding our superior advantages, act more irrationally than they—
[We live from year to year on the bounty of our heavenly Father, and yet feel no sense of gratitude towards him. We “do not even consider” our obligations to him. We “do not consider” either what he has done for us; (though it is so great, that neither the tongues of men or of angels can ever worthily declare it:) or, what he requires of us: (though that should be the subject of our unceasing contemplation:) or, what return we have hitherto made to him; (though on that our eternal happiness depends: or, what account we shall hereafter give to him; though we know not but that before the expiration of another hour we may be summoned into his immediate presence.) In a word, God’s testimony respecting us is, that “he is not in all, or any, of our thoughts [Note: Psalms 10:4.].” Of the brute creation there are many that act with a degree of foresight and wisdom [Note: Proverbs 6:6-8. Jeremiah 8:7.]: but we, who are endued with reason, act a part more irrational than they: and hence are justly reproached by God as more brutish and sottish than even the ox and ass [Note: Jeremiah 4:22; Jeremiah 5:21.]. How humiliating is this view of our state, and especially in relation to persons who have been redeemed by the blood of God’s only dear Son! Verily there is not one amongst us who has not reason to blush and be confounded under the accusations that are brought against us.]
In conclusion, we will,
1. Inquire what plea you can offer in your own behalf?
[We know that the young, the old, the rich, the poor, have all their appropriate excuses: but what plea have they that will avail them at the bar of judgment? Will any deny the charge! Alas! alas! Where is there one amongst us that has not been a rebel from the womb? Where is there one amongst us that has ever equalled the ox or ass in their attachment to him who feeds them, and their willing submission to his yoke? We must confess, every one of us, that we have not so much as considered our obligations, or our duties, or our interests, or our true happiness in any respect, unless we have been renewed in our minds by the Spirit of God himself. Let us then put away all our vain pleas and excuses, and adopt, each of us for himself, the language of Agur; “I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man [Note: Proverbs 30:2.].” If we feel not the depth of our depravity, and refuse to humble ourselves before God, we do in fact “make God a liar,” and provoke him to execute upon us the judgments we have deserved.]