INTRODUCTION TO SIMEON'S
HORAE HOMILETICAE
Many modern
evangelicals are not familiar with this great saint and evangelical
expositor Charles Simeon and will be blessed by taking a few
moments to read Dr John Piper's brief but pithy biographical sketch of
Simeon's life. Once you begin to understand the depth of Simeon's
godly character, you will very likely want to read some of his
sermons! (Click the following link to
Read Piper's sketch of
Charles Simeon's life entitled "Brothers We Must Not Mind a Little
Suffering"
{If you have time, the Mp3 is even
better})
Charles H
Spurgeon writes that Horae Homileticae are "Not
Commentaries, but we could not exclude them. They have been called “a
valley of dry bones”: be a prophet and they will live." (Commenting
on Commentaries)
John Piper
says that Horae Homileticae "is the best place to go for
researching Simeon's theology. You can find his views on almost every
key text in the Bible. He did not want to be labeled a Calvinist or an
Arminian. He wanted to be Biblical through and through and give
every text its due proportion, whether it sounded Arminian as it
stands or Calvinistic. But he was known as an evangelical Calvinist,
and rightly so. As I have read portions of his sermons on texts
concerning election and effectual calling and perseverance he is
uninhibited in his affirmation of what we would call the doctrines of
grace....What Simeon experienced in the word was remarkable. And it is
so utterly different from the counsel that we receive today that it
is worth looking at." (Brothers,
We Must Not Mind a Little Suffering) (Bolding added)
Who's Who in
Christian History says that "If Wilberforce is the most
famous evangelical layman in the Church of England, then Simeon
is the most famous evangelical clergyman." (Bolding added)
Paul Mizzi
notes that "Hours and hours of toil and labour have produced this
veritable treasure, full of scholarship and intellectual
endeavour." (Truth for Today) (Bolding added)
B. B. Siegel
notes that "One can easily find suggestive and practical helps in the
preparation of sermons, devotional talks, young people’s messages,
prayer meeting talks, Sunday School lessons and personal Bible study.
The study of these outlines will contribute greatly to expository
preaching. It is a wonderful book for your library." (Bibliotheca
Sacra Volume 112: page 458, October, 1955) (Bolding added)
