The Introduction, containing the occasion, division, and exposition of the Text, and Observations from it.

Matt 12:35. The former part of the Verse. A good man out of the good Treasure of the heart, bringeth forth good things.

Our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (like a skilful Alchymist) extracts the pure gold of wholesome Doctrine, from common objects and occurrences: as from natural water, [Note 1] he discourseth of spiritual water of life; from common bread, [Note 2] he ascends to soul-nourishing conferences of his own flesh and blood, that living bread that came down from Heaven: As he passed thorow the Vineyards, [Note 3] he takes occasion to speak of the true Vine himself, and of those Saints that are really planted into him, and bring forth proportionable fruit: Christ could preach an excellent Sermon from any Text: But here he takes an occasion of uttering precious medicinal Truths, from the poysonful blasphemies of the Scribes and Pharisees; distinguishing the fruit of the lips into good and bad word, which evidence the nature of the root to be either good or bad: The occasion of the words, is this, when our soul-saving, and body-healing Redeemer had cast out a blinde and dumb Devil; that glorious miracle had various effects, upon the possessed person, it wrought soundness, vers. 22. upon the people amazement, vers. 23. upon the Pharisees madness and blasphemy (though that was only accidental) whereby they charge God himself with imposture, vers. 24. to these last Christ speaks by way of Apology for himself, and confutation of their impudent slander, his answer consists of three members.

1.He refutes the calumny by clear Arguments demonstrating his Divine Power in the Miracle, [Note 4] from vers. 25, to vers. 31.#

2.He detects the heinousness of the stander, calling it an irremissible blasphemy, to v. 33.#

3.He exhorts them to repentance, by a severe and serious challenge, urging them to conceive more soundly and soberly of divine works; and to speak more spiritually and profitably, since they must give an account of every idle (much more blasphemous) expression; from whence there will be drawn sufficient matter of their condemnation: This exhortation he directs in hypothesi to the Pharisees, v. 33, 34. in thesi to all, v. 35, 36, 37. to the former parabolically, to the latter properly and doctrinally.#

Or our Lord Jesus shews, that thoughts are the first-born of the heart, the fountain of expressions, words are the eccho of heart-language; much may be in the heart that's not vented with the lips, but theres nothing comes out, but what was first within; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, vers. 34. This is illustrated by two similitudes, Viz.

1.Of a Tree, vers. 33.#

2.Of a Treasure, vers. 35.#

There's much ado amongst Expositors, to determine what is meant by Tree; but its clear, by Tree is meant a man or woman, who must be good, before they can do good: But the latter resemblance of a Treasure, is our present subject, which is bimembris, or consisting of two parts; The

1.Relates to good men. [Note 5]#

2.Unto bad men.#

In both which are

1.Layings up, called a Treasure.#

2.Layings out, expressed by bringing forth.#

A few words for explication.

A good man] there's good,

1.Absolutely; so there's none good but God, i.e. essentially, perfectly, originally, independently.#

2.Comparatively, so godly men are truly good, i. e. sincerely, if compared with prophane men, or Hypocrites: It's said of Barnabas, that he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and Faith, Acts 11:24. There's also good men, as compared with froward, 1 Pet 2:18. or choice instruments, compared with persons of an inferiour rank, Rom 5:7. as David was worth ten thousand of the people: This good man in the Text is to be taken in the former sense, in opposition to wicked men.#

Good Treasure] it is a metaphor, [Note 6] and alludeth to the Husbandman and Trades-man laying up in store what must be used in aftertimes; or an Huswives provision laid up for all the year: This crosseth not Christs prohibition, Matt 6:19. Lay not up for your selves treasures upon earth, for that is in opposition, this in subordination to the true Treasure, and Divine Providence, as Joseph's hoarding Corn was; and its called a good Treasure in opposition to treasures of wickedness, Prov 10:2.

Of the heart] the heart in man is the first mover of the actions of man, even as the first mover carrieth all the sphears of Heaven about with it; so doth this little thing in the little world of man, animate all his operations: by heart I understand the rational soul, with all its faculties of understanding, memory, will, and affections, the chief part of man. The Jews compare the heart, [Note 7]

1.To the Holy of Holies, or Oracle, whence the Lord gives his answers.#

2.To. Solomon's Throne, as the stateliest place where the King of Heaven sits, as his Throne of Residence.#

3.To the two Tables of Stone in Moses's hands, in which the Lord writes the Law of Wisdome: and I may add,#

4.The heart of a Christian is the store-house of the choicest Treasures, and Cabinet of the most precious Jewels.#

Bringeth forth] emits or sends out suitable emanations, for his own souls comfort, and the supply or profit of others: This is a drawing of the Fountain into several Channels, an educing the habits of grace into various acts, the exercise and improvement of what was laid up, a stirring up the gift of God, a trading with the talent, required of every Soul that hopes to give a good account at the last day.

Good things] there are some things good only materially, good civilly, but these are good things spiritually, both as to matter, manner, and end, pleasing to God, profitable to man, and comfortable to him that brings them forth; these are as streams flowing from the spring of true grace in the heart, by the banks and bounds of a divine command to the infinite Ocean of Gods glory.

The summe of all is this, every man is, [Note 8] and acts as principles are stated in his heart; we judge of the heart by outward acts, but God judgeth of outward acts by the inward frame of the heart: and hence that of Luther is a great truth, that good works do not make good men, but first they must be made good men, before they can do good works: for habits must be before acts; yet good acts make good men better, as evil actions make bad men worse; for acts strengthen habits, as we see by experience.

The Doctrines are these:

1.Mens layings out are according to their layings up: That in general.#

2.Every sincere Christian is truly good.#

3.Every gracious soul hath a good Treasure.#

4.True grace is a Christians Treasure.#

5.A Saints Treasure is in Heaven, and in his heart.#

6.A Treasure in the heart vents it self in the life.#

7.A Treasure truly good, will send forth good things: the heart, so far as its sanctified, and doth act like it self, produceth gracious acts and exercises.#

But I shall comprize all in this one Observation.

Doct. That a good Treasure in the heart, is necessary to good expences in the life. No man can do good, except he first be good: there must be first a laying in, before there can be a laying out.

The Dutch have a Proverb, [Note 9] That a good saver, makes a well-doer; I am sure 'tis so in a spiritual sense; he that layes in spiritual provision, is only fit to lay out in the exercises of Religion.

I shall but give this one proof for the general, Matt 13:52.—A Scribe [i. e. a Minister] instructed unto the Kingdome of Heaven [i.e. prepared to declare the mysteries of the Gospel] is like an housholder [or Steward, for so Ministers are called, 1 Cor 4:1.] which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things new and old [a plain allusion to an house-keepers old store, which makes a daily standing dish, and new supply from the market upon special occasions, Old and New Testament-dainties:] This Scripture clearly holds forth, that he had laid up what he now laies out. Joseph laies up abundance of Corn in the seven years of plenty, else there could not have been supply in time of scarcity, Gen 41:47, 48, 49.

This only for a hint in general, for more clear explication and confirmation of this Truth. I shall endeavour to discover,

1.What laying up a Treasure is.#

2.What this Treasure in the Text is.#

3.What this laying out implies.#

4.Why laying up is thus necessary.#