"there is none

good man. In an absolute sense, good but God." He alone possesses original, essential, independent, perfect goodness. But in a lower signification of the term, the Scriptures denominate men good, who, through the application of atoning blood, and by the renewing influence of the Divine Spirit, have become imbued with the principles of vital godliness, and exhibit them in their temper and conduct. Thus it is said of Barnabas, that "he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and faith." It is in this latter sense that the expression is employed in the text.

The treasure is represented as itself good. The word, treasure, is metaphorical, and refers to the husbandman and tradesman accumulating in store what must be used in aftertimes; or to provision laid up for the whole year by the mistress of a household. It denotes the supply of holy principles and affections with which the mind of a true believer is replenished, and which are ready to be called into exercise as occasion may demand. And it is designated as good, to mark its opposition to the "treasures of wickedness"—the depravity and pollution of irreligious men.

It is a treasure of the heart. mainspring of human conduct.

The heart is the

As the sun moves

and guides all the spheres of heaven; so does this little thing in the little world of man animate all

his operations. By heart I mean the rational soul, with all its faculties of understanding, memory, will, and affection, which constitute the chief and noblest part of man. The heart is the seat of love and of hatred, of joy and of sorrow, of all that is excellent and of all that is corrupt in human character; and the heart of a Christian, purified and furnished from above, is rendered a depository of the choicest treasures-a cabinet of jewels most rare and precious.

From this good treasure the good man brings forth good things. He employs and dispenses the holy fund within him, in suitable communications, for the comfort of his own soul, and the benefit of others. This is drawing off the fountain into several channels; the carrying out the principles of grace into practice; the exercise and improvement of what has been laid up; the trading with the talent, required of every soul that hopes for the approval of Christ at the last day. And these communications are good; good spiritually; good in their matter, manner, and end; pleasing to God, profitable to man, and comforting to him by whom they are made. They are healthful and fertilizing streams, flowing from the spring of true grace in the heart, through the banks and bounds of the divine commands, to the infinite ocean of God's glory.

The sum of all, then, is, that the character and conduct of every man will be in strict accordance with the state of his heart. We judge of the heart by outward acts; but God judges of outward acts by the inward temper. Hence there is great truth in that saying of Luther, that "good works do not make good men, but they must first be made good men, before they can do good works; so, on the other hand, evil works do not properly make evil men, but evil men are themselves the authors of evil works." Actions, whether good or bad, always presuppose corresponding moral affections out of which they grow. Yet it is true, that good actions make good men better, as evil actions make bad men worse; for actions strengthen both principles and habits.

The whole of the instruction, contained in the passage which has now been examined, may be briefly comprised in this one statement; a good treasure in the heart is necessary to a good expenditure in the life. No man can do good, except he first be good; there must be a laying in before. there can be a laying out.

The nature, necessity, and results of this treasure in the heart, together with the means of securing it, and the manner in which it should be employed, will form the subject of the ensuing treatise.

CHAPTER II.

THE NATURE OF A TREASURE.

A TREASURE consists of things laid up for subsequent use; and the acquisition of treasure involves several particulars, all of which suit with the laying up of spiritual provision in general.

1. It implies carefulness, anxious thoughts, solicitous endeavors. It is easy to scatter, but it requires industry to gather. Experience shows us, that they who strive for a great estate, take pains in the day, and plan in the night, while the eagerness of desire will not suffer them to sleep. So is it in spiritual things. It requires much care and effort to secure an abiding provision for the soul. Spiritual goods are not got with a wet finger. They drop not into the mouth of a careless loiterer. The more choice anything is, the more difficult is it to be attained. O think not to gain heaven by laziness! "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." A resolute Christian, as it were, storms this uphill city; as soldiers run to seize the prey, or racers to obtain the prize.

with eternal riches.

2. It implies choiceness in the things laid up. It is not all labor that obtains a treasure. "They labor in the very fire, that weary themselves for very vanity." Men may expend money and labor for that which can neither profit nor satisfy. Many things are better missed than gained. Stones and straws make no good treasure. A wise man will not account himself rich with toys and trifles. A Christian's treasure consists in spiritual things, which alone possess intrinsic and lasting value. Gold and silver are but worthless clay, compared Spiritual blessings only make believers blessed. Nothing can be esteemed a treasure, which does not come from heaven, and lead to it. The good things of the throne are a saint's treasure; the good things of the footstool are the portion of wicked men; but whatever abundance of them they may possess, even though "their bellies be filled with hid treasures," they can derive from them no solid happiness. All earthly comforts are vain and empty, when viewed as the heritage of the soul. The whole world cannot counterbalance a single grain of grace. We estimate things by their worth, not by their bulk. The small diamond is of more value than mountains of sand. Only heavenly riches can make a treasure fit for the immortal mind.

3. It implies suitableness in the things stored up,