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I. Describe the GOOD TREASURE of the heart.

1. A good heart contains good affections.

2. Good desires.

3. Good intentions.

4. Good volitions.

5. Good passions.

II. Describe the EVIL TREASURES of the evil heart. The opposite to the good treasure.

III. THAT MEN ARE GOOD OR EVIL ACCORDING TO THE GOOD OF EVIL TREASURE OF THE HEART.

1. Every man forms his opinion of himself by the exercises of his heart.

2. It is a dictate of common sense that nothing can properly dominate men either morally good or evil, but that in which they are really active.

3. Scripture confirms this consideration — "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he."

(1)  This gives us a great idea of the heart.

(2)  Religion chiefly consists in good affections.

(3)  The propriety of God's requiring sinners to change their hearts.

(N. Emmons, D. D.)

I. THE GOOD MAN. Not the natural man; the regenerate man.

1. He has the life of God in his soul.

2. The spirit of God in his heart.

3. The peace of God in his conscience.

4. The power of God in his life.

II. THE GOOD TREASURE. Good because —

1. Given by a good God.

2. With a good design. The good things of which He speaks are

(1)  the Person of Christ;

(2)  the work of Christ;

(3)  the fulness of Christ;

(4)  the operation of His Spirit. All these subjects are good, pleasing, and profitable.

III. THE EVIL MAN. He is without the life, spirit, love, peace, and power of God. He is evil because he possesses an evil heart, mixes with an evil world, is under the influence of an evil devil.

IV. THE EVIL TREASURE.

1. Its evil nature.

2. Its evil tendency.

3. Its evil effects. Evil thoughts, words, and actions.

(S. Barnard.)

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KJV: O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

WEB: You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.