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2 lines
1.3 KiB
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<p>As we read this, it teaches us a great truth, that we are not sufficient of ourselves to <i>think or speak any thing of ourselves</i> that is wise and good, but that all <i>our sufficiency is of God</i>, who is with the heart and with the mouth, and <i>works in us both to will and to do</i>, <a class="bibleref" title="Phil.2.13,Ps.10.17" href="/passage/?search=Phil.2.13,Ps.10.17"><span class="bibleref" title="Phil.2.13">Phil. 2:13</span>; <span class="bibleref" title="Ps.10.17">Ps. 10:17</span></a>. But most read it otherwise: <i>The preparation of the heart is in man</i> (he may contrive and design this and the other) but <i>the answer of the tongue</i>, not only the delivering of what he designed to speak, but the issue and success of what he designed to do, <i>is of the Lord</i>. That is, in short, 1. <i>Man purposes</i>. He has a freedom of thought and a freedom of will permitted him; let him form his projects, and lay his schemes, as he thinks best: but, after all, 2. <i>God disposes</i>. Man cannot go on with his business without the assistance and blessing of God, who <i>made man’s mouth</i> and teaches us what we shall say. Nay, God easily can, and often does, cross men’s purposes, and break their measures. It was a curse that was prepared in Balaam’s heart, but the answer of the tongue was a blessing.</p>
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