Proverbs 12:14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered to him. Wheresoever goodness is, whether it bridle our tongue, or guide our hand, or regulate our fancy, it carries its satisfaction, its recompense, along with it. Our songs of praise echo back again upon us; the works of our hands follow us, and fill us with joy; and our thoughts, if goodness raise them, are comforts. Goodness, whether in thought, word, or deed, will satisfy us, that is, fill us with joy; and nothing will satisfy us but goodness. The argument will hold a contrario: if that which is good satisfy us, then that which is evil cannot. I. GOODNESS DOTH SATISFY. 1. This we cannot doubt, if we know what goodness is, and consider the nature of it, and the fountain from whence it springs. For it flows from God. It is a beam from that Eternal Light, an emanation from God Himself. The nearer goodness carrieth to the fountain of goodness, the more satisfaction it brings with it, and the fuller is our cup. Without God we cannot be happy in heaven itself, nay, without Him there could be no heaven. 2. As we draw an argument from piety, so may we draw another from the love of it. As saith, "We do not only love goodness, but even the love with which we embrace it, and delight in both." Joy and satisfaction is a resultancy from love. That which we love is also the joy of our heart. 3. If the bare opinions of piety, in those who are not yet made perfect, satisfy, though it be but for a while, then piety itself will satisfy much more. If the shadow hath this operation, what hath the substance, the thing itself! If a form of godliness, then much more godliness in its full power, will fill and satisfy us. II. NOTHING ELSE CAN SATISFY US BUT GOODNESS. It is the prerogative of goodness and piety to be alone in this work. 1. Satisfaction is but a name on earth. 2. Such is the nature and quality of the soul, that it is not fashioned nor proportioned to the things of this world. 3. God hath imprinted in the soul and in the very nature of man an "infinite and insatiable desire," which cannot be satisfied with anything that the world can present. The soul which is made capable of God, can be satisfied with nothing but God. 4. In wickedness, impiety, the licentiousness of the tongue, and the wantonness of the hands, no satisfaction can possibly be found. 5. To show how unsatisfying a thing sin is, you may behold it tormenting the wicked man, and that not only after the act, but also before and in it, first forbidding itself, then perplexing him in the act, and after gnawing the heart. Application: 1. If the fruit of our hands and lips be that alone which can satisfy us, let us then be up and doing, buckle on the armour of light, and quench every fiery dart of Satan. 2. Let us level our actions and endeavours on this, and not spend and waste ourselves on that which is not bread, and will never fill us. 3. If nothing will satisfy us but righteousness and piety, we need not consult what we are to choose here. 4. If this be the prerogative of goodness, godliness, to be alone in this work, then let her have prerogative also in our hearts, and exercise full power, and authority, and dominion over our desires. (A. Farindon, B.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. |
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