In this treatise on Matthew 12:35, Heywood describes the inward dispositions of the heart, and then shows how to cultivate them for godliness. He tells how to acquire Christian treasure, how to store it up in various thoughts, truths, graces, experiences, and comforts, and how to bring “forth good things our of the believer’s good treasure.”

Author 

Oliver Heywood (1629-1702) was born in March 1629, the son of Richard and Alice Heywood, in Little Lever, in the parish of Bolton. He was named for his grandfather, and was the fourth of nine children. He entered Trinity College, Cambridge, on July 9, 1647, from where he received his bachelor's degree. He began his ministry at Coley chapel in the parish of Halifax in 1650, and was ordained as a Presbyterian there in 1652. Oliver Heywood married Elizabeth Angier on April 25, 1655. From this union came three sons: John, Eliezer, and Nathaniel, who lived bu a short time. His wife, who was never very well, died on May 26, 1661. He remained a widower for over six years, before marrying Abigail Compton on June 27, 1667. Heywood was ejected in 1662 by the Act of Uniformity from his church in Halifax, but continued to preach for which he was excommunicated from the Church of England. He died May 4, 1702. His collected works fill five volumes.