December 15

I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.— Psalms 119:32.

WHAT this enlargement of heart is, a man's own inward sense should easily explain to him. Surely it would, did men reflect on it, and were they acquainted with their own hearts; but the most are not. They would find the carnal, natural heart a narrow, contracted, hampered thing, bound with cords and chains of its own twisting and forging, and so incapable of walking, much less of running, in this way of God's commandments, till it be freed and enlarged.

The heart is taken generally in Scripture for the whole soul, the understanding and the will, in its several affections and motions; and the phrase being here of an enlarged heart, it seems very congruous to take it in the most enlarged sense.

It is said of Solomon, that he had a large heart (the same word that is here) as the sand on the sea-shore, 1 Kings 4:29; that is, a vast comprehensive spirit, that could fathom much of nature, both its greater and lesser things. Thus, I conceive, the enlargement of the heart compriseth the enlightening of the understanding. There ariseth a clearer light there, to discern spiritual things in a more spiritual manner; to see the vast difference between the vain things the world goes after, and the true, solid delight that is in the way of God's commandments; to know the false blush of the pleasures of sin, and what deformity is under that painted mask, and not be allured by it; to have enlarged apprehensions of God. His excellency, and greatness, and goodness; how worthy he is to be obeyed and served. This is the great dignity and happiness of the soul; all other pretensions are low and poor, in respect of this. Here, then, is enlargement, to see the purity and beauty of his law, how just and reasonable, yea, how pleasant and amiable it is; that "his commandments are not grievous;" that they are beds of spices, the more we walk in them, still more of their fragrant smell and sweetness we find.

And then, consequently, upon the larger and clearer knowledge of these things, the heart dilates itself in affection: the more it knows of God, still the more it loves him, and the less it loves this present world. Love is the great enlarger of the heart, to all obedience. Then nothing is hard, yea, the harder things become the more delightful.

All love of other things doth pinch and contract the heart, for they are all narrower than itself. It is framed to that wideness in its first creation, capable of enjoying God, though not of a full comprehending of him. Therefore, all other things gather it in, and straiten it from its natural size; only the love of God stretches and dilates it. He is large enough for it, yea, it, in its fullest enlargement, is infinitely too narrow for him. Do not all find it, if they will ask themselves, that in all other loves and pursuits in this world, there is still somewhat that pinches? The soul is not at its full size, but, as a foot in a strait shoe is somewhat bound and pained, and can not go freely, much less run: though another who looks on, can not tell where, yet each one feels it. But when the soul is set free from these narrow things, and is raised to the love of God, then is it at ease and at large, and hath room enough: it is both elevated and dilated. And this word signifies a high-raised soul, and is sometimes taken for proud and lofty; but there is a greatness and height of spirit in the love of God, and union with him, that doth not vainly swell and lift it up, but with the deepest humility and truest magnanimity. It sets the soul above the snares that lie here below, in which most men creep and are entangled, in that way of life, which is on high to the just, as Solomon speaks.

Good reason hath David to join these together, and to desire one as the spring and cause to the other; an enlarged heart, that he might run in the way of God's commandments.

Sensible joys and consolations in God do encourage and enlarge the heart; but these are not so general to all, nor so constant to any. Love is the abounding fixed spring of ready obedience, and will make the heart cheerful in serving God, even without those felt comforts, when he is pleased to deny or withdraw them.

In that course or race, are understood constancy, activity, and alacrity; and all these flow from the enlargement of the heart.

1. Constancy. A narrow, enthralled heart, fettered with the love of lower things, and cleaving to some particular sins, or but some one, and that in secret, may keep foot awhile in the way of God's commandments, in some steps of them; but it must give up quickly, is not able to run on to the end of the goal. But a heart that hath laid aside every weight, and the most close-cleaving and besetting sin, hath stripped itself of all that may falter or entangle it, it runs and runs on without fainting or wearying; it is at large, hath nothing that pains it in the race.

2. Activity. Not only holding on, but running, which is a swift, nimble pace. It stands not bargaining and disputing, but once knowing God's mind, there is no more question or demur. I made haste and delayed not, as in this psalm the word is, did not stay upon why and wherefore; he stood not to reason the matter, but ran on. And this love enlarging the heart, makes it abundant in the work of the Lord, quick and active, despatching much in a little time.

3. Alacrity. All is done with cheerfulness, so, no other constraint is needful, where this overpowering, sweet constraint of love is. I will run, not be hauled and drawn by force, but skip and leap; as the evangelic promise is, that the "lame shall leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert." The spouse desires her beloved "to hasten as a roe and hind on the mountain of spices," and she doth so, and each faithful soul runs towards him, to meet him in his way.