December 20

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

It is a sad and heavy thing to do any thing as in obedience to God, while the heart is straitened, not enlarged toward him by divine love; but that once taking possession and enlarging the heart, that inward principle of obedience makes the outward obedience sweet; it is then a natural motion. Indeed the soul runs in the ways of God, as the sun in his course, which finds no difficulty, being naturally fitted and carried to that motion; he "goes forth as a bridegroom, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race."

This is the great point which our souls should be studious of, to attain more evenness, and nimbleness, and cheerfulness, in the ways of God; and for this end we ought to seek above all things this enlarged heart. It is the want of this makes us bog, and drive heavily, and run long upon little ground. Oh, my be- loved, how shallow and narrow are our thoughts of God! Most even of those who are truly godly, yet, are led on by a kind of instinct, and carried they scarcely know how, to give some at- tendance on God's worship, and to the avoidance of gross sin, and go on in a blameless course. It is better thus than to run to excess of riot and open wickedness, with the ungodly world. But, alas! this is but a dull, heavy, and languid motion, where the heart is not enlarged by the daily growing love of God. Few, few are acquainted with that delightful contemplation of God, which ventilates and raises this flame of love. Petty things bind and contract our spirits, so that they feel little joy in God, little ardent, active desire to do him service, to crucify sin, to break and undo self-love within us, to root up our own wills to make room for his, that his alone may be ours, that our daily work may be to grow more like him in the beauty of holiness. You think it a hard saying, to part with your carnal lusts and de- lights, and the common ways of the world, and to be tied to a strict, exact conversation all your days. But oh! the reason of this is, because the heart is yet straitened and enthralled by the base love of these mean things, and that arises from the ignor- ance of things higher and better. One glance of God, a touch of his love, will free and enlarge the heart, so that it can deny all, and part with all, and make an entire renouncing of all, to follow him. It sees enough in him, and in him alone, and therefore, can neither quietly rest on, nor earnestly desire any thing beside him.

Oh! that you would apply your hearts to consider the excellency of this way of God's commandments! Our wretched hearts are prejudiced; they think it melancholy and sad. Oh! there is no way truly joyous but this. "They shall sing in the ways of the Lord," says the psalmist. Do not men when their eyes are opened, see a beauty in meekness, and temperance, and humility, a present delightfulness and quietness in them? Whereas in pride and passion, and intemperance, there is nothing but vexation and disquiet. And then consider the end of this way, and of this race in it, rest and peace for ever. It is the way of peace, both in its own nature, and in respect of its end. Did you believe that joy and glory which are set before you in this way, you would not any of you defer a day longer, but forthwith you would break from all that holds you back, and enter into this way, and run on cheerfully in it. The persuasion of those great things above, would enlarge and greaten the heart, and make the greatest things here very little in your eyes.

But would you attain to this enlarged heart for this race, as you ought to apply your thoughts to these divine things, and stretch them on the promises made in the word, so, above all, take David's course, seek this enlargement of heart from God's own hand. For it is here propounded and laid before God by way of request. See what is my desire. I would gladly serve thee better, and advance more in the way of thy commandments; now this I can not do till my heart be more enlarged, and that can not be but by thy hand. When thou shalt enlarge my heart. Present this suit often; it is in his power to do it for thee. He can stretch and expand thy straitened heart, can hoist and spread the sails within thee, and then carry thee on swiftly; filling them, not with the vain air of man's applause, which readily runs the soul upon rocks and splits it, but with the sweet breathings and soft gales of his own Spirit, which carry it straight to the desired haven.

Findest thou sin cleaving to thee, and clogging thee? Cry to him: "Help, Lord! set me free from my narrow heart.—

I strive but in vain without thee; still it continues so.—I know little of thee; my affections are dead and cold toward thee.—Lord, I desire to love thee, here is my heart; and lest it fly out, lay hold on it, and take thine own way with it: though it should be in a painful way, yet draw it forth, yea, draw it that it may run after thee." All is his own working, and all his motive is in his own free grace. Let who will fancy themselves masters of their own hearts, and think to enlarge them by the strength of their own stretches of speculation; they alone are in the sure and happy way of attaining it, who humbly sue and wait for this enlargement of heart from his hand who made it.