These are the operations of a heart enlarged. II. We proposed, in the second place, to consider the proper means of obtaining and improving this liberality and largeness of mind.

1. The first thing, which here offers itself to our thoughts, is an intimate acquaintance with the holy scriptures.

All moral excellency and mental improvement have their foundation in knowledge. It is not, however, any and every kind of knowledge that will enlarge the mind. One may indulge his curiosity in prying into the affairs of his neighbours, and the secret transactions of families; he may studiously acquaint himself with a thousand trifles which have no relation to his duty as a christian, or his business as a man; and after all his frivolous acquisitions, be more straitened and contracted than he was before. The knowledge which enlarges the soul, is that which is great in its object, and useful in its tendency.

In this view the reading of history is very important, especially to the young. Thus they recall the years, which have gone by, and bring past events to be present. They run back to distant ages, converse with those who lived on this globe long before they had a being. They learn what were the sentiments, manners and pursuits of men, thousands of years ago; see the gradual progress of arts and civilization; perceive the difference between the rude ages of antiquity, and the periods of modern refinement; and contemplate human nature in its various forms and attitudes. Hence they discern plain proofs of a governing Providence, gain conviction of human depravity, remark the absurdities of heathen mythology, and are led to conclude the necessity of divine revelation in order to just and rational sentiments of God and religion.

But there is no reading so immediately conducive to the enlargement of the mind, as that of the holy scriptures.

We all have this book in our hands, have early been accustomed to read it, have been taught some of its contents from our cradles, and we forget its sacred importance. If it had come to us suddenly, as a new discovery, and with the sanction of divine authority, we should open it with eagerness, and read it with astonishment.

The idea of a book dictated by the inspiration of God, for the instruction of mortals, is a grand and noble conception. It leads us to view the Deity as a Being of wonderful condescension; and mankind as sustaining an important rank among his creatures. The matters contained in this volume are the inost interesting that can be imagined.

The subjects of common history are often entertaining and affecting; but compared with some of the subjects which the bible exhibits to us, they.appear small and trifling.

Vulgar history gives us the character of kings and emperors, statesmen and heroes, and details to us their great actions, and mighty atchievements. But the scriptures exhibit the character, and describe the government of that infinite, eternal, all perfect Being, before whom princes are nothing, and the judges of the earth are vanity.

History relates the rise and fall, the changes and revolutions of states and kingdoms. But the scriptures inform us, how worlds rose out of chaos into being and order; and how they will, in some future period, be dissolved, and pass away.

History gives us an account of the first settlement and gradual population of particular countries. But the Bible has chosen a grander theme. It teaches us the first beginning, and the early increase of the human race, and the manner in which the world

was peopled from one created pair. Yea, it rises above this globe; it ascends to the skies; it brings us intelligence of important things in the invisible world; such as the creation, offices and employ. ments of angels and spirits, the apostasy of multitudes of these superior beings, the condition into which they are fallen, and the end to which they are reserved.

History informs us of great changes, which have happened in particular countries, by means of foreign invasions, or internal rebellions. But the scriptures instruct us, how our whole race have departed from God, and what is the awful consequence of this universal defection. They at the same time, discover to us a divine Saviour, who assumed human flesh, appeared in this world, exhibited a pattern of virtue, taught a system of important truths, died a sacrifice for the guilt of men, and rose from the dead as the first fruits of a general resurrection, and a pledge of eternal life to them who believe.

History gives us a description of the earth, the genius of its inhabitants, the produce of its climates, and the policies of its kingdoms. But the book of God discovers to us a world, which mortal eye hath not seen. It describes the riches and glories of the heavenly state, the employments of its inhabitants, and the qualifications necessary to our obtaining a settlement among them.

If any knowledge is of use to elevate the mind, the knowledge of the scriptures is the most useful; for these bring to us things of the highest nature and most interesting consequence, things which relate, not to particular nations or ages only; but to the world, to other worlds, to all mankind in all the ages of eternity.

2. That we may be enlarged, it is necessary that we submit to the power of the gospel, and feel its influence on our hearts.

Knowledge is highly useful; but this alone will rather swell, than enlarge the mind. It is charity which edifies.

We often see men of learned education, and extensive knowledge, who are still contracted in their views, and illiberal in their sentiments. And we sometimes see men of moderate erudition, who discover an amiable generosity and openness of mind. The former have sought knowledge for worldly ends, and devoted their acquirements to the low purposes of ambition and covetousness. The latter have studied the gospel of Christ, that they might understand its nature and feel its influence; and their knowledge has made them better men-more humble in their thoughts of themselves-more lib. eral in their sentiments of their fellow christiansand more benevolent to all men.

The insufficiency of knowledge alone, and the efficacy of real religion to enlarge the mind, we see in the apostle Paul. Let us view this man in the two different periods of his life; the one before, and the other after, he became a christian.

Paul was a man of superior natural abilities, and literary accomplishments. He received as good an education as his country afforded. He was conversant with the writings of Moses and the prophets. He was well acquainted with the rites and forms of his religion, and with the ancient predictions concerning a Saviour to come. And from several passages in his writings it appears, that he had read the most celebrated poets and philosophers. But with all his fine talents and distinguished knowledge, Paul was still a bigot. He had an illiberal contracted spirit. He gloried in his Hebrew blood, in his descent from Abraham, in his circumcision on the appointed day, in his pharisean principles, and in his strict observance of the legal ceremonies; and on these grounds he built his hopes of salva

tion. He had a zeal for religion, but it was a fierce, unmerciful zeal; a zeal which stimulated him to persecute the church of Christ and waste it. The salvation of God he limited to his own country-to his own proud sect. The rest of mankind he consigned over to destruction. His soul, thus contracted by pride, selfconceit and false zeal, could not receive the rays of divine light, which shone around him. The benevolent doctrines of Jesus had no charms to captivate his darkened mind. The miracles of the Son of God had no power to convince his obstinate heart. He breathed out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.

Paul, in the height of his persecuting rage, was arrested by a divine hand. Such glaring evidence was poured in upon him, as overcame his prejudices, and convinced him, that the gospel was from heaven. He received it as divinely excellent, and bowed to its authority.

From this time you see him quite a different man. His mind is enlarged by the religion, which he has embraced, and all his conduct speaks the benevolence of his heart.

He no longer considers God, as the God of Jews only: He adores him as the God of Gentiles, as rich in mercy to all who call upon him, and as governing the world without respect of persons. He believes that the Messiah came, not to exalt Jews to dominion over other nations; but to bring salvation to a guilty world. He now can sacrifice all his temporal prospects to the spiritual interest of his fellow men, not seeking his own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. He reckons not his own life dear to himself, that he may fulfil the ministry appointed him, and finish his course with joy. What things were gain to him, these now he esteems loss for Christ. While he