a body of sin and death, persecution, and infirmities, these wean him from the world, while the love of God sweetly operating upon his mind, he longs to be dissolved and be with Christ, which is far better for him. His soul feels at times like a bird in a cage; it beats its pinions, and longs for enlargements. This leads me to the last name, JAPHETH—this signifies _Enlargement_. Hence the Promise and Prophecy, _God shall enlarge Japheth_, _and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem_. This is a sweet hint dropped of the salvation of the Gentiles, and a gracious promise of a Saviour—_he_, (that is) _God_, shall dwell in the tents of Shem.—This was verified when the word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and when the Gentiles were fellow heirs with the believing Jews, in a Gospel Church State. This name was figurative of that enlargement the souls of God’s dear people experience in life, and in the article of death, when the spirit is freed from its cumberance. Perhaps the greatest part of a believer’s life is in a state of bondage; this comes from various quarters, and on many accounts; this makes him sigh, for in this we groan being burdened; and feeling this we exclaim, _Bring my soul out of prison_, _that I may praise thy name_. While the Gospel is a proclamation of liberty to the captive, the holy Spirit brings that enlargement to the mind; and every child of God is sensible when he is in liberty and when in bondage—when shut up and when at large. Perhaps the frequent enlargements with which we are favored, are the earnests of our entire discharge from earth to heaven. ’Tis blessed to notice these enlargements in our own experience, and compare them with what the saints of old have experienced; the Apostle Paul knew these things, and at one time speaks of being straitened—at another he says, Our mouth is opened unto you, our heart is enlarged. I must confess I am glad these were the feelings of an Apostle, as I have felt them so frequently—in many sermons, alas, how I have been shut up—often in prayer—in the company of God’s people, and in the presence of his adversaries. At other times I have felt sweet liberty in speaking of the glory of God’s kingdom, and talking of his power. So, also, in the defence of truth, God has given me a mouth and wisdom, that no adversary could gainsay or resist. The first enlargement I found was when God led my mind to Jesus, as my Surety, Advocate, Ransom, Righteousness, and Remedy. When he shed abroad his love, I lost that kind of fear that tormented me, and I could say, _O thou whom my soul loveth_—and in sweet confidence—he loved me; my mouth was enlarged to pray, to praise, and bless my God—his ways were pleasantness, and his paths peace, and I could run the way of his commandments, while his love enlarged my heart—though many things have too often occurred to bring me into bondage again, which has raised the cry in my soul, _Restore unto me the joys of thy salvation_—and the