256 CONTEMPLATION CARRIED ON by which this heavenly work is carried on. This must be voluntary, and not forced: Some men con - sider unwillingly : so God will make the wicked cony sider their sins, when he shall set them in order befóre their eyes ;(n) so shall the damned consider of the ex.. cellency of Christ, whom they once despised, and of the eternal joys which they have foolishly lost. Great is the power which consideration bath for moving the affections, and impressing things on the heart; as will appear by the following particulars. 3. (1) Consideration, as it were, opens the door be- tween the head and the heart. The understanding hav- ing received truths, lays them up in the memory, and consideration conveys them from thence to the affec- tions. What excellency would there be in much learn- ing and knowledge, if the obstructions between the head and the heart were but opened, and the affections did but correspond to the understanding ! He is usually the best scholar whose apprehension is quick, clear, and tenacious ; but he is usually the best Christian, whose apprehension is the deepest and most affection- ate, and Who has the readiest passages, not so much from the ear to the brain, as from that to the heart. And though the Spirit be the principal cause, yet on our part this passage must be opened byconsideration. 4. (2) Consideration presents to the affections those things which are most important. The most de- lightful object does not..entertain where it is not seen, nor the most joyful news affect him that does not hear it : but consideration presents to our view those things which were as absent, and brings them to the eye and ear of the soul. Are not Christ and glory affecting objects ? Would they not work wonders upon the soul, if they were but clearly discovered, and our ap- prehensions of them were in some measure answerable to their worth ? It is consideration that presents them to us. This is the Christian's perspective, by which he can see from earth to heaven. 5. (3) ,Consideration also presents the most impor- tant, things in the most affecting way. Consideration (n) Psalm I. 21, 22.
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