BY CONSIDERATION. 257 reasons the case with a man's own heart. When a be- liever would reason his heart to heavenly contempla- tion, how many arguments offer themselves from God and Christ, from each of the divine perfection, from our former and present state, from promises, from present sufferings and enjoyments, from hell and hea- ven !-- -Every thing offers itself to promote our joy, and consideration is the hand to draw them all out; it adds one reason to another, till the scale turn. This it does when persuading to joy, till it bath silenced all our distrust and sorrows, and your cause for rejoicing lies plain before you. if another's reasoning is power- ful with us, though we are not certain whether he in- tend to inform or deceive us ; how much more should our own reasoning prevail with us, when we are so well acquainted with our own intentions ! Nay, how much more should God's reasoning work upon us, which we are sure cannot deceive, or be deceived! Now, consideration is but the reading over and re- peating God's reasons in our hearts. As the prodigal had many and strong reasons to plead with himself, why he should return to his father's house ; so have we to plead with our affections, to persuade them to our Father's everlasting mansion. 6. (4) Consideration exalts reason to its just au- thority. It helps to deliver it from its captivity to the senses, and sets it again on the throne of the soul. When reason is silent it is usually subject ; for when it is asleep, the senses domineer. But consideration awakens our reason, till, like Samson, it rouses up itself, and breaks the bonds of sensuality, and bears down the delusions of the flesh. What strength can the lion exert while asleep ? What is a king when de- posed from his throne, more than another man ? Spi- ritual reason, excited by meditation, and not fancy or fleshly sense, must judge of heavenly joys. Considera- tion exalts the objects of faith, and comparatively dis- graces the objects of sense. The most inconsiderate men are most sensual. It is too easy and common to sin against knowledge: but against sober, strong, per- severing consideration, men seldom offend. 9 K k
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=