§ 4. (2.) Consideration presents to the affections those things which are most important. The most delightful 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 apprehensions 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 important things in the most affecting way. Consideration reasons the case with a man's own heart. When a believer would reason his heart to heavenly contemplation, how many arguments offer themselves from God and Christ, from each of the Divine perfections, from our former and present state, from promises, from present sufferings and enjoyments, from hell and heaven? 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 scales turn: This it does, when persuading to joy, till it hath silenced all your distrust and sorrows, and your cause for rejoicing lies plain before you. If another's reasoning is powerful with us, though we are not certain whether he intends 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 repeating God's reasons to 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 mansions.
§ 6. (4.) Consideration exalts reason to its just authority. 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 Sampson, 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 deposed from his throne, more than another man? Spiritual reason, excited by meditation, and not fancy or fleshly sense, must judge of heavenly joys. Consideration exalts the objects of faith, and comparatively disgraces the objects of sense. The most inconsiderate men are the most sensual. It is too easy and common to sin against knowledge; but against sober, strong, persevering consideration, men seldom offend.