The sovereign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain itThe soveraign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain it

Consideration is requisite in order to a wise Choice. How it must be managed that it may be effectual. It must be serious, frequent, and with application to the Soul. Motives to it. The true Causes why Carnal Men are averse from it.

THE second thing requisite in order to a wise Choice is Consideration. For as by Faith the virtue of the Reward is diffused through all the Faculties, and the Powers of the World to come are felt in the Soul; so, by consideration, Faith is exercised and becomes effectual. This unites and reinforces the beams of Eternal Truth, and inflames the Affections. As the Psalmist expresses himself, My Heart was hot within me while I was musing, the Fire burned. Heaven is a Felicity so glorious and attractive, that if duly considered, no Man can possibly refuse it: and Hell is a Misery so extreme and fearful, that if seriously laid to Heart, none can possibly choose it. The last End is to be conceived under the notion of an ⟨p. 192⟩infinite Good, without the least mixture of Evil, to which the human Will has a natural tendency. The liberty of indifference is with respect to some particular good Things, which may be variously represented, so as to cause inclination or aversion. That Men who believe Eternal Life is the Reward of Holiness, yet with a careless inadvertency pass over their Duty; and that Eternal Death is the Wages of Sin, yet securely continue in it, is more wonderful than to see Martyrs sing in the Flames, and the great cause of it is the neglect of Consideration. This is assigned to be the cause of that unnatural and astonishing Rebellion of Israel against God their Father and Sovereign:¹ Hear O Heavens, and give Ear O Earth, for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up Children and they have rebelled against me. The Ox knows his Owner, and the Ass his Masters Crib, but Israel doth not know, my People doth not consider.

THE second thing requisite in order to a wise Choice is Consideration. For as by Faith the virtue of the Reward is diffused through all the Faculties, and the Powers of the World to come are felt in the Soul; so, by consideration, Faith is exercised and becomes effectual. This unites and reinforces the beams of Eternal Truth, and inflames the Affections. As the Psalmist expresses himself, My Heart was hot within me while I was musing, the Fire burned. Heaven is a Felicity so glorious and attractive, that if duly considered, no Man can possibly refuse it: and Hell is a Misery so extream and fearful, that if seriously laid to Heart, none can possibly choose it. The last End is to be conceived under the notion of an