The great law of consideration: or a discourse, wherein the nature, usefulness, and absolute necessity of consideration, in order to a truly serious and religious life, is laid open: By Anthony Horneck, preacher at the Savoy.

The Contents of the Chapters contained in this Treatise.

• CHAP. I. THE Nature of our Souls. The Eternal State, they are design'd for. The Means God hath made use of, to fit Men for Ever∣lasting Bliss. All these Means ineffectual without Consideration.
• CHAP. II. Consideration no transitory view of spiritual things, imports laying the Heart and Mind close unto spiritual Concerns; resembles mag∣nifying Glasses, which discover things imper∣ceptible by the naked eye. The great Ingre∣dients of it, Self-Examinatian, Expostula∣tion, and strong Resolution.
• CHAP. III. The absolute necessity of Consideration in order to a serious life. Gods frequent commands to that purpose. Our Reason, and the power of Consideration we are furnish'd, or endu'd

• with, prov'd to be given us for this end. Without it, Men have cause to suspect, that their Reformation is counterfeit.
• CHAP. IV. Of the various impediments and remora's of Consideration. Men fancy greater difficul∣ty in't, than there is indeed. Are continu∣ally employ'd about sensual objects. Loth to part with their sins. Ignorant of the pleasure of Consideration. Reflect upon the danger of lasing their unlawful gain. Fear they shall fall into, melancholy, or go distracted with so much seriousness. Are of opinion, that Conversion, in that sense the Scripture speaks of it, is needless. Mistake the nature of Consideration. Are discouraged by evil company. Neglect consulting with Ministers about this necessary work. Delude them∣selves, with the Notion of Christ's dying for the sins of the world.
• CHAP. V. Of the various Mischiefs arising from Neglect of Consideration. The want of it prov'd to be the Cause of most Sins. Some Instances are given in Atheism Vnbelief, Swearing, Pride, Carelesness in Gods-Service, Luke∣warmness, Covetousness, &c.
• ...

• CHAP. VI. Of the various advantages of serious Conside∣ation; it's that, which makes a man master of all Christian Duties; it helps a man to improve Sublunary Objects into Heavenly Contemplations. It's the greatest support un∣der afflictions; disposes a man to be a wor∣thy Receiver of the Lords Supper: Prepares him for an Angelical Life on Earth; makes him prudent and discreet in Secular Affairs, and Businesses.
• CHAP. VII. A pathetical Exhortation to men, Who are yet strangers to a serious, religious Life, to con∣sider their wayes; the wilfulness of their neglect; how dangerous it is; how inexcusa∣ble they are; how inhumane to God, and their own Souls; how reasonablel God's re∣quests are, and how justly God may turn that power of Consideration, he hath given them, into blindness, and hardness of heart, since they make so ill a use of it, &c.
• CHAP. VIII. Of Retirement, and Prayer, the two great helps to Consideration. Retirement proved to be necessary, to make Consideration of our spi∣ritual state more quick, and lively. Prayer call in the assistance of Gods Spirit, and renders the work effectual. A Form of Prayer to be used upon this occasion.