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THE READER.

WHATEVER is likely to awaken men to the consideration of the great acknowledged principles of religion, cannot be unseasonable; and, when it is every man's concern, the meanest and weakest endeavours may be of some use. The subjects of the following reflections are of that kind most necessary to be attended to by all sorts of persons; and so cannot be too often pressed, though in different manners.

Some may possibly give this book a reading, as a new-year's gift. And whoever shall be so far persuaded by it, as to set apart some time, in the beginning of the year, for self-examination, confession of sin, repentance, thanksgiving, and solemn renewal of his covenant with God, (which several of these reflections may not only excite to, but are intended to direct and assist him in,) I am persuaded he will thank me for putting him in mind, at least, of so seasonable an exercise. The greatest part of these meditations were begun on a new-year's day, though some others are thought fit to be inserted, as tending to promote the same. But, knowing how much easier it is to stir up other men's devotion than to command and keep alive my own, it is desired that

the most devout thoughts, contained in these papers, may be looked upon as what the Author aims at, and would persuade to, rather than what he hath already attained; as what he knows he ought to be, and do, and doth seriously endeavour, rather than what he is, and hath been; heartily lamenting wherein he hath been faulty or defective in such duties, as these and the like reflections do oblige to, and enforce upon all who should read them, and therefore much more upon himself.

They were penned at several times, and in occasional retirements for spiritual exercises; and, if I may hereby render any service to the souls of men, if any secure sinner, any self-deceiving hypocrite, or backsliding Christian, be hereby awakened, or any serious Christian's devotion be quickened and advanced, I hope God will accept it. To his blessing I humbly recommend it for those ends.

J. SHOWER..

SERIOUS

REFLECTIONS

ON

TIME AND ETERNITY.

SECTION I.

Of the changeable state and short duration of earthly things, especially of man; how little it is considered and believed; how necessary it should be.

WHEN I consider that yesterday was the conclusion of the last year, and that I am now entered on another, it is seasonable to reflect on the mutable condition and short duration of all things in this world, which are measured by time. That, as they have their beginning, so they have their end; and that the distance or space of time between the one and the other is very little. Let me not then, O my soul! rejoice and please myself too much in new enjoyments, remembering a change may be at hand, and the end is certain.

Many, who were rich and flourishing the last year, may be reduced to poverty and deep distress.

before the end of this; who are now in a capacity to relieve others, within a few months, or a shorter space, may be objects of other men's charity. "The thing which hath been is that which may be;" and that which hath been seen in one year may happen in another so easily, so quickly, may a change be made! Riches may unexpectedly change their owners, and borrow wings of a thousand accidents, wherewith to fly to heaven for a new disposal. “ They, therefore, who possess, should be as if they possessed not; for the fashion of this world passeth away." Innumerable casualties may effect that change, which no human art or skill can possibly foresee or hinder. Afflictive unexpected evils attend us every where: we cannot promise ourselves tranquillity for a day, much less one year to come. They lie in wait for us on every side, enter at every crevice, and commonly avertake us when we are least apprehensive of their approach. "Man, that is born of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh up as a flower, and is cut down; fleeth as a shadow, and continueth not." What then are riches, beauty, strength, and honour, the accidents of this substance, which is itself but a shadow !

How false is the hope of man, and how frail is all his glory! One day can make an end of all his riches and honours: and yet what solicitude, care, and labour, to get what we desire of these things, (though often we do not need them,) and then to keep what we have gotten, and then to increase it, and then to defend it, and at last to enjoy it; and, in a moment, it is snatched from us, or we from it! His life is but a vapour, on which they all depend;

then how much less are they? alteration are they subject!

To how speedy an What numberless in

stances of this doth one year's experience furnish! What saddening disappointments and unexpected calamities have befallen many since this day twelvemonth! and multitudes who are now at ease, and think their mountains too strong to be removed, shall meet with sharper trials before the end of this year. Alas! how few consider or believe it, till they find it so! All men should count upon trouble and disappointment, suffering and sorrow, in this world; and he that hath the least share is reckoned the most prosperous man; and yet he knows not how soon his portion may be doubled. We reckon our joys by the absence of some degrees of sorrow and calamity that others meet with; and before the end of this year our condition may be as disconsolate as theirs.

O my soul! though I know this to be true; though I cannot, I dare not deny it; yet how difficult is it to conquer the love of this world, and of this body, to that degree I ought! to undervalue the interest of a short, a mutable, uncertain, and troublesome life, in comparison of the permanent possession of an everlasting good! though I know that what is earthly and temporal must needs be thus changeable and fading, and that it is as true of man himself as of any thing under the sun; yet how do I forget what man is not only mutable in this state, his body, and his life, but in his mind too, so as to love and hate, to choose and neglect, to delight in and abhor, such things at one time as he did not before. He doth not pass the same judgment, nor retain the same affections, at one time as at another. How do