by John Shower
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This text has been initially updated from EEBO-TCP by Project Puritas (Logan West, David Jonescue, Alex Sarrouf.) www.puritansearch.org. Further revision and editing done by Monergism. Copyright Monergism via universal text usage permission from the above.
It cannot certainly be inadvisable, or improper to begin the year with God, with whom we should begin every day. It is decorous and becoming, to dedicate ourselves to Him, in a more solemn manner than ordinary, at such a time: Thankfully to acknowledge the favours and blessings we have particularly received the year past: And to recollect the sins we have been guilty of: to aggravate them with humility, contrition, and deep remorse: to renew our covenant with God: to repeat and fortify our resolutions of living better; imploring his grace to assist us in it: to reflect seriously on the mutability, frailty and brevity of our present life: to consider the swiftness, uncertainty, irrecoverableness, and consequently value of our time: to look forward to a blessed, or miserable eternity, one of which we must share in; and to confirm our faith in the certainty thereof, and consider our near approach to such an unchangeable state: to think what improvement we should make at the death of others, especially of relations, and friends, who have lately been called home: To make the supposition in good earnest, that we may follow them this year, and die before another New Year's Day; to imprint such a thought on our hearts, and the inferences that may naturally be deduced from it: to beg of God, to enable us to redeem our time, and discharge the duty of our particular places; and prepare us for all the events of the following year; and so effectively teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto true wisdom; lest we be surprised by an unexpected death before the period of another year. And lastly, to pray for our relations and friends, families and neighbours, and our enemies too; and plead with God on the behalf of Zion, and the afflicted and deformed state of the Protestant Churches. To some of these, and the like purposes, I hope what is here offered, may be subservient; if considered with seriousness and application, after humble invocation of the blessing of God, and the aids of his Spirit; composing our minds and thoughts, as in his most awful and holy presence.
I have only this to request: That if any shall find any real benefit in this kind; he would so far requite my charitable assistance of him, that when his heart is most serious, his spirit most composed and devout, and his affections most vigorous and lively, he would not forget, to put up one prayer to heaven for me, for greater holiness and abilities to honour God, and persevering faithfulness to his truth and interest, whatever temptations to desert it may be employed by the world, the flesh and the devil: the three great enemies of thine and my salvation.
John Shower, English Puritan (1657 -- 1715) entered the ministry upon the advice of Thomas Manton after studying at Edward Veale's academy. He preached first at Thomas Vincent's church. He served as an assistant to Vincent Alsop for a time, preached with John Howe at Utrecht (later serving as an assistant to Howe in London) and Joseph Hill in Rotterdam, and later succeeded Samuel Annesley as Tuesday lecturer at Salters' Hall.
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Table of Contents
TO THE READER
THE INTRODUCTION
I. Of the Changeable State, and Short Duration of Earthly Things
II. Of the Change in Men's Inclinations, Opinions, and Actions which one year shows
III. Of the Uncertainty of Living to the Period of another Year.
IV. Of the seeming Difference, between so many Years Past, and the same number of Years to come.
V. The little Portion of our Time on Earth considered
VI. Of the Redemption of Time
VII. Of the Ordinances of Heaven, Day and Night, Summer and Winter, Seed Time and Harvest
VIII. Of Evils to be expected in this Year
IX. The Supposition of dying this Year, should be improved
X. The Brevity of Life considered as the fruit of Sin.
XI. Of the Expectation of Another Life.
XII. The consideration of the Death of others
XIII. What Influence the consideration of Eternity would have upon our Hearts and Lives, if soundly believed and considered.
XIV. How a Good Man may improve and encourage himself under the Supposition of dying this Year
XV. Of Dying in a Foreign Country, and of Dying Young.
XVI. The contemplation of our approaching Change may assist us to mortify the Lusts of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life; to cure Ambition, and promote Contentment.
XVII. The same Argument considered farther, as dissuasive from Worldliness, and Earthly mindedness
XVIII. The consideration of the certain near Approach of an Everlasting State amplified, and pressed, to enforce a Holy Life.
XIX. The Punishments of the Damned considered, as Intolerable, and Everlasting, and as unquestionably Certain.
XX. The Eternal Blessedness of Heaven considered, as the Perfection of Holiness
XXI. A devout Meditation upon the 73. Psalm v.25.
XXII. The Glorious Appearance of Christ to Judgment considered as Certain
XXIII. Meditations of the Glory of Christ in his Glorified Saints
XXIV. Concerning the Examination of a man's Heart and Life
XXV. How Christians ought to examine their Decays of Grace and Piety.
XXVI. Confession of Sin, Humiliation, and Repentance must follow upon Self-Examination.
XXVII. The necessity of Christian Resolution to Upright, Persevering Obedience
XXVIII. The Import, and Obligation of our Baptismal Covenant.
XXIX. Practical and Consolatory Reflections on the preceding Self-dedication, or Covenant with God.
XXX. Thanksgiving to God for his Innumerable Benefits and Mercies, particularly in the Year Past