find every year that the Day dies into night the summer into winter and herbs and plants lose their beauty and verdure and shed their blossoms may I not hence learn to consider and prepare for my own approaching Change In prosperity health and ease and life to expect and make provision for trouble sickness paine and Death as every wise man in summer would do for winter and work with all my might while it is called to day while the Light continues because the night of darkness is at hand when none can work VIII Of Evills to be Expected in this Year the wisdom and mercy of God in concealing from us the knowledg of Future Events NOt only few and uncertaine but Evill likewise are the days of the years of my Life may every one say with the Patriarch Jacob. A sufficient portion of evil for every year may well be expected when our Lord tells us there is a certaine measure alloted for every day Sufficient to the day is the evil of it Not only is our Life short but troublesome full of vexatious mixtures We can not sing a Requiem to our souls when one Great Calamity is past for we know not in this Region of Changes but another a greater may be at hand one messenger of ill news may succeed and out doe another as it was with Job We come weeping into the world in a most helpless forloen state and if we escape the dangers of Infancy and the casualties of childhood and after that out live the snares follies of youth we are tost upon the Pikes of Time and Chance and sadden and disquiet our selvs with a thousand griefs and sorrows by inevitable and unexpected occasions tho we increas the number of needless Cares and Fears and discontents till at length a sudden stroke arrests us we fetch a groan and dye Who can give a Catalogue of the Afflictions and Calamities Perplexities and Disapointments incumbrances crosses and Evill accidents of Humane Life by means whereof millions are disconsolate and sad mourn and complaine weep and sigh and from day to day are fed with the Bread of Affliction and the water of Adversity Not to mention mens fluctuating restless thoughts of Heart importunate desires bafled projects defeated Purposes which suppose or bring vexation A good share of these is not to be auoided and yet very few can be particularly fore seen who could prognosticate a year agoe the Evills which have happened since publick and private personal and relative to the Countries Citties Families and persons we are concerned for and who can certainly foretell the Events of this insueing year God hath intermixt Good and Evill in the Life of Man he hath set Prosperity against Adversity saith Solomon to the end that man should find nothing after him 7. Eccles 14. that he may not know what shall come next wither a Prosperous or a Calamitous Event What a change may be made in a year by the meer Casualty of humane Events by the Treachery of friends or the malice of Enemies or the more immediate hand of God We know not what shall be on the morrow much less what a twelve moneth may produce Because what ever may be disposed to happen from natural causes or Civil counsels may be altered by a perticular decree of Providence Prepare me Lord and every of those in whose Felicity I more especially take part for all the Calamities and Sorrows thine Infinite Wisdom shall think fit to exercize us with this following year and by thy mercifull Providence and gracious Conduct cause them to work for Good Furnishing us with suitable strength and wisdom to acquiesce in thy good pleasure and obey they Will. I thank thee O Heavenly Father that thou hast reserved the knowledg of future Times and Seasons to thy self and hid Events from men Least by considering them certaine we should presume in case they are Good or should despairingly afflict our selves by foreseeing the Evill we know to be inevitable Did we certainly foreknow the Good that would befall us we should not Trust in thee to bring it to pass or heartily implore thy Care and conduct Did we forsee the Evills we shall suffer before they overtake us we should be overwhelmed with diffidence and Despair Many a Mother who rejoiceth at the Birth of a son would mourn to foresee what a man what a Son he will prove Such an increas of knowledg would increas our sorrow such a Prescience would transport and discompose us by unseasonable Joys and Sorrows born out of Time make us Remiss in our Duty to thee and weaken our Dependance on thine unerring Wisdom Truth and Power IX The Supposition of dying this Year should be improved the consequence of redeeming time and providing for Eternity farther prest The Folly of Elder persons is condemned and checkt from the Example of Children 'T is adviseable to familiarize the thoughts of Death and to imagine before hand what apprehensions of things we shall then have THe longest Life is but a day multiplied and who can certifie or assure me which will be my last He only who was God as well as man could say Mine Hour is not yet come Is all my Life given me to resolue this Question Whither I shall be in Heaven or Hell for ever And have I any time to lose and squander away as superfluous have I any more then needs 'T is no impossible or unreasonable supposition to make that I may dye this year Let me admit that thought and imagine my self on a bed of sickness wearied with paine and ready to leave this world the Physitians gone despairing of my recovery my friends about me weeping and all things in a doleful melancholy posture suited to such a state feeling within my self the presages of Death expecting the final stroke in an hour or two more What is then the value of sensual Pleasures can I then relish or savor them what then is Honour to me who shall never goe abroad more to receive it till carried to my grave will it then comfort me to have lived in Reputation and Applause if my Heart was not humble under it and the Honour of God promoted by it can Riches and a great estate support me when I am just packing up for a removal to the other world in that hour will it be any satisfaction to have made a stir and noise for a few years upon Earth to be talkt of for a while longer then other men are thes the things my dying thoughts will be most concerned to reflect on Thes dignities pleasures and possessions offerd to a dying man would rather opraid then tempt him they come too late as a Princes pardon to a man whose head is off Dye I must and appear before my Judge to answer for all that I have received and done in the body Fool that I was shall I then too justly say to my self not to have considered this much sooner not to have provided for
do oblige to and enforce upon All who shall read them and therefore much more upon him self That they were penn'd at several times and in occasional retirements for Spiritual Exercises will with the difference of the subject be a sufficient excuse that some are larger and others shorter and that the stile is in some places more neglected then in others If I may hereby render any service to then Souls of men if any secure Sinner any self deceiving Hypocrite or backsliding Christian be hereby awaken'd or any serious Believer's Devotion be quicken'd and advanc'd I hope God will accept it To his Blessing I humbly recommend it for those Ends. THE CONTENTS THe Introduction From what Time the Jews reckon'd the Beginning of their Year The difference between their Sacred and Civil Account The feast of Trumpets on the first Day of the Year Its Institution nature and Design the Traditions and Customs of the Jews respecting that Day pag. 1 Section I. Of the Changeable State and Short Duration of Earthly Things especially of Man how little it is consider'd and believ'd how necessary it should be so p. 16 II. Of the Change in Mens Inclinations Opinions and Actions which one Year shows How observable it is in Others how much more discernable in our Selves Honour and Reputation c. how uncertainly preserv'd and how easily blasted p. 23 III. The Uncertainty of Living to the Period of Another Year The Vanity of this Life the Swiftness of Time and how it ought to be improv'd p. 30. IV. Of the seeming Difference between so many Years Past and the same number of Years consider'd as Future p. 36 V. The little Portion of our Time on Earth consider'd by a Computation of the Life of Man from the Number of Years and Hours p. 39 VI. Of the Redemption of Time how precious and valuable a Treasure it is and will be thought to be when 't is too-late p. 54 VII Of the Ordinances of Heaven Day and Night Winter and Summer Seed Time and Harvest their order and succession as establisht by God is the effect of Infinite Wisdom and Goodness What thy may teach us p. 48 VIII Of Evils to be Expected in this one Year the wisdom and Mercy of God in concealing from us the Knowledg of future Events p. 55 XI The Supposition of dying this Year should be improv'd the Consequence of Redeeming Time and providing for Eternity farther prest The Folly of Elder Persons is condemn'd and checkt from the Example of Children 'T is adviseable to familiarize the thoughts of Death and to imagine before hand what Apprehensions of Things we shall then have p. 60 X. The Brevity of Life considered as a Fruit of Sin. There are but three ways of leaving this World as Abel Adam or Enoch A diligent Improvement of Time farther prest and the neglect of it bewailed p. 68 XI Of the Expectation of Another Life The Vanity and Misery of Man in his Best Estate if there be none The Satisfactory removal of that Supposition by the thoughts of God and of Eternal Felicity in his Blessed Presence p. 73 XII The Consideration of the Death of Others especially of Relations Friends and Acquaintance how to be improv'd what Instructions we may learn by the sight of a Dead Corps or a Deaths-Head and the usual Motto on it and what by the Death of Holy Christians to quicken our Desires to be as They. p. 83 XIII What Influence the Consideration of ETERNITIE would have upon our Hearts and Lives if soundly believ'd Especially if the Supposition of DYing this Year be annexed to it p. 93 XIV How a Good Man may improve and encourage himself under the Supposition of Dying THIS YEAR even in the most uneasy and undesirable Circumstances p. 101 XV. Of Dying in a Forreign Country and of Dying Young Considerations proper to reconcile the mind to both p. 111 XVI The Contemplation of our Approaching Change may assist us to mortifie the Lusts of the Flesh the Lust of the Eyes and the Pride of Life to cure Ambition and promote Contentment p. 119 XVII The same Argument consider'd farther as a dissuasive from Worldliness and Earthly mindedness and as proper to confute the Vanity of Long Projects and great Designs for this World. p. 125 XVIII The Consideration of the Certaine and near Approach of an EVERLASTING State amplifi'd and prest to enforce an Holy Life p. 131. XIX The Punishments of the Damned considered as Intolerable and EVERLASTING and unquestionably Certaine what the Reflection upon HEL-Torments may and ought to teach us p. 142 XX. The Eternal Blessedness of HEAVEN considered as the Perfection of Holiness to quicken our Desires and Endeavors after greater Meetness to possess it p. 159 XXI A devout Meditation upon the Psalm 73. v. 25. Whom have I in Heaven but Thee And there is none upon Earth that I desire besides Thee p. 180 XXII The Glorious Appearance of J. Christ to Judgment considered as Certaine The Terror and Astonishment Confusion and Despair of the Wicked to behold the Judge and hear his condemning Sentence to EVERLASTING Destruction p. 194 XXIII Meditations of the Glory of Christ in his Glorified Saints and of the Thankfull Admiration of Believers when he shall come againe from Heaven which shall be continued to all ETERNITY p. 205 XXIV Concerning the Examination of a Mans Heart and Life the Reasonableness Advantages and Necessity of it Some Directions and advice concerning the Time and Manner That we may know in what Preparedness we are for ETERNITY p. 223. XXV How Christians ought to examine their Decays of Grace and Piety The greatness of their Sin and of their Losse under such a Declension God's displeasure and departure from them consider'd to awaken present Endeavors of a Recory In what manner the Faith of Adherence may be acted by one who hath no Assurance p. 242 XXVI Confession of Sin Humiliation and Repentance must follow upon self-Examination Advice concerning Repentance of some particular Backsliding The great Perplexity and distress of a Penitent Sinner represented as a Caution against returning to Folly. p. 261. XXVII The Necessity of Christian Resolution to upright persevering Obedience how full and extensive it ought to be and yet humble By what means we may be assisted to Perform that which we Resolve p. 279 XXVIII The Import and obligation of our Baptismal Covenant The Renewal of it by a solemn Dedication of our selves to God the Father Son and H. Spirit exemplifi'd and recommended p. 289 XXIX Practical and Consolatory Reflexions on the preceding self-dedication or Covenant with God. p. 301 XXX Thanksgiving to God for his Innumerable Benefits and Mercies particularly in the Year Past With some directions and advice concerning it p. 314 THE INTRODUCTION From what Time the Jews reckoned the Beginning of their Year of the difference between their sacred civil account The Feast of Trumpets on the first day of the year its Institution nature design the
cure the staggering trembling Thoughts of an unbelieving Heart by greater measures of a lively Faith. That my desires may be strong and urgent and my diligence and stedfastness in the way of Truth be some way correspondent to the important Article Let me live only for Eternity hope for nothing but Eternity design and intend nothing as my chief end but Eternity and seek and mind nothing in comparaison with Eternity Did we believe it how would every thing in this world be look't upon as eligible or fit to be refused as it is like to be an help or an hindrance with reference to Eternity we should then indeavor to do nothing unbecomming such an Expectation Considering this world as our passage and the invisible future world as our abiding Country where we are to dwell forever what ever we meet with here wither sweet or bitter easy or troublesome pleasing or ungratefull we should not much matter but as it relates to hereafter And were I certaine I should have no longer time of Trial in order to this Eternal State then this one year which is now begun if a Messenger from God should convincingly assure of it what would I not doe to prepare for Death and secure the Intrests of Eternity with what remorse and deep Repentance should I reflect on the Follies of my past Life with what importunate cries should I beg Forgiveness how patiently should I bear Calamity for so short a time how little should I value the favors or frowns of men how circumspect to improve every Season of doing and receiving good how carefull to avoid Temptation and how resolute in resisting it Did I verily believe I had no longer time to live on Earth then this one year at most how insipid would be the offer of carnall mirth vaine pastime sensual diversions idle company c. how should I value every hour every inch of my little Time under the apprehension that Eternity is at hand O my soul shall I make no provision against the possibility of such a case is not my change as certaine as if it were this year as if it were to morrow tho I am not certaine it is so near nor certaine but it may be Let me then seek first the Kingdom of God and his Rightcousness let me fix it well and make it clear that I have secured my great Concern and am ready for a sudden summons XIV How a Good man may improve and encourage himself under the supposition of dying this Year even in the most uneasy and undesireable circumstances I May dye this year then all my cares and fears if I am Rich all my sorrows and calamities as to this world if I am Poor will die too I may dye this year then I shall have no more Enemies no more sickness and which is infinitely better I shall sin no more I must shortly dye it may be this year but there is no other way to come to a Blessed Life but by dying and my Saviour hath dyed for me and he that believs in him shall never see death he lives who was once dead yea he lives for ever more and hath promised that I shall be with him to behold his Glory He hath the Keys of Death and Hell He is the Resurrection and the Life he hath removed thes thing of Death and I need not fear a conquered Enemy If I dye this year I must quit the company of all my dearest Friends on earth but I shall goe to better Company above and if they are the friends of Christ we shall shortly meet againe and love one another in a better manner then now and never more be parted I may dye this year my Friends and Enemies may dye to Let me injoy the one as mortal dying persons that must ere long leave me or I them and not fear the other who may so soon perish and quickly be uncapable of doing me or others mischief I may dye this year let me not then think much of Temporal sufferings of any Evils which may so soon be over Oh what would condemned sinners in the other world give to be able to believe and say so of their sufferings I may dye this year and can I wonder that I am sometimes Sick and in paine and my Body out of order Am I not mortal and dwell in an house of clay which must shortly moulder into dust and is it any thing strange that such a crasy Building doth sometimes shake and need repair and threaten a dissolution 'T is a greater wonder I am any time well That such a Body compounded of so many little parts and so easily disordered by innumerable accidents should be in health is hardly less to be admired then that an Instrument of a thousand strings should be kept in Tune I thank thee o Heavenly Father for the many advantages of sickness to weaken the power of sin to humble my Pride and cure my worldliness and sensuality to reduce me from wandering to empty me of self conceit to awaken the consideration of Death and Judgment to impress the Thoughts of the vanity of this world and the Eternity of the next to assist me to mortifie the flesh to rule my Passions to exercise Patience and quicken Prayer and try my faith and love and excite my diligence to redeem Time and convince me of the worth and uncertainty of it and thereby promote my preparations for my final change The Great Apostle by dying dayly had as many victories over this world as he lived Days Oh that I might so far walk by the same Rule as every day to think of providing for my last and in health to do that which in sickness I shal wish I had done I may dye this year it may be by some tedious painful Sickness some troublesome and loathsome Disease But God hath promised his Grace shall be sufficient he will make my bed in my sickness and put under his Everlasting arms for my support and not suffer me to be tempted above what I am able he will increas my Patience and carry me thro the pangs of Death and the dark valley and when Heart and flesh fail be the strength of my Heart and my Portion for Ever I may dye this year what if it should be by an hand of violence if for Righteousness sake in defence of the Truth for a good Cause and a good Conscience and my peace be made with God and am accused for doing well or innocent of the Evill which is laid to my charge there is ground enough for encouragement and support Thousands of my Betters have met with the like whose names are precious renowned Innumerable Christians have dyed by the sentence of a Judge with more chearfullness and Joy then others or it may be then they themselvs would have done by the sentence of the Phisitian The Torture of many diseases is unspeakably more formidable as to the meer paine and for all the Rest the Righteous Lord