best remembrances, with the noblest of her worthies, counted it a wisdom superior to all human learning, to consider his latter end-and if, amidst the numerous and important avocations of that high official station which he occupied, rendered still more arduous and difficult, by the anarchy and confusion of that revolutionary period in which he lived, this good man was not unmindful to address those monitory lessons to his countrymen, which we now present anew, as salutary admonitions to the present generation, then have we a testimony to the worth and surpassing excellence of this wisdom, above all the acquisitions of science and philosophy, which cannot be disregarded, without incurring the imputation of folly. Science and human learning we hold in high estimation, and let them be diffused throughout every corner of our land; but what we affirm is, that they do not meet the necessities of man's moral constitution. The man of science may be rich in all these acquisitions, and yet be destitute of that knowledge which forms a right preparation for the duties of time, or a sound preparation for the glories of eternity, while the humble peasant, whose mind has never been illumined with science, may be illustrious in wisdom of a far higher order, and, by turning the consideration of his latter end to its right and practical use, may have attained to that knowledge in which the Apostle determined alone to glory, "the knowledge of Jesus Christ and him crucified." It is the great design of such a consideration, to lead us to that gospel which is freely offered to all. But though the gospel be offered freely, it only be comes ours by our receiving it freely; and seldom is it so received by him who, after being laid on the bed of his last sickness, has still a Saviour to seek, instead of a Saviour to enjoy. The evil heart of unbelief, which he has cherished through life, cleaves to him, and keeps its hold till the last hour of it; and, therefore, never does the mind entertain a delusion more ruinous, never is eternity placed on a more desperate stake, than by those who put away from them now the offers of salvation, and think that then they shall have it for the taking. It is the part, then, of all to look forthwith and earnestly to the Saviour to contemplate him in his revealed offices—to make a real and intelligent work of closing with him—to receive him as their atonementto render allegiance to him as their Lord and their Proprietor and submit themselves unto Him, that he might rule in them by his Spirit, and over them by his Law. Whether they be the unconverted, who have yet to lay hold of Christ, or the already converted, whose business it is to keep that holdwe know not how the consideration of their latter end can be turned more substantially to the purposes of wisdom and of true understanding, than by leading them supremely to prize, and immediately to acquire, that knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord, which is life everlasting. EDINBURGH, November, 1828. T. C. CONTENTS. SHOWER'S REFLECTIONS. SECT. I. Of the changeable state and short duration of SECT. II. Of the change in men's inclinations, opinions, and actions, which one year shows; how observable it is in others; how much more discernible in ourselves. Ho- Page SECT. V. The little portion of our time on earth consi- SECT. VI. Of the redemption of time, how precious and SECT. VII. Of the ordinances of heaven, day and night, summer and winter, seed time and harvest; their order xxviii CONTENTS. Of evils to be expected in this year; the wisdom and mercy of God, in concealing from us the SECT. IX. The supposition of dying this year should be improved: the consequence of redeeming time and pro- viding for eternity farther pressed. The folly of elder persons is condemned and checked from the example of children. It is advisable to familiarise the thoughts of SECT. X. The brevity of life considered as the fruit of sin. There are but three ways of leaving this world, as SECT. XI. Of the expectation of another life. and misery of man in his best estate, if there be none. The satisfactory removal of that supposition, by the SECT. XII. The consideration of the death of others, especially of relations, friends, and acquaintance, how to be improved. What instructions we may learn by the sight of a dead carcase, or a death's head, and the usual motto on it; and what, by the death of holy persons, to quicken SECT. XIII. What influence the consideration of eternity would have upon our hearts and lives, if soundly believed and considered. Especially, if the supposition of dying this SECT. XIV. How a good man may improve and encourage SECT. XVI. The contemplation of our approaching change may assist us to mortify the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of SECT. XVII. The same argument considered farther, as dissuasive from worldliness and earthly-mindedness; and SECT. XIX. The punishments of the damned considered as intolerable and everlasting, and as unquestionably cer- SECT. XX. The eternal blessedness of heaven considered, SECT. XXI. A devout Meditation upon Psalm lxxiii. 25. SECT. XXII. The glorious appearance of Christ, to judg- ment, considered as certain. The terror and astonishment, confusion and despair, of wicked Jews and Christians, to |