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⟨that⟩ they have not finned alone, but drawn ⟨others⟩ into the ſnare. If religious acquainance, it ſtrikes a freſh gaſh into their hearts, ⟨to⟩ think of never ſeeing them any more, ⟨but⟩ only at an unapproachable diſtance, ⟨separated⟩ by the unpaſſable gulph.
At laſt, perhaps, they begin to pray: But ⟨why⟩ have they deferred, ſo long deferred their ⟨addreſſes⟩ to God? Why have they deſpiſed all ⟨his⟩ counſels, and ſtood incorrigible under his ⟨inceſſant⟩ reproofs? How often have they been ⟨forewarned⟩ of theſe terrors, and moſt ⟨importunately⟩ entreated to ſeek the LORD, while ⟨he⟩ might be found?—I wiſh they may ⟨obtain⟩ mercy at the eleventh, at the laſt hour. ⟨But⟩, alas! who can tell, whether affronted ⟨Majeſty⟩ will lend an ear to their complaint? ⟨whether⟩ the holy One will work a miracle of ⟨grace⟩ in behalf of ſuch tranſgreſſors? He may, ⟨for⟩ aught any mortal knows, "laugh at their ⟨calamity⟩, & mock when their fear cometh."
Thus they lie groaning out the poor ⟨remains⟩ of life; their limbs bathed in ſweet; ⟨their⟩ heart ſtruggling with convulſive throes; ⟨pains⟩ unſupportable throbbing thro' every ⟨pulſe⟩; and innumerable darts of agony ⟨transfixing⟩ their conſcience.
Happy diſſolution! were this the period ⟨of⟩ their woes. But, alas! all these ⟨tribulations⟩ are only the "beginning of ſorrows;" ⟨a⟩ ſmall drop only from that cup of trembling ⟨which⟩ is mingled for their future portion.——No ſooner has the laſt pang diſlodged