Page:Serious thoughts for the living.pdf/20

 apprehenſion of their miſery. It has ſtudiouſly waved the fearful ſubject, and ſeems unwilling to purſue it even now.—But, 'tis better to reflect upon it for a few minutes, than to endure it to eternal ages.

The wicked ſeem to lie here, like malefactors in a deep and ſtrong dungeon, reſerved againſt the day of trial.—"Their departure was without peace." When the laſt ſickneſs ſeized their frame, and the inevitable change advanced; when they ſaw the fatal arrow fitting to the ſtrings; ſaw the deadly archer aiming at their heart; and felt the envenomed ſhaft faſtened in their vitals—Good ! what fearfulneſs came upon them! what horrible dread overwhelmed them! How did they ſtand ſhuddering and aghaſt upon the tremendous precipice; exceſſively afraid to plunge into the abyſſ of eternity, yet utterly unable to maintain their ſtanding on the verge of life.

O! what pale reviews, what ſtartling proſpects, conſpire to augment their ſorrows!—They look backward, and behold, a moſt melancholy ſcene! Sins unrepented of, mercy ſlighted, and the day of grace ending.—They look forward, and nothing preſents itſelf but the righteous Judge, the dreadful tribunal, and a moſt ſolemn reckoning.They roll around their arighted eyes on attending friends. If accomplices in debauchery, it ſharpens their anguiſh, to conſider this further aggravation of their guilt