A BALSOM for BACKSLIDERS
Or some Hints anent the Oath.
of Abjuration,
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ALthough the News be spread of late
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Throughout our Scotish Nation,
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That we e're long shall be Defeat,
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By Papists their Invasion,
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Yet Presbyters be not Dismay'd.
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But look to Heaven for help and Aid,
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And let it never once be said,
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That we shall prove Faint Hearted,
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For if we shall our selves acquit,
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Themselves shall fall into the Bir,
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Which Papists diggs to catch the Whig
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They shall be made to smart it.
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Whigs join in one do not divide,
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In Circumstantial Matters,
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Or el's mischief shall you betide,
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From French and Romish Traitors;
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Who now are lying at the Catch,
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True Presbyterians for to Dispatch,
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Your Ruin they contrive and Hatch,
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Forsooth ye may Depend on't,
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Whoe're Divids and leaves your Guides,
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Without true Scripture on your side,
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Ye are to blame for all the Name,
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Of Whigs and there's anend on't.
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Some are Counted Honest Folk,
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Among a Foolish People.
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Because they're like the Weather Cock,
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That sits upon the Steeple,
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Which turns about with every Wynd,
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To Novelties they're so inclin'd,
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They do not Love to be Con[?]'[?],
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To the present Constitution,
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Such itching Ears they have indeed,
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And so much Lightness in the Head,
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Church Union Yoke they still have broke
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Since the late Revolution.
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And many now Exception tak[e]
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At the Oath of Abjuration,
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Yea they do it Occasion make,
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And ground of Seperation,
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Their Heads are put in such a stee[?]
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That in their Conscience they're not clear,
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Their Parish Pastors for to hear,
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Till they shall shew Repentance,
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He passes currant for a Saint,
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Although prefoundly ignorant,
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That does debate 'gainst Church and State
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And Rashly passes Sentence.
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How can People at this Rate,
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Divided into Factions,
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Ever be without Debate,
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In all of their Transactions,
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It's Sin and Shame that ever we
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Who all Profess true Presbyteri
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Should we in Judgement broken be,
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And Various in Oppinion,
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Scarce you'll meet a Company.
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But still there shall some Difference be,
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In this or that you'l not know wh[a]t,
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Relating to Religion.
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Thus many on Extreams do Run,
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And that both Male and Female
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Some who at a Gnat do Strain,
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Yet Swallow down a Camel,
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Some with things beyond their Sphere,
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Do meddle such great Fools they are,
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In others Matters they must Share,
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Or else they are uneasie,
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Some they do great pleasure take,
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In what grea[?] S[?]ures and Troubles ma[?]
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To Church and State which breed Deba[?]
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Herein they are not Lazie.
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Did ye but know what Hurt and Harm,
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Division it procureth.
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Unto the Church they're sore to blame,
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That knows and that not curreth,
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Occasion thereby Foes do Catch,
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Their Plots and Projects for to Hatch,
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Whereof I fear well get a Swaich,
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If we be no[t] C[e]mented.
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The Church hath Enemys on each Hand,
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Hard by us watchfully do stand,
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And do Rejoice to hear the Noise,
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Of such as do Foment it:
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If ye be wise take my Advice,
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Be no more led aside Sirs,
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By any that are over Nice,
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And makes you to Div[i]de Sirs,
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But Join together Hand in Hand,
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And march in Covenant'd Bond.
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The Common Enemy to withstand.
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And guard against Division,
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A House Divided cannot stand,
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Be thou unite in Heart and Hand,
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Lest ye be broke even by the Stroak,
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Of such as Love Confusion.
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For this Course of Division,
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Ye cannot Reason Render,
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Ye Authors of Confusion,
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Ye Friends to the Pretender.
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Begone Schismaticks out of Doors,
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That Cuts but does not Cure our Sores,
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We do protest ye're none of ours,
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For all your great Profession,
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Within our Gates ye shall not stand,
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And far less Rule and beas
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Till ye think shame even of your Nam[e],
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Yea mourn and make Confession.
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