Page:To the ministers and elders met at Edinburgh, April 26, 1710.pdf/7

 From which do ſpring thefe grand impediments.

Which hinder Reformation, and foments

The Quite Reverſe, even every curfed Weed,

And Poiſon'd Root, which in theſe Lands do ſpread.

Only We crave, You'd ſerioufly advert

Unto theſe Means which may juſt Wrath avert;

That you'd Repent, and would no more refuſe

To turn to GOD, perſiſt not to abuſe

His long-protracted Love and Patience,

Which knows no Rival of its Eminence

Yet when abus'd will ſometime yield a place

To Juſtice 'gainft a ſtiff Rebellious Race.

Conſider that your triffling Quidities,

Whereby you cover your Iniquities,

All theſe Diſtinctions whereby you'd evade

Juſt Challenges, and whereby you'd perſwade

The ſimple to complaiſance with your ways,

Can never hide them from OMNISCIENT Eyes.

And tho' by ſtrength of rack'd Imaginations,

You may invent Diſtinctions and Evaſions,

Shifts, and Pretexts your ſins to palliate,

And your Declinſions to extenuate,

Yet when the Righteous LORD ſhall riſe to plead

And 'gainft theſe Courſes ſhall His Witneſs lead,

Perhaps you'l find, they'l prove but bruiſed Reeds,

Uſeleſs, yea, hurtfull in your greateſt Needs.

O! how will you that weighty charge elude

Of Cov'nant-breaking; yea, the guilt of Blood,

Even Blood of Souls; who do not Faithfully,

As Watchmen ſet on Lions Walls, deſcry

The hainous ſins and Heav'n-incenſing Crimes

Which are the Monſtrous product of theſe times?

How can you ſay that you Repentance preach

While you the Lands Defections do not reach?

While as you don't impartially declare

The ſins of Great and Small, while you do ſpare

Sin in your ſelves or others, ne're expect

ſuch tender Indications of reſpect,