CLIII. The Relentings of GOD's Heart over his backsliding People.

YE Sinners on Backsliding bent,
GOD'S gracious Call attend;
Shall not Compassion so divine
Each stubborn Spirit bend?

"How shall I give mine Israel up
"To Ruin and Despair?
"How pour down Show'rs of flaming Wrath,
"And make a Sodom there?

"My Bowels strong Relentings feel;
"My Heart is pain'd within:
"I will not all my Wrath exert,
"Nor visit all their Sin.

"The Mercy of a GOD restrains
"The Thunders of his Hand:
"Come, seek Protection from that Pow'r,
"Which you can ne'er withstand'.

With trembling Haste, O GOD, to Thee
Let Sinners wing their Flight;
As Doves, when Birds of Prey presue,
Down on their Windows light.

Father, we seek thy gracious Arm,
All melted at thy Voice:
O may thy Heart, that feels our Woes,
In our Return rejoice.