With timely sorrow we confess

With timely sorrow we confess
Our land's abounding wickedness,
Our sins that to a deluge rise,
And dare the vengeance of the skies,
Where sinners fancy Thee to reign,
Regardless of the works of men.

"The earth He hath long since forsook.
Nor deigns on worms to cast a look;
Left to ourselves (they madly cry)
We joy or grieve, we live or die,
And floods may rise, and cities fall,
For Chance, and Nature, governs all."

Canst Thou forgive the impious crowd.
Whose actions say. There is no God?
Or must Thou all Thy fury pour,
And let the sword Thy foes devour,
The plague destroy, the dearth consume,
Or gaping earth at once entomb?

We know not. Lord, Thy dread decree.
For secret things belong to Thee,
Whether Thou wilt again reprieve,
Or now the final sentence give;
But till Thy counsel Thou display,
We still for mercy, mercy pray.

Call in the ruthless sons of Rome,
Nor let the threaten'd earthquake come:
We hear the rod, we mourn and sigh.
We with the weeping remnant cry,
"Revoke the charge, the wicked spare,
And give them to Thy people's prayer."