Genesis 6:3: Had God foreknown it could not be

Had God foreknown it could not be,
That sinners should accept His grace.
Vain were that added century,
Which mock'd them with a longer space:
But O, they wilfully went on
Rebellious, till their day was pass'd,
And forced the lingering deluge down.
And perish'd in their sins at last.

How loath is God to strike, who stays
So long, before He gives the blow.
Threatens, and warns; yet still delays;
That sinners may His mercy know!
His wrath He wills us to prevent,
His timely warnings to receive,
And 'scape the threaten'd punishment,
And saved from sin for ever live.