Third PART

Yet, for all this, they sinned still; His wondrous Works gain'd no Belief. Thence he their Days consum'd in vain, Their Years in terrifying Grief. When some he slew, they sought him then; And turn'd to God, with early Cry. They call'd to Mind he was their Rock, And their Redeemer, God Most-High. But him they flatter'd with their Mouth; And with their Tongues they basely ly'd. For still their Heart was not sincere; Nor in his Cov'nant did abide. Yet full of Mercy, he forgave; Nor brought them to Destruction quite: Yea, oft he turn'd his Anger by; Nor once did all his Wrath excite. For he remember'd, they were frail, Weak Flesh, whose greatest Strength is vain; A Puff of Wind, which flyes away, And never more returns again. How oft they God provok'd, and griev'd, In Deserts, where his Pow'r was shown? They turned back, and tempted God, Did limit Isr'el's holy One.