Wesley Corpus

After two printings in early March of 1744, this initial collection was not issued again in its independent form. However, it was appended to the 3rd edn. (1756) of HTTP (1744), on pp. 77-83. No significant variants occur in this appended reprint. Editions: John Charles Wesley. Hymns for Times of Trouble. London: Strahan, 1744. Table of Contents Hymn I Hymn II Hymn III Hymn IV Hymn V Hymn VI Page 3 Hymn I. My present help in trouble, My soul's eternal lover, Beneath thy shade I hide my head Till all the storm is over. O bring me by thy mercy Through this severe temptation, And all day long My joyful song Shall publish thy salvation. Page 4 Thine arm is still unshorten'd, And ready to deliver, Thy glorious name Remains the same, A rock that stands for ever. This, this is our sure refuge, When earth and hell oppress us, For earth and hell Bow down, and feel Th' almighty name of Jesus. Jesus, by faith I place me Beneath thy name's protection: While thou art nigh I dare defy The hellish insurrection. On the accusing serpent After thy great example Fearless I tread, And bruise his head, And on his kingdom trample. I now admire the worthies, And saints in sacred story; Their steps pursue, Their wonders do, And emulate their glory. By faith they wax'd courageous, And bad their foes defiance, Strong in the Lord, Escap'd the sword, And stopt the mouths of lions. Page 5 By faith they conquer'd kingdoms, And higher rose and higher, March'd thro' the sea Convoy'd by thee, And walk'd unhurt in fire. Them in the burning furnace Thou didst, O Lord, deliver: And in the flame Thy help I claim, And trust in thee for ever. I ask thy promis'd succours, Nor fear I a denial: Thou Son of man, My soul sustain Throughout the fiery trial. With thine almighty presence Let me be still attended, And lo! I dwell Secure in hell Till all my days are ended. Hymn II. Safe in the fiery furnace, Joyful in tribulation, My soul adores With all its powers The God of my salvation. Page 6 Walking thro' fire and water I find his presence chearing, By faith I see The deity, And shout at his appearing.