Wesley Corpus

At Setting Out to Preach the Gospel Source: Hymns and Sacred Poems (1740), Part I Author: Charles Wesley (attributed) --- At Setting Out to Preach the Gospel.51 Angel of God, whate’er betide, Thy summons I obey; Jesus, I take thee for my guide, And walk in thee my way. Secure from danger, and from dread, Nor earth nor hell shall move, Since over me thy hand hath spread The banner of thy love. To leave my Captain I disdain, Behind I will not stay, Tho’ shame, and loss, and bonds, and pain, And death obstruct the way. Me to thy suffering self conform, And arm me with thy power, Then burst the cloud, descend the storm, And come the fiery hour! Then shall I bear thy utmost will, When first the strength is given-- Come, foolish world, my body kill, And drive my soul to heaven! 51Charles records singing this hymn in his MS Journal as early as March 16, 1739.