Wesley Corpus

It was followed a month later (after the French fleet had been driven back by storms, but the danger still lingered) by this more ambitious collection, which gathers 33 hymns under three headings: "Hymns for Times of Trouble," "Hymns for Times of Persecution," and "Hymns to be Sung in a Tumult." Like the first collection, many of these hymns are general in nature and reflect settings prior to the present persecution. But several mirror the current tensions clearly, particularly those devoted to the welfare of the king and the nation. While this second volume first appeared anonymously, the second edition (1745) was issued in the name of both brothers. This likely was meant to make clear that John was affirming the political sentiments evident in collection. There is every reason to believe that Charles was author of all the hymns included. Editions: John Charles Wesley. Hymns for Times of Trouble and Persecution. London: Strahan, 1744. 2nd Bristol: Farley, 1745. adds "Hymns for 1745" 3rd London, 1756. appends HTT (1744) Last updated: October 6, 2010. Table of Contents Hymns for Times of Trouble. I. The Ninth Chapter of Daniel X. A Prayer for His Majesty King George XI. Another XII. Another XIII. For the King and the Royal Family Hymns in Time of Persecution. XV. A Prayer for the First Martyr Hymns to be Sung in a Tumult. IV. The Fourteenth Chapter of Hosea Page 3 The Ninth Chapter of Daniel vs. 4-19.2 O God, the great the fearful God, To thee we humbly sue for peace, Groaning beneath a nation's load, And crush'd by our own wickedness, Our guilt we tremble to declare, And pour out our sad souls in pray'r. Thee we revere, the faithful Lord, Keeping the cov'nant of thy grace, True to thine everlasting word, Loving to all who seek thy face, And keep thy kind commands, and prove Their faith by their obedient love. But we have only evil wrought, Have done to our good God despight, Rebellious with our Maker fought, And sinn'd against the gospel-light, 2Manuscript precursors of this hymn appear in MS Cheshunt, 127-30; and MS Clarke, 145-49. Page 4 Departed from his righteous ways, And fallen, fallen from his grace.