University of Virginia Library

TO THE SAME, BEFORE HIS VOYAGE

Servant of God, the summons hear;
Thy Master calls, arise, obey!
The tokens of His will appear,
His providence points out the way.
Lo! we commend thee to His grace:
In confidence go forth! be strong!
Thy meat His will, thy boast His praise,
His righteousness be all thy song.
Strong in the Lord's almighty power,
And arm'd in panoply Divine,
Firm mayst thou stand in danger's hour,
And prove the strength of Jesus thine.

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Thy breastplate be His righteousness;
His sacred truth thy loins surround;
Shod be thy beauteous feet with peace;
Spring forth, and spread the Gospel sound.
Fight the good fight, and stand secure
In faith's impenetrable shield;
Hell's prince shall tremble at its power,
With all his fiery darts repell'd.
Prevent thy foes, nor wait their charge,
But call their lingering battle on;
But strongly grasp thy sevenfold targe,
And bear the world and Satan down.
The helmet of salvation take,
The Lord's, the Spirit's conquering sword;
Speak from the Word—in lightning speak;
Cry out, and thunder—from the Word.
Champion of God, thy Lord proclaim,
Jesus alone resolved to know;
Tread down thy foes in Jesu's name:
Go—conquering, and to conquer go.
Through racks and fires pursue thy way,
Be mindful of a dying God;
Finish thy course, and win the day:
Look up—and seal the truth with blood.