Religion

Surrounded by an host of foes

by Charles Wesley 1707–1788

From Hymns and Sacred Poems (1749) · Osborn ed., vol. 5 (1869)

Religion

Surrounded by an host of foes,
Storm'd by an host of foes within,
Nor swift to fly, nor strong to' oppose,
Single against hell, earth, and sin,
Single, yet undismay'd I am:
I dare believe in Jesu's name.

What though a thousand hosts engage,
A thousand worlds, my soul to shake,
I have a shield shall quell their rage,
Shall drive the alien armies back,
Pourtray'd it bears a bleeding Lamb:
I dare believe in Jesu's name.

Me to retrieve from Satan's hands,
Me from this evil world to free,
To purge my sins, and loose my bands,
And save from all iniquity,
My Lord and God, from heaven He came
I dare believe in Jesu's name.

Salvation in His name there is,
Salvation from sin, death, and hell,
Salvation into glorious bliss,
How great salvation who can tell i
But all He hath for mine I claim:
I dare believe in Jesu's name.

MLA

Wesley, Charles. “Surrounded by an host of foes.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wesley_c/1153/.

Chicago

Wesley, Charles. “Surrounded by an host of foes.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wesley_c/1153/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Charles Wesley