My soul, go boldly forth

Author: Richard Baxter

Baxter, Richard. Only s. of Richard Baxter, yeoman, Eaton Constantine, Shropshire, b. at Rowton, Shropshire, Nov. 12,1615. He was educated at Wroxeter School, and for a time held the Mastership of the Dudley Grammar School. On taking Holy Orders, he became, in 1640, Ourate of Kidderminster. Subsequently he was for some time chaplain to one of Cromwell's regiments. Through weakness he had to take an enforced rest, during which he wrote his Saints’ Everlasting Rest. On regaining his health he returned to Kidderminster, where he remained until 1660, when he removed to London. At the Restoration he became chaplain to Charles II and was offered the bishopric of Hereford, which he refused. On the passing of the Act of Uniformity, he retired fro… Go to person page >

My soul, go boldly forth. R. Baxter. [Death Anticipated.] This poem appeared in Baxter's Additions to the Poetical Fragments of Richard Baxter, Written for himself and Communicated to such as are more for serious Verse than smooth. London: Printed for B. Simmons, &c, 1683, p. 62, in 31 stanzas of 6 lines, dated "Decemb. 19,1682," and headed "The Exit." In the American Plymouth Collection, 1855, stanzas i., iv. and xxxi. were given as No. 887, and in Kennedy, 1863, stanzas i., iv. xiii. and xxxi. as No. 1375. Both the original and these centos are admirably adapted for private use. [William T. Brooke]

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)