Am I a Soldier of the Cross?

The noble hymn that we are to commit to memory was written by Dr. Watts in 1709, to follow a sermon on 1 Corinthians 16:13, "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." It is sometimes condensed to four stanzas, but surely we shall not wish to lose the last two. Here it is:—

Am I a soldier of the cross,

   A follower of the Lamb?

And shall I fear to own His cause

   Or blush to speak His name?

Must I be carried to the skies

   On flowery beds of ease?

While others fought to win the prize,

   And sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?

   Must I not stem the flood?

Is this vile world a friend to grace,

   To help me on to God?

Sure I must fight, if I would reign

   Increase my courage, Lord!

I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,

   Supported by Thy word.

Thy saints, in all this glorious war,

   Shall conquer, though they die;

They view the triumph from afar,

   And seize it with their eye.

When that illustrious day shall rise,

   And all Thy armies shine

In robes of victory through the skies,

   The glory shall be Thine.