Augustus Montague Toplady Poems

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Augustus Montague Toplady
Augustus Montague Toplady (November 4, 1740 – August 11, 1778), was an Anglican clergyman and hymn-writer. He was a major Calvinist opponent of John Wesley. Today, he is best remembered as the author of the hymn "Rock of Ages". Three of his other hymns - "A Debtor to Mercy Alone", "Deathless Principle, Arise", and "Object of My First Desire" - are still occasionally sung today, though all three are far less popular than "Rock of Ages". Augustus Toplady was born at Farnham, Surrey in November 1740. His father, Richard Toplady, was probably from Enniscorthy, County Wexford in Ireland. Richard Toplady became a commissioned officer in the Royal Marines in 1739; by the time of his death, he had reached the rank of major. In May 1741, shortly after Augustus' birth, Richard participated in the Battle of Cartagena de Indias, the most significant battle of the War of Jenkins' Ear, during the course of which he died, most likely of yellow fever[1], leaving Augustus' mother to raise the boy alone. Augustus' mother, Catherine, was the daughter of Richard Bate, who was the incumbent of Chilham from 1711 until his death in 1736. Catherine and her son moved from Farnham to Westminster, and, from 1750 to 1755, Augustus attended the Westminster School.

innocence
 
 
But that which most I wonder at, which most
I did esteem my bliss, which most I boast,
And... [read poem]
wonder
 
 
How like an angel came I down!
How bright are all things here!
When first among ... [read poem]
a living and dying prayer for the holiest believer in the world
 
 
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee!
Let the Water and the Blood,
... [read poem]
the horses
 
 
Barely a twelvemonth after
The seven days war that put the world to sleep,
Late in the eve... [read poem]
a serious and pathetical contemplation of the mercies of god
 
 
For all the mysteries, engines, instruments, wherewith the world is filled, which we are able to fra... [read poem]
news
 
 
News from a foreign country came,
As if my treasures and my joys lay there;
So much ... [read poem]
walking
 
 
To walk abroad is, not with eyes,
But thoughts, the fields to see and prize;
Else ma... [read poem]
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