Excerpt from The Psalms and Hymns of the Late Dr. Isaac Watts, Vol. 2 of 2: Containing the Hymns and Miscellaneous Hymns
I have been long convinced, that one great occasion of this evil arises from the matter and words to which we confine all our Songs. Some of them are down opposite to the spirit of the Gospel: many of them foreign to the state of the New Testament, and widely different from the present citcametances of Christians, Hence it comes to pass, that when spiritual affections are excited within us, our Souls are raised a little above this Earth in the beginning of a Psalm, we are checked on a sudden in our ascent towatd Heaven, by some expressions that are most suitable to the days of carnal Ordinances, and fit only to be sung in the worldly Sanctuary. When we are just entering into an Evangelic frame, by some of the glories of the Gospel presented in the brightest figures of Judaism, yet the very next line perhaps which the Clerk parcels out unto as, hath some.
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Isaac Watts is recognised as the "Father of English Hymnody", as he was the first prolific and popular English hymnwriter, credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in active use today and have been translated into many languages.
His education led him to the pastorate of a large Independent Chapel in London, and he also found himself in the position of helping trainee preachers, despite poor health. Taking work as a private tutor, he lived with the non-conformist Hartopp family at Fleetwood House, Abney Park in Stoke Newington, and later in the household of Sir Thomas Abney and Lady Mary Abney at Theobalds, Cheshunt, in Hertfordshire, and at their second residence, Abney House, Stoke Newington.
Though a non-conformist, Sir Thomas practised occasional conformity to the Church of England as necessitated by his being Lord Mayor of London 1700-01. Likewise, Isaac Watts held religious opinions that were more non-denominational or ecumenical than was at that time common for a non-conformist, having a greater interest in promoting education and scholarship, than preaching for any particular ministry.
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