1 Bless'd with the joys of innocence,
Adam, our father, stood,
Till he debas'd his soul to sense,
And ate th'unlawful food.
2 Now we are born a sensual race,
To sinful joys inclin'd;
Reason has lost its native place,
And flesh enslaves the mind.
3 While flesh and sense and passion reigns,
Sin is the sweetest good;
We fancy music in our chains,
And so forget the load.
4 Great God, renew our ruin'd frame,
Our broken powers restore,
Inspire us with a heavenly flame,
And flesh shall reign no more.
5 Eternal Spirit, write thy law
Upon our inward parts,
And let the second Adam draw
His image on our hearts.
Source: A Collection of Hymns and Prayers, for Public and Private Worship #54
Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >
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