Shall we go on to sin? I. Watts. [Rom. vi. 1-6.] First published in his Hymns, &c, 1709, Book i., No. 106, in 3 stanzas of 4 lines, and entitled "Death to sin by the Cross of Christ." Its use is limited. Original text in modern editions of Watts. In the Draft of the Scottish Translations and Paraphrases, 3745, it was given as "And shall we then go on to sin?" the alterations being confined to the change of metre. In adopting the hymn for the authorized issue of the Translations, in 1781, No. xlvii. (Rom. vi. 1-7), the first line only of the 1745 alterations was retained, the whole hymn being rewritten in 4 stanzas of 4 lines. This recast has very little indeed of Watts, being to a great extent new. This form, according to the markings of the eldest daughter of W. Cameron, was by Cameron. It is given in several modern collections.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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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