Entrance Into Paradise

Representative Text

1 And is this heaven, and am I there?
How short the road, how sweet the flight
I am all life, all eye, all ear;
Jesus is here, my souls delight.

2 Is this the heavenly friend who hung
In blood and anguish on the tree,
Whom Paul proclaimed, whom David sung,
Who died for them, who died for me.

3 How fair, thou offspring of my God!
Thou first born image of his face;
Thy death procured this blest abode,
Thy vital beams adorn the place.

4 Lo he presents me at his throne
All spotless; there the Godhead reigns
Sublime and peaceful through the Son:
Awake, my voice, in heavenly strains.

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Author: Isaac Watts

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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