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 >

Not all the blood of beasts. I. Watts. [Christ the Heavenly Sacrifice.] First published in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs, enlarged edition, 1709, Bk. ii., No. 142, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines, and headed "Faith in Christ our Sacrifice." It was brought into use in the Church of Eng-land through. M. Madan's Psalms & Hymns, 1760; and A. M. Toplady's Psalms & Hymns, 1776. In these collections alterations were introduced which, with additions from other sources, have been handed down to modern hymn-books. These changes in the text are the outcome of religious convictions and controversy. The most striking instance of this fact is given in the Wesleyan Hymn Book new edition, 1875. In some American collections the hymn begins, "No blood of bird or beast;" but its use in this form is limited. With one or more of the above alterations in the text, it is in extensive use in all English-speaking countries. It has also been translated into several languages. The Latin translation by R. Bingham in his Hymnologia Christiana Latina, 1871, is "Omnis sanguis bestiarum." --Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)