The Redeemer and the Sanctifier

This book is a discussion of redemption and sanctification presented as a “conversation-piece among a few private friends,” who are both secular and Christian. Among the five fictitious people there is “Agrippa” who denies the atonement of Christ and “Paulinus” who affirms the atonement. As the Preface states: “The author of these papers has been often grieved to see such a new sort of Christianity published and propagated in the world, as leaves out the propitiatory sacrifice of our blessed Saviour, and the sanctifying operations of the Holy Spirit, which in his esteem are two of the chief glories of the gospel.”
Author ISAAC WATTS (1674–1748) was born in Southampton, England. His father, a schoolmaster, was jailed twice for his non-conformist faith. Isaac loved to read and attended the free school in Southampton. He started learning Latin at the age of four. He attended Rev. Mr. Thomas Rowe’s Nonconformist Academy at Stoke Newington in London. He started writing poetry at fifteen. He became a preacher at 24, and remained in partnership with Samuel Price, an assistant and later joint pastor. He lived at Abney House with Sir Thomas and Lady Mary. He gave himself to preaching and writing his entire life. He was an industrious hymn writer who wrote over 600 hymns, among many other works.