What do you think of Isaac Watts as a dispensationalist?

Aniol's Southern Baptist affilation, not mentioned in the OP:

religiousaffections.org/about/scott-aniol/

 

I've always been fond of Isaac Watts - he went to my school, King Edward VI School in Southampton. It was founded in 1553, the year of Edward's death, & we celebrated our fourth centenary a year late (June 4, 1954) because it clashed with Queen Elizabeth's coronation. (June 2, 1953)

The Pastor of the church I went to in Southampton, after my conversion, wrote a special biography of Isaac for his tercentenary in 1974. The church-state effects of the Reformation were still in evidence, as his father was in prison in "God's House Tower" for preaching unlicensed.

Very interesting article which I cannot comment on with regards to the content. I did borrow a library book on Watt's sermons, but found it too heavy going. Very different from his hymns & "Divine Songs for Children" which though I didn't realise as a child, my father was constantly quoting against us. I discovered that years later when I book the book. I've just found it again as we are sorting everything preparing to move. Watch out, grandchildren!

I won't quarrel with his millennialism though I don't agree.

I note the comment on his questionable trinitarian belief, except to quote the hymn: "Join all the glorious names:"

"Where reason fails, with all her powers,
there faith prevails, & love adores." ​

 

So you were at Above Bar Church under David Fountain? I have his book on Watts, and very good it is too!

I think Watts' hymnody is at odds with Dispensationalism. Here is one of my favourites, a paraphrase of Psalm 122:

'How pleased and blessed was I
To hear the people cry,
"Come let us seek our Lord today!"
Yes, with a cheerful zeal,
We haste to Zion's hill
And there our vows and homage pay.

Zion, thrice happy place,
Adorned with wondrous grace,
And walls of strength embrace you round.
In you our tribes appear,
To pray and praise and hear
The sacred Gospel's joyful sound.

There David's greater Son
Has fixed His royal throne,
He sits for grace and judgement there.
He bids the saint be glad,
He makes the sinner sad,
And humble souls rejoice with fear.

May peace attend your gate,
And joy within you wait
To bless the soul of every guest!
The man that seeks your peace,
That wishes your increase,
a thousand blessings on him rest!

My tongue repeats her vows,
Peace to this sacred house!
For there my friends and kindred dwell;
And, since my gracious God
Makes you His blest abode,
My soul shall ever love you well.'

Watts is equating 'Zion' with the church and the tribes of Israel with the congregation. I'm not sure how that squares with Dispensationalism.

 

David Fountain was at Spring rd Evangelical church, Sholing, 5 minutes walk. We were married there.

 

Ah! I should have looked it up before I posted. Sorry!

 

My mother said, "Wish you would go to a proper church." Our wedding was her only visit to the church.

Do you know Southampton?