The Witnessing and Sealing Spirit

Representative Text

1 Why should the children of a King
Go mourning all their days?
Great Comforter, descend, and bring
Some tokens of thy grace.

2 Dost thou not dwell in all the saints,
And seal the heirs of heaven?
When wilt thou banish my complaints,
And show my sins forgiven?

3 Assure my conscience of her part
In the Redeemer's blood;
And bear thy witness with my heart,
That I am born of God.

4 Thou art the earnest of his love,
The pledge of joys to come;
And thy soft wings, celestial Dove,
Will safe convey me home.

Source: Laudes Domini: a selection of spiritual songs ancient & modern (Abr. ed.) #240

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 >

Text Information

Notes

Why should the children of a [the] King. I. Watts. [Assurance through Faith.] Published in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709, Bk. i., No. 144, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines, and headed, "The Witnessing and Sealing Spirit." It was adopted by G. Whitefield in his Collection of Hymns, &c, 1753; A. M. Toplady in his Psalms & Hymns, 1776, and others amongst the older compilers. It is also widely used in Great Britain and America.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Timeline

Media

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Instances

Instances (301 - 334 of 334)
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The Psalms of David #I.CXLIV

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The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. #A144

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The Reformed Church Hymnal #298

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The Reformed Methodist Pocket Hymnal #II.117

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The Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book #364b

The Sabbath Hymn Book. Baptist ed. #d1244

The Sacred Lute #d405

The Select Hymn and Song Book #d362

The Service of Song for Baptist Churches #d1019

The Service of Praise #d370

The Service of Song for Baptist Churches #d634

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The Social Psalmist #170

The Soldier's Hymn Book #d70

The Songs of Zion #d205

The Songs of Zion #d204

The Southern Psalmist #d965

The Southern Psalmist. New ed. #d1015

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The Tribute of Praise and Methodist Protestant Hymn Book #272

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The Tribute of Praise #272

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The Tribute of Praise #272

The Vestry Hymn and Tune Book #d531

The Vestry Hymn Book #d558

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The Virginia Selection of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs #291

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The Voice of Praise #268

The Wesleyan Harp, a Collection of Hymns and Tunes Suitable for Social Worship. 1st ed. #d155

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The Wesleyan Methodist Hymnal #280

Triune Hymnal #d192

Union Hymns #d456

Vestry Songs #d234

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Worship in the School Room #194

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Wyeth's Repository of Sacred Music #24a

Zion's Hymns, for the Use of the Original Free-Will Baptist Church of North Carolina #d308

Pages

Exclude 331 pre-1979 instances
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