Holiness and Happiness: The Piety of Isaac Watts

"Holiness and Happiness acquaints readers to the life and writings of Isaac Watts (1674-1748). Opening the book with an informative biographical introduction, Britt Stokes reveals how Watts was more than just an accomplished hymn writer-he was a dedicated pastor-scholar pursuing sincere Christian devotion among the people of God. Stokes then presents thirty-four selections from across Watts's writings so that readers can benefit firsthand from Watts's teaching on holiness and happiness as the nature of piety, how he grounds this in key Christian doctrines, and the means he says are at our disposal to cultivate further love for God.Table of Contents:The Life and Piety of Isaac Watts (1674-1748)Section One: The Nature of Piety 1. Aversion of Sin2. Above this World3. Enjoyment of God4. Zeal for God5. Love for the Saints6. Happiness is Nearness to God7. First Degree of Happiness8. Second Degree of Happiness9. Third Degree of Happiness10. Fourth Degree of Happiness11. Fifth Degree of HappinessSection Two: The Foundation of Piety12. The Ruin of Man13. Hymn: Adam's First Sin14. Forms of Sin15. The Law16. The Flesh17. The Recovery of Man18. Christ's Mediation19: Hymn: Access to the Throne of Grace20. Christ's Atonement21. The Use of the Atonement22. Death the Last Enemy23. The Intermediate State24. Perfection of Heaven25. Reality of Heaven26. Preparation for HeavenSection Three: The Cultivation of Piety27. Holy Wonder28. The Invaluable Regulator29. Meditation30. Prayer31. Worship32. The Lord's Supper33. Virtue34. FriendshipReading Watts"