1766–1843

December 28, 1766, Bideford, Devonshire, England.

November 15, 1843.

At age 14, Kent was apprenticed to his father, a shipwright in the Plymouth Dockyard. He began writing verse as a youth, and published Original Gospel Hymns in 1803. Kent went blind by age 60, which stopped his writing. However, his Original Gospel Hymns went through numerous editions, with number 10 published posthumously in 1861 and including a biography by his son.

  1. Before the Almighty Began
  2. Betrothed in Love, Ere Time Began
  3. Christ Exalted Is Our Song
  4. Come Saints, and Sing in Sweet Accord
  5. Hark, How the Blood-Bought Host Above
  6. How Sweet the Notes of Yonder Choir
  7. In Types and Shadows We Are Told
  8. Indulgent God, How Kind
  9. Let Zion in Her Songs Record
  10. Love Was the Great Self-Moving Cause
  11. On Zion’s Glorious Summit
  12. Precious Is the Name of Jesus
  13. Salvation by Grace, How Charming the Song
  14. Saved from the Damning Power of Sin
  15. Sons of God, in Tribulation
  16. Sons of Peace, Redeemed by Blood
  17. Sovereign Grace o’er Sin Abounding
  18. ’Tis the Church Triumphant Singing
  19. ’Twas Not to Make Jehovah’s Love
  20. ’Twas with an Everlasting Love
  21. What Cheering Words Are These!
  22. With David’s Lord, and Ours