Hercules Collins
Encyclopedia
Hercules Collins was an English Baptist minister, author of a revision of the Heidelberg Catechism
.
, and at one period he was imprisoned in Newgate Prison
. He died on 4 October 1702, and his funeral sermon, by the Rev. John Piggott, was printed in the following year.
, as well as making a number of stylistic changes; he also added the text of the Nicene Creed
and Athanasian Creed
. In the appendix Collins argues for the biblical duty of congregational singing.
Over the next twenty-two years Collins produced eleven more works, mainly on issues of separation from the Church of England, and believer's baptism
versus infant baptism
. Other works come from his time in Newgate Prison during 1684. One of these was Counsel for the Living Occasioned from the Dead and was written on the death of two of his fellow prisoners; it contains pastoral instruction to those who were likewise experiencing persecution. The other, A Voice from Prison, was alternatively titled: Meditations on Revelation 3:11 Tending to the Establishment of God’s Little Flock, in An Hour of Temptation.
A final work was The Temple Repair'd. It includes instruction on preparing and preaching sermons for those in the ministry.
Besides some single sermons, he wrote the following works, some of which occasioned a good deal of controversy:
Attribution
Heidelberg Catechism
The Heidelberg Catechism is a Protestant confessional document taking the form of a series of questions and answers, for use in teaching Reformed Christian doctrine...
.
Life
Collins had little education, but was religious at an early age. He appears to have officiated to a congregation at WappingWapping
Wapping is a place in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets which forms part of the Docklands to the east of the City of London. It is situated between the north bank of the River Thames and the ancient thoroughfare simply called The Highway...
, and at one period he was imprisoned in Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison was a prison in London, at the corner of Newgate Street and Old Bailey just inside the City of London. It was originally located at the site of a gate in the Roman London Wall. The gate/prison was rebuilt in the 12th century, and demolished in 1777...
. He died on 4 October 1702, and his funeral sermon, by the Rev. John Piggott, was printed in the following year.
Works
His published material begins with An Orthodox Catechism (1680), an edited version of the 16th century Heidelberg Catechism. Collins revised the section on baptismBaptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
, as well as making a number of stylistic changes; he also added the text of the Nicene Creed
Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the creed or profession of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because, in its original form, it was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.The Nicene Creed has been normative to the...
and Athanasian Creed
Athanasian Creed
The Athanasian Creed is a Christian statement of belief, focusing on Trinitarian doctrine and Christology. The Latin name of the creed, Quicumque vult, is taken from the opening words, "Whosoever wishes." The Athanasian Creed has been used by Christian churches since the sixth century...
. In the appendix Collins argues for the biblical duty of congregational singing.
Over the next twenty-two years Collins produced eleven more works, mainly on issues of separation from the Church of England, and believer's baptism
Believer's baptism
Believer's baptism is the Christian practice of baptism as this is understood by many Protestant churches, particularly those that descend from the Anabaptist tradition...
versus infant baptism
Infant baptism
Infant baptism is the practice of baptising infants or young children. In theological discussions, the practice is sometimes referred to as paedobaptism or pedobaptism from the Greek pais meaning "child." The practice is sometimes contrasted with what is called "believer's baptism", or...
. Other works come from his time in Newgate Prison during 1684. One of these was Counsel for the Living Occasioned from the Dead and was written on the death of two of his fellow prisoners; it contains pastoral instruction to those who were likewise experiencing persecution. The other, A Voice from Prison, was alternatively titled: Meditations on Revelation 3:11 Tending to the Establishment of God’s Little Flock, in An Hour of Temptation.
A final work was The Temple Repair'd. It includes instruction on preparing and preaching sermons for those in the ministry.
Besides some single sermons, he wrote the following works, some of which occasioned a good deal of controversy:
- An Orthodox Catechism, being the sum of Christian Religion contained in the Law and Gospel, London, 1680, 12mo.
- A Voice from the Prison, or Meditations on Revelations, London, 1684, 4to.
- Believers' Baptism from Heaven, and of Divine Institution Infants' Baptism from Earth, and Human Invention, London, 1691, 8vo., revised and republished by John Bailey, London, 1803, 8vo.
- The Antidote proved a Counterfeit, or Error detected, and Believers' Baptism vindicated, containing an answer to "An Antidote to prevent the Prevalency of Anabaptism," London, 1693, 4to.
- Three books, viz. I. The Scribe instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven. II. Mountains of Brass, or a Discourse upon the Decrees of God. III. A poem on the Birth, Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ. 3 parts, London, 1696, 12mo.
External links
- http://www.angelfire.com/tn/steveweaver/17th_Century_Baptist_Ministry.pdf
Attribution