While largely forgotten in modern times, Hercules Collins (1646/1702) was highly influential among the late 17th and early 18th century Calvinistic Baptists of London. Through a biographical sketch and 35 sample selections collected from Collin's writings, Michael A.G. Haykin and Stee Weaver introduce us to the vibrant spirituality of this colossal figure.
Series Description
Seeking, then, both to honor the past and yet not idolize it, we are issuing these books in the series Profiles in Reformed Spirituality. The design is to introduce the spirituality and piety of the Reformed Profiles in Reformed Spirituality tradition by presenting descriptions of the lives of notable Christians with select passages from their works. This combination of biographical sketches and collected portions from primary sources gives a taste of the subjects’ contributions to our spiritual heritage and some direction as to how the reader can find further edification through their works. It is the hope of the publishers that this series will provide riches for those areas where we are poor and light of day where we are stumbling in the deepening twilight.
Contents
Profiles in Reformed Spirituality
Foreword
Acknowledgements
The Piety of Hercules Collins (1646/7-1702)
- An old gospel
- Preaching from prison
- The Christ-finding soul
- Hold fast what thou hast
- God is the gospel
- The mercy of repentance
- Prison comforts
- Leaning on the promises
- Spiritual liberty
- Divine sovereignty and human responsibility
- God’s eternal will
- A sovereign and supreme will
- God – “everything personally present”
- Submitting to God’s will
- Words of light
- The sweetness of the Word in the school of affliction
- The value of the ordinances in the school of affliction
- Singing – “sweet incense”
- “Grace sweetens the music”
- Training elders within the Church
- The essential necessity of the Holy Spirit
- The art of preaching
- The value of pastoral ministry
- Some rules for interpreting Scripture
- Plain preaching
- Sermon preparation
- Preaching “the whole counsel of God”
- Some nuggets of advice about preaching
- The use of notes in preaching
- Calling a pastor
- Praying for the outpouring of the Spirit
- The laying on of hands
- Peace
- The believer’s ultimate comfort
- “For thy blest Temple’s sake”
Appendix: John Piggott’s funeral sermon for Hercules Collins
Bibliography
Michael A.G. Haykin is professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, and Research Professor of Irish Baptist College, Constituent College of Queen's University Belfast, N. Ireland.
Steve Weaver is the pastor of West Broadway Baptist Church in Lenoir City, Tennessee
