Devoted to the Service of the Temple: Piety, Persecution, and Ministry in the Writings of Hercules Collins

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 Steve 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.

Endorsement

"Hercules Collins is one of the great figures from our Bapitst heritage - a heritage who suffered much for the cause of Christ and left a great legacy for generations that followed. There is something especially compelling about the witness of a man who was oppressed and imprisoned for his faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The witness of Hercules Collins as pastor, prisoner, and preacher is worthy of the closest attention in our own times. We are indebted to Michael Haykin and Steve Weaver for bringing Hercules Collins to life for a new generation."
—R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

Contents

Profiles in Reformed Spirituality
Foreword
Acknowledgements

The Piety of Hercules Collins (1646/7-1702)

1. An old gospel
2. Preaching from prison
3. The Christ-finding soul
4. Hold fast what thou hast
5. God is the gospel
6. The mercy of repentance
7. Prison comforts
8. Leaning on the promises
9. Spiritual liberty
10. Divine sovereignty and human responsibility
11. God’s eternal will
12. A sovereign and supreme will
13. God – “everything personally present”
14. Submitting to God’s will
15. Words of light
16. The sweetness of the Word in the school of affliction
17. The value of the ordinances in the school of affliction
18. Singing – “sweet incense”
19. “Grace sweetens the music”
20. Training elders within the Church
21. The essential necessity of the Holy Spirit
22. The art of preaching
23. The value of pastoral ministry
24. Some rules for interpreting Scripture
25. Plain preaching
26. Sermon preparation
27. Preaching “the whole counsel of God”
28. Some nuggets of advice about preaching
29. The use of notes in preaching
30. Calling a pastor
31. Praying for the outpouring of the Spirit
32. The laying on of hands
33. Peace
34. The believer’s ultimate comfort
35. “For thy blest Temple’s sake”  

Appendix: John Piggott’s funeral sermon for Hercules Collins
Bibliography