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Profiles in Reformed Spirituality
Devoted to the Service of the Temple: Piety, Persecution, and Ministry in the Writings of Hercules Collins
Largely forgotten in modern times, Hercules Collins (1646-1702) was an influential Calvinistic Baptist in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Through a biographical sketch and 35 sample writings Haykin and Weaver provide an introduction to this godly and colossal man.
160 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2007
6 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Michael A.G. Haykin
219 books68 followersDr. Michael A.G. Haykin is the Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality and Director of The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He is also the editor of Eusebeia: The Bulletin of The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies. His present areas of research include 18th-century British Baptist life and thought, as well as Patristic Trinitarianism and Baptist piety.
Haykin is a prolific writer having authored numerous books, over 250 articles and over 150 book reviews. He is also an accomplished editor with numerous editorial credits.
He is also the editor of Eusebeia: The Bulletin of The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies. His present areas of research include 18th-century British Baptist life and thought, as well as Patristic Trinitarianism and Baptist piety.
Haykin is a prolific writer having authored numerous books, over 250 articles and over 150 book reviews. He is also an accomplished editor with numerous editorial credits.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 28, 2008
Devoted to the Service of the Temple is an excellent little work that brings together some extracts from the writings of Hercules Collins. Hercules Collins(1646/7-1702) was a well respected and greatly used Particular Baptist minister who was also one of the signers of the Second London Baptist Confession of 1677/89.
The first part of the book is a brief biography of Collins collected from what is avaialable on him. After that there follows 35 chapters that are extracts from his works. Chapter 1,18-19, & 34 are taken from a catechism Collins wrote that was a revision of the Heidleburg Catechism. Chapters 2-6 are taken from A Voice From The Prison which Collins wrote while incarcerated in Newgate Prison. Chpters 7-9 are taken from Counsel For The Living. Ten through fourteen are extracts from A Mountain of Brass which Collins wrote concerning the decrees of God. Chapter 15-17 are from A Scribe Instructed Unto The Kingdom Of Heaven. Chapters 20-32 take up the bulk of the book and are taken from Collins most important work, The Temple Repaired, a book Collins wrote dealing with the call and vocation of ministers. Chapter 33 & 35 are taken from two separate, lesser known works. Included as an appendix is Collin's funeral sermon preached by John Piggott.
Overall, this is a work that is well written with extensive footnotes for further reference and adds to the ongoing recovery of the writings of our Particular Baptist forefathers.
The first part of the book is a brief biography of Collins collected from what is avaialable on him. After that there follows 35 chapters that are extracts from his works. Chapter 1,18-19, & 34 are taken from a catechism Collins wrote that was a revision of the Heidleburg Catechism. Chapters 2-6 are taken from A Voice From The Prison which Collins wrote while incarcerated in Newgate Prison. Chpters 7-9 are taken from Counsel For The Living. Ten through fourteen are extracts from A Mountain of Brass which Collins wrote concerning the decrees of God. Chapter 15-17 are from A Scribe Instructed Unto The Kingdom Of Heaven. Chapters 20-32 take up the bulk of the book and are taken from Collins most important work, The Temple Repaired, a book Collins wrote dealing with the call and vocation of ministers. Chapter 33 & 35 are taken from two separate, lesser known works. Included as an appendix is Collin's funeral sermon preached by John Piggott.
Overall, this is a work that is well written with extensive footnotes for further reference and adds to the ongoing recovery of the writings of our Particular Baptist forefathers.
November 27, 2021
A little gem of a book.
The opening biographical essay sketches the history of the Particular Baptists clearly and helpfully. It also gives the reader a foretaste of Collins' warm and experiential style. Hercules Collins, though largely unknown today, was an important figure in the Particular (Calvinistic) Baptist community in the 17th century. These Baptists were part of the Dissenters, a larger group of Christians that, for one reason or another, were not in the Church of England.
I found it interesting that in the body of Collins' work was an early defense of religious liberty, where he argued that compulsion cannot bring about true spiritual enlightenment. Indeed, force cannot change the heart, and heart change is at the very core of Christianity.
His is a legacy where his teaching is highlighted, underlined, and put in bold by the powerful testimony of his life. Imprisoned for his opposition to the prevailing religious and political authority of his day, in abysmal conditions (two fellow pastors in prison with him died while in captivity), he remained faithful and wrote stirring letters to his congregation while in chains. This harrowing context gave his writing a kind of Pauline grittiness and verve.
The selections, well picked and edited, give the reader a real sense for his style and substance. The length of the book makes this long-departed brother's words accessible, portable, and edifying. What a gift! How else is a 21st-century Christian going to encounter such material?
For those in ministry and leadership, there were a number of selections specifically dealing with the realities of ministry and the task of preaching. While all the selections were good in content, some of them were simply stellar. My favorites were #s 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 20, 21, 24, 28, 30, 35.
The last selection was actually a poem that Collins wrote. This third stanza I thought was really quite good:
I highly recommend getting a few volumes in this series. There is nothing like reaching across the centuries and reading the words of a fellow Christian from another age. There is blessed similarity and blessed dissimilarity. Similar because the experience and convictions of true Christians have a common thread wherever they are found; dissimilar because we have lost much in our day and are blind in ways they are not.
If I was to try and find one thing to quibble with, it might be the title. Having finished the book, I now get it. At first glance, it was not a title that drew me in towards the book or piqued my interest.
The opening biographical essay sketches the history of the Particular Baptists clearly and helpfully. It also gives the reader a foretaste of Collins' warm and experiential style. Hercules Collins, though largely unknown today, was an important figure in the Particular (Calvinistic) Baptist community in the 17th century. These Baptists were part of the Dissenters, a larger group of Christians that, for one reason or another, were not in the Church of England.
I found it interesting that in the body of Collins' work was an early defense of religious liberty, where he argued that compulsion cannot bring about true spiritual enlightenment. Indeed, force cannot change the heart, and heart change is at the very core of Christianity.
His is a legacy where his teaching is highlighted, underlined, and put in bold by the powerful testimony of his life. Imprisoned for his opposition to the prevailing religious and political authority of his day, in abysmal conditions (two fellow pastors in prison with him died while in captivity), he remained faithful and wrote stirring letters to his congregation while in chains. This harrowing context gave his writing a kind of Pauline grittiness and verve.
The selections, well picked and edited, give the reader a real sense for his style and substance. The length of the book makes this long-departed brother's words accessible, portable, and edifying. What a gift! How else is a 21st-century Christian going to encounter such material?
For those in ministry and leadership, there were a number of selections specifically dealing with the realities of ministry and the task of preaching. While all the selections were good in content, some of them were simply stellar. My favorites were #s 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 20, 21, 24, 28, 30, 35.
The last selection was actually a poem that Collins wrote. This third stanza I thought was really quite good:
Come haste that blessed break of Light,
Let shadows flee away;
When ordinances all shall cease,
Come on Eternal Day.
Then through a glass shall look no more,
Unless the glass divine;
We shall through human nature see,
The blessed Godhead shine.
I highly recommend getting a few volumes in this series. There is nothing like reaching across the centuries and reading the words of a fellow Christian from another age. There is blessed similarity and blessed dissimilarity. Similar because the experience and convictions of true Christians have a common thread wherever they are found; dissimilar because we have lost much in our day and are blind in ways they are not.
If I was to try and find one thing to quibble with, it might be the title. Having finished the book, I now get it. At first glance, it was not a title that drew me in towards the book or piqued my interest.
March 28, 2018
With a brief sketch of Collins' life at the beginning and a selection of his own writings afterwards, this short book captures God's extensive grace in Hercules Collins. A pastor in the 17th century, he emulates diligent study of the Scriptures and humble reliance upon the power of God. These characteristics are displayed under immense persecution and temptation, which only highlight the grace of God. Thankful for Haykin and Weaver's work to put this book together!
April 29, 2024
Thought the book was full of great quotes from Hercules Collin’s writings. The only negative for me was the format of the book. Instead of grouping like, or similar, subjects together to form a single chapter, the books is a series of short one or two page chapters. Just did not like that format.
Because of the content, I still felt the book was strong enough to recommend it to others with an interest in Particular Baptist history.
Because of the content, I still felt the book was strong enough to recommend it to others with an interest in Particular Baptist history.
June 14, 2022
This book is a great little introduction to the life and piety of Hercules Collins, one of the central figures of the early Particular Baptist community. Short, warm, and devotional.
January 31, 2024
Excellent primer on the life and works of Hercules Collins. Collins is well worth reading.
February 13, 2025
Truly Wonderful!
October 29, 2020
Great selections of Hercules Collins' essays and major works. The synopsis of Collins' life was concise and clear. Very informative work which bears timeless truths that can be read devotionally.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews