Hercules Collins facts for kids
Hercules Collins was an English Baptist minister who lived in the 1600s. He was known for writing books and for creating a special version of a religious teaching guide called the Orthodox Catechism.
Life of Hercules Collins
Hercules Collins did not have much formal schooling, but he was very religious from a young age. He seemed to lead a church group in a place called Wapping. At one point, he was held in Newgate Prison. He passed away on October 4, 1702. A special speech was given at his funeral by Reverend John Piggott, and it was later printed.
Important Writings
Collins started publishing his works with An Orthodox Catechism in 1680. This book was his own updated version of an older teaching guide from the 1500s called the Heidelberg Catechism. A catechism is like a question-and-answer guide that helps people learn about religious beliefs.
Collins made changes to the part about baptism. He also updated the writing style. He added the words of the Nicene Creed and Athanasian Creed, which are important statements of Christian belief. In a section at the end of his book, Collins explained why he believed singing together in church was important, based on the Bible.
Over the next 22 years, Collins wrote eleven more books. Many of these books talked about why some religious groups separated from the Church of England. He also wrote about the difference between believer's baptism (where people choose to be baptized when they are older) and infant baptism (where babies are baptized).
Some of his writings came from his time in Newgate Prison in 1684. One book, called Counsel for the Living Occasioned from the Dead, was written after two of his fellow prisoners died. It offered comfort and guidance to others who were also facing difficult times. Another book from prison was titled A Voice from Prison. This book contained thoughts and reflections meant to encourage people during challenging times.
One of his last works was The Temple Repair'd. This book gave advice on how to prepare and deliver sermons for those who were ministers.
Collins also wrote other works, including some individual sermons. Some of his writings caused a lot of discussion and debate. Here are a few examples:
- An Orthodox Catechism, being the sum of Christian Religion contained in the Law and Gospel, London, 1680.
- A Voice from the Prison, or Meditations on Revelations, London, 1684.
- Believers' Baptism from Heaven, and of Divine Institution Infants' Baptism from Earth, and Human Invention, London, 1691. This book was later updated and republished in 1803.
- The Antidote proved a Counterfeit, or Error detected, and Believers' Baptism vindicated, London, 1693. This book was a response to another work.
- Three books, London, 1696. This included The Scribe instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, Mountains of Brass, or a Discourse upon the Decrees of God, and a poem about the life of Jesus Christ.
Today, Hercules Collins's collected writings are being put together by Mark Smith and Reagan Marsh. This project is overseen by Dr. Michael Haykin.
