Copyright © 2013 Garry Stephen Weaver, Jr. All rights reserved. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has permission to reproduce and disseminate this document in any form by any means for purposes chosen by the Seminary, including, without limitation, preservation or instruction. HERCULES COLLINS: ORTHODOX, PURITAN, BAPTIST A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Garry Stephen Weaver, Jr. December 2013 APPROVAL SHEET HERCULES COLLINS: ORTHODOX, PURITAN, BAPTIST Garry Stephen Weaver, Jr. Read and Approved by: __________________________________________ Thomas J. Nettles (Chair) __________________________________________ Michael A. G. Haykin __________________________________________ Gregg R. Allison Date______________________________ To Gretta, my amazing wife, whose sacrificial care for me and our children made it possible for me to complete this work, and to our six children, Haddon, Hannah, Isaac, Jonathan, Lydia, and Katherine, who are indeed a treasure from the Lord. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . vii LIST OF FIGURES . viii PREFACE . ix Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION . 1 Personal Interest . 1 State of the Question . 2 Thesis and Methodology . 6 2. “FAITHFUL TO THE LAST”: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF HERCULES COLLINS . 8 Early Life and Family . 10 “Not a Learned Education”: Education and Occupation . 13 Beginning of Persecution . 17 London’s Oldest Baptist Church . 21 Hercules Collins: Pastor . 25 Wapping: The Early Years . 27 The Era of Persecution . 30 The Rise of Toleration . 39 Concern for the Coming Generation . 53 Death and Character of Collins . 58 iv Chapter Page 3. “ORTHODOX”: HERCULES COLLINS AND HISTORIC CHRISTIANITY . 63 Caffyn and the General Baptist Response . 64 Collier and the Particular Baptist Response . 67 Collins and An Orthodox Catechism . 69 Use of the Creeds . 71 Use of the Fathers . 75 Patristic Theology . 79 Conclusion . 88 4. “PURITAN”: HERCULES COLLINS AND REFORMED PROTESTANTISM . 90 Defining Puritanism . 91 Baptists and Puritanism . 91 Puritan Hermeneutics . 98 Puritan Homiletics . 120 A Puritan Approach to Persecution . 126 Conclusion . 139 5. “BAPTIST’: HERCULES COLLINS AND BAPTIST ECCLESIOLOGY . 141 Definition of the Church . 141 Religious Liberty . 144 Congregationalism . 146 The Sacraments . 152 Baptism . 160 The Lord’s Supper . 174 v Chapter Page Other Ordinances? . 207 Conclusion . 212 6. CONCLUSION . 213 Summary of Arguments . 214 Implications for Questions of Baptist Identity . 216 Appendix 1. CHRONOLOGY OF THE LIFE AND WORKS OF HERCULES COLLINS . 220 2. HERCULES COLLINS’ TOMBSTONE . 222 3. LIST OF BOOKS PURCHASED FOR “GIFTED BRETHREN” . 223 BIBLIOGRAPHY . 227 vi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS BDBR Biographical Dictionary of British Radicals BQ The Baptist Quarterly DNB Oxford Dictionary of National Biography WCB Wapping Church Book, 1676–1712. This handwritten minute book is housed in the archives of the Strict Baptist Historical Society in Dunstable, England. vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure A1. First list of books purchased for “Gifted Brethren” . 224 A2. Second list of books purchased for “Gifted Brethren” . 226 viii PREFACE I still remember the first time I stepped onto the campus of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I had arrived late on a Sunday night in January of 2002 for my first “J-Term” class, which was scheduled to begin the next day. Accompanied by my friend and fellow East Tennessee Extension Center student Mark Martin, I walked into an empty and silent Norton Hall. I was in awe of the beauty of the buildings, but more so of the seminary’s legacy of confessional fidelity that had been recovered under the leadership of President R. Albert Mohler, Jr. As I walked by the office of Dr. Mohler (then on the first floor of Norton Hall), I was reminded of the reason I had become a Southern Baptist in the first place. It had been the theological commitment to biblical inerrancy in the Convention’s entities brought about the Conservative Resurgence that had brought this former Independent Baptist into the fold. The campus at 2825 Lexington Road was a tangible reminder that I was part of something bigger than myself and my small local church. Our participation in the Cooperative Program allowed us to have an investment around the globe in the work of God. One very important part of that work for Southern Baptists for over one hundred and fifty years has been Southern Seminary. Over a decade later, I still never walk onto the campus of Southern Seminary without a tremendous sense of gratefulness to God for the privilege of attending such a historic and strategic institution. I completed my Master of Divinity while serving as a pastor in East Tennessee. While as a student at the extension center in Maryville, Tennessee, I was encouraged especially by professors Chad Owen Brand and M. David Sills. These men enabled me to believe that Ph.D. work was a possibility for me. I remain grateful for their ix encouragement then, and their friendship now. Although my love for history dates back to my reading of baseball history books as a child, I first remember a desire to do historical research while taking a course on the history of Baptists with Gregory A. Wills in the summer of 2003. His combination of meticulous historical research and impeccable Christian piety is one which I hope to emulate. As a Ph.D. student at Southern, I have been challenged and encouraged by what seems like the entire faculty, but especially professors Gregg R. Allison, Michael A. G. Haykin, Thomas J. Nettles, David L. Puckett, Gregory A. Wills, and Shawn D. Wright. While at Southern, I have been afforded the opportunity to work closely with two of the premier Baptist historians alive today. I will forever be grateful for the privilege of having Thomas J. Nettles as my doctoral supervisor. His trust of my instincts and confidence in my ability have been both inspiring and intimidating. To know Dr. Nettles is to know a Christian gentleman whose very demeanor makes one want to be a more devoted follower of Christ. Words alone will never be able to repay the debt that I owe to Michael A. G. Haykin. Without him I likely would never have had the opportunity to pursue Ph.D. studies. God, in his providence, used this man to open the door for me to study at Southern. Dr. Haykin has been my teacher, boss, mentor, and friend. In every relationship, he has been a model of Christian piety. His investment in me is such that every academic opportunity that I have heretofore have been given, or ever shall be given, can be credited in some way to his influence and support. I must also express gratitude to Russell D. Moore, who has always encouraged me and whose hiring of Michael A. G. Haykin in 2007 paved the way for me to serve as Dr. Haykin’s research assistant for the past five years. Farmdale Baptist Church has been home for me and my family for the past five years as I have pursued doctoral studies. This church family has been loving and supportive every step of the way. They have not begrudged the time that I have spent in seminars or writing this dissertation. They have loved me and my family and have shown x it by their prayers and financial support. There is no doubt that God placed us at Farmdale, and we are thankful for the opportunity to serve Christ’s people here. Of course, most supportive of my academic endeavors has been my family. My parents, Garry and Jan Weaver, have always encouraged and supported me in every pursuit. As long as I can remember, they have been a model of sacrificial service to Christ. I am thankful for their example and investment in my life. They have recently reenlisted as missionaries at an age when many would be considering retirement. Their desire to finish strong and to see the nations reached with the gospel is a challenge and inspiration to me. They are my heroes. My brother and sister, Jeremy Weaver and Elizabeth Ramseyer, have been more than siblings; they have been lifelong friends who always bring laughter into my life. My grandparents, Frank and Hazel Weaver, have also been supportive throughout this long educational process. Their prayers and financial gifts have been used by God to meet needs at just the right time. My wife, Gretta, and our children have been patient with my long hours of writing and a constant source of encouragement. The children’s questions of “Are you done yet?” have provided motivation to finish the job as soon as possible. Gretta has always supported me, and her care for me and the children during what must have seemed like an eternity to her, is the key reason why I have been able to complete this project. Therefore, this dissertation is dedicated to her and our children, all of whom I adore. Among the many who have provided academic assistance are the staff of the James P. Boyce Centennial Library at Southern Seminary, the staff of the British Library in London, the staff of the Angus Library at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University, and Lara Beth Lehman, Curriculum Materials Center Manager at Peabody Library, Vanderbilt University. Special thanks go to the Strict Baptist Historical Society and its librarian David Woodruff. The Society’s Library and Archives possesses the Wapping Church Book, which has been invaluable to this dissertation. In September 2011, not only did David Woodruff allow me access to this historic manuscript, he also assisted me in xi photographing it. Even more graciously, he opened his home to me and allowed me to spend a very pleasant evening with his family. A.