The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 3

II. Catechist Vincent-Papal Church Seat of Antichrist

THOMAS VINCENT (1634-1678), English nonconformist, was born in Herford, England, and graduated from Christ’s Church, Oxford, with an M.A. in 1654. He was chosen a catechist in the same year, but left Oxford to become a chaplain. In 1656 he connected with Cambridge and became rector of St. Mary Magdalene’s Church, London. But in 1662 he was ejected by the Act of Uniformity. He retired to Hoxton, where he preached privately, assisting in a school at Bunhill Fields. In 1667 he wrote a graphic account of the Great Plague and the Great Fire in London-God’s Terrible Voice in the City (1667). He developed a large congregation at Hoxton and suffered persecution for his nonconformity. He was the author of numerous writings, his Explicatory Catechism of 1673 being frequently reprinted up to 1848, the Northampton 1805 edition being extensively circulated in America. PFF3 104.5

The temper and testimony of this “Explanation of the Assembly’s Shorter Catechism” is evidenced by the rejection of the position of the Catholic Church concerning the Scriptures and tradition, for these reasons: PFF3 105.1

1. “Because the church, on whose testimony they say, the scriptures do depend, is an apostate and corrupt church, and the seat of Antichrist. 2. Because the true church of Christ doth depend in its being on the scriptures; and therefore the scriptures cannot depend upon the church for its authority.” ³³ PFF3 105.2