Digital Logos Edition
A Catechism, With Proofs is a manual compiled by Spurgeon and drawing from the Westminster Assembly and various Baptist catechisms. This catechism was used widely in Spurgeon’s congregation, and addresses the most pressing theological and pastoral needs of the church. The concise question-and-answer format makes this volume accessible for lay readers and scholars alike, and offers an insightful window into the faith of the congregation at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. The Logos Bible Software edition of A Catechism, With Proofs was originally published in London by Passmore and Alabaster in 1872.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon was born in Kelvedon, Essex, England on June 19, 1834. He converted to Christianity in 1850 at a small Methodist chapel, to which he detoured during a snowstorm. While there, he heard a sermon on Isaiah 45:22 and was saved—“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is none else.” He began his own ministry of preaching and teaching immediately, and preached more than 500 sermons by the age of twenty.
In 1854, at nineteen years of age, Spurgeon began preaching at the New Park Street Chapel in London. He was appointed to a six month trial position, which he requested be cut to three months should the congregation dislike his preaching. He gained instant fame, however, and the church grew from 232 members to more than five thousand at the end of his pastorate. Many of his sermons were published each week and regularly sold more than 25,000 copies in twenty languages. Throughout his ministry, Spurgeon estimated that he preached to more than 10,000,000 people. Dwight L. Moody was deeply influenced by Spurgeon’s preaching, and founded the Moody Bible Institute after seeing Spurgeon’s work at the Pastor’s College in London.
Spurgeon read six books per week during his adult life, and read Pilgrim’s Progress more than 100 times. In addition to his studying and preaching, Spurgeon also founded the Pastor’s College (now Spurgeon’s College), various orphanages and schools, mission chapels, and numerous other social institutions.
Charles Spurgeon suffered from poor health throughout his life. He died on January 31, 1892, and was buried in London.
“I am persuaded that the use of a good Catechism in all our families will be a great safeguard against the increasing errors of the times, and therefore I have compiled this little manual from the Westminster Assembly’s and Baptist Catechisms, for the use of my own church and congregation. Those who use it in their families or classes must labour to explain the sense; but the words should be carefully learned by heart, for they will be understood better as years pass.” (Page 2)
“Q. Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression?” (Page 7)
“What shall be done to the wicked at the day of judgment?” (Page 16)
“Lord’s Supper, Prayer, and Meditation, by all which believers are further edified in their most holy faith (Acts 2:41–42; Jas. 1:18).” (Page 26)
“continues to be God and man, in two distinct natures and one person for ever (1 Tim. 3:16; Col. 2:9).” (Page 9)