The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 25
The Life and Death of John Rogers, who died Anno Christi 1555.
IOhn Rogers was borne in England, and brought up at the University of Cambridge, where he profited very much in good learning; and from thence was chosen by the Merchant A…venturers to be their Chaplaine at Antwerpe, to whom he Preached many yeeres, and there falling into acquaintance with William Tindall and Miles Coverdal (who were fled from persecution in England) he, by their meanes, profited much in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and joyned with them in that painefull and profitable worke of Translating the Bible into English: there he married a wife, and from thence he went to Wittenberg, where he much profited in learning, and grew so skilfull in the Dutch tongue, that he was chosen Pastor to a Congregation there, where he discharged his Office with diligence and faithfulnesse many yeeres: but in King Edwards time, he was sent for home by Bishop Ridley, and was made a Prebend of Pauls, in which place he Preached faithfully till Queen Maries days; and in the beginning of her Reign, in a Sermons at Pauls-Cro…se, he exhorted the people constantly to adhere to that Doctrine which they had been taught, and to beware of pestilent Popery, &c. for which he was called before the Lords of the Councill, where he made a stout, witty and godly answer, and was dismissed: but after the Queens Proclamation against True-Preaching, he was again called (the Bishops thirsting for his blood) and committed prisoner to his owne house, whence he might have escaped, and had many motives, as his wife, and ten children, his friends in Germany, where he could not want preferment, &c. But being once called to answer in Christs Cause, he would not depart, though to the hazard of his life: from his own house he was removed by Bonner to Newgate amongst thieves and murtherers: he was examined by the Lord Chancellor, and the rest of the Councell, and by them was re-committed to prison: he was much pressed to recant, but stoutly refusing, was first excommunicated and degraded, and then condemned: after which he desired that his wife (to whom he had been married eighteen yeeres, and by whom he had ten children, and she being a stranger) might be admitted to come to him whilst he lived: but Stephen Gardiner, then Lord Chancellor, would by no meanes suffer it. February the fourth Anno Christi 1555. he was warned to prepare for death before he rose: If it be so, said he, I need not tie my points, and so he was presently had away to Bonner to be degraded, of whom he earnestly requested to be admitted to speake with his wife, but could not prevaile; from thence he was carryed into Smithfield, where scarce being permitted to speake to the people, he briefly perswaded them to perseverance in that truth which he had taught them, which also he was now ready to seale with his blood: then was a pardon profered to him if he would recant, but he utterly refused it; his wife, with nine small children, and the tenth sucking at her brest came to him, but this sorrowfull sight nothing moved him, but in the flames he washed his hands, and with wonderfull patience took his death; all the people exceedingly rejoycing at his constancy, & praising God for it. He was the Proto-martyr in Queene Maries dayes. The Sabbath before his death he dranke to Master Hooper, who lay in a chamber beneath him, bidding the messenger to commend him to him, and to tell him, That there was never little fellow that would better stick to a man, then he would to him; supposing they should be both burned together, although it happened otherwise.
Though this grave Father was enfor'd to flye
His envious Countrey for security,
Yet his und…unted courage would not move,
That alwayes stood (as Sentinell) to love.
'Twas not a prison could affection swage;
He, like a Bird sung swéetest in a cage.
When fir…t the Bible, with great paines and care,
He into English did translate so far,
That knowing men did admire the same;
And justly did extoll his lasting fame.
Who did contemne the fury of all those,
Who both to us and him were mortall foes.