John Rogers, who was burned at Smithfield in 1555, is a man who deserves to be held in peculiar honor by all English Protestants, for one simple reason. He was the first of that noble band of Christian heroes who suffered martyrdom for Gods truth in Queen Marys reign. By his courage and constancy at the stake he supplied a glorious example to all who followed him, and mightily helped forward the English Reformation. Some account of this good man can hardly fail to be interesting to all loyal Churchmen. In the noble army of English martyrs he was eminently a standard-bearer. Now when the time came that he, being delivered to the Sheriffs, should be brought out of Newgate to Smithfield, the place of his execution, first came to him Master Woodroofe, one of the aforesaid Sheriffs, and calling Master Rogers unto him, asked him if he would revoke his abominable doctrine, and his evil opinion of the sacrament of the altar. Master Rogers answered and said,That which I have preached I will seal with my blood. Then, quoth Master Woodroofe, thou art a heretic That shall be known, quoth Rogers,at the day of judgment. Well, quoth Master Woodroofe, I will never pray for thee. But I will pray for you! quoth Master Rogers; and so was brought the same day, which was Monday, the 4th of February, by the Sheriffs toward Smithfield, saying the psalm Miserere by the way, all the people wonderfully rejoicing at his constancy, with great praises and thanks to God for the same. And there, in the presence of Master Rochester, Comptroller of the Queens Household, Sir Richard Southwell, both the Sheriffs, and a wonderful number of people, the fire was put unto him; and when it had taken hold both upon his legs and shoulders, he, as one feeling no smart, washed his hands in the flame, as though it had been in cold water. And, after lifting up his hands unto heaven, not removing the same until such time as the devouring fire had consumed them, most mildly this happy martyr yielded up his spirit into the hands of his heavenly Father. LIKE. A. BOSS.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 04:33:55 +0000
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