(3.) II. REV. RICHARD ROGERS,1 educated at Cambridge, and afterward for many years the minister at Wethersfield, Essex. He was a zealous, faithful and profitable laborer in the vineyard of the Lord for 46 years, a man of considerable learning, and a most humble, peaceable and exe ary fife ; but a great sufferer for non-conformity; in the year 1583, upon the publication of Archbishop Whitgift's three articles, and the severities accompanying them, Mr. Rogers with twenty-six of his brethren, all ministers of Essex, presented their petition to the Lords of the Council for relief ; this does not seem to have produced the desired effect, for Whitgift suspended and silenced them all, and protested that not one of them should preach without subscription and an exact conformity.
They continued to experience the same treatment, as appears from an account, wherein it is said, "that thirty- eight ministers, denominated the learned and painful ministers of Essex, were oftentimes troubled and molested for refusing to subscribe, to wear the surplice or use the cross in baptism." Though this Divine suffered his share from these tyrannical proceedings, he was afterward sheltered by a most worthy patron, Sir Robert Wroth, who warmly espoused his cause, and notwithstanding the protestation and censure of the Archbishop, ordered him to renew his preaching, and he would stand forward in his defence. After enduring suspension about eight months, he was restored to his ministry, the peaceful exercise of which he continued for many years, under his protection, to enjoy.
Being particularly anxious to obtain a more pure reformation of the church, he united with many of his brethren in subscribing the Book of Discipline.
In the year 1603, with six other ministers, he again felt the weight of the Archbishop's outstretched arm; and for refusing to take the oath ex officio, they were all suspended, upon which, they were further summoned to appear before his Lordship, but it is said, the Archbishop died upon the very day of their appearance, when they were discharged by the rest of the Commissioners. In the following year they were exceedingly molested by Bancroft, Whitgift's successor, during the whole summer, being continually cited before him; which in addition to many other hardships, caused them to take numerous long and expensive journies. In these tribulations, be bore an equal part with his brethren. Dr. Ravio succeeded Bancroft in the diocese of London, and appears to have been of the same cruel persecuting spirit as his predecessor.
Brandt's History of the Reformation. - Fuller's Worthies of England.- -Anderson's Annals of the English Bible, and Introduction of the Bible and its Consequences.
He was no sooner seated in his Episcopal chair, than he began to prosecute the non-conformists; among others, he cited Mr. Rogers to appear before him, and protested in his presence saying, "By the help of Jesus, I will not leave one preacher in my diocese who doth not subscribe and conform;" but poor man! he died soon after and so was disappointed.
Mr. Rogers in his own private diary, April 25th, 1605, makes the following reflections:
" I was much in prayer about my troubles, and my God granted me the desire of my heart. For by the favor and influence of William, Lord Knollys, God hath to my own comfort, and the comfort of my people, delivered me once more out of my troubles; oh ! that I may make a "holy
of my liberty." "But it greatly troubles me," adds he that after laboring betwixt thirty and forty years in the ministry, I am accounted unworthy to preach, while so many idle and scandalous persons enjoy their ease and liberty." Upon Dr. Vaughan's translation to the See of London, and his restoration of many of the suspended ministers, be observes, May 30, 1606. "If I preach no more, I heartily thank God for my liberty both at home and abroad for this year and a half, and I hope with some fruit. The Bishop has been my friend." April 2, 1607. "This week came the painful news of our Bishop Vaughan's death, who for twenty eight months, being all the time he continued, be permitted all the godly ministers to live peaceably, and to enjoy liberty in their ministry" On another occasion, having been in great danger of suspension, and many of his brethren being silenced, he makes this reflection: "By God's great mercy I have gained twelve weeks more liberty than I looked for. Therefore I have great cause to be content when silencing cometh, especially as many are silenced before me."
He was living in the year 1612; but the exact period of his death is unknown. Mr. Knewstead preached his funeral sermon, and Mr. Stephen Marshall was his immediate successor at Wethersfield. He was eminently faithful and laborious in the ministry, and "the Lord honored none more in the conversion of souls:"-being styled the Enoch of his day, a man walking with God; and he used to say, "I should be very sorry if every day were not employed as if it were my last."
Bishop Kennet remarks, "that England hardly ever brought forth a man who walked more closely with God." He was always notable for seriousness and gravity in all kinds of society; being once with a gentleman of respectability who said to him, "I like you and your company very well, only you are too precise." "Oh sir," replied be, " I serve a precise God."
He was author of a large work highly esteemed and still extant, entitled Seven Treatises or Scripture Directions leading to Happiness." Also, of a " Commentary on the Book of Judges." 1615. In his dedication of this work he says, that he has been in the ministry forty years.
It is related of Rev. John Wilson, the first minister of Boston, Mass., New England, who came with Gov. Winthrop and his company, in 1630, that being forestalled in his prejudices against the Puritans, he declined their acquaintance, (though from his good conversation and exemplary life, he was accounted one himself,) 'till going to a bookseller's shop to augment his well furnished library, he lighted on that famous book of Mr. Richard Rogers' " The Seven Treatises," which when he had read, be so affected not only the matter but author, that he took a journey to Wethersfield on purpose to hear him preach; and when he had heard the words which fell from the lips of that worthy man, privately as well as publicly, and compared them with the writings of Greenham, Dod and Dent, he saw that those, nicknamed Puritans, were likely to be the most desirable companions for one intending his own everlasting happiness.
This Mr. Wilson , was 3d son of Dr. Wilson, Prebend of St. Paul's, of Rochester, and of Windsor, and Rector of Cliff; he was invited to succeed the eminent Mr. Jenkin in the ministry at Sudbury, with which he cheerfully complied, and the more readily, because of his opportunity to be near old Mr. Richard Rogers, from whom afterward, when on his death bed, he received a blessing among his children, one of whom, Rev. Ezekiel Rogers,2 (8) afterward married the Rev. Mr. Wilson's daughter, in New England.
Mr. Richard Rogers was twice married; Susan, his 2d wife, was widow of the Rev. John Ward, of' Haverhill, Suffolk, England, and mother of the Rev. Nathaniel Ward of Ipswich, Mass. N. E. whose successor there, was Rev, Nathaniel Rogers 2 (11).
The children of REV. RICHARD1 (3) of Wethersfield, Essex, England, were,
(5) 1. Mary2
(6) 2. Rev. Daniel2 Rogers
(7) 3. Ezra2, - had no children
(8) 4. Rev. Ezekiel2 Rogers
(9) 5. Nathaniel2 - left no children
Neal's History of the Puritans.'- Brook's Lives of the Puritans. - Mather's Magnalia Mass. Historical Collection.
