Rogers, John

The following data is extracted from Rogers Family Records.

(1500?-1555); first martyr in the Marion persecution; an orthodox Catholic priest, but while at Antwerp he met Wm. Tindal who was engaged on his translation of the Old Testament into English; their intimacy led Rogers to abandon the doctrines of Rome; at Wittenberg Rogers took charge of a protestant congregation; Tindal, who was burned alive, gave to Rogers the incomplete translation of the Old Testament and the latter finished it; although he did little of the translation, to him are due the valuable prefatory matter and the marginal notes; returned to London, 1548; appointed to the valuable prebend of St. Pancras in St. Paul's Cathedral; divinity lecturer in the cathedral. The day before Mary was proclaimed queen, Rogers preached, by order of Queen Jane's council, at Paul's Cross. He boldly set forth "such true doctrines as he and others had then taught in King Edward's days, exhorting the people constantly to remain in the same, and to beware of an idolatry and superstition." For using such language he was summoned before the council. He explained that he was merely preaching the religion established by parliament; in 1555 Rogers and 10 other protestant preachers were brought before the privy council; Rogers held that he was not a heretic; he was condemned to death; before the fire was kindled he was offered a pardon, conditional on recantation, but he refused life under such conditions.

Source: Rogers Family Records

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