Deep Dive into Foxe's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe - John Rogers, Vicar of St. Sepulchre's, and Reader of St. Paul's, London

John Rogers was an influential figure in the English Reformation, beginning his education at Cambridge. While serving as a chaplain for merchant adventurers in Antwerp, he encountered William Tyndale and Miles Coverdale, who were instrumental in his conversion. Collaborating with them, Rogers played a key role in translating the Bible into English, known as "The Translation of Thomas Matthew." Following his conversion and marriage, he moved to Wittenberg to enhance his learning and led a congregation there.Upon the accession of King Edward VI, Rogers returned to England to actively promote the Reformation, holding positions at St. Paul's Cathedral. However, the religious climate shifted dramatically with Queen Mary I's succession, which brought the reintroduction of Catholicism and persecution of Protestants. Rogers became a target after preaching a sermon at Paul's Cross defending the doctrines taught under King Edward and warning against "popery."Despite opportunities to escape to Germany and support his wife and a large family of ten or eleven children, Rogers remained steadfast. His actions were driven by deep religious conviction and a commitment to "Christ's cause." He was imprisoned, first under house arrest, then in Newgate, and unjustly condemned by Bishop Stephen Gardiner. Faced with execution, he refused to recant his beliefs, famously stating, "That which I have preached I will seal with my blood." Rogers was burned at Smithfield on February 4, 1555, becoming the first martyr of Queen Mary's reign, demonstrating remarkable constancy and patience even as his family watched.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianPatreon: patreon.com/edi_reformed