232 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. merit they afterwards met with, appears from an account now before me, 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 bap- tism.". Though our divine had his share in these tyran- nical proceedings, he was afterwards sheltered under the wing of a most worthy patron. Sir Robert Wroth warmly espoused his cause ; who, notwithstanding the protestation and censure of the archbishop, ordered him to renew his preaching, and he would stand forwards in his defence. After enduring suspension about eight months, he .was re- stored to his ministry. He continuedfor many years under the protection of Sir Robert, enjoying the peaceable exer- cise of his ministry. He was particularlyanxious to obtain a more pure reformation of the church ; be therefore united .with many of his brethren in subscribing the " Book of Discipline. '+ In the year 1598, one Mr. Rogers, most pro- bably this pious divine, was cited to appear before the high commission ; but whether he received any ecclesiasti- cal censure, we are unable to ascertain4 In the-year 1603, Mr.'Rogers and six other ministers felt the weight of the archbishop's outstretched arm ; and for refusing to take the oath ex officio, he suspended them all. Upon their suspension they were further summoned to Appear before his lordship ; but it is said the archbishop died on the very day of their appearance ; when they were discharged by the rest of the commissioners. But in the following year theywere exceedinglymolested by Bancroft, Whitgift's successor. During the whole summer theywere continually cited before him, which, in addition to many other hardships, caused them to take numerous, long, and expensive journies.§ In these tribulations Mr. Rogers bore an equal share 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. He was no sooner seated in his episcopal chair, than he began to prosecute the noncon- formists. Among others, he cited Mr. Rogers to appear Iiefore him, and protested in his presence, saying, " By MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p.589, (10.) + Neal's Puritans, vol. i. p. 423. t Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xi. p. 344. § MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 503. (7.) 589. (10.)
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