the wealth and good things of this world that influenced them, for it oftener deprived them of what they had; neither was it love of ease, or pride of position, for it was attended with exhausting labor, and exposed them to privation, suffering and death in a variety of forms. It was the simple power of the gospel that moved them, and this was mightier than the combined attractions of the world.

After laboring in the vineyard of Christ with great success for some time, Dr. Ridley, then bishop of London, gave Rogers a prebend in his cathedral church of St. Paul's; of which he was afterward chosen by the dean a divinity lecturer, or reader of divinity in that church.

Here he continued till queen Mary, soon after her accession, banished the true religion, and again introduced the superstition and idolatry of the Church of Rome, with all the horrid cruelties of blood-thirsty Antichrist.

When Mary was in the Tower of London, imbibing Gardiner's pernicious counsels, Rogers preached at Paul's-cross, confirming those doctrines which he and others taught there in king Edward's days, and exhorted the people, with peculiar energy, to continue steadfast in the same, and to beware of the false tenets of pestilent popery.

For this sermon the preacher was summoned before the council, then filled with popish bishops, before whom he pleaded his cause in so pious, bold, and yet prudent a manner as to obviate their displeasure for a time, and procure his dismissal.

But, after Mary's proclamation to prohibit the preaching of the doctrines of the reformed religion, for a contempt of the same, he was again summoned before a council of bishops, who, after having debated upon the nature of his offense, ordered him to keep close prisoner in his own house, from which he never departed, though he had many fair opportunities to escape.

He saw the recovery of the true religion, at that time, desperate; he knew he should want for a living in Germany, sufficient for the wants of a large family, consisting of a wife and ten children; but, all these considerations could not move

him. He determined, resolutely, after he had been called to answer for Christ's cause, not to desert it; and resolved to hazard his life in support of the truth.

In this state of confinement he remained a considerable time, till, at the instigation of the cruel Bonner, bishop of London, he was removed from his own house to Newgate, and placed among the common felons.

What passed between him and the adversaries of Christ, during the time of his imprisonment, is not certainly known. Some account of his examinations, in his own handwriting, have been preserved, which show a firm adherence to gospel truth on his part, notwithstanding the fearful and repeated threats of wicked men.

He continued in prison nearly a year and a half, cheerful and earnest in all his pursuits; writing much, and doing good as he had opportunity.

At length, on a morning of February, he was suddenly aroused from his slumber with the intelligence that he must prepare for the flames, which awaited him. One thing only he asked, the privilege of meeting with his family once more ere he went from them forever; but, the cruel heart of his merciless tormentor would not allow him even this, and he was led to the stake with the expectation of never seeing them more in this world.

They met him on the way, however, and, be it ascribed to the all-sustaining power of the gospel, the sight of his sorrowing and afflicted family moved him not.

Doubtless he gazed on them with all a father's yearning affection, and a husband's tender sympathy, and would gladly have remained to lead them on through the troubled paths of life, were it the Divine will. But his obligations to God were paramount to all others, and he cheerfully resigned the dearest, sweetest pleasures of this life at the call of his Heavenly Master, and gained thereby the more precious joys in the kingdom above.

He was asked to recant his opinions, to which he answered, "That what he had preached he would seal with his blood." "Then," said the sheriff, "thou art an heretic " To this he

replied, "That shall be known at the day of judgment." This, of course, excited the rage of his persecutors, and hastened them to perform the deed, which only more speedily introduced him to a far happier scene.

For the defense of the gospel of Christ he took his death with wonderful patience, and ascended from a bed of flames to the throne on high, there to receive the approving sentence of heaven, and to enter upon the everlasting reward of the faithful in a world of eternal joy and blessedness.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

John Hooper.

SPIRITUAL LIFE; FILLS THE PLACE OF STEWARD; FLEES FOR HIS LIFE; RETURNS, AND IS CHOSEN BISHOP; EXPULSION, AND FINAL

CONDEMNATION.

OOPER was a student and graduate in the university of Oxford, where he distinguished himself for his abundant proficiency in the sciences, which, united with his present love for the Holy Scriptures, eminently fitted him for the work of maintaining and defending the true religion. Growing more and more, by God's grace, in ripeness of spiritual understanding, and manifesting the fervency of his spirit, being then about the time of excitement in the reign. of Henry VIII., he obtained the displeasure and hatred of certain doctors at Oxford, who began to stir up opposition against him, whereby, and especially by the procurement of one Dr. Smith, he was compelled to quit the university. Removing from thence, he was received into the house of Sir Thomas Arundel, and became his steward, till the intelligence of his opinions and religion were made known to him. He did not favor the christian views of Hooper, but felt a very particular regard for him as a man. He found means to send him with a message to the bishop of Winchester, at the same

time secretly writing a letter to him, with a request that, in any case, his servant might be sent back to him.

The bishop, after long conference with Hooper, four or five days together, at length perceiving that he could neither do that good which he thought to him, nor that he would take any good at his hand, according to Arundel's request, sent him home again, commending him for his learning and wit, but yet harboring ill-will in his breast, against the man.

Not long after this, as malice is always working evil, intelligence was given to him, to provide for himself, as danger threatened him.

Upon this Hooper took his journey to the sea-side to go to France, and reaching Paris, he tarried there for a little season, but in a short time returned to England again, where he was entertained by a friend till he was molested and sought for the second time.

This compelled him to take to the seas, and he escaped through France, to the higher parts of Germany, where he formed an acquaintance with several learned men, who honored him with their intimate friendship, and made his stay there both profitable and pleasant.

At Zurich, he applied himself very studiously to the study of the Hebrew language, and here also he married his wife, who was a Burgonian.

At length God saw fit to give a season of rest and comparative quiet unto the churches, under the reign of king Edward; and among the English exiles, who then repaired homeward, was Hooper, who was desirous of helping forward the Lord's work to the utmost of his ability in his native place. His German friends, who had formed a strong attachment for him, bade him a reluctant adieu, sorrowing for themselves, but rejoicing for the church of Christ which would be so much benefited by his labors.

On coming to London, he preached continually, at least, once every day and oftentimes twice.

In his sermons, according to his accustomed manner, he corrected sin, and sharply inveighed against the iniquity of the world, and corrupt abuses of the church.

Multitudes flocked daily to hear his voice, as the most melodious sound of Orpheus harp, insomuch that often when he was preaching, the church was insufficient to contain those who attempted to find entrance.

In his doctrine he was earnest, in tongue eloquent, in the Scriptures perfect, and in pains indefatigable.

He was of sound body, firm health, keen wit, and invincible patience, which enabled him to sustain whatever sinister fortune and adversity could do.

He bore in countenance and conversation a certain reserve and grace, which some perhaps might have wished more popular and familiar; but such were his views of life, and his impressions of the future, that it made him thus, to a great degree. So calculated was his whole bearing to inspire a feeling of awe, that every one could not approach him.

An honest citizen once came to his door for counsel, but being abashed at his seemingly austere appearance, he was deterred from his purpose, and departed to seek from others the desired aid.

From the duties of an ordinary minister, he was called to preach before the king's majesty, and soon after made bishop of Gloucester by the king's commandment. In that office he continued two years, and so secured the confidence and respect of the people, that even his enemies could find no occasion to speak against him, although they sought it.

Animated by the highest and purest motives, he labored incessantly to save the souls of his flock. He was chosen bishop, and no father in his household, no gardener in his garden, nor husbandman in his vineyard, was more diligently or better occupied, than he in his diocese among his flock, going about his towns and villages in teaching and preaching to the people there. The time he had to spare from his ministerial labors, he bestowed either in hearing public causes, or else in private study, prayer, and visiting of schools. With his continual doctrine, he united due and discreet correction, and to none was it given more severely, than to those who for abundance of riches and wealthy state, thought themselves exonerated from the duties of ordinary christian citizens.