“For I expect that the sufferings in this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
In the 1500’s there had been the struggle in England of the standard religion of Rome imposing itself upon the population. It was a monopoly. That monopoly evaporated with the Reformation. And people being burned at the stake, for the most part, came to an abrupt end. However, in the early and middle 1600’s and on some occasions later there would be persecution of a different sort from the church that now had the power, the Church of England. Unlike the New World (the emerging American colonies), England did not promote a generic freedom of religion. Ministers who did not conform to the religion approved by parliament, would, in many cases, find themselves in prison. These ministers were called non-conformists. William Rogers was one such minister.
“And be not conformed to the world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).
A little girl, Hattie, lived next door to William Rogers. She was a spoiled brad, raised by servants in her grandfather’s mansion. She noticed William Rogers, her neighbor, pulling weeds in his yard. She said, “pulling weeds is for servants.”
“Servants cost money,” was Rogers’ reply. Ironically, it was Hattie’s grandfather, Sir Richard Craddock, the magistrate, who was the reason he had no money. Mr. Craddock had outlawed Roger’s preaching at the local church house. This reduced Rogers to the point of having to preach in a living room church. People would attend services at his home since preaching in public had been outlawed by Craddock.
Little Hattie had been spoiled at an early age. She had sliced herself with a knife when she was having a temper fit. After that, her grandfather, Craddock, ordered that she could have her way in most cases. Thanks to this imperative, she was able to get away often in order to go see her next door neighbor, William Rogers. He would tell her stories from the Bible, especially stories about people of strong faith.
One day when he was having a church service in his home there was a knock at the door. When he opened the door, angry people grabbed him, pulled him out of the house, and threw him on the ground. They tied his wrists. He noticed 3 of his friends had already been taken into captivity. The four of them were taken to the home of the magistrate, Sir Richard Craddock. Reportedly, Craddock came in and gloated over the capture of the non-conformists.
Craddock addressed the prisoners as wolves who were leading the sheep astray. He accused William Rogers of preaching without a license. Getting a license would have meant that the state had the right to turn religion into a privilege granted only to the individuals who conform to the approved doctrine. He informed the prisoners he was going to fill out the papers for their imprisonment. When he left to go down the hall, Sarah, one of the four prisoners began to cry.
Suddenly, little Hattie burst through the door. She recognized her neighbor. “You’ve come to visit at last!” she said, walking up to him. Rogers smiled but said nothing. Then she noticed his hands were tied.
Hattie walked up to the deputy and asked him, “What are you doing to my good old gentleman?” The deputy told her, “He’s a wicked man, but he’ll pay now.” The little girl became angry. “What are they going to do with you?” she asked Mr. Rogers.
“Your grandfather says that I and my friends must go to prison,” replied Rogers.
Hattie began to have a temper fit. She stomped her feet and began to be out of control emotionally. Her voice grew to a shout, “You will not go to prison. Grandpapa can’t do that to you.”
The girl raced down the hall to the room where her grandfather had gone to fill out the papers. Finding the door locked, she banged her head against it, demanding to get inside. Someone opened the door. She raced in and asked, “What are you going to do with my good old gentleman out there?”
“None of your business. Go on out and play,” her grandfather replied.
“But I will not,” she responded, “He says you are going to send him and his friends to jail. If you send them to jail, I will drown myself in the pond as soon as they are gone! I really will!”
Craddock was stunned for a while. His astonishment was profound due to the fact he realized she was willing to carry out what she had threatened to do. He picked up the papers he had been filling out, and walked down the hall to the prisoners.
He addressed the prisoners: “I had intended to send you all to jail, but my granddaughter has requested that I show you mercy. You are released. See that you do not repeat the offence.” The deputies released the prisoners. Rogers turned to little Hattie and put his hand on her head, and prayed, “God bless you, my dear child. May the blessing of that God whose cause you now plead, that as yet you know Him not, be upon you in life, at death, and throughout eternity.”
Sources:
Calamy, Edmund, The Non-Conformist’s Memorial, 1802 Button and Son and T Hurst, London, England, United Kingdom
Dugger, Andrew, A History of the True Religion, © 1972 Andrew Dugger and C O Dodd, Jerusalem, Israel
Editors, The Persecution of William Rogers, Eschatology Journal, Volume 7, Number 1, © 2005 AFSS Corporation, Ocala, FL, United States
Phillips, Wilson, Footprints, 2004 Abundant Life, Springfield, MO, United States
Wily Elder
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