Daniel Rogers

Daniel Rogers, B. D.—This excellent divine was born in the year 1573, and educated in Christ's college, Cambridge, where he was chosen fellow. He was son to Mr. Richard Rogers, of Wethersfield in Essex, and brother to Mr. Ezekiel Rogers, both eminent puritan divines. Upon his removal from the university, he was some time minister at Haversham in Buckinghamshire; afterwards at Wethersfield, the place of his birth, though not the immediate successor of his father. In the latter situation, however, he met with some trouble under the persecution of Bishop Laud. This unmerciful prelate was no sooner advanced to the see of London, than he proceeded.with the utmost severity against the nonconformists in his diocese; and, in the year 1629, great numbers, for preaching against arminianism and

• Wood's Alhense, vol. i. p. 794.—Walker's Attempt, part ii. p. SO. + Biog. Briiao. vol. vii. p. 43*3. J Walker's Attempt, part ii. p. 50.

the popish ceremonies, were suspended and brought into other troubles. Among the numerous sufferers fiom this intolerant prelate was Mr. Rogers.* It does not appear how long he continued under the ecclesiastical oppression, or whether he ever obtained his lordship's favour. In the jear 1(343, one of his name, a godly aud orthodox divine, became rector of Green's Norton in Northamptonshire, the living being sequestered from ihe Bishop ot Oxford for his malignancy against the parliamc nt. This was most probably the same person, but he did not enjoy the benefice any long time, resigning it into the hands of those from whom he received the presentation.+ But whelher this was, indeed, the same person, or another of his name, it is certain Mr. Rogers spent his last years among his beloved people at Wcthersfield.

He was a man of great parts, great grace, and great infirmities. He had a natural temper so remarkably had, tarnishing the lustre of his eminent graces, that the famous Mr. John Ward ued to say, "My brother Rogers hath grace enough for two men; but not enough for himse/j'." Though he was a man of most distinguished talents, and received the high applause of all who knew him, yet he enjoyed so large a portion of Ihc grace of God, that he was never lifted up in his own eyes, but always discovered a very low opinion of himself. During the last year of his life, says our author, he exclaimed, in my presence, "O cousin! I would exchange circumstances with the meanest christian in Wethersfield, who hath-only the soundness of grace in him."| Afterwards, he was seized with a quartan ague, which greatly affected his head; and though he recovered, he continued to be exercised with painful apprehensions about the safety of his own state. He often said, "To die is work by itself." But as the hour of his departure approached, the frame of his mind became more serene and happy; and, upon a review of the work of Christ, be often exclaimed, "O glorious redemption." He died in , the month of September, 1652, about eighty years of age.$ Crosby intimates that Mr. Rogers was inclined to the peculiar sentiments of the baptists; and that he candidly declared that he was not convinced, by any part of scripture, in favour of infant baptism.||

• Prynne's Cant. Dooroe, p. 313. + Rennet's Chronicle, p. 809.

J Firuiiu's Real Christian, Pref.

S MS. Chronology, vol. ii. p. 43S. (12 | 4.)

| Crosby's Hist, of Baptists, To), i. p. 167.

This, however, is a very partial and incorrect statement, as will appear from Mr. Kogers's own words. Speaking of the. improper use made of his words by a certain writer, in favour of the peculiar sentiments of the baptists, he sayB, "If I were to answer that anabaptist, I should answer him silench el eonlemptu, by silence and contempt. For why should I not? since in that very place of my " Sacraments," part i. p. 78, 79, where I confute those schismatics, he snatches my words from their own defence. My words are, < I confess myself unconvinced by any demonstration of •cripture for padobaptism;' meaning by any positive text. What is that to help him, except 1 thought there were ho other arguments to evince it? Now, what I think of that my next words shew. I need not transcribe them. In a word, this I say, though I know none, yet that is no argument for the non-baptizing of infants; since so many scriptures are sufficiently convincing for it. Therefore, this want of positive text must no more exclude infants, than th« like reason should disannul the christian sabbath, or women from partaking of the Lord's supper."* Mr. Rogers was a divine of great fame and usefulness in his day. He is classed among the learned writers nnd fellows of Christ'* college, Cambridge, and styled a divine of vast parts, r

His Works.—1. David's Cost, wherein every one who is desirous to serve God aright may. see what it must Cost him, 1619.—2. A Practical Catechism, 1633.—3. Naaman the Syrian, his Disease and Cure, 1642.—4. Matrimonial Honour, 1642.—5. A Treatise ou th« Sacraments.