Reformer Burned at Stake
February 5, 1555 | Yesterday, the fourth of February, John Rogers became a martyr for his beliefs. He was burned at the stake after being found guilty for heresy against the Roman Catholic Church.
In 1535, Rogers began to help in the translation of the Bible into English for the people of the Church to read. He used the pen name of Thomas Matthew. Soon after he began translating, his mentor, William Tyndale, was arrested and executed a year after.
Then in 1537, Rogers published the English translation under his pen name, using the New Testament that William Tyndale had worked on (and was unable to publish.) Rogers had added his own preface, a calender, an almanac and a few marginal notes to this adaptation of the…show more content… This began her persecution of reformers. Rogers preached for the last time on the 6th of August against Catholicism, soon after he was arrested for his teachings which contradicted the Church. He claimed that Christ was the head of the church, not the pope.
Rogers’ trial was held on January 29 of this year. He was accused of heresy after refusing to recant from his previous statements against the Church. On top of becoming a heretic, he was excommunicated and condemned to be burned at the stake.
Yesterday at the site of his death, he was bound to the stake, with the wood resting at his feet. Queen Mary had written a pardon if he decided to recant his teachings, but he denied her offer. Witnesses claim that he reached his arms toward heaven as he was burned alive. Thus another reformer has died for his attempts to change the Church as we know it. And we’re left to think.. Is it really worth dying for?
According to Rogers, it is. "That which I have preached I will seal with my blood." Though according to a French ambassador, he went well. "Even his children assisted at it, comforting him in such a manner that it seemed as if he had been led to a wedding rather than an…show more content… He called out Pope Urban VI and Pope Clement VII, specifically when Urban initiated a war; basically claiming that it was pathetic to start killing Christian men for just the sake of ‘fake priests.’ It wasn’t so much of a surprise when it was found out that he decided to start translating the Bible into English. He believes that all people should be allowed to read the Bible, and that if only the church is given the ability to read it, then there is too much power to the church. In fact, Wycliffe even said, “This Bible is for the government of the people, by the people and for the