John Rogers was the first martyr in Queen Mary’s reign. He was burned at the stake at Smithfield, Feb 14, 1554. I have been really touched by the poem that he wrote to his children shortly before his death and thought today was an appropriate day to share it.
Foxe’s Book of Martyrs says this: “His wife and children, being eleven in number, ten able to go, and one sucking at her breast, met him by the way, as he went towards Smithfield. This sorrowful sight of his own flesh and blood could nothing move him, but that he constantly and cheerfully took his death with wonderful patience, in the defence and quarrel of the Gospel of Christ.”
It’s difficult to read stories like these. Yet, it is also greatly faith-building to read of how the Lord sustained His people in past generations, even through unimaginable circumstances. And it reminds us: ” … since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus…” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Here’s the poem he wrote to his children shortly before his death:
GIVE ear, my children, to my word,
Whom God hath dearly bought;
Lay up his laws within your heart,
And print them in your thought.
I leave you here a little book,
For you to look upon,
That you may see your father’s face,
When he is dead and gone,–
Who, for the hope of heavenly things,
While he did here remain,
Gave over all his golden years
To prison and to pain;–
Where I, among my iron bands,
Enclosed in the dark,
Not many days before my death,
Composed for you this work.
And for example to your youth,
To whom I wish all good,
I send you here God’s perfect truth,
And seal it with my blood;–
To on, my heirs of earthly things,
Whom I do leave behind,
That you may read and understand,
And keep it in your mind;–
That as you have been heirs of that
Which once will wear away,
You also may possess that part
Which never will decay.
Keep always God before your eyes,
With all your whole intent,
Commit no sin in any wise,
But keep his commandments.
Abhor that arrant whore of Rome,
And all her blasphemies,
And drink not of her cursed cup;
Obey not her decrees.
Give honor to your mother dear;
Remember well her pain;
And recompense her, in her age,
With the like love again.
Be always ready for her help,
And let her not decay;
Remember well your father all,
Who should have been your stay.
Give of your portion to the poor,
As riches do arise;
Arid from the needy, naked soul,
Turn not away your eyes.
For he who doth not hear the cry
Of those who stand in need,
Will cry himself; and not be heard,
When he does hope to speed.
If God hath given you increase,
And blessed well your store,
Remember you are put in trust,
And should relieve the poor.
Beware of foul and filthy lusts;
Let such things have no place,
Keep clean your vessels in the Lord,
That he may you embrace.
You are the temples of the Lord,
For you are dearly bought,
And they who do defile the same
Will surely come to nought.
Be never proud, by any means,
Build not your house too high;
But always have before your eyes
That you were born to die.
Defraud not him who hired is,
Your labor to sustain;
But pay him still, without delay,
His wages for his pain.
And as you would that other men
Towards you should proceed,
Do you the same to them again,
When they do stand in need.
Impart your portion to the poor
In money and in meat;
And send the feeble, fainting son,
Of that which you do eat.
Ask counsel always of the wise
Give ear unto the end,
And ne’er refuse the sweet rebuke
Of him who is your friend.
Be always thankful to the Lord,
With prayer and with praise,
Begging of him to bless your work,
And to direct your ways.
Seek first, I say, the living God,
And always him adore,
And then be sure that he will bless
Your basket and your store.
And I beseech Almighty God,
To replenish you with grace,
That I may meet you in the heavens,
And see you face to face.
And though the fire my body burn,
Contrary to my kind,
That I cannot enjoy your love,
According to my mind,–
Yet I do hope that when the heavens
Shall vanish like a scroll,
I shall see you in perfect shape
In body and in soul.
And that I may enjoy your love,
And you enjov the land,
I do beseech the living Lord
To hold you in his hand.
Though here my body be adjudged
In flaming fire to fry,
My soul, I trust, will straight ascend
To dwell with God on high.
What though this carcass smart awhile?
What though this life decay?
My soul, I hope, will be with God,
And live with him for aye.
I know I am a sinner born,
From the original,
And that I do deserve to die,
By my forefather’s fall.
But by our Savior’s precious blood,
Which on the cross was spilt,
Who freely offered up his life,
To save our souls from guilt,–
I hope redemption I shall have,
And all who in him trust,
When I shall see him face to face,
And live among the just.
Why, then, hould I fear death’s grim look,
Since Christ for me did die?
For king and Cesar, rich and poor,
The force of death must try.
When I am chained to the stake,
And fagots gird me round,
Then pray the Lord my soul in heaven
May be with glory crowned.
Come, welcome, death, the end of fears,
I am prepared to die;
These earthly flames will send my soul
Up to the Lord on high.
Farewell, my children, to the world,
Where you must yet remain;
The Lord of hosts is your defense
Till we do meet again.
Farewell, my true, my loving wife,
My children, and my friends;
I hope in heaven to see you all,
When all things have their ends.
If you go on to serve the Lord,
As you have now begun,
You shall walk safely all your days,
Until your life, be done.
God grant you so to end your days,
As he shall think it best,
That I may meet you in the heavens,
Where I do hope to rest.
). And as I have been thinking about it, I’m realizing that even though sometimes I don’t really feel like playing another game with them, I need to remember what a gift it is from the Lord to do so. There are all kinds of challenging ministries He could call me to (I’m reading “Through Gates of Splendor” right now and am reminded of the trials and tribulations of missionary work!) but right now, He has given me the gift of playing Cootie with my little daughters and making those silly plastic bugs have conversations. I get to enjoy two cute and funny little girls inside our warm home, and model for them how to play creatively and harmoniously.
