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creased by not having any serious friend in that part of the kingdom to whom he could communicate the spiritual trouble of his mind. So deeply was his heart wounded, that he resolved to take a journey into Essex county to consult with a cousin, who was minister at Dedham. When he arrived, it was a lecture day; instead, therefore, of entering into a free conversation with his kinsman, as he intended, he went to hear him preach, entering the assembly just before sermon began. To his surprise he found the sermon perfectly adapted to his state of mind; all his doubts were as fully resolved, as if he had previously laid his heart open to the preacher. His fears vanished, and he returned to his ministry with new courage, and remarkable success attended his labours.

His animated discourses often exhausted his strength, for though his spirit was lively, his body was feeble. This led him to the study of physic, in which he had considerable skill. By the violent motion of riding on horsebeck he once burst a blood vessel, but by retiring to his chamber, and avoiding all company, for about two months, he recovered.

After a public ministry at Rowley of about 20 years, like many other good ministers, he was deprived of his pulpit, and his people of him, by the arm of authority. A number of his neighbours being on the wing for New England, he joined with them, and arrived in 1638, and notwithstanding

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Character of Mr. Rogers.

the prossing invitations he received from his York-shire friends, who had previously settled in Con-necticut, he chose to fix his residence near his kinsman Rogers, at Ipswich..

Five years after his settlement at Rowley, in Massachusetts, he was appointed to preach the election sermon; this rendered him famous through the Commonwealth. But while he was praised abroad, he was venerated at home; his ministry was highly approved and greatly successful among his own people. Regeneration and union to Jesus Christ by faith, were the great points on which he principally insisted in his preaching. When speaking on these topics, he had a remarkable talent of penetrating the souls of his hearers, and unveiling the very secrets of their. hearts. His sermons and his prayers often re-. markably expressed the feelings and exercises. of his people. Amazed they heard their minister represent with exactness their thoughts, their de.. sires, their motives, and their whole characters. They were sometimes almost ready to exclaim, who hath told him all this?

His conversation with his people was serious and instructive. With the youth he took great pains, especially with those, who had been commended to him by their dying parents. He was a tree of knowledge laden with fruit, which children. could reach. Sometimes a dozen of them would visit him together, when he would admit them

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singly into his study, and examine them, how they walked with God, how they spent their time, what religious books they read, whether they faithfully prayed to God. Then would he admonish them carefully to avoid those temptations to which they were most exposed, and dismiss them. If he heard of any contentions among his people, he would send for the parties, and exam-·ine the grounds of their complaints; so great was his influence, that he generally quenched the sparks of discord before they burst forth in open flame. A traveller passing through the town, inquired of him, if he were the person who served there. He replied, "I am, sir, the person who rules here.”

Courageous perseverance seems to have been a prominent feature in his character. In 1640, he personally applied to the general court "for a neck of land upon Merrimack," (doubtless it was upon Parker river,) near Cochitawit, desiring that the line might run square from Ipswich, but he soon found that this line, which was granted him, would not include the neck. Though he had said this line would satisfy him, he still demanded the neck." The court were doubtful what course to pursue; they had formerly granted a plantation at Cochitawit, and did not yield to his request. He then plead the justice of his petition, and their former promises "of large accomodations," when he was on the point of going to New Haven; and in warmth left the house, saying he would inform the elders. But he directly

202. Character and Afflictions of Mr. Rogers.

wrote an apology to the governor, confessing his passionate temper. The court refused to accept this," they would have him appear and answer, only they left him to take his own time; the next day he came and did freely and humbly blame himself for his passionate distemper." "But the court, knowing that he would not yield from the justice of his cause, granted the land he had desired." About ten or twelve years after his settlement, it was thought improper that a man of his splendid talents should be confined to one small auditory; he was therefore persuaded to open a lecture once in a fortnight for the benefit of neighbouring towns, who attended with great satisfacion. On account of this increase of his labours, an excellent young preacher was obtained as his assistant. But a sad jealousy was excited among the people, that Mr. Rogers was not sufficiently zealous for his settlement. This produced an

alienation, that was never entirely healed.

The latter part of this good man's life was a dreary winter of sufferings. About this time he buried his wife, and all his children. A second wife was soon snatched from his arms. The nightof his third marriage, his house was burned with all his goods, and an excellent library, which he had brought from England. Having rebuilt his house, he soon after fell from his horse, and sobruised his right arm, that it became entirely useless; he afterwards wrote with his left hand. His. great spirit spoke in the style of lamentation. Ina

a letter to a minister of Charlestown, two or three years before his death, after inquiring respecting the success of his ministry, and the piety of his children and household, he mourns that his young people are little affected, that they strengthened one another in evil by example and counsel. He says, I tremble to think what will become of this glorious work, which we have begun, when the ancients shall be gathered unto their fathers." "I fear grace and blessings will die with them. All is hurry for the world, every one for self, and not for the public good. It hath been God's way not to send sweeping judgments, when the chief magistrates are godly. I beseech all the Bay ministers to call earnestly upon the magistrates; tell them their godliness is our protection. I am hastening home; I am near home; you too are not far off; O the weight of glory, that is ready waiting for us, God's poor exiles. We shall sit next to the martyrs and confessors. Cheer up your spirit with these thoughts, and let us be zealous for God and Christ.”

He closed his labours and life, Jan. 23, 1660, in the seventieth year of age.* His library he gave to Harvard college; his house and lands he gave to the town for the support of the gospel ministry. A part of the land was bequeathed, on the condi tion of his people's supporting a pastor and teacher according to the early custom of the country;