The Rogerenes: some hitherto unpublished annals belonging to the colonial history of ConnecticutBolles, John R. (John Rogers)
History
The Rogerenes: some hitherto unpublished annals belonging to the colonial history of Connecticut
Bolles, John R. (John Rogers)
Rogerenes -- History
This treatment but deepens the determination of the Rogerenes. It is
evident that merely keeping on their hats and doing a little
knitting or sewing will not answer for an emergency like this. It
must be no fault of theirs if this effort in the Master’s cause
shall fail. They now enter the assembly of their persecutors to
declare, by word of mouth and with no lack of distinctness, against
the false doctrines of this persecuting church. This testimony will
they add to the silent mode of disapproval until these enemies
desist from their unendurable attempts at coercion, and from these
furious beatings, kickings, drivings, imprisonments, etc.
The party who renewed this almost forgotten contest, under the
leadership of Mr. Byles and his friends, with the intention of
making the position of the Rogerenes untenable, having brought
affairs to this crisis, are resolved to conquer. They proceed in the
line of violence which they have inaugurated, and in their rage even
demand of these devoted people that—to escape torture—they recant
their testimony against the doctrines and practices of this church.
Their testimony being of a purely Scriptural character, how can they
recant, even if they would, except by denying the truth of those
declarations from the New Testament which they have proclaimed in
the presence of their persecutors? The zeal of the Rogerenes is only
redoubled. It is now a question whether they will obey men rather
than God, for fear of what men may do to them. Yet, in their strict
fidelity to the teachings of Christ, they make no resistance to the
redoubled efforts of their enemies. Though their old men are
scourged to the verge of death and their women insulted; though
their brethren are suspended by the thumbs to be mercilessly whipped
on the bare skin; though warm tar is poured on their heads; though
men and women are driven through the streets more brutally than any
cattle, to be thrown into the river; though they are given over to
mobs of heartless children and youth to be whipped with thorny
sticks and otherwise abused, not the smallest or weakest of their
persecutors need fear the slightest violence in return.
With every attempt at a fresh testimony, the brutality of their
enemies is increased and the terms of imprisonment doubled, until
the prison is filled to suffocation and some of those within venture
to bar the doors against the incarceration of fresh victims. It
being impossible to further punish the offenders already in prison,
other than through presentation to the County Court, those who have
barred the door are presented at that court, probably on their own
confession, by reason of which there is one court record, relating
to this otherwise lawless contest of a year and a half in duration,
which is to the following effect:—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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