The Rogerenes: some hitherto unpublished annals belonging to the colonial history of ConnecticutBolles, John R. (John Rogers)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The Rogerenes: some hitherto unpublished annals belonging to the colonial history of Connecticut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
I have another of his books, called “Good News from a Far
Country,” whose argument is to prove that the Civil Government
“have no authority from God to judge in cases of conscience,” to
which is added “An Answer to an Election Sermon Preached by
Nathaniel Eells.” Another, dated from New London 11th of 7th
month, 1728 (March being then the first month of the year), is a
pamphlet containing John Bolle’s application to the General Court,
holden at New Haven, the 10th of the 8th month, 1728, informing
that honorable body, “in all the honor and submissive obedience
that God requires me to show unto you,” etc., that he had examined
the Confessions of Faith established by them and found therein
principles that seem not to be proved by the Scriptures there
quoted, and had drawn up some objections thereto, etc. He
published many other works, and from 1708 to 1754 hardly a year
elapsed without his thus assailing the abuses of the established
church and vindicating the great principle of “soul-liberty.” Once
a year, as a general rule, he mounted his horse, with saddle-bags
stuffed full of books, and rode from county to county challenging
discussion, inviting the Presbyterian Elders to meet him,
man-fashion, in argument,[17] or confess and abandon their errors.
“But,” says he, in one of his books, “they disregarded my
request.” He even made a pilgrimage to Boston, Mass., in 1754, to
move the General Court of Massachusetts in this behalf, as he had
often endeavored to move the Connecticut Legislature. This last
exploit, a horseback ride of two hundred miles, in his 77th year,
may be regarded as a fit climax to a long life of zealous effort
in the cause of truth. It is no extravagant eulogy to say that
John Bolles was a great and good man.
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Footnote 17:
Such religious debates were common in those days between persons
of different persuasions, especially ministers, elders, etc.
-----
His works are his best epitaph. No man knoweth of his grave unto
this day; but the stars shine over it.
With all the humble, all the holy,
All the meek and all the lowly,
He held communion sweet;
But when he heard the lion roar,
Or saw the tushes of the boar,
Was quick upon his feet:
And what God spake within his heart
He did to man repeat.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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