What's In Your Bible?
…for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. – Psalms 138:2
John Rogers
The 1537 Thomas Matthews Bible was the 3rd Bible published in English from Greek and Hebrew.
It was the 3rd revision of William Tyndale’s Bible.
When producing the Bible he changed his name from John Rogers to Thomas Matthews so as to hide from the Roman Catholic authorities.
On the 4th of February, 1555 in Smithfield, England, John Rogers, producer of the Thomas Matthews Bible, was burned at the stake.
Check the FAQ for links to a 28 page pdf of the entire story as represented in the full version of Foxes Book of Martyrs. Also known as the Acts And Monuments.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Documentation
The 1537 Thomas Matthews Bible was the 3rd Bible published in English from Greek and Hebrew.
It was the 3rd revision of William Tyndale’s Bible.
When producing the Bible he changed his name from John Rogers to Thomas Matthews so as to hide from the Roman Catholic authorities.
Queen Bloody Mary was a stout Roman Catholic and most of the non-Roman Catholic clergy fled the country so as to not be one of her victims.
In honor of William Tyndale, John Rogers made this artful design between the old and new testaments of a W T.
On the accession of Queen Bloody Mary, Rogers preached at Paul’s Cross commending the “true doctrine taught in King Edward’s days,”
and warned his hearers against “pestilent Popery, idolatry, and superstition.”
Stephen Gardiner, who you may remember was the same person who tried and sentenced Anne Askew to be tortured and burned at the stake,
was now Lord Chancellor during the reign of Queen Mary.
Gardiner tried John Rogers for heresy and rejecting transubstantiation, then sentenced him to be burned at the stake.
Imagine that.
John Rogers was the first martyr under the reign of Bloody Mary.
She considered Protestants who believed in the Bible and Jesus Christ, heretics.
Queen Mary is credited to have at least 287, including 56 women, protestant dissenters burned at the stake during the Marian persecutions.
How many heretics did Jesus and the Apostles torture and burn at the stake?
The answer is in John 9:49-50 “And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
As one last request before being burned at the stake, Rogers asked to see his wife and 11 children of which he was denied.
On the 4th of February, 1555 in Smithfield, England, John Rogers, producer of the Thomas Matthews Bible, was burned at the stake.
As the flames reached higher and higher, it’s said that Rogers washed his hands in the flames.
At least two of his sons became prominent Protestant leaders in England and America.
Check the FAQ for links to a 28 page pdf of the entire story as represented in the full version of Foxes Book of Martyrs. Also known as the Acts And Monuments.
Dr. Steven A. Hite