The title of this work is liable to give the impression that the author affects to himself explain the mystery of Revelation; but a perusal of the book shows that not the slightest such attempt is made. The entire work consists in expounding scripture by scripture in the most legitimate and conscientious manner, displaying not only a profound knowledge of the Old and New Testaments, but extreme caution not to advance the slightest personal explanation, supposition or theory. Like every other work of this author, it gives proof of strong, clear and finely balanced logical powers, combined with a plain and concise mode of expression.
The title of the following is from Sabin. We know of no copy extant:—
12. “An Impartial Relation of an Open and Publick Dispute Agreed Between Gurdon Saltonstall, Minister of the Town of New London, and John Rogers of the Same Place. With the Circumstances leading thereto, and the Consequences thereof. As also a relation of the said Gurton Saltonstall’s securing a Judgment of Court of Six Hundred Pounds and Cost of Court against said John Rogers, for saying the said Saltonstall went to wave, shun or shift the said Dispute agreed upon. The Truth of which waving, shunning or shifting is here also evidently demonstrated. By John Rogers. Printed for the Author in the year 1701. sm. 4to. pp. (6) 15.”
Probably printed at New York by William Bradford, or at Philadelphia by Reynier Jansen. Title from Hildeburn’s Issues of the Press in Pennsylvania. (Sabin.)
13. “Treatise on Divorce.” Probably written about 1700. A copy owned by H. Eugene Bolles.
Works of John Rogers, 2d:—
1. That the “Book” which John Rogers, 2d, was accused by the General Court of publishing and selling “up and down the Colony,” while his father was in prison, was written by himself, not by his father, is probable. Its title or its contents are alike unknown to us, not having as yet been discovered in any bibliographic work, by which we judge that no copy or title is extant.
2. In [Part I., Chapter I.], has been seen the account of the scourging inflicted upon John Rogers, 2d, John Bolles, and their companions on occasion of the journey to the meeting at Lebanon in 1725; also the Proclamation which this punishment called forth from Deputy Governor Jenks of Rhode Island. Mr. J. Backus, the justice who was instrumental in securing the enactment of this cruelty, made a reply to Governor Jenks in a pamphlet of thirty-two pages, in which, in a lame and prevaricating manner, he endeavored to justify this outrage. Upon this, John Rogers, 2d, issued a pamphlet, bound with the pamphlet of J. Backus, stating the exact circumstances of the case as opposed to the incorrect statements of the justice, and entitled “A Reply to J. Backus, Esq. (as he calls himself), 1726.” A copy of a book containing the Reply of J. Backus to Governor Jenks and the Reply of J. Bolles to this Reply of J. Backus is owned by H. Eugene Bolles.
3. “Answer To A Book lately written by Peter Pratt, entitled ‘The Prey taken from the Strong,’ Wherein by Mocks and Scoffs, together with a great number of positive Falsehoods, the Author has greatly abused John Rogers, late of New London, deceased, since his death. By John Rogers. Printed in New York for the Author, 1726, and sold at his house in New London. 8 vo. pp. (2) XXII.” Probably printed by William Bradford. A copy owned by Connecticut Historical Society in their Library at Hartford. A copy also owned by H. Eugene Bolles.
4. “An Answer to a Pamphlet (by Cotton Mather) entitled ‘A Monitory Letter about the Maintenance of An Able and Faithful Ministry.’ By John Rogers. New York. 1726.” (Printed by William Bradford, supposedly). A copy of this book is in Yale College Library.