The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…

Second Position. Great sinners, and men of great parts, great spirits, whom God intends to make of great use, these are the men, the persons, who usually, if not always, meet with great bruisings, terrors, fears and sorrows.

Second Position. Great sinners, and men of great parts, great spirits, whom God intends to make of great use, these are the men, the persons, who usually, if not alwayes, meet with great bruisings, terrors, fears and sorrows.

Observe the workings of God, and you will find it so; those who read Mr. Bolton's life will see my Position made good, no wonder though the Lord bruised him, and held him under as he did: Other Divines I might mention, but I shall instance in Mr. John Rogers of Dedham; an old man, that used in his young time to frequent the house of Mr. Richard Rogers of Wothersfield, would tell me this story of him oftentimes, which my Grandmother, who was Wife to Mr. Rogers, told him several times; Mr. Richard Rogers did send and help to maintain Mr. John Rogers ⟨p. 76⟩(being his Kinsman) in Cambridge; it seems, he proved so bad, that he sold his Books and spent the money; my Grandmother moved her Husband to buy him some Books, and send him to Cambridge again; she being a prudent Woman prevailed: Mr. John Rogers spent his Books again; Mr. Richard Rogers then would cast him off utterly; but my Grandmother renews her request once more, and at last prevails, to send him again; then he held: that he was wild enough I conclude from a speech of his own, which I mention not, and by a speech of Mr. Richard Rogers, which he often used, when he saw what God had done for his Kinsman, I will never despair of a man for John Rogers sake; it seems then he was bad enough. God intended this man to make him of great use, and a choice Instrument he was in Gods hand for conversion of many Souls, few men like him; but God handled him accordingly, bruised him to purpose; he would get under bushes in fields, pray and cry; became an experimental Preacher of legal workings, making good what Bishop (then Master) Brownrig said of him to my Father Ward, which was this, John Rogers will do more good with his wild Note, then we shall do with our set Music: Those that knew his manner of preaching, and actings in preaching, well knew what the Bishop meant by the wild Note; but it was very true, though such actions and speeches in other men would have been ridiculous, yet in him, being a man so holy, grave, and reverend, they went off with as much awe, upon a very great and reverent Auditory.