BLOODY THEATRE,

OR

MARTYRS MIRROR

OF THE

DEFENSELESS CHRISTIANS,

who baptized only upon Confession of Faith, and who suffered and died for the testimony of Jesus, their Savior, from the time of Christ to the year A.D. 1660.

COMPILED FROM VARIOUS AUTHENTIC CHRONICLES, MEMORIALS, AND TESTIMONIES,

BY

THIELEM J. van BRAGHT.

Translated from the original Dutch or Holland language from the Edition of 1660,

BY JOSEPH F. SOHM.

ILLUSTRATED.

SECOND PART

Covering from A.D. 1500 to 1660.

ELKHART, INDIANA.

MENNONITE PUBLISHING COMPANY.

1886.

 

 

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1886,

by Mennonite Publishing Company,

In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

As the English language, year by year, becomes more prevalent among our Mennonite people, the necessity of presenting to them in that language the doctrines, teachings and practices, as well as the story of the sufferings, the faithful endurance and the final triumphant deaths, of those of like faith with us who lived in the earlier ages of Christianity, becomes apparent to every reflecting mind.

These doctrines, teachings and practices together with the examples of faithful devotion to Christ and his word, and the unfaltering endurance under the severest persecution, are powerful incentives to Christians to-day, to inspire many sincere souls to live a more consecrated life, to practice greater self-denial, to live more separated from the world, and show a greater zeal in the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls; and they are especially precious to us, as Mennonites, because through these people it pleased God to hand down to us the living exemplification of the peculiar tenets and doctrines which we hold and practice at the present day.

The reading of books of this kind will also help us to appreciate more highly the privileges with which God has blessed us above our forefathers.  While they oftentimes were not permitted to have permanent places of abode, and were driven about and hunted down like wild beasts, compelled to dwell in caves and mountains, and other secluded places, hold their meetings in secret, and suffer every imaginable form of injustice and persecution, because to be a true follower of Christ in those days was considered the very worst of crimes, we enjoy all the privileges of citizenship and are protected in the fullest enjoyment of our religion and forms of worship.

It is the duty of the Church to maintain and teach the pure gospel of Jesus Christ and to transmit the same to coming generations, and as we contemplate these facts, what a glorious treasure of pure Christian devotion shines forth in these pages of the Story of the Martyrs, and how much this grand record of their sufferings has done, and may yet do to perpetuate the pure doctrines of the gospel, eternity alone will reveal.

For these reasons and many others that might be referred to, the publishers of this edition, have, in the fear of God, for the promotion of his glory, undertaken the publication of “The Bloody Theatre or Martyrs Mirror” and with this give it to the public, in the hope that it may be the means of promoting the glory of God and of doing much good among the children of men.

Note.—The translation of this work was made from the Dutch Edition of 1660, and where questions of doubt occurred, the edition of 1685 as well as the German editions were consulted.

The Publishers.

Digital Versions

Restored, Corrected and Reset

by

Central Highlands Congregation of God

Released 4th November, 2023

Revised 1 April, 2024

Published by

Central Highlands Christian Publications

PO Box 236 Creswick Vic 3363  Australia

info@chcpublications.net

Most Beloved:

Christian Reader:

In this our address we shall present to you nothing new or uncommon, but that which in former times a certain lover of the holy and blessed martyrs communicated to his contemporaries, for general edification, concerning the faith and steadfast death of many of them; except a few passages in the beginning, and also a little further on (which do not properly belong here, and to which we have affixed certain marks to prevent mistakes.) These we have omitted here, and added, in brackets [], something of our own, concerning which we stand ready to give an answer if required.

Having concluded a certain censure concerning those of Horn, the above writer speaks thus of the immovable confidence of the pious confessors of Jesus Christ:

“We are fully confident that all these witnesses were unanimous in regard to the essential articles of faith; they all believed in the one eternal, true God, the Father, and in his only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  They all had respect to the sacrifice of the unspotted Lamb, in whom the Father had placed the reconciliation of our sins.  They committed, yes, by the covenant of baptism, obligated themselves to serve this Lord, whom the Father had ordained as their teacher and law-giver.  They waited for the blessed resurrection and glorious recompense promised to all those who, through the grace of the Spirit, in the race of the Christian vocation, earnestly and steadfastly run for the prize set before them.  They certainly, which is the most important, showed by their deeds, that they had not only a lip faith, and literal knowledge, which is found only in the brains of men, but an effectual and true faith, which, dwelling also in the heart and mind, is inspired by love, and through which they, according to the example of the saints, conquered all things.”

Proceeding to the sufferings of the martyrs, he says:

“Contemplate the suffering which these pious martyrs endured, and how wonderfully God wrought with them; how manfully, constantly and patiently they fought, through the effective and ardent love of God, confirming the truth of what is said in Cant. 8:6, namely, that ‘Love is strong as death, and jealousy cruel as the grave.’ For, here you see as in a mirror, that neither conjugal longing and love, nor parental affection and solicitude, nor the desirable company of near and confiding friends, nor anything which God has put into his creatures, for the delight of man, could move or restrain these heroes; but that they, contemning all this, and separating from wife, children, relatives and friends, house and property, they gave themselves up to severe bonds and imprisonment, to every adversity and hardship, to cruel tortures and martyrdom, undaunted by the threats of the most awful death on the one hand, and unmoved by the many fair promises, to forsake the wholesome truth, the love of God, and the blessed hope on the other; so that they could freely say with the holy apostle Paul: ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?’ Romans 8:35.  But they found and showed it to be true that according to the testimony of the apostle, neither death, nor life, nor things present, nor things to come, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus.  Verses 38 and 39.  Through this love they overcame all things, and performed glorious deeds beyond the power of man.  Weak women exhibited more than manly strength.  Maidens and young men in the bloom of youth were enabled, by the help of God, to despise the alluring world, with all her fair and great promises; and these young and tender branches, by faith and patience, conquered the mighty of this world; the simple and unlearned confounded the sage doctors; so that these, silenced frequently through the truth, disputed with threats of fire and sword, and, though in vain, defended themselves by it; manifesting in this manner their impotence and malice.  Christ strikingly fulfilled in them the promise made to his disciples, Mat. 10:19, namely, that he would give unto them what they should speak in that hour when they should be brought before kings and governors.  In sight of scaffolds and wheels, of fire and sword, they fearlessly confessed the truth, so that the judges and inquisitors were sometimes astonished, sometimes confounded, and sometimes enraged and startled.  Of this boldness, the martyrs themselves boasted in their letters, thanking God, for, knowing their own weakness, they experienced the strength of God in the cross, so that they could take upon themselves with a composed, yes, with a joyful mind, that from which human nature beyond measure seemed to recoil and flee.  Yes, they were filled with such an exuberant and great joy, begotten in them through the unhindered contemplation of the heavenly glory in faith and hope, that they would have preferred no royal banquet to this parting feast.

They were endowed with such strength that even cruel and inhuman torture could not extort from them the names of their fellow brethren, so that, filled with divine and brotherly love, they sacrificed their bodies for their fellow believers.  The brotherhood in general was by it so enkindled with zeal and love, that each, despising the earthly and regarding the heavenly, prepared his heart for the sufferings to which his brethren were subjected, and by which he himself was daily threatened.  They shunned no danger, in the way of sheltering their fellow believers, visiting them in prison, calling boldly to them in the place of execution, and comforting and strengthening them with words of Scripture.  The tyrants found themselves deceived in their design; they thought they could cause these Christians to apostatize; they put them into assurance of their salvation; they supposed they could destroy and extirpate those who opposed them, but, on the contrary, they raised up more opponents; for many of the spectators, at the said spectacle of killing people, who were harmless and of good name and report, yes, who would rather die than do ought by which they supposed to offend God, were by it brought to reflection, and thus to investigation, and ultimately to conversion.

Besides these noble examples of love, patience and constancy, we find in their writings many devout lessons, edifying teachings and comforting admonitions, written in dark prisons, hurried and negligently indeed, and on account of inconvenience and with poor materials, but sealed with the most glorious mark, their own blood.  Then the words have power and weight, when their truth is confirmed and attested by the deed.  Seneca, in his epistles, censures philosophising with words, and not with life, as something shameful.  Here you find words which devotion has penned, which the pressure of suffering has extorted from the inmost of the heart; words which have not been warped or bent by worldly considerations or carnal passions; but which were sincerely and unfeignedly spoken to their friends, at the end of life, as a last will, and confirmed with death.  Husbands in tribulation consoled their wives, admonished them to godliness, and incited them to steadfastness.  Parents gave useful instructions to their children, presented to them the changeableness, vanity and perishableness of visible things; they taught, counseled and commanded them to forsake the world and the lusts of it, and to cleave to and alone serve God, the supreme and only good.  You perceive here how they were sometimes assaulted with many temptations and enticements, not only of wicked men, but of the devil; how the enemy of souls, bringing them upon the pinnacle of the temple, as it were, showed them the splendor and glory of this world, in order to entice them to worship this; Mat. 4:5,8.  How he sometimes, with the terror of impending suffering, assailed the soul with fearfulness, and how, by false imaginations, he endeavored to bring the minds to apostasy, despondency and despair; which these pious heroes, arming themselves with watching and constant prayer to God, valiantly overcame, fighting manfully through all temptations, promises and threats, even unto death, and gaining the victory.

Now, even as the reading of, and meditating upon, the pious fathers, is very profitable in every case, so these persons stand as instructive and consoling examples, for all who are visited with crosses and temptations.  Here manifest themselves shining beacons of living faith, of sure hope, and ardent love.  Here is seen the positiveness of God’s promises, in fearless and joyful hearts, in the midst of suffering.  Mat. 10:19.  Here is the steadfastness of the saints, whom Christ crowns with salvation.  Mat. 24:13.  It is true, by the worldly-minded they are accounted as filth and offscouring (1 Cor. 4:13), and their actions stigmatized as sheer folly and madness; but they comfort themselves in God, and rely on his promises.  They have learned that the cross must thus be taken up, if one would be worthy of Christ.  Mat. 10:38.  They know that they are strangers and pilgrims in this world, 1 Pet. 2:11, and remember the words of their Master, who says: “If you were of the world, the world would love his own; but because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you.”  John 15:19.  They are confident that if they lose their life here, they shall find it again hereafter.  Mat. 10:39.  They believe that we must confess the name of Christ, if we would have him confess us before his heavenly Father.  Mat. 10:32.  They know that their Lord and Master suffered himself, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps; who was thus minded, that when he was reviled, he did not revile again, and when he suffered, did not threaten, but prayed for his enemies.  1 Peter 2:21,23.  They hold that if they would reign with Christ, they must here suffer with him.  2 Tim. 2:12.  They are mindful of the words of Christ, that the servant is not greater than his master, Mat. 10:24, and that therefore, as Christ suffered, they must arm themselves with the same mind.  1 Peter 4:1.  They know themselves to be defenseless sheep, a prey to the devouring wolves.  But they do not fear them, who can kill only the body, but him who holds body and soul in his hand.  Mat. 10:28.  They learned long ago that all that will live godly shall suffer persecution.  2 Tim. 3:12.  Christ foretold them that they should be hated by all men for his name’s sake, yes, should be delivered into tribulation, and be killed; and what is still more, that those killing them should think that they do God service.  Therefore, they do not think it strange when they are tried by suffering; but rejoice that they are partakers of the sufferings of Christ, knowing that, when his glory shall be revealed, they shall also rejoice with him.  1 Peter 4:12,13.  They glory in tribulation (Rom. 5:3), believing that by it their faith is tried and refined.  1 Pet. 1:7.  They experience that patient suffering begets a glad and constant hope, and that the cross, which to those who perish, is foolishness, is to them the power of God unto salvation (1 Cor. 1:18), and esteem it as the grace of God, when for conscience they suffer wrongfully.  1 Pet. 2:19.  And though they be troubled, persecuted and cast down here, yet they are not in despair, forsaken, or destroyed; but with holy Paul, they always bear about in their bodies, the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of the Lord Jesus might be made manifest in their bodies.  2 Cor. 4:8–11.  They feel in the abounding of the sufferings of Christ, an abounding consolation through Christ.  2 Cor. 1:5.  They believe that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the future glory.  Rom. 8:18.  Therefore they arm themselves for tribulation and suffering, as true heroes of their captain, Jesus Christ.  They have before them a great brotherhood, who finished their course in this way.  Cain could not bear his brother’s piety and favor with God, and slew him.  Gen. 4:8.  Violence and oppression ruled the first world.  Gen. 6:13.  Pious Lot had to be the sport and lust of the Sodomites.  Gen. 19.  David had to flee before Saul.  The prophet Isaiah lamented already in his time that he who departed from evil had to be everyone’s prey and derision.  Many holy prophets and men of God had to endure persecution and martyrdom from the wicked, as holy Zacharias, Amos, Micah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and the three young men, Eleazar, the mother with her seven sons, and others, who need not be mentioned, since the time and age of the New Testament, furnish abundant material in this respect.  John, the forerunner of Jesus, had to offer his neck to the sword, in prison.  Mat. 14:10.  Our captain of the faith, Jesus Christ, had to enter into his glory through much derision, ignominy and suffering, and ultimately through the most shameful death of the cross.  His apostles and disciples, as the chronicles state, followed their Master.  Peter and Paul were put to death by Emperor Nero.  James, the brother of John, was killed with the sword by Herod.  Acts 12:2.  Matthew was nailed to the earth, in India.  Bartholomew was flayed.  Andrew was crucified.  Thomas was thrust through with darts.  Philip was nailed to a cross, and then stoned to death.  Simon Zelotes was scourged and crucified.  James, the son of Alpheus, was cast down from the temple, at Jerusalem, and then beaten to death with sticks.  Judas Thaddeus was killed, in Persia, by wicked heathen priests.  Matthias also obtained the martyr’s crown.  Mark, the evangelist, was dragged about by a cord around his neck, at Alexandria, till he died.  John, the apostle, banished in the island of Patmos, adorned the Gospel with suffering [as is circumstantially recorded in the first book, first century, in the account of the martyrs].  This was the way of the holy prophets.  This is the path which our Savior and his messengers, and afterwards many disciples, trod.  Polycarp, the disciple of John, was burnt alive at Smyrna.  Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, was torn by wild beasts [as is stated in the second century].  Even the Roman bishops, in the first three hundred years, were mostly all martyred, and subjected, with the common Christians, to persecution by the heathen Emperors [these, however, we commit to God].  Under the Emperor Diocletian, there was such an awful persecution that it seemed as though the Christian name would be utterly extirpated; so that the first churches at the time of Emperor Constantine were so accustomed to persecution, that they deliberately prepared themselves for suffering.

Since, then, the god-fearing who are visited with the cross, have so many holy martyrs as predecessors; and since the cross is foretold them; yes, since such glorious promises are given to those who suffer, it is a little thing for them that they, who gladly acknowledge themselves soldiers under the bloody banner of Christ, are therefore aspersed and ridiculed as fools.  The Christian reader may here perceive and firmly conclude that the cross is also the ensign of those who serve and follow Jesus Christ, the captain of the faith; and that, on the contrary, those who afflict others with crosses and sufferings, do not belong to this captain, but are under another leader.  For the true Christians have never persecuted the innocent, but were always persecuted themselves; and in the primitive church, even in the time of Constantine, when the bishops began to rise a little higher in the world, and were protected by the Emperor, it was considered an abomination to persecute any one; they, however, suffered persecution themselves.  It was then deemed such a detestable thing, to put to death or persecute any one for heresy, that Bishop Ithacius was excommunicated and separated from the church, because he, through the tyrant Maximus, had brought about the death of Priscilian, the heretic; as the Roman cardinal, Caesar Baronius, very plainly describes in his church history, for the year 385.

He also states further, that it is utterly incompatible with the meekness of a pastor.  Again, that none of the holy fathers even commended it, that an ecclesiastic should seek to bring a heretic to his death.  So that, according to him, St. Martin would have no fellowship with the aforesaid Ithacius or his adherents, because their hands were stained with the blood of Priscilian.  And though, induced by the threats of the tyrant Maximus, St. Martin feigned to have fellowship for an hour with Ithacius, he nevertheless subsequently manifested great regret for it, since he felt that in consequence of his dissimulation, the gift of healing was partly taken from him.

From this it is clearly manifest, how falsely they boast of being the successors of Christ and his apostles, and of the primitive church, who have so abominably stained their hands with the blood of innocent people, people who only confessed and practiced the Gospel according to the full dictates of their conscience; yes, concerning whom the tyrants themselves frequently testified, that their life was pious; that they would not willingly lie, or speak against their conscience; and that they were not apprehended on account of any misdeeds, but only because they did not obey the mother, the holy church, and the decree of the Emperor.  It is so far from such being the true and apostolical church, that there is no surer mark of the false and antichristian church, than the killing of heretics, or rather, so-called heretics; for however abominable heresy may be, this is the most abominable of all.  For what indeed is more opposed to the peaceable, meek, merciful, forgiving, and revengeless character of Christ, than to persecute any one for his faith?  What can we conceive of that militates more against the holy laws and commandments of Christ, which chiefly consist in love, peace, humility, meekness, lowliness, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, etc.  If Christians are called (as they do) to requite hatred with love, evil with good, cursing with blessing; yes, must they, according to the doctrine of Christ, pray for them who oppress and persecute them; how, then, is it possible that they can remain Christians and themselves oppress and persecute others who have never laid a straw in their way?  Can we believe that any trace, yes, any true knowledge of the spirit and word of Christ remains where there is such a direct antichristian disposition and action?  If, according to Christ, false prophets are to be known and judged from their fruits (Matt. 7:16), there can be nothing by which they may, more readily, be distinguished, than from their persecuting others; for they are witnesses unto themselves, as Christ said to the Pharisees, that they are the children of them who killed the true prophets, and who fill up the measure of their fathers.  Our Savior compares them to serpents and a generation of vipers, who cannot escape the damnation of hell.  Mat. 23:31–33.  The disciples of Christ, who still entertained the hope of the establishing of an external and carnal Israel, asked their Lord, whether they should, according to the example of Elias, command fire to come down from heaven, upon those who did not receive him.  Whereupon Christ earnestly rebuked them, saying: “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”  Luke 9:54–56.  But these heretic-killers, who boast of being the vice-regents and followers of Christ, yes, doctors of divinity, dare, not only without asking Christ, but even against his express prohibition and example, whet the sword, and stir up the fire, not to murder those who refuse to receive Christ, but those who are ready to adhere to and follow him even unto death.  By this they clearly indicate, first, that they are governed and impelled by the spirit not of Christ, but of the devil (who was a murderer from the beginning, John 8:44); and, secondly, that they do not come like Christ and his followers, to save men’s souls, but to destroy them; since they kill not only the bodies of the innocent, thus dishonoring the image which is created after God (Gen.  5:1), and making themselves guilty of the mortal sin of blood-shedding (Gen.  9:6) but, O awful deed!  they purposely and as much as lies in their power, also endeavor to kill their souls, whom, being considered by them in a state of damnation, they suddenly cut off from the time of repentance.  Mat. 26:52.  They would presumptuously teach Christ, the perfect wisdom; for he deemed it well, and commanded his disciples, to let the tares grow until the harvest, lest they should root up the wheat with the tares, but these teach and do the opposite.  Weeding contrary to the command of Christ, they root up not only the tares, but, passing by bad, unchaste, extravagant, pompous, avaricious, mendacious, deceitful, envious, hateful, and vindictive men, they also, from the field of the world, root out the purest grain.

They usurp the office of the Most High, and would command and compel the souls who are not under them, but under the sceptre of Jesus Christ (Matt. 10:28); yes, they set themselves not only beside, but above the Divine Majesty, demanding that men should obey them rather than God.  Jehovah God has commanded that we should serve him with all our hearts (Deut. 6:5), but these prohibit men from serving God in this manner, and constrain them contrary to the convictions of their consciences to follow their laws and institutions.  Mat. 21:37.  Christ constrained the people to conversion, by words of admonition, persuasion and reproof, and of those who were offended at his doctrine, he only said: “Let them alone: they are blind leaders.”  Mat. 15:14.  But these compel with fire and sword, so that they deliver to the executioner those who embrace the doctrine of Christ according to all their ability, and do not feel themselves at liberty to follow these blind leaders; bringing them into a strait, where they cannot without danger, escape either to the right or to the left; for if they obey these, they fall into the wrath of God; and if they adhere to God, they cannot escape the cruelty of these men.

Now, in order to give a semblance and gloss to their unchristian and ungodly punishments of heretics, they befoul these pious people with the stain of disobedience, and, washing their hands, as it were, from innocent blood, lay the guilt upon the edicts, which, however, were devised, and are daily executed, through their bloody advice and instigation.  But, pray, who has given them power to make edicts against souls and consciences, to reign by it in the kingdom of Christ, in which they themselves can be but subjects and servants?  Will this excuse them?  By no means.  The Jews who sought to bring the innocent Jesus to death, also said like these: “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die.”  John 19:7.  They know, or ought to know that at the tribunal of Christ judgment will be rendered, not according to human edicts, but according to the divine word.  “The word that I have spoken,” said the Lord, “the same shall judge him in the last day,” (John 12:48), and, therefore, every one is necessarily bound more to the law of Christ, than to their laws and edicts; yes, an account will have to be given of these edicts, at that tribunal, and that by which they sentenced the innocent wrongfully to death, will then justly aggravate their own sentence.  What will they offer as an excuse, when an account will be demanded of them, why they exercised such blood-thirsty tyranny over souls?  Why they wrested the sceptre out of the hand of Christ, and usurped his seat?  Why they made themselves masters in that kingdom in which they, as servants, must themselves give an account of their actions?  Why they, as evil servants, treated and beat their fellow servants so cruelly; though he (Christ) had warned and threatened to cut such asunder, and to appoint them their portion with the hypocrites, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 24:45,51)?  Why they did not consider that those shall have judgment without mercy, who have showed no mercy (Jas. 2:13)?  What terror, what anxious remorse and fleeing will it cause when, to convict them of their wickedness, there shall come forth those whom they fettered, chained, beat, killed and martyred, whom they then accounted fools and madmen, and whom they now behold in such great glory and esteem with God.

In that day, when all hidden things must come to light, such empty and artificial excuses will not avail.  Therefore, now is the time to consider how unchristian it is, to persecute Christians; how much deserving of death it is, to shed innocent blood; how culpable it is, to dishonor the image of God; how perverse and vain it is, to fight against spiritual truth with carnal weapons; how unnatural and unreasonable it is, to do unto another that which we would not have done to ourselves, and who of all would like to be forced in the convictions of his conscience.  How presumptuous it is, to usurp the seat of God, and to wish to rule over the conscience, whereas Christ commanded, to render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.  Mat. 22:21.  They should bear in mind, that Christ prayed for his persecutors, and learn from it, how unbecoming it is, that those who would be Christians, persecute others, who pray for them.  Luke 23:34; 1 Pet. 2:19.  They should contemplate, how great an evil it is, to compel any one’s conscience by the terrors of fire, rope and sword, when Paul so strictly forbids to wound the weak conscience of the brethren.  Rom. 14:15.  They should remember that, since the holy apostle commands no greater punishment for heretics, than to shun them, they also need, yes may, use no greater.  Tit. 3:10.  Surely, if they would well examine themselves, they would not so readily proceed to condemn, but would suffer themselves to be restrained, since Christ declares that with what measure we mete, it shall be measured to us again.  Mat. 7:2.  They would fear, if they knew themselves aright, that in condemning another they might condemn themselves; since it might easily be the case, that before God the judge was as culpable as the one judged.

They further produce, in defense of, or, rather as an excuse for, the punishments of heretics, these reasons: 1. Thereby to bring and compel them to conversion.  2. That their heresy might not propagate itself, and pollute others.  3. To prevent rebellion.  As regards the first, it is the duty of every Christian, to promote the salvation of his neighbor as much as is possible.  But how is this to be done?  By external compulsion with fire and sword?  Impossible; this touches and affects the body, but not the conscience, which must not be compelled, but led and instructed.  The word of God is the sword with which all error and heresy must be cut down.  If the supposed error cannot be conquered with the power of truth, swords will be dull before it.  And though a man, through dread of suffering, renounce his belief with the mouth, yet will he not do it with the heart; and thus, instead of converted Christians, dissembling hypocrites are made.  But if a man remain steadfast, and is put to death, how can this tend to his conversion, since every means of conversion is taken away?  For, one of two things is certain: if he is a damnable heretic, he is cast down into hell; but if he is not, a saved Christian is put to death; choose whichever you please and an abominable crime is committed.  What is it then, that urges them thus to promote any one’s conversion?  What binds them to this?  Who enjoins it upon them?  Who advises them to it?  yes, who gives them permission to do it?  And which of the apostles has set such an example?  Truly, such reasons are but fig leaves and covers with which they seek to hide their shame and wickedness.  They pretend that they aim at the conversion of men, but in fact seek to secure their own pleasure, honor and lust, in order thus to exercise undisputed despotism in the kingdom of God.  So far is this from being the case, that any one’s conversion is promoted by it, that on the contrary, all impartial persons conceive an aversion against them; so that even the good, (if any good remains, or can be found, in the persecutors), is rendered suspicious; yes, entirely destroyed, inasmuch as their words, however entreating and flattering they may be, can obtain no entrance or credit, neither do they deserve it.  For, who would expect to learn anything godly or Christian from those who are pregnant with murder, and whose hands are stained with innocent blood?  “Do men gather grapes from thorns?” Mat. 7:16.

As to the second, it is so far from the fact that supposed heresy should be checked by tyranny, that it is almost always spread by it; for, when hands are laid on people whose life is blameless and pious, and they are imprisoned, tortured and subjected to a painful death, only for the name of Christ, and because they, as they openly confess, dare consent to nothing contrary to their conscience,—this produces reflection and attention in all impartial minds, who, on investigating the matter, discover the innocence of the persons accused and persecuted, and thus conceive an aversion to such degenerate Christians, who persecute others, and associate themselves with those who so valiantly bear the cross of Christ, as examples abundantly testify; which verifies what an ancient father has said: The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.  When the tyranny of popery was at its height, apostasy from it was greatest, for martyrdoms are effectual sermons, which touch the heart, and awaken the slumbering eyes; nor is this strange, for he that has a little knowledge of the Christian religion, and is not utterly blinded by malignant partiality comes easily to believe that the persecutors must be heretics themselves, since Christ and his disciples never persecuted any one, but always suffered persecution themselves.  They easily perceive that these cruel men are not innocent, meek and defenseless sheep, to which Christ compares his followers, but much rather ravening wolves, which have crept into the fold of Christ, and devour the sheep.  John 10:1.  The plain and pure truth, confirmed by an innocent life, is the means to overcome error and falsehood; they who depart from this to carnal weapons, betray themselves, and disclose their injustice and impotence; for, since they cannot prevail against the truth, they endeavor, by exterminating and crushing the persons, also to exterminate and crush the truth.  From all this it appears, how empty an excuse they seize to defend their tyranny, and what frail weapons they employ, to uphold the delusion.  But it is a purely fictitious excuse, with which to disguise their purpose, and to attire in a strange dress the ugliness which cruelty presents to every eye, and, through deception, to make it pleasing to one another.  They pretend to be zealous for the salvation of the people, but, in fact, endeavor to propagate their own kingdom of lies; and if aught rises in opposition to it, they seek to subdue it with the arm of flesh.  The Pharisees, in the time of Christ, objected to Christ for the same reason, namely, that he was perverting the people.  Luke 23:2.  Their self-love and thirst for political power begat in them a bitter hatred and envy against our Savior, on account of which they sought to bring him to death.  This they cover; of this they are silent.  They cry, as though they were filled with a godly zeal: “This fellow perverts the nation;” though they, as well as these, sought to seduce the people from Christ, the truth, to their own lies.

As regards the accusation of rebellion, this also is not an invention of yesterday or to-day.  He (Christ), said the Pharisees, stirs up the people with his doctrine; whereas they stirred up the people against Christ, who preached nothing but peace, love, humility, meekness, and the like, and whose life and actions were nothing but an overflowing fountain of kindness, benevolence and mercy.  Thus did they stain, without a shadow of evidence, with the slander of rebellion, people who lived in all simplicity and integrity, and made open confession, that they were bound by the law and example of Christ, to live without revenge, and exercise a forgiving spirit towards every one, yes, to love those that hate them, and to do good to their enemies.  He that examines the history of the Netherlands and Germany, for the last sixty years, will find that rebellion, contention, and dissension, yes, alienations and destruction of countries and cities, have been caused by persecution on account of religious differences; for religious zeal cannot be cut off with the sword, nor consumed by fire.  On the contrary, it is evident, and confirmed by present practice, that many and various religious persuasions can live together peaceably and quietly, and that the cities and countries where liberty of conscience is maintained, have prospered, and experienced the special blessing of God.  Therefore, also, the H. M. Lords States of these countries, seeing the great mistakes of the King of Spain, have never been willing to follow in his steps, but expressly declare, as appears from the records of the Treaty of Peace at Cologne, page 38, “That religion does not concern men, but God, and that the King owed obedience to it as well as the subject.”  They declare to have found by experience, that force and weapons are of little value for the spreading and preservation of religion; and that, even as they would not have that violence should be done to their consciences, so it does not well accord with the law of God, for them to do violence to the consciences of others.  Again on page 54, it is declared: “That the Christian religion is a great mystery, and that for the promotion of the same, God does not use wicked soldiers, nor bows or swords.”  Again on page 57: “We have learned that the government of souls and consciences concerns God alone; and that he is the true avenger of violated or dishonored religion.”  And though some, forgetful of their own cross, or that of their ancestors, incited to a revival of the abolished slavery, yet their E. E. never lent a willing ear to it, nor suffered themselves to be blind executors of such partial and pernicious counselors, who by it sought to build and establish more their own kingdom, than the kingdom of Christ.  But, through the goodness of God, we still have at the present day, authorities under whose protection we can lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty, 1 Tim. 2:2; can meet and assemble without molestation; preach and hear the word of God; use the sacraments as instituted by God, and openly practice our divine worship; for which kind privilege all subjects and Christian believers are under great obligations, to reverently show all gratitude to their authorities, high as well as low, to faithfully obey them, to honestly pay customs and taxes, and to pray earnestly and constantly to God, for the welfare of their persons and government, in order that this favor may descend from us to our children and posterity.  We must also greatly thank the Lord for it, and magnify his name by a holy life, constantly seeking, more and more, to evince virtue from our faith, and to shine by good works in this benighted world.  We must see well to it, that we do not neglect or abuse this time of grace, 2 Cor. 6:1; for if we employ it badly, and use liberty as an occasion to commit sin, it will undoubtedly happen to us as it did to Israel, who, having waxed fat and strong, departed from God, and was therefore again cast into distress and misery, until necessity compelled them to seek Jehovah God.  Deut. 32:15.  O how many there are, it is to be feared, who with Demas have loved the world again!  2 Tim. 4:10.  How many there are, who, having forsaken their first zeal and love, have become cold and slothful in their devotions!

In former times, in the times of the cross, when men could assemble only under peril of their lives, our zeal drove us in the night and at unseasonable times, into nooks and corners, and into fields and woods.  How precious was then one hour which could be employed in stirring up and establishing one another in godliness.  How the souls then thirsted and hungered after divine food.  How pleasantly then tasted the words of godliness.  Men did not ask for ingenious or flowery sermons; but hunger devoured all that was presented.  Then soul treasure was diligently sought, since bodily possessions could give but little comfort.  Then heavenly riches were sought for above all things; for earthly possessions were altogether insecure.  But how is it now?  Temporal avocations have the preference throughout; the oxen must first be proven, and the field be inspected, before one can come to the heavenly marriage, Luke 14:18,19.  Simplicity is changed into pomp and ostentation.  Possessions have increased, but in the soul there is leanness.  Clothes have become costly, but the inward ornament has perished.  Love has waxed cold, and has diminished, but contentions have increased.  Do you suppose that God will always behold this with the same long-suffering?  Do you think that he will never once use his uplifted rod?  He that did not spare Israel, when they departed from him; he that did not pass David by, when he sinned through fleshly lust; he who did not spare Solomon, when he turned his eyes to strange women, and fell into idolatry with them, shall he spare those who, through love of the world and the practice of sin, have so greatly departed from him?  He often delivered Israel from one tyrant to another, that they might learn to know him, and reform.  He chastised them as a father, that they might not serve him with a divided heart, as in the time of Elijah, but that they might serve Jehovah alone, 1 Kings 18:21.  He delivered Amaziah, the King of Judah, into the hands of his enemies, because he did not serve Jehovah with a perfect heart.  2 Chron. 25:2.  Now, examine your heart; whether it is not divided; whether you do not seek to serve Christ and the world at the same time; how feebly you hear and consider the word of God, since your thoughts are entangled in earthly vanities; how seldom and how slothfully the works of godliness are practiced; and how busy and zealous you are throughout in amassing money and property, and in feasting yourself on pleasure.  It is true, you have cast away the dumb, wooden idols, but examine now, whether the idol of riches and avarice is not set up in your heart.  Eph. 5:5; 1 Tim. 6:10.  Plow through the inmost depths of your heart, and see where most of your inclinations and desires tend; whether, easily satisfied here, they penetrate the clouds, and have their conduct in heaven, or, whether digging with insatiable desire into the earth, you seek to increase your riches and to add house to house, and farm to farm; whether Christ in heaven is your supreme treasure, or whether your treasure is here, against which Christ so earnestly warns his disciples.  Mat. 6:19.  If you would make a test of this, study attentively your intentions and thoughts in every occurrence; consider once, how great a love you have for riches; how much confidence you place in them; how greatly troubled you are with a heathenish solicitude for the future; how anxious and despondent you are when bad times and misfortunes threaten, and how securely you live when sailing before the wind; how reluctant and miserable your love for your possessions renders you in the giving of alms; how great contention and how many law suits you would rather engage in, than give up your right, and suffer damage; how soon joy and sleep forsake you when losses and misfortunes befall you; how much time earthly contemplations detract from your proper devotions; how feeble and spiritless they render your prayers; how deep the abundance of your treasures sinks you into sensuality; how much you are pleased with yourself on this account, and exalt yourself above others; finally, how painfully you part from them, and how sadly you will bid them adieu on your death-bed.  Let this serve as a test, I say, and examine yourself, and you will discover at the same time, what you love and serve most, and how much or little you have “crucified the flesh with the lusts of it.”  Gal. 5:24.  For, though outward persecutions now and then cease, yet every Christian is called to sufferings and conflicts; each must take up his cross and follow Christ; each must live, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit; each must suffer in the flesh, that he may cease from sin.  Mat. 10:38; Rom. 8:1; 1 Pet. 4:1.  If you then find that the time of freedom [from persecution] has given liberty and room to your lusts, persecute yourself, crucify and put your self [ishness] to death, and offer up soul and body to God.

In times of persecution, words and colloquies consisted in edifying instructions, and awakenings to godliness, magnifying of the name of God, mutual consolations in suffering, exhortations and incitations to constancy, and recommendations of eternal salvation.  Examine once, whether at this time you have not lent your tongue to please frivolous, worldly men with vain and useless talk; whether by it you did not only not promote godliness, but were also a hindrance and injury to it; whether you did not defame your neighbor’s good name and reputation; and whether your tongue has not by lying and deceit ministered to avarice.  In times of the cross, the time was spent in godly exercises, in consoling and edifying one another, in visiting those in prison, and in preparing for suffering by devout meditations.  Consider once, on what you have bestowed the precious time; how much of it has been squandered in voluptuousness and vanity; how much has been wasted in disputes and quarrels; how much has been lost by needless anxiety and labor; and how little has remained for devotion.  No doubt, you will find that the absence of the chastening rod has rendered men impious and without reverence, and that “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” have usurped the place of piety and humility.  But the most dangerous of all is that but few examine themselves; but few sigh over themselves.  Without knowing it, many are poor, naked and blind, who with those of Laodicea think that they are rich and have everything in abundance, Rev. 3:17; but it is a wealth with which God is not pleased, and by which the spiritual riches, which consist in faith and love, in a living hope and a good conscience, are diminished.  See in the writings of the martyrs, how their life was, how their suffering, how their constancy.  It was the will of [Jehovah] God, that the children of Israel should remember the ways of their fathers, and the instruction of wisdom concealed in this; for they are all, ancestry and posterity, taken as one body.  Deut. 8:2.  Frequently it is said through the prophets: I have brought you out of the land of Egypt; though this had been done to their forefathers.  Micah 6:4; Psm. 81:10; Hos. 11:1.  Examine your ways, and compare them with theirs, and see whether the love of the world has not blinded your eyes, and led them away from God.  Many, when they could not use the world, turned of necessity to God, as their nearest refuge; but as soon as a little breathing time set in, they again began to lean towards the world; the parents became rich, the children luxurious and wanton; the world caressed them, and in course of time they became respected and lifted up; the reproach of the cross was relinquished, and the honor of this world stepped into its place.  And this, in the first church was the reason why God permitted a most awful persecution to come in the time of Emperor Diocletian, that his children might be chastised by it, who already began to join in with the common world.  Eus., lib. 8, cap. 1.  Therefore, we must see well to it, that we do not incur like guilt, lest there come upon us what came upon them; for no one fares worse in such times, than he who has not made good use of his time; such a one will then be visited with woe, distress and misery; but to them that love God, all things work together for good; they are purified and tried by the refining fire; therefore it is necessary that God at times purge his threshing-floor with his fan, that the tares may not get the upperhand, to its own destruction.  But we only have to ask his divine goodness, to chastise us as a father, and draw us by his love, moving our hearts and minds to himward, in order that we may lead a godly and holy life, in all love, peaceableness, kindness, and long-suffering; not easily complaining of or grudging against one another, but bearing in patience one another’s infirmities, and bettering each other by good instructions; fleeing and avoiding all offenses, contention and dissension, separations and schisms, which cause insufferable and damnable discord; striving for peace; and seeking to heal, and restore to unity, quiet and peace, that which is broken and ruined, rent and torn asunder by the subtlety of the devil, and blind ignorance, and scattered into various factions, to the great offense and stumbling-block of many.  If we do this, we shall cause the blessing and presence of God to be with us.  Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 4:8; James 5:9.

In the meantime, let us constantly adhere to God, always pray for an increase of wisdom and divine knowledge, and run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, Heb. 12:1,2; for we have the same conflict which David had in his time, and Job, and all the prophets, and Christ and his apostles, together with all the pious followers in the first church, as also before and in our time.  They all had to overcome the world; so do we; they all had to deny themselves; so do we; one crown is to be gained, and the same kingdom is to be inherited.  Heb. 12:28.  The times also, are just the same; but the different life makes them different; however, all inequality must ultimately merge in the equality of God.  In order to make his followers partakers of this equality and unity, Christ prayed that they might be one with him and the Father.  John 17:20.  This was also the sole aim of the apostles; to this, as the eternal, supreme treasure, they exhorted every one; “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and upon the Israel of God.  Amen.”  Gal. 6:15,16.

Written out of love, to edification and amendment.

 

 

THE BLOODY THEATRE

—OR—

MARTYRS MIRROR

—OF THE—

ANABAPTISTS OR DEFENSELESS CHRISTIANS,

 who baptized only upon Confession of Faith, and who suffered and died for the testimony of Jesus, their Savior, in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, that is, from A.D. 1500 to A.D. 1660.—Being an Enlargement of the preceding Martyrs Mirror, augmented from many authentic Chronicles, Memoirs and Testimonies; together with an Account of The Holy Baptism, and other Articles of Divine Worship practiced in those times.

[The controversy of the so-called clergy the cause, in this century, that the Anabaptists increased the more, which forms the beginning of this account.

In the meantime, the difference is shown, between the old Waldenses and the apostate Hussites, respecting the article of holy baptism.

The Waldenses in Hungary were now, in the year 1507, greatly persecuted; concerning whom it is stated that they led an innocent life; and it is also declared that in their confession, which they delivered this year, as well as in their defense, in the year 1508, nothing at all is said about infant baptism.

Ludovicus Vives is introduced, for the year 1521, who, commenting on Augustine, says: That formerly the adults alone were admitted to baptism, and that even in his time said practice was still maintained in some cities of Italy.

Two articles of the old Waldenses are related, one of which is against the Pope, the other on holy baptism.

For the year 1540, mention is made of the churches in Thessalonica, who were said to have remained unchanged in faith from the time of the apostles, and agree with the Anabaptists.  From two different authors particulars corroborating the matter of said Thessalonian churches are given; from the testimony of other writers and credible memoirs.

In a note it is shown that in Thessalonica alone the Christians have more than thirty churches, or meeting houses, while the Turks have only three.

D. Vicecomes mentions the time when the Thessalonian Christians administered baptism.

We then proceed to some confessors who lived and were put to death in the time of our fathers; some good and wholesome testimonies regarding this article, left by them as Thomas van Imbroeck, A.D. 1558; Jacob de Roore, A.D. 1569; John Wouters van Kuyck, A.D. 1572, Christian Gastayger, A.D. 1586; Bartholomew Panten, A.D. 1592.  Finally, about A.D. 1600, an entire confession of faith follows, such as has been believed and practiced for many years, by those called Mennists.

With this we conclude the whole account of holy baptism and Christian worship in those times.]

It is now our purpose to fulfill the promise we made in the preceding part, and to this end have come here, namely, to show also in this century, that the distinguishing mark of the believers, that is, baptism according to the institution of Christ, was at this time also correctly taught, practiced and maintained, by those who may be called orthodox believers; notwithstanding said article had to suffer much opposition, violence and molestation, and this not only from the papists (who, however, have nearly always opposed it), but also from other persuasions who had abhorred the doctrine of the papists in many other points, and with fear and terror had fled from the Roman church, as from a confused Babel.

However, all this, instead of obscuring the truth, tended only to illuminate and glorify it the more, just as gold when contrasted with copper, the mountain’s height with the deep valley, and the light of day with the darkness of night, can be distinguished the more plainly; also the praiseworthy commended, and the contemptible contemned.  This was the case at that time, not only with the assailed truth, but also with those who defended it, as shall be related and proven in the sequel.

Jacob Mehrning’s History of Baptism, making mention of the sixteenth century, that is the time from A.D. 1500 until A.D. 1600, begins with these words: Page 772 “At this time there arose, principally in Germany, a most severe persecution against the old Waldenses and their followers, through the violent controversy of the so-called clergy, and the disputations waged against them by the pens of the learned.”  [The Waldenses] in consequence of this, however, gained far more Anabaptists (namely Baptists), than there had ever before, in any country, been seen.

This indicates that the old orthodox Waldenses, notwithstanding the severe persecutions, existed also at this time, yes, insomuch that now they increased more than ever before.

But this was also the century in which Luther in Germany, Zwingli in Switzerland, and afterwards Calvin in France, began to reform the Roman church; and to deny, oppose and contend with the authority of God’s holy word against the supposed power of the Roman Pope, and many papal superstitions, however, in order to avoid too great dissatisfaction, as it seems, they remained in the matter of infant baptism, in agreement with the Roman church, though they abandoned many incidents which the papists observe at the baptism of infants, such as the salt, spittle, exorcism, and the like.

They also have retained with the papists, the swearing of oaths, the office of secular authority, war against enemies, and sometimes also against each other, etc., of which things the old Waldenses had purified themselves, and would have no communion with any who would practice these things.  Therefore, we will leave them, and turn to our fellow believers.

It is true, that already before the beginning of this century, some of the Waldenses had united with the Hussites, apparently in the confidence that with the doctrine, these would also follow the meekness of their former teacher, John Huss.  But when said Hussites would retain infant baptism, and avenge the death of their teacher, yes, began to wage a bloody war against those who had put him to death, those who had united with them found themselves greatly deceived, and left them, not daring to trust their salvation with such people; some, however, though few, remained with them.  Thus the Waldenses returned for the most part to their old brethren, but the Hussites were received by the Lutherans, Zwinglians and Calvinists, who, with them approved of infant baptism and war.

But since some Waldenses had united with the Hussites before the apostasy of the latter, and some, though few, had still remained with them, it came that said Hussites received, though erroneously, the name of Waldenses.  Therefore it originated, that they had a mixed confession of faith, which was partly conformable to the old confession of the Waldenses, and partly adulterated with innovations or human institutions.  For example, the article of the holy baptism of these Hussites reads as follows: “The faith which God has given to us, constrains us to believe and confess such things respecting baptism, which is the first sacrament: whoever, now, in adult age, has become believing through the hearing of the word of God, by which he, being regenerated and enlightened in his soul, has received power, such a one is bound to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, into the unity of the holy church, by an external washing of water, in token of his inward purification obtained through faith.”

(So far this article accords with the confession of the old Waldenses; but what follows it, is held to have been added by said Hussites.)

“This our confession extends also to infants, who, according to the command of the apostles, as Dionysius writes, must be baptized, and afterwards, through the wise direction of their sponsors, who are taught in the law of Christ, be guided, or urged and trained to the life of faith, that is, to worthily practice the faith.”

We see here, a great departure of these Hussites, who have added to the old rule of the Waldenses, which is confirmed by the authority of holy Scripture (namely, to baptize upon faith), a new rule, namely, to baptize also infants, and for proof of this, adduce not the testimony of Christ or his holy apostles, but of one Dionysius, who never was an apostle or teacher of Christ, but a fallible man.

And still, the preacher Mellinus would make the readers of his book believe, 2d book, page 614, col. 3, that this last part was also the confession of the Waldenses; but the contrary is evident, as previously stated; yes, according to his own account, fol. 446, col. 1, the Waldenses, A.D. 1544, forty years after the Hussites, whom he calls Bohemian brethren, made the above article, issued a confession and delivered it in the parliament of the King of France, in which, where speaking of baptism, they make no mention at all of any baptizing of infants; but the work of the Hussites, according to the account of said preacher, is said to have originated A.D. 1504.  Compare fol. 611, col. 1, with fol. 614, col. 3.

A.D. 1507.—“In this year,” writes P.J. Twisck, “the Vaudois, Waldenses, or believers were cruelly persecuted in Hungary, and delivered the confession of their faith, together with an apology, to Uladislaus, King of Bohemia, refuting the calumnies of their enemies, and proving that they had not separated from the Roman church without good reasons.  Of these people, papistic writers themselves confess that they led an innocent and pious life, though they nevertheless cruelly sought to kill and exterminate them.”  Chron., page 930, col. 2, from Henr. Boxh., fol. 27.

Note.—Touching the confession which the aforementioned Waldenses, A.D. 1507, delivered to King Uladislaus, as well as their defense which they delivered A.D. 1508, nothing at all is in this said of infant baptism, though that would have been the proper time to explain themselves in this respect.  See A. Mell., fol. 616, col. 1–4, and fol. 617, col. 1–3.  As to their confession of the year 1504, which was corrupted or adulterated with human institutions, by the Hussites, we have already spoken.

A.D. 1521.—One Ludovicus Vives, of Valencia, commenting on the words of Augustine, in the 27th chapter of the 1st book of the City of God: With what admonition we address the baptized, says: “That no one be mislead by this passage, [I would state that] no one was formerly admitted to holy baptism, save he who had attained his years, and understood himself what the holy water signified, and desired to be washed with it; yes, when he desired it a second time or oftener.”

Said Vives, in the same place, further declares: “I understand that in some cities of Italy the ancient custom is, to a great extent, still observed.”

By this he indicates, that at, as well as before his time, many there did not practice infant baptism; which is the purpose for which we have adduced this passage.

“These apparently were,” says H. Montanus, who has noted this, “a remnant from the Waldenses, who were also scattered into different parts of Italy.”  Nietigh., page 89.

He then states that in the year 1544 they delivered their confession of faith to Francis I., King of France, but that the following year, said King, through Minerius, miserably fell upon and exterminated them, in accordance with the sentence pronounced against them five years previously, at Aix, in the court of Provence, not far from Italy.

Their faith is further thus described: “That they, according to their ancient custom, did not recognize the Pope of Rome, and had always had a pure religion.”

Concerning baptism, they professed: “That it is an external visible sign, which signifies to us the renewing of the Spirit, and the mortifying of the members.”  This confession, in substance, fully agrees with the one which we previously related from Jean Paul Perrin, as also, with what Reinerius admonishes, among the articles of their confession, as these were in his time, saying: “That they deemed infant baptism useless.”  Mont., Nietigh., page 90.

We could expatiate and give more particulars, touching the Waldenses, in confirmation of the faith which they had in common with us, as also, that they confessed said faith until the times of the last martyrs, yes, also, that some of those martyrs proceeded from them; but as it is not our purpose to fill this book with words, but only to give the pith of the matter, which we think we have done, we will leave it as it is referring it to the judgment of the intelligent and impartial reader.

Before we leave this, we would state that mention is made, in this century, not only of the Waldenses, but also of certain churches in Thessalonica, in Greece, which are declared to have remained unchanged in faith from the time of Christ, and to agree in faith and practice with the Anabaptistic churches, in Switzerland.  I will quote the account verbatim, which I have found in regard to this, in a certain tract entitled: The Spectacles, by which the Anabaptists of one faith may see, etc., by a lover of the truth, J. S., printed at Harlem, by Hans Passchiers, van Wesbusch, A.D. 1630.

In the preface, page 10, we read: “Since, my beloved, all the truly pious have a sincere joy and the greatest delight [to know], that many pious people are found upon earth, it has seemed good to me, to acquaint you with a brief testimony that has fallen into my hands: How, in the year 1540, or a little before, certain persons were brought captive by the Turks, from Moravia, to Thessalonica, in Turkey, and sold as slaves; which slaves there became acquainted with the (Thessalonian) Christians.  Observing their life and conduct, they said to these Thessalonians, that in Moravia there lived a people who were like them in life and conduct, and were called Anabaptists; which kindled in the Thessalonians a zeal to examine the truth of the matter; and it further happened, as the testimony states,” etc.

Note.—Besides what we have noted concerning the churches at Thessalonica, Balthasar Lydius gives this account: “We will first speak of the Greek churches, who, in great numbers, are under the dominion of the Grand Turk; for in the city of Thessalonica, by the Turks now called Salonick, the Christians or Greeks have more than thirty churches, while the Turks, on the other hand, have only three; and so it is in other places in the vicinity.  These churches do not recognize the Pope as the general head of the church.”  This appears from the book of Nilus. Balth Lydii, 3.  Tract. of the Waldenses, p. 33, col. 1.  Nilus de Primatu Papa, p. 48, 51 edit., Wechel, A. D., 1608.

On page 42 of the book referred to above, we read: Brief account how through some Moravians who had been captured by the Turks, and had come to Thessalonica, in Turkey, the Christians at Thessalonica obtained information that in Moravia there lived fellow believers of theirs, who were there called Anabaptists; and how, in order to ascertain the truth of the matter, they sent three of their brethren to Moravia, in Germany.

“I, the undersigned, testify that in Moravia there lived with me, for the space of three years, a man of our brethren, about a hundred years old, named Leonard Knar, who related to me that in his time, when he was a servant in the common house of the common church at Popitz, under the stewart, Hans Fuhrman, three brethren of the church of Thessalonica were sent to Germany to inquire after their fellow believers, who, as they had learned from the prisoners, as stated above, were living in Moravia.

“They first came to Nickelsburg, on the frontier of Hungary, where they went to a priest and inquired after this people.  He entered a carriage and rode with these three men to Pausrom, to those who are there called Hutterites, and in the Netherlands, Moravians.

“Having well examined their life and conduct, they discussed with them, in the Latin language, in which they were well versed, all the articles of the faith, but found that in three principal articles they did not accord; namely, first in shunning, as this article was maintained by the Hutterites; secondly, in the community of goods, which virtually consists with them more in dominion and servitude, than in equality; thirdly, that they withhold from those who fall away from their communion and leave them, the property which they brought in, on account of which these three men parted from them with tears in their eyes, because they had performed such a difficult and laborious journey in vain.

“The same priest then brought them in same place (Pausrom), to the Schwitzer church, who derive their name from Hans Schwitzer, who, through one of their brethren, named John Peck (who, with Hans Fuhrman and twelve other persons, had lain in prison for nine years, in the castle Passau on the Danube, in Bavaria, for the testimony of the faith), discussed in Latin all the articles of their faith.  They agreed well in all points, on account of which they being mutually filled with great joy, acknowledged each other as dear brethren, and in token of it, commemorated together the Lord’s Supper, with great gladness, confessing themselves the true church of God.  They stated further that the church of God at Thessalonica had remained unchanged in faith from the time of the apostles, and that they still preserved in good condition the letters which the apostle Paul wrote to them with his own hands.

“All this having taken place, they parted in peace, and having commended each other with tears and the kiss of love, into the keeping of the Lord, the brethren journeyed back to Thessalonica.

“One of them who was a tailor by trade, left his shears as a memento in the church at Pausrom.

“This history is not only known to me, but is generally known, not only in Moravia, but also in the upper Palatinate.”

The father of this Leonard Knar, who saw and related all this, was elder among the Anabaptists there who now consist of two principal divisions, namely the Hutterites, here in the Netherlands called Moravians, and the Schwitzers here in the Netherlands called Germans, but who were then yet one people.  This Elder Leonard Knar ministered to these people in baptism, the Supper and intercessions according to the doctrine of the apostles.

As Leonard was well acquainted with John Peck, the latter orally related to Leonard all that he had discussed with the brethren from Thessalonica.

We mentioned before, that Hans Fuhrman and John Peck, together with twelve other persons, lay imprisoned for nine years in the castle of Passau.  From this long confinement they were released through bail furnished by a certain lord of Jamits, who traveled thirty-six leagues to release the prisoners by becoming bondsmen for them.  He had in his town Jamits, a large society of these people living under his protection.

To the above account the following testimony is given, subscribed to in these words:

“By me, Jacob Meyster, resident at Amsterdam, fled from Moravia, to Poland, A.D. 1620; thence A.D. 1626, to Stettin, in Pomerania, and in the year 1627, to Amsterdam.  I acknowledge that this account of Leonard Knar is as related.”

Of these things, Jacob Mehrning, of Holstein, gives this account: “Thus we have information, that even at the present day there are brethren and Christians at Thessalonica, who agree with the Mennists in all articles of religion, also in baptism, two of whom were yet in the time of our fathers, with the brethren in Moravia, and then also in the Netherlands, and communed with the brethren, who expressly declared that they still preserved in good condition, at Thessalonica, the originals of St. Paul’s two epistles to the Thessalonians.  Likewise, that many of their brethren were still living, scattered here and there in Ethiopia, Greece and other oriental countries, as well as other Christians, who, like them, were preserved by God, and remained in the same doctrine, and the true practice of baptism, constantly from the beginning of the apostles to this time.”  Bapt. Hist., p. 739.

D. Vicecomes, lib. 1, cap. 23, quotes from Nicephorus Callistus, that in Thessalia baptism was administered only at Easter; on which account many died without baptism.

This harmonizes quite well with the foregoing; namely, that the Thessalonian churches were not accustomed, or at least did not deem it necessary to baptize infants, seeing they waited with baptism a whole year; on the other hand, those who consider infant baptism necessary, frequently dare not postpone it one month, one week, yes, sometimes not one day, on account of the uncertainty of the infant’s life; so that they appoint no definite time for infant baptism, as also, if necessity requires it, no definite persons; so much that the papists as also the Lutherans allow not only priests or teachers, but also laymen, yes, women to baptize, so that no child may die unbaptized.  Anthon. Jac.  Babel der Kinderdoopers, printed A.D. 1626, p. 107, 8th chapter, quest. 5, from Bellarm de Baptism, col. 307.

But that the Thessalonian churches had the custom of baptizing only on Easter, that is, once a year came as may be inferred, because they deemed it necessary first to instruct the persons for a long time, almost a year, and to teach them the faith, before they might be baptized; as has been shown from Rupert Tuiciensis, for the year 1124.

Note.—Notwithstanding we might with this close our account of Holy Baptism, since not only this article, but all that further belongs to it, has been sufficiently shown, and the known martyrs of our faith and their confessions have been plainly presented in our old book of the martyrs long before this time; yes, already in the year 1524, we nevertheless, in order to satisfy, if this be possible, the critical will proceed to bring this article to the end of this century, in which the confessions of the martyrs will render us no small service, as will appear.

A.D. 1558.—At this time a god-fearing and pious hero of Jesus Christ, named Thomas van Imbrœck, made a most excellent and explicit confession of holy baptism, as also a refutation of the opponents, which he delivered to the lords of Cologne, where he was imprisoned for the faith.  It reads as follows:

I believe and confess that there is a Christian baptism, which must take place externally and internally; internally with the Holy Spirit and with fire, externally with water, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Internal baptism is imparted by Christ to the penitent, as John the Baptist said: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that comes after me is mightier than I; whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire.”  Mat. 3:11; Mark 1:8.

In the first place, our opponents say, it is written: “Allow little children to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”  Mat. 19:14.  Now, if they have the promise, why should they not also receive baptism, which is less than the promise?

Answer.—We believe and confess that infants are saved on account of the promise; but that salvation depends on baptism, we do not confess; for when Christ promised the children the kingdom of God, they were not baptized, nor did he baptize them, but he embraced them, and spoke kindly to, or blessed, them.  Mark 9:36,37.  Christ also states the reason why the children are acceptable to God, since he sets them as examples for adults, and admonishes us, that we should be like them, for thus he says to his disciples: “Truly I say unto you, except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Mat. 18:3,4.

Therefore, since we are admonished to become as children, it is incontrovertible, that as long as they remain in a state of innocence, God holds them guiltless, and no sin is imputed to them; and although they are of a sinful nature, partaking of the nature of Adam, there still remains something in them which is pleasing to God, namely, innocence and humility; however, they are saved only through the grace of Christ.

But if some condemn infants, if they die without baptism, it is a despising of the blood of Christ; for the sin of Adam and of the whole world, is reconciled through the sacrifice of Christ, and no sin from Adam is imputed to children; how then can children be damned?

Who will accuse the children, for whom Christ shed his blood?  Who will condemn them, to whom Christ has promised the kingdom of God?  Who will deny the holy Scriptures, which declare so emphatically, that the sin of Adam and of the whole world has been taken away; the handwriting of the law, which was against us, blotted out, and nailed to the cross, and that grace has abounded over sin, and the life of Christ conquered death?

Therefore, he who says that children are condemned, or accuses them on account of original sin, denies the death and blood of Christ.  For, if the children are condemned because of Adam’s death, then Christ died in vain, Adam’s guilt is still upon us, and not reconciled through Christ, and grace has not abounded over sin through Christ.  God forbid.

For the grace of God has richly appeared to all men.  Tit. 2:11; Rom. 5:18.  All malediction, curse, and the sin of the whole world have been taken away through Christ, and as adults are saved through faith, so children are saved through their innocence; but all through grace.

An answer, then, remains yet to be given, why, if they are saved, they should not be baptized.

In the first place, because we have no command from Christ for it.  Abraham had received a command from the Lord, to circumcise all males on the eighth day.  Now, he had received no command respecting females, nor did he follow his own opinion, but, according to the command of God, caused only the male children to be circumcised; and circumcision was the sign of the covenant which God had established with Abraham; and still, the women were included in the covenant as well as the men.

And afterwards, when Israel was in the wilderness, and had grossly sinned against the Lord, so that God said, they should not enter into the promised land, and this on account of their unbelief, he (Jehovah) said: But your children which now know neither good nor evil, they shall possess it.

[Mention of the inquisition which from the year 1492 continued to 1660.  It is noticed for the year 1501.

Persecution of the orthodox Christians in Hungary briefly, and plainly shown, for the year 1507.

Two years after this, there is brought to remembrance another persecution of the same people, in the principality of Mecklenburg, near Mooren, two years later, presented and noted for the year 1509.

Several persons who opposed popery in various points of doctrine; as Nicholas Rus, Bernhard Liblinensis, John Picus, John Hilten, William Budaeus, John Bugenhagius, etc.; some of whom also felt the sting of the Roman scorpion, referred to in a note for the years 1509, 1510, 1512, 1513, 1520, etc.

The decree which by the Romanists was published, in the Netherlands, against all who believed otherwise than the Roman church, and what misery resulted thereupon, circumstantially noticed for the year 1521.

In a note for the year 1522 mention is made of Charles Stadius, and for the year 1524, of Henry Zutphaniensis, touching their faith and death.

Beginning of the old Martyr’s Mirror of the Defenseless Christians, together with the emendation from various creditable chronicles, memoirs, testimonies, etc.

The first martyrs mentioned are Hans Koch and Leonhart Meister; both of whom lost their lives for the truth of the holy Gospel at Augsburg, A.D. 1524.

Then follow so great a multitude of professors of Christ, who gave their lives for his name’s sake; as well as so great a number of accounts of bloody decrees, examinations, sentences, and memorable memoirs that it is impossible to enumerate them.  From the year 1524 until 1597, almost until the close of the century, the pious martyrs were apprehended, tormented, and put to death by fire, water, sword, burying alive; with which last manner of death this century is concluded.]

A great door is opened unto us to the arena of the martyrs and blessed followers of Jesus.  None of the previous persecutions endured by the orthodox martyrs are to be compared to the present one.  We have come through the time of fifteen centuries, each consisting of one hundred consecutive years; but we must confess that we did not meet with what we have seen, or, at least, that which we shall see here.  The length of the time, the severity of the persecution, and the number of the martyred persons shall testify to this.

It is true that fifteen hundred years extend over a longer period of time than about a hundred and fifty of like years; and that the persecutions which occurred during this long time, when put in the balance, would be heavier than this last one, as well as the number of the persons who were persecuted; but never in the preceding fifteen centuries did any persecution continue for so long a time without alleviation; never was then in so short (though actually long) a time so much innocent blood shed; never were there in so small a space so many dark prisons, deadly tribunals, scaffolds, fiery stakes, and other instruments of death erected and made use of as were at this time in Germany and in the Netherlands.

To prove this, without unnecessary words, we will forthwith enter upon our task, beginning with Germany, and ending with the Netherlands.

The inquisition of which we gave an account in the first book, for the year 1492, continued against the orthodox believers, as is firmly believed, even until this time; so that many who were subjected to the same, and remained steadfast, had to suffer themselves to be put to death; who, in the sight of God, came to an honorable, but in the eyes of the world, a shameful and not less miserable end, but who shall hereafter, with Christ their Savior (who herein preceded them), be clothed with everlasting honor and joy, yes, be crowned as victorious kings in the heavenly Zion, according to his promise: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.”  Rev. 2:10.

Concerning the beginning of this inquisition see the first book, for the year 1492, and how the same continued until this time and long after, compare Hist. Georg., lib. 6.  Pieter Bor, lib. 3.  Orsprong der Nederlandtsche Beroerten, fol. 9–12.  Tooneel Nicol., fol. 87.  Guil. Merulae, Tract. 9, 47.  Eman. van Met. (old edition), fol. 40.  Retuald Gonsalv., in de H. Spanish Inquisition throughout.  Hist. Wenc., fol. 187.  Chron. Phil. Mel., lib. 5.  Hist. Alons. de Vlb., lib. 2, with Chron. van Ondergang, page 899, col. 1, 2, page 900, col. 1, 2.

That the old Waldenses, or orthodox believers, whose sound confession we have shown elsewhere, were now severely oppressed and persecuted in Hungary; insomuch that they were necessitated to deliver a defense of their faith against the unfounded accusations on account of which they suffered persecution, to Uladislaus, King of Bohemia, we have partly shown in the Account of Holy Baptism, for the year 1507, and it is confirmed by H. Boxhorn, in his tract concerning this matter, fol. 27; compared with P.J. Twisck, Chron., page 930, col. 2.

A.D. 1509, old writers state that the aforementioned old Waldenses, on account of the envy of the Pope and papists, could no longer enjoy their liberty in confessing and practicing their true belief, in the principality of Mecklenburg, near Mooren.  See the last mentioned chronicle, page 937, col. 2, ex Catal. Test., fol. 902.

About A.D. 1521, at the time of Emperor Charles V., a decree was made and issued by those of the Roman church, on account of the Lutherans and Zwinglians, against all those who were opposed to the Roman profession, and therefore, also against the Anabaptists; who were all threatened with cruel punishments of death, as appears from the following account in the Chron. van den Ondergang, p. 975, col. 2.

[The following Part of the Martyrs Mirror was not originally written by van Braght, but was the outgrowth of a compilation from different authors, and published in different editions, which from time to time were enlarged and improved.  The original book, as appears from the writings of Samuel W. Pennypacker, of Philadelphia, Pa., was published in Holland, in 1562, under the title, Het Offer des Heeren.  Later editions were printed in the years 1567, 1570, 1576, 1578, 1580, 1589, 1595, and 1599.  In 1617, a large quarto edition, containing 863 pages, written by Hans de Reis and Jacques Outerman, and printed by Zacharias Cornelisz, at Hoorn, was published, bearing the title, Historie der Warachtighe getuygen Jesu Christi.  This book was succeeded by a folio volume of ten hundred and fifty-six pages, printed at Hærlem, by Hans Passchiers, von Wesbusch, in 1631, entitled, Martelœrs Spiegel der Werelose Christenen, that is, The Martyrs Mirror of the defenseless Christians.  This book, our author, van Braght, embodies as the “Second Part,” in his own work under the title of The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the defenseless Christians, as he says, without change, except where some correction was needed, adding, however, such matter as seemed profitable and necessary.  This will explain to the reader the above remark: “Old Book.”—Publishers.]

From A.D. 1160 until this time (A.D. 1660) we have followed according to our ability the trail and footsteps of the ancient Waldenses, of which we have by no means, until this time, lost sight; neither have we now lost sight of them, but still keep them in view.

This appeared in the case of two pious men of said profession (which agrees with that of the Anabaptists) who, loving the truth of Christ, which they maintained more than their own lives, were put to death at Augsburg, in Germany, in accordance with the rigor of the court, there, in the year 1524.

The following earnest prayer to God was spoken by Hans Koch and Leonhard Meister before their death, and left for the consolation of all their fellow believers:

O God!  Behold now from your high throne the misery of your servants, how the enemy persecutes them because it is their purpose to walk in the narrow way, and how abominably they are scorned.  He who learns to know you, and holds fast to your words, is despised and scorned by them.  O God of heaven!  we have all sinned before you; therefore chastise us in mercy.  We beseech you, let us enjoy your grace, that your honor may not be profaned by us before this world, which now seems determined to extinguish your word.  We might well have peace with them, if we would not confess your holy name, and not believe on your Son, that he atoned for us on the cross, bore our sins, and paid our debt.  The enemy has no other reason for his daily raging against us, than because we do not fulfill his will, but love you, O God, in our hearts, which neither Satan nor his adherents can endure.  Therefore they compel us with great distress, and afflict us with much tribulation.  Thus, our misdeed, on account of which the enemy fights so hard against us, is, that we place our hope in you alone, and in your dear Son Christ Jesus, and in the Holy Spirit; therefore we must suffer reproach, because we do not set ourselves against you; if we would give ourselves up to idolatry, and practice all manner of wickedness, they would let us live unharmed, in peace and tranquillity.  Therefore, O dear Lord, take up arms for us, and judge all those who disregard your power and might.  If we would deny your word, antichrist would not hate us; yes, if we would believe his false doctrine, follow his error, and walk with the world on the broad road, we would have favor with them; but because we seek to follow you, we are hated and forsaken by the world.  But though the enemy brings us to torment, it does not happen to us alone, but was also done to Christ our Redeemer; for they afflicted him first with much reproach and suffering; and thus it was with all that adhered to him, and believed in his word.  Therefore Christ says himself: Do not marvel, if the world hate you; for it hated me first; they have not received my words; thus shall they also not receive your words.  If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; and when all these things happen to you, rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.  Christ comforts us still more through the mouth of his beloved apostles, saying: If we suffer with him, we shall also rejoice with him, and reign in everlasting joy.  What matters it, if we are ridiculed and scorned here for a little while?  Since God promises us eternal rest and bliss.  O Lord, you see and hear the derision and contumely, and the suffering with which your children are afflicted.  You also know their small and feeble ability; therefore we pray to you, O God, that you would protect your own honor, and sanctify your name, which is now so fearfully profaned by all those who, here on earth, are of high and low estate.  Manifest your power, that the enemy may perceive and understand your divine strength, and may learn to be ashamed.  O Lord Jehovah, have compassion upon your poor sheep, that are scattered, and have no longer a true shepherd who will henceforth teach them.  Send them your Holy Spirit, that he may feed and satisfy them with your grace, and that they may not hearken to the voice of a stranger, unto the end.  O God, in your high majesty, graciously hear our petition, and do not forsake us, since we are in great tribulation and conflict.  Give us steadfast patience through Christ your Son, our Captain, who can vanquish Satan with all his host.  To him be honor, and praise to his holy name.  Amen.

Matt. 7:14; Psm. 106:6; Dan. 9:5; 1 Pet. 2:24; Mat. 22:37; 1 Pet. 4:3; Mat. 7:13; John 17:14; 1 Pet. 4:1; Isa. 53; Mat. 27; Luke 24:26; John 15:18; 1 John 3:13; Mat. 5:12; Rom. 8:11; 2 Tim. 2:12; John 10:5.

In this year, also Caspar Tauber, a tradesman and citizen of Vienna, in Austria, was apprehended for the Christian faith; and as he faithfully and steadfastly continued to confess Christ, without apostatizing, he was condemned and burned.

At this time not only the papists, but also the Zwinglians or so-called Reformed in the city of Zuerich laid their hands on the innocent and defenseless flock of Christ; yet not, as far as we can learn, punishing them with death, or depriving them of life by the executioner, but confining them under severe imprisonment, until ultimately, as may be inferred, death followed.

However, in order to determine from this time on, what course was to be pursued in this matter, the magistrate of said city ordained, among other things, the following:

“Therefore we ordain and will, that henceforth all men, women, youths, and maidens forsake Anabaptism, and practice it no longer from this time on, and that they have their infants baptized; and whosoever shall act contrary to this public edict, shall, as often as it occurs, be fined one mark silver; and if any should prove utterly disobedient and obstinate, they shall be dealt with more severely; for we shall protect the obedient, and punish the disobedient according to his deserts, without bearing with him any longer.  Let every one act accordingly.  All this we confirm by this public document, sealed with the seal of our city, and given on St. Andrew’s day, A.D. 1525.”

Compare Chron. van den Ondergang, page 1010, col. with Henr. Bull. against the Anabaptists, lib. 1, cap. 5, 6; also the open letter of the council of Zuerich, published A.D. 1525.

The Zwinglian church at Zuerich, where this decree was made, was at this time only about five years old, and was itself also subjected to the hatred and persecution of the papists; certainly a lamentable matter, that those who had but a short time before purified themselves in many respects from the leaven of popery and were opposed to the tyranny of the Pope, should nevertheless continue, in this respect, united with the papists; that is, in persecuting others who did not have the same faith with them.

Still, it would have been well if they had stopped with this decree, since with one mark of silver one could have atoned for the first offense in neglecting to baptize a child.  But this was not the end of it, as a few years later, especially in A.D. 1530, when they became a little bolder, they decreed, that the so-called Anabaptists should be punished with death, which we shall show in its proper place.

Felix Mantz was also an originator of the Reformation of the faith, in Germany, and when he, with great zeal, practiced, taught, and preached, the recognized truth of the Gospel, he was envied, accused, and imprisoned by his adversaries, and finally drowned at Zuerich, for the evangelical truth, thus becoming a witness of the sufferings of Christ.  This occurred in the year of our Lord 1526.  He left the following admonition to his fellow brethren, for their comfort:

“My heart rejoices in God, who gives me much knowledge and wisdom, that I may escape the eternal, and never-ending death.  Therefore I praise you, O Lord Christ from heaven, that you do turn away my sorrow and sadness; you whom God has sent me as a Savior, and for an example and a light, and who has called me into his heavenly kingdom, already before my end has come, that I should have eternal joy with him, and should love him and all his righteousness, which exists here, and which shall endure forever hereafter, and without which nothing avails or subsists; therefore so many who do not have this in truth, are deceived by a vain opinion.  But alas!  How many are found at the present who boast of the Gospel, and speak, teach, and preach much about it, but are full of hatred and envy, and who have not the love of God in them, whose deceit is known to all the world, as we have experienced in these latter days, that those who have come to us in sheep’s clothing are ravening wolves, who hate the pious on the earth, and obstruct the way to life and to the true sheepfold.  Thus do the false prophets and hypocrites of this world, who curse and pray with the same mouth, and whose life is disorderly.  They call upon the authorities to kill us, by which they destroy the very essence of Christianity.  But I will praise the Lord Christ, who exercises all patience towards us; for he instructs us with his divine graces, and shows love to all men, according to the nature of God his heavenly Father, which none of the false prophets are able to do.

“Here we must observe this difference, that the sheep of Christ seek the praise of God; this is their choice, and they do not suffer themselves to be hindered either by possessions or temporal good, for they are in the keeping of Christ.  The Lord Christ compels no one to come to his glory; only those that are willing and prepared attain unto it by true faith and baptism.  Whenever a person brings forth genuine fruits of repentance, the heaven of eternal joys is, through grace, purchased and obtained for him by Christ, through the shedding of his innocent blood, which he so willingly poured out; by it showing us his love, and enduing us with the power of his Spirit, and whoever receives and uses it grows and is made perfect in God.  Only love to God through Christ shall stand and prevail; not boasting, denouncing, or threatening.  It is love alone that is pleasing to God: he that cannot show love shall not stand in the sight of God.  The true love of Christ shall not destroy the enemy; he that would be an heir with Christ is taught that he must be merciful, as the Father in heaven is merciful.  Christ never accused any one, as do the false teachers of the present day; from which it is evident that they do not have the love of Christ, nor understand his word; and still they would be shepherds and teachers; but at last they will have to despair, when they shall find that everlasting pain shall be their recompense if they do not reform.  Christ also never hated any one; neither did his true servants, but they continued to follow Christ in the true way, as he went before them.  This Light of life they have before them, and are glad to walk in it; but those who are hateful and envious, and do thus wickedly betray, accuse, smite and quarrel, cannot be Christians.  They are those who run before Christ as thieves and murderers, and under a false pretense shed innocent blood.  By this we may know them that are not on the side of Christ; for they, as children of Belial, prompted by envy, destroy the ordinances of Jesus Christ; even as Cain slew his brother Abel, when God accepted the offerings of Abel.

With this I will finish my discourse, desiring that all the pious be mindful of the fall of Adam, who when he accepted the advice of the serpent, and became disobedient to God, the punishment of death came upon him.  Thus it shall also happen to those who do not accept Christ, but resist him, love this world, and have not the love of God.  And thus I close with this: that I will firmly adhere to Christ, and trust in him, who is acquainted with all my needs, and can deliver me out of it.  Amen.

1 Pet. 5:1; John 16:20; Gal. 5:21; John 5:42; Mat. 7:15; 2 Thes. 3:7; John 10:3; Acts 2:38; Luke 6:36; John 8:12; John 10:1; Gen. 4:8; 3:6; 1 John 2:15; John 5:42.

George Wagner, of Emmerich, was apprehended at Munich, in Bavaria, on account of four articles of the faith.  First, That the priest cannot forgive sins.  Secondly, That he does not believe that a man can bring down God from heaven.  Thirdly, That he does not believe that God or Christ is bodily in the bread which the priest has upon the altar; but that it is the bread of the Lord.  Fourthly, That he did not hold to the belief that water baptism possessed any saving power.  As he would not renounce these articles, he was most severely tormented, so that the prince felt great compassion for him, and personally came to him in the prison, and earnestly admonished him for this, promising that he would call him his friend all his lifetime.  Thus also the tutor of the prince earnestly admonished him to recant, and likewise made him many promises.  Ultimately his wife and child were brought before him in prison in order, on this way to move him to recant.  But neither was he to be moved in this way; for he said that though his wife and child were so dear to him that the prince could not buy them with all his dominion, yet he would not forsake his God and Lord on their account.  Many priests and others also came to him, to persuade him; but he was steadfast and immovable in that which God had given him to know.  Therefore he was finally sentenced to the fire and death.

Having been delivered into the hands of the executioner, and led into the middle of the city, he said: “To-day I will confess my God before all the world.”  He had such joy in Christ Jesus, that his face did not pale, nor his eyes show fear; but he went smilingly to the fire, where the executioner bound him on the ladder, and tied a little bag of powder to his neck, at which he said: “Be it done in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;” and having smilingly bid farewell to a Christian, who was there, he was thrust into the fire by the executioner, and happily offered up his spirit, on the eighth day of February, A.D. 1527.  The sheriff however, surnamed Eisenreich von Landsberg, while returning home from the place of execution, traveling on horseback; purposing to apprehend others of the brethren, died suddenly in the night, and was found dead in his bed in the morning, having thus been removed through the wrath of God.

Note.—It is known that Balthasar Pacimontanus opposed infant baptism, and was therefore burned at Vienna, A.D. 1527.  See second part of Jacob Mehrning’s History of Baptism, page 777, ex Bellarm., Tom. 3, lib. 1, de Bapt., cap 8.

This Melchior Vet was a companion of George Blaurock, who was of the same faith with him, and also served with him in the Gospel.  He was burned in the time of Michael Sattler, at Drache, for the testimony of the faith and of the divine truth, which he boldly confessed.

First, That he and his adherents have acted contrary to the mandate of the Emperor.

Secondly, He has taught, held and believed that the body and blood of Christ are not present in the sacrament.

Thirdly, He has taught and believed that infant baptism does not conduce to salvation.

Fourthly, They have rejected the sacrament of extreme unction.

Fifthly, They have despised and contemned the mother of God and the saints.

Sixthly, He has declared that men are not to swear before the authorities.

Seventhly, He has commenced a new and unheard of custom in regard to the Lord’s Supper, placing the bread and wine on a plate, and eating and drinking the same.

Eighthly, He has left the order, and married a wife.

Ninthly, He has said that if the Turks should invade the country, no resistance ought to be offered them; and if it were right to wage war, he would rather take the field against the Christians than against the Turks; and it is certainly a great matter, to set the greatest enemies of our holy faith against us.

Thereupon Michael Sattler requested permission to confer with his brothers and sisters, which was granted him.  Having conferred with them for a little while, he began and undauntingly answered thus: “In regard to the articles relating to me and my brothers and sisters, hear this brief answer:

“First, That we have acted contrary to the imperial mandate, we do not admit; for the same says that the Lutheran doctrine and delusion is not to be adhered to, but only the Gospel and word of God.  This we have kept; for I am not aware that we have acted contrary to the Gospel and the word of God; I appeal to the words of Christ.

“Secondly, That the real body of Christ the Lord is not present in the sacrament, we admit; for the Scripture says: Christ ascended into heaven and, sits on the right hand of his heavenly Father from where he shall come to judge the living and the dead; from which it follows, that if he is in heaven, and not in the bread, he may not be eaten bodily.  Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9; Col. 3:1; Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:1.

“Thirdly, As to baptism we say: Infant baptism is of no avail to salvation; for it is written that we live by faith alone.  Again: He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.  Peter likewise says: The like figure whereunto even baptism does also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Romans 1:17; Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21.

“Fourthly, We have not rejected the oil; for it is a creature of God, and what God has made is good and not to be refused; but that the pope, the bishops, monks and priests can make it better, we do not believe; for the Pope never made anything good.  That of which the epistle of James speaks is not the Pope’s oil.  Gen. 1:11; 1 Tim. 4:4; James 5:14.

“Fifthly, We have not contemned the mother of God and the saints; for the mother of Christ is to be blessed among all women; for to her was accorded the favor of giving birth to the Savior of the whole world.  But that she is a mediatress and advocatess, of this the Scriptures know nothing; for she must with us await the judgment.  Paul said to Timothy: Christ is our Mediator and Advocate with God.  As regards the saints; we say that we who live and believe are the saints; which I prove by the epistles of Paul to the Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians; and in other places where he always writes: To the beloved saints.  Therefore we that believe are the saints; but those who have died in faith we regard as the blessed.  Luke 1:28; Matthew 1:21; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:1; Revelation 14:13.

“Sixthly, We hold that we are not to swear before the authorities: For the Lord says: Swear not; but let your communication be, Yes, yes; No, no.  Mat. 5:34; James 5:12.

“Seventhly, When God called me to testify of his word, and I had read Paul, and also considered the unchristian and perilous state in which I was; beholding the pomp, pride, usury, and great whoredom of the monks and priests, I went and took unto me a wife, according to the command of God; for Paul well prophesies concerning this to Timothy: In the latter time it shall come to pass that men shall forbid to marry, and command to abstain from meats which God has created to be received with thanksgiving, 1 Cor. 7:2; 1 Tim. 4:3.

“Eighthly, If the Turks should come, we ought not to resist them; for it is written: You shall not kill.  We must not defend ourselves against the Turks and others of our persecutors, but are to beseech God with earnest prayer to repel and resist them.  But that I said that if warring were right, I would rather take the field against the so-called Christians, who persecute, apprehend and kill pious Christians, than against the Turks, was for this reason: The Turk is a true Turk, knows nothing of the Christian faith; and is a Turk after the flesh; but you, who would be Christians, and who make your boast of Christ, persecute the pious witnesses of Christ, and are Turks after the spirit.  Exo. 20:13; Mat. 7:7; Tit. 1:16.

“In conclusion: You ministers of God, I admonish you to consider the end for which God has appointed you, to punish the evil, and to defend and protect the pious.  Whereas, then, we have not acted contrary to God and the Gospel, you will find that neither I nor my brothers and sisters have offended in word or deed against any authority.  Therefore, you ministers of God, if you have not heard or read the word of God, send for the most learned, and for the sacred books of the Bible, of whatsoever language they may be, and let them confer with us in the word of God; and if they prove to us with the Holy Scriptures, that we err and are in the wrong, we will gladly desist and recant and also willingly suffer the sentence and punishment for that of which we have been accused, but if no error is proven to us, I hope to God, that you will be converted, and receive instruction.”  Wis. 6:4; Acts 25:8; Rom. 13:4; Acts 25:11.

Upon this speech the judges laughed and put their heads together, and the town clerk of Ensisheim said:

“O you infamous, desperate villain and monk, shall we dispute with you?  The hangman shall dispute with you, I assure you.”

Michael said: “God’s will be done.”

The town clerk said: “It were well if you had never been born.”

Michael replied: “God knows what is good.”

Town Clerk: “You arch-heretic, you have seduced the pious; if they would only now forsake their error, and accept grace.”

Michael: “Grace is with God alone.”

One of the prisoners also said: “We must not depart from the truth.”

Town Clerk: “You desperate villain and arch-heretic, I tell you if there were no hangman here, I would hang you myself, and think that I had done God service.”

Michael: “God will judge aright.”

Thereupon the town clerk said a few words to him in Latin, what we do not know.

Michael Sattler answered him: Judica.

The town clerk then admonished the judges and said: “He will not cease from this talk to-day; therefore my Lord Judge, proceed with the sentence; I will commit it to the law.”

The judge asked Michael Sattler whether he also committed it to the law.

He replied: “You ministers of God, I am not sent to judge the word of God; we are sent to bear witness of it, and, therefore, cannot consent to any law, since we have no command from God concerning it; but if we can not be discharged from the law, we are ready to suffer for the word of God whatever sufferings are, or may be imposed upon us all for the sake of the faith in Christ Jesus our Savior, as long as we have breath within us; unless we be dissuaded from it by the Scriptures.”

The town clerk said: “The hangman shall convince you; he shall dispute with you, arch-heretic.”

Michael: “I appeal to the Scriptures.”

Then the judges arose, and went into another room, where they remained for an hour and a half, and determined on the sentence.  Mat. 6:10; John 16:2; 1 Cor. 4:5; John 1:8; Job 27:3; Acts 25:11.

In the meantime, some in the room treated Michael Sattler most unmercifully, heaping reproach upon him.  One of them said: “What have you in expectation for yourself and the others, that you have so seduced them?”  With this, he also drew forth a sword which lay upon the table, saying: “See, with this shall they dispute with you.”  But Michael did not answer upon a single word concerning his person, but willingly endured it all.  One of the prisoners said: “We must not cast pearls before swine.”  Mat. 27:14; 7:6.

Being also asked why he had not remained a lord in the convent, Michael answered: “According to the flesh I was a lord; but it is better so.”  He did not say more than what is recorded here, and this he spoke fearlessly.

The judges having returned to the room, the sentence was read.  It was as follows: “In the case of the Governor of his Imperial Majesty versus Michael Sattler, judgment is passed, that Michael Sattler shall be delivered to the executioner, who shall lead him to the place of execution, and cut out his tongue; then throw him upon a wagon, and there tear his body twice with red hot tongs; and after he has been brought without the gate, he shall be pinched five times in the same manner.”

After this had been done in the manner prescribed, he was burned to ashes as a heretic.  His fellow brethren were executed with the sword, and the sisters drowned.  His wife, also, after being subjected to many entreaties, admonitions and threats, under which she remained very steadfast, was drowned a few days afterwards.  Done the 21st day of May, A.D. 1527.

My beloved companions in the Lord!  Grace and mercy from God our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, and the power of their Spirit, be with you beloved of God, brothers and sisters.

I cannot forget you; though I am not present with the body (Col. 2:5), yet I continually care for and watch over you, as my fellow members, lest the body be taken away, and the whole body [the church], with all its members be overwhelmed with sorrow, especially at this time, when the ferocity of the ravening wolf has risen to such a pitch, and increases in power, so that he has aroused also me to fight against him; but eternal praise be to God, its head is completely broken, and I hope that his whole body shall soon be no more, as is written.

Dear brothers and sisters, you well know with what ardent love I admonished you the last time I was with you, that you should be upright and godly in all patience and in the love of God, by which you may be known among this adulterous and ungodly generation, as shining lights (Matthew 5:14) whom God the heavenly Father has illuminated with his knowledge and the light of the Spirit.  With like fervency I now beseech and admonish you; that you walk surely and prudently towards those that are without as unbelievers, that our office, which God has imposed upon us, may in no way be profaned and justly reproached.

Remember the Lord, who has given you the talent, for he shall require it again with usury.  That the one talent may not be taken from you, put it to usury, according to the command of the Lord, who has given you the talent.  Mat. 15:19.

I say to you through the grace of God, that you be valiant, and walk as become the saints of God.  Consider what the Lord metes out to idle servants; namely, to utterly lukewarm and slothful hearts, unfit and cold for all love to God and the brethren.  You have experienced what I now write.

Be admonished by this, lest God let a like punishment come upon you.  Beware, beware of such as act contrary to the command of God lest you learn their abominations; but reprove it with strict attention, and excommunication, according to the command of Christ, yet with all love and compassion for their cold hearts.  Mat. 18:17.  If you do this, you shall readily see how the flock of God dwells among the wolves (Acts 20:29), and shall witness a brief and speedy separation of those who will not walk in the right paths and living ways of Christ, namely, through crosses, misery, imprisonment, self-denial, and ultimately through death.  Then you can present yourselves to God your heavenly Father, a pure, godly, true church of Christ, which is cleansed through his blood (Eph. 5:26), that it may be holy and unblamable in the sight of God and men, separated from all idolatry and abomination, and redeemed, that the Lord of all dominion may dwell in it, and that it may be a tabernacle unto him.  Beloved brethren, understand whether what I write unto you be truth, and use diligence to walk according to it.  Let no one divert you from your aim, as has been the case with some even until now; but go straight on in all patience, without deviating, that you do not take up the cross which God has laid upon you, only to lay it down contrary to the honor and praise of God, and to the transgression and violation of his eternal, true, just, and life-giving commandments.

Do not become weary, if you are chastened of the Lord (Heb. 12:5); for whom God loves he chastens, even as a father that is well pleased with his son.  To what will you have recourse, if you would flee from God?  What can help you if you forsake God?  Is it not God who fills heaven and earth?  Does he not know all the secrets of your vain heart, and the lasciviousness of your reins?  All things are manifest to him, and there is nothing concealed from him.  Vain man, where will you go, that God shall not see you?  Why do you flee the rod of your Father?  (Heb. 12:8).  If you will not be chastened according to the will of the Father, you cannot inherit his riches.  Why do you love a short and transient rest more than the godly and moderate correction and chastisement of the Lord to your salvation?  How long will you eat flesh of the fat of Egypt?  How long will you be carnally-minded?  (Rom. 8:8).  The flesh perishes, and all its glory; the word of the Lord alone abides forever.

Beloved brethren, mark what I write to you; for it is necessary, since you see that there are but few who will endure the chastening of the Lord; for by far the greater number when they suffer a little in the flesh, become faint and weary, and do no longer look unto Jesus, the Captain and Finisher of our faith.  They also forget all his commandments, and esteem the jewel which the calling of God every where presents and points out to those that overcome of small value; but they regard this temporal rest, which is before their eyes as far better and more profitable, than the eternal for which we must hope.  Moreover, there are some who, when this is presented to them, accuse God, though very unjustly, of not being willing to keep them under his protection.  You know whom I mean, take heed that you have no fellowship with them.

Furthermore, dear fellow members in Christ, be admonished that you do not forget charity, without which it is not possible for you to be a Christian flock.  You know what charity is, from the testimony of Paul our fellow brother, who says: “Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; hears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Cor. 13:4–7.  Understand this passage, and you will find the love of God and the love of your neighbor; and if you love God, you will rejoice in the truth, and believe, hope and endure all that comes from God.  In this way the aforesaid failing will be removed and avoided.  But if you love your neighbor, you will not punish or excommunicate with fire, you will not seek your own, think no evil, not vaunt yourselves, and, finally, not be puffed up; but will be kind, just, liberal in all giving, humble and compassionate with the weak and imperfect.  Rom. 13:8.

This love has been adulterated by some brethren (I know who they are); they have not been willing to edify one another by love, but are become puffed up and unprofitable with the vain knowledge and understanding of things which God would have remain hidden to all but himself alone.  1 Cor. 8:1.  I do not censure nor reject the grace and revelation of God, but the puffed up make use of this revelation.  What would it profit, says Paul, if I should speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and understand all mysteries and knowledge, and have all faith, tell me, what profit is all this, if love is not exercised?  You have experienced what such presumptuous speaking and ignorance has produced; you still daily see their false fruits, though they have given themselves to God.

And let no man remove you from the foundation which is laid through the letter of the holy Scriptures, and is sealed with the blood of Christ and of many witnesses of Jesus.  Do not hear what they say of their father, for he is a liar; and do not believe their spirit, for he is entirely swallowed up in the flesh.  Judge what I write to you; take these matters to heart, that this abomination may be separated far from you, and that you be found humble, fruitful and obedient children of God.  Beloved brethren, marvel not that I treat this matter with such earnestness; for I do so not without reason.  The brethren have doubtless informed you that some of us are in prison; and afterwards when the brethren at Horb had also been apprehended, they brought us to Binzdorf.  At this time we met with various designs of our adversaries.  Once they threatened us with bonds; then with fire, and afterwards with the sword.  In this peril I completely surrendered myself into the will of the Lord, and together with all my fellow-brethren and my wife, prepared myself even for death for his testimony; and then I thought of the great number of false brethren, and of you, who are but few, namely, a little flock; and also, that there are but few faithful laborers in the Lord’s vineyard (Matt. 9:37); therefore I deemed it necessary to stir you up by this admonition, to follow after us in the divine warfare, in order that you may comfort yourselves with it, that you may not become weary of the chastening of the Lord.

In short, beloved brothers and sisters this letter shall be a farewell to all of you who truly love and follow God (others I do not know); and also a testimony of my love which God has given into my heart towards you, for the sake of your salvation.  I did indeed desire, and it would have been profitable, I trust, if I had labored a little while longer in the work of the Lord; but it is better for me, to be released, and to await with Christ the hope of the blessed.  The Lord is able to raise up another laborer to finish this work.

Pray that reapers may be constrained into the harvest; for the time of threshing is close at hand.  Luke 10:2.  The abomination of desolation is manifest among you; the chosen servants and handmaidens of God are marked with the name of their Father on their foreheads (Rev. 13:16); the world rises up against those who are delivered from its error; the Gospel is proclaimed before all the world, as a testimony against it; therefore it will be necessary that the day of the Lord do not tarry.

You know, my most beloved fellow members, that it becomes us to conduct ourselves in a godly and Christian manner.  2 Tim. 3:12.  Take heed, watch and pray, lest your wisdom bring judgment upon you.  Pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17) that you may stand worthy before the Son of man.  Remember your forerunner Jesus Christ, and follow him through faith and obedience, with love and patience.  1 Peter 2:20.  Forget that which is carnal, that you may in truth be called Christians, and children of the Most High God.  Endure the chastening of your father in heaven, and turn neither to the right nor to the left, that you may enter by the door (John 10:1), and will not have to walk in a strange path, in which sinners, sorcerers, idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a lie, must go.  Rev. 22:15.  Remember our assembly, and strictly follow that which was resolved on in this; and if anything has been forgotten, pray to the Lord for understanding.  Be liberal towards all that are in want among you (Heb. 13:3), but especially towards those who labor among you in the word, and are driven about, and cannot eat their bread in peace and quietness.  Forget not to assemble yourselves together, but give diligence that you constantly meet together, and be united in prayer for all men, and in breaking of bread; and this with the more diligence, because the day of the Lord is approaching.  Heb. 10:25.  In this assembling you will make manifest the hearts of the false brethren, and will speedily rid yourselves of them.

Finally, beloved brothers and sisters, sanctify yourselves for him that has made you holy, and hear what Esdras says: “Look for your shepherd; he shall give you everlasting rest; for he is close at hand, that shall come in the end of the world.  Be ready to the reward of the kingdom.  . . . Flee the shadow of this world.  . . . Arise up and stand, behold the number of those that be sealed in the feast of the Lord; which are departed from the shadow of the world, and have received glorious garments of the Lord.  Take your number, O Zion, and shut up those of your that are clothed in white, which have fulfilled the law of the Lord.  The number of your children whom you longedst for, is fulfilled.  . . . I Esdras saw upon the mount Zion a great people; whom I could not number, and they all praised the Lord with songs.  And in the midst of them there was a young man of a high stature, taller than all the rest, and upon every one of their heads he set crowns, and was more exalted; which I marveled at greatly.  So I asked the angel, and said, Sir, what are these?  He answered and said unto me, These be they that have put off the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God: now are they crowned, and receive palms.  Then said I unto the angel, What young person is it that crowns them, and gives them palms in their hands?  So he answered and said unto me, It is the Son of God, whom they have confessed in the world.  Then began I greatly to commend them that stood so stiffly for the name of the Lord.”  2 Esdras 34–36, 38–47; Rev. 19:12; Mat. 13:43.

Bear in mind most beloved members of the body of Christ, what I indicate by this scripture, and live according to it, and if I be offered up to the Lord, do for my wife what you would for me.  The peace of Jesus Christ, and the love of the heavenly Father, and the grace of their Spirit, preserve you unspotted from sin, and present you glad and pure for the beholding of their glory, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you may be found in the number of those called to the feast (Luke 14:15) of the one essential, true God and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be eternal praise and glory, Amen.

Beware of false brethren (Acts 20:39); for the Lord will perhaps call me to him; so take warning, I wail for my God.  Pray without ceasing for all that are in bonds.  God be with you all.  Amen.

Written in the tower at Binzdorf.  Brother Michael Sattler of Staufen, together with my fellow prisoners in the Lord.

Of this hero and witness of Jesus Christ there are also other writings extant in print, treating of the atonement of Christ; brotherly union; divorce; of evil overseers, and the hearing of false prophets.

 

 

LEONHARD KEYSER ON THE WAY TO EXECUTION.

When the believers greatly increased under persecution and the cross (Exo. 1:12), there was, in Bavaria, a learned priest of the mass, named Leonhard Keyser, who examined the writings of Zwingli and Luther, and also went to Wittenberg, where he conferred with the doctors and commemorated the Supper with them.

Having returned to Bavaria, he examined the fruits and doctrine of the Anabaptists, as well as of Zwingli and Luther, and joined himself under the cross to the separated cross-bearing church of the Anabaptists, in the year 1525, and forthwith continued in his ministry, with great power and zeal, undaunted by all the tyranny which arose over the believers, in the way of drowning, burning and putting to death.  Acts 9:20.  In the second year of his ministry, Leonard Keyser was apprehended at Scharding, in Bavaria, and condemned by the bishop of Passau and other priests and capitulars, to be burned on Friday before St. Lawrence day, in August of the same year.  Having bound him on a cart, they took him to the fire, the priests going alongside, and speaking Latin to him, but he, on account of the people, answered them in German; even as they had refused to speak to him in German before the court, which he had frequently requested.  When he came out into the field, and was approaching the fire, he, bound, as he was, leaned down at the side of the cart, and plucked a flower with his hand, saying to the judge, who rode on horseback along side of the cart: “Lord judge, here I pluck a flower; if you can burn this flower and me, you have justly condemned me; but, on the other hand, if you cannot burn me and this flower in my hand, consider what you have done and repent.”  Thereupon the judge and the three executioners threw an extraordinary quantity of wood into the fire, in order to burn him immediately to ashes by the great fire.  But when the wood was entirely burned up, his body was taken from the fire uninjured.  Then the three executioners and their assistants built another great fire of wood, which when it was consumed, his body still remained uninjured, only his hair and his nails were somewhat burnt brown, and, the ashes having been removed from his body, the latter was found smooth and clear, and the flower in his hand, not withered, or burnt in the least, the executioners then cut his body into pieces, which they threw into a new fire.  When the wood was burned up, the pieces lay unconsumed in the fire.  Finally they took the pieces and threw them into the river Inn.  This judge was so terrified by this occurrence that he resigned his office, and moved to another place.  His chief servant, who was with the judge, and saw and heard all this, came to us in Moravia, became our brother and lived and died piously.  That it might not be forgotten our teachers have recorded this as it came from his own lips, and now cause it to be promulgated and made known.

Seb. Frank, in his Chron. der Rom. Kett. letter L., gives the following account of this matter:

“Having been brought a prisoner to Scharding, he was taken to the fire by three executioners, bound cross-wise on a ladder, and thrust into the fire.  When he called upon Christ Jesus the ropes fell from his body and were burned; and as he was still alive, he rolled out of the fire at one side.  The executioners instantly thrust him back into the fire, with hop-poles, that happened to be there, so that he rolled out on the other side.  There the executioners cut him alive into pieces, which they cast into the fire, without being able, however, to burn them, as I have read,” etc.  Concerning this, see also P.J. Twisck, Chron., fol. 1020, col. 2.

A.D. 1527, Thomas Hermann, a minister of the Gospel and word of God, was executed.  Some persons had been apprehended at Kitzbuehl, and, through the tyranny of the authorities, had been brought to apostatize from the truth.  The latter furthermore brought them into a public place before a great multitude of people, where the others reviled them shamefully, and said: “Ah, how finely your teachers and pastors now give their lives for you!” John 10:11; 1 John 3:16.  Then the beforementioned Thomas Hermann made his way through the people, stepped forth and boldly said: “It is the truth which I have taught you, and I will testify to it with my blood.”  He was immediately apprehended, tortured, sentenced to the fire, and burned.  On his way to the place of execution, he composed and sang a hymn, which is still extant.  They could not burn his heart; therefore, they threw it into the lake which was near the place of execution.  After him sixty-seven of his fellow-believers were executed in the same place.  The judge of Kitzbuehl, who assisted in condemning and putting to death many of them, and who because of their faith, both before and after, called them heretics, was afterwards suffered by God to come to such awful disgrace, that he was himself found to be a heretic, and justly regarded as such by all men; which nevertheless, occurred not at all on account of the faith, but because God permitted him to fall into such disgrace, that he came to reproach and great infamy, also before the world.

The vengeance of God also came upon the town-clerk of Kitzbuehl, who had likewise been instrumental in this shedding of innocent blood, and had declared that he would not lay down his head in peace until he had helped to exterminate these people.  For, as he was out riding in a sleigh in the town, and about to make a turn, the horse threw him against a wall, and an oak tree in the street, so that his brains were dashed out, and thus he did not lay down his head in peace, but came to a terrible end, as the brethren Hans Kitzbuehl and Christian Haring have testified concerning it.

On the 15th of November, 1527, Weynken, daughter of Claes, was brought prisoner from the castle of Woerden to the Hague, where on the 17th day of the same month, came also the count of Hooghstraten, Governor in Holland.  On the 18th, the aforesaid Weynken was arraigned before the governor and the full council of Holland.  There a woman asked her:

“Have you well considered the things which my lords proposed to you?”

Ans.  “I abide by what I have said.”

Ques.  “If you do not speak differently, and turn from your error, you will be subjected to an intolerable death.”

Ans.  “If power is given you from above I am ready to suffer.”  John 19:11.

Ques.  “Do you then, not fear death, which you have never tasted?”

Ans.  “This is true; but I shall never taste death, for Christ says: ‘If a man keeps my saying, he shall never see death.’ (John 8:51.) The rich man tasted death, and shall taste it forever.”  (Luke 16:23.)

Ques.  “What do you hold concerning the sacrament?”

Ans.  “I hold your sacrament to be bread and flour, and if you hold it as God, I say that it is your devil.”

Ques.  “What do you hold concerning the saints?”

Ans.  “I know no other Mediator than Christ.”  (1 John 2:19.)

Ques.  “You must die, if you abide by this.”

Ans.  “I am already dead.”  (Gal. 2:19.)

Ques.  “If you are dead, how can you speak?”

Ans.  “The spirit lives in me; the Lord is in me, and I am in him.”  (John 14:20.)

Ques.  “Will you have a confessor, or not?”

Ans.  “I have Christ, to him I confess; nevertheless, if I have offended any, I would willingly ask them to forgive me.”

Ques.  “Who has taught you this opinion, and how did you come to it?”

Ans.  “The Lord, who calls all men to him; I am also one of his sheep; therefore I hear his voice.”  (John 10:27.)

Ques.  “Are you alone called?”

Ans.  “No; for the Lord calls to him all that are heavy laden.”  (Matt. 28:11.)

After many like words Weynken was led back to prison.  During the two following days she was entreated and tempted by various persons, namely, by monks, priests, women, and her nearest friends.  Among others, a woman came to her, prompted by sincerity, who commiserated her after this manner:

“Dear mother, can you not think what you please, and keep it to yourself?  Then you will not die.”

Weynken replied: “Dear sister, I am commanded to speak, and am constrained to do so; therefore I cannot remain silent about it.”

Wom.  “Then, I am afraid, they will put you to death.”

Ans.  “Though they burn me to-morrow, or put me into a bag, I care not; as the Lord has ordained it, so it must be, and not otherwise; I will adhere to the Lord.”

Wom.  “If you have done nothing else I hope you will not die.”

Ans.  “As for me, it does not matter; but when I come down from the hall, I cry bitterly, and it grieves me to see that these good men are all so blinded; I will pray to the Lord for them.”

Two Dominican friars also came to her, the one as a confessor, and the other as an instructor.  The latter showed her the crucifix, saying: “See, here is your Lord and your God.”  She answered: “This is not my God; the cross by which I have been redeemed is a different one.  This is a wooden god; throw him into the fire, and warm yourselves with him.”  The other asked her in the morning of the day when she was to die, whether she would not receive the sacrament, adding that he would willingly administer it to her.  She said: “What God would you give me?  One that is perishable, and is sold for a farthing?”  And to the priest or monk, who rejoiced that he had read mass that day, she said that he had crucified God anew.  He said:

“It appears to me that you have fallen unto error.”

Weynken replied: “I cannot help it, my Lord and my God, to whom be eternal honor, praise, and thanksgiving (Rev. 4:11), has thus given it unto me.”

Ques.  “What do you hold concerning the holy oil?”

Ans.  “Oil is good for salad, or to oil your shoes with.”  1 Tim. 4:4.

In the middle of the week she was brought before the Court, and when she came into the hall, the monk went up to her, and held the crucifix before her face, saying: “Do recant before sentence is passed.”  But Weynken turned from the crucifix, saying: “I adhere to my Lord and God; neither death nor life shall separate me from him.”  (Rom. 8:39.)  As she stood before the judge, the monk whispered into her ear: “Fall down upon your knees, and ask the Lord for pardon.”  She replied: “Be still: did I not tell you, that you should not draw me from my Lord.”

The Dean of Naeldwijck, sub-commissary and inquisitor, read the sentence, in Latin, from a document, and repeating it in Dutch, said briefly, that she was found to be in error with regard to the sacrament, and that she immovably adhered to it; therefore he decided that she was a heretic, and delivered Weynken to the secular arm, with the protest that he did not consent to her death.  He then retired from the council, together with his two associate ecclesiastics.

The chancellor immediately read that she, as reported, had been found obstinate, which could not be passed by without punishment, and that she should be burnt to ashes, and all her property be confiscated.

Then Weynken said: “Has all been done now?  I beg you all, that if I have harmed or offended any, you will forgive me.”

The monk then said to her: “Now for once kiss your Lord and God.”

She answered: “This is not my Lord.”

As they were leaving the council chamber, the monk said to her that she should call upon our Lady to intercede for her.

She replied: “Our Lady is well content in God.”

Monk: “Call upon her.”

Weynken: “We have Christ, who sits on the right hand of his Father; he prays for us.”  (Romans 8:34.)

On her way from the hall to the scaffold or place of execution, the monk said: “Behold for once your Lord, who died for you.”

Weynken: “This is not my Lord and my God; my Lord Jehovah is in me, and I in him.”

Monk: “Consider!  Will you condemn all these lambs, and are they all condemned?”

Weynken: “Not all; judgment belongs unto God.”  (Heb. 10:30.)

Monk: “Do you not fear the severe judgment of God?”

Weynken: “God comes not to condemn sinners, but to give them peace.”  (Luke 9:56.)

Monk: “Do you not fear the sentence which you must suffer in the fire?”

Weynken: “No, for I know how I stand with my Lord.”

On the scaffold there stood one who said to Weynken: “Mother, turn to the people, and ask them to forgive you, if you have offended any.”  This she did.  Then she assisted the executioner to put the powder into her bosom.  Here the monk again tempted her with the cross; but she pushed it away with her hand, turned around, and said: “How you tempt me?  My Lord and my God is above.”  She then went gladly, as though she were going to a marriage; and her face did not once betoken fear of the fire.

The monk said: “Will you not always and firmly adhere to God?”

Weynken said: “Yes, indeed.”

Monk: “Now you will have to go into the fire; do recant.”

Weynken: “I am well content; the Lord’s will must be done.”

Monk: “This is not the will of the Lord; the will of God is your sanctification.”

The executioner said: “Mother, cleave to God and do not suffer yourself to be drawn away from him.”

In the meantime this pious heroine went alone undauntedly to the bench, and stationed herself at the stake at which she was to be burned, saying: “Is the bench firm; I will not fall?”

The executioner then made ready the ropes with which he was to strangle her.  The woman took off her neckerchief or veil, and put the strap around her neck.

Then the monk exclaimed: “Mother Weynken, will you gladly die as a Christian?”

Ans.  “Yes, I will.”

Ques.  “Do you renounce all heresy?”

Ans.  “I do.”

Monk: “This is well.  Are you also sorry that you have erred?”

Ans.  “I formerly did err indeed, and for that I am sorry; this however is no error, but the true way, and I adhere to God.”

When she had said this, the executioner began to strangle her, which when she felt it, she cast down her eyes and closed them, as though she had fallen into a sleep, and gave up the ghost, on the twentieth day of November, A.D. 1527.

In the year 1527, there was also a faithful brother (Rev. 2:10), named John Walen, residing in Waterlandt, on Crommenies Dijck, and with him two of his fellow brethren.  These three were together brought prisoners, for the testimony of Jesus (Revelations 2:13; 20:4), by the blood-thirsty papists, to Haarlem, and after a little while they were sent from there to Gravenhage, where they were examined very severely; yet, through the power of the Most High (Eph. 6:10; Acts 1:8), with which they were endued, they patiently endured it; thus valiantly overcoming by faith all their inquisitors and tormenters, together with the world and all visible things.  1 John 5:4.  On this account the rulers of darkness (Eph. 6:12), at said place sentenced them to the following inhuman and tyrannous death: They were chained to stakes, and a fire built around them, and thus they were slowly roasted, until the marrow was seen to trickle down from their thighbones; thus being burned and roasted till death came to their relief.  After their death the garments on the upper part of their bodies were taken off piece by piece, the color of the cloth still being recognizable.  And as they suffered all this for the name of Jesus and the word of God, and not on account of any misdeed committed, but only in order to testify to and confess the firm foundation of the truth before this false and adulterous generation, the Son of God shall hereafter, when coming in his glory, not be ashamed of them, but confess them before his Father and his chosen angels, and crown them with everlasting glory in heaven.  Revelations 20:4; 1 Pet. 4:14,15; Mark 12:39; Luke 9:26; 2 Tim. 4:8.

In the year 1528, Leonhard Schoener of Becklasburg was apprehended.  He was a minister of God, and was well versed in the holy Scriptures, and also in the Latin language.  He faithfully taught the true baptism of Christ and his apostles, the true Lord’s Supper, and the articles of the Christian faith; yes, the word of God.  He also testified against infant baptism, the abominable sacrament, and other abominations of antichrist.  He had originally been a barefoot friar for about six years, but beholding the impurity, wantonness, hypocrisy (Matt. 7:15), and viciousness of the monks and priests, and judging their lives by the word of God, he left the monastery at Judenburg, in Austria, and went to Nurenberg, learned the tailor’s trade, and then traveling about as journeyman tailor, he came to Nulasberg, in Austria.  There he heard of Balthasar Heubmer and his baptism, and learned that a number of the same faith formed a little society at Veyen.  He sought them out, came to them, heard them, and, led thither by Oswald, was baptized.  After this he went to Steyen to work at his trade; where he taught and baptized, having been elected teacher by them; and thus teaching and baptizing, he proceeded through Bavaria, as far as Rothenburg, in the valley of the Inn; where he was apprehended for his faith, disputed much with his opposers, and was examined.  Previous to this he proposed: that, if they regarded his faith and doctrine as wrong and heretical, they should produce learned persons, doctors, monks and priests, to dispute with him concerning the matter.  Should he, in disputing on true scriptural grounds, be found to be in the wrong, they should punish him as unrighteous; and for still further confirmation of the truth, he offered, in order to confirm his assertion and his writings that, if any of the learned could convince him with the truth of the word of God, that his doctrine was not conformable to the holy Scriptures, he should, as having been vanquished be severed limb from limb by the executioner, and, when deprived of all his limbs, have the ribs torn out of his body, until he should be dead.  But if he should not be able to obtain a hearing and disputation, and they should judge and put him to death unheard, he asked all the witnesses of his death, and all those standing by, that they would be his witnesses before God, in His judgment at the last day.  But by virtue of the mandate of the Emperor, and the edict of the King of Hungary and Bohemia, he was condemned, delivered to the executioner, beheaded, and burnt to ashes, on the fourteenth day of January of said year, at Rothenburg, for the testimony of Christ, from which he would not depart.  After the death of this Leonhard, about seventy persons bore witness with their blood in the same place.  Leonhard Schoener, among others, left the following admonition for the consolation of all those who suffer for the name of Christ:

“We beseech you, O eternal God, incline your gracious ear to us, Lord Sabaoth, you Prince of hosts, hear our complaint; for great distress and affliction prevails, and pride has entered into your heritage.  And with it many supposed Christians have joined, and thus set up the abomination of desolation.  Mat. 24:15.  They rage, and destroy the sanctuary of the Christians.  They have trampled it under foot, and the abomination of desolation is worshiped as God.  2 Thes. 2:4.  They have destroyed your holy city, overthrown your holy altar, and killed the servants in it, wherever they could apprehend them.  And now that we remain as a little flock (Luke 12:32), they have driven us with reproach and disgrace into every country.  We are scattered like sheep that have no shepherd.  We have to abandon house and home, and are as the night ravens, which lodge in the rocks.  Our chambers are in caves and cliffs, and snares are laid for us as for the birds of the air.  We go about in forests, and are hunted with dogs.  We are led captive and bound as dumb lambs which do not open their mouth.  Acts 8:32.  We are proclaimed rebels and heretics.  We are led as sheep to the slaughter.  Many sit in distress and bonds, and their bodies have perished.  Some have been overcome by the severe sufferings, and died without any guilt.  Here is the patience of the saints on earth; and thus must we be proved by suffering.  Rev. 13:10.  The believers have here been hanged on trees, strangled, cut in pieces, drowned secretly and openly; not only men, but also women and maidens have testified here to the faith that Jesus Christ is the truth and the only way to eternal life.  John 14:6.  Still the world is not at rest, but rages like a madman, and forges lies against us.  They do not cease to burn and kill.  They make the world too small for us.  O Lord how long will you be silent with regard to this?  How long will you not judge the blood of your saints?  Rev. 6:10.  Let it ascend before your throne.  How precious in your sight is the blood of your saints.  Therefore we have in all our distresses a comforting confidence in you alone, and in no other; neither have we consolation, rest or peace in the earth.  But he that hopes in you shall never be confounded.  O Lord, there is no sorrow so great that it can separate us from you; therefore we call upon you without ceasing, through Christ your Son, our Lord, whom you, out of pure grace, have given to us for our consolation, and who has prepared and made known to us the narrow path and the way unto eternal life.  Mat. 7:14.  Eternal glory, triumph, honor and praise be unto you now and in all eternity, and your righteousness abide forever.  All nations bless your holy name, through Christ, the coming righteous Judge of the whole world, Amen.  Acts 17:31.

In the year 1528, Brother Hans Schlæffer, formerly a Roman priest, but afterwards a teacher of the word and Gospel of Christ, a highly gifted man, was apprehended at Schwartz, in the valley of the Inn, and with him Brother Leonhard Frick.  They tried him greatly with many severe tortures, and disputed with him, through the priests, about infant baptism; but he, orally as well as in writing, showed them his defense, as it is commanded, and as it will be found, throughout the entire New Testament, namely: That the word of God must first be taught, and that only those who hear, understand, believe, and receive it, are to be baptized.  This is the true Christian baptism, and no anabaptism.  The Lord has nowhere commanded to baptize infants; they are already the Lord’s, and as long as they are in their innocence and simplicity, they are not to be condemned at all.  They also asked him, in what the foundation of these anabaptistic sects did properly consist.  To this he replied: “Our faith, practice, and baptizing is founded on nothing else than the command of Christ: ‘Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.  He that believes and is baptized shall be saved’ (Mark 16:16; Mat. 28:19); and many other Scriptures.”

They also asked what design lay concealed under this anabaptism, since they had thus exhorted them to raise a new uproar and sedition.  But he replied that it had never entered his heart, to make an uproar; neither had he ever approved of it in others; yes, he had fled from a house in which they lived in contention; which he could prove by all with whom he had ever lived.  And there is no other design concealed under it, than to amend the life, and to forsake the vicious ways of the world; so that in the doctrine which he teaches, this is not the least commandment, that we are in duty bound to be subject to the authorities in all good things; how, then, should he raise and purpose uproar and sedition?

They also desired to know of him, who were the true authors and principals of these heretical and chief sects, as they falsely call them.  He told them that he knew of no other principal of his faith, than the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who is the true Captain of the faith.  Heb. 12:2.  But as regards that they are called heretics and seditious sects, he referred them to the complaints of the Jews against Christ before Pilate, and the complaints against the apostle Paul, before Felix the Governor.  Matthew 27:1; Acts 24:2.

He was likewise asked what had caused and induced him to forsake his office as priest.  Concerning this he told them that he had done it for conscience’ sake, because he knew that he was in the place of a prophet, and believed that God had sent him.

They would also know of him, who had told him to go into Germany, to plant the evil seed of Anabaptism.  He told them that no one had ordered him thither; but that, since he had no abiding place as yet, and had to go about in misery, he came there to one of his friends, with whom he stayed, and thence came to Schwatz, where he was apprehended, according to and for the will of God.  As to the evil seed of which they spoke, he knew nothing at all; he intended nothing evil, but much rather the pure divine truth.

After this and other things, when he had been in prison for some time, and could not be moved, he and his fellow-prisoner and brother were condemned to death, and executed with the sword at Schwatz, thus testifying with their blood to the divine truth.  He left the following admonitory thanksgiving to his brethren in Christ:

“O God, I beseech your grace; do not impute to me my sins, since Christ atoned for them before I was born.  Rom. 5:10.  I was your enemy, and you have loved and graciously accepted me, and given for my redemption the innocent blood of your beloved Son (1 Pet. 1:19), though I still experience in me much molestation from remaining sin, which rises in my flesh.  For when I would do good, evil is present with me.  Rom. 7:21.  For this cause I am sorrowful, and may well sigh and exclaim with the apostle Paul: O wretched man that I am!  who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  Romans 7:24.  And I must reply to myself and say: But thanks be to God, which gives me the victory through Christ.  You are my comfort; for if I thus believe with the heart, I can not be condemned.  The spirit is willing and ready, but the flesh is weak, so that it cannot fulfill the law of God, until Christ strengthens us with his Spirit.  Where human laws reign on earth, there the distressed minds are seduced; yes, where Christ Jesus is not the sole Ruler, that which he does not build, is always torn and broken; and no building can stand, which he does not uphold.  Though the world highly esteems other things, they are contemned before God; and therefore we all pray together, young and old, great and small, that you, O God, would have compassion upon us, and send us poor children faithful shepherds and stewards of your gifts (Matt. 9:38), that all human doctrine may be rooted out; for it is time to truly repent and forsake evil; for the severe judgment of God is at hand.  Mark 1:15.  Therefore let us take our refuge to the chastisement of our Father, and submit ourselves in obedience, that he may chastise us as his children.  The world is blinded, does not know the Christian life, abominates it, flees the cross, and thinks it is enough, if they can talk finely of the Christian life, but do little in deed.

“But, my brethren, he that would be a true Christian, must put on Christ (Rom. 13:14), and resemble him in his humble form while on earth, and be of good cheer in everything which happens to him in this world.  No external semblance of loving Christ, and of suffering for his name, avails here; we must not be ashamed of him, who first loved us (1 John 4:19), and gave himself for us to an ignominious death.  It is in truth not otherwise, than that judgment must first begin at the house of God.  1 Pet. 4:17.  Thus the Holy Scripture is now fulfilled, so that the punishment with which the world is to be visited, is ready and at hand; therefore no one ought to be negligent; for the sword is drawn, the bow is bent, the arrow laid upon it, and aim is taken.

By this I do not mean that we are to seek any other refuge, than to accept the chastisement of the Father, as has been said above; by which he refines us for that whereunto he has sealed us, that we may be assured of the eternal and imperishable kingdom with him, and forever to possess it with him in life everlasting; to this may God strengthen us all.  Amen.”

This Leopold Schneider was beheaded as a pious witness of the suffering of Christ, for the truth, at Augsburg, A.D. 1528.  He left the following admonition for the comfort and instruction of others:

“My God, I will praise you in my last hour, you who are high above in heaven, I will praise you with heart and mouth, for you are worthy of it; strengthen my faith (Luke 17:5), now that I must go on this pilgrimage of suffering; remember me in mercy in this severe conflict.  I commend my spirit into your hands (Luke 23:46); in you I rejoice.  Christ, help me to stand in my sufferings.  Heavenly Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.  Because I cannot forsake your word, I am hated, and they seek to separate my body from the soul.  Therefore I call upon you, O God, for gracious help; I trust in you, for I have no other comforter.  That which is so clearly written, Mark 16:16: ‘He that believes and is baptized shall be saved,’ can certainly not be contradicted by any one; therefore it is to be heeded.  O you blind, why are you troubled and grieved because the command of Christ is observed?  Acquaint yourselves with the holy Scriptures, and you will find what Christ the Son of God has commanded us to do.  I beseech you all, beloved brothers and sisters, that you would firmly trust in God, and do not let my bitter death grieve you; for God will richly reward it; we must once take our leave of this vale of sorrow.  The Scripture clearly declares, that he who would have laughing and joy here, shall hereafter mourn and weep.  Luke 6:25; we must suffer here with patience; the Lord grant that it be done innocently.  He that would here bring his gift to the altar, and remembers that his brother has aught against him, must leave his gift at the altar, and first go and be reconciled to his brother, and then come and offer his gift.  Mat. 5:23,24.  Therefore, I beseech you, O God, graciously to forgive those who put me to death.  I commend my spirit and soul into your hand, O God; deliver me out of all my distresses, and never turn away from me; deprive my flesh of all its power, that I may overcome and be victorious in you.  Amen.”  Rev. 2:11.

These eighteen persons, besides many others, were kindled with zeal in the fear of God, and had turned to God from the world and its idolatry, and been baptized upon faith in Christ, entering upon obedience towards his holy Gospel.  This the adversaries could not endure; these eighteen were therefore apprehended, and finally, as they, under many tortures, piously adhered to their faith, were all sentenced to the fire, and burned, on the same day, at Salzburg, about the year 1528.  They left the following as a memorial:

“O God of heaven, watch over your sheep; who are such a little flock, that they may not depart from you, or be led astray.  Keep them under your protection, and deliver them from this lamentable distress; for the beast pursues them even unto death, which they must suffer, for they are thrown into severe prisons, where they, in the death of the dungeon, sing praises unto the Lord, and magnify him with heart and mouth.  Acts 16:25.  O Lord, have compassion therefore, and let this our complaint come before you.  Come quickly, and help us poor children, and sustain us in your will.  They would drive us from you, and they beset us very hard with their great power and pomp.  O God, grant us your divine power; we have no other Lord in heaven and earth, than you.  1 Cor. 8:6.  Grant us what we desire of you.  The Lord Christ sends out his messengers, and through them offers us his heavenly kingdom, which is derided by the world: but we have accepted the Lord’s kingdom and his grace with great joy and satisfaction; therefore the priests roar and rage against us, and terribly hate us.  They have greatly hidden the truth for more than five hundred years, and seduced the multitude of men with false doctrine: they trample the word of God under their feet, and it is despised by them.  O Lord, grant that they may amend their steps and do your will.

And is that which has been witnessed at Salzburg not a lamentable matter; namely, that eighteen persons were burned together on the same day, only for the doctrine of Christ, whom they confessed to be the only Lord?  They would not honor the image, nor worship the beast.  They would not receive their words, nor the mark of antichrist into their hand or on their forehead.  Therefore they could neither buy nor sell in the land; but they adhered to Christ, and received his mark, and their names are written in the book of life (Psm. 69:28); as Christian soldiers they, through grace, obtained the crown.”  2 Tim. 4:8.

Thus they were burned with fire, and are now awaiting everlasting joy.

Wolfgang Ulman, a celebrated and excellent man in matters of faith, after maintaining and practicing the faith for some time, was burned, together with his brother and ten other persons, all steadfastly testifying to their faith with death, at Walzen, about the year 1528.

Subsequently also Hans Pretle, who had been a preacher, but had afterwards become a minister of the church of Christ, having exercised his ministry for a time, and pointed many to the knowledge of the Gospel, was burned for the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Rev. 6:9.

Little Hans of Stotzingen, having been in prison for a time, for the evangelical truth, at Zabern, Alsace, was finally condemned to death, about the year 1528.  On his way to the place of execution, he addressed the following admonition to the people, and was then beheaded with the sword.

“In our extremity we now begin to cry unto our God, to deliver us from all our distress, that our hearts may offer up to him a pure sacrifice acceptable in his sight.  Rom. 12:1.  The sacrifice which I mean is my whole body, life, skin and bones, and also wife and children.  We are willing to offer up all our members, love impelling and constraining us.  Pharaoh would willingly prevent and alter this; but we care not for it, and have not the least desire to desist from it, but to bring the offering before the Lord, and to press our way through with his assistance (Matt. 11:12); he will aid and succor us.  Come here, beloved brethren, let us valiantly take hold of the matter: We are now members of Jesus Christ (Rom. 12:4,5); he is our Captain (Ephesians 1:22); he has prepared a glorious crown, with which he will crown those who shall persevere unto the end.  Mat. 10:12.  Be of good courage and undaunted, you worm Jacob.  Isa. 41:14.  The Red Sea shall stand open; if Pharaoh will pursue you, he will perish in it.  You little flock, do not be afraid, for it is but a little while here, and our flesh is of no consequence.  But in the city which God has prepared us in the everlasting kingdom, we shall be as the angels of God.  Heb. 11:10: Matthew 22:30.  Who can estimate their value?  This God has promised us; yes, through his child Jesus Christ he promises us much comfort and joy, and everlasting rest, if we continue steadfast in him.  But we must also drink the cup of suffering, and suffer with his Son Christ Jesus (Matt. 20:23), and he will deliver and well succor us.  Though the heathen slay us, he will not forsake us, but break their power in pieces, snatch us out of their hand, and through grace gloriously crown us.  God is the Lord who can protect.  He is also our shield (Genesis 15:1), since we have him for a Father, who is so good and gracious; that though men drive us away from them, yet will we always adhere to him.  His great power is over us, and he does not suffer them to faint, who keep his covenant; therefore, though we be defamed and accused, rejoice over it in your hearts.  Have confidence in God, and he shall help you.  Therefore fear neither pain nor death.  I give praise and thanks to my God, that I have become a sacrifice.  I have long longed for it, for to die is gain for me.  Phil. 1:21.  O God, let me partake of the sacrifice of your Son Jesus Christ.  Amen.”  Heb. 9:14.

Thus he offered his neck, and was beheaded for the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Acts 1:8.

In the same year 1528, Thomas and Balthasar, both ministers of the Gospel, and with them one Dominicus, were apprehended, condemned to death, and burned, suffering it very steadfastly, for the faith and the divine truth, in the city of Bruenn, in Moravia.  But before they were apprehended, they advised the council, that they should take care and not shed innocent blood, for God would not let it go unpunished.  Jer. 7:6.  One of the council, named Thomas Pelzer arose and did as though he were washing his hands, saying: “Thus shall I wash my hands in their blood, and think to do God service.”  John 16:2.  But a few days after the judgment of God came upon him.  He was found dead in his bed, beside his wife; and thus by his sudden death, was not permitted, to see the death of these pious persons, which struck terror into the hearts of many.

Brother Bastelwart well knew this Thomas Pelzer, who died so suddenly; and also Brother Andrew Gauper was acquainted with the circumstance.

About this time also Hans Feierer, a minister of the word, and five of his brethren or fellow believers were condemned and burned for the faith and divine truth, at Munich in Bavaria; there three sisters, wives of three of them, were drowned, and boldly, cheerfully, and gladly surrendered their lives, being willing much rather to lose this temporal life, than to desist from what God had given them to know.  They gave up a miserable life, in due time to find another (Matt. 10:39; 24:13; Rev. 2:10), with Christ, and with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the saints and pious, in the kingdom of God, which is promised to all those who endure to the end.

A.D. 1528, Three brethren and two sisters were put in prison at Znaym, in Moravia.  There was a Judge at Znaym, called Sir Louis, who greatly hated the brethren, as was manifest in the imprisonment of these brothers and sisters.  With stern words he asked the council what they intended to do with the Anabaptist heretics, since they had a royal command and mandate, and yet did not have them executed.  He said he would himself go to the king, and inform him of their disobedience; but if they would have them executed, he would draw the wood to burn them, with his own horses.  Thereupon the council answered and said: “Dear Sir Louis, we will commend them to you; do with them as you please; it is committed to you.  Then he had the wood drawn with his own wagon, and caused the three brethren and two sisters to be burned, who were thus speedily executed, paying unto God, who permitted this true burnt offering, the vow made in baptism, and fighting unto death for the divine truth confessed.

This Louis, actuated by the hatred and envy of the old serpent, was not yet satisfied with the blood of the pious and innocent sheep of the Lord, and had to fill up the measure of his judgment.  He commanded money to be given to those who should tell him where the brethren assembled.  A house having been pointed out to him, he took baliffs and watchmen, and went with them to the place.  There Judge Louis stepped unawares into an opening before the house, used for letting down wine, and sprained his foot.  He fell down and cried piteously that they should lift him up, and let the rascals go.  The brethren heard the noise, and escaped from the house.  After this Louis took sick unto death, and as he lay there in his agony and severe sickness, he suddenly began to exclaim: “O the Baptists, the Baptists!” He spoke nothing else, but repeated this cry innumerable times.  Finally he roared like an ox, and like a wild beast and bit his own tongue, that foam and blood ran out of his mouth, so that his wife and children could not stay with him; only his servant woman, who was attached to him, remained with him until he was strangled in his own blood.  This servant woman related the circumstances to Brother Bastelwart, who was a minister.  All his kindred do not like to have it spoken of; and it was a common saying among the people that he had shed innocent blood.  Prov. 6:17; Jer. 7:6; 22:3.  And thus God has often (more than is shown in this book, or can be related) checked the wicked with like examples, that by it his work might make the greater progress among his people, to his praise, and to the salvation of many who seek that which is right, and the amendment of life; for if God had not always sustained his work, the enemy would in the course of time, have extinguished it, and not have left one spark or germ of truth remain; but this God does not permit him to do.

In this year 1528, nine brethren and three sisters were apprehended at Bruck, on the Mur, in Steyermark.  They were condemned for their faith, and taken in bonds out of the city, to the place of execution; but they were glad and of good cheer, and said: “This day we will suffer in this place for the word of God, and offer to him our sacrifice.”  Rom. 12:1; 2 Tim. 4:6.  They also earnestly admonished the lords of Bruck, that they should know that they rendered themselves guilty of innocent blood.  A ring having been formed, they all knelt down (Acts 7:60; 20:36), and earnestly prayed to God; that they might now finish this their evening sacrifice.  They then arose and submitted to the sword.  The executioner was sad; for he did not like to do it.  The youngest of them all entreated his brethren that, since he felt of good cheer and bold, they should let him suffer the first pain; he then kissed them, and said: “God bless you, my beloved brethren; to-day we shall all be together in Paradise.”  Acts 23:43.  Thus these nine brethren were beheaded in a green field; they were so undaunted that it was astonishing to behold it.  They knelt down; and thus poured out their blood through the smiting of the sword.  The three sisters were drowned; they would in no way depart from God and his truth.  The youngest one laughed at the water; which was seen by many a one there.  Some held that the devil had hardened them; but others were moved in their hearts, so that they confessed that God must have given this, since otherwise it could not be possible.  Thus they valiantly testified to the holy and divine truth.

These two were beheaded for the truth, at Ries, in the Fluchtthal, near Brixen, and thus died as faithful witnesses of Christ, leaving the following admonition to their brethren:

“Hearken, all of you, and take to heart, that God will visit all sinners great and small, who now despise him and revile his name, and do not consider their sinful life.  God shall speedily awaken, and deliver his children.  If we consider the doctrine of the prophets, we see that this is the last time, and in this time God calls upon all men that they should turn unto him (Isa. 45:22), live according to his will, and keep his commandments; and that if they do this, his wrath shall cease, and he will be their God and Father; for God, because of his great goodness, is long-suffering in his judgment; therefore beware of sin, and do not follow the devil; but free yourselves from unrighteousness, and your God will not forsake you in this last hour; for God is rich and gracious, and with him there is much grace; he willingly forgives the sinner who will forsake his sins, who believes in Christ, and calls upon his name; to such he will not only, through grace remit his sins, but also freely give him the eternal reward.  Heed well these things, O!  All of you who belong to the Church of Jesus Christ, and have become children of God.  Praise God with shouting, young and old, great and small; you who have believed his word, love God as his dear children, and walk before him with pure hearts, and you shall never be forsaken, but he will ever preserve you.  O God, who is rich in grace, keep us your children, that we may hold to you, and that those who have come to you, may not be confounded; lead them diligently with your right hand into the promised land, the eternal heavenly kingdom.  O God, honor be unto you in your high throne, who have given to us Christ your Son, and imparted divine grace to us, by which we now confess you with heart and mouth, and are not ashamed to call them our brethren who call upon you in truth as their Father.  Praised be your holy name, Amen.”

Note.—Sebastian Franck relates that the Anabaptists in the beginning increased by many thousands, so that the world feared that they would cause an uproar; but of this, as I hear, he writes, they were found innocent and, were persecuted with great tyranny; first especially in popedom.  They were forcibly imprisoned, and tormented with the sword, fire, water, and manifold imprisonments, so that within a few years very many were put to death.  Some compute the number of those put to death far more than two thousand.  They were put to death in many places; at Ensisheim alone about six hundred were slain, all of whom patiently and steadfastly suffered as martyrs.

Compare the account of Seb. Franck, Chron., fol. 55, 109, with the old Offer-boeck, lib. 1.  Leonh., lib. 7; also Chron. van den Ondergang, p. 1025.

Hans Langmantel, a wealthy citizen and of noble descent, during the re-establishment of the churches in Germany, received with his man-servant and maid-servant the truth of the Gospel, and, kindled with zeal, they believed the truth, forsook their sinful life, and were baptized upon their faith in Christ Jesus, for the remission and forgiveness of their sins; on which account all three were imprisoned, and, after enduring many assaults and torments, they were finally put to death for their faith, which they constantly confessed.  Hans Langmantel and his man-servant were beheaded with the sword, while the maid-servant was drowned in the water.  When they were still in severe confinement they sent the following, as a thank offering and prayer to God, which they made use of in prison, to their brethren, for consolation, admonition, and as a memorial, about A.D. 1529.

“O God, our heavenly Father, come with the power of your Holy Spirit, that you may rejoice our mind, heart and soul; give all three of us a manful heart, that in this anguish we fight and overcome.  Rev. 2:7.  Hold us with your right hand, for you are our strength; fight the battle for us (Exo. 14:14), and watch over us in distress, that we may stand in the conflict, and not go back when it is at its height.  Therefore, O Lord, keep watch over us, and take care of us in this extremity, now that the wicked rise up against your word, and would drive us from it.  O God, preserve us in your keeping, that we may not faint and abandon your word.  Let us enjoy the faithfulness which you have shown us through your Son Jesus Christ; and in order that we may always earnestly contemplate this, send us your Holy Spirit, and kindle in us the fire of your divine love; lead us, you who did teach it in deed, that we may also exercise ourselves in this, and observe and practice it as your dear children, that this gift may come upon us, and that, even as we are called, we may by it order our lives in this your truth, maintain peace and unity, and love one another in truth with a pure heart.  To this end, O God, let the light of your divine glory illuminate us, that we may walk in it.  O Lord, keep us in it as your dear children, and let us never became obscured by the abominable darkness of this world, which has gained the upper hand with all unfaithfulness, and which will be followed by death.  But you, our Father, do love equity.  In you there is no darkness (1 John 1:5); but the world is hardened with it.  But you are the eternal light, which penetrates the darkness; that we may no longer be children of the night, but children of the day.  Watch over us with your Holy Spirit, and teach us thus to go on in this light with delight and joy according to your divine nature.

“O God, we beseech you for one thing more: Send us to this end your Holy Spirit, endue us with his power, renew our hearts, and make us strong in you, that we may obediently hear you in your obedience, and praise your name.  When this world rises, and opposes your words, so that our soul sighs to you in all severe distresses by which they seek to tear us away, then, O Lord, grant us to look to you for aid, and help us to overcome.  Grant, Lord, that we may not stain ourselves by any sin or guilt, and take from our flesh the fear by which they would draw us away, and stop us in this work; that, when they shall lead us to death, we may not waver in the conflict, but may go to meet you with all the pious in the true, adorned wedding garment, at the marriage feast, prepared for your Son, when he shall receive his bride with everlasting joy and delight.  Lord, assist us in every anguish and distress, and in the pain of death; give us the heavenly bread; send us your Comforter, for God is the Comforter of the miserable.  He makes the poor rich, and strengthens the feeble; he can refresh the weary and give strength to the faint, that they may come to you.  Through you they overcome, who have now entered the conflict, to fight for the truth.  In Christ, your Son, help us to win the field on this earth, yes, in him alone.  Be you alone our Helper, protect us with your sword, that we may together, as your heroes, obtain the crown, and be forever with you.  Amen.”

About this time, George, of the house of Jacob, called Blaurock, having for about two or three years, in Switzerland, but particularly in the earldom of Tyrol, where he had gone, spread and proclaimed the doctrine of the truth, that he might put his talent to use (Matt. 25:15), and by his zeal for the house of God be a means of salvation, was apprehended with his companions, at Gusodaum, condemned for the faith, and burnt alive not far from Clausen, for these articles, namely: That he had forsaken his office as priest, which he had formerly exercised in popery; that he disregarded infant baptism, and taught people a new baptism; that he rejected the mass; that he likewise rejected the confession of the priests as founded by them, and that the mother of Christ is not to be invoked or worshiped.  For these reasons he was executed, and laid down his life, as is required for a soldier and hero of the faith.  On the place of execution he earnestly spoke to the people, and pointed them to the Scriptures.

The love of the truth having begun to burn among the nations, and the fire of God having thus started, many were put to death for the testimony of the truth, in the earldom of Tyrol, especially in the following places: In the Gusodein district: at Clausen, Brixen, Stertzing, Balzen, Neumark, Katren, Terlen, Gundersweg; in the valley of the Inn; at Imst, Petersberg, Stejen in the Spruckthal, Schwatz, Rattenburg, Kufstein and Kitzbuehl.  In these places a great multitude of believers constantly testified with their blood to the truth, through fire, water and the sword.  Thus the people of God, as well as the great persecution increased daily.  Jacob Hutter became one of the overseers and teachers in the earldom of Tyrol, and not long after, with his people, united with the church which was in Moravia.  After Jacob Hutter removed with his people from the earldom to Moravia, partly compelled by great persecution, the tyranny in the earldom of Tyrol became daily more vehement; so that the pious had but few places where they could remain and many of them were apprehended, and put to death in various ways, for the faith.  To this end the priests violently and furiously proclaimed from the pulpit, that care should be taken, to ferret them out, and to destroy them with fire and sword.  Much money was also repeatedly offered and promised to those who should inform against them; by means of which they were several times betrayed.  They were sought in every way, in forests and in houses, wherever their presence was suspected; in every place, also in closed gardens, which had to be opened, or they would be broken open, and searched.  There was a Judas, called Prabeiger, who made use of his subtle artifice, thinking to obtain a large reward.  He went to the authorities, and betrayed them all, bringing with him bailiffs and children of Pilate, with swords, spears, and staves, and went before them, just as Judas the traitor did, Mat. 26:47.  They caught a great number, and dispersed the rest.  Not long after, when they again assembled, another Iscariot, called George Frueder, manifested himself.  He went to the priests, saying that if they would pay him, he would go, and none of the brethren should be able to conceal himself from him.  Then the priests, the generation of the scribes and Pharisees, gave him money and good wages, and also a letter.  This rogue then went out, assumed the form and semblance of an angel, and visited now and then such as he suspected of having knowledge of this matter.  He inquired everywhere in the Pusterthal, where the brethren were, and how he could find them, desiring assistance to this end.  With much weeping the rogue made this request, pretending that he could not rest until he were with them.  Thus he deceived them, so that he finally came to them.  He appeared before them very sad, humble and tender.  As one who seeks to repent and to amend his way.  He then very suddenly said: “My brethren, grant me this, and wait a little while, and I will go home and fetch my wife and child.”  Many thoughts came to the minister and he said to him: “If you are false of heart, and your intention evil, God will certainly find you, and you shall speedily bring down his judgment upon you.”  But he said: “O no, God preserve me from that; come with me into my house.”  Thus he went away, and hastened to the judge, the magistrate, and the priests, who came with force, with swords and sticks, and apprehended the brothers and sisters.

Several other villains of this class manifested themselves, especially one whose name was Peter Lantz, and one named Pranger.  Some went about by night with much craftiness, acted in the same manner, and went to places and houses where they expected to find of these people; but God gave them the recompense which they deserved, so that they might have wished that they had never been born.

Besides the above-mentioned George Blaurock, there was also one Hans van der Reve; both of whom belonged to the number of those who sincerely received the truth of the holy Gospel, and helped found and build the Christian church, in the time when the truth had long been obscured in popery and by other errors.  And when they had thus for a time faithfully exercised their ministry, edified and instructed many, and put their talent effectually to usury (Matt. 25:15), they were finally apprehended by the envious children of Cain, and burned at Clausen, in Etzlandt, A.D. 1529.

And in order to show that in all this they rejoiced in God, and also sought to console and strengthen their brethren, they left them the following memorial.

“Lord Jehovah, I will praise you now and until my end; because you have given me faith, by which I have learned to know you.  You sendest to me your divine word, which I am able to find and perceive that it is from pure grace.  From you, O God, have I received it as you know.  I firmly hope that it will not return unto you void.  Isa. 55:11.  O Lord, strengthen my heart to this.  My heart rejoices because I know your will.  When I felt the heavy load of sin in me, which exceedingly troubled me (Psm. 38:6), I would have had to perish and suffer everlasting pain, had you, O God, not come to me with the word of your divine grace.  Acts 10:37.  For this I will now magnify and praise your glorious name forever, because you do always show yourself a merciful, dear Father.  Cast me not off, but receive me as your child.  Therefore I cry unto you, help, O Father, that I may be your child and heir.  O Lord, strengthen my faith (Luke 17:5), else, if your help should not succor me, my building should soon fall.  Do not forget me, O Lord, but be with me always; your Holy Spirit protect and teach me, that in all my sufferings I may ever receive your consolation, so that, valiantly fighting, in this conflict, I may gain the victory.  1 Cor. 9:25–27.

“The enemy fights a battle with me in the field in which I now am; he would willingly drive me from the field.  But you, O Lord, give me the victory.  He ran against me with sharp weapons, so that all my limbs quaked before the false doctrine and their constraints.  But you, O Lord, had compassion upon me, and did help me, your son, poor man, with your grace, and powerful hand, and made me to overcome.  O God, how soon did you hear me; you speedily came with your help, and turned back my enemies; therefore I will sing praises unto your name in my heart, and forever spread abroad the grace which has come to me.

“Now, I pray to you, Father, for all your children; preserve us all forever from all the enemies of our souls.  I must not trust in the flesh (1 Peter 1:24), which perishes and does not abide; but I will firmly trust in your word (Psm. 115:9), this be my consolation, on which I rely; it shall deliver me, from all my distresses, to everlasting rest.  The hour of the last day, to which we all must come, is at hand.  Dear Lord, help us to bear the cross to the destined place, and turn yourself to us with all grace, that we may commend our spirit into your hands.  I sincerely pray to you for all our enemies, O Lord, however many there may be; do not lay their sins to their charge; Lord, I entreat this according to your will.  Acts 7:60.  And thus we (I, George Blaurock, and Hans von der Reve) will depart in peace.  May the good God through grace lead us into his everlasting kingdom, as we firmly trust that he will, and finish his holy work in us and give us strength to the end, Amen.”

This evidently came to pass, when these two so steadfastly and boldly died and were burned for the truth.

God administers a righteous judgment (Psm. 7:11; Rom. 2:5), which no one can set aside, and him who does not his will, he will judge.  But you, O Lord, are good, and suffered yourself to be found gracious, and all those who use diligence to do your will, you accept as your children.  We justly give praise and thanks to you, through Jesus Christ, for all your benefits and goodness, and beseech you to preserve and guard us from sin.  The sinner in this life brings a severe judgment upon himself, which he shall hereafter regret; for though God faithfully warns him, yet will he not forsake his sinful life; but when the Lord shall come in his glory to judge, then shall the sinner repent; for no excuse will then avail.

He now causes his divine word to be published, and instructs men, that they should turn from their sinful life, believe in Christ, be baptized upon faith, and obey the Gospel.  Therefore, you children of men, forsake your sins, and remain no longer hardened, sick, wicked and blind; now that you can find the physician, who can heal all infirmities, and avail yourselves of his help without money.  Mat. 9:12.  O, how awful will it be with the sinner who now refuses help and counsel, when he shall be sentenced by God into everlasting pain, where he will have to remain and suffer forever and ever.  Mat. 25:46.  But you, O Lord, are a righteous God.  You will deceive no one, but will preserve those that sincerely love you, from the second death.

You, O Lord, are a strong God, who will cast into hell, which has now opened wide her mouth, all the wicked and those who hate and afflict your children.  But your mercy is great over those who repent, and you, through Jesus Christ, forgive their sins.  This is what God requires: that the whole human race should fear and love him, that they should follow his Son Jesus Christ, and observe his divine doctrine.  But when the sinner is exhorted to the love of God, he shows by the deed that he considers it a mockery; for this however he shall pay dearly, for God can not be deceived by appearance.

Antichrist threatens those who fear God with great severity and ignominy.  Therefore we beseech you, O Lord, strengthen your feeble vessels: but we know that if we patiently endure all this for your namesake, you, in your faithfulness, will not forsake us; but do renew and strengthen us daily, that we may continue on your narrow way.  Mat. 7:14.  We cry to you through Christ, for the sake of his bitter suffering (Isa. 53), in which we recognize your faithfulness and love; and this consoles us on our pilgrimage.  Do not forsake us, your children, henceforth unto the end; but constantly offer us your Fatherly hand that we may finish our course; for when we have finished our course, the crown is prepared by the young man (2 Esd. 2:43) who hung on the cross for us, on which he suffered greatly for our sakes.  Grant, O Lord, that we may be thankful, so that we may joyfully behold you, our Father.  O Father, through grace you did choose us, and did not despise to put us into your work; grant that, when the evening comes, that we may receive the hire with rejoicing.  Mat. 20:1,8.

Through Christ your Son make us ready for the heavenly supper, and clothe us with your Holy Spirit.  In that supper, your Son, our Redeemer, shall serve us at the table.  Luke 12:37.  O, how blessed are they which are called to this supper (Rev. 19:9), and who in all sorrow adhere to Christ unto the end, even as he steadfastly suffered for us on the cross; and thus it is with all his followers on the earth; and all who shall keep their wedding garment undefiled to the end.  Upon their heads the young man shall set crowns.  But he who is not clothed with this garment, when the King will inspect his guests, shall be sternly reproved, bound hand and foot, and cast into outer darkness.  O Lord, give us true love so to walk, that when we come we will not find the door closed, as was the case with the foolish virgins, who had no oil in their lamps, and said: “Lord, open to us,” but could not go in: but that we may happily watch with the five wise virgins, and may also enter into the glorious marriage feast of eternal heavenly joy, when the King, with his trumpets, shall call and assemble his elect.  Therefore, O Zion, you holy church of God, see that you hold fast unto the end that which you have received, and keep yourself unspotted from sin, and you shall, through grace, receive the eternal crown.  1 Cor. 9:25: 2 Tim. 4:8.

In the year 1529, Brother Vigil Plaitner, a minister of Jesus Christ, at Scharding, in Bavaria, was condemned and executed, after great steadfastness (Matt. 24:13), for the faith and the divine truth.  He would depart neither to the right hand nor to the left, and did not love his life unto death (John 12:25), but surrendered it for Christ, in order that in the abode of the righteous above he might receive it again forever with all the saints and pious.  2 Peter 3:13.

In this year, also Brother Wolfgang Brandhuber of Passau, and Hans Niedermair, both ministers of the word and Gospel of Christ, were apprehended, together with many of the pious at Lintz, in the country above the Enns, for the divine truth; they were condemned to fire, water and the sword, and were immediately executed, in all over seventy persons.  Among these also Peter Niedermair of Hirschberg, at Gminden, was apprehended, on St. Andrew’s eve, A.D. 1529, and though, in the extreme fear of death, he was tempted in various ways, yet he remained faithful and constant.  Rev. 2:10; Mat. 10:22.  Ultimately, through the providence of God, he was set free, after being imprisoned there for over three years.

Concerning said Wolfgang Brandhuber, writings are still extant in the church, how faithfully he taught the Christian church, and also said that in everything which is not contrary to God, we should be obedient and subject to the authorities, and that he strictly held to the true baptism of Christ, and to the true Lord’s Supper, rejecting infant baptism, the sacrament, and other antichristian abominations and anathemas, as is shown by his writings, which are still extant.

About this time also Carius Prader, a minister of the church of God, in the country of Salzburg, and several other persons were shut up together in a house and burned.  A hymn is still extant in the church which this Carius composed.

These seven brethren were executed together on the same day, with the sword, for the evangelical truth, at Gmuend, in Swabia, and thus steadfastly testified with their blood to the name of Christ, A.D. 1529.  The account of it is as follows:

“I could not forbear to acquaint my brethren with what is taking place here in Germany, even as it is known to many how the world rages and storms against the true believers, and how she robs the servants of God of life and property.  For God, graciously looking down upon the children of men, gave them, in the midst of their blindness, his brightly shining word for a light, that believing it, we should avoid all sin and shame.  Many recognized this word as the truth, accepted it with the mouth, and were called Christians, but continued nevertheless in their sinful life, supposing that the bare name was sufficient, if only the semblance existed.  Afterwards the Lord so ordered it that his word did effectually work in some, so that, in the language of the prophet Isaiah (Isa. 55:11), it accomplished that whereunto God sent it, and did not return unto him void, but guided many into the right way.  And thus, those who sought to live faithfully, were hated, and despised as anabaptists by the rest, just as though they had apostatized from God, and turned to Belial; while they earnestly sought and desired nothing else, than to keep God’s commandments with his assistance, according to all their ability (1 Cor. 7:19); and yet they were reproachfully stigmatized as anabaptists,—they who sincerely forgave every one, assisted their neighbors by lending to them without usury, and prayed for their persecutors and enemies (Matt. 5:44), as was seen at the hour of their death, and who thus attested their faith with the deed, as was publicly witnessed, A.D. 1529, in the town of Gmuend, where the enemy employed manifold wiles with some of them, to terrify them, without being successful however.  There they had apprehended a lad only fourteen years old, whom they put into the tower, where he lay very severely confined almost a year, suffering many an assault, but always remaining immovable, however frequently they came to him, to induce him to forsake his faith.  With him six other brethren, pious men, were apprehended and imprisoned in the tower for life.  There they together praised God (Act 16:25), and comforted one another; and God assisted them with his grace, so that they faithfully adhered to the faith, and did not allow themselves to be moved either by threats or terrors.  When the time of their departure from this world drew near, their death sentence was read to them, and it was added, that if they would desist from their faith, they need have no fear, but might return home to their wives and children.  The prisoners turned to their enemies, and replied: “We have committed our wives and children to God, who is well able to preserve them; therefore cease these words; for we are willing and ready to die.”  A ring was then drawn on the spot, as is customarily done at executions, with the sword.  As this lad stood in the ring, to be beheaded, a count rode up to him into the ring, and thus addressed him: “My dear child, desist from this error, and I will give you a prebend, and always keep you with me.”  The youth replied: “Should I love my life (John 12:25), and therefore forsake my God, and thus seek to escape the cross?  This I must certainly not do; your wealth can be of no help to either of us, but I expect a better in heaven”—Thus the youth fearlessly replied, adding—“in the kingdom of my Father, who has chosen me, and who can order and equalize all things as is best.  Therefore cease these entreaties; to him who has always fed and sustained me, I desire to show obedience also in this my last distress.  To him we must call from the bottom of our heart, when the hour is at hand, that we may depart with good cheer out of this world.  If we do not depart from him, he will give us the everlasting, glorious crown.”

At this, a great tumult arose among the people, with spears and other weapons, and each spoke of the matter as he understood it.  And thus they died through the sword, as pious heroes, and became a sacrifice unto the Lord, as faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ, A.D. 1529.

While these seven brethren were still in prison, they together, each giving his own mind, wrote and practiced the following, and sent it to their brethren.

The first made the following prayer: “Out of the depths of my soul I cry unto you, O God; hear my cry.  Send your Holy Spirit, even as you, O Christ, have until now not withdrawn, but graciously imparted him to me.  We rely on what you have commanded us; but the heathen seek to kill us.”  Psm. 130:1.

The second prayed: “The flesh is weak, O Lord; You well know that it fears the least pain; therefore, fill us with your Holy Spirit, which we entreat of you from the bottom of our hearts; so that we may continue steadfast unto the end, and cheerfully and valiantly enter upon the suffering which now awaits us, and that we may fear no agony or pain.”  Matthew 26:41; 10:22.

The third prayed: The spirit is willing and ready to desire the suffering.  O Lord, hear our prayers, through Jesus Christ your Son.  We also pray for our enemies, who, alas!  Are so ignorant, that they do not know what they are doing, and are not mindful of your wrath.”  John 15:16; Mat. 5:44; Luke 23:34.

The fourth prayed: “We beseech you, O Father, and dear Lord, through Christ your Son, increase your little flock.  Kindle in them and also in us your divine life, and our hearts will rejoice; for after this our hearts do hunger and thirst.”  Mat. 6:9; Luke 12:32; 2 Cor. 3:18; Mat. 5:6.

The fifth prayed: “O God, you have received us in grace, and made us your ministers.  Through your divine assistance we have also willingly fullfilled your ministry, in our weakness.  Preserve us still further firm in your word; we desire to obey you also henceforth; come to our aid, and be our Comforter.”  1 Cor. 1:4.

The sixth prayed: “You, Lord Jehovah are my Protector; we will cleave to you, and then pain will not seem severe to us; though they deprive us of our life, you have prepared it for us forever in heaven, and though here we suffer reproach and pain, it shall not be in vain.”

The seventh said: “The body, life, soul, and all members we have received from you, O God; these we will now offer up to you, to the praise of your holy name.  It is only dust and ashes.  We commend our spirits into your hands.  Amen.”  Romans 12:1; Gen. 1:7; Luke 23:46.

This Anna of Freiburg was zealous in the fear of the Lord and as she believed in Christ, and was baptized upon faith in him, and thus sought to arise with Christ; and walk in newness of life, the adversary could not endure it; therefore Anna was envied, accused, apprehended by his ministers, and after steadfastly suffering many torments, sentenced to death, and drowned in the water, and afterwards burned with fire.  This happened at Freiburg, in the year 1529.  When she was about to die, she spoke the following prayer to God, and left these admonitions to all descendants.

“Dear, Eternal, heavenly Father, I call upon you, from the depths of my heart; do not let me turn from you, but keep me in your truth unto my end.  O God, keep my heart and mouth; guard me, that I may never separate from you, on account of impending sorrow and anguish, or any manner of distress; keep me cheerful and glad in my sufferings.  Eternal God, my dear Father instruct and teach me, your poor, unworthy child, that I may heed your ways and paths.  O Father, this is my sincere desire that through your power I may press even unto death, through all sorrows, sufferings, anguish and pain, and in this let me persevere, O God, that I may not be separated from your love.  There are many who now walk in this way; but the cup of suffering is given them to drink.  We are also accused of false doctrine, in order to draw us from Christ our Lord.  But O God, I lift up my soul unto you and trust in you in every adversity; do not let me be confounded, lest my enemy exalt himself over me in this earth.  I am now imprisoned here by him, but, O God, I sincerely wait for you with great desire, until you will awaken, and deliver your prisoners.  O dear heavenly Father, make us prepared with the five wise virgins (Matt. 25:2), that we may prudently wait for the bridegroom with his heavenly hosts.  O heavenly King, feed and refresh us according to the spirit with your heavenly meats, which never perish but abide in life eternal; for if you should withdraw your food from us, all that we do, would with ourselves be in vain and perish.  But, through your grace, we trust in you, that we shall not fail.  I do not doubt in the least, the power of God; for his judgments are honored.  He will forsake no one who firmly holds to him in faith, and seeks to walk in his true ways.  Heb. 13:5; Mat. 7:14.  O you Christians, rejoice (Phil. 3:1), and always be of good cheer in the Lord Jesus Christ; may he increase love and faith in us.  God comfort us by his holy word, in which we may firmly trust.  I commend myself to God and his church; may he be my Protector to-day, for his holy name’s sake.  O my Father, let it be done through Jesus Christ, Amen.”

Thereupon she voluntarily submitted to death, and was drowned in the water, as mentioned above.

Daniel Kopf, a minister of the word, was apprehended with six other persons, at Bairisch-Graitz, in Steyermark; he and two brethren were sentenced to the sword, while the four sisters were drowned.  They testified with their body and life, that this is the true way (Matt. 7:14; John 14:6) to eternal life in Christ Jesus, and though the executioner, fire, water and the sword sought to turn them away, they would nevertheless adhere to it as long as breath remained in them.  Of this Daniel, writings are also extant in the church, concerning baptism and other points; as well as four hymns composed by him.

In the year 1529, four brethren, named Wolfgang of Mos, Thomas Imwald of Aldein, George Frick of Wirzberg, and Mankager of Fuessen; also four sisters, Christina Tolinger of Penon, a widow, Barbara of Thiers, Agatha Kampner of Breitenberg, and her sister Elizabeth, were apprehended in the Ful, in Elschland, and led up to the castle, where they died on the sixteenth of November.  Each was separately examined concerning their faith in the following articles:

Brother Wolfgang of Mos confessed that on the Sunday after the feast of our Lady, it was just one year that one Michael (who was afterwards executed with fire for this matter, at Goffedaum, and testified to the truth) presented and taught to me, Wolfgang, Martin von Neck, and another, the Gospel and the word of the Lord, and then rebaptized all three of us according to the command of God.  Mat. 28:19.  He further said that he did not believe in infant baptism, that Jehovah God had said nothing of it, nor had Christ commanded it.  Matthew 15:13; 28:20; Mark 16:19.  He also confessed that Christ is not bodily in the host, when it is consecrated by the priest.  Furthermore, he said: That he did not believe in fast days, Sunday, and other feast days, otherwise than in the manner spoken of in the New Testament.

Thomas Imwald of Aldein confessed that he had been baptized before St. Ulric’s day, at Breitenberg by a teacher who had formerly been a priest, but had forsaken his office as priest, and whose name was George Blaurock, from Switzerland.  Of the mass, also, he believed that it is nothing but a human invention and institution, and not a commandment of God.  Concerning the sacrament he did not believe that the priests, by their consecrating or blessing, could bring our Lord God into the host, or change it; and he also showed them, that Christ was to be received in the word, and that the bread is only a sign and memorial.  Neither does he believe in the confession as it is instituted by the priests; as it is not used according to the command of God.  Again, to our Lady he assigns the position to which God has chosen her; he believes that she was a virgin and the mother of our Redeemer.  He was furthermore asked whether if their number had become great, they would not have attempted to bring some one’s country or people over to their faith by force.  He answered: “No, that they did not believe in compelling any one to it; since God desired a willing and unconstrained heart, and himself had constrained no one, but the Lord gave it into their minds.”

In the year 1529, two sisters, Anna Maler, and Ursula, were condemned to death for the divine truth, and drowned in the water, at Hall, in the valley of the Inn, and thus, though women, they were manful and valiant in God, so that many were amazed at their steadfastness, that thus in life and death they testified to the divine truth, as is declared by those who knew them, and are still alive.

About the year 1529, the knowledge of the truth began to shine also in the places on the river Rhine, so that divine zeal and the fire of God arose, which the priests, by instigating the authorities, strenuously attempted to stop.  First nine brethren and several sisters were apprehended for the faith, in the city of Altzey, without the order of the Elector or Palsgrave, simply through the instigation of the priests, and the aid of the nobility.  They lay in prison for a considerable time, and as they were waiting how to deal with them, the Burgrave at Altzey inquired of the Palsgrave, his prince and lord, what he should do with them.  The prince answered him that they had a court of justice at Altzey, and that he should let them examine and judge them.  The Burgrave did so, and brought them before the court of justice, which, however, would not sentence them, because they had been apprehended simply for the sake of their faith, and no other cause of death existed.  Acts 18:15,16.  In the meantime an imperial diet was held, at which the Palsgrave stated that he had some prisoners who had been apprehended on account of their faith for Anabaptism; and asked how he should deal with them.  The matter was committed to the four inquisitors, as they are called; whom, however, they referred to the mandate of the Emperor, where they would sufficiently find what imperial constitutions, institutions and ordinances were made concerning such; according to which they should deal with them.

For the constitution clearly implies that each and all Anabaptists and anabaptized, whether men or women, if possessing reason, and of adult age, are to be executed with fire, the sword, or some other way according to the character of the persons; and that wherever they were found, they should be brought before the court, accused, and convicted, and be judged or dealt with in no other way, on pain of severe punishment.

Moreover, when they would not apostatize, the mandate was also read to them; upon which without further sentence, they were led out to death, by virtue of the imperial mandate.  The brethren were executed with the sword, but the sisters drowned in the horse pond.  While they were yet imprisoned, a sister came to them, and comforted the sisters (Matt. 25:39); she told them valiantly and firmly to adhere to the Lord, and not to regard these sufferings, for the sake of the eternal joys which should follow.  2 Cor. 1:5.  When this was noticed she was also very speedily apprehended.  She was afterwards burned, because she had thus comforted and strengthened the others.

Thus they meant to extinguish the light of the truth and the fire of God; but it was kindled only the more.  They then apprehended a man, a woman, a man-servant and a maid-servant.  Whoever embraced the faith, and desired to separate from the ways, society and idolatry of the world, was apprehended by them.  In several places they filled all the prisons with them, intending to deter them by fear; but they sang and rejoiced in prison, so that their enemies who had cast them into prison were more troubled and afraid than the prisoners.  They did not know what to do with them, especially since it was only on account of the faith.

The Palsgrave then, in pursuance with the imperial mandate, in a short time, caused about three hundred and fifty persons to be executed for the faith; especially his Burgrave at Altzey, namely Dietrich von Schoenburg, caused many in the town of Altzey to be beheaded, drowned and otherwise put to death; even as the lords who came to the church, and at that time were residents in Altzey, saw themselves how they were taken from the houses in which they were known to be, and led as sheep to the place of execution.  They could in no way be persuaded to apostatize, but went joyfully to meet death; while the others were being drowned, and executed, the rest who were yet alive and waited for death sang until the executioner took them.  They were very steadfast in the truth confessed, and, assured in the faith which they had received from God, conducted themselves as valiant soldiers.  Mat. 10:22.  All the learned and great of this world were confounded by them.  1 Corinthians 1:25,26.

Some whom they did not wish to execute they tortured and maimed their bodies; of some they cut off the fingers, others they burned crosses on their foreheads, and subjected them to much wanton injury; so that even the aforesaid Burgrave said: “What shall I do?  The more I cause to be executed, the more they increase.”  Exo. 1:22.

This Burgrave Dietrich, who had shed much innocent blood, died a sudden and terrible death, as he was rising from his table.  Chron. van den Ondergang, page 1029, col. 1, from the old History of the Baptist Martyrs, lib. 1.

One of the last brethren whom they executed in the town of Creitze was Philip of Langenlonsheim.  When the executioner struck off his head, something flew into his face, so that he put up his hands to it, which was well noticed by the people; however, they did not know what it was, or why he did it.  Then the saying went abroad that something like a black hen had fluttered before his face, so that he defended himself with his hands; some said that the blood had squirted into his face; and though he himself knew best what it was, it was nevertheless seen afterwards, what it must have been: for the executioner’s nose dropped off close to his face.  Thus God punished and visited him, because of the innocent blood with which he had stained his hands to so large an extent (Prov. 6:17); and God openly and palpably made known by it, how greatly they oppressed the pious.  The Palsgrave also was terrified and troubled in various ways, so that afterwards he had no longer a desire to wash his hands in innocent blood, and would have given much, if it had never taken place.

About this time, a brother named George Bauman was apprehended at Banschlet, in Wurtemburg, for the faith and the word of God.  The nobleman whose subject he was, kept him imprisoned for a time, and also had him dreadfully racked and tortured, and did so much to him, by imprisonment, torture and pain, and also by various promises, so that they persuaded him and gained his assent to follow them.  They then demanded of him that he should recant in church, and confess that he desisted [from his faith], which he did once or twice; went to church, and performed that for which his consent had been extorted from him.  In the meantime he came to himself, and considered the honor of God and his holy name, and also where he was going.

Therefore, when he came to church the third time for recantation, he said to the priest and the bystanders: “You have condemned me and through pain and fear prevailed upon me to follow you; but now I renounce and revoke it all, and I am sorry that I did it.”  Thus he began, and confessed anew that this was the divine truth and the true faith; yes, the way to life in Christ, and that, on the other hand, the idolatrous life and ways of the world are a delusion and contrary to God.  In this his faith and confession he intended to continue and persevere unto the end.  For what should the priests and servants wait any longer?  Therefore they quickly apprehended him again, and he was speedily sentenced to death.  When he was led out to the place of execution, he sang joyfully on the way.  It was very muddy in the village, but he walked briskly nevertheless; so that his shoes remained fast in the mud; but he took no notice of it, left them there, hurried on to the place of execution, and sang for joy that God had again given him such courage and heart.  Thus he was beheaded with the sword.  The nobleman who caused his execution, and nearly all who had sat in judgment, and condemned him, died almost every one of them a miserable death, and came to a dreadful end, so that their happy days in this world terminated in sorrow.

There has existed, writes a certain author, in the Zwinglian churches, from their beginning, a great hatred and bitterness against the Anabaptists, or more properly speaking, against those baptized according to the ordinance of Christ as history certifies; by which they commenced very early to tyrannize over them; for we believe the Zwinglian church was not yet ten years old when said abuse occurred.  Yet it did not stop at this, but they proceeded, the longer the worse, in this tyranny; so that those of Zurich, A.D. 1530, emitted an edict very much like the bloody decrees of the Roman Emperor, in which they write as follows:

“Therefore we strictly command all the inhabitants of our country, and those who are in any way united with them, particularly high and low magistrates, bailiffs, constables, judges, elders of churches, and ecclesiastical officers that, if they hear of any Anabaptists, they give us information concerning them, by virtue of the oath with which they are bound to us; that they nowhere tolerate them, or allow them to multiply; but that they apprehend them, and deliver them to us; for we shall punish with death, according to the purport of our laws, the Anabaptists with all those who favor them or adhere to them; and we shall also punish without mercy, according to their deserts, as having violated the faith and oath which they swore to their authorities,” those who assist, and do not report, drive away, or bring as prisoners to us, all such persons.

This we have taken word for word from the edict, as Bullinger (contra, etc.) has cited it.  Compare the note in the preface to the Offerboeck der Doopsgesinde, A.D. 1615, letter Y, with P.J. Twisck’s Chron., p. 1031, col. 1, from different authors.

In the year 1530, Brother George Gruenwald, a shoemaker, and minister of the word of God, and of his flock, was apprehended for the divine truth, at Kufstein, on the Inn, condemned to death, and burned.  Thus he valiantly testified with his blood, that which he had confessed and taught with his mouth, and confessed Christ, yes, his divine truth, before men, forsaking this earthly and perishable praise, that Christ at his day should confess him before his heavenly Father, and, moreover, give him immortal life in the eternal glory of heaven.  Mat. 25:46.

A few days after the execution of the above person, Brother Alda was also executed for the faith, at Kufstein.

This George Steinmetz was apprehended and beheaded for the testimony of Jesus Christ, at Portzen, in Germany, A.D. 1530.  He left the following admonition for consolation in suffering, to all believers:

“We sincerely thank you, O God, for your fatherly faithfulness.  No one ought to mock at or despise his grace, lest at last, when his departure is at hand, he regret it.  O Lord, help and assist us through Jesus Christ.  God has called many to his eternal light, whom he also visits with suffering and pain, as we see in this earth; for it seems that here we must be refined by the fire of affliction, since we must all enter through much tribulation into the kingdom of God, and be purified from all sin and vice (1 Peter 1:7; Acts 14:22); for he that herein follows Christ, walks in the true path.  Christ says: “I am the Way and the Door, the Truth and the Life; enter in by me; before me there is yet a hedge; the cross, which each who would come to the father must carry, stands in the way.  John 10:9.  And according to my experience, I must state the truth, that the cross appears much heavier than it really is; which deters many a one, as though he should not be able to bear it, and therefore would pass it by, and seek another way.  But we cannot come to God unless we bear the yoke of Christ.  Mat. 11:29.  For he that would enter in by any other way into the sheep fold, than through this door, the same is a thief and a murderer (John 10:1), and shall have to suffer the vengeance of God—everlasting pain.  Christ would have such disciples as bear the cross after him, follow him in all his ways, as I hope to show, and carry his yoke unto the end.  Mat. 16:24.  But he that will not bear his cross, but allows himself to be moved and hindered by Satan, may take heed that Christ says: “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him I will confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him I will also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 10:32,33.  O God, sustain us to your praise and honor, that love may not wax cold in us.  Matthew 24:12.  To this end give us strength, wisdom and understanding, through your holy spirit, who can guide us into all truth (John 16:13), that we may never despond, but keep good courage, and remain steadfast and proceed straight on in the narrow way, and at the risk of body-life, go on through Christ to the Father.  John 14:6.  Praised be the Lord our God, who has called us to be his servants and children.  Him we will constantly praise forever and ever, because we may wash our robes in the blood of the Lamb (Revelations 7:14), and afterwards, from this brief death and suffering, go into everlasting joy with him.  With this mind this witness of Jesus Christ was beheaded and died at Portzen, as stated above.

In this year, Martin the painter, a minister of the word of God, and six others from the Swabian church, were apprehended for the faith and the divine truth.  After long proceedings, they were promised that if they would renounce, they might go home unmolested to their wives and children.  But they answered frankly: “No,” but that they would willingly die, and not renounce.  Afterwards, having been imprisoned almost a year, all seven were sentenced to death.  They were led under the town hall, and several articles of their doctrine were read to them.  When the first article was read Brother Wolfgang Eslinger said: “As you judge to-day so shall God judge you when you come before his face; God shall well know you.”  Mat. 7:23.

When the third article was read, Brother Pain said: “You stain your hands with our blood (Jer. 7:6); God shall certainly not remit it to you, but require it at your hands.”

When the fourth article was read, Brother Melchior said: “To-day we will testify with our blood, that that in which we stand is the truth.”

When the fifth article was read, Brother Wolfgang Eslinger said: “Forsake your sins and unrighteousness, and repent, and God shall never remember it to you.”  Jer. 26:13.  All seven were then led under a guard, to the place of execution.  There Brother Martin, and all the others commended themselves unto God their Lord, praying that he would grant them a happy end, and care for his sheep.  When they were brought to the field, the miller’s servant, who was about sixteen years old, said to the people present, that they should forsake their sins, and turn to God, since there was no other way to heaven, than through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the cross, and redeemed us.  Psm. 34:14; Isa. 45:24; John 14:6; Mat. 27:50.  When they were brought into the ring, a nobleman rode up to said servant, admonished and entreated him, saying: “My son, desist from your error, and renounce it.  Why do you allow yourself to be thus persuaded?  Spare your young life.  I will take you home with me, and always keep you; you shall enjoy good things with me all your life, if you obey me.”  But the servant said: “God forbid that this should ever come to pass; if I should keep this temporal life (Jn. 12:25), and lose the eternal, I would act foolishly.  I will not do it; your wealth can help neither you nor me; I expect one that is far better, if I persevere to the end.  Mat. 10:22.  I will surrender my spirit to God, and commend it to Christ (Luke 23:46), that his bitter suffering, which he endured on the cross, may in my case not be in vain.”  This servant was inspired by God in his purpose; for though he was younger in years than his brethren, they were nevertheless, as far as the purpose is concerned, of like age.  Thus all seven valiantly and joyfully confessed God and his truth, even unto death and the shedding of their blood.  The above mentioned Martin, when he was led out over the bridge, said: “This once yet the pious are led over this bridge, but no more hereafter.”  This came true; for a short time afterwards, such a violent storm and flood came that the bridge was demolished and carried away.

In the year 1531, Walter Mair, a cooper by trade, and minister of the word of God, was apprehended with two others, at Walsburg, in Kaernthen, and executed with the sword; and thus they steadfastly testified in death to the truth, and gave their lives for the covenant of God, and for his holy word; therefore their names shall also be found in the book of life, and the second death shall have no power over them.  Phil. 4:3; Rev. 20:6.

In the year 1531, Brother George Zaunringerad, a minister of the word of God, who, through the help of Jacob Hutter, had been placed in the ministry of the word of God, in the earldom of Tyrol, was sent by Jacob, with others, here to the church in Moravia.  Subsequently he, because of his office and ministry, was kept in Franconia, where he was executed with the sword, not far from Bamberg, for the divine truth; thus testifying with his blood to his faith and doctrine, from which he would in no way depart, and suffering with Christ, in order that through his grace he might also be made an heir of glory with him in the eternal kingdom.  1 Cor. 1:5.

There must by no means be omitted here the manly and divinely confirmed steadfastness of Veit Pelgrims, a German brother; who regarded nothing so much as he did the salvation of his soul.  Notwithstanding the cruelty of those who follow the footsteps of Cain, in shedding innocent blood, he freely confessed the Gospel, and ordered his actions and conduct in accordance with it, in all uprightness and simplicity.  But as the world, through his holy life, was reproved of its wickedness it could not endure it; therefore he was apprehended in the winter of A.D. 1532, at Glabbeck, in the Duchy of Juelich.  He was ready to testify with suffering to his doctrine and life; however through the aid of his friends and relatives he was released from prison for this time.  But as nevertheless undauntedly walked, in holiness and godliness, in the same heavenly way, he again fell into the hands of the blood-thirsty, and had to suffer much from the wicked; on the one hand, the priests and monks, by much crafty examining, and through wiles and strategies, sought, though in vain, to cause him to apostatize; on the other hand, they endeavored to deter him by severe tortures; but overcoming all these vexations and tortures, he valiantly confirmed the truth, and showed that above all temporal and visible things, he had in view something higher, that is, the eternal and heavenly riches; therefore, regarding not his own life, and esteeming it blessedness to suffer for the name of Christ, he said with remarkable frankness, he hoped that the sheep was now ready and fat for the slaughter.  The blood-thirsty, seeing they could in no way prevail upon this unconquerable hero and soldier of Christ, resorted to the most extreme means which cruelty could invent.  They brought it about that sentence of death was passed upon him.  The hour having come for him to offer up his sacrifice, they (O inhuman tyranny!) opened his left side, and poured in boiling oil.  Having then been contemptuously laid upon a sled, he was brought to the place of execution, where he commended his soul to God and was burned to ashes.

In this year six brethren, named Lambrecht Gruber, Hans Beck, Laurence Schumacher, Peter Plaver, his servant Peter and Hans Taller, were apprehended for the divine truth, at Stertzing, in Etschland, and greatly tortured and racked, in order to compel them to apostatize; but they valiantly and firmly persevered in that which God had given them, and which they had promised God in Christian baptism.  They were then sentenced to death and executed; all six valiantly testifying with their blood to the truth of God, and greatly rejoicing (Acts 5:41) over the day of their departure from this world, because of the suffering and pain in the abominable wickedness of the world, which they had to endure for a long time, also because of the awful blasphemy and contempt of God (which causes pain to all lovers of God), which they had to hear during their imprisonment.  They took leave from us, and admonished us not to be dull or heedless in hearing and retaining the word of God, nor in prayer and the worship of God; for if one comes to such places, it is necessary for him to have done so, and he regrets it if he has spent an hour unprofitably.

In this year, also Conrad Feichter was apprehended for the faith, at Sterzing, and much pain was inflicted upon him.  He was so racked and stretched that the ungodly executioners and children of Pilate themselves thought that he could not endure it, but would be torn asunder.  There were also some imprisoned with him, who were much tempted by a multitude of priests and others, by perversion of the Scriptures, with knavery, craftiness, deceit and delusion, in order to subdue them; it was also tried to gain them by promising to leave them in possession of home, wife, children, and life, but as they could by no means turn them from the truth, they sentenced and forthwith executed them; and thus they steadfastly attested the truth with their blood.

When the word of God, through the grace of the Lord, came again to the light, and was accepted with great desire by many, and attested and confirmed by the life and death of a great number, said word of God was also received and accepted (Acts 8:14; 17:11) by one Hugo Jacob Kræn of Assersouw, his wife Mary, and two others, whose names we have not learned.  And as it was foretold by Paul, that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12); and by Isaiah that: “He that departs from evil makes himself a prey” (Isa. 59:15); so it was also seen in the case of these persons; for as soon as they renounced this dark world (Eph. 6:12; 1 John 1:5), with its carnal walk, and false, invented worship, and sought and followed the eternal light and glory of Christ Jesus (Matt. 19:28), they were hated, and persecuted unto death, by the children of darkness and Belial.  John 15:18,19.  Finally Mary, the wife of Hugo Jacob, was apprehended at Haarlem, and after suffering many trials, was drowned at said place, in the year A.D. 1532, enduring it with great steadfastness; thus confirming with her death the accepted truth.  Rev. 2:10.  But Hugo Jacob Kræn; with two of his fellow believers, were brought prisoners into Gravenhage, where they had to suffer much for the truth.  But as they were founded upon a rock (Matt. 16:18), they could, by no torments, be brought to apostatize.  Therefore the servants of antichrist condemned them to die, and this, such a terrible death, that all who saw it must justly have pitied them!  For, in the year 1532, at said place, they were chained to stakes, a great fire built around them, and in this manner they were roasted until they expired.  And as they did not love their lives here, but obediently surrendered them for the testimony of Jesus, and died steadfastly; they, at the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, shall, for this mortal garment of the flesh, be clothed with the immortal, and be rewarded by God with the crown of everlasting glory.  Rev. 12:17; 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:8; Acts 22:18; 23:11; 2 Thes. 1:7; Phil. 3:21; Wis. 5:16; 2 Esdr. 2:43; 1 Cor. 9:25; 1 Pet. 5:4; James 1:12; Rev. 2:10.

In the year 1533, Ludwig Fest, a steadfast witness of the divine truth, was sentenced to death, and executed, at Schwatz, in the valley of the Inn, for the testimony of Jesus Christ.  He admonished us not to be selfish.  In the beginning of his tribulation he besought us, by the mercies of God, that we should not burden or grieve one another; for when one comes to this trial, it will cause him pain; and it is no wonder that then it should trouble him in his heart.  He also desired that we should have a good assurance concerning him, since he hoped, with the help and power of his heavenly Father, to remain faithful, which he also did.  Rev. 2:10.

In the year 1533, a sister, named Christina Haring, was apprehended, taken to Kitzbuehl, and there fastened to a chain; she, however, remained steadfast in the faith.  But as she was with child, and was soon to be confined, they let her go home until she should be delivered of her child; and though she knew that she would be apprehended again, and might have escaped ten times, or even more, she did not flee, but boldly remained.  When she saw the officer coming, she went out to meet him, and asked him what he desired.  He said: “I have come to take you away again;” and thus they again took her to the town of Kitzbuehl, where shortly afterwards she was executed with the sword (which is not usually done with a woman), for the faith, to which she steadfastly adhered.  Her body was afterwards burnt.  Mat. 24:13.  This courageous, heroic woman, our sister in Christ, who forsook her husband, infant, house and home, and all temporal things, strengthened her womanly heart with such valiant manliness, and by the grace of God so armed herself in the faith, that she paid her vow unto the Lord, and joyfully went to meet Christ her bridegroom, with her lamp burning, and her light shining so that many were filled with astonishment.  Mat. 25:1.

About the year 1533 there was another pious hero and follower of Jesus, named Sicke Snyder, who, according to the counsel of the Holy Spirit, separated from the Babylonian whore, and all her false, self-invented, imaginary worship, which was all contrary to God, and accepted Christ Jesus; seeking to follow the unblamable footsteps of this true Lawgiver (James 4:12), and to hear only his voice as contained in the holy Scriptures.  John 10:4.  Therefore he obediently submitted to the example and ordinance of Christ, and in accordance with the doctrines of his word received Christian baptism upon his faith, as the sign of a regenerated child of God, seeking thus to live and walk in obedience toward his Creator.  For this reason he was put into bonds and in prison at Leeuwærden, in Friesland, and had to suffer much from the enemies of the truth.  1 Tim. 6:20.  And as he could by no tortures be induced to apostatize, he was executed with the sword at said place, enduring it with great steadfastness; thus attesting and confirming the true faith with his death and blood.  Rev. 2:13; 20:4.  Therefore he shall, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, together with all true conquerors, be clothed in white, shining raiment, and inherit the blessing.  2 Tim. 2:3; Rev. 3:5; 1 Pet. 3:9.

About the year 1534, a god-fearing pious brother, named William Wiggers, residing at Barsinghorn, a village in North-Holland, near Schagen, was brought thence to the castle at Schagen, for the true faith and the practice of it.  In that place he was imprisoned for about eight days, and was then beheaded with the sword, at early dawn, in the gate of said castle, for the testimony of Jesus Christ, enduring it with great steadfastness.  And as he was a god-fearing and an agreeable man, he was often employed by the lord of Schagen to transact his temporal business.  Therefore it came that when the servants of Schagen came to his house, for the purpose of apprehending him, he supposed they had come for former friendship and acquaintance’ sake; therefore he sent his wife to get some viands with which to treat these servants; but before she returned, the dean with his servants, sent by the Roman antichrist, came and took this defenseless sheep of Christ with them to Schagen, notwithstanding the bailiff of Barsinghorn offered himself as security for the prisoner.  Wigger Hendericks, father of the beforementioned William Wiggers, who was also secular magistrate, having seen that his god-fearing son had, without right and reason, been thus secretly murdered with the sword, instantly forsook his office, and would no longer administer the secular power.

By the Emperor: To our beloved and faithful commanders-in-chief, the president and members of our Privy-Council, the Chancellor and members of our council in Braband, the Governor and councillors in Limburg, the President and councillors in Flanders, the Governor, President and councillors in Artois, the chief Bailiff in Hainault, the councillors of Bergen, the Lieutenant, President and councillors of Holland, Namur, Friesland, and Utrecht, to the Lieutenant of Over-Yssel, the Governor of Rijssel, Douay and Orchies, the Bailiff and councillors of Doornick and Tournesis, the stewards of Bewest and Beoosterschelde, in Zealand, the Provost of Valenciennes, the Bailiff of Mechlin, and all other Judges and officers of our territories, cities and seigniories, and of our subjects, or their governors, to whom these presents shall come, happiness and favor.

In order to guard against and remedy the errors which many sectarians and authors of contempt, with their adherents, have dared for some time to sow and spread in our territories, against our holy Christian faith, sacraments, and the commandments of our Mother the holy church, we have at different times ordained, and caused to be executed and proclaimed many decrees containing statutes, edicts and ordinances, as also penalties to be incurred by transgressors, so that by means of it the common, simple people, and others, may beware of said errors and abuses, and that the chief promulgators and sectarians may be punished and corrected, as an example unto others.  And since it has come to our knowledge, that notwithstanding our aforesaid decrees, many and various sectarians, even some who call themselves Anabaptists, have proceeded, and still daily proceed, to spread, sow, and secretly preach their aforesaid abuses and errors, in order to allure a great number of men and women to their false doctrine and reprobate sect, to seduce them, and to rebaptize some, to the great reproach and disregard of the sacrament of holy baptism, and of our edicts, statutes and ordinances; therefore we, intending to guard against and remedy this, summon and command you that, immediately upon receipt of this, you cause it to be proclaimed within every place and border of your dominions, that all those, or such as shall be found polluted by the accursed sect of the Anabaptist, of whatever rank or condition they may be, their chief leaders, adherents, and abettors, shall incur the loss of life and property, and be brought to the most extreme punishment, without delay; namely, those who remain obstinate and continue in their evil belief and purpose, or who have seduced to their sect and rebaptized any; also those who have been called prophets, apostles or bishops—these shall be punished with fire.  All other persons who have been rebaptized, or who secretly and with premeditation have harbored any of the aforesaid Anabaptists, and who renounce their evil purpose and belief, and are truly sorry and penitent for it, shall be executed with the sword, and the women be buried in a pit.

And in order better to detect these Anabaptists, their adherents and accomplices, we expressly command all subjects, to make known and report them to the officer of the place where they reside or shall be found; and if any one shall know of persons of this sect, and do not report them to the officer of the place, he shall be punished as a favorer, adherent, or abettor of the sect of the Anabaptists; but he who shall report or make them known, shall have, if the accused is convicted, one third of their confiscated property.

Moreover, we prohibit all our subjects from asking for mercy, forgiveness, or reconciliation for the aforesaid Anabaptists, or from presenting any petitions for this purpose, on pain of summary punishment; for because of their evil doctrine, we will not have or permit that any Anabaptists shall have any mercy shown them, but that they shall be punished, as an example unto others, without any dissimulation, favor or delay.  And in order to do this with all that pertains to it, we give each and all of you full power and special command.

Given at Brussels, under our counter-seal, stamped here in the margin, on the tenth day of June, in the year 1535.  Subscribed by the Emperor and his council, and signed

Pensart.

In the year 1535, there was a pious brother, named Peter Koster, who had been sexton of the church at Sardam, in North Holland.  But having come to the knowledge of the truth, he was ordained a teacher of the church, and because of the persecution, went to reside at Amsterdam, where he was apprehended by the bailiff, having been reported by a woman living in his neighborhood, who through ill-directed zeal revealed the place where he had concealed himself.  And as this took place at a time when some wicked rebellions and conspiracies were taking place in the world, this friend of God was suspected of this matter; but it appeared from his own writings, as well as in his confession, that he was innocent, and various credible witnesses testify that he had always sincerely opposed these things.  Nevertheless, as he had been baptized upon faith, according to the command and ordinance of Christ, and, moreover, had been a teacher, he was sentenced to death, and executed with the sword, at Amsterdam, and is now awaiting, with all the pious, the reward which Christ has promised, saying: “Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.  Matthew 5:11,12.

In the year 1535, three brethren and two sisters named Sybrant Jans, Hendrick Gijsbrechts van Campen, Steven Benedictus, Femmetgen, daughter of Egbert, and Welmut, daughter of Jans, were apprehended at Hoorn, in West Friesland, because they no longer sought to obey the Roman church, but the commandments of God.  When they were examined, they freely confessed their faith, principally with regard to baptism.  When they were asked whether they had been rebaptized, they answered in the affirmative, saying that they were not sorry for it; that they had been baptized according to the ordinance of Christ, to the remission or burying of their sins, and the putting on of Christ, with the answer of a good conscience towards God.  Rom. 6:4; 1 Pet. 3:21.  The rulers of darkness, perceiving that they were not sorry for it, and intended valiantly to adhere to their faith, sentenced them to death, pursuant to the imperial edict, as the following sentence, which they pronounced upon them clearly shows.

“Whereas M. Anthony Sonck, Bailiff, has entered legal complaint against Sybrant Jans, Hendrick Gijsbrechts van Campen, Steven Benedictus, Femmetgen, daughter of Egbert, and Welmut, daughter of Jans that, contrary to the written laws, and contrary to our Christian faith, and the edict of his imperial Majesty our most gracious lord, they were rebaptized, without having repented of it, and without having obtained remission, therefore we determine that each and all of them have forfeited their lives and property, and that they be executed, namely; The men with the sword, and their bodies to be placed upon the wheel, and their heads upon stakes, and the women drowned with a stone tied to their necks; and desire that the judges pass sentence accordingly.”

“My lords of the court, having heard the answer and defense of the aforesaid defendants, by which they openly confess that they were rebaptized, without having obtained remission, therefore we deem it just, through their sentence, that all the aforesaid persons, according to the edict of his imperial Majesty, and the written laws, have forfeited their lives and property, by virtue of the privileges of this city, and that all are to die, namely: The men to be executed with the sword, their bodies placed upon the wheel, and their heads upon stakes, unless the lords are willing to show them mercy, especially those who renounce and are penitent; and the women to be drowned with a stone tied to their necks or bodies.  Passed in the presence of all the judges and three burgomasters, the seventh of June, A.D. 1535.”

This sentence having been given, they were led forth to death; they went boldly to the place of execution, and among other things said: “The servant is not greater than his master; if they have done this in the green tree, what will they do in the dry,” and the like.  Having come to the place prepared for this purpose, they were beheaded.  The two women were led to the sea, where stones were tied to their necks, and they were cast in, and drowned.  Their bodies were ignominiously left to float about for a long time, until the rulers were moved to have them taken out and buried.

Christian reader, here you can clearly see why and for what reasons these people had to die; that what some blind zealots of idolatrous popery say, falsely charge and say is not true, namely: That no one was put to death because of his religion or faith, but on account of their rebelliousness and crimes.  But how falsely and shamelessly they act herein may be judged from this single fact that the same year when these persons were put to death, the siege of Munster took place, and that they were not accused of, much less participated in, this wicked crime.  But herein they show the nature of the old Pharisees, who, when they brought Christ to death, did not say that it was on account of his good doctrine that he had to die, but for his blasphemy.  This is the way of all tyrants that, besides inflicting suffering and death upon the innocent, they also heap upon them false accusations.  But when the day comes that shall come, they shall see whom they have pierced, and say with astonishment: “Behold, these are they whom we had sometimes in derision, and a proverb of reproach: we fools accounted their life madness, and their end to be without honor: how are they numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints?” Wis. 5:3–5.

(Copy of a certain old document.)

“It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation,” which our Savior spoke and left for our instruction, saying: “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose it for my sake, or the Gospel’s, shall save it” unto life eternal.  Mat. 16:25; Luke 9:24.

This evangelical doctrine, given for admonition and consolation, many faithful witnesses of Christ have taken to heart, who voluntarily surrendered their lives for his holy name’s sake, looking to the promises, and the glorious reward which shall be given them not in this, but in the future world; for in the third chapter of Wisdom we read: “The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.  In the sight of the unwise they seem to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace.  For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality, and having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself.  As gold in the furnace has he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.”  Verses 1–6.

This a glorious testimony, and well accords with the words of the holy apostle Paul, that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of heaven (Acts 14:22); as also our Savior says that the way is narrow, and the gate is strait, that leads unto life; and that there are few who walk in it; few, when compared to the great multitude and majority who choose the broad way, and walk through the wide gate, to their own destruction and eternal perdition.

Few were found at Sardis who had not defiled their garments; nevertheless these few were to be crowned as conquerors, clothed in white raiment, and their names were not to be blotted out of the book of life; and the Son of God shall confess their names before his Father and his angels, which is promised to all that overcome.  Rev. 3:5.  This was taken to heart by those who did not look upon what is visible and perishing, but upon the invisible, as appears in the pious witnesses and martyrs of Christ, who, for Christ’s sake, gladly forsook not only all their property and the distinction which they enjoyed in this world, but also their own lives; for neither persecution, nor any creature in the world could deter them from the love of God and Christ.  Rom. 8:39.

Among others, it was seen also in the case of a manful hero and armed soldier of Christ, named Andrew Claessen of Drourijp, a village in Friesland, situated between Leeuwaerden and Franneker; who, A.D. 1535, under the Stadtholder George Schenck, was apprehended, brought to Leeuwaerden, beheaded on the sixteenth of March, and placed upon a wheel.  This took place three days after his imprisonment; however, the pious secretly took him down and buried him; and his soul is now also resting under the altar of God.

He had seven children, who after the death of their father had to wander about in poverty and misery, yet were supported by some kindly disposed persons, though not without peril.  These things we have recorded from the testimony of their descendants, who, to this end, have sent us their written attestations, from the town of Franneker, in Friesland, dated March the 13th, 1658, and subscribed,

Jouke Wybes.

In this year, also seven brethren, namely, Hans Beck, Wolfert Schneider, Christian Alzeiter, Balthasar Gesel, Wolfert from Getzenberg, Hans Maurer, and Peter Kranewitter, from Gofedaum in Etschland, were apprehended.  Various things were resorted to with them, in order to conquer them, and to draw them away; but as they could not be prevailed upon, but adhered to their faith and to the truth, they were sentenced to death by the children of Pilate, who, through the advice of the high priests, delivered them to the executioner, who had to bring the matter to a close.  Thus they were put to death, mightily admonishing the people to repent, and that this was the divine truth, showing that no impure, false, idle, or heedless hearts can stand the test.  Wolfert had once apostatized, and consented to the will of the wicked; but afterwards deplored and bewailed his course.  When after a few days he was again called before the judge, he again confessed the Lord, and said that the devil had deceived him in what he had done against God.  He was then put back into the tower to the others, and with them steadfastly suffered death, and in this manner they together testified with their blood to the truth, at Gofedaum.

In the year 1536, on St. Margaret’s day, in the morning, the Bailiff at Zierichzee apprehended three brethren and one sister, named Peter Gerrits, Peter Joris, Peter Leydecker, and Johanna Mels, whom he took with him half dressed, and put them in prison, where they were confined for seven weeks; but no suffering or misery inflicted upon them could induce them to apostatize.  When they were examined, and many human institutions were presented to them, which they endeavored to refute with the word of God, the Burgomaster said:

“We care not for your word of God, but hold to the mandate of the Emperor, and shall ignominiously exterminate all those who act contrary to it.”

They answered: “Lord Burgomaster, by this you prove yourself to be a protector of the kingdom of Babel and of Bel for which you will indeed reap some reward here on earth, but hereafter, with antichrist and the crowned beast, eternal damnation in the lake of fire.”  1 John 2:18; Revelation 13; 19:20.

They were then placed upon the rack, though contrary to their privileges, for they were mere citizens; however, they would not apostatize, though they were tortured so that the blood ran down their feet: but they trusted in and cried to God alone.  After being tortured, they were brought up above again, where they comforted each other with the word of God.  1 Thessalonians 4:18.

Finally, on the 4th of September, they were sentenced to death.  They were brought bound upon the scaffold, yet came forth boldly and humbly, as lambs of Christ, and finally knelt down, saying with Stephen: “Lord Jesus, receive our spirits into your hands.”  Acts 7:59.  They were all then speedily beheaded, their bodies burned, and their heads placed upon stakes.  Thus they offered up their sacrifice.

In the beginning of the year 1536, Jerome Kels of Kufestein, Michael Seifensieder of Wald in Bohemia, and Hans Oberacker from Etschland were dispatched to go into the Earldom of Tyrol.  Acts 13:2.  But when they arrived at Vienna, in Austria, they were apprehended, having been betrayed by the host with whom they had lodged.  Acts 4:3; 5:26.  While they were eating supper, the people tried to ascertain their character by drinking to their health; but when they perceived that they would not respond, the host had some paper brought, and wrote a letter in Latin, which, among other things, read as follows: “Here are three persons who appear to me to be Anabaptists.”  But he did not know that Brother Jerome understood Latin.  Then said Jerome to the other brethren, they would watch together, let things go as the dear Lord should please.  Two hours afterwards the constables came and brought them bound before the judge, and when they had been examined they were put in prison.

Eight days afterwards the judge had them brought before him and his assessors, where they were told to recant.  Brother Jerome said that they themselves should forsake their unbelief, and not so falsely bear the name of God, or of Christ.  Thereupon the judge became highly incensed at Jerome, and when the latter said they were no Christians, the Judge said: “You are a desperately wicked fellow.”  And though he was asked this as much as ten times, he constantly confessed as before.  The assessors then said: “This reprobate fellow is not worthy that your wisdom should become enraged at him.”  They were then led back into prison, and the judges were highly offended at Jerome and his brethren.  After another eight days the judge again summoned all three before him, taking to him three of the most wicked priests.  When these would speak with Jerome, contemned our calling, reviled our faith, and said that they were sent to instruct them regarding their error, Jerome boldly and fearlessly said: “We are in the right way; our calling is from God, and Christ has taught us that we should not hear a stranger’s voice.”  John 10:5.  He also said: “We are willing to give an answer to every man, and to show the ground of our hope; but with monks and priests, who are sent by the pope, who is the antichrist, we do not desire to speak; for they are great rogues, whore-mongers, perjurers, deceivers and seducers, even as these.”

Thereupon the Judge said: “My good Jerome, you do not yet know these good lords.”  Jerome said: “God is my Lord, but not they.”  Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21.  He then, for almost two hours and a quarter gave answer concerning the mass, original sin, infant baptism, calling, and their awful, idolatrous sacrament.  Then followed many entreaties that he should regard his dear life, wife and child, and take to heart their sincere promise; and that he should pray to God; they would also.  But he said that they had the truth and would adhere to it, they might do what they pleased, and as they could also not overcome the other brethren with their poison, the judge remanded them to prison, in which they sang comforting hymns together, and rejoiced in God.  And as they could hear each other, they called to one another, comforting and strengthening one another.  They also delivered their written confession of faith, with full proof from the holy Scriptures, to the lords at Vienna, and to the judge.

To the aforesaid brother Hans Oberacher the day of the Lord appeared three times, as he informed us from prison, and he saw unutterable things with the eyes of the spirit, as also with his bodily eyes; he saw the condition of the children of God, and how great grace they received from God; on the other hand, how mighty and terrible this day is for the wicked; so that he prayed that God would never let him incur this wrath, which is so great and dreadful upon wickedness.  Mal. 3:17; 4:1,2.

Many attempts having been made to prevail upon these brethren, and they remaining steadfast in the faith, as strong soldiers, and lovers of God, they were condemned to death by the children of Pilate, and burned to ashes, at Vienna, on the Friday preceding Judica, in Lent of the aforesaid year.

In this year, George Vaser, a minister of the Lord and his church, and Brother Leonhard Sailer, his companion, were apprehended at Neudorf, in Austria, where they were passing through, and were put in the stocks there.  The next day, the Judge of Metling, and the whole council, as also other people with them, came and asked him on what account they were imprisoned there.  They replied: “For the faith of Christ, and the divine truth.”

They then took them, and brought them into the market town of Metling, a distance of several furlongs from Neudorf, and two leagues from Vienna.  On the whole way they testified with great boldness to the truth, and with many words declared to them the judgment of God, so that the Judge and all the others were amazed and dared not say a single word against it.  Thereupon they put them all into the common prison, in which they met with all manner of ungodly and shameful impropriety on the part of their fellow prisoners, which daily caused them great sorrow of heart, so that they would rather have been cast into an offensive dungeon where they would not have been obliged to listen to this impiety.

During their imprisonment they were much questioned with regard to infant baptism, the sacrament, and that we call them all ungodly and unbelieving; but they told them that, as regards infant baptism, they were entirely welcome to it, and also said: “Because they called themselves Christians, but falsely bore the name of Christ, and did not move with a finger the least of Christ’s commandments; therefore they should know that they were of the devil (John 8:44); and if they would not repent of their sins, God would destroy their false boast, so that they, with the whole world, and the rich man would be cast into the abyss of hell, which would certainly come to pass, though they now did not believe it.  Having been in prison nearly a whole year, and being fully prepared for death; yes, of good courage and cheer, and joyful in the Lord, they prayed that the Lord, the gracious God, would deliver them from this mortal tabernacle, and this wicked, blind world; for they had a good hope and great joy and a sincere desire to depart, and expected every hour, to die manfully and boldly, through the help and power of God, for the divine truth, and for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, notwithstanding all the pain and suffering, which might be inflicted upon them.

However, through a special providence of God, they were wonderfully liberated, unharmed in their consciences, and came in peace to the church at Trasenhofen, and were joyfully received in the spirit, as good, worthy and beloved brethren.

In the following year, at the request of some of the zealous, the above-mentioned George Vaser, was sent to Pechstall, in Austria, where he gladly began to teach the word of the Lord, notwithstanding he had just come out of the prison at Metling.  He gathered the believers, and established a church, according to the command of God.  But he could not escape a certain deceiver, a genuine tool of all treachery, who, under a false appearance, pretended to learn the grounds of the truth of him as a minister, but, in the meantime appointed many servants, commanding them at a suitable time to apprehend this George Vaser, which they faithfully did.

He was then subjected to much cruel torturing, and while in prison was tempted in manifold ways; but he remained very steadfast and faithfully followed unto death him whom he had proclaimed in the faith; thus testifying with his blood (being executed with the sword), to the faith and the truth of God.  Mat. 24:13; John 10:4; 1 Peter 5:1.

In the year 1537, also Sebastian Glasmacher and Hans Gruenfelder were apprehended for the faith and divine truth, at Imst, in the upper valley of the Inn.  They were executed with the sword, and then burned.  They confessed the Lord and his holy word and truth with great gladness.  A countless multitude were present at their execution.  Hans called and spoke with a very loud voice, admonishing and warning the people, to the best of his ability; so also did Sebastian, and in this they continued, until their death.  This greatly astonished the people.

Their bones however could not be wholly burned; therefore they were afterwards thrown into the water.  The heart also of the one could not be burned, which was no doubt for a remarkable testimony.  John 15:27.

In this year 1537, also Hans Peiz, a minister of the Gospel, and several of his fellow believers were apprehended for the divine truth, at Passau, on the Danube.  They were imprisoned a long time, suffered much, and, together with others, who confessed their faith and the truth, fell asleep in prison, after great steadfastness, and heroic piety.

In this same year 1537, brother Hans Wucherer was apprehended in Bavaria, and with him another brother, named Hans Bartel, a weaver.  They were taken to Mermes, where they were confined for sixteen days, and were twice examined by Caiphas and the priests, and twice through the torture.  They were asked what they believed concerning the sacrament.  They spoke mightily against it, that it was an abomination, and an idol before the Lord; and that it was not to be believed that they could give the body of Christ, with flesh and blood, just as he hung on the cross to eat so many hundred thousand times; but they said that the supper was a memorial of his suffering, death and the shedding of his blood, by which he redeemed us, Mat. 26:25; Luke 22:19.  To commemorate this, and to search their hearts, is the purpose for which believers, who are members of his body, or his church, are to observe it, with sincere thanksgiving to him.  They then asked them concerning infant baptism and what they held of their priests and churches.  They spoke against all these according to the truth.  They then questioned them about their views regarding their matrimony, and the Ten Commandments.  To this they also gave their reply.  They were then brought bound to Bruckenhausen, where each was separately put in chains in prison.  Six times they were brought forth and examined, in order to induce them to recant, which if they would do, mercy would be shown them.  But they would in no way exchange the divine grace for the favor of the world, since they felt assured that they were in the true faith and in the truth of God.

The seventh time the priests came to them into the prison; but they adhered constantly to God.  They also greatly tortured them, severely racking Hans, and Brother Bartel twice, without, however, prevailing upon them.

The eighth time the Judge came to them, together with three others.  After maltreating them fearfully, he sentenced them to be burned; but they hoped in the Lord, to remain faithful and steadfast unto the end, in the divine truth, through the unspeakable riches and power of God.  They were then burned for the faith valiantly testified to the truth, and obtained the crown of the martyrs of Christ.

In the year 1537, there was at Cassel, in Flanders, a god-fearing pious brother, whose name was Philip Keurs, a joiner by trade.  And since he had also separated from this present wicked world, and had entered upon the peculiar way of the cross, which leads to the kingdom of God, he, like his Lord and Master, Jesus, was hated, despised and persecuted by the servants of this world, so that he finally fell into the hands of tyrants, who cruelly maltreated him with severe imprisonment.  But as he was not founded upon drifting sand, but upon the immovable Rock (Matt. 7:24,26; 16:18), he remained steadfast in every respect, as gold which is tried in the fire, 1 Peter 1:7.  And since nothing could move him to swerve from the truth, he was sentenced to death at said place; in this manner confirming the faith of the truth with his death and blood.  And as he here became a partaker of the sufferings of his Lord and Master Christ Jesus, so he shall also, when his glory shall be revealed, receive and enjoy great gladness and joy, and in eternity the crown of everlasting glory.  2 Tim. 4:8.

(Copied from certain very old testimonies.)

In the year 1538, Brother Leonhard Lochmair, a minister of the word, in the Earldom of Tyrol, was apprehended, and taken to Brixen, where a great number of priests practiced all manner of craftiness with him, until they caused him to apostatize.  They then demanded of him, that he should go about the country for a whole year, with Doctor Gallius, and preach against and renounce the divine truth.  This he would not do; therefore they confined him in prison: for he had been a priest before he became a brother.  He came to himself and repented of his apostasy, and great fear came upon him, for the judgment of God pressed upon him; but since God knew his sorrowful heart, he so ordered it that he was restored again, as will follow in the sequel.

In the same year, 1538, Offrus Greizinger, also a minister of the word in the Earldom of Tyrol, was apprehended.  He was sought on the mountains and in the valley, and spied on bridges and elsewhere.  A large sum of money was also offered for his apprehension, and spies and traitors were sent out, who pretended to have a desire to become pious.  When they had apprehended him, he was also brought to Brixen and put in prison there, his apartment being so near to that of Leonard Lochmair’s, that they could converse together.  There Leonhard greatly deplored his apostasy to Offrus, and sorrowed greatly on account of it.  Offrus then gave him much consolation, when, after genuine sorrow and true repentance, he proclaimed to him the remission of his sins in the name of the Lord; yes, through his intercession, re-established him in his faith, and received him again as a fellow member and brother.

Not long after, when Brother Offrus, the faithful servant of the Lord and his church, was sorely tried in manifold ways, and much threatened with the torture, if he would not point out to them his brethren who had not yet been driven away, especially those who had harbored him, and done good to him, he said to them: “I have resolved to endure all pain and suffering which man can endure, even unto death, through the power of God, before I shall tell you this, and become a traitor.  I well knew beforehand that this would be my fate.  You have me in your power, do whatever God will permit you to do; if you want to tyrannize over me, you may do so; God will find you.  I have nothing to say or to show.”  They then assailed him with threats, and urged him that if he had the truth, they would admonish him in the name of the truth, to show and speak the truth.  Then Brother Offrus said: “I know you and your truth; you have heard what I said.”

They also asked him whether it was not true that if our numbers should increase, we would rise up against and kill them, if they would not come over to our side?  He told them that if we should do this, we would not be Christians, but only such in name; adding: “If you were true Christians you would not torture or kill any one.”  Therefore they bound him, and drew him up, but speedily let him down from the torture, and threatened him, asking why he would have his members thus torn asunder.  He replied: “I am in your hands; do with me whatever God will permit you to do; you can take from me no more than my life.”  They then despaired of accomplishing anything with him.

Eight days after, they again drew him up, this time twice, yet more gently: but he said: “I have told you once what I can tell, and be it known to you that God will find you for your tyranny.”  They again despaired, and thenceforth left him alone, torturing him no further.  He was sick in consequence of the torture, so that he said the less.

After another eight days, they again came to him, called him before them twice, but did not remain with him long, because he laid before their eyes their rascality, roguery, and unrighteousness.

After much suffering and tribulation he was then sentenced to death by the children of Pilate, placed alive into the fire, and burned to ashes; thus valiantly and steadfastly, as a Christian hero, testifying to and sealing his life and doctrine, with his blood, on Halloween, A.D. 1538.  And though he had previously wrestled hard with death, yet when he went forth unto death, he was glad and joyful in his heart.

But as Leonhard Lockmair had formerly been a priest, the priests prevented his dying together with Offrus; for they intended first to divest him of their accursed ordination.  In this, in order to bring to nothing their counsel, God so ordered it, that the suffragan who was to do this, died.  Thus he was executed with the sword, a few days after Offrus, and, as a true priest, offered up and gave himself as an acceptable offering unto God, and testified to his truth unto death.  Rom. 12:1; 2 Tim. 4:6.

About this time also Brother Michael Wideman or Beck was apprehended at Ricten in Allgau, together with some other persons, which other persons, however, were sent home, while this brother was put in prison for the faith.  Many things were resorted to with him, and he was admonished to renounce, but he had a good assurance of his faith in Christ, and said: “When I was living with the world in all unrighteousness, in sins and wickedness, no one admonished me to renounce, but I was considered a good Christian before the world.  But now that I have become converted, and amended my life, I am told to renounce; but I have become converted once, and have renounced all unrighteousness, and in this conversion I will persevere unto the end, and will not be turned from it, for that in which I stand is the true foundation.”  After being imprisoned almost half a year, he was beheaded and burned.

In the year 1538, the brethren Martin of Vilgraten, and Caspar Schumacher, were both apprehended for the divine truth, at Michelsberg, in Priesterthal, and, after great steadfastness, sentenced to death, and executed with the sword; thus manfully persevering in the faith unto the end.  They were of good cheer in their bonds and tribulation, and held fast to the love of God, from which they could not be separated through tribulation, fear, persecution, hunger, poverty, nakedness, or danger.  No sword was so keen, no fire so hot, no devil so wicked, no man so diligent, as to turn them from God and his truth, and from their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; but they, through the grace and power of God, kept that which God had given them to know, even unto death.

About this year, there were, in Flanders, two cousins, one named Styaerts, the other Peter.  These two blooming and God-seeking youths resided with their parents in a village called Mereedor, in Flanders.  And as they were very zealous for God, and searched the holy Scriptures, they soon perceived that the believing and regenerated—according to the doctrine of Christ, as a sign of having buried the former sins, and risen with Christ, and walking in newness of life—had to receive Christian baptism in the water; and since they were desirous of this, they journeyed to Germany, to seek others of their fellow believers.  But as they could not find such as suited their wishes, they soon returned to their parents in Flanders, where they earnestly sought the Lord their God, so that they had a good report, doing much good to the poor, and saying with Zaccheus, that if they had defrauded any one, they would restore it fourfold.  Luke 19:8.  When the blinded papists, who most bitterly hated the light of truth, perceived this, they took these two young lambs out of the houses of their parents, at Mereedor, and brought them beyond Ghent, into a village called Vinderhout, where they most severely imprisoned them in a dungeon.  Jer. 38:6.  Once when their sister came to bring them some fine shirts, they told her that they could not keep them from the worms, which were in their food, eating it, and in their clothes and shirts on their bodies.  They further said: “Here is a Bible, the contents of which, as well as the cause of our bonds, will yet come to light after our death.”  The aforesaid John Styaerts was once released from prison, on account of sickness, and, as is thought, could easily have obtained his liberty; but he voluntarily returned to prison, desiring gladly to die with his dear brother for the name of Jesus.  Thus after a certain time they were led to the slaughter.  Peter, who came forth first to die, casting his eyes up to heaven, boldly called out to John Styaerts: “Fight valiantly, my dear brother; for I see the heavens open above us.  Acts 7:56.  They were together put to death with the sword at Vinderhout.  Thus these young branches in the court of the Lord (Jer. 17:8; Psm. 1:3), were also devoured by the awful beast which rose up out of the sea (Rev. 13:1), but they had no power over their immortal souls, which escaped from them unto God, where they shall forever live in unspeakable joy.  When their parents came from Mereedor to Vinderhout, and inquired for their children, the villagers told them that they had already been executed with the sword.  And thus they were deprived of their children by these tyrants.

In the same year, 1538, on Wednesday before Christmas, Hans Seyel of Mur, and Hans of Wels, were apprehended for the faith and the divine truth, at Sandweid, in Kaernthen.  After valiant steadfastness in the faith, they were condemned to death and executed with the sword; thus, even unto death, boldly testifying with their blood to the way of truth, from which they would not depart as long as their eyes were open, and breath remained in their nostrils.

“After manifold tyranny, persecution and putting to death,” writes P.J. Twisck, “in various countries and kingdoms, against the Christian flock, also in England a decree was proclaimed, in December, A.D. 1538, against the believers baptized according to the ordinance of Christ.  By virtue of the same, they, right in the face of cold winter, were banished from the country, and had to flee wherever they could.

Thus it came, that some of them fled for refuge to Holland, and having come to Delft, they were there spied out by their enemies, and fell into the hands of the tyrants; and, after manifold trials, and steadfastness in their faith, they were sentenced to death for the truth, at said place, and, on the 7th of January, A.D. 1539, put to death.  Sixteen men were beheaded with the sword, and fifteen women drowned.

These sixteen men and fifteen women, thirty-one persons in all, who, in the year 1539, fled from England to Delft, and were there put to death in the same year, for the true confession of Jesus Christ, must plainly and positively be distinguished from another twenty seven persons who lost their lives there one year earlier, namely, A.D. 1538; whose written examinations and death sentences we have seen; but as we have not found sufficient light in this, we pass them by, commending them to God, and thus take our leave of them.

In the year 1539, one sister Apollonia, wife of Leonard Seyle, having been with him in the upper country, was apprehended in the Earldom of Tyrol, and brought to Brixen; but, through the immutable grace and power of God, who valiantly aided her womanly heart, she constantly and firmly continued in the true faith, and in what she had promised God in Christian baptism, and would depart neither to the right nor to the left.  Therefore she was then sentenced to death, and drowned, thus receiving the martyrs’ crown.

In said year, 1539, the church having dwelt for a little while at Steinborn, in Austria, and having begun to increase there, the old serpent, the envious and arch-wicked satan, who so miserably tormented the pious, could not endure or overlook it, but in his wrath stirred up the children of wickedness, especially the priests, who in all this are his agents and executors; so that they constantly filled the ears of King Ferdinand with their unjust accusations of the pious, and instigated him, so that he complied with their demand, and sent his Marshal from Vienna, with provosts and a number of horsemen, who unexpectedly came to Falkenstein, from where they took with them a great mob, and fell upon the church at Steinborn, on the 6th day of December, in the evening or at night, in the above-mentioned year.  All the men whom they found, they put into one room, and thus they also did with the women and maidens.  With great tumult and noise they kept watch during the night, and brought in all whom they could find.  Their chief intention was to apprehend the elders and ministers of the church, hoping to obtain much money from their people, and thus deprive the poor people of their sustenance, notwithstanding God would severely punish such wickedness.  But God through his providence prevented them, so that they could not find a single minister.  In every nook and corner they rummaged for the sustenance of widows and orphans, and persevered greatly in their ungodly assiduity.  But God brought to nothing and folly their counsel, when they thought to find wealth among the poor.  In their tyranny they apprehended sick people, children, and pregnant women, so that it could have moved a heart of stone to the deepest, and enduring compassion.

The imprisoned brothers and sisters made themselves ready to offer up their bodies and lives unto God, whether through fire or through the sword.  On the evening when this persecution took place, some men of Philip’s people had also come, with the intention of making known to them the ground of the church, and of their whole life.  Thus as many as a hundred and fifty brethren were together apprehended, and, well guarded, were brought up to the castle of Falkenstein.  Among their number there were some who had not yet received the baptismal covenant of grace; as also some who had apostatized from the truth, and were now penitents.  Having all arrived in the castle of Falkenstein, they conferred with those who had not yet bound themselves in the faith.  These they asked what they purposed to do in this tribulation, and told them that, if they, for the testimony and honor of God, would firmly adhere, in all suffering, to the Lord Christ, whatever distress and anguish might befall them, they would consider them fellow-companions in the kingdom of Christ, and hope that God would be gracious to them; however, with this understanding, that with those who through the providence of God should be released, and return to the church, the latter should have authority, by virtue of the Lord’s command, to deal according to their confession, in the proper measure and order; and since they had this intention and resolution, they would write to the elders and the churches, and afterwards give them full information.

Thereupon they all indicated their willingness, and, with a joyful heart and great thankfulness, desired to accept this covenant as a grace of God.  Immediately upon this, the church was informed of it by letter.  A written answer speedily came, that all the believers were well satisfied with this resolution; since such as had not yet been incorporated, according to divine ordinance, into the church, but agreed with it in all things, and desired to show forth an honest testimony of the truth, to suffer with it and to give their lives for it in this extremity, might well be received as fellow believers.

When they were again informed of the decision of the church, they willingly entrusted themselves to the Lord, manifested patience in all tribulation, as others of the pious, and made a good confession before many witnesses.  While they were yet at Falkenstein, King Ferdinand sent his Marshal, several doctors from among the priests, and the executioner, that they should go to them.  These, on Christmas night, which is customarily celebrated in every country, began to deal with much craftiness with the imprisoned witnesses of the truth; they also put subtle questions to some of them, as to what was their ground and hope, and where their treasure or money was.  Thereupon they confessed in truth, that Christ was their Lord and Savior, their only comfort, their only hope, their dearest heart-treasure and best portion, in whom they received God’s help and grace.  They also treated with them about other articles, and wanted to instruct, teach, and convert them, as they said, especially with regard to their sacrament, which they highly extolled, and would have them believe that the flesh and blood of Christ were present in it, and that it was our Lord God, as they said; but the brethren answered that it was a dumb god, and that the Lord’s Supper had quite a different signification than they perversely represented, thus shamefully deceiving and seducing the world.  With these and many other confessions the King’s messengers returned to Vienna; but these imprisoned brethren remained in custody in the castle of Falkenstein.

Thus it continued until the beginning of the year 1540, when the King’s Marshal came, together with a Spaniard, the Provost of the Empire, and other horsemen with their equipments.  These further examined the imprisoned brethren, and those who did not comply with their demands, but held to the truth confessed, they speedily laid in iron chains and bonds, coupling them two and two together by their hands.  In the mean time many of the sisters, their fellow believers, came into the castle of Falkenstein, when the prisoners were to be taken to the sea; some were waiting for the imprisoned brother Eegmachel, and others were particularly engaged in earnest and fervent prayer and supplication to God Almighty, that he would keep them from all wrong and sinful actions, on sea as well as on land, and also give them a steadfast mind, and grant that they might persevere in the truth unto the end.  After this prayer, a Spaniard was commanded to send all of them away.  Therefore they began to take leave from one another, with many scalding tears and weeping eyes, affectionately admonishing each other, that each should firmly and unfalteringly adhere to the Lord and the truth confessed.  Time and again they commended each other to the gracious protection of God, not knowing whether in their life time they should ever see each other again with their bodily eyes.  Thus man and wife had to separate from each other, and leave their little children; which flesh and blood would not have been equal to, had it not been done through the power of God, and for his sake.  This leave-taking was so pitiful, that the King’s Marshal, and others like him, could not keep back their tears.  When everything was arranged, and the escort was ready, the pious went forth, firmly trusting in God, that he would aid and deliver them.  Thus they were brought from the tower, two and two together, ninety in all, after having been confined five weeks and a half in Falkenstein; but the sisters had to remain in the castle, and from the walls, looked after the brethren, with much sighing and sorrow, as long as they could see them.

After this, the sisters were all sent away from the castle to the place where they resided; but the brethren whom they did not want to take to the sea, on account of infirmity or sickness, and some because of their youth, they retained as prisoners in the castle; now and then they gave some of the young lads as slaves to Austrian nobles; however, nearly all of them returned to the church; the others remained in the castle, and for them God also wrought a gracious deliverance.

The cause of this great distress of the pious was solely, that in antichristendom they testified against the idolatrous and unrighteous life and ways of the priests, for which, as an abomination, God should once severely punish them, and make an end with them and their sins.  Therefore, King Ferdinand gave the crew of priests, who are a band of robbers, and delight in killing and slaying, power to do with them as they pleased.  These condemned them as worthy of death, that they should not be tolerated on the earth, but should be sent to sea, thus to wear out their lives in much anguish and distress, as a warning to other brethren; and that the other three should be delivered into the hands of the Admiral of the Armada on the sea, and be employed on the galleons, in pillaging and waging war against the Turks and other enemies; though these imprisoned brethren previously told the messengers of the King, that they would not go against the enemy, to pillage and wage war, neither would they consent to do wrong on the sea just as little as on the land, nor sin against God in heaven; and that, since it was contrary to their faith and conscience, God, through his unconquerable power, and his grace, could preserve them on the sea as well as on the land.  Nevertheless, these witnesses of the divine truth were led, through the King’s messengers and his strict command to the authorities, through cities, towns and villages, to be brought from one court to another.  In this they suffered much and manifold adversity and great sorrow; but God always granted them gracious means, particularly in this, that every morning and evening they could all unmolestedly pray to God, and that one brother could without hindrance comfort the other; which they accepted very gratefully as a special grace and gift of God.

By this and the ordering of their whole life they convinced the people in many places, so that many who at their arrival regarded them as malefactors, had great compassion on them.  Moreover, the King’s servants, their conductors, frequently bore them testimony, and told them that they should not pass silently through the cities and towns, but should make their faith known by singing or otherwise.

Thus the faithful company was led, like a flock of sheep, through countries and cities, to the sea; journeying from the castle of Falkenstein to Vienna, thence to Neustadt and Schottwien, over the Semmering, to Bruck-on-the-Mur, to the borders of Bavaria, to Luebeck and Marburg, to Tiele, to Stein, in Carniola, over the Save to Laibach, but still no comfort came.  During their imprisonment there they had to suffer much hunger and distress; they were fed with the bread of anguish, and had to drink the water of sorrow; but thus it was the will of God to reveal his word and truth in every place and country, and to make it known to the nations that were ignorant of it, and to let them hear the sound of it; even as he always provides gracious means to lure men away from unrighteousness, so also here, where these witnesses of the faith and the divine truth were led to many and various places, and also to places where strange languages were spoken, where the truth had not been heard, and where it was unknown and hidden among the nations.  They caused some from Carniola to search after the truth, and by it some attained to a knowledge of it, who are still at this day serving God with a sincere heart.  But how these captive brethren, while on their journey, were treated in many places, how they were beaten, driven, and coupled together with ropes and chains, and what resulted to them from this, would be too long to write; still, however great the tribulation they suffered, God always comforted them in their hearts.

But since God always remembers his own for the best, even when in the greatest fear, and never entirely forgets them, he strengthened some in their imprisonment, so that they trusted in God with a good assurance and hope, that he would work for and show them a deliverance.  Therefore they prayed with the others in the fear of God, though they were firmly resolved to suffer for the truth of God, and to die rather than to participate in wicked piracy; yet they had reason enough, constantly to persevere in prayer to God, with heartfelt lamentation and sighing, that he would promote his divine honor in them.  In this God showed them, how they should hold proper converse with each other, the strong care for the weak, and assist one another.  And though they had but very little sustenance, yet they trusted in the Lord, that he would provide for them, so that they should not have to beg for their bread.  Then, on the twelfth night, at Trieste, they were all delivered from their chains and bonds, and went out of prison.  Through the providence of God a place was shown them, where they all in the same hour let themselves down by cords from the walls of the city.  Thus the very bonds in which they had been brought thither as prisoners, had to minister to their deliverance.

From this it can be seen that, though the ungodly devise many things against the pious, God always turns it for the best to his people.  Thus, through the providence of God, they escaped from the hands of their enemies, in spite of the watchful guards whom they had placed in the city and upon the walls; for God changed their prudence to folly, so that they escaped over the walls right near the guard-house.

When all of them, both sick and well, had escaped over the walls a good many of them gathered together, knelt down, and together offered praise and thanks to God.  God thus sped them on their way, that the greater part of them returned with joy and glad hearts to the church in Moravia.  Twelve of them, however, were recaptured by the wicked, who pursued them, and, together with the other three, they were delivered to the Emperor’s Admiral over the Armada, taken to sea, and brought upon the galleons, with the intention of employing them as pirates, but the pious risked their lives, and would rather be scourged.  But as to the end of each one of these nothing certain is yet known, but, it is to be supposed that, if they constantly adhered to the Lord, they did not have many good days while they lived.  But the above mentioned brethren whom God had delivered, when they, about the year 1540 returned from Trieste to the church in Moravia, they were received with great joy and gratitude, as a gift from God.

The following is the Testament which Anna of Rotterdam left and presented to her son, Isaiah, on the twenty-fourth of January, A.D. 1539, at nine o’clock in the morning, as she was preparing herself to die for the name and the testimony of Jesus, and took leave of her son, at Rotterdam.

Isaiah, receive your testament:

My son, hear the instruction of your mother; open your ears to hear the words of my mouth.  Prov. 1:8.  Behold, I go to-day the way of the prophets, apostles and martyrs, and drink of the cup of which they all have drank.  Mat. 20:23.  I go, I say, the way which Christ Jesus, the eternal word of the Father, full of grace and truth, the Shepherd of the sheep, who is the Life, himself went, and who went this way, and not another, and who had to drink of this cup, even as he said: “I have a cup to drink of, and a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” Having passed through, he calls his sheep, and his sheep hear his voice, and follow him wherever he goes; for this is the way to the true fountain.  John 10:27; 4:14.  This way was traveled by the royal priests who came from the rising of the sun, as we read in revelation, and entered into the ages of eternity, and had to drink of this cup.  1 Peter 2:9.

This way was trodden by the dead under the altar, who cry, saying: Lord, Almighty God, when will you avenge the blood that has been shed?  White robes were given unto them, and it was said to them; Wait yet for a little season, until the number of your brethren that are yet to be killed for the testimony of Jesus, be fulfilled.  Rev. 6:9–11.  These also drank of the cup, and are gone above to keep the eternal, holy Sabbath of the Lord.  This is the way in which walked the twenty-four elders, who stand before the throne of God, and cast their crowns and harps before the throne of the Lamb, falling down upon their faces, and saying: Lord, unto you alone be praise, glory, power, and strength, who shall avenge the blood of your servants and ministers, and shall through yourself gain the victory.  Great be your name, Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.  Rev. 4:8,10.

About the year 1539, there was also a god-fearing peasant, named Tjaert Reynerts, who lived near Harlingen, in Friesland.  He was brought a prisoner to Leeuwærden, where he had to suffer much for the truth, from the blood-thirsty papists.  Proverbs 29:10.  The cause of his imprisonment was that, out of compassion and brotherly love, he had secretly harbored Menno Simon in his great misery, in his house.  This having been brought to the notice of the enemies, he was apprehended and very cruelly examined; but he, as a valiant hero and witness of Jesus (Rev. 2:13; 20:4), would not forsake his Creator in this extremity, but freely and undauntedly confessed the faith of the everlasting truth against these tyrants and blood-thirsty men; on which account he, at said place, as a chief of murderers (according to the example of his Lord Jesus), was placed upon the wheel, though even his greatest enemies bore witness that he was an upright and pious man.  1 Tim. 3:7.

At this time the tyranny and persecution against the god-fearing Christians was very dreadful, so that the envious papists, who hated the truth, caused likenesses of many of the principal teachers and overseers of the church of Jesus Christ to be made, and posted up on doors, gates, and other public places, promising a large sum of money to such as should deliver them into the hands of the officers and executioners.  And since the god-fearing Menno Simon, who was zealous for God, was one of the principal teachers and elders in this bloody and perilous time, who, by his glorious admonitions, and writings from the word of God, so flourished, that none of his adversaries dared come before him in an open and free scriptural disputation, though he at various times and very earnestly requested it; through which sound doctrine and Christian admonition, and the power of the Most High, said Menno Simon drew, turned, and won to God, a great number of men, from dark and erring popery; yes, from the dumb idols, to the living God.  Therefore the servants of antichrist were embittered the more against him, and, in order to quench and hinder this, caused, A.D. 1543, a dreadful decree to be proclaimed against him throughout all West Friesland; in which all malefactors and murderers were offered remission of their crimes, the pardon of the Emperor, the freedom of the country, and one hundred Carl Guilders, if they could deliver Menno Simon into the hands of the torturers and executioners.  But though these envious men thirsted with such exceeding tyranny and great bitterness for his blood, and sought and persecuted him unto death, yet our Almighty God preserved him, and most miraculously protected him from the designs of all his enemies, so that they could not execute their tyrannical desires on him; for he died a natural death, as God had appointed it to him, at Wuestefeld, near Luebeck, on the 13th of January, in the year 1559, in his sixty-sixth year.  Psm. 31:15; Job 14:5; Psm. 139:16.

Even as it was in the time of Esau and Jacob, that he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit (Gen.  27:1; Galatians 4:29), so it was also abundantly witnessed in this time; which, among others, appeared in the case of one god-fearing brother named Arent Jacobs, and his wife and eldest son.  These resided in the Rijp, and being born again from above of God, and seeking the eternal inheritance which is reserved for such in heaven, they were hated and persecuted unto death by the followers of Esau, who brought them prisoners from the Rijp to Monickendam, in North Holland, where they had to suffer much for the truth; but as they were built upon Christ, and suffered themselves by no torments to be led away, they were, at said place, A.D. 1539, sentenced to suffer death by drowning, which was accordingly done.  To this end heavy stones were used, which the executioner was not able to lift, so that the prisoners were obliged to assist him.  Thus, like irrational beasts they were cast into the water, with stones tied to their necks, and so departed this life.  Thus they did not love their lives, but surrendered them unto death for the witness of Jesus, who at his glorious coming shall raise their rejected bodies from the dead, and crown them with immortality in heaven.  Rev. 12:11; 20:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Phil. 3:21; 2 Timothy 4:8.

In the year 1540, Brother Hans Simeraver was imprisoned for the divine truth, at Schwatz, in the valley of the Inn; but as they could not draw him from his faith, nor convince him with the holy Scriptures, they delivered him to their high priest, the executioner, who had to lead him out and conquer him.  Thus he was executed with the sword, and sealed his faith in God with his blood, thus resisting unto blood, or striving against sin and the abomination of desolation.  Heb. 12:4; Mat. 24:15.  Therefore he shall also, on Mount Zion, among the great number of those who testified to and confessed the name of God in the world, receive a palm in his hands, and be crowned with the unfading crown of life.  2 Esdr. 2:45; 2 Tim. 4:8.

On the eleventh of February, A.D. 1538, another pious and faithful brother, named Walter of Stoelwijk, at Vilvoorden, in Brabant, fell into the hands of the ravening wolves (Matt. 7:15), and had to suffer much for the truth, from these envious papists.  But he, as a wise builder, had founded his house upon the firm and immovable rock, Christ Jesus; and therefore remained steadfast in all these great trials, though he had to suffer cruel imprisonment for three years, and much severe and tyrannous examining and torturing from these blood-thirsty men.  Finally, on the 24th of March, in the year 1541, he was sentenced and burned at said place.  Thus he remained faithful to his Lord and Creator unto death, and steadfastly confirmed with his death and blood the genuine faith of the truth, and his unwavering, living hope.  He shall therefore, as an obedient sheep, also hear the voice of the great Shepherd of the sheep saying to him: “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”  John 10:3; Heb. 13:20; Mat. 25:34.

Grace, peace, and mercy from God our heavenly Father, and from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, be with all those who live godly in Christ Jesus, and therefore suffer persecution, to the glory and praise of the true God, to the trial of their faith, and the eternal salvation of their souls.  Amen.  Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3; 2 Tim. 3:12.

Blessed be Jehovah God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his unfathomable grace and mercy has called us out of darkness unto his marvelous light, and still daily lets his face shine upon us, that we may know his way on the earth, and his salvation among the Gentiles.  Yes, blessed, praised, and glorified be God our most blessed Lord and most merciful Father, who, through his unspeakable goodness, and not through the merits of our works, has chosen us, through Jesus Christ, to be his children, that we should be heirs of his eternal kingdom, and inherit all things as true children and heirs of God; children of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we do the will of God our heavenly Father, that we may be glorified with him, and enter into his glory.  Tit. 3:5; 2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 2:6; Rom. 8:17.  For it is true what Christ says: “Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.”  Mat. 7:21.  Now it is the will of our heavenly Father, that we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus Christ.

In the first place, we must deny ourselves; that is, we must forsake our own will, and surrender ourselves wholly to Jesus Christ, so that according, to the words of the apostle, we live no more unto ourselves, but unto Jesus Christ, who died for us, that he may be Lord both of the dead and living, and that no one shall live unto himself, but unto him who died for him, and rose again.  O Lord God, how few there are who are willing thus to deny themselves, and desire only to do the will of God; yes, how many do not yet know which is the true will of God, but hold to the doctrine and commandments of the Roman Pope and antichrist, and are in such a condition, that they do not know Jesus Christ.  To these, the Almighty God, according to the pleasure of his will, must open the eyes of their understanding, with the radiance of his grace, that they may emerge from this blindness into the true light, and know with all the saints, what is the delusion and sorcery of the Babylonian whore (Rev. 18:2), and that the teachings and commandments of Christ Jesus alone are to be kept, yes, that we must follow and preserve only the teachings and commandments of Christ Jesus, and that we may in no way live according to our own will, but are to consider that Christ Jesus himself did not his own will, but the will of his Father, who sent him; which was done and written for our admonition and instruction, that we should not fulfill our own will, which, because of the innate wickedness of our cursed nature, is prone to evil; but the acceptable and perfect will of God, so that we may pray aright, as Christ has taught us, saying: Heavenly Father, your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Mat. 6:9,10.  How many there are who do not say this with a good heart, but with false lips, even as Judas said to Christ: “Hail, Master” (Matt. 26:49; Mark 14:45; Luke 22:47), at the same time betraying him; so they say with the mouth, that God’s will is to be done; while at the same time all their thoughts and works are contrary to the will of God.  These are those real false Christians who say to Christ Jesus: “Lord, Lord,” and yet do not what he has commanded them.  These are the true Pharisees, the hypocritical saints, who honor God with their lips, while their heart is far from him.  These are the true unbelievers of whom St. Paul says that with their words they profess to know God, but in works deny him, so that they are abominable to the Lord, because they are disobedient to him, and reprobate unto every good work.  Yes, these are the true hypocrites, the disciples of deceitful Satan, who have learned from their master, to disguise their inward craftiness, and outwardly to adorn themselves with a beautiful appearance.  Such hypocrites the Lord will forever curse and cast out, and say to them: “Depart from me, you workers of iniquity; I do not know you.”  Mat. 7:23; Psm. 6:8.  But he will bless the pious Christians and bless and glorify the good and true disciples of Jesus Christ, who deny themselves, and have surrendered themselves unto the will of God, which is the true beginning of the Christian life, and without which life can not be begun.

In the second place, we must take up our cross, namely prepare ourselves for suffering, according to the teaching of Jesus Syrach, who says: “My son, if you come to serve the Lord, prepare your soul for temptation.  Set your heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble.  Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that you may be increased at your last end.  Whatsoever is brought upon you, take cheerfully, and be patient when you are changed to a low estate.  For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.”  Sir. 2:1–5; Wis. 3:6.  With this accords also what Paul says: “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”  2 Tim. 3:12.  Yes Christ himself says to his apostles: “You shall be hated by all men for my name’s sake.”  Mark 13:13.  From all these words it must incontrovertibly follow, that all servants of God, all godly men, all disciples of Jesus Christ, must suffer persecution for his name’s sake; and be tried through manifold temptations.

Therefore it is an awful blindness, that men boast of the Gospel and Christianity, and know what belongs to a Christian life, but, alas!  they have the least thought of suffering anything for the name of Christ Jesus; yes, though they know and confess that all the works which take place in papal desolation are evil, and nothing but blasphemy against God, yet have they fellowship with this, and commit the most shameful idolatry, in order that they may avoid and escape the cross,—in which cross all pious Christians may glory (Gal. 6:14)—and still they want to be considered good Christians.  O what wicked servants!  O what wicked disciples!  Wicked servants we say, because they would be above their Lord Jesus Christ; wicked disciples we say, since they reject and contemn the doctrine of their Master Jesus Christ.  O people, people, mockers of the living God!  who think to deceive God with your dissimulation, and to pay him with words, unmindful of the words of Paul, namely: that the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power!  1 Cor. 4:20.  O people true hypocrites!  who fancy that they serve Christ, but how far are they from glorying with Paul, the pious and faithful minister of Christ, only in the cross of Christ!  Gal. 6:14.  O miserable people, who would rather now live for a little season in peace and voluptuousness with the Babylonian whore, and afterwards be tormented with her in everlasting pain, than suffer with Christ Jesus for a little while, and thus enter into eternal glory!

Ah!  the true saints and servants of God did differently; they would rather suffer death, than transgress the commandment of God.  Pious Joseph would rather go to prison; yes, into death, than offend Jehovah his God, and commit adultery with the adulterous woman.  Gen. 39:8.  Moses, the ardent and jealous lover of God, through his faith, chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to live in carnal and worldly lusts with the Egyptians; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.  Exo. 2:11; Heb. 11:25.  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego feared Jehovah God more than all the torments of the tyrannous King, and would rather die a temporal death, and adhere to their God, than deny him.  Dan. 3:16.  Daniel who was rich in spirit and strong in faith, did not shrink from the den of lions, in which he would rather be cast, than worship any strange God.  Dan. 6. The pious Tobit would rather transgress the commandment of the King at the peril of his life, than to forsake God his Lord; therefore he also commanded his son, to fear God all his life, and never to let his will be set to sin, or to transgress the commandments of God his Lord.  Tobit 1:18; 4:5.  Eleazar, the pious Israelite would rather die for the law of God, than act contrary to it; yes, than to dissimulate once, and thus cause offense in Israel.  The mother and her seven sons were so ardent in the love of God, that they were not afraid of all the tyranny of the wicked King, nor would they act contrary to the law of God, but much rather suffer a severe death for it.  2 Mac. 7.  Yes, how many saints and witnesses of Jesus Christ are still hated, persecuted and slain by the Babylonian whore, because they will not drink of the wine of her fornication, or have fellowship with her idolatrous works.

Therefore all hypocritical saints, all wicked hypocrites, who boast of being called Christians, yet will not suffer for the name of Christ, may well be ashamed.  Christ may justly say to them: If I be your Lord, why do you not keep my commandments?  If I be your Master, why do you not hear and believe my words?  Mal. 1:6; Luke 6:46.  Well then, let all hypocrites, and falsely prudent, unfaithful servants, and falsely wise disciples of Jesus Christ, depart from their Lord and Master, we nevertheless, through the grace of God, intend to adhere to Christ, and are ready to suffer for his sake, even as he suffered for our sakes.  But he suffered as Lord, and we as disciples; therefore we servants and disciples must not bear the cross reluctantly seeing our Lord and Master himself bore it.

In the third place, we must follow Jesus, but not as did many Jews, who followed him, because they had eaten of the loaves; which, alas! many false Christians still do, who join the Christian church, not because they truly seek Christ Jesus, not because they love the truth, but that they may be aided and fed by the Christian church (whom they perceive to be the most charitable).  But to follow Christ in this manner is nothing but a mockery of God, and Christ will not have such followers, as we may clearly understand from the case of the scribe whom Christ condemned, because he wanted to follow him from covetousness; for the Lord beheld the heart of the scribe, and therefore did not answer him according to his words, but according to his thoughts, saying: “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has not where to lay his head.”  Mat. 8:20; Luke 9:58.  Just as if Jesus had intended to say: If you will follow me, follow me in the manner in which I go before you.  For Christ well knew his intention, namely, that he wanted to follow him for gain, and thought that Christ should give him power to perform wonderful signs and miracles, as he had given to his apostles, by which he might have sought gain.  But such designs are not good, and cannot succeed; for our King himself was poor (Zech. 9:9), as he declares: If I, the Lord and Master am poor, it is evident that my servants are poor, and that my disciples do not seek or desire riches.  As though the good Lord had meant to say: He that would follow me, must follow me in the poverty in which I walk before him.  But, alas! many people at the present day think that gain is godliness, as Paul says (1 Tim. 6:5), and, under the semblance of the Gospel and the Christian name, seek their own profit.  O what perverted men, who will not go in the right way, but follow the way of the traitor and thief Judas, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, and then he received the awful punishment of his wickedness, as every one knows.  Mat. 27:6; Mark 14:18; John 12:4.  O what blinded men, who can not take to heart that Ananias and Sapphira were put to such great shame, and punished, for their equivocation, by which the Almighty Lord Jehovah has undoubtedly given to us an example, that all hypocritical and double minded men shall be thus put to shame and punished; as we find in Jesus Sirach: Woe unto those that are of a double heart, to those of wicked lips that enter the land by two ways.  Therefore the wise man also teaches us, that our hearts should be without any deceit and dissimulation, saying: “Do not be obstinate, and distrust not the fear of the Lord . . . and come not unto him with a double heart.  Do not be a hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what you speak.  Exalt not yourself, lest you fall, and bring dishonor upon your soul, and so God discover your secrets, and cast you down in the midst of the congregation, because you came not in truth to the fear of the Lord, but your heart is full of deceit.”  Sir. 1:28–30.

O that all hypocrites would earnestly consider the words of Jesus Sirach, and reform, before they be confounded and punished by God, which shall be done to all the double minded, if not now, yet in the day of judgment, when the ungodly shall not stand, nor sinners remain in the congregation of the righteous.  Psm. 1:5.  Then Christ will bring to light what is now in darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; yes, he will take the fan into his hand, and purge his floor, and gather the wheat into the garner, but the chaff will he burn up with unquenchable fire.  Mat. 3:12; Luke 3:17.  Therefore, let every one beware of hypocrisy, and let him truly follow Christ Jesus, as is proper, not with the Jews, for the sake of the loaves, nor with the scribe, from covetousness.  But, O you Christians, follow Christ, your Lord and Master with a pure heart, a clean conscience, unfeigned faith, and ardent love, without turning to the right or to the left.  But those who follow Christ Jesus differently, are among good Christians what chaff is among the wheat, and their end will be everlasting fire, from which the Almighty Father preserve us through Jesus Christ.

Moreover, we must, from ardent love, follow Jesus Christ even unto the end, and not do as did some of his disciples, who forsook him, and became offended at his words, saying: “This is a hard saying; who can hear it?” John 6:60.  O how many are unwilling to hear the divine words of our Lord Jesus Christ, yes, rave, when told that Christ Jesus promises tribulation and suffering to all his servants and disciples.  From a stony heart and an embittered mind they say: Must one always suffer?  Must one always be persecuted?  This is a hard saying; who can hear it?  O God, how is the sweet honey changed into gall, and the clear wine into bitter water!  Alas!  How have they come to loathe that precious, heavenly bread, and how has the eternal medicine, by which every soul must be healed, become a deadly poison to them!  And how do men who will not believe the word of God, nor receive the holy doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ, contemn the comforting Gospel, which has been sent us from heaven through the Holy Spirit, and sealed by Christ with his own precious blood; but if a lying prophet comes, a messenger prophesying of temporal peace and happiness, though it never comes to pass, he is heard, while the good Lord Jesus Christ, who has promised us the eternal peace of his heavenly kingdom, can not obtain a hearing; so that it is as Christ said to the Pharisees: “I am come in my Father’s name, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.”  John 5:43.  Yes, many now do as did the rebellious and unbelieving Israelites, who forsook Jehovah their God, who had delivered them out of Egypt, and desired other gods for leaders and protectors.  Num. 14:2; Exo. 32:1; Acts 7:39.  Thus also now many Christians forsake Jesus, who has freed them from the power and tyranny of Satan, and delivered them from the jaws of the lions who devoured them, yes, had hastened with them in the way to eternal damnation, utterly to destroy them.—Then Christ delivered them, and placed them again in the way of eternal salvation.  John 1:29.  Many now forsake the good Shepherd, who did not spare his life for our sakes, but delivered it unto death, because of the great love which he had to us; and trust in men, of whom the prophet says that their assistance avails not, and they cannot help; for their breath must go forth and return to the earth, and the thoughts of all them that put their trust in men and follow false prophets, who delight in unrighteousness shall perish.  Therefore all pious Christians must follow no other than Christ Jesus, who, as Peter says, suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps, 1 Peter 2:21.  The same is declared also by Paul, with these words: “Let us lay aside all guile and hypocrisy, and the besetting sin, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Heb. 12:1,2; Mark 16:19.  In these words of the apostles we may perceive that we are to follow Jesus Christ, and look to him as the Captain of the faith, the Bishop and Shepherd of our souls, yes, the good Lord and Master, who has given an example to all his servants and disciples, that they must suffer even as he suffered.  Heb. 2:10; John 10:11; 1 Peter 2:25.  But, O God, how much Christ had to suffer!  He who was Lord of heaven and earth became so poor for our sakes, that he had not where to rest or lay his head: when he was in the form of God, he humbled himself, and took upon him the form of a servant (Phil. 2:6,7; John 13:5), that he might serve us, and gave his life for our redemption; yes, though he was the eternal wisdom of the Father, who upholds all things by the word of his power, he had nevertheless to hear the Pharisees call him a flatterer and deceiver of the people, a sinner, yes, a demoniac and madman, and many other abominable blasphemies, reproaches and mockeries; in short, though he was the only begotten Son of God, the Almighty Father, yet he was counted a malefactor, and had to die the most bitter death, so that Isaiah could well say of him: “He has no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.  He is despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities.”  Isa. 53:2–5.  Therefore he could justly say: “I restored that which I took not away.  For, for my friends’ sake I have suffered pain; shame has covered my face.  I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.  And I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.  They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.  All they that see me, laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head.  They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and roaring lion.  I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.  My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and you have brought me into the dust of death.  For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.  I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.  They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”  Psm. 69:4,7,8,20,21; 22:7,13–18; Matthew 27:34; Mat. 15:23; John 19:23.  Yes, as he says through the prophet: “I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.”  Psm. 22:6.  Yes, my beloved brethren, God the heavenly Father laid the chastisement of our peace upon him; for by his stripes we are healed.  All we went astray, as sheep that have no shepherd; we have turned every one to his own way; but the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all.  “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he did not open his mouth.”  1 Peter 2:24,25; Isaiah 53:5–7; Acts 8:32.

Are you pious Christians?  Then consider what Christ Jesus suffered for us poor sinners; the Lord for his servants, the Master for his disciples, the Shepherd for his sheep, yes, God for men.  1 Peter 4:1; John 10:11; Ezek. 34:23.  O deep humility of the Master, that he would serve his disciples, and give himself unto death for them!  John 13:5.  O great grace of the Lord, that he would suffer so much for his servants!  O infinite righteousness of the Shepherd, who would give his life for his sheep!  John 10:11; 17:9.  O unspeakable love of God to us poor mortals, that he would redeem us by his own precious blood!  This every Christian should at all times remember, and feel grateful to Jesus Christ for these benefits, not only with words but also with works.  But, alas!  Some have gone so far, that they can indeed talk of Christ, that he suffered and atoned for us, and are desirous also of partaking of the redemption purchased for us with the blood of Christ; but they never once think of suffering with Christ Jesus, though they nevertheless hope to be glorified with him.  But it is a faithful saying, says Paul, that if we died with Christ, we shall also live with him; if we suffer with him, we shall also rejoice with him forever; if we deny him, he also will deny us.  2 Tim. 2:11,12; Rom. 6:23; Luke 12:9.  Let all apostate Christians who return to the Roman Babylon, from which they had separated, and make friendship with the whore whom they had hated bear this in mind.  What shall we say to such unstable persons?  How can men who once knew the truth be so blinded as to depart from Christ Jesus their only Savior, and return to the infamous accursed whore of Babylon, the mother of all unrighteousness, and queen of all the children of unbelief and cursing, who has become their comfort and protection, yes, their idol.  Woe unto such perverse men, who depart from righteousness, from light to darkness, from life to death, and go from Jesus Christ to antichrist, seeking consolation from Satan, and not in God.  Woe unto such fearful ones, who fear those who can kill only the body, more than God, the Almighty Lord, who can cast both body and soul into eternal damnation.  Revelation 21:8; Mat. 10:28; Luke 12:4,5.  Woe unto such, that they were ever born unless they remarkably amend their ways and go out of Babylon; for the Scripture does not say in vain: “Go out of the midst of Babylon, my people, and do not touch the unclean thing, that you will not be partakers of her plagues, or sins.”  Isa. 52:11; 2 Cor. 6:17; Revelation 18:4.  These are the clear words of the Lord; Who can blot them out?  Who can endure the stings of a guilty conscience?  Let him begin as he may, he will find it a hard undertaking, and shall not be successful in it.  Acts 9:5; 5:5.

Here also no excuse will avail, as is clearly shown in the parable of the wicked servant, who, out of fear, had buried his Lord’s pound into the earth, but was not heard when he wanted to excuse himself to his lord.  Mat. 25:26; Luke 19:22.  By this wicked servant we understand all the fearful, who are not fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and relish and seek all earthly things more than heavenly things.  They may excuse themselves as ever they will, their excuse shall not avail, but eternal damnation will be their recompense; for every tree which does not bring forth good fruit, shall be hewn down, and cast into the fire.  There must be fruits; leaves alone will not avail.  Mat. 21:19.  Christ is our example; he practiced and taught.  He taught his disciples to suffer and endure, for he himself suffered and endured; therefore Paul teaches us to look unto Christ Jesus, saying: “Consider him (Christ Jesus), you Christians, that endured such opposition of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied, and faint in your minds.  You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.  And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him: for whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.  If you endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not?  But if you be without chastisement, of which all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons.  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?  For they truly for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”  Heb. 12:3–10; Prov. 3:11; Revelation 3:19.

By these words the apostle indicates to us, how necessary and profitable chastisement is for us, yes, so necessary and profitable that we can not be children of God unless we are chastened by our God and heavenly Father, as is clearly declared in these words: “For what son is he whom the father chastens not?  But if he be without chastisement, of which all are partakers, then are you bastards and not sons.”  With this accord the words of Judith, namely: that Abraham was tried by many tribulations, and became the friend of God; so also Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and all that pleased God were found faithful through many tribulations.  Judith 8:26.  But those who did not receive their trial in the fear of the Lord, and showed their impatience and the evil of their murmurings against the Lord, were destroyed by the destroyer, and killed by the serpents.  1 Cor. 10:6; Num. 21:6.  Therefore, as gladly as we have God for our Father, so readily must we receive the chastisement of our heavenly Father; and as unwillingly as we would be counted bastards by God, so unwillingly must we also be to be without chastisement and correction, and so willing must we also be to be tried by tribulation.  In short, as much as we love God and the salvation of our souls, and as much as we fear the punishment of God, so cheerfully must we receive all sufferings imposed upon us by God, and remember that Christ says: “He that does not take his cross, and follows after me, cannot be my disciple.”  Mat. 10:38; 16:24; Mark 8:54; Luke 9:23.  Also: Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever loses his life in this world, for the Gospel’s sake, shall save it forever.  Where now are the false Christians, who do not lose their life for Christ’s sake, and still think to keep it in eternity?  Yes, so Saul thought that he could please the Israelites, and still remain the friend of God; but God rejected him for his double-mindedness.  1 Sam. 15:26.  Thus they may also think to save their temporal life, and still obtain eternal life; but they shall find themselves disappointed in their hope.  O Lord Jehovah, how can men be so blinded as to so love this transient life, seeing they know neither the day nor hour when they must die; even as the apostle James says that this life is but a vapor, which appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.  Jesus Sirach also says that our life, compared with the days of eternity, is as dust or as a grain of sand to all the sand of the sea, or as a drop of water unto all the water of the sea.  What then is man!  And what is his beauty?  or what are his possessions on which he would rely?

Since then our life is so uncertain and brief, it is a lamentable matter, that men take so much care for it, and bestow so little thought upon the eternal life.  This is partly owing to false teachers and deceitful laborers, the adversaries of Christ and his apostles, who openly teach that Christians are not to suffer any more.

They shall be confounded with their people, who prophesy lies in the name of the Lord; they shall be punished with Zedekiah and Ahab who shamefully sin, and seduce the Israel of God, causing them to trust in vain things.  They shall be put to shame with the Egyptian magicians, who now resist the truth, even as they resisted Moses.  They shall be accursed with Balaam the son of Bosor, who with him forsake the right way, and go in crooked paths; yes, they shall sink into hell with Dathan, Korah, and Abiram, who with them caused contention and offense in the church of God, and despise the godly doctrine of Jesus Christ, by which they awaken, the wrath of the Almighty God, and treasure up unto themselves the wrath of God against the day when Christ Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that did not know God, and obeyed not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 2:5; Mat. 25:31; 2 Peter 3:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10); who shall suffer pain and everlasting destruction from the presence of Jehovah, when he shall come to be glorified in his glory, and glorified in all them that believe in him.  Isa. 2:10; Wis. 5:2.

Now, who are these unbelievers, who do not believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and shall therefore suffer everlasting pain?  They are those who now do not observe the commandments of Jesus Christ, and will not suffer for the name of God, or confess the truth according to the instruction of the Gospel; therefore Christ shall also not confess them, or know them before his Father, and before his angels, with whom he shall come from heaven, to punish such unfaithful and fearful servants, and to glorify the faithful and valiant soldiers, who have come out of great tribulation, and have washed and purified their robes in the blood of the Lamb.  Mat. 10:33; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; 2 Tim. 2:12; Matthew 25:31; Rev. 7:14.  Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sits on the throne shall dwell among them.  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun lighten them, nor any heat.  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of water; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.  Rev. 7:15–17; Isa. 49:10.  The prophet Esdras says: “I Esdras saw upon the mount Zion a great people, whom I could not number, and they all praised the Lord with songs.  And in the midst of them there was a young man of high stature, taller than all the rest, and upon every one of their heads he set crowns, and was more exalted; which I marveled at greatly.  So I asked the angel, and said, Sir, What are these?  He answered and said unto me, These be they that have put off the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God: now are they crowned, and receive palms.  Then said I unto the angels, What young person is it that crowns them, and gives them palms into their hands?  So he answered and said unto me, It is the Son of God, whom they have confessed in the world.  Then began I greatly to commend them that stood so stiffly for the name of the Lord.”  2 Esdras 2:42–47; Mat. 16:16; 10:32; Mark 8:29.

O what joy and glory are prepared for all pious Christians!  Who now is so faint hearted and fearful, as to be unwilling to suffer a little for such joy and glory?  It is indeed true, that suffering and tribulation are hard for the flesh; but we must remember the words of Paul: “Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised by it.”  Heb. 12:11.  Christ says the same to his apostles: “Truly, truly, I say unto you, That you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.  A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born unto the world.  And you now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you.”  John 16:22–24; Isa. 26:17.

Behold, all you believers, who now suffer tribulation, anguish and persecution for the truth, for a little season, consider these words, and take comfort: do not let it terrify or grieve you, and though tribulation is not pleasing to the flesh, remember that for a little sorrow you shall receive eternal joy; yes, remember that it is written: “The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.  In the sight of the unwise they seem to die; and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace.  For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality, and having been a little chastised they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself.  As gold in the furnace has he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.  And in the time of their visitation, they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble.  They shall judge the nations and have dominion over the people, and their lord shall reign forever.  They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints.”  Wis. 3:1–9; Deuteronomy 33:3; Phil. 1:21; Wis. 5:1; 1 Peter 1:7; Mat. 13:43; 1 Cor. 6:2.  O what beautiful promises are these for all that are persecuted for the truth; and how comforting are the promises made to us by Christ in the Gospel, namely that we are blessed when we mourn, for we shall be comforted; and that we are blessed when we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for the kingdom of heaven is ours; in short, that we are blessed when men shall despise and revile us, and say all manner of evil against us falsely, for Christ Jesus’ sake; then shall we rejoice and be exceedingly glad: for great is our reward in heaven.  Mat. 5:4,10–12; Luke 6:22; 1 Peter 2:20.  Yes, great is our reward, as Isaiah tells us: “that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.”  Isa. 64:4; 1 Cor. 2:9.  And the prophet David says: “O, how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for them that fear you; which you have wrought for them that trust in you before the sons of men!” Psm. 31:19.

But how few now labor for this great glory?  It is as represented in the parable of the Lord, where it is said that the householder prepared a supper to which he invited many, for all things were ready.  But one had bought a farm, and had to go and see it.  Another had bought five yoke of oxen, which he must need to go to prove.  Another had married a wife, and therefore could not come.  But when the householder heard of this, he was wroth, and said that none of those who would not come should taste of his supper.  Mat. 22:2; Luke 14;16; Revelation 19:7.  O, what severe judgment and sentence is uttered against all those who will not come, despising the call of the Lord, and loving anything rather than God; that is, those who for father, mother, brother, sister, wife, child, wealth, poverty, praise, or reproach, forsake God, and do not obey his voice; yes, who do not count all earthly things and excellence, but dung, that they may win Jesus Christ, even as Paul did, and also the Hebrews of whom the apostle says that they took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing that they had in heaven a better and enduring substance.  Matthew 10:37; Phil. 3:8; Heb. 10:35.  But, O God, how little do men now regard heavenly things.  O, how little do they think, what difference there will be between the righteous and the wicked.  Yes, there will be such a difference as the Lord has declared through Isaiah.  “Behold, my servants shall eat but you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be ashamed; behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but you shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.”  Isa. 65:13,14.  Therefore Christ says in the Gospel: “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.”  Luke 13:28.  O how glad shall the pious Christians then be, who fight valiantly for the name of Christ, and through him overcome: Yes, how glad, say we, will they be, when they shall receive the beautiful promise of which the Spirit of God says: “To him that overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.  Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.  To him that overcomes, I will give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it.  And he that overcomes and keeps my words unto the end, to him I will give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.  And I will give him the morning star.  He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.  Because you has kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown.  Him that overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.  As many as I love, I will rebuke and chasten; even as a father the son in whom he delights: be zealous therefore, and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  To him that overcomes I will grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and have sat down with my Father in his throne.”  Rev. 2:7,10,17,26–28; 3:5,10–12,19–21; Prov 3:12.  Yes, my beloved brethren, that they shall shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father, and possess all things.

O how sorrowful will the persecutors of the Christians be, when the righteous God will mete to them with the same measure with which they measured to the Christians.  Where shall murderous Cain then hide himself, when the sorrowful and innocent blood of righteous Abel shall cry unto God for vengeance against him?  Where shall the Babylonian whore, who now sits in her pleasure-house and pomp, and has become drunken with the blood of his saints, and of the martyrs of Christ Jesus, escape the punishment of God, when the Lord will avenge the blood of his saints and witnesses, and require it at her hands?  Which shall undoubtedly come to pass, as has been said through the prophet: “Behold, the innocent and righteous blood cries unto me, and the souls of the just complain continually.  And therefore, says the Lord, I will surely avenge them, and receive unto me all the innocent blood from among them.”  2 Esd. 15:8,9.  Christ says: “Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily.”  Luke 18:7,8.  O how fearful will the punishment be, with which the Almighty God will avenge all the blood of his saints!  How dearly had tyrannous Pharaoh to pay for the blood of the innocent children which he had shed!  Exo. 1:22; 14:28.  How severely was Amalek punished, because he had shed the innocent blood of the Israelites!  1 Sam. 15:33.  The blood-thirsty Jezebel was thrown into the field, so that the dogs licked her blood, because she had shed innocent blood.  2 Kings 9:33.  O Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets that are sent to you, and stone the Levites, you are therefore trodden down by the Gentiles, and are become a sport unto all nations!  Thus shall God punish those who now shed innocent blood, and it shall come to pass as is written in the book of Wisdom: “Then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him, and made no account of his labors.  When they see it, they shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the strangeness of his salvation, so far beyond all that they looked for.  And they repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit shall say within themselves.  This was he, whom we had sometimes in derision, and a proverb of reproach: we fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be without honor: How is he numbered among the children of God, and his lot is among the saints!  Therefore have we erred from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness has not shined unto us, and the sun of righteousness rose not upon us.  We wearied ourselves in the way of wickedness and destruction: yes, we have gone through deserts, where they lay no way, but as for the way of the Lord, we have not known it.  What has pride profited us?  Or what good has riches with our vaunting brought us?” Wis. 5:1–8.

All these things shall they say; who are in hell, having sinned: “For the hope of the ungodly is like dust that is blown away with the wind; like a thin froth that is driven away with the storm; like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there with the tempest, and passes away as the remembrance of a guest that tarries but a day.  But the righteous live forever more; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High.  Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall he sever them, and with his arm shall he protect them.”  Wis. 5:14–16.  O unfathomable grace of the Almighty God!  O unspeakable love of the heavenly father, how abounding is your grace, and how infinite is your goodness, that you have prepared such glory for your elect?  Who can thank you aright for all the benefits which you have so richly shown us, and do still daily show?  Blessed be your name forever.  Therefore we pray and admonish all pious Christians, all who love their salvation, to deny themselves, to take up their cross, and to follow Christ Jesus, and thus to do the will of God, that we may receive the promise.  Let no one be afraid of or terrified by the ungodly tyrants; but let each do as Matthias taught his sons, saying: “Now, therefore, my sons, be zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers.  Call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time; so shall you receive great honor and an everlasting name.  Do not fear then the words of a sinful man: for his glory shall be dung and worms.  To-day he shall be lifted up, and to-morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his dust, and his thought is come to nothing.  Therefore, you my sons, be valiant, and show yourselves men in behalf of the law; for by it shall you obtain glory.”  1 Macc. 2:50,51,62–64.

O you pious Christians, take these words of God to heart, and arm yourselves with this, to do battle for righteousness, even unto death, and God shall fight for you and subdue your enemies.  “And do not fear them who are able to kill the body, and after that, have no more than they can do; but fear the Almighty God, the righteous Lord and Judge, who is able to cast soul and body into eternal destruction.”  Mat. 10:28; Luke 12:4,5.  Him alone let us fear, and walk in his ways, serving him in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life; yes, suffering death for his name, that we may say with Paul: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord Christ shall give me.”  2 Tim. 4:7,8.  May God, the Father of mercy, and the God of all comfort, by whom it is given unto us, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his name, strengthen, confirm and establish us with his holy spirit, that we may not become weary of suffering for the truth, but continue steadfast unto the end, and rejoice with all the pious and true saints, when we are reviled and persecuted for the name of Christ Jesus.  This grant us the Almighty Father, through Jesus Christ his only begotten Son, our Savior, unto whom be glory, majesty, blessing, the kingdom, and everlasting dominion, Amen.

Be manful, strong, and very courageous, to keep and do all things, even the words and the law of God.  Depart not from these, neither to the right nor to the left; add not to this, nor take away from it, that you may act wisely.  Whithersoever you go, do not be terrified, and do not fear, for the Lord your God is with you, when you pass through the waters, or into the fire; and though through hypocrisy or dissimulation you may now evade pain and punishment, you can neither alive nor dead escape the power of Almighty God.  1 Pet. 3:14; 2 Macc. 6:26.

Therefore let us forsake all that is in this world, for it lies in wickedness; and let each take up his cross, and follow Jesus Christ; for he is close unto and with all those who are in distress, and will deliver them, and bring them to honor, if they are of a broken heart, and contrite spirit.  O what great comfort is it, to have such a powerful and faithful companion, and what great honor is it, that he himself will so kindly aid us!  But we must know that our Lord Christ Jesus is our Companion and Helper only at his own proper time, according to the counsel of the divine will and pleasure, in which he has ordered everything after one measure and weight; for even as he is the head of the holy church, and beholds her sufferings, so he has also appointed the number, measure, and weight, how far he will permit the wicked to go, how far they shall reach, and not longer nor farther, even as the Babylonian captivity should continue seventy years.  Jer. 29:10.  Yes, when the distress is at its height, and men think that God has utterly forsaken and forgotten them, at this very time the help of God is nearest them; yes, properly speaking, the Lord comforts before and in the midst of all affliction, for the Christian has in his heart the Spirit of God, the fountain of living water, by which he is always refreshed, comforted, rejoiced, and made glad.  John 4:10; 7:37; 2 Cor. 7:7.  Yes, the more sufferings increase, the greater the help and aid we receive; “for God will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it.”  1 Corinthians 10:13.  Behold, in these words Paul tells us for our great consolation, that God will not suffer us to be assailed or tempted above that we are able to bear; “for if the sufferings of Christ abound in us, our consolation also abounds by Jesus Christ our Lord.”  2 Cor. 1:5.

As a captain makes his soldiers valiant by encouraging words and promises, how then should not the true and faithful God make us manful and strong by his divine word of the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes.  Rom. 1:16.  Yes, the righteous God does not stop at mere words, but is present with us with his Spirit, who, as an earnest, assures our hearts of his divine grace and help, and strengthens our weakness.  Eph. 1:13; Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:23; 2 Cor. 1:22.  For if the devil, by his lying spirit, so animates men, that they are perfectly willing to commit wickedness, though it cost their life; why should not the grace of God, by his true Spirit, make us equally ready unto every good work, in all distresses and tribulations?  This the gracious God also does, not only through his Spirit, but also through angels, stars, elements, beasts, men, and all manner of creatures.  For instance, Elisha said to his servant: “Do not fear: for they that be with us are more than they that come against us.”  2 Kings 6:16.  The Red Sea and Jordan divided, so that the children of Israel passed through them dry-shod.  The sun and the moon stood still for Joshua at the time when he defeated the five kings.  Elijah was miraculously fed by the ravens.  The children of Israel were delivered by the hand of a woman from their wicked enemies.  Judith 14:18.  Jehovah God generally comforts men through their fellows: for all the saints and Christians on earth have fellowship with one another, in adversity as well as in prosperity; for when one suffers pain and grief, he suffers it not alone, but Christ and all Christians suffer it with him.  For he says in the Gospel: You have fed, clothed, entertained, and comforted me.  And all Christians are one body, one bread, one drink in the Lord Christ Jesus.  Acts 9:4; Mat. 25:35; 1 Cor. 10:17.

Now if Christ Jesus our Lord frequently spent whole nights in prayer, and also prayed in the garden before his death, we should also pray without ceasing, especially in our distress, to the Father of lights, from whom alone is every good and perfect gift, that he may forgive our sins, for the death of his dear Son, who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised for our justification.  Mat. 14:23; Luke 6:12; Mat. 26:36; Mark 14:32; Luke 22:41; 1 Thes. 5:17; Jas. 1:17; Rom. 4:25.

Therefore we are to pray that he would deliver, or punish us, not according to our judgment, but according to his divine wisdom, lest we utterly perish.  Yes, we must give praise and thanks to God also in our tribulation, that he do not forget us, but chasten us according to his fatherly mercy, and graciously help us to bear every burden, even as Paul thanked God in his affliction, saying: “Blessed be God, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our tribulation.  Amen.”  1 Corinthians 1:3,4.

Merciful Father, look upon me with eyes of compassion, as you did look upon the prodigal son; for to you only, O Father, belongs praise and honor, but unto us nothing but shame before your face; therefore, good Father, I commit soul and body into your divine and gracious keeping: guide me, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, into all things that are well pleasing to your divine Spirit; and bring to folly and madness the counsel of the ungodly, and preserve us by your divine word now and forever.  Amen.

Composed by Walter of Stoelwijck.

The word of God having, according to his will, been proclaimed in many and various countries, and attested and confirmed by the blood of many Christians, it came to and was accepted also at Wormer, in North Holland, where, among others, there were Dirk Pieters Krood, Pieter Trijnes, Claes Roders, Pieter Claes Jans.  These turned their ears away from the papistic fables, amended their corrupt life, and, in place of it, through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, willingly received the word of God into their hearts, and regulated their whole conduct according to it.  1 Thes. 2:13.  And even as Christ predicted: “The time comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service” (Jn. 16:2), so it was also very clearly manifested in the case of the aforesaid persons; for because they lived according to the word of God, they were brought prisoners to Enchuysen, and being built upon Christ, they all remained steadfast and faithful in all this trial and severe temptation; for which reason they were sentenced to death at said place, and offered up their bodies as a sweet savor to the Lord, thus obtaining a glorious crown.

With regard to this offering, we have not been able to ascertain the year in which it took place.

Among many others who voluntarily forsook and delivered up their property and life for the truth of the holy Gospel, there were also a brother at Wormer, in Waterlandt, named Jacob, and his wife Seli.  These sought and also found the pearl of great price, which was hidden in a field and for joy of it renounced all earthly riches, the lusts of this world, and the papal superstitions, which militate against God, and sought to order and regulate their whole life according to this precious treasure of the divine word.  Thus it came to pass, that the envious papists, in order to stop this, apprehended them, and brought them to Amsterdam, where they had to suffer much for the truth.  And as they could by no temptation be moved from it, but unto death adhered to Christ and his holy word, they were condemned to death at said place, and burned, suffering it with great steadfastness.  Thus they delivered their bodies up to the fire, and commended their souls into the hands of God, and are now waiting under the altar, until the number of their fellow brethren will be fulfilled.

As the word of God was proclaimed in many places, and received with great thankfulness by many, it was also heard, believed and accepted in Waterlandt, on Krommeniersdijck.  It wrought so effectually, that some were by it drawn away from their sinful life and dumb idols, and converted to the true and living God; which, among others, appeared in the case of Jan Egtwercken, Claes Meliss, Aecht Meliss, William her husband, Heyne Walings, Trijn Amkers, Cornelis Luyts, Claes Dirks, Claes Claess, and Jonker Dirk Gerrits van den Busch.  These together separated from the Pope and his adherents, and put themselves under the faithful Shepherd Christ Jesus, inclining their ears to his heavenly voice, and preparing their bodies for his service.  Rev. 18:4; 2 Cor. 6:17; John 10:4; 15:20.  And as Christ predicted the cross and persecution to his faithful followers, so the above mentioned persons also richly experienced it; for they were apprehended and tormented by the blood-thirsty papists, and, after suffering many assaults, put to death, all of which they suffered in patience for the name of Jesus, thus obtaining the crown of life; and are now waiting for the revelation of Jesus, their Savior for their full and eternal reward.

At the time of Zwinglius there was also one Balthasar Hubmor of Friedberg, whom the papists called a doctor of the Holy Scriptures, a learned and eloquent man.  He was first a teacher and preacher at Ingolstadt, and subsequently came to Reinsburg, where he preached mightily against the Jews and their usury.  Through the enlightenment of the holy Spirit, the abomination of popery was made manifest to him, in consequence of which he, according to the counsel of God, separated from it.  Subsequently he rejected, together with other errors, the self-invented infant baptism, and taught with all his might the baptism of believers, as commanded by Christ.  But as the eyes of this dark world can not bear the clear light of the holy gospel, and since in this way their false faith and evil works are testified against, the above-mentioned Balthasar Hubmor, together with many others, was hated and persecuted by the world.  After many temptations, expulsions and imprisonments, he came to Nichlasburg, in Moravia.  Afterwards they apprehended him and his wife, and brought them to Vienna, in Austria, where, after manifold trials and long imprisonment, he was burned to ashes, suffering it with great steadfastness, and his wife drowned; and thus both steadfastly confirmed with their death the faith which they had received from God.  Eph. 2:8.

Read also Sebastian Franck, on the Roman Heretics, letter B.

Note.—This Balthasar Hubmor published a small book, in which he complains of Zwinglius and his followers.  He writes that they brought about, that at one time, twenty persons, men, pregnant women, widows, and young girls were miserably cast into a dark tower, and this sentence passed upon them, that they should never more, in their lifetime, see either sun or moon, and conclude their last days on bread and water; so that they all, dead and alive, should remain and decay together in the dark tower, until none should be left alive.

Thus some did not taste a morsel of bread for three days in order that the others might have something with which to sustain their lives.

“O God,” he further writes, “what a terrible, severe, and rigorous sentence against pious Christian people, of whom none could say any evil thing, only that they, according to the command of Christ, had received water baptism!

O sad deformation, we say, of the so-called Reformed!  May the Lord forgive them and be gracious to their blindly zealous souls.”  See complaint of Balthasar Hubmor, against Zwinglius, throughout; also, the Preface to the Offerboeck, A.D. 1615, letter I., etc.; also, Chron. van den Ondergang, etc., p. 1031, col. 2.

In the year 1542, Brother Leonard Bernkop was apprehended for the faith, at Salzburg.  Much was tried to induce him to apostatize, but as he steadfastly persevered in the narrow way of the truth of God, and there was no hope that he would apostatize, they condemned him to death, led him out to the place of execution, and built a fire close to him, at which they immediately roasted him; but he adhered firmly to the Lord, and said to the bloodhounds and executioners: “This side is roasted enough; turn me around, and scorch and roast also the other; for through the power of God this suffering is insignificant in comparison with the eternal.”  Rom. 8:18.  Thus he gained the victory over the beast and his image, over the abomination of desolation and his mark.  Rev. 15:2.  Rather than receive his mark, or do aught which was contrary to God his heavenly Father, he, like the seven valiant and god-fearing sons (2 Macc. 7), gave his body to be roasted and executed by fire, which could in no way separate him from the love of God (Rom. 8:39), therefore he shall also have in his hands the harp of God, and, together with all conquerors in the faith, who have come out of great tribulation, shall have his mouth filled with laughter, and his tongue with praise, and shall sing the new song with the servants of God, and the song of the Lamb, yes, he shall forever behold the Almighty God.  Rev. 15:2; 7:14; 14:3.  1 Cor. 13:12.

In this year, Brother Hans Huber, or Schumacher, was imprisoned at Waserburg, in Bavaria, under the Count of Oting.  Much having been resorted to, to draw him from the faith, but he remaining quite steadfast, constantly confessing and testifying, that this in which he stood was the true ground of truth, and the true faith in Christ Jesus our Savior therefore he also said that it was not hard for him to suffer this for Christ’s sake, and was sentenced to death, and led out to the place of execution.  The fire having reached his face, so that his hair and beard were singed off, they asked him whether he would recant, and they would let him live.  He however would not recant, but remained steadfast in Christ.  Therefore he was immediately burnt alive, and thus faithfully paid his baptismal vow unto the Lord Christ, and delivered up his life as a true burnt-offering for the word of God; for he would rather lose this temporal life, than become unfaithful to the Lord, thus showing himself to be a steadfast lover of God.

About this time, a brother named Damian, from Algau, was apprehended at Ingolstadt, in order to draw him away from the faith; but when he could in no way be turned from it, he was condemned to death.  On his way to the place of execution, he admonished the people, and gave answer concerning his faith, so that a student said that one of two things was certain: that this man had his faith either from the wicked devil, or from the Spirit of God, since his knowledge was so extensive, because to all appearance he was a simple man.  Some one also admonished him, and asked him whether he would die as a pious Christian.

He replied: “Yes.”

He again asked him: “What sign will you give us by which we may know this?”

The brother said: “Pay attention, when they burn me; the smoke shall ascend straight to heaven.”

This also came to pass.

When he was executed, the executioner inquired the direction of the smoke, whether he had justly executed him.  The judge answered: “You have executed him according to your pleasure; I did not judge.”  Thus this witness of God and Christ obtained the martyrs’ crown.

In Chronijk van den Ondergang, page 1104, col. 2 and 3. we find these words:

“About this time the servants of antichrist caused a dreadful decree to be proclaimed throughout all West Friesland, in which all malefactors and murderers were promised pardon for their crimes, the favor of the Emperor, freedom of the country, and one hundred carl-guilders, if they would deliver Menno Simon into the hands of the tormentors and executioners.

This decree, when properly considered, indicates the extreme wickedness and tyranny of the West Friesian Regents of those times, against those who maintained or at least favored the true faith.  All malefactors and murderers, who certainly, according to the laws of the country, were subject to very severe punishment, yes, to death, because of their crimes and murders, were here accounted better than a pious Christian, who injured no one; yes, their crimes were remitted them, and over and above this, a large sum of money, according to that time, was promised them, merely to deliver into the hands of the criminal judges, a single person, who maintained the true doctrine.  How much may we suppose would they have promised them, had they been able to exterminate all orthodox believers, and, consequently, the entire church of God?  We certainly have just cause for the belief, that this came down very severely upon the heads of the true witnesses of Jesus in general; that is, on those that resided in these regions; in regard to which we shall also show in the proper place, how very unmercifully the authorities there, through the instigation of some so-called spiritual persons, dealt with the innocent and defenseless sheep of the flock of Christ.

About the year 1544, George Libich was imprisoned for the faith and the divine truth, at Filleburg, near Innsbruck, and as this is a place of particular danger because of evil spirits, as is well known, this brother therefore had much to resist, and was greatly tempted by the Evil One (1 Peter 5:9), who tempted him in visible form.  He especially tried him in various ways during the first year.  Once he came to him in the form of a maiden, and wanted to embrace him.  When the brother knelt down and prayed, he put something into his way, to prevent his praying.  He also tried to take him off with him, but was not able to effect it.  He further came to him in the form of a youth, and also in that of a soldier; thus trying many and various means; but when he could not accomplish anything, he went out of the tower at the top.  He also told him much what happened among the church in the country; that he had conversed with such brethren, and that they had told him such and such things.  But when brother George reproved him, he finally let him be in peace, and attempted but little with him afterward.  But the enemy tempted him not only himself, but also through his children.  Thus once there came to him one wearing the garb of a brother, and acting as one.  He saluted him, saying: “The Lord be with us, my brother,” and wished him peace, in order to seduce and deceive him by such craftiness.  But George asked him from where and from whom he came.  He answered: “From Moravia, from the church of God.”  Then George asked him what message he brought, and how matters stood there.  He told him that the church and the brethren were utterly driven away and dispersed; that each was separated from the rest, and that it was all over with them.  Then George perceived that it was deception, reproved him for his craftiness, of which he was well aware, and drove him away by his earnest admonitions, which in all probability he did not soon forget.  Over and above all this, when all temptation from Satan and his children was about to come to an end, a sister named Ursula Hellrigling, a beautiful young woman, who had also been apprehended for the faith, was put to him in prison, placed at the feet of George, and much of the time left with him.  It is easy to imagine what the devil and his seed would have liked to see.  But they [these two pious witnesses of Christ] were valiant and god-fearing, and could by no allurements be moved or caused to fall.

This George Libich knew beforehand the day and year when he was to be released.  There were several others imprisoned near him, who were all liberated on the same day, returned to the church, and afterwards fell asleep in the Lord.

Sister Ursula, who was imprisoned with him, through the providence of God, also obtained release, and unharmed in her faith and conscience, returned to the church, and there fell asleep in the Lord.

A testament to his wife.

An affectionate salutation in the Lord, to my beloved wife, whom I no longer love after the flesh, but after the soul.  Hear my admonition: You know that as long as we enjoyed prosperity with Israel according to the flesh, we were ignorant of ourselves; but now that the good Father lays his hand upon us, we feel that we are sick, weak, miserable, poor and naked.  Therefore, my dear wife, take Jesus Christ for an example, and behold the way in which he went before us, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Jas. 5:10; 2 Tim. 3:12.  Forget my flesh and all your sensuality and all your carnal desires, and pray to God for faith that you may overcome.  And I will willingly give myself to the Lord in the same manner as he comforts my heart by his grace.  You have yet time for amendment, but I am bound to his grace, in which I trust.  Therefore do not think of what is past, but persevere with a firm confidence in the Lord; he will help you in everything for the best; give yourself up to this and always join yourself to those who fear the Lord, for this will be for your best interests.  For “blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of Jehovah, and in his law does he meditate day and night.”  Psm. 1:1,2.

My beloved wife, the god-fearing speak of it, and by it men depart from evil; for by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil, and through love every good thing is accomplished.  Prov. 16:6.  Awake, for we have both been negligent.  Let the word of the Lord incite you to all good.  Ask him for his holy Spirit, who can comfort you; for the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  Romans 8:18.  For this is the trial which must be found in our faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire.  1 Peter 1:7.

My dear wife, if we might have entered into the kingdom of God as we began, and have so long been doing, the way would not have been narrow.  But our Savior had to enter through suffering and anguish into his own glory,—how then will we enter by the broad way?  For narrow is the way, says the Lord, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it, and still fewer who rightly walk in it.  Mat. 7:14.  The good Father did indeed show me this way, but my evil flesh was too powerful and forced me away from it.  Nevertheless, I hope to be saved through the grace of the Lord; for Paul says: “Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing.”  Eph. 2:4; 1 Cor. 13:3.

Consider what this charity is, and you shall be able to accept for the best whatever the Lord sends you.  How should I be able to express it, love is the nature of God: may it be with you and us all.  I give it to you as an affectionate salutation.  May the good and merciful Father shed it abroad into all our hearts, through his beloved Son.  Amen.

Salute all dear friends in the Lord.  Pray to the Lord for me; all that he gives me, I will impart again.  3 John 14; 1 Thes. 5:25.

Another testament of John Claess, to his wife, A.D. 1544.

Know, my dearly beloved wife, that it is my will and testament to you in no way to depart from the word of the Lord, but always to comfort yourself with it; for the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us, if we continue in the faith.  O let us by it overcome, and not turn away, and we shall receive the crown which the good Lord has promised unto all that love his appearing.  2 Tim. 4:8.  If we desire to remain here, we do not love his appearing; but if we ask him for the Holy Spirit, the same will teach us in all things, and comfort and strengthen us through his grace.  O let us pray; for through prayer we must receive everything.  Therefore, my dear wife, take no thought for the things that concern the body; but seek the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.  With this I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to strengthen and keep you in all temptation.  The grace of the Lord be with you and us all.  Amen.  Bring up my dear children in the admonition of the Lord, this is my will to you; and associate with the good, for they prosper.  Care not for temporal things; for that which is visible must perish.  What you can get take with you, and commit the rest to faithful friends; and remove with your little ones far enough to be out of danger, from men.  Bring them up in the admonition of the Lord, and keep with those that fear Jehovah our God.  Deut. 6:20.  My dear wife, be well contented; if the Lord had taken me away by a sudden sickness, it would have been your duty to thank him; do so now.  I leave you this as a testament.  Watch every day of your life for the appearing for our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Tim. 6:14.  The grace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

A testament to his children, and then to his wife.

My dear little children, Claes Jans and Gertrude Jans, I leave you this as a testament when you come of age.  Hear the instruction from your Father.  Hate all that the world and your carnal nature love, and love the commandments of God.  1 John 2:16.  Let this instruct you, for it teaches: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself;” that is, let him forego his own wisdom and earnestly pray: “Lord, your will be done.”  Luke 9:23; Prov. 3:5; Mat. 6:10.  If you do this, the Holy Spirit will teach you all that you ought to believe.  Do not believe what men say, but obey the commands of the New Testament, and ask God to teach you his will.  Do not trust to your understanding, but trust in the Lord, and let all your counsel be in him, and ask him to direct your paths.

My children, how you are to love Jehovah God, how you must honor and love your mother, and love your neighbor, and fulfill all other commandments required of you by the Lord, the New Testament will teach you.  Mat. 22:37,39.  Whatever is not contained in this, do not believe; but obey everything that is embraced in it.  Associate with those who fear the Lord, who depart from evil, and who do every good thing through love.  O, do not look to the multitude or the old custom, but to the little flock which is persecuted for the word of the Lord; for the good do not persecute, but are persecuted.  When you have given yourselves to this, beware of all false doctrine; for John says: “Whosoever transgresses, and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, does not have God.  He that abides in the doctrine of Christ he has both the Father and the Son.”  2 John 9.  The doctrine of Christ is: Love, mercy, peace, chastity, faith, meekness, humility and perfect obedience to God.  Gal. 5:22,23.

My dear children, surrender yourselves to that which is good, and the Lord will give you understanding in all things.  I give you this as my last farewell.  Regard the chastening of the Lord; for if you do evil, he will punish you in your souls.  Job 5:17.  Therefore desist, and cry to the Lord for help, and hate that which is evil, and the Lord shall deliver you, and you shall prosper.  May God the Father, through his beloved Son Jesus Christ, give you his Holy Spirit, that he may guide you into all truth.  Amen.  John 16:13.

I, John Clæss, your father, have written this while in prison for the word of the Lord.  May the good Father grant you his grace.  Amen.

My dear wife, I request you to bring up my children, in all good instruction, to have my testament read to them, and to bring them up in the Lord, according to your ability, as long as you remain with them.  And I desire of you, that you love neither yourself nor your children more than the Lord and his testimony.  Luke 14:26.  Suffer not your flesh to overcome you.  1 Peter 2:11.  If they do not tolerate you in this city, remove into another.  Mat. 10:23.  But this I earnestly request of you: always keep with the good; for blessed is he that associates with them.  He who has always been the helper of the lowly, that is, the good Father, will help you.  Luke 1:48.  If you cannot stand alone, take a husband that fears the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:2); but whatever you do, do not forsake the Lord for a little mess of pottage.  Gen. 25:34.  May your excuse be never so great, but not for all Amsterdam forsake the Lord.  By his grace I will not forsake him for the whole world, and do you also likewise.  Mat. 16:26.  O let us press our way through by force; I must, through the grace of the Lord, lose my flesh; forsake yours also.  Matthew 11:12; 16:25.

My dear wife, if we should consider suffering, we would never get out of it; but we must look beyond it to the eternal reward.  I joyfully comfort myself in the Lord; do so also.  The Lord might have taken me from my bed and you would have had to content yourself; how much more now, for you do not know how long you will remain here?  Therefore do as the Lord counsels you; be always ready for his appearing, and you shall be able to overcome all things, to those that overcome everlasting rest is promised.  Rev. 21:7.

A firm faith, a sure hope of the eternal reward, and a burning love to God and our neighbor be with you and me, and us all.  Amen.  Mat. 21:21; 1 Peter 4:8.

Write to me immediately how you are, and I shall be the more comforted if you comply with my request. Pray; the Lord will be entreated; this I now experience.  Pray together all of you, that the will of the Lord be done in me and in us all.  Amen.  Mat. 6:10; 7:11.

A testament of John Clæss to his brothers and sister after the flesh.

Know, my dear brothers, Cornelis Clæss, and Gerritt Clæss, and my dear sister Adriaentgen Clæss, that I affectionately desire of you, that you turn to the Lord, and forsake all your pride, covetousness, and all wickedness, as also all bad company, and be quiet, and associate with the good.  Search the word of the Lord, and ask him for his Holy Spirit, and the same shall instruct you in everything which is needful for you.  This will come to pass, if you deny yourselves and forego your own will; for the Lord says: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me.”  Therefore die unto all your lusts, and you shall never die, for the wages of sin is death.  Col. 3:5; Rom. 6:23.  But ask God for his Holy Spirit, who will so change your minds, that you will hate evil and shun it.  O my most beloved, hate that which is evil, and love the good, and God, who alone is good, will be with you.  But if you will continue in your wicked sensuality, I testify to you from the mouth of the Lord, that you will condemn yourselves.  Rom. 8:13.  But I am persuaded better things of you, though I thus speak.  Heb. 6:9.  O, keep what the Lord has made known to you, namely: “Whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them,” and it will be well with you, and you shall prosper in every good thing.  To this end may the good God help you, through Jesus Christ his beloved Son.  Amen.

Another Testament of John Claess, to all his Kindred.

Be it known to you, dear brothers and sisters, cousins and relatives, and all my kindred, that I do not suffer as a thief, murderer or evil-doer, but for the ordinance which the apostles of the Lord taught and instituted, namely the ordinance of the holy church, made fifteen hundred years ago, which Jesus Christ enjoined upon his dear disciples, and sealed with his blood, and which the apostles preached and taught, and confirmed with their blood.  1 Pet. 4:15; Mark 16:15; Heb. 9:14; Acts 2:14; 7:58; 12:2.  My dear friends, do not be dejected or cast down on my account, because men say that I died as an Anabaptist and heretic.  There is but one baptism given, and that upon faith; before faith God has not commanded baptism.  Now some one might ask: What!  Ought infants not to be baptized?  No; but they are nevertheless saved through the merits of Jesus Christ, and are baptized in his blood; for it is written: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”  1 Cor. 15:22.  This is done through pure grace, without any sign.  Acts 15:11.  But my dear friends, the Lord has commanded to preach the Gospel, and they that believe it, are to be baptized.  Mark 16:16.  He also commanded that the believers should observe his Supper, in remembrance of him, in such a manner as he instituted, and the apostles practiced it.  Mat. 26:26; Acts 2:42.  Besides these, he did not command them anything; no mass, no infant baptism, no auricular confession, nor any other outward worship.  But he commanded to love God alone, to obey his word, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.  Luke 10:27.  O where are they to be found who do this?  Search the word of God; there is no Christian who does not know this.  You cannot maintain by it, what they teach, namely, that you should continue in the holy church.  You must know what the holy church is, namely, the assembly of believers born by the word of God (1 Pet. 1:23); for you well know that no one can come into this world without being born, so no one can come into the future world, unless he is born again as Peter declares: “not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever.”  John 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:23.  O well for him who is born of it!  They that are thus regenerated, practice the true baptism and the true Supper.  They also separate themselves from all who teach a scandalous doctrine, or live disorderly; they do not destroy their bodies, for this is not taught in the word of God; but they avoid their company until they repent (2 Thes. 3:6); for they are the Christian church, the community of the saints; they have forgiveness of sins; for there is no other name given in heaven or on earth by which they can be saved, but the name of Jesus; that is, through his merits.  Acts 4:12.  They believe and live only according to his ordinances.  He did not kill those who did not believe in him, neither did his holy church do this.  But he and his own have been slain from the beginning, and thus it shall continue.  Rev. 13:8.  By this you shall know who are his own.  Not those who boast of his name, and maintain their cause with the sword; but those that live according to the example of their Lord, and confirm their cause with the word of God, which is the sword of the true believers.  1 Pet. 2:21; Eph. 6:17.  Now some might say: What has become of the forefathers, who did not know better?  We leave this to God.  It might also be said that the Lord promised to be with us even unto the end of the world.  Mat. 28:20.  He is always with believers—but never with unbelievers—namely, with his word and the right use of his signs, that is, baptism and the Supper, and will always be with those who walk aright, and live conformably to his word.

Dear friends, at the time of the apostles there arose seven different sects among them, but the true doctrine was therefore not to be rejected.  Now, though many wicked miscreants have arisen under the Gospel, the word of God has not depreciated: he that would be saved must submit to it.  Romans 9:6.  In the time of the righteous Tobit all Israel worshiped golden calves, which king Jeroboam had caused to be made; he [Tobit] alone adhered to the Lord his God, and did what he had commanded him.

Friends, do not look to the multitude, but to the word of God, which will not deceive you.  “Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm; but blessed is the man that trusts in Jehovah.”  Jer. 17:5,7.  I trust in this, that he prays to his Father, not only for those who were with him, but also for all them who shall turn to him through the word.  John 17:20.  May the good Father, through his only Son Jesus Christ, give you a true understanding, that you may henceforth learn to know him.  2 Tim. 2:7.

When John Claess, and Lucas Lamberts, an old man of eighty-seven years, called grandfather, came into court, they greeted each other with a kiss.

John Claess said to the grandfather: “My dear brother, how do you feel?”

The grandfather replied pleasantly with a glad countenance: “Quite well, my dear brother.”

Then said John Claess: “Fear neither fire nor the sword; O what a joyful feast will be prepared for us before the clock strikes twelve!”

Upon this they were separated.

The bailiff then said: “You are rebaptized.”

John Claess answered: “I was baptized upon my faith, as all Christians ought to be, according to the Scriptures; read this.”  Mat. 28:19.

They said to him again: “You belong to the accursed Anabaptists, who originate strange sects, opinions, errors and contention among the people.”  Acts 16:20; 17:6.

As saint Paul, through the spirit of God, foretold that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, so it was also verified in the city of Rotterdam, about A.D. 1544, where a number of the pious followers of Jesus Christ had assembled together in the name of the Lord, to converse with each other about the word of God, and thus to edify and strengthen one another in the accepted truth of the holy gospel; also to pray with a humble heart and with one accord to the great God of heaven and earth, for forgiveness and remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, and thus to give praise and thanks with one mind to his most adorable name.  Eph. 5:1; Heb. 10:24; 3:13; 1 Thes. 5:11; Rom. 15:16; Acts 1:14.

This good exercise in godliness the papists, who hate the truth, sought to prevent and stop as much as lay in their power, so that said god-fearing assembly fell into their hands, having been betrayed by a woman who came to the house to borrow a kettle.  The defenseless sheep having thus fallen into the claws of the wolves, these, according to their nature, treated them in the most cruel manner, in order to draw them away from the truth; all of which they willingly suffered and endured in patience for the name of Jesus, in the firm hope of his imperishable kingdom.  Therefore, since they could by no tortures be brought to apostatize, they were sentenced to death, which sentence was executed in the following manner: The men were beheaded with the sword at the said place, while the women, in the most cruel manner were thrown into a boat, and thrust under the ice until death followed.  Thus these two assemblies, or classes of people, that is the church of God, and the congregation of Satan clearly evinced of which spirit they were children (1 John 3:10; Luke 9:55); which can easily be seen by their fruits and nature.  The anti-Christians by this, that, as ravening and devouring wolves, they were born by nature to seize and destroy.  The congregation of Jesus Christ by this, that, as humble sheep and lambs, dumb, and with no desire for revenge, they were thus led to the slaughter, and willingly gave their bodies for the name of the Lord.  Mat. 7:15; 10:16; Psm. 44:22; 1 Peter 4:13.  Therefore, these sheep shall, at the reappearing of the great Shepherd, hear, together with all faithful servants, the joyful voice: “Enter into the joy of your Lord.”  Heb. 13:20; Mat. 25:23.

Among those that were thus offered, there was also a young maiden of but fourteen years.  She composed the hymn in the old hymn book, beginning thus:

At Bolsweert, in Friesland, there was a true lamb of Christ, named Francis, who lived uprightly in the fear of God.  Job 1:1.  He was therefore apprehended, and conveyed in a sleigh to Leeuwaerden, where he was asked before the council, why he would not swear, nor observe the Supper with them in the church.  He answered: “My lords, Christ teaches us that we must not swear at all; and because you people are unbelieving and unclean, I will not keep fellowship with you.”  At these words the lords were offended, and said: “We are neither thieves nor murderers; what uncleanness then have we?  But it seems to us, that you hold a false doctrine, and of such heretics there are still more, all of whom we intend utterly to exterminate.”  Francis said: “My lords, do not be angry; but you high priests, show me the false doctrine which I hold, and this from the Bible, for I have brought one with me; come and instruct me from it.”

The lords then counseled with the priests of Jezebel, and said: “He has despised our mass; he contemns our customs, and we have a strict mandate, to which we must be obedient, and according to that he must die.”  Thus he was sentenced to be burned to ashes on Palm Sunday eve, A.D. 1545.  For this sentence he undauntedly thanked the Lords and said: “I will forgive you all this from my heart, wishing that the Spirit of God would enlighten you unto reformation, that you may repent and live according to the word of God; I now go to the holy city, and the inheritance of my Father.”  He was then led to death, as a sheep to the slaughter.  Many that saw it wept; but he said: “Weep not, but prepare yourselves to die unto your sins, for this is the true way to enter into life.”  He also spoke many other comforting words.

After he had openly prayed: “Lord God, receive my soul and guide it into your peace,” the executioner commenced his work.  Having stripped him of his clothes, and fastened him to the stake, he was about to strangle him with a rope, when the rope broke, and he fell down.  This frightened the executioner, and he endeavored quickly to burn him to ashes with much peat and wood; but God manifested his miraculous power, so that the fire lost its natural force, and the body could not be burned entirely; on which account the lords became angry at the executioner, and said that he had not brought enough wood; but it was the will of God that he should thus be received into the number of the martyrs.

In this year, Brother Oswald of Jamnits, was imprisoned for the faith, at Vienna, in Austria, and various means were tried to cause him to apostatize.  The citizens came to him in prison, and in a friendly manner earnestly admonished him to recant, or they would have to drown him in the Danube.  But he said: “Though you drown me, I will not depart from God and his truth.  Christ died for me, and him I will follow, and also die for his truth, far rather than forsake it.”  No matter whatever they said, they could not make him apostatize.  Two brethren then came to him, who comforted him; to them he commended his wife and child.  They embraced each other, and thus took leave from one another, wishing him patience in his suffering, which he innocently had to endure.  After having been confined for one year and six weeks, they took him from prison on a certain Wednesday night; took him out of the city, that the multitude of the people should neither see nor hear anything, and drowned him in the Danube.  There was no trial held over him, nor was his crime made known.

Since he patiently and cheerfully persevered unto the end, God shall also confess him; and though they executed him secretly and at night, yet he shall appear in the open judgment of the Lord in the valley of Jehosaphat, where another judgment will be held.  Joel 3:2.  And that judgment will fall a hundred fold more heavily upon the heads of those who thus presumptuously condemn innocent blood on earth; yes, it shall be more tolerable for those of Sodom and Gomorrah in the last day, than for such.  Mat. 10:15.

In the year 1545, one Andrew Kofler from Etschland was also apprehended for the faith and the divine truth, at Ips, on the Danube.  As he would not renounce, and could not be made to apostatize by the priests and false prophets, he was sentenced to death by the children of Pilate, and delivered to the executioner, who executed him with the sword, thus satisfying the ungodly.  Thus he valiantly confessed and testified to the truth of God even unto death, and is now gone before into eternal light and life, and rests in Abraham’s bosom, yes, under the altar, under which those lie, who have been beheaded and slain for the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, until the number of their fellow brethren who shall also be killed as they were, shall be fulfilled.

In this year, also Brother Hans Blietel, who had been sent by the church, was apprehended at Ried, in Bavaria; for those of Ried had offered a sum of money to the one who should apprehend him.  Therefore, there was a traitor, who addressed him with fair words, pretending to be very zealous, and under a desire to be with him, decoyed him into his house.  The brother supposed that he was concerned for the salvation of his soul, and went with him.  He then locked him into his house, and said: “Hans, you are a prisoner.”  But Hans replied: “God forbid that you should do this; have I not come to you for good?”

The traitor demanded money of him, and he would release him; but when the brother refused to accede to this demand, he went to the authorities and betrayed him.  While he went, the wife of the traitor also demanded money of him; for, said she, the authorities would take him along any way; she wanted fifteen guilders, and they would let him go away from the house.  But Brother Hans Blietel would not consent to give her one farthing; but would with the help of God await all tribulation.  In the meantime, the authorities came with a great number of armed men, and apprehended the brother, together with the traitor and his wife, securing them well with ropes, bonds and straps.

Having arrived in the market town of Ried, they took them, and tormented them dreadfully, the traitor as well as the brother; for the authorities thought that he had taken money from the brother, because they found so little on him.  The traitor’s wife also had her hand squeezed until the blood flowed from it; for they wanted her to tell it.  And though they had not received anything, their treachery became a source of sore grief to them.

When Brother Hans had lain in prison for four or five weeks, he was sentenced to death, about St. John’s day, to be burnt alive.  He was led out to the place of execution, where the priests attempted to induce him to desist from and forsake his faith; but he said to them: “You may well desist from your wicked deception; I will not hear or embrace your false doctrine; I have at this day something else to do, than to listen to you false prophets; I must follow the Lord my God in Christ, and fulfill what I have promised.”  The priests, therefore, stood back, and left him be in peace.  On his way to the place of execution he met one of his acquaintances, named Michael Dirks, or Kramer.  Hans Blietel looked at Michael with a smiling countenance, and pointed him to heaven.  The latter was astonished that he could smile, going as he was to death and the fire.  This produced a complete contrition of heart in Michael, as also in his wife, who did not eat anything for three days, but sought to join the church, and become pious, and others with them.

When the dear brother Hans arrived at the place of execution, he thought of the church, and cried with a loud voice unto the multitude of the people assembled: “Is there any one here, who has courage to tell the church of God in Moravia, that I, Hans Blietel, was burned for the Gospel, at Ried, in Bavaria?”  Thereupon a zealous man, full of piety, kindled by it, revealed himself, and though he could not get to him, he called to him, that he would inform the church in Moravia, that he was burned at Ried, for the faith; which encouraged brother Hans, so that he again cried out to the people: “This my faith is the divine truth, which I will show to you; and I say unto you, repent, reform, and desist from your unrighteous, wicked, and vicious life; for if you do not do this, the eternal God shall visit you for your sins, and punish you with the everlasting pain which is prepared for all sinners, and he shall require the innocent blood at your hands, and punish you for it.”

The fire having been kindled and prepared, he was tied upon a ladder.  In the meantime, he testified again that this was the truth and the way to eternal life, and the true church of God, appealing to heaven and earth as his witnesses.  “And to-day,” said he, “shall God give a sign in heaven, to testify that this is the way to eternal life.”  This also occurred; for the sun in the sky was darkened and became full of spots, so that he gave forth no shadow.  Though the sky was quite clear and bright, yet the sun emitted a very pale and yellow light upon the earth; for God intended to confirm it by this sign.  This lover of God also sang in the fire, in which he lived for some time, praising God by his singing, and praying for all men who were worthy, that God would enlighten them.  And thus he was found constant and steadfast in the faith, in the trial of the fire, even as the precious and pure gold.  He had also foretold as a sign, that his smoke would quickly rise on high over him, and his soul ascend in it unto heaven; which came to pass, the smoke ascending straight up to heaven.  Some said that a beautiful white dove flitted in the fire, and flew over him to heaven.  Thus God assisted him very powerfully.

In the year 1546, brother Michael Matschilder, also called Little Michael, a minister of Jesus Christ and his church, and two others, namely, his wife Elizabeth, and Hans Gurtzham, a shoemaker, were apprehended and examined at Altenburg, in Upper Kærnthen.  A doctor and a learned man of Villach disputed with them; but this brother gave them such answers that they had to withdraw in confusion, unable to accomplish anything.

They were then led in iron chains through Styria, and delivered into the bailey, at Vienna, to the jailer, who said: “Come, I will bring you into a vault, where others of your brethren are.  In there were Hans Stautdach and three fellow-prisoners.

When they met, they embraced and kissed each other, and praised God, who had brought them together for the glory of his name.  Hans Stautdach and his three fellow-prisoners were then executed; but these others were kept in prison longer; that is, about three years, namely, until the year 1549, when a conflagration occurred in the city.  Then, as is customary in that city when a conflagration occurs, the gates of the city were closed, and the prisoners released.  After the fire was extinguished, brother Michael and his wife, through the providence of God and the assistance of a citizen, escaped from the city, and came to the church.  Thus God delivered them unharmed and in peace.  But Hans Gurtzham went back to prison, and was confined there one year longer, namely, until the year 1550, when he was executed, about June, being drowned in the Danube, early on a certain Friday morning.

When the constraint of conscience and faith did not cease, but increased and broke forth more and more through the adherents of popery, against the pious Christians, who, according to the command of Christ had been baptized upon their faith, it occurred, that a certain pious brother, named Quirinus Pieters, a native of Grœningen, also separated from popery, and joined the cross-bearing church of Jesus Christ, called Baptists, or, contemptuously, Anabaptists, having been received into the church through baptism upon confession of his faith, by Menno Simon, who was at that time one of the most eminent teachers in Friesland.

But when he, about six years ago, went to Holland, and settled down at Amsterdam, there to live in quiet according to his faith and conscience, he was very speedily discovered by the authorities, apprehended, and finally, as he would not apostatize, sentenced to death, on the sixteenth of April, A.D. 1545, namely, to be burned to death; which dreadful and severe punishment this pious hero of Christ steadfastly endured, having commended his soul into the hands of God.

All of this we have taken from the following sentence, which was publicly read to him, on the day of his death, by the rulers of darkness, and a true copy of which, extracted from the book of criminal sentences, has now been transmitted to us through the secretary there.  The contents of the same, with the exception of the title, are as follows:

Sentence of death pronounced upon Quirinus Pieters of Groeningen.

Whereas Quirinus Pieters, a native of Grœningen, has embraced the unbelief and heresy of the Anabaptists, having been rebaptized about six years ago, by Menno Simon, a teacher of the aforesaid sect, and whereas he holds pernicious views concerning the sacraments of the holy church, and, moreover, has induced others, into such unbelief and errors, persuading them into it, directly contrary to the holy Christian faith, the ordinances of the holy church, and the decrees of his Imperial Majesty, our gracious lord; and whereas he obstinately continues in the aforesaid unbelief, therefore, my lords the Judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the Bailiff concerning the aforesaid Quirinus Pieters, as also his answer and confession, and having fully considered the circumstances of said matters, sentence the aforesaid Quirinus Pieters to be burnt by the executioner; and furthermore, declare his property confiscated for the benefit of the exchequer of his Imperial Majesty.  Pronounced this sixteenth of April, A.D. 1545, in the presence of the entire bench of Judges, except Sir Henry Dirks, Burgomaster.

Pursuant to this sentence, Quirinus Pieters was executed by the executioner on the same day.

The whole of this was extracted from the book of criminal sentences, in the keeping of the secretary of the city of Amsterdam.

N. N.

In the year 1546, four brethren, namely, Hans Staudtach of Kaufbeuren, Anthony Keyn, a tailor of Gunzenhausen, Blasius Beck and Leonhard Schneider, both of them also of Kaufbeuren, while on their way, with their wives and children, to the church in Moravia, were apprehended in Austria.  On the third of August they were brought to Vienna, two and two fettered together, with great chains on their feet, and led through the city like criminals, with their wives and children following after them.  They were brought into prison, with their wives and children, and left for four days.  In these four days they were examined, and sorely assailed, whether they would continue in this faith; this they confessed, with the help and power of God they would do.  Thereupon the four brethren were put into another prison.  Afterwards they examined them again, and brought their wives and children into the house of the Judge, but prevented the brethren from talking much with them.

On Sunday, the sixteenth of August, much people came to them in prison, and talked with the brethren, and concerning their wives.  But however hard they were pressed to recant, they remained valiant and steadfast, though they threatened to take away their children from them.  In the meantime, however, their wives were released, and came to the church.  Subsequently much craftiness was resorted to, to intimidate them, and cause them to apostatize.  Four times they were brought before the authorities at Vienna, also before monks, priests and doctors, whom Christ does not in vain designate ravening wolves, of whom we are to beware; for their priests are like wolves, and indeed come under a fair appearance, to devour them; yes, would have them all killed and destroyed.  Therefore, it grieves the false prophets to leave any one pious and unseduced, and therefore they labor much and in many various ways.  They have enough who follow the doctrine of their false prophets, and walk after their ungodly and vicious life; they might well leave the pious in peace.

Thus they also tempted these lovers of God, yet could not gain them, but were put to shame and reproach: for no one can pluck Christ’s own out of his hand.  John 10:28.  They also read to them the mandate of the King, and threatened them with fire, water and the sword, or that they should be kept on bread and water, and separated, or drowned in the night, like Brother Oswald of Jamnits, as related previously.  By these things they endeavored to intimidate them; but there was no intimidating these soldiers and heroes of the truth of God.

On the fifth day after St. Michæl’s, they were subjected to another hearing, whether they would renounce their faith; if not, they had orders to put them to death by fire, water or the sword.  This was the last warning.  But when they could accomplish nothing by their threats, they brought all four of them back into the Joppen (a prison).  Hans Staudtach was left in prison.  Blasius in the wood-room, and Leonhard, with another, in a vacant apartment; but afterwards, about All-souls Day, they were put together again.

After all this, as they remained constant and steadfast, and continued to confess that they were going in the true way of the divine truth, which they were willing to seal with their blood, they were condemned to death, a little after St. Martin’s day, on the 22d of November, and delivered to the executioner, who bound them, and, in order to avoid too great a sensation, and not to have a large concourse of people come together he led them out to the place of execution, in the morning, at daybreak.

When they were being led out to the slaughter, they boldly and joyfully sang.  A ring was then made, as the executioners usually do.  The brethren knelt down and fervently prayed, offering up this burnt offering as their final farewell to the world.

The executioner became sad, acted with reluctance, and was grieved in his heart that he had to perform this execution.  The other children of Pilate also wished to be innocent, yet they had to do it because of their superiors in authority, and by virtue of their office; but they would much rather have been excused.

They then blessed each other, and exhorted one another to steadfastness, to be strong and of good cheer, saying; “To-day we shall be together in the kingdom of our heavenly Father,” etc.

Thus all four were beheaded with the same sword, and undauntedly and boldly surrendered their necks for the name of Christ.

After manifold tribulations and afflictions upon the pious followers of Jesus Christ, it came to pass, that the Procurator from the Hague, and the Bailiff of Amsterdam, Waterlandt and Zeevanck, came to Edam with a whole troop of beadles.  These came on the 12th of March, that is on the Friday preceding Shrove Tuesday, A.D. 1546, at night, with torches, and lanterns, to the house of Dirk Pieters Smuel and Jacob den Geldersman, both of them citizens of Edam, of one faith, and seekers of the truth.  They took them out of their own houses from their beds, and led them from the east end out of the stone portal to the west end, where they were put into a boat, and thus brought prisoners to Amsterdam, from where, after a certain time, they were brought to the Hague, where, on the 16th of May of the same year, they were examined concerning their faith, and as they would steadfastly adhere to the accepted truth, were sentenced, on the 22d of May, in the high court of the lords of this world, to be burnt alive.  Thereupon they were again brought to Amsterdam, where, after suffering many trials, they were bound on ladders, and burned alive, enduring it with great steadfastness.  They joyfully surrendered and forsook their earthly habitations, and are now awaiting a building of God, which shall endure forever in heaven.  2 Cor. 5:1.

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever, Amen.  Hear my confession to the princes of this world.  In the first place, they inquired concerning my faith.  I therefore said to them: “A scribe came to the Lord, and asked him, saying: Master, which is the great commandment?  The Lord said to him: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and your neighbor as yourself; this is the greatest commandment, and there is no other.  The scribe answered and said: You have answered well, that there is one God, and to love him with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love our neighbor as ourself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

To this they replied: “We know that there is one God; but do you believe that when the priest stands at the altar, God is in his hands?”

I said, “No.  Stephen said: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of the Almighty Father.”  Acts 7:56.

They again said: “Then you do not believe that he is there?”

I said, “No.”

Question: “We have been told, that when your pastor went on one side of the street, and you and two others on the other, you gave no honor either to him or to the sacrament; is this true?”

Answer: “Yes.”

Ques.  “Why did you do this?”

Ans.  “I will tell you, my lords: the Lord says through the prophet Isaiah, chapter 2, verse 8: They worship the work of their own hands: that which their own fingers have made: and the mean man bows down, and the great man humbles himself: therefore forgive them not.”

Ques.  “Did you do it for the reason that it was made by the hands of men?”

Ans.  “Yes, my lords, because I would not offend my Lord and my God with it.”

Ques.  “How long ago is it since you went to confession the last time?”

Ans.  “About two or three years.”

Ques.  “Why so?”

Ans.  “Because the Lord has said: Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  Mat. 11:28.

Ques.  “Did you do it on this account?”

Ans.  “Yes.”

Ques.  “How long is it since you attended the sacrament?”

Ans.  “Also about two or three years.”

Ques.  “Why so?”

Ans.  “Because Paul says: Christ presented to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”  Eph. 5:27.

Ques.  “Did you do it because you were not worthy of it?”

Ans.  “Yes, because I have spots and wrinkles.”

Ques.  “What do you believe concerning the holy church?”

Ans.  “I know of no holy church, except the congregation of the apostles, of which Christ is the corner stone.”

Ques.  “We well know this, that there was a holy church then.”

Ans.  “Can another foundation be laid, than that is laid?  1 Cor. 3:11.  Paul says to the Galatians, in the first chapter: I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another Gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ.  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you, than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other Gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed.  For do I now persuade men, or God?  or do I seek to please men?  For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.  But I certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it.  Gal. 1:6–12.  He further says, to the Corinthians: For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”  1 Cor. 2:2.

Ques.  “Well, what do you hold concerning Mary the mother of God?”

Ans.  “Much, for she humbled herself before the Lord, and was exalted through her humility.”

Ques.  “You have answered well.  What do you hold with regard to purgatory?”

Ans.  “I know of only two ways.”  Mat. 7:13.

Ques.  “Do you know your pastor well?”

Ans.  “I know him well by sight; but I have never spoken to him, nor he to me.”

Ques.  “Why did you not hear him?”

Ans.  “Because James says in his first chapter: A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

Ques.  “Well, what did he say?”

Ans.  “I have heard say that he said that man can not be saved through the death of Christ alone.”

Ques.  “Did he say amiss in this?”

Ans.  “Yes; Paul says: By him all that believe are justified from all things, from which we could not be justified by the law of Moses.”  Acts 13:39.

Ques.  “It is well known that we can not be saved through the law.”

Ans.  “Peter says that there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which they can be saved, than through the name of Jesus Christ.”

Ques.  “How long is it since you were baptized?”

Ans.  “Ever since I was born.”

Ques.  “Are you satisfied, that you can be saved by baptism?”

Ans.  “I believe to be saved through the death of Christ.”

Ques.  “We nevertheless must know whether you believe that you will be saved by it?”

Ans.  “I believe to be saved through the death of Christ.”

Ques.  “If you had the opportunity, would you not be baptized again?”

Ans.  “I do not know; for God knows both to will and to do.”

Ques.  “Still, we want to know whether you regard the baptism which you received in your infancy as the true baptism, or that which is administered on faith?”

Ans.  “If this is all you want to know, it is written that the Lord said to his apostles: ‘Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that does not believe shall be damned.’ Mark 16:15,16.  Further, the men said to Peter and the other apostles: ‘What shall we do to be saved?  Repent, he said, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers.  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.  And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.  And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people.’ ” Acts 2:37–47.

Ques.  “There you say yourself, that the apostles went into the temple?”

Ans.  “Yes, this is true; that was a temple which God had commanded to be built.”

Ques.  “The apostles certainly went forth to teach; where did they go to teach?”

Ans.  “Whithersoever they came, they went into the synagogues, and preached the Gospel of Christ.”  Acts 13:14.

Ques.  “We have heard, that you also teach wherever you go?”

Ans.  “O Lord, what should I preach; we may have read the gospel together.”

Ques.  “Where did you read it together?”

Ans.  “At the dyke.”

Ques.  “With whom did you read it?”

Ans.  “This I do not know.”

Ques.  “How should you not know with whom you read it?”

Ans.  “How should I know it, sometimes with this one, and sometimes with another.”

They therefore mentioned the names of a good many, and said: “Do you know this and that one?”

Ans.  “Yes, I know them well.”

Ques.  “Have you any books of Menno Simon and of David Joris?”

Ans.  “No, I have no books in the house, except a Bible and a Testament, and a little book on the faith.”

Thus they asked me many questions, and said that so much had been reported, how we had preached in this and that place, and that there was no town where he had been, but they knew it better than myself.

Now, my dear brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to strengthen and keep you, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.  Acts 20:32.  Therefore, let every one see to it, that no one be so presumptuous as to pour water into the living fountain; for the Lord says, John 6:44–46: “No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.  It is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught by God.  Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes unto me.  Not that any man has seen the Father.”  Isa. 54:13.  Therefore dear brothers and sisters, let us with one accord pray to God for wisdom, as the apostle James teaches us, and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, which is hypocrisy; therefore let us follow our supreme Lord and Shepherd Christ, and praise him through God the Father, unto whom be praise forever and ever, Amen.

Grace and peace from God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.  I beseech you, therefore, my most beloved sister and wife Wellemoet Claes, that you present your body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service, and do not be conformed to this world.  1 Corinthians 1:3; Rom. 12:1,2.  James says: “Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”  James 4:4 For the Lord Jesus says: “Truly, truly, I say unto you, That you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.  A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.  And you now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you.”  John 16:20–22.  Therefore let us say with St. Paul: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, For your sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”  Rom. 8:35–37.  “He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.  He that has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says unto the churches.”  Rev. 3:5,6.  Therefore, I beseech you, my most beloved, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore, be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is;”  “for the time past of your life may suffice you to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when you walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.”  “Therefore let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall.  There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you maybe able to bear it.”  Eph. 5:15–17; 1 Peter 4:3; 1 Cor. 10:12,13.

“Therefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Cor. 10:14), and “Know, that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conduct . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who truly was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”  1 Peter 1:18–21.  “Now, the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.”  1 Tim. 1:5.  “These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come, glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you: as you have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him.  And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”  John 17:1–3.  “For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who need not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.  For the law makes men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, makes the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.”  Hebrews 7:26–28.

About the year 1547, there was a god-fearing woman, whose name was Richst Heynes (so named after her husband, according to the custom of the country), and who lived in the Ilst, not far from Sneeck, in Friesland.  She also bowed her shoulders under the easy yoke of the Lord Jesus, hearing and following his blessed voice, avoiding that of strangers opposed to him.  The enemies of God perceiving this, very speedily sought to hinder and stop it; to which end, they sent forth tyrannical servants, who came as ravening wolves, and apprehended this defenseless sheep.  Her husband perceiving it, escaped with great peril of life.  She was very roughly handled, and cruelly bound, without the least mercy or compassion, though she was pregnant, and very near the time of her delivery, so that the midwife had already been with her.  But notwithstanding all this, they took her with them, though her little children cried and wept piteously.  They brought her to Leeuwaerden in prison, where after three weeks imprisonment, she gave birth to a son.  The child, to the great astonishment of all who beheld it, very plainly showed on his arms the marks which his mother had received from the cruel fetters.  They afterwards tortured her so cruelly, that she could not lay her hands upon her head.  Thus she was maltreated with inhuman tortures, mainly for the reason that she would not betray her brethren, for these wolves were as yet by no means satisfied, but thirsted greatly after more innocent blood.  The faithful God, however, who is a fortress in time of need, and a shield to all them that trust in him, guarded her lips, so that none were betrayed by her.  Therefore, as nothing could move her to separate from Christ, she was sentenced at said place, thrust into a bag, like an irrational brute, and cast into the water and drowned.  All this she as an innocent lamb of Jesus Christ patiently and steadfastly endured for the name of the Lord, remaining faithful unto death; therefore she is worthy ultimately to receive the crown of everlasting life from God, and to enjoy it forever and ever.

Claes Leeks, a native of Ostende, was summoned to the town-house, in the year 1548, on account of certain reports that were circulating about him.  Having arrived there, he was examined respecting his faith, and, making a good confession, he was committed to prison.  He was a man of very good reputation, on account of the many alms which he gave to the poor.  When he was examined, he renounced the papistic, Roman church, and also infant baptism, which he refuted with the holy Scriptures.  Thereupon, as he steadfastly adhered to his faith in God, he was sentenced to be strangled and burned.  As he was being led out to death, the priest presented the crucifix to him to kiss it, which he refused to do.  The priest also said to the people: “Pray for this deceiver; for he is going from this fire into the eternal fire.”  To this he simply replied: “This is what you say, but I have a better assurance.”  Thus he offered up his sacrifice as a true child of God.

Elizabeth was apprehended on the 15th of January, 1549.  When those who had come to apprehend her entered the house in which she lived, they found a Latin Testament.  Having secured Elizabeth, they said: “We have got the right man; we have now the teacheress;” adding: “Where is your husband, Menno Simon, the teacher?”

They then brought her to the town-house.  The following day two beadles took her between them to prison.

She was then arraigned before the council, and asked upon oath, whether she had a husband.

Elizabeth answered: “We ought not to swear, but our words should be Yes, yes, and No, no; I have no husband.”

Lords: “We say that you are a teacher, and that you seduce many.  We have been told this, and we want to know who your friends are.”

Elizabeth: “My God has commanded me to love my Lord and my God, and to honor my parents; therefore I will not tell you who my parents are; for what I suffer for the name of Christ is a reproach to my friends.”

Lords: “We will let you alone in regard to this, but we want to know whom you have taught.”

Elizabeth: “Oh no, my lords, let me in peace with this, but interrogate me concerning my faith, which I will gladly tell you.”

Lords: “We shall make you so afraid, that you will tell us.”

Elizabeth: “I hope through the grace of God, that he will keep my tongue, so that I shall not become a traitoress, and deliver my brother into death.”

Lords: “What persons were present when you were baptized?”

Elizabeth: “Christ said: Ask them that were present, or who heard it.”  John 18:21.

Lords: “Now we perceive that you are a teacher; for you compare yourself to Christ.”

Elisabeth: “No, my lords, far be it from me; for I do not esteem myself above the offscourings which are swept out from the house of the Lord.”

Lords: “What then do you hold concerning the house of God?  Do you not regard our church as the house of God?”

Elizabeth: “No, my lords, for it is written: You are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them.”  2 Corinthians 6:16.

Lords: “What do you hold concerning our mass?”

Elizabeth: “My lords, of your mass I think nothing at all; but I highly esteem all that accords with the word of God.”

Lords: “What are your views with regard to the most adorable, holy sacrament?”

Elizabeth: “I have never in my life read in the holy Scriptures of a holy sacrament, but of the Lord’s Supper.”  (She also quoted the Scripture relating to this.)

Lords: “Be silent, for the devil speaks through your mouth.”

Elizabeth: “Yes, my lords, this is a small matter, for the servant is not better than his lord.”

Lords: “You speak from a spirit of pride.”

Elizabeth: “No, my lords, I speak with frankness.”

Lords: “What did the Lord say, when he gave his disciples the Supper?”

Elizabeth: “What did he give them, flesh or bread?”

Lords: “He gave them bread.”

Elizabeth: “Did the Lord not remain sitting there?  Who then would eat the flesh of the Lord?”

Lords: “What are your views concerning infant baptism, seeing you have been rebaptized?”

Elizabeth: “No, my lords, I have not been rebaptized.  I have been baptized once upon my faith; for it is written that baptism belongs to believers.”

Lords: “Are our children damned then, because they are baptized?”

Elizabeth: “No, my lords, God forbid, that I should judge the children.”

Lords: “Do you not seek your salvation in baptism?”

Elizabeth: “No, my lords, all the water in the sea could not save me; but salvation is in Christ (Acts 4:10), and he has commanded me to love God my Lord above all things, and my neighbor as myself.”

Lords: “Have the priests power to forgive sins?”

Elizabeth: “No, my lords; how should I believe this?  I say that Christ is the only priest through whom sins are forgiven.”  Heb. 7:21.

Lords: “You say that you believe everything that accords with the holy Scriptures; do you not believe the words of James?”

Elizabeth: “Yes, my lords, why should I not believe them?”

Lords: “Does he not say: Go to the elder of the church, that he may anoint you, and pray over you?” James 5:14.

Elizabeth: “Yes, my lords; but do you mean to say that you are of this church?”

Lords: “The Holy Spirit has saved you already; you need neither confession nor sacrament?”

Elizabeth: “No, my lords, I acknowledge that I have transgressed the ordinance of the Pope, which the Emperor has confirmed by decrees.  But prove to me that I have transgressed in any article against my Lord and my God, and I will cry woe over me, miserable being.”

The foregoing is the first confession.

Afterwards she was again brought before the council, and led into the torture chamber, Hans, the executioner, being present.  The lords then said: “We have thus long dealt with you in kindness; but if you will not confess, we will resort to severity with you.  The Procurator General said: “Master Hans, seize her.”

Master Hans answered: “O no, my lords, she will voluntarily confess.”

But as she would not voluntarily confess, he applied the thumb-screws to her thumbs and forefingers, so that the blood squirted out at the nails.

Elizabeth said: “Oh!  I cannot endure it any longer.”

The lords said: “Confess, and we will relieve your pain.”

But she cried to the Lord her God: “Help me, O Lord, your poor handmaiden!  For you are a helper in time of need.”

The lords all exclaimed: “Confess, and we will relieve your pain; for we told you to confess, and not to cry to God the Lord.”

But she steadfastly adhered to God her Lord, as related above; and the Lord took away her pain, so that she said to the lords: “Ask me, and I shall answer you: for I no longer feel the least pain in my flesh, as I did before.”

Lords.  “Will you not yet confess?”

Elizabeth.  “No, my lords.”

They then applied the screws to her shins, one on each.”

She said: “O my lords, do not put me to shame; for never a man touched my bare body.”

“The Procurator General said: “Miss Elizabeth, we shall not treat you dishonorably.”

She then fainted away.  They said to one another: “Perhaps she is dead.”

But waking up, she said: “I live, and am not dead.”

They then took off all the screws, and plied her with entreaties.

Elizabeth.  “Why do you thus entreat me?  This is the way to do with children.”

Thus they obtained not one word from her, detrimental to her brethren in the Lord, or to any other person.

Lords.  “Will you revoke all that you have previously confessed here?”

Elizabeth.  “No, my lords, but I will seal it with my death.”

Lords.  “We will try you no more; will you voluntarily tell us, who baptized you?”

Elizabeth.  “O no, my lords; I have certainly told you, that I will not confess this.”

Sentence was then passed upon Elizabeth, on the 27th of March, 1549; she was condemned to death—to be drowned in a bag, and thus offered up her body to God.

In the year 1549 there were imprisoned at Amsterdam, for the truth of Jesus Christ, about twenty persons, men as well as women, all of whose names are not known, especially since some of them escaped from prison in the following manner: One of the prisoners had two brothers living in Waterlandt, who were rough fellows, and spent much of their time in taverns.  So at a certain time it happened, that as they were sitting in the tavern, they began to think of their imprisoned brother, and supposing that the time when he should be offered up, was drawing close, they deliberated among themselves, how they could best liberate him, and swore an oath that they would shrink from neither labor nor peril, even though it should cost their lives; in confirmation of which they held up their fingers, tossed their hats in the air, and called God to witness.  In the morning, when they were awake and had become sober, their perilous plan somewhat troubled them; but remembering the solemn oath which they owed to God, as also the sad departure of their dear brother, they manifested the firmness of Romans, and proceeded in the following manner.  They took a rope with a block, which had been well greased, so that the dry block should make no noise.  This they packed into a basket, and took it to the house of Jan Jans, who lived opposite the prison, in the crescent, and said to him: “Jan Jans, may we leave this basket here, and call for it late in the evening, as it may suit us?”

Jan Jans assented, without ever thinking of the dangerous plan, till they came to get their basket.

This Jan Jans had a cousin among the prisoners, named Ellert Jans, who had a wooden leg and was a tailor whom the Bailiff had taken from his shop on the new dyke.  Therefore these two brothers availed themselves of a dark evening, and brought a boat hook with them, which they thrust into the window, and then climbed up by it.  They then made fast a rope, and broke open the windows with a crow-bar.  Having thus effected their purpose, they let their brother down from the window with a rope, and forthwith, went to other prisoners, all of whom they let down through the window, except Ellert Jans, who refused to go out, telling them as his reason, that he was of such good cheer to offer his sacrifice, and felt so happy that he did not expect even through a long life to become any better, since he feared that on the way through the long desert his courage might fail him, and thus he would never get across the Jordan, and reach the promised land.  He also said that he was too well known by his wooden leg, so that he could easily be described for the purpose of apprehension.

But Tobias, Pieter, Grietgen, Jan, Lyntgen and Barbartgen were confined in other dungeons, where they could well hear, but not get to, them.  They remained in confinement till the time of their offering up was fulfilled, except Lyntgen, who was spared on account of her pregnancy.  She also gave birth to a child while in bonds; but the pain of delivery so affected her, that she became utterly deranged in her mind; after this she laid yet for a long time at Amsterdam, in a little house, in which she also died.

When the day had arrived, on which the aforementioned persons were to offer up their sacrifices, said Jan Jans stationed himself close to the tribunal, to see what spirit his cousin Ellert Jans would show in the last hour of his life.  As soon as Ellert Jans perceived his cousin, he addressed him with such a happy countenance that all the hearers listened with astonishment.  He also handed him a testament through the iron bars of the tribunal; but the Bailiff cried out like a ferocious lion: Where is the book?  But could not find it out.

With many good arguments he admonished every one, principally his cousin Jan Jans, that he should no longer suffer himself to be seduced by the adorned woman, the whore of Babylon, but should enter upon the way to the city of all good things.  Yes, he said that he never had lived a happier day; which Jan so took to heart, that he afterwards also took upon him the burthen of the cross.  Thus all the aforementioned friends ended their lives in great joy, and were burnt alive.  Shortly after a lover of the truth composed a hymn in remembrance of them, the first letter of each verse of which accords with the first letter of the names.  It is found in the old hymn book, and is the first of those beginning with T: “’Tis nu schier al vervult,” etc.

The sentence of these six brethren and two sisters, we obtained from the book of criminal sentences of the city of Amsterdam, through the secretary of said place; excepting the title which reads as follows:

Whereas Pieter, son of Jans, a native of Lininckhuysen, Tobias Questinex, citizen of this city, shoemakers by trade; Jan Pennewaerts of Loenen, Gijsbert Jans of Woerden, Ellert Jans, also citizen of this city, tailors, Lucas Michiels of Dortrecht, glazier by trade, Barbara Thielemaus of Dortrecht, and Truyken Boens, daughter of William Boens of Antwerp, have been rebaptized by one Giles of Aix-la-Chapelle, and have joined the sect and heresy of the Anabaptists, holding pernicious views with regards to the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith, the ordinances of said holy church, and the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty, our gracious lord; and, moreover, obstinately persist in their unbelief, errors and heresies; therefore, my lords the Judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the Bailiff concerning said persons, together with their confession, and having duly considered the circumstances of said case, condemn said persons to be burnt by the executioner; and, furthermore, declare all their property confiscated for the benefit of his Imperial Majesty, as Count of Holland and our gracious lord, without prejudice to the privileges of this city.  So pronounced and ordered to be executed, this 20th day of March, 1549, in the presence of the Bailiff, Egbert Gabriels and Joost Buyck, Burgomasters, and all the Judges.

Of these delinquents three were subjected to the torture, namely, Tobias Questinex, on the 14th of February, Pieter Jans, on the 15th of the same month, and Ellert Jans on the 8th of the present month, March.

Extracted from the book of criminal sentences of the city of Amsterdam, in the keeping of the secretary there.

N. N.

In the year 1549, about three weeks before Easter, two beloved men, named Fije and Eelken, were apprehended at Boorn, in West Friesland.  They were brought before the lords, where they boldly confessed their faith.

They first interrogated Eelken, saying: “Who has authorized you to assemble the people, to teach them?”

Ans.  “God has authorized me.”  Heb. 10:25.

Ques.  “What have you taught?”

Ans.  “Ask them that heard it, what we taught among ourselves; for you have apprehended a woman that heard it.”

They then asked the woman what she had heard from Eelken.

Ans.  “He read the four Evangelists, Paul, Peter, the epistles of John, and the acts of the apostles.”

Eelken was then asked again: “What do you hold concerning the sacrament?”

Ans.  “I know nothing of your baked God.”

Ques.  “Friend, take care what you say; such words cost necks.  What do you think of the mother of God?”

Ans.  “Much.”

Ques.  “What do you say; did the Son of God not receive flesh and blood from Mary?”

Ans.  “No: With regard to this, I believe what the Son of God himself declares concerning it.”  John 1:14.

Ques.  “What do you hold concerning our holy Roman church?”

Ans.  “I know nothing of your holy church.  I do not know it; I never in all my life was in a holy church.”

Ques.  “You speak too spitefully; I have compassion for you,” said one of the lords of the council, “and fear that you will lose your neck.  Are you not baptized?”

Ans.  “I am not baptized, but greatly desire baptism.”

Ques.  “What do you think of these false teachers who run about and baptize the people?”

Ans.  “Of false teachers I think nothing, but have greatly longed to hear a teacher sent from God?”

They said: “But we have heard that you are a teacher?”

Eelken said: “Who made me a teacher?”

They replied: “We do not know.”

Eelken said: “If you ask me what you do not know yourselves, how should I know it?  I know of no one that has made me a teacher; but God has given me all for which I have besought him.”

They said: “We have now written down all the articles concerning which we have interrogated you on this occasion; if there is any thing of which you repent, we will gladly strike it out!”

Ans.  “Do you think that I should deny God?”

Eelken and Fije were then both sentenced and brought together; they embraced each other, yes, kissed one another’s hands and feet with great love, so that all that saw and heard it were astonished.  The beadles and servants ran to the lords and said: “Never men loved one another as do these.  Eelken said to Fije: “Dear brother, do not take it amiss, that you have been brought into suffering through me.”  Fije answered: “Dear brother, do not think so, for it is the power of God.”

Their execution was deferred till the third day after the sentence was passed.  Eelken was first executed with the sword.  When Fije’s sentence was read, he did not listen to it, because of his great joy; and, ignorant of what had happened, or was to happen, to Eelken, he sang and leaped, praising and thanking God, saying: “This is the only way.”

They led Fije into the boat in which Eelken lay beheaded, and beside him the wheel upon which Eelken was to be placed, and the stake at which Fije was to stand, to be burned.  In the boat Fije’s hands became loose, but he sat still nevertheless.  The monks then said: “Bind him again.”  The hangman replied: “You bind him.”  But the castellan commanded him to bind Fije again.  Some women who beheld it wept bitterly.  But Fije said: “Weep not for me, but for your sins.”

He further said to the executioner: “What are you going to do to me?”

Ans.  “That you will see.”

“Yes, yes,” said Fije, “do what you will; I have committed myself into the hands of my Lord.”

The brethren went out with him, together with the common people, and when Fije saw some of his acquaintances, he cried out: “Friends, rejoice with me over this marriage feast which is prepared for me.”

When he arrived at the place of execution, some brethren, who greatly rejoiced with him, spoke to him, saying: “This is the narrow way; this is the Lord’s wine press; from this depends the crown.”  But when the castellan heard this cry, he called out: “Let no man lay his hands on him, on pain of life, and property.”

The executioner had forgotten his instruments, and ran to the town to get them.  In the meantime, the castellan and the two monks had Fije in the confessional, greatly tempting him with bread and wine; but they could not prevail upon him, for Fije did nothing but sing and speak, praising and thanking God.

When they could not prevail on him, and the executioner returned, they said to Fije: “How is it that you are so obstinate, when you say that you are a member of Christ?  Why then will you not do the works of mercy, and receive this bread and wine as bread and wine, for our sakes.”

Ans.  “I do not hunger for your bread and wine; for there is food prepared for me in heaven.”

When they could not prevail upon him, they said: “Begone, you heretic, begone!”

The castellan said: “I have seen many a heretic; but in all my life I never saw a more obdurate one than this.”

Fije, standing prepared for death, said to the executioner: “Master, have you finished your work?”

He replied: “Not yet.”

Fije said: “Here is the sheep for which you are wanted.”

The executioner then went up to Fije, tore open his shirt, took the cap from his head, and filled it with gunpowder.  Standing at the stake at which he was to be strangled, Fije exclaimed: “O Lord, receive your servant.”

He was then strangled and burnt, and thus fell asleep in the Lord.  The common people cried out, saying: “This was a pious Christian; if he is not a Christian, there is not one in the whole world.”

Whereas Jacob Claess of Lantsmeer has joined the doctrine, sect and heresies of the Anabaptists, having been rebaptized, and holding pernicious views in regard to the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith, the ordinances of the holy Christian church, and the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty our gracious lord; and, moreover, obstinately persists in his errors and heresy, notwithstanding the instruction which has been given him concerning the true faith; therefore, my lords the Judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the Bailiff, in the name of his Imperial Majesty, concerning said Jacob Claess, together with his confession, and having considered the circumstances of said case, sentence said Jacob Claess, pursuant to the aforesaid decrees, to be burnt by the executioner, and, furthermore, declare his property confiscated for the benefit of his Imperial Majesty, as Count of Holland.  So pronounced, and executed by the executioner, on the 9th of November, A.D. 1549, in the presence of the Bailiff, Sir Hendrick Dirks; Burgomaster, Jan Willems; Claes Meeuwess, Simon Claess Kops, Florus Marts, Jan Claess van Hoppen, and Hendrick Jans Croock, Judges.

Jacob Claess was subjected to the torture on the 22d of October, A.D. 1549.

Extracted from the book of criminal sentences, in the keeping of the secretary of the city of Amsterdam.

N. N.

Whereas Cecilia, daughter of Jeronymus, of Wormer, has joined the doctrine, sect and heresies of the Anabaptists, having been rebaptized, and holding pernicious views in regard to the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith, the ordinances of the holy Christian church, the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty our gracious lord, and, moreover, obstinately persists in her errors and heresies, notwithstanding the instruction which has been given her concerning the true faith; therefore, my lords the Judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the Bailiff, in the name of his Imperial Majesty, concerning said Cecilia, together with her confession, and having maturely considered the circumstances of said case, sentence said Cecilia Jeronymus, pursuant to the aforesaid decrees, to be burnt by the executioner, and, furthermore, declare her property confiscated, for the benefit of his Imperial Majesty, as Count of Holland.  Done and executed as above.

Extracted from the book of criminal sentences, in the keeping of the secretary of the city of Amsterdam.

N. N.

Hans van Overdam, together with his fellow-prisoners for the testimony of Jesus Christ, wishes all brothers and sisters in the Lord, grace, peace, and an ardent love, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be praise, honor, and majesty forever and ever.  Amen.

My most dearly beloved, do not grieve on my account (Eph. 3:13), but praise the Lord that he is so good a Father to me, that I can suffer bonds and imprisonment for the testimony of Christ, for which I also hope to go into the fire.  The Lord give me strength through his Holy Spirit.  Amen.  Walk in the fear of the Lord, even as you are called.  1 Corinthian 7:17.  And though we see one another no more in the flesh, may we behold each other hereafter, in the kingdom of our Father, where I hope soon to be.  The peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

O dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, my heart’s deepest desire and prayer is (Rom. 10:1), that you may constantly give more and more diligence to make sure the calling whereunto you are called by God the Father, through Christ, to the majesty and glory of the kingdom of his beloved Son, who purchased his church with his own blood, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.  Eph. 5:25–27.

Therefore, O dear friends, mark here what great love the Father has shown us, that he did not spare his only begotten Son, and how Christ so willingly delivered himself up, and suffered the most ignominious and shameful death of the cross, and shed his precious blood, for us, to wash and cleanse us from our sins.  O dear brothers and sisters, let us take heed, and diligently pray and watch, lest the saving grace of God, and the unspeakable love of the Father, and of Christ, be neglected or forgotten by us (Heb. 12:15), through the cares and anxieties of this world, or through the lusts and desires which kill the soul, and we be washed and scoured off as spots and wrinkles from the glorious church of Christ; yes, cut off as unfruitful branches, and destined to the fire.  For, my most beloved, it is not enough, that we have received baptism upon faith, and been engrafted by it into Christ, if we do not hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.  Heb. 3:14.  Therefore, if there is any one that feels that he is become a spot or wrinkle, let him see to it that he make haste, before the day come upon him, as the snare upon the bird; let him repent with true sorrow and penitence, lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and run with full strength the race that is set before him, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but that it may much rather be healed and strengthened, that we may pass the time of our sojourning here in the fear of God, and keep ourselves unspotted from this wicked evil world, which is full of deceit, snares, and nets, which the devil sets for the purpose of seducing the souls of men, and of taking them captive by manifold lusts and wiles.

O Lord, preserve (from this murderer) your pilgrims who walk in the hope of you, and expect their help and comfort from you alone.  O heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, preserve us that you may perform the good work which you have begun in us, to the praise and glory of your holy name.  O you Almighty and everlasting God, how utterly unsearchable is your grace and fatherly mercy upon those that fear and love you.  O Father, who should not fear such a God, who knows how to deliver his own; though they may seem to be forsaken here for a little season, despised of all men, rejected and cursed on this earth; yet he does not forsake his own through the consolation of his Holy Spirit in our hearts, who makes us bold and joyful, that we may suffer reproach for his name.  And we hope through the goodness of God; that our pilgrimage will soon end, and we shall be delivered from this miserable world and vale of tears, and that this earthly house of our tabernacle will be dissolved, that we may be brought home to our heavenly Father, and receive the crown of everlasting life, which is set before us, and which we hope no creature shall take from us.  To this end, may the Almighty and eternal God, the merciful Father, strengthen us through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Dear friends, let me tell you, how it went with me before my imprisonment, and how they treated us after my imprisonment.

At the time when the four friends concerning whom I composed the hymn, and whose burning I witnessed, were offered up, I heard it stated that they had assailed the friends who yet remained in prison, with great cunning and deception, through the advice of the false prophets, whose minds are constantly filled with the subtlety of the devil, even as they had boasted that they would do.  Our friends that remained there, were two lads and a girl, for whom we daily very diligently prayed to the Lord, fearing, lest they might by some means be moved from the faith.  We daily expected that they would also be put to death, and because of their youth I was impelled in my heart to station myself at the scaffold, when they were to be put to death, in order that, if they should be troubled on any account, I might comfort them, and also reprove the monks, who greatly distress and vex our friends when they are led to death.  But, alas!  the poor children did not get so far; for they imprudently allowed themselves to be drawn into disputations with the false prophets, though they had been sufficiently warned to beware of it as they valued their souls; for it is not given to every one to dispute, but boldly to confess the faith.  This when received from the Lord, well becomes Christians.

But when these poor lambs engaged in controversy, they became perplexed in their consciences, and apostatized from the truth, which gave the false prophets cause for great boasting, since they had won their souls, and brought them back to the holy church.  When I heard this, my soul and spirit were greatly grieved on account of the loss of the poor sheep, and because the false prophets, and also the councillors gloried so much in the fall and destruction of the poor lambs and children, whom they had driven to this by adjuring them as you shall hear in the sequel.

Being thus sorrowful, I sighed and complained to God over the violence and power of the devil, which he exerts through the children of unbelief.  Then the thought came to me, to write a few letters—for the purpose of informing them in several places—reprehending their vain joy over the loss of the poor lambs whose souls they had murdered.  I then began to write, and while thus engaged, my soul was so kindled, that what I had intended to be a little letter of a hand-breadth, became a letter of a whole leaf.  The Lord opened my understanding, so that in a wonderful manner I proved to the lords, by references to the Scriptures, their punishment with the whole Roman Empire and its end.  In the letter I wrote, that I desired and requested liberty publicly to dispute with all their learned men, in the presence of a great fire, into which the defeated party should be cast; also, that they should let the poor lambs in peace, and that they should leave the sword to the secular power, and contend with the word of God.

Having completed this letter, I showed it to the brethren, who were well pleased with it.  I then had a brother, who was a better writer than I, make six copies of it.  In the meantime, the poor, ruined lambs were released from prison, and recanted everything.  One of the lads died the same day on which he came out, a league from the city, and thus became an example to those who seek to save their life.

At the time that this occurred I came with Hansken Keeskooper from Antwerp, and we made all our arrangements for the disposing of our letters.  On Saturday evening we sent the letters to the lords of the city, and also posted two open ones in the middle of the city, that every one might read them.  We greatly praise and thank the Lord, that we did this before we were apprehended: for we were all betrayed by a Judas, who was among us, and who seemed to be one of the most pious of all the brethren that were there, so successfully could he practice his deception.  It had long been his aim, as we now perceive, to betray a large number of the friends.  This traitor was present when the letters were posted.  We had appointed to meet together on Sunday morning, to speak of the word of the Lord; for I desired to take leave of the brethren, intending to go on a journey the next day.  But the Lord be praised, who had ordered it otherwise.  Early in the morning, Hansken went with me to the woods where we were to assemble.  We did not find our friends at the place where we expected to meet them.  We hunted for them a good half-hour, and came to the conclusion that they had not yet come, as there had been a heavy rain the evening before.  We were about to turn back, when I said: “Let us go; they may be here ahead of us,” and sang softly; that, if they were there, they might hear us.  I then heard a rustling in the woods, and said to Hansken: “Our friends are here.”  We stood still, and looked to see who should come out.  Then three men with weapons and sticks came forth.

I said: “Well, boys, have you been hunting a hare, and have not caught it?”

Their faces turned pale as death, and they stepped up to us, and seized me by the arm, saying: “Surrender.”

Thus they apprehended us, saying: “We have caught a great number besides.”

We then saw a whole wagon full of our brethren sitting bound, and three Judges with all their servants, a great number, who guarded them.  When we came to them, we saluted our brethren with the peace of the Lord, and comforted them with his words, boldly to contend for his name.

We then reproved the Judges for being so desirous of shedding innocent blood.  Thereupon they coupled Hansken and me together with iron fetters, and also our thumbs.  We expected they would take us to the city; but as we had been apprehended in another seigniory, we had to go half a league further.  We regarded it as very fortunate that we could be together so long, thus being enabled to comfort one another on the way, with the word of the Lord, before they separated us.

We were then taken to a castle, a league from the city, where we were all kept together in one room, remaining there three days; for this was the law of the seigniory where we had been apprehended.  There we thanked and praised the Lord our God for having ordered it so well, that we had so much time freely to admonish one another.  Much people also came from the city, to see and hear us; but towards the last no one was permitted to come into our room.  There the chief Bailiff of the country of Aelst examined us in regard to our faith, which we freely confessed to him.  We expected to be taken to Aelst; but as the bailiff of Ghent had put us into the wagon when we were apprehended, to take us to Ghent, all of us had to be taken to that city.  The traitor who had betrayed us, was apprehended with us, that we might not notice it.  He was put into a separate room, and we felt much compassion for him, because he could not be with us; for we did not know that he was our betrayer.  He was also taken along in the wagon, to the prison at Ghent, where we first learned that he had betrayed us.

When we were brought out of the castle, to be taken to the city, much people had come from the city to see us; there my brother’s wife, who was a sister, was apprehended, because she spoke to me, and was put into the wagon; also a man who wished us Godspeed.  We freely spoke to the people that had come, telling them that those who would turn from wickedness, and follow Christ, had to be a prey for every one.  Isa. 59:15.  There were many who would have liked to talk with us, but did not dare do so, because of the wicked judges.  There were ten of us; two were ready [for baptism], and four were novices; the other two were apprehended because they spoke to us.  Thus they took two wagon loads to the city, in broad daylight.  On the way, they also apprehended a woman, only because she said to us: ‘God keep you.’  She also had to sit in the wagon.  But if they had apprehended all who spoke to us when we came into the city, and to whom we replied with the word of God, they could not have carried them in twenty wagons, as the people came running from every corner which we passed; as water which runs down from the mountains, and becomes a large stream, so the people flowed together, which continued from one of the gates of the city to the castle of the count, which stands at the other end of the city, a walking distance of about one hour.  We were led up to the castle, and the judge of the country of Aelst, delivered us over into the hands of the lords of the Imperial Council.  Here we were separately confined, some into upper rooms.  The women also remained above; but eleven of us were led into a gloomy, deep dungeon, containing diverse dark cells built of masonry, in which we were put in separate parties of three and three.  But Hansken and I were put into the darkest of all, in which there was a small quantity of crumbled straw, about an apron full, with which we might help ourselves.  I said: “It seems to me that we are with Jonah in the whale’s belly, so dark it is here; we may well cry with Jonah to the Lord, that he will be our comforter and deliverer; for we are now deprived of all human comfort and assistance.”  This did not deject us, but we praised and thanked God, that we were permitted to suffer for his name.  We also spoke to our brethren that lay in other cells; for we could easily hear each other speaking.  After we had lain there for three or four days, Hansken and I were both summoned before the lords, where we were examined, and interrogated concerning the ground of our faith, and when we had been baptized.

The Lord then, according to his promise, gave us a mouth, to speak boldly, and we requested to be allowed publicly to defend ourselves with the word of God.  They replied to us, that they would send us learned men, who would instruct us; whereupon we were taken below again.

Shortly after, I was taken above into another room, to two councillors and a clerk.  There they interrogated me very closely, where I had been, and if I knew that I had been banished six years ago, in the time of Martin Huereblock, and where we had held our meetings; all of which they knew, for the traitor had already told them.  I said: “Why do you ask me, who have come from foreign countries?” (For I purposely did not wish to ask much that, in case I should be apprehended, I might not have much to answer.) “Why do you question me so closely?  Have you not yet enough innocent blood to shed?  Do you thirst for still more?”  “Ask as closely as you want to,” said I; “the righteous Judge shall ask you again, if you do not repent.”

They then asked me still more, and adjured me by my baptism, that I should tell them; “For,” said they, “we know that you people do not lie; therefore tell us.”

I said: “That you know that we do not lie, is to us a testimony of salvation, but to you of perdition (Phil. 1:28), because you put such to death; but your adjuration has no power against the truth.”

All that I said was written down, and they threatened to torture me if I would not tell them everything.  I said: “I can not tell you what I do not know.”  Thus they tormented me for a very long time.  Thereupon I was taken below again.  In this manner they dealt with all our friends, with each separately.

One Saturday I was taken above again into the same room.  Four monks were present; the guardian of the Minorites, with another, and the Superior of the Jacobines, with another.  With me there came a young brother, who had not yet received baptism, but was ready for it.

When I had seated myself, I asked them what they wished.  They said they were sent by the lords, to instruct us, and to converse with us concerning the ground and articles of faith.  I replied that I was ready to be instructed with the word of God, and to hold converse concerning the ground and articles of faith, and this publicly, in the presence of the judges who were to judge us, and of our brothers and sisters that were imprisoned with us.

Ans.  “This they will not permit.”

Hans van Overdam.  “Well, let them do what they please; we will not dispute secretly and alone, lest our words be perverted behind our backs.”

Ans.  “We will not pervert your words.”

Hans.  “No, we know you well.”

Ques.  “What do you take us for?  What evil did we ever do you?  Pray, tell us what evil do you know of us?”

Hans.  “If you would know it then; I regard you as false prophets and seducers.”

Here we got into a dispute concerning their spiritual semblance, and the command of the Pope regarding the purity of the priests and monks, and why they were called spiritual, and others secular, when all ought to be spiritual.

They then said: “This is not profitable; let us dispute about the articles of faith.”

Thereupon I said: “What I have said I have said.”

They replied that they would tell it to the lords.  Thus we separated, having disputed with each other for fully two hours.  Two days after, Hansken and I were summoned before the lords; the four monks were present, and attempted to engage us in a disputation.

I then said to the lords: “My lords, I ask you, in what house are we, in a house of justice, or of violence?”

Ans.  “In a house of justice.”

Hans.  “God grant that it be so; but, my lords, of what do you accuse us, that you keep us imprisoned and confined like thieves and murderers?  Have we wronged any one, or do you charge us with violence, murder, or roguery?”

Ans.  “No; we know no such thing of you.”

Hans.  “Well, my lords, why then have you imprisoned us?”

Ans.  “Your adversaries will tell you that.”

Hans.  “Are you our adversaries?”

Ans.  “No, but we are judges.”

I then said to the monks: “Are you our adversaries?”

Ans.  “No.”

Hans.  “Well, if no one is our adversary, why are we imprisoned?”

A councillor then said: “The Emperor is your adversary.”

Hans.  “We have not offended against his Imperial Majesty according to the power which he has received from God, and will obey him in every ordinance, as far as we can do so consistently with the truth.”

Councillor.  “You have held meetings of this new doctrine, and the Emperor has commanded that this should not be done.”

Hans.  “God has not authorized him to make such commandments; in this he transcends the power which God has given him, and in this we do not recognize his supremacy; for the salvation of our souls concerns us more, so that we show obedience to God.”

The monks then said: “We are your adversaries, in that your doctrine is not good; for if it were good, you would not preach in woods and corners, but openly.”

Hans then said: “Grant us a free place in the market, or in your monasteries and churches, and see whether we then shall go into the woods; but no, you are afraid that you would be reproved; therefore you have brought it about, that you cannot be reproved, and have driven us from cities and countries.”

Monks.  “Alas!  We have not done it; the Emperor does it.”

Hans.  “You have urged him to it.”

Monks.  “We have not.”

The lords also then began to speak against us, why we were not content with the faith of our parents, and with our baptism.

We replied: “We know of no infant baptism, but of a baptism upon faith, concerning which the word of God teaches us.”

We then had many other words, and reproved them for undertaking to be judges in matters of faith, when they did not understand the Scriptures.  “If you would be judges, be impartial, and let the matter proceed in regular order; let both parties appear together, and let our brothers and sisters that have been brought prisoners here together with us, be with us.  Then one of us, whose mouth the Lord shall open, will speak, and the others shall listen in silence while he is speaking; and thus shall also our adversaries do.”

Lords.  “We will not let you come together; we would have you dispute alone here.”

We then said: “My lords, it would be the most convenient for you, and the whole matter could be finished with one disputation; otherwise you will constantly have to dispute anew with one or two at a time.”

Lords.  “What then?  We will not have it so.”

Then a councillor said: “They want to have them together, in order to seduce one another still more; therefore they cannot be allowed to come together.”

Hans.  “My lords, you say that you are judges, but we regard you as our adversaries; for you seek to injure us in every way, and to cause us and our brethren by violence and subtlety, to apostatize from our faith.”

Ans.  “Why should we not do this, in order to bring them back?”

Hans.  “Well, my lords, hear this: since we see that you are not judges, but our adversaries, and employ, wherever you can, all violence and subtlety to your advantage, and our detriment: Firstly, you have by violence deprived us of our testaments, in which we find our consolation; secondly, you have confined us separately, some in deep, dark dungeons, others in rooms up above; and thirdly, you seek to outwit and deceive us by separate disputations, afterwards to say behind our backs, to our brethren, that you had overcome us, and, vice versa, to say the same to us concerning our brothers and sisters; therefore, my lords, we will not dispute here, unless our brothers and sisters are present.”

When they heard that their design against us did not proceed according to their wish, they became greatly enraged, and also the monks.  We saw easily enough to what it amounted, and that all they did was pure deception; for though it was proven by the Scriptures, with regard to several articles, that they were in the wrong, yet they would not acknowledge it, and excused themselves with the Emperor and his mandates, and the monks with the long continued customs of the Roman church (Wisdom 14:16), and the great number of our forefathers; and when the contrary had been proven to them from the Scriptures, it was just as before, even as though one should have talked to the stove.

We then said: “My lords, will you not permit us to dispute in regular order, as we have requested?”

Ans.  “No.”

“Well then,” said we, “You know the ground of our faith, which we have freely confessed to you; you may now do with us as you please (Jer. 26:14), as far as God will permit; but take good heed what you do, for there is a judge still higher than you.  Eph. 6:9.  May the Lord open the eyes of your understanding, that you may see how miserably you are seduced and deceived by the false prophets, indeed so that you fight against God and the Lamb, for which it will go hard with you, unless you repent.”

We were then led away again, as we would not dispute further; for we had agreed upon this, when we were together yet in the castle, out of the city, lest they should take the simple unawares by disputations.  Therefore they could not persuade any that they had overcome them, all knowing that they were not to dispute, except in the presence of the others, in which case the disputation would tend to the consolation and admonition of our brothers and sisters who should hear it; for when we saw that they did their best we would not let anything be wanting on our part, seeing necessity demanded it.  When they perceived that this did not promise success, they tried another scheme.  They sent a councillor and two friars, a grey and a black, into a room, before whom a brother or sister, one at a time, were brought, to dispute with them and to defend the ground of their faith; but they declared that they would not dispute alone in a room, but openly, when we should be together before the lords.  They then said: “We adjure you by your faith and baptism, that you dispute here.”  The brother replied: “I know my faith and baptism; but with your adjuration I have nothing to do; therefore let us come together; for this is just what we wish, to dispute openly with you, but not thus alone in a room.”  Another was then summoned, and thus it went until all had been brought before them; but no one would dispute in this manner.  Thereupon I also had to appear alone in a room, before a councillor and two monks, who likewise began to adjure me.  I then said: “Why would you adjure me, to cast roses before dogs, and pearls before swine, that you may trample on them?  No, this the Lord has forbidden me to do.  Mat. 7:6.  No, I esteem the words of God far too precious, than that I should let the light shine in vain here, by which no one would be enlightened, but it would only be blasphemed and mocked, as you do when the truth is told to you.”

Then they adjured me still much more; but I replied: “Why do you adjure so much?  I care not for your adjuration; for it is the manner of sorcerers, who adjure against the truth.  2 Chron. 33:6.  But I now see clearly, how the souls of our two brothers and sisters were murdered and seduced (Ezek. 13:19), it was through your sorcerous adjuration, as they did not guard themselves against the subtlety of the devil, and had not the gift to dispute.”

The guardian then said: “You boasted in your letter that you would dispute publicly; why do you not dare do it now?”

Hans.  “You monk, I still desire with all my heart to defend my faith with the word of God, publicly before all men (1 Pet. 3:15); but your cap would shake quite differently, if you had to dispute with me at the risk of the fire, and if the authorities would not protect you.”

Councillor.  “No, we have no desire to let you dispute publicly; you are now in our hands.”

Hans.  “I desired it, before I knew that I should fall into your hands; but I see well now that I have fallen into the talons of the eagle (2 Esdra 11), and whoever gets into them cannot escape without losing soul or body.”

Councillor.  “Who is the eagle, the Emperor?”

Hans.  “No, it is the Roman Empire or power; read the letter I wrote to you; it will tell you.”

We then exchanged many more words, and the monks became angry at me, and commenced to utter puffed-up words.  I then said that Paul had prophesied correctly concerning them, that they were blasphemers, proud, and puffed up.  2 Timothy 3:2.

Thereupon friar Jan de Croock became so enraged that he began to cry: “Fools, fools, heretics, heretics are you!”

Hans.  “Behold, is this not a fine teacher?  But Paul says that a teacher must not be a brawler, nor angry.”  1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7.  The councillor felt ashamed that the monk acted so disgracefully, and commanded him to be silent.

At another subsequent time there came two secular priests: Sir Willem of Nieuwenland, and the parish priest of St. Michael.  I asked them what they desired.  They replied: “We have come to seek your soul.”  This time I kept under cover as much as I could, in hopes that we might dispute openly before the lords, as they told me that they would use their best endeavors in this direction.  But when I heard that it could not be, I thought, when they came again with the clerk, we must accost each other in quite a different way, from what we did the last time.  I then asked: “What do you wish?”

Ans.  “We desire that you suffer yourself to be instructed; for, behold, we seek your soul.”

Hans.  “Do you then take so much pains to seek souls?”

Ans.  “Yes.”

Hans.  “Well then, go into the city, to every place, to the drunkards, whore-mongers, swearers, railers, covetous, proud, idolaters, revellers, gluttons, and murderers who shed innocent blood; all these are still your brethren; go, seek their souls.  Christ has found mine.”

Ans.  “We admonish them, and then we have delivered our souls.”

Hans.  “That is not enough; you must go to them, and reprove them, and if they will not hear you, you must bring them before the church, and reprove them openly; if they still refuse to hear, exclude them from the church, and let them be unto you as heathen and open sinners, as Christ teaches, and Paul writes to the Corinthians.  Reprove also your judges, who do violence and injustice, yes, who shed innocent blood.”

One of the priests then said: “Should we go and reprove the magistrates?”

I asked whether God was a respecter of persons.

Ans.  “No.”

Hans.  “Would you be a minister of God, and have respect to persons?”

Ans.  “This would cause an uproar in the city, and they would kill us.”

Hans.  “Then suffer for righteousness’ sake.”

But it seemed to me they had no great desire to suffer for it.  In short, we treated so much of the ban, that if the words of Christ and Paul were followed, the Pope, Prelates, Emperor and King, yes, they themselves with all their multitude would be excluded, and only a very small number remain.

I then told them that their house was all on fire, kindled by the flames of hell, and that they should first extinguish that, before coming to see whether our house was in danger of fire.  Whereupon they went away; one of the priests came no more.  In this manner I dealt also with Sir Anthony van Hille; he tormented the others, but let me alone.

With this I commend my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord into the hands of the Almighty God and Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Written while in prison for the testimony of Christ.  I lay in a dark dungeon for a month; I am now in a deep, round hole, where there is a little more light, and here I have written this letter.  I hope to offer up my sacrifice this week, if it is the Lord’s will, together with those whom the Lord has foreordained for this; for if it does not take place this week, it will no doubt be deferred for two months yet, because no court will be held for six weeks.  Know, that our brothers and sisters are of good cheer and courage, through the grace of the Lord; God be praised for it.  I beseech you, by the brotherly love which you bear to me, that you send this letter to Friesland, particularly to Emdenland; I mean this same letter, as soon as you can; you may copy it, but make haste with it.  I kindly desire that it be preserved, so that it may not be torn or soiled.  The brethren that are in the dungeon with me, greet you all with the peace of God.  We daily pray to the Lord for you; do so also for us.  Walk in the peace of the Lord, and it will be well with you.  When this letter has been read, send it to Antwerp, that it may be sent to the church at Emden, so that it may be read to every one; this I desire of my dear brethren, through the brotherly love which you bear to me.

Understand well:

He that has ears to hear, let him hear, and he that reads, let him attend, and judge with the understanding of the holy Scriptures; but woe to him that judges without understanding.  Hearken, I speak to you, O carnal generation, you Ishmaelites, who boast of being Christians, because you are born of water without the Spirit, and persecute the children of the promise, who, through faith in the word of God, are born of the water and of the Spirit; yes, you persecute them, as Ishmael persecuted Isaac, as Esau did Jacob, and as the Jews persecuted Christ.  Even so the antichristians, who are born of the flesh, now persecute the Christians, who are born of the Spirit, who shall receive the promise of the everlasting kingdom through Christ, who is the heir of all things, and causes his kingdom to be proclaimed through the Gospel, unto repentance and true sorrow for dead works, through faith in him; they contemn his witnesses, etc.  This is the wind, O eagle, mark!  Which blows where it wills, and you can not tell from where it comes, or where it goes.  Hear now his voice, which the Most High has reserved unto the latter times, to reveal to you your transgressions and punishment, who now begins to deliver his people through much misery and tribulation.

Therefore, mark!  O you eagle, the end of your time is very close; are you not the fourth beast?  O yes, you are the beast seen by Daniel (Dan. 7:7), which devoured everything with his iron teeth, and stamped the residue with his feet, and brought forth the most wicked little horn.  Dan. 7:7,8.  You have dwelt a long time upon the earth with deceit, and have not judged the earth with truth.  For you have afflicted the meek, you have hurt the peaceable, you have loved liars, and destroyed the dwellings of them that brought forth fruit, and have cast down the walls of such as did you no harm.  Therefore is your wrongful dealings come up unto the Highest, and your pride unto the Mighty.  And therefore appear no more, you eagle, that the earth may be refreshed, and may return, being delivered from your violence, and that she may hope for the judgment and mercy of him that made her, whose judgment shall be better and more just than your, O you eagle!  Therefore, shall your wicked heads which remain to the last, be the end of the eagle to accomplish his most wicked wickedness, together with his wicked feathers, which also are kept unto the last.  Therefore hear, vain body of eagle, who vainly boast of what you are not, namely, Christians.  Hear also, you most wicked claws, which are willing and ready to destroy and rend what your most wicked heads command you, through the counsel of liars, whom they love.  Why do you rejoice in the misery and fall of the poor lambs and sucklings, who feed still on milk, and whom you keep imprisoned with violence, and whose souls you murder with false, deceitful wiles: who have heard the truth only a year or two at the most; you have none as yet, that can instruct you in all the articles of faith?  Be ashamed of your boasting, that through your carnal, blind, learned men you have overcome the innocent, with subtle, deceitful wiles and broken Scriptures.  Oh woe, woe!  For the great misery and the terrible times, that wickedness has gained so much the upper hand, that truth is not permitted as much as openly to defend itself.  Let the misery, violence, and great distress of the pregnant and the sucklings of these times ascend to the ears of the Most High, because no help, comfort, or assistance can be rendered them by those whom the Lord has endowed with more grace and gifts to stop the mouths of adversaries.

But perhaps you say: Let them come forward then, that are better endowed, and have received more grace.  To this we reply, that the wolf might call for a long while before the sheep would come; they well knowing that he would tear them with great cruelty, and without right and reason.  Alas, alas!  What awful judgment and terrible punishment from the fierce and devouring wrath of God shall fall upon those who without mercy distress, persecute and murder the innocent and god-fearing, and themselves live so ungodly in all the unrighteous works of the flesh, so that they shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven.  O, you spiritual Babylon, how shall the Lord visit and avenge upon you the innocent souls and the blood of his witnesses; for all this is found in you.  You have made the kings of the earth, and all nations, so drunken with the wine of spiritual whoredom, that they can neither see nor hear the truth.  O that we might once freely defend ourselves publicly with the word of God, in the presence of a large, flaming fire, against all you learned doctors, licentiates, priests and monks, who help strengthen, protect, preserve and maintain the kingdom of antichrist, and that the vanquished party should be cast into the fire; then it would not be necessary to torment and distress the poor, innocent lambs, and your faith could be tried, as to how it accords with the truth; then there would be no need of washing the hands with Pilate, or of the imperial mandate, and the authorities would remain free from the blood of the innocent, if they would not let the word of God be judge over the faith.  But no, the false prophets and deceivers well know that their trickery and deceit would be made far too much manifest by it.  Therefore they cry just as assiduously as did the scribes and Pharisees; “Crucify him, crucify him.”  The mandate of the Emperor must prevail.  Thus it was in the beginning of the fourth beast, and so it is now at the end of it.  Let him that can comprehend with it, observe with understanding, that the end is the worst of all.

“Princess, repent and amend your ways; for the end of all things is at hand.  Woe unto you false prophets who resist the truth, even as the Egyptian magicians resisted Moses; but your wickedness shall yet be made manifest to all men, even as it already begins.  Woe unto you champion antichrist, who put on the time-honored customs of the Roman church as an armor with which to defend yourselves against the truth, and use the mandate of the Emperor as a shield, and wield the sword of the magistracy, in every country to shed the innocent blood of those who will not defend themselves with temporal or carnal weapons, but only with the word of God, which is our sword, and which is sharp and two-edged.  But we are daily greatly slandered by those who say that we defend our faith with the sword, as did those of Munster.  May the Almighty God preserve us from such abominations.

Be it known to you, noble Lords, Councillors, Burgomasters and Judges, that we recognize your officers as right and good; yes, as ordained and instituted of God, that is, the secular sword for the punishment of evil-doers, and the protection of the good, and we desire to obey you in all taxes, tributes and ordinances, as far as it is not contrary to God.  And if you find us disobedient in these things, we will willingly receive our punishment as malefactors.  God, who is acquainted with every heart, knows that this is our intention.  But understand, you noble Lords, that the abuse of your stations or offices we do not recognize to be from God, but from the devil, and that antichrist, through the subtlety of the devil, has bewitched and blinded your eyes, so that you do not know yourselves, who you are, and how sorely you have incurred the wrath of God.  Be sober, therefore, and awake, and open the eyes of your understanding, and see against whom you fight, that it is not against man, but against God.  Therefore we will not obey you; for it is the will of God, that we shall be tried by it.  Therefore we would rather, through the grace of God, suffer our temporal bodies to be burned, drowned, beheaded, racked or tortured, as it may seem good to you, or be scourged, banished, or driven away, and robbed of our goods, than show you any obedience contrary to the word of God, and we will be patient herein, committing vengeance to God; “for we know him that has said, “Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense, says the Lord.”  And again, “The Lord shall judge his people.  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  Hebrews 10:30,31.  And the spirit testifies, that this is at hand, and has already commenced.

Hearken, you whose time for bearing is half fulfilled: Prepare your bed; for you shall bring forth.  What shall I bring forth?  The fruit of your labor, with pain and anguish, and afterwards death.  Hearken, you on the right hand: Prepare the measure.  What shall I prepare it for?  To measure your neighbor, and then shall you also be measured.  Get you ready, you fire, and do not tarry.  Hearken, I speak to you who are of one mind with the horns (Rev. 17:13), the day of your feast has come, your meat is ready; eat quickly the fat flesh of the drunken, that the power may be given to the beast.  It has been put into your hearts, so to do.  After the beast you shall have power for a little while.  You fight against the Lamb, but the Lamb shall overcome you; he is King of kings, and Lord of lords, and his kingdom will endure forever.  Amen.

We testify of him that it is he that shall come, yes, he comes quickly, the Lord Jesus, who shall reward every man according to his works.

A holy conduct, a living, spiritual faith, hope, and a true evangelical confidence in God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, our only Helper and Savior, I wish to my beloved friends, for glad tidings and an affectionate salutation, that through said faith and confidence in God you may grow up in a new and pure life, which life is perceived and richly found in the holy Gospel.  O blessed are they who purify and sanctify themselves according to the tenor of the Gospel; without which purification and sanctification no man shall see God nor the Lord.  Thus follow the advice of the Lord Jesus, who says: “Search the Scriptures.”  John 5:39.  I have done nothing else; as I and my fellow-prisoners said before the lords of the Imperial Council; and they can not, in truth, bring any charge against us.  They asked us, me first, and then the others, one after another, whether we were baptized.

I said: “Yes, my lords.”

Ques.  “How long since?”

Ans.  “Four years, my lords.”

Ques.  “What do you hold concerning your baptism received in infancy?”

Ans.  “Nothing at all, my lords.”

Ques.  “Concerning the sacrament of the priests, do you not believe that flesh and blood is there, and that it is God?”

Ans.  “No my lords, how should it be flesh and blood and God?” said I before the priests of Jezebel.  “Cover over this whole table with them [with wafers], and I will blow them away like dust; therefore they are not God, for God can not be handled or eaten bodily.”

They then asked whether I would hold to this.  I replied: “Yes, my lords, till the contrary is proven to me with the Scriptures.”

Thereupon I was led away from the council, and another brought forward, until ten had made this confession, one of whom is not baptized yet, but he confessed that it is right and good, and said that he once went to the teacher to be baptized.

The lords then asked him: “How came it that he did not baptize you?”

The person, a mere lad yet, and a dear child, replied: “My lords, when the teacher presented the faith to me, and had interrogated me, he well perceived that I was still young in understanding, and bade me search the Scriptures still more; but I desired that it be done.  He then asked me whether I knew that the world puts to death and burns such people.  I replied: “I know it well.”  He then said to me: “Therefore I pray to you, that you have patience for this time, until I come again another time.  Search the Scriptures, and ask the Lord for wisdom; for you are yet a youth.  Thus we parted.”

The lords then asked: “Are you sorry that you are not baptized?”

He said: “Yes, my lords.”

They asked him further: “If you were not imprisoned, would you be baptized?”

He replied: “Yes, my lords.”

He was then led away from the council.

See, dear friends, these are beautiful signs and miracles; open your eyes, and behold when such young persons give themselves for the truth, delivering their bodies into prison, and even unto death.  We have told the lords, that they should bring forward all their learned men, and we would prove to them with the truth, that they are all false prophets, and that they have deceived the world for almost thirteen hundred years with their deceitfulness, and that we would rather dispute with them publicly upon a scaffold, in the midst of the market-place, than secretly; but this the priests will not do, and will spare no pains to escape it.  Thus all the learned men were called to dispute in the consistory, all the lords of the council being present, and also four of the most learned priests of Ghent; I was present and heard it myself.

Therefore, search the Scriptures, which the Lord commands you to do, and to act according to them, on pain of the damnation of your souls, and of being cast into everlasting fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth forever; which Scriptures the priests forbid you to read, on pain of being hated by all men all the days of your life, and of having your body burned at the stake; which is soon done, as may be seen.  Therefore we rather do what the Lord commands, though we are despised for a little while, and by men cast out of this miserable world, and rest in the Lord, than do what men command, and be forever the enemy of God, in the horrible pit of hell.  Therefore, search the Scriptures with an upright heart towards God, and the Lord will give you understanding.  The Lord be with you.  My love to you.

From me Jannijn Buefkijn, imprisoned at Ghent, for the testimony of Jesus.  I wish salvation to all that seek the Lord with an unfeigned heart.  Written in the dark with poor materials.

When these two lambs had been sentenced, the Procurator-General said: “That you are sentenced as heretics, is for the reason that diverse learned men disputed with you, and you would not allow yourselves to be instructed.”

Hans van Overdam.  “My lords, if we could have disputed publicly, it would soon have been seen what kind, learned men they were.”

Procurator-General.  “It is too late now; it is too late now!”

Both were sent away then, going with a smile on their lips.

Hans van Overdam.  “Yes, yes, it is too late now!”

Hans Keeskooper had agreed with Hans van Overdam, that on the scaffold he would take off his stockings, and in the meantime Hans van Overdam should speak to the people; which was also done.  When the executioners would assist Hansken, the latter desired to do it alone, that Hans van Overdam might speak the longer to the people.  This done, each was placed at a stake, and they offered up their bodies to God.

On the last of January 1550, there were offered up for the faith, at Lier, in Brabant, four pious Christians, named Govert, Gillis, Mariken and Anneken, who, as sheep for the slaughter, had been apprehended without violence.  When they were brought before the council, and questioned concerning their faith, they made a frank and unfeigned confession of it.  The bailiff then said: “You stand here to defend yourselves?”

Govert replied: “As regards my faith, I have freely confessed it, and shall turn to no other; though it cost my life, I will adhere to it.”

Forthwith the imperial edict was read to them, and the bailiff asked them whether they understood its contents.

Govert said: “God has commanded us through Christ, as is recorded in the sixteenth chapter of Mark, that all who believe and are baptized shall be saved, and that those who do not believe shall be damned; but the Emperor, in his blind judgment, has commanded that whoever is baptized upon his faith, shall be put to death without mercy.  These two commands militate against each other; one of the two we must forsake; but every one ought to know that we must keep the command of God; for though Satan teaches that we are heretics, yet we do not act contrary to the word of God.”

When they were led to the tribunal, Govert said to the priests: “Take off your long robes, put on sack cloth, put ashes on your heads, and repent, like those of Nineveh.”

In the court the bailiff asked him whether he desired no favor.

He replied: “I will not ask for your favor; for what I cannot do without the most high God will give me.”

The bailiff said also to Anneken: “Do you not desire a favor, before sentence is passed upon you?”

She answered: “I shall ask favor of God, my refuge.”

Mariken, an old woman of seventy-five years, was asked whether she would confess her sins to the priest.

She replied: “I am sorry that I ever confessed my sins to the mortal ears of the priests.”

Seeing some brethren, Govert turned his face and joyfully comforted them, saying among other things: “I pray God, that you may be thus imprisoned for his glory, as I now am.”

The bailiff very fiercely said: “Be still, for your preaching is of no account here.”

“My lord bailiff,” said he, “I speak only five or six words, which God has given me to speak; does this give you so much pain?”  And when the people murmured on this account, he said: “This has been witnessed from the time of righteous Abel, that the righteous have suffered reproach; therefore do not be astonished.”  The two servants that stood by him said “You must not speak; the bailiff will not have it; therefore be still.”

Immediately God closed his mouth, which grieved many.  Gillis was not questioned, and he said nothing at all; but they were led back to prison, where they rejoiced together, and sang: Saligh is den man, en goet geheeten; and also the forty-first psalm.  The bailiff then came into prison, and asked Govert whether he had considered the matter; to which he replied: “Unless you repent, the punishment of God shall come upon you.”  The bailiff looked out of the window, and said: “Will God damn all this multitude of people?”

Govert replied: “I have spoken the word of God to you; but I hope there are still people here who fear God.”

The bailiff then turned to Anneken, and asked her what she had to say to it.

She replied: “Lord bailiff, twice I have been greatly honored in this city, namely, when I was married, and when my husband became emperor; but I never had a joy that did not perish, as I now have.”

On his way to death, Govert delivered an excellent admonition, reproving the wicked railing, and said: “Be it known to you, that we do not die for theft, murder or heresy, but because we seek an inheritance with God, and live according to his word.”

The executioner commanded him silence, but he said: “Leave God be with me for a little while; repent, for your life is short.”

A brother then said: “God will strengthen you.”

“O yes,” said he, “the power of his Spirit is not weakening in me.”

The monk attempted to speak to Mariken, but Govert said: “Get you therefore, deceiver, to your own people; for we have no need of you.”

Entering the ring, Govert said to the gild-brothers: “How do you stand here with sticks and staves?  Thus stood the Jews when they brought Christ to death; if we had been afraid of this, we would have fled in time.”

They then knelt down together, and prayed; whereupon they kissed each other.  Anneken immediately commenced to sing: “In you, O Jehovah, do I put my trust.”  Psm. 71:1.  The servants told her to be still; but Govert said: “No, sister, sing on,” and helped her sing.  Enraged at this, the bailiff called to him a servant, and whispered something in his ear.  The latter went to the assistant of the executioner, who, upon receiving the order, immediately put a gag on Govert; but the latter held his teeth so firmly closed, that the gag did not hinder him much, and he laughingly said: “I could easily sing with the gag on; but Paul says: Sing in your heart to God.”  Eph. 5:19.

The executioner, in order to put her to shame, made Anneken stand in her bare chemise.  A servant asked Gillis whether he did not see some of his people.  Gillis said: “Do you know of nothing else to torment us with?”  “What does he say?” asked Govert.  “He inquires for our fellow-brethren,” replied Gillis.  Govert said: “Though I could count twenty, I would not mention a single one.  You think that by killing us you can suppress the word of God: but of those that hear and see this, hundreds shall yet come forth.”  Standing at the stake, he said: “Amend your ways and repent; for after this there will be no more time for repentance.”  A servant who had a bottle of wine, asked them whether they wished to drink.  Govert said: “We have no desire for your insipid wine; for our Father shall give us new wine in his eternal kingdom.”  Mat. 26:29.  When it was thought that the old woman had been strangled at the stake, she began to sing a hymn in honor of her Bridegroom, which when Anneken heard it, she, from ardent love, sang with her.  When they all stood at their stakes, each with a strap around the neck, they smiled at and nodded to one another, thus affectionately saluting and comforting each other, and commending their souls into the hands of God, they fell asleep in the Lord, and were burned.

In the year 1550, there were apprehended at Leyden, in Holland, four lambs of Christ, namely, a brother and three sisters, named Willem, Maritgen, Dieuwertgen and Maritgen Jans, who, having frankly confessed their faith, and no pain or suffering having power to cause them to apostatize, were finally sentenced to death as heretics.

When they were brought forth, Willem said: “We do not suffer as thieves or murderers, but for the name of the Lord; therefore, O Lord, forgive them that do this to us.”

Maritgen said: “Lord, strengthen us, who suffer for your word, which few are willing to do.  I am not worthy to suffer for your name; but, Lord, you shall make me worthy.”  Acts 5:41.

Dieuwertgen came forward singing, and then said: “Dear citizens, do not avenge this; for it is done for the name of the Lord.”  She further said: “Lord, look upon us, who suffer for your word; for our trust is in you alone.”

Maritgen Jans said: “This is the narrow way to salvation.  O Lord, receive my spirit.  And you lords of the council, only consider what great injury you are doing to your souls, in shedding innocent blood; therefore repent, like those of Nineveh; for we do not suffer on account of heresy or sedition; we seek not to contend, save with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  Thereupon, commending their souls into the hands of God, they offered up their sacrifice, presenting an acceptable savor to God, for which they will hereafter not lose their reward.

As this Teunis van Haustelraed was a zealous man in the fear of God, and very diligent with the talent which the Lord had committed to him, to get gain for the Lord, to bring many to the knowledge of the truth, and to strengthen those who had received the truth, in the same; and as he thus most faithfully oversaw and served the church of Christ, he was finally apprehended, and imprisoned at Limmick, a city in the province of Jueelick, where he had many a severe contest with many subtle and shrewd spirits, and had to suffer and endure many torments for his faith.  The controversy was principally about infant baptism and the sacrament, in which he did not agree with the papists.  And as he could not be overcome or moved by them, but adhered firmly to the truth, he was finally condemned to be burned.  They led him out of the city into the open field, and there burned him to ashes, about the year 1550.

While he was yet in prison, he remembered his brothers and sisters with a consolatory admonition, which he sent to them from prison; it reads as follows:

“O God, grant that in my great suffering I may unceasingly press to you, and not fear any pain, or death.  Yes, dear Lord, I beseech you, who are God over all things, that I may not be ensnared by whatever may and will yet come upon me, which I shall suffer with Christ, unto salvation; for I know that the crown of life is prepared for those who persevere herein.  Therefore, O you pious, despair not, but earnestly betake yourselves to your Captain Christ, for he can win the field; and he shall come at the last day, in flaming fire, and hold a severe judgment over all the ungodly.  He shall then say to the sheep on his right hand: ‘Come, inherit the kingdom of my Father, prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ Mat. 25:34.  O, all you Christians, cast from you all that burdens you, and stand with your loins girt, and watch for the Lord.  Heb. 12:1; Luke 12:35.

“If you are righteous, become still more righteous; for, believe me, you will need it all.  O all you members of Christ together, I beseech you, wake up now, that you may not sleep when the bridegroom comes; for then the wise will be admitted to salvation, but the foolish will be shut out into eternal damnation.  Mat. 25:10.

“The Lord, to whom belonged the talent entrusted to you, will come again, and strictly inquire what each has gained.  He shall then commend the wise, saying: ‘Enter you into the joy of your Lord.’ But the slothful shall be reproved for his wickedness, and committed to torment.  Mat. 25:26.  O you lambs of the Lord, feed now, that you may become ready, so that you may not be unprepared when you are to come to the wedding.  Otherwise the king will say: ‘Friend, how earnest you in here not having a wedding garment?’ Then the man, having no good answer, shall be speechless.  But the king will command him to be cast into everlasting darkness.  Mat. 22:13.

“Do not become buyers of lands, but rather sell, you that are bidden, and give to the poor.  Luke 14:18; Mat. 19:21.  O dear brethren, have compassion on the poor, and comfort and assist them.  I have nearly fought the fight, and my course will soon be finished; God grant that I may keep the faith, and the crown of life will be prepared for me.  2 Tim. 4:8.  O Lord, raise up faithful servants, and make them rulers over your household that they may give them meat in due season.  Mat. 24:45.  Pious Christians, I give you this as a brotherly adieu, for your good.  It has been written with a faithful heart, and I hope to seal it with my blood.”

Tijs van Lindt was a zealous and devout man, a resident of Remunde, in Guelderland, and walked, according to the knowledge which God had given him, devoutly in the fear of the Lord; he was especially gifted with a sympathizing and merciful heart towards the poor and needy, so that, through the manifold alms and assistance which he rendered to the poor in general, he had a good report with many; for, with that which God had given him, he comforted many in their distress.  But as he had forsaken popery with its idolatry, accepted the evangelical truth, received the saving faith in Jesus Christ, repented of his sinful life (abused in ignorance), been baptized upon his faith, and daily sought to go on in the new and holy life, to the honor of God, the edification of his neighbor, and the enlightenment of those who still sat in blindness, in order thus to present his body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, the adversaries of the truth could not bear it, and this pious man was reported and charged with heresy.  He was put into prison, where he had to endure many conflicts and assaults; they assailed him severely with torments, that he should apostatize from his faith.  But as he notwithstanding all sufferings and torments steadfastly adhered to his faith, he was finally condemned by virtue of the imperial mandate, and burned to ashes.

Shortly after the burning of this pious witness of Jesus Christ, in Remunde, the city itself took fire, and was almost entirely reduced to ashes.  How it was is not known, unless of its own accord.  Many think that it was a punishment for the innocent blood, which judgment we leave to God.

Palmken Palmen was a resident of Borren, near the bailiwick of Millen, and was very zealous to live in the truth of the holy Gospel, and to follow Christ his Lord in obedience, whom he had put on when he was baptized upon his faith.  But as the light is hated by darkness, and there was at this time a severe persecution in the country, by certain blood-thirsty authorities, instigated by the priests there, this good man was often in great distress, and was finally imprisoned, in which imprisonment he suffered much reproach and many assaults; and as he immovably kept his faith in every fear and distress, he was finally sentenced to be burned to ashes, which sentence, as appeared, he received with gladness; for, when he was taken away from the house at Borren, he joyfully kept singing a hymn until the last moment, that is, as long as he had breath, while he was standing at the stake at which he was burned to ashes; which took place between Sittert and Limmerich, in the open field, where a gravestone still marks the place where he is said to have died.

A short time previously there were seven brethren at one time, and eleven at another, executed with the sword, in the bailiwick of Millen and Borren, and thus bore testimony with their blood to the name of Christ.

There was also a pious and devout brother and fellow-member of the church of Jesus Christ, named Remken Ramaeckers, burned for the evangelical truth, near Sittert.

In like manner, Gerrit van Kempen was burned for the testimony of Jesus Christ, at Wislen.

The malice of the priests was so great that they could not bear it, that those who sought in quietness to serve Jehovah God in simplicity and sincerity should reside in Antwerp; but they so instigated the Margrave, that rather than lose his office, he went about to apprehend them, and having to this end sent out his servants, he arrested three of them, which caused the priests great joy.  The captive brethren, on the other hand, also rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer for the name of the Lord.  They were sharply examined concerning their faith, of which they made a good confession, with regard to baptism, and the sacrament, as well as to other articles; and though greatly assailed with subtlety by the priests, and the doctors of Louvain, they so sagaciously defended themselves with the Scriptures, that the Margrave himself declared that he had never heard so clear an exposition of the Scriptures, and that if he were with them only two weeks they should persuade him.  Thereupon the brethren said: “Judge yourselves, whether it is not the true faith and the truth for which we pledge our lives, and from which we will not depart, but persevere in this to the praise and the glory of the Lord, who did not forsake us, even when we were sitting in darkness.”  Heb. 10:28; Mat. 24:13; Heb. 13:5; Mat. 4:16.

Now when the doctors produced many Scriptures in a perverted and wrong manner, the brethren said: “How dare you be so presumptuous as to teach the way of the Lord so pervertedly?”  One of the doctors replied: “It is because we are not willing to be imprisoned and in fear and tribulation with you; but in about seven or eight years I will promulgate the truth aright, and make great gain by it.”  “Poor man!” said one of the brethren, “you trust in a vain hope, since you are sure of neither evening nor morning, hour nor time,” which came true; for he died shortly after.  Luke 12:20.  “Behold,” said they, “you acknowledge yourselves, that we have committed no crime; why then will you take our lives?”  The council said: “The decree of the Emperor commands us to put you to death.”  “Take then,” said they, “the decree with you into the judgment of the Lord, and see what it will avail you; indeed nothing.”

They were then sentenced, each to be burned at a stake.  This sentence did not terrify them; but they greatly rejoiced, and comforted each other.  The council said to the youngest: “Pray the Margrave, and he will very probably release you.”  “O no,” replied he, “I will suffer with my brethren for the truth.”  Thus they went together gladly and boldly to the stakes, saying to one another; “We go in peace to the peaceable house of God, there to obtain an everlasting habitation.”  They also prayed for the lords, that God would not lay this deed to their charge, but enlighten them, that they might come to repentance.  Finally, standing at the stake, they cried out: “Heavenly Father, receive our spirits into your hands,” and thus they offered up their sacrifice as true children of God.

The Lord Jesus said to Peter, who was not only a lamb of Jesus Christ, but also a faithful shepherd, elder and overseer of the flock: “Truly, truly, I say unto you, When you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would: but when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall gird you, and carry you where you would not.”  “This he spoke,” says John, “signifying by what death he should glorify God.”  John 21:18,19.  Here no great bishopric, benefice, or yearly stipend is promised to the high apostle Peter, by his master Christ Jesus, for this his faithful service, which he should begin and carry out in watching and feeding the sheep and lambs of the Lord; but much rather tribulation, bonds, and the bitter death with which he should meet.  John 16:33; 15:20.

But even as his Master entered through tribulation and suffering into his glory, so it was his will, that his servants should follow his footsteps.  This was exemplified, about the year 1550, in the case of one Anthony van Asselroye, a faithful follower of Christ and his chosen apostle Peter.  He also bowed his neck under the easy yoke of our Lord Jesus, following him from the whole heart in the regeneration, so that he was chosen by the church of God, to feed and pasture, like Peter, the souls of the sheep of the Lord with the word of God; which he faithfully did in that dark, perilous and bloody time, until he fell into the hands of the blood-thirsty papists, who bound him, and carried him where he would not; for no chastening for the present seems to be joyous to the flesh, but grievous.  Heb. 12:11.

Thus this teacher and elder was compelled to tread the bloody wine-press, and suffered and endured many torments from these persecutors.  And as he patiently passed through all this, and no tyranny could move him to apostatize, he was condemned and put to death, and thus torn and devoured by these ravening wolves, according to the flesh, but in no way according to the Spirit.  But even as this hero and soldier of Jesus Christ obediently followed Christ and his faithful followers, in the faith and the regeneration, so he, at the appearing of the Lord, shall sit with them upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  Mat. 19:28.  There he shall receive again, in glorious immortality, like unto the glorious body of our Lord Jesus Christ, the members which he delivered into bitter death, for the truth and the name of the Lord, and shall live with him forever.  Philip. 3:21; 1 Thes. 4:17.

Peter Bruynen, who was offered up at Antwerp, A.D. 1551, confesses that he received Christian baptism upon his faith, by said Anthony van Asselroye.

In the year 1550, there were imprisoned in the city of London, in England, two pious witnesses of Jesus, a man by the name of John Knel or Buchner, and a woman named Anna Cantiana; who, among other things, believed and confessed with Menno Simon and all true believers, that the Son of God became man for our sakes, and that he did not receive his humanity from Mary or any other source, but that the eternal Word, or Son, became himself flesh or man.  As the aforementioned could by no means be brought to apostatize, but would firmly adhere to the truth accepted, they, after suffering many torments, were condemned to death at said place.  John Knel was burned the second of May, A.D. 1550.

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CHCoG: Foxe and other British sources agree with the date of execution, and with Buchner’s beliefs, but this work has her gender and name wrong.  She was Joan, not John, and has been given several surnames, including Butcher, Boucher, Knell and also Joan of Kent.  Joan was one of the very few to die for their religious beliefs during the reign of the protestant King Edward VI, and at the instigation of the Church of England’s Archbishop Cranmer.

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Anna Cantiana was also burned to ashes the same year.  According to the testimony of John Fox she was ever ready to render service to others especially to those who were in bonds and imprisonment, with whom she constantly was, to minister to them.  And as these above mentioned martyrs suffered all this for the testimony of Jesus, and not on account of any crime, and steadfastly died for the truth, and were not ashamed of Christ and his word; in this life, before men, he shall also not be ashamed of them before his Father, but, out of grace, bestow upon them and all the blessed, the kingdom prepared for them from the beginning.

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CHCoG: I can find no other record of Anna Cantiana, not even in Foxe.  It seems likely that Braght means Anne Askew, who was arrested under the authority of Henry VIII’s barely reformed Church of England.  She was an Anabaptist who was actively preaching reformation in London with Joan Boucher.  Anne was arrested three times, in March 1545, early 1546 and finally in May 1546.  She was interrogated by Bonner and tortured on the rack by Chancellor Wriothesley and Sir Rich themselves, when their appointed torturer refused to continue.  Her shoulders, hips, knees and elbows were all dislocated, and she was no longer able to walk.  She refused to recant her beliefs, nor would she implicate others who shared her beliefs.

Anne Askew was condemned as an obstinate heretic, carried to the stake and burned at Smithfield on 16 July, 1546, along with John Lascelles, Nicolas Belenian and John Adams.

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Concerning this, see preface to the old Offerboeck of the year 1616, letter J, other side.

At a certain time, which we have not been able precisely to ascertain, a lad named Jacques Dosie, was imprisoned at Leeuwaerden, in Friesland, for the truth of the holy Gospel.  It is said that he was only about fifteen years of age; but the wonder-working God, by the holy Spirit, manifested his power through this little one, and perfected his praise out of the mouth of this young child.  Matthew 21:16; Psm. 8:2.  For, on a certain occasion, when the lord and lady of Friesland, with many nobles and ladies, were assembled at Leeuwaerden, they summoned Jacques before them, conversed with him, and examined him, whether he was contaminated with any heresy.  But the faithful God, according to his promise (Luke 21:14; Mat. 10:19; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11), gave him a mouth and wisdom, which they could in no way resist or quench.

Thus it came, that after a few words the lord of Friesland went his way, because the people were waiting for him; but the lady of Friesland, moved to compassion, it seems, talked with him, asking him why he, who was still so young, was thus severely imprisoned and bound.

Jacques answered: “This was done only because I believe in Christ, adhere to him alone, and will in no way forsake him.”

The lady asked him: “Do you not belong to the people who rebaptize themselves, perpetrate so much evil in our country, make rebellion, run together, and say that they are dispersed on account of the faith, and boast of being the church of God, although they are a wicked set, and cause great commotion among the people?”

Jacques.  “My lady, I do not know any rebellious people, nor am I one of their number; but we would much rather, according to the teachings of the Scriptures, assist also our enemies, satisfy them, if they hunger and thirst, with food and drink, and resist them in no way with revenge or violence.”  Rom. 12:20,17; Mat. 5:39.

Another said: “It would be seen, if you only had the power.”

Jacques replied: “O no my lady, believe; if it were permitted among us, to resist the evil with the carnal sword, know that no seven men should have brought me here, and I should have kept out of your hands, for there would have been power to do it.”

Lady.  “I know there are such sects, who are very wicked and kill the people, and also have their goods and wives in common.”

Jacques.  “O no, my lady, we are quite unjustly charged with these wicked things, and occasion is by it sought to persecute us; but we must suffer and endure all this with patience.”  Mat. 5:11; Acts 21:38; 2 Tim. 2:3.

Lady.  “Was it not your people, who with great dishonor took up arms against the government at Amsterdam and Muenster?”

Jacques.  “O no, my lady; for those people erred greatly; but we regard it as a doctrine of the devil, to seek to resist the authorities with the external sword and violence, and would much rather suffer persecution and death from them, together with everything that is inflicted upon us.”  Rom. 13:1; 1 Pet. 2:13; Tit. 3:1.

Lady.  “Nevertheless, it is imputed to you, and they who make uproar do very wrong; however, I believe what you say concerning it.”

Jacques.  “My lady, do we not read much of this character, how wicked men spoke evil of the apostles themselves, and the whole band of Christians, and, by many wicked things, sought to incite the authorities to vengeance against them, though it was all falsehood?” Acts 28:22; 24:5; Luke 2:34.

Lady.  “Do you not believe that all are damned who are not baptized according to your way?”

Jacques.  “O no, my lady, for judgment with regard to this belongs to God alone, who shall reward every one according to his works, as is clearly evident in many places of the holy Scriptures.  Moreover, the water has not power to cleanse us from sin, as Peter says, but is merely a sign of all obedience.”  1 Peter 3:21; Mat. 3:15.

Lady.  “When you are baptized, tell me, can you still sin?”

Jacques.  “Yes, my lady, for this appears very clearly from the words of Paul; since we are still clothed in a weak and sinful body, and sin in many things.  Rom. 7:14,18; Gal. 5:17; Jas. 3:2.  But we must constantly crucify and mortify it, and not practice or fulfill the works of the flesh; or the righteousness of God will condemn us to eternal death.”

Lady.  “Wherein do you still differ with the inquisitor, let me hear once?”

Jacques.  “My lady, because I will in no way accept his doctrine, unless he first clearly prove to me that it accords in every respect with the word of God; otherwise he labors in vain; for my faith is founded on the pure word of God alone.  As regards the practice of infant baptism, we contradict it with reason, since it is not a command of God Almighty, but much rather the invention of men, seeing infants have not the least knowledge or discernment of what is required or comprised in baptism.  But Christ in his love for such innocent ones has promised them the kingdom of God through grace, without requiring any of these conditions.  Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14; Mat. 18:3.  My lady, I find that popery is infected with many other errors besides this; for they seek to make Christ come into the bread, or that the bread should become changed into his flesh and blood; which we in no way believe, but regard as an exceedingly gross error and absurdity.  But we believe that Christ truly ascended to heaven, and sits on the right hand of his Father.  Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9.  Thus we do not believe that there is any salvation in their flour, mass, purgatory, or any of their services for the dead, and all like human inventions, of which they have a great number, and all of which are nowhere recognized in the holy Scriptures, but excluded from it.  Gal. 1:14; 1 Tim. 4:2.  But, on the contrary, we call upon God and seek our salvation in him, and not in any creature, that we may not corrupt God’s own glory, and give it to any of his creatures.”  Jer. 13:16; Josh. 7:19.

The provincial having come, he began to speak, and said: “Will you not believe in the sacrament, which Christ himself instituted?”

Jacques.  “My lord, Paul says that the bread is broken in remembrance of him, and that the cup of blessing is the communion of the blood of Christ.”  1 Cor. 11:24; 10:16.  Thus he ended his words.

Lady.  “I consider this the worst thing in you, that you will not have the children baptized; for all Germany and every kingdom regards your doings as heresy.”

Jacques.  “My lady, it is indeed true that we are everywhere despised, and, like the apostolical band, spoken evil of in all the world; but do not think that such shall therefore perish at the last day.”  1 Cor. 4:9; Mat. 5:11; 2 Pet. 2:2.

Lady.  “My dear child, behold, I pray to you, come over to our side, and repent, and you shall get out of this trouble, and I promise to procure your release.”

Jacques.  “My lady, I thank you very much for your affection and favor towards me; but I will not change my faith, to please mortal man; unless it be proven to me with the Scriptures that I err; for I have given myself entirely to God, to be his friend, and herein I hope to live and die.”  Galatians 1:10; Phil. 3:8; John 15:14.

Lady.  “My son, behold this multitude of men; I have compassion for you, and entreat you, repent of your baptism and do not remain so obstinate; if you, so young a child, should die for this cause, it would be a heavy cross for my heart; therefore see that you are released, and may go home.”

Jacques.  “My lady, I can not see that there is any crime at all in my baptism, seeing I herein have not followed my own, but the holy institution of our Lord Jesus Christ; had I been able to find another, better way to the kingdom of God, it would not have happened; for I was inclined with my whole heart to seek Jehovah my God.”  Isaiah 56:6.

Lady.  “Should they then all err, so many learned men that have been before you; do you dare be so presumptuous as this?”

Jacques.  “My lady, in Israel four hundred prophets were against the single Micaiah, who alone spoke the truth, and was kept imprisoned on bread and water; which King Ahab experienced in his distress, but too late.”  1 Kings 22:27; 2 Chronicles 18:5.

The lady finally said: “I find many good things in you; but your greatest error I consider to lie in your baptism, which does not seem to me to be of God.”

In this manner she had him brought before her many times; but as he, young in years, but old in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (Wis. 4:8; 1 Corinthians 14:20), had built his foundation upon the rock Jesus Christ, he valiantly repelled all the subtle devices of Satan—whether consisting in many severe threats, or in fair promises of the kingdom of this world (Matt. 4:8)—with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; and as nothing could move him to forsake Christ, he was condemned to death by the rulers of the darkness of this world (Eph. 6:12), and thus testified and confirmed the true faith of the truth with his death and blood, and, through grace, obtained the crown of everlasting glory.

Concerning this, see a hymn in the Gulden Harp, beginning: Tot Leeuwaerden op eenen dagh.

As it has from the beginning been abundantly heard and seen, that the truth is envied and trampled upon by its enemies and haters, and that its pious confessors have had to suffer from them in manifold ways; so, among many other examples, it was verified, at a certain time after Mary van Beckum and her sister had been offered up at Delden, in the case of a faithful brother named Hans van Monster, who lay imprisoned for the truth, in the castle of Berchem, near Antwerp.  And since Jesus very earnestly teaches and recommends to us the visiting of the sick and imprisoned, in their tribulation (Matt. 25:36; Heb. 13:3), a single man named Old Jacob, and another by the name of Bartel, moved by the spirit and brotherly love, went from Antwerp to Berchem, to comfort their brother, according to their ability, in his tribulation.  When they arrived there, the enemies watched them, supposing that old Jacob was a teacher and elder; for at that time the blood-thirsty papists had put a reward of three hundred guilders upon teachers, to be given to any who should deliver them into the hands of the executioners; and as old Jacob was very eloquent, and could defend himself very ably with the word of God, they hoped to earn said money by him, in which, however, they failed, as Jacob was no teacher.  Nevertheless, they kept them, and imprisoned them with their fellow-brother; and as they together were built upon the immovable rock Christ Jesus, they remained steadfast in all these tempests; and since no torment could induce them to depart from the truth, they were together put to death in the castle of Berchem, valiantly offering their lives for the truth, and are now waiting with all the saints of God, the blessed resurrection unto eternal life.  Rev. 6:11; 1 Thes. 4:16.

In the beginning of the conversion of the beforementioned Bartel, and another, named Gerrit, it occurred that these two young men were present when Mary van Beckum and her sister were offered up in the castle of Delden; and they testified that they heard Mary van Beckum declare publicly before the people, when she was placed at the stake, to be burned: “You shall see this stake at which I am to be burned grow green, by which you may know that it is the truth for which we here suffer and die.”  These two young men, who heard this themselves, some time afterwards went of their own accord to the stake, and saw it flourish.  Terrified by it, they went together to Antwerp, to inquire for such people; and having come to an elder by the name of Hendrick van Aernem, and Jan Lubberts of B., they related the above to them.  Thereupon Hendrick van Aernem replied: “I would not dare repeat this after you.”  They said: “Should we not tell what we have heard and seen ourselves?”  Thus they adhered to their assertion concerning what had occurred with regard to Mary van Beckum, and, accordingly, lent their ears to the truth, repented, became converted, and united with the church of God.  Afterwards Gerrit went to Amsterdam, where he resided until his death; but Bartel lost his life for the truth, as has been heard.

 

 

TWO YOUNG GIRLS LED TO EXECUTION.

About the year 1550, it happened in the bishopric of Bamberg, that two young girls espoused and received Christ by faith, were baptized upon their faith, according to the doctrine of Christ, and arising from sin, sought to walk in newness of life with Christ.  On this account the antichristians sought to hinder them in this good resolution, and to quench their good intention as much as lay in their power.  They therefore cast these two young lambs into prison, where they tortured them with great severity, and sought also with other unchristian means to cause them to apostatize; but as they were firmly built upon Christ, they remained faithful and steadfast during the entire trial.  Col. 2:7; Rev. 2:10.  Therefore, the authorities, who herein generally follow the advice of the false prophets, condemned them to death; at which they were joyful and undaunted.  When they were led out to execution, their persecutors, by way of reproach and mockery, placed wreaths of straw upon their heads; whereupon one said to the other: “Since the Lord Christ wore a crown of thorns for us, why should not we wear these crowns of straw in honor of him?  The faithful God shall for this place a beautiful golden crown and glorious wreath upon our heads.”  Thus these two young branches armed themselves with patience, according to the example of their Captain Jesus, remained faithful unto death, died steadfastly, and obtained, through grace, the glorious crown with God in heaven.

To these girls their adversaries accord the praise, that they died quite undauntedly and steadfastly, and that they had the true foundation and ground of the Christian faith in their Redeemer Christ Jesus, whom they openly confessed, and called upon in their distress, in which they steadfastly died with a firm hope; so that doubts were entertained among their adversaries, as to whether they themselves were not in greater error before God, than these young girls, though they were Anabaptists.

He that wishes may read, with regard to this account, Johannes Manlius, printed at Frankfort, A.D. 1550.

At the same time a lad of fifteen years was put to death, suffering it with great steadfastness, at Leeuwaerden; whose faith is compared to that of the aforementioned two young girls put to death at Bamberg.  See Ondergang, page 1130, col. 1.

It appears that at this time the bitterness of the Romish clergy increased and broke forth more and more, against those who sought to follow the evangelical doctrine of Jesus Christ; so that they prevailed upon the Emperor, through decrees, to revive the inquisition over the consciences of the inhabitants of the Netherlands, which for a time had seemingly abated, and to introduce it with greater rigor than before; which was accordingly done in the manner prescribed, which caused great dissatisfaction and sorrow to the common people of said countries.  In regard to this, a certain author writes thus:

“Though many severe decrees had been published before at different times, for the oppression of the evangelical believers, by which many thousands were miserably put to death for the faith, in the Netherlands; yet the hatred and ill-will of the people increased to an unwonted degree, in the year 1550, in consequence of the decree in regard to the inquisition, issued by Emperor Charles V., at Brussels, on the 29th of April; for by it it was declared that it was the intention, from that time forth publicly to introduce the spiritual inquisition, but to have the cruel and bloody mandates nevertheless rigorously executed by the secular power.”  Chron. van den Ondergang, page 1129, col. 1, compared with Eman. de Met., lib. 1. Pieter Bor., lib. 1. Oorspronch der Nederlantsche Beroerten, old edition, fol. 5, 6.

Further Observation.—Though the writer says in the sequel, that some magistrates would not publish this decree concerning the inquisition, and that some, by humble petitions to the Emperor, obtained a mitigation; yet it had come so far, that actual means were secretly employed to carry out this purpose, through the inquisitors; in consequence of which, the minds of the people became the more agitated and disaffected, so that many emigrated from the cities of Brabant, particularly from West Flanders.  See the authors cited.

At this time, also Reyer Dircks, a pious hero and valiant soldier of Jesus Christ, though of small repute in the eyes of the world, who gained his livelihood with a little boat on the river Amstel, enlisted under the bloody banner of his Savior, and united with the cross-bearing church, contemptuously called Anabaptists.  Having been with them about three years, he experienced that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and that the violent take it by force; inasmuch as he could not enter the spacious halls of the blessed palace of God without pressing through the strait gate, so that his flesh, yes the whole body, remained on the posts, and this in the fire, as food for the birds and wild beasts.

He was imprisoned at Amsterdam, in Holland, and, though he was most miserably tortured, he nevertheless refused to depart from his faith, and the promise which he had made to God in baptism.  He was then condemned to death as a heretic, and very cruelly executed with flaming fire.

The foregoing may be clearly seen from the following sentence, which was read on the day of his death, in the court at Amsterdam, by the ecclesiastical rulers.

Sentence of Death of Ryer Dircks.

Whereas Ryer Dircks, boatman, citizen of this city, did, about three years ago, embrace the doctrines, errors, sects, and heresies of the Anabaptists, and is holding pernicious views with regard to the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith, the ordinances of the holy church, and the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty, our gracious lord, and, moreover, persists in his errors and heresies, notwithstanding the instruction given him in the true faith; therefore, my lords of the court, having heard the demand made by my Lord the Bailiff, in the name of his Imperial Majesty, concerning the aforementioned Ryer Dircks, as also his confession, and having duly considered the circumstances of the case, condemn said Ryer Dircks, pursuant to the aforesaid decrees, to be executed with fire by the executioner; and, furthermore, declare his property confiscated for the benefit of his Imperial Majesty, as Count of Holland, without derogation and prejudice to the privileges of this city.

Thus pronounced, and committed to the executioner for execution, this sixteenth day of August, A.D. 1550, in the presence of the Bailiff, all the burgomasters, and all the judges, with the exception of Jan Dunen.

Ryer Dircks was examined by torture the ninth of July, A.D. 1550.

Extracted from the book of criminal sentences, in the keeping of the secretary of the city of Amsterdam.

N. N.

In or about the year 1551, a smith was apprehended for the divine truth, at Komen, in Flanders.  He freely confessed his faith, and as he would not depart from it, he was sentenced to death in two ways, namely, if he recanted, he was to be executed with the sword; otherwise to be burned alive.  To this end, two-fold preparations were made; but seeing the multitude, and fearing trouble, the authorities kept the brother in prison.  Therefore, some climbed to the top of the prison and broke through the roof, to see what was being done with the doomed man.  At last, one knocked at the door of the prison, desiring to know whether the brother was alive or dead.  Having been admitted, he immediately returned with blood on his hand, which he showed to the people, saying: “He is dead!  He is dead!”  The dead man was then brought out on a ladder, with his head lying between his legs, and the ladder placed upon the wall of the churchyard, where the priest made a long speech (a sermon probably), saying among other things, that he had renounced his heretical belief, and re-accepted the Roman church and her saving faith; and “holding now a good resolution,” said he, “he was instantly executed, lest he might fall back into his old error.”  But it was firmly believed that the priest slandered the dead man, and this the more so, since after relating the sentence, he said that he obstinately adhered to his previous confession.  Thus God constrains the wicked, in the telling of their lies, themselves, unawares, to reveal the truth of the matter.

On the 21st of July, A.D. 1551, two pious Christians, a brother by the name of Gillis, and a sister named Elizabeth, were sentenced to death as heretics, pursuant to the imperial decree, at Ghent, in Flanders.  They were not led forth to death at the usual time, but at 1 o’clock in the afternoon.  Having ascended the scaffold, they prayed to God.  In the meantime, the executioner unlaced the gown of Elizabeth, which, when she arose, fell down, so that she stood there in her shift and linen trousers, which the executioner, by way of mockery, had made her put on.  Feeling greatly ashamed on this account, she immediately went to the stake, and then said: “I thank you, O Lord, that I am worthy to suffer for your name.  I now stand at the touchstone, at which God’s elect are tried.  O Lord, strengthen me, and delay not.”

Gillis said: “Dear sister, be patient in your suffering, and comfort yourself in God; he will not forsake you.”

“O dear brother,” said she, “I will never depart from him.”

Gillis then cried: “O Lord, forgive them their sins, who inflict death upon me; for as they do not know you, they do not know what they do.”

Finally they cried out: “O heavenly Father, into your hands we commend our spirits.”  And thus, through fire, they died a blessed death well pleasing unto God.

On account of the severe and great persecution which was carried on everywhere in the Netherlands, against the true Christians, four pious believers, among others, named Joris, Wouter, Grietgen and Naentgen, fled, in the year 1551, from Lier in Brabant, to Ghent in Flanders.  They had not resided long in the latter place when they were betrayed by a Judas, and brought prisoners from their houses to the castle of the count, where they joyfully thanked God, and sang praises to him, because they were counted worthy to suffer for his name.  When assailed by the monks and other sophists, they freely confessed their faith, from which no subtlety could turn them; but they valiantly withstood, with the truth, the seducers who sought to murder their souls, and were then condemned to death by virtue of the imperial mandate, because they had apostatized from the Roman church, contemned infant baptism, and had been baptized upon faith.  They were sentenced to be burned at the stake without being strangled.  They thanked the lords, and Grietgen said: “My lords, save three stakes; we can all four die at one; for we are spiritually of one mind.”  Rom. 12:16.  They were joyful in the Lord, and thanked God greatly.  Naentgen said: “This is the day for which I have longed so much.”  Eight monks then came to torment them; however, they did not accept their advice, but Grietgen said: “Take off your long robes and teach yourselves,  before you undertake to teach others.”  They were led to death like sheep to the slaughter, the monks accompanying them, to whom they said: “Stay back; let us in peace, for we know you well, and do not wish to hear you.”

Having ascended the scaffold, Joris said to the people: “Be it known to you, that we do not die for theft, murder, or heresy.”  At this the monks became enraged, and contradicted it.

They then fell upon their knees, prayed to God, and arose and kissed each other with the kiss of peace.  But when they with glad countenances addressed the people, the monks, to hinder them, went and stood before them; but one of the people cried out: “You furious antichristians, stand back, and let them speak.”

Wouter said: “Citizens of Ghent, we do not suffer as heretics or Lutherans, who hold in one hand a beer-mug, and a testament in the other, thus dishonoring the word of God, and dealing in drunkenness; but we die for the genuine truth.”  The executioner then hung each of them by a rope to a stake, but did not strangle them.  They then strengthened each other, saying: “Let us fight valiantly, for this is our last pain; hereafter we shall rejoice with God in endless joy.”  Mat. 25:23.  As they were hanging in pain, before the fire was kindled, Joris fell through the rope, and Wouter cried: “O brother, be of good cheer!”  “O Lord!” exclaimed Joris, “in you do I trust; strengthen my faith.”  Luke 17:5.  The fire then commenced to burn, and they cried out: “O God our Father, into your hands we commend our spirits.”  Thus they offered up their sacrifice according to the will of the Lord, and their faith was tried like gold in the fire, and found good, and so accepted of God.

Eight days after the sacrifice of the preceding persons, a woman named Catharine was also sentenced to the fire.  While yet in prison, she was greatly tormented by the monks, in order to make her apostatize, but she said: “I stand so firmly to my faith that for it, to the honor of God, I will suffer myself to be burned at the stake.  What would you do for your faith?  Not much, I think.  Therefore repent, before you be brought to shame.”

Having been sentenced to be burned alive, and on her way to death, she was saluted by a brother.  When she arrived on the scaffold, her hands were untied at her request. She then knelt down, and prayed fervently to God for strength, which he also gave her; for when she had arisen, and was tied to the stake, she boldly said: “I am put to death for the truth’s sake; whatever you are able to inflict upon me, I am freely ready to suffer.”  A seducer then came up, to comfort and strengthen her, as he said, but she replied: “Be still, I am tired of your tormenting; forbear comforting me, and comfort yourself; for he whose name I suffer for shall now be my comfort.”

Thereupon, calling with a firm confidence upon God, she was burned alive in the sight of all men, steadfastly offering up soul and body to God, as a burnt sacrifice.

In the year 1528, on the Wednesday after All-saints-day, Brother John Bair of Lichtenfels, was apprehended for the faith and the divine truth, and was confined for twenty-three years in a tower at Bamberg, in Franconia, on account of his constancy, as is seen from the following letter, written by him from there to the elders of the church.  It reads thus:

“Dear brethren, I have received the writing tablets and the account of the doctrine and faith of our religion, as also six candles and pens; but most important, the Bible, I did not receive, as is written in the fore part of the tablets; but it is my request, that you will send it to me, if it can still be found; for I would like to have it above all things; if it can be according to the will of God; for I am sadly in want of it, and suffer great hunger and thirst for the word of the Lord these many long years.  To God and his church I make this complaint; the days of my miserable imprisonment are twenty years, wanting eight weeks; the Wednesday after All-saints-day will be the anniversary.  I, John Bair of Lichtenfels, the most miserable of the miserable, and the most forsaken of the forsaken, captive in Jesus Christ our Lord, again make the complaint to God and his angels, and to all his laborers and churches.  Now, my most dearly beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, pray to God for me, that he will deliver me from this peril and great distress, a distress which is unspeakable; this God knows, and I a poor man, and you know it with me.  Adieu.”

Written at Bamberg, in a dark dungeon, in the year 1548.

After this writing, he remained in prison three years longer, that is, twenty-three years in all; when, in the year 1551, he cheerfully fell asleep in the Lord, in his prison, and obtained the martyr’s crown.

In the year of our Lord 1551, Jerome Segers, with his wife Lijsken Dircks, and Big Henry fell into the hands of the tyrants, for the testimony of Jesus, at Antwerp in Brabant.  They suffered many severe torments and sharp examinations, but, through the grace of God, endured them all.  And as they, through faith, were so firmly bound to their Captain Christ Jesus, that nothing could induce them to apostatize, they brought Jerome Segers and Big Henry to the slaughter, on the second day of September, A.D. 1551.  Both, each at a stake, surrendered their bodies in great steadfastness to God as a well pleasing sacrifice.  Lijsken Dircks, the wife of Jerome Segers, who was pregnant, was (after her delivery) thrust into a bag early in the morning, between three and four o’clock, and murderously thrown into the Scheldt and drowned, before people were up.  Nevertheless; there were some that saw it, who testified to her firm and steadfast faith unto death.  They now rest together under the altar.  Read the following beautiful letters written by them, which attest their strong faith, firm hope and ardent love to God and his holy truth.

Always fear God.

In narrow prison walls I lay, well guarded and confined;

Because for Christ I testified, sore troubles I did find;

But it comes from the Lord,

Who to me does strength afford.

Grace, peace, joy, gladness, consolation, a firm faith, and good assurance, together with an ardent love to God, I wish to you, my most beloved wife, Lijsken Dircks, whom I wedded before God and his holy church, and thus took to wife, according to the command of the Lord; may consolation, gladness and joy be increased and multiplied to you, my dear wife.

I earnestly pray to the Lord, that he will comfort you, and remove from you that which is too grievous.  I well know, my chosen lamb, that you are in great sorrow on my account; but lay aside all sorrow, and look to Jesus, the Captain and Finisher of our faith, and let us henceforth walk in all righteousness and holiness, as children of peace, and let us make good use of the time of grace, and consider what great mercy the Lord has shown us.  O my dear wife, remember how faithful a God we serve; he will not let us be confounded.  Remember how faithfully he led the children of Israel with an outstretched arm, from Pharaoh’s house of bondage, and out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and remember how they had to prepare themselves, before they could go out, and how they did eat the paschal lamb with unleavened bread.  They had to eat the paschal lamb standing, and the unleavened bread which they had, they bound up in their clothes, and began to go out to the wilderness.  And the angel of the Lord went before them, by day in a pillar of cloud, and by night in a pillar of fire, and thus he gave them light.  But when they were closely pressed by Pharaoh and his host, the people began to murmur against Moses; for they had not firm confidence in the Lord, that he would lead them out.  But the Lord told Moses, what he would do, and how he would show his power on Pharaoh and his host; and he commanded Moses, to take the rod and smite the sea; and when Moses smote the sea, it dried up, and the waters were divided, and stood like walls to the right and to the left, so that they went through the sea on dry ground.  Pharaoh followed with his host, and was drowned, with all his lords and people; but Israel passed through unharmed, and praised and thanked God, that he had delivered them from Pharaoh’s house of bondage.  But they were not yet in the promised land; they came into the dreadful wilderness, where there was no bread.  The bread which they had brought from Egypt, was but a small quantity; it was the unleavened dough which they had bound up in their clothes, when they left Egypt.  Then they were troubled, because they had nothing to eat; but the Lord fed them with bread from heaven.

So also, my most beloved wife, we have not gained all, when we have confessed the truth, separated ourselves from the world, and renounced all lusts and desires; but we must also fight against the enemies, that is, we must here contend against emperors and potentates, and the princes of this world.  We must suffer in this world; for Paul has said that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  1 Tim. 3:12.  We must overcome the world, sin, death and the devil, not with external swords or spears, but with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and with the shield of faith, with which we shall be able to ward off all sharp and fiery darts of satan, and with the helmet of salvation on our head, and with the breastplate of righteousness, and our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel.  If we are thus strengthened with these weapons, we shall get through the wilderness with Israel, and overcome and withstand all our enemies: they shall be confounded, who fight against the truth.  2 Tim. 3:8.  Now, when the children of Israel were out of the wilderness—the dreadful and horrible wilderness, where the serpents spewed fire,—after they had been wandering forty years through it, had passed through so many dangers, and taken so many cities and countries on this side of Jordan; they nevertheless were not yet in possession of the promised land, for they had not yet crossed the Jordan; however, the Lord showed Moses the promised land from afar.  O my dear wife, I have also seen the promised land from afar; I hope soon to come into the beautiful city of which John writes; which is greatly adorned; her foundations are twelve precious stones, and her walls and streets are of pure and clear gold; and the city has twelve gates, each gate of one pearl; and there is no night there, for the Lord her God lightens her, Rev. 21.  And the Lord told Moses, that he should not lead the people into the promised land; but Joshua brought them into it, and the Lord led them over Jordan dry-shod, and commanded them to keep his commandments and laws, and he should drive out their enemies from before them.  But when they transgressed his commandments and laws, the Lord delivered them into the hands of their enemies, so that they were defeated by them.  After they had passed over Jordan, they still did not have the promised land, which flowed with milk and honey; but they had to take it by sheer force, destroy all their enemies, and burn the cities with fire.  So must also we take the promised land by force; for Christ says that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence.  Not until now have I known what it is to contend; no one knows it better than he who has tried it, such is the subtlety with which they come to seduce us.

Know that I received your letter through my mother.  I read it with tears.  I thank you, that you so affectionately comfort me by it, and I rejoiced when I heard that you are so well contented.

Let me inform you, my chosen and beloved wife Lijsken, that I have been before the margrave.  He had with him two Dominicans, two judges, and the clerk of the criminal court.  He asked me whether I had changed my mind yet, and added that he had prevailed upon these two good men or lords, to try and win my soul, if I would repent.  I replied that I would not forsake my faith, since it was the truth.  They then asked me what my faith was, I said to the monks: “Ask the Margrave, I have confessed my faith to him; ask him.”  They tormented me much, but I would not tell them anything.  They asked from where I knew that it was the truth—whether God had spoken orally with me.  When they could get nothing else out of me, my confession was read, namely, that I had no regard for the sacrament.  I said: “No, it is nothing more than a god of bread.”  The priests were angry, because I thus despised their god.  They all wished to talk with me.  I said: “I will not hear you, nor talk with you; but let my brother come here to me, and I will talk with you, and confess our faith.”

They then asked me whether I was not strong enough in my faith, since I appealed to my brother.

I replied: “Yes, my faith is strong enough; but that you may not pervert our words.”

They then said: “We shall not pervert your words.”

I said: “I know you and your roguery well.”

The Margrave said: “It shall be granted to you.”

I understood him to say that he should bring a Bible with him.

The priests said that when the children are baptized, they then have faith.

I laughed at it, and said: “Why then do you not go into Turkey, and baptize the Turks; if by it men become believers, as you say, they would all become believers.”

They replied: “Though the Turks should be baptized, they would still remain Turks.”

They importuned me greatly, to apostatize, and become a child of the Roman church.  And the Margrave and the judges felt such unrighteous compassion for me, that they said: “If your life should be spared, and you should repent and become a good child of the Roman church, I should have good hopes of you; for you have been brought to this in your youth and innocency.  I well know by whom (he meant Jelis of Aix-la-Chapelle); and because you descended from such good parents, and your mother is almost dead with grief.”

I replied: “Though the door should stand open, and you should say: Go, only say: I am sorry; I should not go; for I well know that I hold the truth.”

The Margrave then said: “I shall cause you to be burnt alive, if you will not hear.”  I laughed again, and said: “All that you inflict upon me for my faith, I will willingly suffer.”  He said: “His wife is the greatest heretic in the city.”

I cannot thank the Lord enough for all the great strength and power which he gives me in this distress.  I perceive now, that the Lord is with us; for he helps us so faithfully out of all distress (Psalm 91:15); he is such a faithful Captain, he gives his servants such courage and strengthens them, that they are not afraid (Job 5:22); they neither fear nor tremble, because of the great love which they have to their heavenly Father: for Paul says: “Who shall separate us from the love of God?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword?  As it is written, For your sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Rom. 8:35–39.

Therefore, my most beloved wife Lijsken, redeem the time; be patient in tribulation, continue instant in prayer, and look constantly to the beautiful promises that are promised us everywhere, if we persevere unto the end.  And let us guard well the treasure; for we have this treasure in earthen vessels (2 Cor. 4:7), and cannot conceal it; it breaks out everywhere; it is far too precious to be hidden.  We rejoice greatly in this treasure, which treasure is our faith, hope, and love; and these will not leave us destitute, even though they put us singly into dark dungeons, separated from one another.  The treasure is of such a nature that it will not be hidden; one calls to the other, and so pours out his treasure, that it may be seen.  We are so cheerful, eternal praise and thanks be to the Lord!  We call, we sing with each other, we have such joy in comforting and strengthening each other; Jehovah gives us such strength and power that we cannot thank him sufficiently for the great grace which he shows us.  Mal. 3:16.  “For which cause we do not faint; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.”  2 Cor. 4:16–18.

Therefore, my dear wife, do not cease to serve the Lord your God with the whole heart, and to follow his footsteps; “For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven . . . not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon . . . for whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.”  Mark 12:30; 1 Pet. 2:21; 2 Cor. 5:1,2,4,6.

Therefore, my dear wife, give diligence that you pass the time of your sojourning here in fear and trembling (1 Pet. 1:17); not with such fear and trembling as that we should fear the world, and tremble before it, because they rage so against us; but we are to fear and tremble before the Lord, so that we shall keep his commandments and statutes, and thus pass the time of our sojourning here in the fear of the Lord, and receive the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls; then shall we rejoice forever with Jehovah, and go to meet him in the resurrection of the dead.  Isa. 51:11; Philip. 3:11.  Therefore do not fear the world; for the very hairs of your head are all numbered; they have no power, except it be given them from above.  Mat. 10:30; John 19:11.  And Christ says: Do not be afraid of them that kill the body; but fear him, who after he has killed the body has power to cast the soul into hell; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, and their worm shall not die, and they shall have no rest day nor night.  Luke 13:28; Isa. 66:24; Rev. 14:11.  May the Almighty, eternal and strong God so strengthen and comfort you with his blessed word, that you will remain faithful unto the end, and you shall also come under the altar to all the dear children of God, where all tears shall be wiped from our eyes.  Rev. 2:10; 6:9; 21:4.  There all tribulation will have an end, and there shall our vile body be glorified, and be like unto the image of his glory.  Philip. 3:21.  Then shall our weeping be turned into laughter, and our sorrow into joy (John 16:20); then shall we, who for a little while have been despised and rejected, yes, persecuted and dispersed, and put to death with great ignominy, pain and reproach, for the testimony of Jesus Christ, triumph forever, and live eternally with the Lord.  We shall be clothed with white robes, as John testifies in his Revelation concerning the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held.  And they lay under the altar, and they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?  And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”  Rev. 7:9; 20:4; 6:9–11.

O what a glorious people shall we be, when we shall be with that great multitude of which Esdras writes, and John in his Revelation, says: “I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.  These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sits on the throne shall dwell among them.  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”  Rev. 7:9,10, 14–17.  Esdras also declares of the same multitude: “that they stood upon mount Zion, and were clothed in white, and that in the midst of them stood one taller than all the rest, who gave palms into the hands of every one, and set crowns upon every one of their heads.”  2 Esdras 2:42,43,46.  And John says: “I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.  And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.”  Rev. 15:2,3.  Behold, my dear wife, what glorious promises we everywhere find, which God will give to all his dear and true children who here faithfully adhere to him, who have ended their lives to the praise of the Lord, and washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  1 Cor. 2:9.

O my dearly beloved wife, I cannot thank the Lord enough for all his great goodness shown to me; he gives me such strength and power that I cannot express it.  O, now I experience that the Lord is a faithful helper in time of need; he does not forsake those that trust in him, for he that trusts in Jehovah shall not be confounded.  Isaiah 45:17; Rom. 9:33.  He will keep us as the apple of his eye; he will deliver us from all the power of the devil, and the tyranny of this world; yes, he will keep us, that we shall not go into hell, if we remain faithful to him unto the end; for Christ says: “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”  Mat. 24:13.

O my dearly beloved wife, continue faithful to the Lord unto death; for the crown is not at the beginning, nor in the middle, but at the end.  If you continue faithful to the Lord, he will not forsake you; he will give you the crown of eternal life, and lead you into his kingdom.  Jas. 1:12.  He will crown you with glory and honor; and will wipe away all tears from your eyes.

Dear Lijsken, if he will wipe away all tears, tears must here first be shed.  Mat. 5:4.  He will heal us from our sufferings; therefore we must first suffer in this world.  Yes, we must fight and contend against ferocious lions, dragons, and bears (Psm. 91:13), yes, against the wicked and perverse generations of vipers (Matt. 3:7) and serpent rulers, and against the subtle serpents of this world, and the wicked seed of Cain; for Paul says that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of darkness, and the principalities and powers of this world, yes, against the spirits that work in the air, which is the old serpent and Satan (Rev. 20:2), who, as Peter says, walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  1 Pet. 5:8.  Therefore defend yourself diligently, with prayer and supplication to the Lord, and hold fast to the doctrine of Jesus Christ our Savior, that you may receive the end of your faith, even the salvation of your soul.  Fight with Paul the good fight.  With this I commend you, my dearly beloved wife and sister, to the Almighty, eternal and strong God, and to the word of his rich grace, that you may be able to stand against all the gates of hell.  Amen.

The eternal joy, peace and grace of God the Father; and the unfathomable mercy, favor, and love of the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who has been sent through grace, by God the Father, to the salvation of all those that are born again with him, through his imperishable word or gospel, and do his will; and the deep and unspeakable consolation, power, strength, and communion of the Holy Spirit, who is sent by both from heaven, to the everlasting consolation, joy, and gladness of all true, penitent and obedient children of God, who have amended their life, and thus have risen with Christ, through his gospel, into newness of life.  May this only God strengthen you all in his eternal truth, and uphold you with the mighty word of his grace in all righteousness, holiness and truth unto the end, and keep your understanding, and your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  To him be praise, honor, glory, might, power, and strength forever and ever.  Amen.

My dearly beloved and chosen brothers and sisters, and all lovers of the unfeigned and eternal truth, I wish you the true, penitent faith, which works by love, and avails before God, and a pure, chaste and holy conduct and walk in the fear of God, and an ardent love to God our heavenly Father, and your neighbor, and to his eternal, clear and unchangeable truth.  And I pray to the Lord for you day and night without ceasing, that he will open the eyes of your understanding, and enlighten your hearts with knowledge, that you may know that it is the truth, and that he will strengthen you with his divine word, and confirm you in the faith, that you may walk in this truth, in all humility and meekness, being a light to all men, and may continue steadfast unto the end.  I also pray to the Lord, that he will keep you from all ravening wolves, that have gone out from us, and will yet rise up among you, who will not spare the flock, and from all false, heretical and satanic teachers, who rise up under the name of Christ, and come forth in a semblance of holiness, as though they were sent by Christ, while they have proceeded from and are sent by the devil.  Acts 20:29; 2 Cor. 11:15.

Therefore, my dear brethren, be vigilant, watch and pray; for it is very necessary; and remember after my departure, that I warned you from prison against false prophets.  Thus, with the help of God, I have briefly written to you, and with Peter exhorted you, well knowing that shortly I must put off my mortal clothing and sleep with my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Though you are yourselves taught and strengthened in this present truth, I nevertheless deem it profitable to admonish you yet a little more, if haply by it some one may be bettered, edified and strengthened, the name of the Lord be praised and thanked, and I be remembered, how I have been an example unto you in that which the Lord gave me, and have walked among you in all humility.  Tit. 2:7.

Therefore I admonish you now, my dearly beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, and beseech you with Paul, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this evil, wicked and perverse world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.  Rom. 12:1,2; Eph. 5:17.

O my dear brethren, I earnestly beseech you, that you will all amend your lives, and forsake the world and its lusts, and will look to the life of Christ, how he walked before us; for John says: “He that would boast of Christ ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”  1 John 2:6.

Behold, my dear friends, it is not enough that we are baptized in the name of Christ, that we are called brethren or sisters of Christ, and bear the name of Christians.  O no, all this cannot save; for John says: “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous.  He that commits sin is of the devil.  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil.”  1 John 3:7,8,10.  And Christ says: “You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you.”  John 15:14.  Again: “If a man love me, he will keep my words and commandments; and he that has my commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves me.”  John 14:23,21.  For John says: “He that says he loves God, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”  1 John 2:4.  And you know that a liar has no part in the kingdom of God.  Rev. 21:8.  Therefore, do not be Christians with the mouth, nor with the tongue, but in deed and in truth.  1 John 3:18.  For it is utterly in vain to bear the name of Christ, so long as we are not conformed to him in word, work and thought; for Paul says: “Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren.”  Rom. 8:29.  If he then has called and predestinated you, use diligence that you become conformed to him, so that you may be found true Christians in deed when you come into the tribulation in which we now are; for though we are in it now, to-morrow you may also be in it.  Therefore watch and pray; for you know neither the day nor the hour; and be diligent to please the Lord; for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad.  1 Thes. 4:1; 2 Cor. 5:10.

Now, as the Lord is to be feared, I counsel and humbly beseech you, to conform your life to the gospel.  For, to bear the name of a Christian, and to be called a brother, avails nothing; but the fulfilling of the commandments of God alone; for I have seen many among us who boast of being Christians, who love Christ with the tongue, but with the deed forsake him (Tit. 1:16), which is greatly to be deplored; for they are like counterfeit money, which from the outside seems to be good gold; but, when brought to the touch-stone, or to the fire, it is nothing but copper within.  Thus they walk among the pious, as though they were true Christians; but when the Lord begins to try them in tribulation, it is seen that all is built upon the sand, and that they love their belly more than Christ, as appears now in the case of those that are in bonds with us; for so long they allowed themselves to be called pious brethren, but now they talk differently.  Mat. 13:21; 7:26; Rom. 16:18.

Therefore, my dearly beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, all who desire to offer up an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord, take us for an example (Jas. 5:10) and be followers of us, and be no longer so slothful or lukewarm in love; so that, when you are also imprisoned, you will not sorrow because you did not lead a better life; for with this the devil tempts us night and day.  Therefore I warn you, out of brotherly love, to take heed to yourselves while you have time; for Paul says: “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”  Tit. 2:11–14; Eph. 5:2.

Behold, my dear friends, such a people Christ has chosen, who are not vain or light-minded, but who, by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for eternal life; hereunto he has called and chosen us, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love; for such a holy church he has chosen, which has not spot or wrinkle, but that should walk holily and unblamably before him in love.  Rom. 2:7; Eph. 1:4; 5:27.  Therefore be holy in all your conduct; since it is written: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  Lev. 11:45.  O see my dear brethren, it is time for you to take heed; for the axe is now laid at the root of the trees; every tree which does not bring forth good fruit shall be hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Mat. 3:10.  “For not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.”  Mat. 7:21.  For, being dead unto sin, and purified by the knowledge of the truth, you must not be empty, lest the devil take with him the seven spirits and return into you, and the last state be worse than the first.”  Rom. 6:11; Mat. 12:45.

“Do not let sin reign therefore in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts of it.  Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin; but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God;” and “pray that your flight is not in the winter, nor on the Sabbath day;” and do not be found in darkness, dear brethren, lest that “day should overtake you as a thief.”  Rom. 6:12,13; Mat. 24:20; 1 Thes. 5:4.  For if you do so, you shall be children of light and of the day; for they are not the children of God, who boast of the faith, but do not fulfill it with the works, for Christ says: “If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.”  John 13:17.  For he that knows it, and does not do it, is likened unto a fool; and the servant that knows the will of his lord, and does not do it, shall be beaten with many stripes.  Mat. 7:26; Luke 12:47.  But those who believe with the heart, and do as they believe, are the true children of God, and shall also be accounted believers in the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore I counsel you, and beseech you with Peter that, giving all diligence you add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; but an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into everlasting life.  But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.  2 Pet. 1:5–8,11,9.  Therefore, purify your souls in obeying the truth, in true, unfeigned love of the brethren, and love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever.  1 Pet. 1:22,23.  Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and place all your hope in God; have fervent love among yourselves, and be of one mind; mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate; let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth nor spend your time in vain conversation, which increases only unto more ungodliness; but speak that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers: let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6); for Peter says: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;” (1 Pet. 4:11) that you may be an example unto all men; for Christ says: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savor, it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  . . . Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under a bushel, but on a lampstand, and it gives light unto all that are in the house.”  “You are the light of the world.”  “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Mat. 5:13,15,14,16.  And Peter says: Have your conduct honest among the Gentiles; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conduct in the fear of God.  1 Pet. 2:12, 3:16.

He further says: “He that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”  1 Pet. 3:10–12.  Therefore, take good heed, that the angry face of the Lord do not look down upon you; for in the last day the ungodly shall exclaim: “O you hills and mountains, fall upon us, and cover us, that we may not see the angry face of him that sits on the throne.”  Hos. 10:8; Rev. 6:16.  And Christ says: “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees,  you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”  Mat. 5:20.  Again, except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”  Mat. 18:3.

See, my dear brothers and sisters, if you are not thus humble, give diligence that you become so; for Christ’s words are no lies; he says: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not eaten and drunk in your presence?  And in your name have cast out devils?  But then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.”  Mat. 7:22,23; Luke 13:26.  And Paul says: He that lives after the flesh shall die.  Rom. 8:13.  O friends, there is a great number of you, that are like unto asses and mules, which are so lazy that they have to be urged on with blows and kicks.  O, this is not walking according to love.  Lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees; you have slept long enough, for Paul says: “Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light!” Heb. 12:12; Eph. 5:14.  “If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.  Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.”  Col. 3:1,2.

O, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, be followers of God, as chosen children; and walk in love, as he also has loved us and has given himself an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks.  For this you know that no whore-monger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  Do not be therefore partakers with them.  For you were some time in darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light; for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.  Ephesians 5:1–5,7–9,11.  I therefore admonish you, as fellow helpers, for the Lord says: I have heard you in a time accepted, and in a day of salvation have I succored you: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.  Let us give no offense in anything, that the ministry is not blamed; but in all things approve ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in nakedness, in perils, under the sword; by pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report, as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying and, behold, we live; as chastened and not killed; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.  2 Cor. 6:1–10; 11; 26,27.

My dear friends, my mouth is open unto you, out of brotherly love, and I humbly beseech you, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, showing such love with the deed among yourselves; for this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that you should love one another; for he that does not love abides in death.  But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother have need, and shut up his bowels of compassion from him, how does the love of God dwell in him?  My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, let us no longer love in tongue, but in deed and in truth.  2 Corinthians 6:11; Philip. 2:5; 1 John 3:11,14,17,18; 4:8.  Always remember the poor, and let each give according to his ability, with joy; for God loves a cheerful giver, and Paul says: “He that shows mercy, let him do it with cheerfulness.”  Tobit 4:7; 2 Cor. 9:6; Rom. 12:8.  For, consider once, whether, if you were as fervent in love, as you have been in the world, you would not as easily know to find two or three stivers to give to the poor, as you found them for drinking or gambling purposes?  Not my dear friends, that I would burden or oppress you, only that each show his love herein, according to his weak ability; for you cannot take your possessions with you.  You may take me for an example; for they have taken everything, yes, all the money we had, and asked us yet whether we did not have more.

The grace and mercy of God the Father, the loving kindness and love of the Son, and the communion and peace of the Holy Spirit, who is sent us by the Father, through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the consolation and joy of all true and faithful children of God, and by whom we are impelled, taught and led; the same keep your hearts, understanding and mind in Christ Jesus, to the praise and glory of the Father, to the salvation of your afflicted soul, and to the edification of all brothers and sisters that fear and love the Lord; to this only wise God, be glory, honor, power and strength, for ever and ever.  Amen.

I wish to you, my dear wife, a true, genuine, godly love, a true, unfeigned, penitent faith, which works by love, a firm hope and confidence in God, and a firm steadfastness in your faith towards God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.  To him I commend you, and to the word of his grace; and since I cannot converse orally with you, my dear wife Lijsken, I have, with the help of God, written to you a little from the word of the Lord; for though we are absent from each other in the flesh, yet are we present in the Spirit; for I remember you day and night in my prayers, beseeching the Lord to strengthen you with his Spirit of truth, since I well know that you will have much conflict yet, before you will be released; and I also know that you will be greatly tempted by the cunning foxes and ravening wolves, yes, which are much more lions and dragons; yes, a generation of vipers, who will not spare your soul, but destroy, devour and murder it.

Therefore Paul says: “Beware lest any man spoil you through false philosophy and the sleight of men, by which they lie in wait to deceive.”  Col. 2:8; Eph. 4:14.  Yes, Christ himself has warned us in this respect, saying that in the latter days many false prophets, and many false Christs, shall arise, insomuch that, if it were possible, they should deceive the very elect; but this is impossible; for the Lord preserves them with his strong arm, so that the gates of hell cannot harm them.  Mat. 24:24; 16:18.  Yes, Paul says: “That in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created.”  1 Tim. 4:1,3.  And: Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.  Eph. 5:6.  Christ has also warned us of the doctrine of the Pharisees; yes, of those who come in sheep’s clothing; for inwardly they are ravening wolves.  You shall know them by their fruits.  Mat. 16:6; 7:15,16.  Even as Paul says: Do not marvel that the ministers of antichrist will transform themselves into ministers of God; since Satan himself can transform himself into an angel of light; for they come in a feigned holiness, and will speak lies.  2 Cor. 11:14,15.

Therefore see, my most beloved lamb, how faithfully Christ and his apostles have warned us of the false and subtle serpent, that we should not suffer ourselves to be deceived by the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, who seeks nothing but to bring our souls into everlasting damnation; even as Peter says that he walks about us as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; him resist with a firm faith.  Rev. 12:9; 1 Peter 5:8.  Therefore I beseech you, my dear wife, from the bottom of my heart, since we are so faithfully warned of the false prophets, who have nothing but the doctrine of devils, and seek nothing but to ruin and devour souls: therefore I beseech you once more, not to hearken to them, and to have nothing to do with them; for Paul says: “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”  Eph. 5:11.  Yes, John says that he that has not the doctrine of Christ, does not have God.  2 John 9.  And Paul says: “Though an angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which I have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”  Gal. 1:8.  If they then have not God, and have nothing but a false, heretical, accursed and devilish doctrine, how can they teach us anything good?  Therefore Christ and his apostles have so faithfully warned us, that we should not suffer ourselves to be deceived by the cunning foxes, and subtle philosophy and craftiness; for there shall never any other foundation be laid, than that is laid, namely Christ, upon whom you have founded and built; and no other Gospel may be preached, than that which is preached, in which you believe, and for the testimony of which you are also in bonds.

Therefore, I beseech you, my dear wife Lijsken, by the mercies of God, constantly to have the word of the Lord before your eyes, and not to suffer yourself to be moved from your faith, by the sleight of men, by which they lie in wait to deceive you; for I know that you will suffer much temptation yet.  Therefore, my most beloved, do not look unto men; for cursed is the man, says the prophet, that trusts in man; yes, the fear of man brings a snare, says the wise man.  Jer. 17:5; Prov. 29:25.  And do not regard the torture of flesh and blood; for this is the heat of the sun, yes, the storms by which the work of the Lord is tried.  Mat. 13:6; 7:25.  Therefore confess Christ now, and he shall confess us before his heavenly Father; for he will try the third part with fire, as gold in the furnace, and all that remains shall be found pure gold.  Mat. 10:32; Zech. 13:9; 1 Peter 1:7.  You have partly passed through the trial, and have remained steadfast in it, eternal glory, praise, and honor to the Lord, and may the gracious Lord strengthen you, that as you have commenced, you may be found pure gold before God and all his church.

Thus, my most beloved, continue steadfast in the doctrine of Christ; for now is the day of which Christ spoke, that we should be brought before lords and princes, for a testimony to his name, and that we should be rejected by all men; but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  Mat. 10:18; 24:13.  And Christ says: “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; and the time comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service.  But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them.  And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father nor me.”  John 15:20; 16:2,4,3.  Behold, my dear wife, thus Christ has warned us how they should deal with us.  Therefore, my dear, do not fear, neither despond, though you now are confined with Daniel in the den of lions; trust in the Lord, and he will preserve you, that they shall not destroy you; he will also deliver you from their teeth, that they shall not tear you.  Forsake him not and he will not forsake you; for he says: He that despises you, despises me; he that persecutes you, persecutes me; he that touches you, touches the apple of my eye.  Luke 10:16; Acts 26:14: Zech. 2:8.

If they then do not persecute us, but the Lord, fight valiantly, as a pious soldier of Christ, and contend for his glory.  And even as he fought unto death, so by the grace of God do also you; for Paul says, if a man strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.  2 Tim. 2:5.  Therefore, my dear, put on the whole armor of God, and do not be ashamed to confess his word before men, but always remember the words of Christ: “Whosoever shall confess me before men, him I will confess also before my Father which is in heaven; but whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him also shall I be ashamed before my heavenly Father.  For whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; but whosoever loses his life for the sake of the Gospel, shall find it.  But he that loves aught more than me, cannot be my disciple; yes, no man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.  And Paul says: It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him; but if we deny him, he also will deny us.  Eph. 6:11; Mat. 10:32; Mark 8:38; Matthew 16:25; 10:37; Luke 9:62; 2 Tim. 2:11,12.

Therefore, my most beloved, do not forsake the Lord; for we are nothing but dust and ashes, yes, nothing but mortal flesh, which must die in dishonor, but is raised in glory.  Gen. 18:27; 1 Corinthians 15:43.  Be patient, therefore, in tribulation; for it is the true way, which leads to life eternal, which all the saints of God, the prophets and apostles, yes, Christ himself went, all having to drink of this cup.  Therefore do not look to death, but through death, lest another come before you, and take your crown.  Therefore, my most beloved, be long-suffering in your tribulation, and patient in suffering, and wait for your deliverance, even as the husbandman waits for his fruits; for blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him.  James 1:12.  For Christ says: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Mat. 5:10.  Behold, we count them happy which endure, says James.  Jas. 5:11.  Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps: forasmuch then as Christ has suffered, arm yourself likewise with the same mind.  1 Peter 2:21; 4:1.  With this agree the words of John, who says that Christ laid down his life for us, and that we ought also to lay down our lives for the brethren.  1 John 3:16.

Therefore, do not be discouraged, chosen and beloved, at their threatening; but praise and glorify the Lord in this matter; for Christ says: “Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, for my name’s sake.  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward from my Father which is in heaven.”  Mat. 5:11,12.  My dear, this is not said that we should be sad, but that we should rejoice that we are worthy to suffer for his name.  Paul says: You have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but the spirit of adoption, by which we cry, Abba, Father.  The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together; for the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us; for eye has not seen, nor heart known, neither mouth confessed, but God alone, what shall be revealed to those that love him, and keep his word.  Rom. 8:15–18; 1 Cor. 2:9.  And Paul says that it is not enough for you to believe in him, but also to suffer for his name.  Philip. 1:29.

Therefore, my most beloved, be a willing bride, and prepare for the conflict; for he will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way for you to escape.  1 Cor. 10:13.  For though a mother forget her child, yet I will not forget you, says Jehovah.  Isa. 49:15.  He will preserve you as the apple of his eye.  Zech. 2:8.  Therefore, do not fear men, who perish like grass (Isa. 51:12); but valiantly journey with Joshua and Caleb to the promised land; wait with Noah for the day of the Lord; for Christ says: My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me; but the voice of strangers they do not hear; and no man shall pluck them out of his hand, since it is impossible, that the elect of God should be deceived; as Paul says: Who shall separate us from the love of God?  No, no torments of this world; “for we know that all things work together for good to them that love God; for our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding weight of glory.”  John 10:27; Rom. 8:35,28; 2 Cor. 4:17.  Since it is the will of the Lord, I hope that this your trial will also be for your good; for the Lord has appointed your time, which we cannot pass.  Therefore, do not fear, for God is your captain; he is your strength; he is your guide (2 Esdr. 16:76); forsake him not; he will not forsake you; trust in him, and you shall not be ashamed (Psm. 31:1), be faithful unto death, the crown of life is prepared for you.  Rev. 2:10.  I desire willingly to offer up my body to the praise of God, yes, not only my body, but if every member, yes, every hair were a body, I would, through the power of God, offer them all up to the praise of the Lord, in order to obtain his promises; for what manner of love the father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know him.  “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him.” 1 John 3:1,2.  Yes, Peter says that we shall be partakers of his divine nature; yes, we shall be where Christ himself will be, and shall with him judge all nations; yes, we shall follow the lamb wherever he goes; yes, we shall sing the new song on mount Zion, and we know assuredly that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, eternal in the heavens.  2 Peter 1:4; John 12:26; Mat. 19:28; Rev. 14:4; 2 Esdr. 2:42; 2 Cor. 5:1.  Who would exalt this corrupt, decaying flesh, which is nothing but a heap of earth, over these beautiful promises!  O see, what beautiful promises Christ has given his own, who remain steadfast unto the end; for there is no other way to eternal life, than this way; for all righteous souls, from the beginning, have had to suffer, and thus gain possession of the Kingdom of God.  Gen. 4:8.  Therefore, my most beloved wife, since there is no other way, be a willing bride, prepared to receive your bridegroom; and you shall then be crowned with praise and honor.

Thus, my most beloved, I have written a few things, with which you may somewhat strengthen yourself through the word of the Lord; for Christ says: The world shall rejoice, and you shall be sorrowful; but be of kind cheer; I have overcome the world; and your sorrow shall be turned into joy, and your joy no man takes from you; for he that works in us is stronger than he that is in the world.  John 16:20.  And John says that our faith is the victory that overcomes the world.  1 John 5:4.  Always remember Lot’s wife (Gen. 19:26), and the man of God who was slain by the lion, because he had eaten bread contrary to God’s command, being deceived by the false prophet.  1 Kings 13:1.  Thus you also, suffer yourself in no way to be deceived by false prophets; but fight with the prophet David against Goliath, and you shall devour him like bread; for the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent who remain steadfast take it by force; for Joshua and Caleb took the promised land by force, and those that were not steadfast, could not enter into it.  Therefore, do not be dismayed, though you are tried here for a little season; for it is his will.  Therefore, receive willingly from his hand whatever he sends you; for Paul says: “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God.”  Rom. 8:28.  For Christ means to show his wonderful power and strength in you, against the dragons and the generation of vipers, yes, against the ravening wolves, who daily resist Christ, and fight against you to destroy you.  But be bold and trust in Christ; he will not forsake you; for he is your strength.  He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7); he is your Protector, by whom you shall overcome all your adversaries; for he shall feed you with the bread of life, yes, with the bread of understanding, and give you the water of wisdom to drink, and shall comfort you in all your tribulation, and impress into your heart a firm and steadfast faith, which they shall not be able to resist.  Sir. 15:3.  For he who has begun this good work in you, will, through his grace and power, also carry out and finish it, to his praise, to the salvation of your soul, and to the edification of all them that fear the Lord.  Philippians 1:6.  To this God, who can deliver you from all tribulation, and preserve you from all the snares of the devil, and from all false doctrine, be praise, honor, power and strength, for ever and ever.  Amen.

See, my dear wife, as I can not help you with my weeping, or with my blood, I have written a few things; to comfort you, and for a memorial or a testament, that you may remember me by it, how I walked before you; for I hope to seal this letter with my blood, namely, that it is nothing but the pure truth, for which I desire to lay down my life, to the praise of the Lord and the edification of all that fear him.  I pray to the Lord that he will let you follow me as I through his grace hope to go before you; and I trust in the Lord that he will let you follow me thus, and have confidence in you, that you will follow me thus steadfastly, through the grace of the Lord; and I pray to the Lord, that he will let the fruit grow up to his praise, that it may also be found worthy to suffer for his name.  Thus I have commended the fruit to the Lord, who is more able to preserve you and it, than I am.  And that the Lord will preserve you, I do not doubt.  I hope that my blood will be the seal of this letter.

Thus I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace, that he will keep you in all righteousness, holiness and truth; and though we must separate here, I know, and firmly trust in the Lord, that we shall be together in life eternal; therefore, I will freely bring my offering.

O that I might suffer for you; I should gladly offer my flesh for you.  I am sorry that I can write to you no more.  I with this commend you to the Lord.  Do not be solicitous about the child; for my friends will take good care of it, yes, the Lord will care for it.  Hendrick of Deventer salutes you much in the Lord, whom he entreats day and night for you, that you may continue steadfast unto the end.

Grace, peace, heartfelt joy, through the knowledge of Jesus Christ, be with you, my dear wife Lijsken in the Lord.  I wish you, my dear wife Lijsken, an ardent love to God, and a joyful mind to Christ Jesus.  Know, that I remember you day and night in my prayers, supplicating and sighing to God for you; for I am very sorrowful on your account, because you have to be imprisoned so long; and I would willingly wish, had it been the will of the Lord, that you had been released; but now the Lord has willed it otherwise, because he means to try you, and to reveal his power and strength in you, against all those who resist the truth.  Therefore, I can do nothing against the will of the Lord, lest I tempt him; but I will much rather praise and thank him, that he has made us both worthy to suffer for his name; for to this are all his chosen lambs elected; for he has redeemed them from among men, as first fruits unto God.  Rev. 14:4.

Furthermore, my most beloved, I have greatly rejoiced until this hour, praising and thanking the Lord for having fitted us for this purpose; but when I heard from you, that your sorrow was greater than your lips could express, it caused me to weep many tears, and grieves my heart; for it is a great affliction.  And I understood that it is because you often told me to depart from Assuerus, which I did not do; this has cost me many a tear, and I am very sorry; yet I can do nothing against the will of the Lord (Rom. 9:19), and had it been his will, he would have provided a deliverance for us; but he has appointed our bounds, which we can not pass.  Job 14:5; Tob. 13:2.  Thus, we cannot escape from the Lord; therefore let us not be grieved at his work, but much rather, as Christ says, let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is our reward in heaven; and as Peter says, we ought to praise and glorify God on this behalf.  Mat. 5:12; 1 Peter 4:16.  O my dear, this is not said that we should sorrow.  Be patient, therefore, in your tribulation and suffering; for Paul says that all things work together for good to them that love God; therefore, I have confidence in the Lord, that it will also be for your good, that you have to be imprisoned so long.  Therefore receive willingly at his hand whatever he sends you; for he suffers no one to be tempted above that he is able.  Therefore, be a partaker of the sufferings of Christ; for all that are without chastisement are bastards, and not sons.  Heb. 12:8.  And James says: Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him.  James 1:12.

Be therefore a follower of Christ, patiently and joyfully take up your cross, and follow him with gladness, since he has suffered so much for our salvation; therefore let us also suffer for his praise.  Since our hour has now come, let us joyfully strive for the crown of life, which is prepared for us.

Therefore I pray to you, my love, that you will not sorrow any longer; for the Lord will preserve you as the apple of his eye; yes, though a mother forget her child, yet shall I not forget you, says the Lord, yes, my sheep hear my voice, says the Lord, and they follow me, and no man shall pluck them out of my hand.  Therefore, my most beloved, be content, and trust in the Lord; he will not forsake you.  Moreover, I learned partly from my sister, that you also grieved because you were not more patient with me.  See, my dear lamb, you have not been obstinate towards me, and we have not lived together otherwise than we were in duty bound to live; why then will you grieve.  Be content; Christ will not lay it to your charge, for he will not remember our sins.  I thank the Lord, that you have lived so humbly with me as you did.  Gladly would I be imprisoned for you for a whole year, on bread and water, yes, and then die, a tenfold death, if you could be released.  O that I could help you with my tears and with my blood, how willingly should I suffer for you; but my suffering can avail you nothing.  Therefore, be contented; I will pray to the Lord still more for you.  I have written this letter in tears, because I heard that your grief is so very great.  I pray to you, that you will write to me how you are.  With this I commend you to the Lord.

Grace and peace be to both of us from God the Father, and the love of the Son, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us, to the strengthening, consolation, joy, and salvation of our souls.

My beloved husband in the Lord, know that at first the time seemed very long to me, because I was not used to imprisonment, and heard nothing but temptations to depart from the Lord.  They said: Why do you trouble yourself with the Scriptures; attend to your sewing.  It seems that you would follow the apostles; where are the signs which you do?  They spoke with different tongues, after they had received the Holy Spirit.  Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4.  And they said: Where is your language which you received through the Holy Spirit?  But it is sufficient for us, that we have believed through their word, as John tells us, where Christ says: Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.  John 17:20.  With this I commend you to the Lord; the grace of God be with us always.

Thanks be to God the Father, who had and showed such love to us, that he gave his dear Son for us; may he give us such love, joy, wisdom, and such a steadfast mind, through Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, that we may prevail against all ravenous beasts, dragons, serpents, and all the gates of hell, which are now using great subtlety to seize, deceive, destroy, and seduce our souls.  Well may we therefore humbly pray to the Lord without ceasing, day and night; for the devourer walks about us, seeking whom he may devour; for we are not ignorant of his designs.  But though they are very crafty, yet Jehovah’s hand is not shortened, in them that love him, and do his will; for the eyes of Jehovah are upon those that love him, and his ears are open unto their cry; but the face of Jehovah is against them that do evil.  Isa. 59:1; Psm. 34:15,16.  Therefore, let every one take good heed, that the face of the Lord is not against him; for the soul that sins, it shall die, unless he repent before the Lord come.  But we are not assured of the time when the Lord will come; for he shall come as a thief in the night.  1 Thessalonians 5:2.  Therefore, we may well pray to the Lord for one another, that our flight is not on the Sabbath-day, when we are idle, nor in the winter, when we have no fruit on our trees, for every tree which brings forth not good fruit shall be hewn down, and cast into the fire; but every tree that bears good fruit, he shall purge, that it may bring forth fruit abundantly.  Matthew 24:20; 3:10; John 15:2.  The mouth of the Lord also tells us: “If any man sin willfully . . . there remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.  The law of Moses was so strict, that he who transgressed it had to die without mercy under two or three witnesses; of how much sorer punishment shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God?” Heb. 10:26–29.  The Holy Spirit also declares: “If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him; if we suffer we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: if we do not believe, yet he abides faithful: he cannot deny himself.  2 Tim. 2:11–13.  Seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame; who did not threaten, when he suffered for our sins unto the salvation of our souls.  Hebrews 12:1,2; 1 Peter 2:23.  Thus we also, my most beloved in the Lord, to his praise, and to the consolation of all dear friends.  I wish to us both the crucified Savior for an everlasting joy and strength.  I trust to the Lord, who alone is wise, and who has given his wisdom only to the simple, the innocent and outcasts of this world, that he will comfort us till our travail is over.  Rev. 12:5.

My dear husband in the Lord, whom I married before God and his church, and with whom they say I have lived in adultery, because I was not married in Baal; but the Lord says: Rejoice, when all men shall speak evil of you, for my name’s sake: rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven.  Mat. 5:11,12.

Know that I have wept much, because you were grieved on my account, having heard that I said that I had often spoken to you about moving away from Assuerus, and that you did not do it; be content concerning this, my most beloved in the Lord; if it had not so been the will of the Lord, it would not have happened; the Lord’s will must be done, for the salvation of both our souls, for he will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able.  Be of good cheer therefore, my most beloved in the Lord, and rejoice in him as before, praising and thanking him for having chosen us to be imprisoned so long for his name, having been found worthy for this; he knows for what end he has ordered it so.  Though the children of Israel were a long time in the wilderness, yet, had they been obedient to the voice of the Lord, they would have entered the promised land with Joshua and Caleb.  Thus also we are here in the wilderness, among these ravening beasts, which daily spread out their nets, to catch us (Psm. 35:8); but the Lord, who is so strong, does not forsake his own, who trust in him; he preserves them from all evil, yes, as the apple of his eye; therefore let us be content in him, joyfully and patiently take up our cross, and wait with a firm confidence for the promises which he has given to us, not doubting them, for he is faithful that promised; that we may be crowned on mount Zion, and adorned with palms, and may follow the Lamb.  I pray to you, my beloved in the Lord, be of good cheer in him, together with all dear friends, and pray to the Lord in my behalf.  Amen.

The grace, peace, joy and love left by Christ to his disciples be unto you.  I earnestly beseech him, that he will give us such love and such a steadfast mind, that we may be found fit to receive the beautiful promises which he has given to us, if we continue steadfast unto the end.  To this Christ be praise and honor forever and ever.  Amen.

I cannot thank or praise the Lord sufficiently for the great grace, the unfathomable mercy, and great love which he has shown us, that we should be his sons and daughters, if we overcome, even as he overcame.  2 Cor. 6:18; Rev. 3:21.  O, well may we say that true faith, which works by love, and which will bring us to glory, if we suffer with him is actuated by things not seen.  Gal. 5:6; Romans 8:17; Heb. 11:1.  Let us consider, dear friends in the Lord, what great love worldly men have towards one another.  There are some in prison, I have heard say, who rejoiced when about to go to the rack, because they should then be nearer those whom they loved, though they could not come together in person.  Hearken, my beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, if the world has such love, what love, then, ought we to have, who expect such glorious promises!  I also have before me the beautiful example of a bride, how she adorns herself, to please her bridegroom of this world.  O, how ought we then to adorn ourselves, to please our bridegroom!  O that we might be adorned as were the five wise virgins with oil in their lamps, to meet our bridegroom, that we might also hear the sweet voice: Come, you blessed, inherit the kingdom of my Father.  I pray to the Lord day and night, to give us such fervent love that we may not regard the torments which they may inflict upon us; yes, may say with the prophet David: “I fear nothing of all that men can do unto me.”  Psm. 118:6.  And this our pain, which is light and temporal, is not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  Rom. 8:18.

Since, then, it is the will of the Lord that with Daniel I must remain so long in the den of lions, and await the howling and ravening wolves and lions, and the old serpent, which was from the beginning, and shall be unto the end; therefore, I entreat all my dear brothers and sisters, to remember me in their prayers; I will gladly do the same, according to my ability.  O my dear friends, how can I sufficiently thank my heavenly Father that he has made me, a poor sheep, fit to remain in bonds so long for his name’s sake.  I pray to the Lord day and night, that this my trial may tend to the salvation of my soul, to the praise of the Lord, and to the edification of my dear brothers and sisters.  Amen.

Nicholas op de Suyckeruye brought two priests to me, to instruct me, whom I answered by the grace of the Lord.  They told me they were sorry that I had embraced this opinion, which they could not call a faith, but only an opinion, since we observed nothing commanded by the Christian church.  I replied to them: “We desire to do or believe nothing but what the church of Christ commands us; but we will have nothing to do with the temple of Baal, or with other temples made with hands, after the doctrines and commandments of men, and not after Christ.  With these we will have nothing at all to do; for Stephen says that the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands; but he said that he saw the heavens opened, and Christ sitting on the right hand of his Almighty Father.  Acts 7:48,56.  And Paul says that we are the temple of the living God; if we do his will, he will dwell and walk in us.  2 Corinthians 6:16.  They said that they were the sent, and those who sit in Moses’ seat.  I replied to them, that in that case the woes spoken of in Mat. 23 applied to them.  They asked me whether I meant to say that he who taught me these things, was sent by God.  I said: “Yes; I assuredly know that he is sent by God.”  They then asked me, whether I knew how a teacher ought to be.  I answered: “A teacher must be the husband of one wife, blameless, having his children in subjection, no drunkard, winebibber or whore-monger.”  1 Tim. 3:2.  They replied: “If we do wrong, it will fall on our own heads; the Lord is merciful.”  I then asked, whether they would sin upon the mercy of God, and said it was written that we should not add sin unto sin, and say: “The Lord is merciful.”  Sir. 5:5.  We said much more; but it would take too long to relate it.

I told them that they were ever learning, and never able to come to a right knowledge of the truth.  2 Tim. 3:7.  They then said that Christ said to his apostles: “To you it is given to understand, but to others in parables.”  Mat. 13:11.  I replied: “They who now rightly understand it, to them it is also given.”

Finally they crossed themselves over and over and said that I should find it out when I should stand before the judgment.  That is true, I said.  We shall there be appointed judges, to judge this disobedient and adulterous generation.  Mat. 19:28.  With this they went away.  I also told them that they had come from Satan, to murder my soul.

Once more I wish to my dear husband in the Lord, and to myself, the crucified Christ, as an imperishable joy and love, forever.  Amen.

Know, my dear husband in the Lord, when I read that you rejoice so greatly in the Lord, I could not finish reading the letter, but had to pray to the Lord, that he would give me the same joy, and keep me unto the end, so that we may offer our sacrifice with joy, to the praise of our Father who is in heaven, and to the edification of all dear brothers and sisters.  With this I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace.  Know that I thank you very much for the letter you wrote me.  The grace of the Lord be with us always.

The abundant grace of God be with us both always, and the love of the Son, and his unfathomable mercy, and the joy of the Holy Spirit be with us forever.  Amen.  To him who has begotten us again from the dead, be praise forever and ever.  Amen.

I wish to us both the crucified Christ for the protector and guardian of our souls; may he keep us in all righteousness, holiness and truth unto the end.  And he will preserve us as his sons and daughters, yes, as the apple of his eye, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.  Hebrews 3:14.  Therefore, let us trust in him, and he will never forsake us, but preserve us, as he has preserved his own from the beginning of the world, and will let no temptation come upon us, but such as is common to man.  Heb. 13:5; 1 Cor. 10:13.

The Lord is faithful, says Paul; he will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has made us fit to suffer a short, transient affliction for his name, through his beautiful promises, which he has given to us and all those who remain steadfast in his doctrine.  We may suffer here a little, but we shall be greatly rewarded.  Wis. 3:5.

My dear, beloved husband in the Lord, you have partly passed through the trial, and have remained steadfast, eternal praise and glory to the Lord for his great grace!  And I beseech the Lord with tears, to make me also fit to suffer for his name; for all his chosen lambs are appointed for this, since he has redeemed them from among men, to be the first-fruits unto God.  Rev. 14:4.  Yes, we know, as Paul says that if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him; if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him.  2 Tim. 2:12,11.  Therefore, let us not despise the chastening of the Lord; for, whom he loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives, as Paul tells us.  Heb. 12:5,6.  With this I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace and glory; with which he will glorify us, if we adhere to it unto the end.  The grace of the Lord be with us.

The grace, joy, and peace from God the Father, and the loving kindness and love of the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the communion and consolation of the Holy Spirit, strengthen, console and confirm and keep us, both in all righteousness and holiness unto the end.  To him be praise forever and ever.  Amen.

I wish to my chosen wife in the Lord, and to me, eternal joy, and the imperishable and incorruptible life, and may he grant that we both adhere unchangingly to his divine word and eternal truth, unto the end; which he will also do, since he has promised it to us, if we continue faithful in what he has given to us, and are willing to contend for it for his glory, even as he contended for our salvation, and was obedient to his Father unto death.  If we also continue thus faithful unto death, we shall receive the crown of life, and inherit eternal life with him, and he will never forsake us; for the Lord will or can do nothing contrary to his word, for his word shall never pass away.  Mat. 24:35.  And he has so faithfully promised to keep us, if we do not forsake him; so that no one shall pluck us out of his hand; he will keep us as the apple of his eye, yes, as his sons and daughters.  For, behold, my beloved, how faithfully he preserved those who faithfully served him; even as Noah was preserved in the ark, as Lot was led out of Sodom, as Jacob was preserved from his brother Esau, who sought to kill him, and as Joseph was preserved from his brothers, the sons of Jacob, Joshua and Caleb from all the heathen, and entered into the promised land, David before Goliath; Susannah before the false witnesses: Daniel from the lions; and many other examples too lengthy to recite.  Hereby we may perceive, how faithfully he preserves those who sincerely fear and love him, and how ignominiously they fall who forsake him, as we may see from the beginning of the world, how it perished, on account of its wickedness, and how Lot’s wife was punished.  Esau could not find his birthright again, and the whole [adult] house of Israel perished in the wilderness.  See, my beloved wife, all this the Lord permitted to happen not only for the sake of those who had sinned, but also for our sakes, that we should see how Christ is with the righteous, and preserves them, and how he forsakes and brings to nought the ungodly; for Paul says: “Whatsoever things were written before this time were written for our learning.”  Rom. 15:4.

Therefore, let us diligently take heed, that we seek, fear and love the Lord from the bottom of our heart, faithfully serving, and not forsaking him; for Christ says: “He that is not with me is against me; and he that does not gather with me scatters” (Luke 11:23); even as we daily see how mightily he preserves those who trust in him, and how soon they fall who forsake Christ, and put their trust in man.  Therefore, my beloved wife in the Lord, let us trust in the Lord Almighty, constantly look to Jesus, the Captain and finisher of our faith, always keep the crucified Christ before our eyes, faithfully follow him as he went before us, and patiently take up our cross, always remembering the words of Christ, where he says that they shall kill us, and will think that they do him service; and remembering that this is told us beforehand, that when it happens to us, we may not be offended; for the servant is not greater than his lord.  And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.  John 16:3.  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness, but unto us, the power of God.  1 Cor. 1:18.  Therefore, let us always remember the words of Christ: Whosoever shall confess me before men, him I will confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him I will also deny before my Father which is in heaven, and before his holy angels.  Mat. 10:32,23.  Let us firmly trust in him, and he will not forsake us; for he does not forsake his own, but he prayed his heavenly Father, that where he is, he will that we shall be with him.  John 17:24.

Therefore, let the world call us heretics and Anabaptists and condemn us as much as they please; for Paul says: “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?  It is God that justifies.  Who is he that condemns?  It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is ever at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.  He that did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things!  Now, if God so loved us, when we were yet enemies, how much more shall we be preserved from wrath, seeing we are justified through his blood: for being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation works patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us.  Rom. 8:33,34,32; 5:10,1–5.

My dearly beloved, let us therefore firmly trust the Lord, and patiently wait for his promises, even as the husbandman waits for his fruits; and let us not forsake him, and he will not forsake us.  I have committed us both and also the fruit into his hands, to do his divine will with us, that his name may be glorified by it, and that it may tend to the salvation of our souls, and to the consolation and joy of all that fear the Lord, and I firmly trust him, and do not doubt, that he will preserve us as his sons and daughters, yes, as the apple of his eye.  Know that I rejoiced greatly when I read your letter and that you write, that you pray to the Lord with weeping eyes, to make you fit to suffer for his name.  My beloved, do not be anxious, but pray to the Lord with a humble heart, to give us what is best for our souls, which he will doubtless do, and will not tempt us above that we are able.  May he keep us in all righteousness, holiness and truth, unto the end.

Know also, my beloved, that they greatly tortured me, to find out the midwives where our sisters lay in child-bed; but the Lord, who kept my lips, was stronger than all their tortures.  Eternal praise and glory be to the Lord, who does not forsake his own.  They obtained no names from me, save one or two, which they had read to me from a letter, and which I told them, to see what they would say.  But they asked me whether I was making sport of them, and tortured me still more, demanding that I should tell them concerning the women, and others, or they would torture me till the next morning, and stretch me a foot longer than I was.  They told Gileyn to rack, and his assistant racked vigorously, and Gileyn poured my body full of water.  They had me lying stark-naked on the bench, with nothing but the shirt to cover my shame.  I was bound to the bench with four cords, so that it seemed to me, as though my head and legs were severed; but they obtained nothing more, praise and glory be to the Lord.  When they released me, two or three of them had to lift me from the bench, and dress me; yes, it would not have been possible to endure the pain without the help of the Lord.  They told me to consider the matter, and become a good son of the Roman church, and that I should indicate all those whom I knew, or they would deal more severely with me.  I replied that I had not erred, and would far rather die than forsake my faith.  They then said that they would come again; but they can do no more than the Lord permits them.  John 19:11.  Eternal praise to the Lord, who has made us fit for this, may he further fit us to become children of his Kingdom.  Amen.  My beloved wife, I commend you to the Lord and to the word of his grace.

The grace and peace of God the Father, and the great mercy and love of the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who was sent by the Father, out of grace, for the salvation of all those who are dead unto their sins, and thus have risen with Christ into newness of life, and the eternal, unfathomable joy, consolation and communion of the Holy Spirit, strengthen your heart, understanding and mind in Christ Jesus.  To him be praise forever and ever.  Amen.

I wish you, Henry, my dear brother in the Lord, whom I love from the bottom of my heart, for the steadfastness of our faith in Christ Jesus, true, penitent faith, which works by love, which you have, and a firm, constant mind, and steadfastness unto the end in this same effectual, saving faith.  Col. 2:5; Heb. 3:14.  I am greatly rejoiced at your steadfastness, that you are again so cheerful and content, the Lord be praised forever.  I pray to the Lord night and day, to strengthen you with his divine word, and confirm you in the faith, preserve you in the den of lions, as he preserved Daniel and keep you with his strong arm, and to give you the New Jerusalem for an inheritance, which he will also do, for he is faithful that promised.  Heb. 10:23.

Therefore, my dear brother in the Lord, let us fight manfully against all devouring beasts; for life is prepared for us; and let us not be afraid of their threatenings, nor be terrified by their tortures, for they can do nothing without the will of the Father.  1 Pet. 3:14; John 19:11.  The Lord will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able.  The Lord is our Captain, whom will we fear?  The Lord is with us, who can be against us?  For he will preserve us as the apple of his eye, yes, as his sons and daughters; for no man shall pluck his sheep out of his hand, yes, it is impossible for God’s elect to be deceived.  Mat. 24:24.

Therefore, behold my dear brother in the Lord, do not be dismayed, though they growl and snarl at you in an ugly manner; they can do nothing else to you.  Let us fight valiantly against all dragons and lions.  Put on the armor of God, take the sword of the Spirit, and resist them undauntedly, and regard no one; they will have to take to flight; for the sword which the Lord has given to us is much too sharp for them, and the Lord helping us to fight, who is there able to prevail?  For our God is a consuming fire, which devours his enemies.  Deut. 4:24.

Therefore, I pray to you, my dear brother, not to let it grieve you, though they keep you so long in this den of lions; for hereby the Lord tries us, since he tries his chosen as gold in the furnace.  Therefore be patient in your tribulation; for where no conflict is, there is no victory; therefore, we must have conflict, if we are to overcome; but he that overcomes shall inherit all things.  Rev. 21:7.  Let us, therefore, take up the cross with humility and patience, and wait for our promises, even as the husbandman waits for his fruits; and let us keep the Lord before our eyes, and be faithful to him unto death, for we must here suffer a little, but we shall be greatly rewarded; for he will set us upon his throne, and give us to eat of the hidden heavenly bread, and make us pillars in the temple of his God.  Rev. 2:10, Wis. 3:5; Rev. 2:17; 2:12.  With this I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace; may he strengthen you in his righteousness unto the end.  Furthermore, I let you know that I have been told that you heard I had forsaken the Lord; I was greatly surprised at this.  It is not so, nor ever shall be; but they have said it to draw you off and trouble you.  They have lied about me; for I have never stood otherwise in my faith, than is proper, and am still of the same mind as I was when I lay with you, the Lord be praised.  I have never wavered, for I would rather be tortured ten times a day, and ultimately be roasted on a gridiron, than forsake my faith, which I have confessed.

Therefore, though they tell you ever so much about my having apostatized, believe it not, for the devil does this, in order to seduce and deceive you by it; for by the grace of God I shall never forsake the Lord.  But I have been sick in my flesh for many days; however, my spirit was so much the stronger.  I prayed to the Lord, to send me still more suffering, if it would conduce to my salvation, and he gives me more and more strength and consolation, for which I cannot sufficiently thank him.  With this I commend you to the Lord.  When you sing aloud, I can well hear you.  I thank the Lord, that he still gives you so much strength that I hear you sing.

Grace and peace from God the Father, the unfathomable mercy of the Son our Lord Jesus Christ, and the loving kindness and communion of the Holy Spirit be unto you, for an everlasting consolation, joy, gladness, and strength in your bonds, tribulation, sufferings, and vexation in your labor, and for strength in your faith, love and tribulation.  To him be praise for ever and ever.  Amen.

I wish unto you, my dearly beloved, chosen wife in the Lord, the true, genuine, penitent faith, which works by love, and a very firm, immovable, steadfast mind in my and your most holy faith.  I further wish you the crucified Christ for a bridegroom, who has chosen you for a daughter, bride and queen.  To this King of the Most High, to the everlasting Father and jealous, loving God, I have now commended you, my beloved in the Lord, that he will now be your Comforter and Bridegroom, since he has called and taken me first, with which I am well content, seeing that it was the will of the Lord; eternal praise and glory be to the Lord for his great power which he has manifested in us.

Therefore, my most beloved in the Lord, do not complain, or grieve much, because he has taken me first; for he has done all for our best, that I should be an example unto you, and that you may follow me as valiantly as I, through the grace of the Lord, who has made us both worthy to suffer for his name, shall go before you.  O my dear lamb, I humbly entreat you, not to listen to the papists or other sophists, but steadfastly to follow your bridegroom, your immovable bridegroom.  Follow his footsteps, and do not fear their threats, nor let their tortures terrify you; for they can do no more than the Lord permits them; they cannot hurt a hair of your head without the will of the Father which is in heaven.  Mat. 10:30.

Therefore, do not fear, but continue firmly and steadfastly in the doctrine of Christ, and in the right truth; for the Lord will not forsake you, but will preserve you as the apple of his eye; yes, as his daughter and child, since it is impossible for God’s elect to be deceived; for his sheep hear his voice, and follow him; but they do not hear the voice of strangers.  Therefore, no man shall pluck them out of his hand; for he is their Shepherd and Protector.  Therefore, fight valiantly, my chosen lamb, for the glory of the Lord, even as he fought so valiantly, for the salvation of our souls.  Be therefore of good cheer, even though you have to lie yet a little longer in this den of lions.  Your deliverance is close; it tarries not, but comes; and when he comes that will come with power, he will receive you as his bride and queen; for it is his pleasure to have his chosen with him, since he delights in beholding them; and the day of Jehovah is at hand.  Habakkuk 2:3; Psm. 45:14; Isa. 13:6.

Therefore, my dear wife in the Lord, fight valiantly now, and do not fear man, but rather say with Susanna, that you would much rather fall into the hands of man, than into the hand of God; for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  Susanna 24; Heb. 10:31.  Go to meet the Lord with ardent love as you have done hitherto by the grace of the Lord, who works in you; and fight valiantly, for the crown of life is prepared for you, since to those that overcome all things are promised, and they shall also inherit all things; for Christ says: “Blessed are you, when all men speak evil of you; for great is your reward in heaven.”  Mat. 5:11.  He also says: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  The Lord also said that when they have brought us before lords and princes, and tortured and killed us, they shall yet think to have done him service by it.  John 16:2.  Therefore, trust firmly in Christ alone, and the Lord will not forsake you, and the crown of life is prepared for you.

With this I will commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace, and take leave of you, here in this world; for I do not expect to see your face any more; but I hope to see you under the altar of Christ before many days.  Therefore, my beloved wife in the Lord, though the world counts us liars, and separates us bodily, yet the merciful Father will soon bring us together again under his altar, together with our brother; for I do not doubt it, but am firmly trusting in him; for I have commended us three into his hands, to do his divine will with us, by which his name may be most praised and thanked, to the salvation of our souls, and to the consolation and strengthening of all those that fear the Lord, and serve and love his name; this he will also do, I do not doubt; for he does not forsake his own who trust in him; therefore I go with a glad heart, to offer up my sacrifice to the praise of the Lord.  If I could yet have come to you, I would have done so; but Joachim would not have it.  But Christ will soon bring us together again under his altar; this men will not be able to prevent.  With this I bid you adieu, till we meet under the altar.  I commend you to the Lord.  Big Henry salutes you much in the Lord.  See, my dear wife in the Lord, the hour is now come that we must part; and thus I go before, with great joy and gladness, to my and your heavenly Father (John 20:17), and I most humbly entreat you, not to grieve on this account, but to rejoice with me.  Rom. 12:15.  However, I am sad in one respect, because I leave you among these wolves; but I have commended you and the fruit to the Lord, and know assuredly, that he will preserve you unto the end, and herein I rest content.  Be valiant in the Lord.

Lijsken, our sister, who was in bonds for a long time, fulfilled the time of her sojourning, continuing most perfectly and steadfastly in the word of the Lord unto the end, the Lord be praised forever, and confessed her faith very frankly and unfeignedly, in the court, before the authorities and the common people.  In the first place, they questioned her concerning baptism, to which she replied: “I know but one baptism, which Christ and his saints practiced and left us.”

“What do you think of infant baptism?” asked the bailiff.

Lijsken answered: “That it is nothing but infant baptism, and a human institution.”

A letter from Pieter Bruynen van Weert, which he wrote in prison at Antwerp, where he and four others were put to death for the word of the Lord, on the 2d of October, A.D. 1551.

Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Blessed be the God of mercies, who has with his divine word begotten us again unto a lively hope, reserved in heaven for us, who by the power of God are preserved in the faith, and tried for the kingdom of God, therefore we suffer, for which thanks be to the Lord, because he has chosen us for this, and made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.  Rom. 1:7; Jas. 1:18; Col. 1:12.  Therefore, dear brethren, be valiant and fearless, and walk with a firm and unchanging faith before God and his church, and firmly resolve not to depart from the Lord, nor to separate from his love, on account of any distress or tribulation; and he can give you assistance and comfort when you are forsaken, being deprived of all human help and consolation; for he comes to the help of him that forsakes and denies himself, since he dwells and will dwell alone in the hearts of men, and will not have it that we should serve anyone but him.  Mat. 4:10.  Thus, be established and built up in him, and let love increase among you, by which one sustains the other, and each joyfully endeavors to be the chiefest in virtue.  Pay no regard to the walk of the slothful and heedless, to follow their example, namely those who are called Christians in ease of life (Matt. 11:8), adornment of clothing, or external appearance; but consider those whose life and confession of faith conform to the doctrine of Christ; so that you may go neither too high nor too low, neither too broad nor too long.  Eph. 3:18.  For many go astray by looking to one another, in consequence of which they grow cold.

Therefore, my dear brethren, if you are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, that your mind may be directed towards the incorruptible, and let your hope be set on the things which are not seen, and be patient herein; for there must be patience, if we would receive the promise.  2 Corinthians 4:18; Heb. 10:36.  Stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draws close.  Jas. 5:8.  Put off the old man, and put on the new man (Colossians 3:9,10); deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and be transformed by the renewing of your minds.  If you would be partakers of the resurrection of Christ, know that you must first have crucified the old man, that the body of sin may be destroyed.  Rom. 6:6.  And do not become weary in well-doing, since your labor shall not be in vain; for you are made partakers of Christ, if you hold the beginning of your confidence steadfast unto the end.  1 Cor. 15:58; Heb. 3:14.  Be therefore not shaken by anything, neither be afraid of the sons of men, who pass away as grass; for they can do you nothing without God’s permission.  But fear God, for this is perfect wisdom.  Humble yourselves before him; for the great Glory is honored by the lowly.  Count yourselves always with the humble, and you shall be great in the eyes of God.  Do not think yourselves to know something, or to be something, lest you deceive yourselves.  Always forsake yourselves, and do not regard those who may inflict evil or suffering upon you, though you be wronged; for this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.  Mat. 5:39; 1 Pet. 2:19.  Therefore, be patient in your tribulation, and be partakers of the sufferings of Christ, that you may inherit the promise; for the reproach suffered here is brief when compared with the eternal joy.  Rom. 12:12; 1 Pet. 5:1.  And this light affliction, which is but for a moment, works a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; for though our life is poor, yet we shall be rewarded with much wealth.  And though death reigns over us now, an east wind shall come from the Lord, and dry up his torments.  For it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.  1 Cor. 15:43,44.  Therefore, the house of this tabernacle must be dissolved, if we would obtain the building prepared for us by God.  We need therefore not fear them that kill the body, since they cannot harm the soul; for the greatest of which they deprive us is also that for which God will give us the greatest reward; and after that they have no more that they can do to us.  Mat. 10:28.  Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, watch in prayer, always giving thanks unto God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, for his abundant grace, and that he has made known unto us his will, manifested the savor of his knowledge, and given to us the most glorious and precious promises; who were sometime estranged in our minds by wicked works, and alienated from the life of God, of which we had no hope in the promises.  But after that the kindness of God appeared toward us, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit, in whom we are sealed until the time of redemption, who is the earnest of the future inheritance, and who assures us, and bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God, and teaches us all things, and who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.  To God the Father, who only has immortality, and to whom alone belong power and might, praise and glory, be honor and thanks, through Christ our Lord, for his unspeakable grace, now and forever.  1 Pet. 1:13; Eph. 1:9; 2 Corinthians 2:14; Eph. 4:18; Tit. 3:4,5; Eph. 1:13,14; Rom. 8:16; 1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Tim. 6:16; Rev. 4:11.

As regards our present condition, the Lord be praised for it, whom we cannot thank enough for the joy that he has counted us worthy to suffer for his name, and for the joy given to us by him, which we have in our imprisonment; for he is faithful, so that with the temptation he also provides for his own a way of escape, and he does not suffer his own, who trust in him, to be confounded.  The grace of the Lord be with you.  Greet one another with a holy kiss, Jan, Pleun, and I, also greet you much.  With this I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace.  Written by me, Peter Van Weert, while in prison with two others.

Peter’s second letter, in which he takes leave.

With this we commend you all, dear brethren, to the Lord, wishing that you may finish your course to the praise of the Lord, so that you may obtain the crown, and remain steadfast unto the end, in order that you may obtain salvation; for no one obtains the prize, except he strive valiantly.  1 Corinthians 9:24; 2 Tim. 2:5.  Run, therefore, that you may obtain the prize; fight as soldiers of the Lord; firmly resolve to take no thought how or what you shall speak when you shall be brought before the magistrate, for God our Lord suffers not his own who trust in him to be confounded.  Matthew 10:19.  Though they are arraigned as malefactors, yet he does not forsake his own; for though weeping comes in the evening, joy shall return in the morning.  Psm. 30:5.  And though he, to chasten us, be angry for a moment, yet through his mercy he keeps us alive.  Heb. 12:8; Isa. 54:8.  Therefore, we are not forsaken by him, though we have more adversity than the world.

My brethren, the servant is not greater than his Lord or Master.  Remember, that though Christ was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, and though he was exalted, yet for our sakes he suffered and accepted reproach, that we through his poverty might be made rich, and through his reproach become heirs of his promises.  2 Cor. 8:9.  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, and help bear his reproach.  Heb. 13:13.  Let us long for the future possessions.  And do not be in darkness, nor overcharged with eating or drinking; neither entangle yourselves with the cares of this life; walk as children of the light; be always ready like those who constantly wait for their lord; for he will come as a thief in the night.  Luke 21:34; 12:36; Rev. 3:3.  Make yourselves ready, take the staff into the hand, gird up your loins, and journey to the promised land; you shall possess it, if you do not fall into unbelief.  It is pleasant and beautiful; we have seen it from afar, for which we thank and praise the Lord.

On this account, we desire of you, lovers of the truth, that you help us thank the Lord.  For I once made a vow to the Lord, that I would live to him all the days of my life (Luke 1:75), which he has helped me fulfill, for which I praise him, and have often earnestly done so, with outstretched arms.  The reason I write this, is that you may not forget to thank and praise the Lord, for he is greater than all our lives; for you cannot so magnify him that he is not still more wonderful.  Sir. 43:30.  Continue in his words, and keep his commandments.  Love one another sincerely.  1 Pet. 1:22.  We also praise him for his faithfulness according to his promises, which he shows in us, in that we cannot sufficiently describe the joy he gives us; for in the beginning of our confinement, when we were imprisoned, we were joyful and fearless, likewise before the lords, and were filled with joy also afterward on the bridge and in our prison.  Moreover, we hope that God will give us boldness unto the end.

Therefore, our dear brethren, do not be terrified, if they inflict more than one death upon us, since much can be done in a quarter of an hour, yet it is as nothing to the pain of hell, and not worthy to be compared to the future joy.  For after we have suffered this distress, and passed through this strait, we expect joy and amplitude; then shall all our tears be wiped away, and we shall weep and cry no more, but pass from one joy to another.  O, my brethren, strive to enter into his joy.  Lead henceforth a Christian life and see that the Gospel is not spoken evil of on your account.  Rom. 14:16.  Be always meek, and have an unspotted conscience, and whatsoever you take in hand, remember the end, that you will not do amiss.  Mat. 11:29; Sir. 7:36.  And do not forget the ardency of the spiritual reformation in the beginning of the Christian life, lest when you think you are a perfect Christian, reformation of life be still necessary.  We commend you to God, and to the word of his grace.  We, Jan, Pleun, and Peter, greet you in the Lord.  pray to the Lord for us, that we may finish our course to his praise.  We also pray for you.

Question.  “What do you think of infant baptism?”

Answer.  “I do not think it to be anything but a human institution.”

Ques.  “By what then will you prove or maintain your baptism?”

Ans.  “Mark 16:16.”

Ques.  “What are your views concerning the sacraments?”

Ans.  “I have nothing to say of the sacraments of men, but the Supper, as Christ held it with his apostles, I approve and esteem; for I think there are many who do not know what sacrament means.”

Ques.  “What do you think of the Roman church?”

Ans.  “Nothing, but I esteem the Christian church, which is the church of Christ.”

Ques.  “What do you hold concerning the host which the priest holds in his hand?  Do you not believe that our Lord is in it with flesh and blood?”

Ans.  “No; for it is written, Acts 1, that he shall come again in like manner as he ascended into heaven.”

Ques.  “What do you think of the Pope?”

Ans.  “That he is the antichrist.”  1 Thes. 2:3.

Ques.  “What do you think of the mass, ceremonies, and confession observed in the church?”

Ans.  “Nothing, since the tree from which they spring is good for nothing.”

Ques.  “Where were you baptized?”

Ans.  “My lords, if you know it, why do you yet ask me?”

The bailiff then said: “I adjure you by your baptism, that you tell us where you were baptized.”  Mat. 26:63.

Ans.  “My baptism I hold to be good and right; but your adjuration I do not regard.”

They then read to me the names and surnames of all that had been baptized with me and said: “Assuerus has confessed it to us.”  I then said: “It is true.”

Ques.  “Who baptized you?”

Ans.  “It does not behoove me to tell.”

Ques.  “We shall make you tell.”

Ans.  “My flesh is before you; do with it as you please.”

As it is known and manifest according to the testimony of the divine Scriptures, that all who have been righteous, and lived godly in Christ Jesus, have had to suffer, from the beginning of the world, so this Maria, as a pious, god-fearing woman, also partook of said suffering.  For as she, according to the requirement of the Scriptures, had been baptized upon the true faith, as a member of the body of Christ, and had conducted herself for a time in an edifying manner among the brethren and all men, the envy of the dragon manifested itself, and the bailiff of Monjou caused her to be brought and imprisoned at Monjou, where she remained in confinement over a year.  And though she had to suffer much, yet she bore it with joy.  Her constant admonition to all the pious was that they should walk in love, and hold fast the covenant of Jesus Christ.  Eph. 5:2.  She was herself constantly endeavoring to present her body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, and that she might be built up a spiritual house well adorned inwardly with the word of God.  Rom, 12:1; 1 Pet. 2:5.

The authorities tormented her for three days in succession, but could not induce her to forsake her faith, since she would adhere to Christ; for according to the Scriptures, no one is ever confounded, who fears God from the heart.  The Bailiff entreated her to go to church and he would release her, and give her her board for a whole year; but she would not consent, but desired to adhere to Christ, and to give her life for his sake; whereupon she was condemned to be drowned.

On her way to the water, she sang with a joyful heart, because this day had come, and she had lived to see this hour; and thus she proceeded, like a sheep is led to the slaughter, in the hands of Pilate, even as they did with Christ, as the Scripture testifies: “They shall kill you, and think that they do God service.”  John 16:2.

On the way, Maria said: “I have been the bride of a man; but to-day I hope to be the bride of Christ, and to inherit his kingdom with him.  As they approached the water, one of the hypocrites said: “O Maria, repent, or it will not go well with you.”  At the water, they delayed with her over two hours, thinking that they could induce her to apostatize, forsake the truth, and follow them.  Thereupon Maria said: “I adhere to my God; proceed with what you have come here for; the wheat is in the straw; it must be threshed, so the word of God has begun, and must be finished.”  With this, she undressed, willingly surrendered herself, and said: “O heavenly Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” and was thus drowned, and died, confessing the name of God, and sealing it with her death to the consolation of all believers.

About this time, also a pious, god-fearing woman, named Barbel, was drowned at Guelich, because she had forsaken popery and idolatry, and become obedient to the holy Gospel.  1 Cor. 10:14.

The four brethren, Willem of Bierck, Christoffel from the Geistens, Christian from Eukeraet, and Tielleman from Nunkerken, were executed together on the same day, with the sword, at Blankenburg; they willingly suffered death for the testimony of Jesus, and with their blood testified to their faith.

Those who hold only to God and his holy word, and seek to fulfill the latter, are not only persecuted but also imprisoned and put to death, as was very evident in the year 1552, at Leyden, in the case of two women, named Mariken and Anneken, who were apprehended and brought into a house, where they were asked by the Bailiff, what views they held with regard to the Roman church.  They replied that for the most part it was nothing but the doctrine of devils.  He further questioned them respecting the sacrament of the priests, whether Christ was not bodily in it.  They said: “It might be a hidden devil; for God does not suffer himself to be locked up in silver or golden caskets.”  They were then led to prison, and passing the church they said: “O den of murderers and choir of devils!”  “Why do you speak such presumptuous words?” said the Bailiff’s servant.  “Because so many a poor soul is murdered in it,” they replied.  Being kept imprisoned for a time, and examined, they boldly confessed their faith, and firmly adhered to it, in consequence of which they were sentenced to death.  In the sentence of the one it was charged that she had denied infant baptism, rejected the sacrament, and, contrary to the decree of the Emperor, had attended unlawful assemblies, and that she should therefore be put to death as a heretic.  The other, not having been baptized, would have been set at liberty, had she been willing to apostatize from her faith, which she was greatly importuned to do; but she remained immovable, and as she had said: “Your bread god is eaten by spiders and worms; I will not be a partaker of it,” and remained steadfast also in other articles.  She was likewise sentenced to death.  Thus these two had to lose their lives for the truth, to satisfy the blood-thirsty judges, who have feet that are swift in running to mischief, and hands to shed innocent blood.  Prov. 6:18,17.

In this same year, a brother named William van Robaeys, was persecuted, apprehended, examined, tortured and finally put to death, at Komen, in Flanders, for righteousness for the truth, and for following Christ.

In the same year, three brethren, named Hendrick Dirks, Dirk Jans, and Adrian Corneliss, were apprehended at Leyden, and examined in regard to their faith; but when they boldly confessed it, and would in no way depart from it, they were also sentenced to death.  Hendrick Dirks, advancing joyfully, said: “Blessed are they that weep now; for they shall laugh, and be rewarded with shining robes; yes, with an eternal crown, if they strive steadfastly.  This is the sabbath of the Lord, which I have long desired; not that I am worthy to suffer for his name, but he has made me worthy; and thus we do not suffer for theft or murder, but for the pure word of God.”  Luke 6:21; Mat. 13:43; 2 Timothy 4:8; Mat. 24:13; Isa. 58:13; Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 4:15.

Dirk Jans said: “Though all men despise us, God does therefore not despise us.  Remember, lords, that on high there is a judge over all, and believe that he will once judge and pass sentence.  This suffering,” said he, “is not so great; Christ had to suffer much more, when he shed his blood for us.  He will strengthen us in what we suffer for his name; for we do not suffer for schism or anything evil; for there is no other true faith to be found than that which we maintain.  Therefore, O God, have compassion upon me, and receive me into your arms.”  Psm. 7:11; Mat. 25:31; Isa. 53; Mat. 26:28.

Adrian Corneliss intrepidly said: “Christ has gone this way before us; and his beloved apostles likewise, and we his servants are not above our Lord.”  Luke 24:26; Acts 14:22.

They then fell upon their knees, earnestly prayed to God (Acts 20:36), and rising, said: “They think by killing us to exterminate the god-fearing; but for one whom they kill, a hundred others shall arise.  Therefore, do not fear them that kill the body; but fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Mat. 10:28.  Standing on the bench, they exclaimed: “Do not fear that which is temporal, but fear that which will last forever; for eternity is so long.”  With this, they commended their souls into the hands of God, and offered up their burnt sacrifice.  They now rest under the altar, and wait to be clothed in shining robes, and to receive the new wine in the throne of heaven.  Matthew 26:29.

His Prayer to God.

The blood of the martyrs,” said one of the ancients, “is the seed of the church; the rose grows in and among the thorns; so also the rose of the blooming church of Christ.”  This appeared in these sore and sorrowful times, when scarcely anything was heard of but slaying, burning, murdering and shedding of the blood of the innocent and defenseless lambs of Christ; so that in that very time far more persons were stirred up to follow them and embrace their faith, than had been slain before.  Whole bands so to speak, marched to the spiritual conflict, yes, to the places where nothing but certain death was to be expected.  Each was ready to become an offering for God (if he accounted him worthy for it.)  Neither fire nor sword was feared for the testimony of the Lord: for they looked to his comforting and most glorious promises which he has given to the steadfast.

This appeared in the year 1552, in the month of August, in the case of six pious Christians, who, having fled from Babel, betook themselves to the vision of peace, to the spiritual Jerusalem of the true church of God, notwithstanding many assaults and storms were made upon them insomuch that it cost them their lives through the cruel and terrible death by fire.

The circumstances of the case were as follows: Three of them had already through baptism been accepted as members of the church, and the other three were ready for it.  In the meantime they were all apprehended, and brought to Amsterdam, where they all made a good confession of that most holy faith, which dwelt in their souls, though the last mentioned three greatly deplored the one fact, namely, that they were not baptized, to which they, if it had been possible, would have yet attended before their death.

In short, sentence of death was passed upon them all, namely that they should be executed as heretics with fire, that is, in common language, burnt alive; which cruel death they all steadfastly endured, as appears from the following sentence, which we received from the book of criminal sentences of the city of Amsterdam, just as it was read in the court immediately before their death, and which we shall therefore here adduce as an indubitable attest of the aforementioned matter.

Sentence of death of the aforementioned six persons, Lievijn Jans, Meynert Hermans, Pieter Thymans, Reyer Egberts, Hendrick Anthoniss, Claes Gerbrants.

Whereas Lievijn, son of Jans of Ghent, otherwise called Liefken de Keyser, weaver by trade; Meynert Hermans of Balch, wood-sawyer; Pieter Thymans of Sutphen, formerly cooper, now book-binder by trade; Reyer Egberts, citizen of this city, Hendrick Anthoniss, of Leyden, both of them weavers; and Claes Gerbrants, native of Wormer, have resorted to the conventicles and gatherings of the Anabaptistical sect, and gone to hear the doctrines of the heads or teachers of said sect, namely, said Claes Gerbrants the doctrines of Menno Simons, ten years ago, and said Lievijn of Ghent, and all the others, the doctrines of Gillis, of Aix-la-Chapelle; and forasmuch as they, adhering to the doctrines, errors and heresies promulgated by the aforesaid false teachers, have separated from the faith, obedience and unity of the holy Christian Church, and hold pernicious views with regard to the sacraments of the holy church, insomuch that the aforesaid Lievijn, Meynert and Pieter, have been rebaptized by said Gillis, of Aix-la-Chapelle, thus renouncing the baptism which they received in their infancy, and the aforesaid Reyer Egberts, Hendrick Anthoniss, and Claes Gerbrants, likewise renouncing their aforesaid baptism have confessed themselves to be ready for re-baptism, if they can attain to it, all of which is contrary to the holy Christian faith, the ordinances of the holy church, and the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty, our gracious lord; and as they moreover, obstinately persist in their unbelief, heresy and errors; therefore, my lords the Judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the Bailiff, concerning the aforesaid delinquents, together with their confessions, and having duly regarded the circumstances of the aforesaid case, condemn said delinquents to be executed with fire by the executioner, and furthermore declare their property confiscated for the benefit of his Imperial Majesty, as count of Holland and our gracious lord, without derogation or prejudice to the privileges of this city.  Done and pronounced in the court, on the 6th day of August, A.D. 1552, in the presence of all the Judges, dempto Andries Boelen, by the advice of the Burgomaster.

Concerning the Torturing of Hendrick Anthoniss and Reyer Egberts, and when it Occurred.

Of these, two were examined by torture, namely, Henrick Anthoniss, on the 28th of June, and Reyer Egberts on the last of June, 1552.

Thus extracted from the book of criminal sentences, preserved at Amsterdam, in the keeping of the secretary of the city.

N. N.

The abundant grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  Grace and peace be with you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.  For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.  Now he that has wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also gives unto us the earnest of the Spirit.  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord; for we walk by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord, 1 Cor. 1:3–5; 2 Cor. 4:17,18; 5:1–8.  Rom. 8:22; Rev. 3:18.

I admonish you, dear brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, that you will diligently assemble yourselves together, to give each other good instruction in the eternal truth of our Savior, while you have time; for here we have no continuing city, but we wait for one, and this through patience.  Heb. 10:25; 13:14.

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, take the word of the Lord well to heart, and understand well what the Lord says that you may stand fast valiantly, when you are tried; for I tell you, dear brethren, that valiant fighting must be done to a much greater extent than I thought; for they approach us with such subtle questions, and honeyed words, in order that they may catch us in some word, and thus cause us to apostatize.  Therefore, dear brethren, teach one another well to discern which is the way of the Lord, and the way of the devil, and which is the true worship of God, and the worship of the devil and of idols, and which are the children of the Lord, and the children of the devil; for the children of the Lord are not of this world; therefore the world hates them; they all suffer persecution; they are led to death, as sheep for the slaughter, and are hated by all men; they are a prey to all; they have nowhere a certain dwelling-place; they are the offscouring of all men; they weep and lament, and the world rejoices; they suffer reproach, because they trust in the living God.  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous; he that commits sin is of the devil.  Therefore, O dear little children, do not love the world, neither the things that are in the world; for if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world passes away, and the lust of it, but he that does the will of God abides forever.  Jas. 1:27; John 17:16; Psm. 44:22; Isa. 59:15; 1 Cor. 4:11,13; Jn. 16:20; 1 Tim. 4:10; 1 John 3:10; 2:15–17.

My most beloved, know that I fought a great conflict against the rulers of darkness and false prophets; for they said that one may nevertheless hear and be taught by them, though they do not live according to the commandments of the Lord.  I then asked: “Is not he a stranger to the Lord who walks not in his commandments?”  They replied: “Yes.”  Then I said that Christ says (John 10:27): “My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me; but they do not hear the voice of strangers, but flee from them:” therefore, if I should hear strangers, I would not be of Christ’s sheep; for his sheep do not hear strangers.  They replied: “They certainly preach the truth; the word is therefore not diminished.”  I replied: “John says (1 John 2:4): He that says that he knows God, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  Now, if there is no truth in him, how can he speak the truth?  Else John must lie.  Christ says (Matt. 7:18): A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit.  Again (Matt. 12:34): How can you, being evil, speak good things?  Solve this question, and I will believe you.”  I tell you, though he should take a Testament, and read it from beginning to end in your church, as the apostles have written it, yet I will prove to them that they lie.  But let a man speak the same words, who walks in the ways of the Lord, and he will speak the truth.  If one of your people should preach these words in your temple, with regard to drunkards, adulterers, thieves, murderers, covetous, defamers, evil-speakers, etc., and say: You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the virtues of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy (1 Pet. 2:9,10); if he should speak these words with regard to this wicked people, would he not lie?  But if a god-fearing man were to speak these words with reference to the god-fearing people, he would speak the truth.  Again, if you should preach: For your sake we are led to death, as sheep for the slaughter; would this not also be a lie from you?  But a god-fearing man would speak the truth.”

Thus we had many words, but all to no purpose.  I then asked whether the children of the Lord must not all be spiritual.  “Yes,” he replied.  Thereupon I asked, why then they were called spiritual, and the others secular, when they must all be spiritual.  This they were not able to explain.  I then said: Christ prays not for the world, but for them that are not of the world (John 17:9); now, if you are spiritual, how comes it that you are not all of one mind?  For some may only go in gray; are not allowed to handle money, and their shoes must have an opening on the top; others must all go in black; some, again, all in several colors; and others may not eat cooked food, and may not talk with their father or mother when they see them; but when they do not see them, they talk with them.  I said: “These are all different sects, planted by men, and not by God; therefore they will all be rooted up.”  Mat. 15:13.  To this they did not have much to say.  I then said: “Your doctrine is the doctrine of the devil; for all that is done and observed is contrary to the truth, as Paul says (1 Tim. 4:1,3): That in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created.  Now I see that you teach this; for you forbid to marry, and command to abstain from meats.”  Then they bade me go away.

Soon after, the Dean of Ronse came, and with him another priest; they assailed me most severely with subtle questions; but the Lord preserved me, so that I was not betrayed.  He asked me whether I did not believe that the bread which Christ gave his apostles was the body of Christ, when he said: “Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you?”  I replied: “That bread was not the body of Christ, which was broken for us; it was for a memorial.”  He rejoined: “The bread became changed into his body.”  But I said that it was for a memorial, and was not the body itself.  They then questioned me in regard to baptism, whether infants did not have to be baptized.  I said: “There is nothing written of infant baptism, but of baptism upon faith.”  Then they said: “Behold, we will prove that infants must be baptized.  Does not Christ say, John 3: Except a man be born again, of water and of the Spirit, he cannot inherit the kingdom of God?”  I said: “This is not spoken to infants, but to those who can hear.”  But they said: “It is,” and would by it prove and establish infant baptism.  Thus we had many words, but agreed in nothing.

Therefore I admonish you, dear brothers and sisters, to instruct one another well in all matters, namely, concerning the Supper, baptism, the incarnation of Christ, and in regard to the spiritual children and the children of the world; and walk wisely in the fear of the Lord, and do not fear men, though they rage furiously.  I also admonish you, dear brothers and sisters, by the love of our Lord, that you will all pray to the Lord for me, so that I may stand fast valiantly, when I am tried.  I furthermore entreat you, that you will diligently instruct my beloved mother, in all matters, and also my brother, and my wife, if haply they might become converted.  The Lord fill you with his Spirit, Amen.  Written in fear on account of the people who were constantly here.  The abundant grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  Amen.

He that fears the Lord will do good.  Sir. 15:1.

The distress of this time was very great, and did not cease; insomuch that all who truly left the idolatrous Roman Babel, and turned to the spiritual Jerusalem of the peaceable church of Jesus Christ, were forthwith declared to have forfeited their lives.

This appeared in the beginning of the year 1553, at Amsterdam, in the case of Herman Jans, a native of Sollem and a pious, god-fearing novice, who stood prepared to receive baptism on the confession of his faith.  Being yet in his first zeal for the divine truth, he was apprehended by the rulers of wickedness, and brought a prisoner to Amsterdam, where he had to suffer much vexation and torment, inflicted upon him for the purpose of drawing him from the faith; but remaining immovable and steadfast, he was sentenced to death, to be burnt as a heretic; which sentence was publicly read to him in the court, on the 14th day of January, 1553, and also executed on him the same day; as appears from the following sentence, which we, in proof of this matter, have received from the criminal records of the city of Amsterdam.  It reads as follows:

Sentence of death of Herman Jans of Sollem.

Whereas Herman Jans, a native of Sollem, has frequented the assemblies of the Anabaptists, received their admonition, doctrines and errors, and attended certain conventicles (gatherings), in which, by Gillis of Aix-la-Chapelle, as also by others, improper things were taught concerning the Scriptures, so that renouncing the baptism administered to him, he has confessed to have desired to receive another baptism, if he should be able to attain it, and also holds pernicious views with regard to the holy sacrament of the altar, all of which is contrary to the ordinances and the faith of the holy Christian Church, and the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty, our gracious lord; and as he, moreover, obstinately persists in his unbelief, heresy and error, notwithstanding the instruction given him by the truly sent; therefore, my lords the judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the Bailiff, concerning the aforesaid Herman Jans, together with the confession of the latter, and having duly regarded the circumstances of the case, condemn said Herman Jans, pursuant to the aforesaid decrees, to be executed with fire by the executioner, and furthermore declare his property confiscated, for the benefit of his Imperial Majesty, as count of Holland.  Thus pronounced and executed on the sixteenth day of January, A.D. 1553, in the presence of the Bailiff, Pieter Cantert and Joost Buyck, Burgomasters, and all the Judges, by the advice of the other two Burgomasters.

Thus extracted from the book of criminal sentences of the city of Amsterdam, in the keeping of the secretary there.

N. N.

On the same day, in the same court, and for the same reason, also a certain maiden, named Felistis Jans, and surnamed Resinx, a native of Vreden, in Westphalia, was sentenced to the fire, as appears from the written sentence which we have concerning it, from the original criminal records of the city of Amsterdam, as also the date when she was tortured, all of which we could here adduce verbatim; however, to avoid prolixity, we will briefly extract the substance from it, making distinct divisions, so that it may be clearly seen upon what her death was founded.

After giving her name, and the place of her nativity, there are presented first the accusations with which she was charged, comprised in the following divisions:

1.  That she had resorted to the assembly of the sect of the Anabaptists.

2.  That she had separated from the obedience and faith of the (so-called) holy (that is, the Roman) church.

3.  That she held pernicious views with regard to the sacrament of the altar.

4.  That she had harbored in her house such persons as she knew to belong to said sect (that is, to the sect of the so-called Anabaptists).

5.  That she had seduced several persons from the obedience of the (Roman) church, to her belief.

6.  That she herself obstinately adhered to the aforementioned (so-called) errors, refusing to abandon them.

7.  That all this was contrary to the ordinances of the holy church, and the decrees of his Imperial Majesty.

Thereupon follows the conclusion, namely: That for this she should be executed with fire by the executioner, and that all her property should be confiscated or forfeited, for the benefit of the Emperor.

Thus pronounced, etc., as above.

Then the time is mentioned, when she was tortured, in regard to which these words are found: “This Felistis was subjected to the torture or rack the 2d of January, 1553.”

Extracted from the book of criminal sentences, in the keeping of the secretary of the city of Amsterdam.

N. N.

In the year 1553, a god-fearing brother, named Wouter Capelle, was apprehended at Diexmuyde, in Flanders, for living according to and following the word of God, and confessed and sealed the faith of the truth with his death and blood at said place; as an instructive example worthy of imitation to all true believers, to look at his end, and to follow their faith, especially the Captain of the faith, Christ Jesus, blessed for ever.  And since this witness of God suffered for the truth and testimony of the word of God, and not for any crime, he obtained, through the grace of God, the crown of eternal life, promised by God to all those put to death by men for the word of God: that they shall be raised up in great glory at the last day.

In the year 1553, a bachelor named Tijs, and a maiden by the name of Beerentge, were drowned at Leeuwaerden, in Friesland, for the testimony of Jesus.  They were two zealous followers of Christ; for this reason they had a great desire to meet at some time for the purpose of rejoicing with each other in the word of God.  However, this could not well be, since Tijs was lame, and Beerentge was constantly confined to her bed.  But at last God permitted them to come together; for the persecutors went out to apprehend the people of God, who, having perceived this, escaped their hands for this time: however, the former were not willing to return empty-handed, and therefore, took with them the aforementioned two invalid persons, and brought them prisoners to Leeuwaerden, where they were confined together for some time, during which they rejoiced very greatly with each other in the Lord their Creator, so that love, which is stronger than death, and firmer than hell, shone forth most fervently.  Cant. 8:6.  Sentence of death was therefore then passed upon them, namely, that both should be drowned.  This was taken greatly amiss on the part of Tijs; it grieved him much, and he said: “Cats and dogs are drowned.”  Therefore they sought to obtain a transmutation of the sentence and requested to be executed on the place of execution, so that they might obtain the crown with their beloved brethren, and that the people present might hear and see for what cause they died.  But this was refused them, and the execution of the sentence was proceeded with.  They, about midnight, (ashamed as it were, to put to death such infirm persons) put both together into a bag, with their mouths gagged, threw them into a boat, and had them cast into the moat on the outside of the wall, and having been tied to the boat, the two were dragged along the moat until death ensued.  Thus they rid themselves of these pious lights and witnesses of Christ, whom their eyes could not bear to look upon.  Wis. 2:15.  But the righteous God, who goes with his people through water and fire (Isa. 53:2), will avenge this deed in due time, and give these worthy children of God rest and peace with him forever; and this murder, which was perpetrated in the dark, will be justly avenged in his great day, when every secret shall be brought into the light of open day.

Concerning this, see hymn in History Liedt-boeck.

About the year 1553 there was at Bergen op Zoom, in Brabant, a shop-keeper named Simon, who stood in the market place to sell his wares.  When the priests passed him with their idol, this Simon did not dare give divine honor to this idol made by human hands (Dan. 3:18), but, according to the testimony of God presented in the holy Scriptures, would worship and serve only the Lord his God.  He was therefore apprehended by the maintainers of the Roman antichrist, and examined in the faith, which he freely confessed, rejecting their self-invented infant baptism together with all human commandments, and holding fast only to the testimony of the word of God; therefore he was sentenced to death by the enemies of the truth, and was thus led without the city, and burnt for the testimony of Jesus.  Many of the people present were therefore greatly astonished when they beheld the great boldness and steadfastness of this pious witness of God, who thus through grace obtained the crown of eternal life.

The Bailiff who had him executed, on returning home from this deed, was laid upon a bed of severe sickness, and constantly exclaimed with sorrow and remorse: “O Simon, Simon!” and although the priests and monks sought to absolve him, they were nevertheless not able to give him the least comfort, but he soon died in despair, an instructive and memorable example to all tyrants and persecutors.  2 Macc. 9:9,28; Acts 12:23.

Grace be with you, and peace, from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ; may he comfort and strengthen us with his Holy Spirit, that we may be able to stand against the assaults of the devil, who, as Peter says, walks about us, as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, and resist him with a firm faith.  Know then, dear friends, that I have such a conflict against the carnal lords, insomuch that they assail me with their sophistries, seeking to draw me from the obedience of our dear Lord; however, I trust that the Lord will succor me, which I do not doubt; for God, comforting his own, says through the prophet Isaiah (49:15): “Though a mother forsake her child, yet I will not forsake you;” which the Lord shows in me in a wonderful manner—let every tongue praise him.  Yes, if I had as much paper as I ever wrote on, and time to write, I could not describe the joy and gladness I experience; yes, my joy is unspeakable.

But N. is sick, and asks that you would diligently entreat the Lord for him; for he is ready to go into the fire, but he cannot resist the enemies of the cross; for they assail him with sophisms, for their teacher, the devil, knows much sophistry, which he showed when he came to tempt our Savior in the wilderness, as is written in the Gospel.  Now, if he employed his sophistry on our Savior, I am not cast down, though I have a little of conflict; for, dear friends, they could easily be resisted if they used arguments, but they assail him altogether with lies.  Since their father is a liar, as our Savior also told them, they have the nature of their father, which they partly manifested with regard to me, all of which I cannot communicate to you; but I hope that the Lord will give me so much grace that I may write a little about the disputation with the carnal.

Know then, that Ronse and Polet came into the prison on Saturday afternoon, and summoned me before them.  When I came to them, I asked them what they wished of me.  They replied: “This will be told to you.”  They inquired how old I was.  I replied: “That I do not know; if you want correct information on this point, you must ask my mother.”

Ronse.  “Tell us as near as you know.”

Joos.  “Between twenty and thirty years.”  Then their clerk wrote: “Between thirty and forty.”

Ronse.  “When were you to confession last?”

Joos.  “Why do you ask this?”

Ronse.  “I want to know it.”

Joos.  “You did not have me apprehended?  You well know how it is with me.”

Ans.  “We do.”

Joos.  “Of whom are you, or in whose name have you come to me?”

Ans.  “In the name of God.”

Joos.  “I don’t believe this.”

Ques.  “Why?”

Joos.  “Because you have apprehended me, to find out how it is with me; for all whom the Lord has sent to go and teach, imprisoned no one; for he sent them out, and commanded them, that if they came to a place, and were not received, they should shake off the dust from their feet, and depart from there.”  Mat. 10:14.

Polet.  “You have doubtless read that Paul delivered some to the devil.”  1 Cor. 5:5.

Joos.  “Show me where Paul cast them into prison; this I want to know of you.”

Polet.  “I don’t know.”

Joos.  “Why then do you undertake to quote Scriptures to any one, which you do not understand yourself?  Yes, more than that, to apprehend people, to bring them to the faith, even if your faith were good, which I do not hold to be the case, for I do not believe that you are from God.”

Ques.  “Why?”

Joos.  “Because Jehovah says: ‘I will have obedience, and not sacrifice’ (1 Sam. 15:22); and because you do not obey him.”

Ques.  “Wherein?”

Joos.  “Because Christ commanded to point the erring to the right way; now, you say that I have gone astray—why then did you not show me what is right?  For I seek nothing but what is right.”

Ans.  “For this purpose we have come.”

Joos.  “Then you should have come to the place where I lived.”

Ans.  “We did not know where you lived.”

Joos.  “You knew it well enough to send the Bailiff.”

Ans.  “Had you been a good sheep, it would not have been necessary.”

Joos.  “Christ left the ninety and nine, and went to seek that which was lost.”

Then Ronse said: “Do you not believe that I am appointed your superior, by our holy father, the Pope, and our gracious lord, the Emperor?”

Joos.  “I know no superior save Christ.”

Ques.  “How; don’t you recognize the Emperor at all?”

I told him that I was well content to have him be my superior according to the flesh.  Then they wrote that I recognized no superior according to the spirit save Christ, and the Emperor according to the flesh.

Ronse then said: “When were you to confession last, tell me this?”

Joos.  “I do not wish to speak to you here.”

Ques.  “Why?”

Joos.  “I shall speak before the lords in full court.”

“There,” said they, “it would be at the risk of your life, if you should say anything of consequence.  Tell me,” said he, “what do you think of infant baptism?” Being urged to speak, I replied: “Nothing.”

Ronse.  “Yes, in what baptism then do you believe?”

Joos.  “I know of but one faith, and one baptism.”

Ronse.  “How long since you were baptized?”

Joos.  “Half a year, or thereabout.”  This they noted down.

Ques.  “What do you hold concerning the Roman church?”

Joos.  “I do not hold the least article of all they hold.”

This was also written down.  They asked me so much, that I said to them: “I have freely confessed my faith, and am ready to go alive into the fire for it; therefore be content that you know my faith.”  They asked a great deal.  I said: “Go away from me; I regard you as enemies of the cross of Christ; therefore, go away from me, for you know the ground of my faith, which I have freely confessed to you.  Do therefore to me what you please; for it is through the grace of the Lord that I have these members, and I am also ready to give them up by the grace of the Lord, yes, to present them for his holy praise.”  2 Macc. 7:11.  They spoke much, but I said: “Go away from me, and come no more where I am, for you are against God.  Mat. 12:30.  Do you not fear the Lord?  See what is written Mat. 13, concerning the tares of the field.  Now since you say that I am evil, the Lord has commanded that it should be left to grow until the harvest.”

Ans.  “If we were to let it grow up, you would corrupt us all.”

Polet.  “Does not Augustine say”—

Joos.  “Don’t speak of Augustine, for I do not know him; I hold no doctrine save that of the apostles and prophets, and of the words which our Savior brought from high heaven, from the mouth of his heavenly Father, and sealed with his precious blood; for this I want to go into the fire; but Augustine, Gregory, Ambrose, these I do not know.”

Ronse.  “Yes, do you not believe that our blessed Savior is concealed in the holy sacrament?”

Joos.  “I do not believe this.”

Ronse.  “Where then is he?”

Joos.  “At the right hand of his heavenly Father, and he will at the last descend with the glory of his Father, to judge the living and the dead.  Fear this strict judgment, and amend your ways; put on sackcloth and clothing of hair; repent, and go to the people, whom you keep running after your false worship; warn them, for you murder their souls, since you say that you have the key of the kingdom of heaven, from the time of St. Peter, and that the same has always remained in your possession.  Well does Christ say that you have the key, and that you will not enter yourselves, and those that desire to go in you hinder.”  Mat. 23:13.

Ronse.  “Who baptized you?  Did Jelis the Baptist, baptize you?”

Joos.  “You know how it is with me; be satisfied.”

Polet.  “It was Adam Pastor.”

Ronse.  “Or David Joris.”

I kept silent.

Ronse.  “Joos, tell me who were your sponsors?”

Joos.  “I know of no sponsors.”

Ronse.  “Your witnesses?”

Joos.  “I have told you that it took place; therefore be content with this; for I have such confidence in the Lord, that I trust he will keep the door of my mouth so that I shall tell you nothing, though you should tear me to pieces.”

They asked me a great deal.  I said: “Go away from me; for you are not of God.”  They replied: “We are.”  I said: “Away!  Go away from me, go from me, and come no more where I am.”  Much more yet took place, but it would take too long to write it.  Finally they went away, and I was led back into my cell.

On Sunday I was taken to the house of the Judges where the court was assembled.  There were also present there Salome, Sir Cornelis, Dean of Kestenne, Ronse, and Polet.  I was placed in the middle, firmly bound, and held by two thief-catchers.  I said: “My lords, what is your wish?” Ronse.  “This will be told to you.”  They then read the confession of my faith, which they had written in prison, and asked me whether I was still of the same mind.  I replied: “Yes; I am still ready to go into the fire for it.”  Ronse asked whether I did not believe that Christ had taken his flesh from Mary.  I said: “No.”  Then it seemed as though Sir Cornelis would faint away; he blessed and crossed himself much, and all were horrified.  There was a little discussion about it; but they, like dragons, breathed their poison into the judges, each taking a judge, and said: “True, it is written so; but he has not the understanding; the Scriptures want to be understood.”  And they adduced many far-fetched sophisms, and filled the ears of the lords, and asked me many sophistical questions.  I said: “I have confessed my faith to you; be satisfied with this; and I pray to you, not that I am worthy of it, but by the crimson blood of our dear Lord, let me in peace; you have my faith, and hold me in your hands here: be satisfied, and do what you please.”

Then Ronse asked me whether I had not been present somewhere, and adjured me three times by my baptism, that I should tell who was present.  I told him that I would not tell him one word.  Ronse said: “You have denied your baptism; Menno will take it ill, that you deny your baptism.”  I said: “My faith and baptism I know, but with your adjuration I have nothing to do; I by it know that you are sorcerers.”  Then Polet said: “We may swear.”  I replied: “See Mat. 5, whether he does not prohibit swearing altogether.”  They said: “No.”  I said: “Yes.”  Then Polet looked into a Bible which they had brought with them, a large book, and it read there just as I had said.

To the praise of the Father.

This Elizabeth was of a noble family, and had in her youth been put by her parents into the convent of Tieng, near Lier near East Friesia, there to learn various arts, and also the Latin language.  There she accidentally, or rather through the direction of God, came into possession of a Latin testament, by the constant reading of which and meditating upon it she obtained so much knowledge of the will of God, that she became distressed on account of her state of life, and seeing no chance to alter her life according to the rule of said word in the convent, much less under the parental roof, she resolved, after much conflict and reflection, secretly to escape from the convent, trusting to the fatherly providence of Almighty God for help and guidance.  To this end, she made an agreement with a milk-maid of the convent, that she should change clothes with her, and thus assist her to escape from the convent early in the morning, in the guise of a milk-maid; which having been accomplished, she first came to Lier, and without her knowing it, to a certain house, in which there lived Anabaptists, who, upon learning her circumstances and condition, took her in, and instructed her still more fully in the way of God, and, after some time, fearing that search might be made for Elizabeth, brought her to Leeuwarden, and there left her with a pious sister of the Anabaptistic church, named Hadewijk, with whom she was afterward apprehended.

About the year 1553, there was put to death with the sword, in the city of Vuren, in Flanders, for the testimony of Jesus, a god-fearing, pious brother, who had to endure many severe conflicts from the papists, the adversaries of the truth; but as a valiant hero of Christ he would not fear them that kill the body, but sought much rather to please Him who after this temporal death has power also to cast into hell, into everlasting fire, where the worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched.  He therefore comforted his sorrowful wife, who was pregnant, and whom he loved dearly, with the word of God, fearing that adversity was in store for her; that she should not regard the torments inflicted upon him for the word of God.  They sentenced him to be executed with the sword; therefore he took affectionate leave from all his brethren, and, as a humble lamb, following the footsteps of his Leader Jesus, ascended the scaffold; but the evening wolves, which let nothing remain until the morning, by which and other fruits they may be known, retained their wolfish nature, so that they killed this friend of God with seven cruel blows, and finally sawed off his head, so that through great sorrow many a tear was shed by the people who were present and witnessed this martyrdom.  His poor, pregnant wife lamented greatly, so that she died with her fruit from excess of grief.  Many witnessed this heinous murder, perpetrated by the blood-thirsty; but the great and faithful God, who regards the sufferings of his own, as though the apple of his eye had been touched, will avenge this in due time.  O how will these blood-thirsty men excuse themselves, when the chief Shepherd shall appear in the clouds, and require an account of this matter!  But those faithful heroes and adventurers of God, who did not dare deprive their Creator of his divine honor, but would serve him rightly according to his word, and gave their lives therefore, they have the promise from the mouth of Jesus, that he will confess them before his Father in heaven, that it is the Father’s good pleasure to give this little flock his glorious kingdom, and that all who here suffer with Christ for righteousness’ sake, shall rejoice forever with God.  Mat. 10:32; Luke 12:8,32; Mat. 5:10.

Concerning this, read the hymn in the old hymn-book.

In Questions and Answers.

Question.  “What is your name?”  Answer.  “Pieter Witses.”  Quest.  “How old are you?”  Ans.  “Twenty-seven years.”  Quest.  “When were you to confession last?”  Ans.  “I confess every day, and acknowledge that I am a sinner.”  Quest.  “What do you think of the sacrament?”  Ans.  “I esteem it highly.”  Quest.  “What do you think of the sacrament which the priest gives on Easter?”  Ans.  “Nothing.”  Quest.  “Christ said: ‘Take, eat; this is my flesh.’ ”  Ans.  “It is true; but he spoke it to those who were obedient to him.”  Quest.  “Are you also rebaptized?”  Ans.  “I know of no rebaptism; I was baptized once, and that according to the teaching of God.”  Quest.  “How long ago?”  Ans.  “About a year and a half.”

Then Pieter was put into a dungeon, and having been there for about an hour, was again taken before the lords, and asked anew: “Pieter, are you seduced?  Will you not suffer yourself to be instructed?”  Ans.  “Yes, gladly; he that rejects reproof and instruction is miserable.  Prov. 10:17.  Take a Testament, and instruct me.”  Quest.  “We are no teachers; will you not suffer yourself to be instructed by priests?”  Ans.  “God is the best priest; he will instruct me, and to this I shall adhere by the grace of God.”  Quest.  “Some vagabond has been preaching to you.”  They further said that they had read in the Old Testament that many children were baptized.  Pieter replied: “I have read nothing about this; I have read that Christ commanded to baptize believers.  Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; that it was practiced by the apostles, Acts 2:38; and that Peter taught: ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is unto you, and to your children,’ ” etc.  He also quoted John 3.

Then they said: “Pieter, you are deceived; are your brethren also thus minded?” He replied: “What do I know about my brethren?  I can speak of what God has given me; that I know.”  He further quoted the words of Christ, where he says: Go into all the world; preach and teach: he that believes and is baptized shall be saved.  Mark 16:16.  Also, that Christ came to John at the Jordan, to be baptized of him, in order that he might fulfill all righteousness for us, to be an example, that we should follow his steps.  Mat. 3:13,15; 1 Pet. 2:21.  And after Christ’s suffering the apostles, who were his body and church, practiced it.

Concerning their supper, he confessed, that he thought nothing at all of it.  They admonished him with the Gospel, which he regarded as all right, but not as having been said with reference to their church; for Christ, said he, said to his apostles: “Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you.”  Also the cup: “Drink you all of it; for this is the cup of the new testament in my blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”  Matthew 26:26–28.

Christians are to observe it, as Paul teaches the Corinthians, where it is clearly expressed.  1 Corinthians 10:16.  They said that the supper which they eat and drink was true flesh and blood, and asked me whether we did not also thus eat and drink it.  I replied: “Christ said: ‘The flesh profits nothing, eaten outwardly; but the word is spirit and life.’ John 6:63.  And our church is not without the body of Christ.”

Christ said, Mat. 24:5: “Many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many;” which words are true; for when you confess your sins to them, they forgive them, as they say.  This they have carried on since the Gospel has been hidden, and they do it yet.  Paul also foretold this to Timothy (1 Tim. 4:2; 2 Tim. 3:2); Christ says, Matthew 7:15: “Beware of false prophets,” etc., and John also writes much concerning this, in the tenth chapter of his Gospel.  Also, Jude and Peter.  But these are as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed; they speak evil of the things that they do not understand.  Again: They hatch cockatrice’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web.  Isa. 59:5.  They daub the wall with untempered mortar, and put pillows under men’s arms.  Eze.  13:10,18.  And although the church flee into caves, the confession abides forever.  They cannot resist: for they deny the power of God; they love the broad way; the cross of Christ is foolishness to them.  2 Tim. 3:5; 1 Cor. 1:18.

Concerning these, God gave me something to speak.  I perceive nothing but the abomination of desolation of which the prophet Daniel speaks, and of which Christ also says that he will scarcely find faith upon earth.  Dan. 9:27; Luke 18:8.  But be of good cheer; and fight in faith, well knowing that it is the word of truth, which cannot fail.  Upon this, through the grace of Christ, I have built and he will keep me, and I will daily trust in him, knowing and feeling confident that there is no power, might, or dominion in heaven or on earth, save only of him.  Therefore, give diligent heed; prove yourselves in your consciences, as to what you seek—every work will be made manifest.  Read and examine diligently for it greatly concerns us all.  The authorities cannot by torturing seduce one, but the erring spirits come with deceitful snares, in the name of Christ; but we are sufficiently warned.  Mat. 7:21; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:5; Tit. 1:10; Rom. 16:17; Philip. 3; 2 Pet. 2. Jude 1.

My dear friends, they thus assail me with questions as much as they can.  Give the young and simple hearts good instruction regarding the Lord’s Supper, for I know what happens to me.  If the house is truly built upon the corner-stone, it cannot fall.  Let every one take good heed; for the time of trial is at hand, and we know that it will not always stop at mere words; for Christ himself suffered.  If they laid their hands on his blessed body, they will do the same to us.  Let us arm ourselves with the word of God; for the word of God is the true door.  It is the bread of life.  The time of weeping is come; therefore our deliverance is close.  Let us pray for grace.  The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that do not believe in the word?  1 Pet. 4:17.  My brethren, do not forget us poor sheep in your prayers, for us who for the truth are kept in bonds by the authorities.  Care for them that live among you; for Christ will say: “I was naked, and you clothed me,” etc.  Mat. 25:36.  Pray and watch; the abomination of desolation is drawing close; do not cease, but be of good courage, for greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4.  I affectionately desire that you be diligent, lest you be deceived, for the times now are perilous.  Know that whenever I was brought before them, I kept down my own thoughts, and prayed to Almighty God, that he would open my mouth according to his good pleasure, and believe it freely, he gave abundant comfort to the humble.  They assented to me in many things, when I spoke with them with a meek spirit by the grace of God.  My dear friends receive it kindly.  May the Lord preserve you from wicked deceivers.  Pray and watch, the times are perilous; and do not forget us in your prayers, and visit us sometimes, it is very edifying; may the Lord preserve us all.

My dear chosen wife, abide in God, and mingle not with the wicked; for if the righteous draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him, says the Lord.  John 2:28; Psm. 1:1; Heb. 10:38.  The time of my departure seems to be close; may it take place with God.  When the hour of parting comes, do not fear, but guard your lips.  My dear wife, abide in the grace of God given you.

In the year 1554, there was imprisoned at Ghent, in Flanders, for following Christ and living according to God’s commandments, a young brother named David, who, when examined, freely confessed his faith.  Being asked what he thought of the sacrament, David said that he considered it nothing else than idolatry.  Then a priest said to him: “Friend, you err greatly, that you so readily confess your faith, for it will cost you your life, if you do not change your mind in time.”  Thereupon David sweetly replied: “I am ready to shed my blood for the name of Christ, even though it should be here in this place; for God is my salvation, who will keep me, and preserve me from all evil.”  The priest said: “It will not be as good as though you were put to death secretly here in this place; but you will be burnt publicly at the stake, for an everlasting reproach.”  He was then brought into the court, where he was condemned to death, and his sentence was read, namely, that he had fallen from the true faith into heresy, and was therefore, according to the imperial edict, sentenced to be strangled and burned.  David said: “No one will ever be able to prove by the scriptures, that the faith for which I must now die is heresy.”

There was also sentenced to death with him a woman named Levina, who rather forsook, not only her six dear children, but also her temporal life, rather than her dear Lord and Bridegroom Jesus Christ.  Arriving on the scaffold, David attempted to kneel down in order to offer up his prayer to God, but he was prevented, and they were immediately driven away to the stakes, standing at which, David said to Levina: “Rejoice, dear sister; for what we suffer here is not to be compared with the eternal good that awaits us.”  Rom. 8:18.  When about to offer up their sacrifice, both exclaimed: “Father, into your hands do we commend our spirits.”  A little bag of gunpowder was tied to each of them, whereupon they were strangled and burned.  But there happened a manifest miracle of God; for though they were completely burned, and the fire was as good as extinguished, David was seen to move his head, so that the people exclaimed: “He still lives.”  The executioner seized the fork, and thrust it three times into his bowels, so that the blood flowed out; yet even after this he was still seen to move, therefore, the executioner threw a chain around his neck, and bound him to the stake, and thus broke his neck.

Thus these two valiantly fought their way through, firmly trusting in God, who did not let them be confounded, since they had firmly built their building upon the only foundation; therefore they shall never perish, but abide forever.

In the year 1554, there was put to death for the testimony of the truth, at Ghent, in Flanders, a pious witness of God, named William Van Louvain, the grandfather of Jan Doom.  He did not suffer for any crime or heresy, but only for the testimony of the truth, in a good conscience, having renounced the Babylonian whore, together with her lovers, and all her false worship, and united himself with Christ, following him with the whole heart in the regeneration, and through faith, overcoming this world with all that is in this, by which he finally, through grace, obtained the end of the faith, that is, eternal salvation through Christ Jesus.

In the year 1555, the young nobleman Jan van Immerseele having become Margrave, four brethren were apprehended at Antwerp, for the testimony of the truth, namely, Pieter with the lame foot, Jan Drooghscheerder, Hans Borduerwercker, and Frans Sweerdtveger, who, as they valiantly adhered to it, and could not be brought to apostatize, were finally sentenced to death, and had to lay down their lives publicly in the market place, for the name of the Lord, for which he will well reward them.

In said year there was also apprehended at Antwerp, a young maiden from Ghent, named Tanneken van der Leyen, who loved God and his truth more than all that was in the world; therefore, since she preferred the doctrine of Christ and his apostles to all human doctrine, and immovably adhered to it, she was condemned to death, and drowned in the Scheldt.

Bartholomew the potter, who was a vessel of honor in the house of God (2 Tim. 2:20), was also apprehended for his faith, at Antwerp, examined, much afflicted, and, finally, sentence having been pronounced, publicly put to death in the market place, as a pious witness of Jesus Christ.

About this time, also Rommeken, a noted child of God, publicly declared and sealed with his blood the divine truth, in the market place at Antwerp; therefore Christ will also declare and confess him before his Father in heaven.

In the year 1555, Hans Pichner of Sal, was apprehended at Vorst, in Etschland or Vintschgau, and taken by the beadles to Schlanters, before the Judge, who was a dreadful tyrant and of a very fierce disposition.  He immediately examined John, rigorously questioning him, that he should betray the one that had lodged him; but when he would not do it, he was speedily tortured from the first day.  All their torturing, however, was in vain, and they were greatly vexed that they could obtain no information from him.  Several times he was stripped, and, while being tortured, left suspended by cords for several hours, yes, he was so stretched, that he could not stand upon his feet, or take a single step, nor bring his hand to his mouth to eat; yet he was not to be seduced, but remained steadfast in the Lord.  After this, they bound him hand and foot, and kept him imprisoned in a dark dungeon for more than six months.  They also brought to him many men of worldly erudition (if peradventure they might be able to draw him away from his faith), as priests and monks, also some noblemen, who mightily assailed him for two days and one whole night; but they were put to shame; for he convinced them with the truth, and was not to be intimidated.

After this, they sentenced him to death, and led him out to the place of execution, where he exhorted the people, who had gathered in great numbers, to repentance.  Finally, he was placed with his back, in a sitting posture, against a block of wood, and thus beheaded; for they had racked and tortured him so lamentably that he was unable to kneel.  But he nevertheless adhered firmly to the Lord and his truth; therefore God kept him in the hour of his temptation, and he shall henceforth not be hurt by the second death; he shall not see the eternal fire, but shall enter into an innumerable company of angels, to the supper and marriage of the Lamb, clothed in linen clean and white, where will be exceeding joy for ever and ever.  Rev. 3:10; 2:11; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 3:20.

In the year 1555, a brother named Christian was apprehended, in Bavaria, and taken to Worms, and although he had been in the church only a short time, he nevertheless faithfully adhered to the divine truth, which he had embraced and confessed, and firmly kept until death what he had promised God in the covenant of his Christian baptism; and, through divine power and strength, testified to the faith with his blood.  He was executed with the sword, at Worms.  Thus he fought a good fight even unto death, strove for the truth, safely finished his course, and refused to be led astray, preferring a valiant death to a shameful life.  Therefore, there is promised to him the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, at the last day, will give him, and unto all them that love his appearing.  2 Tim. 4:8.

A.D. 1555, unholy hands were laid, at Dordrecht, in Holland, upon several of the saints of God, of whom, among others, there is mentioned by name, a god-fearing woman, named Digna Pieters, who, being a citizeness of said city, had at the same time a citizenship also in the spiritual city of God, that is, in the church of Jesus Christ on earth, yes, also, because of her integrity, in the new and heavenly Jerusalem, which is above, in which, and of which, she was regenerated by the word of truth.

On account of the faith which she had in common with the dear friends and children of God, she was imprisoned, and severely proceeded against in various ways, for the purpose of causing her to apostatize from the faith.  But as they could make no progress in the matter, since she was founded upon the immovable corner-stone, that is, Christ Jesus, they resolved to put an end to her citizenship, and at the same time also to her life.  Thereupon it followed that the chamber of justice, through the instrumentality of the bench of judges and the council of said city, with public striking of the bell, disfranchised her, before the steps leading up to the city hall, on the 17th of November of said year, to be further dealt with as the lords of said chamber should find or judge proper.

Concerning this, there remains, though almost obliterated by age, the following act in the book of records of said city, in the keeping of the secretary there:

Up to this time, Emperor Charles V. was alone, or at least chiefly responsible for the shedding of the blood of the saints in the Netherlands, as also for the most cruel tyrannies which, through the instrumentality of the Inquisition, and through what followed afterwards, were inflicted upon them, by fire, water, sword, and otherwise; but in this year, his son, Philip II., King of Spain, following in his father’s footsteps (instead of lightening the constraint of conscience) caused all the previous bloody and cruel decrees which his father had issued against the so-called heretics, to be renewed and confirmed, especially the most cruel decree published on the 25th of September, 1550, the contents of which we have reserved until the present time, but will now, as renewed A.D. 1556, adduce here, however not with all its particulars, but only so far as it was directed (principally) against the Anabaptists and their doctrine.

In the book in which the prince of Orange, William I., defends himself against the false charges, which his adversaries sought unjustly to bring against him, printed 1569, mention of this is made (p. 165, letter L. VI.), in the following words.

Of the ordinances and decrees made for all times, and for general observance, and proclaimed everywhere, from the 25th of September, 1550, and renewed and confirmed by his Royal Majesty in the year 1556.

We likewise forbid all lay persons, and others, to converse or dispute concerning the holy Scriptures, whether openly or secretly, especially in doubtful and difficult matters; or to teach, expound or interpret the holy Scriptures to others, unless they [who do so] be theologians and versed in divinity and spiritual law, and approved by some notable university, or others authorized for this by the ordinary of the place; be it well understood, however, that this is not to be regarded as relating to those who simply and exclusively converse together on the aforesaid holy Scriptures, adducing to this the expositions of holy and approved doctors; but to those who, in order to seduce others, or to teach and instruct them in that which is forbidden, maintain and teach contrary to the ordinances of our mother, the holy church, evil and false propositions and doctrines, who are notoriously considered heretics; or to preach, defend, allege or maintain, openly or secretly, any doctrines of the aforementioned authors.

On pain, that if any be found to have acted contrary to any of the above stated points, they shall be punished as seditious persons, and disturbers of our realm and the common peace, and be executed as such:

Namely, the men with the sword, and the women buried alive; that is, if they will not maintain or defend their errors; but if they persist in their errors, opinions, or heresies, they are to be executed with fire; and in every case all their property is declared confiscated, and forfeited for our benefit.

And as regards what we had ordained in our previous decrees and our last ordinances, that from the day they had acted contrary to this, or had fallen into the aforesaid errors, they should be disqualified from disposing of their property, and that all alienations, gifts, cessions, sales, conveyances, transfers, testaments, or last wills, made and executed by them from said day on, should be null, invalid and void.

Again (page 168): Since many, from our aforesaid countries, suspected of heresy, especially of the sect of the Anabaptists, change their place of abode, to infect the simple in places where their character is not known; we, in order to guard against this, will, ordain, and decree, that none of the inhabitants of our aforesaid Netherlands, of whatever state, quality or condition he be, shall be admitted or received into any city or village, of said countries, there to live, except he bring with him a certificate from the parish-priest of the place where he last resided.

Which certificate he shall be obliged to show and deliver into the hands of the principal officer of the city or village where he intends to live; on pain that those who do not bring such certificates shall not be admitted there to live.

And we charge the officers diligently to inform themselves with regard to them, and to proceed in this as shall be proper, without our aforesaid officers, or the particular lords, and their officers, being permitted to grant such persons any pass or safe conduct.

Again (page 171): That all who have knowledge of any that are tainted with heresy, shall be bound, immediately and without delay to accuse, report, and indicate them to all spiritual judges, deputies of the bishops, and other proper persons.

Likewise, if any be found to have acted contrary to these our ordinances and prohibitions, showing himself to be infected, or favorer of the heretics, or committing any act contrary to these our ordinances and prohibitions, especially anything tending to scandal or sedition, that those who have knowledge of them shall be bound, immediately to report it to our proctors, or their substitutes and commissaries, or to the officers of the place where such tainted favorers or offenders shall live; and this on pain of arbitrary punishment.

In like manner, they shall be bound, if they know the place where any of such heretics keep or shelter themselves, to indicate it to the officer of said place, on pain of being considered, as stated before, favorers, entertainers and adherents of heresy, and punished with the same punishment as would be inflicted upon the heretic or offender, if he should be apprehended.

And in order that the aforesaid judges and officers, who shall apprehend said heretics, Anabaptists, and transgressors of our aforesaid ordinances and prohibitions, may have no reason, under the pretense that the punishments seem too great and severe, and were only decreed to deter the delinquents (Anabaptists), and offenders, to dissemble with them, their accomplices and favorers, or to punish them less than they have deserved, as has been found to have frequently been done heretofore; therefore, we will that those whom they know to have acted contrary to these ordinances, or who have kept in their possession, printed, sold, distributed, or published any heretical scandalous books, writings . . . or have contravened the points already indicated, or to be stated hereafter, or some of them, shall be actually punished and corrected with the punishments set forth above.

We forbid all our judges, justiciaries and officers, as also our vassals and subjects, temporal lords, who exercise high justice, and their officers, in any way to alter, mitigate or change the aforesaid punishments, (those ordained to be inflicted with the sword, earth, or fire); but, on having taken cognizance of such contravention plainly do declare and decree the aforesaid punishments, pursuant to these present ordinances, on pain of being severely punished; unless that in some particular case, said judges, because of great and important considerations, should find difficulty as to the exact execution of the punishment decreed against the transgressor by our aforesaid ordinances.

In which case they may nevertheless not mitigate the punishment of their own accord; but shall be bound to carry or send the criminal process, faithfully closed and sealed, to the sovereign or provincial council, under whose jurisdiction they shall belong, there to be examined and deliberated on as to whether any alteration or mitigation of the aforesaid punishment is proper or not.

And if our aforesaid councillors find that in good justice, according to right and reason (in regard to which we charge their consciences), any mitigation or alteration is proper, in such a case they may advise them by writing, and send it all to said judges and officers, that the latter may finish and terminate said process in accordance with it.

We command them to do nothing less, and enjoin them very expressly and strictly, on pain of being arbitrarily corrected and punished, not to make use of said consultations without great and important reasons, but be governed, as much as they can, by the contents of these present ordinances.

Extracted from the great book of decrees of Ghent in which are collected all the decrees, mandates, and ordinances of Emperor Charles V., and of King Philip II.; and cited by William I., Prince of Orange, in his defense against his adversaries, edition 1569, from p. 165–174 inclusive.

A.D. 1556, or thereabouts, there was in Beverwijk, a brother named Augustine, a baker by trade, who had forsaken the world, and been baptized upon his faith, according to the ordinance of Christ, which the papists could not endure.  There was at that time a burgomaster who was very bitter, and filled with perverted zeal, who sometimes said that he would furnish the peat and wood to burn Augustine.  The Bailiff had said that he should not apprehend Augustine without previously warning him; but he did not keep his word; for he came upon a time when Augustine was at his work, kneading dough.  Perceiving him, Augustine attempted to flee, but was instantly seized by his pursuers, and cast into prison; and as he was a man who was much beloved, it greatly grieved the Bailiff’s wife, who said to her husband: “O you murderer, what have you done!” but all in vain, he had to follow his Lord Jesus as a lamb is led to the slaughter.  As he steadfastly adhered to his faith, they passed a cruel sentence on him, namely that he should be tied to a ladder, and thus cast alive into the fire, and burnt.  On his way to death, he saw one of his acquaintances, to whom he said: “Farewell, Joost Cornelissen.”  The latter, prompted by his good opinion of him, replied in a friendly manner: “I hope that we shall hereafter be together forever;” whereupon said Burgomaster replied out of a heart judging with partiality: “He will not get to the place where you will go; but he goes from this fire into the eternal.”  Thereupon Augustine said to the Burgomaster: “I cite you to appear within three days before the judgment seat of God.”  As soon as the execution was over, the Burgomaster was instantly smitten with a raging sickness, and continually cried with a guilty conscience: “Peat and wood, peat and wood!” so that it was terrible to hear; and before the three days had expired, he died; which was a great sign of the all-seeing eye of God, who would not suffer such cruelty to go unpunished, as an example to all those who from perverse blindness should commit such deeds.  For it is often seen that those who think to do God service by exercising tyrannical cruelty over the pious, come to a bad end; for the apostle James also says that they shall have judgment without mercy that have shown no mercy.  May the Lord enlighten those who are in such blindness.

At Belle, in Flanders, three women were apprehended for the testimony of the truth, namely, an old woman named Francijntgen, a young maiden named Grietgen, and niece to the former, and another young maiden, named Maeyken Doornaerts, all of whom suffered much tribulation and torment.  The old woman, when they wanted to torture her naked, said to the lords: “Remember that you were born of women; therefore, do not put me to shame;” by which she obtained leave to keep on her shift on the rack.  Great pains were taken to draw the young maiden Grietgen from her faith, since she was still very young; but it was all in vain, for she would much rather expect eternal joy for this temporal pain or suffering, than purchase this brief and transient pleasure with everlasting suffering.

The other young maiden, Maeyken Doornaerts, also had to lie naked on the rack, and when they could by no pain or suffering cause her to apostatize from her faith, they began to accost her with asking her, whether she was not ashamed to lie there so nude.  She replied: “I did not place myself here naked; but you, who inflict this misery and disgrace upon me who am innocent, shall hereafter have to suffer eternal shame and pain for it.”  And though she was tortured to such a degree that her blood flowed down by the rack, she nevertheless, through the grace of God, who always strengthens his own, remained steadfast in the faith.  Thereupon all three were sentenced to death, and burnt.  Standing at the stake, Maeyken Doornaerts said: “This is the hour for which I have greatly longed, that it might put an end to all my tribulation.”  Thus these three heroines valiantly fought their way through, suffering all this, because they were baptized upon their faith (according to the teaching of Christ), and thenceforth sought, in all simplicity, to serve and please the living God more than mortal men; for which they also expect the joyful crown of eternal and imperishable life.

In the year 1556 there was at Antwerp a very pious and god-fearing brother named Abraham, who was apprehended for his faith, and, after a bold confession, and steadfast adherence to the same, condemned to death, and thus publicly in the market place, offered up an acceptable sacrifice for God, sealing the truth with his blood.

Shortly after, also Jan de Kudse, an ardent lover of God, who had likewise been apprehended for the truth, from which he would not depart, meekly suffered death as an innocent lamb of Christ, in the market place at Antwerp, in order to follow his Lord; and thus violently entered through the strait gate into the kingdom of God.

Grace and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, be with you all, my most beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ; according as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.  Let every one among you walk worthy of the vocation with which he is called so that satan may not torment you in your trial; and diligently exhort one another in love; for I would willingly write you an exhortation, but the time is not convenient for it, because I am closely watched by the jailer, who stands in great fear of the dean.  Nevertheless, I am greatly inclined to write you something about my examination, and the malice and forged lies of the priests, by which they think to condemn me, but God be praised, who helps me gain the victory.  I write you this, if haply some that are yet young may be edified by it.

At first after I was imprisoned, until the sixth day I was in great sorrow; my heart was weighed down and heavy, and my flesh feared greatly.  I said to myself: “Now I must undergo this and many other conflicts;”  I thought of my wife and children; and satan went round me to devour me, with many strange temptations which it would take too long to relate.  On the sixth day, in the forenoon, the jailer came and called me out of the place where I was confined, saying: “Claes, come down, and follow me;” and he led the way.  My heart kindled within me with joy to the Lord my God; so that all my trouble and anxiety was driven from me, as dust is swept from the street.  Then thought I: “O gracious God!  Now I find that you are faithful to your promise.  Heb. 10:23.  Lord, direct now my speech, as you have promised.”  Heb. 10:23; Luke 21:14.  He then led me into a room, where sat the Chief Judge with two other Judges, the Bailiff, and a man with a long beard, who had a large book before him, in which to write.  They regarded me very intently, when I entered the room, and I did them great reverence, and bade all of them peace.  Rom. 13:7.  The jailer placed a chair for me, and said: “Claes, sit down here; it is so ordered.”  I sat down with good cheer, the heart lifted up to the Lord my God, forgetful of myself and the things that are in this world.

Then they said: “Cover your head.”  I said: “It is not proper now.”  The bailiff asked me: “What is your name!”  I replied: “Claes de Praet.”  Then said he: “Write this, and born in this city.”  The clerk then asked me: “Were you born here?”  I replied: “I know nothing to the contrary.”  Bailiff.  “Where have you been so long, Claes?  The last time you were away from home so long?”  Claes.  “In Emderland.”  Bailiff.  “What did you do there?”  Claes.  “I tried to learn whether I could not buy or sell, or do something, by which to earn my bread.”  Bailiff.  “Yes, and to see the brethren, I well perceive.”  Claes.  “Yes, Sir Bailiff.”  Bailiff.  “Yes, Claes, have you received any other baptism than the one you received in your infancy, when you were Christened?”  Claes.  “I don’t remember so far back.”  Bailiff.  “Have you received a baptism which you remember?”  Claes.  “Yes, Sir bailiff.”  Bailiff.  “How long ago?”  Claes.  “About four years.”  Then they were all greatly astonished.  The bailiff asked me once more: “How long did you say?”  Then the other judge said: “About four years.”  Then the bailiff looked at me very sharply, and asked who they were, that had intercourse with me, and which of my brethren were also baptized.  I replied: “It is not our way to ask each other: Where are you from? or where do you live? or what is your name? or what do you do?”  Bailiff.  “You don’t want to know it?”  Claes.  “No, Sir Bailiff.”  Bailiff.  “You do it, so as not to bring any one into trouble?”  Claes.  “Yes, Sir bailiff; for we well know that our blood is much sought, and the Lord has permitted us to be as wise as serpents.”  Prov. 1:11; Mat. 10:16.  Then the bailiff snarled at me, and they talked much Latin with each other.

The bailiff then asked: “Where was it that you received your baptism?”  Claes.  “At Antwerp.”  Bailiff.  “Where there?”  Claes.  “Between St. George’s gate and the Koeper gate.”  Bailiff.  “In what house?”  Claes.  “In a small, new house.”  Bailiff.  “What trade was carried on in it?”  Claes.  “I saw no trade carried on there.”  Bailiff.  “Yes, Claes, who was present?  There must have been witnesses present to testify that you were a brother?”  Claes.  “There were three or four persons present who lived in the house, and the one who brought me there.”  Bailiff.  “Who was it that brought you there?”  Claes.  “It was a young man.”  Bailiff.  “Where was he from?”  Claes.  “I did not ask him.”  Bailiff.  “How many were baptized with you?”  Claes.  “Three of us.”  Bailiff.  “Where were they from?”  Claes.  “I did not ask them.”  Bailiff.  “What trade did they follow?”  Claes.  “One was a journeyman mason, it seemed to me.”  Bailiff.  “How did he that brought you there know where to find you?”  Claes.  “He set the day when he would meet me at the Koeper gate.”  Bailiff.  “How did you know that the baptizer was in the city?”  Claes.  “I had made inquiries at different times, while out trafficking, and thus heard that he was there.”  Bailiff.  “Where did you hear that he was there?”  Then said the chief judge: “They know all their people.”  Bailiff.  “Do they still live in the house where you were baptized, or don’t you know this either?”  Claes.  “Shortly after they were all driven from the house.”  Bailiff.  “Then you can’t tell us anything about it, can you?”  Claes.  “One went to England; another was burnt, and where the rest went to I don’t know.”  Bailiff.  “What kind of a man was he who baptized you?”  Claes.  “He appeared to me to be a blameless man.”  Bailiff.  “Yes, Claes, how do you know that the man that baptized you was blameless?”  Then one of the judges said: “He said it appeared to him that he was blameless.”

The chief judge then said: “These people also preach, do they not?”  Then the Bailiff. remarked to him: “We used to ask all these questions, but we do it no longer.”  And they rang the bell for the jailer to come and take me away.  This they put on record.

The clerk asked me what persons from Ghent I had left at Emden.  I would give him no answer, because it was not his business to ask.  The judges then said to me: “Claes, we will send you men that will teach you the true faith.”  Claes.  “I trust I have the true faith, and if they will confirm me in this, they will be welcome; but if they want to draw me away from it, I don’t want them.”  Then they said, urgently: “Claes, hear them; hear them always.”  I then heartily thanked the judges and the Bailiff., since they had been molested with me.  The jailer’s servant then told me to go above, and I went.  I felt very gloomy, because they had not asked me concerning my faith.  Two servants who had stood at the door and listened, came up above to me, and tormented me with many things and said: “Poor fellow, that you are, to give your life for it, and leave your wife and children in want; it is not right for you to break your marriage, since God himself has instituted it.”  I said: “I do not break my marriage, nor does my wife; but they are to blame for it, who take me from my wife; they may well take heed what they do.”  They said I should speak that which they wanted to hear.  I replied: “God did not teach me this;” and admonished them to beware of staining their hands with such blood.  I spoke to them earnestly, and they went away, and asked God to grant me my greatest happiness.  Then I sat there alone, and Satan came to tempt me, saying within: “Poor man, are you here for the sake of your faith?  The lords don’t ask you concerning your faith, but regarding the baptism you received from such and such a man, as you well know.”  And he tormented me with all that he could produce, doing his very best to cast me down.  Then thought I: “O you wicked tempter, you murderer, I well feel that you are the same that tormented Peter, and of whom he warned us.”  1 Peter 5:8.  And I fled to God, and commenced a hymn, singing joyfully, and became glad and happy that I had fought through this storm.  James 5:13.  I was there about ten weeks.

Then the jailer came, and said: “Claes, come here; here are two royston crows;” and enjoined me much to think of my wife and children.  I said: “I think of them enough; but Christ has said: ‘Whosoever will not forsake father and mother, sister and brother, wife, child, yes, his own life, for my name’s sake, is not worthy of me.’ ” Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:26.  He said: “It is true, if one can do it.”  He then led me into a room where were two Jacobines.  They took off their caps, and I did the same with mine.  They bade me good evening, and I them.  The one asked me: “What is your name, my friend?”  I answered: “Claes,” and said: “What is your name?” He replied: “Brother Peter de Backer,” and told me that he had been at the chief judge’s, and that the latter had requested that he should come and instruct me in the true faith.  I said: “This I have received from God.”  Ques.  “What is your faith?”  Claes.  “I believe only in Christ Jesus, that he is the living and true Son of God, and that there is no other salvation either in heaven or on earth.”  Ques.  “Is there nothing else to be believed?  What becomes of the mother, the holy church, in whom we must believe?”  Claes.  “Do you know which is the holy church?”  Ques.  “Do you know it, let me hear it?”  Claes.  “I ask you; for you speak of it.”  Ans.  “The same which was it from the time of Christ, and of the apostles, and which the apostles maintained and still maintain.”  Claes.  “What one is that?”  Ans.  “The mother, the holy Roman church.”  Claes.  “Is this the apostolic church?”  Ans.  “Yes.”  Claes.  “Did the apostles thus maintain it?”  Ans.  “Yes, just as we, neither less nor more.”  Claes.  “Did the apostles read mass?”  Ans.  “Yes.”  Claes.  “Where is this written?”  Ans.  “I will show you;” and he referred me to the Corinthians, where Paul speaks of the supper.  1 Cor. 11:20.  I said: “He speaks here of the breaking of bread; but did he read mass as you do?”  Ans.  “Yes, neither less nor more than we do.”  Claes.  “Did the apostles persecute and maintain their church with fire and sword, as you do?”  Ans.  “Yes, they shed blood, betrayed and killed.”  Claes.  “Peter shed the blood of Malchus, and Judas betrayed; but where did they kill any one?”  Ans.  “Peter smote Ananias and Sapphira with the sword of his mouth, so that they fell down dead.”  And he laughed and held up his finger.  Then said I: “It seems to me you belong to those of whom Paul speaks (2 Tim. 3:5), whom we are to flee; for your folly does not remain hidden, but becomes manifest before men; for you sit and mock and loiter, and show plainly that you are men of corrupt minds, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  And I reproved him much.  They wanted to prolong the conversation much longer, and question me with regard to baptism, the incarnation of Christ, and other articles of faith; but I had resolved not to dispute with them, without judges being present; but to confess as I confessed above before them.  When they perceived that I would hear them no longer, and was on the point of leaving, one of them said: “O Claes, how lamentably you have gone astray; and yet I love you so much; I would that you were of our mind with me, and that I might give my body to be burned.  O poor man, I will pray for you, and have others pray for you, when I preach.”  Claes.  “I don’t want you to pray for me, nor that you have others pray for me; for your prayer is vain, and is not heard by God, so long as you people continue in your wickedness.”  Ans.  “Perhaps there are one or two in the whole number that are good.”  Claes.  “Begone; for you only want to talk.”  Then he went away laughing, saying: “I shall have you prayed for, whether you desire it or not, for I like you well; and I will come again.”

About two weeks afterwards, there came two of the same band; the one was a large fat man, who had much talk in him; the other was very fierce and captious in his remarks, and wanted much to engage me in a disputation; but I would not enter into any, only that I put many questions to them, as I had done to the others, and made them expose their wickedness themselves; for very many prisoners had come and stationed themselves back under the window of the room, and behind the door, to listen; which I well knew; therefore I asked the more, because the one was so loquacious, which was owing to him having imbibed too much.

Having been confined about seven weeks, I was called down and led into a room, where sat the Dean of Ronse, with his clerk, and another person.  The Dean told me to be seated, and I took a seat forward at the table, beside him, whereupon he gave me a long lecture, to which I listened.  He said that it was impossible to please God without faith, and that he that did not believe was damned.  Finally he asked me: “Why did you allow yourself to be thus seduced, and led into error, and apostatize from the holy church?”  I replied: “Since it is written that it is impossible to please God without faith, I was diligent in examining the faith, and asking God to strengthen me in it, through his grace and mercy.  This he has done abundantly, and I want to keep it faithfully unto his praise, and not to forsake it on account of any suffering, nor for aught that is in the world.”

Dean.  “You think you have the faith, but you have departed from it.  And that you people are so bold and of good cheer even unto death, is all owing to the devil, who can transform himself into an angel of light.  Therefore, when you read the Scriptures, you were instructed by some poor, simple tradesman, who taught you the same according to his reason; therefore you are now deceived.  You should have let those teach you who have received the true doctrine, the ministers of the holy church, that is, the pastors.”  Claes.  “Are they the ones that have received the true doctrine?”  Dean.  “Yes.”  Claes.  “Why, then, do they live the life of devils, as may be seen?”  Dean.  “What does that concern you?  It is written, Mat. 23: ‘Do after their commandments, but not after their works.’ ”  Claes.  “Are you, then, the scribes and Pharisees, of whom Matthew has written?”  Dean.  “Yes.”  Claes.  “Then all the woes come upon you that follow further on, in said chapter.”  Dean.  “No, they do not.”

We had much additional discussion yet, with reference to this.  He would have liked to engage me in a disputation concerning the articles of faith; but I would not enter into one, confining myself to the asking of such questions.  The man was willing in speaking, and very mild, and wanted attention to be given to what he said, and also gave good attention himself.  And I thought: “I have heard so long and so much of this man, that he persecutes and troubles the church so greatly; I must see now, how he will prove it with the Scriptures, when I speak with him; for I don’t know that I have ever seen him.”

I asked him where he found it written that he should run so blood-thirstily after innocent blood, which no one could accuse of any crime.  Dean.  “My friend, I don’t run after or seek the blood of any one.”  Claes.  “You send out your servants for that purpose.”  Dean.  “I do not, my friend.”  Claes.  “Do you persecute no one, then?”  Dean.  “No, my friend.”  Claes.  “Have you no mandates either, by which you cause it to be done?”  Dean.  “No, my friend.”  Claes.  “You have certainly delivered to the law my fellow-brethren who fell into your hands, and remained steadfast in the faith; this has been manifest to all the world.”  Dean.  “I don’t do this, my friend.”  Claes.  “Why do you come and sit with the Judges, and have so much to say, if you don’t concern yourself about the matter?  One by hearing you talk, would think you had no hand in it.”  Dean.  “No, my friend;” and he rubbed his hands together.  Claes.  “Who then does it?”  Dean.  “The secular, or the lord who has received the sword.”

We had yet much more discussion on this subject, so that he did not know which way to turn.  He asked from Deut. 17:12, upon which passage he founded it, that the priests had the authority, etc.  I told him that that was under the law of revenge, but that now we were under the law of grace.  Exodus 21:23; Rom. 6:14.  And I asked him how he dared do something which the Lord had forbidden, namely, concerning the tares, Mat. 13:30, that both the wheat and the tares should be suffered to grow together.  I asked him which of the two I was that I must certainly be either the wheat or the tares?  Dean.  “You are the tares.”  Claes.  “Why don’t you let me grow until the day of harvest?”  Dean.  “What the lord of the field commanded his servants was for the reason that they should not spoil the wheat by pulling up the tares.  But I can go along the edges, and here and there pluck out a handful or two, yes, sometimes, six, eight, ten, twelve, yes, now and then a hundred or two, without spoiling the wheat.”  Claes.  “Then you are wiser than the servants of the Lord.”  Dean.  “I can certainly well do this.”  Claes.  “When I held with the priests, and walked according to your will, was I a good blade?”  Dean.  “Yes.”  Claes.  “Am I now a bad blade?”  Dean.  “Yes.”  Claes.  “Well, then, if I am a bad blade, according to your own words, you have yourselves spoiled me, and others, who have gone before, by your plucking, and yet you say that you can do it so well.  O you miserable plucker, that you are, when you plucked the four blades of Lier, in the Verle place, five years ago, when you stood on the scaffold, and preached, and the people said: “Antichrist preaches.”  It was then that I began to investigate what faith it was for which those people died so boldly there; and I examined the scripture which you quoted from: 2 Tim. 2 and 3. And I found that I had to separate from such a people as is plainly enough spoken of there, with regard to you; and I separated from such a multitude, and do so yet.  What becomes now of you and your plucking, poor plucker; the more you pluck, the more you spoil; according to your own words, it were better if you would stop.”  And I told him a great deal from the Scriptures, so that he was ashamed, and did not know what to answer.

At last he said: “Those were not my people; it seems to me, that you have searched the Scriptures well; where did you hold your church?”  Claes.  “Where Christ and his apostles held it, behind hedges, in the woods, in the field, on mountains, on the sea-coast, sometimes in houses, or wherever they found a place.”  Luke 6:17; Mat. 5:2; Acts 1:13.  Dean.  “Christ preached openly (Jn. 18:20); but you people cannot be found, where you are, or who you are.”  Claes.  “It is certainly a great cross for you, that you cannot find them, nor know them, and that you people are known so well.  I hope that God will not permit you to find them; but though you sometimes cut into the branches, I trust that you will not cut off the vine.  Christ Jesus, the living Son of God, will keep and feed his branches, so that they may bring forth fruit, although you now do your very best to tear and destroy them.”

We spoke much more yet of the church, and of his people, whom he exalted greatly.  I asked him many questions in regard to whether infants that died without baptism were damned.  He said: “Yes.”  I asked him whether the apostles had read mass and persecuted.  And he replied “Yes” to everything, so that it seemed to me that the more I asked him, the more he lied; and I reproved him for the lies in which I found him.  He said: “They are not lies, but it is the truth; but you don’t believe what is told to you; you remain hardened and unbelieving.”  And according to his words, it seemed that the life of the apostles was not a whit different from that of the priests.  He said: “As regards your life, your walk or conduct is good towards all men, and you do unto your neighbor as you would have men do unto you, and live in peace, love and unity with one another, which is very good; and you assist each other in need and distress, and lay down your lives for one another, which is also very good, I can say nothing against it; and you expel from your church them that live disorderly, as you expelled Jelis of Aix-la-Chapelle, who led such a life, as I well know; against this I have nothing to say, it is all well done: but of what use is it to your people to have the life, if you have not the faith?  It is not able to save you.”  I replied: “We have also the faith; but you don’t understand it, or will not understand it; but it will yet be revealed to you, in the last day of the lord whom you have served.”  And I assailed him very severely.

He rang the bell for the jailer to let him out.  The latter came into the room, and the Dean rose to go.  I thanked him much that he had come here for my sake.  He turned around and said: “I should like to see you suffer yourself to be brought on the right way; but you persist obstinately in your unbelief; you are like your master.”  I asked: “Who is my master?”  He replied: “The devil.”  I assailed him with many Scriptures, in order that he should come no more, and he went away ashamed, because the jailer was present, and other prisoners, who came running to the door.  I had asked him for information concerning Jelis, and he could tell me everything, which greatly astonished me.

The third day after this, the jailer came once more for me, and I went down very willingly.  He directed me to go into a certain room.  When I entered it, there were sitting there the chief Judge with another Judge, and a pastor or priest, who was exceedingly bent upon examining our friends, and very mordacious in his words, so that he could listen to nothing that was said, without interrupting it.  But one of the Judges had never been a Judge before, and he constantly forbade him; for he paid very close attention.  When I entered the room, I did the lords great reverence, and they did the same to me.  1 Pet. 2:17.  I took a seat at the table, and the priest made a lengthy harangue, as had the dean; I kept silent till I was asked.  When he had ended his sermon, he asked me: “Why did you suffer yourself to be seduced so miserably from the faith into error?”  Claes.  “I have not been led into error, but from error into the true Christian faith.”  Priest.  “What then is your faith; let us hear?”  Claes.  “I believe that Jesus Christ is the true, living Son of God, and that there is no other salvation either in heaven or on earth, either under it or above it.”  Chief Judge.  “This we all likewise believe in our church.”  The priest laughed, saying: “This I also preach; tell us something else, and speak freely; for Christ said: When you are brought before kings, and princes, and magistrates, do not fear what you shall speak; for it shall be given you in that same hour, of my heavenly Father, what you shall speak; yes, my spirit shall speak through your mouth.  Mat. 10:19.  Now, if you have received the Holy Spirit, speak freely through the Holy Spirit.”  And the chief Judge sat there and kept nodding his head, and smiling, and saying: “Yes, yes, Claes, yes;” before I could say a single word.  The priest continued instantly.  “Christ promised his church, that he would be with them unto the end of the world.  Mat. 28:20.  And I can find none among you that can tell me of a longer existence of your church than about thirty years; for before that it did not exist; or do you know of any books of your people, that are older, then name them to us.”  Claes.  “Since Christ promised his church, that he should be with her unto the end of the world, I do not doubt that he has been the preserver of his body, and is yet, and will be as long as the world will endure, according to his promise, Mat. 28:20; Eph. 5:23.  Although she was sometimes extirpated in some countries, through blood-shed and persecution, and through the false doctrine of the Roman Empire, or otherwise; she was therefore not annihilated throughout the world; for the world is great, and she could linger in some corner of the world, and from one to the other, without perishing utterly.  And as to your asking me to name to you any books of our church, the Bible is our book, which has reigned in the church from of old.”  Priest.  “Is it big enough for you people, and have you enough with one?”  Claes.  “Yes; it is too big yet for us.”  The priest laughed and said: “What becomes then of all the books written from the time of the apostles by learned men, who also received the Spirit of God, as well as the apostles?  Have they all written in vain; as Jerome, Gregory, Augustine, and Ambrose; these were certainly good and virtuous men, were they not?”  Claes.  “Were these the four pillars upon which your church is founded?” Priest.  “Yes.”  Claes.  “I did not know them, only by hearsay; they were pious scullions, if they founded your church as it yet is. as may be seen.”  The priest drew back, and said: “Why, why!”  I said: “Christ did not thus found his church, neither did Peter, Paul, Stephen, and John; they rather received rods on the back, stones on the head, and the sword in the neck, and so forth.”  2 Cor. 11:25; Acts 7:58; 12:2.

In the summer of 1556 there was in the city of Nimeguen, a faithful brother, named Gerrit Hasepoot, a tailor by trade.  Having fled from the city, on account of severe persecution, he secretly returned, since his wife and children were still living there.  He was seen by the Bailiff’s guard, who reported it to their master.  The Bailiff, a very blood-thirsty man, immediately went after him, and took him with him.  Thus this friend of Christ had to separate from his wife and children, and go into prison, tribulation and misery, for the name of Jesus.  When very severely examined by the lords of this world, he freely confessed his faith, and was not ashamed of the truth.  Rom. 1:16.  He was therefore sentenced to death by them, that is, to be burnt at the stake, which sentence he received very bravely.  This having taken place, his wife came to him, into the city hall, to speak with him once more, and to take leave and bid her dear husband farewell.  She had in her arm an infant, which she could scarcely hold, because of her great grief.  When wine was poured out to him, as is customary to do to those sentenced to death (Prov. 31:6), he said to his wife: “I have no desire for this wine; but I hope to drink the new wine, which will be given to me above in the kingdom of my Father.”  Thus the two separated with great grief, and bade each other adieu in this world; for the woman could hardly stand on her feet any longer, but seemed to fall into a swoon through grief.  When he was led to death, and having been brought from the wagon upon the scaffold, he lifted up his voice, and sang the hymn:

“Father in heaven, I call:

O strengthen now my faith.”

Thereupon he fell upon his knees, and fervently prayed to God.  Having been placed at the stake, he kicked his slippers from his feet, saying: “It were a pity to burn them, for they can be of service still to some poor person.”  The rope with which he was to be strangled, becoming a little loose, having not been twisted well by the executioner, he again lifted up his voice, and sang the end of said hymn:

“Brethren, sisters, all, good-bye!

We now must separate,

Till we meet beyond the sky,

With Christ our only Head:

For this yourselves prepare,

And I’ll await you there.”

The executioner again twisting the rope, this witness of Jesus fell asleep in the Lord, and was burnt, voluntarily surrendering for the truth, his perishable body, which he had received from God, and thus fought the fight, finished his course, and kept the faith, and there is now laid up for him the crown of eternal glory.

Previous to the year 1557, under the reign of the Palsgrave of the Rhine, several of those baptized according to the ordinance of Christ were cast into prison, and exiled from the country, as appears from the preface to the Frankenthalische Gespraech, and also in the preface to the Oude Offerboeck, of the year 1616, letter Y, on the other side.

From this it appears that the Baptist Christians at this time had to suffer not only from the Romanists, but also from those who had forsaken the Roman church and many of her superstitions; from which it may be seen what great distress the church of God then had to suffer, insomuch that freedom of conscience was nowhere to be found, since among the papists they were deprived of their lives, and among other denominations of the liberty to practice their religious worship.

In the year 1557, a few days before Ascension-day, brother Hans Brael, while on a journey, was apprehended in the Pusterthal, for the faith and testimony of Jesus Christ.  Nearly a league from the castle, he met the Judge, who not knowing him, rode past him, and saluted him, Hans Brael thanking him: but the actuary rode up to him, and asked him: “Where are you going and what have you been doing here?”  He replied that he had been with his brethren.  The actuary asked him whether the Baptists were his brethren.  “Yes,” he replied.  He then seized him, and the judge turned about, dismounted, and taking the brother’s own girdle from his body, bound him with it and made him walk like a dog alongside of his horse, through mud and mire, for a whole league, until they arrived in the castle.  He was so fatigued from walking, and from being bound so hard, that he could stand no longer, but fell down in the field, so that even the lord of the castle reproved the Judge for having bound him so hard.  There they examined him, taking from him whatever they found on his body, and put him into prison.  The next day he was forthwith brought out, and the lord of the castle examined him himself, and asked him concerning his faith and baptism, and what he thought of the sacrament.  When he made confession of his faith and the divine truth, they abandoned everything, and pressed him hard to recant.  But when he plainly told them, not to count on his renouncing the truth confessed, they brought him back into prison.

Eight days after, he was brought out again, and the lord with six others examined him; but being unable to accomplish anything, they remanded him to prison.  After another eight days they arraigned and examined him before the whole council, and the Judge called his faith a delusion, and his church a sect.  Acts 24:14.  But Hans said: “It is neither a sect nor a delusion; but it is the church of God.”  The Judge said: “It may be the devil’s; how could it be God’s church?” and became angry over it and said again.  “On what account should it be called the church of God?”  But brother Hans boldly adhered to it, that it was the church of God.  Then said the Judge: “Since he knows who has come from the seignioralty of Innsbruck, we also want to know where those are whom they send out into this country, what their names are, who has fed and harbored them; all this we want to know.”  But he answered them: “We are not sent out to the harm or detriment of any one; but our calling is that we shall seek the salvation of men and exhort them to repentance and reformation (Matt. 10:5; Acts 2:38); but the things that are asked here are not articles of faith, nor are they necessary to know; therefore I do not wish to tell them, nor to accuse any one.”  The Judge admonished him urgently, to spare himself, since his body should be tortured, if he refused to name the persons, and to confess who had harbored him.  Hans asked the Judge and the whole council, whether he could be considered good if he adopted the proposed means, and betrayed those who had shown him such kindness, by feeding and lodging him.  The members of the council looked at each other, and said themselves that they should not consider it good, if it were done to them.  But the Judge became enraged, and asked whether he meant to charge the honorable council with requiring treachery of him, and again admonished him very solemnly to spare himself, or they should deal very severely with him.  But as he would not confess to them, they remanded him again to prison, to see what he should resolve upon.

After this they brought him forth again, and took him to the rack, where he himself took off his clothes, lay down before them, and patiently submitted to the torturing ropes, so that the eyes of the bystanders filled with tears, and they could not refrain from weeping.

The executioner suspended him by the rope, but the Judge earnestly admonished him to spare himself, and to indicate the persons required; but he said he would betray no one but would bide whatever God permitted them to inflict upon him.  Then they tied a large stone to his feet.  The Judge became angry, when he perceived that he could accomplish nothing, and said: “You swear to each other that you will not betray one another.”  He replied: “We do not swear, but we do not betray any one, because it would be wrong.”  Then the Judge said: “You are a rogue; I have detected you in a lie; why will you suffer yourself to be tortured.”  The brother said: “I am no rogue, and in what lie have you detected me?”  The Judge said: “You said that you were no teacher, but we find that you certainly are one.”  He answered: “I am no teacher; but if I were one, I would not be ashamed of it; for it is an honorable thing before God.”  1 Tim. 3:1.

Thereupon they left him hanging by the rope, and went away; but the executioner stayed with him.  In the meantime the officers assembled, and he was admonished to confess, or they would not cease racking him until they should have rent his limbs asunder.  He replied that he would bide what God should permit them to inflict upon him, since they could do no more than God permitted them.  The executioner said: “Are you not a fool, to think that God looks down to see what we are doing in this hole; for this would be ridiculous.”  Then the council returned and said that the lady of the castle had interceded for him, that they should torture him no longer, and, therefore, they would let it rest; and they sent him back to prison.

Thereupon the lord very joyfully rode to Innsbruck, to the government, and when he returned, he had the priests dispute with and examine Hans for two days in succession, namely Saturday and Sunday, he himself being present.  But when they could accomplish nothing by their various disputations, and false and deceitful doctrine, which it would take too long to relate, and he remained steadfast, and constantly confessed that in which he stood, and would remain steadfast, by the protection and help of God, was the truth, the lord at last became exasperated at him, and said: “O you obdurate dog, I have tried all possible means and ways with you, and will still do so, and place you on a sharp pile, and see how you will trust your God in this trial,” But he answered: “I shall not suffer on account of any wrong-doing, but only for the truth and the faith; and God will overlook no wrong.”  After three days they put him into a deep, dark and filthy tower, where he could see neither sun nor moon, nor daylight, so that he did not know whether it was day or night, only he perceived now and then that it was night, when it was a little colder in the tower than at other times.  It was also so moist and damp in the tower, that his clothes rotted on his body, so that he became almost naked, and was without a single garment for a long time, only he had a coarse blanket that had been given him, which he wrapped around his body and thus sat in misery and darkness.  The shirt on his body had so rotted, that he had not a shred left of it, except the collar, which he hung on the wall.

At one time when these children of Pilate had him brought out to try him whether he would not apostatize, the light so hurt his eyes, that he was glad when they let him down again into the dark tower.  There also proceeded such a fetid stench from the filth that was in this dark hole, that no one could stay in his presence; when they brought him in, they instantly had to go away from him again; yes, the councillors said themselves, that they had never smelled such a horrible stench.  Thus he lay in this filthy tower, in which were also many vermin and loathsome reptiles, so that at first he for a long time protected his head with an old hat, which had been thrown to him out of pity.  The tower, for a long time had not had an occupant; therefore the vermin were very numerous, and they caused him much terror, until he got used to it.  The vermin sometimes also ate his food, so that when they let down his food, he had to eat it all up, before he set down the dish; otherwise the vermin so covered it, that he could not well eat it.  When he got a dish of soup, and set it down but once, they ate it up in a moment.  In short, he could keep neither bread nor anything else; for as soon as the vermin smelled it, instantly they were at it.  However, this was his least care, inasmuch as he was so tormented with hunger, no great abundance being given him so that he could easily eat it up, if he was only well.  The vermin sometimes got also in his drink, and drowned in this, until he finally obtained a large stone, which he placed on top of his pitcher.

His chief affliction, however, in this great trial was that he could get no tidings from the church or the brethren.  At that time there was in the high country one Hans Mein, a servant of the Lord, who also had a great desire to hear some tidings from him.  He sent word to him in the tower, that if it were still well with him, and his heart adhered firmly to God and his church, he should send him a certain token: and if he had nothing else, he should send him a little bit of straw, however little it might be.  But such was the misery and poverty in which he sat that he could not even find that much in the tower.  Then he bethought himself of his rotten collar which he had hung on the wall; he was glad of it, and took the collar and sent it from the tower to his brother, as a token that he was still unchanged in his faith in God, and in peace with the church.  When the brother received the collar, and by it perceived his misery and poverty, he and his church felt great compassion for him, and after weeping bitterly and sorrowfully, they sent word back to him, that they were very willing to send him clothes or anything else, in his great poverty, if he only could get it.  But he would not have it, because that if they had discovered it, they would have thrown him on the rack and tortured him again, in order to get the names of others.  Therefore he sent them word that he should let the garment of patience do him.

Thus he lay in this filthy tower all summer, until after Michaelmas, in autumn, when they saw that the frost was approaching; then they took him out, and put him into another prison, which could likewise not have been worse.  There he had to sit, with one hand and one foot in the stocks, for thirty-seven weeks, being unable to lie or sit properly, but only to stand; besides, he had to endure much reproach and ridicule from the ungodly, who said: “There lies a holy man; nobody is as wise as he; there he sits as a light of the world, and as a witness of the people of God and his church,” and such like taunting remarks.

Again, since he could get no comforting tidings from the church, God so ordered it that he was comforted by the unbelieving; for on a certain occasion a nobleman came to comfort him, telling him to be courageous, and not to suffer himself to be intimidated since he well knew that he had the truth on his side, and that his faith was the true one, but that it were impossible to follow it, or to suffer what he suffered; whereupon the brother earnestly admonished him.  Once it also happened that his soul was kindled in God, and he sent for the actuary who had apprehended him, that he should come to him in prison.  The latter very quickly came to him, sat down, and asked him what he wished, that he had sent for him.  The brother said: “The sole reason is, that I cannot forbear showing you that, as you well know that you are the chief cause of my imprisonment and miserable sufferings, though I have never in all my life done you an injury.”  The actuary sat there frightened and dumb, saying not a word, save that he had to do it.  The brother said: “Yes, the judgment of God impelled you to it; because you were so blood-thirsty against the pious, it also fell to your lot to fulfill your judgment by it.  You have incurred a heavy judgment; God will certainly find you for this, require it at your hands, and punish you for your sins.”  The actuary was dumbfounded and could not utter a word; so frightened was he; and thus he went away.  About a fortnight afterwards he died very suddenly in the night, being both well and dead within a quarter of an hour.  God had smitten him with great fear, so that he cried and moaned terribly, and lamented that he had done wrong and sinned.

Thus it goes with those who will serve the devil and his minions.  I say nothing of the fact that he was severely reprehended for this by his master and his mistress, and reaped the devil’s thanks for it from his own; for they said to him, so loud that the brother heard it himself: “How came the devil so to possess you, that you would not let this man go, though you might easily have done so?” and they wished that the devil rather had carried him off, since he had committed this deed, for which he at last had to pay so dearly.

In the same night that he died, a great joy came over the brother, so that with praying and thanksgiving he could not praise God sufficiently; for on that night it came into his mind that he should yet return to the brethren and the church.  In the morning a servant came to him, and told him that the actuary had died very terribly and suddenly during the night.  Psm. 73:18.  This having transpired with the actuary, the lord and his spouse were seized with great terror.

About eight days afterwards, the servant who attended to the tillage of the land came into the castle, and, towards evening, came to the brother, with the keys, and asked whether he hoped to get out.  He replied: “I will see what you will do with me.”  The servant wanted to open the stocks, but could not find the right key.  The brother told him not to do it, since it might go ill with him.  But when he could not find the right key, he told him that he could set him at liberty, but it would probably not be at that time.  The lady of the castle also sent a servant before the prison, who called to the brother, and said: “The gracious lady would have me tell you, that she will send for the judge and the jurate, and if you will say but two words, that you will suffer yourself to be instructed, and confess that you have erred, you will be set at liberty, and she will take upon her the sin which you commit by it, so that no guilt will fall upon you.”  But he replied: “She has sins enough already, let her desist from them; she needs no sins from others.  1 Tim. 5:22,1.  Therefore he had to lie in prison and sorrow for another winter.

Then an order came from Innsbruck, from the council, which the lords came to read to him.  It contained the following: Since he was so obdurate, and would receive no instruction, he should be sent to sea; and thither he should go the next morning; there he should find out how evildoers are stripped and scourged.  But he replied that he would trust in his Lord God, who was on sea as well as on the land, to help him, and give him patience.  2 Cor. 1:9; Mat. 14:31.

They then let him out of prison, and walk about in the castle for two days, that he should learn to walk again; for he was not well able to walk, so greatly had he become impaired in the use of his limbs by imprisonment, stocks, fetters and bonds, in which he had lain for two years, less five weeks, having not seen the sun for about a year and a half.

He was then given in the custody of one of the servants, who was to take him to the sea.  Therefore he took leave from every one in the castle, and exhorted them to repentance.  The lady of the castle sent word to him that he should come to her, which he did.  She called him into her study, where he took leave from her, and exhorted her also to repentance, and entreated her not to molest the pious (who do no hurt), in the exercise of their religion, and not to apprehend any more of them, to which she consented, and began to weep, so that the tears flowed down her cheeks, and said: “Never more in my life shall I lay hands upon them.”  She gave him some money for the journey, and dismissed him.

This servant then took him away with him.  The servant was a wicked man; he called the brother a rogue on every occasion, or applied some other opprobrious epithet to him.

Having led him two days, the servant so filled himself with wine, in a tavern, at Niederdorf (for those present had so often drank his health) that, instead of going to bed to sleep, he stretched himself upon the table, and instantly falling asleep like a dumb beast, he rolled off the table.

Seeing this, the brother opened the door of the room, and also that of the house, locked them again, and went away.

Thus did God help him to make his escape that night, which took place in the year 1559, and thus he returned in peace and with joy to the church of the Lord, his brethren.  Subsequently he again went up into the country, several times, as the ministry of the divine word had been committed to him.

From this it may be seen how God succors and helps his own, and how he can give to those who cleave to him with a true heart, much strength and patience in suffering, through their strong faith, which would otherwise be impossible.  2 Tim. 4:17; Philip. 4:13; Mat. 17:20.  And it is also seen how he casts out his enemies and adversaries, and knows where to find them; for not only did the actuary die a very dreadful death, as has already been stated; but, while Hans Brael yet lay in prison, the lord of the castle died suddenly; and the servant who was to take Hans to the sea, also died miserably, even before the brother left the country; and about two years afterwards also the Judge died, yet not an ordinary, but a most miserable death.  2 Macc. 9:5.

In the year 1557, on Pentecost eve, there was burnt alive, at Antwerp, in Brabant, for the immovable foundation of the truth, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, Janneken Walraven, the mother of Jacques Walraven, who was a minister of the word at Amsterdam, among the Baptists, and, consequently, well known to many.  His mother, though one of the weaker vessels, 1 Pet. 3:7, was nevertheless not weak in faith, but valiant and steadfast, and fought the good fight of faith, and gained the victory, through the grace of God, who never forsakes his own, but succors them, and goes with them through water and fire, lest they should suffer detriment to the salvation of their souls.  Therefore, since she conquered with her bridegroom, by suffering and dying for his holy name, her immortal soul is under the altar with all the holy martyrs, and is patiently waiting for full salvation at the coming of her Bridegroom, when he shall appear in the clouds of the sky, to unite and glorify body and soul, and to make them like unto his own glorious body, that she may rejoice with him forever.

At this time three other pious witnesses of the truth fell into the hands of the tyrants, at Haarlem, in Holland.  They were Joriaen Simons, Clement Dirks, and a woman named Mary Joris.  They all, as faithful servants, through the grace of God, steadfastly endured, at said place, hard imprisonment and severe examinations for the truth of Christ, and did not, with the slothful servant, hide the talent which they had received into the earth, but did very earnestly put it out upon usury, and boldly proclaimed from the door of their prison the word of the Lord to the edification of every one, and, moreover, through a hymn composed by them, made known the cause of their imprisonment; namely, that they did not suffer as thieves and murderers, or as such as coveted other men’s property, but that they suffered only for the faith of the truth, and a pure conscience; and that they, on the other hand, because of the pure fear of God, could not follow falsehood.  Of this they set forth the principal points in a hymn, as follows:

1.  That they with all true witnesses of God believe and confess, by virtue of the holy Scriptures: That Jesus Christ, blessed forever, came from above, from heaven, and proceeded from God his heavenly Father, and is therefore pure and spotless, and is not of Adam’s sinful and corruptible nature.

2.  Because they were baptized upon their faith, according to the ordinance of Christ, and, on the contrary, confessed that infant baptism was not of God, but contrary to his word; and that it is well known, from Christ’s own words, that infants are fully in the grace of God, and in a saved condition, without baptism or any other ceremony having to be administered to them, they therefore hold that all that is done by such means, as being necessary for the salvation of infants is nothing but vain human presumption.

3.  Concerning the Lord’s Supper, they confess that they also observed it, according to the command of the Lord, and according to the institution of Christ, as he, blessed forever, held it with his apostles; in which each is to examine himself well, before he goes to this table, and that Christ did not hold his supper with drunkards and adulterers, or with such of whom evil things were known, as is customary with the papists.

4.  On the contrary, they emphatically rejected the papists’ little piece of baked bread, or consecrated host, which they recommend to people as the true, essential Son of God, from whom to entreat grace and salvation in time of need; and confessed that they do grossly err, who worship such bread, or put any divine confidence in it.

5.  Because they could not recognize the Pope and the Roman church as the church of God, but opposed it and all its ceremonies; neither could they hold the traffic which they carry on in this, to be of God.

6.  Because they recognized no other punishment of transgressors in the church than evangelical separation; by which the evil can be kept away from the good, in order to present to the Lord a pure church, in which none that are unclean or polluted may dwell, but from which they are expelled.  This church they confess to be the queen and bride of Christ.

By this and the like, the fire of the Gospel burned so mightily in Haarlem, notwithstanding the violence of these tyrants, that in the very night when they were thus accused, a glorious exhortation was fearlessly preached to the edification of all, by the god-fearing Bouwen Lubberts, in Schouts’ street; which exhortation did much good.

When, on the 26th of April 1557, the above-mentioned Joriaen and Clement were brought forth to death, the common people greatly commiserated them; but they said: “Weep not for us, but for your sins, and repent truly.”  After they had offered up their prayer to God with a fervent heart, each was placed at a stake, and they said: “We do not suffer for evil-doing, but only for the obedience of the truth.”  And having, with a firm trust, commended their spirits or souls into the hands of God, they courageously offered their necks for the truth, and were first strangled, and then burnt; and thus they, to the consolation and joy of many pious persons, continued steadfast unto the end in the accepted truth of the holy Gospel.

When they had finished their tyranny by strangling and burning, they, in order to quench their doctrine, also thought to burn their books (for as old writers tell us, Joriaen Simons was engaged in selling books); but when the books were perceived to be on fire, there arose such an uproar among the people, that the lords took to flight, whereupon the books were thrown among the multitude, who reached for them with eagerness; so that, through divine providence, the truth, instead of being quenched, as it was sought to do, was spread the more, by the reading of so great a number of these books.

The above-mentioned Mary Joris also remained faithful in this trial, and likewise confessed her faith boldly before the lords, and was ready to surrender her life, together with her brethren, for the name of the Lord.  But being pregnant, she had to wait until her delivery; however, the Lord ordered it otherwise—she died in travail, and was thus released from the flesh, so that these tyrants could not fulfill their desire with her.  And thus she fell asleep in the Lord, with her brethren.

If any desire, let him read this account in the old hymn book, as put into verse by these witnesses themselves, in prison, as also by the pious Bouwen Lubberts.

May God through his great mercy grant to my son Simon, to grow up virtuously, and if the Lord permit him to reach the years of understanding, to confess him, and having learned his will, to order his life in accordance with it, in order to obtain eternal salvation, through his beloved Son Jesus Christ, together with the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

My child and dear son, incline your ears to the admonition of your father, and hearken to my account, how and in what manner he commenced and finished his life.

The beginning of my life was unprofitable, proud, puffed-up, drunken, selfish, deceitful, and full of all manner of idolatry.  And when I attained maturity, and began to be my own master, I sought nothing but what pleased my flesh, an indolent and luxurious life.  I was greedy of filthy lucre; I sought to bring my neighbor’s daughter to fall, as, alas! appears from my work; and what I did in secret is too shameful to mention; yes, I was a vessel full of iniquity.  But, my dear child, when I betook myself to the Scriptures, and searched and perused them, I found that my life tended to eternal death, yes, that everlasting woe was hanging over me, and that the fiery pool which burns with brimstone and pitch was prepared for me.  This, I say, was approaching me, according to the words of Paul, who says: “They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”  Gal. 5:21.

When I took this to heart, I began to be greatly alarmed and frightened, and took the word of God for my counselor, as to which should be the more advisable for me: to lead here, for a little while, a voluptuous life, and to expect the everlasting pains of hell; or to suffer here a little misery (if misery it can be called), and then to enjoy eternal happiness.  I found in the Scriptures: “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  or, what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mat. 16:26.  Therefore, my beloved son, I deemed it better, like Moses, to suffer affliction with the children of God for a little while, than to live in every luxury with the world, which will perish.  Thus I abandoned my ease, voluntarily and uncompelled, and entered upon the narrow way, to follow Christ, my Head, well knowing that if I should follow him unto the end, I should not walk in darkness.  Now, when I had partly forsaken and cast from me the old damnable practices, and wanted to be a new divine creature, and to lead a pious, penitent, godly life, I was immediately, like all the pious that had been before me, hated, yes, imprisoned in Haarlem, in St. John’s gate.

This, my beloved son, was my life till the Lord enlightened me.  First of all, my dear child, I would affectionately warn, admonish and entreat you, to beware of and shun all wickedness, and to walk from infancy in the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom; and if God reveals his wisdom to you, do not hesitate to walk in it, since death pursues the young as well as the old.  Improve the time given to you by God for repentance.  Have your intercourse with the good, and beware of the perverse.  If sinners entice you, consent not, and have no fellowship with them; restrain your foot from their path, for their steps take hold on hell.  Therefore, do not touch pitch, lest you be defiled; for an evil end draws close to the wicked, which will bear the burden everywhere.  Of this and every evil, my dear son, beware, and remember that Paul says that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad (2 Cor. 5:10), but the flesh will advise you to nothing good.  Therefore Paul may well say: “To be carnally minded is death, yes, they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”  Rom. 8:6,8.  Therefore, mortify your carnal members here on earth.  Read Paul, or have him read to you; he will tell you, which are the works of the flesh.  Gal. 5:19.  If you have time and opportunity, use diligence to learn to read and write, that you may learn and know the better, what the Lord requires of you.

Beloved son, my heart’s desire and prayer to the Lord for you is that your soul may be protected from the deluge of God’s wrath, that shall come upon all the ungodly who did not care for the Lord, and did not walk in his commandments.  This impending wrath of God you can escape in no better way than by looking to Jesus Christ, the Son of the Almighty and eternal Father, who is the head and pattern of all believers, yes, the captain and finisher of the faith, that is, Jesus Christ.  Ask him for counsel, as to what is best and most necessary for you to do, and he will tell you, knock at the door of his Holy Trinity, and worship him; he will open to you, and give you what is needful for you.  Have a desire and appetite for the truth, and you shall be satisfied.  Seek not high temporal things; though they that obtain them, are called and commended as happy by the common people; they are nevertheless unhappy and rejected before God.  Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that you may be exalted in eternity.  1 Peter 5:5.

Behold how he fared, and likewise all the pious before and after him; his birth was poor and miserable; immediately he had to flee from Herod, who sought his life; when he suffered, he had nowhere to rest his head, and the thanks for all his great and glorious benefits were that they called him a deceiver, wine-bibber, Samaritan, and one who had a devil, besides, he had to expect being stoned by them, until they, when the time was fulfilled, condemned him to the most shameful death.  And previous to the law, pious Abel had to suffer from his brother Cain, who killed him, out of pure hatred and envy, because his brother’s works were good and acceptable to God, and his own evil and rejected.  And all the dear prophets, who practiced and maintained the word of God, had likewise to suffer much, without any respect of persons.  Micaiah, who alone was found true among four hundred false prophets, in the days of King Ahab, was beaten by Zedekiah, and afterwards cast into prison.  1 Kings 22:24.  Elijah, the only true prophet among the four hundred and fifty false priests of Jezebel (1 Kings 18:19), also had to suffer much; so that Paul may well say (for he had experienced it himself) that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  2 Tim. 3:11.

This also all other pious witnesses of Christ experienced, and remained steadfast unto the end; therefore, according to the Scriptures (James 1:12), the crown is prepared for them, since Christ’s own mouth declares that he that shall endure unto the end shall be saved; he that overcomes shall inherit all things, shall be clothed in white, and shall eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of paradise.  Mat. 24:13; Rev. 21:7; 2:7.

Consider this, my beloved son; meditate night and day, how to die unto the world, and to fulfill the will of Christ.  In the first place, and before everything else, beware of all false prophets and hypocrites, which in my time were the priests and monks, and who, I apprehend, will not be lacking in your time, so long as rich emoluments follow them.  Do not believe them, for they deceive men, and murder their souls.  My son, he that wrote you this, learned it by his own experience and investigation; he drank of this cup himself.  Neither live among any sect, of whom there were many in my time already, as Lutherans, Zuinglians, and others, who, though they have a good semblance, yet, in fact, are evil and deadly poison.  Look for the little flock, whose entire rule of life agrees with God’s commandments, and whose ordinance or sacrament is in conformity with the command of Christ and the practice of the apostles; this is the true church of Christ, without spot or wrinkle; this church is flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bones.  These also have teachers according to the teaching of Paul (1 Tim. 3:2), blameless in everything, who have obedient children and believing wives, who are strangers to litigations and processes, to cursing and swearing, to hatred and envy, to lying and cheating, to lasciviousness and adultery.  There everything is love, peace, unity and truth, as Paul will teach you, which are the fruits of the Spirit.

My dear son and beloved child, this is my chief and last will, my testament to you, which I desire you to read diligently, to meditate well upon it, and to compare it to the Scriptures, in order to govern your steps in accordance with it.  Mark well, my son, what I write: many will appear in the garb of good teachers, saying that they have medicine for your sick soul; but the ones that will profit you, are those who have the truth; adhere to them.  Water and fire are set before you: stretch forth your hand unto whether you will, unto death or life.  Sirach 15:16.  This, my dear son, will at first be very hard for you to hear, since it is contrary to your first birth, which is of the flesh; but you must be born again, and converted, if you would enter into the kingdom of God.  You cannot understand this so long as you are carnally-minded, yes, so long as you do not become the fool and enemy of the world.  Dearly beloved son, I entreat you again, as I did before, to consider this, and to govern yourself in accordance with it.  Out of a faithful father’s heart I have left you this, when about to depart from this world, and to die for the word of the Lord.  May the Lord grant you, and all who read this, or hear it read that they may take it to heart, act according to it, and be eternally saved.

My son’s testament, written in the year 1557, the first Monday in April, and confirmed by death, the 26th day of the same month.

May God grant peace, joy and consolation in all trouble and suffering to all those who have to suffer for his word, through his beloved Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

We would inform our most beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, and all who seek to fear the Lord with the whole heart, that we are all (the Lord be praised forever) of very good cheer, and hope to adhere to the word of the Lord, and not to depart from it, for any visible thing, yes, neither for life nor death, since there is nothing, we trust, which shall be able to separate us from the love of God; we shall be able to do all things through him who strengthens us; we trust by our God to leap over walls.  Rom. 8:35; Philip. 4:13; Psm. 18:29.

Dear friends, rejoice with us; why should we fear, when there are so many in the world, who, for a little gain, expose themselves to the greatest danger, both of soul and body, on water and on the land, not knowing withal, whether in case of success there will be gain or loss?  But we know that when we have completed this journey by the help of the Lord, all is gain, and there can be no loss; for we run not as uncertainly; we fight not as one that beats the air; but we are assured by the grace of the Lord that, if we fight through valiantly, as we trust we shall do, we shall receive that which is promised us.  We intend to return to them four-fold; we shall not keep silence, but proclaim aloud, what the Lord gives and reveals to us.  Our sister Mariken is also of very good cheer, and has rightfully confessed her faith, to which she wants to adhere as long as there is breath in her; she is of such courage and good cheer, that she delights and rejoices us all.  We exhort each other with the word of the Lord, as much as God gives each to speak, now by words, now by hymns; yes, I have many hours in which I never once think of it that I am a prisoner; such is the joy which the Lord gives us.  I thank you with all my heart, that you have fulfilled my request, also for your affectionate exhortation.  Do the best you can as regards my H. F.  I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace.

Our most beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, and all who desire to fear and follow the Lord with all their heart, we, the prisoners in the Lord, wish you a valiant and steadfast mind, and perseverance in the truth, unto the end, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Savior and Redeemer, in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Greatly beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, be it known to your love, that through the grace of the Lord we all strive for the best, seeking it with the whole heart, so that we want to offer ourselves up into the hands of the Lord, whether it bring us life or death.  We also seek with the whole heart, that the Lord will magnify his glorious name through us, and we keep before our eyes the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus.  We know that the servant is not greater than his lord.  It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that if we suffer with him, we shall also rejoice with him.  To this all the pious witnesses of Christ had respect, and unto his great promises, which we have in the Old Testament, and which were given to the pious fathers, who hoped for the grace that should come, and therefore valiantly fought for the law of God, and would have no intercourse with the surrounding nations, and therefore voluntarily surrendered their lives, because they would not worship or honor their molten or carved images; even as pious Eleazar, who would not eat swine’s flesh, [which was] contrary to the law.  2 Macc. 6:18.  By the grace of the Lord we hope to take his salutary words for our pattern, namely, that it is best to adhere to the Lord; for though through hypocrisy (from which God preserve us) we should save our lives, yet should we not escape the Almighty hand of God, neither alive nor dead.  Therefore we will surrender ourselves entirely into the hands of the Lord, as did the pious Maccabean mother and her seven sons (2 Macc. 7:1); and as did all the pious witnesses of Christ, who even rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ.  Acts 5:41.  Thus, beloved brethren, we are minded in the Lord, and not otherwise.  We trust by the grace of the Lord to be unto the weak babes that still feed on milk, an example of piety and steadfastness.

This was written by me on Monday, after I had been before the lords twice, and been interrogated whether I would adhere to my confession.

Our greatly beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, and all who want to fear and follow the Lord with the whole heart, we, the prisoners in the Lord, wish you that the gracious heavenly Father will preserve you from all harm from within and without, through his dear, beloved Son Christ Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Dearly beloved brethren in the Lord; do not faint, though you now have to wander from friends and kindred, house and home, not knowing where you shall go, since the heat of the sun now begins everywhere to scorch the seed that has sprung up.  Matthew 13:6.  Brethren, do not be cast down; let the seed in you get and retain moisture; sit under the shadow of the Scriptures, and they will be a glorious protection unto you.  We know that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of heaven.  When the head suffers, all the members suffer with it; therefore, if we would be members of Christ, we must also be partakers of the sufferings of the Head; if we, then, suffer with him, we shall also rejoice with him.

Therefore, dear brethren, if the Lord suffer you to live for awhile longer among this wicked generation, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear; stand out as lights in this evil, wicked world, and let your faith manifest itself in works, else it is dead.  Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, the captain and finisher of the faith; he is the only corner-stone in Zion, and other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown.  We commend you to the Lord; may he guide you into all truth.

I, Joriaen Simons, your dear brother, and my dear fellow prisoners, wish you every good thing, and we seek the best with all our heart.

As we, through the secretary of the city of Haarlem, have come into possession of the sentence of death passed upon the aforementioned friends Joriaen Simons and Clement Dirks, we deem it well, here to adduce the same, so that every one may be fully assured with regard to the foregoing account.  It reads (except the title) as follows:

Sentence of death of Joriaen Simons of Hallmen, and Clement Dirks of Haarlem.

Whereas Joriaen Simons, of Hallmen, in Friesland, and Clement Dirks, of Haarlem, both weavers, and now prisoners, have confessed, without torture and iron bonds, to have been rebaptized, and to hold most pernicious views with regard to the worthy, holy sacraments of the altar and confession, and to the circumstances and ceremonies of the holy church, and have also undertaken, said Joriaen to sell and distribute diverse false books, and Clement to read and teach them, and since both continue stubborn, obstinate and hardened in said errors and pernicious views, therefore, the lords of the court, having heard the address and conclusion made by Pieter van Zouteland, Bailiff of this city, against and concerning these persons, pursuant to the decrees and edicts of his Royal Majesty, last confirmed by his Royal Majesty, our gracious lord, have condemned said Joriaen Simons of Hallmen, and Clement Dirks, as rebaptized heretics and disturbers of the common peace and of the Christian religion, and hereby sentence them, each to be placed at a stake, and executed with fire, pursuant to the aforesaid decrees and edicts, and declare the entire property of said Joriaen, and the property of said Clement Dirks to the sum of sixty pounds, and no more, if it exceed said sum, confiscated and forfeited, according to the privilege of this city, for the benefit of his Royal Majesty.  Thus resolved, the 26th of April, A.D. 1557, by Joost van Hitgem, and Dirk van Berkerve, Burgomasters, Wilm Harmans Ramp, Jan Koninks, Jan Matthijss, Jan Raet, and Adriaen Willems, Judges, and pronounced in the court the same day, in the presence of the Bailiff and the aforementioned Judges.

Extracted from the first book of criminal records, beginning the 29th of November 1539, and ending the 27th of October 1582, in the keeping of the secretary of the city of Haarlem, with which book this copy is found to agree.

By me, the undersigned secretary of said city, the 10th of July, A.D. 1659.

Voll.

The blood-thirsty constrainers of conscience, not yet satiated, apprehended at Antwerp, in the year 1557, five pious Christians, namely, Maerten Zaeywever, Joris Oudkleerkooper, Willem Droogsheerder, Victor and Pieter de Backer, whom they assailed with many wiles, threats and tortures, in order to rob them of their precious treasure, which they so faithfully kept in earthen vessels, to the honor of God, that it could not be taken from them; on which account the others were so filled with envy, that they inflicted an ignominious death upon them, publicly in the market place; but God will crown them, together with his faithful servants, with great honor and joy, when the others will have to go with shame into everlasting misery.

Grace, peace, and mercy from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who has called us to his imperishable kingdom, and chosen us before the foundation of the world, and cleansed us with the washing of water by the word, in order that we should be blameless in his sight.

Written to you, my beloved brother N., and to my dear sister N.  Although I am here in fetters and bonds, for the testimony of Christ, and am ready to seal it with my blood through the grace of the Lord, yet I do not neglect or forget my fellow members in my prayers, which I almost always offer with tears before the Lord, since you are still traveling in the wilderness, among dragons, lions and bears, which constantly run and seek to murder the innocent blood, which cries for vengeance from the time of Abel.  For they bring us to death, as the Jews did Christ; for we are grievous unto them to behold; because we do not conform to them; therefore they counsel and say: “Let us condemn him with a shameful death; for by his own sayings he shall be respected,” Wis. 2:15.

Therefore, my chosen in the Lord, we will not be afraid of their threats and blows, though they run like mad dogs.  The Lord holds their hearts in his hand; they cannot hurt a hair of our head without the will of our Father.  The Lord preserved the three young men in the fiery furnace, Daniel in the den of lions, Hezekiah in Jerusalem, Moses in Mesopotamia, Elijah in the mountains; yes, all that trusted in the Lord were never confounded; for his mighty hand, says the prophet, is not shortened; and though a mother should forsake her own child, yet I will not forget you, says Jehovah; for he that touches you, touches the apple of my eye.  Isa. 59:1; 49:15; Zech. 2:8.  Therefore let us prepare our souls for temptation; our deliverance draws close, and the day of tribulation is at hand.  2 Esdr. 16:74.  Therefore let us always sanctify and magnify our Lord, that we may inherit all the beautiful promises which he has promised to the Christian people, so that we may not become wearied or faint in our distress, but may be fervent in spirit, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, and continuing instant in prayer.  Heb. 13:3; Rom. 12:11,12.  When Israel left Egypt, they rejoiced greatly, that they were delivered from bondage; but when they came into the wilderness, where it did not please the flesh, they were very discontented, and murmured, so that they wanted to return, to which they had no right, since they had taken all their possessions with them, that they should have no cause to return.  For this reason they were not permitted to enter the promised land except Caleb and Joshua; for these were of good courage, so that they destroyed their enemies like a piece of bread.

The Lord was also with David, so that he slew the giant Goliath.  They girded a sword to his side to slay the giant with it; but David was not accustomed to it, since he was a shepherd, and he laid aside the sword, and took his sling, with which he smote the giant on the head, so that the latter fell to the ground, whereupon David took the giant’s sword, and cut off his head.  Therefore, my chosen brothers and sisters in the Lord, let us turn neither to the right, nor to the left, since we have so great a king, who will not forsake us, if we remain faithful to him; he is so faithful that has promised it that I cannot doubt it; for the city into which we shall come is full of all good things, but it lies in humility.  2 Esdr. 7:6.

In the same year, 1557, there were also apprehended at Antwerp, five brethren of Christ, named Jeronymus, Laurens van Guelders, Pieter the miller, Jacob van Yperes, and Maerten the Walloon, who trusted so firmly in the promises of God, and were so fervently united to the love of Christ, that they were not to be drawn away from it by any man, no, not even by great promises, severe persecutions, perilous temptations, or threatenings with the sword; for which reason all five were beheaded in prison, for the testimony of their faith, and firm adherence to the same; and even as they lost their heads for the truth, so God shall set them as heads to convict and judge those who judged them.

In the year 1557, there were drowned in prison, at Antwerp, three women, namely, Margriete, wife of the aforementioned Jeronymus, and Klaerken and Janneken of Dextelaer, because they steadfastly adhered to the truth, and would not depart from it.  After being drowned, they were ignominiously thrown naked into the Scheldt; but they shall be clothed, and enter in honor, with their bridegroom, to the marriage of the Lamb, where they, together with all the chosen of God, shall joyfully sing the new song, and live in eternal, imperishable joy.

In this year a young brother by the name of Konrad Schumacher left Swabia with his people, and was apprehended at Stein, near Krems on the Danube, taken to Vienna, and there delivered into the hands of the authorities.  There he lay in prison a year and several weeks, for the faith and the divine truth.  In the prison he suffered great want and hunger among the thieves and other malefactors, of whom there were several imprisoned with him.  Nothing was given to them, except what others brought and gave to them.  Besides, when these malefactors had been tortured, as is customary, they treated him most shamefully, so that he suffered great hunger, before he could get something to eat, when they even had something.  Thus he had to suffer much misery in prison, aside from the tyranny.

About this time Emperor Ferdinand attended a great diet at Augsburg, during which time the Bishop of Vienna had the brother brought before him twice, each time in the early morning before daylight, and was intending to have him executed in the house.  The first time they brought him forth, they briefly examined him, and wanted him to tell whether he would desist from his faith or not.  He briefly answered and said that they should not expect such a thing, since he would die in his belief; that it was the truth, and the way to eternal life, and this he should confess with his mouth as long as there should be strength enough in him.  Now their intention was frustrated, so that they could accomplish nothing that day, only that they disputed with him from early morning until noon, whereupon they remanded him to prison, saying that he should consider the matter for three days longer, and then tell them what he would do.  After three days they again brought him forth, early in the morning, before daylight, and led him before the Bishop and his monks and priests, before whom he most faithfully defended the truth.  The executioner was also at hand, waiting without, thinking to behead him early, before any people should come; for they feared lest the truth should come to light, and the people learn that injustice was being done to him.  But the Lord again hindered them, so that he was brought back to prison.  In the meantime, however, the priests disputed much with him, and gave him no rest.

After this they threatened to put him into a filthy tower, which had not had an occupant for eight years, where he should end his life.  He said that he would bide it, and would put his trust in the Lord, who was well able to deliver him out of the filthy tower, and from all their power; he thought, however, that the Lord had accepted him for a witness of the truth.

He showed himself so undaunted in everything that many of them were astonished at him.  Others said they would try something new with him, by which they should certainly frighten him enough.  In the meantime King Maximilian’s steward admonished the Bishop for the best, and also spoke of the matter to the Lutheran preachers of the King, who then told it to the King, and spoke most favorably of the matter, saying that he was very young yet, and that it would be a pity to put him to death on account of the faith.  Thereupon King Maximilian concluded to free him from further tyranny and suffering, whereupon he was released from prison, and thus returned in peace to his brethren and his church.

At Cologne, on the Rhine, a god-fearing brother, named Thomas van Imbroeck, a printer’s servant, was apprehended for the truth, in the year 1557, and imprisoned in a tower.  When afterwards examined in regard to baptism and marriage, he met them with the word of God, in such a manner that they desisted from examining him further and put him into another tower.  His wife wrote him a letter exhorting him to fight valiantly, and to adhere firmly to the truth.  For these comforting words he affectionately thanked her, and showed by many Scriptures that the righteous have always suffered, and that he stood with a good conscience void of offense before God, to follow them, forsake wife, children, and all visible things, and take up the cross of Christ, and follow him, for which he prayed to God that he might be found worthy.  Afterwards there came to him two priests, who disputed with him concerning infant baptism; but they disagreed among themselves; for the one would have that the infants that died unbaptized were damned, while the other admitted that they were saved.  They insisted that he should become converted.  But he said: “That which I maintain, the Scriptures have taught me, and if any one will teach me a better way from the Scriptures, I will gladly follow him.”  They said: “You despise our church, and refuse to be taught by us.”  He replied: “That I contemn your church and do not come under your communion, is for the reason that you do not keep your church pure; for perjurers, whore-mongers, and the like are pious brethren among you.”  They also asked him why he did not have his children baptized.  He answered: “The Scriptures teach no infant baptism, and those that are to be baptized according to the word of God, must first believe.”  Then they said that he was a heretic, but were not able to prove it.  He was then brought to the rack, where he was sharply examined, but not tortured, though the executioner had everything ready for it; for the lords were not agreed among themselves.  This happened three different times.  After this he was brought into the house of the count, who would gladly have set him at liberty had he not so greatly feared the imperial decree and the displeasure of the bishop.  Thomas, however, was bold, of good cheer, and ready to lay down his life for the name of Christ, and to adhere so firmly to the truth and the love of God, that neither fire, water, sword, nor any other thing should move him from it.  When they took him away from the house of the count, he suffered much temptation all night from the count’s people and others, who undertook to teach and instruct him, but all in vain; for they were such as were themselves not instructed or taught by God.

Finally he was brought before the high court, where he was condemned to death, in presence of the count, who then; for the first time, pronounced judgment, staining his staff with Christian blood.  Thus he was beheaded, as a pious witness of Jesus Christ, for his steadfast continuance in the faith, on the 5th day of March, 1558, being twenty-five years old.

From his prison he wrote letters to his wife and brethren, and also a confession of his faith regarding baptism, of which a special book has been published, all of which is very instructive and comforting for the god-fearing, as you shall see by the following part, which is here presented to you.

A letter by Thomas van Imbroeck, written from prison to his wife and brethren.

Much grace and peace from God the heavenly Father, who is a true Father; for he shows his fatherly faithfulness to all his children, according to his promise, when he says: I will be a Father unto them, and they shall be my sons and daughters.  May this Father so speak to your hearts, that you may believe me with a good conscience, that you are his children, and it will not fail you.

This grace I wish you, my dear wife, and also the wife of my Lord (you understand whom I mean), through the Author and Finisher of life, Jesus, to whom alone we must take refuge, that we may become conformed to him in this world, according to the words of the prophet, who says: “He has no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.  He is despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and we hid as it were our faces from him.”  Isa. 53:23.

But what says the Scripture: “Therefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name . . . and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”

Therefore I deem it necessary for us, O wife of the Lord, to reflect on this; for though we are now the reproach of all men, yes, as the filth and offscouring of every one, so that they say: “Away with him, for he is not fit to live;” they shall in due time confess and say: “Behold, how are they now numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints.  We accounted their life madness, and their end to be without honor.”  Wis. 3:5,4.  Now we sigh, but when he shall come for whom we wait; then they shall sigh, and be distressed with great pain; who shall be without hope; for their worm shall never die, and their fire shall not be quenched.

Therefore, there is a great difference between the pious and the ungodly; for the souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and there shall no torment touch them, for their hope is full of immortality.  Wis. 3:1,4.

This, my brethren, we are to consider well; for if we look back, we still look upon deadly or mortal things, and there cannot apply to us the comforting words of Paul, where he says: “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.”  2 Cor. 4:17,18.

Now I know that wife and children are visible, and though they are dear to me, yet I will count them but dung, and say: “Henceforth know I no man after the flesh; but the knowledge of the spirit abides forever.”  Philip. 3:8; 2 Cor. 5:16.  And thus I hope to know you all when we shall appear together in the eternal joy, which is prepared from the beginning for them that are not ashamed of Christ; but this is not to be ashamed, when we, as malefactors, go without the gate, for Christ’s sake, and help him bear his reproach, without the camp.  Heb. 12:13.

Therefore I desire that the rich seek no excuse, and say: “Yes, I cannot forsake everything, it would create great wonderment and sensation before the world, if I should so completely forsake my rank.  Yes, they should imagine that they were doing too much in this.  Ah no!  He who is over all, God blessed forever, humbled himself much more than this; for he was King over all, and Lord of the whole world, even as David in spirit calls him Lord: he came not to be ministered unto, but to minister unto all; for he became the servant of us all, that he might make us free.  Rom. 9:5; Philip. 2:7; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14; Mat. 20:28; John 8:36.

If we therefore have received freedom through him, let us be grateful, and not cast it from us; for it has a great reward, though some say we ought not to serve God for the reward.  This view, I say, is not right; for I say with Paul: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”  1 Cor 15:19.

Yet, let no one think that he shall be justified and saved by his good works alone; for this we must wholly ascribe to the grace of God, and to the merits and innocently shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, who works the good in us.

Therefore, my dear brethren, beware of such spirits; for they would experience greater perfection, but fail in those things which are least.  Adhere to the doctrine you have learned.  One thing I desire and request: that the simple may be better and more thoroughly instructed, lest your labor be burned in the fire; for the scripture does not say in vain: “In that he himself has suffered, being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted;” for experience brings perfect wisdom, even as Paul says: Blessed be . . . the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For, as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ; yes, through him, I say, we shall gain the victory; for he is our life, and to die is gain for us, since he says: “Though you were dead, yet shall you live.”  Heb. 2:18; 2 Cor. 1:3–5; John 11:25; 2 Tim. 2:11.

Therefore it is good to die with Christ; for he was raised up by the glory of his Father, and, therefore, will draw unto him all that the Father has given him.  Rom. 6:4; John 12:32.  Therefore, my brethren, and my dear wife, let us be valiant; for the apostle says: “My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Cor. 12:9.  Therefore I deem it good to be in weakness, (mark) if it be followed by being in reproach, distress, persecution, and fear for Christ’s sake.

Yes, if the Lord should count me worthy to testify with my blood to his name, how greatly would I thank him, for I hope not only to bear these bonds with patience, but also to die for Christ’s sake, that I may finish my course with joy; for I would rather be with the Lord, than live again in this abominable, wicked world; however, his divine will be done.  Amen.

And if anything should be defective yet in my life, that I may not have been diligent enough (which I confess), may the Lord blot it out and purge it, through the fire of his love and mercy, in the blood of Jesus Christ through which everything must be purified, and purged.  1 John 1:7.

Dear brethren, I desire that you will all pray to God for me, that he will keep us, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

Another letter by Thomas van Imbroeck, written in prison to his wife.

May grace, peace and mercy from God the heavenly Father, and the pure love of his Son Jesus Christ, be perfect in your heart, my dear wife, that you may by it be drawn from all visible things to the invisible and eternal, through the help and co-operation of his Holy Spirit, who is the Governor and Guide of the children of God; to him be glory and praise forever and ever, Amen.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for his great and unspeakable grace, which he has imparted to us through his gracious goodness, and has drawn us into the kingdom of his Beloved Son, through whom we have received redemption from all our sins, in his blood.  Eph. 1:3.

Therefore it is right and just that we ought not to cease constantly to serve him with great humility as grateful and obedient children, and not dis-esteem the grace which has been given to us, but diligently consider why and for what purpose it has been given to us, namely, that we should use it and get gain by it, that we may hear the sweet voice which says: “Well done, you good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.”  Mat. 25:21.

Be admonished by this, that the merchant sold all that he had, and bought the field in which lay the treasure.  Mat. 13:44.  Thus you should also think now, that you willingly give your husband to the Lord, like Jephtha, who offered up his daughter to the Lord; or remember also Abraham, the pious father of all the faithful, who did not become weak in faith, but willingly delivered up his son Isaac to show obedience to the mighty God, who gives life and breath to all men, Judg. 11:39; Heb. 11:17.

Remember also patient Job, who in his trial with all meekness said: “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither; Jehovah gave, and Jehovah has taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah.”  Job 1:21.

O, James may well say: “You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord.”  Jas. 5:11.  And also Paul says: “Consider him that endured such opposition of sinners against himself.”  Heb. 12:3 He knew no sin; but we must confess that we deserve more punishment than we suffer, though the same is profitable, as it is written that he chastises us for our benefit, and that all things work together for good to us.  Rom. 8:28.

Therefore I desire of you, my dear friend, that you be of good cheer in the Lord, and do not grieve, for I have well perceived that you have lost flesh and become emaciated.  Rejoice with me, and thank God that we are not bastards, but that he receives us as a Father, yes, as children and fellow heirs of his kingdom, who here on earth receive like reward with his Son, and this for the sake of his testimony.

Why should we not suffer the evil, seeing we have received the good from him?  However, if we would sorrow, we have cause enough for it, for godly sorrow I mean; for we may with truth lament that we are still very unfit; even as you write to me, that you cannot pray well, even as I also, alas! am imperfect.  Jas. 4:3.  But the reason for it, in my opinion, is this, that we are not sufficiently displeased with ourselves, and also, that we do not perceive the thorns that are in our flesh.

May the Lord have compassion upon us, and open the eyes of our understanding, so that we may hate sin, even as God himself hates it; for then he takes pleasure in us, even as also holy David when he says: “Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah, for I am weak: O Jehovah, heal me, for my bones are vexed.  My soul is also sore vexed; but you, O Jehovah, how long?  Return, O Jehovah, deliver my soul: oh save me for your mercies’ sake.  I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.”  Psm. 6:2–4,6.

But where are the tears which we have shed, my dear wife, over our past sins, when our souls were wounded even unto death, yes, sunk in hell?  True, we sing: “I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me:” but it were far better for us, to lament from deep distress of heart, and to pray with a broken, contrite and fervent heart, if we experience the same, now that tribulation and suffering happen to us in the flesh.

Thus also Esther learned to pray, where she says: “O my Lord, you only are our King: help me, desolate woman, which have no helper but you; deliver us and help me; for you know all things; O Lord, you know that I hate the glory of the unrighteous, and abhor the bed of the uncircumcised, and that I abhor the sign of my high estate.”  2 Esther 14:3,15.

We must observe here that the pious woman had an aversion for the costly apparel, and hated it more than she loved it.  Do you also beware of it, and reprove it sharply in those whom you see given to it: for it proceeds not from a humble heart.  The proverb says: “Don’t put moths into the fur;” neither must we give the flesh occasion for sin, since it is, alas! evil enough without that.  Gal. 5:13.

Therefore, my dear sister, do not respect persons; for the faith of Jesus does not suffer respect of persons (Deut. 1:17; Jas. 2:1); but reprove that which is evil with all kindness and humility, out of love, and show yourself in all things a pattern of good works and sobriety to all women, with piety and silence; for he that does not bridle his tongue deceives his own heart, and his religion is vain.

Therefore I affectionately exhort you, while you have time now, that you will use all diligence; for it is not enough that we confess the name of the Lord with the mouth in prison, but we must first demonstrate our confession in power; for we know that he who transgresses out of prison sins just as much as he that sins in prison, though through weakness, while the other sins from wantonness.

Therefore take heed to yourselves, and be always prepared; for we do not know the hour.  Watch therefore, and keep your garments clean, lest you walk naked, and your shame become manifest.  Be always ready for conflict; for David says; “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but Jehovah delivers him out of them all.  He keeps all his bones: not one of them is broken.”  Psm. 34:19,20.  “He saves the poor from the sword of the ungodly, and the needy from the hand of the mighty.”  Job 5:15.  Job further says: “Happy is the man whom God corrects: therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty: for he makes sore, and binds up: he wounds, and his hands make whole.”  5:17,18.

Paul also says that he wants to know Christ, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means (he says) I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  Philippians 3:10,11.  Therefore we must mourn with him, that we may also rejoice with him.  Does not Christ say: “Blessed are they that mourn and lament; for they shall be comforted; yes, the tears shall be wiped away.”  Mat. 5:4.  And the Lord does not forsake the widow that is oppressed, as it is written: “He hears the prayer of the distressed and oppressed, and he does not despise the prayer of the widows, if they pour it out before him with lamentation and sighing; yes, their tears ascend to heaven, and the Lord will hear them.”  Sir. 35:24.

Therefore let us be resigned, and say within ourselves: O Lord, Almighty King, all things are in your power; if it is your will to restore unto me my husband, there is none that can resist your will.  You have made heaven and earth, and all that is contained in the circuit of heaven.  You are Lord of all things.  You preserve us as the apple of your eye, and have said through the mouth of David, that we shall cast our burden upon you; for you will sustain us, and never suffer the righteous to be moved.  Psm. 55:22.  Then will your prayer be fulfilled, as you write to me, that you cannot pray otherwise than only: Lord, your will be done.  And I wish to God for you, that this may be found in you in truth, and not as Israel cried to the Lord, when they drew near him with their mouth, and magnified him with their tongues; but their heart was not right with him, and they were not found faithful in his covenant.  Isa. 29:13.  But they that keep his commandment shall pray, and whatsoever they shall ask (in accordance with his will) shall be granted unto them.  John 15:16.

Therefore be of good courage, and bring up your children in good manners, and in the fear of God, that their natural propensities may be mortified; and take an example from yourself, how you bring them up in their weakness, with great labor and trouble, and give the breast to them to whom the Lord has commanded milk to be given.

You are also to give them the rod, according to the command of the Lord, when they transgress and are obstinate: for this is also food for the soul, and drives out the folly which is bound up in their hearts.  Prov. 23:13,14.  Remember the words of Sirach, where he says (Sir. 7:26): “Show not yourself cheerful to your daughter, nor laugh with her, lest she become bold against you, and you have to bear shame on her account in the end.  But teach her the law of our God, that she may put her hope in the Almighty and Most High, and may never forget the benefits bestowed upon us through Christ.

I also pray to you, that they, as far as possible, be kept away from intractable children; do not allow them to run about in the streets, but keep them with you as much as possible, that you may have joy and sorrow with them; and do not forget the kind of widow mentioned by Paul in his letter to Timothy (1 Tim. 5:4); but place your hope firmly in the Lord, and wait for him with patience.

Now I understand that you would gladly die; but when I was still with you, and we lived together in peace, then life was no cross for you.  Remember therefore now what I often told you, namely, that it is good for the believer to have tribulation and distress, that we may learn to say with Paul: “We groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our house which is from heaven: if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.  For we that are in this body, are burdened, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord, than to walk in his absence in much affliction.”  2 Cor. 5:2.  Alas!  Friend, how few there are that say this; I mean among those who enjoy peace and rest.

Therefore thank the Lord, that he has given this grace, and perhaps removed me from your sight for the best; for he is a jealous God; he will be loved the most, and have sole possession of the human heart.  And you have also asked him to remove from your path everything that might be in the way of your salvation.  Therefore think that he is proving us both, and let us willingly take the yoke upon us, and count it all joy.  Jas. 1:2.  For what are the sufferings of this world?  Nothing but a dream, as David says: “When Jehovah turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.  Then was our mouth filled with laughter.”  Psalm 126:1.

Thus it is with us as with a woman in travail; when the child is brought forth, she would not surrender it, because of the former pain.  So also we, when we have been delivered from the child, we would not take the whole world for it.

Therefore take good heed, that you are not startled or frightened, that the child may be born in due time.  Take food and nourishment from the husband Christ, that you may have strength for labor; and do not neglect to receive the true food, the word of God.  Remember Israel, who were satiated with bread from heaven.  May the Lord give you a sound soul, and a fervent stomach of love, so that the food may be well digested.  Amen.

May the grace of the Lord be increased unto you, my dear wife.  Be always subject to the god-fearing, and associate with the pious, and pray God to keep me in the truth; for truth abides and is strong forever; it lives, and will forever prevail.

Greet all the saints with the kiss of love, and all who love the Lord Jesus, and tell them to be kind; for God is the Hero and Captain, who so faithfully succors in time of need.  He is like a shower upon the parched earth in a dry summer.  Thus he refreshes the afflicted souls that thirst for him; he is a shadow from the heat of the sun.  Mat. 11:28; Isa. 55:1; 25:4.

Tell the brethren to take care of the novices, and to pray earnestly for me.  I will also pray for them, as much as is in my power.  Remember my bonds.  The Lord be with your spirit.  Amen.

Your dear husband, Thomas van Imbroeck, imprisoned for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

P.S.  This Thomas van Imbroeck composed an excellent confession of baptism, as also a defense against the adversaries, in regard to the same matter, and delivered it all to the lords of justice of the city of Cologne.  Concerning this, see our Account of Holy Baptism, for the year 1558.

About this time a lay brother by the name of Govert Jaspers, with two others, left the monastery of the Cross-brethren at Goes.  However, they did not continue together long; for one of them utterly forsook the good way, and accepted the love of this world; the other, from fear of persecution, went to Friesland, where he became a brother in the church, and died a pious man; but this Govert Jaspers was apprehended by the bailiff, soon after he left the monastery, as he was sitting in the field, reading in a Testament.  He was brought to the city of Brussels, in Brabant, where he had to suffer much, yes, finally even death, for the testimony of the truth, in which he steadfastly persevered, and thus, as a valiant soldier of Jesus Christ, pressed through the strait gate, in order to take by force the kingdom of God, which he had preferred far above all the kingdoms of this world.

About the same time there was apprehended at Werwijck, in Flanders, for the truth, one brother Maerten Bossier, who, after much temptation and trial, also had to suffer temporal death (by burning); but now the second death shall have no power over him.

All that would follow Christ, must take his cross upon them; this was experienced by one brother Absalom van Tomme, or the Singer, who was apprehended for the truth, at Kortrijck, in Flanders, in the year 1558.  After he had been examined, and had made confession of his faith, he was severely assailed with threats and tortures, in order to cause him to apostatize; but he remained steadfast in everything, and firmly trusted in God, so that he was sentenced to death, and burned, showing himself a good disciple or servant of Christ, who did not wish to be above his Master, but like him, namely, to suffer with him, in order to enter into the kingdom of God, even as Christ had to suffer, to enter into his glory.

Willem van Haverbeke also not only suffered persecution for the name of the Lord, but also suffered himself to be apprehended, and to be led before lords and princes, where he freely confessed his faith, and steadfastly continued in the same, no amount of suffering, pain or torment being sufficient to cause him to apostatize, so great was the love of God shed abroad in his heart; therefore he was finally condemned, and confirmed the same with his death, at Kortrijck, in Flanders, in the year 1558.

About this time, also a young man named Daniel Verkampt, after suffering much persecution, was apprehended at Kortrijck, in Flanders, for living truly according to the word of God.  Being sharply examined by the deans of Ronse and Polet, he willingly and freely confessed his faith, and said that he would firmly adhere to it even unto death; but of his fellow-believers he would betray no one.

Thereupon Ronse and Polet summoned the mother of this young man before them.  She was a little old woman, and walked with a staff.  When she appeared before them, they told her with severe words, that according to the imperial decree she had forfeited life and property, for having harbored her son, whom they had found to be a heretic.

To this she meekly replied: “My lords, shall I forfeit life and property, for having now and then given shelter to my own son in his distress—whom I carried under my heart, brought forth in pain, and nourished in affliction—when he is neither a thief nor a rogue, but is called the most excellent young man of our village; and this merely because you say that he is a heretic?  I think that if the Emperor were present, from whom you say you have a decree, he would say that you abuse his decree against me, and he would commend me, that the mother’s heart was moved with compassion for her child, that has never merited anything else.  Truly, my lords, this is contrary to your proper wisdom and urbanity; for, know that if in that hour when you came to apprehend him, I could have concealed him from you in my body, by carrying him again for nine months, giving him birth, and raising him, as I have done once, God knows how gladly I would have done it.”  This she said with such pathos, that all the lords who were present and sat in court declared her innocent, and said that she had not acted contrary to the nature of a true mother’s heart; and therefore the mother was set at liberty, but the son had to purchase with fire the constancy of his faith, and the love of God, with which he was inflamed, and was burnt for the testimony of Jesus Christ, who will make him free forever.

Not long after the above, also a brother named Marcus de Ledersnijder was apprehended for the truth, at Kortrijck, in Flanders, who, having been much importuned and tortured, yet constantly remaining steadfast, was condemned to death, and burned with fire, thus offering up his soul to God, who also most graciously accepted it.

In the year 1558, Jacob de Melselaer, a brother, was apprehended at Antwerp, for living according to and keeping the word of God; who, after much examination and torment, as he would not renounce or apostatize, was condemned to death, and brought forth into the market place, with a gag in his mouth, to prevent him from speaking.  Nevertheless, he went to death with boldness, and valiantly testified with his blood to the faith he had confessed.

In this same year brother Louwijs de Wever was beheaded in prison at Antwerp, for the confession of and steadfast adherence to his faith.

A short time after this, also two brethren named Frans Tiban and Little Dirk, were apprehended for their faith, at Antwerp, examined, tortured, afflicted with much torment, and, finally, as they would in no way apostatize, condemned to death, and beheaded in prison.

Three brethren, namely, Henderick Leerverkooper, Anthonis and Dirk de Schilder, were also apprehended at Antwerp, for the truth; who, as diligent followers and true sheep of Christ, had to taste death for his sake, being executed with the sword.

In the year 1558, Waechling Dirks, Maerten Schoenmaecker, and Adriaen Peters, all three of them natives of Wijnckel, were apprehended for the Gospel and the divine truth, and as they steadfastly adhered to the same, without departing from it, all three were finally condemned at Gravenhage, in Holland, and put to death, as pious witnesses of Jesus Christ, and are now awaiting the crown of life.

In this year, a young brother named Wouter van Honschoten was apprehended, at Honschoten, in Flanders, for following the word of God, and as he freely confessed his faith, and would in no way depart from it, he was finally sentenced to death and to the fire, and was burnt as a pious witness of God.

In the year 1558, a brother named Jacob de Swarte (son of Jan de Swarte), and Hanscken van den Broecke, went from Ostende to Bruges, to hear the preaching of the word of God, and were apprehended there, together with others.  No sufferings being sufficient to deter or separate them from the love of God, they were finally sentenced to death, and thus valiantly ended their lives for the testimony of the Gospel, about St. John’s day, in midsummer.

About this time, also a brother named Hans den Duytsch was apprehended at Antwerp; who freely confessed his faith, and would firmly adhere to it; for he chose rather to die a temporal death for the truth, and thus gain eternal life, than to purchase a short wicked life with everlasting death.  They had him beheaded in the prison, whereupon they, like madmen, threw his body into the Scheldt.

Very soon after, also six brethren, namely, Sander Hendricks, Hans de Smit, Hans van Burculo, Pieter in de Vettewarije, Arent and Geraert Passementwerker, were publicly put to death for the truth, in the market place, in the presence of all the people.  They all valiantly confessed the name of Christ, and are now waiting for the crown of glory, which is promised to all heroes of the Lord.

Not long after the above, also four sisters, named Grietgen, Tanneken, Lijntgen and Stijntgen of Aix-la-Chapelle were apprehended at Antwerp, on account of their faith, and severely examined; but as they could in no way be moved from it, and fought as heroines for the name of Christ, always firmly adhering to the truth, they were finally tied crooked and drowned in prison.

There was also a young maiden named Janneken apprehended for her faith, at Antwerp; who, when she appeared before the lords, freely confessed her faith.  The Margrave said: “Janneken, if you will renounce, I will show you favor; do according to my will, and I will give you your life.”  But she replied: “The life that you would give me, I desire not; for your promises are vain and as wavering as a reed, and would only bring me into greater sorrow: cursed is every one that trusts in man.”  Jer. 17:5.

There was a preacher named Balthazar, who endeavored to make her believe that God was in the sacrament; however, she would not confess it, but said: “You thus disgrace God in your body; but read the Lord’s Prayer once.”  And when he read it, she said: “There, you see, you read that he is in heaven, and how dare you say then, that he is in the sacrament?”

As the Jews in the time of the apostles envied the assemblies of the Christians, and disturbed them wherever they could, so have also their successors, the ministers of antichrist, universally done, which appeared also in the year 1558, near Doornick, where some Christians and faithful children of God had assembled, in order to be refreshed, edified and bettered by the preaching of the word of God.  They were also spied out, dispersed, partly scattered, and six of them apprehended, namely, Adriaen van Hee, cutler, Joos Meeuwens, Willem de Hoedemaecker, Goossen de Hoedemaecker, Egbert de Hoedemaecker, and Lambert van Doornick.  They were together brought to Doornick, and having been imprisoned there a fortnight, they were condemned to death for their steadfast adherence to the true faith in God, and taken without Doornick, into a forest belonging under the jurisdiction of Hainault, and there burnt, as pious witnesses of God, who shall not taste the fire of hell, but shall live in joy with all the chosen of the Lord.

Joris Wippe, when he still lived in the darkness of popery, was a burgomaster at Meenen in Flanders, his native place; but having subsequently come to the knowledge of the Gospel, he had to flee the country, and went to live at Dortrecht, in Holland, where he established himself as cloth-dyer.  When he had lived there for a while, and was becoming known, he, through the instigation of the enemies of the truth, was summoned to appear before the lords in the large church.  Somewhat alarmed on this account, Joris consulted with several drapers, for whom he dyed, and who were men of influence, as to what he should do.  They, placing entire confidence in the magistracy, deemed it advisable that he should appear before them, and hear what they had to say to him.

When he came there, and the lords saw him, they were filled with consternation, and would have preferred that he had taken their summons as a warning to secretly make his escape, since they did not thirst much for innocent blood; but as he had appeared, the Bailiff, when Joris was about to leave the church, seized him as one who, according to the imperial decree, had forfeited life and property.  This happened on the 28th of April, 1558.

After his apprehension, the lords tried every means to save him from death; he was sent to Gravenhage (that is, to the court of Holland), and there examined; but as he was a resident of Dordrecht, and had been apprehended there, he was sent back thither, and ultimately put to death there.

He left behind him a good testimony as regards his liberality to the poor; for when he was sentenced to death, the executioner lamented with tears in his eyes, that he had to put to death a man who had so often fed his wife and children, and would rather forego his office, than put to death this man, who had done so much good to him and others, and had never harmed any one.  Therefore he was finally drowned, in the night, in a wine cask filled with water, by one of the thief-catchers, who, at the command of the lords, performed the executioner’s office on him, pushing him backward into the water.  Thus he offered up his life to the Lord, on the first of October, being forty-one years old.  The next day he was hung by his feet to the gallows, in the place of execution, as an object of derision to the people, being thus, like his Master, numbered among the malefactors.  The day following, several criminals were scourged and banished; whereupon the executioner, after he had executed this punishment, still lamenting the death of Joris Wippe, said: “They have crucified Christ, and released Barabbas.”

He wrote several letters in prison, three of which have come into our possession.  He doubtless would have written more; but great watchfulness was exercised that he should have no ink, so that he wrote his last letter (to his children) with mulberry juice.

Note.—Inasmuch as we, after long search in the archives of this city, found the sentence of death of this friend of God, Joris Wippe, and copied it ourselves from the criminal records of this city, we deem it well to add it here, so that the truth of the above account concerning the death of this man may appear the more clearly and incontrovertibly.

Sentence of death of Joris Wippe done and pronounced in the chamber (of justice), the 4th of August, 1558.

My dearly beloved and obedient children, I wish you an honorable, virtuous and godly life in the fear of God, all the days of your life, to the praise of the Father, and the salvation of your souls, as an affectionate greeting.  Amen.

My most beloved sons, all three of you, you are well aware now, I trust, that I am in bonds here for the testimony of Christ our Savior, to the praise of his Almighty Father, and wait with patience daily, when it pleases him, to offer up my body and soul to the magnifying of his holy name.  I entreat you, my dear sons, with aged Tobias, that you will honor your poor bereaved mother, who is deprived of everything for the name of the Lord, all the days of your life; for she brought you forth with great suffering and pain, which I well know, and has with great care and diligence helped to bring you so far with the help of the Lord.  Tob. 4:3.  I have also been your protector hitherto, with great care and diligence to bring you up in the fear of God, to his honor.  Now it is the will of the Lord, that we must part; but let it not grieve you.  For if you pursue virtue, and walk in the fear of God, and keep his commandments all the days of your life, we shall hereafter meet in one fold (John 10:16) with all God’s chosen children, at the resurrection of the just.  And I admonish you with Tobias, that you will fear God all the days of your life, never consent to sin, nor transgress God’s commandments; and that you will eat your bread with the hungry, and give alms of that which the Lord gives you.  In short, I give you the same testament which Tobias gave his son; you are able to read.  I pray that you will often read it.  And all that our holy fathers commanded their children, I also leave unto you; may you diligently observe it.  And I now bless you all my obedient, most dearly beloved children, with that God with whom Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all God’s chosen friends, blessed their children.  Further, I admonish you Joos, as my eldest son, that you and Hansken, my second son, will be the protectors of your poor mother, in the fear of God, all the days of your life.  And I also charge you, Barbertgen, my dear daughter, to be obedient to your mother, and to help care for all your little sisters, and for Pierken.  Learn also to read, and be diligent in every good work, that you may spend your life in holiness and in all the fear of God, like Sarah, the wife of young Tobias (Tobit 3:15), and associate not with the wanton and frivolous daughters of this world, whose end will be destruction; but be sober, honorable and just in all your dealings, so that you may be prudent, being adorned with every virtue, and that when Christ our Bridegroom comes you may be ready with the five wise virgins, to enter with the Bridegroom into the kingdom of his Father.  And now I charge you, Joos and Hansken, that together with Barbertgen, your obedient sister, you will care for your three little sisters, and for Pierken, and teach them to read and to work, so that they may grow up in all righteousness, to the honor of God and the salvation of their souls.  Be diligent to work with your hands that which is honorable, remembering the words of the apostle: “It is more blessed to give than to receive;” so that you may not be burdensome to any through idleness.  Eph. 4:28; Acts 20:35.  Remain with your mother as long as it please the Lord, and in all things show yourselves a pattern of good works.  Tit. 2:7.  But if you be servants, I exhort you, to be obedient to your lord or master, and to please them in all things, not answering again, not purloining, but showing good fidelity in all things; that you may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.  For the grace of God [that brings salvation] has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  Tit. 2:9–14.  I admonish you all, my dear children, that you will do this; and comfort your mother, and often, when you have time, read to her a chapter or two.  And spend the time which God gives you, in all sobriety and righteousness, with prayer and supplication to God, that he would keep you from the evil.  Have no fellowship with the children of this world, that you may not become partakers of their evil deeds; always walk with wise men, and you shall become wise, namely, strong and very bold, so that you may eschew evil.  Do all things according to the law of God, and depart neither to the right nor to the left; neither add nor take away from it, so that you may walk wisely wherever you go.  Do not be terrified; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go, and will be your Protector.  Always speak the truth, and do not let your mouth become accustomed to lying, for the mouth that lies, slays the soul; but when you speak, speak the word of God, and Jehovah your God will bring you from righteousness to righteousness; for nothing is hidden before him; his eyes are as a flame of fire.  Zech. 8:16; Lev. 19:11; Rev. 1:14.

With this I take leave from you forever, my dear children, until at the resurrection, and commend you all to Almighty God and to the word of his grace.  Amen.  And may God’s Spirit ever be present with you, to comfort and strengthen you in all righteousness.

Written by me, Joris Wippe, your father, imprisoned at Dordrecht, in the Vuylgate, for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

In the year 1558, brother Hans Smit, a minister of the word of God, was sent forth by the church to seek and gather those that were eager for the truth.  Acts 13:3.  When he therefore, being divinely called, undertook to travel through the Netherlands, he, together with five brethren and six sisters, was apprehended in the city of Aix-la-Chapelle, on the ninth of January.  While they were assembled there in a house, to speak of the word of God, and were engaged in prayer, many servants and children of Pilate came there in the night through treachery, with spears, halberds, and bare swords, and well provided with ropes and bonds, and surrounded the house, and bound and apprehended these children of God.  They even took with them a mother with her infant that lay in the cradle.  But the prisoners were valiant and comforted one another, to be undismayed, since they were imprisoned for the truth of God; and being thus of good cheer, they began to sing for joy.  They were very soon separately confined, in which the sisters rejoiced, and sang, so that the people were astonished.  In the morning they were brought before the Judge, who talked with each separately, and then remanded them to prison, when he perceived their steadfastness.  However, the next day the minister was again summoned before the lords, that he should tell them, how many he had baptized, who they were and where the church held their meetings.  But he told them, that they should know that he would rather lose his life (John 15:13) than by telling this become a traitor, whereupon he was tortured and racked for about a quarter of an hour, to which he willingly submitted, himself taking off his clothes, and going to the rack.  When they could accomplish nothing by it, they went away, but soon returned, and said: “You must tell us what we have asked you, or we shall torture you so as to rack your limbs asunder.”  They also questioned him with regard to infant baptism.  He replied that infant baptism was a human institution, and that as such he regarded it, and not as the true Christian baptism.

They also asked him what he thought of the sacrament.  He replied: “I think much of it; but that which the priests use is not at all the true supper of Christ, but a piece of idolatry.”

Thereupon they bound him hand and foot, and tied to his feet a large stone weighing little less than a hundred pounds, and thus drew him up, so that the ring on the stone broke, and the stone remained on the ground.  But they took a rope, fastened it to the stone, in place of the broken ring, and hung the stone to his foot, and left him suspended thus for some time; however, they could not accomplish their purpose.  Therefore they let him down, and put him in prison until Sunday morning, when the lords came from the city with seven priests, who asked him concerning his calling; whereupon he said that he had not put himself into the ministry, but God and his Spirit in his church: for as God sent his Son, and the Son the apostles into all the world, so he still sends his ministers through his Spirit, that they should first preach the word of God, and then baptize such as hear, understand and believe it, but not young infants.  They also asked him concerning the magistracy, whether he regarded it as Christian or not.  He replied that in the first place he regarded them as ministers of God, but that they were deceived and wrongly taught by the priests, and not incorporated into the Christian church.  They also inquired of him the origin of the magistracy.  He replied that office and power are of God.  They then asked him, whether they were Christians.  He answered that if they denied and forsook themselves, took up the cross, abandoned their tyranny and pomp, and followed Christ, they could be Christians, not otherwise.  They also interrogated him with regard to swearing.  He said that Christ had forbidden it.  And much more, which it would take too long to write.

Finally they asked him concerning the incarnation of Christ.  He said that he believed that Christ was truely God and truely man, sin alone excepted.  At last they told him, that if he would renounce his baptism, and confess that he had erred, they would show him favor.  But he replied that he had taught the pure truth, so he would adhere to it.  Thereupon they said that he was in their city, and that he could not do so there; and that if they did not punish this, the King or the new Emperor should punish them on their bodies; thus they defended themselves like Pilate.  But the brother said that it would go hard with them for this; for though God forgave every sin, yet he should judge the innocent blood, and they should not think that they should escape punishment, if they killed him, since the matter should come before Christ, who should judge it, and take care of it, at his day.  After this they put him back into prison, where they left him until Monday evening, when the Judge came again, with several others, and also a monk, to dispute with him.  But they did not accomplish much, for he put the monk to utter confusion, so that the latter was glad to get away.  Many other monks and priests were sent yet, to dispute with him; but they were all put to shame and derision, and were not able to cause this pious man to apostatize.  Shortly after they were brought forth again and examined; but God continually gave them bold utterance, and wisdom, so that they could find no fault, or cause of death in him, save only that they did not sufficiently esteem the Emperor.  At one time they brought to brother Henderick alone a subtle serpent and blasphemer, and said: “You don’t want any ecclesiastics (monks and priests); therefore we have brought to you a learned layman, to instruct you.”  But Henderick said that he did not want to be instructed by him, unless he were sufficiently instructed by God and his word, since he did not want to seek life from the dead.  This learned man then wanted to prove infant baptism, asserting that the apostles had ordained it.  But Henderick replied and spoke to him in such a manner that he had to confess openly that no infants were baptized in the days of the apostles, and that they had no faith during their infancy.  This, Henry wrote upon the table with a piece of chalk, and called upon the obstinate lords to bear witness to it, and also how he had been silenced.  He further said: “Thus will all your learned men be confounded before the word of the Lord.”

Several of the lords said that if these should be put to death, they should leave home.  Once the brothers and sisters were all twelve left together from four o’clock in the morning until ten in the evening.  They were joyful and of good cheer, and conversed with one another from the word of God, and began to pray and praise God.

Brother Hans, as the minister, led them in prayer, as loud as he could, so that the people ran together and listened.  But when the lords heard of this, they sent the Bailiff thither, who asked them why they had made such a loud noise.  They replied that they had been praying; however, they had concluded just before he came.  Brother Matthias said: “We will call upon God whether anybody opposes or not.”  In the evening about ten o’clock they were separated again, and led away.  On their way through the city, they joyfully sang, and made known their faith.  Some of the councillors were blood-thirsty, and desired to put them to death; but others were opposed to it; for they felt persuaded, and confessed, that they were innocent.  The executioner came at least five times, expecting to execute them, but his intention was frustrated each time.  They intended to execute the minister and brother Henderick (who had defended themselves and contradicted the most) first, if perhaps the others might be deterred by it.  When the minister heard that he was to die, he commenced to sing joyfully and thanked God for it, and earnestly besought him to count him acceptable.

The 23d of August was the day fixed for the execution of the minister, Hans, and brother Henderick.  They were brought before the court into the vault near the pillory.  Much people flocked together, also some who were their friends, and had sent them food and drink.  They went smilingly through the people to the place of execution, and seeing the great concourse of people coming from every direction, the minister said: “O what a beautiful feast-day we shall have, since so much people are coming.”  They were very joyful, and hoped to get into paradise the same day, to their brothers and sisters that had preceded them, and to all the pious, of whom he had known very many.  Revelation 6:11.  There also came two monks, who sought to mislead them with false doctrine.  For a while the minister contradicted them, showing them how deceitfully they dealt; but finally he refused to speak with them any longer, and said: “I will adhere to the truth, and the hour of my departure is at hand; I have something else to attend to now, than to talk with you.”  When the time had come that sentence was to be passed upon them, the seven judges could not agree in the sentence, and sent word to them, that they would send them another learned man to instruct them, whom if they should hear, they would defer the matter for their best; otherwise they would have to put them to death, though they did not like to do it.  But Hans and Henderick boldly said that they would remain steadfast, and depart from the truth neither to the right nor to the left, and that on their account they need not spare them or delay any longer, but might pass sentence; but if they by it sought more accusation against them, they acquiesced in what it pleased the Lord to do.  The lords put their heads together, and dismissed the people assembled.  When the two men perceived that the sentence was not passed, they were sorry, since they had completely resigned themselves to death, and thought that they had contended long enough against the wiles of the serpent.  Thus the multitude dispersed, each going to his own, like people that had lost a battle.  When evening came, they had to go back to prison, which caused them sorrow, since they had hoped now to seal the truth with their blood; but they had to wait for another time.  Their being taken back to prison, caused much thought among the people; some said that God opposed the matter, and had frustrated it.

One of the councillors had firmly resolved that their execution should take place at the end of eight days, and not be deferred any longer; however, this also proved futile; for they remained in prison until in autumn, and had to suffer and be tempted much yet; after which they were condemned and executed.

Hans Smit, as the minister, was first executed.  When being led through the city, he sang joyfully; he did not speak much afterwards, but went briskly to the place of execution, as a patient, dumb lamb.  There he was strangled at the stake with a rope, and then bound fast with a chain, and singed with fire.  Thus he offered his sacrifice, on the 19th of October, A.D. 1558.  Three days after, the others were brought forth, and sentenced to death, namely, Henderick Adams and his brother-in-law, Hans Beck.  There was one among the councillors at Aix-la-Chapelle, who was always violently opposed to the brethren, and therefore it happened on one occasion, when they were disputing with Henderick, and the latter would not be moved, that this councillor became angry, and said: “Away with them, away with them, to death and the fire; for all is lost on them; no pardon should be offered them any more,” etc.  But brother Henderick said to him: “You will not live to see my death;” which was verified, for he died three days before Henderick, on the same day that the minister Hans Smit was executed.  When on his death-bed, and near his end, he fell into great despair, plucked out his beard, and cried out most dreadfully, declaring that he had judged many persons, and had certainly sinned in this, and that God would punish him for his blood-thirstiness.  He also said many other things of a similar character.  Psm. 55:23.

Now when brother Henderick Adams and the other brother were led to death, the executioner bound his hands so tightly, that his fingers turned black; but he lifted up his hands to God, praising him, that he was counted worthy to suffer this.  In the mean time the bonds on his hands became loose.  They were tied again, just as hard as before; but it was of no avail; for when he lifted up his hands again, the bonds fell off as before, which occurred several times, so that the Judge became angry, and said to the executioner, that he should bind them fast; but the executioner replied: “You can easily see that binding is of no use here.”  The last time Henderick flung the bond away among the people, so that he was not bound any more, and said; “It is not God’s will, that I should be bound.”  He also said that such violence was contrary to God, and continued to speak boldly unto the end.  Thereupon these two brethren, Henderick Adams and his brother-in-law were (like previously the minister) strangled at the stake, with a rope, and then bound to the stake with a chain, and singed with fire; which took place on the 22d day of the month of October, A.D. 1558.  A great number of people were present on this occasion, as was also the case afterwards when the brethren Matthijs Smit and Dileman Snijder were executed, on the fourth of January, 1559.  Thus all five valiantly and steadfastly testified with their blood to the divine truth, though some of them had not yet become united with the church.

The sixth brother that had been apprehended with the others, through much disputation with the ungodly, apostatized from his faith; but after he was released he sincerely bewailed his apostasy, earnestly and truly repented, and again joined the church.  The six sisters that had been apprehended at the same time, were severely scourged with rods, and then allowed to go their way, and thus returned joyful in the Lord, and constant in faith, to their fellow-believers that were known to them.

Gotthard of Nonenberg and Peter Kramer were both of them faithful men, who walked to edification among the brethren in the duchy of Berg, where the truth of the gospel began to shine again at that time, and very many came to the faith and knowledge of the truth.  Thus these two men were called and chosen ministers of the church and providers for the poor [Deacons], which office they assumed, and for a time faithfully discharged, and as they sought to live godly in Christ Jesus, the consequence was that they had to suffer persecution, as also appeared, since both were apprehended in one night, and brought to Winnick.  There the steward took them, to vent upon them his arrogance, and to treat them with contumely.  But they firmly resolved in their hearts, to adhere to the truth.

They lay there in prison a long time, and had to endure many temptations and conflicts in order to make them forsake the truth, in which case they should be free to return to their wives and children; and their lives should be spared.  But the love which they had for their Lord would not permit them to abandon the truth, and turn to the doctrines of men.  They much rather forsook their wives and children, and their temporal possessions, yes, finally, even their lives, flesh and blood, which they would rather give for a spoil, that they might enjoy the crown, and that their names might be found in the book of life.  When the time for their trial had come, they were brought before the learned, who employed many subtle stratagems against them.  But these men, with the divine help, repelled all their subtle and insidious wiles undauntedly and fearlessly, and sought no other counsel or way; but as Christ had gone before, so they endeavored to bear his cross after him; whereupon they were sentenced to be executed with the sword.

When brought forth from prison, to be taken to the place of execution, these men were and remained firm and immovable as a wall, and determined to adhere to the truth, and not to separate from the faith.  When all saw their boldness, and perceived that they were upright, pious persons, and had to die simply on account of their faith, nearly every one wept; the steward, the judges, deputy, and executioner as well as the common people.  But the hearts of these people were full of gladness, and they joyfully sang with a cheerful mind.  Again they were approached with various wiles, the comfort of life being held out to them, in order to bring them into despondency.  This continued for a long time, until two o’clock in the afternoon; so long did the steward delay the matter, thinking to intimidate them, in hopes that they should turn.  For this reason he made strenuous efforts to bring them over to his views, so as to induce them to go to church, and hear the doctrine of the priests.  But when the steward did not succeed in bringing them over to his views, he called the executioner, into whose hands the prisoners were delivered.  The executioner acted with reluctance, and received them with tears; for his heart misgave him.  But Gotthard said to him: “How I have longed for this day; why do you delay so long?” When the executioner began to bind them, he said to them: “Dear men, do not be afraid; for Christ also was bound innocently.”  When the steward heard these words he said to the executioner: “You must not speak in this manner.”  Then Peter said: “We will adhere firmly to the covenant of the Lord, which we trust we shall not break.”  Thereupon Gotthard began to speak, and said: “Here we must suffer tribulation.  He that would hereafter be crowned, must fight valiantly now.  As the bridegroom went before, so the bride must enter into joy through much suffering and tribulation.  This we are taught by the words of Christ.  The fact that the Lord was executed between two murderers, lightens the cross and affliction; therefore we fear neither slaying nor killing.  For if they have done this in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?  Luke 23:31.  The servants of God must drink the sour wine now here upon earth; but when we get to Christ, we shall drink new and sweet wine with him.  Mat. 26:29.  We must first bear affliction.”  With this, they reached forth their hands, and willingly suffered themselves to be bound, which astonished many.  Yes, the common people were amazed, and said: “What marvelous thing we behold here!  These men so willing to go to death, when they could easily obtain their liberty.”  Gotthard said: “We do not die, but pass through death into life eternal, to God and to all his dear children; of this we have a sure hope; therefore accept this death with joy, and trust that we shall please God.  When the time had come for them to die, they rose to their feet, called upon God in heaven, and, as brethren in Christ, and as a token of brotherly love and unity, kissed each other with the sweet kiss of peace, as those that were united with God, and were thus beheaded standing.  But since they were executed unjustly, the executioner said with great fear and trepidation, that he should never execute such men again.

After their heads had been severed from their bodies, the common people began to go home; but the steward called out to them, saying: “Don’t be in such a hurry, but help bury these pious men first; they did not die for any crime; they are neither thieves nor murderers; they were pious of life and conduct; they embraced a faith which the lords and princes could not understand, and therefore they had to suffer.”  Thus these pious witnesses of God were buried, and the seed of their blood did not remain without fruit in that place.  To God be all the glory.  Amen.  This happened about the year 1558.

A Confession of faith of Jacques d’Auchy, made when in prison in the city of Leeuwarden, in Friesland; which confession he afterwards sealed with his death.

I believe in one only God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, as is written, in whom Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and all the prophets believed.  Gen. 1:1; Heb. 11.

I believe in Jesus Christ, the only Son of the Father, who was from the beginning with God.  And when the time which God had promised was fulfilled, this Word became flesh, and was born of the house of David, of a pure virgin espoused to a man named Joseph, of the house of David; which virgin is blessed among women.  I believe that this true Son of God proclaimed the word of his Father through many signs and wonders.  And after this he was delivered unto death under Pontius Pilate, and crucified and buried.  I believe that this same Jesus Christ suffered for us.  When we were his enemies, he suffered death for us, that those who believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  I believe that this our Savior was raised up from the dead, as he had predicted, and sits on the right hand of God his Father.  John 1:14; Micah 5:2; Gal. 4:4; Rom. 1:3; Mat. 1:18; Luke 1:42; John 15:24; Mat. 27:2; Isa. 53:7; Rom. 5:10; John 3:16; Mat. 28:6; Mark 16:9,19; Acts 7:56.

When I had been in prison ten weeks, my first examination took place.  On the third day of January, A.D. 1558, reckoning the beginning of the year from New Year’s day, the jailer came to me in the afternoon, saying that I had to appear before the commissary, in order to be examined concerning my faith.  I was ready with a glad heart, and went thither with the jailer.  When I entered the room where the commissary sat, I humbly saluted him.  He returned my salutation, and said: “Jacques, is your name Jacques d’Auchy?”

Jacques.  “Yes, my lord.”

Com.  “Jacques, I have come here commissioned by the King, and the Procurator General, to examine you with regard to the articles of faith.”

Jacques.  “Well, my lord, be it done then in the name of the Lord.”

After we had had many words together concerning the faith, he began to ask me regarding the place of my nativity, my residence, and my life from my youth up to the present time; all of which I confessed to him.  Thereupon I was led back to prison by the jailer.

In the afternoon of the next day, namely, the fourth of January of the same year, I was again brought before the same commissary.  As I stood before him, he commenced to revile, vituperate and blaspheme the pastors and the flock of Christ, saying: “Is it not a pity that we suffer ourselves to be so deceived?”

Jacques.  “Yes, my lord.”

Com.  “I speak of you and others, who forsake our mother the holy church, and suffer yourselves to be deceived by a set of mischievous idlers and vagabonds.”

Jac.  “I have not suffered myself to be deceived by such.”

Com.  “No!  When you believe such accursed villains and beggars as Menno, Leenaert, Henderick van Vreden, Frans de Kuyper, Jelis of Aix-la-Chapelle, and other such rascals, and forsake us and the true word of God, do you not then suffer yourselves to be deceived?”

Jac.  “I have not forsaken the word of God; for my faith is founded upon the word of God, and not upon men, nor upon the doctrines of men, since the prophet Jeremiah exclaims: “Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm.”  Jer. 17:5.

A little after this the commissary cried out, saying: “O the miscreants, such as Menno and Leenaert, how many have they deceived and led to all the devils and into perdition.”

Jac.  “My lord, I entreat you not to say such words; for it would be difficult and hard for you to prove that they are such as you assert them to be.  And, again: They have not deceived, but have clearly taught the word of God.  And I do not believe that those who have believed in the word of God, will go into perdition; but the Lord shall judge all things well.”

Com.  “I will not dispute; for I myself receive instruction from those that are taught in the holy church.  But I well know the character of you people, and of your doctrine: had you but the power, you should gladly cut our throats, which, as has been seen, you people have done at Munster, Amsterdam, and other places.”

Jac.  “O my lord, don’t say such words against your own conscience; for I am persuaded that you know much better, since you have been in the council here for twenty years, as you say (this he had told me before); therefore it seems to me that you know us better; for if we had such wicked hearts as to intend murdering people, we should not thus deliver ourselves into your hands; for were we only to speak against our conscience, and conceal the truth from you, you would have no power over us, since you can find no one that can accuse us with truth of having wronged or injured any one.”

Com.  “Whence then originate so many sects and heresies?  Whence springs so much uproar and mutiny?”

Jac.  “As far as the sects and heresies that are in the world are concerned; as those of Munster or Amsterdam, or elsewhere, we have in no manner fellowship or part with their works, nor with their doctrines, but we regard them as doctrines of devils.  All these things cannot prevent the truth from being truth, and the Christians from being true Christians, any more than it could in the days of the apostles, all the sects and heresies that were round about them, and had some semblance of the word of God.”

After these and many other words which we had together, he began to get milder in his manner, and said to me: “You must not study so high, but suffer yourself to be instructed by those who are more learned and wise than you, and you must believe in the word of God.”

Jac.  “O my lord, how should I not believe in the word of God?  For this same word I am imprisoned here, and stand now before you, to give answer concerning it.”

Com.  “You are not imprisoned for the word of God, but for your evil deeds.”

Jac.  “My lord, have you heard of any one complaining that I wronged or injured him in any way?”

Com.  “No; I have not heard that any complaint has been made against you.”

Jac.  “The Lord be praised, that it is not for my iniquity, but for the testimony of the true faith.”

Com.  “Not so; but for your crimes, since you have offended against his Imperial Majesty, and transgressed the command of the King our lord.”

Jac.  “If I have transgressed the King’s command, it is a small matter, since I have fulfilled the command of that King who is the true God and eternal King.”

Com.  “You have also transgressed the command of God, and of our mother the holy church.”

Jac.  “My lord, you cannot prove to me by the holy Scriptures, nor can any one else, that herein I have transgressed God’s command.”

Com.  “It shall be proven to you.  Well then, let us begin to finish the articles in which I have been charged to examine you.”

We had many more words, which it would take me too long to relate here, besides that I do not remember them well.  The commissary was somewhat discouraged, and listened attentively to whatever I wished to say.

There was a councillor at Harlingen, by the name of Mr. de Wael, who very diligently sought Jacques, addressed him in a friendly manner, and invited him to his house, saying that he had a letter for him.  When Jacques arrived there, he cordially welcomed him, and urged him much to be his guest, seeming to be kindled with great love for old acquaintance’ sake.  When he learned that Jacques could not stay, he, with friendly words, but the heart of a Judas, asked him to come again, and bring of his wares and work with him, ostensibly for the purpose of buying of him, Jacques being a peddler.  In the meantime he secretly sent a messenger to Leeuwarden, to the council, for a commissary and a bailiff.  When Jacques came again to him, he affably greeted him, sending in the meantime for the bailiff.  When the latter arrived, the traitor malignantly said: “Apprehend him, behold, this is the man.”  Thus they handled him with great severity, saying: “Hold still,” and searched him all over.

Then Jacques said: “O my lord, what have you done, that you have thus betrayed me, who trusted you with my life and all my property?  Why do you seek my life, and thirst thus for my blood?” He replied: “Be content and suffer yourself to be bound: you must go with me to the prison.”  He said he had to do this, to fulfill his oath, and read to Jacques his cruel, tyrannous mandate.  He also made very strict inquiry for four other men.  Jacques replied that he would not betray or deceive any one, but if he had aught against him, or had heard any one complain of him, he should tell him of it.  The traitor replied that he had not heard anything of the kind, and that he was not apprehended on account of any crime, but simply because he had adhered to heresy; he, moreover, asked him whether he was not an Anabaptist.  Jacques denied having adhered to heresy, and being an Anabaptist, saying that he had received but one baptism, according to the word of the Lord, upon his faith.  When asked concerning the Roman church, Jacques replied that it was not of God.  Upon this the traitor was seen to sigh deeply, his countenance simulating great sorrow as he said: “Oh! Jacques, must you fall into my hands?” Jacques replied: “My lord, I had placed confidence in you, on account of our old acquaintance, and because I had intercourse with you so long; but I will gladly and from my heart forgive you for this, and it is my earnest desire that the Lord may have mercy upon you.”  He thanked Jacques for this favor, opining that in this he had not sinned before God, since he had to act according to his oath.  Jacques said: “Do you consider this transaction right before God and men?  The time will come when you will find it otherwise.”  Wisdom 5:2.  He then sent Jacques into the room and said to him: “You will be examined at Leeuwarden concerning your faith and doctrine.”  While Jacques was imprisoned there, his wife came to him, upon which this friend of God was filled with great sorrow and anxiety, beholding her in such exceeding grief since she was also pregnant.  The turnkey thrust her from him with great cruelty, but many of the bystanders most heartily wept with her, and entreated the turnkey, saying: “O let her go to him;” but it could not last long.  Jacques said to her: “O my beloved, go home, and comfort yourself in the Lord; for I am imprisoned here for the word of God; and it will tend neither to your shame nor disgrace, since I have injured no one.”  She said: “May the Lord strengthen you in the truth; for after this conflict there is prepared for you an eternal crown.  O that I could die with you, and inherit that blissful life with you, then my heart would rejoice.”  Jacques said: “O sister in the Lord, do not let this grieve you, though I must go a little before you; it is the Lord’s will.”  The turnkey could not bear this, but said: “Begone, quick!”  Thereupon Jacques entreated him, saying: “O let us alone with God for a little while.”  And thus these two dear lambs were separated, but hope to meet again at the resurrection of the just, where wailing and parting will be heard no more forever.  Philip. 3:11; Rev. 7:17; 21:4; Isa. 25:8.

Having, through the grace of God, undergone and endured manifold assaults, by way of numerous examinations and threats from the blood-thirsty, he died in great steadfastness for the testimony of Jesus.  He was not put to death at the place of execution, but secretly murdered by night.  Until quite recently trustworthy persons were still living, who early in the morning, after the night in the forepart of which he had been murdered, saw him in his leather clothes, lying dead in his blood.  He now rests under the altar of Jesus, awaiting, with God’s chosen, a blessed resurrection and eternal life.

The above-mentioned traitor, Mr. de Wael, was not long after this deed most severely smitten by God in punishment for his murderous treachery, in consequence of which he departed out of this world in a most awful manner, as a solemn and significant warning to all that are inclined to follow his example in this respect; for he was soon driven from Leeuwarden, with great reproach and ignominy from the common people, so that the boatman, who was to convey him away, was with him in danger of his life, so that he begged most urgently that his life might be spared; for the traitor was most unmercifully pelted with stones by the common people and the children, and ignominiously reproached for his treachery, being called a Judas, rogue, miscreant and arch-heretic.  To his great disgrace and reproach they sang of him the following verses, which had been composed by Jacques:

“He said: I had to find you—

Now from my oath I’m free;

Submit and let us bind you;

To prison go with me.”

And also:

“And is it right your dealing,

Before the Lord and men?

The time is surely coming

When you will doubtless ken,” etc.

Jehovah God had also punished him with severe leprosy, with which he was likewise most ignominiously taunted.  Whenever they had sung a stanza of said hymn, they would derisively exclaim: “You leprous Judas and treacherous rogue, do you ken it now?”  The stones increased the longer the more, so that the boatman who was to convey him away, saw his own life imperiled, and cried out that he had to convey him off by order of the lord.  Thus he was driven from Leeuwarden with great disgrace and ignominy, and had to roam about from place to place, an object of scorn and contempt, until he was finally consumed by leprosy, and, like Antioch and Herod, died a terrible and premature death, an example to all his followers.  2 Macc. 9:9; Acts 12:23.  The reports among the common people concerning this matter, are of a still much more horrible nature than the account we have given here.

Questions and answers between the commissary and Claesken.

The commissary first interrogated me concerning my name, the place I was from, my age, and other like things.  He then asked me: “Are you baptized?”  Claesken.  “Yes.”  Com.  “Who baptized you?”  Cl.  “Jelis of Aix-la-Chapelle.”  Com.  “The deceiver; he himself has renounced his belief.  How did he do when he baptized you?”  Cl.  “He baptized me in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”  Com.  “Where did you receive baptism?”  Cl.  “At Workum, in the field.”  Com.  “Were there others present?”  Cl.  “Yes.”  Com.  “Who were they?”  Cl.  “I have forgotten.”  Com.  “What brought you there?”  Cl.  “I have forgotten.”

I could truthfully give this answer both times.

Com.  “Are your children not baptized?”  Cl.  “My youngest two are not.”  Com.  “Why did you not have your children baptized?”  Cl.  “Because I was satisfied with them as the Lord had given them to me.”  Com.  “Why were you so satisfied with Abraham and Sicke, and not with Douwe; you had Douwe baptized?”  Cl.  “I did not know it then.”  Com.  “What did you not know then?”  Cl.  “What I know now.”  Com.  “What do you know now?”  Cl.  “What the Lord has given me to know.”  Com.  “What has the Lord given you to know?”  Cl.  “That I cannot find it in the Scriptures, that this ought to be.”  Com.  “How long have you not been to church?”  Cl.  “Not for nine or ten years.”

These are the questions which he put to me; but he used far more words, and when I did not readily answer him, he said that I had a dumb devil in me, that the devil transformed himself into an angel of light in us, and that we were all heretics.  He then read to me the articles I had confessed, and said it should come before the lords, and that if I desired it, he would write it differently.  I replied: “You need not change anything.”

Questions and answers between the inquisitor and Claesken.

At Kortrijck, in Flanders, there were two god-fearing and simple brethren, one named Jelis de Groot, the other Mahieu van Halewijn, who would much rather suffer affliction with the people of God, than enjoy every vain pleasure with the wicked world; which affliction they also could not escape; for in the year 1559 they were apprehended, and immediately examined concerning their faith, which they freely confessed, and adhered to unto the end, notwithstanding the threats made against, and the torments inflicted upon, them on this account, so that they were finally sentenced to death for their steadfastness, and, as valiant heroes of God, publicly, in the sight of many, passed through temporal death, to await, with their fellow-brethren, gone before, under the altar, the day of their avenging.  Rev. 6:9.

About the same time there was also apprehended at Kortrijck, for the love of God, and living according to his word, a brother named Karel van Tiegem, who was not ashamed freely to confess Christ his Lord before men, and to make a good confession of his faith, in which he also persevered unto the end; but however greatly he was tormented, he would not implicate others; therefore the rulers of this world seizing occasion against him, as Pilate, instigated by the priests to remain Caesar’s friend, did against Christ, condemned him to death, and caused him to be burnt with fire; therefore they must expect the sentence of eternal fire, which shall have no power over him.

In this year 1559, two brethren, named Wolfgang Mair and Wolfgang Hueber, were apprehended for the faith, in the district of Lutzenburg, and taken to Titmain, from where they were brought to Saltzburg, in both of which places they had to suffer and experience great torment and tyranny.  Wolfgang Mair was twice brought to the rack, stripped each time, and severely tortured; but he could not be induced to say aught that was contrary to his faith.  The secretary said: “You must tell who took you into his house or lodged you; or you will have to die upon the rack.”  He replied: “If I die, I die; I will nevertheless not say aught against my conscience, nor betray those that have done me good.”  Then they left off torturing, and priests came to them with manifold allurements, and labored long and much with them; they also sought to turn them with many threats and entreaties, and denied all hope to them, with many blasphemies, all of which they earnestly contradicted, defending the truth with great zeal, since the Lord gave them such strength, that they had already surrendered their lives for the truth.

After this there was much consultation concerning them, especially among the priests; once it was resolved to imprison them for life; but God brought to nought this purpose.  Afterwards they were much tempted yet by one and the other, of those who wanted to make them renounce their faith; but it was in vain, they put them all to shame with the Word of God, and freely declared to them, that their faith was the way of divine truth in Jesus Christ, to which they would steadfastly adhere by the help of God, no matter what anybody should say or undertake against it.  Thereupon they were taken back from Saltzburg to Titmain, to be sentenced to death.  When their sentence was read they vigorously contradicted it, saying that it was not true, and that their faith was profitable unto all things, and that it was neither heresy nor deception.

When they were led out of the city, some women wept for compassion, that they were thus to be put to death on account of the faith; but they said: “You need not weep on our account; but weep for yourselves, and for your sins.”  They also sang for joy that their end and redemption were so near at hand.

When they were at the place of execution, brother Wolfgang Mair cried to the people: “Today I will offer unto my God a true burnt sacrifice, pay my vows, and testify with my blood to the divine truth.”  Thus they were executed with the sword, and then burnt with fire, cheerfully, valiantly and boldly resigning their temporal life, to inherit eternal life.

Some who were the principal cause of their imprisonment and death were signally smitten by the judgment of God, so that some of them died soon after, while others did not meet with a natural death, but were so touched by God, that it was easy to see that they were visited by the wrath of God.

Trijnken Keuts was a widow who lived in the city of Maestricht.  Having come to the knowledge of the divine truth through the holy gospel, she in her simplicity laid the matter to heart, and continued day and night in earnest prayer, until the Lord further enlightened her with the clear, shining light of his divine grace, and endowed her with power of faith, so that she, believing and penitent, had herself baptized, upon the true faith, in the name of Jesus Christ, a member of the body and church of Jesus Christ; and as she lived according to her faith and no longer resorted to the papal idolatries, but abstained from every abomination, and entered upon a new life, the venomous beast could not endure this, and she was therefore accused and reported as a heretic to the authorities of said city.  Thereupon the burgomasters cited her to appear in the Landtskroon (the house in which the burgomasters and the council hold their court).  When she received this summons, through a servant of the burgomasters, she went to the Landtskroon.  Arriving there, she was asked and examined by the burgomasters, in regard to what had been reported to them, as to whether it was so with her; and when she frankly answered them, and confessed the truth, they imprisoned her there.  Having been confined for a time, in the meanwhile undergoing many importunities and conflicts, she was finally caused to be rigorously examined by the priests (one of whom was a Dominican monk), before whom she freely confessed her faith.  When asked whether she was rebaptized, she replied: “I was baptized upon my faith according to the doctrine of Christ;” in regard to which they had yet many more words together; but she adhered to the truth.  The priests also questioned her concerning the sacrament, whether she did not believe that when the priest had pronounced five words over the bread, Christ was present in it, essentially with flesh and blood, just as he had hung on the cross.  Trijne said that she believed that Christ had ascended to heaven, and was sitting on the right hand of God, his heavenly Father.  And she asked, saying: “How should he come into the bread?”

When she thus steadfastly adhered to the truth, these priests condemned her to be burnt to ashes here, and to burn forever in hell.  Trijne said: “When you, in a few days, will follow me before the judgment seat of God, you will find it to be otherwise.”  Upon this judgment, Trijne was delivered to the Bailiff and the Judges, by whom she was sentenced, that she should be led forth, according to the imperial mandate, and be burnt to ashes; which Trijne gratefully received, willingly submitting to it.  She was therefore, with her mouth gagged, led to the Vrijthof, where she put off her tabernacle, and was burnt to ashes, having commended her soul into the hands of God.  1 Pet. 1:14.  This occurred in the year 1559, on Palm-eve, in Lent.

It was currently reported as true, that one of the aforementioned priests, namely, the Dominican monk, three days after Trijnken was offered up and burnt, was unexpectedly (he not having been known to be sick), and secretly found dead in his cell, and that he was being eaten up by lice; but what part God had in this matter, this we leave to his righteous judgment, who will give to every one his merited reward.

There were also at Antwerp three sisters, namely, Fransken Vroevrouwe, Naentgen Leerverkoopster, and Pleuntgen van der Goes, who were kindled with the love of God, and, as lambs and sheep of Christ, heard and followed the voice of their Shepherd, so that, having been apprehended on this account in the year 1559, they steadfastly adhered to the truth amidst all solicitations, tortures and sufferings; therefore all of them finally died for the name of Christ, being drowned in a vat in the prison.

But those who condemned them to death, must therefore expect from the Lord the severe judgment that shall come upon them on this account.  Mat. 7:2.

In this year also three other sisters, namely, Betgen, Neelken, and Mariken Franss, were apprehended at Antwerp, for living according to their faith in God, and as they, with a firm confidence, as those that were born of God, steadfastly contended for the accepted truth, they were finally sentenced to death and drowned.  Thus they had to press their way through the strait gate, this temporal death, in order to enter in, and inherit, together with all the valiant witnesses of God, his eternal and imperishable kingdom.

In the year 1559, also Adriaen Pan, the faithful friend of Christ, and his wife, were in the claws of the wolves, at Antwerp, in Brabant, where they, through the grace of God, endured severe imprisonment and cruel examinations; but through true faith and living hope they were so firmly united to their Captain, Christ Jesus, that they could by no means be brought to apostatize.  Therefore they were condemned to death by the rulers of darkness, who did not know the light of truth; and thus Adriaen Pan was most miserably put to death with the sword, his wife, who was pregnant, bearing it all for Christ’s sake, however much it pained her.  After she had given birth to her child, she was drowned, suffering it with great steadfastness.  And thus they entered into eternal rest with the Lord.

A letter by Adriaen Pan, written in prison, in the year 1559.

Grace and peace from Gd our heavenly Father, through the merits of Jesus Christ his beloved Son, with the true illumination of the Holy Spirit, we wish all lovers of the eternal truth.  Amen.

My dearly beloved and longed-for brethren, whom we love from the bottom of our hearts, and bear in our hearts, as those with whom we are one soul and one body, though we are now apparently deprived of you, you are nevertheless the more in our hearts, and we entreat you, that no one will faint at our tribulations to which we are now subjected; for we hope that you will be rejoiced to hear it, since we know for certain that it is for the truth.  2 John 1:1; Acts 4:32; Eph. 3:13; 1 Thes. 3:3.

Peter says: Let none of you suffer as an evil-doer, or as a thief; but if you suffer as a Christian, happy are you; for the glory and Spirit of God rest upon you; but on their part he is spoken evil of.  Paul says that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us; yes, that eye has not seen, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.  As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ.  My dear brethren, how should we not be of good courage, when we hear such comforting words!  My dear friends, the more tribulation there is to try us, the more we are comforted.  This we experienced at the start, when we were apprehended, when they assailed the house, as though they meant to destroy it with all that was in it.  Then was my heart strengthened, as though I was a different person.  True, my wife was somewhat distressed before they laid hands on us; but when she saw that it had to be, fear left her, as a garment put off, and she began to sing:

A confession written by Hans de Vette, at Ghent, where he was imprisoned with eleven others, in the year 1559, touching his examination.

On the first Friday after Whitsuntide there were imprisoned at Ghent for the word of the Lord, the following named persons: Pieter Coerten of Meenen, Kaerle Tanckreet of Nipkerck, with Proentken, his wife, of Belle, Jacob Spillebout, Abraham Tanckreet, and Maeyken Floris of Nipkerck, Anthonis van Cassel, Hans de Smit, Marcus his brother, Hans de Vette, with Maritgen, his wife, of Waesten, and Tanneken, the wife of J. de S.  These had been delivered by treachery to the Procurator General, who, with three thief-catchers, took them away prisoners from their lodging place, in the evening.

The next day we were visited by the authorities, who asked us, each separately, for our names, and where we came from, which we told them.  They then asked us whether we confessed another baptism than infant baptism, and whether we had also received another.  We all renounced idolatrous infant baptism, and confessed that we had received Christian baptism, except Marcus de Smit, who confessed that he had not yet received it, but that if he had opportunity, he wished to receive it with all his heart.  They then asked us whether we desired learned men to instruct us; that they would send us some, and just such as we wanted, ecclesiastics or secular men; they also said that they should not hurry us.  But since they almost always asked us separately the same questions, I, the writer of this, said that by the grace of the Lord I wanted no other instruction than I had received, though an angel should come from heaven.  Gal. 1:8.

Besides this, they nevertheless, about eight days afterwards, sent one Friar Peter de Backer (who had partly spied us out), with one of his companions,—two false prophets, called Jacobines, as I believe.  After we had appeared before them, and exchanged a few words, we came to infant baptism, which he declared to be a divinely instituted doctrine, saying that circumcision was a figure of it; also, that the apostles had baptized entire households, and that Christ had commanded it, John 3. But when I had proven to him, that he had not spoken the truth, and that the apostles had baptized none without faith, as is clearly found in the Acts of the Apostles, he endeavored to speak about another article, saying that we should not be able to agree.  But I told him that I desired to see the first finished before proceeding further, and begged him to repent, proving to him, that their worship was a rotten and putrid idolatry, contrary to all the commandments of God, and a human plant; and that God’s commandments were sufficient for us, that no lies need be added to them, and that it availed nothing to regard what God has not commanded.  Then he said that I was deceived, and had looked too much at their abuses: that it was true there were some abuses in their church, but that the principal of what was observed in it, was good.  After many words we parted.

A few days afterwards the Dean of Ronse, an inquisitor in the country of Flanders, came, and with him, said Peter de Backer, who had visited us first, and other false prophets.  When I appeared before them, the Dean asked my name.  I replied that my name was Hans de Vette.  Then he asked me whether I was married.  I replied: “Yes.”  He then asked me whether my wife was also of Waesten.  I replied: “Yes.”  He asked me how long I had been married.  I said: “Not very long.”  He asked me, in what church and by what parish priest I had been married.  I asked him whether we found anything said in the Scriptures, that a parish priest was required for it.  He said that in the world whores and knaves come together without parish priests.  Then I said that I had done this according to the direction of the Scriptures, as permitted by Paul, in order to avoid fornication, it being better to marry than to burn (1 Cor. 7:2,9); whores and knaves on the contrary will much rather burn than marry, as is abundantly seen and heard in this wicked world in many thousands of instances.  He then said that this was a small matter, and that if I had done nothing more, it could easily have been arranged; however, I should only tell him where it took place.  I told him that I did not intend to tell him.  Then he adjured me by the living God, that I should tell him; but I made no reply.  Thereupon he asked me why I had not continued in the faith of the Roman church, and in her worship.  My reply was that I had separated from her so as not to become a partaker of her plagues, since darkness can have no communion with light, nor Christ with Belial, nor the righteous with the unrighteous, etc.  Therefore we must come out from among her.  Rev. 18:4; 2 Corinthians 6:14,17.

He then asked me what I thought of the seven sacraments, part of which he named to me.  I replied that I considered them utterly worthless, because of all the abominable idolatry observed by them; but since the Lord has commanded us to confess his name before men, I said that I would confess my faith to him.  He said that I should.  I then began to make my confession; as that I believed in one God, the Creator of heaven and earth, sea and waters, and all there is in this; and who created man after his image.  Him alone we must serve, honor, worship, and love with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our thoughts, since he alone is good; forsaking all idols, whether of gold, silver, stone, metal, wood, bread, or of whatever other make or substance they may be, even as they are rejected and prohibited in the holy Scriptures; for we know that an idol is nothing in the world, 1 Cor. 8:4.

As I continued to speak, the Dean of Ronse said to me that I was making it too long, to write it all down.  “You would make us too much work,” he said, “if you should thus confess your faith from the beginning of the Bible.”  “I also believe,” said he, “what you have said here; but what do you say of the sacrament of baptism as used in our church; to which every one must come, in order to be saved?”  I replied that I considered infant baptism worthless, since it was not commanded by God.  He said that circumcision was a figure of it, and that all the children that were not circumcised in the Old Testament, or are not baptized in the New Testament, must be damned.  I then said, in accordance with his own words: “Then the female children in the Old Testament must all be damned.”  He became angry, and said that what I advanced was only sophistry.  I told him that he should be ashamed to say that children were damned, to whom, as the Lord says, the kingdom of heaven belongs.  He said that I lied in this.  And another priest told me that one of Paul’s disciples writes that he had learned infant baptism from his teacher, Paul.  Thereupon I said that Paul writes that we should not be shaken in mind, neither by spirit nor by word, nor by letter, as sent from them; or even though an angel from heaven should come, and teach us anything different from what is written in the holy Gospel, he should be accursed.  2 Thes. 2:2.  I also asked him to show me where the Lord had commanded to baptize children, or to prove that the apostles baptized infants; which he could not do.

Again, he asked me how long ago I had been baptized.  I replied: “Not yet a year.”  He asked me where and by whom I had been baptized; but I did not tell him.  He then adjured me three times by the living God, and by the baptism which I had received, that I should tell him.  I said that Caiaphas so adjured Christ.  He replied that Christ spoke.  I said that Christ spoke for himself; but that when he was questioned concerning his disciples, he did not speak.

He then asked me what I held concerning the sacrament of the altar.  I told him that I considered it nothing less than an unclean, rotten, putrid idolatry, and an abomination before God.  He asked: “How?  Do you not believe that he is present in it in flesh and blood, just as he walked upon the earth, or as he hung upon the tree of the cross?”  “Far be it from me,” said I, “that I should believe that Christ’s flesh and blood are here upon earth; for Christ himself said to his apostles, that we should always have the poor with us, but that we should not always have him.”  Mat. 26:11.

He thereupon told me that he was not thus present in the sacrament, but that it was in spiritual substance, and that I did not understand the matter; but that this argument had been established many centuries before my time; for when Christ held his supper he said, he took the bread and gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body.”  I replied that the bread which Christ gave to his disciples, he gave them as an emblem of his body which was to be broken for them; even as he has represented himself by figures in many places of Scripture.  In John (15:1) he says: “I am the true vine;” yet in reality he was no vine, but he compared himself to a vine.  Thus the bread which Christ broke for his disciples, was spiritually a figure of his body; for he says in John 6; “Flesh and blood profit nothing; but the words that I speak are spirit and life.”  He said that this was irrelevant; “for if Christ were not present,” said he, “how could we eat damnation by it?” But I replied: “If it were the flesh and blood of Christ; we would not eat damnation by it: for Christ says himself; ‘Whoever eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, has eternal life.’ John 6:54.  Therefore these words must not be understood literally, but spiritually, namely, that if one who was still a drunkard, or covetous, or an idolater, or the like, should go to the Lord’s Supper with the church of Christ, whose head is Christ, such a one would be unfit to break bread with the members of Christ, not discerning Christ’s body.”  1 Cor. 11:29.  Then he said that there were many among us, who were drunkards, adulterers, and the like, and that they were well known to him.  I then asked him: “Who are they?”  He said: “J. de R.”  I then asked him where he lived.  He replied: “I shall not tell you.”  I said that I well knew if there were such in our church, and were known, they would, according to the Scriptures, be put away and excluded.  1 Cor. 5:11.

He then asked me, who had baptized me.  And when he could not learn it from me, he adjured me, but I did not tell him.  Then his secretary said: “I will wager you a pot of wine, that you will tell it before a fortnight has passed;” but I would not bet.  He then asked me how often I had observed the Supper.  I replied that I had sometimes observed it, when opportunity offered itself, with many dear brothers and sisters.  He asked: “With whom?  What are their names?”  I gave him the name of one of them, whom he specially named in his question.  He then inquired concerning others, whether I regarded them as my brethren, or whether they were only friends or novices; “for I have learned all this Flemish,” said he, “about novices [aencomelingen, i. e. newcomers], friends and brethren.”  I said: “I thought you were from Brabant; do you understand so much Flemish?”  “I hardly know what I am.” he said; “perhaps I am a foundling.”  “Yes,” said I, “John’s Revelation (13:1) speaks of a beast, which rose up out of the sea; you may belong to that race.”

He then asked me whether I did not believe that Jesus Christ had assumed flesh and blood from Mary.  I replied that I believed that the Word which was in the beginning with God, and by which the world was created, became flesh.  Then he said that according to the flesh he was David’s son.  I replied: “If he is David’s son, Christ himself says: How then does David call him Lord?” He said that Christ only adduced this to the Pharisees by way of argument; but Matthew, said he, describes his generation from Abraham to Mary.  I replied, that Matthew traces the generation of Christ only to Joseph, the husband of Mary of whom Christ was born; and Luke says that Jesus was supposed to be the son of Joseph.  “But,” said he, “do you not believe that Mary is the mother of Christ?”  I said: “Yes; Christ says: ‘Whosoever shall do the will of my Father, the same is my mother, sister and brother.’ ” Mat. 12:50.

He then said that Christ was of the seed of the woman.  But I told him, that women had no seed themselves: for as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman.  1 Cor. 11:12.  Then he said that he was of Mary’s substance and blood.  But I replied that Christ said to the Jews, that he was from above, but they from beneath; “you are of this world,” he said; “I am not of this world.”  John 8:23.  Moreover, the apostle says: “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”  1 Cor. 15:47.  I then told them that they should repent of their unrighteousness, persecution, and false, idolatrous doctrine.  They said: “We have the true doctrine.”  I said that Paul nevertheless commands us to avoid such as command to abstain from meats, which God has created for the use of them that believe; and who forbid to marry, and have their conscience seared with a hot iron; for it is better to marry than to burn; but you people, contrary to the Scriptures, command to abstain from meats, and forbid to marry, and will rather burn than marry.  1 Tim. 4:2,3; 1 Cor. 7:9.

Dean.  “We do not forbid to marry.”

Hans.  “Certainly you do; you know that because of your commandment a person may neither eat meat nor marry, in Lent, and on many other days; and you have entered into a covenant that restrains you from marrying; but you commit such fornication that it is a shame to speak of it, as is daily seen from the bastards that are brought to your houses, and Paul says that we shall not eat with such, namely, fornicators, drunkards, etc., but that they are to be delivered unto Satan, for the destruction of their flesh.”  1 Cor. 5:5.

Dean.  “We are not so bad; we do not want to deliver them to Satan, we are so much the better.”

Hans.  “Poor man, would you be better than Paul?  But all that is told to you is of no avail; for you will not repent; but if you want to dispute with us in the market or any other public place, we are ready, in hopes that some of the ignorant might be drawn by it.”

Dean.  “This shall not be; who should judge there?  Boatmen, fish-mongers, and the like?  That would be just the way to excite a tumult; but we are fools that we dispute so much with you; the proper way to do would be, simply to tell you our faith, and if you will not believe it, pass sentence.”

We had many other words yet as about the worshiping of saints, the Pope of Rome, confession, fasting, purgatory, and the sleeping of the saints, which it would take much too long to write.  The foregoing I have written down from memory, even as they often occurred; but since it happened long ago, I should not be able to write it down word for word.  But since I well know that it is of no avail to tell them anything, and that they are arrogant and shameless, I sometimes give them very brief answers, offering to dispute with them in public, which they refused.  They often put the same questions repeatedly to our brothers and sisters that are in bonds with us, who are all still of good cheer, the Lord be praised; for we feared the false prophets much more before we spoke with them, than afterwards.  But the Lord knows how to give his chosen a mouth in such hours as he has promised, better than we can imagine; for those who seemed weak when not in bonds, are so courageous, that it is astonishing to see and hear it.  The Lord alone be praised forever and ever.  Amen.

The Dean also asked me whether we did not pray for him.  I said: “Yes.”  “What do you people call me?” said he; “Do you call me Saul?”  I replied: “I have sometimes heard you called the Inquisitor (they all laughed); sometimes the Dean of Ronse.”  He said: “That is my name.”  We had many more words yet; however partly from lack of paper, I forbear writing more; but I beg all who see this, to receive it in good part, and if possible, let a copy of this be sent to our acquaintances at Antwerp, and one to our acquaintances in the West.

Thereupon these twelve friends (whose names are mentioned in the beginning of Hans de Vette’s letter) all courageously laid down their lives for the truth.  First four valiantly passed through the conflict, who offered up their burnt-sacrifice in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and a short time afterwards, six others, who, after steadfast confession of their faith, were also brought forth, and being asked whether they would not yet recant, they answered: “No,” but if they had committed any crime, they should be dealt with accordingly.  They were speedily sentenced to death as heretics, and when they were taken out to death in two wagons, two monks sat beside them, who prevented them from speaking much, so that they could only with great difficulty speak a word or two, namely: “Do not fear them that kill the body; for after that they have no more that they can do;” but, O men, repent, for the apostle says that he that lives after the flesh shall die.  Rom. 8:13.

When they were led into a hut of wood and straw in which they were to be burnt, they manifested great joy, and commending their souls into the hands of God, they put off the corruptible, to put on the incorruptible.

There remained yet two pregnant women, who, after giving birth to their children, and lying in, were both secretly beheaded in the count’s castle.  Thus all these, continuing steadfast unto the end, went to rest with the Lord and shall also enter into eternal joy with him, in the company of all the dear children of God.  Mat. 25:21; John 1:12.

On the 20th of May 1559, the Margrave of Antwerp, seeking one upon whose head a price of three hundred guilders was set, went forth with many servants, and surrounded and entered two houses, in which they found six sisters, namely, Maeyken Kats, Magdaleentken, Aechtken of Zierickzee, Old Maeyken, Grietgen Bonaventuers, and Maeyken de Korte.  But however much they searched the houses they could not find the one whom they sought.  Then the Margrave wished these women in Hoboken Heath.  But nevertheless, when he could not accomplish his purpose, he took all six with him, and shut them in a dark prison.  Afterwards they were examined.  They freely confessed their faith, and could not be brought to recant, neither by the imperial decree, nor by threats or torture; nor did they betray any one.  Therefore, on the 18th of June; the first three were sentenced to death, and drowned in prison by night.

Afterwards, on the 11th of October, the other three were also condemned to death; old Maeyken, the honorable widow, who was worthy of double honor, was drowned, while Grietken Bonaventuers and Maeyken de Korte had to taste death by the sword (unusual with women) for the truth, for which their Lord, whom they loved and did not forget, will likewise not forget them, but gladly receive them into his kingdom and joyfully feast in paradise.

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, my dear and most beloved wife and sister in the Lord, according as his divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue: by which are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises.  2 Pet. 1:2,3.

Thus, my most beloved, that by these you are a partaker of the divine nature, if you flee the corruptible lusts of this world, as you have also done, and by renouncing the same, and accepting regeneration, faith, and manifestation of obedience, which you proved by baptism, in which you put on Christ, and by it became a partaker of the divine nature.  And this was not done for works of righteousness which you did, but according to his mercy he saved you, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit.  Tit. 3:5.  If you continue herein unto the end, and are patient in whatever befalls you, you shall inherit what is promised you.  Praise God, and thank him for all his glorious benefits which you have received; and bless God the Father through Jesus Christ, though tribulation has now come upon you, through my departure for the Lord’s sake; and know that according to his abundant mercy he has begotten you again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that does not fade away, reserved for you and all that are in the same faith, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time, in which you, my dear and beloved wife, greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: for, know, my most beloved, we are tried in manifold ways, in order that it may become manifest whether we truly love the Lord.  1 Pet. 1:3.

Therefore be of good cheer, my most beloved, even though still much more tribulation should come upon you; for know that we must through much tribulation and suffering enter into the kingdom of God.  And as also Ecclesiasticus says, in the second chapter, first verse: “My son, if you come to serve the Lord, prepare your soul for temptation.  Set your heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble.  Cleave unto him, and depart not away.  . . . For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.”

But, my most beloved, even as James writes in his first chapter: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations, knowing this that the trying of your faith works patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing;” for when we are in tribulation, we need patience.  Therefore I entreat you from the bottom of my heart, and from my inmost soul, to be of good cheer, and with patience to let the trial of your faith become manifest, as Peter says that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you do not see him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.  1 Pet. 1:7–9.  Then all suffering, tribulation, reproach, persecution, sighing, weeping, and lamenting will have an end.  Rev. 21:4.  Therefore be of good cheer, and consider that the suffering which may happen to us here, will all pass away, and all the glory and pleasure of this world must also perish and come to nothing; but look constantly to the future glorious promises that have been made us, and which shall be fulfilled to us that believe, if we remain steadfast, since he is faithful that promised, for the Lord is not slack concerning his promise.  Mat. 24:13; Heb. 10:23; 2 Peter 3:9.  But be of good cheer, and trust in him, for he will not forsake you; and cast your care upon him, for he cares for you; for he that has called and chosen you hereto is a God of all grace, as Paul says.

But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a [little] while, (mark, he says: A little while) make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you in that which you have accepted, namely, the faith in him, and his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, unto whom be praise, honor and glory, now and forever.  Amen.  1 Pet. 5:10.

After all heartfelt and affectionate greetings to you, my dearest, chosen and most beloved wife and dear sister in the Lord, I have received your letter, in which you write to me to write you a testament, which I will not refuse to do, if the Lord gives me time; for if I could help you with my blood, I would do it.  But now I cannot help you, save by writing, which I do to your comfort, out of true brotherly love, and from the bottom of my heart, intending to finish this, by the help and grace of the Lord, with the same mind with which I commenced it.  Know therefore, my dear wife and sister in the Lord, how that God visited his people in former times, when they were in Egypt, in the bondage of King Pharaoh, whom they had to serve for about five hundred years.  And when it was his will to deliver them, he raised up Moses for their leader, through whom God delivered them out of Egypt’s bondage, and led them through the Red Sea, in which he drowned and brought to nought King Pharaoh and all his host—with which the latter pursued them—thus delivering them out of his hands.  Thus they came into the wilderness, to go on to the land which was promised them; and Jehovah God, through Moses their Leader, gave them laws and customs after which they were to walk.  But they did not continue in his law; therefore God became angry, and swore in his wrath, that they should not enter into his rest.  Concerning whom did he swear, but concerning unbelievers?  And we see that they did not enter in this, and this because of their unbelief.  This having thus happened, the Lord spoke through the prophet, and said: “Behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband unto them, says Jehovah: but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, says Jehovah, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.  And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, says Jehovah: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more.” [Jer 31:31-34]  Now in these last days he has revealed this covenant, given through his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the true Moses, who has taken us by the hand, and led us out of Egypt, in which we all sat and served the hellish King Pharaoh, under whom we were captive by sin; from which bonds and slavery we are redeemed through Christ, who through his death and the shedding of his blood redeemed and reconciled us, and delivered us from the hellish King Pharaoh, whom he destroyed and suffocated in his blood, by it fulfilling the Old Testament; for all had to be fulfilled that was written in the law and in the prophets.  Heb. 1:2; Mat. 5:17; Luke 24:44.  Thus the fulfillment was accomplished, and the new testament confirmed with his blood; which, as already stated, he had promised through the prophets, and which is proclaimed to us through the Gospel, and confirmed with signs and wonders by him and his holy apostles, whom after his resurrection he sent out to preach to all nations, that whosoever should believe and be baptized, should be saved, also commanding them to teach them to observe all things whatsoever he had commanded them.  Heb. 2:4; Mat. 28:20.

And now, my most beloved, are we the people which God chose before the foundation of the world, and made a better testament with us, than he made with Israel, who daily had to offer up sacrifice for sins, by which they could nevertheless not atone?  Eph. 1:4; Heb. 7:22,27.  For burnt offerings and offering for sin he would not, neither did God have pleasure in this, which were offered by the law; then said he (namely Christ), Lo, I come to do your will, O God.  He takes away the former, that he may establish the second.  By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  And every priest then stood daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.  For by one offering he has perfected forever them that are sanctified.  Whereof the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before (as is written Jer. 31:31).  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says Jehovah; I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them; and their sins and iniquities I will remember no more.  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin, as Paul writes.  Heb. 10:8–18.

Therefore, my dear and beloved wife, we have (verse 19) a free and secure entrance into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and we have a high priest over the house of God, which is the church, which he cleansed with his blood, that it might be holy, without spot or wrinkle; of which you are a member, for it is the body of Christ, and we the members of that same body, and Christ the head and priest of the house of God, as stated.  Eph. 5:26,27; 1:22.  Therefore, my most beloved, adhere to it diligently, and let us always, draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and let us wash our bodies with pure water, that is, put off all uncleanness of the heart and the flesh, and perfect all righteousness and holiness; and hold fast the profession of your faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promised; and always consider yourself—this I entreat you, my most beloved—to provoke unto love and to good works.  Hebrews 10:22–24; 2 Cor. 7:1.

Since you are a child of the New Testament, I write you this for a testament according to your request. Therefore it is my request of you, my dear lamb, despised of men, but chosen of God, and called to his Testament, since he left us the Testament, that we should by it remember his death; namely the breaking of the bread, showing by it that he was broken for us on the tree of the cross, and that we should also remember by it, that we are delivered through him from the hand of our enemies.  This he left us for an everlasting Testament, to observe it, even as the children of Israel were commanded to eat the Passover, and to observe it yearly for a memorial of their having been delivered from King Pharaoh; all of which was a figure and shadow, of which we now have the true substance, in the true observance of our redemption through the true Passover—Christ, and his communion, in which you are certainly included, since it is but a short time ago that we showed it among the others by the breaking of bread, and drinking of wine, that you are a partaker of the New Testament, and of all the glorious promises which are promised the children of the New Testament.  Therefore it is my request that you will faithfully continue in this unto the end, so that you may inherit all the promises, for he that overcomes shall inherit all things; to him that overcomes I will grant to sit with me in my throne; he that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; he that overcomes, him I will confess in heaven before my Father, and will write his name in the book of life; and other beautiful promises that, as you well know, are promised to all that overcome.  Revelation 21:7; 3:5,21.

Therefore, my most beloved, see that you remain faithful; for you are still in the wilderness, where you must be proved yet, even as Israel was proved in the wilderness forty years, that God might make manifest by it, what was in their hearts.  Therefore know that all perished who did not remain steadfast, and that they could not inherit the promises, as stated before.  But now we have a better testament, which is for ever, and not as Israel, a law written in tables of stone, but written in the tables of our hearts.  Heb. 8:6.

Therefore, my most beloved, since we have a better testament, walk the better in it, and continue steadfast in the faith, and let this be manifested by the fruits of faith, and the law which is now written in your heart, by the Spirit of God; let him be read from you, and this by fulfilling the works of the Spirit, that you may thus be an epistle of Christ, which may be read by all to whom you are manifest, as Paul testifies of the Corinthians (2 Cor. 3:3), that they were the epistle of Christ ministered by them, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables in their hearts; for Christ also says (Matthew 5:16): “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father.”  For if we now have a new testament given by Christ, who is our Leader and Lawgiver, we must keep his commandments, follow him (as I wrote to you in the other two letters), and show forth his image, even as the image of the Father was shown forth through him, as he said to Philip: “Philip, he that has seen me has seen the Father; and how do you say then, Show us the Father?  Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?  The words that I speak unto you I do not speak of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works.”  John 14:9,10.

Now, my most beloved, since through the grace of God you have heard the Gospel, which has been preached in all the world (Rom. 8:18), and believe in it, and have been obedient to it, and are yet, as I trust through the grace of the Lord, and have put on Christ, let him therefore be shown forth in you, even as the image of the Father is shown forth in Christ, through words and miracles, as you have also always shown him forth by a pure Christian conduct; and thus truly follow Christ, since he is the true Moses, who went before us.  Follow him valiantly, no matter what you meet with in this wilderness, whether it be tribulation or affliction, suffering or persecution; be of good courage, Christ is gone before; follow him boldly, for the servant is not better than his lord, nor the disciple above his master, nor the wife above her husband, nor the maid above her mistress; but it is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, the servant as his lord, the wife as her husband, the maid as her mistress.

Therefore, dear sister in the Lord, be of good cheer, and consider the long suffering and patience of Christ, and all the pious witnesses who from the beginning until now have followed Christ.  Jas. 5:10.  He did not leave them without comfort, nor does he leave us, who are imprisoned here for the same testimony’s sake, without comfort, but wonderfully comforts and strengthens us through the power of the Holy Spirit, eternal praise to him for it.

Therefore be of good courage, continue without ceasing in prayer and supplication, and thus show that you are a child of the New Testament, that the law of the Lord is written in your heart, and is thus read.  May the merciful Father strengthen you to this end, through his Son, and the power of his Holy Spirit.  With this (since my paper is exhausted) I commend you, my dear wife, to the Lord, and to the word of his grace.

Written in my bonds, on Monday, by me,

Jelis Bernaerts, your dear husband.

The grace and peace from God the Father, and the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, by which Spirit we are all baptized into one body, of which Christ is the Head, and we members together, flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone, and he is the Savior of his body, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against or withstand it, if we remain firmly united in love among ourselves, and do not suffer ourselves to be deceived, but hold fast the faith in Christ Jesus, and do not neglect the grace given to us of God through Christ Jesus, his only begotten Son, our Lord, unto whom be praise, honor, glory, and thanksgiving now and forever.  Amen.

After all heartfelt greeting written to you my beloved wife and sister in the Lord, of whom I am now deprived through the bonds in which I now am for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the faith in God, which I hope to seal with my blood and death, and thus to enter into rest with all the saints of God under the altar—which altar is Christ—and wait for all my fellow-brothers and sisters, where we shall be gathered together and remain forever and ever, and thus be in everlasting joy, where parting will be heard no more, but we shall reign forever with God and the Lamb, and all the saints.  There neither sighing nor weeping shall be heard any more, but all tears shall be wiped away from our eyes; our tribulation shall be turned into joy and gladness, our weeping into laughing, our parting into eternal gathering, where there will be nothing but joy and gladness.  “For eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.  But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit.”  1 Cor. 2:9.  Therefore let us be of good cheer, and patient in tribulation, knowing that we must through much tribulation and suffering enter into the kingdom of heaven; and let us continue instant in prayer, and firmly persevere with prayer and supplication in the Spirit, that he will always comfort, strengthen and establish us, so that we may always be steadfast in all tribulation and suffering that may befall us; in which suffering he will not leave us without comfort; for as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation abounds by Christ.  2 Cor. 1:5.

Now, my most beloved, we may be of good cheer, and have good courage, and rejoice in hope, that we have obtained such glorious promises, and expect so un-hoped for a salvation.  For we who sometime were far off, are now come close; yes, we who sometime were strangers and foreigners, are now become fellow-citizens with the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone, and are thus framed together unto a holy temple, even as Peter says (1 Peter 2:5): You also, as lively stones, be built up a spiritual house, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ; for he loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father (Revelation 1:5,6); even as Peter also writes in his first epistle, second chapter: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the virtues of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”  Verses 9 and 10.  For we must know that we were without God in the world, when we served the lusts of our flesh, and walked according to the course of this world, whose friend we were, yes, what is more, we were praised by the world; but, alas!  Despised by God; for, even as James says: Whosoever will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.  James 4:4.  Then we were of those who had not obtained mercy of God; for, even as Christ says: You cannot serve two masters: you must hate the one, and love the other.  Mat. 6:24.  And if we renounce the world, and forsake our own life, to live no longer according to the will of our flesh, but according to the will of God, he will have mercy upon us; and turn us from lies to the truth, from darkness to the light, from the serving of idols to the worship of the living God.  Then we who were not a people, become the people of God, and can proclaim all the virtues and glorious benefits which the Lord has shown us, having also adopted us as his children; for it was such a people, converted and changed into newness of life, to whom the apostle Peter wrote: “You are a chosen generation,” etc.  And observe, my beloved, that he commences his epistle as to a people who were scattered abroad every where for the faith in Christ Jesus; therefore it need not surprise us, though we are dispersed, scattered, apprehended and put to death; for thus, as you may hear and read, it has been from the beginning, and will be made unto the end, since darkness does not love the light.

Thus, my most beloved, let us not fear; God is our Leader; and if God is for us, who can be against us?  He that did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?  It is God that justifies.  Who is he that condemns?  It is Christ that died, yes, rather, that is arisen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.  This we know, yes, what is more, we know that he preserves us as the apple of his eye, and has said: “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”  So that we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me,” (Heb. 13:5,6), even as he has also admonished us, not to fear them that can kill the body; since after that they can do no more.  But let us fear him who has power to cast soul and body into hell.  Even as he also says through the prophet: “Who are you, that you should be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass?”  Isaiah 51:12.

Therefore, my most beloved, do not fear that which may befall you yet: neither be without comfort: but be of good cheer out of bonds, and be patient in tribulation, even as I am by the help of the Lord, in my bonds; and let us firmly continue in faith and love, and say with St. Paul: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written; for your sake we are killed all the day long: we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”  Rom. 8:35–37.

Therefore, my most beloved, have good courage, and be of good cheer and patient in all your tribulation, and stand firm in the faith, steadfast unto the end, so that, even as we are now separated from each other by much tribulation and suffering, we may meet in the day of resurrection, and thus rejoice forever with one another, and reign with the Lord and all the saints, and all the angels of God, forever and ever.  Amen.

To this end, may the Almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you, and me (and all that love the Lord and keep his commandments) through the power of his Holy Spirit.  Amen.  With this I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace.  Amen.  The peace of the Lord be with you.

Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, and his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of his Father; to him be praise, honor, glory and thanksgiving, now and forever.  Amen Gal. 1:4; Revelation 5:13.

My most beloved wife and sister in the Lord, and all dear brothers and sisters of the church at Gh., after I was sentenced to death, my heart felt inclined to write something to you, and to my beloved wife, whom I commend to you and to the word of God, out of a true, affectionate heart, and genuine, unfeigned brotherly love, which I have to you even unto death.  Therefore it is my brotherly exhortation and epistle to you all, not to fear those who can kill the body; since after that they can do no more.  And, as Peter says: “Do not be afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord Jah in your hearts.”  1 Pet. 3:14,15.  And as he further says (dear brothers and sisters in the Lord): “Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.”  1 Pet. 4:12,13.  Well might the apostle exhort us to rejoice; for I can write it with truth, since every thing has now befallen me, except death; however, sentence has been passed upon me.  In the first place I had great joy according to the spirit when I was delivered into bonds; though many thoughts and misgivings came to the flesh, yet I rejoiced according to the spirit, that I had been chosen of God, to suffer for his name.  In the second place, when I had confessed my faith before the authorities, and was then greatly tortured, I felt that God was with me; for he gave me such strength, that no matter what sufferings and tortures they inflicted upon me, they could get nothing out of me, but what tended to the praise of the Lord, and to my salvation; therefore they became angry, and asked me whether I would not yet tell; for, said they, “We have power to torture you thus every day.”  I said: “My body is before you; do with it as you please.”  After all this had taken place, my joy was still greater; I could not express the praise of the Lord, nor sufficiently thank him for the grace he gave me, that I was counted worthy to suffer for his name, and to seal his word with my blood; for the marks which I then received, and the pain, remained in my members unto the last day; the Lord be praised forever, since I well deserved to be chastised for my sins and transgressions.  Afterwards I was twice brought before a monk.  The first time he wanted to know my faith.  I said: “Ask the authorities before whom I confessed it.”  He thereupon commenced to talk a great deal about incarnation, and baptism.  When he had finished speaking, I asked him whether he meant by it to maintain his ground; or he meant, that I should interrogate him, and prove the contrary to him; but he would not hear my defense, and began to rail greatly against Menno and his books, which, as he said, he had read much, and found many lies in them.  I said: “Bring them all here, and let us discuss them for a week.”  He replied: “You are not the man; so much trouble will not be taken with you.”  We had many other words yet about his doctrine and church, which it would take too long to write.  And thus I left him.

Afterwards I was brought before him again, when another was with him.  He wanted to dispute much about the sacrament, baptism and incarnation.  But I said: “You would not let me defend it, when I was with you the last time; therefore I do not want to speak with you now.”  He was not satisfied with this, and said he should compel me to speak, with the instruments of the Margrave; he also asked me whether I was ashamed of my faith.  I replied: “I was not ashamed to confess it before the authorities; but I do not want to have anything to do with you people.”  We resolved among ourselves that we would all do so; and I would advise everyone to observe this; for it profits nothing to dispute with them, since they are carnal men.  I was then sentenced to death, when my joy became complete, so that I could not express it, since my deliverance was so close, and I considered the words of the apostle, where he says: “Rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory should be revealed, I might be glad with exceeding joy;” and what he further says: “If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you; on their part he is spoken evil of, but on your part he is glorified.”  1 Pet. 4:13,14.  When I thought upon this, and other passages of Scripture, and when I saw how transient tribulation and suffering were, and what beautiful promises were given me, and that I was to enter into rest with my dear brothers and sisters who went before and are under the altar, and wait for all our fellow brothers and sisters that must yet follow us, then all tribulation had to flee from me, when I beheld this with the spirit.

Therefore, my dear brethren, I do not write you this out of vain glory, but for the consolation and strengthening of your hearts, so that you may not be afraid of those who can kill the body, since after that they can do no more; but that you, dear brothers and sisters, may always be manful, and ever remember your leaders, who have spoken unto you the word of God, even as Paul says: “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conduct.”  Heb. 13:7.  Therefore, my most beloved, give attendance always among yourselves, to exhortation, to reading, to praying; and do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together, but exhort one another to love and good works, and be firmly united in love, and use hospitality one to another; always be of one heart and of one soul among yourselves, so that when you get into bonds (if this be the will of the Lord) your heart may be unencumbered.

With this I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace.  Amen.  Farewell, farewell to you all, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Written by me, Jelis Bernaerts, to you, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, from the bottom of my heart, and out of true love.  Amen.