FOOTNOTES:
1 Not only oxen and sheep, but also turtle doves and young doves were formerly acceptable offerings to Thee, O my God, and how much more the blood and death of Thy saints.
2 What is said of Onesiphorus according to the body, we have experienced in the spirit. Paul says: “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain.” 2 Tim. 1:16.
3 This hero and knight of Christ we may understand to be one of Christ’s apostles, but it may also very properly be inferred that reference is had to Gerardus, who went singing before his companions to suffer for Christ’s name. See first book about Arnold, Marsilius, Theodoric, and five other men and two women, who were burnt alive with him at Cologne.
4 When Israel, under Pharaoh, in Egypt, had to burn brick, and to perform other hard labor, for the king, they remembered God, yea, cried unto the Almighty, so that God was moved to compassion, Ex. chap. 1, 2, 3, etc.; but when God had delivered them, and brought them into a goodly land, where it went well with them according to the body, they forsook the Lord, and became wanton. Deut. 32:15. This difference is found to exist also between the times of oppression and the times of freedom.
5 John, the friend of Christ, has presented the deceptive, beautiful appearance of this world in its threefold view of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, 1 John 2:16. Solomon portrayed the same as a harlot or wanton woman, who allures young men unto her; who is loud and stubborn, and whose feet abide not in her house; but whither those who follow her are led, as an ox to the slaughter, to certain destruction, nay, to death and hell. Prov. 7.
6 The following and other misfortunes which were caused by worldly and carnal lusts cannot be numbered. O, that Solomon, the wisest among the children of men, might have known, conquered, and taken care of himself in this respect.
7 See Josephus on the Jewish wars; also Egesippus, Eusebius, and Pamphilius.
8 It is a very lamentable fact that the things fraught with danger are not as they appear, and appear not as they really are. Is not the fish caught with a bait, in which is concealed the hook? Are not the birds ensnared in the net, in which berries or grains of corn are scattered for them to eat? Certainly. Is it to be wondered then, that blind, carnal and worldly-minded men are deceived and led into perdition by the wiles of Satan and the alluring lusts of a deceitful world?
9 Meanwhile the prudent knight and valiant champion of Christ must be on his guard and constantly in arms, that he may neither by the one nor by the other be diverted from his noble watch over his soul, which has been entrusted to him, and thus be led away and cast, either in soul or body, or according to both, into the direful abyss of perdition.
10 O that this would be considered, as it should!
11 These things can appropriately be understood to have been caused by meditation and holy contemplation; and in like manner the passage: “For our conversation is in heaven.” Phil. 3:20.
12 The victors at the Olympic games (so called from Mount Olympus in Greece, where they were held) were crowned with wreaths of oak and laurel, which was considered a great honor.
13 God is worthier than the creatures; heaven is worthier than the earth; and the soul is more excellent than the body; in the same manner the divine, heavenly and spiritual warfare is worthier and more excellent than the creatural, earthly and corporeal warfare; this is beyond contradiction. “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Prov. 16:32. Of this the apostle Paul glories, when he says: “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air; but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection,” etc. 1 Cor. 9:26,27. This praiseworthy fight, when he had brought it to a good end, caused him to say about the time of his death: “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, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day,” etc. 2 Tim. 4:7,8.
14 As we cannot look at heaven and earth at the same time, nor stand at once upon the mountain and in the valley, even so it is impossible to serve God and the world at the same time. Our Savior says: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” Matt. 22:37. Concerning this it should be observed that if we must love God with all our heart, then no love for the world or sinful flesh may remain.
15 Surely no man in the world can derive advantage from the abundance of his temporal possessions over and above the necessaries of life. Why then, the manifold anxieties and cares to provide for the future in regard to the things which concern the body; since nature is so soon separated by death from all this? “Seek ye first the kingdom of God.” Matt. 6:33. “Casting all your care upon him,” (the Lord) etc. 1 Pet. 5:7.
16 Though it is not advisable in temporal things to put off doing the day’s labor until evening, yet it is better late than never. This holds good also in spiritual things.
17 The word Anabaptist is here used to signify the same as Taufgesinnte in the German, and Doopsgesinde in the Dutch language, for which the English language affords no better term, the literal signification of Doopsgesinde being baptism-minded.
18 Ancient Israel was called the circumcision because all Israelites were circumcised. 1 Cor. 7:19; Gal. 5:6; 6:15.
19 Paul asked the Church at Rome, whether they did not know, that as many as were baptized (or incorporated through baptism) into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death? Rom. 6:3. Compare with Gal. 3:27; 1 Cor. 12:13.
20 Notwithstanding Philips of Marnix; then, F. Beza; then Menso Alting; then, Abr. A. Doreslaer; and then, the latest translators of the Bible, have come to another conclusion concerning the re-baptizing of the twelve Ephesian disciples who had been baptized by John, Acts 19:1–3; there has, nevertheless, as far as we have been able to discover, before the time of P. Marnix, yea, for more than fifteen hundred years, never been a single Greek or Latin divine who doubted that those Ephesians were baptized again, because the first time they had been baptized without having a knowledge of the holy Ghost.
21 Aside from the fact, that the Anabaptists did not spring from the Munsterites, but have existed through all the times of the Gospel, as has been sufficiently shown, we would, moreover, state that the pernicious and evil proceedings which took place at Munster about the year 1534, can, according to the truth, not be laid to the charge of the Anabaptists, who, at that time, like innocent doves fleeing before the talons of the hawk into clefts of the rock, or into hollow trees, had to hide themselves; but must be placed to the account of some Lutheran preachers, to whom a certain Jan van Leyden had recommended and taught Anabaptism. According to old and authentic authors these proceedings happened as follows:
In the year 1532, Bernaert Rotman, a Lutheran (at that time called Evangelical) preacher, began to preach at Munster in St. Maurice church, against the doctrine of the Papists; when, however, the Papists of Munster came to know this, they bribed him with money, to go away.
But a few months afterward repenting of it, he came back, and drew such crowds, that he, being sustained by some of the chief men of the city of Munster, erected his pulpit in the entry of the church. He also sought to have other churches opened in order that this doctrine might be propagated the more widely;—if this were not done, they should be opened by force, etc. In the mean time, on the 14th of February, 1533, there arrived at Munster, Jan van Leyden, a strange, odd and opinionated man, who, though he maintained baptism upon faith, yet in most other points never agreed with the Anabaptists. To be brief, after much controversy he brought the matter so far, that not only Bernaert Rotman, who had at first opposed him, but also his colleague, H. Staprede, and various others, began to preach against the practice of infant baptism. On the other hand, Jan van Leyden learned from them, especially from B. Rotman, the doctrine that one might defend and propagate his religion with external weapons.
In the mean while, the magistrates, apprehending serious mischief which might be expected to spring from this, forbade those who they thought were giving the most occasion to it, the city. They, indeed, left the city, yet, on the instigation of B. Rotman, entered it again by another way.
Finally matters came to such a pass, that the aforementioned, and other supporters of the Lutheran (or miscalled, Evangelical) doctrine, who had become agreed with Jan van Leyden, in the article of baptism, collected together and resolved to bring about a total restoration of religion; deciding also, that to this end, as it could not be effected quietly, it should be done by force of arms; further, that in Munster the beginning should be made.
Jan van Leyden was constituted the leader; and through B. Rotman’s proclamation much ignorant and simple people from the surrounding places were summoned, to help carry out said restoration, which however was not made known to them at first. These were promised that, in Munster, they should receive tenfold for their goods which they had to abandon on this account.
Without loss of time they opposed the power of the bishop. They erected fortifications, seeking not only to defend themselves, but also to exterminate their opponents, that is, the true adherents of Rome and the Pope. But matters took quite a different turn from what they had intended: they were defeated and the bishop and those of the city triumphed.
Rotman himself, (notwithstanding that his associates were in equal distress) despairing of his life, ran to the enemies to be killed by them; so that he might not, like Jan van Leyden, be taken alive, and come to a shameful end.
This, then, was the tragedy enacted at Munster; the instigation, progress and execution can and may not be attributed to the so-called Anabaptists, but to the first-risen Lutherans, especially to B. Rotman and his followers. Had this restoration been successful, the Lutherans would not have been ashamed of it; on the contrary they would have boasted of it, and never would have let the honor of it remain in the hands of the Anabaptists. To this alludes the following old ditty:
[Compare tract Onnooselheyds Peyl. etc., edit. Harl. Anno 1631. Annex Hist. Mart. a little before the introduction; with the various attestations of Bernhard Rotman; Godfrey Stralensis, Rollins, and other Lutheran leaders at Munster; whose writings concerning this matter were published shortly after the transaction, and have also come down to us. Also, the notes of Melanchton, Guido, Sleydan; and also in the great atlas, old edition.]
22 “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jesus.” 1 Cor. 3:11. On this foundation built all the true martyrs, of whom we have given an account; and unanimously kept it.
23 For this reason a considerable error, which could not be allowed in a common member of the church not laboring under trial and oppression, might be tolerated in a martyr.
24 Justus Lipsius says in the preface to his first book of “Steadfastness”: “Few readers will suffice me; one suffices me; none suffices me also: for I have written this for myself.” But this we leave to him, who had written it only for himself.
25 “Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly” (2 Cor. 22:1), says the apostle Paul, with whose wisdom we should not compare ours in the thousandth part.
26 It is always easier to criticise a thing than to do it better. Therefore Karel van Mander, at the completion of a great work, adds these words: “Ye stiff-necked critics must first consider that too great a mountain lies between doing and saying, before you accuse a free conscience with your audacious babbling. Many have mouth enough to contemn the work of everybody; but not the hands to make something better. Saying is mere wind; but doing I esteem.” We say the same, and will let the matter rest here.
27 “Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer” (that is, stone of help), “saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” 1 Sam. 7:12. Thus say we in reference to our history.
28 The end of our work must remind us of the end of our life; and what we may yet lack in this, we shall ask of the Lord, “Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.” Ps. 39:4.
29 Then say we with Job: I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; Job, 19:25–27; and with Paul: 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. 2 Cor. 5:1,2. This caused John to say: Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Rev. 22:20. The grace of our Lord be with us all.
30 Not only the word of God, but also experience, confirms the truth of our statement with reference to the two different churches; since daily and universally we may observe people who lead a very modest, devout and godfearing life; and, on the other hand, such whose life is extremely profligate, impious and godless: thus it is also with the root of life, that is, with the matter of faith or of unbelief. How can these be called or recognized by a different name than that of members of the two above mentioned churches?
31 The religion before the fall of Adam, with which we begin, was of short duration; hence little is said of it in the word of God.
32 Abel’s offering was by faith. Compare Gen. 4:4 with Heb. 11:4—The sons of God were commanded to render obedience to the Spirit of God; which injunction they did not heed in the days of Noah.
33 In the matter of faith all the pious, from the beginning, looked to the Messiah; to whom also we, in these last days, must look; for he is the foundation not only of the apostles, but also of the prophets. Eph. 2:20.—Divine worship, humility, righteousness, faithfulness, and many other virtues, have been common in the ancient church as well as now in the last church.
34 The discernibility of the church of God before the time of David, will, we think, not be disputed; and we shall begin, therefore, from that period, leaving the time previous to that untouched.
35 The swelling sea and the tempests of which David speaks here, must not be understood as having reference to elemental water, or a disturbance of the natural, created things; but to the onset of the evil practices and doctrines of evil-minded and ungodly men, through the wiles of Satan, the hellish adversary. The removing of the earth and the displacing or falling in of the mountains through the aforesaid tempests may be understood to refer to the ruin and destruction of the earthly-minded and great of this world, who perish through the noxious waters and commotions of evil doctrines. The streams which make glad the city of God, can very properly be applied as having reference to the saving doctrines through which the city or church of God is refreshed, gladdened, and through the divine promises contained in his word, made to rejoice in the Spirit.
36 The mountain of which Isaiah says that the house of the Lord is built upon, must necessarily be understood as referring to Christ who, in the language of the prophets, is called a mountain in holy Scripture. Dan. 2:35. On the other hand, the house which Solomon built upon Mount Moriah, has been destroyed, and lain waste now for about 1600 years, without being rebuilt. But Christ is such a foundation, that whatever is truly built on it, cannot fall: for “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ,” 1 Cor. 3:11.
37 If Christ is so firm a foundation that not even the gates of hell can prevail against that which is built upon it, how very foolish, careless and imprudent are they who forsake this foundation, and build upon, and trust in, the vain things of this world! Certainly, everything under the sun, yea, all which our eyes behold, is vain and transitory. “Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, . . . all is vanity,” Eccl. 1:2, understand: earthly things. But how much more vain are the sinful and evil things which God has forbidden, and concerning which he has warned us in his word, that we should have nothing to do with them! How great will be the fall of those who build upon these forbidden vanities! If we suffer damage, and complain, when a material house or building falls, because its foundation is not firm, how much greater loss will they sustain, and what greater reason will they have to lament, who will fall both in soul and body, without ever being able to rise again!
38 The words of David, Ps. 19:6, which he spoke of the circuit of the sun around the whole earth every twenty-four hours, the apostle Paul applies to the traveling and preaching of the apostles through the whole world, saying, Rom. 10:18: “Verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.” Since the apostles, in their time, traveled through the whole world, to preach the Gospel, and, consequently, have been at the ends or uttermost limits of the earth, it would follow, according to our opponents’ own words, that the promise of Christ, “Lo, I am with you” (or by you), etc., was completely fulfilled in the apostles, excluding their descendants from assuming any part of it whatever. This would certainly be a comfortless matter for us, their descendants; but the case is quite a different one as is shown in this column.
39 Whenever, in the New Testament, the coming of Christ is spoken of, there is generally, yea, universally, meant by it his last coming to judgment. “Then . . . they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matt. 24:30. “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him.” Rev. 1:7; also 1 Cor. 11:26.
40 In the clefts of the rock and in the secret places of the stairs, that is, in persecutions and in solitary and strange regions; just as “among the thorns” signifies, in the power of evil-minded and bloodthirsty tyrants.
41 There is not only a natural and spiritual succession, which could be considered as indifferent only; but both, the natural and the spiritual, can be good or bad, for in both we find either the one or the other. But we purpose to speak here only of a spiritual succession, and, moreover, of such an one that is good. This we shall consider with regard to good persons as well as to good doctrine.
42 The twelve tribes of Israel, considered as a whole, were but one church; but with respect to certain parts who had remained on the other side of the Jordan, namely, Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh (Josh. 22:1–5); the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, who dwelt in Jerusalem, and formed also a part; and the residue of the multitude of Israel, who dwelt by the cities of Samaria, it could very properly be said, that Israel consisted of three churches: 1. on the other side of Jordan; 2. at Jerusalem; 3. in Samaria, etc. Even so there is but one church, which, keeping the true faith, is scattered over many places; but with respect to the multiplicity of places where they dwell, they may be called many churches.
43 “Let no man glory in men,” says Paul, 1 Cor. 3:21. We may not glory, therefore, in the succession of eminent persons, if they do not derive their eminence from the eminence and truth of the word of God. The prophet Jeremiah, going further yet in this point, has cursed that man who trusts in man, and maketh flesh his arm. Jer. 17:5.
44 These words of Paul, “I believed, and therefore have I spoken,” are taken from the 116th Psalm of David.
45 The old edition says: only or one. See Acts 17:26: “And hath made of one blood all nations of men.”
46 The forefathers before the time of the law had the custom of washing the feet of those who came to them friendly and peaceably. Gen. 18:4; 19:2; 24:32; 43:24.
47 “Trust ye not in lying words,” saith the Lord, “saying, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, are these.” Jer. 7:4.
48 “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” Heb. 11:4.
49 And he (Andrew) brought him (Simon Peter) to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. John 1:42.
50 He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the (Sela) rock, and oil out of the (Zur) flinty rock. Deut. 32:13.
51 “The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Rev. 21:14. In the first place it is questionable (even if it be admitted that by this description of the city of God we are to understand the church of God) whether thereby is meant the church of God as it is here on earth, or the glorified church of God, as it will be afterwards in heaven; for only the former, and not the latter, is to be considered here. In the second place, it is certain that the name “foundation stone” is ascribed here not to Peter alone, but to all the twelve apostles; hence he is here called a foundation not any more than any of the others.
52 “James, Cephas” (or Peter), “and John, who seemed to be pillars,” etc. Gal. 2:9. Here James is mentioned before Cephas (or Peter). Again, John and James are called pillars as well as Cephas (or Peter), in order to show that the worthiness or the ministry of one was not more than that of the other, and that they, without distinction, were all equal therein.
53 By which of the other apostles these brethren at Rome were converted, is not mentioned in the text; but it may have been that they were converted on the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem, for at that time strangers of Rome were there. Acts 2:10.
54 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth. John 16:13.
55 A cycle of fifteen years, instituted by Constantine the Great, in connection with the payment of tribute, and afterwards made a substitute for Olympiads in reckoning time. It was much used in the ecclesiastical chronology of the middle ages, and is reckoned from the year 313 as its origin.—Webster’s Dictionary.
56 This Constantius was a Roman emperor, while Theodoric was King of the Goths.
57 Probably Ostia, a town at the mouth of the Tiber. (Pub.)
58 After pope Anastasius, Symmachus was elected pope in a tumult; and immediately also Laurentius was elected, with whom he had two contests, yet came off victor, as the papists say, for the clergy and king Diederik were on his side. But after four years, some of the clergy, who lusted after uproar and contention, and some Roman senators, recalled Laurentius; but they were sent into banishment. This caused a fearful riot at Rome. P.J. Twisk, 5th Book, Anno 499. page 171. col. 2. ex Platinal Chron. fol. 101. Fasc. Temp. fol. 114.
59 So writes Jan Crispijn.
60 Concerning this matter, P. J. Twisk gives this account: “At this time there were three popes at once, namely, Gregory XII., Benedict XIII., and Alexander V. Thus was the great city, the spiritual Babylon, divided into three parts, as a token of its approaching fall. Chron. for the year 1409. page 762. col. 1.
61 Where no true foundation is, there is no stability; this is apparent here: for as immoderate as they were in seeking to possess the Roman chair, so immoderate they were also in leaving it vacant.
62 Besides what is told in the body of the work concerning the ungodly life and disorderly conduct of some popes, it is related by other authors, that some of them were accused (even by those of the Roman church) of heresy, and apostasy from the Roman faith. From Platina’s Register of the Popes, number 37, is adduced the apostasy of pope Liberius to the tenets of the Arians; which happened in this wise: The emperor, being at that time tainted with the tenets of the Arians, deposed pope Liberius, and sent him into exile ten years. But when Liberius, overcome by the grievousness of his misery, became infected with the faith and the confession of the Arian sect, he was victoriously reinstated by the emperor, into his papal chair at Rome. Compare Chron. Platinæ (old edition) fol. 73. Fasc. Temp. fol. 102. Chron. Holl. div. 2. cap. 20. with P. J. Twisk, Chron. 4th Book, for the year 353. page 150. col. 2.
Concerning the apostasy of pope Anastasius II. to the tenets of Achacius, bishop of Constantinople, and, consequently, to the Nestorians, we find, from various Roman authors, this annotation: Anastasius was at first a good Christian, but was afterwards seduced by the heretic Achacius, bishop of Constantinople. This was the second pope of bad repute who adhered to the heresy of Nestorius, even as Liberius adhered to the heresy of Arius. Plat. Regist. Pap. fol. 100. Fasc. Temp. fol. 113. Chron. Holl. div. c. 20. compared with the Chronijk van den Ondergang, edition of 1617, 5th Book, for the year 497. p. 171. col. 2.
Some time after Honorius I. had been exalted to the dignity of the Roman chair, it was found that he did not maintain the doctrines of the Roman church, but was opposed to them, although he seemed to ingratiate himself with her in some external things. Concerning this, the following words are given by a certain author: Honorius I. added the invocation of the saints to the litanies: he built many temples, and decorated them with great magnificence; but this pope was afterwards condemned as a heretic, together with six prelates, by the sixth council of Constantinople. Compare Hist. Georg. lib. 4. Franc. Ala. fol. 44. Platin. Regist. Pap. fol. 130. with the last mentioned Chronicle, edition of 1617, for the year 622, page 218. col. 1.
In addition to the evil testimony which is given of John XXIV., P. J. Twisk gives the following account: “This pope John, as some say, forcibly took possession of the papal chair, and is styled by the ancient writers a true standard-bearer of all heretics and epicures. He was a man better fitted for arms and war, than for the service of God.” Chronijk, P. J. Twisk, 15th Book, for the year 1411. p. 768. col. 2.
63 2,800,000 guilders, or $784,000.
64 But, after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds. Rom. 2:5,6.
65 Notwithstanding, the examples related in the body of the work are recorded by P. J. Twisk, it is proper to state, that they were extracted from various papistic writers.
66 John XI. was put for John XXII.; by the author from whom this was taken, but this is an error.
67 This Benedict VI. was also put for his successor, Benedict IX.; which error we have corrected.
68 Our author relates, that before the death of pope Innocentius IV. a voice was heard in the papal court, saying, “Come, thou wretched man, to the judgment of God!”
69 Many more such examples might be related here, but, since by these few our aim is sufficiently understood, we deem it unnecessary to enter more deeply into this subject, and shall, therefore, let this suffice.
70 “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,” saith the Lord. Matt. 15:9.
71 Everything has its opposite: weeping is the opposite to laughing; wailing and mourning, to shouting and rejoicing; but in all this it is better to rejoice last than before. “Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.” Is. 33:1.
72 “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Matt. 7:1,2. “If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword.” Rev. 13:9,10.
73 Song of Solomon 4:16.
74 Song of Solomon 2.
75 Rom. 8:18.
76 Rev. 3:5.
77 Lamentations 1:1.
78 Of the desolation of Jerusalem, David in his Lamentation sung: “O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple they have defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.” Ps. 79:1.
“By the rivers of Babylon there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. We hung our harps on the willows in the midst thereof.” Ps. 137:1,2.
79 In 1659 the hand of God was laid heavily upon my brother, in that he was visited with a severe sickness, so that to all appearance, it seemed that he would not recover.
80 He that is to have his sin buried through baptism, must first have died unto it through repentance; and he that is to rise into, or walk in, the new life, must first have been or walked in, an old life; this is incontrovertible, but whether it applies to infants, let the reader judge.
81 It appears, therefore, that none were baptized in Galatia, but those who had put on Christ. Concerning this putting on of Christ, see Rom. 13:14.
82 In the ark, which was preserved through, or, properly speaking, in the water, there were none but believing and obedient persons, eight in number, namely, Noah and his wife, with their three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their three wives, eight persons in all: likewise, none but believing and obedient persons belong in the church of Christ, which is compared to the ark, and which must be preserved through or in baptism.
83 That the Lord lived six hours, yea, more than six hours on the cross, before he gave up the ghost, appears from the account of Mark, chap. 15; for in verse 25 it says: “And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.” That is, according to our reckoning, nine o’clock in the morning. Then, in verse 33, we are told that when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour; which, according to our reckoning, was twelve o’clock noon. Then, in verse 34, we read: “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani, that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” which, according to our way of reckoning time, is three o’clock in the afternoon. Again in verse 37, we read: “And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost;” which, as it appears, happened after the expiration of the ninth hour, so that the Lord lived on the cross from nine o’clock in the morning until three o’clock in the afternoon, that is, fully six hours, and not before then did he give up the ghost, as has been shown from the account of Mark.
84 We quote Tacitus according to the annotation of John Gysius in Hist. Mart. fol. 6. col. 2., from which the translation of John Fenacolius differs greatly.
85 About one cent.
86 The historians state that the apostle Peter wept very much daily after the ascension of Christ. When he was asked why he wept so much, he replied, Desiderio Domini, that is, “Because I very much long for my Lord.” There are ancient writers who state that Peter cried every time he heard a cock crow. When he saw his beloved wife being led out, to be put to death, on account of having confessed the faith, he addressed her in these words, “O my beloved wife! have the Lord Jesus always before thine eyes; this is the marriage of the saints.” He was sentenced to be crucified in theusual manner. But he requested to be hung on the cross with his feet up, saying, “I am not worthy to be hung on the cross, like the Son of God hung and suffered on it.” W. Baudart. Apophthegm. printed Anno 1640, first book, page 2.