203 God visited me with a half year’s, and almost fatal, sickness; during which time I nevertheless wrote much of the first book.

204 Rev. 1:5.

205 I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. Rev. 9:9.

206 This is adduced, from Thuanus and Cesar Heisterb., by D. B. Lydius, speaking of the Waldensian martyr Arnold, whom we have noticed for the year 1163, and some of his fellow-martyrs. He says: “This Arnold was burnt, together with nine of his disciples, among whom were two women, on the fifth of August, at the Jewish cemetery, at Cologne. Before his death (or before he was dead), he laid his hand upon the heads of his then half-burnt fellow-brethren, saying: ‘Adhere steadfastly to your faith; this day you shall be with the holy martyr, Laurence.’ ”

One of the women, he writes, who, from mercy, had been drawn out of the fire, with the promise that she should be married, or, if she were inclined this way, placed in a convent, asked where Arnold lay, who had been burnt, with his fellow-believers, as a heretic. And when his body, which by this time was mostly burnt, was pointed out to her, she escaped the hands of those who led her, and threw herself upon Arnold’s body, in order thus also to obtain the crown of martyrdom. D. Bal. Lyd. Tract. Where the Church was, etc., page 59, col. 1, from Thuan., lib. 6, Hist. Also, Cesar Heisterb. dist. 5, cap. 19.

207 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. Acts 8:37.

208 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal. 3:27.

209 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Col. 3:3.

210 From this our opponents, nevertheless, form an argument, which they, though without foundation, bring against us.

211 Nicodemus, though ignorant in the matter itself, understood well enough, that this did not have reference to children; hence he asked: How can a man be born, when he is old?

212 From the words: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh,” Thomas concludes that this relates only to the adult; since no newborn infants, but only the adult can live after the flesh, and, consequently, must be born again.

213 The descent of every one is known by his peculiar nature; for like produces like. Hence, if infants are truly regenerated of the Holy Spirit, the fruits of the latter must be evident in them from the workings of their nature. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, etc. Gal. 5:22.

214 Understand, those which were the most important in his time; for afterwards many others were, to the detriment of truth, imagined in addition to them.

215 He adduces the prophecy of Joel for the purpose of showing, that the latter speaks of the prophesying of sons and daughters, and not of infants. Chap. 2, verse 28.

216 Since God knows everything, believers can call upon him with a firm confidence; for he hears their cry and knows their wants.

217 These things are very difficult to understand, and above human reason; hence they are not to be comprehended by reason, but must reverently be embraced in faith.

218 The original says obey, which evidently is an error.—Trans.

219 Understand, taking each time for a great year, there are as many years as there are days in three years and a half; which is about 1260 years. Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:5.

220 Invented in the kingdom of antichrist, says the writer.

221 This is an expression of the belief of the papists, who attach forgiveness of sins and salvation to the external water of baptism.

222 But not the office of authority, then says the writer.

223 This fourth article the writers enumerate as the third.

224 In the following a few words are changed, without altering the sense, however.

225 A. D. 1527, the printer had set it; but it is an error.

226 He was also one of the Waldensian brethren, as Jacob Mehrning writes. Bapt. Hist., 2d. part, page 748.

227 After many disputations three of the nine apostatized; the rest remaining steadfast, were banished.

228 Louis belonged to the church of the Waldenses, whose sound faith we have shown elsewhere. See the author cited below, in the same place.

229 This John Hut was also one of the old Waldensian Brethren, See Bapt. Hist. p. 748.

230 See also Menno Simon’s Works, Holland Edition of 1646, page 471. Also Complete Works of Menno Simon, English Edition of 1871, page 3.

231 Bishop says the writer.

232 See Menno Simon’s Complete Works, English Edition, published by John F. Funk and Brother, Elkhart, Indiana, 1871, part first, page 8.

233 Province.

234 We have in our possession the original sentence of these two persons; but as the gist of the same is given here, it is not necessary to adduce it verbatum.

235 Emanuel went forth from his Father’s kingdom into this world.

236 He deems eternal salvation of greater value than temporal necessities.

237 Having abundance of consolation in his sufferings, he comforts his brethren.

238 He who has not Christ in him, is poor and miserable.

239 He loves his brethren according to the soul; hence he admonishes them, to seek their salvation. He that desires the heavenly riches, hates everything which hinders him therein.

240 He who seeks God in visible things, will not find him.

241 In God are life and peace; he that desires peace and life, let him enter into him.

242 Pure love loves a blameless life.

243 A person can have a Pharisaical holiness, without the Spirit and righteousness of Christ.

244 The nature of God is made manifest in his children, who love him in godly works.

245 It is a joy to the godly, when they see men living in accordance with the word of God.

246 What great boldness, through the power of God!

247 All his delight is in speaking of God, and in strengthening men in that which is good.

248 All the pious constantly lament the vain boasting and unbelief of the world.

249 He that gives heed to the word of God will gather wisdom.

250 We have had some doubts as to whether these two persons were not the same ones who, under the names of Jacob and Seli, have been noticed previously, for the year 1542, and whom we allowed to remain there; but as we find some contrary circumstances, we took cause to regard them as not the same, but different persons; hence we have put them here in their proper place.

251 The worldly ruler.

252 Calling or sending of ministers.

253 In Dutch Schaepheaderen, signifying the most menial occupation.—Trans.

254 Name of a church.

255 This copy was sent to us by some one from the country of Cleves, as a very old relic.

256 A light sword with a very narrow blade.—Trans.

257 As indicated by the brackets, these words are not found in the original, but have been inserted by us, to complete the sense, which has apparently been marred by a typographical, or other, omission.—Trans.

258 The year 1551 was given.

259 She was simply called Felistis.

260 It is supposed that this was probably Sikke Snijder.

261 Actum per Campanam, i. e. done through the bell (or striking of the bell).

262 And to hold pernicious views with regard to baptism, etc., it seems to read here.

263 Whether it was customary in the city at that time, to read in court sentences of death passed in matters of faith, we have not been able to ascertain.

264 The reader will bear in mind that large portions of Holland are traversed by numerous canals, in place of roads.

265 The reader will understand this otherwise obscure assertion, when we state that it is based upon an ingenious application of the Dutch adverb weder, weer, the first part of the word Weerdoopers, (Anabaptists),—which may mean against as well as again. Translator.

266 In this letter we found so much wisdom, holiness, and excellence, that we have read it innumerable times with attention and deep emotion. It kindled our love to God, and our zeal, not only to live with Christ, but also, if necessary, to die with him and for his holy truth. O that we were worthy, that his holy name might be praised through us unworthy creatures!

267 The powerful nobility or aristocracy of Venice is meant here.

268 Some had given 1555 as the year, but this is an error.

269 Some old writers did not know that this youth, Algerius, shortly before his death, had, through baptism which he received upon his faith, united with the cross-bearing Church of the Anabaptists; hence they ignorantly ascribed to him another religion.

270 We are much inclined to the view that this is an error, and that the Capucins are meant. Transl.

271 Extracted from a certain book of criminal sentences of the city of Amsterdam.

272 See note in a former page.

273 Has held, etc.; an error of the writer of this sentence; for Joris still held these views at that very time.

274 How can God be honored by what he has forbidden?

275 What edification could the lords derive therefrom, who, by doing this, made themselves tyrants, yea, murderers?

276 East country, probably Austria or the Orient is meant here.—Trans.

277 The passage referred to is 1 Samuel 21:6. The reader will bear in mind that formerly the two books of Samuel were called respectively the first and second book of the Kings.—Translator.

278 Den Kerck-gang.

279 Name of a bridge.

280 Take heed therefore and watch for him; for he shall come as a thief in the night.

281 I never had greater joy than at this present time.

282 An implied substitution of gender, peculiar to the genius of the Dutch (as also, the German) language; the exclaimant, losing sight of her own individuality, views herself only as a representative of Adam’s race, and recipient of God’s munificence.—Trans.

283 The author of this confession apparently bases his argument upon a version of the Scriptures in which the preposition, or prepositions, on which his argument hinges, are different in signification, at least in his view, from those occupying corresponding positions in our English translation.—Trans.

284 Apparently an allusion to the fact of his not having been baptized.—Translator.

285 Fifth Sunday in Lent.

286 From what is related here, it appears that also Soetgen van den Houte’s husband died for the truth, as a valiant witness of Jesus; although we have not been able to learn the time, place and manner of his death.

287 Or Moravians.

288 King’s Dollars.

289 The construction of this clause in the original seems to indicate, with great probability, a typographical error, consisting in the substitution, in the pronoun, of an m for a w, and that, accordingly, it ought to read I, instead of: we.

290 The word used in the original denotes a female friend.—Tr.

291 Probably, Sonthofen (in Bavaria).

292 German version of the Bible.

293 In regard to the passage here alluded to (1 Pet. 2:23) see German version of the Bible.—Trans.

294 This Adrian Willems was not mentioned in previous editions.

295 The word used in the original denotes a female friend.—Tr.

296 See whether a criminal is pardoned, if he is not willing to amend his ways.

297 Many think they are good Christians, because they do not steal or commit murder, and because they do not perpetrate violence or highway robbery, or because they refrain from evils which they can or dare not do; however, this is no virtue in their case.

298 That no one say: We cannot be perfect; except to those who say that they are perfect. There is nothing so good as that men will not contradict it, even with the Scriptures.

299 The reader will observe that this rendering of the passage alluded to here (Heb. 10:24), does not fully coincide with the one found in the English version of the Bible; which may be attributed either to the author’s having used an imperfect translation, or to an error on his part, in quoting said passage from memory.—Trans.

300 See preceding foot note.

301 Respecting said letters it has not been possible for us to obtain any of them.

302 Piersom was a teacher [minister] of the church of God called Mennists.

303 Perhaps St. Bartholomew’s day.—Trans.

304 Evidently a misquotation.—Trans.

305 17, the original has it; but this is evidently an error.—Trans.

306 The following two disputations, the first between Jacob de Roore, or Jacob Keersgieter, and Friar Cornelis, and the second between Herman Vlekwijck and the same Fr. Cornelis, were not given in Van Braght’s first edition of 1660, which we made the standard in our translation, but was added in the subsequent editions. Van Braght refers to these disputations and says that he omitted them on account of the indelicate and harsh language which frequently occurs in the remarks of the impolite Friar. We have omitted the worst of these expressions and have indicated the omissions thus * * *

There are also a number of accounts of martyrs, not given in the edition of 1660, but inserted in the subsequent editions, which are also given in this translation.—Publishers.

307 A term of derision chosen because of its assonance, in the original (Calversteerten and Calversteerinnnen), to the name Calvinists.—Transl.

308 An opprobrious appellation for the Protestants.—Tr.

309 Creed.

310 See German version.

311 Probably an allusion to the fact that Mary’s husband Joseph, was a carpenter.

312 See German version.

313 See preceding note.

314 See German version, v. 12

315 The time of the death of Willem Janss, as also of Pieter Pieterss Beckjen, had from of old been fixed in the year 1567; but this was two years too early, as appears from the adjoined sentence.

316 A great calumny which the writer of this sentence cast upon this good man, as though he had been forgetful of his soul’s salvation.

317 How often shall it be said in these Amsterdam sentences, of the true believers, that they were unmindful of their soul’s salvation, whereas this was their sole object?

318 Behold here the strait of the believers in those times, who to hear the word of God, occasionally had to spend whole days and nights in order to attend the meeting.

319 That is, in this case, he would have been executed with the sword, but as he remained steadfast, it did not come to this.

320 Probably Austria, or the country bordering on the Baltic.—Tr.

321 Any one. Dutch version.

322 Perhaps a typographical error, and should read, punish.—Tr.

323 Corner-stone, the original has it.

324 We, in the original.

325 Of the Spirit, in the original.

326 Of these martyrs from Breda mention seems to be made also in one of the letters of Jan Wouterss van Kuyck.

327 Nuns of the order of St. Bega.

328 Walk, move more circumspectly.—Trans.

329 In’s heeren Handen, seyt den Schrijber.

330 Behold the man! John 19:5.

331 Evidently an allusion to Isaiah 27:1, where (see German version) two serpents seem to be indicated.

332 Then I should sacrifice my child to the devil, the author had written, but this reads a little too harsh.

333 Hereby is meant Joris Wippe, who was put to death at Dortrecht, A. D. 1558.

334 Thus spake also the enemies of the prophet Amos, saying: Amos hath conspired [against thee in the midst of the house of Israel:] the land is not able to bear all his words. Amos 7:10. And thus it was also said of Christ: “He perverts the nation.” Luke 23:2.

335 In Dutch, Vagevuur from vagen or vegen, to scour [and also to sweep] and vuur fire; hence a play on words, which cannot be rendered into the English without the loss of the humorous effect which it has in the original tongue.—Trans.

336 These are called: Janneken Mumstdorp, Mariken, Lijsken.

337 Beggars, a sobriquet of the Reformed.

338 My hope is in God.

339 Thus writes Martin Luther in his preface to the Epistle to the Romans.

340 In the preface to the Epistle to the Romans.

341 In the margin.

342 A play upon words, which obtains only in the original, in which the literal expression used, parting letter, has the twofold meaning of farewell letter and bill of divorcement.—Tr.

343 Lord, Lord.

344 Derisively, the authors say.

345 As distinguished from severing it with one stroke.—Tr.

346 Strife.

347 The original has it, Hence Paul calls the bond of love a perfectness.—Tr.

348 English Edition 2d part page 419.

349 Let no one take offense at the words of this decree; for we desired to give them unchanged.

350 That which is left out here concerns the religion of the papists; hence we have omitted it.

351 The exact time, when this occurred, is not mentioned by the writers; but we find, from the circumstances, that it was about the year 1638.

352 There were with them two preachers (says the Swiss author), who went along with the thief catchers and helped them.

353 The Swiss author calls this Hans van Uticken by the name of Hans Muller, but we have allowed him to retain the name Hans van Uticken, because he was by descent from Uticken-wage; to distinguish him from Hans Muller who was descended from the Groeningen Bailiwick, and of whom we made previous mention, in the note added to the account concerning Barbara Meylin and three of her fellow-sisters.

354 A year and a half, one of the Zurich writers say.

355 Some say, into the convent Othenbach; others, into the dungeon; others, into the prison, etc., but it was evidently at Othenbach a famous prison in Zurich.

356 They sold everything, without restoring the proceeds to the poor, expelled orphans. How will they be able to answer for this in the great day of judgment, when the Lord shall come and inquire what mercy they have shown? Matt. 25.

357 In the word of salvation, etc., it says: In the tract the order of the words is a little different, according to the Swiss style; however, the sense of the same is clearly expressed here.