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; yea, would have them all killed and destroyed. Hence, 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, whence, 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: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and thy neighbor as thyself; this is the greatest commandment, and there is no other. The scribe answered and said: Thou hast 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 boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.”
Ques. “Did you do it for the reason that it was made by the hands of men?”
Ans. “Yea, 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 ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 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 ye 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 ye 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.” Matt. 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 none other name under heaven given among men, whereby 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 know not; 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 ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not 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 ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 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. Hence, 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 hath 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 of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father.” Is. 54:13. Therefore dear brethren 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; hence 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 be not 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: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh 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 thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Rom. 8:35–37. “He that overcometh, 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 hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches.” Rev. 3:5,6. Hence, 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. Wherefore, be ye 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.” “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall. There hath 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.
“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Cor. 10:14), and “Know, that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation . . . but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily 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 spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: as thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast 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 needeth 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 maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.” Hebrews 7:26–28.
Therefore I admonish you, my most beloved, seeing we have such “a high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” Heb. 10:21,22. John says: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 2:1,2. “And now . . . I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.”236 Acts 20:32.
The grace of our Lord be with you now and forever, Amen.
So I admonish you, my most beloved mother [wife], diligently to see to it, that you teach the children from their youth to fear God.
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”237 2 Cor. 1:3–5. Hence Paul says: “I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” Eph. 3:13–15. He himself says: “I thank thee, O Father Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. . . . And no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” Matt. 11:25,26,27.
He therefore says: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”238 Matt. 11:28–30.
Therefore, my dear brethren, seeing we have such “a high priest, let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised: and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching . . . For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Heb. 10:21–25,30,31. For he says: “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose it for the Gospel’s sake, shall save it.”239 Mark 8:34,35.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I give you a new commandment, says Christ: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans so?” Matt. 5:43–47.
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.”240 Ephesians 5:1,2.
“Flee youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”241 2 Tim. 2:22–26.
“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”242 Jas. 3:13–18.
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 9–11. “Beware of false prophets,243 which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Matt. 7:15–19. “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. And he spake a parable unto them; Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.” Luke 6:36–40. “He that overcometh the world, shall inherit all things; all things are in God, and God works all in all.” 1 John 5:4.
Therefore, my dear brethren, “Let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation. . . . For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”244 Philip. 1:27–30.
“Therefore, my most beloved brethren, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice,245 inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busy-body in other men’s matters. Yet if any suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For 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 obey not the Gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:12–19.
It is a faithful saying: For 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 believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.”246 2 Tim. 2:11–13.
Therefore, my dear brethren, let us “walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Eph. 5:15–17.
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Gal. 5:19–24. Yea, say the wise of this world, the heretics do not believe that God is in the sacrament. Indeed, they are right in not believing it, for Paul says: “He dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshiped with men’s hands.” Acts 17:24,25. “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.”247 1 Tim. 6:13–16.
“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son . . . he hath declared him.” John 1:18. Stephen said: “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Acts 7:56. “At the appearing of Jesus Christ; whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye 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. I say that it is great presumption for men to undertake to say that they handle God. For John, concerning whom the Lord himself declared, that a greater was not born of women, than John the Baptist, did not consider himself worthy to unloose the latchet of his shoes.248
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. But this is my belief: That to those who through faith in Christ Jesus are dead from the rudiments of the world (Col. 2:20), and have crucified the flesh with its evil affections and lusts (Galatians 5:24). Christ left the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of his death, that they should show the Lord’s death till he come (1 Cor. 11:25,26), as Paul says: “I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is anything, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is anything? But I say, that the things which the gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”249 1 Cor. 10:15–21.
End of these letters, translated and finished the 12th of January A. D. 1614.
About the year 1547, there was a godfearing 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. Hence, 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; hence 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 Yea, yea, and Nay, nay; 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; hence 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: Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath 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: “Yea, 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 not the Lord 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: “Yea, 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: “Yea, my lords; but do you mean to say that you are of this church?”
Lords: “The Holy Ghost 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, thy poor handmaiden! for thou art 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 nigh, 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. Yea, 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, yea, 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.”
“Yea, yea,” 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 thy 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.”
The tribulation, anguish and distress of the beloved friends and children of God continued; for they did not cease to persecute and kill them, yea, to put them to death in a dreadful, miserable and lamentable manner, which, in the year 1549, appeared also in the city of Amsterdam, in Holland, in the case of two pious and very godfearing persons, named Jacob Claess of Lantsmeer, and Cecilia Jeronymus of Wormer, who, as they, after suffering many assaults, conflicts and tribulations from secular as well as ecclesiastical persons, who sought to draw them away from the faith, remained constant, were sentenced to the fire as heretics, which punishment of death they steadfastly endured, on the 9th of November, A. D. 1549, as appears from the following two sentences, which were publicly pronounced on the day of their death, in the court of Amsterdam; true copies of which, obtained by us through the clerk of the court there, we shall adduce here, for the further confirmation of said matter.
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 brethren 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, grieve not 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 brethren 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 brethren 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; yea, 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.