O Lord, preserve (from this murderer) thy pilgrims who walk in the hope of thee, and expect their help and comfort from thee alone. O heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, preserve us that thou mayest perform the good work which thou hast begun in us, to the praise and glory of thy holy name. O thou Almighty and everlasting God, how utterly incomprehensible is thy grace and fatherly mercy upon those that fear and love thee. O Father, who should not fear such a God, who knows how to deliver his own; though they may seem to be forsaken here for a little season, despised of all men, rejected and cursed on this earth; yet he does not forsake his own through the consolation of his Holy Spirit in our hearts, who makes us bold and joyful, that we may suffer reproach for his name. And we hope through the goodness of God; that our pilgrimage will soon end, and we shall be delivered from this miserable world and vale of tears, and that this earthly house of our tabernacle will be dissolved, that we may be brought home to our heavenly Father, and receive the crown of everlasting life, which is set before us, and which we hope no creature shall take from us. To this end, may the Almighty and eternal God, the merciful Father, strengthen us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Dear friends, let me tell you, how it went with me before my imprisonment, and how they treated us after my imprisonment.
At the time when the four friends concerning whom I composed the hymn, and whose burning I witnessed, were offered up, I heard it stated that they had assailed the friends who yet remained in prison, with great cunning and deception, through the advice of the false prophets, whose minds are constantly filled with the subtlety of the devil, even as they had boasted that they would do. Our friends that remained there, were two lads and a girl, for whom we daily very diligently prayed the Lord, fearing, lest they might by some means be moved from the faith. We daily expected that they would also be put to death, and because of their youth I was impelled in my heart to station myself at the scaffold, when they were to be put to death, in order that, if they should be troubled on any account, I might comfort them, and also reprove the monks, who greatly distress and vex our friends when they are led to death. But, alas! the poor children did not get so far; for they imprudently allowed themselves to be drawn into disputations with the false prophets, though they had been sufficiently warned to beware of it as they valued their souls; for it is not given to every one to dispute, but boldly to confess the faith. This when received from the Lord, well becomes Christians.
But when these poor lambs engaged in controversy, they became perplexed in their consciences, and apostatized from the truth, which gave the false prophets cause for great boasting, since they had won their souls, and brought them back to the holy church. When I heard this, my soul and spirit were greatly grieved on account of the loss of the poor sheep, and because the false prophets, and also the councilors gloried so much in the fall and destruction of the poor lambs and children, whom they had driven to this by adjuring them as you shall hear in the sequel.
Being thus sorrowful, I sighed and complained to God over the violence and power of the devil, which he exerts through the children of unbelief. Then the thought came to me, to write a few letters—for the purpose of informing them in several places—reprehending their vain joy over the loss of the poor lambs whose souls they had murdered. I then began to write, and while thus engaged, my soul was so kindled, that what I had intended to be a little letter of a hand-breadth, became a letter of a whole leaf. The Lord opened my understanding, so that in a wonderful manner I proved to the lords, by references to the Scriptures, their punishment with the whole Roman Empire and its end. In the letter I wrote, that I desired and requested liberty publicly to dispute with all their learned men, in the presence of a great fire, into which the defeated party should be cast; also, that they should let the poor lambs in peace, and that they should leave the sword to the secular power, and contend with the word of God.
Having completed this letter, I showed it to the brethren, who were well pleased with it. I then had a brother, who was a better writer than I, make six copies of it. In the meantime, the poor, ruined lambs were released from prison, and recanted everything. One of the lads died the same day on which he came out, a league from the city, and thus became an example to those who seek to save their life.
At the time that this occurred I came with Hansken Keeskooper from Antwerp, and we made all our arrangements for the disposing of our letters. On Saturday evening we sent the letters to the lords of the city, and also posted two open ones in the middle of the city, that every one might read them. We greatly praise and thank the Lord, that we did this before we were apprehended: for we were all betrayed by a Judas, who was among us, and who seemed to be one of the most pious of all the brethren that were there, so successfully could he practice his deception. It had long been his aim, as we now perceive, to betray a large number of the friends. This traitor was present when the letters were posted. We had appointed to meet together on Sunday morning, to speak of the word of the Lord; for I desired to take leave of the brethren, intending to go on a journey the next day. But the Lord be praised, who had ordered it otherwise. Early in the morning, Hansken went with me to the woods where we were to assemble. We did not find our friends at the place where we expected to meet them. We hunted for them a good half-hour, and came to the conclusion that they had not yet come, as there had been a heavy rain the evening before. We were about to turn back, when I said: “Let us go; they may be here ahead of us,” and sang softly; that, if they were there, they might hear us. I then heard a rustling in the woods, and said to Hansken: “Our friends are here.” We stood still, and looked to see who should come out. Then three men with weapons and sticks came forth.
I said: “Well, boys, have you been hunting a hare, and have not caught it?”
Their faces turned pale as death, and they stepped up to us, and seized me by the arm, saying: “Surrender.”
Thus they apprehended us, saying: “We have caught a great number besides.”
We then saw a whole wagon full of our brethren sitting bound, and three Judges with all their servants, a great number, who guarded them. When we came to them, we saluted our brethren with the peace of the Lord, and comforted them with his words, boldly to contend for his name.
We then reproved the Judges for being so desirous of shedding innocent blood. Thereupon they coupled Hansken and me together with iron fetters, and also our thumbs. We expected they would take us to the city; but as we had been apprehended in another seigniory, we had to go half a league further. We regarded it as very fortunate that we could be together so long, thus being enabled to comfort one another on the way, with the word of the Lord, before they separated us.
We were then taken to a castle, a league from the city, where we were all kept together in one room, remaining there three days; for this was the law of the seigniory where we had been apprehended. There we thanked and praised the Lord our God for having ordered it so well, that we had so much time freely to admonish one another. Much people also came from the city, to see and hear us; but towards the last no one was permitted to come into our room. There the chief Bailiff of the country of Aelst examined us in regard to our faith, which we freely confessed to him. We expected to be taken to Aelst; but as the bailiff of Ghent had put us into the wagon when we were apprehended, to take us to Ghent, all of us had to be taken to that city. The traitor who had betrayed us, was apprehended with us, that we might not notice it. He was put into a separate room, and we felt much compassion for him, because he could not be with us; for we knew not that he was our betrayer. He was also taken along in the wagon, to the prison at Ghent, where we first learned that he had betrayed us.
When we were brought out of the castle, to be taken to the city, much people had come from the city to see us; there my brother’s wife, who was a sister, was apprehended, because she spoke to me, and was put into the wagon; also a man who wished us Godspeed. We freely spoke to the people that had come, telling them that those who would turn from wickedness, and follow Christ, had to be a prey for every one. Is. 59:15. There were many who would have liked to talk with us, but did not dare do so, because of the wicked judges. There were ten of us; two were ready [for baptism], and four were novices; the other two were apprehended because they spoke to us. Thus they took two wagon loads to the city, in broad daylight. On the way, they also apprehended a woman, only because she said to us: ‘God keep you.’ She also had to sit in the wagon. But if they had apprehended all who spoke to us when we came into the city, and to whom we replied with the word of God, they could not have carried them in twenty wagons, as the people came running from every corner which we passed; as water which runs down from the mountains, and becomes a large stream, so the people flowed together, which continued from one of the gates of the city to the castle of the count, which stands at the other end of the city, a walking distance of about one hour. We were led up to the castle, and the judge of the country of Aelst, delivered us over into the hands of the lords of the Imperial Council. Here we were separately confined, some into upper rooms. The women also remained above; but eleven of us were led into a gloomy, deep dungeon, containing divers dark cells built of masonry, in which we were put in separate parties of three and three. But Hansken and I were put into the darkest of all, in which there was a small quantity of crumbled straw, about an apron full, with which we might help ourselves. I said: “It seems to me that we are with Jonah in the whale’s belly, so dark it is here; we may well cry with Jonah to the Lord, that he will be our comforter and deliverer; for we are now deprived of all human comfort and assistance.” This did not deject us, but we praised and thanked God, that we were permitted to suffer for his name. We also spoke to our brethren that lay in other cells; for we could easily hear each other speaking. After we had lain there for three or four days, Hansken and I were both summoned before the lords, where we were examined, and interrogated concerning the ground of our faith, and when we had been baptized.
The Lord then, according to his promise, gave us a mouth, to speak boldly, and we requested to be allowed publicly to defend ourselves with the word of God. They replied to us, that they would send us learned men, who would instruct us; whereupon we were taken below again.
Shortly after, I was taken above into another room, to two councilors and a clerk. There they interrogated me very closely, where I had been, and if I knew that I had been banished six years ago, in the time of Martin Huereblock, and where we had held our meetings; all of which they knew, for the traitor had already told them. I said: “Why do you ask me, who have come from foreign countries?” (For I purposely did not wish to ask much, that, in case I should be apprehended, I might not have much to answer.) “Why do you question me so closely? have you not yet enough innocent blood to shed? do you thirst for still more?” “Ask as closely as you want to,” said I; “the righteous Judge shall ask you again, if you do not repent.”
They then asked me still more, and adjured me by my baptism, that I should tell them; “For,” said they, “we know that you people do not lie; hence tell us.”
I said: “That you know that we do not lie, is to us a testimony of salvation, but to you of perdition (Phil. 1:28), because you put such to death; but your adjuration has no power against the truth.”
All that I said was written down, and they threatened to torture me if I would not tell them everything. I said: “I can not tell you what I do not know.” Thus they tormented me for a very long time. Thereupon I was taken below again. In this manner they dealt with all our friends, with each separately.
One Saturday I was taken above again into the same room. Four monks were present; the guardian of the Minorites, with another, and the Superior of the Jacobines, with another. With me there came a young brother, who had not yet received baptism, but was ready for it.
When I had seated myself, I asked them what they wished. They said they were sent by the lords, to instruct us, and to converse with us concerning the ground and articles of faith. I replied that I was ready to be instructed with the word of God, and to hold converse concerning the ground and articles of faith, and this publicly, in the presence of the judges who were to judge us, and of our brethren and sisters that were imprisoned with us.
Ans. “This they will not permit.”
Hans van Overdam. “Well, let them do what they please; we will not dispute secretly and alone, lest our words be perverted behind our backs.”
Ans. “We will not pervert your words.”
Hans. “No, we know you well.”
Ques. “What do you take us for? what evil did we ever do you? pray, tell us what evil do you know of us?”
Hans. “If you would know it then; I regard you as false prophets and seducers.”
Here we got into a dispute concerning their spiritual semblance, and the command of the Pope regarding the purity of the priests and monks, and why they were called spiritual, and others secular, when all ought to be spiritual.
They then said: “This is not profitable; let us dispute about the articles of faith.”
Thereupon I said: “What I have said I have said.”
They replied that they would tell it to the lords. Thus we separated, having disputed with each other for fully two hours. Two days after, Hansken and I were summoned before the lords; the four monks were present, and attempted to engage us in a disputation.
I then said to the lords: “My lords, I ask you, in what house are we, in a house of justice, or of violence?”
Ans. “In a house of justice.”
Hans. “God grant that it be so; but, my lords, of what do you accuse us, that you keep us imprisoned and confined like thieves and murderers? Have we wronged any one, or do you charge us with violence, murder, or roguery?”
Ans. “No; we know no such thing of you.”
Hans. “Well, my lords, why then have you imprisoned us?”
Ans. “Your adversaries will tell you that.”
Hans. “Are you our adversaries?”
Ans. “No, but we are judges.”
I then said to the monks: “Are you our adversaries?”
Ans. “No.”
Hans. “Well, if no one is our adversary, why are we imprisoned?”
A councilor then said: “The Emperor is your adversary.”
Hans. “We have not offended against his Imperial Majesty according to the power which he has received from God, and will obey him in every ordinance, as far as we can do so consistently with the truth.”
Councilor. “You have held meetings of this new doctrine, and the Emperor has commanded that this should not be done.”
Hans. “God has not authorized him to make such commandments; in this he transcends the power which God has given him, and in this we do not recognize his supremacy; for the salvation of our souls concerns us more, so that we show obedience to God.”
The monks then said: “We are your adversaries, in that your doctrine is not good; for if it were good, you would not preach in woods and corners, but openly.”
Hans then said: “Grant us a free place in the market, or in your monasteries and churches, and see whether we then shall go into the woods; but no, you are afraid that you would be reproved; hence you have brought it about, that you cannot be reproved, and have driven us from cities and countries.”
Monks. “Alas! we have not done it; the Emperor does it.”
Hans. “You have urged him to it.”
Monks. “We have not.”
The lords also then began to speak against us, why we were not content with the faith of our parents, and with our baptism.
We replied: “We know of no infant baptism, but of a baptism upon faith, concerning which the word of God teaches us.”
We then had many other words, and reproved them for undertaking to be judges in matters of faith, when they did not understand the Scriptures. “If you would be judges, be impartial, and let the matter proceed in regular order; let both parties appear together, and let our brethren and sisters that have been brought prisoners here together with us, be with us. Then one of us, whose mouth the Lord shall open, will speak, and the others shall listen in silence while he is speaking; and thus shall also our adversaries do.”
Lords. “We will not let you come together; we would have you dispute alone here.”
We then said: “My lords, it would be the most convenient for you, and the whole matter could be finished with one disputation; otherwise you will constantly have to dispute anew with one or two at a time.”
Lords. “What then? we will not have it so.”
Then a councilor said: “They want to have them together, in order to seduce one another still more; therefore they cannot be allowed to come together.”
Hans. “My lords, you say that you are judges, but we regard you as our adversaries; for you seek to injure us in every way, and to cause us and our brethren by violence and subtlety, to apostatize from our faith.”
Ans. “Why should we not do this, in order to bring them back?”
Hans. “Well, my lords, hear this: since we see that you are no judges, but our adversaries, and employ, wherever you can, all violence and subtlety, to your advantage, and our detriment: Firstly, you have by violence deprived us of our testaments, in which we find our consolation; secondly, you have confined us separately, some in deep, dark dungeons, others in rooms up above; and thirdly, you seek to outwit and deceive us by separate disputations, afterwards to say behind our backs, to our brethren, that you had overcome us, and, vice versa, to say the same to us concerning our brethren and sisters; therefore, my lords, we will not dispute here, unless our brethren and sisters are present.”
When they heard that their design against us did not proceed according to their wish, they became greatly enraged, and also the monks. We saw easily enough to what it amounted, and that all they did was pure deception; for though it was proven by the Scriptures, with regard to several articles, that they were in the wrong, yet they would not acknowledge it, and excused themselves with the Emperor and his mandates, and the monks with the long continued customs of the Roman church (Wisdom 14:16), and the great number of our forefathers; and when the contrary had been proven to them from the Scriptures, it was just as before, even as though one should have talked to the stove.
We then said: “My lords, will you not permit us, to dispute in regular order, as we have requested?”
Ans. “No.”
“Well then,” said we, “You know the ground of our faith, which we have freely confessed to you; you may now do with us as you please (Jer. 26:14), as far as God will permit; but take good heed what you do, for there is a judge still higher than you. Eph. 6:9. May the Lord open the eyes of your understanding, that you may see how miserably you are seduced and deceived by the false prophets, indeed so that you fight against God and the Lamb, for which it will go hard with you, unless you repent.”
We were then led away again, as we would not dispute further; for we had agreed upon this, when we were together yet in the castle, out of the city, lest they should take the simple unawares by disputations. Hence they could not persuade any that they had overcome them, all knowing that they were not to dispute, except in the presence of the others, in which case the disputation would tend to the consolation and admonition of our brethren and sisters who should hear it; for when we saw that they did their best we would not let anything be wanting on our part, seeing necessity demanded it. When they perceived that this did not promise success, they tried another scheme. They sent a councilor and two friars, a grey and a black, into a room, before whom a brother or sister, one at a time, were brought, to dispute with them and to defend the ground of their faith; but they declared that they would not dispute alone in a room, but openly, when we should be together before the lords. They then said: “We adjure you by your faith and baptism, that you dispute here.” The brother replied: “I know my faith and baptism; but with your adjuration I have nothing to do; hence let us come together; for this is just what we wish, to dispute openly with you, but not thus alone in a room.” Another was then summoned, and thus it went until all had been brought before them; but no one would dispute in this manner. Thereupon I also had to appear alone in a room, before a councilor and two monks, who likewise began to adjure me. I then said: “Why would you adjure me, to cast roses before dogs, and pearls before swine, that you may trample on them? No, this the Lord has forbidden me to do. Matt. 7:6. Nay, I esteem the words of God far too precious, than that I should let the light shine in vain here, whereby no one would be enlightened, but it would only be blasphemed and mocked, as you do when the truth is told you.”
Then they adjured me still much more; but I replied: “Why do you adjure so much? I care not for your adjuration; for it is the manner of sorcerers, who adjure against the truth. 2 Chron. 33:6. But I now see clearly, how the souls of our two brethren and sisters were murdered and seduced (Ezek. 13:19), it was through your sorcerous adjuration, as they did not guard themselves against the subtlety of the devil, and had not the gift to dispute.”
The guardian then said: “You boasted in your letter, that you would dispute publicly; why do you not dare do it now?”
Hans. “You monk, I still desire with all my heart to defend my faith with the word of God, publicly before all men (1 Pet. 3:15); but your cap would shake quite differently, if you had to dispute with me at the risk of the fire, and if the authorities would not protect you.”
Councilor. “No, we have no desire to let you dispute publicly; you are now in our hands.”
Hans. “I desired it, before I knew that I should fall into your hands; but I see well now, that I have fallen into the talons of the eagle (2 Esdra 11), and whoever gets into them cannot escape without losing soul or body.”
Councilor. “Who is the eagle, the Emperor?”
Hans. “No, it is the Roman Empire or power; read the letter I wrote you; it will tell you.”
We then exchanged many more words, and the monks became angry at me, and commenced to utter puffed-up words. I then said that Paul had prophesied correctly concerning them, that they were blasphemers, proud, and puffed up. 2 Timothy 3:2.
Thereupon friar Jan de Croock became so enraged that he began to cry: “Fools, fools, heretics, heretics are you!”
Hans. “Behold, is this not a fine teacher? but Paul says that a teacher must not be a brawler, nor angry.” 1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7. The councilor felt ashamed that the monk acted so disgracefully, and commanded him to be silent.
At another subsequent time there came two secular priests: Sir Willem of Nieuwenland, and the parish priest of St. Michael. I asked them what they desired. They replied: “We have come to seek your soul,” This time I kept under cover as much as I could, in hopes that we might dispute openly before the lords, as they told me that they would use their best endeavors in this direction. But when I heard that it could not be, I thought, when they came again with the clerk, we must accost each other in quite a different way, from what we did the last time. I then asked: “What do you wish?”
Ans. “We desire that you suffer yourself to be instructed; for, behold, we seek your soul.”
Hans. “Do you then take so much pains to seek souls?”
Ans. “Yes.”
Hans. “Well then, go into the city, to every place, to the drunkards, whoremongers, swearers, railers, covetous, proud, idolaters, revellers, gluttons, and murderers, who shed innocent blood; all these are still your brethren; go, seek their souls; Christ has found mine.”
Ans. “We admonish them, and then we have delivered our souls.”
Hans. “That is not enough; you must go to them, and reprove them, and if they will not hear you, you must bring them before the church, and reprove them openly; if they still refuse to hear, exclude them from the church, and let them be unto you as heathen and open sinners, as Christ teaches, and Paul writes to the Corinthians. Reprove also your judges, who do violence and injustice, yea, who shed innocent blood.”
One of the priests then said: “Should we go and reprove the magistrates?”
I asked whether God was a respecter of persons.
Ans. “No.”
Hans. “Would you be a minister of God, and have respect to persons?”
Ans. “This would cause an uproar in the city, and they would kill us.”
Hans. “Then suffer for righteousness’ sake.”
But it seemed to me they had no great desire to suffer for it. In short, we treated so much of the ban, that if the words of Christ and Paul were followed, the Pope, Prelates, Emperor and King, yea, they themselves with all their multitude would be excluded, and only a very small number remain.
I then told them that their house was all on fire, kindled by the flames of hell, and that they should first extinguish that, before coming to see whether our house was in danger of fire. Whereupon they went away; one of the priests came no more. In this manner I dealt also with Sir Anthony van Hille; he tormented the others, but let me alone.
Herewith I commend my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord into the hands of the Almighty God and Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Written while in prison for the testimony of Christ. I lay in a dark dungeon for a month; I am now in a deep, round hole, where there is a little more light, and here I have written this letter. I hope to offer up my sacrifice this week, if it is the Lord’s will, together with those whom the Lord has foreordained thereto; for if it does not take place this week, it will no doubt be deferred for two months yet, because no court will be held for six weeks. Know, that our brethren and sisters are of good cheer and courage, through the grace of the Lord; God be praised for it. I beseech you, by the brotherly love which you bear to me, that you send this letter to Friesland, particularly to Emdenland; I mean this same letter, as soon as you can; you may copy it, but make haste with it. I kindly desire that it be preserved, so that it may not be torn or soiled. The brethren that are in the dungeon with me, greet you all with the peace of God. We daily pray to the Lord for you; do so also for us. Walk in the peace of the Lord, and it will be well with you. When this letter has been read, send it to Antwerp, that it may be sent to the church at Emden, so that it may be read to every one; this I desire of my dear brethren, through the brotherly love which you bear to me.
Understand well:
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear, and he that reads, let him attend, and judge with the understanding of the holy Scriptures; but woe to him that judges without understanding. Hearken, I speak to you, O carnal generation, you Ishmaelites, who boast of being Christians, because you are born of water without the Spirit, and persecute the children of the promise, who, through faith in the word of God, are born of the water and of the Spirit; yea, you persecute them, as Ishmael persecuted Isaac, as Esau did Jacob, and as the Jews persecuted Christ. Even so the antichristians, who are born of the flesh, now persecute the Christians, who are born of the Spirit, who shall receive the promise of the everlasting kingdom through Christ, who is the heir of all things, and causes his kingdom to be proclaimed through the Gospel, unto repentance and true sorrow for dead works, through faith in him; they contemn his witnesses, etc. This is the wind, O eagle, mark! which bloweth where it listeth, and thou canst not tell whence it cometh, or whither it goeth. Hear now his voice, which the Most High has reserved unto the latter times, to reveal to thee thy transgressions and punishment, who now begins to deliver his people through much misery and tribulation.
Therefore, mark! O thou eagle, the end of thy time is very nigh; art thou not the fourth beast? O yes, thou art the beast seen by Daniel (Dan. 7:7), which devoured everything with his iron teeth, and stamped the residue with his feet, and brought forth the most wicked little horn. Dan. 7:7,8. Thou hast dwelt a long time upon the earth with deceit, and hast not judged the earth with truth. For thou hast afflicted the meek, thou hast hurt the peaceable, thou hast loved liars, and destroyed the dwellings of them that brought forth fruit, and hast cast down the walls of such as did thee no harm. Therefore is thy wrongful dealings come up unto the Highest, and thy pride unto the Mighty. And therefore appear no more, thou eagle, that the earth may be refreshed, and may return, being delivered from thy violence, and that she may hope for the judgment and mercy of him that made her, whose judgment shall be better and more just than thine, O thou eagle! Therefore, shall thy wicked heads which remain to the last, be the end of the eagle to accomplish his most wicked wickedness, together with his wicked feathers, which also are kept unto the last. Therefore hear, vain body of eagle, who vainly boast of what you are not, namely, Christians. Hear also, you most wicked claws, which are willing and ready to destroy and rend what your most wicked heads command you, through the counsel of liars, whom they love. Why do you rejoice in the misery and fall of the poor lambs and sucklings, who feed still on milk, and whom you keep imprisoned with violence, and whose souls you murder with false, deceitful wiles: who have heard the truth only a year or two at the most; you have none as yet, that can instruct you in all the articles of faith? Be ashamed of your boasting, that through your carnal, blind, learned men you have overcome the innocent, with subtle, deceitful wiles and broken Scriptures. Oh woe, woe! for the great misery and the terrible times, that wickedness has gained so much the upper hand, that truth is not permitted as much as openly to defend itself. Let the misery, violence, and great distress of the pregnant and the sucklings of these times ascend to the ears of the Most High, because no help, comfort, or assistance can be rendered them by those whom the Lord has endowed with more grace and gifts to stop the mouths of adversaries.
But perhaps you say: Let them come forward then, that are better endowed, and have received more grace. To this we reply, that the wolf might call for a long while before the sheep would come; they well knowing that he would tear them with great cruelty, and without right and reason. Alas, alas! what awful judgment and terrible punishment from the fierce and devouring wrath of God shall fall upon those who without mercy distress, persecute and murder the innocent and godfearing, and themselves live so ungodly in all the unrighteous works of the flesh, so that they shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven. O, thou spiritual Babylon, how shall the Lord visit and avenge upon you the innocent souls and the blood of his witnesses; for all this is found in thee. Thou hast made the kings of the earth, and all nations, so drunken with the wine of spiritual whoredom, that they can neither see nor hear the truth. O that we might once freely defend ourselves publicly with the word of God, in the presence of a large, flaming fire, against all you learned doctors, licentiates, priests and monks, who help strengthen, protect, preserve and maintain the kingdom of antichrist, and that the vanquished party should be cast into the fire; then it would not be necessary to torment and distress the poor, innocent lambs, and your faith could be tried, as to how it accords with the truth; then there would be no need of washing the hands with Pilate, or of the imperial mandate, and the authorities would remain free from the blood of the innocent, if they would not let the word of God be judge over the faith. But no, the false prophets and deceivers well know that their trickery and deceit would be made far too much manifest thereby. Therefore they cry just as assiduously as did the scribes and Pharisees; “Crucify him, crucify him.” The mandate of the Emperor must prevail. Thus it was in the beginning of the fourth beast, and so it is now at the end of it. Let him that can comprehend with it, observe with understanding, that the end is the worst of all.
“Princess, repent and amend your ways; for the end of all things is at hand. Woe unto you false prophets who resist the truth, even as the Egyptian magicians resisted Moses; but your wickedness shall yet be made manifest to all men, even as it already begins. Woe unto you champion antichrist, who put on the time-honored customs of the Roman church as an armor with which to defend yourselves against the truth, and use the mandate of the Emperor as a shield, and wield the sword of the magistracy, in every country to shed the innocent blood of those who will not defend themselves with temporal or carnal weapons, but only with the word of God, which is our sword, and which is sharp and two-edged. But we are daily greatly slandered by those who say that we defend our faith with the sword, as did those of Munster. May the Almighty God preserve us from such abominations.
Be it known to you, noble Lords, Councilors, Burgomasters and Judges, that we recognize your officers as right and good; yea, as ordained and instituted of God, that is, the secular sword for the punishment of evil-doers, and the protection of the good, and we desire to obey you in all taxes, tributes and ordinances, as far as it is not contrary to God. And if you find us disobedient in these things, we will willingly receive our punishment as malefactors. God, who is acquainted with every heart, knows that this is our intention. But understand, ye noble Lords, that the abuse of your stations or offices we do not recognize to be from God, but from the devil, and that antichrist, through the subtlety of the devil, has bewitched and blinded your eyes, so that you do not know yourselves, who you are, and how sorely you have incurred the wrath of God. Be sober, therefore, and awake, and open the eyes of your understanding, and see against whom you fight, that it is not against man, but against God. Therefore we will not obey you; for it is the will of God, that we shall be tried thereby. Hence we would rather, through the grace of God, suffer our temporal bodies to be burned, drowned, beheaded, racked or tortured, as it may seem good to you, or be scourged, banished, or driven away, and robbed of our goods, than show you any obedience contrary to the word of God, and we will be patient herein, committing vengeance to God; “for we know him that 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.” Hebrews 10:30,31. And the spirit testifies, that this is at hand, and has already commenced.
Hearken, thou whose time for bearing is half fulfilled: Prepare thy bed; for thou shalt bring forth. What shall I bring forth? The fruit of thy labor, with pain and anguish, and afterwards death. Hearken, thou on the right hand: Prepare the measure. What shall I prepare it for? To measure thy neighbor, and then shalt thou also be measured. Get thee ready, thou fire, and do not tarry. Hearken, I speak to you who are of one mind with the horns (Rev. 17:13), the day of your feast has come, your meat is ready; eat quickly the fat flesh of the drunken, that the power may be given to the beast. It has been put into your hearts, so to do. After the beast you shall have power for a little while. You fight against the Lamb, but the Lamb shall overcome you; he is King of kings, and Lord of lords, and his kingdom will endure forever. Amen.
We testify of him that it is he that shall come, yea, he comes quickly, the Lord Jesus, who shall reward every man according to his works.
A holy conversation, a living, spiritual faith, hope, and a true evangelical confidence in God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, our only Helper and Savior, I wish to my beloved friends, for glad tidings and an affectionate salutation, that through said faith and confidence in God you may grow up in a new and pure life, which life is perceived and richly found in the holy Gospel. O blessed are they who purify and sanctify themselves according to the tenor of the Gospel; without which purification and sanctification no man shall see God nor the Lord. Thus follow the advice of the Lord Jesus, who says: “Search the Scriptures.” John 5:39. I have done nothing else; as I and my fellow-prisoners said before the lords of the Imperial Council; and they can not, in truth, bring any charge against us. They asked us, me first, and then the others, one after another, whether we were baptized.
I said: “Yes, my lords.”
Ques. “How long since?”
Ans. “Four years, my lords.”
Ques. “What do you hold concerning your baptism received in infancy?”
Ans. “Nothing at all, my lords.”
Ques. “Concerning the sacrament of the priests, do you not believe that flesh and blood is there, and that it is God?”
Ans. “No my lords, how should it be flesh and blood and God,” said I before the priests of Jezebel. “Cover over this whole table with them [with wafers], and I will blow them away like dust; hence they are not God, for God can not be handled or eaten bodily.”
They then asked whether I would hold to this. I replied: “Yes, my lords, till the contrary is proven to me with the Scriptures.”
Thereupon I was led away from the council, and another brought forward, until ten had made this confession, one of whom is not baptized yet, but he confessed that it is right and good, and said that he once went to the teacher to be baptized.
The lords then asked him: “How came it that he did not baptize you?”
The person, a mere lad yet, and a dear child, replied: “My lords, when the teacher presented the faith to me, and had interrogated me, he well perceived that I was still young in understanding, and bade me search the Scriptures still more; but I desired that it be done. He then asked me whether I knew that the world puts to death and burns such people. I replied: “I know it well.” He then said to me: “Hence I pray you, that you have patience for this time, until I come again another time. Search the Scriptures, and ask the Lord for wisdom; for you are yet a youth. Thus we parted.”
The lords then asked: “Are you sorry that you are not baptized?”
He said: “Yes, my lords.”
They asked him further: “If you were not imprisoned, would you be baptized?”
He replied: “Yes, my lords.”
He was then led away from the council.
See, dear friends, these are beautiful signs and miracles; open your eyes, and behold when such young persons give themselves for the truth, delivering their bodies into prison, and even unto death. We have told the lords, that they should bring forward all their learned men, and we would prove to them with the truth, that they are all false prophets, and that they have deceived the world for almost thirteen hundred years with their deceitfulness, and that we would rather dispute with them publicly upon a scaffold, in the midst of the market-place, than secretly; but this the priests will not do, and will spare no pains to escape it. Thus all the learned men were called to dispute in the consistory, all the lords of the council being present, and also four of the most learned priests of Ghent; I was present and heard it myself.
Therefore, search the Scriptures, which the Lord commands you to do, and to act according to them, on pain of the damnation of your souls, and of being cast into everlasting fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth forever; which Scriptures the priests forbid you to read, on pain of being hated by all men all the days of your life, and of having your body burned at the stake; which is soon done, as may be seen. Hence we rather do what the Lord commands, though we are despised for a little while, and by men cast out of this miserable world, and rest in the Lord, than do what men command, and be forever the enemy of God, in the horrible pit of hell. Therefore, search the Scriptures with an upright heart towards God, and the Lord will give you understanding. The Lord be with you. My love to you.
From me Jannijn Buefkijn, imprisoned at Ghent, for the testimony of Jesus. I wish salvation to all that seek the Lord with an unfeigned heart. Written in the dark with poor materials.
When these two lambs had been sentenced, the Procurator-General said: “That you are sentenced as heretics, is for the reason that divers learned men disputed with you, and you would not suffer yourselves to be instructed.”
Hans van Overdam. “My lords, if we could have disputed publicly, it would soon have been seen what kind, learned men they were.”
Procurator-General. “It is too late now; it is too late now!”
Both were sent away then, going with a smile on their lips.
Hans van Overdam. “Yes, yes, it is too late now!”
Hans Keeskooper had agreed with Hans van Overdam, that on the scaffold he would take off his stockings, and in the meantime Hans van Overdam should speak to the people; which was also done. When the executioners would assist Hansken, the latter desired to do it alone, that Hans van Overdam might speak the longer to the people. This done, each was placed at a stake, and they offered up their bodies to God.
On the last of January 1550, there were offered up for the faith, at Lier, in Brabant, four pious Christians, named Govert, Gillis, Mariken and Anneken, who, as sheep for the slaughter, had been apprehended without violence. When they were brought before the council, and questioned concerning their faith, they made a frank and unfeigned confession of it. The bailiff then said: “You stand here to defend yourselves?”
Govert replied: “As regards my faith, I have freely confessed it, and shall turn to no other; though it cost my life, I will adhere to it.”
Forthwith the imperial edict was read to them, and the bailiff asked them whether they understood its contents.
Govert said: “God has commanded us through Christ, as is recorded in the sixteenth chapter of Mark, that all who believe and are baptized shall be saved, and that those who do not believe shall be damned; but the Emperor, in his blind judgment, has commanded that whoever is baptized upon his faith, shall be put to death without mercy. These two commands militate against each other; one of the two we must forsake; but every one ought to know that we must keep the command of God; for though Satan teaches that we are heretics, yet we do not act contrary to the word of God.”
When they were led to the tribunal, Govert said to the priests: “Take off your long robes, put on sack cloth, put ashes on your heads, and repent, like those of Nineveh.”
In the court the bailiff asked him whether he desired no favor.
He replied: “I will not ask for your favor; for what I cannot do without the most high God will give me.”
The bailiff said also to Anneken: “Do you not desire a favor, before sentence is passed upon you?”
She answered: “I shall ask favor of God, my refuge.”
Mariken, an old woman of seventy-five years, was asked whether she would confess her sins to the priest.
She replied: “I am sorry that I ever confessed my sins to the mortal ears of the priests.”
Seeing some brethren, Govert turned his face and joyfully comforted them, saying among other things: “I pray God, that you may be thus imprisoned for his glory, as I now am.”
The bailiff very fiercely said: “Be still, for your preaching is of no account here.”
“My lord bailiff,” said he, “I speak only five or six words, which God has given me to speak; does this give you so much pain?” And when the people murmured on this account, he said: “This has been witnessed from the time of righteous Abel, that the righteous have suffered reproach; hence be not astonished.” The two servants that stood by him said “You must not speak; the bailiff will not have it; hence be still.”
Immediately God closed his mouth, which grieved many. Gillis was not questioned, and he said nothing at all; but they were led back to prison, where they rejoiced together, and sang: Saligh is den man, en goet geheeten;; and also the forty-first psalm. The bailiff then came into prison, and asked Govert, whether he had considered the matter; to which he replied: “Unless you repent, the punishment of God shall come upon you.” The bailiff looked out of the window, and said: “Will God damn all this multitude of people?”
Govert replied: “I have spoken the word of God to you; but I hope there are still people here who fear God?”
The bailiff then turned to Anneken, and asked her what she had to say to it.
She replied: “Lord bailiff, twice I have been greatly honored in this city, namely, when I was married, and when my husband became emperor; but I never had a joy that did not perish, as I now have.”
On his way to death, Govert delivered an excellent admonition, reproving the wicked railing, and said: “Be it known to you, that we do not die for theft, murder or heresy, but because we seek an inheritance with God, and live according to his word.”
The executioner commanded him silence, but he said: “Leave God be with me for a little while; repent, for your life is short.”
A brother then said: “God will strengthen you.”
“O yes,” said he, “the power of his Spirit is not weakening in me.”
The monk attempted to speak to Mariken, but Govert said: “Get you hence, deceiver, to your own people; for we have no need of you.”
Entering the ring, Govert said to the gild-brothers: “How you stand here with sticks and staves? thus stood the Jews when they brought Christ to death; if we had been afraid of this, we would have fled in time.”
They then knelt down together, and prayed; whereupon they kissed each other. Anneken immediately commenced to sing: “In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust.” Ps. 71:1. The servants told her to be still; but Govert said: “No, sister, sing on,” and helped her sing. Enraged at this, the bailiff called to him a servant, and whispered something in his ear. The latter went to the assistant of the executioner, who, upon receiving the order, immediately put a gag on Govert; but the latter held his teeth so firmly closed, that the gag did not hinder him much, and he laughingly said: “I could easily sing with the gag on; but Paul says: Sing in your heart to God.” Eph. 5:19.
The executioner, in order to put her to shame, made Anneken stand in her bare chemise. A servant asked Gillis whether he did not see some of his people. Gillis said: “Do you know of nothing else to torment us with?” “What does he say?” asked Govert. “He inquires for our fellow-brethren,” replied Gillis. Govert said: “Though I could count twenty, I would not mention a single one. You think that by killing us you can suppress the word of God: but of those that hear and see this, hundreds shall yet come forth.” Standing at the stake, he said: “Amend your ways and repent; for after this there will be no more time for repentance.” A servant who had a bottle of wine, asked them whether they wished to drink. Govert said: “We have no desire for your insipid wine; for our Father shall give us new wine in his eternal kingdom.” Matt. 26:29. When it was thought that the old woman had been strangled at the stake, she began to sing a hymn in honor of her Bridegroom, which when Anneken heard it, she, from ardent love, sang with her. When they all stood at their stakes, each with a strap around the neck, they smiled at and nodded to one another, thus affectionately saluting and comforting each other, and commending their souls into the hands of God, they fell asleep in the Lord, and were burned.
In the year 1550, there were apprehended at Leyden, in Holland, four lambs of Christ, namely, a brother and three sisters, named Willem, Maritgen, Dieuwertgen and Maritgen Jans, who, having frankly confessed their faith, and no pain or suffering having power to cause them to apostatize, were finally sentenced to death as heretics.
When they were brought forth, Willem said: “We suffer not as thieves or murderers, but for the name of the Lord; therefore, O Lord, forgive them that do this to us.”
Maritgen said: “Lord, strengthen us, who suffer for thy word, which few are willing to do. I am not worthy to suffer for thy name; but, Lord, thou shalt make me worthy.” Acts 5:41.
Dieuwertgen came forward singing, and then said: “Dear citizens, do not avenge this; for it is done for the name of the Lord.” She further said: “Lord, look upon us, who suffer for thy word; for our trust is in thee alone.”
Maritgen Jans said: “This is the narrow way to salvation. O Lord, receive my spirit. And you lords of the council, only consider what great injury you are doing to your souls, in shedding innocent blood; hence repent, like those of Nineveh; for we suffer not on account of heresy or sedition; we seek not to contend, save with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Thereupon, commending their souls into the hands of God, they offered up their sacrifice, presenting an acceptable savor to God, for which they will hereafter not lose their reward.
As this Teunis van Haustelraed was a zealous man in the fear of God, and very diligent with the talent which the Lord had committed to him, to get gain for the Lord, to bring many to the knowledge of the truth, and to strengthen those who had received the truth, in the same; and as he thus most faithfully oversaw and served the church of Christ, he was finally apprehended, and imprisoned at Limmick, a city in the province of Jueelick, where he had many a severe contest with many subtle and shrewd spirits, and had to suffer and endure many torments for his faith. The controversy was principally about infant baptism and the sacrament, in which he did not agree with the papists. And as he could not be overcome or moved by them, but adhered firmly to the truth, he was finally condemned to be burned. They led him out of the city into the open field, and there burned him to ashes, about the year 1550.
While he was yet in prison, he remembered his brethren and sisters with a consolatory admonition, which he sent to them from prison; it reads as follows:
“O God, grant that in my great suffering I may unceasingly press to thee, and not fear any pain, or death. Yea, dear Lord, I beseech thee, who art God over all things, that I may not be ensnared by whatever may and will yet come upon me, which I shall suffer with Christ, unto salvation; for I know that the crown of life is prepared for those who persevere herein. Therefore, O ye pious, despair not, but earnestly betake yourselves to your Captain Christ, for he can win the field; and he shall come at the last day, in flaming fire, and hold a severe judgment over all the ungodly. He shall then say to the sheep on his right hand: ‘Come, inherit the kingdom of my Father, prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ Matt. 25:34. O, all ye Christians, cast from you all that burdens you, and stand with your loins girt, and watch for the Lord. Heb. 12:1; Luke 12:35.
“If you are righteous, become still more righteous; for, believe me, you will need it all. O all ye members of Christ together, I beseech you, wake up now, that you may not sleep when the bridegroom comes; for then the wise will be admitted to salvation, but the foolish will be shut out into eternal damnation. Matt. 25:10.
“The Lord, to whom belonged the talent entrusted to you, will come again, and strictly inquire what each has gained. He shall then commend the wise, saying: ‘Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’ But the slothful shall be reproved for his wickedness, and committed to torment. Matt. 25:26. O ye lambs of the Lord, feed now, that you may become ready, so that you may not be unprepared when you are to come to the wedding. Otherwise the king will say: ‘Friend, how earnest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?’ Then the man, having no good answer, shall be speechless. But the king will command him to be cast into everlasting darkness. Matt. 22:13.
“Do not become buyers of lands, but rather sell, you that are bidden, and give to the poor. Luke 14:18; Matt. 19:21. O dear brethren, have compassion on the poor, and comfort and assist them. I have nearly fought the fight, and my course will soon be finished; God grant that I may keep the faith, and the crown of life will be prepared for me. 2 Tim. 4:8. O Lord, raise up faithful servants, and make them rulers over thy household, that they may give them meat in due season. Matt. 24:45. Pious Christians, I give you this as a brotherly adieu, for your good. It has been written with a faithful heart, and I hope to seal it with my blood.”
Tijs van Lindt was a zealous and devout man, a resident of Remunde, in Guelderland, and walked, according to the knowledge which God had given him, devoutly in the fear of the Lord; he was especially gifted with a sympathizing and merciful heart towards the poor and needy, so that, through the manifold alms and assistance which he rendered to the poor in general, he had a good report with many; for, with that which God had given him, he comforted many in their distress. But as he had forsaken popery with its idolatry, accepted the evangelical truth, received the saving faith in Jesus Christ, repented of his sinful life (abused in ignorance), been baptized upon his faith, and daily sought to go on in the new and holy life, to the honor of God, the edification of his neighbor, and the enlightenment of those who still sat in blindness, in order thus to present his body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, the adversaries of the truth could not bear it, and this pious man was reported and charged with heresy. He was put into prison, where he had to endure many conflicts and assaults; they assailed him severely with torments, that he should apostatize from his faith. But as he notwithstanding all sufferings and torments steadfastly adhered to his faith, he was finally condemned by virtue of the imperial mandate, and burned to ashes.
Shortly after the burning of this pious witness of Jesus Christ, in Remunde, the city itself took fire, and was almost entirely reduced to ashes. How it was is not known, unless of its own accord. Many think that it was a punishment for the innocent blood, which judgment we leave to God.
Palmken Palmen was a resident of Borren, near the bailiwick of Millen, and was very zealous to live in the truth of the holy Gospel, and to follow Christ his Lord in obedience, whom he had put on when he was baptized upon his faith. But as the light is hated by darkness, and there was at this time a severe persecution in the country, by certain bloodthirsty authorities, instigated by the priests there, this good man was often in great distress, and was finally imprisoned, in which imprisonment he suffered much reproach and many assaults; and as he immovably kept his faith in every fear and distress, he was finally sentenced to be burned to ashes, which sentence, as appeared, he received with gladness; for, when he was taken away from the house at Borren, he joyfully kept singing a hymn until the last moment, that is, as long as he had breath, while he was standing at the stake at which he was burned to ashes; which took place between Sittert and Limmerich, in the open field, where a gravestone still marks the place where he is said to have died.
A short time previously there were seven brethren at one time, and eleven at another, executed with the sword, in the bailiwick of Millen and Borren, and thus bore testimony with their blood to the name of Christ.
There was also a pious and devout brother and fellow-member of the church of Jesus Christ, named Remken Ramaeckers, burned for the evangelical truth, near Sittert.
In like manner, Gerrit van Kempen was burned for the testimony of Jesus Christ, at Wislen.
The malice of the priests was so great that they could not bear it, that those who sought in quietness to serve God the Lord in simplicity and sincerity should reside in Antwerp; but they so instigated the Margrave, that rather than lose his office, he went about to apprehend them, and having to this end sent out his servants, he arrested three of them, which caused the priests great joy. The captive brethren, on the other hand, also rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer for the name of the Lord. They were sharply examined concerning their faith, of which they made a good confession, with regard to baptism, and the sacrament, as well as to other articles; and though greatly assailed with subtlety by the priests, and the doctors of Louvain, they so sagaciously defended themselves with the Scriptures, that the Margrave himself declared that he had never heard so clear an exposition of the Scriptures, and that if he were with them only two weeks they should persuade him. Thereupon the brethren said: “Judge yourselves, whether it is not the true faith and the truth for which we pledge our lives, and from which we will not depart, but persevere therein to the praise and the glory of the Lord, who did not forsake us, even when we were sitting in darkness.” Heb. 10:28; Matt. 24:13; Heb. 13:5; Matt. 4:16.
Now when the doctors produced many Scriptures in a perverted and wrong manner, the brethren said: “How dare you be so presumptuous as to teach the way of the Lord so pervertedly?” One of the doctors replied: “It is because we are not willing to be imprisoned and in fear and tribulation with you; but in about seven or eight years I will promulgate the truth aright, and make great gain by it.” “Poor man!” said one of the brethren, “you trust in a vain hope, since you are sure of neither evening nor morning, hour nor time,” which came true; for he died shortly after. Luke 12:20. “Behold,” said they, “you acknowledge yourselves, that we have committed no crime; why then will you take our lives?” The council said: “The decree of the Emperor commands us to put you to death.” “Take then,” said they, “the decree with you into the judgment of the Lord, and see what it will avail you; indeed nothing.”
They were then sentenced, each to be burned at a stake. This sentence did not terrify them; but they greatly rejoiced, and comforted each other. The council said to the youngest: “Pray the Margrave, and he will very probably release you.” “O no,” replied he, “I will suffer with my brethren for the truth.” Thus they went together gladly and boldly to the stakes, saying to one another; “We go in peace to the peaceable house of God, there to obtain an everlasting habitation.” They also prayed for the lords, that God would not lay this deed to their charge, but enlighten them, that they might come to repentance. Finally, standing at the stake, they cried out: “Heavenly Father, receive our spirits into thy hands,” and thus they offered up their sacrifice as true children of God.
The Lord Jesus said to Peter, who was not only a lamb of Jesus Christ, but also a faithful shepherd, elder and overseer of the flock: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” “This spake he,” says John, “signifying by what death he should glorify God.” John 21:18,19. Here no great bishopric, benefice, or yearly stipend is promised to the high apostle Peter, by his master Christ Jesus, for this his faithful service, which he should begin and carry out in watching and feeding the sheep and lambs of the Lord; but much rather tribulation, bonds, and the bitter death with which he should meet. John 16:33; 15:20.
But even as his Master entered through tribulation and suffering into his glory, so it was his will, that his servants should follow his footsteps. This was exemplified, about the year 1550, in the case of one Anthony van Asselroye, a faithful follower of Christ and his chosen apostle Peter. He also bowed his neck under the easy yoke of our Lord Jesus, following him from the whole heart in the regeneration, so that he was chosen by the church of God, to feed and pasture, like Peter, the souls of the sheep of the Lord with the word of God; which he faithfully did in that dark, perilous and bloody time, until he fell into the hands of the blood-thirsty papists, who bound him, and carried him whither he would not; for no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous to the flesh, but grievous. Heb. 12:11.
Thus this teacher and elder was compelled to tread the bloody wine-press, and suffered and endured many torments from these persecutors. And as he patiently passed through all this, and no tyranny could move him to apostatize, he was condemned and put to death, and thus torn and devoured by these ravening wolves, according to the flesh, but in no wise according to the Spirit. But even as this hero and soldier of Jesus Christ obediently followed Christ and his faithful followers, in the faith and the regeneration, so he, at the appearing of the Lord, shall sit with them upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matt. 19:28. There he shall receive again, in glorious immortality, like unto the glorious body of our Lord Jesus Christ, the members which he delivered into bitter death, for the truth and the name of the Lord, and shall live with him forever. Philip. 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:17.
Peter Bruynen, who was offered up at Antwerp, A. D. 1551, confesses that he received Christian baptism upon his faith, by said Anthony van Asselroye.
In the year 1550, there were imprisoned in the city of London, in England, two pious witnesses of Jesus, a man by the name of John Knel or Buchner, and a woman named Anna Cantiana; who, among other things, believed and confessed with Menno Simon and all true believers, that the Son of God became man for our sakes, and that he did not receive his humanity from Mary or any other source, but that the eternal Word, or Son, became himself flesh or man. As the aforementioned could by no means be brought to apostatize, but would firmly adhere to the truth accepted, they, after suffering many torments, were condemned to death at said place. John Knel was burned the second of May, A. D. 1550. Anna Cantiana was also burned to ashes the same year. According to the testimony of John Fox she was ever ready to render service to others especially to those who were in bonds and imprisonment, with whom she constantly was, to minister to them. And as these above mentioned martyrs suffered all this for the testimony of Jesus, and not on account of any crime, and steadfastly died for the truth, and were not ashamed of Christ and his word; in this life, before men, he shall also not be ashamed of them before his Father, but, out of grace, bestow upon them and all the blessed, the kingdom prepared for them from the beginning.
Concerning this, see preface to the old Offerboeck of the year 1616, letter J, other side.
At a certain time, which we have not been able precisely to ascertain, a lad named Jacques Dosie, was imprisoned at Leeuwaerden, in Friesland, for the truth of the holy Gospel. It is said that he was only about fifteen years of age; but the wonder-working God, by the holy Spirit, manifested his power through this little one, and perfected his praise out of the mouth of this young child. Matthew 21:16; Ps. 8:2. For, on a certain occasion, when the lord and lady of Friesland, with many nobles and ladies, were assembled at Leeuwaerden, they summoned Jacques before them, conversed with him, and examined him, whether he was contaminated with any heresy. But the faithful God, according to his promise (Luke 21:14; Matt. 10:19; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11), gave him a mouth and wisdom, which they could in no wise resist or quench.
Thus it came, that after a few words the lord of Friesland went his way, because the people were waiting for him; but the lady of Friesland, moved to compassion, it seems, talked with him, asking him why he, who was still so young, was thus severely imprisoned and bound.
Jacques answered: “This was done only because I believe in Christ, adhere to him alone, and will in no wise forsake him.”
The lady asked him: “Do you not belong to the people who rebaptize themselves, perpetrate so much evil in our country, make rebellion, run together, and say that they are dispersed on account of the faith, and boast of being the church of God, although they are a wicked set, and cause great commotion among the people?”
Jacques. “My lady, I do not know any rebellious people, nor am I one of their number; but we would much rather, according to the teachings of the Scriptures, assist also our enemies, satisfy them, if they hunger and thirst, with food and drink, and resist them in no wise with revenge or violence.” Rom. 12:20,17; Matt. 5:39.
Another said: “It would be seen, if you only had the power.”
Jacques replied: “O no my lady, believe; if it were permitted among us, to resist the evil with the carnal sword, know, that no seven men should have brought me here, and I should have kept out of your hands, for there would have been power to do it.”
Lady. “I know there are such sects, who are very wicked and kill the people, and also have their goods and wives in common.”
Jacques. “O no, my lady, we are quite unjustly charged with these wicked things, and occasion is thereby sought, to persecute us; but we must suffer and endure all this with patience.” Matt. 5:11; Acts 21:38; 2 Tim. 2:3.
Lady. “Was it not your people, who with great dishonor took up arms against the government at Amsterdam and Muenster?”
Jacques. “O no, my lady; for those people erred greatly; but we regard it as a doctrine of the devil, to seek to resist the authorities with the external sword and violence, and would much rather suffer persecution and death from them, together with everything that is inflicted upon us.” Rom. 13:1; 1 Pet. 2:13; Tit. 3:1.
Lady. “Nevertheless, it is imputed to you, and they who make uproar do very wrong; however, I believe what you say concerning it.”
Jacques. “My lady, do we not read much of this character, how wicked men spoke evil of the apostles themselves, and the whole band of Christians, and, by many wicked things, sought to incite the authorities to vengeance against them, though it was all falsehood?” Acts 28:22; 24:5; Luke 2:34.
Lady. “Do you not believe that all are damned who are not baptized according to your way?”
Jacques. “O no, my lady, for judgment with regard to this belongs to God alone, who shall reward every one according to his works, as is clearly evident in many places of the holy Scriptures. Moreover, the water has not power to cleanse us from sin, as Peter says, but is merely a sign of all obedience.” 1 Peter 3:21; Matt. 3:15.
Lady. “When you are baptized, tell me, can you still sin?”
Jacques. “Yes, my lady, for this appears very clearly from the words of Paul; since we are still clothed in a weak and sinful body, and sin in many things. Rom. 7:14,18; Gal. 5:17; Jas. 3:2. But we must constantly crucify and mortify it, and not practice or fulfill the works of the flesh; or the righteousness of God will condemn us to eternal death.”
Lady. “Wherein do you still differ with the inquisitor, let me hear once?”
Jacques. “My lady, because I will in no wise accept his doctrine, unless he first clearly prove to me that it accords in every respect with the word of God; otherwise he labors in vain; for my faith is founded on the pure word of God alone. As regards the practice of infant baptism, we contradict it with reason, since it is not a command of God Almighty, but much rather the invention of men, seeing infants have not the least knowledge or discernment of what is required or comprised in baptism. But Christ in his love for such innocent ones has promised them the kingdom of God through grace, without requiring any of these conditions. Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14; Matt. 18:3. My lady, I find that popery is infected with many other errors besides this; for they seek to make Christ come into the bread, or that the bread should become changed into his flesh and blood; which we in no wise believe, but regard as an exceedingly gross error and absurdity. But we believe that Christ truly ascended to heaven, and sits on the right hand of his Father. Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9. Thus we do not believe that there is any salvation in their flour, mass, purgatory, or any of their services for the dead, and all like human inventions, of which they have a great number, and all of which are nowhere recognized in the holy Scriptures, but excluded therefrom. Gal. 1:14; 1 Tim. 4:2. But, on the contrary, we call upon God and seek our salvation in him, and not in any creature, that we may not corrupt God’s own glory, and give it to any of his creatures.” Jer. 13:16; Josh. 7:19.