And also:
God the Lord had also punished him with severe leprosy, with which he was likewise most ignominiously taunted. Whenever they had sang a stanza of said hymn, they would derisively exclaim: “You leprous Judas and treacherous rogue, do you ken it now?” The stones increased the longer the more, so that the boatman who was to convey him away, saw his own life imperiled, and cried out that he had to convey him off by order of the lord. Thus he was driven from Leeuwarden with great disgrace and ignominy, and had to roam about from place to place, an object of scorn and contempt, until he was finally consumed by leprosy, and, like Antioch and Herod, died a terrible and premature death, an example to all his followers. 2 Macc. 9:9; Acts 12:23. The reports among the common people concerning this matter, are of a still much more horrible nature, than the account we have given here.
Questions and answers between the commissary and Claesken.
The commissary first interrogated me concerning my name, the place I was from, my age, and other like things. He then asked me: “Are you baptized?” Claesken. “Yes.” Com. “Who baptized you?” Cl. “Jelis of Aix-la-Chapelle.” Com. “The deceiver; he himself has renounced his belief. How did he do when he baptized you?” Cl. “He baptized me in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” Com. “Where did you receive baptism?” Cl. “At Workum, in the field.” Com. “Were there others present?” Cl. “Yes.” Com. “Who were they?” Cl. “I have forgotten.” Com. “What brought you there?” Cl. “I have forgotten.”
I could truthfully give this answer both times.
Com. “Are your children not baptized?” Cl. “My youngest two are not.” Com. “Why did you not have your children baptized?” Cl. “Because I was satisfied with them as the Lord had given them to me.” Com. “Why were you so satisfied with Abraham and Sicke, and not with Douwe; you had Douwe baptized?” Cl. “I did not know it then.” Com. “What did you not know then?” Cl. “What I know now.” Com. “What do you know now?” Cl. “What the Lord has given me to know.” Com. “What has the Lord given you to know?” Cl. “That I cannot find it in the Scriptures, that this ought to be.” Com. “How long have you not been to church?” Cl. “Not for nine or ten years.”
These are the questions which he put to me; but he used far more words, and when I did not readily answer him, he said that I had a dumb devil in me, that the devil transformed himself into an angel of light in us, and that we were all heretics. He then read to me the articles I had confessed, and said it should come before the lords, and that if I desired it, he would write it differently. I replied: “You need not change anything.”
Questions and answers between the inquisitor and Claesken.
Inquisitor. “Why did you have yourself baptized?” Claesken. “The Scriptures speak of a new life. John first calls to repentance, Christ himself also, and afterwards the apostles; they taught the people to repent and reform, and then to be baptized. Thus did I repent and reform, and was baptized.” Against this he did not say much. Inq. “Why did you not have your children baptized?” Cl. “I cannot find in the Scriptures that this ought to be.” Inq. “David says: ‘I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.’ Ps. 51:5. Since children are born with original sin, they must be baptized, if they are to be saved.” Cl. “If a man can be saved by an external sign, then Christ has died in vain.” Inq. “It is written, John 3:5, that we must be born again, of water and of the Spirit; hence, children must be baptized.” Cl. “Christ does not say this to children, but to the adult; therefore did I become regenerated. We know that the children are in the hands of the Lord. The Lord said: ‘Suffer little children to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ ” Matthew 19:14. Inq. “The household of Stephanas was baptized, which probably also included children.” 1 Cor. 1:16. Cl. “We do not depend on probabilities; we have the certain assurance.” He did not say much against this either. Inq. “What do you think of the holy church?” Cl. “I think much of it.” Inq. “Why then do you not go to church?” Cl. “I think nothing of your church-going.” Inq. “Do you believe that God is Almighty?” Cl. “Yes, I believe this.” Inq. “Do you then also believe that Christ consecrates himself, and is present in the bread? Paul says: ‘The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? And the cup which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?’ ” 1 Cor. 10:16. Cl. “I well know what Paul says, and believe it, too.” Inq. “Christ said: ‘Take, eat; this is my body;’ and Paul likewise.” Matt. 26:26; 1 Cor. 11:24. Cl. “I well know what Christ and Paul say, and thus I believe.” Inq. “Do you believe that Christ consecrates himself, and is present in the bread?” Cl. “Christ sitteth at the right hand of his Father; he does not come under men’s teeth.” Inq. “If you continue in this belief, you will have to go into the abyss of hell forever. It is what all heretics say. Jelis of Aix-la-Chapelle has deceived you; he himself has renounced his belief, because he saw that he had erred.” Cl. “I do not depend on Jelis, or any other man, but only on Christ; he is our foundation, upon whom we have built ourselves, even as Christ teaches us in his Gospel: Whosoever heareth my words, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock; and though storms come, and beat against the house, yet it will not fall. Matt. 7:24. These now are the storms that beat against our house; but Christ is our stronghold, and he will preserve us.” Inq. “You do not understand it; there are many other writings, of which you know nothing.” Cl. “We need no other writings than the holy Gospel, which Christ himself, with his blessed mouth, has spoken to us, and sealed with his blood; if we can observe that, we shall be saved.” Inq. “You should suffer yourself to be instructed; the holy fathers instituted churching278 fifteen hundred years ago.” Cl. “The holy fathers did not have this holiness; these are human commandments and institutions. Neither did the apostles practice this holiness; I never read it.” Inq. “Are you wiser than the holy church?” Cl. “I do not wish to do anything against the holy church; I have yielded myself to the obedience of the holy church.” Inq. “You should think: Do I know better than the holy fathers fifteen hundred years ago? You should think that you are simple.” Cl. “Though I am simple before men, I am not simple in the knowledge of the Lord. Do you not know that the Lord thanked his Father, that he had hid these things from the wise and prudent, and had revealed them to the simple and unto babes?” Matt. 11:25.
At one time there were also two monks with him, who were to instruct me. They had but little to say, only that we were people of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim. 6:5; 2 Tim. 3:7,8. I replied: “When the day of the Lord will come, you will find it to be otherwise; take heed lest you then be of those who will say: ‘These are they whom we had in derision; behold, how they are now numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints.’ Wis. 5:3,5. Then they said: “Behold, she judges us.” I replied: “I do not judge you; but I tell you to take heed unto yourselves. Now our life is accounted madness, and our end to be without honor; but when the day of the Lord comes, it will be found quite different.” The sum of the matter was, that I had a devil, and was deceived. I said: “Is Christ then a deceiver?” He replied: “No; Christ is no deceiver.” I said: “Then I am not deceived; I neither seek nor desire anything else than to fear the Lord with all my heart, and (knowingly) not to transgress one tittle of his commandments.” After he had talked to me still further, he said: “I can tell you nothing else; you may consider the matter.” I replied: “I need not consider it otherwise; I know full well that I hold the truth.”
When I came before him again, he said: “Claesken, to what conclusion have you come?” Cl. “I have concluded to adhere to that to which the Lord has called me.” Matt. 20:1. Inq. “The devil has called you, who transforms himself into an angel of light in you people.”
When he examined me the sixth time, he asked me: “When Christ held his supper with his apostles, did he not give them his flesh to eat, and his blood to drink.” Cl. “He gave them bread and wine, and he gave them his body for redemption.” Inq. “Christ certainly clearly says: ‘Take, eat; this is my flesh;’ you certainly cannot contradict this.” Cl. “Paul says: ‘I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his apostles, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.’ 1 Cor. 11:23–26. Thus Christ left us his supper, that we should remember his death by it, that he gave his body and shed his blood for us. This supper I want to hold with the people of God, and no other.”
He held to his twaddle: that we must eat Christ’s flesh, and drink his blood, since this were clearly implied by the words of Christ and of Paul.
Cl. “Since the words are so plain, I can well understand them; but it is as Paul says: that those who do not turn to the Lord, have a vail before their hearts; but those who turn to the Lord, from their hearts the vail is taken away. 2 Cor. 3:14–16. We have turned to the Lord; nothing is hid to us.” Inq. “In the 6th chapter of John (verse 53) Christ also clearly says that we must eat his flesh, and drink his blood.” Cl. “It is also written there: ‘Then the Jews murmured, and said: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Christ said: Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, ye have no life in you.’ Again, he says: ‘Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life.’ He also said: ‘Flesh and blood profit nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.’ Those who believe in God, and walk in all righteousness, they are temples of God, in whom God will dwell and walk, as Paul testifies.” 2 Cor. 6:16.
When he examined me the seventh time, he said: “Do you not believe that the apostles ate the flesh of Christ?” Cl. “Christ took the bread, gave thanks, brake it, and gave it to his disciples, and his body he gave for their redemption.” Inq. “Do you not believe otherwise?” Cl. “I do not believe otherwise than Christ has spoken.” Inq. “Then I declare unto you, that I am clear of your blood; your blood be upon your own head.” Cl. “I am well satisfied with this.” Inq. “Herewith I commit you to the lord.”
He afterwards examined me once more, and asked me: “Do you not yet believe that the apostles ate the flesh of Christ?” Cl. “I have told you.” Inq. “Tell it now.” Cl. “I will not tell it again.” Inq. “Do you still persist in your views respecting baptism?” Cl. “You certainly well know that the penitent ought to be baptized.” Inq. “This is true enough, if for instance a Jew comes, who is not baptized yet. Are you still of the same opinion in regard to infant baptism?” Cl. “Yes.” Inq. “Do you not believe otherwise?” Cl. “I do not believe otherwise than Christ has commanded.” Inq. “Then I declare unto you, that you will be tormented forever in the abyss of hell.” Cl. “How dare you judge me so awfully, seeing judgment belongs to the Lord alone? Acts 17:31. I am not terrified by this; I know better, when the day of the Lord comes, it will be found different.”
I then asked him: “What does my husband say?” Inq. “Your husband also still persists in his views; may the Lord enlighten you.” Cl. “We are already enlightened, the Lord be praised.”
Concerning my baptism he did not say much, nor about infant baptism; but the whole of his talk was that we must eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood, and that this had been instituted fifteen hundred years ago, and that I was simple and had hardly once read the Testament through. I said: “Do you think that we run on uncertainties? We are not ignorant of the contents of the New Testament. We forsake our dear children, whom I would not forsake for the whole world, and we stake upon it all that we have—should we run on uncertainties yet? we seek nothing but our salvation; you certainly cannot prove to us by the Scriptures, that we practice and believe one tittle against the word of the Lord.” But he only said that we had all from the devil, and that we were possessed of the devil of pride. I said: “We know that the proud are cast down from their seats.” Luke 1:52. He talked so long, that he sometimes already fancied that I would heed him; hence I had to speak now and then, because I did not want him to think this; I could not bear to hear him speak so awfully against the truth.
A letter by Claesken to her friends according to the flesh, and also according to the spirit, written in prison, the 14th of March, A. D. 1559, at which time, or thereabouts, she, her dear husband, and her brother Jacques, were put to death for the testimony of Jesus.
The Lord, through his great grace and mercy, grant that all those who hunger and thirst after righteousness may be filled.
My dearly beloved friends, N., my heartfelt prayer and request of you is once more, that you will peruse and search the holy Scriptures, and learn to fear the Lord from the heart; for “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Prov. 9:10. Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets; she crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused: I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: they would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices . . . but whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. Prov. 1:20–31, 33; Isaiah 65:12; Ps. 2:4; Job 27:6.
Behold, my dear friends, lay this to heart, that the Lord will not hear those who do not fear him now (John 9:31); and how precious the fear of the Lord is to him that will choose it; for nothing is to be compared to her. The fear of the Lord is honor, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of rejoicing. The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, and giveth joy, and gladness and a long life. Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall find favor in the day of his death. The love of God is honorable. Those to whom wisdom showeth her face, love her through seeing her, and in the knowledge of her benefits. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; and the fear of the Lord is true religion. The knowledge of religion shall keep the heart, and justify it; it shall give joy and gladness. The godfearing shall prosper in the day of life, and at his end he shall be blessed. To fear the Lord is fullness of wisdom. The fear of God is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish. The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord: but unto the sinner wisdom is a curse. The fear of the Lord driveth out sin; for he that is without fear cannot be justified. Sir. 1:11. Be not faithless; for into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter, nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin. John 20:27; Wis. 1:4.
My beloved friends, lay it to heart, how great a difference there is between those who fear the Lord, and them that do not fear him. Mal. 3:18. Search well the Scriptures, that you will not be like the cities concerning which Christ says in the gospel, that because they did not lay to heart his mighty works, which were done in their presence, it should be more tolerable for those of Sodom and Gomorrah at the day of judgment, than for them. Matthew 11:20. Therefore dear friends, the Lord does yet even now show such mighty works through us before your eyes; let it strengthen you, as Paul says that many of the brethren waxed confident in the Lord by his bonds, and were much more bold to speak the word without fear. Philip. 1:14. My dear friends, consider well, when the Lord did his mighty works, he did not do them for the sake of a single individual, as we read in John, when he raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:42), but that the people should see his mighty deeds, and believe in him, though only some believed in him, and some were offended at him, and said: Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Thus it is also at the present day with those who do not believe; for though they well see how strong and mighty the Lord is with us, yet they are offended at it, and say that we do this from stubbornness. And when we say that the righteous must suffer persecution, they say that we are persecuted for anabaptism. Thus it is to them a cause of offense; but those who believe God well know that we must suffer for righteousness sake; these, I hope, it will strengthen, and to us, be a trial unto our eternal salvation, through the grace of God. 1 Pet. 2:6,8; Matthew 5:10.
My dear friends, lay to heart how great glory is promised to those who fear the Lord with the whole heart, and what great anguish shall come upon every soul of man that has not obeyed the gospel; these shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord. 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9. Therefore become obedient to the truth, and be transformed in your mind, that you may prove what is that acceptable and perfect will of God. 1 Pet. 1:22; Rom. 12:2. Meditate day and night in the law of the Lord, and do not suffer yourselves to be prevented from praying without ceasing, as the Scriptures teach us in many places; He that asketh receiveth: to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Ps. 1:2; 1 Thess. 5:17; Matt. 7:8. Hence, my dear friends, have your hearts transformed, and the Lord will give you even before you ask him; for blessed are those who are of a good will. Luke 2:14. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matt. 5:6.
Therefore desire with a sorrowful heart for the Lord, and say: Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake. Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. Ps. 25:4–9. Therefore, my dear friends, repent sincerely, and confess your sins before the Lord with all your heart; the Lord is found of them that are of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Is. 66:2. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God; that you may be exalted in eternity. 1 Pet. 5:6. Herewith I commend you to the Lord; may he guide you into all truth.
My dearly beloved friends, lay it to heart, for it is done out of sincere, ardent love, which I have for your souls, because I am certain and assured, that there is no other way by which we can be saved; hence I warn you out of a pure heart, and it will never be found otherwise. Therefore, though some have much to talk or say, they do this because they do not want to take upon them the cross of Christ, and be persecuted for it, as Paul says (Gal. 6:12); but [let us] take for an example, that we are to follow Christ’s steps, and that all the Scriptures constrain us, to submit ourselves to and prepare for suffering, even as also Paul says: “If we suffer with him, we shall also rejoice with him; and as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ; and we also read that all the holy men of God were tried by many tribulations and sufferings (Judith 8:25), and how that they would joyfully receive sufferings; yea, that they greatly rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of God; but those who do not truly love the Lord want to be exempt from suffering, and love this temporal life more than their Lord and God, although Christ says: Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it forever. Mark 8:35. Not that we must all die for the word of the Lord; but the mind must be in such a state, that we would rather die, than once knowingly and willingly transgress one of the Lord’s commandments; hence Christ says: “He that loveth aught more than me is not worthy of me.” Matt. 10:37.
Therefore, my dearest friends, whom I love with all my heart, do not regard what men say, but look only to Christ Jesus, how he went before us in tribulation and suffering. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your power and strength; yea, though the whole world should rise up against and assail you, no one can harm you, if you have God for your Father, and if you have true love to God and his saints; for love can do all things (1 Cor. 13:7); but where there is no true love, there will soon be confusion, when persecution and distress come (Matt. 13:21); but for him that commits himself to the Lord, and is possessed of love, nothing is difficult; had I not experienced this myself, it were impossible for me to know that it is so easy. Hence Christ says: “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt. 11:30. Yes, dear friends, thus I am still minded, and I so love my Lord and God, that if I could save my life by a thought, and would know that it did not please the Lord, I would rather die than think such thought. Not that I am boasting; the Lord well knows how vile I have shown myself before him; but it is through the great grace and mercy and love shown us that we are elected to his heavenly kingdom. Eph. 2:7. Now only do I feel within me the inexpressible grace and mercy of God, and his love, and how we therefore ought to love him in return (1 John 4:19); yea, this grace and love are so great before my eyes, that my sorrow is turned into joy.
I must further relate to you something of the sorrow which I had before I was apprehended. Now I remember the words of the apostle, that I have had godly sorrow, and that godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. 2 Cor. 7:10. Yea, I had such sorrow at times, that I did not know whither to turn, and sometimes cried to the Lord with a loud voice, saying: “O Lord, crush my old heart, and give me a new heart and mind, that I may be found upright before thine eyes.” Ezek. 36:26. I said to my dear husband: When I apply the rule of the Scriptures to my life, it seems to me as though I must perish. Well may I say with David: “Mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” Ps. 38:4. I said: “My dear husband, pray the Lord for me; I am so harassed—the more I direct my thoughts to the Lord, the more the tempter assails me with other thoughts.” 1 Pet. 5:8. Thus I cried to the Lord, and said: “O Lord, thou surely knowest that I desire nothing but to fear thee.” My husband would comfort me sometimes; it seemed to him that I did nothing but what could stand in the sight of the Lord. I said: “I have not my first love” (Rev. 2:4); therefore I grieve, so that I cannot sleep. There is no hope to die unto sin, I apprehend to live a long time yet; though I strive never so much to reform, yet I remain as vile as ever: “O wretched man that I am, whither shall I go?” Rom. 7:24.
I should have written more to you, but the messenger came and informed me that we were to go [die]. My dearly beloved friends, such was the joyful sentence my husband, and I, and our brother heard: we showed each other such love, and had such a glad heart. I thanked the Lord so greatly, that the lords all heard it. They bade me keep silence, but I spoke fearlessly. When we had heard our sentence, all three of us spoke, and said that they had condemned righteous blood, and other words. My dear husband spoke so friendly, and said so often, with a glad countenance, that all the people beheld it: “Yes, we thank the Lord!”
Herewith I commend you to the Lord. Hasten to come to us, and that we may live with each other in eternity.
Another letter or confession of Claesken.
When we were before the full council, we were addressed by the Procurator General of the council, who presented to the lords a general statement of what we had confessed before the commissary, and made a long speech, how long we had not been to church, that we had not had our children baptized, and that we were Anabaptists, and said that according to the decree we had forfeited our lives, and that our property had lapsed into the hands of the King. Thus he accused us before the lords, and harangued us upon life and property, and when he had related how and where we had received our baptism, he asked us whether we would adhere to our baptism. We boldly and fearlessly said with a glad heart, that we had received one baptism according to the command of the Lord. Our brother Jacques said that if the contrary could be proven to him with the word of the Lord, he did not want to act contrary to his word.
My husband said that he would adhere to his baptism. And I said, as our brother had said, that we had received one baptism according to the word of the Lord. Every time he said: “Just as you think.” He then asked us, whether we did not wish an advocate. Our brother said: “The Lord is our Advocate.” 1 John 2:1. With this we went away. We went from the council glad and joyful, though it was to cost our lives. Acts 5:41.
Since that time, my husband and our brother appeared once before the pastor of the Old Court, and on Sunday in Lent all three of us were before the steward, our brother first; he had a long conversation with him; and proved it to him with the Scriptures, so that he could not say a word against it, except that it was from the devil, since there were many in hell, and that ours were the worst; thereupon my husband was brought before him, and then I. When I appeared before him, he began to speak of infant baptism, of my baptism, the necessity of eating the flesh of Christ, and many other things. I said: “You need not bring these matters up; it is not given me to dispute with you. I tell you flatly, I will adhere to that wherein the Lord has called me.” He replied that the devil had called me. I said: “Is it the nature of the devil now, to desist from evil, and do good? It is with us as the prophet says: He that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey. Is. 59:15. Thus it has gone with us; from the first day that we forsook our vain, wicked life, we were hated of every one, as Christ says: ‘Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.’ ” Matt. 10:22. He says: Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do; but fear him which hath power to cast soul and body into hell. Luke 12:4,5; Is. 51:7. Yes, him alone we fear. He insisted that I should express myself with regard to infant baptism, and the eating of the flesh of Christ. I said: “It is not worth while for me to answer your questions; they are so useless. I have told it to you enough; I shall tell you no more;. we have had enough of it.” I said: “Wake up, and give heed; you certainly see that it is not in human power what the Lord enables us to do, that we can leave our dear children, yea, joyfully resign our lives, for the honor of God.” I said: “Take heed what you do, we are God’s holy people, his chosen. Though all your learned men in the whole world should agree, they cannot prove to us with the word of the Lord, that we believe or act contrary to the Word.” He said that we at least did not believe that the apostles ate the flesh of Christ, and drank his blood, and Christ says: “Take, eat, this is my body.” I said: “Christ took the bread, gave thanks, brake it, and gave it to his apostles. When he took the bread, brake it, and gave it to them, the bread was certainly no flesh; he surely did not give them his living body to eat, when he stood alive among them; but he gave his body for redemption, not for them alone, but for all who should believe in him.” However, he was not to be convinced, but held to his old tune.
Our brother had proved everything to him so clearly with the Scriptures, that he could not say a single word against it. Our brother spoke very loud in order that those who stood without the chancery should hear how clearly he proved it to him. I also spoke as loud as I could, with a glad heart; whatever the Lord gave me to utter I spoke fearlessly; to relate all of which would take too long. He constantly reiterated that we had the devil in us, that the devil transformed himself into an angel of light in us, that we were possessed of the devil of pride, and that we must forever go into the abyss of hell. Thus he did every time we were before him. I said: “As lightly as you consign us to the abyss of hell, so highly are we exalted with the Lord.”
As regards infant baptism he knew nothing to say, except Christ says: You must be born again of water and of the Spirit. John 3:5. I said: “Children cannot understand the new birth; Christ said this to the adult; hence we have put off our old life, and put on a new life. We well know that our children are saved before the Lord.” He then cited David, how he was born in sin. Ps. 51:7. Our brother had explained it to him clearly, yet he remained as ignorant as ever. When we had ended our conversation, I asked him what my husband said. He replied: “Your husband also persists in his views.” I said: “What will you do with my poor husband, who cannot read a word?” He replied: “Your damnation will be greater than that of your husband; because you can read, and have seduced him.” With this I left him. Afterwards Claesken, her husband, and brother Jacques were drowned, for the testimony of the truth, at Leeuwarden, in Friesland, in March 1559.
At Kortrijck, in Flanders, there were two godfearing and simple brethren, one named Jelis de Groot, the other Mahieu van Halewijn, who would much rather suffer affliction with the people of God, than enjoy every vain pleasure with the wicked world; which affliction they also could not escape; for in the year 1559 they were apprehended, and immediately examined concerning their faith, which they freely confessed, and adhered to unto the end, notwithstanding the threats made against, and the torments inflicted upon, them on this account, so that they were finally sentenced to death for their steadfastness, and, as valiant heroes of God, publicly, in the sight of many, passed through temporal death, to await, with their fellow-brethren, gone before, under the altar, the day of their avenging. Rev. 6:9.
About the same time there was also apprehended at Kortrijck, for the love of God, and living according to his word, a brother named Karel van Tiegem, who was not ashamed freely to confess Christ his Lord before men, and to make a good confession of his faith, in which he also persevered unto the end; but however greatly he was tormented, he would not implicate others; hence the rulers of this world seizing occasion against him, as Pilate, instigated by the priests to remain Caesar’s friend, did against Christ, condemned him to death, and caused him to be burnt with fire; wherefore they must expect the sentence of eternal fire, which shall have no power over him.
In this year 1559, two brethren, named Wolfgang Mair and Wolfgang Hueber, were apprehended for the faith, in the district of Lutzenburg, and taken to Titmain, whence they were brought to Saltzburg, in both of which places they had to suffer and experience great torment and tyranny. Wolfgang Mair was twice brought to the rack, stripped each time, and severely tortured; but he could not be induced to say aught that was contrary to his faith. The secretary said: “You must tell who took you into his house or lodged you; or you will have to die upon the rack.” He replied: “If I die, I die; I will nevertheless not say aught against my conscience, nor betray those that have done me good.” Then they left off torturing, and priests came to them with manifold allurements, and labored long and much with them; they also sought to turn them with many threats and entreaties, and denied all hope to them, with many blasphemies, all of which they earnestly contradicted, defending the truth with great zeal, since the Lord gave them such strength, that they had already surrendered their lives for the truth.
After this there was much consultation concerning them, especially among the priests; once it was resolved to imprison them for life; but God brought to nought this purpose. Afterwards they were much tempted yet by one and the other, of those who wanted to make them renounce their faith; but it was in vain, they put them all to shame with the Word of God, and freely declared to them, that their faith was the way of divine truth in Jesus Christ, to which they would steadfastly adhere by the help of God, no matter what anybody should say or undertake against it. Thereupon they were taken back from Saltzburg to Titmain, to be sentenced to death. When their sentence was read they vigorously contradicted it, saying that it was not true, and that their faith was profitable unto all things, and that it was neither heresy nor deception.
When they were led out of the city, some women wept for compassion, that they were thus to be put to death on account of the faith; but they said: “You need not weep on our account; but weep for yourselves, and for your sins.” They also sang for joy that their end and redemption were so near at hand.
When they were at the place of execution, brother Wolfgang Mair cried to the people: “Today I will offer unto my God a true burnt sacrifice, pay my vows, and testify with my blood to the divine truth.” Thus they were executed with the sword, and then burnt with fire, cheerfully, valiantly and boldly resigning their temporal life, to inherit eternal life.
Some who were the principal cause of their imprisonment and death were signally smitten by the judgment of God, so that some of them died soon after, while others did not meet with a natural death, but were so touched by God, that it was easy to see that they were visited by the wrath of God.
In the year 1559, on the 9th of November, it happened that a brother by the name of Jan Jans Brant, was apprehended for following Christ and the gospel, at Geervliet, in South Holland. When he was examined by the learned, he steadfastly adhered to his faith, and confessed it freely, saying further: “This is the true way to eternal life, which is found by so few, and walked by a still smaller number; for it is too narrow for them, and would cause their flesh too much pain.” On account of these and like words, they became embittered against him more than against any malefactor, so that they would have made away with him in a fortnight, had not his life, through the intercession of certain persons, been spared a little longer, so that in all, he lay in prison one month. Afterwards they sentenced him to be drowned in a sack, for which he was well prepared. The executioner tied him into a sack, and cast them from the high Hofbrugh.279 The sack bursting open, the executioner struck him with a stick on his body, so that he called from the water: “O how you murder me!” Many were moved to pity, that he had to die so miserably. Thus he offered up his sacrifice, and rests now from his labor, and is awaiting the glorious Sabbath spoken of in Isaiah, yea, the rest with Christ in Paradise. Philip. 2:17; Rev. 14:13; Luke 23:42.
Trijnken Keuts was a widow who lived in the city of Maestricht. Having come to the knowledge of the divine truth through the holy gospel, she in her simplicity laid the matter to heart, and continued day and night in earnest prayer, until the Lord further enlightened her with the clear, shining light of his divine grace, and endowed her with power of faith, so that she, believing and penitent, had herself baptized, upon the true faith, in the name of Jesus Christ, a member of the body and church of Jesus Christ; and as she lived according to her faith and no longer resorted to the papal idolatries, but abstained from every abomination, and entered upon a new life, the venomous beast could not endure this, and she was therefore accused and reported as a heretic to the authorities of said city. Thereupon the burgomasters cited her to appear in the Landtskroon (the house in which the burgomasters and the council hold their court). When she received this summons, through a servant of the burgomasters, she went to the Landtskroon. Arriving there, she was asked and examined by the burgomasters, in regard to what had been reported to them, as to whether it was so with her; and when she frankly answered them, and confessed the truth, they imprisoned her there. Having been confined for a time, in the meanwhile undergoing many importunities and conflicts, she was finally caused to be rigorously examined by the priests (one of whom was a Dominican monk), before whom she freely confessed her faith. When asked whether she was rebaptized, she replied: “I was baptized upon my faith according to the doctrine of Christ;” in regard to which they had yet many more words together; but she adhered to the truth. The priests also questioned her concerning the sacrament, whether she did not believe that when the priest had pronounced five words over the bread, Christ was present in it, essentially with flesh and blood, just as he had hung on the cross. Trijne said that she believed that Christ had ascended to heaven, and was sitting on the right hand of God, his heavenly Father. And she asked, saying: “How should he come into the bread?”
When she thus steadfastly adhered to the truth, these priests condemned her to be burnt to ashes here, and to burn forever in hell. Trijne said: “When you, in a few days, will follow me before the judgment seat of God, you will find it to be otherwise.” Upon this judgment, Trijne was delivered to the Bailiff and the Judges, by whom she was sentenced, that she should be led forth, according to the imperial mandate, and be burnt to ashes; which Trijne gratefully received, willingly submitting to it. She was therefore, with her mouth gagged, led to the Vrijthof, where she put off her tabernacle, and was burnt to ashes, having commended her soul into the hands of God. 1 Pet. 1:14. This occurred in the year 1559, on Palm-eve, in Lent.
It was currently reported as true, that one of the aforementioned priests, namely, the Dominican monk, three days after Trijnken was offered up and burnt, was unexpectedly (he not having been known to be sick), and secretly found dead in his cell, and that he was being eaten up by lice; but what part God had in this matter, this we leave to his righteous judgment, who will give to every one his merited reward.
There were also at Antwerp three sisters, namely, Fransken Vroevrouwe, Naentgen Leerverkoopster, and Pleuntgen van der Goes, who were kindled with the love of God, and, as lambs and sheep of Christ, heard and followed the voice of their Shepherd, so that, having been apprehended on this account in the year 1559, they steadfastly adhered to the truth amidst all solicitations, tortures and sufferings; hence all of them finally died for the name of Christ, being drowned in a vat, in the prison.
But those who condemned them to death, must therefore expect from the Lord the severe judgment that shall come upon them on this account. Matt. 7:2.
In this year also three other sisters, namely, Betgen, Neelken, and Mariken Franss, were apprehended at Antwerp, for living according to their faith in God, and as they, with a firm confidence, as those that were born of God, steadfastly contended for the accepted truth, they were finally sentenced to death and drowned. Thus they had to press their way through the strait gate, this temporal death, in order to enter in, and inherit, together with all the valiant witnesses of God, his eternal and imperishable kingdom.
In the year 1559, also Adriaen Pan, the faithful friend of Christ, and his wife, were in the claws of the wolves, at Antwerp, in Brabant, where they, through the grace of God, endured severe imprisonment and cruel examinations; but through true faith and living hope they were so firmly united to their Captain, Christ Jesus, that they could by no means be brought to apostatize. Hence they were condemned to death by the rulers of darkness, who knew not the light of truth; and thus Adriaen Pan was most miserably put to death with the sword, his wife, who was pregnant, bearing it all for Christ’s sake, however much it pained her. After she had given birth to her child, she was drowned, suffering it with great steadfastness. And thus they entered into eternal rest with the Lord.
A letter by Adriaen Pan, written in prison, in the year 1559.
Grace and peace from Gd our heavenly Father, through the merits of Jesus Christ his beloved Son, with the true illumination of the Holy Ghost, we wish all lovers of the eternal truth. Amen.
My dearly beloved and longed-for brethren, whom we love from the bottom of our hearts, and bear in our hearts, as those with whom we are one soul and one body, though we are now apparently deprived of you, you are nevertheless the more in our hearts, and we entreat you, that no one will faint at our tribulations to which we are now subjected; for we hope that you will be rejoiced to hear it, since we know for certain, that it is for the truth. 2 John 1:1; Acts 4:32; Eph. 3:13; 1 Thess. 3:3.
Peter says: Let none of you suffer as an evil-doer, or as a thief; but if you suffer as a Christian, happy are you; for the glory and Spirit of God rest upon you; but on their part he is evil spoken of. Paul says that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us; yea, that eye hath not seen, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. My dear brethren, how should we not be of good courage, when we hear such comforting words! My dear friends, the more tribulation there is to try us, the more we are comforted. This we experienced at the start, when we were apprehended, when they assailed the house, as though they meant to destroy it with all that was in it. Then was my heart strengthened, as though I was a different person. True, my wife was somewhat distressed before they laid hands on us; but when she saw that it had to be, fear left her, as a garment put off, and she began to sing:
“Dus weest bedacht, ende op hem wacht; Want by sal komen als een dief in der nacht.”280
For we had not expected them yet, and had packed our things, intending to depart soon; but the Lord ordered it otherwise, praised be he forever. As they were busily engaged in plundering, I would fain have sung: Noyt meerder vreught in my en was, dan nu is in desen tijden.281 But I restrained myself from singing, because I thought that many more trials were awaiting me yet; but the Lord be praised, who does not suffer us to be ashamed. Ps. 25:3. They began to upbraid us much concerning Munster and Amsterdam; but I told them that I was innocent in the matter, and that it was for the truth that we suffered. I also said: “I am not yet thirty-three years old; how then could I have been there?” Some railed, others lamented: but I said: “Weep not for us, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.” Methinks, we could well have said with David: “Though I were compassed about by ten thousands of people, who should come upon me, I should not fear them; yea, they have compassed me about; they compass me about like bees, but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.” Psalm 3:6; 118:12.
My dear brethren, we do not say this, to boast, but for joy, and to thank God for the great power and strength which he grants us; and for the joy of all lovers for the truth, who may hear this. Pray for us that we may continue steadfast unto the end. We beg you to receive our few lines in good part. The 15th day of our imprisonment, and the 9th of May. My wife and I salute you much, and all with whom we are acquainted, or who may inquire after us.
Another letter by Adriaen Pan, written after he was sentenced.
Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, through the merits of Jesus Christ, with the true illumination of the Holy Ghost, we wish all lovers of the eternal truth. Amen.
My dear N., I still remember you at the end of my life, and pray Almighty God to comfort you with his Spirit, and instruct you with all spiritual wisdom and understanding that may conduce to your salvation. Col. 1:9. I further inform you, that I was on the rack the 2d of June, and on the 16th day I was brought into court, where they asked me whether I was baptized, or rebaptized. I asked whether I was permitted to speak. They consented. I said that I believed all that was written in the law and in the prophets, and would live and die by what Jesus Christ and his apostles taught and commanded; and that I was baptized upon acknowledgment of my sins, that I was sorry for them, and upon confession of my faith, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Thereupon they sentenced me; hence I expect nothing else than that they will do their will with the body; may the Lord receive the spirit. I am quite ready to live and die for the name of the Lord. I cannot sufficiently praise and thank God, that he has called me to suffer for his name. O my dear N., I am of good cheer; the Lord, I trust, will give me strength unto the end. I cannot say that I ever had a happier day in prison, than when I was apprehended, and when I was sentenced. My dear N., be of good cheer; it will soon be over here; and let us not fear them that kill the body; but Christ tells us whom we shall fear. I and my wife salute you most affectionately with the peace of the Lord. Receive my brief letter in good part; I would fain have written you more, but I am not much gifted for it; however, I thank the Lord for all that he has given me.
Greet the dear friends much, with whom we are acquainted, or who inquire after us. Farewell!
Written by me,
Adriaen Pan.
A confession written by Hans de Vette, at Ghent, where he was imprisoned with eleven others, in the year 1559, touching his examination.
On the first Friday after Whitsuntide there were imprisoned at Ghent for the word of the Lord, the following named persons: Pieter Coerten of Meenen, Kaerle Tanckreet of Nipkerck, with Proentken, his wife, of Belle, Jacob Spillebout, Abraham Tanckreet, and Maeyken Floris of Nipkerck, Anthonis van Cassel, Hans de Smit, Marcus his brother, Hans de Vette, with Maritgen, his wife, of Waesten, and Tanneken, the wife of J. de S. These had been delivered by treachery to the Procurator General, who, with three thief-catchers, took them away prisoners from their lodging place, in the evening.
The next day we were visited by the authorities, who asked us, each separately, for our names, and where we came from, which we told them. They then asked us whether we confessed another baptism than infant baptism, and whether we had also received another. We all renounced idolatrous infant baptism, and confessed that we had received Christian baptism, except Marcus de Smit, who confessed that he had not yet received it, but that if he had opportunity, he wished to receive it with all his heart. They then asked us whether we desired learned men to instruct us; that they would send us some, and just such as we wanted, ecclesiastics or secular men; they also said that they should not hurry us. But since they almost always asked us separately the same questions, I, the writer of this, said that by the grace of the Lord I wanted no other instruction than I had received, though an angel should come from heaven. Gal. 1:8.
Besides this, they nevertheless, about eight days afterwards, sent one Friar Peter de Backer (who had partly spied us out), with one of his companions,—two false prophets, called Jacobines, as I believe. After we had appeared before them, and exchanged a few words, we came to infant baptism, which he declared to be a divinely instituted doctrine, saying that circumcision was a figure of it; also, that the apostles had baptized entire households, and that Christ had commanded it, John 3. But when I had proven to him, that he had not spoken the truth, and that the apostles had baptized none without faith, as is clearly found in the Acts of the Apostles, he endeavored to speak about another article, saying that we should not be able to agree. But I told him that I desired to see the first finished before proceeding further, and begged him to repent, proving to him, that their worship was a rotten and putrid idolatry, contrary to all the commandments of God, and a human plant; and that God’s commandments were sufficient for us, that no lies need be added to them, and that it availed nothing to regard what God has not commanded. Then he said that I was deceived, and had looked too much at their abuses: that it was true there were some abuses in their church, but that the principal of what was observed in it, was good. After many words we parted.
A few days afterwards the Dean of Ronse, an inquisitor in the country of Flanders, came, and with him, said Peter de Backer, who had visited us first, and other false prophets. When I appeared before them, the Dean asked my name. I replied that my name was Hans de Vette. Then he asked me whether I was married. I replied: “Yes.” He then asked me whether my wife was also of Waesten. I replied: “Yes.” He asked me how long I had been married. I said: “Not very long.” He asked me, in what church and by what parish priest I had been married. I asked him whether we found anything said in the Scriptures, that a parish priest was required for it. He said that in the world whores and knaves come together without parish priests. Then I said that I had done this according to the direction of the Scriptures, as permitted by Paul, in order to avoid fornication, it being better to marry than to burn (1 Cor. 7:2,9); whores and knaves on the contrary will much rather burn than marry, as is abundantly seen and heard in this wicked world in many thousands of instances. He then said that this was a small matter, and that if I had done nothing more, it could easily have been arranged; however, I should only tell him where it took place. I told him that I did not intend to tell him. Then he adjured me by the living God, that I should tell him; but I made no reply. Thereupon he asked me why I had not continued in the faith of the Roman church, and in her worship. My reply was, that I had separated from her so as not to become a partaker of her plagues, since darkness can have no communion with light, nor Christ with Belial, nor the righteous with the unrighteous, etc. Hence we must come out from among her. Rev. 18:4; 2 Corinthians 6:14,17.
He then asked me what I thought of the seven sacraments, part of which he named to me. I replied that I considered them utterly worthless, because of all the abominable idolatry observed by them; but since the Lord has commanded us to confess his name before men, I said that I would confess my faith to him. He said that I should. I then began to make my confession; as that I believed in one God, the Creator of heaven and earth, sea and waters, and all there is therein; and who created man after his image. Him alone we must serve, honor, worship, and love with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our thoughts, since he alone is good; forsaking all idols, whether of gold, silver, stone, metal, wood, bread, or of whatever other make or substance they may be, even as they are rejected and prohibited in the holy Scriptures; for we know that an idol is nothing in the world, 1 Cor. 8:4.
As I continued to speak, the Dean of Ronse said to me that I was making it too long, to write it all down. “You would make us too much work,” he said, “if you should thus confess your faith from the beginning of the Bible.” “I also believe,” said he, “what you have said here; but what do you say of the sacrament of baptism as used in our church; to which every one must come, in order to be saved?” I replied that I considered infant baptism worthless, since it was not commanded of God. He said that circumcision was a figure of it, and that all the children that were not circumcised in the Old Testament, or are not baptized in the New Testament, must be damned. I then said, in accordance with his own words: “Then the female children in the Old Testament must all be damned.” He became angry, and said that what I advanced was only sophistry. I told him that he should be ashamed to say that children were damned, to whom as the Lord says, the kingdom of heaven belongs. He said that I lied in this. And another priest told me that one of Paul’s disciples writes that he had learned infant baptism from his teacher, Paul. Thereupon I said that Paul writes that we should not be shaken in mind, neither by spirit nor by word, nor by letter, as sent from them; or even though an angel from heaven should come, and teach us anything different from what is written in the holy Gospel, he should be accursed. 2 Thess. 2:2. I also asked him to show me where the Lord had commanded to baptize children, or to prove that the apostles baptized infants; which he could not do.
Again, he asked me how long ago I had been baptized. I replied: “Not yet a year.” He asked me where and by whom I had been baptized; but I did not tell him. He then adjured me three times by the living God, and by the baptism which I had received, that I should tell him. I said that Caiaphas so adjured Christ. He replied that Christ spoke. I said that Christ spoke for himself; but that when he was questioned concerning his disciples, he did not speak.
He then asked me what I held concerning the sacrament of the altar. I told him that I considered it nothing less than an unclean, rotten, putrid idolatry, and an abomination before God. He asked: “How? Do you not believe that he is present in it in flesh and blood, just as he walked upon the earth, or as he hung upon the tree of the cross?” “Far be it from me,” said I, “that I should believe that Christ’s flesh and blood are here upon earth; for Christ himself said to his apostles, that we should always have the poor with us, but that we should not always have him.” Matt. 26:11.
He thereupon told me that he was not thus present in the sacrament, but that it was in spiritual substance, and that I did not understand the matter; but that this argument had been established many centuries before my time; for when Christ held his supper he said, he took the bread and gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body.” I replied that the bread which Christ gave to his disciples, he gave them as an emblem of his body which was to be broken for them; even as he has represented himself by figures in many places of Scripture. In John (15:1) he says: “I am the true vine;” yet in reality he was no vine, but he compared himself to a vine. Thus the bread which Christ brake for his disciples, was spiritually a figure of his body; for he says in John 6; “Flesh and blood profit nothing; but the words that I speak are spirit and life.” He said that this was irrelevant; “for if Christ were not present,” said he, “how could we eat damnation thereby?” But I replied: “If it were the flesh and blood of Christ; we would not eat damnation thereby: for Christ says himself; ‘Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life.’ John 6:54. Hence these words must not be understood literally, but spiritually, namely, that if one who was still a drunkard, or covetous, or an idolater, or the like, should go to the Lord’s Supper with the church of Christ, whose head is Christ, such an one would be unfit to break bread with the members of Christ, not discerning Christ’s body.” 1 Cor. 11:29. Then he said that there were many among us, who were drunkards, adulterers, and the like, and that they were well known to him. I then asked him: “Who are they?” He said: “J. de R.” I then asked him where he lived. He replied: “I shall not tell you.” I said that I well knew if there were such in our church, and were known, they would, according to the Scriptures, be put away and excluded. 1 Cor. 5:11.
He then asked me, who had baptized me. And when he could not learn it from me, he adjured me, but I did not tell him. Then his secretary said: “I will wager you a pot of wine, that you will tell it before a fortnight has passed;” but I would not bet. He then asked me how often I had observed the Supper. I replied that I had sometimes observed it, when opportunity offered itself, with many dear brethren and sisters. He asked: “With whom? what are their names?” I gave him the name of one of them, whom he specially named in his question. He then inquired concerning others, whether I regarded them as my brethren, or whether they were only friends or novices; “for I have learned all this Flemish,” said he, “about novices [aencomelingen, i. e. newcomers], friends and brethren.” I said: “I thought you were from Brabant; do you understand so much Flemish?” “I hardly know what I am.” he said; “perhaps I am a foundling.” “Yes,” said I, “John’s Revelation (13:1) speaks of a beast, which rose up out of the sea; you may belong to that race.”
He then asked me whether I did not believe that Jesus Christ had assumed flesh and blood from Mary. I replied that I believed that the Word which was in the beginning with God, and by which the world was created, became flesh. Then he said that according to the flesh he was David’s son. I replied: “If he is David’s son, Christ himself says: How then doth David call him Lord?” He said that Christ only adduced this to the Pharisees by way of argument; but Matthew, said he, describes his generation from Abraham to Mary. I replied, that Matthew traces the generation of Christ only to Joseph, the husband of Mary of whom Christ was born; and Luke says that Jesus was supposed to be the son of Joseph. “But,” said he, “do you not believe that Mary is the mother of Christ?” I said: “Yes; Christ says: ‘Whosoever shall do the will of my Father, the same is my mother, sister and brother.’ ” Matt. 12:50.
He then said that Christ was of the seed of the woman. But I told him, that women had no seed themselves: for as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman. 1 Cor. 11:12. Then he said that he was of Mary’s substance and blood. But I replied that Christ said to the Jews, that he was from above, but they from beneath; “ye are of this world,” he said; “I am not of this world.” John 8:23. Moreover, the apostle says: “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.” 1 Cor. 15:47. I then told them that they should repent of their unrighteousness, persecution, and false, idolatrous doctrine. They said: “We have the true doctrine.” I said that Paul nevertheless commands us to avoid such as command to abstain from meats, which God has created for the use of them that believe; and who forbid to marry, and have their conscience seared with a hot iron; for it is better to marry than to burn; but you people, contrary to the Scriptures, command to abstain from meats, and forbid to marry, and will rather burn than marry. 1 Tim. 4:2,3; 1 Cor. 7:9.
Dean. “We do not forbid to marry.”
Hans. “Certainly you do; you know that because of your commandment a person may neither eat meat nor marry, in Lent, and on many other days; and you have entered into a covenant that restrains you from marrying; but you commit such fornication that it is a shame to speak of it, as is daily seen from the bastards that are brought to your houses, and Paul says that we shall not eat with such, namely, fornicators, drunkards, etc., but that they are to be delivered unto Satan, for the destruction of their flesh.” 1 Cor. 5:5.
Dean. “We are not so bad; we do not want to deliver them to Satan, we are so much the better.”
Hans. “Poor man, would you be better than Paul? But all that is told you is of no avail; for you will not repent; but if you want to dispute with us in the market or any other public place, we are ready, in hopes that some of the ignorant might be drawn thereby.”
Dean. “This shall not be; who should judge there? boatmen, fish-mongers, and the like? That would be just the way to excite a tumult; but we are fools that we dispute so much with you; the proper way to do would be, simply to tell you our faith, and if you will not believe it, pass sentence.”
We had many other words yet as about the worshiping of saints, the Pope of Rome, confession, fasting, purgatory, and the sleeping of the saints, which it would take much too long to write. The foregoing I have written down from memory, even as they often occurred; but since it happened long ago, I should not be able to write it down word for word. But since I well know that it is of no avail to tell them anything, and that they are arrogant and shameless, I sometimes give them very brief answers, offering to dispute with them in public, which they refused. They often put the same questions repeatedly to our brethren and sisters that are in bonds with us, who are all still of good cheer, the Lord be praised; for we feared the false prophets much more before we spoke with them, than afterwards. But the Lord knows how to give his chosen a mouth in such hours as he has promised, better than we can imagine; for those who seemed weak when not in bonds, are so courageous, that it is astonishing to see and hear it. The Lord alone be praised forever and ever. Amen.
The Dean also asked me whether we did not pray for him. I said: “Yes.” “What do you people call me?” said he; “Do you call me Saul?” I replied: “I have sometimes heard you called the Inquisitor (they all laughed); sometimes the Dean of Ronse.” He said: “That is my name.” We had many more words yet; however partly from lack of paper, I forbear writing more; but I beg all who see this, to receive it in good part, And if possible, let a copy of this be sent to our acquaintances at Antwerp, and one to our acquaintances in the West.
Thereupon these twelve friends (whose names are mentioned in the beginning of Hans de Vette’s letter) all courageously laid down their lives for the truth. First four valiantly passed through the conflict, who offered up their burnt-sacrifice in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and a short time afterwards, six others, who, after steadfast confession of their faith, were also brought forth, and being asked whether they would not yet recant, they answered: “No,” but if they had committed any crime, they should be dealt with accordingly. They were speedily sentenced to death as heretics, and when they were taken out to death in two wagons, two monks sat beside them, who prevented them from speaking much, so that they could only with great difficulty speak a word or two, namely: “Fear not them that kill the body; for after that they have no more that they can do;” but, O men, repent, for the apostle says that he that lives after the flesh shall die. Rom. 8:13.
When they were led into a hut of wood and straw in which they were to be burnt, they manifested great joy, and commending their souls into the hands of God, they put off the corruptible, to put on the incorruptible.
There remained yet two pregnant women, who, after giving birth to their children, and lying in, were both secretly beheaded in the count’s castle. Thus all these, continuing steadfast unto the end, went to rest with the Lord and shall also enter into eternal joy with him, in the company of all the dear children of God. Matt. 25:21; John 1:12.
On the 20th of May 1559, the Margrave of Antwerp, seeking one upon whose head a price of three hundred guilders was set, went forth with many servants, and surrounded and entered two houses, in which they found six sisters, namely, Maeyken Kats, Magdaleentken, Aechtken of Zierickzee, Old Maeyken, Grietgen Bonaventuers, and Maeyken de Korte. But however much they searched the houses they could not find the one whom they sought. Then the Margrave wished these women in Hoboken Heath. But nevertheless, when he could not accomplish his purpose, he took all six with him, and shut them in a dark prison. Afterwards they were examined. They freely confessed their faith, and could not be brought to recant, neither by the imperial decree, nor by threats or torture; nor did they betray any one. Hence, on the 18th of June; the first three were sentenced to death, and drowned in prison by night.
Afterwards, on the 11th of October, the other three were also condemned to death; old Maeyken, the honorable widow, who was worthy of double honor, was drowned, while Grietken Bonaventuers and Maeyken de Korte had to taste death by the sword (unusual with women) for the truth, for which their Lord, whom they loved and did not forget, will likewise not forget them, but gladly receive them into his kingdom and joyfully feast in paradise.
My dear sister, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be fruitful in all longsuffering and holiness, to wait for him with patience; for he shall come quickly, and bring his reward with him; he is faithful that promised, who also will do it. 2 Thess. 3:1; Rev. 22:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:25. It is as I say: our life is a continual conflict upon earth. Know that I am of tolerably good cheer; the flesh is pretty well, the Lord be praised. We are here indeed as the filth of the world, and constantly long to get home, and for a building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 1 Cor. 4:13. How ought we to be prepared with a godly life! I often find myself cast down; I also discover so many shortcomings in me, and that there is so much yet to die unto; I have to commit it all to the Lord, with an humble heart, and trembling, contrite spirit, asking him for grace, and not for justice. I feel that the more I humble myself, the more the mighty God works in me, and pours his grace into me. Then I cry most bitterly, fall upon my knees, and thank my God, and say: “O my Lord and God, what am I, child of Adam, that thou art mindful of him;282 thou hast given him dominion over all thy works. Whence is it that thou dost visit us so abundantly, and dost so graciously open unto us thy treasures, and causest the bright morning star to arise and shine in our hearts, and hast drawn us out of this dark night to the imperishable light?” What shall we render unto him, my dear sister, but a penitent and contrite heart, and a broken spirit, with love and great gratitude; there rests the spirit of the Lord, says David. Let us love one another fervently, for God is love, and constantly exhort each other, lest we wax cold through the deceitfulness of sin; so that God may be glorified in us, and we may be delivered from pride, and from unreasonable and wicked men; for all men have not faith. The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen and keep us. 1 John 4:8; Heb. 3:13; 2 Thess. 3:2. Know, that my sisters were here, and desired to have a word of comfort from me. The Lord gained the victory. I do not know how it is with me, I do not feel drawn to them, just as though they were not related to me; I cannot rejoice, though I see them, and it seems to me that they are afraid of me. They caused me so much cross. They had sent a monk named Balten here, to examine me, and were willing to give him three caps, if he should be able to convert me. He came with fine words, but I would not speak, being sick at the time. Then my sisters said: “Why do you not speak?” I replied: “I have no desire at present; we have talked with him so often; he well knows our intention.”
This irritated Balten, and he complained greatly of me, that I had strongly resisted the Scriptures, that I maintained salvation erroneously, and that I had no hope. Then they wept greatly, but it was all the same to me, whether he kept silence or spoke. He made all leave the room, only my two sisters; he and I remaining. He then entreated me much, saying: “My dear Maeyken, have compassion upon your poor soul.” I boldly replied: “This I hope to do.” “Say that you are sorry, and that you have erred; it is sufficient, and you need say no more; an instrument shall immediately be drawn up for you, according to my direction, and I myself and your two brothers-in-law will sign it. It shall remain a secret, and all shall be done for you that is possible; give your consent to it, my dear sister.” Then I was moved in my spirit, and said: “You may give your head rest, yours is all lost labor; I am not at all inclined to say that I am sorry. I am so sorry for it, that if I had not done it, I should yet do what I have in mind. I want to abide in it by the help of God, neither entreaties, nor tortures, nor death, nor life shall turn me, and I want to die therein; hence do not torment me.” Phil. 4:13. I wish I could speak with Lauwerens Huysmaeker, and see all of you; but I must be patient.
I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace; greet Andries, and Mattheus. I greet you both; greet Lauwerens, and Hans; greet Adriaen much, and Lauwerens’ wife, and the wife of Lauwerens the broom-maker, and Hansken’s wife.
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, my dear and most beloved wife and sister in the Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises. 2 Pet. 1:2,3.
Thus, my most beloved, that by these you are a partaker of the divine nature, if you flee the corruptible lusts of this world, as you have also done, and by renouncing the same, and accepting regeneration, faith, and manifestation of obedience, which you proved by baptism, in which you put on Christ, and thereby became a partaker of the divine nature. And this was not done for works of righteousness which you did, but according to his mercy he saved you, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Tit. 3:5. If you continue herein unto the end, and are patient in whatever befalls you, you shall inherit what is promised you. Praise God, and thank him for all his glorious benefits which you have received; and bless God the Father through Jesus Christ, though tribulation has now come upon you, through my departure for the Lord’s sake; and know that according to his abundant mercy he hath begotten you again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved for you and all that are in the same faith, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time, wherein you, my dear and beloved wife, greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: for, know, my most beloved, we are tried in manifold ways, in order that it may become manifest whether we truly love the Lord. 1 Pet. 1:3.