Again: He that hateth to be reproved is already in the way of the ungodly. Sir. 21:6. Again: An ungodly man will not be reproved, but excuseth himself by the example of others in what he doeth. 32:17.
Behold, my dear children, what excellent instructions these are. Here you hear good counsel, how you can attain to virtue. And this you can do without many stripes of the rod, if you but attend to words, and fear your people in all they command you. Be very obedient to the people with whom you live, and beware of your innate evil nature, your wildness, your foolishness and childishness. Abandon that for which you are chastised; else you will have to be severely beaten without ceasing; for this belongs to foolish, froward and disobedient children, as follows here:
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. Prov. 22:15. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. 29:15. Again: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” 22:6. “Withhold not correction from the child; for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.” 23:13,14. Again: “Hast thou children? instruct them, and bow down their neck from their youth. Hast thou daughters? have a care of their body, and do not spoil them.” Sir. 7:23,24. “He that loveth his son causeth him oft to feel the rod, that he may have joy of him in the end. He that chastiseth his son, shall have joy in him, and shall rejoice in him among his acquaintance.” 30:1,2.
Behold, my children, this is what is said with regard to disobedient children. Thus must children be brought up by godfearing parents, the good with words, the evil with rods. Thus did Tobit with his son; thus was Susannah from her youth brought up in the fear of God; and to Abraham it was counted for righteousness that he should admonish his children to the fear of God after him. Sus. 2; Tob. 1:9; Gen. 18:19.
In short, this is the conclusion: Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord. And, ye parents, be not bitter against them, lest they become dull, shy, or discouraged. Col. 3:20,21; Eph. 6:1.
See, my dear children, learn here what is becoming to you; see here, with what heavy duty of instruction and correction Christian parents are charged with regard to their children.
Those who neglect their children in regard to this discipline, and are too indulgent toward them, may remember the terrible example of evil recompense exhibited in Eli, the priest, who for this reason, by the hand of God, fell from off his seat backward, and brake his neck. 1 Sam. 4:18. Hence it is a grievous matter badly to bring up froward children, concerning which Sirach says: He that is too indulgent with his child lamenteth his stripes, and is terrified as often as he cries. A wanton child becometh willful, like a wild horse. Cocker thy child and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he will bring thee to heaviness. Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow with him, and lest thou gnash thy teeth in the end. Give him no liberty in his youth, and wink not at his follies. Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat him on the sides (he says beat him on the sides) while he is a child, lest he wax stubborn, and be disobedient unto thee. Instruct thy child, and suffer him not to go idle, lest thou be brought to shame through him. Sirach 30:7–13. Behold, what a solemn charge the believer has concerning his children, and also those that are committed to him as his own children. Hence, dear lambs, endure kind correction, and be afraid of words, and you will not have to suffer this severe cruelty: otherwise you must suffer it, as has been heard.
Behold, my children, in these holy instructions in correction I acquit myself of my duty towards you; and in all this I admonish you not only in your youth, but also in your riper years, to give ear to the advice of the wise and pious, and always to love the Christians, God’s dear children, the holy church, which by all men is considered a heresy, because they so firmly hope in the living God. Acts 24:14. Learn to know early in the Scriptures this living God of them that believe; for, says the apostle Paul, he that cometh to God must believe that there is a God, and that he will greatly reward those who, through the strait gate, seek him with such hardships, on the narrow way of tribulation. 1 Tim. 4:10; Heb. 11:6.
ARTICLE III.
Brief instruction concerning God, to learn to know him by his written name, glory, handiwork, wonderful deeds, voice, omnipotence, omniscience, by his being the terrible enemy of his enemies, and the faithful succorer of the pious, etc.
Mark, beloved, my simple children, this in the God of your father, the God of all the faithful, from the beginning of the world until now, the God of Abel, the God of Noah, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Israel, the God of Jesus Christ, and of all the saints. And this is the God that is not made or worshiped by any man or by human hands, but the God that was from everlasting and before all things, and shall be forever, the God of whom and by whom all things are created and made, yea, heaven, earth, sea, and all the works that therein are, were made by his word, Spirit and omnipotence. This our God is good to the good, and very terrible to his enemies. His power extends over all kingdoms and kings, and he is the Lord of lords. There is none like unto him. Thou art great, and thy name is great, and thou canst show it by the deed. Who should not fear thee, thou king of the heathen? Thou shouldest certainly be obeyed. His name is Governor, Lord, Lord Sabaoth, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Israel, and of the fathers; this is his name. His name is Wonderful, Counsellor, Power, Giant, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, his government abideth upon him forever. Is. 9:6,7. His name is Immanuel, that is, God with us. 7:14. It is not possible fully to express his name; hence, for the completion of his impossible, unmentionable, inexpressible exalted name, he is further called Jehova, Shadai, Addonai, and by other names. Besides his general appellations, he is also called: Righteous, Merciful, Gracious God, Truth, Light, Right Hand, Holy consuming Fire.
See, my dear children, here you have heard of your father’s God, of his eternity without beginning and without end, and of his glorious and exalted names in the Holy Scriptures. There follows further now, of his glorious, incomprehensible, unmeasurable greatness, glory and the invisibleness of his divine shape, form and image; for God is a Spirit. Think, how great he must be: heaven is the throne and the earth his footstool. Acts 7:49. He sees, hears, and is, everywhere, and in all places; for thus he says through Jeremiah: “Am I a God at hand, and not afar off? Can any hide himself in secret, places that I shall not see him? Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:23,24. And in another place the Scripture declares: “He spanneth heaven with his three fingers.” Is. 40:12. When he walks, the mountains tremble, and the foundations of the earth quake. When he manifests himself, or permits himself to be heard, he causes fear and terror to come upon all men, as we read in Ex. 3, that the thorn-bush seemed to burn as a flame of fire, when he called Moses to him, to make him a prince over Israel, to lead them out of Egypt. And again, when Moses, while receiving the law of God, spoke with God on mount Sinai, the mount smoked, because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And the voice of the trumpet waxed louder and louder, with thunders and lightnings, which frightened the people. And also Moses was terrified, and trembled. No one was permitted to touch the mount; no one could endure his voice, save Moses, however, with fear. Ex. 19. Thus does God show himself, says Moses, that his fear should be before your eyes, and you might not sin. Well may Moses say: “The Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.” Deut. 10:17.
Behold, my dear children, this great God alone is worthy to be feared, who can kill soul and body. Sirach says: The whole heaven everywhere, the sea and the earth tremble; mountain and valley quake, when he visiteth them; and shall he not see thy heart? Sir. 16:18.
Again: God is witness of all thoughts, and knoweth the conscience of every heart, and heareth every word. For the circuit of the world is full of the Spirit of the Lord (he says that the circuit of the world is full of the Spirit of the Lord), and he that knoweth the voice is everywhere; therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things cannot be hid. Wis. 1:6. Yea, my dear children, he knows who serves him in appearance and in the sight of the eyes, and who with a sincere heart. For the wisdom of God is great, and he is mighty, says Sirach, and beholdeth all things; and his eyes are upon them that fear him, and he knoweth well, what is done in righteousness, and what is hypocrisy. Sir. 14:18. I say he is worthy that men should fear him, keep his commandments, love him, be very small and humble before him, and this is what he requires of his people. Read Mic. 6, the law of Moses, and the Gospel of Christ. For he would have obedience, and not the pomp and deceitful semblance of sacrifices, as is exemplified in Saul, 1 Sam. 15:22. “Will ye not fear me, saith the Lord, who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, that it cannot pass it?” Jeremiah 5:22.
Ah, ah, dear children, how good is this fear of the Lord, for it is the beginning of wisdom. It is the root of wisdom, and its branches flourish forever. Wis. 1:20.
This fear of the Lord driveth out sin; for he that is without fear cannot be justified. Wis. 1:21. For by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. Proverbs 16:6. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life to depart from the snares of death, 14:27. For those that fear the Lord, my children, walk in the right way; but he that feareth him not, or despiseth him, departeth from his way. 14:2.
Hereby, and by the vain boasting or thinking of having the fear of God, you may perceive the fear of God, and know those who fear him [and them that fear him not].
Read who are the truly godfearing; Ps. 1:2; 119:120; Sir. 2:17; 15:1; 16:2. Therefore, the fear of God is the sum and conclusion of all books. Read Eccl. 12:13. And as you have now heard of the great glory of God, which is well worthy that men should fear him on account of it, so I will now briefly show that he is also a most awful, terrible and inexorably stern avenger and enemy towards his enemies; and, on the other hand, a faithful succorer of his afflicted friends, as is written in Exodus: “I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.” And again: “Shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:5,6.
Notice also the wonderful deeds of God in Egypt, on Pharaoh, who afflicted the children of Israel; how God afflicted the Egyptians in return, visiting their land with manifold plagues. Ultimately, how God delivered his people out of it, made a dry passage through the Red Sea, separated and protected them from Pharaoh by the dark pillar of cloud, and terrified Pharaoh and his host with a heavenly noise in the air, and drowned them all in the Red Sea, as a God of great power. Now when Israel had passed through the Red Sea, and was in the wilderness, king Amalek came to afflict them, whom God himself resisted, however, through Joshua, and the enemy and his people were discomfited and destroyed. Thus, again, in the days of Joshua, God fought with hailstones, and Israel with the sword; and sun and moon for their benefit stood still the whole day, as long as the battle lasted. Josh. 10. Yea, God also fought from heaven against Sisera, and the stars in their courses fought. Judg. 5:20. Again, at another time, when Samaria was besieged by the Syrians, God fought for Samaria, and terrified the enemies with a noise in the air, as the noise of chariots, horsemen and hosts, in the night, so that they fled and left everything behind them. 2 Kings 7:6,7. Thus read also of Zerah the Ethiopian, with his host of a thousand thousand, of whom not one escaped. 2 Chron. 14:9 Thus also, the children of Ammon and Moab, from Syria, afflicted Israel; and God fought for Israel, while Israel stood still and he ordered it so that the enemies destroyed one another. 2 Chron. 20.
In like manner we read concerning Gideon, that God so ordered it that the enemies, the Midianites, fell upon one another with their swords, and destroyed themselves, through the direction of God. Judg. 7:22.
Behold, my dear children, what an awful, inexorable enemy of his enemies, and faithful and victorious protector of his friends he is; for when his people went to battle with God’s consent, though they had neither bows, arrows, shields nor swords, God fought for them and gained the victory. No one could harm this people, save when they departed from the commandments of the Lord their God; then God delivered them into the hand of the enemy. We have a God that helps, the Lord Sabaoth, who delivers from death; thus extol the saints the help of God. When the people of God, in former times, were encompassed and assailed with war, and by wicked nations and kings, and then cried with confidence to this their God for protection, behold, their God only sent an angel to their assistance, who was able to direct all, and turned not away from thousands. Read 2 Kings 19:35; Is. 37:36. Read further 2 Macc. 11:10. We further read of five angels of God, armed and upon horses with bridles of gold, and what great execution they did. 2 Macc. 10:29. God sent two angels to Sodom, for the destruction of the wicked, and the preservation of the good. And other such examples; read 2 Macc. 12; Judg. 7:22; 1 Sam. 14:20; 17:52; 2 Chron. 20:23.
Behold, my dear children, the faithfulness of God towards his people, and his terribleness to the wicked, as has been heard; and this is only a moderate portion, much still remains to be told of so many examples contained in the holy Scriptures, and left for our confirmation, that we might hope in this God, suffer for his sake, and obey him. However, it must be understood with a due distinction of times and laws, as regards the ancient warfares of Israel, the taking of revenge on enemies, fighting and killing in the time of the law, and previous to it, which then was done by the will, command, permission, and also, help, of God, under the Old Testament, but now, in the Gospel and New Testament, it must not be so, and is now plainly prohibited, by the word and example of Christ, himself God and the Son of God, whose word must be heard. Prohibited, I say, plainly and clearly enough, not by men’s commandments, but by God himself; his people are denied and forbidden all revenge, and commanded to commit all vengeance unto God; not to resist evil; to give to him that taketh away the cloak also the coat, and to turn to him that smiteth thee on thy right cheek the other also, and the like; yea, to love one’s enemies, to pray for your persecutors, and to flee from them from one city into another. Matt. 5:39; Rom. 12:17; 1 Thess. 5:15. And they that are thus afflicted shall be blessed, and greatly comforted of God, with the promise of eternal life. In short, not to fight at all, and yet to fight, but this no longer with iron, steel, stone, wood, or any carnal weapons, but with spiritual weapons mighty before God. 2 Cor. 10:4. Read, my children, what weapons and warfare Christians now wield, as is plainly and very clearly set forth. Eph. 6. Christians have no other warfare at the present time. For, understand, the prophecy is fulfilled which said with reference to this time, that such people have beaten their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into sickles, rest from their works, and truly observe the spiritual Sabbath. Is. 2:4; Mic. 4:3; Ex. 20:10,11. Hence Christians may now not wage war any more. However I refer you to ancient warfare and God’s succor, as these are a demonstration and proof to you of the greatness and the terrible deeds of God; in order that you may learn to know, fear and obey him in whose presence the earth shakes, and the mountains tremble; for the disobedient toward his word, will and commandment shall find no hiding-place from his face when he shall appear with his angels, in flames of fire, to execute vengeance on all the disobedient. 2 Esd. 16:9.
Therefore, my children, learn to know and shun sin; for because of sin souls are damned forever.
ARTICLE IV.
What sin is, and whereby sin became sin; and what are and will be the wages of sin, before God, or God’s punishment of sinners hereafter.
What sin is, is clearly shown by the holy Scriptures. The prophet Samuel said to Saul, when the latter had transgressed the commandment of the Lord: Disobedience is as the sin (mark, sin) of witchcraft. 1 Sam. 15:23. John says: All unrighteousness is sin. 1 John 5:17. James says: To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Jas. 4:17. (Mark what sin is). Paul says: Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Rom. 14:23.
From this and the like, my children, learn to know sin; as Paul says: By the law is the knowledge of sin. I had not known sin but by the law. The law causes sin to become exceeding sinful; for when it says: Thou shalt not covet, sin takes occasion, and works in us all manner of concupiscence. Rom. 3:20; 7:7,13. From this we also perceive, whereby sin became sin, namely, by the command and prohibition of God.
Every one who transgresses the things which God has commanded, commits sin, and it is also called sin, and punished as sin, fully and abundantly, in both Testaments. The tree of knowledge was not unclean for Adam, except through the commandment; his transgression was also called sin. As regards the punishment for this sin, read Gen. 3:14. The heathen daughters and wives were not unclean for the Jews, save through the commandment of God, who would not have it. Concerning the punishment, read Judg. 3; Num. 25. The sanctuary, or ark of God, which was certainly clean, was not unclean for any tribe, to touch or bear it, except through the commandment. Num. 4:17. The gods of the heathen were not unclean for Israel, save through the prohibition and proscription of God, also the commandment and the punishment. 1 Kings 15.
Behold, thus you can perceive whereby sin becomes sin, namely, through the commandment, and the transgressing of the commandment; for where no commandment is, there is no sin, for without the law sin was dead. Rom. 4:15; 7:8. For sin, or sinful action was in the world; but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Rom. 5:13.
Now, dear children, as soon as you know sin, learn to shun it as you shun fire; for if you approach sin, it will embrace you; but the stings and wounds thereof cannot be healed. Sir. 21:2,3.
Therefore, learn now to understand further, what proceeds from sin, and what are the wages of sin, for these are damnation and death. Rom. 6:23. It is enmity against God, because it is not subject to the law of God. Rom. 8:7. Hence hear further the terrible, relentless and awful punishment of God upon sin and sinners, which has ever taken place and will yet take place. Take heed, my dear children, I counsel you, as much as you value your souls, to this special, eternal punishment of sin and sinners. Thus says the Lord: I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. Who among you, he says, will give ear to this? Who will hearken and hear for the time to come? The day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. It is the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompense for the controversy of Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. It shall not be quenched night nor day. Is. 42:14,23; 13:9; 34:8, etc.
This impending calamity, the punishment and righteous judgment of God, was announced and promised a very long time; for when Enoch, the seventh from Adam, was upon earth, he said: Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. Jude 14,15.
Mark, that God threatens and gives sufficient warning before, as he did to Assur: Woe be unto thee, Assur, thou that hidest the unrighteous in thee! O thou wicked people, remember what I did unto Sodom and Gomorrah; whose land lieth in clods of pitch and heaps of ashes; even so also will I do unto them that hear me not, saith the Almighty Lord. 2 Esd. 2:8,9.
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire. Matt. 13:41,42. Then shall the Lord say unto them on his left hand: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was a hungered, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink.” Matt. 25:41,42. Behold, my dear children, thus shall it then go with those who do not now while it is time, regard this, being rich, filled and merry. For Christ says: Woe unto you that are rich, for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! Luke 6:24–26. When they lived, says Esdras, and received God’s benefits they did not regard it; they despised his counsel while they had yet liberty, and contemned repentance; therefore they must know it after death by torment. 2 Esd. 9:10–12. While we lived and committed iniquity, we considered not that we should suffer for it after death. 7:56. For the wages of sin is death. Rom. 6:23. But, after thy hardness and impenitent heart, thou treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds; to them who by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, and honor, and immortality, eternal life; but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness; indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil. Rom. 2:5–9.
Understand again, my dear children, into what great danger our evil flesh plunges us here, slaying the soul. The lust and works of the flesh cause eternal sorrow and loss of heaven. As Paul says: Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. Now the works of the flesh are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, evil lusts—(read to the end of the seventeen points mentioned). And he says that they which do such things shall not inherit or possess the kingdom of God. Gal. 5:16; 1 Cor. 6:9. Then it shall not be possible for any one to be spared from the vengeance of God, whether he know God, or whether he know him not; if he has been disobedient to the Gospel, he must bear the severity of God. For Paul says: When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; (mark) who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe. 2 Thess. 1:7–10.
To disobey the Gospel, is worthy of no small punishment; for he that, in the sight of two or three witnesses, transgressed the law of Moses (which is inferior to the Gospel in its saving power and operation, Rom. 8:3), had to die without mercy, says Paul, of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Heb. 10:29. These must expect a terrible judgment, and the cruelty of the fire, which shall devour the adversaries. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God; for God is a consuming fire. 10:31; 12:9. We know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense. 10:30. See, since the Gospel is great of value and rich in saving power, therefore, on the other hand, the refusing, abusing, despising and transgressing of the same, is so much the greater crime and ingratitude, and deserving of sorer punishment, as Paul says, concerning Christ: “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh; for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: whose voice then shook the earth.” Heb. 12:25,26.
O my children, therefore this time of the Gospel, in which we now are, is a very precious, valuable and acceptable time, as also the Lord himself frequently declares in the Gospel: as: Had such mighty works been done in Tyre and Sidon. Why do ye not discern this acceptable time for you? Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see. Luke 10:23. Jesus says: Jerusalem shall be destroyed (on account of her sins); because they did not know the time of their visitation. Luke 19:44.
O my dear children, learn to discern good from evil; learn to know the wicked world, who think that they are holy men, Christians and believers in God, but are the synagogue of Satan (Rev. 2:9); which is evident from their whole spirit, life, and their wickedness; who because of their wickedness cannot bear, or tolerate among them, the lustre of the pious. But the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the evil and unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished; but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness. What God intends to do with such, he has typified and shown to us by sinners of former times [as we read]: For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment, and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly. 2 Pet. 2:4–6.
Understand here, that God spares neither the angels, nor the whole world, because they were great in number or highly esteemed and chosen; and thus it has often gone with great numbers, for the ungodly are not the better for being many. As also Sirach well says: Rely not upon this that the multitude of those with whom thou doest evil is great, but remember that punishment is not far from thee. Therefore humble thyself from the heart, for the vengeance of the ungodly is fire and worms. Sirach 7:17,18. For as one that cometh nigh wild beasts, and is torn by them, so it also goes with him that attacheth himself to the ungodly, and mingleth in their sins. 12:13,14. One child that fears the Lord is more acceptable to him than a thousand that are ungodly. Hence let no one depend upon this that his companions in wickedness are many, nor upon boasting of the mercy of God, before thy repentance; for when the fire of the punishment of God is kindled, it consumes all the wicked, great and small. Behold, the fire burned up the whole congregation of the ungodly; and wrath was kindled over the unbelieving. He spared not the old giants who perished with their strength. Neither did he spare those among whom Lot sojourned, but condemned them because of their pride, and destroyed the whole land without mercy, who had transgressed all bounds in sinning. Thus he took away six hundred thousand, because they were disobedient. How then should a single one that is disobedient escape unpunished? For though he is merciful, yet also wrath is with him. He can be appeased, but he also fearfully punishes. As his mercy is great, so is also his correction; he judgeth a man according to his works. The ungodly shall not escape with his spoils, and the patience of the godly shall not be frustrated. Behold, before God a great multitude is of little avail. He that sinneth must die. For every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. Prov. 16:5. The strength of the ungodly is like a heap of tow which is consumed with fire. The way of sinners is made plain with stones (it is true), but at the end thereof is the pit of hell. Sir. 21:9,10. Hell also hath opened wide her mouth, to receive great and small, prince and multitude. Is. 5:14. Many be called, but few chosen. Wide is the gate, and broad the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which walk in it. I further say: The great majority will be damned and lost. This is too clear to be denied. 2 Esd. 8:3.
Dear children, he that does not fear or believe God, does not regard these awful assurances and sure threats, as also the Scripture says: Such threatening is too far off, and when a wicked man heareth it, he yet cleaveth to his folly and error. How truly does Solomon say: Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God. Eccl. 8:11,12. I have long time holden my peace, says the Lord; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. Is. 42:14. When a child is about to be brought forth, the pains of travail slack not a moment; even so shall not the plagues be slack to come upon the earth; the world shall mourn, and sorrow shall come upon it. 2 Esd. 16:38,39.
O happy he who always fears; but he whose heart is hardened shall fall into misfortune, as has been sufficiently heard. Mark here the long-suffering of God toward sinners; but he nevertheless eventually punished them. How truly does Paul say: God is not mocked. Thinkest thou that I shall always hold my peace, saith the Lord, that thou dost not fear me at all? But I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works, that they are unprofitable. Then when thou shalt cry, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them away, and vanity shall take them, Is. 57:13. The holy Scriptures do justly call our God a consuming fire. As to what fire this is, read Is. 10:16; Joel 2:3; Nah. 3:15; Zech. 11:1. Manasses truly says: O God, thine angry threatening toward sinners is importable. Man. verse 5. Nahum speaks thus of the fierceness of the wrath of God: The mountains quake before him, and the hills fear. The earth shaketh before him, yea, the whole circuit of the earth, and all that dwell therein. Who can stand before his indignation? And who can abide before his anger? His fury burneth like fire, and the rocks burst in pieces before him. Nahum 1:5,6. Micah says: The Lord cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth. And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place. For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel, Mic. 1:3–5.
O who could write enough of such scripture admonitions! Truly, my dear children, behold, he that recognizes the holy Scriptures, the Bible, as the sure word, testimony, word and sentence of God, and considers well worthy of belief what is written in the same concerning God, and especially regarding his faithful warning against all sin, the promised recompense for transgression, exemplified in his punishment of sin as exhibited in many, together with all his strict and solemn oaths in which he has denied his kingdom to the impenitent, as has already been mentioned here in part, and will yet briefly be pointed out; such a man, I say, may well tremble before God, and with David the skin and hair of his head may shudder. And if there be but one spark of the fear of God, and faith in his word, in his inmost heart, his laughter may and must turn into weeping till he obtains peace instead of enmity with God. In the first place I will speak of God’s warning against sin.
But, my dear lambs, I am deprived of time further to complete my purpose and intention. This however was almost finished, but I intended to improve it and to copy it in a far more legible and better form. However, it is now done, and I must and will now disengage myself, and prepare to die, as I think, in four days. And, behold, my dear children, I rejoice in this, and am of good cheer in the Lord, and trust not to spare my body for the truth, but to present it in worship as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. And I trust by the grace of God, that I have been to you, my dear children, a father who have set you a good example, in my life and death. When you attain to the years of understanding, think thoroughly on it and so follow Christ with me, as he has gone before us, in all suffering and holiness; and we shall meet again, and this in eternal joy and in the kingdom of heaven, forever.
My dear children, though you do not live together, love one another the more ardently, and show your love in whatever way you can, as by greetings and instructive letters to one another. Make copies of this little book, so that each of you three children may have one.
I first send it to you my dear son Alewijn Hendricks, because you are the oldest. Remember what I have written for your instruction; communicate it also to your little sisters. Farewell now, an eternal farewell, my three little orphans.
Written by me, your dear father,
Hendrick Alewijns.
Always have God before your eyes.
Grace, peace and joy from God our heavenly Father, wisdom, righteousness and truth, through Christ Jesus his beloved Son our Lord and Savior; together with the comfort and illumination of the Holy Ghost; these I wish you, much beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, as a friendly greeting and eternal adieu in this sad world, where nothing is to be found but every sorrow of heart. I trust to go and rest, with all the elect saints of God, under the altar, and hope to wait for you there: to this end may the Lord grant us his grace, and may he keep me, miserable sinner, unto the end, as I hope and trust he will do. Amen.
Know, much beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, that we are all well yet, the Lord be praised; and it is still the purpose of us all, to adhere to the holy truth of the Lord all the days of our life, for which we can never fully thank the Lord. O dear brethren and sisters, how could we fully thank him, that he so loves me unworthy one! I hope by his grace, that I shall suffer for his holy name, and I trust to hear with all the beloved saints of God: “Come, ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25:34. O dear brethren and sisters, what beautiful promises are given to them that overcome: That they shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father; that they shall be of the household of God; that they shall eat of the hidden manna, and of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Rev. 3:12; Matthew 13:43; Eph. 2:19; Rev. 2:17; 2:7.
O why should I write you much; I hope and trust, that you yourselves are all taught of God. Hence, dear brethren and sisters, I know of nothing special to write you, save that we should always take heed well to keep that which is committed to our trust, that no man take our crown, for Peter says: The devil walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, 1 Tim. 6:20; Rev. 3:11; 1 Peter 5:8. O we shall be well rewarded, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. Herewith I will commend you all unto the Lord, and to the rich word of his grace, which is able to build us all up for his heavenly kingdom. Amen. And I kindly pray you, also to see to my child a little as much as you can. I have also requested this of the sister at Vlissingen, and of Christian. You may advise together as is best; for I must now part from it, so that I cannot take care of it. But I am heartily satisfied with this, and am ready to forsake not only wife and child, but also body and life, if the Lord will only keep me, as he has hitherto done, and will yet do. O dear brethren and sisters, we are all of such good cheer. I and Hendrick and Gerrit greet you all much. Greet Hendrick and Maeyken much in my name, and Adrian and Gerrit Coelemey, and your companion Lieven, and Huybert; further, Yde and her husband, and Jacob Wit, and the rest of the brethren, and to all whom it is convenient to greet. Bid them all farewell in my name. Written on the third of February, in the year 1569, after I have been advised of my sentence. Farewell altogether, and be valiant always. I trust that we shall see one another again. Communicate to Geertgen occasionally something of the profit, as seems best to you; and do with her what is best, this I earnestly ask of you.
By me, Hans Marijns, your unworthy brother in the Lord, with what is in my ability for your best, for this time.
This Anpleunis van den Berge, because he had permitted, in the year 1556, that the word of God was truly and openly preached on his land, and that he had lodged some of the brethren, had to leave his own house and property, and conceal himself, and sojourn with other good friends (so severe was then the persecution against the Christians), until, finally, while walking on the road, he was apprehended, and this only because one who saw him walking, said: There goes the man who permitted preaching on his land. And though he offered to give to the officer that apprehended him his purse containing fifty pounds Flemish, if he would let him go, he was nevertheless taken along into prison at Kortrijk, where he, after a bold confession of his faith, was very severely tortured, by scourging as well as otherwise; but as he would in no wise apostatize from his faith, or implicate any of his fellow-members, he was finally sentenced to death, and burned, in the year 1569, thus obtaining a house and inheritance which shall never be taken from him. 2 Cor. 5:1.
At Antwerp, about the year 1569, there was apprehended a brother, named Jasper den Taschrinkmaker, who, when he was examined concerning his faith, boldly confessed it, and would allow no entreaties, threats or tortures to swerve him from it, so that because of his steadfastness he was sentenced to death as a heretic, and offered up his sacrifice by fire. Hence the eternal fire shall not destroy that which he has built upon the foundation Jesus Christ.
When the Duke of Alba tyrannized with great violence against the Gospel, as Antiochus against the law, 2 Macc. 7, there were brought prisoners into Ypres, in Flanders, in the year 1569, one Dirk Anoot, of Westvleteren, and one named Willem, a wood-sawyer, who, as they could in no wise be drawn from the truth by tribulation, fear, or any suffering inflicted upon them, were finally condemned and sentenced to the fire, and were then brought into the market place, before the city hall, with a stick fastened in their mouth, that they should not speak. There each was placed at a stake and burned. Thus they, as those who did not love their life, but delivered it up for the Gospel, offered up their bodies as a burnt sacrifice unto God, their Lord.
At Ghent in Flanders also three sisters were apprehended on account of the faith, namely Tanneken van der Meulen, Jaecxken van Hussele, and Jaecxken Teerlings, who had to leave, for the Lord’s sake, five little children, whom she commended to a faithful keeper and Provider, since she had to help her two imprisoned fellow sisters contend for his name, in which all three of them evinced such manful courage unto death, that even the tyrants were amazed at it, who shall be still more amazed, when they shall hear the sound of the trumpet, and see that these with all the children of God shall be taken up into everlasting joy and gladness, while they themselves standing on the left hand will have to go into everlasting sorrow, and that the time of repentance shall then be utterly taken away from them.
In the year 1569, at Ghent, in Flanders, there were apprehended for the faith, three brethren and two sisters, namely, Joost Goethals, Roelandt and Pieter Stayert, Janneken Roelands and Janneken de Jonckheere. These had to resist many examinations, trials and temptations, but remained valiant in everything unto death, so that they were tried as gold in the fire; nor did that fail which they had built upon the corner stone Christ; wherefore they shall, for having been faithful here over a few things, be made rulers with the good and faithful servant over many things, and enter into heaven into the joy of their Lord. Matt. 25:23.
Not long after the above there were also apprehended at Ghent three brethren and one sister, namely, Christoffel Buyze, Laurens van Rentergen, Joost Meerssenier, and Grietgen Baets. These, in order to follow Christ, gladly took up his cross, and had to suffer much reproach, temptation, and pain in the narrow way; but in all this they courageously persevered, and could in no wise be induced to apostatize, so that they finally had to lay down their lives for the name of Christ, and with him press through the strait gate, in order that they might take the kingdom of God by force, where they in the new Jerusalem, shall have him for an everlasting light, and shall with all those who have valiantly contended for the truth, live in everlasting and imperishable joy.
As the Jews did to the Shepherd, so their successors do still to his sheep, which was evident in the year 1569, when they, having come from Kortrijck to Meenen, apprehended there a brother named old Pieter; but not yet satisfied with this, they returned on the Friday before Easter, in the night, and apprehended Jan Watier, Jan van Raes, Wouter Denijs, Francais the Carpenter, and Kalleken, the widow of Anpleunis van den Berge (which latter had previously been offered up). These were so tightly bound that it was pitiful to behold. Jan Watier said: “If there is any one here from Komen, greet my wife, and tell her to fear God.” These were then conducted to Kortrijck, where they lay for three weeks, so closely guarded that no one could come to them, to comfort or speak to them. They were also very severely tortured, in order that they should mention others: but God kept their lips. The old man, Jan van Raes, was put on the rack twice, but he nevertheless betrayed no one. When John Watier was led back to prison, it was a lamentable sight to behold how he had been tortured, all his limbs appearing to have been broken.
When they were led to the court, they said: “Now truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.” Is. 59:14. There they (the five brethren and one sister) comforted and cheered one another with the word of God. 1 Thess. 4:18. There the innocent were sentenced to be burned, and delivered to the hangman or executioner. Longing for their Father’s land, to be in peace with him forever, they boldly came forth, and Pieter sighed and cast up his eyes, saying: “O Lord, succor thy servant, and strengthen him in his last extremity; and do not account this as sin to them, but convert them; for they know not what they do.” Jan Watier said to the lords: “If we have done amiss to you in anything, do forgive us; we gladly forgive you all that you have done amiss to us; but let the innocent blood you have shed satisfy you, and do not shed any more.” Pieter said to the people: “If you would enter into life, seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all that you further need shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:33. He further said: “This is the strait gate by which we enter in; here we are going home, where we shall be this evening.” Wouter Denijs said: “O Lord, reprove them with the hammer of thy divine word, that they may perceive, whom they have pierced, and be converted.” John 19:37. Pieter again said: “These members, which God has given me, I will gladly surrender for his honor; for hereafter, when I rise, he shall give them to me again.” 2 Macc. 7:11.
When they had all finished their prayer, and were standing bound at the stakes, they confidently exclaimed: “O heavenly Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Thus all these six friends passed through the conflict, as faithful regenerated children of God, and elect sheep of Christ, who remained steadfast unto the end, and with their sacrifice took their blessed departure out of this world.
Wouter Denijs also wrote several letters from prison, three of which have come into our hands, and follow here.
A cordial greeting to you, my beloved wife and children, and to father, and to my brothers, sisters and all my friends according to the flesh, and to all that are known to me, who fear God from a pure heart. This fear, from a pure heart, may the Almighty God grant you through his Son Jesus Christ.
My beloved wife, and my children, whom I love next to God, lay this to heart, for I have written it with great diligence. Behold, I think (and know nothing to the contrary) that you will receive nothing further from me; hence if you would be saved let my words abide in your ears, I therefore pray you from the depths of my heart, through Jesus Christ, always to instruct and admonish my and your children with great diligence in the fear of God, as long as the Lord will let you remain together. I further request you, always to restrain them, lest they rule over you. You have such a striking example in some whom I will not mention here, not deeming it best; but I will let it be as it is; every one will give an account of himself. Romans 14:12. Therefore, my dear and beloved, I pray you for Christ’s sake, to walk in the fear of the Lord; and use more diligence in seeking your salvation, than you have hitherto done; and be not ashamed to ask questions in matters pertaining to salvation, but let us be ashamed before the Lord of our misery and nakedness; for when the Lord visits us, every one would like to be found glorious and spotless, and blameless in weakness. For when one gets into bonds, it is such a blessed thing to have peace in one’s conscience; or even if one should be laid upon his death-bed. Hence Peter admonishes us: “Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:19. And the apostle exhorts us that every one should seek to excel in good works. Tit. 3:8. And Christ says in his Gospel: He that forsaketh not lands and house, father and mother, wife and children, yea, his own life, is not worthy to be my disciple. Luke 14:26.
Therefore, every one that would be saved must obey his Savior, as the word of the Lord everywhere declares. Hence use diligence to hear and follow the word of God; for, without the word of God salvation cannot be found, however grandly the false prophets boast themselves. For from the beginning of the world the righteous had to suffer from the unrighteous, and be persecuted, for if the Prince of our salvation himself suffered, being an example and pattern unto us, that we should follow him; we may well see that the servant is not better than his Lord. Hence let every one that would be saved make entreaty to the Lord, from the depth of his heart and with tears, without ceasing. And I pray you, my dear wife, to teach our children to read and write, if it be possible for you, in order that they may be able to search for themselves. John 5:39.
Thus, my dear and much beloved wife, whom next to God I loved above all men, lay this to heart, and let the same be done by all that shall see it or hear it read. And I pray you, brother and sister, and all who truly know Christ, and love his appearing, that, when they attain to years of understanding, you will exercise an oversight and care not only over mine, but all that are in like condition; and charge Hansken at Proentken’s, occasionally to admonish Pieter, and to search whereunto we are called, and for what testimony his father was burned at Wervijke, in Flanders. Acts 23:11.
And I beseech every one that would be saved, not to neglect the grace of God. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation; let every one take heed now. On the twenty-first day of April, about eleven o’clock, I received a letter here, which was welcome to me. However, I will pass this by, and go on. Know that we are still of good courage, and had I been able, I would have sent you something; but this I send you all as a greeting, and for a remembrance to my children, and I request of you who remain there, to keep this till they attain to their understanding, if it be possible for you, if peradventure the Lord should grant grace, and knowledge of the truth, as I trust he will do. I entreat every one from the depth of my heart, and with tears, before God, to excuse my weakness kindly and in love. I deplore it before God and men, that I have not been more of a light, and that the talent which I have received has gained so little profit.
Hence every one may take good heed, and always be watchful; for I testify before God and men, that I have not lightly come here. Therefore let every one take heed, I pray you, that you do not lightly receive this; for, know that I have not lightly written it; with this warning I acquit myself of all responsibility. Let every one take heed.
Written by me, your husband and dear friend,
Wouter Denijs.
The unfathomable grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all dear brethren and sisters, and all dear friends who desire to walk in the true and pleasant fear of the Lord; and with the overseers of the true bride of Christ; this we wish as a heartfelt greeting, namely, we brethren and sisters, Jan van Raes, Francais the carpenter, Jan Watier, of Komen, Old Pieter, Wouter Denijs, and Kalleken van den Berge, who are in bonds here at Kortrijck for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Further, dear friends, we inform you in regard to our first examination, that we were sharply and severely examined concerning our brethren, leaders and teachers, as to who they are, where they live, and what their names are.
Hence we pray you, dear friends, that you do not lightly inquire concerning one another’s names or places of abode; for when we get into bonds, we have to suffer great distress on account of it; but the Lord be praised forever, who has hitherto kept our lips; however, we are greatly threatened with the torture. We therefore kindly ask you, diligently to entreat the Lord for us, and for all our brethren that are in bonds at Ghent, Antwerp, and all other places; that the Lord may strengthen them. And we heartily ask you, to see to our wives and children, and to admonish them in the fear of the Lord, as you should like to have done to yours; and to see that you protect their property as well as you can. And know that it is still our purpose to fight through by the grace of the Lord. Kallaken, and Stijntgen and Jaentgen, her two daughters, are confined together, and greet you much; and as regards their purpose it is also tolerably well with them. But we pray you, dear friends in the Lord, diligently to search his word, and to admonish one another while you are out of bonds; for I fear that they will yet greatly scatter the church, since they are still thirsting much for blood, even more than the judge. For as Jannes and Jambres vehemently withstood Moses, so do these violently resist the truth. They intend to scatter the whole flock at Meenen. Hence let every one keep as quiet as he can, and if you receive any warning, whether verbal or otherwise, heed it; for if I, Wouter Denijs, had heeded it three or four nights, I would perhaps not be imprisoned. But I thank the Lord for his grace; I thought it should cause me far more sorrow; but now I find that the Lord is wonderful and mighty in his deeds; he who does not leave his children comfortless, for which I can never fully praise or thank him. Pieter heartily asks the church to forgive him; for what he said was spoken from great consternation, and the man is wonderfully sorry on account of it, and has wept many a tear because it happened. We kindly pray you, to remember us in your prayers, as being imprisoned with us, for we now much need the prayers of the saints. And do not lightly receive our letter, for we have good reason to write this, since we are far more ardent in remembering our fellow-prisoners than we were before we were in bonds. For you may know how this letter was written, namely, with a little stick cut off of a counter, and with ink made of red earth. Further, dear friends, I heartily pray you to admonish Ariaenken, my wife. Though matters now thus stand with her, I trust in the Lord, that she will not remain under the subjection of Egypt with her carnal friends, since she has been spoken to. I hope for the best.
No more, but farewell; we commend you to God, and to the word of his grace.
Written by me, Wouter Denijs, commenced on the nineteenth, and finished the twentieth, by the grace of the Lord, to whom be praise and honor forever. Amen.
Let every one take heed, though I do not write much or very learnedly, which is something that is not in me. Receive this from me in good part, as I trust you will do. These greetings and warnings I send to those indicated in my preceding letters, and further to those who are principally of my acquaintance, and to all that walk in the fear of God, and love his appearing, and desire to follow this; and I admonish every one to be diligent in searching the word of God. Exhort one another in love, and copy this for my dear and beloved wife, and preserve these three letters: this I heartily pray you. Take further solicitations for your salvation, and let it be read to you occasionally. Grieve not on my account, but grieve before God because of your sins. Think not within yourselves, that you are without sin, but always have an humble estimate of yourselves before the Lord; for James says: If any man think that he serveth God, and bridleth not his tongue, this man’s religion is vain. James 1:9. Therefore, my beloved, comfort yourselves in the Lord, and think that he has called me hereunto; and I trust by his power, through the help and strength of him who counts me worthy for this, not to depart therefrom for any torture. And I firmly trust that the Lord counts, and shall make, me worthy for it; and I shall firmly trust in him with a pure heart unto the end; for I may well say hitherto, that the Lord is showing me, and five or six others with me, such abundant grace, that it were impossible for me to describe it with the pen; for we scarcely know of our bonds, but are together in fervency of spirit. Hence I admonish you all to pray with greater diligence than I have sometimes done, for the prisoners, as the apostle exhorts us. Let, therefore, every one be diligent to pray in love; for we find that they that are in bonds pray much more fervently for those who are out of bonds. Thus I will conclude writing. Let every one be quick to see how the life and doctrine of the learned and wise of this world accord with the life of our Lord, Christ Jesus, our Savior.
Herewith I commend you to the faithful Creator, and to the word of his grace.
Written by me, Wouter Denijs,
And my fellow-prisoners.
Grace and peace be from God the eternal and Almighty Father, through Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins into the hands of the enemies, and received much suffering from sinners, that he might deliver us from this evil and perverse world, according to the will of his Father. To him be praise, and honor forever and ever. Amen.
This bleeding and crucified Jesus Christ I wish all dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, and all those that fear God from the heart, as a cordial greeting, and endowing of your mind. Further, my heartily beloved friends, and chosen in the Lord, please know that my mind is still unchanged, and desire to adhere to the eternal truth all the days of my life, as long as there is breath in my body. I am of good cheer; praise, glory and thanks be to the Lord evermore for the great grace which he shows me, for I have from the very beginning been of such good cheer. Yea, he gives such joy into my heart, that I cannot express it, and I cannot fully thank the Lord for the great benefits he shows me.
Know further, my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, that I was before the lords. There were four of them: the Margrave, two judges, and the clerk of the criminal court. When I entered the room, I did reverence to them, and the Margrave said: “Well, my daughter how are you?” I replied: “Very well, sir.” The Margrave asked me whether I had not sat myself tired. I answered: “Yes, my lords, if it were your pleasure to make away with me, it would be very welcome to me.” The Margrave said: “How so, my daughter, you must not speak thus; you must give up your opinion, and the King will pardon you.” I said: “You have put my father and mother out of the way, and the two boys, but me you have left sitting here, which greatly grieves me.” The Margrave said: “How so, my daughter; if I should have put you out of the way with your father and mother, it would not seem good to me; since you are not yet baptized, the King will pardon you.” The judges asked: “Is she not yet baptized?” “No,” replied the Margrave. I said: “No; it is true, I am not yet baptized; but if I were released this evening, I should have it done to-morrow, if it were possible.” Then they sighed over me, and I said: “The two boys were likewise not baptized.” They replied: “It is true; they would not desist from their opinion; efforts enough were made in regard to them.” I said, “I will likewise not depart from my faith.” They told me that I should then not fare better. I said I was well satisfied with it; though they should roast me on a gridiron, or boil me in oil, yet I trust by the grace of the Lord not to depart from the truth, as long as there is breath in me; “and for this,” I said, “I am of good cheer and would rather see it to-day than to-morrow.” I firmly hope and trust in the Lord, that he will help me, and have fixed my confidence in his word, where he says: “O my chosen, fear thou not: I shall preserve thee in the fire and in the water, and I shall not suffer thee to be tempted above that thou art able to bear.” Then they said: “Daughter, you are deceived; your father and your mother deceived you; they compelled you to it; you were under their subjection; you did it through fear; but now you are free from them, and have your own free will; hence, let it go; the King will pardon you; you are young yet;” and other similar words. I said that I wanted to keep what I had. They said that I should advise with myself. I told them that I had my advice with me, and had sufficiently advised with myself.
They told me to think that they also had a soul, and wanted to be saved. I told them that there were many who would be willing to rejoice with Christ, but few that wanted to suffer with him. They said that it did not depend on suffering. I said that Christ himself had to suffer: how much more we? They did not reply to this, but said: “Forsake your opinion; we shall send you learned men into a little room alone;” and asked me what learned men and ecclesiastics I wanted. I told them that I did not want any, but that I wanted to keep what I had. They said that I must be forever damned if I should die in this condition, and that my father and mother, and brothers, were glad if they could be here and repent. I told them that I knew better. We had many more words, which it would take me too long to write; besides, I have forgotten much of it. Thus, my affectionately beloved brethren and sisters, whom I love from my inmost heart, it is my heartfelt prayer and request of you, that you would entreat the Lord in my behalf, that I may finish it to the praise of the Lord, and to my eternal salvation. Amen.
Dear friends, I must yet pass through a great wilderness, for it is desolate and perilous here; yea, I must yet tread through thistles and thorns; but the crown of life is prepared for us; for it is the right truth, and no other shall ever be found. O my dear lambs, do not depart from the Lord; he will not permit you to be tempted above that you are able to bear; for he is a faithful succorer, a strength in weakness, and a comforter in sorrow to those that are afflicted in heart. Let us nestle close into his arms, and cast all of our care upon him, for he cares for us, and will himself watch over us; that we may partake of the supper with all the saints in heaven, where Christ himself will gird himself, and serve at the table. Herewith I will commend you to the Lord, and to the mighty word of his grace; may the peace of God rule in your hearts. I heartily greet all our dear brethren and sisters, and all those that fear God from the heart, with the peace of God.
By me, Nelleken Jasper, a maiden of Blijenberg, your unworthy sister in the Lord; the 12th of December, A. D. 1569. Send me a letter occasionally; for it will be very welcome to me.
It is a fact known to those who have read with attention the history of Holland for the years 1533, 1534, 1535, and some of the following, that the external condition of the so-called Defenseless Anabaptists (Weerloose Doopsgesinden) was very sad and at the same time in a state of confusion; not only through the severe persecutions by which they were scattered into every quarter, but especially also through the insurrection of such as, without being defenseless, also taught the baptism of adults; because these by falling into abominable practices, furnished cause that all those who opposed infant baptism were looked upon by the authorities, as though they also had part or guilt in such improper and abominable doings. And since all who taught the baptism of adults were indiscriminately called Anabaptists, and under this name persecuted alike, it was sometimes scarcely possible for those who saved their lives by flight, to know when some were apprehended or put to death, whether they were of the number of their defenseless brethren and sisters, or not; as also, how many they were, and what were their names.
For this reason there were in those years, and, as may be inferred from history, also in later times, and in divers places, many pious witnesses put to death, whose number and names have not been ascertained so clearly, that they could be placed among the number of their fellow combatants in this book, to serve as patterns of utmost fidelity in the confession of the truth, to succeeding generations.
In this number there have also been embraced up to the present time various men and women who were put to death at Amsterdam; whose sentences came into our hands, while this Bloody Theatre was being reprinted; they were obtained from the book of sentences from said city of Amsterdam, preserved in the archives there. From these sentences it is clearly evident that they were not put to death on account of insurrection or any other misconduct, but simply because they departed from Romish institutions, opposed infant baptism, and had adopted the baptism which is administered upon confession of sins, and faith in Christ our Lord.
Hence we deem it our duty, to make known here also these persons, and to place them with those with whom they in their lifetime valiantly fought unto the end under one banner of Christ Jesus our Lord; and with whom they also rest from their labors, till the time that they shall together, in the resurrection, be made partakers of the incorruptible crown of glory.
We heartily wish that we had been able to give an account also of their valiant deeds, wise discourses, acts of patience and resignation, and every thing that took place in connection with their sufferings and death. However, none of these things have come to our knowledge, having through the adverse circumstances of those times, probably never been divulged by those who could and would have made them known to those unacquainted with them, or to posterity; even as those sorrowful times caused this with regard to many martyrs, since of some it has scarcely been possible to record their number and the place of their offering.
Extract from the book of criminal sentences of the city of Amsterdam, Fol. 48, verso, preserved in the archives there.
Whereas Grietje Arents, a maiden of Limmen, has had herself rebaptized, holding pernicious views concerning the sacraments of the Holy church, contrary to the faith and ordinances of said church, and the written laws and decrees of the Emperor, our gracious lord; and, moreover, was banished by the Court of Holland, for the aforesaid reason, from these countries of Holland, Zealand and Friesland, on pain of death, without that she, the prisoner, has hitherto manifested a willingness to repent, but has suffered the time of grace granted by his Imperial Majesty to pass by; therefore, the judges, having heard the demand made against her by the Bailiff in behalf of His Imperial Majesty, and the answer and confession of the aforesaid Grietje, and having considered the circumstances of this case, have condemned said Grietje by sentence to be executed by water, as has been done by the executioner. Done the last day of December, A. D. 1534, in the presence of the whole court.
This Grietje Arents, according to the contents of the sentence, had first been banished, however, as clearly appears, for no other reason than that she did not believe like the Roman church, for which reason also, since she persisted therein, she was put to death; but why she returned to the place from which she had been banished, is not known; however, we may well infer, since nothing else is laid to her charge in this sentence, that the cause thereof was likewise a matter of faith and conscience.
Extract as above, Fol. 49, verso.
Whereas Jan Pauw, block-maker, Arent Janssen of Gorckum, tradesman, Barent Claessen of Swol, fuller, Jan van Gink, Hendrich Biesman of Maes tricht, Cornelis Willemsse of Haerlem, cabinetmaker, Arent Jacobssen, Keyser, of Moonickendam, and Willen Janssen of Zutphen, have had themselves rebaptized, and have accepted the covenant of the Anabaptists, holding pernicious views concerning the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the faith and ordinances of said church, and the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty our gracious lord; therefore, the judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the officer concerning them, and their defense and confession, and having considered the circumstances of the case, have condemned the aforesaid persons by sentence, to be executed with the sword and put to death, on the scaffold erected for this purpose in the marketplace of this city; and, moreover, their heads to be placed upon stakes, and their bodies upon wheels, for an example unto others, as was done immediately afterwards. Done the 6th day of March, A. D. 1535; in the presence of the whole court.
Concerning Jan Pauw there is still another, separate sentence, that on the 29th of December, 1534 he was tortured, by sentence of the judges, in order to learn from him who had baptized, and who had been baptized at his house; however, since that sentence contains nothing but this order to torture him, we have not deemed it necessary to add it here verbatim.
Extract as above, Fol. 51.
Whereas Jan Jacobssen, of Normandy; inhabitant of this city, Adriaen Cornelissen of Sparrendam, and Gerrit Claessen of Oudenyerop, have entered into the covenant of the Anabaptists, and been rebaptized, holding pernicious views concerning the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith and the ordinances of said church, and the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty our gracious lord; therefore, my lords the judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the Bailiff, in behalf of his Imperial Majesty against the aforesaid persons, and their defense and confession, and having considered the circumstances of their crime, have condemned the aforesaid persons by sentence, to be executed with the sword and put to death, by the executioner, on the scaffold erected in front of the city hall, of this city, and, moreover, their heads to be placed upon stakes, and their bodies upon wheels, for an example to others; as was done by the executioner; and we furthermore declare their property confiscated for the benefit of his Imperial Majesty as Count of Holland, of those who are not citizens of this city, and of the citizens, to the sum of one hundred pounds, according to the privileges of this city. Done on the 15th of May, A. D. 1535, in the presence of the Bailiff, Ruysch Janssen and Goossen Janssen Rekalff, Burgomasters, and all the judges.
In the public histories of that time mention is made only of the beheading of three men on that day, without anything evil being laid to their charge, except simply that they were counted among the Anabaptists. And since this sentence charges them with no crime, insurrection, or any misconduct, which in that time of violence, when that riot at Amsterdam had but recently happened, would very probably have been done, had there been any grounds for it, it can readily be inferred that these men were pious persons, who are worthy to be placed with the other faithful soldiers of Christ our Lord.
Extract as above, Fol. 51. verso.
Whereas Baef Claes, a maiden, Grietje Maes, Gerrit’s widow, Barbara Jacobs, a maiden of Haserwoude, Breght Elberts, a maiden, Adriana Ysbrant, a maiden, Trijn Jans of Munnickendam, and Lysbeth Jans, a maiden from Benskop, have been rebaptized, holding pernicious views concerning the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith and the ordinances of said church, and the written laws and decrees of His Imperial Majesty our gracious lord, without that they have hitherto shown any penitence; therefore, the judges, having heard the demand made by the bailiff in the behalf of his Imperial Majesty against them, and their answer and confession, and having considered the circumstances of this case, have condemned the aforesaid persons by sentence, to be executed with water and put to death by the executioner; as was done by the executioner; and furthermore declare their property confiscated for the benefit of His Imperial Majesty as count of Holland, of those who are not citizens of this city, and of the citizens, to the sum of one hundred pounds, according to the privileges of this city. Done on the 15th of May, A. D. 1535; in the presence of the Bailiff, Ruysch Janssen and Goossen Janssen Rekalff, Burgomasters, and all the judges.
These seven women, according to the import of this sentence, were put to death on the same day with the following nine, and yet public histories mention nothing about them; which is a matter of little surprise for the reason that the drowning of those who were condemned to death on account of religion took place at night, when they, with stones tied to their necks, were cast down into the water from the Herring-packers’ Tower (then called the Holy Cross Tower), as appears from the description of Amsterdam, by Dr. Dapper, Fol. 403.
Extract as above, Fol. 52. verso.
Whereas Leentgen, Jan van Rheenen’s wife, Adriana Jans, a maiden from Benskop, Goechgen Jans, of Lubik, born at Goude, Leentgen Hendrix, a maiden of Hertogenbosch, Griet Pieters Mollen, a maiden, Marritge Nadminx, a maiden of Alkmaar, Aeltje Gillis, a maiden from Benskop, Jannetje Jans, a maiden of Utrecht, Aeltjen Wouters, born at Asperen, have been rebaptized, and betaken themselves to the sect and heresy of the Anabaptists, holding pernicious views concerning the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith and the ordinances of said church; and to the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty our gracious lord, without being willing to repent of it; therefore, my lords the judges, having heard the demand made by the Bailiff against them in behalf of his Imperial Majesty, together with their answer and confession, and having considered the circumstances of this case, have condemned the aforesaid persons by sentence, to be executed with water and put to death by the executioner, as was done by the executioner; and furthermore declare their property confiscated for the benefit of the Emperor as Count of Holland, of those who are not citizens of this city, and of the citizens, to the sum of one hundred pounds, according to the privileges of this city. Done on the 15th of May, A. D. 1535, in the presence of the Bailiff, Goossen Janssen Rekalff, Burgomaster, and all the judges.