Chap 3 (IV) .

Old Book of the Martyrs Mirror

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Title Page

MARTYRS MIRROR

OF THE

DEFENSELESS CHRISTIANS

Old Book

Chap 3 (IV)

THIELEMAN J. van BRAGHT

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Section 301.

THE FIRST LETTER OF JELIS STRINGS

Grace, mercy and peace from God our heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, the.Son of the Father, in truth and in love. May He strengthen and confirm you people, who now have to suffer persecution for a little while, and may He grant you to be strengthened with might in the inner man, and that Jesus Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, and you be rooted and grounded in love, so that you may be able to comprehend with all the saints of God, the height, and depth, and length and breadth of His mercy, and to rightly walk and remain immovable therein unto the end of your life; this we wish you all who love the Lord, for a cordial greeting, dear brethren and sisters in the Lord.

Further, after all greetings, be pleased to know that we are tolerably well yet, the Lord be praised forever for His grace. Pray the Lord for us that He will order it according to His will. We are of pretty good courage, the Lord be praised.

Further, I earnestly pray you, that you will rightly instruct the simple in the faith, con[1]cerning all things, and frequently speak of these things in the exhortation, for there is great need of it. They greatly torment those that are imprisoned, when they perceive that they are weak, yea, as much again as them that are sure of their faith. And you that are weak take it well to heart, and be not ashamed to ask questions for the benefit of your souls, until you have a good understanding, before it comes to the test. Take this warning to heart, for it is such a blessed assurance, if one is sure of his faith. For Sirach says: “A man whose heart is established is like a house which is firmly bound and nailed together; it feareth not though a storm arise.” Sir. 22:16. Thus, dear friends, let us also build upon Christ Jesus; this must be the foundation, namely, His Word; for Christ Himself says: “He that heareth my word, and doeth it, I will show whom he is like: He is like a man who proceeded to build his house; but he digged deep, and laid the foundation upon the rock: though floods and rains come against it, it remaineth standing, for it is founded upon the rock. But he that heareth my word, and doeth it not, is like unto a foolish man that buildeth his house upon the sand when the floods come, or the winds blow, it falleth, and great is the fall of it.” Matt. 7:24-27. Observe friends, He says: “Great is the fall of it.” Hence, dear friends, dig deep, which, ac[1]cording to my understanding, means, to examine and take well to heart, so that we may not be found fools; for James admonishes us to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves. For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso examineth himself in the law of God, and is a doer of the Word, and not a hearer only, this man shall be blessed. Jas. 1:22;25. Yea, Christ Jesus says Himself: “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:28. ,John also, admonishes us: “Blessed are they that hear the words of the prophets, and keep those things which are written therein.”

Behold, dear friends, if we hear His word, and keep it well in our hearts, we are entitled to all these promises of blessedness; for it is the true food of the soul, by which all Christians must be fed, if they are to live; for Christ says that man lives not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Matt. 4:4. Yea, as the prophet Jeremiah says, in the 15th chapter, verse 16: “Lord, thy word sustains me, since I have obtained it; and thy word is the comfort and joy of my heart.” Solomon, also, says: “Every word of God is pure, and they are a shield unto them that put their trust therein.’.’ Prov. 30:5. Therefore, dear friends, let us always put our trust in God’s Word; it will not deceive us; for John says: These sayings of God are true; heaven and earth shall pass away, but the words of Cod shall not pass away. Rev. 19:9. O dear friends, let us heed it well, for it is what will judge us in the last day; for Christ says: “I shall not judge you; but the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge you in the last day.” John 12:48. O dear friends, if it is that which will judge us, then we must well examine, and constantly prove ourselves, whether our life. accords with the Word of God; and carefully view ourselves in it as in a mirror, whether there is nothing condemnable in us; and if we find aught in us that is unclean, then let us do according to the counsel of the prophet, who says: “Wash ye, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do well; seek judgment; relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” He says: “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Isa. 1:16-20.

Dear brethren and sisters, let us not be disobedient, nor murmur against God, like Israel, who were rejected for it. I Cor. 10:10. If we have heard His voice today, let us not harden our hearts, but let us take care that we do not forsake the promise of entering into His rest, and that none of us be found to remain without; for we have been sufficiently admonished, and invited, as was also Israel; but the Word preached them did not profit them; because they did not firmly believe it. Hebrews 3:7, 6; 4:2. But let us have a steadfast faith, like Joshua and Caleb had, who feared neither the great stature of the Canaanites, nor the strength of their cities, though their walls reached up to heaven. Num. 14:30. Mark, their walls were high, and the inhabitants of the land were like giants; they were only grasshoppers in their sight. But Caleb and Joshua trusted in God, and, said: “God is with us; their defense is taken from them; we shall devour them like bread.” Num. 14:9: And by their faith they overcame everything, and entered into the promised land. Joshua 3:17.

Thus, dear friends; also our enemies are great, strong and numerous; but if we have a faith like Caleb and Joshua, so that we do not see our own strength, but go out from ourselves, and rely upon Him with the whole heart, then we shall cone off conquerors; for David says: “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he sball bring it to pass.” Ps. 37:5. Solomon, too, says: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5,6. Yea, Paul, also, says: “Let.your conversation be without covetousness; and be conten with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man will do unto me.” Heb. 13:5, 6; Deut. 31:6. Yea, David says: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. .Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Ps. 23:1-4.

O dear friends, where do we find such a God in Babylon? He says: “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee,; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Yea, He says: “The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.” Isa. ,43:2; 54:10. Brethren and sisters, if we have such a God, who helps thus in time of need, who are we, that, we should be afraid of men, and of the children of men that must perish like grass. Isa. 51:12. Yea, Christ Himself said

“Fear not them.that kill the body; but fear him that hath power to cast soul and body into damnation.” Matt. 10:28. Behold, friends, though the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. II Cor. 1:5. Therefore, let us sincerely humble ourselves, and keep His commandments, and pray before Him with tears, that He will show us mercy according to His pleasure, so that, as we now have to mourn on account of their pride, we may rejoice after this distress, because we do not follow the sins of our fathers, ‘who forsook their God, and went after strange gods, wherefore the Lord delivered them into the hands of their enemies.: I Pet. 1:6; Deut. 32:16. Therefore, dear brethren who are elders, comfort the people with your words, and admonish them to remember that our fathers were tried in many, ways, and had to overcome manifold temptations, in order that they might be proved whether they served God with their hearts. Thus, Isaac, Jacob and Moses remained steadfast, and had to overcome much .affliction; but the others, who would not accept affliction, but impatiently murmured against God,,were destroyed by the destroyer and by serpents. But let us remember that we are chastised. of God, to make us better, and not for our destruction, and that the punishment is far less.than our sins. For whom the Lord loveth lie chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Hebrews 12:6, 8. Hence, dear friends, let us be patient in this tribulation for a little while; for the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18. But the God of all grace stablish, strengthen and settle us all, this I wish you all for a greeting. I Pet. 5:10.

I, Peter, greet you much, and earnestly desire that you would see to my wife; she hopes to do her best, she told me. We ask you to pray for us, that we may finish our course to the praise of God and the salvation of our souls. We also enjoin you, that if Pauwels has not moved, he would better do so; we advise it for the best. We would write more explicitly, but we fear that the letter might fall into wrong hands. I, Pieter Potvliet, greet you much, and give you a testament. Continue steadfast and immovable in the work of the Lord; see that your labor be not in vain. I commend you to God. By me, DELIS STRINGS.

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Section 302.

THE SECOND LETTER OF DELIS STRINGS

Grace, mercy and peace from God the heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and in love. May He stablish, strengthen and settle you who have to suffer for a little while for Christ’s sake; and many He grant you, according to the riches of His glory and power, to be strengthened with might in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, and you be rooted and grounded in love, so that you may all be bound together with the bond of love, and thus, through the uniting of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to the Lord, according to the Gospel, be built up together harmoniously a holy temple and city of God; this I wish you all who love the Lord, for a cordial greeting, dear brethren and sisters in the Lord.

Further, after all greeting, I hope to write a little again concerning the disputation we had with our adversaries, though it is not very much; for when we were apprehended, we resolved among ourselves, not to dispute, unless we might all come together, which was also observed, so that they should have nothing to lie behind our back, and that if they should hear a word more from one than from another they might not confuse the simple. On account of this they were much incensed; and said that they all depended on me. They often came to dispute; but we would not, unless we might all come together, and in the marketplace. This angered them much, and they said: “Where was it ever seen that a dispu[1]tation was held in the marketplace? You people want to introduce new doctrines.” Finally, we consented that we would dispute in prison, provided we might all come together; but they would not have it otherwise than each separately, and this we would not do. Thus they came twice or three times, and we had some conversation with them each time, in order that they might not say that we refused to hear them. Our conversation was about the three persons and the incarnation. The first question he put to me was whether I did not believe that if men believed in Christ Jesus, and henceforth forsook all evil they would be saved. I said: “Yes; all who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who died for us, and through this faith show obedience to the Gospel, shall be saved.” “Well then,” said they, “If they believe that children may be baptized, they will be saved, according to your own words.” I said: “My lord, it seems to me, that you are like the scribes; they sought to censure Christ by subtlety, and it appears to me that you do the same.” Matt. 22:1 5. “Yes,” said he; “Christ knew how to answer the scribes, and so will you, if you have the Spirit of Christ.” I said: “If they show obedience to the Gospel, they will not baptize children, nor cause them to be baptized; for it is not instituted or commanded of God, to baptize children; but you people have planted it, and whatever men have planted shall be rooted up of God, and thus it will go with your infant baptism.” Matt. 15:13. He forthwith said that the Anabaptists believed that Christ brought His flesh from heaven. I said that it was a lie; “are you not ashamed (I said) to sit here and lie in this manner in my presence?” He said: “What you believe, I know not; but others believe thus.” I said that it was a lie; “I have never heard,” I said, “of any that held such a faith; yet I have had more intercourse with them than you have; are you not ashamed to sit here and lie thus in my preesnce?” Then he became very boastful; three or four other priests and the bailiff were also sitting there, and they said: “Delis, talk decently.” I said: “Then do not lie so.” I spoke loudly, that my comrades should hear it.

He then asked: “What is your faith, then?” “I believe with all the apostles, that He is the Son of God, as Peter confessed” (Matt. 16:16; John 20; 6:69), “visible and invisible; that the Word by which all things were made became flesh in Mary, through the power of the Most High.” He asked whether the Word became flesh like Lot’s wife became a pillar of salt, or the water, wine. I said

“No.” He asked: “How then?” I said: “It became man, and it continued to be the Word; that is, the Word which was invisible became visible; that which was impalpable became palpable; that which was impossible became possible.” He said

“Was the Word not God?” I replied: “It is God and man.” “Did God die?” he said. I replied: “He died according to His humanity, as Peter says

`put to death according to the flesh, but quickened according to the spirit.’ ” I Pet. 3:18.

I then asked him, how he confessed the unity. He confessed three persons and one God. I asked whether the Holy Ghost were a person. He said

“Yes.” I said: “When Mary was greeted by the angel, that she should conceive, and she did not know how this should come to pass, as she had never known a man, the angel said: `The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee.’ Luke 1:26. Now, if the Holy Ghost is a person, then one person conceived another. And in the Acts of the Apostles it is written that when the apostles received the Holy Ghost, He sat upon each of them. Acts 2:3. But a person can sit only upon one man. And in the first chapter (v. 7) of the Book of Wisdom it is written that the Spirit of the Lord filleth the world. To what person would you compare Him?” He did not know what to say. He then said: “I do not consider them persons such as Pieter, Klaes, and Jan.” I said: “To whom then do you compare them?” They then exchanged a few words in Latin, and said: “We only call them persons: did you think that we considered them three human beings?” I said: “Yes.” He said: “If you have taught men so, you must confess that you have slandered us, and that you are a false teacher.” I said: “I am no teacher; I have enough to do to teach myself.” I added: “You call them persons; are they not such? Why then do you call them three persons?” He said: “It amounts to the same thing.” I said: “It does not; a person is a human being, and you certainly cannot compare them to human beings.” Then he said; “God the Father is not the Son; the Son is not the Father; the Holy Ghost is neither the Father nor the Son. And these are three; the one is what the other is not, and though they are three, yet are they but one God.” I said: “This is also my faith, and in accordance with it I know but one person, that is Jesus Christ, who was visible and palpable; but the others I do not know what to compare them to.” On this point we agreed, and he let go his persons. He then asked again whether God had died. I said: “You have sat here and acknowledged to me that you do not consider the Word to be the Father, nor the Father to be the Word, though they, according to the Godhead, are one God; but you regard them as three witnesses; and two of these witnesses did not become man, but the Word, by which all things were made, became flesh, as John says in the first chapter [of his Gospel]. Although this Word became man, it therefore does not cease to be one God with the Father; else it could not be God and man.”

Then he said: “Jelis, you err.” And they adduced Rom. 1:3 in their Testament where it read “Who became of the seed of David according to the flesh, is declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit.” I said that in rendering it became they had mis[1]translated the word; that it ought to read: born o f the seed o f David. “Go,” I said, “and examine the Testaments which you had printed thirty or thirty six years ago, see whether in them it reads thus. I have read it therein: born, as it ought to be; but you have now caused it to be altered thus, to deceive the simple hearts.” This made them very angry. I then said “Say it as it ought to be: born; for a woman can certainly not make a child.” Then he said: “Became or assumed is the same thing; as it is written `He took not on him (the nature of) angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham.”‘ Heb. 2:16. I said: “This also is changed; it ought to read: `He receiveth not angels; but he receiveth the seed of Abraham as his children; and believers are counted for the seed’ (Rom. 9:8); for Paul says (I Cor. 11:8), that the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man.” They said: “This is spoken of Adam and Eve.” I said: “Here God has plainly shown that the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man, which is in direct opposition to your belief. Paul speaks still more fully on gen[1]eration; for he says: `As the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.’ v. 12. This certainly has reference to generation, for Adam was not by Eve.” He said that it had to be understood so. I said: “I do not understand it so.” We had many more words yet concerning the promises; but I have not the space to write it.

All these words I had with the parish priest of St. Martins, a very crafty customer, craftier than any one I ever heard; all the others are as nothing compared to him. Written in haste, in the dark, with ink made of coals; bear patiently with it. The day before we were delivered to the secular lords, we were brought before the Dean of. Ronse. He asked us whether we had come to a determination. I said: “I am always determined to eschew evil, and to do that which is good, as far as I know.” There were three or four judges present, and the under bailiff. He said it was great arrogance that I pretended to be wiser than all the world; there were Ambrose and Augustine, and other holy men and they understood it so. I said: “I do not pretend to know anything; but I know the faith to be the truth, and herein I want to abide.” Farewell; I commend you to God.

Your weak brother in the Lord,

JELIS STRINGS.

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Section 303.

HEYNDRICK EEMKENS, A. D. 1562

In the year 1562 there was apprehended at Utrecht, for the testimony of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, a brother named Heyndrick Eemkens, a tailor, who, after all solicitations and pains suffered, finally received word that he was to die, at which he rejoiced that he should also have the privilege of being a witness for the name of the Lord. This message was brought him by the pastor of the Buerchurch and a Franciscan monk named Friar Jan van Herentals, who in a few words informed him of it, and then left him. He said to friar Jan: “You need not come again tomorrow, for I do not need you.” In the morning he was brought out from his prison into another room, where he had many words with the monk, who forthwith condemned him. Thereupon he replied

“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged.” Luke 6:37. The monk said: “You confessed that you did not believe that Christ assumed flesh from Mary.” He replied: “I have said it once in my confession; shall I tell you again?” and he referred him to John 1.

The monk then asked him whether he would not confess to him. He answered: “I have confessed to God.” The monk said: “Have you lived to be so old without ever confessing?” “No,” said he, “I have indeed confessed to men; but God knows I heartily regret that I sub[1]mitted so long to your confession.” The monk then asked him whether he did not want to hear a mass. He replied: “I have read so many, that I loathe the mass; and even though I do not want to have it, yet if you want to read it, nevertheless, how can I prevent it? Hence, if you want to do it, do so, but not on my account; for I do not wish it.” Then the monk asked him whether he would not have the sacrament; but he said: “No, but if I could partake of the Lord’s Supper as instituted and commanded by the Lord, and observed by the apostles and their churcles, this I should heartily desire, and thank the Lard for it, but your deception I do not want.” Upon this the monk again damned him two or three times.

The thief takers then came, and wanted to give him something to drink, but he refused it. Then came one of the jailer’s daughters, a wanton girl, and wanted to put it into his mouth with a spoon, as they were sitting and drinking with the thief takers, but Heyndrick said to her: “I have certainly told you that I do not want it; hence, let me in peace, if it is possible.” Thereupon one of the thief takers said: “Do you want to go out of this world on an empty stomach?” He said to him: “I thirst for the true wine, of which I shortly hope to drink.” But the monk said: “God does not put new wine into old bottles.” But he said to the monk: “Be[1]cause I have become renewed, therefore you hate me.” Much more was said yet, which has been forgotten, since he himself could not write. This was written by one who was present when Heyndrick spoke with the monk. Though he was not a brother or fellow member with Heyndrick in thq church, yet his friendly disposition prompted hitn to write down what he remembered of it, just as he saw and heard it, for the remembrance of all lovers of the truth; and the following was seen and heard not only by him, but also by all the citizens generally, who can with him testify to it.

When Heyndrick had ascended the scaffold, he began to speak much to the people, saying, among other things: “Good citizens, repent, and believe only the Gospel and not the traditions of men.”

When they led him to the lords, to hear his sentence, he again turned his face to the citizens and said that all the practices observed were only human traditions, and that whoever would not follow them had to be the reproach and offscouring of all men, yea, must thus suffer death. Matt. 15:6; I Corinthians 4:13.

The sentence having been read, many of the people, who pitied him, and did not wish to see him die, went away. But Heyndrick Eemkens fell upon his knees and face, on the scaffold, to pour out his earnest prayer before the Lord. When the executioner saw him fall down, he drew his cloak from his shoulders, and pulled him up by his shirt, so that he could not finish his prayer.

Heyndrick then said to the people: “Dear citizens, repent, for it is more than time. Live according to God’s commandments and the words of the holy Gospel.” And he called again with a loud voice: “This is the narrow way, and the strait gate;” and named the chapters where it was written, and many other Scriptures having the same bearing. He then stepped of his own accord, with a glad heart, upon the bench where. he was to be strangled and burnt, and said again: “This is the strait gate, press through it; through this pressed the men of God, for he that fights steadfastly unto the end shall be saved; of this I have no doubt.” With great courage he put his body and neck to the stake, and said again with a joyful heart: “Dear citizens, repent; believe the Gospel and not men; for this is the narrow way which a Christian must walk.” The executioner then took a chain, putting it around his body, and fastened a little bag of gunpowder to his neck, so that it hung over his breast. Heyndrick spoke boldly to the very last, but his words could not be understood very well, for the exe[1]cutioner took a cord, laid it around his neck, and twisted it tightly. Heyndrick closed his eyes, just as though he had fallen into a swoon, and he was not seen to move any more, save that he cast up his eyes to heaven once more, and then immediately lost consciousness. Thereupon the executioner drew away the bench from under his feet, and seizing a fork, thrust the same into a bundle of straw and held the latter to a pot with fire standing on the scaffold, until it caught fire, whereupon he applied it to the gunpowder. The blaze flashed up to his eyes but did not burn his hair. He lifted up his hands to heaven once more, after which he showed no further sign of life.

Thus did Heyndrick Eemkens offer up his sacrifice, as a valiant witness of the Lord, on the 10th of June, 1562, about between 10 and 11 o’clock, A. M.

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Section 304.

GEORGE FRIESEN, A CABINETMAKER, AND WILL; IAM VAN KEPPEL, A. D. 1562

This George Friesen, a cabinetmaker, and William van Keppel, formerly a mass priest, were both apprehended at Cologne, A. D. 1562, for the evangelical truth. When William was sought and found he willingly went with his captors, who first took him into a tower of the city, where, however, he did not remain long, since they removed him into the count’s dungeon, whither those were taken who were condemned to death. In this dungeon he found said Georee Friesen, who was his brother in the Lord, and also a prisoner, and whose company was a great comfort to him.

Manifold were .the nets spread and the snares laid, to catch their souls; but the principal ado and clamor was about infant baptism, which their adversaries claimed to be right; but as they could not prove it by the Word of God, they employed human wisdom, but to God be the praise, with this they could not move these men. Now the lords entreated them, now they severely ‘threatened them with torture and death; but the prisoners rejoiced in it. The others said things sweet and things bitter, but this could not move the prisoners, for through the help of the Lord their hearts stood firm as a wall.

The count offered to give George money, and his servant maid to wife, if he would re[1]nounce his faith. But George would adhere to the truth and said to the count: “Your servant maid, riches, or money cannot take me to God, but I have chosen something better, for which I hope to strive.” There also came to William a subtle individual, who made him fair promises and said that he would take him to England, who would soon have: drawn the net of delusion over his head if the Lord had not succored and preserved him.

When the last hour arrived that they were to be prepared for the offering, for which they greatly longed, they were both brought out of prison the count’s dungeon to the house of the count, into a hall, at one o’clock in the night. There much arrogant and scornful lan[1]guage was used against them, and they were much tormented, to which George said nothing. William, also, answering but little. This continued half the night, till break of day or twilight, when the two prisoners were hurriedly taken to the Rhine, where they were to be drowned.

When George saw how hurriedly they were taken to the Rhine in the early morning, he called to the count, saying: “Sir count, what becomes of the promise you made us? for you said that you should put us to death in broad daylight.” But no one paid attention to these words, but they were hurried to the place where they were to be put to death, namely the Rhine. And thus were fulfilled the words of David, where he says: “They have privily slain the upright.” Ps. 11:2. May the Lord forgive them, for they know not what they do.

When they were taken out on the water, in a boat, William divested himself of his clothes, and laid his hands upon his feet, to be bound thus; for he thought that he was to be drowned and get home first. But this was not to be his fate, they made him put his clothes on again, and told him that he should wait.

And thus George was compelled to be the first one, to be made ready for an offering. When he was ready for death, he took brotherly leave from William, and they kissed each other with a holy kiss of love. Then George was thrown over board, and drowned in the Rhine, thus. testifying with his death that he was a partaker of Christ’s sufferings, to receive at His hands, through grace, the crown upon mount Sion, and rejoice forever with Him. II Esd. 2:43.

After George was drowned, the executioner said to William: “Put on your clothes; I will take you to the shore, and there behead you.” William, through the grace of God, was willing and ready for it, and said: “You may do with me whatever God wills and permits.”

When they came on shore, they set William at liberty. The executioner said to him: “Go your way.” Whether they did this because William had been a priest, and they would have had to desecrate him, before putting him to death, and whether they therefore rather released him, than go to such trouble is not known.

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Section 305.

AN ADMONITION WHICH GEORGE FRIESEN SENT FROM PRISON

I proclaim unto you, O men, one and all, a new message and glad tidings, through the Word of the Lord, which is, that you shall turn from your sinful life to God that your sins may be forgiven; cleanse your hearts, and forsake the world and its false show to which it lends so beautiful an aspect.

Behold, I proclaim unto you much joy, which I experience, as Christ the Son of God promised, saying: “I will not leave you comfortless.” Those who trust in me, them will I help bear their sorrow, and deliver them out of all distress. For He Himself bound up our putre[1]fying wounds, and healed them, which none other could do. Luke 10: 34. He healed us without merit on our part; when we were yet enemies, He washed’ us with clean water, and sent us the Comforter, the Holy Ghost as the faithful gracious Saviour Christ promised who shall bring to our remembrance all that we have heard. Rom. 5:10; Ezek. 36:25; John 14:16. If we firmly abide in Him, and bring forth good fruits, He will give us a mouth and wisdom, as His divine Word says, if we diligently live according to His will; yea, such a mouth He will give us, that none of the wise of this world, who are yet in sin, and fail of the truth, shall be able to contradict us. Luke 21:15.

I daily find that, as the raging waves of the sea, driven by fierce winds, cast up their mire and dirt, and cannot rest, so it is also with these; if there were anything good in them, it would come to light. Isaiah 57:20. Now, even as the flowers of the field drop off, so it goes with those who consider too late; for the grass withereth, and the flower fadeth; but the Word of God abideth forever. Isa. 40:8:

I find still another matter which concerns me greatly, namely, that so many shall knock and say: “Lord, open unto us, and let us enter in also; to whom the Lord shall say: I know you not;” and that it will avail them nothing to say: “Did we not believe that thou art the true God, and that he whom thou anointest, and whom the Jews mocked is thy Child?” Luke 13:25. If they persist in their evil deeds, anguish shall come upon them, so that they shall cry, woe, woe, .upon all the priests of Baal who have deceived them here, and who now sit in Moses’ seat, persecute Christ, and .honor Baal, saying: “Do according to our words, and not after our works; by which they show that they do not walk aright.” Matt. 23:2. O gener[1]ation of vipers, who hath made you believe that you shall escape the wrath of God and the damnation of hell? Can the Lord not say to them, “If you were so wise as to know me, why then did you not seek me by following the kingdom of my Father. Therefore, depart from me, all ye hypocrites, to the devil and his angels, into the lake of fire, and eternal damnation.” Matt. 7:23. But you, brethren and sisters, who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9), make yourselves sincerely ready in these latter times, for the marriage supper; and do not suffer yourselves to be deprived of the food that is set before you, lest you perish with hunger; cling firmly to Jesus Christ; see that you lose not those things which you have wrought; and let no one lead you astray on this earth, nor be afraid of the princes of this world; for when they shall appear before the face of Christ, they will all be put to shame. II John 8′; Matt. 24:4; 10:28.

Betake yourselves now to the Lord, for now is the right time; and let not the world confound you, lest you be deceived. Watch, you that are on the ocean, lest you perish; believe in the Lord with all your heart, and you, will weather the tempest. May the King of kings, to whom all things are known, uphold us with His mighty hand, that we may on account of no adversity depart from Him, but may faithfully adhere to His Word even unto death. Hereby I will, gladly resign my life at.this time, and enter this narrow way through .Christ; by His help I will gladly bear His yoke, and in this yoke alone pull my plow. Ch God, that I might be so fortunate as to see the work begun in me brought to such a happy end, to the salvation of my soul and to Thy glory, and this solely through Thy powerricher or more highly exalted as a ‘mortal I could not become! I should praise. and magnify Thee for it through Christ Thy,Son. Dear brethren and sisters, I have written this in my severe impris[1]onment, and give it to you for an admonition: I, George Friesen, have composed this in the night, while others slept; I hope. that ,daylight will soon shine brightly. O Lord that ‘thou wouldst speedily come to me in prison, deliver me from my chains, and free me from my bonds, and protect me from the wicked O then I should stand well before The,e! My brethren, if you would rejoice in t6e spirit, and herein understand me thoroughly, then beware of sin, and you will see clearly. And if you would spiritually understand the divine law, go to the Lord, and He will help you in it.

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Section 306.

MARTIJNTGEN AELMEERS, ‘A. D. 1562

In the year 1562 there was apprehended at Honschote, in,Flanders, a young girl named Martijntgen Helmeers, of Steenwijcke, because she had been baptized upon her faith, and ordered her walk and conversatiori’according to the doctrine of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

After great steadfastness she was sentenced to death, and burnt, and thus offered up to God an acceptable, living sacrifice, and escaped the torment of eternal fire. .

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Section 307.

NIKASEN VAN AELMEERS, A. D. 1562

The same year, Nikasen Aelmeers, the brother of the afore mentioned Martijntgen, was apprehended for the faith and the divine truth, at Bruges in Flanders, and when na pain or torture could draw him from his faith, he was condemned and burnt, as a true witness of our Lord Jesus, Christ.

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Section 308.

KAREL VAN .DEN VELDE, WITH PROENTGEN HIS WIFE, . FRANCHOYS DE SWARTE, WITH KLAES; KEN HIS WIFE, JASPER THE SHOEMAKER, CHARLO DE WAEL, AND MARTIJNE AMARE, IN THE YEAR 1562

In the year 1562, there were apprehended at Honschote in Flanders, for the testimony of the truth, seven persons, namely, Karel van den Velde, of Ghent, with Proentgen his wife, Franchoy& de Swarte, of Belle, with Klaesken his wife, jasper the shoemaker, Charlo, a lad, and Martijntgen Amare, a young maiden, all of whom steadfastly adhered to the truth and the Word of God. Five of them, namely, the four male persons and the girl, were very soon after their apprehension burnt for their faith; but the two women, sisters, were sometime afterwards secretly drowned in a tub. One:of the women, when she saw that they intended to put her to death secretly, complained of it, since she would have preferred publicly to testify to the truth with her death; whereupon her sister said: .”It ,is all the same, for God sees it; He will reward us, and avenge our wrongs.” II Chron, .16:9; Rev. 6:10.

Thus they all passed through the conflict as valiant heroes, and obtained leave to eat of the tree of life,’ which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Rev. 2:7.

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Section 309.

JAN GRENDEL, A. D. 1562

In the year 1562, a man named Jan Grendel, from Kortrijck, in Flanders, came from Cludewater to Goes, and was the same evening on which he arrived in town apprehended by bailiff Vijtwijck, who, upon having taken him to his house, interrogated him concerning his faith, of which he made open confession, whereupon he was put in prison, where he lay for about a year. Bailiff Vijtwijck having,, for maladministration, been deposed from his bailiwick, another named Floris Schaeck, stepped into this office, and under the latter, Jan, after many solicitations and sufferings, was publicly burnt, or put to death, in the marketplace, for his faith, in Lent of the year 1562.

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Section 310.

FRANCIS VAN DER SACH AND ANTHONY WELSCH, A. D. 1562

In the year 1562 Brother Francis van der Sach, a native of Rovigo in Italy, and minister of the Word of God (still on trial) and one who had been sent with him, named Anthony Welsch, were apprehended at Capo d’ Istria, about one hundred Italian miles from Venice, as they were about to return to the church in Germany, accompanied by a large number of people, who, however, were not taken along, but suffered to go. Francis was ironed on his feet like a malefactor, and they were separately confined. There at Capo d’ Istria they tempted and assailed them in a satanic manner, as they are accustomed to do at such times, and they employed all their might to entrap them into their snares, in order to cause them to stumble, and to make them despond and apostatize from God; especially was Francis severely assailed; but they valiantly resisted it all. Having been heard and examined at Capo d’ Istria concerning everything, they were left in confinement yet for three days, ironed hand and foot, and then sent to Venice. On this voyage they lay still for three days and nights, on account of the tempestuous sea, in the meantime comforting each other, and admonishing one another to constancy or steadfastness, so that it seemed as though they scarcely felt the pains resulting from the iron fetters and from other causes, which nevertheless hurt them greatly day and night.

Arriving at Venice the first day of September of said year, they were immediately separ[1]ately confined in the dark dungeons of the chief senators, where they lay for a whole month, when they were brought before three Venetian secular, and also several so called spiritual, lords, who sat there in great pomp, most magnificently arrayed, and they asked brother Francis, whether he still adhered to the belief which he had indicated to the examiners and lords who had examined him at Capo d’ Istria in regard to his doings, and whether he still held it to be the truth. He said to them: “I hold it to be the truth, and it is the truth.”

They then asked him whether he believed all that the holy, Catholic, apostolical, Chris[1]tian church believes. He replied: “As far as the faith is concerned, I believe every article of the apostolical Christian faith.” They then asked him also concerning baptism, the sacrament, confession, and many other things; but when he thoroughly answered everything, they urged him very hard, berating him most severely, and then remanded him to prison. They also examined Brother Anthony, who likewise made a good confession of faith to them.

Shortly after, they examined Francis again, especially in regard to infant baptism, but did not accomplish their purpose. After this, they had them brought before them several times yet, and argued with them. They also sent monks to them, who when they replied to their questions, continually called them heretics and gainsayers of so many councils, and said that if they would not desist, they should have to die, and with this they had them taken back to prison.

Soon after the lords again sent a monk, an inquisitor, to them, who was to speak with them concerning the faith. He first asked them whether they belonged to the transmontane church. Francis replied: “Yes.” Thereupon the monk said: “This is the first error;” and asked whether he had also broken bread with them. Francis answering in the affirmative, the monk said: “This also is an error.” And thus he spoke with regard to everything; no matter what they answered, the monk always said that they were heretics and deceivers.

The monk also said: “Tell me, who is the head of the church?” Francis replied: “Christ.” The monk said: “This, too, is an error.” Then Francis said: “You call us heretics, but you yourself are a heretic, and not we, for Christ is certainly the head of His church.” But the monk said: “The pope is the head here on earth.” Francis said: “A body with two heads is a hideous thing.” Thereupon the monk again began to call him a heretic, and to admonish him to desist. But Brother Francis told him that he could not desist before he should have proved this to him by the holy Scriptures. The monk said: “We are not bound to prove this to you by the Scriptures.” They were then taken back to prison, where Francis put his con[1]fession and defense in writing, and delivered it

After this, they lay in prison for a long time yet, in all about two years, always steadfastly continuing, in many disputations, in the truth confessed, which they had accepted, and were then sentenced to death, and, in the year 1564, cast into the sea, at Venice, and drowned. But the sea will have to give up her dead at the judgment day of the Lord, when such mur[1]derers of the pious will be dearly requited, and will see with great terror, how heinous an offense against God it is, thus to touch His believers. See Zech. 2:8; Acts 9:5.

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Section 311.

JAN DE SWARTE, KLAESKEN HIS WIFE, KLAES, CHRISTIAN, HANS AND MAHIEU, HIS FOUR SONS; PERCEVAL VAN DEN BERGE, JAN MAES, PIE; TER THE SHOEMAKER, HENDRICK AERTS, THE HATTER, JANNEKEN CABILJAUS HIS WIFE, KALLEKEN STEENS, AND HER; MAN, IN THE YEAR, A. D. 1563

Jan de Swarte, a very good hearted man, of Nipkerke, with his wife and adult children, came to the knowledge of the truth, and united with the church of God. Afterwards he was chosen and ordained a minister of the church, in which ministry he, according to his ability, and in simplicity, so conducted himself (not only in the deaconship, by caring for the poor, but also, according to his gift received from God, in dispensing the Word of the exhortation), that he endeared himself to all that knew him. I Cor. 12:4; II Tim. 2:15.

And as the apostle Paul foretold, that all that will live godly in Jesus Christ shall suffer persecution, so he also met with it, on which account he resided in various towns and villages of Flanders, as in Honschote, Rijssel, Wervick, Meenen, and finally at Halewijn, supporting himself mostly with tapeweaving. With his wages he was very benevolent and liberal to the poor, not only to those of the household of faith, but to all in general (II Cor. 8: 1; Gal. 6:10), by which especially he left behind him a good name, to the praise and glory of God, as also by hospitality, as taught in the Scriptures (Romans 12:13), in which he was not negligent, since it appeared that when he was apprehended, there lodged with him a brother from Doornick, named Perceval van den Berge, a native of Zwevegem, and another, who had come from Honschote, whose name was Jan Maes.

At that time there resided at Halewijn various other. God fearing brethren and sisters, which being greatly envied by N., the priest of the castle, he betrayed them into the hands of the Dean of Ronse, the inquisitor in Flanders, who, on a Saturday night, the 7th of March, 1563, quietly came thither with a great number of servants, from Rijssel, surrounded several houses, entered them, and apprehended the afore mentioned Jan de Swarte, with Klaesken his wife and four sons, namely, Klaes, Christian, Hans, and Mahieu (who was only about sixteen years old), and also Perceval van den Berge, and Jan Maes, already mentioned. Besides these he also apprehended one Pieter the shoemaker, with jacomijntgen his wife, which latter did not remain steadfast. Also, one Heyndrick Aerts the hatter, with janneken Cabiljaus his wife, and another sister, Kalleken Steens, the wife of a brother whose name was Augustijn.

When Jan de Swarte was apprehended, his two younger sons were not present, but came in the meantime. When they came to the house the neighbors warned them, that those who apprehended their father and mother were in the house. The one said to the other: “Do not let us flee, but let us die with father and mother.” In the meantime Jan de Swarte was led out of the house a prisoner, and seeing his sons, he said to them

“Children, do you want to, go along to the New Jerusalem?” They replied: “Yes, father;” and were thus led captive with them.

The inquisitor brought them all prisoners to Rijssel, and there had them very closely confined in the castle. Jan was put into a hole by himself, which was called the “Paradise,” and was so small that he could neither stand upright in it, nor lie down full length.

It happened one day that divers brethren and sisters, prompted by love and compassion, had come from without the city, and were standing over against the castle, calling to the prisoners over the fortification, for their consolation, that among them there was one brother named Herman, who being noticed by one of the beadles of the town, who came out secretly, was also apprehended.

After an imprisonment of ten days, the inquisitor delivered these prisoners into the hands of the secular authorities, who first took out Jan de Swarte with his son Klaes, Pieter, the shoemaker, Hendrick Aerts, the hatter, Percival van den Berg, and Jan Maes, all six of whom, because they valiantly and steadfastly adhered to the divine truth, they sentenced to death, and took them in a wagon to the marketplace, where stood the scaffold, provided with earth and stakes. There they were taken up one after another, and two and two fastened to a stake.

As they were going to death, the clock struck. John asked what time it was. He was told that it was four o’clock. He consoled himself with this, saying: “At five o’clock we hope to be in our lodging or resting place.” His son Klaes, said: “We have to die for the reason that we believe!!that Jesus Christ, the Son of the eternal God, is from heaven and not of the earth.”

Pieter was gagged, to prevent him from speaking. When they stood at the stakes, wood and straw were placed around them, to which fire was then set, and they were thus burnt alive to ashes.

A few days afterwards also Klaesken, the wife of Jan de Swarte, with her three sons, and Herman, because they adhered immovably to the love of God, were all five sentenced to death by the authorities, and also burned alive to ashes, persevering unto the end as valiant witnesses of Christ.

Almost a year after this, after very long imprisonment, Janneken Cabiljaus and kalleken Steens, were sentenced to death, placed alive into the fire, and burnt to ashes, as valiant and steadfast witnesses of the divine truth.

It also came to pass that the priest of the castle, N., who had so spitefully betrayed these dear friends of God, was very sorely punished by God; for such putrefaction entered his flesh, that it fell off piecemeal, or was cut off from time to time, from his body, no physicians being able to cure the disease.!!Thus it happened on one occasion; a large piece, of putrid flesh having dropped, or been cut off from his body, that the same was eaten by a dog, while he beheld it with his own eyes. How he must have felt on this occasion, it is easy to imagine, especially when viewing it as the fulfillment of a curse said to have been pronounced upon him. “That he should yet with his own eyes see the dogs eat his flesh.”

It also happened that while the priest was lying sick, a man came to visit him, who, when the former complained to him of his great misery, remarked to him: “It is the coals from the fire at

Rijssel” namely, from the burning of the friends mentioned above; which did not please the priest very much; but he had to bear this taunt as well as the punishment sent him from God. And in this way he at last died most miserably, even as we read that in former times it happened to Antiochus and Herod. II Macc. 9:9; Acts 12:23.

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Section 312.

DIRK LAMBERTS, CHRISTIAN VAN WETTEREN, AND ANTONIJN DE WALE, A. D. 1563

At Ghent in Flanders there were apprehended, for the faith, three brethren, namely, Dirk Lamberts, Christian van Wetteren, and Antonijn de Wale, who contended valiantly and heroically for their faith and the truth, from which they would not depart for any temptation, pain or suffering, so that they were finally sentenced to death. First Dirk Lam[1]berts, and shortly afterwards the other two, had to follow Christ by entering through death into life; therefore they shall be clothed in fine linen with all the elect of God, and receive; palms into their hands, and the crown of life upon their heads.

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Section 313.

JOOS JANS PUT TO DEATH, A. D. 1563

The same year a brother named Joos Jans; was apprehended at Somerdijck, for living according to the truth, and was immediately taken to.Zierickzee; where he suffered much examination and hardship, but suffered himself nevertheless in no wise to be moved or turned away from the Word of God and the love of Christ, so that he was finally sentenced to death and beheaded, thus valiantly testifying with his blood to the truth.

NOTE The repeatedly, mentioned decree of Emperor Charles V, enacted in the year 1550,,,and confirmed by Philip II, King of Spain, A. D. 155.6 (for which year we have cir[1]cumstantially shown the same), as also, A. D. 1560, was at this time, namely, A. D. 1564, renewed and established the third time, for the annihilation and ‘destruction of the innocent and defenseless Christian believers, as may be seen in the. large book of decrees of Ghent, and Cited by William I, Prince of Orange, in his defence against his adversaries,, edition 1599, page 165, etc.

Thereupon followed no small persecution, as, may be seen from the history of the fol[1]lowing martyrs.

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Section 314.

DANIEL KALVAERT, BURNED, A. D. 1564

Daniel Kalvaert, a native of Thielt, in Flanders, was apprehended, A. D. 1564; at Arm’ entiers, for the testimony of the truth, and thence taken to Rijssel, but after being subjected to some S*olicitation and torture, he was brought back to Armentiers, escorted by forty beadles, and there sentenced by the authorities, to be burnt alive to ashes; which offering he boldly brought, after which his ashes were thrown into the river Leye.

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Section 315.

PIETER VAN OOSTHOVE, A. D. 1564

Pieter Floriss, called of Oosthove, a native of Nipkerke in Flanders, was apprehended for the divine truth, at Armentiers, A. D. 1564, and; through many solicitations and sufferings, was prevailed upon to apostatize from his faith, induced by the promise that he should not die, and be released. But when again in his prison, and coming to himself, he reflected how greatly he had suffered himself to be deceived, for though he should escape temporal death for a little while, he .should therefor have to taste eternal death. This produced in him such an agonizing sorrow, that he, like Peter, betook himself with earnest supplication to Almighty God, and besought Him with scalding tears for forgiveness for the great offense he had committed, and for a more steadfast mind than he had shown before. His prayer was not left unheard, for when he was brought before the authorities again, he utterly renounced his apostasy,’ and thenceforth boldly confessed his faith, and steadfastly adhered to it, so that he was finally sentenced to death,,to which he went with glad constancy, and was thus strangled and burnt.

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Section 316.

STEVEN DE GRAFT; AND SIJNTGEN, A. D.: 1564,

In the year 1564 there was apprehended at Ghent in Flanders, for the truth; a brother named Steven de Graet, with Sijntgen, his aged mother. They were both well confirmed in the faith; and continued in it amidst all solicitations and sufferings, even unto death, which they, for the name of Christ, had to suffer publicly; hence they shall also openly praise the Lord; in the throne of heaven, and help sing the glad new song, in honor of the Lamb, and’of, Him that sitteth upon the throne. Rev. 14:3.

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Section 317.

FIERIJNTGEN. KETELS, LEENTGEN HER MOTHER, WITH PIERIJNTGEN AND MARIJNTGEN VAN MALE, IN TIDE YEAR A. D. 1564

In the same year four sisters of Christ were apprehended at Ghent, namely, Pierijntgen Ketels, with Leentgen her mother, and two sisters, Pier= i j ntgen and Mari j ntgen van Male. These did not counsel with flesh and blood, but with God, who was able to strengthen them, for whose name they, after many assaults and unwavering steadfastness, had to lay down their lives in the monastery of St. Peter, without the city of Ghent. Therefore they shall be crowned by the Young Man upon Mount Sion, and be joyfully received by their bridegroom. II Esdras 2:46; Matt. 25:10.

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Section 318.

PIETER VAN DER MEULEN, A. D. 1564 .

Shortly afterwards, also one brother Pieter vdn der Meulen contended so valiantly, at Ghent, for his faith in Christ, that, with firm faith and confidence in God, he withstood all who sought to turn him away from it, even unto death, so that he departed this world, and went with Christ into peace and rest, to help judge at the last day those who judged him here. Luke 23:43; I Cor. 6:2; Matt. 7:2:

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Section 319.

MAEYKEN BOOSERS BURNT TO ASHES FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, IN THE CITY OF DOORNICK, THE 18TH OF SEPTEM; BER, A. D. 1564

A confession and letter of consolation of Maeyken
Boosers, imprisoned at Doornich, where she
sealed her faith with her death

The eternal, unfathomable grace of God, and the power of the Holy Ghost, be with you all, my beloved friends and brethren. I let you know that I am well according to the flesh; but according to the spirit I might be better, for I find weakness in me; but my hope is fixed upon God, who strengthens the feeble, and comforts the afflicted. My heart constantly longs to be fit in His sight, that I might finish to His praise that which He has commenced in me. Therefore I pray you, my beloved brethren, not to forget me, even as I well perceive that you do not, for which I thank you very much, and hope that the Lord will preserve you in His holy truth. I further inform you that the lords wanted to know of me, who were baptized with me, and whether none were in the city, and what were their names and surnames. I said: “What I do not know I cannot tell.” But it was all to no avail. They ordered the execu[1]tioner to strip me. I felt very much ashamed, and I pleasantly entreated them to believe me; but it was of no avail. I then said: “Your will be done,” and undressed myself. They led me to the rack and bound me to draw and rack me. The commissary said that I should name them. I told him that I could not do it; whereupon they loosed me, without my having named any one, for which God on, high be praised. However of Pieter and George they had knowledge already; hence I had to name them too, but their surnames I did not know. Herewith I will commend you to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace. May the Lord keep us all in one faith to the end of our lives. Amen.

Another letter from Maeyken Boosers to her parents

I greet you from my inmost heart, my beloved father and my much beloved mother, with all that are in your house. Please know that I am well and unchanged in purpose, the Lord be praised forever, as I trust through the goodness of God it is also with you. Further, I thank you heartily for the kind greeting you wrote me, on account of which I greatly re[1]joiced, learning your feelings and affection for me; and for remembrance’ sake I will write you something about my imprisonment.

In the first place the commissary asked me how old I was when I was baptized. I replied: “About twenty three or four years.” They asked me why I had it done. I said: “Because God had commanded it.” They asked me whether I did not know that I had been baptized previ[1]ously. I said

“I know nothing of it; neither, has God commanded it.” They asked me whether I did not have sponsors. I replied: “It may be; they may have died.” They then said that they should send me learned men. I said: “You ought to be wise enough to talk with me;” but no, they would send learned men. They then sent the parish priest of our lady’s church, who came and asked me why I had not been in his church so long, and that he had not known of me. I told him that I had quietly kept at home. They asked me where my church was. I answered: “My church is not known to you; for if you knew her, you would not let her in peace very long.”

We had many words about baptism. I said that Christ sent out His apostles into all the world, and that they first taught all nations to observe ail things whatsoever He had com[1]manded them, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Infants cannot learn; but he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Then they said that the apostles had baptized whole households. I said: “Yes, then they rejoiced that they were become believers in God; this children cannot do. Acts 16:34. Christ called the children to Him and said that to such belonged the kingdom of heaven, but He did not command that they should be baptized.” They then brought forward Adam’s sin, saying that they were born in it. I replied that Christ had died for them. I asked them whether they meant to remove sin by baptism; since infants can have no sin, therefore they cannot die unto sin, and rise through baptism into a new life. Then the lords said: “Your doctrine is: `He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,’ is it not?” I said: “Yes.” They then asked whether Christ was not of Mary’s flesh. I said that Mary had conceived Him of the Holy Ghost, even as the angel said to,her. “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35. They asked once more whether He did not assume flesh from her, since He had not brought it from above. I replied that I believed the testimony of John, where he says: “The, Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.” John 1:14. They asked whether I did not believe that He is Mary’s son according to the flesh, and the Son of God according to the spirit. I replied that He was God’s own begotten and only begotten ‘Son, without beginning of days, nor end of life, and was now at the last born of Mary, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Heb. 7:3. Hence He is not of the earth, earthy, like Adam, nor will He return to earth [dust]; for He is the Lord from heaven. I Cor. 15:47. Now if He had flesh of our flesh, He would have to see corruption, for God said: “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return;” but this was not spoken of Adam alone, but of all his descendants. Gen. 3:19.

They then asked me whether I did not believe that in the sacrament there were Christ’s flesh and blood. I said: “No; He is ascended, and sits on the right hand of God His Father.” They then asked me whether I would not believe that all the saints are in heaven. I said: “What I have not read I cannot answer; but this much I have read; `The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them.’ “

Wisdom 3:1. To this they did not say much, but asked what I held with regard to Mary. I replied that she was a pure and holy vessel, and blessed above all women, since she was worthy to conceive and give birth to the Son of God.

They asked whether I did not confess that there is a purgatory. I said: “I find two ways on record, the one very broad and leading to damnation, the other very narrow and leading to eternal life.” They also asked what I held in regard to the pope. I said: “The pope I do not know; but if this is his doctrine, which is observed here, I hold him to be like his doctrine.” Much more was spoken, but I only write this to while away time. Farewell.

Another letter from Maeyken Boosers, to the brethren

My dearest and much beloved brethren in the Lord, I let you know that my heart is of good cheer and courage, the Lord be forever praised, for He preserves us by His right hand, and delivers us out of the midst of our enemies, for without Him I would be lost, since they, both spirituals and seculars, come to assail me in manifold ways, as could be seen this Sunday, when Mr. Massaert, with a judge and a secular, a learned man, held me to be the vilest sect that ever was under heaven. But when I told them my faith, I moved them all to tears, so that they could scarcely speak, and ultimately left me in a friendly manner.

No more for the present, except that I commend you to the Lord; may He constantly keep and preserve you in His holy truth. I hope it will soon be over with me; for I desire nothing so much, than that I might please the Lord, and die a blessed death. Amen.

A testament from Maeyken Boosers to her children

A heartfelt and affectionate greeting to you, my beloved children. Give ear to your mother, who is now in bonds for the truth; for it has pleased God, that all who will live godly must suffer persecution. Hence I am well satisfied and of good cheer, that the servant must follow his lord. His blessed will be done with me; if it had been His pleasure, He would have prevented these bonds. My dear children, it has been so from the beginning, that the righteous must suffer, and that the unrighteous always prevail. But their day shall soon come, that they will lament and cry out in their distress: “Mountains, fall on us, and hills, cover us from the face of the Lord.” Luke 23:30. Alas! when the righteous shall shine forth as the sun, and the ungodly shall go into eternal fire. O beloved children, search the Scriptures, and conform to~them, that you may hear the blessed words

“Come, ye blessed, inherit the kingdom of my Father.” Pray the Lord for wisdom, and learn to fear God, and you will get true understanding. Do not conform to the world, in pride, dancing, running, and idle gossip; but evince by your walk a godly life, adorn yourselves like the holy women, accept the Scriptures and live according to them, that your souls may be saved, and that we may meet hereafter. May the Almighty God, the King of. kings, grant you His grace according to the riches of His goodness, to be strengthened in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts; and may He guide you into all truth. I pray you, my dear children, be peaceable among yourselves, for this is a fruit of the Spirit. Willingly help one another, without gainsaying, and always remember the poor; communicate willingly of all that you have; make yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; love that which is eternal, and not what is temporal; seek the heavenly, and not the earthly, for all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; the glory of man perisheth, but the Word of the Lord abideth forever. Isa. 40:6. Love not the world, neither the things that are in it, namely, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which are not of God, but of the world; and the world shall perish, with all that is in it; but he that doeth the will of the Father abideth forever. I John 2:15; I Cor. 7:31.

My children, do according to the will of the Lord; I, your mother, hope to walk the way before you. Mark wherein and how I go before you, and regard not the honor of the world, but esteem it an honor, to suffer for the name of our God. For He who was King over all was not ashamed to leave His glory, and came into the world, and suffered the most igno[1]minious death for us, and, though He was innocent, was beaten and marred, that there re[1]mained not one sound spot on His blessed body. Thus did He love us, thereby leaving us an example that we should follow His steps. He is the light that came into the world, that all who follow Him should not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. John 8:12. The Lord grant that that light shine also around you, and that you walk in it. Amen.

Another, short letter from said mother to her children

My children, I greet you most cordially, and send you back your letters, that you may fulfill the promises you therein made to me. Always be subject to those who instruct you in righteousness, and reprove you when you transgress. Farewell, and herewith adieu to you in this world. My dear children, fear God, and eschew all evil.

Another letter from Maeyken Boosers, to her fa; ther and mother

My most beloved father and mother, I commend myself to you from my inmost heart, praying the Lord that He will comfort you and me with the consolation of the Holy Ghost the promise of the Lord, whom He promised to send to His disciples, saying: “I go unto the Father, and shall send you another Comforter, whom the world cannot receive, for it knoweth him not.” John 14:16, 17. Hence, my dear father and mother, be of good cheer and await with patience what the Lord wills to do with me. I, too, wait patiently for His comfort. What has passed I esteem not more than a breath of air, and it gives me no trouble, the Lord, in whom I hope, be praised; for He it is who comforts the humble, and puts down the proud from their seats. Luke 1:52. Though there is now tribulation before us, yet we know full well that the day of the Lord will soon come, and that all ungodliness will be brought to nought. And God shall judge them without respect of persons, and reward every one according to his works. Therefore, my dear and much beloved father and mother, worry not on my ac[1]count; let the Lord finish His work. I hope that He has predestinated me poor unworthy one for an offering acceptable unto Him, for I have hoped in His mercy; and that He will not enter into judgment with me, for if He should judge me according to my deserts, I should be worthy of eternal death; but the Lord, I hope, will have mercy upon me.

I further let you know that I was brought before the dean once more, but neither of us yielded, and as he was leaving he said to me: “If you persist in this belief, you are eternally damned.” I said: “How can you speak so? seeing God shall judge.” “Yes,” said he, “I dare indeed say it, for it will be so.” Then Master Klaes followed me and asked: “Where have you kept yourself so long? I have long sought you.” I replied: “You have me now, sure.” “I have not,” he said; “If you were in our hands, we should keep you longer than these will, I think.” Herewith, my dear father and mother, I will commend you to the Lord; may He preserve you and me unto the end. Grieve not for me, but rejoice that the Lord counts me worthy; for I will cheerfully resign for His sake these my members, which He has given me. Farewell always.

Another letter from Maeyken Boosers to her breth; ren and sisters

O my dearest and much beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, I greet you once more with the peace of the Lord, that the same may remain with you forever. Amen.

I let you know that these my enemies still keep tormentine me about baDtiSm:but of the incarnation of Christ they say nothing to me. The dean told them my faith, and they asked me nothing except whether I believed that Christ was David’s son. I replied that He was the Son of the living God. “Oh! ohl” said the dean. The lords asked: “Is it not written: `Out of the seed of David according to the flesh’?” Acts 13:23. The dean answered them, for there was no hearing; he frequently told me I lied, because I withstood him, that he could not show me that the apostles had baptized children. They all fell upon me at once, and said that no one could enter the kingdom of heaven, except he were born of water and of the Spirit. They hastily asked me whether I did not confess this too. I said: “This Scripture belongs not to children, but to the adult, who have ears to hear.” Then they arose and said: “You labor under an opinion.”

Thus, my dear friends, I expect to be brought before them once more tomorrow. Hence I pray you to entreat the Lord for me, that He would direct my mouth to His praise and glory. Herewith I will commend you forever into the hands of God, and kindly ask you to receive my simple writing in good part, for I seek nothing but to please God, from the sim[1]plicity of my heart; and I wish nothing, alas! save, that I might please the King of kings and Lord of lords in my calling; then I should indeed have been born at a blessed time. Herewith peace; farewell; nothing more after this. Take this for an eternal adieu.

After this, Maeyken Boosers was burnt to ashes, at Doornick, having commended her soul into the hands of the Lord.

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Section 320.

WILLEBOORT CORNELISS, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE EVANGELICAL TRUTH, AT MIDDELBORGH IN ZEALAND, THE 14TH OF SEPTEMBER, IN THE YEAR 1564

A letter of Willeboort Corneliss, written from his
imprisonment at Middelborgh, and which he
sealed with his blood

The grace and peace of God the heavenly Father, which have come to us through Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, comfort you in all your tribulation, my dearest sister in the Lord; and the Holy Ghost guide you into all truth and righteousness unto the end; and the mighty hand of God keep you and me in the straight way, that we may walk aright unto the end. Amen.

For, my dearest and beloved sister in the Lord, in this miserable and sorrowful world we are counted a prey to every one, as the prophet tells us. Isaiah 59:15. Yea, Christ Jesus Himself says

“Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” Matthew 10:22. Yea, we are counted as deceivers, and yet are true; we are become a spectacle; we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. II Cor. 6:8: 1 Corinthians 4:9: 11 Cor. 4:8. 9. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter; but in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. Rom. 8:36, 37. For, my dear lamb, we know that we must through much tribulation and suffering enter into the kingdom of heaven; knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. Acts 14: 22; II Cor. 5:6. Hence Peter says: “I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” I Pet. 2:11. Therefore, my dear lamb, though you have now with Abraham left our fatherland, be therefore not slothful in your business; but be fervent in spirit; redeeming the time; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation: continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints;’ and see that you are given to hospitality. Romans 12:11-13. For, my dear lamb, though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.” II Cor. 4:16.

Therefore, my dear sister, look constantly unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame. Consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest you be wearied in your distress, and faint in your mind. For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He loveth, and receiveth. Heb. 12:2, etc. For our Saviour Himself suffered so much for our sakes that Isaiah may well say: “He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him.” Isa. 53:2, 3. So that He may well say through the prophet: “They gave me gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me gall and vinegar to drink; and all men laugh me to scorn; they shoot out the lip, and shake the head.” Yea, as He says through the prophet: “I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.” Ps. 69:21; 22:7, 6.

My dear sister in the Lord, if the head thus suffered, the members must follow. Grieve not that you must wander about yet in this world or wilderness.; for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do, according to the good purpose of your mind. Phil. 2:13. My dear lamb, always let your light shine among this wicked and perverse generation, that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. I Peter 2:12.

My dearest sister in the Lord, wait patiently for the time; be patient unto the coming of our Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Therefore be patient, and stablish your heart; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. My dear sister, you have heard of the patience of job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. Jas. 5:7, etc.

My dear lamb, let us keep unto the end that which we have; He is faithful that promised it us. Heb. .10:23. My dear sister, humble yourself always; cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you, and for us all (I Peter 5:6, 7); for we know our reward beforehand, if we hold fast His commandments unto the end, according to our weakness, and we wait for it with patience. Hence Paul says that love is the bond of perfectness. Col. 3:14. And Peter says: “Have perfect charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” I Pet. 4:8. My dear sister in the Lord, though we must now be the laughing stock of the world, and wander about in foreign lands, we will be none the worse for it when the Lord shall say: “.Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” Matt. 25:34. Then shall the child be born; then there shall be no more reviling; then shall all our enemies be conquered; then shall the tears be wiped from our eyes; then shall no harm happen to us any more; then shall we drink of the fountain of life, without price; for whatsoever things were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have before. Rom. 15:4.

The God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify .God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also .received us, to the glory of God, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Farewell, my dear sister in the Lord. Amen.

By me, WILLEBOORT CORNELISS.

Written in bonds.

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Section 321.

PRIJNTGEN AND MARTIJNTGEN MAELBOUTS, IN THE YEAR 1564

On the 12th of November A. D. 1564, there was beheaded with the sword, at Ghent in Flanders, one Prijntgen Maelbouts, widow of Jacob de Backer, brother of Pauwels van Meenen, and with her, her sister, Martijntgen Maelbouts, a young girl, a native of Thielt; not for any reported evil deeds, but simply for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, in a good conscience, since they, according to the teaching of the holy Scriptures, had separated from the papal church of antichrist as being polluted with much uncleanness of the impure works of darkness, and the doctrines and commandments of men, militating against the holy Word of the Lord and united with the true members of Christ, and sought with them, according to their weak ability, to observe the commandments and ordinances of their Lord. On this account the persecutors and enemies of the truth deprived them of their lives, which, to please their Lord and redeemer, they willingly resigned, in the living hope and firm faith, that at the resurrection of the just, they should receive back into great glory these their corruptible members, which they here resigned for His name’s sake, and reign with God and His saints in eternity. II Maccabees 7:11, 14; 1 Cor. 15:43.

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Section 322.

MR. DELIS MATTHIJSS, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, AT MIDDEL; BORGH, IN THE YEAR A. D. 1564

A letter of Mr. Jelis Matthijss, written in prison,
at Middleborgh, A. D. 1564, where he laid
down his life for the name o f the Lord

The foundation of God standeth sure. II Timothy 2:19.

Grace, peace, and the abundant love of our God, with the deep and unspeakable love of His Song our Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen gift of faith, are revealed to us by God, the merciful dear Father, through Christ Jesus, and given’ to His saints, whom He, through His fatherly love, has now chosen, called and ordained thereto, yea, delivered from the chains and heavy bonds of the perpetual darkness of unbelief, with which this evil, wicked and perverse world is bound; and has, according to His fatherly mercy, begotten us again unto a living, saving hope, and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son, in whom we have the forgiveness of our sins through His blood, that we my dear sheep, should henceforth serve Him without fear in all obedience, righteousness and holiness, all the days of our life. I Peter 1:3; Col. 1:13, 14; Luke 1:74, 75. To this end may the merciful dear Father help and strengthen us with the power of His Holy Spirit. Amen.

Since you people have requested me, through your letter, and through greetings heard from you at different itimes, as also previously, by the letter of your dead wife, who also re[1]quested the same of me [to write], know that I have frequently purposed in my heart to do so according to my little gift, although I trust it is not really necessary, yet I hope that it will nevertheless assure and confirm you the more. But as I had rather much writing to do, and was engaged also with other matters, I could not very well attend to it; yet I have constantly cherished a father’s care for you, frequently beseeching my God with a fervent heart, accord[1]ing to my weakness, that He would preserve you both, under the shadow of His wings, in this horrible and perilous time full of all wickedness, and fill you more and more with His Holy Spirit, and open the eyes of your understanding, that you, my dear sheep, may learn to know well the snares and outspread nets of the devil, which he now in so manifold ways daily lays for the regenerated, though you are not ignorant of them partly, well knowing his devices; wherefore you have watched until the present time, in which I greatly rejoice, as also in this, that your faith grows and increases in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto whom I have begotten you and the others, in my bonds, by tears, with the power of the Holy Ghost. And you became followers of me, and of the Lord, and received the Word of the Gospel of the cross of Christ with much sighing and godly sorrow, and have obeyed it from the heart, in the form of the doctrine wherein you now stand, so that you have become ensamples to all those in Middelborgh, who want to amend their lives, and take up the cross of the Lord. I Thessalonians 1:6, 7. Not only these, but many saints are made to rejoice, be[1]holding your obedience and humility in the fear of your God, which, I hope will increase and become manifest still more from day to day, so that, my dear sheep, it may be clearly evident, that you are truly born again from above, of God the Father, and renewed by the renewing of your mind. Rom. 12:2. Remember that your conversation must be heavenly, namely, according to the new man, who after God is created in all manner of righteousness and holiness; for since He who has called and chosen you to this service is holy, you must also according to your ability, lead a holy, chaste and godly life in the fear of your God. Eph. 4:24; I Peter 1:15. For to whom we have yielded ourselves, his servants we are, as the apostle says: whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto life. Rom. 6:16. God be praised and thanked forever, my dear sheep, that you were the servant and handmaid of sin, but are now washed and cleansed with me, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, whom God the Father shed on us abundantly through Christ our Saviour, not for the works of our righteousness which we had done; for we were by nature the children of wrath, even as others; but God, the merciful, dear Father, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, when we were dead in sins and unrighteousness, quickened us together with Christ, or by Christ, His dear Son, through faith. Tit. 3:5; Eph. 2:3, etc.

Therefore, my affectionately beloved sheep in Christ Jesus, whose souls I love from the heart, and for whom I have a fatherly and godly care, I admonish and beseech you as a prisoner in the Lord, frequently to call to remembrance the day in which the merciful dear Father had compassion upon you, and took the vail from your eyes and hearts, which still hangs before the eyes and hearts of so many thousands, who walk such hard ways and know not the way of the Lord, becau e they are drunken with the wine of the Babylon’ n whore, namely, the false doctrines, by which he whole earth is covered; but you, my sheep, ave be[1]come sober, and come out of her, and I also hope that you will no more touch her unclean[1]ness, lest you perish with her plagues. II Cor. 3:16; Wisd. 5:7; Rev. 17:2; 18:4.

Hence watch sharply in righteousness, so that you, my dear sheep, be not put to confusion after my departure in this horrible and perilous time, for you can plainly see and hear that now is certainly the time of which Christ Jesus and His holy apostles have so diligently warned us, even as Christ Himself said that the love of many should wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matt. 24:12, 13. O my dear sheep, ponder the words of Christ, and let them lodge in your hearts. It is indeed not spoken with regard to the world; for in the world the love of God cannot wax cold, since it has not received it, neither knows it; but it is spoken with reference to the true Israelites. And you see that this happens abundantly among them, which is certainly a lamentable matter, as that the devil and spirit of the old serpent has gained such strength and power in the present time, through the manifold, subtle and dexterous snares which he daily lays, to capture anew in his net of unbelief the souls of the regenerated, who have escaped him through the knowledge of God, whom he does capture again, my dear sheep, some of them through false doctrine, not only through the Roman antichrist, since now there are many antichrists in the world. For this reason he has put on another.cap, which is no longer like the Roman, well knowing that his game with it will soon be played; hence he has transformed himself, and appears now as an angel of light, and does his diligence to mingle with the children of light, there to set forth his wares anew. For, my dear sheep in the Lord, formerly he came with human ordinances and commandments, but now he knows that men want to hear Scripture; hence he now comes adducing many Scriptures, so that it seems to be all right, even as he presumptuously did with Christ, quoting to Him from the prophet David, that it was written that He [God] should send His angels, who should bear Him up in their hands, lest He should dash His foot against a stone. Matt. 4:6; Ps. 91:12. See, my dear sheep, he did indeed quote Scripture, just as it read; but it had not been spoken or prophesied with any such meaning; thus these also, though they quote many Scriptures, and presumptuously say: “Thus it is certainly written; by which he easily captures in his outspread net the wavering and those whose ears itch to hear something new.”

Others he gets through deceitful riches that come to them, which bring men into de[1]struction and perdition, since covetousness is the root of all evil. I Tim. 6:9, 10. Nevertheless, some yet desire that their temporal possessions increase, and are so busily engaged therewith, that in the meantime they forget the exercise of godliness, and bring upon themselves many sorrows. Alas, my dear lamb, it shall go with them as it went with certain of the Israelites; they that had gathered much had nothing over; and they that had gathered little had no lack. Ex. 16:18. Hence, if we have food and raiment, O that we could therewith be content; for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. I Tim. 6:7. For we see, dear sheep, that the words of our dear Lord Jesus Christ are true, namely, that the deceitful riches choke and suppress the good seed, namely, the Word of God, whereby many also come to shame.

The third class [he deceives], through the loss or spoiling of their goods, who do not rightly consider that, like the merchantman, they have found the most beautiful pearl, which is certainly well worthy of all this, and far above comparison with it. The fourth, through crosses and suffering, namely, persecution. The fifth, through the entreaties and solicitations, of father and mother, friends and relatives. The sixth, through wife and children. The seventh, by their own evil, subtle flesh. The eighth, because they become weary of the way of righteousness, and turn back to Egypt and Sodom, to live at ease and peace for a short time with the Babylonian whore, and afterwards to be tormented with her in everlasting pain.

Behold, my most chosen and beloved sheep, all this is wrought and set in motion by a single spirit, the old serpent, who neither sleeps nor slumbers, but constantly walks about us, seeking whom he may devour: I Pet. 5:8. Hence resist him manfully and with a believing heart, and let it not terrify you, though they so lightly forsake the commandments of the Lord. Oh, regard not the negligent, slothful and unfaithful; but let all faithless servants and false disciples forsake their Lord and Master, yet we hope nevertheless to adhere to Him, and you with me, and are ready to suffer whatever He imposes upon us. Ahl what should we do or undertake, if we should forsake His commandments? whither should we flee, where He should not find us? Oh! heaven and earth must obey Him with trembling; mountains and caverns must quake before Him, and can not stand in His presence; how much more the children of men, who dwell in houses of clay. Ps. 114:7; Job 4:19. O my dear sheep, wherewith shall they excuse or justify themselves when He shall visit them, who now so unfaithfully depart from Him?

Alas! alas I it is indeed a lamentable matter, that they have conceived such a loathing for the noble heavenly bread, and that the only medicine by which all the souls of the regen[1]erated have been restored, is become such a deadly enemy to them. Yea, my dear sheep, we may well sigh and lament with the prophet over the destruction of Israel, and over Jerusalem the fair city of God, and this the more because so many Israelites drift into the wilderness of this wicked world, and are again destroyed and slain by the subtle spirit of the serpent. Also, because some of the watchmen are become apostates, and the citizens of Jerusalem, too, are becoming slothful and drowsy, though he who walks around the camp neither rests nor pauses, but diligently seeks day and night, whom he may find idle or sleepy, to sow his tares into the field of the heart, even as he, alas! did not a little in my time, and will still do, the longer the more, according to my opinion. For the more the people of God increase, the more will he reign among them; nor will he rest until he succeed in getting some of them to submit to his will again; and God permits him to torment the pious, and also to seduce them, that the others may be tried. See, my dearest and much beloved children in the Lord, it i’s therefore my fatherly entreaty and humble request of you, for the sake of the eternal salvation of your souls, that you will henceforth exercise great care that you may remain in the way of righteousness, and always be mindful how you from this time on ought to walk in the house of God, which is the church of God, unto which you have come, whereof I was very glad, when I heard it, and thanked and praised my God for His great fatherly goodness and grace which He has shown you, and has received you as His son and daughter, yea, as heirs of His heavenly riches, on which account. you have so voluntarily betaken yourselves under the yoke and rod of the cross, and, with the holy apostle Paul, counted your gain loss, that you might gain your souls in Christ, even as you have done. Hence, take heed to yourselves, and depart or waver neither to the right nor to the left, lest you fall from your own steadfastness, and eternal fire be your inheritance; but as you, my dear sheep, have now put on the Lord Jesus Christ, so continue to walk in Him, and remain firmly established and rooted in His doctrine, lest you wax cold or lukewarm in love, and thus lose what you have received and so willingly accepted. II Peter 3:17; Col. 2:6; I Cor. 4:7.

I also beseech you, by the mercy of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, that you neglect not, to thank and praise God the merciful dear Father day and night, through Christ His dear Son, for the great, unspeakable benefits which He has shown us poor, miserable creatures; and has foreseen and chosen us from our mother’s womb, and this to the end that we should truly live and confess His name among this wicked and adulterous generation, and thus may hold fast unto the end, the beginning of the Christian life. For though, my dearest sheep and much beloved children, you are now become true heirs of eternal life, through obedience to the Gospel, and are written with me and all saints in the book of life, yea, have been brought to an innumerable company of angels, yet, O my dear sheep, he can soon blot us out again, and write our apostate names in the earth (Jer. 17:13), if we do not faithfully, ac[1]cording to our weakness, walk in God’s commandments unto the end of our lives; for we know that the glorious promises given to the pious, and the crown of eternal life,, lie neither in the beginning nor in the middle; but he that endures, and continues faithful unto the end, shall receive the same from the hand of the Lord. For it is evident, that it availed the outward Israel (in whom we have a clear example) nothing, my dear sheep, that they by the strong hand of the Lord, had been delivered out of Egypt from the service and bondage of Pharaoh; yea, all the benefits shown them on the way by the faithful, merciful dear Father, were certainly for the most part lost or in vain. Though He fed them with angels’ food, and gave them all that their soul desired, yet they became impatient and murmured, and did not receive their trial in the fear of God, or in patience, wherefore the Lord was wroth, and destroyed twenty three thousand at one time. O my dear, chosen sheep, think on it; it certainly occurred for our instruction and admonition, as the holy apostle says, that we should not fall into the same example of unbelieffor what could it avail us, that we have now also gone out from spiritual Egypt and Sodom, and been delivered from the service of the hellish Pharaoh, through the Red Sea of the blood of Christ Jesus, and been baptized in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, upon the confession of our faith, and have thus, having renounced our own selves, entered into the true Noah’s ark Christ Jesus. O my dear sheep, it all cannot avail or save us, if we do not observe the fulfilling of the command[1]ments of our God; for the apostle John says: “He that saith, I know God, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” I John 2:4. But you, my most be[1]loved, have always obeyed not only in my, presence, but much more in my absence; therefore work out your salvation with fear, and constantly walk as becomes the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, after my departure, that you may always stand fast in one spirit and mind; and be not terrified in any wise by your adversaries, whether from within or without, which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of eternal salvation, and that of God. For, my dear sheep, it is not enough that you believe on Christ, but you must also suffer for His name, if not in bonds or imprisonment, then in the daily conflict and temptations, which at the present time arise in many and various forms, and may come upon you still more. Phil. 2:12; 1:27. For God proves and tries His chosen in manifold ways. Bonds and impris[1]onment are regarded as the greatest trials of faith; but, my dear lamb, I write and confess to you at this time, that to me it is the least, compared with the perils and temptations I tasted and met with in the wilderness of this world, or which I saw before me, so that I often did not know which way to turn, for anxiety of heart and spirit, and sighed and wept to my God on account of the manifold subtle and adroit snares which the old serpent is now laying, fearing that I might yet become entangled in her snares of human weakness, and of the wisdom of my own flesh, because I saw and heard that such high, strong and firmly rooted trees were completely torn up by the roots, and such lofty mountains brought low most miserably. Besides,

I felt that in me there dwelt no good thing; moreover, I considered that at His righteous day much chaff will be found, when He will look over His own. O then He will see those who will not have on a wedding garment.

For this reason also I was in great anxiety, fearing that through my daily mistakes and polluted walk I should not be able to stand at His coming; hence I often besought Him with tears, that through His fatherly mercy He would make me, poor, miserable man, fit, that I might suffer for His name’s sake, to go into bonds and imprisonment, and even into death, for His holy testimony; then I should be sure of my soul’s salvation, and not fear to come to shame in the day of His wrath, whereto He, through His fatherly mercy, has now chosen me and made me worthy, to declare His holy testimony before this evil and adulterous generation, in my bonds; on which account I am greatly rejoiced in my soul, and sincerely regret that I cannot thank or praise my and our merciful dear Father enqugh. for His un[1]speakably great benefits which He has shown and is still daily showing me miserable creature; for I trust in His fatherly grace and mercy,` that He will further fit me and make me worthy to go into death for His holy testimony; for He knows that I have for a long time. longed to be at home, and this on account of the manifold dangers I behold in the way. Hence, my affectionately beloved sheep in the Lord, as I still have a fatherly care for you, and love you with a godly love, I cannot forbear, seeing I am still in this tabernacle for a little while, to admonish you a little by my writing, praying you not to think that I rule over you; but I seek to build you up with all kindness unto the full stature of the fullness of Christ, so that you, my dear sheep, may be found a true letter of Christ, not written with ink on paper, but by the Holy Spirit of the living God, whereby you are also sealed unto the day of your redemp[1]tion, who has written God’s statutes and laws into your hearts and minds, whereby you are now become an epistle of Christ, which is seen and read by all men who behold your holy, chaste conversation in the humility of your heart and depreciation of yourselves. II Cor, 3:2; I Pet. 3:2.

Therefore, my dear lamb, I beseech you once more, though you are humble, humble yourselves still more; though you are clean, cleanse yourselves yet more; yea, though you have become holy, sanctify yourselves yet more and more, that you may be found pure and blameless, the children of God, in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, so that I may not have labored in vain with you; for though I am to be offered up, and the time of my departure is at hand, yet I joy and rejoice in my heart, on your account, and of the others whom I have begotten in my bonds, who in time past were unprofitable to the house of God, but are now useful and profitable, whom I love for the truth’s sake, and desire that they shall also have a part herein, hoping that it will also rejoice them in the spirit and faith, for an assurance and confirmation of all your minds in Christ Jesus. John 15:3; Rev. 22:11; Phil: 2:15; II Tim. 4:6; Philem. 10, 11; II Jno. 1, 2. Hence, my final and affectionate request to you all is, that you love one another with a pure heart fer[1]vently, being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, namely, by the living, powerful and saving Word. John 13:34; I Pet. 1:22, 23. And remember the words of Paul our fellow brother, where he says: “The end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience; yea, it is the bond of perfectness.” I Tim. 1:5; Col. 3:14. O how blessed is he who is truly girded about with this bond; for he does not live unto himself, but unto his Lord; and he observes the words of Christ in everything, also where He says: “Be merciful, as your heavenly Father also is merciful.” Luke 6:36.

Hence, my dear sheep, I beseech you yet, by the mercy of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, and also for the sake of the eternal salvation of your souls, that you forget not to do good and to communicate; for the administration of this service supplieth not only the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; for by such offerings God is pleased. II Cor. 9:12. Remember also the words of the wise man, where he says:’ “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord: and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17. He further says: “He that giveth unto the poor shall suffer no sorrow; but he that turneth away his eyes shall decrease.” 28:27. “The righteous useth his wealth to life, but the wicked useth it to sin.” 10:16. He also says: “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.” 11:24. Tobit,.also, commands his son to remember the poor, saying: “Turn not thy face from the poor, and the face of God shall not be turned away from thee. Wherever thou be able, help the needy. If thou hast abundance, give alms accordingly; if thou have but little, give according to that little with a faithful heart.” And he adds

“For alms deliver from death, and blot out sin.” Tob. 4:7. With regard to this, also Sirach says

“Alms maketh an atonement for sin.” Sir. 3:30. Alms also preserve the giver in everlasting habitations; wherefore Christ commanded: “Make to yourselves friends of the mamman of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.” Luke 16:9.

Christ has well said: “For the poor always ye have with you.” John 12:8. Hence He shall say at His righteous day: “All that ye have done unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done unto me.” Matt. 25:40: From this it follows, my dear sheep, that the words of Paul will also be verified, namely: “He which soweth sparingly (here) shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully . . for God loveth a cheerful giver.” II Cor. 9:6, 7. My affectionately beloved sheep in the Lord, though I thus write, I nevertheless know that you are taught of God and His Holy Spirit, and that this will do more for you than all I can write; yet, from heartfelt Christian love, I write it to you; for the reason, that you may remember the former times, when you were so diligent in all manner of unright[1]eousness, sparing no expense in the way of numerous costly banquets or feasts, yea, in pomp and display, which God abominates. Oh, think once, my dear sheep, what delight you then took [in these things]. Oh, should you now not give the much more diligence in the things which God has commanded you, to lay up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt. Oh, we should be able now to spare a bit of money occasionally, to give to poor saints, just as easily as we formerly could provide large amounts, to spend in unright[1]eousness. O my dear, beloved children, I do not write this to oppress your hearts, but that your love may increase yet more and more from day to day: for you know not how much time you will have yet, or when robbers may get possession of your treasure. Further, my faithful sheep, it is my fatherly request, that you live together in peace, harmony and unity. Help to bear in love one another’s burdens, since you know not how long you will live to[1]gether; and remember that you are called children of peace, since your King and Prince is the King and Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6); hence you must be found children of peace, as I also trust you are, though I thus write.

Herewith I will commend you to the great Shepherd of the sheep, who, I faithfully trust, will keep you under the shadow of His wings; if you only continue in His statutes .and commandments, and depart on no account out of His hand, then I am certain that no one shall pluck you out of His hand. Once more I beseech you, and this by the wounds of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, and also for the sake of the eternal salvation of your souls, that you will take to heart my letter and faithful admonition written at the close of my life; and do not let it lie unused among you after my departure, nor look upon it then as a dead history or fable; but receive it as a testament, and let it be a perpetual memorial to you, and remember me by it, how I was an example unto you, according to my weakness, and follow my footsteps which I trust to walk before you through the power of my God, namely, to adhere to the truth unto the end, to testify to you and to all who seek to fear God with a pure heart, that this is the true grace of our God, as Peter says, yea, the sure road and highway to eternal life; wherein you now stand. I Pet. 5:12; Ps. 25. Hence, let no one divert you from your present purpose, or cause you to waver, but give more and diligence to make your calling and election sure. Oh, if you do these things, my dear sheep, you shall never fall; but an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. II Peter 1:lU, 11. Watch rigidly therefore in righteousness all the days of your life; for it is necessary indeed. I also kindly request that you receive this prescription in love; for I have certainly written it out of Christian love. Herewith I want to bid you all adieu, until in eternity. Amen.

Furthermore, my affectionately beloved sheep in the Lord, as regards how it is with me and my fellow combatants, know that it still tends to the promotion of the Gospel. Know also, that the Lord faithfully succors me in my conflict and defense, and has given me strength to gain the victory, and delivered me out of the mouth of hell, and the teeth of the lions. I believe I have been in combat with them ten or twelve times; the others, however, they did not torment so much. In short, I hope that the fight is fought, the course finished, the life [faith] kept. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of glory, which, I hope, no creature shall ever take from me; for faithful is He that has begun this good work in me; He will doubtless help me finish it, according to the good purpose of my heart, so that I may pass through Jordan unharmed. Phil. 1:6. May God grant us His grace. Amen.

Communicate this among yourselves. commend it to God, meditate upon it diligently, understand it wisely. Oh, if you do this, it will be evident that you seek your salvation and esteem my letter.

Finished the 6th of October, in the twenty third month of my imprisonment. Once more, my dear children, valiantly adhere together to the cross of Christ, and do not depart from it.

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Section 323.

ANOTHER LETTER FROM MR. DELIS MATTHIJSS, WHICH HE WROTE TO HIS WIFE

I wish unto my flesh and blood, strength of spirit and a steadfast mind in all her tribu[1]lation and severe distress. Amen

My dear and beloved wife, whom I wedded before God and His church, as the time of my departure is now at hand, may you people know that my heart and mind are concerned about you, being indeed desirous of writing you something, but having so ill an opportunity for it, because it stands thus with us that we are now watched and guarded by eight or ten servants, so that I feel little strength of spirit in me, to write anything to you, love, as it comes upon us so unexpectedly, since we had not heard a word. Willeboort, my faithful comrade, had partly undressed already, when our host and hostess came up stairs, saying: “Mr. Jelis and Willeboort, come down.” When we came down, we saw the stadtholder, and the bailiff also came and upbraided us with this, whereupon I had a few words with him. In short, my dearly beloved chosen flesh and blood, I shall now go the way of all the prophets and witnesses of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, in which I greatly rejoice and am of good cheer at the present time; yea, I find such joy and comfort in me, that I cannot well describe it to you, and I do not as yet experience the least fear; but am concerned most about you, because of the excessive grief which oppresses you, but I trust to my, and your God, that with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, through the consolation of the Holy Spirit, whereby He will comfort you. I Cor. 10:13.

O my flesh, my blood, I beseech you by the bleeding wounds of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, be patient in your tribulation, that you be not found as one who would fight against God, but rather say with Mary: “Behold, Lord, be it unto me according to thy will.” Luke 1:38. For at the very hour of meeting, the hour of separating was known to the Lord, and He in His fatherly mercy has foreseen and chosen you, also to suffer tribulation and pain now for His name’s sake. And though, my chosen lamb, I now experience greater joy, because my pilgrimage has come to a close; yet I beseech you, be of good cheer in the Lord, and receive it in patience and sorrow. Humble your heart, and endure it. Sir. 2:2. Oh, I know that your grief is very great. Oh, if it were God’s will, and I might die for you, yea though I were to taste a twofold death for you, I should not shrink from it, since it does not come hard to me. Oh, then I should certainly have the assurance that you should not be deceived by strange lovers (Jer. 2: 25), nor by the noonday devil, nor by your own flesh; however, I trust nevertheless from the bottom of my heart, that you will follow the footsteps of my faith, that is, to adhere to the truth unto the end. Oh, the reason of my writing and my last and great request is, that you adhere to what God, out’ of great grace has given you. Oh, do not yield nor waver on account of your great grief, or because of any conflict that may arise, not known to you as yet; but in all your concerns pray with confidence to God the merciful dear Father; He will not forsake you, I am sure of it. Eph. 6:18. And though, my dear chosen lamb, we shall now be separated for a little while, we shall meet each other again hereafter in the resurrection of the dead, and shall forever be with the Lord. I Thess. 4:17. Oh, then qur small sorrow shall be changed into eternal, unspeakable joy, and all tears shall be wiped away from our eyes, and we shall hear the words: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.” Isa. 25:8; Rev. 7:17; Matt. 25:34. O my dear lamb, comfort yourself with these promises, and with the words of the Gospel, where Christ Himself says: “Blessed are they that weep now; for they shall be comforted. But woe unto them that laugh now, for they shall weep. For the time shall come when they shall cry out: O ye mountains and hills, fall on us, and cover us from the face of the Lord.” Matt. 4:5; Luke 6:25; Hos. 10:7.

Oh, then it will be at an end with all our persecutors, executioners, and rackers, and with all destroyers; yea, then shall be fulfilled the word of the prophet Isaiah, where he says: “O ye destroyers, think ye that ye shall not also be destroyed? and ye despisers, think ye that ye shall not also be despised? When ye shall have made an end to destroy an end shall also be made with you.” Isa. 33:1. But unto you, my flesh, my blood, and unto me, and all saints, shall the Sun of righteousness arise, and happiness and eternal prosperity shall encompass us. O my dear sheep, [flock], how gladly would I comfort you and come to your aid in your tribulation; but it cannot be at this time. But I sincerely pray you, remember my words which I spoke to you in times past, and follow them, this I pray you, and let them be a perpetual foundation stone. Further, I cordially entreat you, and this for the eternal salvation of your soul, that you live in quiet and bring up your child (my own offspring), in the fear of the Lord, as I trust you will. Once more, my dearest, chosen lamb, I entreat you from the bottom of my heart, and my inmost soul, remember frequently what I said to you in times past, and also wrote in some measure, namely, that you adhere all the days of your life to that which you voluntarily so willingly accepted, since it is the true ground, foundation, and way to eternal life. Oh, there shall never be found another, than this way of the cross, and if it should be withal the will of your merciful, dear Father, to prove you with His fatherly rod of the cross, that is, with bonds or imprisonment, I pray you for the sake of the eternal salvation of your soul that you will not fear our enemies; for it is impossible to write or express, how God the merciful, dear Father comforts those who have entirely committed themselves to the Lord; so that I should not have thought that I could have such a heart and mind, so that I almost wondered how they could depart from the word of God; but they forgat the comfort of the future glory, and became heedless, and the oil of righteousness and love failed their earthen vessels. Matt. 13:43; 25:3.

Hence, my faithful, dearest flesh and blood, be warned, that you may not, through slothfulness and heedlessness, find yourself deceived with the heedless, foolish virgins. Therefore be watchful in the spirit, and give diligence still from day to day, to put off more and more (Eph. 4:22); for, my dear lamb, it is necessary that you watch, since not all shall enter into the promised land, who have gone out of this present spiritual Egypt and Sodom; and this because of the power and aright of the old serpent, who does not rest nor pause day or night, but goes around the camp, seeking whom he may find drowsy; whom resist stoutly in the faith take upon yourself a valiant and believing heart.

Furthermore, dearly beloved lamb, it is my request that you conform to all humility, and be little in your own eyes, and mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Rom. 12:16. Always be ready and anxious to hear the Word of God, and remember the words of Christ: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matt. 18:20. my dear lamb, have fervent love for the church of God, and forget not to communicate of that which the merciful, dear Father has given you. Remember that mercy glorifieth against judgment, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Jas. 2:13; Hebrews 13:16.. But I know, my beloved lamb, and have confidence in you, that you will herein follow the teaching of our dear Lord Jesus Christ. Matt. 6:1. Herewith, my dearest, I take farewell and leave from you, my flesh and blood, on this earth, and commend you into the hands of Almighty God, our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who is able to preserve and build up you and your child (Acts 20:32), and to strengthen you in every distress, even as He is faithful, and will do it, if you, my dear lamb, only continue in His statutes and laws, and do not become weary in the way of the cross, though it be full of anxiety and hardship for you. Oh, that you, my dear lamb, could take courage and praise and thank your God, that you are found worthy also to suffer for His name. Oh, think of the words of the wise man where he says: “Having been a little chastised, we shall be greatly rewarded; for God trieth his chosen as gold in the furnace.” Wisd. 3:5, 6.

Therefore, my dearly beloved lamb, let the trying of your .faith work patience, and let patience have her perfect work (Jas. 1:3, 4), and remember the words of the wise man: “A patient man is better than a strong man; and he that ruleth his spirit (mark) than he that taketh a city.” Prov. 16:32. Further, the prophet Jeremiah says: “It is good and a great thing to be patient, and that one that is forsaken wait for help of the Lord.” Lam. 3:36. Hence possess your souls in patience for a little while yet, this I beseech you from my inmost heart. Luke 21:19.

O my dearly beloved lamb, once more I entreat you, acquit yourself valiantly. Oh, if you love me (as you abundantly. do), follow the footsteps of my faith; for the time is fulfilled, the days are spent, my years are ended which I lived in this wilderness amidst many dangers. I have not run or fought as uncertainly; hence I rejoice in the spirit, that God the merciful dear Father has been with me, so that I have fought the fight, and finished my course. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of eternal life which God, the merciful, dear Father, shall give me, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.. I Con 9:26; II Tim. 4:7, 8. And I shall now enter into the precious land, which I have tasted and seen by faith, wherefore my inner man, has a desire for it, so that I am not afraid of my enemies, nor shrink back from Jordan, which though it is most terrible to behold in the eyes , of some, we are certain and assured that our faithful God of Israel will be with us, and will make it ready with His strong arm, so that we shall pass through unharmed, and thus en[1]courage the young valiant Israelites. In short, to all who want to fear God from the heart we are, through the grace of God, a savor unto eternal life; and those who hate us, a savor of death. II Cor. 2:16. Adieu, my flesh, my blood; under the altar I hope to wait for you all. Rev. 6:9. Let my blood be a perpetual testament and memorial unto you. Farewell, until we meet in eternity. Amen.

Oh, keep valiantly, I pray you in the way of righteousness; for I testify unto you with my blood, before God and His angels, that it is the true road and highway, yea, the true grace of our God, on and in which you stand. I Pet. 5:12. The grace of God be with you. Amen. The 24th of October, five o’clock A. M., A. D. 1564.

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Section 324.

ANOTHER LETTER FROM MR. JELIS MATTHIJSS TO HIS WIFE

My clearly beloved chosen wife and sister in the Lord, I wish you folks much strength and comfort from God the merciful dear Father, through the consolation of the Holy Ghost, whereby He comforts all afflicted, sorrowing hearts that are oppressed for His testimony, even as is the case with you at this present time, so that it troubles you greatly though you have been so much taught by the Holy Ghost, that you well know that it is the will of our Lord and Master to whom we have bowed our knees, to serve and be faithful to Him in every distress, tribulation and temptation; for He has chosen and called us both to the end that we should keep His name amidst much tribulation and pain, and should not become weary of these few stripes and fatherly chastenings (Job 5:17); for thereby He makes us true heirs of His heavenly kingdom, if we receive them in resignation and patience, and are ex[1]ercised thereby; to which may the merciful, dear Father strengthen us with the power of His Holy Spirit. Amen.

Further, my dearly beloved wife, since I presume that your heart is much troubled and sorrowful on my account, and you, as I believe, would like to hear and know how it is with me, I cannot forbear to write you a little about how it went with us. I did write to you on our last night (as I thought), and asked the bailiff whether I might write a little yet to my poor, sorrowing wife. He said, “Yes.” But we were not allowed to go upstairs again, and had to remain in the kitchen; and Huyge would not consent to my writing, except he might hold it, and hand it to the bailiff, as I think he has done; yet I hope that you will yet get it. Further, my dear lamb, know, first of all that my purpose is still unchanged, and I am ready to await in patience all that God the merciful, dear Father and the enemies of the truth. will impose upon me. Further know, you folks, that we had not heard of any trouble of the flesh; but in the evening, about nine o’clock, Huyge came up stairs with his wife, saying: “Mr. Jelis and Willeboort, come down; there is somebody that wants to speak with you.” Then our women, especially Maeyken, began to cry and weep greatly. I asked him whether we were not to come up again, to which he gave me but little reply. Hence I immediately divested myself of my cassock, and put on my old jacket. I then kissed my blood, namely, the child, took off my hat, and briefly addressed myself to God, the merciful, dear Father, that He would pre[1]serve the child all the days of its life; my heart experienced some sadness over it, but it did not last long. When I came down, the stadtholder was standing there, and a short time af[1]terwards also the bailiff came, and catching sight of me said: “Well, Mr. Jelis, the time has come,” or some such words. I then stepped up to him a little closer, my heart being quite joyful, and said to him in a very friendly manner

“My lord, I have known you for eight or ten years, and looked upon you as an honest man; how comes it that you want to take us in this manner by surprise? We certainly have not heard a word of it.

He replied: “There is time enough; it will not be yet; but make yourself ready for tomor[1]row at five o’clock.” I then exchanged a few more words with him, saying: “O man, man, what a great burden you put upon yourself; I would from my heart, that you were not a judge over us, not however for our flesh’s sake, for we are of very good cheer as regards that;” and I took up a tankard that stood there, and drank his health. When he had gone away, I began to write, and wrote until about five o’clock, when he returned and gave orders that the servants should take us up; and as to how it went up in the city hall, you probably have heard. When we came away from there, we were both locked up in a room, and as I was fettered, I could not write to you.

I inform you further, that the next day, that is, this morning, the bailiff and the stadt[1]holder, summoned us down, and brought us both into a separate subterranean dungeon, which was very dark, and they had also darkened the window. They said: “You will have to remain here until it will be otherwise.” The stadthokler said: “We are all mortal, we do not know ourselves when we are to die.” I said nothing. When I stood in the dungeon, the bailiff looked at me, and I cast my eyes up heavenward, and said: “O God, preserve us,” or such a word or two.

It seemed as though the bailiff wanted to say: “Yes, it comes through you;” however, he did not give utterance to it, and went away with the other, and our God was not far from us, with the consolation of His Holy Spirit, and made my heart joyful, so that I could not refrain from singing a hymn.

In the afternoon we were given a bit of a candle, and I commenced to write this, which I should have liked to send to you before night, but I was not able to do so; hence, accept it in love.

O my affectionately beloved lamb, I think our hour is fast approaching; for it seems that the ruler of this world will come this night. Hence I beseech you by the bleeding wounds of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, and for the sake of the eternal salvation of your soul, that you will never let it leave your heart, how I walked before you; and when my blood which I hope you will bring up in the fear of God has attained to years of understanding, admonish him with it, and do you, my most beloved, not forget it either; but let my blood be a perpetual testament and memorial to you, how I, according to my feeble ability, have been an example to you. Still, I would that I had been able to walk more holily and blamelessly before you; but you know that according to my feeble ability I sought .to please the Lord, and, according to my weakness, walked with boldness in the way of the cross, which it is my heart’s desire, that also you will do; and do not forsake it; but it is my fatherly entreaty, that you give more diligence to make your holy calling and election surer and surer; for the day of the Lord is not far off, in which He will reward every one according to his works. Then, my faithful lamb, He will find the lukewarm, slothful and heedless, who now bear the name of Christians, and do indeed bear the vessels, but have not the oil of love and righteousness in them. Hence, my flesh, my blood, I entreat you kindly, not to regard the lukewarm, slothful, heedless, and fearful; but prove yourself, and daily examine yourself, whether you are truly walking.in the, faith of the Son of God. If .you thus examine yourself, you may prove and know what is yet necessary for you to put off. II Cor. 13:5.

Oh, always .strive for humility, since a humble heart is in the best condition for self ex[1]amination; for such an one constantly bewails his weakness and insignificance before the Lord, fearing lest at last he might yet come to shame in this perilous, fearful time, through the manifold and subtle snares and nets; wherefore such a regenerate child of God has a heartfelt desire to be at home, and to’be delivered from this miserable, spotted garment of the flesh, knowing full well that he is walking amidst great perils; hence he rejoices when he hears of the cross of Christ.; he is not minded, lightly to flee before the ungodly, except when necessity demands it. But the lukewarm, slothful and heedless, who sometimes think that they are rich enough, and have need of nothing, they in the meanwhile, as soon as they hear aught that the ungodly only form a compact to extirpate the righteous, are greatly dis[1]concerted or are more fainthearted; and this sometimes is not yet all, but they come to their neighbor, whose heart they ought to encourage, and make him fainthearted too.

But you, my faithful lamb, be courageous, this I heartily entreat you, and look not to the aforementioned, nor to those who now so unfaithfully depart from the Lord, whether through cross, or persecution, or false doctrine. Oh, if they previously had daily examined themselves, and had had a taste for heavenly things, they would not have suffered themselves to be deceived so easily, or have dreaded the cross so much; but they would heartily desire to confess the name of their God among this wicked and perverse generation, and entreat their Lord from their hearts, that they might be strangers in the land, to the praise of their God, and the edification of their neighbor.

Further, my dear, faithful, beloved, and chosen wife, whose soul I love as dearly as my own, it is yet my Christian and fatherly .request, that you will take care all the days of your life, that you may come to the place where I shall soon be, so that we may not be separated in the eternal habitations. O that it might be God’s holy will and pleasure, and be possible, that I might drink the cup of bitterness for you. Yea, though it were thrice, I think I would most willingly do it, from the heart, so that you might also be saved.

Oh, then I should accept my departure with a still much more joyful heart, and should certainly have no apprehension that you should ever be moved from the simplicity of our dear Lord Jesus Christ; however, I feel no apprehension, as long as you continue as I now leave you; for you fear the judgment of the ungodly. Hence I desire with Sirach, that you remember in all your undertakings what he says, namely: “My son, whatsoever thou takest in hand, remember the end, and thou shalt never sin” (Sir. 7:36), namely, such sins as could keep you out of God’s kingdom; for as regards your daily frailties and mis steps before God, they will not condemn you or bar you out, for with reference to this the holy apostle John says: “If any man sin, we have an advocate with God the Father, who maketh intercession for us,” which is Christ Jesus, the high priest, who entered in, namely, into the holy of holies, and made an eternal offering and atonement for His people and generation, and sat down on the right hand of God His Father, as an advocate and intercessor for our daily stumblings and fallings, as the apostles say, I John 2:1; Rom. 8:34; Hebrews 9:12; Ps. 110:1; Col. 3:1. See, my faithful and dearly beloved lamb, to this intercessor and advocate I direct you, and not to the deceased saints, as the blind leaders of this world do.

Therefore, flee to Him, for refuge in your great distress; remember that His car is not heavy that He cannot hear you, and His hand not shortened that He cannot help you; for His eyes are upon His saints (Ps. 34:15 ), whom He has so dearly purchased with His own precious blood; and He listens to their calling, sighing and crying: for He calls those blessed already, who here weep and suffer for righteousness’ sake, of whom you are one now. Matt. 5:4. Hence, O my flesh, my blood, comfort yourself with these promises, this I pray you; for those who sow here in tears,shall hereafter reap in great joy. Ps. 126:5. Oh, therefore do not think, my dear lamb, that the tears you now weep will have been wept in vain; for they have already come before the face of the Lord. Hence, be patient yet for a short time, this I entreat you; for He will not have you here long, I hope, but will also take you away from the evil to come, and bring you to sure rest in His chamber, as the prophet Isaiah (57:1, 2) says,, Because you, according to your feeble ability, desire to walk uprightly unto the end, to which may the merciful, dear Father help you, through the help and power of His Holy Spirit; faithful is He who will doubtless do it. I Thes. 5:24. Further, my dear, chosen and beloved wife and sister in the Lord, as I cannot yet draw my fatherly and solicitous heart away from you, but would so gladly from my inmost soul, present you, in and according to your weakness, perfect and blameless before God, it is my humble and kindly request, that you will sincerely love your neighbor, and always remember the poor saints of the household of God, even as you have hitherto had such a disposition. Let your love herein not grow less, but much rather increase. Always remember Christ’s words, where He says: “The poor ye will always have with you.” Matt. 26:11. And it is manifest that there are always poor among or in the house of God. Heb. 3:6. Bear in mind that it is a great and acceptable work before the Lord; wherefore Sirach says that the alms of a man is as a purse on the way with him; and it will spare him in the judgment. Yea, it blotteth out sin, and covereth the multitude thereof; for mercy glorieth against judgment, says James (2:13). Hence, give diligence also in this, as I am confident you will; and though there is no necessity for writing you this, yet I hope it will tend to your best interests, so that after my departure you will not grow slack. I further[1]more, entreat you yet, my dearly beloved lamb, that you will always associate with the pious, that you may attain to greater piety and discretion. And desire the reasonable, sincere milk, namely, to hear the Word of God, that you may thereby grow and increase in every good work. I Peter 2:2. And live in quietness (you know what I mean); this I earnestly entreat you; and wait for the day of your redemption, which, perhaps, is not far off. Herewith I will take my leave and eternal adieu from you, my flesh, my blood, and humbly entreat you once more, for the sake of the eternal salvation of your soul, and by all the great love that you have ever had to me, that after my departure you will be mindful of my writing, and heartfelt entreating and admonishing; whether done by writing or orally; and do not let it remain with you as a dead letter or a fable, but make frequent use of it as a prescription tending to your health, and keep it in the strong box of your heart as a perpetual treasure and memorial; for it will bring you more profit than many pieces of fine gold and silver. Oh, the time is approaching rapidly, and I will therefore cease writing and everything else; hence it is my affectionate request, if you love me and the eternal salvation of your soul, fulfill my request, according to your feeble ability, and depart neither to the right nor to the left, whether through the cross of bonds or imprisonment, or any other cause; and if God, the merciful, dear Father makes you worthy to suffer for His name, be not afraid; for I should never have thought that bonds and imprisonment could cause so little conflict to one that has renounced himself, and has a heartfelt desire to be at home; hence, fear them not. Now, my affectionately beloved, chosen lamb, and dear sister in the Lord, my time is fulfilled, the days are spent, the years are finished; I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (II Tim. 4:7); so that my enemies who set themselves against me have been put to shame (Psalm 53:5); for through my God I have gained the victory, who has delivered me out of the jaws of the lions and the mouth of hell, and shall also deliver me from every evil (II Tim. 4:17, 18), and save me at His coming, and give me the true promised land, which I have seen by faith, and tasted of its fruits, wherefore I have a heartfelt longing for it. Oh, assist me to thank and praise the merciful, dear Father, that I have safely come through the wilderness of this evil, wicked and perverse world, and am now standing before Jordan, through which only I have yet to pass. Though it is somewhat terrible to behold, yet I do not fear it at all, for I am sure that my God will succor me, and make me ready, so that I shall pass through it safely and unharmed; for faithful is He that promised it to me, and He will never leave me, nor forsake me, so that I may boldly say: “The Lord is with me; I fear not what man may do unto me.” Ps. 56:4; Heb. 13:5, 6. They have come for me.

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Section 325.

JAN GERRITS, BURNT AT THE HAGUE, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, THE 15TH DAY OF DECEMBER, A. D. 1564
A testament by Jan Gerrits, made while imprisoned at the Hague for the testimony o f Jesus Christ, in December, A. D. 1564

Grace and peace from God the heavenly Father, and His Son Jesus Christ, be with you. Amen.

My dearest and much beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, I inform you that I have received your communication, which I have read with great joy; for its object is, in the first place, to incite to steadfastness in the faith, and to a perfect end, and this through Jesus Christ, wherefore I entreat the heavenly Father with all my heart and mind, that not only I, but all the God fearing may attain to an upright end, according to the will of God, as I hope. For I have suffered stripes and great pain, and this, according to the words of John, for the brethren. I John 3:16. I desire to suffer not only this, but also, if it is the will of God, to die for His name, Word and truth, no matter what kind of a death it may be; for I should not have thought that it should last so long; but as not a hair of my head can be hurt, without the Lord’s permission, I want to await the end with Him, in patience, as behooves a Christian.

Therefore, my much beloved brethren and sisters, it is my heartfelt request that you and all the God fearing will entreat the Lord for me your weak brother, that I may receive the end of my faith; for the prayer of the righteous avails much, and is effectual. I Peter 1:9. They use every artifice to rob me of the beautiful treasure which I have received from God; but I trust to the Lord, that He will preserve me.

In the second place, dear brethren, it is a great joy for me and the Lord, to learn that the vineyard of the Lord is enlarging, and that its branches are spreading wide, bringing forth upright fruits of the most high God, which I have so long desired. Hence I thank my and your God, that I hear what you have written, and rejoice that the light is rising in every nook and corner, and shines over every mountain, as I hear from many friends, who come to comfort me in my bonds. Therefore, my dear friends, be diligent, everyone according to the gift he has received from God, and put it diligently out upon usury, so that you may get much gain, and may hear these words of the Lord: “Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter in to the marriage of the Lord.” Matthew 25:21.

Thus, let everyone build up the house with lively stones, that it may become a glorious priesthood, and that they may offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. I Peter 2:5. We may always be of good cheer in the Lord, for His power is so great with those who fear Him, that all death, devil, hell, fire and sword, must yield to Him. All this cannot hinder those who are built upon Christ; for we can do all things through Him who makes us worthy, and through His love everything is overcome, and it casts out fear (I John 4: 18), as I can indeed say; for when I was brought into the king’s hall, and stood there almost an hour, before the lords came, and saw how everything was being put in readiness to torture me, I again and again thought in my mind: “O Lord, unless Thou now succor me, I am utterly lost;” and I prayed Him to give me a mouth to speak to His praise and glory, and to close it against everything tending to blaspheme His holy name and that of my neighbor.

While I thus spoke and they were getting ready to torture me, I felt neither fear nor apprehension; however, they handled me in a very severe and fierce manner, so that the president said: “Why will you not tell the truth?” Ans. “Because Christ spoke nothing but what tended to the glory of His Father, and what concerned His own divinity about all other things He was silent. And I want to do the same; wherever His honor and the doctrine of His commandments are concerned, I do not want to be silent either before emperor, or king, or duke, or count.” Instantly the order was

“Handle him without gloves: a drowned calf is a small risk.” Behold, my dear brethren and sisters, how unmercifully they treated me. Nevertheless, the Lord was with me, blessed be His holy name; I had no control of myself, but the Lord directed my mouth, so that they could obtain nothing according to their will. See, my dear friends, how faithful the Lord is; him that trusts in Him He does not suffer to be confounded. Sir. 2:10.

Hence I write again, always be of good cheer in the Lord, and admonish one another at all times, for Peter deems it expedient and profitable to help bear one another’s burdens, and this in love; for whether one member suffer; all the members suffer with Him; or whether one member be honored, all the members rejoice with Him. II Peter 1:13; I Corinthians 12:26.

In the third place, I let you know that my wife has been here, and brought me your kind greeting, which I was very glad to hear; as also that she desires to follow that which is best, according to her feeble ability. For she confesses that the life which she has hitherto led is evil, as we may indeed all confess that ours also was unprofitable in times past. Tit. 3:3. Hence I entreat you, my dear brethren, that you would exercise a watchful care over her, and admonish her to a better life, and this in love; and if you should be able to accomplish anything, and write it to me, it would greatly rejoice me. If you write to me before I offer up my sacrifice to God, send your communication to my aged mother, or to N., and I shall get it. Moreover, I gave her some spices, namely, a nutmeg, three or four hands full of ginger, and some cloves, that she should give them to J’. C., or to some one else, that they should be cut up in pieces and properly distributed around, as a perpetual greeting, and this in the Lord. Here upon earth, an eternal adieu in Christ, peace and farewell, in case this be the last opportunity, before we all meet in the presence of Christ, and there see one another in His glory. Amen.

My much beloved brethren, I have lived with you, and rejoice that you are so courageous in building the city and the temple of Jerusalem, which have lain waste and in ruins so many years. Hence do not lose courage, brethren, though you be mocked and reviled as was Israel. When they rebuilt the wall (mark), they waxed stronger as they worked. Though the enemies raged, that the work might nrot progress, yet they did not cease from it, but kept watch the more diligently, holding in one hand the spear or the sword, and in the other the trowel, and were of good cheer, for God was with them and fought for them. Neh. 4. Behold, my dear friends, let us take an example, how valiant these heroes were; they were not daunted by their enemies. Thus let us also do, however much they cry or write, yea, revile and say: “Behold, these people come, and want to lay a new foundation to the city, and do not know an a from a b. Whence have they this? Where did they learn it? We have studied at univer[1]sities, and spent our money for this purpose. Now, should these asses come and teach us? One is nothing but a cobbler; another, a weaver or furrier, and these want to quote Scripture. Let them remain at their trades; that [quoting Scripture] is our province; nor will we tolerate it; it must be opposed with fire, water, and the sword.” Nevertheless, do not let us fear or be intimidated, however much the dogs bark, and the lions roar; for God, who is with us, is a strong God; He will preserve His own, and help them gain the victory. They can do no more than what the Lord permits them. My dear brethren, excuse this my simple letter; it was for the most part written in haste, the day after I received your letter. Herewith I will commend you once more to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace. Tell the friends in Vlieland, that I affectionately greet them with the peace of the Lord, that they shall contend valiantly for the law of the Lord. Pray the Lord for me; I will also pray for you; do not forget me in your prayers; think as though you were imprisoned, too. Heb. 13:3. Farewell. The fear of the Lord preserve you all. Amen.

I also send you here another letter; perhaps it may refresh you in the assault you suffer from the adversaries of baptism. [What prompted me to write it is a controversy] which I had with a Lutheran preacher. The following is a reply to his letter, which he sent me, since we had often conversed together. The Lord be with your spirit. Amen.

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Section 326.

A LETTER FROM JAN GERRITS TO THE LUTHERAN PREACHER

My much beloved good friend, herewith I will bid you adieu, for after this I hope to dispute with, or write against, neither you nor any other man; for Paul says: “Avoid conten[1]tions, or profane babblings, and unprofitable disputations; for they will increase unto more ungodliness, and their word will eat as doth a canker.” Tit. 3:9; II Tim. 2:16, 17. Hence I want to be delivered also. of you, and that my soul may rest in peace with Gad. Farewell al[1]ways.

See, my good friend, here are the arms and weapons of my faith, and this, in part, briefly shown. Behold, with these, and no other, whether of iron or steel, spear or sword, will I attack the kingdom of antichrist; for spirit must be overcome with spirit, and flesh with carnal weapons. Hence I say with the apostle: “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty before God to the pulling down of everything that exalteth itself against the truth; for we wrestle not only against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of this world, against spirits of wickedness under heaven.” II Cor. 10:4, 5; Eph. 6:12. Hence all Christians must put on the armor of God, that they may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; and also be ready in every respect. Hence Peter says

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, whom resist steadfast in the faith.” I Pet. 5:8, 9. This is our weapon, with which we are satisfied.

In the first place, a Christian does not know war, but must patiently bear all that comes upon him, for the Lord’s sake; for Christ taught His disciples only love for their enemies. Moreover, He forbade them, when they asked Him: “Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume this people?” “No;” He said, “ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.” Matt. 9: 54, 55. Be merciful, as your heavenly Father is merciful. When He suffered He threatened not. I Pet. 2:23. These examples we follow with ail diligence, according to our feeble ability, commending our souls to the mercy of God, as the faithful Creator. From this you may see or understand, what kind of people we are, and what spirit we have.

See, my good friend, with these weapons and arms I will meet you, as a little and un[1]renowned David, meeting the great Goliath and presumptuous champion who mocked and reviled the army of God, and relied upon his own strength, even as you now trust in your learning, and are proud of the name “Rabbi,” and because of the great reputation and renown of your understanding, might and power, you begin to say with Goliath: “Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? I can and will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air to eat.” I Samuel 17:43. Thus spoke Goliath, and you no less; for you say that without strength I am deceived and dead. Yes, my friend, I am well aware, that I and those like me are always looked upon by you as little and unlearned.

Behold, by your presumptuousness you have brought it so far, that I dare boldly step forth with my sling and stone, and say to you, as to Goliath, the champion and defender of the Philistines

“Behold, thou hast come out to me, relying on thy spear and shield; but I come to thee from confidence in God, in the name of the God of Israel, and will give thy flesh this day unto the fowls of the air to eat, and slay thee with thine own sword,” namely with your own writing or disputation, which serves me to overcome you, not by the spirit of the universities, but by the Word and power of God, and this in Dutch, my mother tongue, to the greater glory of God, and to your shame. And the dumb ass shall cause your madness to be manifest; you Balaam have beaten me, poor ass, so long until I spake by the power of God, Num. 22:28. You Goliath have so long reviled and defied me and the army of Israel, that I slay you with your own sword, which I should not have done, had you not snapped with such sharp teeth, and flourished your pen so boldly; how could I let this pass. Now, if I receive no thanks for it, as I presume will be the case, you may blame yourself for it, for one cannot be silent and speak the words of God

“O men, men, it were well for you, that like Gamaliel you would leave the people of God in peace; for if this work is of men, it will come to naught, but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it: hence, take good heed, lest you run against the sword of the Lord, and be found even to fight against God. Persecute Jesus of Nazareth no longer, and leave Israel unmolested.” Acts 5:34, etc.; 9.

To come now to the purport and beginning of your letter, which you sent me in order to instruct me in all the arguments and intelligence pertaining to the faith, I find that you greet me in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. To this I reply. Since you boast of being a Christian, and regard me as a reprobate and unbeliever, and as laboring under a false opinion, therefore I say that you are wrong in writing thus, for John says, “If .there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither greet him; for he that greefeth him is partaker of his evil deeds.” II John 10, 11. And Paul says that if any man that is called a brother be nevertheless a fornicator or the like, he, as also an unbeliever, shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Hence, since they cannot inherit the kingdom of God, we are not to eat bread with them, for the destruction of their flesh, that they may consider from whence they are fallen. I Cor. 5.

In the second place, you call me your brother. Why am I your brother, seeing we differ in faith? Is it because we are all created of God the Father? I say no to this; for if we were brethren according to the spirit, and according to the doctrine of Christ and the apostles, we must be in one faith and practice, and be led by one spirit, which, however, is far from being the case; for the brotherhood must spring out of the heavenly regeneration, through the hearing of the divine Word, from the earthly into the heavenly. This brotherhood is not ascribed to unbelievers, nor does it originate in carnal descent, as Paul clearly indicates, when he says “Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?” etc, II Cor. 6:14, etc. For the brotherhood consists in this: “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit; to abide in one hope of the calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Eph. 4:3. Mark, you are satisfied with your baptism, whether administered by the midwife, or by confirmation, and the like; not considering that God would dwell above all, and in us all, through His Word.

Since, then, you are so contrary to me, and I _to you, in faith, doctrine, life and spirit, why do you call me brother, I ask you once more? Or, if I am a heretic and a renegade from the truth, why do you not avoid me, after I have been admonished once or twice? for this is commanded by the Scriptures. But alas! you do not obey the divinely inspired Scriptures, but choose them unto your own destruction. II Pet. 3:16. to the third place, 1 find in your deceptive letter of instruction, that I am accused and decried only with reference to error and misapprehension regarding baptism, no other articles being mentioned. What shall I say to this? Are all your gods an abomination to you? and is it all over with your false doctrine and church usages? I think not; you are too fond of deceitful gain. But I well know your intention; you think that when you shall have deprived me of one, you will also get the rest, according to what you yourself said in Delft. Oh, what a brother you are to me, fine, indeed, in appearance I But my Teacher and Master Christ Jesus has warned me against you, to “be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matt. 10:16. Yes, you are such a brother to me, as the old, lying prophet, who deceived the man of God by his lies; for God had commanded the man of God to prophesy against the altar, and to eat no bread, nor drink water at that place, until he should have returned into his own country. But the seed of the serpent, the old prophet, said: “Eat bread with me, and drink water.” The man of God answered: “God has forbidden me this.” But the deceiver said: “I am alsd a prophet of the Lord, as thou art, and the Lord spake to me, that you should eat bread here, and drink water.” Then the man of God went in with him, and transgressed the commandment of the Lord; wherefore, in punishment of his disobedience, he was slain by a lion on the way. I Kings 13.

This example is a great terror to my soul; for after deception, and transgression of the Word of the Lord, he sends lions, dragons, and bears, that they may get dominion of my soul, and kill it; for if my faith were feeble and wavering, I should be overcome and certainly be killed, but the anchor of my faith is steadfast.

In the fourth place, I come to your unreasonable or willful stupidity, that you want to maintain your infant baptism by the circumcision of the law, or Israel’s sign of the covenant. For Paul says that circumcision (which you understand to be a figure of baptism), is made without hands, in the spirit, for the putting off of the sinful flesh; whose praise is not of men; as was done with the hand on Israel but of God. Col. 2:11; Rom. 2:29. Now, is your infant baptism in the spirit, without hands, and this for the putting off of the sinful flesh, and for sin which they have not yet committed? For to put off the sinful is this, as Paul says: “Mor[1]tify your members which are upon the earth; fornication, adultery, uncleanness, lascivious[1]ness, evil concupiscence;” see, whether this can be understood as having reference to your children.

And through your infant baptism you cause it that we are called Anabaptists, though we do not baptize, nor are baptized twice, but once, and this according to the truth, and pursuant to the command and practice of the apostles; and with this we are well satisfied.

In the fifth place, I will tell you our confession and practice, to show you that our baptism originates not in an opinion, but in the command of the most high God. After this, I hope to write against or dispute with neither you nor any one else, as said before; for great, pre[1]sumptuous wisdom, I have not, but an assured heart and a firm faith in my ground. Listen to this brief statement

“Touching circumcision, I confess that it was a token of Abraham’s covenant, to him and to all his seed (Gen. 17:9): and also the entering into Israel, the church of God.” The external circumcision of Israel was a figure of the future, inward circumcision of Christ, as may clearly be understood from the spirit of the New Testament, even as Paul says that that is not circumcision, which is outward in the flesh; but circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, or law; whose praise is not of men, but of God. Rom. 2:28,29. Nor are you those who are circumcised in Christ, with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the sinful flesh. Col. 2:11. Further, what people are they who are buried with Him through baptism? Listen, I pray you: Are you risen? through what? Through faith. What faith? What faith have the sponsors, through which God works, as you people under[1]stand it? Mark here, no infants; but such as believe and understand. And this you put forth as your strongest argument. O friend, do not willfully kick against the goad; or it will be hard for you to speak against God, and to drive His Word and truth from you so stoutly. For, if you claim outward circumcision to be a figure of baptism, well, then, who makes you ped6baptists so presumptuous that you baptize infants before the eighth day? And why do you baptize female children? for, under the law, these were not circumcised; from which it would follow that female children are not to be baptized; for truth is consistent.

You are at an end with your figures of baptism; but we have a better explanation con[1]cerning the figures of baptism, and Paul and Peter shall help us keep it by their spirit and testimony. Peter says that the entrance through the water into Noah’s ark signifies to us baptism. Gen. 7:7; I Pet. 3:20, 21. He who dares deny this, may also contradict us, who are little and unlearned in their estimation, yet are taught of God. Matt. 11:25.

Our second witness with regard to the figures of baptism is the great apostle Paul, who declared the counsel of God. Acts 20:27. He says that the Exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt, their passage through the Red Sea, and that they were baptized under the pillar of cloud, through Moses, was a figure, and for our instruction. Ex. 14:22; I Cor. 10:1. But we, who are of the substance in the spirit and the New Testament, confess a clear ordinance, doctrine and command of God, and then the rule, practice and the clear examples of the apostles, regarding baptism; this is explanation enough for us.

The command of Christ is: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature; teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15, 16; Matt. 28:19, 20. [Baptism is,] in the first place, a grave of sin, an entering in the church of God, a putting on of Christ, a fleeing from the wrath of God, a washing of regeneration, and the seal of a good conscience or assurance toward God; and he that rejects this rejects the counsel of God. The practice of the apostles was this: “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.” Romans 6:4; Gal. 3:27; Tit. 3:5; I Pet. 3:21; Luke 7:30; Acts 8:37.

The following was written by Jan Gerrits, although it is not contained in the first edition.

Thus they were first asked. If you also ask the brethren this, and they say, “Yes, it is well; for the apostles baptized upon faith and not otherwise.” For if the eunuch had said: “I cannot believe,” Philip would not have baptized him. But he said “I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Acts 8:37. This is my faith, too, and nothing else. Again, when the multitude at Jerusalem heard Peter’s exhortation, they were alarmed, and asked: “What shall we do?” Hear the good advice: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” And they that gladly received the word were baptized. Acts 2: 37. Do your infants also do thus? Then you are the old foundation; for other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ, His Word and example. The jailer rejoiced with all his house that he had become a believer. Acts 16: 34. Are your infants also believers? Then it is well. Peter preached in the house of Cornelius, the centurion of the Italian band, and the Holy Ghost fell on the Gentiles as well as on the Jews. Acts 10:44, 45. Were there also infants present, on whom the Holy Ghost fell? And this is what I asked you before we parted, when the servant came to spread the table, and you said: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh,” and this with reference to infant baptism. I then asked what became of the Spirit, but you gave me no reply. For John says: “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh.” John 3:8. Do children feel the Holy Spirit? Nicodemus was a carnal man, and experienced nothing concerning the Spirit of God; hence Christ referred him to a child as we find stated, Matthew 18:3. To be born again through the water from carnality into the Spirit is as Christ Himself says, John 3:5. “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom” of God. A man, what else does this signify, than, he that is carnally minded, as the afore; said Nicodemus; for to be carnally minded is death; it does not mean children, for they do not feel it. But to be spiritual is life and peace; as Paul tes= tifies. And to the Galatians he says: “If ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idol[1]atry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Gal. 5:18. As also Peter says: “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hy[1]pocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” I Peter 2:1, 2. Thus do also; lay aside the great con[1]ceitedness and presumptuousness of your heart, and build yourself up, a lively stone in the house of God, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. These sacrifices are the works of righteousness, and not human inventions, reason, or ordinances of outward sacrifices. Behold, with this consciousness we go on, or, this assur[1]ance is sufficient and valuable enough to us, to forsake property and life for Christ’s sake which is far from being the case with you people. In short, we do not seal the epistle of Christ before it is written; we do not sow before the field is well plowed with the Spirit and Word of God; we do not sail, before we have favorable weather and wind; but you would have the child of the mother before it has been borne its proper time. But we can well wait till it has been borne its proper time and is brought forth by the mother. Who can forbear to speak of what everybody sees? And thus we recognize baptism in the Scriptures as a command of the Lord, and a certain clear practice of the apostles. Moreover, we also clearly see, what cause baptism has, why it is administered, what benefits it brings, to what people it is adapted, and what other name it has in the Scriptures. It is, in the first place, a grave of sin, an entering into the church of God, a putting on of Christ, a fleeing from the wrath of God, a washing of regeneration, and the seal of a good conscience toward God. And he that forsakes or rejects this forsakes and rejects the counsel and Word of God.

In the sixth place, as regards this, that I spoke tartly and insolently to you, I answer. Behold, my Lord and Master taught me nothing else, when He says: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matt., 7:15. Seeing you came to me with so fair an apearance, to slay my soul, as you indeed boasted, why then should I not speak or write the truth? For what do you but seek to devour or tear me, to entice a poor sheep away from Christ’s pasture. No, no! God the chief Shepherd preserve me from this. No one shall pluck them out of His hand, but if one goes out himself, then the case is different. Yet, you have been assiduous, and struck your sharp fangs into my soul; and yet you call me brother. Hence I call you a wolf in sheep’s clothing; however, be converted and become a lamb. O friend, what have you come to?

In the seventh place, you strewed sweet roses and down before my feet, and made the bank slippery that I might glide off, saying: “Mind not what those who deceived you without the Scriptures will say. Yet see, is this without the Scriptures?” Just as if I had relied upon the fair words of men. No, no; had it depended on fair speeches, you would have laid enough snares for me; your works constantly testify to this. See, my good friend, I think that this is enough for you, namely, my own faith and confession; and I pray you, not so to damn and condemn little infants, and this for Adam’s transgression, lest you be condemned and damned; since Christ, by His death, has redeemed us therefrom, as was stated when I was with you; for Paul says: “As by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condem[1]nation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Rom. 5:18. John says; “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29, [Paul says] to the Galatians: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law.” Galatians 3:13. And to the Ephesians: “That he abolished in his flesh the enmity, on the cross.” Moreover, He has promised them His kingdom, when He says: “Suffer little children to come unto me . . . for of such is the kingdom of God. And He received them, blessed them, laid His hands on them, and said: Except ye receive the kingdom of God as a little child, you shall not enter therein.” Mark 10:14 to 16; Luke 18:16, 17; Matt. 19:14, 15. Now when He says, of such, there is no difference, even as Paul says; that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin. But you separate them, and say that it is only spoken to Jewish children, as though they were Jewish children, I replied that you should prove this to me.by the Gospel; but you could not do it, and gave me no answer. For Christ showed His divine miracles an the children of the. Gentiles as well as on those of the Jews, as, for instance, on the Gentile woman and the centurion’s servant; and He gives this testimony concerning the centurion, that he has not found so great faith in Israel. And enough other such examples.

Finally, I beg you to make the best allowance for my simple writing, for it is rustic work. If I had received better talents from God, I should indeed desire to do better; but now I thank Him for what He does give me. Farewell.

Below there was written: I, Jan Gerritts Ketelaer van Tessel, confess but one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one Spirit, and one Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all. I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Yea, the Lord Jesus comes. Ephesians 4:4, 5; Rev. 3:11.

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Section 327.

ANOTHER LETTER FROM JAN GERRITS, TO HIS AC;QUAINTANCES

After all affectionate greeting, dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, here is what you requested of me. I have complied with your wish, according to my feeble ability, as much as in me is; for which I most heartily thank God the Father and His beloved Son Jesus Christ, that He does not forsake His own, but always helps them to gain the victory; for His gracious eyes are ever upon His own, and His ears are constantly open to their prayers. Ps. 34:15. For it is written: “When thou passest through water and fire, I will be with thee.” Isa. 43:2. Hence I give Him alone praise and honor for His great succor and working, which He has shown in me poor sinner, in my tribulation, suffering and pain, yea, thus, my dear brethren, that the dogs, lions, and bears have not been able to harm me, however much they bark, roar, and growl; for the Lord was my protector; even as I put my hope of faith in Him, that through His great grace He will also preserve me unto the end; for if God is with us, who can harm us, and if the Lord keeps the house (as David says), who can injure it. My friends, I wish I could describe to you the state of my heart and mind when I was suspended, and severely beaten for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ; for His Word, and His bitter suffering which He endured for us poor sinners, was thus present with me that I thought of nothing else. Behold, my brethren and sisters, how the Lord can keep and protect His own that trust in Him, even as the apple of His eye. I would further inform you, my dear brethren and sisters, that they first plied me with questions, namely, what my name was, where I was born, how old I was, and how long I had lived in Tessel. In the second place, when I received baptism. Ans. “Five years ago.” Ques. “Where did it take place?” Ans. “I do not wish to tell you.” Then they rejoined: “You will be made to tell,” and pointed to the executioner, saying, further: “If you are asked concerning the truth, you certainly ought to tell it.” Ans. “All that concerns the faith, I am willing to tell you; but God has not commanded me to tell this.” In the third place they asked me whether my wife was also of this persuasion? Axs. “No, I regret to say.” In the fourth place: “Who had administered it?” Ans. “I do not wish to tell you.” Ques. “Was it N?” Ans. “God has not commanded me to tell it; and even if I should tell you, he does not reside in the king’s dominions.” Ques. “Christ, when He was placed before the authorities, answered when He was interrogated; why then will you not do the’same?” Ans. “When He was asked questions that concerned the honor of His Father, and His own divinity, He answered; otherwise, He was silent. Anything that you may ask me concerning His law, Word, commandments or prohibitions, I am willing to confess before emperors, kings, dukes, counts, princes, and other lords, and not to keep silent concerning it.” He forthwith briefly said to the executioner: “Seize him.” In short, when they laid hold on me, I fell down .prostrate and besought the Lord for His assistance. He immediately said to the rackers

“Lift him up.” Thus, they fell upon me, and dealt with me as the Lord our Master was dealt with, when He was divested of His garments. They tied my hands behind my back unmercifully, blindfolded me, drew me up, and then beat me, belaboring me as though I had been a tree, so that the rods cracked like hemp stalks. They said: “Speak; if you have a dumb devil in you, we will soon drive him out.” But the Lord, blessed be His holy name, closed my mouth, so that not a single exclamation of pain, nor any other sound, escaped my lips; for the suffering of our Lord, as already said, and His testimony, so filled my heart, that it is impossible to express it. In short, when they saw that faintness seized all my mem[1]bers, they said: “Let him down; perhaps the dumb devil will speak sooner then:” When they let me down, I fell with my head against the boards; they therefore took me and set me upon a bench, where I would have fainted again, had they not held me. They stood there like lions and bears, demanding that I should answer their questions; but the Lord was my help and strength, praise and glory be to Him for His grace, so that nothing escaped my lips.

Then the president said: “Have you no stout rods to drive out this dumb devil?” He replied: “No; but I have rope.” They would have blindfolded me again, but he said: “Let him see it.” When he struck, I thought: “O Lord, thou seest it,” and closed my eyes. Yea, my friends, if they had continued to beat as long as there was breath, I think they would have got nothing out of me; so was the strength of the Most High with me. When they saw that it was of no avail, they fetched the hundred pound weight, and hung it to my feet. Then went my heart to the Lord: “Keep, keep, my treasure.” In short, all their endeavors proved fruitless. Then they asked whether I understood Latin. .I replied: “Yes, as much as it is.” Ques. “Do you understand French?” Ans. “No.” Ques. “Where did you go to school?” Ans. “At Delft.” Ques. “When?” Ans. “At the time when Delft was burned.” They also asked me whether I had read the books of Menno or Dietrich Phillips? “Yes,” I said; for Boshuysen had taken my doctrinal books, namely, the New Creature, by Menno, and the Spiritual Restitution, by D. P. They asked me how I had come by it. My lips were sealed. Then the order was: “Fetch waterl candles l the dumb devil must come out.” But the Lord was my preserver, for which I cannot thank Him enough. Sir. 43:30. Finally, the order was given

“Loose him; he must cool off a little; we shall give it to him better yet.” As they were leaving I told them to take heed what they were doing; the day of the Lord should also come upon them; thus they left me. My dear brethren and sisters, herewith I bid you my last adieu, with the peace of Christ. I would have written more, but time does not permit me. If it pleases the Lord, I want to stand at the stake with Him. The Lord be with you all. Amen.

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Section 328.

ADRIAEN DEN BURRY, A. D. 1565

After manifold persecution and fearful tyranny against the flock of Christ, there was also apprehended, in the year 1565, at Oudenaerde, in Flanders, a faithful brother named Adriaen den Burry, who, after undergoing and enduring manifold temptations, and severe conflicts against the devil and his tools, was burnt at said place, in the year 1565, and testified to and confirmed the upright and genuine faith of the truth with his death and blood, to the true conviction of all bloodthirsty tyrants and persecutors, and all carnal men, who seek to walk the broad way to eternal damnation, according to the lusts of their flesh, and to the consolation and strengthening of all true believers, that they might follow this friend of God in true obedience, even as he followed Christ, wherefore his name is written in the book of life, and worthy to be recorded in this book, for long remembrance.

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Section 329.

WILLEM DE DUYCK, A. D. 1565

In the year 1565, at Ghent in Flanders, Brother Willem de Duyck, after much tribulation and unwavering steadfastness, being not willing to apostatize in any wise, also had to bear witness with his blood to the name of Christ, and suffer temporal death for it; wherefore he shall also, at the resurrection, with all the children of God, hear the blessed words: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25:34. Then shall he as one of the righteous enter into life eternal.

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Section 330.

CONRAD KOCH, A. D. 1565

This Conrad Koch was kindled with the light of the knowledge of God, when this light, in these latter days, began to rise again, along the River Rhine as well as in the country of Berg, and the truth of the holy Gospel commenced to shine. Hence he sought, by the divine help, to leave the darkness, and to walk in this brightly shining light; he forsook popery and the worldly and ungodly life, and betook himself to the church of the Lord, heard and laid to heart the Word of the Lord, believed the Gospel, and was baptized, according to the command of Christ, upon faith in Christ Jesus, and confession of his sins, and accordingly, conducted himself in a brotherly and Christian manner in the church, and, in weakness, showed himself edifying and honorable toward all men. But as lie that walks in darkness cannot bear or endure the light, and the envy of the adversary works in his followers, this man was envied by the papists, and accused to the intendant of the revenue; who was judge and ruler of the country in the name of the prince of Juelich. Thereupon the intendant sent his servants to Houf, where Conrad lived, and they apprehended him; he was ready, and as a lamb, willingly went with them to Loewenburg, one of the seven castles which, on account of their high situation, can be seen from a .great distance. There they brought Conrad into the tower, and placed him in severe confinement, in which he remained nearly half a year; however, he was greatly comforted by the Lord, though he had to suffer much hunger.

The intendant ofttimes browbeat him and threatened him most severely, that his life should be taken if he should refuse to renounce his faith. They tried him very hard with entreaties and solicitations, then with hunger, and also with threats to put him to death; but he remained inmovable. His heart was of good cheer.

Now when he had boldly confessed his faith, and no tortures could intimidate him, and the time drew near that he was to die for the truth and depart from this world, the door of his prison was opened, and he went of his own accord, free and unfettered, from the tower of Loewenburg to the village of Houf. His guide was Barabbas, that is a malefactor who went with him. His departure took place in great secrecy; and thus he came to Houf, which is some distance from Loewenburg. But even as Christ was crucified, and Barabbas released, so it was also here. Conrad was taken to the town hall of Houf, where it was proposed to him, that if he should renounce his faith, his young life should be spared, and his liberty be given him.

Manifold wiles were employed against him with great deceitfulness. The sophists sang things sweet and sour, saying: “Go to church at least once a year and if they do not preach the pure and clear truth, stay away from it thenceforth.” One of these hypocrites said to Conrad: “My dear Conrad, though we be false, subtle and evil, it cannot harm your soul; do you only fear God and keep peace with all men; what is it to you if our faith is little.” Conrad replied to the magistrates: “O you ministers of God, you must know that God wants no hy[1]pocrites. This was seen exemplified in old Eleazar, who would rather surrender his life than dissemble. II Macc. 6:24. Therefore .I also hope to die before I go into your congregation.” Conrad further said: “Christ is the Head of the church; he that would please Him must show himself a member of His body; now, one must not sever, himself from Christ the Captain. With this Head I want to remain, though it cost my flesh and blood.” They asked Conrad what he thought of infant baptism. He said: “Of this I can only think that it is also one of the pope’s greatest abominations; however if you can prove it by the Word of God, I will suffer myself to be instructed by the church of the Lord.” “O God,” said Conrad, “to Thee I bring my complaint; O God, what calamity this, that they put to death those who speak the truth! They can certainly not allege that I have committed anything criminal, and yet they malignantly seek to kill me. O Lord, forgive them.” The mandate of the prince of Juelich was then read to him, whereupon the judges passed sentence, upon which the intendant broke the staff. The sentence was, that Conrad should suffer death, if he did not recant. And when he had been thus sentenced twice, they took him out [ to the place of execution]. When he arrived there, he began to sing: “O God, how gently Thou dost chasten me. Reach me Thy gracious hand, that my flesh may now shun all sin, vice and shame, that I may rend the old garment, and have eternal joy with Thee. Christ, I praise Thee, O my supreme God, that I have lived to see this day and hour, that I may now testify to Thy name with my blood. My dear brethren and sisters, I commend you all to the Lord. Keep the Gospel of Christ firmly fixed in your hearts; this I leave you for an admonition: fear God, and be valiant; be my followers, even as I am willing to follow Christ the Lord, and to deliver up my life.” And thus they put this pious man to death with the sword secretly, so that many did not hear of it. When thieves and murderers are condemned there it is customary to let the whole land know it; but the pious are murdered in secrecy, which is a shame for the judges. Thus Con[1]radwas beheaded with the sword standing and proved himself a faithful witness of the suf[1]ferings of Christ, at Houf, in the land of Berg, which belongs to the prince of Juelich and Cleves.

In the year 1565, under the same intendant, who was a very bloodthirsty man, also seven other persons, four brethren and three sisters, had been previously apprehended. These four brethren were also sentenced that they should be put to death, if they refused to renounce their faith. But the Lord protected them, and delivered them all out of prison un[1]harmed in their faith, for this bloodthirsty tyrant was smitten by God with sudden death, so that the prisoners were liberated from prison, keeping their faith, and adhering to the truth.

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Section 331.

HERE FOLLOW TWO LETTERS WHICH CONRAD KOCH WROTE FROM PRISON

First Letter

Grace, peace and mercy from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, is what I, Conrad Koch, a prisoner in the Lord, in Loewenburg, wish my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord. Amen.

I herewith inform you, that I had a call from the executioner, and they tried me hard with words, but did not torture me. The Lord kept me, so that I did not consent to them. Then they said that they would go to dinner, and then return and torture me. But before meal time was over yet, the intendant returned to me and told me much about the prince’s preacher, that I should let him come and see me once more, since he knew the errors which we held. I replied: “I do not want him; the Word of the Lord has taught me. Did I not tell you, that I want no preacher?” He said: “It is true; but still I wish you would do my will so much as to say that you want him to come to you. Though you do not agree then, all right; it does not matter, so we only get rid of the man.” I replied: “I do not want to lay the cross of Christ aside.” Then he said: “Then I cannot alter it,” and left me.

Thus, my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, did the Lord preserve me from them. Pray the Lord faithfully for me, to keep me in His faithful Word unto the end of my life, that I may adhere to it; for I am still of good hope, and willing with all patience to await, by the help of the Lord, all that He shall suffer to befall and come upon me for His name’s sake. May He not suffer more to be laid upon me, than I am able to bear, that His name may not be blasphemed through me. Hence help me entreat the Lord; I expect also not to forget to remember all my dear brethren and sisters, nor all those that fear the Lord. May the Lord come to our*assistance, that we may pray according to His will, so that we may be heard with all the pious; to this end, may the Lord help us by His grace. Amen.

I have also been informed that our fellow members at Cologne have been released from prison; the Lord be praised for His great love which He manifests toward us in these latter days, preserving us so safely from the deceitful serpents, who come to us so subtly with fair words, which are nothing but mere hypocrisy employed by them to seduce us from the covenant of the Lord. From this, may the Lord preserve all those who have accepted ‘His covenant. Amen. Herewith I commend you to the Lord.

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Section 332.

THE SECOND LETTER, WRITTEN TO HIS BROTHER
A. OF B.

Grace, peace, and a heart steadfastly fixed upon the Lord, is what I wish you, A. of B., my dear brother in the Lord, and I thank the Lord for the letter you wrote me. Thanks to the Lord for it, and I also request of you, my dear brother, that you help me to entreat the Lord, that I may become worthy of what you wished me, and desired of me. However, I still have a good hope, thanks to the Lord for it. I also am still willing to suffer for His name’s sake; but may He give me strength for it. Amen.

I also desire you, my dear brother, to wish our brother H. K. much good in my name. May the Lord make us worthy of every good thing; however, I cannot write you as much as I should like to see you have. May the Lord, according to His great mercy, give us what will tend to our salvation. Amen. And I ask you to wish all my brethren and sisters with whom the Lord will cause you to come in contact, much good, and to admonish them to faithfully pray the Lord, to uphold me in His faithful Word until death. I expect not to forget to re[1]member you, as much as shall be possible for me. May the Lord assist us to pray in true love, so that we may be heard, and hereafter, with all the pious, inherit His kingdom; to this end, may the Lord help us. Amen.

I also inform you, that on Hallowe’en two priests visited me, who desired to take me to church; and when I did not consent to it, they commended me to the Lord; there were also three judges here, and did their best; but the Lord preserved me, praise and thanks to Him for it, and may He preserve you and me as long as we live. Amen. O my dear brethren and sisters, beseech the Lord diligently for me, that, since He suffers me, unworthy servant, to be cast into prison, it may redound to His praise, and to my salvation; this I desire with all my heart. May the Lord come to your and my assistance.

Herewith I commend you to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace. Amen.

I, Conrad Koch, have written this letter from Loewenburg, in prison, A. D. 1565.

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Section 333.

MATTHIAS SERVAES, OF KOTTENEM, A. D. 1565

As this Matthias Servaes was an elder and teacher of the church, it happened, A. D. 1565, that one evening he had met with some friends at a certain place in Cologne, to min[1]ister unto them with the Gospel. But there was a Judas, to whom this was known; the same went and fetched the double watch, who immediately came fully armed, and entering the house in which the meeting was held from the rear, broke up the meeting and captured the flock, with beating, raging and fury; but those assembled went with them like sheep, to the Beyen tower. There all their names were taken down, and they were brought into other, separate places. They were asked with great importunity, who their teacher was; in response to which question, Matthias Servaes himself confessed that he was the man. They sought to draw him from Christ and His holy Word, attempting it in various ways, with deception and subtilty, with entreaties and threats; and as he repelled all these wiles, he was severely tortured; however, he was not terrified by any torture or pain, but firmly kept in his heart that which God had revealed to him. Afterwards, in the morning, he was taken to prison, where also many a snare was laid to catch his soul. From prison he was brought bound before the penal court, where the imperial mandates were read to him, and he was delivered into the power of the executioner, to be put to death by the latter, according to the mandate.

Matthias was ready, and suffered himself to be led like an innocent lamb to the slaughter. He lifted up his eyes toward heaven, folding his hands, and said: “O my Father, I praise Thy name, that I am counted worthy of this.”

Much people flocked together, to see this; some of them felt sympathy for him, and said: “It is a pity indeed, that this fine man has to die for such a deed.”

On the way a young woman happened along, who wanted to speak to him; but they apprehended her, and thrust her from him. Afro a lad wanted to greet him, whom they seized likewise, but the count commanded them to let him go. Before he arrived at the place of execution, he looked around him and said: “I have many people present on my day. It were a pity indeed, if all these should perish.” And when he was now about td die, he said aloud: “O God, Thou dost know iull well, for what I have striven and what I have sought in my life, from the beginning, day and night.” And to the count he said. `Â£i’ou well know, sir count, how you have treated me; but I have forgiven you all; it is all out of my heart.” And thus terminated the life of this pious man, he being executed with the sword. Now, as to what was his confession before and afterwards, what he met with in prison, and how he admonished, comforted and strengthened his brethren, all this may be found in the following letters written by him.

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Section 334.

THE FIRST LETTER, WHICH MATTHIAS SERVAES WROTE FROM PRISON TO H. K., HIS BROTHER IN THE LORD, AND ALSO TO HIS OTHER FELLOW MEMBERS

The saving grace of God and the peace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, be multiplied to all believers, through the ministration and unction of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Further, my most beloved brethren in the Lord, I inform you that I am still very well, both according to the flesh and the spirit, in body and in soul, outwardly and inwardly. For I esteem it all very good whether it be joy or sorrow, yea, life or death; for I live not to myself, nor do I die to myself; for whether I live, I live unto the Lord, and whether I die, I die unto the Lord; for I am in His hand, and I am sure that no man shall pluck me out of it; yea, I now look upon death as gain; I have a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, my Lord; for whatever I meet with, all tends to my comfort. Romans 14:7, 8; II Cor. 5:15; John 10:28; Phil. 1: 21, 23. I am now confined here for the promotion of the Gospel, and my bonds become manifest only to the praise of the Lord, I trust, and not to mine own, and to the consolation of all the pious that are under like chastisement, and to the strengthening of their purpose. Hence I rejoice in my sufferings, that I am counted worthy by the Lord to suffer reproach for His name (of which I nevertheless count myself unworthy), to fill up that which is behind of His afflictions, and entailed on His members. Colossians 1:24. And as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so I find my consolation abounding much more by Christ, who abundantly comforts me in all my sufferings, and by His help I shall succeed, and also all those who recognize Him as the supreme good, and are thereby induced to love Him above all, so that they gladly hate and depart from everything for His sake, that they may be loved only by the Lover. That we may do all this from filial love, this I wish you and me, and all those who sincerely desire it, through Jesus Christ, firmly and unwaveringly unto the end. Amen.

Further, my L: B. H., and all that are appointed to watch over the souls of men, exercise your office with diligence, that you may not be found slothful, drowsy or negligent in it; but that you may be faithful watchmen, who truly and honestly lead out and feed the flock of Christ, and this with all humility and meekness; yea, as a father over his children who severely reproves the wrong doing of his children; and though he cannot bring them to the point where he would like to have them, yet his fatherly nature will not allow him to forget them, ro that he should not regard them as his children; and though his heart is often grieved by their disobedience and folly, he does not cease to chasten and instruct them, hoping that they will yet become obedient; and though it causes him much sadness and sorrow, he does not regard it, nor ceases to admonish, chasten and correct them. Thus do also you; give at[1]tendance to reading, to exhortation, to reproof, and this with all discretion, in the fear of the Lord, not too severely, lest they become embittered; neither too leniently, lest they wax slothful and negligent. I Tim. 4:13; Col. 3:21. Hence apply to them oil and wine, as did the true Samaritan to the wounded man. I think you understand what I mean. Be therefore not slothful or careless with the gift that has been bestowed upon you; be faithful to Him that has esteemed you faithful, and accepted you as His ministers, and stewards of His mysteries. But it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. Hence be diligent laborers of the Lord in His vineyard, and faithful builders in His house. And put the pound which you have received from the Lord diligently out upon usury, and remember the punishment of the slothful servant, who did not give his money into the bank, but put it into a napkin and hid it in the earth.

Remember it, I say, my dear brethren, and let it be a warning to you, even as Solomon says that the field of the slothful, and the vineyard of the man void of understanding were a warning to him, when he says: “I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it and received instruction.” Prov. 24:30-32. Thus also you, my dear brethren. be careful, and diligently dig through the vineyard of the Lord, with the plow or the hoe which breaks in pieces the hard stones, which is the word of God. (Jer. 23:29); so that the nettles and thorns may not oppress, destroy or choke the good seed that has been sown. Take also the sharp, two edged sword (Eph. 6:17) , and cut off clean the unfruitful, evil and dry branches, that the others may be more healthy and vigorous to bring forth fruit. Inspect also carefully the wall of the vineyard; if it begins to give way anywhere, prop up that part; if there are any openings in it, go to work and close them; and if it has. fallen down in any place, build it up again speedily, that the little foxes may not run into the Lord’s vineyard, and dig up and spoil it. Cant. 2:15. And what more shall I say? Faithfully feed the flock of Christ, and watch with all carefulness over the souls of men. I Pet. 5:2. Take heed also, that you administer needed reproof, and act and judge without respect of persons, and remember that judgment is God’s and not yours. Deut. 1:17. Weigh, therefore, every matter in the balance of the divine Word: so that when you reprove, judge, or forgive any[1]thing, it may be truly reproved, judged or forgiven also before the judgment of God, and thus your reproof agree with God’s reproof, your judgment with God’s judgment, and your forgiveness with God’s forgiveness. Take heed also, that you do not carry avoidance too far, lest it prove a stumbling block to you. For avoidance is good indeed if it is not abused; however its purpose is solely to avoid offenses (to which end it is instituted);’ hence we must take heed that we do not, while seeking to avoid little offenses by it, cause greater ones. Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:11; II Thess. 3:14. Bestow great attention upon the first commandment with promise, namely: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord.” Eph. 6:1. This is an express word; hence be careful herein. Show a friendly face to all apostates, and admonish them with all kindness to that which they have surrendered and forsaken, and from which they have fallen: I mean such as receive admonition; for blasphemers and mockers are to be left alone. II Thess. 3:15;, Tit. 3:10.

Dear brethren, I do not write you this as something new, but to remind you of the old; for I should like.to see carefulness exercised, and that one Scripture should not be observed so strictly and rigidly as thereby .to violate another. For sometimes some resort to avoidance all on a sudden, without the least discretion, and pity for the fallen. Hence I advise carefulness. For if we are to have the mind of our Lord Jesus; yea, are to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect, then let us from the heart consider His longsuffering, and how He has borne with us, and let us also show ourselves thus toward our fellow servant, that we may give offense to no one, neither to the world, nor to the church of God. Phil. 2:3, 5; Matt. 5.:48; Col. 3:12; Matt. 18:29; I Cor. 10:32. And be also not slothful in seeking .men’s souls; wherever you have some hope, there go. Say not: “It will be labor lost.” Put your hand to the plow first, in the fear of the Lord, and ask Him to give the blessing; but you do the planting and watering. Pray the Lord to give the increase. And if then your endeavors are unsuccessful, you are free. For I have often felt accused, that we have not much more sought men’s souls, to the praise of the Lord.

O brother, beware of contentious tongues. Wherever you go, there make peace, if it can be done by the grace of God. O my dear brother, how greatly I am grieved on account of what was done in.the upper country. Not, that you should think that I am doubtful; Oh, no, my brother; for I am still of the same mind as indicated in the letter which I wrote to them; but I am fearful simply of the discord, by which many who would like to see it remedied, and are innocent, might perish. I do not know what account can be given for this before God. Oh, that those who are found guilty in this matter might fall down, with weeping before God, and repent of their sins! I am also concerned about the’ lower country, and should like to see them helped, and put under good order, for I find them still wanting in many things; yet I sincerely love them, but I should like to see them yet put off much of their pride, and that they would consider what kind of people they ought to be, and to what they are called, so as to govern themselves accordingly, and that. the. elders do not stay at home when meeting is held. I do not say that it can be remedied right away. Do you also heartily receive it? O my dear brethren, be little and low, in your own eyes, and be not self complacent, so as to think: I have done this, and the like. It is nothing; the Lord, and He alone, does all things, and this by man. Hence, give Him alone the praise. And let no one esteem himself better than others; yea, let each esteem other better than themselves. And let all submit one to another, and in lowliness of mind let each serve the other. Phil. 2:3; Eph. 5:21. .And I desire of all brethren and sisters, that they beware of all,those who leave the church. And if you can tell L: to advise with himself in the time of grace; for how shall he be able to give an account in the day of judgment? For his own conscience, if he properly considers the matter, will accuse him. O L., O L., come back; for you are not in the best way. O my brethren, how much I had to suffer on account of the many factions! Hence beware of divisions. Seek peace, if you can, and ensue it. I Pet. 3:11.

O my dear brethren, what liars I have had before me! Cassander, a man little and feeble of body, who led astray Joachim Suycherbacker, visited me, and laid many. little snares, to take captive my mind. He read to me a book printed in Latin, which stated that infant baptism was considered a clear commandment and a unanimous practice throughout the whole world, no one gainsaying it, and he declared, though not with power of divine Scripture, that they had received it from the apostles; and when I denied this with the New Testament, they asked me, how, if I denied and did not believe this, I could believe that the New Testa[1]ment was true; for, said he, we had the latter from them, who recognized infant baptism as right; and that there had been many other writings that were also called apostolical, but were nevertheless not acknowledged as authentic, but rejected by them, but that they testified that all teachers confessed that this (namely, the New Testament,) was the true apostolical doctrine, as also their baptism. They wanted to know, how, if we meant to reject one, we would maintain the other; for, said they, you must believe it from them, else you could not know it. Thus, also with baptism; and he further said that if we were right, it would follow from it, that there was no church for 1,500 years.

Of this nearly all treated who conversed with me: for many and various persons visited me. There was there one who, as they said, had just come from Egypt; him they also brought to me, and he claimed that in Egypt they had received infant baptism from the eunuch who was baptized by Philip, and that he knew of no other baptism; but that if an adult person that had not been baptized desired baptism, the faith should first be presented to such an one. This, they said, had always been the sole practice there, and that if any one opposed it, they said to him: ” We have this practice from the apostles.” But I denied it all with the New Testament, and said, that whatever agreed with the same, I would gladly accept, and believe by the help of God; and nothing else. Then I had to hear again, that the New Testament had been handed down to us by the teachers; otherwise, if we did not have it from them, we could not tell whether it were true or false. This they said many times. I replied to them: It did not avail the King of Assyria anything, that God used him for the conversion of his people, since he did not become converted himself. Isaiah 10:5. Thus also it did not help Pharaoh, in his wickedness, that the power of God was made known and manifest to him. Thus, also, Caiaphas was not benefitted by his prophecy concerning Christ (though the same was true), because he himself was not ebedient to the doctrine of Christ. With this I gave God alone the praise, saying that we had His Word from Him. Thereupon they began to seek to move me by many entreaties and solicitations; but when they could accomplish nothing thereby, they commenced to threaten me severely; and when they perceived that all this was of no avail, but only labor lost, they tortured me and our Brother Herman, which happened on the 17th of July. But thanks be to the good God who does not forsake His own, but, in time of suffering and affliction, comforts them at the right time He kept our lips, so that they did not obtain one word (according to their will) from us, concerning what they asked us. Herman, however, was soon released. The chief reason why we were tortured, was, that we should tell how many teachers there were, what their names were, where they lived, where in the city I had taught, how many I had baptized, where the ministry was imposed upon me, and what teachers were present upon that occasion; and that I should acknowledge the magistrates as Christians, and infant baptism as right. Then I pressed my lips together, committed it to God, and suffered patiently, remembering the words of the Lord, where fie says: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 1 5:13, 14. I also remembered that John says that we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren, I John 3:16. It seems as though I must suffer much yet; however, the Lord alone holds it in His hand; nor can I pray otherwise than that the will of the Lord be done.

O my brethren, knowledge or talk is of no account here, but a living faith which is ad[1]orned with the power of love, patience, hope, and with obedience, and that through the power of faith one can say with the three men Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, (O antichrist) that we will not serve thy god, nor worship the image, or the two golden calves which thou hast set up.,Dan. 3:16-18. And that, if they should attempt to instruct one with high sounding words of human wisdom, yea, with soft words and entreaties (Col. 2:4, 8), we could say through the power of .faith: “Begone, I want none of your advice: and should then keep his lips sealed. But if one enters into more discussion with them than necessity requires, he will not escape un[1]harmed. Hence I wish that all prisoners were instructed in this matter.”

Few days pass that we do not talk together; yet, I observed as much brevity as possible in confessing and speaking, though frequent three or four hours were spent in this manner. ~ warn all prisoners, whenever you can, that they refuse everything; and remember us day and night, by praying to God. Thus we are also minded toward you, and I desire that you greet all believers much with the kiss of love, in our name.

Oh, how all believers lie at my heart, so that I very seldom forget them; yea, I remember them with earnest prayers and requests (as much as is possible to me through the grace of God) before the Lord. I cannot write you much, for writing is more precious than gold with me. Do not write us; as to the reason why, ponder it yourselves. The God of Israel keep you and us. Amen.

Matthias Servaes, your brother and prisoner of the Lord for the truth’s sake. As regards the children the bringing up of whom devolves upon the church, I adhere to the opinion you have heard of me. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with,us all. Amen.

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Section 335.

THE SECOND LETTER WHICH MATTHIAS SERVAES, OF KOTTENEM WROTE IN PRISON TO HIS BROTHER

The saving grace of God be with us all. Amen. I desire that as soon as possible a Dutch Testament be procured for my wife (who then was not imprisoned), for she cannot read the German print.

Further, my dear brother, I inform you that I am. alone now, but the Lord is with me. It seems evident to me, that I shall have little opportunity of seeing our brethren that are also imprisoned, and it is quite probable that for the first my condition shall not be the best. Hence I know not how to thank God enough, and though I should like to be with my brethren, yet I prefer it much more as it is; for since it pleases God thus, I also deem it the best and most conducive to my salvation. And though it grieves me not a little, yet I do not count it pain, because the Lord has so ordered it with me. The following Thursday, the same morning that they brought me, at a very early hour, from the Franken tower, to our prison, our brethren were also to be tortured, for the tapers and candlesticks stood near the rack, and everything was ready; but when they brought me there, they began to talk with me, and to question me; and before they had done questioning me, and I had confessed my faith and office before many of them, and, in turn, had also put many questions to them, to which I was impelled by certain reasons, half the day had slipped by, and after long and much talking, when they could not answer me any further (for which I gave the praise to God alone, and not to me), one of them (he who had chiefly done the questioning and talking) said to me that baptism was our greatest error. Thereupon I replied: “If that is our greatest error, and you therefore apprehend and rack us, why do you not first place the abominable errors and ungodly life of the priests by the side of ours, and then judge one against the other, without respect of persons, as before the eyes and the judgment of God; and, whichever error then be found the greater, visit summary punishment upon it (if you have any for it).” But he did not deign me a reply.

When I perceived this, I said: “We are nevertheless also human beings, and you no more; nor can I, from fear of God, esteem you more than men. Hence, consider fhe matter well, and do not deal so cruelly and tyrannically with us; for the Lord will visit and punish all vi[1]olence, and He is the judge over all this. Amos 5:12. Remember also, that in due time you will have to let us stand by the side of you, when the Lord will judge you and us together; for, as the Scripture says, we shall all stand before the judgment.seat of Christ; and there everyone shall receive in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Rom. 14:10; II Cor. 5:16. Yes, then your judgment will appear again, and be sifted there by the Lord. And I desire of you, my dear sir, that you do not take this as an insolent answer or threat, but accept it as a warning; for as such I say it to you, because I wish you eternal rest, as well as I wish it to my own soul. Therefore lay it well to heart, and take good heed how you deal with us.” Here it rested, and thus our brethren were for this time exempted from torture, and I put in their stead. They led me to the rack (where I still lie) and wanted to torture me simply because I would not tell where I had been with Henry last, .and how many teachers there were, and where they lived. When they had asked me this many times, I wanted to know of them the reason, why they were so anxious to know it; whereupon the count replied to me: “If we were to tell you this, you would probably answer that you did not want to betray any one.” Then I said

“You answer yourself;” after which I spoke several times with him yet. As they persisted in demanding to know this, and the sole object was treachery, I determined to give the matter into their hands before proceeding to confess; hence I told them to retire into their own hearts and confess the truth, as before God in heaven, and then to say whether they would or dared advise me this. In this manner T asked them several times, but received no answer; and thus they desisted and turned away from me, and said among themselves: “The matter were well enough, if it would not finally give rise to an insurrection.”

I commend you all to God. I have not the time, for the present, to write you more. Re[1]member us always before the Lord. Amen.

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Section 336.

MATTHIAS SERVAES, of Kottenem.
THE THIRD LETTER OF MATTHIAS SERVAES,
WRITTEN TO J. N.

Peace and joy in the heart, through the operation of the Holy Ghost, be multiplied unto you, and unto all believers that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. Yea, also unto those who are willing to recognize God as the supreme good, and desire, solely from love, as an obedient child his father, to serve and follow Him with a true and firm confidence, through faith in Jesus Christ, steadfastly and immovably unto the end. Amen.

Dear brethren, we have received the breakfast you sent us, thanks to God for it. I send you in return a little out of my poverty; receive it also with thanks, and communicate it to our other fellow members, wherever it is profitable for edification and improvement, wherever it is needful, wherever it is edifying for the hearers. Whenever you compose, write or speak anything, do all to the praise of the Lord, and compose it for a hymn of thanksgiving, through Christ, to the God of heaven, that He has given His people such a faith, which is not dead, but works by love, so that they have forsaken and hated everything, and out of love (such as a child owes to his father), adhered faithfully to their God even unto death. But leave out the count and everything else, as much as possible; for he says that he has been villified in the hymn of Thomas the printer which was certainly not the intention, though it is taken thus. He says that though he meant it well, he was reprehended for it by many. Therefore, my brother, whatever you do in word and in deed, do all to the praise of the Lord, and give thanks to God the Father through Him.

Furthermore, my dear brother, I inform you, that Henry Altruyscher, who resides in the Egelstein, and generally retails red wine there, has been here to see me. He entered into conversation with me, and wanted to know whence I had my office or ministry. But I recog[1]nized him, and wanted him to tell me his name. He said he did not know that. But I asked further, and said: “Do not people call you Henry?” He said several times that he did not know: Then I told him to go away and repent, since I did not want to talk with him. The count was displeased, and incensed at me, and determined to persuade me to engage in conversation with Altruyscher; but I said: “No; I will not do it.”

I wanted to inform you of this very briefly, my dear brother; for I have not time to write much; besides, I am closely watched. And I desire that you walk steadfastly in the fear of God, with all humility, meekness, kindness, and goodness. And do not please yourself; but much rather endeavor to please your neighbor for his good to edification; and tell this also to the others. Herewith I commend you to the grace of God. Remember us in your prayers before the Lord, as also we, through the grace of God, are purposed to do for you and all men, as much as the Word of the Lord teaches us. But the God of peace and of all grace, who has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, make us perfect in every good work, to do His eternal, immovable will, and cause that our works may be pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Yea, may the same also confirm, strengthen, stablish, and prepare us who are ready here to suffer, through Him, reproach for His name’s sake, if this is to be. To Him be honor and might forever. Amen. Otherwise, we are still well in body and soul. We are in good hopes that we shall help fulfill the number of those that lie under the altar, and shall rest with them, and wait for the glorious reward of all the pious. Greet the brotherhood in Christ Jesus, in my name. The grace of God be with us all. Amen.

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Section 337.

MATTHIAS SERVAES, of Kottenem.
THE FOURTH LETTER, WHICH MATTHIAS SERVAES
WROTE FROM PRISON TO ALL BRETHREN AND
SISTERS IN GENERAL

The grace of God that bringeth salvation, and the peace of Jesus Christ; be multiplied unto all believers that are scattered here and there, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, sanctified and justified through faith in Jesus Christ His dear Son, and washed in His own blood from all our sins, in order that we should henceforth be holy and without blame before Him in love, to His praise and honor, now and forever. Amen.

O my most affectionately beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, we ought justly to thank God the Father without ceasing day and night, through Jesus Christ His Son, for our salvation, yea, for the fatherly grace He has shown us, and has foreseen and ordained us from the beginning, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, which latter He did not forget to show us. Though for a time we regarded Him but little, yet He, according to His goodness (as He alone is good) did not forget us. Yea, when we were dead through infirmities and sins, He called us to life; and this not according to our works (for these were evil), but according to His great mercy he saved us; and while we were sinners, He reconciled us by the death of His Beloved. And though we have set at naught and disregarded all this, He notwithstanding, at the end of the world, yea in these evil days and deplorable times, now that wickedness is at its height, has mani[1]fested His longsufÂ£ering toward us, and not desired our death (nor that of any sinner), but that we should be converted, and live, and commit the keeping of our souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator and Shepherd. Hence it behooves us, dear brethren and sisters, that we attend in the fear of God to the calling wherein we are called; for we are called with a holy calling; mark, to what: not to uncleanness, not to lasciviousness, not to fornication, not to gluttony, not to carousing, not to pomp and pride, that one should please himself, or put on a pleasing appearance before others, in order thereby to seek praise with men, which praise is not of God, but contrary to God;’ for all the above mentioned points, if we practice them, shut us out from the kingdom of God. Neither are we called to covet[1]ousness, which is idolatry, that we should lay up treasures for ourselves, and seek riches, that we should prepare an earthly, present kingdom, or to trust in uncertain riches, and thus be conformed to the world. Mark, he says: to the world. But whom does the world serve? Who is its lord? Who is its prince? What does Christ say on this subject? He calls the devil the prince of this world. What is it like, with all its glory, the iust of the eyes, and its pride? It is like the grass with its beautiful flowers, which today is pleasant, green and glorious to behold; but in the morning, yea, also in the evening, all its beauty and all its glory are van[1]ished. Thus it is also with all the comeliness of man; but few know themselves. I speak not only of those that are without, but include also ourselves. For who is there that, if riches come to him, does not to some extent set his heart upon them? Or who does sincerely pray with King Solomon: “Lord, give me neither riches nor poverty; but give me only that which I need.” Prov. 30:8. Oh, consider it well, all you who profess to be Christians, and give dili[1]gence to walk with a pure conscience in the truth before God, that in the melting furnace (if you should get into it yet) you will have no regrets to cause you to prove dross, or to look back. For, my dear brethren, in this trial a dead faith is of no account, however glorious the same may seem in the eyes of men, and with however many Scriptures it may be clearly demonstrated, and professed with the mouth; much less will it avail before a strict God and His righteous judgment; for whatever is to stand here and there must be genuine; yea, it must be done through a living faith which works by love. And such a faith is not in him who does not firmly grasp God, and believe and confess that heaven and earth, and all creatures, the sea and all that therein is, owe to Him praise and blessing, thanks and honor (to Him alone, and to none else, I say, it is due).; and who does not write it in his heart and inmost thoughts, and learns to know himself, that he is preeminently created and made exalted and glorious, namely in the image of God and after His likeness, a possessor and ruler of the things that in this world are created for Him; yea, adorned and endowed with reason and knowledge, to discern between good and evil, and to know Him who is the Creator of all things, and who has given us our free will, whereby we present ourselves to Him, not by constraint, as other creatures, but in voluntary surrender, and from pure, filial love, thus: “Lord, here am I; what wilt thou have me to do? For I acknowledge that I owe it to serve Thee, and to do only Thy will, with all my ability, yea with all my strength, so that I am to withhold nothing in this earth, whatever it be, not even my life, nor to refuse in my thoughts to pay Thee the willing debt of obedience, which I owe to Thee, and am to give Thee, not because I expect a reward from Thee, but only that I show thereby that I love Thee; so that we learn to hate all visible things for the Lover’s sake, that we may love Him alone above all, and may also be loved by Him.”

I write this, my brethren and sisters, in order that we may learn to know God, and why He created man, yea, what He requires of him that he shall do and not do, and why we are to show Him love and obedience; so that we may not seek righteousness or salvation from our works, from what we do or not do; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified before the Lord, as Paul says. Gal. 2:16. Nor shall we be able to pay what we owe; but we hope to be justified and saved only through the grace of God, through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 15:11. . Hence let everyone take heed that (as said above) he so love God, that he obey Him only from such love, without hoping for a reward for any works or merits of his own; but let him commit everything to Him, so that He may give us what He will, and do with us what is well pleasing to Him. If we are thus resigned in everything, we shall not miss it, and our hope will not be vain, but sure. But if this (as said) be not found thus with us, though we speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have a faith so that we could remove mountains, and bestow all our goods upon the poor, and give our bodies to be burnt, what is it all if it is a work of constraint, and not a voluntary work of love?

Therefore wake up, all you that have to be driven to piety like horses and mules, that must be driven and beaten to the field. As soon as driving and beating is left off, there is no more work. Oh, the unfaithful Christians and slothful servants, who have in their faith no more force to work than that if they are told: “Do this and leave undone that;” they are im[1]pelled to take a few steps forward. I say, alas! for such poor Christians, that do not drive themselves! Hence let also those ‘take good heed who show liberality or minister of their substance, that the Pharisaical trumpet of boasting be not blown or heard before them; for if any showeth mercy, let him do it with cheerfulness and gladness; and if any giveth, let him do it with simplicity (Rom. 12:8) without seeking any glory, for it is a work which we are in duty bound to show to our neighbor out of love. Therefore, all our works are to be done in love, that we may not show such ministration through hope of reward, but from sincere love and mercy. For it is not man’s but the Lord’s. I Cor. 10:26. Hence I believe that if righteousness came by our works, then Christ would have died in vain; but God forbid. Gal. 2:21. Therefore let also every one that receives such benefactions, take heed, for Christ says: “Ye gave me meat, ye gave me drink, ye clothed me, ye took me in.” Matt. 25:35. Hence if we give food or drink to Christ, they who receive such benefaction must be ingrafted members of Christ. And if one receives the ministration who is none of His, how will he be able to answer for it when he is placed before Him?

Hence, you that receive the alms dispose of them in the fear of the Lord, that you may be able to stand before God; for there account and answer must be rendered for everything. And watch diligently over the poor, and over the forsaken widows and orphans, and let them have a place in your heart, as your own children.

Remember the words of Sirach where he says: “Be as a father unto the fatherless, and instead of a husband unto their mother: so shalt thou be as a son _of the Most High, and he shall love thee more than thy mother doth.” Sir. 4:10. Beware also with all diligence that no discriminating may be found to exist among you, in the matter of bringing up, and of showing love; for herein some err greatly so that it is not a service of love, but of constraint; which is not pleasing to God.

And I desire of the widows, that they be quiet and attend to their business, and not think that they are more than others. No, that is neither the meaning nor intention of Paul (I Tim. 5:3), but this is what is meant. “That they should be watched over, and counsel and instruction given them, if they need such, and that they should also follow brotherly advice, and beware of unprofitable conversation, of wantonness, and of the lust of the flesh; also of slothfulness, and going about from house to house, for this, first of all, ought not to be, and she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, will also beware of it; and she trusteth in God alone, and con[1]tinueth in supplications and prayers to God day and .night; but she that liveth in pleasure is dead while,she liveth.”

I also sincerely desire of all believing brethren that have wives (over whom they are placed as the head, even as Christ is the Head of His church), that you watch over them; and diligently attend to your office, so that you may rule your house, and your wives, even as Christ His church.

Thus also, you wives, watch with all carefulness, and attend with discreet prudence to youri office,;into which you are placed by the.Lord; =that you be obedient unto your husbands as unto the Lord, so that you may be able to stand, before the righteous God; and, bring up your children in such a manner that you can account for it before God; and beware of being too indulgent towards them, lest you. incur the same punishment before the Lord as did Eli, who also was too indulgent towards his sons. Ephesians 5:22; Sir. 7:23, 24.

Likewise you children, obey’ your parents in the fear of God with all humility; and do not set yourselves against them, lest you incur the wrath and displeasure of God, like the sons of Eli, like Absalom, Esau, and others like them.

In like manner, I also desire of all manservants and maidservants that you be obedient in all things to your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, and in the fear of God; and remember that you are serving the Lord and not men, for of the Lord you shall receive the just reward. Eph. 6:5-8.

Thus also, you masters, forbear your, threatening, and do to your servants whatever is right and equitable, and know that you also have a Master in heaven with whom there is no respect of persons. Eph. 6:9. Consider if you were servants as you then would have your masters do unto you, even so do now to them. Matt. 7:12. But finally, dear brethren, order your lives and strive to walk only so that it will be conformable to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. And since we are to be a chosen generation, and a holy nation, acceptable to the Lord as His peculiar people (I Pet. 2:9), that we should walk. before Him as lights, and should also be a light unto the world; therefore it is necessary for us to give diligence that we may in every respect be found holy and blameless before Him, so that we may see the city of God exalted above all the mountains of unrighteousness that are seen in righteousness, and that it may in no wise be hid: Hence, let also become manifest now the holy radiahce of the divine brightness, before all that are still walking in darkness and show yourselves to all men a pattern of good works, and do not suffer the gift given you by God to remain idle or unemployed but put it out upon usury with the greatest diligence; for the Lord, from whom you have received it, will, at His coming, require it back from you with gain and usury. Matt. 25:14. O my brethren, and all fellow members in Christ, watch diligently, and have your ears open to learn when something may be gained, and grudge not to toil and labor for it,, for you will also partake of the gain, yea, you will as faithful servants, be adjudged to eternal joy. But a servant should nevertheless be prudent, that he do not carelessly invest his Lord’s money, but with all prudence, yea, with fear and trembling, and he should always before he invests it, consider and calculate whether it may bring gain or loss, lest the Lord’s money be eventually lost through carelessness. And since the Lord will require His own with usury, how could we account to the Lord, if we did not have the sum received, nor were able to produce it.

O my dear brethren, let it become manifest who dwells in you (Rom. 8:9); let love and your faith become manifest before all men, and love one another, with ‘a pure heart as members of one body, of which Christ is the Head. And forgive one another, if any one have a complaint against any; and even as God; in Christ forgave you, so also do you. Col: 3:13. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Gal. 6:2. And be not pleased with yourselves. Let each esteem other better than themselves. Phil. 2:3. Diligently beware of frivolity. And all young brethren and sisters I would faithfully warn against wanton scoffing and mocking; spiteful words and foolish babblings, which are not becoming.

And you older ones, lay this to heart, too, and let neither m your words nor in your works any hypocrisy be found, for I have perceived that some are very subtle or cunning of speech, which I cannot praise, nor have I praised it; for if we are to be simple, we certainly must lay aside craftiness, for, mark, whatsoever is more than yea and nay cometh of. evil. Matt. 5:37. However, hereby is not meant that we should not say more than yea and nay, but that we should end and confirm our words, without anger or dissimulation simply with yea and nay, and thus use moderation, and cut off all excess; that is, we should deal with the simple truth. If one, when asked in regard to something, does not reply with reference to this, but to something else, and then says that he did not err, since what he replied was true, such action is not noble, my brethren. It also happens, now and then that when one has erred in some matter and is then reprimanded for it; lie gives a reason, but which, in fact, is not the reason, doing this to cover himself, and to prevent the error from coming to the light. This is the nature and disposition of the old Adam (which ought justly not to obtain with Christians regenerated by the word of truth), that he would always cover his nakedness with fig leaves; for when he was addressed by the Lord on account of his transgression, a reason immediately presented itself by which he thought to cover himself; namely, “the woman whom thou gavest me,” he said, “gave it me, and I did eat.” Gen. 3:12. And, likewise, when Eve was addressed, she laid it to the serpent. But if they had wanted to plainly tell the fundamental cause of their transgression, it would have been “Our curiosity and pride brought us to it, namely we desired to have our eyes opened; to be wise, to know good and evil, to be like God; in short, we saw that the tree was good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, hence we allowed ourselves to be persuaded, and did eat of it.” Had they thus answered the Lord, it would have been a true answer. The an[1]swerwhich they gave was true; but it was not yet the true kernel or fundamental cause of their fall and transgression. But in order that you may thoroughly comprehend the true sense and meaning of what we have written here, we will present to you a single comparison by way of example. Suppose a believing husband had an unbelieving wife, who should give birth to a living child; and the husband would fain retain the friendship of his neighbors and the world, and remain in possession of his house and home, and yet wished also to be at peace with Christ and His people (though. this, according to the Word of God, is im[1]possible, for no one;. as Christ says, can serve two contrary masters at the same time). Hence he should say to his wife that he did not intend to consent that the abomination of antichrist, (you understand what I mean), should be applied to the child. And though. he could change it, and persuade his wife to obey im in the matter, yet he should allow it to be done without himself taking any notice of it, thinking with himself: “If she does it, I can notwithstanding remain at ease, and in the enjoyment of my possessions: and shall not be persecuted by the world, and if the brethren take me to task for it, I can say that it was done without my consent by my wife.” See, my brethren, this would certainly not be a true, simple answer, as you may judge for yourselves. Many other like Oxamples and comparisons might be adduced; however, for the sake of brevity 1 will forbear for the present. I desire that you will yourselves meditate more deeply on this, than I have shown you here; and be warned hereby to beware of such dissimulation. For though a man cover himself before his fellows (with such fig leaves, made by him into an apron), so that his nakedness is not seen, yet God beholds his reins and can search the heart, and He knows the thoughts and intents of all men, and will also judge all works and purposes; also, all secrets and hidden things, whether they do good or evil. Therefore give diligence that in all your words and works, in all your walk and conversation, you practice simple sincerity, as becomes the children of God, and our calling demands. And if any among you be overtaken by a fall, let him confess it simply and truly, without dissimulation, just as it is, and let him not be ashamed to confess it, since he was not ashamed to commit it; else it might be to his sorrow. He that covereth his sins, it is written, shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Prov. 28:13. T have told you before, and tell you again, that before men one can sometimes justify himself with a fair pretense, and cover himself with an apron of fig leaves; but whether it shall stand the test when brought to the touchstone, each may see for himself.

This ought to be well considered by those whose daily business is that of trading, whom I would rather see engaged in some honest kind of labor, than in trafficking, and this not without reason. For as a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones, so doth sin stick close between buying and selling, as Sirach says. Unless you hold yourself diligently in the fear of God, your house shall soon be overthrown. Sir. 27:2, 3. And in whatever I may in all these things have erred, or grieved any one, I am sorry for it from the bottom of my heart. But thanks be to God in heaven, who has given me poor weak servant an unwounded or uncondemned conscience (of which I acknowledge myself unworthy); for I never had greater joy on earth as long as I can remember, than I now have. May the Lord preserve me from speaking boastingly; however, I have no doubt that He, whose unworthy servant I have been in my weakness, will not suffer me to be confounded. I have heartily desired, and so still heartily desire it, if I, of God, should be counted worthy, I might be led through the whole city of Cologne, and scourged with rods, and then cast back in prison. Not that I seek any merit by it, Oh no, but that what the Lord has put into me might become known and manifest before all men, to His praise, and not to mine. However, the will of the Lord be done; nor do I wish anything else, the Lord knows, cost what it may. And I desire from the bottom of my heart, yea, command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep that which God has entrusted to you, for it is the truth; this I testify before God and man. No matter who shall approach you, do not listen to them. Let the Hutterites* slander as much as they please. God keep me from them, namely from the doings of their teachers. I am free in my heart on their account, in regard to all the dealings I have had with them. And if they say that I dared not renounce because of the people (as I understand that they have said concerning our brother Thomas), I reply, “No;” for I know no man on this earth, so dear to me that without the faith I would lay down my life for him. But thanks to the Lord I have found this in me, and do still find it strongly in me, that I will much rather lay down my life for my brethren, than bring into trouble or reveal any one, in order thus to save my life; this I say, God knows, from faith, and not in a spirit of boasting. But as many among them as please God, whether I have seen them or not, these, as also others, I do not judge, for they stand to the Lord. Rom. 14:4.

* Or Moravians.

I likewise tell you to leave the others be where they are except they sincerely come back in the matter of marriage, and the other articles, and humble themselves before God, and also use a little more restraint in their lives than they now do; for pomp and pride stink before the Lord. Therefore they are also not acceptable or pleasing in my eyes. Hence put them off, for they are an abomination unto God; and let not pride and presumption have dominion either in your words or actions; for in pride has originated all destruction, as Tobit teaches his son. Hence humble yourselves from the heart under the mighty hand of God; for He giveth grace to the humble, but resisteth the proud. I Peter 5:5. As regards how it is with me, I inform you that I have entirely committed myself into the hand of the Lord. What His will is, is mine also. I know of nothing better to choose for .myself, than that I might be an acceptable offering to Him, and. might offer up my sacrifice without the gate, in the daytime (Heb. 13:12); Oh, how greatly would I thank Him. Oh my dear fellow members, out of what great sorrow the Lord has delivered me, which I carried in my heart day and night, on account of the Nederland journey: but Oh, what a faithful God! how well He knows how to deliver out of temptation, at the right time, those who can trust Him for it from the heart. I Cor. 10:13; II Peter 2:9.

.It often occurred to me that I should not get away that the Lord should order it other[1]wise; as my dear wife and sister in the Lord well knows, for I often conversed with her about it, the Lord be thanked forevermore. I took leave from all the churches, and heartily asked every one among them to forgive me if I had grieved them. I did the same towards them, and then went away. Brit a far better journey was in store for me, on which I now ,am, the Lord be praised for it, for I am in good ,hope that, through the grace of God, it will tend to my great advantage. Oh, my brethren, my heart ,is full of joy, yea, it is running over with it. It seems to me, for very joy, that I see the heavens opened. Oh, that I might by writing (since I am prevented from conversing with you), pour out my heart to you and refresh it. My ink is almost exhausted. As it is with me, so it is also with Joosken. and Herman, my dear fellow prisoners and brethren. We wait for our God, and greet you all with a holy kiss. And the salutation with mine own hand is this: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be .with all believers in Christ unto the end. Amen.” I Cor. 16:26, etc.

Care for my young orphan children, as also all other orphans, as you would for myself; bring them up with reproof and correction, to piety; teach them to read, and when the time has come, keep them at work. Get Aelken cured, if you can; bequeath to him the three pieces of money, the silver piece and the two others; also a Testament ,to each; this shall be their inheritance from their father.

I likewise commend to you my wife, as long as she fears God, as I hope that she will do unto the end, if she gets out. The Lord own what I have told you, and what I have sought concerning all believers, not riches or treasures on this earth, but the salvation of men’s souls. And I desire that you firmly keep together, with teaching, admonishing and reproving. And follow your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls. Heb. 13:17. And you ministers, show yourselves a pattern of good works to all believers, not in semblance only, but in sincerity. Read how Paul admonishes Timothy and Titus; be you also admonished by it. May the Lord give you understanding. Amen.

Dear brethren, concerning our examination and hearing, I wrote to you previously very briefly, as you know. But if I am to write to you, one by one all the questions they put to me, and the answers I gave them, I should require much ink, paper and time; especially, for what was spoken during the day between me and the count, in a friendly manner and also with sharpness; for it is very much. Yet, if we were where the count wishes us, we would be re[1]leased. His conscience is not easy, but accuses him. May the Lord put true repentance into his heart, and give it a clear sight, to know the will of God, and to discern light from darkness, and that he, in consequence thereof, may hate and utterly forsake darkness and love the true light, and adhere to it with his whole heart, so that he may also, in that clay, with the true children of the light, receive his part from the hand of the Lord. This I wish him and all our enemies and opponents, from God (as much as possible) from the bottom of my heart. Otherwise, it goes still well with us in every respect, in body and soul. We hope to help fulfill the number of the righteous, and to rest with our fathers, and to wait for the glorious reward of all the righteous. .I greet all the believers with a holy kiss. Greet one an[1]other with a kiss of love. And do not forget us, nor any of the prisoners; but persevere in strong prayer for us to God, for this is highly necessary. For, it seems to me, it was an easy matter to be imprisoned in the time of our brother Thomas; for the subtlety of men increases every day. Hence, pray diligently for us; we trust also not to forget you; the Lord be with us all. Amen.

By me, MATTHIAS SERVAES,

Your weak brother, and unworthy minister and prisoner of Jesus Christ, whom I serve in the Gospel in my bonds. I hope that my dissolution is near at hand.

I desire of you, J. N. B., that you properly transcribe this, and see that my wife (who is also imprisoned) gets a copy of it. If it pleases you, it may also be read before the brethren; but if you do not deem it expedient, or promotive of the glory of God, then dispense with it, for I do not in the least seek my own glory by it, but the praise of the Lord and the consol[1]ation and joy of believers. My mother I greet in particular, and desire that she serve the Lord without guile; the same I desire of my brother John and my sisters. Written and read with many tears; and this from the heart. You know my brethren, that I did not lightly take up my ministry, but with many tears; in like manner I now resign it. Then I wept for sorrow; but now I weep for heartfelt joy. With tears I received the ministry from you (I believe, also from God); but with many tears of great joy I surrender it back to the Lord (if it pleases Him) and to you. May the Lord manifoldly fill my place with faithful servants. Amen.

Oh, how my heart is in yours. Show a fatherly heart to all, with all humility; and whether it go well or ill with you, ascribe the praise to the Lord, for He causes and does everything, and not we. And do not, under any circumstances, forsake the people in the Nederland; reprove them sharply for pride’; this is my desire. H. and F. and all, keep well that which is committed to your trust, and do not forget it. Greet T. W., my dear brother, whom I love from the heart. Concern yourselves in a godly spirit in the affairs of the Upper Country; prevent divisions among the people wherever you can. This is written to all those who desire that I should write to them, for I cannot write to each individually. I do not seek any glory therein. The grace of God be with us all. Amen. Given the 9th day of July, 1565.

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Section 338.

THE FIFTH LETTER WHICH MATTHIAS SERVAES WROTE FROM PRISON, TO HIS MOTHER, HIS BROTHER JOHN, HIS BROTHER IN LAW LEONHARD, AND HIS TWO SISTERS

Grace and peace from God the Father, and the prompting of the Holy Ghost to all righteousness, I wish unto you all, my beloved, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Further, I inform you, dear mother, and brother John, and Frances and Barbara, my dear sisters, that according to the flesh it is very well with me (excepting these bonds which I nevertheless also deem good); and according to the soul it is still much better. Praise and thanks for it be to the eternal God, who has ordered it so well with me, unworthy, weak servant; for it had already been determined (as you.yourselves partly know) that I was to leave you; but of this journey, on which I now am, we all knew nothing. This was the journey which I was to take. I have now proceeded on it a little way, and am (thanks to the Lord), not yet worthy of it, though I have hitherto traveled a very dangerous and painful way, and it has cost me many a drop of sweat. I also well know that the delicate children of the Lord must go rough ways, and though I have suffered, and still daily suffer much, from robbers, evil workers, false brethren and deceitful, lying apostles, yet I trust that I shall not look back, but go on joyfully by the help and succor of God, till I come to the blessed end and inherit the beautiful city. Baruch 4:26; II Corinthians 11:26; Rev. 2:2. But He who sent a guide with Tobias, preserved the prophet Daniel in the den of lions, and deprived the fire of its power, so that it could not harm the three men in the fiery furnace, the same, and no other, has also mightily preserved me hitherto, and I feel confident that He will also safely keep me unto the end. Amen.

Hence, my dear mother, and John my brother, and my two sisters, it is my multiplied entreaty and fatherly and brotherly exhortation, that you steadfastly walk in piety before God; for it will avail nothing to cry: “Lord, Lord,” if we do not diligently perform what He has commanded. Therefore put your own wisdom and your pride far from you, and beware of sudden anger and violent passions; for they produce no good, but pollute the mind, and defile prayer; and let each take heed that his conscience be not sullied with deceitful, mali[1]cious, and perverse thoughts; for they separate from God. And I desire of you, my dear mother, who are very dear to my heart, that you be content with humble fare, and not allow evil thoughts to come into your heart; but thank God for everything, and remember that at Kottenem you often did not have enough to eat. And if you now were still there, and held all the property still in your possession, and had to run and go day and night, laboring and toiling, you would scarce get a living from it. Receive this in good part, my dear mother, for it is all done for your good, that you may keep a pure heart, free from evil thoughts, and thus see God, and be saved. Matt. 5:8. Thus I also desire of you all, that whatever you do, you do voluntarily, without murmurings and disputings, that no one may accuse you. I Cor. 10:10; Phil. 2:14, 15. I had set apart three Kcenigs Thaler,* as a lesson for you brother John, for your and my mother. If you do not already have them, I think you will get. them yet. Keep Barbara at work, and admonish her to fear God from the heart; and this I desire of you all, for there is no one among you with whom I have had more trouble and anxiety: I wish my brother in law the highest good from God. Finally, I desire of you, my dear mother. that you do not complain, or grieve too much, on account of my bonds and imprisonment; but thank the Lord, who has kept me, that I have not come into these bonds and imprison[1]ment for evil doing, but for His name’s sake; hence neither I nor you need feel ashamed of it. Pray also diligently for me, that He would henceforth preserve me from all evil, and give me a steadfast mind, and true patience, that I may in all temptations and afflictions steadfastly adhere to His word unto the end. And take, my dear mother, for an example, the manfulness of the mother of the seven sons, of whom we read in II Macc. 7. For said mother of the seven brothers, from perfect wisdom, stirred up her womanly heart with manly thoughts, and said to her sons: “I cannot tell how ye came into my womb; for I neither gave you breath nor life, neither was it I that formed the members of every one of you; but doubtless the Creator of the world, who formed the generation of man, will also of His own mercy give you breath and life again, as ye now regard not your own selves for His law’s sake.” Behold, mother, what a manful spirit this was; hence be you also manful now, and surrender me willingly to the Lord, from whom you received me; for we are also sure that we shall receive again in that day, and keep forever, the life which we now gladly despise and lose for the name of Christ. This, my affectionate beloved mother, I wanted to present to you very briefly, so that you might be valiant and of good cheer while I am in bonds, and might also not love your life, but willingly resign it for the name of Christ, if it should come to that. And as the Lord has called you almost at the eleventh hour, and sent you into His vineyard, give all the diligence you possibly can, faithfully to do the work of the Lord for this one hour; and remember the .words of the prophet where he says: “Cursed be the servant that doeth the work of his Lord slothfully.” Jer. 48:10. Hence be faithful, and wait patiently for the evening, and you will also receive the penny, yea, the beautiful crown, and the glorious kingdom, from the hand of the Lord, together with all the children of God. But may this God, who only is wise, make us prepared unto every good work, to do His will, and grant that our works be acceptable before Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be honor and might forever and ever. Amen.

I commend you all to God; we must part here; entreat God for me, as I for you. I salute all believers.

* King’s Dollars.

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Section 339.

THE SIXTH LETTER WHICH MATTHIAS SERVAES OF
KOTTENEM WROTE FROM PRISON, TO HIS DEAR
WIFE AND SISTER IN THE LORD, WHO WAS
ALSO IMPRISONED

Grace, peace, and joy in the heart, through Christ, be with you my dearly beloved wife, whom I love from the heart, yea, as my own soul and also with all the prisoners that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Further, my dear sister in the Lord, I reply to your first remark, by which you indicate that it grieves you that I am alone. But, my dear child. I am not alone, but have the comfort of all believers (John 14:26) with me. I do not know whether I ever had greater joy on earth; for I am certain and truly assured that the Lord will not lay on me more than I can bear; for I do not wish to be freed from suffering (if it be the will of the Lord that I suffer); but may His holy will be done. Hence, my dear child, dismiss this grief from your mind, this I desire. In the second place, you lament your disobedience, that you have not been much more obedient to me; thus I also deplore it from the heart before my God, that I have not been more diligent than I have hitherto been; hence we have no cause for boasting, but much rather for lamenting, for I say with Solomon: “Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” Prov. 20:9. And with this agree also the words of Esdras, where he says: “Let not the sinner say that he hath not sinned: for God shall burn coals of fire upon his head, which saith before the Lord God and his glory, I have not sinned. II Esd. 16:53. On this wise, also the apostle John speaks in his first epistle (1:8), saying: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Therefore, dear wife, we may well lament, and pray with David: “O Lord, enter not into judgment with thy servant, but according to thy loving kindness have mercy upon us, and according to the multitude of thy mercies blot out our transgressions.” Ps. 143:2; 51:1. Yea, even though we have done all that we are in duty bound to do, it behooves us nevertheless to say: “We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” Luke 17:10. Hence we are not to place ourselves by the side of them that would be saved and justified by their works; but much rather by the side of those of whom the Scripture says: “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Rom. 4:7, 8. Perhaps our appointed time upon earth will soon be spent, and the Lord wants to purify us before the end comes; or perhaps we, by reason of weakness, could not have truly known our transgression, except in this manner, in order that it may be truly repented of before we are taken hence. For one can work no truer repentance than thus in the chastisement of bonds. Of this we have a clear example in Manasseh, the King of Judah, who cared not how much the Lord warned him through the prophets; yea, all was of no avail, until he was carried to Babylon into captivity by his enemies. There he first learned to know his sins, and repented. II Chron. 33. The Lord certainly loves us, that He has called us to this place; do not doubt it, my dear wife. Heb. 12:6. Hence let us fully trust the Lord, and cast all doubt from us, lest we fall into greater sins. But if we have sinned, let us do it no more, lest something worse happen to us (John 5:14); and this is also the best repentance, namely to do it no more.

O my dear wife, be of good cheer, and cast.your sorrow or care upon the Lord, for He will care for us; despair not. Remember the kind words of the Lord, where He says: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28. For the Lord will remember us, and not forget us. Yea, He will forget us much less, than a mother will forget her child which she has borne nine months. And though a mother .forget her child, yet will He not forget us, but will preserve us as the apple of His eye. Isa. 49:15; Zech. 2:8. But that the Lord permitted our imprisonment, is all for our best, that through such chastisement we may learn true obedience; for thus we can be truly cleansed, and also truly tried, whether we love aught more than our Lord Jesus Christ. It is comparatively easy to forsake husband, wife, children, father, mother, sisters, brothers, houses, or fields, for the name of Christ; but when it comes to a man’s own person, and his life is concerned, then it is that he is truly tried and refined, for a man will give skin for skin, yea, all that he has, for his life, as is written in job. But Christ says that one must hate and forsake all this, and his own life also, and take up the cross, and follow Him. And whosoever does not do this, cannot, He says, be His disciple. Luke 14:26, 27. But we can hate or renounce ourselves in no fitter way than by fully surrendering ourselves into the hand of the Lord, so that we may say in truth: “Lord, Thy holy will be done, that is: Lord, what Thou wilt, that be done.” Behold, my dear wife, this is true renunciation.

I further desire of you and all prisoners, that each, as much as he finds himself accused in his conscience, humble himself therefore the more before his God; for the time of grace, and the day of salvation, yea, the acceptable time, is still at hand. Let us not cease knocking, until He have mercy on us and open the door far us, and give us, because of our importunity the things we need. For He is a gracious God; He forgives very willingly, and soon repents of the evil; and from those who turn to Him from the heart He will not turn away His face; but they that depart from Him, their names shall be written in the earth. Jonah 4:2; II Chron. 30:9; Jer. 17:13. Therefore, the man that asks Him for grace ought to examine himself as to whether he does it from the heart; for though man lament with the mouth, the Lord knows the heart; hence let everyone be in earnest, for if this be not the case, he cannot succeed. Judith 8. Now let it become manifest whether you truly love God, yea, whether you love Him above all.

Oh, what a great word it is which Peter utters: “That our faith’ might be found much more precious than perishable gold, which is tried,by fire.” Show now the true virtue of faith, and pay what you promised and vowed to the Lord, and allow not yourself to be turned aside either to the right or to the left, but remain in the middle of the road, and you will enter in. For he that perseveres in the way of the Lord unto the end, he, and no other, shall be saved; to this end, may the gracious God help us all, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

I have to write in great fear. O my dear wife, and you altogether, I commend you into the hand of the faithful God; may He keep you and me steadfast unto the end. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Receive one another with a holy kiss of love, and remember .me from the heart, which I trust to do with regard to you. And if we may see one another no more on this earth, may the Lord grant us grace and strength, so to acquit ourselves here that we may see one another face to face hereafter, in the eternal joy, with all the children of God. Amen.

O my dear Aeltgen, do not forget what I have often admonished you, namely, that you should firmly keep God before your eyes, and walk uprightly before Him. I mean all of.you with this letter. O Lord, uphold us. Amen.

Now be of good cheer, my dear wife and sister in the Lord, and lay aside all grief; for what man is there (as said above) that can say: I have not sinned, my heart is clean, I am pure from sin, I also might have walked more diligently before you than I have done; however, may God take from us all that is displeasing to Him in us. Amen. Be watchful, my dear sister in the Lord; for the devil seeks to disquiet men.

I have written this in Cunebert’s tower, but now we are in the count’s house, namely, I Matthias and Herman, and are in daily expectation of being offered up, with which we are heartily satisfied, if God count us worthy. Preserve this letter very carefully from the eyes of those who sharply examine us, lest others get into trouble thereby. The peace of God be with us all. Amen.

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Section 340.

THE SEVENTH LETTER OF MATTHIAS SERVAES, WRITTEN FROM PRISON TO J. N. AND HIS BRETHREN

Grace and peace be with all believers in Christ Jesus. Amen:

Know further, dear brethren and sisters, that it is still very well with us, namely, with me and Herman; for our hearts are full of joy, yea, running over with it. Time seems as short to us as it ever did. In the night we praise our God with one accord. We are now alone. Eberhard, the bishop’s chaplain, visited me again, on the Saturday after St. James’ Day, and conversed very affably with me about infant baptism and the resurrection of the dead. And the count entreated me, saying: “Dear Matthias, tell us your fundamental views concerning these articles, for I told you that your people in the other tower confessed that the dead bodies will not rise; but from you I have received no clear answer, and as you have taught them, they must have it from you.” I replied: “It is true, Sir Count, you had such a conversa[1]tion with me the last time, and I then answered to you, as also now, namely, that I call all the prisoners to witness, that I presented no further views in my doctrine (which is not mine, but Christ’s), than that the time will came when all the dead will rise from their graves, the righteous unto life, the wicked unto eternal death, and that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. But that this same flesh and blood which we now have should inherit the kingdom of God, this I did not teach, but the contrary, namely: `That flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incor[1]ruption.’ ” I Cor. 15:50.

Then Eberhard, the chaplain, said that he too did not believe that this flesh and blood should inherit the kingdom of God. I also said: “We shall be changed.” Now, he that would know how this will come to pass, and how the dead will rise, and with what bodies they will come, to him Paul says

“Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: but God giveth him a body as it hath pleased him.” (I Cor. 15:35). This, I said, is my ground, Oh, that I might become worthy to rise .with the righteous, this is my care; as to how the Lord will give me a body, this I leave to Him, and am well satisfied therewith. More than this I shall confess to neither you nor any other man. Herein, he said, we do not differ much.

I then further said: “The cry now raised against us is: This one has confessed this, and that one, that, and another one something else. My good friend, go among the people, and interrogate each individual separately concerning all the articles; what do you think, would they answer or confess to you anything certain? Certainly nothing at all, or at least but very little.” “It is true,” he replied. We had much additional conversation yet, concerning what ancient writers say on infant baptism. I rejected them all, and left them to God; but he begged me to consider it. I put the same request to him, and said: “I feel assured and confirmed in my heart, that it is the pure truth, and I want to live and die for it.” I also told them something in regard to their unclean and defective church the brothel, gambling house, fencing school, and their daily life, which they lead in an utterly heathen manner; and also concerning the injustice and violence they, by way of torture, had inflicted upon us, only because we would not be traitors; all this I told him to consider, if he were a shepherd of the sheep. He replied that he was heartily sorry for it, and the count’s. countenance fell, as it seemed. to me. They arose, and Eberhard gave me his hand, and in a very friendly manner commended me to the Lord.

Thus, it is: still very well with us, the Lord be thanked. Amen. Remember as day and night in your prayers, which we also intend to do for you. And I wish that all prisoners might be admonished and warned to decline all conversation: they are quite at liberty to refuse it. brethren, how subtilly and craftily they spread their nets, to chase my soul into them, but they shall not capture it, this I confidently hope; for in vain the net is spread in th46 sight of any bird. Prov. 1:17.

Hence, I desire of all prisoners, that they guard their lips, and bridle their tongues. While the wicked is before you, as David says (Ps. 39:1), snake not haste to speak, lest you deceive your heart; and wait with patience until Christ speaks in you, or His Spirit, according to His promise, through you. Matt. 10:20. And though you reply not to every question, you need not be ashamed of it, for He who was the wisdom of God, namely, Christ, was also not ashamed of it, as the scriptures of the Old and the New Testament sufficiently testify. And if you are asked concerning others who are still at large or in prison, as to whether they are of our number or not, or whether they are baptized or not, you may reply: “I am not im[1]prisoned here for another, but for myself; hence, I may speak for myself, and not for another.” And if they then threaten you with the torture or long imprisonment, let them threaten, let them torture; only do you firmly trust in the Lord, and they shall not be able to do more than God, who has the king’s heart in His power, will permit. Prov. 21:1. If it then be the will of the Lord, that you suffer, remember that you often said: “Lord, Thy will be done.” And, surely, if you firmly trust the Lord, the very hairs of your head are all numbered, and not one of them will fall from it without the Father’s will. Matt. 6:10; 10:30; Luke 12:7.

Therefore, fear not their threats in the least, and be not terrified; but submit to the Lord with patience and longsuffering in all that befalls you on account of the truth. Trust God; He will not forsake you even unto death. Amen.

But if I could see, my dear fellow members, that it might promote the .glory of God, and your, and their salvation, if you should answer all their questions, I would not only admonish you to wait until they ask you, but I would heartily urge you by entreaty and ad[1]monition, to tell and confess it to them of your accord, before they ask you. But how they herein seek the glory of God, and the welfare and salvation of your, yea, of their own, souls, this I will leave to the consideration and impartial judgment of every God fearing lover of the truth.

Therefore guard your lips, my beloved, as said above. I have composed a hymn, doing it not from wantonness; hence I wish that it be sung not to my honor, but to the praise of God.

Dear brethren, faithfully remember me in your prayers. I greet you all with the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ; he that loves Him not is Anathema, Maran atha. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love ‘of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with its all. Amen.

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Section 341.

THE EIGHTH LETTER OF MATTHIAS SERVAES, WRIT;TEN FROM PRISON TO AELTGEN, HIS WIFE

The grace of God be and abide with you and all fellow believers in Christ that are with you and elsewhere; together with true peace, friendly love, constant patience, and steadfast perseverance, to bear unto the end all that is laid upon us of that which is still left of the af[1]flictions of Christ. Amen.

Further, my dear wife, whom I from the very beginning of our coming together (of this I trust the Lord is my witness), have loved more according to salvation than according to the flesh, and have cared for your soul as for my own, and admonished you to that which we have now come. The Lord be praised for it forever, For, my dear sister in the Lord, you well know the grief I felt on account of the removal, and though some may perhaps have thought that I took delight in it, it is not so at all; for since that time I have often wished that, if it be for my salvation, I might through some means be relieved from it, whether it be through imprisonment or by death. But since it pleases the Lord, that we are here on earth first, through suffering, to be witnesses of His Word and name; as you, in a measure, have wished more than once, that I might through suffering be taken home to God, and I have desired that you might be apprehended with me, as has now happened; therefore let us also be patient, and thank the Lord, that He has heard us, and fulfilled our prayer, and let us not pray otherwise now than we have hitherto prayed namely, thus: “Lord, Thy will be done.” Surrender me willingly into the hand of the Lord, whom I have served; and be not troubled on my account. But if you should perhaps think that we* may meet with much suffering yet (which, however, is in the hand of the Lord), think also that if there is much suffering prepared for us, there is also much more consolation in store for us, for as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. II Corinthians 1:5. I have not time to write more, except this

“Persevere steadfastly till you are taken hence. Then, and not before, the crown of life is prepared.” This is also written to you, my dear sister Anna, and all that are with you. The salutation with mine own hand. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Greet one another with a holy kiss. Our brethren salute you all. Remember us, and be of good cheer for this is the first inheritance promised us here, which we must also possess, if we are to gain the eternal, where all tears that now flow from our eyes will be wiped away and all sorrow be turned into everlasting joy; for our affliction, which is but temporal and light, compared with that which is eternal, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, who look not at the things

which are seen but at the things that are not seen. II Corinthians 4:17, 18. Hence turn your eyes from all that is visible. Herewith I commend you all to the grace of God. Amen.

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

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Section 342.

THE NINTH LETTER OF MATTHIAS SERVAES, WRIT;TEN FROM PRISON TO F. V. H.

The saving grace of God be multiplied unto you and all the pious, through Jesus Christ; with the power of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

A. F., my greatly beloved friend* in the Lord, I cannot out of love to you forbear to inform you how gladly I would fulfill your request, but I lack many things, as for instance, paper and ink, and besides am watched as closely as gold, that I might neither receive nor send off any letters. Hence accept this brief letter in good part, for I have written it for your good. Therefore the heartfelt admonition and request I now address to you is, that you sincerely take heed to your life, and order it so that it is conformable to the Word of God, yea, to the example of Jesus Christ, and consider it diligently, as you said in conversation with me. Love God above all, and do not forsake the assembly (Hebrews 10:25) , as hitherto; for if you still love aught more than Him, you are not worthy of Him. Take good heed, my friend in the Lord; for a lip faith is of no avail, as you well know yourself; but it must be a living faith, yea, that works by love; if we are to stand here, and hereafter before God. May God Schadai (Ex. 3:14), work such a faith in you, and in all who heartily desire it. Amen. As regards how it is with me, I cannot write enough, for the Lord grants me great joy in my heart, so that I would desire of God, if it were His will, that I might be led bound through Cologne, and beaten with rods from street to street, so that His name might become manifest; and that my body might be refined on the rack, only to the praise of God, and not to mine; which has also partly occurred. The Lord be praised, Amen; the Lord who sealed my lips, and en[1]dued me with strength, which He still daily increases; and who will sustain me unto the end. Amen.

Herewith I commend you to God. Remember us as we will you. Greet them that are with you, to whom my salutation in the Lord is acceptable. By me, MATTHIAS SERVAES, of Kottenem.

* The word used in the original denotes a female friend. Trans.

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Section 343.

THE TENTH LETTER OF MATTHIAS SERVAES, WHICH HE WROTE FROM PRISON TO MAR. WEST

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you and all believers, from God the Father, through Jesus Christ; with the power of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

O my well beloved sister in the Lord, M. W., out of great love, which we have mutually felt through the knowledge of God, since we have known each other, I cannot forbear to tell you that

I often think of you, and, likewise, of all the pious; for they lie at my heart day and night. I have been informed that you think of me with much sorrow, and that you wished, if it could be, that the Lord had ordered it otherwise, for which I do not pray, nor can I wish it, since I know not how He could have ordered it better for me; for great sorrow was resting upon me, as you also well know, and the good God has thus delivered and relieved me from this load: and not only this, but I am also free from all anxiety. Not that I am weary of labor[1]ing; Oh, no, for, if I could have been profitable to the Lord, how gladly I would have served Him, and would still gladly serve Him; but I deem it better thus, for we must go hence at some time. And I trust that the Lord will fill my place with faithful servants who may be more fully endowed of Him than I am. For the Lord knows with what anxiety, fear and so[1]licitude I have served you, and esteemed myself little and unworthy before you and God, yea, so much so that I did hardly dare lift up my eyes in meeting. But by the grace of God I have been what I have been; and His grace, which was bestowed upon me was not wholly in vain among you. I Con 15:10. I also took up my ministry with many tears, as you know; but now, thanks to the Lord, it is all joy, indeed I cannot express all the joy.

O my dear sister, how sweet is the yoke of the Lord, how light is His burden upon my neck! By His help I will hold still to my God, may it cost what it will. But I desire that you and all believers entreat the Lord for us, which we also trust to do for you. I sincerely pray that His will be done. O my dear sister, walk steadfastly and quietly in piety, that you may be able to stand. Grace be with you all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. Eph. 6:24.

By me, MATTHIAS SERVAES,

Your brother in the Lord.

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Section 344.

FORTY TWO PERSONS, NAMELY, THIRTY FOUR MEN
AND EIGHT WOMEN, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE
TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, IN THE
COUNTRY OF BERNE, PRIOR TO AND
UNTIL THE YEAR A. D. 1556

As we were very desirous to know the present condition of our fellow believers in Alsace, as also, what transpired among them prior to this, with regard to the persecutions suffered, we received, through the instrumentality of a good friend of ours, H. Vlaming, at presentresiding at Amsterdam, an extract from a certain document which the elders and teachers in Alsace drew up concerning this matter, and sent hither. Translated from the Alsatian vernacular, the extract reads as follows

As regards the brethren that were executed for the faith, in the country of Berne, there were executed from the year 1528 until the year 1566, fortytwo persons, among whom were eight women. We have in our possession a brief abstract of their names, and surnames, as also, in what year and on what day each of them was executed, etc.

Thus far the extract of said letter, signed, as a whole, with the names and surnames of the elders and teachers in Alsace, which we would insert here, did we not fear that it might even at the present day tend to augment persecution against them, of which they are not entirely free, as shall be shown in the proper place.

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Section 345.

JOHN GEORGE, A. D. 1566

In the year 1566 brother John George, a Count from Italy, having lived in Germany for several years, as a refugee, who sojourned with the church, and conducted himself as a very humble and excellent Christian, went from Grossenstein back to Italy, where he had left his wife; but there he was denounced and betrayed, so that men came from Venice, and apprehended him. When they were on the water, on their way to Venice, they cast him into the sea, and drowned him, dispatching him thus in order that it might be done in quietness, lest much trouble should arise on his account, if they should bring him to Venice, since he was of so noble a race. Thus he had to lose his temporal life for the faith. Through faith he forsook and abandoned all nobility of this world, choosing rather to suffer reproach with the people of God, than to enjoy temporal honor and distinction among his own people; and esteeming reproach for the name of Christ great riches, far above the treasures of Egypt or the nobility of this world; for he had respect to the future, and the eternal reward, which will be great in heaven, and will not be withheld from him as a witness, follower and valiant soldier of Christ. Heb. 11:24, 26.

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Section 346.

JOHN MANG, IN THE YEAR 1567

In the year 1567 John Mang, a hatter by trade, was imprisoned at Senthoffen,* in Suabia, for the faith and the divine truth. In his imprisonment he suffered great cold, so that he could not get his feet warm at night. Besides this, he had to assist the ungodly in many an assault and conflict. Finally, he fell asleep in the Lord, in prison, having kept his faith, and patiently persevered therein unto the end; hence he will also inherit the glorious crown of life, with all the elect of God.

* Probably, Sonthofen (in Bavaria).

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Section 347.

NICHOLAS GEYER, A. D. 1567

In the same year also Bro. Nicholas Geyer, a miller, and deacon, was apprehended for the faith, at Innspruck, in the earldom of Tyrol. There the Jesuits and others assailed him in many and various ways, and, in the examination, dealt with him in a cruel and satanical manner; but he did not suffer himself to be moved from the faith, but steadfastly persevered as a Christian hero, and having evinced great constancy, he was condemned to death by the children of Caiaphas and Pilate. The priests, like the daughter of Herodias, were determined to have his head, which they also obtained, for he was executed with the sword, and then burnt, thus valiantly gaining the victory in Christ, in the noble fight of faith, as a true lover of God, whom no tribulation, torture or vexation could cause to despair. N o water could quench his love, no sword sep[1]arate it, no fire consume it; but it was to him a way of God to eternal life, for through love to God, we, by His grace, will enter into paradise, if we do not suffer ourselves to be led astray from love.

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Section 348.

KAREL HALLING, A. D. 1567

Karel Halling, a native of Steenwerck, who had fled from, there to Armentiers, for the testimony of the Lord, was apprehended at the latter place, and, as he was determined steadfastly to adhere to the knowledge of the truth and faith he had confessed, the lords sentenced him to death, and he was thus burned alive for the name of God.

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Section 349.

ADRIAN DU RIEU, A. D. 1567

Adrian du Rieu, called Adrian Olieux, a native of Halewijn, and minister of the Word of God, and of his church at Armentiers, was apprehended at the latter place, for the truth, and after boldly confessing his faith, from which no torture could cause him to apostatize, but in which he constantly firmly persevered, was sentenced to death, and burnt alive.

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Section 350.

CHRISTIAN LANGEDUL, CORNELIS CLAESS, MAT;THEUS DE VICK, AND HANS SYMONS, IN THE YEAR A. D. 1567

In the year of our Lord 1567, one Sunday morning, being the 10th of August, Christian Langedul went out to take a letter to his brother R. L., and then proceeded to a .place called the Schelleken, whither he had been summoned to help mediate a difference between two persons. I Cor. 6:5.

This meeting having been spied out, a captain named Lamotte (who was at that time in Antwerp) came there, under the pretense of seeking some of his soldiers, and seeing the assembly, he had his armed soldiers (who were waiting for it) occupy the house, and imme[1]diately dispatched his servant boy for the Margrave. In the meantime Christian spoke with the captain, in French, to show him why they had come together, during which some of the assembled company escaped through a back door.

When the Margrave arrived on horseback, and entered the house with his people, he took the rest prisoners, and marched them off to prison, where they spent the time in great tribulation and patience until the following day, when they were examined in regard to their faith, which four of them, namely, the aforesaid Christian Langedul, Cornelis Claess, Mat theus de Vick, and Hans Symons, boldly confessed. They were then so cruelly tortured and so lamentably treated that they did not fear death so much as the torture, as Christian mentions in a letter to his wife.

Having spent over a month in great longing, they were finally sentenced to death. When they received information that they were to die, they were bold and of good cheer; Christian, however, lamented greatly on account of his wife and children (previously throughout his imprisonment, but especially in this last night), and their grief was a great sorrow to his heart.

On the 13th of September, being on a Saturday, early in the morning, these four friends were brought out and, two and two coupled together, led to the great market place before the city hall, where a circle of soldiers had been formed. In the midst there was a but with four stakes, to which they were tied. Hans Symons and Mattheus went first, and then Cor[1]nelis and Christian. While going, Christian said to the people: “Had we been willing to speak lies, we would have escaped this.” Mattheus said: “Citizens, that we suffer here, is for the truth, and because we live according. to the word of God.” Hans Symons exhorted his brethren, not to fear them that kill the body, but him who has power to cast the soul into damnation. And thus they arrived at the place where they were to be offered up: There the executioner’s assistant first took Christian, and placed him to a stake in the hut, from where he called to his brethren that were still without, exhorting them to contend valiantly for the truth, who then gave one another the last kiss of peace. Thereupon Cornelis was also placed to a stake, then Mattheus, and finally Hans Symons. The drums were beaten, in order that they should not be heard to speak. The executioner strangled them, and then set fire to the hut, and thus these four friends came to a blessed end, according to the words of the Lord: “He that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matt. 10:22.

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Section 351.

LITTERS OF CHRISTIAN LANGEDUL WRITTEN DURING HIS IMPRISONMENT

The first letter of Christian Langedul, written to
his wife, Mdeyhen Raedts, on the llth of Au;
gust; in which ice relates the joy o f his mind,
as also, on the other hand, his sorrow for his
wife and children, and, finally, how he
and his fellow prisoners were examined

I wish you grace and peace all the days of your life, from God our heavenly Father, through Christ Jesus, in the power of His Holy Spirit. Amen.

My chosen and most affectionately beloved wife, and sister in the Lord because of the faith, as I hope by the grace of the Lord, and that this relationship will exist forever. Matt. 12:50; Gal. 3:26.

Had it been possible for me, I should have written you sooner the great grace, joy and comfort that I have enjoyed during this brief time in prison; and I pray the Lord to let me enjoy said blessings unto the end, to my salvation; however, the Lord knows the great sorrow and tears I have had, and still have, and shall yet have, before my departure comes, for you, the children, grandmother, and for all the friends.

I have wondered, and an still unable to comprehend what a God it is that we have; for He is the God of all comfort, who comforts me in all my temptations; and I hope that He will also comfort you whenever you need comfort. II Cor. 5:3.

My most beloved wife, be of good cheer in all your sufferings which you have with me; for the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which, shall be revealed in us; for we have thus accepted our pilgrimage, and always counted these costs. Hence comfort yourself with the Word of the Lord, as I hope you will do; and I also have confidence in you, that you will not make me more sorrowful than I am already; I know you to be too brave for it. Thus I hope that the Lord will strengthen us unto the end. Always pray the Lord for us, for we need it, for the prayer of the righteous avails much, of whom you are one in my heart’s estimation, and I hope to see you after this life in the eternal, where we shall part no more. And in whatever I have at any time grieved you, forgive me for the Lord’s sake, for I gladly forgive them everything, who have sinned against me, so that I hope that the Lord will forgive me everything; all my sins and weaknesses. I cannot sufficiently wonder at, nor thank the Lord enough for what He does for me; He is too wonderfully good a God, this I now truly realize.

Thus I inform you that we were all examined today before the margrave, and of us six we four freely confessed our faith, for it had to be; either the soul or the body had to be sacrificed; the Lord had to be either forsaken or confessed.

Thus, Hans Symons, Cornelis the shoemaker, and Mattheus, confessed as also, I un[1]worthy one, and I hope to keep it to the praise of the Lord, but not through my own power or merit, but by the power and grace of God; for through weakness we are made strong, this I must confess. Eph. 1:19; II Cor. 12:9. Hence be of good cheer in the Lord, and do the best with the children, of whom I dare not think, for they lie heavily on my heart.

When the margrave examined me today, concerning my faith he asked me about nothing but baptism, and I held out against him as long as I could, by saying that I knew but one baptism according to the Gospel and Christ’s own command and injunction; but his constant question was: “Say yes or no, whether you are satisfied with the baptism you received in your infancy, or whether you have received another?”

I replied that I knew nothing to say about infant baptism; but this did not suffice, I had to confess that I had received another, and thus I confessed it, the Lord be praised, and I have not regretted it yet, and I hope that I shall not regret it unto the end, for it is the truth.

I must stop, since my paper will reach no further. Greet all the friends much in the Lord, whenever you have a proper opportunity, as also, all friends according to the flesh; especially, greet grandmother, and comfort her as best you can, since I have great anxiety for her sake, and for you and my children. I often think of my sweet P., but I am glad when he is out of my thoughts. Do the best in everything; I greet you with a holy kiss of peace. I hope the Lord will shorten my days, because He loves me. To L. E., I hope to write yet, when I get time; greet her much in my name. Herewith I commend you to the Lord. Written as above.

By me, your very weak husband, Christian Langedul, from prison, in which I am for the testimony of the Lord.

The second letter of Christian Langedul, in which
he relates how cruelly he was tortured, and the
misery of his body after the torture, as
also, his sure hope and firm confi`
deuce in the Lord

Know, my beloved wife, that yesterday about three o’clock I had written you a letter, which I now send you. I could not send it then, for soon afterwards the margrave came here to torture us; hence I was not able to send the letter, for then all four of us were one after another severely tortured, so that we have now but little inclination to write; however, we cannot forbear, we must write to you.

Cornelis the shoemaker was the first; then came Hans Symons, with whom also the captain went down into the torture chamber. Then thought I: “We shall have a hard time of it; to satisfy him.” My turn came next you may think how I felt. When I came to the rack, where were the lords, the order was: “Strip yourself, or tell where you live.” I looked distressed, as may be imagined. I then said: “Will you ask me nothing further then?” They were silent.

Then thought I: “I see well enough what it means, it would not exempt me from the torture,” hence I undressed, and fully resigned myself to the Lord: to die. Then they racked me dreadfully, twisting off two cords, I believe, on my thighs and shins; they stretched me out, and poured much water into my body and my nose, and also on my heart. Then they released me, and asked: “Will you not yet tell it?” They entreated me, and again they spoke harshly to me; but I did not open my mouth, so firmly had God closed it.

Then they said: “Go at him again, and this with a vengeance.” This they also did, and cried: “Go on, go on, stretch him another foot.” Then thought I: “You can only kill me.” And thus stretched out, with cords twisted around my head, chin, thighs, and shins, they left me lie, and said: “Tell, tell.”

They then talked with one another of my account which J. T. had written, of the linen, which amounted to six hundred and fifty five pounds; and that it was so much cash and rebate. Then the margrave said: “He understands the French well;” and I lay there in pain. Again I was asked: “Will you not tell it?” I did not open my mouth. Then they said: “Tell us where you live; your wife and children, at all events, are all gone away.” In short, I said not a word. “What a dreadful thing,” they said. Thus the Lord kept my lips, so that I did not open them; and they released me, when they had long tried to make me speak.

Thereupon two of them, the executioner and his assistant, bore me from the rack. Think how they dealt with us, and how we felt, and still feel. Then they half carried, half dragged me from the torture chamber up into the jailer’s room, where was a good fire of oak wood. There they, once or twice, gave me some Rhenish wine to drink, which revived me in a measure. And when I had warmed myself somewhat, they again half dragged me up over the porter’s room. There they had such commiseration for me; they gave me wine again; they gave me spices, and of everything you had sent me, all of which rendered me very good service. They had wine brought and helped me to bed. But the sheets were very coarse, and greatly hurt my shins and thighs; however, soon afterwards the sheets and pillow you sent me arrived, and there were also two or three pocket handkerchiefs. They then covered me with the sheets, which came very convenient to me, as did also the spices. Had the sheets not come, I know not how I should have passed the night; but so I slept tolerably well. But I am hardly able to stand yet, and the lower part of my legs is as though they were dead from racking; however, it is all well, as I trust by the grace of the Lord.

We have such a God, so mighty, that He did not suffer me to be tempted above that I was able to bear, and I hope He will also not in the future, so firmly I trust in Him; for I know assuredly that there will never be found another way or another truth. Hence be instant, whether in season or out of season. II Tim. 4:2.

I receivFd your letter, and thank’you much, that you remember me so kindly, as you have always done. I wrote you in my first letter, before I received yours, the right answer to the letter you sent me. I have still much to write to you, but am not well able to do so now, for it is too soon.

After me Mattheus was tortured; he named his house and the street in which we live, and said it was in a gate; however, I am of the opinion that there are no longer any gates in that street. Hence move away altogether, if you have not done so yet; for I think the lord will find his way there. Let therefore no one who stands in any danger go into the house. He also named R. T.’s house, and the street where F. V. St. lives. Do herein immediately the best you can. He is very sorry for it.

Cornelis and Hans told nothing. I have much to write yet, but the time is too short. I hope to write today yet, if it is the Lord’s pleasure. I wish that H. T. would, once come out. I greet you all most affectionatel. It was well that J. T. went away yesterday, for the margrave came soon after. But I cannot write you much more, for the time until daybreak is too short.

Herewith I commend you to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace. Pray the Lord di[1]ligently for us, for he that asketh receiveth. I dare not let my thoughts dwell much on the children and you; it is so exceedingly hard for me to part from you and them. Satisfy all the friends as best you can, for I am tolerably well content, only it grieves me much on their account; however, the Lord has ordered it so.

By me, your weak husband, Christian Langedul, in prison at Antwerp, the 12th. of August 1567.

I have not fully recovered yet from the torture, as may be imagined; but I trust it is all well; do not grieve too much about it. If J. T. could bring along my account book, I should be glad; I should show him everything, or write it down for him. Bring us something to seal letters with.

Another letter of Christian Langedul, in which he
shows the assurance of his mind, the nothingness
of his own self, his love to his son in law,
J. T., and lastly, the fear which they had
of being tortured again, and why

Grace, mercy, and joy in the Holy Ghost, from God our heavenly Father, through Christ Jesus, this I wish you, my chosen and greatly beloved wife in the Lord, and all them that love His appearing. II Tim. 4:8.

Dearly beloved wife in the Lord, I hope you partly know by this time how it is with me, by the two letters I wrote you yesterday, which I hope you have already received. In them I wrote to you partly concerning the state of my mind, which is still unchanged, praise the Lord forever for His grace, which He gives to me, poor, unprofitable and exceedingly great sinner; for I deem myself unworthy and unfit for this glory, to which the Lord now calls me. Of myself or by my own strength I cannot attain it; hence I hope by His grace to adhere unto the end to the truth and the faith once delivered to the saints; for I am assured in my heart, and have certainly known it all the time of my pilgrimage (which is now about twelve yearstrue, only a short time, and imperfectly spent), that there will never be found another. Hence I hope to adhere to it, only by the strength and grace of the Lord, and not through my own; and I hope by the grace of God to rejoice, by my death, all those whom I may at any time in my life have grieved. And I hope that all those whom I may have wronged in any way will forgive me, since I have always been very ready to forgive, whenever any one wronged me; I hope that all men and the Lord will also do so towards me. I am greatly concerned for J. T., for I know his kindness; hence I will let this suffice, and wish him, as I have often done, true faith. This the Lord must give him; but he must also pray for and heartily desire it. Oh, that I might die another death for him, and all the friends, that they might be saved; how gladly I should do it! O J. T., how much you have done for me, and, I hope, will yet do for my weak wife (your mother), and my children, on whom I dare not let my thoughts dwell much. .She (your mother) is a woman who fears God with all her heart. Associate with her, for she will seek nothing but your common salvation. I will let this suffice for the present, else I should not have time to send this letter. I wrote you yesterday that I hoped to write to you during the day, but I could not do it; Mattheus and I lay in bed until two o’clock, so greatly were we afraid, because the margrave came here to torture Cornelis again, and we feared that we should also be tortured a second time, of which we had a great dread, more than of death, for it is an excruciating pain. Cornelis was tortured and scourged to such a degree the second time, that three men had to carry him up, and they say that he could scarcely move a member, except his tongue. He sent word to us, that if they come again it is his opinion it will finish him. Thus the Margrave did not come yesterday, but we expect him today again; may the Lord help us, for it is a horrible pain. Yesterday I received a small basket with eatables and a nightcap from J. T. I have lent the nightcap to Mattheus, and should like to have another, when convenient, as also a comb, and a Testament, a hymn book, or something else to read, that we may delight ourselves a little with the Word of the Lord. There is a turnkey here, by the name of Pieter, who will see that we get it. Enclosed I send you a little memento, and W. D. B.’s account. Yesterday evening we were told that J. T. and P. V. D. tried hard to get to me; but it could not be, because the margrave had said that he should come again; however, he did not come, for he attended a great banquet at Mansfield.

While I am sitting here, and writing, we are informed that the margrave will hold a penal court today; I hope it is for us. Pray for us. I hope God will strengthen us by His power, which surpasses everything. Oh, that we might be delivered thus soon; but I am afraid it will not be.

Herewith I commend you to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace. Always adhere to the truth, which, and nothing else, I have confidence you will do. I heartily greet you and all the God fearing with the peace of the Lord; and Mattheus does the same. Greet all the friends, especially grandmother, most heartily, when convenient. Mattheus would say to you and all the God fearing, that if he has grieved you in that he did not guard his lips better, he is sincerely sorry for it. Written in bonds, at Antwerp, on the 13th of August, 1567, by me, your weak husband,

CHRISTIAN LANGEDUL.

Do the best, and be of good cheer, and pray for us.

Another letter o f Christian Langedul, in which he
exhorts his brother R. L. to perseverance in the
pilgrimage begun; and, being assured in his
mind, requests, for completion, the prayers
o f the saints; commends his wife to him,
and relates how a little priest came to
speak with him

The eternal, Almighty God and Father of mercy, through His Son, our Lord and Saviour, the same almighty, eternal, worshipful, only wise God and merciful Father of all grace, strengthen and stablish you unto the end with His Holy Spirit, my dear brother and sister in the Lord, and also according to the flesh; that you may receive the crown of life with all the saints and elect children of God; herewith I will bid you final farewell and greeting in this present time, with all dear brethren and sisters in the Lord who live with you and know me. Amen.

My dearly beloved brother and sister, whom I love from the bottom of my heart, I feel prompted now at the close of my life to write you a little for a memorial. I trust you will accept in good part, so that it may be a perpetual memento and admonition from this your second brother now that has been imprisoned here in the city of Antwerp for the testimony of the Lord, for which I hope to lay down my life by the grace of God, and hope that you will not faint on account of this our tribulation which we now suffer for Christ’s sake, hoping that it happens for the furtherance of the Gospel, and to the awakening of many who possibly have long walked drowsily and half asleep, (that they may become awakened and sober); and I hope by the grace of the Lord that it will not tend to your abatement, but much rather to your greater edification, and that it will serve you as a perpetual direction in your pilgrim[1]age which you have yet to take through a dismal wilderness, in which you may yet meet with many trials. Phil. 1:12; Eph. 5:14; I Thess. 5:6; I Pet. 2:11. Hence take diligent heed, and lust not after evil things; neither be like those who murmured; but give diligent care that you constantly press on to the promised land, with valiant Joshua and Caleb, so that you may take it by force. I Cor. 16:6, 10. And be content with the Word of the Lord, and look to the promise, for He is so faithful, and you know that the Israelites remained without for no other reason, than because of their unbelief. Heb. 3:19. Hence, my dear friends, believe God’s work, and adhere:o it unto death, and God will give you the victory. Though they seem like giants in our eyes, we shall devour them as bread, and this through our faith, by which. we overcome the devil, hell, death and the world. Num. 13:33; I John 5:4.

O dearest friends, you know that all the pious overcame by faith, as you yourself, my dear brother, know better than I can write it to you. Hebrews 11. Take good heed, my beloved, that you fall not in the wilderness, as so many do; for in that case it were better for us not to have known the truth, yea, never to have been born; for if we lose our birthright, wherewith will we obtain the blessing again? for it is written that Esau sought it with tears, but found it not. II Pet. 2:21; Heb. 12:17. Therefore faint not, but firmly persevere, it is the true grace of God wherein you stand, as I hope you yourselves know. I doubt not that there will never be found another way. I Pet. 5:12.

O brother, were another to be found, than this anxious, narrow and strait way, how gladly should the flesh put up with it; but it must pass the strait. gate, and O how narrow this is, so that flesh and blood will adhere to the posts. But, dear and faithful brother, what great salvation the merciful Father has provided for me, who am so utterly unworthy; what great thanks shall I give Him for it, who has so endowed me with His grace and provided such a salvation for me. Continue in it, my dear brother and sister, and pray the Lord for us, that He may preserve us in out sorest distress, and comfort us when we are most in af[1]fliction, and in extreme need of consolation and help, as. I hope He will do, for He is faithful that promised it. He also will do it, and will be with us even unto death, and not forsake us; for who was ever confounded that trusted in Him? I hope He will not suffer us to be con[1]founded, and that He will finish the good work which He has begun in us, and this through His unfathomable mercy and grace. To this end, help us to fight, with your prayers to God in our behalf; this is my desire and the desire of us all; in this you can now aid us the most.

My dear brother, why do you grieve for me; rather take comfort in it, for the Lord has obviously ordered it so. He loves us, and means to bring us into rest. I feel that it is all of the Lord, for when I for a time hear of no deliverance, I receive great joy in my heart and refreshing from the Lord; but as soon as something comes again, and the flesh lusts greatly after it, joy departs, and we have great difficulty to get it back from the Lord. Therefore I hope that you will resign yourselves better herein, for the Lord intends to deliver us from this body of death, and to help us out of this anxiety. The Lord be praised forever for the love He shows me, and that He so helps me. I hope He will keep also you in His truth; hence be of good cheer, and comfort yourselves with His beautiful promise, with which also we comfort ourselves entirely.

Therefore, dear brother, I will herewith conclude my letter; and I kindly ask you to accept it in good part, for it has been written to you and your dear wife out of heartfelt brotherly love, for a perpetual farewell and memorial. I herewith also thank you for the’ great trouble and labor you have put yourself to for my sake and for the great expense you have on my account. I can never repay it to you; but I hope that the Lord will recompense it to you and yours, now and hereafter; also as regards that other matter, which you well know. O brother, do not let it vex you that I was so situated; I should so gladly have done it for you and yours, as God knows, who is acquainted with every heart. If convenient for you, lend my wife a little assistance while you are here, in the things in which she may need your services, and comfort her in the exceedingly great sorrow in which she now is; this I kindly request of you.

Herewith I will commend you to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace; may He strengthen and stablish you in His truth unto the end of your lives, to His praise, and to your salvation, and the salvation of us all.

This afternoon a little, lean priest visited us. I believe he is a Jesuit, and that he sometimes preaches in Koppenken’s church. There is very little in the man: The bailiff accompanied him. He (the priest) damned us exceedingly, which was about all he had to say. I was with them about two hours. It would take too long to write all. His arguments were very weak. It seems strange to me that the lords are not ashamed to come with such men, who will by no means defend themselves with the Holy Scriptures, but with the teachers of the Roman church, with Ambrose, Jerome, and Augustine; whom [they say] we are to believe. I then confessed that it could not be proved with the apostolical writings that the apostles baptized infants; also, that baptism belonged to believers, and that infants had no faith. But he con[1]stantly asserted that the ancient teachers had written it, and that the holy Roman church so observed it, hence also we had to observe it. A poor argument. The others had something at least, but he was too wretchedly deficient. Hence it would be too tedious to write about it.

Herewith I commend you to God. Written at Antwerp, in prison, by me, your weak brother in the Lord, and also according to the flesh, Christian Langedul, imprisoned for the testimony of the Lord and my conscience, the 10th of September, 1567.

Christian Langedul’s leave and last adieu to Maey;
ken Raedts, his wife after he was sen;
tenced to death

Grace and peace from our heavenly Father, through Christ Jesus, this I wish you, my dear and chosen wife and sister in the Lord; and may the Comforter, the Holy Ghost comfort you in your tribulation, as He will do according to His promise. And I trust, my wife, that all (whether tribulation or sorrow), will tend to salvation to the Christian, as I also trust it will conduce to your salvation, and also to mine, although no tribulation for the present seems to be joyous, and this according to the words of the apostle. Heb. 12:11. However, afterward, my beloved, it will work the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them that by good works seek eternal life, as we have done according to our weakness, for thus I may well say, and I speak it from the.heart. Nevertheless, I expect to inherit salvation through the grace of the Lord, and am of good cheer herein; I will therefore thank the Lord forever for His love. O my love, the winepress must now be trodden; and I am quite ready for it,. the Lord be praised. Truly, He is a God of all COmfort who comforts us in all our tribulation. Oh, that I could fully thank the Lord for all the comfort anal strength He grants to me, un[1]worthy .one.

Therefore, my beloved, comfort yourself in the Lord, and in His word; therein you will find such great consolation and refreshment; and may the. Holy Ghost dwell in you with all wisdom as, I doubt not that the Spirit of God does dwell in you, and that He will guide you into all truth and righteousness.

Your letter I received this noon; I thank you very much for it: J. was here, but we could scarcely speak together. I felt somewhat sorry on account of it afterwards; when I parted from him; but the jailer drove us away, saying that. the lord was coming, which I half thought was not so; nor was it so, for the lord did not come. I would fain not have parted from him in this manner, but the Lord disposes. Tell J. T. and his wife; that I wish their salvation from all my heart, and that he and she, and all men, might know the truth. If f promised it to him in weakness, I hope, by the, grace of God, tomorrow to, demonstrate it in power. J. told me that you. were writing me another letter: O my love, you .put yourself to too much trouble, I fear;, do rest, for it will soon be over with me.

Herewith I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of His grace. Greet all the friends most cordially with the peace of the Lord; greet warmly R. Langedul; also your sister, and all the friends, whenever it is convenient, and bid them all adieu. Adieu, my dear lamb, adieu. Written on the 12th of September, 1567 by me, Christian Langedul, your husband and weak brother in the Lord, imprisoned and sentenced to death for the testimony of Christ, and for .our conscience. All four of us greet you very much in the Lord. We are of good cheer and courage in the Lord, as Kalleken, who visited us, will tell you: Thank R. most heartily in my name for his letter; it rejoiced my heart, the Lord be praised. Amen.

NOTE. .As there has been put into our hands a letter written by Hans Symons (who was burnt at Antwerp, A. D. 1567, together with Christian Langedul and two others of our fellow believers) to his wife, shortly before his death, we deem it well herewith to insert the same; the copy of the letter reads.as .follows

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Section 352.

COPY OF A LETTER WRITTEN BY HANS ‘ SYMONS TO HIS WIFE, IN HIS BONDS OR’ IMPRISON; MENT AT ANTWERP, IN SEPTEMBER, IN THE YEAR, A. D. 1567 ‘

Grace, peace and mercy from God the heavenly Father; also steadfastness in the faith, and constant adherence to God in all temptations and tribulations, by the power and oper[1]ation of the Holy Ghost; unto Him, blessed forever, be praise and thanks. This I wish you, my most beloved wife and sister in the Lord, whom I love after a godly manner, as my own flesh, yea, have loved more than my own self, as evidenced by many favors and acts; this is my heartfelt greeting to you, and that it may go well with you, both in soul and body. Amen.

Further, my dear and much beloved wife, and sister in the Lord, know that I have received your letter, which comforts me in my bonds, because I learn that you still remember me and my fellow prisoners in the Lord, in your prayers, that the Lord would strengthen and comfort us, and help us finish the good work by Him begun in us, to His praise and the salvation of our souls.

O dear lamb, I also beseech you on high from the bottom of my heart, to keep you from all error of unbelief, and to help finish, to His praise and honor, and to the salvation of your soul, the good work which He has begun in you.

Let us pray together with a broken heart, an humble spirit and a pure conscience, lifting up holy hands, without contention or strife, praying to God steadfastly in the faith, then will our prayer be a sweet savor and an acceptable offering to God; for every gift comes from the Father of lights.

O my dear wife, lay to heart the virtues which the Lord has caused to be proclaimed to you, as the prophet says: “He hath shewed thee O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” Micah 6:8.

Always remember those who have walked the way before you through much tribulation, and have always remained valiant in the faith, with a firm confidence. “Who was ever con[1]founded that trusted in the Lord?” says the prophet. Hence, dear wife, do not slightly esteem the great grace which the Lord has shown you. Always persevere steadfastly, and trust in the Lord with a firm confidence; He will not forsake you; nor will He leave you without comfort; for in time of need He succors His own, and says: “A mother may forget her child, yet will I never forget thee.”

Be of good cheer, I pray you, in your trial, which the Lord sends you, and take job for an example, how patient he was; and the Lord blessed him.

I trust the Lord will let His merciful eyes rest upon you and upon all sorrowing and af[1]flicted hearts, to comfort them by the Spirit by which He Himself was comforted in His sufferings.

I am much troubled and afflicted in my heart, when I think of you, and of my four poor little lambs, whom I must all leave.

I pray you, Tanneken, remember them in your heart as long as you live.

Do not forget my request of you, namely, that you walk in the law of your Lord all the days of your life, and that you be to my and your children, whom the Lord has given us during the time of our wedlock, a pattern in all humility and obedience, in instruction in righteousness,; and take for remembrance, the Maccabean mother, how she strengthened her children, that they should not forsake the law of God.

I commend them to you, my dearest wife, and to the Lord. He will help you; His hand is not shortened, that He cannot help us. For better is one child that fears God, than a thousand ungodly children; yea, it were better to die childless, than to leave ungodly children behind. I pray you, exercise good care over them; I commit them to you, and to the Lord, for I am taken from you and them, which greatly troubles me, according to the flesh; but I remember that it is written: “Whosoever forsaketh not everything, father, mother, sister, brother, wife, children, property, lands, yea, also his own life, the same is not worthy of me;” in short, “Whosoever loveth aught more than me, is not worthy of me.” I do not know what the Lord has seen in me, when I consider that I am so miserable and unworthy to suffer for His name. I can praise and thank the Lord for the great benefits which He has shown me in my bonds. Well do I now find, that the Lord has helped us. unworthy ones, especially me.

According to the Spirit, my heart rejoices in the hope of future glory. I hope that I shall soon put off this mortal garment, and put on the immortal; may the Lord direct our hearts thereto, for we need help from the Lord of hosts, in our tribulation. See, my dear and much beloved wife and sister in the Lord, take this, with your little children, as a testament and, as a remembrance from him who has lived with you in the bonds of wedlock for about five years. We must now part, because of the covenant which we made with God., never to depart therefrom; hence I must now depart from the marriage covenant, for the sake of the covenant which we made with God; I now go (though unworthily), the way which the prophets, Christ, and His apostles went, through much tribulation and pain, with many tears, and must drink the cup of bitterness which they all drank. Though the Lord Himself said: “Holy Father, if it be possible that this cup pass from me, let it be done; but if not, Holy Father, thy will be done;” yet He was given us for an example, that we should follow His footsteps in obedience; for Christ entered into His glory through much suffering, thereby leaving us an example that we should follow His steps:

Therefore, my beloved in the Lord, comfort yourself with His Word, and remember that John writes, that the Lord said to Ibis disciples and to His friends: “In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, your .tribulation shall be turned into joy.” Hence, dear Tanneken, rejoice in the hope of future happiness; be patient in tribulation, continue instant in prayer, that the Lord would comfort you and not suffer you to fall into temptation, but with it also make a way of escape. Commend your matters to the Lord; I hope and trust in God that, if you continue in His laws, and constantly keep the Lord before your eyes, He will raise up some one who will help, comfort and assist you. Never separate from the God fearing. How pleasant it is to be among. the Lord’s people! I say with Moses: “I would rather suffer affliction with the people of God than enjoy temporal pleasure.”

Always associate with the saints of the Lord; for among the holy, one becomes holy, says the apostle.:And remember the words of the Lord

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and be clothed in white raiment, and God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes.”

O dear Tanneken, it seems that there must be tears; for where no tears are, none can be wiped away. The Lord grant (as I trust in Him that He will) that after this tribulation, which has come upon us for His name’s sake, and which is a sore affliction to my heart, we may rejoice together in the kingdom of God and of Christ. For, my dear and much beloved wife and sister in the Lord, whom I love from the bottom of my heart, together with my four little, children, it, is very hard for me when I, think of your heavy burden, the spoiling of our property, and that the Lord has deprived you of the provider of your daily bread.. I, fain would, had it been the Lord’s pleasure, that He had spared us. this affliction; however as it cannot be otherwise, we will commend our affliction to the Lord.

When I consider, Tanneken, our past time, I think that it is a fatherly chastisement, for He says

“Whom I love I chasten.” I well know that we have merited it at the hands of the Lord, since we ofttimes were disobedient in the sufferings sent us by Him. When we (as is true enough) had little success, as the world counts success, we complained and murmured against God, because we had not more to live on, and many children were born to us; just as though God’s hand had been shortened, that He could not have fed us. And now that little vanishes away as a prey, and we must be satisfied; however, it is for the Lord’s sake; and for His sake I gladly suffer. The Lord gave it me, and for His sake I will also gladly resign it.

Hence, dear Tanneken, I have often before told you this. I do not write it to trouble you, but to indicate to you that God is chastening us; for He shows that He still loves us. Though the Lord chasten us, let us not cast His chastisement from us; for He that rejects chastisement and instruction will perish.

Therefore, my beloved, I earnestly pray the Lord for you, and for my four children whom God has given me which you bore me, and brought forth in pain that He would not forsake you, but comfort, strengthen and stablish you, and feed all my four little orphans, and their mother, both according to the soul and body. Always trust in the Lord; I trust He will not forsake you. Take counsel with the Lord, and with them that fear Him; and take better heed to walk in the obedience of Christ. I am sorry from the bottom of my heart, that I have not improved my time better. And I ask you to excuse and forgive me in whatever I have grieved you; for I am heartily sorry for it; and wherein you may have grieved me, I forgive you all from the bottom of my heart. And I pray the Lord, that He would also forgive us the same, as I hope, and also trust in Him, that He has done: I thank you for the good intercourse we had together during the time of our wedlock; and I thank also all the brethren and sisters in the Lord, for the intercourse I had with them in the faith, for their faces were always pleasing to me. The Lord grant us grace that hereafter we may all live together in joy with the Lord, and be crowned with the crown of salvation, with which all the saints of God will be adorned, and this out of pure grace. Amen.

This is my testament, my dear and much beloved Tanneken. In parting, let me tell you, that my mind is still unchanged in the Lord, namely, I, unworthy one, am determined to bear testimony to the Lord, and to seal the same with my blood, in token that it is the truth; nor do I know any other way to be saved through grace, for a witness to the world, to the honor of God, and to the salvation of our souls. Amen.

Cornelis, Mattheus, and Christian are also thus minded. Entreat the Lord for us all, that He would help us finish the good work by Him begun in us, to His honor and to the salvation of our souls. Amen.

Pray the Lord for us all, and remember the prisoners, as being imprisoned with them. All four of us heartily greet you and them that live in the same house with you, with the peace of the Lord.

No more for the present; excuse my letter, for my mind is not in the best condition for writing. Herewith I commend you to God, and to the rich Word of His grace. Amen.

By me, Hans Symons, your husband in the Lord, confined in prison at Antwerp.

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Section 353.

A LETTER OF HANS SYMONS, WHICH HE WROTE IN PRISON AT ANTWERP, WHERE HE, WITH THREE OTHERS WAS BURNT, ON THE 13TH OF SEPTEMBER, 1567

Grace and peace be unto you from God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforted us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also .aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted or comforted, it is all for our good, and for our salvation. II C’or. 1:3-6. This I wish you, my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, Vincent, Kaerle, Willem, and Hans Symons, and Tanneken, Vincent’s wife, as a heartfelt greeting in the Lord. And brethren and sisters in general, I write this that you may remember me, what tribulation and distress I suffered in Antwerp for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ; and because the time has come that I must part from you all. Amen.

Further, my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, and coworkers and followers of the Gospel, whom God has shown great mercy in this world, in that He, out of grace, revealed His will. Hence, dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, I beseech you from the depth of my heart, that you receive not the grace of God in vain, for He says: “I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee.” Therefore, dear brethren, let us not give offense to any one, that our ministry be not blamed; but let us approve ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in necessities and distresses. II Cor. 6:1-4. Hence, dear brethren, accept this as a sincere request from me, that you take heed to your calling, wherein you are called to holiness, for He says: “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” I Pet. 1:16. And I pray you, that you show love to one another all the days of your life, for Christ says: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35. If any prosper more than others, let one assist the other, and do not become alienated from one another, lest one be grieved on account of another; but exhort one another with the law of the Lord when ye come together, and always remember the days when you were illumin[1]ated how zealous we all were when we came together, to speak of the great benefits which God has bestowed upon us, in that He has called us from the power of darkness into His marvelous light, which is kindled in our hearts, so that we have surrendered ourselves to serve the Lord all the days of our life, and no more to live to ourselves. Heb. 10:32; I Pet. 2:9; Romans 14:7.

O dear brethren and sisters, always write the law of the Lord into your hearts, and keep Him ever before your eyes, and serve Him faithfully unto the end of your lives; for if there is anything that is not clear, be it ever so small, in which the conscience is troubled, Satan produces, by way of accusation, all he can produce, in order that he may at least lead astray or trouble us; however, he frequently has cause, for we all sin in many things, as James says. Rev. 12:10; Jas. 3:2.

Therefore, dear brethren and sisters, awake, and make straight paths for your feet, that you may always be prepared for the Gospel of peace, which calls us only to peace, for.beau[1]tiful are the feet of them that fear the Lord. Eph. 5:14; Heb. 12:13; Eph. 6:15; Rom. 10:15. Never separate from the church of the Lord; for it is the body of Christ, and He is the Saviour of His body. And though sometimes there are some in it who do not truly follow the Lord, think: “Lord, I have no right to sin, too, because another sins, since the Lord has no pleasure in the multitude of sin, but that everyone turn from his evil way, and he shall live.” And I pray you and all the brethren and sisters in the Lord, that they do not think it a small thing to grieve their neighbor, whether by word or deed, or by the putting on of apparel. We can avoid this sometimes, but we will not, caring not that our neighbor is troubled thereby.

O dear brethren, when one is apprehended or put into bonds, or the Lord takes us from this world, it greatly troubles our conscience. And our stay here is so brief; hence prepare well your lamps, that when the bridegroom comes, you will not have to go for oil, for the doors will then be shut. What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what will you give in exchange for your soul? Matt. 16:2:1. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, but sanctify God in your hearts, and give thanks unto the Father, who has made you meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Rom. 6:12; I Pet. 3:15; Col. 1:12. O dear brethren, how true and certain we daily find it to be, that it is the truth for which we must suffer, of which I am becoming convinced more and more every day, though I never doubted that it was the truth.

O dear brethren and sisters, continue herein unto the end, and you will prosper; and do not suffer yourselves to be deceived through philosophy, or vain deceit; through vain pomp and subtle inventions; for men are soon corrupted from their simplicity which they have in Christ, for it is a great grace which we have received from God, that the truth is re[1]vealed to us, which is hid from so many thousands. Col. 2:8; II Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:9. Hence, my dear brethren and sisters, think now of us, how many tortures we have endured, how many sighs we have spent, how much weeping and supplicating to God we have done., with strong crying and tears unto Him for help, that you might be able to keep unto the end the faith wherein you stand.

O dear brethren, it is so hard for us, and the cup which we must drink is so bitter. O how am I straightened till the child is born I These woes are so bitter, dear brethren; I speak the truth; it is impossible to make any one believe what pain it is to bring forth a child, except him who has experienced it; however, when it is born, then the pain is remembered no more. Thus it is also with me and my fellow prisoners; we are now in the throes of travail, many a heart grief fills us with anguish, and we must cry to God for help. And He comforts us, for He is a God of comfort, who can comfort all troubled hearts, as He also does. But I hope that we shall soon have brought forth; then we shall remember the anguish and distress no more, and all the tears, that now ofttimes course down our cheeks, so that at times we almost, with David, water our bed with our tears, will be wiped away; for He is faithful that promised it us, and will also keep it. We comfort one another much with the Lord’s promises. John 16:21; Isa. 26:17; II Cor. 1:3, 4; Ps. 6:6; Isa. 25:8; I Thess. 5:24.

Therefore, dear brethren and sisters, exhort one another daily, and be subject to one another in love. And I pray you, dear brethren and brothers in law in the Lord, I pray you, exercise good care over my sisters, for you are placed over them; the watch over them is committed to you. Dear brothers, live with them according to knowledge, as I also trust you will do. I commend them to you. from the heart. And you sisters in the Lord, and according to the flesh, I pray you from my inmost soul, in my bonds, which I suffer for Christ’s sake, that you bear with all modesty your husbands, whom the Lord and His church have given you, that you should live with them in all subjection and obedience. It well becomes women to honor their husbands, for a woman of understanding is the crown of her husband, and the wife is honored through the husband, and the husband through the wife. Therefore I entreat you, dear sisters, assist your husbands with all willingness, lest you discourage them. Oh, if the wife knew what trouble and grief she can cause her husband in his work, she would shun to do it as she would shun poison; for the wife can cause her husband to consume soul and body in his labor. Encourage each other in spiritual and temporal matters, and al[1]ways shun whatever might give rise to trouble, for Satan is wily; he is satisfied with any means by which he can cause contention; he walks about man, as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Hence I beseech you for the Lord’s sake, lay to heart what I write you with sighing; I do it because I love you all in my heart, and also all them that fear the Lord. I say with Moses: “I would rather suffer affliction with the children of God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin.” Always associate with those who fear the Lord, and pray, lest Satan take you unawares; for when it is least expected, the Lord comes, as I and my fellow prisoners can testify. I trust the Lord has thus ordered it with us. We are now in it; may the Almiehty God help us through, as I trust He will do. Help pray the Lord for us; for the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much. Acts, 12:5; Jas. 5:16. I beseech you, my dear brethren and sisters, take heed unto yourselves; the time is short, and it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Lord. I Cor. 7:29; Heb. 10:31. Call to remembrance the day when you were illuminated, how ardent we were in the law of God, to walk in it. v. 32. I hope you are better instructed in everything, than I can write. And above all, I pray you. keep the Lord before your eyes above all else. and love one another ferventlv thereby men shall know that you are children of the Most High, for love abides forever, it never perishes. John 13:35; I Cor. 13:13, 8. Be hosnitable, remember them that are in bonds, comfort the sorrowing, remember the poor, each according to his circumstances. Oh, it gives such peace to the conscience. I wish indeed I had done much more. Heb. 13:2. 3; II Cor. 1:4.

Herewith I commend you all to the eternal, Almighty God; may He comfort, strengthen and stablish you all, and us poor, forsaken sheep, deprived of all men, unto the end of our lives; for it lies not in the beginning, nor in the middle, but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matt. 24:13. Behold, dear brethren, I go before, and hope to wait for you under the altar, where they cry: “Lord, Lord, when wilt thou avenge the blood of thy saints?” Rev. 6:9, 10. But the Lord will shorten the days for His elect’s sake; and then will He clothe them in white raiment, and wipe away all tears from their eyes, and they will see sorrow no more, for it has never entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for them that love Him. Matt. 24:22; Rev. 3:5; I Cor. 2:9. Herewith I bid you all a final adieu in this world, and thank you all for the good intercourse I have had with you in my life. And wherein I have grieved you, or any one else, forgive me; I am heartily sorry for it. I hope and trust to God that He has forgiven it me; and if there be any one who has wronged me, I forgive him from the bottom of my heart, no matter who he be. We four, Hans, Cornelis, Mattheus, and Christian, in bonds for the testimony of Jesus, greet you and all that fear the Lord with His peace. Amen.

The mighty God keep you all from evil. Greet my mother, Charles and his wife; and Maeyken, who took care of my wife. Adieu to you all. This is my testament to you all, Vincent, Kaerle, Neelken, Willem, Hans, to each with his wife.

By me, Hans Symons, your dear brother, imprisoned at Antwerp for the testimony of Jesus.

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Section 354.

A LETTER WRITTEN BY CORNELIS THE SHOEMAKER,
TO HIS WIFE WHILE IN BONDS. HE WAS AFTER;
WARDS BURNED WITH THREE OTHERS,
SEALING THIS LETTER WITH HIS BLOOD,
IN THE GREAT MARKETPLACE AT
ANTWERP, THE 13TH OF SEP;
TEMBER, 1567

The grace and mercy of God the Father, the love of the Son, and the communion and peace of the Holy Ghost, who is sent us from the Father, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the comfort of all true and faithful children of God; by whom we are led, taught and healed; the same keep your heart, understanding and mind in Christ Jesus, to the praise and glory of His heavenly Father, to the salvation of your troubled soul, and to the protection of all the brethren and sisters that fear and love the Lord. This I wish you, my affectionately and much beloved wife, as a heartfelt greeting.

My dearest wife, whom I wedded before God and His church, and took to wife according to the ordinance of the Lord, I wish you comfort, joy and gladness in all your great sorrow which has now come upon you through my bonds and imprisonment. O my dear wife, I most earnestly pray the Lord for you, that He would comfort you, since I well know. my dear lamb that vnÂ» are very cnrrowful on my account. But I pray you, lay your grief aside, if possible, for a little while, and comfort yourself with the Author of the faith, and look to Jesus the Finisher. Heb. 12:2. Walk henceforth in all righteousness; make good use of the time of grace, and always remember what great grace the Lord has shown you; and bear in mind what a faithful God you serve, who will not forsake you. Rom. 6:13; Eph. 2:7; I Cor. 1:9.

O my most beloved iamb, I cannot fully praise or thank the Lord for all the great power and strength which He gives me in all my distress. Isa. 40:29. He is so faithful a God, He gives me such courage, so that I may say with Paul: “Who shall separate us from the love of God? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:35;39.

O my dear wife, I pray and exhort you, be patient in your tribulation, continue instant in prayer, and always remember the beautiful promises which are so abundantly promised us in the Scriptures, if we persevere unto the end. Matthew 10:22.

Oh, let us well guard the treasure given us, so that no man may by any means deprive us of it. Hence continue steadfastly, and faint not; for though the outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for these are eternal. II Corinthians 4:7, 16-18.

Hence, my dear and much beloved wife, do not cease to serve the Lord your God with all your heart, and to follow His footsteps. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, and that we shall be clothed with it: if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now ‘He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. II Cor. 5:1-5.

O my dear wife, since we shall put off the flesh, and inherit such a dwelling, let us walk fearlessly in faith before God and His church, and purpose not to depart from the Lord, nor to separate from His love–which He has shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost on account of any affliction or tribulation; then He can succor and comfort you in your request, when you are deprived of all human help and comfort; since He comes to the help of those.who forsake their own selves, and of the despairing, for He dwells and will dwell alone in the hearts of men, and would not have us serve any one besides Him.

Thus, my dear sheep, be firmly founded and built up in Him, as you are taught, and let love grow and increase in all righteousness and holiness, which avail and are acceptable before God; and always give diligence to excel in virtue, and look not to the walk of the idle and heedless, but consider them that live conformably to the doctrine of Christ; have your intercourse always with them, so that you run neither too high nor too low, nor too wide nor too long; for many go astray because one looks to the other, whereby they sometimes wax cold.

Therefore, my dear and much beloved wife, always seek those things which are above, and let yor.r mind constantly be fixed on the things which are not seen; put off the old man, and put on the new man, and deny ungodliness and worldly lusts; be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and you will have part in the resurrection. Col. 3:1; II Cor. 4:18; Col. 3:9, 10; Tit. 2:12; Rom. 12:2; Luke 20:35. Hence know that you must first have crucified the old man, so that the body of sin ‘nay cease. And be not weary in well doing, since your labor will not be in vain. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. Heb. 3:14.

Hence, my dear wife, suffer not yourself to be moved from your purpose or faith, for it is, the true grace of God wherein we stand. “For though an angel should come,” says Paul, “and teach you anything else than what has been.preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Gal. 1:8. Neither fear such men as would draw you away from.this doctrine; for they will perish like grass; nor can they do anything without. God’s permission. Therefore fear God and humble yourself under Him, for He is honored of the lowly; always condescend to men of low estate, and you will be great in the eyes of God; think not yourself .to be something, lest you deceive; always forsake your own self, and regard not what men may do unto you, though you be wronged; for it is acceptable with God, if a man for conscience’ sake gets into grief, suffering wrongfully. Hence be patient in all that comes upon you for the Lord’s sake, so that you may be a partaker of Christ’s sufferings, and thus inherit His promise; for the time that reproach must be suffered here is short, compared with the joy which shall be re[1]vealed _in us in the last time; for though we have a miserable life here, we shall enjoy much good hereafter; we are accounted here as dying, but we enter into certain rest and peace. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. I Corinthians 15:43, 44. Therefore our house of this tabernacle must be dissolved, if we want to obtain the house prepared us of God. Hence fear not them that kill the body; for they cannot harm the soul. Let us therefore not grieve because of the work of the Lord, but as Christ says, rejoice and be glad therein, for it shall be rewarded you in heaven: and, as Peter says, Praise and glorify the Lord in this matter. Matt. 5:12; 1 Pet. 3:15; 4:16.

O my dear lamb, this is not said, that we should grieve. Thus, be patient in your tribula[1]tion and sufferings; for Paul says that all things work together for good to them that love God; hence I trust to the Lord, that it will conduce to your good. Therefore receive willingly from the hand of the Lord the sufferings and afflictions He sends you, for He will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able to bear. Thus, bear patiently Christ’s sufferings; for all that are without chastisements are bastards, and not children. Heb. 12:8. James says: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which God hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12.

Thus, my dear wife, follow Christ, and take up your cross with patience and joy, and follow Him all the days of your life, for He had to suffer so much for our sakes, to save us. Therefore let us suffer for His sake; since it is our hour, let us joyfully contend for the crown of life, which is prepared for us and them that fear and love the Lord. Hence let us be satisfied in Him, and take our cross upon us with joyfulness and patience, and wait, with firm con[1]fidence for the promises which He has made us, and that we may be crowned upon Mount Sion, and adorned with palms, and may follow the Lamb. I I Esdras 2:42; Rev. 14:4.

Thus, strengthen yourself, and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ in the eternal life. “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 24, 25.

See, my dear wife and sister in the Lord, since I can no longer serve you with my presence, I have written you a little to comfort you; and this for a memorial or testament, that thereby you may remember me, how I walked before you. I hope to seal this letter with my blood, that it is the truth; and for this I, want to lay down my life, to the praise of the Lord , and to the edification of all who fear the Lord from the heart. I commit you to the Lord and to the Word of His grace, that He would keep you in all righteousness and truth. And though we must separate, yet I know and firmly trust the Lord, that we shall be together in the life eternal. I hope that you will always so order and regulate your way all the days of your life, that you may obtain salvation.

Herewith I bid you adieu, my dear lamb; adieu till in eternity. Adieu and farewell to all that fear the Lord: Pray the Lord for all four of us, that we may offer up unto Him an accept[1]able sacrifice, so that our souls may be saved forever; to this end may God the Lord give His grace. Amen.

Written by me, Cornelis the shoemaker, imprisoned for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Section 355.

JACQUES MESDAGH, WILLEM AERTS, JOGS KAS; TEEL, AND KAREL, A. D. 1567

This Jacques Mesdagh was apprehended (with three others; as he writes) on the lst of March, 1566, and was afterwards, on the 8th of November, 1567, burnt with three others, for the Word of God, at Kortrijck, in Flanders, in the marketplace before the city hall, having been confined, with iron fetters on his feet, for more than twenty months. He was from Capelle, to Poele, a league and a ,half from Ypres. With him died a young single man, named Willem Aerts, and two other men, one of whom was Joos Kasteel, from the vicinity of Kortrijck, and. the name of the other was Karel, All four were of very good cheer and valiantly testified to the truth, and confirmed it with their death.

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Section 356.

A LETTER FROM JACQUES MESDAGH

I, Jacques Mesdagh, imprisoned at Kortrijck for the Word of God and the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, apprehended the 1st of March, 1566; wish you my dearest and much beloved chosen sister, from the bottom of my heart and from my inmost soul, that you may always prosper, and be’well in soul and body; and grace, mercy, peace, joy, love, a living spiritual hope, a true evangelical mind and trust, a true unfeigned faith which works by love, and the illumination, comfort and communion of the Holy Ghost, be unto you as a grace from God the heavenly Father, and through our Lord Jesus, by whom this grace has come to us; for Paul says: “The grace of God [that bringeth salvation] hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Tit. 2:11-14). For He came and preached the Gospel of peace to us who were afar off, and to them that were nigh. Therefore we are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, whom the builders rejected (Eph. 2:17, 19, 20; Matt. 21:42); who His own self bare our sins, in His own body, on the tree, that we, being dead to sin, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes we were healed. For we were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be praise, glory and dominion, and thanks for ever and ever. Amen. I Peter 2:24, 25; I Tim: 6:15; Revelation 1:5, 6.

This I wish you, my dearest chosen sister in Jesus Christ our Saviour, whom I love from the depth of my heart and from my inmost soul, as an affectionate and friendly greeting, and for a perpetual remembrance, my dear lamb, since it may easily happen that we shall soon have to separate here; for it seems that the abominable beast thirsts greatly for our blood. Rev. 13:1. But I hope that though we must now separate here for the Lord’s name, we shall nevertheless hereafter meet together in life eternal, where there will be nothing but joy and gladness, which will endure for ever and ever; there tyrants will not be able to sep[1]arate or harm us; for when they have killed the body, they have no more that they can do, as Christ Himself says. Luke 12:4.

Hence, ‘my affectionately and much beloved sister, be not afraid of their threats, neither be troubled. Even as the Lord also spake through the prophet Isaiah: “Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool; but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my sal[1]vation from generation to generation.” For “I am he that comforteth you: who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass?” Isa. 51:7, 8, 12. “For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea. and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise.” Malachi 4:1, 2. “And everlasting joy shall be upon their head, they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” Isa. 51:11. “Yea, the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their. Father.” Matt. 13:43. “And they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of water: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Rev. 7:16, 17. “And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither.shall there be any more pain.” Rev. 21:4.. “For he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second. death; and he shall inherit all things, and receive the crown of life.”

Therefore, O my dear and chosen sister Susannah, let us always faithfully adhere to Christ our Bridegroom, even unto death, so that hereafter we may altogether receive the crown of life, and may hear, in the great day of the Lord, the welcome voice: “Come, ye blessed of my Father:, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;” when He shall say to the others

“Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:34, 41.

Oh, what a great difference will then be between them that obeyed and feared the Lord, and those who did not obey or fear Him; the latter will have their part in the lake which will burn with fire and brimstone: which is the second death; but the former in eternal life. Rev. 21:18; John 3:16.

For he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. Christ also said: “Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find [or keep] it.” Hence, my dearest and much beloved sister, whom I love from all my heart, let us herein always be of good courage and cheer in the Lord, though the tyrants deprive us of our temporal life for the Lord’s name, and separate us; for we know, says Paul, that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, whose builder and maker is God. II Cor. 5:1; Hebrews 11:10.

O my dear and much beloved sister, that we had put off this body of our earthly house in Christ Jesus, and were thus at home with Him, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body; for here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come, as the apostle says. Phil. 3:21; Heb. 13:14.

Oh, that we were there in the beautiful and delightful city, which is full of all good things, where they will need neither sun nor moon, nor the light of a candle, to give them light, for the glory of God shall lighten them, and they shall reign for ever and ever. Rev. 21:23; 22:5. But we must here first go the narrow way, as Christ Himself said (DUtthew 7:13, 14), before we can enter there; far wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; but strait is’the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it; and still fewer, alas! who desire to walk it, since sometimes it is so hard for the flesh. For here in this wicked world not much besides tribulation and suffering is promised to those who desire to walk the narrow way, to follow Christ, and to live godly, in this vale of tears, according to their weak ability, for, in the first place Paul expressly says: “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” IT Tim. 3:12. “For truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter; yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey.” Isa. 59:14,15.

O my chosen sister, whom I love in Ged since the Lord has given us so much grace that we have found the way of peace, this is the true grace’ of God wherein you stand, says Peter. Oh, let us always walk faithfully therein unto the end, according to our feeble ability, though we must here for a short time have tribulation and suffering for the name of Christ; for we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14′:22. And also Christ Himself says: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. He also says

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child; she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.” Verses 20-22. Thus are also we with child, and in travail. so that we can scarcely draw our breath, as is also written in the prophet Isaiah (Isa. 26:18);* but when we too have here brought forth all tribulation and sorrow, and have put off our body in the Lord, we also shall hereafter rejoice with tongues unspeakable, though we are now here in the pangs of delivery, my dear and much beloved sister, for the name of Christ, namely, in tribulation and suffering for a short time, and hated of all men; for Christ Himself says: “Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matt. 10:22. And Paul, also, says: “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” Phil. 1:29.

But, my very dear and chosen sister in the Lord, whom I love from true, unfeigned, godly and brotherly love, it will hereafter not be to our detriment, all that we have suffered here for the name of Christ; for He will reward us for it with joy most abundantly; for as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. II Cor. 1:5. For it is a faithful saying. Paul also says, “If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us.” II Tim. 2:11, 12. And Christ Himself says, “If we confess him before men, he will also confess us before his Father, which is in heaven.”

Hence, my dear lamb, let us always give diligent heed, that we here, in no wise forsake Christ our Bridegroom, on account of the sufferings which men may inflict upon us; for the time that we have to spend here is very short, compared with eternity. Though we should be compelled all the days of our life to lie in a dark dungeon for the name of the Lord, it could not yet be compared to eternity, and to the glory which shall be revealed in us; for

Paul says: “I reckon that the sufferings of .this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us; for our light affliction; which is but for a mo[1]ment,,worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at. the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Rom. 8:18; I I Cor. 4:17,.18.

Therefore, O my most beloved sister, let, us not look at that which is temporal and perishable; but let us always wholly renounce ourselves, and daily take our cross upon us, to follow Christ faithfully and willingly in all that may come upon us for His holy and glor[1]ious name’s sake; and think and look on the reward and the beautiful promises, which will endure forever. Let us herewith always comfort ourselves with the beautiful promises of the Lord, which He has given His own who fear and love Him, and obey Him in everything unto the end.

Thus, my dear and much beloved sister Susannah, let us constantly obey Him in all things, to do His divine will unto the end, according to our weak ability, and always wait with great patience for His beautiful promises, as did all the pious, holy men who died ac[1]cording to faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. They had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted; tormented; of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth, and were obedient to their God. For by faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And by faith, Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. Heb. 11.

Thus, my affectionately and much beloved chosen sister, let us, too, always be obedient to God our heavenly Father, even unto death, and also rather choose, as did Moses, to suffer affliction with the people of God for a little season, here .in this vale of tears, and to look at the beautiful promise which is to be realized hereafter; for eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. I Cor. 2:9.

Oh, see, my dear sister, how richly those are rewarded who love and fear God. Oh, why should we not fear and love the Lord with all our hearts, who .will so richly reward us for it, since not a single word of His promises shall fail, for He is so faithful that promised it; though we must suffer tribulation and persecution here for a little while, for the name of Christ our Lord. For if the holy men and prophets, and the apostles, had to suffer, yea, Christ Himself, who is one Head and Master, how much more ought we, who are poor, sinful and frail men to suffer, if we want to be found little members of His body; for the members are surely not better than the head, nor the servant greater than his lord, says Christ Himself. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my sayings, they will keep yours also. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15 20, 18, 19. And John, also, says in his epistle “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life.” I John 3:.13, 14.

See, my dear lamb, how it has been told us before that we must be hated and reviled of the world. Hence, let us not be surprised, though this comes upon us in this evil, wicked, perverse, and blind world for the name of Christ; but let us rejoice therein, that we are par[1]takers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, we may be glad also with exceeding joy, as the apostle Peter says: “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye.” I Pet. 4:13, 14. And Christ says: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.” Matt. 5:11, 12. He also says

“Blessed are they that weep now: for they shall laugh.” Luke 9:21. Oh, see, my dearly beloved chosen sister, what consoling words, again, these are, for those who are here reviled and persecuted for the name of Christ, and have tribulation.and suffering. Oh, how can we grieve on this account, or become weary or faint, when this comes upon us for the name of Christ; seeing so great comfort and reward are promised hereafter to those who are faithful to Him unto death, as is written. Rev. 2:10: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” O my dear lamb, console and rejoice yourself with the comforting Scriptures left us for the refreshing and strengthening of our mind and faith, when you are persecuted and driven from city to city, and they inflict tribulation and suffering upon you for the name of Christ, as may easily happen yet, since I hear that the cruel and abominable beast begins to exalt itself greatly again over the little flock of the Lord. But they have no more power than the Lord permits them to have, though they greatly exalt themselves, and rage, as though they were determined utterly to annihilate the little flock, as is evidently their purpose. But the Lord holds everything in His hand; He that can bring to naught the counsel of the ungodly, will, I trust, order it all well, according to His divine will. Let us always firmly trust and hope in Him, and cast all our care upon Him; for it is He that careth for us, says the apostle Peter. I Pet. 5:7. For, whom did the Lord ever forsake, of those who firmly trusted in Him? and did ever any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in His fear, and was forsaken? or whom did He even despise, that called on Him? Sir. 2:10. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, says the Lord through the prophet. Isa. 49:15. And Christ says: I will not leave you comfortless. John 14:18.

Therefore, my most beloved, let us always be content with such things as we have; for He hath said: “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” So that we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:5, 6. For whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. “And if God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son; but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” says Paul. Who shall lay anything to’ the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who then shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution’ or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us: For no creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” Rom. 8:31. Hence, my affection[1]ately beloved sister, who is he that will harm you, if you’ be a follower of that which is good? And be not afraid of their threats, neither be terrified, if they persecute you, and inflict suf[1]fering and tribulation upon you; for it is better that you suffer for welldoing; if it be God’s will, than for evil doing. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward’ God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, continues Peter, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it pa[1]tiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, 1Pavina us an examr~le that we should follow F Tic steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously. I Pet. 3:13, 14; 2:19-23.

Hence, my dear sister, let us always take diligent heed unto ourselves, to walk in Christ’s footsteps unto the end; according to our poor, weak ability; and when they persecute and afflict us for the truth, let us also commit vengeance* unto Him who will judge righteously, and before whom all things are naked and opened (Heb. 4:13): and, as Christ Himself teaches us, pray for those who persecute and afflict us, that they would repent, and turn from all this wickedness to the truth, so that they might also all be saved, and lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth, says Paul, I Tim. 2:3, 4; for He is longsuffering; and. not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. II Pet. 3:9.

But now they will not repent nor turn from all evil to the knowledge of the truth; for they still delight in persecuting the people of the Lord, and in shedding innocent blood, even as the prophet Isaiah says: “Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not, and there is no judgment in their goings; they have made them crooked paths; whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.” Isa. 59:7, 8. And Paul also says: “Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their tongues; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: their feet are swift to shed blood: destruction and misery are in their ways: ‘and the way of peace have they not known there is no fear of God before their eyes” (Rom. 3:13-18), as may be seen and. heard in every direction, so that it is lamentable that so many are deceived, and walk in the broad way; erring so deplorably from the true way of truth which leads to life everlasting; and, what is more, those who want to turn to the way of truth, they would gladly prevent from it were they able. But they shall exceedingly rue it hereafter, if they repent not; but alas! it will be too late then, when they shall say to the mountains and rocks: “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?” Rev. 6:16, 17; Hos. 10:8; Luke 23:30. “And they shall [says Isaiah 2:19], go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty; when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” And in John’s Relevation it is further

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

written: “In those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them; and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in ,the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb, and ,the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast and his image: and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name, and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 9:6; 14:11; 20:15. Then they will get their reward for having thus lorded it over the little flock, and lived after the thoughts of their wicked hearts, and tormented and persecuted the people and slain those who desired to live, according to their weak ability, according to the word and doctrine of the Lord. But they who have suffered for the truth and the Word of God, shall then be much better off and happier than those who have persecuted them, and inflicted tribulation and suffering upon them, and lived in wickedness and iniquity; for when the Lord will begin to say to them: “I know not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity,” there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth; “for not every one,” Christ further says, “that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Luke 13:27, 28; Matt. 7:21.

O my affectionately and greatly beloved sister, let us always well see to it, and take good heed to ourselves; that we always do the will of the Father, according to our weak ability even unto the end, so that we may not hear with the others: “Depart from me, all ye that work iniquity,” and thus with them receive reward in the fiery lake which will burn with fire and brimstone; which is the second death (Revelation 21:8); but that we may enter into the kingdom of heaven with all the elect children of God, where it will endure forever and ever. All that we have suffered here, and this for a short time, for the name of the Lord, namely, persecution, tribulation, or affliction, will then in no wise be to our detriment. Matt. ,5:11, 12.

O my most beloved, always be resigned and patient in all. tribulations and sufferings which may come upon. you for the name of Christ; and let us ever diligently watch and pray, and prepare ourselves, till Christ comes, and constantly “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself,” lest ye faint in your distress, and be wearied in the way of truth, and in the love of Christ, on account of all that men may do unto you. But always think of Christ’s great love toward us, how much He suffered for us poor sinful men on the tree of the cross, and shed His blood for us, as the four evangelists testify in order to redeem and save us; for, surely He “hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows . . . the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isa. 53:4.

O my dear beloved sister, if Christ so loved us that He suffered for us in the flesh, let us arm ourselves likewise with the same mind, as Peter says, I Peter 4:1. And also Paul: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8. And “though he was the Son of the living God, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;” for He said Himself: “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent .me” (John 6:38); and though He prayed His Father to take the bitter cup from Him, He nevertheless said: “Not what I will, but what thou wilt.” Mark 14:36.

Behold, my dear lamb, how Christ our Head abased and humbled and utterly renounced .Himself, and was obedient to His heavenly Father, even unto the death of the cross, and became poor for our sakes (II Cor. 8:9), that He might in all things be an example unto us (I Pet. 2:21), and redeemed or reconciled us in the body of His flesh through death (Col. 1:21, 22); and we have the forgiveness of sins, through His blood, according to the riches of His grace. Eph. 1:7. Hence my dear sister, let us also, in return, love Christ even unto death, and always walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. Eph. 5:2. Therefore let us also willingly deliver up ourselves for His holy name; always wholly forsake ourselves; renounce our own will and mind; abase and humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God; no longer live to ourselves, but unto Him who died for us and rose again (II Cor. 5:15) and always be obedient to Him,. constantly fearing and serving Him all the days of our life, in all righteous[1]ness and holiness (Luke 1:74, 75), as obedient children, so that we may not resort to former lusts, in which we were when we did not yet know Christ, even as Peter says: “But as he which has called you is holy, so be ye holy , in all manner of conversation; because it is written: Be ye holy; for I am holy.” I Pet. 1:15, 16; Lev. 19:2. “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace,” says Paul. For, know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey; his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Hence, as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death, says Paul. For the wages of sin is death. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mor[1]tify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. And ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Rom. 8:6; 6:16; 8:13, 14; II Corinthians 6:16-18.

Therefore, O my most beloved sister in Christ Jesus, let us always separate ourselves entirely from all worldly lusts and desires, and touch nothing unclean, but constantly cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and continue in the fear of God, according to the Spirit, constantly to serve and honor the Lord all the days of our life, that we may be of His sons and daughters; for if we are His sons and daughters, we shall also be heirs in His eternal kingdom and possession. Rom. 8:17. Hence let us always give diligent heed, constantly to fear and serve Him alone, according to our weak ability, unto the end; for we cannot ac[1]ceptably serve two masters, that is, God and the world, for, “Know ye not,” says James, “that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” Matt. 6:24; Jas. 4:4. John, also, says: “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” I John 2:15-17. Paul, also, teaches us: “And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2.

Therefore, my affectionately beloved sister, let us by no means love this world, nor be conformed to it, nor again lust for this wicked world, to run with it to the same excess of riot (I Pet. 4:4), lest we perish with it; but let us constantly go on in the true way of truth, in newness of life, to serve the living God all the days of our lives (Heb. 9:14), without looking back to Sodom; and let us always well heed and do what the holy Scriptures teach and ad[1]monish us to, so that we may in eternity rejoice with God our heavenly Father, and with the Lamb on Mount Sion; for “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” II Timothy 3:16, 17. Therefore let us always take good heed to the holy Scriptures, and accept them for doctrine, reproof and correction, that we may thereby fit ourselves for every good work; and let us always exhort one another with them, and take heed, as the apostle teaches us, where he says

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.” Heb. 3:12-14. O my beloved sister, always be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, “forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord,” says Paul. I Cor. 15:58. John, also, says. “Look to yourselves, that you lose not those things which ye have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward. For whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God; but he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” II John 8, 9. Oh, hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown; and always be faithful to Christ your Bridegroom, unto death; this I pray you, my dear lamb. And ever be patient in all your tribulations and sufferings, and stablish your heart; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Behold, the judge standeth before the door, and we count them happy which endure, says James. Jas. 5:8.

Therefore be patient, and comfort yourself with the words of God; for it is becoming a Christian, that he should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. Lam. 3:2’6. Let .the peace of God rule in your heart. Col. 3:15. He which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation [and good hope] through grace, comfort your heart, and stablish you in every good word and work, and sanctify you wholly, that your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it. And, may He grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your heart by faith; and that you may be rooted and grounded in love. Eph. 3:16, 17. This I pray Almighty God from the depth of my heart, to grant to you, and me, and all that fear and love Him.

O my dear chosen sister, whom I love so greatly with all my heart, I should not be able to describe to you, I think, with what true, unfeigned godly and brotherly love I love you. Oh, adhere always valiantly to the true, pure truth and doctrine of Christ, as I, through the grace of the Lord, most confidently trust you will do, though I thus write.

O my dearest sister, I also trust, through the great grace and mercy of the Lord, to do myself according to my weak ability, all that I have written you; for it is still my unwavering mind and purpose rather to lay down my life, though it be tomorrow, than to forsake the truth. For I am still willing to resign my life for Him who gave it me, if it shall come to this; and, again, if it be His divine will, that I am to remain in iron bonds yet for a long time, I will also gladly suffer it for His holy name; for He suffered so much for us. And I cannot fully thank or praise the Lord for the great grace, mercy, and the benefits which He has shown me in prison; and for patience, that the lying in bonds has so little affected me it seems to me that you could hardly believe how little it has affected me. I am not conscious, it seems to me, that I was imprisoned, or that it lasted too long, or that I was thus imprisoned; eternal praise, glory and thanks to the Lord, for His abundant grace and mercy. However I have sometimes wished, if it could have been, to be with you, if it had been for the good of my soul, and the Lord had permitted it; and this chiefly because of the love which I have towards you, and you to me. My dear lamb, the Lord be praised, I have never grieved much on account of it, since it was for the name of the Lord, and I know that we must once separate here. Though we should be together here a hundred years yet, the time of separation would nevertheless come, and it is better to die honorably than to transgress the law of God and live in disgrace, as is written in the second book of the Maccabees (6:19). And Christ, also, said: “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall preserve it. But whosoever loveth father or mother, or sister, or brother, or wife, or children, more than me, the same is not worthy of me.” Luke 17:33; 14:26.

Therefore, my dearest, when it comes so far that we are apprehended and put into bonds, everything must be forsaken for the sake of His holy will and name, if we wish to be of His number (Rev. 6:11); for he that does not forsake all that he has cannot be His disciple.

Thus, my affectionately and so greatly beloved sister, when we think on and well consider, these words, why should we not gladly forsake all that we have for the name of Christ, and why should we be sad, urdened or troubled, when this comes upon us for the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, since Christ Himself has foretold it. I cannot fully thank,and praise Him for His great, unspeakable grace and mercy, which He daily shows me, that my mind and purpose are so gladly, joyfully and tranquilly fixed upon the Lord. It is at present as well with me according to the spirit, as it ever was, I think; praise, glory, honor, and thanks be forever to the eternal, almighty, merciful God, for His great grace and kindness, that He, through His Holy Spirit, so strengthens and comforts me, poor, simple, weak, frail servant, in my mind and purpose; and I pray God, always to strengthen, confirm and comfort me by His Holy Spirit, unto the end, and also all those who fear Him, and to give us what is most needful to us all for the salvation of our souls.

Herewith I will commend you to the Lord, and take affectionate leave, with the comfort[1]ing and delightful Word of His grace, from you, in regard to this matter, for this time. 01 my dearest S.J.H., excuse my simple letter and the small talent I have received from the Lord; for I have written it from true, unfeigned, godly and brotherly love, which I bear to you, my dear, chosen sister, of which the Lord is my witness, who knows all hearts, and tries the reins, and before whom all things are naked and open. Jer. 17:10; Acts 15:8. And all that I have here written to you, my dear lamb, I wish also, from the bottom of my heart, as a heartfelt and affectionate greeting, and for a perpetual memorial, to my deeply beloved father and brother, whom I both love so affectionately. Let all of you pray the Lord for me, that I may accomplish and finish what I have begun, to my soul’s salvation, to His praise and honor, and to the edification of my fellow men. I trust to pray the Lord most diligently for you, according to my weak ability. Greet one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. I Pet. 5:14.

This last has been written in the year 1567, the ninth day of September, by me, Jacques Mesdagh, after being imprisoned for eighteen months, in iron bonds, for the testimony of Jesus Christ our Lord, for the sake of the Word of God, and for the right truth. Herewith I take cordial leave from you. Adieu, dear friends.

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Section 357.

ADRIAN WILLEMS, A. D. 1568*

In the year 1568 the tyranny and persecution waged against the Christians became very sore and grievous, so that in said year many were apprehended and slain.

On the 4th of April of the above year, between one and two o’clock in the morning, Adrian Willems, my father, was apprehended by Steven de Wit, the bailiff of Vianen, and taken to the castle of Batesteyn,, where he was kept confined fifty weeks and one day.

On the 8th of May the bailiff and part of the members of the court came from Vianen, to examine him concerning his faith, which he freely confessed to them. Being then asked as to who were of the same faith with him, he refused to tell it to them; hence the bailiff threatened him again and again with severe examination [the torture], and accordingly, on the 5th of June, he had the executioner come, caused his hands to be tied behind his back, and made him climb up a ladder, threatening to have all his members dislocated, or he would know who were his fellow believers; but when he saw that he could not extort it from him, he suffered him to come down, without inflicting any torture upon him.

* This Adrian Willems was not mentioned in previous editions.

Said bailiff also had a Franciscan monk come, to delude him from his faith; but after many words and much disputation the monk left him, without having accomplished anything. Afterwards, at divers times, others also came, namely, priests and monks, to draw him from his faith; however, they, all left like the former.

The letters speaking of the conversations with these priests and monks, and of his con[1]fession, as also other letters written in prison and received by us, lay, or were put with the others by me, behind the bedstead under the roof, on account of the great fear of persecution and the monstrous tyranny existing at that time. Afterwards it happened, in the year 1570, in February, that the water came rushing from the Diefdijek with such force or volume, that many houses drifted away, and some had their walls broken in, so that said letters fell, into the water and perished. I greatly mourned the loss of them, because our children might in them have seen or read how valiantly and cheerfully their grandfather confessed the Gospel, and died for it, and how glad he was when he was visited in prison;. for I was there myself at great peril.

On the 29th of June of said year 1568, the aforesaid bailiff announced that he should hold a court the following day, the 30th of . said month; on which he preferred his accusation, demanding that he should be burned at the stake, until death ensued, and his property confiscated for the benefit of the king. Afterwards, many court days having been held, and both parties having presented their papers, the bailiff did not cease to request that sentence be passed, whereupon the judges decided that thirty two guilders be paid in, to go and get advice by way of consultation. This having been done, they of the court went to the court of Holland, and returned with the sentence of death.

Shortly after, the 21st of March, 1569, he was informed that he should receive his sentence the following day. Well knowing that it should be a sentence of death and not of life (accord[1]ing to the time appointed), he resolved to write, his wife and children a last farewell letter. When e had begun to write, a monk came to harass him, in order, if possible, to hinder him in his faith. He withstood him, and left the monk in the evening, desiring to rest a little while. The next day at four o’clock in the morning the monk again came to him, to torment. as much as possible. Afterwards about eight o’clock the same day he was taken from’ the room in which he had been confined during his entire imprisonment, with heavy iron fetters, with which he was shackled night and day, except that they unlocked them when he took off or put on his garments and stockings, namely, in the evening when he went to bed, and in the morning, when he rose. They brought him into a kitchen, where stood a table with victuals, of which he partook’ a little, and thereupon received a drink from Steven de Wit, which he accepted in a friendly manner, to leave the former no ground for suspecting that he bore any ill will, though he delivered him to death. ‘The monk (as heard before) persisted in his attempts to draw him from his faith, but did not effect his purpose. From there they took him to the city hall to receive his sentence; with his hands tied, a monk at his side, and the executioner and two beadles before and behind him, all well armed; and thus they led him as a defenseless lamb to the slaughter. When they arrived in the city hall, the court as[1]sembled, and the bailiff himself demanded the sentence. Then the judge said: “Adrian Willems, do you wish to say something yet in regard to this?” He replied: “I know of nothing to tell you, , save. that you would remember that you must also appear before the judgment seat of Christ, who shall pass a righteous judgment upon the good and the evil, or the dead and the living.” Then they arose. When they came out of the council chamber, they pro[1]nounced the sentence, passing judgment, that said Adrian Willems should be executed with the sword, and his body be put into a coffin and buried under the scaffold. They then rose again, with pale and sad countenances, without closing the court, and left him in the hands of cruel men, who stripped him, took him out of the city hall with his eyes blindfolded, and hastened to execute the sentence of the judges, which they also did. Thus the afore mentioned Adrian Willems voluntarily delivered himself up to death, choosing rather to keep his faith, than to retain his life here for a little while, and forsake his faith; and committed his soul unto God the faithful Creator, and thus departed this life, bearing witness to the Gospel, and confirming his unfeigned faith with his blood. Amen.

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Section 358.

LUCAS DE GROOT HANGED, A. D. 1’568

In the year 1568, a brother named Lucas de Groot, a native of Ostend, in Flanders, was apprehended there for the testimony of the truth, and after he had boldly confessed his faith, and would unwaveringly adhere to it, he was sentenced to be strangled and burned; the judges, however, afterwards changing their mind, Lucas was hanged to the gallows, in con[1]tempt of the believers.

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Section 359.

JAN PORTIER BURNED, A. D. 1569

In the same year a brother named Jan Portier, a native of Komene, in Flanders, and a fuller by trade, who had also been Lady van Meessen’s porter, was aprehended at Meessen. When he had confessed his faith, he was greatly tortured; the first time with screws; the second time, he was drawn up high by his thumbs, with heavy iron weights attached to his feet, and thus severely scourged; but being ruptured, he was not put to the rack. And when these tortures and other threats could not move him to desist or apostatize from the truth he had accepted and apprehended, he was finally sentenced to be burnt. And thus he was put to death for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, with so small a fire that the smoke suffocated him; which took place without Meessen, at the Spring gallows, in November, 1568.

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Section 360.

JAN VAN PARIS, PIETER VAN CLEVES, HENDRICK MAELSCHALCK, AND LAUWERENS PIE; TERS, A. D. 1568

Jan van Paris, Pieter van Cleves, Hendrick Maelschalck, and Lauwerens Pieters, had not yet united with the church, but were novices and ready to unite; hence going to hear the Word of God preached, they were apprehended, at Ghent, in Flanders, in the year 1568, and taken to the Count’s Castle. After a bold confession of, and steadfast adherence to, the faith, they were sentenced in Passion Week, to be strangled and burned. But when they had mounted the scaffold, the Spanish Provost (there being at that time nineteen companies of Spanish soldiers in Ghent), seeing that it was the intention to strangle them, compelled the executioner to fetch other appliances. Hence the executioner spoke to the command[1]er in chief, who ordered. him, contrary to the sentence pronounced, to burn them alive. The provost also severely kicked and beat the brethren.

In the meanwhile the executioner fetched a basketful of chains. When the brethren heard that they were to be burnt alive, they raised their voices and sang: “I call upon thee, O heavenly Father.” Then the Spaniards beat them so dreadfully with sticks, that the eye of one fell out on his cheek. And thus they were burnt alive, the Spaniards loudly vociferating, and throwing sticks into the fire at a rapid rate, as desiring to have part in this madness, as though they thought to do God service thereby.

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Section 361.

THIS HENDRICK MAELSCHALCK, ON THE 26TH OF JANUARY 1568, WROTE THE FOLLOWING LETTER FROM PRISON AT GHENT

We wish you abundant grace, joy, peace, and mercy, and eternal salvation, from God, our heavenly Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God our Father, to whom be praise, glory and honor, and power and thanks, for ever and ever. Amen.

After wishing you all grace and salvation, we would inform you, Goelken our beloved friend* in the Lord, and all dear friends that fear the Lord, that we four prisoners at Ghent, for. the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, are still well according to the flesh, and according to the spirit we thank and praise the Lord, that He thus strengthens us by His grace; for it is still our mind and purpose, by His grace and mercy, always to adhere to the Lord, and to depart from Him neither for life nor death. Praise and thanks to the Lord, who thus strengthens us by His grace, since we are weak and miserable. But through the help of the Lord we have been able to endure so far, and we trust through the same Helper to persevere unto the end; for in that He Himself was tempted, He is able also to succor and deliver them that are tempted. For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee; so that we may boldly say with the apostle: “The Lord is my helper.” Phil. 4:13; Heb. 2:18; 13:5, 6.

* The word used in the original denotes a female friend. Trans

Now, dearly beloved brethren, if God is with us, who can be against us; for all men are but the works of His hands, and He has created everything, and has power to bring it to nought again at His pleasure; why then should we be afraid of mortal men? Rom. 8:31; Isa. 51:12. Surely, we must much rather fear this God; for He alone it is that can save and con[1]demn, and though we should escape the hands of men, we cannot escape Him. Hence we will rather say with Susanna: “It is better to fall into the hands of men, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.” Sus. 23.

Therefore, dear friends, we trust by no means to forsake the Lord, but always to go on to the promised land, to possess it, which is full of all good things; to this end, may the Lord strengthen, confirm and fit us by His grace and mercy, and all them that fear and accept Him.

I, Hendricks, have written you all, dear friends, a little about the state of our minds. Further, I would kindly entreat you, always to continue steadfast in the fear of the Lord; for they that fear the Lord will do good things, and those who love Him will strive to do His pleasure, and humble themselves before Him., If ye fear God, says the prophet, depart not from Him, but enter into the eternal joy and gladness. They that fear God shall attain to a good end, and in the day of their death they shall be blessed. Therefore, dear friends, let us always fear the Lord With all our heart and mind; let us obey Him and keep His Word, for they are blessed that hear the Word of God, and keep it, and they are also those who love Him, and keep His Word, and he that loves Him is known of Him. But he that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not God’s commandments, is a liar, and in him the love of God is not perfect. Luke 11:28; John 15:10; h John 2:4; 4:18. Therefore, my dear friends, let us love Him, because He first loved us, even as Paul testifies that, though He was rich, yet He became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich; yea, He who knew no sin was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God through Him. II Cor. 8:9; 5:21. Hence, seeing we well know that the Lord has loved us thus, and so abundantly shed His grace upon us, let us all take good heed that His grace be not bestowed in vain upon us; for we are made partakers of Him, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. Hebrews 3:14.

Hence, dear friends, as ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye.. in Him; rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught (says the apostle), well knowing that it is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. Col. 2:6, 7; I Pet. 5:12. Therefore, always give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall, says Peter; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. II Pet. 1:10, 11. Therefore let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, and let us always watch diligently, and wait for the Lord, even as good and faithful servants, that He do not come at an inopportune moment for us; but that we may always be prepared, as were the five wise virgins, who had trimmed their lamps, and went in to the marriage. But the five foolish virgins had to remain without. Matt. 25:4. Hence, dear friends, let us not be as were the foolish, but as the wise. Herewith we commend you to our dear Lord,, and to the com[1]forting word of His grace; may He strengthen and confirm you all, and us all, in all truth and righteousness. Amen.

Further, cordially beloved friend Goelken, and all other friends who read this, accept this in good part, which I have written in my weakness; for I do not think myself worthy to exhort you; since I am fully aware that you are well taught of God. But I have done this .from love, because I heard that you desired to have something from us; hence receive this kindly.

Further, should you wish to know something about our imprisonment, as to whether it will not soon be at an end with us, we would inform you that we do not hear much about ‘it. We had expected to offer up our sacrifice before Christmas, for we had heard said, it should be very soon; however, now we hear nothing of it, but by the grace of God we are constantly expecting it. Affectionately beloved friends in the Lord, pray for us, that we may continue steadfast unto the end, and oiler up an acceptable sacrifice unto the Lord. We trust to do the same for you, according to our weakness. Furthermore, we send you three new hymns, as a cordial and friendly greeting. Though they are simple, receive them in good part, for it has been done from love. Farewell; till in eternity. Amen. Greet your husband very much, and Grietgen your sister, and Bet., and Cor. Versw., and Anna van L.; and Susanna also greets you all very much. We further greet all them that fear the Lord.

Written by me, Hendrick Maelschalck, imprisoned at Ghent for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ; on the 26th of January, 1568.

Cordially, affectionately and much beloved friends, the Lord has truly said that He shall come as a thief in the night; for yesterday I had concluded and sealed the foregoing letter, thinking to send it to you; but it happened, that the next morning all four of us were ex[1]amined, of which we knew little when we wrote the preceding conclusion. Hence I say that the Lord has truly said that He shall come as a thief in the night. I Thess. 5:2. Thus, all four of us were examined, one after another, in the presence of two commissaries. They asked us many simple questions, which it would be too tedious to relate. But they did not ask us concerning our faith, except whether we were not baptized or rebaptized. Jan van Paris said he was baptized; Lauwerens said that he was not baptized according to the Scriptures; Pierken said that he was not baptized; and I said that we were not Anabaptists, and that I was not baptized. They asked Pierken, whether if he should be released, he should have himself baptized. He answered: “Yes, if I were fit for it.” They also asked him, whether he would re[1]nounce his opinion. He replied: “I do not consider it an opinion, but the true faith.” They then asked me whether I would not renounce my belief or opinion. I told them that I had renounced lies, and followed the truth. Hence, if I were to renounce, I should renounce the truth; but by the grace of the Lord I hoped to adhere to it. In this manner they continued to ask, so that it would be too tedious to write it. To Jan van Paris they said that we should. soon be dispatched, and that we should be patient for nine or ten days yet; they also said that they should send us men who should instruct us, and if we desired to hear them, we might do so. Hence we expect to have priests here; but we trust to keep our eyes open, for we well know what they seek. Thus, dear friends, all of you, we are of good cheer, the Lord be praised and thanked forever; and by the grace of the Lord we trust to keep the faith, whether it be life or death. Thus, dear friends, we think our confinement will not last much longer; for it seems that we have been delivered over to the lords of the council, and that they have orders from the Duke of Alva to dispatch us, and that the bailiff and the judges have nothing more to do with us. Hence we take leave from you all, dear friends, and pray you always to be diligent. We hope to go before; may the Lord by His grace and mercy strengthen and fit us thereto. Amen. Written on the 27th of January, 156$. By me. HENRY MAELSCHALCK.

“And fear not them which kill the body; but him which hath power to cast both soul and body into eternal darkness.” Matt. 10:28.

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Section 362.

JACOB DIRCKS, WITH HIS TWO SONS, ANDRIES JACOBS AND JAN JACOBS, A. D. 1568

In this bloody and perilous time of persecution, also pious Jacob Dircks and his two sons, Andries Jacobs and Jan Jacobs fell into the hands of the tyrants. This Jacob Dircks, a tailor by trade, resided with his family at Utrecht, and as he was spied out there as one be longing to the persuasion of the Mennists, and as the lords wanted to apprehend him he from fear of the tyrants fled to Antwerp. His wife, who did not hold these views, still remain[1]ing there for some time, the thief catchers

seized their property, and took about half of it, While Jacob Dircks resided with his family at Antwerp, his wife died there, and he and his aforementioned two sons, though having escaped the hands of the tyrants at Utrecht, subsequently fell into the claws of the wolves at Antwerp, where the trial of their faith was found much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire (I Pet. 1:7); so that they were together con[1]demned to be burnt, each at a stake, only for the divine truth, and living according to it, and not on acount of any crime committed. On their way to death, Jacob Dirck’s youngest son, named Pieter Jacobs, met them, who, as he in his great sadness and sorrow, put his arms around his father’s neck, was instantly most cruelly seized by the thiefcatchers, and thrown under the feet of the people following. With what sorrow the father and the brothers beheld this is easily imagined. When the father and his two sons had each been placed at a stake, he said: “How is it my dear sons?” Each replied: “Very well, my dear father.” Andries Jacobs being betrothed at the time, his bride and his sister viewed from a distance with sorrowful hearts and weeping eyes this offering, how their

bridegroom and brother, forsaking a temporal bride, and temporal relationship, chose the eternal Bridegroom Christ Jesus above all visible things. Thus these heroes were strangled, each at a stake and then burnt, sealing the truth with their death and blood on the 17th of March 1568. Therefore they shall also, for their severe travail, hear the sweet and welcome voice of Christ: “Ye good and faithful servants, ye have been faithful over a few things, I will make you rulers over many things; enter ye into the joy of your Lord.” And, again, the king will say: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25:23, 34.

This narrative is recorded from the accounts of trustworthy persons, who witnessed this offering themselves.

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Section 363.

KAREL DE RAET, AND GRIETGEN HIS WIFE, HANS; KEN IN’T SCHAECK, WILLEM DE SNIJDER, WITH CHRISTIJNTGEN HIS WIFE, A. D. 1568

On the third of May, 1568, some brethren were assembled at Tillegem, near Bruges, in Flanders, to hear the Word of God preached, when they were unexpectedly set upon by some who had come out to get may poles, and five of them were apprehended, namely, Karel de Raet, a shepherd, barn at Wingen; Hansken in’t Schaeck, called Hansken Koordedraeger, from the Schaeck at Kortijck; Willem de Snijder of Honschote; and two others who, since they did not valiantly adhere to the truth, are not worthy to have their names recorded here. The wife of Karel de Raet, and that of Willem de Snijder, were not apprehended with them, nor had Karel’s wife as yet united with the church, but was ready for it. Thus it happened, when these men had been apprehended, that Maerten Lem, a burgomaster of Bruges, went out, about twelve o’clock in the night, with the watchmen, and first apprehended Christijntgen, Willem Snijder’s wife, and when a watchman was desirous of turning Maerten Lem off from the house where Grietgen, Karel de Raet’s wife was to be sought for, and they were rapidly walking along the fortress, between the Asses Gate and Jerusalem, Grietgen with two of her children unexpectedly met them, which caused Maerten Lem to say: “See, God gives this whore into our hands;” and he asked her: “Where are you going?” Greatly amazed, she replied: “To church.” Thereupon he said: “It is no time now to go to church. Where is your husband?” She answered: “You know it well.” He asked whether the two children were baptized. She said: “No.” “Have they no name then?” he asked. “Yes,” she replied. “Well how is this?” said he; “Have they a name before they are baptized?” She replied: “Dogs and other animals receive names; how much more should children, that are created after the image of God? I was not aware that my lords of Bruges are so blind yet.” “If you want to talk this way,” said Maerten Lem, “You shall be burnt.” “I know it,” she replied; “But then the crown of life is prepared for me.” And thus these two women were likewise taken to prison, where much vexation, pain and suffering were inflicted upon them, as also upon the three men mentioned, to draw them from the faith; but all in vain. Hence, first the men were sentenced to be burnt on the Hillige, near Bruges, where they also boldly offered up their sacrifice; and a few days after, also the two women, because they steadfastly adhered to God, and His truth, were sentenced, and burnt in the castle in Bruges. And they now wait together for the coming of Him that shall come to avenge all their sufferings.

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Section 364.

JAN DE SMIT, DANIEL DE PAEU, DANIEL VAN VOOREN, AND PASSCHIER WEYNS, A. D. 1568

In the year 1568, at Ghent, in Flanders, also four brethren were apprehended, namely; Jan de Smit, Daniel de Paeu, Daniel van Vooren and Passchier Weyns, who boldly confessed their faith and all the articles in regard to which they were examined, and were not ashamed of God and His Word, but valiantly and undauntedly contended for the truth accepted and apprehended; against all that withstood them, unwaveringly even unto death, which they therefore tasted, as valiant soldiers; first, Jan de Smit, and shortly after, the other three. But they obtained to live forever where the new wine will be given them to drink in the Father’s kingdom.

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Section 365.

VALERIUS SCHOOLMASTER MARTYRED, A. D. 1568

A. D. 1568, a God fearing, pious brother, called Valerius Schoolmaster, having in his time exercised the functions of schoolteacher at Hoorn, in Holland, and at Middelburgh in Zealand, was apprehended for the testimony of Jesus, at Brouwershaven, in Zealand. He was a zealous follower of Christ, and would not hide the talent he had received in the earth, but put it with great diligence out upon usury; so that in paths and highways wherever he saw a fit opportunity, he exhorted the people with the word of God, threatening the sinner with the terrible punishment and vengeance which at the speedy appearance of Christ from heaven will fall upon all ungodliness; and, again, comforting the penitent with the great and glorious promises and rewards which the Lord God at the end of the world will give to all believers. In consequence of this he incurred the displeasure of benighted men, who can neither hear nor endure the light of the Gospel, so that once he was put in bonds at Goes, in Zealand, but was released again, keeping his faith. Finally, however. he was apprehended at Brouwershaven, in the district of Zierickzee, where he suffered many assaults and long imprisonment, but by the grace of God, overcame everything, and attested and sealed the faith of the truth with his death and blood, and thus, through grace, obtained the crown of eternal life.

He also was not idle during the time of his imprisonment, but wrote two excellent little books, well worth reading, and sent them from prison. The first is entitled, Of the Decrease and Decay of the Apostolical Church; and Of the Rise of Antichrist, and how the Light o f the Gospel is obscured by him. Written in the sixtieth week of his imprisonment; together with an earnest exhortation ,to apostates from the Word of God, that they may seek the grace of the Almighty betimes, while He is yet to be found.

The other book bears the title, The Proof o f Faith; in which he teaches with great earn[1]estness, to count this world and all visible things nothing but mere loss and dung, so only Christ be won. Wherefore he exhorts all believers, to become poor for Christ’s sake, and to expect riches hereafter with God in heaven. Hence he greatly commends the Dovertv and piety still remaining in Menno Simon’s S. G., and says that herein he puts to blush many others. We have therefore added here, for his remembrance, the first Dart of said book, that by this little the reader may judge of all the remainder, which would be too long to adduce .here in full. He wrote it the fourteenth week of his imprisonment. Read it with attention.

“Natural, impartial reader or hearer, who have any understanding, you may well know and imagine that a man that is so depraved and wicked, and has done so much evil, as to insure his death, in case he were apprehended, ought to be afraid of committing any more evil, lest at last he be apprehended’ and put to death. But if he do not cease from evil he may at last be apprehended for his crimes. Then, when imprisoned, he tnay reflect and concern himself night and day,. how he may escape or obtain his liberty, whether by strategy, violence or breaking out=and all this, that he might, prolong his uncertain life for a little while, which, though he should escape, he must ultimately relinquish. And if a poor prisoner cannot help himself, he may consider whether some good friend’ cannot assist him. And if his friend fail him, he may meditate whether the judges might not be merciful to him, at whose feet he may fall, and implore them to spare him in mercy; moreover, he may promise thoroughly to reform, and that he will commit such or like misdeeds no more all the days of his life. And when the prisoner has done this much, yea, all that he knows to do, and all his plans, and everything else, prove of no avail, he may in desperation give up all courage. And when he sees the monk coming, he may become, greatly alarmed, knowing that his confessor (who with lies and vain consolation may promise him eternal life, thereby seeking to assure his soul) is the harbinger of his death; and when the doomed man hears the court pro= nounce his sentence of death, he may become still more afraid and dismayed. And when at last he is led to death, and beholds the instrument of his death, the gallows, wheel, stake, or water, he may most of all fear and quake, so seized with mortal dread and horror as though he were dead while still living, unless he be assured by the priests or some other liars, of his salvation, in which case he might be of good cheer one in this way, another in an= other way. And if some one should bring to this doomed criminal under the sword or at the stake, good news assuring him of his life, and tell him to arise and he himself should kneel down in the’malefactor’s stead, how joyfully should the latter with gratitude accept his transient life! But Christ, who gives redemption and eternal life by His death, few are willing gratefully to accept aright and unto repentance. John 3:16; Col. 1:14; Isa. 53:4.

“Now, suppose that the doomed criminal were a filthy, unclean harlot, imprisoned for a crime, or for having herself alone committed (if it were possible) all the wickedness and sins ever perpetrated by the whole world, for which she were condemned to the most shameful death that could be devised and the King should send His only, beloved Son from His kingdom and glory into’great poverty, imprisonment; suffering and an innocent death, in the stead of the unclean harlot, who by all manner of contempt and evil doing had angered the King, and ,merited death a thousand times, but is now nevertheless, out oft grace, through the death of the King’s Son (.on condition of her amending) reconciled to the King, made at peace with Him, liberated from prison, and delivered from death, and remains alive, a partaker and heir of all the riches of the King; ought she not to accept,this great love and grace; love the King, amend her ways, and be greatly afraid of vexing the King any more all her life, who cleansed her, forgave all her evil deeds, paid all her debts, espoused her as his beloved queen, exalted her into his glory; and protected her as himself from all enemies? But if she should not amend, (according to her promise), should again anger the King, and do worse than before, were this not great ingratitude, worthy of sorer punishment than be[1]fore’? Hereby we may prove ourselves, whether we that are redeemed through the grace of God, also keep the promise of amendment. And though all this were to happen thus, a thing which was never heard of or seen, nor ever occurred; yet, since it were but temporal and of short duration, it is not an adequate comparison to that which is eternal and intransient, namely, the love of God, which has come to us through Christ His beloved Son.

“For God so loved the condemned world, His enemy, steeped as it was in sin,. and lying in wickedness, that lie spared not His only Son, but sent Him from His glory in heaven, and delivered Him up to the ignominious and cursed death of the cross that whosoever believeth, should not perish or be condemned, but, through the love, mercy and grace made manifest through Christ, be acquitted, blessed, redeemed, cleansed from sin, protected from the wrath to come, wooed, wedded and exalted as His chosen bride, obedient wife (Hos. 2:20), and glorious ‘queen, and His eternal and imperishable kingdom, and live with joy unspeakable; whereas we were so ‘unclean in our sins, polluted in our blood, no one attending to us (Ezek. 16), taken captive by the devil at His will, and sentenced by God, according. to His. justice, to eternal death and damnation.

“Now let us well consider and advise with ourselves, according to the simile of the criminal, imprisoned . harlot under the sword or at the stake. Let us well examine ourselves, whether we have risen from our sins,,amendeda and still daily amend, and whether we have rightly accepted, by the faith which worketh by love, this love, grace and redemption of God, made manifest through Christ, and whether we in return love God, keep His commandments, and are afraid of offending Him.

“The world was by nature corrupted by sin, and judged or sentenced to condemnation, so that Christ did not come to judge or to condemn that which was already judged, but to redeem from judgment and condemnation all those who rightly, by faith; accept His grace (Tit, 2:1.1), that is, those who die unto and forsake their sinful life, repent and amend; in a word, those who are born again, live after the Spirit (John 3; Rom. 8), as the Scriptures abundantly testify in many places.

“But the others, who do not rightly accept, by faith, unto the amendment of their entire life, according to the holy Word of the Lord, this love, grace and redemption, abide notwith[1]standing, held captive by their sins, under the condemnation and wrath of God, and will on account of their unbelief, impenitence and unrighteousness not see the kingdom of God, nor inherit eternal life, because they still continue in sin, and thus cannot receive edemption and forgiveness of sins; and if they have once received it, yet, when their new sins exceed the old ones, it may go worse with them than before, because they are so ungrateful, and do not keep their promise of amendment. For Christ bore our sins in His own body on the tree of the cross (on this condition of our amendment) that we believers, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes we were healed. For we were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. I Pet. 2:24, 25. From this we may clearly perceive, that those who do not die unto their sins, nor live accord[1]ing to righteousness, are not yet healed or redeemed by the stripes and death of Christ; for they are not yet by faith returned unto God, from their sins, wherein they still live. Hence they in vain assure themselves, of eternal life, and of their redemption by the death of Christ, since they are still bound by their sins. Either they must turn from their sins to God, obedi[1]ently to serve Him all the days of their life, in all holiness and righteousness of faith which is pleasing in His sight; or they still remain captive, unbelieving and condemned, as the Scriptures declare more abundantly than I can designate; for I have never had a. Bible in prison. Let each examine himself. II Cor. 13:5.

“Mark now, how poor mankind receive redemption and salvation, as they think. One hears and sees openly enough that almost the entire population of Europe are called believing Christians, though by their wicked works they hardly show that they are natural men, since they live more unnatural than irrational beasts. Nevertheless, they are taught by their teachers, that they are called children and heirs of God (Ezek. 13:10), which they, also claim they are, being so firmly persuaded of and settled in it, that there are very few of them who can be turned, advised, helped or drawn out of the prison, water, or fire of damnation (Jude 23); for they are already too wise in themselves, already helped, and delivered from death as they think and say, though in this their sinful life and ungodliness, they live enveloped in perdition; and clothed with a beautiful name, being called Christians and children of God, though they lead a worse life than do Jews, Turks, or Saracens, who do not pretend to be Christians, as these, who so openly and shamelessly forsake Christ, in idolatry with wood and stone, which they call an excellent worship; in avarice which they style only industry; in pride, which with them is only neatness; in lasciviousness and adultery, which they term only friendship; in drunkenness, which they call enjoyment, pleasure, glee, good naturedness, or good cheer, even as they know how to name and varnish over every form of wickedness and sin, as though they were nothing but virtue and righteousness. As though they were blameless, many of them are not willing to be reproved for the lusts of their flesh, in dicing, gambling, singing, jumping, dancing, strutting, boasting, in order to be nowhere the least, but everywhere the first, if possible; in vain, false, and renowned arts of earthly worldly and carnal wisdom; in litigating, suing, swearing; in subtle, fraudulent, wicked inventions and traffics; in lying, cheating, quarreling, cursing, fighting, and killing, if not in deed, then with the heart; in hatred and envy, defaming, backbiting, foolish talking, jesting, joking, unprof[1]itableness, impropriety, in all manner of lustfulness and wantonness. This is nearly every[1]where as common as daily bread; herein and herewith they spend, abuse and fritter away, to the perdition of their souls, the precious time of grace, their life, and every good creature of God; which good gifts of God we have received from His grace for our good, thereby obediently to serve our God and Creator blessed forever, to the honor of God, the salvation of our souls, and the edification and love of our neighbor. For God is not willing that any should perish, neither has He pleasure in the death of sinners; but He is longsuffering, and waits for all to repent and will have all men to come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved. II Pet. 3:9; Ezek. 33:11; 18:32; I Timothy 2:4.

“What more should our Lord God do for man, than He has done? Does not then men’s condemnation proceed from their unbelief, disobedience, neglect, abuse, guilt, sin, obduracy, and ingratitude, because they will not by faith unto repentance accept this grace and incom[1]prehensible love of God? But they reject this repentance, and would still enjoy this grace and salvation in their sinful life, from which they do not turn.* For since men have also the freedom to abuse themselves or their own life, and every creature of God, though this is not the will of God, only He permits it, therefore men, by their first birth, live contrary to the Word and will of God, hence unnaturally, disobediently, ungratefully, unreasonably, heed[1]lessly, according to the will of the devil, are devilishly and carnally minded, covetous and ambitious, unmannerly, immodest, faithless, perjured, hateful, envious, unmerciful, without compassion, impatient, morose, cruel, and revengeful; in short, had men the power of wealth, and of their body, and were there no human authority which they fear and dread more than God, men might live in such an inhuman manner that we might almost have a hell upon earth; for though

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

now men are feared more than God, still it is altogether too bad.*

“Many that are poor refrain from drunkenness because they have no money or pledge, while the rich may refrain from it on account of their honor or pride, or because they have no company according to their liking, or because they wish to preserve their health and mind; and for such reasons also lasciviousness is avoided. Men often refrain from stealing on account of the gallows, and from murder because of the wheel; in short, every sin is left uncommitted more on account of constraint, shame, and fear of men, than from voluntary goodness for the Lord’s sake. And though men are so devoid of shame and given up to evil that they openly keep brothels, and live far more detestably than beasts; they are nevertheless called Christians, and claim to be children and heirs of God by grace. How much more then those who manage it a little more decently and secretly, as they think, though they frequently are much worse? Can one do worse, than those who without shame live in adultery and other secret sins, when God the Lord knows every secret of the heart? Rev. 2:23; 16:7. Oh, if men’s sins were written on their foreheads, how constantly would they keep in the house, and conceal themselves in corners, holes and dens, so as not to be seen by men.

“But they are not ashamed before God, nor afraid of Him, from whom they cannot hide; and who can kill the body, and cast both it and the soul into the fire of hell. Intelligent and impartial reader or hearer, prove whether these false Christians in this their improper and unchristian life can be saved though God’s mercy and the death of Christ, or not? even as they presumptuously say, that the kingdom of heaven is for them, and not for the beasts, and besides utter so much nonsense, as though they were raving, as they also are, so that a true Christian may well be ashamed and afraid to see or hear their madness and their un[1]righteous works. II Pet. 2:8.

“O depraved and wanton men I Though the Jews, because they were called AbrahpLm’s seed, claimed to be God’s children, Christ showed them that a thief, liar and murderer from the beginning, even the devil, was their father, because their works were evil. John 8:44. This may have seemed strange to them, even as it may seem strange to those who obey not the Gospel of Christ, that according to the testimony of the holy Scriptures they are called, and are servants of sin (Rom. 6:20), an evil and perverse generation of serpents, vipers and adders (Matt. 3:7), the seed of the devil, children and heirs of wrath (Eph. 2:3), accursed and of eternal damnation, seed of Cain, Ishmaelites, filthy swine, devouring dogs, ravening wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15 ), that is, under the cloak of sanctity, uncircumcised, gentiles, aliens and strang

* Many think they are good Christians, because they do not steal or commit murder, and because they do not perpetrate violence or highway robbery, or because they refrain from evils which they can or dare not do; however, this is no virture in their case ers from the covenants of the promise of eternal life, who have no part in the kingdom of God, though they entertain a vain hope of it; without God, without Christ, godless and idolatrous in the world. These evil works are the nets, snares, fetters, blocks, chains, bonds, and imprisonments, with which the prince of this world, the devil, who works in the children of disobedience holds men captive, blinded and bound at his will. Eph. 2:2; II Tim. 2:26. And so long as the false Christians go or creep about bound by their sins, and entangled in their unrighteousness, they boast in vain and heap one great lie on top of another, when they boast that through Christ they are redeemed and freed from their sins, when they still live in their toils, and because of their unbelief and disobedience are predestinated unto eternal damnation, unless they turn from their sins to God, and by faith rightly receive His grace unto repentance; whereby they will not perish, but are predestinated to eternal life, and become vessels of honor prepared unto glory, according to my simple view. Rom. 9:23.

“Mark what Christians these are, because they say that there is a gracious God, which the devil also believes, and trembles; moreover, they say that they are sorry for their sins, and still they go on in them, the longer the more, the older the worse, and under the cloak of the grace of God commit all kinds of sin, the one in this, another in that, so that no wickedness is left undone. Let every one search the secrecy of his heart, and he will better understand and find what I, prisoner, here write. One man cannot alone commit all these sins, for his life is too short and insufficient. For it is generally seen that sins leave men when sickness or old age comes, which, however, does not tend to their repentance, amendment, or salvation, though many who are robust and healthy abandon and deceive themselves, saying: I shall repent when I am old, when I lie upon my death bed, or I care not longer to serve the world; if any one sorrows for his sins then, and the end is good, all is well.

“O vain consolationl for what kind of repentance can that be, when one is no longer able to commit sin and wickedness? it is nothing but mocking the Lord, sinning presump[1]tuously, and rejecting His grace. Oh that all men captive in sin at the will of the devil (II Tim. 2:26), would always consider this, and thus give the more diligence, so that through grace their souls might become disengaged and free from the snares of the devil, or sin; even as a prisoner according to the body gives diligence to obtain his liberty, so as to escape bodily death for a brief and uncertain time yet, though he ultimately cannot escape it. If men believed that God is just, and that He will not suffer any evil to go unpunished in im[1]penitent sinners, they would be terrified, and through fear of God’s righteous judgment forsake their sins; but now they are comforted in their misfortune by their preachers, with flattering, words and soothing sermons with grace, peace, mercy and salvation; whereas they ought to be reproved for their sins, and threatened with the anger, wrath, fury and displeasure of God (Rom. 2:8), and eternal damnation, so that they might repent while the door of grace is open for a little while yet. II Cor. 6:2.

“I know of nothing that so securely’and firmly holds men in the sleep of sin till the Lord comes as a thief in the night, as to call good evil (Isa. 5:20), the Gospel a sect (of which all manner of evil and falsehoods are spoken), and to change the truth into lies. The Christians are called,heretics and deceivers; every good work, virtue and righteousness is so misnamed, perverted, painted in such abominable colors, and the worst construction put upon them, so that men are afraid of them, as though they would be led astray by the truth, and of God. The devil, on the other hand does trot appear half so ugly as he is represented and I have here described him, but disguised by a beautiful semblance of love, and changed and trans[1]formed into an angel of light, as though he were sent of God, and were himself Cod. II Thess. 2:4.. Then are his lies called nothing less than Gospel and truth; Babylon is called the church of God; idolaters are styled my lords; lying and cheating are termed prudence and cleverness; fighting is called valor, and murder, simply misfortune; and thus, many like shameful deeds, upon which an honorable construction is put, so that evil is called good. But woe unto such, as Isaiah says. Isa. 5:20. Thus, the ministers and children of the devil know how to change, gloss over, name, and construe in the most favorable light into good works virtues, and all manner of righteousnesses, all their evil works, vices, sins, and manifold unrighteousnesses; as; avarice into industry and pride into neatness.

“Who can reprove them therein?’ , And therewith the devil blinds them so artfully and firmly to his will, so that they think themselves to be pious Christians, and are not willing to be reproved by’ the truth for their sins, but claim to be unblamable children of God; moreover, they say, like Christ’s disciples: `Our Father, etc.’ But let everyone examine himself, whether he is born of God, because he knows how to palliate his ‘sins; and whether he so sanctifies and adorns the name of God, and does His will, and whether he carries himself before God as an obedient child before his father; otherwise he joins lie upon lie in his prayer, which in that case is a curse and an abomination before God. In short, he that committeth sin is born of the devil, and knoweth not God, John 8:44; I John 3; and they that are carnally, minded cannot please God. Hence, mark whom impenitent sinners call upon as their father. Blind indeed must he be who cannot perceive this,,and hardened he that is not willing to repent.

“O dear reader or hearer, if I’ may pray you, it is my heartfelt desire of you, that you would always consider (and regulate yourself accordingly), that men shall give an account of every idle word they have spoken; how much more then of their deeds. And everyone shall receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad; namely, before the righteous judgment of God, where anger, hatred, envy, yea, not loving in deed and in truth, speaking scornfully or spitefully to one’s brother, Raca, thou fool, or offending him, will be deemed and judged murder, worthy of the council, of judg[1]ment, and of hell fire. Matthew 5:22; I John 3. In like manner, disobedience will be regarded as witchcraft; to look upon a woman to lust after her, as adultery; and any other evil which is desired with the heart, and consented to with the will (though the power for, and the commission of it be wanting), will be judged and punished as an accomplished evil work. I Sam. 15:23; Matt. 5:28; Not to keep His Word, will be considered lying and perjury, and a good oath, so called, will be as severely recompensed as a bad oath; for Christ has prohibited all swearing; Matt. 5, as also to hate one’s enemies, and not to love them like one’s friends; and many like things. Now mark how adultery was punished under the law by the judges; for those who committed adultery were. stoned to death. Lev. 20:10. And it is dally seen, how witchcraft, homicide or murder are punished by the secular lords with fire or the sword unto death. Mark, how Adam, for one sin, likewise Cain, then the whole world, with the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, and the adjacent cities, with fire and brimstone, Egypt, and afterwards the idolaters in Israel and murmurers against Moses, were punished according to the justice of God, for our example. Of how much sorer punishment then are they worthy who murmur against Christ, change His truth into lies, and do not receive His grace and redemption by faith, unto the amendment of their life, but reject the same, living presump[1]tuously in their sins. Heb. 10:29; Rom. 1:25. God who did not spare the angels who had sinned, will also not spare those who through unbelief are unrighteous and false Christians, but punish them with a sorer punishment than Sodom and Gomorrah, which were turned into ashes and condemned and overthrown for an example unto all them that commit un[1]godliness, and do not. repent. II Pet. 2:4,,6; Jude 6; Matt. 11:24; II Pet. 3

“If then we are to be saved, through God’s mercy, we must repent, must be obedient children of God, born again of Him, and must follow Christ in the regeneration and the footsteps of faith, through the narrow way unto eternal life; nor are we then saved through the merit of good works, but by the grace which came through Christ. Eph. 2:5. For though we lived holy; blameless, and perfect in all righteousness (as the Scriptures require), and suffered for the truth a death more bitter than that of Christ which with us men is impossible, yet we could not be saved through our own good works, but only by God’s mercy, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who alone has wrought out our salvation. And if we sought or placed our salvation in our good works or our sufferings, we should commit idolatry, and we were our own idol, if we trusted in ourselves. But now our salvation depends only on the mercy of God, and not on our running and following after. Rom. 9:16. Though we should run and follow after ever so well (which is our bounden duty), so that we attained, and already had, the perfection (that for which we are apprehended of Christ), and had done all those things which are commanded us, and which it is our duty to do, we were yet only unprofitable servants. Phil. 3:12; Luke 17:10. How much more unprofitable then are we now, with our many defects, though we willingly strive after and should gladly perform that which is good, and are sorry that we are not perfect.* Hence we have great reason, and are in duty bound, to humble ourselves very low under the abundant grace of God, and to pray; for eternal life is a gift of God, and not a debt or reward proceeding from our labor, merit, or good works; for we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, unto good works, which God hath before prepared that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10), as is our duty to do, in the least as well as in the greatest. But the wages of sin is death; hence we must hate and fear sin, that we do not consent to or commit it, if we want to be saved by the grace and gift of God. Thus, we are delivered through Christ from the bonds of the devil, or sin; let therefore no one say or hope that he is saved by his good works, which are far too insuf[1]ficient. That, also, no one say: `Should we not take thought, should we not gain a livelihood, else on what should we live? except to them who say that one is not to support himself by the labor of his hands, but to go idle.’ Matt. 6:25; Luke 12:22; Eph. 4:28. And that, also, no one say: `No man knows the hour and the day of the Lord, except to those who have set the hour and the day, from doing which may the Lord keep me.’ Mark 13:32; Matt. 24:42; Luke 12:40. Beware of frivolous babblers, for scorners will speedily come to an end. I Cor. 15:33. And if, when you speak your mind, or reprove with meekness that which does not meet your approbation and one resist you in the good, be silent instantly, Ithat you may retain your peace and the tranquility of your conscience. If it vex you, do nevertheless not engage in contention, that you may be found in peace when the Lord comes. II Pet. 3:14. We must here at any rate suffer violence and wrong; but it will not last long; hence, let us possess our souls in patience. Luke 21:19.

“The fourteenth week of my imprisonment, the first day of January, so called, A. D. 1568. I trust that the present year will not pass like the former. Watch and pray, for you know neither the day nor hour; but the God fearing may consider whether this is the year in which the Lord will deliver His elect and believers; let everyone take warning.”

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

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Section 366.

JAN THIELEMANS AND JOB JANS, BURNT TO DEATH FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, IN THE HAGUE, IN HOLLAND, IN THE YEAR 1568

Hands were now laid in the Hague, on the beloved friends of the Lord, so that they did not hesitate to deprive them of their lives with flaming fire.

This became apparent in the case of two very pious and God fearing men, one of whom was named Jan Thielemans, the other job Jans. To both of them, at that place, because they faithfully adhered to the Lord their God, and could by no torture be moved from the steadfastness of their faith, their sentence of death was read in court, namely, that, in pursu[1]ance with the decrees of the Emperor, and the King of Spain (who called himself Count of Holland), they should be put to death with fire as heretics; which was executed on the 18th of December, A. D. 1568, on both of them, after they had committed their souls into the hands of God.

Further observation, concerning the death sen; tences o f the aforementioned martyrs

We have this year, 1659, on this occasion, through some of our friends in the Hague, requested by way of authenticated copy, the use of the proceedings of the court, from the criminal records of the year 1568, but especially of the death sentences of the aforementioned martyrs (as recorded by the papists), which, as appears, are still extant in the original; but as A. D. 1648 peace was made with Spain, with condition of forgiving each other all previous wrongs, and consequently, to mention them no more, the actuary was afraid to make out a copy of these particulars, as well as concerning others of our fellow believers that were put to death during the papistical reign, fearing it might tend to their reproach, and prove det[1]rimental to the peace concluded.

This aim of the actuary was not bad, since it springs from carefulness in regard to a matter of great importance; but in the meantime these holy martyrs must suffer abridgement, since their matters, which otherwise necessarily (even out of the mouth of their adversaries, might be made known to every one), must thereby remain hid. This by way of notice.

The first letter which Jan Thielemans wrote in prison

I wish you, my dear friends, grace and peace from God the heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ His dear Son our Lord, as a friendly greeting. Amen.

Further, after all good and proper greetings that are Christian like, I, in my unworthiness, have felt greatly prompted in my spirit, to write you something yet, since I cannot orally converse with you all; seeing I had laid the first foundation in some of you (I Cor. 3:10), and, according to my humble gift, withheld nothing from you, and though I am now removed from you, I have nevertheless, because of the great love which we in great fellowship and peace have mutually had, remembered you in my last adieu with a little draught out of my rivulet, from which I have poured out for you; yet not I, but the grace of God through me. For thus it is written,. Gen. 17, that God spake to our father Abraham, saying: “I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me, and thee, and wi11 multiply thee accordingly, so that kings shall come out of thee. And I will give unto thy seed the land of Canaan for an inheritance. And this is my covenant which I will make with you: Every man child ye shall circumcise.” Thus Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness and he was called the Friend of God: James 2:23. So God then gave Abraham a son; who was called Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs envied Joseph, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. The Ishmaelites sold him into Egypt; but God was with him, and he found favor in the sight of king Pharaoh, and became governor over the land of Egypt. And it happened that there came a dearth over Egypt, so that Jacob and his sons found no sustenance. And they heard that corn was sold in Egypt. Hence Jacob sent out his sons the first time; and the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. And Joseph sent for his father Jacob. And Jacob went down into Egypt, and with him threescore and fifteen souls; and he dwelt in Egypt, and he and his sons died there. Acts 7:4, etc.

Now when the people began to multiply, there arose another king, who oppressed the people of Israel, and commanded that the young children should be cast away. Mark well, my good friends, how did the children of Israel get into this distress, great misery and sorrow, on account of which they lamented and groaned to God? who had brought them into this? It was their father Jacob that had done it; yet with God Almighty the promise remained as firm as ever, which He had made to our father Abraham, namely, that his seed should inherit the land of Canaan; but now they were in great affliction. Now, what did all. those inherit that were born there? the good and faithful land of promise? No, but they inherited bondage under the cruel King Pharaoh, and still found themselves in the land of Egypt; this is certainly the truth.

Consider now this age of the world, and those who are at the present day born unto the world; if they ascertain it from the Scriptures, who brought them into the world? Adam their father. So they now still find themselves in the spiritual dark Egypt, under Pharaoh, the devil. Mark now, my good friends, what they inherit,, and how they boast in vain. They, inherit a naked body when they are born, without raiment and food; for if they inherited raiment and food, there would not so many people go naked and suffer.hunger. But now excellent and thankworthy gifts are proffered by the Lord. But if we will not use these excellent means according to the rule and truth of Christ, in order to get to the spiritual promised land, we must remain without; even as there are many who do not use the means for obtaining food and clothing, and must therefore go without them, suffer cold and hunger: thus, my good friends, it will also go with all those who here vainly boast of the kingdom of God.

I will now return to my previous theme. Consider now Israel, who were dwelling in Egypt; they began greatly to multiply, and wax mighty, and numbered six hundred thousand men. This great power was nevertheless beaten and compelled to labor by King Pharaoh. They groaned and complained, and though there was such a great multitude of them, yet it was not possible for them to get out of the country, and enter into the land of which they were to be heirs, as God had promised Abraham. Thus, also, my friends, it is impossible for man to, get out of spiritual Egypt, and to be delivered from. King Pharaoh, namely, the devil, in order to enter into the spiritual country, namely, the kingdom of God; for men universally inherit a depraved.nature, and in accordance with it they act, and live after the flesh, wherefore they die, and do not inherit the kingdom of God. Now, my dear friends, when they were thus in Egypt, and had dwelt there four hundred and thirty years, and complained, groaned and sighed, it came before the Lord. And the Lord God Almighty re[1]membered Ibis covenant which He had firmly made with our Father Abraham, and God raised up and chose a man named Moses. Behold, my good friends, through this man God intended to deliver all the people, and He did many wonderful signs and mighty works before the king of Egypt, as we may read. Finally this Moses brought them out by the mighty hand of God; but before they left the country, Moses went many times to Pharaoh and said

“Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may serve me.” But Pharaoh said

“Who is the Lord, that I should let the people go? I will not let the people go.” Now, even as the people that were in Egypt could not serve the Lord, unless they left Egypt and journeyed towards the promised land, so can now those likewise riot serve the Lord, who are in the spiritual Egypt; for one cannot serve two masters at once; one must leave Pharaoh and Egypt; for Pharaoh dwells in Egypt, but the Lord God dwells in the spiritual promised land. My kind friends can now easily perceive that it is the truth what I write, that one must leave the spiritual Egypt, even as Moses by the mighty hand of God delivered the people out of Egypt, from which they went out in one day, and came to the sea, whither Pharaoh with his servants pursued them, thinking that they could not escape out of the country. But little did they know that the Lord was with the children of Israel; for Pharaoh thought to smite them. But the Lord divided the sea, so that the waters stood like walls. And thus Moses and the people of God passed through, but Pharaoh with all his servants remained in the sea, so that not one of them escaped to go and tell the tale in Egypt. Thus also, my dearest, when men want to serve God, then they forsake Egypt and Pharaoh, and when Pharaoh sees this, he bestirs him with his servants. But the spiritual Moses has gone before his people, and helps them through the sea, namely, through the wilderness of this world, and Pharaoh and his servants diligently pursue to the end, which is death.

Furthermore, my friends, when Moses had now succeeded in bringing them across the sea, they saw their pursuers drown before their eyes. Then they rejoiced greatly, and with songs thanked God, who had so mightily helped them. They were, however, not yet in the promised land, but on the way to the same. And Moses their leader went before them, and brought them to Mount Sinai; and he, the faithful servant of the Lord, went up into the mount and there received the law of the Lord, which was written with the finger of God in two tables of stone. When Moses had received these two tables of stone from the hand of the Lord, to lay them before the people, that they should do according to them, for now the service of the Lord commenced; and as yet they had received no ordinance from God, save circumcision; hence, if they were now to serve God, they must also have the commandments, the Lord said to Moses: “Go, get thee down from the mount; for the people have corrupted themselves.” Ex. 32:7. Now when Moses went down from the mount, and saw the people dancing around the calf, rejoicing in the work of their hands, he cast down the two tables of stone and brake them beneath the mount, and with a grieved heart addressed Aaron, saying

“What hast thou done, that thou hast brought this people to so great a sin?” Aaron ex[1]cused himself before Moses, and said: “My lord, thou knowest that this people is a stiffnecked people. They fell upon me and I demanded of them their golden earrings, and other gold; and I received it from their hands, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and hence this calf came.” Moses took the calf, and ground it to powder, and strewed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. And Moses addressed the Levites, and said to them

“Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.” And there fell three thousand men. Behold now, my dear kind friends, these three thousand had left Egypt and Pharaoh, and were gone out of it, in order that they should possess the goodly land; now if they had boasted themselves of the goodly land (promised by God to Abraham and his seed), would it not have been vain boasting? Certainly.

And Korah, Dathan and Abiram, with two hundred and fifty others, who offered incense before the Lord, perished from the multitude, together with fourteen thousand and seven hundred that murmured against Moses, and said: “Ye have killed the. people of the Lord.” Num. 16.

See, my good friends, they claimed to be the people of God, though they were not it; and again, Moses the faithful servant of the Lord was said to have done it, though it was not he, but their own sins that did it. And if the truth had been told, it would also have been so said; but the truth is also now at the present day often perverted, and things are asserted to be true when they are not. Again, if the twenty four thousand whoremongers (Numbers 25:1), together with three thousand more and many others, who all perished in the wilderness because of their sins and transgressions, had all greatly boasted themselves of the goodly land, would this not have been vain boasting? Certainly. Hence, it is vain to boast of one’s self; but to boast according to the truth is right. For Moses said to them: “Hear, O Israel: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy might. These words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy doors; talk of them when thou walkest by the way with thy children; and let them be for a memorial in thine hand.” Deut. 6:4, etc. Thus Moses strictly exhorted the people, and most diligently presented the law of the Lord to them; and the people said: “Yea, but did not do it.”

Hence, my good friends, take heed, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief [in departing from the living God]. But exhort one another daily while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For ye are made partakers of Christ, if ye hold the beginning of your confidence steadfast unto the end. Therefore, today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, when He was grieved forty years with that generation, and sware in His wrath, that they should not enter into His rest. Heb. 3. Therefore, my good friends, let us give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? 2:1-3. Let us therefore fear the Lord, that we may enter into His rest, and that none of us remain without. For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them. 4:1, 2. Thus, my good friends, it does not profit to hear the word of God, if it is not mixed with faith; for unto them that believe, as the Scripture says, the kingdom of God is promised by the mouth of Jesus. Hence let us not neglect the grace of God, who says: “I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salva[1]tion” which is neglected by many. Hebrews 12:15; II Cor. 6:1, 2.

Therefore let us in all things approve ourselves as the ministers of God, serving Him all the days of our lives in holiness and righteousness, which are acceptable before Him. Hence I say with Paul

“Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; that ye stumble not, as do the lame; but make straight paths for your feet; for I fear that there are now many lame, and many hands which hang down. Therefore follow peace and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Hebrews 12:12, 13. I beseech you therefore, my good friends, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Rom. 12:1, 2. Hence, remember the words which were formerly spoken to you in the name of the Lord: “Therefore abide in that which you have heard from the beginning. If you abide in that which you have heard from the beginning, you shall continue in the Father and in the Son. And this is his promise, even eternal life.” I John 2: 24, 25. For we have a sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the daystar arise in your hearts. II Pet. 1:19.

My dear friends, what a dark place it was formerly with you, when the light was hid from you; and what dark places there are still; but you have obtained mercy. Hence Jesus Christ says in the Gospel: “I am come a light into the world, that whosover believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and re[1]ceiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting.” Jno. 12:46;50.

Hence it is our concern that we through the cordial grace of our Lord Jesus Christ may receive the same at His hand; for the Lord also is concerned to have a.people that fear and love Him. And this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His command[1]ments are not grievous, to them that love Him. I John 5:3. Therefore, the law of command[1]ments is good, and will abide forever; he that receives it, shall obtain life; but he that receives it not shall obtain death.

Hence, my friends, be mindful of the Lord our God all your days, and let not your will be set to sin, or to transgress the commandments of the Lord our God (Tob. 4:5); for He has commanded the people to come, charging them, when they came, what they should do, that they might live; and what they should observe, that they might not be tormented. But they have rejected His laws; therefore they shall also be in great misery, who have abused His ways. Though He gave them an appointed time, they understood it not, to show repent[1]ance; and must therefore know it after death in torment. II Esd. 9:9. For, for this cause was the gospel’ preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. I Pet. 4:6. Therefore, the hour is now come, that the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live. And there shall an hour come, when the dead that are in the grave shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that have done good shall rise unto life eternal; and they that have done evil shall rise also, however, not unto life, but unto damnation. John 5: 25, etc. Hence, my good friends, look to yourselves, that you lose not those things which you have wrought, but that you may receive a full reward. For whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. But he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. II John 8, 9. “Ye are of God, little children, [and have overcome them:] because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God; he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.” I John 4: 4-6.

Thus, my good friends, I have written you a little, and now begin to draw to a close with my letter; for we have little time for writing, since there are so many people coming and going. Openly I dare not write; so that I sometimes can scarcely write a line in solitude. Hence excuse me, in case there be any blunders. Thus, my dear friends, I have written you a little, because I felt prompted in my mind to do this, and could find no rest.

Herewith I will commend you to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. And remember me, your poor unworthy brother, in your prayers, that I may finish this to the praise of the Lord, and to your confirmation; so that my soul may find rest with the Lord; for I, in my insignificance and unworthiness, do not forget you here, where I also entreat the Lord. Furthermore, I greet you all especially much with the salutation of our dear Lord Jesus Christ when He, having been removed by wicked men from His disciples, for a little while, returned to them (as they sat with doors closed) and said: “Peace be unto you all.” John 20:19. Thus I also say: Have peace with one another, and the Lord will be with you. II Cor. 13:11.

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Section 367.

ANOTHER LETTER WHICH JAN THIELEMANS WROTE FROM PRISON.

I wish you, my much beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, and all those who shall see my letters, or hear them read, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the communion of the Holy Ghost, for a friendly and worthy greeting. Accept it in love. Amen.

After good and proper greetings, I undertake to write a little to you, my beloved, dear friends. I beseech you all by the mercies of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, that you would all diligently take heed to yourselves* In all love, peace and truth, according to the words of the Gospel, while, dear children, you still have time from. the Lord, through His great love shown you; since the time is so precious, for when it is past, and one has not taken good heed, it is lamented with sorrow. Hence Paul says

“Let us take heed to ourselves,,to provoke to love in good works.”t Therefore let us be the least, meanest, and lowliest, to bear all that is consistent with love and truth. For thus said Christ Jesus, the eternal truth, Himself; when the disciples asked who should be the greatest among them, He took a child, and set it In the midst:of them, and said: “Except ye become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom=of heaven.” Matt. 18:3. Hence we may well perceive from the words of Christ, that we are to be, and must be, a prepared people; or we are not what we think ourselves to be, or, for what people take us.

Hence, my much beloved friends, we must approve ourselves in all things as the ministers of God. Now, no more is required in them, than that they be found faithful; for God is not unrighteous to forget your love, and your good and kind works. I Cor. 4:1, 2; Heb. 6:10. Therefore be steadfast, and immovable in the work of the Lord, always knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord; hoping by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that it will yet be most richly rewarded to you, when He will say: “Come, ye blessed, inherit the kingdom of my Father.” I Cor. 15:58; Matt. 25:34. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Matt. 13:43. Then shall it be seen what difference there shall be .between the righteous and the wicked, and between, them that have served God, and them that have not served Him. Mal. 3:18.

Therefore, my greatly beloved in the Lord, take diligent heed to yourselves. Rather suffer from another even though it should be one friend from another than that another should suffer from you. Rather bear from another even though it should be a friend if it be consistent with the truth, than that a friend should suffer from you. Hence it is

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

** See preceding foot note.

written: “If thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation.” Sir. 2:1. For it will come very convenient even if one has put himself in the lowest place.

Hence, beloved friends in the Lord, abide in that which you have heard from the begin[1]ning. If you abide in it, you shall continue in the Father, and in the Son. And this is His promise, even eternal life. I John 2:24, 25. What do we care for the world, or for what there is in it; for the world shall pass away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. And it is certainly our, chief concern to be saved; as Peter says, Acts 15:11: “We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.” Even as he says also in another place: “I have briefly written to you, by our brother Silvanus, namely, that this is the grace of God wherein ye now stand. Therefore hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown.” Rev. 3:11. If you overcome, you shall inherit all things. Hence add to your faith, virtue; to virtue, knowledge; to knowledge, temperance; to temperance, patience; to patience, godliness; to godliness, brotherly kindness; to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall, be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. II Pet. 1:5- 11. Having therefore such great and glorious promises, dearly beloved, let its cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness. II Cor. 7:1. As .John also testifies, saying: “Let us purify ourselves from sin, even as he is pure. For whosoever comrriitteth sin doeth wrong; for sin is wrong. Therefore came he into the world, that he might take away sin; for in him is no sin. Whosoever siiineth hath not seen him, neither known him.” I John 3:3-6. The same John further testifies, and says: “Ye are of God, little children, [and have overcome them:] because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; but he that knoweth not God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” I John 4:4-6. With this Christ agrees, saying: “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that, the works thereof are evil.” John 7:7. As He further says in another place: “Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou bast given me: thine they were, and thou gayest them me. Not, Father, that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil.” John 17:11. In another place Christ says: “Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” 3:20.

Thus, my much beloved friends, while we are yet in this sad world, and the Lord still grants us time, we must take most diligent heed to the word of the Lord, and do our very best to follow the same; for thus Paul teaches us, saying: “As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy.” Gal. 6:16. For thus we read in another place: “This people doth not understand, neither lay they to heart, that the grace and mercy of God are over his chosen and over his saints;” even as Moses says, that His mercy is shown to thousands of them that love Him, and keep His commandments. Ex. 20:6. True, there are many in the world, who say that they love the Lord; but they do not show it by their works, for their works show well enough whom they love; for Christ says: “He that loveth me will keep my word, or obey my commandments.” These are they who can stand before Him; for thus also says Christ: “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” John 14:21. But he that does not keep His commandments, does also not love Him; for John in his epistle declares: “This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh . the world, but he that believeth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” I John 5:3-5. Therefore “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, namely, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth .away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” I John 2:15-17. Hence, my much beloved friends, be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and accept[1]able will of God. Rom. 12:2. Even as Paul says also in another place: “Grace be to you, and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world.” Galatians 1:3, 4. Thus, my dear friends, this grace has been given you, namely, that you have tasted that the Lord is gracious, to whom you are come as unto a living stone, which was disallowed of men, but before God was chosen and precious. Therefore, be ye built up a spiritual house, and a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through our Lord Jesus Christ; that you may lift up holy hands to the Lord, without strife and discord (I Tim. 2:8), and make inter[1]cession and give thanks for all men; and the Lord of peace shall be with you. II Cor. 13:11. But if God be with you, who shall be against you, who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all? Who shall lay anything to the charge of His elect? It is God that justifieth them. Who shall condemn them? It is Christ that died and is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, and also maketh intercession for us. Hence Paul says: “Who shall be able to separate us from the love of God? tribulation, or persecution, or death,” etc. Rom. 8:31.

Thus, my much beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, I will shorten my simple letter which I have written in bonds, in which we daily look for the redemption of our bodies. Hence receive this letter kindly, and think of what has in times past proceeded forth from my unworthy lips (not I, but the grace of God through me, I Cor. 15:10).

Herewith I bid you an eternal, Christian adieu, and expect you all in the second resur[1]rection, that we may meet Him in the air, and ever be with the Lord. Comfort one another with these words. I Thess. 4:17, 18. Once more I bid you adieu, my dear friends. Herewith I commend you to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Amen. Acts 20:32.

Written in bonds, by me, JAN THIELEMANS,

Your weak brother in Christ.

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Section 368.

HEYNDRICK ARENTS, A. D. 1568

Among many other true believers baptized according to the command of Christ, who were everywhere persecuted, expelled and put to death, also one Heyndrick Arents of Briel, about the year 1568, fell into the hands of these persecutors. The circumstances that led to his imprisonment were as follows: “A vessel having cast anchor in the roadstead off Briel on account of a leak which it had sprung, and said Heyndrick Arents being a shipcarpenter in Briel, those of the vessel requested him to calk the craft. While he was thus with them, the lords of Rotterdam learned that said vessel was a pirate, and sent thither a detachment of soldiers. These captured the vessel and conducted said Heyndrick Arents and the pirates to Delft as prisoners. And as those of Delft refused to take them in, they were forthwith taken to Rotterdam, where they, on account of their misdeeds, were soon sentenced to be hanged. When Heyndrick Arents perceived this, he asked whether he had come into a city of justice, or of violence why they wanted to condemn the innocent with the guilty? and said that he had not been apprehended on account of any crime. If they would inquire concerning him and his faith, they would find it to be so. Sus. 53; Ex. 23:7; I Peter 4:15.

Hearing this, the governor asked: “What does he say? what sort of a heretic is this? if he is one of the Anabaptists he shall not be hanged, but burned.” Thus, he was examined con[1]cerning his faith, and freely confessed that he had been baptized upon his faith, according to the command of Christ; and, on the other hand, rejected usurping infant baptism and all papal errors, but confessed the ordinances of Christ and His apostles (which were observed by him and his fellow believers). Thereupon they sentenced him, and, after an imprisonment of two weeks, he was burnt at said place, in great constancy, and confirming the faith of the truth with his death and blood.

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Section 369.

CLAUDINE LE VETTRE, AND WITH HER A BROTHER, A. D. 1568

Meenen is a beautiful little town in Flanders, three leagues from Rijssel, on the road to Bruges, built on the edge of the Leye. In this town there lived a God fearing man, Piersom des Muliers, with his wife Claudine le Vettre, who through the preaching of Leenaert Bouwens, and by reading and studying the Word of God, were turned from papal idolatry. Learning of this, Titelmannus, Dean of Ronse, and inquisitor of the faith, came thither with bailiffs, thinking to apprehend the aforesaid Piersom in his house. But a pious man of the council of Meenen had warned Piersom to flee from the inquisitor, which he did, betaking himself into a certain piece of woods not far from his house. But his wife Claudine being engaged with her four little children (one of whom is still living), tarried a little too long, and had just left the house, with a child on the arm, when the bailiffs entered, who tumultu[1]ously asked the children and the neighbors where the husband was; and when they could not learn it they prepared to leave. Perceiving this, one of the neighbors, kindled with an evil and perverse zeal, said: “Men, there goes the wife with a child on her arm.” They therefore forthwith caught her, and delivered her into the hands of the aforesaid inquisitor. This happened in the year 1567, a few months before the Duke of Alva’s arrival in the Netherlands. She was taken from Meenen to Ypres, where many lay in prison for the faith that is because they could not understand that there was another Mediator and Saviour than Jesus Christ alone, who was offered up for our sins on the tree of the cross (I Tim. 2:5; Rom. 4:25); and could not believe that God had any pleasure in images of wood and stone, or silver and gold, but believed rather that such worship was prohibited in the Word of God (Ex. 20:4; Deuteronomy 4:16). And because they also did not believe that dead men can hear our prayers and help us; but much rather that we are to call upon no one but God alone, who alone is the discerner of our hearts and thoughts, and knows what we shall pray,for, even before we have poured out our prayer; who exclaimed with a loud voice

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” etc.; “to whom all the prophets and apostles point us, and not to one of the departed saints.” Matt. 4:10; Rev. 2:13; Heb. 4:12; Matt. 6:8; Rom. 8:26; Matt. 11:28; Acts 10:43; 4:12; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15.

All who held such faith were by Titelmannus declared heretics, and delivered to the secular authorities, to be dealt with according to the decrees, namely, the men to be burnt alive, and the women to be buried alive. This severe death greatly terrified some, so that many apostatized, in order to save their lives. For at one time a large number broke out of prison and escaped, so that Claudine also could have made her escape, but she would not leave her child; so also a pious brother, who remained with her in prison unto the end, and would not leave her, dying with her for the truth, at said place. But Claudine did not apostatize, notwithstanding manifold assaults, continuing one year, but remained steadfast in the faith, refuting, from the word of God, all that the priests and monks were able to bring forward against her, as appeared from divers letters which she wrote to her husband from prison.* Finally, when they could not prevail upon her, they endeavored to move her by her maternal love for her infant, which hitherto had been nourished at its mother’s breast in prison. The child therefore was taken from her and put out to a wet nurse, which was the greatest affliction she suffered during her imprisonment, and on account of which she wept many a tear, constantly praying God for power and strength against such temptation and assault of the flesh, in order that she might not fall, even as many of her fellow believers fell in her presence. God Almighty heard her prayer, for the Duke of Alva, having in the meantime entered the country, and commanded to clear all prisons from heretics, she also was crowned with the crown of the godly, without Ypres, A. D. 1568; and with her a brother, who was also burnt for the truth, at said place.

Her husband, Piersom, often said of his aforesaid wife that it was astonishing how well she was versed in the Scriptures. For whenever he could not find a passage, he would ask his wife Claudine, who would at once clearly indicate to him what he sought. T

It is understood that the child which was taken from her in prison was from that time on seen no more, without the father and the friends ever knowing what became of it.

Piersom had formerly lived with his wife Claudine, in Bruges, where the same thing had happened to him, namely, that he with his wife escaped from the inquisitor, through the friendly warning of a councilor of the city. However he had to leave beh’nd everything he had, as was also the case at Meenen. But the pious man of Meenen who had warned him, concealed Piersom’s books and part of his household goods, and saw that they were again taken to the place where the books belonged. But

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

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

the bad neighbor, who had betrayed Claudine, fell into such detestation with the town’s people that he had to leave the place, after the rabble of the town had demolished and ruined his shop, calling after him, Judas! Judas, the traitor I

Meenen was at that time an open city, without walls and gates, and hence Titelmannus did not dare trust his prisoners there: it would have gone with them as it did in another small town of 1, landers, where on a set day the peasants came in great numbers, broke open the prison, and liberated about four hundred persons who had been imprisoned for the same cause.

The friends had Piersom’s children baptized by the pastor of Meenen, as Margriete, the oldest of the children, who subsequently died, at the age of sixteen, in Calais, was wont to relate.

The remainder were three sons, named Pieter, Nicolaes and Jan, the last mentioned being the infant which was nourished at the mother’s breasts in prison. Pieter died during his mother’s imprisonment.

Piersom subsequently married a woman by the name of Peronne Hennebo, who died at Leyden, A. D. 1589, leaving two daughters, Maria and Martha, both born at Hoorn. This Martha was the wife of Doctor Dirk Volkertsz Velius, who wrote the Chronicles of Hoorn, and the mother of Pieter Velius of Hoorn.

Piersom’s third wife was Habeau de la Motte, mother of Margriete des Muliers, who resided at Gonda.

Piersom fell asleep in the Lord in Leyden, in the year 1591, leaving a son by his first wife Claudine, two daughters by his second wife Peronne, and a daughter by his last wife, as already said.

Claudine was beautiful of person, and a good singer, so that she moved the bystanders by her singing. Especially on the last day of her life, people stood before the prison, to hear her sing with a joyful heart, when death was announced to her. One who related it to me had heard her sing with a clear, strong voice the 27th psalm of David

Le Seigneur est la clarte qui m’addresse

And the people firmly believed that if they had not gagged her when they brought her to the place of execution, she would have departed life singing and praising God.

This account we received from D. N. M., the son of Piersom and Claudine, by the help of D. D. V., Claudine’s brother in law.

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Section 370.

FURTHER ACCOUNT OF THE AFORESAID CLAUDINE LE VETTRE

The descendants of Piersom, the husband of Claudine le Vettre, claimed to have received, by way of tradition, that this Piersom at the time of the imprisonment of his afore mentioned wife betook himself to a miller who lived in or near his mill, which stood close under the walls of Ypres, in order to be able there daily to get tidings from his beloved wife, which, gleaned from street rumors were brought to him by the miller’s wife, as often as she returned from town, though without knowing that it was his wife, or that he was an Anabaptist.

She judged Claudine not to be in her right mind because she had allowed herself to be rebaptized, and let so many sufferings be inflicted upon her on this account, and would rather die, than do what the priests said. This every time pierced Piersom’s heart like a dagger, and ofter compelled him to step aside to give vent to the deep feelings of his heart.

The day when Claudine was to be offered up, the miller’s wife, desirous of seeing her b Ing executed, asked Piersom whether he did not wih to go along and behold the scene, which he declined, requesting her kindly to pay strict attention to everything, in order to give him an account of it afterwards. When she returned home she related to Piersom how valiantly and undauntedly Claudine went to death, what she said, and how she conducted herself; everything, however, with the idea, that Claudine had not acted rationally. Thereupon Piersom, having warmed up, took heart and discovered himself to the miller and his wife, saying that he was of the same belief, and that the one put to death was his beloved and very rational wife, and upon what foundations of truth they founded their doctrine and life. This so deeply affected the miller and his wife, that they also resolved to amend their life. They were baptized upon their faith, and shortly after sealed the truth with their blood.

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Section 371.

PIETER PIETERS BECKJEN, BURNT ALIVE AT AM; STERDAM, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, ON THE 26TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, A. D. 1569

The dreadful murdering, burning and killing of the innocent and upright followers of Jesus Christ were not sufficient at this time to deter from the true confession and practice of the Christian faith a certain pious brother and faithful witness of the Lord, named Pieter Pieters Beckjen, by trade a boatman on the Amstel, and so zealous, that at divers times he gathered the little flock of the oppressed pious who lived about Amsterdam, into his boat, in order to edify one another with the Word of God, and to strengthen one another in the accepted faith.

And when it came to pass that his dear wife bore him a child, he, from Christian care[1]fulness, took said infant with him to a place where it might be secure from the superstition of the papists, and from being baptized.

In short, he manifested his zeal in every respect, notwithstanding the cruelty of the rulers of darkness, and this with a sincere and good intention, till finally he was, on that account, denounced to the magistrates of the city of Amsterdam, apprehended, dreadfully tortured, and, at last, when he would

not apostatize, sentenced to death, and burnt alive, as appears from the sentence, which, for confirmation of said matter, was faithfully and correctly sent to us from the hands of the secretary there. In it can be seen, on the one hand, the steadfast confession of this martyr, and on the other hand, how awfully the rulers of darkness misinterpreted the same, and construed it to an evil, shameful and terrible end.

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Section 372.

SENTENCE OF DEATH OF PIETER PIETERS BECKJEN

Whereas Pieter Pieters, alias Beckjen, boatman, prisoner, unmindful of his soul and salvation, and of the obedience which he owed to the Lord God, and to his imperial majesty, forsaking our mother, the holy church, and this from the time that he attained to under[1]standing, even until now, has re , fused to go to the holy, worthy sacrament, despising and disregarding the same, and has in twenty years been to confession only once, contrary to the ordinance of our mother, the holy church, and, moreover, has attended the reprobate and prohibited assemblies, or conventicles, of the Mennonists, etc., and has himself, in his own boat, twice held conventicles of the aforesaid Mennonists, in which abominable and reprobated sect he so obstinately persists, that still recently before his apprehension, his wife lying in childbed, he took said child and conveyed it away, not willing to tolerate or permit that said child should be baptized according to the ceremonies of the ancient Roman Catholic and Apostolical church; in which he is still captive, persisting therein, and not willing to return to our mother, the holy church, notwithstanding he has at divers times, by various ecclesi[1]astical persons, and also by the aldermen of this city, been admonished and urged to return and to leave this accursed sect, all of which are crimes against the divine and the secular majesty, as said before, which disturb the peace and the common weal, and which ought therefore, for an example to others, not to go unpunished; therefore, my lords of the court, having seen the demand of my lord the bailiff, also his information, the confession of the prisoner, together with the poor defense of said prisoner, and having duly considered all, have condemned the aforesaid prisoner, as they by these presents do condemn him, to be executed with fire, according to the decrees of his majesty; and declare his entire property confiscated for the benefit of his majesty aforesaid, without prejudice to the privileges and all other interests of this city.

Done in court this 26th of February, A. D. 1569, in the presence of all the judges, by the advice of all the burgomasters.

How said person was condemned to the rack, and when this happened

He was condemned to the torture, the 17th of January, A. D. 1569, and examined and threatened with torture on the same day, and in the same place, as appears from the records of the confession.

Thus extracted from the book of criminal sentences, preserved in the archives of the city of Amsterdam.

N. N.

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Section 373.

LAUWERENS VERKAMER, A. D. 1569

In the year 1569 there was apprehended in ‘s Hertogenbosch, in Brabant, a pious follower of Christ, named Lauwerens Verkamer, for the single reason that he could not follow the Romish priests and monks in their self invented idolatry, but separated therefrom, and united with the true members of our Lord Jesus, seeking to observe and practice with them in true obedience, His holy commandments. For this reason he was persecuted in a very hostile manner by the papistical and anti Christminded, so that he, with many others, in the beginning of January, left Antwerp, with the intention of taking up residence at Nimeguen. But though the rest went to Holland, he, while on the journey to Nimeguen, was apprehended by the sheriff of ‘s Hertogenbosch, and brought to that place a prisoner on the 5th of January, and suffered very severe and tyrannical imprisonment, none of his good friends being allowed to visit him, nor might he indicate by letter his distress and severe imprisonment to any one thus unmercifully and malignantly was he kept. For as he was a man of distinguished family and large means, and had with him many books of his temporal affairs, these bloodthirsty men could ascertain his circumstances, which tended to aggravate his situation. But his firm unwavering steadfastness in the true saving faith was manifested in him; for in the year 1569, about the end of June, he was burnt by the enemies of the truth, in great constancy, and sealed the faith of the eternal truth with his death and blood, and put off this mortal clothing of the flesh in true obedience, for which, at the last day, he shall be clothed by the true Bridegroom Christ Jesus with the immortal clothing, and be rewarded with the crown of eternal glory. II Esd. 2:45; I Cor. 15:58; 11 Tim. 4:8.

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Section 374.

SIJNTGEN VERCOILGEN, A. D. 1569

As in the time of Ishmael and Isaac, he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit (Gal. 4:29), so it still goes in these latter days. For the ministers of the Roman antichrist imprisoned at Kortrijck, in Flanders, a Godfearing lamb of Christ named Sijntgen Vercoilgen, the mother of Jan Vercoilgen, and after many temptations, she was put to death at said place, in great steadfastness, for the testimony of Jesus, in the year 1569, on the 9th of March, having put off her womanly weakness, and in place of it, by the grace of God, received through the illumination of the Holy Spirit in her heart a manly courage; and testified and sealed the belief of the truth with her death, and blood, as a memorable example to all followers of Christ.

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Section 375.

LIPPIJNTGEN STAYERTS, A. D. 1569

In the year 1569 there was put to death, at Ghent, in Flanders, by the maintainers of the Roman antichrist, for the genuine truth and the practice of it, a woman by the name of Lippijntgen Stayerts, the wife of Pieter Stayerts, about St. Peter’s day, not on account of any crime, but only for the sure truth, as she had renounced the world and all its false, invented lies, and submitted herself to the prince of truth, Christ Jesus, hearkening with obedient ears to the blessed voice of truth, and shunning all strangers contrary to it, wherefore she shall also, with all the obedient sheep that have heard and followed this voice, at the revelation of His glory, hear the words: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning.” Matthew 25:34.

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Section 376.

MAERTEN PIETERS AND GRIETGEN JANS, A. D. 1569

In the year 1569, the 25th of June, there was put to death for the testimony of the truth, in Briel, reckoned to Holland, on the Maese, Maerten Pieters of Maesland, a village situated near Delft in Holland and with him Grietgen Jans, wife of Adriaen Heynsen, a weaver of Swartewael. Maerten Pieters was beheaded with the sword, and Grietgen Jans was burnt at the stake, in the town, whereupon their dead bodies were taken down, and conveyed out of the town, to the place of execution, called the Nieuwe Noordt. Here Maerten Pieters was laid upon a wheel, and his head upon a stake. And Grietgen Jans was again tied to a stake, and thus given for food to the fowls of the heavens. Ps. 79:2. And all this they suffered for the testimony of the truth, were in no manner charged with any evil works, but accused simply on account of having united with those called Mennists, and having, according to the doctrine of Christ, been baptized upon their faith, seeking thus to please their Creator, according to all their ability. Therefore they have a firm and sure promise from God: that all who have been put to death by men, for the testimony of Jesus, shall receive again in great glory at the resurrection of the dead these their members, which are here sown in dishonor, being made like unto the glorious body of Christ, and shall live with Him in un[1]speakable joy forever and ever. II Maccabees 7:11; Phil. 3:21; I Cor. 2:9.

This account’of the sacrifice of these pious witnesses of God is taken from the book of criminal sentences of the town of Briel, commenced on Ba

mis,* in the year 1564, and now, the 3rd of June 1616, extracted from it by the clerk of said town.

* Perhaps St. Bartholomew’s day. Trans.

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Section 377.

DIRK WILLEMS, A. D. 1569

In the year 1569 a pious, faithful brother and follower of Jesus Christ, named Dirk Willems, was apprehended at Asperen, in Holland, and had to endure severe tyranny from the papists. But as he had founded his faith not upon the drifting sand of human command[1]ments, but upon the firm foundation stone, Christ Jesus, he, notwithstanding all evil winds of human doctrine, and heavy showers of tyrannical and severe persecution, remained im[1]movable and steadfast unto the end; wherefore, when the chief Shepherd shall appear in the clouds of heaven and gather together His elect from all the ends of the earth, he shall also through grace hear the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” I Pet. 5:4; Matt. 24:31; 25:23.

Concerning his apprehension, it is stated by

trustworthy persons, that when he fled he was hotly pursued by a thief catcher, and as there had been some frost, said Dirk Willems ran before over the ice, getting across with considerable peril. The thief catcher following him broke through, when Dirk Willems, perceiving that the former was in danger of his life, quickly returned and aided him in getting out, and thus saved his life. The thiefcatcher wanted to let him go, but the burgomaster, very sternly called to him to consider his oath, and thus he was again seized by the thief catcher, and, at said place, after severe imprisonment and great trials proceeding from the deceitful papists, put to death at a lingering fire by these bloodthirsty, ravening wolves, enduring it with great steadfastness, and confirming the genuine faith of the truth with his death and blood, as an instructive example to all pious Christians of this time, and to the everlasting disgrace of the tyrannous papists.

NOTE. In this connection, it is related as true from the trustworthy memoirs of those who were present at the death of this pious witness of Jesus Christ, that the place where this offering occurred was without Asperen, on the side of Leerdam, and that, a strong east wind blowing that day, the kindled fire was much driven away from the upper part of his body, as he stood at the stake; in consequence of which this good man suffered a lingering death, insomuch that in the town of Leerdam, towards which the wind was blowing, he was heard to exclaim over seventy times: “O my Lord; my God,” etc., for which cause the judge or bailiff, who was present on horseback, filled with sorrow and regret at the man’s sufferings, wheeled about his horse, turning his back toward the place of execution, and said to the executioner: “Dispatch the man with a quick death.” But how or in what manner the execu[1]tioner then dealt with this pious witness of Jesus, I have not been able to learn, except only, that his life was consumed by the fire, and that he passed through the conflict with great steadfastness, having commended his soul into the hands of God.

As we have come into possession~of the sentence which these rulers of darkness passed upon this friend of God, we have deemed it well, to add it here for the benefit of the readers, in order that reading the same, they may be able to perceive the truth of this matter.

COPY. Whereas, Dirk Willems, born at Asperen, at present a prisoner, has,. without torture and iron bonds (or otherwise) before the bailiff and us judges, confessed, that at,the age of fifteen, eighteen or twenty years, he was rebaptized in Rotterdam, at the house of one Pieter Willems, and that he, further, in Asperen, at his house, at divers hours, harbored and admitted secret conventicles and prohibited doctrines, and that he also has permitted several persons to be rebaptized in his aforesaid house; all of which is contrary to our holy Christian faith, and to the decrees of his royal majesty, and ought not to be tolerated, but severely punished, for an example to others; therefore, we the aforesaid judges, having, with mature deliberation of council, examined and considered all that was to be considered in this matter, have condemned and do condemn by these presents in the name; and in the behalf, of his royal majesty, as Count of Holland, the aforesaid Dirk Willems, prisoner, persisting obstin[1]ately in his opinion, that he shall be executed with fire, until death ensues; and declare all his property confiscated, for the benefit of his royal majesty. So done this 16th of May, in presence of the judges, Cornelis Goverts, Jan van Stege Jans, Adriaen Gerritts, Adriaen Jans, Lucas Rutgers, Jan Jans, and Jan Roefelofs, A. D., 1569.

Extracted from the records of the town of Asperen, and after collation this copy was found to agree [with the original], the 15th of October 1606. Acknowledged by me, the town clerk of A speren.

T’ SHEERENBERGH.

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Section 378.

HENDRICK ALEWIJNS, HANS MARIJNS VAN OOSTEN,
AND GERRIT DUYNHERDER, A. D. 1569

In the year 1569 there were imprisoned for the testimony of Jesus, at Middleburgh, in Zealand, the following pious sheep and followers of Christ

Hendrick A!ewijns, a purse maker by trade, and Hans Marijns van Oosten, with Gerrit Duynherder. These suffered from the ministers of antichrist manifold assaults, and threats and tortures terrible to the flesh, all of which they, through faith and the power of God (which was in them) patiently and valiantly resisted. And after they had suffered all this for Christ’s sake, they were together burnt alive at said place, on the 9th of February 1569, confirming the belief of the everabiding truth with their death and blood, and now serve as a beacon to all true believers, that they may follow their unfeigned faith. Phil. 3:17.

The Hendrick Alevijns mentioned here was in his time a very zealous follower of Christ, and was elected and chosen by the brethren to serve the church of God with the Word of the holy Gospel, in which he was very diligent, and, though young in the service, he exceed[1]ingly abounded and increased in the work of God. II Cor. 8:19; Luke 1:2; I Tim. 4:15. And though he had neither silver nor gold, nor temporal means, yet his hands gained him and his wife and children a livelihood, and he sought to minister to the flock of Christ not for the milk and wool, but this hero followed the good, true and faithful Shepherd Jesus, and willingly, of a ready mind, ministered to the work of God, wherefore, at the appearance of the chief Shepherd, he shall receive the imperishable crown of honor. Acts 3:6; 20:34; Matt. 10:16; Ezek. 34:3; I Pet. 5:2, 4.

During the time of his imprisonment he also did not forget his brethren and sisters, but wrote beautiful letters, descriptions and hymns, worthy of being read, to them, as also to his three little orphans; some of which have previously already appeared in print. We pray the reader attentively to read those adduced here, the first of which was sent to the beloved children of God in Zealand, and reads as follows

An epistle from Hendrick Alewijns, sent to the be;
. Loved children o f God in Zealand, written in his
prison at Middleburgh, where he steadfastly
testified to the truth of God with his death,
on the 9th o f February, A. D. 1569

A most Christian greeting and salutation in the Lord! Hendrick Alewijns, unworthy, a weak brother and simple companion in the faith in God, a partaker of His sufferings, also of patience, and of the hope of eternal life, with all the saints, all through the grace of God, unmerited. Grace, peace, the mercy of God, salvation, prosperity, and everything good from above, through Christ Jesus, constantly to be kept stirred up, and the ,ardent impelling of the Holy Spirit, even unto the blessed end, these things I wish all my beloved friends, brethren, sisters, and companions, from God the Father, through Jesus Christ our dear Lord, Redeemer and Saviour. Amen. This I send as a greeting, in a good intention, from the very depths of my love, to you, as my special acquaintances and friends, to exhort and stir up one another to good devotion, while absent, yet in one hope of the kingdom and glory of God, though I am now confined at a distance from you.

My very kind, especially peaceable and ever wellmeaning friends, seeing before me my departure from this life, and having time to write, I gladly turn to your love for a little while, to give you intelligence and glad tidings, which, I presume, is according to your wish and desire. Behold; be it known to you all, that I, your friend, am still prospering in the Lord, in both respects, that is, in body and soul, in the unchanging determination, to endeavor with a good resolution, to keep body and soul surrendered to and in God, pleasing to you to hear, and to my salvation. May God grant this to the blessed end of my faith, O dear Lord. Amen.

Further, the cause of my writing to you, and to your love, is also to ask you to help me pray in my behalf, for steadfastness in God’s truth, and that I may live in His grace, and for God’s faithful assistance towards me. I inform you that I am of very good cheer in my im[1]prisonment, tribulation, sorrow, reproach, and suffering for righteousness’ sake; and also I have, with all the saints, in my tribulation, a bright prospect, the hope and consolation of the Spirit, and the rich promises of God to succor us in this present time, who also assures us of eternal life hereafter, of which so abundantly mention is made in the Scriptures.

In the first place, I know, consider, and firmly believe with many saints, according to the abundant testimony of the Scriptures, that God is faithful in keeping His promises. Read Deut. 32:4; Numbers 23:19; I Cor. 10:13; I Thess. 5:24; II Tim. 2:13. He will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able to bear, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape. He does not leave His children comfortless. He will with His Spirit defend us before kings and princes, as much as will be needful at the time. He will, and knows how, to deliver the godly out of temptation. He says

“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Therefore I will trust in the Lord, and not fear what man shall do unto me. Heb. 13:5, 6. “What can flesh do?” says Paul.

Again: “If God be with us, who can be against us?” and God is with us, if we are with Him, mark. Romans 8:31; II Chron. 15:2. Again: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”

Again: “Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ Jesus.” II Cor. 2:14. Again: “Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.” I John 5:4. For which cause we faint not (because of God’s consolation); but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. I I Cor. 4:16. Again

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Phil. 4:13. O how blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which God has promised to them (he says, to them) that love Him. James 1:12.

And since God is so faithful in all His promises, as said, we press straight on with righteousness, as though we beheld God, and saw no adversaries; as though we saw no decree, fire, water, or sword. For who is he that will harm us, if we be followers of that which is good? as Peter assures us. I Peter 3:13. Also Paul says: “Who shall separate us from the love of God?” etc. Rom. 8: 35. Who will pluck our Shepherd’s sheep out of His hand? No one. John 10:28. But one can and may indeed himself stray out of His hand. Again it is written: “No evil shall happen to him that feareth God; for when he is tempted, he shall be delivered again.” Mark, John says: “There is no fear in love” (I John 4:18); understand, such fear as departs from the way of rectitude. Yea, such fearless ones run through patience (mark, through), not out of, but into, the conflict that is set before us, and look not at the dreadful tyranny, but unto Jesus, the Captain, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Heb. 12:2.

And these comforting promises of God, here partly mentioned and touched upon, behold, speak, and treat chiefly only of God’s keeping, assisting and strengthening us, in this time, and in the sufferings of this present time.

But, friends, how much greater and more valuable must be the consolation, reward, and the crown of eternal life, of which so much is said in other places, of God’s eternal life, kingdom and glofy, which are promised to those that overcome and patiently endure, as will here in part follow.

In the first place, observe in the Book of Wisdom, concerning the day of judgment, and the glory of God’s elect: “Then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him, and made no account of his labors.” Wisd. 5:1. Again: “The righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand.” Verses 15, 16. Mark well, an eternal reward. Again

“The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them.” In the sight of the unwise they seem to die, and their departure and going from us are taken for destruction; but they are in peace. For though they have much suffering (he says, much suffering) in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality, and having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded; for God proves them, and finds them worthy for Himself. Wisd. 3:1-5. Yea, here they shall suffer strait things, but hope for the wide: but they that have lived wickedly, and yet have suffered the strait things, shall not see the wide, alas, no. II Esd. 7:.18. Again, II Macc. 7:36: “My brethren, who now have suffered themselves to be martyred for a short time, now wait for everlasting life, according to God’s promise” (he says, everlasting life according to God’s promise). Again, also the promises of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself: “That all who have followed him in the regeneration (he says, in the regeneration) and have forsaken everything dear to them, house, home, wife, children, etc., and their own life, shall receive a hundred fold in this time, and hereafter everlasting life; and shall also sit with Him upon thrones, and help judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Matt. 19:28.

Again: “Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward is great in heaven” (he says, in heaven). Luke 6:21. Mark, heavenly consolation. Again, Paul says: “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” II Cor. 1:3-5. Again: “He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life and peace.” O friends, let us therefore not be weary in welldoing; for in due season we shall reap without ceasing (he says, without ceasing). Gal. 6:8;,9. O friends, let this claim your joyful consideration and attention. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward (he says, afterward) it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them (he says, them) which are exercised thereby. Heb. 12:11. Again, in Paul we further find: “It is a faithful saying [he says, a faithful saying]: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us.” II Timothy 2:11, 12.

Again, in Peter, also we read: “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you [he says as though some strange thing happened unto. you]: but be partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that, when he shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” I Pet. 4:12, 13.

Behold, such and similar beautiful promises, and heavenly consolations for the hereafter, yea, such in great abundance,. make tribulation sweet, precious and light. For our light af[1]fliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; which are nevertheless true. II Corinthians 4:17. Hence it is impossible for these to be plucked out of the hand of our Shepherd. Yea, God is faithful, and not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. I Cor. 10:13; Hebrews 6:10.

Now, mark well, the beautiful promises of God mentioned here, and many similar ones, point and reach farther than God’s help in the distress of this present time; the promises for the present time being essentially different ones, as said above. But these are full promises and a reward for the hereafter, in eternal, imperishable, yea, unspeakable or inexpressible glory, even as Peter says of these unspeakable things: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us 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 in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time [mark, in the last time]. Wherein ye shall rejoice with joy unspeakable [mark, unspeakable] and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” [Mark who]. He says: “Ye who now for a season, if need be are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your .faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet be[1]lieving, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable,” as already quoted. I Pet. 1 :3. Justly does Esdras say of the incomprehensible and unspeakable recompense of God: “Thou canst not find out my judgment, or in the end the love that I have promised unto my people.” II Esd. 5:40.

Happy those venturesome ones who now sow liberally to the Spirit in every manner, without becoming weary (Gal. 6:9); for it will not be lost, will not spoil, rot, rust, or become moth eaten.

Observe and read Matt. 6:19; Luke 12:33; I Tim. 6:19. O brethren, our faithful God is surely faithful. The alms of a man is as a signet with Him, and He will keep the good deeds of a man as the apple of the eye; and afterward He will rise up and reward them, and render their recompense upon their heads. Sir. 17:22, 23. Observe: Thus we may well say with Sirach: “We have had labor for a little season, and have found great comfort.” 51:27.

O friends, let us not be weary in sowing and well doing, for our reward, according to the promises of God, is great in the time to come, as has been heard, and is unfathomable, incomprehensible and unspeakable. Nevertheless, it is now revealed to

His saints, by His Spirit. I Cor. 2:10. It is an eternal and exceeding weight of glory. II Cor. 4:17.

Now, all attentive [readers], who firmly believe, know and hope this with all their heart and from the depths of their soul, and also understand, on what conditions, and to whom, and to whom not, this glorious kingdom is promised and sure. Such an intelligent and far seeing Christian is so rich in hope toward God, so firmly anchored in his soul, that he completely and humbly surrenders himself soul and body to a faithful Creator, however, in well doing without boasting. I Pet. 4:19.

Yea, we confess and declare with all saints rich in hope, that this present time is short, and that the sufferings of this time, for righteousness, are small, and, hence, not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:18), as will here follow.

Believers lightly esteem the sufferings of this present time, because of the hope, promise, and reward.

In the first place, the youngest of the seven brothers in Maccabees spoke thus out of his joyful hope: “My brethren, who now have suffered themselves to be martyred for a little while, now wait for eternal life according to God’s promise.” II Macc. 7:36. Again, in Solomon we read: “Having been a little chastised [mark, a little], they shall be greatly rewarded.” Wisd. 3:5. Again, in Peter, also: “Ye who now for a season [he says, for a season], if need be, are in heaviness through manifold temptations,” etc. I Pet. 1:6. Again: “The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while [he says, a while], make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” I Pet. 5:10.

These and other like passages esteem the sufferings of this present time short, small and light, and the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of this world. Heb. 11:26. The fearful woman in travail, of whom Christ speaks, has anguish in her hour of travail, but afterwards she rejoices, and forgets the anguish. John 16:21. And these, who are thus strong in God, though weak and nothing of themselves, who are thus surely fixed in faith, hope, and the love of God, these (I say these) say with Paul: “Who shall separate us from the love of God.” “For I am persuaded.” he says, “that neither death, nor life . . . shall be able to sep[1]arate us from the love of God. which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:35. For if God be with them, who can be against them? Verse 31.

But it were fearful presumption, to boast, or say, yea, to think, without God and a good conscience toward Him, that we can do anything of ourselves. Such arrogancy, boasting and self strength, as in the case of inconsiderate Peter, are nothing, even as the independent, severed branch, without abiding in its vine, can do nothing. John 15:6. And as those impotent individuals who took upon them to cast out Satan in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preached (Acts 19:13) , even so can no powerless man boast without God; he must first calculate whether he dare with ten thousand go out against twenty thousand, according to the counsel and words of Christ. Luke 14:31. Therefore, he that would glory, let him glory in the Lord: If the Lord will, and we live. Jer. 9:23; I Cor. 1:31; James 4:15. And if He be with him, no one can be against him. Rom. 8:31. And God is with them if they are with God. Then they can do all things through Christ, which strengthened them. By their God they can leap over a wall, run through a troop, and overcome the world. The gates of hell cannot prevail against them; for love with its patient hope and firm faith can do all things through the grace of God. Mark well, they who thus closely, firmly and boldly cleave to God, become stronger in the conflict, as Sirach says. Sir. 2:3. Cleave therefore unto God, and depart or waver neither to the right nor left, that you may continually wax stronger.

Mark: God said to Joshua, whom He appointed in Moses’ office and stead: “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage.” Josh. 1:5, 6. Again: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deut. 31:6. Mark here the advantage of freely trusting in God’s promise. Hence such a pious people say thus in their hearts: “O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts.” lI Chron. 6:14. Observe well who they are: he says, [that walk before thee] with all their hearts. Whose rock and fortress is the Lord; who is their God, deliverer, consolation, and shield; the horn of their salvation; their high tower and refuge; their Saviour who saves them from all violence. II Sam. 22:2, 3. These are also they who have set the Lord always before them; hence He is at their right hand, and they shall therefore not be moved, says David. Ps. 16:8. Mark here boldness, and its power. But the fear of man bringeth a snare: (mark) but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Ps. 29:25. Mark: he that is with God, and with whom God is. David says

“The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble.” Ps. 37: 39.

But, dear friends, if one is not pious, pure in heart, and prepared for temptation as a servant of God, when this temptation assails and terrifies him; if he is not found in a pure conscience, genuine love of God and his neighbor, in a pious life, firm faith, sober vigilance, and armed against every assault; but is an impotent follower, a niggard, a sleeper, or hypocrite, then, O friends, God will forsake him; for David says: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Ps. 66: 18. “The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.” Prov. 15:29. Yea, it is true; for God heareth not sinners (mark, those who continue in sin); but if any man fear God, and doeth His will (doeth, it says), him He heareth. John 9:31.

Hence I conclude and counsel with wise Jesus Sirach: “My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation;” he says, prepare thy soul for temptation. Sir. 2:1. Again, also with Christ: “Strive to enter in at the strait gate. Yea, take heed that thy fear of God be not hypocrisy; lest God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down thereby in the midst of the congregation, because thou camest not in truth to the Lord, and thy heart was full of deceit and falseness.” Sir. 1:28. Behold, such cannot overcome; but only those who are in favor with their God, as is mentioned in Judith 5.

Now, there is further to be noticed the patience of which the pious have need in many tribulations. Heb. 10:36. Also, what great advantage, profit, gain, and acquisition are, and will be, obtained by tribulation and patience, follows here in part. Meditate on it.

In the first place, the encouraging words of Judith: “Thus Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and all whom God loved, remained steadfast and had to overcome much affliction [he says: much affliction]. But the others, who would not receive affliction in fear of God, but blas[1]phemed and murmured with impatience against God, were destroyed by the destroyer and by serpents. Let us therefore not be impatient in this affliction, but confess that it is a pun[1]ishment from God, much less than our sins deserve, and believe that we are chastised as his servants, for correction, and not for destruction.” Judith 8. O how wisely does Solomon speak of it: “He that is patient is prudent, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” Prov. 19:11. Again: “He that is patient is wise; but he that is impatient reveals his folly.” 14:29. And again: “A patient man is better than a strong man; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” 16:32. Mark how lovely, praiseworthy and advantageous godly patience is, as Jeremiah testifies: “It is a precious thing to be patient, and to wait for the help of the Lord; Yea, that a man that is forsaken, be patient when something befalleth him; and puts his mouth in the dust, and wait for the help of the Lord, and give his cheek to the smiter, and suffer much reproach, for the Lord will not cast off forever.” Lam. 3:26.

Again, Sirach says: “An humble man will wait for the time which will bring him comfort. For though his cause be oppressed for a time, yet shall the pious praise his wisdom.” Sir. 1:23, 24. Of this we have examples in job and in “the end of the Lord.” Jas. 5:11. Also in To[1]bit, for God permitted affliction to come upon him why? That posterity might have an ex[1]ample of patience in him, as also in holy job. An angel said to this Tobit (when he complained that he could not see the light of heaven); “Have patience, God shall soon help thee, . which also came to pass.” Tob. 5:12. Paul does truly say that whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and the comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. But, friends, mark well, where no promise nor godly tribulation is, there is certainly no need of patience; but where the aforesaid are, Oh, there is need of patience. Heb. 10: 36. For we know, says Paul, that tribulation worketh patience, and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed. Again, also, Christ’s own words concerning patience: “Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not a hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.” Luke 21:17-19.

Again, Paul advises us to all patience in all our distress, and to approve ourselves thjerein as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in stripes, in impris[1]onments, (yea, in imprisonments), in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings, by pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report, yea, as deceivers and yet true. Mark, in how many things a patient minister of God is tried, that is, in these and similar things (II Cor. 6:4), mark, a minister of God, and whereby he is shown to be such. Again, James would have us count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations; knowing this (he says), that your faith, if it be genuine, worketh patience. But patience must be constant unto the end. Jas. 1:2.

Behold, thus we must with patience (with patience, says Paul), run the race that is set before us, looking unto the Captain of our faith, the young man who will set the crown of reward upon our heads, on Mount Sion. Heb. 12:1; II Esd. 2:43.

Behold, all this is obtained as the profit and reward of patience, as in the case of Christ, and of all holy martyrs; and it must all be seen by faith, and waited for with patience, as James advises, saying: “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of our Lord, and like the husbandman, let us also wait for our harvest and joyful time of reaping.” Jas. 5:7. O then the liberal sowers, who have sowed to the Spirit shall reap without ceasing. Gal. 6:9.

Dear friends, let us now, as at the right time, also at the right time, sow liberally to the Spirit and in hope, with joy and not wearying; for in due time it will fill our garner with sheaves as large as in I Pet. 1:16.* For God will not forget our work and labor, as has already been said.

To sum it all up in a few words: “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life; which God hath promised to them that love him.” Jas. 1:12. Now, this promise, inheritance, reward, and crown

* Evidently a misquotation. Trans.

meets the wants of everyone; but only few relish the notable conditions upon which these are promised, namely, obedience to the Word of God, complete renunciation of ourselves, and the cheerful, voluntary bearing of our cross. For Paul says

“Unto us it is given, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. Phil. 1:29.

Mark, friends, that it is certainly his pleasure, that the servant be as his lord. Matt. 10:25. Hence Christ in His time assured His servants and disciples of so much sorrow, tribulation, reproach, suffering, and of death, for His name’s sake. He did not give it to them as His opinion, not as something which might eventually, or perhaps come to pass, but positively assured them that it should befall them, as will here follow, and, in part, be shown.

In the first place, Christ’s own words: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up [he says, they will deliver you up] to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.” Matt. 10:16-18.

Again: “The brother shall,” he says, shall, “deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall” he says, shall, “be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” Verses 21, 22.

Again: “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord, nor the disciple above his master. If they have persecuted me, they will [he says, they will] also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake.” John 15:20, 21.

And again: “These things have I spoken unto you that ye should not be offended. They shall [he says, they shall] put you out of the synagogues; yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come. [mark well] ye may remember that I told you of them.” 16:1-4. Paul, also, says that we must through much tribulation (he says, must through much tribulation) enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22. And that all (he says, all) that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. II Tim. 3:12.

Now, dear friends, mark, if it must be so, and also will be so; as has been mentioned in part, and is certain, then, in the name of God, let it be [borne] willingly, and let us not regard the fearful tribulation and distress, but look far beyond, as said before, and be mindful of the comfort contained in the declaration that this temporal tribulation is not worthy to be compared with the eternal glory (Rom. 8:18); and let us also remember that this evil and unrighteous world is not fit for, and was not worthy of, that blessed crown for suffering for righteousness’ sake. Heb. 11:38.

But they are fit who have followed Christ in the regeneration, and forsaken all that is dear to them here. Matt. 19:28. Remember also, brethren, that they who are, ,or would be, without this chastisement, are bastards, and not sons. Heb. 12:8. Thus, tribulation is certainly promised us believers, as has been heard.

With regard to this, I counsel with Sirach and many others. If we would serve God, let us do it with earnestness, lest we tempt Him (Sir. 18:23); for he that would be God’s servant, must prepare (mark, prepare) himself for temptation, and always labor in the work of the Lord, that, whether we be present with Him, or whether we be here, absent from Him, we may always please God; and everyone of us must strive to be (not to think, or boast [of being], but to be), the chief in good works, as also Peter says: “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for his coming, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” II Pet. 3:14. Oh, how we must be prepared then with a holy conversation, and with godliness. Every man that hath this hope in him must purify himself, even as He (whom we look for) is pure. I John 3:3. He that is holy, must become still holier; and he that is pure, still purer. To become holier and holier behooves us, since we call upon such an Holy One as our Father, who judges without respect of persons, as Peter says, and this according to every man’s work. Hence, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear, and it will then be with us as Peter says: “Let all them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him with good works [mark, with good works], as unto a faithful Creator.” I Peter 4:19. Let no one here understand salvation by good works, but salvation with good works; good works without meriting salvation (mark well) for salvation is of grace, thanks to our Lord Christ, as in Gal. 2:16, and still clearer in Eph. 2:7.* This I say is my advice, that we also thus prepare our souls, and commit them to Him as unto a faithful [Creator], with good works without boasting (without boasting), as His unprofitable servants, who would fain be perfect. Luke 17:10. Finally, dear friends, let us not seek to save our life, which, at all events, we must eventually lose; but let us always entreat our God for strength to suffer, that we may finish our course as valiant adventurers. Amen, dear Lord, Amen.

Here now follow instances of exemplary adventurers of former times pious persons that were persecuted, greatly hated, and put to death; mark, how, by whom, and also why these things always happened; namely, in order that we need not think it strange, when we become partakers of the same sufferings and death.

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

In the first place, pious, good Abel was slain by Cain, out of hatred on account of his piety. Lot was greatly vexed by the wanton Sodomites, because of his virtue and righteous[1]ness. David was persecuted by Saul, Shimei, and by Absalom his son, for his glory and own kingdom. The man of God from Judah was threatened by Jeroboam, because of his .prophesying against Jeroboam’s gods and his altar. I Kings 13. The holy and mighty prophet of God, Elijah, and many others who were put to death in his time; he had to flee from the place, and was greatly persecuted by Jezebel, on account of his prophetic miracles which he wrought through God. I Kings 19. Micaiah was imprisoned by the king, who fed him with the water and bread of affliction; because he opposed the four hundred false prophets of Jezebel with the Spirit and holy Word of God. I Kings 22:27. Urijah, a prophet, and also a fugitive, was brought back, and slain with the sword by King Jehoiakim, on account of his message from God, the prophecy against Jerusalem and the land of Judah. Jer. 26:20-23. Jeremiah, a prophet of God, was cast by the princes into the miry pit to die, because he would not cease to preach and prophesy in the name of the Lord. Jer. 38:6. Zechariah, a priest’s son, and prophet of the Lord, was stoned at the commandment of the king, because he had prophesied nothing but calamity for them, because they had forsaken that which was good, and transgressed the Word of God. II Chron. 24:21. Mark, for what reason each one of these was put to death.

The three young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were by King Nebuchadnezzar cast into a furnace heated seven times more than it was wont to be heated in which God nevertheless preserved them on account of their trust in Him and this because they would not honor neither worship the king’s self made image, idol and buffoonery. Daniel 3:19. Daniel, a most worthy and holy prophet of God, was by the worshipers of the dragon, out of hatred and envy, cast into the den of lions, against the will and power of the king; God, however, preserved and delivered him. This was done, because he, fearing no man, nor the king’s plain and strict commandment, openly worshiped, honored and confessed his God alone, with the windows open toward Jerusalem. Hist. of the Destr. of the Drag. Dan. 6:10. Mark, are not the pious subtilely sought? Yes, sought and found. O Lord, all the steadfast pious in Israel were scattered, and most atrociously slain by Antiochus. Why? Mark, because they circumcised their children, according to God’s commandment, would eat no swine’s flesh, according to the prohibition of the law, and refused to follow the heathen customs, since they were unclean and contrary to the law. I Macc. 1. Again, on another occasion, all the Jews were everywhere caught like wild beasts, bound, chased, dragged off, conveyed away in ships, and doomed to a general massacre, from which latter, however, they were miraculously delivered by the hand of God. They were thus tormented by King Ptolemy, because they would not be compelled by him to depart from the law of God, sacrifice to idols; and adopt heathen customs. III Macc.. No fair reason, friends; and so it is still. Again, in the second book of the Macca.;bees the same,thing is enacted. A cruel decree of said King Ptolemy, which whoever should not obey, was to be put to death instantly. II Macc. 6:9.

Some were burnt. Two women had their infants tied or hanged to their breasts, and were thus led in derision round about the city, and finally cast headlong over the walls. Mark why? Because they adhered steadfastly to the law of God, and had circumcised their children. Thus also Eleazar, an aged man of ninety, was slain by Antiochus. Why? Because of his un[1]feigned steadfastness in refusing to eat swine’s flesh, or to pretend to eat it. Again, also a pious mother and seven steadfast sons were by King Antiochus roasted in red hot pans, with the skins of their heads pulled off, and their tongues cut out. II Macc. 7. Why? Mark, because they would in no wise eat swine’s flesh contrary to the law, because it was forbidden. And similar instances in the Old Testament.

In the New Testament, also, we find instances of a like character.

In the first place, the holy forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist, was beheaded by Herod. That good man, why did he kill him? Mark, because he reproved Herod for an improper and shameful liaison. The good Christ Jesus was also hated by the world, because He testified of its evil works. Yea, without guilt or cause worthy of death, Pontius Pilate the judge, through the hatred of the Jews, delivered Him up, and put Him to death. The holy apostles, also, were frequently apprehended, scourged, and forbidden to preach in the name of Jesus, by the council of the priests. Why? In order that the name, doctrine and church of Jesus should not spread and increase.

Stephen, a deacon, and pious witness of Jesus, was stoned by the stiffnecked. Why? Be[1]cause they could not resist his spirit, wisdom, and doctrine. The church at Jerusalem, in the beginning, was dispersed and scattered abroad throughout the land of Judea, by the Jews. And Saul, the persecutor, went hither and thither with letters and authority to apprehend and vex any whom he should find of this way or persuasion, in order to hinder the doctrine, faith and way of Christ. And, yet, to be brief, some were vexed by Herod; he killed James with the sword, and seeing that it pleased the people, he apprehended also Peter, and guarded him with sixteen servants, and bound him with two chains, with doors closed, through the hatred of the Jews; but an angel delivered him. Acts 12:1. Let us therefore not wonder at this as though it was something strange.

Now, in conclusion, receive my eternal adieu, and brotherly greeting.

Behold, I have written this to my dear friends, brethren and sisters in the Lord, in hu[1]mility, with a good intention, and in love, for three special reasons. The first reason is, to communicate to you welcome news, namely, an account of my prosperity, good health and cheerfulness, in both respects, that is, in soul and body; and to stir you up to aid me in praising, thanking, and praying to God for all His grace and comfort, shown towards me unworthy one here, and also towards us all. Of this comfort (by which I also am comforted of God) it has been my endeavor to communicate to you a share, according to your wish and desire already referred to, and I send it to you as a honey comb, perfume of roses, balm, incense and myrrh, from Eden’s pleasure garden as it were, fruits of the heavenly paradise; as a fruit, sample, perfume and delectation for you, to be inwardly contemplated with atten[1]tion; yea, as a signal token to you of my joy and peace which I feel to have with God, in union and in one spirit. Oh, I, unworthy and unprofitable servant of my Lord, that I enjoy peace with my Christ, and the fellowship of His Spirit. Rom. 8:15; I Cor. 6:17; Gal. 3:26. Be it said to His praise, it is all through His merciful faithfulness, and great, unmerited grace. I glory in the Lord, and in His power; we have received from Him this precious treasure in our weak earthen vessels; hence, if it is preserved, the excellency of the power is of God and not of us; Oh, not of us, but by grace we are what we are. Jer. 9:24; 11 Cor. 4:7.

The second reason is, that, since you are partakers with me of the same hope, reward and comfort, I might awaken in you a refreshing, devotion, renewed joy in the promises, and inward gladness, by pointing out our comfort mentioned, consisting in doctrine and example of the Scriptures, as noticed here in part, thereby showing my favor, love and affec[1]tion towards you all, as remembering you in the Lord.

Thirdly and lastly, also for the reason that I might make many of you my debtors, to do the same in their turn, that is, to send us a letter, in token of your steadfast continuance in love, for our comfort and joy, and the acknowledgment of your remembrance of us, according to the doctrine, debt and obligation towards prisoners; as in Matt. 25:36; Acts 12:5; II Tim. 1:16; Heb. 13:3. This from you would be most acceptable to us three prisoners here Oh, as welcome as the perfume of opening roses, incense and myrrh from the bowers of Zion, the vineyard and pleasure garden of our God; which has hitherto happened to us so very little, far too little, almost as though your love to us had ceased. Stop! lest I wound you or someone else by words spoken with no evil intent; for I do not have reference to the necessaries of life. Oh, no; we thank God and our careful friends most heartily for these. Accept from me in good part all that is good, and interpret all my love according to love; this I earnestly pray for the Lord’s sake. Let no one misapprehend my labor of love, by interpreting it, or thinking, as though I had done this or the like from desire for honor and praise, or from any hankering after a gift from any one, or after any carnal or earthly communion; for it was love which, out of a pure intention, prompted me to it. O Lord, thou knowest it all.

Yes, my friends, pure love thinketh no evil; however, she sees, finds and reproves evil. Examples of this are, Ananias, Simon the sorcerer, the Corinthian fornicator, etc. Acts 5:1; 8:9; I Cor. 5:1.

And now, dear friends, brethren and sisters, I again commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace (as the salutation of Paul), which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Be saluted, strengthened, comforted, and of good cheer in the Lord.

Watch and pray. By me, HENDRICK ALEWIJNS, and my fellow prisoners, all of us of good cheer. Farewell. Given in November, A. D. 1568.

Yes, dear friends, before this letter left my hands, two of us were brought before the court; dear Gerrit Jans Duynherder, our pious brother and myself. And behold, we are kept in durance, as sufficiently sentenced, and both of us expect to die very soon now. O Lord 1 O Lord! into Thy hands, O faithful Creator! we com9nend our soul and spirit. Amen.

O beloved church of God, take care of my three poor, dear little orphans, that are without parents, without possession, or inheritance.

Adieu, my dear children; adieu, all my friends. This is going before you all, and following after my Lord Christ, in His footsteps. Lord, assist Thy servants unto the last, unworthy and unprofitable though they be.

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Section 379.

THIS IS WHAT HENDRICK ALEWIJNS DELIVERED TO THE LORDS AT THE RACK

Most worthy officers, justiciaries, and all my lords, who in the name and by the authority of the king are to be my judges and examiners, and are present here, give audience to me, the condemned, Hendrick Alewijns, now ready here for the torture, through your sentence. Behold, I find myself inwardly constrained, and incessantly urged, not to neglect to point out and make known to you all the outrages committed by you on me and those like me, who are innocent of wicked crimes and have not merited legal punishment.

In the first place, let it be clearly, sacredly and Scripturally shown, announced and de[1]clared to you, that our, or my matters, are not misdeeds or crimes, but a law of God, matters of faith, and of the spirit; hence they ought to and must be judged spiritually and with the spirit, for a natural man cannot comprehend them; they are foolishness to him. I Corinthians 2:14. Consider this freely and thoroughly.

In the second place, a Christian must be charged with articles of faith, and with the Scriptures, without being notorious for rebellious deeds of the flesh, as I am not, God be praised for it, that I am not under the punishment of justice, but entitled to protection and praise from the same. Rom. 13:3. Also, that the man of God who seeks in such simplicity the kingdom, honor and praise of God, is not amenable to your justice in matters of doctrine and worship. Concerning this you have doctrine and examples enough. But one must be subject to the authorities in good works. Tit. 3:1. Justiciary power is given of God only for the punishment of the wicked and the praise of the good, and for the protection of those who do well. The innocent and righteous slay thou not, says God. Ex. 23:7.

In the third place, there is shown to you clearly and with the testimony of the holy Scriptures, and this from love and in the spirit of meekness, the great crime of the tyrants who in this matter of the innocent, sin against God Himself, and in His people touch the apple of His eye, yea, fight against God, and kick against His goads: likewise your certain woe, doom and career, in the time to come, when our Lord and righteous Prince shall sit in judgment, and take all your power away from you, as is written in Judith: “Woe to the nation that rises up against my kindred; for God will take vengeance on you in the day of judgment; he will put fire and worms in their flesh, that they shall be burned, and feel it forever.” Judith 16:17. They shall have no resurrection to eternal life. II Macc. 7:14. God will not spare them. II Esd. 15:25. They shall groan and be terrified and amazed at the appearing of the children of God, seeing their glory, and shall say: “These are they whom we distressed, oppressed, and deprived them, as being mad, erring spirits, of honor, possessions and life.” And further: “The wicked troubleth the righteous; he draws out his sword, and bends his bow. But the Lord laugheth at him; for he seeth that his day is coming; he helpeth the poor and needy. He slayeth the righteous; but his sword shall, enter his own heart, and his bow be broken in pieces.” Ps. 37:12.

Christ Himself reproves, condemns and threatens all these bloodguilty ones, saying: “How can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Matt. 23:33.

Thus also St. James reproves and laments most grievously, that they have condemned and killed the just, who did not resist them. Jas. 5:6. Not in vain it is written in Isaiah: “Woe to you spoilers! Think ye that ye shall not also be spoiled? And ye despisers! Think ye that ye shall not also be despised? When ye shall have made an end of spoiling and despising, ye shall also be spoiled and despised, saith the Lord.” Isa. 33:1. Therefore, my lords, let it engage your hearty consideration; for it is not I that have written it. Like Gamaliel (Acts 5:35), let me, weak man, who am nevertheless a witness of the word, and truth of God, give you a friendly warning. This vengeance of God was understood and experienced by the cruel king and mighty tyrant, and he felt that it is an evil thing to touch the people of God, because of the help of their God, whose vengeance no one can escape, if any wrong is done to his people. II Macc. 1. This order he sent in great haste to all his governors: “Desist from this people.” Holofernes would not understand nor believe this instruction and warning of the wise Achior. Judith 5.

My lords, accept in good part this my favor to you. I have not done it in order to be absolved from the sentence pronounced, which is not customary, and hardly in your power, and you yet remain the friend of the world and the king, which you are determined at any rate to remain. James 4:4; John 19:12. But I pray you nevertheless, to deal mercifully with me, however, as far as is consistent with the proper course of the sentence imposed by you, and as you can answer for it at court. It is better that I suffer, than you; for I know why I suffer. I suffer for a good conscience toward God, and this is acceptable with God; and I am a partaker of Christ’s sufferings. I Pet. 2:19; 4:13. I am tortured in order to make me speak contrary to the great commandment of love (Matt. 22:38); but love doeth no evil; love en[1]dureth all things, beareth all things, and doth not become weary. I Cor. 13:7. O my lords, think whether it is not so. The wicked can appease you with lies, and say no when it is yes, and yes when it is no; but we can only suffer and speak the truth. Have compassion therefore; yea, as you would that it shall be done unto you when my judge will come, when you will be greatly afraid, and stand in need of help. May God forgive you all wrong against me, as I forgive you, and as I would have it done to me in regard to all my sins. Amen.

O wise counsel of Gamaliel I where art thou heeded now? In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God. I John 3:10. “Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” Matt. 7:13.

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Section 380.

A FATHERLY FAREWELL, TESTAMENT AND VERY CAREFUL SCRIPTURAL INSTRUCTION BY HEN; DRICK ALEWIJNS TO HIS CHILDREN
ARTICLE I

The paternal farewell, testament and an earnest
scriptural instruction from Hendrick Alewiins
to his children

Hear me, your father, O my own, well disposed, dear and greatly afflicted orphans, my three motherless and soon also fatherless children, of ten, eight, and six years, deprived of me, and without property, alas, O God! Once more I tell you, O my dear children, from one dear mother I received and kept you all; who most solemnly charged me at her end, as also the holy Scriptures teach and enjoin me concerning you, that I should, as becomes a father, bring you up in divine instruction (Eph. 6:4), to be good and orderly children and men of

God, which I have hitherto, as became me, done with great carefulness and earnestness, but have not yet completed it. And behold, now my labor is taken away, and I cannot under these circumstances further fulfill towards you my fatherly love and debt of discipline. I have therefore now faithfully commended you henceforward to the God of heaven and to my fellow believers, the friends; and I am fully confident that you will be well, very well, taken care of, out of love, for God’s sake and mine.

Be subject most obediently, as dear children, to the friends, and you will endear yourselves to them all. I have charged them with the guardianship over you, as though they were your parents; hence be very obedient; fear words, and you will not need stripes. Other[1]wise you will have to be beaten and chastised much, as the holy Scriptures require and teach, of which I shall write more explicitly hereafter.

My dear little children, it is true, it is true I say, you are yet too childish, the oldest as well as the youngest, to understand the holy Bible, and also that which I shall teach here; but I hope you will delight in reading in it frequently, and to have others read it to you. I also trust that your understanding will increase from day to day and that you will yourselves discern good and evil, and will wisely learn to know who are the true believers, and who the unbelievers; which are the children of God, and which are the children of the devil and the world; who bear the name of Christ justly, and who unjustly. I therefore write in this hope, and to acquit myself of the duty of fatherly instruction, which is still to be discharged towards you, and to the fulfillment of which much is lacking on my part, since I am taken away from you too soon, fully to discharge it. Nevertheless, I cannot forbear, through love, to offer and send you this from afar, my dear children, if peradventure I must shortly go with David the way of all this mortal earth. I Kings 2:2. Hence I instruct, enjoin, and counsel you after my departure, as many patriarchs and holy fathers did to their children, that you will be of good cheer and courage in patience, and that you will follow the ways, commandments, laws, and ordinances of the Lord, and do His whole will. Always do what is right and good; love honesty, modesty, courtesy, shame facedness, virtue, praise (Phil. 4:8); and whatsoever is Christian like and of good report, that do and think on it, and you will be holy and Christians. Then you shall have everlasting life and the beautiful heaven, that you may be with God and His angelic host, with all the elect of God, in eternal rest and joy of your souls; and you shall then not have to fear the second death, the fiery lake, eternal fire, the wages of sin, disinher[1]itance from Christ’s kingdom, or exclusion by Christ. Matt. 25:10.

My dear children, lay this to heart. As soon as your little understanding can comprehend it, think of returning from the old rebellious man into the new man (Matt. 18:3); of the heavenly regeneration of water and of the Spirit (John 3:35); of the grace of God and improv[1]ing the right time (II Corinthians 6:1, 2); of living peaceably with all men, if it be justly possible and lying in you (for the other half of peace lies with the other party); and also of holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord, or enter into Christ’s kingdom. Rom. 12:18; Hebrews 12:14. This, my dear children, is my careful counsel and command to you, after my decease.

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Section 381.

ARTICLE II

The first foundation of virtue, or instruction con;
cerning the beginning o f wisdom in child;
hood Government of children

Behold, my dear children, since you are still children in understanding, young in years, and little fitted for the knowledge of God, I now show you for the first, how you may attain to the foundation of virtue, and the beginning of wisdom, that is

Give good audience, and cry earnestly for wisdom, and ask for it; and gladly receive all good instruction from those who advise you for the best. For, behold, thus Sirach teaches: “Keep only with such as fear God, whom thou knowest to keep God’s commandments, who are minded as thou art, who have compassion on thee, if thou stumble; and abide b their counsel [he says, abide by their counsel, for thou shalt find no more faithful counsel, and such an one can often see something better than seven watchmen that sit about in a high tower, Sir. 37:12. Again: “The true beginning of wisdom is the desire of discipline.” Wisd. 6:17. And again: “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.” Prov. 12:1. Again: “The ears that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. And he that refuseth correction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.” 15:31, 32. Moreover: “He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.” 10:17. Again: “A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.” 17:10. Behold, my dear children, open your ears, and receive instruction, and you shall become wise and honorable; if not, you must remain unwise, ungodly, worldly and in error, as follows here

“Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth re[1]proof shall be honored.” 13:18.

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 disobedi[1]ent 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 God fearing parents, the good with words, the evil with rods. Thus did 7’obit 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. I 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 terri[1]fied 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. I Tim. 4:10; Heb. 11:6.

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Section 382.

ARTICLE III

Brief instruction concerning God, to learn to know
Him, by His written name, glory, handiwork,
wonderful deeds, voice, omnipotence, om;
niscience, by His enemies, and the
enemy o f His enemies, and the
faithful succorer o f 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. Isa. 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, un[1]mentionable, 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, immeasurable 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 an[1]other place the Scripture declares: “He spanneth heaven with his three fingers.” Isa. 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.” Wisd. 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, I 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.

Ali, 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. Wisd. 1:20.

This fear of the Lord driveth out sin; for he that is without fear cannot be justified. Wisd. 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 God fearing; 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; the 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. II Kings 7:6, 7. Thus read also of Zerah the Ethiopian, with his host . of a thousand thousand, of whom not one escaped. II 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. II 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 II kings 19:35; Isa. 37:36. Read further II 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. II 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 II Macc. 12; Judg. 7:22; I Sam. 14:20; 17:52; II Chron. 20:23.

Behold, my dear children; the faithfulness of God towards His people, and His terrible[1]ness 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, 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; I 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 spir[1]itual weapons, mighty before God. II 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. Isa. 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. II Esd. 16:9.

Therefore, my children, learn to know and shun sin; for because of sin souls are damned forever.

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Section 383.

ARTICLE IV

What sin is, and whereby sin becomes sin; and
what are and will be the wages of sin, be;
fore God, or God’s punishment o f
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.” I Sam. 15:23. John says: “All unrighteousness is sin.” I 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 judges 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 punishment. I Kings 15.

Behold, thus you can perceive whereby sin becomes sin, namely, through the command[1]ment, 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.” I sa. 42:14, 23; 13:9; 34:8, etc.

This impending calamity, the punishment and righteous judgment of God, was an[1]nounced 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, remem[1]ber 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.” II 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. II 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 unright[1]eousness; 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; I 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.” II 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 as 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 ayes 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.” II 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 ven[1]geance 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 compan[1]ions 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 multi[1]tude. Isa. 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.” II Esd. 8:3.

Dear children, he that does not fear or believe God, does not regard these awful assur[1]ances 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. Isa. 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. II Esd. 16:38, 39.

Oh, happy he who always fears; but he whose heart is hardened shall fall into misfortune, as has been sufficiently heard. Mark here the longsuffering 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. Isa. 57:13. The holy Scriptures do justly call our God a consuming fire. As to what fire this is, read Isa. 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.

Oh, 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 con[1]cerning God, and especially regarding His faithful warning against all sin, the promised re[1]compense 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. Remem[1]ber 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.

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Section 384.

HERE FOLLOWS A LETTER WRITTEN BY HANS MA; RIJNS, WHICH HE SENT FROM HIS PRISON TO HIS BELOVED BRETHREN AND SISTERS

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 Saviour; 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.” I Tim. 6:20; Rev. 3:11; I 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.

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Section 385.

ANPLEUNIS VAN DEN BERGE, A. D. 1569

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. II Cor. 5:1.

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Section 386.

JASPER DEN TASCHRINKMAKER, A. D. 1569

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.

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Section 387.

DIRK ANOOT AND WILLEM DE ZAGER, IN THEYEAR 1569

When the Duke of Alba tyrannized with great violence against the Gospel, as Antiochus against the law, II Macc. 7, there were brought prisoners into Ypres, in Flanders, in the year 1569, one Dirk Anoot, of Westvleteren, and one named Willem, a woodsawyer, 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 by the fire, and were then brought into the marketplace, 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.

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Section 388.

TANNEKEN VAN DER MEULEN, JAECXKEN VAN HUSSELE, AND JAECXKEN TEERLINGS, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1569

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 ommended 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.

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Section 389.

JOOST GOETHALS, ROELANDT AND PIETER STAY; ERT, JANNEKEN ROELANDS AND JA14NEXEN DE JONCKHEERE, IN THE YEAR 1569

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 cornerstone 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.

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Section 390.

CHRISTOFFEL BUYZE, LAURENS VAN RENTERGEN, JOOST MEERSSENIER, AND GRIETGEN BAETS

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.

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Section 391.

OLD PIETER, JAN WAITIER, JAN VAN RAES, WOU; TER DENIJS, FRANCAIS THE CARPENTER, AND KALLEKEN, THE WIDOW OF ANPLEUNIS VAN DEN BERGE

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 Demjs, 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 Wader 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 Jan 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.” Isa. 59:14. There they (the five brethren and one sister) comforted and cheered one another with the Word of God. I 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.” II 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.

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Section 392.

THE FIRST LETTER OF WOUTER DENIJS, TO HIS WIFE

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 everyone 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, everyone 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.” I Peter 4:19. And the apostle exhorts us that every one should seek to excel in good works. Tit. 3:8. Abd 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, everyone that would be saved must obey his Saviour, 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 un[1]righteous, 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 everyone 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 admon[1]ish 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 everyone 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 everyone take heed now. On the twentyfirst 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 everyone 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 everyone may take good heed, and always be watchful; for I testify before God and men, that I have not lightly come here. Therefore let everyone 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 everyone take heed.

Written by me, your husband and dear friend,

WOUTER DENIJS.

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Section 393.

THE SECOND LETTER OF WOUTER DENIJS AND HIS FELLOW PRISONERS, TO HIS BRETHREN AND SISTERS IN THE LORD

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 twenti[1]eth, by the grace of the Lord, to whom be praise and honor forever. Amen

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Section 394.

A THIRD LETTER OF WOUTER DENIJS AND HIS FELLOW PRISONERS

Let everyone 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 Ws appearing, and desire to follow this; and I admonish everyone 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, everyone 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 everyone 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 Saviour.

Herewith I commend you to the faithful Creator, and to the word of His grace.

Written by me,

WOUTER DENIJS,

And my fellow prisoners.

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Section 395.

COPY OF A LETTER WRITTEN FROM PRISON, AT ANTWERP, BY A YOUNG WOMAN, NAMED NELLE KEN JASPER, OF BLIJENBERG, WHO LAID DOWN HER LIFE AT THE FORMER PLACE, FOR THE . TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS DIVINE WORD

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 niargrave 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[1]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 today than tomorrow.” 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.

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Section 396.

NOTICE TO THE CHRISTIAN READER, CONCERNING THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES

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.

Extract from the book of criminal sentences of the
city o f Amsterdam, Fol. 48, verso. preserved
in the archives there

Whereas Grietje Arents, a maiden of Limmen, has had herself rebaptized, holding per[1]nicious views concerning the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the faith and ordin[1]ances 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 con[1]demned 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, blockmaker, Arent Janssen of Gorckum, tradesman, Barent Claessen of Swol, fuller, Jan van Gink, Hendrich Biesman of Maestricht, 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 Ana[1]baptists, 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 con[1]sidered 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, insur[1]rection, 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 Mun[1]nickendam, and Lysbeth Jans, a maiden from Benskop, have been rebaptized, holding per[1]nicious 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 con[1]demned 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. 443.

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 Ana[1]baptists, 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.

The public writers of those times also make mention of these women, but without stating anything more than their number, and that they were drowned. This sentence, however, not only makes known their names, but from it also their innocence is evident.

Extract as above, Fol. 59. Verso

Whereas Pietersen, alias Borrekiek, born at Leyden, has entered 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, and, moreover, had previous knowledge of a meeting held a certain time ago, at Leyden, by adherents of the afore mentioned sect, without giving information thereof to the authorities of said city; therefore, my lords the judges, having heard the demand of my lord the bailiff, and having considered the circumstances of his misconduct, have condemned said delinquent by sentence, to be executed with the sword, and put to death on the scaffold, by the executioner, his head to be put upon a stake, and his body to be quartered and hanged to a wheel, for an example to others; as was done by the executioner; and, furthermore, declare his property confiscated for the benefit of the emperor as Count of Holland. Done, etc., in presence as above in the preceding sentence.

Extract as above, Fol. 70. Verso

Whereas Hendrick van Maestricht, at the time when the boat, loaded with Anabaptists, was about to sail to Geelmuyden, has joined the sect of the Anabaptists, by the imposition of the hand, performed on him by one Claes Enkhuysen, and has since allied himself and kept fellowship with said people, conversed with them at different places, and advised and induced several others to join the aforesaid sect, contrary to the decrees ordained and caused to be published by his imperial majesty our gracious lord against the aforesaid sect and its adherents, without that the aforesaid Hendrik has, improved the time of grace, but rejected it; therefore, my lords the judges, having heard the demand made by the bailiff in behalf of his imperial majesty, against the aforesaid Hendrik, together with his answer and confession, and having maturely considered the circumstances of this case, have condemned the aforesaid Hendrik van Maestricht by sentence, to be executed with the sword and put to death by the executioner, and his body to be placed upon a wheel, and his head upon a stake, unless it be that the lords, out of grace, be pleased to grant him the church yard; which sentence was afterwards executed by the executioner. Done on the 10th of June, A. D. 1536, in the presence of the bailiff, all the burgomasters excepted, Cornelis Buyk, Syverts, Claes Gerritsse, Mattheus Claes Doeden, Jan Ryser Janssen, Pieter Willemsse Kantert, and Symon Marttensse Dircx, judges.

Extract as above, Fol. 77. Verso

Whereas Albert Reyers, alias Oldeknecht, born at Bolswaert, in Friesland, has for several years resorted to the society, intercourse and fellowship of persons tainted with heresy and evil doctrines, and has been found with them in divers conventicles, and has also held such in his own dwelling, where the writings and sacraments of the holy church, and the articles of the holy Christian faith were subjected to improper disputation, teaching and treatment, so that the afore mentioned Albert, having become infected thereby, spoke and believed evilly of the holy sacrament of the altar and other sacraments; also of the ordinances and customs of the holy church, to the scandal of good Christians, contrary to the holy Christian faith, and the decrees and edicts of his imperial majesty our gracious lord; therefore, the judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the bailiff against the afore mentioned Albert Reyers, together with his answer and confession, and having duly considered the circumstances of this case, have condemned said Albert, according to the aforesaid decrees, by sentence, to be executed with the sword and put to death by the executioner, and his body afterwards to be placed on a wheel, and his head upon a stake; and, furthermore, declare his property confiscated to the sum of one hundred pounds, according to the privileges of this city. So done on the 12th day of April, in the year 1537, in presence of the bailiff, Claes Gerritsse Deymans and Gerrit Meeuwess, Burgomasters, and Gerrit Meeuwess and all the judges.

Extract as above, Fol. 77. Verso

Whereas Ahdries Harmans of Gelre, has undertaken at different times and place to dispute concerning the Scriptures, and to hold conventicles, where the Scriptures, and the sacraments and ordinances of the holy church were subjected to improper teaching and treatment, whereby the aforesaid Andries, having fallen into error and heresy, also taught these views to others, and tainted them therewith, and has also for a certain time spoken and believed evilly and heretically, and does still believe so, concerning the holy sacrament of the altar, and other sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith, and against the decrees of his imperial majesty our gracious lord; therefore, the judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the bailiff against the aforesaid Andries, together with his answer and confession, and having maturely considered the circumstances of his misdemeanors, condemn said Andries, according to the afore mentioned decrees, to be ex[1]ecuted with the sword and put to death by the executioner, and afterwards his body to be placed upon a wheel, and his head upon a stake, for an example to others; and furthermore, declare his property confiscated for the benefit of the lord, to the sum of one hundred pounds, according to the privileges of this city. So done on the 12th of April 1537, in presence of the bailiff, Claes Gerrit Deymans and Gerrit Andries, burgomasters, and all the judges.

This execution was performed by the executioner immediately after the sentence was pronounced.

Extract as above, Fol. 78. Verso

Whereas Thymon Hendricx of Campen, three years ago or thereabouts, was rebaptized, and entered into the covenant and heresy of the Anabaptists, holding pernicious views concerning the holy Christian faith, and the sacraments and ordinances of the holy church contrary to the truth of the holy faith and against the decrees published in regard to this, by his imperial majesty our gracious lord, therefore, the judges having heard the demand made by the bailiff of this city, in behalf of his imperial majesty against the afore mentioned Thymon Hendricx, together with his answer and confession, and having duly considered the circumstances of the aforesaid case, condemn said Thymon, according to the afore mentioned decrees, by sentence, to be executed with the sword and put to death by the executioner, and his body afterwards to be put upon a wheel, and his head upon a stake, for an example to others; and, furthermore, declare his property confiscated for the benefit of the lord. So done on the 12th of April 1537, in the presence of the bailiff, Claes Gerrit Deymans and Gerritt Andries, burgomasters, and all the judges.

This execution was performed by the executioner immediately after the sentence was pronounced.

Extract as above, Fol. 93

Whereas Jan Janssen van dem Berg in the country of Cleves, a year ago or thereabouts, was rebaptized in the city of Delft, by one Claes with the lame hand and has entered into the covenant and heresy of the Anabaptists, holding pernicious views concerning the holy Christian faith, and the sacraments and ordinances of the holy church, contrary to the truth of the holy faith, and against the decrees emitted in regard to this by his imperial majesty our gracious lord; therefore, the judges, having heard the demand made by the bailiff of this city in behalf of his imperial majesty, against the aforementioned Janssen, together with his answer and confession, and having duly considered the circumstances of the aforesaid case, condemn said Jan Janssen, according to the aforesaid decrees, by sentence, to be executed and put to death by the executioner, and his body then to be put upon a wheel, and his head upon a stake, for an example to others; and furthermore, declare his property confiscated for the benefit of the lord. Done on the 7th of July, A. D. 1539, in the presence of all the burgomasters, Joost Buyk Sybrant, Jan Willemss, Albert Dirksen, Willem Stitchel, and Floris Floriss.

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Section 397.

ELEVEN BRETHREN AND A SISTER, AT ANTWERP; HARMAN TIMMERMAN, JAN VAN HASEBROECK, PIETER VERLONGE, GERRIT VAN MANDEL, JAN VAN MANDEL, JAN DE SCHAPER, JAN WIL; JOOT, JAN VAN DOORNICK, WILLEM VAN POPERINGE, MAEYKEN HIS WIPE, JAN KOOPMAN, HANS HIS SERVANT; A. D. 1569

In the year 1569, at Antwerp, there was apprehended, examined, tortured and finally sentenced to death, for living according to the word of God. and the testimony of the truth, twelve pious Christians, namely, Harman Timmerman, Jan van Hasebroeck, Pieter Verlonge, Gerrit van Mandel, Jan van Mandel, Jan de Schaper, Jan Wiljoot, Jan van Doornick, Willem van Poperinge, Maeyken, his wife, Jan Koopman, and Hans his servant. One of them, however, died in prison, from the effects of the torture. Seven were burned alive before Easter, their mouths having been screwed together with screws; and the last mentioned four, in like manner, on the 20th of May of said year.

Here follows a brief yet thorough and Christian confession of faith, of the one Being, God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and of the eternal Godhead of Christ the Son of God; also of the incarnation, visibleness, suffering and death of the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; which, by this here mentioned hero and witness of Jesus, Herman Timmerman, was written as an answer and refutation to a letter that had been sent him; and to which he so effectually testified and confirmed with, his blood and death. We have added the same here, for the benefit of the reader. We ask you to read it with Christian regard and attention; we hope that you will be instructed and bettered by it. It reads as follows

In the first place, my friend, you desire us to write to you, whether we confess that the Father and the man ~esus Christ and the Holy Ghost are one Being. ur answer is, that we confess, that there is one Father, and one Son, and one Holy Ghost, and that with these words, namely, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, the only and Almighty God was expressed by Christ Himself, Matt. 28:19. This then is our belief, namely, that we confess, that when the Father was, there was also the Son; for the Father never was without the Son. For as the Scriptures testify of the Father, that He is eternal, and that all things are through Him; so they also testify of the Son, that His goings forth are from the beginning, from the days of eternity; and all things were created by Him. Mic. 5:1; Col. 1:16; Jno. 1:3; Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:2. Likewise, also through the Holy Spirit; for all things were made by Him, who has one will and work with the Father and the Son, as may well be understood from these words where the Scriptures testify that the Holy Ghost says: “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” II Esd: 16:62; Psalm 33:6; Acts 13:2. See, my friends, here the Holy Ghost says that He calls them to this work; now Paul says, that Jesus Christ has called and sent him. Acts 26:16. And in the epistle to the Galatians we read, that God called him, and separated him from his mother’s womb, to reveal His Son by him. Galatians 1:15, 16. From these words the unity can clearly be understood. And there are still other passages which testify concerning the Holy Ghost, that He appoints the ministers or bishops in the church of God, which He has purchased with His own blood, and that He also dispenses the gifts. Acts 20:28; I Cor. 12:11.

From these words it is easy to understand the unity and operation of the Holy Ghost, which He has with the Father and the Son, so that He Cannot be excluded from the unity: Nor can the Son; for He says: “I and the Father are one,” John 10:30; which unity and Son of God He is according to the person as well as according to the Spirit; for He is frequently, according to His humanity called the Son of God, as you may read where the centurion said: “Truly this is the Son of God.” Matt. 27:54. And Paul says, that we are reconciled to God by the death of His Son. Rom. 5:10. Again, that God did not spare His Son, 8:32. And John says, that the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. I John 1:7; 4:10. And Luke says: “That which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35. And to the Galatians: “That God sent forth his Son, who was born of a woman:” Gal. 4:4. Now He who is the Son of God; and whom He has given for our propitiation (I Jno. 4:10), was certainly born of Mary in the form of a human person. And Isaiah says: “Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father” (Isa. 9:6), and other things, which God says of Himself, and which John the Baptist and Christ declare concerning Himself. Read Isaiah where it is written: “Behold, your God. For, behold, the Lord Sabaoth cometh; he shall feed his flock like a shepherd.” Isa. 40:9.

Also in Ezekiel God says: “I will myself attend to my sheep.” Ezek. 34:11. Now Christ says, that He is the Shepherd of the sheep, and that the sheep are His own. Zechariah says: “Smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered,” and in John we read, that Christ is the Bridegroom, who has the bride; and in the epistle to the Ephesians [we are taught], that He gave Himself for her, that He might prepare Himself a glorious church. Eph. 5:25. Christ also is the Lamb of God, and in Revelation we read that the marriage of the Lamb is come, and that His wife has made herself ready. Rev. 19:7. Hence we can clearly understand from these words, that Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom and husband of His church, which husband by the prophet Isaiah is called God: “For thy Maker is thine husband,” he says: “the Lord of hosts is his name: and thy Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall he be called.” Isa. 54:5.

See, my friends, from all these words it can clearly be understood, that Christ cannot be excluded from the unity or from God; since God in the Scriptures is frequently expressed by the word Christ, as you may read in Timothy, where Paul calls Christ our Saviour, and also calls God our Saviour, and in other places, where God is called our Saviour. Read I Tim. l:l. And God says through Isaiah: “I am the Lord; and beside me there is no Saviour.” Isa. 43:11; 45:5. Now the Scriptures testify, that man’s salvation lies in the sacrifice of the body of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, as we above quoted to you some passages; as, that we are re[1]conciled to God by the death of His Son the body died, and, as Peter says: “By his stripes we were healed.” His body suffered the stripes. I Pet. 2:24. And Isaiah: “With his stripes we are healed:” the stripes were inflicted upon the body. Isa. 53:5.

See, my friend, it is therefore clear from these words, that Christ cannot be excluded from God with body and spirit, since God ascribes to Himself that which Christ has done, as we explained above concerning the Shepherd of the sheep. And Christ ascribes to Himself that which God does, as may frequently be understood from the Scriptures; so that the in[1]ference is clear, that they have one will and work: for what things soever the Father doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. And as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will. John 5:19, 21. Hence the works of the Son of God can be ascribed to none other than to God, so that the Son cannot be excluded from God. When therefore the word God is named, Father, Son and Holy Ghost are thereby ex[1]pressed. Thus confess we the only God.

You further desire an answer in regard to the passages which speak of the one God, whether thereby any other than the Father is named. I understand your question thus: “Whether Christ, who died, is also comprised in the expression one God?” Rom..l:8; 5:8; John 5:18; I John 5:9.

Answer. In the first place you quote Deut. 6:4, where Moses said: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one God;” and says still further in the same chapter: “Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.” v. 16; Matt. 4:7. See, my friend, they tempted this one God, who by Paul is called Christ, where he says: “And let us not tempt Christ, as some tempted him.” I Corinthians 10:9, Now I understand from your letter, that you would exclude Christ from God; I understand it by the passage you quote (John 17), by which you would prove that Christ is not God. Our answer concerning this passage is: “They that confess Jesus Christ in truth also confess Him God, since God is expressed by the word Christ, as we have proved above from the words of Paul.” You further quote the language of Hezekiah, where he said: “O Lord God of Israel, thou art alone God; thou hast made heaven and earth.” II Kings 19:15. By these words you would prove that Christ is ex[1]cluded from the one God. And you write in your letter that the one God of whom Hezekiah spoke made heaven and earth; and you exclude Christ from the one God; hence you must also exclude Him from the creation of heaven and earth, and must first refute all these wit[1]nesses that testify concerning Jesus Christ, that all that is made was made by Him. Read John 1:3; Col. 1:9; Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:2; Ps. 33:6. When you shall have refuted all these witnesses, and excluded Christ from all the works of God, then I shall admit your view, that Christ is not comprised in the expression, one God.

You further say that God is invisible and lives forever, but that Christ was seen, and that He died, and that the child was without knowledge, and that it grew up in wisdom; concerning which you shall hear our views afterwards from the confession of our faith, which we prove from the Scriptures, which later we must believe. Furthermore, you say that God knows the times, and that the Son does not know them. Matt. 24:36; Mark 13:32. Our answer is, that Christ speaks this according to His humiliation; for there are other passages which testify concerning Him, that He knows all things; as where Peter said: “Lord, thou knowest all things;” and Christ did not contradict him, saying: “`No, Peter, I do not know the last day.” He did not even reply to it. Again, when the disciples said to Him: “Now are we sure that thou knowest all things.” John .16:30. You further say that God knows the hearts of all the children of men. Ps. 7:9; Jeremiah 11:20; 17:10; 12:3. We say that Christ also knows them; for He knew what was in man, and needed not that any should testify of man. II Tim. 4:8; Revelation 2:23; John 2: 25. And Christ said: “I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.” John 9:42. And in John 6:61, we read that Jesus knew in Himself that is disciples murmured at it. But that you write concerning the revelation of John, that God gave Him the same, this does not imply that He [Christ] does not know anything. You further say that God is Almighty, and does all things without the assistance of any one. Answer: Above we have proved that Christ Jesus and the Holy Ghost are comprehended in the word God, or you must prove that the Father does some things without the Son or the Holy Ghost, contrary to the words of Christ where He says: “What things soever the Father doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” And: “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” And “As the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.” John 5:19; 17:21. And if we are to honor the Son as we honor the Father, as the Father requires, we must certainly confess Him God, for the Father is honored as God, and if we now deny the Son, we have neither the Father, nor the Son, and we are also the spirit of antichrist. I John 2:22. And as God did the miracles by Him, so He, again, did them by the Father. And He said to two blind men: “Believe ye that I am able to do this to you?” And they believed it and were helped. Matthew 9:28. This I state, that you may know that He frequently ascribes to Himself the works which He does, and sometimes to His Father; in order that you may know that they are one God, who worketh all things. You say that God requires the Holy Spirit, which is true. Now you must observe that a certain thing is sometimes ascribed to God the Father, and sometimes to the Son; for we read, John 3:16, that God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son. Rom. 5:8; I John 4:9. And John 10:17, we read that Christ says, that He lays down His life; no man takes it from Him; but He lays it down of Himself. Again, that He gives His flesh for the life of the world. John 6:51. And that He also imparts the Holy Ghost, and also sent Him to His disciples. John 20:22; 16:7, 13; 15:26; Luke 24:49.

You further quote I Cor. 15:28. Our answer is, as above: That sometimes a work is ascribed to the Father and sometimes to the Son; that all men might know that they are one. For we read that God the Father set Jesus Christ at His own right hand in the heavenly places. Eph. 1:20. And we also read, that the Lord sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Heb. 1:3. Therefore my friend, you may well take heed before you proceed in such a weighty matter, and first well prove with the word of Christ and His apostles, that you do not run away with a word, without first proving whether it agrees with all the words of God. Farewell, and read with the understanding.

Our belief and ground concerning the incarnation of Jesus Christ is, that we confess and believe, that the only begotten Son of God, who was with the Father before the foundation of the world (John 17:24), and was in the form of God (Phil. 2:6), was foreordained before the foundation of the world; whose goings forth are from the beginning; by whom the world was made, John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2; and who, though He was rich, became poor for our sakes, and came forth from the Father, came into the world; came down from heaven; and through the power of the Most High was conceived in Mary, and became man in her. For the Word became flesh (John 1:14), so that it was seen with the eyes, and handled with the hands; of the word of life. I John 1:1. Born of Mary (Luke 2:7); given unto us as a son (Isa. 9:6), and crucified, died, and buried for us; raised from the dead, for God raised up His child Jesus (Acts 3:15; 10:40; I Thess. 1:10); and He ascended up where He was before (John 6:62), for He that descended is the same also that ascended, Eph. 4:10. We also believe, that the Son of God, when the time was fulfilled, became Abraham’s son, David’s son, Abraham’s seed, the Son of man; and the son and fruit of Mary, when He became man; not that the Son of God took His origin or beginning from Abraham, or David, or Mary; for we have above shown by the Scriptures, that He was with the Father before the foundation of the world; and was before Abraham was. John 8:58. We therefore believe, that Jesus Christ, without any division, visible or invisible, mortal or immortal, wholly and entirely, is the first begotten, own, true, Son of God, as all believers have confessed Him, as we can read in the holy Scriptures. Peter confessed Him as the Son of the living God. Likewise also John the Baptist confessed Him; for he said: I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. John 1:34. Nathanael said: “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God.” Martha in like manner confessed that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God, who had come into the world. John 1.1:27.

This is our confession concerning the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now if some one should ask us whether we do not believe that the Son of God assumed flesh and blood, in which He dwelt; and that the Son of God remained the same as He was, invisible, immortal, unchangeable, as is the Father; we answer thus. “If it were true that the Son of God remained invisible, immortal and unchangeable, as the Father, and assumed flesh and blood from Mary, in which He dwelt, it could not be said with truth, that the Son of God became man, but according to truth it would have to be said, that the Son of God assumed a man, in whom He dwelt; for to assume is to assume, and to become is to become, and assuming cannot be called becoming. There further follows from it, that if the Son of God remained invisible, as the Father, He could not be crucified, and in this case He that hung on the cross, is not the Son of God; for He was seen, and God has but one Son. It further follows from it, that if the Son remained invisible, God did spare His Son, contrary to the words of Paul, where he says, that God spared not His Son, but delivered Him up for us all. Rom.~8:32. And God would in this case also not have given us His Son, contrary to the teaching of John, where he says: “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son.” John 3:16.

Furthermore, if He remained immortal, it can not be said, that we are reconciled to God by the death of His Son, contrary to Paul, where he says, that we are reconciled to God by the death of His Son. Rom. 5:10. Nor can it be said that the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. It can only be said that the flesh and blood of Mary cleanses us from all sin, contrary to the teaching of John, where he says, that the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Nor can it be said, that God raised up His child Jesus; for if He did not die, He did not raise Him up, contrary to the teaching of Paul, I Thessalonians 1:10; Acts 2:24; 10:40. Now if someone should ask us, whether we believe, that the Son of God was changed; we answer, that we believe, that the Son of God for our sakes was changed so much that He became what He was not, namely, He, who before was rich, for our sakes be[1]came poor. And He, who was in the form of God, became man; for the Word became flesh, so that it was seen with the eyes and handled with the hands. And He, who before was invis[1]ible, became visible; and arose from the dead; and ascended up where He was before. For He that descended is the same also that ascended; and He sits on the right hand of the Majesty on high, and is our Advocate, our Mediator, and ever lives to reconcile us. See, my friend, thus confess we the love which God has shown toward us. So that Jesus Christ humbled Himself for our sakes, became lower than the angels, and was found in fashion as a man. Phil. 2:8; Heb. 2:7. Behold, my friend, this is the answer to the remark that the child grew up in wisdom. For when He became like unto man, as Paul teaches, He became in all things like unto His brethren. Heb. 2:17. Now, another man grows up in wisdom; therefore the Son of God humbled Himself, put Himself in our stead before God His Father, and took upon Him our sins, and paid for them in our stead, so that in our place He cried to God with strong crying and tears, and offered up [prayers and supplications] unto Him that was able to save Him from death. Heb. 5:7; Matt. 27:46. Not, my friend, that He needed to be saved on the part of His own person. Now if someone should ask us, whether by such an incarnation as you have confessed here He did not lose His Sonship, and unity with God, we answer: We have proved above by the Scriptures, that Jesus Christ was the Son of God before every creature (Col. 1:15) , and was with the Father before the foundation of the world; whose goings forth are from the beginning and from eternity. And He did not lose His Sonship by His incarnation; for, while He was man, the Father confessed Him as His Son. Matt. 3:17; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22. And Christ said, that He was the Son of God. John 10:36. Likewise did Peter. Matt. 16:16. John the Baptist, Nathanael, Martha, and Thomas confessed Him as their Lord and God. And Christ said: “I and the Father are one.” From these words it is easy to understand, that by His incarnation He did not lose His first identity and unity; for the Son of God could become man, so that He died; but nevertheless remain God and the Son of God. For we read concerning the first man Adam, who was a figure of Christ, that God made him of the earth, so that Adam became a living soul, flesh and blood, capable of suffering and dying, and yet remained earth; for God said: “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Rom. 5:14; Gen. 1:19; Sir. 17:1. Abraham also confessed, that he was dust (earth). Gen. 18:27. Now, when the word earth is named, everything is comprised in it, that is earth and takes its origip from the earth. Now Adam and Abraham, who were earth died, and all men who are of the earth, will be able to die; but the earth on which we walk can not die. Nevertheless, both are earth, and both are comprehended in the term earth. Now, when the word God is named, everything is comprised in it, that is God, and all that has its origin from and with God; namely, with the word God, we express Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Now the Scriptures testify, as we have abundantly stated above, that the Son of God became man, so that He was seen, and that He died; but the Father and the Holy Ghost did not die. Nevertheless, God reconciled the world, and purchased His church by His blood; for God was made manifest in the flesh. Read Baruch 4:22. For God is man’s Saviour. Read Isaiah 43:11; I Tim. 1:15; Tit. 1:4. Now if Christ’s body were of the earth, in which body our propitiation lies, as Peter teaches, that we were healed by His stripes, and Isaiah, that we are healed by His stripes; and Paul, that we are reconciled by His death; then the earth must be our savior, and not God; and John must have spoken falsely, when he said, that the Word, which is called God, became flesh. And before we will believe that Christ’s body is of Mary’s blood, we want to see this assertion pointed out to us in the Scriptures, word for word, and we will say nothing against it; for we must believe as the Scriptures teach us. John 7:38. And if any one wishes to accept our faith, we will show him word for word where this is written, namely, that the Word became flesh. Farewell. Read with the understanding. HARMAN TIMMERMAN.

From Jan van Hasebroeck three letters have fallen into our hands, which we have likewise added here for the benefit of the reader.

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Section 398.

THE FIRST LETTER OF JAN VAN HASEBROECK TO HIS WIFE

The abundant grace, peace and mercy from God the heavenly Father, and the love of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, shows us by the shedding of His holy and precious blood on the tree of the cross; may He strengthen and stablish you in the inner man, with His Word and the power of His Holy Spirit; the same give you much wisdom and understanding, that you may be able to stand, to the praise of the Lord, and the salvation of your soul; this I wish you, my dear and much beloved wife and sister in Christ Jesus, and all that fear the Lord from the heart, as a cordial greeting. Amen.

After all affectionate greetings, I inform you, my dear and much beloved wife, that I am still reasonably well, inwardly and outwardly the Lord be praised forever for His great grace and mercy as I trust by the grace of the Lord that it is also with you, in the inner man and in the outward, as it pleases the Lord. For, my most beloved, if it pleased the Lord, He would soon have ordered it otherwise; hence be content with what the Lord has ordered in regard to you; for He knows what tends to your salvation, O my most beloved love, be pleased to know, that you were a medicine to my heart the last time I saw you at the lattice; for, as a hart panteth after the water brooks, so did my heart long to see your face again. Ps. 42:1. O my dear wife, that I might see and speak to you once more, and bid you adieu. But, my dearest, the Lord has not commanded me to take leave from my friends, but to follow Him in the obedience of the truth. Luke 9:61. O my most beloved wife, whom I have wedded before Christ and His church, for a helpmeet in my pilgrimage, over which helpmeet the Lord has placed me as head and protector, to feed and nourish you as my own body. Eph. 5:28. Now, my most beloved, if I have not well attended to my calling, during the time that we have been together; if I have grieved you in anything, I kindly ask you from the bottom of my heart, to forgive me; I have asked the Lord with tears, to forgive me. O my dear wife, I forgive you from the heart everything you may have done amiss to me. O my dear wife, you have done nothing amiss to me; but I have grieved myself; hence I have prayed the Lord, to forgive me the same. And do you also, my dear wife, pray the Lord in my behalf, that I may be an acceptable offering to Him; for I trust by His grace to go before you, with our fellow brethren, and to await you under the altar. O my most beloved, my heart’s prayer for you is, that you would always walk worthily before God and His church (Phil. 1:27), as you have also hitherto done; so that at the last day we may stand and hear His voice: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Christ also says: “Fear not, little flock; for it is my Father’s good pleasure to give you his kingdom.” Luke 12:32. He also says: “Fear not, for the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Verse 7. My most beloved, comfort yourself with the Word of the Lord, and with the beautiful promises of God; that you may not faint in the way of the Lord, because of the great persecution and torments which are inflicted on His people for His name’s sake; for He says Himself: “Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do; but fear him, which after he hath killed, hath power also to cast the soul into hell.” Luke 12:4, 5. And as the prophet Isaiah has said: “Fear not men, or the children of men, that perish like grass.” Isaiah 51:12. Therefore, my most beloved, be not afraid of this pain; for Paul says that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18. In another place Paul also says: “Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” II Cor. 4:16-18.

O my most beloved wife, my heart’s prayer and desire is, that you would always associate with them that fear the Lord, as I likewise trust to do; that hereafter we may meet where men shall not part us, but where we shall abide forever with the Father and His Son. If we only remain steadfast, we shall be saved. Matt. 10:22.

O my dear wife, as the prophet Malachi says, that the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you (he says) that fear my name shall the Son of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and you shall go in and out, and find pasture. Mal. 4:1, 2.

Behold, my dear wife, what a difference there is between them that fear God, and those that fear Him not. For as the apostle Paul says to the Thessalonians, in his second epistle, in the first chapter: “When the Lord Jesus Christ 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: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power, where the fire shall not be quenched, and their worm shall not die; but the smoke of their torment shall ascend forever and ever.” Mark 9:44; Rev. 14:11.

Behold, this shall be their reward. Rom. 6:23. But they that fear God, love Him, and keep His commandments, according to their weakness; their reward shall be life and peace, as the Scriptures sufficiently testify. And Paul, also, says that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. I Cor. 2:9.

Herewith I will draw to a close with my discourse, and commend you to the Almighty Lord, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, who has given you to me, and, as said before, placed me as a head, to feed and nourish you as my own flesh, which I have done according to my weakness, during the time that I have been with you. And now that I am taken from you, I commend you, my dearest wife and sister in the Lord, to the God of peace, who has given you to me; humbly praying Him, through Jesus Christ, His dear and much beloved Son, that He would keep you, and my two little lambs, always in His truth, unto the end. And also you, my dear wife, I pray you in all sincerity, to do the best for my two little children, as I trust you will do. Oh. that it pleased the Lord, I would so gladly do my best for you yet. My most beloved, I have heard that you sent me a letter; but I did not receive it; hence if you want to send me word in regard to anything, speak to N., and ask her whether she knows of any one that would come to the common prison, and ask for the brother in law, in the fullet’s house. For we trust that if you can prudently give it into his hand there, we shall get it; hence act circumspectly in this matter, and do not send it without speaking to the rest; that it may go through at once and attract the less notice. For we have been greatly distressed on account of a letter that came in from without; in which stood that they had received two of our letters. This letter fell into the hands of the jailer, who seemed beside himself that we had written. Therefore, my dearest love, when you want to write me something, write not that you received a letter from me; but if you have received this letter from me, and send me another, place under your letter the sign that will stand under this, thereby I shall know that you received my letter. And if you speak to my brother, greet him much from me, and tell him to enter with Noah into the ark, lest the flood come upon him, which is the wrath of God; and to go with Lot out of Sodom, and not to look back, like Lot’s wife, who became an example to those who in future times should commit ungodliness; for Christ says: “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9: 62. Hereby greet him much in my name, and greet all those who inquire after me, especially him who was my master, and my country man and his wife, and the woman who the day before was at our house, and, also, my most beloved, whom I know upon earth, yea, who is as dear to me as my own life; for my natural life was not near so dear to me; this the Lord knows, who is rich in mercy.

O my beloved, I commend you, and all them that fear God, to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace. Amen.

Written by me, JAN VAN HASEBROECK,

Your husband and weak brother in Christ.

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Section 399.

THE SECOND LETTER OF JAN VAN HASEBROECK

Abundant grace and peace be with you from God the heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, His dear and much beloved Son, our Lord, through whom we expect our salvation; may He by His Spirit confirm, strengthen, and comtort you in all your tribulation and temptation, outward and inward, that you may be able to stand firm and immovable in His truth, to the end of your life, to His praise, and to the salvation of your soul; this I wish you, my dear and much beloved wife and sister in the Lord, as a friendly greeting and adieu in Ghrist Jesus. Amen.

After all heartfelt greetings, my dear and much beloved wife, be pleased to know, that I am still reasonably well according to the flesh, the Lord be praised forever for His grace; and my mind is always ready yet to go on in what I declared and confessed before the rulers of the darkness of this world; and I trust by the grace of the Lord to seal the same with my blood and death, so that I unworthy one may obtain the promise, where He says: “Whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s the same shall save it; and whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” Mark 8:35; Matthew 10:32. Therefore, my most beloved love, be of good cheer, and always comfort yourself, and be comforted with the words of the Lord; and do not grieve too much on ac[1]count of the work and will of the Lord, for He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11), and no one has ever been the Lord’s counselor. Hence, my dear and much beloved wife and sister in the Lord, though we have had little joy with each other during the time that the Lord has joined us together, and must now part with sorrow, we know that the Lord has promised us nothing here but tribulation and sorrow, as Christ said to His disciples: “Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be sor[1]rowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” John 16:20. Christ also says: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” v. 33. He further says: “Blessed are they that weep now: for they shall laugh; but woe unto them that laugh now: for they shall weep.” Luke 6:21, 25. Again, in another place he says: “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

Thus, my dear and much beloved wife and sister in the Lord, comfort yourself with these beautiful words and promises of Christ, which partly also belong to you; for in that you are sorry, you are sorry after a godly manner. And Paul says, that godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of this world worketh death. II Cor. 7:9, 10.

O my dear wife, Paul, in another place, further says, that our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Cor. 4:17, 18. And the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18. For the apostle says, that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. I Cor. 2:9. Therefore, my dear and much beloved wife and sister in the Lord, since we have such beautiful promises for this little and temporal suffering, be of good cheer, and always patient in your tribulation and temporal sufferings, continuing instant in prayer, patient in hope (Rom. 12:12 ), and wait for the time of your redemption with long suffering. I trust by the grace of the Lord to be an example and pattern to you, and to leap by my God over a wall (Ps. 18:29), to go to meet Christ, my Bridegroom, as He has commanded me (Matthew 25:1); and also to go and await you under the altar of the Lord, where all God’s elect shall rest, until the number of their fellow brethren that must yet be killed for the testimony of Jesus, like we, is fulfilled. Rev. 6:9, 11.

Therefore, my dear and much beloved wife and sister in the Lord, always wait with pa[1]tience for the Lord your God, as did the wise virgins, who had oil in their vessels, and were ready to go in with their bridegroom, whereunto we all that believe in Christ are called, to sup with Him. Rev. 3:20. For, as Christ Himself says, Luke 12:37: “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” Matthew 24:46.

Hence, my dear wife and sister in the Lord, always be of good cheer, comfort yourself with the words of the Lord, and be patient and resigned in that which the Lord has ordered concerning you. Though He now comes to visit you with tribulation, suffering or poverty, think that Christ, when He was rich, for our sakes became poor, that through His poverty He might make rich us who were poor. II Cor. 8:9. And James, also, says, that God has chosen the poor of this world rich m faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him. James 2:5.

O my dear wife, think of old Tobit; when all his goods had been taken from him, and he had to flee with his wife and his son, he said: “And fear not, my son; true, we are poor, but we shall have much wealth, if we fear the Lord, keep his commandments, shun sin, and do good.” Tobit 1:20; 4:21.

Hence, my much beloved wife and sister in the Lord, Christ also says in the Gospel: “Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast body and soul into hell.” Luke 12:4, 5. And in another place: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Verse 32. And the prophet Isaiah also says: “Fear not men, nor the children of men, who must perish like grass; for all flesh is as grass; and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: the grass withereth, the flower fadeth, but the word of the Lord abideth forever.” Isa. 51:12; 40:6, 8.

Further, my dear and greatly beloved wife and sister in the Lord, be pleased to know, that it was a great joy for me to hear that you were of such good cheer in your tribulation, and that you have committed us four to the Lord; wherefore I rejoice, and pray the Lord from the heart, that He would strengthen and stablish you, and give you His divine Spirit for a Comforter and Guide, since now is the time of which Christ said (Matt. 24:24), that many false prophets and false Christs should arise, yea, that even the very elect, if it were possible, should be led into error.

Therefore, my dear and much beloved wife, take good heed, that no robber deceive you by philosophy and vain deceit, after the rudiments of the world; and that you may not have labored in vain, but may receive your reward, so that no man may take your crown. Hence have your conversation always in heaven, from whence we look for our Saviour, Christ Jesus our Lord; who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body. Phil. 3:20, 21. Herewith I will commend you, my dear and much beloved wife, and both my children, to the Lord, and bid you farewell, until we shall meet hereafter, where men shall part us no more; for the apostle says, that the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and with the voice of the archangel; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (I Thess. 4:16, 17): then men shall not part us. O my most beloved wife and sister in the Lord, I herewith bid you adieu, and commend you to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace; and may the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, rule m your heart. Adieu, my dear wife, and greet much them that inquire after me, especially my brother, and bid him adieu, adieu. O adieu, my dear and much beloved wife. Jan Koopman and Hansken greet you most heartily, and also bid you adieu. Amen.

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Section 400.

THE THIRD LETTER OF JAN VAN HASEBROECK

The abundant grace, peace and mercy from God the heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ His dear and much beloved Son our Lord, be multiplied unto you, with the power and communion of the Holy Ghost; may He strengthen, comfort and stablish you in the inner man, so that you may be able to stand firm and immovable in His truth to the end of your life, to His praise and to the salvation of your soul; this I wish you my dear and much beloved wife and sister in the Lord, as a cordial and friendly greeting. Amen.

After all heartfelt greetings, my dear and much beloved wife, be pleased to know that I am reasonably well yet according to the flesh, the Lord be praised forever for His grace; and my mind is still unchanged to go on in that which I unworthy one declared and confessed in His name. I also hope to seal the same with my blood, and I trust that the Lord will help me in my last extremity; for Paul says (Heb. 2:18) in that He Himself hath suffered [being tempted], He is able to succor them that are tempted. O my dear and much beloved wife, be pleased to know that I was partly rejoiced, and partly grieved, when I heard how it is with you. For on account of your sickness I was sorrowful; but when I heard again, that you were of such good cheer in your tribulation and suffering, I greatly rejoiced, and thanked the Lord for His great grace and compassion. And I humbly beseech Him from the depth of my heart, through Jesus Christ His dear Son, that He would comfort, strengthen and stablish you, and always guide you into His truth, to the end of your life. O my dear and much beloved wife, always be of good cheer, and think that we must through much tribulation and suffering enter into the kingdom of God, like all the pious and God fearing men that lived before our time, as Paul tells us (Heb. 11), that they suffered mockings, scourgings, and stoning, yea, bonds and imprisonment, and died by the sword, yea, suffered distress and want: they went in sheepskins and goatskins, wandering about in deserts; and had to hide in caves of the earth. Therefore, my dear lamb, rejoice with all the pious, of whom Paul says, that they took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, and that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. II Tim. 3:12. For Christ Himself says: “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my sayings, they will keep yours also. Yea, if they have called the master of the House Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?” John 15:20; Matthew 10:25.

O my dear and much beloved wife and sister in the Lord, though the Lord come to visit us with tribulation and suffering, Paul says, that it is given unto us, not only to believe on His name. but also to suffer for it; and as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our con[1]solation also aboundeth by Christ. Phil. 1:29; II Cor. 1:5. O my dear and much beloved wife, receive willingly the chastening of the Lord; for He chasteneth everyone whom He loveth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteous[1]ness unto them which are exercised thereby. Heb. 12:6, 11.

O my dear and much beloved wife, herewith I will commend you to the Lord, and kindly ask you from the depth of my heart. that you would always do the best with my two little lambs, as I also trust that you will do, as you sent me word. Nevertheless, I kindly ask you, that if the Lord should spare you until they attain to their understanding, that you would instruct them in the obedience of the truth; and always associate with them that fear God, so that at the last day we and they may stand together on the Lord’s right hand, and hear His voice: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

O my dear and much beloved wife and sister in the Lord I Herewith I commend you to the Lord Almighty, and to the Word of His grace, and bid you adieu, my dear wife, adieu, and the peace of the Lord be with you and all them that fear Him. Jan Koopman and Hansken greet you much; and Jan Koopman greets his wife much; he and Hansken are also of good cheer. Amen.

Written by me JAN VAN HASEBROECK, your husband and weak brother in the Lord.

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Chap 3 (IV) .

Old Book of the Martyrs Mirror

Table of Contents

Title Page

MARTYRS MIRROR

DEFENSELESS CHRISTIANS

Old Book

Chap 3 (IV)

THIELEMAN J. van BRAGHT

Section 301.

THE FIRST LETTER OF JELIS STRINGS

Section 302.

THE SECOND LETTER OF DELIS STRINGS

Section 303.

HEYNDRICK EEMKENS, A. D. 1562

Section 304.

GEORGE FRIESEN, A CABINETMAKER, AND WILL; IAM VAN KEPPEL, A. D. 1562

Section 305.

AN ADMONITION WHICH GEORGE FRIESEN SENT FROM PRISON

Section 306.

MARTIJNTGEN AELMEERS, ‘A. D. 1562

Section 307.

NIKASEN VAN AELMEERS, A. D. 1562

Section 308.

KAREL VAN .DEN VELDE, WITH PROENTGEN HIS WIFE, . FRANCHOYS DE SWARTE, WITH KLAES; KEN HIS WIFE, JASPER THE SHOEMAKER, CHARLO DE WAEL, AND MARTIJNE AMARE, IN THE YEAR 1562

Section 309.

JAN GRENDEL, A. D. 1562

Section 310.

FRANCIS VAN DER SACH AND ANTHONY WELSCH, A. D. 1562

Section 311.

JAN DE SWARTE, KLAESKEN HIS WIFE, KLAES, CHRISTIAN, HANS AND MAHIEU, HIS FOUR SONS; PERCEVAL VAN DEN BERGE, JAN MAES, PIE; TER THE SHOEMAKER, HENDRICK AERTS, THE HATTER, JANNEKEN CABILJAUS HIS WIFE, KALLEKEN STEENS, AND HER; MAN, IN THE YEAR, A. D. 1563

Section 312.

DIRK LAMBERTS, CHRISTIAN VAN WETTEREN, AND ANTONIJN DE WALE, A. D. 1563

Section 313.

JOOS JANS PUT TO DEATH, A. D. 1563

Section 314.

DANIEL KALVAERT, BURNED, A. D. 1564

Section 315.

PIETER VAN OOSTHOVE, A. D. 1564

Section 316.

STEVEN DE GRAFT; AND SIJNTGEN, A. D.: 1564,

Section 317.

FIERIJNTGEN. KETELS, LEENTGEN HER MOTHER, WITH PIERIJNTGEN AND MARIJNTGEN VAN MALE, IN TIDE YEAR A. D. 1564

Section 318.

PIETER VAN DER MEULEN, A. D. 1564 .

Section 319.

MAEYKEN BOOSERS BURNT TO ASHES FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, IN THE CITY OF DOORNICK, THE 18TH OF SEPTEM; BER, A. D. 1564

Section 320.

WILLEBOORT CORNELISS, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE EVANGELICAL TRUTH, AT MIDDELBORGH IN ZEALAND, THE 14TH OF SEPTEMBER, IN THE YEAR 1564

By me, WILLEBOORT CORNELISS.

Section 321.

PRIJNTGEN AND MARTIJNTGEN MAELBOUTS, IN THE YEAR 1564

Section 322.

MR. DELIS MATTHIJSS, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, AT MIDDEL; BORGH, IN THE YEAR A. D. 1564

Section 323.

ANOTHER LETTER FROM MR. DELIS MATTHIJSS, WHICH HE WROTE TO HIS WIFE

Section 324.

ANOTHER LETTER FROM MR. JELIS MATTHIJSS TO HIS WIFE

Section 325.

JAN GERRITS, BURNT AT THE HAGUE, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, THE 15TH DAY OF DECEMBER, A. D. 1564

Section 326.

A LETTER FROM JAN GERRITS TO THE LUTHERAN PREACHER

Section 327.

ANOTHER LETTER FROM JAN GERRITS, TO HIS AC;QUAINTANCES

Section 328.

ADRIAEN DEN BURRY, A. D. 1565

Section 329.

WILLEM DE DUYCK, A. D. 1565

Section 330.

CONRAD KOCH, A. D. 1565

Section 331.

HERE FOLLOW TWO LETTERS WHICH CONRAD KOCH WROTE FROM PRISON

Section 332.

THE SECOND LETTER, WRITTEN TO HIS BROTHERA. OF B.

Section 333.

MATTHIAS SERVAES, OF KOTTENEM, A. D. 1565

Section 334.

THE FIRST LETTER, WHICH MATTHIAS SERVAES WROTE FROM PRISON TO H. K., HIS BROTHER IN THE LORD, AND ALSO TO HIS OTHER FELLOW MEMBERS

Section 335.

THE SECOND LETTER WHICH MATTHIAS SERVAES, OF KOTTENEM WROTE IN PRISON TO HIS BROTHER

THE SECOND LETTER, WRITTEN TO HIS BROTHER
A. OF B.

MATTHIAS SERVAES, of Kottenem.
THE THIRD LETTER OF MATTHIAS SERVAES,
WRITTEN TO J. N.

MATTHIAS SERVAES, of Kottenem.
THE FOURTH LETTER, WHICH MATTHIAS SERVAES
WROTE FROM PRISON TO ALL BRETHREN AND
SISTERS IN GENERAL

THE SIXTH LETTER WHICH MATTHIAS SERVAES OF
KOTTENEM WROTE FROM PRISON, TO HIS DEAR
WIFE AND SISTER IN THE LORD, WHO WAS
ALSO IMPRISONED

FORTY TWO PERSONS, NAMELY, THIRTY FOUR MEN
AND EIGHT WOMEN, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE
TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, IN THE
COUNTRY OF BERNE, PRIOR TO AND
UNTIL THE YEAR A. D. 1556

A LETTER WRITTEN BY CORNELIS THE SHOEMAKER,
TO HIS WIFE WHILE IN BONDS. HE WAS AFTER;
WARDS BURNED WITH THREE OTHERS,
SEALING THIS LETTER WITH HIS BLOOD,
IN THE GREAT MARKETPLACE AT
ANTWERP, THE 13TH OF SEP;
TEMBER, 1567