Chapter LXXVIII: Preface: To Second Part (21)

I then said: “Jan Jans, what do you think, will you abandon this service, and release the prisoners? I shall see that you will not be a loser by it; for it is in your power, you have the keys.”

Previous to my saying this to him, he had said to our friends in prison: “Shall I leave the door open some time that you can escape?” “Why should you do this?” replied our friends. On this account I spoke the more boldly to him, remembering the words concerning Paul and the jailer (Acts 16:29), if peradventure the Lord had showed like grace to this man; and having been urged by our friends, I had a long conversation with him. He asked me whether I knew those whom he named to me. I said: “No, but I have heard of them.” One, however, he mentioned, whom I well knew. “Yes, I know him well,” I said. He asked me, where I was from. I replied: “I am a native of Schoonhoven,” but I did not tell him that I resided at Delft. But with all my prudence, the devil, as is well known, was still more cunning. Gen. 3:1. When we had walked together for a long time, we arrived again at the prison. He then said: “Do you want to talk with the prisoners?” I went in without any fear, and coming to our dear sisters, we conversed together, without manifesting previous acquaintance, however. This servant then went off a little ways, and spoke to another servant. I then plainly saw what I had got myself into.

Now, some one may ask: Why did you go in? O dear friends, my flesh and blood did not impel me to go in there. In vain we run; it is just as the prophet says: “We may flee, but cannot escape.” Ps. 139:7. Hence, we must all come whither our destiny calls us. I had anticipated that my journey to Leyden would not be a fortunate one.

The other servant then asked me whether I wished to go above to the others. I thought to myself that it was now as bad as it could ever become, and went above. They then shut the door after me, and one of them went for the Bailiff. Having been above for a little while, and conversed with our friends, I went below again. They opened the door, and the night Bailiff stood before it. He said: “You will have to remain here a little while.” I then asked whether I should go above. He replied: “Yes.” I then said: Christ had twelve apostles, and one was a Judas; but here were only two, and one was a Judas. However, the Lord be praised for his grace. Without much delay, they shut me up above alone, whereupon I immediately began to sing the hymn: “_O Waerheydt hoe zijt gy nu vertreden!_” Is. 59:14.

I did not, however, enjoy a very long respite; since much people came, and hence they immediately came and took from me my testament, and the hymn about our four friends, which I had composed. They then shut me up with E. S. Soon after, the Bailiff came with the whole council. The gates were shut, and it was reported that there were a dozen in Leyden; hence they were very assiduous, thinking they had caught a great gentleman or captain; but alas! they had not.

The Bailiff then asked: “Where is your rapier?”[256]

[256] A light sword with a very narrow blade.--_Trans_.

I replied: “My Master has not taught me to carry a rapier.”

_Bailiff._ “Who is your Master?”

_Adrian._ “Christ is my Master.”

_Bailiff._ “Christ is the Master of us all.”

_Adrian._ “If Christ were your Master, you would not dare fight against him; but it will be hard for you to kick against the pricks.” Acts 9:5.

_Bailiff._ “We are responsible for that.” They then asked me where I had slept.

_Adrian._ “I have slept well; did you sleep badly?”

_Bailiff._ “No, I shall make you tell.” One of the lords then asked me whether I had been rebaptized. I replied: “No, I was baptized aright once.”

_Bailiff._ “Who baptized you?”

I asked him whether he also wished to be baptized.

_Bailiff._ “Don’t be ashamed to tell; I will tell you, where and by whom I was baptized: here in St. Peter’s church.”

_Adrian._ “If you wish to be also baptized, I will tell you.”

_Bailiff._ “I have no desire for it as yet.”

_Adrian._ “Neither are you fit for it.”

_Bailiff._ “Where is the servant with the hat, that accompanied you?”

_Adrian._ “I know nothing of a servant with a hat.”

_Bailiff._ “We saw him walk with you.”

_Adrian._ “Lord bailiff, you lie; if you are a servant of Christ, you ought not to lie.” Eph. 4:25. They then showed me the hymn about the friends and asked me who had written it.

I replied: “I wrote it.”

Thereupon they asked whether I had also composed it. I told them I wrote it, but said nothing about composing. The under bailiff then said: “You were at my house one Friday, and taught me a refrain about Mary Magdalene?”

_Adrian._ “You have also lied; for my Master has taught me no refrains.”

_Under bailiff._ “Or an exhortation?”

_Adrian._ “It is not so.”

The servants and others then said: “The fellow is drunk.” Yes, dear friends, then I remembered the words of Peter, Acts 2; as they were drunk, so was I, having tasted neither beer nor bread all day. They were then about to leave, but found themselves at a loss where to put me; for John of Delft, the servant, said: “It is all right with E. S.; but now this rogue will spoil him again.” Nevertheless, they put me with him. All this took place the same Monday on which I was apprehended.

The following Thursday the Bailiff came, with two judges, and a commissary from the Hague; they asked me many questions, which I could not answer, and also demanded to know where I had slept, which I would not tell, together with many other things too tedious to relate. They also asked: “Do you know Jelis of Aix-la-Chapelle?” I replied: “I never in my life was at Aix-la-Chapelle.” As they kept on asking me for a long time, I finally said: “I know him.” They then asked where I had been with him. I replied: “I cannot tell you this;” more I would not say. “We shall make you tell,” said they. “My lords,” I replied, “I have always been careful not to know much, so that in case I should be apprehended, I might not have much to tell.” They then laid before me the letters I had sent them, and also the hymn; they readily saw that it was the same hand-writing; but I did not confess it. I thought to myself: There is plenty of time yet for it; for I will have to tell them something any way, when they torture me. For the matter concerned myself; hence I did not keep it secret, when I was tortured; but as regards others, I had no warrant to accuse them, and hence I did not want to know where the friends lived, when I talked with any one. And let me tell you, dear friends, this matter is sadly overlooked by some, who are continually inquiring after this one and that one, and take it amiss, if you do not give them the desired information. O dear friends, if you knew what suffering it would mean if you were imprisoned, you would not make such inquiries. Hence, if you wish to make any inquiries, inquire after the faith that can save your souls. See, my dear friends, accept this in good part; for I have written it out of love. All the torture I have suffered was inflicted upon me, to make me inform on others; hence, the less you know, the less you have to answer. The commissary then examined my testament, and said: This is a proscribed testament. I replied: “There you have also lied.” Thereupon he was silent, and evening came on. They then went away, promising to consider my case in the daytime.

Saturday morning they all came before eight o’clock, and took me into the torture chamber, where the executioner was. They then asked me whether I had not changed my mind, and would answer their questions. I began to admonish them. They said: “We have not come here to be taught by you; but we ask you whether you will answer our questions.” But this I did not intend to do. The executioner then stripped me, and bound my hands behind my back. There was a windlass there, and tying a block to my feet, they drew me up and left me hanging. While thus suspended they interrogated me, but I did not answer. They then let me down, and the Bailiff asked me where I had worked since I left Flanders. At Delft, I replied. Thereupon they asked me still other questions, and as I refused to answer them, they drew me up again, and untied the block. The executioner then placed a piece of wood or iron between my legs, which had been bound together, and stood on it. Being let down again, I was asked by the Bailiff, whether I and six of my friends had not been at Leyden at a certain time, which he specified. I did not confess it. Again the executioner drew me up, they having blindfolded my eyes, and they took rods and scourged me. After I was let down, the bailiff said: “Tell it, or I shall tell you?” I would not accuse any one. They drew me up again, pulled my beard and hair, and beat and scourged my back; but as my eyes were blindfolded, I could not see who did it. They might also have asked: “Who smote you?” Luke 22:64. This continued until I had been beaten with seven or eight rods. When they let me down, and I did not answer for a long time, they, fearing that I should faint away, poured water over me, which they had also done while I was suspended. I sat down, and as I did not speak for a long time, the Bailiff said: “You will not tell it; I will tell you: you slept at Stephen Claess’.”

_Adrian._ “That is true.”

_Bailiff._ “You were here before the prison, with six of your friends, and exhorted the prisoners, that they should strive valiantly, and adhere to their faith; and you went and hired a boat for six stivers. Who was the fellow to whom the boat belonged, and the one who was in the other boat, who gave the skipper half a stiver, into whose charge he committed his chest, because he was to sail with you? And he knew the fellow’s name, and knew also what we had done, and that a woman was with us, and how we had read, and that two, sat there, bareheaded, and where we had gone up. I then acknowledged that it was so, and they wrote it down; however, I excused the two from those that were in the boat; but it was of no avail, and thus the matter was left. They then showed me the letters, about four or five in number. “Yes,” said I, “I wrote them.” Upon this they said: “This is the placard writer.” “It is certainly not proper,” said the judges, “that you disparage the Emperor in such a manner.” I replied: “I do not disparage the Emperor; however great the Emperor is, the Supreme Emperor is still greater. Bring me a Bible; I shall prove to you what I have written.” Thereupon they said: “Why did you write these letters?” I replied: “I wrote them because my grief was stirred, and that you might no longer stain your hands with blood, and might repent, as did those of Nineveh.” Jonah 3:5. Thus the matter rested.

They then asked me what I thought of the sacrament of the altar. I told them that it was good for nothing.

_Ques._ “How long have you not been to it?”

_Ans._ “Not for four years.”

_Ques._ “Have you belonged to this belief so long?”

_Ans._ “No.”

_Ques._ “Why did you not go, then?”

_Ans._ “Even in my ignorance I knew that it was good for nothing?”

Thereupon they went away, having been engaged with me from eight o’clock until half-past eleven in the forenoon.

This is what I said on that occasion. Dear friends, be not discouraged, though what I have written presents rather a gloomy aspect; the Lord helps his own; if the Lord had not helped me, it would not have been possible for me to bear it; but we can do all things through him who strengthens us, that is, Christ. And as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so also our consolation aboundeth by Christ, 1 Cor. 10:13; Ps. 46:1; Philip. 4:13; 2 Corinthians 1:5.

Here I will let this matter rest. I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus, spoken of by Paul. Gal. 6:17.

On Sunday morning they came, and read to me my examination, and asked me whether it was correct. Then I remembered the words of the prophet: “They are evening wolves, that let nothing remain till the morrow, yea, whose feet run swiftly to shed innocent blood.” Zeph, 3:3; Prov. 1:16. I then asked the bailiff, whether he was not yet sated with innocent blood, since he was so diligent in the way of unrighteousness. He replied: “I do not put you to death.” I said: “The Emperor’s edict puts us to death; but you ought therefore be satisfied with what you have, and not ask for more. By what will you prove that you may put us to death? It is written: If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone; if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more; and if he will still not hear, tell it unto the church; and if he will then not hear, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.” Matthew 18:15–17. Here the Scripture says nothing about putting to death.

_Bailiff._ “We have another Scripture, where Paul says: The powers are not ordained in vain; for God himself has ordained them.” Rom. 13:1.

_Adrian._ “Yes, for the protection of the good, and the punishment of the evil (1 Peter 2:14); but it seems to me the order is inverted, that they are for the punishment of the good, and the protection of the evil.”

_Bailiff._ “We shall prove to you from books, that we may put you to death.”

_Adrian._ “You can not do this with the gospel?”

_Under bailiff._ “What do you know about the gospel?”

_Adrian._ “It is written: Repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mark 1:15.

_Under bailiff._ “There are eight gospels written.”

_Adrian._ “I am well content with four; if these cannot teach me, neither can the others.”

_Bailiff._ “Shall we send you learned men, to instruct you with the word of the Lord?”

_Adrian._ “I am willing to be instructed with the word of the Lord.”

_Bailiff._ “Well said.”

_Adrian._ “I will not speak with them except in the presence of the court, and of those that are imprisoned with me.”

This did not please them, and they went away, the bailiff leaving immediately for Delft.

Three weeks after this, the bailiff came into the prison where we three in number, were sitting, and asked us whether we were not almost beginning to get tired of it. We said: “No.” I then said: James says: “Take it for an example of suffering affliction.” James 5:10. It surprised them greatly that we minded it so little. I then said to the Bailiff: “As the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:5.

_Bailiff._ “I should think it would weary you?”

_Adrian._ “Don’t you also begin to get weary of shedding this blood?”

He did not reply. Thereupon he asked whether they should send us learned men. We replied: “We are always willing to be instructed with the words of the Lord.”

_Bailiff._ “You will not be instructed otherwise than with the word of the Lord?”

_Ans._ “We are always willing to give our faith for a better one, that it may not be said that we are obstinate; and our adversaries ought to do the same.”

_Bailiff._ “That is so; suffer yourselves to be instructed, perhaps your stay here is but brief?”

_Adrian._ “You do not know whether your stay here will be long. Though we are now as forsaken, the Lord will soon be gracious to us.”

With this it rested. He then said: “We shall send you some one.” We called to him, as he descended the stairs, that he should bring a Bible or Testament with him.

In the afternoon there came a priest with two servants; he advanced in fine style and laid out his wares, thinking to sell something, and his words were full of suavity. And when one of us spoke, he had much to say. Thereupon I said that the Lord had warned us of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of them that go in long clothing.

_Priest._ “The clothing don’t make it.” I then told him that their things, as infant baptism, ringing of bells, mass, and all other trumpery, were good for nothing. Upon this he replied that holy baptism of infants was right. I asked where the authorization for it was to be found.

_Priest._ “In the 16th chapter of the first epistle to the Corinthians.”

_Adrian._ “There it is written: The house of Stephanas are the first in Achaia who addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints. These certainly could not have been infants; infants cannot addict themselves to the ministry of the saints, but have themselves to be ministered unto.”

He asked us in regard to the jailer and his household, whether there were no infants there.

_Ans._ “No.”

_Priest._ “How do you know it?”

_Adrian._ “It is written there: The jailer rejoiced with all his house, that he had become a believer in Christ Jesus. Infants cannot rejoice in faith; for they have no faith.” Then he was at his wit’s end again. He fared likewise in regard to Lydia, the seller of purple.

_Priest._ “When I was young, my faith was as perfect as it is now.”

_Adrian._ “What did you say then?”

He made no reply. He also said: “When I was born, I had my hand, and was not conscious of it; so also, my faith, which was hid in me; and the original sin which I had was taken away through the regeneration of the water which takes place in the font.” I asked him whether the water had been crucified for him, or Christ.

_Priest._ “Christ.”

_Adrian._ “And yet you seek your salvation in the water?” He was silent. Dirk Jans then asked him where it was written that bells ought to be baptized.

_Priest._ “This is instituted by the holy church.” He also asked him concerning the reading of mass. He replied that he had God in the mass, corporeally in flesh and blood. I then told him that he was a deceiver.

_Priest._ “Did not God say: ‘Take, eat; this is my body; and drink, this is my blood, and as often as you eat this bread, ye do shew the Lord’s death?’”

On this point we had much discussion. I then asked him whether he had read 1 Tim. 4?

_Priest._ “Yes.”

Thereupon I inquired as to whether he had brought a Testament with him.

_Priest._ “Yes, here is a Latin Testament.”

_Adrian._ “We have not studied in Latin universities, but in the highly celebrated school of the gospel, of which the Spirit of God is teacher.” John 16:13.

He said he could read it in Dutch. He then read the passage relating to the forbidding to marry, and the commanding to abstain from meats. 1 Timothy 4:3. I asked him concerning whom this was spoken. He replied that he did not know.

_Adrian._ “If you are a teacher you ought to know this?”

_Priest._ “It relates to the end of the world.”

_Adrian._ “It speaks there of the latter times; now do you mean to say that these are not the latter times?”

Upon this he replied nothing, but said that he had not forbidden marriage, nor meats.

We said: “Your father, the Pope, has done it, and you exerted yourselves with Haman to obtain mandates to put us and our people to death, and contributed in giving the Emperor ten thousand pounds of silver?”

_Priest._ “I did not.”

_Adrian._ “Are you Christians? Christians ought not to persecute any one.”

_Priest._ “We do not persecute you.”

I then asked him, whether the Christian church persecuted, or suffered persecution.

_Priest._ “It suffers persecution.”

I asked him wherein he suffered persecution, whether we were not the ones that suffer persecution.

_Priest._ “We suffer persecution from the devil.”

We then demanded to know where it was written that we might be put to death for our faith. He replied that it was ordained on account of the evil sects. We said: “We belong to no sect.”

_Priest._ “It is suspected that it might also be the case with you.”

Thereupon Dirk Jans said: “Is a man hanged because he is suspected of having stolen, though he has not done so? So neither may we be put to death before we are convicted.”

The priest finally went away. We had silenced him in many things concerning which he had no understanding. I also said that he was one of those who rob God of his glory by their confession, presuming to forgive sins. Herein he was likewise defeated, whereupon he went away. I hope that we shall soon offer up our sacrifice together.

O my dear friends, see that you exercise a care for one another, and walk prudently; because men are so incensed, and make such strenuous efforts to apprehend our brethren, wherever they find them. Hence, walk a little more wisely herein, than some of you do for, dear friends, if the Lord permitted it, they would deal roughly with them if they had them. Therefore, take it in good part; for there are so few laborers in the harvest; hence, take good care of them that are in it. Moreover, dear friends, when you meet to speak of the word of the Lord, spend not your time in idle talk, and old wives’ fables, but exercise yourselves in godliness, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and stand protected in all things; and always give diligence, in honor to build up the spiritual temple until the appearing of the Lord. 1. Tim. 4:7; Eph. 6:13; 1 Pet. 2:5. He that is holy let him become holier still; he that is pure, let him become purer still; as Paul writes to the Thessalonians, that they need not that he should write unto them, but he said that they should increase more and more. Rev. 22:11; 1 Thess. 4:9,10. Thus also you, my dear brethren. Read the exhortation I have written you, which will no doubt be shown you. Salute all the friends in the Lord, especially our brother G., who is a faithful minister; all that are in bonds salute him, and they also greet all lovers of the truth. We commend you to the Lord; know, that we are all of good cheer yet; the Lord be praised always.

My dear friends, I must write you yet a little more. The paper was not sufficient before, for, dear friends, paper is a precious article when we are in bonds; but as Habakkuk brought me some more, I write you a few additional lines, concerning certain things that occurred in our imprisonment, which were forgotten before. It happened that the servant who had betrayed me, came to bring us our food. I then asked him to forgive me, if I had injured him in any way, and thus I often talked to him as kindly as I could, which we are commanded to do. Matthew 5:44. He replied: “You have not injured me, nor have any of your people.” My kind words, and the love I manifested, caused him to feel ashamed that he had betrayed me, and that I spoke to him so affectionately. Rom. 12:20.

A few more things about the priest that came to instruct us. I asked him whether he had faith. “Yes,” he replied.

_Adrian._ “If you should sit here in prison with us for a month, I think you would deny your faith.”

_Priest._ “Possibly not.”

He then commenced speaking about faith, and said that faith was incomprehensible.

I said: “If faith is incomprehensible, how then can we be saved?” Then he was beaten. Thereupon we touched upon the calling of preachers, and the words of Paul, that teachers must be blameless, and following the passage further on, “given to hospitality.” I then said: “You would rather be a guest, than entertain one, and receive strangers;” adding:

“If I should come to your house, would you receive me?”

_Priest._ “Possibly.”

We also discussed infant baptism, which he would prove by the households. I asked him to whom the scriptures speak; do they not speak to them that have ears to hear, and hearts to understand?

_Priest._ “Yes.”

I then asked him whether any scripture belonged to infants.

_Priest._ “No.”

_Adrian._ “If no scripture belongs to infants, neither does baptism.” Then he was caught and had nothing more to say about his infant baptism. He also spoke in regard to eating the flesh of Christ, and drinking his blood, how Christ gave his apostles flesh from his flesh, and blood to drink outwardly. I then said that he was worse than the Jews.

_Priest._ “Why?”

_Adrian._ “The Jews murmured and said: ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ but you now come and would eat it.” “Be assured,” said I to the priest, “Christ did not speak this passage in the sense in which you adduce it.” In short, he would gladly have retreated, could he have done so honorably, for there was no market for his merchandise.

SIX PIOUS BRETHREN, NAMELY, LIEVIJN JANS, MEYNERT HERMANS, PIETER THYMANS, REYER EGBERTS, HENDRICK ANTHONISS, CLAES GERBRANTS, ALL BURNT ALIVE FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, AT AMSTERDAM, ON THE 6TH DAY OF AUGUST, A. D. 1552.

“The blood of the martyrs,” said one of the ancients, “is the seed of the church; the rose grows in and among the thorns; so also the rose of the blooming church of Christ.” This appeared in these sore and sorrowful times, when scarcely anything was heard of but slaying, burning, murdering and shedding of the blood of the innocent and defenseless lambs of Christ; so that in that very time far more persons were stirred up to follow them and embrace their faith, than had been slain before. Whole bands so to speak, marched to the spiritual conflict, yea, to the places where nothing but certain death was to be expected. Each was ready to become an offering for God (if he accounted him worthy for it.) Neither fire nor sword was feared for the testimony of the Lord: for they looked to his comforting and most glorious promises which he has given to the steadfast.

This appeared in the year 1552, in the month of August, in the case of six pious Christians, who, having fled from Babel, betook themselves to the vision of peace, to the spiritual Jerusalem of the true church of God, notwithstanding many assaults and storms were made upon them insomuch that it cost them their lives through the cruel and terrible death by fire.

The circumstances of the case were as follows: Three of them had already through baptism been accepted as members of the church, and the other three were ready for it. In the meantime they were all apprehended, and brought to Amsterdam, where they all made a good confession of that most holy faith, which dwelt in their souls, though the last mentioned three greatly deplored the one fact, namely, that they were not baptized to which they, if it had been possible, would have yet attended before their death.

In short, sentence of death was passed upon them all, namely that they should be executed as heretics with fire, that is, in common language, burnt alive; which cruel death they all steadfastly endured, as appears from the following sentence, which we received from the book of criminal sentences of the city of Amsterdam, just as it was read in the court immediately before their death, and which we shall therefore here adduce as an indubitable attest of the aforementioned matter.

_Sentence of death of the aforementioned six persons, Lievijn Jans, Meynert Hermans, Pieter Thymans, Reyer Egberts, Hendrick Anthoniss, Claes Gerbrants._

Whereas Lievijn, son of Jans of Ghent, otherwise called Liefken de Keyser, weaver by trade; Meynert Hermans of Balch, wood-sawyer; Pieter Thymans of Sutphen, formerly cooper, now book-binder by trade; Reyer Egberts, citizen of this city, Hendrick Anthoniss, of Leyden, both of them weavers; and Claes Gerbrants, native of Wormer, have resorted to the conventicles and gatherings of the Anabaptistical sect, and gone to hear the doctrines of the heads or teachers of said sect, namely, said Claes Gerbrants the doctrines of Menno Simons, ten years ago, and said Lievijn of Ghent, and all the others, the doctrines of Gillis, of Aix-la-Chapelle; and forasmuch as they, adhering to the doctrines, errors and heresies promulgated by the aforesaid false teachers, have separated from the faith, obedience and unity of the holy Christian Church, and hold pernicious views with regard to the sacraments of the holy church, insomuch that the aforesaid Lievijn, Meynert and Pieter, have been rebaptized by said Gillis, of Aix-la-Chapelle, thus renouncing the baptism which they received in their infancy, and the aforesaid Reyer Egberts, Hendrick Anthoniss, and Claes Gerbrants, likewise renouncing their aforesaid baptism have confessed themselves to be ready for rebaptism, if they can attain to it, all of which is contrary to the holy Christian faith, the ordinances of the holy church, and the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty, our gracious lord; and as they moreover, obstinately persist in their unbelief, heresy and errors; therefore, my lords the Judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the Bailiff, concerning the aforesaid delinquents, together with their confessions, and having duly regarded the circumstances of the aforesaid case, condemn said delinquents to be executed with fire by the executioner, and furthermore declare their property confiscated for the benefit of his Imperial Majesty, as count of Holland and our gracious lord, without derogation or prejudice to the privileges of this city. Done and pronounced in the court, on the 6th day of August, A. D. 1552, in the presence of all the Judges, _dempto_ Andries Boelen, by the advice of the Burgomaster.

_Concerning the Torturing of Hendrick Anthoniss and Reyer Egberts, and when it Occurred_.

Of these, two were examined by torture, namely, Henrick Anthoniss, on the 28th of June, and Reyer Egberts on the last of June, 1552.

Thus extracted from the book of criminal sentences, preserved at Amsterdam, in the keeping of the secretary of the city.

N. N.

PIETER VAN OLMAN, OR VAN WERWIJCK, PUT TO DEATH AT GHENT. ALSO A LETTER, WHICH THE SAID PIETER VAN OLMAN, OR VAN WERWIJCK, WROTE IN PRISON IN THAT CITY, WHERE HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS, A. D. 1552.

The abundant grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Grace and peace be with you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who is 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. 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. 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. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 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 giveth unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord; for we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord, 1 Cor. 1:3–5; 2 Cor. 4:17,18; 5:1–8. Rom. 8:22; Rev. 3:18.

I admonish you, dear brethren and sisters, by the mercies of God, that you will diligently assemble yourselves together, to give each other good instruction in the eternal truth of our Savior, while you have time; for here we have no continuing city, but we wait for one, and this through patience. Heb. 10:25; 13:14.

Therefore, dear brethren and sisters, take the word of the Lord well to heart, and understand well what the Lord says, that you may stand fast valiantly, when you are tried; for I tell you, dear brethren, that valiant fighting must be done to a much greater extent than I thought; for they approach us with such subtle questions, and honeyed words, in order that they may catch us in some word, and thus cause us to apostatize. Hence, dear brethren, teach one another well to discern which is the way of the Lord, and the way of the devil, and which is the true worship of God, and the worship of the devil and of idols, and which are the children of the Lord, and the children of the devil; for the children of the Lord are not of this world; hence the world hates them; they all suffer persecution; they are led to death, as sheep for the slaughter, and are hated by all men; they are a prey to all; they have nowhere a certain dwelling-place; they are the offscouring of all men; they weep and lament, and the world rejoices; they suffer reproach, because they trust in the living God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous; he that committeth sin is of the devil. Therefore, O dear little children, love not the world, neither the things that are in the world; for 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. Jas. 1:27; John 17:16; Ps. 44:22; Is. 59:15; 1 Cor. 4:11,13; Jn. 16:20; 1 Tim. 4:10; 1 John 3:10; 2:15–17.

My most beloved, know that I fought a great conflict against the rulers of darkness and false prophets; for they said that one may nevertheless hear, and be taught by, them, though they do not live according to the commandments of the Lord. I then asked: “Is not he a stranger to the Lord who walks not in his commandments?” They replied: “Yes.” Then I said that Christ says (John 10:27): “My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me; but they hear not the voice of strangers, but flee from them:” hence, if I should hear strangers, I would not be of Christ’s sheep; for his sheep hear not strangers. They replied: “They certainly preach the truth; the word is therefore not diminished.” I replied: “John says (1 John 2:4): He that saith that he knoweth God, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Now, if there is no truth in him, how can he speak the truth? Else John must lie. Christ says (Matt. 7:18): A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit. Again (Matt. 12:34): How can ye, being evil, speak good things? Solve this question, and I will believe you.” I tell you, though he should take a Testament, and read it from beginning to end in your church, as the apostles have written it, yet I will prove to them, that they lie. But let a man speak the same words, who walks in the ways of the Lord, and he will speak the truth. If one of your people should preach these words in your temple, with regard to drunkards, adulterers, thieves, murderers, covetous, defamers, evil-speakers, etc., and say: Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the virtues of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy (1 Pet. 2:9,10); if he should speak these words with regard to this wicked people, would he not lie? But if a godfearing man were to speak these words with reference to the godfearing people, he would speak the truth. Again, if you should preach: For thy sake we are led to death, as sheep for the slaughter; would this not also be a lie from you? But a godfearing man would speak the truth.”

Thus we had many words, but all to no purpose. I then asked whether the children of the Lord must not all be spiritual. “Yes,” he replied. Thereupon I asked, why then they were called spiritual, and the others secular, when they must all be spiritual. This they were not able to explain. I then said: Christ prays not for the world, but for them that are not of the world (John 17:9); now, if you are spiritual, how comes it that you are not all of one mind? for some may only go in gray; are not allowed to handle money, and their shoes must have an opening on the top; others must all go in black; some, again, all in several colors; and others may not eat cooked food, and may not talk with father or mother when they see them; but when they do not see them, they talk with them. I said: “These are all different sects, planted by men, and not by God; therefore they will all be rooted up.” Matt. 15:13. To this they did not have much to say. I then said: “Your doctrine is the doctrine of the devil; for all that is done and observed, is contrary to the truth, as Paul says (1 Tim. 4:1,3): That in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created. Now I see that you teach this; for you forbid to marry, and command to abstain from meats.” Then they bade me go away.

Soon after, the Dean of Ronse came, and with him another priest; they assailed me most severely with subtle questions; but the Lord preserved me, so that I was not betrayed. He asked me whether I did not believe that the bread which Christ gave his apostles was the body of Christ, when he said: “Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you?” I replied: “That bread was not the body of Christ, which was broken for us; it was for a memorial.” He rejoined: “The bread became changed into his body.” But I said, that it was for a memorial, and was not the body itself. They then questioned me in regard to baptism, whether infants did not have to be baptized. I said: “There is nothing written of infant baptism, but of baptism upon faith.” Then they said: “Behold, we will prove that infants must be baptized. Does not Christ say, John 3: Except a man be born again, of water and of the Spirit, he cannot inherit the kingdom of God?” I said: “This is not spoken to infants, but to those who can hear.” But they said: “It is,” and would thereby prove and establish infant baptism. Thus we had many words, but agreed in nothing.

Therefore I admonish you, dear brethren and sisters, to instruct one another well in all matters, namely, concerning the Supper, baptism, the incarnation of Christ, and in regard to the spiritual children and the children of the world; and walk wisely in the fear of the Lord, and fear not men, though they rage furiously. I also admonish you, dear brethren and sisters, by the love of our Lord, that you will all pray the Lord for me, so that I may stand fast valiantly, when I am tried. I furthermore entreat you, that you will diligently instruct my beloved mother, in all matters, and also my brother, and my wife, if haply they might become converted. The Lord fill you with his Spirit, Amen. Written in fear on account of the people who were constantly here. The abundant grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

_He that feareth the Lord will do good. Sir. 15:1._

THE LAD CORNELIS VAN KULENBURGH, A. D. 1552.

In the year 1552, there was apprehended under the administration of the Count of Kulenburgh, for the testimony of Jesus, a lad called Cornelis; he was kept imprisoned at said place about three years, and then burnt for the truth of Christ. During his imprisonment he was greatly assailed by priests, monks and prelates, who were gathered in the castle of Kulenburgh. These ministers of said Roman antichrist laid many snares for said youth, to entrap his soul; they inflicted severe tortures upon him, that he should name his fellow-believers, and then plied him again with fair promises of this world, herein following the example of their master, Satan, with our Savior Jesus. But this prisoner, though young in years, yet old in the faith, through the grace of God valiantly resisted this temptation, on which account he was [condemned to death][257] by said count, the latter being constrained to this by the so-called _spirituals_ (priests), and his desire to remain a friend of the Pope. John 19:12. Thus this pious youth had to pay for it; he was placed at a stake, and while there, the priests yet came to him, and tried to make him apostatize: but he chose much rather to die for the name of Jesus, than to depart from the truth, and was therefore burnt at the stake, thus becoming a partaker of the sufferings of Christ, for which he will be rewarded with everlasting joy, when the great God shall be revealed.

[257] As indicated by the brackets, these words are not found in
the original, but have been inserted by us, to complete the sense,
which has apparently been marred by a typographical, or other,
omission.--_Trans._

Concerning this, see hymn in _History Liedt-Boeck._

HERMAN JANS OF SOLLEM, BURNT ALIVE FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, AT AMSTERDAM, ON THE 16TH OF FEBRUARY, 1553.

The distress of this time was very great, and did not cease; insomuch that all who truly left the idolatrous Roman Babel, and turned to the spiritual Jerusalem of the peaceable church of Jesus Christ, were forthwith declared to have forfeited their lives.

This appeared in the beginning of the year 1553, at Amsterdam, in the case of Herman Jans, a native of Sollem and a pious, godfearing novice, who stood prepared to receive baptism on the confession of his faith. Being yet in his first zeal for the divine truth, he was apprehended by the rulers of wickedness, and brought a prisoner to Amsterdam, where he had to suffer much vexation and torment, inflicted upon him for the purpose of drawing him from the faith; but remaining immovable and steadfast, he was sentenced to death, to be burnt as a heretic; which sentence was publicly read to him in the court, on the 14th day of January, 1553, and also executed on him the same day; as appears from the following sentence, which we, in proof of this matter, have received from the criminal records of the city of Amsterdam. It reads as follows:

_Sentence of death of Herman Jans of Sollem._

Whereas Herman Jans, a native of Sollem, has frequented the assemblies of the Anabaptists, received their admonition, doctrines and errors, and attended certain conventicles (gatherings), in which, by Gillis of Aix-la-Chapelle, as also by others, improper things were taught concerning the Scriptures, so that renouncing the baptism administered to him, he has confessed to have desired to receive another baptism, if he should be able to attain it, and also holds pernicious views with regard to the holy sacrament of the altar, all of which is contrary to the ordinances and the faith of the holy Christian Church, and the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty, our gracious lord; and as he, moreover, obstinately persists in his unbelief, heresy and error, notwithstanding the instruction given him by the truly sent; therefore, my lords the judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the Bailiff, concerning the aforesaid Herman Jans, together with the confession of the latter, and having duly regarded the circumstances of the case, condemn said Herman Jans, pursuant to the aforesaid decrees, to be executed with fire by the executioner, and furthermore declare his property confiscated, for the benefit of his Imperial Majesty, as count of Holland. Thus pronounced and executed on the sixteenth day of January, A. D. 1553, in the presence of the Bailiff, Pieter Cantert and Joost Buyck, Burgomasters, and all the Judges, by the advice of the other two Burgomasters.

Thus extracted from the book of criminal sentences of the city of Amsterdam, in the keeping of the secretary there.

N. N.

FELISTIS JANS, SURNAMED RESINX, BURNT AT AMSTERDAM, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, ON THE 16th OF JANUARY, IN THE YEAR 1553.

On the same day, in the same court, and for the same reason, also a certain maiden, named Felistis Jans, and surnamed Resinx, a native of Vreden, in Westphalia, was sentenced to the fire, as appears from the written sentence which we have concerning it, from the original criminal records of the city of Amsterdam, as also the date when she was tortured, all of which we could here adduce verbatim; however, to avoid prolixity, we will briefly extract the substance from it, making distinct divisions, so that it may be clearly seen upon what her death was founded.

BRIEF EXTRACT FROM THE SENTENCE OF DEATH OF FELISTIS, DAUGHTER OF JANS, OR FELISTIS RESINX.

After giving her name, and the place of her nativity, there are presented first the accusations with which she was charged, comprised in the following divisions:

1. That she had resorted to the assembly of the sect of the Anabaptists.

2. That she had separated from the obedience and faith of the (so-called) holy (that is, the Roman) church.

3. That she held pernicious views with regard to the sacrament of the altar.

4. That she had harbored in her house such persons as she knew to belong to said sect (that is, to the sect of the so-called Anabaptists).

5. That she had seduced several persons from the obedience of the (Roman) church, to her belief.

6. That she herself obstinately adhered to the aforementioned (so-called) errors, refusing to abandon them.

7. That all this was contrary to the ordinances of the holy church, and the decrees of his Imperial Majesty.

Thereupon follows the conclusion, namely: That for this she should be executed with fire by the executioner, and that all her property should be confiscated or forfeited, for the benefit of the Emperor.

Thus pronounced, etc., as above.

Then the time is mentioned, when she was tortured, in regard to which these words are found: “This Felistis was subjected to the torture or rack the 2d of January, 1553.”

Extracted from the book of criminal sentences, in the keeping of the secretary of the city of Amsterdam.

N. N.

NOTE.--The year in which the death of this Felistis occurred, was not correctly noted[258] by the preceding writers of the History of the Martyrs, nor was her full name[259] given, until we, by means of the aforementioned sentence, made the necessary corrections.

[258] The year 1551 was given.

[259] She was simply called Felistis.

Besides the above, it is also worthy of note that old writers state that she was a virtuous and honorable young maiden, and that through her long imprisonment she became so intimate with the jailer’s wife, that the latter employed her as maid-servant, to assist her in her household duties.

When it happened upon a time, that the jailer’s wife had some filth to carry out doors, but had no one around her whom she could order to do it, Felistis said: “Shall I do it?” whereupon the jailer’s wife replied: “Would you not run away?” Felistis said: “No.” But reflecting a little on the matter, and considering the frailness of human intentions, she would not undergo this test, and hence, declined to do it, which was certainly a good resolution on the part of a seemingly weak young maiden.

Shortly after, the old writers state, she was seen coming to the scaffold, to be burnt, cleanly attired and having on a white apron, as though by her outward garments she meant to indicate how purely and uprightly a Christian virgin ought to be adorned inwardly, in order to be acceptable before her beloved heavenly bridegroom, Christ Jesus.

Thus she offered up her sacrifice, and was numbered among the holy and God-pleasing martyrs. Compare this with the _Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians_, edition 1631, _page_ 125.

WOUTER VAN CAPELLE, A. D. 1553.

In the year 1553, a godfearing brother, named Wouter Capelle, was apprehended at Diexmuyde, in Flanders, for living according to and following the word of God, and confessed and sealed the faith of the truth with his death and blood at said place; as an instructive example worthy of imitation to all true believers, to look at his end, and to follow their faith, especially the Captain of the faith, Christ Jesus, blessed for ever. And since this witness of God suffered for the truth and testimony of the word of God, and not for any crime, he obtained, through the grace of God, the crown of eternal life, promised by God to all those put to death by men for the word of God: that they shall be raised up in great glory at the last day.

TIJS, A YOUNG MAN, AND BEERENTGE, A YOUNG MAIDEN, A. D. 1553.