Chapter XCVI: Preface: To Second Part (39)

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 greeteth him is partaker of his evil deeds. 2 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. 1 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. 2 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. 2 Pet. 3:16.

In the third place, I 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. O what a brother you are to me, fine, indeed, in appearance! 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 also 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. 1 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: “Mortify your members which are upon the earth; fornication, adultery, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 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, presumptuous 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 understand 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 pedobaptists 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 concerning 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; 1 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; 1 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; 1 Pet. 3:21; Luke 7:30; Acts 8:37.

_The following was written by Jan Gerritts, 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 aforesaid 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 testifies. 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, idolatry, 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 hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby”. 1 Peter 2:1,2. Thus do also; lay aside the great conceitedness 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 assurance 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 appearance, 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 condemnation; 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 on 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.

ANOTHER LETTER FROM JAN GERRITS, TO HIS ACQUAINTANCES.

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. Is. 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? _Ans._ “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 of 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 members, 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 water! candles! 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.

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.

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.

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 he 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 immovable. 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 hypocrites. This was seen exemplified in old Eleazar, who would rather surrender his life than dissemble. 2 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 Conrad was beheaded with the sword standing and proved himself a faithful witness of the sufferings 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 unharmed 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.

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.

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 remember 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 Halloween 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.

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 minister 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. Also 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 to die, he said aloud: “O God, thou dost know full 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: “You 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.

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 Savior 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; 2 Cor. 5:15; John 10:28; Philip. 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, so 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 attendance 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. 1 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. 1 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 anything, 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 Corinthians 5:11; 2 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. 2 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. Philip. 2:3,5; Matt. 5:48; Col. 3:12; Matt. 18:29; 1 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.