frac^;"TLIeLn Janszoon 
 
 van, 1625-1664_ 
 A martyrology of the 
 
 churches of Christ, 
 
MARTYROLOGY 
 
 THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST, 
 
 jl'OMMON'I.V rM,l,KD 
 
 BAPTISTS. 
 
 DURING THE ER4 OF THE REFORMATION. 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM THE DUTCH OF T. J. VAN BRAGHT. 
 
 J, KDITKD POH 
 
 ^ BV 
 
 EDWAKD BEAN UNDERBILL. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 I'lilKTED FOR THE ROCIKTV, 
 
 BY J. HADDON AND SON, CASTT-E STREET, FINSBURY. 
 
 1853. 
 
PREFATORY NOTICE. 
 
 As in the former volume, the members of the Hanserd 
 Knollys Society are indebted to the late Rev. Ben- 
 jamin Millard of Wigan for the translation of the present 
 volume, as far as the 384th page. For the rest the 
 editor is responsible. To the present volume is appended 
 an index of the two volumes, as it seems doubtful 
 whether the work can be completed in the present series 
 of the Society's publications. Some omissions of unim- 
 portant narratives, and a few letters of the martyrs, have 
 been made ; but in every case the editor has indicated in 
 the notes the extent to which these have sfone. 
 
 Darlmoiith Villas, Lewlxham Road. 
 Nov. 17, 1853. 
 
A MARTYROLOGY, 
 
 ETC. 
 
 HENRY DIRKSON, DIRK JANSON, ADRIAEN ['33.1 
 
 CORNELISON.— A.D. 155^2. 
 
 In this year were three brethren apprehended at Leyden, Matt.xiu. 7. 
 named Henry DIrkson, Dh-k Janson, and Adriaen Cor- 
 nelison, and examined concerning their faith. But as they Acts xii 3. 
 
 J.Iiilt. X, 32. 
 
 boldly confessed and would not apostatize, they were con- 
 demned to death. Henry Dirkson, coming forward with 
 joy, said, "Blessed are they that weep here, for they lu^cvi. 21. 
 shall laugh, and receive for their reward garments of 42. 
 white, and an everlasting crown, if with steadfastness they 2 Tim. is. s. 
 
 ' O ^ J Malt. XXIV. 
 
 fight. This is the sabbath of the Lord which I have long ^^• 
 
 ^ ^ , ° Isa. Iviii. 13. 
 
 desired : not that I am worthy to suffer for his name, but 
 
 he hath counted me worthy. We suffer not for theft orAcsv. 42. 
 
 murder, but for the pure word of God." ^^ 
 
 Dirk Janson said, " Although all men despise us, Ave 
 are not therefore despised of God. Remember, my lords, p.<.aim. vii. 
 there is above, a Judge over all. Be assured that he also j,atf. xxv. 
 will judge and condemn. This suffering is not so great," 
 said he ; " Christ had to suffer much more when he poured isaiaii j' ,. 
 out his blood for us. He will strengthen us since we suffer ^^^^ ''^^i- 
 for his name ; for we suffer for no faction or wrong that acIs v. 41. 
 
2 A MARTYROLOGY 01' 
 
 we have clone. The only true faith is that which we 
 
 maintain. Therefore, O God, have pity on me, and 
 
 receive me into thine arms." 
 
 25. " ■ Adriaen Cornelison bravely said, " Christ and his be- 
 
 Actsxiv.22. j^^gj apostles have gone this way before us. We, his 
 
 Acts xs. 36. servants, must not be above our Lord." They then fell 
 
 upon their knees and prayed earnestly to God; rising 
 
 up, they said, " In putting us to death, they think to 
 
 root out them that fear God ; but for every one they slay, 
 
 Matt. X. 28. a hundred shall arise. Therefore, fear not them which 
 
 kill the body ; but fear him who can cast both body and 
 
 soul into everlasting torment." As they stood upon the 
 
 bench, they exclaimed, "Fear not that which is temporal, 
 
 Lukexxiii. but that whicli shall endure for ever; for eternity is long." 
 
 Rom. xii. 1. ^^^^ committing their souls into the hand of God, they 
 
 Rev. vi, 9. presented their sacrifice unto him. Now their souls rest 
 
 beneath the altar, and wait the moment when they shall 
 
 put on their glittering robes, and shall have presented to 
 
 29^ '"'^'" them new wine before the throne of God. 
 
 The Belief or Confession of Adriaen Cornelison, made before 
 the moijistt ites and priests. Together with an account 
 of the manner of his apprehension. 
 
 James i 1. Brethren and sisters, beloved from my utmost heart. 
 
 2Tim.u!2. — ^ must write a little to you, expecting herewith to 
 take my leave of you, and that you may know how it has 
 gone with me in prison. It happened that I came to 
 Leyden, and there speaking with a brother, we wondered 
 how it was that they kept our friends so long; so we 
 agreed that I should go and speak with the sheriff's officer, 
 whose name is Jan Van Delft. On asking him how it 
 went with the prisoners — if they would not shortly be 
 executed ? he said, " I hear nothing at all about it." I then 
 
TIIF. CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 6 
 
 said, " Their long imprisonment must give you much 
 trouble?" 
 
 Jan. " I bear the length of time pretty patiently, as it 
 will soon be over." 
 
 Adriaen. " You can hardly go on so any longer." 
 
 Jan. " That is true." 
 
 A driaen. " A little rest would be serviceable to you." 
 
 Jan. " It is, indeed, almost time." 
 
 Adriaen. "Jan , I wish to speak with you a little about 
 some affairs." 
 
 Jan. "I have something more to do yet; but I will 
 speak with you ; wait here for me a little while." 
 
 I waited some time, and he came before he had disposed 
 of the prisoners, or given them their meal ; he spoke Psa. iv. 21. 
 in a friendly manner, and received my words so kindly 
 that I thought no otherwise than that he likewise would 
 embrace our faith. I then said, " Jan Janson, what think 
 you ? If you will give up this office, and let the prisoners 
 go, I will provide for your welfare. This is in yovu' power, 
 for you have the keys." Before I said this to him, he had 
 said to our imprisoned friends, " Shall I leave the door 
 open, that you may run out ? " " Why should you do 
 that ? " said our friends. I therefore spoke to him the more 
 freely on the business; for I thought on the words of Acts xvi. 28. 
 Paul, and of the gaoler, and whether the Lord might not 
 have bestow^ed a measure of his grace on this man, through 
 the admonitions of our friends. I therefore spoke much 
 with him. He asked me if I knew some whom he named. 
 I said, " No ; but I have heard of them." He next 
 named one whom I knew well. I then said, " Yes ; him 
 I know well." Upon this he asked me from whence I 
 was ? I said, " I was born at Schoonhoveu ; " but I did 
 not say that I was living at Delft. However, clever as I [133] 
 might be, the devil was still more crafty, as we well know. Gen. iii.i. 
 After walking a long time together, we came again to the 
 
 B 2 
 
4 A MAETYROLOGY OF 
 
 prison He then said, " Will you speak to the prisoners?" 
 Entering without fear, I came to our clear sisters. We 
 conversed together as if we were unacquainted with each 
 other. The officer then went a little aside and spoke to 
 another officer. I then saw into what danger I had run. 
 Some one may now ask or say, "Why did you go in?" 
 Oh, dear friend, flesh and blood did not impel me to go 
 in. Escape or flight was impossible. It is just as the 
 Micaiivi.i4. prophet says: we may flee indeed, but not escape ; there- 
 ps. cxxxix. fQYQ ^g must all come where we must be. I did not 
 think I should have a fortunate journey to Leyden. The 
 other officer then asked me if I would go above, to the 
 others ? I thought, " It is as bad as it can be," and went 
 up. They shut the door upon me immediately, and one 
 of them went for the sheriff. Having staid a little while 
 conversing with our friends, I came down again. They 
 opened the door for me, and there stood the night-guard. 
 He said, " You must stay here a little ; " on which I 
 asked if I might go above ? He said, "Yes." I observed. 
 Matt. X. 1, Christ had twelve apostles, and one was a Judas: but here 
 were only two, and one of them was a Judas. Well, come, 
 the Lord be praised for his mercy ; and without further 
 delay they fastened me in above, alone. I immediately 
 I a. lix. 15. began to sing the hymn : " O Truth, how art thou now 
 despised ! " But I had no long respite, for a great many 
 people entered. My Testament was immediately taken 
 from me, and from our four friends the hymn that I had 
 composed. They then shut me up below with E. S. Not 
 long; after came the sheriff with the whole council. The 
 gates were shut, and it was reported that there were a 
 dozen in Leyden. They were very active, thinking that 
 they had a great man or captain ; alas, not they ! The 
 sheriff then asked, " Where is your sword ? " I answered, 
 " My Master has taught me not to carry a sword."' 
 Sheriff. " Who is your master ? " 
 
THE CHUUCHES OF CHRIST. 
 
 Adriaen. "Christ is my master." Matt.xxiii. 
 
 Sheriff. " Christ is the master of us all." 
 
 Adriaeji. " Were Christ your master, you would not 
 continue to fight against him ; but it will be hard for you 
 to kick against the pricks." ^'^'^ '^ ^• 
 
 Sheriff. " That is our concern." 
 
 They then asked me where I had slept ? 
 
 Adriaeji. " I have slept well ; have you slept badly ? " 
 
 Sherff'. " No ; but I will make you tell." 
 
 Whereupon one of the gentlemen asked if I had been 
 re-baptized ? I said, " No ; 1 have been but once rightly 
 baptized." 
 
 Sheriff. « Who baptized you ? " 
 
 I asked him if he, too, would be baptized ? jiatt.xxviii. 
 
 19. 
 
 Sheriff. " Be not ashamed to tell it. I will readily say 
 where, and by whom, I was baptized ;— here, in St. Peter's 
 Church." 
 
 Adriaen. " If you will indeed be baptized, I will freely 
 tell you." 
 
 Sheriff. " I have no mind to it." 
 
 Adriaen. " Neither are you fit for it." 
 
 Sheriff. " Where is the servant, with the hat, that ac- 
 companied you ? " 
 
 Adriaen. " I know nothing of a servant with a hat." 
 
 Sheriff^. " We saw him going with you." 
 
 Adriaen. " Mr. Sheriff, you speak falsely ; and if you 
 are Christ's servant, you ought not to lie." Ei-h. iv. 25. 
 
 Our friends' hymn was then given me ; and they inquired 
 who had written that. I said, " I wrote it." They asked 
 if I had also composed it. I said, " I wrote it ; " but I 
 did not inform them who composed it. The under-sheriff 
 then said, " You were, one Friday, at my house, and you 
 repeated to me a song to Mary Magdalen." 
 
 Adriaen. " You speak falsely, for my Master has not 
 taught me any such song." 
 
6 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Under-sheriff. " It was an exhortation." 
 
 Adriaen. " It is not so." 
 
 The officers and others then said. " The knave is drunk." 
 Yes, dear friends ; then was brought to my mind the words 
 i. 13. of Peter (Acts ii). Now tliey were as drunk, as I also 
 was; for I had tasted neither beer nor bread the whole 
 day. They Avere now about to go away, but knew not 
 what to do with me — where they should put me ; for Jan 
 van Delft, the officer, said, " E. S. is going on hopefully ; 
 but this rascal will corrupt him again." Nevertheless, 
 they led me thither. All this happened on the same Mon- 
 day that I was apprehended. 
 
 The next Thursday the sheriff came with two justices, 
 and a commissary from the Hague. They asked me many 
 things, v/hich I was not willing to tell ; also where I had 
 slept, which I was desirous not to say; and many other 
 things beside, too many to relate. They also inquired, 
 " Do you know Jelis van Aken?"* I said, " I was never 
 in my life at Aix-la-Chapelle." But as they kept asking 
 me a long time, I said, " I know him." They then in- 
 quired where I had been in company with him? I said, 
 " I shall not inform you ; let it rest." They said, " You 
 shall be made to tell us." On which I said, " Gentlemen, 
 I have always avoided knowing much: that, in case I 
 should be apprehended, I should not be able to say much." 
 Tliey then laid before me the letters I had sent them, and 
 the hymn; they saw plainly tliat it was one writing; how- 
 ever, I did not confess. I thought, it will be soon enough ; 
 for I must say something if they torture me, for the busi- 
 ness concerns myself. I did not therefore conceal tliat, 
 139.] when I was put on the rack; but I had no right to 
 bring others into trouble. For this reason, when I have 
 spoken to any one, I desired not to know where the friends 
 
 » Giles of Aix-la Cha]>cllo. [See vol. i. p. 306.] 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHUIST. 7 
 
 lived. And observe, dear friends, it is a great fiiult in 
 many, as to this matter, who are always inquiring abovit 
 one and another, and when they are not told take it amiss. 
 Oh, dear friends, if you knew what you would have to 
 suffer, should you be apprehended, you would not make 
 such inquiries. If, therefore, you ask any questions at 
 all, let it be concerning that faith by which your souls 
 may be blessed. My dear friends, take this in good part ; 
 for I have written it in love. All the pain I have suffered 
 has been on account of what they Ttished to know of 
 others. The less, therefore, you know, the less will you 
 have to say. The commissary looked at my Testament, 
 and said, " This is a prohibited Testament." I said, 
 " There you have spoken again falsely;" on which he 
 was silent. The evening now came on ; then went they 
 away, promising me a good morning. On Satiirday morn- 
 ing they all came before eight o'clock, and took me into the 
 torture- chamber, where was the executioner. They then 
 asked me if I had not thought better of it, and would now 
 speak. I began to admonish them. They said, " We are 
 not come here to be instructed by you ; but we ask you, 
 if you will reply;" but I was not disposed so to do. The 
 executioner tlien stripped me, and bound my hands behind 
 my back. Having fastened a block to my legs, they drew me 
 up by the windlass that was there, and let me hang. Wiiile 
 I was thus suspended, they asked me some questions; but 
 I said nothino;. Lettins; me down asfain, the sheriff 
 inquired where I had worked, since I had come from 
 Flanders ? I said, " At Delft." Asking me more ques- 
 tions, and I not being disposed to answer, they again drew 
 me up. The block Avas then taken off; and the execu- 
 tioner placed a piece of wood or iron between my legs, 
 on which he stood binding my legs together. When he 
 had let me down, the sheriff asked me, if I had not been 
 at Leyden at a certain time which he named, with six of 
 
8 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 my friends. That I did not confess. The executioner 
 then drew me up again. Having bound my eyes, he took 
 rods and scourged me. Letting me down, the sheriiF 
 said : " Tell me that, or I will tell you." I wished to 
 criminate no one. They then hauled me up again, pulled 
 me by my beard and hair, and struck and scourged me on 
 Lukexxii. iiiy back; but my eyes being bound I saw not who it 
 niatt. xxvi. was that did it. They might indeed have asked, PFho is 
 he that smote thee ? It lasted till I had been beaten with 
 seven or eight rods. They then let me down again ; and 
 as I did not answer for a long time, they poured water upon 
 me, fearing I should fall into a swoon ; this they had also 
 done Avhile I Avas hanging. Sitting down, and not speak- 
 ing for a long time, the sheriff said, " So you will not tell 
 us ? I will then tell you ; you slept at Steven Claeson's." 
 Adriaen. " That is true." 
 
 " You came here, too, before the prison, with six of 
 Actsxiv.22. your friends, and exhorted the prisoners that they should 
 piously strive for and abide in their faith; you then 
 went away and hired a boat for six stivers. What 
 man was that to whom the boat belonged ? and who was 
 that man in the other boat, who gave the captain a half- 
 penny for putting his box on board, that he might sail 
 with you ?" And he knew all about the man's name ; what 
 we had done he likewise knew ; and that there was a 
 Avoman with us, and that we had read ; and that two had 
 sat with bare heads, and where we had landed. I then 
 said, that it was so, and they wrote it down. I excused the 
 two that were in the boat, but to no purpose ; it remained 
 noted as before. They then showed me the letters to the 
 number of four or five. "Yes," I said, "I wrote them." 
 They said, " This is the writer of the placards." Said 
 the justices, "it is not becoming of you to speak of the 
 emperor so slightingly." To which I replied, "I do not 
 speak slightingly of the emperor. However great tlic 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. H 
 
 emperor may be, the Supreme Emperor is still greater. 
 Bring me a bible, and I will prove to you what I have 
 written." They said, " Why did you write these letters?" 
 I replied, " Because I was grieved ; and that you should 
 not again stain your hands with blood; and that you 
 might at length repent, as they of Nineveh did." That jonah iii. 5. 
 was noted down. They then asked me. What I held 
 concerning the sacrament of the altar ? I said, " I 
 thought nothing of it." 
 
 Qu. "How long is it since you were last there?" 
 
 Ans. " Four years." 
 
 Qu. " Have you been so long as that of this opinion ?" 
 
 Ans. "No." 
 
 Qu. " Why then did you not go ? " 
 
 Ans. " Ignorant as I was, I knew well that it was 
 worthless." 
 
 They then hastened away. They were occupied 
 with me from eight o'clock in the morning till half-past 
 eleven. Such was the discussion I had. Dear friends, 
 be not discouraged at that in it which is strongly ex- 1 cor. x. is 
 pressed. The Lord verily helps his own people. Had ^^*- ''^^'- ^• 
 not the Lord helped me, it would have been impossible for ^^^^' '^' ^^' 
 me to have borne it ; but we can do all things through him 
 that strengtheneth us, which is Christ. And as the suffer- 2 cor. i. 5. 
 ings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth 
 by Christ. 
 
 I will now conclude. / bear in my body, as Paul says, ^ai. vi. 17. 
 the marks of the Lord Jesus. 
 
 On Sunday morning they came and read to me my ex- zcph. iii. 3. 
 amination ; and asked if it was correct. I then thought of ^'''^" '' ^^' 
 what the prophet said: " They are evening wolves, that 
 leave nothing till the morrow ; yea, whose feet are swift 
 to shed innocent blood." I then asked the sheriff if he 
 was not nearly satisfied with innocent blood, that he was 
 so diligent in the way of unrighteousness. To which he [ho] 
 
10 A MAKTYROLOGY OF 
 
 replied, " I do not put you to death." I said, " The em- 
 peror's proclamation slays us : but then you should be 
 satisfied with those you have, and not seek for more. By 
 Mat. xviii. wliat will you prove that you may kill us? It stands 
 written : If tliou seest thy brother sin, go and tell him his 
 fault hettveen thee and him alone ; if he will not hear thee, 
 the?i tahc ivith thee one or two more ; if he still will not hear, 
 tell it unto the church ; if he tvill not hear them, let him he 
 unto thee as a heathen mail and a lyuhlican : the scripture 
 says nothing of killing." 
 itr-n. xiii. 2. Sheriff". " We have other scriptures, as where Paul says, 
 '''■ "■ ■ Rulers are not appointed in vain ; for God has himself 
 ordained them." 
 
 Adriaen. " Yes; for the protection of the good, and the 
 punishment of the wicked ; but methinks it is a strange 
 perversion that they should be for the punishment of the 
 good, and the protection of the wicked." 
 
 Sheriff. " We Avill show you, by books, that we may 
 put you to death." 
 
 Adriaen. " You cannot prove it by the gospel." 
 Under-sheriff. "■ W^hat do you know of the gospel ? " 
 Mark i. 1.5. Adriaen. " It is written, Repent and believe the gospeV 
 
 Under-sheriff. " There have been eight gospels written." 
 
 Adriaen. " I am well satisfied with the four ; if these 
 
 cannot teach me, the other four cannot." ^ 
 
 ' Sheriff. " Adriaen Cornclison, shall we send learned men 
 
 to you, that you may be instructed from the word of God ?" 
 
 ^ [The four spiu'ious gospels re- the names of the parents of the 
 
 ferred to were, ' The Gospel of the blessed virgin, Joachim and Anna. 
 
 Infancy of Christ,' which Luther The Gospel of Nicodemus was held 
 
 informs us was printed, circulated, in such regard in England, that iu 
 
 and much read among the papist 1524 Erasmus informs us he saw 
 
 'fools.' The Gospel of the Na- it afBxed to one of the columns 
 
 tivity of Mary, the Protevangelion of the cathedral of Canterbury. 
 
 of James, and the Go.spel of Nieo- Kitto's Cyclop, i. 789 ; Luther's 
 
 demus. From the Gospel of tlie Wcrkc, xi. 386.] 
 Infancy, the Romanists have learnt 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 11 
 
 Adriaen. " I will willingly be instructed by the word 
 of the Lord." 
 
 Sheriff. " That is well said." 
 
 Adriaen. " I will not speak with them^ unless it be in 
 the presence of the magistrates, and in company with my 
 fellow prisoners." 
 
 This did not please them. They then went away, and 
 the sheriff set off immediately for Delft. 
 
 Three weeks afterwards, the sheriff came into the 
 prison where we three were together. He asked if we did 
 not begin to be weary. We answered, " No." I then said, 
 "James says, Take an example of suffering affliction." james v. lo. 
 They were surprised that we thought so little of it. 
 
 I then said to the sheriff, " As the sufferings of Christ 2 Cor. is. 
 abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by CJirist''' 
 
 Sheriff. " I should think that it must be tedious to 
 you." 
 
 Adriaen. "Does it not begin to tire you to shed this 
 blood?" 
 
 He made no reply. He then asked, if some learned prov. i. le. 
 men should be sent us. We said, "We are quite willing g^.^^^ .. ^^ 
 at all times to be taught by the word of the Lord." 
 
 Sheriff. " They will not otherwise instruct you than 
 from the word of the Lord." 
 
 Adriaen. " We will at any time exchange our faith for 
 _ a better, that it may not be said that we are stiff-necked ; 
 and so ought our opponents likewise to do." 
 
 Sheriff. " That is right ; be instructed; perchance, your oeut. x. 16. 
 remaining here may not be long." 
 
 Adriaen. "' You know not whether we shall remain here 
 lonfj. And though we are now forsaken, the Lord will Matt. xv. 13. 
 
 ° . . . Johnxiv.18. 
 
 speeddy be gracious unto us. So let it be." He then 
 said, " Some one shall be sent to you." We called to him, 
 as he went down the steps, to bring a bible or a testament 
 with him. 
 
12 A i\[AIlTYROLOGY OF 
 
 rsa. iv. 21. In the afternoon, there came a priest with two officers. 
 He assumed so specious an appearance ; he spread out his 
 wares, and thought to sell some ; and spoke so kindly. 
 And when either of us spoke, he had much to bring 
 forward. I then said that the Lord had warned us 
 Matt. xvi. 6. against the leaven of the Pharisees, and them that go in 
 long clothing. 
 
 Priest. " The clothing is of no consequence." 
 
 I tlien said, that their infant baptism, the chiming of 
 bells, the mass, and all their trifling ceremonies, were 
 not right. To this he said, that the holy baptism of 
 children was right. I asked where it was written that it 
 is right ? 
 
 Priest. " In the Corinthians, the first epistle, in the 
 16th chapter." 
 
 Adriaen. " It is there said that the household of Ste- 
 phanus was the first in Achaia that had addicted them- 
 selves to the ministry of the saints ; these, forsooth, 
 could not be children ; children cannot give themselves to 
 the service of the saints ; they must be served them- 
 selves." 
 Acts xvi. 33. Concerning the gaoler with his household, he asked us, 
 if there were no children there. 
 
 Ans. "No." 
 
 Priest. " How do you know that ?" 
 
 Adriaen. " It stands written, that the gaoler rejoiced that 
 he had believed in Christ Jesus, with his whole liouse. 
 Children cannot rejoice that they believe ; for they have 
 no faith." Herein he was likewise silenced ; in the same 
 manner, he brought forward the case of Lydia, the 
 purple seller. 
 
 Priest. " When I was young, I had faith as perfectly 
 as I now have." 
 
 Adriaen. " What did you say at that time ?" 
 
 To this he made no reply. Ho then said : " When 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 
 
 13 
 
 I was born, 1 had hands, but I knew it not ; so like- 
 wise, my faith was hidden in me ; and the original sin 
 I had was taken away by the new birth of water which 
 took place at the font." 
 
 I then asked him, if the water was crucified for him, or 
 Christ. 
 
 Priest. "Christ." 
 
 Adriaen. " And yet you seek salvation in the water." 
 
 Here he was silent. 
 
 Dirk Janson then asked him where it was written that 
 bells ought to be baptized? 
 
 Priest. " That was instituted by the holy church. "*= 
 
 And he further asked him concerning the celebration 
 of mass. 
 
 He said that " God was bodily present, in the mass, 
 both flesh and blood." 
 
 I said that he was a seducer. •^''''" ^- ^• 
 
 , 1 . • Matt. xxvi. 
 
 Priest. "Has not God said, 'lake, eat, this is my 26-28. 
 
 " [Bells first came into use in 
 the 7tli century. The earliest ap- 
 pearance of their consecration is 
 in some rituals of the age of Char- 
 lemagne, and in one of his capit- 
 ulars the practice is censured and 
 prohibited. The pope, John XIV., 
 about the year 937, was the first to 
 give names to bells, giving his own 
 name at its consecration to the 
 great bell of the Lateran. Baronius 
 attributes this to Pope John XIII. 
 in 968. The practice of consecra- 
 tion and baptism of bells was after- 
 wai'ds established by the Pontificale, 
 in the old editions of which the 
 form may be found entitled, De 
 beuedictione Signi vel Campanse. 
 The duties of a bell are thus de- 
 scribed on a MS. leaf in a Sarum 
 Manual. Duaci, 1610. 
 
 En ego Campaua nunquam de- 
 nuncio vaua : 
 
 Laudo Deum verum, Plebem voco, 
 cougrego Clerum : 
 
 Fuuera plango, fulgura fi'ango, Sab- 
 batha pango : 
 
 Excito lentos, dissipo ventos, paco 
 cruentos. 
 
 Calf hill's answer to Martiall, p. 15, 
 note 5. Bingham, Christian Autiq. 
 ii. 192. Magdeburg, Cent. Cent. x. 
 col. 214. If a consecrated bell hap- 
 pened to get broken, it was interred 
 in the church like a human body. 
 Cenalis, the bishop of Avranche, in 
 a book against the Calvinists, seri- 
 ously urges that bells were a sign 
 of the true church. Dyer's Life of 
 Calvin, p. 76.] 
 
14 A MAUTYROLOGY 01' 
 
 flesh ; and drink, this is my blood ; and, as often as ye eat 
 this bread, ye do show the Lord's death ? " 
 
 And we had much conversation on this point. I then 
 asked him if he had read attentively 1 Tim. iv. 
 [141] Priest. " Why, yes." 
 
 I then asked him if he had brought a Testament with 
 him. 
 
 Priest. " Yes ; here is a Testament in Latin." 
 
 Aclriaen. " We have not been scholars in a Latin high 
 Johnxvi. 13. school, but in that renowned school of the gospel in which 
 the Spirit of God is teacher.'' 
 
 He said he could read it just as well in German. He 
 tnen read the place concerning the forbidding to marry, 
 1 aim. iv. 3. fii^*^ the abstaining from meats. I asked him, of whom 
 these things were spoken? He said he did not know. 
 
 Adriaen. " If you are a teacher, you ought to know 
 that." 
 
 Priest. " Yes; it speaks of the end of the world." 
 
 Adriaen. " It speaks of the last times ; will you then 
 say, that this is not the last time ?" 
 ijohnii. 18. He was silcut ; and then said that he had not forbidden 
 marriage, nor meats. We replied: "Your father has done 
 Esther iii. 8. it, namely, the pope ; and you, like Haman, have obtained 
 mandates to put us and ours to death ; and you helped to 
 give the emperor ten thousand pounds of silver." 
 
 Priest. " I did not do it." 
 
 Adriaen. "Are you Christians? It does not become 
 Christians to persecute." 
 
 Priest. " We do not persecute you," 
 
 I then asked him whether the Christian church perse- 
 cuted, or suffered persecution ? 
 2Tim.iii.i2. Priest. " She suffers persecution." 
 
 Upon which I asked him in what way he suffered per- 
 secution ; or, if we were not they who endure persecution. 
 
 Priest. " We suffer persecution from the devil." 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHIUST. 15 
 
 We then asked him, where it was written that men 
 might put us to death on account of our faith. He said 
 that it was enjoined on account of so many wicked sects. 
 We said, " We belong to no sects." 
 
 Priest. " It is suspected, that it may be so with you." 
 
 Dirk Janson said, " Do they hang a man, merely because 
 he is suspected of having stolen, although he may not be 
 guilty of it ? Neither may men put us to death, before 
 we are found worthy thereof." 
 
 The priest at length went away; we had brought many 
 things before him which he did not understand. I said 
 that he was one who robbed God of his honour by the con- 
 fessional, in which it was sought to forgive sins. In this LuUe v. 21. 
 he was likewise defeated, and then he took his depar- 
 ture. I hope that we shall shortly offer up our sacrifice 
 together. 
 
 O my dear friends, watch over each other, and walk i Tim. h. 13. 
 circumspectly ; for the people are much enraged, dili- 
 gently seeking for our brother, where he is. Therefore 
 walk somewhat more wisely in this respect, than some of 
 you do ; for, dear friends, they would treat him roughly, 
 if they had him, did the Lord permit it : wherefore, be 
 advised for the best; for there are but few labourers in the Matt. ix. 37. 
 harvest. Be careful therefore of them that are now in tlie 
 harvest, to provide for them. And further, dear friends, 
 when you meet together, to speak of the word of the 
 Lord, do not spend your time in unprofitable talk, and old 1 T:m. iv. 7. 
 wives' fables, but exercise yourselves unto godliness ; that 
 ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having 
 done all to stand; and be ever diligent to build upE-.^. vi.is. 
 the spiritual temple with honour at the coming of the 1 Pet. u. 5. 
 Lord. He that is holy, let him be more holy ; he that f^"^ ^'^''• 
 is pure, let him be more pure ; as Paul writes to the Thes- 1 Thess. iii. 
 salonians, it was not needful to write to them, that only they 
 should abound still more Thus let it be with you, my 
 
16 A MATJTYROLOfiV OF 
 
 dear brethren. Read the admonition 1 have written to 
 you, which you will duly receive. Salute, for me, all the 
 friends in the Lord, in particular G., our brother, a 
 faithful minister. All that are in bonds gi'eet him, and to 
 all lovers of the truth they likewise send salutation. We 
 commend you to the Lord. We are all in good spirits: 
 tlie Lord be praised for ever. 
 
 My dear friends, I must write a little more to you. 
 The paper I used before fell short, for, dear friends, when 
 we are in prison, paper is scarce ; but as Habakkuk brought 
 me more, I will therefore write you a little concerning 
 some matters that befell us in the prison, and which before 
 were forgotten. It happened then, that the officer that 
 betrayed me, came to us with our dinner. I then asked 
 him if I had in any respect injured him, and that he 
 would forgive me ; and I spoke to him as much and as 
 Matt. V. 44. kindly as I could, which indeed is commanded us. He 
 then said, "You have not, either of you, injured me." 
 By our kind language and the manifestation of our affec- 
 tion for him, he was made ashamed that he had betrayed 
 Ron),xii.2o, me, and that I should address him so affectionately. 
 
 Further: some reasonings of the priest who came to 
 instruct us. I asked him if he had fsiith. He said, 
 « Yes." 
 
 Adrlaen. " Should you lie here a month in prison with 
 us, I think you would deny your faith?" 
 
 Priest. " Perhaps not." 
 
 He then began to speak of faith; and said that f\iith 
 was incomprehensible. I said, " If fiilth be incomprehen- 
 sible, how then can we be saved?" Here he was at a loss. 
 We afterwards touched upon the appointing of ministers ; 
 1 Tim. iii. 2. and upon Paul's saying that teachers must be blameless, 
 and proceeding, in a following sentence, tliat they nuist be 
 given to hospitality: when, I said, "You would rather be 
 a guest yourself, than render hospitality to others, and 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 17 
 
 entertain strangers. And," said I, " if I came to your 
 house, would you be willing to receive me?'' 
 
 Priest. " Perhaps, yes." U^i 
 
 We had further conversation about infant baptism ; 
 he defended it from the households. I then asked him, 
 to whom the Scriptures Avere addressed? did they not 
 speak to those that had ears to hear, and hearts to under- 
 stand ? 
 
 Priest. "Yes." 
 
 I then asked him if any scripture pertained to children ? 
 
 Priest. " No." 
 
 Adriaen. " If no scripture be addressed to infants, then 
 baptism does not appertain to them." Here he was caught, 
 and had no more to say about his infant baptism. He 
 further spoke of eating Christ's flesh and drinking his 
 blood ; that Christ gave his apostles flesh of his flesh, J"hn vi. 52. 
 and blood externally to drink. I said that he was Avorse 
 than the Jews. 
 
 Priest. "Why?" 
 
 Adriaen. "The Jews murmured at it, and said, How 
 can this man give us hisjlesh to eat? You now come, and 
 will at once eat it up. Be assured, Christ did not utter 
 this expression in the sense in which you wrest it," said 
 I to the priest. In fine, he would willingly have made an 
 honourable retreat ; for his wares would not take."" 
 
 ^ [Cornelison was by trade a One of them was written with his 
 
 glass-blower. He cheered the time legs confined in the stocks. Be- 
 
 of his imprisonment by writing to sides the two brethren named, two 
 
 his fellow believers several letters, females were imprisoned with him.] 
 which are preserved by Van Braght. 
 
18 A MARTYROLOGY Of 
 
 SIX PIOUS BRETHREN, namely:— 
 LIEVIJN JANSON, MEYNERT HERMAXSOX, PIETER 
 THTMAXSON, RETER EGBERTSOX, HEXDRIK 
 ANTHOXISSOX\ CLAES GERBRAXTSOX. 
 
 ALL, FOE THE TESTIMONY ..OF JESUS CHEIST, EXECUTED BY 
 EIRE, OR BUEST ALIVE, AT AMSTERDAM, ON THE 6tH 
 AUGUST, ANNO 1552. 
 
 r^ofeouhe' " Tho bloocl of the martyrs" (said one of the ancients) 
 God'Vows " is the seed of the church ; the rose grows in the midst 
 thorns. of thorns; thus, likewise, the blooming rose of the church 
 of Christ." 
 
 The truth of this appeared in those hard and sorrowful 
 times, in which nothing was heard of but strangling, burn- 
 ing, murder, and blood-shedding of the innocent and de- 
 fenceless sheep of Christ. Yet, even at that time, the 
 number of persons who were animated to follow them, 
 and to receive their faith, was greater than the multitude 
 of those who had been put to death, 
 mln'^re""^' At this time men marched in whole troops, so to speak, 
 vThote '" to the spiritual conflict ; yea, to those places where nothing 
 gpeX'trthe but certain death awaited them. Each one was ready, 
 conflict. if God counted him worthy, to become a sacrifice for God. 
 Neither fire nor sword was dreaded for the testimony of 
 the Lord, while looking at His consolatory and most glo- 
 rious promises, which he has given to those who remain 
 steadfast. 
 peareTanno This was thc casc in the year of Christ, 1552, in the 
 caseofsix*^ uiontli of August, wlicu six pious Christians, having come 
 
 pious bre- ptjii ii •• c ^ • • t 
 
 tiiren, wiio Qut ot Baucl, sought thc vision or peace, the spiritual 
 
 are named 
 
 above. Jerusalem of the true church of God, notwithstanding the 
 many assaults and storms that fell upon them, insomuch 
 that it even cost them their lives, by the cruel and horrible 
 death of the flames. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 19 
 
 The circumstances of the case were as follows: — Three "i^aVnum" 
 of these persons had already been received, by baptism, ".ereanCctea 
 
 , . bel'mo tliuir 
 
 as members of the church ; and the other three were death. 
 awaiting admission. In the mean time they were ap- 
 prehended, and brought to Amsterdam, where they all 
 made a good confession of the most holy faith which 
 they had heartily embraced, although the last three "svere 
 grieved on account of one thing, namely:— That they had 
 not yet been baptized, which ordinance, had it been pos- 
 sible, they would before their death have observed. 
 
 In few words the sentence of death was pronounced The sen- 
 tence of 
 upon them all, " that they," as heretics, " should be death pro- 
 
 ■'• •' nounced 
 
 executed by fire," that is, in ordinary language, " be burnt g^Xer^°ons 
 alive;" which cruel death they all steadfastly endured, as 
 appears from the following sentence, which we have re- 
 ceived, extracted from the " Record of Criminal Sentences 
 of the city of Amsterdam," as read at the tribunal just 
 before their death ; and which for the undoubted certainty 
 of the event related above we therefore here annex: — 
 
 Sentence of death of the aforesaid six 2)erso7is: — Lieven 
 Janson, Meynert Hermanson, Pie.ter Thymanson, Reyer 
 Eghertson, Hendrik Anthonisson, Claes Gerhrantson. 
 
 Whereas, Lieviin Janson, of Ghent, otherwise called Ti'a.aecusa- 
 
 ' «' ^ tion aga-nst 
 
 Liefken de Keyser, weaver by trade; Meynert Her- f;\^J'Jj'p^^"" 
 manson, of Balk, sawyer; Pieter Thymanson, of Zutphen, nwnsonr 
 formerly a cooper, now a bookbinder by trade ; Keyer manson, 
 
 Reyer Eg- 
 
 E<2:bertson, freeman of this city; Hendrik Anthonisson, of '"'■•t^"; 
 
 r> •' •' ' ' Hendrik 
 
 Leyden, both weavers; and Claes Gerbrantson, born ^"^^^^^'^^11% 
 Wormer, have resorted to the conventicles and assemblies soi',' &c!' 
 of people of the Anabaptists' sect, to hear the instruc- };aa^|^een'"^^ 
 tions of the leaders or teachers of the said sect ; that is to thel^Jsem- 
 say, Claes Gerbrantson aforesaid, the instructions of Menno sermons of 
 Jbymons for more than ten years past, and the aforesaid caiied) Ana- 
 
 •' J \. ' baptists. 
 
 c 2 
 
20 A MAUTYROLOGY OF 
 
 biants'^nr Lievijn, of Ghent, and all the others, those of Gillis van 
 MennTsl Akcn ; and as, by adhering to the doctrines, errors, and 
 moretiian hcreslcs propagatcd by the said false teachers, they have 
 
 ten years. , , . , , 
 
 Lievijn of separated themselves from the faith, obedience, and unity 
 
 Ghent, and J- ^ } j 
 
 hadhea'i^' of the holy Christian church : being of erroneous judg- 
 Aken/'"' mcnt couceming the sacraments of the holy church ; so 
 hadseim- that the foresaid Lievijn, Meynert, and Pieter, have suf- 
 
 rateJ them- ^ . ^-, . . 
 
 selves from fered thcmselvcs to be re-baptized by the said Gillis van 
 
 the column- *■ •' 
 
 Romish""' Aken, renouncing their baptism received in infancy; and 
 
 3."ihat they the bcforc-named Reyer Egbertson, Hendrlk Anthonisson, 
 
 neons in aiid Clacs Gcrbrantsoii, renouncing likewise their baptism 
 
 ment cf the aforesaid, have acknowledged themselves ready to be re- 
 sacraments " '' 
 
 mis'heh^rch baptized, if they could obtain the same, contrary to the 
 Lievijn' holy Christian faith, the ordinances of holy church, the 
 pieVe'rhad" writtcu laws and proclamations of his imperial majesty 
 
 been re-bap- . .,•,.. 
 
 tized; re- our gvacious Loi'd ; and, moreover, remaining obstinate in 
 
 nouncing " 
 
 ti's"%e^^' their unbelief, heresy, and errors: — Therefore, my lords 
 
 inflnty"' the justiccs, having heard the demand of the sheriff made 
 
 [143.] of the aforesaid,* with their confession, and havino; ma- 
 
 • The sen- ^ 
 
 "'^Deiin^-'''^* turely considered the nature of the matters aforesaid, con- 
 quents." (]gi^^n the aforcsaldf to be executed with fire by the 
 
 f The sen- _ ^ •' 
 
 '■^DeUn^*^^ executioner; declaring further, their goods to be con- 
 qnents." ggcatcd to his imperial majesty as Count of Holland, 
 our gracious Lord, without prejudice or injury to the 
 privileges of this city. Done and pronounced by the tri- 
 bunal, on the sixth day of August, anno 1552. Present, 
 all the justices. Performed, Andries Boelen, by advice of 
 the burgomasters. 
 
 IFhen the torturing of Hendrik Anthonisson and Reyer 
 
 Egbertson took place. 
 Of these, Hendrik Anthonisson the 28th of June ; and 
 Reyer Egbertson, the last of July, anno 1552, were ex- 
 amined by torture. 
 
 Extracted from the Crhnincd Records deposited in Am- 
 sterdam, with the town-clerk. — N.N. 
 
THE CIIURCIJES Of CllKIST. 21 
 
 PIETER OF OLMEN, OK OF WEEWICK,* lUoj 
 
 PUT TO DEATH AT GIIEMT, 1552. 
 
 A Letter of Pieter of Ohnen, said to be of Werwick, written 
 in prison at Ghent, ivhere, for the testimony of Jesus, he 
 resigned his life. — ANNO 1552. 
 
 The abundant grace and peace of 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 ; 2 cor. i. 3. 
 icho comforteth us in all our tribulation, that toe may be able 
 to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort 
 ichereiolth we ourselves are comforted of God ; for as the suf- 
 ferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also 
 aboundeth by Christ. For our ajfliction, lohich is tenqjorary 2 cor. iv. 17. 
 and light, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal 
 weight of glory : for us, who look not at the things ichich are 
 seen, but at the tilings lohich are not seen ; for the things 
 luhich are seen are temporal, but the things ivhich are not 
 seen are eternal. And we know that if our earthly house of 2 cor. v. 1. 
 this tabernacle ivere dissolved, ive have a building of God, an 
 house not made icith hands, eternal in the heavens. For this ^^"'"•^"'•^s. 
 we earnestly long; for our house which is from heaven, 
 desiring that therewith we should be clothed upon ; if so 
 he that, being clothed, we shall not be found naked. For while ^ ^"'' ^ * 
 we are in this tabernacle, we groan, being burdened; for we [i^^l 
 would rather be clothed upon, and not unclothed, that mortality 
 might be stvalloiced up of life. Now he that hath wrought us 
 for the self-same thing is God, who also hath given unto us the 
 earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always comforted, 
 knowing that, whilst ice are at home in the body, we are on ])il- 
 grimage, being absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, 
 
 « [lu West Flanders, on the burders ol' France.] 
 
22 A MAIITYROLOGY OF 
 
 and see liim not; but we are comforted, and willing rather 
 to he absent from the hodi/, and to he at home icith the Lord. 
 
 Heb. X. 25. J exliort jou, dear brethren and sisters, by the mercy of 
 God, that with diligence you assemble yourselves together 
 to impart to each other, while yet you have time, a good 
 knowledge of the everlasting truth of our Redeemer ; for 
 
 Heb.xiii.i4.here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come, 
 and that with patience. Therefore, dear brethren and 
 sisters, let the word of the Lord sink into your hearts, and 
 understand well what the Lord saith ; that, in the time of 
 trial you may stand fast in piety : for I tell you, dear 
 brethren, that this conflict must devoutly be carried on. 
 It is a severer one than I thought, for they come to us 
 with such artful questions and kind words, to entangle us 
 in our words, thus to cause us to fall away. Therefore, 
 dear brethren, assist each other to discern which is the way 
 
 James ^ 27. ^f ^|jg ^^^.^^^ .^^^^j yf\^\c[^ the w\ay of the devil: which the 
 
 true service of God, and which the service of the devil and 
 idols ; who are the children of the Lord, and who the chil- 
 
 jo!;iixvii.ic. dren of the devil. For the children of God are not of 
 this world, therefore the world hateth them. They 
 endure all kinds of persecution ; they are led as sheep 
 
 Pr. xiiv. 22. tQ the slaughter — are hated of all, and the prey of every 
 one. They have no certain dwelling place; they are 
 
 i^a. iix.15 j^jjQ refuse of all lyen and all people; they weep and 
 lament, while the world rejoice ; they are reproached, be- 
 
 1 Cor iv.ii. cause they trust in the living God. Hereby we know who 
 
 jui,nxvi.20. are the children of God, and who are the children of the 
 
 iTiiii.iv. 10. devil : he that doeth rifjhteousness, is riyhtcous, even as lie is 
 • 1 John ii. 10. r/f/hteous ; he that committeth sin is of the devil. Therefore, 
 
 1 joiiniii.7. dear children, love not the tcorld, neither the tilings that are 
 in the icorld : for if any man love the world, the love of the 
 Father is not in him ; for all that is in the world, namely, the 
 Inst of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, 
 is not (f the Father, hut is of the rvorld ; and the world 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHKIST. 23 
 
 passetli awoy, and the hist thereof ; hut he that doeth the ivi/l 
 of God ahideth for ever. 
 
 My dearly beloved, know that I have fought a hard 
 battle with the rulers of darkness, and the false prophets. 
 They said, that we should hear and be instructed by them, 
 though they do not live according to the commandments of 
 God. I then put to them this question, *' Is not he a 
 stranger to God, who walks not in the commandments of 
 the Lord?" They answered, "Yes." I then said, "Christ 
 saith. My sheep, hear my voice, and they folio lo me; bzit ^ohnx.i. 
 they hear not the voice of a stranger, hut jiee from him; were 
 I, then, to hear a stranger, I should not be of Christ's 
 sheep, for the sheep of Christ hear not strangers." 
 
 Ans. " Nevertheless, they preach the truth ; the word, 
 therefore, is not of less value." I replied, " John teaches 
 He that saith, I knoiv Him, and heepeth not His com- \ john it. ^. 
 manclments, is a liar, arid the truth is not in him. If then 
 there is no truth in him, how can he speak the truth ? 
 Otherwise, John must lie. Christ saith; A corrupt ^r<?e ^^^^-^''-^s. 
 cannot briny forth good fruit ; to others he saith, Hoio can Matt.xii. 
 ye, being evil, speak good things? Solve that questiouj 
 and I will believe you. I tell you ; should such a man 
 take a Testament, and read it entirely through in your 
 churches, just as the apostles wrote it, yet I will prove 
 to you that he lies ; but let a man that walks in the ways 
 of God utter the same words, and he will speak the truth. 
 Should any one of your people preach these words in 
 your temple, concerning drunkards, adulterers, thieves, 
 mui'derers, covetous persons, backbiters, slanderers, &c., 
 saying, ' Ye are that chosen generation, that royal priest- ^ ^et. w. 9. 
 hood ; that holy nation ; that peculiar people ; to show 
 forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of 
 darkness into his marvellous light ; ye are they who in 
 time past were not a people, but are now the people of 
 God, which had not obtained mercy, but now have ob- 
 
24 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 talned mei'cy : ' — if lie spoke these words concerning that 
 wicked peojjle, would he not lie? But if a God-fearing 
 man should speak them concerning God-fearing* people, 
 Roui.viii.36. he would speak the truth. Again, if you preached, * For 
 thy sake we are led as sheep to the slaughter ; ' would not 
 that be spoken falsely by you ? But a God-fearing man 
 would speak the truth." 
 
 Thus many words passed between us, but to no effect. 
 I then asked him, if the children of God must not all be 
 
 Rom. viii. 5. . . , , ^_ ... _^ . - ,, Tr-ri -r- 
 
 spiritual : tie said, " 1 es, certainly. VV hereupon 1 
 inquired, why then they were^ called spiritual, and others 
 worldly, since they must all be spiritual? That they 
 joimxvii.9 could not show. I then said, "Christ prays not for the 
 world, but for them who are not of the world ; if then 
 you are spiritual, how comes it that you are not all of the 
 same mind? For one must be clothed in nothing but 
 grey ; he must touch no money, and his shoes must have 
 LH7j a hole in the top ; ^ another must go all in black ; '' and a 
 third be speckled.' Others must not eat what is cooked, 
 nor speak to their father or mother when thej see them ; 
 but when they do not see them, they then speak to 
 them.J These I said are all diverse sects, and all planted 
 
 ' [" That is, the priests. They others gods also.' " Coleman's Au- 
 
 especially claimed the character of tiquities, p. 75.] 
 
 ' spiritual,' or the ' spirituality,' B [" The Franciscans, or Minor- 
 
 froiu the exaggerated and exclusive ites, were called ' grey friars,' from 
 
 notions entertained of the minis- the colour of their habit." Hart's 
 
 terial office. Thus Gregory Nanzi- Eccl. Records, p. 76.] 
 
 anzen says : — 'The minister's office •'[The Benedictines were called 
 
 places him in tlae same rank and otijri monachi. Hart, ib.'\ 
 
 order as angels — he performs the ' [The Dominicans were termed 
 
 priest's office with Christ himself ; fratres de pica, or magpie brethren, 
 
 he reforms the work of God's from the curious mixture of black 
 
 hands, and presents the image to and white in their monastic habit, 
 
 his Maker ; his workmanship is for Hart, i6.] 
 
 the world above, and therefore he J [The monks of La Trappe. The 
 
 should be exalted to a divine Jind only words allowed to pass their 
 
 heavenly nature whose business is lips are memento 7n07'i.] 
 to be as God himself, an I to make 
 
THE CHUllCHES OF CHRIST. 25 
 
 by men, and not by God; therefore they must all be '^^*"- *^- ^^' 
 rooted up." To this, they could say but little. I then 
 said, "Your doctrine is the doctrine of devils; for all 
 that you observe and do is contrary to the truth ; as Paul 
 says, In the last times, some shall depart from the faith, i Tim. iv. i. 
 giving heed to seducing spirits, arid doctrines of devils ; for- 
 bidding 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 to eat meats." I was then 
 called to go away. 
 
 In a short time afterwards, the dean of Ronse came, with 
 another priest. They assailed me very sharply with crafty 
 questions; but the Lord preserved me from being betrayed. 
 He asked me if I did not believe that the bread which 
 Christ gave to his apostles, was the body of Christ ? since 
 he said, Take, eat; this is my body, that is broken for you. Matt. xxvi. 
 I said, " That bread was not the body which Avas broken for mke xxii. 
 us; it was in remembrance of it." He then said, ''The 
 bread was changed into His body." But I said that it 
 was for a memorial of it, and was not the body itself. 
 They afterwards asked me concerning baptism; whether 
 children ought not to be baptized? I said, " There is no ^i^'kxvi.ie, 
 mention made of infant baptism ; but of a baptism upon 
 believing." They then said, " Look, we will prove that 
 the children ought to be baptized, John iii. ; does not 
 Christ there say, Except a man be horn again, of water and joim iii. 5. 
 of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.'''' I 
 replied, " That is not addressed to children, but to those 
 that can hear." But they said, " It is ; " and upon this 
 ground, they attempted to institute and support infant 
 baptism. Thus we had much conversation ; but were of 
 one mind in nothing. 
 
 I therefore admonish you, dear brethren and sisters, to 
 impart to each other a good knowledge of all things ; ^"""^ '^^' 
 namely, of the Lord's supper; of baptism ; of tlie incarna- 
 
26 A MARTYUOLOGY OF 
 
 tlon of Christ ; of spiritual cliildren, and the children of 
 Mark .v. 28. the world. Walk circumspectly in the fear of the Lord, 
 
 and be afraid of none, however violently they may rage, 
 
 I likewise admonish you, dear brethren and sisters, by the 
 Col. iv. 2. love of our Lord, that you will vmite in prayers for me to 
 
 the Lord, that I may stand fast in piety when I am tried. 
 
 Further, I beg that you will diligently instruct my 
 
 beloved mother in all necessary things; and also my 
 
 brother and my wife, if peradventure she may repent. 
 
 The Lord fill you with his Spirit. Amen. 
 
 Written with difficulty, on account of the people always 
 
 present. 
 
 The abundant grace and peace of God the Father, and 
 
 the Lord Jesus Christ, be with you. Amen. 
 ^-cc ».=. y.^. jj^ ^^^j^^ feareth God will do well. 
 
 COllNELIS or KULENBUEG.— ANKo 1552. 
 
 In the year 1552, a young brother, Cornelis by name, 
 was apprehended by direction of the Count of Kulenburg, 
 
 R.-v. ii. 13. for the testimony of Jesus. He remained in confinement, 
 at the said place, about three years, and was afterwards 
 burned for the truth of Christ. During the time of his 
 imprisonment he suffered many assaults from priests, 
 monks, and prelates, who assembled at the castle of Kulen- 
 
 .Tor. V. 2B. burg. Thcsc ministers of the Roman Antichrist laid 
 
 5!Tiie:^s.i.7. ni'^^y suarcs for the youth, to entrap his soul. They 
 inflicted great torments upon bin), to make him give 
 information of his companions, and then again employed 
 fair worldly promises; following in this the example of 
 
 Matt. IV 8. ^IjpJ^. piaster, Satan, when he tempted our Saviour Jesus. 
 
 Luko iv. 12. ]3y^ ^]^Q prisoner, if young in years, was yet old in faith, 
 and valiantly, through the grace of God, withstood the 
 
 2 Maco vu. ^(3„^ptation. But it cost this goodly youth his life, through 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 
 
 the said count, who was urged thereto by the clergy, and 
 was at the same time anxious to continue the Pope's friend. John xix.12. 
 Being fastened to a stake, the priests came to him, tempt- 
 ing him to apostatize ; but he chose much rather to die for 
 the name of Jesus, than to forsake the truth. He was 
 thus burned at the stake, a partaker of the sufferings of 
 Christ, and shall be rewarded at the appearing of the great 
 
 ^, , . , , . . Titas ii. 1."!. 
 
 (jrod, with everlastmg joy. 
 
 See a hymn in the Historical Hymn Book. 
 
 HERMAN JANSON OP SOLLEM, 
 
 EXECITTED BY FIRE, OB EUBlSrED ALIVE, FOB THE TESTIMONY 
 or JESUS, AT AMSTERDAM, ON THE 16tH FBBEUABY, 1553. 
 
 At this time the distress was very great, and did not distress at 
 
 , „ iT»l1i? "'*° time 
 
 abate. For all who truly departed from the JDabel ot was very 
 
 great, and 
 
 idolatrous Rome, and turned to the spiritual Jerusalem, wherein it 
 
 ' A consisted. 
 
 the peaceful church of Jesus Christ, were declared to be 
 worthy of death. 
 
 This appeared in 1553, in the beginning of the year, at the]. ions" 
 
 , . , witness of 
 
 Amsterdam, m the case of a certam pious and devout can- Jesuscinist, 
 
 ■*■ named Her- 
 
 didate, who was in readiness to receive baptism on a con- "'""synem"" 
 fession of his faith. His name was Herman Janson. He bnmghuo 
 was born at Sollem. In the warmth of his early zeal, he am] t'li.re"'' 
 was apprehended, for the truth of God, by the rulers of demned. 
 darkness, and brought prisoner to Amsterdam. There he [i48] 
 had to suffer many hardships and vexations, the object ot 
 
 ,., 1 ■, • (, ir-ii • Touching 
 
 which was to draw hun away irom the raith ; but remain- his sentence 
 
 of death, 
 
 ins steadfast and immovable, he was condemned to lose his ^'•hith was 
 life, and, as a heretic, to be executed by fire. The [,t"he'court 
 sentence was publicly read to him in the court of justice, ex/ract'ed 
 on the sixteenth day of the month of January, 1553, and i-ookuf 
 
 Criminal 
 
 on the same day executed : as ma\ be seen from the s'p'Henccsat 
 
 *' ' ./ Amsterdam. 
 
28 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 tblluwlng sentence, which, in proof whereof, we have 
 extracted from the book of criminal records, of the city 
 of Amsterdam. It is as follows : — 
 
 Sentence of death upon Herman Janson, of Sollem. 
 
 Whereas Herman Janson, born at Sollem, has betaken 
 Theac uha- himsclf to thosc of the Anaba])tist sect, and has listened 
 
 tioii |ue- i ^ 
 
 agahilt to their exhortations, doctrines, and errors; also has been 
 Janson of prcscnt In certain conventicles (that is assemblies), where 
 
 Sollem:— , o • • i • i i 
 
 1. That he the fecripture was in an unbecomino; manner taught and 
 
 had united ^ ^ ^ ^ '^ f 
 
 himself in rccitcd, botli bv Gillis van Aken, and others : in such 
 
 fellowship ^ J ^ ' 
 
 assembi'ies) wisc, that hc, rcnounciug the baptism he had received, 
 baptists o"^ has confesscd that he was desirous of receiving another 
 tizeis. baptism, if he could have obtained the same ; likewise 
 
 2. That he ^ '^ _ 
 
 had listened juclging erroncously of the holy sacrament of the altar, 
 docarhic'r''^ contrary to the ordinance and faith of the holy Christian 
 h'ortatTons. cliurch, tlic Written laws and proclamations of his im- 
 
 3. That, in.,. -tt -\ o ^ 
 
 particular, pcriai uiajcsty our gracious L<ora ; and further remains 
 
 he h;id been 
 
 in the as- obstiuatc \\\ this his unbelief, heresy, and error, regardless 
 
 semblies ' ' ' o 
 
 condiicted ^f ^]jQ instructions given him by the orthodox. 
 
 aiso'^b/'"' Therefore my lords the judges [having] heard the 
 
 4. Tiiat, by plca of tlic slicrifF against the said Herman Janson, 
 
 thescmcans, . , , . p • i i • 
 
 hchadre- With his confcssiou, and having maturely considered the 
 
 nounced his '' 
 
 bapti.sm case, do condemn the said Herman Janson, conforni- 
 
 reciived in ' ' 
 
 aMdd'rsired ^^ to tlic aforcsaid proclamations, to be executed by 
 tLd again firc. Furtlicr, we declare his goods to be conliscated to 
 
 (or upon , p , . . . , . 1 XT 11 -1 
 
 c..nf,.,si.m the use ot his imperial maiesty, as count of Holland. 
 
 of his faith) ^ J J ' 
 
 If he had Pronounced and executed, the sixteenth day of January, 
 
 been able to J J ^ 
 
 obuunihc 1553. present, the sheriff, Pieter Cantert and Joost 
 were'conL" Buijk, burgouiastcrs, and all the justices, by advice of 
 
 the other two burgomasters. 
 
 Extracted from the criminal records of the city of 
 
 Amsterdam, deposited with the secretary. — N. N. 
 
TTIE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 29 
 
 PELISTIS JAXS, SUENAMED EESINX, 
 
 BUEISTED AT AMSTERDAM, EOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS 
 CHRIST, ON THE 16tII OF JANUARY, ANNO 1553. 
 
 On the same day, and at the same tribunal, and for the ^^^''J^'j^f^ ^^ 
 same cause, was condemned to the flames, a certain Jans,"^ 
 female, Felistis Jans by name, but surnamed Resinx, sinx/ 
 born at Vreden [in Westphalia], as may be seen from 
 the recorded sentence, which we possess, extracted from ^, , . , 
 
 ^ i- ' Of which an 
 
 the original criminal records of the city of Amsterdam, f,^gp"ted m 
 and also the particulars of the time when she was tortured, 'or'crTm'inai 
 all which we could here insert, word for word ; but to Amsterdam. 
 avoid tediousness, we shall briefly give the substance in 
 distinct divisions, in order that it may be plainly seen, 
 on what ofrounds she suffered death. 
 
 , sur- 
 named Re- 
 
 A brief extract from the sentence of death of Felistis Jans, 
 or Felistis Resinx. 
 
 After her name, and the place of her birth, the matters introduc- 
 
 '■ tion of her 
 
 laid to her charge are described, consisting of the follow- ",^"p,^ce^of 
 ing particulars. 
 
 1. That she had betaken herself to the assemblies of the seven 
 
 succeeding 
 
 the sect of Anabaptists. '^evtLtoi. 
 
 2. That she had separated herself from the obedience ^^^^'^l^f^^ ^^ 
 and lieliefs of the [so-called] holy [that is, Roman] '^"'"" 
 church. 
 
 3. That she judged erroneously of the sacrament of the 
 altar. 
 
 4. That she had entertained in her house, or shown 
 hospitality to those whom she knew to be of the said 
 sect [that is, the said Anabaptists]. 
 
 5. That she had seduced certain persons from their 
 obedience to the [Romish] church, to her own opinions. 
 
 her death. 
 
30 A MAllTYROLOGY OF 
 
 6. That she continued obstinately attached to the 
 aforesaid [so-called] errors, and was unwilling to give up 
 the same. 
 
 7. That all such things were opposed to the ordinances 
 of holy church, and the proclamations of his imperial 
 majesty. 
 
 Then follows the conclusion, or decree, namely, — 
 That she That she ffor these causesi should be executed by fire, 
 
 should bo •- -J J ' 
 
 executed by ,^j^j ^j-^j^^ ^ l^gj, ggods should bc coufiscatcd [or forfeited] 
 to the use of the emperor, &c. 
 
 Done in the presence, &c., &c. 
 
 Afterwards follows a note of the time when she was 
 tortured in these words, — 
 
 This Felistis was condemned to the torture [or rack], 
 
 With refer- ■- -' 
 
 timewheif ^^^ ^^^ P^^ ^° ^^ torturc upou the second day of 
 tured'.^^ '^''^ January, one thousand five hundred and fifty-three. 
 
 Extracted from the criminal records, deposited with the 
 secretary of the city of Amsterdam. — N. N. 
 
 The date of Thc year of the death of this Felistis, was not corectly 
 thfs young given by the previous writers of the History of the 
 
 woman's , , i i i 
 
 death was Martyrs, nor was her name accurately expressed ; but by 
 
 stated by ^ . \. J 
 
 former mcaus of thc abovc quoted sentence, we have fully set 
 
 writers to i. ^ j 
 
 loViT^u? it the matter right. 
 
 that "his Meanwhile, it is worthy of remark, in conjunction Avith 
 
 anno 1553, thc abovc Statement, that the older writers testify that 
 
 the IGth , '' 
 
 January. gi^Q ^yr^g g, moral aud virtuous youno; woman, and became. 
 
 Her name ./ a ^ ^ 
 
 simply""^" through her long imprisonment, so familiar with the 
 but^t^s gaoler's wife, that she was employed as a servant to assist 
 
 found that . i i i rY> • 
 
 it must 111 household aiiau's. 
 
 have been 
 
 Felistis Jana Jt SO happened that the gaoler's wife once had some 
 
 Resinx. ^ '^ o 
 
 dirt to carry out, but had no one at hand whom she could 
 order to do it. "Shall I do it?" said Felistis. To which 
 the gaoler's wife replied, "Would you I'un away?" Felistis 
 answered In return, "No." But thinking more closely 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 31 
 
 on the matter, and pondering the frailty of human nature, 
 she became unwilling to expose herself to such a trial, 
 and therefore declined it. Truly, a prudent resolution 
 for an apparently weak young woman. 
 
 Shortly afterwards, say the former writers, she was seen a remark, 
 
 in wliat 
 
 approaching the scaffold on which she was to be burned; manner she 
 
 ■'■■'• '-' came upon 
 
 her dress clean, and a white apron before her ; as if she *'^^ p^'^"'''' 
 was desirous of showing, by her outward dress, how oftLIng.^"^ 
 purely and uprightly a Christian maiden ought internally 
 to be adorned, in order to please her beloved and heavenly 
 bridegroom, Christ Jesus. 
 
 Thus did she present her offering. She is numbered 
 among the throng of martyrs, holy and acceptable to 
 God.^ 
 
 SIMON, THE PEDLAE.— AKNo 1553. 
 
 About the year 1553, at Bergen op Zoom, in Brabant, 
 there was a pedlar named Simon, standing in the market 
 selling his wares. The priests with their idol ' passing by, the 
 said Simon dared not show the counterfeit god any divine „ 
 
 '-' *' 2 Mace. vii. 
 
 honour ; but following the testimony of God in the holy ^^• 
 Scripture, he worshipped the Lord his God only, and Him 
 
 ^ ' ^ ^ ^ _ -^ Daniel iii. 
 
 alone served. He was therefore seized by the advocates i^. 
 of the Romish Antichrist, and examined as to his faith. Matt, iii lo. 
 This he boldly confessed. He rejected infant baptism as Matt. x. la 
 a mere human invention, with all the commandments of 
 
 ^ Compare this with the Martyrs' through the streets to the house of 
 
 Mirror of Defenceless Christians some dying person, in order to 
 
 (edition 1631), page 125, col. 2, &c. administer the last rites of the 
 
 ' [The host, which in Roman church.] 
 Catholic couatries the priests carry 
 
32 A MARTY ROLOGY OF 
 
 ..l^l^o] men, holding fast the testimony of the word of God ; he 
 was therefore condemned to death by the enemies of the 
 
 Heb. xiiil2. •' 
 
 truth. They led him outside the town, and for the tes- 
 Rev. ii. 13. timouy of Jesus, committed him to the flames. The 
 astonishment of the bystanders, was greatly excited when 
 they saw the remarkable boldness and steadfastness of this 
 2 Tim. IV. 8. pjQus yvitness of God, who, through grace, thus obtained 
 the crown of everlasting life. 
 
 The bailiff, who procured his condemnation, on his 
 return home from the execution fell mortally sick, and 
 was confined to his bed. In his suffering and sorrow he 
 continually exclaimed, Oh ! Simon, Simon ! The priests 
 and monks sought to absolve him ; but he would not be 
 2 Mace ix comfortcd. He speedily expired in despair, an instructive 
 Acls'xii. 2.3. ^^^ memorable example to all tyrants and persecutors. 
 
 WOUTEE VAN CAPELLE.— ant^o 1553. 
 
 In the year 1553, a devout brother, named Wouter 
 Capelle was seized at Dixmude,'" in Flanders, for living 
 agreeably to the word of God. There he sealed and 
 
 Rev. ii. 1.3. 
 
 testified his belief of the truth by his bloody death, 
 
 Heb. xiii. 7, Jeaving an instructive example worthy of imitation by all 
 
 true believers, when they look at his end, and follow their 
 
 faith, especially the Author of our faith, even Christ 
 
 Jesus, who is blessed for ever. This said witness for God 
 
 1 Pet. iv. 16. suffered for the truth, and for the testimony of God's 
 
 word, and not for any crime. By the grace of God he 
 
 '"■ '^' ■ hath therefore won the crown of everlasting life, promised 
 
 to all who, for the word of God, are put to death by men, 
 
 17. ' ' to be raised again in great glory at the last day. 
 
 ™ [About sixteen miles southwest of Bruges, on the river Ysere.] 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 33 
 
 TYS, A YOUNG MAN ; AND BEEENTGE, A YOUNG 
 WOMAN.— ANNO 1553. 
 
 In the year 1553, there were drowned at Leeuwaarden, 
 in Friesland, for the testimony of Jesus, a youth, called Rev. ii. is. 
 Tys, and a young woman by name Berentge, two zealous 
 followers of Christ. For this cause they greatly desired ^<='^ ^'''' ^ 
 to meet, that they might rejoice together in the word of 
 God. But their desire was difficult of accomplishment, 
 because Tys was very lame, and Berentge generally con- 
 fined to her bed. But, at last, it pleased God that they 
 should meet; for the persecutors having issued forth to 
 apprehend the people of God, who, being made aware of 
 their purpose, at that time escaped their hands, un- 
 willing to return without any one, brought with them 
 these two infirm persons, whom they led prisoners to 
 Leeuwaarden. There they continued some time in con- 
 finement together. During this period they greatly re- coi. m. le. 
 joiced with each other in God their Maker , so that the Rom. xv. 
 love which is stronger than death, and harder than the cant. viii. 6. 
 grave, appeared in a very remarkable manner. After this, 
 by the sentence of death, it was decreed that they should 
 both be drowned. The sentence was very indignantly 
 received by Tys. It distressed him exceedingly. " They 
 drown cats and dogs," said he. From this sentence they 
 sought exemption; they desired to be executed at the 
 gallows, that they might attain the crown with their 2 Esdras a. 
 beloved brethren, and that bystanders might hear and see 
 for what cause they died. But this was refused them, and Matt. vn. 
 they were executed according to the sentence. As if 
 their persecutors were ashamed to put to death such 
 miserable persons, they were both crammed, at midnight, 
 into one sack, with their mouths gagged, and thrown into 
 a flat-bottomed boat, and plunged, outside the city wall. Matt. x. 26. 
 
 VOL. II. D 
 
34 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 into the canal. Fastened to the boat, they were dragged 
 along the canal until they expired. Thus were removed 
 these bright lights and pious witnesses of Christ, they 
 
 wisd. ii. 14. bciug offcnsivc to their sight. But God, the righteous 
 one, Avho is with his people in the water and the fire, 
 
 isa. xiiii. 2. will, in liis own time, avenge the deed, and give these, 
 his worthy children, everlasting rest and peace with Him. 
 This murder, committed in darkness, shall, at the great 
 day (when all secrets shall be brought to light), be righte- 
 ously avenged. 
 
 On this, see a hymn in the " Historical Hymn Book." 
 
 JOOS KIND.— ANNO 1553. 
 
 A letter of confession of Joos Kind, imprisoned at Kortrijk^ 
 where he resigned his life at the stake for the testimony of 
 Jesus, in the year 1553. 
 
 2 Cor. 1. 4. Grace be with you, and peace from God the Father and 
 our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall comfort and strengthen 
 
 Eph. vi. n. us by his Holy Spirit, that we, stedfast in the faith, 
 may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; 
 
 iPet. V. 8, who (as Peter says) goeth about as a roaring lion, seeking 
 
 Eph. vi. 12. whom he may devour. Be it known to you, dear friends, 
 that I have to endure a great conflict with the carnal men. 
 They assail me with artful reasonings, seeking to draw me 
 away from obedience to my beloved Lord, although I 
 hope that the Lord will stand by me ; of which, indeed, 
 I have no doubt. For God, when comforting His people, 
 
 isa.iiix.i5. speaketh by the prophet Esaias, Although a mother should 
 forsake her child, yet will I not forsake thee; wliich the 
 Lord (whose praise every tongue shall speak) wonderfully 
 confirms in me. Yea, had I as much paper as I have 
 ever written upon, and likewise time to write, yet never 
 
THE CHUUCHES Of CHRIST. 35 
 
 could I describe the joy and gladness I experience : yea, ?«»• «=!• e. 
 my joy is unspeakable. 
 
 But N. is sick ; he begs that you will earnestly pray to 
 the Lord on his behalf; for although he is ready to go to H^'"^^- ''■ 
 the flames, he is unable to cope with the enemies of the 
 Cross. They assail him with artful reasonings ; even as Pi'ii- ii- is 
 the devil, their teacher, with much subtlety came and 
 tempted our Saviour in the wilderness, as it is written Matt. w. 3. 
 in the Gospel. Did he then employ his craft with our 
 Saviour ? So, then, I am not discouraged if I, too, have 
 in measure a conflict with him. For, dear friends, it were 
 easy to withstand them, did they employ mere reasoning ; 
 but they assail one with lies. Their father is a liar, as 44/'' 
 our Saviour told them, and they have the nature of their 
 father. This, on one occasion, they showed to me, the 
 whole of which I cannot now inform you ; but I hope the 
 Lord will enable me, by his grace, to write you a little of 
 their carnal dealings with me. Know, then, that Rouse 
 and Polet came to the prison on Saturday afternoon, and 
 sent for me to come to them. When I came, I asked 
 them, " What they desired of me." They said, " It Avill 
 be told you." They inquired my age. I said, " I do not 
 know ; if you wish to know that accurately, you must 
 inquire of my mother." 
 
 Ronse. " Tell us as nearly as you can." , 
 
 Joos. " Between twenty and thirty." 
 
 The scribe however wrote, ** Between thirty and forty." 
 
 Ronse. " A^^len were you last at confession?" 
 
 Joos. " Why do you ask that ?"- 
 
 Ronse. " I wish to know." 
 
 Joos. " You have not caught me then ; you know well 
 how it is." 
 
 Ans. " We do." 
 
 Joos. " Whence do you come; in whose name have you 
 come to me ?" 
 
 D 2 
 
36 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Ans. " In God's name." 
 
 Joos. " That I do not believe." 
 
 Qu. "Why?" 
 
 Joos. " Because to know my mind you have arrested 
 
 Matt. X. 5. me. None whom the Lord sent out to preach put men 
 
 into prison. When he sent them forth, he commanded 
 
 Matt. X.14. them, that wherever they came, if men received them not, they 
 
 should shake off the dust from their feet, and depart thence. 
 
 Polet. " You must have read that Paul delivered over 
 I Cor. V. 5. some to the devil." 
 
 Joos. " I pray you, show me where Paul led them to 
 prison." 
 
 Polet. " I do not know." 
 
 Joos. " Why, then, do you attempt to quote the Scrip- 
 tures when you do not understand them ? Yea, more than 
 that, why arrest persons in order to bring them to the 
 faith, even if yours were the true faith, which I do not 
 admit; for I hold you not to be of God." 
 
 Qu. "Why?" 
 1 Sam. XV. Joos. " Bccausc the Lord saith. To obey is better than 
 sacrifice ; you are not obedient to him." 
 
 Qu. " Wherein?" 
 
 Matt xviii, Joos. Because Christ commanded that we should show 
 
 the right way to those that have gone astray. You say 
 
 that I have gone astray; why, then, have you not pointed 
 
 out to me the right Avay? I seek no other than the right." 
 
 Ans. " For that purpose we are come." 
 
 Joos. " Then you should have come to my dwelling." 
 
 Ans. " We knew not where you lived." 
 
 Joos. " You knew very well where to send the bailiff 
 for me." 
 
 Ans. " Had you been a good sheep, it would not have 
 been needful." 
 Matt, xviii. Joos. " Christ left the ninety-nine, and went to seek 
 the one that was lost." 
 
THE CHURCHES OP CHRIST. 37 
 
 Ronse then said, " Do you not consider me to be your 
 superior, appointed by our holy father the pope, and our 
 gracious lord the emperor ? " 
 
 Joos. " I know no master but Christ." T"' """"■ 
 
 Qu. " Do you, then, regard the emperor as nothing?" 
 
 I said that I was content to regard him as my superior 
 
 after the flesh. They then wrote, that I acknowledged 
 
 no superior but Christ in spiritual things, and the emperor 
 
 in temporal. 
 
 Ronse then said, " When were you last at confession ? 
 tell me." 
 
 Joos. " I do not wish to say any thing to you here." 
 Qu. "Why?" 
 
 Joos. " Before the judges, at a full tribunal, I will 
 readily speak." 
 
 *' There," said they, " it will cost you your life to say 
 any thing to Avhich any criminality may attach." 
 
 Qu. " Tell me, what do you hold concerning infant 
 baptism ? " 
 
 I was then obliged to speak, and said, " Nothing." 
 Ronse. " Indeed ? what baptism then do you hold ? '' 
 Joos. " I know of but one faith, and one baptism." Mark xvi. 
 
 Ronse. " How long is it since you were baptized ? " 
 Joos. " Six months, or thereabouts." 
 That they wrote down. 
 
 Qu. "What do you hold concerning the church of 
 Rome?" 
 
 " I do not agree with it in a single point." 
 That was likewise noted down. They put to me so 
 many questions that I said to them, " I have freely con- 
 fessed my faith, and for it I am ready to lay down my 
 life at the stake ; therefore, be content now that you 
 know my belief." They urged me still with many ques- 
 tions. I said, "Leave me, you are the enemies of the cross phn. \n is. 
 of Christ. Go ; the grounds of my faith, which I have freely 
 
38 A MARTY1?01,0GY OF 
 
 confessed, are known to you. Do to me what you please. 
 
 2 Mace. vii. These limbs I possess by the favour of God, and am ready 
 
 by his grace to resign them, yea to devote them to his 
 
 divine glory." They said much ; but I replied, " Go 
 
 away : come no more to me, for ye are against God. Do 
 
 Matt. xii. yQ^ jjqj^ £gj^j, ^jjg Lord ? Look at Avhat is written in the 
 
 Matt. xiii. 13th of Matthew of the tares of the field. You say 
 
 that I am evil. The Lord has said that the tares should 
 
 be let grow until the harvest." 
 
 Ans. " If we let the tares grow uj) all will be de- 
 stroyed." 
 
 Polet. " Does not Augustine say this ? " 
 Joos. " Speak not of Augustine ; I know him not. I 
 hold no doctrines but those of the apostles and prophets ; 
 Gal. i. 8. f^i-ij the instructions that our Saviour brought down from 
 heaven, from the mouth of his heavenly Father, and 
 sealed with his precious blood. For these I am willing to 
 go to the flames ; but Augustine, Gregory, Ambrose, I 
 do not know." 
 
 Ronse, " But do you not believe that our blessed Saviour 
 remains in the holy sacrament:'" 
 Joos. " That I do not believe." 
 Ronse. "Where is He then?" 
 Mark xvi. j^^g u ^^ ^jjg Y\g\\i liand of his heavenly Father, and in 
 Matt. xxiv. tijg jj^gt (lay he will come in the glory of his Father, to judge 
 the quick and the dead. Tremble at that fearful judg- 
 Matt. iii. s. ment, and amend, and put on sackcloth. Repent, and 
 go to the people whom you allure to your false worship, 
 and warn them. You are the murderers of their souls, 
 for you say that, from the days of Peter, you have had 
 the keys of heaven, and that they have always remained 
 Matt xxiii ^^'i^^i yo"' Christ said truly, that you liave the keys, but 
 "■ will not enter in yourselves, and them that would enter 
 
 in you hinder." 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 39 
 
 Ronse. " Who baptized you ? Did Giles the Baptist "" 
 baptize you ?" 
 
 Joos. " You know how I am situated ; be content." 
 
 Polet. " It was Adam Pastor." " 
 
 Ronse. " Or David Joris." I was silent. 
 
 Ronse. " Tell me, Joos, who were your godfathers and 
 godmothers?" 
 
 " I know of none." 
 
 Ronse. " Your witnesses?" 
 
 Joos. " I have told you that it took place ; now be 
 satisfied ; for I trust in the Lord, that he will so keep the Psa. ciu. i. 
 door of my lips, that I shall not tell you, though you 
 were to tear me into pieces." They put many questions 
 to me. I said, " Leave me, for you are not of God." 47. 
 
 Ans. " We are." 
 
 Joos. " Away ! away from me ; leave me ; and come to 
 me no more." Much more passed, which it were too long 
 to write. At last they went away ; and I was led back 
 to my cell. 
 
 On Sunday I was fetched into the justices' room. The 
 magistrates were there assembled ; also Salome and Master 
 Cornelis, the dean of Kestenne, Ronse, and Polet. I 
 was seated in the midst of them, well secured and guarded 
 by two thief -takers. I said, " Gentlemen, what do you 
 desire?" 
 
 Ronse. " We will tell you." 
 
 My confession was then read, which had been taken 
 down in the prison. They inquired if 1 was still in the 
 same mind ? 
 
 " [See note, vol. i. p. 306.] pears to have adopted Arian senti- 
 
 n [Adam Pastor was a native of ments, and . was on this account 
 
 Westphalia, and a companion of excluded from the fellowship of the 
 
 Meuno Simons in the early years of Baptist churches. Ottius, Annah 
 
 his ministry. While a Lutheran Anab. p. 109. Krohn's Melchior 
 
 Pastor he bore the name of Rudolph Hoffman, p. 241. Trechsel, Anti- 
 
 Mai'tini. At a later period he ap- trin. i. 16.] 
 
40 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 I said, " Yes, and that for it I was ready to die in the 
 flames." 
 
 Ronse asked, " If I did not believe that Christ had 
 taken his flesh of Mary ?" , 
 
 I said, " No." 
 
 It seemed as if M. Cornelis would have fainted away. 
 He blessed and crossed himself very often. They Avere all 
 agitated, and spoke some time concerning it ; but they 
 infused their venom into the magistrates, and persuaded 
 them, saying, " True, it is thus written ; but he is without 
 understanding; and the scripture will support it;" and 
 they brought many far-fetched arguments in proof; and 
 bored the gentlemen's ears therewith, and asked me many 
 crafty questions. I said, " I have confessed my faith to 
 you, let that suffice. I entreat you, not as though I were 
 worthy of it, but by that crimson blood of our dear Lord, 
 to leave me in peace. You have my belief, and I am 
 in your hands ; be satisfied, do with me what you 
 please." 
 
 Ronse then asked me if I had not attended anywhere, 
 and conjured me three times, by my baptism, to say who 
 were present. 
 
 I told him that I would not tell him a word. 
 
 Ronse. " You have renounced your baptism. Menno 
 will not take it well of you to deny your baptism." 
 
 Joos. " I know my faith and baptism; but with your 
 adjuration I have nothing to do. For this I might take 
 you to be sorcerers." 
 
 Polet then said; " Men may swear." 
 Matt. V. 34. Jqqs^ « Look at Matt. v. and see if Christ has not for- 
 bidden it: — Swear not at all.''^ 
 
 They said, " No." 
 
 I said, " Yea." 
 
 Polet then looked into a large Bible, which they had 
 brought with them, and found it as I had said. 
 
 Jer. XX vi 
 14 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 41 
 
 M. Cornelius then said : " This Bible is false, in our 
 Latin Bible it stands otherwise." 
 
 Joos. "Bring your false book to me. Why do you say 
 that it is false ? It is published by privilege, and declared 
 authentic. You, too, have examined it." 
 
 Ans. " I have not examined it." 
 
 Joos. " One of the learned at Louvain has."° 
 
 Ronse then suggested to M. Cornells. 
 
 Ronse : " It is true, it was examined, and found cor- Mark jiow 
 
 ' ^ wilfully they 
 
 rect ; but the printer had a servant, who falsified it while ''®- 
 his master was gone into the city. " 
 
 Ronse asked me how it was that I so hastily believed 
 one whom I might never see again, and suffered myself 
 to- be baptized by him, while I would not believe them, 
 whom I saw daily; yea, them that were there present, 
 and who then, and before then (as they said), had in- 
 structed me ; and why would I not believe him, my ^53] 
 pastor, who daily preached the gospel ? " 
 
 I replied, " Because he was given to lying ; and because 
 I had heard him preach that it was no where found written 
 that Mary was a mother and a virgin. But (he said) what 
 their church taught respecting it must be believed : there- 
 fore (said I) I will not hear him. For I have read in 
 Isaiah, and in Matthew, and in other places, to the con- isa. vh. u. 
 trary. Having heard such falsehoods from your own lips, 
 I have since then heard neither you nor any other of 
 you ; neither shall I, I hope, by the grace of God." He 
 denied it ; but I affirmed it again, and offered my body 
 to be tortured on the rack against his. But to that he had 
 no inclination, and said, " Men should not be put to the 
 torture." 
 
 ° [This was probably the version edition of the Divines of Louvain 
 
 of James le Fiore. A complete edi- appeared in 1550. Home, Intro, 
 
 tion of the Bible was first printed vol. ii. part 2, p. 97.] 
 at Antwerp, in 1530. The revised 
 
42 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Ronse. " You say that our church is not a true church, 
 because we are not without fault. Are you faultless ? 
 There are amongst you murderers, because we would not 
 believe them, nor receive their doctrine." 
 
 Joos. " Have you seen such things in me, or anything 
 that is unbecoming ? I am here, in the hands of the 
 judges: let them punish me for it." 
 
 Ronse. " We know nothing against you." 
 
 Joos. " Do not tell me, then, what another does ; nor 
 
 Ga!. vi. 5. impute to me the evil that another commits. One is not 
 
 to bear another's burden; neither I yours, nor you mine ; 
 
 Ezek. xviii. f.j^^ ^Q^j fj^^f gijiy^^tji^ n gj^^ii ^^-g " They said much more, 
 
 which is not worth writing. They affirmed, further, that 
 Matt, xxiii. Christ had said, that the scribes and pharisees sat in Moses' 
 seat, and that he had bidden us do whatsoever they com- 
 manded, but not after their works : " therefore," said 
 they, " do what we counsel you, but not after our works ; 
 Christ teaches that." 
 
 Joos. " Who, did Christ say, sat in Moses" seat?" 
 
 Ans. " The pharisees." 
 
 Joos. " Does that scripture belong to you?" 
 
 Ans. " Yes." 
 
 Joos. " Then you confess that you are of that genera- 
 tion." 
 
 M. Cornelis, the parish priest, then asked me, " Why 
 I did not believe in a single article held by the Romish 
 church ? Did I not believe Christ to have been crucified, 
 as the church of Rome does? Was not that one article? 
 Why did I believe the Gospel according to Matthew to be 
 gospel, since it is no where so written ; and he wished to 
 prove to me that Paul had written before the evangelists." 
 
 I said, " Prove to me that Paul wrote before Matthew." 
 
 M. Cornelis. " What have you to do with that?" 
 
 Joos. " Have I nothing to do with it ? it concerns my 
 life and soul, according to you." 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHPIST. 43 
 
 M. Cornells. " He is conquered." 
 
 Joos. "Be silent; you are not worth talking to; and 
 take care not to say, after my departure, that you have Luke vii. 33 
 overcome me, or that I was possessed of a devil, or con- 
 demn me before ignorant people, to deceive them." 
 
 Then said Ronse, "You are damned, if you persevere in 
 this course." 
 
 Joos. " Why?" 
 
 Ronse. " Because you believe not." 
 
 Joos. " I do believe ; and am so firm in my faith that I 
 would rather go into the fire than trangress in a single 
 point." Much more took place, too long to write. I was 
 at last led back again to prison, and bound with two 
 fetters. I said, " I am ready not to be bound only, but Actsxxi.ia 
 to die the most shameful death for the name of the Lord." 
 Polet came on Monday with another, and asked me " how 
 I was going on." I said, " Never was it so well with 
 me, for v/hich I praised the Lord." They said, they 
 were very glad of it. 
 
 Polet then asked Joos, " Can your cause be a good 
 one, and you yourself be the church? The Germans have 
 a church, and the English have a church ; but where are 
 the members of your church ? You alone are no church. 
 Let us hear if you have a little flock, and who your 
 members are ?" 
 
 I then said, five or six times, " Get thee behind me. Matt. xvi. 
 
 23. 
 
 Satan, and depart from me;" and they both hastened 
 away. I added, " You speak now, but In the judgment Matt. 
 another will speak." And I saw them no more. I have ' 
 heard that I am to be severely tortured ; for they think 
 to learn from me all particulars ; but I trust in the Lord ^ ^^^^^ ^, 
 that He will keep the door of my lips. Pray for me, ^^• 
 that the Lord will stand by me. They thirst for blood ; jo,,n ^ix. 
 but they can do no more than the Lord permits them. I 
 commend myself into the Lord's hands. Whatever you 
 
 XXV. 
 
 1. 
 
44 A MARTYKOLOGY CF 
 
 hear beyond the contents of this letter, regard as not true. 
 In testimony of the truth, I hope to seal this letter with 
 my blood. To this end may God grant His grace, that 
 His name may thereby be magnified. 
 
 Another Letter or Confession of Joos Kind. 
 
 TO THE GLOET OF THE FATHEE. 
 
 Rer. i. 9. I, Joos Kind, a prisoner for the testimony of Jesus 
 
 Christ, by the grace of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 
 
 entreat and exhort all dear friends, and all dear brethren 
 
 and sisters in the Lord, that they will not only regard my 
 
 prayer or admonition, and live accordingly ; but that each 
 
 one (as I hope by the help of God) will set himself to 
 
 Matt. iii. 8. obscrve the admonition of the Lord ; and apply himself 
 
 to the amendment of his sinful life ; even as I doubt not 
 
 each one does, who, with his whole heart, fears the Lord. 
 
 [154] For the scripture says, " He that feareth the Lord will 
 
 ^ M us. XV. ^^ good ; " yea, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of 
 
 Eccius. i. wisdom. Seeing, then, that the fear of the Lord guides 
 
 us to virtue, let us fear the Lord ; for Christ Jesus 
 
 himself requires this of us, with his blessed mouth, where 
 
 Matt. X. 28. he saith : Fear not them ivhich kill the bodg, but are not able 
 
 to kill the soul ; but fear him who after he has killed, is able 
 
 to destroy both soid and body in hell. I exhort you, then, 
 
 with these words, and not with these words only, but 
 
 with the whole substance of the scripture, that each one 
 
 Luke xi. 28. should wilHugly strive to keep the same. For Christ 
 
 Matt. vii. saith, Therefore, whosoever henreth these sayings of mine, 
 
 and doeth them, I ivill likeii him unto a wise man, which built 
 
 his house upon a rock ; and the rain descended, and the 
 
 floods came, and the winds bleiv, and beat upon that house, 
 
 and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock. And every 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 45 
 
 one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, 
 shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house 
 upon the sand ; and the rain descended, and the floods came, 
 and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell ; 
 and great ivas the fall of it. 
 
 Let each one, therefore, take pains, and diligently give Eph v. le. 
 heed to redeem the perilous time ; for Paul says. Redeem 
 the time, because the days are evil. Observe, therefore, the 
 times, and exhort one another, for the distress demands it. 
 Let every one be armed, as Paul admonishes : For we Eph. vi. 12. 
 wrestle not alone against flesh and blood. Paul hath rightly 
 instructed us. The Lord be praised, who hath so faith- 
 fully according to his promise, stood by me with these 
 weapons ; as I have Indeed experienced, when brought 
 before the adversary. He hath opened ray mouth, (praise Luke xxi 
 be rendered to him !) so that, through the mercy of the 
 Lord, I have been able to defend myself with his word, 
 five times to withstand my enemies ; and not my enemies 
 only, but the enemies of the cross of Christ, as you shall Pbii. ii-. is. 
 presently hear. 
 
 Be it then known to you that on the day called St. 
 Thomas (by Babel) I was lying in the cell, in which I 
 always lay, when in the afternoon, I heard that certain 
 carnal and worldly men of Influence were come into the 
 prison, and with them the high bailiff. The officers then 
 came and said, " Joos, come out." I said In my heart, 
 Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy Psa 11. 15. 
 praise. Then I came before them : Ronse and Polet 
 raised their hoods, and said, " Joos, God be with you," and 
 bowed to me. I likewise raised my cap, saying, " God is 
 worthy of such salutation, yea, and of more ; I am ready 
 to lay down the members which he in his mercy has lent 
 to me, for his name and glory. The Lord Is worthy of 
 this from me, for we were so dear to him, that he under- Matt, xxvii. 
 went the bitter pains of death for us." 
 
Psa. xxxiv. 
 16. 
 
 46 A MARTY ROLOGY OF 
 
 The inquisitors then said, " Joos, have you not reflected 
 on the matter ? Will you not yet retract ?" 
 
 I said, " Yes, always, what is evil. Why did you not 
 ask me that, when I ran on in wickedness, and practised 
 all kinds of unrighteousness?" 
 
 They said, " You could have gone to the preaching." 
 They now inquired concerning my faith, which I freely 
 confessed to them. 
 
 They then said, " Speak to us, to say if you have not 
 reflected on the matter." 
 
 Joos. " To you I say nothing ; for you are not of God. 
 Rom. V. 6. How can I believe you ? Christ has died for me ; on 
 him I believe ; but you would not die for me, neither the 
 one dean, nor the other (there were two deans present, 
 Konse and the oil-maker) ; neither this parish priest nor 
 that would be willing to die for me. I am a prisoner, 
 for life or death ; die for me, and set me free." 
 
 A71S. "Who teaches that?" 
 John X. 11. Joos. "Christ; and he saith, the good Shepherd loves 
 his sheep, and lays doion his life for them. You say that 
 if I die in this persuasion, I must be damned." 
 
 Ronse. " Yes." 
 
 Joos. " It is a wonder then, that you should put me to 
 
 death, seeing that I have opinions for which I shall 
 
 certainly be condemned; let me go till I change my 
 
 views." 
 
 Matt.xxvii. " We will leave you." 
 2. -^ . , 
 
 Joos. " Yes, and give me up." 
 
 I Cor. V. Polet. " Paul gave some over into the hands of the 
 
 '"'■ devil." 
 
 Joos. " And you do so too ; you have condemned me ; 
 be satisfied with this, and deliver me into the hands of the 
 executioner. Paul did not do so ; nor did Christ so teach, 
 
 Matt, xxvii. gee Matt, xxviii. ; Mark xvi.; where He saith. Go, preach 
 the Gospel to every creature; Christ did not teach us to 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 47 
 
 shut up in cells, men who will not believe you, or to load 
 
 their Ieo;s with heavy fetters. Did all who heard Christ 
 
 ° *' 111 ^'"- *■^''• 
 
 preach, believe on Him ? Did they all believe that heard 
 
 the apostles preach ?" 
 
 A71S. "No." 
 
 Joos. " Were then all, who did not believe the apostles, 
 put to death?" 
 
 Ans. "No." 
 
 Joos. "How comes it to pass then, that since the apostles 
 did not do so, you, who say you are the successors of 
 the apostles, take upon you to put us to death, were we 
 even as wicked as you say ? but you have a better opinion 
 of us than you express." 
 
 Polet. " I will tell you. Have you not read, that l^^%_ 
 Elijah had Baal's priests put to death ? " 
 
 Joos. " Yes, I have ; and this is to be your lot ; for you 
 serve Baal, and tipple and o-ormandize with Jezebel, more i K'.ngs 
 
 ' I L r> ' xvui. 19l 
 
 than they ever did." 
 
 A71S. " What does that concern you ? you are always 
 looking at our works." 
 
 Joos. " Christ hath tauojht me to know the tree by its tj^'f 
 
 ° Matt. vli. 18. 
 
 fruits ; and saith, that a corrupt tree cannot bring forth 
 good fruit, nor a good tree evil fruit, &c. And I say, 
 since your works are not good, neither are you." 
 
 Qu. "Are you then good ?" 
 
 Joos. " That you have not heard me say ; none is good ^^"' '''*• 
 save God alone, and if we should say that we were good, 
 which we do not, you on the contrary would say that we 
 are corrupt, for when we were with you in the sheriff's hall, 
 you said that we put to death, by stabbing, the men that 
 will not believe us ; but no one will credit it." 
 
 Eonse. " That I say still." 
 
 Joos. " Where have you ever seen me do such things ? 
 Since I have taught the people, as you say, have I stabbed 
 or struck any one dead, or injured a hair, by my 
 teaching?" 
 
48 
 
 i SfARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 2 Sam. xii 
 5. 
 
 A71S. " We know nothing of the kind of you." 
 
 Joos. "I know such things o^ you; for you burn or 
 murder those who will not embrace your false religion. 
 You have truly condemned yourselves in this matter." 
 
 Alls. "We make no progress in this way ; let us dis- 
 pute concerning the faith." 
 
 Joos. " I will not dispute here alone." 
 
 They then said, " Do you acknowledge yourself then, 
 to be conquered?" intending to give me over to the 
 judges if 1 had said " Yes." But I said " No, I do not ; 
 wherein have you prevailed over me? I have said, not 
 once, but fifty times, — show me, from the Gospel, a better 
 faith, and I will recant." 
 
 Ans. "Let us then beGfin." 
 
 Joos. " Very well ; before the justice-hall, and in pre- 
 sence of a great fire, into which he that is conquered 
 shall be thrown." 
 
 Ans. " That will not do." 
 
 The under-sheriiF said, " You wish to raise an uproar." 
 
 Joos. " That you have done already, in aj^prehending 
 me. Had you suffered me to labour at Kortrijk, it would 
 not have been as it is, nor yet in seven years." 
 
 Polet. " We will not take you there, lest you spread 
 your poison." 
 
 Joos. " You ought to come before the justice-hall ; the 
 more spectators the better. If I hold a fi^lse doctrine, 
 and you the truth, are you ashamed to maintain it before 
 the people ? Take me there, and show me that I am in 
 the wrong, you will then stop the people's mouths, and 
 may say, when you have overcome me, * This man taught 
 contrary to the Christian faith ; we have now proved by 
 the Scripture that he is in the wrong,' and then throw 
 me into the fire ; and the people will be edified. If you 
 will not do this, then are you unwilling that the people 
 should know the truth." 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 49 
 
 Ronse. "You will not be brought there to speak; when 
 you are brought there, you will be prevented from 
 speaking." 
 
 Joos. " Why ? The people have five senses ; and they 
 who have five senses will easily understand whether I 
 speak that which is true or false." 
 
 Ronse. " Care will be taken that you do not speak 
 there." 
 
 Joos. " Then put me at once into a sack, and drown me 
 by night, that none see it; yet He will see it who search- isam.>vi. 
 eth the heart and the reins ; there will be people enough 
 to see it one day ; and He will see and avenge it ; with 
 him I leave it. I am ready to lay down this body, 
 whether in the fire, or in the water, whether before the 
 Town Hall, or here in this fire (the fire on the hearth) ; 
 if it be not large enough, make it larger." 
 
 Again they desired to discuss the matter, and said that 
 they were sent by God as his deputies. I said, " Not so; 
 for you have purchased your benefices, or they have been 
 given to you, or you have gained them by service ; but 
 they whom God sends have, from the beginning of the 
 world, been sent in another way." They said that they 
 would show, from the Scripture, that they were sent. 
 I replied, " Prove it." 
 
 Ans. " Here it is. The keys were given to Peter, and 
 he was pope. They were given to him and his suc- 
 cessors." 
 
 Joos. " Show me that there are successors." 
 
 Ans. " That can easily be done." 
 
 Joos. " Proceed then." 
 
 Konse then read in a Testament, Matthew xvi., where 
 Christ asked. Whom do men say that I the Son of man am ? 
 to the place where Christ saith, / give unto thee the keijs ; 
 but there was not a word about successors. He then 
 said, " But, of course, you have heard it, have you not, 
 
 E 
 
50 A MAUTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Joos? it is very long, or I would read it out ; it would be 
 tedious." 
 
 Joos. " I wish you to read on." 
 
 Ronse. " How far?" 
 
 Joos. " Till you come to the place where he speaks of 
 successors." 
 Matt. xvi. Ronse. " You heard that he saith. Upon this rock I will 
 
 18. _ _ ^ ' 
 
 build my church. She is thus built on St. Peter, and he 
 was pope." 
 
 Joos. " Christ is the foundation, as Paul speaks, 1 Cor. 
 i ii.ll, saying, Otheir foundation can no man lay than that 
 is laid, which is Christ Jesus. Peter is not the foundation, 
 neither was the church founded on Peter; but on the 
 Matt xvi. confession of faith which Peter made. Thou art the Christ, 
 the Son of the living God; therefore Christ is the founda- 
 tion. But," said I, " let us speak of the keys. You 
 go from the keys to the church, and yet say that I run 
 from one thing to another; keep you to one, and show 
 me, as you have asserted, that Christ saith, ' I give the 
 keys to thee and to thy successors.' " They said, " That 
 we will soon show you." " But hear," said Polet ; and 
 he brought forwai'd some artful argument. I said, " I am 
 not to be put off with arguments ; show it me from the 
 book." 
 
 Ronse replied, " We know it by heart, so do you ; hear 
 us repeat it from memory." I said, " Read it." They 
 said, " Is it not the same whether we read or repeat it?" 
 [156] Joos. " Listen to me. I tell you I am not satisfied with 
 bare assertions." As they would not read it, I spoke to 
 the high bailiff and another, and said, " Gentlemen, I re- 
 quest that you will support me in this matter, and make 
 them read it; or I say that you are oppressors and not 
 judges." They then said, " Read it for him." Matt. xvi. 
 was then read. Ronse read it. When he found it not, he 
 turned as white as snow. He then said, " It is not here." 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. ol 
 
 Polet. " Those precise words do not stand there, but the 
 sense is given in Matt, xxviii.," and he read, lam icithyoii 
 to the end of the ivorld. 
 
 Joos. " That is not saying, ' I give to thee the keys, 
 and to thy successors.' " 
 
 Pokt. " If you will have those precise words, actually, 
 they are not there; but why make so much ado about it?" 
 
 Joos. " Only because you said that you would prove it 
 to me." 
 
 Ronse. " Be silent; you are not worth speaking with." 
 
 Joos. " Why should I be silent, since you have ob- 
 tained, by your false mandates, that neither procureur 
 nor advocate is allowed to speak for us, not even a friend. 
 If you do not wish me to speak, you should have left me 
 in my cell ; but I will not be silent, neither for your 
 sakes nor for any other man's. I am neither a thief, nor a 
 murderer, nor a violator of women; why should I forbear 
 to speak ? I will defend myself, for my life is at stake, 
 and will not be silent while I can move my tongue; but Jobxxvii.s. 
 be you silent; you are not worthy to speak, for you are 
 murderers of souls, and enemies of the cross of Christ." 
 
 Again they proposed to go on with the discussion. I phu. iu. is. 
 said, "Before the Town Hall, but not here." 
 
 Ans. " You will not be brought there." " Well, Jer. xxvi. 
 
 .14. 
 
 do then what you please. I confessed to you my faith 
 when I first came here, and I have said before, more than 
 fifty times, and tell you again, that I do not like your 
 wares, nor approve of any article the church of Rome 
 maintains." 
 
 Ronse. " Do you not approve of the sacrament ? Let 
 us hear what you think of it." 
 
 Joos. " An idol ; a morsel of flour of meal ; and if 
 I had your oil, I would smear my shoes with it." 
 
 Ronse. " We hear that you are audacious enough for it." 
 Then a contention began. Tliey thought to overwhelm 
 
 E 2 
 
52 A MARTYllOLOGY OF 
 
 me ; but 1 boldly defended myself with the word of the 
 Lord, as becomes a servant who loves his master. And 
 Luke y.xi. ^\jq Lord enabled me so to speak, that during three hours 
 I spoke not one sentence which they were able to meet. 
 They then referred to the incarnation, which they wished 
 Matt. i. 1. to bring out of the mute letter. Matt. i. This is the hook of 
 the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David. To which 
 I replied, " It is written, Matt. xxii. 42, when Christ 
 asked the Pharisees, What think ye of Christ ? whose son 
 Psa. ex. ]. is lie? They said David's. He said to them, Hoiv, the?i, 
 doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said 
 vnto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand till L make thine 
 enemies thy footstool ? Lf David then call him Lord, how 
 is he his son, and no man ivas able to answer him a word." I 
 Heb. vii. 1. further brought forward to them the type of Melchisedec, 
 Kev. xxii. and the last chapter of the Apocalypse, that He is the root 
 of David ; which they would not hear, but kept to their 
 dumb text. When I saw that they would not acknow- 
 ledge their error, I said, " If you wisli to speak of the 
 incarnation, or any other matters of faith, come before 
 the Townhall." Then said Polet, " Who is to judge which 
 is right or Avrong ?" 
 
 Joos. " These good gentlemen." 
 Polet. " They do not understand the Scriptures." 
 Joos. " They understand them well enough for you to 
 dispute here, or in the Council Chamber ; they ought to 
 understand them well enough to dispute before the Town- 
 hall. And if they do not understand the Scripture, they 
 ought to be ashamed that they are judges in this matter." 
 There was so much said, that a handful of papers would 
 not contain their craftiness. 
 
 I conmiend you all, dear friends, dear brethren and 
 
 Eph. vi. 11. sisters in the Lord, to his hands. I beseech them all 
 
 valiantly to arm themselves, for it is needful ; and if they 
 
 come where I am, that they do not enter into disputation ; 
 
THE CllUllCHES OF CHIIIST. 53 
 
 for, if it were possible, they would draw us away from Matt. xxiv. 
 
 the truth. I am so happy, that I feel unable to express 
 
 the gladness or rejoicing I experience; and 1 hope that Matt. v. 12. 
 
 the seal of this letter will be the laying down of ray body. 
 
 To this end may the Lord afford me his grace, that his 
 
 name may be praised ; for I seek nought but the Lord's 
 
 glory. No more : remain commended to the Lord, and to Acts xx. 30. 
 
 the word of his grace. 
 
 Pray to the Lord for me. I will heartily pray the 
 Lord for you. 
 
 A PIOUS BEOTHEE PUT TO DEATH FOE THE [^s^j 
 WOED OP GOD, IN THE CITY OF VUEEN, IN 
 FLANDEES.— A.D. 1553. 
 
 About the year 1553, a godly pious brother was put to 
 death by the sword in the city of Vuren,'' in Flanders, for 
 the testimony of Jesus. He had to endure many severe Rev. u. 13. 
 conflicts with the papists, the opponents of the truth. 
 But as a valiant hero of Christ, he feared not those who Matt. x. 2s. 
 kill the body, but sought rather to please Him who, after Lukexii. 4. 
 this temporal death, is able to cast both body and soul into isa.ii.7,12. 
 hell — into everlasting fire, where the worm dieth not, Mark ix.43. 
 neither is the fire quenched. 
 
 By these considerations from God's word, he comforted 
 his sorrowful wife (being pregnant), and whom he greatly 
 loved ; for he was very anxious, on account of her situa- 
 tion, that she might not think much of the tortures that 
 men inflicted on him for the word of God. They con- 
 demned, him to be executed by the sword, and he there- 
 fore took an affectionate leave of all his brethren; and, 
 following the footsteps of his forerunner, Jesus, like a isa. liii.io. 
 
 P [Funics, about twelve miles fi'om Dunkirk.] 
 
54 A MAKTYllOLOGY OF 
 
 Acts xxviii. lamb, ascended the scaffold ; but those evening wolves, 
 wisd. iii. 3.that leave nothing till the morrow, and known bj their 
 
 Matt.vii.15. r- i n i • • i • i • i 
 
 treatment oi these ana others, retainmg their wolvish 
 nature, inflicted on him seven mortal blows, and, lastly, 
 sawed off his head. The spectators, who beheld this 
 - martyr, many from distress, were bathed in tears. His 
 poor pregnant wife lamented him greatly, and through 
 sorrow died with her infant. 
 
 This excessively cruel and blood-thirsty murder many 
 
 witnessed; but the great and faithful God, who regards 
 
 as towards himself the sufferings of his own people, even 
 
 zech. ii. 8. as if the ajiple of his eye were touched, will, in his 
 
 ,„, , own time, be avenged of such. Oh! how will these 
 
 1 Pet. V. 4. ' o 
 
 Heb. xiii. bloody men excuse themselves, when the great Shepherd 
 shall appear in the clouds, and require an account of this 
 matter of their hands. But all the faithful, who lay down 
 their lives for God, and have not dared to withhold from 
 their Maker his divine honour, but have truly served 
 him according to his word, these have the promise, from 
 Matt. X. 32. the lips of Jesus, that he will in return confess them 
 Luke xii. 8, before his Father in heaven ; that it is the Father's good 
 pleasure to give to this little company his glorious king- 
 Matt. V. 10. (3om ; and that all who suffer here with Christ for righte- 
 
 2 Cor. iv. 15. ousness' sake, shall rejoice with God throughout eternity. 
 
 [1501 PETEE WITSES, MASON, STEANGLED AT THE 
 STAKE, AT LEEUWAAEDEN. 
 
 Tlie confession of Peter Witses, mason, -prisoner at Leeuicaer- 
 den,'^ where, for the testimony/ of Jesus, he laid down his life 
 in the year 1553. 
 Qu. " What is your name?" 
 Ans.' 'Peter Witses." 
 Qa. " How old are you?" 
 
 1 [Chief town of Friesknd.J 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 55 ' 
 
 y^7is. " Twenty-seven years." 
 
 Qu. " When were you last at confession?" 
 
 A71S. " I confess every day, and acknowledge myself to 
 be a sinner." Psa. ii.3. 
 
 Qu. " What is your opinion of the sacrament ? " 
 
 Ans. " I consider it of great value." 
 
 Qu. " What do you think of the sacrament which the 
 priest observes at Easter ? 
 
 Ans. " Of that I think nothing." 
 
 Qu. " Christ said. Take, eat ; this is my hody.^^ 
 
 Ans. " It is true ; but He spoke to those who were Matt. xxvi. 
 obedient to Him." ^^• 
 
 Qu. " Have you been re-baptized?" 
 
 Ans. " I know nothing of re-baptism. I was once bap- 
 tized, and that according to God's command." 
 
 Qu. " Plow lono; ao-o is it?" ., , 
 
 Ans. " About a year and a half." ^^• 
 
 Peter was then taken into a cellar. After sittino- there 
 about an hour, he was brought up before the gentlemen, 
 and again questioned. 
 
 " Peter, you are misled, will you not permit yourself to 
 be instructed?" 
 
 Ans. " Yes, willingly; he that refuseth correction and 
 instruction will be miserable : take a Testament and prov. x. J7. 
 instruct me." 
 
 Qu. " We are not teachers. Will you not be instructed 
 by the priests?" 
 
 Ans. " God is the best priest ; he will instruct me ; isa. iiv. is. 
 and by God's grace I will continue faithful." 
 
 Qu. " Some vagrant has been preaching to you." They 
 said further, that they had read in the Old Testament, 
 that there were many children baptized. 
 
 Peter answered, " I have read nothing of it. I have, 
 indeed, read that Christ commanded believers to be bap- 
 tized. Matt, xxviii. 19, Mark xvi. 16, which was likewise 
 
' 56 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 practised by the apostles. Acts ii. 38 ; and that Peter 
 taught, Repent, and he baptized every one of you in the name 
 of Jesus, and ye shall receive the gifts of the Holy Ghost, 
 promised to you and your children, &c." He likewise quoted 
 John iii. They then said, " Peter, you are deceived ; 
 are your brethren of the same mind?" He answered, 
 "What do I know of my brethren? I can only speak 
 of what God has given me ; that I know." He further 
 recited what Christ saith, Go ye into all the xvorld, and 
 
 Mark xvi. preach the gospel to every creature ; he that believeth and is 
 baptized shall he saved. Also, how that Christ came to 
 
 Matt. iii. 13. John, at Jordan, to be baptized of him, that He might 
 first fulfil all righteousness for us, and be an example 
 
 1 Pet. ii. 22. to US, that wc might follow his footsteps. And after 
 Christ's suiferings, the apostles practised it with them that 
 were his body, the church. 
 
 Respecting their supper, he confessed that he by no 
 means concurred in it. They admonished him by the gospel. 
 He viewed every thing correctly ; but replied that it was 
 not said to their church. " Christ spoke," said he, " to his 
 apostles, Take, eat ; this is my body, that shall be broken 
 
 Matt. xvi. fo^' I/oii- Likewise of the cup he said. Drink ye all of it ; 
 
 25. 
 
 it is the cup of the new testament in my blood, that is sited 
 for many for the remission of sins. Christians must ob- 
 serve it as Paul teaches the Corinthians ; there we have it 
 Cor. X. 16. clearly given." They asserted the supper of which they 
 ate and drank to be real flesh and blood, asking, if we 
 likewise did not so eat and drink it ? 
 
 Ans. " Christ said. The flesh, pi-qfiteth nothing to eat, 
 joiin vi. C3. tlie woj'ds that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are 
 life. Our church is not separate from Christ's body." 
 
 [Previous to his death, Witses addressed a brief ex- 
 hortation to his brethren, and also a short epistle of comfort 
 and encouragement to his wife.] 
 
THE CHUECHES OF CHllIST. 57 
 
 WILLIAM OF LOUVAIN".— A.D. 1554. 
 
 In the year 1554, was put to death, at Ghent in Flan- [leo] 
 ders, for his testimony to the truth, a pious witness for Rev. i. 2. 
 God, named William of Louvain, the grandfather of Jan 
 Doom. He did not suffer for any wicked deed or heresy, 
 but for his testimony to the truth, and with a good con- ^ ^®' '^- ^^• 
 science. For he had renounced the whore of Babylon, Rev. xvm. 
 with her followers and false worship, and had united 2 cor. vi. 
 
 17 18 
 
 himself with Christ ; following him in the regeneration 
 with a purified heart. He overcame the world, and all 23?" ^^^' 
 that is therein, by faith ; and finally obtained the end of 1 John v. 4. 
 his faith — the salvation of his soul, by grace through Christ 1 ret. i. 0. 
 Jesus. 
 
 DAVID AND LEVINA.— A.D. 1554. 
 
 At Ghent, in Flanders, in the year 1554, was appre- 
 hended because he followed Christ and kept the command- 
 ments of God, a young brother named David. Being Matt. x. ss. 
 examined, he boldly confessed his faith. When asked 
 what he held concerning the sacrament, he said that he 
 esteemed it to be nothing but idolatry. A priest then 
 spoke to him and said, " My friend, you have greatly 
 erred, in having so readily confessed your faith ; for it will 
 cost you your life, unless you consider in time." David 
 mildly answered, " I am ready for the name of Christ to Acts xxi. 
 shed my blood, were it even here in this place ; God is my Psa. xxvu. 
 salvation; he will keep and preserve me from all evil." 
 The priest said, " It Avill not fare so easily with you as 
 to be put to death privately here ; but we will burn you 
 publicly at a stake in the market-place, for an everlasting 
 shame." They afterwards led him to the tribunal, where 
 he was condemned to death, and his sentence read ; that 
 
58 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 he had fallen from the true faith into heresy, and there- 
 fore, agreeably to the emperor's proclamation, was sen- 
 tenced to be strangled and burnt. David said, " Never 
 will any one be able to show, by scripture, that the faith 
 for which I must now die is heresy." 
 
 There was likewise sentenced to death a female named 
 Levina, who preferred giving up not only her six dear 
 children, but also life itself, rather than her dear Lord and 
 bridegroom, Jesus Christ. AVhen they came to the scaf- 
 fold, David was about to kneel down to make his prayer 
 to God, but he was prevented ; and they were driven to 
 1161] the stakes. While standing there, David said to Levina, 
 Rom. viii. " Reioicc, dear sister, for what we here suffer is not to be 
 
 18- J ' . . , 
 
 compared with that eternal joy which we anticipate. ' 
 When they were about to be offered up they both ex- 
 Luke xxiii. claimed, " Father, into thy hands we commend our spirit." 
 A bag of gunpowder was then attached to each of them, 
 and immediately they were strangled and burnt. But a 
 wonderful work of God appeared, for when they were 
 burnt, and the fire nearly extinguished, David was seen 
 to move his head, so that the spectators exclaimed, " He 
 is still alive ! " The executioner taking a fork in his hand, 
 pierced him three times in the bowels, so that the blood 
 ran down ; still he was seen to move. The executioner 
 then fixing a chain round his neck, bound him to the stake, 
 and so dislocated his neck. 
 
 Thus did these two godly persons persevere to the end 
 
 Psa. XXV. 2. with firm hope in God, who suffered them not to be 
 
 ashamed ; for they had built on the only foundation, there- 
 
 icor.iii.ii. fore they shall never perish, but live through the ages of 
 
 eternity. 
 
 [In the year 1555 six men were put to death in the 
 market-place of Antwerp, for their testimony to the 
 truth, after many unavailing attempts to turn them aside. 
 One female was also arrested. Her love to Christ was 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 59 
 
 stronger than her love of life. Remaining steadfast she 
 was drowned in the Scheldt.] ^ 
 
 HANS PICHNEE.— 1555. 
 
 In the year 1555, Hans Pichner, of Salo, was arrested 
 at Vorst, in Etschland' or Vintschgau. He was taken by 
 the sergeants to Schlanders * before the justice, a cruel Acts xii. 3. 
 and vindictive tyrant. Hans was immediately cited before 
 him, and by severe questions urged to betray those that 
 had given him shelter ; but as he would not do this, he was 
 at once, on the same day, put to the rack, but all their 
 tortures were unavailing. Very vexatious it was to them Heb. xi. 35. 
 that they could extort nothing from him. Several times 
 they stripped him, and let him hang in torture for hours 
 on the ropes. So strained did he become, that he could 
 not set a step, nor stand upon his feet, nor bring his hand 
 to his mouth to eat. Nevertheless he could not be turned 
 aside, but remained steadfast in the Lord. Afterwards, 
 they bound him hand and foot, and kept him confined in 
 a dark prison or dungeon more than half a year. Many 
 learned men came to see if they could draw him aside, 
 such as priests and monks, also some noblemen, who as- 
 sailed him violently for two days and one entire night ; 
 but they were brought to shame, for he confounded them rsa. >i. 14. 
 by the truth, and suffered not himself to be terrified. 
 
 After this they condemned him to death, and led him 
 out to the place of execution, where he exhorted the people. 
 
 r [The names of these martyrs ^ [The vale of the Adige.] 
 were Peter the cripple, Jau Doogs- 
 
 cherder, Hans Borduerwerker, ' [Thejustice court at Schlanders 
 
 Franz Schwerdtfeger, Bartholomew, ^^'^^. ''^'S^^^^y ^ convent of the Teu- 
 
 Rommekeu, and Tauneken. The tome knights.] 
 last was a native of Leyden.] 
 
60 A MAIITYROLOCIY OF 
 
 Mark i. 15, ^vho were numerously collected together, to repentance. 
 He was then i)laced with his back against a stake, and so 
 beheaded ; for they had so dreadfully tortured and 
 stretched him that he was unable to kneel. He neverthe- 
 less remained firm, cleaving to the Lord and his truth ; and 
 Rev. iii. 10. God prcscrvcd him in the hour of temptation. Now, the 
 Rev. ii. 11. second death shall have no power over him ; the fire 
 everlasting he shall not behold. Attended by thousands 
 Heb.xii. 22 and tcns of thousands of ano;els he shall so to the marriage 
 Rev. iii. 20. supper of the Lamb, clothed in white, with boundless joy 
 for ever and for e\ er." 
 
 CHRISTIAN.— 1555. 
 
 In this year 1555, a brother named Christian, was 
 apprehended, in Bavaria, and brought to 'Worms ; and 
 although he had not been long a member of the church, yet 
 Matt, xxvii. he Steadfastly adhered to the truth which he had received 
 Rev. ii. 10. and confcsscd. He held fast even unto death that which 
 he had promised before God, in the covenant of Christian 
 baptism, and through the divine powder and strength at- 
 tested his faith with his blood. He was executed by the 
 Heb. xi. 37. sword at Worms ; he fought a good fight ; he contended 
 Tim iv. 7. for the truth, and finished his course with joy ; he yielded 
 
 " [This martyrdom is found re- ticulars of tlie settlement and choice 
 
 corded in the MS. " Chronickel oder of ministers, the erection of houses 
 
 Denkblichlein/' now existing in the for worship, and events adverse or 
 
 Hamburg City Libraiy, and a copy otherwise to the welfare of the 
 
 of which I have been permitted to churches in Moravia and some parts 
 
 take. It is a manuscript of 216 of Germany. I am indebted for 
 
 pages, besides a brief introduction this very imique volume to the 
 
 and index. It not only contains the kind labours of the Rev. Theophile 
 
 names of martyrs recorded by Van Schlatter, now of Philadelphia, 
 
 Braght, with others that he has not U. S.] 
 mentioned, but mauy curious par- 
 
TUE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 61 
 
 to no temptation, but would rather die courageously, than 
 live disgracefully. Therefore is the crown of righteous- 25^"''' "^' 
 ness promised him, which the Lord shall give him at the ^ Tim- iv. 8. 
 last day, with all those that love his appearing.'^ 
 
 DIGNA PETEES, 
 
 AETEE MANY TBOUBLES, PUT INTO A SACK AT DORDRECHT IN 
 PUTTOX TOWER, AND DROWNED FOR THE TESTIMONY OF 
 JESUS CHRIST, ON THE 23rD OF NOVEMBER, 1555. 
 
 As it is commonly written, in tlie fifteen hundred and concerning 
 fifty -fifth year after the birth of our Lord, some of thcciomof 
 
 *^ _ Digna 
 
 saints of God were ill-treated at Dordrecht in Holland : Pieters^ who 
 
 resigned her 
 
 among others one is expressly mentioned, named Digna ''^® *' °"'"'- 
 Peters, a godly woman, who, being a citizen of the place, 
 had likewise a citizenship in the spiritual city of God, the 
 chui'ch of Christ on earth. On account of her upright- 
 ness, she had also the riglit of citizenship in the new and 
 heavenly Jerusalem, wherein, and of which, by the word 
 of truth, she was born again. 
 
 This woman, on account of the faith which she had in she wa?, on 
 common with other dear friends and children of God, was iier laith, 
 
 committed ' 
 
 thrown into prison, and hardly treated in various ways, in '" P"son. 
 order that she might be induced to renounce the faith. 
 
 But, as they could proceed no further with her, foras- ^hen they 
 much as she was built upon the immoveable corner-stone, ceed'no mr- 
 
 /-^ 11 • 1 1 I • • ther, tliey 
 
 Jesus Christ, they determmed to put an end to her citizen- fought to 
 
 •' _ put an end 
 
 ship, and, at the same time, to her life. toheriife. 
 
 The Chamber of Justice, assisted by the alderman what the 
 
 and council of the said city, and by sound of bell. Justice, in 
 
 "^ •' the first 
 
 place, did 
 thereto. 
 
 ' [This martyr is also named in church in Moravia. He was pro- 
 
 the MS. " Chronickel." He is there bably arrested on his way thither 
 
 said never to have been with the through Bavaria.] 
 
62 A MAUTYROLOGY OF 
 
 therefore, disfranchised her at the entrance of the town 
 hall, on the 17th of November of the said year, in order 
 further to deal with her, as the justices of the said cham- 
 ber should judge to be proper. 
 [1631 Qf ^i^cge transactions, the following act in the book of 
 Klockeslag, deposited with the secretary, remains, although 
 nearly obliterated by length of time : — 
 
 Actum per 
 
 ufafrdon " Actum per Campanam, the 17 th* November ^ 1555. 
 
 by the bell, 
 
 Lnhe beiif " Whereas Digna Peters, burgess of this city, now a 
 prisoner, has, before the justices and council of this city 
 NoTCmber'' ^^^tl frcc from fetters, openly confessed and acknowledged 
 BtwiTin the herself to have been re-baptized, &c. (a) and likewise to 
 muat'bethe havc attended (5) assemblies, contrary to the faith, the holy 
 the'foHo'w sacraments, and other services and ceremonies of the holy 
 tkfn!''^''" church ; therefore the chamber of the aforesaid city has 
 unsound °^ disfranchised, and hereby disfranchise, the said Digna 
 concerning Pctcrs, in ordcr that she may be further proceeded 
 &c., appears agaiust, as the aforesaid chamber, according^ to the exigence 
 
 to have been i n o 
 
 read. and naturc of the matter, shall find proper." 
 
 tides, &C. Here follows, in the same book, what the Chamber of 
 
 Justice six days afterwards did against her, whereof the 
 
 following words are found : — 
 
 tYe'ci'ty^at " Digna Peters drowjied. 
 
 that time 
 
 to^inonead- " Ou this day, the 23rd November, anno 1555, Digna 
 
 the sentence Pctcrs, by virtuc of a certain sentence, passed and pro- 
 of death in "^ , . ^ ^ '■ 
 
 "aith'^b f"^ "ounced by the justices and council of this city (by the 
 bTnirwe mouth of Wouter Barthouts, judge in law), was put into 
 bolnabieto » sack at Puttox tower and drowned in the water." 
 
 ascertain. 
 
 Extracted from the booh of Klockeslag, of the city of 
 Dordrecht, commencivg 1554 the last of October, and 
 ending the 16^/i June, 1573. 
 
 This was the end of this valiant heroine of Jesus, who. 
 
THE CHURCHIiS OF CHRIST. G3 
 
 although privately murdered in a tower (like Joris Wippe 
 and others), will hereafter in the great day of the Lord be 
 brought forth ; then will be seen the difference between 
 those that did this and her who suffered it ; for every one 2 cor. v. 10. 
 shall receive the things done in his body, ivhether they be 
 good or bad. 
 
 The Puttox tower, where this martyrdom took place, wuh rofer- 
 stood close to the gate of Groothooft in the city of Dor- p'^^^^ where 
 
 '-' •' the aforesaid 
 
 dretht, but afterwards, through length of time (or as a ^^as'^pej.?" 
 remarkable warning of God on account of this murder), ^"""*'^- 
 fell down: in place of which a house at present exists, in a 
 hard stone of the front of which house the following 
 words are cut: — 
 
 " Through the falling of the Puttox tower was I built." 
 Concernino; the persons who, in the same year, served in Together 
 the trial of prisoners ordered for criminal execution, or "/"""^^ of 
 
 ■•- ' the persons 
 
 punishment of death, and who therefore performed this uVas""* 
 work, they were the following, according to the account of *''**" ^ • 
 Johan van Beverwyk, on the government of the city of 
 Dordrecht: — 
 
 Adriaen van Blyenberg Adrlaenz, being then sheriff, 
 together with these nine alderman, — 
 
 Jacob Adriaensz. 
 
 Philips van Beverwyk Ogiersz. 
 
 Maerten Schrevel Dirksz. 
 
 Jacob Oem Heeren Jacobsz. 
 
 Pieter Muys Jacobsz. 
 
 Schrevel Heeren Ockersz. 
 
 Wouter Barthoutsz. 
 
 Cornelis van Beveren Heeren Claesz. 
 
 Wouter van Drenkwaert Heeren Wilmsz. 
 
 But whether all these aldermen, with the sheriff, agreed Doubting 
 
 in the above sentence, or that Wouter Barthouts, who was the alder- 
 men to- 
 present at her death, was the principal abettor in this ^g|^te^ "J'^"' 
 work, is not expressed ; however, it appears probable, that lenceTor 
 
64 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 principally the greater number could not have felt much satisfaction 
 
 Wouter 
 
 Barthouts, therein, since Wouter Barthouts alone, it seems, with the 
 
 die. ' ' 
 
 executioner and the officers of justice, was present at her 
 death. 
 
 EENEWAL OF THE SANOUINAEY PEOCLAMA- 
 TIONS OE THE EMPEEOE CHAELES V, BY 
 PHILIP IT., KING OE SPAIN. 
 
 AGAIIfST THE BAPTISTS, OE (sO-CALLEd) ANABAPTISTS. 
 ANNO 1556. 
 
 The em- Hithcrto the emperor, Charles V., had alone on his own 
 
 peror 
 
 Charles V. accouut shcd the blood of the saints in the Netherlands, 
 
 hitherto on ' 
 
 countlhad ^^^ revivcd the abominable tyranny of the inquisition, 
 blood-shed- which was permitted to employ fire, water, and sword in 
 
 ding of the . ^. . . , , t-» • i • ^ • 
 
 saints in the mnictmg punishmcnt upon them. ±5ut m this year, his 
 lands; but gon Philip II., king of Spain, followino- in his father's foot- 
 
 at this time 1 ' & i ' o 
 
 Phiup"ii. steps, instead of diminishing the restraints upon con- 
 h'im°byie- scIcncc, rcnewcd and confirmed all the preceding old, 
 old procia- cruel, and sanguinary proclamations which his father had 
 
 mations. ^ ^o ./ a 
 
 published against the so-called heretics : and in particular 
 the cruol proclamation which was issued on the 25tli of 
 September of the year 1550;''' the contents of which we 
 have hitherto withheld, but v;hlch, as renewed anno 1556, 
 we shall now give, not however in every particular, but 
 only so far as it is especially directed against the baptists 
 and their doctrine. 
 In which 111 tlic tract, in which the Prince of Orano;e, William I., 
 
 Prince Wil- . . , .111. 
 
 liam I. de- vindicates himself against the falsehoods uniustly put 
 
 fended him- ° d J L 
 
 *®'^- forth by his enemies, printed 1569, mention is thus made 
 
 of this matter : — 
 
 [Seo vol. 1, p. 504.] " P. 1G5, Letter L. vj. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 65 
 
 " Of the ordinances and proclamations, made -perpetual and rici] 
 general, and everywhere published, of the date of the 25th 
 of September, 1550, reneioed and confirmed by his 
 majesty the king, in the year 1556, ^c." 
 
 " In like manner, we forbid all lay persons, and others, ah lay per- 
 
 •' •■ sons are lor- 
 
 to communicate and dispute concerning the holy scripture, J?^f,f,'",,'" 
 whether in public or private, especially in doubtful and dispute con- 
 difficult points, or to teach, expound, or interpret the holy hoiy sciip- 
 
 ture. 
 
 scripture, except they be learned in theology, and have 
 taken their degrees in divinity and canon law at some 
 renowned university, or have otherwise been admitted 
 thereto by the ordinaries. It being however understood, 
 that this shall not apply to those who Avith simplicity 
 fully communicate the said holy scripture, quoting the 
 exposition of holy and approved doctors ; but to those 
 who, to mislead others, or to teach and instruct them in 
 what is forbidden, maintain and teach contrary to the 
 ordinances of our mother (the holy church) wicked and 
 false propositions and doctrines, who are notoriously re- 
 garded as heretics, who neither preach, defend, assert, nor 
 maintain, publicly or in secret, any doctrines of the afore- 
 said authors, 
 
 " On penalty, if any one soever be found to have trans- P" p'^'" "f 
 
 J J ^ J being exe- 
 
 gressed, or to have done anything contrary to the par- gedit'io''us 
 ticulars above stated, of being punished as seditious rBy'tiie 
 persons, and distui'bers of our state, and of the general 2 b.v the 
 tranquillity, and as such, executed,— 3. By fire. 
 
 " To wit, the men with the sword ; and the women by 
 being buried alive, if they do not maintain or defend their 
 errors.* But, in case they persist in their errors, opinions, * An &c 
 
 "^ _ stands in the 
 
 or heresies, they shall be executed by fire ; and in every pvociama- 
 case all their effects are declared to be confiscated and 
 forfeited to our use. 
 
 VOL. II. F 
 
66 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 All aiieiia- " AiiJ toucluno; the matters ordained in our previous pro- 
 
 tions, gifts. ^ ° ^ -^ '■ 
 
 seizures, clamatious, and our late ordinances, that, from the day on 
 
 sale?, &c. of ' ' ' •' 
 
 Ire ?egTi-de^d which they had acted contrary thereto, or had fallen into 
 
 the said errors, they should be incapacitated to dispose of 
 
 their effects ; and that all alienations, gifts, seizins, sales, 
 
 assignments, or transfers, testaments or wills, done or made 
 
 by them, be void, and of no value, &c." 
 
 Also (page 168): — 
 
 Concerning " Whcrcas, in many of our lands aforesaid, suspected of 
 
 parture, or hercsy, individuals of the sect of Anabaptists in particular 
 
 change of 
 
 residence of chansfe their places of abode, in order to infect simple 
 
 the (so- or' i 
 
 Ana- 
 
 in order to provide therein, will, ordain, and establish, that 
 
 baptfsts^"^ people in countries where their wiles are not known : We, 
 
 and what 
 measures 
 
 therein no ouc of tlic inhabitants of our aforesaid Netherlands, of 
 whatever state, quality, or condition he be, shall be har- 
 boured or received into any city or village of the said lands, 
 in order to dwell there, except he bring a certiticate from 
 the ministers of the })lace of his last residence. 
 
 " Wliich certificate he shall be held bound to exhibit, 
 and deliver over into the hands of the principal officer of 
 the town or village in which he shall wish to dwell : on 
 pain, that they who bring not such certificate shall not be 
 permitted there to reside. 
 The officers " And wc chargc the officers, diligently to inform them- 
 biddento selves of the same, and to proceed therein, as it behoves 
 
 afford any _ 
 
 conveyance, them to do ; uor shall it be permitted to our officers above- 
 
 or gi'ant ■"■ 
 
 condiiotto mentioned, nor to private lords and their officers, to grant 
 pecte^per- to sucli persous any conveyance or safe conduct, &c." 
 
 sons. , 1 w -1 \ 
 
 Again (page 171) : 
 Every one is "That all thosc who shall know, or be acquainted 
 to bring up with, any persons infected with heresy, shall be bound 
 
 suspected J i. ^ 
 
 beforT'tho inimediately, and without delay, to denounce, bnng up, 
 
 *''"'^^- declare and give information of such, to all spiritual 
 
 judges, bishops' officers, and others to whom it belongs. In 
 
 like manner, if any one be found to have done contrary 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 67 
 
 to these our ordinances and prohibitions, showinor himself ^^ also to 
 
 ^ ^ o temporal 
 
 to be infected with heresy, or an offender herein ; or doing ^"'j^^g"""' 
 any act against our said ordinances and prohibitions, in '^"'^^'""tes. 
 particular tending to scandal, or sedition, &c.: that they 
 who know or are acquainted with the same, shall be bound 
 to apprise our procureurs, or their substitutes, or deputies, 
 or the officers of the place where such infected offenders 
 or criminals reside : and this upon pain of being punished 
 at their pleasure. 
 
 " In the same manner they shall be held bound, if they Likewise 
 
 •' must their 
 
 know the place where any such heretics harbour or lodge, l^l^l"^^^' 
 to make the same known to the officer of the place ; on Z^alh^t ' 
 pain of the aforementioned punishment, or otherwise be penaity-^^^^ 
 held as offenders, harbourers, and partizans of the heresy ; 
 and be punished with the same punishment as the heretic 
 or criminal would be, if he were taken and imprisoned. 
 
 "And in order that the aforesaid iudges and officers, The judges 
 
 , . are for- 
 
 who shall have apprehended and seized the said heretics, |,'jj'{^\*;,"^^' 
 Anabaptists, and transgressors of our said ordinances and p"<;ionof 
 prohibitions, may have no reason to dissemble with them, sa'kAnm%h- 
 
 !• T ^ -I n -I '11 1 ment being 
 
 their accomplices and defenders, or to punish them less too severe. 
 than they deserve under pretence that the penalties may 
 appear too great and heavy ; and appointed only to terrify 
 the delinquents (that is the Anabaptists) and criminals, as 
 has formerly been found repeatedly to have been the 
 case : 
 
 " It is our will that those who knowingly shall have 
 acted contrary to this ordinance (by keeping by them, 
 printing, selling, distributing, or publishing any heretical 
 or scandalous books, writings, or otherwise, or have trans- 
 gressed against the articles herebefore or hereafter de- 
 clared, or any of thein) shall be actually chastised and 
 punished with the penalties above declared. 
 
 "Forbiddino; all our iudges, justices, and officers, to- The said 
 
 ° ./ o .^ judges are 
 
 gether with our vassals and subjects, temporal lords, ex- |j|;,';;^jf^J°''- 
 
 F 2 
 
68 A MARTV]!OLOOY 01' 
 
 moderate or ercisiiig suprcme jurisdiction, and their officers, to alter, 
 
 lessen the 
 
 appointed modcrate, or in any manner to cbaniiie the prescribed 
 
 penalty or •' o j. 
 
 a^a'inst'ihe* penalty (that is, execution by the sword, by burying alive, 
 heretic:^. or by fire) ; but that they, as soon as they have discovered 
 such transgression, shall plainly declare and decree the 
 prescribed penalties, according to these present ordinances, 
 on pain ot" being severely punished ; except it be, that in 
 any matter, for any great and remarkable consideration, 
 the aforesaid judges find a difficulty in the exact execution 
 of the penalty appointed by our prescribed orders against 
 the tx'ansgressor. 
 But, in case, " In wliich casc, nevertheless, they shall not be at liberty, 
 
 in any re- 
 spect, such of themselves, to uiitio;ate in the least degree the penalty ; 
 
 modification ' o o i •/ ■" 
 
 tion might but shall be held bound to present or to send the criminal 
 the"saine proccedlngs, securely closed and sealed, to the sovereign 
 
 must be .., ., , ..-,.. , in 
 
 made known or Drovmciai couucil. to whosc luriscliction tney shall 
 
 to the so- ^ ' '' ^ •' ^ 
 
 vereignor i-esort, to bc tlicrc investigated, examined, and advised 
 
 provincial ' c ^ _ 
 
 council. upon, whether any alteration or modification of the penalty 
 may be made or not. 
 
 " And if the aforesaid persons of our council find, that 
 in strict justice, according to right and reason (with which 
 we charge their consciences) any modification or alteration 
 may be made therein : in such case, they may give advice 
 of the same, expressed in writing, and send the whole to 
 the aforesaid judges and officers, in order thereby to con- 
 clude and terminate the said criminal proceedings. 
 
 otherwise " Conunauding them to do nothing less, and ordering, 
 
 the judges . i r. i • 
 
 themselves most cxprcssiy auu rigorously, under penalty or bemg 
 Ta^n^e'rof '" cliastiscd and punished at our pleasure, that they seek not 
 traruy^pu'- thc aforcsaid consultation without great and remarkable 
 abominable' rcasous ; but that they regulate themselves, as far as they 
 
 tyranny of 
 
 thisempo- arcablc, accordmo- to the purport or these present ordi- 
 
 ror and this 
 
 nances. 
 
 * Extracted from the great book all the proclamatious, mandates, 
 of Proclamatious of Ghent, in wliich and ordinances (of the emperor 
 
TJIE CHURCHES OF CHIUST. 69 
 
 [It was in October, of the year 1555, that Charles V. 
 divested himself of his imperial authority. Spain and the 
 Netherlands fell to the share of his son Philip. The edicts 
 reviving the persecuting laws of 1550 were issued with 
 much artifice, so as to give the inquisition a legal existence 
 in the Netherlands which hitherto it had not enjoyed. As 
 on the former occasion, the people of Antwerp, and of a 
 few other great towns in Brabant, resisted the introduction 
 of the inquisition, and that part of the king's edict was 
 revoked. It was, however, promulgated in its entire form 
 at Lou vain and Bois le Due, and led to great and very 
 sanguinary persecution. " The monks of the cloisters 
 were swollen with hellish joy. From the pulpit the 
 cowled preachers did everything in their power to inflame 
 the minds of the Catholics against the adherents of other 
 communions. They crept into houses to discover the 
 traces of heresy, and to precipitate its followers into ruin. 
 No one was safe from the craft of these spies."] ^ 
 
 AUGUSTIN, THE BA-KEE.— anno 1556. 
 
 It happened, anno 1556 or thereabouts, that there was 
 in Beverwyk, ''■ a brother named Augustin, by trade a 
 baker, who had forsaken the world, and confessing his 
 faith, had been baptized, according to the appointment of [les] 
 Christ. This act was most obnoxious to the papists. The 
 burgomaster, who was very hostile and filled with a false 
 zeal, had said that he would give the turf and wood with 
 
 Charles V., and of the king, Philip Nederl. Herv. Kerk i. 105. Brandt, 
 
 II.) are collected, and cited by i. 107, 108.] 
 
 William I., Prince of Orange, in his '^ [At Prinsen Bosch, near Bever- 
 
 Vindication, edition 1569, from page wyk, the expedition of William III. 
 
 135 to page 174 inclusive. to England was planned, which led 
 
 y [Ypeij en Dermout. Gesch. der to the Revolution of 1688.] 
 
70 A MARTYROLO(iY OF 
 
 Avhicli to bum Augustiii. The sherlif had promised not 
 to apprehend Augustin, without first giving him warning, 
 but he did not keep his word, for he came at a time when 
 Augustin was at work kneading his dough. When 
 Augustin saw him, he endeavoured to flee, but was im- 
 mediately appi'ehended by his pursuers and led to prison. 
 As he was a man much beloved, it grieved the sheriff's 
 wife much ; she said to her husband, " O thou murderer, 
 what hast thou done ! " But it was all in vain ; like a 
 sheep led to the slaughter, he had to follow the Lord 
 Jesus. As he remained stedfast in his faith, they pro- 
 nounced a cruel sentence upon him, namely, that he 
 should be bound to a ladder, thrown into the flames, and 
 burned alive. 
 
 On his way to the stake, he saw one of his acquaint- 
 ances, to whom he said, " Adieu, Joost Cornelissen." Joost 
 answered from kind feeling towards him, in a friendly 
 manner, " I hope that hereafter we shall for ever be 
 together." From a partial and prejudiced mind the burgo- 
 master replied, ''He will not go where you will, but will 
 go from this fire into eternal flames." Augustin said to 
 the burgomaster, " I summon you within three days to 
 appear before the judgment-seat of God." Immediately 
 after the execution the burgomaster was seized with a 
 raving sickness, crying out continually, from an accusing 
 conscience, " Turf and wood ! turf and wood ! " so that 
 it was dreadful to hear him. Before the three days had 
 expired he died ; a striking evidence of the all-seeing eye 
 of God, who will not permit such cruelty to go un- 
 punished, and an example to all who, from perverse 
 blindness, would commit such deeds. For it is frequently 
 seen, that they who think to do God service, by tyrannical 
 cruelty towards the i)ious, often come to a wretched end. 
 James ii.i3. The apostlc James says, that they shall have judgment 
 
THK CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 71 
 
 icithout mercy, who have showed no mercy. May the Lord 
 enlio-hteii those who are thus blinded. 
 
 FEANCES, GEIETGEN, AND MAEYKEN 
 DOOENAEETS.— A.D. 1556. 
 
 At Belle, in Flanders, three women were likewise appre- 
 hended for the truth ; namely, an old woman named John xv. 27, 
 Frances, a young woman named Grietgen a niece of 
 Frances, with another young female called Maeyken 
 Doornaerts ; all of whom suffered many hardships and tor- 
 tures. When they were about to torture the old woman, 
 naked, she said to the gentlemen, " Remember that you 
 were born of women, so do not put me to shame-" She icor.xi. 11 
 was therefore permitted to retain her chemise on the rack. 
 They took great pains and trouble with the young woman 
 Grietgen to draw her away from the faith, for she was 
 still very young, but all in vain ; for she greatly preferred 
 the hope of everlasting joy to this brief period of pain Rom. viii. 
 
 18 
 
 and affliction, rather than purchase a speedily-perishing 
 happiness at the price of never-ending suiFering. 
 
 The other young Avoman, Maeyken Doornaerts, was 
 also laid naked on the rack. Finding they could by no Heb. x. ss. 
 pain or torture make her renounce her faith, they began 
 to ask her if she was not ashamed to lie there, naked and 
 uncovered ? To which she replied, " I did not lay myself 
 here naked; but you, wdio for no crime put me to such 
 grief and shame, will hereafter suffer for it everlasting 1 xiiess. i.e. 
 dishonour." Although she was so tortured that her 
 blood ran down the rack, she remained by the grace of 
 God, who always strengthens his people, firm and constant ^.^jt j^;^, 
 in the faith. They were all three afterwards condemned 
 to death, and burned in the fire. At the stake, Maeyken 
 Doornaerts said, " This is the hour for which I have greatly 1 pet.iv. is. 
 
72 A MAllTYllOLOGY OF 
 
 longed, to put an end to all my troubles." Thus did these 
 johnxvi.33. three heroines piously wrestle through and sutler all this, 
 
 because they had on the profession of their faith been 
 Maikxvi. baptized according to the instructions of Christ, and 
 
 further sought in the most perfect manner and in 
 Matt. iv. 10. righteousness, to serve and please the living God more 
 
 than mortal men ; for which they await the joyful crown 
 1 Tim. ir. 8. of eternal and incorruptible life. 
 
 [167] [Two pious men, by name Abraham and John de 
 Kudse, were this year also publicly put to death at 
 Antwerp, after a courageous confession of their faith.] 
 
 CLAES DE PEAET, ■ ' 
 
 rOE THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, BUENT TO DEATH AT 
 GHENT. — ANNO 1556. 
 
 " The confessmi of Claes de Praet, ivhile in prison at. Ghent, 
 where, for the xoord of the Lord, he laid down his life, a 
 burnt offering to God. 1556. 
 
 1 coi. i 3. "Grace and peace from God our Father, and the Lord 
 Jesus Christ, be with you all, my very dear brethren and 
 sisters in the Lord. 
 
 Eph. i. 3. " Blessed he the God and Father of Jesus Christ, who hath 
 
 blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in 
 
 Christ; according as he hath chosen us i?i him before the 
 
 foundation of the world, that we should be holy and ivithout 
 
 Epii. iv. 1. blame before him in love. Let each one of you Avalk 
 worthy of the vocation wherewith he is called, that Satan 
 
 Heb. iii 13. may uot troublc you in time of trial. Exhort one an- 
 other with diligence and in love. I desired to write you 
 an admonition, had I a favourable opportunity ; I am kept 
 very closely confined by the gaoler, he is very much afraid 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 73 
 
 of the dean ; nevertheless I feel inclined to write you 
 somewhat of my examination, and of the wickedness of 
 the priests, and the feigned lies by which they sought to 
 condemn me ; but God be praised, Avho enabled me to 
 keep the field. I write this that those who are still young 2Cor. a. le. 
 may be edified thereby- 
 
 " At first, after I was apprehended, I remained six days 
 very sorrowful, oppressed, and heavy at heart ; the flesh 
 was very timorous. Against this, and many other things 
 I had to Avrestle ; against wife, and children, and against i Pet. v. 8. 
 Satan, who went about to devour me, making many mar- 
 vellous assaults upon me, which it were too long to relate. 
 On the sixth day, the gaoler came in the morning and 
 called me out from the place in which I was confined, 
 saying, " Claes, come down, follow me;" and he went 
 before me. My heart kindled with joy to the Lord my 
 God, so that all my distress and fear fled away like the 
 dust of the street forcibly driven by the wind. I then 
 thought, O gracious God, now I find that thou art faithful Heb. x. 23. 
 to thy promises ; Lord, now guard my lips according to Luke xxi. 
 thy word. I was then led into a chamber, where were 
 sitting the presiding magistrate and two other justices, the 
 bailiff, and a man with a long beard, who had a great book 
 in which to write. They looked earnestly at me as I 
 entered the room. I saluted them with great reverence, Rom. xiu. 7. 
 and wished them unitedly peace. The gaoler placed a 
 chair for me, and said, " Claes, sit down ; it is so ordered." 
 I seated myself with a cheerful mind, with my heart 
 towards the Lord my God, wholly forgetting myself and 
 the things of the world. They then said, " Be covered." coi. m. 1. 
 I replied, " It is not at present becoming." The bailiff 
 asked me, "What is your name?" I said, "Claes de 
 Praet." He then said, " Write that, and a native of this 
 city." Upon this the recorder asked me, " Were you 
 born here ?" I said, " I know nothing to the contrarv." 
 
74 A MARTY ROLOGY OF 
 
 Bailiff. " Where were you, Claes, the last time when 
 you were so long from home ?" 
 
 Claes. "In Embderland."" 
 
 Bailiff. " What was your business there?" 
 
 Claes. " I was seeking for some article to buy or sell, or 
 anything to do, by which I might gain a livelihood." 
 
 Bailiff. " Yes, and likewise to see the brethren ; that I 
 perceive plainly." 
 
 Claes. " Yes, Mr. Bailiff." 
 
 Bailiff. " Well, Claes, have you received any other 
 baptism than that you received in your infancy, when you 
 were christened ? " 
 
 Claes. " I remember nothing of that, as I was so 
 young." 
 
 Bailiff. " Have you received a baptism which you do 
 remember?" 
 
 Claes. " Yes, Mr. Bailiff." 
 
 Bailiff. " How long is that since ?" 
 
 Claes. " About four years." 
 
 At this they all seemed greatly surprised. The bailiff 
 asked me again, "How long do you say?" One of the 
 other justices said, " Nearly four years." The bailiff then 
 looked hard at me, and asked who they were that were 
 intimate with me, and who of my brethren were bap- 
 tized. I said, " It is not our custom to ask each other, 
 ' Whence are you ? ' or, ' Where do you live ?' or, ' What is 
 your name ?' or, ' AVhat is your trade ?' 
 
 Bailiff. " You wish not to know." 
 
 Claes. " We do not, Mr. Bailiff." 
 
 Bailiff. " That is, in order that you may not involve 
 any one." 
 
 Claes. " Just so, Mr. Bailiff; for we know well that 
 Prov. i. 11. men thirst for our blood, and the Lord has admonished us 
 
 ■ [In East Frieslanil.] 
 
THE CHUllCHES 0¥ CHRIST. 75 
 
 to be wise as serpents." The bailiff then looked crossly Matt. x. le. 
 at me, and they spoke a deal to each other in Latin. 
 
 The bailiff afterwards asked me, " Where were you [lesj 
 baptized ? " 
 
 Claes. " At Antwerp." 
 
 Bailif. "Where there?" 
 
 Claes. " Between St. George's-gate and the Cooper- 
 gate." 
 
 Bailiff. " In what house?" 
 
 Claes. " In a small new house." 
 
 Bailiff. " What trade was carried on there ?" 
 
 Claes. " I saw no business done there." 
 
 Bailiff. " Yes, Claes, who was present ?' there must 
 have been witnesses present, who gave testimony that you 
 were a brother." 
 
 Claes. " There were three or four persons present, who 
 lived in the house, and one who conducted me in." 
 
 Bailiff. " Who was it that conducted you ?" 
 
 Claes. " It was a young man." 
 
 Bailiff. " Where did he come from ? " 
 
 Claes. " I did not ask him." 
 
 Bailiff. " How many were baptized with you ? " 
 
 Claes. " There were three of us." 
 
 Bailiff. " Whence were they?" 
 
 Claes. " I did not ask them." 
 
 Bailiff. " What is their occupatiozi ? " 
 
 Claes. " One was a mason, I think." 
 
 Bailiff. " How did he who took you know where to 
 find you ? " 
 
 Claes. " He had appointed rae a day in the Cooper-gate. " 
 
 Bailiff. " How did you know that the baptizer was in 
 town?" 
 
 Claes. " I had inquired, at different times, while attend- 
 ing to my business, and heard that he was there." 
 
 Bailiff. " Where did you hear that he was there?" 
 
76 A MARTYUOl.OdV OF 
 
 The presiding judge said, " The}- all know encli other." 
 
 Bailiff. " Do they still live in the house in which you 
 were baptized, or do you not know that?" 
 
 Claes. " Shortly afterwards they were driven out from 
 that house." 
 
 Bailiff. " So you can tell nothing about them, can you?" 
 
 Claes. " One went to England, another was burned ; of 
 the rest I know not where they went." 
 
 Bailiff. " What man was it that baptized you?" 
 iT:m. i.i. 2. Claes. " I thought him a blameless person." 
 
 Bailiff. "Yes, Claes; how do you know whether the 
 man that baptized you was blameless or not ? " 
 
 One of the justices here observed, " He said that he 
 thought him to be a blameless man." The president then 
 said, "These people also preach, do they not?'" The 
 bailiff said to him, " We used to ask all that ; but we do 
 it no longer." They now rang the bell, that the gaoler 
 might come and lead me away. All this they recorded. 
 The scribe asked me what people of Ghent I had left at 
 Embden. But I would not answer him, because it was 
 not his business to inquire. The judges then said to me, 
 " Claes, Ave will send you men who will teach you the 
 true faith." 
 
 Claes. " I hope I have the true faith ; if they will con- 
 firm me therein, I will welcome them; but if they wish to 
 draw me aside from it, I desire not to see them." On 
 which they said earnestly, " Claes, hear them, always hear 
 them." 
 
 I then heartily thanked both the judges and the bailiff 
 for the trouble they had taken with me : and the gaoler's 
 man now directed mc to go up. I went up, but felt 
 very heavy-hearted that they had not asked me concerning 
 my faith. Two officers who had been standing at the door 
 to hear came up to me, and annoyed me with several 
 things, saying, " Poor creature ! for such things to lay 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 77 
 
 down your life, and leave your wife and children in dis- 
 tress : it is not right of you to violate your marriage vow, oen. xx. 4. 
 for God has himself ordained it." I said, " I do not violate 
 my marriage vow, nor wrong my wife : the fault is theirs 
 who separate me from my wife ; it is for them to take 
 heed what they do." They said that I should speak so 
 that they would hear me. I I'eplied, " God has not taught Matt.x. 32. 
 me that : " and I admonished them to take care how they 
 became guilty of innocent blood. As I resisted them, they 
 went away, praying God to give me his best blessing. I 
 then sat there alone, and Satan came to tempt me, pre- 1 Pet. v. s. 
 senting this to my mind : " Poor creature ! are you 
 here for the truth's sake ? the gentlemen make no in- 
 quiries about your faith, but concerning the baptism you 
 received of such an one as you well know." He distressed 
 me with everything he could, and did his best to cast me 
 down. Then thought I: " O thou wicked tempter — thou johniv. 44. 
 murderer ! I feel that thou art indeed the same that 
 distressed Peter, and against whom he has warned us: " ipet.v. 8. 
 and I fled to God, began a spiritual song, and sang with jamesv. ]3. 
 joy. I was cheerful and glad that I had wrestled through 
 this storm. I remained at that place about ten weeks. 
 
 After this the gaoler came, saying, " Claes, come this 
 way ; here are two winter crows [for food]," and straightly 
 charged me to think of my wife and children. I said, 
 " I think enough about them ; but Christ has said, He 
 that forsakes not father and mother, sister and brother, wife. Matt. x. 37. 
 child, yea his oicn life also for my names sake, is not worthy 
 of W6'." He said, " True : he tliat can do it." He then 
 led me into an apartment, in which were two Jacobins.** 
 These took their hoods off, and I took off my cap. They 
 wished me good evening ; I wished them the same. One 
 
 '' [Domiuican mouks or preach- name of their principal convent, 
 ing-friars. They obtained the de- St. Jacques, in Paria.] 
 signation of Jacobins from tiie 
 
78 A MAUTYROLOGY OF 
 
 of them asked me, " What is your name, my friend ? " I 
 said, " Claes." I inquired, " What is your name ? " He 
 answered, " Brother Peter de Backer ; " and told me that 
 he had been to the presiding judge who wished him to 
 come and instruct me in the true faith. I said, " I have 
 received that from God." 
 
 Qu. "What is your belief? " 
 
 Claes. " I believe alone in Christ Jesus, that he is the 
 Matt. xvi. livins: and true Son of God, and that there is salvation in 
 
 Jo. o -^ 
 
 no other in heaven or earth." 
 [i!~'9I Qu. "Is there nothing else to be believed? What 
 becomes of our mother — the holy church — in wliich we 
 must believe ? " 
 
 Claes. " Do you really know which is the holy 
 churcii ? " 
 
 Qu. "If you know, let me hear it." 
 
 Claes. " I ask you, for you mentioned it." 
 
 Ans. " The same that it was from the time of Christ 
 and the apostles, and which the apostles maintained and 
 still uphold." 
 
 Claes. " Which is that ? " 
 
 Ans. " Our mother — the holy Roman church." 
 
 Claes. " Is tliat the church of tlie apostles? " 
 
 Ans. "Yes." 
 
 Claes. " Did the apostles sustain her ? " 
 
 Ans. "Yes, they did; just as we do, neitlier more nor 
 less." 
 
 Claes. "Did the apostles celebrate mass?" 
 
 Ans. "Yes." 
 
 Claes. " Where is it recorded? " 
 
 Ans. " I will show you ; " and he referred me to the 
 Corintliians, where Paul speaks of the Lord's supper. I 
 said, " Paul is speaking tliere of the breaking of the bread ; 
 but did he perform mass as you do ? " 
 
 Ans. "Yes he did, neither less nor more than we do." 
 
 1 Cor. xl 
 21. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 79 
 
 Claes. " Did the apostles persecute, and maintain their 
 church with fire and sword as you do ?" 
 
 Alls. " Yes, they did ; they shed blood, betrayed, and 
 put to death," 
 
 Claes. " Peter shed Malchus' blood, and Judas betrayed ; Matt. xxvi. 
 but whom did they put to death ?" 
 
 Ans. " Peter slew Ananias and Sapphira with the sword ^'^"- '^^^'• 
 of his mouth, so that they fell down dead ;" and he Acts v. s. 
 laughed, and pointed his finger at me. 
 
 I then said, " Methinks you are of those of whom Paul 
 speaks, 2 Tim. iii. 2, from whom we should flee ; for your 
 foolishness is not hidden, but is manifest before men. You 
 sit, and jest, and trifle, and show plainly that you are 
 persons of unsound mind, Avho are ever learning and never 
 arrive at the truth ;" and I reproved him sharply. They 
 wished to say much and to question me concerning 
 baptism, and the incarnation of Christ, and other articles 
 of faith ; but I had determined not to enter into a dispute 
 with them, except in the presence of the justices, but 
 only to make the same confession before them that I had 
 before, as stated above. When they perceived that I 
 would hear no more, and got up to go, one of them said : 
 " Oh, Claes ! you have miserably erred ; yet I have so 
 much regard for you that I could heartily wish you were 
 of my mind, and that my body might be burned for you. 
 Poor man, I will pray for you, and have prayer made for 
 you when I preach." 
 
 Claes. " I do not wish you to pray for me, nor to have 
 prayer made for me ; for your prayer is vain, and will 
 not be heard by God so long as you continue in your 
 wickedness." 
 
 Ans. " There may, perhaps, be one or two amongst the 
 whole that are good." 
 
 Claes. " Go your way, for you only want to talk." 
 
 He then went away laughing, and said: " I shall have 
 
80 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 prayers said for you, whether you will or no ; for you 
 please me much, and I will come again." 
 
 About a fortnight after there came two of the same 
 troop. One was a coarse fat man, very talkative; the 
 other was very fierce and biting in his expressions. They 
 wished much to engage me in disputation, but I refused, 
 except by questioning them as I had done with the 
 others, leading them to reveal their wickedness themselves. 
 For many prisoners had come standing behind, under the 
 chamber window, and at the door, in order to hear; of 
 which I was well aware. I therefore asked the more 
 questions. One was very loquacious, having drunk too 
 much. 
 
 When I had remained in confinement about seven 
 weeks, I was called down, and led into a chamber, where 
 the dean of Ronse was sitting with his clerk, and another 
 person. The dean told me to sit down. I sat down 
 before the table near him, and he proceeded to give me a 
 long sermon. I listened. He stated that it was impos- 
 Heb. xi, c. sll^)le, without faith, to please God ; and, said he, " He that 
 Mark xvi. bclicves uot, is damned." At the end, he asked me, " Why 
 have you suffered yourself to be led into such erroi's ; why 
 have you left the holy church ?" I then said, " Because 
 it is written, that without faith, it is impossible to please 
 God ; I have been diligent to seek for that faith, and have 
 prayed to God that he would strengthen me therein, of 
 his grace and mercy. He has done so abundantly, and I 
 desire to preserve it faithfully to his praise, and not for- 
 -• sake it on account of any suffering, or aught that is in the 
 world." 
 
 Dean. " You think that you possess the faith ; but you 
 have departed far from it. And as for your being so bold, 
 and ready to die, that is from the devil, who can trans- 
 form himself into an angel of light. When you read the 
 scripture, you permitted yourself to be instructed by a 
 
 16. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHllIST. 81 
 
 poor mean tradesman, who has taught you according to 
 his fancy, and you are now deceived. You ought to 
 have been taught by those who have the true doctrine, 
 the ministers of holy church, who are your pastors or 
 shepherds." 
 
 Claes. " Have they received the true doctrine ?" 
 
 Dean. "Yes." 
 
 Claes. " Why then do they live a devilish life, as we 
 see?" 
 
 Dean. "What does that concern you? It is written. 
 Matt, xxiii. 3, 'Follow their precepts, and not their 
 works.' " 
 
 Claes. "Are you then the scribes and Pharisees of 
 whom Matthew writes?" 
 
 Dean. " Yes, we are." 
 
 Claes. " Then to you belong all the woes that follow in 
 the same chapter." 
 
 Dean. " By no means." 
 
 We had much conversation about it. He would will- 
 ingly have had me dispute upon the articles of faith ; but 
 I would not engage therein, otherwise than with such like 
 questions. The man was candid in speaking, and very 
 mild, and desirous of being heard; and he heard atten- 
 tively himself. But I thought, " As I have heard so often 
 and so much of this man, that he persecutes and oppresses Acts viH. 3. 
 the church, I must, now that I am speaking with him, 
 know how he will defend it by the scripture;" for I did 
 not remember ever to have seen him before. I asked 
 him, therefore, where he found it written, that he should ri70] 
 thirst and pursue after innocent blood; since there was 
 no gi'ound of complaint of any crime having been com- 
 mitted. 
 
 Dean. " My friend, I neither pursue, nor am I desirous 
 of shedding, any man's blood." 
 
 Claes. " But you send your officers for that purpose." 
 
 V0I„ II. G 
 
82 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Dean. " I do not, my friend." 
 
 Claes. " Do you then persecute no one ? " 
 
 Dean. " No, my friend, not I." 
 
 Claes. " Do you not command it to be done ?" 
 
 Dean. " No, my friend." 
 
 Claes. " But you have given my companions whom you 
 had got into your power, and had remained steadfast 
 Matt.xxvii. in the faith, over to the law; this is known to all the 
 world." 
 
 Dean. " Not so, my friend." 
 
 Claes. "Why then do you come and sit with the jus- 
 tices, and speak so much if you have no concern in the 
 matter ? It seems to any one that now hears you, that 
 you are not to blame in the business." 
 
 Dean. " I am not, my friend ;'' and he rubbed his 
 hands together. 
 
 Claes. « Who does it, then ?" 
 
 Dean. " The secular power, or the magistrate that has 
 received the sword." We had much conversation upon it, 
 so that he had no way of escape ; he spoke from the 
 scripture, Deut. xvii. 17, on which he founded the power 
 Exod. xxi. of the priests. I said, " That was under the law of 
 Rom. vi. 14. revenge, but now we are under the law of grace." I asked 
 him how he dared to do what the Lord had forbidden ; 
 namely, concerning the tares. Matt. xiii. 30, so that men 
 should let both the wheat and the tares grow up together? 
 I asked, which of the two I was. I must, at any rate, be 
 good wheat or tares." 
 
 Dean. " You are of the tares." 
 
 Claes. "Why, then, do you not let me grow till the 
 harvest ?" 
 
 Dean. " The reason that the owner of the field so 
 commanded his servants was, lest they should injure the 
 wheat while plucking up the tares ; but I can very well go 
 along the borders of the field, and here and there pluck a 
 
THE CUURCHES OF CIIIUST. 83 
 
 spike or two; yea, sometimes six or eight, even ten or 
 twelve, sometimes a hundred or two, without injuring the 
 wheat." 
 
 Claes. " Yes, if you are wiser than the servants of the 
 householder." 
 
 Dean, "I can, however, do that very well." 
 
 Claes. "When I did like the priests, and walked in 
 accordance with your views, was I then a good ear?" 
 
 Dean. " Yes, you were." 
 
 Claes. " Am I now, then, a bad one ?" 
 
 Dean. "Yes." 
 
 Claes. " Now, if I am a bad spike, as you say, then you 
 have injured me, and many more who have gone before 
 me, with your Aveeding, which, you say, you can do so 
 well. Ah, poor weeders that you are ! When you gathered 
 vip the four spikes at the Verleplats, at Lier,*^ more than 
 five years ago; when you stood on the scaffold and 
 preached, and the people said, ' Antichrist is preaching : ' 
 at that time I began to examine for what faith the people 
 so firmly died. I examined the scripture to which you 
 referred, 1 Tim. iv. 3, and I found that I must separate 2 xim. ii.ie. 
 from such people, as from the description there given you 
 are [)lainly enough seen to be. I turned away from such 
 a band, and do so still. Where are you now with your 
 gathering, poor weeder ? The more you pluck the more 
 injury you do, according to your own words ; it were 
 better for you to be still ; and I repeated to him many 
 tilings from the scriptures, so that he was ashamed, and 
 knew not what to reply. At last he said : " They were 
 not my people, my friend ; methinks you have well searched 
 the scriptures; where did you worship?" 
 
 Claes. " ^^ here Christ and his apostles did ; behind 
 hedges, in the woods, in the field, on the mountain, on the mke vi. 17. 
 
 = [In the province of Antwerp.] 
 G 2 
 
84 A MAirryROLOGY of 
 
 Matt. V. 1. sea-shore; sometimes in houses, or where places could h& 
 ^''''■''- found." 
 
 John xviii. Deau. " Christ preached in public, but we cannot tell 
 where you are, Avho, or what you are." 
 
 Ckies. " It may indeed vex you, that you cannot find 
 . nor know them, and that tliey know ?jou so well. 1 hope 
 that God will not permit you to find them ; and, although 
 you sometimes lop off the branches, I hope you will not be 
 permitted to cut down the vine ! Christ Jesus, the Son of 
 John xr. i. the living God, will safely keep his branches, and cherish 
 io' ■''^'' them that they bear fruit, notwithstanding you do your 
 John X. 10. best to injure and destroy them." We talked much con- 
 cerning the church and his own people; he spoke very 
 highly of them. I proposed many questions as to whether 
 young children were lost that had not been baptized ? He 
 said, "Yes, they are." I asked if the apostles had per- 
 formed mass, and had persecuted; and to all he said, "Yes, 
 they had." So that, I thought, the more questions I asked 
 him, the more lies he told ; I reproved him for the 
 lies I found him in. He said, " They are not lies, but the 
 truth ; but you believe not ; whatever is said to you, you 
 remain obstinate and unbelieving, all the same." It seemed 
 as if the lives of the apostles had been, in all respects, like 
 the lives of the priests, neither less nor more, as he said. 
 i:pet. i. 15. He further said : " As to your lives, you maintain a good 
 ,, .. .. walk and conversation with all men ; you do good to your 
 
 Matt. vu. ' •' D J 
 
 ^^- neighbour as you would have done to you, and live in 
 
 peace with each other, in love and harmony, which is very 
 good. You help each other in distress and trouble, and 
 
 1 John iii. ^^y down your lives for each other, which likewise is very 
 good, and against which I have nothing to say. You 
 
 icor. V. 10 separate from your church those whose lives are unbe- 
 coming, as you did Jelis van Aken,*^ who led such a life, as 
 I well know; to this I can say nothing, it is all well done; 
 
 ^ [See vol. i. p. ?m.] 
 
THE CHURCHES OP CHIJJST. 85 
 
 but what does it avail that you have the life while you' 
 have not the faith? that cannot save you." I said, "We 
 have the faith, too, but you do not understand it, or will 
 not ; but, in the last day of the Lord, it will be revealed 
 to you whom you have served," and I pressed him very [171] 
 hard. 
 
 He rang the bell for the gaoler to let him out ; the 
 gaoler came in, and he rose up to go ; I thanked him 
 heartily that he had come here for my sake. He turned 
 round and said :. " I should rejoice to see you willing to be 
 led into the right way, but you remain obstinate in your 
 unbelief; you are like your master." I asked, "Who is 
 my master?" he said, "The devil." I attacked him with 
 many scriptures, that he might not come any more ; he 
 went away ashamed, for the gaoler was present, and 
 several prisoners who had run to the door. I asked him 
 for information about Jelis; he could tell me all about 
 him, which surprised me greatly. 
 
 On the third day after this, I was once more fetched 
 below by the gaolor ; I went down very willingly. He 
 directed me to go into a room. When I came in, I found 
 the president sitting there, with another judge, and a 
 pastor or priest, who was very searching in his examina- 
 tions of our friends, and very bitter in his expressions, so 
 that he could not hear a sentence without interrupting the 
 speaker. But one of the judges had never been a member 
 of the council before, and continually checked him ; for he 
 paid very strict attention to what was said. When I came 
 into the room, I showed the gentlemen great reverence, 
 and they me. I sat down down near the table, and the 1 Pet. u. 17. 
 priest made a long discourse, as the dean had done. I 
 remained silent, until I was questioned. When he had 
 finished his sermon he asked me, " Why have you so 
 lamentably permitted yourself to be seduced from the 
 faith into error." 
 
86 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Claes. " I have been led into no error ; but out of error 
 into the true Christian faith." 
 
 Priest. " What then is your faith ? Let us hear it." 
 
 Matt. xvi. Claes. '* I believe that Jesus Christ is the true and 
 
 Acts iv 12. living Son of God, and that there is salvation in no other, 
 in heaven or on earth." 
 
 President " We all believe that in our church." The 
 priest laughed, saying, " That I should also preach, tell us 
 
 Matt. s. 19. something else, and speak freely; for Christ said. When 
 ye are brought before kings, and princes, and governors, fear 
 not ivhat ye shall say ; for in the same hour it shall be given 
 you of my heave?ily Father ; yea, my Spirit shall speak by 
 your mouth. If then you have received the Holy Spirit, 
 speak now by the Holy Ghost freely :" and the president 
 sat, and continued to nod and simper, and said, " Yes, yes, 
 Claes, yes ;" before I could speak a word. The priest said 
 immediately, " Christ promised his church that he would 
 
 Matt.xxviii. Ijq ^,j^j^ them to the end of the world. But of your people 
 I find none that can tell me of any thing longer ago than 
 about thirty years ; for before that your church was not 
 in being. Do you know any books that are older among 
 your people? if you do, show them us." 
 
 Claes. " Since Christ has promised his church to be 
 with them to the end of the world, I therefore doubt not 
 but he has preserved his body, and still does and v/ill as 
 long as the world shall stand, according to his promises. 
 Matt, xxviii. 20 ; Eph. v. 23. And although at some 
 periods, and in some countries, it has been extirpated by 
 the sano-uinary persecutions, and false doctrine of the 
 Romish church, or in other ways : yet has it not been 
 brought to nought tliroughout the whole world ; for the 
 world is large, and it may have lingered in some corners 
 of the world, sometimes here, sometimes there, without 
 having been brought to nought. As to your question 
 concerning the books of our churches, the bible is our 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 87 
 
 book, and has been the rule of the church from early 
 times." 
 
 Priest. " Is It large enough for you, and have you 
 enough with one ?" 
 
 Claes. " Yes, it is almost too large." 
 
 The priest laughed aud said, " What then has become 
 of all the books, which learned men have written from the 
 time of the apostles, who likewise received the Spirit of 
 God as well as they ; have they all written in vain ? viz. 
 Jerome, Gregory, Augustine, and Ambrose ; they certainly 
 were good, worthy men ; were they not ?" 
 
 Claes. " Are they the four pillars on which your 
 church is founded ?" 
 
 Priest "Yes." 
 
 Claes. " I have known them only by report ; they were 
 but pious kitchen-maids, if they built up your church as 
 she is now seen to be." 
 
 The priest hid his face, and said, " Aye, aye." 
 
 I said, " Christ did not found his church in that way ; 
 did Peter, Paul, Stephen, aud John? they were treated to 2cor.xi.26. 
 rods on their backs, stones on their heads, and the sword Acts vii. ss. 
 at their neck, and so forth." Acts xii. 2. 
 
 The priest was angry, and said, " Give us some correct 
 information concerning your church, for we know not 
 where to find her ; if she were good, she would publicly 
 appear. You have neither head nor government, nor do 
 you know one another; that is a strange state of things." 
 
 Claes. " Paul, writing to the Ephesians, teaches us Eph. v. -n. 
 concerning the true church which Christ has presented to 
 himself. It is glorious, holy, unblameable; without spot 
 or wrinkle, baptized into one body and one spirit. Its 1cor.xii.13. 
 head is Christ, and the members are his body, knit Eph. iv. 5. 
 together. These have one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 
 one God, one Father of us all, and through us all, and in 
 us all. This is the true temple of God, in which God's 
 
88 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 icor.vi.i9. Spirit dwells. This church Christ bought aud redeemed 
 
 1 Cor. vi. 20. with liis blood." 
 
 Priest. " Has not Christ redeemed all men : or these 
 '^''■''■''- only?" 
 
 Claes. " It is written in various places, that unbelievers 
 
 Markxvi. g^^all be Condemned. Of what benefit then will the 
 
 blood of Christ be to them ? or what shall it profit them 
 
 that Christ has died ? It is to be feared that they will 
 
 lament that Christ died. But they who have believed 
 
 [i'2 the word of the Lord, and have followed it, they shall 
 
 inherit the kingdom of God, and triumph with the Lord 
 
 on mount Zion. These are they who have trodden death, 
 
 Rom. xvi. the devil, hell, and the world under foot, thou<:;h the world 
 
 20. 
 
 John XV. 19. madly pursues to destroy them. If they were of the 
 world, the world would love them ; but because they are 
 not of the world, therefore, as Christ hath said, the world 
 hateth them." 
 
 Priest. " Your people do not believe that Christ is 
 God and man." 
 
 Claes. " I believe that Christ is truly God and man." 
 Priest. " Do you believe that Christ was incarnate of 
 the flesh of Mary ?" 
 
 Claes. " No, I do not ; for if he became incarnate of 
 
 Mary's natural flesh and blood, he must have derived his 
 
 origin from Mary ; but it is written that he hath neither 
 
 Heb. vii. 3. hegiiining of days, nor end of life. The Word would not 
 
 John i. 14. have become flesh, if he had taken upon him the flesh of 
 
 2 John 7 Mary ; neither would he be come in the flesh, according 
 
 to the testimony of John, but of the flesh, if he had 
 1 John iv. 3. received it from Mary. It is written, ^e that confesseth 
 not that Christ is come in the flesh, is that spirit of anti- 
 christ, and if he had been human of such flesh, he could 
 not have ascended into heaven ; for it is written, 1 Cor. 
 XV. 50. that flesh and blood cannot inherit the hingdom of 
 heaven.^'' 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CUIUST. 89 
 
 Priest. " But did not the angel Gabriel say to Mary, Luke i. 27. 
 Thoit shalt conceive and bear a son ?" isa. vii. is. 
 
 Claes. True ; but understand that word aright. He 
 said, Thou shalt conceive and bear : that which Mary con- 
 ceived could not originate from her." 
 
 Priest. " What Word became flesh ?" 
 
 Claes. " That same Word, of which John bears witness 
 in the first chapter, saying. That which was from the iiohni a. 
 beginning, which we have heard, which ive have seen with John xx. 27. 
 our eyes, tvhich ive have looked upon, and our hands have 
 handled, of the ivord of life ; that life was manifested. 
 What further answer would you have ?" 
 
 Priest. " Where did Clirist take his flesh upon him, in 
 heaven or on earth ?" 
 
 Claes. " I will assert nothing that I cannot prove by 
 scripture." * 
 
 Priest. " Do you believe nothing more than what is 
 there written ? " 
 
 Claes. " No." 
 
 Priest. " You believe, surely, that you have a soul, and 
 what do you know about your soul ? what it is ? how 
 large? how tall? how wide ? or of what colour?" 
 
 Claes. " What does that concern me ? my salvation 
 does not depend on that." 
 
 Priest. " You believe that the dead shall arise unto 
 life, and how can any one understand that what is de- 
 stroyed shall rise and live again?" 
 
 Claes. " I am well satisfied with the answer that Paul 
 has given 1 Cor. xv." 
 
 ^ [The opinions of the early bap- bereydt in het ligchaam van Maria, 
 
 tists, as Menno and Dirk Phillips, en dat hy als andere kinderen van 
 
 on this important siibject, are thus haar gevoedt en geneerdt is en 
 
 summed up by Cornelius van Huy- alzoo des vleesches en des bloedts 
 
 zen : Zy zeggen dat Chi-istus lig- deelagtig geworden. Historische 
 
 chaam van den Vader door de Verhandeling, p. 81, Embden, 
 
 kragt des Heyligen Geestes, is toe- 1712.] 
 
90 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Priest. " Do you not believe that Mary was both a 
 virgin and a mother ?" 
 Claes. "Yes, I do." 
 
 The priest struck his hand upon the table, and rose up 
 
 in a passion, saying, " That you cannot prove ; nothing 
 
 of the kind is found in scripture." 
 
 isa vii. 15. Claes. " The prophet Esaias pi'ophesied, that he should 
 
 be born of a virgin. And when Gabriel said to Mary, 
 
 Matt. i. 23. Thou shalt conceive and bear a son ; Mary answered, Hoiu 
 
 Luke 1.31. shall this be, seeing I hiiotc not a man ?'" 
 
 Priest. " Yes, you may here and tiiere so take it ; but 
 did she continue a virgin till her death ? " 
 Claes. " That I do not say." 
 
 Priest. " That is my opinion. What do you hold con- 
 cerning the Lord's supper ? When Christ took the bread 
 Matt. xxvi. and brake it, saying, Take, eat : this is my body ; do you 
 not believe that he gave them his real flesh and blood ?" 
 Claes. "No." 
 John vi. .53. Priest. "Did he not say, Except ye eat the flesh of the 
 Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you f 
 Did he not also say, that was the true bread of heaven, 
 which came down from heaven?" 
 
 Claes. " Is the bread of which Christ speaks, John vi., 
 that which you give the people to eat ? that is to say, was 
 it the same that you call the sacrament ?" 
 
 Priest. " Yes, it is the same that lie left us." 
 
 Claes. "Then none that eat thereof will be condemned, 
 
 for Christ said. If a man eat of this bread, he shall live for 
 
 ever. All are included, whores, knaves, thieves, and 
 
 Gal. V. 19., murderers: of whom it is written, that they shall not 
 
 inherit the kingdom of heaven." 
 Ezek. xviii. Pricst. " But they repent of their sins before they 
 receive it; and the Lord hath said, that when a sinner 
 grieves for his crimes, he will remember them no more for 
 ever." 
 
THE CHUECHES OF CHRIST. 91 
 
 Upon this we had much conversation, but it is too long 
 to write. At last I asked the priest if he believed, when 
 he took the host in his mouth, that he then receives the 
 body of Christ, his flesh and blood, of the same dimen- 
 sions as when he hung on the cross ? 
 
 Priest. " Yes, I do." 
 
 Claes. " When you swallow him, whither does he then 
 go ?" The priest was quite angry at this. The president 
 then asked me, "Why could you not be satisfied with 
 your first baptism, without seeking a second baptism?" 
 
 Claes. " I know but of one baptism." Eph. iv. i. 
 
 Priest. " Your godfathers and godmothers well know 
 that you were once baptized, you can inquire of them." 
 
 Claes. " If I know well that I have been baptized, yet 
 I now also know that it was without faith, and it is 
 written, Rom. xiv. 24, Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Rom. xiv. 
 
 •^ 24. 
 
 President. " Your godfathers and godmothers were 
 believers." 
 
 Claes. " I do not know that the apostles baptized any Acts u. ss. 
 person unless he himself believed and confessed his faith. 
 What did I confess when I was baptized young?" 
 
 Priest. " Ask your sponsors that. What do you hold 
 concerning our father the pope, and his kingdom ? " 
 
 Claes. " The pope with all his retinue, the mass, and all 
 belonging to it, are entirely worthless. It is neither corn [i73] 
 nor seed. You sell and deliver to the people masses by 
 the dozen, by scores, and by thirties at a time ; they have 
 neither edge nor point ; they neither cut nor pierce ; yet 
 you assure the people they are good and genuine. Is not 
 that deception ? You preach to the people that they 
 should not drink themselves drunken ; yet you yourselves Rom. ii. 21. 
 go along the streets as stupified with drink as swine. You 
 preach to the people that men should not be covetous ; 
 where is there more covetousness than amongst the priests 
 and monks ? You preach to the people that men should 
 
92 A MAllTYROLOGY OF 
 
 xxxm'27 ^^^ b^ idle; where is there more idleness than amongst 
 yourselves? You would rather go from door to door, 
 with the bag or basket, begging, than work, as is evident." 
 The priest was enraged and stood up, saying, " That is 
 the first thing that you teach each other, to publish the 
 faults of your neighbours." 
 
 Claes. " Why should we not observe the marks that 
 
 Matt, vii.io. Christ has given us, saying, that men shall know the tree 
 by its fruits ? " 
 
 Priest. " That is to be understood spiritually;" and he 
 left the room. 
 
 The president asked me if I would recant my second 
 
 Mark X. 32. baptism and all I had said ? I said, " No, indeed, gentle- 
 men, I will by no means deny what has been done for me 
 in the name of the Lord." 
 
 On hearing this the president stood up. They all rose 
 and began to go out ; I thanking them for their trouble. 
 The president turned round and asked me once more if I 
 would recant, or await my doom. My heart was moved 
 to tell him and the other members of the council that they 
 should consider what they did. I said, " Gentlemen, 
 recant I will not, in anywise, and what will come upon me 
 in pursuance of the emperor's mandate, I know well. But 
 there are two mandates ; one from the supreme majesty, 
 and the other from the mortal emperor; and these two 
 
 Matt, xii . stand in opposition to each other. The one says, that men 
 shall let both grow together, the bad with the good; the 
 other, that men shall pluck them up. I pray you, gentle- 
 men, to warn the rest to consider which is best, for you 
 
 Rom.xiii .). have not received the sword to punish the innocent." I said 
 much to them, as the Lord gave me utterance. He stood 
 with his cap in his hand, and the other likewise. The gaoler 
 stood by and kept very silent. Finally they prayed God 
 that he would grant me salvation, and went away. 
 
 I salute the whole church, dispersed in all lands, with 
 
THE CHURCHES OV CHRIST. 93 
 
 the peace of God, for I now expect from day to day toiPet. i.i. 
 present my sacrifice. Pray God that he will keep me 
 steadfast to the end. I pray for you daily. 
 Written in bonds. 
 
 : GEEMT HASE-POOT.— ANNO 1556. 
 
 There lived in the city of Nymegen*^ a faithful brother 
 named Gerrit Hase-poot, a tailor by trade, in the summer 
 of the year 1556. After he had fled from the place in 
 consequence of violent persecution, he returned privately rpv. si.io. 
 for his wife and children, Avho continued to reside there. 
 He was, however, seen by the sheriff's guards, who gave [i74] 
 information of it to their master. The sheriff, beino- a 
 blood-thirsty man, went immediately in pursuit and appre- Prov. xxix. 
 hended him. This friend of Christ was thus separated joimxv.H. 
 from wife and children, and, for the name of Jesus, con- ^^^"- ^- ^'^■ 
 fined in prison in oppression and misery. When closely i-^i^exiv.se. 
 examined by the powers of this world, he boldly confessed Matt, x 32 
 his faith, and was not ashamed of the truth. He was^°""*'^^' 
 therefore condemned to death, by being fastened to a 
 stake and committed to the flames, which he with great 
 courage endured. After his condemnation his wife came 
 to the Town Hall to speak to him once inore, to take her 
 leave of him and to say adieu to her beloved husband, 
 carrying a little child on her arm, which, from sorrow, she 
 was scarcely able to support. When wine was presented 
 to him (according to the custom of giving wine to those 
 that were sentenced to death), he said to his wife, "Iprov. xxxi. 
 desire not this wine, but hope to drink new wine, and to 
 receive it above in my Father's house." With o-reat sorrow i^'a't- ^xvi. 
 they were separated from each other, bidding each other 
 
 ' [A town on the left bank of the Waal, and a frontier fortress of 
 Holland.] 
 
94 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 adieu in this world (for the wife could not longer stand, 
 but became faint from grief). He was then led to death. 
 On being taken from the waggon to the scaffold, he 
 Matt.viii.2. raiscd his voice, and sang the hymn ; "Father of heaven, 
 Luke xvii. on thcc I Call, O strengthen thou my faith." He then 
 fell upon his knees and made his eai'nest prayer to God. 
 When fastened to the stake, he threw the slippers from 
 his feet, saying, " It were a pity to burn these, for they 
 may be of service to some poor person." The strap, with 
 which he was to be strangled coming loose, not having 
 been properly fastened by the executioner, he again lifted 
 up his voice and sang the rest of the above hymn : — 
 
 Farewell, ye saints, farewell ; 
 
 "What, if I meet this end ? 
 
 Ere long the Lord shall come, 
 
 Our only leader, friend. 
 
 Joyous I wait the glorious day 
 
 With you to walk in white array. 
 
 The executioner having adjusted the cord, this witness 
 Rev. ii. 2. foj- Jesus fell aslccp, and was then burnt. He freely sur- 
 Rev. XX. 4. rendered, for the truth's sake, the mortal body which he 
 iTira. iv. 7. had received from God, and having fought the fio-ht, and 
 
 finished his course, and kept the faith, there is laid up for 
 
 him a crown of everlasting glory. 
 
 Respecting Bcforc thc ycar 1557, various persons were thrown into 
 
 some per- • i i • i 
 
 sons who, i)nson and banished the countrv, who had been baptized 
 
 under tlie '■ <■ i- 
 
 ofIhe".\ according to the command of Christ. This took place 
 ufe'Rhino! uudcr thc government of the Count Palatine of the 
 handed and Rliinc, as appears from the preface to the Frankenthal 
 
 banished the 
 
 country. dlSCUSSlOUS.^ 
 
 e Also iu the Preface of tlie old Fraukenthal discussions, now before 
 Offerboek of 1616, letter Y. [The me, has the following title. Proto- 
 very rare book relating to the col. Das ist Alio Haudluug des 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 95 
 
 From this it appears, that the baptist Christians had to 
 suffer, at this time, not only from the Komanists, but also 
 from those who had renounced the Roman Church and 
 many of its superstitions ; from which it may be seen what 
 distress the church of God had then to endure. Nowhere 
 was liberty of conscience to be found ; the papists de- 
 priving them of life, and other people the liberty of divine 
 worship.'' 
 
 HANS BEAEL.'— ANNO 1557. 
 
 In the year 1557, a few days before Ascension Day, the 
 brother Hans Brael was apprehended while on a journey 
 in PusterthaV on account of his faith, and for the testi- Acts xii. 3. 
 mony of Jesus Christ. About a mile from the castle,'' he 
 was met by the judge, who passed by and saluted him, for 
 he did not know him. Hans Brael thanked him, but the 
 court secretary rode up to him, and asked, " Where are 
 you going, and what have you been doing here ?" He 
 answered that he had been with Jiis brethren. The 
 secretary asked if the dippers were his brethren? HcMatt.xxv. 
 answered, " Yes." He then took him into custody. The 
 judge turned round, and dismounting took from the 
 brother his own girdle, and bound him, making him run 
 like a dog by the side of his horse, through the dirt and 
 mud, for a full mile, until they came to the castle. He 
 was so exhausted with running, and with being bound so 
 
 Gesprecbs zu Frankentlial, &c. — ' [lu the Manuscript " Cronikel, 
 
 Heidleberg im Jar 1571.] oder Deukbiiechel," he is called 
 
 ^ [A discussion was held at Pfe- Hans Kriil, fol. 83.] 
 
 derslieim, in 1557, after which it J [In the Tyrol.] 
 
 appears many baptists were im- ^ [From the above som'ce we 
 
 prisoned and exposed to per.=:ecution learn that this was the feudal for- 
 
 among the protestants. Protocol. tress of Taufers. It is now partly 
 
 p. 8.] : ' in ruins, and partly inhabited.] 
 
96 , A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 tightly, that he could scarcely stand, and fell down in the 
 field ; so that even the owner of the castle censured and 
 reprimanded the judge for having bound him so hard. 
 They then examined him, and after taking from him what 
 he had led him to prison. The next day he was brought 
 out, and was heard by the lord of the castle, who inquired 
 of him concerning his faith, baptism, and the sacrament, 
 and Avhat he thought on these points. He then made 
 confession of his faith, and of the truth of God; and 
 having gone over the whole, they pressed him closely to 
 recant. But when he plainly told them that it was use- 
 less to expect him to renounce the truth he had confessed, 
 they brought him again into the prison. Eight days 
 afterwards, he was again brought out, and was heard 
 [175] by his lordship and six others ; but as they could effect 
 nothing, he was remanded again to prison. After another 
 week, he was once more brought before them, and heard 
 in the presence of the whole council. The judge de- 
 nounced his faith as a deception, and his church as a sect. 
 Act3 xxiv. Hans said, " It is neither a sect, nor a deception, but the 
 Eph. V. 25. church of God." The judge said, " It may be the devil's ; 
 how should it be the church of God?" He was very 
 wroth, and said again, " Why should it be called a church 
 of God ?" But the brother Hans steadfastly affirmed that 
 it was the church of God. The judge then said, "As this 
 man knows who have come from the lordship of Inspruck, 
 he must know where those people are wdio are sent out 
 into this country, also their names ; who has given them 
 food, and harboured them ; all this must we know." He 
 Matt. X. 5. replied, "We were not sent out to the injury or preju- 
 Actsii. 38. dice of any one; the object of our mission is to seek the 
 salvation of men, and to exhort them to repentance and 
 reformation. What you inquire of me is no article of 
 faith, nor any thing essential to be known ; therefore I 
 wish not to answei', nor to accuse any one." The judge 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 97 
 
 warned him to spare himself, for he would be severely 
 dealt with, if he did not name the persons, and confess 
 who had harboured them. Hans asked the judge and the 
 whole council, whether, if he did so, if he were to betray 
 and inform ajrainst those who had been kind to him, 
 giving him food and lodging, he could be regarded as a Rom.xii.is. 
 good man. The council looked at each other, and said Matt, viii . 
 they could not consider such conduct as good, if done to 
 themselves. But the judge was angry, and asked if ho 
 meant to accuse the honoui'able council of requiring him to 
 act treacherously, and again admonished him to spare 
 himself, or else they would deal with him very severely. 
 But when they found he would confess nothing, they 
 ordered him back to prison, to see what might follow a 
 time of reflection. 
 
 Afterwards they had him again brought forth, and put 
 to the torture. He took off his clothes and laid himself 
 down before them, and patiently submitted to the cords of Rom xii.12. 
 the rack, so that the eyes of the spectators were filled 
 with tears, and they could not refrain from weeping. 
 The executioner having suspended him, the judge ad- 
 monished him to spare himself, and give the information 
 required ; but he said he would betray no one, he would 
 resign himself to what God should permit them to do. 
 They then bound a great stone to his feet. The judge 
 became very wroth on finding that he could prevail 
 nothing, and said, " You bind yourselves by oath that the 
 one will not betray the other." Hans answered, " We do 
 not swear, but we betray no one, because that were un- 
 righteous." The judge then said, "Thou art a villain; 
 I have caught thee in a lie. Why dost thou wish to 
 become a martyr ?" The brother said, " I am no villain, 
 and wherein have you caught me in a lie?" The judge 
 said, "You said that you were no teacher, but we find 
 that you are." He answered, " I am not a teacher, and if 
 
 VOL. II. H 
 
98 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 iTim.iii.i. I were, I should not be ashamed of it; for it is an honour- 
 able calling in the sight of God." They then let him 
 hang on the cord, and left him ; but the executioner 
 remained with him. In the meantime the council con- 
 vened again. They entreated him to give the desired 
 information, for they would not cease until every limb 
 was dislocated. He answered, that he would resign him- 
 self to what God should permit them to do, for they 
 would do nothing more than what God permitted them. 
 The executioner said, " Are you not a fool to think that 
 God looks here to see what we do in this hole ? that were 
 truly a ridiculous thing." The council afterwards came 
 Matt.xxvii. again, and said that the lady of the castle had forbidden 
 him to be further tortured; they would therefore stop, 
 but they ordered him again to prison. His lordship after- 
 wards rode very joyfully to the ruling magistrates at 
 Inspruck, and on his return, for two successive days, 
 namely, on Saturday and Sunday, he sent the priests to 
 deal with Hans, tempting him. His lordship was always 
 present. But not being able with all their efforts to 
 iTim. iv. 1. accomplish anything, and their false and deceitful speeches 
 it were too long to relate, and as he remained steadfast, 
 and still affirmed that it Avas the truth for which he con- 
 Matt. X. 22. tended, and in Avhicli he would continue firm by the pro- 
 Heb. xiii. c. tection and help of God, his lordship was at length 
 enraged, and said, " O, you hardened dog ! I have tried 
 all possible means with you ; let it be so ; trust in thy 
 desperate hope, and see how thy God will help thee in 
 time of trial !'^ But he answered, " I shall not suffer for 
 I Pet. iv. 15. ^'^y unrighteousness, but for the faith and the truth only; 
 God will not suffer injustice to go unpunished." 
 
 After three days they led him into a deep, dark, filthy 
 „ ^ , ,^ tower, where he could see neither sun, moon, nor dav- 
 
 Heb. xi. 35. ' -" ' ./ 
 
 liffht, so that he could not tell whether it was nisht or 
 day ; sometimes he could tell that it was night by its 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 99 
 
 being colder than before. The dungeon was moist and 
 damp, so that his clothes became foul and rotted on his 
 body, and for some time he was obliged to sit naked. He 
 had nothing but a coarse blanket that had been given him; 
 this he threw round his body, and sat in misery and dark- [ire] 
 ness. His shirt was so much rotted as not to leave a single 
 slip of it, except the collar of the neck, which he hung on 
 the wall. When these children of Pilate had him brought 
 out to see if he would recant, the brightness of the light 
 was so painful that he was glad when they let him go 
 down ao;ain into the dark tower; there arose also such a 
 filthy stench from the dirt of the dungeon that no person 
 could remain with him ; when they had brought him into 
 it they were obliged to go out immediately, so that the 
 gentlemen of the council themselves said that they had 
 never encountered a stench so intolerable. 
 
 Thus he lay in this foul dungeon, where worms and 
 vermin were his companions for a long time ; he protected 
 his head with an old hat, that from pity had been thrown 
 to him ; no one had been confined in this tower for some 
 years, so that the vermin had greatly increased, and caused 
 him much terror until he had got used to it. The worms 
 frequently ate his food, so that when his meals were 
 brought and left for him he was obliged at once to eat 
 without setting them down, or the worms would so quickly 
 have gathered upon the food that he could not eat it. 
 When he had got a dish of pottage, and set it only once on 
 the ground, they would devour it instantaneously ; in 
 short, he could keep neither bread nor aught else, for as 
 soon as the worms smelt it they were immediately at it. 
 It did not however so much matter, since he was often so 
 hungry that he left very little over of his allowance ; had 
 his health been good he might have eaten it at once. The 
 vermin, also, got into his water and were drowned, until 
 
 h2 
 
100 A MAETYROLOGY OF 
 
 at length he found a great stone and placed it on the mouth 
 of his pitcher. 
 
 In this severe trial his greatest affliction was that he 
 could obtain no message from the church or the brethren. 
 At this time there was in the upper country a certain 
 Hans Mein, a servant of the Lord, who greatly desired to 
 receive some information of him, and sent to him in the 
 dungeon to contrive some sure token that it was well with 
 icor.vi.i7. him, and that his heart still cleaved to God and his church. 
 If he had nothing else, he should send a small tuft of 
 straw, how small soever it might be. Hans could not 
 collect enough in the tower, so deep was his misery and 
 poverty. He recollected, however, the filthy collar which 
 lie had hung against the wall, and was glad, and sent it 
 from the dungeon to his brother as a token that his faith 
 in God was unchanged, and that he was in peace with the 
 church. When this brother received the collar, and thus 
 learned the misery and poverty of Hans, both he and his 
 church heartily commiserated his situation; and after a 
 sorrowful and bitter lamentation, they returned him a 
 message that the}'" would gladly send him some clothes, or 
 anything else he might want;, if it could possibly be con- 
 veyed to him ; but Hans would not receive it, and for this 
 reason, that if it were discovered, he should be again 
 thrown upon the rack and tortured, in order that they 
 might get other persons in their power. He therefore 
 informed them that he would help himself with the garment 
 of patience. 
 
 Thus he lay in this foul tower the whole summer, 
 vuitil nearly Michaelmas day in the harvest. When they 
 saw that the frost began to set in, they brought him out 
 from thence, and led him into another prison, which could 
 not possibly be worse. There he was obliged to stay for 
 thirty-seven weeks with one hand and one foot in the 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 101 
 
 stocks, SO that he was unable to lie down or sit, and could Heb. xi. 36. 
 
 only stand. He also suffered much mocking and ridicule 
 
 from the ungodly, who said, " There lies a holy man ; 
 
 there is no one wiser than he ; there- he sits as a light of 
 
 the world, and as a witness of God's people and church," 
 
 and other contemptuous expressions. On the other hand, 
 
 as he could not obtain any consolatory message from the 
 
 church, it pleased God so to order it that he received 
 
 comfort from unbelievers. One of the nobility once came Matt. xxv. 
 
 to console him; he said he must be valiant and not be 
 
 terrified, for he well knew that the truth was on his side, i.uUe xii. 4. 
 
 and that his faith was the true one ; but that it was not 
 
 possible to imitate him, or to siiffer what he endured. 
 
 Very earnestly did the brother address the noble in reply. 
 
 It also came to pass that his zeal for God was inflamed, 
 
 and he sent for the secretary that had apprehended him, 
 
 wishing him to come to him in the prison. He very 
 
 speedily came, sat down, and asked what he desired that 
 
 he had sent for him there. The brother said, " The only 
 
 reason is, that I cannot forbear showing you that, as you 
 
 well know, you are the most guilty cause of my imprison - Jer. xxvi. 
 
 ' . . . . . ■'^■ 
 
 ment and miserable sufferings, while never in my life I did 
 
 you any injury." The secretary sat alarmed and silent, 
 and said not a word, except that he had been obliged to 
 do it. The brother said, " Yes, the judgment of God im- 
 pelled you to do it, because you thirsted for the blood of 
 the godly ; it has therefore befallen you to have brought a 
 heavy judgment upon yourself. God will assuredly visit 
 you for it, demand it at your hands, and punish you for 
 your sin." The secretary M^as silent and could say [177] 
 nothing, so alarmed and stupified was he. Thus he went 
 away. In about fourteen days he died suddenly in the 
 night ; in one quarter of an hour was he well and dead. 
 Great dread was upon him, so that he cried fearfully and 
 moaned, lamenting that he had acted vmrighteously and 
 
102 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 committed iniquity. So must it fare with them who will 
 
 serve the devil and his fraternity. I forbear to say that he 
 
 was besides greatly censured by his lordship, his master. 
 
 Rom. xiv. In the same night in which this man died the brother 
 
 Matt. vii. 7. experienced great joy, so that he could not, by prayer and 
 
 thanksgiving, sufficiently praise the Lord ; for it occurred 
 
 to him in the night that he should yet be restored to the 
 
 brethren and the church. In the morning there came an 
 
 officer, who told him that the secretary had that night 
 
 psa. ixxiii. suddenly and awfully died. The fate of the secretary 
 
 produced great alarm in the mind of his lordship. 
 
 About a week afterwards one of the farm servants, a 
 ploughman, came into the castle towards eventide, and 
 having the keys, went to the brother, and asked him if he 
 still hoped to obtain his liberty. He answered, " I shall 
 Avait to see what you Avill do with me." The ploughman 
 tried to unlock the stocks, but could not find the right 
 key. The brother said he must not do it, it might bring 
 him into trouble. Not being able to find the right key, 
 the man said that he Avould let him free, but not just 
 then. The lady of the castle also sent a servant to the 
 prison, who called to the brother and said, " Our kind 
 lady sends you word that she will send the judge and the 
 jury, and if you will only speak two words, promise to 
 receive instruction and acknowledge that you have erred, 
 you shall be set at liberty, and she will take upon herself 
 the responsibility, so that no blame shall attach to you." 
 Mark 1. 15. But hc answcrcd, " She has sin enough already to repent 
 1 Tim. V. 22. of; she need not have to bear the sins of others," Thus 
 he had to pass another sorrowful winter in prison. 
 
 At length an order was issued by the coimcil at 
 Inspruck, which the magistrates brought to read to him. 
 The contents were as follows: — That since he was so 
 obdurate, and would receive no instruction, he should be 
 sent to sea, to which he must go the following morning ; 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHPIST. 103 
 
 there he would find how the obstinate were stripped and 
 flogged. But Hans answered that he would confide in the '■i cor. i. 9. 
 Lord his God, who was on the sea as well as on land, to Mark xiv. 
 
 30. 
 
 help him and give him patience. He was then released mke xviii. 
 
 from prison, and sufl:ered to go about the castle for two 
 
 days that he might learn again to walk. This he could 
 
 not easily do, so very infirm had he become through lying 
 
 in prison and in the stocks, fastened by locks and chains ; 
 
 for in this state he had lain two years within five weeks, 
 
 and had for a year and a half never seen the sun. One of 
 
 the officers was selected to take him to sea, to whose 
 
 entire charge he Avas committed. He took leave of every 
 
 one in the castle, exhorting them to repentance. The lady Matt. iii. 2. 
 
 of the castle sent for him previous to his departure. She M^it. i^ 17 
 
 took him into her cabinet. He there took leave of her, 
 
 and admonished her likewise to repent. He further 
 
 entreated her to leave the godly to worship in peace, not 
 
 to disturb them, nor cast any more pious persons into 
 
 prison. To this she assented, and began to weep. The 
 
 tears ran down her cheeks, as she said, " Never during my johnxi. 33. 
 
 life shall another come into my hands." She presented jer. xi. 
 
 him with money for his journey, and let him go. 
 
 The servant then led him away ; he was an ungodly 
 man. During the whole journey he called the brother 
 villain, or some other reproachful name. 
 
 Having journeyed for two days, this servant, in a tavern 
 at Nidder-dorp, became so drunk with wine given him by 
 the company present that, instead of going to bed to sleep, 
 he stretched himself on the table. In his sleep he fell from j^^^^ ^^j^ 
 the table ; the brother seeing this opened the room door, ^^' 
 then the door of the house, and shutting them after him. Acts xii. 10. 
 departed. 
 
 Thus God on that night delivered him ; it took place 
 in the year 1559, and he came in peace and with joy to his 
 brethren and the church of God. He travelled several 
 
104 A MAUTYROLOGY OF 
 
 times in that country, after that he was called to the office 
 
 of a minister of the divine word.^ 
 
 From this we may learn how God supports and helps 
 2 Tim. iv. his people ; how he can impart strength and patience in 
 Phil. ii. 13. their sufferings, Avhich otherwise Avere insupportable, to 
 Matt. xvii. those who in uprightness of heart confide in him ; we also 
 
 20. . 
 
 see how he deals with enemies and gainsayers, and visits 
 them, Not only did the secretary die a fearful death, as 
 above narrated ; during the time that this Hans Brael lay 
 2 Mace. ix. Jn prisou the lord of the castle died suddenly ; the servant 
 [178] also Avho was to bring Hans to the sea died miserably, 
 
 before the brother left the country ; and about two years 
 after that the judge died, not an ordinary but a most 
 wretched death. 
 
 JANNEKEN AVALEAVEN.— 1557. 
 
 On Whitsun-eve, in the year 1557, Janneken Walraven 
 was burned alive at Antwerp in Brabant, for the faith and 
 for the testimony of Jesus Christ. She was the mother 
 of Jaques Walraven, a well-known minister of the Avord 
 amongst the Baptists in Amsterdam ; this his mother, 
 1 Pet. iii. 7 although one of the weaker vessels, was not however 
 1 Tim. vi. weak in faith. Strono; and steadfast she fought the good 
 
 12. °. . o & 
 
 fight of faith, and obtained the victory through the grace 
 
 ' [lu the year following bis with sickness. He summoned to 
 escape, this confessor was called by his dying couch, the elders of the 
 his brethren into the service of church, also the members, address- 
 Christ as a teacher of the gospel. ing to them words of exhortation. 
 On the 5th of July, 1578, in an On the 14th he fell asleep in Jesus, 
 assembly of bi-ethren at Neumiihl, at Ne\-imiihl,iu Moravia. For twenty- 
 after much prayer to God for three years he had preached the 
 guidance, he was called to the gospel, and for six years exercised 
 pastoral oversight of the flock. His the pastoral office. His age at his 
 predcces.sor, Peter Walpot, had died decease was 63. M.S. Cronikel, 
 on the .30th of the preceding mouth. fol. 87, 102, 107.] 
 On the 9th Nov. 158.3, he was seized 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 105 
 
 of God, who never forsakes his people, but stands by them ^i^"''- ^^• 
 and goes with them into the water and the fire, lest they i^*- '''"'• '^• 
 suffer injury to the detriment of their soul's salvation. 
 Having, therefore, with her Bridegroom, overcome in Matt. x. 28. 
 suffering and death for his holy name, her immortal spirit 
 is, with all the holy martyrs, under the altar, with patience Kev. vi. 9. 
 awaiting at his return perfect redemption, when he shall 
 appear in the clouds of heaven to unite soul and body ; to J' im lii. 29. 
 glorify and make them like unto his own glorious body, pmi. lii. 21. 
 and to rejoice with him throughout eternity. 
 
 JOEIAEN SIMONS, AND CLEMENT DIEKS, WITH A 
 FEMALE NAMED MARY JORIS.— anno 1557. 
 
 At this time three pious witnesses of the truth fell into 
 the hands of the tyrants at Haarlem, in Holland ; Joriaen 
 Simons, Clement Dirks, and a female named Mary Joris. 
 By God's grace these faithful servants endured, for the 
 truth of Christ, close imprisonment and strict examina- 
 tions; nor did they, in their great distress, hide in the 
 earth, like the slothful servant, the talent they had I'e- Matt. xxv. 
 
 26. 
 
 ceived, but with diligence put it out to usury, so that, 
 
 from the very gates of their prison, they proclaimed the 
 
 word of the Lord for the reformation of all. Besides this 
 
 they made known, by a poetical piece, the cause of 
 
 their imprisonment; that they did not suffer as thieves 1 pet.iv. is. 
 
 and murderers, or as those who coveted the goods of 
 
 others, but that it was alone for the belief of the truth and 
 
 a pure conscience ; and that, governed by the fear of the 
 
 Lord, they could not, in opposition thereto, follow error. 
 
 The principal articles of their faith they also gave as 
 
 follows : — 
 
 1. That with all true witnesses of God, thev believe 
 
106 A MARTYROLOOY OF 
 
 and confess, from the holy scriptures, that Jesus Christ 
 joi)nxvi.28. the blessed was from heaven, and had proceeded from 
 
 God his heavenly Father ; he was therefore pure and holy, 
 Heb. ix. 11. ^ot partaking of Adam's sinful and corruptible nature. 
 
 2. That they had been baptized on a confession of their 
 Matt.xxviii. faith according; to the command of Christ : they affirmed on 
 
 19. ^ . ' 
 
 Mark xvi. the othcr hand that infant baptism was not from God, but 
 was in opposition to his word ; that from Christ's own 
 words it is evident that children stand wholly in the grace 
 
 Matt. xix. of God, and are in a state of salvation, without needing 
 
 14, and ' ' ^ 
 
 Matt.xviii. to receive baptism or any other rite from men. And 
 therefore all that is thus done for the salvation of children 
 is vain human presumption. 
 
 3. Concerning the supper of the Lord, they confess 
 that they observed it according to his command and agree- 
 
 Matt. xxvi. ably to the institution of Christ, after his own usage and 
 Maikxiv. blessing when with his apostles ; and that each one should 
 Lukexxii, examine himself before approaching to his table. That 
 1 Cor. XI. 27 Qijj,jgt ^^^ jjot cclcbrate his supper with drunkards and 
 
 violators of Avomen, or with those who were known to be 
 
 wicked, as is customary with the papists. 
 
 4. On the contrary, they firmly reject the small piece 
 of baked bread, or consecrated host of the papists, which 
 they give to the people as the true real Son of God, as 
 able to impart grace and salvation in time of need ; and 
 they confess that all who worship such bread, or place 
 
 M.itt iv. 10. confidence therein, do grievously err. 
 
 5. They cannot acknowledge the pope and the Romish 
 Deut. vi. 13. church to be the church of God, but oppose it with all 
 1 s:im.vii.3. its absurd ceremonies ; nor do they regard the wares (with 
 
 which it trades) to be of God. 
 
 6. In the church they acknowledge no other punish- 
 ment of offenders than evangelic excommunication ; there- 
 
 y.B.\\. xviii. by to separate the bad from the good, that a pure church 
 may be presented to the Lord, in which there may be 
 
THE CHUliCHES OP CHRIST. 107 
 
 nothing Impure or dcfilecl, that is not banished from it. Eph. v. 17. 
 This church they acknowledge to be the queen and bride 2 cor. xi. 4. 
 of Christ. 
 
 By these means, the fire of the gospel so spread in 
 Haarlem, notwithstanding the tyrannical violence em- 
 ployed to crush it, that even in the night, when they 
 abused them, an exceltent and edifying address was fear- 
 lessly delivered in Schouts-street, by the pious Bouwen 
 Lubberts." 
 
 When the above-mentioned Joriaen and Clement were 
 brought out to die, on the 26th April, 1557, they were 
 greatly pitied by the common people ; but they said, 
 " Weep not for us ; weep over your sins, and sincerely L"ke xxui. 
 repent." After they had made their prayer to God with 
 fervent hearts, they were each fastened to a stake. They 
 said, " We do not suffer as evil doers, but for obedience to 1 ret. iv. 1. 
 the truth alone/' And thus, having commended their 
 souls to God in steadfast confidence, they cheerfully and Actsvii. s. 
 piously stretched out their necks, and were first strangled 
 and afterwards burnt. They abode to the end steadfast in ^^^"- *^'^- 
 the truth of the holy gospel which they had received — to 
 the comfort and rejoicing of many of the godly. 
 
 After the tyrants had finished their strangling and 
 burning, they sought their books to burn them, in order 
 to extinguish the disciples: for it is related by the ancient 
 
 ™ [Leonard Bouwens was an emi- baptized exceed 10,000 persons, 
 
 ueut elder and leader of the bap- An adequate idea of the extent to 
 
 tists of this period. He died at which baj^tist sentiments prevailed, 
 
 Hoorn, in the year 1578. A very can only be attained by remember- 
 
 interesting list remains, probably in ingthatMenno Simons,DirkPhillips, 
 
 his own hand-writing, of the places and others, were equally active in 
 
 in which he had baptized, and the Holland and Flanders. Ten Gate's 
 
 number of persons that had obeyed Gesch. der Doops. Friesland, i. 87, 
 
 the command of Christ. These 89. Gesch. der Doops. Groningen, 
 
 places are situate in Friesland, -p. 51. Gesch. der Doops. Holland, 
 
 Groningen, Overyssel, and other i. 24.] 
 parts of Holland, and tlie numbers 
 
108 
 
 A. MAllTYKOLOGY OF 
 
 historians, that Joriaen Symons went about selling books. 
 But when it was observed that the books began to blaze, 
 such a tumult arose among the people, that the magis- 
 trates hastily departed. The people then threw the books 
 amongst the crowd, who most eagerly caught them. Thus, 
 through the providence of God, instead of the truth being 
 extinguished, as was intended, it was the more spread 
 abroad by the reading of so great a number of these 
 books. 
 
 Mary Joris remained, likewise, faithful in this trial, 
 and piously confessed her faith before the magistrates. 
 She was also ready to resign her life, with her brethren, 
 for the name of the Lord ; but, as she was pregnant, she 
 had to await her confinement. The will of the Lord, 
 was however, otherwise ; for her delivery cost her her 
 life. Thus released from the body, the tyrants were not 
 permitted to satisfy their malice against her. With her 
 brethren, she fell asleep in the Lord. 
 
 Whoever is so disposed, may read this history in the 
 old Hymn Book, both as given by this witness herself in 
 her imprisonment, and as composed in verse by the pious 
 Bouwen Lubberts." 
 
 A Testament which Joriaeri Simons left his son Simon, 
 while lying a prisoner in Haarlem, for the word of the 
 Lord, and afterivards put to death in the year 1557, the 
 26th April° 
 
 May God of his great mercy cause my son Simon to 
 grow up in virtue, and, if the Lord permit him to come 
 to years of understanding, to confess him; and having 
 
 » [This rare book is entitled The historical poem referred to 
 
 Een Liedtboecken, Trackteerende above is found at fol. 39, b.] 
 
 vdn het Offer des Heeren. Tot Har- •" [Het Offer des Heereu. fol. 1 16.] 
 linghen int jaer ons Heeren, 1599. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 109 
 
 known his will, to order his life agreeably thereto, that 
 he may obtain eternal salvation through his beloved Son 
 Jesus Christ, together with the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 My child and dear son, bend your ear to your father's [iso] 
 admonition, and listen to my relation, how, and in what pi"v. iv. i. 
 manner, he began and ended his life. 
 
 Unprofitable, proud, puffed up, drunken, selfish, faith- oai. v. lo. 
 less, full of all idolatry, was the beginning of my life. 
 When I had arrived at years of maturity, and became my 
 own master, I sought only what pleased my flesh; and 
 lived an idle delicate life. I was covetous of shameful i Tim. la. 3. 
 gain. I sought to bring my neighbour's daughter to 
 shame, as appears, alas ! from the act itself; and what 
 1 did in secret is shameful to be told. I was a vessel full Epii. v. 12. 
 of impiety. But, my dear child, when I gave myself 
 to the reading of scripture, and searched and read it Joim v. 39. 
 through, I found that my life tended to everlasting death, 
 that everlasting woe hung over my head, and the lake of Rev. xu. s. 
 hell, which burns with sulphur and pitch, was prepared 
 for me. This was approaching me, according to Paul's 
 words, for he says, Thei/ that do such things shall not Gai. v. 19. 
 inherit the hingdom of God. 
 
 Taking these things to heart, I began to be greatly 
 alarmed and afraid. I took the word of God to be my Psa cxix. 
 
 24. 
 
 counsellor. I considered which would be the best, to live 
 here, for a short time, a licentious life, and expect the 
 everlasting torment of hell, or to suffer here, a little 
 misery (if, indeed, it may be called misery), and hereafter 
 enter everlasting joy. I found in the sci'ipture, ?F7iai shall Matt. xvi. 
 
 26. 
 
 it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his oion soul? 
 and that he had nothing by which he might redeem it. 
 Therefore, my beloved scm, I esteemed it better, like 
 Moses, to suffer for a short time affliction with the people Heb. xi. 25. 
 of God, than to live in sinful pleasure in the world which 
 must shortly perish. I therefore renounced my ease 
 
110 A MAUTYUOLOGY OF 
 
 voluntarily, and without constraint, and turned into the 
 
 Matt, vii.13. narrow way to follow Christ, my head, well knoAving, 
 
 Joimviii. that if I followed him to the end I should not walk 
 
 in darkness. When I had in measure renounced and 
 
 rejected the old man, and desired to be a new creature 
 
 after God, and to live a pious godly life, I was immediately 
 
 isa. lix. 15. (as were all the godly before me) hated, and led to prison 
 
 in St. John's Gate, Haarlem. 
 
 This, my beloved son, was my life until that time when 
 the Lord enlightened me. In the first place, my dear 
 child, I wish you heartily to be admonished and entreated 
 to avoid and eschew all wickedness, and walk in the fear 
 psa. exi. 10. of tlic Lord (wliich is the beginning of wisdom) from your 
 very childhood. And if God reveal his truth to you, that 
 Eccius.xiv. you will not delay to walk therein ; for death pursues the 
 
 IS 
 
 young as well as the old. Employ well the time which is 
 
 Eccius. ix. granted you of God for your improvement. Let your 
 
 prov. i.io. intercourse be with the good ; be aware of the perverse; 
 
 when sinners entice you consent not, and do not associate 
 
 Eccius. xiii. with them ; turn away your feet from their paths ; their 
 
 steps lead to destruction. Thus, touch not the pitch, that 
 
 you be not thereby defiled ; for to the wicked an evil 
 
 end is near, which is a burden they all shall bear. Against 
 
 this, and against all evil, be on your guard, my dear son. 
 
 2Cor. V. 10. Take heed, and think of what Paul says, that ice must all 
 
 stand at the judgment seat of Christ, that each one m.ay 
 
 receive in his body according to that he hath done, whether it 
 
 be good or bad. The flesh will counsel you nothing good. 
 
 Rora.viii. c. Therefore Paul may well say. To be carnally minded is 
 
 death; yea, they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 
 
 Therefore crucify your fleshly members here on earth. 
 
 Head Paul, or hear him read ; he will correctly tell you 
 
 Gal. V. 19. what arc the works of the flesh. If you have time and 
 
 opportunity, use your efforts and diligence to learn to 
 
 read and write, that you may the better learn and know 
 
 what tlie Lord reiiuires of you. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. Ill 
 
 My beloved son, my heart's desire and prayer to the 
 Lord for you is, that your soul may be protected from the 
 flood of God's wrath that shall overtake all the ungodly 
 who have not sought after God, nor walked in his com- 
 mandments. This approaching wrath you cannot escape 
 better than by looking to Jesus Christ, the Son of the 
 Almighty and everlasting Father, who is the head and Eph. i. 22. 
 example of all that believe, yea, the author of faith and rieb. xii. 2. 
 its finisher, that is, Jesus Christ. Inquire of him for 
 counsel, what is, above all, the best for you to do ; he will 
 teach you ; knock at the door of the holy Ti'inity ; beseech Matt, vii 7. 
 him and he will open to you, and give you that which is 
 needful for you. Hunger and thirst for the truth, and you Matt. v. e. 
 shall be filled. Do not seek for great temporal things, 
 although they who obtain them are thought by people in 
 general to be blessed and honoured ; yet are they unblessed 
 and rejected by God ; therefore, humble yourself under the 1 pet. v. e. 
 mighty hand of God, that in eternity you may rejoice. 
 
 Consider how it was with Him and with all the godly Luke ii. 7. 
 before him, and likewise since; his birth was poor and 
 miserable ; he was obliged immediately to flee from Herod, Matt. a. is. 
 
 for he sought his life. He had not in his sufferinofs where Matt. viii. 
 _ ° _ '=20. 
 
 to lay his head ; and for all his great and glorious benefits., Lisi] 
 
 he had for thanks to be called deceiver, wine-bibber. Matt, xu 19. 
 
 Samaritan, and one possessed by the devil. Besides J..ini viii. 
 
 48. 
 
 this they attempted to stone him ; all this continued until .Toi.n viii. 
 the time being fulfilled they condemned him to the most 
 shameful death. 
 
 Before the giving of the law the pious Abel had to sufler cen. iv. ?. 
 from his brother Cain, who slew him from mere hatred and 
 envy, because his brother's works were good and acceptable 
 to God, and his own wicked and rejected. All the excellent Matt. v. 12. 
 prophets who lived according to the word of God and 
 maintained it, without any respect of persons, had to sufler 
 much. Micaiah, in the time of Ahab the kiuff, the only ^ '^'"s^ 
 
 O' •' xxii. 14. 
 
112 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 one found faithful amongst four hundred false prophets, 
 was beaten by Zedekiah, and afterwards thrown into a 
 
 1 ^.'"^^0 dungeon. Elijah, among four hundred and fifty false 
 
 priests of Jezebel, the only faithful one, was also called to 
 suflPer much ; so that Paul might well say, for he had him- 
 
 2 Tim. iii. self experienced it, that all that will live godly in Christ 
 
 Jesus must suffer persecution. 
 
 This, all other godly witnesses of God have also expe- 
 rienced, but they remained stedfast to the end ; wherefore, 
 James i. 1?. as the Scripturc sj)eaks, the crown is prepared for them ; 
 for the mouth of Christ himself testifies that, whosoever 
 
 Matt. xxiv. endureth to the end shall he saved; he that overcomes shall 
 
 13. . . . 
 
 Rev. xxi. 7. Inherit all things ; shall be clothed ivith white garments^ and 
 
 Rev. 11. /. shall eat of the tree of life which is iu the midst of the paradise 
 of God. 
 
 psa.i. ]. Consider this, my beloved son, meditate herein day and 
 
 night ; namely, to die to the world and to fulfil the will of 
 Christ. In the first place, and above all, guard against all 
 false prophets, hypocrites, and dissembled saints, who, in 
 my time, were the priests and monks, and will not, I fear, 
 
 2 Tiin. iii. bc Wanting in yours, as long as rich dainties follow them. 
 Believe them not, for they are deceivers of men and mur- 
 derers of souls. My son, he who Avrltes you this has known 
 it well by experience and examination; he has himself 
 drvink of the cup. Neither live among any sect, of which, 
 in my time there were many, as Lutherans, Zwlngllans, 
 and others; all of whom have indeed the appearance of 
 
 Lukexx. 31. heing good, yet In reality are bad and a deadly poison. 
 Look after a small band, whose entire rule of life agrees 
 with the commands of God, and whose ordinances or 
 sacraments arc conformable to the command of Christ and 
 the usage of the apostles ; that is the true church of 
 
 rvii. V. 27. Christ, without spot or blemish ; flesh of his flesh, and bone 
 
 1 Till), iii. ?. of his bone. They have likewise teachers, according to 
 the instruction of Paul, unblameable in all things, having 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 113 
 
 obedient children and believing wives, who know nothing 
 
 of law-suits or pleadings ; of curses or oaths ; of any hatred 
 
 or envy ; of any lying or deception ; of any uncleanness or 
 
 adultery. With such all is love, peace, unity, and truth, 
 
 as Paul will teach you, and these are the fruits of the ^»'- ^- 2?- 
 
 Spirit. 
 
 My dear son and beloved child, this is my greatest 
 desire, and last will, my testament to you ; this I desire 
 of you, that you will diligently peruse and digest it well, 
 and let it accompany the scriptures, that your ways may be 
 ordered agreeably thereto. Observe well, my son, what I 
 write. Many will be seen having the appearance of good 
 teachers, saying that they have medicine for your sick 
 soul ; but those with whom you find profit are they who 
 have the truth, with these abide. Water and fire are set eccius.xy. 
 
 ' 16. 
 
 before your eyes; you may stretch out your hand to 
 which of them you please, it is death or life. This, my 
 dear son, will at first be very hard for you to hear, for 
 your first birth is contrary thereto, being of the flesh ; John m o. 
 but you must be born anew, and be converted, if you will j^^^^ ^^..^ 
 enter into the kingdom of God. This you cannot under- 
 stand, as long as you are carnally minded ; yea, as long as a cor. ii. 14. 
 you are not esteemed of the world a fool and an enemy. 1 cor n u. 
 
 My dearly beloved son, my prayer is at last, as at first, 
 that you will think on this and conform yourself to it. 
 From a faithful parental heart, I leave you this, being 
 aboiit to depart from this world, and suffer death for the 
 word of the Lord. The Lord grant you, and all who read 
 it, or hear it read, that they may take it to heart, act 
 accordingly, and become eternally blessed. 
 
 My son's testament. — Written in the year 1557, the 
 first Monday in April. On the 26th day of the 
 month, it was confirmed by death. p 
 
 P [Van Braght also gives three to his Christian friends, from which 
 other admonitory epistles addressed we learn that he was at least sub- 
 
 VOL. II. I 
 
114 A MARTYROLOGY of 
 
 [185] ALGEEIUS, 
 
 A STUDENT OF PADUA, MISERABLY BURNED AT ROME, 
 ANNO 1557. 
 
 A consolatory/ Epistle of the youth named Algerius, who, for 
 the testimony of Jesus, was immolated in the city of Rome, 
 in the year of our Lord 1557.'' 
 In this epis- ^q {]^q belovcd brethren and fellow servants of Jesus 
 
 tie we have 
 
 wkdomr'' Christ who have come out of Babylon unto Mount Zion, 
 and^xcei- whosc uamcs, not without cause, I conceal : grace, peace, 
 we h4ve and mercy be with you from God our Father, and the Lord 
 
 read it . 
 
 numberless Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, Amen. 
 
 times with 
 
 andrmouon. ^^ ordcr to allcviatc, or partly to remove, the anguish 
 God has** ° which you suffer on my account, I have desired to make 
 
 thereby i p i . t . i i 
 
 been in- you partakers 01 the joy i experience, that you may be 
 n'oTonP to'' S^^^ ^^'\^t\l me, and in the presence of the Lord may rejoice 
 christbut with thanksgiving. 
 needs be) 'to I wiU rclatc an incredible thing: that I have found 
 
 die with .«• *ii«)i i ttti "n 
 
 him, and for infinite swectucss lu the lions bowels. v\ ho will believe 
 
 his holy 
 
 truth. Oh ! that which I shall relate ? who can believe it ? In a dark 
 
 were we 
 
 th°ere*!ff, that ^^^Ic I havc fouud chcerfulncss ; in a place of bitterness 
 name" ^ and death, rest and hope of salvation : in the abyss or depth 
 (Unworthy) of hcll, loy. Whcrc others weep, I have found lauo-hter: 
 
 might be "^ •' ^ . 
 
 ?'■'!'««'•! where others fear, there have I found strength. Who will 
 ever believe, that in a state of misery, I have had great 
 pleasure ; that in a lonely corner, I have had glorious 
 company ; and in the hardest bonds, perfect repose ? All 
 these things (ye, my companions in Jesus Christ), the 
 bountiful hand of God has granted me. Behold ! he who 
 at first stood far from me, is now with me ; and him 
 
 jected to two severe examinations in the year 1536. Annales Anab. 
 before his sentence was pronounced. p. 128. Twisck gives it under the 
 The form of the sentence is similar year 1557. Chronijck van der On- 
 to that given in previous cases.] dergangh, &c., ii. 1178.] 
 1 [Ottius places this martyrdom 
 
THE CHURCHES OP CHRIST. 115 
 
 whom I imperfectly knew, I now see clearly ; him whom 
 
 I formerly saw afar off, I now contemplate as present. 
 
 He for whom I longed, now stretches forth his hand ; he 2 cor. i. 4. 
 
 comforts me ; he fills me with joy ; he drives bitterness 
 
 from me, and renews my strength and consolation; he 
 
 gives me health ; he supports me ; he helps me up ; he 
 
 makes me strong. Oh ! how good the Lord is, who suffers 
 
 not his servants to be tempted beyond their ability. Oh 1 Matt. xi. 30. 
 
 how light, pleasant, and sweet is his yoke ! Is any like ^«^- ''"• 
 
 unto God most high ; who supports and refreshes the 
 
 tempted ; who heals the stricken and wounded, and restores 
 
 them altogether ? None is like unto him. Learn, my isa xiiii. 10. 
 
 most beloved brethren, how gracious the Lord is ; how 
 
 faithful and compassionate is he who visits his servants in isa. xim. 2. 
 
 their trials ; he who humbles himself, and condescends to 
 
 stand by us in our huts and mean abodes. He grants us 
 
 a cheerful mind, and a peaceful heart. 
 
 Will the blind world believe these things ? No ! But 
 because they are unbelievers, they will rather say. You will 
 not long endure the heat, the cold, and the hardship of the 
 place ; how then will you be able to bear the cross, the 
 thousand-fold contempt, iojustice, reproaches, and infamies 
 that await you ? Have you no regard for your dear native Matt. iv. 8. 
 land ; the riches of this world ; your parents ; the rank 
 and honour of courts ? Can you banish from your mind 
 those noble and inspiring arts which cost you so much 
 labour ? Will you lose so much for just nothing ? the 
 fruit of your many watchings, of so much toil, and 
 industry? To what purpose have you attempted and 
 endured so much, from your youth up ? Have you no 
 fear of death, which, though innocent, awaits you ? Oh ! 
 what a foolish and ignorant thing it is, to be able, and 
 yet unwilling, by a single word, to avoid all this and 
 escape from death ! Oh ! what folly, when you can obtain That is 
 
 ^ . , . . knightliood 
 
 so many privileges from such an honourable, just, wise, °^ nobiuty 
 
 I 2 
 
116 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 and pious council, and from illustrious men, that you 
 
 wilfully refuse to receive them. 
 
 But hear now, ye blind and dying men! what is hotter 
 
 and fiercer than that fire which is prepared for you? 
 
 what is colder than your own heart, which is still in 
 John i. 5. darkness, and has no light at all ? what is harder, more 
 
 disorderly, and more restless, than your life? what is 
 
 more ignoble and hateful, than your own age ? Ye wor- 
 2 Cor. V. 1. thies ! tell me what country or home is more pleasant than 
 
 heaven ? what treasure is greater than eternal life ? Who 
 John XX. 31. are our parents or friends, but they who keep the word of 
 Luke xi. 28. God ? Whcrc is greater joy, riches, and more exalted 
 Matt. XXV. honour than in heaven ? Tell me, ye ignorant ones, are 
 
 21. . . ^ o 
 
 not the arts given to impart the knowledge of God? if 
 
 Rom. i. 25. wc disccm him not in truth, doubtless all our trouble, 
 watchings, and toil, yea, all our efforts, will have been 
 expended in vain, and to our loss. Answer me, ye un- 
 
 Exod. XV. happy men, what comfort or remedy can he have who is 
 without God — the repose and the refreshment of all? 
 How can he say that I fear death, while he is himself dead 
 
 1 Tim. V. 6. in sin, and thus esteems death more precious than life ? 
 
 John xiv. 6. For if Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, can men 
 find that life out of Christ ? Heat is to me a refreshing 
 delight; winter a time of rejoicing in the Lord. Should 
 
 Matt. 1. 28. I5 who fear not the burning of the fire, be afraid of a little 
 heat? Can he be tortured by icy cold who consumes, 
 melts, and falls asleep in the love of God? 
 
 True, the guilty and evil doers cannot abide this place; 
 but to the innocent and righteous it is very pleasant and 
 sweet ; honey comes therefrom ; thence flows heavenly 
 drink; there milk bubbles up and issues forth; thence 
 springs up an abundance of every good thing. The place 
 is, indeed, esteemed solitary and base, yet is it to me an 
 extensive dale, and one of the most honourable places in 
 the world. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 117 
 
 Tell me, ye miserable men, if now I could have a pas- 
 ture or land more delightful than this. Here I see kings, 
 princes, states, and nations ; I see war and sti'ife ; some 
 are hewn in pieces, others appear as conquerors; some 
 have fallen into misery, others have climbed the pinnacles 
 of honour. Here is mount Zion. Here I rise and ascend 
 to heaven. Jesus Christ stands before me. Patriarchs, 
 prophets, evangelists, apostles, and all the servants of 
 God encircle me. He, the Lord, folds me in his arms, and 
 supports me. These admonish me, those show me the 
 holy things; these comfort me, others conduct me with 
 shouts and songs. 
 
 Shall I then say that I am alone amongst so many? for Us^] 
 I have companions to console me, and examples to imitate. 
 Here I see some crucified, others beheaded ; some stoned, Heb. xi. 
 
 ,, . iiiii« Of these, in 
 
 others hewn to pieces ; some roasted, others bakeci in pans, Eusebius 
 
 and in other 
 
 in ovens, or cast into caldrons of oil : one has his eyes places. 
 thrust out, another his tongue torn out ; some are flayed 
 alive, others have their hands and feet cut off; some are 
 thrown into burnino; furnaces, others given to the beasts 2 Esdras 
 
 ° ^ ' ° viii. 
 
 for food ; but time would fail n)e to relate the whole. 
 
 Lastly, I see others who suffered many kinds of torture 
 and martyrdom, and all that they might now live and be 
 no more sick. One only remedy and Physician is there for 
 them all, who can heal all their infirmities. He gives me 
 strength and life, and makes me cheerful to suffer all this an- 
 guish and sorrow, which is only momentary, and not worth 
 mention. That is the hope which I have placed in heaven. 
 I fear not those who unrighteously reproach and per- 
 secute me ; forasmuch as He who lives in heaven healing 
 these, shall mark and chastise theryi. I will not be afraid of Heb. xUi. 6. 
 thousands of people who stand around me ; for the Lord 
 my God will at all times deliver me. He is my protector 
 and defender ; he is my comfort ; he is my head ; he will 
 defeat them who, without cause, set themselves a!xain.st 
 
118 A MARTYROLOGY OK 
 
 me ; he will break the jaws of the wicked ; for salvation 
 and blessing, the power, and the kingdom, are his. The 
 
 1 Pet. iv. 14. reproach which we suffer for Christ's sake, brings lis 
 
 nothing but pure gladness and joy. For thus it is written, 
 If ye be reproached and slandered for the name of Christ, 
 happy are ye; for that is the honour, glory, and power of 
 God, and his Spirit shall rest upon you. If then we are 
 assured of our salvation, we shall esteem as nothing the 
 rude reproaches of those who contemn us. 
 
 2 Cor. V. 1. On earth I have no abiding city or place of rest ; my 
 Heb. xi. 14. home and country is heaven, I seek the new city, Jeru- 
 Kev. xxi. 2. salcm, which I see before me, which approaches to me. 
 
 See, I am already on the road ; there my happy home is 
 found. My riches, my parents and my friends, my plea- 
 sure and my glory, all are there. I doubt not but I shall 
 be with them. All earthly things are but shadows ; they 
 are all perishable ; vanity of vanities to those who miss 
 the hope and possession of eternal life. 
 
 The arts or gifts which God bestowed upon me were 
 at first delightful amusements and recreations to me; 
 they now yield me holy fruits. I have (it is true) toiled, 
 suffered cold, watched day and night, as far as it was in 
 my power ; but this labour has only served to perfect 
 me. I suffered no day nor hour to pass without a line. 
 Behold, the faithful countenance of God has unveiled 
 
 1 Pet. i. 8. itself upon my life ; and the Lord has given my heart 
 great joy. In him alone I rest in peace. 
 
 Who will now dare to say that I have lost my years and 
 my life ? Who will say that I have lost my courage ? 
 
 Lament, iii. For my soul has said. The Lord is my p)ortion : therefore 
 will I hope in him. Wherefore, since dying in the Lord is 
 no dying, but only leads to a blessed life : wherefore doth 
 an enemy of God seek to hinder me from dying? All 
 this will be to me the highest joy, if I may but taste of 
 the cup of the Lord. What more certain pledge of my 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 119 
 
 salvation could happen to me? Did he not say that 
 
 men will do to you, even as they have done to me ? Let john xv. 2c. 
 
 the foolish man henceforth be silent, who has long erred 
 
 in the light of the meridian sun. Let the blind world 
 
 cease to imagine such things; for I will say with the 
 
 apostle : Neither distress, nor anguish, nor hunger, nor Rom. viii. 
 
 nakedness, nor anxiety, nor persecution, nor sword, shall 
 
 be able to separate us from the love of Christ. We are 
 
 killed all the day long, we are led as sheep to the p^. xUt. 22. 
 
 slaughter ; but we are thus sharers with Christ, who hath 
 
 said, that tJie disciple is not above his Master, nor the servant Matt. x. 24. 
 
 above his Lord. He hath also left it on record, that each Matt. x. 38. 
 
 one must take up his cross and follow him. 
 
 Comfort yourselves, ye dearly beloved fellow servants \i°^' ""'" 
 of God, comfort yourselves; for we endure manifold 
 temptations. Let our patience, in all situations and in all 
 places, be made perfect, since these things are spoken and 
 promised us here on earth ; for it is written, that they john xvi. 2. 
 who kill us will think that they do a holy work, and 
 make an offering to God. Therefore fear and death are 
 but parts and parcels of our lot, which make known to us 
 our calling; while we rejoice in the life to come, andrhiiiv. 4. 
 triumph in the Lord, though smitten down without fault 
 and given over to death. For it is better, if the will q/'iPet.iii. 17. 
 God be so, to suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. An 
 example is set before us in Christ, and in the pi'ophets 
 who have spoken in the name of the Lord, whom the ^^*"- ^^i"- 
 children of unrighteousness have killed, according to their 
 usage and wont. Behold! what shall we do? Blessed 
 are they who remain steadfast. We rejoice in our inno- [issj 
 cence, and in the righteousness bestowed upon us by the 
 Lord. God will punish them who persecute us. 
 
 I have been accused as a fool, inasmuch as I hide not 
 the knowledge of God, and seek not to conceal, but to 
 declare it both in private and in public ; which I could 
 
120 A MARTYBOLOGY OK 
 
 answer by a single word, O, thou poor creature! what art 
 thou, who beholdest not the sun ? thou who thinkest not 
 of the words of God ? 
 Matt. V. 14. My beloved, remember the saying of Christ ; Ye are the 
 light of the world ; also, a city set upon a hill, which cannot 
 be hidden. Men do not light a candle, and set it under a 
 bushel, but on a candlestick, that it may give light to all that 
 Matt. X. 18. «^^ in the house. And in another place he saith ; Ye shall 
 Matt. X. 28. be brought before goveryiors and kings, and others. There- 
 fore, ^ear not them that kill the body ; but rather fear Him 
 who can kill the soul. Therefore, whosoever shall confess me 
 before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is 
 in heaven. 
 
 Since, then, the Lord hath spoken so plainly, by what 
 
 authority do they act who counsel and desire to persuade 
 
 me? For I will never forsake the counsel of God to 
 
 follow the counsel of men, since it is written, that he is 
 
 blessed who loalketh not in the way of the ungodly, nor 
 
 standeth in the counsel of the unrighteous, nor sitteth in the 
 
 seat of the scornfid. 
 
 John xii. 13. Never will I deny Christ, but as often as it is needful I 
 
 will confess him ; I will not esteem my life more than my 
 
 soul ; I will not exchange the future life for the present. 
 
 Wisd. V. 3. Oh ! how little does he know, who thinks that we are in 
 
 These words the w ay of folly. This I regard it nut as unbecoming:, 
 
 we have J J O ^ 0» 
 
 changed althoui^h I plcasc not the most mighty, most righteous, 
 
 somewhat o ir o J ' O ' 
 
 fiie^gfyie^of" most wise, most merciful, most excellent, most illustrious 
 Thisisthe^' scuators of this place; whose favour is promised me, if I 
 
 title of the 
 
 nobility at rCCaut. 
 
 Venice. 
 
 But inasmuch as we are instructed by the apostles of 
 the Lord, that we must obey God rather than men, this is, 
 therefore, the reason that I accept not this favour from 
 them. I wish that they were more perfect in the pre- 
 sence of the Lord. They are indeed here, most mighty ; 
 but they should make themselves perfect in the Lord. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 121 
 
 They are indeed righteous ; but they fail of Christ, who 
 
 is the gi'ound of righteousness. They are wise ; but Eociue i. ic. 
 
 where the beginning of wisdom is, there is also the fear 
 
 of God. They are called merciful ; but I wish they 
 
 were more resigned (or more subject) to Christian love. 
 
 They are gracious ; but I wish them the foundation of 
 
 goodness, namely, the best and most high God. They arc 
 
 called illustrious ; but they have not received our Saviour, Roni.xiii.i4. 
 
 the most illustrious One. 
 
 Perceive ye, and mark well, O ye kings and judges of -Vatt. i. 21. 
 the earth ; be ye instructed ; serve the Lord with fear and 
 rejoice with trembling. Receive instruction, lest the wisd. vi. 2. 
 Lord be wroth, and ye perish from the right way. Why Acts iv. 26. 
 do ye rage, O ye people and heathen ? Why do ye 
 imagine vain things against the Lord, ye kings of the 
 earth and ye rulers? Why have ye set yourselves 
 together against Christ, the holy one of God ? How long 
 will ye seek lies, and hate the truth ? Turn ye, turn ye 
 to the Lord our God, and be not hardened in your hearts, 
 for you must admit that they who persecute the servants 
 of God, persecute God himself; for he has said, that what ze^h. u.e. 
 men shall do unto you, that is done to myself and not to 
 you. 
 
 Let men do as they will, shall the word of the Lord be [i89] 
 brought to nought ? Shall the gospel no more avail ? 
 Nay, assuredly ; for the kingdom of God shall be only so cai. vi. is. 
 much the more acceptable to the true Israelites, and come 
 the sooner to the chosen of God. And they who do such 
 things will expei'ience the judgment of God. They who 2TheE8. i.e. 
 slay the righteous will not go unpunished. 
 
 Most beloved, lift up your eyes, and receive in your 
 hearts the counsel of God. A short time since, the Lord 
 gave you a sign by pestilence, for your amendment ; but 
 if men will not regard it he will unsheath his sword, and Psa. vu. 12. 
 stx-ikc with pestilence and with hunger the people that lift 
 
122 A MARTYROLOGT OF 
 
 Acts xii 3. up their horn against Christ. Which scouro-e may God of 
 
 Actsxxi.33. o J 
 
 his mercy turn away from this place. 
 
 To D , the most fervent amongst the faithful, from 
 
 of the/ew* the imprisoned and fettered Algerius, from the most de- 
 ^ate/to^blf lightful pleasure garden, the prison, called Leonia, the 
 
 a mistake. 12th of July, 1557.* 
 
 How Algerius was sacrificed. 
 Some of the This Algcrius, vcry younsf in years, was a student from 
 
 ancient ^ j cs j 
 
 writerswere the kingdom of Naplcs, and studied at Padua. A brother 
 
 rot aware •-' ^ 
 
 youtii^A^ge- '^^^ spoke his language came to [him there, with whom 
 applied to he inquired into the way and the will of the Lord. To 
 church ^ this he earnestly o-ave heed, and was immediately baptized 
 
 (shortly be- . . ^ r 
 
 fore his into his death (namely, the death of the Lord). As a 
 
 death) for \ J ' J 
 
 wifidi'he courageous soldier and champion of Christ, he manfully 
 h!rprofes°" ^ud fcarlcssly, in deed and with might, confessed him, and 
 therefore "^^ witucsscd and Sealed his confession with his blood ; he 
 attributed was thus made like his Master ; for (like as Christ when 
 
 to him 
 
 another re- j^g asccudcd out of Jordau), he was immediately assailed, 
 
 ligion. '' -' ' 
 
 This serves bcino; throwu into prison by the tempter and his instru- 
 
 as a memo- ° i. j i. 
 
 *■'*'• ments. There he endured many a severe conflict; but 
 
 was always greatly strengthened and comforted by the 
 Lord (whom he always set before him), and found great 
 consolation, as his own writings abundantly show, which 
 he wrote from Padua and while in prison to the brethren 
 
 2^ror. xiii. jn Italy, to strengthen and comfort them in the sorrow 
 which they felt on his account, and for whom, as for a 
 young believer, they were concerned. But the Lord, 
 
 p.a.xivi. 11. powerfully girded him with strength, and by him, as a 
 chosen vessel, brought glory to his name. After many 
 trials, he was brought to Venice, where the whole Vene- 
 tian council or nobility (like as the tempter did Christ) 
 assailed him by earnest entreaties and caresses, by the 
 
 Malt. iv.p. offer of all kinds of worldly help and friendship; they 
 thought to entice him and effect his fall ; but, as an 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 123 
 
 immoveable pillar, he despised these things, and for y-p^es vi. 
 Christ's sake contemned them ; that he might with Moses rini. m. 7. 
 and Paul win Christ. neb. xi. 2-1. 
 
 When now, after long detention, they could not succeed, [19 1 
 he was sent to Rome and delivered over to the pope. 
 After a hard and severe confinement, endured with great Act8xvi.23. 
 steadfastness, he offered up his life a sacrifice to the Lord 
 of a sweet savour ; joyfully and eagerly treading in the 
 footsteps of his forefathers and the noble confessors of 
 Christ, and having intimate fellowship in the sufferings of 2 cor. i. 5. 
 his Lord and Master. His end was crowned with victory 
 and honour, even from all that reproached him. He 
 drank and emptied the desired cup. 
 
 After all means had been employed with him, he was at 
 last condemned to be burnt, but not in the way in which 1 Pet. iv. 12. 
 others, on account of their faith, have, after brief suffering, 
 been despatched; being first strangled and then burnt, 
 as was customary in Italy and Francouia. But this pious 
 Algerius was somewhat more honoured by the Lord 
 Christ, inasmuch as he had to begin and conquer in a Ephes.vi.n. 
 much higher and more noble fight. Apoc. ii. 3. 
 
 When he was brought in a waggon to the square called 
 Mercado, another and final attempt was made upon him. 
 A Carthusian monk was sent,"" who held a crucifix before 
 him, and exhorted him to think yet once, before his 
 departure, on his Lord and Saviour, and not die thus 
 desperately hardened in error. He held the crucifix 
 constantly before his eyes, which Algerius kept off with 
 his hands, not being bound I understood, and with eyes 
 lifted up to heaven, said, in his own language, with a loud 
 voice, " My Lord and God dwells in heaven above." Matt. vi. 0. 
 
 >" [The Carthusianf? were a branch this country Charter Houses, a cor- 
 
 of the great order of Benedictines, ruption of the word Chartreux, the 
 
 whose riiles they followed with the name of a place in France, where 
 
 addition of other austerities. The the first house was built, a.d. 1086.] 
 monasteries were usually called in 
 
124 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 The people who were standing by, cried aloud, saying, 
 " He has struck it ! (meaning the crucifix). A^vay, away 
 with him ; he is altogether hardened and blind ; it is all 
 in vain," (for at Rome it is considered a strange event 
 when the Carthusian monks cannot move an individual, on 
 which account they are generally reserved to the last) ; on 
 this they stripped him naked to his girdle, and then 
 
 2 Mace. vii. poured boiling-hot oil over his head and body. This the 
 good and pious Algerius patiently endured (but beyond 
 doubt felt painfully), rubbing it with his hands over his 
 face, and thus rubbed off the skin and hair. He was 
 then burned to ashes ; which however is an unusual thing 
 in Italy, for I have seen it with my own eyes, that they 
 only roasted and scorched the sufferer in the fire, and 
 then carried the dead body to the grave. 
 
 But, as has been observed, our Lord and God appointed 
 this blessed Algerius to gain much higher honour. To 
 
 Rev. xiv.13. Him and the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power of 
 his Holy Spirit, wrought thus by him, be everlasting 
 
 Eom.xvi.ie. praise and glory. May He aid us, poor weak creatures, to 
 
 1 Cor X. 32. follow him. Amen. Yea, O Lord Jesus, Amen. 
 
 The brother Da. Gr., who signed this narrative (as the 
 ancient copy shows), writes further : — 
 
 This was done in the year 1557, a short time before I 
 arrived at Rome ; for at that time Algerius was universally 
 spoken of, and sung. With my own ears, I heard it said, 
 by some, who wished to be good papists, and who saw him 
 executed, with what astonishing constancy he died. And 
 he did (so they said), truly and in his heart believe, and 
 was what, in his great pain and martyrdom, he had con- 
 fessed with his mouth before all men. Therefore, he no 
 doubt ascended immediately into heaven, &c. Thus the 
 adversaries of the saints of God are obliged themselves to 
 
 Put xxxii. bear testimony against their will. 
 
 Shortly after, a flood took place at Rome, the Tiber 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 125 
 
 overflowing its banks, and occasioning so much damage 
 that some Romans say, that Rome at that time siiflPered as 
 much loss as if the city had suddenly been plundered. I 
 truly experienced my share of this, and never saw so great 
 a want of bread. It is impossible to relate the dreadful 
 sight, and what complaining there was, especially amongst 
 the poor.^ But it was not acknowledged as being just, &c. wisd. xix, 
 
 [In addition to the above, Van Braght records in the 
 year 1557, the martyrdoms of ten other baptists at 
 Antwerp, and of three women who were tied up in sacks 
 and drowned. These persecutions do not appear to have 
 prevented the extension of the truth. Between the Eifel 
 mountains on the Rhine, and Moravia, not fewer than fifty 
 churches are said to have been existing at this period, 
 some of them having from five to six hundi^ed members. 
 Fifty elders and ministers gathered at one time at Stras- 
 burg, from a district of about a hundred miles in circum- 
 ference, to consult together on the interests of Christ's 
 kingdom. During the year, a public discussion, not 
 very fairly conducted towards the baptists, was held at 
 Pfedersheim, in the Palatinate of the Rhine.'] 
 
 CONRAD, THE SHOEMAKER.— anno 1558. 
 
 In this same year, a young brother named Conrad, a 
 shoemaker, leaving Swabia with his people, was appre- 
 hended at Stein, near Krems, on the Danube, and brought 
 
 8 [Churches, cloisters, aud bridges were washed away. The dearth 
 
 were swept away by this flood, so extended to the Netherlands, 
 
 that nearly a third part of the city Twisck's Chronijk. Deel. ii. fol. 
 
 was destroyed. Many people were 1178, 1179.] 
 
 drowned. By the overflowing of ' [Ottius, Annales Anab. p. 127. 
 
 the Arno, at Florence, 15,000 per- Anno. 1557. Pi-otocol zu Franken- 
 
 sons are said to have lost their lives. thai, Pref.] 
 At Palermo, in Sicily, 200 houses 
 
126 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 to Vienna, and delivered over to the magistrates." He Jay 
 in confinement there a year and some weeks, for the faith 
 
 icr. iv.n. and truth of God. Confined among thieves and criminals 
 in the chief prison, he suiFered great want and hunger. 
 Nothing was given them but what was brought them by 
 [191] other people. When these criminals had been tortured, as 
 was often the case, they treated him in a shameful manner. 
 He suffered greatly from hunger, before he could get 
 anything to eat, though they had something. Thus he 
 endured much misery, as well as tyranny in prison. 
 
 About this time, the Emperor Ferdinand came to 
 Augsburg, to attend the Diet, when the bishop of Vienna 
 had the brother brought before him twice, and each time 
 early in the morning before day, being desirous to execute 
 him within the prison. In the first interview he was 
 briefly asked and urged to say, if he would renounce his 
 belief or not ; he answered them as briefly and said, they 
 need not expect that from him, for he would sooner die. 
 
 Matt.vii.i4. It was tlic trutli, and the way to eternal life, and this he 
 would confess with his mouth as long as he retained his 
 powers. They were unable to accomplish aught that day ; 
 and they were engaged with him from the morning early 
 until midday. They then remanded him to prison, saying 
 that he should reflect on the matter for three days, and 
 then say what he would do. After three days, they again 
 brought him out before day, and placed him before the 
 bishop, his monks and priests ; and he most faithfully 
 defended the truth. The executioner was already there, 
 waiting outside, thinking to behead him before the people 
 should collect together ; for they were afraid lest the truth 
 
 " [A few days before a similar Moi-avia, aud ou repentance v/ere 
 
 company bad been apprebeuded, received again into fellowship. MS. 
 
 the two leaders of which were Cronickel, folio 84. Conrad is 
 
 unable to sustain the trial. They named by the author of this manu- 
 
 afterwards rejoined the churches in script, Conrad Haiuzeman.] 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 127 
 
 should be brought to the light, and his innocence be made 
 known to the people. But the Lord again hindered them, 
 so that he was again taken to prison. The priests mean- 
 while used many efforts with him, and gave him no rest. 
 
 Afterwards, they threatened to confine him in a filthy 
 tower, in which no one had lain for eight years, and there 
 to end his life. He said, he would abide the event, and 
 fix his hope in God, who was able to deliver him from the Psa. ivi. 4. 
 filthy tower and from all their violence ; for he thought that °*"'^^ *"• 
 the Lord had appointed him to be a witness of the truth. 
 He showed himself, throughout, so undaunted, that many 
 of them were astonished ; others said they would employ 
 some new method with him, so that his situation should be 
 fearful enough. 
 
 In the meantime, the steward of King Maximilian 
 advised the bishop for the best. He also spoke concerning 
 it to the king's Lutheran preacher, who mentioned it to 
 the king, and did all he could to obtain his release, saying, 
 that he was yet very young, and that it would be lament- 
 able to put him to death for the sake of his faith. The 
 King Maximilian, therefore, concluded to release him from 
 further tyranny and suflTering. He was accordingly let Acts xvi 39. 
 out of prison, and came again in peace to his brethren and Matt. xxm. 
 the church.'' 
 
 ' [Conrad joined the churches in In 1568, while in the mountains of 
 
 Moravia, and was ordained in 1562, Hungary, for recovery of his health, 
 
 at the same time with John Brael, he sickened, and on his removal to 
 
 by the laying on of hands of the Sabatisch, fell asleep in the Lord, 
 
 elders, to the service of the gospel. MS. Cronickel, fol. 90, 94.] 
 
128 A MAT^TYROT.OGY OF 
 
 EXAMINATION, TORTUEE, AND SENTENCE OF 
 ANNETGEN ANTHEUNIS, [JAN HENDEICKS,] 
 STYNTGEN JANS, EVERT NOUTS, AND PETER 
 VAN EYNOVEN, AT ROTTERDAM, 
 
 IN THE TEAR 1558. 
 
 Extracted from the Ci^iminal Records of tlie City of 
 Rotterdam. 
 
 On the 20th February, 1558, in presence of Adrian 
 Fijck, Adrian Adrians, Adrian Robberts, Peter Hen- 
 dricks, Cornelis Joosten, and Willem Muylwyk, aldermen, 
 was verbally examined Annetgen Antheunis, above thirty 
 years of age, born at Buuren :''' 
 
 Says, that she always resided at Buuren, except for one 
 year, during which she lived in this city: after that she 
 left it, and about St. Victor's day last returned hither, and 
 remained to the present time. 
 
 Says, that she did not inquire the people's names with 
 whom she had formerly worked. 
 
 Says, that since St. Victor's day she has lived here in 
 town with the other woman, named Styntje van Ick, of 
 Maurick, near Buuren, and came hither with the said 
 woman from Buuren. 
 
 Says, that Evert, of Antwerp, came yesterday evening 
 to them, to tlie house where she was apprehended. 
 
 Says, that it is about two or three months (not certain 
 as to the time) since she first knew the said Evert, and 
 came by day to the house of Arent Willems, in the timber- 
 yard, and wished to have bought a cheese. 
 
 Says, that she was not at confession, either at Easter or 
 Christmas last. 
 
 Says, that she holds all that God has commanded. 
 
 Says, that she was baptized, according to the Lord's 
 
 ' [In Gelderland] 
 
THE CHTTRCHES OF CHRIST. 129 
 
 command, but does not, with certainty, know the day; 
 that it was performed at the house of the aforesaid Arent 
 Willems, in the timber-yard, and that she did [not] ask 
 the name of tlie person who baptized her. 
 
 On the 20th February, aforesaid, being present as above, [loaj 
 a certain Jan Hendriks of Utrecht, twenty-eight or 
 twenty-nine years of age, was heard. 
 
 Says, that since St. Bavon's day he has lived in this 
 city, namely, in the house of Maritgen Jan Cheelen, at the 
 Fish-dyke, but latterly in the house of Willem Reyers, 
 where he was apprehended. 
 
 Says, that he lived at Dordrecht next to strong Neele. 
 
 Says, that he v/ishes not to say where he heard the 
 teaching of certain persons. 
 
 Says, that he highly esteems the sacrament, but of the 
 sacrament of the priests he does not approve ; and that 
 since he received the said instruction he has never been to 
 the sacrament. 
 
 Says, that he was baptized since he believed, which is 
 some time ago; but wishes not to say when, where, or 
 by whom it was done. 
 
 Says, that his child was washed by the priest, but 
 wishes not to tell the time. 
 
 On the same day, in the presence of the aforesaid justices, 
 was examined Styntgen, Jan's daughter, forty years of 
 age, from Maurick, Gelderland. 
 
 Says, that she has been in this city two or three years, 
 with Annetgen Antheunis, and lodged in the timber yard ; 
 that she afterwards lived in a house where lace was made, 
 and which stands behind a stable. 
 
 Says, that she does not approve of the sacrament that 
 the priests administer, but esteems the sacrament as in- 
 
 VOL. II. K 
 
130 A MAllTYROLOGY OF 
 
 stituted by God ; that she cannot believe in the sacrament 
 of the church, because she cannot comprehend it. 
 
 Says, that a certain time since she was baptized, but 
 not twelve years ago ; not here, however, in town, but at 
 Utrecht. 
 
 On the same day, and in presence as above, a certain Evert 
 Nouts from Antwerp, about twenty-seven years of age, 
 was examined. 
 
 Says, that it is full three months since he came into this 
 city ; that he lodged some time in the timber yard, and 
 afterwards made lace next to the house called the Falcon. 
 
 Says, that he believes in the sacrament as far as the 
 scripture speaks thereof; but does not believe that God is 
 present in the sacrament of the altar, he having no cer- 
 tainty thereof from scripture ; but believes what the scrip- 
 ture teaches concerning it. 
 
 Says, that he was baptized according to the instructions 
 of Christ, a little more than three years ago, at a certain 
 jilace just outside Antwerp ; that he was baptized by one 
 Gillis van Aken, as he had heard him called, who was 
 executed in the summer at Antwerp. 
 
 On the same day, and in presence of the above justices, 
 was examined a certain Peter van Eynoven, born at 
 Antwerp, twenty-eight years of age. 
 
 Snys, that he has Avorked here in the town since four- 
 teen days before Christmas, at his trade of silk-weaving, 
 at the house of one Christian, whose wife is named Anneken. 
 
 Says, that his faith rests on the foundation of the 
 apostles and prophets. 
 
 Says, that he believes the administration of the sacra- 
 ments in the churches to be a great abomination, and a 
 thing to be abhorred before God. 
 
 Says, that he was baptized agreeably to the instruction 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 131 
 
 of Christ, about two years ago ; but wishes not to say by 
 whom, or where it took place. 
 
 On the 19th of March, 1558, in presence of Adrian Fijck, 
 Dirks van Hove, Adrian Adrians, Adrian Robbertson, 
 Peter van Neck Hendricks, Cornelis Joosten, Willem 
 Cornelis, Muylwyk and Dirk Dirks, justices, was 
 examined by torture, at six o'clock in the morning, at 
 the Stadthouse, Peter van Eynoven, born at Antwerp, 
 about twenty-eight years of age. 
 
 Peter havino- been tortured on the rack, said that he 
 was baptized about two years since at Antwerj), by one 
 named Leonard, whose surname he did not know," nor 
 from whence he came ; he had seen him at no other time 
 than that when he baptized him. 
 
 Says, that when he was baptized, some others were 
 present, whom he knows not by name. 
 
 Beino- asked coucernins; the other women to whom he 
 spoke on his apprehension, says, that he knows not where 
 they went, or who they were. 
 
 Says, that he who baptized them is called by them a 
 teacher. 
 
 Says, that before he was baptized, he well understood 
 that he must live agreeably to Christ's instructions ; that 
 he took a bible and testament, which he read, and found 
 it was as he had been told; but he does not know who it 
 was that had previously taught him those things, because 
 they do not often inquire the names of other persons, nor 
 do they wish to know them, lest they bring their brethren 
 into trouble. 
 
 Says, that his master. Christian, was of the same faith, [1931 
 and also his wife, as himself, but does not know whether 
 they have been baptized. 
 
 * [Leonard Boiiweus, doubtle.?s. See ante, p. Ili7.] 
 K 2 
 
132 
 
 A MARTYflOLOGY OF 
 
 Jan Hendrlks, of Utrecht, twenty-nine years of age, being 
 severely tortured on the rack : 
 
 Says, that he was baptized by one Leonard, but does 
 not know whence he came, nor had he ever seen him 
 before that time; he was baptized by him in this city 
 a year and a half since, and it took place in the timber- 
 yard. 
 
 Says, that his child was baptized at Dordrecht by the 
 priest at the font. 
 
 Says, that no one he knew was present at the time that 
 he v/as baptized. 
 
 Styntgen, Jan's daughter, from Utrecht, about forty years 
 of age. 
 
 Styntgen says, that he who baptized her was called 
 Leonard, and that it took place in Utrecht, five or six 
 years ago, in the house of one Gerrit ; that she does not 
 know the surname of the said Leonard, nor whence he 
 came, for she neither asked, nor was very desirous of 
 knowing, either the Christian or surname of her com- 
 panions, that she might not involve them. 
 
 Says, that there were others baptized with her, but she 
 did not know them. 
 
 The justices being assembled together in conclave, re- 
 solved that the further consideration of the day for the 
 execution of the above prisoners be postponed until the 
 return of the executioner, in order that the said prisoners 
 may, in the meantime, reflect on their condition, and that 
 it may be seen if, by mild means, they may be persuaded; 
 if all the justices be then at home, the sheriff shall with 
 expedition proceed. 
 
 On the 28th March, Cornelis Joosten and Dirk Dirks, 
 
THE CHUECHES OF CHRIST. 133 
 
 justices, not being at home, the justices resolve that the 
 business of the aforesaid prisoners remain adjourned 
 until the time that the same are at home. 
 
 The bailiff protests, on account of the costs, against the 
 unwillingness of the justices to fix the day for the execu- 
 tion of the said prisoners. 
 
 The justices protest and say that Cornelis Joosten and 
 Dirk Dirks being absent, each one having mutually bound 
 himself to be present in order to proceed with the business 
 of the said prisoners, that they abide by the resolution 
 now made. 
 
 On the 26th March, all the confessions of the said five 
 prisoners, obtained by torture, were read to them. From 
 the balcony of the Townhall, and in sight of the people, 
 they publicly confessed and acknowledged the same to 
 be true. The day of execution was finally appointed 
 the said prisoners by Gerrard van der Merzche, bailiff, 
 and fixed for Monday, the 28th March. Done as above, 
 in the presence of Adrian Fijck, Adrian Adriaens, 
 Adrian Robberts, Peter Hendricks, Cornelis Joosten, 
 Willem Cornelis, and Dirk Dirks, justices. 
 
 Sentence on the 28th March, 1558. 
 
 In conformity with the prescribed laws, and in pur- 
 suance of his imperial majesty's proclamations, now con- 
 firmed by his royal majesty, who will have the same 
 maintained in their several points and articles; having 
 heard the demand of the bailiff and the confessions of 
 Evert Nouts, Peter van Eynhoven, both of Antwerp, and 
 Jan Hendricks, of Utrecht, prisoners; the same shall be 
 executed on the said prisoners agreeably to the procla- 
 mation. Done in the presence of Adrian Fijck, Adrian 
 Adriaens, Adrian Robberts, Peter Hendrlks, Cornelis 
 
134 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Joosten, Willcm Cornells, and Dirk Dirks, justices, and 
 Master lloeland, pensionary. 
 
 Concerning Styntgen, Jan's daughter, and Annetgen, 
 Antheunis' daughter, they are detained in custody, for 
 reasons moving the justices thereto, until lister. 
 
 MEMORIAL. 
 
 On the 28th March, 1558, the foregoing sentence, 
 written by the secretary, Mathys Bark, was pronounced ; 
 and the aforesaid prisoners were condemned to be executed 
 by fire. Preparations and implements were accordingly 
 made and procured ; and three large piles fixed near each 
 other, before the Townhall, that the prisoners after being 
 strangled might be burned. The place was partitioned 
 off by planks and stakes. It was published by sound of 
 bell from the balcony of the Townhall, in the name of the 
 bailiff, sheriff, burgomasters, and justices ; that every one 
 should depart out of the ring on pain of forfeiting his 
 upper garment ; and that no one should hinder or resist 
 the execution of justice, by word or deed, on pain of 
 forfeiting life and property. Between eleven and twelve 
 o'clock, all implements necessary for the execution being 
 ns^] ready, the aforesaid Jan Hendricks Avas led out, and 
 placed at the middle stake on a stool, with a cord round 
 his neck, with which he was to be strangled. jNIaster 
 Aert, the young assistant of the executioner, and Master 
 John, of Haarlem, then tightly twisted the cord from- 
 behind with a stick, and afterwards pulled the stool from 
 under the feet of Jan Hendricks. Whilst thus suspended 
 he with great force dragged him by the body and legs. 
 The said Master John then came with a bunch of oat- 
 straw, with some gunpowder in it, and held it before his 
 face to scorch him. But Master Aert, with tongs, took a 
 burning coal to throw into the gunpowder. Three or four 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 135 
 
 times It was so badly thrown that it did not reach the 
 powder, but only made the straw smoke. On this loud 
 cries came from the people, one saying, " You throw the 
 fire awkwardly;" another, " You put the man to a thou- 
 sand deaths;" and at last, " Strike the executioner dead, 
 stone him," and such like. A woman now threw a slipper, 
 and others standing around began to throw stones at the 
 executioner. Master John was pushed away, and driven 
 by the citizens into the house of Jan Sempel, at the 
 Golden Waggon, opposite the Townhall. The young 
 executioner, Master Aert, together with the officers of 
 the procureur-general of Schieland, and of the town, who 
 had been called in to the assistance of the executioner, 
 fled to the Townhall. They were soon followed by Gerrard 
 van der Merzche, the bailiff, leaving Jan Hendricks still 
 suspended by the rope. 
 
 The justices, pensionary, and secretary, seeing the great 
 tumult, went to the top of the Townhall tower. Adrian 
 Robberts, a justice, and Mathys Bark, the secretary, 
 were the first to reach it, who, looking over the parapet of 
 the tower, saw Jan Hendricks still hanging at the stake ; 
 but the planks and posts which were intended to fence in 
 the execution that none might approach, were with great 
 violence broken down and carried away. A boy then ran 
 to the stake to try to cut the cord with which Jan was 
 strangled, but durst not venture. Another then came, 
 who cut the cord in pieces, so that Jan fell to the ground. 
 As they were for the most part strangers who did all this, 
 the burghers living thereabout shut their doors close. 
 The bailiff, with the procureur-general, and his officers, 
 with those from Schieland, fortified the Townhall with 
 benches, planks, and the like, to secure the other two 
 under sentence, and the women. But the tumult and up- 
 roar increased more and more. The rioters pulled up the 
 stakes, and the posts in the streets, in order to break open 
 
136 A MARTYROLOGY OP 
 
 the Townhall door ; but finding the door well secured, 
 they ran armed with stakes into the alley of the hospital, 
 and forced open the door behind the Townhall, the en- 
 trance to the chamber of Schieland and to the Treasury. 
 The bailiff, with his officers, who were then with the pri- 
 soners, hearing this, left the two women ( Annetgen being a 
 cripple, and unable to walk), and brought up from the 
 lower part of the Townhall the two condemned prisoners, 
 and fled with them to the tower. The rioters broke into 
 the Townhall both before and behind, and beat the doors 
 in pieces. They first took the two women, and, leading 
 them outside the town, carried them away. Return- 
 ing to the Townhall, they broke open the door by which 
 the tower was ascended, crying out and demanding to 
 have the two male pi'isoners, or else they would murder 
 them all, and set the tower on fire. At last the officers 
 released the two prisoners, who were immediately taken 
 out of the city by the rioters. After this the rioters con- 
 tinued their cries, demanding the young hangman, and 
 also the bailiff and the justices. The officers, being a square 
 lower on the tower than their lordships the justices, told 
 the rioters that the justices and the young executioner 
 had left the Townhall. There could not be greater silence 
 in a cloister than there was at that time amongst their 
 lordships ; for, although some of them did not show out- 
 wai'dly the sadness of their hearts, they who were quick of 
 sight could perceive it in their countenances. Though it was 
 past noon, and no one had that day eaten much, I believe 
 that if there had been an abundance of dressed food, boiled 
 and roasted, very little of it would have been touched. 
 
 At last (God be praised) the tumult ceased, through the 
 
 faithful loyalty of Adrian Jacobs Tromper, a councillor of 
 
 [195] the city, who, having fled out of the ark, returned with an 
 
 olive-branch, and informed the justices as they were sitting 
 
 in anguish, that the riot was over, and the rioters were 
 
THE CHUKCHES OF CHRIST. 137 
 
 dispersed. About two o'clock in the afternoon, their 
 lordships descended from the tower. The town, however, 
 was still in commotion. The prisoner Jan Hendricks, 
 who had been cut down, was brought to the house of one 
 Kers Goverts, a brewer, next to the Town-hall, and 
 remained there until about five or six o'clock in the 
 evening. He was then put openly into a boat, and taken 
 outside the town, he being, it is said, still alive. 
 
 The train-bands were ordered to keep guard that night. 
 The next day, the 29th March, a committee, appointed by 
 the city, were sent to the Hague, to the lords of the 
 council, to make known what had passed, and to present 
 an apology on behalf of the town. Information was 
 requested of the commissaries how to clear the city of 
 the tumult. Heer Wilhelm Zeegers, lord of Wassen- 
 hoven, with Mr. Christiaen de Waert, were accordingly 
 sent the next day. The information regarding the occur- 
 rence thus obtained was laid before the council, and his 
 royal majesty being informed that the town was suffici- 
 ently garrisoned, sent with all diligence (the margrave of 
 Veere being sick) for the count of Boussu and Mynheer 
 van Cruijningen, who secretly passed through here, on 
 Easter eve, for the Hague ; and there, on Easter day, 
 assembled the whole council. They wrote to the bailiif 
 to close the booms and gates, and that those who were 
 known and reported should be taken by night out of their 
 beds. This was done that night, as soon as Easter day 
 was over. With the help of the train-bands, and in the 
 presence of the burgomaster, one Chiel Pot was appre- 
 hended. The day after, the count of Boussu came into 
 the town, with Mynheer van Cruijningen ; also Heer 
 Gerrit van Assendelft, president of the council, Wilhelm 
 Zeegers, lord of Wassenhoven, Mr. Cornells Zuiss, Arnold 
 Sasbout, Cornells van Weldam, and Dominicus Boot. 
 [It would appear that many persons were punished for 
 
138 A MARTYROLOQY OF 
 
 their participation in this riot, which appears to have been 
 provoked by the numerous cruelties and tortures that 
 were now inflicted on large numbers of persons for their 
 faith. There is no evidence that any baptists were mixed 
 up with the tumult.^ The popular feeling favoured them ; 
 and it revolted at the shedding of the blood of innocent 
 men and women, whose only crime was their rejection of 
 the errors of Rome. The records of the examinations and 
 punishments of the rioters are incomplete, and one instance 
 only of punishment is given by Van Braght.] 
 
 fi9P3 THOMAS VAN IMBEOEK.— 5th Mat, akno 1558. 
 
 Actsxvi. 14. At Cologne, on the Rhine, was apprehended a god- 
 fearing brother, named Thomas van Imbroek, a printer, 
 
 Actsxii. 3. for the sake of the truth, in the year 1557. He was con- 
 fined in a tower. Being afterwards examined concerning 
 baptism and marriage, he so replied to their objections by 
 the word of God, that they ceased to ask him any more 
 questions, and removed him into another tower. His wife 
 wrote a letter to him, exhorting him to contend with 
 
 Matt, x.xiv. piety, and remain stedfast to the truth. For such con- 
 solation he heartily thanked her, and showed by many 
 
 Psa. xxxi. scriptures that the righteous have always suffered ; that 
 he stood with a conscience void of offence before God ; 
 
 Matt. xix. forsaking wife, child, and all earthly things to follow him, 
 and to take up Christ's cross, seeing that God had counted 
 him worthy of the same. 
 
 Two priests afterwards came to him, who discoursed 
 with him on infant baptism, but tliey did not agree 
 with each other ; for the one would have children that 
 died unbaptized to be lost, the other admitted that they 
 
 y [Ten Gate, Gesch. der Doops, en Holland, i. 43.] 
 
THE CHITRCHES OP CHRIST. 139 
 
 were saved. They urged him vehemently to repent : but 
 
 he said, " That which I maintain the scripture has taught 
 
 me, but I will cheerfully submit to him who, by the same sTim.iu.ie. 
 
 scripture, teaches me better." They said : " You despise Ecdes ii.12. 
 
 our communion, and will not be taught by us." He said : 
 
 " The reason why I despise your church, and do not come Eph. v. 27. 
 
 to your communion, is, that you do not keep your church 
 
 pure ; for oath-breakers, whoremongers, and such like, are cai. v. 19. 
 
 all pious brethren with you." They asked him why he 
 
 did not have his children baptized ? He answered : " The 
 
 scripture teaches nothing of infant baptism; and they who 
 
 will be baptized according to God's word must first be ^ark xvi. 
 
 believers." They then said that he was a heretic ; but 
 
 this they could not prove. They afterwards brought him 
 
 to the rack, where he was closely questioned, but not 
 
 tortured, although the executioner had all things ready, for 
 
 the magistrates were not agreed among themselves. This j^^^ ^jj ^^ 
 
 occurred three times successively. After this he was 
 
 brought into the landgrave's house, who would willingly 
 
 have set him at liberty, had he not dreaded the emperor's johnxix.ii. 
 
 proclamation and the bishop's displeasure. But Thomas Piov. xxix.* 
 
 was undaunted, full of comfort, prepared to lay down his 
 
 life for the name of Christ, and to abide steadfast in the 
 
 truth and love of God, so that neither fire, toater, sivord, J^l^^^^^22. 
 
 nor any other thing, shovld move him thence. When again ^^^^^ ^. ^ 
 
 brought from the landgrave's house, he suffered many 
 
 temptations during the whole night, from the landgrave's Rom. viii. 
 
 people and others, who undertook to teach and instruct 
 
 him. But all in vain; for they were such as were not ., ... 
 
 '' Jonn VI. 4o. 
 
 themselves instructed or taught of God. 
 
 He was, finally, brought before the high court of 
 justice; where he was condemned to death, in the 
 presence of the landgrave, who then, for the first time, 
 administered the law, and dyed his staflP of office in 
 Christian blood. He was beheaded on the 5th day of 
 
140 A MARTTROLOGY OF 
 
 March, in the year 1558, aged twenty-five years, as a 
 Ma"k xHi^^' pious witness of Christ, for his steadfast perseverance in 
 Acts xii. 2. the true faith. 
 
 He sent letters from his prison to his wife and brethren, 
 
 and a confession of his faith concerning baptism, of which 
 
 a small volume was published.^ 
 
 GOVEET JASPEES.— 1558. 
 
 [200] About this time a lay-brother, named Govert Jaspers, 
 with two others, left the cloister of the Cross-bearers at 
 Goes ; " but they remained not long together, for the one 
 became entirely estranged and embraced the world. The 
 other, from fear of persecution, went to Friesland; he 
 became there a member of the church and died piously. 
 But Govert Jaspers, shortly after his departure from the 
 cloister, was apprehended while sitting in the field reading 
 a Testament, and brought into the city of Brussels, in 
 Brabant, where, for the testimony of the truth in which he 
 Matt X. 22. steadfastly persevered he suffered greatly; yea, at last, death 
 Luke xiii. itsclf. As a good soldier of Jesus Christ he pressed through 
 Matt. xi. 12. the strait gate, that he might take by violence the king- 
 dom of God, which he preferred to all the riches of this 
 world. 
 
 [201] DANIEL VEEKAMPT.— 1558. 
 
 In these times, after suffering greatly from perse- 
 cution, a young disciple, named Daniel Yerkampt, was 
 
 » [Ottius, Anuales. Anab. An. miles from Flushing. The crosiers, 
 
 1558. p. 128. Van Braght has pre- or cross-bearers, were an order of 
 
 served two letters of Thomas, and regular canons founded in 1"211. 
 
 in his first volume the treatise on This order of monks took part in 
 
 baptism, p. 402.] the Albigensian crusade. Bergier, 
 
 • [In the island of Beveland, ten Diet. ii. 257.] 
 
THE CHUSCHES OF CHRIST. 141 
 
 seized at Kortrijk in Flanders, for living agreeably to God's 
 word. Being sharply examined by the dean, Ronse, and 
 Polet, he freely and boldly confessed his faith, and ex- 2Tim.vi.i3. 
 pressed his determination to abide steadfastly in it, even Matt. xvi. 
 unto death, but he would not bring into difficulty any of 
 his companions in the faith. 
 
 Afterwards Ronse and Polet sent for the youth's mother; 
 she was a little old woman and walked with a staff. On 
 coming before them they stated to her that she (according 
 to the emperor's proclamation) had forfeited both life and 
 goods for having harboured her son, whom they had found 
 to be a heretic. 
 
 She mildly replied : " Gentlemen, must I forfeit life and 
 goods, because I have now and then harboured my own 
 son in his distress, whom I bore on my lieart, brought forth 
 with pain, and nurtured with anxiety, he being neither a iPet. iv.is. 
 thief nor a rogue, but admitted to be the most worthy 
 young man in our village ? and that only, because you say 
 he is a heretic ? I think that, Avere the emperor here pre- 
 sent, whose proclamation you say you have, he would say 
 that you make a wrong use of it, and would commend me 
 because my mother's heart was moved to compassionate my isa. xux. is. 
 son, who never deserved otherwise from me. Verily, 
 gentlemen, this is contrary to the wisdom and courtesy that 
 become you ; for be assured that, at the same hour that 
 you came to seize him, if I could have concealed him in my 
 womb, and again have borne him nine months, and give 
 him birth, and bring him up, as I once before had done, 
 God knows how willingly I would have done it." This 
 she said with such emotion that all the gentlemen present 
 freely admitted that she had done nothing contrary to the 
 dictates of a mother's heart. The mother was set free, but 
 the son had to pay the price of his constancy, and *^'*"- ''"'• 
 of the love of God which burned ardently in him, with Rom. vs. 
 the flames. He was burned alive for the testimony of 
 
142 A MARTYKOLOGY OF 
 
 Matt. XXV. Jesus Christ, who shall give him true and everlasting 
 
 42. . *= ^ 
 
 liberty. 
 
 [202] JANNEKEN AND NOELE.— a.d. 1558. 
 
 A young female, named Janneken, was apprehended at 
 Antwerp for her faith. Before the magistrates, she made 
 a fearless confession of her faith. The margrave said, 
 " Janneken, if you will recant, I will show you favour ; 
 
 1 Pet. V. 3. do as I wish you, and I will grant you your life." But 
 she answered, " The life that you would give me I do not 
 desire ; your promises are vain, and fragile as a reed, and 
 
 Jer. xvii.5. would bring me into greater trouble. All that trust in 
 man, are accursed.^^ 
 
 A teacher, named Balthazar, endeavoured to persuade 
 her that God was in the sacraments. She would not admit 
 this, but said, " You profane God by your body ; only 
 read the Paternoster." He, having read that, she said. 
 
 Matt. VI. 0. 4< j)q yQ^ j^Q^ observe that you read that he is in heaven ? 
 how then dare you assert that he is in the sacrament ? " 
 
 At the tribunal, she was asked by the sheriff, if she 
 had been re-baptized ? She said, " If you Avill question 
 
 Eph. iv. 5. y^Q concerning luy faith, I will freely confess it to you ; 
 or, are you yourself ashamed of it ? I acknowledge but 
 
 Mark XVI. ^^^g baptism, which must be upon faith, and concerns not 
 children ; it requires first, amendment of life." The sheriff 
 
 Acts ii. 38. said, " We have done enough to win you over ; had you 
 
 suffered yourself to be persuaded to recant, you would 
 
 [203] have done well." She answered, " You have had regard 
 
 to my body, but not to my soul, which you would Avillingly 
 
 John 1, 12. destroy. But God will receive me as his child, and make 
 me his heir. And though you are now in dignity a sheriff; 
 you will, nevertheless, lament it at the judgment-seat of 
 God, and wish rather to have been a shepherd in the fear 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHUIST. 143 
 
 of God." She was at last condemned to die ; and having 
 commended her spirit into the hands of God, she was 4g"/^ ''''"'• 
 drowned in a tub, with another woman, named Noele. 
 
 JOEIS WIPPE, JOOSTEN'S SON, PUT TO DEATH 
 AT DORDEECHT— A.D. 1558. 
 
 Joris Wippe, while living in the darkness of popery, 
 was a burgomaster at Menin, in Flanders,'' the place of 
 his birth. Coming afterwards to the knowledge of the 
 gospel, he was obliged to flee from his native country. 
 He repaired to Dort, in Holland, to reside there, where 
 he set up the business of a fuller. After that he had lived 
 there some time, and was becoming known, he was sent 
 for (at the instigation of the enemies of the truth) to 
 attend the magistrates in the great church. Much dis- 
 heartened, Joris consulted some clothiers, for whom he 
 worked, persons of reputation, to know what he ought to 
 do. These people, giving the magistracy credit for eveiy- 
 thing good, thought it advisable tha,t he should go and 
 hear what they had to say. The gentlemen seeing him 
 come, were grieved. They had rather that he had taken 
 their message as a warning to leave the place privately ; 
 for they were not men thirsting for innocent blood. But 
 as he had appeared, the sheriff, who was about to leave 
 the church, apprehended him, as one who, by the em- 
 peror's proclamation, had forfeited life and goods. This 
 took place on the 28tli April, 1558. Being apprehended, 
 the magistrates employed every method to avoid putting 
 him to death. He was sent to the Hague, that is, to the 
 court of Holland, and was there examined ; but as he 
 had lived at Dort, and had been aiDprehended there, he 
 was sent back, and was there ultimately put to death. 
 
 ^ [A fortress close to the boundary line of France.] 
 
144 A MAllTYROLOGY OF 
 
 He left a good testimony behind him of his liberality 
 to the poor. When Joris was sentenced to die, the execu- 
 tioner lamented, with weeping eyes, that he must put a 
 man to death who had often fed his wife and children, and 
 would rather be discharged from his office than execute a 
 man who had done him and others so much good, and 
 never any harm. Joris was finally drowned in the prison 
 by night, in a wine cask filled with water, by one of the 
 thief-takers, who, at the magistrate's direction performed 
 the office of executioner, and threw him backwards into 
 the water. Thus he offered up his body to the Lord on 
 the 1st of October, in the forty-first year of his age. The 
 next day his body was suspended by the legs on a high 
 gibbet, at the place of execution, for the sport of the 
 people. Like his master, Christ, he had to be numbered 
 with the transgressors. The day following some male- 
 factors were whipped and banished. The executioner, 
 after executing justice on these, and still sorrowing over 
 the death of Joris Wippe, said, " They crucified Christ, 
 but Barabbas they released." 
 
 During his imprisonment he wrote some letters, three 
 of wliich have reached us. He would have written more, 
 but such special care was taken that he should have no 
 ink, that he wrote the last letter, one to his three eldest 
 children, with mulberry-juice.*^ 
 
 « [To the above account Van letters referred to. He left to 
 
 Braght has appended Wippe's sen- mourn his death a -w-ife and seven 
 
 tence, extracted from the town children, four of them girls.] 
 records of Dort, besides the three 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 145 
 
 HANS SMITH, HENDEIK ADAMS, HANS BEK,[209i 
 MATTHIAS SMITH, DILEMAN SNYDEE," with 
 
 SEVEN OTHERS. — ANNO 1558. 
 
 In the year 1558 the brother Hans Smith, a servant ofiTim. iii. i. 
 the word of God, was sent out by the church to the work Acts xin. 3. 
 of the Lord, to seek and collect together those that were 
 zealous for the truth. While engaged in this good work, 
 and purposing to travel through the Netherlands, he was 
 apprehended at Aix-la-Chapelle, with five brethren and six 
 sisters, on the 9th January, in a house where they 
 were assembled for exercise in the word of God and Acts vi. 4. 
 prayer. Many officers and children of Pilate came, through Matt. xxvi. 
 treachery, to the place at night with spears, halberds, and 
 naked swords, and well provided with cords; they sur- 
 rounded the house and seized and bound these children of John i. 12. 
 God; they even took a mother with her infant that lay in Actsxxi.33. 
 the cradle; but the prisoners were courageous and com- oeut. iii. 28. 
 forted each other, not dismayed, since they were appro- Matt. x. 2g. 
 hended for the truth of God. Being thus filled with 
 consolation they began to sing ; they were very soon 
 separated from each other and committed to prison, where 
 the sisters experienced great joy and sang, so that the 
 people were astonished. In the morning they were brought 
 before the judge, who spake to each of them separately ; as 
 he found them steadfast he ordered them to be taken again Matt. x.22. 
 to prison. On the following day the minister was called 
 up again before the justices, that he might give informa- 
 tion how many he had baptized, who they were, and where 
 the church held its meetings ; but he told them that they 
 must know that he Avould rather lose his life than by John xv. 13. 
 informing them become a traitor. He was, therefore, 
 
 ^ [lu the MS. Crouickel the Matthias Schmid, Heinrich Adam, 
 names of these brethren are thus Old Werner and Tillman, fol. 83.] 
 given : — Hans RaiiFer, a smith, 
 
 VOL. II. L 
 
146 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 tortured and racked for about a quarter of an hour ; he 
 
 readily submitted, drew his clothes oiF himself, and went 
 
 to the rack. Unable to effect their purpose they went 
 
 ^way, but soon came back and said : " You must tell us 
 
 what we have asked for, or we will torture you till your 
 
 limbs are torn asunder." They also asked him concerning 
 
 infant baptism ; he replied that " infant baptism was an 
 
 institution of men, as such he regarded it, and not as true 
 
 Christian baptism." 
 
 Matt. xxvi. They also inquired his opinion of the sacrament. He 
 
 Mark xiv. gaid : " I esteem it highly, but what the priests use is not 
 
 Lukexxii. ^\^Q ^j.^Q supper of Christ, but an idol." 
 
 They then bound him hand and foot, and hung a great 
 stone on his feet, nearly a hundred pounds in weight, and 
 drew him up, but the ring broke from the stone and left it 
 lying on the ground ; they then took a cord, made it fast 
 to the stone instead of the broken ring, and hung it on his 
 foot. They let him hang a considerable time, but could 
 [210] not obtain their wish ; he was, therefore, let down and put 
 into prison until early on Sunday morning, when the lord 
 of the city and seven priests came to him and asked him 
 Eph. iv. 11. concerning his mission. He replied that he had not taken 
 upon himself the office, but God, and his Spirit in his 
 John iii. 16. church, had called him ; for, as God sent his Son, and the 
 isa i. 26. Son sent his apostles into all the world, so he still sends 
 his servants, by his Spirit, that they should first preach 
 the word of God, and then baptize those who hear, under- 
 Matt, xxyiii. stand, and believe it, but not mere babes. They also asked 
 
 19. 
 
 him concerning magistrates, whether he considered them 
 Rom. xiii. to be Christian or not? He said that, in the first place, 
 he regarded them as ministers of God, but that they were 
 misled by the priests and erroneously instructed, and 
 should not be incorporated with the church of Christ. They 
 further inquired whence magistracy was derived ; he said, 
 " The office and the power is of God." They next asked if 
 
 14 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 147 
 
 they were Christians ; he answered that, if they deny them- Matt. xvi. 
 selves, go Avithout the camp, take up the cross, lay aside 
 tyranny and pomp, and follow Christ, then are they 
 Christians, but not otherwise. They also interrogated him 
 concerning swearing ; he said that Christ had forbidden Matt. v. 34. 
 it, and many other things too long to write. 
 
 Finally, they asked him concerning the incarnation of John i. i, 
 Christ ; he said that he believed that Christ was truly john ix. ii. 
 God and truly man, sin only excepted. At last they said i pg, ^ 22. 
 to him, that if he would renounce his baptism and ac- 
 knowledge that he had erred, they would then show him 
 favour. He replied that, as he had taught the truth in 
 its purity, he would hold it fast. They then said, that as he 
 was in their city he must not do so there ; that if they did 
 not punish such as he, the king or the new emperor would 
 inflict punishment on them. Thus, like Pilate, they excused ^]=^"- ^'='^"- 
 themselves. The brother told them that, nevertheless, it 
 would fall heavily upon them ; for, though God forgave Jer. vii. 6. 
 all sin, yet he would require innocent blood; they must 
 not think that they would escape punishment when they 
 had put him to death, for his cause would come before 
 Christ ; he would judge the same and take it up as his 
 own at that day. After this he was led back again to acs xii. 4. 
 prison, where he remained until Monday evening; the 
 judge then came again, accompanied by othei's and a 
 monk ; they effected but little, for he so completely put Acts ix. 22. 
 the monk to shame that he was glad to get away. Many 
 other monks and priests were subsequently appointed to 
 treat and dispute with him, but they were put to shame 2 Tim. ni. 9. 
 and contempt, and could not induce this pious man to 
 apostatize. A short time afterwards they brought them 
 forth again and questioned them ; but God always gave 
 them a mouth and wisdom to speak freely and boldly, so 14^*" """' 
 that they could find no unrighteousness nor cause of death 
 in them, except that they did not sufficiently respect the 
 
 L 2 
 
148 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 emperor. On one occasion they brought to brother 
 
 2 Cor. xi. 3. Hcuclrik in particular a subtle serpent and slanderer, and 
 
 2 Tim. iii. 2. g^\(\ ^y \^\jy^ . « You do uot like Spiritual persons (that is, 
 
 monks and priests), we have, therefore, brought you a 
 
 learned layman to instruct you ;" but Hendrik replied that 
 
 he did not desire to be instructed by him unless he was 
 
 John vi. 45. sufficiently instructed by God and his word, for he wished 
 
 2 Tim. 111. J ^ ' 
 
 Matt. viii. ^^^ ^^ scck the living among the dead. This learned man 
 
 ^' wishing to prove infant baptism, said that the apostles 
 
 liad established it; but Hendrik answered in such a manner 
 
 that he was constrained to admit that no little children 
 
 had been baptized in the apostles' times ; and also that, in 
 
 Deut.i. 39. their infancy, they had no faith. Hendrik wrote this with 
 
 some chalk on the table, and called upon his gentlemen 
 
 opponents to be witnesses of it, and also how silenced their 
 
 advocate had become. He further said: "Thus are all your 
 
 learned men confounded before the word of the Lord." 
 
 Some of the gentlemen said that, if these men should be 
 
 put to death, they would leave home. 
 
 Matt.xxiii. On oue occasiou all the twelve brethren and sisters were 
 
 8. 
 
 left together, from ten o'clock in the morning imtil ten 
 o'clock in the evening; they were clieerful and com- 
 
 Matt. vii. 7. fortable ; spoke witli each other from the word of the 
 Lord, and began to pray and glorify God. The brother 
 Hans, as the minister, took the lead in prayer in a loud 
 voice, so that the people ran thither and listened ; the 
 gentlemen hearing of it sent the officer to inquire for 
 what reason they made such a loud noise ; they answered 
 that they had been engaged in prayer, but they had just 
 concluded before the officer came. One brother, Matthias, 
 
 Actsiv. 24. said: "We will call upon God, whether any one opposes it 
 or not." At about ten o'clock they were again separated 
 from each other ; they sang with joy on their way through 
 the town, confessing their faith. Some gentlemen of the 
 council were blood-thirsty, and wished to put them to 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 149 
 
 death ; but others opposed it, for they regarded them as 
 guiltless. The executioner came as many as five times Luke xxiu. 
 expecting to put them to death, but his intention could 
 not, either time, be fulfilled ; it was wished to execute the 
 minister and brother Hendrik first, for they had taken the 
 lead in vindicating their cause and in opposing their 
 adversaries, in order that the rest might be terrified. 
 When the minister heard of his approaching death he raised 
 his voice with joy, and began to sing. He gave thanks to 
 God, earnestly praying that God would grant him accept- f2iiji; 
 ance in his sight. 
 
 The 23rd day of August was fixed on which to execute 
 the minister Hans and the brother Hendrik ; they were 
 led to the arch near the pillory, to which place many ran, 
 and also some who cleaved to them, and who had sent 
 them food and drink. With a smiling countenance they 
 passed through the people towards the place of execution. 
 The minister, observing the great concourse of people 
 from every quarter, said, " Oh, what a glorious festival 
 will that be, to which so many people repair!" They Luke xxiii. 
 were exceeding glad, and hoped that day to be in paradise i^ev. vi. ii 
 with all their brethren and sisters that had gone before 
 them. Two monks also came, who sought to corrupt 
 them with false doctrine. The minister for some time 
 withstood them, showing them with what deceit they went 
 about ; but at last he would speak no more with them, 
 but said, " I will abide by the truth ; the hour of my 
 departure is at hand; I have now something else to do 
 than to oppose you." Being now to be condemned, the 
 seven aldermen could not agree upon the sentence, and 
 informed them that they would send another learned 
 man to instruct them; if they heard him, they would 
 show them every possible favour; otherwise they must 
 put them to death, though they would do it with reluc- 
 tance. But Hans and Hendrik said fearlessly, that they 
 
150 A MARTYKOLOGY OF 
 
 Matt. X. 22. should remain steadfast, and would not turn from the 
 
 Mark xiii. 
 
 Heb X 38 t'^^th, either to the right hand or the left; that on their 
 account there was no need of apology or delay, but that 
 directions might at once be given to proceed with the 
 execution ; and that if they sought further accusation 
 against them they were satisfied with the decision of the 
 gentlemen. The gentlemen now consulted together and 
 let the spectators again depart. But these two men, 
 observing that the execution was again suspended, were 
 sorrowful, for they had entirely resigned themselves to 
 Gen. iii. 1. die, and thought they had long enough resisted the wiles 
 of the serpent. The multitude therefore dispersed, each 
 one to his home, like a troop that has lost a battle. As 
 the evening approached, the brethren were led again to 
 prison. For this they were sorry; they had thought to 
 have that day sealed the truth with their blood, but they 
 had to tarry yet awhile. The conducting of them back 
 ao-ain to prison, however, occasioned many reflections in 
 the minds of the people ; some said that God was against 
 the proceeding and had stopped it. 
 
 One of the council had firmly resolved that the execu- 
 tion should take place that day week, and be no longer 
 delayed, but it was not done. They lay in prison till the 
 harvest, undergoing many sufferings and trials, after which 
 they were condemned and executed. 
 
 Hans Smith, as the minister, was the first led forth. 
 In passing through the town he sang cheerfully, and 
 after that spake but little. He hastened to the place of 
 execution as a patient, silent lamb. He was strangled at 
 the stake with a knot. The body was then chained 
 Acts vii. 60. securely and scorched with fire. Thus he presented his 
 Rom. xii. 1. sacrifice the 19th day of October, in the year 1558.^ 
 
 '^ [During bis confiuement, Hans letters to tlie church and to his 
 Smith vn-ote many consolatory companions in tribulation. The 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHBJST. 151 
 
 Three days afterwards the others were brought out 
 and condemned to death, viz., Hendrik Adams and his 
 brother-in-law, Hans Bek. There was one of the city 
 council at Aix-la-Chapelle who was always violently 
 opposed to the brethren. It happened on one occasion 
 that, as they were dealing with Hendrik, who would not 
 suffer himself to be moved, this councillor became wroth, 
 and said, "Away with them, away with them, to death 
 and the flames, for it is all lost trouble ; no more favour 
 shall be offered them." But brother Hendrik said to 
 him, " You will not live to see the day of my death." 
 This truly came to pass, for he died three days before 
 Hendrik, on the same day that the minister, Hans Smith, 
 was executed. Lying on his death-bed, and being near 
 his end, he fell into a state of despair, tore out his beard, 
 and cried out in a most fearful manner that he had con- 
 demned many persons, in doing which he had certainly Matt. vii. 2. 
 sinned ; that God would punish him for blood-thirstiness ; Psa. iv. 23. 
 with similar expressions. 
 
 As the brother Hendrik Adams with the rest was led 
 out to execution, the executioner bound his hands so tight 
 that his fingers became black; but raising his hands to 
 God, he praised him that he was counted worthy thus to Acts v. 41. 
 suffer. Meanwhile the bands on his hands became loose. 
 They were bound again as tight as before, but all to no 
 purpose, for as often as he raised his hands again, the 
 bands again fell off. This happened several times. The 
 judge became angry, and told the executioner to bind him 
 fast. The executioner, however, said, " You see that the 
 binding is of no use." The last time Hendrik threw 
 the band away amongst the people, so that he was not 
 bound again, saying, " God will not have me to be bound." 
 He also said that God was opposed to such violence, and 
 
 hymns he composed in prison con- churches after his decease. MS. 
 tinned to be long used in the Cronickel, fol. 83 ] 
 
152 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 continued to speak fearlessly to the end. After this they 
 
 strangled the two brethren, Hendrik Adams and his 
 
 brother-in-law, with a knot, at the stake, as they had 
 
 [212] done the minister, and then bound them thereto with a 
 
 chain, and scorched them. This took place the 22nd day 
 
 of the month of October, anno 1558. A great number 
 
 of people were present, and afterwards also, when the 
 
 brethren Matthias Smith and Dileman Snyder were 
 
 executed on the 4th January in the beginning of the year 
 
 Markxiii. 1559. Thus all thcsc five valiantly and perseveringly 
 
 Rev.vi. 9. witnessed the truth with their blood, although some of 
 
 them were not yet united with the church. 
 
 The sixth brother, who had been apprehended with the 
 
 others, fell from the faith, through the persuasion of the 
 
 Matt. xxvi. ungodly ; but, after his release, he deeply lamented his 
 
 Acts iii. 19. fall, and repenting earnestly and sincerely, returned again 
 
 to the church. The six sisters that had been apprehended 
 
 at the same time, were severely scourged with rods, and 
 
 suffered to go their way. Rejoicing in the Lord, and 
 
 Acta V. 41. persevering in the faith, they returned to their friends and 
 
 companions in the truth. 
 
 JAQUES D'AUCHY, 
 
 APPEEUENBED 1557, BUT PUT TO DEATH FOE THE TESTIMONY 
 OF JESUS CHEIST, AT LEEUWAAEDEN, 1558. 
 
 A confession of the faith of Jaques d^Auchy, being in prison 
 in the city of Leeuwaarden, in Friesland, and after- 
 toards sealed with his blood. 
 
 oen. i. 1. I believe in one only God the Fatlier Almighty, creator 
 of heaven and earth, as it is written ; in whom Abraham, 
 Isaac, Jacob, and Moses, and all the prophets believed. 
 
 I believe in Jesus Christ, the only Son of the Father, 
 who was in the beginning with God : and when the time 
 
 Heb. xi. 
 John i. 14 
 
THE CHUllCHES OF CHRIST. 153 
 
 was fulfilled (which God had promised), this Word be- ^Jl^^^^^i^- 
 came flesh : and was born of the lineage of David, of a J'","^ ["{4^*" 
 pure virgin, espoused to a man named Joseph, of the Matt", i is. 
 house of David, who was blessed above all women. Joim xv. 24. 
 
 I believe that this true Son of God, made known the 
 word of his Father by many signs and miracles, and ^f^^ ^^^yji^ 
 was afterwards delivered over to death under Pontius jea. m. 7. 
 Pilate, and was crucified and buried. 
 
 I believe that this same Jesus Christ suffered for iis ; Rom. v. 10. 
 and when we were enemies tasted death for us, that toho- 
 soever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlast- •'°^" '"• ^^• 
 ing life. 
 
 I believe that this our Saviour rose from the dead, as Matt.xxviii. 
 
 6. 
 
 he had before said, and sitteth on the right hand of God ^^"- ''^''• 
 IS i^ ather. Acts vii. se. 
 
 I believe also in the Holy Ghost, as John testifies in 
 his first epistle in the 5th chapter, saying, that there are 
 three that hear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, 
 and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one. I believe 
 also in the communion of saints, whose prayers avail James v. ig. 
 much for us. 
 
 I believe also in the holy church, which consists of such 
 as believe in Jesus Christ and are baptized by one Spirit icor.xii. 13. 
 into one body, as Paul saith ; and that Jesus Christ is the Eph. v. 23. 
 head thereof, viz., of the holy church, as is there written, coi. i. is. 
 
 I believe that this holy church has power to shut and 
 open, to bind and loose, and whatsoever they bind on Matt. xvi. 
 earth is bound in heaven; and whatsoever they loose on 
 earth is loosed in heaven. I believe that God has ordained 
 in this holy church apostles, prophets, teachers, bishops, ] cor. xii. 
 and deacons. 
 
 I believe and confess likewise, one baptism in the name ^v^- i^- 5- 
 of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as our J|,'"- '^'^""• 
 Lord Jesus Christ has commanded and ordained, and as 4i*"andxvi. 
 the apostles have practised and written; and I also Rim. vi. 4. 
 
154 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Col. ii.i2 believe that all those that have received this baptism are 
 
 ICor. X11.13. *■ 
 
 members of the body of Jesus Christ in the holy church. 
 Concerning the holy supper of Jesus Christ, I believe 
 
 and acknowledge what Christ hath himself said, according 
 
 to the scriptures, that, as they were eating, Jesus took bread, 
 
 and blessed and brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying : 
 Matt. xxvi. j'aJig^ cat; this is my body: and he took the cup, and gave 
 
 thanks, and gave it to them, saying. Drink, and divide it 
 Luke xxii. among yourselves ; for this is my blood of the new testa- 
 ment, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins. Do 
 icor. X. 16. this in remembrance of me. I believe this, according to the 
 
 testimony of Paul, who says. The cup of blessing which 
 
 we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ ? 
 
 The bread tvhich we break, is it not the communion of the 
 John vi. 54. body of Clirist ? Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my 
 
 blood, hath eternal life ; and I loill raise him up at the last 
 
 day. 
 Gen. ii. 24. I acknowledg-B and confess the marriage state to be an 
 1 Cor. vii. ordinance of God. Namely, one man and one woman 
 
 joined together in the name of the Lord in the holy 
 Matt. xix. 5. church. For this cause shall a man leave his father and 
 1 Cor. vi. 16. mother, and shall cleave to his wife ; and they twain shall be 
 
 one flesh ; ivherefore, they are no more twain, but one flesh ; 
 Heb. xiii. 4. therefore, luhat God hath joined together let not man jmi 
 
 asunder ; and the bed is undefiled, but whoremongers and 
 
 adulterers God will judge. 
 [213] I confess that fasting and prayer are very profitable, as 
 Acts xiii. 2. practised by the apostles. 
 
 I hold the words of St. James to be good and right, 
 James V. 16. whcrc hc says. Confess your faults one to another, and pray 
 
 one for another, that ye may be healed. I believe that men 
 
 should do this with an upright heart. 
 wisd. vi. 4. I acknowledge likewise and confess, that magistrates are 
 
 appointed and ordained of God for the punishment of evil 
 1 pet. ii. 13. doers, and the protection of the good ; for they bear not the 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 155 
 
 sword in vain ; to which poAvers the scriptures command Rom. xiii.i. 
 US to be obedient, and instruct us to pray for the same, i Tim. ii. i. 
 that, as Paul says, we may lead a quiet and peaceable life. 
 Paul likewise calls the power the minister of God. Seeing 
 then, that he is a servant of God, I would pray that it may 
 please him to be merciful to me, as God is merciful. 1 ^l^^' ''""■ 
 here disclaim all those that desire to oppose the power by 
 the sword and violence, and consider that to be a devilish 
 doctrine. 
 
 I believe also in the resurrection of the dead, as it is °^"- ''"• ^• 
 written, that all men shall rise from the dead in their own ^'>^- ^''^ 25. 
 bodies, when the Lord shall come in the clouds with his Matt, xxv. 
 angels ; then he will judge every man according to his Matt. xvi. : 
 works. 
 
 In short, I believe whatever a true Christian is bound 
 to believe concerning the holy church. I believe with my 
 whole heart the articles of the creed, and will live and die 
 therein. Here I renounce all false doctrines, heresies, and 
 sects, which do not agree with God and his word. And 
 wherein I may have erred, through any false doctrine, I 
 pray Almighty God that it may please him, of his great 
 love and compassion, to forgive me. 
 
 I likewise pray, that wherein I may have transgressed 
 against the emperor or the king, or any other person, it 
 may please them to forgive me, for the great love and 
 mercy of God. 
 
 The confession of Jaques d''Auchy, which he made before 
 the commissary and the inquisitor. 
 
 After I had been in confinement ten weeks, came on 
 my first examination. On the 3rd day of January, 
 anno 1558, reckoning the beginning of the year from new 
 year's day, the gaoler came to me, saying that I must 
 appear before the commissary to be examined touching 
 my faith. I was glad, soon got ready, and went with the 
 
156 A MARTYROLOGY OP 
 
 gaoler. Coming Into the hall where the commissary was 
 sitting, I humbly saluted him ; he returned my salutation, 
 using these words, " Is your name Jaques d'Auchy ?" 
 
 Jaques. " It is, sir." 
 
 Commis. " Jaques, I have been deputed on the part of 
 the king and the procureur-general, to hear you upon the 
 articles of faith." 
 
 Jaques. " Well, sir, let It be done In the name of the 
 Lord." 
 
 After much conversation concerning the faith, he 
 began to ask me where I was born, my way of life, 
 residence, and eonversation, from my youth up to the 
 present time, all which I confessed to him. I was then 
 led back into the keeper's house. 
 
 The next day, namely the 4th of January, I was again 
 led in the afternoon before the same commissary. He 
 began to defame, revile, and blaspheme the shepherds and 
 flock of Christ, saying, " Is It not a lamentable thing that 
 we suifer ourselves to be so led astray?" 
 
 Jaques. " Yes, sir." 
 
 Commis. " I speak of you people, and many others, who 
 forsake our mother the holy church, and suffer yourselves 
 to be deceived by a troop of Idle fellows and vagrants." 
 
 Jaques. " I have not permitted myself to be deceived by 
 such men." 
 
 Commis. " No ? If you believe such cursed villainous 
 fellows and beggars as Menno, Leonard, Hendrick van 
 Vreden, Frans de Kuijper, Jells van Aken, and such-like 
 rascals, and forsake us and the true word of God, do you 
 not suffer yourself to be deceived ? " 
 
 Jaques. " I have not forsaken the word of God, for my 
 
 faith is founded upon the word of God, and not on men, 
 
 nor on the doctrines of men ; for the prophet Jeremiah 
 
 Jei\ xvii 5, exclaims, Cursed he the man that trusteth in man, and maketh 
 
 Jiesh his arm,^^ 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHUIST. 157 
 
 A little afterwards he cried out, "Oh! those wicked 
 men, Menno and Leonard, how many people have they 
 deceived, and led to the devil and destruction ! " 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, I entreat you not to use such words, for 
 it would be hard to prove that they are what you call 
 them. They have not deceived any, but have clearly 
 taught the word of God. I do not believe that those who 
 have faith in the word of God will go into condemnation ; 
 however, the Lord will judge." 
 
 Commis. " I wull not dispute ; for I myself submit to be 
 instructed by those who are learned in holy church ; but I 
 know Avell what you people are, and what your doctrine 
 is. If you had the power, you would soon cut our throats, 
 as was done by your people at Munster, at Amsterdam, [2i4] 
 and other places." 
 
 Jaques. " O, sir, do not use such expressions against 
 your conscience; for I believe you know much better, 
 having been a member of the council for twenty years as 
 you say (this he bad told me before), therefore I think that 
 you must know us better. Had we such wicked hearts as 
 to wish to murder people, we should not give ourselves 
 over into your hands ; for, if we would only speak against 
 our consciences, and conceal the truth from you, you 
 would have no power over us, since you will not find one 
 that can, with truth, complain of us as having unjustly 
 treated or injured any one." 
 
 Commis. "From whence then come so many heresies ' 
 and sects? Where do so many uproars and mutinies 
 spring from ? " 
 
 Jaques. " As regards the sects and heresies in the 
 world, such as those of Munster or Amsterdam, or else- 
 where, we have no kind of felloAvship with them, nor have 
 we any part in such people's Avorks, nor with their 
 doctrines ; we hold their doctrines to be devilish ; more- 
 over, these things cannot prevent the truth from being the 
 
158 A JIARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 truth, and Christians from being true Christians, no more 
 than all the sects and heresies that encompassed the 
 apostles in their day, which had some show of being the 
 word of God." 
 
 After these and many other words which we had toge- 
 ther, he began to soften, and said to me, " You must not 
 study such high things, but permit yourself to be taught 
 by men wiser and more learned than yourself; you must 
 believe the word of God." 
 
 Jaques. " O, sir, could I hesitate to believe the word of 
 God? For that very word I am now in prison. I stand 
 here present before you to answer for it." 
 
 Commis. " You are not imprisoned for the word of God, 
 but for your evil deeds." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, have you heard of any one that has 
 accused me of having in any way wronged or injured 
 him ? " 
 
 Commis. " No, I have not heard that any one has made 
 any complaint against you." 
 1 Pet. iv. 5. Jaques. " The Lord be praised that it is not for any 
 unrighteousness, but for the testimony of the true faith ? " 
 
 Commis. " Not so ; it is for the evil deeds that you 
 have committed against his imperial majesty, and for having 
 transgressed the command of the kinjj our lord." 
 
 Jaques. " If I have transgressed the king's command, 
 that is a small matter, if in so doing I have fulfilled the 
 Rev.xix. r. command of the King who is the true God, and the ever- 
 lasting King." 
 
 Commis. " You have also transgressed the command of 
 God, and of our mother the holy church." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, you cannot prove, from the holy scrip- 
 tures, that I have transgressed the command of God." 
 
 Commis. " It shall by and by be proved to you. But 
 let us now complete the articles about which I am directed 
 to examine you." 
 
THE CHURCHES OP CHKIST. 159 
 
 We had many more discussions, which it would be too 
 long to relate here; and besides they have somewhat 
 escaped my memory. The commissary was in some 
 measure satisfied, and heard attentively what I had to 
 say. 
 
 Afterwards he began to ask me when I came to Emb- 
 den, and what place I had pitched upon for my dwelling, 
 and if I had any directions to such people. I answered, 
 "Yes, I had." 
 
 Commis. " From whom did you receive those direc- 
 tions ?" 
 
 Jaques. " From a kind friend." 
 
 Commis. " In what house were you ?" 
 
 Jaques. "I do not know the house that I was in." 
 
 Commis. " Who was it that brought you ; Leonard ? " 
 
 Jaques. " The company consisted of men and boys, women 
 and girls. ^' 
 
 Commis. " What were their names ?" 
 
 Jaques. " I should have had much to do to know their 
 names, as I had not any long time to learn them." 
 
 Commis. "When you came into the house, where was 
 Leonard ; what did he preach about ?" 
 
 Jaques. " He preached the pure word of God." 
 
 Commis. " From what and upon what articles did he 
 preach ?" 
 
 Jaques. " He taught amendment of life, the putting off Matt. lii. 2. 
 the old man, and putting on the new ; showing powerfully coi iii. 9. 
 from the scripture that they who walk in sensuality, after Rom.viii. 
 the flesh, have no part in the kingdom of God." Eph. v. 5. 
 
 Commis. " Did he not speak of any other matters ?" 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, I should have much to do to remember 
 everything he said, just as I suppose it would be with 
 trouble and labour that you would remember a sermon 
 that was delivered more than eighteen months or two 
 years ago." 
 
160 A ilARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Commis. " Did you then receive your second bap- 
 tism ?" 
 
 Jaques. " I have been baptized but once, and that ac- 
 Matt.xxviii. cordlnor to the ordinance of Christ." 
 
 19. ° 
 
 Commis. "Were you not baptized in your infancy?" 
 
 Jaques. " I know nothing of what was done to me in my 
 infancy, and I have no memorial of it ?" 
 
 Commis. " Did not your father or mother tell you that 
 you were baptized ; and had you no godfathers or god- 
 mothers?" 
 
 Jaques, •' I believe they told me of it, and I have called 
 some persons godfather and godmother, but that was not 
 [215] according to the scripture." 
 
 Commis. "Well, was not that enough? Did you receive 
 anything more than that from Leonard, viz. water, or 
 baptism, according to your notion ?" 
 Mark XVI. Jaqucs. " I rcceivcd from him baptism according to the 
 word of God." 
 
 Commis. *'Do you not consider the baptis.n you received 
 in your infancy to be good?" 
 
 Jaques. " Had I thought it good, and to be baptism, I 
 should have received no other ; for it is written that there 
 Epii. iv. 5. is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, and not many 
 baptisms." 
 
 Commis. " Did you receive the baptism, administered by 
 Leonard, in the house where you were assembled ?" 
 
 Jaques. " Yes." 
 
 Commis. " Was it after the sermon, or before ?" 
 
 Jaques. " After the sermon." 
 
 Commis. " Did he not speak of baptism ?" 
 
 Jaques. "Yes, he did, and showed from holy scripture 
 
 what it was, and what baptism signified ; humbly exhort- 
 
 Rom.vi. 3. ing those that desired to receive the same carefully to 
 
 observe and pay regard to what they received, proving 
 
 2 Tim. 111. ^]^j^|. ^j-^g cross and persecution awaited those that have 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. , 161 
 
 attained so far, and many other proofs from holy scrip- 
 ture." 
 
 Commis. " Were you not afraid of the emperor's pro- 
 clamation ?" 
 
 Jaques. " No ; nor am I now." 
 
 Commis. " Jaques, it will go hard with you for your 
 evil deeds, except you throw yourself upon his clemency." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, I expect mercy from the Lord, but I know P^a.cxxx.7. 
 not that I have committed any fault against the emperor 
 or the king for which I should seek mercy ; if that pro- 
 clamation be contrary to the word of God, I do not think 
 that I commit any fault against any person whatever in 
 fulfilling the command of God." 
 
 Commis. "Jaques, Jaques, think on the contents of the 
 proclamation." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, I know well that it has authority above 
 the word of God in this world to order to be put to death 
 those that believe on his name, and who depart from 
 unrighteousness ; as it is written, that so it should come to isa. iix. is. 
 pass; but what will it signify, when you have dealt with Matt x. 17. 
 me according to that proclamation, and have put me to 
 death, you will have nothing but a vile and mortal body. Matt x. 28. 
 subject to corruption, but the soul you cannot touch ; and 
 when you come before the judgment seat of God, you will wisd. v. 2. 
 know what you have done." 
 
 Commis. " I do not seek your death, God knows ; and I 
 should be sorry for you to suffer the least pain, even at the 
 extremity of your finger." 
 
 Jaques. " The event will show ; but how comes it to pass 
 that you shed innocent blood, seeing you cannot under- 
 stand this faith, as you yourself have told me ; why 
 do you not rather ordain that they who cannot regard 
 your faith as right and good, should go into exile, pre- 
 serving their lives and property ? as is done throughout 
 Germany and in the east, where they will not sit in 
 
 VOL. II. M 
 
162 A MAHTYnOLOCV (JF 
 
 judgment on tlie word of God for the purpose of shedding 
 blood." 
 
 After many more observations, he asked, " What do you 
 believe concerning the sacrament of the altar ?" 
 
 Jaqucs. " Do you refer to the breaking of bread ?" 
 
 Commis. " Yes." 
 Matt. xxvi. Jaques. "I believe what Christ ordained, and the 
 Acts ii. 46. apostles practised ; and what Paul writes concerning it to 
 icor.xi.2.-. the Corinthians." 
 
 Commis. " How do you understand it?" 
 
 Jaques. " Just as it is written, I wish not to put any 
 gloss upon the word of God," AVith tliat he was satisfied, 
 and noted it upon his paper, 
 
 Commis. " What do you think of the mass, of confession, 
 and of the priests' absolution." 
 
 Jaques. " With respect to the mass, it is unknown to 
 me, and also to the scriptures. I have not met with the 
 word in the woitI of God." 
 
 Commis. " What then would you have me write?" 
 
 Jaques. " I do not know ; what you please, sir." 
 
 Commis. " Will you not simply confess that you believe 
 in the ordinances of the true and holy church, as the 
 scripture teaches, and as a good Christian is bound to do ?" 
 
 Jaques. " Yes, sir, with all my heart." He wrote 
 accordingly. 
 
 Commis. " Who were your teachers in these doctrines ? 
 whom did you at first associate with, and in what place?" 
 
 Jaques. " I conversed much on tlie scriptui'es with 
 many persons at Antwerp ; but I was more particularly 
 instructed, and obtained my principles from the perusal of 
 the holy Avord of the Lord." lie wrote this down. 
 
 Commis. " But now, with regard to an important j)oint; 
 were you not a minister, or deacon over the poor, or an 
 cxhorter ; had you not some office in the assemblies of the 
 brethren?" 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 163 
 
 It was thus written in the paper before him, as well as 
 I was able to observe. I did not at first know what he 
 would say on this important matter; and I replied, " No, 
 nor do I think myself qualified for office ; I am but a 
 weak member in the congregation." icor.xu.iy. 
 
 Commis. " Were you not present at the meetings before 
 your baptism ? " 
 
 Jaques. " Yes, twice or thrice at least." 
 
 Commis. " In what place was it, and in what sort of 
 house ?" 
 
 Jaques. " As to the houses, I do not know whose they 
 are." 
 
 Commis. " What sort of houses were they, large or 
 small ? " 
 
 Jaques. " We assemble where we best can, according to 
 circumstances ; I remember to have been in very poor 
 small houses, more like stables than houses." This he 
 wrote in his paper. 
 
 Commis. " Were you with the brethren, at the exhorta- 
 tion, after your baptism ?" 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, that speaks for itself: you may well ^gic] 
 suppose, that if I was there before, I should be there more "^'^- ^- ^^■ 
 
 in T 5 Acts XV. 6. 
 
 frequently afterwards.' 
 
 Commis. " Is your wife of the same opinion as you ? 
 Is she also baptized ?" 
 
 Jaques. " It is enough to answer for myself, without 
 answering for my wife ; if she were here, she would 
 answer for herself: I consider her, however, a Avoman 
 that fears the Lord." With this he was satisfied. 
 
 On the eighth day of January of the aforesaid year 
 1558, on a Saturday morning, I was led into the same 
 hall before the inquisitor, who, a short time before, was 
 deputed by the king of Spain, with full powers to bind 
 or loose, to set free, or to put to death. When I came 
 before him, I humbly saluted him. He returned my 
 
 M 2 
 
164 A MARTYROLOGY OK 
 
 salutation, saying, " Jaques, I am exceedingly glad of one 
 thing, that is, of what the procureur-general has told me, 
 that you are very willing to confess your fault, if it can be 
 proved to you from scripture that you have trans- 
 gressed the command of God, and that you are in error. 
 Is that still your intention ? Will you accept scrip- 
 ture ?" 
 
 Jaques. " Yes ; I am ready to listen to good instruction 
 that agrees with the word of God." My confession to 
 the commissary was before him. 
 
 And he asked, " Do you still confess that you were 
 baptized by Leonard ? " 
 Matt. V. 37. Jaques. " My word is not yea and nay ; but yea. yea. 
 What I confessed before, I confess still, openly." 
 
 Inq. " Was not the baptism you received in your 
 infancy sufficient for you, without receiving another?" 
 
 Jaques. " The baptism I received in my infancy I 
 consider to be no baptism, according to the word and 
 ordinance of God ?" 
 
 Inq. " This I will prove to you ; but do you believe 
 that little children are born in original sin ? " 
 Psa. li. 5. Jaques. " David rightly says, that he was conceived in 
 Rom. iv. 25. sin, as all infants are ; but sin is not imputed to them, for 
 Christ died to put away sin, which Paul every where 
 Rom V. 18. testifies in his epistles. As sin came into the world by- 
 one man, and death by sin, so grace has abounded through 
 Jesus Christ." 
 
 Inq. " How are infants cleansed ? Is it not by bap- 
 tism?" 
 Heb. ix. 14. Jaqucs. " They are cleansed by the blood of Christ, 
 John i. 29. forasmucli as he is the Lamb of God that taketh away 
 the sin of the world." 
 
 Inq. " In Avhat way are they cleansed from original 
 sin ? " 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, I have already told you that it is through 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 165 
 
 the blood of the Son of God, who died for us when we 
 were yet enemies and unbelieving." 
 
 Inq. " Do you not believe that infants bear their sin Rom v. c. 
 from Adam, until they are cleansed by baptism ? " 
 
 Jaques. " That must be proved to me from scripture. 
 I believe the Avord of the prophet, who says, The son shall ^^^"^^ ''^'"• 
 not bear the iniquity of the father ; neither shall the father 
 hear tJie iniquity of the son ; hut the soul that sinneth, it shall 
 die." 
 
 Inq. " It is not to be understood so ; but the child is 
 impure until it has received baptism." 
 
 Jaques. " Are the children cleansed by the outward 
 sign of water ? " 
 
 Inq. " No, but they must first be cleansed by the water, 
 and then by the Holy Ghost." 
 
 Jaques. " Which washing goes first, the external or the 
 internal? '' 
 
 Ijiq. " The external washing, and after the words, * in 
 the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
 Ghost,' are spoken, they are cleansed internally." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, you say that, Avithout scripture. Christ 
 says, they are hypocrites who first cleanse the outside ; Matt, xxiii. 
 but Ave must first cleanse the inside and the outside will 
 then be clean." 
 
 Inq. " You err, and do not understand the scripture. 
 You have suffered yourself to be deceived by a set of 
 vagabonds." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, I trust not in men, but it is not given me 
 to understand otherwise ; men cannot give me faith ; for isa. iiv. 13. 
 it is written in the prophets. They shall be all taught of 
 God. And Jesus Christ says. No man can come unto me, john vi. 65. 
 except it were given unto him of my Father. But now, sir, 
 only show me by the scripture that the baptism of little 
 children is a plant, an ordinance of God, and practised by 
 the apostles, and I will believe it." 
 
166 A MAKTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Inq. " The ordinance was instituted by Jesus Christ, 
 John iii. 5. sajing, Kxceipt a man he horn of ivnter and of the Spirit, he 
 cannot enter into the kingdom of God.'''' 
 
 Jaques. " Christ does not speak to children, but to a 
 teacher of the law ; nor does he speak of little children, 
 newly born ; for Christ afterwards says in the same 
 chapter. That which is horn of the flesh is flesh ; and that 
 icliich is horn of the Spirit is spirit : marvel not that I said 
 unto thee. Ye must he horn agam ; the wind hloweth ichere it 
 listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, hut canst not tell 
 whence it cometh and ichither it goeth ; so is every one that is 
 horn of the Spirit." 
 
 After I had read this in his Testament, in German, 
 printed at Zurich,'' I said, " Sir, if the outward baptism of 
 children is a new birth, it is then Avell known from whence 
 [217] it comes, for we see it with our eyes." 
 
 Inq. " How do you understand it then ?" 
 
 Jaques. " I understand that the new birth takes place 
 
 Col. iii. 5. jj^ those who were in the old Adam, in the flesh and sin, 
 
 which must be put off and put to death, the flesh and sin 
 
 being crucified with all its desires and lusts, that they may 
 
 Rom. VI. 4. \yQ born again to a newness of life after the new man 
 
 Christ Jesus, as Paul largely testifies." 
 
 Inq. " That is to be understood of adult and aged per- 
 sons ; but little children who are impure must be cleansed 
 with water, in order to obtain salvation." 
 
 Jaques. " What do you believe concerning infants that 
 are not baptized according to your faith, which you receive 
 from the pope ?" 
 
 Inq. " They go where the devils are.'' 
 Tieut. i. 16. Jaques. " Oh, sir, it Is written, when ye judge, judge 
 Matt. vii. 2. righteous judgment ; also, with what judgment ge Judge, ye 
 
 f [Doubtless the German-Swiss first appeared between the years 
 version of Leo Jude, which differs ir)'25 and 15J9. Home's Introd. ii. 
 much from Luther's version. It part '2. p. 95.] 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 167 
 
 shall be judged. You condemn innocent children, while 3''^^''''""' 
 Christ saith, Of such is the kingdom of heaven.'' Matt. xix. 
 
 Inq. " They were baptized, or at least had been circum- 
 cised, which was to them instead of baptism." 
 
 Jaques. " The scripture makes no mention of their 
 having been circumcised, and you cannot prove whether 
 they were Jewish or heathen children." 
 
 Inq, " They were all Jews that were in Jerusalem and 
 in the land of Judea." 
 
 Jaques. " Luke says differently. Acts ii. that in Jeru- ^'^^^ "• ^^ 
 salem, in the land of Judea, there were all kinds of 
 tongues, out of every nation under heaven." 
 
 Inq. " Is it not a lamentable thing that you so err in 
 the scripture ? Does not Paul say that he hath cleansed 
 the church with the washing of water?" 
 
 Jaques. " Paul says, With the washing of loater by the Epii. v. 26. 
 word. Can you then cleanse children by the word, orjoimw.a. 
 with the washing of water only ? for they cannot believe 
 the word." 
 
 Inq. " They are then condemned, since they do not 
 believe." 
 
 Jaques. " Say not so; for they are innocent and poor in Matt. v. 3. 
 spirit, and of such is the kingdom of heaven." He replied 
 as he had done before, " They must above all things be 
 cleansed by the baptism of water, to obtain salvation." 
 
 Jaques. "The apostle Peter testifies distinctly that as 1 Pct. iii.21. 
 the ark which Noah had prepared preserved from death, 
 and from the Avratli of God, all those that had renounced 
 the world and the communion of the wicked, and had 
 entered therein, in the same manner doth baptism save 
 us; but the apostle esteems not that baptism to be of any 
 value that puts away the filth of the flesh, unless there be 
 the answer of a good conscience towai'd God. I do not 
 believe that little children have that answer of a good 
 conscience, seeing thev know not what is good or evil." neut. 1. 39. 
 
168 A MARTlllOLOGY OF 
 
 On this point he made me no answer, but looked stead- 
 fastly at me, and a little afterwards said, "It is Calvin 
 .who writes, the attestation (that is witness) of a good 
 conscience. These are the false prophets that deceive you. 
 The genuine text does not say so." 
 
 Juques. "I am not in prison for the doctrine of Calvin." 
 I requested him several times to allow me to read in his 
 book what the apostle wrote, namely, in his own Testa- 
 ment that he had before him, or in his Latin Bible which 
 was of a very small size, translated and printed by Robert 
 Stephen, at Paris ; but, notwithstanding my earnest en- 
 treaties, he would not let me. I said to him, " Sir, since 
 you contradict the word, you ought not to hinder me from 
 referring to it." 
 
 After some further conversation, he said to me, " Since 
 you will not believe the holy teachers, as St. Ambrose 
 and St. Augustine, and a number of other saints that he 
 named, nor the ordinances that the holy church has insti- 
 tuted, Avhat will you believe ?" 
 
 Jaques. " I believe alone in the ordinance of Christ. 
 Show me that the apostles baptized little children and I 
 will believe it." This he attempted to prove from the 
 households that were baptized ; in which, as he said, there 
 may have been little children. I answered, " While the 
 scripture says nothing about little children being in them, 
 it clearly testifies that these households heard the word, 
 Actsxvi. 32. and believed, as is written of the gaoler; also of Cor- 
 Acts X. 47. nelius, the centurion, with all those of his household who 
 received the Holy Ghost, as the apostles had done, viz., 
 they who heard the word. Therefore, sir, you cannot 
 prove that little children were amongst them." 
 
 Inq. " I will not insist upon this, and affirm that there 
 were or that there were not, for that is doubtful; but you 
 should believe what the fathers and holy teachers have or- 
 dained in the church, and have practised to the present day." 
 
THK CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 169 
 
 Jaques. " Did those teachers institute this ordinance 
 with a good intention, or because it was an ordinance of 
 God contained in the scripture ?" 
 
 Inq. " They did it according to the word of God and 
 with a good intention." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, you know well how strictly it was com- Deui. iv. 2. 
 manded the people of Israel that they should do nothing ^"'^' 
 after their own will, but only what the Lord commanded 22^'""' ^^' 
 and ordained. Saul was rejected of God, because he did 
 not obey the word of the Lord that had been declared to 
 him ; but had done as he thought proper." 
 
 After many other words had passed between us, he left 
 me, saying, "Jaques, I entreat you to consider the matter 
 carefully, for you are in error and deceived." 
 
 Jaques. " I am not in error, nor deceived ; I am well 
 advised ; and since you cannot show me from the scripture 
 that infant baptism is an ordinance of God, I therefore 
 do not believe it." 
 
 Liq. " What would you have me show you, since you 
 neither believe the holy doctors of the Catholic church, 
 nor yet her ordinances ?" 
 
 Jaques. "Sir, it is written. Every ])lant tcliich r/zy Matt.xv.is. 
 heavenly Father hath not planted shall he rooted up." 
 After many other words he left me saying, " Adieu, 
 Jaques; reflect and pi*ay earnestly to God." I likewise 
 said, "Adieu," and that I indeed hoped ever to call upon Psa.cxvi.e. 
 the name of the Lord for his aid. 
 
 Much more passed between us which I have not written, 
 because I do not distinctly remember it, having been 
 since attacked with fever. I have forgotten to write 
 down his allegation, by which he attempted to prove that 
 circumcision was a figure of baptism, and that it should 
 be used in the same manner; in reply to which I showed 
 him from the scripture that circumcision was a type of the G.-n. xvu. 
 covenant, and served only to show who were included in 
 
170 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 the covenant, and the children to whom the promises 
 
 Rom. li. 28. belonged. But Paul informs us that now he is not a 
 
 Jew, nor a child of Abraham, that is one outwardly, or of 
 
 his seed according to the flesh; but they that are such in 
 
 John viii.S9. heart, as Christ saith that they are Abraham's children, 
 
 who do the works of Abraham, although they are Gentiles 
 
 according to the flesh. I also showed him that baptism is 
 
 John iii. 5. a sign of the true second birth, as Christ declared to 
 
 Rom.vi. 5. Nicodemus, the putting off of the old man by a new life, 
 
 and that therefore men must be born again, and not 
 
 merely a newly born infant, as they would have it ; and 
 
 that where there was no new birth, there no sign was of 
 
 any use : it were but mocking God. He I'ejoined, " Have 
 
 little children, then, no part in this sacrament ?" I said 
 
 Matt. xiii. that tlic sacramcuts were left us to be used in the church 
 
 13. 
 
 by those that had ears to hear, and hearts to understand 
 and to discern the sacraments, and not for the ignorant. 
 We had much more discourse on this article, and I showed 
 him the abuse of baptism, as practised by them, was con- 
 trary to the scriptures. I referred also to the baptism 
 administered by midwives, which they esteem valid, and 
 yet baptize again ; therefore, I said, they were the 
 Anabaptists. 
 
 On Monday, the 10th January of the same year, I was 
 taken again before the same inquisitor; after some remarks 
 he inquired, " What have you determined with regard to 
 baptism ?" 
 
 Jaques. " I have no other view than what I gave you, 
 
 since you cannot show me from the scripture that the 
 
 baptism of little children is an ordinance of Christ ; I do 
 
 not believe, therefore, in it, but adhere to the baptism that 
 
 Matt.xxviii. Jcsus ChHst iustitutcd, and commanded his apostles to 
 1 1. 
 
 observe." 
 
 Tnq. "■ False prophets have thus taught you, concern- 
 ing whom the scripture saith that they shall come, and 
 that thrv iiave gone out from among us." 
 
THE CHXniCHES OF CHIUST. 171 
 
 Jaques. " The Lord saith that such false prophets shalP'^"-^'"-!^- 
 be known by their fruits ; and with regard to your saying 
 that they have gone out from among you, Paul being at 
 Miletus, showed the elders of Ephesus that, of their own 
 selves and among the flock, men should arise teaching per- Acts xx. 29. 
 verse things. Is it not so, sir?" 
 Inq. " Yes, it is," 
 
 Jaques. " Is not, then, the baptism you practise a per- 
 verse thing, sir, and a contradiction of scripture? Has 
 not Christ commanded those that believe to be baptized, \^^^^ ^"' 
 those who were taught and had learned ? The apostles Matt.xxvii=. 
 baptized only those that received the word, while you Acta iii. 19. 
 baptize only those that do not believe, and cannot be in- 
 structed, nor taught, nor can receive the word, for they 
 are incapable. Methinks, that is a perversion, a setting the 
 cart before the liorse." 
 
 Inq. " It is, because you are In heresy, my son, and do 
 not believe the holy doctors; you will see soon how it 
 will go with you. But now let us speak upon another 
 article." After he had looked over and read the con- 
 fession I had made before the commissary, as I related 
 before, he asked me, " What do you believe concerning the 
 eucharlst ?" 
 
 Jaques. " What is that ?" 
 
 Inq. " The sacrament of the altar." 
 
 Jaques. " Do you mean the Lord's supper, or the break- 
 ing of bread?" 
 
 I7i(jr. " Yes, it is the same thing ; the eucharist, the 
 sacrament, or Lord's supper." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, it is not the same name ; for observe how 
 the apostles have termed it: Luke says they brake 
 bread from house to house; he says not the body of 
 
 Christ?" Aetsii.4g. 
 
 Inq. " That of which Luke there speaks is the word of I '^loj 
 God, which they imparted to one another." 
 
172 A MARTYOLOGY OF 
 
 Jaqiies. " So, sir, says David Joris ^ and other heretics, 
 who do away with the breaking of bread ; but observe 
 when Paul was at Troas, and the assembly were met 
 together at night, and a young man fell from the third loft, 
 Luke says that Paul, continuing his speech imtil mid- 
 night, the young man having fallen into a deep sleep fell 
 from the window ; when they were come up again, Paul, 
 having restored him, they broke bread and ate. It Avas 
 not the word that they ate, for Paul afterwards spoke until 
 break of day and then departed." The inquisitor hearing 
 this looked hard at me, and knew not what to say. " Do 
 you not believe," said he, " that when the priest has spoken 
 the words, our Lord is in the bread, his flesh and blood, 
 just as the Jews had him in their hands and crucified 
 iiim ?" He asked me the same thing repeatedly, and as I 
 did not wish to dispute with him, I said: "Sir, if you can 
 prove it from the scriptures, I will then believe it." 
 He urged me, saying, " Say no, or yes; what is it you 
 believe T 
 
 Jaques. "I believe as the scripture testifies concern- 
 ing it." 
 
 Itiq. " I ask you if you do not believe that he is in the 
 sacrament, his flesh and blood, even as he was on the 
 cross?" Perceiving that he was getting angry, I delayed 
 a little to answer. " Well, what do you say ?'' 
 
 Jaques. " No, sir." 
 
 Inq. " That I hear, but why did you delay so long to 
 answer yes or no ?" 
 Prov. xvii. Jaqucs. "Sir, it is written, Be stvift to hear, slow to 
 sjteak." 
 
 Inq. "Well then, Jaques, say only yes or no; 
 if you believe that he is there bodily in the bread, say 
 
 yes." 
 
 « [Sec note, vol. i. p, 264.] 
 
 27 
 
 Jamep i. 19 
 
THE CHURCHES OP CHRIST. 173 
 
 Jaques. " If, sir, I answered yes, how could I prove it 
 you from the scripture that he is there in flesh and blood, 
 after the priest has pronounced the words ; for I have never 
 read it in the scripture ? and, because I cannot prove it, 
 therefore I will not say that it is so." 
 
 Inq, "So, then, you do not believe it, that I hear 
 plainly : is it not so?" 
 
 Jaques. " I believe concerning it no further than the 
 scriptures testify ; how can he be there in the bread, sir, 
 since it is written that he is ascended into heaven, and 
 sitteth on the rio-ht hand of his Father till he make his foes ^^^i^^" ^^■ 
 
 » Acts ii. 34, 
 
 his footstool." 35- 
 
 Inq. " Do you not believe that he is of power sufficient 
 to sit at the right of his Father, and also to be in the 
 bread?" 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, I believe that he is almighty, but he can 
 do nothing contrary to his word, for he must be true ; he Joim xiv. 6. 
 is the truth itself. 
 
 Inq. "Will you not believe the scripture that is 
 written : Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you ; Matt. xxvi. 
 do you not then believe that it is his body ?" L^ke xxu. 
 
 Jaques. " Which do you hold to be his body? that which 
 was delivered up for us, and suffered, which sat at the 
 table and spake ; or that which he held in his hand, 
 namely, the bread ? Was that delivered for us ? Did 
 that bread die on the cross for our sins ? Did not that 
 bread represent liis body ? " 
 Inq. « Both." 
 
 Jaques. " I have never read that there are two Christs, Matt. xvi. 
 but the one only Son of God." This I had repeatedly 
 told him before. 
 
 Inq. " These two are but one ; the wine is likewise his 
 blood, after the words are spoken by the priest." 
 
 Jaques. " Does the wine become his blood after the 
 words are spoken ? Does it always remain blood, and not 
 wine ?" 
 
174 ,V .MAKTVKOLOGY OF 
 
 Inq. " After the words are spoken, the bread is the real 
 flesh, and the wine is the real blood of Christ; and they 
 remain flesh and blood." 
 
 Jaques. " What, then, did Christ give his disciples to 
 Matt. xxvi. understand, when He said, This is my Mood of the new 
 testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins ; 
 hut I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of 
 the vine. Sir, Christ calls it his blood of the new testa- 
 ment, and, nevertheless, he gives his apostles to under- 
 stand that it is still fruit of the vine ; for he styles it such 
 after he had called it his blood." 
 
 Inq. " Where is that written?" I then took the Ger- 
 man Testament, which he had before him, and read it to 
 him. After I had shown and read it to him, he said to 
 me, " You must not be guided by your own under- 
 standing, but by the explanations of the holy doctors, 
 by St. Augustine, Ambrose, and others of the ancient 
 church." 
 
 Jaques' " I am well content with the explanations 
 of Paul, Avithout seeking other explanations." 
 
 Inq. " Where has Paul explained the sacrament of the 
 altar?" 
 
 Jaques. " Paul has explained, and declared to the 
 Corinthians what the supper of the Lord, and the break- 
 ing of bread, is." 
 
 Inq. " Show it me." I had still his Testament, and 
 read to him the tenth chapter of the first epistle to the 
 icyr.x.15. Corinthians, where Paul says, / sjyeak as to icise men, judge 
 . [•>2o] y<? lohat I say: the cup of blessing tvhich loe bless, is it not 
 the communion of the blood of Christ ? the bread which we 
 break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? I hud 
 scarcely read it, before he hastily replied, " That is against 
 you ; for the apostle there plainly sliows that there is flesh 
 and blood in the bread and wine, and that we partake of 
 the body of Christ." 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 175 
 
 Jaques. " If you please, sir, let me read further, and 
 you will perceive that Paul does not intend us to under- 
 stand it of the body of Christ, his flesh and blood as it 
 hung on the cross, but of his church, which is his body ; 
 for, when he says that we have communion with, and are 
 partakers of the body of Christ, he says, /or ice, being \ c^r. y.A7. 
 many, are one bread, one body ; for we are all partakers of 
 that one bread.^^ 
 
 Inq. " The apostle there speaks of another body, namely, 
 of his church." 
 
 Jaques. " I do not find that Paul makes any difference 
 or distinction between two bodies, but speaks of one body 
 of Christ." 
 
 Inq. " How then do you understand eating his body, 
 and drinking his blood ? " 
 
 Jaques. " Just as Paul gives us to understand, that it 
 is one communion or participation of the body of Christ." ^ ^"^ ^- ^^• 
 
 Inq. " My son, how is it you are so deceived ? do you 
 understand then that, through the communion you can 
 indeed partake of the body and blood of Christ, without 
 eating and drinking thereof?" 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, I am not deceived ; I rest upon the word 
 of God." 
 
 Inq. " Well, what do you understand then by this 
 communion ?" 
 
 Jaques. " The apostle explains it, when he says in the 
 same chapter, *' Behold, Israel after the flesh ; are not they i Cov. x. is. 
 which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar ? Observe, 
 sir, the simile that Paul gives by which to understand 
 that of the Corinthians ; do you not understand it, sir ? " 
 
 Inq. " Yes, I do." 
 
 Jaques. " Your meaning is not, I think, that they who 
 were partakers of the altar, did therefore eat the altar, but 
 only the sacrifices that lay upon the altar." 
 
 Inq. "Do you think it is the same with the sacra- 
 ment ? " 
 
176 A MAllTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, I think that when we eat the bread, w^e 
 thereby signify our partaking of the body of Christ; 
 nevertheless we eat only the bread, and not Clmst ; just 
 as Israel did not eat the altar, but only the sacrifices ; yet 
 in eating the sacrifices, they signified that they were 
 partakers of the altar." 
 
 Looking at me very sharply, he said, "What an error ! 
 and do you not believe that, in eating the consecrated 
 bread, we eat the body of Christ ? ' ' 
 
 Jaques. "Paul does not give us to understand it so; 
 and I do not so understand it." 
 
 Inq. " Is it not, Jaques, a lamentable thing, that you 
 do not believe the word of God ; which says. This is my 
 body : this is my blood ; do this in remembrance ofme?^' 
 
 Jaques. " I believe the word of God. Christ would 
 
 have us to understand, that he is not there bodily ; since 
 
 Luke xxii. ]^g said, that we should do it in remembrance of him. 
 
 icor. xi. 23. Paul likewise says, As often as ye eat this bread, and drink 
 
 1 Cor xi 2P. this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he corned He is 
 
 then not there bodily, since he is not yet come." 
 
 Inq. " He is there bodily, according to the word of 
 Christ; and all the holy doctors so interpret it/' 
 
 Jaques. " I prefer Paul alone above all other doctors, 
 and abide by Paul's interpretation only." 
 
 Inq. " You ought also to believe the holy doctors of the 
 catholic church." 
 
 Jaques. " I believe ti.e holy scriptures, and the word of 
 God alone." 
 
 Inq. " If, then, you believe the word of God, you nmst 
 also believe that when the bread is consecrated, and the 
 words are pronounced, he who corporeally receives it, 
 receives the body and blood of Christ, since Christ so 
 declares ; and he lies not, but is the truth." 
 
 Jaques. " I know very well that Christ is the truth, but 
 John vi. 51. we must understand how he speaks when he says, / am the 
 
THE CHUECHES OF CHRIST. 177 
 
 living bread which came clown from heaven, and the bread 
 that I ivill give is my flesh ; do you indeed believe that ?" 
 
 I7iq. " No, I do not ; do you believe it ?" 
 
 Jaqiies. " I do not say that, nor will we now dispute about 
 it ; it is mentioned only because you say we must believe 
 what Christ says. Observe, he says, I am the vine, mgjohnx.i. 
 Father the husbandman. Paul also says. That rock, of i cor. x. 4. 
 which the children of Israel drank, loas Christ." 
 
 Inq. " No, no, wc must not so take every expression, 
 but only as a type of Christ." 
 
 Jaques. " But we have here the same manner of 
 expression ?" 
 
 Inq, " True, but this is a sacrament, which is left us as 
 a remembrance of the body of Christ." 
 
 Jaques. " Sii', observe Israel after the flesh; the lamb j^'"'"^- ''■''• ^' 
 they ate was called the passover, an everlasting remem- 
 brance that they were brought out, by the strong hand of 
 God, from Egypt, from the house of bondage. So, the 
 bread that we break is in remembrance of Christ, who 
 redeemed us from sin and everlasting death, releasing us 
 from the bondage of our enemy the devil." 
 
 Inq. " Yes, according to the opinion of your shepherds, 
 Calvin, and Zwingle, and such like heretics, who have 
 introduced new doctrines ; while we have been in this 
 faith more than fourteen hundred years. Why do you 
 not believe us?" 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, ought I to believe on account of length 
 of time ? there have been many heretics, as the Sadducees, 
 Nicolaitanes, heathens, and many others, Avho have erred [221] 
 much longer. Read the scriptures alone, after the xxii'.Ti. 
 example of the good king Josiah." 
 
 Inq. " Do you think so, my son ? no, no." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, so said the children of Israel to Jere- {f- '^^'"• 
 miah, and yet they were in error. You also know how 
 they abused the grace of God, making a golden calf, and *• 
 
 VOL. II. N 
 
178 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 worshipping it, and saying. These be thy gods, O Israel, 
 which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. In like 
 manner, you people say now of the bread, ' It is Christ 
 who died for us.' " 
 
 He became angry, and inquired, " Do we commit 
 idolatry in worshipping Christ ? " 
 
 Jaques. " No ; if he be in the bread ; but if he is not 
 there, what else is it that you do?" 
 
 Inq. " Well, what is it, then, that you believe concern- 
 ing it ? Say only this one word, yes or no." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, you have heard that I believe that he 
 Acts vii. 55. sits at the rio-ht hand of his Father in heaven." 
 
 l7iq. " And in the bread?" 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, I have told you that I believe concerning 
 1 Cor. x.ic. it even as Paul testifies." 
 
 Inq. " I perceive, indeed, that you do not believe that 
 men eat the holy flesh of Christ sacramen tally." 
 
 Jaques. " Do all that receive the bread receive also 
 thebody of Christ?" 
 
 Inq. " Yes, all, whoever they may be." 
 
 Jaques. " A robber, murderer, rogue, or one full of 
 treachery, deceit and wickedness, having no compunc- 
 tion or sorrow for his sins, but willing still to live a 
 wicked life, does such a man receive the body and blood 
 of Christ?" 
 
 Inq. " Yes. Although he were the vilest person in the 
 world ; even were he a Turk or a heathen, if he came 
 to the sacrament, he would receive the body and blood of 
 Christ as well as another ; yea, what is more, were it 
 even a beast." 
 
 Jaques. " How Is it possible, sir, that the unbelieving, 
 the ungodly, and the unrighteous, who are threatened 
 with eternal damnation, should receive the body and 
 blood of Christ ? It would then, of necessity, happen con- 
 traiy to all scripture, whether God will or not, that they 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. l79 
 
 would have eternal life, the beasts as well as men, because J">'n ^i- s^. 
 the Lord has promised. That tohosoever eateth hisjiesh, and 
 drinketli his blood, hath everlasting life ; and thus the un- 
 godly would be partakers of the body of Christ and of 2Cor.vij5. 
 Belial, of light and of darkness. It is impossible, as Paul 
 saith." 
 
 Inq. " How ? Do you not understand what Paul says, 1cor.xi.29. 
 That whosoever eats the body eateth judgment." 
 
 Jaqiies. " Stop, do not violate scripture ; for Paul says, 
 that bread, not that body." 
 
 Inq. " Well ; whosoever eats this body, or this bread, 
 and drinks this cup unworthily, eateth damnation." 
 
 Jaques. "Sir; he who receives judgment is far from 
 receiving the body of Christ ; it is the sentence of death 
 that he receives." 
 
 Inq. " Very Avell ; you acknowledge, then, those words 
 of Jesus Christ, who said, IfHioso eateth my Jicsh, and 
 drinheth my blood, hath everlastiyig life. You believe, 
 then, that men may eat and drink him, as he saith ? " 
 
 Jaques. " I believe the words of Jesus Christ ; but not 
 in the same manner as the Jews, who were offended at 
 him, saying, Hoio can this man give us his blood to drink, john vi. 52. 
 and hisjiesh to eat? Nor even his disciples." 
 
 Inq. " That was because they did not well understand." 
 Jaques. " That, indeed, 1 believe ; for if they had un- 
 derstood it aright, they would not have said that ; and 
 his disciples would not have left him for those words, 
 as they did." 
 
 Inq. " Understand aright, my son ; it was because they 
 understood that his flesh must be roasted or boiled, like other 
 flesh ; but he spake of eating it sacramentally : the other 
 eating would have been of little service. But do you not 
 believe that we eat his flesh sacramentally? that it is a 
 sacrament that he left us under the appearance of bread 
 and wine, into which he transferred himself?" 
 
 N 2 
 
180 
 
 A MARTYROLOQY OF 
 
 Jaques. " He has, then, left behind him ceremonies 
 which are of no use." 
 
 Inq. « How so?" 
 
 Jaques. " Because, sir, when his disciples grossly un- 
 derstood it as you and other people do, he said to them, 
 John vi. C3. The Jlesh projiteth nothing, it is the spirit that quickeneth ; 
 the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are 
 life. If, then, we eat his flesh, what doth that profit?" 
 
 Inq. " That was because they did not properly under- 
 stand it, as I told you before." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, I readily believe that ; for had they un- 
 derstood it aright, it would not have been necessary to 
 inform them that it was his word that he meant." 
 
 Inq. " How do you understand it, then, that he spake 
 of his word ? " 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, I understand that he spake of his word, 
 Matt. iv. 4. rjg \i ig written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by 
 the word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, which 
 alone makes us alive in God unto eternal life." 
 
 Inq. " See, now, how your misleaders have taught you 
 their new doctrines." 
 
 Jaques. " My faith does not rest on men, but on the 
 word of God." 
 
 Inq. " Why, then, will you not believe in accordance 
 with your mother, the holy church, that after the words 
 are pronounced the bread and wine are changed?" 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, I have told you ; because no such things 
 are written in the scriptures; for neither the bread nor 
 the wine was changed that Christ gave." 
 [222] Inq. " Oh, it was though." 
 Matt. xivi. Jaques. " Sir, I have showed you that he called it the 
 fruit of the vine, after the words had been spoken." 
 
 Inq. " Do you not then, believe, Jaques, that Jesus 
 Christ is almighty? and that being almighty he could give 
 his disciples his blood to drink ?" 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 181 
 
 Jaques. " I know, sir, that he is almighty, and that he ecci. i. 7. 
 was also able to do it ; but if he did it, sir, has he pro- 
 mised that you should do so too ?" 
 
 Inq. " But is not Jesus Christ able to leave us that, as 
 a testament, in his sacrament ?" 
 
 Jaques. "Yes he is, sir, had he said so: for he had j^^"- ""• 
 power over the Avind and over devils, to change water into Jo^»i i'- ^^ 
 wine, and to render himself invisible, and in short, I Luke iv. so. 
 believe that he is almighty over all things; but a sinful 
 man has not such power." 
 
 Inq. " Not when he utters the same words of Christ?" 
 
 Jaques. *' The power lies not in the words, that would 
 be witchcraft. You might also say to the sick, ' Be thou Matt, vni 
 healed,' just as Christ said it, but it would not therefore 
 come to pass." 
 
 Iriq. " You do not believe, then, that Jesus Christ is in 
 the bread, do you ?" 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, you have plainly heard what 1 think ; 
 Christ has said that we should do it in remembrance of 
 him. If he were there present, how could we do it in 
 remembrance of him ?" 
 
 Liq. " Oh ! how those knaves, Zwingle and Calvin, have 
 deceived you; those profaners of the sacrament, who per- 
 vert all the scripture." 
 
 Jaques. " My faith is not founded on the teaching of 
 Calvin nor Zwingle." 
 
 Inq. " On what then ?" 
 
 Jaques. " On the word of God, and on the foundation 
 of the apostles." icor.iu. u. 
 
 Iriq. " How ? You do not believe the word of God." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, do I not believe the word of God ? For 
 that very cause I am here a prisoner, chained before you, 
 to bear witness thereunto." Rev. xx. 4, 
 
 Liq. " My son, it is for the word of Satan, and not for 
 the word of God." 
 
182 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, be careful how you speak, that you do 
 not blaspheme; for I have not received the words of 
 Psa. xviii. Satan for my doctrine. I believe only the pure word 
 of God ; but you bring before me the words and inter- 
 pretations of men." 
 
 Inq. " They are the words of the holy doctors of the 
 church, which you reject; that is the cause of your error," 
 
 Jaques. "I do not reject them, but I leave them just as 
 
 they are, for I find matter enough in the word of God, to 
 
 lay a good foundation ; there are waters of life, a pure 
 
 ■ fountain, affording sufficient to drink, without running 
 
 Jer. u. 13. ^Q brooks Or pools, which are for the most part troubled 
 
 and polluted." 
 
 Inq. "Well, we make no progress in this way, and it is 
 now late; and since you Avill not believe as our mother 
 the holy church teaches you, take heed and consider the 
 matter; for you are in such error, that if you die in it, 
 you will be damned with thousands of devils in the depths 
 of hell" 
 Matt. vii. 1. Jaques. " Sir, it is written that judgment belongeth to 
 God alone, why do you so boldly assume the place of God? 
 God will judge me." 
 
 Inq. " Jaques, that is a clear case, for you do not 
 believe; now, he that helieveth not is damned, saitli Christ." 
 
 Jaques. " It is written. Judge not according to the appear- 
 joiin vji.24. ^'*^^> hut judge righteous judgment. If I did not believe 
 it, I would not bring forward the word of God in my 
 defence." 
 
 Inq. " All heretics do that. Pray earnestly to God that 
 you may return to the holy church." 
 icor. xii. Jaques. "I hope, by the grace of God, that I am 
 Acts XX. 28. become a member of the true and holy church, which 
 he hath cleansed and purchased with his own blood." 
 
 Upon this he stood up and said to me, " Adieu, Jaques, 
 mind that you act with due deliberation, for your time is 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 183 
 
 near; think well upon the matter." I also bade him fare- 
 well, and said that I was ready at all times to follow the 
 guidance of holy scripture, as it might be made known 
 to me."" 
 
 On Monday, the 1st day of February of the same year, [226] 
 1558, I was again brought before the same inquisitor. 
 After a few words had been exchanged between us, he 
 asked me, " Have you not prayed to the Lord for james i 5. 
 wisdom ? " 
 
 Jaques. " Yes, and I have great need to pray to him prov. i. 7. 
 daily." 
 
 Inq. " Is your conscience at ease ?" \^^'- "''"'• 
 
 Jaques. " Quite so, the Lord be praised." 
 
 Inq. " What is your opinion now respecting bap- 
 tism, and the sacrament, about which we have already 
 spoken." 
 
 Jaques. " I am of the same opinion that I distinctly 
 expressed before." 
 
 Inq. " Will you not believe differently ? " 
 
 Jaques. *' I am willing to do so, were it given me to 
 understand it differently ; but I will not speak deceitfully, 
 against the convictions of my heart and conscience, for it is 
 written, that the Holy Spirit flees from deceit." wisd. i. 5. 
 
 Inq. " You have then, I presume, come to a final 
 determination ? " 
 
 Jaques. " Yes, until I am better instructed. But, do 
 you mean, sir, that there is no other barrier between me 
 and your church, than baptism and the sacrament ?" 
 
 Inq. " What besides is there then that stands in your 
 way ? " 
 
 Jaques. " Many other ordinances and institutions of 
 
 ** [Jaques was also examined on As the examinations contain no 
 the 14th, 20th, and 27th January matter of special interest they are 
 on the topics already mentioned. omitted.] 
 
184 A MAllTYROLOGY OF 
 
 your church, of which I do not find one word in the holy 
 scriptures." 
 
 Inq. " Yet, we have no ordinances nor institutions, 
 which I cannot prove to you from the scriptures." 
 
 Jaques. " Where is the word mass found written ? or 
 jmrgatory ? or prayers for the dead ?" 
 
 Inq. " I will easily prove to you the truth of purga- 
 tory, and that we should pray for the dead." 
 
 Jaques. " Where is it written in the holy scriptures ? " 
 
 Inq. " Will you receive the books of the Macca- 
 bees ? " 
 
 Jaques. " Yes, truly, as apocryphal books." 
 
 Inq. " What does apocrypha mean ? " 
 
 Jaques. " The ancients used this name to signify that 
 they were not authentic books, from which a rule and 
 ordinance could be derived." 
 
 Inq. " It is very true that the doctors found some diffi- 
 culty therein; but you must not, on that account, reject 
 them." 
 
 Jaques. " Yes sir ; the reason why I cannot receive 
 them, is not only that I will not confide in what men have 
 said : but also, because I do not find that Christ or liis 
 apostles received them, or quoted any testimony out of 
 them." 
 
 Inq. " Yes, yes ; where do you find that Christ or his 
 apostles quote from the books of Kings ? " 
 
 Jaques. " Enough." 
 
 Inq. "Well, where?" 
 
 Jaques. " First, sir, it is written in Matthew, that the 
 
 Malt. xii. 1, Pharisees reproved Christ, because his disciples plucked 
 
 the ears cf corn on the sabbath, and Christ answered 
 
 them. Have you not read ichat David did,^ when he was 
 
 an hunr/red, and tliey that were with him ; hoiv that he entei-ed 
 
 • [In 1 Sam. xxi. 5. In the Hebrew and ancient versions this book 
 is called the first book of Kings ] 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 
 
 18^ 
 
 into the house of God, and did eat the sheichread, lohich ivas 
 not lawful for him to eat ? I say, therefore, tliat as Christ 
 referred them to what was written in the books of the 
 Kings, he thereby proves that he received them as good." L227] 
 
 Inq. " Well, do you find anything from the book of 
 Joshua?" 
 
 Jaques. " Yes, sir." 
 
 Inq. "What is that?" 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, you know very well what James says in 
 his Epistle, where he quotes a testimony or example from 
 the book of Joshua, when he is speaking of Rahab, the J"sii. ii. 1. 
 harlot, Avho was saved by her works of faith." 
 
 Inq. " So then, you will not receive the books of the 
 Maccabees, because Christ and his apostles have not 
 quoted from thcra?" 
 
 Jaques. " No ; and because they contain a doctrine which ocut. xiii. 
 is contrary to all scripture, viz., that of sacrifices and 
 prayers for the dead." 
 
 Inq. "If I were disposed to take the trouble, I could 
 easily prove all our ordinances from the scripture, as the 
 mass, confession, the worship of images, invocation of 
 saints, and others." 
 
 Jaques. "I do not think it, and besides, sir, were it 
 even so, that we agreed in every article, still I should not 
 be willing to join you, except you proved to me from the 
 scriptures that it is Christian to shed innocent blood, as 
 you do, on account of faith." 
 
 Inq. " It is on account of error." 
 
 Jaques. " Were it so, because we do not understand the 
 scriptures aright, yet I do not find in scripture, that any 
 one may be put to death on account of his faith." 
 
 Iiq. " Oh ! I will soon prove that heretics ought to be 
 put to death ; for it is written, that if a heretic or false 
 prophet should arise, he should be put to death." 
 
 Jaques. "I have indeed read in the thirteenth chapter oeut. xiii. 
 
Psa. cxxiv. 
 8. 
 
 186 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 of Deuteronomy, that if there should arise a false prophet, 
 or any other of that generation, who should teach them to 
 go after other gods than they had known, the false prophet 
 should be put to death, and be stoned with stones." 
 
 Inq. " Well, then, there is a testimony that heretics 
 may be put to death." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, we are no longer under the law, but 
 under the gospel; and if -we were under the law, we 
 would not teach you to walk after other gods, than Him 
 who made heaven and earth, and his Son Jesus Christ." 
 
 Inq. " You do it, notwithstanding, by your ordinances." 
 
 Jaques. " No man might be condemned to death, by the 
 Israelites, on account of the different use of ceremonies, 
 provided that he believed in the same God ; but this is not 
 to the purpose, because what is commanded in the law is 
 not commanded in the gospel of Christ." 
 
 Inq. "Not? How so?" 
 
 Jaques. "Because, sir, in the law it was commanded. An 
 
 Matt. V. 38. eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; also, to love one's 
 
 L^ev. xxiv. neighbour, and hate one's enemy; but by Christ just the 
 
 c contrary is commanded, not to resist evil, and to love our 
 
 Lev. XIX. 8. ^ J ' 
 
 enemies." 
 
 Inq. "True; but he has not commanded that heretics 
 should not be put to death." 
 
 Jaques. " What tlien, sir, is the meaning of Christ when 
 
 Matt. xiii. he instructs us that men should not root out the tares that 
 
 ^^' are among the wheat, lest, in rooting up the tares or bad 
 
 ears, they should also root up the wheat ? he therefore 
 
 commands them to be left until the harvest; and the 
 
 harvest is not yet come." 
 
 Inq. "You do not understand that aright; for it is easy 
 to distinguish the wheat from the tares." 
 
 Jaques. " Yes, to them that have knowledge of seed." 
 Inq. " Yes, that is true." 
 1 Cor. ii. u. Jaques. " Sir, it is written that the natural man knoweth 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 187 
 
 only natural things; but the things that are spiritual 
 knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." 
 
 Inq. " That is very true." 
 
 Jaqiies. "Therefore, sir, I would like to ask you a 
 question." 
 
 Inq. "What is that?" 
 
 Jaques. "Have you the Spirit of God; or has the 
 council received the Spirit of God ?" 
 
 Inq. " No, I will not answer that." 
 
 Jaques. *' How then can you or the council judge of 
 spiritual things ? for the things of which we are speaking 
 are spiritual, of which men must judge by the Spirit of 
 God?" 
 
 Inq. "We judge you, because you have transgressed i cor. i. 5. 
 the command of the prince." 
 
 Jaques. "Had not his command been contrary to the Matt. vi. 24. 
 command of God, I should not have transgressed it." 
 
 Liq. " It is not contrary to the command of God." 
 
 Jaques. " I would like you to show me from the scrip- 
 tures, that the emperor's or the king's proclamation is just 
 and righteous." 
 
 Inq. "I believe you think that all our fathers Avere 
 deceived, and your sect alone is saved. What will you 
 say ? it is now twelve or thirteen hundred years since the 
 emperor Theodoslus issued a proclamation or edict, to put 
 heretics to death, who at that time were re-baptized, like 
 your sect.'"' 
 
 Jaques. " Yes, sir ; you say that our sect has existed 
 only twenty or thirty years ; but it has been true in all 
 
 ^ [In the space of fifteen years were proscribed, and the building or 
 
 Theodosius promulgated at least ground where the assembly was held 
 
 fifteen severe edicts against here- was forfeited. " The office of Inqui- 
 
 tics. Heretical teachers were ex- sitor of the Faith, a name so deserv- 
 
 posed to exile and confiscation. edly abhon-ed, was first instituted 
 
 Religious meetings, by day or by under the reign of Theodosius." 
 
 night, in cities or in the country, Gibbon's Decline and Fall, ch. xxvii.] 
 
188 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 2Tim. iii. ^ges that they which will live godly in Christ Jesus have 
 had to suffer persecution." 
 Inq. " So say all heretics." 
 
 Jaques. " Paul said it first of all, yet he was no heretic." 
 
 Inq. " I am well aware that he was no heretic, but 
 
 L228] they all use the words of Paul. But I tell you, it is no 
 
 new thing to issue proclamations and edicts, commanding 
 
 heretics to be put to death ; it has been so upwards of 
 
 fourteen hundred years." 
 
 Jaques. " But it remains to be seen whether the em- 
 peror Theodosius, whom you have mentioned, did right, 
 and performed any act that Avas pleasing in the sight of 
 God, in issuing such an edict." 
 
 Inq. " Most assuredly, for he knew well that they were 
 heretics." 
 
 Jaques. "Sir, in his opinion they were heretics; but 
 in the opinion of those that laid down their lives for the 
 testimony of their faith, he was himself a heretic and a 
 tyrant." 
 Inq. " How do you know that ?" 
 
 Jaques. " It speaks for itself; for they who put us to 
 death for our faith are to be esteemed as no better than 
 heretics and tyrants ; and we may well sui)pose they were 
 of a similar opinion who were put to death by the emperor 
 1 Cor. ii. 14. Theodosius. This matter cannot be judged of but by the 
 Spirit of God." 
 
 I7iq. " No, no ; you ought not to think that so many 
 learned doctors as there then were in the Catholic church 
 would have allowed it, had it been wrong to put heretics 
 to death." 
 
 Jaques. " I will not rely on the institutions or wisdom 
 of men. I adhere to the teaching of Christ and his 
 Matt. vii. apostles, who continually admonish us to separate our- 
 selves from false prophets, and to avoid heretics ; but not 
 Titus iii 10. pursue or persecute them to death." 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 189 
 
 Inq. " My son, do you know why they did not put 
 them to death?" 
 
 Jaques. " In my judgment, because it was not pleasing 
 to God." 
 
 Inq. " No, no, it was because they had not sufficient 
 power, and had neither king, nor prince, nor magistrates." 
 
 Jaques. " Christ had power enough, he had at his com- ^J,^"' ^^^''' 
 mand more than twelve legions of angels ; and the 
 apostles had power enough by the Holy Ghost ; but they Luke ix. 52. 
 were called to be a flock, to be as sheep and lambs, harm- ^^a". %. 16. 
 less as doves ; converted as children." 3. 
 
 Inq. " It is very true, that it was so at that time." 
 Jaques. " And must the children of God now, sir, be of 
 a different nature from what they were then ? ought they 
 to have the nature of the wolf?" 
 
 Inq. " Certainly not ; I do not say that." 
 Jaques. " Yet sir, it seems to me, that they who now 
 boast of being the children of God have the true nature zeph. u\. 3 
 of devouring wolves." 
 
 He looked hard at me, and asked me, " Why do you 
 think that ? " 
 
 Jaques. " Because sir, Christ calls liis people sheep and joim x 27. 
 lambs ; and it is the nature of a flock of sheep that when 
 they see beasts approaching, and pei'ceive a wolf among 
 them, they will all take to flight, even if there were a 
 thousand sheep to one wolf. They do not run and devour 
 the wolf and shed his blood ; but they who boast of being 
 the flock of Christ do just the contrary ; from whence do 
 they then derive their nature ? " 
 
 Inq. " The simile does not hold, it answers no purpose 
 as a proof; the flock of Christ is not like a flock of sheep." 
 Perceiving that he rejected this, I asked him, " Must not 
 the children of God be born of God, as John testifies ? John i. 13. 
 and must they not be of the same nature and disposition 
 as their Father and Lord?" 
 
190 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Inq. "Yes; but why?" 
 
 Jciques. " Because it is written that the Son of God 
 
 isa. liii. 7. was led as a lamb, or a sheep, to the slaughter, and 
 
 Acts viii. 32. opened not his mouth; his children then must be of 
 
 the same nature and disposition, seeing they are born 
 
 of God." 
 
 Inq. " So ? That was appointed to come to pass." 
 
 Jaques. " Why ?'' 
 
 Inq. " That the scriptures might be fulfilled." 
 
 Jaques. " In like manner must the scriptures be fulfilled 
 in his children." 
 
 Inq. "What scripture?" 
 John XV. 20. Jaques, " This : If they have persecuted me, they ivill also 
 persecute you. Remember the word that I said unto you: 
 the servant is not greater than his LordJ'' 
 
 Inq. " He said that to his apostles." 
 Eom. XV. 4. Jaques. " I understand that he spake of all his children, 
 and that the same is written for our learning." 
 
 Inq^ "No, no, my son; you ought to know that the 
 aj)ostles were sent to proclaim and preach the gospel to 
 every creature, and the Lord predicted that they would 
 experience many sufferings, and be put to death; but after 
 they had gained over a prince to the faith, then tlicy 
 would have rest, and might put the heretics in their 
 country to death." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, the scripture does not say that, nor am I 
 able to comprehend how it can be the nature of a sheep 
 to kill the wolf, and devour him ; for your people say that 
 you are the flock of Christ, and that we are devouring 
 wolves, and you kill us; that does not seem to me right." 
 Hereupon he asked me laughingly, " Jaques, was not 
 Peter one of Clirist's sheep?" 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, if he was chosen of God, he belonged to 
 the flock." 
 
 I7iq. " Answer, yes or no." 
 
THE CHUIICHES OF CHRIST. 191 
 
 Jaques. " I not only believe that he was a sheep of 
 Christ's flock, but also a shepherd." 
 
 Matt. X. 2 
 
 Inq. " Well now, he that was a sheep killed two persons." ^cts v. 2. 
 
 Jaques. "Whom?" 
 
 Inq. " Ananias, and Sapphira his wife." 
 
 Jaques. " How did he kill them, since he had neither 
 staff nor sword; was it not by the Spirit of the Lord?'' [229] 
 
 Inq. " Nevertheless, he did it.'' 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, let not honour be given to men as if they Acts iii. 1?. 
 could do it by their own power; they were struck dead by 
 the Spirit of the Lord. Nor was it for the same cause 
 that you now put people to death; it was because they 
 lied to the Holy Ghost." Acts t. 3. 
 
 Inq. " Well, Jaques, my son, this does not help us 
 forward ; consider well, and amend, and turn to the faith 
 in which your parents believed, for you are in error. 
 Believe, therefore, as a good Christian is bound to believe, 
 without undertaking so many things." 
 
 Jaques. " Faith, says Paul, is the gift of God.'^ Eph. w. a 
 
 Inq. " Yes, verily, it is the gift of God." Rom.xii.s. 
 
 Jaques. " Men, then, cannot give it." 1 cor. xu. 8, 
 
 Inq. " Certainly not ; we must pray to God for it." 
 
 Jaques. " How comes it, then, that men will force me 
 to believe ; threatening me with death ? " 
 
 Inq. " They give j'OU time to repent." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, what time ? Six, seven, or eight days,, 
 as I have seen in Brabant. Is that time sufficient to 
 change so hastily one's faith?" 
 
 Inq. " I know not how it is in Brabant ; but here they 
 give them three times fourteen days at least, to consider 
 whether they will be willing to believe when the word of 
 God is held out to them." 
 
 Jaques. " Why do you say, sir, if they will believe ? 
 You speak as if they could of themselves believe, and yet 
 you say that faith is the gift of God. The apostles had. 
 
Luke xxiv 
 
 25. 
 
 192 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 joiin i. 14. for two or three years, heard the Lord Jesus, full of 
 
 1 Cor. i. 30. ^rJsjQni and truth, and, nevertheless, they could not un- 
 derstand hun, as you may see by the two disciples that were 
 going to Emmaus. Paul, also, had heard the apostles and 
 
 Actsix. ]. disciples, and yet he could not comprehend their doctrine, 
 but threw them into prison. God revealed his will to 
 them as it pleased him, and at such a time as he had 
 appointed, and not at a time appointed by men." 
 
 Inq. " That was, because they had not before heard 
 the like instruction; and, also, because it was in the 
 beginning; therefore they could not understand." 
 
 John vi. 44. Jciques. " The reason was this : it was not given them, 
 they had not been drawn of the Father. Why, then, do 
 you not wait the time for God to do his will in us ?" 
 
 Inq. " You have long heard it, more than enough ; 
 and you have still time given you for consideration. You 
 have yet three weeks to deliberate from this day." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, do you not mean, that after three weeks 
 I shall be put to death?" 
 
 Inq. " You can, in the meantime, repent." 
 Jaques. " But if it is not given me to understand dif- 
 ferently, and I cannot otherwise comprehend, how then 
 shall I repent?" 
 
 Inq. " Why, for that reason time is given you, in order 
 to see whether God will not have compassion on you, and 
 convert you." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, I am just thinking of the children of 
 
 Judith vii. Israel, who were besieged in the city of Bethulia, and had 
 no water. Their wives and children were perishing of 
 thirst, and they said, ' There is no longer any hope for us 
 in God ; let us give up the city into the hands of the 
 enemy.' So you say : there is no longer any hope of his 
 
 judiUi vi . conversion ; let us give him over to death. And as Ozias, 
 governor of the city, thinking to give good counsel, said to 
 the inhabitants, ' Let us yet endure five days, and if these 
 
 i:'. 
 
 24. 
 
THE CHURCHES OV CHRIST. 193 
 
 days pass, and there come no help unto us from the Lord, 
 we will deliver up the city to the enemy. But, Sir, were 
 they not sharply rebuked by a widow, named Judith, who 
 said to the people. Who are ye that have tempted God Jiuuih vin. 
 this day, and stand in the place of God among the chil- 
 dren of men, and desire to comprehend his counsel, &c. ? 
 
 Tnq. " That is not like your case." 
 
 Jaqiies. " Sir, methinks it is the same, for you say. If 
 no help come from God within the time that you appoint 
 for us, we must then be given over to death, and, as you 
 say, we are damned with all the devils." 
 
 Inq. " Jaques, there is no doubt of it." 
 
 Jaques. " How then, sir, do you think to escape the 
 judgment of God, for sending us thus -away to perdition ? Matt. ui. 7. 
 why do you not leave us to the last in the hands of 
 God ? for, as long as we live here, there may be hope of 
 amendment, even after you think we are damned ; but 
 after death there is hope no longer." 
 
 Inq. " I do not drive you to perdition ; it is not I that 
 judge you, nor shall I be guilty of your death." 
 
 Jaques. Sir, when Susannah was unrighteously con- 
 demned to death, who bore the punishment, the judges, or 
 the witnesses ?" 
 
 Inq. " They who were guilty." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, the judges were reproved by Daniel, but f"^^"- ""'• 
 the witnesses were reproved and punished." 
 
 Inq. " Do you mean that I am a witness in your 
 matter? I am come here only to instruct you." 
 
 Jaques. " Nevertheless, sir, I consider you a principal 
 witness; for on your testimony will the judges condemn 
 me to death, or set me free. It is for this purpose you 
 are sent here, and appointed by the king." 
 
 Inq. " I have no desire that they should condemn you 
 on my testimony ; nor will I judge you." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, when the judges shall inquire of you 
 
 VOL. II. o 
 
194 A MAUTYROLOGY OF 
 
 concerning me, what will you answer ? will you not say 
 that I am a heretic, and deserve to die ?" 
 [230] Inq. " No, not I." 
 
 Jaques. " I pray you, sir, what will you say then ? " 
 
 Inq. " That you are deceived, and have erred from the 
 right way." 
 
 Jaques. "To be deceived, to err, or to be a heretic, 
 sir, is, methinks, all the same thing." 
 
 Inq. " Well, my son, do not think that I am come here 
 for that purpose, to sentence or condemn you to death ; 
 for you will be sentenced only on the confession that you 
 made before the commissary. As for myself, I do not 
 Avish them to sentence you upon my word, I wish to have 
 nothing to do with it." 
 
 Jaques. " Sir, for seven or eight years I assisted and 
 practised in the council, and know well what avails there ; 
 but I say this for your instruction, that you may not stain 
 Jer. xxvi. your liauds with my blood ; for I know well on what 
 account you have been deputed here." He then rose up 
 and went away. Similar conversations we had rejjeatedly 
 afterwards. 
 
 On Monday, the 7th of February, 1558, I was again 
 summoned before the same inquisitor. On my appear- 
 ance, he saluted me, and asked, " How are you going on ? 
 have you the fever still ? " 
 
 Jaques. " I am going on well, the Lord be praised, and 
 the fever has left me, three weeks or more ago." 
 
 Inq. " Is your conscience at rest?" 
 
 Jaques. " Quite so, to God be the praise." He then 
 addressed me in a long speech, which is too long to be 
 inserted here. In substance it was this, that he earnestly 
 wished me to return to the holy Catholic church, and to 
 believe, as it becomes a good Christian to believe, without 
 prying into such high things, or wishing to be so wise, 
 &c. To which I replied, " I search into nothing but what 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 195 
 
 ♦ 
 
 it is permitted me to believe, and I am well content 
 simply to believe what a good Christian is bound to 
 believe." 
 
 Inq. " You say, indeed, that you will believe as a good syr. iii. 21. 
 Christian, yet you have the faith of a heretic." 
 
 Jaques. " Not so; my faith rests alone on the pure 
 word of God. If you would be satisfied with the word of 
 God, you would be satisfied with my faith." 
 
 Inq. "You quote, indeed, the word of God, but you 2 Tim. iu. 
 are of another judgment in your heart." 
 
 Jaques. " As we believe, so we speak ; and seeing that 
 we bring tlie scriptures before you, God's word, as the 
 witness of our faith, why are you not satisfied ? for it 
 belongs to God alone to search the heart, and not to 2Chion. vi. 
 
 „ .30. 
 
 men. 
 
 Inq. " What do you believe concerning Jesus Christ ? 
 whence did he take his flesh ?" 
 
 Jaques. " Does the scripture instruct you to ask me 
 that?" 
 
 Iiq. "Because Menno says that he brought his flesh 
 from heaven." 
 
 Jaques. " I have not heard him say so." 
 
 Inq. " He believes so." 
 
 Jaques. " The belief of Menno is ' that the JVoi^l teas 
 made flesh, according to the testimony, John i. ; or, as the joim i. u. 
 text of your Testament is, hecame flesh.'''' ^ 
 
 ' [In 1552 Meuno thus expressed Heyligeu Geest vau Godt in haer 
 
 his views on the person of Christ, in gezaeyt, door den geloove van haer 
 
 his answer to Gellius Faber : — ontfangen, in haer Maeghdelijck 
 
 Waerachtigh Godt ende mensche, Lichaem gevoet, geneert, en tot 
 
 mensche en Godt, Godt voor alien beqnamer tijdt een waerachtigh 
 
 tijden van Godt, ende in Godt Godts Mensche, gelijck Isaac uyt Sara, 
 
 eeuwige Woordt, ende in der tijdt, Opera, fol. 315, ed. 1681.] 
 
 ua der belofte den Vaderen geschiet, '" [German Version :— Das Wort 
 
 in Maria die zuyvere Jonckvrouwe ward Fleisch. Dutch : Het ^Yoord 
 
 — een elleudigh, lijdelijck, en ster" is vleesch worden.] 
 flijck Mensche ge worden, — door den 
 
 o 2 
 
196 A MATITYROLOGY OF 
 
 Inq. " What do you believe concerning it ?" 
 
 M:iu xvi. Jaques. " I believe that Christ is the Son of the living 
 ic. ^ 
 
 God" 
 
 Inq. " Where did he take his flesh ?" 
 Heb. i. 2. Jaques. " I do not know ; only that he was born of the 
 Father." 
 
 Inq. " Do you not then believe that he took his flesh 
 in the body of the Virgin Mary ?" 
 
 Jaques. " If you can show me that Jesus Christ, or his 
 
 apostles, constrained any one to confess that, I will also 
 
 confess it to you. When Peter confessed Christ to be the 
 
 Son of the living God, Christ did not ask him of whom he 
 
 Matt. xvi. was made, but said that he would build his church upon 
 
 18 
 
 Acts viii. 37. this Rock. When the eunuch, under Candace, said to 
 Philip that he believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of 
 God, and desired on this belief to be baptized, Philip was 
 satisfied without inquiring from whence he had taken his 
 flesh," 
 
 Inq. " The inquiry was not needful at that time, as 
 there was then no difficulty about it." 
 Jaques. " What need is there of it now ?" 
 Inq. "Because there are so many heretics." 
 Jaques. " There were also plenty of heretics in the time 
 of the apostles, but the reason that Satan always produces 
 some vain dispute is to corrupt men's minds, and to lead 
 them into error." 
 
 Inq. "Will you not, then, confess that he took his flesh 
 and blood in the virgin ?" 
 Prov. XXV. Jaques. " I will not search into what is above my com- 
 prehension, viz. the origin of the humanity of the Son of 
 God, for that was a marvellous work ; but that you may 
 not think I am a heretic, I confess him to be, in every 
 respect, the Son of God, in power and might, in spirit, in 
 flesh and blood, begotten of the proper substance of the 
 one only Father, the eternal God, as the scripture testifies 
 
 27, 
 
 Matt. i. 20. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHUIST. 197 
 
 to US ; who from eternity was with the Father, and when Micah v 2. 
 the time of the promise was fulfilled, that eternal Word oai. iv. 4. 
 became flesh, was conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born john i. 14. 
 of the Virgin Mary." 
 
 Inn. " He assumed his flesh and was made of our flesh ; ^''^- "'• ^*- 
 
 -' Matt. i. 29. 
 
 Concerning this will you not answer?" Matt. u. 1. 
 
 Jaques. " It is sufficient that I believe concerning it ^''^^^ 
 agreeably to the scripture, without further inquiry." 
 
 Inq. "Does not the scripture say that he took upon 
 him our flesh ?" 
 
 Jaques. " I have never read it, and I wish to dispute no 
 longer ; you have also said that you will not dispute upon 
 it ; why do you now ask me so much about it ?" 
 
 Inq. " The reason is that I may know whether your 
 faith is the same as that of Menno Simons." 
 
 Jaques. " You have heard that I do not receive the John v. 34. 
 testimony of man as the foundation of my faith."" 
 
 [The rest of the examination is occupied by a defence of 
 separation from the church of Rome, on account of the 
 unholy lives of its prelates, bishops, and priests. Jaques 
 again and again affirms, and supports his affirmation b}^ 
 examples, the degrading sensuality and immoral lives of the 
 clergy. The inquisitor simply meets the powerful argu- 
 ments of the martyr by declaring the apostolicity of the 
 holy Roman church; supporting the authority of its 
 teachers by our Saviour's words. The scribes and Pharisees Matt. xxiu. 
 
 2 3. 
 
 sit in Moses' seat ; all, therefore, xvhatsoever they hid you ob- 
 serve, that observe and do ; but do not ye after their ivorks. 
 The faith of Jaques remained unshaken ; and after some 
 
 " [The inquisitor, by whom Jaques His learning and zeal procured him 
 
 was examined, was Lindanus. He thefavourof the pope, Gregory XIII. 
 
 exercised the functions of inquisitor He was the author of a large number 
 
 for Friesland with great severity. of erudite works. Biograph. Uni- 
 
 He became subsequently bishop of verselle, xi. 303.] 
 Ruremonde, and then of Ghent. 
 
1 98 A MARTYKOLOGY OF 
 
 discussion with others, who bad crowded into the room, 
 the inquisitor took his departure.]" 
 -•:5!] In addition to the above examinations, we will inform 
 the reader how Jaques d'Auchy was betrayed and appre- 
 hended, and fell into the hands of the tyrants ; and, also, 
 the punishment that God, the righteous one, brought upon 
 the traitor, as a memorable and instructive example to all 
 tyrants and traitors. 
 
 John xiii. 
 18. 
 
 There was at Hai*lingen a councillor named Heer de 
 Wael.P This person sought very diligently for Jaques; 
 and, accosting him in a most friendly manner, invited him 
 to his house, under the pretext that he had a letter for 
 him. On Jaques' repairing thither, he bade him welcome; 
 urged him, with much importunity, to be his guest, 
 appearing, for old acquaintance' sake, to feel a strong 
 attachment to him. Finding that Jaques could not re- 
 main, he desired him, with expressions of friendship (but 
 with a Judas' heart) to come and bring his wares and 
 manufactures ; for Jaques travelled with wares, and 
 it seemed as if he wished to buy something of him. In 
 the meantime he sent, very secretly, a messenger to the 
 council at Leeuwarden for a commissary and sergeant. 
 
 Matt. xxvi. Jaques having returned, the man saluted him very kindly. 
 Meanwhile the sergeant was fetched, and being come, the 
 traitor malignantly said, "Seize him; that is the man!" 
 
 Prov.xii.io. They attacked him very roughly, crying out, " Hold him 
 fast, "and searched him all over. Jaques then said, " Oh, 
 sir, why have you thus betrayed me ! I trusted m}" life, 
 
 » [The confessions recorded above Cate Ges. der Doops. en Fries, p. 79.] 
 
 ■were originally written in French, p [This name is written by Ten 
 
 and afterwards translated into the Cate— Antony del Vaille, and the 
 
 Dutch language. By Winsemius, in date of the arrest is given as Sep- 
 
 his Hlstoi-y of Friosland, the name of ember, 1557. Qesch. dcr Doops. en 
 
 thcmartyrisRpcltJacobu.sOi?ius.Ten Fricnlaud, p. 7S.] 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 199 
 
 and all ray property in your hands; why do you seek ray Matt. xwi. 
 life, and thirst for ray blood?" He replied, " Be quiet; let 
 yourself be bound ; you must go to the court with me ; " and 
 that he was obliged by his oath to do it. He then read 
 to Jaques the cruel tyrannical mandate, and inquired very 
 strictly for four other persons. Jaques replied that he 
 would not betray or deceive any one ; but if he had any- 
 thing against him, or had heard any one complain in any 
 respect of him, he might make it known. The traitor- 
 answered that he had heard nothing of the kind, and that 
 Jaques was not apprehended on account of any crime, but i Ptt. iv.is. 
 solely because he had favoured heresy, and asked him if 
 he was not an Anabaptist? Jaques denied having any 
 attachment to heresy, or that he was an Anabaptist. He 
 said that he had received but one baptism, according Matt.xxviii. 
 to God's word, and on profession of his faith. Being Mkik xvi. 
 asked his opinion of the Romish church, Jaques replied 
 that it was not from God. The traitor was then observed 
 to sigh deeply, and with a sorrowful countenance said, 
 " Oh, Jaques, must you fall into my hands?" Jaques 
 answered, " Sir, I placed confidence in you, as an old 
 acquaintance, and on account of our long intimacy ; but 
 I readily forgive you with all my heart ; and it is my 
 fervent prayer, that the Lord will have mercy on you." Luke xxiii. 
 He thanked Jaques for his kindness, thinking he had done 
 right in the sight of God, because he had acted according 
 to his oath. Jaques said, " Do you think such conduct 
 to be right before God and men? The tirae will come 
 when you will find it quite otherwise." He then sent w-isd v 21 
 Jaques into the room, and said to him, " They will 
 examine you at Leeuwarden, on your faith and doc- 
 trine." While Jaques was lying there a px'isoner, his 
 wife came to him. Seeing her overwhelmed with grief, 
 this child of God became exceedingly dejected and afraid, [236] 
 for she was likewise pregnant. The sergeant with great 
 
200 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 cruelty thrust her from him ; but many of the spectators 
 wept very feelingly with her, and entreated the sergeant, 
 " Oh ! let her be with him ; it cannot last long." Jaques 
 said to her, " My beloved one, go home and comfort your- 
 
 Rcv. vi. 9. self in the Lord. I am here a prisoner for the word 
 of God ; it will be no shame or dishonour to you ; for 
 I have injured no one." She said, " The Lord, in his 
 wisdom, strengthen you ; for, after this conflict, the ever- 
 
 2 Tim.iv. 8. lasting crown is prepared for you. Oh ! that I might die 
 with you, and with you inherit a blessed life ! my heart 
 would then rejoice." Jaques said, " O my sister in the 
 Lord, be not sorrowful at this ; though I must go first a 
 
 Matt. vi. 10. little space, it is the Lord's will." The sergeant could 
 not bear this discourse, but said, "Make haste away." 
 Jaques entreated him, saying, " Oh ! let us have a short 
 time together with God." Thus were these two dear 
 sheep separated from each other ; yet hoping to be again 
 
 Phil. iii. 11. united at the resurrection of the just, where there shall 
 ev. vu.i . ^g ^^ more lamentation or separation for ever. 
 
 Rev. XXI. 4. •■■ 
 
 isa. XXV. 8. After enduring, by the grace of God, and suffering 
 Rev. u. 1.3. jj^anifold assaults, with many examinations and threaten- 
 ings from the bloodthirsty, he died with great steadfast- 
 ness for the testimony of Jesus. He Avas murdered, not 
 at the place of execution, but privately and by night. 
 Credible persons were a short time since still living, who, 
 early in the morning following the forepart of the night 
 in which he was murdered, saw him in his leathern clothes, 
 lying smothered and murdered in his blood. He is now 
 Revvi. 9. resting under the altar of Jesus, awaiting, with the chosen 
 Phil. iii. 11. of God, a blessed resurrection and everlasting life. 
 
 This deliberate traitor, Heer dc Wacl, was, not long 
 after, very severely visited by God, as a punishment for his 
 dark treachery. His departure out of this world was a 
 very dreadful one, deserving the very serious considera- 
 tion of all who arc disposed to imitate his example. He 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 201 
 
 was suddenly driven from Leeuwarden, amid the scoffs and 
 reproaches of the common people ; so that the boatman 
 who had to take him, stood with him in peril of life, 
 and in great distress besought their pity. The traitor 
 was unmercifully pelted with stones by the populace and 
 children, and tauntingly upbraided for his treachery. 
 They called him a Judas, a villain, a scoundrel, and an 
 arch-heretic, and sang before him scornfully the following 
 lines, which Jaques had composed :'' — 
 
 " I have foimd tliee," the traitor said, 
 
 " Now from my oath I'm free ; 
 Cheerful in easy bonds be led, 
 
 Gro to the court with me." 
 
 And again — 
 
 Is trutli, or right, or justice done, 
 
 In sight of God and men ? 
 Will not the day most surely come 
 
 To judge this deed again ? 
 
 God the Lord further afflicted him severely with 27. ° 
 leprosy. With this he was also very bitterly upbraided. 
 When they had sung one verse of the above hymn, they 
 again contemptuously called out, " Thou leprous Judas, 
 thou treacherous villain, art thou now sensible?" And 
 the stones flew thicker and thicker, so that the boatman, 
 who had to conduct him, cried out, in danger of his life, 
 that he was charged by the magistrates to sail with him. 
 Thus, in great shame and disgrace, he was driven from 
 Leeuwarden, and wandered about, from one place to an- 
 other, an object of scorn and contempt, till at last he was 
 
 consumed by the leprosy, and like Antiochus and Herod, 2 Mace. ix. 
 
 9. 
 died a horrid and untimely death. The reports among Acts xii. 23. 
 
 1 [This compositiou is found in treachery of Heer van Wael appears 
 Eeu Liedtboecken, fol. 49, 50. The to be a prose vei'sion of this song.] 
 account given by Van Braght of the 
 
202 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 the common people are still more dreadful than the rela- 
 tion here given/ 
 
 [The year 1558 witnessed the martyrdoms of a large 
 number of baptists in various parts of the Netherlands. 
 Not less than forty are recorded, of whom six were women. 
 In Antwerp alone twenty laid down their lives for the 
 truth's sake. One was sacrificed at Brussels, one at 
 Werwijk, one at Honschoten, one at Dort, and one at 
 Leeuwarden. Four were put to death at Courtray, two 
 at Bruges, six at Tournay, and three at the Hague. In 
 some places much sympathy was shown for the sufferers, 
 while in others the magistracy connived at and even sug- 
 gested their escape. At Enkhuizen, the burgomaster sent 
 his servant to urge a meeting of baptists to break up with- 
 out delay, or they would all be apprehended ; and in cases 
 of arrest for religion, the magistrates of this town inflicted 
 the mildest possible punishment.]' 
 
 THE CONFESSION OF A WOMAN NAMED 
 CLAESKEN/ 
 
 WHO LAID DOWN HER LIFE FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS 
 CHRIST, 1559. 
 
 The commissary first asked me my name, whence I 
 I came, how old I was, and other such questions. He 
 next asked me, " Have you been baptized ?" 
 
 Cloesken. " Yes." 
 
 Commis. " Who baptized you ? " 
 
 ' [This long aud interestiug nai-- ' [Ten Gate conjectures, in which 
 
 rative is found in Het Offer des be is supported by Schotanus, that 
 
 Heeren, fol. 123 — 153.] Claesken was the sister of Jaqiies 
 
 ^ [Brandt, i. 121, 122. Under this D'Auchy. Ges. der Doops. en Fries, 
 
 year Van Braght gives brief narra- p. 79 j 
 tives of thirty-four martyrs, besides 
 those in the text.] 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 203 
 
 Claesken. " Jelis van Akcn." 
 
 Commis. " That deceiver ; he has himself renounced his 
 faith. What did he when he baptized you? " 
 
 Claesken. " He baptized me in the name of the Father, Jfait xxviii. 
 of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." 
 
 Commis. " Where were you baptized ? " 
 
 ClaesJcen. " At Worcum, in the fields." 
 
 Commis. " Were there more persons present?" 
 
 Claesken. " Yes." 
 
 Commis. " Who were they ? " 
 
 Claesken. " I have forgotten." 
 
 Commis. " What was the cause of your going there?" 
 
 Claesken. " I have forgotten ; I can sav that with truth." 
 
 Commis. *' Have not your children been baptized ? " 
 
 Claesken. " My two little children have not." 
 
 Commis. " Why did you not have your children bap- 
 tized?" ^'-'^^ 
 
 Claesken. " Because I was satisfied with their being as 
 the Lord had given them me." 
 
 Commis. " Why were you so well satisfied with Abra- 
 ham and Sicke, and not with Doume? You had Doume 
 baptized ? " 
 
 Claesken. '* I did not then know." 
 
 Commis. " What did you not then know ? " 
 
 Claeskin. " What I now know." 
 
 Commis. " What do you now know ? " 
 
 Claesken. " What the Lord has given me to know." Matt. xi. 23. 
 
 Commis. " What has the Lord given you to know ? " 
 
 Claesken. " That I cannot understand from the scrip- 
 ture that it is proper." 
 
 Commis. " How long is it since you were last at 
 church ? " 
 
 Claesken. " Nine or ten years." 
 
 These are the questions he asked me ; but he made 
 many more inquiries. When 1 did not readily answer, he 
 
204 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 said, I had a dumb devil in me ; that the devil transformed 
 himself in us into an angel of light, and so with all of us 
 heretics. He then read to me the articles that I had con- 
 fessed, and told me that my confession would come before 
 the magistrates; if I wished it, he would write differently. 
 I said, " You need not write anything else." 
 
 Questions and Answers between the Inquisitor and Claesken, 
 
 Inquisitor. " Why were you baptized ? " 
 Matt. iii. 2. Claeskcn. " The scriptures speak of a new life. John 
 
 Matt. iv. 17. . . 
 
 Acts ii. 38. calls first for repentance ; also Christ himself, and after 
 him the apostles. They taught the people to repent and 
 be converted, and then to be baptized. Thus did I 
 repent, was converted, and then baptized." To this he 
 said but little. 
 
 Inq. " Why have you not had your children baptized ?" 
 
 Claesken. " I cannot understand from the scripture that 
 
 they ought to be." 
 
 Psa. li. 5. Inq. "David however says, I ivas horn in sin; in sin 
 
 did my mother conceive me. Therefore, children being born 
 
 in original sin should be baptized, in order to be saved." 
 
 Claesken. " Can a person be saved by an outward 
 sign ? then has Christ died in vain." 
 
 Inq. " It is said, John iii. 5, men mtist he born ar/ain of 
 water and the Spirit ; therefore the children must be bap- 
 tized." 
 
 Claesken. " Christ did not say that to children, but to 
 
 those of understanding; I therefore sought the new birth. 
 
 We know that children are in the Lord's hands. The 
 
 Matt. xiy. Lord Said, Suffer little children to come unto me ; of such is 
 
 the kingdom of heaven.^^ 
 Mark X. 14. ^^^'I " '^^^^ houschold of Stcphanus was baptized ; in 
 1 Cor. i. 16. which perchance there may have been children." 
 
XXVI. 
 
 2C. 
 
 THE OHITRCHES OF CHRIST. 205 
 
 Claesken. " We do not rest on probabilities ; we have a 
 positive certainty." To this, also, he did not say much. 
 
 Inq. " What do you hold concerning the holy church ?" 
 
 Claesken. " I esteem it highly." £ph. v. 29. 
 
 Inq. " Why then do you not go to church ? " 
 
 Claesken. " I do not approve of your church service ? " 
 
 hiq. " Do you believe that God is almighty ? " 
 
 Claesken. " Yes, that I believe firmly." 
 
 Inq. " Do you not then also believe that Christ sanc- 
 tified and is in the bread? Paul says. The bread ivhich i (^^'^ -^ ^^ 
 we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? and 
 the cup, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood 
 of Christ ? 
 
 Claesken. " I know well what Paul says, and I truly 
 believe the same." 
 
 Inq. " Christ said. Take, eat ; this is my body ; and Paul ^att 
 in like manner." 
 
 Inq. "I know well what Paul and Christ say; and soicor xi.23. 
 I believe." 
 
 Inq. " Do you believe that Christ consecrates it, and 
 comes into the bread ? " 
 
 Claesken. " Christ is seated at his Father's right hand; Markxvi.io. 
 he does not come between men's teeth." ■*'=**' "■ ^'^ 
 
 . Epli. i. 20. 
 
 Inq. " If you remain in that faith, you will go into the 
 depths of hell ; all heretics say the same ; and Jelis van 
 Aken has deceived you. He has himself renounced his 
 belief, having confessed that he had erred." 
 
 Claesken. "I do not rest on Jelis, nor on any man ; jer.xvii.s. 
 but alone on Christ. He is our foundation ; on this we Matt. xvi. 
 are built, as Christ teaches us in his gospel ; Whosoever j^^^^ ^.. 24 
 heareth my loords, and doeth them, I ivill liken him unto a 
 wise man, who built his house upon a rock. Though the 
 rains descend and beat upon that house, yet it does not 
 fall. These are the storms that beat upon our house, 
 but Christ is our stronghold ; he will safely keep us." 
 
206 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Inq. " You do not understand it ; there are other scrip- 
 tures, with which you are not acquainted." 
 
 Claesken. " We need no other scriptures than the holy 
 gospel, which Christ has spoken to us with his blessed 
 mouth, and sealed with his blood. If we can keep that, 
 we shall indeed be blessed." 
 
 Inq. " You should permit yourself to be instructed ; 
 the holy fathers instituted the church service more than 
 fifteen hundred years ago." 
 
 Claesken. " The holy fathers had no such sanctity ; 
 Matt. XV. c. these are the commandments and traditions of men. The 
 apostles did not use them, and I have read nothing of 
 them." 
 
 Inq. " Will you be wiser than the holy church?" 
 Eph. V. 25. Claesken. " I wish to do nothing contrary to the holy 
 church. I have placed myself in subjection to the holy 
 church." 
 
 Inq. " You should think ; ' Shall I know better than 
 
 the holy fathers for more than fifteen hundred years?' 
 
 you ought to think that you are unlearned." 
 
 123S] Claesken. " Although I am a simple person before men. 
 
 Matt. xi. 25. 1 am not unwise in the knowledge of the Lord ; do you 
 
 not know that the Lord thanked his Father, that he had 
 
 Lukex 2] ^^i^ these things from the wise and prudent, and had 
 
 revealed them unto babes ?" 
 
 On one occasion, there were two monks with the 
 inquisitor, who also wished to instruct me. But they 
 were not able to say much ; only that we were people of 
 
 1 Tim vi 5. shattered brains. Incapable of fiiith ; we were ever learning, 
 
 2 Tim. iii. 7. and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. I 
 
 said, " When the day of the Lord comes, you will find 
 wisd.v.s. it otherwise. Take heed lest you then shall say, ' These 
 are they whom we had sometimes in derision: behold, 
 how are they now numbered among the children of God, 
 and their lot among the saints ! " They replied, " See ! 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 207 
 
 she condemns us." I said, " I do not condemn you ; but 
 I say, Take heed. Our life is now accounted madness ; vvisd. v. 4. 
 and our end without honour ; but when the day of the 
 Lord arrives, you Avill indeed find it otherwise." The 
 beginning and the end of it was, that the devil was in me, Joim vii. 20. 
 and that I was deceived. I said, " Is Christ a deceiver, 
 then ? " He replied, " No ; Christ is no deceiver." I 
 said, " Neither am I deceived. I seek and desire nothing 
 but to fear the Lord with my whole heart, and not 
 (knowingly) to transgress one tittle of his commandments." peut vi. 17. 
 After speaking to me at great length, he said, " I can say 
 nothing more to you ; you must reflect." I replied, " I 
 cannot think otherwise ; I know that the truth is on my 
 side." 
 
 When I again came before him, he said, " Well, Claes- 
 ken, what have you resolved ?" 
 
 Claesken. "I have resolved to remain steadfast in that Mat. xx. 1. 
 to which the Lord hath called me." 
 
 Inq. " The devil has called you ; he transforms himself 
 into an angel of light in your people." 
 
 The sixth time that he examined me, he inquired, 
 
 "When Christ supped with his disciples, did he not then 
 
 give them his flesh to eat and his blood to drink ?" ;^1'*" ^^'''^^ 
 
 *-' 20. 
 
 Claesken. " He gave them bread and wine ; but his 
 body he gave for their redemption." 
 
 Inq. " Christ says plainly, ' Take, eat ; this is my flesh ;' 
 you can certainly say nothing against that." 
 
 Claesken. " Paul says, / have received of the Lord that 1 cor. xi. 23. 
 which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the 
 same night in which he was betrayed, took bread; and when 
 he had given thanks, he brake it and gave it to his apostles, 
 and said. Take eat ; this is my body which is broken J or you, 
 this do in remembrance of me. And after supper, he in like 
 manner took the cup saying. This cup is the neio testa- 
 ment in my blood ; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remem- 
 
208 A JIATiTYROLOOY OF 
 
 hrance of me ; for as often as ye eat this bread and drink this 
 cup, ye do show the Lord's death, till he come. Christ has 
 therefore left us his supper, that we should be put in 
 
 Luko xxii. remembrance of his death ; that he gave his body and 
 shed his blood for us. This supper I desire to observe 
 with God's people and no other." He kept to his old 
 text, " We must eat Christ's flesh and drink his blood ; 
 for this is the plain meaning of the words of Christ and 
 Paul." 
 
 Claesken. "Because these words are so plain, I can 
 easily understand them ; but it is as Paul says, ' That they 
 who turn not to the Lord, have a veil upon their hearts ; 
 but from their hearts who turn to the Lord, the veil is 
 taken away. We have turned to the Lord, to us is nothing 
 veiled." 
 
 John vi 53 I^^l- " ^^ John vi. Christ saith plainly that men must 
 eat his flesh and drink his blood." 
 
 Claesken. " It is also written that when the Jews mur- 
 mured, and said, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 
 Christ replied. Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, ye 
 Jiave 710 life in you : again he said, Whoso cateth my flesh, 
 and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life ; and added. Flesh 
 and blood j;?'o^i nothing ; the words that I speak unto you 
 they are spirit and they are life. They that believe in God, 
 
 icor. iii. 16. and Walk in all righteousness, they are the temple of God; 
 in them God v/ill walk and dwell, as Paul testifies. 
 
 The seventh time that he examined me, he said, " Do 
 you not believe that the apostles ate the flesh of Christ?" 
 
 Miitt. xxvi. Claesken. "Christ took the bread, and gave thanks, and 
 
 26 ' 
 
 brake it, and gave it to his disciples, and he gave them 
 
 his body for their redemption." 
 
 Inq. "Is that what you believe?" • 
 
 Claesken. " I believe only what Christ has spoken." 
 
 Inq. " I testify to you then that I am pure from your 
 
 blood. Your blood be upon your own head." 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 209 
 
 Claesken. " With that I am content." 
 
 Inq. " Herewith I give you over to the Lord." 
 
 He examined me once more, and asked me, " Do you 
 not yet believe that the apostles did eat Christ's flesh ?" 
 
 Claesken. " I have already told you." 
 
 Inq. " Tell me now." 
 
 Claesken. " I will tell you no more." 
 
 Liq. " Are you of the same opinion respecting bap- 
 tism?" 
 
 Claesken. " You are well aware that the penitent alone Matt.xxvii 
 should be baptized." 
 
 Inq. " That is quite true when a Jew comes who has 
 not yet been baptized. Do you remain of the same mind 
 as to infant baptism ?" 
 
 Claesken. " Yes, I do." 
 
 Ifiq. " Do you not believe anything else ? " 
 
 Claesken. " I believe nothing but what Christ has com- 
 manded." 
 
 Inq. *' Then I testify to you that you will be tormented 
 for ever in the gulf of hell." 
 
 Claesken. " How dare you condemn me so fearfully, 
 since judgment belongs to God alone ? I am not terrified Acts xvii. 
 by it ; I know indeed better ; when the day of the Lord [2393 
 comes it will be quite difFei'ent." 
 
 I then inquired, " What does my husband say?" 
 
 Inq. " Your husband remains of the same mind, the 
 Lord must enlighten you." 
 
 Claesken. " We are already enlightened, the Lord be 
 praised." 
 
 Respecting my baptism he did not say much ; nor con- 
 cerning infant baptism ; but he was continually repeating 
 that men must eat the flesh of Christ and drink his blood ; 
 urging that it had been instituted for more than fifteen 
 hundred years, and tliat I was a plain person, and had 
 scarcely read the Testament once through. I said, " Do 
 
 VOL. II. p 
 
210 A MARTYROLOG\ OF 
 
 Matt.xix. you think that we go upon uncertainties? The contents of 
 the New Testament are not hidden from us. We forsake 
 our dear children, which I would not leave for the whole 
 world, and we renounce all we have ; should we go upon 
 uncertainties? We seek nought else than our salvation. 
 You cannot prove by the scriptures that we believe or do 
 the least thing in opposition to the word of God." He 
 would have it that we had it all from the devil, and that a 
 
 Luke i. 48. proud dcvil was in us. I said, " We know that the proud 
 are driven from the judgment-seat." His remarks were so 
 lengthened, that he sometimes questioned whether I heard 
 him. I was therefore obliged sometimes to speak, as I 
 wished him not to think I did not. But I could not bear 
 to hear how shamefully he spoke against the truth. 
 
 [While in prison Claesken addressed a letter to her rela- 
 tives, and also to her friends in the faith ; some portions 
 are deeply interesting as illustrative of the state of mind 
 in which she met the bitter death awaiting her. It is 
 dated March 14, 1559.] 
 
 My dearly beloved friends, take it to heart, how great 
 
 Mai. iii. 18. is the difference between them that fear God and them 
 that fear him not. Dig deep into the scriptures, that you 
 
 Mau.^xiflo. be not like the cities of which Christ speaks in the 
 [240] gospel. Because they took not to heart the mighty works 
 that were done in them, therefore Christ declared that it 
 should be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the 
 day of judgment than for those cities. Dear friends, the 
 Lord displays to you now such mighty works by us, 
 before your eyes. Let it strengthen you, as Paul says, 
 
 Phil. i. u. Many of the brethren, waxing confident in the Lord by my 
 bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 
 My dear friends, observe that when the Lord did his mighty 
 deeds, he did them not for the sake of one alone, as we read 
 
 John xi. 37, in John, when he raised Lazarus from the dead ; but that 
 
 42. 
 
 the people might see his wonderful works and believe in 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 211 
 
 him. But some only believed on him, others grew worse, 
 saying, Could not this man, loliich opened the eyes of the 
 blind, have caused that even this man should not have died 9 
 Thus it is at this day with those that believe not; for 
 notwithstanding they plainly see the strength and power 
 we have in the Lord, yet is it to them an offence, and 
 they say we do it from stubbornness. And when we say 
 that the righteous must suffer persecution, they say that 2 Tim. iii. 
 we are persecuted because of anabaptism. Thus is it an iPet.ii. 6. 
 offence to them; but to them that believe in God it is 
 well known that we suffer for righteousness' sake ; to those Matt. v. lo. 
 it will be (I trust) a support, wdiile to us a trial, and for 
 eternal blessedness by the grace of God. 
 
 My dearly beloved friends, take it truly to heart, for 
 what I do is from tlie most sincere and ardent love that I 
 have for your souls, because I am so sure and certain that 
 there is no other way by which men can be saved ; I 
 therefore warn you from a pure heart it will be found no 
 otherwise in eternity. Therefore, though some say and 
 talk much, they will not take upon themselves the cross of Qai vi. 12. 
 Christ, and on that account suffer persecution, as Paul 1 pet. u. 21. 
 speaks. Take it as your rule that you must follow Christ's 
 footsteps ; the whole scripture urges us to meet and pre- 
 pare ourselves for suffering. This Paul also says: If so be Actsxiv. 22. 
 ive suffer with him, we shall also rejoice together ; for as the Eom.viii.i7. 
 sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also 2 cor.i.s. 
 aboundeth by Christ. We read that all the holy men ofj^^^^^iij 
 God were tried with much affliction and sufferino-, and "^' 
 
 =>' Acts V. 41. 
 
 how cheerfully they endured that suffering ; yea, they 
 rejoiced greatly that they were counted worthy to suffer 
 for the name of God. But they who have not the true 
 love of God desire to escape that suffering. They prefer 
 this transient life to the Lord their God, although Christ 
 says, Whosoever will save his life shall lose it ; and whosoever Matt. xvi. 
 will lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, shall save it to 
 
 p 2 
 
212 A MARTyKOLOGY OF 
 
 life everlasting. Not that all men must die for the word 
 of the Lord, but we must be so minded, that we would 
 rather die than once knowingly and willingly transgress 
 one of the Lord's commandments. Therefore, Christ saith, 
 
 Matt.x. 37. « He that loveth aught more than me, is not worthy of me." 
 Therefore, my heartily esteemed friends, whom I love 
 
 Heb. xii. 2. with my whole heart, pay no regard to what men say, 
 
 [241] but look alone to Christ Jesus, how he has gone before 
 
 us in affliction and suffering. Love the Lord your God 
 
 jfatt. xxii. with all your heart, and with all your mind and strength ; 
 
 37. 
 
 yea, though the whole world stood against and stormed 
 upon you, you need not be afraid if you have God for your 
 
 icor.xui.7. Father, and sincerely love God and his saints. For love 
 endureth all things; but where true love is not found, there 
 
 Matt. xiii. all YvUi sQon be broken in pieces when persecution and 
 
 Rom. V. 5. distress come. But to him that commends himself to the 
 Lord, and who possesses love, is nothing hard. Had I 
 not experienced this myself, it would have been impossible 
 for me to have found it so easy to be borne. Therefore, 
 
 Matt. xi. 30. saith Christ, My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 
 Yes, my dear friends, such is the state of my mind, and 
 such love have I to my Lord and my God, that could I 
 save my life by a thought, but knew it was not pleasing 
 to the Lord, I would rather die than think such a thought. 
 
 2Cor. xii. J. Not that I boast myself; the Lord knows how vile I am 
 before him ; but it is through the great mercy, and kind- 
 
 j. h ii - ness, and love that he hath showed to us, that we are 
 chosen to his heavenly kingdom. For the first time I 
 
 jsa.xiix.i5. have experienced the unspeakable grace, and compassion, 
 
 \ John iv.i9. ^ud lovc of God ; and how we ought, therefore, to love 
 him in return. Yea, so high and vast are his love and 
 grace in me, that my sorrow is turned into joy. 
 
 I must now relate to you the distress I experienced 
 before I was apprehended. I allude to the apostle's 
 
 2 Cor. vii 10. words, that I have had godly affliction; and that godly 
 
THE CHUllCllES OF CHRIST. 213 
 
 sorrow worketh salvation. I sometimes experienced such 
 dejection, that I knew not where to go. Sometimes I 
 cried aloud to the Lord, and said, "O Lord, break in Ezev.xxxvi. 
 pieces this old heart, and give me a new heart and mind, " 
 that I may be found upright before thee." I said to my 
 dear husband, " When I measure my life by the scripture, 
 it seems to me that I must perish. I may well say with 
 David, My sins are gone over my head ; as an heavy burden, ^^^;^.jii 4. 
 they are too heavy for >/«e." I said, " My dear husband, do 
 pray to the Lord for me, for I am tempted ; the more 1 1 ret. v. 9. 
 turn my thoughts to the Lord, the more does the tempter 
 bring to me other thoughts." I cried thus to the Lord, 
 and said, " O Lord, thou knowest that I desire only to 
 fear thee." My husband sometimes comforted me. To 
 him it seemed that I did nothing but what was acceptable 
 to the Lord. I said, " I have lost my first love, therefore. Rev a. 4. 
 I am so distressed that I cannot sleep : there is no hope of 
 the destruction of sin ; I fear I shall not live long ; what- 
 ever endeavours I use to become better, I continue Rom.vii. 24. 
 equally vile. O, wretched creature ; whither shall I go !'' 
 I should have written you more, but the messenger 
 came to me that we must go. My dearly beloved friends, 
 my husband and I, and our brother, heard the sentence 
 with great joy ; we showed each other much affection ! 
 and had such cheerful minds ! I thanked the Lord so 
 heartily, that all the gentlemen heard it. They told me 
 to be quiet ; but I spake with equal boldness. Wlien we 
 had heard our sentence, we all three said that they had 
 condemned innocent blood, with other expressions. My p^v ^i 3 7 
 dear husband spoke much and very affectionately, ^^"^e ^^^^ J^iv ^^ 
 thanked the Lord with a countenance so cheerful, that all 
 the people observed It. 
 
 I commend you to the Lord. Hasten to come witi Acts xx. 32. 
 us : that we may dwell together In eternity. 
 
214 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 The following is another Letter or Confession of the same 
 Claesken. 
 
 When we were before the whole council, we were 
 addressed by the procureur-general, who stated to the 
 magistrates, generally, what we had confessed before the 
 commissary. He made a lengthened statement, showing 
 how long it was since we had been to church ; that we 
 had not had our children baptized ; that we were Ana- 
 baptists. He also said, that according to the proclamation, 
 we had forfeited our lives, and that our effects had fallen 
 to the king. He then charged us before the bench, and 
 demanded our life and sroods. Havino; told how and where 
 we had received baptism, he asked us if we would abide 
 r.ph. iv 5. by our baptism ? We spoke without fear, and said cheer- 
 Matt.xxviii. fully, that we had received one baptism according to the 
 
 19. 
 
 Lord's command. Our brother Jaques said, that if they 
 could convince him by the word of the Lord, he would 
 not act contrary to God's word. 
 
 My husband said, that he desired to abide by his bap- 
 tism. I said the same as our brother had said, that Ave 
 had received our baptism according to the word of God. 
 He said, each time, " As you think." He then asked us 
 if we did not desire an advocate? Our brother said, 
 ijohn ii. 1 " Christ is our advocate." We then went away. We 
 .Acts V. 41. departed from the council cheerful and joyful, although 
 it would cost us our lives. 
 
 Since then, my husband and our brother have been 
 once before the pastor of the old court, and on Sunday 
 in Lent we were all three before the treasurer. Our 
 brother had first a long discourse with him, and brought 
 such proofs from the scriptures, that he knew not what to 
 1242] say against it, further than that it was from the devil*; 
 for there were many devils in hell, and ours was the 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 215 
 
 worst. My husband was then taken before him, and I was 
 afterwards summoned. When I came, he commenced 
 with infant baptism, and my baptism; and said that we 
 must eat Christ's flesh, and many other things. I replied, 
 " You need not bring all these subjects forward ; it is not 
 for me to dispute with you. I tell you plainly, I desire 
 to hold fast that to which the Lord has called me." He 
 said, " The devil had called me." I said, " Is it now the 
 nature of the devil to renounce evil and do good ? It 
 fares with us as the prophet says, He that departeth isa. lix. 15. 
 from evil, maketh Idmself a prey. Thus it has been with 
 us from the first day that we renounced our vain wicked 
 life; we have been hated of all men, as Christ saith. 
 Ye shall he hated of all men for my name's sake ; he also Matt. x. 22, 
 
 2S. 
 
 saith, Fear not them ivhich kill the body, and after that i^^^^ ^ii. 4. 
 have no more that they can do ; but fear him that can 
 cast both soul and body into hell. Yes, him we fear ^^ '" ' 
 alone." He would have had me speak of infant baptism, 
 and of eating Christ's flesh. I said, " Your questions are 
 not worthy to be answered; they are unprofitable. I 
 have told you enough, I will say no more. We have 
 had enough of it." I said, " Open your eyes, and see that 
 what the Lord gives us to do it is not in man to do ; to Matt. xix. 
 be willing to leave our dear children, and joyfully to lay 
 down our lives for the honour of God." I said also, 
 " Take heed what you do ; we are God's holy people ; 
 God's chosen. Though all your learned men throughout 
 the world should agree, they could not prove to us by the 
 word of the Lord, that we believe or practise anything 
 contrary to God's word." He said, " That we did not 
 believe that the apostles ate the flesh of Christ, and 
 drank his blood, although Christ said. Take, eat; this 
 is my body.'^ I said, " Christ took the bread, and gave Matt 
 thanks, and brake it, and gave it to his apostles. When he 
 took that bread, and brake it, and gave it them, the bread 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 26. 
 
216 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 was surely no flesh. He did not give them his living 
 
 body to eat, in which he stood alive amongst them ; but 
 
 he gave his body for their redemption ; not of them 
 
 alone, but for the redemption of all that believed in him." 
 
 But whatever might be said to him he kept to his old 
 
 theme. Our brother proved every thing so clearly from 
 
 the scriptures, that he had not a tittle to say in opposition. 
 
 Our brother spake loud, in order that they who stood 
 
 without in the chancel, might hear how plainly he showed 
 
 him all things. I spake, also, as loud as I could, and 
 
 cheerfully. What the Lord brought to my mind, that 
 
 I spoke without hesitation; all which it would be too 
 
 long to relate. His expression constantly was, that we 
 
 had the devil in us; that Satan appeared as an angel 
 
 of light to us ; that we had the devil of pride in us ; and 
 
 that we must go for ever into the depths of hell. This he 
 
 said so often, every time we were before him, that I said, 
 
 " Lightly as you thrust us down into hell, as high are we 
 
 raised by the Lord." 
 
 Of infant baptism he knew nothing else to say than " 
 
 John iii. 5. what Christ saith, Ye must be born again of water and 
 
 the Spirit. I said, " Children cannot understand the new 
 
 birth ; Christ spake that to those of understanding ; there- 
 
 foi. iii. p. fore have we put off our past life, and have i)ut on a new 
 
 Mattxix. ^ ^ ^ ' ^ , 
 
 ^*- - life. We ai'e assured that our children are blessed in the 
 
 sight of the Lord." He then brought David forward, 
 
 that he was born in sin. Our brother explained it clearly 
 
 to him ; but he remained unable to comprehend as ever. 
 
 When we had ended our discourse, I asked him what 
 
 my husband said? He replied, " Your husband remains 
 
 just the same." I said, " What will you do with my 
 
 poor husband, who cannot read a letter?" He then said, 
 
 " Your condemnation will be greater than your husband's, 
 
 because you can i-ead and have misled him." Upon this 
 
 I parted from him. After this, the aforesaid Clacsken, 
 
 Psa. li. 5. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 217 
 
 with her husband, and brother Jaques, was drowned for 
 the testimony she bore to the truth, at Leeuwarden, in 
 Friesland, in March, 1559." 
 
 WOLEGANa MATE, and WOLPaANG HUBEE.— 1559. [2431 
 
 In this year, 1559, there were two brethren whose Matt. xuio. 
 names were Wolfgang Mair and Wolfgang Huber, arrested 
 in the country of Saltzburg for the sake of the faith, and Acts xii. 3. 
 taken to Titmain, from thence they were consigned to 
 Saltzburg, in which place they both had to taste and 
 suffer great pain, misery, and tyranny. Wolfgang Mair 
 was twice brought to the rack, and each time undressed 
 and most severely tortured ; but he could not be prevailed 
 upon to say anything contrary to his belief. The secretary Matt. u. 14. 
 said : " You must either say who took you into their 
 houses and hai'boured you, or you must die on the rack." 
 He said : " If I die I die, but I will say nothing against 
 my conscience, nor will I betray those who have shown me Mait. vii.12. 
 kindness." After this they ceased to torture him. 
 
 Priests came to them with enticing words, employing 
 every means and many threatenings and entreaties to Psa. xxxvii. 
 change their minds, depriving them of all hope by their Matt. viii. 
 many bitter words. They defended the truth with great - ^et. ii. 12. 
 zeal, for the Lord strengthened them so much that they 
 had already given up their lives for the truth. 
 
 Many consultations were held about them, particularly John xi. 47. 
 among the priests ; it was once resolved that they should 
 continue in confinement for life, but God brought that 
 counsel to nought. They were then, with much urgency, 
 solicited by one and another to give up their faith, but it i cor. x. 28. 
 was to no purpose ; they put them all to shame with the oai. v. 6. 
 
 " [Het Offer des Heereu, fol. 153—162. Ten Gate. Gesch. der Doops. 
 en Fries., p. 79.] 
 
218 A MAKTYllOLOGY OF 
 
 word of God, and testified fearlessly that their faith was the 
 way of divine truth in Christ Jesus, in which, by the help 
 Matt. X. 22. of God, they would steadfastly abide, whatever might, by 
 any one, be said or undertaken against it. After this 
 they were again taken from Saltzburg to Titmain to be 
 sentenced to death. When their sentence was read they 
 firmly opposed it, saying that it was not true, and that 
 their faith was every way profitable, and was neither 
 enthusiasm nor heresy. 
 
 When they were carried outside the town some women 
 
 Luke xxiii. wept from compassion that they should thus, for the sake 
 
 of their faith, be put to death ; but they said, " Weep not 
 
 James V. ]3. On OUT accouut ; wcep for yourselves and your sins;" they 
 
 Luke xxi. likewise sang for joy that their end and their redemption 
 
 were nigh. 
 
 When they were at the place of execution, the brother, 
 Wolfgang Mair, called out to the people : " This day I will 
 Rom. xii. 1. present to my God a true burnt-offering, pay my vows, 
 Actsxii. 2. and attest divine truth by my blood." They were then 
 executed with the sword, and afterwards burned with fire. 
 They resigned their lives with comfort, courage, and con- 
 fidence, to inherit eternal life. 
 
 Some who had made themselves the most guilty in 
 their apprehension and death, were remarkably overtaken 
 by the judgment of God; some lived but a short time 
 afterwards ; others did not die a natural death, but were so 
 visited by God that it could be plainly seen that the wrath 
 of God fell upon them. " 
 
 " [Mair aud Huber appear to have iu the district of Salzburg. Great 
 
 been arrested in consequence of an zeal was shown for their discovery, 
 
 order of the duke Albert, whose and not, as it appears, without 
 
 fears for his government had been success. MS. Cronickel, fol. 87. 
 
 excited by the report that some Winter, Ges. der baier, Weidert, p. 
 
 leaders of the baptists had arrived 116.] 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 219 
 
 TEIJNKEN KEUTS.— 1559. [244] 
 
 Trijnken Keuts was a widow, residing in the town of 
 Maestricht. When she had come to the knowledge of divine 
 truth, through the holy gospel, she, with all simplicity cor- 
 dially embraced it, and continued day and night in diligent Luke xviu. 
 supplications, until the Lord, by the bright shining of his 
 grace, further enlightened her, and endued her with the 
 power of faith. Being thus believing and penitent, she 
 was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, on a true pro- Markxviie. 
 fession of her faith, as a member of the body and church Kph. i. 22. 
 of Jesus Christ. Living thus, according to her faith, no 
 longer frequenting popish idolatry, but abstaining from ^ ^«i"- '=• ^^■ 
 every abomination, and devotino; herself to a new life, the ^^ 
 
 •^ ' » ' 2Cov. VI. 17. 
 
 venomous beast could not endure it. She was informed Rev. xvu. 3. 
 against, to the magistrates of the place, as a heretic. She 
 was therefore summoned to appear at the Lantskroon, 
 which is the house where the burgomasters and the council 
 hold their sittings. When she had received the summons 
 by a burgomaster's officer, she went to the house. When 
 there the burgomasters informed her of the information 
 they had received, and inquired if it was correct. Having 
 given them a proper answer and confessed the truth, they Acts xii. 3. 
 detained her as a prisoner. When she had now been in 
 confinement for some time, having had in the meanwhile 
 many discussions and conflicts, she was at last very rigidly 
 examined by the priests, one of whom was a black-friar. 
 Fearlessly she confessed her faith, and when asked if she 
 had been re-baptized, she said, " I have been baptized as Matt. x. 32. 
 a believer, and agreeably to the teaching of Christ," On fj'^''^ •''^''• 
 this point they had many discussions, but she held fast 
 the truth. The priests also questioned her respecting the 
 sacrament, whether she did not believe that after the 
 priest had pronounced over it five words, Christ was 
 
220 A MARTYKOLOGY OF 
 
 actually in the bread, his flesh and blood, the same as 
 
 when he hung on the cross." Trijne replied that she 
 
 jiark xvi. believed that Christ was ascended into heaven and was 
 
 19. 
 
 sitting at the right hand of God his heavenly Father. She 
 asked, " How could he come into the bread ?" 
 
 As she remained steadfast to the truth the priests con- 
 demned her to be burned here to powder, and then 
 eternally in hell. Trijne said: " When, a short time hence, 
 
 Matt. x.w. you follow me to the judgment-seat of God, you will find 
 it otherwise." On this judgment Trijne was delivered 
 
 juiinxvi. 2. over to the sheriff and justices, who sentenced her, in con- 
 formity with the emperor's proclamation, to be burned to 
 ashes. This Trijne thankfully accepted, and cheerfully 
 resigned herself to it ; she was then gagged and led to 
 
 2Peti 14. the Vrythof, where she put-off her tabernacle and was 
 
 Lukexxiii. burned to ashes, having commended her soul into the 
 
 46. 
 
 hands of God. 
 
 This took place in 1559, on the eve of Palm Sunday in 
 Lent. 
 
 It was currently reported as true, that one of the 
 aforesaid priests, the black-friar, was found dead in his 
 cell on the third day after Trijne was sacrificed and burned, 
 without its being know^n that he had been sick, and that 
 he had been eaten up of lice; but what God may have 
 Rom. xiv. clone in this matter we leave to his righteous judgment, 
 who will render to every one his deserved reward. 
 
 ADEIAN PAN AND HIS WIFE.— 1559. 
 
 12«1 In the year 1559 the faithful friend of Christ, Adrian 
 
 Pan, with his wife, fell into the clutches of wolves at 
 Antwerp, in Brabant. By the grace of God they endured 
 severe imprisonment and cruel trials, but were so firmly 
 united, by genuine faith and lively hope, to their Captain, 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 221 
 
 Christ Jesus, that by no means whatever could they be 
 brought to apostatize ; they were therefore sentenced to 
 death by the rulers of darkness, who knew not the light f^'^^.-Jli/g!" 
 of truth. Adrian Pan was put to a miserable death by the 
 sword ; his wife, who was pregnant, bore all this for the 
 sake of Christ, although it disti'essed her greatly. After 
 her confinement she was drowned, displaying great stead- 
 fastness of mind ; thus they obtained everlasting rest with "«*' '^- ^• 
 the Lord. 
 
 A Letter of Adrian Pan, written from Prison. 1559. 
 
 Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, Rom.i.7. 
 through the merits of Jesus Christ, his beloved Son, with 
 the true illumination of the Holy Ghost, be unto all lovers 
 of eternal truth. Amen. 
 
 My brethren, heartily beloved and longed for, whom 2 John i. 2. 
 we love from our inmost souls, and bear on our hearts as ^"^^ '^' ^^" 
 those with whom we are one in mind and body, although 
 we are now separated from you in presence, ye are so 
 much the more in our hearts. We pray that no one will ^p''- '"• ^^' 
 
 ... IThess. iii. 
 
 faint on account of our distress ; for we hope it will give 3. 
 
 you joy to hear, what we certainly know, that it is for the 
 
 truth. Let none of you suffer as an evil doer, says Peter, 1 p^^ iv 15. 
 
 or as one coveting another's goods ; but if you suffer as 
 
 Christians, happy are ye, for the spirit of glory and of God 1 Pet. iv u. 
 
 resteth upon you, hut on their part he is evil spoken of. Paul 
 
 says, that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to Rom. vin. 
 
 he compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us ; yea, 
 
 that never hath eye seen, nor hath it ever entered into the ^ '^"'■- "• ^• 
 
 heart of man, what God hath prepared for them that love 
 
 him ; that as the sifferings of Christ abound in us, so our -i Cur. i. 5. 
 
 consolation also aboandetlt bit Christ. My dear brethren, „ . ,„ 
 
 .^ J ' Psa.xeiv.l9. 
 
 how should we be otherwise than of good courage, finding 
 such comfort ? My dear friends, the more we are exercised 
 
222 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 with tribulation, the more are we comforted. This we 
 truly experienced when we first fell into their hands, and 
 they beset the house as if they would have destroyed it, 
 with all that it contained, then my heart was strengthened 
 as if I had been another man. My wife was indeed a little 
 fearful before they laid their hands upon us ; but when she 
 saw that it must be even so, fear departed from her, as if 
 she had put off a garment, and she began to sing. "We 
 
 1 Thess V. did not expect them, and we had packed up our goods and 
 thought soon to depart; but the Lord had otherwise 
 appointed, praised be his name for ever. When they 
 began to plunder I could well have sung. Never did I 
 experience greater joy, but I restrained myself and did 
 not sing. I thought, many trials yet await me ; but 
 
 Psa. XXV. 2. praised be the Lord, who suffers us not to be put to 
 shame. They began to taunt us much with Munster and 
 Amsterdam, but I said I had nothing to do Avith them, 
 and that it was for the truth that we suffered. Besides, I 
 am not thirty-three years old, and how could I have been 
 present there ? Some blasphemed, some pitied us, but I 
 
 Luke xxiii. said, " Weep not for us, but weep for yourselves and your 
 children." Methinks we might well have said with David, 
 
 Psa. xci. 7. "Though a hundred thousand should surround me, and 
 
 Psa cxviii. comc upou uic, I would not fear them ; yea, they compassed 
 me about; they compassed me about like bees ; but in the name 
 of the Lord I will destroy them." 
 
 My dear brethren, we say not this from any boasting, 
 
 Eph. iii. 16. but from joy. We thank our God for his great might and 
 
 1 The^s. V strength that he grants us, to the rejoicing of all who love 
 the truth, and may come to hear it. Pray for us, that we 
 
 Matt. xxiv. may remain steadfast unto the end ; and we request you to 
 accept this kindly, though avc have written little. The 
 fifteenth day of our imprisonment, and the 9th of May. 
 My wife and myself greet you heartily, all of you that we 
 know, or that may inquire for us. 
 
THE CHUECHES OF CHK]ST. 223 
 
 Another Letter of Adrian Pan, which he wrote after he was 
 sentenced. 
 
 Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, through Rom. i. 7. 
 the merits of Jesus Christ, with the true illumination of 
 the Holy Ghost, unto all who love the eternal truth. 
 Amen. 
 
 My dear N., I am mindful of you still, even at the end 
 of my life, and pray Almighty God, that he will comfort 
 you with his Spirit, and guide you into all spiritual wisdom coi i. 9. 
 and understanding that may be profitable to your salvation, r246] 
 I proceed to inform you that on the 2nd of June I was put 
 to the torture, and on the sixteenth I was led to the 
 tribunal, where they asked me if I had been baptized, or 
 re-baptized. I asked if I might speak ; they gave me per- 
 mission. I said that I believed all that was written in the 
 law and the prophets ; that by what Jesus Christ and his 
 apostles had taught and commanded I desired to live and 
 die; and that, on the confession of my sins that I was sorry 
 for them, and on the avowal of my faith, I had been bap- 
 
 Matt.xxviii. 
 
 tized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the i^- 
 Holy Ghost. I was then condemned, 'so that I expect 
 nothing else than the infliction on my body of the punish- 
 ment assigned me; the Lord will receive my spirit; I am Acts vii.59. 
 ready to live or die for the name of the Lord. I cannot Acts xxi.13. 
 sufficiently praise and thank my God that he has called ^cts v 4i. 
 and permitted me to suffer for his name. O, my dear N., I 
 am in good spirits, the Lord will (I hope) strengthen me 
 to the end. I cannot say that I ever had a more happy 
 day in prison than when I fell into their hands, and when 
 I was condemned. My dear N., be of good courage ; the 
 end is nearly come ; let us not fear them that kill the body, Matt. x. 28, 
 for Christ teaches us whom we must fear. Myself and 
 wife greet you very heartily with the peace of God ; take 
 in good part the little I have written ; I would wilhngly 
 
224 A ^MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 have written you more fully but am not very well gifted 
 for it. But I thank the Lord for all that he has bestowed 
 upon me. 
 
 Greet very heartily the dear friends whom we know, or 
 who inquire for us. Farewell. 
 
 Written by me, Adrian Pan.^' 
 
 HANS DE VETTE, 
 
 WITH ELEVEN OTHERS, PUT TO DEATH FOU THE TESTIMONY 
 OF JESUS CHRIST, AT GHENT, IN ELAINDEES. ANNO 1559. 
 
 A Confession, tvritten hy Hans de Vette, at Ghent, ichere he, 
 with eleven others, lay in bonds, in the year 1559, referring 
 to his examination. 
 
 Actsxxii. On the first Friday after Whitsuntide, the persons 
 whose names here follow, were taken to prison at Ghent : 
 Peter Coerten, of Menin ; Karl Tankreet, of Nipkerke ; 
 with Proentken, his wife, from Belle; Jacob Spillebaut, 
 Abraham Tankreet, and Mayken Floris of Nipkerke ; 
 Anthonis, of Cassel ; Hans de Smit ; Marcus, his brother ; 
 Hans de Vette, wuth Maritgen, his wife, from Waesten, 
 and. Tanneken, the wife of J. de S. These persons were 
 treacherously betrayed into the hands of the procureur- 
 general, who, with three constables, took them prisoners 
 at their lodgings in the evening. 
 
 On the following day we were visited by the magis- 
 trates, who asked us, each one separately, our names, and 
 from whence we were ; which we told them. They then 
 inquired whether we acknowledged any other baptism 
 than infant baptism ; and, likewise, if we had received any 
 
 Matt.xxviii other? Wc all renounced their idolatrous infant baptism, 
 
 19. 
 
 y [These letters of Adrian Pan are also found in Het Offer des Heeren, 
 fol. 16-2]. 
 
Till; CllUKClIES OF CIIltJST. 225 
 
 and acknowledged that we had received Christian baptism, 
 with the exception of Marcus de Smit, who confessed that 
 he had not yet received it ; but desired, had a suitable 
 opportunity occurred, with his whole heart to receive the 
 same. They afterwards said, if we wished to have any 
 learned persons to instruct us, they would send them to 
 us; and such as we liked, whether clergy or laymen. 
 They said that they would not be precipitate with us ; 
 but, as they asked us nearly all the same things, one by 
 one, I, who write this, said, that by the grace of God I 
 desired no other instruction than that I had received, ^''' ' ^• 
 should there come even an angel from heaven. 
 
 About a week afterwards they sent, notwithstanding, a 
 certain brother, Peter de Backer, who, with another, his 
 companion, had spied us out ; two false prophets, who, as 2 ret li. 1. 
 I think, are called Jacobins. Having been brought be- 
 fore them, after a few words, we came upon the subject of 
 infant baptism, which he stated to be an ordinance in- 
 stituted by God, saying, that circumcision was a figure 
 thereof; also, that the apostles had baptized whole house- Acts x. 15. 
 holds, and Christ had commanded it. John iii. But when 
 I had showed him that he had not spoken aright, and 
 that the apostles had baptized none without faith, as is Acts ii. 38. 
 clearly found in the Acts of the Apostles, he sought 
 to speak upon another article, saying, that we should not 
 be able to agree concerning it. I said, that 1 wished to 
 finish the former first. I entreated him to reform ; for 
 I showed him that their service was a foul, noisome piece 
 of idolatry, contrary to all God's commandments, and of Matt.xv.ia 
 human planting ; that the commandments of God were 
 sufficient, needing no lying additions of men, and that 
 it was unprofitable to observe what God had not com- 
 manded. He then said that I w^as deceived, and laid too 
 much stress upon their faults; that there were, indeed, 
 some abuses in their church, but the chief things they 
 
 VOL. II. Q 
 
226 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 held there were good. After much conversation we 
 separated- 
 
 Some days after the Dean Ronse came, who Is an in- 
 [247] quisitor in Flanders, and with him the same Peter de 
 Backer, who had first been with us, with other false pro- 
 phets besides. Upon coming before them the dean asked 
 me my name ; I said that I was called Hans de Vette. He 
 then asked me if I was married ; 1 said I was. He in- 
 quired, then, if my wife was from Waesten ? I answered 
 " Yes." He asked how long I had been married ; I said, 
 " Not very long." He asked me in what church and by 
 what parish priest it was performed. I answered him, 
 whether it was found in the scriptures that a parish priest 
 was needful thereto. He then said that whores and rogues 
 were married in that way without a parish priest ; where- 
 upon I said that I had acted agreeably to the directions of 
 
 1 Cor. vii. 2. the scripturcs, being instructed by Paul, in order to avoid 
 
 adultery, that it is better to marry than to burn ; whores 
 and rogues, on the contrary, had much rather burn than 
 marry, as is so commonly seen and heard of so many 
 thousands in this wicked world. He then said that were 
 a small matter ; that if I had done nothing worse it would 
 be well for me ; I should only say where it took place. I 
 
 Matt.xxvi. said that I did not intend to tell him. He then adjui-ed 
 me, by the living God, that I should tell him; but I was 
 silent. 
 
 He then asked me why I had not remained in the Romish 
 church and in her service? to which I answered that I had 
 
 Rev. xviii. Separated from her that I might not be a partaker of her 
 
 2 Cor. xvi. 4. pl^gucs, for darkucss could have no communion with light, 
 
 nor Christ with Belial ; nor the righteous with the un- 
 2 Cor. vi.i7. righteous, &c.; hence we must depart from their midst. He 
 then asked me what I held concerning the seven sacra- 
 ments, which he partly named to me ; but I answered that 
 I could not approve of them on account of the abominable 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 227 
 
 idolatry which they maintained ; but since it is commanded 
 us by the Loi'd to confess his name before men, so I said I Matt. x. 32. 
 would readily confess my faith to him; he said that I 
 should. I then began to make my confession : that I 
 believed in one God, the maker of heaven and earth, the Gen. 1. 1. 
 waters and the sea, and all that therein is, who made man xvu.^g. 
 in his own image; him alone must we serve, honour, J^""^^"'- ^• 
 worship, and love with all our soul, and all our might. Matt. iv. 10. 
 and in all our thoughts, for he alone is good ; forsaking all 
 idols, whether they be of gold, silver, stone, metal, wood, 
 
 Matt. xix. 
 
 bread, of whatever form or kind soever they may be, they i7. 
 being rejected and forbidden in the holy scriptures ; for 1 cor. viu. 
 we knoio that an idol is nothing in the icorld. 
 
 As I was still speaking, the dean Ronse told me that I 
 made it too long to write it all down ; " You would give 
 us much to do," said he, " if in this manner you confess 
 your faith from the beginning of the Bible ! I, too, believe," 
 he continued, " what you have just said ; but what do you 
 say of the sacrament of baptism, as practised in our church, 
 and to which every one must come if they would be 
 saved ?" I then said that I did not approve of infant 
 baptism, because it is not commanded by God. He said 
 that circumcision was a figure of it, and that all the children 
 that were not circumcised under the Old Testament, or not 
 baptized under the New Testament, must perish ; whei'c- 
 upon, following up his words, I said: " Females, then, under 
 the Old Testament must have been lost." He became angry, 
 and said that was only a piece of philosophy I had then 
 brought forward. I replied that he ought to be ashamed 
 to say that the children were condemned, to whom the 
 Lord says the kingdom of heaven belonged. He said that ^att. xix. 
 I lied. Another priest told me, that one of Paul's disciples 
 writes that he had learned the baptism of infants from 
 Paul, his master. I replied that Paul writes that we should „ ^, 
 
 *■ 2 Thess. U.2. 
 
 not soon be shaken in mind, either by spirit, or angel, or 
 
 Q 2 
 
228 A MARTYKOLOGY OF 
 
 Gal. i. 8. |jy letter, as from them ; were it even that an angel came 
 from heaven who should teach us otherwise than is written 
 in the holy gospel, he is accursed. Further, I told him that 
 he should show me where the Lord had commanded the 
 baptism of children, or prove that the apostles had baptized 
 them, which he could not do. In return he asked me how 
 long I had been baptized ? I said " Not yet a year." He 
 asked where and who had baptized me ? but I did not tell 
 Matt xxvi. j^.^^^^ jjg ^^^^ adjured me three times by the living God, 
 and by the baptism I had received, that I should tell him; 
 Matt. xxvi. ^ipon which I said that Caiaphas also adjured Christ. He 
 said that Christ answered; I replied, "Christ spake of him- 
 self, but when he asked him of his disciples he did not 
 answer." He then asked me what I held concerning their 
 sacrament of the altar? I said that I regarded it no 
 otherwise than impure, foul, offensive idolatiy, and an 
 abomination before God. He said " How ? do you not 
 believe that he is there in flesh and blood, like as he walked 
 on earth, or as he hung on the gallows of the cross?" "God 
 forbid," said I, " that I should believe that the flesh and 
 [248] blood of Christ are here on earth ; for Christ himself said 
 to his apostles that the poor we should always have Avith 
 us, but himself we should not always have." He replied 
 that he was not in that manner in the sacrament, but that 
 it was in spiritual substance, and that I did not understand 
 it; that his argument had been founded many hundred 
 years before my time; for, when Clirist instituted his 
 supper, said he, he took the bread and gave it to his dis- 
 Matt. XXVI. gjpjgg^ j^jjj gj^j(j . fake, eat ; this is my body. I said that 
 19, ^'"'"' the bread Christ gave to his disciples he gave as a symbol 
 of his body that should be broken for them ; that he 
 described himself, in many places of the scripture, by re- 
 johu XV. 1. semblances ; for example, in John he saith, 1 am the true 
 vine. In reality he was not a vine, but he comi^ared him- 
 self to a vine ; such was th*> bread which Christ brake with 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 229 
 
 his disciples, spiritually a figure of his body ; for he saithj 
 John vi. " Flesh and blood profit nothing, but the words 
 that I speak are spirit and life." He replied, that it was not 
 spoken in that sense ; " for," said he, " if Christ be not 
 there, how should men thereby eat their condemnation ?" 
 But I said, "If it were Christ's flesh and blood, men would 
 not eat their own condemnation ; for Christ himself saith, 
 Whoso eateth my Jlesli and drinketh my hlood linth eternal life; Joim vi. si. 
 therefore, these words must not be understood literally 
 but spiritually, namely, if any one went to the Lord's 
 supper with the church of Christ, of which Christ is the 
 head, and he was still a drunkard, a covetous person, or an Eph. \. 22. 
 idolater, or such like, that person would be unworthy to cai. v. 19. 
 break bread with the members of Christ, not discerning the ^ ^^^ ^j 
 Lord's body." He then said that there were amongst us ' 
 many drunkards, adulterers, and such like, and that he 
 knew them well. I asked him, "Who ?" he said, " J.de E." 
 I asked where he lived? he said, "I shall not tell you." I 
 replied, that I was sure that if there were any such persons 
 in our church, and it was known, they would, according to 
 the tenor of the scripture, be put away and excommuni- 
 cated. He then asked me again who had baptized me, and j cor. v 12 
 when he could not draw it from me he adjured me, but I 
 did not tell him. The recorder said : " I bet you a bottle 
 of wine that you will, within fourteen days, tell it ;" but I 
 would not lay any wager. He then demanded of me how 
 frequently I had partaken of the Lord's supper ? I said that 
 I had sometimes kept it, at convenient times, with many 
 dear brethren and sisters. He inquired, "With whom? 
 what are their names ?" Of these I named one that he men- 
 tioned. He then inquired concerning others, whether I 
 considered them as brethren, or if they were only friends 
 or novices, for I have learned all these Flemish ex- 
 pressions," said he, "as novices, brothers, and friends." I 
 said, "I thought you were from Brabant, as you knew so 
 
230 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 much Flemish?" "I scarcely know," said he, "what I 
 am; perhaps I am a foundling." "Yes," said I, "it is 
 
 Rev. xiii. 1. written in the Revelation of John that a beast rose up out 
 of the sea; you may be of that progeny." He then asked 
 me if I did not believe that Jesus Christ had not taken 
 flesh and blood of Mary? I said that I believed that the 
 
 John i. 14. Word that in the beginning was with God, by whom the 
 
 Heb i. 2. world was made, became flesh ; upon which he said that 
 
 Matt. xxii. j^g ^g^g ^}jg gQjj Qf David according to the flesh. I said, 
 " If he is David^s Son, as Christ himself speaks, lioiv then 
 doth David call him Lord V He replied that Christ quoted 
 that to the pharisees only as an argument, but Matthew 
 describes his genealogy from Abraham to Mary. I said 
 that Matthew traces the genealogy of Christ only to 
 
 MRtt. i. 16. Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom Christ was born ; 
 
 Luke iii. 23. and Lukc says that Jesus was supposed f o be the son of 
 Joseph, "Yes," said he, "do you not believe that Mary 
 was the mother of Christ?" I said, "Yes, I do; Christ 
 
 Matt. xii. says : Whosoever doth the will of mi/ Father, the same is my 
 mother y and sister, and brother.^' 
 
 He then said that Christ was of the seed of the woman. 
 I replied that women themselves had no seed ; for, as the 
 
 icor.xi.i2. woman is of the man, even so is the man by the woman. 
 He then said that he was of the substance of Mary and of 
 her blood; but I answered that Christ said to the Jews 
 
 johnviii.23. *^^^ ^® ^^^^ from abovc, they were from beneath ; ye are of 
 
 icor XV.47 ^^^^ world, said he ; I am not of the world. The apostle like- 
 wise says that the first man is of the earth, earthy ; but the 
 second man is the Lord himself /?'om heaven, and heavenly. 
 I then told them that they should repent of their un- 
 righteousness, persecution, and false idolatrous doctrine. 
 They said, " We have the true doctrine." I answered that 
 Paul, however, directs us to shun those who command to 
 
 1 Tim. iv. 2, abstalu from meats, which God hath created to be received 
 
 3. 
 
 of them that believe, and that forbid to marry, and whose 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 231 
 
 consciences are seared; /or it is better to marry than to burn; icor. vii. 9. 
 but you, on the contrary, and against the scripture, forbid 
 to use meats and to marry, and would rather burn than 
 marry. 
 
 Dean. " We do not forbid to marry." 
 
 Hans. " You do, though ; you know that people by 
 your command eat no meat during Lent, aud many other 
 days, and may not marry ; and you yourselves have made 
 a covenant not to marry. But you are guilty of such [^-isi 
 unchastity that it is a shame to speak of it ; while Paul Eph. v. 12. 
 says, that with such, namely, the unchaste, drunkards, 1 cor. v. 11. 
 &c,, we should not eat, but give them over to the devil, 
 for the destruction of the flesh." 
 
 Dean. " We are not so bad, we will not give them over 
 to the devil ; we are better than that." 
 
 Hans. " Poor man ! will you be better than Paul ? but 
 it avails nothing, whatever may be said to you, for you 
 will not amend ; but if you will discuss these matters with 
 us in the market, or in any public place, we are ready ;" 
 hoping that some one among the ignorant would thereby 
 be profited. 
 
 Dean. "That cannot be, who could judge there? boat- 
 men, fishermen, or the like, I suppose ; that would be the 
 way to raise tumult. However, we are foolish to talk 
 so much with you; we ought only to state to you our 
 faith, and if you do not believe it, to give you up to 
 justice." 
 
 We had much more discourse on the invocation of 
 saints, of the pope of Rome, of confession, fasts, pur- 
 gatory, and the sleep of the saints, which it would be too 
 Ions to write ; but the above I have related as I remem- 
 bered it. It is now a long time since, and I am not able 
 to repeat it just word for word, and as I know well that 
 whatever is said to them it avails nothing, they being 2 Tim. li. 7. 
 impudent and shameless, therefore I sometimes relate it 
 
232 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 in the shortest manner. It was proposed to them to dis- 
 course publicly, which they refused. They asked many 
 things, in the same form, of our brethren and sisters who 
 are in bonds with us. They are all in good spirits, the 
 Lord be praised. We stood in much greater awe of the 
 false prophets before we conversed with them than after- 
 Lukc xxi. wards : but the Lord knows how to give his elect a mouth 
 
 14. ° 
 
 to speak at such seasons, as he hath promised, better than 
 we could think ; for they who while at large appeared to 
 be Aveak, are so valiant as to excite the wonder of those^ 
 that see and hear it. The Lord alone be praised, for ever 
 
 Rev. iv. II and ever. Amen. 
 
 The dean likewise asked me if we did not pray for him. 
 I said, "Yes, we do." "What am I called," said he, 
 "amongst you? Do you call me Saul?" I said, "I 
 have sometimes heard you called the inquisitor (they all 
 laughed), sometimes the Dean Ronse." To which he said, 
 " That is my name." We had much further discourse, but, 
 partly owing to want of paper, I write no more. I pray, 
 however, all that see this to receive it from me in good 
 part; and, if it be possible, send a copy to Antwerp to our 
 friends there, and also one to those in the west. 
 
 All these twelve friends afterwards courageously laid 
 down their lives for the truth. First, four of them piously 
 offered their burnt offering in the name of our Lord Jesus 
 
 Hum. xii. 1. Christ. Shortly after, six others were also brought 
 
 1 Cor. XV. forth, after a steadfast confession of their faith, and being- 
 asked if they still would not recant, answered " No :" but 
 that if they had committed any crime, they wished to be 
 dealt with accordingly. They were immediately con- 
 demned to death as heretics. As they were being carried 
 in two waggons to execution, two monks sat with them, 
 which prevented their speaking freely, so that with difS- 
 
 Matt. X. 28. culty tlicy said a Avord or two, namely, " Fear not them 
 Avhich kill the l)ody, but after that they have no more 
 
* THE CHUllCHES OF CHlllST. 233 
 
 power ; but, O ye people, repent, for the apostle salth, Mark i. ij, 
 ' He that llveth after the flesh shall die.' " Rom' viii. 
 
 ]3. 
 
 When they were led into the small house, built of wood 
 and straw, in which they were to be burned, they exhibited 
 great joy, and commending their souls into the hands of Luke xxUm 
 God, put oiF their corruptible bodies, to put on the 
 incorruptible. 
 
 There were also two Avomen w^ho were pregnant, who, 
 after their delivery and confinement, were both privately 
 beheaded in the castle. Thus did all these, remaining 
 steadfast to the end, enter into the rest of their Lord, and 
 will come with him with everlasting joy, together with all Matt. xxv. 
 the dear children of God.^ Juim i. 12. 
 
 MAEYKEN KATS, FEOM WEEWYK IN FLANDEES ; 
 MAGDALENE AECHTKEN, OF ZIEEIKZEE; OLD 
 MAEYKEN ; GEIETKEN BONAVENTUEE ; AND 
 MAEYKEN DE KOETE.— akno 1559. 
 
 The margrave of Antwerp, searching for one for whom 
 three hundred guilders reward were offered, repaired on 
 the 20th of May, 1559, with oany officers and servants, Mitt.xxvi. 
 to two houses, which they surrounded, and in which they 
 found six sisters, namely, Maeyken Kats ; Magdalene Matt. xii. 
 Aechten, of Zierikzec ; old Maeyken ; Grietgen Bona- Rom. xvi. 1. 
 venture; and Maeyken de Korte. But they could not 
 find the individual they sought. The margrave wished 
 these women at Hoboken heath. He led them all six [250] 
 away and shut them up in a dark prison. They were Acts xii. 3. 
 afterwards examined, and boldly confessed their faith ; Matt. x. 32. 
 neither the emperor's proclamation, nor threats or pro- Heb. x. 39. 
 mises, induced them to recant, or to give information of 
 any other person. 
 
 ^ [Het Offer, des Heeren, fol. 164—169.] 
 
234 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 On the 18th of June, the first three were condemned to 
 
 die, and were drowned by night in the prison. 
 
 Actsxii 2. Afterwards, on the 11th of October, the other three 
 
 were sentenced to die. Old Maeyken, that honourable 
 
 widow, who was worthy of double honour, was drowned. 
 
 Grietken Bonaventure, with Maeyken de Korte, had for 
 
 the truth to taste of death by the sword, which is not 
 
 John jtiv. 6. customary in the case of women. Their Lord, whom 
 
 John xiii 3. they loved and did not forget, will not forget them. He 
 
 Matt. xxii. ^^y receive them with joy into his kingdom, and at his 
 
 Luke xxiii. |.g^g^ ^^ gladness in paradise. 
 
 A Letter of Maeyken de Korte. 
 „^, ... My dear sister, pray for us, that the word of the Lord 
 
 2 Thess. 111. J ' 1 ./ ' 
 
 ^' may have free course and be fruitful. Wait for him in 
 
 Rev. xxii. all patience and holiness. He that shall come will come, 
 
 12. 
 
 and bring his reward with him. He is faithful that hath 
 1 Thess. V. promised, who also will do it. It is indeed as I say ; our 
 Job vii. 1. life is a perpetual conflict upon earth. Know that I am 
 
 tolerably strong in mind ; the body is pretty well, the 
 
 1 Cor iv. 13. Lord be praised. We are regarded as accursed by the 
 
 2 Cor. V.2. world, and always long to be at home in a hovise not made 
 2 Pet. iii. with hauds, but in lieaven itself : TVe look for new heavens 
 
 and a neio earth, according to his promise, wherein dwelleth 
 righteousness. How must we be prepared for such a 
 glorified state ! I find myself often cast down. I find in 
 myself so many imperfections, and so much that must yet 
 be crucified ; all which I have to bring before the Lord 
 with a humbled heart, and a trembling, dejected mind, 
 
 1 Cor. i. 27. and entreat for mercy, not for justice. I feel that the less 
 I am in myself, the more doth the mighty God work in 
 
 Phil. ii. 13. me, and pour his grace into my heart. Then I weep 
 bitterly, and fall upon my knees, and thank my God, 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 235" 
 
 and say, " O my Lord and God ! What am I, a child 
 of Adam, that thou shouldest be mindful of me ? Thou 
 hast crowned man with glory, and given him dominion 
 over all thy Avorks. "Whence is it that thou so richly 
 visitest us, and so bountifully openest thy treasures ; 2 Pet. i. 19. 
 and permittest the bright morning star to enter and 
 arise in our hearts; and hast called us from this dark 
 night into that unfading light?" What shall we, my 
 dear sister, give to him in return, but a sorrowful and 
 contrite heart, and a broken spirit, with love and great 
 thankfulness? Therein (says David) the spirit of the p^a. h. 17. 
 Lord delights. Let us love one another fervently, for^j^^^j^g^ 
 God is love : and ever exhort each other, that we wax watt. xxiv. 
 
 12. 
 
 not cold, through the deceitfulness of sin ; that God may jj^,^ ^ jg 
 be glorified in us, and that we may be delivered from j xhess. lii. 
 pride, and deceitful wicked persons ; for all men have "" 
 not faith: the Lord is faithful, who will strenofthen and , ^ 
 
 ^ ' O 1 Cor X. 13- 
 
 preserve us. 
 
 Know that my sisters have been here, and desired to 
 have a word of comfort from me. The Lord hath still 
 maintained the victoiy . I know not what ails me ; they ap- 
 pear to me as strangers. I cannot, cannot rejoice, though I Lute xiv. 
 see them. Methinks they are afraid of me. They tried me 
 very much, and sent Balten, a friar, to examine me, and 
 promised him three cowls could he convert me. He came 
 with fair speeches, but I would not speak to him; for 
 I was at that time sick. My sisters then said, " Why do 
 you not speak?" I replied, " I am not at present in the 
 mind ; we have conversed often with him : he knows our 
 opinions well." 
 
 Balten became angry, and launched out in complaints 
 against me ; that I had powerfully withstood the scrip- 
 ture, and that I expected salvation on unjust grounds, and 
 had no hope. Tiiey wept much ; but it made no impres- 
 sion on me, whether he spake or was silent. He made all 
 
236 A MAUTYROLOGY OF 
 
 the people leave the room, and let my sisters remahi with 
 himself and me. He entreated me earnestly, saying, " My 
 dear Maeyken, have compassion on your poor soul." I 
 fearlessly replied, that I hoped to do so. " Say," said 
 they, " that you are sorry, and that you have erred ; that 
 is enough ; you need not say more. A note shall imme- 
 diately be given you under my hand, and I will myself 
 sign it, and both your brothers-in-law : it shall be kept 
 private, and every thing possible shall be done for you ; 
 let it be done, my dear sister." I was moved, and said, 
 *' You may spare yourself your trouble ; your efforts are 
 all in vain. I am not in the mind to say that I am sorry. 
 
 Phil. iv. 13. So sorry am I, that if I had not done it, I would still do it. 
 
 26. ^ ' I desire to remain steadfast, by the help of God. Neither 
 
 Rom viu. pj-aygj-g^ nor pain, nor death, nor life, shall move me ; 
 I desire to die therein. Do not trouble me." 
 
 I would like, if it were permitted me, to speak to 
 Laurence Huysmaker, and see all your faces ; but I must 
 
 Liikc XXI. |_^^ patient. — To the Lord, and to the word of his grace, 
 I commend you. Greet Andries for me ; greet Matthews 
 
 Acts XX. *'2 
 
 also ; I salute you both ; greet Laurence, gi-eet Hans, 
 Rom. xvi gi-cet heartily Adrian, for me ; and Laurence's wife, and 
 Laurence, the press-maker's wife, and Hansken's wife. 
 
 JELIS BEENAEDS, 
 
 PUT TO DEATH AT ANTWERP. — A.D. 1559. 
 
 A Letter written to the brethren and sisters after he was 
 sentenced to death. 
 [2,';7] Grace and peace from God, our heavenly Father, and 
 1 Cor. i. 3. from his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who gave himself for 
 our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil 
 Gal. 1. 4. world, according to the will of his Father. To Him be 
 Rev. V. 13. glory, praise, honour, and thanksgiving, for ever and ever. 
 Amen. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 237 
 
 Most beloved wife and sister in the Lord, and all dear 
 brethren and sisters of the church at Ghent, I have felt 
 my heart inclined, since the sentence condemning me to 
 death, to write a little to you, and to my beloved wife, 
 whom I commend to you, and to the word of God, from 
 a truly affectionate spirit, and genuine brotherly love, 
 which I bear towards you even unto death. It is my i Pct. i. 22. 
 brotherly exhortation and writing to you all, that you 
 should not fear them that can kill the body ; for after Matt. x. 23. 
 that they have no more power. And, as Peter says, 1 Pet, m u. 
 Be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled, that ye 
 be not stumbled; but sanctify the Lord God in your 
 hearts. And as he further says, dear brethren and sisters 
 in the Lord, Think it not strange concerning the fiery 1 Pei. iv. 12. 
 ti'ial tvhich is to try you, as though some strange thing 
 happened unto you ; hut rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers 
 of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be re- 
 vealed, ye may be glad also tvith exceeding Joy. Rightly has 
 the apostle exhorted us to rejoice ; for I may truly write Matt. v. 12. 
 of it to you, it having been felt by me before death ; 
 although the sentence is pronounced upon me. First, 
 I had great joy in my spirit when I was delivered over 
 into their hands, although many thoughts and reflections cai. v. 17. 
 burdened the flesh. I rejoiced in spirit that I was chosen 
 of God to suffer for his name. Secondly, when I had Acts v. 42. 
 made confession of my faith before the magistrates, and 
 was then severely tortured, I felt that God was with me ; 2Tim.iv.17. 
 for he afforded me such power that, whatever sufferings 
 and torments they inflicted upon me, they could draw 
 nothing from my lips but what tended to the praise of the 
 Lord, and to my salvation. They were, therefore, wroth, 
 and asked if I would not yet reply? " For," said they, 
 " we have power thus to torture you every day." I said, 
 " The body is in your hands ; do with it as you please." J^r. xxvi. 
 And when this was done, my joy was exceeding great ; 
 
238 A MARTY ROLOGY OF 
 
 and I could not fully speak the praises of the Lord, nor 
 
 sufficiently thank him for the grace which he bestowed, 
 
 Eccius.ii.4. that I was counted worthy to suffer for his name, and to 
 
 „V^\-' seal the word with my blood. For the marks I then 
 
 Ixal. VI. 1/. •' 
 
 received, and the pain I endured, remained in my limbs 
 to the last ; the Lord for ever be praised ; for I had well 
 deserved to be chastised for my sins and my evil deeds. 
 
 Afterwards, I was twice led before a monk. The first 
 time, he would know my faith. I said, " Ask the magis- 
 trates before whom I have confessed it." He began to bring 
 forward much concerning the incarnation and baptism. 
 When he had done, I asked him if he would defend his 
 doctrine in reply to my questions ; for I thought to prove 
 to him the contrary. But he would not listen, and began 
 to utter many slanderous things of Menno and his books, 
 which he had read much, and, as he said, in which he 
 found many lies, I said, " Fetch them here, and let us 
 discourse upon them for a week." He replied, " You are 
 not the man ; we shall not take so much trouble with you.'' 
 Much more discourse we had concerning his doctrine and 
 church, too long to write. And thus I separated from 
 him. 
 
 I was afterwards fetched once more, when another w^as 
 with him. He discoursed much on the sacrament, bap- 
 tism, and the incarnation. I said, "You would not let 
 me defend myself when I was last with you ; I do not 
 therefore now wish to speak with you." He was not 
 pleased, and said he would compel me to speak with the 
 margrave's instruments, and asked if I was ashamed of 
 Rom. i. 16. my faith? I said, "I was not ashamed to confess it 
 before the magistrates, but with you kind of people I wish 
 to have nothing to do." We had agreed with each other 
 to take this course, and I should advise every one to do 
 so ; for It Is of little consequence what is said to them, for 
 they are carnal men. After this I was condemned to 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 239 
 
 death. My joy was then full, so that I could not express 
 
 the gladness I felt that my deliverance was so near. I 
 
 took to myself the apostle's words ; Rejoice, inasmuch as ye J^^'^'- '^• 
 
 are partakers of Chrisfs sufferings, that when his glory shall 
 
 be revealed, ye may be glad also icith exceeding joy ; and as 
 
 he further says, Happy are ye, if ye suffer for the name of 
 
 Christ ; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you ; [258] 
 
 but on their part he is evil spoken of. When I thought on 
 
 this, and on other passages of scripture, and saw that 
 
 tribulation and suffering would speedily pass away, and 
 
 that such glorious promises were granted me, and that I 
 
 should enter into rest with my dear brethren and sisters Rev. xiv. 13. 
 
 who had gone before, who lie under the altar, awaiting all 
 
 our companions, brethren and sisters, that must yet follow Rev. vi. 9. 
 
 us, contemplating this in the spirit, all my distresses 
 
 vanished away. 
 
 Dear brethren, I do not write this to you from vain 
 glory, but for the comfort and strengthening of your 
 minds, that you may not fear them that can kill the body, Matt. x. 28. 
 for after that they have no more power; but that you 
 should, dear brethren and sisters, be always courageous in 
 mind, and ever be mindful of those who preceded you, who 
 have spoken to you the word of God. Paul says, " Re- Heb. xiu. 7. 
 member them who have gone before you, who have 
 spoken to you the word of God ; consider the end of their 
 conversation, and follow their faith." Thus, my dearly 1 Tim. iv.i 3. 
 beloved, be ever diligent to exhort one another with read- 
 ing and prayer. Forsake not the assembling of yourselves ^^^- ^- ^^■ 
 together, but exhort one another to love and good works, 
 and be knit closely together in love. Use hospitality one 1 Pet. iv. 9. 
 to another. Ever be of one heart and one soul, that when 
 you come into bonds, if that should be the will of God, 
 conscience may be clear. 
 
 I commend you to God and to the word of his grace. Acts xx 32. 
 
240 A AlARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Amen. Now adieu ; adieu altogether, my dear brethren 
 and sisters in the Lord. 
 
 Written by me, Jelis Bernards, to you, dear brethren 
 and sisters in the Lord, from the depth of my heart, and 
 from real love. Amen.'' 
 
 JAN BOSCH, OF BEEQ; OE JAN DUEPS. 
 
 ANXO 1559. 
 
 This Jan Bosch, commonly called Jan Durps, was a 
 pious, worthy man, a linen-weaver by trade, living at 
 Maestricht. Though the truth was very much obscured 
 2 Cor. iv. 4. by the papacy, yet the light of divine grace shone into his 
 mind, and genuine gospel truth was brought home to him. 
 He repaired to the church of God, and yielded the 
 Mark xvi. obediencc which Christ, the Son of God, prescribed and 
 commanded. After he had for a season adorned hia 
 Christian calling, the church ordained him, and the charge 
 of it was entrusted to him, that by reading and exhorta- 
 tion he should serve them. After many refusals he con- 
 Matt. XXV. sented, and discharged his duty with fidelity, and employed 
 his talents to the best of his ability. 
 
 As this was conducive to the honour of God, and the 
 building up of the church, Satan, who always opposes 
 everything that is good and pleasing to God, sought to 
 disturb the good work ; and instigated his servants to 
 lodge a complaint against this good man with the higher 
 powers, as a heretic and an Anabaptist. The magistrates, 
 John xvi. 2. deccIvcd by this spirit, and thinking to do God service, 
 rashly proceeded in the matter. A burgomaster went 
 with Ills officers (in open day) to the place where Jan 
 Durps was sitting at work at his loom with his master, 
 
 * [Van Braght has also given three other letters of Bei-nards, addressed 
 to his wife. Het Offer, des Heeren, fol. 77.] 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHEIST. 241 
 
 and apprehended him. He led him through the town, to 
 
 the Lants-kroon (which is the council-house), and there 
 
 put him in confinement. He was immediately examined by 
 
 the priests and monks, who assailed him in every way, and 
 
 before whom he made a frank confession of his belief, and ^ P^t. iii.is. 
 
 that he had, on confession of his faith in Christ Jesus, 
 
 been baptized. In like manner he confessed what he held Hl^'^ ^''^' 
 
 concerning the sacrament. All this he confessed according 
 
 to the scriptures, and reproved them for their idolatrous 
 
 practices. When examined before this petty council and 
 
 the priests, after he had confessed his faith, and remained 
 
 unchanged, they found the case to be so weighty, being a 
 
 criminal cause, that they delivered him over to the sheriiFs 
 
 officer, who brought him to the prison gate. Jan remained 
 
 there for some time in confinement. His wife sent him a 2 cor. i. 4. 
 
 letter while there, exhorting him to be comforted in his „ .. ^ 
 
 ' t? Rev. 11. lU. 
 
 suiFerings, and to abide faithfully by the truth, even unto 
 death. He received it with thankfulness ; and in return 
 sent a message of comfort to his wife, exhorting her and 
 the friends to abide together in the truth, and continue 
 therein to the end. He also earnestly besought the 
 prayers of the faithful. Many tortures were inflicted ^far^vui. 
 upon him, to draw from him who in the town were his p^j, ^j ^^ 
 brethren and held the same faith. But the Lord pre- 
 served his mouth, so that it cannot be learned that he 
 named any individual, how severely soever he was tor- 
 tured for that purpose. 
 
 The time at last arrived, when it was announced by his 
 sentence that he must, agreeably to the emperor's pro- 
 clamation, be burned alive to ashes. He heard it Avith 
 composure of mind, and resigned himself to be bound and ■^^^^^ ^^^.j 
 led between many officers with staves and halberts, which ^'' 
 now and then were employed to strike the heads of any ^259] 
 that came too near in order that they might hear what 
 Jan said. On the way from the prison gate to the 
 
 VOL. II, R 
 
 i^m/^ 
 
242 
 
 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Vrytliof, '' ]ic spoke much to the people, exhorting 
 
 them to reflect that there had been a man amongst 
 
 Mark i. 15. them who had told them the truth. He urged upon 
 
 them that they should repent, amend their lives, and 
 
 seek the grace of God. On reaching tlie Yrythof where 
 
 the scaffold had been set up, it was found to be 
 
 full of train-bands, completely armed. All four of 
 
 the city bands had been ordered to repair thither 
 
 with their arms. Jan, with meekness, approached the 
 
 scaffold, and the executioner led him into the small 
 
 house, and kindled the fire in several places. While 
 
 standing in the flames, Jan repeatedly exclaimed with a 
 
 Luke xxiii. loud voicc, " O Lord, into thy hands I commend my 
 
 Acts xxii. spirit." Thus he was burned to ashes as a faithful witness 
 
 20. 
 
 of Jesus Christ. 
 
 This took place the 23rd of September, in the year of 
 our Lord, 1559. 
 
 HANS VEEMEEESCII, OTHERWISE CALLED 
 HANS OF MAAS, 
 
 PUT TO DEATH FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CUEIST, AT 
 AVAESTEN, IN FLANDEES. ANNO 1559. 
 
 The confession of Hans Vermeei^sch, othenoise called Hans 
 of Maas, wldch he wrote tohile lying a prisoner at 
 Waesten, in Flanders, in the year 1559. 
 
 In the year 1559, in October, I was brought before the 
 inquisitor, to make confession of my faith. He interro- 
 gated me concerning my age, and where I had been. 
 Afterwards he asked me if I had been re-baptized. I said, 
 v.yh. iv. 5. " I acknowledge but one baptism, as it stands in Ephcsians, 
 
 '' Tlip proper name of a place iu the city. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHEIST. ! 243 
 
 whicli is the baptism of those that believe, as taught by Matt.xxviii. 
 Matthew and Mark in their gospels. Peter also exhorts ^q^^'^ ''^'• 
 the people, Repent of your sins, ajid be baptized, every one ^^ts n- 38. 
 of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of 
 sins. They that gladly received his icord were baptized. 
 Remark in the same chapter that it is said, and let it be Acts ii. 42. 
 read carefully over : They brake bread ; fear came upon 
 every soul ; they were all of one mind, and had all things Acts iv. 32. 
 common, which a little child cannot do." He afterwards 
 asked me, why I believed the gospel to be true? I 
 answered, " Because, in the mouth of two or three 
 witnesses every word is established. There are four neut.xvii.o. 
 evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, who all lo? 
 witness and speak in the same manner of one Christ and 
 Messiah, who is the Son of God, and that God is his Jg^"- ''^'" 
 Father. That there is a God, is easily discerned in the 
 creation of the world, and by the signs and wonders that i^^o™- '• ^^ 
 we daily behold ; as the making of the corn to grow — 
 grass, apples, cherries, nuts, as we may see. It may 
 further be affirmed that the gospel is true ; for I read. 
 Blessed are ye, when men revile you and speak evil of you Matt. v. 11. 
 falsely, for my name's sake. Christ also says. Ye shall be ^^^^^ ^ ,5 
 hated of all men for my name's sake. When I read it I 
 believed it, and I now find it to be true in myself and 
 others ; therefore, I believe the gospel to be true. Every 
 one may know and understand the truth of wjiat Paul 
 says, All that tcill live godly in Christ Jesus shall sujfer 2 xim. iii 
 persecution. Therefore, I say, having all these witnesses, 
 who cannot lie, it may fearlessly be affirmed, that the 
 gospel is true. Let every one beware." On this they 
 harassed me sorely. Afterwards they asked me con- 
 cerning the Romish church ; if I did not believe that it 
 was the true church, built upon the rock, which is Christ. ^V'^tt j^^' 
 I said, " No." The inquisitor then asked me what church 
 I believed to be the right. I said, " The assembly of the Eph. v. 25. 
 
 u2 
 
244 A MAETYROLOGY OF 
 
 Matt. xvi. faithful in Christ's name, as Christ saith to Peter, Thoii 
 
 18. 
 
 icor. X. 14 «^'' Peter ; and upon this rock I icill build my chvrch ; that 
 is to say, those that have the faith that Peter had, as may 
 2Coi-.vii6.be seen in the Corinthians, where Paul says, JVhat 
 agreement hath the temple of God ivith idols ? Ye are 
 the temple of the living God, as God hath said: I icill 
 Matt. xvm. ^^ ^j^^-^, God, and they shall he my people. Hence all 
 believers that meet together in Christ's name, are the 
 true church." They further asked me, if the sacrament, 
 which the church uses in the mass, is not flesh and 
 blood after the consecration of the priest ? whether it 
 be not the body of Christ, his true flesh and blood? 
 I said, " How can that possibly be ? for it is written in the 
 first chapter of the Acts of the ApostleSj that he ascended 
 Acts i. 9. into heaven ; and in the seventh chapter Stephen says. 
 Acts vii. 56. / See the heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the 
 weiAn -22. '''ig^^t hand of God, And Peter, in his first Epistle, third 
 chapter, says, that he is risen again, and i&gone into heaven, 
 and is on the right hand of God ; so that he is not here." 
 He tlien asked me, whether he is not able to be here by 
 his divine power. I said, " He can do nothing contraiy to 
 his word. He is almighty, that I acknowledge ; but con- 
 trary to his word, he does nothing." They then said, 
 Matt xxvi. " When he held his supper with his disciples he gave 
 them his body, as it stands in the text, for he said. Take, 
 eat ; this is my body.'''' To this I replied, " He did not give 
 them his body, but a piece of bread ; for we may observe, 
 Matt. xxvi. *^^* '^^^ body was immediately delivered by Judas into 
 ^''' ^''' the hands of the Jews, and suffered, and was hanged on 
 the cross, he could not then give them his body to eat ; 
 Matt. xxvi. he himself saith, / icill not drink henceforth of this fruit of 
 the vine ; that is wine, which just before he called blood. 
 J p^j. ^ ^g Read the Corinthians, 1st Epistle, 10th and 11th chapters, 
 and XI. 2,3. ^jjgj.g y^^ ^^y. obtain a fuller understanding of it. He 
 did not then give his body to his apostles ; but it signified 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 24.5 
 
 his body." Aftenvards, he asked me what I thought of 
 the service performed in the church ? I replied, " I think 
 it great and abominable idolatry." He then said, "You 
 hold the church to be the whore of Babylon." I said, 
 " Yes, as it is written in E-evelation, ch. xiii. v. 4, con- 
 cerning the beast which required the adoration of himself 
 and whoever would not worship the same, or receive his 
 mark in his hand or forehead, &c. They set themselves 
 against God in his elect." He next said to me that we 
 could not show that our church of anabaptists (as he called 
 it) had existed above forty years, while taeir church has 
 existed a much longer time than that, &c. To which I 
 answered, " We do not record our church in any registers, 
 like the Romish church. It might too soon be found. 
 Every one seeks to destroy or to slay it. It has not, like 
 the Romish church, the emperor or the king to support 
 it ; the emperor, or king, or prince, seeks with diligence 
 to annihilate it. But I can easily show you that it has 
 existed one thousand live hundred and fifty-nine years; 
 for Christ is the foundation-stone, and has been since the jvi^tt. xvi. 
 time that he was crucified." They then said, "Yes, the 
 Romish church, for it was founded on Peter ; he came first, 
 afterwards all the holy popes ; the holy doctors, as Jerome, 
 Augustine, Ambrose, Bernard, who are the four doctors of 
 the holy church, Avill you not believe these very learned 
 men?" I replied, "I believe in God's v/ord alone." 
 
 They further asked me, if I did not believe in God the 
 Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost ; three persons 
 and one true God ? I said, " I find but one person in the 
 Scripture." They asked who that was ? I said, " Christ, John ix. 37. 
 whom men have seen and heard, but the Father hath no John i. is. 
 man ever seen. Who then is able to say what person he i um. 1 17. 
 is ? for he is invisible. The Holy Ghost likewise has no 
 man ever seen. He was seen descending as a dove upon Matt. iii. 
 Christ, but a dove can be no person." They then said. 
 
246 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 "You do not believe that there are three persons?" I 
 said, " No, unless it be shown me from the scriptures. I 
 acknowledge three in essence, yet but one trae God. The 
 Dout. vi 4. Father is not the Son, nor is the Son the Holy Ghost. 
 John xvii. The Father I acknowledge as the Father ; Jesus Christ 
 Mm XV. 16- '^^ ^^^^ Son coming forth from him ; the Holy Ghost from 
 both the Father and the Son; but nevertheless one 
 undivided and true God." 
 [201J He then asked me, " If Christ had not taken flesh and 
 blood of Mary?" I said, " That must be proved." They 
 answered, " He is of David's seed?" I said, " The scrip- 
 tures do not testify that he took his flesh and blood of 
 Mary. Read Luke, in the first chapter, where the angel 
 Luko i. 27. saith, T/iou shalt conceive ; and afterwards, when Mary 
 Luke i. 30, said, How shall this be, seeing I knoiv not a man ? The angel 
 answered and said. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, 
 and the power of the Highest shall overshadotv thee ; there- 
 fore, also, that holy thing wldch shall be horn of thee shall he 
 i^cor. XV. called the Son of God. Remark, he says, That holy thing. 
 Further, Paul says. The first Adam is of the earth, earthy ; 
 but the second is the Lord from heaven. In Heb. x. 5, Paul 
 also says, Wherefore, when he cometh into the ivorld he saith. 
 Sacrifice and offering thou icouldest not ; but' a body hast 
 thou prepared me. See further, John xvi. 28, where 
 John V. 2!). Christ saith, / came forth from the Father, and am come into 
 the world, and many other places; as in the 8th and 9th 
 John i. 14. chapters. Search the scripture, John's gospel, and the 
 1 John i. 1. Epistles." He then asked me, if He had received 
 no substance from Mary, when suckling ? I said, " That 
 Luke ii. 22. slic prcscutcd him as he was born: she wrapped him in 
 Lukeii. 7. swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger. We further 
 find, that she felt anxious concerning him, as when he, 
 Lukeii. 42. being twelve years old, was lost. They sought him on 
 their return from Jerusalem : it is said that they sought 
 him diligently, and were sorrowful." He then asked me, 
 if he hud not been suckled. 
 
THE CHURCHES OP CHRIST. 247 
 
 A71S. " Christ said, when the woman exclaimed, Blessed Luke a. 27. 
 
 ' 28. 
 
 are the paps luhicli thou hast suched ! Yea, ivoman, blessed, 
 rather, are they that hear the tcord of God, and keep it." 
 
 Qu. " What do you think? Say, what is your opinion?" 
 
 Ans. " As I find no answer thereto in the scripture, - 
 I dare not speak concerning it ; opinion is of no value." 
 
 He further asked me, if Christ was not of David's 
 seed. I said, " How could he be of David's seed ? for 
 Christ himself said, when the Pharisees asked whose son 
 he was, if he was not David's son, &c.. How then doth f^^^*-- ''''''■ 
 David in spirit call him Lord? where he says. The Lord ps.no. 
 said unto my Lord, sit thou on my right hand, till I make 
 thine enemies thy footstool. David calls him his Lord, 
 hoio is he then his son ?" To this they knew not what reply 
 to make. I then said, " I acknowledge that he was born 
 from David's seed, not of David's seed." They said, " It Rom. i. 3. 
 is written (Gal iv.) that he was- made of a woman." I 
 replied, " It appears strange that a woman should make a 
 child ; do not all other scriptures say, born or proceeding 
 from a woman?" He replied, " I can show, from forty 
 places, that he was of David's seed : " but he would not 
 attempt it. I said, " Therefore, if she conceived him Luke i. 35. 
 of the Holy Ghost, he cannot be of David's seed." He 
 further asked me, where men went when they de- 
 parted from this world. I said, " They sleep in the Acts vii. 
 Lord, i. €. the faithful, as the scriptures testify." He ^ '^^^ ^ g 
 asked, again, whither the souls went. I answered, 
 " Paul says, that he was willing to absent from the body 
 and be present with the Lord ; such is my mind." He 
 then asked, where the other souls went. 
 
 Ans. " The scriptures give no information on that 
 matter ; I cannot therefore say where they go." 
 
 ^ [This strict adherence to the articles aud creeds. The obliga- 
 letter of scripture liy the Baptists tiou on conscience of inferences 
 brought upon them the framers of deduced from the text of scripture 
 
1 Cor. XV. 
 53. 
 
 248 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Qu. " What do you think ; they go somewhere ?" 
 Ans. " I leave that to the providence of God." 
 He then asked me what I held concerning the resurrec- 
 tion of the dead. I said, " As it stands in the 15th 
 Corinthians, 1st Epistle ; there Paul says, that this 
 corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must 
 put on immortality, and that this same body shall thus rise 
 again." He knew not what to say in reply. He then 
 asked me whei*e children went who died unbaptized ? I 
 said, " Where it pleases God." He asked if they were 
 saved ? 
 Matt. xix. ^y^,_ " Christ blessed little children and said, Of such is 
 the kingdom of heaven.'''' 
 
 Qu. " You say, then, that they are saved ?" 
 Ans. " If they possess the kingdom of heaven they are 
 happy indeed." 
 
 Qu. " See ! they are damned, that is clear." 
 A ns. " In the fifth chapter to the Romans it is written ; 
 Rom. V. 18, As by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to con- 
 demnation, even so by the righteousness of one the free gift 
 came upon all men to justification of life. ''^ 
 
 He likewise asked me if I did not wish to be subject to 
 the ruling powers. 
 
 Ans. " Yes, gentlemen, so far as they are not contrary 
 Acts V. 29. to God's command ; for Peter says We ought to obey God 
 rather than men,^'' He then inquired " whether I would 
 swear before the magistrates." 
 Ans. "No." 
 
 was strongly insisted on by the ex alio educitur? Prius affirmant 
 
 divines of the Roman and Pro- Anabaptista;, negant posterius. Or- 
 
 testaut churches. Spanheim thus thodoxi prius negant, affirmant pos- 
 
 states the question :—" An is tan- terius. Disp. Theol. xxi. Thesis 2. 
 
 turn pro genuino admittendus sit, The Baptist y\&^ of this question 
 
 qui totidem litteris et syllabis ex- is the only true Protestant prin- 
 
 pressus est, an vero etiam ille, qui ciple.] 
 'per conscqucntius et illationem unius 
 
THE CHUUCHES OF CHRIST. 249 
 
 Qu. " You ought to be subject to the ruling powers ; 
 Paul and Peter teach that." 
 
 Ans. " Christ saith, Swear not at all; let your toords he Matt. v. 24. 
 
 James v. 12. 
 
 Yea, that is, yea ; and nay, that is, nay; for whatsoever is 
 more than these cometh of evil ; also, 2 Cor. i. ; James v." He 
 afterwards asked if we were not bound to speak the 
 truth. 
 
 Ans. " Yes, truly." 
 
 Qu. " Tell me your companions." 
 
 Ans. " To criminate our neighbour is not the truth ; \l°^^ "'• 
 Christ doth not teach that." He then adjured me by Jesus ^att. xxvi. 
 Christ, the Son of the living God, that I should name Lseaj 
 them. I said " I heed not your adjuration ; it is magician's 
 work." He then said that we were] bound to act contrary 
 to the command of God on account of the adjuration. 
 
 They pressed me hard with the case of those that brought Matt. ix. 2. 
 the sick of the palsy, saying : " Through the faith of them 
 that brought him his sins were forgiven ; and thus it is 
 Avith children in baptism, through the faith of the father 
 and mother." But Christ does not say through the faith 
 of them that brought him ; but it is only written, When Mark ii. 5. 
 Jesus saio their faith. 
 
 From love I have thus written you at length ; if I have 
 not written properly take it in good part, but I think I 
 have written agreeably to scripture. Farewell; I send Rom, xvi. 
 all the friends a very hearty salutation, beseeching them 
 to pray for me. I am in good spirits, the Lord be praised. 25^'"'^^' ^'" 
 The grace of the Lord be with you all. Amen. kom. xvi, 
 
 23. 
 
 ANDRIES LANGEDUL, MATTHETJS POTTEBACKEE, 
 AND LAUKENS OE LEIJEN.— anno 1559. 
 
 At Antwerp were apprehended for the truth, three 
 brethren, named Andries Langcdul, Mattheus Pottebacker, 
 
 Matt. xii. 
 50. 
 
40. 
 
 19.: 
 
 250 A MARTYllOLOGY OF 
 
 and Laurens of Lcijen. This Antlries Langcclul was 
 taken at a time when there was a meeting in his house, 
 Matt. XXVI. ^Q jjgj^j. ^]jQ preaching of God's word ; which, having been 
 by some one spied out, the margrave came thither just as 
 the assembly was dispersed. He was apprehended as he 
 was sitting in his hall reading the bible. 
 
 His wife was at that time ill in her confinement, which 
 was perceived by the margrave on entering her chamber, 
 for the midwife had the infant in her lap, the woman 
 having been just delivered. On seeing this, the margrave 
 left the room, but apprehended the women who had 
 Actsxxii. come to assist. The lying-in-woman he left in charge of 
 some of his officers. Her apprehension was, however, 
 prevented by the nurse, who, being grieved on her ac- 
 count, so occupied the attention of the officers, distributing 
 wine freely to them, that, without their knowledge, the 
 woman was carried, by means of planks, across a fountain 
 (which was common to two neighbours), and then taken 
 from her neighbour's house to Christian Langedul's (her 
 husband's brother's), whose wife was confined at the same 
 time. 
 
 We are not acquainted with the day on which this 
 Andries Langedul was apprehended ; but he offisred him- 
 self up as a sacrifice with Mattheus Pottebacker, and 
 Laurens of Leijen, on Thursday, the 9th of November, 
 anno 1559. They were beheaded, not publicly, but in 
 the prison. The other prisoners (of whom there were 
 then many) could see it through the windows of their 
 cells. 
 
 When Andries knelt to receive the stroke of the 
 
 sword, he put his hands together, saying. Father, into 
 
 L^ikcxxiii. f/i^ liands I commend — but / commend my spirit was 
 
 not perfectly uttered, the rapid stroke of the sword prc- 
 
 rs. xiiv. 22. venting it. These three were thus brought together to 
 
 Kom. viii. ° c> o 
 
 30. death as sheep of Christ to the slaughter. 
 
 12C3J 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 251 
 
 This Laurens of Leijcn, Avrote some letters in prison, 
 of which these that follow have come to hand : — 
 
 The first letter of Laurens of Ley en. 
 
 Grace and peace be to all the brethren that live at ^^^^ . ^ 
 Embden ; in particular to my two brothers, and Tonijnt- 
 gcn, Lieven's wife. The Lord Jesus Christ confirm you, 
 and each of us, by his divine Spirit. Amen. Acts xii. 3. 
 
 I, Laurens of Leijen, apprehended the 21st of May, Matt. x. 12. 
 for the testimony of Jesus Christ, confessed my faith 
 on the day following, before the magistrate. Master Claes. 
 He came alone, hoping that I should speak as he wished ; 
 but the Lord guarded my mouth. Being asked to whom 
 I had made confession at Easter, and when I received the 
 sacrament, I replied, " To Mr. Lieven Biestman, but 
 not at Easter last; for he has been dead two or three 
 years." It was asked me, " Do you not believe that God, 
 in flesh and blood, is in the sacrament ? " I said, " No." 
 " What, then, do you esteem the sacrament to be?" 
 
 Ans. " An idol." It was asked me, if I did not believe 
 in the Romish church, of which the pope is the head. I 
 said, " No, I do not ; for I loathe tlie church of Rome ; Eph i. 22. 
 she is altogether opposed to the truth. 1 believe in the 
 apostolic church, of which Christ is the head." " What 
 do you hold concerning infant baptism ? " "I regard it 
 as worthless, and improperly practised. I renounce my 
 first baptism." " So then you have not been baptized ? " 
 I said, " No." " Is baptism then not necessary ? " "I 
 said, " Yes, it is necessary to perfection. " " Why then 
 have you not been baptized ? " I said, " I was not then 
 fit." He then said, "Why?" " Because I was too much 
 entangled with this world ; and I was, and still am, much 
 in debt. I thought if I should be apprehended, people 
 will say I am a deceiver, and many will be stumbled 
 
Jer. xxvi. 
 14. 
 
 252 A MARTYROLOCY OF 
 
 thereby. On this account I have remained unbaptized ; 
 but I esteem it necessary and right. I wish to live and 
 die in that judgment. And though I have not received 
 Matt. xxvi. it, the Lord will of his compassion save me through his 
 Eph. i. 7. sufferings and precious blood. I believe all that a Chris- 
 tian man is bound to believe. To that I will adhere. 
 You may do with me as you please ; for I am now in your 
 power." 
 
 It was further asked me what I believed concerning 
 the incarnation ; whether I believed that Christ came of 
 Mary's flesh and blood. I said, " I believe, as the scrip- 
 tures testify, John i. and Luke i." And I recited the 
 same at length. With the recital the subject dropped. 
 This was the heaviest storm ; it lasted two or three hours. 
 On the 24th day of May, the Dean Ronse came him- 
 self with two others, and addressed me in a kind manner, 
 saying, *' Laurens, you must allow yourself to be in- 
 structed ; you ought not to rely upon ignorant people, 
 who have been knitting stockings these thirty or forty 
 years." 
 .. , I said, " What do you mean about my relying on men? 
 
 Jer. XVII. A. ' •' j j i=> 
 
 He that trusts in man is accursed, as the scriptures say. 
 1 Tim, vi.i7. I fi^ "'^y liope alone on God, and his living word ; to that 
 I will adhere as long as God gives me life." With many 
 words they endeavoured to prove to me that God was in 
 the sacrament ; but I would in no wise believe it. We 
 then separated, having been together as much as two 
 hours. 
 
 Written in haste, by me, Laurens of Leijen, the 25th 
 May, A.D. 1559. 
 
 2 Tim. i. 2. 
 
 The second Letter of Laurens of Leijen. 
 
 Grace and peace be multiplied to you, my dearly be- 
 loved brethren and sisters in the Lord. Be it known to 
 
THE CHURCHES OP CHRIST. 253 
 
 you that I have again been examined. The margrave f^^^^- '^" 
 
 wished to draw much information from me. I said, " I 
 
 am willing to speak freely of what concerns my faith." 
 
 He said, " You must tell me every thing." I asked, 
 
 " What do you wish to know ? " He then said, " What 
 
 do you hold concerning the baptism of children ? " I 
 
 replied, " I do by no means approve of it." He then 
 
 asked me, where it was written that children should 
 
 not be baptized. I said, " In Mark xvi. 15, Matt. 
 
 xxviii. 19." He became very angry, and asked me, "What 
 
 do you hold concerning the seven sacraments ? " I said, 
 
 " I have never read any thing about them." He repeated 
 
 the question twice or thrice. I replied, " I have never 
 
 read of them ; but I believe that Christ sits at the right Mark xvi. 
 
 ... 19 
 
 hand of his Father, where I hope to be with him in due james v. s. 
 
 time." 
 
 He afterwards asked me concerning auricular confession, 
 
 I said, " I acknowledge confession ; but I do not approve 
 
 of auricular confession. I confess every day before my Matt. vi. o. 
 
 heavenly Father." The anger of the margrave being 
 
 excited, he said that he would have me fastened to a [264] 
 
 stake, or thrown into the water. I told him he should do Jer.xxvi. 
 
 ^ , 14. 
 
 with me as he would ; for my body was in his power. He 
 then said that he would send other learned men to me. I 
 answered him that my faith was settled, my mind was 
 made up. He said, " You will certainly receive what they 
 say." I answered, " Though you should cut me in pieces, 
 I trust that I shall not forsake my God." The margrave, 
 with his assistants, was much incensed with me. One 
 said he would put me into a galley. I replied, " Do with 
 me what you please." To which the margrave replied, " I 
 will not be so lenient to him ; we will have him fastened j^^^^ ^^5 3 
 to the stake." I said, " I will recall my former sentence ;" 
 and related to him that when I was last imprisoned, it was 
 forbidden me, on pain of being beheaded or burned, to 
 
254 A MAETYROLOGY OF 
 
 sing any more spiritual hymns ; and that I was admonished 
 to take care not to be one of such people ; but I did not 
 heed this, because I am now bolder ; for had that never 
 been forbidden me, I desired not to forsake my Lord and 
 my God. 
 
 The margrave then asked me, " Is your mother likewise 
 one of them ?" I answered, " I would she were. " I said 
 further, " When I used to gamble and be intoxicated, and 
 follow the world, I was then left in peace; but now that 
 
 Matt. X. 32. 1 confess the name of God, I am persecuted. But 
 it is as the prophet Esaias says. Truth is fallen in 
 the streets, and that which is light and clear may not ap- 
 
 isa. lix. 15. pear ; yea, he that departeth from evil maketh himself a 
 prey." 
 
 One of the justices then said to me, " Did you ever 
 steal?" On wliich I asked him two or three times, 
 " Have you ever heard such a thing of me ?" He gave 
 me no answer. They then began to speak to me kindly ; 
 " If you will only recant what you have spoken here, we 
 will tear this paper in pieces, and extend our clemency to 
 
 E )h i 13 you." The margrave said, " You know well how it fared 
 with your sister, whom I had thrown into the Scheldt." 
 I replied, that she had died for the truth's sake ; that for 
 
 Matt. X. 33. myself, I would not deny my Lord and my God who 
 created and fashioned me ; I would rather suifer them to 
 do what they pleased. The margrave then said, " Do you 
 think we cannot read ? we read the scriptures daily ; but 
 these cobblers and tailors would be wiser than we: I am 
 very glad that I have you in my hands; for, without 
 doubt, the Lord God sent you to that house that I might 
 punish you for an example to others ;" and he called me 
 many vile names, and added, " You have many times 
 eaten and drunk in my house, I am sorry that it did not 
 choke you." He asked me, " If you were not a prisoner, 
 Avould you be baptized?" I said, " If you will release me 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
THE CIIUECIIES OF CHRIST. 255 
 
 XVI. 
 
 16. 
 Actsviii. 3C. 
 
 to-morrow, I will do my best to be baptized, for it is the f^^J^ 
 duty of believers." 
 
 He then asked me, " Will you confess anything else ?" 
 and interrogated me concerning princes, and lords, and the 
 pope of Rome ; to which I replied : " I hold God Almighty 
 to be the supreme Creator and my King." The margrave 
 then said : " I have at home a little book covered with 
 chamois leather." I said, " Sir, that book belonged to me ; 
 if you read it you will learn what our faith is." He 
 answered me, saying : " It was first made known by the 
 pope of Rome ;" I said, " That I regard as nothing, but it 
 is the Testament, and is left us by God as a remembrance." 
 He became angry and fell into a passion with me, saying : 
 " I heartily wish I had never in my life seen you," and 
 added in a fury ; " Depart ; I and these gentlemen, the 
 aldermen, came here to instruct you, but we will send you 
 other learned men." I then thanked him heartily for the 
 trouble they had taken. 
 
 My dear friends, I fear them not, however they may 
 threaten me. It is said in Luke xvii. 33, He that seeketh j^^^ ,. 33 
 to save his life shall lose it ; but he that loseth it for my sake 
 shall find it. They thought to distress me sore, but I did 
 not fear them; I hope shortly to leave the body; my dear 
 friends, fear not them that here kill the body, but fear .. ^ 
 
 •' Luke xu. 5. 
 
 Him who hath made and formed you, and who hath power 
 to cast yoii into hell fire for ever. 
 
 I commend you to the Lord ; may the mighty hand of 
 God lead and keep you, my dear brethren and sisters in 
 the Lord. They likewise asked me if I should be saved, 
 not having received baptism ; to which I said, " Yes, for I 
 hope the Lord will accept my willingness as he accepted 
 Abraham's." My brethren and sisters, pray for me, that I oen. xxu. 
 may, by God's help, remain steadfast to the end ; I hope 2 xhess. in 
 that you regard me as a brother, although I have not 
 attained to perfection. 
 
256 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Written by me, Laurens of Leijen, the 10th July, 1559, 
 in Antwerp. 
 
 [2C5] A short confession of faiths and a part of the discussion I, 
 Laurens of Leijen, had, on the 4th July, 1559, icith the 
 justices at Ajitweri} and the I>ean Ronse. Should L relate 
 the lohole here it toould he much too long. 
 
 Gen. xxi.33 
 
 A confession of faith in God, who is from eternity, and 
 will exist for ever, without beginning and without end, 
 who alone is and was the same, the everlasting, than whom 
 there is none other. The same I confess to be the ever- 
 lasting God ; the eternal Father, also his eternal Son, with 
 his eternal Spirit, I acknowledge to be one ; he is the per- 
 fect God, and besides him there is no other, viz. Father, 
 Son, and Holy Ghost, John i. 5. According to my faith, 
 and the testimony of the holy scripture, they are one. 
 Amen; the Almighty eternal God, together with his 
 eternal omnipotent Son, who is also the Word of the 
 Father. To this great, incomprehensible, irreproachable, 
 and invisible God, who by his eternal Word made the 
 world, and without whom nothing was made that is made, 
 in heaven and earth, whether invisible or visible ; and to 
 this eternal Son, who is the Word of the Father, be glory 
 from everlasting to everlasting. Amen. 
 
 Of him we speak, of the eternal Son who was with 
 his Father, and was existing with him or in divine form, 
 by whom, and with whom he eternally wrought ; for by 
 Heb; i. 2. him was the world made and all that therein is ; and 
 without him was nothing made. To this eternal Son, who 
 is one with his eternal Father, who is the beginning of 
 the creation of God, without beginning and without end, 
 to him be praise and glory from everlasting to everlasting. 
 Amen. 
 
 When God made man he created him like himself, and 
 
 John xvii.S. 
 
 Rev. iii. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 257 
 
 made him head over all thino-s, and srave him a command- 
 ment which he was not to transgress. But man being Gen. ii. le. 
 frail, and the devil subtle and crafty, and appearing under Gen. m. i. 
 a specious form to man, fell into the sin of unbelief. By 
 man thus transgressing sin was brought into the world, wis. a. 24. 
 He was ashamed, and hid himself from the presence of Gen. m. lo 
 God. Thus the curse came upon the whole world, so Gen.ui. 17. 
 that God said. Cursed is the ground for thy sake. Man has 
 remained under the curse; so that none could make recon- Bom. vui.s. 
 ciliation for sin. For it was impossible to man, because 
 according to the tenor of scripture he was weak through 
 the flesh, and by the flesh was overwhelmed with sin, 
 being encompassed by the infirmity of imperfection. Sin 
 could not, therefore, be taken away or atoned for by any 
 of the human race, for they were all overwhelmed in sin. 
 And inasmuch as it was not possible for man to reconcile 
 himself, God promised his only Son ; as was declared at Gen. m. 1.5, 
 
 ^ •' and 22. and 
 
 sundry times by the prophets to the people, that he would '^'^v'- '^• 
 raise up Jesus the Saviour, whom he had prouiised 
 through many generations, as is found written. Matt. i. 
 This promise was in process of fulfilment from Abraham 
 to Jesse, the father of David; from David to Jacob, 
 Joseph's father, the husband of Mary, that pure virgin, 
 honoured of God. She also waited for the promise that 
 the Saviour should be raised up. She was not unbeliev- 
 ing when the angel said to her. Behold, thou shalt conceive Luke i. 30. 
 in thy toomb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name 
 Jesus; he shall he great, and shall be called the son of the 
 Highest. Here is an assurance that the promises which 
 he had given from generation to generation are accom- Matt. i. 
 plished, being fulfilled in that generation. Thus was ful- 
 filled the word. Acts xiii. 22 ; I have found David the son 
 of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, lohich shall fulfill all 
 my will. Of this man's seed was born the Saviour Jesus, 
 the Son of the Highest. Although he existed before, he 
 
 VOL. II. s 
 
258 
 
 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Gal. iv. 4. was manifested in the last times for our redemption, to 
 
 juhn xi. 52. gfitlier together the dispersed. Concerning him Paul has 
 told us that God had often promised afore, in the holy 
 
 nom i. 3. scripture, his Son, who was born of the seed of David 
 accordinr/ to the Jlesh, and declared to he the Son of God 
 ivith potve?; according to the Spirit of holiness. 
 
 One of the justices said to me, " If Christ be not of 
 Mary's flesh, the promise is not yet fulfilled." I answered, 
 " It is not written that Christ was made of Mary's flesh." 
 The dean said, " It is so written, therein you lie ; for it is 
 written, T'hat holy thing that shall be born of thee shall he 
 called the Son of God. Again : A virgin shall conceive and 
 bring forth a son. Again : He was horn of the seed of David 
 according to the flesh." I said, " Gentlemen, it is so ; but 
 it is not expressed as you have stated it. Hear, gentle- 
 men ; I lay it down as a thing I know. He grossly called 
 me a liar; yet it is not so written." He said again, "You 
 lie." I answered, " If I were disposed to call you a liar I 
 
 Lukei. 2G might do so." I said, " Gentlemen, listen : — The angel 
 Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin espoused to a man 
 lohose name ivas Joseph, of the house of David ; and the 
 2C6] virgin^s name was Mary. She was still a pure virgin. And 
 the angel came in unto her, and said; Hail thou that art 
 highly favoured, the Lord is with thee ; blessed art thou 
 among women. Thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring 
 forth a son ; he shall be great, and shall be called the Son of 
 the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the 
 throne of his father David ; and of his kingdom there shall be 
 no end. Mary said. How shall this he, seeing Ihnoio not a 
 man ? The angel said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come 
 upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee ; 
 therefore that holy thing that shall be born of thee shall he 
 called the So7i of God. That which she conceived was of 
 
 Matt. i. 20. the Holy Ghost. Of his being of Mary's flesh there is not 
 a word." The first justice said again, " The promise then 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 259 
 
 is not yet fulfilled." But I replied, "It is fulfilled; if 
 you will hear me I will show it you." I told him that the 
 Saviour and Redeemer is come, and suffered much for our 
 sakes, as the Saviour hath himself declared, John iii. Godfl'"-''"'- 
 so loved the world, that he spared not his only begotten Son, 
 but gave him up for us all, that whosoever helieveth in him 
 should not perish, but have everlasting life. Thus he came 
 into the world, and has given us an example that we ^ ^®*' "■ ^^' 
 should follow his steps. 
 
 " Once more, Zacharias rightly said, Blessed be the Lord Luke i. es. 
 God of Israel ; for he hath visited and redeemed his people ; 
 and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of 
 his servant David ; as he spake by the mouth of his holy 
 prophets, which have been since the world began, that lue 
 should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all 
 that hate us ; to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, 
 and to remember his holy covenant ; the oath which he sicore 
 to our father Abraham, that he woidd grant unto us, that toe 
 being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve 
 him without fear, in holiness and righteousness all the days of 
 our life. Thus we find that the promise is fulfilled ; but 
 that Christ is of Mary's flesh, that we do not find written." 
 The dean Ronse asked me, " How did he then become 
 flesh ? " I replied, " He who from eternity was with his Micah v. 2. 
 Father, by whom all things were created and made that are john i. 3. 
 in heaven and earth, visible and invisible ; yea, the living 
 word of the Father, who was with the Father; the same uohni. i. 
 came from his celestial kingdom and became man ; and john i. u. 
 thus entered into the world, and redeemed us with his own Rev. 1. 5. 
 blood." The dean inquired, " Was he then changed ? " I 
 told him, " As it is written. The Word became flesh and John i. 14. 
 dwelt among us." The dean said to me, " Thou art of the 
 basest sect that ever was upon earth." I told him, in pre- 
 sence of all the justices on the bench, that he was of a vile 
 sect, and " I will show you that you are a sect, for you 
 
 s 2 
 
260 A MAllTYROLOGY OF 
 
 cannot prove a single point that you maintain, by the word 
 Matt. XV. 13. of God. Christ saith. Every plant that my heavenly Fatlier 
 hath not planted shall be rooted mj9." I then asked him 
 where he found written the institutions Avhich they main- 
 tain, namely, the baptism of bells ; the shaving of heads ; 
 the consecration of water ; one wearing shoes with holes, 
 another stockings without feet ; each one by himself, but 
 the whole of which is without the sanction of the word of 
 God. I said, further, " Gentlemen, I have offered to 
 dispute publicly, from the holy bible, before the whole 
 bench." The dean said to me, " You shall be put into a 
 sack, and be smothered, with a ball in your mouth." I 
 said, " You hypocrite ; do you not fear the word of the 
 isa. xi. 4. Lord, which is written, / will slay the unmerciful with the 
 prov.xxviii. breath of my lips? And, once more. He that doeth violence 
 to the blood of any person shall not be preserved, though he 
 Matt, xxiii. sJiouUlJlee to tlte p)it. Ye serpents ; ye generation of vipers ; 
 Matt. iii. 2. ^(^^f^ ^^^ y^ escape the damnation of hell ? Kepent ye, and 
 believe the gospel, for your days may possibly be few." 
 He asked me, how I knew the gospel to be gospel. I 
 answered, " That is a wonderful question! but if you 
 will hear me, I will tell you. Should I not know (said I), 
 that it is gospel, since the Almighty God spake and taught. 
 Repent, and believe the gospel, Matt. iv. ; Mark i. ; and Kom. 
 i. ; and came from his celestial kingdom, and suffered so 
 2 Cor. viii. mucli ou account of our sins ? Yea, He who was rich be- 
 Matt. xvi. cciT^G poor, that ice, through his poverty, might be rich. Pie 
 called men to follow him, and commanded his apostles to 
 preach the same throughout the world : He that believeth 
 and is baptized shall be saved, Matt, xxviii. 19 ; Mark xvi. 
 15; and lie that believeth not shall be damned.'''' They 
 asked, how I knew that his apostles had written that ; and 
 said, " Other persons printed it. You have not seen or 
 spoken to the apostles ; how, then, do you know it ? 
 [2C7J there are other evangelists that you have not seen ; how 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 261 
 
 do you know, then, that this is the gospel ? men have com- 
 piled this as they liked." 
 
 Oh, crafty devil ! thought I, in my heart. I replied to 
 them, that the holy scriptures were given by the Holy 
 Spirit, and not without the Holy Spirit; for Paul says, 
 I will not dare to speak of any thing which Christ hath wo^ Rom.xv.is. 
 icrought hy me, to mahe the Gentiles obedient hy word and 
 deed. The apostle Peter has said, that no prophet ever 
 produced any scripture from human choice, hut holy men of 2 Pet. i.20. 
 God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Thus 
 the Holy Spirit testifies to us, that the gospel we have 
 is the word of the living God, which he hath given us, 
 that we should live according thereto, and be saved in the 
 last day. For we read, that these words are written that johnxx.21. 
 we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, 
 and that believing we might have life through his name. 
 
 A monk asked me concerning infant baptism, if I did 
 
 not approve of it. I said, " Baptism does not belong to Mark xxi. 
 
 15. 
 children, but to believers." He" asked, " Are children 
 
 then lost? I said, "No; for theirs is the kingdom of *^4'^"- "'''• 
 
 heaven." He said, " Those that are not baptized are 
 
 damned." I said, " That is not in scripture ; nor that 
 
 children should be baptized." He replied, " It is." I 
 
 answered, " It is not ; children, indeed, have not faith ; ,, ., . 
 
 ' J :; 3 5 Matt. XIX. 
 
 but they are sure of eternal life." He said, " It is written. 
 Except ye are born of water and of the Spirit, ye cannot john iii. 5. 
 enter the kingdom of God." I replied, " They cannot be 
 born again, for they have no sins." He said, " They have; 
 for it is written. That all are under sin." I asked, what 
 sins children have ? He said, " Original sin," I asked him, 
 " Why did Christ die ?" He said, " He had done enough ; 
 but we must first be baptized before original sin can be 
 taken away." I said, " That is contrary to God's word ; 
 for when John saw the Lord coming to him, he said. Be- 
 hold the Lamb of God that takcth away the sin of the world. 
 
262 A MARTYEOLOGY OF 
 
 John i. 29, TIlis IS he of whom I said, After me cometh a man that was 
 before me. Of him, likewise, it is written, that he His 
 
 1 Pet. ii. 24. own Self bare our sins in his oion body on the tree. John 
 
 ijohniii.5. also teaches us. That he was manifested to tahe away our 
 
 Rom. iii. 24. slns. Paul Said that they should be justified freely by his 
 grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 
 
 Col. i. 14. Again, Paul says that we should give thanks to him loho 
 hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath 
 translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son : in tvhom 
 we have redemjjtion through his blood, even the forgiveness of 
 
 Heb. i. 3. ^^^s ! Yea, says the apostle. He upholds all things by the 
 loord of his poiver, and hath by himself purged our sins. 
 
 Bom. V. 8, And again, Paul says. Herein God commendeth his love 
 towards us, that Christ died for us when ice were sinners ; 
 much more shall zee be saved from wrath, now that we are 
 justified by his blood, and thus reconciled unto him. He 
 says. As by the offence of one judgment came upon all men 
 to condemnation, even so, by the righteousness of one^ 
 justification of life is come upon all men. Even as the 
 
 isa liii 7 P^opbet Esaias has said, that he hath taken our sins upon 
 him." 
 
 They asked me if I had fully considered the matter ? I 
 inquired what I should have considered. They said, 
 " Your errors." I replied, " I do not err ; I trust in 
 the living God ; in his holy word, and in nothing else ; 
 and from that I will not depart. For Christ hath said. 
 
 Matt. xxiv. He that endureth to the end shall be saved.''^ They said, 
 Will then none be saved but you and your people, who 
 began only twenty or thirty years since ? our church has 
 existed more than 1400 years, and has continued one ; 
 must we all be damned ?" I said, " The word of the Lord, 
 more ancient than your church and people, and which 
 
 johiixii.48. will judge all men, will judge you in the last day. It 
 
 Matt.vxviii. was givcu US by his Holy Spirit, that wc should observe 
 all things that he hath commanded us. They who will 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 263 
 
 not observe them have no promise of eternal life. He 
 
 will render to them indignation, ivrath, tribulation, a^z^/ "om. ii.s. 
 
 anguish. Yea, he will take vengeance on them that Awo?(; 2 xhess. i. s. 
 
 not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus 
 
 Christ, and be punished with everlasting destruction. We 
 
 must believe, therefore, all that is taught and written by 
 
 the Holy Ghost; for All sci-ipture is given by inspiration oj 2 xim. lii. 
 
 IG. 
 
 God, and is profitable for reproof, for doctrine, for in- 
 struction, and edification, that the man of God may be 
 perfect, furnished unto all good loorhs. We are tlius 
 assured, by the holy scriptures that we have, that they 
 were written by the apostles through the Holy Ghost : as 
 Peter says. We have not followed cunningly devised fables, ^Tf^ '• '^' 
 when ice made known unto you the power and coming of our t^cs] 
 Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-ioitnesses of his majesty, 
 when he received from God his Father honour and glory, by a 
 voice which said to him, This is my beloved Son, in whom I 
 am well pleased. Hear him. Ought we not then to 
 believe that which he says. We have a more sicre ivord of 
 prophecy, to which ye do well to take heed? Therefore we 
 take heed to these words." 
 
 They then asked me concerning the sacrament of the 
 altar. I said that I found nothing written concerning it ; 
 but I did concerning a supper which the Lord held with 
 his disciples, when the time was arrived that he should 
 fulfil that for which he came, that what had been written 
 concerning him might be accomplished ; and that he 
 should return again from whence he had come. When it Matt. xxvi. 
 was two days to the Passover, he said, " The Son of man Maiu xiv. 
 shall be delivered to be crucified." His disciples inquired, 
 " Where wilt thou that we eat the paschal lamb ?" He Luke xxii. 
 told them the place, and went with them. As they were 
 eating, he took bread, and gave thanks, and said, "Eat, 
 this is my body." In like manner he took the cup, say- 
 ing, "Drink ye all of it; this is my blood of the new 
 
264 A MARTYllOLOGY OF 
 
 testament, that shall be shed for many, this do in remem- 
 brance of me." 1 furtiier asked them, "Did each one 
 eat his body, as he was there with them in flesh and 
 blood ? " They said, " Yes, they there ate his flesh, and 
 drank his blood." I asked them once more, " How did 
 they eat him, if he was there with tiicm. Did they, each 
 one, eat a Christ?" They said, "Yes, just the same as 
 he hung on the cross." I said to them, " He had but one 
 body, and that had to be given for the redemption of the 
 sins of the world, and was delivered into the hands of 
 the Jews. They hung him on the cross, and put him 
 to death, and he thus redeemed us by his blood, as it is 
 andii. it'' w^'ittcu, His oioH Self bare our sins in his ovm body on the 
 tree.'" They said, " That he was still with them, the same 
 
 Rev. xvii. as wlicu lic huuGj on the cross." I said to them, " I do 
 14- ... 
 
 not believe it, that so great a Saviour can be eaten by 
 
 you; a people who are opposed to God's word, full of 
 wickedness, and disobedient to the word of the Lord. I 
 Acts i. u. believe that he is ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the 
 piiii. iii. 20. right hand of God his Father. From thence we expect 
 him to come again. You have him not, for in order that 
 you should have him again, he must again be crucified. 
 You, therefore, are not to be believed, you all act con- 
 Acts iv. 31. trary to God's word. It is written that the apostles of 
 God kept the supper, believing with one accord, and were 
 also of one mind, and that they remained steadfast in the 
 things of God that they had seen ; yet they have neither 
 taught nor said that they ate Christ's flesh and drank his 
 blood, as he hung on the cross. But they taught that he 
 was ascended into heaven, and was seated at the right 
 1 Pet. ii. 2. linnd of God ; that they taught. All that they taught 
 was by the power of the Holy Ghost ; and they remained 
 steadfast in the faith of what God had commanded them. 
 1 Cur. iii. 11. No other foundation can be laid, than that is laid, which 
 is Christ. That his apostles laid, and on that they built ; 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 265 
 
 and I will never depart from it. I further said to them, 
 " If you wish to speak or dispute with me publicly, with 
 the holy scriptures, I will, by God's help, meet you. Who 
 is in the right will then be seen, and let him who is in the 
 wrong confess openly that to this day he hath taught false 
 doctrine." 
 
 This is but a small part of the discussion we had with 
 the justices, bailiff, and clergy .'^ 
 
 The third Letter of Laurens van der Leijen. 
 
 The peace of God be with you. Amen. 
 
 Grace and peace be with you from God the Father, Gai. i. 3. 
 and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, 
 that he might deliver us from this present evil world, 
 according to the will of God our Father, to whom be 
 glory for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 Very kind salutation, with the peace of God, to you my 
 dear brother, Nathanael. I, your imprisoned brother, 
 Laurens, wish you the grace of the Lord for a salutation ; Acts xv.n. 
 and Inform you, that my mind is tolerably comfortable, 
 the Lord be praised. I trust it will remain so unto the 
 end, by the grace of the Lord. Thus I hope to appear 
 in the day of the Lord. We are in daily expectation of 
 release from these our bodies. I send you also two 
 hymns that Laurens, the hat-maker, has composed in his coi. iv. 17. 
 
 •• [Brandt relates the following wont to go on his duties well at- 
 
 iucident concerning the dean Eonse, tended and well armed. The Dean 
 
 the inqiiisitor and examiner on this replied : " I have nothing to fear • 
 
 occasion. It was his custom to my business is only to take good 
 
 traverse the town with two ser- people, who bear no arms, nor make 
 
 vauts only, when searching for and any resistance." " If you," was 
 
 arresting the Baptists. An officer the reply, " take all the good men, 
 
 it is said met him on one of these and I the bad, we shall stock the 
 
 expeditious and asked, How he durst prisons bravely between us." Hist, 
 
 venture with so few assistants to of Ref i. 127.] 
 apprehend those heretics ; he was 
 
266 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 2 Joim 8. bonds. My dear brother, let us ever hold fast those thinfjs 
 loliich we have wrought, that we may receive a full reward. 
 [2C9] Let us not be dissuaded, for we are certain that we have 
 the truth, and that through eternity none other shall be 
 found. Of this we have the testimony of our consciences, 
 and I am heartily sorry that I wasted my time so long 
 
 ijohiiv.19 with the wicked and blind world, and not employed it 
 dififerently ; but, although I have not devoted a long time 
 thereto, and nevertheless am in confinement, yet I hope 
 
 Acts XV. 11, to keep that I have, trusting in the grace of the Lord, 
 
 Heb. xiii. 5. that lic will not forsake me. 
 
 I should have written much more to you, my dear 
 
 isa. liv. 13. brother, but you are yourself taught of the Lord and know 
 
 John vi. 45. the truth. See that you abide in it ; the Lord make you 
 and all friends steadfast. 
 
 Acts XX. 32. ^ commend you to the Lord and to the word of his grace ; 
 we twelve prisoners together greet you all with the peace 
 of the Lord : 
 
 Andries Langedul, Sander Hendriks, Anthonis Claess, 
 Hans de Luykener, Mattheus de Pottebacker, Laurens 
 van der Leijen, Laurens the hatter. Females : Adriaent- 
 gen, Jochem's wife, Kallken Laurens, the pressmaker's 
 wife, Glaertgen, Jan Beun's wife, Catelyntgen, Laurens 
 the hat-maker's wife, Maeyken Andries, Langedul's maid, 
 and Grietgen Bonaventure, the old Maeyken, and Maeyken 
 de Korte. — By me, Laurens van der Leijen. 
 
 Salute for me much, all the friends, particularly Tanue- 
 ken and Pierijntgen, at the Blind Ass ; Maeyken, Andries' 
 maid. Greet Tanneken very heartily ; Laurens the hat- 
 maker, and his wife, greet Prijntgen with the peace of the 
 Lord. 
 
 I, Laurens your brother, say, adieu ; my dear brother, 
 adieu. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 267 
 
 The fourth Letter of Laurens van cler Leijen. 
 
 The peace of God be with you, Amen. 
 
 Grace and peace be with you from God the Father and Rom. i. r. 
 
 the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, the Father of our 2 cor, i. 3, 
 
 4 5. 
 Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all 
 
 comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may 
 he able to comfort them lohich are in any trouble by the com- 
 fort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as tlis 
 sufferings of Chrdst abound in us, so our consolation also 
 aboundeth by Christ ; but whether we have tribulation or 
 comfort, all is for good. If tribulation, it is for your com- 
 fort and salvation, which salvation is effectual. Do you 
 suffer in any measure, that is, to your comfoi't and wel- 
 fare; therefore, our hope of you is steadfast, Jcnoxving that as 2Cui-.i. 7. 
 you are partakers of the suffering, so shall you be also of the 
 consolation. 
 
 Kind salutation, with the peace of the Lord, to you my 
 dear brothers, Nathanael and Lieven. I present my hearty 
 respects to you, and inform you that I am tolerably well in 
 spirit. God be praised for his great mercy, which he hath Epu. n 7. 
 so abundantly shown toward me in having delivered me 
 from this present evil world ; and that, although you have oai. i. 4. 
 seen me living in exceeding great wickedness, the light of 2 cor. iv 4. 
 truth is now manifested to me, for which I heartily thank 
 the Lord, and by which, by the grace of the Lord, I hope 
 also to abide ; for, my dear brother, know that we have 
 nothing of our own, all must come from the Lord ; for he 
 saith. He that seeJceth to save his life shall lose it, and he that -^"'"^ ^"^- ^■ 
 loseth his life for my name's sake shall save it. We have a 
 high priest, Jesus the Son of God, who is gone into 
 heaven; let us, therefore, hold fast our jyrofession, for we^^^Q^"'^^' 
 have not a high priest tcho cannot be touched with the feeling 
 of our infirmities ; hut loho was tempted i?i all points, ivithout 
 sin ; let us therefore come boldly to the thro7ie of grace, that 
 
268 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 toe may ohtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 
 
 Ah I my clear brother, since we have and know the truth, 
 
 let us not depart from it, but let us always firmly lay our 
 
 ^''°'""''^^" foundation on the corner-stone, Jesus Christ, that our 
 
 Psa. cxviii. 
 
 2^- building may be found well compacted when we are tried, 
 
 42. Eph. ii. 19; like as gold in the furnace, viz. in all tribula- 
 
 Eph vi 11 ^^*^^> whether with bonds or without, for Satan comes 
 
 Kev. iii. 11. somctimes to harass one greatly. Let us, therefore, take 
 
 Eph. vi. 11. to J ' ' 
 
 heed that our crown be not taken away ; that we be ready 
 for combat ; that we may have the helmet of salvation on 
 
 Bev. xxi. 7. our licads, with the sword of the Spirit in our hands. Dear 
 brother, he that overcomes shall inherit all things ; yea, he 
 
 James i. 12. that ovcrcomcth shall be clothed with white raiment ; the 
 
 Matt. X. 28. crown of life shall be prepared for us. Fear not them, dear 
 brother, which kill the body, but rather fear Him who, 
 
 Luke xii. 5. after he hath killed the body, is able to cast the soul into 
 hell. 
 
 INIy dear brother, you know that I have written this 
 to you from love. Accept my feeble effort in good part. 
 I also send you a hymn. I commend you to the Lord, and 
 to the word of his grace, and say, adieu ! adieu, my dear 
 brother, adieu. All my fellow prisoners send you their 
 hearty greetings. Plans de Luykener sends his brother 
 his very hearty salutation, and Anthonis Claess his 
 cordial salutation to Elsgen Aerts. Greet heartily for us 
 
 Matt. XXV. ^11 tlic friends ; all that fear the Lord. Remember them 
 
 Heb. xiii. 3. that are in bonds, as boinul with them. 
 
 My dear brother, greet also very heartily Tanneken, 
 the wife of Lenaert the compositor, and say adieu to 
 them for me. 
 
 Written the 25th day of October, 1559, by me, 
 Laurens van der Leijen, in prison at Antwerp, for the 
 testimony of Christ.' 
 
 "! [" The munber of Auabaptists, this year ou account of their roli- 
 says Braudt, who lost their lives gioi), amoiiutcd to about forty per- 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 269 
 
 The very severe proclamation of the Emperor Charles 
 v., issued in the year 1550, in September ; and six years 
 afterwards renewed and confirmed against the baptists by 
 Philip II., king of Spain (as we have, particularly shewn 
 under the year 1556), was now, in the year 1560, again 
 renewed by the last named Philip II., and every where 
 published in the Netherlands.*" [Previous to his departure 
 for Spain, Philip II. committed the government of the 
 Netherlands to his illegitimate sister Margaret, duchess of 
 Parma. " And since Philip had no greater concern," says 
 Brandt, " nor any thing more at heart than the business 
 of religion ; and perplexity on that account daily increased, 
 by reason of the dealings and commerce between the 
 Netherlands and such of their neighbours as had separated 
 from the church of Rome, he gave the duchess as soon 
 as she arrived from Italy, and also to the privy council, a 
 strict charge to put in execution all the placards or decrees 
 made both by his father, the late emperor, and himself. 
 One day he even went on purpose to the great council at 
 Mechlin, and after that to the meeting of the states in 
 Flanders, to recommend to them by word of mouth the 
 extirpation of heresy. Letters were also despatched 
 to all the stadtholders and governors of particular pro- 
 vinces, strictly charging them not to admit any excuses 
 tending to exempt men from the rigour of the aforemen- 
 tioned placards ; and that none should be chosen, or 
 admitted into any place of trust, that were infected or 
 
 sons ; eighteen of whom perished Braght gives bi'ief accounts of seven 
 
 at Antwerp, two at Maestricht, persons martyred, besides those in 
 
 twelve at Ghent, three at Courtray, the text.] 
 
 one each at Waesten and Geerfleet, ' See the forecited Defence of 
 
 and three at Leeuwarden ; and of William I., Prince of Orange, 
 
 the whole, nineteen were women." against his Gainsayers, edition 15(j9, 
 
 The inquisitor Ronse came to be page 165, extracted from the great 
 
 nicknamed Saul, from his sanguinary book of proclamations, of Ghent, 
 
 zeal. Hi.st. Ref. i. p. 127. Van &c. 
 
270 ■ A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 branded with any hind of heresy, or suspected to be guilty 
 of the same."] s 
 
 In consequence of this, the blood-shedding, strangling, 
 and burning of the saints, was the more increased, as 
 appears from the following martyrs. 
 
 PETER OE SPAIN, GOMEE THE MASON, JACOB 
 THE GOLDSMITH.— ANifo 15G0. 
 
 iMatt.xii.5o. -^^ this year three godly brethren testified to the truth by 
 their death at Antwerp. One Peter a Spaniard, some years 
 before, had spoken in Spain with a brother from Amster- 
 dam named Jacob Jans Ruytenburgh, and several times 
 had discoursed with him of God and his word, and at last 
 had come over with him by ship to Antwerp, leaving 
 behind him his wife and children at St. Lucas, intending 
 after a time to return to them, or to go and fetch them. 
 Having arrived at Antwerp, he was at first avoided by the 
 brethren, through ignorance, and from fear of treachery, 
 he being a Spaniard ; but after suflficient inquiry and 
 information, he was received, not only to the assemblies, 
 Horn. xii. 5. but also as a brother and fellow member of the church of 
 Mark xvi. God, and was baptized on the confession of his faith, which 
 he made by word of mouth before the congregation, with 
 freedom and uprightness. Shortly afterwards, intending 
 to go back again to Spain for his wife and children, and 
 also to gain some of his friends and acquaintance, and 
 .Tcihnxvii. bring them to a right knowledge of the truth, he was 
 Acts xii. 3. fvppi'ehended by the margrave, who was himself surprised 
 to get a Spaniard into his hands. He was long kept a 
 prisoner ; and the Spaniards gave themselves much trouble 
 about him. He clearly laid open to them the truth in 
 their own language, both verbally and by writing ; from 
 
 e [Brandt, Hist, of Ref. i 131.] 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHUIST. 271 
 
 which they, notwithstanding, sought to make him fall 
 away. But as he was not to be moved, and remaining 
 steadfast, he testified to the truth and his love to God Mark xiii. 
 
 13. 
 
 by death. Peter Gomer the mason and Jacob the gold- 
 smith, for the name of Christ, were drowned together in a 
 tub. 
 
 LENAEET PLOVIER, JANNEKEN AND MAETKEN 
 OF AKEN, 1560. 
 
 There was a pious man named Lenaert Plovier, about 
 thirty-six years of age, born and residing at Menin in 
 Flanders. He was a woollen-draper, and as he was a 
 man of good name and reputation, he was chosen appraiser 
 of woollen cloths. 
 
 It happened that this said Lenaert Plovier came (by 
 the grace of God) to the knowledge of the truth, about 
 the year 1555. Being w^ell qualified he was re-elected 
 to the oflSce of appraiser, but refused to take the oath. 
 Although he refused, his friends were satisfied, saying, 
 " Only come and show yourself at the Town-hall ;'' think- 
 ing that the bailiff would not observe it, but Peter would 
 not equivocate. 
 
 From that time he had to endure great persecution. 
 He was obliged to live in secret; and soon after fled 
 with his wife and children to Antwerp, about the year 
 1558. There they endeavoured to live by trading in silk; 
 but as the persecution was great at Antwerp also, he 
 purposed to remove his dwelling to Friesland, and sent [-'ni 
 his wife and their four children forward. After re- 
 maining at Antwerp a full year, he thought to follow 
 them, and having closed his affairs, travelled Avith 
 his goods to the market at Ypres. On returning to 
 Antwerp, he tarried awhile, and having heard that the 
 
272 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 margrave was going out to seize those who would not live 
 according to their institutions, the said Lenaert went 
 outside the town by night, to warn some of his companions 
 in the faith. The margrave with his host met hira, 
 spoke to him, and observing by his language that he was 
 not a man like themselves, asked him if he had not a 
 Testament with him. He answered, " Yes." They then 
 apprehended him, and brought him to the prison in 
 Antwerp. 
 
 His parents having learned this, also his wife's father, 
 who then lived at Menin, and was a respectable man, they 
 came with all speed to Antwerp with Lenaert's mother. 
 The father thought, by courage, to get him out of prison, 
 or by presents to the margrave ; showing that his son-in- 
 law was not a resident in Antwerp, but had come there to 
 transact business. The margrave spoke them fair, saying 
 to the mother, who had been with her son several nights 
 in the prison, " Go home; your son shall shortly come out 
 of prison." They therefore left the place, thinking it 
 would be as they had been promised. The parents being 
 gone, they examined the said Lenaert, and questioned 
 him as to his faith, and if he had been baptized. This he 
 freely confessed to them, and that he wished to abide by 
 the truth he had received; not regarding his Avife and 
 their four children, whom yet he greatly valued and loved, 
 as appears from six letters which he wrote to them from 
 prison, of which two are here printed. 
 
 After a short imprisonment, the aforementioned pious 
 brother Lenaert was, with two young females named 
 Tanneken and Maeyken of Aken, condemned to be 
 drowned. This accordingly took place. They were 
 thrust into sacks, put into wine casks, and drowned by 
 night in prison about fourteen days before Easter, in the 
 year 1560 (reckoning the beginning of the year from new 
 year's day). 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 273 
 
 Some of his companions in the faith having understood 
 that this pious man Lenaert Plovier, with Janneken and 
 Maeyken of Aken, would be offered up as a sacrifice in the 
 night, came and listened at the prison-gate. Among them 
 was one Joost Nose, and Kestine of Damme^ who bore 
 good testimony thereto, and who both died at Franeker in 
 Friesland. Thus were these three pious witnesses of 
 Jesus Christ tried as gold in the fire, and forasmuch as ^^^^ '^''"'' 
 they were found upright, they will receive the crov/n of wisd. iii. e. 
 
 1 Pet iv 5, 
 
 everlasting honour and gladness with all God's holy ones. 
 Amen. [272] 
 
 This was written by the son of the aforesaid Lenaert, 
 and truly witnessed. 
 
 A Letter of Lenaert Plovier, written to his loife. 
 
 ..... Dearly and greatly beloved wife Maeyken, I Eph. v. 25. 
 salute you ; my mind is comfortable, and I am tolerably 
 well in bodily health, which is I hope the case with you 
 all. But it would be highly gratifying to me to hear that 
 your mind was set to follow the Lord in all righteousness; 
 for we know not when the Lord will come, or when toe 
 must appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, where each 
 one shall receive according to that he hath done, lohether it 2 cor. v. lo. 
 he good or had. Therefore, my dear Maeyken, be obedient 
 to the gospel before the day arrives; for he will come as ixhess.v 2 
 a thief in the night. This is the right way, that leads to 
 everlasting life. It has sometimes been laid before you, 
 and in no other is there salvation. For Christ saith, / am Acts iv. 12. 
 the icay, the truth, and the life ; no man cometh to the Father John xiv. 6. 
 hut hy me. Is now Christ himself the way, the truth, and 
 the life ? Let us then seek to follow the truth, and to 
 walk in this way, that we may have this life. For it is 
 Avritten, that the Lord shall come to he glorified in his saints, 2 ihesp. i. 
 and to he admired in all them that believe, but for vengeance 
 
 VOL. II. T 
 
274 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 on them tliat have not obeyed the gospel, wlio shall he 
 
 punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the 
 
 Lord. Although, my dear Maeyken, It comes to pass that 
 
 Acts viii. 1. persecution, tribulation, and anguish sometimes arise, yea, 
 
 Acts xiv.22. bonds and imprisonment, as is daily seen with us and 
 
 others who desire to obey the truth ; nevertheless, let us 
 
 John xvi. jjQ^ neglect to walk in this path, or to follow the truth. 
 
 Christ saith. The ivorld shall rejoice, but ye shall weep and 
 
 lament ; yet your sorrotv shall be turned into joy. Therefore, 
 
 dear Maeyken, look not at father, or mother, or children, 
 
 or any thing in this world. For Christ saith, that he that 
 
 Matt. X. 37. loveth aught more than me, is not worthy of me. He that 
 
 Lukexiv. loveth SOU or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. He 
 
 25. 
 
 that loveth father or mother more than me^ is not worthy of me. 
 For to be carnally minded is death ; yea, enmity against 
 God ; it is not subject to the law of God. And this is to 
 be carnally minded, to love father, mother, children, or any 
 thing in the world more than God ; or, on account thereof, 
 to neglect following the truth ; or, for temporal business, or 
 temporal loss, or because we have many children, being 
 anxious how we shall provide for them. Christ saith. 
 Matt. vi. 33. SeeTi first the kingdom of heaven and his righteousness, and 
 all needful things shall he added unto you. Hence, be soli- 
 citous here for the best things, my dear Maeyken. This is 
 my heart's desire for you; this I pray you. 
 
 Next, I wish you to know that I have been to Ypres 
 market.'' Having returned to Antwerp, our cousin Hen- 
 drik and I took a walk outside the town of Antwerp late 
 in the evening, and coming near the town we met the 
 
 ^ [Or to the wool fair at Ypres, sides the cathedral, its chief build- 
 in West Flanders. In the 14th and ing is the cloth hall, Les Halles, or 
 15th centuries its woollen manu- Town-house, of a prodigious size, 
 factories were exceedingly pros- standing in the great market-place, 
 perous. It is still a flourishing in a rich Gothic style of archi- 
 town, producing lace, linen, serge, tecture.] 
 and other woollen articles. Be- 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 2(0 
 
 ofBcerSj or constables of the city, who laid hold of us, so 
 
 that we could not get out of their hands without denying Luko xxii. 
 
 our faith. Thus, dear Maeyken, although the Lord has so Actsxxi.so. 
 
 ordered it that I am in their hands, and that the time has 
 
 arrived that the Lord will try me, be not faint-hearted, nor John xUi. i. 
 
 too much cast down. I know well that you will be 
 
 dejected ; but be not too sorrowful, so as to lay you up or 
 
 make yourself ill. It is for the truth's sake. This oppresses John xvii.7. 
 
 me most, that I must leave you and the children ; that I 
 
 cannot, with you, help to provide for them, nor protect 
 
 them, also that you are not like-minded with us ; but I 
 
 hope it will come with time. Do your best, my dear 
 
 Maeyken, to be obedient to the gospel; should we see 
 
 each other no more in the flesh, we may meet hereafter. 
 
 I should have been pleased once more to see and speak 
 
 with you, but my time will probably be short. It will 
 
 also be very trying to yourself and me to separate ; though 2 Tim. iv. 6. 
 
 it is now very painful not to be able to speak to each other. 
 
 We must love God above all. Better forsake all than for- gg^"- ''^"■ 
 
 sake God. However it may be, do your best to follow the 
 
 truth, and to bring up the children in the fear of the Lord. Eph. i. 13. 
 
 I commend you to the Lord. Acts xx. 32. 
 
 Written at Antwerp in bonds. This took place on Sun- 
 day evening after Ypres fair. By me Lenaert P., your 
 husband. Greet Franse, that he may pray to the Lord for Eph. vi. is. 
 me, that I may finish my course to the glory of the Lord. 
 
 A Testament of Lenaert Plovier, tvhich he left his children, 
 lohen lying a prisoner at Anhcerp for the word of the 
 Lord, ichere he laid down his life in the beginning of the 
 year 1560. 
 
 Dear and greatly beloved children (N. being grown up), 
 &c. ; your dear father being about to be taken from you, iPet. 'v. u 
 
 ' [Het Offer des Heereu. fol. 17^.] 
 T 2 
 
276 A MARTYIiOLOGY OF 
 
 not for any evil doing, but for the testimony of Jesus ; and 
 [273] because I love you even unto death, and desire, when you 
 
 Matt. vi. 33, are come to years of understanding, that you seek your 
 salvation as Christ has taught us : therefore I have 
 written you this brief exhortation, that being come to 
 years of discretion you, thinking hereon, may seek salva- 
 tion. 
 
 My dear children, see that you be obedient to your 
 mother, and that you honour her ; for it is written, 
 
 Exod. XX. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long 
 upon the land, and that it may be well with thee ; and he 
 
 Exod. xxi. fji^if curseth his father or his mother, shall be put to death. 
 Neither be rebellious, nor gainsaying, nor quarrelsome, but 
 
 wisd. i. 11. kind ; nor given to lying, for it is written, the mouth that 
 
 Rev. xxi. s. belieth slayeth the soul. A liar hath no part in the 
 kingdom of God, his portion shall be in the lake that 
 burneth with fire. You must also cheerfully apply your 
 
 Gen.ni.i9. hands, to labour and help your mother to gain a livelihood. 
 
 Eph. iv. 28. Be also willing to take a book in your hand, that, when 
 you are come to understanding, you may seek salvation. 
 Be always discreet in your words, as it becometh children ; 
 and when you are grown up obtain a Testament, and see 
 
 2 Tim. iii. what Christ has there left and commanded us ; for all 
 scripture, given by inspiration of God, is profitable for 
 doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in 
 righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly 
 furnished unto all good ivorks. For the grace of God that 
 bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men, teaching us that 
 denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live sobe?'ly 
 
 Deut.viii.3. ^^^ righteously in this tvo7'ld. Man llveth not by bread 
 
 iMatt. iv. 4. only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth 
 of God. See, my dear children, that the word of the 
 Lord is the food of the soul, by which the soul must live. 
 He that does not order his life according to these words is 
 
 John iii. 3. assurcd of eternal condemnation, as Christ saith, Verily, 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 277 
 
 verily, I saifunto thee, Except a man he born acjain, lie cannot 
 see the kingdom of God. Therefore saith Christ, Repent Mark i. is. 
 ye, and believe the gospel ; for the axe is laid unto the root 
 of the trees ; every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is 
 hexon down and cast into the fire. Therefore, dear children, 
 take heed that you escape the punishment ; for, if any 2 Thess. 1. 8. 
 obey not the gospel, they shall be punished with ever- 
 lasting destruction from the presence of the Lord. 
 
 Oh, my dear children, see what punishment shall come 
 upon those that obey not the gospel ; to miss the presence 
 of the Lord for ever, and to suffer everlasting punishment. 
 Therefore, dear children, prepare yourselves while you 
 have time, even though tribulation and suffering should ^*^'^ ^'''' ^^■ 
 arise for those who seek to be obedient to the gospel. It 
 will not endure long, compared with what is eternal. 
 Through much tribulation and suffering must we enter 
 into the kingdom of God. Therefore says Peter, Think \ 
 
 Pet. iv. 
 
 12. 
 
 it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, 
 
 as though some strange thing happened unto you ; but rejoice, 
 
 inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that 
 
 lohen his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also imth 
 
 exceeding joy. Christ our teacher and master had himself 
 
 to enter into the kingdom of God through tribulation and Luke iv. 25. 
 
 suffering ; and the servant is not better than his Lord ; 
 
 but it is enough for the servant that he is as his Lord. Matt. x. 24. 
 
 Therefore he said, that he was not come to send peace on Matt. x. 34. 
 
 earth, but a sword ; for he saw well beforehand that the 
 
 world would not endure it, even as from the beginning 
 
 they could not ; for, from the beginning they persecuted Matt. v. 10. 
 
 the prophets. Although they boasted of having God for 
 
 their father, nevertheless they could not endure the good 
 
 words that the prophets spake to them, and whereby they 
 
 warned them. They persecuted, yea, stoned and slew Matt, xxiii. 
 
 them. They did not even acknowledge Christ himself, 
 
 although he wrought so many signs and mighty deeds Matt, xxvii. 
 
278 A MARTYEOLOGY OF 
 
 amongst them, but crucified him. O dear children, do 
 2 Tim. iii. lay to heart what Paul says, All that will live godly must 
 suffer -persecution. Neglect not on this accovint, for the 
 sake of a little suffering, to seek salvation ; for this 
 Rom. via. suifering is not worthy to be compared with the glory that 
 2 Cor. i. 5. shall be revealed in us. For, as the sufferings of Christ 
 abound in us, so our consolation also ahoundeth hy Christ. 
 Rev. ii.io. It is Said, Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into 
 prison, and ye shall have trihidation ten days; but be of 
 good cheer ; I will give unto you the crown of life ; for. 
 Rev. iii. 10. Bccouse thou hast kept the ivord of my patience, 1 also will 
 keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon 
 cdl the iDorld, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Be- 
 hold, I come quickly ; hold that fast tvhich thou hast, that 
 no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make 
 a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more 
 out ; and I ivill write upon him the name of my God. Yea, 
 Rev. ii. 7. To Mm that overcometh, ivill I give to eat of the tree of life 
 wliich is in the midst of the paradise of God. Upon him 
 Rev. iii. 5. the second death shall have no power. He that over- 
 cometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment ; and I 
 will not blot his name out of the booh of life ; but I will 
 confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 
 Rev. iii. 21. Yea, To him that ovei^cometh icill I grant to sit with me 
 in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down 
 with my Father in his throne. 
 1274] See, dear children, what glorious promises are given to 
 Malt. X. 28. those who overcome. Therefore fear not men, who may 
 Rev. xiv 13. inflict upon us suffering here for a short time; for after 
 this tribulation, we shall rest under the altar from all our 
 Rev. vi. 9. labour, with those who were also slain for the word of 
 Rev. vii. 9, God, and shall appear with many thousands of saints 
 clothed with white robes and palms in their hands, crying 
 with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to him that sitteth upon 
 the thruue of our God, and unto the Lamb. They shall 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 279 
 
 hunger no more, neither thirst any ynore ; neither shall the 
 
 sun light on them, nor any heat ; for the Lord shall be their ^^"^ ''-'''• 
 
 light, find shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and 
 
 there shall be no night there ; and they need no candle, 
 
 neither light of the sun ; for the Lord God shall be their 
 
 light, and they shall reign for ever and ever. 
 
 Therefore, my dear children, lay these things to heart. 
 
 Regard these glorious promises made to conquerors, and Rev. ii. 7. 
 
 not to apostates ; for they are written in the earth. Take Jer, xvu. 13. 
 
 heed, dear children, to fear God, while the Lord grants 
 
 you time ; for he will come when men think not. Be isa iv. e. 
 
 vigilant, therefore, and look for him until he come. Ma", xxv. 
 
 . . . . ^^• 
 
 This is the testament that I leave you, written in prison 
 
 at Antwerp, where I lie for the testimony of Jesus. 
 
 By your father, Lenaert Plovier.'' 
 
 CLAES FELBINGEE, and HANS LEYTNEE. 
 
 ANNO 1560. 
 
 In the year 1560, the brother Claes Felbinger, a lock- 
 smith, a willing servant of the word of God (he was then 
 on trial),' was apprehended with another brother, called 
 Hans Leytner, on the first day after Judica,"" in Lent, not 
 far from Neumarkt, in Bavaria, whither they had fled for 
 the cause of truth. They were taken to Neumarkt, where 
 they were twice examined by the judge and his assessors, 
 and particularly touching infant baptism. Having, with 
 
 k [The martyrdom of Plovier and i [Felbinger was caUed to tlie 
 
 many others at Antwerp is cele- ministry of the gospel in the year 
 
 brated in continuous stanzas in 1558; but had not received the im- 
 
 Een Liedtboecken, fol. 31. The position of hands. MS. Cronickel, 
 
 names of not less than seventy-two f^j gg i 
 persons are recorded as having 
 suffered at Antwerp alone, from the 
 
 year 1555 to 1560 inclusive.] "' t^^'^^i"" Sunday.] 
 
280 
 
 A MAETYROLOGY OF 
 
 Acts xxiii. 
 23. 
 
 Acts xii. 6. 
 
 propriety and clearness shown that Christ had not com- 
 Matt xxTiii. mandcd it, but only the baptism of adults, who hear the 
 word of God, understand, believe, and receive it, they 
 were early the next day placed in a cart, and brought 
 with horsemen and lifeguards to Landshut. They were 
 placed in separate prisons, and Claes secured Avith a 
 chain. The council afterwards assembled, and ordered 
 them before them, and spoke much with them, but could 
 accomplish nothing. 
 
 They were afterwards sent to two learned men, Domi- 
 nican monks, who spoke with them concerning the 
 sacrament, infant baptism, and why they had fallen off 
 from the Romish church. But the brethren answered 
 them from the word of God, and constrained them to 
 depart. 
 
 They next tried them by torture, and racked theni 
 grievously; but with the greatest severity when they 
 Matt. XXV. would know where they had been harboured, and Avhere 
 they wished to go. Claes said, " We are not obliged to 
 tell you that." They asked, "Why?" He said, "Because 
 you seize their goods, you torture them, and put them to 
 death, and thereby commit sin. Ought we to betray 
 those who do us good? We do not even betray our 
 enemies, why then our friends?" They said, "Then we 
 will not cease to torture you until you tell us;" and 
 they let them remain lying a long time on the rack, until 
 the executioner himself entreated for them, saying, " Re- 
 lease them, for if you torture them the whole day they 
 will disclose nothing." 
 
 The judge was greatly enraged, and called them villains. 
 He said they condemned others. But the brother Claes 
 said, " We condemn no one, but your sins condemn you, 
 unless you renounce them ; that we testify according to 
 the truth." 
 
 The chief judge inquired, "What is truth?" The 
 
 Jer. xxvi. 
 15. 
 
 Matt. xxii. 
 38. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 281 
 
 brother said, " If I should tell you, you would not under- 
 stand it. You know what the truth is as well as Pilate, as!'" ^'""' 
 who also asked the same thing." 
 
 Afterwards two doctors were sent to them, from the 
 monks, a distance of more than nine miles, who endea- 
 voured much, and in many ways, to draw them aside ; but 
 which they were unable to effect. The chancellor and f^^^' ^'''^• 
 governor of Landshut also once came and assailed them, 
 but they found them steadfast in their belief, and were 
 obliged to leave them immoveable, unable to gain them i Tim. iv.i. 
 over by their false doctrine and deceitful counsels. 
 
 Again, two priests and a teacher learned in the scrip- 
 tures came, and disputed warmly with them on infant 
 baptism : but Claes opposed them powerfully with the 
 scriptures, and drove them from him. 
 
 After this, the chancellor with some black friars came, 
 and sought to move them by kindness; but they valiantly Matt.xvi. 
 opposed all the gates of hell, being quite assured that 
 they had the truth of God, which they faithfully and 
 solidly defended. They said that they would, in the sim- 
 plicity of Christ, abide therein. On this, the chancellor 
 said to the brother Claes, " Are you simple ? that I cannot 
 believe; a hundred may come forward, before one that 
 will be able to defend himself like you. I take you to 
 be a vagabond, like many that are now found running 
 about without any principles." But the brethren boldly [2751 
 confessed and defended their faith, and God gave them ^y^g ^.^j 
 such a mouth and wisdom, that the other party could not '' 
 resist. 
 
 After all, the progeny of Pilate condemned them to 
 death. The brother Claes had his tongue bound fast, that 
 he might not speak to the people at the place of execu- 
 tion ; but at thr last his tongue was released sufficiently Matt. xu. 
 to enable the t\v brethren to speak to each other. 
 
 Hans Leytne^ who was first led out by the execu- 
 
282 A MAETYROLOGY OF 
 
 tioner, said to Claes, " My dear brother, if you should be 
 terrified by my death, come yourself first, and I will stay 
 to the last." But the brother Claes said, " O no, no ; it 
 will not move me." Hans therefore valiantly extended 
 his neck, and was beheaded. This Claes saw, unaflTrighted, 
 Acts xii. 60. fiiid with good courage, as if unconcerned. He then went 
 forward, knelt down, and surrendered his neck to the 
 stroke, and was beheaded for his faith. Thus did both 
 these testify to the truth of God with their blood. It 
 took place the tenth day of the month of July, 1560." 
 
 JORIS AND JOACHIM.— 1560. 
 
 It is recorded that, in the year 1560, there were brought 
 
 Acts xi. 2c. before the tribunal at Antwerp two godly Christians, named 
 
 Psa. xiiv. Joris and Joachim. When standing before the justices, like 
 
 Rom. viii. sheep prepared for the slaughter, Joris was asked by the 
 
 sherijBf if he had been re-baptized ? He answered : " I have 
 
 been baptized according to the doctrine of Christ, as he 
 
 Matt.xxviii. commanded his apostles, saying, Go and teach all nations ; 
 
 Mark xvi. he that beltevcth and is baptized shall be saved. Hence they 
 
 laiusc first be taught and believe, and then be baptized in 
 
 the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy 
 
 Ghost." 
 
 The sheriff asked Joachim also if he had been baptized. 
 Kph. iv. 5. He answered: "I believe in one baptism, one faith, one 
 Lord, and one God." 
 
 The justices then condemned them by virtue of the 
 
 " [Felbinger wrote two letters Lingers, gethan zu Landshut in 
 
 from his prison at Landshut to Baiern, anno 1560. MS. Cronckel, 
 
 Leonard Sailler and to the church. fol. 87, 88. Fischer's Taubenkobel, 
 
 The first is probably the work re. am endo. Winter's Gesch. der baier. 
 
 ferred to by Fischer under the title, Wiedert., p. 117.] 
 Die erste Rechenschafl't Cluus Fel- 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 283 
 
 king's proclamation. Joachim, hearing his sentence, said: 
 " We thank you, gentlemen, for the pains yovi have taken 
 with us, but may God forgive you the blindness of your L^"ke xxiii. 
 hearts, and enlighten you." 
 
 Departing from the tribunal, they said : " We are not Rom. i. ic. 
 ashamed of the gospel." On going through the street they 
 sano' : — 
 
 " O Lord, mv thoughts delight in thee ; 
 
 ^ •> ^ ^ Psa. cxliii. 
 
 For thee my spirit longs." 8. 
 
 Joachim said: "Fear not them that kill the body; here- Matt. x. 28. 
 after, when they mourn, we shall rejoice." Luke vi. 22. 
 
 Like giants in the faith they pressed through the strait Matt. vii. 
 gate to the new Jerusalem, and reaching the place where Rev. xxi. 2. 
 their burnt-offering was to be presented, they gave to each ^'"^- "• ^''• 
 other the kiss of peace. At the stake Joachim said : " O 12. 
 Father ! forgive them who inflict this suffering on us ; but l^^'' '"'"'• 
 we thank thee that thou hast counted us worthy to suffer ^^^g^ 4^ 
 for thy name ; therefore, O Lord, stand by us ; draw near 
 unto us with thy help in this last extremity." 
 
 Joris said : "O Lord ! thou knowest that I have sought 
 thyself and my salvation ; for this I must now die ; in thy 
 mercy receive me, O Lord." He said further : " Ye 
 citizens of Antwerp, fear not; though we die for the truth, 
 Christ our Lord is gone before us, and we must follow 1 pet.u. 21. 
 him." They then lifted up their voices and sang a parting 
 hymn.". 
 
 Then, commending their spirits into God's hand, they Lukexxui. 
 ended their lives in the flames; they now lie under the 
 
 " [As follows : — 0ns Hooftman en anders geen, 
 
 Wilt u daer toe bereen 
 
 " Oorlof aen Breeders en Susters p^^^. ^ j^j^ ^ verbeyden." 
 geemen 
 
 Wy moeten uu sclieydeu, From Eeu Liedtboeckeu, &c., fol. 
 
 Tot dat wy comcn by Christum 28, where this narrative appears in 
 
 alleeu a ver.sificd form.] 
 
284 
 
 A MARTYROLOGY OP 
 
 Rev. vi. 9 altar waitino- to be clothed with white linen, and to shine 
 
 Rev. XIX. 8. "^ 
 
 Matt, xiii. forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father, where new 
 Matt. XXVI. y^i^Q g^jjj heavenly manna shall be given to them. 
 
 Kev. ii. 17. 
 
 WILLIAM, THE TAILOE.— 1560. 
 
 ATatt. xii 
 50. 
 
 At Antwerp, in the year 1560, a brother, named William 
 
 John xvii. the tailor, was apprehended on account of the truth, and 
 
 Acts xii. 3. condemned to death. 
 
 When brought before the tribunal the sheriff asked him 
 if he had been re-baptized ? He said : " Why do you ask 
 me concerning my baptism, and not about my life and 
 faith, then you might pass a just judgment upon me, and 
 this people might become followers thereof? " The sheriff 
 again inquired if he had not been re-baptized ? William 
 said, " You indeed desire but a single word ; I have, before 
 this, made a confession; judge righteously, and give the 
 business due consideration." The sheriff asked once more 
 if he had been baptized ? William said : " You have asked 
 me only that before ; may I ask a question of you ?" The 
 sheriff said : " First give me an answer, then I will tell 
 
 Mai. iv. 1. you." William said : " I wish that you thought for once 
 on that day that shall burn as an oven, when the ungodly 
 shall be as stubble." He further said : " In Mark xvi. it 
 is written, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." 
 The sheriff said : " You are not questioned about that." 
 William said : " Children cannot believe, and therefore I 
 have been baptized on my faith." The gentlemen then 
 
 Acts ii. 38. retired, and William said to the people : " Repent and be 
 converted." The sheriff forbade him to speak, but he 
 replied : " Let me speak ; it may not be for long." The 
 gentlemen returned immediately, and William said : "Gen- 
 tlemen, if you wish not to perish, judge not according to 
 the king's proclamation ; think on that day which none can 
 
 Mark xvi. 
 16. 
 
 Acts ii. 41. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHEIST. 285 
 
 escape, in which you will lament it, except you repent." 
 He was sentenced to death, and his sentence was read to 
 him ; though it was early in the morning, he was brought 
 forth into the market-place and strangled at a stake and 
 burned. Thus did he press through the conflict like a 2 cor. x. 3. 
 valiant champion of Christ. 
 
 HANS MANDEMAKEE, JUEIAEN EAEK, AND 
 EUSTACHIIJS KUTEE.— ANNO 1560.^ 
 
 In this year 1560, the brother Hans Mandemaker, a Matt, xxiii. 
 minister of the word of God and of his church (who had 1 Tim. iii. 2. 
 many times been sent out to the work of the Lord), was , , ... ,, 
 
 •^ J^ Acts viii. 13. 
 
 apprehended for the word and faith of God, on the first Acts xu. 3. 
 Friday after St. Martin's, near Rosenheim in Bavaria, ^^^g^; 3 ^ 
 together with Juriaen Rack, a deacon, "^ and also a brother 
 named Eustachius Kuter. They were taken to Inns- 
 bruck,"^ and there delivered over into the hands of the 
 magistrates. Hans Mandemaker, being a minister, was 
 sent to the Fellenburg, where he was confined in a deep 
 tower, in which were many worms and other creatures. 
 The bats flew about him ; the mice ran away with his 
 food ; and among them he incurred much danger ; enough 
 to frighten any one who was without a firm confidence in 
 God. 
 
 When the examiners wished to speak with him, he was 
 called upon by name to prepare himself quickly, and be 
 
 P [In the MS. Cronickel, fol. 88, apart by the laying on of hands, 
 
 the names of these three martyrs fol. 67, 75, 79. In the index to the 
 
 are given as follows : — Hans Man- manuscript. Rotter is spelt Kotter.] 
 
 del, George Rack, and Eustachius i [Rack was chosen to the office 
 
 Rotter. Hans Mandel was appi-e- of deacon in 1 559, at the same time 
 
 hended in 1544, at Laudeck, in the with Hans Brael. MS. Cronickel, 
 
 Upper Innthal for the gospel, but fol. 86. See ante, pp. 95, 104.] 
 
 escaped. In 1551 he waa chosen a ' [The capital of the Tyrol.] 
 minister, and in 1553 was fully set 
 
286 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 ready to suffer. The other two brethren were incar- 
 ceratetl in the round tower in Innsbruck ; all three lay- 
 in prison until the end of the year. On the second of 
 January following, the magistrates dealt rigorously with 
 Hans Mandel ; also with Eustachius, and Juriaen Rack, 
 each separately. They replied faithfully to many articles, 
 which were committed to writing, as was also their con- 
 fession respecting them. It was then sent to Vienna and 
 other places, as being something new. 
 
 After this, they were again conducted to the same 
 towers and prisons, where they lay until the Friday after 
 St. Veyt's, the thirteenth day of June, when they were 
 condemned to death. At the passing of the sentence, 
 there was a great number of persons present. They 
 freely addressed the judges of the court and the jury, 
 proving to them that the sentence which in the presence 
 
 .Ter. xxvi. ^f God tlicy passcd upon them, would rise up in judg- 
 ment against them to their condemnation, for having con- 
 demned the innocent blood. When they replied that 
 they were obliged to judge according to the emperor's 
 
 wisd. vi 4 command and proclamation, Hans Mandemaker said, " O 
 ye blind judges! you are to judge according to your own 
 
 Rom. \iv. heart and conscience, as you will have to answer for it in 
 
 12 
 
 the presence of God. If then you judge and pass sen- 
 tence, according to the emperor's proclamation, how will 
 you answer before God ?" Eustachius also said, " What 
 does the emperor's mandate concern us, that you read that 
 to us ? Read our confession, in which we have testified 
 2 Tim. iii. from the divine and holy writings of the bible, the 
 johnxvii. genuine truth of God, for which we have to suffer." Thus 
 they spake with boldness, and exhorted the people to 
 repentance. When the brethren Juriaen Rack and 
 Eustachius were led out of the hall, Juriaen began to 
 Rom. ii. 38. cxhort the people to repent, to forsake their sins, and tread 
 Mark i. ir,. in the path of truth ; it was the truth, for which he 
 Kpii. i. 13. should this day suffer. 
 
THE CHURCHES 01' CHKIST. 287 
 
 Hans Mandemaker was also brought out ; so that they 
 met together at the place of execution with great joy, 
 praising God. A brother, Lenaert Dax, went and gave "att.xii.so. 
 to them his hand, and they took leave of each other. By 
 this they were greatly cheered, praising God that they 
 had seen a pious person, who would relate their end to 
 their brethren and the church. The minister, Hans 
 Mandel, began to speak to the people, and to admonish 
 them, that they should turn from their sins, and follow ^^a. i. le. 
 the truth of God, that they might not be condemned, 
 but be saved in Christ Jesus. With the greatest bold- ^2''" ''''"• 
 ness he lifted up his voice, and said, " What I have 
 taught and professed is divine truth ; and I will attest it 
 with my blood." He ceased not to proclaim repentance. 
 The judge once said, " Stop a little, Hans." He was 
 therefore silent a little while ; but immediately afterwards 
 spoke again, till he was almost hoarse with sj)eaking. 
 Nearly till death they continued to exhort the people to 
 repentance. They were not hindered, but permitted to 
 speak with sufficient liberty. They were also allowed to 
 speak to each other. They made hearty prayer to God, 
 praising and glorifying him for having thus far preserved 
 them pious and steadfast. They prayed him further, in i cor. xv 
 his faithfulness, to keep them even unto death, which was 
 now near at hand ; and that, as body and soul were now 
 to be separated, he would receive their spirits into his ^g'''*^ '^''"'• 
 hands. 
 
 Their sentence was then read, in which among others 
 these articles were especially mentioned. First, That 
 they did not believe that the holy body of Jesus Christ [-^^1 
 was in the sacrament ; but they keep the Lord's supper in 
 the same manner as Christ kept, it with his disciples. 
 Secondly, That they do not approve of infant baptism ; J^'^"'"'''"'- 
 but of the baptism of adults, as Christ commanded them. 
 Thirdly, That they approve of the state of marriage, 
 
288 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 which they have acknowledged and not opposed. Other 
 articles were read to them ; as also what they held and 
 had confessed respecting the Romish church ; all which 
 was stated as contemptuously as was possible by the 
 judge. 
 
 After this they were led to the place of execution, 
 called the Swine Acre, near the sheepfolds. There Eu- 
 stachius, who was weak and sick in body, was first be- 
 
 Actsxii. 2. headed. After him, the brother Juriaen Rack stepped 
 cheerfully forward to the executioner, and called out with 
 
 Matt. xix. a cheerful heart, and said, " Here I leave wife and child, 
 
 ^^' house and goods, body and life, for the sake of the faith 
 
 and truth of God ;" upon which he knelt down, and the 
 executioner beheaded him. 
 
 Hans Mandemaker was reserved to the last. When he 
 
 Rev. ii. 3. saw the other two lying beheaded, he said, " My bre*-hren, 
 you have overcome, and shall inherit all things.'' The 
 executioner then took and bound him to the ladder, 
 kindled the fire, and threw him into it alive. The two 
 headless bodies he placed upon a pile of wood, and burned 
 them to dust and ashes. 
 
 Thus they voluntarily and patiently bore testimony to 
 
 John XV. 27. their faith in Christ, by their words, their life, and death. 
 
 11. Yea, with their bodies and their blood. They showed 
 
 1 Cor. IV. 7. ^jj^^ Q^^i gr^yQ them this strength as a special favour; 
 journeying with steadfast confidence from this world to 
 their eternal native land.' 
 
 « [Mandemaker was the author Fischer's Taubenkobel, p. 9, and at 
 of a treatise entitled Rechenschafft, the end.] 
 printed in 1561, in Innsbruck. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 289 
 
 SOETGEN VAN DEN HOUTE, AND MAETHA. 
 
 ANNO 1560. 
 
 At this time a godly woman, named Soetgen van den 
 HoutOj also fell into the hands of the persecutors of the 
 truth. After fierce assaults and imprisonment, she wit- 
 nessed the truth that endureth for ever with her death 
 and blood, in the city of Ghent, on the 27th of November, 
 1560 ; and with her another female named Martha. 
 Soetgen van den Houte, also testified that her husband 
 had previously trodden the wine-press of suffering, had 
 piously witnessed the truth, and for it laid down his life, 
 as may be plainly seen from the following testament: — 
 
 A Testament of Soetgen van den Houte, which she left for a 
 memorial to her children, David, Betgen, and Tannehen, 
 as the best estate ; a7id which she confirrned by her death at 
 Ghent in Flanders. 
 
 In the name of the Lord. i Tim. \. 2. 
 
 Grace, peace and mercy, from God the Father, and the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, be to you, my dear children. A loving 
 salutation to you, David, Betgen, and Tanneken, written by 
 your mother in bonds, to put you in mind of the truth, 2Tim. i. a. 
 to which I hope to testify by word and by death, by the 
 help of the Almighty, and as an example to you. May the 
 wisdom of the Holy Spirit instruct and strengthen you, 
 that you may be nurtured in the ways of the Lord. 
 Amen. 
 
 Further, my dear children, since it is pleasing to the 
 Lord to take me out of this world, I will leave you a 
 memento, not of silver or gold, for such jewels are perish- 
 able. I would fain inscribe a jewel in your heart, were it 
 possible — the word of truth. Thus I will a little teach you J"''» ^^'i- 
 
 VOL. II. u 
 
290 A MARTY ROLOGY OF 
 
 by the word of the Lord, with my best wishes, according 
 to the small ability I have received of the Lord, and in my 
 simplicity. 
 
 First, I admonish you, my best beloved, to suffer your- 
 
 Eph. vi. 4. selves to be always instructed by those that fear the Lord. 
 
 johnxiv.18; Then you will please God, and he will be a father to you, 
 and not leave you orphans, as long as you are obedient to 
 good counsel and instruction, and fear the Lord. For 
 
 Fsa.xxv.i2. David says. What man is he that feareth the Lord? him 
 shall he teach in the xoay that he shall choose. And further 
 
 Psa. xxxiii. j^g says. The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, 
 ujwn them that hope in his mercy, to deliver their soul from 
 
 Psa. xxxiv. death. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them 
 that fear him : fear him ye his saints, for there is no want 
 
 Prov. i. 7. to them that fear him ; for the fear of the Lord is the heyin- 
 niny of all wisdom. 
 [278] My dear children, let no impure thoughts rest in your 
 
 Eph. V. 19. hearts ; but exercise yourselves with psalms and hymns 
 and spiritual songs. Wicked thoughts will then find no 
 
 Eph. V. 4. place. Let no filthy babbling proceed out of your mouth. 
 
 Matt.xii.3G. Of all siTch things men will have to give account. 
 
 Further, my beloved, wherever you are, be the least, 
 and be not wise in your own conceits. Suffer yourselves 
 always to be instructed by those that are above you. 
 
 Matt, xxiii. ]3e silcut whcnevcr others speak. Humble yourselves 
 before all ; for he that exalteth himself shall he abased ; hut 
 
 Psa. viii. 5. he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Christ who is the 
 greatest of all, made himself the least, as our example. 
 
 Syr. iii. 18. It is written, the greater thou art, the more humble thy- 
 self, and thou shalt find favour before the Lord ; for the 
 majesty of the Lord is reverenced of the lowly. 
 
 My children, be upright in all your dealings, for In the 
 way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof 
 there Is no death. The righteous rejoice to do what is just, 
 but they are a terror to evil doers. Prefer to gain a llveli- 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 291 
 
 hood by the labour of your hands, to eat your bread with 
 peace. Desii'e not a trade or concern of great profits. A piot.xv.ig. 
 little loith the fear of God, is better than great treasure and 
 trouble therewith: better is a dry morsel and qidetness there- piov. xvui. 
 ivith, than a house full of sacrifices ivith strife. 
 
 My children, love not dainty food, nor wine. He that 
 desii'es costly meals will not become rich ; but be content 
 with the labour of your hands. 
 
 Overreach no one ; but be content with what is reason- 
 able, as I have shown you an example. Be burdensome 
 to no one, as long as you can procure what is needful. It 
 is more blessed to give than to receive. And Paul says, Acts xx 35. 
 Having food and raiment, be thereivith content. 
 
 Thus, my dear children, follow the example set before 
 you ; always walk in the ways of the Lord, with sobriety 
 and thankfulness, as you have heard me read in Daniel of Dan. i. 5. 
 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were chosen by 
 the king of Babylon, to be fed with the same wine and 
 food that the king ate at his table, that they might look 
 fair, in order to serve the king ; but they desired nothing 
 but pulse and water. They would observe with sobriety 
 and thankfulness in the fear of God their fathers' law 
 and commands, and they were fairer and fatter than they 
 who ate the king's dainties. Thus they faithfully walked 
 in the ways of the Lord, By prayer and supplication [279] 
 they were well-pleasing to God. Therefore God did great 
 things by them ; and delivered them out of the lions' den, Dan. iii. 
 and out of the fiery furnace. Joseph, when he was sold Gen. 
 
 ^ xxxvii. 28. 
 
 into Egypt, desired no dainty food, nor wine, because the cen. 
 Egyptian women sought to seduce him. But he feared '"'''"'■ '^' 
 God, and he preserved him. He pleased God by sobriety ^''"- ''''• '^^■ 
 and prayer, and was made the ruler of Egypt. 
 
 My dear children, take this as an example from your 
 youth up ; you will then please God, and he v/ill preserve 
 you from all temptation. O my lambs, you are yet in 
 
 u 2 
 
292 A MARTYIIOLOGY OF 
 
 your youth, in your childhood ; you have still your por- 
 tion in your father's kingdom. Be solicitous to keep it 
 safe ; that you do not like Esau, who gave away his por- 
 
 Gen.xxv.33. ^^^^ ^^ inheritance for a mess of pottage, not esteeming 
 his father's blessing. He gave it for perishable food ; but 
 Jacob chose the best portion ; he was obedient to God and 
 his father, and walked in the ways of the Lord Avith all 
 uprightness. 
 
 My best beloved, seek after instruction, that you may 
 
 Matt. vii. learn to know which is the right way. You have now to 
 
 Syr. XV. 17. choose, life or death, good or evil. That in which you 
 liave pleasure will be given you. If you desire evil, if you 
 
 Gal 19 choose the gratifications of the world (from which all un- 
 righteousness proceeds), viz. lying and deception, playing, 
 gaming, swearing, cursing, backbiting, hatred, envy, 
 drunkenness, banqueting, luxury, idolatry, covetousness, 
 uncleanness, vanity, filthy conversation, dancing ind so 
 forth ; although this is esteemed by the world to be no 
 
 1 Pet. iv 3. sin, but pleasure, it is nevertheless an abomination in the 
 
 eyes of the Lord. 
 
 Therefore, my dear children, consider, if you take 
 pleasure in these things you thereby sell your birth- 
 right, your Father's inheritance, for a mess of pottage, 
 ijohniii.io. viz. for a little temporal pleasure, and these will lead you 
 to destruction. See, if the great multitude do not choose 
 
 2 Esdras to takc this road ; therefore Esdras well and rightly said : 
 
 That men find much more earth of Avhich to make 
 2 Esdras earthen vessels, than gold of which to make golden vessels ; 
 '^" ^^' and like as the great waters of the sea are more than the 
 2 F.srira« drops, SO will tlicy be the greater number that will be con- 
 ^"'' ^' demned. Many are called, but few are chosen ; for they 
 j(.inix.27. regard not their calling. Christ saith, 3fi/ sheep hear my 
 
 voice and follow me, but these follow the great multitude of 
 
 the ungodly and of the false prophets. 
 n<i. xi 25. Choose rather to sufl'er afiliction with the children of 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 293 
 
 God, that with them you may obtain a reward, To them 
 all the glorious promises belong, but they must suffer 
 much; for the kinc/dom of heaven suffereth violence, and the Matt. xi. J2. 
 violent take it by force. It is also written, Through much 2I ®'""^' 
 tribulation you must enter the kingdom of heaven. David says. 
 We are counted as sheep for the slaughter; and Paul says. We ^^^- ^''^• 
 which live are alway delivered unto death. It is also written, - ^'"■' i^- ^^• 
 Ye shall loeej), hut the world shall rejoice ; ye shall he sorrow- 
 ful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. Ye shall have 
 a little tribulation ; but be of good cheer, and be faithful Rev. si. 10. 
 unto death, and I will give you a crown of life. In ^/^g Joimxvi.33. 
 world ye shall have tribidation ; but be of good cheer, / 7^a^;e isa. xxv. 8. 
 overcome the world, and God shall wipe away all tears from 
 their eyes. Further it stands written, The marriage of the ^'^^- '''''• ''■ 
 Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready ; and to 
 her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean 
 and lohite ; the fine linen is the righteousness of saints ; blessed 
 are they ivhich are called unto the marriage supper of the 
 Lamb ; then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Matt.xiu 
 kingdom of their Father. 
 
 Who would not love such a Lord and Father, who hath 
 chosen us, even as he chose Israel of old, and hath given us isa xiix. s 
 his commandments and laws, namely, his gospel, which 
 teaches us to do his will and pleasure, and hath made us 
 heirs of all the riches of heaven. 
 
 Oh ! my dear children, I have written this with tears, 
 admonishing you from love, praying for you with a fervent 
 heart, that, if it were possible, you may be found among 
 that number. When your father was taken from me I did [-2801 
 not spare myself, day or night, to bring you up ; and my 
 prayer and care continually was for your salvation ; and 
 being now in bonds it has always been my greatest con- 
 cern that I could not, according to my anxious desire, 
 better provide for you. When I was told that you were 
 conveyed to Oudenarde, and from thence to Bruges, it was 
 
294 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Mutt. X. 37. ^ sore stroke to me. I have never had greater sorrow. But 
 when I thought that neither my sorrow nor my solicitude 
 could help you, and that we must be separated from all that 
 is dear in this world for the sake of Christ, I left it all to 
 the will of the Lord, still hoping and praying that he in his 
 Gen.xxxix. compassiou would preserve you, as he kept Joseph, Moses, 
 Exod. xiv. and Daniel among the ungodly. This will also be your 
 Dan. vi. 22. happiucss if you diligently frame yourselves to the truth ; 
 the angel of the Lord will be with you as he was with 
 Tub. VII. 12. 'j'Qijjjjg^ conducting him until he brought him to his father's 
 Tob. xi. 13. house, where he rejoiced with his father and friends, thank- 
 ing God for his greatg oodness. 
 
 If you follow good instruction it will lead you through 
 
 all perils, and bring you to your Father's house, where 
 
 isa. ixiv. 4. such joy is prepared as ear hath never heard, noi t?ye seen, 
 
 nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive what 
 
 1 Cor. ii. 9. joy Is prepared for the chosen ; but to the elect God hath 
 
 revealed it by his Holy Spirit. 
 
 To this may you be brought by the word of the Father, 
 through the mercy of the Son, and may the wisdom of the 
 Holy Spirit strengthen you that you may lay hold thereof. 
 Amen. 
 
 David, my dear child, I commend you to the Lord ; 
 you are the eldest : learn wisdom, that you may set a good 
 example to your sisters. Beware of bad company, and of 
 playing in the streets with bad boys. Learn diligently to 
 read and write, that you may become wise. Love one 
 another without strife or wrangling. Be affectionate the 
 one to the other. The wisest must bear with the dull and 
 admonish them with kindness. The strong must have 
 compassion on the weak, and assist him all in his power 
 from love. The rich must assist the poor from brotherly 
 love. The youngest must obey the eldest in what is good. 
 Exhort each other to be diligent in labour, that you may 
 beloved. Provoke one another to good works, to modesty, 
 
XXIV. 
 
 24. 
 
 THE CIIUJICIIES OF CHRIST. 295 
 
 chastity, tind quietness. Be ever careful the one for the 
 other, for the time is come that love will wax cold, yea ^^'^'^t 
 that the very elect, were it possible, should be deceived. 
 Diligently search the scriptures, that you be not deceived. John v 39 
 Cleave at all times to the first and second commandment, 
 that will teach you aright. Believe it not readily when 
 evil is spoken of another, but examine. Make no commo- 
 tion about it when you are belied, but suffer it for Christ's 
 sake. Love your enemies, and pray for them that speak P'"^v. xxv. 
 evil of you, and make you suffer. Rather suffer wrong 
 than do wrong. Endure rather grief than put another to 
 grief. Be yourselves reproached rather than reproach 
 anothei'. Be rather belied than belie another. Let what is 
 yours be taken from you rather than take what is another's. 
 Be I'ather stricken than strike another ; and so forth. 
 
 Observe, my dearest, all this is wrought by brotherly 
 love, and is all comprehended in the second commandment. 
 You must always mind not to seek your own profit alone ; 
 but be always concerned for those with whom you have 
 dealings, whether young or old. 
 
 Further, my dear children, Betgen and Tanneken, my 
 dear lambs, I admonisli you in all these things, to be 
 obedient to the commandments of the Lord. Obey your 
 uncle and aunt, and likewise your elders, and all who in- 
 struct you in virtue. To them whose bread you eat you 
 must be submissive, in whatever is not contrary to God. 
 Be diligent, always encouraging yourselves to do your 
 work, so will you be loved wherever you dwell. Be not 
 contentious, nor talkative, nor light-minded, nor saucy, nor 
 surly in speaking, but friendly, modest, and still, as it be- 
 comes young females. Pray to the Lord for wisdom, 
 which shall be given you. Learn to read and write well, 
 take pleasure therein, so will you become wise. Take 
 pleasure, and exercise yourselves in psalms, hymns, and 
 spiritual songs. Pursue the only true joy. Learn to 
 
296 A MAUTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Judith viii. pjeasc the Lord from your youth, as the holy virgins and 
 2 Esther ii. women did, like Judith. Esther Avas a youno" woman who 
 feared God, was adorned with humility, agreeable, virtuous, 
 kind, and lowly in heart ; therefore she pleased the king 
 Ahasuerus above all other virgins. But in lier elevation 
 she was not proud. Although shining in royal garments, 
 she humbled herself with fasting and prayer to the Lord 
 for her brethren, that they might be delivered out of their 
 enemies' hands, not esteeming herself higher than one of 
 the least of her brethren. 
 
 Mind, my dearest, when you come to understanding, 
 
 that you take heed to adorn yourselves with good works. 
 
 Gal. V, 22. yiz. with the works of the Spirit, that is, in all good- 
 
 [281] ness, kindness, meekness, humility, gentleness, obedience, 
 
 patience, righteousness, modesty, chastitj, purity, peace- 
 
 ableness, steadfastness, compassion, wisdom. Be diligent 
 
 Deut. vi. 5. in good works, in faith, hope, and love. Love God above 
 
 Matt. xxii. ^\i ^]y^^^^ jg jj^ iijg -^vorld, and do to your neighbour as you 
 
 wish to be done to you, the whole law and the prophets 
 
 hanging thereon. 
 
 Behold, my dear children, this is the ornament of tlie saints. 
 
 my best beloved, labour for such a wedding garment, 
 that you may go in, with the number of God's children, to 
 
 Rev. xix. 7. thc marriage of the Lamb, where they shall shine like the 
 
 M.att. xiii. sun in the kingdom of their Father. 
 4:5. . == . 
 
 Thither may the mighty hand of the Lord bring you ; 
 
 may he lead you, as he led Israel out of Egypt, and bring 
 
 Exod. xiii. you to the new Jerusalem, that we may see each other in 
 
 the resurrection day with joy. 
 
 1 commend you to the Lord, to the God of Abraham, 
 Acts XX. 32. the God of Isaac, and thc God of Jacob ; may he preserve 
 T?vnri vvv you to the end of life. Amen. 
 
 JiAUd, AAA. •* 
 
 My dear children, I leave this as a memorial or testa- 
 ment. If you turn it to profit, you will thereby collect 
 greater treasure than if I had left you great riches, which 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHBIST. 297 
 
 are perishable, for the wealth of this world may be lost by 
 fire, war, or bad fortune. 
 
 Therefore he is not wise who sets his heart upon aught 
 that is perishable. "We are not certain of one hour's 
 time. We must leave all behind. Therefore, be not sor- 
 sowful, although what we had is scattered or lost. The 
 prophet says, we must be the prey of all. You must isa lix.is. 
 therefore thank the Lord that he preserved it to us until 
 I had brought you up thus far. If you walk in all Tob. iv. is. 
 righteousness the Lord will afford you a sufficiency. Take psa. xxxvii. 
 an example in Tobias. And David says, that the righteous 
 shall not suffer want, nor his seed beg their bread. 
 
 On which account, be not desirous of another's property Lukexii.32. 
 or jewels. Grudge not that another has more than you. ^.^^^ jj; j4 
 Eespect no person for his gifts, but follow the little flock 
 who walk in the truth and in love ; for love is the bond of 
 perfectness, and the commandment of love exceeds all com- Matt.vii.20. 
 mandments. Mind therefore that you always follow those 
 who walk most in love; for the tree is known by its fruits, j^^^^ ^ 24. 
 although these are hidden from all men ; but so was Christ in 
 like manner ; and the servant may not be above his lord. 
 
 I will now say adieu. Adieu my dear children. Adieu 
 all my dear friends together. 
 
 My best beloved, although our adversaries tell you that 
 your father and I differ in faith, do not believe it. For 
 he held the truth respecting baptism and the incarnation 
 of Christ, in every point he could comprehend, and was a 
 pious witness of righteousness, and laid down his life for 
 its sake as an example to you, treading the same path as 
 the prophets, the apostles, and Christ himself. He con- 
 tended before us with much tribulation and suffering, and 
 left his children behind him for the sake of Christ. There- 
 fore, be ye followers of him, for there is no other way.* 
 
 * From what is here related, it Soetgen van deu Houte, died also 
 appears that the husband of this as a pious witness of Jesus; al- 
 
298 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Apply yourselves diligently to read this testament. 
 Amen. 
 
 Another letter of Soetgen van den Houte, to her brother and 
 sister as also to her children. 
 
 Written from love. 
 
 .)ohn X. 27. The peace of God be with you, my dear brother and 
 sister. I have received two letters, with their inclosures. 
 I thank you very heartily for all the kindness you have 
 ever shown me, and still will show, as I hope, to my three 
 lambs that I leave behind me. I commend ;em to the 
 Lord, and to them whom he may dispose towards them by 
 his grace. 
 
 I once more take leave of you ; I think it is now for 
 
 Rom. xii. 1. the last time. We are so strengthened in mind to present 
 our offering, that I cannot express it. I could leap for joy 
 
 piiii. ii. 17. when I think on that eternal good which it is promised us 
 
 Matt. X. 22. to possess, to all that persevere in that which the Lord 
 hath commanded. 
 
 I know not with what praise to glorify the Lord, that 
 He hath chosen Martha and me to such honour ; us, who 
 
 1 Cor. iv.i3. are such poor contemptible creatures. For we were 
 esteemed in the world only as an ofFscouring. Yet God 
 
 Acts xxii. has chosen such despised, miserable, worthless worms of 
 the earth, that he will work by us, that we should be 
 his witnesses, we who are not in ourselves worthy to 
 receive tlie smallest gift that the Lord can bestow. 
 
 Oh ! who can comprehend the power of God, that he 
 should be most graciously compassionate to those who, 
 here, are the most despised, when they call ujjou him in 
 confidence ; and firmly fix their hope in his grace unto the 
 
 though we h.ave not been able to mrmnor of liis death, 
 learii either the time, i>lace, or 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHlllST. 299 
 
 eiul ? It were impossible for such to be rejected of the 
 
 Lord. Therefore I pray all that love the Lord to humble 
 
 their hearts; for the Lord, by the prophet Isaiah, says, 
 
 " With him will I dwell that is of a contrite and humble isa.ivu. 15. 
 
 spirit, and that trembleth at my word." Oh ! those that [252] 
 
 thus humble themselves before the Lord, and saifer not 
 
 themselves to think that they are anything before God f^*"- ''''"'• 
 
 and men ; them will God exalt and enrich with heavenly 
 
 possessions. Think how Christ chose humility, when he 
 
 left his Father's glory and descended here into the lowest 
 
 parts of the earth in obedience to his Father. From his 
 
 great love he became man. In great humility he came 
 
 to serve us. He suffered pain and reproach, bearing all pI"''- »• 8- 
 
 with patience and longsuffering, in obedience to his 
 
 Father, even unto death, until he had finished all, that he 
 
 might make us blessed. Oh ! what love hath he displayed 
 
 in his groans and anguish, when as man, he said, How am Lukexii.so. 
 
 I straitened till all be accomplished. 
 
 Ah ! my best beloved, consider our forerunner, Jesus 
 Christ, how he regarded the humility of Mary, so as tomkei. 44. 
 be born of her. Although she was chosen to such honour, 
 yet she humbled and debased herself, saying, Behold the 1^^"" '■ ^^' 
 handmaid of the Lord. For he hath regarded the low estate 
 of his handmaiden ; for, behold from henceforth all genera- 
 tions shall call me blessed. His mercy is on them that fear Kxod. xx. 6. 
 him, from generation to generation. He scatter eth the proud. 
 He hath -pnt down the mighty from their seats, and exalted 
 them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good 
 things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. To the poor isa. ixi.i. 
 the gospel is preached. Blessed are they lohich do hunger Matt. v. c. 
 and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. My 
 dearly beloved, my heart's desire and prayer, for the last 
 time, is that you give diligence to walk in love and sim- 
 plicity with one accord, always in the fear of God, that 
 
300 A MARTYUOLOGY OF 
 
 you may be filled with heavenly blessings, and be satisfied 
 therewith from this time and for ever. Amen. 
 Acts XX. 32. I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his 
 grace. May that same God comfort, strengthen, and 
 establish you all by his Spirit, that you may perfect that 
 to which you are called, to the honour and praise of the 
 Liike xxii. Lord, that you may rejoice together, and sit at the Lord's 
 table, where he shall serve us with the new wine in the 
 kingdom of God his Father. 
 
 This was written when we had taken, as we thought, 
 our last supper. Adieu, my brethren and isters all. 
 Martha, my sister in the Lord, and I greet you heartily 
 in the peace of the Lord, for the last time, and all to 
 whom we are known wherever they are. We are joyful 
 Heb. xii.22. in the Lord. We say adieu, :till we meet together above, 
 in the new Jerusalem. Read these parting lines to all 
 who wish to hear them before you send them away; and 
 then send them to my sister Betgen. 
 
 Further, my dear child, Betgen, I rejoice greatly that 
 the Lord has spared me long enough to be gladdened, 
 before my death, by your letter, by which you have 
 Kpii. iii.ic. strengthened me. I pray the Lord that he will strengthen 
 isa.ixi. 1. and establish you by his Spirit, that you may go for- 
 ward and pursue the best things, of which you have 
 written me. 
 
 Oh, my dear lambs, mind that you spend not your youth- 
 Rom, xiii. ful days in vanity or pride ; nor in tippling or feasting ; 
 "■ but in sobriety and humility, in the fear of God, diligent 
 
 in all good works, that you may be clothed with the 
 adorning of the saints ; that God may make you meet, by 
 uev. xix. 7. his grace, to enter into the marriage of the Lamb, and that 
 Matt. V. 32. we may see you there with joy. Your father and I have 
 •Actsiv. .3. shown you the way, with many others besides. Take the 
 Matt, xxvii. example of the prophets and apostles. Even Christ 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 301 
 
 himself went this way ; and where the Head has gone 
 before, there must the members follow. 
 
 I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his Acts xx. 3?. 
 grace. With this I take my leave of you for the last time, 
 my dear lambs. Be ever mindful of each other in love. 
 Learn diligently to read and write, and submit yourselves 
 to every one in what is good. When your brother David Rom, xvi. 
 and Tanneken come to you, salute each other with an 
 affectionate kiss of peace, in my name. 
 
 Adieu, my dear child, Betgen. Adieu my dear little 
 ones, David and Tanneken. Adieu, my dear brethren 
 and sisters all, and my friends every where. 
 
 Once more, we say adieu. Salute heartily for me your 
 dear uncle and aunt, with a kiss of peace in my name. 
 
 Written by me, Soetgen van den Houte, your mother, 
 in bonds. Written hastily (trembling with cold), with love 
 to vou all. Amen." 
 
 JOOST JOOSTEN, 
 
 BURNED AT VEEEE, IN ZEALAND, IN THE TEAR OF OUR LORD 
 
 15G0. 
 
 It happened in the year 1560, that there was appre- , 
 hended at Veere, in Zealand,^ a young brother, named Joost 
 Joosten, born at Goes, a small town in Zealand. He Avas 
 tolerably well acquainted with the Latin language. When 
 a student, about fourteen years of age, it happened that 
 King Philip was in Zealand, and that Joost Joosten sang [283] 
 a chorale in the church to the organ, as is usual in the 
 popish church. The king was so pleased with the 
 
 " [Ottiussays these letters existed ^ [Or Tervere, a fortified town at 
 
 in his time in German. Aunal. Auab- the mouth of the East Scheldt ] 
 p. 136.] 
 
302 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 youth's singing, that he wished to take him with him to 
 Spain. In consequence of this, he hid himself full six 
 
 Mark xvi. wceks, iiot wisliing to leave his country. He was after- 
 
 Matt.xxviii. ^yj^yjg converted to the truth, and baptized on a profession 
 of his faith, leading accordingly a Christian life. This the 
 enemies of the faith could not endure, and apprehended 
 him when he was eighteen years of age. He had to 
 
 Matt. xxvi. endure many assaults, and was repeatedly tempted to 
 apostatize. He disputed with four inquisitors on many 
 articles of faith. They used great efforts to draw him 
 over to their religion. When they could not move him 
 
 Mace. vii. by such meaus, they most cruelly tortured him, especially 
 with an instrument called iron teerlings, which they forced 
 into his knees, until they came out again at his ankles, 
 
 2'cor fv 7^' ^^^ ^^^ *^^® ^® steadfastly bore with great patience, and 
 
 Acts xii. 2. preserved the treasure which he had in his earthen vessel. 
 He w^as therefore condemned by the progeny of Herod to 
 be burned, which they executed upon him on the Monday 
 
 1 Pet. iv. 1 . before Christmas day. On going to death, he rejoiced 
 greatly in the Lord, and, when he went into the small 
 house of straw, in which he was burned, sang the last verse 
 of the hymn made by him, viz : — 
 
 " O Lord, tliou art ever in my mind." 
 
 He likewise wrote a confession of faith on five sheets of 
 paper, but which through length of time is lost."' 
 
 ^ [Van Braglit also gives a brief baptists were executed this year on 
 
 record of six other persons, three account of religion, seven of whom 
 
 men and three women, who were were women. Some were privately 
 
 drowned this year in a wash-tub murdered in prison for fear of 
 
 for their faitli, p. 270. Brandt says, tumults." Hist, of Ref. in Nether- 
 
 " About eighteen or twenty Ana- lands, i. 13G.] 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHUTST. 803 
 
 JOOS YERBEEK.— 1561. 
 
 On the 7th June, 1591, the margrave of Antwerp went 
 out, with a great number of people, Avell armed with staves, Mau!'x."7. ' 
 and apprehended Joos Verbeek, a minister of God's word ^ ^*'- '"• ^■''■ 
 and of his church. On the 9th he was heard. He very 
 freely confessed his faith, and also his office, Avhich the 
 margrave and the gentlemen ridiculed. He was likewise '^^^^ 
 very severely tortured; but through all God preserved '^^""■^"^^• 
 his lips from giving information of any one, although he 
 was so unmercifully handled, that a cord bound round his 
 body, broke in pieces. Twice in four days he had to 
 endure the rack. He was once scourged till the blood 
 flowed. He patiently endured it all ; but greatly lamented 
 that they had broken or so lamed his right hand by the 
 torture that he was disabled from Avriting. 
 
 On the twentieth day of the month, he was brought 
 before the tribunal. The sheriff asked him if he had been 
 re-baptized ? He answered, " Ask me concerning my 
 faith, which I have confessed in prison, before the gentle- 
 men and the margrave." The sheriff then asked him what 
 he held concerning infant baptism ? He said, " I have 
 confessed that it is not of God, but a human institution." 
 The sheriff asked again, if he had been re-baptized, and 
 said, " Say yes, or no ; for I know you will not lie, there- 
 fore tell me the truth." He said, " I have been baptized 
 on a profession of my faith as Christ teaches. Matt, xxviii. 
 Mark xvi." 
 
 Plaving confessed his faith, baptism, and doctrine, and 
 not being permitted to say more, sentence was pronounced 
 upon him. In the meantime, he spake to the people, 
 " Dear fellow citizens ; I have lived here eleven years, 
 and no one can bring any complaint against me, for I have 
 
Matt, xxiii. 
 
 304 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 done wrong to no one, and my life and doctrine agree with 
 
 the word of God.*' " That is true," exclaimed a brother ; 
 
 which the constables hearing, they rose up, and inquired 
 
 who it was ; but they did not find him. 
 
 Joos said, " Oh ! that 1 might defend myself publicly 
 3.*^ ''"' against the priests who were with me in prison, as Paul 
 
 was permitted to do before Agrippa ! but we are forbidden 
 
 to speak."^ 
 Dan. vi. 23. Coming from the tribunal he said, " He, who delivered 
 
 Daniel from the lions' den, will likewise preserve rae ; for 
 Markxiii. J suffer uot for evil doing, but for the name of the 
 
 Lord." 
 Eph. vi.i2. « rpj^^^ -g ^j.^g^» (,j.-g(j ^ brother. Others called out, « Be 
 
 valiant, dear brother." Joos said, boldly and cheerfully, 
 " Dear fellow citizens, thus must all God's children suiFer ; 
 
 34^ ■ ^^'"' the saints of God, the prophets, and many godly men have 
 trodden this path before me." 
 
 When he approached the straw hut, and stood before 
 the door," in which he was to present his burnt-offering, 
 he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, " O holy Father, 
 support thy servant in this time of need." The execu- 
 tioner's man wished to put a cord with a knot into his 
 mouth, to prevent his speaking ; but nevertheless he was 
 
 Luke xviii. not silcnt, for he was heard to exclaim, " O Lord, thou 
 
 38. ' ' ' 
 
 Son of David, have mercy upon me." 
 
 The executioner performed his work Avith fear and 
 Luke xxiii. trembling. When the fire was kindled he exclaimed, " O 
 jer. i. 5. heavenly Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. O 
 
 Lord of hosts, Avho separated me from my mother's 
 15^"' ^^^' womb, be with thy servant in this last distress which I 
 
 suffer for thy name." He once more exclaimed, " O 
 
 heavenly Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit ; " 
 
 " [Many of tlie martyrs were faggots and straw used to consume 
 burnt in a small hut made of the them, and not at a stake.] 
 
THE CHUECHES OF CHRIST. 305 
 
 and presented a peaceful burnt sacrifice, a mirror and Rom. xn. i. 
 example to us all.^ 
 
 A short Letter of Joos Verbeek, ivritten to his wife in prison, 
 at Antwerp. 
 
 That grace and mercy from God our heavenly Father, Rom. i. 7. 
 and our Lord Jesus Christ may be with you all the days 
 of your life in the true fervour of the Holy Ghost, 
 my dear wife and sister in the Lord, is my affectionate 
 greeting. Amen. 
 
 I salute you most heartily, and all my five dear children. 
 Bring them up in the admonition of the Lord. Be in Eph. vi. 4. 
 behaviour as it becometh holy women. Teach the young Titus ii. 3. 
 women to be sober, to love their husbands, to be chaste, 
 modest, obedient to their husbands, and steadfastly con- 
 tinue to keep the rule according to which you now walk. 
 The Lord qualify you for all good works in what may 
 become your calling. I commend you to the Lord, and to Acts xx. 32. 
 the word of his grace. May he grant us to see each other 
 in eternity. 
 
 By me Joos Verbeek, your husband and brother in the 
 Lord, written at AntAverp, in prison, where I lie a prisoner 
 for the testimony of Jesus Christ, with my left hand, with Re^- v'- ^• 
 great difficulty, my right hand having been lamed by 
 torture. 
 
 Greet for me all the friends, especially the office bearers 
 of the church. 
 
 y A versified narrative of this encouraging him at his death, was 
 martyrdom is found in Een Liedt- a sister, who forced her way through 
 boecken, &c., fol. 18. Among others the crowd.] 
 
 VOL. TI. 
 
306 A JIARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 JULIUS KLAMPHEEEE. 1561. 
 
 In the year 1561, the brother Julius Klampherer, was 
 Mark i. 1."!. led prisouer, for his faith and the truth of God, from Italy 
 ^csxii. , ^^ Venice. There they many times formed their designs 
 respecting him, heard him, examined him, and dealt with 
 him to make him recant, but he always defended himself 
 with ability. It was permitted him to commit to writing 
 the subject in discussion between himself and the popish 
 commissaries, that he might make his defence, and give a 
 Matt. X. 22. reason of his faith in his own hand-writing. This he did, 
 [285] and remaining steadfast, they at last condemned him to be 
 thrown into the sea. He answered, " That was not unex- 
 pected by me, for I knew at my conversion that I must ex- 
 pect to die as a witness of the truth ; but I think it strange 
 Luke xxi. that the gentlemen of Venice should yield and consent to 
 
 16. . °, *' . 
 
 jer. xxvi. it, and neither think nor consider that they must give ac- 
 Rora. xiv. count before God at the last day for shedding innocent 
 blood." 
 
 To this they replied, that they did not ask him about 
 that ; and as his discourse did not please them they did 
 not allow him to speak further, but had him hastily led 
 back to prison. 
 
 They were now wishful to execute the sentence they 
 had pronounced upon him, and resolved to proceed to its 
 execution. According to their custom, he having been a 
 priest, they first degraded him from his priesthood ; then, 
 in the evening, in the twilight, they led him out as if they 
 would take him before the bench, and unexpectedly threw 
 him into the sea and drowned him. He had looked for 
 nothing else ; he was therefore cheerful, constantly singing 
 and praising God with a joyful and courageous mind, until 
 he had obtained the crown of pious martyrs and faitliful 
 2 Tim. ii. 5. witnesses of Jesus Christ. But although they drowned 
 
THE CHUECHES OF CHRIST. 307 
 
 liiin privately by night, it will yet be revealed at the great Matt, vi 
 day of the Lord, and be awfully avenged. ^ 
 
 LAUEENS VAN DE WALLE, ANTONIS SCHOON- 
 VELT, KALLEKEN STEINGS, SIJNTGEN POT- 
 VLIETS, AND MAEYKEN KOCX.— anno 1561. 
 
 In the year 1561 some brethren and sisters came, after 
 having suffered much persecution, to reside near Ypres, M'1«- »• 23 
 in Flanders, at a place called Hoogensieken ; they had left 
 money, goods, friends and relations, to follow Christ, and Matt. xix. 
 to live there in quietness, and to gain a living by weaving 
 tape. They were, however, spied out while sitting and 
 working together. The inquisitor came to apprehend them, 
 accompanied by many people, well provided with staves, 
 swords, and cords, just at the time that Antonis, who had 
 come to pay them a visit, had taken leave and was standing 
 at the door to depart. 
 
 Al they came making a great noise, Sijntgen Potvliets, 
 who was pregnant, ran out of the house, and was imme- 
 diately seized. Karel N. also ran out of doors, and 
 Master Klaes, who was a great persecutor and an assistant 
 of the inquisitor, ran after him, slashing him with a drawn 
 sword; but though he was wounded he nevertheless es- 
 caped. Maeyken Kocx, who was also pregnant, was seized 
 by the inquisitor ; he had a drawn sword in his hand, and 
 as she cried out aloud to sj)are her child, he in his thirst 
 for blood, like a madman, wounded himself. 
 
 Laurens van de Walle, Anthonis Schoonvelt, and 
 Kalleken Strings, were apprehended, but Hendrik N. 
 escaped. 
 
 « [There would appear to have cisco, who had been chosen as a 
 been many baptists in Italy at this minister, died this year at Proczka 
 time. One named brother Fran- in Hungary. MS. Cronickel, fol. 89.] 
 
 x2 
 
308 A MAR.TYROLOOY OF 
 
 While they were being bound they comforted each 
 
 2 Cor. xiii. other with God's word ; and when brought out of the 
 house they spoke cheerfully to the neighbours, saying: 
 
 Matt. X. 21. " Can any one complain of us that we should thus suffer ? 
 
 1 Pet. iv. 16. it is for the name of Christ, and of this we ought not to 
 be ashamed." 
 
 As they drew near the town, Kalleken began to sing a 
 hymn. Master Klaes said : " The apostles did not sing as 
 you do, and I will not dance ; why then do you sing ?" 
 
 Matt. X. 28. Antonls said: "Sister, do not fear, but sing joyfully;" and 
 Laurens helped, singing with her. When they came into 
 the town there was a great concourse of people; they 
 proclaimed God's word both by singing and speaking. 
 " Amongst all the things," said Laurens, " for which we 
 
 1 Pet. iv. 15. are apprehended, there is no evil doing ; we are arrested 
 for living agreeably to the word of God." 
 
 Matt.vii.i4. Kalleken Strings said: "The gate is strait, and the way 
 is narrow that leads to life ; enter therein ; do good and 
 forsake evil, and fear not the rulers of this world ; but buy 
 Testaments, read the will of God, and follow it." They 
 were led to the tower of the hall and placed in confine- 
 ment, where they remained some months and days, patient 
 
 Phil. ii. 17. and cheerful, expecting the day on which they should pre- 
 
 Acts xvii. sent their sacrifice. In the meantime they were visited 
 
 40. . 
 
 and comforted by many brethren and sisters; they were 
 also examined, from time to time, respecting their faith, 
 
 1 Pet iii 15 which they boldly confessed, and from which, for no pain 
 
 Heb. X. 38. or Suffering, would they swerve. 
 
 Finally, after having suffered many tortures, on the 
 rack and by other means, Laurens van de Walle, Antonis 
 
 Mark xiii. Schoonvelt, and Kalleken Strings, for their valiant and 
 
 13. . . . 
 
 persevering adhesion to the truth, were delivered over, by 
 the inquisitor, into the hands of the secular authority, to 
 be dealt with according to the tenor of the royal proclama- 
 tions. In doing so, the inquisitor read, in the hearing of 
 
THE CHURCHES OV CHRIST. 309 
 
 the Ignorant people, great and heavy accusations against 
 them (as he thought) ; as, that they affirmed and confessed 
 the pope of Rome to be antichrist; that they held the Uoimii.is. 
 church of Rome to be the whore of Babylon ; that they Rev. xvii. s. 
 denounced the mass as an idol, &c. 
 
 Laurens began to say, that he had not (without some 
 qualifications) thus spoken or confessed ; but in violent 
 lancruasre he was told to be silent. He said, however, 
 " Thieves and murderers are permitted to have some one 
 to speak for them, but you have not allowed either attorney 
 or advocate to speak for us ; therefore, we are obliged to 
 speak for ourselves." 
 
 Kalleken Strings sat quietly with her head on her 
 hand, martyred with pain ; she also spoke boldly. 
 
 On the evidence of the inquisitor, both Laurens and 
 Antonis Schoonvelt were condemned by the magistrates 
 to be publicly strangled at a stake and burned. A scaffold 
 and two stakes were therefore prepared, as also wood 
 and straw. 
 
 They were brought out with their arms bound together. 
 Coming to the place where their sacrifice should be made, 
 they fell upon their knees, and offered prayer to God. 
 When they rose up, the executioner entreated their Acts vi. eo. 
 forgiveness, which they kindly granted, according to the Matt. vi. 14. 
 precept of Christ. 
 
 Laurens said to the magistrates aloud, that he truly and 
 cheerfully forgave them, and all that were guilty in the 
 affair. He fearlessly said, like the third son of the Mac- 
 cabees, " These limbs were given me by the God of 
 heaven, I will, therefore, willingly surrender them again, 2 Mace. vii. 
 for the sake of his law." On entering the straw house, 
 they both took leave aloud of all the brethren and sisters 
 scattered In many countries, towns, and villages; andipet. ii. 
 commending their spirits into the hands of God, they Luke xxiii. 
 departed from this world. 
 
310 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 In the month of October of the same year, Kalleken 
 
 Strings, a very comely and well-behaved young woman, 
 
 Matt. X. 22. was also handed over to the secular authorities. She was 
 
 2 Mace. vii. modcst, fcarlcss, and steadfast. By no fair promises of 
 
 24. 
 
 possessions and money, or temporal prosperity, nor by 
 any pain or torture (although she was so tortured, that 
 she was taken from the rack for dead), were they able to 
 seduce her from the faith. Even when her mother had, 
 for this purpose, come to her in prison, she was unmoved 
 and could not be brought over ; but, hearing and seeing 
 her daughter's steadfastness, and kind reception, she said, 
 " My daughter is better than I." 
 
 After this, she was sentenced to be strangled and 
 
 burned. She said, " You have now condemned me to the 
 
 flames, according to the emperor's proclamation ; do you 
 
 Matt. XXV. clread the judgment of God, by which he will sentence you 
 
 to everlasting fire." 
 
 On the day of her expected execution, a great number 
 of people, from far and near, assembled together to witness 
 it. The magistrates seeing this, and fearful of ujoroar, did 
 not bring Kalleken out. The executioner came alone out 
 of the town-hall, saying to the people she was already 
 dead. The people therefore dispersed, thinking that she 
 had privately been beheaded. 
 
 But, early the next day, unexpectedly, not a scaffold, 
 
 but other preparations having been made, she was brought 
 
 Eph. vi. 18. to the market place, and after prayer to God, commending 
 
 Luke xxiii. her spirit into his hands, the sentence was executed. Thus 
 
 Matt. XXV. she departed from this world, going with her lamp burning 
 
 to meet her Bridegroom. 
 
 Meanwhile, Sijntgen Potvliets, not having remained 
 steadfast, was set at liberty. But Maeyken Kocx re- 
 maining firm, was respited, and kept in custody, until she 
 was delivered, and had recovered from her confinement. 
 Then notwithstanding that her heart clung to Iier husband 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 311 
 
 and children, yet, loving God above all, and from love to Matt. xxii. 
 him abiding in the truth she had known and received, 
 esteeming that precious treasui^e of greater value than her 2Cor. iv. ic. 
 own life, she was condemned to be publicly strangled at mke xiv. 
 
 26. 
 
 a stake and burned ; which was executed. Commending L,jke xxiu. 
 her spirit into the hands of God, she cheerfully departed, *''• 
 knowing that she should inherit everlasting joy, and enter 
 in with the five wise virgins, when, at midnight, the cry 
 shall be heard, saying, Behold the bridegroom cometh ; go 
 ye out to meet him.^ 
 
 FEANCOIS, OF ELSTLAND."— at^no 1561. 
 
 A brother, named Francois of Elstland, otherwise 
 called Francis of Menin (a mason by trade), left Menin 
 for Arras, in Flanders, to work as a, mason, and thus to L287] 
 
 ' ■ Actsxviii.3. 
 
 earn a livelihood. At this place, on St. Dcnys' day, the 
 9th October, 1561, as he was taking a horse to water, 
 belonging to a gentleman for whom he worked, he was Acts xii. 3. 
 apprehended, in consequence of his showing but little 
 reverence to the popish idol. Notwithstanding many 
 solicitations, threatenings, and sufferings, he would not Heb. x. 38. 
 renounce his faith, and was, at last, on the 21st October, 
 burned alive, as a witness for God. A shameless monk John xv. 27. 
 exclaimed; " Go, thou accursed one, from these flames 
 into everlasting fire!" But Francois patiently bore it, 1 Pot. u. 23. 
 leaving vengeance to God, who in his own time will pass pg. va. 11. 
 a truly righteous judgment. 
 
 ^ [These martyrs are commemo- *• [Alsace, now a department of 
 
 rated in ahymn in the Liedtboecken, France.] 
 fol. 41, 47.] 
 
312 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 JAN SCHUT.— ANKO 1561. 
 
 For following Christ, and for living agreeably to God's 
 holy word, another pious champion and combatant of 
 Jesus Christ, named Jan Schut, fell into the hands of the 
 tyrants and persecutors in the year 1561, in the city of 
 Vreden in Westphalia. In this place he sufiFered, and, by 
 God's grace, bore a cruel imprisonment, often threatened 
 with death. Being brought bound before the justices, to 
 Matt. X. 32. give account of his faith, he made a fearless confession, 
 Luke xii. 8. affirming that he believed according to the word of God. 
 
 1. They asked him about his baptism, and what he 
 held on infant baptism ? He answered, that he had been 
 baptized upon his faith, as Christ his faithful Saviour in 
 
 Markxvi. Mark xvi. has commanded us; that baptism should be 
 Matt.xxviii. administered only to believers, and not to children with- 
 out understanding ; that he had never read in the holy 
 scriptures of infant baptism, and therefore it could not 
 be proved from the word of God. Baptism belongs to 
 Acts ii. 41, those alone who have amended their sinful lives. They 
 
 aud viii. 36. ^ ^ ^ 
 
 asked him, peremptorily, if- he would not recant ? He 
 Malt. X. 33. replied that, it would not answer to forsake God's word 
 Mark viii. ^^^ suffcr ctcmal death ; but that he would rather suffer 
 
 for the truth, were the pain twice as great. 
 
 2. Concerning the supper of the Lord, he solidly 
 Matt. xxvi. avowed that it should be kept according to the institution 
 
 26. 
 
 Markxiv. o^ ChHst ; and that therein, with a humble heart. His 
 bitter sufferings and innocent death are to be remembered, 
 
 1 Cor. xi. 23. and how he shed his precious blood for us poor sinners on 
 the cross. 
 
 3. They asked him, in many words, if Christ our 
 Saviour was not of Mary's flesh and blood? As this 
 point is a principal article of our Christian faith, he 
 answered them fully, saying, that he had never read 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHKIST. 313 
 
 their opinion in the word of God : and asking them how 
 could he be from the earth, whom God the Father had john xvi. 
 sent down from heaven ? But he was conceived of the Joiin xui. 3. 
 Virgin Mary, of the Holy Ghost, and became man by the Gai. w. 4. 
 active power of the Almighty; so that the holy thing 
 that was born of her, was called the Son of the most 
 hicrh God, without in the least deo-ree partaking of the ^"''® '• ^-'^• 
 corrupted or sinful flesh of men. The Word, according Matt. i. 20. 
 to the testimony of John, became flesh, or man. The ° " '' ^^' 
 glory of the only begotten Son of the Father was handled 
 and seen, and the promises of God, that he should spring 1 Tim. ii. 5. 
 from the stock of David, were perfectly fulfilled in Christ, isa. xi. 1. 
 by whom we all, that were lost, are redeemed and recon- Rom. i. 3. 
 died unto God. 
 
 4. They asked him concerning their rulers, if they were 
 
 not of God ? He answered. Yes ; for the protection of ^^^ ^.^^ ^ 
 the pious, and the punishment of evil-doers. They are 1 Pet. a. 13. 
 ordained of God, to govern their countries in peace. 
 
 5. They asked him what he held regarding the marriage 
 
 state. He answered, that one man and one woman were Matt. xix. 
 
 ic. 
 bound together in matrimony ; and that this bond no one .. 
 
 had power to dissolve, except for the cause of adultery ; 
 
 herein following the doctrine of Christ, Matt. xix. 
 
 6. They inquired of him concerning revolt and mutiny. 
 He answered that he did not approve of such evil things ; 
 but that he, with his brethren, were taught, on the con- 
 trary, to love their enemies, and to do good to them that Matt. v. 44. 
 despitefully use and persecute us ; and that nothing dif- ^°^- ^" ^^• 
 ferent from this could be said with truth of him and his 
 brethren. 
 
 7. They asked him who was his leader. He answered Eph. i. 22, 
 that it was Christ and his doctrine, who had called him in 1 cor. xi 3. 
 peace ; and by his faithful Saviour and his blessed teach- 
 ing he hoped to abide, and to confirm the same by his 
 
 blood and death. 
 
314 A MAETYROLOGY OF 
 
 He was then sentenced by these tyrants, and executed 
 with the sword. The principal justice, who pronounced 
 this sentence, riding past the body a few days after the 
 murder, called out in ridicule, " Schut, sing us a hymn ;" 
 Schut having been cheerful in his affliction, and having 
 sung much in prison and on his way to death. The judge 
 was seized with apoplexy and never spoke again, but 
 died shortly after. It was regarded by many as a visita- 
 tion and punishment from God. 
 [288] Concerning this account, read his own hymn, in the old 
 hymn-book, beginning, 
 
 " Lord, I may well complain." " 
 
 JAN, HENDEIK, BASTIAN, HANS, MAHIKEN OF 
 MENIN, BEETKEN OE BETJGES, AND LYNTGEN.— 
 
 THE 15th August, anno 1561. 
 
 In the year of our Lord 1561, there were apprehended 
 
 at Antwerp in Brabant, for the testimony of Jesus, seven 
 
 pious witnesses of the truth, named Jan, Hendrik, Bas- 
 
 tian, Hans, Mariken of Menin, Beetken of Bruges, and 
 
 Matt, vii.24. Lyntgen. All these built the edifice of their faith so 
 
 Eph. i. 21. firmly and strong on the chief corner-stone, Christ Jesus, 
 
 1 Pet. u. . ^1^^^ neither by the philosophy and artifices of the papists, 
 
 nor by tyranny and violence, could they be brought to 
 
 recant. Their faith was found far more precious than 
 
 1 Pet. i. 7 All 
 
 perishable gold, that is tried by fire. At the place men- 
 tioned, on the 15th of August of the same year, they 
 resigned their lives for the truth, and through God's grace 
 , , . „ obtained the end of their faith, which is eternal salvation ; 
 
 1 Pet. 1. 9. 
 
 expecting to receive in eternity the crown of everlasting 
 glory with all the pious. 
 
 ■^ [Een Liedtboecken, &c., fol. 51. The finst line is, " Heer God ick 
 mach wel clagen."] 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 315 
 
 Concerning this, read the long and beautiful hymn, 
 composed for the comfort of these prisoners, in the second 
 hymn-book, beginning — 
 
 " Dear brethren, we salute you with songs." 
 
 TWELVE CHEISTIANS AT BEUGES : — ADEIAN 
 BEAEL, LUCAS HENDEIKS, MAEIJN AMAEE, 
 NIKASEN AMAEE, HANSKEN LIS, ANDEIES 
 MILLEE, AXTHOXY KEUTE, HANSKEN PAE- 
 MENTIEE, JAN N., JELIS OUTEEMAN, FEAN- 
 CIJNTGEN MILLEE, AND MAETKEN TEAMS, 1561. 
 
 It happened in the year 1561, in the evening before St. 
 Martin's day, that at Bruges in Flanders, some Christians ^^^g ^^ 7 
 were assembled, to instruct each other from the word of „ , . ,^ 
 
 ' Mark i. 15. 
 
 the Lord, and to exhort one another to amendment of life. 
 When the magistrates heard of it, they sent the bailiff's 
 officers thither, who, on arriving, sprang in and cried out, 
 " Deliver yourselves up, prisoners, or we will run you 
 through; give up your arms and books." They replied, 
 "We are not people that desire to avenge ourselves, but Rom.xii.19. 
 leave vengeance to God, who in his own time will take neb. x. 30. 
 vengeance." They were then bound together, two and , ^ 
 
 '=' '' D ' John xvHi. 
 
 two, and led to prison. They went fearlessly, comforting 2 cor xiii. 
 each other with the word of God. Three escaped, viz., ^^' 
 Rutsaert, with his wife, and one named Maeyken ; but the 
 rest arriving at the prison, were cheerful. Francijntgen Acta v. 42. 
 Miller said to Maeyken : " Dear sister, let us remember Phii. ir. 4 
 that the kingdom of heaven is nigh at hand ; and be true Aiarkxii.30. 
 and faithful to our bridegx-oom." 1/' '^^^^ 
 
 Jelis and Hansken Parmentier sang each a hymn for 
 joy. On St. Martin's day they were brought before the 
 magistrates, where they boldly confessed their faith. They 
 
316 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Mark xvi. also confessed that, according to the command of Christ, 
 they had been baptized. 
 
 These ten brethren and two sisters then lay in prison 
 
 A^cts xvi. about thirty days, where they praised God and prepared 
 
 Acts V. 41. themselves to suffer for his name. In the meantime they 
 were once more brought before the magistrates, where 
 they again made confession of their faith, and said they 
 would adhere firmly to it. 
 
 Rom. xii. 1. Afterwards, on the 10th of December, six of them were 
 sacrificed, viz. : — Adrian Brael, Lucas Hendriks, Marijn 
 Amare, Nikasen Amare, Hansken Lis, and Andries 
 
 2^cor. xiii. ]y[jiigj.^ With a cheerful heart they comforted each other. 
 
 2 Tim. iv. 7, Amongst other expressions they said, " The battle is now 
 fought; the course nearly finished, and henceforth (as 
 
 James i. 12. Paul says) the crown of life is laid up for us." 
 
 The next day, on the 11th December, six more were 
 put to death, viz. : — Anthony Keute, Hansken Parraentier, 
 Jan, Jelis Outerman, Francijntgen Miller, and Maeyken 
 
 Matt. XXV. Trams. With their lamps burning, and adorned with 
 
 1, and xxii. , . - . , • n 
 
 12. their wedding garments, they went joyfully to meet their 
 
 Bridegroom ; and with love so great that, for his sake, 
 
 they regarded not the bitterness of death. Francijntgen 
 Matt. xii. called out to one of her acquaintance, charging her to 
 
 salute heartily the brethren and sisters in the Lord ; and 
 Matt. X 22. to say that they cheerfully suffered for the name of the 
 
 Lord, and would valiantly endure the conflict as their 
 
 Bridegroom had done. 
 
 Thus were all these, as well the first as the last six, 
 .lohn xvii. strangled and burned together for the name of God and 
 
 his truth. They are now at rest, waiting for the coming 
 
 of the Lord who will avenge their wrong. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 
 
 317 
 
 Matt. vii. 
 15. 
 
 JAN HULLE, AT TPEES.— 1561, 
 Even as the wolf will generally obey the instincts of his 
 inherent voracious nature, so that the sheep can make no 
 sure ao-reement with him, but must stand constantly in 
 peril and danger of being devoured by him, so was it in 
 the year 1561, in Flanders, in the town of Ypres, where johnx, 3. 
 a pious sheep of Christ was seized and taken prisoner by ^^^^^ 
 devouring wolves. He was an old man, by name Jan 
 Hulle. He sustained and endured many hard combats 2 Tim. ii. 5. 
 with these wolves, not on account of any evil deed, but iPet.iv. 1.5. 
 only for living agreeably to God's word ; from which they 
 tyrannically sought to draw him aside and make him fall. 
 But having, as an obedient follower of Jesus Christ, Eph. v. 1. 
 listened to the voice of his only shepherd, he fled from John x. 27. 
 these strangers, and would not hear them. He was, there- 
 fore, condemned by the great ones of this world to suffer 
 death, and at the place mentioned was committed to the iPet.iv.12. 
 flames. The suffering inflicted on him he, like a pious 2 Tim. ii. 3. 
 warrior of Jesus Christ, armed with patience, steadfastly 1 John iv. 5. 
 endured through faith ; and as he was not ashamed of 
 Jesus Christ and his truth, but openly confessed it before Matt. x. 32. 
 rulers and princes, testifying to it, and confirming it by Like xii. s. 
 his blood ; so shall Christ (coming in the clouds of heaven ^^"- ^''^• 
 in the glory of his Father), in return, not be ashamed of 
 him, but acknowledge and confess him before his Father, Rev. iii. 5. 
 placing him at his right hand, and calling him, with all 
 the blessed, to enter that kingdom which was prepared for Matt xxv. 
 them from the beginning of the world, that is, everlasting 
 glory in heaven.'' 
 
 <i [" There suffered this year, says at Wynox-bergen, five at Ypres, 
 
 Brandt, " upon account of religion, twelve at Bruges, and eight at 
 
 seven and twenty anabaptists, Antwerp." Hist, of Ref. i. 141. 
 
 among whom seven were women. Van Braght mentions four other 
 
 They were all beheaded at several persons besides those in the text.] 
 places ; to wit, one at Arras, one 
 
318 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 JELIS STEIN as, WITH PIETEE AND JELIS 
 POTVLIET.— 15G2. 
 
 [289] Jelis Strings, a circumspect young man, a journeyman, 
 and Pieter Potvliet, with his brother Jelis Potvliet, a 
 young person, all three born at Tielt, in Flanders, having 
 
 Eph. V. 25. attained the knowledge of divine truth, and joined the 
 
 Matt. X. 23, church of God, after enduring much persecution, came at 
 length to reside at Werwyk, gaining a livelihood by 
 weaving tape. It fell out about the middle of the sum- 
 mer, in the year 1562, that the inquisitor came by night 
 with many officers, and surrounded the house, and took 
 these three brethren prisoners. 
 
 When it was day they were put into a waggon, and 
 bound fast with cords ; the inquisitor, with his com- 
 panions, riding at their side on horseback. They were 
 thus conducted through Menin to Courtrai, a journey of 
 three hours, where they lay prisoners three months, very 
 strictly guarded. They had many discussions with the 
 inquisitor, and other so called spiritual persons, concerning 
 
 Matt. X. 22. the faith ; but they valiantly and perseveringly adhered to 
 the truth they had received. The inquisitor, therefore, 
 with the lord of Everbeck (in whose lordship they had 
 been apprehended), and many attendants, on horseback 
 
 John xviii. and on foot, took these pious witnesses of the truth in a 
 waggon the same way back, and brought them to Werwyk, 
 where, in the market called the Steenacker, a piece 
 of ground, enclosed with stakes and wood, was prepared 
 to burn them. But as it had rained exceedingly hard 
 1^290] while they were on the road between Menin and Werwyk, 
 and the wood and straw had become very wet, and also 
 because the bailiff was not willing to have them burnedj 
 
 Acts xii. 2. they were all three condemned to be beheaded. 
 
 Jelis Striniis Avas first brought forth. On going to 
 
 31 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 319 
 
 death he said, among other things, " Because I believe ^att. xvi. 
 
 that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, born 
 
 of the Virgin Mary, I must therefore die." A monk who Lukoa. 7. 
 
 was in attendance on him immediately said, " You lie." ^"^'^ ^ ^^• 
 
 Jelis said further, completing his speech, " And because I ^ Thess. u. 
 
 believe the pope to be antichrist." Finally, kneeling 
 
 down, he said with a trembling voice, " O heavenly Father, ^'^^^ ^"- ^'-'• 
 
 into thy hands I commend my spirit." TIid executioner 
 
 very soon completed his work and covered his dead body 
 
 with wood, that the others who were to follow might not 
 
 see it. 
 
 Pieter Potvliet was next brought forward. As he was 
 going to death, he said, " It was appointed before for the 33^^ '''""■ 
 name of the Lord." He cited also in confirmation of his Actsvii. eo. 
 faith, Eph. iv. 5, " That there is one Lord, one faith, one 
 baptism," &c. Having knelt down, he likewise exclaimed, 
 " O heavenly Father, into thy hands I commend my ^^^^ '='^"'- 
 spirit." The executioner speedily used his sword, and 
 inflicted five strokes on the shoulder, head, and neck 
 before he completed his work, when he covered the dead 
 body as before. 
 
 Jells Potvliet (still young in years) Avas the third 
 brought forward. Among other expressions when going 
 to death, he repeated the saying of Christ, Fear not them 
 that kill the body, &c. Kneeling down he also said, 
 " O heavenly Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." 
 But before the last word was perfectly uttered, his head 
 was severed from the body. Their bodies were placed 
 upon wheels, between Werwyk and Menin, but shortly Tob. 1. 19. 
 afterwards were taken off and buried by some of their 
 companions. 
 
 Two letters were written by Jelis Strings, and are pre- 
 served, which he wrote at Courtrai, in prison, and one of 
 which, for the satisfaction of the Christian reader, we have 
 appended hereto. 
 
320 A MARTYROLOGT OP 
 
 Hie first Letter qfjelis Strings. 
 
 2 Tim i- 2. Grace, mercy, and peace., be to you from God our 
 heavenly Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of 
 
 2j«hML3. ^]j^ Father in truth and love. May he lead you who have 
 now for a short time to suffer persecutionj strengthen and 
 
 MuuxiT. confirm you, and grant you to be strong in the inward 
 
 3Cor.iT.ieL man; that Jesus Christ may dwell in your hearts by tliith: 
 that you may be TXK>ted and grounded in love: and com- 
 prehend with all saints, the height, the depth, the length, 
 and breadth of his mercy ; and rightly walk therein, and 
 remain unmoveable to the end of your life. This we 
 desire for all of you who love the Lord, as a hearty salu- 
 tation, my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord. 
 
 Further, you will (after salutations^ be pleased to know 
 that it is tolerably well with us: the Lord for ever be 
 pnused for his mercy. Pray the Lord for us, that he will 
 order all things agreeably to his will. We are tolerably 
 courageous, the Lord be praised. 
 
 Funher, I cordially entreat you to make a wise distinc- 
 tion in all things, and frequently instruct the simple and 
 weak in the fiith. There is great need of this. They 
 trouble those that are prisoners when they find that they 
 are not well informed, as much again as those that are 
 established in the faith. You that are weak and simple, 
 take it well to heart, and be not ashamed to inquire con- 
 cemincr the things of your soul, until you can clearly 
 distinguish before the pinch comes. Take this warning to 
 heart, for one is confident when assured and certain of his 
 
 Eeehe. faith. For Sirach says, ••' A man who is assured of his 
 cause, is like a house that is bound and nailed firmly 
 together, and is not alarmed when a storm arises. ' Thus, 
 dear friends, let us also build upon Christ Jesus who must 
 be the foundation, that is to sav, on his word, for Christ 
 
 limtt. Tii. ' 
 
 f\ - ,- himself saith. Whosoever heareth mij irord. and doeth it, I 
 
 LTixe Tl. is. 
 
THE CHUECHES OP CHEIST. 321 
 
 will show you to whom he is like : he is like a man vcho built Hatt.Tii.24. 
 a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock, LnkcTLtf. 
 Although floods and storms assail It, it remains firmly 
 standing: for it is founded on the rock. But he that 
 hears my word, and does it not (saith Christ j, he is like a 
 foolish man, who builds his house on the sands. When 
 the floods come, or the winds blow, it falls, and its fall is 
 great. Observe, my friends, he saith it is great. Thus, 
 dear friends, dig deep, that is, according to my under- 
 standing, examine, and take it well to heart, that we be 
 not found foolish. James likewise exhorts us, that we '»=!«= i ±2 
 be doers of the word, and not hearers only, thereby 
 deceiving ourselves. For a man that hears it and does it 
 not, is like a man that sees his natural face in a glass, and 
 going away, forgets what manner of man he was. But he 
 that beholdeth himself in the law of God, and is a doer of 
 the word, and not a hearer only, he is blessed. Yea. 
 Christ saith himself. Blessed are they that hear the word h-^i xl. is, 
 of God and keep it. John likewise admonishes us, 2^1; 
 Rev. i. 3, that they are blessed who hear the word; 
 of the prophets and keep the things which are written 
 therein. 
 
 Dear friends, if we hear his word, and keep it in our 
 hearts, all the promises of salvation belong to us. It is 
 the true food of the soul, with which all Christians must 
 be fed, in order to live ; for Christ saith, that man liveth not luit. .x. i. 
 by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the 
 mouth of God. Even as the prophet Jeremiah says, O Jer. xt. le. 
 Lord, thy icord did nourish me when I had found it, and the 
 same was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. Solomon 
 says. Every word of God is pure, and a shield unto them that f^^' "*' 
 put their trust therein. Let us then, dear friends, ever 
 confide in God's word, it will not deceive us, for John 
 says, These are the true sayings of God. Heaven and earth ^'^- ^^ 5. 
 shall pass aicay, but the word of God shall not pass atcay. ^"- " . 
 
 VOL. n. Y 
 
322 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Let US attend well tbereto, for it is that which shall judge 
 johnxii. 48. US at thc last day; for Christ saith, I judge you not; the 
 words that I have spoken shall judge you in the last day. O 
 dear friends, shall that judge us ? then must we examine 
 well, and always try ourselves, if our lives accord with 
 God's word, and rightly view ourselves therein, to see if 
 there is nothing about us condemnable ; and if we find 
 aught impure in us, let us follow the prophet's counsel, 
 isa. i. le. ^rlio says. Wash you, make you clean ; put aioay the evil of 
 your doings from before mine eyes ; cease to do evil; learn to 
 do well ; judge the fatherless ; plead for the widow ; come 
 now, and let us speak of chastisement ; though your sins be as 
 scarlet, I icill make them ivhite as snoic. He saith. If ye 
 will hear me, ye shall possess the good of the land ; but if ye 
 refuse and remain disobedient, ye shall be devoured icith the 
 sword; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Dear 
 1 Cor. X. 10. brethren and sisters, let us not be disobedient, neither 
 murmur against God like Israel, for which they w^ere cast 
 Heb. iii. 7. out. Do wc to-day hear his voice ? let us not then harden 
 Heb. iv. 2. Qur hearts, but let us fear, lest, a promise being left of 
 entering into rest, we should come short of it ; and that 
 none of us be found remaining without, for we are suffi- 
 ciently admonished and invited, as Israel was, but the 
 word preached did not profit them, because they did not 
 ^um.xui. gj.j.j^jy believe it. Let us have a steadfast faith, like Caleb 
 Deut. i. 20. Q^^ Joshua, who regarded neither the size of the 
 Canaanites nor the strength of their cities, although their 
 cities reached up unto heaven ; that is, their walls were 
 high. The men were like unto giants ; they were as grass- 
 Num. xiv. hoppers in their sight. But Caleb and Joshua confided in 
 God, and said, God is with us, their defence is departed 
 from them, we will devour them like bread ; and by their 
 faith they overcame, and entered the land of promise. So, 
 dear brethren, our enemies are great, strong, and many ; 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 323 
 
 but, if we have faith, as Caleb and Joshua had, if we look 
 not to our own strength, but go out of ourselves, and with 
 our whole hearts rely upon him, we shall then surely over- 
 come. David says. Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust in ^^^' ^''''^'"• 
 him, and he shall bring it to pass. Solomon likewise says, 
 Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not unto thy p^ov. iii. s. 
 oivn understanding ; acknowledge him in all thy ways, and he 
 shall direct thy paths. Paul also says. Let your conversa- Heb. xiii. 5. 
 tion he without covetousness, and be content with such things 
 as ye have ; for he hath said, I icill never leave thee nor ^*'"' ^'^'^i- 
 forsake thee, so that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, 
 and L tcill not fear ichat man shall do unto me. David says. 
 The L^ord is my shepherd; L shall not want. He maketh me psa xxiii.i. 
 to lie down in green pastures ; he leadeth me beside the still 
 waters ; he restoreth my soul ; and leadeth me in the paths of 
 righteousness for his name^s sake. Although I should walk in 
 a dark valley, I fear no evil, for thou art with me ; thy rod 
 and thy staff, they comfort me. 
 
 O dear friends, where is there such a god to be found 
 among the Babylonians ? He saith. When thou walkest i>.a. xwi. 2. 
 through the fire, I will be with thee, that the flames kindle 
 not upon thee ; when thou passest through the Avater, I will 
 be with thee, that the streams do not drown thee. Yea he 
 saith. The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but isa. iiv. 10. 
 my kindness shall not depart, neither shall the covenant of my 
 peace be removed from thee, saith the Lord that hath mercy 
 on thee. Brethren and sisters, have we such a God, who 
 thus helpeth in trouble ? who are we, that we should be 
 afraid of men, and of the sons of men which shall be made i^a- •*• 12. 
 like grass ? Christ himself hath said, Fea.r not them which Matt. x. 28. 
 kill the body, but fear him who is able to cast both soul and 2 cor. i.s. 
 body into hell. See, friends, although many sufferings come ^l^J^^ 3. 
 upon us for Christ's sake, yet much comfort comes to us 
 also by Christ. Let us therefore heartily humble ourselves 
 
 Y 2 
 
324 A MATITYROLOGY OF 
 
 and keep his commandments, and pray before him with 
 tears, that he, according to his pleasure, will show us his 
 mercy, that, like as we now must sorrow on account of 
 
 1 Pet. i. 6. their haughtiness, we may, after this mourning, rejoice, 
 
 Peut.xxxii. because we follow not the sins of our fathers, who forsook 
 their God, and followed after strange gods ; for which the 
 Lord gave them into the hands of their enemies. There- 
 fore, dear brethren, ye who are elders, comfort the people 
 with your words ; exhort them to remember that our 
 fathers were tried in many ways, and had to overcome 
 many assaults, that they might be put to the trial, whether 
 they from their hearts served God. Thus Isaac, Jacob, 
 and Moses stood steadfast, and overcame much trouble. 
 But others, who would not submit to affliction, but im- 
 patiently murmured against God, were destroyed of the 
 destroyer and the serpents. Let us think that we are 
 chastened of God for correction and not for destruction, 
 
 Het). xii. c. and that the chastisement is much less than our sins ; For 
 whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son 
 whom he receiveth ; but if ye he without chastisement, whereof 
 all are partakers, then are ye not children, but bastards. 
 Therefore, dear friends, let us for a little time be patient 
 
 Eom. viii. iu tliis tribulation, for the suffering of this present time is 
 
 18 
 
 not to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed 
 1 Pet. V. 10. in us. The God of all grace strengthen, establish, settle us 
 all; this I wish you altogether as a salutation. I, Peter, 
 also greet you heartily, and desire from my heart that you 
 would watch over my wife. She told me she hopes to do 
 Eph. vi. 19. all in her power. We entreat you to pray for us, that we 
 may finish our course to the honour of God and the salva- 
 tion of our souls. We send to you a warning that if 
 Paurvels has not removed house, that he remove. We 
 advise you for the best. We would add other intelligence, 
 but we are fearful lest the letter should not reach you. I, 
 
THE CUUllCHES OF CHRIST. 325. 
 
 Pieter Potvliet, greet you heartily, and leave you iny 
 testament. Continue steadfast and unmoveable in the 
 work of the Lord ; see that your labour be not in vain, 
 and remain commended to God. 
 By me Jelis Strings.^ 
 
 HENDEIK EEMKENS.— 1562. 
 
 At Utrecht, in the year 1562, was apprehended, for the [^y*] 
 testimony of our blessed Lord, Jesus Christ, a brother John xv. 21. 
 named Hendrik Eemkens, a tailor, to whom, after every 
 solicitation, and torture, tidings were at length brought 
 that he must die. He was glad that it was permitted him 
 also to be a witness of the name of the Lord. This intel- Acts v. 41. 
 ligence was brought him by the pastor of the Buarkerk, ^°''- "• ^^• 
 and a grey monk, whose name was Brother Jan van 
 Herentals, who delivered the message in few words, and 
 again left him. He said to brother Jan, " You need not 
 come again to-morrow; for I have no need of you." The 
 next morning he was brought out of prison into another 
 room, where he had much conversation with the monk 
 who immediately condemned him. To which he replied, 
 saying, " Judge not, that you be not judged." The monk 
 said, " You have acknowledged that you do not believe '^'^^'^- ^''^ 
 that Christ took flesh of Mary." To which he answered, 
 " I have once spoken in my confession. Shall I repeat it 
 again to you ?" and referred him to John i. The monk 
 then asked if he would not confess to him. He said, 
 " I have confessed myself to God." The monk said, 
 " Have you grown so old without confession ?" " No." 
 said he, " I have confessed myself to men, and God knows 
 
 ^ [Vau Braght also gives the se- baptism, tlie iucaruation, and kiu- 
 cond letter containiBg some account dred topics.] 
 of the martyr's examinations on 
 
326 A MAIITYROLOGY OF 
 
 I am heartily sorry for having submitted so long to such 
 confession." The monk then asked if he would not hear 
 mass. " I liave," said he, " read so much, that I loathe 
 the mass. And though I would not have it, if you, not- 
 withstanding, will do it, how can I help it ? Hence, if you 
 will do it, do it ; but not on my account, for I do not wish 
 it." Whereupon the monk asked if he would not partake 
 of the sacrament ? He said, " No ; but could I receive the 
 
 Matt. xxvi. supper of the Lord as he instituted and commanded it, and 
 the apostles and their churches practised it, that I should 
 
 Acts ii. 42. heartily desire, and thank the Lord for it; but your 
 deception I do not desire." The monk then doomed him 
 to perdition two or three times. Afterwards came the 
 constables, and wished to give him drink, but he did not 
 desire it. One of the jailer's daughters then came, a light 
 minded young woman, and wanted to pour it into his 
 mouth with a spoon — she was sitting and drinking there 
 with the constables. But Heudrik said to her, " I have 
 already told you that I do not desire it ; if it is possible, 
 leave me in peace." On which one of the constables said, 
 " Will you then go hence fasting ?" He replied, " I thirst 
 for pure wine, of which I hope soon to drink." The monk 
 said, " God does not pour new wine into old bottles." He 
 
 Matt. xxvi. gg^i(j iQ ii^Q nionk, " Because I am made anew, therefore 
 you hate me." Many other words passed, that are 
 forgotten, for he hiinself could not write ; and this was 
 written by one that was present while Hendrik was speak- 
 ing with the monk. Though he was not a brother, nor a 
 fellow member of the church with Hendrik, yet, attach- 
 ment urged him to write out this, which he renaembered, 
 as he saw and heard it, as a memorial for the use of all 
 lovers of the truth. What follows, not he only, but also 
 the citizens in common, saw and heard, and can attest it 
 with him. 
 
 When Hendrik came upon the scaffold, he began to 
 
THE CHURCHES OP CHRIST. 327 
 
 speak, at considerable length, to the citizens, saying 
 among other things, " Good citizens, amend your lives, Mark i. is. 
 and receive the gospel only, and no human institutions." 
 
 As they were leading him to the justices to hear his 
 sentence, he again turned his head to the townspeople, and 
 said, that they were all institutions of men, with which Matt. xv. e. 
 people were now occupied, and they who would not follow [aosj 
 them, must be the scorn and offscouring of all things, and icoi. iv.ia. 
 be thus led to death. 
 
 The sentence having been read, many went away, who 
 lamented it and could not witness his death. But Hen- 
 drik Eemkens fell upon his knees, and on his face, on the 
 scaffold, to pour out his earnest prayer to God. When 
 the executioner saw that he fell prostrate, he tore his 
 cassock, which was hanging on his shoulders, from his 
 body, and pulled him up by his shirt, so that he could not 
 complete his prayer. 
 
 He then said to the people, " Dear citizens, repent, it is Acts li. 38. 
 more than time. Live according to the command of God, 
 and agreeably to the words of the holy gospel." He again 
 called out with a loud voice, " This is the narrow path. Matt, vii.14. 
 and the strait gate ;" and named the chapters in which 
 it stood, and many other scriptures to the same purpose. 
 He afterwards went, of himself, with a cheerful mind, to 
 the bench where he was to be strangled and burnt, and 
 said again, " This is the strait gate, press through it ; Luke xiii. 
 the men of God have pressed through it ; for he that 
 firmly combats to the end shall be saved ; of that I do not 
 doubt." He now stretched out his body and neck on the 
 stake with great fearlessness, and said again, with cheer- 
 fulness, " Dear citizens, repent ; believe the gospel, and Mark i 15. 
 not men ; for this is the narrow way that a Christian must 
 walk in." The executioner then took a chain and put it 
 round his body ; and a small bag of gunpowder, and put 
 it round his neck, so that It hung at his breast. He spoke 
 
328 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 valiantly to the end, but the words were not very intel- 
 ligible ; for the executioner took a cord, and put it about 
 his neck and wound it round. He then closed his eyes, 
 just as if he was swooning; and was seen to do no more 
 than once again to raise his eyes heavenward, and imme- 
 diately became unconscious. The executioner proceeded 
 to draw the bench from under his feet ; then took a pitch 
 fork on which he put a bunch of straw, and lighting it at a 
 pot of fire that stood on the scaffold, as it began to burn, 
 he applied it to the powder, the flame of which flew into 
 Hendrik's eyes, but did not burn his hair. He raised his 
 hands once more towards heaven, and after that, was no 
 longer seen to live. 
 Rom. xii. 1. Thus did Hendrik Eemkens present his offering, as a 
 pious witness of the Lord, on the 10th June, 1562, 
 between ten and eleven o'clock in the morning;. 
 
 JUEIAEN TEIESEN, A CABINET MAKEE, AND 
 WILLEM VAN KEPPEL.— Aimo 1562. 
 
 Acts xii. 3. This Juriaen Friesen, and Willem van Keppel, who had 
 before been a popish priest, were both seized at Cologne, 
 for the truth of the gospel. It is recorded that in the year 
 1562, Willem being sought for and found, he went freely 
 [296] with those who took him, and was first put into a tower in 
 the town. He did not long remain there, but was brought 
 into the count's prison prepared for those that were 
 sentenced to death. Coming thither, he found there the 
 
 Matt, xii.50. above mentioned Juriaen, his brother in the Lord, likewise 
 lying a prisoner, whose company was a great comfort to 
 him. 
 
 Many nets and snares were laid for them to catch 
 their souls, and particularly the cry Avas all about infant 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 329 
 
 baptism, which they declared to be right. But as they 
 had not one word of God to prove it, they employed 
 human authorities ; but, to God be the glory, they could 
 not move them. Sometimes the justices implored them, 
 and sometimes they threatened them severely with tortures 
 and death; but in these the prisoners rejoiced. Others 
 spoke kindly, and then harshly; but the prisoners were 
 unmoved ; for, by the help of the Lord, their hearts were 
 as firm as a wall. 
 
 The earl oiFered Juriaen money, and also his maid for a l^^'^"- ^"• 
 wife, if he would renounce his faith. But Juriaen would 
 fain abide by the truth, and said to the earl, " Neither 
 your maid, your possessions, nor your money, can bring 
 me to God. I have made a better choice ; for that I 
 hope to strive." There came, likewise, a valiant visitor sjnacc. vi. 
 to Willem, who made him fair promises, and said he would 
 take him with him to England, and very nearly enticed 
 him into his deceitful net ; but the Lord preserved and 
 helped him. 
 
 As the time of their departure drew nigh when they 
 should prepare themselves to be offered, for which they riiu. a. u. 
 greatly longed, they were both brought out of prison and 
 taken into the earl's house, into a hall, at night, at one 
 o'clock. There they used many proud contemptuous ex- 
 pressions to them, and troubled them greatly. Juriaen 
 kept silence, and Willem answered little. This lasted the 
 remainder of the night till it began to be day, between 
 dark and light ; and then they went in haste with the two 
 prisoners to the Rhine, where they were to be drowned. 
 
 When Juriaen saw that they proceeded thus hastily to 
 the Rhine with them so early in the morning, he called to 
 the earl, saying, " Most honourable count, where is now 
 the promise that you made us ? For you told us, that you 
 would put us to death in broad day light." No one turned 
 back for these words ; but they led them to the place 
 
330 A MAllTYROLOGY OF 
 
 where they should suffer, namely, to the Rhine. Thus 
 P*^-.. ,, . was the saying of David fulfilled, where he says, They have 
 Luke xxiii. slain the righteous privily. The Lord forgive them, for they 
 knoic not ivhat they do. 
 
 When they were brought to the water (being in a boat), 
 
 Willem undressed himself, and laid his hands upon his 
 
 feet, in order to let them bind him ; for he thought to be 
 
 the first to arrive at home, and be drowned. But this was 
 
 not to be. They made him put on his clothes again, and 
 
 told him that he should wait. 
 
 lioiii. xii. 1, Juriaen was, therefore, the first to prepare to be offered 
 
 up; and, being now ready to die, he took a brotherly 
 
 leave of Willem, and they kissed each other with the holy 
 
 kiss of charity. Juriaen was then thrown overboard, and 
 
 2co.. i. 5. drowned in the Rhine. In death he bore testimony 
 
 2 Esdras ii. that lic was a member of the body of Christ, and shall 
 
 receive from his hand, through grace, the crown on the 
 
 hill of Zion, and rejoice for ever with Him. 
 
 When Juriaen was drowned, the executioner said to 
 Willem, " Put on your clothes ; I shall take you on shore, 
 and there strike off your head." 
 
 For this Willem was willing and ready, by God's grace, 
 saying, " What God permits you may do with me." When 
 they came on shore they set Willem at liberty. The 
 executioner said, " Go your way." AVhether they did 
 this because Willem had been a priest, and that they 
 must have degraded him, before putting him to death, 
 is not known ; or, whether they preferred setting him free 
 to taking such trouble about him. 
 
 Here follows an exhortation, ichich Juriaen Friesen 
 sent from priso7i. 
 
 I proclaim to you a new message and good tidings by 
 the word of the Lord, O ye people ! which is, that you 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 331 
 
 should turn unto God from your sinful lives, that your 
 sins may be forgiven you. Cleanse your hearts. Let the 
 world go with all its false appearances, Avhich it deceitfully 
 places before your eyes. 
 
 I announce to you the great joy which I experience, as 
 Christ the Son of God has promised, saying: I will /io^Johnxiv. 
 
 18. 
 
 leave you orphans, they that trust in me I will help bear 
 their griefs, and will deliver them out of all trouble ; for 
 He hath himself bound up and healed our foul offensive Luke x. 34. 
 wounds, which no other could do. Without merit he healed fz^ekixxxvi. 
 us ; Avhen we were still enemies he washed us witli pure ^^^^ ^.^. 
 water, and sent us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. This ^^* 
 the faithful, beneficent Saviour Christ hath promised; if [297] 
 we cleave to Him and bring forth good fruit, he will give Matt.vii. 17. 
 us a mouth and wisdom, as his divine word makes mention ; 
 if we diligently live according'to his will, he will give us 
 such a mouth that none of the wise of this world, who still ig.^^ '""" 
 abide in sin and miss the truth, shall be able to gain- 
 say it. 
 
 I find daily that, like as the raging waves of the sea isa. ivii. 20. 
 driven by fierce winds throw up their filth and mud, and 
 are never still ; so also, if there were anything good amongst 
 these people it would surely appear. As the flowers of the 
 field perish, so it fares with them who reflect too late ; for iga. xi.7. 
 the grass loithereth, and the Jioioer fadeth, hut the word of the 
 Lord endureth for ever. 
 
 I find another thing that interests me deeply ; it is that ^^^^ xiii. 
 many will knock and say, "Lord, open unto us, and let us 
 also enter in ;" to whom the Lord will say: "I know you 
 not ;" and that it will not help them to say : " We have 
 believed that thou art the true God, and thine anointed, 
 thy Son, whom the Jews despised." If these continue to 
 commit iniquity, terror shall seize them, and they shall 
 cry: "Woe, woe !" over all the priests of Baal, who deceived 1 Kings 
 them here, who now sit in Moses' seat, persecute Christ Matt, xsiii. 
 
332 A MAUTYROLOGY OF 
 
 and worship Baal, saying : " Do after our words and not 
 Matt. lii. 7. j^f^gj, y^j, works ;" by which they show that they do not 
 walk uprightly. " O generation of vipers, who hath warned 
 you to flee from the wrath to come, and to escape the 
 damnation of hell?" May not the Lord say to them : "Were 
 you so wise that you knew me ; why then did you not seek 
 me when following after my Father's kingdom ? therefore, 
 Matt, vii.23. depart now from me, all ye hypocrites, with the devil and 
 his angels, into the lake that burneth with fire and into 
 everlasting perdition." 
 
 But you, my brethren and sisters, who are called to the 
 
 Rev. xix. 7. marriage of the Lamb, heartily prepare yourselves in this 
 
 last time, and wait until the supper be ready ; let not the 
 
 food that is set before you be taken from you that you 
 
 2 Johnviii. perish uot of hunger ; cleave fast to Jesus Christ; see that 
 
 Matt. xxiv. you lose not that which you have wrought ; be not led 
 
 Matt. X. 28. astray by any one on earth, nor be afraid of the princes of 
 
 this world, for when they appear before the presence of 
 
 Christ they will all be put to shame. 
 
 Turn now to the Lord, for now is the accepted time ; let 
 not the world cause you to err, and be not deceived. And 
 ye that are on the sea be vigilant, that ye perish not ; be- 
 lieve in the Lord with your whole heart, so shall ye be 
 Rev. xix. safe in the tempest. May the King of kings, to whom all 
 1 Pet. V. 6. things are known, support us with his strong hand, that we 
 may never, through any adversity, depart from him ; but that 
 we may faithfully cleave to his word unto death. For this 
 Matt. vii. I will cheerfully resign my life, and through Christ walk 
 John xiv. 6. in the narrow path ; by his help I will willingly bear his 
 
 Matt. xi. 29. ... . --, 
 
 yoke, and in this yoke alone drive my plough. O God ! 
 may it come to pass that the work begun in me shall be 
 performed to such a blessed end to the salvation of my 
 soul and to thy glory ! and this by thy power ; richer I 
 could not become, nor be raised to higher dignity ! I 
 would for this glorify and praise thee through Jesus Christ 
 thy Sou. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHUIST. 333 
 
 Dear brethren and sisters ; this is written by me in my Matt.xii. so. 
 hard imprisonment, and I present it to you as a lesson. I, 
 Juriaen Friesen, have meditated hereon in the night while 
 other people slept ; I hope that the broad day will be clear 
 and shine bright. O Lord ! speedily come to me here in 
 prison ; loosen my chains ; take from me my bonds, 
 and defend me from evil ; then I shall stand before 
 thee ! 
 
 Brethren, would you rejoice my spirit, and understand Phii. iv. 4. 
 the bottom of my heart ? guard against sin ; so shall you 
 see clearly. Do you desire to understand, in the spirit, the 
 divine laws ? open your hearts to the Lord and he will 
 grant you the same. 
 
 Mark xvi. 
 16. 
 
 MAETIJNTGEN AELMEEES.— 1562. 
 
 In the year 1562, at Hondschote, in Flanders, was appre- 
 hended a young female, named Martijntgen Aelmeers, of 
 Steenwijk, because she had been baptized upon the pro- 
 fession of her faith, and ordered her dealings and con- 
 versation according to the precepts of the gospel of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 After great steadfastness she was condemned to death Mark xiii. 
 and committed to the flames, presenting to God a living Rom. xii. 1. 
 and acceptable sacrifice, and escaping the punishment of Matt. xxv. 
 everlastino; fire. 
 
 NIKASEN VAN AELMEERS.— 1562. 
 
 In the same year, Nikasen van Aelmeers, the brother of 
 the above Martijntgen, was, for the faith and divine truth, 
 apprehended at Bruges, in Flanders. Not being drawn Acts vui. 3. 
 
334 A JIAllTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Rom. viii. asiclc fi'om liis belief by any pain or torture, he was con- 
 johnxv. 27. demned and burned, as an upright witness of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 1208] KAEEL VAN DE VELDE, WITH PEOENTGEN HIS 
 AVIFE; EEANCOIS DE SWAETE, A\rETH KLAES- 
 KEN HIS AVIEE; JASPEE, THE SHOEMAKEE; 
 CHAELES DE WAEL, AND MAETIJNE AMAEE.— 
 1562. 
 
 In the year 1562, there were apprehended at Honds- 
 
 johnxviii. chote, in Flanders, seven persons, for their testimony 
 to the truth, viz.: — Karel van de Velde, from Ghent, 
 with Proentgen, his wife ; Francois de Swarte, of Belle, 
 with Klaesken, his wife: Jasper, the shoemaker; Charles 
 de Wael, a young journeyman ; and Martijne Amare, a 
 
 Matt. xxiv. young woman, who all firmly adhered to the truth, and to 
 God's word. Five, namely, the four men and the young 
 woman, were, very shortly after their apprehension, burned 
 for their faith; but the two wives, being sisters, were 
 some time afterwards privately drowned in a tub. One 
 of them, seeing that they were about to be murdered pri- 
 vately, complained ; for she would rather have publicly 
 
 Rcv.vi 10 borne witness to the truth by her death. Her sister said, 
 " It is all one ; God sees it all, who will reward us, and 
 avenge our wrong." 
 
 Thus did all these, as valiant champions, wrestle through 
 
 Bev. ii. 7. and obtain the privilege of eating of the tree of life which 
 is in the midst of the paradise of God. 
 
 JAN GEENDEL.— 1562. 
 
 In the year 1562, there came a man from Oude water, to 
 Goes, whose name was Jan Grendel, of Courtrai, in Flan- 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 335 
 
 tiers. On the same evening in which he came into the Actsviii.s. 
 town, he was arrested by the sheriff Uytwyk, who, having 
 brought him into his house, inquired concerning his faith, 
 of which he made an open confession. He was then 
 lodged in prison where he lay about a year. This sheriff 
 Uytwyk not conducting himself well in his office, was 
 deposed, and another of the name of Floris Schack 
 succeeded him. Under his direction, after many attempts ^^^^ '"''^• 
 and sufferings, he was publicly burned in the market J""*" ''''• ^' 
 place, during Lent in the year 1563. 
 
 FEANCISCUS VAN DEE SACH, AND ANTONIUS 
 WELSCH.— 1562. 
 
 In the year 1562, the brother Fraciscus van der Sach, a 
 native of Rovigo, in Italy, a minister of the word of God Act? vi. 4. 
 (being still on probation), with another, his fellow 
 messenger, named Antonius Welsch, was apprehended at ^^''^® '"^'' 
 Capo d'Istria, about a hundred Italian miles from Venice, 
 as they were returning to the church in Germany, accom- 
 panied by many people. However, the people were not 
 apprehended with them, but were let go. They placed 
 iron fetters on the feet of Franciscus as a criminal, and Acts xii. 6. 
 conducted them both, each separately from the other, to 
 Capo d'Istria, where they exercised them with temptations 
 and infernal assaults, as was their custom. No effort was 
 spared to draw them into their snares, to make them 
 stumble, and to cause them through cowardice to fall away oeut. xx b 
 from God. Franciscus especially was sorely assaulted; 
 but they valiantly resisted it all. After they had been 
 heard and examined on all matters, at Capo d'Istria, they 
 remained for three days bound with iron fetters on their 
 hands and feet, and were then sent to Venice. Durino- 
 the journey they had to lie still for three days and nights 
 
336 A MARTYEOLOGY OP 
 
 owing to the tempestuousnes of the sea. In the mean 
 time they comforted each other, and animated one another 
 
 ^id xxlv^fs *^ steadfastness and perseverance. Thus the distress they 
 suffered, from the iron fetters and in other ways, was 
 scarcely felt, although they caused them great pain by day 
 and night. 
 
 On the first day of September of the said year they 
 arrived at Venice, and were immediately immured, sepa- 
 
 Acts xxii. 4. rately from each other, in the dark prison of the chief 
 council. They there lay a whole month, and were then 
 brought before three temporal, and also some so-called 
 spiritual judges, who sat in great pomp, and most sumptu- 
 ously clad. They asked the brother Franciscus if he 
 remained of the same mind as when he had replied to the 
 examiners and judges who had conversed with him at 
 Capo d'Istra, and if he still held that to be the truth ? He 
 said to them, " I hold it to be the truth ; and it is the 
 
 John xvii. truth." 
 17. 
 
 They then asked him, if he believed what the holy 
 catholic, apostolical. Christian church believes? To which 
 he answered, " Concerning the faith, I believe all the 
 articles of the apostolical Christian faith." They after- 
 wards questioned him concerning baptism, the sacrament, 
 confession, and many other things ; but when he had with 
 solid intelligence, answered every thing, they pressed him 
 
 1 Cor. iv. 12. very hard, reproved him very severely, and then ordered 
 him again to prison. They also had the brother Antonius 
 
 Matt. X. 32. brought before them, who likewise made a good confession 
 of faith. 
 
 Shortly after this, they again questioned Franciscus, 
 particularly upon infant baptism; but accomplished nothing 
 [299] to their mind. They afterwards had them once more 
 brought up and discoursed with them. They also sent 
 monks to them, who did nothing else, when they answered 
 their questions, than call them heretics, and contradictors 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 337 
 
 of the councils, telling them that if they would not recant, 
 they must die ; and therewith they had them conducted 
 back again to prison. 
 
 Soon after this, the judges once more sent a monk, an 
 inquisitor, to speak with them concerning the faith. He 
 first asked them if they were of the church of the upper 
 country ? ' To which Franciscus replied, " Yes." The 
 monk said that was the first error; and asked, if he had Acts 1142. 
 likewise broken bread with them ? When Franciscus 
 acknowledged that he had, the monk said that is also an 
 error ; and so he proceeded all through. Whatever was 
 their answer, the monk always said that they were 
 heretics and deceivers. 
 
 The monk likewise inquired, " Tell me, who is the head 
 of the church?" Franciscus answered, " Christ." The 
 monk said, " That is likewise an error." On this Fran- ^p^- '•22. 
 
 ' and V. 23. 
 
 ciscus rejoined, " You call us heretics, but you are your- 
 self a heretic, and not we ; for Christ is surely the head of 
 his church." "But," said the monk, "the pope is, here 
 upon earth." Franciscus replied, " A body with two 
 heads is a monstrous thing." 
 
 The monk again began to call him heretic, and to 
 admonish him to recant. But the brother Franciscus said, 
 that he could not recant before he had proved it to him by 
 the holy scriptures. " We are not bound," said the monk, 
 " to prove it to you by the scriptures." They were then 
 led back to prison. There Franciscus drew up in writing, 
 and irave in, his confession and defence. 
 
 After they had lain a long time in confinement, in all 
 about two years, and had, in many disputations, always Mark xiii. 
 remained steadfast in the truth they had received and con- 
 fessed ; they were both condemned to death, and in the 
 year 1564 were thrown into the sea at Venice and 
 
 f [ That is of the Tyrol, in which were mauy baptists.] 
 VOL. II. Z 
 
och. ii. 8. 
 
 338 A MAUTYKOLOGY OP 
 
 drowned.^ But at the judgment day of the Lord the sea 
 shall give up her dead. Then such murderers of the 
 godly will be severely recompensed, and will have to 
 acknowledge, Avith great terror, how great a crime against 
 God it is thus to injure his faithful ones. 
 
 JAN DE SWAETE, KLAESKEN HIS WIFE ; CLAES, 
 CHRISTIAEN, HANS, MAHIEU, HIS FOUE SONS ; 
 PEECEVAL VAN DEN BEEGE, JAN MAES, PIETEE 
 THE SHOEMAKEE; HENDEIK AEETS, HATMAKEE, 
 JANNEKEN CABILJAUS HIS WIFE, CALLEKEN 
 STEENS, HEEMAN.— 1563. 
 
 Jan de Swarte, a man of an excellent character, from 
 Epii. V. 25. Nipkerke, and his wife and children, came to the know- 
 ledge of the truth, and were united to the church of God. 
 A-tsvi. 5. He was afterwards chosen and ordained to be a minister 
 of the church. In this office he, according to his ability, 
 and in meekness, so conducted himself (not only as deacon 
 
 1 Cor xii 4 ^y caring for the poor, but also, according to the gift he 
 
 2 Tim. ii. had received from God, in the dispensation of the word of 
 
 exhortation) that he became greatly endeared to all that 
 knew him. 
 2 Tim. iii. Bui as Paul said in olden time, that all that will live 
 
 32. 
 
 godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution, so also it 
 happened to him. On this account he lived in various 
 towns and places in Flanders, as at Hondschote, Ryssel, 
 Werwyk, Menin, and lastly at Hallewin, occupying him- 
 self chiefly with Aveaving narrow cloth. From the earnings 
 of his labour he gave very affectionately and liberally to 
 
 K [In the MS. Cronickcl these spelt Franzisko von der Sa.ag and 
 martyrs are .said to have .siifFered Antoniiis Valch, fol. 03.] 
 in the year 156.5. Their names arc 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 339 
 
 the poor; not only to the necessities of the household ofscor. vui. 
 faith, but to all generally ; whereby, to God's praise and oai vi. 12. 
 honour, he left a good report behind him. In being 
 hospitable and affording accommodation as the scripture 
 teaches, he was not negligent; for at the time of his Rom. xii. 1.3 
 apprehension, a brother from Doornik, named Perceval 
 van den Berge, born at Zwevegem, was staying with him, 
 and another, come from Hondschote, named Jan Maes. 
 
 At the same time there were several pious brethren and 
 sisters residing at Hallewin, of whom the pastor N., of the 
 castle, being envious, he treacherously betrayed them to ^^^^ ="'^'»- 
 the dean Ronse, the inquisitor of Flanders, who, on a 
 Saturday night, the 7th of March, 1563, came in the 
 silence of the night accompanied by many officers of 
 Ryssel,'' and surrounding several houses ran within, seiz- 
 ing Jan de Swarte, with Klaesken his wife and his four 
 sons, viz. Klaes, Christiaen, Hans, and Mahieu who was 
 only about sixteen years of age ; together with Perceval 
 van den Berge, and Jan Maes above-mentioned ; besides 
 these, he also apprehended one Pieter the shoemaker, with 
 Jacomijntgen his wife, which Jacomijntgen did not remain ^j^.^ ^^ . 
 steadfast ; also one Hendrik Aerts, a hatter, with Jan- ^^ 
 neken Cabeljaus his wife ; and another sister Kalleken 
 Steens, the wife of a brother named Augustin. 
 
 When Jan de Swarte was apprehended, the two 
 3'oungest sons were not at home, but came in during the 
 time. As they were approaching the house, the neigh- 
 bours warned them, and told them who were in the house, 
 and that their father and mother were arrested. The one 
 said to the other, "Let us not run away, but die with 
 father and mother." Meanwhile Jan de Swarte was led 
 
 '' [Or Lille ; Ryssel is tlie Flemish ly fortified. It is one of the priu- 
 
 and German name. This town is cipal seats of the cotton mauufac- 
 
 now the capital of the French de- ture in France.] 
 partment of the Nord, and is strong- 
 
 z 2 
 
340 A MARTY UOLOGY OP 
 
 out of the house a prisoner, and seeing his sons, said to 
 them, " Children, will you go with me to the new 
 Jerusalem ? " They said, " Yes, father, we will ; " and 
 they were led captive with them. 
 
 All these were conducted prisoners together to Ryssel, 
 
 and there strictly guarded in the castle. Jan was placed 
 
 by himself in a dungeon called Paradise. It was so 
 
 small that he could not stand upright in it, nor lie down 
 
 at full length. 
 
 iPet.iv. 8. It happened one day, that several brethren and sisters 
 
 (moved by love and compasion) came from outside the 
 
 Tob. i.i3. town, and stood over against the castle, calling out over 
 
 the fortification, and comforting the prisoners. Amongst 
 
 them was a brother named Herman. Being observed by 
 
 Acts viii. 3. ouc of tlic city officcrs, who had gone out secretly, he also 
 
 was apprehended. 
 
 After ten days' imprisonment, the inqiiisitor delivered 
 over these prisoners into the hands of the temporal powers, 
 who brought forward, first, Jan de Swarte, with Klaes his 
 son; Pieter, the shoemaker; Hendrik Aerts, the hat- 
 Mark xiii. maker ; Perceval van den Berge, and Jan Maes. Because 
 13. . . 
 
 isa. V. 20. they adhered valiantly and without wavering to the truth 
 
 of God, they were all six condemned to death, and were 
 conveyed in a waggon to the market-place, where a scaf- 
 fold, with earth and stakes, had been prepared. There 
 they were drawn up, the one before, the other behind ; and 
 each two bound fast to a stake. 
 
 While going to death the clock struck. Jan asked 
 what it Avas o'clock ? He was told, " Four." On this he 
 comforted himself, saying, " By five o'clock we hope to be 
 in our lodge, or rest." His son Klaes said, " We must 
 die, because we believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of the 
 i(i- eternal God, is from heaven, and not of the earth." 
 
 John vi. .'il. ' 
 
 They had put a gag in Pieter's mouth to hinder him 
 from sjieaking. When they stood at the stakes, wood and 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHUIST. 341 
 
 straw were piled about them, to which fire being put, they 
 were burned alive to ashes. 
 
 A few days afterwards, Klaesken, the wife of Jan de 
 Swart e, with her three sons, and Herman, remaining un- 
 moved in the love of God, were all five condemned toRom. v. 5. 
 death by the magistrates, and burned alive. As pious ^^^^ ^^"■ 
 witnesses of Christ they continued faithful unto the end. 
 
 At the end of nearly a year, after a very lengthened 
 imprisonment, as pious steadfast witnesses of divine truth, ^"'^ x''''- 
 Janneken Cabeljaus, and Kalleken Steens, sentenced to 
 die, were cast alive into the fire, and burned to ashes. 
 
 It came to pass that the pastor of the castle, N., who 
 had betrayed these dear friends of God, was very severely Matt. xxvi. 
 punished. For his flesh became so putrified, that pieces 2 Mac. is. 5. 
 fell off from his body, or were sometimes cut off, and no 
 cure could be found for it. It once happened, that a large 
 piece of putrid flesh, which had fallen or was cut from his 
 body, was eaten up by a dog before his eyes. What then 
 was the state of his mind is easily imagined, the more so, 
 when he remembered this as the fulfilment of a curse said 
 to have been pronounced upon him, that he would see 
 with his eyes the dogs eat his flesh. 
 
 It also happened, that while the pastor, or priest, was 
 lying ill, a man came to visit him. When the priest com- 
 plained of his great misery, the man said to him, " It is 
 the coals of the fire at Ryssel." This greatly displeased 
 the priest ; but he was obliged to endure such scoffing, as 
 well as the punishment with which God had visited him. 
 He at last died most miserably, as was of old the case with 2 Mac. ix.9. 
 
 A ,• 1 ITT 1 i Acts xii. 23. 
 
 Antiochus and Herod.' 
 
 ' [Vau Bi-aght alao mentious the uu the Lutherans aud Reformed in 
 
 martyrdom of three men at Ghent, the Netherlands, are mentioned in a 
 
 and one at Zierick, as having taken letter of Rollins to Bullingei-, dated 
 
 placethis year, fol. 300. The cruelties August 29tli. Ottius, Ann. Anab. 
 
 inflicted on the baptists, as well as p. Itl.] 
 
342 A MAllTYllOLOOY OF 
 
 1301] The proclamation of the Emperor Charles V., repeatedly 
 referred to, publislied in the year 1550, and confirmed by 
 Philip II., king of Spain, 1556, and again in tlie year 1560, 
 was now for the third time renewed and confirmed, to the 
 ruin and destrnction of the harmless and unresisting 
 believers in Christ, as may be seen in the great book of 
 proclamations at Ghent, and alleged by William, Prince 
 of Orange, in his defence against his gainsayers.*^ 
 
 [A further proclamation was issued from Brussels on the 
 29th of March, by Avhich the inhabitants of Flanders were 
 forbidden to remove to Holland without certificates from 
 the priests and magistrates. Strict inquiries were to be 
 made into the characters of every settler, and proof fur- 
 nished that their childreii had been baptized according to 
 the rites of Rome. Oaths were to be administered to 
 midwives that they Avould secure the christening of every 
 infant, or report to the magistrate any obstruction to the 
 act. Registers of christenings were to be kept, and at 
 certain times exhibited to the authorities. Conventicles 
 were to be diligently sought out and repressed. Parents 
 must send their children to church and to school; the 
 houses of booksellers were to be carefully insjjccted, and 
 books examined; even pedlars' packs were not to escape 
 the scrutiny. Public notice was to be everywhere given 
 that the people Avere to attend mass every Sunday and 
 holiday. A month's continuous absence to be punished 
 at the discretion of the judges, while the contumacious 
 should be banished.'] 
 
 On this followed no inconsiderable oppression, as may 
 be seen from the narratives of the following martyrs. 
 
 " [P. 165, edit. 1569.] 
 
 ' [Brandt's Hist of Ref. i. 143, 144.] 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 343 
 
 DANIEL KALA^AEET.— 1564. 
 
 Daniel Kalvaert, born at Thielt, in Flanders, was appre- 
 hended in the year 1564, at Armentleres,"" for the ^"•^'^ '^v'"- 
 testimony of the truth. From thence he was taken to 
 Ryssel, but after some scrutiny and torture, was again 
 brought to Armentieres, under the guard of forty men. 
 There, by the sentence of the magistrates, he was con- 
 demned to be burned alive. His offering he cheerfully Rom. xii. i. 
 presented, after which his ashes were thrown into the 
 river Lys. 
 
 PIETER OF OOST-HOVEN.— 1564. 
 
 Pieter Floris, said to be from Oost-hoven, born at Nip- 
 kerke, in Flanders, was arrested for the cause of divine johnxvii. 
 truth, at Armentieres, In the year 1564. Through much 
 solicitation and suffering he was induced to renounce his 
 faith, with promises of life and liberty ; but on returning to 
 his prison, and coming to himself, he reflected how greatly 
 he had suffered himself to be deceived. For although he 
 might escape temporal death for a short time, he should 
 have to taste eternal death. This produced in him such j^^^ ^^^^ ^j 
 anxiety and sorrow, that he turned to Almighty God, and 
 like Peter, with bitter tears implored forgiveness for the 
 great crime he had committed, and for a firmer mind than 
 he had before shown. 
 
 His prayer did not remain unheard. When he was 
 again brought before the magistrates, he recalled his 
 recantation, and from that time forward boldly confessed 
 his faith and remained steadfast therein. He was at last ^^.,3^, 4^^ 
 
 ■" [lu the French department of the Nord.] 
 
344 A MAllTYllOLOGY OF 
 
 condemned to death, to which he went with joyful con- 
 stancy. He was strangled and burned. 
 
 STEVEN DE GEAET AND STNTGEN.— 1564. 
 
 In the year 1564 were likewise apprehended, at Ghent, 
 
 Acts xii. 3. in Flanders, for the truth's sake, a brother named Steven 
 
 de Graet, with Syntgen, his aged mother. They were 
 
 both strong in faith, and persevered therein amidst all 
 
 johnxvi. 2. tcmptations and sufferings, even unto death, which they 
 
 were called to suffer publicly for the name of Christ. 
 
 They shall also publicly praise the Lord above, before the 
 
 heavenly throne, and help sing the joyful and new song 
 
 Rev. xiv. 3. to the honour of the Lamb, and of him that sitteth on 
 
 the throne. 
 
 PIEEIJNTGEN KETELS, LEENTGEN HEE MOTHEE, 
 WITH PIEEIJNTGEN AND MAEIJNTGEN VAN 
 MxiLE.— 1564. 
 
 Matt. xii. I^^ ^^6 same year, at Ghent, four sisters of Christ were 
 apprehended, viz., Pierijntgen Ketels, with Leentgen, her 
 mother; and two sisters, Pierijntgen and Marijutgen van 
 
 ciai. i. i(j. Male. They did not confer with flesh and blood, but 
 with God, who could strengthen them, for whose name's 
 sake, after many assaults endured with great constancy, 
 they laid down their lives in the cloister of St. Peter's, 
 outside Ghent. 
 
 On the hill of Zion they shall receive their crown, and 
 
 Matt. XXV. be joyfully welcomed by their Bridegroom. 
 
 10. 
 
 Isa. xl. 29. 
 
 2 Eadras ii. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 345 
 
 PIETEE VAN DEE MEULEN, 1564. 
 
 Shortly afterwards, at Ghent, a brother, Pieter van Matt.xii.so. 
 (ler Meulen valiantly contended for his faith in Christ. ^^^- ^" ^^• 
 With a firm faith and trust in God, he withstood all that 
 sought to make him renounce it, even unto death, when 
 he departed out of this world, and entered with Christ Luke xxui. 
 
 ... 42. 
 
 into rest and peace; to unite, at the last day, in judging Matt. vn. 2. 
 those who here judged him. 
 
 MAEYKEN BOOSEES, [302j 
 
 FOE THE TESTIMONY OE JESUS CHRIST, BURNED TO ASHES 
 IN THE CITY OF DOORNIK, THE 18th SEPT., ANNO 1564. 
 
 A confession and consolatory Epistle of Maeyken Boosers, 
 being a "prisoner at Doornik, luhere she sealed her faith 
 with her blood. 
 
 The everlasting unfathomable grace of God, and the 
 power of the Holy Ghost, be with you all, my beloved 
 friends and brethren. I desire to inform you that I am 
 in health as to the body, but with the spirit it might 
 indeed be better. I find in myself weakness; but my 
 hope is in God, who strengtheneth the weak, and comforts 
 the oppressed. My heart longs continually to be made 
 meet in his eyes ; that I may complete, to his honour, 
 that which he hath begun in me. Therefore, I beseech 
 
 Matt, xxiii. 
 
 you, my beloved brethren, not to forget me ; which ^• 
 indeed I observe you do not. I heartily thank you, and 
 hope the Lord will preserve you in his holy truth. I 
 further inform you, that the magistrates inquired who 
 were baptized with me, and if there were none of them 
 in the town. They also wished to know their Christian 
 
346 
 
 A MARTYEOLOGY OP 
 
 and surnames. I said, "I do not know, and cannot tell ; ''' 
 but it would not avail. They told me that the executioner 
 should strip me. I felt greatly ashamed, and entreated 
 them kindly to believe me ; but it was of no use. I then 
 said, " Be it as you will ;" and I undressed myself. They 
 led me to the rack and bound me, in order to torture and 
 stretch me. The commissary then told me to name them. 
 I said, " I could not do it." They then released me with- 
 out my having named any one, for which God be praised. 
 But from the first, they knew Peter and George. I was 
 therefore obliged to name them ; but their surnames I did 
 Acts XX. 32. not know. I commend you to the Lord, and the word of 
 Eph. iv. 13. his grace. The Lord preserve us all in unity of the faith 
 to the end of life. Amen. 
 
 Another Letter of Maeyhen Boosers to her parents. 
 
 From my inmost heart, I greet you, my dear father and 
 my most beloved mother, with all that are in the house. 
 You will please to understand that I am well and un- 
 changed in mind, the Lord be for ever praised, as I hope 
 through the goodness of God is the case with you. I 
 further thank you heartily for the kind salutation that 
 you wrote me, which greatly rejoiced me, and made known 
 to me your mind, and your kindness, and as a remem- 
 brance I will now write you something concerning my 
 imprisonment. 
 
 First, The commissary asked me how old I was when I 
 was baptized. I said, " About three or four and twenty." 
 They asked. Why 1 had done so ? I said, " Because God 
 Mark xvi. had commaudcd it." They asked, if I did not know 
 that I had been baptized before. I said, " I know no- 
 thing of it ; nor hath God commanded it." They asked, if 
 T had had no oodfathcrs or godmothers. I said, "It mav 
 
 10. 
 
THE CHUllCHES OV ClilllST. 347 
 
 be so, they may be dead." They then said, they would 
 send to me some learned men. I said, " You ought to 
 be wise enough to speak to me." But they insisted on 
 sending learned men. They afterwards sent the parish 
 priest of the Frauen-kirk, who came and asked why I 
 had not been, for so long a time, in his church, and how 
 it was that he had had no knowledge of me. I said, that 
 1 had kept myself quiet at home. He asked where my 
 church was. I said, "It is not known to you; and, if 
 you knew it, you would not let it be long in peace." 
 We discoursed much concerning baptism. I said that 
 Christ had sent out his apostles into all the world, and Matt.xxvUi. 
 
 19. 
 
 they taught the people first to observe all things that he 
 had commanded them, baptizing them in the name of the 
 Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Children Deut.i. 39. 
 could not learn; but he that believes and is baptized Mark xvi. 
 shall be saved. To which they said, that the apostles had 
 bai)tized whole households. I said, " Yes, but they re- 
 
 / . . _ -^ Acts xvi. 34. 
 
 joiced that they believed in God; that children could not 
 
 do. Christ called children to him, and said. Of such is the ^att. xix. 
 
 kingdom of heaven ; but he did not command to baptize 
 
 them." They then adduced the sin of Adam, that children joim i. 29. 
 
 were born therein. I said, that Christ had died for them. 
 
 I asked them, if they could take away sin by baptism? 
 
 Young children have no sin, therefore they could not die 
 
 to sin, and rise again by baptism unto newness of life. Rom. vi.4. 
 
 The magistrates then said, " Your statement is, he that 
 
 believes and is baptized shall be saved ; is it not ? " I 
 
 said, " Yes." 
 
 They asked if Christ was not of the flesh of Mary. I 
 said tliat Mary had conceived him of the Holy Ghost, as 
 the angel told her. The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, Luke i 32 
 ayid the poioer of the highest shall overshadow thee ; therefore 
 that holy thing ichich shall be horn of thee shall he called the 
 Son of God. They ai>kcd again, if lie had not taken of her 
 
348 A MAUT^EOLOGY OF 
 
 flesh, since lie harl not brought it from above. I said that 
 
 )3] 
 John i. 14 
 
 I believed the testimoii}^ of John, where he says. The Word 
 
 was made flesh and dwelt among us. They asked if I did 
 not believe that he was the son of Mary according to the 
 flesh ? and the Son of God according to the Spirit ? I said 
 that he was God's own and only begotten Son, who is 
 
 Heb. vii, 3, without beginning of days and without end of life, and in 
 these last days was born of Mary by the power of the 
 
 ^_^or. XV. jj^jy Ghost. Therefore he is not of the earth, earthy, 
 like Adam, and will not return to the earth. He is the 
 Lord from heaven. Had he flesh from our flesh, he must 
 
 Gen. ill. 19. then also see corruption ; for God has said. Dust thou art, 
 
 and unto dust shalt thou return ; and that was spoken not 
 
 alone of Adam, but of all that descend from him. 
 
 They then asked me, if I did not believe that the flesh 
 
 and blood of Christ were in the sacrament ? I said, " No ; 
 
 Mark xvi." hc is asccuded and sitteth on the rio-ht hand of God his 
 11). 
 
 Father." They asked, if I did not believe that all the 
 
 saints are in heaven. I said, " What I have not read I 
 
 cannot answer. But this I have read, ' The souls of the 
 
 wisd. iii. 1. righteous are in the hands of God, and the pain of death 
 shall not touch them.' " They said very little in reply, 
 but asked what I held concerning Mary. I said, " She 
 was a pure and holy vessel, and blessed above all women ; 
 
 Lukei. 31. for she was worthy to conceive and bear the Son of God." 
 They asked if I did not acknowledge that there was a 
 
 Matt. vii. purgatory. I said : " Of two ways I find written, the 
 one very broad, leading to destruction ; the other very 
 narrow, leading to eternal life." They asked further what 
 I held touching the pope. I said : " I know not the pope, 
 but it is his doctrine that men hold here ; I therefore hold 
 him to be like his doctrine." We had much more discourse, 
 but this I write for brevity's sake. Farewell. 
 
THD CilURCUES OF CHUIST. 349 
 
 Another Letter of Maeyken Boosers to the brethren. 
 
 My very clear and beloved brethren in the Lord, I let 
 you know that my heart is greatly comforted and strength- 
 ened ; the Lord be for ever praised. He upholds us with 
 his right hand, and helps us in the midst of our enemies ; johnxv. s. 
 without him I should perish, for they assail me in a variety 
 of ways both spiritual and temporal, as might have been 
 seen this Sunday in the conduct of Monsieur Massaert and 
 an alderman, with another learned layman, who treated me 
 as one of the very worst sect that ever was under heaven. 
 But when I related to them my faith I brought them all to 
 tears, so that they could scarcely speak, and at last they 
 parted from me in a friendly manner. 
 
 No more at present. I commend you to the Lord ; may 
 he keep and preserve you in his holy truth. I hope it will 
 shortly be over with me ; for I desire nothing more ardently 
 than that 1 may please the Lord and die happy. Amen. 
 
 A Testament of Maeyken Boosers, to her children. 
 A hearty and affectionate salutation to you, my beloved 
 children ; listen to your mother who is now in bonds for 
 the truth. It hath so pleased God that all that will live 
 godly must suffer persecution ; I am therefore content and 9 xim. iii. 
 comforted that the servant follows his Lord ; his blessed jj^^^ ^ 24. 
 will be done. Had it pleased him he would have pre- Luiexi. 2. 
 vented these bonds, my dear childi-en ; it has been so from 
 the beginning that the righteous must suffer; the un- 
 righteous always bear rule, but their day will soon come 
 when they shall lament and exclaim in their agony, Moun- L^^g ^xiii. 
 tains, fall on us, and hills, cover us from the presence of the ' 
 Lord. Alas ! when the righteous shall shine forth as the „,. , .. ,, 
 
 <=> W ipcl. 111. 7- 
 
 sun, the ungodly shall go into everlasting fire! Oh, beloved 
 
350 A MAllTYEOLOGY 01' 
 
 John V. 39. children, search the scriptures and conform yourselves to 
 Matt. XXV. them, that you may hear the charming words. Come, ye 
 blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom ■prepared for yon. 
 Pray to the Lord for wisdom ; learn to fear God, so shall 
 Rom. xii.2. you obtain true imderstanding. Imitate not the world in 
 pride, dancing, and vain babbling, but exhibit, in your 
 1 Pet. iii. 5. walk, a godly life ; adorn yourselves like holy women ; re- 
 ceive the scriptures and live agreeably thereto, that your 
 souls may be saved, and that we, after this life, may meet 
 again. Almighty God, the King of kings, grant you his 
 grace according to the riches of his goodness, that you may 
 be strengthened in the inward man ; that Christ may dwell 
 in your hearts, and lead you into all truth. I beseech you, 
 my dear children, be at peace among yourselves ; it is a 
 fruit of the Spirit ; help each other willingly, without dis- 
 Heb xiii 16 putings ; be ever mindful of the poor ; give freely of all 
 Luke xvi. 9. you have ; make to yourselves friends of the unrighteous 
 Col iii 2 mammon; set your affection on what is eternal and not 
 isa. xi. 6. on what is temporal ; seek the heavenly and not the 
 iPet. i. 24. earthly; For all flesh is as grass, and the glo7'y of man as 
 thefloioer of grass, that to-day is, and to-morrow is cast 
 into the oven. The glory of man passeth away, but the 
 word of the Lord endureth for ever. Love not the loorld, 
 
 1 John ii. 1.5. ' 
 
 neither the things that are in the world ; the lust of the eyes, 
 the pride of life, which is not of God but of the world ; the 
 1 Cor vii 31 ^^'orld will pass away, with all that is therein, but he that 
 doeth the will of the Father endureth for ever. 
 
 My children, act agreeably to the will of God ; I, your 
 mother, hope to go before you in the way; observe wherein, 
 and how I go before you ; seek not the honour of this 
 1 Pet. iii 14 ^vorld, but account it aii honour to suffer for the name of 
 Phil ii 7 ^"^' GoA ; for he who was the supreme King was not 
 ashamed to leave his glory, and to come into the world and 
 suffer the most shameful death for us. He was stricken 
 and disfigured without being guilty, so that no part of his 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 351 
 
 blessed body was left whole ; such love he bore tow^ards 
 
 us, and therein left us an example that we should follow in 
 
 his footsteps. He is the light that came into the world that J^'^" ^'"• 
 
 all that follow him should not walk in darkness but have 
 
 the light of life. The Lord grant that that same light may 
 
 shine upon you, and that you may walk therein. 
 
 Another short Letter from the same Mother to her Children. 
 
 My children, I greet you very heartily, and return you 
 your writings that you may redeem your promises, that 
 you have therein made me ; be always obedient to those 
 who instruct you in righteousness, and chastise you for 
 your transgressions. Farewell, for this w'orld ; adieu. My 
 dear children, fear God ; eschew all evil. 
 
 Another Letter of Maeyhen Boosers to her Father and 
 Mother. 
 
 My very dear father and mother, from my inmost heart 
 I direct my prayer to the Lord that he will comfort you 
 and me with the comforts of the Holy Ghost, according to Johnxivic. 
 the promise of the Lord which he made to his disciples, 
 saying : I go to the Father, and will send you another 
 Comforter which the world cannot receive, for it knoweth 
 him not. Thus, my dear father and mother, be comforted, 
 and await with patience what the Lord will do with me ; 
 I likewise patiently await his consolations, and what has Luke i. 48. 
 passed I esteem but as a wind, from which I feel no dis- 
 tress ; the Lord be praised, in whom I hope. It is he that 
 comforts the lowly, and puts down the mighty from their 
 seats ; though tribulation now attends us, yet w^e know 
 well that the day of the Lord will soon come, and that all 2 cor. v. 10. 
 the ungodly will be destroyed. God wull judge them, 
 
32. 
 
 352 A MAUTYROLOGY OF 
 
 without respect of persons, and reward each one according 
 to his works. 
 
 Rom. xii. 1. Thus, my dear and greatly beloved father and mother, 
 think not of me ; let the Lord complete his work. I 
 hope that he hath designed me, a poor unworthy creature, 
 to be a sacrifice acceptable to him. I have hoped in his 
 mercy that he will not enter into judgment with me; should 
 he deal with me according to my deserts I should be 
 worthy of eternal death, but I trust the Lord will have 
 mercy on me. 
 
 I have once more been brought before the dean, but we 
 
 Matt. XXV. each maintained our own views. On separating he said to 
 me : " If you remain in this faith you are lost for ever." I 
 said: "How can you so speak, seeing God will judge?" 
 "Yes," said he, "I dare so speak, for it will be so." 
 Maester Klaes then followed me and asked : " Where did 
 you hide yourself so long ? I have been long seeking you." 
 I said : " You have me now, however." " I have not," said 
 he ; " if you were in our hands we should keep you longer 
 than these will, I think." 
 
 I commend you, my dear father and mother, to the 
 Lord who will preserve you and me to the end ; be not 
 
 2 Mac. vii. sorrowful on my account, but rejoice that the Lord counts 
 me worthy; for I will readily resign, for his sake, these 
 members which the Lord gave me. Farewell, and 
 always. 
 
 11. 
 
 Another Letter of Maeyken Boosers to the Brethren and 
 Sisters. 
 
 My dearly beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, 
 beloved from my inmost heart ; I once more salute you 
 with the peace of the Lord ; may the same abide with you 
 for ever. Amen. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 353 
 
 My enemies still continue to harass me about baptism, 
 but of the incarnation of Christ they say nothing. The 
 dean stated to them my faith, and they asked me nothing 
 more than whether I believed that Christ was the son of 
 David. I said, that he was the Son of the living God. fg^"- ''^'• 
 "Oh! oh!" said the dean. The magistrates said: « Is it ^3^=^^ '''»• 
 not written, of the seed of David, according to the flesh?" 
 The dean answered them; my answer was not attended to. 
 He said repeatedly that I lied, because I opposed him by 
 saying that he could not show me that the apostles had 
 baptized children. They assailed me altogether, and said 
 that no one could enter the kingdom of heaven except he •^°^" '"• ^• 
 were born of water and the Spirit ; they asked, hastily, if t^os] 
 I did not admit that. I said : " That scripture belongs not 
 to children but to adults who have ears to hear." They 
 then stood up and said : " That is your opinion." 
 
 I expect, my dear friends, to be fetched once more before 
 them to-morrow ; I beseech you to pray to the Lord for 
 me that he will direct my lips to his praise and honour. I 
 commend you for ever into the hands of God, and kindly 
 request you to receive with favour my simple writing ; for 
 I seek only, from the simplicity of my heart, to please 
 God ; I have no other wish than that. Oh might I thus, in 
 my calling, be acceptable to the King of kings and Lord of 2 Tim. vi. 
 lords ! then shall I have been born at a blessed time. 
 Peace ! no more parting after this ! Consider this an eternal 
 adieu ! 
 
 After this, Maeyken Boosers was burned to ashes, at 
 Doornik, committing her soul into the hands of the 
 Lord. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
354 A MAllTYROLOGY OF 
 
 WILLEBOORT COENELIS, 
 
 PUT TO DEATH AT MIDDLEBUKG IN ZEALAND, TOR THE TKUTH 
 OF THE GOSPEL, THE 14th SEPTEMBER, ANNO 1564. 
 
 A Letter of WiUehoort Cornelis, written in prison at Mid- 
 dleburg ivhere he lay a prisoner, and which he sealed 
 ivith his blood. 
 
 Rom. i. 7. The grace and peace of God, our heavenly Father, which 
 
 johniii.ic. ^^ given us by Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord, 
 
 1 Cor. i. 4. comfort you in all your tribulation, my dearly beloved 
 .Tohn xvi. sister in the Lord. May the Holy Spirit lead you into 
 
 all truth and righteousness to the end ; and the powerful 
 hand of God preserve you and me in an even course, 
 walking uprightly even to the end. Amen. 
 
 My dear sister, heartily beloved in the Lord, in this 
 
 miserable and sorrowful world we must be esteemed the 
 
 isa. lix. 15. prey of all, as the prophet informs us. Indeed, Christ 
 
 Matt. X. 22. Jesus himsclf saith. Ye shall be hated of all meji for my 
 
 2 Cor. vi. 8. Tiame^ s sake. "We are esteemed as deceivers, yet true ; 
 
 and are become a gazing-stock. We are in all things 
 
 oppressed, but are not distressed ; Ave are assailed, but not 
 
 affrighted. We suffer persecution, but are not forsaken ; 
 
 Rom. viii. cast down, but not destroyed. We are accounted as sheep 
 
 for the slaughter ; but in all these things we are more 
 
 than conquerors, for His sake who hath loved us. For, 
 
 my dear love, we know that through much tribulation we 
 
 Actsxiv 22 niust enter into the kingdom of heaven. We know that 
 
 2 Cor. V. 6. as long as we are at home in the body, we are on pilgrira- 
 
 1 Pet ii 11 ^S^ ^^^ absent from the Lord. Therefore, says Peter, I 
 
 beseech you, as pilgrims and strangers, abstain from fleshly 
 
 lusts, which war against the soul. Therefore, my dear love, 
 
 Gen.xii.4. altliough you have, with Abraham, left our native country, 
 
 Rom X 11 ^® "^^ slack in the fulfilment of your duty. Be fervent 
 
 in spirit ; redeem the time. Be joyful in hope, patient in 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHUIST. 355 
 
 tribulation, instant in prayer, distributing to the necessity of 
 saints, and given to hosintality. For, my dear love, though 
 our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day 
 by day ; for our affliction, which is temporary and light, 
 loorketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of 
 glory ; for us, who look not at the things which are seen, 
 but at those which are not seen. 
 
 Therefore, my dear sister, look always to the author and Heb. xu. 2. 
 finisher of our faith, Jesus, who, for the Joy set before him, 
 endured the cj^oss, despising the shame. Remember him 
 who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, 
 lest ye be icearied and faint in your mind. For, ivhom the 
 Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he 
 loveth and receiveth. For our Saviour hath suffered so 
 much himself for our sake, so that Esaias may well say, 
 He hath no form nor comeliness, and there is no beauty that isa,. im. 5. 
 we should desire him. He was the most despised and rejected 
 of men, full of sorrows and infirmities. He was so despised 
 that we hid our faces from him. He might well say by 
 the prophet. They gave me gall for my meat, and in my Psa. ixix. 
 thirst they gave me gall and vinegar to drink. They all 
 laugh me to scoryi, they shake the head, and shoot out the lip 
 against me. Yea, as he says by the prophet, / am a worm, psa. xxii. 7. 
 and no man ; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. 
 
 My dear sister in the Lord, has the Head thus suffered ? Eph. i. 22. 
 the members must follow. Let it not grieve you that you Rom. xu. 5. 
 must yet wander in this world or wilderness ; for it is 
 God that worketh in you both to will and to do, according pmi. a. 13. 
 to that good purpose of your heart. My dear love, let 
 your light always shine in the midst of this wicked and Matt. v. le. 
 perverse generation ; that they who speak against you as 1 Pet. ii.12. 
 an evil doer, may see your good works and glorify God in 
 the day of visitation. 
 
 My sister in the Lord, beloved from my heart, await 
 the time with patience. Be longsuffering until the coming 
 
 A A 2 
 
356 A IJAiaYROLOGY OF 
 
 James v. 7. of our Loi'd. Bekold the husbandman waiteth patiently for 
 
 [306] ihe precious fruit of the earth, waiting long until he 
 
 receive the early and latter rain. Therefore, be patient ; 
 
 establish your heart, for the coming of the Lord draweth 
 
 nigh. My dear sister, you have heard of the patience of 
 
 Job, and have also heard the end of the Lord, that he is 
 
 pitiful and of tender mercy. 
 
 Matt. X. 22. My dear love, let us hold fast that which we have unto 
 
 1 Thess. V. the end. He is faithful that hath promised us. My dear 
 
 24. . 
 
 1 Pet. T. 7. sister, be ever humble. Cast all your care upon the Lord, 
 for he careth for you, and for us all. We know our 
 reward beforehand, if we steadfastly keep his command- 
 ments unto the end, according to our weakness, and with 
 Col. iii. 14. patience wait for it. Therefore, says Paul, Love is the 
 1 Pet. iv. 8. bo7id of perfectness. And Peter says. Have fervent love 
 among yourselves ; for love shall cover a multitude of sins. 
 My dear sister in the Lord, although we are the jest of 
 the world, and are compelled to go and wander in foreign 
 lands, it will not prevent us, when the Lord shall say, 
 Matt. XXV. Come, ye Messed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared 
 for you from the foundation of the world. Then will the 
 child be born. Then shall there be no more reproach. 
 isa, XXV. 8., Then shall all our enemies be conquered. Then shall the 
 tears be wiped away from our eyes. Then shall we have 
 no more sorrow. Then shall we drink of the fountain of 
 Kom. XV. 4. life freely. For xvhatsoever things were written, were written 
 for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of 
 the scriptures, might have hope. 
 
 The God of patience and comfort, grant you to be like- 
 minded with each other, according to Jesus Christ, that 
 you may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, the 
 Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; wherefore, receive ye 
 one another as Christ also received us to the glory of God, 
 the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Adieu, my 
 dear sister in the I^ord. Amen. 
 
 By me, Willeboort Cornells, written in bonds. 
 
THE CHUECIIES OF CHRIST. 357 
 
 PRIJNTGEN MAELBOUTS and MARTIJNTGEN. 
 
 1564. 
 
 In the year 1564, the 12th of November, was beheaded 
 with the sword at Ghent, in Flanders, a certain Prijntgen 
 Maelbouts, the widow of Jacob de Backer, brother of 
 Pauls of Meuin; and with her, Martijntgen Maelbouts, 
 her sister, a young woman born at Thielt, not on account 
 of any evil deeds, but alone for the testimony of our Rev. a. n. 
 Lord Jesus Christ, in a good conscience. They had sepa- 
 rated themselves (agreeably to the direction of the holy 
 scriptures) from the popish church of antichrist, as cor- 
 rupted with many impurities, and filled with the unfruit- f "-'^' ''^'''• 
 ful works of darkness, and doctrines and commandments 
 of men, in opposition to the holy word of the Lord. 
 They had also united themselves with the true members i cor. vi. 17. 
 of Christ, and with them, according to their weak ability, 
 endeavoured to observe their Lord's commandments and 
 ordinances. They were therefore deprived of life by the 
 persecutors and haters of the truth. They cheerfully 
 resigned it to please their Lord and Saviour, in lively Rev. ui. is. 
 hope and assured faith that they should receive again, at 
 the resurrection of the just, the mortal bodies which for Hl"^- ''•.'^• 
 
 "^ 2 Mac. VII. 
 
 his name's sake they here laid down, in greater honour, phiJ.^ui. 17. 
 and reign with God and his saints for ever. 43. '"^' ^^' 
 
 JELIS MATTHIJS, 
 
 PUT TO DEATH AT MIDDLEBUBG, FOB THE TESTIMONY 
 OE JESUS CHEIST. — ANNO 1564. 
 
 A Letter of Jelis Matthijs, written in prison at Middlehurg, 
 in the year 1564, tvhere he resigned his life for the name 
 of the Lord. 
 
 The foundation of God standcth sure. 2 Tim. li.io. 
 
358 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Grace, peace be with you, and the abounding love of 
 God, with the cordial inexpressible love of his Son, our 
 Lord Jesus Christ, veith the chosen gift of faith revealed 
 to us from God, our merciful gracious Father, thi'ough Jesus 
 Christ, and given to his saints, whom he, of his fatherly- 
 love, has now chosen, called, and ordained thereto; yea, 
 delivered from the chains and heavy bondage of the ever- 
 lasting darkness of unbelief, with which this wicked per- 
 1 Pet. i. 3. verse world is bound. According to his fatherly mercy. 
 He hath begotten us again to a lively blessed hope, and 
 translated us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, by 
 1 Col. xiv. whom we have the forgiveness of sins through his blood, 
 Luke i. 75. that wc (my beloved) should henceforth serve him in all 
 obedience, righteousness, and holiness, without fear all 
 the days of our life. May our compassionate gracious 
 Father, help and strengthen us, by the power of his Holy 
 Spirit. Amen. 
 
 Inasmuch as you desired, by your epistles and saluta- 
 tions that I have, at various times, received from you, and 
 also previously through the writing of your dear wife, who 
 herself expressed the same desire that I should write to 
 you, I repeatedly concluded in my mind to do so, accord- 
 ing to my small ability. Although I hope that there is 
 [307] properly no need, yet 1 trust, notwithstanding, that it may 
 increase your confidence and steadfastness. But by reason 
 of my having had a good deal to write, and having been 
 occupied with other things, I have not been able to write 
 you ; yet have I always felt a parental concern for you ; 
 frequently and ardently beseeching my God, according to 
 my weakness, that he would preserve you both in these 
 terrible perilous times, full of all wickedness, beneath the 
 shadow of his wings ; and that he would fill you more and 
 
 lipli. 1. 18. ^ *' 
 
 more with his Holy Spirit, and enlighten the eyes of your 
 understanding, that you (my dearly beloved), may rightly 
 learn to know the devices and nets spread for you by the 
 
THE OHUllCHiiS OF CHEIST. 359 
 
 devil, and of which he now daily spreads so very many 
 
 for those that are born again. But in a measure they are 2Coi. a. u. 
 
 not unknown to you ; you are well aware what his designs 
 
 are. Therefore you have been vigilant to the present 
 
 time, in which I greatly rejoice, and also because your 2 xhess i. 3. 
 
 faith grows and increases in the knowledge of our Lord 
 
 Jesus Christ, in whom I have, with tears, in my bonds, 
 
 begotten you with others, by the power of the Holy 
 
 Ghost. Ye became followers of me and the Lord, and 1 xhess. i. 6. 
 
 received the word of the gospel of the cross of Christ, 
 
 with many groans and much godly sorrow, and became 
 
 heartily obedient thereto, according to the form of doctrine 
 
 in which you now stand. Thus you became an ensample to 
 
 all those in Middleburg who desire to repent, and take up 
 
 the Saviour's cross. Not only they, but many saints have 
 
 rejoiced, when beholding your obedience and humility in 
 
 the fear of God, which I hope will increase from day to 
 
 day and become more manifest, that it may, my beloved, 
 
 evidently appear, that you are truly born from above of John 1. 13. 
 
 God the Father, and are transformed by the renewing Rom. xii. 2 
 
 of your mind. Remember that your conversation be j. j, ^^ 24. 
 
 heavenly, namely, after the new man which after God is 
 
 created in all righteousness and holiness ; for, since He is 1 Pet. 1. 15. 
 
 holy who hath called and chosen you to this service, so 
 
 must you also, according to your ability, maintain a holy, 
 
 pure, and godly walk in the fear of your God. For to rou,. vi. le. 
 
 ivhojn we yield ourselves servants to obey, his servants we are, 
 
 as the apostle observes, whether of sin unto death, or of 
 
 obedience unto righteousness. 
 
 To God be everlasting praise and thanks, my beloved, 
 that you were a servant and handmaid of sin ; but are 
 now with me washed and cleansed by the washing ofi^ygijjg 
 regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which God 
 the Father hath shed on us abundantly through Christ 
 our Saviour. Not for works of rio-hteousness which wc 
 
360 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Eph. ii 3. had done, for we were by nature children of wrath, even 
 as others ; but God, the gracious merciful Father, who is 
 rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
 when we were dead in sins and unrighteousness, hath by 
 faith raised us up together with or through Christ his 
 dear Son. 
 
 Therefore, my dearly and heartily beloved friends in 
 Christ Jesus, whose souls I fervently love, for which I 
 have a fatherly and godly concern, I exhort and beseech 
 you, as a prisoner of the Lord, that you frequently call to 
 
 Heb. X.32. remembrance the day in which the merciful Father had 
 
 2 Cor. iii. iG. compassion on you, and removed the veil from your eyes 
 and heart, which still is over the eyes and hearts of so 
 
 wisd. V. 7. many thousands, who walk in hard ways and know not 
 this way of the Lord, by reason that they are drunk with 
 
 Rev. xvii. 2. the wiuc of the whore of Babylon ; namely, the false 
 doctrines with which the whole world is covered. But ye, 
 my beloved, are become sober, and have come out from 
 the midst of her. I hope also that ye will no more 
 
 Rev. xviii. 4. partake of her impurities, that ye receive not of her 
 plagues. 
 
 Wherefore, be keenly vigilant in righteousness, that 
 after my departure ye be not, my beloved, put to shame 
 in these fearfully perilous times. It is evidently the time 
 of which Christ Jesus and his holy apostles have so dili- 
 gently warned us. Christ Jesus himself said, that in 
 
 Matt. xxiv. many hearts love should wax cold : but he that endureth 
 to the end shall be saved. Dearly beloved, reflect well on 
 the words of Christ; let them sink into your hearts. 
 They are not spoken of the world. In them the love of 
 God cannot grow cold ; for they have not received it, 
 neither do they know it. But they are spoken of the 
 true Israelites, and you see that in them it is abundantly 
 fulfilled. It is, indeed, grievously to be lamented that the 
 devil and the spirit of the old serpent have obtained such 
 
THE CHUECHES OP CHRIST. 361 
 
 power and force in this present time, through the mani- 
 fold subtle dexterous snares he daily lays to catch in the 
 net of unbelief the souls of the regenerate who have escaped 
 from him by the knowledge of God. Some he secures 
 by false doctrine ; not alone of the Roman antichrist, for 
 there are now many antichrists in the world. He has i John a. is. 
 assumed another form no longer like that of Rome, well 
 knowing that his game therewith is nearly finished. He 
 has transformed himself, and appears as an angel of light, 2Cor. xi.i4. 
 and uses his diligence to come among the children of 
 light to exhibit his wares in a new form. My beloved 
 in the Lord, in past times he came with human institu- 
 tions and commandments ; but he has learned that men 
 will hear the scriptures. He therefore comes now and 
 brings forward many scriptures, so that it almost appears 
 to be right, just as he impudently did with Christ, Matt. iv. 6. 
 adducing a passage from David, that it was written that 
 he would send his angels who should bear him up in p^^ ^^^ ^J 
 their hands, lest he should dash his foot against a stone. 
 Observe, my dearly beloved, he quoted the scripture as it 
 stood; but it was not spoken with such a meaning, or 
 was not so predicted. So these likewise: they bring 
 forth many scriptures, and say boldly that so it stands, 
 whereby the wavering and they that have itching ears to 2 rim. iv. 3. 
 hear something new are easily caught in the net he has 
 spread. Others he catches by casual deceitful riches, 
 which at this day drown men in perdition and destruc- 1 Tim. vi. 
 tion, for covetousness is a root of all evil. Some covet an 
 increase in their temporal goods, and are so occupied 
 therewith that they, in the meantime, forget the exercises 
 of devotion, and are involved in many troubles. Oh ! my 
 beloved, it will fare with them as it did with some of the Exod. xvi. 
 Israelites; they that had gathered much had nothing 
 over, and they that had gathered little had no lack. 
 Therefore, having food and raiment, oh! if men would 
 
362 A MARTYROLOGY OK 
 
 2 Tim. vi. 7. therewith be content ; for we brought nothing into the 
 workl, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 
 
 We sec, my beloved, that the words of our gracious 
 
 22. " " Lord Jesus Christ are true ; viz. that deceitful riches 
 choke the good seed, the word of God, whereby many 
 come to shame. The third class lose all in the loss or de- 
 privation of their goods, not once seeing or rightly think- 
 
 Matt. xiii. ing that they, like the merchant, have found the pearl of 
 greatest price, which mdeed is truly worth all, and with 
 which all is not to be compared. The fourth fall away, 
 through the cross and suffering, namely, persecution. The 
 fifth, through the entreaties and prayers of father and 
 mother, friends and relations. The sixth, through wives 
 and children. The seventh, through their own wicked 
 deceitful lusts. The eighth, by growing weary in the way 
 
 Num.xiv.4. of righteousncss, and turning again to Egypt and Sodom, 
 
 Gen. X1X.26. ^^ j'^g ^ short timc in quietness and peace with the 
 
 Rev.xiv. 10. Babylonian whore, and hereafter with her to be tormented 
 with eternal pain. 
 
 Observe, all this works and carries on that one spirit, the 
 old serpent that neither slumbers nor sleeps, but walks 
 
 1 ret. V. 8. about seeking whom he may devour. Therefore, resist him 
 with manly courage and a believing heart ; be not terrified, 
 although they so lightly forsake the commandments of God. 
 Look not at the slack, idle, and ungodly; let all unfaithful 
 
 John vi. 06. servants and false disciples go back and walk no more with 
 their Lord and Master ; tve hope, nevertheless, to abide with 
 Him, and you, with myself, are prepared to suffer what- 
 ever he lays upon us. Oh ! whither should we go, or what 
 
 Psa. cxiv.7. should we do, if we renounce his commandments ! whither 
 should we flee where he would not find us ! Oh ! heaven 
 and earth must serve him with trembling ! mountains and 
 caverns must be affrighted before him, and may not stand 
 
 jobiv. ly. i^i his presence! how much more the children of men who 
 dwell in houses of clay ! Oh, my beloved, how shall they 
 
THE CHURCHES 0¥ CHRIST. 363 
 
 who now so unfaithfully forsake him, excuse themselves 
 when he shall visit thera ? Alas ! grievously is it to be 
 lamented that they have loathed the heavenly bread ! and Num. xi. e. 
 that the only medicine by which the souls of the regenerate 
 are healed is become to them such a deadly enemy, we 
 may well sigh and mourn with the prophet over the ruin Lam. i. 
 of Israel, and Jerusalem the beauteous city of God ; and 
 that so many Israelites are destroyed in the wild Avil- 
 derness of this wicked world, and are by the subtle spirit 
 of the serpent destroyed and slain. Some of the watch- 
 men have fallen away, and the citizens of Jerusalem are in- i Pet. v. 8. 
 dolent and sleepy. But he that lurks about the camp gives 
 himself no rest ; he is ever on the alert, day and night, to 
 see if any are idle or drowsy, that he may sow his tares in ^^='^"- ^'''• 
 their hearts as he has, alas, often done and will do more 
 and more, as I believe ; for the more the people of God 
 multiply, the more will he exercise his power amongst 
 them, nor will not cease till some are again submissive to Tob. i. 12. 
 his will. It is permitted him, of God, to harass the godly, [309] 
 and to deceive some that others may be proved. 
 
 My dear and from my heart greatly beloved children 
 in the Lord, it is therefore my fatherly prayer and humble 
 desire to you jointly, for the everlasting welfare of your 
 souls, that you hencefoi'th be concerned to continue in 
 the way of righteousness. Be ever mindful from this 
 time how you ought to walk in the house of God, which 1 xim. m. 
 is the church of God, to which you are come. It gave 
 me great joy when I heard of it, thanking and praising 
 my God for his Fatherly goodness and grace, which he 
 hath shown in receiving you as his son and daughter; yea, 2Cor. vi. 18. 
 as heirs of his heavenly inheritance, for whose will you so f°™- v"'- 
 willingly submitted yourselves to the yoke and discipline Phii. m. 7. 
 of the cross, and counted with the holy apostle Paul your 
 gain as loss, that you might win Christ. Therefore take 2 Pet. 111.17. 
 heed to yourselves, turn not nor waver to the right 
 
364 A MAETYROLOGY OF 
 
 hand or the left, that you fall not from your own stead- 
 fastness, and that eternal fire be not your portion. But, 
 
 Col. ii. 6. j^y beloved, as you have now put on the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, so walk henceforth in him, being firmly settled 
 
 icor. iv. 7. and rooted in his doctrine, that your love grow not cold 
 or abate, and you lose at last what you have received. 
 
 I also beseech you by the mercies of our gracious Lord 
 Jesus Christ, that you be not negligent to' thank and 
 praise God the compassionate tender Father through 
 Christ his dear Son, both day and night, for the great 
 and unspeakable benefits which he hath bestowed on us 
 
 .Ter. i 5. P*^'^'^ miserable creatures. He hath known and chosen us 
 
 Matt.xvii. from our mother's womb, that we should live holily and 
 
 17. 
 
 Matt. X, 32. confess his name in the midst of this perverse and adul- 
 terous generation, and hold fast the beginning of the 
 Liikex 20. Christian life, even to the end. For although you are 
 now become the heirs of eternal life by obedience to the 
 Phil. iv. 3. gospel, and are with me and all the saints written in the 
 Heb. xii. 22. book of life, yca, are come to an innumerable company of 
 jer.xvii. 13. angels, Hc Can readily root us up, and record our names 
 as apostates, if we do not faithfully, according to our 
 weakness, walk in the commandments of God unto the 
 end ! For we know that the glorious promises, and the 
 crown of everlasting life, lie not at the beginning nor in 
 Matt. X. 22. the middle. It is he who perseveres and abides faithful 
 2Esdrasii. to the cud, that sliall receive them at the hand of the 
 
 42. 
 
 Lord. It availed Israel little (in whom we have a clear 
 example) that they were delivered by the strong hand of 
 the Lord from the bondage of Pharaoh. The benefits 
 which their faithful and compassionate Father bestowed 
 Exod. xvi.5 upon them in the way, were for the most part lost. Not- 
 withstanding he fed them with angels' food, and gave 
 them all that their souls desired, yet they became im- 
 patient and murmuring. They endured not their trials 
 in the fear of God, nor received them with submission. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHEIST. 365 
 
 Therefore the Lord was wroth, and destroyed of them at 
 
 one tinae three and twenty thousand. O my beloved, 
 
 reflect on this. It is indeed written for our learning and i cor. x. c. 
 
 admonition, as the holy apostle observes, that we should 
 
 not fall after the same example of unbelief. For what 
 
 will it avail us, that we have also departed out of the 
 
 spiritual Egypt and Sodom, and have been delivered from 
 
 the service of the infernal Pharaoh, through the Red sea 
 
 of the blood of Christ, and have been baptized in the 
 
 name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Matt.xxvii-. 
 
 on the avowal of our faith, and renouncing ourselves, 
 
 have entered the ark of the true Noah, Christ Jesus, i Pet. 11120. 
 
 Oh ! my dearly beloved, it cannot help or save us, if we 
 
 walk not in all the commandments of our God. The 
 
 apostle John says, He that saitJi he knoweth God, and 1 joim li. 4. 
 
 keejjeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not 
 
 in him. But you, my beloved, have been always obedient, 
 
 not only in my presence, but also much more in my 
 
 absence ; wherefore work out your salvation with fear, phii. ii. 12. 
 
 and ever walk, after my departure, as it becometh the Phii. i. 27. 
 
 gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Abide in the same 
 
 spirit and mind. Be not in any wise terrified by all your 
 
 adversaries, whether inward or outward, which is to them a 
 
 ioken of perdition, but to you of everlasting salvation and 
 
 that of God, For, my well beloved, it is not enough that 
 
 you believe in Christ, you must filso suffer for his name ; 
 
 if not by bonds or imprisonment, yet by daily conflicts 
 
 and assaults, which at this time are many and manifold, 
 
 and may come upon you still more. God tries and proves zech.xiii.p. 
 
 his elect in many ways. Bonds and imprisonments are [310] 
 
 esteemed and looked upon as the greatest trials of faith. 
 
 But, my beloved, I confess to you that with me they are 
 
 the least, compared with the perils and assaults that I 
 
 have experienced in the wild wilderness of the world. 
 
 Often I knew not, from the terror of my heart and spirit, 
 
366 A MARTYROLOGY OP 
 
 whether I should escape ; sighing and crying to my God, 
 2 Tim. ii. 20. over the manifold, subtle, dexterous snares which the old 
 Rev. xii. 14. serpent laid ; fearful lest I should be taken in the snares 
 of human weakness, or carried away by my own carnal 
 Rom.vii.is. confidence, I felt that in me there dwelt no good thing. 
 Matt. iii. 12. 1 thought that in the day of his judgment much chaff will 
 il' ■ ''''"■ be found, when he passes his own people in review; where- 
 fore I was greatly troubled, fearing lest, at his appearing, 
 1 should, through my daily miscarriages and my unholy 
 walk, not stand in the judgment. Hence I frequently 
 besought him with tears, that he, of his fatherly com- 
 passion, would make me a poor miserable creature meet 
 in bonds and imprisonment to suffer for his name ; and 
 also to go to death for his sacred testimony. Then I should 
 be certain of the salvation of my soul, and not think of 
 Rev. vi.ir. being brought to shame in the day of his wrath. To this 
 Acts V. 41. he, of his fatherly mercy, hath chosen me, and hath counted 
 Rev. vi. 9. me worthy to bear his blessed testimony in my bonds before 
 Matt.xii.39. this wicked and adulterous generation. For this I greatly 
 fo*^*"*' "'"'■ rejoice. It is the grief of my heart that I cannot suflfi- 
 ciently thank and praise our compassionate and gracious 
 Father, for the unspeakably great benefits that he has 
 bestowed, and is still daily bestowing, on me a miserable 
 creature. 
 
 Therefore, my dearly beloved in the Lord, since I have 
 
 a fatherly concern for ycu and love you with a divine love, 
 
 2 Pet. ii. 12. 1 canuot bc negligent, seeing I remain yet a little in this 
 
 tabernacle, to admonish you by my writing, praying you 
 
 not to think that I exercise authority over you, but seek 
 
 Eph. iv. 13. with all kindness to build you up to the full stature of 
 
 2Cor. iii. 3. Christ, that you may be found a true epistle of Christ, 
 
 2 Cor. i. 22. written not with ink or on paper, but by tlio Holy Spirit 
 
 of the living God, by whom also you are sealed to the day 
 
 of your redemption. He hath written God's precepts and 
 
 laws in vour hearts and minds, wherebv vou are now 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 367 
 
 become an epistle of Christ, seen and read of all men, who iPet. iii.2. 
 behold your holy chaste conversation in the humility of 
 your hearts and low esteem of yourselves. 
 
 Therefore, my beloved, I once more entreat you, 
 although you are humble, humble yourselves yet more ; John xv. s. 
 although you are clean, yet cleanse yourselves still more ; Rev. xxh. 
 although you are become holy, yet sanctify yourselves 
 more and more, that you may be pure ard blameless phii. a. is. 
 children of God, in the midst of this crooked and perverse 
 generation. Aviong whom ye shine as lights in the ivorld ; 
 holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice i?i the day of 
 Christ, that I have not labored in vain. For although 1 2 Tim. iv. e. 
 am about to be offered, and the time of my departure is 
 now at hand, yet I rejoice for your sakes and that of others, 
 whom I have begotten in my bonds, who in time past were n. 
 unprofitable in the house of God, but are now useful. 2 Joim i. 2. 
 Finally, my affectionate prayer is that you wull heartily John xui. 
 love each other out of a pure heart, as they that are born 
 again, not of corruptible, but of incorruptible seed, namely, 1 Pet. i. 23. 
 of the living, powerful, and saving word of God. Remember 
 the words of Paul, our brother, where he says. The end of^ ^™- ' ^ 
 the commandme7if is charity out of a pure heart, and of a 
 good conscience; yea, it is the bond of perfectness. Qh^"™-''"'- 
 how blessed is he who is well girded about with this bond. coi. iii. 14. 
 He liveth not to himself but to his Lord, and in every oai. ii. 21. 
 thin«; observes the words of Christ. Be merciful even as Lukevi.se. 
 your heavenly Father is merciful. Therefore, my beloved, 
 I beseech you by the mercies of our gracious Lord Jesus Rom. xii. 1. 
 Christ, and also by the eternal salvation of your souls, that 
 you be not forgetful of hospitality ; for it not only supj)lieth 2 cor. ix. 12. 
 the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanks- 
 givings unto God, With such sacrifices God is icell pleased. 
 Think of the wise man's words. He that hath pity on the '^^^- '''^• 
 poor, lendeth unto the Lord ; and that which he hath given, 
 laill he pay him again. Further he says, He that giveth xxviii. 27. 
 
368 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 unto the 'poor, shall not lack ; but he that hideth his eyes, shall 
 
 Piov. X. 16. /j^yg mani/ a curse. The labour of the righteous tendeth to 
 
 Piov. xi. 24. lifo ; the fruit oj^ the wicked to sin. There is that scatter eth, 
 
 and yet increaseth ; and there is that ivithholdeth more than is 
 
 meet, but it tendeth to poverty. Christ has rightly said, 
 
 John xii. 8. The poor ye have always with you. Wlierefore he will say 
 
 Matt. XXV. in the judgment-day, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one 
 
 of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 
 
 Hence it follows, my dearly beloved, that the words of 
 
 2 Cor. ix. 6. Paul will be true ; viz. He which soweth sparingly, shall reap 
 
 also sparingly ; and he which soweth bountifully, shall reap 
 
 also bountifully ; for God loveth a cheerful giver. 
 
 My faithful friends, my fatherly prayer to you is, 
 that you live in all peace, kindliness and unity together. 
 Kom. XV. 1. Let one help to bear, in love, another's burden. You 
 know not how long you shall live together. Remember 
 that you are called the children of peace. Your King and 
 isa. ix. 6. Prince is a king and prince of peace. You must therefore 
 be found to be the children of peace, as I am indeed per- 
 suaded you are, though I thus write. 
 
 I commend you to the great Shepherd of the sheep, who 
 Heb.xiii. wiUj I trust, preserve you together beneath the shadow of 
 Psa. xvii. 8. ^^^ wings. Only abide by his precepts and laws, and turn 
 John X. 28. not away from his hand, and I am certain that none shall 
 pluck you out of his hand. Once more I entreat you, and 
 that by the wounds of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, and 
 Isa. liii. 8. also for the everlasting salvation of your souls, that you will 
 take to heart my faithful warnings given you now in the 
 last days of ray life. Let not my letter after my departure 
 be neglected by you, nor esteem it as a lifeless history or 
 fable. Receive it as a testament. Let it be to you a per- 
 petual remembrance and memorial. By it remember me, 
 12.'™"'^' that according to my weakness I have been an example to 
 1 Pet. ii. 21. you. Let no one snatch you away from the place of con- 
 flict in which you now stand, nor make you irresolute ; but 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 3G9, 
 
 ever increase your diligence to make your calling and 2 Pet. i 10. 
 election sure. Oh ! if you do this, my beloved ones, ye 
 shall not fall ; but so an entrance shall be ministered unto 
 you into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ. 
 
 As to my own state, and that of my fellow warriors, [3121 
 
 J ^ •> Plul. I. 12. 
 
 you will understand that it is rather to the furtherance of 
 
 the gospel. You will also learn that the Lord faithfully Psa.ixvi.12. 
 
 stands by me in my conflict and defence, and hath enabled "'-"i^. 
 
 me to maintain the field, and hath delivered me from the ^g^""- '^• 
 
 jaws of hell and the lions' teeth. I think I have been ten 2 Tim. iv. 7. 
 
 or twelve times enorao;ed Avith them ; but the others thev 
 
 have not so harassed. In short, I hope the fight is fought, 
 
 the course finished, and life preserved. Henceforth is 
 
 laid up for me the crown of glory, which I hope shall by R'un. viii. 
 
 no creature be taken from me ; for lie is faithful who 
 
 hath begun this good work in me, and who, undoubtedly, Piiii. i.e. 
 
 will help me complete it, and according to my resolution, jusii. lii. 10. 
 
 without hurt, to pass over Jordan. God grant us his 
 
 grace. Amen. 
 
 Communicate this amongst yourselves, and implore on 
 it God's blessing. Meditate thereon diligently, under- 
 stand it wisely. 
 
 Finished the 6th October, in the twenty- third month of 
 my imprisonment. 
 
 Once more, my dear children, keep yourselves piously 
 united together in the cross of Christ, and depart not watt. , 
 therefrom. 
 
 Another letter of Jelis Matthijs to his wife. 
 
 My heartily beloved wife and sister in the Lord, I wish Pi4. 
 you much strength and comfort from God, the Father of 
 mercy, through the consolations of the Holy Ghost, by 
 whom He comforts all afflicted anxious hearts, that are 
 
 VOL. II. B p, 
 
Rev. i. ; 
 
 370 A MARTYllOLOGY OF 
 
 distressed on account of His testimony, as is your case at 
 this present time. You are, indeed, somewhat heavily 
 oppressed ; although you are so far taught by the Holy 
 Spirit, that you know well that it is the will of our Lord 
 and Islaster, to whom we have bent the knee, to serve him 
 and be faithful to him in all distress and tribulation. 
 For to this end hath he chosen and called us both, that we 
 should maintain his name amidst much tribulation and 
 anguish ; and should not be grieved at these few strokes, 
 Job V. 17. and fatherly chastisements. Thereby he makes us true 
 inheritors of his heavenly kingdom, if we receive them in 
 submission and patience, and be exercised therein. Hereto 
 may the merciful gracious Father strengthen us by the 
 might of his Holy Spirit. Amen. 
 
 Further, my dear wife, the beloved of my heart, foras- 
 much as I think it probable that you are anxious and cast 
 down in spirit on my account, and would (as I easily imagine) 
 be glad to hear and know how it is with me, I cannot refrain 
 from writing to you a line, how it has been with us. 
 But, indeed, I wrote you on our last night (as I thought), 
 and asked the bailiff whether I might be permitted to 
 write to my poor sorrowful wife. He said. Yes. How- 
 ever, I was not permitted to go up again, but remained in 
 the kitchen. Huyge would not consent to my writing 
 except he had it, and gave it to the bailiff himself, as 
 I think he has done. But I hope that you will still get it. 
 
 My mind remains unalterable. I am prepared to await 
 all that is laid upon me by God, our merciful and gracious 
 Father, and by the enemies of the truth. We heard 
 nothing of any troubles till the evening, about nine 
 o'clock, when Hugge, with his wife, came up, saying, 
 " Master Jelis and Willebort, come down ; there is a 
 person who wishes to speak with you." Our women, 
 especially Maeyken, began to cry and weep. I asked 
 him, if we should not return ; to which he answered little. 
 
 N 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 371 
 
 I immediately took off my cassock and put on the old 
 woollen one, and gave my child a kiss. Then taking off 
 my cap, I spake a tew words to God our merciful and 
 kind Father, that he would keep it all the days of its life. 
 My heart was a little sorrowful over it ; but it did not last 
 long. When I came below, the stadtholder stood there a 
 short time- Afterwards the bailiff came and looked at 
 me, saying, " Well, Master Jelis, the time is come ; " or [315) 
 some such words. I then stepped a little nearer to him. 
 I was quite cheerful in mind, and spoke to him very 
 friendly, saying, " Sir, I have known you eight or ten 
 years, and regarded you as a reasonable man ; how is it that 
 you take us unawares ? We have not heard a single word 
 about it." He said, " Why there is time enough ; it will 
 not be yet ; but make ready against five o'clock to- 
 morrow." I then had some discourse with him, saying, 
 *' Ah ! man, man ! what a heavy burden you are bringing 
 upon yourself. I heartily wish you were not a judge over 
 us ; not on our account, for in that respect we are in good 
 spirits." I took a cup that stood there, and presented it to 
 him. When he was gone, I began to write, and wrote 
 until near five o'clock, when he came again, and said that 
 the officers should conduct us. How it has gone off* at 
 the Townhall, you may have heard. Coming from thence 
 we were both shut up in a room, and being in fetters, I 
 could not write you. The next day, this very morning, 
 the bailiff with the stadtholder again sent for us down. 
 They brought us both into a cellar alone, which was 
 very dark, the window having been stopped up, and said, 
 " You must remain here, until there is a change." The 
 stadtholder said, " We are all mortal, we know not our- Gen. iii. k 
 selves when we shall die." I said nothing. As I stood 
 in the cellar, the bailiff" looked at me ; I cast my eyes up 
 towards heaven, and said, " O God, preserve us!" or some 
 such words. 
 
 B B 2 
 
372 A MAETYROLOGY OP 
 
 It seemed from the bailiff's manner as if he would say, 
 " Aye, this is occasioned by you ;" but he did not dis- 
 tinctly say so much, and went away with the others. Our 
 Cor. i. 4. God was uot far from us with the comfort of his Holy 
 Spirit. He filled my heart with joy ; so that I was con- 
 strained to begin singing a liymn. 
 
 In the afternoon, we got a small piece of candle, and I 
 began to write this ; and would willingly have sent it you 
 before night, but could not accomplish it ; receive it there- 
 fore in love. 
 
 Oh ! my dear and heartily beloved, I suspect that our 
 hour is fast approaching. It is probable that the powers 
 of this world will come to-night. I beseech you by the 
 bleeding wounds of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, and the 
 eternal salvation of your soul, that you will never forget 
 my departure before you ; and if my child comes to years 
 of understanding, and whom I hope you will bring up in 
 the fear of God, that you will admonish him, and set my 
 example before him. Let my blood be, to you, an abiding 
 testament and memorial, that, according to my feeble 
 powers, I have been an examjilc. I could indeed wish 
 that I had been able to walk before you more holily and 
 unblameably ; but you know, that according to my weak 
 ability I have sought to please the Lord ; and have, as my 
 weakness would allow me, walked with courage in the 
 path of the cross. This is my earnest desire also for you, 
 2 Pet i 10. ^^^^ this path do not forsake. Give more diligence to make 
 Joel ii. 1, your holy calling and election more and more sure, for the 
 Psa ixii 1" ^^'^y ^^ t^^^ Lord is not afar off, in which he will render to 
 every one according to his work. Then, my faithful love, 
 he will discover the indolent, sluggish, and careless, who 
 now bear the name of Christians, and carry indeed their 
 Matt. XXV. lamj^s ; but in which the oil of love and righteousness is 
 gone out. 
 
 Ever pursue Immllity. A humbled heart can better try 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHllIST. 373 
 
 and examine itself. It always bemoans its weakness and ]l'=<^i"s- '"• 
 littleness before the Lord, fearful lest it should at last, in 
 these perilous and terrible times, come to shame through i Tim. iv. i. 
 the manifold artful snares and nets laid for it. On this ac- 
 count, such a regenerate child of God has an earnest desire 2Cor. v. 6. 
 to be at home, and to be delivered from this miserable 
 defiled covering of clay, well knowing that he walks amidst 
 great dangers. It rejoices him to hear of the cross of phii. i. 23. 
 Christ ; nor is he lightly disposed to flee before the ungodly, 
 when the cause demands the endurance of affliction. But 
 the sluggish, the idle, and the careless, who think con- Rev. iu. 17. 
 tinually that they are rich enough, and that they have 
 need of nothing, as soon as they hear a rumour that the 
 ungodly have entered into a compact to root out the 
 righteous, are amazed or greatly affrighted. Sometimes 
 this is not all ; they come to their neighbour (whom they 
 slaoukl inspire with courage), and cause him likewise to be 
 alarmed. 
 
 But you, my faithful love, be courageous, that I heartily 
 beseech you ; regard not those I have referred to, nor those 
 who, at this time, so unfaithfully forsake the Lord, whether [316] 
 on account of the cross, or persecution, or false doctrine. 
 Oh ! if they had previously examined themselves daily, 
 and had had a taste for heavenly things, they would not 
 so easily have permitted themselves to be deceived, or 
 have been so fearful of the cross. They would have 
 rejoiced to confess the name of their God in the midst of 
 this wicked and perverse generation, and besought him 
 that they might be strangers in the land, to the glory of 
 their God and the edification of their neighbour. 
 
 My beloved, faithful, dear, and chosen wife, whom I 
 love as my own soul ; it is my prayer, that you will be 
 solicitous all the days of your life to come where I, in a 
 few hours or in a short time, shall be ; that we may not 
 be separated in the everlasting mansions of bliss. Oh ! 
 
374 A MARTYKOLOGY OF 
 
 that it might be the holy and acceptable will of God, and 
 Matt. X. 22. it were possible that I might drink the bitter cup for 
 you ! Yea, were it three times required, methinks I 
 would willingly and heartily take it, that you thereby 
 might be saved ! 
 
 Then I should take my journey with a much more 
 cheerful heart, and should have no reflections or fears that 
 you would be moved away from the simplicity that is in 
 our gracious Lord Jesus Christ ; but there is no ground of 
 apprehension so long as you remain where I now leave 
 isa ixvi. 4. yo"3 for you are afraid and tremble at the judgment that 
 will be pronounced on the ungodly. 
 
 Concerning your daily infirmities and mistakes before 
 
 God, these will not condemn or exclude you ; the holy 
 
 John ii. 1. apostle John provides for these. He says : If any man sin, 
 
 Rom. viii. we Jiave an advocate icith the Father, Avho intercedes for us, 
 
 34. 
 
 Christ Jesus, the High Priest who is there entered, namely, 
 Heb. is. 12. into the holy of holies, and has offered an everlasting sacri- 
 Psa. ex.]. fice, and made reconciliation for his people, and is set down 
 Col. iii. 1. at the right hand of God his Father as an advocate and 
 intercessor for our daily stumblings and errors; to this 
 Intercessor and Advocate I direct you, not to departed 
 saints, as the blind leaders of this world do ; have recourse 
 isa lix. 1. to him in your greatest straits ; think that his ear is not 
 heavy that he will not hear you, and that his hand is not 
 psa. xxxiv. shortened that he is not able to help you. His eyes are 
 upon the righteous, whom he hath so dearly purchased 
 1 Pet. i. 19. with his own precious blood, and to their cries, sighs, and 
 Matt. V. 4. tears he listens ; he calls them blessed already that weep 
 and suffer here for righteousness' sake, of whom you, at 
 this time, are one ; therefore, comfort yourself with these 
 • Psa. cxxvi. promises, they who here sow in tears shall come again and 
 hereafter reap with abundant joy. Oh ! think not, my 
 beloved, that the tears you now shed shall be in vain, for 
 they are already come before the face of God. Suffer yet 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 375 
 
 a little while, I beseech you; he will not, I hope, long 
 leave you, but will take you away from calamity and 
 bring you to sure rest iu his chamber, as the prophet 
 Esaias says ; for you desire to Avalk, according to your ^^^- ^''^i. 
 weak ability, uprightly to the end, in which may our com- 
 passionate and tender Father aid you by tlie help and 
 power of his Holy Spirit ; he is faithful who, witliout ^4- ^.^ 
 doubt, will also do it. It is further my humble and af- 
 fectionate desire that you heartily love your neighbour, 
 and be ever mindful of the poor, holy family of God. 
 Hitherto you have had a heart for this; let not your love Tob.iv.7. 
 herein cease, but much rather increase ; be ever mindful 
 of the words of Christ, where he saith : Ye have the poor Matt. xxvi. 
 ahoays with you. Henceforth, I beseech you, my heartily 
 beloved, that you always associate with the pious that you 
 may increase in piety and meetness for heaven; be desirous i pet. a. 2. 
 of the sincere milk, namely, to hear God's word that you [317] 
 may grow thereby, and increase in every good work. Keep 
 yourself in retirement (you know what I mean), I heartily 
 beseech you, and wait for the day of your redemption ; 
 perhaps it is not far off. 
 
 I now take my leave and an eternal adieu of you, my 
 flesh and blood. Once more, humbly I beseech you, for 
 the everlasting salvation of your soul, and by the great 
 love which you have ever had for me, that you will 
 after my departure keep in mind my communication and 
 my hearty prayers and exhortations, whether by writino- 
 or by word of mouth. Let them not lie by you as a 
 lifeless history or fable; but frequently use them as a 
 recipe, serviceable to your health. Preserve it in the 
 depository of your heart, as a perpetual treasure and 
 memorial. It will afford you more profit and utility than 
 many pieces of fine gold and silver. 
 
 The time approaches rapidly when I shall cease from 
 writing and from all earthly things. Hence it is my most 
 
376 A MAKTYROLOGY OF 
 
 hearty desire, and if you love me and the eternal salva- 
 tion of your soul you will fulfil my desire, according to 
 
 Josh, i 7. your weak ability, and turn neither to the right hand 
 nor the left, whether on account of the cross, of bonds, or 
 
 isah. 7. imprisonment, or aught else. And if God, our merciful 
 and gracious Father, count you worthy to suffer for his 
 name's sake, be not afraid. I had never thought that 
 bonds and imprisonments could have had so little terror to 
 one who has renounced himself, and has a hearty longing 
 
 Phil. i. 20. to be at home. Therefore, fear them not. 
 
 And now, my dear and heartily beloved wife and sister 
 in the Lord, my time is expired. The days are passed. 
 
 2 Tim. iv. 7. The ycars are ended. I have fought a good fight ; my 
 
 Pea. liii. 4 coiu'sc is finished ; I have kept the faith. My enemies 
 are become ashamed that set themselves against me ; for, 
 
 2 Tim. iv. 17. by my God, I have kept the field. He hath delivered 
 me from the lion's jaws, and the mouth of hell ; and will 
 also deliver me from every evil, and save me at his 
 coming ; and divide to me the land of promise, which, by 
 faith, I have seen, and have tasted of its fruits. Hence I 
 have a hearty longing for it. Oh ! help me to thank and 
 praise our merciful and tender Father, that I have come 
 through the wild Avilderness of this deceitful, wicked, and 
 perverse world, and am now standing on the brink of 
 Jordan, through which I have yet to pass. Though it is 
 somewhat fearful in appearance, yet I am wholly without 
 fear ; for I am sure that my God will stand by me, that I 
 may pass through it uninjured and in safety. He is 
 
 Josh. i. 5. faithful that hath promised. He will not leave or forsake 
 
 Psa. ivi. 4. D^e ; so that I may say. The Lord is with me, I fear not 
 what man can do unto me. I am fetched." 
 
 " [Van Braglit has also preserved wife. The letters in the text have 
 another letter of the martyr to his been slightly abridged.] 
 
THE CHURCHES Of CHRIST. 377 
 
 JAN GEEEITS, 
 
 BFRNED AT THE HAGUE FOR THE TESTIMONY OE JESUS 
 CHRIST, THE 15tH DECEMBER, ANNO 1564. 
 
 A Testament made by Jan Gerrits, a prisoner at the Hague, 
 for the testimony of Jesus Christ, in December, anno 1564. 
 
 Grace and peace, from God our heavenly Father and his 
 Son Jesus Christ, be with you. Amen. 
 
 My heartily beloved, and very dear brethren and sisters 
 in the Lord, I beg to inform you that I have received 
 your letter, and have read it through with great joy. 
 Your writing is, first, an encouragement to steadfastness 
 in the faith, and to persevere unto the end, and that 
 through Jesus Christ ; to which end I am also with all my 
 heart and mind, in the sight of our heavenly Father, 
 desirous to come, and not I only, but all that fear God, 
 according to his will. This indeed is my hope ; • for I 
 have suffered stripes and torture, and that, according to 
 John's words, for the brethren's sake. And I desire not \q°^^ '"' 
 that only, but also, if it be God's will, to die for his name, 
 for his word and truth, whatever death it may be. I had 
 not thought it would have continued so long ; but since Luke xn. 7. 
 not a hair of my head can be hurt without the permission 
 of the Lord, I therefore desire to leave the issue patiently 
 with him as becomes a Christian. 
 
 Hence, my very dear brethren and sisters, my hearty re- 
 quest to you and to all that fear God is, that you will pray 
 the Lord for me, your weak brother, that I may receive the i pet. i. 9. ■ 
 end of my faith ; for the prayer of the righteous availeth 
 much, and is powerful. Oh ! they use every artifice to 2 cor. iv. 7. 
 rob me of the precious treasure ; but I trust in the Lord 
 that he will preserve me. 
 
 Secondly, dear brethren, it is great joy to me before 
 
378 A martyhology of 
 
 the Lord, that I learn that the vineyard of the Lord Is 
 
 increasing, and that his branches are spreading exceedingly, 
 
 as I have long desired. I therefore now thank my God 
 
 and yours that I hear this, as you have written me ; and 
 
 I rejoice that the light shines in every quarter and corner, 
 
 [318 and over every hill, as I hear from many friends that come 
 
 to comfort me in my bonds. Hence, my dear friends, be 
 
 diligent, each one according to the gift that he has received 
 
 M_att. XXV. f^-on^ God. Put it vigilantly out to usury, that you may 
 
 Matt. XXV. gain much, and hear the word that the Lord saith, Thou 
 
 23. 
 
 good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful i)i a feiv 
 things, I ivill make thee ruler over many things ; enter thou 
 into the marriage supper of the Lord. 
 
 iPet.ii.5. Let us then, each one, build up the house with lively 
 stones, that an holy priesthood may be formed, to offer 
 spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 
 We may always encourage ourselves in the Lord. His 
 
 1 Cor. XV. 57. power is so great towards them that fear him, that every- 
 thing 'must yield to him ; death, the devil, hell, fire, and 
 sword. These cannot prevail against those that are built 
 upon Christ ; for Ave are mighty through him that makes 
 
 johniv.18. "^^s worthy, and through his love all are overcome. This 
 love casteth out fear, as I may well assert ; for when I was 
 brought into the king's hall, and stood there nearly an 
 hour before the magistrates came, and saw every thing 
 prepared to torture me, I then thought repeatedly in 
 myself, ' O Lord, unless thou now stand by my side, all is 
 
 Matt. X. 19." over with me ;' and I prayed him to give me a mouth to 
 speak to his praise and glory, and also to guard me from 
 what might bring reproach on his holy name, and be in- 
 jurious to my neighbour. As I thus spake, and they 
 prepared to torture me, I lost all fear and mistrust. 
 Severely and cruelly did they rack me, till the president 
 said, " Why will you not tell the truth ?" 
 
 Ans. " Because Christ answered nothing but what con- 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 379 
 
 cerned the honour of his Father, and his own divine 
 character ; in all other respects he was silent. I desire to Matt.x.33. 
 do the same ; but whatever concerns his honour and the 
 doctrine he has commanded, I desire not to suppress before 
 emperor or king, duke or count." Immediately the word 
 was, " Seize him firmly. Do not spare him." 
 
 Thus unmercifully, my dear brethren and sisters, they 
 treated me. Nevertheless the Lord was indeed with me, 
 praised be his name. I was not myself; but the Lord Matt. x la 
 kept my lips, so that they could not obtain what they 
 wished. Behold, my dear friends, how faithful the Lord 
 is. They who hope in him, he will not suffer to be put to ^^i"^- ^• 
 shame. 
 
 Thirdly, I inform you that my wife has been with me 
 here, and brought me your friendly salutations, which it 
 was ver}^ delightful to me to hear ; and likewise that she ia 
 desirous of pursuing the best things, according to her weak 
 ability ; for she acknowledges that the life that she has 
 hitherto led is bad, as we all may well acknowledge that tuus ui. 3 
 in past times we were unprofitable. My prayer to you my 
 dear brethren, is, that you will watch over her, and adiuo- 
 nish her to live a better life, and that in love. And if it Mark ^i 1 
 come to pass that you are somewhat successful, and write 
 me thereof, it will be great joy to me. If you write to 
 me before I present my offering to God, forward it to 
 my aged mother, or to N., and I shall duly receive it. I 
 have, in addition, sent them some spices, namely, a nutmeg, 
 three or four races of ginger, and some cloves, that they 
 may give them to J. C. or some others, to be cut in pieces, 
 and duly divided for a perpetual memorial, and that in the 
 Lord, of an eternal adieu in Christ to the things of earth, 
 and a peaceful departure — if after this, there be no further 
 communication, before we meet together with Christ, and 
 see each other there in his glory. Amen. 
 
 My dearly beloved brethren, I have lived with you, and 
 
380 A MARTYilOLOGY OF 
 
 am rejoiced that you are so valiant in building the city 
 and temple of Jerusalem, which has for so many years 
 been decayed and in ruins. Be not discouraged, brethren, 
 although you may be mocked and derided, like Israel. 
 Neh.iv. 1. For obscrvc, when they builded again the wall, they were 
 stronger and more powerful in labom*, notwithstanding 
 the enemies were more wrathful to stay the progress of 
 the work. They did not abandon it, but kept watch so 
 much the more diligently, with the spear or sword in one 
 hand, and in the other the trowel. They were of good 
 courage, for God was with them, and fought for them. 
 My friends, let us take example from these pious cham- 
 pions, who were not terrified at their enemies. Let us do 
 in like manner ; however they may exclaim, or write, yea, 
 ridicule and say, ' See these people come and wish to lay 
 johnvii. 15. a ncw fouudatiou to the city, and know not a from h; 
 whence do they get it ? Where have they learned it ? 
 We have studied at universities, and spent our money to 
 obtain it ; should these asses come then and teach us ? One 
 forsooth is a cobbler, another a weaver or furrier ; and 
 these will quote the scripture ! Let them mind their 
 business ; that belongs to us ; we will not suffer it ; fire, 
 water, and sword must be employed against them.' Never- 
 Matt, x. 28 theless, let us not fear, nor be affrighted; however the dogs 
 may bark, the lions roar, God who is with us is a God of 
 mi*'ht. lie will keep his own, and help them keep the 
 field. They neither can nor may do otherwise than the 
 Lord permits them. My dear brethren, receive with 
 kindness this my simple writing; the greatest part has 
 been written in haste, the day after I received your letter. 
 „ , .., „ Once more I commend you to the Lord, and to the 
 
 Heb. xul. 3. ' ^ 
 
 word of his grace. 
 
 Send word to the friends in Vlieland that I greet them 
 heartily with the peace of the Lord ; that they may strive 
 piously for the law of the Lord. Pray to the Lord for 
 
THE CHURCHES OK CHRIST. 381 
 
 me; I desire to remember you in return. Forget me not 
 in your prayers ; think as if you were likewise prisoners. 
 Fiirewell. The fear of the Lord preserve you all. Amen. 
 With this I send you another letter, if it may enliven 
 you a little in your contention with the adversaries of 
 baptism, in which I have been engaged with a Lutheran 
 priest. The following is my answer to the writing, which 
 he sent to me, we having many times spoken with each 
 other. The Lord be with your spirit. Amen. 
 
 A Letter from Jan Gerrits to the Lutheran -priest. 
 
 My very dear good friend, with this I wish you fare- 
 well ; for I hope, after this, to dispute or write neither 
 with you nor with any other person. Paul says, Avoid Titus \\\. 9. 
 contentions and profane babblings, and useless disputa- 
 tions ; for they will increase unto more ungodliness, and 2 Tim. Ji. 17 
 their word will eat as doth a canker. Therefore I desire 
 to be released, and my soul to be at rest with God. 
 
 My good friend, these are my arms, and the weapons of 
 my faith, and that partly and briefly exhibited ; with these, 
 and no other, neither with iron nor steel, spear nor sword, 
 will I storm the kingdom of antichrist ; for spirit must be 
 conquered by spirit, but the flesh with carnal weapons. 
 Therefore, 1 say with the apostle. The loeapons of our loar- 2 cor. x. 4. 
 fare are not carnal, hut mightu through God to cast down 
 every thing that exalteth itself asainst the truth : for ice ^ , . ,„ 
 
 »' c i^ ^ ^ Epn. VI. 12. 
 
 wrestle not against flesh and Mood, hut against pri7icij)alities 
 and powers, against the rulers of the loorld ; against spiritual 
 icickedness in high -places. Therefore, all Christians must Eph. vi. 14. 
 put on the armour of God, that they may be able to stand 
 against the wiles of the devil, and having done all to 
 stand. Therefore, Peter likewise says : Be sober, be vigilant; \ Pet. v. p, 
 because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, tualketh 
 
382 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 about, seeking whom he may devour : whom resist, steadfast in 
 the faith ; that is our armour, and with it we are 
 satisfied. 
 Matt. X. 21. First : a Christian knows nothing of war ; whatever comes 
 upon him he must jiatiently bear for the Lord's sake. Christ 
 Matt. V. 44 has taught his people no otherwise than to love their ene- 
 mies ; besides, he forbade his disciples when they asked him, 
 Luke ix. 54 . Wilt thou that We command fire to come down from heaven, 
 and consume them ? No, said he ; do ye not know of whose 
 spirit ye are the children ? be merciful as your heavenly 
 1 Pct.ii.23. Father is merciful. He threatened not when he suffered. 
 These examples we follow, with all diligence, according to 
 our weak ability, and thus commit our souls unto God in 
 his mercy as to a faithful Creator ; hence you may un- 
 derstand what kind of people we are, and what spirit 
 we have. 
 Eph. yi. 14. With these my weapons, my good friend, I will oppose 
 1 pam. xvii. you, as tlic Httlc and despised David met the presumptvious 
 champion, great Goliath, who contemned and reproached 
 the army of God and trusted in his own power ; just as 
 you, confident in your learning, in the title of Rabbi, and 
 in the high estimate you form of your understanding, 
 1 Sara. xvii. powcr, and strength, begin also with Goliath to say : Am 
 I a door that thou comest to me with a staff? I can and 
 will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air to eat. That 
 Goliath said, and you no less ; for being powerless (you 
 say) I am deceived and dead. Yes, my friend, I know well 
 that I, and the like of me, are always esteemed by you to 
 be little and unlearned. 
 
 By your presumption you have brought it to this point, 
 that I dare come forth, with my sling and stone, and say to 
 you with confidence as to Goliath, the champion and de- 
 fender of the Philistines : ' Behold, thou art come out to 
 me, trusting in thy spear and shield ; but I come to thee 
 in the name of the God of Israel, trusting in God, and will 
 
THE CHUP.CHES OF CHRIST. 383 
 
 this day give thy flesh to the fowls of heaven to eat, and 
 
 will slay thee with thine own sword ; to wit, with your 
 
 ovv'n words, or disputation, which serves me to conquer 
 
 you ; not in the spirit of the universities, but by God's ^p^- vi- 17. 
 
 word and might, and that in Dutch, my mother tongue, to 
 
 the praise of God and to your shame. The dumb beast of 
 
 burden shall make your folly evident ; so long have you, 
 
 -n T • M X 1 1 1 Num. xxii. 
 
 iialaam, smitten me, poor ass, until i speak by the power 27. 
 of God. So long have you, Goliath, despised and defied \ 
 
 Sam. xvii. 
 
 10. 
 
 me and the army of Israel, until I have slain you Avith your 
 own sword. This I should not have done had you not 
 bitten with such sharp teeth, and set your pen so high. 
 How could I suffer that ? If by this you feel hurt, as I [32i>l 
 suspect you will, you must blame yourself, for one who 
 must speak the words of God cannot be silent. 
 
 Oil ! my masters, it were well for you to be of Gamaliel's 
 judgment, to let the people of God alone ; if the work be Acts v. 35. 
 of men it will come to nought ; but if it be of God ye 
 cannot overthrow it. It behoves you to see to it that you 
 do not rush upon the sword of the Lord, and be not found 
 as those that fight against God ; persecute no longer Jesus Acts ix. 
 of Nazareth, and leave Israel undisturbed. 
 
 But to come to the letter which you have sent me, that 
 we may understand the reasons and nature of your faith. 
 I find, then, that you greet me in the name of the Father, 
 of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. To which I answer : 
 Since you boast of being a Christian, and esteem me as an 
 outcast and unbeliever, also that I hold a false opinion, I 
 therefore say that you do not write with truth ; for John 
 says : If' there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, 2 John 10. 
 receive him not into your house, neither hid him God speed ; 
 for he that hiddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil 
 deeds. Paul also says : If any man that is called a brotlier 1 cor. v. 11. 
 be nevertheless a fornicator, or such like, and also an un- 
 believer, such shall not inlierit the kingdom of God; there- 
 
384 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 fore, because they cannot inherit the kingdom of God, men 
 shall not eat bread with them, to the destruction of their 
 flesh, that they may reflect from whence they are fallen. 
 
 Secondly : you call me brother. On what grounds am 1 
 your brother, since we differ in faith ? is it because we are 
 
 Gen.ii. 7. all Created by one Father? I reply, no; for, that we may 
 be brethren after the Spirit, and according to the doctrine 
 of Christ and of the apostles, we must be of one faith, one 
 practice, be led by one spirit, which now are verj^ different. 
 
 John iii. 3. Brothcrliood must come from the new heavenly birth, 
 
 Gal. iii. 9. from that which is earthly to what is heavenly, by the 
 
 hearing of the divine word. This brotherhood is not said 
 
 to belong to the unbelieving, nor does it come by fleshly 
 
 . descent. This Paul clearly distinguishes where he says, 
 
 2 Cor. vi. u. Be ye not unequally yoked together icilh unbelievers ; for lohat 
 felloiDship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ^ light with 
 darkness, and Christ with Belial, the believing witli in- 
 fidels, or the temple of God with the temple of idols, &c. ? 
 
 Eph. iv. 4. For brotherhood consists herein : to be diligent to keep the 
 unity of the Spirit, to abide in one hope of your calling, to 
 have one Lord, one faith, one baptism ; but only observe 
 your baptism, whether by a midwife or with confirmation, 
 and with such you are satisfied, and you do not think that 
 God will by his word have a place above all and in us all. 
 Since you and I are so opposite in faith, doctrine, life, 
 and spirit, why then, I ask once more, do you call me 
 brother ? or, if 1 am a heretic, a wanderer from the truth, 
 
 Titus iii. 10. why do you not shun me, as we are once or twice exhorted 
 to do, for that is a command of the scripture ? but (alas) you 
 
 2 Pet. ii. 1. are not obedient to the writings that are inspired by God, 
 but you choose those that lead to destruction. 
 
 Thirdly : I find by your deceitful letter of instruction 
 that I am accused and exclaimed against as being in error, 
 and in a state of misapprehension, only concerning baptism, 
 without any other articles. What shall I say to this ? Are 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 385 
 
 then all your idols an abomination to you ? have you re- 
 nounced your false doctrine and the practice of your 
 churches ? I think not ; that deceitful gain is too agreeable 
 to you ; but I understand your meaning well, that when 
 you had plundered me of the one you think to get the 
 other, according to your own remark in Delft. Oh ! what 
 a brother you are! but ray Teacher and Master, Christ Matt. x.ie. 
 Jesus, has warned me of you ; to be wise as the serpent, 
 but harmless as the dove. Yes, you are such a brother to JgJ^ins"""'- 
 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 in that place until thou (said he) return to thy own 
 land ; but the seed of the serpent, the old prophet, said : 
 " Eat bread with me and drink water." The man of God 
 answered: "God hath forbidden me." But the deceiver said : 
 " I am also a prophet of the Lord as thou art, and the Lord 
 spake to me that thou shouldest eat bread here and drink 
 water;" then the man of God went in with him and broke 
 the commandment of the Lord. Therefore was he slain by 
 a lion in the way as a punishment for his disobedience. 
 
 My soul trembles exceedingly at that example ; for after 
 such deception and transgression of my Lord's word he 
 would send the lions, dragons, and bears to have dominion 
 over my soul and slay it. Were my faith infirm and to 
 waver, I should certainly be a conquered and dead man ; but 
 the anchor of my faith abides steadfast. 
 
 Fourtlily : I notice your ignorant or wilful stupidity in 
 supporting your infant baptism by the circumcision of the 
 law, or by the sign of the covenant of Israel ; for the cir- 
 cumcision which you understand to be by baptism, Paul coi. a. ii. 
 asserts to be made without hands, in the Spirit, in putting 
 off the sins of the flesh, whose praise is not of men, as it Rom. ii. 29. 
 was helpful to Israel, but of God. Is, then, your infant 
 baptism in the Spirit, without hands, and in putting off the 
 
 VOL. II. c c 
 
386 A MAHTYROLOGY OF 
 
 sins of the flesh, and sins, too, which they have not yet 
 committed ? for to put off that which is sinful, is this (says 
 
 Col. iii. 5. Paul): Mortify your earthly members ; as, fornication, adul- 
 tery, uncleanness, inordinate affection. Observe whether 
 this can be understood of your children ? 
 
 On account of your baptism of infants you cause us to 
 be called Anabaptists, though we baptize once, not twice, 
 nor allow baptism more than once, and that according to 
 the truth, and agreeably to the command and practice of 
 
 Actsviii.i2. the apostles. With this we are well content. 
 
 Fifthly. You shall hear our confession and practice. Our 
 baptism is not an opinion, but a submission to the com- 
 mand of Almighty God. After which I hope, as I said 
 before, neither to write nor dispute with you or any other. 
 Bold valour and great parts I do not possess, but a settled 
 judgment and firm conviction of the ground of my faith. 
 
 Gen. xvii. 9. Take tlicu a short answer. Respecting circumcision, I 
 acknowledge that it was a sign of the covenant of 
 Abraham, to him and all his seed, and also an entrance of 
 Israel into the church of God. The external Israelitish 
 circumcision was a type of the future inward circumcision 
 of Christ, as may clearly be understood from the spirit of 
 
 R<iin. ii. 28. the Ncw Testament. Paul remarks : That is not circum- 
 cision which is outward in the flesh ; but circumcision is 
 that of the heart, that is, the circumcision which is in the 
 Spirit, and not in the letter, nor of the law; whose praise 
 
 coK ii 11. is not of men, but of God. Again : In whom also ye are 
 circumcised, by the circumcision of Christ made without 
 hands, in putting off the sins of the flesh. What kind of 
 people then are they who are buried with him in baptism ? 
 Mark the words. Ye are risen again ; through what ? 
 Through faith. What foith ? What faith have the god- 
 fathers and godmothers, through which God can work 
 according to your understanding ? Observe carefully 
 here ; not children, but persons of faith and understanding. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 387 
 
 And this is your strongest proof ! Oh, friend, do not kick Acts ix. 5. 
 wilfully against the pricks ; it will be hard for you to 
 speak with God, if you thus audaciously trifle with his^word 
 and truth. Will you still hold to the external circum- 
 cision, and make it typical of baptism ? Well, then, what 
 makes your baptizers of infants so bold, that you baptize 
 them before the eighth day ? and why do you baptize the ^^ "• '^^"• 
 females ? for in the law these were not circumcised, and 
 hence it must follow that females should remain unbap- 
 tized ; for truth is consistent. 
 
 We have now done with your types of baptism ; but we 
 are better instructed as to these figures of baptism. To 
 this Paul and Peter will help us by their testimony. The oen. vu c. 
 entering into Noah's ark (says Peter) represents baptism iPet.iii. 21. 
 to us. Who dare deny this ? The man that will also speak 
 against us, who are in his estimation insignificant and Matt. xi. 25. 
 unlearned, and yet are taught of God. 
 
 Our second witness on this subject is the great apostle Acts xx. 27. 
 Paul, who proclaimed the whole counsel of God. The 
 departure of the children of Israel out of Egypt, and 
 their passage through the Red Sea, and their baptism Exod. xiv. 
 under the pillar of the cloud unto Moses, was a figure, 
 and for our learning. But we who are of the Spirit 1 cor x. e. 
 and adhere to the New Testament, acknowledge a plain 
 ordinance, instruction, and command of God, according to Matt.xxviii. 
 
 '^ 19. 
 
 the rule, practice, and clear examples of baptism, given us Acts ii 38. 
 
 by the apostles. To us that is evidence enough. 
 
 The command of Christ is this : Go ye into all the loorld; iiatt.xxviii. 
 
 ■^ aa 
 
 preach the gosj)el to every creature ; teach them to observe Mark wi. 
 
 1.5. 
 what I have commanded you, baptizing them in the name of 
 
 the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. He that 
 
 . believeth and is baptized shall be saved ; he that believeth not 
 
 shall be damned. First, there is the grave of sin ; an Rom. vi. 4. 
 
 entrance into the church of God ; a putting on of Christ ; cai. iii. 27. 
 
 a fleeing from the wrath of God ; a washing of regenera- tuus vu. 5. 
 
 c c 2 
 
388 
 
 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 tion ; and a seal of a good conscience, or assurance before 
 Lukcvii.30. God. He that rejects this, rejects the counsel of God. 
 Actsviii.36. This was the practice of the apostles. If thou believest 
 This that ivitli all tliiiie heart, thou mayest, was first asked by them. 
 
 follows is . . 
 
 likewise If this is askcd the brethren, and they say, Yes ; it is well. 
 
 Jan Gerrits" ' J J > ' 
 
 tdX^Mt -^^^ t^^^ apostles baptized on a profession of faith, and not 
 
 The first'" otherwise. For had the chamberlain (or eunuch) said, 'I 
 cannot believe,' Philip had not baptized him. But he 
 
 Acts viii. said, / believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living 
 God. This and no other is my belief. Again ; when the 
 multitude at Jerusalem heard the address of Peter, they 
 were cast dov/n, and asked. What shall we do ? Take 
 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." Do your children do so ? Then you are on 
 that old foundation ; for there can be no other foundation 
 laid than is laid, which is Christ Jesus, his word and 
 
 Actsxvi. 34. example. The jailor rejoiced with his whole house that 
 he had believed. Are your children also believers ? then 
 [322] it is well. Peter proclaimed it in the house of Cornelius, 
 the centurion of the Italian band, and the Holy Ghost 
 fell as well on the Gentiles as on the Jews. Were there 
 likewise children on whom the Holy Ghost fell ? And 
 this is the question I asked you before we parted, when 
 the servant came to lay the cloth, and you mentioned that 
 passage, that which is horn of the jiesh is Jiesh, and that 
 with reference to infant baptism. I then asked you,' 
 where the Spirit remained? but you gave me no answer. 
 
 John iii. 8. For Johu says. The ivind bloweth where it listeth ; thou 
 hearest indeed the sound thereof, hut thou Jcnowest not ivhence 
 it cometh. Do children then feel the Holy Spirit? Nico-. 
 demus was a carnal man, and savoured not the things of 
 the Spirit of God ; therefore Christ directed his attention 
 
 Matt, xviii. to a child, as is related in jNlatthew the eighteenth. He 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 389 
 
 must be born again of water, that is, from the flesh into 
 the Spirit, as Christ himself hath said, Verily, verily, I say 
 unto thee, Except a man be born again, of water and the 
 Spirit, lie cannot enter into the hinydom of God. Except a 
 man, what is that else than one that is carnally minded, as 
 Nicodemus was ; for to be carnally minded is death. No 
 children are such ; for they are insensible of it. But 
 to be spiritually minded is life and peace, as Paul justly 
 witnesses. And to the Galatians he says. If ye he led ofcai. v. is. 
 the Spirit, ye are not under the late ; for the icorks of the 
 
 flesh are manifest ; which are these : adultery, unchastity, 
 uncleanness, voluptuousness, idolatry, witchcraft, enmiti/, 
 variance, envy, wrath, strife, heresies, hatred, murder, 
 drunkenness, revellings, and such like. But the fruit of the 
 Spirit is love, Joy, peace, longsufferi7ig, gentleness, goodness, 
 
 faith, humbleness, temperance ; against such there is no law. 
 Peter also says, Wherefore lay off all malice, and all guile, i Pet. li. i. 
 Injpocrisy, envy, and evil speahiyig ; as new born babes, desire 
 the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. 
 In like manner do you divest yourself of the loftiness 
 and presumption of your heart. Be built up as a lively 
 stone in the house of God, an holy priesthood to offer 
 spiritual sacrifices pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. 
 These sacrifices are works of righteousness, and not the 
 inventions of men, the ingenious institutions of an out- 
 ward sacrifice. Having this conscience we proceed on 
 our way. With the certainty of this we are satisfied, and 
 are ready for Christ's sake to forsake life and property, 
 which you will not do. In short, we do not seal the epistle 
 of Christ before he has written it. We do not sow before 
 the ground has been well ploughed by God and his word. 
 We do not set sail before we have fair weather and a 
 favourable wind. You take the child from the mother 
 before her time. But we wait till the time is fulfilled in 
 which the child shall be born. Who can be silent when 
 
390 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 such things as these are seen? Thus it is that we declare 
 the baptism of scripture to be a command of God, and 
 the sure clear practice of the apostles. Moreover, we 
 diligently inquire into the design of baptism, why it is 
 ordained, what are its benefits, to whom it belongs, and 
 Rom. vi. 4. what is its scriptural designation. In the first place, it is 
 
 Col. iii. 1, 2. i O I ' 
 
 1 Cor. xii. the grave of sin ; an entrance into the fellowship or church 
 Gal ill. 27. of God ; a putting on of Christ ; a flight from the wrath to 
 Matt iii. 7. comc ; the washing of regeneration ; and the seal of a 
 Titus iii 5. good conscience towards God. He who forsakes or repu- 
 Luke vii. 30. diatcs tliis, forsakcs and repudiates the counsel and word 
 of God. 
 
 In the sixth place, I answered you, even if I addressed 
 you rudely. My Lord and Master, I say, has not other- 
 Matt, vii. wise taught me. He says. Beware of false prophets, loMch 
 come to you in sheep^s clothing, hut inwardly, that is, in 
 their hearts, they are ravening wolves. You came to me 
 with fair words in order to destroy my soul, as you boasted 
 that you would do. Why then should I not speak or 
 write the truth ? For it was you who sought to devour 
 or to tear me to pieces — me, a poor sheep, to allure from 
 Ihe pasture of Christ. No, no ; may God, the chief 
 shepherd, preserve me. No man shall pluck me from 
 his hand. But he who forsakes him may have another 
 answer. Diligently have you sought to wound my soul, 
 and yet you call me brother. Therefore I call you a wolf 
 in sheep's clothing ; but, repent and become a lamb. 
 Alas ! friend, wherefore have you come ? 
 
 In the seventh place, you strewed at my feet sweet 
 roses and feathers, and made the bank smooth to ensnare 
 me, saying. Do not mind what they say who destitute of 
 the scriptures have deceived you, and yet look, is this 
 withoiit scriptural authority ? As if I relied on men's 
 fine talk. No, no ; had my faith depended on men's fine 
 words, you had easily ensnared me, facts bear witness. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHIHST. 391 
 
 But, my good friend, I think' you have here enough to 
 know 33y faith. I beseech you not to condemn little 
 children because of Adam's transgression, lest you be con- 
 demned. For Christ has redeemed us by his death from 
 its consequences, as was said to you when iu conference 
 
 [3231 
 
 with you. For Paul says. As hy the offence of one judgment KeV. v. is. 
 came iqwu all men to condemnation ; even so hy the right- 
 eousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justifica- 
 tion of life. John saith, Behold the Lamh of God which taketh Jo'^" '• -'-^ 
 aioay the sin of the icorld. In the epistle to the Galatians 
 it is written, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the cai. vu. i3. 
 laio ; and in the Ephesians, that he hath taken away the Eph. ii. lo. 
 enmity by his cross. He hath also promised them his 
 kingdom, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, Mark x i4. 
 for of such is the kingdom of heathen. And he took them in i^- 
 his arms, blessed them, laid his hands upon them, and said, 14 
 Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little Luke xviii. 
 child, shall in no wise enter therein. For when he says, of 
 such, there is no difference, as Paul says, that the Jew 
 and Greek are all under sin. But you separate them, and 
 say, that this was spoken only of Jewish children, as if 
 there were none other than Jewish children. I replied, 
 that you should show me this from the words of the 
 evangelist ; but you could not, and you gave me no 
 answer. For Christ displayed his miracles to heathen as 
 well as to Jewish children ; as in the case of the Gentile 
 woman and the centurion's servant, of whom he bare 
 testimony, that he had not in all Israel found such faith. 
 Many such examples are given. 
 
 Lastly, I entreat you to receive kindly my plain writing, 
 for it is the work of a peasant. If God had blessed me 
 with higher endowments I had done better. But I praise 
 him for that which he has bestowed. Farewell. 
 
 I, Jan Gerrits, smith, of Tessel, confess but one Lord, Eph. iv. 5 
 one faith, one baptism, one Spirit, one Father of all, who 
 
392 
 
 A M ARTY RO LOGY OP 
 
 Rev. iii. 11. is above all, and through all, and in us all. Behold, I come 
 quickly : hold that fast ichich thou hast, that no man take 
 20. " ' ' thy crown. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 
 
 Another letter loritten to his friends by Jan Gerrits. 
 
 I greet you, dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, I 
 now send you that which you desired, so far as in me lies, 
 according to my poor ability. I give hearty thanksgiving 
 to God the Father, and to his beloved Son Jesus Christ, 
 Deut. xxxi. that he hath not forsaken me, but hath at all times helped 
 2 Cor. iv. Me to keep the field. For he ever looketh in his mercy on 
 his people, and his ears are ever open to their cry. For 
 K-a. xxxiv. it is written,When thou passest through the waters or the 
 i^^a. xiiii. 2. fire, I will be with thee. Therefore, I give to him all 
 I^raise and honour for his aid, which he hath shown to me, 
 a poor sinner, in my tribulations, sufferings, and pain. 
 Yes, dear brethren. He protected me, that the dogs, the 
 Psa ixi. 3. lions, and the bears could not molest me, however fright- 
 ful their bowlings around me. The Lord was my pre- 
 server. My confidence and hope is in Him, that he will 
 Horn, viii. cvcr in His great mercy, keep me to the end. If God be 
 Psa. xivi. 7. with us, who then shall harm us ? If the Lord keep the 
 house, as David says, who can injure it ? 
 
 My dear friends, if I were able to express the feelings 
 I experienced when I was suspended, and received sore 
 scourging, for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, I 
 Avould do so ; for His word and bitter suiferings, which 
 He endured for us poor sinners, so filled my mind that I 
 could think of nothing else. See, dear brethren and 
 sisters, how the Lord can keep and defend those who trust 
 zech. ii. 8. i'^ Him, cvcu as the apple of His eye. 
 
 But let it please you to know, that at first they proposed 
 several questions to mc ; what was my name ? where I 
 
 41 
 
THE CHURCHES OP CHRIST. 393 
 
 was born ? my age ? and how long I had lived at Tessel ? 
 Next they inquired, When I received baptism ? 
 
 Ans. " Five years ago." 
 
 Qu. " In what place ?" 
 
 Ans. " I wish not to say." They said "We will compel 
 you to tell us." They pointed to the executioner, and 
 added, ''When you are asked for the truth, you ought 
 always to tell the truth." 
 
 Ans. " Any question touching my faith I am ready to 
 answer ; but on no other subject has God commanded me 
 to speak." They next inquired if my wife was of the same 
 faitli. 
 
 Ans. " No ; which is a grief to me." Again they in- 
 quired who had baptized me ?" 
 
 Ans. " I wish not to say." 
 
 Qu. « W^as it N r 
 
 A71S. " God has not commanded me to tell ; and if I 
 were to tell you, he does not reside in the king's country." 
 
 Qu. " When Christ stood before the rulers he gave 
 answers to the questions proposed to him ; why do you not 
 do the same ?" 
 
 Ans. " When he was questioned concerning the honour 
 of his Father and of his own Deity, he answered them ; on 
 all other matters he was silent. And every question con- 
 cerning his law, his commands, his precepts, I am Avilling Matt. x. 32. 
 to answer before kings, dukes, counts, princes, and other 
 nobles, and will not keep silence." In a few words, the 
 judge immediately said to the executioner, " Seize him." 
 I fell prostrate and prayed to God for his aid. He then 
 said to the assistants, '' Lift him up." Then they fell upon Matt, xxvii. 
 me, and treated me as the Lord our Master was treated. 
 They stripped me of my clothes, bound my hands behind i324) 
 my back, and without mercy hoodwinked and suspended 
 me. They then beat me, as if I had been a tree, till the 
 rods snapt like hemp-stalks, and said, " Speak ; docs a 
 
394 A MAllTYHOLOGY OP 
 
 dunil) devil possess you? we will soon drive him out." 
 But the Lordj blessed be His name, shut my mouth. Not 
 even once did a ery escape me. For the sorrows of the 
 Lord, as it is written, and his testimony, so filled my heart 
 that I could not speak. 
 
 At last, when they saw that I was sinking under the 
 torture they said, " Let him down, the dumb devil can 
 then speak better." As they let me down my head fell 
 against some boards ; but again seizing me they placed me 
 on a bench, where I should have again fainted had they 
 not supported me. They stood around me like bears and 
 lions. " I must answer their questions," they said. But 
 the Lord was my helper and my strength, to him be the 
 praise for his great mercy ; nothing passed my lips. The 
 president then said, " Have you no rougher rods to drive 
 out this dumb devil ?" The executioner said, "No; but I 
 have a cord here." They were about to cover my eyes 
 again, when he said "Let him see:" and as he smote me, 
 I thought, " O Lord, Thou seest it," and closed my eyes. 
 Yes, my friends, had they laid on as long as they could 
 draw a breath, I do not think they would have succeeded, 
 for the strength of the Most High was with me. When 
 they saw it was all in vain, they brought a hundred pound 
 weight and hung it to my feet. Then my heart went 
 forth to God, " Keep, oh ! keep, my treasure." In short, 
 all their endeavours were fruitless. They then inquired 
 if I understood Latin ? I answered, I did tolerably well. 
 
 Qu. " Do you understand Italian?" 
 
 Ans. " No." 
 
 Qu. " Where did you go to school ?" 
 
 Ans. " At Delft." 
 
 Qu. " At what time ?" 
 
 Ans. " When Delft was burnt."" They inquired if I 
 
 " [This took place in the year of iiiuc thoiisaud hoiisca were burnt. 
 1536, on the 3rd Maj'. U}iwards in whicli many sick and infirm 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 395 
 
 had read the books of Menno or D. P. ? I replied that I 
 
 had ; but that one Boshuysen had taken away my doctrinal 
 
 books, namely, The New Creature, by Menno,? and the 
 
 Spiritual Restitution, by D. P.'' They asked me how I 
 
 had come by them ? But my mouth was shut. The cry 
 
 then was, '* Fetch water and candles, the dumb devil must 
 
 be driven out." But the Lord was my keeper ; for which 
 
 I can never sufficiently thank him. Finally they said, 
 
 " Kelease him ; give him a brief respite; we shall then 44. 
 
 get on- better with him." As they left me, I said that 
 
 they should be careful in what they did, for the day of the 
 
 Lord will surely overtake them ; thus they departed from isa. xiu. e. 
 
 me."^ 
 
 Dear brethren and sisters, I send you my last adieu, John xiv.27 
 in the fear of Christ. I should have written somewhat 
 more ; but time will not permit. If it please the Lord, 
 I desire to stand at the stake with him. The Lord be 2 Thesa m. 
 
 18 
 
 with you all. Amen.^ 
 
 CONEAD KOCH, 1565. 
 
 When, in these last days, the gospel began again to 
 shine, and the truth to spread abroad, not only along the 
 borders of the Rhine, but also in the duchy of Berg, 
 
 pei'sons, besides children, lost their Phillips. Maatschoeu's Schyn ; deel. 
 
 lives. Twisck Chronijk, fol. 1078, ii. 303.] 
 
 deel. ii.] r [Het Oflfer des Heereu, fol. 1 88.] 
 
 P [Eeu schoone ende groudelyke " [The MS. Crouickel places 
 
 Leeringe uyt des Heereu Woord > under this year the martyrdom of 
 
 van de Nieuwe Gebooi*te, 1556. Julius Klampherer, at Venice. 
 
 Opera Omnia, fol. 123.] See p. 306, ante. In this year the 
 
 1 [De Geestelyke Restitution ; dat baptists of Zurich and Berne were 
 
 is, hoe dat al, wat den beginneu exposed to severe trials and perse- 
 
 geschied is, iu Christus Jesus gees- cutions for their faith. Ottius 
 
 telyk vervuld, wederherhaald, en Annal. Anab. p. 141. Ruchat, Hist. 
 
 wedergebragt is, &c. By Dirk Ref vii. 84—86.] 
 
396 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 I 
 
 Conrad Koch was enlightened in the knowledge of God. 
 He then sought by divine assistance to leave the darkness, 
 
 Eph. iv. 18. and to walk in the clear bright light of the gospel. He 
 renounced popery, and a worldly, ungodly life. He joined 
 
 Mark i. 15. the church of the Lord, heard God's word and received it 
 in his heart. He believed the gospel, and on confession of 
 his sins and of his faith in Christ Jesus, was baptized 
 [325] according to the command of Christ. Following ]iis ex- 
 ample, he conducted himself in a brotherly and Chri5tian 
 manner in the church ; and, according to his ability, 
 
 Rom. xiii. liouourably before all men. But since those who walk in 
 darkness cannot bear the light, this man was hated by the 
 Papists, and complaint was made to the collector, who was 
 the judge and ruler for the prince of Julich.' This man 
 sent his servants to Hoff, where Conrad dwelt, to arrest 
 him and convey him to prison. For this he was prepared. 
 
 Actsxii. 5. As a lamb, he willingly went with them to Lowenberg. 
 Loweubergis one of seven castles, which, on account of their 
 height, are seen from a great distance. He was then cast 
 into a tower, and shut up in a miserable dungeon. In this 
 condition he remained about half a year, but enjoyed the 
 consolations of the Lord, although he had to suffer great 
 hunger. 
 
 The collector boasted and threatened many times that 
 his life should be taken away, if he would not forsake his 
 faith. They sorely tempted him with entreaties, then 
 with hunger, then with threats that he must die ; but he 
 remained unmoved. His heart was fixed. 
 
 1 Pet. iii. 1.;. As he had without fear confessed his faith, and no 
 
 Matt. X. 28. tortures could affright him, the time at length came that 
 
 he must depart from this world and die for the truth. 
 
 They released him from his fetters, and he walked of his 
 
 . ' own accord from the tower at Lowenberg to the town of 
 
 ' [Now foriniug part of tlie rru.S!<i;in province of the lihiuc.] 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 397 
 
 HofF. A Barabbas was his guide. It was a malefactor who m^" ''''^■''• 
 went with him. They came to HofF secretly, which is 
 but a short distance from Lowenberg. As Barabbas was 
 released when Christ was crucified, so it happened in this 
 case. Conrad was brought to the Town-hall at Hoff. It 
 was represented to him, that if he would recant, his life 
 should be spared, and they Avould set him at liberty. 
 
 Manifold were the devices and falsehoods employed 
 to lead him astray. The sophists sent forth bitter and 
 sweet, saying, "Go, but for one year, to church, and if ij^'"® "'■ 
 the pure truth, be not preached, then stay away." One of 
 these dissemblers said to Conrad, " My dear Conrad, 
 though we be false, wicked, and deceitful, that cannot be ^j'^'^'*'"- ^i'- 
 hurtful to your soul; fear you God, and live peaceably Rom. xii. is. 
 with all men. What does it matter to you if our faith is 
 weak?" Conrad said to the magistrates, "Ye servants of Roni.xiii. i. 
 God, ye ought to know that God accepts no hypocrite. 
 An example of this we may see in old Eleazar, who laid 2^Macc. vi. 
 down his life rather than be guilty of hypocrisy. In like 
 manner I prefer to die, rather than be present in your 
 assemblies." Conrad said yet farther, " Christ is the head Eph.v,23. 
 of the church ; he that would please Him must manifest 
 himself to be a member of his body. Nor must he separate 
 himself from Christ the Head. To him I desire to cleave, 
 though it cost me my life." They then asked Conrad what 
 he thought of infant baptism. He said, " I cannot but 
 regard it as the chiefest abomination of the pope. But 
 if you can prove it to me by the word of God, my mind 
 is open to instruction. Alas, O God ! " said Conrad, 
 " let my complaint come before thee. What a necessity 
 is this, that they who speak thy truth should suffer death. 
 Of no crime can they accuse me; nevertheless in their 
 enmity they seek to take away my life. O Lord, forgive J'lke xxm. 
 them !" 
 
398 A MAKTYROr,OOY OF 
 
 The proclamation of the prince of Julich," was then 
 read to him, after which the judges passed sentence, 
 whereat the collector broke his rod. The sentence was, 
 that Conrad should be put to death if he would not recant. 
 Having been thus twice sentenced, they brought him to 
 the place of execution. As he drew near, he began to 
 sing, " O God ! how tenderly doest thou chastise me ! 
 Extend to me thy gentle hand, that in my weakness I 
 may avoid all occasion of sin and blasphemy, that the old 
 man may be destroyed, and that I may have everlasting 
 joy with thee ! I give thee praise, O Christ, Thou who 
 art the highest God, that I have lived to see this day and 
 Acts xxii. hour, in which to witness thy name with my blood. Dear 
 
 20. 
 
 brethren and sisters, I commend you all to the Lord, hold 
 fast in your hearts the gospel of Christ. This is the lesson 
 
 Rev. xiv. 7. that I leave you ; fear God ; be pious ; be followers of 
 me even as I have cheerfully followed Christ the Lord, 
 
 Luke xiv, and am ready to lay down my life for him." Thus was 
 this pious man secretly put to death with the sword, so 
 that it was not known to many. Thieves, and murderers, 
 they are wont publicly to execute, but the godly they 
 massacre in secret, a reproach to those who judge them. 
 
 1 Pet. V. 1. So Conrad, like a faithful witness of the sufferings of 
 Christ, was privately beheaded, standing upright, in the 
 year 1565, at Hoff, in the duchy of Berg, a place belonging 
 to the prince of Julich and Cleves. By the same collector, 
 who was a blood-thirsty man, seven other persons were 
 
 " [A most severe edict was sectaries to the true faith. From 
 
 issued by the Duke John on the the paius taken to break up the 
 
 12th Dccembei", 1534, threatening meetings of the sufferers, and the 
 
 all anabaptists and sacramentaries directions to sequester their meet- 
 
 with banishment and death. Duke ing-houses and property, it would 
 
 AVilliam somewhat mitigated in appear that the baptists were in 
 
 1565 the severity of this edict, and considerable numbers in the dis- 
 
 dirccted that every effort should be trict. Goebel's Gesch. dcs Christ, 
 
 made by the clergy to recover the Lebens. i. 211 — 213.J 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 399 
 
 imprisoned, four brethren and three sisters. These four 
 brethren were also sentenced to death, if they would not 
 renounce their faith. But the Lord protected them, and [326] 
 delivered them all from prison. The sanguinary collector 
 was smitten of God with an unexpected death, so that the 
 prisoners, steadfast in the faith, obtained their liberty. 
 
 The tioo following letters icere written by Conrad Koch, 
 ichile in prison. 
 
 The first Letter : — 
 
 Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and the Rcm.i. 7. 
 Lord Jesus Christ, I, Conrad Koch, a prisoner of the 
 Lord at Lowenberg, wish to ray dear brethren and sisters 
 in the Lord. Amen. 
 
 I hereby inform you that the executioner has been 
 with me. They have sorely tempted me with their words, 
 but they have not yet put me to the rack. The Lord 
 preserved me, so that I did not gratify their wish. They 
 then said, that they would go to eat, then return and put 
 me to the torture. While they were gone, the collector 
 came, and urged me to permit the prince's preacher again 
 to visit me, who, he said, was well acquainted with the 
 errors which we held. I replied, " I do not desire to see 
 him ; the word of the Lord is my teacher. I have before 
 told you that I desire no priest." He replied, " That is 
 true, but nevertheless, it is my earnest wish that you should 
 consent, and say you desire him to come. Although you 
 should not agree in opinion, it would be right to do this, 
 if only to be free from men." I said, " I wish not to lay Gai. vi. 14. 
 down the cross of Christ." He replied, *' Then I cannot 
 avert it," and went his way. 
 
 In this manner, my dear brethren and sisters, has the 
 
400 A JIAIITYROLOGY OF 
 
 Acts xii. 5. Lord preserved me ; nevertheless pray the Lord for me, 
 
 Eph. vi. 18. that He would keep me by his faithful word unto the end 
 of life, and that I may cleave thereto. For I have a good 
 hope, and am willing, with all patience, by the help of the 
 Lord, to await whatsoever the Lord shall suffer to befall 
 me for his name's sake. God grant that my temptations 
 may not be greater than I can bear, that througli me his 
 
 Epi).vi. 10. name may not be blasphemed. Therefore, pray the I<ord 
 for me. I trust also, never to forget my dear brethren 
 
 1 John V. and sisters, nor any who fear the Lord. May the Lord 
 help us to pray according to his Avill, that our prayers 
 may be heard with those of all the righteous. The Lord 
 grant us this, through His mercy. Amen. 
 
 It has come to my ears that our fellow sufferers at Co- 
 logne have escaped from prison, the Lord be praised for 
 his unspeakable love which he has shown to us in these 
 last days, preserving us from those false serpents who 
 approach us with smooth words and hollow-hearted hypo- 
 crisy, that they may tempt us to break the covenant of 
 the Lord. But the Lord will keep all those who have re- 
 ceived his covenant. Amen. I commend you to the Lord. 
 
 The second letter written to his brother A. van B. 
 
 Kom. i. 7. Grace, peace, and unshaken confidence in the Lord, I wish 
 you, my dear brother in the Lord. I thank the Lord for the 
 letter, which you wrote me, and I desire also my dear brother, 
 that you will aid me with your prayers to God ; that I may 
 
 A. Is V. 42. be counted worthy to endure that very thing which you 
 have wished for me, and which I so earnestly long for. I 
 have a good hope, and God be praised, I am willing to 
 suffer for his name. The Lord grant me strength. Amen. 
 I desire also of you, my dear brother, that you will present 
 many good wishes to my brother H. 11. on my behalf. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 40l 
 
 May the Lord count us worthy of every good thing, but 
 I am not able to write so much as I would. May the 
 Lord in his great mercy grant to us whatever may con- 
 tribute to our salvation. Amen. I also desire that you 
 will present to all my brothers and sisters my good wishes, 
 and exhort them to pray the Lord that he would uphold 
 me by his faithful word even unto death. I trust never 
 to forget you. If we pray with sincerity and with love, 
 the Lord will hear and help us, and hereafter permit us to 
 enter with the righteous into his kingdom. May the Lord 
 be our helper. Amen. On the eve of All Saints two 
 priests visited me and would have taken me to church, but 
 as I showed myself unwilling to go, they produced an 
 order from the magistrates, as the three judges. But it 
 was all in vain. The Lord preserved me. To him be the 
 praise and the glory for ever. He will be our preserver 
 as long as life shall last. Amen. Dear brethren and sisters, 
 pray for me, for the Lord hath permitted me to be cast 
 into prison for his glory and my salvation. This I desire 
 from my heart — may the Lord be our helper. Amen. I [327] 
 commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace. 
 I, Conrad Koch, have written this letter from the prison 
 at Lowenberg, anno 1565. 
 
 MATTHIAS SEEVAES, OF KOTTENEM.— anko 1655. 
 
 Matthias Servaes was an elder and teacher of the church, i Pet. v. i. 
 In the year 1565, it so happened that one evening he and 
 some friends were gathered together at a certain place in 
 Coloo-ne, in order to receive instruction in the gospel. 
 But a Judas who knew of their assembly went and fetched 
 a double guard. They came armed, and storming the 
 house in which the meeting was held, animated by anger 
 
 VOL. n. ^ i> 
 
402 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 , ,... ,„ and malice, scattered with blows and imprisoned the flock. 
 
 Isa. hu. ]0. ' ■"• 
 
 The prisoners like sheep were led away to the Beyen 
 tower. Their names were all taken and they were lodged 
 in different places. They were closely questioned who 
 their teacher was. Matthias declared himself to be the 
 man. Attempts were then made to induce them to for- 
 sake Christ and his holy word. Falsehood and deceit, 
 entreaties and threatenings, every species of stratagem was 
 resorted to. But Matthias withstood them all. Torture 
 was then employed : but pain did not affright him. He 
 firmly held that which God had manifested to him. The 
 next morning he was conducted to the Hacht/ where 
 also many efforts were made to ensnare his soul. From 
 the Hacht they brought him bound to the High Court. 
 There they read to him the imperial proclamation, and 
 delivered him into the hands of the executioner, to be put 
 to death in accordance with the requisition of the edict. 
 
 Matthias was ready to die, and was led as an innocent 
 lamb to the slaughter. Lifting up his eyes to heaven, 
 and folding his hands, he said, " O ! my Father, I praise 
 Acts V. 41. thee that I am accounted worthy to suffer for thy name." 
 Many people were seen running together to witness the 
 execution, who said to their companions, " It is a pity that 
 this good man must suffer for such a deed." On the way, 
 a young woman came to speak to him, but was thrust from 
 him and taken into custody. A servant also endeavoured 
 to greet him, whom they likewise seized ; but tbe count 
 called to them to let him go. As Matthias came near the 
 place of execution, he looked around and said, " There are 
 many people here this day, the thought gives me anguish 
 that these must all be lost." As he was about to be put 
 to death, he cried with a loud voice and said, " O God ; 
 thou knowest well what I have aspired after, what I have 
 
 * [Or Hachtgericht, the name of one of five small courts of criminal 
 jurisdiction in Cologne.] 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 403 
 
 sought in the whole course of my life, from the first, night 
 and day." Turning to the count he said, " You know well Matt, vi.ii. 
 how you have treated me, but I have forgiven you all [328] . . 
 from my heart." Thus was the life of this pious man 
 brought to an end, being beheaded by the sword. What 
 took place before and after his confession, and what befell 
 him in prison, and how he exhorted, comforted, and 
 strengthened his brethren may be seen from the following 
 letters : — 
 
 The first letter written hy Matthias Servaes from prison to 
 H. R. his brother in the Lord, and to his companions 
 in the faith. 
 
 The saving grace of God, and the peace of our Lord ^o™- '• 7- 
 and Saviour Jesus Christ, be multiplied abundantly to all 
 them that believe, by the grace and anointing of the Holy 
 Spirit. Amen. 
 
 All is right with me, my very dear brethren and sisters 
 in the Lord, both in the flesh and in the spirit, in body 
 and in soul, within and without. It is all right in my 
 judgment whether it be joy or sorrow, life or death. For Rom. xiT.7. 
 I live not to myself, and I die not to myself. If I live, 1 2 cor. t. is. 
 live unto the Lord ; if I die, I die unto the Lord. For I 
 am in his hand, and no man shall pluck me from it. Of Jo^^n x. 28. 
 this I am sure. For me to die is gain. I have a desire rhii.i. 21. 
 to depart and to be with Christ my Lord. Whatever 
 happens it serves for my consolation. My bonds and my 
 confinement manifestly advance the gospel. For the glory 
 of God I hope it is that I suffer, and to afford strength and 
 consolation to all the godly who may be called to endure 
 the like chastisement. I rejoice therefore in my tribulations, 
 and that I am counted worthy by the Lord to suffer reproach 
 for his name's sake (of which, indeed, I know myself to 
 be unworthy), to fill up as it were that which is behind of icoi.i. 24.I 
 
 D D 2 
 
404 A MAETYROLOGY OF 
 
 the afflictions of Christ, and which devolves on his members. 
 Cor. i. 5. As, therefore, the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so 
 much the more do the consolations abound by Christ, who 
 hath richly consoled me in all my sorrows. This shall 
 continue by his grace to be my happiness, and theirs also 
 who regard him as their highest good, and for that reason 
 love him above all, and are willing for his sake to forsake 
 and hate all things, in order that they may be loved by 
 him alone whose name is Love. That you may attain to 
 this as little children is my ardent desire for you all by 
 Christ Jesus, and that you may remain therein steadfast 
 and immoveable to the end. Amen. 
 Ezek.xxxiv. Further, my dear L. B. H., and all who are set to watch 
 Heb. xiii. 7. for the souls of men, fulfil your office with diligence. Be 
 Ezek.xxxiv. not idle, slothful, or negligent. Be faithful shepherds, 
 guiding and feeding the flock of Christ with integrity and 
 uprightness, with humbleness of mind and meekness. Be 
 as a father that chastiseth the wrongdoing of his children, 
 who, although he may not be able to correct them as he 
 desires, can never forget the fatherly relation in Avliich he 
 stands towards them, nor that they are his children. If 
 oftentimes he is constrained to threaten them for their 
 disobedience and perversity, he ceases not to correct and 
 instruct them, in the hope of restoring them to the paths 
 of obedience. Should sadness and grief be his portion, he 
 yields not, nor withholds the needful exhortations, dis- 
 1 Tim. ir. 13. ciplinc, and punishment. Thus do ye ; give attention to 
 reading, exhortation, and discipline, with all meekness in 
 Col. iii. 21. the fear of God. Be not too severe, lest they be discour- 
 Luke X. 34. aged ; nor too gentle, lest they become slothful and cai*e- 
 less. Like the true Samaritan, pour in oil and wine. Be 
 attentive to what I say. Neglect not the gift which is in 
 you. Be faithful to him who will reward your fidelity, 
 and hath called you to be his servants, and stewards of his 
 jnysteries. Seek not to be mere stewards, but faithful 
 
Ke X13C. 
 
 20. 
 
 THE CHUECHES OP CHRIST. 405 
 
 ones. Be diligent labourers in the vineyard of the Lord, 
 and faithful builders in his house. Diligently employ the 
 talent that you have received from the Lord. Remember L^^^e 
 the punishment of the slothful servant who would not place 
 his Lord's money in the bank, but buried it in a napkin 
 in the earth. 
 
 Call to mind, my dear brother, the warning which Solo- 
 mon gives, when passing the field of the slothfid, and the 
 vineyard of the foolish man. He says, / ivent hy the field p™''- '"^'^• 
 of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of under- 
 standing, and lo ! it was all yroivn over with thorns, and was 
 full of nettles, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. 
 As I sate, I took it to heart, says he, / looked upon it and 
 received ijistruction. In like manner, my dear brethren, 
 be careful, and diligently toil in the vineyard of the 
 Lord, with the plough or with the hoe, breaking the hard Jer. xxin. 
 stones ; that is, by the word of God, in order that the good 
 seed which is sown therein may not be stifled or destroyed. Matt. xiii. 7. 
 Take also the sharp two-edged sword, and prune there- Eph. vi. 17. 
 with the vineyard of the Lord. Sever the unfruitful and joij^^v 2. 
 withered branches, that the rest may bring forth more 
 fruit to him who hath planted the vineyard. Look well [329] 
 to the walls of the vineyard. If in any places they begin to 
 give way, repair them. If in other places they have fallen 
 down, let them quickly be rebuilt, lest foxes enter the cant. a. 15. 
 vineyard of the Lord, and dig therein and spoil it. 
 
 What shall I more say ? Feed the flock of Christ with i pet. v. 2. 
 fidelity. Watch carefully for the soids of men. Be 
 vigilant to exercise discipline. In all your decisions, have 
 no respect of persons. Remember judgment is the Lord's Deut. i. 17. 
 and not yours. Weigh all things in the scale of God's 
 word. Let all your judgments be guided by his word, so 
 that whatever you chastise, judge, or pardon, may be par- 
 doned, judged, or chastised, according to the word of the 
 Lord. Be careful that in the exercise of church discipline 
 
406 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 you aim not too high, lest a fall succeed. Excommunica- 
 Matt. xviii, ^-Qj^ jg salutary for the prevention of offences where it is 
 1 Cor. V. 10. jjQ^ abused. Care must be taken, that in the endeavour 
 9. 'to avoid a small oflfence, a greater does not spring up. 
 
 Be particularly anxious that the first commandment 
 Eph. vi. 1. -vvith promise be observed, viz. : Children, obey yourimrents 
 in the Lord. This command is explicit, be careful to keep 
 it. To those who have fallen away, show a friendly spirit 
 1 Thess. V. and exhort them affectionately to repent and be converted. 
 Titus hi. 10- 1 refer only to those to whom the admonition will be 
 useful ; for blasphemers and scoffers must go to their own 
 place. I write this to you, dear brethren, not as some- 
 thing new ; but that you may bear it in mind. For I wish 
 you to be careful not to hold one scripture with such 
 tenacity as thereby to break another. For there are some 
 who suddenly, without discretion, so employ the ban as to 
 create sympathy with the fallen.^ Therefore am I solici- 
 Phii, ii.3,5. tons on this point. "We ought to have the same mind that 
 Matt. V. 48. was iu Christ Jesus. We ought to be perfect as our 
 Col. iii. 12. Father in heaven is perfect. Then let us remember his 
 long-suffering, how he hath patiently borne with us, and 
 Matt, xviii. let US SO treat our fellow servants, that we may give no 
 1 Cor. X. 32. offence to any one, either in the world, or the church of 
 God. Anxiously seek the souls of men, wherever you 
 have hoi^e there extend your laboui's. Say not, it is 
 1 Cor. iii. 0. labour lost. Put your hand to the plough in the fear of 
 God, and pray the Lord that while you plant and water 
 he will give the blessing. Entreat of him the increase 
 
 y [Much dissension existed at of the church they were expected 
 
 this time among the baptists of to avoid every species of alliance 
 
 Holland, with I'espect to the use of with the individual vmder ban. 
 
 excommunication. By some the This subject divided the baptists 
 
 sentence was thought to sever the into two parties, and traces of it 
 
 culprit from all intercourse with remain to this day. See Het 
 
 his dearest friends and connexions • Beginsel, &c., pp. 9 — 12. 
 and if any of them were members 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 407 
 
 and success. But should success not folloAv, be careful 
 that you are not guilty of neglecting the souls of men, of 
 which I often accuse myself. Oh brethren ! beware of 
 contention. Whenever you meet, let peace dwell in your 
 midst ; that the grace of God may abide with you. Oh, 
 my dear brother, the state of aifairs in the upper country 
 grieves me to the heart. Do not understand me to have 
 any doubts — oh no, my brother ! I remain steadfast as I 
 stated in my letter to them. I am only solicitous on behalf 
 of those who are innocent and would seek after godliness, 
 Avhom discord may destroy. I know not how we can 
 answer it to God. Oh ! that all who are blameworthy in 
 this matter, may weep before God and seek forgiveness 
 for their sin. In like manner the Netherlands weigh upon 
 my mind. I should rejoice if help could be given, and 
 that good rules Avere laid down, for there is still much 
 wanting amongst them ; but I hold them dear to my heart. 
 I wish that the pride, which many of them exhibit, were 
 laid aside, and that they would consider what kind of 
 people they ought to be, for what purpose they meet 
 together, and that the elders should not remain at home 
 when they are convoked. I do not say that they must be 
 helped first, but that the whole matter must be taken 
 into consideration. 
 
 My dear brethren, be lowly, nothing in your own eyes ; 
 please not yourselves. Do not think that I have written Rom. xv. i. 
 this of myself; everything is of God who useth men as his 
 instruments, therefore give him all the glory. Let no one phji, jj 3, 
 set himself above his brother, let each esteem other better 
 than themselves. Submit yourselves to one another, and Eph.v.21. 
 with humbleness of mind serve each other. I request all 
 the brethren and sisters to watch for those who forsake 
 the church. If an opportunity arise, tell L.' to reflect in 
 
 * [Probably Leenaert Bouwens, who took the side of severity in his 
 pinions on the ban.] 
 
408 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 the time of mercy ; for how shall he answer in the day of 
 judgment? If he think aright his own conscience will 
 accuse and condemn him.' O L. ! repent, you have not 
 
 1 Pet. iii. 11. chosen the better part. Alas! my brethren, I have 
 suffered much on account of these people. Avoid divisions, 
 seek peace as much as in you lies, and pursue it. 
 
 Dear brethren, I am often visited by blasphemers. 
 
 ■ [330] Cassander,'' a little man and weak of body, who per- 
 verted Joachin the confectioner, has been with me, 
 endeavouring by many falsehoods to deceive me, and to 
 lead me captive. He read to me a printed Latin book,'' 
 in which it was declared that infant baptism was a plain 
 command, and beyond contradiction the uniform practice 
 of the whole world. He declared, but could not sustain it 
 by Holy Scripture, that they had received it of the 
 apostles. When I disproved it from the New Testament, 
 he observed. If I denied infant baptism and would not 
 believe it, how did I know that the New Testament itself 
 was true ? for, said he, we receive it on the authority of 
 the very parties who teach infant baptism to be right. 
 
 ^ [This eminent Romanist died as will be seen, spoke of the bap- 
 early in the following year. His tists from personal knowledge.] 
 well-meant attempts to reconcile ^ [It was pi-obably from the Pre- 
 protestants and Romanists drew face of his work, De Baptismo 
 upon him the hatred of both par- Infantium, in which he endeavours 
 ties. Of the baptists he says : to show that infant baptism was 
 " Undoubtedly, in these i^eople, never contradicted in the primitive 
 two things have frequently been church. The universal consent of 
 observed ; the one, a fervent zeal, Christians in all ages, Cassander 
 joined with the fear of God, and thinks so powerful an argument 
 with great reverence and observa- that he believes the anabaptists 
 tion of his word ; the other an er- cannot better be confuted than by 
 roneous interpretation of the true its use. Of this he had exjjerience 
 meaning of the scriptures, into he says, since a teacher of the sect, 
 which they have indeed been mis- confined in the castle of Cleves, on 
 led by certain probabilities and seeing the pati'istic testimonies, at 
 appearances of truth ; this latter once abandoned his opinion. Bayle's 
 deserves compassion, the former Diet. Art. Anabaptists. Du Pin, 
 praise and commendation." See Cent. xvi. pt. ii. p. 45.] 
 Brandt, i. App. p. 13. Cassander, 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 409 
 
 There are besides many other writings called apostolical 
 writings (some indeed acknowledged to be spurious, and 
 therefore rejected), which testify that all the fathers 
 declare the New Testament to contain the doctrines of the 
 apostles, and that this doctrine of baptism is one of them. 
 If then the one is overthrown, how can the other be main- 
 tained ? you must receive it (the New Testament) on their 
 testimony, otherwise you can have no knowledge of it. 
 This is also the case with baptism. He further said, that 
 if we were right, then it must follow that for 1500 years 
 there had been no church. Almost all, and they are not 
 a few, who have spoken with me on this subject, have 
 treated it in this manner. They also brought to me a 
 man who they said had just come from Egypt. He repre- 
 sented to me that they had received infant baptism from 
 the chamberlain, baptized by Philip in Egypt, and that 
 they knew of no other baptism. But if an old man desires 
 baptism, who has not been baptized, he must first confess 
 his faith. This, said they, has always been the only 
 custom there, and if any one had opposed it he would 
 be answered, " We have received this custom from the 
 apostles." To all this, I constantly opposed the teaching 
 of the New Testament. I said, whatsoever agreed there- 
 with that I would willingly admit, and by God's help 
 believe ; not otherwise. Again I was obliged to hear that 
 the New Testament had come down to us from the 
 fathers. By their means alone could we distinguish right 
 from wrong. This was often said to me. I replied. It was 
 no advantage to the unconverted king of Assyria that God isa. x. s. ; 
 employed him for the conversion of his people. It availed 
 
 . . Exod. vii. 
 
 nothing to wicked Pharaoh that God made known by him 
 his mighty power. In like manner, the prophecy of 
 Caiaphas concerning Christ, although it was true, did not johnxi.so. 
 profit him, while he himself was disobedient to the com- 
 mands of Christ. To God be all the glory, that he hath 
 
410 A MARTYllOLOGY OF 
 
 himself given to us the word ! Many prayers and en- 
 treaties were now addressed to me in order to move me ; 
 but as these did not produce any effect they began sharply 
 to rebuke and threaten me. As, however, they saw it was 
 all lost labour, they proceeded to torture me with our 
 brother Harman. This was on the 17th of July. But 
 blessed be the God of mercy who never forsakes his people, 
 but at the right moment comforts them in all their suffer- 
 ings and tribulations, he guarded our lips that they 
 could not obtain from us one word that they desired to 
 have. After questioning us, they speedily let Harman go. 
 The main object in putting us to the rack was to force us 
 to say how many teachers there were, their names and 
 places of abode, in what pai't of the town I had given 
 instruction, how many I had baptized, at what place I had 
 been ordained to the office of teachei', what teachers were 
 present on that occasion, and that I should confess the 
 magistrates to be Christians, and infant baptism right. I 
 
 p^. xxxvii. pressed my lips tightly together, and yielded myself into 
 the hands of God, suffering patiently. I remembered the 
 
 johnxv. 13. word of the Lord, where he says. Greater love hath no 
 man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 
 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. I 
 
 1 John iii. also remembered what John says. We ought to lay down 
 our lives for the brethren. It would appear as if I had yet 
 much to suffer ; but it is all in the Lord's hand. I can 
 
 Matt, vi 10. only pi^ay, the will of the Lord be done. 
 
 My brethren, in this extremity neither knowledge nor 
 words avail anything ; only a living faith, girded by the 
 might of love, patience, hope, and obedience. A faith like 
 that which enabled Shadrach, Meschech and Abednego, to 
 
 ,; ... ,„ say, O Nebuchadnezzar, 7ve are not careful to ansicer thee in 
 this matter ; our God whom we serve is able to deliver us 
 from the burniny fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out 
 of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 411 
 
 (O Antichrist !) that we will not serve thy gods, nor loorship 
 the image, nor the two golden calves, which thou hast 
 set up. And if with lofty words of human wisdom, or with coi. ii. 3, 8. 
 soft enchantments they seek to beguile us, then in the 
 power of faith we must repel them. Depart ; we desire 
 none of your counsels, and to this we steadfastly adhere. If 
 on such occasions we say more than necessity compels, we [33]] 
 cannot escape without injury. Let all who are made 
 prisoners be well instructed in this matter. 
 
 But few days passed without some conversation, yet it 
 was very little that I confessed, although we many times 
 spent three or four hours together. Oh, exhort all the 
 prisoners, if you can, that they lay everything aside ; think 
 of us night and day with prayer to God; our minds turn Eph. vi.is 
 towards you. Greet all the believers with the kiss of i cor. xvi. 
 
 2U. 
 
 peace. 
 
 How dear to my heart are all my believing brethren ; pi,ii. i. 3. 
 I seldom forget them ; yea, I often think of them before 
 the Lord with earnest affection and prayer. I cannot 
 write much, for my time is more precious than gold ; do 
 not write to us, you can guess the reason; the God of 
 heaven will be our keeper and yours. Amen. 
 
 I, Matthias Servaes, your brother for the truth's sake, a 
 prisoner of the Lord, remain of the same faith that ye 
 have already heard of me. The grace of our Lord Jesus ^3"™- ^"• 
 Christ be with you all. Amen. 
 
 The second letter of Matthias Servaes, of Kottenem, wi^itten to 
 his brother from prison. 
 
 The saving grace of God be with us all. Amen. 
 
 I desire that a Dutch testament may speedily be pro- 
 cured for my wife (who was not at that time imprisoned), 
 for she cannot read the German print. 1 urther, my dear 
 
412 A MARTYROLOGY OP 
 
 2 Tim. iv. brother, I wish you to know that I am now alone, but the 
 Lord is with me; it is very evident to me that I shall 
 have but few opportunities of intercourse with our 
 brethren who are imprisoned with me, and it is probable 
 that my situation may yet become worse. 
 
 But I know not how sufficiently to give thanks to God, 
 and though I should like to be with my brethren, yet I 
 prefer this ; for since it pleases God thus to afflict me, it is 
 all for the best and greatly conducive to my salvation. . . . 
 However great the torture inflicted upon me I count the 
 pain as nothing because God hath appointed it. 
 
 The Thursday after our apprehension, early in the 
 morning, they brought me from the Franconian tower; our 
 brethren were to be tortured the same morning ; every 
 thing was ready. The candles and the torches stood on 
 the rack. As they brought me near they began to interro- 
 iPet. ii.15. gate me, but before they had finished, and I had confessed 
 1 Tim. iii. 1. my faith and my office (I also putting many questions to 
 them), more than half the day was spent. After much 
 conversation, when they could no longer answer me (for 
 which I give God alone the glory), he who had been most 
 forward in proposing questions, said that baptism was our 
 chief error. I replied : " If that is our greatest error, and 
 for which you imprison and torture us, why do you not 
 first inquire into the fearful errors and ungodly lives of 
 the priests? why do you not act as in the sight of God, 
 without respect of persons, and severely punish the fright- 
 ful errors you will find amongst them?" but he did not 
 think this worthy of an answer. 
 
 Seeing this I said : "We are, nevertheless, men, and you 
 are no more ; the fear of God forbids my regarding you as 
 more than men; consider the matter well, and deal not 
 with us so cruelly and tyrannically. The Lord will visit 
 and punish the world's wickedness ; he is judge over all ; 
 
 Amos iv. 12. ^ . 
 
 bear in mind that you must stand by our side when the 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 413 
 
 Lord shall come to judge both us and you ; for we must ^°^- ^»'- 
 all, as the scripture saith, appear before the judgment seat 2 cor. v. ao. 
 of Christ, there shall every one receive the things done in his 
 body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or 
 had; then must your decisions be reviewed, and before the 
 Lord be justified. Regard not these words, my dearL. K. 
 as threats, or as the expressions of a haughty spirit. 
 Regard them as an admonition ; as a warning I utter 
 them ; the everlasting welfare of your soul is as precious 
 to me as my own. Lay this to heart, and consider well 
 how you treat us." There it ended. 
 
 Our brethren were this time spared. I was racked in 
 their stead ; they led me alone to the rack in order to tor- 
 ture me, because I would not say where I had last met 
 Hemy, how many teachers we had, or in what place they 
 lived. As they pressed this question upon me many times 
 I became anxious to know the reason of their importunity ; 
 the count answered : " If we should tell you that, you 
 would immediately reply that you wished to betray no 
 one." I said to him: "You answer yourself." Further [332j 
 conversation took place between us, but as they con- 
 tinually pressed me to answer in a way that would end in 
 treachery, I refused to make any more confessions, unless 
 they would first tell me the reason of their inquiries. I 
 also told them that they ought to examine their own 
 hearts, and in the sight of God truly say whether they 
 could dare counsel me on this wise. I asked them several 
 times, but they would give me no answer and left me ; 
 they said to one another that the affair was right enough, 
 only an uproar had arisen out of it. 
 
 I commend you all to God ; I have no more time to 
 write to you. Kemember me always before the Lord. 
 Amen. 
 
414 A MAKTYEOLOGY OP 
 
 The third letter of Matthias Servaes, written to I. JVi 
 
 Phil. iv. 7. May peace and joy be wrought in you by the Holy 
 Spirit, and increase in you and in all the faithful that are 
 
 Lukeii.i4. in Christ Jesus. Amen. Yea, in all those who are men of 
 goodwill, having chosen God as their highest good, and 
 from love desire, as obedient children their father, to serve 
 and follow Him with strong confidence, firm and un- 
 wavering to the end, through faith in Christ Jesus. 
 Amen. 
 
 We have received, dear brethren, the breakfast you sent 
 us, for which we give thanks to God. Again, I send you 
 a small thing from my poverty ; take this also with 
 thanks, and divide it among our companions in tribu- 
 lation, since it is profitable for edification, and may 
 
 Eph. iv. 29. minister grace unto the hearers. If ye compose hymns, 
 or write, or speak, do it all to the glory of God; oiFer 
 
 <.ai. V. 6. thanksgivings to your heavenly Father by Christ, that he 
 
 Una. X. 37. has wrought in you that faith which, forsaking and hating 
 all things, worketh by love, and which excites you from 
 love (as children indebted to a father) to remain faithful 
 unto death. 
 
 As far as possible avoid all mention of the count, for he 
 says that he has been insulted in the hymn of Thomas the 
 printer. Although he has so taken it, that is certainly not 
 the meaning. He also says that, although it was his 
 intention to do what is I'ight, on that account he has had 
 to bear reproach from many; therefore, dear brother, 
 whatsoever you do, whether by Avord or deed, do all to 
 the glory of the Lord, giving thanks by him to God the 
 Father. 
 
 Further, let me inform you, dear brother, that Hendrik 
 Altruysscher, who lives and usually sells red wine at Egel- 
 stein, has been here. He began to converse with me de- 
 siring to know whence I received my oflfice or ministry, 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 415 
 
 but as I knew the sort of man he was, I wished him to tell 
 me what he was called ; he said that he did not know, but 
 I further inquired whether he was not called Hendrik. He 
 answered several times that he did not know. I then bade 
 him go away and repent, for I would not converse with 
 him. The count was displeased and angry, and urged me 
 to enter into conversation with Altruysscher, but I said, 
 No, I will not. 
 
 I have briefly related and sent this to you, dear brother, 
 for I have no time to write much as I am closely watched; 
 I desire that you may remain steadfast in the fear of God Epb. iv. 2. ' 
 with all meekness and lowliness, walking in goodness and 
 love. Please not yourself, but rather seek the welfare and 
 edification of your neighbour, and teach the rest to do the 
 same ; 1 commend you to the grace of God ; remember us Eph. vi. is. 
 in your prayers, which we ought also to do for you and for 
 all men, even as we are taught by the word of God ; but 1 Pet. v. 10. 
 the God of peace and of all grace, who hath called us unto 
 his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, perfect us in every good 
 work, that we may do his eternal unchangeable will, and 
 grant that all our works may be pleasing in his sight 
 through Jesus Christ. The same God, for whose name's 
 sake we are here prepared to suffer, if it be his will, will 
 strengthen and establish us, and well prepare us for it ; to 
 him be glory and strength for ever and ever. Amen. Rev. v. 12. 
 
 We are still well in body and soul ; we are joyful in 
 hope of being numbered with those whose souls are beneath 
 the altar awaiting the rewards of righteousness ; salute, 
 for me, the brotherhood in Christ. The grace of God be 
 with us all. Amen. 
 
 Matthias Servaes, of Kottenem, 
 
416 A MARTY ROLOGY OF 
 
 [341] The seventh letter of Matthias Servaes'^ addressed to J. N., 
 
 and his brethren, 
 
 I Thess. i. 1. Grace and peace be with all the faithful in Christ Jesus. 
 Amen. 
 
 It is ray wish, dear brethren and sisters, that you should 
 know that all is well with us, that is, with me and Her- 
 man ; for our hearts are full and overflowing with 
 
 Acts xvi. joy. Time seems very short to us. By night, with one 
 accord, we sing praises to our God. We are now alone. 
 Eberhard, the bishop's chaplain, visited us again on the 
 Saturday after St. James's day. He conversed very 
 kindly with me on infant baptism and the resurrection 
 of the dead. The count also entreated me, saying, 
 " Matthias, tell me clearly, what are your views on these 
 articles ? I have already told you that your people who 
 are confined in the other tower, have averred that the 
 bodies of the departed shall not rise again. But I have 
 not heard anything definite from you, and since i/ou are 
 their teacher, they must have learnt it from you." I 
 replied, " True, count ; at our last interview some w^ords 
 passed between us. I then gave you the same answer 
 that I do now. I call all the prisoners to witness that the 
 doctrine which I hold (which indeed is not mine, but 
 
 John V. 28. Christ's) and have taught, is none other than this : that 
 
 1 Thess. iv. the dead shall come forth from their graves, the righteous 
 to life eternal, the wicked to everlasting death; that we 
 must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that 
 every one may receive in the body according to that he 
 hath done, whether it be good or bad. But that this self- 
 same flesh and blood shall inherit the kingdom of God, I 
 
 a^cor. XV. ijayg jjo taught. On the contrary, I say that Jlesh and 
 
 c [The 4th, .Hh, and 6th letters members of the church. — Van 
 are chiefly hortatory, and are ad- Braght, fol. 332 — 341.] 
 dressed to his relatives and to 
 
 14. 
 
 2 Cor. V. 10. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 417 
 
 blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth cor- 
 ruption inherit incorruption.'^ Eberhard the chaplain then 
 said, that he did not believe that this flesh and blood should 
 inherit the kingdom of God. 1 replied, " We shall all be 
 changed, and he who wishes to know how this shall come 
 to pass, how the dead are raised up, and with what bodies 
 they shall come, let him give heed to Paul, who says. Thou 30^38.''^* 
 fool, that ivhich thou sowest is not quickened, except it die ; 
 and that which thou soioest, thou sowest not that body that 
 shall he, but bare grain, it mag chance of wheat or of some 
 other grain, and God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him. 
 That," said I, " is my view. Oh ! that I may be counted 
 worthy with the righteous to rise again. For that am I 
 solicitous. What body the Lord shall give me, that I 
 leave with him. With this I am satisfied, and will not 
 confess to you or any man more than this." " On this [345] 
 matter," said he, " we differ very little." 
 
 I said farther, " The cry against us is, * One says this 
 and another that, while a third believes so and so.' Rather 
 go among your own people and ask them individually 
 what they believe. Will they all agree and confess the 
 same thing? Certainly not; very few of them indeed." 
 " That is true," said he. Much conversation followed on 
 the sentiments of the fathers respecting infant baptism. 
 I rejected them all and preferred God to them ; but he 
 entreated me to reflect on this. I also desired the same 
 of him and said, " I am sure that I hold the truth, and I 1 cor. ix, 
 
 26. 
 
 desu-e to cleave to it, both in life and in death." I also 
 told him of their impure and faulty church, of their 
 brothels, gambling houses, and fencing schools, and of 
 their daily life which resembled that of heathens. I also 
 reminded him of the injustice and violence which they 
 had openly inflicted on us, only because we would betray 
 no one. I asked him to think of all this if he were a 
 shepherd of the sheep. He said that it grieved him 
 
 VOL. II. E E 
 
418 A MARTYEOLOGY OF 
 
 exceedingly, and it seemed to me that the Count felt 
 ashamed. They rose up. Eberhard gave me his hand, 
 and in a very friendly manner commended me to the Lord. 
 All is well with us as yet, the Lord be praised. Amen. 
 Remember us day and night in prayer. We will do the 
 same for you. I would exhort and warn every prisoner 
 Col. ii. 8. to decline controversy. Brethren, how artfully they set 
 their snares for my soul ! But I have a good hope that 
 Piov. i. 17. they will not succeed. Surely in vain the net is spread in 
 the sight of any bird. I therefore entreat every prisoner 
 Psa. xxxix. to be circumspect and to he dumb with silence, while the 
 James i. 19. Avickcd, as David says, are before us. Be slow to speak. 
 Matt. X. 19. Isst your hearts be led astray. Wait with patience till 
 Christ shall speak in you, or his Spirit by you, according 
 to his promise. Be not ashamed if you are not prepared 
 to answer every question. He who was the wisdom of 
 God, even Christ Jesus, was not ashamed, as the scrip- 
 tures of the Old and New Testament sufficiently testify. 
 If they ask you about one who is still at liberty, or is in 
 prison, whether he was often with us, or has been bap- 
 tized, reply, " I am here imprisoned to answer for myself 
 and not for another." And if they threaten you with the 
 rack or protracted imprisonment, let them menace, let 
 them tortiu'e you; cast yourself with confidence on the 
 Prov.xxi.i. Lord. He who hath the hearts of kings in his power will 
 suffer them to do no more than is agreeable to His will. 
 Matt. vi. 10. If it is the Lord's will that you should suffer, remember 
 Matt. X. 30. your oft-repeated prayer, " Lord, thy will be done." And 
 Luke xii. 7. truly, if you trust in the Lord, the very hairs of your 
 head are all numbered, and not one of them shall fall but 
 in accordance with his will. Therefore, fear them not in 
 Heb. X. 3G. the least ; be not affrighted, but wait patiently and with 
 long suffering upon the Lord, in all that may befall you for 
 the truth's sake. Trust in God. He will never forsake 
 you, even unto death. Amen. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 419 
 
 My clear fellow- sufferers, if I thought it would redound 
 to the glory of God, and in any way advance your salva- 
 tion, that you should answer the questions they put to 
 you, then I would not only exhort you to await their 
 questions, but would heartily urge you to invite and show 
 yourselves ready to answer their inquiries. But whether 
 in this they seek God's glory, or the salvation of your 
 souls and their own, I will leave it to every God-fearing 
 lover of the truth impartially to judge. Therefore be 
 watchful, dear brethren. 
 
 I have composed a hymn, not from levity, but to be 
 sung to the glory of God. 
 
 Dear brethren, let me be commended in your prayers Acts xii. 5. 
 to God. I salute you all with the peace of our Lord L^''^^'' ^' 
 Jesus Christ. If any man love Him not, he is anathema ^ (.^ 
 maranatha. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the ^^ 
 love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be 
 with us all. Amen. 
 
 .or. XTi. 
 
 The eighth Letter of Matthias Servaes, written to his wife 
 Aeltgen. 
 
 The grace of God be with you, and remain with you, Eph. ii. 7. 
 and with all our companions in the faith of Christ every- 
 where. May peace and love be with you, with all 
 patience and perseverance, that you may bear to the end 
 all that shall be laid upon you, and fill up that which is Lukexji. 
 behind of the sufferings of Christ. Amen. coi, i. 21. 
 
 My dear wife, from the commencement of our union 
 your salvation has been my chief desire (the Lord is my [343] 
 witness). I have ever felt more concern for your soul 
 than my own, and have exhorted you often to seek that 
 which has now become our portion ; to the Lord be all 
 the glory and praise. My dear sister in the Lord, you 
 
 E E 2 
 
420 A MAllTYROLOGY OF 
 
 well know the anxiety of mind that I have had on account 
 of our wanderings. If any one think that I have desired 
 them, it is a mistake ; for I have often longed, if it would 
 contribute to my salvation, to be by some means released 
 
 .Toiin XV. 27. from them, whether by imprisonment or death. But now 
 it hath pleased the Lord that we should here on earth bear 
 witness to his word and to his name, and that your 
 desire should in some measure be fulfilled, that I should 
 rather through sufferings be conducted to our Father's 
 house than again take a journey. It was also my desire 
 that you should share my imprisonment, which has come 
 to pass. Let us therefore be patient, giving thanks to 
 God who hath heard and answered our prayers. Let us 
 
 Matt. vi. 10. present no other prayer than that we have often offered, 
 " Lord, thy will be done." I cheerfully cast myself upon 
 the Lord, whom I have served ; therefore be not anxious 
 concerning me. But if you think that many afflictions 
 still await us, all which depend on the good pleasure of 
 the Lord, remember that if suffering is prepared for us, 
 
 2 Cor. i. 4. so also is a rich consolation. For as the sufferings of 
 Christ abound in us, so our consolation also ahoundeth by 
 Christ. 
 
 2T110S8 ii. I can write no more, my time is gone. Hold fast that 
 which you have received till the time of your departure 
 
 Bev ii 10 arrives. Tlien and not before shall you receive the crown 
 of life. This I write to you, dear sister Anne, and to all 
 
 2 Thess. iii. who are with you. I salute you with my own hand. The 
 grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 
 
 2 Cor. xiii. Greet one another with a holy kiss. Our brethren 
 
 \\ . ^„ salute vou all. Remember me. Be of good cheer: this 
 
 Cul. IV. 17. •' o ' 
 
 is the first portion of our promised inheritance here, to be 
 
 entered upon when we come to our everlasting home. 
 
 R«v vii 17 There our flowing tears shall be wiped away, and our 
 
 2 Cor. iv. 17, sorrow be turned into joy. For our light offiiction, which 
 
 is but for a moment, loorheth for us a far more exceeding 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 421 
 
 and eternal weight of glory ; for us who look not at the 
 things lohich are seen, hut at the tilings which are not seen. 
 Therefore avert your eyes from the things that arc seen. 
 I commend you to the grace of God. Amen. 
 
 The ninth Letter of Matthias Servaes, toritten from prison 
 to F. V. H. 
 May the saving grace of God be multiplied unto you, xitusii n. 
 and to all the godly, through Jesus Christ, and the 
 power of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 My much beloved friend in the Lord, F., my affec- 
 tion for you will not suffer me to refrain from satisfying 
 your desire. But many things I greatly need, also paper 
 and ink; besides which I am closely watched as if pre- 
 cious as gold, that I may neither receive letters nor send 
 any. Therefore receive kindly this short letter. I have 
 written it to promote your welfare. It is my hearty wish 
 and counsel, that you conform your life to the word phii. i 27. 
 of God, to the image of Jesus Christ. Assiduously re- 
 member to observe what you said to me. Love God 
 above all things; and forsake not the assemblies of the 
 saints. If you love aught else than. God, you are not Heb. x. 25. 
 worthy of him. Be watchful, ray dear friend, in the Matt. x. 37. 
 Lord. You well know that a mere nominal faith is of no 
 avail ; it must be living faith, faith which worketh hy love. oai. v. e. 
 None other will stand before God. May God, Shaddai, ^xod. iii.u. 
 work such faith in you, and in all who desire it. Amen. 
 
 Of my welfare I cannot write as I would. The Lord 
 fills my heart with exceeding joy, so that I could desire, 
 if it were his will, to be led bound through Cologne, 
 to be scourged with rods from street to street, and to 
 suffer the tortures of the rack, in order that His name 
 may be made known. To God be all the praise. Thanks 
 be unto God, who hath kept the door of my lips, and 
 
422 A MARTYUOLOGY OF 
 
 endowed me with strength, which he daily augments. He 
 will support me to the end. 
 Col. iv. 18. J commend you to God. Remember me, as I also 
 remember you. Greet all who are with you. I greet 
 you in the Lord. 
 
 Matthias Servaes, of Kottenem. 
 
 The tenth Letter of Matthias Servaes, written in prison, 
 addressed to Mar. West. 
 
 Rom. i. 7. Grace to you, and peace be multiplied from God, the 
 Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to all the faithful 
 through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 
 
 My much loved sister in the Lord. I am constrained 
 by the great love which we mutually cherish since we 
 have known each other in the Lord, to tell you how much 
 I think of you, and of all the godly. You lie on my 
 heart night and day. I have also understood that you 
 remember me in much sorrow, and wish, if it were pos- 
 [344] sible, that God had ordered it otherwise. For this I can- 
 not wish nor pray. I know not how he could have better 
 appointed my lot ; for great sadness was upon me, as you 
 know, which God in his goodness has thus removed ; and 
 not only that, but he has freed me from all anxiety. 
 Do not think that I Avas weary of my labour. Oh, no ! 
 cheerfully would I have served the Lord, and will yet do 
 so if in any way I can be useful. But it is better as it is : 
 sooner or later it must have come to pass. I trust that 
 the Lord will soon send you a faithful servant to occupy 
 my place, more higlily gifted of Him than I have been. 
 
 Matt. XIV. "Jije Lord knows with what anxiety, fear, and anguish 
 I ministered unto you, esteeming myself unworthy and as 
 nothing before God and you, so much so that I scarcely 
 
 1 Cor. XV. 10. dared to lift up my eyes in your midst. But by the grace 
 of God I have been what I have been, and his grace was 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 423 
 
 not altogether bestowed on me In vain among you. I 
 also fulfilled my ministry with many tears, as ye know ; 
 but now, to God be the praise, all is joy, joy unspeakable. 
 
 Oh ! my dear sister; how easy is the Lord's yoke, how Matt. xi. 30. 
 light on my shoulder his burden ! To my God I will Psa.sivi.ii. 
 still cleave, by his help, cost what it may ; but I entreat Acts xu. 5. 
 your prayers and those of all the faithful in the Lord. \^^^^^- ^" 
 We also hope to offer prayer for you. My heart's desire Matt. vi. 10. 
 is that his will may be done. My dear sister, walk humbly 
 and with watchfulness in the path of piety, that you may 
 be saved. Grace be with you all who love our Lord Jesus Eph. vi. 24. 
 Christ in sincerity. Amen. 
 
 By me, Matthias Servaes, your brother in the Lord. 
 
 THIETT-EOUR MEN AND EIGHT WOMEN PUT 
 TO DEATH ABOUT THE TEAR 1566. 
 
 Just when we were very desirous of knowing the state of our desire 
 of our fellow believers in Alsace, and what they had formation 
 
 , . . respecting 
 
 suffered during the persecution which at this time befell ^^^ Aisatian 
 
 '--' •*■ martjra. 
 
 them, the following information came into our hands, "^ 
 extracted from a certain document prepared by the elders 
 
 and teachers in Alsace, and sent hither. It is as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 " Respecting the brethren who were put to death for 
 
 An extract 
 
 their faith in the various districts under the iurisdiction of f™™ '^ i^"®"^ 
 
 '' ol the Al- 
 
 Berne ; there were executed, from 1528 to 1566, no less and'eaS 
 than forty-two persons, among whom were eight women. martyreTost 
 We have by us a brief list of their names and families, m the eoun- 
 with the day and year on which each one was executed, semese 
 
 •> " ^ from 1528 to 
 
 &c." 1S«6. 
 
 To this brief extract the names of the elders and 
 
 d By means of our worthy friend H. Vlaming, at present resident in 
 Amsterdam. 
 
424 1 MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 teachers of Alsace were appended. We would have in- 
 serted them, did we not fear by so doing to occasion them 
 further persecution, from which they are not yet entirely 
 free, as will presently appear. 
 
 [The baptists at this time had largely increased in the 
 countries subject to Berne, not without the fault of the 
 clergy, it was said, whose lives were a dishonour to the 
 gospel and the occasion of great scandals. The council 
 sent delegates to the chief towns of Alsace and other 
 German districts, to threaten with punishment the un- 
 godly clergy, and if possible to stay the progress of the 
 so-called heresy. The fertile and opulent valley of the 
 Emme was the principal scene of their labours. Assem- 
 blies of baptists were collected. They were required to 
 swear allegiance to the reformation made by the magis- 
 trates, on pain of banishment ; if refractory, absenting 
 themselves from the assemblies to avoid the oath, death by 
 the sword, or by drowning, was the award. Some few 
 took the oath of obedience. Many more preferred exile, 
 sold their property, and departed. Others were arrested 
 and conducted to Berne. Walter Gerwer, who twenty 
 years before had suiFered imprisonment in Burgdorf for 
 his faith, was sentenced to decapitation. He was an 
 eminent teacher among the baptists, and amid innumerable 
 difficulties had ministered to his flock the word of God. 
 At length a price was set upon his head. One hundred 
 guilders was the price of blood. His place of retreat was 
 discovered. With constancy he adhered to his belief, and 
 on the scaffold, on the 30th of July, closed a life of 
 arduous labour in the cause of God. His doctrine it was 
 said, tended to the overthrow of civil government, and to 
 establish a perfect anarchy in Christendom. This fatal 
 doctrine is stated to be this, that a Christian could not be 
 a magistrate. Notwlthstandine: exile and death the truth 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 
 
 425 
 
 continued to spread, and many in the neighbouring cantons 
 yielded to its claims,] * 
 
 HANS GEOEGE.— 1566. 
 
 In the year 1566, brother Hans George, count of 
 Grootenstein, in Italy, who some years before had fled to 
 Germany, and had conducted himself in the church of God 
 as becometh a Christian in all humility, returned to Italy 
 where he had left his wife. Being betrayed, he was taken Luke xxii. 
 
 . 48. 
 
 into custody by persons from Venice. As they drew near ^^jg ^^^^^ 
 to Venice by water, he was thrown overboard and drowned. " 
 It was thus secretly done to avoid any disturbance on 
 account of his high birth. On account of his faith he Heb. xi. 25, 
 suffered the loss of this life. By faith he forsook all 
 things, disregarding rank, preferring rather to suffer afflic- 
 tion with the people of God than to enjoy the honours 
 and rewards of this Avorld among his own people. He 
 esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the 
 treasures in Egypt, or the nobility of this world ; for he 
 had respect to that which is yet future, and an everlasting ^^^^^^ ^ ^^^ 
 reward which is great in heaven, and which shall not be 
 withheld from him as a martyr, a follower and valiant ^°^^ -^si. 
 soldier of Christ.^ 
 
 HAN^S MANG.— ANNO 1567. 
 
 In the year 1567, Hans Mang, a hatter by trade, was 
 committed to prison at Sundhofen, in Suabia, for the truth, n^b. xi. 13. 
 He had to endure great and bitter cold, so that his feet 
 could not be got warm at night. Besides which he had 
 much also to withstand in the assaults and temptations 
 
 e [Ruchat. Hist. Ref. vii. 81—86. Trechsel, Prot. Autitrin, iL 366.] 
 f [M.S. Cronickel, fol. 94.] 
 
426 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 Acta Tii. 60. of the uDgoclly. Finally, he fell asleep in the Lord while 
 James i. 12. imprisoned, having kept the faith and persevered therein 
 patiently to the end. Therefore shall he inherit the crown 
 of life with all the chosen people of God.§ 
 
 [345^ NICHOLAS GEYEE.— ANNO 1567. 
 
 Brother Nicholas Geyer, a miller, and a deacon of the 
 church, was this year imprisoned at Innspruck, in the 
 Tyrol, for the faith. The Jesuits and others made many 
 attempts and by most cruel inquests, after the manner of 
 Satan, to turn him aside. But he continued unmoved. 
 Like a Christian hero he bravely persevered in his faith, 
 and was at last condemned to death by these successors of 
 
 Matt.xiv. 8. Caiaphas and Pilate. The priests, like the daughter of 
 Herodias, were determined to have his head. In this they 
 succeeded; for he was decapitated with a sword, and his 
 body afterwards burnt. In the noble fight of faith he 
 
 2 Cor. ii. 14. chivalrously triumphed and kept the field in Christ, as 
 one whose courage could not be destroyed by tribulation, 
 torture, or grief. Water could not quench his love, nor 
 
 Rora.viii. sword sever it. Fire was powerless to consume it; it was 
 God's highway to life eternal. For by love to God 
 through divine grace, we enter paradise. Let us not be 
 separated from love.'' 
 
 35. 
 
 CHEISTIAN LANaEDUL, COENELIUS CLAES, MAT^ 
 THEW DE VIK, AND HANS SYMONS.— anno 1567 
 
 On Sunday morning, August 10, 1567, Christian 
 Langedul went out to send a letter to his brother R. L. 
 
 K [MS. Cronickel, fol. 94,] chosen deacon in the year 1563, at 
 
 ■^ [In the MS. Cronickel, the the same time with three others, 
 
 name of this martyr is written fol. 91, 94.] 
 
 Nickel Geyersbiihler. He was 
 
' THE CHURCHES OP CHRIST. 427 
 
 He then proceeded to a place called Schelleken, where he 
 had appointed to meet some brethren, to assist in the 
 arrangement of a dispute between two persons. i cor. vi. s. 
 
 The meeting having been spied out, a certain captain, 
 Lamotte by name, who was at that time in Antwerp under 
 the pretence of seeking some of his soldiers, surrounded 
 the house with armed men, and immediately sent a mes- 
 senger to the margrave. Meanwhile Christian conversed 
 with the captain in French, and communicated to him the [340] 
 reason of this meeting. During the conversation some of 
 those assembled escaped by a back-door. 
 
 When the margrave arrived on horse-back, he entered -Acts vui. 3. 
 the house with his men and took the rest prisoners. Actsxiv.22. 
 He conveyed them to the Steyne, where they spent 
 patiently the sorrowful time till the next day, when they 
 were examined on their faith. This the four brethren Matt. x. 32. 
 mentioned above courageously confessed. They were 
 then miserably tortured, and so cruelly handled that they 
 feared death less than the rack, as is related by Christian 
 in a letter to his wife. 
 
 Having spent a month here in great anxiety, they were johnxvi. 2. 
 at last condemned to die. The tidings of their approaching 2 cor. xiii. 
 end filled them with satisfaction and comfort. Chris- 
 tian, however, grieved much on account of his wife and 
 children, whose distress occasioned him, especially during 
 the last night of his life, great sorrow of heart. 
 
 On Saturday the 13th of September, in the early morn- 
 ing, these four friends were fetched, and being bound two 
 and two together, were led to the great market-place 
 before the Stadt-house. Here the soldiers formed a ring. 
 In the middle was a small hut and four stakes, to which 
 the martyrs must be bound. Hans Symons and Matthew wisd. i. 11. 
 went first, then Cornelius and Clmstian, On the way 
 Christian said to the people — " Had we spoken falsehoods 
 we should have escaped this." Matthew said, " Citizens, Johnxvii.17 
 
428 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 that for which we suffer is the truth, and because we live 
 Malt. X. 28. according to the word of God." Hans Symons exhorted 
 his companions not to fear them who can kill the body ; 
 Bom xii 1 ^^t Him who has power to destroy the soul. Thus 
 speaking they came to the place where their sacrifice must 
 be offered. The executioner's assistants first took Chris- 
 tian and entering the hut bound him to the stake, whence 
 he continued to exhort his brethren without, piously to 
 suffer for the truth. They now gave each other the 
 
 1 Cor. XVI. *' " 
 
 ^"- parting kiss of peace. Cornelius was next bound to the 
 
 stake, then Matthew, and Hans last of all. Drums were 
 beaten that their words might not be heard. The execu- 
 tioner then strangled them, and setting fire to the faggots 
 which formed the hut, these four friends came to a blessed 
 
 Matt. X. 22. eiitl, in accordance with the word of God, He that endureth 
 to the end shall he saved. 
 
 Rom. i. 7. 
 Johnxiv.26. 
 
 Gal iii. 2C. 
 
 The first Letter written in prison, hij Christian Langedul to 
 his wife, the llth of August, 1567. 
 
 Grace and peace be with you all from God our heavenly 
 Father, by Christ Jesus, in the power of his Holy Spirit. 
 Amen. 
 
 My chosen and heartily beloved wife, and sister in the 
 Matt.xu. . j^^^,^ through faith, which faith I hope to retain by the 
 mercy of God through all eternity. 
 
 If I could have written before this I would have done 
 so, especially since I have experienced during the short 
 time of my imprisonment great mercy, consolation, and 
 joy, and I pray God that he will grant it to me to the 
 end to the furtherance of my salvation. Yet I have felt 
 great sorrow and shed many tears about you, the children, 
 and grandmother, and all friends. This I still feel, the 
 Lord knows, and shall continue to feel till the time of 
 separation is come. 
 
THE CHURCHES OP CHRIST. 429 
 
 I am astonished at and am not yet able to comprehend 
 the goodness of God; for he is a God of all consolation, 2Cor. i.5. 
 who hath comforted me in all my trials. I hope that he 
 will always afford you comfort according to your need. 
 
 My dear wife, be of good comfort in all the afflictions ^^°^- *'"• 
 that with me you may be called to endure ; for the suffer- Rom. vin. 
 ings of this present time are not xcorthy to be compared 
 icith the glory that shall be revealed in us. We have 
 commenced pilgrimage, and have always reckoned on these 
 costs. You will comfort yourself with the word of God, 
 as I hope you now do, and I have great confidence that I 
 shall have less cause of grief on your account than I have 
 hitherto had, for I know your courage, and I hope the 
 Lord will strengthen us to the end. Pray for us always, i^a. xi. 29. 
 We have need of your prayers. The prayer of the ja,„eg ^_ jg. 
 righteous availeth much. I bear you on my heart, and 
 hope after this life to see you in eternity, where we shall 
 part never more. If I have ever grieved you, forgive me Matt. vi. u 
 for the Lord's sake. I cheerfully forgive whatever has 
 been done injuriously towards me, and I trust the Lord 
 will forgive me all my sins and infirmities. I am over- 
 whelmed with astonishment, and will ever praise the Lord 
 for that which he hath done for me. He is a marvellous ,, .. . 
 
 Matt. XIX. 
 
 and gracious God. This I only now fully realize. 
 
 To-day we were examined before the margrave. Out [347] 
 of six of us four steadfastly confessed the faith. We 
 could not do otherwise. Either soul or body must perish, Matt. x. ^. 
 
 , I' ^ T 1 T 1 Luke xii. 3. 
 
 just as we forsake or deny the -Lord. 
 
 Thus Hans Symons, Cornelius the shoemaker, and 
 Matthew, made their confession. And I also, though un- 
 worthy, confessed the Lord, and hope to persevere in it 
 to the end to his glory. Yet I must declare that it was Eph. i. 19. 
 not by mine own strength or merit ; but by God's mercy 2 cor. -an. 
 and grace ; for through weakness are we made strong. 
 Be ye comforted in the Loi'd, and do your best for the Epu. vi. 4. 
 
430 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 children of whom I dare not think, so much am I grieved 
 on their account. 
 
 When the margrave questioned me to-day concerning 
 
 my faith, it was entirely on the subject of baptism. I 
 
 Eph. iv. 5. opposed him as long as I could, saying, that I held but 
 
 one baptism agreeably to the gospel, and to Christ's own 
 
 Matt.xxviii. t t-» i i t ci 
 
 ly. precept and command. J3ut he constantly urged ; " oay, 
 
 yes or no, eitlier that you are satisfied with the baptism 
 of children, or have received another." I snid that I 
 knew nothing of infant baptism. But that was not 
 enough ; I was obliged to confess that I had received 
 another. Thus I confessed it, and have not since regretted 
 
 John xviii. it, and trust I never shall regret it, since it is the veritable 
 truth. 
 
 I must now conclude, for my paper is exhausted. Greet 
 heartily for me all my friends in the Lord, my other 
 friends also according to the flesh ; but especially greet 
 dear mother, and comfort her the best that you can. My 
 distress is very great on her account, and on that of the 
 children. I think often of my sweet P., but rejoice that 
 he is not much in my mind. Do the best you can in 
 
 1 Thess. V. every thing. I salute you with the holy kiss of peace. 
 
 2G. 
 
 Matt. xxiy. I hopc the Lord will shorten my days, because he loves 
 me. I still hope to write to L. E., if I can get time. 
 Greet her for me. I commend you to the Lord. 
 
 Gritten by your poor husband. Christian Langedul, a 
 prisoner for the testimony of the Lord. 
 
 The second Letter of Christian Langedul, in which he 
 relates hoio cruelly he ivas tortured, and his sufferings of 
 body, together with his hope and confidence in the Lord. 
 
 My dear wife. Yesterday, about three o'clock, I wrote 
 you a letter, which I now send yon. I could not then 
 
THE CHTJECHES OF CHRIST. 431 
 
 send it, for shortly after the margrave came to torture us. 
 We were all four, one after the other, sorely racked, so 
 that we have at present little inclination to write. But 
 we cannot refrain, we must write you all. 
 
 Cornelius was the first taken ; then Hans Symons, with 
 whom the captain went into the chamber of torture. I 
 thought, we now shall have to suffer exceedingly to do 
 him pleasure. It was next my turn. You may conceive 
 how I felt. As I approached the rack near the gentlemen, 
 I was ordered to strip or to say where I lived. I looked 
 sorrowful as you may suppose. I said, " Will you ask me 
 any more questions besides that ? " They were silent. I 
 then thought, " I know how it must be ; they will not 
 spare me. I therefore undressed, and gave myself up to 
 the gentlemen, fully prepared to die. They now cruelly Rom.xiv. 8. 
 racked me. I think two cords fastened on my thighs and 
 legs broke. They also drenched me with water, pouring 
 it into my mouth and nose. After releasing me they 
 inquired if I would now speak. They entreated me, then 
 menaced me ; but I did not open my mouth. God had 
 shut it. They then said, *'Give him another taste of it.'' 
 This they did, calling out, " Away, away ; stretch him 
 another foot." I thought, " You can but kill me." While 
 thus lying stretched out, drawn by cords on my head and 
 chin, and on my thighs and legs, they said, " Speak, 
 speak." 
 
 They now chatted with one another about the account 
 which J. T. had prepared of my linen, which amounted to 
 six hundred and fifty-five pounds, the sum it would fetch 
 by auction. The margrave said in French, " He knows 
 French well ; " but I was lying in misery. Again I was 
 asked, " Will you not speak ? " I kept my mouth closed. 
 They said, " Say where you live, and where your wife 
 and children are." But I said not a word. "What a 
 dreadful thing ! " said they in French ; but I replied not, 
 
432 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 for the Lord kept the door of my lips. After they had 
 long tried to make me speak, they at last released me. 
 Two of them, the executioner and his servant, then carried 
 me between them from the rack. You can imagine how 
 they had dealt with us and what we must have felt, and 
 still feel. Holding me by my arms they dragged me out 
 of the torture chamber into the porter's room above, 
 where was a good fire of oak wood, and there gave me 
 once or twice some Khenish wine to drink, which brought 
 [348] me a little to myself. After I had warmed myself awhile, 
 they again dragged me into another room, over the porter's 
 room, where they showed some tokens of pity. They 
 offered me more wine, applied cabbage-leaves, and gave 
 me a little of everything you had sent me, which greatly 
 refreshed me. More wine was sent for, and they helped 
 me into bed, but the sheets were so coarse that they hurt 
 my legs and thighs very much. However, the sheets and 
 pillow which you sent soon came with two or three 
 handkerchiefs. They immediately rolled me in the sheets 
 with some cabbage-leaves, which gave me some relief If 
 the sheets had not come I know not how I could have 
 passed the night. As it was I slept well, but am not yet 
 able to stand, for my feet from the tension are still in- 
 
 2 Cor. xii. 9. sensible. But I trust, through God's mercy, all will be 
 well. 
 
 1 Cor X 13 ^"^ ^^^ ^^ J^ig^ity. He did not suffer me to be tempted 
 above that I was able to bear. My confidence in him is 
 
 John xiv. C. 
 
 strong that he will continue to afford me his grace, for I 
 am sure that there is no other way or truth to be found. 
 sTm.iv. 2. Therefore hold it fast, in season and out of season. 
 
 I have received your letter, and thank you kindly that 
 you have remembered me, as you have ahvays done. I 
 wrote you an answer in my first letter, even before I 
 received yours. I have much more to write, but at 
 present cannot do it. Time is fleeting. 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 433 
 
 Matthew was tortured after me. He named his own 
 house and the street where we live. He also said that we 
 lived in a gateway, and I think there is no other gateway 
 in the street but ours. You had better therefore imme- 
 diately remove if you have not left, for I think the magis- 
 trates will go there. Let no one go to the house who is 
 in any danger of apprehension. He also mentioned the 
 house of R. T., and the street in which F. V. St. lives. 
 Do immediately the best you can In this matter. He is 
 very sorry that he did so. Cornelius and Hans did not 
 disclose anything. I have yet much to say, but the time 
 is short. I hope to write again to-day if it please God. 
 I should like it very well if H. T. would come out. I coi. iv. is. 
 greet you all heartily. It was well that J. T. went away 
 yesterday, for the margrave came in soon after. But I 
 cannot write any more ; the day of my departure will Acts xx. 22. 
 shortly come. 
 
 I commend you to the Lord and to the word of his Eph. vi. is. 
 grace. Pray fervently for us. He who asketh shall Matt. vii. 7. 
 receive. Of you and the children I dare scarcely think ; 
 it grieves me much to part with you. Let our friends be 
 content, for T am well satisfied, though I am sorely grieved 
 on your account. It is the Lord's will. 
 
 From your -poor husband, Christian Langedul, in prison 
 at Antwerp on the Steyne, the 12th of Aug, 1567. 
 
 I am not much recovered from the torture as you may 
 suppose ; but I hope all will be well, and that you will 
 not fret too much about it. If J. T. could bring ray 
 account-book with him, I should be glad. I would either 
 show him everything, or write it. Let him bring some- 
 thins; to seal our letters. 
 
 VOL. II. F F 
 
434 A MAETYROLOGY OF 
 
 Another Letter from Christian Langedul, in scinch he relates 
 the state of his mind, his nothingness, and (he regard he 
 has for his son-in-laio, J. T. ; also his fear ofieing again 
 tortured. 
 
 .3 Grace, mercy, and joy in the Holy Ghost, from God 
 our heavenly Father, by Christ Jesus, be with you my 
 2 Tim. iy. 8. bcloved wifo in the Lord, with all those who love his 
 appearing. 
 
 My very dear wife. — I hope it is already known to you 
 how I am by the two letters which I wrote you yesterday. 
 I trust you have received them, for I wrote therein all my 
 Acts XV. 11. mind. I am still steadfast in the Lord. May he be 
 praised to all eternity for the grace which he has given to 
 1 Tim i 15 ^^®> ^ poor and unprofitable sinner. I deem myself un- 
 worthy of the honour to which the Lord hath called me. 
 It Cometh not of myself, nor of my own power. I there- 
 coi. i. 23. fore hope in his mercy to remain steadfast to the end in 
 Matt. X. 22. that truth and faith once delivered to the saints. For I 
 am perfectly persuaded and am very sure, and have been 
 so during the whole term of my pilgrimage, now about 
 twelve years, which is indeed but a short time, that no 
 jj,j , 9 other way will ever be discovered. la this I hope to re- 
 main ; not in my own strength, but only by the grace and 
 power of God. By God's mercy I hope to give all those 
 whom during life I may have grieved, cause of rejoicing 
 in my death, and trust that all whom T have at any time 
 Matt. vi. 13. wronged will forgive me, for I have ever been ready to 
 Eph. iv. 32. forgive those who have trespassed against me. I hope 
 that both God and men will forgive me. 
 
 I am greatly concerned about J. T., for I know his 
 
 [349] kindness. I will, however, pass this by, and wish him. 
 
 Gal. V. 6. as I have often done, to possess true faith. This the 
 
 John vi. 65. Lord ouly can give; but he must pray for and sincerely 
 
 Matt. vii. 7. desire it. Cheerfully, if it were possible, would I die a 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 435 
 
 second time for him and for all friends, that they might be John xv. 13 
 saved. Much have you already done, J. T., for my poor 
 wife (your mother) and my children, and will, I hope 
 do yet more. Your mother is a woman that fears God 
 with all her heart ; converse with her, she will seek no- 
 thing but the salvation of you both. But I will say no Rev. xiv. 7. 
 more on this matter at present, for the time will soon 
 come to send this letter. I told you yesterday that I 
 hoped to write you to-day ; but I could not do it. 
 Matthew and I lay in bed till two o'clock. We were Acts iv. 21. 
 afraid that the margrave would come to torture Cornelius 
 once more, and we also feared that we should again be 
 tortured. We trembled much at the prospect, for the 
 pain is frightful ; we do not fear death near so much. Matt. xxvu. 
 Cornelius was so racked and scourged the second time that 
 it required three men to carry him upstairs, who say that Acts xvi. 22. 
 he could scarcely move a limb, only his tongue. He sent 
 to us to say that if they come to him again he thinks that johnxiii.ie. 
 he must sink under it. As the margrave did not come 
 yesterday, Ave expect him here to-day. The Lord help 
 us ! for the pain is excruciating. 
 
 I received yesterday a small basket of eatables from 
 J. T,, and a nightcap which I lent to Matthew. I should 
 like to have, as opportunity offers, another night-cap, also 
 a comb, and a Testament, or something else to read, or a 
 hymn-book to refresh ourselves with the word of God. 
 One of the turnkeys will convey it to us ; his name is 
 Peter. I send you enclosed a memorandum and the 
 account of W. D, B. I was told yesterday that J. T. 
 and P. Y. D. endeavoured to see us, but were prevented 
 because the margrave had said he would come. He did 
 not however come, on account of a great banquet at 
 Mansfield, at which he was present. 
 
 We are told as I write that the margrave will hold 
 to-day a court for judgment ; I hope it is on our account. 
 
 F F 2 
 
436 A MAETYROLOGY OF 
 
 Acts xii. 5. Pray for us. I hope that God will strengthen us by his 
 isa. xi. 29. power, which is above them all. Oh ! that we might be 
 
 thus speedily released ; but I fear the contrary. 
 cts XX. 32. I commend you to the Lord and to the word of his 
 grace. Adhere always to the truth ; this confidence I 
 have in you. I greet you and all the godly heartily in 
 the Lord. Peace be with you. Matthew also greets you. 
 As opportunity occurs greet all our friends, and especially 
 grandmother. Matthew bids me say, if he has grieved 
 you by not keeping a better watch on his lips, that he is 
 sorry from the bottom of his heart. 
 Col. iv 17. Written in bonds at Antwerp, this 13th August, 
 2 Cor. xii, 10. 1567, by me, your poor husband. Christian Langedul. 
 Eph. vi. 18. Do the best you can ; be of good cheer and pray for us. 
 
 Farewell Letter of Christian Langedul to Maeyken Raedt, 
 ^ ^ ■■' Ids toife, ivritten after he was condemned to death. 
 
 Rom. i. 7. Grace and peace from our heavenly Father, by Christ 
 
 ReT 1. 9. Jesus, be with you, my dearly beloved wife and sister in 
 
 the Lord. May the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, comfort 
 
 Johiixiv.26 you in your distress, which he will surely do according to 
 
 John xvi.23. i . i 
 
 his word. 
 
 I hope, my dear wife, that as all things minister to the 
 salvation of Christians, whether tribulation or sorrow, so 
 
 Heb. xii. 11. this trial will redound to your as well as to my salvation, 
 although according to the apostle's teaching no chastening 
 for the present seemeth joyous, but grievous. Yet, my 
 beloved one, it shall afterwards yield the peaceable fruit 
 of righteousness to those who by good works seek ever- 
 lasting life ; as we in our weakness have done in all 
 sincerity. Nevertheless, by God's grace I hope to inherit 
 salvation, and am of good courage, and will to all eternity 
 
 Rom.v. 5. praise the Lord for his love. Oh Lord! now must the 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 437 
 
 wine-press be trodden. I am ready, the Lord be praised. 2 cor. i. 3. 
 He who hath comforted us in all our tribulation is the 
 God of all consolation. Oh 1 that I could praise the Lord 
 as I desire, for the comfort and the strength he has afforded 
 poor unworthy me. 
 
 Therefore, my dear, comfort yourself in the Lord and 1 cor. xm. 
 in his word, in which you shall find great consolation and Jer. xv. le. 
 refreshment. May the Holy Spirit dwell in you in all John xvi. 13. 
 wisdom, of which I am assured, for the Spirit of God is 
 in you and will lead you into all righteousness and truth, 
 
 I received your letter at noon to-day, and thank you 
 for it. J. was with me. We could scarcely speak with 
 each other. I felt rather sad after he left me, for the 
 jailor drove us away, saying that the margrave was 
 coming. I half thought it was not so, as it proved, for 
 he came not. I much desired to have a longer interview 
 with him; may the Lord grant it. Tell J. T. and his Johnviii.32. 
 wife that I heartily desire their salvation, and wish all 
 men to know the truth. If in weakness I have promised 
 them, I hope to-day by divine grace in power to show it. 
 J. told me that you were writing to me another letter. 
 My dear, I fear you are too much concerned about me ; 
 be patient, the end will soon come. 
 
 I commend you to the Lord and to the rich word of Acts xx 32. 
 his grace. Greet all my friends with the peace of the 
 Lord, R. Langedul, also your sister, as opportunity may 
 arise. Greet cordially all friends, and bid them farewell 
 from me. Adieu, my dearest love. Adieu. 
 
 Written by your husband and poor brother in the Matt. xii. 
 Lord, Christian Langedul, this 12th September, 1567, a 
 prisoner condemned to death for the testimony of Christ Acts xii. 4. 
 and a good conscience. We all four heartily greet you ^g"'j g 
 in the Lord. The Lord hath filled us with comfort and 1 cor. i. 4. 
 courage, as Kalleken who has been with us will have told 
 
438 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 you. Thank R. for his kind letter which greatly refreshed 
 P3. ciii. 1. me, the Lord be praised.' 
 
 [358.] On the 8th of November James Mesdag was burnt at 
 Courtrai, in Flanders, after an imprisonment of more 
 than twenty months, in the public square opposite the 
 court-house. During the chief part of the time his feet 
 were confined in the stocks. His native place was Chapel 
 le Poele, near Ypi-es. Three other persons were martyred 
 with him, a young lad named Aertz, and two men of 
 Courtrai, named Joos Kasteel and Charles. They died 
 cheerfully confessing their faith and their attachment to 
 the trutL 
 
 t366] ADEIAN WILLEMS.— 1568. 
 
 In the year 1568 tyranny and persecution raged greatly 
 against Christians, so that very many were imprisoned 
 and put to death. On the 4th of April, in the morning, 
 between one and two o'clock, Adrian Willems, my father, 
 was apprehended by Steven de Wit, bailiff of Vianen, 
 and brought to the prison at Battestein, where he was 
 kept in confinement fifty weeks and one day. 
 
 On the 8th of May, 1568, the bailiff, with some mem- 
 bers of the court came from Vianen to interrogate him 
 concerning his faith, which he unhesitatingly confessed. 
 On their asking him who were his associates he refused to 
 tell them. The bailiff therefore threatened him with the 
 rack. On the 5th of June the executioner was brought 
 
 ' [A letter dated September lOth, priest rested hia argument on the 
 
 ■was addressed by Langedul to his traditions of the fathers. Simons 
 
 brother, in which he exhorts him to and Cornelius also wrote afiec- 
 
 steadfastness in his pUgrimage, and tiouate epistles to their wives and 
 
 briefly relates the purport of a con- fellow Christians. Van Braght, il. 
 
 versationof two hours he had had fol. 349, 351, 356.] 
 ■with a priest on infant baptism. The 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHBIST. 439 
 
 for that purpose. His bands were bound behind his back, 
 and he was then made to climb a ladder, the executioner 
 threatening to dislocate all his limbs, or that he would 
 know who were his companions in the faith. Finding 
 threats of no avail, he was permitted to descend without 
 suffering any torture. 
 
 The bailiff next sent a monk to him to rob him of his 
 faith. After much discussion and many words the monk 
 left him without effecting any thing. At various times 
 other monks and priests attempted to lead him astray, but 
 with no better results. 
 
 On account of the anxieties attending the persecution, 
 and the tyranny which was at that time exercised, I con- 
 cealed the account of his discussions with the monks, and 
 other letters written by him from prison, behind my bed, 
 in the roof. It came to pass, however, that in the year of 
 our Lord, 1571, in the month of February, the waters of 
 the dyke rose so high as to wash away many houses and 
 throw down walls, destroying the letters and papers, to 
 my very great sorrow. Thus our children have been 
 deprived of the advantage of seeing and reading for them- 
 selves the piety and courage of their grandfather, when 
 called, for the gospel's sake, to suffer and die, and with 
 what joy he received the visits of his friends in prison, 
 whither, with great peril, I have myself gone. 
 
 On the 29th day of June of the aforesaid year, 1568, 
 the above mentioned bailiff announced that he would have 
 a court day on the next day, the 30th of the month. 
 He then presented his accusation and demanded that he 
 should be burnt at the stake, and his goods confiscated to 
 the king. Many court days were, however, held, in which 
 various documents were presented on both sides, the 
 bailiff persisting in his demand for sentence to be passed. 
 The justices first required the payment of thirty-two 
 guilders, which sum having received, they withdrew into 
 
440 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 the chief court, whence returning, they brought with them 
 the sentence of death. 
 
 A little while after this, on the 21st of March, 1569, it 
 was announced that he should receive the next day 
 the sentence of death. As he well knew that his life 
 would not be spared, but that he would be condemned to 
 die, he resolved on preparing a last and a farewell letter 
 to his wife and children. He had just begun to write 
 when a monk came to him in order to annoy him, and to 
 endeavour to unsettle his faith. This he resisted, and in 
 the evening left him that he might retire to rest. The 
 next day, at four o'clock in the morning, the monk came 
 again to pester him as much as he could. About eight 
 o'clock he was fetched from the chamber in which during- 
 the whole time of his incarceration he had been confined, 
 [367] and loaded with fetters. They were accustomed to unlock 
 them only at night, when he was about to retire to rest, 
 and in the morning in order that he might get up. He 
 was then led into the kitchen, where a table was spread 
 with food, of which he partook. He received gratefully 
 the drink offered to him by Stephen de Wit, to remove 
 from his mind all suspicion of unkindness towards him, 
 although he had delivered him to death. The monk made 
 every effort he could to draw him aside, but could not 
 succeed. 
 
 Thence they conducted him to the Stadthouse, his 
 hands bound, and the monk by his side, to receive the 
 sentence of death. The executioner and two officers, all 
 well armed, also accompanied him, walking both before 
 and behind him, leading him as a harmless sheep to the 
 slaughter. Arriving at the Stadthouse the court was 
 opened, and the bailiff again demanded that sentence 
 should be passed. The justices now asked, " Adrian WiL- 
 lems, is there any thing you desire to say ? " He answered, 
 " I have nothing to say, except that I wish you to remem- 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST. 441 
 
 ber that you must also appear before the judgment seat of 
 Christ, who will pass just judgment upon the evil and the 
 good, on the living and the dead." They then rose up. 
 On their return from the council-chamber they pro- 
 nounced sentence, that Adrian Willems should be exe- 
 cuted with the sword, and his body placed in a coffin and 
 buried under the gallows. Dejected and sorrowful, they 
 again rose and broke up the court, leaving him in the 
 hands of cruel men, who stripped him, and, with his eyes 
 bound, led him away from the Stadthouse, hastening to 
 execute the sentence the justices had just passed upon 
 him. The deed was done. 
 
 Thus the aforesaid Adrian Willems cheerfully resigned 
 himself to death, preferring his faith to the temporary 
 enjoyment of life with apostacy, and commending his soul 
 into the hands of God, the faithful Creator ; and by his 
 departure from this life he gave his testimony to the 
 gospel, and sealed his unfeigned faith with his blood. 
 Amen. 
 
 JAN POETIEE.— 1568. 
 
 In the same year a brother, named Jan Portier, born at 
 Rouen, in Flanders, a fuller by trade, who had also lived 
 as a porter with the lady Van Meessen, was apprehended Luke xii. 3. 
 at Meesen. Having confessed his faith he was grievously 
 tortured, the first time with the iron screw, the next by 
 suspension from his thumbs with heavy iron weights hang- 
 ing from his feet, being at the same time cruelly scourged. 
 He was, however, spared the torture of the rack. As all 
 these torments failed to divert him from the fiuth, he was 
 at last adjudged to death by fire. For the testimony ofiiav. vi. s. 
 Jesus Christ he was therefore committed to the flames, 
 but so small was the fire that the smoke suffocated him. 
 This took place at Meessen, in November, 1568. 
 
442 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 JOHN OF PAEIS, PETEE OE CLEYES, HENDEIK 
 MAELSCHALK, AND LAURENCE PETEES— 1568. 
 
 The above-named persons were not members of the 
 church, but were applicants for membership. In the year 
 1568, they were apprehended at Ghent, in Flanders, 
 whither they had gone to hear the preaching of God's 
 word. They were conducted to the Gravenstein. After 
 they had freely confessed their faith, adhering to it with 
 great steadfastness, they were condemned, in Passion 
 week, to be strangled and burnt. At the time of their 
 arriving at the scaffold there were in Ghent nineteen 
 companies of Spanish troops. The Spanish captains, see - 
 ing the executioner about to strangle them, urged him to 
 employ other means. The executioner then consulted 
 with the field officer. He ordered them to be burnt alive, 
 contrary to the sentence passed upon them. While the 
 executioner fetched some chains the captains grossly abused 
 and beat the brethren. Hearing that they were to be 
 
 Matt, vi 0. burnt alive, the brethren sung together the hymn. Father of 
 
 heaven, on thee I call. So unmercifully were they beaten by 
 
 the Spaniards that the eye of one of them was knocked out 
 
 and lay on his cheek. They were then burnt alive, the 
 
 [368] Spaniards shouting and throAving sticks into the fire, par- 
 
 john xTi. 2. ticipating in the madness of those who thought thereby to 
 do God service. 
 
 Hendrik Maelschalh. wrote a letter from Ms prison, in Ghent, 
 on the \6fh January, 1568, as follows: — 
 
 Abounding grace, joy, peace, mercy, and an eternal 
 salvation be multiplied unto you from God our heavenly 
 Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for 
 our sins that he might redeem us from this present evil 
 world, according to the will of God our Father, to whom 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHTIIST. 443 
 
 be praise and honour, power and blessing, for ever and 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 After our salutations we wish you, Goelken, our dear 
 friend in tlie Lord, to know, and all our dear friends who 
 fear God, that we four prisoners at Ghent, for the testi- Matt. x. 28. 
 mony of our Lord Jesus Christ, are well according to the 
 flesh, and continually praise him in the spirit for his Rev. xix. lo. 
 strengthening grace. For we are fully resolved, through 
 his grace, to remain steadfast in the Lord, and not to 
 forsake him in life or in death. Blessed be God, who Heb. x. 30. 
 strengthens us by his grace, for we are poor and miserable. 
 By the help of God have we continued to this day, and 
 hope, by the same helper, to persevere unto the end ; for 
 since he has been tempted he is also able to save them that Heb. n. is. 
 are tempted. For he has said, / will never leave thee, nor Heb. xiii. 5. 
 forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, with the apostle. 
 The Lord is my helper. 
 
 Now, heartily beloved brethren, if God is with us who ^°^ ^''■• 
 can be against us ? For all men are the work of his 
 hands. He hath power to create and to destroy as it shall 
 please him. Why, then, should we be afraid of mortal isa. xiv. 7. 
 men ? Much more should we fear God. He alone can 
 save or condemn. Even if we escape the hands of men, 
 we cannot escape His power. We will therefore say with 
 Susanna, " It is better to fall into the hands of men than sus. v. 23. ; 
 to sin against God." 
 
 We hope, therefore, by no means to forsake the Lord; but 
 to press towards the land of promise, which abounds with 
 every blessing. The Lord will confirm and strengthen all 
 who fear him, and prepare them by his grace and com- 
 passion for its enjoyment. 
 
 I, Hendrik, have written to you all, dear friends, to 
 communicate somewhat of the state of our minds. It 
 is my earnest prayer for you all that you will firmly abide 
 in the fear of the Lord ; for they who fear the Lord must 
 
444 A MARTYllOLOGY OP 
 
 do that which is right in his sight, and they who love 
 him must diligently do his pleasure, and humble them- 
 
 wisd. xi. 1. selves before him. " Fear God," says the prophet, 
 " depart not from him ; then shall ye enter into ever- 
 lasting happiness and joy." They who fear the Lord 
 it shall be well with them in their extremity, and in 
 the day of death they shall be blessed. Therefore, dear 
 friends, let us always fear the Lord with all our heart and 
 mind ; let us be obedient unto him and keep his word, 
 
 Luke xi. 25. for hlcssed are they that hear the word of God and keep 
 
 John XV. 10. it, who also love him, and keep his commandments. 
 Whosoever loves him is known of him. But he who 
 
 1 John ii. 4. says, / knoiv him and keepetlt not his commandments, is a 
 
 1 John iv. liar ; in him the love of God is not perfected. Therefore, 
 
 18, 19. _ _ -^ 
 
 2 Cor. viii 9. H^y dcar friends, let us love him, because he first loved 
 
 us, even as Paul testifies, that though he tvas rich, yet 
 for our sakes he became poor that loe through his poverty 
 
 2 Cor. V. 21. might he rich. Yea, he hath made him to he sin for us, 
 who knew no sin; that we might be might be made the 
 righteousness of God in him. Seeing then that we know 
 that the Lord hath loved us, and hath poured out upon us 
 the abundant riches of his grace, let us take heed that we 
 
 \uh. iii. 14. receive not the grace of God in vain; for toe are made 
 partakers of Christ if ice hold the beginning of our confidence 
 steadfast unto the end. 
 
 Col. ii. 6. Therefore, dear friends, as ye have received Christ Jesus 
 the Lord, so loalk ye in him : rooted and built up in him, 
 and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, saith the 
 
 1 Pet. V. 12. apostle, well knowing that it is the true grace of God 
 
 wherein ye stand. Therefore, be diligent to make your 
 
 2 Pet. i. 10. calling and election sure, for says Peter, if ye do this ye 
 
 shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto 
 
 you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and 
 
 Heb. X. 23, Saviour Jesus Christ. Let us holdfast the profession of our 
 
 faith, without wavering. Let us always anxiously watch, 
 
THE CHURCHES OF CHUIST. 445 
 
 looking for the Lord, as good and faithful servants, that LuUe xii. 35. 
 he may not come and find us unprepared. May we be 4^*"" '"'''■ 
 always ready, like the five wise virgins, whose lamps were 
 furnished with oil, and who went in to the marriage feast. 
 The five foolish virgins were obliged to remain without. [369.] 
 Let us not be like the foolish but like the wise virgins. 
 We commend you to God, and to the consoling word of Acts. xx. 33. 
 his grace, which will confirm and strengthen you, and us 
 also, in all truth and righteousness. 
 
 Further, my dearly beloved Goelken, and all other dear 
 friends who may read this letter, be pitiful to my weak- 
 ness. I feel myself indeed to be unworthy of thus ex- 
 horting you, for I well know you are taught of God. John ix. 4.5. 
 But I have done this from love to you, because I heard 
 that you wished to hear from us. Receive it therefore 
 kindly. Further, if you desire to know somewhat con- 
 cerning our imprisonment, whether the end of it is at 
 hand, we can only say that we have heard very little about 
 it. We expected to have presented our sacrifice before Bom. xii.i. 
 Christmas, for we heard it spoken of as being soon ; but 
 we are always ready for it by the grace of God. Cor- Acts xii. 5. 
 dially, beloved friends, pray for us that Ave may endure to Matt. x. ^2. 
 the end, and present to the Lord an acceptable sacrifice. 
 In our weakness we hope to set you an example. We 
 send you three new hymns as an affectionate greeting ; 
 though they are simple, yet accept them kindly. Love 1 cor. xvi. 
 has prompted them. Farewell, till we meet in eternity. 
 Amen. 
 
 Greet very heartily for us, your husband, and Grietgen 
 your sister, and Bet. and Cor. Vesw., Anna van L. and 
 Susanna. We salute all who fear the Lord. 
 
 Written by me Hendrik Maelschalk, imprisoned at 
 Ghent for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, the 
 26th January, 1568. 
 
 Dear friends, the Lord hath truly said that he will come 
 
446 A MARTYROLOGY OF 
 
 as a thief in the night, for yesterday I finished and sealed 
 this letter, thinking to send it to you. But the next 
 morning it came to pass, what we little expected when we 
 finished our letter, that we were again examined, all four 
 Tiiess.v.s. of us. Therefore I say that the Lord said truly that he 
 will come as a thief in the night. We were all four heard, 
 one after the other, in presence of two commissaries. They 
 asked many stupid questions, which it were too long to 
 relate here. They did not interrogate us concerning our 
 faith, except that they inquired whether we had been 
 baptized or re-baptized. John of Paris said, that he had 
 been baptized. Laurence said that he had not been bap- 
 tized according to the scriptures. Peter said, that he was 
 not baptized at all. I said, that we were not anabaptists, 
 and that I was not baptized. They asked Peter, Would 
 he be baptized if he were set at liberty ? He said, " Yes, 
 truly, if I were found fit." Again they inquired. Would 
 he renounce his present opinions ? He replied, " I do not 
 regard this as an opinion, but as the true faith." They 
 then asked me. Whether I would abandon my faith or 
 opinions ? I replied, that I had renounced falsehood and 
 had embraced the truth. If, therefore, I should recant, 
 I must recant the truth, in which I hoped by God's 
 mercy to remain. But it were too long to write all their 
 questions. To John of Paris they said that we should 
 soon be despatched ; but that we must have patience yet 
 nine or ten days more. They would also send, they said, 
 some persons to instruct us, to whom we might listen 
 if we pleased. We are therefore expecting some priests; 
 but we hope to be on our guard, for we know well what 
 they want. 
 
 Thus, dear friends, we are all of good cheer, to God be 
 everlasting praise and thanksgiving ! We trust to hold 
 fast the faith, whether in life or in death, through the 
 mercy of the Lord. We do not expect to remain in con- 
 
THE CHURCHES OP CHEIST. 447 
 
 finement much longer ; for it appears that we are already 
 given over into the hands of the Council ; that they have 
 received orders from the Duke of Alva to despatch us 
 quickly, so that neither the bailiff nor the justices have 
 anything more to do with us. We therefore bid you all 
 farewell, dear friends, and entreat you to be always dili- 
 gent. We hope to go forward in the strength of the Lord, 
 and that he will prepare us for the end through his grace 
 and mercy. Amen. January 27, 1568. 
 
 Written by Hendrik Maelschalk. ^ 
 
 Fear not them lohich kill the body; but fear lam which Matt. x. 28. 
 is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 
 
 KAEEL DE EAET, AND HIS WIFE GEIETGEN, 
 HANS SCHAAK, WILLIAM THE TAILOE, AND 
 CHEISTINA HIS WIFE.— anko 1568. 
 
 On the 5th of May, 1568, some brethren were assembled 
 to hear the preaching of the word of God at Tilleghem, ^att. 
 near Bruges, in Flanders. They Avere assaulted by a 
 number of persons who had come out to fetch may-poles, 
 and five were apprehended ; namely, Karel de Raet, a ^^q, 
 shepherd, born at Wingen ; Hans Schaak, a rope-maker, 
 from the Schaak at Courtrai ; with William the tailor, from 
 Hondschote ; and two others whose names are unworthy 
 of record here because they did not remain steadfast in the 
 truth. The wives of Karel and William Avere not appre- 
 hended at the same time with their husbands. Karel's 
 wife was not united to the church, although she stood as a 
 candidate. In the meantime it so happened, while these 
 men were prisoners, that Martin Lem, a burgomaster of 
 Bruges, went out Avith the Avatchmen about midnight, and 
 
 ^ [In Een Liedtboecken, fol. 13, where this martyr is commemoratsd, 
 he is called Henrick Maesschap.] 
 
448 A MARTYKOLOGY OF 
 
 first apprehended Christina, the wife of William the tailor. 
 As one of the watchmen was conducting Martin Lem away 
 from the house where he thought Grietgen, Karel's wife, 
 might be found, passing along the fortification, between the 
 Esel port and the Jerusalem church,' they unexpectedly 
 met her with two of her children. " See," said Martin Lem, 
 " God hath delivered this harlot into our hands," and in- 
 quired of her, " Where are you going ?" she. answered in 
 her fright, "To church." He immediately replied : " This 
 Is not the time to go to church ; where is your husband ?" 
 she answered, "You know that well." He asked, "Have 
 the two children been baptized ?'' she said, " No." " Have 
 they then no name," he Inquired ? She replied, " Yes." 
 " How Is that ?" said he ; " how can they have names 
 before they ai-e baptized?" She answered: "You give 
 Gen. i. 27. puppics and other animals names, why. not to our children 
 John ix. 39. '"''lo are created after the Image of God ? I wist not that 
 the lords of Bruges were so blind." " Say you so," I'eturned 
 2 Tim. iv. 8. Martin Lem, " you shall be burnt." " That I know," said 
 James i. 12. shc ; " but thcrc is laid up for me a crown of life." Thus 
 were these two women also led away to prison. 
 
 Much sorrow, suffering, and agony befel them all in 
 
 order to induce them to renounce their faith, but all in 
 
 vain. The men were first sentenced to be burnt on the 
 
 Rom xii \ hillock outside Bruges. There they cheerfully presented 
 
 their sacrifice to the Lord. A few days after the two 
 
 Matt.xxiv. women, also remaining steadfast in their attachment to 
 
 John xvii. ^0^ ^^^ ^^'^ truth, were sentenced, and burnt In the 
 
 Grand Place,"" Avithin the city, waiting the advent of Him 
 
 2 Thcss. 1. 6. ' ./ ' a 
 
 17 
 
 Thcss. i. 6. 
 
 who shall aveno;e all their sufferings. 
 
 Rev. vi. 10. 
 
 • [So called on account of a copy ■" [Before the Craenenburg pro- 
 
 of tlie Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem bably, the prLson of the emperor 
 which it contains.] Maximilian in 1488.] 
 
THE CHUKCHES OP CHRIST. 449 
 
 JACOB DIEKS AND HIS TWO SONS, ANDEEW 
 JACOBS AND JAN JACOBS.— 1568. 
 
 During this sanguinary and fearful time of persecution, 
 the pious Jacob Dirks and his two sous fell into the 
 hands of the tyrants. This Jacob Dix-ks, a tailor by 
 trade, dwelt with his family at Utrecht; but it being 
 discovered that he was a member of the Mennonite com-» 
 munity, the magistrates wished to arrest him. Fearing 
 their tyranny he fled to Antwerp. His wife not having 
 the same views, remained behind for some time, but the 
 constables seized her goods and kept possession of about 
 one half. While Jacob Dirks and his family resided in 
 Antwerp his wife died at Utrecht ; but he and his two 
 sons, though they had escaped the hands of the tyrants at 
 Utrecht, fell afterwards into the clutches of the wolves 
 at Antwerp, in order that their faith, being much more ^ ^^^- ' 7- 
 precious than gold that pcrisheth, might be tried by 
 fire. They were therefore condemned and burnt at the 
 stake, not for any crime tLat they had perpetrated, but 
 solely for having lived according to the truth of God. 
 On their way to death they were met by Jacob Dirks' 
 youngest son, Peter Jacobs. In the excess of his sor- 
 row he threw himself on his father's neck, but the 
 executioner treated him most cruelly, and threw him 
 down to be trampled upon by the crowd following them. 
 
 It may readily be imagined what a distressing sight this ^^-^ 
 was to the fiither and the brothers. The father and his 
 two sons being placed at the stake, he said to them : 
 " How is it with you, my dear sons ?" They answered : 
 " Dear father, all is well." Andrew Jacobs was at the time 
 a bridegroom ; his bride and sister beheld the sacrifice 
 afar off with weeping eyes and breaking hearts. They saw 
 how the bridegroom and brother, forsaking all earthly ties 
 
 VOL. II. Q Q 
 
450 A MARTYROLOGY 
 
 and affection, had chosen above all for his portion the 
 heavenly bridegroom, Christ Jesus, 
 
 On the 17th March, 1568, these pious men were each 
 strangled, then tied to a stake and burnt, testifying to the 
 truth by their blood. For their arduous trial they shall 
 hear the sweet and gentle accents of the Saviour's voice 
 Matt. XXV. saying to them : " Well done, good and faithful servants, 
 ye have been faithful over a few things, I will make you 
 rulers over many things ; enter ye into the joy of your 
 Lord." Again shall the king say. Come, ye Messed of my 
 Fatlier, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the 
 beginning of the world. 
 
 This narrative is taken from certain hymns which were 
 composed by witnesses of the martyrdom. 
 
INDEX I. 
 
 BOOKS AND EDITIONS. 
 
 [The following works, many of them very rare, have been consulted, and 
 are referred to in the conrse of the vcork.] 
 
 Arnold, G. — Gottfrid Arnold's Unpar- 
 tevische Kirchen uiid Ketzer-Historie. 
 
 4 Vols. Frankfort, 1699— 17uO. 
 Beza, Theod. — Theodori Bezre Vezelii 
 
 volumen piimum Tractationum Theo- 
 logicarum. Geneva, 1582. 
 
 Brandt, Ger.— The History of the Re- 
 formation and other Ecclesiastical 
 Transactions, in and about the Low 
 Countries, &c. Translated from the 
 Low Dutch. London, 1 7"20. 
 
 Bullinger,H. — Reformations — geschichte 
 nach dem Autographon herausgegeben 
 von J. J. Hottinger und H. H. Vogeli. 
 3 vols. Frauenfeld, 1838—40. 
 
 Bullinger, H. — Vanden Oorspronck der 
 Wederdoopers sesboecken. Delft, 1580. 
 
 Catrou, P. — Histoire des Anabaptistes 
 contenant leur Doctrine, &c. Amster- 
 dam, 1700. 
 
 Cochlfeus, Joannes. ■ — Coinmentaria de 
 Actis et Scriptis Martini Lutheri 
 Saxonis chronographice ex ordine ab 
 anno domini, 1517, usque ad annum, 
 L')4G. Edit. 1549. 
 
 Cramer, A. M. — Het Leven en de Ver- 
 rigtingen van Menno Simons. Am- 
 sterdam, 1837. 
 
 Crispin. — Acta et monumenta Martyrum, 
 &c. Edit. 1560. 
 
 Cronickel, oder Denckbuechel darinen mit 
 kurtzem Begriffen was sich vom 1524 
 Jar, bis auffgegenwartige Zeit in der 
 gemain zugetragen und wie vil treuer 
 Zeugen Jesu Christi die Warheit 
 Gottes so Riterlieh mit irem Bluet 
 bezeugt. [Manuscript. The editor's 
 copy of this valuable MS. was taken 
 from the original in the library of the 
 City of Hamburg.] 
 
 D'Au'bigne, J. H. Merle. — History of the 
 Reformation of the Sixteenth Century. 
 
 5 vols. Edinburgh, 1846 — 1853. 
 Dollinger, J. — Die Reformation, ihre in- 
 
 nere Entwicklung imd ihre Wirkungen. 
 3 vols. Regensburg, 1846—1848. 
 Een Liedtboecken. — Trackteerende van 
 het Oifer des Heeren. Harlingen. 1599. 
 
 I Emmius, Ubbo. — Rerum Fiisicarum His- 
 I toria. Lugduni Batavorum. 1610. 
 I E. M. P. (Ernest Martin P;arre)— Epi- 
 I diigma sive Specimen Historise Ana- 
 baptisticse. Anno 1701. 
 Erbkam, H. W. — Geschichte der Protest- 
 antischen Secten im Zeitalter der Re- 
 I formation. Hamburg, 1848. 
 I Erasmus, D. — Epistolarum D. Erasmi 
 Roteroiiami, Libri xxxi., et P. Melanc- 
 thonis, Libri iv., &c. Londini, 1642. 
 Faber, Joannes. — Ad versus Doctorem 
 Balthasrirum Pacimontanum Anabap- 
 tistarum nostri s.Teculi primuni Autho- 
 rem orthodoxpe fideiCatholicaDefensio, 
 Leipsiee, 1528. 
 Fischer, C. A. — Der Hutterischen Wider- 
 tauffer Taubenkobel, in welchem all 
 ihr Wiist, &c. Ingolstadt, 1607. 
 Fischer, C. A. — Vier und funfftzig Er- 
 hebliche Ursachen wariimb die Wider- 
 taufter nicht sein im Land zu ley den. 
 Ingolstadt, 1607. 
 Fox, John. — Acts and Monuments of 
 Matters most Special and Memorable, 
 &c. 2 vols. Edit. 1610. 
 Franck, Sebastian. — Chronica Tytboeck 
 en gheschiet-bibel van aenbegin tot in 
 dit teghenwoordich 1536 Jaer verlengt. 
 edit. 1558. 
 Gastius, J.' — De Anabaptismi Exordio 
 erroribus historiis abominandis confu- 
 tationibus adjectis, libri duo. Basileje, 
 1544. [The running title of this book 
 is De Catabaptistarum Erroribus.] 
 Goebel, Max. — Geschichte des Christ- 
 lichen Lebens in der Rheinisch-West- 
 phalischen evangelischen Kirclie. 3 
 vols. Coblentz, 1849—52. 
 Hast, J. — Geschichte der Wiedertauffer 
 von ihrem Entstehen zu Zwickau in 
 Sachsen, &c. Munster, 1836. 
 Het Beginsel en voortganck der ges- 
 chillen, scheuringen en verdeeltheden 
 onder de gene die Doopsgesinden ge- 
 noemt worden. Door. J, H. V. P. N. 
 Amsterdam, 1658. [Brandt says the 
 au'ihor's name was Karel Van Gent.] 
 
452 
 
 INDEX I. 
 
 Het-OiFer des Heeren, &c. (See pre- 
 face, p. ix.) 
 
 Hortensius, L. — Tumultuum Anabap- 
 tistarum Liber Unus. Amsterdam, 
 1656. 
 
 Hubmeyer, B. — Axiomata quae Baldasar 
 Pacimontanus, Musca, Huldryelii Zuin- 
 glii in Christo Frater, &c. i^roposuit, 
 Tiguri, 1524. 
 
 Loschern, V. E. — Vollstandige Reform- 
 ations acta und Documenta, &c. 3 
 vols. Leipzig, 17-20-29. 
 
 Luther, Martin, Dr. — SamtlicheSchriften, 
 24 vols., l)y J. G. Walch. Halle. 
 1740—1750. 
 
 Melancthon, Phillip. — Werke in einer 
 Auswalil, von Dr. F. A. Koethe. 
 6 vols. Leipzig, 1829— 30. 
 
 Menckenius, J. B. — Scriptores Rerum 
 Germanicarum, precipue Saxonicarum. 
 .5 vols. Lipsia;, 1728. 
 
 Menno Symons. Opera Omnia Theolo- 
 gica, of alle de Godtgeleerde Wercken 
 van T. Menno Svmons. Amsterdam, 
 U'Sl. 
 
 Meshovius, A. — Historise Anabaptisticae, 
 libri septem; quibus ejus Sectae in 
 multiplices Sectas jam scissae, ortus, 
 primi authores, &c. Colonise, 1617. 
 
 Miscellanea Tigurina edita, inedita, Ve- 
 tera, nova. Zurich, 1723. 
 
 Monumentum Instaurati Patrum Memo- 
 ri:i, &c., id est Epistolarum D. J. Oeco- 
 lanipadii et Huld. Zuinglii. Basilese, 
 1592. 
 
 Museum Helveticum ad juvandas Literas 
 in publicos usus apertum. Zurici, 
 1751. 
 
 Ottius, John H. — Annales Anabaptistici, 
 hoc est, Historia universalis de Anabap- 
 tistarum origine, progressu, &c. Basil, 
 1672. 
 
 Protocoll. — Das ist alle Handlung des 
 Gesprechs zu Franckenthal im der 
 Churfiirstlichen Pfaltz, &c. Heidel- 
 berg, 1571. 
 
 Ranke, Leopold. — Deutsche Geschichte 
 im Zeitalter der Reformation. 6 vols. 
 Berlin, 1842-47. 
 
 Reformation (The) and Anti-Reforma- 
 tion in Bohemia. 2 vols. London, 
 1845. 
 
 Ruchat, A. — Histoire de la Reformation 
 de la Suisse; Edition par L. Vul- 
 liemin. 7 vols. Nyon, 1835-38. 
 
 Schyn, Herman. — Geschiedenis dier 
 Christenen welke Mennoniten ge- 
 naamd worden, &c. Door Gerardus 
 Maatschoen. 3 vols, Amsterdam 
 
 1743-45. [Schyn's own edition in 
 Latin is in 2 vols.] 
 
 Scultetus, Abraham. — Annalium Evan- 
 gelii passim per Europara decimo 
 quinto salutis partse seculo renovatac. 
 Heidelberg, 1618. 
 
 Seckendorf, V. L. — Commentarius his- 
 toricus et apologeticus de Lutheranismo, 
 &c. Frankfort, 1(J92. 
 
 Sleidan, Jo. — De Statu Religionis et Rei- 
 publicse Carolo Quinto, Cssare, Com- 
 mentarii. Excudebat Conradus Badius, 
 1559. 
 
 Spanheim, F. — Disputationum Anti- 
 Anabaptisticarum prima generalis de 
 origine, progressu, &c. Lugduni Batav. 
 1643. 
 
 Starck, J. A. — Geschichte der Taufe und 
 Tautgesinnten. Leipzig, 1789. 
 
 Ten Gate, S. Blaupot. — Geschiedkundig 
 Onderzoek naar den Waldenzischeu 
 Oorsprong van de Nederlandsche 
 Doopsgezinden. Amsterdam, 1844. 
 
 Ten Gate, S. Blaupot.^ — Geschiedenis der 
 Doopsgezinden, in Holland, Zeeland, 
 Utrecht, en Gelderland. 2 vols. Am- 
 sterdam, 1847. 
 
 Ten Gate, S. Blanpot. — Geschiedenis der 
 Doopsgezinden, in Friesland. Leeu- 
 warden, 18.")0. 
 
 Ten Gate. — Geschiedenis der Doopsgezin- 
 den in Groniiigen, Overijssel en Oost 
 Friesland. 2 vols. Leeuwarden, 1842. 
 
 Treclisel, F. — Die Protestantisehen An- 
 titrinitarier vor Faustus Socin. 2 vols. 
 Heidelberg, 1839—44. 
 
 Twisck, Pieter Jansen. — Ghronijk van 
 den Onderganc der Tyrannen ; ofte 
 Jaerlycksche Geschiedenisse in Welt- 
 lycke ende Kercklijke saecken, &.c. 
 2 vols. Hoorn, 1619, 1620. 
 
 Van Huysen, R. — Histuriscbe Verhande- 
 ling van de Opkomst en Voortgang der 
 Doopssezinde Ghristenen. 2 vols. Emb- 
 den, 1712. 2nd edit. Hoorn, 1734. 
 
 Will, G. A. — Beytiiige zur Geschichte 
 des Antibaptismus in Deutschland, 
 Niirnberg, 1773. 
 
 Winter, V. A. — Geschichte der baier- 
 ischen Wiedertiiufer im 16ten Jahr- 
 hundert. Munich, 1809. 
 
 Ypeij and Dermout. — Geschiedenis der 
 ^ ederlandsche Hervormde Kerk door 
 A Ypeij en S. J. Dermout. 4 vols. 
 Breda, i819— 27. 
 Zuingle. — Huldrich Zuinglis, Werke. 
 Erste^ vollstiindige Ausgabe durch M. 
 Schuler und Joh. Schulthess. Zurich, 
 1828—40. 8 vols. 
 
 •,* A few well-knowu English and other authors arc omitted iu the above list. 
 
INDEX ir. 
 
 Adam, M., i. 169. 
 
 Adelphus, John, i. do. 
 
 Aelmeers, Martyntgen, ii. 333 ; her bro- 
 ther, 333. 
 
 Aix-la-Chapelle, ii. 145. 
 
 Alda, i. 125. 
 
 Algerius of Padua, burnt at Rome, ii. 1 1 4. 
 
 Alsace, thirty-four persons martyred, ii. 
 4-23. 
 
 Altenburg, in Upper Carinthia, i. 27*3. 
 
 Alzey, several impiisoned there, i. 116 ; 
 250 persons imprisoned there, i. 118 ; 
 BursRratl" of, i. 1 1 8. 
 
 Amsterdam, six men burnt, ii. 18; mar- 
 tyrs there, 27, 29. 
 
 Anneken Jans, of Brielle, drowned at 
 Rotterdam with Christina Barents, of 
 Louvain, 1539, i. 20] ; epistle of, 204. 
 
 Anneken of Friburg, i. 107. 
 
 Anneken of Rotterdam, i. 196, 
 
 Antheunis, Annetgen, and others, ii. 128. 
 
 Anthonis of Afselroye, i. 353. 
 
 Antwerp, i. 373, 436 ; ii. 72, 104, 125, 
 130, 142, 163, 220, 233, 236, 249, 270, 
 283, 284, 303. 
 
 Antwerp, six martyrs there, ii. 58. 
 
 AppoUonia, wife of Leonliard Seyl, i. 187. 
 
 Augsburg, i. 1, 54, 74, 101. 
 
 Augustin the baker, ii. 69. 
 
 Bair, Johannes, imprisonment and death, 
 i. 372. 
 
 Balthazar, i. 60. 
 
 Bauschlet in Wurtemberg, i. 120. 
 
 Baptist churches in Moravia and on the 
 Rliine, ii. 125, 127. 
 
 Barbara of Thiers, i. 113. 
 
 Barneveld, Johan van Olden, i. 202. 
 
 Bartel, Hans, i. 174. 
 
 Bartel drowned at Julich, i. 445. 
 
 Basle, i. 65 ; six persons at, i. 84 ; dis- 
 putations, i. 89. 
 
 Bastelwart, i. 61, 77. 
 
 Bavaria, churches in, i. 82; ii. 285. 
 
 Belle in Flanders, three persons burnt, 
 ii. 71. 
 
 Bells, baptism of, ii. 13. 
 
 Berger, George, i. 81. 
 
 Bernards, Jelis, at Antwerp, ii. 236. 
 
 Berne, council of, i. 82. 
 
 Berne, persecutions in, ii. 424. 
 
 Bernkop, Leonhard, i. 239. 
 
 Beverwyk, ii. 69. 
 
 Beza's book on Heretics, i. 124. 
 
 Blait, Oswald, i. 46, 51, 88. 
 
 Blaurer, Ambrose, i. 97; quoted, i, lUO. 
 
 Blaurock, Jurian, i. 14, 21. 
 
 Blietel, Hans, i. 268. 
 
 Bolt, Eberhard, of Lachen, i. 11. 
 
 Boucher, Joan, arraigned, i. 348; burnt, 
 
 i. 351. 
 Bouman, Juriaen, i. 120. 
 Bouwens, Leonard, ii. 107, 131. 
 Boosers iMaeyken, burnt at Doornik, ii. 
 
 345. 
 Bosch, Jan, or Jan Durps, ii. 240. 
 Brael, Hans, his tortures and escape, 
 
 ii. 95. 
 Brand-Hueber, Wolfgang, i. 102. 
 Brandt, quoted, i. 135. 
 Breukenhausen, i. 175. 
 Brixen, i. 90, 179. 
 Bruck-on-the-Mur, in Styria, i. 78. 
 Bruges, twelve persons burnt, ii. 315. 
 Briinn, i. 60, 74. 
 Brussels, ii. 140. 
 
 Bruynen, Pieter, Jan, Pleunis, &c., i. 431. 
 Bucer, i. 169. 
 
 Buefkyn Jannyn, his letter, i. 336. 
 Bullinger, H., opinion of baptists, i. 7; 
 
 Oorspronk der Wededoopers, i. 84; 
 
 quoted, i. 122. 
 
 Calvin, i. 63. 
 
 Campnerin, Agatha, of Bredenberg,i. 111. 
 
 Campnerin, Elizabeth, i. 114. 
 
 Capito, letter to Zuingle, i. 16. 
 
 Cassander, opinion of baptists, ii. 408. 
 
 Cassel in Flanders, i, 175. 
 
 Catharina, i. 371. 
 
 Charles V., edict against the baptists, i. 
 
 138. 
 Christian, beheaded at Worms, ii, 60. 
 Claesken, her confessions, ii. 202 : letters, 
 
 210. 
 Claesoi), J. i. 251. 
 Claeson, Jacob, and Cecilia his wife, i. 
 
 311. 
 Claessen, Andries, of Drouryp, i. 144. 
 Cologne, ii. 138, 328. 
 Cornelison, Adrian, at Leyden, ii, 2, 17; 
 
 his confession, 2. 
 
454 
 
 INDEX II. 
 
 Conrad the shoemaker, ii. 125. 
 Cornelis, of Kalenburg, burnt, ii. 26. 
 Cornells, Willeboort, put to death at Mid- 
 
 dleburg, ii. 354. 
 Constance, i. 74, 97. 
 Craut, Henry, i. 162. 
 Creitze, or Kreutznach, i. 119. 
 Crommenies dyke, i. 45. 
 Cruciger, i. 162. 
 
 Damiaen from Algei, i. 240. 
 
 Danube, the, i. 75. 
 
 D'Auchy, Jaques, martyred at Leeu- 
 
 warden, ii. 152 ; confession of faith, 
 
 152 J his examination, 155. 
 David and Levina, at Ghent, ii. 57. 
 De Graet, Steven, and his mother, ii. 344. 
 Delden in Overyssel, imprisonment of 
 
 two sisters there, i. 248. 
 Delft, sixteen men and fifteen women put 
 
 to death in 1538, i. 185; twenty-seven 
 
 other persons in 1539, ibid. 
 Denck, Hans, i. 51, 101. 
 Der Prabei.!;er, i. 91. 
 De Praet, Claes, his confession, ii. 72, 
 Der Pranger, i. 92. 
 De Raet, Karel, and four others near 
 
 Bruges, ii. 447. 
 DeSchilder, Martin, i. 127. 
 De Swarte, Jan and others, ii. 338. 
 De Vette, Hans, and others at Ghent, ii. 
 
 224. 
 Dirks, Jacob, and his sons, at Antwerp, 
 
 ii. 449. 
 Dirkson, Henry, at Leyden, ii. 21. 
 Domiiiicus, i. 60. 
 Dordrecht, ii. 143. 
 Dosie, Jacques, at Leeuwarden, i. 855. 
 
 Eok, i. 63. 
 
 Edict of King of Hungary, i. 47. 
 
 Eegniachel, i. 19], 
 
 Eemkens, Hendrik, at Utrecht, ii. 325. 
 
 Egtwerken, Jan, and ten others, i. 238. 
 
 Einsidlin, i. 64. 
 
 Eleven persons, and seven others in the 
 manor of Borren, put to death, i. 348. 
 
 Elizabeth, i. 294. 
 
 Elizabeth and Hadewyk, i. 298. 
 
 Ensisheim, in Alsace, i. 21, 80. 
 
 Erasmus, i. 65, to the Archbishop of Tou- 
 louse, i. 105. 
 
 Esaias de Lind, i. 202. 
 
 Eslinger, Wolfgang, i. 127. 
 
 Eutersdorf, Little, i. 162. 
 
 Everts, Jan, of Deventer, i. 147. 
 
 Faber's Defence, i. 73, 74. 
 Falk, Jacob, i. 81. 
 Falkenstein, Castle at, i. 191. 
 Felbinger, Claes, in Bavaria, ii. 279. 
 Ferdinand, King, i. 74, 84, 90. 
 
 Fest, Lodowyk, i. 134. 
 
 Feyerer, Hans, i. 76. 
 
 Fiechser, Conrad, i. 132. 
 
 Fischer, quoted, i. 60, 61. 
 
 Four brethren and four sisters, i. 110. 
 
 Francois, of Elstland, ii. 311. 
 
 Frank, Sebastian,quoted, i. 36, 49,80, 125. 
 
 Frans, of Bolsweert, i. 265. 
 
 Frederic, the Palsgrave, i. 116, 119. 
 
 Freerks, Sicke, or Snyder, i. 136. 
 
 Friedberg, in Bavaria, i. 63. 
 
 Friesen, Juriaen, and another, at Cologne, 
 
 ii, 328. 
 Friesland, West, proclamation there, i. 
 
 241. 
 Frueder, George, a traitor j i, 91. 
 Fryk, Jurian, of Wurtzburg, i. 111. 
 Fryk, Leonard, i. 50. 
 Fye and Eelken, at Leeuwarden, i. 307. 
 
 Galliu?, Dr., i, 179, 
 
 Gastins, quoted, i. 85, 
 
 Geiger, i. 27. 
 
 Gelderland, two women put to death in, 
 
 i. 367. 
 George, Hans, at Venice, ii. 425. 
 Geyer, Nicholas, in the Tyrol, ii. 426. 
 Gerrit, of Kemijen, i. 351. 
 Gerrits, Jan,burnt at the Hague, ii. 377 ; 
 
 letter to Lutheran Priest, 381 ; ex- 
 amination, 392, 
 Ghent, ii. 72, 224, 289. 
 Ghent, two martyrs there, ii. 57; four, 
 
 442, 
 Giles, of Aix-la-Chapelle, ii. 6, 39, 130. 
 Gillis and Elizabeth, burned at Ghent, 
 
 i. 368. 
 Gmund in Suabia, executions there, i. 
 
 103, 
 Glabbek, i. 130. 
 Glareanus, quoted, i. 104. 
 Glasemaker, Bastiaen, i. 173. 
 Gospels, spurious, ii. 10. 
 Govert, Gillis, Mariken, and Anneken, i. 
 
 340. 
 Govert, Jaspers, ii. 140. 
 Govertson, Joost, i. Int. x, 
 Gratz, in Styria, i. lOJ. 
 Grebel, Conrad, i. 6, 58, 68, 88. 
 Grendel, Jan, of Courtrai, ii. 334, 
 Gritsenstein, i. 74. 
 Groenwolt, Juriaen, i. 125. 
 Groenvelder, Hans, i. 173. 
 Grueber, Lambrecht, and five others, i. 
 
 131. 
 Griiiiingen, i. 81, 89. 
 Guilliaume, of Robayes, i. 447. 
 Gusodaum, i. 89. 
 
 Haarlem, i. 138, 175 ; ii. 105. 
 Hague, The, i. 40, 45, 133, 134. 
 Hall, two sisters drowned there, i. 115, 
 
INDEX II. 
 
 455 
 
 Hans of Monster, and Bartel, and Old 
 Jacob, put to death atBerchem,i. 3()0. 
 
 Hans of Overdam, juitto death at Ghent, 
 i. 314. 
 
 Hansken von Stotsingen, i. 58. 
 
 Haringin, Christina, i. 134. 
 
 Harman, Thomas, i. 39. 
 
 Hasepoot, Gerrit, ii. 93. 
 
 Hast, quoted, i. 100. 
 
 Herrliberg, i. 81. 
 
 Hetzer, Louis, i. 6, 51, 66, 97, 101. 
 
 Heynes, Richst, i. 292. 
 
 HomburgCastle,i. 84 ; diet there, i. 164. 
 
 Horb, letter to church at, i. 27. 
 
 Hubmeyer, Balthazar, i. 6, 46, 61 ; his 
 18 props., 69. 
 
 Hiidel, i. 85. 
 
 Hueber, Hans, i. 240. 
 
 Hulle, Jan, at Ypres, ii. 317. 
 
 Hutt, John, i. 54, 101. 
 
 Hutt, Philip, i. 102. 
 
 Hutter, Jacob, i. 90, 129, 157 ; remon- 
 strance, i. 147; put to death, i. 153. 
 
 Imst, in Innthal, i. 90, 173. 
 Imwalt of Aldyn, i. 110. 
 Ingoldstadt, i. 61, 63, 240. 
 Isermann, Dr. i. 169. 
 
 Jacob and Sell his wife, of Wormer,L 237. 
 
 Jacobson, Arent, with his wife and eldest 
 son, i. 209. 
 
 Jan and others martyred at Antwerp,ii.314. 
 
 Jan, the old clothesman, i. 436. 
 
 Janneken and another at Antwerp,ii. 142. 
 
 Janson, Sybrant, and four others ; Jan's 
 daughter, i. 141. 
 
 Janson, Dirk, at Ley den, ii. 1. 
 
 Janson, Levijn, and five others burnt, 
 ii. 18. 
 
 Janson, Herman, burnt, ii. 27- 
 
 Jans, Felistis, or Resinx, burnt at Am- 
 sterdam, ii. 29. 
 
 Jena, i. 162. 
 
 Jeronimus, Kels, and two others, i. 157. 
 
 John of Ulm, i. 98. 
 
 Joosten, JoDst, at Veere, ii. 301. 
 
 Joris and Joachim, at Antwerp, ii. 282. 
 
 Joris, Wouter, Grietgen, aud Naentgen, 
 i. 369. 
 
 Jude, Leo, i. 66, 67. 
 
 Kats, Maeyken, and others, seized at 
 
 Antwerp, ii. 233. 
 Katzen, i. 90. 
 
 Katzbijhel in the Tyrol, i. 39, 90, 135. 
 Ketels, Pierijntgen and others at Ghent, 
 
 ii. 344. 
 Ketel, Jorian, i. 264. 
 Keurs, Philip de, i. 175. 
 Keuts, Trijnken, ii. 219. 
 
 Keyser, Leonbard, i. 35. 
 Kind, Joos, examinations and letters, ii. 34. 
 Klamplierer, Julius, at Venice, ii. 306. 
 Klausen in Etzland, i. 89, 90, 92. _ 
 Koch, Conrad, in duchy of Berg, ii. 395; 
 
 letters, 399. 
 Koch, Hans, i. 1. 
 Kofler, Andries, i, 268. 
 Kopf, Daniel, i. 109. 
 Komen, i. 447 ; a smith at, apprehended, 
 
 i. 367. 
 Koster, Pieter, i. 140. 
 Kraen, Huyge, Jacobson, and Marytgen, 
 
 his wife, with two others, i. 132. 
 Krommeniesdyk, in Waterland, i. 238. 
 Krood (Dirk Pieterson), and three others, 
 
 i. 236. 
 Kufstein, i. 90 ; Groenwolt burned there, 
 
 i. 125. 
 Kurstner, Matthias, i. 27. 
 
 Lambertson, Lucas, i. 251. 
 Langedul, Andries, and others, ii. 249. 
 Langedul, Christian, and three others, ii. 
 
 426; his letters, 4'28. 
 Langermantel, Hans, i. 86. 
 Lantz, Peter, i. 92. 
 Laurens of Leijen, letters, ii. 251. 
 Leeuwarden in Friesland, i. 138, 207 ; 
 
 ii. 152, 217. 
 Leeuwarden, two youths drowned, ii. 33; 
 
 Witses strangled, 54. 
 Leks, Claes, i. 293. 
 Lenzi, Michael, i. 27. 
 Leyden, martyrs at, ii. 1. 
 Leyden, four Christians apprehended, i. 
 
 343. 
 Leytner, Hans, in Bavaria, ii. 279. 
 Libich, Juriaen, and Ursel Helrigling, i. 
 
 245. 
 Lier in Brabant, i. 340. 
 Lintz, on the Ems, i. 102. 
 Lochmair, Leonhard, and OfFrus Gryzin- 
 
 ger, i. 179. 
 Lodovicus, or Hetzer, i. 97. 
 Louvain, baptists and others burnt there, 
 
 i. 244. 
 Lowys, Herr, i. 76. 
 Luther, Martin, i. 63, 64; his doctrines, 
 
 35 ; publishes Keyset's martyrdom, 
 
 37; belief in tb.e personal appnrition 
 
 of Satan, 246. 
 
 Maelbouts, Prijutgen, and another at 
 Ghent, ii. 357. 
 
 Maerten of Vilgraten, i. 182. 
 
 Maestricht, ii. 21y, 240. 
 
 Mair, Walter, with two others, i. 129. 
 
 Mair, Wolfgang, and another at Salz- 
 burg, ii. 217. 
 
 Malerin , Anele, and Ursele, i. 115, 
 
556 
 
 INDEX II. 
 
 Maelschak, Hendrik, and three others 
 
 burnt at Ghent, ii. 442. 
 Mandemaker, Hans, and others, ii. 28.5. 
 
 Mang, Hans, at Sundhofen, ii. 42.5. 
 
 Mankager, of Fuessen, i. 111. 
 
 Manfz, Felix, i. 6, 12, 14, 88; drowned, 
 i. 21.. 
 
 Marliurg, prison at, i. IGJ). 
 
 Maria and Ursel of Bcckum, i. 247. 
 
 Maria Formosa, i. 64. 
 
 Maria of Monjou, i. 444, 
 
 Mariken and Anneken, i. 446. 
 
 Martyrologies, baptist, i. Tnt. viii. 
 
 JNIartyrs, baptist, their character, i. Int. 
 vi.; agreement in faith, xix.; their suf- 
 ferings, XX.; sixty -seven at Katzbilhel, 
 39; seventy at Rotterdam, 46; eighteen 
 at Salzburg, 55. 
 
 Matschilder, Michiel, Elizabeth, his wife, 
 and Hans Gurtschand, i. 276. 
 
 Matthew, i. 98. 
 
 Matthijs, Jelis, put to death at Middle- 
 burg, ii. 357; examination, 3()9. 
 
 Melancthon's opinions on baptism, i. 162. 
 
 Melchior, i. 127. 
 
 Menno Symons, i. 136, 207, 241; his 
 opinions, 308; ii. 89, 195. 
 
 Mermesz, i. 174. 
 
 Mesdag, James, burnt at Courtrai,''and 
 three others, ii. 438. 
 
 Meshovius' opinion of baptists, i. 8; 
 quoted, i, 90. 
 
 Meyster, Leonhard, i. 1. 
 
 Metlvng, or Modling, market place at, 
 i. 160. 
 
 Michelsberg, in Priesterthal, i. 182. 
 
 Muller, Justus, i. 162. 
 
 Munich, i. 16, 76. 
 
 Nederman, Peter, of Hiersberge, i. 102. 
 Neumarkt, i. 90; ii. 279. 
 Niclasburg, in Moravia,!. 62. 
 IVidermair, Hans, i. 102. 
 Nine brethren and several sisters, i. 1 1 5. 
 Nine persons at Amsterdam, i. 134. 
 Nuremberg, i. 46, 51. 
 Nyedorp, in Austria, i. 160. 
 Nymegen, diet held at, i. 15; 39; 209; 
 Hasepoot burnt there, ii. 93. 
 
 Oberheim, i. 83. 
 Oecolampadius, i. 66, 72, 89. 
 Old man 75 years of age, i. 439. 
 Olmen, Peter, of, put to death at Ghent, 
 • ii. 21. 
 
 Oswald (Blait), i. 46,51. 
 Oswalt, of Janinitz, i. 267. 
 Outerman, Jaques, i. Int. x. 
 
 Pacimontanus, i. 63. 
 Pain, i. 127. 
 
 Palmken, Palmen, i. 347. 
 
 Pan, Adrian, and his wife, ii. 220; letters, 
 221. 
 
 Passau, on the Danube, i. 74. 
 
 Pastor, Adam, ii. 39. 
 
 Paul's Cross, Dutch baptists burnt there, 
 i. 187. 
 
 Paulus of Druynen, i. 176. 
 
 Peisker, John, i. 162. 
 
 Peiz, Hans, i. 173. 
 
 Pekstal, or Pogstall, in Austria, i. 161. 
 
 Pelgrims, Fvt, i. 130. 
 
 Pellser, Thomas, i. 60, 61. 
 
 Persecution, condemned by the fathers, 
 i. Pref. xxvii. ; unchristian, xxviii.; 
 reasons for and against, xxxiii.; at 
 Zurich, 4 ; in Moravia and Hungary, 
 i. 441 ; on the Rhine, ii. 94; in Nether- 
 lands, 202, 269, 317. 
 
 Peters, Digna, drowned at Dort, ii. 61. 
 
 Peter of Spain, and others, ii. 270. 
 
 Petersburg, i. 90. 
 
 Pfedersheim, discussion there, ii. 125. 
 
 Pforzheim, i. 125. 
 
 Philips, Dirk, on the incarnation, ii. 89. ' 
 
 Philips, of Langenlonsheym, i. 119. 
 
 Pichner, Hans, at Vorst, ii. 59. 
 
 Pieter, Gerritson, and others, i. 156. 
 
 Pieterson, Quirinus, of Groningen, i. 271. ' 
 
 Plaitner, Vislig, i. 97. 
 
 Plattener, Herman, i. 169. 
 
 Plovier, Lenaert, and others, ii. 272. 
 
 Portier, Jan, at Meessen, ii. 441. 
 
 Prader, Carius, i. 103, 
 
 Pretle, Hans, i. 58. 
 
 Proclamation against the baptists in 1538, 
 i. 185. 
 
 Proclamations at Zurich, i, 4, 9, 121; to 
 introduce the inquisition, i. 364; of 
 Philip of Spain, ii. 65, 269. 
 
 Pruklerwald, i. 82. 
 
 Pusterthal, i. 91; ii. 95. 
 
 Rattenberg, i. 90. 
 
 Regensburg, i. 61, 65; council of, i. 84. 
 
 Remken, Ramakers, i. 348. 
 
 Renewal of Charles V.'s proclamations, 
 
 ii. 64. 
 Reyer, Dirkson, a boatman, burned to 
 
 death, i. 365. 
 Reyman, Heine, i. 81. 
 Reynerson, Tjaert, i. 207. 
 Ries, Hans de, i. Int. ix. 
 Riesin Fluchtdal, i. 79. 
 Rietend in Algei, i. 181. 
 Rolle, Peter, i. 169. 
 Rome, Algerius, burnt at, ii. 114. 
 Rottenlnirg, i. 27, 47. 
 Rotterdam, Confession made there, i, 
 
 203 ; martyrs at, 262 ; ii. 28. 
 Roubli, i. 27 ; 73. 
 
INDEX JI. 
 
 457 
 
 Sailler, Leonhanl, i. 160. 
 Salzburg, i. 55 ; ii. 217. 
 Sandoval, Cardinal de, i. 6'i. 
 Satler, Michael, i. -21. 
 Saverne in Alsace, i. 58. 
 Schaifhausen, i. G3, 65, 66, 70. 
 Schagen, i. 187. 
 Schaider, Coni-ad, i, 18. 
 Scharding in Bavaria, i. 35, .07. 
 Schlatter, Hans, i. 50. 
 Schlosser, George, i. 169. 
 Schnabel, Geor;,'e, i. 169. 
 Schoenmaker, Caspar, i. 182. 
 Shumaeher, Christopher,!. 27. 
 Schut, -Jan, at Vreden, ii. 312. 
 Schoener, Leonhard, and seventy others, 
 
 i. 46. 
 Schwatz, i. 50, 90, 134, 210. 
 Schwenckfeld, i. 63. 
 Scultetus, quoted, i, 86. 
 Sedelmeyer, i. 83. 
 
 Segerson, Jeronimus, and others, i. 373. 
 Servaes, Matthias, of Kottenem, ii. 401 ; 
 
 letters, 403. 
 Seven brethren executed at Gosedaum, 
 
 i. 155. 
 Seyel, Hans, and Hans of Wels, i. 184. 
 Simon, the pedlar, burnt at Bergen-op- 
 
 Zoom, ii. 31. 
 .Simons, Joriaen, and two others strangled 
 
 and burnt, ii. 105 ; his letters, 108. 
 Sinkin, Bartholomew, i. 84. 
 Six brethren and two sisters burned alive 
 
 at Amsterdam, i. 393. 
 Sixtus, i. 98. 
 
 Smith, Hans, and others, ii. 145. 
 Smithfield, martyrs burnt there, i. 187. 
 Smuel, Andries, and Dirk Pieterson, con- 
 fessions of, i. 278. 
 Smuel Dirk Pieterson, and Jacob de 
 
 Geldersman, burnt alive at Amsterdam, 
 
 i. 277. 
 Snyder, Liepolt, i. 54. 
 Snyder, Sicke, i. 135. 
 Spires, second diet, i. 116. 
 Sprukhal, i. 90. 
 Stadelhofen, i. 66. 
 Staudtach, Hans, and three others, i. 
 
 273. 
 Steen, Metzer, Juriaen, i. 125. 
 Stein, i. 90. 
 Steinborn, in Austria, persecutions there, 
 
 i. 188. 
 Sterzing, in Etschland, persecution there, 
 
 i. 90, 131. 
 St. Gall, martyrs at, i. 11. 
 Simeraver, Hans, i. 210. 
 Stcitz, Henry, i. Kif). 
 String'', Jelis, and others, burnt at Wer- 
 
 wyk, ii. 318. 
 St. Veit, in Carinthia, i. 184. 
 
 VOL. IT. H 
 
 Styaertson, Pieterand Jan, i. 183. 
 Switzerland, i. 89. 
 
 Tauber, Caspar, i. 4. 
 
 Tennis, of Hansteiraed, i. 34 t. 
 
 Terlan, i. 90. 
 
 Tetzel, i. 64. 
 
 Thomas, i. 60. 
 
 Three brethren at Antwerp, i. 351. 
 
 Three hundred and fifty persons put to 
 
 death around Alzev, i. 118. 
 Tolingerin, Christina of Penon, i. 112. 
 Trieste, i. 195. 
 Twelve persons burned or beheaded at 
 
 Vugt, i. 176. 
 Twenty-four persons burnt in England, 
 
 i. 154. 
 Twisk, P. J., quoted, i. 185. 
 Two brethren and two sisters imprisoned 
 
 at Alzey, i. 117. 
 Two young females in the bishopric of 
 
 Bamberg, and a young companion, put 
 
 to death, i. 362. 
 Tyrol, Earldom of, i. 89, 157. 
 Tys, of Lind, i. 346 ; burned at Remund, 
 
 i. 347. 
 
 Ulman, Wolfgang, i. 58. 
 
 Van Braght, Tieleman Jans, i. Int. xii. 
 
 1, 61. 
 Van Capelle, Wouter, at Dixmude, ii. 32. 
 Van den Houte, Soetgen, ii. 289. 
 Van der Meulen, Pieter of Ghent, ii, 345. 
 Van der Reve, Hans, i. 88, 92. 
 Van der Sach, Franciscus of Italy, and 
 
 another, ii. 335. 
 Van de Velde, Karel, and others in 
 
 Flanders, ii. 334. 
 Van de Walle, Laurens, and others, ii. 
 
 307. 
 Van Hoogstniten, Count, i. 40. 
 Van Imbroek,a printer, beheaded, ii. 131*. 
 Van Schoenek, Casper, i. 79. 
 Van Stotsingen, Hansken, i. 58. 
 Vaser Juriaen, i. 160. 
 Veluanus, i. 351. 
 Venice, ii. 306. 
 
 Verbuek, Joos, burnt at Antwerji, ii. 303. 
 Verkampt, Daniel, at Courtrai, ii. 140. 
 Vermeer, Adrian, i. 175. 
 Vermeersch, Han?, imprisoned, &.c., ii. 
 
 242. 
 Vet, Melcbior, i. 21. 
 Vienna, martvrs at, i. 4,62, 74, 157; ii. 
 
 126. 
 Vilgard, i. 79. 
 Vilvorilc in Brai)ant, Tyndale put to 
 
 death there, and Wouter of Stoelwyk 
 
 seventeen months after him, i. 201. 
 Vinderhout, dungeon at, i. 183. 
 H 
 
458 
 
 INUKA ir. 
 
 Volls in Etschland, i. 110. 
 Von Watt, Joachim, i. 6P. 
 Vreden, ii. o02. 
 
 Vugt, twelve persons burned, i. lid. 
 Vuren, or Fuines, in Flanders, a brother 
 beheaded, ii. 53. 
 
 Wagner, George, i. 1^>. 
 
 Waesten in Flanders, ii. 242. 
 
 Waldshut, i. 65, 66, Of), 70. 
 
 Walen, Jan, and two companions, i. 45. 
 
 Walraven, Janneken, ii. JU4. 
 
 Waltsen, i. 58. 
 
 Wellenbeig, i. 74, 82. 
 
 Weynken, Claes' daughter, i. 40. 
 
 Wideman, Michael, or Bek, i. 181. 
 
 Wiggerson, Willen,of Barsinghorn, i. 137. 
 
 Willem, and others, apprehended at 
 
 Leyden, i. 343. 
 Willem of Bierk.and others, i. 445. 
 Willem the Joiner, and Windel Ravens, 
 
 put to death in Cleves, i. 438. 
 
 Willenis, Adrian, burnt, ii. 438. 
 
 William, Duke of Cleves, i.,207. 
 
 William, of Louvain, ii. 57. 
 
 William the tailor at Antwerp, ii. 284. 
 
 Wippe, Joris, and others, at Dort, ii. 143. 
 
 Witseii, Peter, strangled and burnt, ii. 54. 
 
 Woekeraer, Hans, i. 174. 
 
 Wolfgang of Moos, i. 110. 
 
 Wolfsberg in Carinthia, i. 120. 
 
 Wouter of Stoelwijk, i. 210; his prayer, 
 
 i. 236. 
 Wurzelburger, Augustine, i. 82. 
 Wustenfield, i. 208. 
 
 Zannringerad, Juiiaen, i. 129. 
 
 Znaym in Moravia, i. 7G. 
 
 Zuingle, i. 6, 11, 14, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 
 101. 
 
 Zurich, persecutions at, i. 4, 13; reforma- 
 tion, 6; disputations, 7, 15, 89, 66, 71, 
 73; second proclamntion, i. 121. 
 
 Zwick's letter, i. 97. 
 
 J. HADDON AXn SON, PRISTKRS, CASTLK STRBBT, rlNSBl'RV. 
 
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