MARTYRS MIRROR

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O dear sisters, adorn yourselves, and put on the armor. Eph. 6:11. Gird to your side the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; be well shod, and have on the armor of righteousness; and put on your head the helmet of salvation, that you may be able to resist the subtle assaults of the devil, since he walketh about day and night, as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. I Peter 5:8. Hence be followers of God; the Lord will preserve you.

And know, my sisters, that the sixth day of this month, in the afternoon, I was brought before N. N. (who I heard, certainly came in the name of the procurator general, or of his subordinates), and before the jailer and another man, where they were drinking wine at the table. As I came before them the jailer in the presence of them all, said to me, "Abraham, you must go before the court on Tuesday." His wife, who was also present with them that served at the table, said, "They have three weeks respite." The jailer said, "Because the Duke of Alva is coming here, they must go through." He did most of the speaking. I said that I was very well satisfied with it. He asked me whether I was well satisfied. I replied, "Yes, if it is the Lord's will, I am quite well satisfied." They asked me, whether I made so little of that at which Christ so greatly trembled, and said, "Father, if it be possible, take away this cup from me." Mark 14:33, 36. They further asked me, whether I did not wish that I were released, and if the doors were open, whether I would not go out. I said,"Yes," if they opened the doors I would go out; but as thiswas not the case now, that I thanked the Lord for all that He sends upon me. I also said that he, or they, had no power to release me without the consent of the Duke of Alva, or the like.

They asked me whether I did not wish to break out. I replied that if I knew I should bring him into trouble I would have no desire to be out, or to break out. They said that.it would cost him his neck. I said that if this was the case I did not wish to be out. In the further progress of our conversation they asked whether they should not be saved, or something similar. I said, "The apostle John says: 'He that saith, I know God, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar."' I John 2:4. I could not properly finish what I wanted to say, for they so interrupted me, that I do not know myself what answer they gave me. I also said that the apostle says that whoremongers, drunkards, murderers, liars, proud, revilers, gluttons, and the like men, shall not inherit the kingdom of God, and that they have no God. I Cor. 6:9, 10.

They again interrupted me, for the Lord gave me a mouth to say so much, that they could not well bear it. They said that what I said was true enough, if men died therein; but if they had time yet to call upon the Lord for forgiveness, then, they thought they should yet be saved. I replied that it was too dangerous a thing to depend upon such a calling; for frequently such entreaters for forgiveness, when they recover, go into their old ways; and I opined that they were probably such too. Then they again interrupted me, and I admonished them, that they should repent and feel sorry for their sins before they felt the day of their death approaching. They asked whether we were all saved. I replied, that the Lord promises salvation to them that do His will, and do not deny Him, though they have to suffer much here for His name. Matt. 7:21. Of such the apostle says, "By grace are ye saved." Eph. 2:8. For though we do all that we can, we are still unprofitable servants, and must rely upon the grace of God. Luke 17:10; Acts 15:11.

Here I should have liked to quote some more scriptures, but they interrupted me too much. I said that their hope was vain, or something similar, and this because of their sins, as the prophet says, "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God." Then they became angry, especially the jailer, and I thought they ought not to get angry. I further said that it now is as the prophet says, "He that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey," and, as Christ says, is hated by all men. Isa. 59:15; Matt. 10:22. They all interrupted me again, and finally said that I should be led away. And there sat a man there, who said to the jailer, that he would first give me a drink. Then we had many words again, but I could never quite properly finish what I wanted to say, though I would have liked so much to finish it, on account of an honest man that was there, who reproved the jailer himself, because he became so angry.

Then the jailer brought me a glass of wine, and I thanked him, saying, "To your health!" He asked me why I did not say, "God bless you." I replied, "We ought not to take the name of the Lord in vain, as the drunkards and fornicators do." This made them so angry that they had me led away without giving me the drink. God be thanked and praised for His great grace that He gives His own all that is necessary to their salvation. I am told, my sisters, that they only did this to see whether I would not depart from the Lord; yet I know that they did not once urge me to forsake my faith.

Excuse this simple letter. I greatly long for the day of our deliverance; I was so rejoiced the night that I heard that we were so near our deliverance., that for joy, the tears streamed from my eyes. The Lord be praised for His great grace. We trust to await our time with patience. They perhaps thought to frighten me by it; but I rejoice in it, God be praised, who gives me such strength. O my sisters, should one not rejoice at the prospect of so soon being delivered from all sorrow through the grace of the Lord? O that we were fit for it, what a great joy this would be for me! Yet I expect it through the Lord's great grace, though I am not worthy of it. Oh, that matters were so far, that the fiery furnace were prepared. Oh, that it were so far, that I were standing in the strait gate, where flesh and blood must be left behind; then it should soon be over.

O my dear sisters, I am of such good cheer, and I receive such strength from the Lord, that I can not express it, praise be to Him forever .for His great grace which He shows me. I find it to be true: he that trusts in the Lord alone has in his sufferings such joy of heart, that no one can know it, save he that experiences it.

Farewell; I commend you to God in grace. Pray God, the Lord for me; I will do the same for you.

Written by me your weak brother,

ABRAHAM PICOLET.

 

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TIJS JEURIAENSS AND JAN CLAESS, A. D. 1569

In this dark bloody reign of antichrist two other pious brethren fell into the hands of the tyrants, one of whom was a minister of the Word, named Tijs Jeuriaenss, residing in North Holland, at Karop in Waterland. The name of the other was Jan Claess, born near Wesop, and residing in the same town; he was still a single man, about twentyfive years of age. And as said Tijs Jeuriaenss had gone to Muyen near Amsterdam, to serve the church of God in the Word, while said Jan Claess in company with some others went to Muyen to hear the exhortation. Thus he was apprehended with Tijs Jeuriaenss, and brought to the castle of Muyen, where they remained in imprisonment for about half a year, and were then sent to the Hague, where they were also kept confined for about half a year, and were then sent back to Muyen. at which place after about three months both were sentenced to be strangled and burnt at the stake.

This was so done, and they were burnt black in their faces with reed, and were each put at a stake outside of the dyke, in the reed, at Muyen, for food to the birds. And as these pious witnesses of God suffered all this, not on account of having committed any crime (upon which alone the secular power has a right to visit punishment), but only for the truth of the Word of God, and a good conscience, they are under the blessed promise of God, who has said, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 5:10. And as they have here for Christ's sake delivered up their bodies unto death, for a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God, in confirmation of the truth, so they shall receive these their mortal and corruptible bodies again in the resurrection of the just, in eternal, glorious immortality, and shall live forever with Christ, whom they confessed here.

The particulars of this offering we have received from the lips of Symon Fijts, teacher of the church of God in Tessel, who was present in a chamber at their apprehension, and visited them in prison, and with his own eyes witnessed their steadfast departure from this world.

This Tijs Jeuriaenss was a very zealous follower of Christ, who in his long imprisonment also wrote many excellent letters for the consolation of the God-fearing, some of which have long before this been published in a separate book; treating, among other things: of the bringing in and incarnation of Jesus Christ, and, again, of His departure; and also of the free will of man. Of these letters we, in order to avoid prolixity, present two to the reader; they are as follows

The manifold grace of our God, and the abounding, deep love of His Son Jesus Christ, with the unsearchable, rich mercy of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, who hath translated us into the kingdom'of His dear Son and delivered us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father, and the communion, love, joy, comfort and mighty power of His Holy Spirit, we wish to all dear brethren and sisters, and all our fellow believers; also much wisdom, patience, a valiant faith, immovable hope, the breastplate, helmet and armor of our God, certain victory, the triumphant, twoedged sword of the Spirit, and the power of God through the blood of the Lamb. To this high God and Lord, and His blessed Son be power, strength, might, praise, honor, and glory, forever and ever. Amen.

I desire out of a pure heart with the prophet Daniel, imprisoned in Babylon, from pure love, to open the windows of my heart toward the pleasant city of my God, Jerusalem, now to look lovingly upon her with a glad heart, and to show her a joyful face out of pure love; and thus to turn the eyes of pleasant desire to her, and to show her out of pure love a pleasant, glad and joyful countenance, with the sound of rejoicing; for Jerusalem signifies, vision of peace. This adorned and pleasant city of Jerusalem was shown by the angel of God to the apostle John. Rev. 21:10. He saw it in the Spirit and in a vision, with a joyful heart, and confessed that Jerusalem is a vision of peace, and therefore it cannot be beheld but through the vision of peace. John saw her in a vision, and discerned her by the Spirit of truth; hence no one cap now see her but by the vision of the Spirit, and through the Spirit of truth.

This city has the glory of God; her streets are like unto gold, yea, of pure gold. Verse 21. Here is the river of life, clear as crystal. 22:1. In short, here is the pleasant tree, which yields her fruit every month; the leaves of it are for healing, for they are fruits of life. This city has high walls, twelve foundations, and twelve gates. 21:12, 19. She has also twelve watchmen, with twelve trumpets, the pleasant sound and glorious voice of which rejoice my soul. This is that joyful, pleasant and sweet voice which delighted John; for it is like the voice of harpers playing on their harps. 14:2. The sound and voice of all kinds of music in Babylon caused the Babylonians to kneel down and worship the high image (Dan. 3:7); but this sound causes my soul to rejoice with the joy of the Holy Ghost. This city is far more glorious than all other cities, for her builder and maker is God. Heb. 11:10.

This city comes down from heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God; for God will dwell with them, and He shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Rev. 21:2, 3, 4. Behold, here is the spiritual Solomon of the spiritual tabernacle or temple. Here is the spiritual sea which is carried by twelve oxen. I Kings 7:23. In short, here everything is spiritual; according to the request of Peter, lively stones in this living or spiritual temple or house. I Peter 2:5. Here the golden vessels filled with incense are brought to the altar of the Lord. These golden vessels filled with incense are poured out before the Lord, for they are the prayers of the saints. Rev. 5:8. Thus everything is renewed in spirit and in truth. For here is the spiritual paradise planted or founded by God Himself. Here men eat of the tree of life. Here is the spiritual Adam, of which the literal was a figure, after whose image all Christians strive, till they are like unto Him in weakness, for they must be conformed to the image of His Son. Romans 5:14; 8:29. Here has also the spiritual Eve and bride of this spiritual husband come forth, through the spiritual sleep, and is thus flesh of His flesh, and bone of His bones. Gen. 2:23;. Eph..5:30.

There is also here, in spirit and in truth, the spiritual ark seen by John. Rev. 11:19. Here we enter in a spiritual manner into the ark of God, through the baptism of Jesus Christ, inwardly prompted to it by fire and the Holy Ghost, and outwardly all the evil carnal lusts washed with water; yea, baptized into his death. Rom.. 6:3. For as by the flood all flesh perished, so must now also perish, through baptism. all lust of -the flesh, and die without .theark, which is represented by the former. I Peter 3:20, 21. Here is the spiritual dove, which brought the spiritual olive branch into the ark of the Lord; for as the dove brought an olive branch in her mouth into Noah's ark, to show that the flood was abating, so the Holy Ghost came down in the form of a dove upon Christ, to show that He was the Son of God, as had been said to John the Baptist, "Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, he it is." John 1:33. In the second place, to show that the flood or punishment had departed, and joy and glad tidings were come.

Behold, this is the spiritual dove, as Esdras says, "Of all the fowls thou hast chosen thee one dove." II Esd. 5:26. And Christ Jesus says to His disciples, "Be harmless as doves." Matt. 10:16. These doves bear the pleasant olive branch, which is Christ, to all those that with Noah desire and apprehend it by faith. I desire once more, with the eyes of love, and with the vision of peace, to turn my heart and mind with John to the glorious woman (Rev. 12:1) since the Lord has shown her to me through faith and the vision of His Word; for her beauty has drawn me, her loveliness inflames me, I am inclined to her, she has with her sweet singing conquered my heart, she has captivated me with her lovely eyes, she has bound me with heavenly bonds, for her bond is the girdle of truth, the bond of peace and love. Ephesians 6: 14; 4:3; Col. 3:14.

I have on account of her forgotten my father's house. How charming and lovely is this woman, how glorious is her raiment I This woman. has a crown of twelve stars upon her head; she is also clothed with the sun, and the moon is under her feet, and two wings also are given her to escape from the dragon. This woman is spiritual, and hence she must be viewed with spiritual eyes; all the proud and vain-glorious cannot behold her beauty; she is clothed with the sun, with the clear sun of understanding and of truth, says the Scripture.

I rejoice with John, for he says, "Let us be glad and rejoice, [and give honor to him:] for 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 white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." Revelation 19:7, 8.

 

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Whosoever now hears this woman falls in love with her, and he who lovingly turns his eyes and face to her, and beholds her beauty, is captivated by her loveliness, for she is the Queen of the Son of the Most High God. This woman pours out the unadulterated sweet wine which comes from the true vine. Over this woman or city of Jerusalem I will rejoice with David and say, "I had rather be a door keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Ps. 84:10. O Jerusalem, thou city of God, glorious things are spoken of thee; for the Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Ps. 87:3, 2. 0 Jerusalem, thou most beautiful, most pleasant, and most glorious city, above all royal cities 1 O Jerusalem, thou pleasant city and vision of peace, over thee is the King of Peace, the Mighty God, and Lord is His name. Isa. 9:6. Behold these are the pleasant looks which mine eyes cast upon thee; these are the windows of joy through which I behold thee.

Once more I must through the window of the divine truth view thy glory; mine eyes and face are thus fixed upon thee, that the tears run down my cheeks. I cannot turn mine eyes and face from thee; though the winds blow into my face, that the tears flow from mine eyes, I will dry them with the beautiful, lovely, pure, and white handkerchief with which my most beloved has given me to dry them, that I may behold her so much the more clearly. Behold, thus I will now with the beloved prophet David turn my heart's delight to thee, and thus give thee the desire of my heart, and say, "Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee." Ps. 122:3$. Peace be with you all. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God. Concerning this house read Isaiah 2; Micah 4.

We poor prisoners in the Lord, and bound of Jesus Christ, for the testimony of our God, and for the incontrovertible truth of our dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; also severed and banished for still holding fast to the truth and to this testimony; wish salvation, joy, gladness, love, comfort, strength, and the fellowship, operation and power of the Holy Ghost to all our dear brethren and sisters, that are rejected and oppressed by the proud, for the true knowledge of Jesus Christ and the fear of God, for a proof of their severe blindness and pride, and for a proof of patience and pure fear of God in all of you; in short, for a proof, that through the power of our God you are kept in the faith, and also for a confirmation of His Word, that the gates and fiends of hell cannot cast you down. May the strong God with His mighty power and word henceforth keep us all through the abundant riches of His grace; to Him be for it praise, honor, glory, power, might, and strength in glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Out of pure, brotherly, unfeigned love, and from the inmost of our soul and the depth of our heart, with a pure conscience toward all banished, oppressed, burdened, and distressed souls, I write this simple and plain letter to you, out of a pure heart, as a drop of morning dew, dropping down for the refreshing, cooling and comforting of your hearts; hence I beseech you with all my strength, yea, from the inmost depth of my heart, and bythe cross and sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ, and also by His bitter death and His precious blood shed for us all, discern and comprehend it with pure, clear eyes, ears and hearts. O brethren and sisters, behold and consider diligently from what the mighty power, Spirit and Word of the Lord have delivered you. The hand of the Lord has powerfully delivered you, that you might not be punished with the severe darkness and blindness into which many are fallen. God has also well preserved you from all the plagues and sorceries of Egypt, while so many now lose their birthright.

O brethren and sisters, take heed to it. Because you firmly and confidently hope in the living God; therefore the consuming, and devouring, severe fire (which devours all around it) has not been able to devour or consume you, though all heat, cunning, and craftiness were used in Babylon's fiery furnace; yea, my friends, though the lions of Babylon gnashed their teeth, you have, like Daniel, not been harmed by them, God be forever praised for it. Hence, my most beloved brethren and sisters, whom I love with all my heart, from this, and much more, the power of the Lord has preserved you, for through His victory you have triumphed, and shall triumph, till you receive the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Amen. I Peter 1:9.

I beseech you all with an unfeigned faith, open your heart once, and consider and lay to heart in spirit and in truth these words of the prophet, "Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified; but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed, saith the Lord." Ps. 66:5.

In another place' he says, "I sat not in the 'assembly of mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation." Jer. 15:17.

In the third place, mark with an attentive heart the words of the prophet, "I will also leave in the midst of thee (saith the Lord) an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord bath taken away the judgments, he bath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thy hands be slack. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Be hold, at that tune I will undo all that afflict thee." Zephaniah 3:12-19; Isa. 43; 41:14.

 

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The prophet Ezekiel also says, "Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad, and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, that I should save his life." Ezekiel 13:22; Jer. 23:14.

See, my worthy, chosen brethren and sisters, here you have comfort and.joy in these and other, similar passages, in which you can with the afflicted in Israel find joy and gladness; hence these passages belong to you. For it has been done out of the true fear of God, and because we feared in our conscience, we renounced them (God be praised), according to the word of the prophet (Jer. 15:17 ) and the teaching of the apostle; for I declare. before the Lord, and before His angels and hosts, yea, that I am ready with all my heart, and desirous, by the help and grace of the Lord, to testify to this with my flesh, blood and death. This is the solid ground of truth, firm and incontrovertible. I doubt not that they are wrong, and we, through the grace of God, right. Thus I longingly expect to, testify with a joyful mind to their wrong, even unto death, and also to confirm my faith and little gift. May the Lord strengthen me and my fellow prisoner. But we must first drink the bitter cup with fear and trembling. Oh, that we might taste it! for I have already given myself to,Him who was first given for me.

Hence, I further pray for the sake of the fellowship and unity of the Spirit, that everyone love the brotherhood. I Pet. 2:17: O brethren and' sisters, take heed thereto with a pure heart and, faithful love; for we have all been made to drink into one Spirit, and are baptized into one body. I Cor. 12 13. Therefore serve one another diligently in love cleave to Christ's body, abide with your members, and neither separate nor divide. Let-each esteem other better than themselves, and you.will remain together with peace and joy; (Phil. 2:3); the merciful God grant this to you and us.all. Amen.

In the third place, I further pray by the power of the Spirit, and by the conqueror Jesus Christ, yea, I beseech you by the love of the Father toward us,-the words are full of joy, spirit and gladness, "As my heavenly Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." John 15:9. . O brethren and friends, take heed to it; love must be according to the example of Christ firm and sure, for therein love is revealed, known and shown to us, yea, herein love stands fast; declared by the death, blood and confession of His Son. O friends, my most beloved, this is the true measuring reed, according to John's writing. Rev. 11:1. Consider this in the depth of your heart.

In the fourth place, I further beseech your love, consider with an attentive heart, and inwardly and outwardly, with a live, sober mind, prove, measure and correct yourselves with the Word of God, and follow and hold fast the same. Oh, hold fast to the Word of God, and you will never be deceived.

In the fifth place, I beseech all my brethren andsisters, as one that loves you with all his heart, if you would have your souls saved, receive the warning, of the Holy Ghost, that in the latter times many shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, I Tim. 4:1.

O brethren and chosen sisters, consider, and learn to know the lying spirits. Oh, diligently try the spirits by faith, and the knowledge of the Word of God. I John 4:1. Distinguish the good and the evil consciences of men. Oh, discern and learn to know with diligence them whose minds are corrupt, also who have the form of godliness, but deny the power of the Spirit. These and other points despise not; let them never depart from your heart, but hold them fast according to the Word of God; try all spirits, and measure them therewith, and you will know what form or appearance they have. O brethren, beware with a pure fear of God, beware every way, that no one set up liis reason or conscience as a head, and relapse into his old natural state. But much rather let the heart and conscience grow and increase according to the Word of God. Let your understanding be of the unadulterated milk, and of the wine from the pure vine Christ. Refresh your heart with the living waters. Hold fast to the fountain and rock unto death.

Lastly, I beseech your love yet, by the crying of Jesus Christ, by the weeping of the 'apostle Paul (Phil. 3:18), and by the many tears of the prophet Jeremiah, diligently to attend to and consider, and, with a living and working faith to hold fast to and not depart from the solid ground, and immovable foundation in Sion. I Pet. 2:6. My brethren, we longingly expect to have to go hence; help us, therefore, to contend for the faith (Jude 3) and to defend it unto death. We hope by His power and strong grace, help and consolation to go before you, if it is His divine will. We have already given our bodies to Him who bought our souls with His precious blood. T Cor. 6:20; I Peter 1:19.

Thus, my dear brethren and sisters, we will herewith bid you adieu, and take leave for this time; if it were the will of the Lord, I would from the heart that it might, be our final farewell and adieu till in life eternal-His divine will be done with us.

We greet all brethren and sisters that love us in the, faith, especially those that are banished, out of a, pure, brotherly, unfeigned, sound love, with the mighty power, the word and peace of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, till in His eternal glory. Amen.

Further, do not forget us poor, miserable, weak fellow members, and receive our letter in good part, it is written out of love. We would have written more, but it is now not necessary; besides, we may soon be debarred from it, for we are chained together like horses. We expect, as the bailiff says, a letter from the stadtholder as to what he shall then do with us.

The Spirit of peace, love, joy, peace; comfort and grace be upon all the God-fearing, especially do we wish much good to the banished, who, for the, testimony of the truth, through their faith, have overcome the wicked and still overcome in Christ. The Spirit of peace be with your spirit. Amen.

Written on the 15th day of our imprisonment. I hope that through the grace of God we are bound with a strong chain of love; love abides steadfast unto death. By me, TIJs JEURIAENSS.

I beseech all my brethren and sisters, and you, as a prisoner in the Lord, by the mercies of God, and by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled neither by spirit nor by word, nor by letter as from us. II Thessalonians 2:1, 2. This is the faithful warning of Paul to his friends.

 

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ANOTHER LETTER OF TIJS JEURIAENSS, WRITTEN
IN PRISON TO THE FRIENDS IN EDAM, A. D. 1569

My dear brethren and sisters, one with us in our most holy Christian faith, I wish you the weapons of light, to fight against the works of darkness; yea, from the depth of my heart and my inmost soul I wish you new tidings, glad news, an evangelical greeting, grace, mercy, peace, longsuffering, love, comfort, wisdom and steadfastness; yea, from God our heavenly Father all His heavenly treasures and riches, through Jesus Christ, our Giver and Distributor, our Prophet; great Apostle, and High Priest, our Ground, Foundation and Cornerstone in Sion, our Trumpet, and Horn of salvation in the house of David and camp of Israel, our Way, Door, Truth and Life, our Reconciler, Mediator and Advocate, our Peace, Atonement and Righteousness, our paschal Dove and paschal Lamb, our Sun, Light, Morning Star, our delightful Emmanuel, Peace, Comfort, and Captain of the faith, our Shepherd, David and Solomon according to the spirit, our Comforter and Rejoicer, our joy, Gladness, Might and Strength, our Fortress, Castle, Wall and Strength, our Hero, Warrior and Conqueror, who led captivity captive, deprived death of its might, power, and strength, that is, Him that had the power of death, brought life and immortality to light, spoiled principalities and powers, triumphed over them in Himself, broke down the middle wall of partition, blotted out the handwriting and nailed it to the cross, fulfilled the promises, satisfied the law, confirmed the testament with His death, and sealed it with His blood, and renewed all things, and put them under His feet, at the mercy seat upon the ark of God, above the cherubim, in the most holy place. that is, the head of His church forever. Amen. Eph. 4: 8; Heb. 2:14; Col. 2:15; Eph. 2:14; Matt. 5:17; Heb. 9:17; Rom. 3:25; Ex. 25:17; Eph. 1:22.

Since you are often in our hearts, dear and in God beloved, sanctified brethren and sisters, we cannot well forbear to visit your love, in spirit, through love, with our unworthy letters. For though according to the flesh, we are not present together, we are nevertheless together in spirit, and we rejoice in our bonds, afflicted in the flesh, butjoyful and delighted in spirit, when we consider your love, piety, brotherly love and godliness, the steadfastness of your faith, the assurance, constancy and confidence of your mind, your steadfastness and the obedience of the Gospel, your boldness of Jesus Christ, and the strengthening of our God through the power of His Holy Spirit. Hence the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one, which no one can do except he remain grounded, rooted and fixed in God through Jesus Christ, and God, again must dwell, walk and rest in Him through Christ, that is: there must be the Word and the wholesome knowledge of God, and an unconquerable love, hope and faith; and this is the power of the Spirit, irrefutable and unconquerable, in the firm foundation stone in Sion, which is to the unbelieving, a hard touchstone of stumbling and offence. Hence, whosoever shall fall on it shall be broken and crushed; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder, that is, destroy him. I John 2:14; Eph. 3:17; I I Cor. 6:16; I Cor. 13:13; I Pet. 2:6; Matt. 21:44.

Hence our unworthy letter is not especially written to your love, nor to teach or admonish your love. Oh, no, you have the anointing of Him that is holy, and hence you are already taught and enlightened in God, through Jesus Christ, by the Holy Ghost. I John 2:27; John 6:45. Besides, you have and know the holy criptures which can instruct and exhort you unto godliness. But we unworthy ones pray and wish day and night for the holy God and King of eternity, the Father of light and mercy, to strengthen and confirm through His unfathomable grace, and by His Holy Spirit, us and you in the spirit of our minds, according to the heart, and that Jesus Christ according to the inner man may dwell in our hearts by faith, that we, being rooted and grounded, steadfast and immovable from the hope of the Gospel, may be able to know and comprehend with all the saints of God, and with all Christian believers and chosen children of God, what is the abundance of His power and might, the riches of His glory, and His unfathomable grace, yea, the height, depth, breadth and length, and to know the love of God and Christ, which passes all knowledge, wisdom and understanding, that He would herein and hereby fill you with all the fullness of God. Eph. 4:23; 2:16.

See, my affectionately beloved, sanctified brethren and sisters, who are partakers of the kind and nature of our common, most holy, Christian faith, I say, of the kind and nature of God, through the regeneration of God, the heavenly Father, by His incorruptible seed and Word, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, in heavenly places, in the illumination and brightness of the heavenly glory, in newness of spirit, in the mind of Jesus Christ, by the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ unto obedience in the sanctification of the spirit. II Peter 1:4; I Peter 1:2. Hence we have all been made to drink into one spirit, and are baptized into one body, and sealed by one Spirit unto the day of our redemption. lI (:or. 12:13; Eph. 4:30.

Where this thus exists, there is certainly the nature of the Christian faith and the nature of God, without which faith and regeneration cannot be, exist, or be named; but where this is found and thus exists in full power of the spirit, as said, there are without doubt the blessing of God, the dew of the Holy Ghost and of the heavenly benediction, and the rain of righteousness, in all manner of fruitfulness, growth and incense in the knowledge of God and the mind of Jesus Christ. Ah, there is Abraham's holy seed of peace, the children of the promise, not of the flesh, nor of the law, but of the Spirit, in Isaac sanctified, justified, and blessed with all spiritual blessings in new and heavenly places in Jesus Christ. Rom. 9:8; Eph. 1:3. And therefore they have, and there pertain to them the adoption, the law, the service of God, the glory, the testaments, and the promises that were made to the fathers, which belonged to Israel according to their birthright, that is, according to the flesh, but who on account of their unbelief were rejected, and failed in them. Rom. 9:4.

But the spiritual Israel of God, namely, the seed of Abraham, the children of the promise, have obtained it by their faith, and have attained to, and been called and elected thereunto through grace; they have contrary to nature been grafted into the good olive tree, and have through grace become partakers of the root and sap. Rom. 9:8; 11:20-24. And this is now the great mystery of God, and the unsearchable grace of Jesus Christ, the mystery of the Holy Ghost, above the wisdom of the Jews, and the understanding of the Greeks, as Paul-says, and signifies to us. Eph. 3-:3-5.

Yes, my chosen friends, and sanctified of God, what a great benefit, love and mercy of God our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is this, namely, that we who were not a people, are now the people of God; we who had no hope in the covenants of promise are now by faith in Jesus Christ ingrafted and partakers and fellow heirs of His promises. I Pet. 2:10; Eph. 2:12. Behold, thus acts and works the only wise and eternal God, who in, with and by His wisdom measured and fathomed all things, and in the twinkling of an eye looked over and knew them from eternity to eternity; I say, who through the eyes of His wisdom, in the twinkling of an eye, looked over and knew all things in eternity from everlasting to everlasting. Oh, how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out I For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counselor? [or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again?J For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen. Rom. 11:33-36.

This holy, unsearchable and only wise God wrought all things according to His wisdom, purpose, and predetermined counsel, first in figures, promises, types and shadows, unto the bringing inof a better hope, by the which we draw nigh unto God. Heb. 7:19. For the figures, shadows and heavenly types point us to the true substance and perfect truth itself in Christ Jesus, which especially the Epistle to the Hebrews tells us, which also so gloriously speaks of the advent or bringing in of Jesus Christ, and of His departure and perfection, as may most satisfactorily be seen in great power and glory, which is very pleasant and delightful to read, consider and lay to heart, Heb. 1: 6; 5:9. Happy he who therein has his joy and delight, who considers it in the depth of his heart, and sincerely treasures it up.

For since God in His wisdom and foresight has wrought and ordered all things to man's profit and salvation, and in order to signify and show something else, mark well, the priests in the law were made priests without an oath, and this because of weakness and imperfection, and because death did not suffer them to continue, that is, the law made. nothing perfect, nor could it; with all its services and sacrifices, bring or give us perfection, salvation, or righteousness; for they could not make or become perfect in conscience, who worshiped; for if there had been a law given which could make perfect, righteousness would be by the law, and thus no better means would have been sought or used; and therefore the law has an end because of imperfection, and terminates in Christ. Heb. 7; Romans 10:4. For the word of the oath which was since the law, makes the Son our high priest perfected for evermore.

 

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Heb. 7:28. And He ever liveth to make intercession for our sins. v. 25. For He has neither beginning of days, nor end of life. v. 3. He dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him; for in that He died, He died unto sin once (Rom. 6:9), that is, He became a propitiation and sacrifice for sins, which is perfect, constant and perpetual. I John 2:2. For as the priests had to have compassion on them that sinned and erred through ignorance, because they themselves were also compassed with infirmity; therefore our high priest became a poor, passive and mortal man, that He might have compassion on our sins and infirmity, because He became Himself like unto us in all things, and was tempted like as we are, yet without sin, as may be seen everywhere in the New Testament. Hebrews 5:2; 4:15.

For since Adam was unclean in his nature, and with his seed and generation lay in sin and death, because of transgression, and the law of God required a pure, undefiled, holy, and blameless sacrifice for sin and transgression, that is, satisfaction for transgression and propitiation for sin, in order to help and save men; therefore the pure, undefiled and immaculate Word of the heavenly Father, out of great love and compassion had to come down here from hieh heaven, and, according to the promises of the prophets and the word of the angel, be conceived of the Holy Ghost in Mary, and, through the power of the Most High, be born of the holy virgin, and be holy, innocent, undefiled,
and separate from sinners, if He according to the law was to be a pure, holy, undefiled, and blameless sacrifice for sin. if the law was to be fulfilled, the sins propitiated, the sacrifice made, and our high priest made perfect as such for evermore by the oath. And He ever lives to make intercession for our sins; for such a high priest became us. Rom. 8:34.

Hence this was the greatest joy on earth that has ever been heard, seen and received: that God came and was seen and manifested in the flesh. I Timothy 3:16. The Lamb of God, which beareth and taketh away the sins of the world (John 1

29), came upon earth, in human form and in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom. 8:3), taught the kingdom of God (Mark 1:15), preached the Gospel of His peace and the word of His reconciliation (Luke 4:18; Ephesians 2:16), and declared life and His grace, the good Gospel news, the trumpet sound, to gather Israel to Jerusalem out of every land, to keep the feasts of Easter, Pentecost, and of Tabernacles, one new moon and Sabbath after another (Ex. 12:16; Isa. 66:23), as the prophet says, "Hearken, thou chosen daughter of Zion, and ye holy inhabitants of Jerusalem, what joyful sound and shouting is in thy streets! O what joyful and good news and glad tidings are in the camp of Israel, to gather the heavenly manna, which lies there, giving delight and sweetness." Ex. 16:16; Wisd. 16:21. But there had to be a golden pot in which the holy manna of God was preserved (Ex. 16:33), so there must be a clean flask and cruse in which the spiritual waters of eternal life must be gathered. And he that eats of this heavenly bread, and drinks of this water of life, shall live forever, and shall neither hunger nor thirst any more; for it shall be in him a well of living water springing up into everlasting life, John 6:51; 4:14.

See now, my dear and in God beloved, sanctified brethren and sisters, partakers of His promise, [fellow] citizens [with the saints], and of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the prophets and apostles, yea, a habitation of God through the Spirit, a spiritual house and holy temple, and lively stones, a royal generation, and an holy priesthood. Heb. 2:12; Eph. 2:19-22; I Pet. 2:5, 9. I say, holy inhabitants of Jerusalem, who have a free and open fountain for sin and uncleanness (Zech. 13:1); who completely and entirely place their hope in the grace of God, which is brought to you through the Gospel sent from heaven, which things the angels of God desire to look into. I Peter 1:13, 12. Who ascended up far above all thrones and heavens, and who is set above all power, might and dominion, in this and in the world to come. Eph. 4:10; 1:21.

But many neither understand nor regard this life, nor do they heed this great love and grace of God, and therefore they are offended in their heart because of their unbelief, and hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, and thus a root of bitterness springs up, bywhich many are defiled (Heb. 12:15), as has now been seen and found in the case of so many; and they are thus greatly embittered and defiled, that all medicines, yea, the flowing waters that issue from God's sanctuary, which can sweeten and heal everything, cannot heal or sweeten these pools and marshes, but they are given to salt, as the prophet says. Ezek. 47:1, 11. How unwholesome and barren is this water, which cannot be healed or made fruitful by the strength of the salt from the new cruse, through the power of the word of the holy prophet. II Kings 2:20-22.

Ah, these bitter waters cannot be made sweet by the pleasant tree (Ex. 15:25); for he that drinks thereof must die, as John says in his Revelation, "There fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; and the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters because they were made bitter. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third of it, and the night likewise." Rev. 8:10-12. And he further says that the smoke arose out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 9:2.

 

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Hence, my very dear and in God beloved holy brethren and sisters, let us put on the armor of light, to fight against the works of darkness, that is, to walk in the Spirit, and we shall not fulfill the works of the flesh. Rom. 13:12; Gal. 5:16. With the same meaning also Peter says, "Dearly beloved, we beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." I Pet. 2:11. Hence we must arm ourselves in weakness with the mind of Jesus Christ, with the Holy Ghost, with the word of truth, with the armor of light, and with the power of God, on the right hand and on the left (II Cor. 6:6, 7), that is, we must yield ourselves unto God, and live in God, as those that are become alive from the dead, and our members as instruments of righteousness unto God; then the wicked will not have dominion over us, as Paul teaches. Rom. 6:13, 14.

And where this thus triumphs, works and prevails in the power of the Spirit, there are not only conflicts, dying unto the sins of the flesh, and unto the old Adam with his lusts and desires, but there is also, through the divine knowledge and the mind of Jesus Christ, together with an invincible, firm faith, a sure and certain mind in the word and truth of the Lord: a conflict against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and wicked spirits; and we also bring all reason, and every high thing and what exalts itself against the truth into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Eph. 6:12; II Cor. 10: 5. And this, as has been said, through a pure, wholesome, sure, and steadfast knowledge of God, and a constant and certain mind, with the invincible shield of faith, with which all the fiery darts of the wicked are quenched. Eph. 6:16. And where this thus takes place and exists, as said above, there is the armor of light, but not of the flesh; there the power and armor of God have been put on; there is the mind of Christ, of the Spirit, but not of the flesh: there they war in, by and with faith, by which everything is conquered and put down in mighty power and in the strength of the Spirit, as has been said, etc.

O my dear friends, regenerated, children of the resurrection and of life, of light and of the day (Luke 20:36; I Thess. 5:5), children of God, and brethren and sisters of Jesus Christ, His companions and anointed members of His body, lively stones (I Pet. 2:5), temples of the Holy Ghost (I Cor. 6:19), kings and priests of God, I say, inhabitants of Jerusalem, and fellow heirs of His promise, yea, my sanctified brethren and sisters of our common, most holy Christian faith, also guests, strangers and pilgrims with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in this world (I Pet. 2:11; Heb. 11:9), Oh, what power, operation, nature and evidence have and pertain to these and like names, yea, what comfort, joy and gladness lie in them, belong in them, and would follow from them, that is, an evidence of obedience (Heb. 11:8), yea, an evidence, that one seeks the future promised land, firmly believes God's promises, despises the earthly, and loves the heavenly; yea, these names attest and confirm God's promises, that is, that no one has a right to, can have, bear, keep, and, in the power of the Spirit, maintain and live up these names, except he have with the patriarchs a firm assurance of faith, and judge him faithful who has promised it, and who is also able to keep it. Heb. 11:11. And therefore they all willingly journeyed as pilgrims, and through steadfast faith saw the future things, and held fast to them, and thus evinced their names in power and indeed, for our instruction, comfort, example and imitation.

Herein rejoice now with us, O you holy brethren and sisters in the Holy Spirit of truth, in the invincible, strong knowledge of God, and of the faith which leads to the hope of everlasting life; my most beloved, in the mind of Jesus Christ and nature of God. Yea, my immovable holy brethren and sisters, as I hope forever, brethren according to the Spirit, and not the flesh, according to the Gospel, and not the letter. Yea, I repeat it, my holy brethren and sisters, regenerated from the dead by the resurrection of Jesus Christ into heavenly places, here in the Holy Ghost, and hereafter in perfection.

Then you shall rejoice with joy unspeakable; then you shall live eternally and be forever happy; then the fiery lake and the second death shall not be able to terrify you; then shall your body, soul and spirit together be saved and forever blessed; then you shall eternally be filled and anointed with the Holy Ghost; then you shall be clothed in white raiment, and crowned and rewarded with thecrown of life, of joy, and of everlasting gladness and pleasure; then you shall enter into eternal joy and rest, and be taken and caught up in the air, to meet the Lord, and ever be with Him (I Thess. 4:17); then you shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye (I Cor. 15:51, 52) and your body and face be glorified with heavenly glory; there you shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of your Father (Matt. 13:43), then you shall laugh and rejoice (Luke 6:21); then you shall forever behold yourselves as in a mirror, in His face, brightness and glory, and behold Him who thus loved you that he gave His only begotten Son, who loves you even as His dear heavenly Father loved and blessed Him in eternity. I John 3:1; John 3:16.

Yes, then you shall in perfection, with soul, body, and spirit, inwardly and outwardly; burn in the fire of His love, and be forever inflamed in His abounding grace, sit at His table (Luke 12:37), and eat the bread of angels, of life and salvation and drink to the full of the waters of wisdom, life, of eternal salvation, and of everlasting joy; then shall He rejoice in Himself with His angels and holy hosts, and be joyful over you with the shouting of His multitude; then shall you receive, inherit and possess the imperishable riches that shall endure forever; then shall you be rich in body, soul and spirit; then shall you sing, leap, and cry, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, hallelujah" (Isa. 6:3); then shall a thousand years be to you as one day (II Pet. 3:8); then shall eternity be to you as the twinkling of an eye; then sha:l your years and days not grow old or be fulfilled; then shall you be without beginning of days and end of life: then you shall pass eternity as a moment of time; then you shall forever be without change, which now heart cannot comprehend, nor tongue or mouth express and fathom. Behold, this is now to be hung as a bright mirror before the eyes of our hearts; they are fruits of the promised land, the sweet Word of God, and immortal fruits, the powers of the world to come.

See hereby, my very dear and most beloved holy brethren and sisters in the regeneration and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead into heavenly places, that is, through the renewing of the spirit of the mind (Eph. 4:23), through the mind of Jesus Christ, as firm walls and pillars in the truth of God, my dear friends, the apple of my eyes, my right hand and foot, hold fast to, and continue to stand upon, the firm ground of truth, upon which you are built and placed, whereunto we are from eternity foreordained, called and created of God, that is, according to the likeness of God, and to eternal life, through Jesus Christ.

I commend you all to the holy, invincible God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and to His holy Word and everlasting peace, in your holy assemblies, to the praise of His holy name, and to our salvation. We give and commend you and all of us again, for an eternal adieu, into the invincible arms of His power, and into the invincible hands of His strength; the powers of heaven and the firmament of faithfulness be our foundation and strength, to enter through death into life eternal. We unworthy ones greet your love out of pure unfeigned, heartfelt, brotherly love, yea we greet all our brethren and sisters, the regenerated in the resurrection of Jesus Christ into heavenly places, the mind of Christ, the new likeness and brightness of His glory, the undefiled, pure knowledge of God, that leads to the hope of eternal life, through firm faith and power, and the communion of the Holy Ghost forever. Amen.

This we unworthy ones have written you in haste in our bonds, if haply it should please God, that we might be worthy of being remembered by you in your holy prayers, harping and hallelujahs, and that we with you, and you with us, might forever rejoice. Greet therefore, in our name, all the saints of God, and you among yourselves, with pure hearts, holy and bent knees, uncovered heads, in the holy name of our God, with the pleasant kiss of peace, embrace and bless one another cordially in fervent love. Once more I commend you to the faith of God's elect, the health of Jesus Christ, the knowledge of God that leads to godliness, and to the hope of eternal life; and remain invincible forever. The Lord be praised forever. Amen.


Written by me TIJs JEURIAENSS, your weak, poor and miserable brother, from our bonds, A. D. 1569, the 5th day of February, imprisoned in the Hague for the testimony of the truth.

 

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FIVE LETTERS OF CLEMENT HENDRICKSS, SENT FROM HIS PRISON IN AMSTERDAM, WHERE HE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH; TOGETHER WITH JAN KRIJNSS AND CORNELIS JANSS MENTIONED ABOVE

First letter, sent to one of his acquaintances, named Grietgen Dircks

Know, dear Grietgen Dircks, that I am still of good courage in the flesh, and that my mind is still unchanged and fixed to fear the Lord, the Lord be thanked; I can never thank the Lord enough for it.

I sometimes am much grieved that I unworthy one have at times grieved you so much. I can easily imagine that many are grieved on my account, as I have heard, that it is said that I have apostatized from my faith, which is not true, the Lord be praised. So far they have asked me only simple questions; if they would only not ask more closely, this I sincerely desire; but I fear that I already am where I must stay. The Lord grant unto me what is for my salvation. I trust in Him, that He will give me strength, that I may continue to His praise, and to the salvation of my soul. Our other three brethren have already fought the fight; if it is the Lord's will, He may also take me home. On Friday I yet knew nothing to the contrary, but that I should also offer up my sacrifice; and my mind was quite ready for it, the Lord be thanked; I can never thank Him enough, that He so faithfully succors me. I trust only in Him, and he that trusts in Him shall not be ashamed; for He does not forsake His own who trust in Him alone.

Be so kind and greet all the brethren very much in my name, and tell them to pray for me, that the Lord would strengthen me unto my last extremity; for the prayer of the faithful and righteous avails much; this is my sincere request. Acts 12:5, 12; James 5:16. Herewith I will commend you to the Lord, if we should see each other no more with the eyes of the flesh; take this in good part, and tell my sister what I have written you; for she is as yet under the impression that I have apostatized from my faith-the Lord is the discerner of all hearts. Acts 1:24.

By me Clement Hendrickss, unworthy prisoner in the Lord.

 

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The second letter of Clement Hendrickss

Grace, peace and mercy from God our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ His only beloved Son, who gave Himself for us, out of great love, to deliver us from the bond of death; this fervent love,with the power and strength of the Holy Ghost, I wish you my very dear and beloved N., as a token of gratitude, and for consolation and strength, now and forever. Amen.

Further, my very dear and beloved, beloved by God, the heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, out of true Christian, brotherly love I cannot well forbear to write your love briefly as to how it still is with me in my bonds. I cannot thank and praise the Lord sufficiently, that He so comforts me in my tribulation, and that my mind is still fixed to fear the Lord with all my heart all the days of my life, according to my weak ability. Furthermore, very dear and beloved, I poor and unworthy one have undertaken to write you a little, though I am unfit to do so; but it is done out of true Christian, brotherly love; hence accept it from me in good part.

O my very dear and beloved, what a beautiful consolation it is to us, that Christ says, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 5:10. Christ also says, "Whosoever doth not take up his cross, and follow me, is not worthy of me; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." Luke 9:23, 24. Paul, further, says all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. II Tim. 3:12. Many are the afictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. Ps. 34:19. Therefore, my very dear and beloved, the prophets suffered, yea, Christ Himself, and also all the pious witnesses of Jesus Christ even unto the present day. Hence, let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding, that, when he cometh and knocketh they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. Luke 12:35-37.

Hence, my dear and much beloved,~what a beautiful comfort this is to us I For it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." I Cor. 2:9. He that shall endure unto the end. the same shall be saved. Matt. 24:13. And Esdras saw upon the Mount Sion a great people, whom he could not number, and they all praised the Lord with songs. And in the midst of them there was a young man of a high stature, taller than all the rest, and upon every one of their heads he set crowns, and was more exalted; at which he [Esdrasl marveled greatly. So he asked the angel, and said, "Sir, what are these?" He answered and said, "These be they that have put off the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God: now are they crowned, and receive palms." Then he asked the angel, "What young person is it that crowneth them, and giveth them palms in their hands?" And he answered and said, "It is the Son of God, whom they have confessed in the world"

Behold, my dear and much beloved in the Lord, what is our life? It is even a vapor, or as a smoke that is driven by the wind, not knowing whence it cometh, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Jas. 4:14. But our dying is nothing less than an introduction into eternal life, to reign with God and Christ. Christ says, "He that believeth in me is passed from death unto life." John 5:24. If we die through Him, we live in Him, for God is not the God of the dead, but of the living; and Abraham believed in Him, and all believers live in God. Matt. 22:33; Jas. 2:23. Though they suffered death, they were the friends of God, so that He says, "He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of my eye." Zech. 2:8. Behold, what manner of love the Father~hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth you not, because it knew Him not. Therefore, my dear and much beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear we shall be like Him;for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that bath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure. I John 3:1-3. We know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, that we may be clothed upon with it. II Cor. 5:1, 2.

Yea, saith Paul, as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ; whether it be comfort or tribulation, it is all for our salvation, if we suffer as the saints suffered, that is, for the testimony of the Word of God. 1:5. 6; Rev. 6:9. Paul further says, "If we suffer with him, if we die with Christ, we shall live with him." I7 Tim. 2:11, 12. He further says; that our earnest expectation is nothing less than the manifestation of the sons of God, that is, we desire aid long so greatly for the appearing of our Lord in the clouds, that we may be caught up to Him in the clouds, and become like Him. Rom. 8:19; Matt. 24:30; I Thess. 4:17. While we are in these tabernacles, we are burdened; for we would rather be clothed upon with the immortal and heavenly glory with which Christ shall glorify us.. He that bath wrought us for this selfsame thing is God, who bath given unto us the earnest of the faith, through faith and trust in His Son. II Con 5:4, 5.

Hence, my dear and much beloved, even as it is also written; Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are temporal, but at the things which are eternal. II Cor. 4:16-18. Herewith I commend you to the Lord; may He bless and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and upon us all, and begracious unto us. Num. 6:24, 25. Greet the brethren much in my name, where it is convenient. I will commend you all to the Lord until,the appearing of our Lord. The peace of the Lord be with you now and forever. Amen.

Written in bonds, on Christmas Monday, by me,

CLEMENT HENDRICKSS,

Unworthy prisoner in the Lord.

 

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Third Letter of Clement Hendrickss, to his father and mother

I wish you, my dear and beloved father, and my dear and much beloved mother, the Spirit of truth, and the knowledge of the faith, according to the mind of Christ Jesus, a clear vision and an open heart in all divine matters and in: the Word of God, thereby rightly to discriminate which is. light or darkness, lies or truth, yea, flesh or spirit; in order that you may not be deceived, but firmly adhere to the word of God, so that you may receive a full reward, and lose none of those things which you have hitherto wrought through your faith. II John 8.

Further, my dear and much beloved father and mother, whom. I well remember in my bonds, and still pray for you every morning and evening, that the Lord would comfort you in your sorrow, which you have for me, poor, unworthy man, who am not worthy that you should sorrow for me. Furthermore, my dear and.much beloved father and mother I inform your love, that I have undertaken to write your love a little, as to how it still is with me, and that it is still my purpose to fear the Lord with all my heart, with all my strength, and with all my soul,.as long as I remain in the flesh, for which I can never sufficiently thank and praise the almighty, great and only wise God for His unspeakable, yea, incomprehensible grace, which He has hitherto shown me and still daily shows me thiough Jesus Christ and the supply of His Spirit, Phil. 1:19. For this I thank the almighty God, and bow the knee of my heart (Prayer of Manasses) before the Father full of grace, who is a true and righteous God of mercy, and a God that comforts us all with His holy Word.

Therefore, my dear and much beloved father and mother, sorrow not for me poor, unworthy man, but much rather rejoice herein, and praise the Lord for it, that He has called and made worthy your son, to suffer for His holy Word and His Gospel. And we find; that the apostles and the prophets, yea, Christ Himself, had to suffer according to the flesh, from evil and perverse men. Hence my dear father and much beloved mother, do not grieve too much, and be content herein, as much as is possible for you, this I most kindly ask you for the name of the Lord. And always comfort yourselves with the words of Christ where He says, "He that loveth aught more than me is not worthy of me; and everyone that forsaketh house, home, lands, and father and mother, shall receive a hundred fold." Matt. 10: 37; Luke 14:26; Matt. 19:29.

Therefore, my dear and much beloved father and mother what else can we meet with in this life, than with great poverty? And what is man's life? nothing but as 'the flower of the field: the grass withereth and the flower fadeth; and as a vapor, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away. Isaiah 40:6, 7; Jas. 4:14. Further, my dear and much beloved father, I am of good courage to offer up my sacrifice, and to suffer for the name of the Lord; for Christ says, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." Matt. 10:32. Christ also says, "Let your light shine before men." 5

16. And I fain would, when I am to offer up my sacrifice, that they would place me on a wagon and carry me around town, and scourge me four times, that I might let the light shine before this evil, blind and perverse generation; for I am not ashamed to suffer for the Gospel. Rom. 1:16. For I shall not suffer as a thief, or a rogue, or robber, or evildoer, but I shall suffer as a Christian. I Peter 4:15, 16. For if we suffer for evil doing, what profit is it to us? but if we suffer for well doing, this is acceptable with the heavenly Father. 2:20. Furthermore my dear and much beloved father and mother, I inform your love that they have let me know that I should commit myself into the hands of the clergy; then they thought I should get out of here. Thereupon I sent back word to them, that I had no intention of doing this, and that they should go to no trouble about it.

Hence, my dear and much beloved father and mother, be not dismayed on account of this, I humbly pray you for the name of the Lord, for of such things a Christian ought not to be ashamed. For there was Joseph, who was tempted by the Egyptian woman; and she had caught him by his coat or mantle, and wished to commit whoredom with him; and she would not let him go; but he fled from her, and left the mantle or coat in her hand, rather than commit this great sin with her. Therefore, my dear and much beloved father and mother, if the whore of Babylon takes hold of our coat or mantle, that we should commit whoredom with her, rather let go, through the grace of the Lord, your coat or mantle, namely, your temporal life, than that you should commit whoredom with her. Rev. 17:1 , 2.

Furthermore, my dear and much beloved father and mother, I ask you very humbly, with weeping eyes, for forgiveness for all that I have done amiss against you by word or deed, or by any thoughts, that you will forgive me. It seems that my time will soon be here now, when I shall offer up my sacrifice. Hence my dear and much beloved father and mother, I will commend you to the Lord, and bid you adieu till the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Tlie peace of the Lord be with you forever and ever. Amen.

Written by me, your beloved son, in my bonds.

CLEMENT HENDRICKSS,

Unworthy prisoner in the Lord.

 

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Fourth letter of Clement Hendrdckss, to his father
and mother

A most friendly greeting to you my beloved father and mother. I inform you, that I am still of good courage and well, as I hope that also you are.

Further, my dear and much beloved father and mother, J inform your love how it is with me, according to the body, in my bonds. I cannot thank and praise the Lord enough for it, that He so comforts me in my tribulation, and that it is still my fixed purpose to fear the Lord as long as I am here, though flesh and blood should suffer on this account.

Furthermore, my dear and much beloved father and mother, I inform your love, how they dealt with me when I was first apprehended. I had been invited out in the evening, which was on a Wednesday, and we were speaking of going home. Then the Watch met ' us, and we had no light with us, whereupon we were taken up above by the watch, where sat Floris den Bral, who asked us, whence we came, whether we had not been at a meeting of the new religion. We said, "No." He asked whether we would substantiate this with our oath. I said to him, "Will you not believe my word; I mean to tell you the truth." But he insisted on the oath, and we would not swear, then he said, "Take them back below." And we were forthwith taken in the rear, into the dungeon, as though we had been thieves or rogues. The next morning we were taken above, and they brought me first before the lords, having bound my hands behind my back, as though I had been a thief. Then the bailiff asked me and said, "Clement." And I said, "Sir bailiff."

He asked, "How many times have you attended the meetings of the Mennists?" I kept silence and gave him no answer. And he insisted hard upon knowing it, whereupon I was led away into a room by myself. Then the others were brought before the lords, and asked concerning their faith. They confessed their faith,.and then I was again brought before the lords, and he again asked me, how often r had attended the meetings. He wanted to know whether I had been there ten times. I said, "No." Eight times?"No." Seven times?"No." Three times?"Yes." Then he asked me, who had been the preacher. I said, "I am not minded to tell it." He also wanted me to tell in what house I had been, and what people had been there. I told him that I was not minded to tell him. He said that he should make me tell it. I was then taken back into the dungeon. The day following I was again taken up before the lords, and the bailiff asked me, whether I would not yet tell him, who had been the preacher, where it had been, and what people had been present. I told him that I was not yet minded to tell it, and said, "I am in trouble, and I do not wish to bring any one else into trouble; you have me here, deal with me according to your pleasure." Jeremiah 26:14.

Then the bailiff said to the judges, "I demand him to be Put on the rack. in order to tear" all the particulars."

And he said, "Take him to the rear;" and I was taken to the rack; where I was stripped, and my shirt tied before my body. Thus I was placed in a sitting posture on the rack, and my eyes blindfolded. Then the bailiff came to me, and asked me whether I would not yet tell it. I told him that I was not yet minded to tell it. Thereupon I was laid upon the rack, and tied to it with seven ropes. On my head there were two knots, which lay on my forehead; and a cord on each of my great toes, and the others around my body. The ropes were twisted together with billets of wood, and I expected nothing else but that he would twist in pieces the ribs in my body. Urine was also poured into my mouth, and as I lay there in pain, I was also scourged on my breast. The Lord knows how they dealt with me. Through the severe pain I named four persons; but I hoped that they were not in town.

This lasted about half an hour. I said to them, that they should put a rope around my throat, and dispatch me at once. When they loosed the ropes, I was not able to get up by my own efforts; the servants had to help me up. I was then taken back into a dungeon. The next day I was again brought above before the lords, and if it had not been for Joost Buyck, I would have been tortured again, though I was scarcely able to walk. Then the bailiff asked me, whether I would not have a monk to come and see me. I said, that he might stay away. He said, "You have to hear a dog bark; can you not hear a man talk?" I was then taken back into the dungeon, and a priest and a monk came to dispute with me. They began to prate much of this and that, and to tell many fables; but I kept silence, and let them prate on; and they got angry because I did not reply to them more, and one of them said that I had the devil in me. Four days after I was taken above again, when they told me that I should prepare myself against Saturday.

I said, "Whenever it pleases the Lord I am ready." I was then taken back into the dungeon, and expected nothing else than that. I should offer up my sacrifice on Saturday, and even on Saturday I had no other expectation but of offering up my sacrifice. There came a priest to me, and would have me confess to him. I said that I did not want to confess to him, since he could not forgive my sins; I said, "The best confession is to confess to the Lord my God." Then the bailiff with two judges came to me, and said, that they would wait with me two weeks yet; but I was of such good courage to offer up my sacrifice, as though I had known nothing of death. Phil. 2:17. And so I am still of such good courage, as though I knew nothing of imprisonment. It began to vex me that it is deferred so long.

I long to be out of the flesh, and am quite cheerfully resigned to offer up my sacrifice; the Lord does not forsake His own who trust in Him. Furthermore, my dear and much beloved father, I inform you, that I received your letter, and I was rejoiced to learn that you are so well content herein.Further, my dear father and mother, I will bid you adieu, if it be the Lord's pleasure, till the appearing of our Lord. The peace of the Lord be with you forever. Amen. By me,


CLEMENT HENDRICKSS,


Unworthy prisoner in the Lord.

 

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Fifth letter of Clement Hendrickss

I wish you, my dear and beloved in the Spirit and according to the truth, as I trust, in the knowledge of the faith, and in the mind of Christ Jesus, a clear vision, and an open heart, in all divine matters, and in the Word of God, thereby rightly to discriminate which is light or darkness, lies or truth, yea, flesh or spirit; in order that you may not be deceived, but adhere firmly to the Word of God, so that you may receive a full reward.

Further, my dear and much beloved, I cannot well forbear to write you a little, how it still is with me in my bonds, and that my mind is still fixed to fear the Lord with all my heart, with all my strength, and with all my soul, for which I can never fully thank and praise the almighty, great and all-wise God, for His unspeakable, yea, incomprehensible grace which He has hitherto shown me and still daily shows me, through Jesus Christ, and the supply of the Spirit. For this I thank the almighty God, and bow the knee of my heart before the Father full of grace and truth, who is the true Father full of grace, and the God of all comfort, who can comfort us when we are in tribulation and distress. II Cor. 1:3, 4.

Hence, my dear and faithful, keep well this good treasure, which is committed to you, given you of God through grace; for faith is the gift of God. Rom. 12:3. By it the elders obtained a good report, and assurance in their hearts, through the ancient word of the Spirit of Christ, who had testified before with their spirit, that they were the children of God, and heirs of all the glorious promises. Heb. 11:2; I Pet. 1:11. Hence they willingly forsook everything, and esteemed it nevertheless much more and greater riches, to suffer affliction with the children of God, than to enjoy all the temporal pleasures of this world;

for they had respect unto the recompense of the reward, and to that which was eternal and not temporal. Heb. 11:25, 26; II Cor. 4:18. For faith looks to that which does not appear here now, nor is seen with carnal eyes, but which is beheld by the inner, hidden man, and by the eyes of the heart; and hence they hold it fast, as though they saw it before their eyes, and could touch it with their hands; for they judge Him faithful that promised, that He also will do it, for He cannot deny Himself. Heb. 11:1, 11; 10:23; II Timothy 2:13. Therefore, my dear and faithful, look not at the things which are seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Cor. 4:18. And Christ says, "He that loveth aught more than me, is not worthy of me." Matt. 10:37.

And in another place He says, "Every one that forsaketh house, home, lands, and father and mother, yea, also his own life, shall receive a hundred fold." Matt. 19:29. Hence we must forsake everything here, and love nothing more than the living God, and show it with works and by the deed, that we are the children of God, and not bastards. The righteous must through much affliction enter into the kingdom of heaven; but the Lord helps them in all their afflictions; He does not suffer His own to be tempted above that they are able, but has with the temptation also made a way to escape. Ps. 34:19; I Cor. 10:13. But the ungodly He reserves unto the day of judgment to be punished. II Pet. 2:9.

Hence, my dear and much beloved, remember Joseph, who was tempted by the Egyptian woman to commit whoredom with her; and she had taken hold of his coat or mantle, and would not let him go; but he fled from her, and left the coat or mantle, in her hand, rather than commit this great sin with her. Therefore, my dear and much beloved, if the harlot of Babylon takes hold of our coat or mantle rather let go, by the grace of God, your earthly coat, namely, your temporal life, than that you should be compelled to commit whoredom with her; well knowing that our mortal clothing must first be put off before the immortal can be put on. And if our earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building in heaven, a house not made with hands, but which is eternal. II Corinthians 5:1.

Furthermore, my dear and much beloved, I have undertaken to write you a little yet, of the words of Christ, where He says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter [that he may abide with you forever]; even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive . . . . Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye shall see me, and ye know me, says the Lord." John 14:15-17, 19, 20. In another place Christ also warns us, saying, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit . . . . Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." Matt. 7:15-17, 19.

Herewith I bid you adieu with the sure Word of His grace, until His coming. The peace of the Lord be with you forever and ever. Amen. Receive this my brief letter in good part.

Written in my bonds out of love, by me,

CLEMENT HENDRICKSS,

Unworthy prisoner in the Lord.

 

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VEIT GREYENBURGER, A. D. 1570

In the year 1570, Veit Greyenburger, a brother, was apprehended at Wald in Vintschgau as he wastraveling through there. He had been spied out, and a prize set upon his capture. When he arrived at the inn, and the peasants noticed him, but did not well know him, they came into the inn by night, and when they saw him pray before eating, they put their heads together and said, "He is the man, or he looks like him;" and acted as though it were wrong to pray-so plainly could the devil be seen in them. Hence they watched him in the inn, and sent word to the judge in the castle at Niedersol, who came with many footmen and servants, bound his hands behind his back, and took him to the prison in the castle of Niedersol. Very soon after he was examined, and led back into prison. Five weeks afterwards the grand bailiff came from Saltzburg, who took him with two servants and two footmen to the castle at Saltzburg, and there put him in prison in chain . A long time, namely, two years and a half, afterwards, priests came, namely, the preacher of the Cathedral at Saltzburg, also the ecclesiastical judge and other fellows. Each had before him ink and paper, and they addressed Brother Veit," and urged him to make his defense.

The brother said, "What shall I say: You are accusers and judges, and what you are not able to carry out yourselves, the judge, the beadles, and the executioner must do in your stead. You tell it to the Prince, the Prince tells it to the judge, the judge to the beadles, the beadles to the executioner, who must finish it; this is your high priest who helps you to gain the victory." Among other things the brother also said to them, "The Spirit says plainly what you are; for Paul writes: 'That in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving."' I Tim. 4:1-3.

Then one of the priests said to him, "We do not forbid marriage; moreover, I have eaten meat today." But the brother said, "Ah! it is well known that you forbid marriage and permit whoredom." But when the priest had well bethought himself he said, "Do you know what Christ says: 'The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do'"? Matt. 23:2, 3. Then Brother Veit asked them, "Do you think that you are the same?" They replied, "Yes, we are they by the will of God." The brother said, "You are they indeed, since you confess it; but Christ pronounces many woes upon them, and calls them serpents and a generation of vipers, hypocrites, fools and blind guides, and such are you, as your own mouth testifies." Matt. 23. Then he was called an Anabaptist and the like.

Thereupon Brother Veit asked them, whether they also considered Paul an Anabaptist. They said, "No." Then he was asked, "Why then did he baptize again those who had already been bap-tized with John's baptism, which was certainly from heaven, but was nevertheless not sufficient to salvation? How much less then can infant baptism, which is from men, be sufficient?" Then they were silent and Brother Veit said, "You allow midwives to baptize; where is this written?" But they did not know, and sat there as dumb as dogs. Thereupon they asked him, whether he belonged to the Huterite society. He replied, "Huter was a teacher." They asked, "Is he then your Messiah?" He answered, "Huter was a pious man, who was burnt at Innsbruck for his faith and the divine truth; but our Messiah is Christ. (John 1:21; 4:25.) But what kind of Messiah and father have you at Rome, and also here in this town?"

Then they said that the pope had nothing to do with them. Then the brother said, "Then you have a superior here in town?" The priests said that he was not their father. The brother rejoined, "You certainly said yourselves before, that your father had sent you forth." Then they did not know what to say. In this manner he was examined several times; hence, Christ did not in vain say to His own, "When they shall bring you into their synagogues, council houses, before magistrates, powers and the learned, take no thought how or what ye shall say: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which they shall not be able to gainsay or resist." Luke 21:12, etc.

Having been imprisoned upward of six years at Saltzburg, suffering much misery and tribulation, Brother Veit, in the year 1576, through the help of God, escaped through a window of his prison. The people in the castle said that it was beyond the power of man to get out; but with God all things are possible. Matt. 19:26. Thus he returned to his brethren and the church, on the 9th of August of said year.

 

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FOUR FRIENDS OFFERED UP IN MAESTRICHT;
ARENT VAN ESSEN; URSEL HIS WIFE; NEELT
GEN, AN OLD WOMAN; AND TRIJNTGEN,
HER DAUGHTER, IN THE YEAR 1570

During the time of freedom following the destruction of the images, the church at Maestricht grew and flourished, increasing in number. But when the Duke of Alva came into the country, many fled out of the city whithersoever they best could; some, however, remained, among whom there was also a brother who was an elder and also a school teacher. His name was Arent van Essen, and he had a wife whose name was Ursel. In the same house with them there lived another couple, of whom the wife's name was Trijntgen; and the name of her mother, an old woman of about seventy-five years, was Neeltgen. These persons having been betrayed and reported to the authorities, one of the burgomasters of the city, a man of furious disposition, came violently, about twelve o'clock in the night, with his servants, called beadles, to the house of the schoolmaster, and with great noise apprehended this man Arent, and thelatter was led in the night to the council house, called the Landskroon. About an hour after, the burgomaster with his beadles again went to the house of the aforesaid schoolmaster, to apprehend two women yet, whom he had not seized before. Arriving there he also found Neeltgen the old woman, who had come to see how it was with her daughters Trijntgen and the others; for she had heard that Arent had been taken away and imprisoned. He also apprehended these three, and took them likewise to the Landskroon, to the man, so that in the morning all four were together, rejoicing together in God, and comforting one another.

When they were brought before the lords, they each separately freely confessed their faith (I Pet. 3:15), and that they had received baptism upon their faith, and what else belongs to godly doctrines; in which, it seems, Ursel, though weak, according to the flesh, was not the most timid; for they separated her from the rest and delivered her to the lords (that is, to the bailiff and the judges), who judge in cases of capital punishment. And thus she was taken to the Dinghuys, a place thus called; where she was greatly harassed with many threats, all of which she meekly bore and suffered. Thus it went also with her husband, Arent, whom they likewise delivered to the lords, and brought him to the prisoners' gate, which is the highest prison, where also manifold wiles Were employed to cause him to apostatize.

When this old woman Neeltgen and her daugh. ter Trijntgen, were also delivered to the lords, and conducted to the Dinghuys, and came into the street on their way thither, both of them being joyful and of good courage, Trijntgen for joy began to sing, thus she was kindled in the Lord.

During their imprisonment in the Dinghuys they were frequently assailed by the lords, and also by monks and priests, who sought to move them to renounce their faith; but God preserved His sheep from the terrible rage of the wolves. After this they began first to torture Arent. Yea, it was said, that he was seven Times severely tortured, so that he fell into despondency in consequence of all these tortures: but the Lord extended to him His hand, strengthened him, and gave him new courage, so that he manfully fought through, as we shall hear. Ursel his wife was likewise brought from the Dinghuys to the prisoners' gate, where she exhorted her husband not a little, to the strengthening of his heart.

There Ursel was also twice tortured on the rack; but she faithfully adhered to the truth. But it did not stop with this torturing in her case; for the executioner tied her hands together, and drew her up, and as she was hanging there he cut open her chemise with a knife baring her back, and severely scourged her with rods; this was done twice in one day. (It was said that a Jesuit advised this scourging.) But all this was patiently borne by Ursel, who, as said above, was also tender of body, so that before her imprisonment, she had to turn her stockings inside out, and put them on and wear them thus, because she could not bear the seams of the stockings inside on her limbs; but now, through the help of God, she was able to endure torturing and scourging. Neeltgen the old woman was also led to the torture, and when she came to the rack or ladder, she went and lay down upon it of her own accord; but the lords considering her age and feebleness, she was not tortured.

They said to her, "It is not your first time, namely, that she lay on the rack; for they knew that she had also once in her youth been imprisoned and tortured for the truth, from which imprisonment she had been delivered in a remarkable manner. But her daughter Trijntgen was treated far less gently, for she was tortured very severely; and when she was taken from the rack almost in a fainting condition, she was laid upon a bed for a little while; but as soon as she was recovered a little she had to go on the rack again. And when she was tortured severely she cried aloud, "O Lord, succor me, and keep my lips."

For she was severely tortured, that she should name others; for they were thirsting for more blood. And God heard her prayer, and kept her lips, so that they could obtain nothing from her which implicated her neighbor. When Trijntgen was tortured the last time, she said, "I praise and thank the Lord." Mother Neeltgen, who was not far off, hearing her daughter speak, asked, "Is that my child?" Hearing this, Trijntgen replied, "Yes, my mother;" and fell on her neck and kissed her.

On the 9th of January, in the year 1570, Arent and Ursel his wife were notified in the name of the lords, that each was to be put to a stake and burned, in which message they greatly rejoiced, because they were to be counted worthy to die for the name of Christ; and were full of joy that day and night, thanking and praising God, and thus waited for the day of their redemption.

 

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Continued...

In the morning a town beadle came to Ursel, and enjoined her in the name of his lords, that she should not speak in the street on her way to execution; this the beadle said in the presence of the lords. Ursel said to the lords, "And may I not sing a little, and say something now and then?" But this they would not permit her, and said among themselves, "We hear now what her intentions are." They further said to the executioner, "Do as you are commanded, and stop her mouth." The executioner had a piece of wood, which he put in Ursel's mouth, and tied up her mouth with a cloth. And as they had been taken back from the prisoners' gate, where they were tortured, to the Dinghuys, whence they were to go to execution, and where also Neeltgen and Trijntgen were still imprisoned, Trijntgen, when Ursel was led away from the Dinghuys, had come to a window above, and when she saw Ursel being led forth to death, she cried aloud over all the people, saying to Ursel, "Dear sister, contend manfully, for the crown of life is prepared for you." Thus Ursel, with her mouth gagged, went to the Vrijthof (the place where she was to be offered up), the people complaining greatly, because her mouth had been gagged so that she could not speak one word.

When Ursel arrived at the scaffold which had been erected, she ascended it quietly as a lamb, and went directly into the hut, and the executioner immediately set fire to the same; and thus she was burned to ashes, and became a burnt offering unto the Lord.

Very shortly after, Arent, Ursel's husband, was also notified to prepare himself for death, which he willingly received, and prepared himself accordingly. Before he was led forth to death, they also stopped and tied up his mouth, which presented a pitiful sight. They had erected a scaffold in another place than where Ursel bad been put to death, namely, in the Friday or cattle market, near the Poel. What the lords sought by putting them to death separately was not really known; but common report had it, that the lords did it in order that Arent and Ursel might not derive any comfort from each other. When Arent was thus led, with his mouth gagged, to this place, a joyful and undismayed_mind could be perceived. Having ascended the scaffold, he fell upon his knees, and fervently offered up his prayer.

He then arose and went into the hut, where he divested himself of part of his clothing; but as this took up some time, the bailiff, who was present on horseback, called out to the executioner, "Go on with your work;" which the latter immediately did, and lighted the fire, and thus this martyr was likewise burned to ashes, as a witness of Jesus Christ.

Above we said, that the old woman Neeltgen, and Trijntgen her daughter, remained still imprisoned in the Dinghuys. On the 23d of January of the same year, these two also received notice from the lords, that they should have to die as the others; which notice they so joyfully received, that time seemed very long to them before that day arrived. For they sought rest above in heaven with their dear heavenly Father, who, though He suffers His own to be tempted here, yet does never depart with His mercy from them, but delivers them out of all their distress. Hence, they were rejoiced in the Lord above measure, thanked and praised Him the whole night, and thus waited longingly for the day of their redemption. In the morning, when they were to be led to execution, the executioner puta piece of wood into the mouth of each, and tied it up with a cloth; and thus they joyfully went (escorted) to the Vrijthof.

On the way Trijntgen put her hands up to the cloth with which her mouth was tied, and began to draw it away and to say something, and to call out why they died. But this they would in no wise tolerate; hence the executioner went up to her and laid his hand upon her mouth, and ordered her to go into the hut; for most of this was done on the scaffold. And thus Trijntgen and her dear mother were led into the hut, and both burned to ashes, having commended their souls into the hands of God; which took place on the 24th of January, A. D. 1569.

 

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ANNEKEN OGIERS, DAUGHTER OF JAN OGIERS, AND WIFE OF ADRIAEN BOOGAERT, DROWNED FOR
THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, AT HAARLEM, A. D. 1570

The misery of persecution continued, so that almost nowhere liberty could be found for an upright Christian soul. Herein also those of Haarlem, in Holland, incurred guilt; which appeared in the year of our Lord 1570, for then they laid their hands (which they had previously several times imbrued in the blood of the saints) on a God-fearing woman named Anneken, the daughter of Jan Ogiers, and wife of Adriaen Boogaert, who thirteen years previously had betaken herself from the darkness of popery to the true light of the Gospel, and, in proof that she desired to be a disciple of Jesus, had been baptized upon her faith, leaving and renouncing the pope and the Romish church, and, on the other hand, accepting and confessing Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and His church (namely, the cross-bearing church of the Anabaptists) as His beloved bride, wife and own body, by which she was then recognized as a member and fellow sister.

When she in her imprisonment could by no means be turned from her faith, the rulers of the city of Haarlem, concluded her trial and, on the 17th of June, A. D. 1570, publicly in court, pronounced sentence of death upon her, namely, that she should be drowned and buried under the gallows. The sentence (excepting the title) reads word for word as follows:


SENTENCE OF DEATH OF ANNEKEN, JAN OGIERS'
DAUGHTER

Whereas Anneken, Jan Ogiers' daughter, and wife of Adriaen Boogaert, porcelain-maker, prisoner, has confessed without torture and iron bonds, that about thirteen years ago, she, rejecting the Christian baptism received by her in her infancy, was rebaptized at Amsterdam, contrary to our Catholic faith, and the unity of the holy Roman church, and also in contempt of the decrees of his royal majesty, our most gracious lord; and what is still worse, though she has been instructed for the best concerning her error and heresy, she still obstinately persists therein; therefore, the judges, having heard the demand made in conclusion by Jacob Foppens, bailiff, of this city of Haarlem, in the name of his majesty, as Count of Holland, against said prisoner, that she should be condemned by their sentence, to be conducted to the scaffold here, and executed with fire, until death should ensue; and all her property confiscated for the benefit of his royal majesty, according to the decrees of his majesty aforesaid; have, by reason of what has been mentioned, condemned said Anneken, Jan Ogiers' daughter, prisoner, and by these presents do condemn her to be executed with water and drowned here in the city hall, until death ensues, and the body to be buried under the gallows; and declare all her property forfeited for the benefit of his majesty.

Thus read from the city hall, by the sound of the bell, on the 17th of June, A. D. 1570, in presence of Jacob Foppens, bailiff, Mr. Gerrit van Ravensberge, Mr. Lambrecht van Roosvelt, Mr. Huge Bol van Zanen, Aelbrecht van Schagen, Mr. Gijsbrecht van Nesse, Wouter van Rollandt, and Frans Janss Teyng, judges.

Extracted from the first book of penal sentences of the city of Haarlem (beginning A. D. 1539, and concluding the 27th of October, A. D. 1582; preserved in the archives of the city of Haarlem) and, after collation, found to accord with it; by me, the undersigned, secretary of the aforesaid city, the 14th of July, A. D. 1659.

The above-mentioned sentence, we obtained, after much trouble, from the hands of the secretary of civil and criminal matters, or clerk of the criminal court of the city of Haarlem, through the instrumentality of one of our good friends, H. V., just as the same was read in court at the hour of the death of the aforesaid woman, and is still at the present day found in the city records of that place; from the particulars of which we have written the account that precedes the sentence.

 

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SENTENCE OF DEATH OF ANNEKEN, JAN OGIERS'
DAUGHTER

Whereas Anneken, Jan Ogiers' daughter, and wife of Adriaen Boogaert, porcelain-maker, prisoner, has confessed without torture and iron bonds, that about thirteen years ago, she, rejecting the Christian baptism received by her in her infancy, was rebaptized at Amsterdam, contrary to our Catholic faith, and the unity of the holy Roman church, and also in contempt of the decrees of his royal majesty, our most gracious lord; and what is still worse, though she has been instructed for the best concerning her error and heresy, she still obstinately persists therein; therefore, the judges, having heard the demand made in conclusion by Jacob Foppens, bailiff, of this city of Haarlem, in the name of his majesty, as Count of Holland, against said prisoner, that she should be condemned by their sentence, to be conducted to the scaffold here, and executed with fire, until death should ensue; and all her property confiscated for the benefit of his royal majesty, according to the decrees of his majesty aforesaid; have, by reason of what has been mentioned, condemned said Anneken, Jan Ogiers' daughter, prisoner, and by these presents do condemn her to be executed with water and drowned here in the city hall, until death ensues, and the body to be buried under the gallows; and declare all her property forfeited for the benefit of his majesty.

Thus read from the city hall, by the sound of the bell, on the 17th of June, A. D. 1570, in presence of Jacob Foppens, bailiff, Mr. Gerrit van Ravensberge, Mr. Lambrecht van Roosvelt, Mr. Huge Bol van Zanen, Aelbrecht van Schagen, Mr. Gijsbrecht van Nesse, Wouter van Rollandt, and Frans Janss Teyng, judges.

Extracted from the first book of penal sentences of the city of Haarlem (beginning A. D. 1539, and concluding the 27th of October, A. D. 1582; preserved in the archives of the city of Haarlem) and, after collation, found to accord with it; by me, the undersigned, secretary of the aforesaid city, the 14th of July, A. D. 1659.

The above-mentioned sentence, we obtained, after much trouble, from the hands of the secretary of civil and criminal matters, or clerk of the criminal court of the city of Haarlem, through the instrumentality of one of our good friends, H. V., just as the same was read in court at the hour of the death of the aforesaid woman, and is still at the present day found in the city records of that place; from the particulars of which we have written the account that precedes the sentence.

 

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BARBER JANS, A. D. 1570

At Haarlem in Holland, in the year 1570, a woman, named Barber Jans, was apprehended, because she had apostatized from the Romish church, and endeavored to be a follower of Christ; who, having boldly confessed her faith, and firmly adhering to it, was sentenced to death on the 13th of February, and secretly drowned for the Gospel's sake, and then burned to ashes.


ALLERT JANSS, A. D. 1570

In the same year 1570, on the 13th of April, also a pious brother, named Allert Janss, was brought prisoner to Haarlem; who, after many temptations and assaults, because of his steadfastness in the divine truth, an the 6th of May, after the sentence had been pronounced, boldly went to the stake, to be burnt alive to ashes, and thus offered up a sacrifice, well-pleasing to God, and serving as an example to all the God-fearing.


ANDRIES N., WITH HIS FATHER AND BROTHER,
A. D. 1570

In this same year also a brother named Andries N., because he, having died unto the world, had entered the service of God, was apprehended at Antwerp, and about the same time also his father and brother, who, being imprisoned together, rejoiced in the Lord, that they were counted worthy to suffer for His name, which they also boldly confessed before the secular rulers, and professed a good profession of their faith, to which they firmly adhered, notwithstanding the sufferings or vexations which, by subtilty, promises and threats, were inflicted upon them on this account; so that they persevered unto the end in the truth, in the true faith, and in the love to God. All three were then sentenced and burnt, and thus, offering up their sacrifice, as a sweet smelling savor unto God, helped to fulfill the number of their brethren that had gone before.


ANDRIES N., A. D. 1570

In this same year 1570, there was also apprehended in Haarlem, for his faith and the truth, a brother named Andries N., who was tortured very cruelly for the space of three hours, but nevertheless, then as well as in other temptations and sufferings, always steadfastly adhered to his faith. Finally he was sentenced to death and burned, and thus, as a valiant soldier of the Lord, fought a good fight; hence, he is worthy not only to be remembered here for an example and perpetual memorial, but also to inherit the kingdom of his heavenly Father, which is prepared for all the pious.

 

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JORIS VAN MEESCH AND JACOB LOWIJS
ABOUT 1570

Christ says to His disciples, "The brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Matt. 10:21, 22. This also appeared about the year 1570 (for we do not know the exact time), when two pious followers of Christ, named Joris van Meesch and Jacob Lowijs, were apprehended at Ghent, in Flanders, where, after many temptations and severe threats (from the papists) they were put to death, testifying to and confirming the faith of the eternal truth with their blood. Hence, they shall at the last day be graciously accepted of God, and receive the crown of eternal glory at the hand of the Lord.

I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.


JAN THE RIBBON WEAVER, JOOST THE WHEELWRIGHT WITH HIS WIFE, MAERTEN VAN WYJCKE WITH LIJSKEN HIS WIFE AND JELIS THE MASON, IN THE YEAR 1570

In the year 1570 there were apprehended at Antwerp, and put to death at the same place for the testimony of Jesus, the following God-fearing persons: Jan the ribbon weaver, Joost the wheelwright with his wife, Maerten van Wijcke with Lijsken his wife, and Jelis the mason's tender. Lijsken, however, the wife of Maerten van Wijcke, was kept imprisoned for one year, and then, on the 2d of May, 1571, burnt alive at said place.

Thus these six pious, godly persons were martyred by the tyrants and bloodthirsty, not on account of any crime, much less for any heresy, but only for following the genuine faith of the truth. Herein the latter followed the footsteps of their forefathers, the false prophets, who thus persecuted and killed the upright followers of the truth from the beginning. Hence, it is to be feared, that they will repent when it is too late, and will also receive the same recompense with those whose works they herein followed. But those who followed the true prophet Christ Jesus in true obedience and upright faith, shall, on the other hand, upon Mount Zion, be clothed in white raiment, by their Bridegroom Christ Jesus for whose sake they suffered this, receive palms in their hands, and be crowned with crowns of eternal glory, which no one shall ever be able to take from them.


FAES DIRCKS, AND TWO OTHERS, A. D. 1570

In the year 1570, on the 7th of April, there was apprehended for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus, at Gouda, in Holland, a pious follower of Christ, named Faes Dircks, a chairmaker by trade. Afterwards, the 27th of May, he was very unmercifully and tyrannically tortured by the bloodthirsty servants of antichrist, and led forth under the blue sky, and on the 30th of May of the same year, put to death, and burned for the genuine faith of the truth, following the footsteps of his Lord and Master Christ Jesus. Some time prior to this two other pious followers of Christ were put to. death at Gouda, for the testimony of Jesus, one of whom according to the counsel of God, was not yet baptized upon his faith; but the God of all grace, who knows the heart, mind and thoughts of all men, accepted in him the will for the deed. Thus they suffered with Christ, and shall be received. with Him into eternal glory, at that time when all the earthly, carnal generation of men shall weep and lament over themselves eternally.

Subsequently, when Gouda was taken by the troops of the prince of Orange, it was deliberated upon to exhume the priest who had been the cause of the imprisonment and death of said Faes Dircks, and of the dispersion and persecution of many of those who feared God. They afterwards changedtheir mind, but hired a man for about four guilders, who took down the bones of Faes Dircks from the scaffold, and opened the grave of the aforesaid priest, who had previously died, and been interred in the church of the Franciscans, near the high altar, and then laid the bones of Faes Dircks upon the body of the priest; thus deriding this traitor, because he had deemed the God-fearing unworthy to live with him in the same town, and, after their death, their bodies unworthy of burial, but they had to be given as food to the birds of heaven. But at the speedy coming of Christ from heaven, this idolatrous priest shall find, when it will be too late for repentance, who of them both will be acknowledged and accepted by the chief Shepherd as an acceptable sheep, or as a rejected goat.

Concerning this martyr Faes Dircks~ we have obtained three examinations, namely, two without torture and one on the rack, just as the same have been extracted by the secretary there from the town records of Gouda, which we therefore will communicate to our fellow believers for the greater confirmation of the foregoing account; they read as follows.

 

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COPY OF THE CONFESSION MADE BY FAES DIRCKS
IMPRISONED HERE IN THIENDEWEGS GATE

First Examination

The 11th of May, 1570, the bailiff of Gouda brought to examination the hereinafter mentioned person: there being present, Gijsbert Jan Maertenss, and Gerraert Huygen, burgomasters, Dirck Andries, Mr. Heyndrick Jacobs, Mr. Cornelis Heyndricks, judges.

Faes Dircks, chairmaker, about thirty-one years of age, says that he is a native citizen of Gouda, and that on last Easter Day he heard the pastor of Gouda preach; that those who go to the Lord's table do not receive roasted, sodden or raw meat, but that they receive the roasted flesh of our Lord, roasted on Good Friday, on the tree of the cross. Hence, hearing this, he went out of the church, since he did not feel well at this, nor deem himself worthy to receive it, and did not go to the Lord's table.

He; says and confesses, that he does not consider the sacrament of the altar real flesh and blood, and this for the reason that there is but one God.

He also confesses, that about a year ago he was baptized at Rotterdam, and that he did not know the one that baptized him, but that the latter delivered an exhortation, saying that the Lord had said"That all that believe and are baptized shall be saved."

He further says, that the one who baptized him baptized him in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and that water was poured over his head out of a basin, and that there were present ten or twelve persons, one of whom was named Wiert Claess, of Gouda.

When asked whether Euwout the barber, and Dirck Jacobs, the shoemaker, or others from Gouda were not also present with him at Rotterdam, he says,"No," but that Wiert Claess was present there, and that to his knowledge Wiert was not baptized at that time.

NOTE.-Here follow some more questions and answers, which are treated of in the following examination; hence we have omitted to place them here. In conclusion the secretary wrote: Thus done on the days and in the presence aforesaid, in the Thiendewegs Gate; I being present as secretary of Gouda.

JORIS JACOBS.

Second Examination

The 19th of May, 1570, the bailiff brought Faes Dircks, the second time to examination, in the presence of the pastor of Gouda', Mr. Joost Boorgoos, Gijsbert Jan Maertenss; Jan Gerritts Pels, and Gerrit Huygen, burgomasters, Gerrit Gerrit Bouwenss, Dlrck Andriess, Mr. Heyndrick Jacobs, Floris Gijsberts; and Mr. Cornelis Heyndricks, judges.

The afore-mentioned Faes Dircks, when he was asked whether he still persisted in and adhered to what he said and confessed on the 11th of this month, replied that he still adhered to it.

He says, that he believes in Almighty God, and in Jesus Christ; who was born of the virgin Mary. He also says, that infants cannot be regenerated, since they have no understanding to believe, and that water cannot save them.

When he was asked whether he did not believe that Christ Jesus is in the holy sacrament he says,"No," since there is not more than one God, and He is in heaven, and not here in the sacrament. He says that he considers himself a sheep of Christ; and that he regards Christ as, his Shepherd, and that he knows no other shepherd.

When he was asked who baptized him, he says that he does not know, and that he never saw the one that baptized him, either before or since; and that no one'was present there from Gouda, except Wiert Claess; who brought him there, and that he [Faes Direks] arrived in the place on an evening, and stayed there the whole night and the following day, until the evening when he was baptized.; this took place at Rotterdam, in a house, in a large garret.*

NOTE.-Here follow again solve questions and answers, -which are more fully explained in the third and last examination; and which we have omitted in order to avoid repetition. The secretary then, after stating the time when, the place where, and the persons in whose presence this took place, again subscribes himself, by the name of Joris Jacobs, secretary of Gouda.

Third examination on the rack

On the 27th of May, 1579, Johan Pieterss, mayor of Gouda, in the name of Sir Cornelis Mylo, castellan and bailiff of the city of Gouda, brought Faes Dircks to the torture, in the presence of Gijsbert


* Behold here the strait of the believers in those times, who to hear the Word of God occasionally had to spend whole days and nights in order to attend the meeting.

Jan Maertens, Gerritt Huyge Hapkooper, burgomasters; Gerrit Gerrit Bouwenss, Dirck Andriess, Dirck Janss Lonck, and Mr. Cornelis Heyndricks, judges.

Faes Dircks being asked whether he still adheres to the confession which he made on the 19th of this month, says that he still adheres to it.

When brought to the torture, and asked, in whose house he was baptized,'he said he did not know, but subsequently understood that it took place at the house of a shoemaker named Michael, residing near the East Gate, at Rotterdam.

He says that when he was baptized, about eight or nine others were baptized with him, among whom were Dirck Jacobs, a shoemaker, and Jan Adrienss, a tanner, and that the wife of Michael, the shoemaker, and Wiert' Claess, were present when the baptism took place, but that Wiert was not baptized.

When asked whether Euwout the barber, Jan Aertss, the weaver, and Jan de Bagijn were also present when he was baptized, he says '.'No," and he says further that Dirck' Jacobss and the tanner came early in the morning before daylight into the house where they were baptized.

He says that the one who baptized him had a strange language, and talked somewhat loud.

He says, that a woman named Maertjen Philips, residing in'the Cingel, is of his faith, and also Willem fanss, cutler, Wiert Claess, and-Jan Aertss, weaver.

When asked whether Euwout the barber was'of the same persuasion and faith with him, he says that he does not know and that he has not had any conversation with him' in regard to matters of faith, but that he has been at, his house. He says that he does not know whether Jan de Bagijn is also of the same faith as he that speaks or not.

Again; The above confession .was then read to the aforesaid Faes Dircks, under the blue sky, without torture and iron bonds, and being asked whether he adhered to it, he replied that he did, and that he desired mercy, and not justice. Done in the presence of the full court.

JORIS JACOBS.

NOTE.-Since not only the three afore-mentioned examinations, but also the sentence of death of said friend of God, were sent us by the present secretary of the town of Gouda, we. will add the latter here, as it reads in the ,original, that no one may in any wise doubt what has been related..