Thieleman J. van Braght · 111 of 210

Old Book of the Martyrs Mirror · Part 49

Therefore covet no one's property or treasures; nor envy any one because he has more than you. Neither regard any person for his gifts. but follow the little flock, who walk truly in love; for love is the bond of perfectness, and the command of love is superior to all others. Luke 12:32; Col. 3:14. Therefore; see constantly that you follow those who walk most in love; for the tree is known by its fruit, though these are hid from all men; .but Christ was too, and the servant is not better than his lord. Matt. 10:24.

Herewith I will bid you adieu: adieu my dear children, and adieu all my dear friends.

My most beloved, though our adversaries tell you, that your father and I are not of the same faith, do not believe them; for he confessed the truth concerning baptism and the incarnation, of Christ, in all that he was able to comprehend, and he valiantly testified to righteousness, giving his life for it, pointing out to you for an example, the same way which the prophets, the apostles and Christ Himself went. He had to go before through the conflict with much tribulation and suffering, and leave his children behind for Christ's sake; hence do likewise, for there is no other way.* Give diligence to read the Testament. Amen.

A LETTER OF SOETGEN VAN DEN HOUTE TO HER

BROTHER AND SISTER, AS ALSO TO

HER CHILDREN

Written out of love:

The peace of the Lord be with you; my dear brother and sister, know that I have received two letters, with their contents, and I thank you most cordially for all the friendship you have ever shown me, and shall yet show me, I hope, in my three lambs whom I leave behind, commending them to the Lord and to those whore He shall direct thereto in His grace.

Herewith I take leave once more; I think it is now the last time. We are of such good cheer to offer up our sacrifice that I cannot express it. I could leap for joy when I think of the eternal riches which are promised to us as our inheritance, and to all who persevere in what the Lord has commanded us. Matt. 10:22.

I know not how I shall praise the Lord that He has chosen Martha and myself ,to this estate, its who are such poor, simple lambs, for we have. never been esteemed in the world, except as outasts; and that God has chosen such rejected, miserable, simple worms of the dust, that He will work through us, that we should be His witnesses, we who are not worthy of ourselves to receive the very least gift which the Lord might bestow, etc.

Oh, who can comprehend the power of God, that He should be most merciful to those who are here the most rejected, if they call upon Him with confidence and firmly place their hope in His grace unto the end; it were impossible that the Lord should reject them. Hence I pray all that love the

" From what is related here, it appears that also Soetgen . van den Houte's husband died for the truth, as a valiant witness of Jesus; although we have not been able to learn the time, place and manner of his death.

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Lord, that they humble their hearts, for the Lord says through the prophet Isaiah "I will dwell with him that is of a contrite Spirit, and of a broken heart, and trembleth at my word." Isa. 57; 66:2.

Yea, those who thus humble themselves before the Lord, and do not think themselves to be something before God, and before men, them shall God exalt and enrich with heavenly riches. Matt. 23:12. Remember how Christ chose humility, when He left the glory of His Father and descended into the lower parts of the earth. From obedience to His Father, and out of great love He became man; with great humility He came to serve us, suffered pain and reproach, enduring it with patience and longsuffering, out of obedience to His Father, even unto death, until He had finished all, so that He might save us. Phil. 2:8. Oh, what love did He show us by His anxiety and sighing, when He said, according to His humanity: "How am I straightened till it be accomplished!" Luke 12:50.

O my most beloved, consider our Leader, Jesus Christ, how He regarded the humility of Mary, that He would be born of her. And though she was chosen to such a high estate, she humbled herself, saying:, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. For God bath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden; therefore, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation; for he bath scattered the proud. He bath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He bath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich bath he sent empty away. To the poor the gospel is. preached. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled." Luke 1:38, 48; etc.; 7:22; Matt. 5:6.

O my dearest, my heartfelt desire and request is, for the last time, that you give diligence to walk in love, simplicity, and harmony among yourselves, always in the fear of God, that you may be filled with the heavenly good things, and satisfied now and forever. Amen.

Herewith I commend you to. the Lord, and to the Word of His grace. May He comfort, strengthen, stablish you all with His Spirit, that you may finish that whereunto you are called, to the praise and glory of the Lord, so that you may rejoice together, and set down at the Lord's table, where lie shall serve us with new wine, in the kingdom of God, His Father.

This was written when we had eaten our last supper, as far as we know. Herewith I 'bid adieu to all my brethren and sisters. I and Martha, my sister in the Lord, salute you much with the peace of the Lord, for the last time all who are known to us or not, wherever they be. We rejoice in the Lord, we bid adieu till we meet above, in the New Jerusalem. Heb. 12:22.

Read this last farewell to all who desire to hear it, before you send it away; and then send it to my sister Betgen.

Further; my dear child Betgen, I rejoice greatly that the Lord spared me so long, that I was made glad before my death through your letter, by which you have strengthened me. I pray the Lord to strengthen and confirm you with His Spirit, that you may go on thus, and follow that which is best, as you wrote to me.

O my dear lambs, see that you do not spend your youth in vanity, or pride, or drinking, or gluttony, but in sobriety and humility in the fear of God, and diligence in every good work, that you may be clothed with the adornment of the saints, so that God may make you worthy through His grace, to enter in to the marriage of the Lamb, and that we may see you there with joy. Your father and I, and many others, have shown you the way. Take an example from the prophets and apostles, yea, Christ Himself, who all went this way; and where the head has gone before, there the members must certainly follow.

Herewith I will commend you to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace. This is my last farewell, my dear lambs; always remember each other in love; diligently learn to read and write, and obey everyone in that which is good. When your brother David and Tanneken come to you, greet one another with a friendly kiss of peace, in my name.

Herewith I bid you adieu, my dear child Betgen; adieu, my dear children David and Tanneken; adieu, all my dear brethren and sisters, and friends everywhere.

Once more we say adieu; greet uncle and aunt much with the kiss of peace, in my name.

Written by me Soetgen van den Houte, your mother in bonds; written in haste (while trembling with cold), out of love for you all. Amen.

JOOST JOOSTEN, BURNT AT VEER, IN ZEALAND,

A. D. 1560

It occurred in the year 1560, that at Veer, in Zealand, there was apprehended a young brother named Joost Joosten, a native of Goes, a small town in Zealand, who was considerably versed in the Latin language. When he was a student of about fourteen years, it happened that King Philip was in Zealand. and that this Joost Joosten was singing choral in church, in the organ loft, as is customary in papistic churches. The king was so delighted with the lad's singing, that he wanted to take him with him to Spain; on which account Joost kept himself concealed for six weeks, as he did not want to go away. Thus, he afterwards became converted to the true faith, and consequently, was baptized upon his faith, and thus led a C'.ristian life. This the enemies of the truth could not endure; hence they apprehended him when he was eighteen vears old. He had to suffer many assaults, and divers times attempts were made to draw him from the faith. He disputed with four inquisitors concerning many articles of faith; they made strenuous efforts to draw him over to their religion. When they could not move him with such means, they tortured him dreadfully, especially with instruments called iron teerlingen, which they thrust into his knees so that they came out again at the ankles. But all this he steadfastly endured with great patience, and faithfully kept the treasure which he had in an earthen vessel. Hence the children of Herod sentenced him to death by burning; which they executed on him on a Monday before Christmas. On his way to death he rejoiced greatly in the Lord, and sang yet as he was going into the but of straw in which he was burnt, the last verse of the hymn composed by himself, which begins thus: "O Lord, thou art forever in my thoughts." He also wrote a confession of faith, of five sheets of paper, which, however, through course of time has been lost.

KOOLAERT, THE COOPER, A. D. 1561

At Honschote, in Flanders, there was apprehended for the truth, in the year 1561, a brother named Koolaert the cooper, who, after freely confessing his faith, was taken to Wijnoxberge, and as he also there, notwithstanding the tortures inflicted upon him, would depart neither to the right nor to the left, he was sentenced to death, and burnt alive, about St. Martin's Day, for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ.

JOOS VERBEECK, A. D. 1561

On the 7th of June 1561 the margrave of Antwerp went out with a large retinue, well armed with sticks and staves, and they apprehended Joos Verbeeck, a minister of the Word of God and of His church. On the 9th he was examined; he confessed his faith very freely, as also his ministry; of which the margrave and the lords made much sport. He was also very severely tortured; but God kept his lips in everything, so that he inculpated no one. Although he was treated so unmercifully that a rope broke in two on his body, and that in four days he had to go to the rack twice, and was once scourged till his blood flowed, he bore all patiently; this, however, he greatly lamented, namely, that they had broken, or lamed by torturing, his right hand, and thus disabled him from writing.

On the 20th day of the month he was brought into court, where the bailiff asked him whether he was rebaptized. He answered: "Ask me for my faith, which I confessed in prison before the lords and the margrave." The bailiff then asked him what he thought of infant baptism. He said: "I confessed that it is not of God, but a human institution." The bailiff asked again whether he was rebaptized, and said: "Say yes or no; for I know you will not lie; therefore, tell me the truth." He said: "I was baptized upon my faith, as Christ teaches." Matt. 28, Mark 16.

Having confessed his faith, baptism and doctrine, he could not well say much more. The lords concluded his sentence, he, in the meantime saying to the people: "Dear citizens, I have lived here eleven years, and no one can complain of me, since I have never wronged any one, and my life and doctrine agree with the Word of God." "That is true," exclaimed a brother: upon hearing which, the thief catchers arose and searched for his brother; but did not find him.

Joos said: "Oh, that I might publicly defend myself against the priests who came to me in prison; as Paul could do before Agrippa; but we are forbidden to speak." Acts 26:2.

Coming out of the court, he said: "He that delivered Daniel out of the den of lions, will also preserve me; for what I suffer is for the name of the Lord, and not for evil doing."

"That is true," cried a brother; and others cried: "Fight valiantly, dear brother." Joos boldly and cheerfully said: "Dear citizens, thus must all the children of God suffer; this way was trod by the saints of God, the prophets, and so many pious men."

When he approached the little house, yea, stood before the door of the but in which he was to offer up his burnt sacrifice, he cast his eyes up to heaven, saying: "O holy Father, assist Thy servant in this extremity." The executioner's servant wanted to thrust a gag into his mouth, to prevent him from speaking; but he did nevertheless not keep silence, for he was heard to exclaim: "O Lord, Thou Son of David, have compassion upon me."

The executioner performed his task, trembling with fear. When the fire was kindled, Joos cried: "O heavenly Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit. O Lord of hosts, who didst separate me from my mother's womb, succor Thy servant in this last extremity, since I suffer for Thy name." Jeremiah 1:5; Gal. 1:15. Once more he cried: "O heavenly Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit." And with this, he quietly offered up a fiery sacrifice, for an example and pattern to us all.

A BRIEF LETTER FROM JOOS VERBEECK, WRITTEN

IN PRISON AT ANTWERP, TO HIS WIFE

Grace and mercy from God our heavenly Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, be to my dear wife and sister in the Lord, for an affectionate greeting, all the days of your life, in the true earnestness of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

I greet you and all my five children most affectionately. Bring them up in the nurture of the Lord, and behave yourself as becomes holy women, in order to teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to be discreet, chaste, and obedient to their husbands; and firmly persevere in the same rule in which you stand. Eph. 6:4; Tit. 2:2.

May the Lord fit you for every good work that becomes your calling. Herewith I commend you to Almighty God, and to the Word of His grace; may He grant that we may see each other in eternity.

By the, Joos Verbeeck, your husband, and broth= er in the Lord; written at Antwerp in prison= where I am confined for the testimony of Jesus Christ with my left hand, with great trouble, as my right hand has been tortured lame.

Greet all the friends, especially the ministers.

JULIUS KLAMPHERER, A. D. .1561

In the year 1561, Brother Julius Klampherer, from Italy was imprisoned at Venice, for his faith and the divine truth. Again and again they arraigned and examined him, and disputed with him, to cause him to apostatize; but he always defended himself wisely: He was permitted to put in writing that which he discussed, concerning his faith, with the papistic commissaries appointed for this purpose, and thus to defend himself, and give an account of his faith in his own handwriting. When he had done this, and steadfastly adhered to it, they finally sentenced him to be cast into the depth of the sea; whereupon he answered and said: "This is nothing strange to me, for it was told me in the beginning of my conversion, that I must expect to die for the testimony of the truth; but it does seem strange to me, that the lords of Venice concur in such a purpose, and do not consider or weigh, that at the last day they will have to give an account before God, for innocent blood."

Thereupon they replied to him, that they did not ask him concerning this. And as they did not relish what he said, they did not allow him to say anything further, but hurriedly remanded him to prison.

And being resolved to execute the sentence which they had pronounced, and to proceed with it, they, according to their custom, since he had been a priest, desecrated him, and then, in the dusk of an evening, under the pretense of leading him before the lord, took him out and unexpectedly cast him into the depth of the sea, and drowned him. However, he had expected nothing else; hence he was joyful, and constantly sang and praised God with a glad and valiant heart, until he obtained the crown of the pious martyrs and faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ. And though they drowned him secretly by night, yet it will be revealed at the great day of the Lord, and severely avenged.

LAUWERENS VAN DE WALLE, ANTONIS SCHOON;

VELT, KALLEKEN STRINGS, AND MAEYKEN

KOCX, A. D. 1561

In the year 1561 several brethren and sisters, after suffering much persecution, took up residence near Ypres in Flanders, at a place called ten Hoogensiecken. Having left money, property, friends and kindred, to follow Christ, and live there in quietness, engaging in tape weaving, in order to gain a living by their trade, they were spied out while they sat and worked together, and the inquisitor came to apprehend them. He was accompanied by a large force well provided with sticks, swords and ropes, and they arrived just at the time when Antonis, who had made them a visit, and had taken leave, stood at the door, ready to go.

As they thus arrived with great noise, Stijntgen Potvliets (who was pregnant) ran out of the house first, and was apprehended. Karel N. also ran out at the door, and master Klaas (who was a great persecutor, and fellow helper of the inquisitor) pursued him, struck at him with a bare sword, and though Karel was wounded by it, yet he escaped. Maeyken Kocx (who was also pregnant) was attacked by the inquisitor, who held a naked sword in his hand, and as she cried aloud to him to spare her child, and he acted in a very bloodthirsty manner, he, like a madman, wounded himself.

Lauwerens van de Walle, Antonis Schoonvelt, and Kalleken Strings were also apprehended, but Hendrick N. made his escape.

While they were being bound, they comforted one another much with the Word of God, and when they were brought out of the house, they cheerfully spoke to the neighbors, saying: "Can any one complain of us? It is for the name of Christ that this is inflicted upon us; we need not be ashamed of it." Matt. 10:22; I Pet. 4:16.

On their way to town, Kalleken commenced to sing a hymn. Then said master Klaas: "The apostles did not sing, as you do; nor do I want to dance; why then do you sing?" Antonis said

"Sister, do not fear these; just sing as much as you. want to;" and Lauwerens helped her sing. When they came into the city, there was a great concourse of people, and they made known the Word of God by singing and speaking. Among other things, Lauwerens said: "That we are apprehended, is not on account of evil doing, but because we live according to the word of God."

Kalleken Strings said: "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life (Matthew 7:14); repair to it, do good and forsake evil, and fear not the rulers of this world, but buy Testaments, read therein the counsel of God, and follow it." They were then confined in the court of the prison, .where they remained for several months and days, patient and of good cheer, waiting until they should offer up their sacrifice, and being visited and comforted in the meantime by many brethren and sisters. They were also sometimes examined in regard to their faith, which they freely confessed, and from which no pain or suffering could induce them to depart.

Finally, having suffered many tortures, on the rack as well as elsewhere, Lauwerens van de Walle, Antonis Schoonvelt, and Kalleken Strings, as they adhered valiantly and steadfastly to the truth, were delivered by the inquisitor into the hands of the secular authorities, to be dealt with according to the import of the royal decree. In delivering them, the inquisitor also, in the hearing of the ignorant people, read severe charges (as he thought) against them, as, among other things, that they confessed the Pope of Rome to be the antichrist. I John 2:18. That they held the Roman church to be the whore of Babylon. Rev. 17:5. That they pronounced the sacrament to be an abominable idol, etc.

Thereupon Lauwerens commenced to say that he had not said or confessed this without a fuller explanation. He was instantly and savagely told to keep silence, but he said: "Thieves and murderers are allowed to have some one who speaks for them; but you have brought it about that neither a procurator nor an advocate may speak for us; hence we must speak for ourselves."

Kalleken Strings also, who sat there with her head resting on her hand, exhausted from excessive torture, let her voice be heard boldly.

On the testimony of the inquisitor, Lauwerens van de Walle and Antonis Schoonvelt were both sentenced by the authorities, to be publicly strangled and burnt at the stake, and to this end a scaffold with two stakes, as also wood and straw, was prepared in the marketplace.

They were brought out with their arms tied together, and coming to the place where they were to be offered up, they fell down upon their knees, and prayed to God. When they had arisen, the executioner asked their forgiveness for what he was about to do, and they kindly forgave him, according to the teaching of Christ. Matt. 6:14.

Lauwerens said with a loud voice to the authorities, that of a truth he would gladly forgive them and all who were guilty in the matter. He also boldly said, like the third of the Maccabean brethren: "These limbs God from heaven gave; therefore I will willingly surrender them for His law's sake." II Macc. 7:11. As they went into the but, both cried farewell to all the brethren and sisters scattered in many countries, cities and villages, and with this commending their spirits into the hands of God, they departed this world.

In the month of October of the same year, also Kalleken Strings, a very fine and well bred maiden, was delivered to the secular authorities. She was modest, fearless and steadfast, so that neither many fair promises of riches and money, or temporal prosperity, nor pain or severe torments (though she was tortured to such an extent, that she was taken from the rack for dead), could in any wise draw her from her faith; yea, even her mother, when she visited her in prison for this end, could not move her; nor accomplish her purpose, but hearing and seeing her daughter's steadfastness and kind treatment of her, she said: "My daughter is better than I am."

Afterwards she was also sentenced to be strangled and burnt; whereupon she said: "You have now sentenced me to the fire accordinv to the Emperor's decree; fear the judgment of God, which fie shall hold, to condemn you to eternal fire.

When it was thought that Kalleken was about to be. executed, a great multitude of people flocked together from far and near, to see it. Seeing this, and fearing a disturbance, the authorities did not have her brought forth; only the executioner came out of the city hall, and said to the people,. that she was dead already. Thus, the people went away, thinking that she had been privately beheaded.

But early the next day, and unexpectedly, no scaffold having been erected, but other preparations made, she was brought into the marketplace, and when she had offered up her prayer to God, and commended her spirit into His hands, sentence was executed on her, and thus she departed this world, going with a burning lamp to meet her bridegroom. Matt. 25:1.

In the meantime, Stijntgen Potvliets, not continuing steadfast, was set at liberty; but Maeyken Kocx, who remained immovable, was retained and kept until she was delivered of her child, and was out of childbed, whereupon (though her heart clung dearly to her husband and children, yet loving God above all, and, out of love to Him, adhering to the.truth known and accepted, esteeming this precious treasure of greater value than her own life) she was sentenced to be publicly strangled and burned at the stake, which was also executed. Commending her spirit into the hands of God, she joyfully departed this world, well knowing that she should inherit eternal joy, and be permitted to enter in with the five wise virgins, when the cry shall be made at midnight: "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him."

ORVEL, JAN AND PLEUNIS, A. D. 1561

About this time Orvel, Jan and Pleun were severally apprehended for the truth; at Cologne, and as they steadfastly confessed the truth, and could not be moved by any kind of torture or crafty seduction, but remained faithful, they were finally taken out on the Rhine, and drowned, having commended their souls into the hands of God, in the year 1561.

FRANCHOYS VAN ELSTLANDT, A. D. 1561

A brother, Franchoys van Elstlandt, also called France van Meenene; a mason by trade, went from Meenene to Arien in French Flanders; to work at his trade there, and thus earn his living. There, on St. Denis' day, the ninth of October, 1561, just as he was leading a horse to water for the master for whom he worked, he was apprehended, because he did no 'longer worship the priest's idol, and when he, after many solicitations, threats, and much suffering, would not renounce his faith, he was finally, on the. 21st of October, burnt alive, as a witness of God. On this occasion, a monk shamelessly cried: "Go thou accursed, from this into the eternal fire." But Franchoys bore it with patience, committing vengeance unto God, who will judge righteously in due time.

JOHN SCHUT, A. D. 1561

In the year 1561 another valiant hero and soldier of Jesus Christ, named John Schut, fell into the hands of the tyrants and persecutors, for following Christ, and living according to God's holy Word, in the city of Vreden, in Westphalia. There he suffered and, through the grace of God, endured, severe imprisonment and threats of death. When brought bound before the lords, to give an account of his faith, he freely confessed the same, saying that he believed according to the Word of God

1. They asked him. concerning his baptism, and what he held in regad to infant baptism. He replied that he was baptized upon his faith, as Christ his faithful Saviour has commanded us in Mark 16, that baptism is to be given only to believers, and not to ignorant children, and that he had never read of infant baptism in the holy Scriptures, and that it could therefore by no means be proved with the Word of God, but that baptism belonged only to those who had amended their sinful life. They angrily asked him, whether he would not give up these views. He answered that it were by no means expedient for him, 'to forsake the Word of God, and die an eternal death, but that he would rather suffer for the truth; though the pain should be as great again.

2. In regard to the Lord's Supper, he also thoroughly confessed before them that it must be observed according to the institution .of Christ, and that we must by it remember, with an humble heart, His bitter sufferings and innocent death, and how He shed His precious blood on the cross for us poor sinners.

3. They all asked him with many words, whether Christ our Saviour was not of Mary's flesh and blood. But as this point is a principal article of our Christian faith, he likewise answered thoroughly upon it; saying that he had never read this assertion of theirs in the Word of God. He asked them

"How could He be of the earth whom God the Father sent down from heaven? But He was conceived of the Holy Ghost by the pure virgin Mary, and became man through the effectual power of the Most High, so that the holy thing which was born of her is called the Son of the most high God, without partaking in the 'least or most of man's polluted or sinful flesh. But the Word, according to the testimony of John, became flesh or man, so that the glory of the only begotten Son of the Father was handled and seen. Thereby the promises of God concerning His proceeding from the seed of David, are completely fulfilled in Christ, through whom we all who were lost have been redeemed and reconciled to God.