Thieleman J. van Braght · 112 of 210

Old Book of the Martyrs Mirror · Part 50

4. They asked him concerning their magistracy, whether they were not of God. He replied: "Yes, for the protection of the pious, and the punishment of evil doers; they are ordained of God to rule their dominions in peace."

5. They asked him what he held in regard to marriage. He replied that a man and a woman are united together in marriage, and that such union may riot be dissolved, save on account of adultery; following herein the teaching of Christ. Matt. 19.

6. They asked him concerning uproar and sedition. But he answered that he did not approve of such evil things; but that he and his fellow brethren, on the contrary, were taught to love their enemies, and to do good to them that do us evil and persecute us. And that with truth nothing else should ever be heard of him and his fellow brethren.

7. They asked him who his captain was. He replied that it was Christ with His doctrine, who had called him in peace. And to this his faithful Saviour, and his blessed doctrine he hoped to adhere, and to confirm it with his death and blood.

Thereupon he was sentenced by these tyrants, and executed with the sword. The chief judge who had passed this sentence, riding by the body of John Schut, a few days after his execution, called out mockingly: "Schut, sing us a song;" for Schut had been cheerful in his tribulation, and sung much in prison and on his way to death. Upon this the judge was struck with apoplexy, and never spoke again, but died in a short time; which by many was looked upon as the vengeance and punishment of God upon him.

Concerning this account, read his own hymn, in the old hymn book; it begins: "O Heer ick magh wel klagen."

JAN, HENDRICK, BASTIAEN, FANS, MARIKEN VAN

MEENEN, BEETKEN VAN BRUGH, AND LIJNT;

GEN, THE 15TH OF AUGUST, A. D. 1561

A. D. 1561, there were imprisoned at Antwerp in Brabant, for the testimony of Jesus, seven pious witnesses of the truth, named Jan, Hendrick, Bastiaen, Hans, Mariken van Meenen, Beetken van Brugh and Lijntgen. All these had the house of their faith built so firmly and immovably upon their head and cornerstone Christ Jesus, that neither the philosophy and crafty seduction, nor the tyranny and violence of the papists could in any wise bring them to apostatize, but their faith was found much more precious than gold that erisheth, though it be tried with fire (I Pet. 1 ); so that they, on the 15th of August of said year, at said place surrendered their lives for the truth, and obtained the end of their faith, eternal salvation, through the grace of God, and are waiting now to receive, together with all the pious, the crown of everlasting glory, in eternity.

Read, concerning this, the beautiful long hymn composed for the comforting of these prisoners, and dedicated to them, in the second hymn book. It begins: "Lieve breeders wy groeten a met sang;cn. "

TWELVE CHRISTIANS AT BRUGES: ADRIAEN BRAEL,

LUCAS HENDRICKS, MARIJN AMARE, NIKASEN

AMARE, HANSKEN LISZ, ANDRIES DE MEULE;

NAER, ANTHONIS KEUTE, HANSKEN PAR;

MENTI$R, JAN N., JELIS OUTERMAN,

FRANCIJNTGEN MEULENAERS, MAEY;

KEN TRAMS, IN THE YEAR 1561

In the year 1561, on the evening before St. Martin's day, some Christians were assembled together, at Bruges, in Flanders, who instructed one another with the Word of the Lord, concerning the amendment of life. When the lords learned of this, they sent thither the servants of the bailiff, who came running in, and cried: "Surrender, or we will run you through; and deliver up all your arms and books." They replied: "We are not a people who seek to avenge themselves; but we leave vengeance to God, who will avenge it in due time." They were then fettered, two and two together, and taken to prison; they walked on boldly, comforting one another with the Word of God. Three escaped, namely, Rutsaert, and his wife, and one named Maeyken; but the others who were imprisoned were joyful. Francijntjen Meulenaers said to Maeyken: "Dear sister, let us remember that the kingdom of heaven is .nigh, and let us be sincerely faithful to our Bridegroom."

Jelis and Hansken Parmentier each sang a hymn for joy. On St. Martin's day they were brought before the lords, where they boldly confessed their faith, as also, that they had been, baptized aright according to the command of Christ.

These ten brethren and two sisters remained in prison for about thirty days, where they praised and thanked God, and prepared themselves to suffer for His name. During this' time they were once more brought before the lords, where they again confessed their faith, and said that they would firmly adhere to it.

Afterwards, on the 10th of December, six of them were offered up, namely Adrian Brael, Lucas Hendricks, Marijn Amare, Nikasen Amare, Hansken Lisz, and Andries Meulenaer, who, boldly comforting one another, said, among other things: "Now the fight is fought, the course almost finished, the faith kept, and henceforth, as Paul says, the crown 9f life .is prepared for us." I Tim: 4:7, 8; Jas. 1:12.

The following day, the llth of December, the other six were put to death, namely, Teunis Keute, Hansken Parmentier, Jan, Jells Outerman, Francijntgen Meulenaers, Maeyken Trams, who.also boldly and joyfully, with ,their lamps, and adorned with their wedding garments, went to meet their. Bridegroom, with such great love that for His sake they did not fear bitter, death. Francij'ntgen called to one of her acquaitances, enjoining her cordially to greet the brethren and sisters in the

Lord, and to tell them that she so gladly suffered for the name of the Lord, and would boldly fight, together with her Bridegroom.

Thus all these, the first as well as the last six, were strangled and burnt for the name of God and His truth. They are now at rest, and wait for the coming of our Lord, who will avenge their sufferings.

JAN HULLE, AT YPRES, A. D. 1561

As it is found that the wolf will generally follow his innate ravenous nature, and therefore the sheep can make no firm compact with him, but stand in constant danger of being devoured by him, so it appeared in the year 1561 in the city of Ypres, in Flanders, where a God fearing lamb of Jesus Christ, namely, an old man named Jan Hulle, was seized and apprehended by these devouring wolves. He there had to undergo and endure many severe conflicts with them, not on account of any crime, but only for living according to the Word of God, from which they by tyranny sought to draw him and make him apostatize. But as he, as behooves an obedient follower of Jesus Christ, had yielded himself under the voice of his only Shepherd, he fled from these strangers, and would not hear them. On this account he was condemned to death by the lords of this world, and was thus burnt at said place. In all this he, as a valiant soldier of Jesus Christ, armed himself with patience, and, through faith, steadfastly endured all these sufferings inflicted upon him. And as he herein was not ashamed of Christ and His truth but openly confessed Him before lords and princes, and testified and confirmed it with his death and blood; therefore Christ, when He comes in the clouds of heaven, in the glory of His Father, will not be ashamed of him, but confess him before His Father, and set him on His right hand, and bid him with all the blessed to enter into the kingdom prepared for them from the beginning, that is, into the eternal glory of heaven.

PIETER VAN MALDEGEM, PIETER VAN MALE,

JACQ~ES BOSTIJN, AND LAUWERENS

ALLAERTS, A. D. 1562

In the year 1562 four brethren, named Pieter van Maldegem, Pieter van Male, Jacques Bostijn, and Lauwerens Allaerts, were apprehended at Ghent, in Flanders, because they no longer sought to follow the Roman church, but the commandments of God. When they were examined, they freely confessed their faith, and valiantly contended for the truth, with the spiritual sword of the Word of God; and as they in no wise could be moved therefrom, they were sentenced to death, and had to testify with their blood to the name'of Christ. They now rest under the altar, and wait until the number of their brethren be fulfilled, that they may be rewarded, and vengeance taken on their enemies.

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VIJNTGEN, GOUDEKEN, AND JANNEKEN DE JONK;

HEER, BETGEN VAN MALDEGEM, AND SIJNTGEN

VAN GELDER, A. D. 1562

In the same year there were also apprehended at Ghent three sisters, namely Vijntgen, Goudeken, and Janneken de Jonkheer, and two others, namely, Betgen van Maldegem, and Sijntgen van Gelder. All five freely confessed their faith, and undauntedly adhered to it unto death which they had to suffer for it and firmly clung to the love of their Bridegroom Jesus Christ. Hence they shall also, when the cry is made at midnight, go to meet Him with their burning lamps, and with oil in their adorned vessels, and shall, as ready virgins, go in with Him to the marriage of the Lamb.

GULJAME VAN DALE, A. D. 1562

Shortly after, also an imprisoned brother named Guljame van Dale, who adhered so firmly to the truth and love of God that he feared no pain, suffering, fire or sword, had, for following Christ (whom he thanked that he had made them worthy for it), to taste bitter death, at Ghent. Hence Christ shall exalt him, and give him to inherit His eternal kingdom of heaven full of imperishable joy.

DELIS STRINGS, WITH PIETER AND DELIS POTVLIET,

A. D. 1562

Jelis Strings, a thoughtful young single man, and a man named Pieter Potvliet, with his brother Jelis Potvliet, a young man, all three natives of Tielt, in Flanders, having come to the knowledge of the divine truth, and joined the church of God, finally, after suffering much persecution, took up residence at Wervijck, where they supported themselves by tape weaving. Thus it happened about the middle of the summer of the year 1562, that one night the inquisitor came with many servants, surrounded the house, entered the same, and apprehended these three brethren.

When daylight came, they were put into a wagon, securely bound, the inquisitor and his company riding alongside on horseback. They were thus taken through Meenen to Kortrijck, a distance of about three hours walking, where they remained in confinement for three months, very closely guarded, and had many discussions in reference to the faith, with the inquisitor and other ecclesiastics; but they valiantly and steadfastly adhered to the truth known and accepted. Hence, the inquisitor and the lord of Everbeke (in whose dominion they had been apprehended), and a great company on horseback and on foot, took these pious witnesses of the truth, in a wagon, back the same way, to Werwijck, where, in the marketplace, called the Steenacker, an enclosure had been prepared, together with stakes and wood, to burn them. But as it had rained excessively, while they were on the way between Meenen and Werwijck, so that the wood and straw, prepared for the purpose, had become very wet, and as the bailiff also was averse to cause them to be burnt, all three were sentenced to be beheaded.

First Jelis Strings was brought forth, who, as he was going to death, said, among other things: "Because I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, born of the Virgin Mary, I' must die." Thereupon a monk, who walked at his side, instantly said: "You lie." Jelis further said, concluding his remark: "And because I believe that the pope is the antichrist." Finally, kneeling down, he' said with a trembling voice: "O heavenly Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit." A few moments more, and the executioner had dispatched him, and covered the dead body with wood, that the others who were to follow should not see it lie there.

Pieter Potvliet was next brought forth, who, on his way to death, said: "It has been so before for the name of the Lord." He also quoted, in confirmation of his faith, from Eph. 4:5, that there is one Lord, one faith. one baptism, etc. And having kneeled down, he also exclaimed: "O heavenly Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit." The executioner soon wielded his sword, dealing him five strokes, on shoulder, head and neck, before he finished his work on him; whereupon he covered the dead body, as he had done the others.

Jelis Potvliet (still young in years) was the third one brought forth, who, as he was going to death, quoted, among other things, the words of Christ

"Fear not them that kill the body," etc. And kneeling down, he also said: "O heavenly Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit" but before he had fully uttered the last word, his head was off. Their bodies were placed upon wheels, between Werwijck and Meenen, but soon after secretly taken down and buried by some of their fellow believers.

Of Jelis Strings two letters are still extant, which he wrote while in prison at Kortrijck, and which we have added here for the gratification of the Christian reader.

THE FIRST LETTER OF JELIS STRINGS

Grace, mercy and peace from God our heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, the.Son of the Father, in truth and in love. May He strengthen and confirm you people, who now have to suffer persecution for a little while, and may He grant you to be strengthened with might in the inner man, and that Jesus Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, and you be rooted and grounded in love, so that you may be able to comprehend with all the saints of God, the height, and depth, and length and breadth of His mercy, and to rightly walk and remain immovable therein unto the end of your life; this we wish you all who love the Lord, for a cordial greeting, dear brethren and sisters in the Lord.

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Further, after all greetings, be pleased to know that we are tolerably well yet, the Lord be praised forever for His grace. Pray the Lord for us that He will order it according to His will. We are of pretty good courage, the Lord be praised.

Further, I earnestly pray you, that you will rightly instruct the simple in the faith, concerning all things, and frequently speak of these things in the exhortation, for there is great need of it. They greatly torment those that are imprisoned, when they perceive that they are weak, yea, as much again as them that are sure of their faith. And you that are weak take it well to heart, and be not ashamed to ask questions for the benefit of your souls, until you have a good understanding, before it comes to the test. Take this warning to heart, for it is such a blessed assurance, if one is sure of his faith. For Sirach says: "A man whose heart is established is like a house which is firmly bound and nailed together; it feareth not though a storm arise." Sir. 22:16. Thus, dear friends, let us also build upon Christ Jesus; this must be the foundation, namely, His Word; for Christ Himself says: "He that heareth my word, and doeth it, I will show whom he is like: He is like a man who proceeded to build his house; but he digged deep, and laid the foundation upon the rock: though floods and rains come against it, it remaineth standing, for it is founded upon the rock. But he that heareth my word, and doeth it not, is like unto a foolish man that buildeth his house upon the sand when the floods come, or the winds blow, it falleth, and great is the fall of it." Matt. 7:24-27. Observe friends, He says: "Great is the fall of it." Hence, dear friends, dig deep, which, according to my understanding, means, to examine and take well to heart, so that we may not be found fools; for James admonishes us to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves. For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso examineth himself in the law of God, and is a doer of the Word, and not a hearer only, this man shall be blessed. Jas. 1:22;25. Yea, Christ Jesus says Himself: "Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." Luke 11:28. ,John also, admonishes us: "Blessed are they that hear the words of the prophets, and keep those things which are written therein."

Behold, dear friends, if we hear His word, and keep it well in our hearts, we are entitled to all these promises of blessedness; for it is the true food of the soul, by which all Christians must be fed, if they are to live; for Christ says that man lives not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Matt. 4:4. Yea, as the prophet Jeremiah says, in the 15th chapter, verse 16: "Lord, thy word sustains me, since I have obtained it; and thy word is the comfort and joy of my heart." Solomon, also, says: "Every word of God is pure, and they are a shield unto them that put their trust therein.'.' Prov. 30:5. Therefore, dear friends, let us always put our trust in God's Word; it will not deceive us; for John says: These sayings of God are true; heaven and earth shall pass away, but the words of Cod shall not pass away. Rev. 19:9. O dear friends, let us heed it well, for it is what will judge us in the last day; for Christ says: "I shall not judge you; but the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge you in the last day." John 12:48. O dear friends, if it is that which will judge us, then we must well examine, and constantly prove ourselves, whether our life. accords with the Word of God; and carefully view ourselves in it as in a mirror, whether there is nothing condemnable in us; and if we find aught in us that is unclean, then let us do according to the counsel of the prophet, who says: "Wash ye, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do well; seek judgment; relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." He says: "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Isa. 1:16-20.

Dear brethren and sisters, let us not be disobedient, nor murmur against God, like Israel, who were rejected for it. I Cor. 10:10. If we have heard His voice today, let us not harden our hearts, but let us take care that we do not forsake the promise of entering into His rest, and that none of us be found to remain without; for we have been sufficiently admonished, and invited, as was also Israel; but the Word preached them did not profit them; because they did not firmly believe it. Hebrews 3:7, 6; 4:2. But let us have a steadfast faith, like Joshua and Caleb had, who feared neither the great stature of the Canaanites, nor the strength of their cities, though their walls reached up to heaven. Num. 14:30. Mark, their walls were high, and the inhabitants of the land were like giants; they were only grasshoppers in their sight. But Caleb and Joshua trusted in God, and, said: "God is with us; their defense is taken from them; we shall devour them like bread." Num. 14:9: And by their faith they overcame everything, and entered into the promised land. Joshua 3:17.

Thus, dear friends; also our enemies are great, strong and numerous; but if we have a faith like Caleb and Joshua, so that we do not see our own strength, but go out from ourselves, and rely upon Him with the whole heart, then we shall cone off conquerors; for David says: "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he sball bring it to pass." Ps. 37:5. Solomon, too, says: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5,6. Yea, Paul, also, says: "Let.your conversation be without covetousness; and be conten with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man will do unto me." Heb. 13:5, 6; Deut. 31:6. Yea, David says: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. .Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Ps. 23:1-4.

O dear friends, where do we find such a God in Babylon? He says: "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee,; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Yea, He says: "The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." Isa. ,43:2; 54:10. Brethren and sisters, if we have such a God, who helps thus in time of need, who are we, that, we should be afraid of men, and of the children of men that must perish like grass. Isa. 51:12. Yea, Christ Himself said

"Fear not them.that kill the body; but fear him that hath power to cast soul and body into damnation." Matt. 10:28. Behold, friends, though the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. II Cor. 1:5. Therefore, let us sincerely humble ourselves, and keep His commandments, and pray before Him with tears, that He will show us mercy according to His pleasure, so that, as we now have to mourn on account of their pride, we may rejoice after this distress, because we do not follow the sins of our fathers, 'who forsook their God, and went after strange gods, wherefore the Lord delivered them into the hands of their enemies.: I Pet. 1:6; Deut. 32:16. Therefore, dear brethren who are elders, comfort the people with your words, and admonish them to remember that our fathers were tried in many, ways, and had to overcome manifold temptations, in order that they might be proved whether they served God with their hearts. Thus, Isaac, Jacob and Moses remained steadfast, and had to overcome much .affliction; but the others, who would not accept affliction, but impatiently murmured against God,,were destroyed by the destroyer and by serpents. But let us remember that we are chastised. of God, to make us better, and not for our destruction, and that the punishment is far less.than our sins. For whom the Lord loveth lie chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Hebrews 12:6, 8. Hence, dear friends, let us be patient in this tribulation for a little while; for the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18. But the God of all grace stablish, strengthen and settle us all, this I wish you all for a greeting. I Pet. 5:10.

I, Peter, greet you much, and earnestly desire that you would see to my wife; she hopes to do her best, she told me. We ask you to pray for us, that we may finish our course to the praise of God and the salvation of our souls. We also enjoin you, that if Pauwels has not moved, he would better do so; we advise it for the best. We would write more explicitly, but we fear that the letter might fall into wrong hands. I, Pieter Potvliet, greet you much, and give you a testament. Continue steadfast and immovable in the work of the Lord; see that your labor be not in vain. I commend you to God. By me, DELIS STRINGS.

THE SECOND LETTER OF DELIS STRINGS

Grace, mercy and peace from God the heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and in love. May He stablish, strengthen and settle you who have to suffer for a little while for Christ's sake; and many He grant you, according to the riches of His glory and power, to be strengthened with might in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, and you be rooted and grounded in love, so that you may all be bound together with the bond of love, and thus, through the uniting of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to the Lord, according to the Gospel, be built up together harmoniously a holy temple and city of God; this I wish you all who love the Lord, for a cordial greeting, dear brethren and sisters in the Lord.

Further, after all greeting, I hope to write a little again concerning the disputation we had with our adversaries, though it is not very much; for when we were apprehended, we resolved among ourselves, not to dispute, unless we might all come together, which was also observed, so that they should have nothing to lie behind our back, and that if they should hear a word more from one than from another they might not confuse the simple. On account of this they were much incensed; and said that they all depended on me. They often came to dispute; but we would not, unless we might all come together, and in the marketplace. This angered them much, and they said: "Where was it ever seen that a disputation was held in the marketplace? You people want to introduce new doctrines." Finally, we consented that we would dispute in prison, provided we might all come together; but they would not have it otherwise than each separately, and this we would not do. Thus they came twice or three times, and we had some conversation with them each time, in order that they might not say that we refused to hear them. Our conversation was about the three persons and the incarnation. The first question he put to me was whether I did not believe that if men believed in Christ Jesus, and henceforth forsook all evil they would be saved. I said: "Yes; all who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who died for us, and through this faith show obedience to the Gospel, shall be saved." "Well then," said they, "If they believe that children may be baptized, they will be saved, according to your own words." I said: "My lord, it seems to me, that you are like the scribes; they sought to censure Christ by subtlety, and it appears to me that you do the same." Matt. 22:1 5. "Yes," said he; "Christ knew how to answer the scribes, and so will you, if you have the Spirit of Christ." I said: "If they show obedience to the Gospel, they will not baptize children, nor cause them to be baptized; for it is not instituted or commanded of God, to baptize children; but you people have planted it, and whatever men have planted shall be rooted up of God, and thus it will go with your infant baptism." Matt. 15:13. He forthwith said that the Anabaptists believed that Christ brought His flesh from heaven. I said that it was a lie; "are you not ashamed (I said) to sit here and lie in this manner in my presence?" He said: "What you believe, I know not; but others believe thus." I said that it was a lie; "I have never heard," I said, "of any that held such a faith; yet I have had more intercourse with them than you have; are you not ashamed to sit here and lie thus in my preesnce?" Then he became very boastful; three or four other priests and the bailiff were also sitting there, and they said: "Delis, talk decently." I said: "Then do not lie so." I spoke loudly, that my comrades should hear it.

He then asked: "What is your faith, then?" "I believe with all the apostles, that He is the Son of God, as Peter confessed" (Matt. 16:16; John 20; 6:69), "visible and invisible; that the Word by which all things were made became flesh in Mary, through the power of the Most High." He asked whether the Word became flesh like Lot's wife became a pillar of salt, or the water, wine. I said