Thieleman J. van Braght · 183 of 210

Old Book of the Martyrs Mirror · Part 121

Hence I am not surprised; they have condemned me so often; yea, [have said] that I shall here receive the temporal fire, and hereafter the eternal; yea, that the devil is in me. Yea, they say that if they did not put such as Douwe Eeuwoutss and I out of this world, they should not be able to answer for it before God. Hence, dear and beloved mother, fear not, for they know no better. But let us heed our lesson, for the Lord demands and requires more of us, than of them; hence let us take heed to the correction and chastisement, and receive it patiently and joyfully; and we shall receive a reward, for whom the Lord chastens, him He will receive. But if we are without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are We bastards, and not children. Hence, my beloved mother, I rejoice from the depth of my heart, that the Lord our God has so loved me, as to have called me hereunto, that I may be found Christ's sheep for the slaughter. And I hope by His great grace and mercy, that He will make me fit, and shall receive me into His kingdom, as He promised those who seek Him from the heart. See, my very dear and beloved mother, let us not despise the correction of the Lord, but patiently receive it; and we shall receive a reward. Yea, hereafter all sorrow and tears shall be wiped away from our eyes. Yea, we shall stand upon mount Zion, with all the saints of God. Behold what great joy is prepared for them that have obeyed God. Therefore, dear and much beloved mother, let us take up our cross, and follow Him from the heart, as dear children, that we may not be blotted out of the 'book of life. My love, we must be holy and unblamable before Him in all our conversation. Our words must be seasoned with salt; as Paul says; that we may be able to stand before the almighty eternal God. Further, dearly beloved mother, as you have shown all love to me, it is my request of you, that you will love my dear, beloved child as you have loved me, as I trust you will do, and have a mother's heart for it.

O dear mother, take in good part what I have written here, for it has been done out of love.

Know, dear and much beloved `parents, that in the eighteenth week of my imprisonment I was before the bishop, where were assembled at least eight or nine persons. The bishop spoke first, that I should betake myself to the holy Catholic faith, and he should set me at liberty; and other words that he said. If I would not do this, they would cut me off as a heretic and an obstinate and disobedient person, who is opposed to the ordinances of the Roman Church. Finally I opened my mouth, very joyfully, and said: "Do what you will and can answer for before God, for I do not want to forsake my faith, for either death or life." They said that I should advise with myself, or amend, since eternity was so long. Reytse. "Because eternity is so long, therefore I want to take heed; , if eternity were not so long, I would not sit in these bonds."

Finally they asked me all the articles anew, and I confessed them. Then they read the sentence to me, but I did not understand it well, as it was written in Latin. It was that they delivered me over as a heretic, who'would not suffer himself to be instructed with the ordinances of the holy Church; and they gave me over into the hands of the judges; together with certain documents pertaining to this matter. Finally I sat there with uncovered head, and defended myself with many remarks, speaking joyfully, that they should take heed not to bring harm to themselves by laying violent hands on me. The bishop said that he would rather fast two weeks with water and bread, than pass sentence upon me.

Finally, when they had finished their business, they went away. After they had gone, a priest remained, who reviled much, and had much to say, and wanted to dispute with me a whole night; but I would not, because they had delivered me over already; for he had come of his own account. Then he went away, and I had to go back to prison; nevertheless, I am not dismayed. The Lord God has brought me thus far; I hope through His great grace, that He will help me further, for I know that He is the One that helps me; without Him I can do nothing. Hence praise the Lord always, and glorify Him forever and ever. I commend you to the Lord, for He is our Redeemer and Helper in all our tribulation and distress.

Written by me in the twentieth week of my imprisonment.

REYTSE AYSESS.

A LETTER FROM REYTSE AYSESS, WRITTEN TO HIS

WIFE

Grace, peace, mercy, love, and unity from God our heavenly Father, be with you my dear and beloved wife; may the almighty God keep you and me, and bring us into eternal life. Amen.

See, my dear and much beloved wife, whom I took before God and His church, I am greatly troubled and grieved on your account, and pray the Almighty God day and night for you, that He will keep you in your steadfast faith; for when you were with me, you comforted me with the word of the Lord, wherein I greatly rejoice, with joy unspeakable, and praise the almighty, eternal God for your faith.

Behold, my dear and much beloved wife, be not troubled on my account, but console yourself in the Lord, for the Lord is my helper, and He comforts me. I sometimes scarcely know that I am in prison, when I think of the promises which God has given us, and thank Gad that He has chosen me thereto. If we continue steadfast unto the end, the crown of life is laid up for us, and we shall be clothed in white raiment, and shall stand upon Mount Zion, with all God's chosen saints, and sing the good new song. O my dear, beloved wife, I could not forsake you for any riches of this world, but Christ says: "He that forsaketh not father and mother, sister and brother, house and home, wife and child, and his own life, is not worthy of me." Luke 14

26. Behold, my dear, beloved wife, we have had each other two years, and have loved each other greatly; if I could die for you, I think it would not be too hard for me. My dear wife, though I am imprisoned here, it will not be to your disgrace, but to the praise of God. I am greatly troubled for you and my dear child. O that our dear Lord would take it into His kingdom; it would be such a great joy to me; but if not, may it grow up in the fear of God. My dear wife, be not troub'led on my account, but console yourself in the Lord. May the Almighty God keep you and me,. that we may hereafter appear in eternal life. The Lord keep you and me, and confirm us unto eternal life. Amen.

By me, your dear husband.

REYTSE AYSESS.

ANOTHER LETTER FROM REYTSE AYSESS, WRITTEN

TO HIS WIFE

Grace, peace, mercy, unity, and love be with you, my dear wife and sister in the Lord; may the almighty God comfort you in your misery and tribulation which you have on my account.

Behold, my very dear and beloved wife and sister in the Lord, whom I took before God and His church, the eternal Almighty God, console you in your tribulation and distress which you endure on my account.

Behold, my beloved, though we are to suffer here (for in the world we shall have tribulation, but our tribulation shall be turned into joy), let us firmly cleave to the word of the Lord, and depart neither to the right nor to the left. O dear and much beloved wife, I am so greatly troubled and concerned for you, and pray the Almighty God for you day and night, that He will keep you, and that you may continue steadfast unto the end; for he that continues steadfast shall be saved.

My dear, beloved wife and sister, when you were with me you comforted me with the word of the Lord, so that the castellan's wife said: "I could not do this;" and you said I should cleave to the word of the Lord; wherein I greatly rejoice, and thank the eternal God for your strong faith. Pray the Lord who has begun this good work in you, that He will keep it in you unto the end, that you may obtain the salvation of your soul. My beloved,,be of good courage, and be valiant in the Lord; and we may well say with the prophet: "O Israel, how happy are we, that God has made known His word unto us." Bar. 4:4. What thanks shall we render to the Lord for the good that He has shown us? for our sakes He became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich. I Thess. 3:9; II Cor. 8:9. Hence, my dear and beloved wife, if we suffer with Him, we shall also rejoice with Him; if we die with Him, we shall also reign with Him. II Tim. 2:11, 12. O beloved, be of good courage, and cleave to the word of the Lord, and be firmly rooted in Him. Even as Jacob took hold of the angel, and wrestled with Him all night, until the breaking of the day. The angel said: "Let me go." Jacob said: "I will not let thee go, till thou have blessed me." Genesis 32:24.

Let us therefore be followers of God, as dear children in love. Eph. 5:1. O my beloved wife, I have such a great care for you, and am so much troubled for you. O love, I beseech you from the inmost of my soul, that you will not forsake the Lord your God all the days of your. life.. O love, I am so greatly troubled and grieved for my dear child, that I do not know whither to turn, and I pray the eternal, almighty God day and night in regard to it. O my dear and beloved. be of good courage, and console yourself in the Lord, and be not troubled on my account the Lord is my helper. My beloved, if it should please our dear Lord, that we should meet no more, may we meet hereafter in eternal life. May the Lord help you and me to this end, and keep us, that we may be saved.

Written by me, your beloved husband and brother in the Lord.

REYTSE AYSESS.

SENTENCE ANA: DEATH OF REYTSE AYSESS

After Reytse Aysess had confessed his faith with all boldness before the, lords and princes, and had taken leave from his ood friends, he was finally brought before the lords and sentenced to death. His sentence reads as follows

Whereas it has appeared to the Court of Friesland, that Reytse Aysess, at present a prisoner, has, by the sentence of the high, worshipful Lord Bishop of Leeuwaerden, been condemned as an obstinate heretic in his opinions and errors concerning the holy church, and as such been committed into the will and hand of the secular justice, to be dealt with according to law, according to the full power of the sentence existing with respect to this; therefore, the aforesaid court, having duly regarded and considered all that ought to be considered in this matter, in the name and in behalf of the King of Spain, etc., Archduke of Austria,. Duke of Burgundy Brabant, etc. Court of Holland, Zealand, and Lord of Friesland, have condemned, and by these, presents do condemn the aforesaid prisoner, to be executed with water, and brought from life to death; declaring, furthermore, all his property to be forfeited and confiscated for the benefit of his majesty. Done the 23d of April, A. D. 1574.

Upon this, Reytse was very bold and joyful, praising and thanking the Lord, that he had become worthy to suffer for His name; and in the evening, at nine o'clock, he was brought into the castellan's house by the beadles.

There were some monks there, who tormented and tempted him much, but they were not able to resist the spirit that was in him; he remained bold and fearless, and spoke with a person which bears this testimony concerning it, and sent greetings to all his good friends; especially to his parents, wife, and nearest kindred, informing them that he was of good cheer and in greater joy than he had ever been in his life. Thereupon, about twelve o'clock in the night, the castellan, the beadles, the executioner, the monks, and others, assembled and conducted him to the torture tower, whither he gladly went, singing

"I call upon Thee O heavenly Father,

Be pleased to strengthen my faith." etc.

When he came into the torture tower, he fell down upon his face, and called upon the Lord in fervent prayer, after which he rose, and offered up his sacrifice with all boldness, and was drowned there. He rests now under the altar, waiting for the number of his fellow brethren to be fulfilled.

How signally the faithful God is filled with compassion over His people, how He comforts and strengthens them by His Spirit, how He goes with them into water and fire, yea, He remains with them in the bitterness of death, never forsaking them; and how He also regards every injury inflicted upon His own, as though the apple of His own eye were touched; this can be seen and perceived, in both the Old and New Testaments, in the avenging hand of God, with which He many times smote bloodthirsty persecutors. Ex. 14:8; II Macc. 9:28; Acts 12:23.

The same can also be seenin many tyrants and persecutors of these latter days, as, among other instances, may be seen in the case of a certain no bleman, named Andries Grijpen, who, searchinf for some thieves, laid his hands on this aforesaid God fearing Reytse Aysess. And though their consciences (that is, his own as well as his wife's con science), greatly troubled and accused them with regard to this deed, so that they said they much deplored that these people were so exceedingly oppressed; these people who, he said, harmed no one, nor desired any one's property, but were well satisfied with what they had. That these were thus harassed, was a grievous cross to his heart; and though he felt thus in his conscience, he nevertheless, through the instigation of his secretary, and because he, like Pilate, would remain the emperor's friend, and not lose his office, set at naught this conviction of his heart, and bound and ironed the aforesaid Reytse Aysess, and sent him thus to Leeuwaerden to prison. But the righteous God, who is not mocked, very soon after this deed, sorely smote the said lord with His avenging hand, so that the freebooters, coming from Holland, fell upon his house and completely demolished it, and subjected him to much affliction and ignominy, taking him with them to Holland, and setting a ransom of six thousand guilders upon him, in addition to which he had to give a hundred guilders each week as personal expenses, until the ransom had been fully paid. In consequence of this he and his family fell into extreme poverty, so that other people, filled with compassion, aided and fed him in this his great need. Besides this he was afflicted with gravel and consumption, of which he ultimately miserably died. Some others of his kindred also were taken out of this world in a miserable manner. Moreover, in these afflictions his conscience greatly accused him of this deed, so that he penitently prayed to God, desiring that through his temporal afflictions and suffering, he might, by the grace of God, escape and turn away the eternal torment of hell, which he seemed to experience in himself. Hence this ought to serve as an example to all tyrants and persecutors, carefully to beware of such deeds.

HENDRICK PRUYT, A. D. 1574

About the year 1574 there was another pious brother, named Hendrick Pruyt, born at Harderwijck, in Guelderland, and a seaman by occupation, who came and sailed in the Zuyder Zee, on the coast of Friesland. And as a Spanish colonel was stationed at Wurekom, who was a zealous servant of the King of Spain, and a great war was carried on at that time between Holland and the King of Spain, the soldiers of the latter came in a yacht, on board of said Hendrick Pruyt's vessel. And as he saw no way of escape, he said to his wife: "Trijntjen Jans, lamb, there comes the wolf;" exhorting her to boldness and to answer without dissimulation to whatever she might be asked. When these robbers came on board they asked: "Where does

this craft hail from?" They answered: "From Harderwijck." Though that place was at that tithe at peace with the king, 'they nevertheless had to go on shore with them, and Hendrick Pruyt was put in prison at Wurckom. His wife, who came to him, was greatly concerned how to obtain his release,, for they were young people who greatly loved each other: and' as Hendrick Pruyt had little hope of being released, he asked his wife not to go to much trouble on his account, but that she should travel to her brother and friends, who were principally interested in the vessel, that they might see how to get the vessel released, which wasalso done. While she went home, they in the meantime examined Hendrick Pruyt and found that he was a brother of the Mennistic persuasion.

On account of this they dealt with him so. cruelly and tyrannically, that they,cbuld not, wait until the return of his wife, whom they might hen also have made to tread this way of suffering. But they took this pious man and cast him into a boat which they had well smeared with tar. They also tarred the prisoner's body, and'bound his outstretched hands to the ends of the mast thwart, and took him thus

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without the harbor, set fire to the boat, and started him burning seaward. But as his hands through the fire had become. loosed or disengaged from their bonds, it seemed probable that he might yet deliver himself from the fire; but these murderers, seeing this, hastened to him, and thrust him through, and ended his life. Thus this friend of God passed valiantly through the conflict, and the seed of God, which he had received in his heart through the preaching of the divine Word, remained in him unto the end, whereby he through patience overcame his enemies, kept the faith, and through God's grace obtained the crown of eternal glory.

When this colonel perceived that Trijn Jans, his wife, hearing this report, would not readily be willing to run into the ands of these wolves, he was very much dissatisfied with it; saying: "If I had her here, she would have to go the same route " and that if he could at any time get hold of this woman, though. she were buried somewhere in a city, he would nevertheless dig up her dead body and burn it.

Consider, beloved. reader, how such awful bloodthirstiness and" tyranny accord with the Word, spirit and example of Christ and His apostles, whose followers they, without shame, still dare call themselves.

OLIVIER WILLEMSS, OF NIMEGUEN, BURNT ALIVE FOR THE PRACTICE OF THE EVANGELICAL

TRUTH, TOGETHER WITH TWO YOUNG

MAIDENS, AT ANTWERP, A. D.' 1574

Olivier Willemss, born at Nimeguen, educated in the schools, and having become pastor of Leeuwen, a village between Nimeguen and Tiel, began at times to evince scruples in reading the mass, and about other Romish institutions. This exciting suspicion, he, by the advice of well meaning friends, fled to the country of Cleves, and having entered into the communion of the Anabaptists there, married a certain widow from Antwerp (likewise a fugitive on account of persecution), and in the hope of greater freedom through mitigation of the bloody decrees; returned with her to Antwerp and settled down in the Steenhouwdersvest.

His wife in the meantime giving birth to two sons, the report of it, together with the. circumstance that the children were not brought to baptism, brought them into rumor and suspicion of heresy, so that they, 'after accusation, in the beginning of the year 1574 (the children being then a year and three months old), were put into prison.

A few days afterwards, on Friday, the 22d of January, this good and upright man, Olivier Willemss, was, because of his faith, because of having received baptism in adult years, and because of having sold certain good and edifying books, proscribed by the papists, condemned to death and the fire, to be burnt alive, which he steadfastly suffered the following day, having commended his soul into the hands of God.

His wife, through a certain occasion, not necessary to be related here: escaped out of prison, and ultimately fell asleep in the Lord, a God fearing and godly woman, in the eighty fifth year of her age.

FURTHER OBSERVATION TOUCHING T14y PERSON OF

OLIVIER WILLEMSS, AS ALSO CONCERNING

HIS SUFFERING AND DEATH

It is stated of him, that besides his upright faith and virtuous conversation, he had a very sagacious and penetrating understanding, as also, that he was so well versed in the three chief languages, namely, Hebrew, Greek and Latin, that he daily read them at home; and explained them to his household.

In prison great threats of the torture were made against him, which he bore steadfastly, immovably and unchangingly before God and men. He had been in prison only three days, when his trial was concluded; whereupon sentence followed, and the next day, death.

He was burnt alive between two young maidens, who to all appearance had confessed the same truth, according to the testimony of those who said that they witnessed it with their own eyes.

NOTE. As there have come into our hand, not only the foregoing copy and this last notice touching Olivier Willemss, but also the criminal demand of the bailiff of Antwerp, made concerning said person, and what the judges advised thereupon, according to the original record of the secretary there, we shall 'properly add the same here, so that every one may be fully assured of it.

EXTRACTS FROM THE COURT RECORDS OF CRIMINAL

AND CIVIL MATTERS OF THE CITY OF ANTWERP

The bailiff vs. Olivier Wilhemssen, of Nimeguen, since he has dared attend divers forbidden conventicles, to sell books that are proscribed, and to have himself, in said forbidden conventicles, rebaptized, though he received baptism in his infancy, all of which is contrary to the prohibitions and decrees of his majesty; concludit capitaliter, that the defendant be punished according to the aforesaid decrees, the defendant having openly confessed that with which he was charged by the bailiff. Judicatum, that the plaintiff have his full demand granted.

This copy having been compared, by us the undersigned, secretary of the city of Antwerp, with the aforesaid court records; is found to accord with it.

PH. VALCKENISSEN.

The words, concludit capitaliter, translated into Dutch [English], mean substantially, that the bailiff demands [the prisoner's] life and property forfeited in his behalf. The word judicatum means, that the lords pass sentence. This certifies the same.

PH. VALCKENISSEN.

NOTE. I have another authentic copy of this demand made by the bailiff of the judges, against Olivier Willemss, on which is inscribed in the margin, Executio: as though it were said: Execute, or punish, him according to your demand, that is, burn him alive, for this was the punishment of steadfast Anabaptists, according to the imperial decree; upon which the bailiff had founded his demand.

JACOB THE COBBLER AND HIS WIFE, GRIETJEN, VAN

BRUYSSEL, ANNEKEN VAN BRUYSSEL, TANNE;

KEN WALRAVEN, A. D. 1575

In the year 1575, on the eve of Whitsuntide, there were also burnt alive, with their tongues screwed fast, atAntwerp, in Brabant, the following witnesses of Jesus: Jacob the Cobbler and his wife; Grietjen van Bruyssel, a widow; Anneken van Bruyssel, a young maiden; and Tanneken Walraven, the mother of Jacques Walraven, of Amsterdam. These died together, except the wife of Jacob the Cobbler, who, being enciente, had to wait until her delivery, and thus following the footsteps of her husband, she willingly delivered up her life for the testimony of Jesus.

Every reader ought further to notice, how directly these papists followed the footsteps of the envious and truth hating scribes and Pharisees, who stopped their ears, that they should not hear the words of truth which were declared to them by that faithful witness of God, Stephen. So did also these scribes, with still greater tyranny deal with these friends of God, taking instruments invented for this purpose by the monks, in which they screwed fast the tongues of these prisoners, to deprive them of the power of speech, that they, on their way to death, should not be able to proclaim to the bystanding people the truth from the Word of God, and the innocence of their death. How will these persecutors answer for their course before the judgment seat of Christ, who knowing that Christ pronounced so many woes upon the scribes and Pharisees, who killed and stoned the prophets sent to them, nevertheless followed their works; hence they may expect the same reward from the righteous judge, who shall reward every one according to his works.

On the other hand, these witnesses can in truth console themselves, that to them, whose tongues were bound here, and who had to suffer for the truth a little while, it will yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness, when in the revelation of Christ their mouths shall be filled with laughter, and their tongues with praise, and they shall stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted them, and made no account of their labors, being thus under the blessed promise of Christ, who said

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." And Peter: "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye." I Pet. 1:6; Heb. 12:11; Ps. 126:2; Matt. 5:10; I Pet. 4:14.

These witnesses wrote many letters from their prison, but they were lost through the Spanish insurrection, which occurred at Antwerp on the 4th of November, A. D. 1576.

CLAES VAN ARMENTIERSS, AND, LIJNTGEN, A YOUNG

MAIDEN, A. D. 1575

In the year 1575 there was burnt alive at Antwerp, for the faith of the truth and the testimony of Jesus, a God fearing, pious brother, named Claes van Armentiers, a lace maker; and with him, a young maiden, named Lijntgen, a servant maid. Claes van Armentiers, having been imprisoned first, said Lijntgen called to him into prison: "Strive valiantly, my dear brother, for you have the genuine truth." Being apprehended upon this, she was offered up four or five days afterwards, both being burnt alive together. And as they, for the truth of Christ (as behooves obedient sheep of their only, eternal Shepherd), patiently and in true obedience suffered temporal burning in their temporal and corruptible bodies, they are hereby saved and delivered from the eternal and unquenchable fire of hell prepared for the devil and all his followers. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. II Thess. 1:9; Mark 9:44. On the other hand, these faithful followers of the truth may expect to hear from the mouth of Jesus: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." At that time they shall again in great glory, receive these members, which they here for the testimony of Jesus delivered to the burning, being like, in immortality unto the glorious body of our Lord Jesus, and shall live with Him in unspeakable joy and glory, forever and ever. Phil. 5:21; I Cor. 2:9; Wis. 5:16.

TWENTY PERSONS AT LONDON, IN ENGLAND,

NAMELY, FOURTEEN WOMEN DRIVEN FROM THE

CITY: A YOUTH SCOURGED BEHIND A CART;

ONE DIED IN PRISON; TWO, NAMED HEN;

DRICK TERWOORT AND JAN PIETERSS,

BURNT ALIVE AND TWO OTHERS, AFTER

ENDURING MUCH MISERY, ESCAPED

FROM PRISON; ALL OF WHICH TOOK

PLACE UNDER THE REIGN OF

QUEEN ELIZABETH, IN THE

YEAR 1575

The persecution, killing and murdering of the Christians not yet ceasing in many places, certain friends, on account of the severe tribulation and small opportunity for making a living, went from Flanders to England; among which number were also one Hendrick Terwoort and Jan Pieterss. While living in their simplicity, in London, to earn bread for wife and children, it occurred in the year 1575, on Easter Day, that the assembly met in a suburb, to hear the Word of God. Having thus engaged together in prayer to God, the constable (for they had been spied out) came in, fiercely and insolently, and called them devils, asking them who was their preacher. He wrote down their names, and made the women promise, to remain there together until further orders. Thus these friends remained there till the constable returned. He called off their names, and drove them before him as sheep are led to the slaughter, and conducted them to prison, there being twenty five persons, of which number two escaped without any violence. They were confined two days in the South Fort in the Mersey, and were then released on bail, but soon after summoned to appear in St. Paul's Church, where the bishop and other eminent teachers and persons were assembled. There four questions were put to them, which were as follows