Thieleman J. van Braght · 76 of 210
Old Book of the Martyrs Mirror · Part 14
"Whosoever transgresseth, and not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." II John 9-11. "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. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." Matt. 7:15-19. "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the salve measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. And he spake a parable unto them; Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master." Luke 6:36-40. "He that overcometh the world,
* He who seeks God in visible things, will not find Him.
** In God are life and peace; he that desires peace and life, let liim cuter into Him.
*** Pure love loves a blameless life.
**** A person can have a , without the Spirit and ' of Christ.
shall inherit all things; all things are in God, and God works all in all." I John 5:4.
Therefore, my dear brethren, "Let your be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation . . . . For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me."* Phil. 1:27-30.
"Therefore, my most beloved brethren, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice,** inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busy body in other men's matters. Yet if any suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? , let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator." I Peter 4:12-19.
"It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: if we believe not, yet he faithful: he cannot deny himself."*** II Tim. 2:11-13.
Therefore, my dear brethren, let us "walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, the time, because the days are evil. be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." Eph. 5:15-17.
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, , gentleness, goodness, faith, , temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affec
* The nature of God is made manifest in His children, who love Him in godly works.
** It is a joy to the godly, when they see men living in accordance with the word of God.
*** What great boldness, through the power of God!
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tions and lusts." Gal. 5:19-24. Yea, say the wise of this world, the heretics do not believe that God is in the . Indeed, they are right in not believing it, for Paul says: "He dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshiped with men's hands." Acts 17:24, 25. "I give thee charge in the sight of God, who all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ
. the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen."* I Tim. 6:13-16.
"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son . . . he hath declared him." John 1:18. Stephen said: "I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." Acts 7:56. "At the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; i n whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." I Pet. 1:7-9. I say that it is great presumption for men to undertake to say that they handle God. For John, concerning whom the Lord Himself declared, that a greater was not born of women, than John the Baptist, did not consider himself worthy to unloose the latchet of His shoes.**
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation. But this is my belief: That to those who through faith in Christ Jesus are dead from the rudiments of the world (Col. 2:20), and have crucified the flesh with its evil affections and lusts (Galatians 5:24). Christ left the in remembrance of His death, that they should show the Lord's death till He come (I Cor. 11:25, 26), as Paul says: "I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is anything, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is anything? But I say, that the things which the sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of
* All his delight is in speaking of God, and in strengthening men in that which is good.
** All the pious constantly lament the vain boasting and unbelief of the world.
devils; ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils."* I Cor. 10:15-21.
End of these letters, translated and finished the 12th of January A. D. 1614.
RICHST HEYNES, A. D. 1547
About the year 1547, there was a God fearing woman, whose name was Richst Heynes (so named after her husband, according to the custom of the country), and who lived in the Ilst, not far from Sneeck, in Friesland. She also bowed her shoulders under the easy yoke of the Lord Jesus, hearing and following His blessed voice, avoiding that of strangers opposed to Him. The enemies of God perceiving this, very speedily sought to hinder and stop it; to which end, they sent forth tyrannical servants, who came as ravening wolves, and apprehended this defenseless sheep. Her husband perceiving it, escaped with great peril of life. She was very roughly handled, and cruelly bound, without the least mercy or compassion, though she was pregnant, and very near the time of her delivery, so that the midwife had already been with her. But notwithstanding all this, they took her with them, though her little children cried and wept piteously. They brought her to Leeuwaerden in prison, where after three weeks imprisonment, she gave birth to a son. The child, to the great astonishment of all who beheld it, very plainly showed on his arms the marks which his mother had received from the cruel fetters. They afterwards tortured her so cruelly, that she could not lay her hands upon her head. Thus she was maltreated with inhuman tortures, mainly for the reason that she would not betray her brethren, for these wolves were as yet by no means satisfied, but thirsted greatly after more innocent blood. The faithful God, however, who is a fortress in time of need, and a shield to all them that trust in Him, guarded her lips, so that none were betrayed by her. Hence, as nothing could move her to separate from Christ, she was sentenced at said place, thrust into a bag, like an irrational brute, and cast into the water and drowned. All this she as an innocent lamb of Jesus Christ patiently and steadfastly endured for the name of the Lord, remaining faithful unto death; hence she is worthy ultimately to receive the crown of everlasting life from God, and to enjoy it forever and ever.
CLASS LECKS, A. D. 1548
Claes Lecks, a native of Ostende, was summoned to the town house, in the year 1548, on account of certain reports that were circulating about him. Having arrived there, he was examined respecting his faith, and, making a good confession, he was committed to prison. He was a man of very good reputation, on account of the many alms which he gave to the poor. When he was examined, he renounced the papistic, Roman church, and also
* He that gives heed to the Word of God will gather wisdom.
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infant baptism, which he refuted with the holy Scriptures. Thereupon, as he steadfastly adhered to his faith in God, he was sentenced to be strangled and burned. As he was being led out to death, the priest presented the crucifix to him to kiss it, which he refused to do. The priest also said to the people
"Pray for this deceiver; for he is going from this fire into the eternal fire." To this he simply replied
"This is what you say, but I have a better ." Thus he offered up his sacrifice as a true child of God.
ELIZABETH, A. D. 1549
Elizabeth was apprehended on the 15th of January, 1549. When those who had come to apprehend her entered the house in which she lived, they found a Latin Testament. Having secured Elizabeth, they said: "We have got the right man; we have now the teacheress;" adding: "Where is your husband, Menno Simons, the teacher?"
They then brought her to the town house. The following day two beadles took her between them to prison.
She was then arraigned before the council, and asked upon oath, whether she had a husband.
Elizabeth answered: "We ought not to swear, but our words should be Yea, yea, and Nay, nay; I have no husband."
Lords: "We say that you are a teacher, and that you seduce many. We have been told this, and we want to know who your friends are."
Elisabeth: "My God has commanded me to love my Lord and my God, and to honor my parents; hence I will not tell you who my parents are; for what I suffer for the name of Christ is a reproach to my friends."
Lords: "We will let you alone in regard to this, but we want to know whom you have taught."
Elizabeth: "Oh, no, my lords, let me in peace with this, but interrogate me concerning my faith, which I will gladly tell you."
Lords: "We shall make you so afraid, that you will tell us."
Elizabeth: "I hope through the of God, that He will keep my tongue, so that I shall not become a traitoress, and deliver my brother into death."
Lords: "What persons were present when you were baptized?"
Elizabeth: "Christ said: Ask them that were present, or who heard it." John 18:21.
Lords: "Now we perceive that you are a teacher; for you compare yourself to Christ."
Elizabeth: "No, my lords, far be it from me; for I do not esteem myself above the offscourings which are swept out from the house of the Lord."
Lords: "What then do you hold concerning the house of God? do you not regard our church as the house of God?"
Elizabeth: "No, my lords, for it is written: 'Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said,
I will dwell in them, and walk in them."' II Cor. 6:16.
Lords: "What do you hold concerning our mass?"
Elizabeth: "My lords, of your mass I think nothing at all; but I highly esteem all that accords with the Word of God."
Lords: "What are your views with regard to the most adorable, holy ?"
Elizabeth: "I have never in my life read in the holy Scriptures of a holy , but of the ." (She also quoted the Scripture relating to this.)
Lords: "Be silent, for the devil speaks through your mouth."
Elizabeth: "Yea, my lords, this is a small matter, for the servant is not better than his lord."
Lords: "You speak from a spirit of pride."
Elizabeth: "No, my lords, I speak with frank. nes~."
Lords: "What did the Lord say, when He gave His disciples the Supper?"
Elizabeth: "What did He give them, flesh or bread?"
Lords: "He gave them bread."
Elizabeth: "Did not the Lord remain sitting there? Who then would eat the flesh of the Lord?"
Lords: "What are your views concerning infant baptism, seeing you have been rebaptized?"
Elizabeth: "No, my lords, I have not been rebaptized. I have been baptized once upon my faith; for it is written that baptism belongs to believers."
Lords: "Are our children damned then, because they are baptized?"
Elizabeth: "No, my lords, God forbid, that I should judge the children."
Lords: "Do you not seek your salvation in baptism?"
Elizabeth: "No, my lords, all the water in the sea could not save me; but salvation is in Christ (Acts 4:10), and He has commanded me to love God my Lord above all things, and my, neighbor as myself."
Lords: "Have the priests power to forgive sins?"
Elizabeth: "No, my lords; how should I believe this? I say that Christ is the only priest through whom sins are forgiven." Heb. 7:21.
Lords: "You say that you believe everything that accords with the holy Scriptures; do you not believe the words of James?"
Elizabeth: "Yea, my lords, why should I not believe them?"
Lords: "Does he not say: `Go to the elder of the church, that he may anoint you, and pray over you?" James 5:14.
Elizabeth: "Yea, my lords; but do you mean to say that you are of this church?"
Lords: "The has saved you already; you need neither confession nor ?"
Elizabeth: "No, my lords, I acknowledge that I have the of the pope, which the Emperor has confirmed by decrees. But prove to me that I have in any article against my Lord and my God, and I will cry woe over me, miserable being."
The foregoing is the first confession.
Afterwards she was again brought before the council, and led into the torture chamber, Hans, the executioner, being present. The lords then said: "We have thus long dealt with you in kindness;, but if you will not confess, we will resort to severity with you. The Procurator General said
"Master Hans, seize her."
Master Hans answered: "Oh, no, my lords, she will voluntarily confess."
But as she would not voluntarily confess, he applied the thumbscrews to her thumbs and fbrefingers, so that the blood squirted out at the nails.
Elizabeth said: "Oh I I cannot endure it any longer."
The lords said: "Confess, and we will relieve your pain."
But she cried to the Lord her God: "Help me, O Lord, Thy poor handmaiden I for Thou art a helper in time of need."
The lords all exclaimed: "Confess, and we will relieve your pain; for we told you to confess, and not to cry to God the Lord."
But she steadfastly adhered to God her Lord, as related above; and the Lord took away her pain, so that she said to the lords: "Ask me, and I shall answer you: for I no longer feel the least pain in my flesh, as I did before."
Lords: "Will you not yet confess?"
Elizabeth: "No, my lords."
They then applied the screws to her shins, one on each.
She said: "O my lords, do not put me to shame; for never a man touched my bare body."
The Procurator General said: "Miss Elizabeth, we shall not treat you dishonorably."
She then fainted away. They said to one another: "Perhaps she is dead."
But waking up, she said: "I live, and am not dead."
They then took off all the screws, and plied her with entreaties.
Elizabeth: "Why do you thus entreat me? this is the way to do with children."
Thus they obtained not one word from her, detrimental to her brethren in the Lord, or to any other person.
Lords: "Will you revoke all that you have previously confessed here?"
Elizabeth: "No, my lords, but I will seal it with my death."
Lords: "We will try you no more; will you voluntarily tell us, who baptized you?"
Elizabeth: "Oh, no, my lords; I have certainly told you, that I will not confess this."
Sentence was then passed upon Elizabeth, on the 27th of March, 1549; she was condemned to death
to be drowned in a bag, and thus offered up her body to God.
SIX BRETHREN AND TWO SISTERS, NAMELY: PIETER
JANS, TOBIAS QUESTINEX, JAN PENNEWAERTS,
GIJSBERT JANS, ELLERT JANS, LUCAS MI;
CHIELS, BARBARA THIELEMANS, AND
TRUYKEN BOENS, ALL BURNT ALIVE
AT THE STAKE ON THE SAME
DAY, AT AMSTERDAM, ON
THE 20TH OF MARCH,
1549
In the year 1549 there were imprisoned at Amsterdam, for the truth of Jesus Christ, about twenty persons, men as well as women, all of whose names are not known, especially since some of them escaped from prison in the following manner: One of the prisoners had two brothers living in Waterlandt, who were rough fellows, and spent much of their time in taverns. So at a certain time it happened, that as they were sitting in the tavern, they began to think of their imprisoned brother, and supposing that the time when he should be offered up, was drawing , they deliberated among themselves, how they could best liberate him, and swore an oath that they would shrink from neither labor nor peril, even though it should cost their lives; in confirmation of which they held up their fingers, tossed their hats in the air, and called God to witness. In the morning, when they were awake and had become sober, their perilous plan somewhat troubled them; but renuembering the solemn oath which they owed to God, as also the sad departure of their dear brother, they manifested the firmness of Romans, and proceeded in the following manner. They took a rope with a block, which had been well greased, so that the dry block should make no noise. This they packed into a basket, and took it to the house of Jan Jans, who lived opposite the prison, in the crescent, and said to him: "Jan Jans, may we leave this basket here, and call for it late in the evening, as it may suit us?"
Jan Jans assented, without ever thinking of the dangerous plan, till they came to get their basket.
This Jan Jans had a cousin among the prisoners, named Ellert Jans, who had a wooden leg and was a tailor whom the Bailiff had taken from his shop on the new dyke. Therefore these two brothers availed themselves of a dark evening, and brought a boat hook with them, which they thrust into the window, and then climbed up by it. They then made fast a rope, and broke open the windows with a crowbar. Having thus effected their purpose, they let their brother down from the window with a rope, and forthwith, went to other prisoners, all of whom they let down through the window, except Ellert Jan, who refused to go out, telling them as his reason, that he was of such good cheer to offer his sacrifice, and felt so happy that he did not expect even through a long life to become any better, since he feared that on the way through the long desert his courage might fail him, and thus he would never get across the Jordan, and reach the promised land. He also said that he was too well known by his wooden leg, so that he could easily be described for the purpose of apprehension.
But Tobias, Pieter, Grietgen, Jan, Lyntgen and Barbartgen were confined in other dungeons, where they could well hear, but not get to, them. They remained in confinement till the time of their offering up was fulfilled, except Lyntgen, who was spared on account of her pregnancy. She also gave birth to a child while in bonds; but the pain of delivery so affected her, that she became utterly deranged in her mind; after this she laid yet for a long time at Amsterdam, in a little house, in which she also died.
When the day had arrived, on which the aforementioned persons were to offer up their sacrifices, said Jan Jans stationed himself close to the tribunal, to see what spirit his cousin Ellert Jans would show in the last hour of his life. As soon as Ellert Jans perceived his cousin, he addressed him with such a happy countenance that all the hearers listened with astonishment. He also handed him a testament through the iron bars of the tribunal; but the bailiff cried out like a ferocious lion
Where is the book? but could not find it out.
With many good arguments he admonished every one, principally his cousin Jan Jans, that he should no longer suffer himself to be seduced by the adorned woman, the whore of Babylon, but should enter upon the way to the city of all good things. Yea, he said, that he never had lived a happier day; which Jan so took to heart, that he afterwards also took upon him the burden of the cross. Thus all the afore mentioned friends ended their lives in great joy, and were burnt alive. Shortly after a lover of the truth composed a hymn in remembrance of them, the first letter of each verse of which accords with the first letter of the names. It is found in the old hymnbook, and is the first of those beginning with T: "'Tis nu schier al vervudt," etc.
The sentence of these six brethren and two sisters, we obtained from the book of criminal sentences of the city of Amsterdam, through the secretary of said place; excepting the title which reads as follows
SENTENCE OF DEATH OF PIETER JANS, TOBIAS
QUESTINEX, JAN PENNEWAERTS, GIJSBERT
JANS, ELLERT JANS, LUCAS MICHI;
ELS, BARBARA THIELEMAUS, AND
TRUYKEN BOENS
Whereas Pieter, son of Jans, a native of Lininckhuysen, Tobias Questinex, citizen of this city, shoemakers, by trade; Jan Pennewaerts of Loenen, Gijsbert Jans of Woerden, Ellert Jans, also citizen of this city, tailors, Lucas Michiels of Dortrecht, glazier by trade, Barbara Thielemaus of Dortrecht, and Truyken Boens, daughter of William Boens of
Antwerp, have been rebaptized by one Giles of Aix la Chapelle, and have joined the sect and heresy of the Anabaptists, holding pernicious views with regards to the of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith, the of said holy church, and the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty, our gracious lord; and, moreover, obstinately persist in their unbelief, errors and heresies; therefore, my lords the judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the bailiff concerning said persons, together with their confession, and having duly considered the circumstances of said case, condemn said persons to be burnt by the executioner; and, furthermore, declare all their property confiscated for the benefit of his Imperial Majesty, as Count of Holland and our gracious lord, without prejudice to the privileges of this city. So pronounced and ordered to be executed, this 20th day of March, 1549, in the presence of the bailiff, Egbert Gabriels and Joost Buyck, burgomasters, and all the judges.
Of these delinquents three were subjected to the torture, namely, Tobias Questinex, on the 14th of Feliruary, Pieter Jans, on the 15th of the same month, and Ellert Jans on the 8th of the present month, March.
Extracted from the book of criminal sentences of the city of Amsterdam, in the keeping of the secretary there.
N. N.
FIJE AND EELKEN AT LEEUWARDEN, A. D. 1549
In the year 1549, about three weeks before Easter, two beloved men, named Fije and Eelken, were apprehended at Boorn, in West Friesland. They were brought before the lords, where they boldlv confessed their faith.
They first interrogated Eelken, saying: "Who has authorized you to assemble the people, to teach them?"
Ans. "God has authorized me." Heb. 10:25.
Ques. "What have you taught?"
Ans. "Ask them that heard it, what we taught among ourselves; for you have apprehended a woman that heard it."
They then asked the woman what she had heard from Eelken.
Ans. "He read the four Evangelists, Paul, Peter, the epistles of John, and the acts of the, apostles."
Eelken was then asked again: "What do you hold concerning the ?"
Ans. "I know nothing of your baked God."
Ques. "Friend, take care what you say; such words cost necks. What do you think of the mother of God?"
Ans. "Much."
Ques. "What do you say; did the Son of God not receive flesh and blood from Mary?"
Ans. "No: With regard to this, I believe what the Son of God Himself declares concerning it." John 1:14.
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Ques. "What do you hold concerning our holy Roman church?"
Ans. "I know nothing of your holy church. I do not know it; I never in all my life was in a holy church."
Ques. "You speak too spitefully; I have compassion for you," said one of the lords of the council, "and fear that you will lose your neck. Are you not baptized?"
Ans. "I am not baptized, but greatly desire baptism."
Ques. "What do you think of these false teachers who run about and baptize the people?"
Ans. "Of false teachers I think nothing, but have greatly longed to hear a teacher sent from God?"
They said: "But we have heard that you are a teacher?"
Eelken said: "Who made me a teacher?"
They replied: "We do not know."
Eelken said: "If you ask me what you do not know yourselves, how should I know it? I know of no one that has made me a teacher; but God has given me all for which I have Him."
They said: "We have now written down all the articles concerning which we have interrogated you on this occasion; if there is anything of which you , we will gladly strike it out I"
Ans. "Do you think that I should deny God?"
Eelken and Fije were then both sentenced and brought together; they embraced each other, yea, kissed one another's hands and feet with great love, so that all that saw and heard it were astonished. The beadles and servants ran to the lords and said: "Never men loved one another as do these." Eelken said to Fije: "Dear brother, do not take it amiss, that you have been brought into suffering through me." Fije answered: "Dear brother, do not think so, for it is the power of God."
Their execution was deferred till the third day after the sentence was passed. Eelken was first executed with the sword. When Fije's sentence was read, he did not listen to it, because of his great joy; and, ignorant of what had happened, or was to happen, to Eelken, he sang and leaped; praising and thanking God, saying: "This is the only way."