Thieleman J. van Braght · 80 of 210

Old Book of the Martyrs Mirror · Part 18

Lady. "Should they then all err, so many learned men that have been before you; do you dare be so presumptuous as this?"

Jacques. "My lady, in Israel four hundred prophets were against the single Micaiah, who alone spoke the truth, and w4s kept imprisoned on bread and water; which King Ahab experienced in his distress, but too late." I Kings 22:27; II Chronicles 18:5.

The lady finally said: "I find many good things in you; but your greatest error I consider to lie in your baptism, which does not seem to me to be of God."

In this manner she had him brought before her many times; but as he, young in years, but old in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (Wisd. 4:8; I Cor. 14:20), had built his foundation upon the rock Jesus Christ, he valiantly repelled all the subtle devices of Satan whether consisting in many severe threats, or in fair promises of the kingdom of this world (Matt. 4:8) with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; and as nothing could move him to forsake Christ, he was condemned to death by the rulers of the darkness of this world (Eph. 6:12), and thus testified and confirmed the true faith of the truth with his death and blood, and, through grace, obtained the crown of everlasting glory.

Concerning this, see a hymn in the Gulden Harp, beginning: Tot Leeuwaeyden op eenen dagh.

HANS VAN MONSTER, AND BARTEL, AND OLD JA;

COB, PUT TO DEATH IN THE CASTLE OF

BERCHEM, NEAR ANTWERP

As it has from the beginning been abundantly heard and seen, that the truth is envied and trampled upon by its enemies and haters, and that its pious confessors have had to suffer from them in manifold ways; so, among many other examples, it was verified, at a certain time after Mary van Beckum and her sister had been offered up at Delden, in the case of a faithful brother named Hans van Monster, who lay imprisoned for the truth, in the castle of Berchem, near Antwerp. And since Jesus very earnestly teaches and recommends to us the visiting of the sick and imprisoned, in their tribulation (Matt. 25:36; Heb. 13:3), a single man named Old Jacob, and another by the name of Bartel, moved by the spirit and brotherly love, went from Antwerp to Berchem, to comfort their brother, according to their ability; in his tribulation. When they arrived there; the enemies watched them, supposing that old Jacob was a teacher and elder; for at that time the bloodthirsty papists had put a reward of three hundred guilders upon teachers, to be given to any who should deliver them into the hands of the executioners; and as old Jacob was very eloquent, and could defend himself very ably with the Word of God, they hoped to earn said money by him, in which, however, they; failed, as Jacob was no teacher. Nevertheless, they kept them, and imprisoned them with their fellow brother; and as they together were built upon the immovable rock Christ Jesus, they remained steadfast in all these tempests; and since no torment could induce them to depart from the truth, they were together put to death in the castle of Berchem, valiantly offering their lives for the truth, and are now waiting with all the saints of God, the blessed resurrection unto eternal life. Rev. 6:11; I Thess. 4:16.

In the beginning of the conversion of the beforementioned Bartel, and another, named Gerrit, it occurred that these two young men were present when Mary van Beckum and her sister were offered up in the castle of Delden; and they testified that they heard Mary van Beckum declare publicly before the people, when she was placed at the stake, to be burned: "You shall see this stake at which I am to be burned grow green, by which you may know that it is the truth for which we here suffer and die." These two young men, who heard this themselves, some time afterwards went of their own accord to the stake, and saw it flourish. Terrified thereby, they went together to Antwerp, to inquire for such people; and having come to an elder by the name of Hendrick van Aernem, and Jan Lubberts of B., they related the above to them. Thereupon Hendrick van Aernem replied: "I would not dare repeat this after you." They said

"Should we not tell what we have heard and seen ourselves?" Thus they adhered to their assertion concerning what had occurred with regard to Mary van Beckum, and, accordingly, lent their ears to the truth, repented, became converted, and united with the church of God. Afterwards Gerrit went to Amsterdam, where he resided until his death; but Bartel lost his life for the truth, as has been heard.

TWO YOUNG GIRLS, ABOUT A. D 1550

About the year 1550, it happened in the bishopric of Bamberg, that two young girls espoused and received Christ by faith, were baptized upon their faith, according to the doctrine of Christ, and arising from sin, sought to walk in newness of life with Christ. On this account the antichristians sought to hinder them in this good resolution, and to quench their good intention as much as lay in their power: They therefore cast these two young lambs into prison, where they tortured them with great severity, and sought also with other unchristian means to cause them to apostatize; but as they were firmly built upon Christ, thev remained faithful and steadfast during the entire trial. Col. 2:7; Rev. 2:10. Hence, the authorities, who herein generally follow the advice of the false 'prophets, condemned them to death; at which they were joyful and undaunted. When they were led out to execution, their persecutors, by way of reproach and mockery, placed wreaths of straw upon their heads; whereupon one said to the other: "Since the Lord Christ wore a crown of thorns for us, why should not we wear these crowns of straw in honor of Him? The faithful God shall for this place a beautiful golden crown and glorious wreath upon our heads." Thus these two young branches armed themselves with patience, according to the example of their Captain Jesus, remained faithful unto death, died steadfastly, and. obtained, through grace, the glorious crown with God in heaven.

To these girls their adversaries accord the praise, that they died quite undauntedly and steadfastly, and that they had the true foundation and ground of the Christian faith in their Redeemer Christ Jesus, whom they openly confessed, and called upon in their distress, wherein they steadfastly died with a firm hope; so that doubts were entertained among their adversaries, as to whether they themselves were not in greater error before God, than these young girls, though they were Anabaptists.

He that wishes may read, with regard to this account, Johannes Manlius, printed at Frankfort, A. D. 1550.

A LAD OF FIFTEEN YEARS, A. D. 1550

At the same time a lad of fifteen years was put to death, suffering it with great steadfastness, at Ieeuwaerden; whose faith is compared to that of the aforementioned two young girls put to death at Bamberg. See Ondeygang, page 1130, col. 1._

OF A DECREE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE

INQUISITION, A. D. 1550

It appears that at this time the bitterness of the Romish clergy increased and broke forth more and more, against those who sought to .follow the evangelical doctrine of .Jesus Christ; so that they prevailed upon the Emperor, through decrees, to revive the inquisition aver the consciences of the inhabitants of the Netherlands, which for a time had seemingly abated, and to introduce it with greater rigor than before; which was accordingly done in the manner prescribed, which caused great dissatisfaction and sorrow to the common people of said countries. In regard to this, a certain author writes thus:

"Though many severe decrees had been pub;

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lished before at different times, for the oppression of the evangelical believers, whereby many thousands were miserably put to death for the faith, in the Netherlands; yet the hatred and ill will of the people increased to an unwonted degree, in the year 1550, in consequence of the decree in regard to the inquisition, issued by Emperor Charles V, at Brussels, on the 29th of April; for thereby it was declared, that it was the intention, from that time forth publicly to introduce the spiritual inquisition, but to have the cruel and bloody mandates nevertheless rigorously executed by the secular power." Chron. van den Ondergang, page 11.29, col. 1, compared with Eman. de Met., lib. 1. Pieter Bor., lib. 1. Oorspronch der Nederlantsche Beroerten, old edition, fol. 5, 6.

Further Observation. Though the writer says its the sequel, that some magistrates would not publish this decree concerning the inquisition, and that some, by humble petitions to the Emperor, obtained a mitigation; yet it had come so far, that actual means were secretly employed to carry out this purpose, through the inquisitors; in consequence of which, the minds of the people became the more agitated and disaffected; so that many emigrated from the cities of Brabant, particularly from West Flanders. See the authors cited.

REFER DIRCKS, A BOATMAN, BURNT AFTER DREAD;

FUL TORTURE, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS

CHRIST,,AT AMSTERDAM, IN HOLLAND,

IN THE YEAR 1550

At this time, also Reyer Dircks, a pious hero and valiant soldier, of Jesus Christ, though of small repute in the eyes of the world, who gained his livelihood with a little boat on the river Amstel, enlisted under the bloody banner of his Saviour, .and united with the cross bearing church, contemptuously called Anabaptists. Having been with them about three years, he virtually experienced that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and that the violent take it by force; inasmuch as he could not enter the spacious halls of the blessed palace of God without pressing through the strait gate, so that his flesh, yea the whole body, remained on the posts, and this in the fire, as food for the birds and wild beasts.

He was imprisoned at Amsterdam, in Holland, and, though he was most miserably tortured, he nevertheless refused to depart from his faith, and the promise which he had made to God in baptism. He was then condemned to death as a heretic, and very cruelly executed with flaming fire.

The foregoing may be clearly seen from the following sentence, which was read on the day of his death, in the court at Amsterdam, by the ecclesiastical rulers.

Sentence of Death of Ryer Dircks

Whereas Ryer Dircks, boatman, citizen of this city,. did, about three years ago, embrace the doctrines, errors, sects, and heresies of the Anabaptists, and is holding pernicious views with regard to the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith, the ordinances of the holy church, and the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty, our gracious lord, and, moreover, persists in his errors and heresies, notwithstanding the instruction given him in the true faith; therefore, my lords of the court, having heard the demand made by my lord the bailiff, in the name of his Imperial Majesty, concerning the afore mentioned Ryer Dircks, as also his confession, and having duly considered the circumstances of the case, condemn said Ryer Dircks, pursuant to the aforesaid decrees, to be executed with fire by the executioner; and, furthermore, declare his property confiscated for the benefit of his Imperial Majesty, as Count of Holland, without derogation and'prejudice to the privileges of this city.

Thus pronounced, and committed to the executioner for execution, this sixteenth day of August, A. D. 1550, in the presence of the bailiff, all the burgomasters, and all the judges, with the exception of Jan Dunen.

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Ryer Dircks was examined by torture the ninth of July, A. D. 1550.

Extracted from the book of criminal sentences, in the keeping of the secretary of the city of Amsterdam.

N. N.

A SMITH AT KOMEN, A. D. 1551

In or about the year 1551, a smith was apprehended for the divine truth, .at Komen, in Flanders. He freely confessed his faith, and as he would not depart from it, he was sentenced to death in two ways, namely, if he recanted, he was to be executed with the sword; otherwise to be burned alive. To this end, twofold preparations were made; but seeing the multitude, and fearing trouble, the authorities kept the brother in prison. Hence, some climbed to the top of the prison and broke through the roof, to see what was being done with the doomed man. At last, one knocked at the door of the prison, desiring to know whether the brother was alive or dead. Having been admitted, he immediately returned with blood on his hand, which he showed to the people, saying: "He is dead! He is dead!" The dead man was then brought out on a ladder, with his head lying between his legs, and the ladder placed upon the wall of the churchyard, where the priest made a long speech (a sermon probably), saying among other things, that he had renounced his heretical belief, and reaccepted the Roman church and her saving faith; and "holding now a good resolution," said he, "he was instantly executed, lest he might fall back into his old error." But it was firmly believed that the priest slandered the dead man, and this the more so; since after relating the sentence, he said that he obstinately adhered to his previous confession. Thus God constrains the wicked, in the telling of their lies; themselves, unawares, to reveal the truth of the matter.

GILLIS AND ELIZABETH, A. D. 1551

On the 21st of July, A. D. 1551, two pious Christians, a brother by the name of Gillis, and a sister named Elizabeth, were sentenced to death as heretics, pursuant to the imperial decree, at Ghent, in Flanders. They were not led forth to death at the usual time, but at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Having ascended the scaffold, they prayed to God. In the meantime, the executioner unlaced the gown of Elizabeth, which, when she arose, fell down, so that she stood there in her shift and linen trousers, which the executioner, by way of mockery, had made her put on. Feeling greatly ashamed on this account, she immediately went to the stake, and then said: "I thank Thee, O Lord, that I am worthy to suffer for Thy name. I now stand at the touchstone, at which God's elect .are tried. O Lord, strengthen me, and delay not."

Gillis said: "Dear sister, be patient in your suffering, and comfort yourself in God; He will not forsake you."

"O dear brother," said she, "I will never depart from Him."

Gillis then cried: "O Lord, forgive them their sins, who inflict death upon me; for as they do not know Thee, they know not what they do."

Finally they cried out: "O heavenly Father, into Thy hands we commend our spirits." And thus, through fire, they died a blessed death well pleasing unto God.

JORIS, WOUTER, GRIETGEN AND NAENTGEN, IN

THE YEAR 1551

On account of the severe and great persecution which was carried on everywhere in the Nether= lands, against the true Christians, .four pious believers, among others, named Joris, , Wouter; Grietgen and Naentgen, fled, in the year 1551,. from Lier in Brabant, to Ghent in Flanders. They had not resided long in the latter place when they were betrayed by a Judas, and brought prisoners from their houses to the castle of the count, where. they joyfully thanked God, and sang praises to Him, because they were .:ounted worthy to suffer for His name. When assailed by the monks and oth.er sophists, they freely confessed their faith, from which no subtlety could turn them; but they valiantly withstood, with the truth, the seducers who sought to murder their souls, and were then condemned to death by virtue of the imperial mandate, because they had apostatized from the Roman church, condemned infant baptism, and had been baptized upon faith. They were sentenced to be burned at the stake without being strangled. They thanked the lords, and Grietgen said: "My lords, save three stakes; we can all four die at one; for we, are spiritually of one mind." Rom. 12:16. They were joyful in the Lord, and thanked. God greatly. Naentgen said: "This is the day for which I have longed so much." Eight monks then came, to torment them; however, they did not accept their advice, but Grietgen said: "Take off your long robes and teach yourselves, before you undertake to teach others." They were led to death like' sheep to the slaughter, the monks accompanying, them, to whom they said:. "Stay back; let us in peace, for we know you well, and do not wish to hear you."

Having ascended the scaffold, Joris said to the people: "Be it known to you, that we do not die for theft, murder, or heresy." At this the monks became enraged, and contradicted it.

They then fell upon their knees, prayed to God, and arose and kissed each other with the kiss of peace. But when they with glad countenances addressed the people, the monks, to hinder them, went and stood before them; but one of the people cried out: "You furious antichristians, stand back, and let them speak."

Wouter said: "Citizens of Ghent, we suffer. not as heretics or Lutherans, who hold in one hand a beer mug, and a testament in the other, thus dishonoring the Word of God, and dealing in drunkenness; but we die for the genuine truth." The executioner then hung each of them by a rope to a stake, but did not strangle them. They then strengthened each other, saying: "Let us fight valiantly, for this is our last pain; hereafter we shall rejoice with God in endless joy." Matt. 25: 23. As they were hanging in pain, before the fire was kindled, Joris fell through the rope, and Wouter cried: "O brother, be of good cheer!" "O Lord!" exclaimed Joris, "in Thee do I trust; strengthen my faith." Luke 17:5. The fire then commenced to burn, and they cried out: "O God Father, into.Thy hands we commend our spirits." Thus they offered up their sacrifice according to the will of the Lord, and their faith was tried like gold in the fire, and found good, and so accepted of God.

CATHARINE BURNED AT THE STAKE, A. D. 1551

Eight days after the sacrifice of the preceding persons, a woman named Catharine was also sentenced to the fire. While yet in prison, she was greatly tormented by the monks, in order to make her apostatize, but she said: "I stand so firmly to my faith that for it, to the honor of God, I will suffer my self to be burned at the stake. What would you do for your faith? not much, I think. Hence repent, before you be brought to shame."

Having been sentenced to be burned alive, and on her way to death, she was saluted by a brother. When she arrived on the scaffold, her hands were untied at her request. She then knelt down, and prayed fervently to God for strength, which He also gave her; for when she had arisen, and was tied to the stake, she boldly said: "I am put to death for the truth's sake; whatever you are able to inflict upon me, I am freely ready to suffer." A seducer then came up, to comfort and strengthen her, . as he said, but she replied: "Be still, I am tired of your tormenting; forbear comforting me, and comfort yourself; for He whose name I suffer, shall now be my comfort.".

Thereupon, calling with a firm confidence upon God, she was burned alive in the sight of all men, steadfastly offering up soul and body to God, as a burnt. sacrifice.

BROTHER JOHN BAIR, OF LICHTENFELS, A. D. 1551

In the year 1528, on the Wednesday after All Saints Day, Brother John Bair of Lichtenfels, was apprehended for the faith and the divine truth, and was confined for twenty three years in a tower at Bamberg, in Franconia, on account of his constancy, as is seen from the following letter, written by him from there to the elders of the church. It reads thus

"Dear brethren, I have received the writing tablets and the account of the doctrine and faith of our religion, as also six candles and pens; but most important, the Bible, I did not receive, as is written in the forepart of the tablets; but it is my request, that you will send it to me, if it can still be found; for I would like to have it above all things; if it can be according to the will of God; for I am sadly in want of it, and suffer great hunger and thirst for the Word of the Lord these many long years. To God and His church I make this complaint; the days of my miserable imprisonment are twenty years, wanting eight weeks; the Wednesday after All Saints Day will be the anniversary. I John Bair of Lichtenfels, the most miserable of the miserable, and the most forsaken of the forsaken, captive in Jesus Christ our Lord, again make the complaint to God and His angels, and to all His laborers and churches. Now, my most dearly beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, pray to God for me, that He will deliver me from this peril and great distress, a distress which is unspeakable; this God knows, and I poor man, and you know it with me. Adieu."

Written at Bamberg, in a dark dungeon, in the year 1548.

After this writing, he remained in prison three years longer, that is, twenty three years in all; when, in the year 1551, he cheerfully fell asleep in the Lord, in his prison, and obtained the martyr's crown.

JEROME SEGERS, WITH HIS WIFE LIJSKEN DIRCKS,

AND BIG HENRY, A. D. 1551

In the year of our Lord 1551, Jerome Segers, with his wife Lijsken Dircks, and Big Henry fell into the hands of the tyrants, for the testimony of Jesus, at Antwerp in Brabant. They suffered many severe torments and sharp examinations, but, through the grace of God, endured them all. And as they, through faith, were so firmly bound to their Captain Christ Jesus, that nothing could induce them to apostatize, they brought Jerome Segers and Big Henry to the slaughter, on the second day of September, A. D. 1551. Both, each at a stake, surrendered their bodies in great steadfastness to God as a well pleasing sacrifice. Lijsken Dircks, the wife of Jerome Segers, who was pregnant, was (after her delivery) thrust into a bag early in the morning, between three and four o'clock, and murderously thrown into the Scheldt and drowned, before people were up. Nevertheless, there were some that saw it, who testified to her firm and steadfast faith unto death. They now rest together under the altar. Read the following beautiful letters written by them, which attest their strong faith, firm hope and ardent love to God and His holy truth.

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A LETTER FROM JEROME SEGERS, WRITTEN IN THE

PRISON AT ANTWERP, TO HIS WIFE LIJSKEN,

WHO WAS ALSO IMPRISONED THERE

A. D. 1551

Always fear God

In narrow prison walls I lay, well guarded and contined;

Because for Christ I testified, sore troubles 1 did find;

But it cometh from the Lord,

Who to me doth strength afford.

Grace, peace, joy, gladness consolation, a firm faith, and good assurance, together with an ardent love to God, I wish to you, my most beloved wife, Lijsken Dircks, whom I wedded before God and His holy church, and thus took to wife, according to the command of the Lord; may consolation, gladness and joy be increased and multiplied to you my dear wife.

I earnestly pray the Lord, that He will comfort you, and remove from you that which is too grievous. I well know, my chosen lamb, that you are in great sorrow on my account; but lay aside all sorrow, and look to Jesus the Captain and Finisher of our faith, and let us henceforth walk in all righteousness and holiness, as children of peace, and let us make good use of the time of grace, and consider what great mercy the Lord has shown us. O my dear wife, remember how faithful a God we serve; He will not let us be confounded. Remember how faithfully He led the children of Israel with an outstretched arm, from Pharaoh's house of bondage, and out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and remember how they had to prepare themselves, before they could go out, and how they did eat the paschal lamb with unleavened bread. They had to eat the paschal lamb standing, and the unleavened bread which they had, they bound up in their clothes, and began to go out to the wilderness. And the angel of the Lord went before them, by day in a pillar of cloud, and by night in a pillar of fire, and thus He gave them light. But when they were closely pressed by Pharaoh and his host, the people began to murmur against Moses; for they had not firm confidence in the Lord, that He would lead them out. But the Lord told Moses, what He would do, and how He would show His power on Pharaoh and his host; and He commanded Moses, to take the rod and smite the sea; and when Moses smote the sea, it dried up, and the waters were divided, and stood like walls to the right and to the left, so that they went through the sea on dry ground. Pharaoh followed with his host, and was drowned, with all his lords and people; but Israel passed through unharmed, and praised and thanked God, that He had delivered them from Pharaoh's house of bondage. But they were not yet in the promised land; they came into the dreadful wilderness, where there was no bread. The bread which they had brought from Egypt, was but a small quantity; it was the unleavened dough which they had bound up in their clothes, when they left Egypt. Then they were troubled, because they had nothing to eat; but the Lord fed them with bread from heaven.

So also, my most beloved wife, we have not gained all, when we have confessed the truth, separated ourselves from the world, and renounced all lusts and desires; but we must also fight against the enemies, that is, we must here contend against emperors and potentates, and the princes of this world. We must suffer in this world; for Paul has said that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. I Tim. 3:12. We must overcome the world, sin, death and the devil, not with external swords or spears, but with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and with the shield of faith, wherewith we shall be able to ward off all sharp and fiery darts of Satan, and with the helmet of salvation on our head, and with the breastplate of righteousness, and our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel. If we are thus strengthened with these weapons, we shall get through the wilderness with Israel, and overcome and withstand all our enemies: they shall be confounded, who fight against the truth. II Tim. 3:8. Now, when the children of Israel were out of the wilderness the dreadful and horrible wilderness, where the serpents spewed fire, after they had been wandering forty years through it, had passed through so many dangers, and taken so many cities and countries on this side of Jordan; they nevertheless were not yet in possession of the promised land, for they had not yet crossed the Jordan; however, the Lord showed Moses the promised land from afar. O my clear wife, I have also seen the promised land from afar; I hope soon to come into the beautiful city of which John writes; which is greatly adorned; her foundations are twelve precious stones, and her walls and streets are of, pure and clear gold; and the city has twelve gates, each gate of one pearl; and there is no night there, for the Lord her God lightens her. Rev. 2'1. And the Lord told Moses, that he should not lead the people into the promised land; but Joshua brought them into it, and the Lord led them over Jordan dry shod, and commanded them to keep His commandments and laws, and He should drive out their enemies from before them. But when they transgressed His commandments and laws, the Lord delivered them into the hands of their enemies, so that they were defeated by them. After they had passed over Jordan, they still did not have the promised land, which flowed with milk and honey; but they had to take it by sheer force, destroy all their enemies, and burn the cities with fire. So must also we take the promised land by force; for Christ says that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence. Not until now have I known what it is to contend; no one knows it better than he who has tried it, such is the subtlety with which they come to seduce us.

Know, that I received your letter through my mother. I read it with tears. I thank you, that you so affectionately comfort me thereby, and I rejoiced when I heard that you are so well contented.

Let me inform you, my chosen and beloved wife Lijsken, that I have been before the margrave. He had with him two Dominicans, two judges, and the clerk of the criminal court. He asked me whether I had changed my mind yet, and added that he had prevailed upon these two good men or lords, to try and win my soul, if I would repent. I replied that I would not forsake my faith, since it was the truth. They then asked me what my faith was, I said to the monks: "Ask the margrave, I have confessed my faith to him; ask him." They tormented me much, but I would not tell them anything. They asked whence I knew that it was the truth whether God had spoken orally with me. When they could get nothing else out of me, my confession was read, namely, that I had no regard for the sacrament. I said: "No, it is nothing more than a god of bread." The priests were angry, because I thus despised their god. They all wished to talk with me. I said: "I will not hear you, nor talk with you; but let my brother come here to me, and I will talk with you, and confess our faith."