confess: That, in the beginning, man was created immortal, but that
through the envy of the devil and the sin of our first parents, death
came into the world. And, as through the sin of Adam all men became
sinful in him, so also through him, all men became subject to bodily
death; so that in consequence thereof it is appointed unto men once to
die, but after this the judgment; seeing this sinful, corruptible flesh
and blood cannot inherit the eternal, incorruptible kingdom, but must
be renewed and glorified through death and the resurrection, by the
power of God.
And, even as, when a man falls into a deep sleep, his heart, soul or
spirit does not entirely sleep, as the body; so also the spirit or soul
of man does not die or fall asleep with the body, but is and remains an
immortal spirit. Hence temporal death, in the Scriptures, is called a
sleep, and the resurrection of the dead an awakening from this sleep of
death.
And as a sleeping man cannot receive and enjoy any good gifts, either
according to the soul or the body, much less any punishment, pain
and torment, unless he be previously awakened from his sleep; so
also, believers cannot receive the perfect heavenly existence, nor
unbelievers the eternal death or the pain of hell, either in the soul
or in the body, except they have first been awakened from the sleep of
death, and have arisen, through the coming of Christ.
Until this last day of judgment the souls of believers are waiting in
the hands of God, under the altar of Christ, to receive then in their
souls and bodies, the rewards promised them. So also the souls of
unbelievers are reserved to be punished, after the day of judgment, in
their souls and bodies.
And as through the sin and transgression of Adam death came upon all
men; so also the resurrection of the dead came upon all men through the
Savior Jesus Christ; so that, as in the springtime the sun, through his
glorious radiance and brightness, draws forth all sweet scented herbs
from the earth, as well as thistles and thorns, which are rejected and
reserved for the fire; so also, shall Christ Jesus, the true Son of
righteousness, in this great last day and hour, through his glorious
coming and appearing in the clouds of heaven, draw forth from the
earth, and cause to arise all men, the wicked and the pious; so that
this great God, through his power and commanding voice, by which he
spake in the beginning: _Let heaven and earth be made_; and his word
was immediately a perfect work; and who created all visible things from
that which was invisible, and made man of the dust of the ground; this
same God shall, through his unchangeable power and almighty word, in
the last day, call all men who have been changed into dust and earth,
and have been consumed by fire, birds, and fishes, from the dust, and
cause each to arise with his own body, flesh, and bones, with which
they have served either their Creator or sin.
And, as a woman in travail, when her hour is come, cannot retain,
but makes haste to deliver, the fruit of her womb, so also shall in
this last hour, death, earth, or hell and sea make haste to deliver
up the great number of the dead which in them have become dust and
ashes, and passed away. These shall all arise, with their own bodies,
incorruptible, which shall again be united with the soul and spirit,
which through death had been separated from the body, and had remained
immortal. At that time the pious shall be glorified and changed from
the mortal and corruptible into the immortal and incorruptible, from
the weak and frail, into the strong and glorious, being made like unto
the angels of God, and the glorious body of Christ. Thus shall also
those who shall live and remain at this sudden second coming of Christ
from the heaven, be changed and glorified after the image of Christ.
Of the first or temporal death, which came by the first transgression,
read: “For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Gen. 3:19;
25:33.
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
judgment.” Heb. 9:27.
“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the
dead.” 1 Cor. 15:21.
“For God made not death: neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of
the living.” Wisdom 1:13.
“Nevertheless, through envy of the devil came death into the world.”
Wis. 2:24; Rom. 5:12.
How at the second coming of Christ the dead shall rise through Christ,
read: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the
dead in Christ shall rise first.” 1 Thess. 4:16.
“Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in the which all that are
in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that
have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done
evil unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28,29.
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter
day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body,
yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine
eyes shall behold.” Job 19:25–27.
Read also: Is. 26:19; Dan. 12:13; Matt. 22:31; Luke 20:35; John 6:40;
11:25; 1 Cor. 15 throughout; Ps. 90:3.
How in the resurrection of the dead, men’s vile bodies shall be
glorified, read: “In the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given
in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” Matt. 22:30.
“For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it
may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working
whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Phil.
3:20,21; 1 Corinthians 15:42,53.
ARTICLE XXXII.
_Of the last judgment; of hell, and the damnation of unbelievers_,
we confess: That in the last day, when Christ Jesus shall appear in
the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory, all nations shall
be gathered before his judgment seat, and he shall separate them as
a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, placing the sheep on
his right hand, and the goats on his left. Over these Christ Jesus is
ordained by his Father Judge of quick and dead, who will regard no
person, nor need the testimony of any; for the heart, mind and thoughts
of every one are manifest before him as an open book. This righteous
Judge will judge the whole world in righteousness, and as the great
Shepherd of the sheep, pronounce an eternal, irrevocable judgment
upon them, rewarding each in his own body according to that he hath
done. To all the believing, generated children of God who in this life,
as obedient sheep, heard and followed the voice of Christ, he shall
say: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world.” And to all unbelievers, who
would not have Christ and his word in this life, but, as disobedient,
obstinate goats, rejected them, he will say: ‘Depart from me, ye
cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.’”
In that last day of the Lord the righteous God will deprive this world
of all good gifts; so that the sun, moon and stars shall lose their
brightness, and all the light and glory of the world shall be changed
into everlasting darkness. In that time the earth, waters and streams
shall be turned into burning pitch and brimstone, which shall burn
forever and ever. And, seeing this earth is called hell in many places
in Scripture, and no other hell being anywhere mentioned, the same is
regarded as hell and the place of damnation; in which fiery pool and
outer darkness all unbelievers will finally have to suffer the burning
of hell and eternal damnation; and thus they shall at last be punished
and tormented with the visible things, which in preference to the
eternal and invisible, they chose and served in this life.
Into that place of darkness and fiery pool all unbelievers shall, after
the resurrection, their souls having been united with their bodies,
be sentenced by Christ. Then shall be fulfilled that which is written
concerning this last, sad day of separation; namely, that one of two
shall be taken in the field, in the bed, and at the mill, and be caught
up in the air to meet the Lord; but the others shall be left, and be
sentenced into said pool of darkness, where they shall be tormented
with the devil and his angels, burning, and suffering in all eternity,
forever deprived of all grace and mercy from God, which is the second
death.
Of the last judgment, and how the whole human race shall appear before
the judgment seat of Christ, to receive each in his own body an eternal
sentence, read: “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and
to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of
quick and dead.” Acts 10:42.
“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world
in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained.” Acts 17:31; Psalms
7:11.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every
one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath
done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10.
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books
were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life:
and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the
books, according to their works.” Rev. 20:12; Dan. 7:10.
“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels
with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before
him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one
from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. Matt.
25:31,32; 16:27; 26:64; 2 Thess. 1:7.
Of hell and the place of damnation, read: “For it is the day of the
Lord’s vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of
Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust
thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning
pitch. It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall
go up forever.” Is. 34:8–10; 2 Peter 3:10; Syr. 16:18.
“And it came to pass as he (Moses) had made an end of speaking all
these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: and the
earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and
all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.” Num.
16:31,32.
Read further concerning Sodom and Gomorrah, how they were overturned
and condemned and made an example; and how the earth is called hell.
Gen. 19:24; Jude 7; Acts 2:27,31; Ps. 16:11.
“That they might know, that wherewithal a man sinneth, by the same also
shall he be punished.” Wis. 11:16.
“Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a
witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire.” James
5:3.
How the souls of unbelievers are reserved by God until the last day of
vengeance, to be tormented with their bodies after the resurrection,
read: “For after death shall the judgment come, when we shall live
again: and then shall the names of the righteous be manifest, and the
works of the ungodly shall be declared.” 2 Esdr. 14:35.
“For behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the
proud; yea, and all that do wickedly shall be stubble: and the day that
cometh, shall burn them up, saith the Lord.” Mal. 4:1.
“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of temptation, and to
reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” 2 Peter
3:9.
Them “he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto
the judgment of the great day.” Jude 6; Matt. 25:30; Rom. 14:10; 2
Corinthians 5:10.
Read further concerning the fearful and intolerable pain of hell.
Judith 16:17; Mark 9:46; Matthew 22:13; 24:51; 25:30,41; Rev. 19:20;
21:8.
ARTICLE XXXIII.
_Of the kingdom of heaven and eternal life_, we confess: That as there
is a visible, perishable kingdom of this, which, through the sins and
wickedness of men, lies in darkness; of which darkness, Satan, the
spirit of wickedness, who works in the children of unbelief, is the
supreme prince, who at last, with all his servants, shall be brought to
everlasting lamentation and remorse, and shall perish; so also there is
an eternal, immovable and invisible kingdom of heaven, of which Christ
Jesus is King, Prince and Lord; in which all believers shall live with
God forever in everlasting joy. To this glorious kingdom of heaven,
God, through his grace and goodness, from the beginning of the world,
caused the fallen human race to be called; first through his servants,
the prophets, and then through the Son himself, who, leaving this his
kingdom for a time, came to preach, and to invite all men, to flee the
shadow of this world, and to make haste to enter into this eternal
rest. For this end the fatlings are killed, and this glorious feast is
prepared; so that men are prevented from making any excuse concerning
the piece of land, the oxen, and the wife, but the way, door and gate,
is open and well prepared.
This glorious kingdom of heaven is typified and represented to us
by a city full of all good things, and the new Jerusalem, coming
down from heaven, which is beautifully prepared by God, as a bride
adorned for her husband; the streets of it are pure gold, and the
gates and walls built of and beautifully adorned with manifold pearls
and precious stones. In this city is the glory of the Almighty God,
which neither Moses on Mount Sinai, nor the eyes of any mortal man
were able to behold. This brightness and everlasting light shall
shine in this city forever and ever. Here all sorrow and mourning,
cold, nakedness, hunger and thirst shall be changed into everlasting,
satisfying joy and consolation. This glory and joy is so exceedingly
great and unspeakable, that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither
have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared
for them that love him; and into this heavenly state, which is beyond
all praise, all believers and God-pleasing persons shall, at the
resurrection of the dead, when their souls, which through death had
become separated from the body, and until this last time were preserved
in the hand of God, shall be re-united with their bodies, be caught up
from this earthly darkness, to meet the Lord in the air.
And, as a bride is received by her bridegroom; so also shall all true
children of God then be received with body and soul through grace,
by Christ Jesus, and be admitted to this glorious joy, where they
shall see God as he is, in his unspeakable glory, together with all
the heavenly hosts. Then shall their robe of mourning, or the mortal
clothing of the flesh be put off, and the immortal be put on; and they
shall be clothed in white, shining raiment, and together with all
God’s chosen ones, be fed by the son of God, whom they confessed in
the world, with the hidden heavenly bread, and shall eat of the tree
of life, and drink out of the living fountain of water, and, being as
the angels, shall, with joyful tongues and mouths, in gladsome voices,
to the honor of the lamb, their bridegroom, sing the new song, with
unspeakable, glorious joy, which no one can take away from them; but
they shall be kings and priests of God, and shall live and reign with
Christ for ever and ever.
May the God of grace and mercy, and of all comfort, who has from the
beginning called us to this his heavenly kingdom and glory, endow us
unworthy children of men with his good spirit, make us worthy of him
and draw us to him-ward, that we may follow and run after this high
prize, and by grace receive the same, through Jesus Christ, and enjoy
it for ever. Amen.
Of the everlasting kingdom of heaven, and its King, read: “Wherefore we
receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace.” Hebrews
12:28.
“My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world,
then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the
Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36.
“Receive the gift that is given you, and be glad, giving thanks unto
him that hath called you to the heavenly kingdom.” 2 Esdr. 2:37; Col.
1:13; Ps. 22:28.
Read further how this eternal King, Christ Jesus, at his second coming
from heaven, after the dead shall have arisen, and the eternal judgment
been held, shall receive all the members of his kingdom in this his
everlasting glorious kingdom of heaven, where they shall behold God
in unspeakable glory. “Then shall the King say unto them on his right
hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25:34.
But the righteous live for ever more; their reward also is with the
Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High. Therefore shall they
receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s
hand.” Wis. 5:15,16; 1 Peter 5:4; 2 Timothy 4:8; Rev. 2:10; Jas. 1:12.
“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with
them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever
be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1
Thess. 4:17,18; 1 Cor. 2:9; 1 Peter 1:8; John 16:22.
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what
we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like
him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2; Philippians 3:20,21.
“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear
with him in glory.” Col. 3:4.
“Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty: they shall behold the
land that is very far off. Thine heart shall meditate terror.” Is.
33:17,18.
Of all who from a true faith shall show forth the required spiritual
virtues, and shall continue to the end in this divine calling, read:
“If ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall
be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10,11.
_Here is the patience and the faith of the saints._ Rev. 13:10.
We feel now that we have fulfilled the promise which we made in the
beginning concerning the matter of holy baptism, and other articles of
Christian worship; with which, we trust, those who fear God and love
the truth will content themselves; hence we conclude this, and proceed
to the steadfast martyrs who in the sixteenth century suffered for the
name of Jesus Christ, and his holy truth.
AN ACCOUNT OF THOSE WHO SUFFERED IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
SUMMARY OF THE MARTYRS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
[Mention of the inquisition which from the year 1492 continued to 1660.
It is noticed for the year 1501.
Persecution of the orthodox Christians in Hungary briefly, and plainly
shown, for the year 1507.
Two years after this, there is brought to remembrance another
persecution of the same people, in the principality of Mecklenburg,
near Mooren, two years later, presented and noted for the year 1509.
Several persons who opposed popery in various points of doctrine; as,
Nicholas Rus, Bernhard Liblinensis, John Picus, John Hilten, William
Budaeus, John Bugenhagius, etc.; some of whom also felt the sting of
the Roman scorpion, referred to in a note for the years 1509, 1510,
1512, 1513, 1520, etc.
The decree which by the Romanists was published, in the Netherlands,
against all who believed otherwise than the Roman church, and what
misery resulted thereupon, circumstantially noticed for the year 1521.
In a note for the year 1522 mention is made of Charles Stadius, and for
the year 1524, of Henry Zutphaniensis, touching their faith and death.
Beginning of the old _Martyr’s Mirror of the Defenseless Christians_,
together with the emendation from various creditable chronicles,
memoirs, testimonies, etc.
The first martyrs mentioned are Hans Koch and Leonhart Meister; both of
whom lost their lives for the truth of the holy Gospel, at Augsburg, A.
D. 1524.
Then follow so great multitude of professors of Christ, who gave their
lives for his name’s sake; as well as so great a number of accounts of
bloody decrees, examinations, sentences, and memorable memoirs, that it
is impossible to enumerate them. From the year 1524 until 1597, almost
until the close of the century, the pious martyrs were apprehended,
tormented, and put to death by fire, water, sword, burying alive; with
which last manner of death this century is concluded.]
* * * * *
A great door is opened unto us to the arena of the martyrs and blessed
followers of Jesus. None of the previous persecutions endured by the
orthodox martyrs are to be compared to the present one. We have come
through the time of fifteen centuries, each consisting of one hundred
consecutive years; but we must confess that we did not meet with what
we have seen, or, at least, that which we shall see here. The length
of the time, the severity of the persecution, and the number of the
martyred persons shall testify to this.
It is true, that fifteen hundred years extend over a longer period
of time than about a hundred and fifty of like years; and that the
persecutions which occurred during this long time, when put in the
balance, would be heavier than this last one, as well as the number of
the persons who were persecuted; but never in the preceding fifteen
centuries did any persecution continue for so long a time without
alleviation; never was then in so short (though actually long) a time
so much innocent blood shed; never were there in so small a space so
many dark prisons, deadly tribunals, scaffolds, fiery stakes, and other
instruments of death erected and made use of as were at this time in
Germany and in the Netherlands.
To prove this, without unnecessary words, we will forthwith enter upon
our task, beginning with Germany, and ending with the Netherlands.
SEVERE INQUISITION AGAINST THE BELIEVERS, ABOUT THE YEAR 1501.
The inquisition of which we gave an account in the first book, for
the year 1492, continued against the orthodox believers, as is firmly
believed, even until this time; so that many who were subjected to the
same, and remained steadfast, had to suffer themselves to be put to
death; who, in the sight of God, came to an honorable, but in the eyes
of the world, a shameful and not less miserable end, but who shall
hereafter, with Christ their Savior (who herein preceded them), be
clothed with everlasting honor and joy, yea, be crowned as victorious
kings in the heavenly Zion, according to his promise: “Be thou faithful
unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Rev. 2:10.
Concerning the beginning of this inquisition see the first book, for
the year 1492, and how the same continued until this time and long
after, compare _Hist. Georg., lib. 6. Pieter Bor, lib. 3. Orsprong der
Nederlandtsche Beroerten, fol. 9–12. Tooneel Nicol., fol. 87. Guil.
Merulae, Tract. 9, 47. Eman. van Met._ (old edition), _fol. 40. Retuald
Gonsalv., in de H. Spanish Inquisition_ throughout. _Hist. Wenc., fol.
187. Chron. Phil. Mel., lib. 5. Hist. Alons. de Vlb., lib. 2_, with
_Chron. van Ondergang, page 899, col. 1, 2, page 900, col. 1, 2_.
PERSECUTION OF THE ORTHODOX BELIEVERS IN HUNGARY, A. D. 1507.
That the old Waldenses, or orthodox believers, whose sound confession
we have shown elsewhere, were now severely oppressed and persecuted in
Hungary; insomuch that they were necessitated to deliver a defense of
their faith against the unfounded accusations on account of which they
suffered persecution, to Uladislaus, King of Bohemia, we have partly
shown in the Account of Holy Baptism, for the year 1507, and it is
confirmed by H. Boxhorn, in his tract concerning this matter, _fol.
27_; compared with _P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 930, col. 2_.
ANOTHER PERSECUTION OF THESE PEOPLE IN THE PRINCIPALITY OF MECKLENBURG,
NEAR MOOREN, A. D. 1509.
_A. D. 1509_, old writers state, that the aforementioned old Waldenses,
on account of the envy of the Pope and papists, could no longer enjoy
their liberty in confessing and practicing their true belief, in the
principality of Mecklenburg, near Mooren. _See the last mentioned
chronicle, page 937, col. 2, ex Catal. Test., fol. 902._