and wrote against the Pope, saying: 1. That letters of indulgence
were nothing but subtle deceptions to rob the plain and simple people
of their money. 2. That the Pope does not have as much power as
people suppose. 3. That the Popes, cardinals, bishops, and prelates
were leading lascivious lives, etc. 4. That saints ought not to be
invoked.[223] This Nicholas had many hearers in the principality of
Mecklenburg, but from necessity, because of the papists, was soon
compelled to leave the place. He went to Wismar, but there also he had
no abiding place. See the authors last mentioned, for the year 1509.
[223] This fourth article the writers enumerate as the third.
_A. D. 1510._--Bernhard Liblinensis taught and wrote at this time: 1.
That it is impossible that the whole world should obey a single man, as
is the Pope. 2. That the popes themselves were not of one mind; for the
one prohibits that which another has instituted to be observed. 3. That
therefore it is sufficient to believe in Christ, and to obey him alone.
_Chron. van den Ondergang, page 939, col. 2_, compared with _Catal.
Test., fol. 911_. However, what befell him as punishment from the Pope
on this account, is not stated.
_A. D. 1512._--John Picus, John Hilton, and others, vigorously spoke at
this time against the abuses of popery, severely reproving their (the
Popes) life, deeds, and doctrine. However, what they suffered because
of this, is not indicated. See the last mentioned chronicle, _page 946,
col. 1_; also, _Joh. Munst., fol. 203, 204_.
_A. D. 1513._--William Budaeus, a very learned man in France, wrote at
this time in a book: 1. The popes and bishops originate war between
princes and potentates; while they by rights ought to advise and
help to peace. 2. They fill the world with pride, avarice, gluttony,
drinking, lasciviousness, whoredom, adultery, and other shameful
things, surpassing in these vile deeds the laity. 3. They are Epicures,
who do not care for eternal life, as they show by their works; and they
are to their hearers the cause of eternal damnation. As to the end or
death of this man, however, we have likewise found no account. Compare
_P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 949, col. 1_, with _Catal. Test., fol. 908.
Joh. Munst., fol. 208_.
_A. D. 1520._--John Bugenhagius, surnamed Pomeranus, a remarkably kind
and moral man, was at this time very well known through his writings.
Among other things he says, in a little book, treating of Unborn
Infants, that men erred for twelve centuries with regard to infants,
whom (by rights) they could not, yet greatly desired to, baptize. Two
days before his death there was an eclipse of the sun. He died at
Wittenberg, aged 73 years. Compare the last mentioned chronicle, _page
985, col. 1_, with _Leonh., lib. 7. Jac. Verh. Afb., fol. 28, 30, 32_.
* * * * *
The time now draws near, when the account of the last of those who
suffered death, in our old Book of Martyrs begins. We speak of those
who gave their lives for the truth since the great Reformation, or, at
least, since the establishment of the worship of God in the year 1524,
and from that time forward. In the meantime it will be well for us to
notice that the martyrs of whom we shall speak were of the profession
of the Waldenses, even as were the preceding ones, of whom we have
previously spoken. All the labor which we took upon ourselves from
the middle of the twelfth century, tended to follow the line of these
people. This has been our aim continually up to the present time, and,
in this, as we hope, we have not been unsuccessful; yea, we trust that
we have shown this to a certainty. In the meantime the intelligent,
to whom we gladly submit the matter, may judge with regard to it. The
first work which is now before us, is to unite the first martyrs with
the last, and to follow up what we have written with that which was
written before. In order to give no offense to any one, we intend to
leave the old accounts unchanged, excepting a few discrepancies and
typographical errors; as well as what we shall add of our own from the
testimonies of old writers; which shall be plainly distinguished. By
following this method, we hope to accomplish our purpose successfully.
OF THE DECREE WHICH BY THE ROMANISTS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE NETHERLANDS,
ABOUT THE YEAR 1521, AGAINST ALL WHO BELIEVED OTHERWISE THAN THE ROMAN
CHURCH; AND WHAT MISERY RESULTED THEREFROM.
_About A. D. 1521_, at the time of Emperor Charles V., a decree was
made and issued by those of the Roman church, on account of the
Lutherans and Zwinglians, against all those who were opposed to the
Roman profession, and hence, also against the Anabaptists; who were
all threatened with cruel punishments of death, as appears from the
following account in the _Chron. van den Ondergang, p. 975, col. 2_.
The account is as follows:[224] “From it was made, A. D. 1521,” says
the writer, “the first prohibition or decree concerning religion,
and brought into the Netherlands without the consent of the States,
etc.; so that they (this and like decrees) were rather tolerated than
confirmed by the States; the more so since they were greatly favored by
the Pope and the clergy, as tending to promote obedience towards the
mother--the Roman--church, and generally no complaint was heard from
any of the common people against it; that is, against the first.
[224] In the following a few words are changed, without altering the
sense, however.
By virtue of this decree all who believed otherwise than the Roman
church, or who had such books in their possession, or harbored such
heretics or people, and all those whom the magistrates were commanded
to apprehend, were strictly sentenced to death; and not only these,
but also all who in any wise were suspected of heresy; every Roman
Catholic being required to denounce every suspected person, who, upon
the testimony of two witnesses, were, according to the instruction of
the judges, sentenced to death, their property confiscated, and one
third of it given to the accusers and witnesses, though said witnesses
had but little to say, only so that they were known as good Catholics
by their pastor or priest.
If any one from fear took to flight, no one was allowed to intercede
for him, or plead his innocence, neither the father for the child, nor
brother for brother; but he was condemned on account of his flight, and
his property confiscated.
Though one did even desist from his so-called error, and suffered
himself to be better instructed, as it were, by the pastor, according
to the Romish manner, he had nevertheless to die. No greater mercy was
shown him than that he was not put to death by fire, but executed with
the sword.
The women were buried alive, and no judge could mitigate these decrees,
unless he was willing to be regarded as a protector of the heretics,
and be proceeded against as such.
From this decree (the one first spoken of) made by imperial power and
authority, others were produced, and issued, almost every year.
And by virtue of these decrees, none might have in his possession,
buy, give, carry, read, or communicate, the doctrines, writings or
books, of the Lutherans, Zwinglians, etc. (he also makes mention of
the Mennonites), or dispute about them; neither might they confer or
dispute with any one about the holy Scriptures, or read the same to
others, except (Romish) theologians or doctors of divinity, or those
who were properly licensed.
No one was allowed knowingly to receive suspected persons (called
heretics) into his house, to lodge them, to give them food, clothes,
or money; but had to report them immediately, all on pain of death and
confiscation of property”.
Extracted from various Biographies of Emperor Charles V., _Chron.
Mich., 4th part_; _Chron. Sleyd., lib. 1, 2, to 25_; _Hist. Alons,
Ulloœ, lib. 1–5_; _Chron. Hed., fol. 682_; _Chron. Saxon., fol. 649_;
_Chron. Franc_, (old edition), _fol. 62, 63_; _Chron. Petr. Bor., lib.
1. Caprit., lib. 3. Pantal., lib. 3_; _Hist. der Mart. Doopsges., lib.
1. Eman. van Met., lib. 1_; _Mer., fol. 960_; _Chron. Petr. Scriv.,
fol. 593_; _D. Andries Hondd., lib. 1, cap. 15_; _D. Dirck Veli., lib.
2_; _Manl., fol. 255_; _W. Baud., lib. 16, an old chronicle of the life
and deeds of Charles V., throughout_, _etc._
NOTE.--A. D. 1522, Charles Stadius also declared his views, at this
time, among the learned; he secretly held with the Anabaptists, says
Leonhard Krantz in his _German Chronology, lib. 7._ Others, however,
ascribe a different belief to him, which is not found with the
Anabaptists; namely, that he said, that Christ, through his blood, had
also redeemed the (fallen) angels. _Conrad Schless, 1st part, cap. 5_,
compared with _P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 994, col. 2_. What happened
to him, however, on account of his belief, is not stated.
_A. D. 1524._--Henry Zutphaniensis was horribly put to death for
the Gospel of Christ, by Ditmarish peasants. See the above cited
_Chronicle, p. 1001, col. 1_. Also, _Rab., part 3_; _Sleyd., lib. 4_.
THE MARTYRS MIRROR
--OF THE--
DEFENSELESS CHRISTIANS.
OLD BOOK.
ENLARGED AND IMPROVED FROM VARIOUS CREDIBLE CHRONICLES, MEMOIRS,
TESTIMONIES, ETC.
[The following Part of the Martyrs Mirror, was not originally written
by van Braght, but was the outgrowth of a compilation from different
authors, and published in different editions, which from time to
time were enlarged and improved. The original book, as appears
from the writings of Samuel W. Pennypacker, of Philadelphia, Pa.,
was published in Holland, in 1562, under the title, _Het Offer des
Heeren_. Later editions were printed in the years 1567, 1570, 1576,
1578, 1580, 1589, 1595, and 1599. In 1617, a large quarto edition,
containing 863 pages, written by Hans de Reis and Jacques Outerman,
and printed by Zacharias Cornelisz, at Hoorn, was published, bearing
the title, _Historie der Warachtighe getuygen Jesu Christi_. This
book was succeeded by a folio volume of ten hundred and fifty-six
pages, printed at Hærlem, by Hans Passchiers, von Wesbusch, in 1631,
entitled, _Martelœrs Spiegel der Werelose Christenen_, that is, _The
Martyrs Mirror of the defenseless Christians_. This book, our author,
van Braght, embodies as “Second Part,” in his own work under the
title of _The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the defenseless
Christians_, as he says, without change, except where some correction
was needed, adding, however, such matter as seemed profitable and
necessary. This will explain to the reader the above remark: “Old
Book.”--_Publishers._]
HANS KOCH AND LEONHARD MEISTER, DESCENDANTS OF THE ANCIENT WALDENSES,
BOTH PUT TO DEATH AT AUGSBURG, FOR THE TRUTH OF THE HOLY GOSPEL, A. D.
1524.
From A. D. 1160 until this time (A. D. 1660) we have followed according
to our ability the trail and footsteps of the ancient Waldenses, of
which we have by no means, until this time, lost sight; neither have we
now lost sight of them, but still keep them in view.
This appeared in the case of two pious men of said profession (which
agrees with that of the Anabaptists) who, loving the truth of Christ,
which they maintained more than their own lives, were put to death at
Augsburg, in Germany, in accordance with the rigor of the court, there,
in the year 1524.
Concerning this, we read in _Jacob Mehrning’s History of Baptism_ the
following words, translated from the German: “From these Bohemian and
Moravian Old Waldensian brethren afterwards sprang several excellent
men; as, among others, Hans Koch and Leonhard Meister, who were both
put to death at Augsburg, A. D. ----.[225] _Bapt. Hist., page 748._
NOTE.--The year 1160 was the time in which Peter Waldo appeared against
popery, at Lyons, in France, and made a sound confession, of which we
gave an account in the first book. As regards his descendants, this
Hans Koch and Leonhard Meister are counted as none of the least of
them; as also, afterwards, Michael Sattler, Leonhard Keyser, John Hut,
etc. See _Jac. Mehr., Bapt. Hist., page 748_.
PRAYER OF HANS KOCH AND LEONHARD MEISTER.
The following earnest prayer to God was spoken by Hans Koch and
Leonhard Meister before their death, and left for the consolation of
all their fellow believers:
O God! behold now from thy high throne the misery of thy servants, how
the enemy persecutes them because it is their purpose to walk in the
narrow way, and how abominably they are scorned. He who learns to know
thee, and holds fast to thy words, is despised and scorned by them. O
God of heaven! we have all sinned before thee; therefore chastise us
in mercy. We beseech thee, let us enjoy thy grace, that thy honor may
not be profaned by us before this world, which now seems determined to
extinguish thy word. We might well have peace with them, if we would
not confess thy holy name, and not believe on thy Son, that he atoned
for us on the cross, bore our sins, and paid our debt. The enemy has no
other reason for his daily raging against us, than because we do not
fulfill his will, but love thee, O God, in our hearts, which neither
Satan nor his adherents can endure. Therefore they compel us with great
distress, and afflict us with much tribulation. Thus, our misdeed, on
account of which the enemy fights so hard against us, is, that we place
our hope in thee alone, and in thy dear Son Christ Jesus, and in the
Holy Ghost; therefore we must suffer reproach, because we do not set
ourselves against thee; if we would give ourselves up to idolatry, and
practice all manner of wickedness, they would let us live unharmed, in
peace and tranquillity. Therefore, O dear Lord, take up arms for us,
and judge all those who disregard thy power and might. If we would deny
thy word, antichrist would not hate us; yea, if we would believe his
false doctrine, follow his error, and walk with the world on the broad
road, we would have favor with them; but because we seek to follow
thee, we are hated and forsaken by the world. But though the enemy
brings us to torment, it does not happen to us alone, but was also
done to Christ our Redeemer; for they afflicted him first with much
reproach and suffering; and thus it was with all that adhered to him,
and believed in his word. Hence Christ says himself: Marvel not, if the
world hate you; for it hated me first; they have not received my words;
thus shall they also not receive your words. If they have persecuted
me, they will also persecute you; and when all these things happen
to you, rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in
heaven. Christ comforts us still more through the mouth of his beloved
apostles, saying: If we suffer with him, we shall also rejoice with
him, and reign in everlasting joy. What matters it, if we are ridiculed
and scorned here for a little while? since God promises us eternal rest
and bliss. O Lord, thou seest and hearest the derision and contumely,
and the suffering with which thy children are afflicted. Thou also
knowest their small and feeble ability; therefore we pray thee, O God,
that thou wouldst protect thine own honor, and sanctify thy name, which
is now so fearfully profaned by all those who, here on earth, are of
high and low estate. Manifest thy power, that the enemy may perceive
and understand thy divine strength, and may learn to be ashamed. O Lord
God, have compassion upon thy poor sheep, that are scattered, and have
no longer a true shepherd who will henceforth teach them. Send them thy
Holy Spirit, that he may feed and satisfy them with thy grace, and that
they may not hearken to the voice of a stranger, unto the end. O God,
in thy high majesty, graciously hear our petition, and do not forsake
us, since we are in great tribulation and conflict. Give us steadfast
patience through Christ thy Son, our Captain, who can vanquish Satan
with all his host. To him be honor, and praise to his holy name. Amen.
Matt. 7:14; Ps. 106:6; Dan. 9:5; 1 Pet. 2:24; Matt. 22:37; 1 Pet. 4:3;
Matt. 7:13; John 17:14; 1 Pet. 4:1; Isa. 53; Matt. 27; Luke 24:26; John
15:18; 1 John 3:13; Matt. 5:12; Rom. 8:11; 2 Tim. 2:12; John 10:5.
CASPAR TAUBER, A. D. 1524.
In this year, also Caspar Tauber, a tradesman and citizen of Vienna, in
Austria, was apprehended for the Christian faith; and as he faithfully
and steadfastly continued to confess Christ, without apostatizing, he
was condemned and burned.
OF A CERTAIN DECREE WHICH THOSE OF ZUERICH PUBLISHED AGAINST THE
ANABAPTISTS, A. D. 1525.
At this time not only the papists, but also the Zwinglians or so-called
Reformed in the city of Zuerich laid their hands on the innocent and
defenseless flock of Christ; yet not, as far as we can learn, punishing
them with death, or depriving them of life by the executioner, but
confining them under severe imprisonment, until ultimately, as may be
inferred, death followed.
However, in order to determine from this time on, what course was to
be pursued in this matter, the magistrate of said city ordained, among
other things, the following:
“Therefore we ordain and will, that henceforth all men, women, youths,
and maidens forsake Anabaptism, and practice it no longer from this
time on, and that they have their infants baptized; and whosoever shall
act contrary to this public edict, shall, as often as it occurs, be
fined one mark silver; and if any should prove utterly disobedient and
obstinate, they shall be dealt with more severely; for we shall protect
the obedient, and punish the disobedient according to his deserts,
without bearing with him any longer. Let every one act accordingly. All
this we confirm by this public document, sealed with the seal of our
city, and given on St. Andrew’s day, A. D. 1525.”
Compare _Chron. van den Ondergang, page 1010, col._ with _Henr. Bull.
against the Anabaptists, lib. 1, cap. 5, 6_; also the open letter of
the council of Zuerich, published A. D. 1525.
The Zwinglian church at Zuerich, where this decree was made, was at
this time only about five years old, and was itself also subjected
to the hatred and persecution of the papists; certainly a lamentable
matter, that those who had but a short time before purified themselves
in many respects from the leaven of popery and were opposed to the
tyranny of the Pope, should nevertheless continue, in this respect,
united with the papists; that is, in persecuting others who did not
have the same faith with them.
Still, it would have been well if they had stopped with this decree,
since with one mark of silver one could have atoned for the first
offense in neglecting to baptize a child. But this was not the end of
it, as a few years later, especially in A. D. 1530, when they became a
little bolder, they decreed, that the so-called Anabaptists should be
punished with death, which we shall show in its proper place.
FELIX MANTZ, A. D. 1526.
Felix Mantz was also an originator of the Reformation of the faith, in
Germany, and when he, with great zeal, practiced, taught, and preached,
the recognized truth of the Gospel, he was envied, accused, and
imprisoned by his adversaries, and finally drowned at Zuerich, for the
evangelical truth, thus becoming a witness of the sufferings of Christ.
This occurred in the year of our Lord 1526. He left the following
admonition to his fellow brethren, for their comfort:
“My heart rejoices in God, who gives me much knowledge and wisdom,
that I may escape the eternal, and never-ending death. Therefore I
praise thee, O Lord Christ from heaven, that thou dost turn away my
sorrow and sadness; thou whom God has sent me as a Savior, and for an
example and a light, and who has called me into his heavenly kingdom,
already before my end has come, that I should have eternal joy with
him, and should love him and all his righteousness, which exists here,
and which shall endure forever hereafter, and without which nothing
avails or subsists; hence so many who do not have this in truth, are
deceived by a vain opinion. But alas! how many are found at the present
who boast of the Gospel, and speak, teach, and preach much about it,
but are full of hatred and envy, and who have not the love of God in
them, whose deceit is known to all the world, as we have experienced in
these latter days, that those who have come to us in sheep’s clothing
are ravening wolves, who hate the pious on the earth, and obstruct
the way to life and to the true sheepfold. Thus do the false prophets
and hypocrites of this world, who curse and pray with the same mouth,
and whose life is disorderly. They call upon the authorities to kill
us, by which they destroy the very essence of Christianity. But I will
praise the Lord Christ, who exercises all patience towards us; for
he instructs us with his divine graces, and shows love to all men,
according to the nature of God his heavenly Father, which none of the
false prophets are able to do.
“Here we must observe this difference, that the sheep of Christ seek
the praise of God; this is their choice, and they do not suffer
themselves to be hindered either by possessions or temporal good, for
they are in the keeping of Christ. The Lord Christ compels no one to
come to his glory; only those that are willing and prepared attain unto
it by true faith and baptism. Whenever a person brings forth genuine
fruits of repentance, the heaven of eternal joys is, through grace,
purchased and obtained for him by Christ, through the shedding of his
innocent blood, which he so willingly poured out; thereby showing us
his love, and enduing us with the power of his Spirit, and whoever
receives and uses it grows and is made perfect in God. Only love to
God through Christ shall stand and prevail; not boasting, denouncing,
or threatening. It is love alone that is pleasing to God: he that
cannot show love shall not stand in the sight of God. The true love
of Christ shall not destroy the enemy; he that would be an heir with
Christ is taught that he must be merciful, as the Father in heaven is
merciful. Christ never accused any one, as do the false teachers of the
present day; from which it is evident that they do not have the love
of Christ, nor understand his word; and still they would be shepherds
and teachers; but at last they will have to despair, when they shall
find, that everlasting pain shall be their recompense, if they do not
reform. Christ also never hated any one; neither did his true servants,
but they continued to follow Christ in the true way, as he went before
them. This Light of life they have before them, and are glad to walk in
it; but those who are hateful and envious, and do thus wickedly betray,
accuse, smite and quarrel, cannot be Christians. They are those who run
before Christ as thieves and murderers, and under a false pretense shed
innocent blood. By this we may know them that are not on the side of
Christ; for they, as children of Belial, prompted by envy, destroy the
ordinances of Jesus Christ; even as Cain slew his brother Abel, when
God accepted the offerings of Abel.
With this I will finish my discourse, desiring that all the pious be
mindful of the fall of Adam, who when he accepted the advice of the
serpent, and became disobedient to God, the punishment of death came
upon him. Thus it shall also happen to those who do not accept Christ,
but resist him, love this world, and have not the love of God. And thus
I close with this that I will firmly adhere to Christ, and trust in
him, who is acquainted with all my needs, and can deliver me out of it.
Amen.
1 Pet. 5:1; John 16:20; Gal. 5:21; John 5:42; Matt. 7:15; 2 Thess. 3:7;
John 10:3; Acts 2:38; Luke 6:36; John 8:12; John 10:1; Gen. 4:8; 3:6;
1 John 2:15; John 5:42.
GEORGE WAGNER A. D. 1527.