afterwards a teacher of the word and Gospel of Christ, a highly gifted
man, was apprehended at Schwartz, in the valley of the Inn, and with
him Brother Leonhard Frick. They tried him greatly with many severe
tortures, and disputed with him, through the priests, about infant
baptism; but he, orally as well as in writing, showed them his defense,
as it is commanded, and as it will be found, throughout the entire
New Testament, namely: That the word of God must first be taught, and
that only those who hear, understand, believe, and receive it, are to
be baptized. This is the true Christian baptism, and no anabaptism.
The Lord has nowhere commanded to baptize infants; they are already
the Lord’s, and as long as they are in their innocence and simplicity,
they are not to be condemned at all. They also asked him, in what the
foundation of these anabaptistic sects did properly consist. To this he
replied: “Our faith, practice, and baptizing is founded on nothing else
than the command of Christ: ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the
Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be
saved’ (Mark 16:16; Matt. 28:19); and many other Scriptures.”
They also asked what design lay concealed under this anabaptism, since
they had thus exhorted them to raise a new uproar and sedition. But he
replied that it had never entered his heart, to make an uproar; neither
had he ever approved of it in others; yea, he had fled from a house
in which they lived in contention; which he could prove by all with
whom he had ever lived. And there is no other design concealed under
it, than to amend the life, and to forsake the vicious ways of the
world; so that in the doctrine which he teaches, this is not the least
commandment, that we are in duty bound to be subject to the authorities
in all good things; how, then, should he raise and purpose uproar and
sedition?
They also desired to know of him, who were the true authors and
principals of these heretical and chief sects, as they falsely call
them. He told them that he knew of no other principal of his faith,
than the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who is the true Captain of the
faith. Heb. 12:2. But as regards that they are called heretics and
seditious sects, he referred them to the complaints of the Jews against
Christ before Pilate, and the complaints against the apostle Paul,
before Felix the Governor. Matthew 27:1; Acts 24:2.
He was likewise asked what had caused and induced him to forsake his
office as priest. Concerning this he told them, that he had done it
for conscience’ sake, because he knew that he was in the place of a
prophet, and believed that God had sent him.
They would also know of him, who had told him to go into Germany,
to plant the evil seed of Anabaptism. He told them, that no one
had ordered him thither; but that, since he had no abiding place
as yet, and had to go about in misery, he came there to one of his
friends, with whom he staid, and thence came to Schwatz, where he was
apprehended, according to and for the will of God. As to the evil seed
of which they spake, he knew nothing at all; he intended nothing evil,
but much rather the pure divine truth.
After this and other things, when he had been in prison for some
time, and could not be moved, he and his fellow-prisoner and brother
were condemned to death, and executed with the sword at Schwatz, thus
testifying with their blood to the divine truth. He left the following
admonitory thanksgiving to his brethren in Christ:
“O God, I beseech thy grace; do not impute to me my sins, since Christ
atoned for them before I was born. Rom. 5:10. I was thine enemy, and
thou hast loved and graciously accepted me, and given for my redemption
the innocent blood of thy beloved Son (1 Pet. 1:19), though I still
experience in me much molestation from remaining sin, which rises in my
flesh. For when I would do good, evil is present with me. Rom. 7:21.
For this cause I am sorrowful, and may well sigh and exclaim with the
apostle Paul: O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the
body of this death? Romans 7:24. And I must reply to myself and say:
But thanks be to God, which giveth me the victory through Christ.
Thou art my comfort; for if I thus believe with the heart, I can not
be condemned. The spirit is willing and ready, but the flesh is weak,
so that it cannot fulfill the law of God, until Christ strengthens us
with his Spirit. Where human laws reign on earth, there the distressed
minds are seduced; yea, where Christ Jesus is not the sole Ruler, that
which he does not build, is always torn and broken; and no building
can stand, which he does not uphold. Though the world highly esteems
other things, they are contemned before God; and hence we all pray
together, young and old, great and small, that thou, O God, wouldst
have compassion upon us, and send us poor children faithful shepherds
and stewards of thy gifts (Matt. 9:38), that all human doctrine may
be rooted out; for it is time to truly repent and forsake evil; for
the severe judgment of God is at hand. Mark 1:15. Hence let us take
our refuge to the chastisement of our Father, and submit ourselves
in obedience, that he may chastise us as his children. The world
is blinded, does not know the Christian life, abominates it, flees
the cross, and thinks it is enough, if they can talk finely of the
Christian life, but do little in deed.
“But, my brethren, he that would be a true Christian, must put on
Christ (Rom. 13:14), and resemble him in his humble form while on
earth, and be of good cheer in everything which happens to him in this
world. No external semblance of loving Christ, and of suffering for his
name, avails here; we must not be ashamed of him, who first loved us (1
John 4:19), and gave himself for us to an ignominious death. It is in
truth not otherwise, than that judgment must first begin at the house
of God. 1 Pet. 4:17. Thus the Holy Scripture is now fulfilled, so that
the punishment with which the world is to be visited, is ready and at
hand; hence no one ought to be negligent; for the sword is drawn, the
bow is bent, the arrow laid upon it, and aim is taken.
By this I do not mean that we are to seek any other refuge, than to
accept the chastisement of the Father, as has been said above; by which
he refines us for that whereunto he has sealed us, that we may be
assured of the eternal and imperishable kingdom with him, and forever
to possess it with him in life everlasting; to this may God strengthen
us all. Amen.”
LEOPOLD SCHNEIDER, A. D. 1528.
This Leopold Schneider was beheaded as a pious witness of the suffering
of Christ, for the truth, at Augsburg, A. D. 1528. He left the
following admonition for the comfort and instruction of others:
“My God, I will praise thee in my last hour, thee who art high above in
heaven, I will praise thee with heart and mouth, for thou art worthy
of it; strengthen my faith (Luke 17:5), now that I must go on this
pilgrimage of suffering; remember me in mercy in this severe conflict.
I commend my spirit into thy hands (Luke 23:46); in thee I rejoice.
Christ, help me to stand in my sufferings. Heavenly Father, forgive
them, for they know not what they do. Because I cannot forsake thy
word, I am hated, and they seek to separate my body from the soul.
Therefore I call upon thee, O God, for gracious help; I trust in thee,
for I have no other comforter. That which is so clearly written,
Mark 16:16: ‘He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,’ can
certainly not be contradicted by any one; hence it is to be heeded.
O ye blind, why are you troubled and grieved because the command of
Christ is observed? acquaint yourselves with the holy Scriptures, and
you will find what Christ the Son of God has commanded us to do. I
beseech you all, beloved brethren and sisters, that you would firmly
trust in God, and let not my bitter death grieve you; for God will
richly reward it; we must once take our leave of this vale of sorrow.
The Scripture clearly declares, that he who would have laughing and
joy here, shall hereafter mourn and weep. Luke 6:25; we must suffer
here with patience; the Lord grant that it be done innocently. He that
would here bring his gift to the altar, and remembers that his brother
has aught against him, must leave his gift at the altar, and first go
and be reconciled to his brother, and then come and offer his gift.
Matt. 5:23,24. Therefore, I beseech thee, O God, graciously to forgive
those who put me to death. I commend my spirit and soul into thy hand,
O God; deliver me out of all my distresses, and never turn away from
me; deprive my flesh of all its power, that I may overcome and be
victorious in thee. Amen.” Rev. 2:11.
EIGHTEEN PERSONS BURNED AT SALZBURG, IN THE YEAR 1528.
These eighteen persons, besides many others, were kindled with zeal in
the fear of God, and had turned to God from the world and its idolatry,
and been baptized upon faith in Christ, entering upon obedience towards
his holy Gospel. This the adversaries could not endure; these eighteen
were therefore apprehended, and finally, as they, under many tortures,
piously adhered to their faith, were all sentenced to the fire, and
burned, on the same day, at Salzburg, about the year 1528. They left
the following as a memorial:
“O God of heaven, watch over thy sheep; who are such a little flock,
that they may not depart from thee, or be led astray. Keep them under
thy protection, and deliver them from this lamentable distress; for
the beast pursues them even unto death, which they must suffer, for
they are thrown into severe prisons, where they, in the death of the
dungeon, sing praises unto the Lord, and magnify him with heart and
mouth. Acts 16:25. O Lord, have compassion therefore, and let this our
complaint come before thee. Come quickly, and help us poor children,
and sustain us in thy will. They would drive us from thee, and they
beset us very hard with their great power and pomp. O God, grant us thy
divine power; we have no other Lord in heaven and earth, than thee. 1
Cor. 8:6. Grant us what we desire of thee. The Lord Christ sends out
his messengers, and through them offers us his heavenly kingdom, which
is derided by the world: but we have accepted the Lord’s kingdom and
his grace with great joy and satisfaction; therefore the priests roar
and rage against us, and terribly hate us. They have greatly hid the
truth for more than five hundred years, and seduced the multitude of
men with false doctrine: they trample the word of God under their feet,
and it is despised by them. O Lord, grant that they may amend their
steps and do thy will.
And is that which has been witnessed at Salzburg not a lamentable
matter; namely, that eighteen persons were burned together on the same
day, only for the doctrine of Christ, whom they confessed to be the
only Lord? They would not honor the image, nor worship the beast. They
would not receive their words, nor the mark of antichrist into their
hand or on their forehead. Therefore they could neither buy nor sell
in the land; but they adhered to Christ, and received his mark, and
their names are written in the book of life (Ps. 69:28); as Christian
soldiers they, through grace, obtained the crown.” 2 Tim. 4:8.
Thus they were burned with fire, and are now awaiting everlasting joy.
WOLFGANG ULMAN, A. D. 1528.
Wolfgang Ulman, a celebrated and excellent man in matters of faith,
after maintaining and practicing the faith for some time, was burned,
together with his brother and ten other persons, all steadfastly
testifying to their faith with death, at Walzen, about the year 1528.
HANS PRETLE, A. D. 1528.
Subsequently also Hans Pretle, who had been a preacher, but had
afterwards become a minister of the church of Christ, having exercised
his ministry for a time, and pointed many to the knowledge of the
Gospel, was burned for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev. 6:9.
LITTLE HANS OF STOTZINGEN, A. D. 1528.
Little Hans of Stotzingen, having been in prison for a time, for the
evangelical truth, at Zabern, Alsace, was finally condemned to death,
about the year 1528. On his way to the place of execution, he addressed
the following admonition to the people, and was then beheaded with the
sword.
“In our extremity we now begin to cry unto our God, to deliver us from
all our distress, that our hearts may offer up to him a pure sacrifice
acceptable in his sight. Rom. 12:1. The sacrifice which I mean is my
whole body, life, skin and bones, and also wife and children. We are
willing to offer up all our members, love impelling and constraining
us. Pharaoh would fain prevent and alter this; but we care not for
it, and have not the least desire to desist from it, but to bring
the offering before the Lord, and to press our way through with his
assistance (Matt. 11:12); he will aid and succor us. Come hither,
beloved brethren, let us valiantly take hold of the matter: We are now
members of Jesus Christ (Rom. 12:4,5); he is our Captain (Ephesians
1:22); he has prepared a glorious crown, with which he will crown those
who shall persevere unto the end. Matt. 10:12. Be of good courage and
undaunted, thou worm Jacob. Isa. 41:14. The Red Sea shall stand open;
if Pharaoh will pursue thee, he will perish in it. Thou little flock,
be not afraid, for it is but a little while here, and our flesh is
of no consequence. But in the city which God has prepared us in the
everlasting kingdom, we shall be as the angels of God. Heb. 11:10:
Matthew 22:30. Who can estimate their value? This God has promised us;
yea, through his child Jesus Christ he promises us much comfort and
joy, and everlasting rest, if we continue steadfast in him. But we
must also drink the cup of suffering, and suffer with his Son Christ
Jesus (Matt. 20:23), and he will deliver and well succor us. Though
the heathen slay us, he will not forsake us, but break their power in
pieces, snatch us out of their hand, and through grace gloriously crown
us. God is the Lord who can protect. He is also our shield (Genesis
15:1), since we have him for a Father, who is so good and gracious;
that though men drive us away from them, yet will we always adhere to
him. His great power is over us, and he does not suffer them to faint,
who keep his covenant; therefore, though we be defamed and accused,
rejoice over it in your hearts. Have confidence in God, and he shall
help you. Therefore fear neither pain nor death. I give praise and
thanks to my God, that I have become a sacrifice. I have long longed
for it, for to die is gain for me. Phil. 1:21. O God, let me partake of
the sacrifice of thy Son Jesus Christ. Amen.” Heb. 9:14.
Thus he offered his neck, and was beheaded for the testimony of Jesus
Christ. Acts 1:8.
THOMAS, BALTHASAR, AND DOMINICUS, A. D. 1528.
In the same year 1528, Thomas and Balthasar, both ministers of the
Gospel, and with them one Dominicus, were apprehended, condemned to
death, and burned, suffering it very steadfastly, for the faith and the
divine truth, in the city of Bruenn, in Moravia. But before they were
apprehended, they advised the council, that they should take care and
not shed innocent blood, for God would not let it go unpunished. Jer.
7:6. One of the council, named Thomas Pelzer arose and did as though he
were washing his hands, saying: “Thus shall I wash my hands in their
blood, and think to do God service.” John 16:2. But a few days after
the judgment of God came upon him. He was found dead in his bed, beside
his wife; and thus by his sudden death, was not permitted, to see the
death of these pious persons, which struck terror into the hearts of
many.
Brother Bastelwart well knew this Thomas Pelzer, who died so suddenly;
and also Brother Andrew Gauper was acquainted with the circumstance.
HANS FEIERER, WITH FIVE BRETHREN AND THREE SISTERS, A. D. 1528.
About this time also Hans Feierer, a minister of the word, and five
of his brethren or fellow believers were condemned and burned for the
faith and divine truth, at Munich in Bavaria; there three sisters,
wives of three of them, were drowned, and boldly, cheerfully, and
gladly surrendered their lives, being willing much rather to lose this
temporal life, than to desist from what God had given them to know.
They gave up a miserable life, in due time to find another (Matt.
10:39; 24:13; Rev. 2:10), with Christ, and with Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, and all the saints and pious, in the kingdom of God, which is
promised to all those who endure to the end.
THREE BRETHREN AND TWO SISTERS, A. D. 1528.
A. D. 1528, Three brethren and two sisters were put in prison at Znaym,
in Moravia. There was a Judge at Znaym, called Sir Louis, who greatly
hated the brethren, as was manifest in the imprisonment of these
brethren and sisters. With stern words he asked the council what they
intended to do with the Anabaptist heretics, since they had a royal
command and mandate, and yet did not have them executed. He said he
would himself go to the king, and inform him of their disobedience; but
if they would have them executed, he would draw the wood to burn them,
with his own horses. Thereupon the council answered and said: “Dear
Sir Louis, we will commend them to thee; do with them as you please;
it is committed to you. Then he had the wood drawn with his own wagon,
and caused the three brethren and two sisters to be burned, who were
thus speedily executed, paying unto God, who permitted this true burnt
offering, the vow made in baptism, and fighting unto death for the
divine truth confessed.
This Louis, actuated by the hatred and envy of the old serpent, was
not yet satisfied with the blood of the pious and innocent sheep of
the Lord, and had to fill up the measure of his judgment. He commanded
money to be given to those who should tell him where the brethren
assembled. A house having been pointed out to him, he took baliffs and
watchmen, and went with them to the place. There Judge Louis stepped
unawares into an opening before the house, used for letting down
wine, and sprained his foot. He fell down and cried piteously that
they should lift him up, and let the rascals go. The brethren heard
the noise, and escaped from the house. After this Louis took sick
unto death, and as he lay there in his agony and severe sickness, he
suddenly began to exclaim: “O the Baptists, the Baptists!” He spoke
nothing else, but repeated this cry innumerable times. Finally he
roared like an ox, and like a wild beast and bit his own tongue, that
foam and blood ran out of his mouth, so that his wife and children
could not stay with him; only his servant woman, who was attached to
him, remained with him until he was strangled in his own blood. This
servant woman related the circumstances to Brother Bastelwart, who was
a minister. All his kindred do not like to have it spoken of; and it
was a common saying among the people that he had shed innocent blood.
Prov. 6:17; Jer. 7:6; 22:3. And thus God has often (more than is shown
in this book, or can be related) checked the wicked with like examples,
that thereby his work might make the greater progress among his people,
to his praise, and to the salvation of many who seek that which is
right, and the amendment of life; for if God had not always sustained
his work, the enemy would in the course of time, have extinguished it,
and not have left one spark or germ of truth remain; but this God does
not permit him to do.
NINE BRETHREN AND THREE SISTERS, A. D. 1528.
In this year 1528, nine brethren and three sisters were apprehended at
Bruck, on the Mur, in Steyermark. They were condemned for their faith,
and taken in bonds out of the city, to the place of execution; but they
were glad and of good cheer, and said: “This day we will suffer in
this place for the word of God, and offer to him our sacrifice.” Rom.
12:1; 2 Tim. 4:6. They also earnestly admonished the lords of Bruck,
that they should know that they rendered themselves guilty of innocent
blood. A ring having been formed, they all knelt down (Acts 7:60;
20:36), and earnestly prayed to God; that they might now finish this
their evening sacrifice. They then arose and submitted to the sword.
The executioner was sad; for he did not like to do it. The youngest
of them all entreated his brethren, that, since he felt of good cheer
and bold, they should let him suffer the first pain; he then kissed
them, and said: “God bless you, my beloved brethren; to-day we shall
all be together in Paradise.” Acts 23:43. Thus these nine brethren
were beheaded in a green field; they were so undaunted that it was
astonishing to behold it. They knelt down; and thus poured out their
blood through the smiting of the sword. The three sisters were drowned;
they would in no wise depart from God and his truth. The youngest
one laughed at the water; which was seen by many a one there. Some
held that the devil had hardened them; but others were moved in their
hearts, so that they confessed that God must have given this, since
otherwise it could not be possible. Thus they valiantly testified to
the holy and divine truth.
VILGARD AND CASPAR OF SCHOENECK, ABOUT THE YEAR 1528.
These two were beheaded for the truth, at Ries, in the Fluchtthal, near
Brixen, and thus died as faithful witnesses of Christ, leaving the
following admonition to their brethren:
“Hearken, all of you, and take to heart, that God will visit all
sinners great and small, who now despise him and revile his name, and
do not consider their sinful life. God shall speedily awaken, and
deliver his children. If we consider the doctrine of the prophets, we
see that this is the last time, and in this time God calls upon all
men that they should turn unto him (Is. 45:22), live according to his
will, and keep his commandments; and that if they do this, his wrath
shall cease, and he will be their God and Father; for God, because
of his great goodness, is longsuffering in his judgment; therefore
beware of sin, and do not follow the devil; but free yourselves from
unrighteousness, and your God will not forsake you in this last hour;
for God is rich and gracious, and with him there is much grace; he
willingly forgives the sinner who will forsake his sins, who believes
in Christ, and calls upon his name; to such he will not only, through
grace remit his sins, but also freely give him the eternal reward. Heed
well these things, O! all of you who belong to the Church of Jesus
Christ, and have become children of God. Praise God with shouting,
young and old, great and small; you who have believed his word, love
God as his dear children, and walk before him with pure hearts, and
you shall never be forsaken, but he will ever preserve you. O God, who
art rich in grace, keep us thy children, that we may hold to thee, and
that those who have come to thee, may not be confounded; lead them
diligently with thy right hand into the promised land, the eternal
heavenly kingdom. O God, honor be unto thee in thy high throne, who
hast given us Christ thy Son, and imparted divine grace to us, by which
we now confess thee with heart and mouth, and are not ashamed to call
them our brethren who call upon thee in truth as their Father. Praised
be thy holy name, Amen.”
NOTE.--Sebastian Franck relates that the Anabaptists in the beginning
increased by many thousands, so that the world feared that they would
cause an uproar; but of this, as I hear, he writes, they were found
innocent and, were persecuted with great tyranny; first especially in
popedom. They were forcibly imprisoned, and tormented with the sword,
fire, water, and manifold imprisonments, so that within a few years
very many were put to death. Some compute the number of those put
to death far more than two thousand. They were put to death in many
places; at Ensisheim alone about six hundred were slain, all of whom
patiently and steadfastly suffered as martyrs.
Compare the account of _Seb. Franck, Chron., fol. 55, 109_, with
the old _Offer-boeck, lib. 1. Leonh., lib. 7_; also _Chron. van den
Ondergang, p. 1025_.
SIX PERSONS AT BASEL, A. D. 1529.
In the year 1529, those of Basel imprisoned nine of those who were
baptized according to the command of Christ; six[227] of whom, as they
write, were banished.
[227] After many disputations three of the nine apostatized; the rest
remaining steadfast, were banished.
They further write, that at Bomburg, a castle in the dominion of Basel,
some of the chief Anabaptists were imprisoned by one Bartholomew
Sincken who was castellan there. However, what they ultimately did with
them, the record does not state. Compare this with the account in the
preface to the _Offer-boeck der Doopsgesinde_, of the year 1615, letter
Y, p. 2.
HANS LANGMANTEL WITH HIS MAN-SERVANT AND MAID-SERVANT, A. D. 1529.