the re-establishment of the churches in Germany, received with his
man-servant and maid-servant the truth of the Gospel, and, kindled
with zeal, they believed the truth, forsook their sinful life, and
were baptized upon their faith in Christ Jesus, for the remission and
forgiveness of their sins; on which account all three were imprisoned,
and, after enduring many assaults and torments, they were finally
put to death for their faith, which they constantly confessed. Hans
Langmantel and his man-servant were beheaded with the sword, while
the maid-servant was drowned in the water. When they were still in
severe confinement they sent the following, as a thank offering and
prayer to God, which they made use of in prison, to their brethren, for
consolation, admonition, and as a memorial, about A. D. 1529.
“O God, our heavenly Father, come with the power of thy Holy Spirit,
that thou mayest rejoice our mind, heart and soul; give all three of
us a manful heart, that in this anguish we fight and overcome. Rev.
2:7. Hold us with thy right hand, for thou art our strength; fight
the battle for us (Ex. 14:14), and watch over us in distress, that we
may stand in the conflict, and not go back when it is at its height.
Therefore, O Lord, keep watch over us, and take care of us in this
extremity, now that the wicked rise up against thy word, and would
drive us from it. O God, preserve us in thy keeping, that we may not
faint and abandon thy word. Let us enjoy the faithfulness which thou
hast shown us through thy Son Jesus Christ; and in order that we may
always earnestly contemplate this, send us thy Holy Spirit, and kindle
in us the fire of thy divine love; lead us, thou who didst teach it
in deed, that we may also exercise ourselves therein, and observe and
practice it as thy dear children, that this gift may come upon us,
and that, even as we are called, we may by it order our lives in this
thy truth, maintain peace and unity, and love one another in truth
with a pure heart. To this end, O God, let the light of thy divine
glory illuminate us, that we may walk in it. O Lord, keep us in it as
thy dear children, and let us never became obscured by the abominable
darkness of this world, which has gained the upper hand with all
unfaithfulness, and which will be followed by death. But thou, our
Father, dost love equity. In thee there is no darkness (1 John 1:5);
but the world is hardened with it. But thou art the eternal light,
which penetrates the darkness; that we may no longer be children of the
night, but children of the day. Watch over us with thy Holy Spirit, and
teach us thus to go on in this light with delight and joy according to
thy divine nature.
“O God, we beseech thee for one thing more: Send us to this end thy
Holy Spirit, endue us with his power, renew our hearts, and make us
strong in thee, that we may obediently hear thee in thy obedience, and
praise thy name. When this world rises, and opposes thy words, so that
our soul sighs to thee in all severe distresses by which they seek to
tear us away, then, O Lord, grant us to look to thee for aid, and help
us to overcome. Grant, Lord, that we may not stain ourselves by any sin
or guilt, and take from our flesh the fear by which they would draw us
away, and stop us in this work; that, when they shall lead us to death,
we may not waver in the conflict, but may go to meet thee with all the
pious in the true, adorned wedding garment, at the marriage feast,
prepared for thy Son, when he shall receive his bride with everlasting
joy and delight. Lord, assist us in every anguish and distress, and in
the pain of death; give us the heavenly bread; send us thy Comforter,
for God is the Comforter of the miserable. He makes the poor rich, and
strengthens the feeble; he can refresh the weary and give strength to
the faint, that they may come to thee. Through thee they overcome, who
have now entered the conflict, to fight for the truth. In Christ, thy
Son, help us to win the field on this earth, yea, in him alone. Be thou
alone our Helper, protect us with thy sword, that we may together, as
thy heroes, obtain the crown, and be forever with thee. Amen.”
GEORGE BLAUROCK, AND HANS VAN DER REVE, A. D. 1529.
About this time, George, of the house of Jacob, called Blaurock,
having for about two or three years, in Switzerland, but particularly
in the earldom of Tyrol, whither he had gone, spread and proclaimed
the doctrine of the truth, that he might put his talent to use (Matt.
25:15), and by his zeal for the house of God be a means of salvation,
was apprehended with his companions, at Gusodaum, condemned for the
faith, and burnt alive not far from Clausen, for these articles,
namely: That he had forsaken his office as priest, which he had
formerly exercised in popery; that he disregarded infant baptism,
and taught people a new baptism; that he rejected the mass; that he
likewise rejected the confession of the priests as founded by them, and
that the mother of Christ is not to be invoked or worshiped. For these
reasons he was executed, and laid down his life, as behooves a soldier
and hero of the faith. On the place of execution he earnestly spoke to
the people, and pointed them to the Scriptures.
The love of the truth having begun to burn among the nations, and
the fire of God having thus started, many were put to death for the
testimony of the truth, in the earldom of Tyrol, especially in the
following places: In the Gusodein district: at Clausen, Brixen,
Stertzing, Balzen, Neumark, Katren, Terlen, Gundersweg; in the valley
of the Inn; at Imst, Petersberg, Stejen in the Spruckthal, Schwatz,
Rattenburg, Kufstein and Kitzbuehl. In these places a great multitude
of believers constantly testified with their blood to the truth,
through fire, water and the sword. Thus the people of God, as well as
the great persecution increased daily. Jacob Huter became one of the
overseers and teachers in the earldom of Tyrol, and not long after,
with his people, united with the church which was in Moravia. After
Jacob Huter removed with his people from the earldom to Moravia, partly
compelled by great persecution, the tyranny in the earldom of Tyrol
became daily more vehement; so that the pious had but few places where
they could remain and many of them were apprehended, and put to death
in various ways, for the faith. To this end the priests violently and
furiously proclaimed from the pulpit, that care should be taken, to
ferret them out, and to destroy them with fire and sword. Much money
was also repeatedly offered and promised to those who should inform
against them; by means of which they were several times betrayed. They
were sought in every way, in forests and in houses, wherever their
presence was suspected; in every place, also in closed gardens, which
had to be opened, or they would be broken open, and searched. There
was a Judas, called Prabeiger, who made use of his subtle artifice,
thinking to obtain a large reward. He went to the authorities, and
betrayed them all, bringing with him bailiffs and children of Pilate,
with swords, spears, and staves, and went before them, just as
Judas the traitor did, Matt. 26:47. They caught a great number, and
dispersed the rest. Not long after, when they again assembled, another
Iscariot, called George Frueder, manifested himself. He went to the
priests, saying that if they would pay him, he would go, and none of
the brethren should be able to conceal himself from him. Then the
priests, the generation of the scribes and Pharisees, gave him money
and good wages, and also a letter. This rogue then went out, assumed
the form and semblance of an angel, and visited now and then such as he
suspected of having knowledge of this matter. He inquired everywhere in
the Pusterthal, where the brethren were, and how he could find them,
desiring assistance to this end. With much weeping the rogue made this
request, pretending that he could not rest until he were with them.
Thus he deceived them, so that he finally came to them. He appeared
before them very sad, humble and tender. As one who seeks to repent and
to amend his way. He then very suddenly said: “My brethren, grant me
this, and wait a little while, and I will go home and fetch my wife and
child.” Many thoughts came to the minister and he said to him: “If you
are false of heart, and your intention evil, God will certainly find
you, and you shall speedily bring down his judgment upon you.” But he
said: “O no, God preserve me from that; come with me into my house.”
Thus he went away, and hastened to the judge, the magistrate, and the
priests, who came with force, with swords and sticks, and apprehended
the brethren and sisters.
Several other villains of this class manifested themselves, especially
one whose name was Peter Lantz, and one named Pranger. Some went about
by night with much craftiness, acted in the same manner, and went to
places and houses where they expected to find of these people; but God
gave them the recompense which they deserved, so that they might have
wished that they had never been born.
Besides the abovementioned George Blaurock, there was also one Hans van
der Reve; both of whom belonged to the number of those who sincerely
received the truth of the holy Gospel, and helped found and build the
Christian church, in the time when the truth had long been obscured
in popery and by other errors. And when they had thus for a time
faithfully exercised their ministry, edified and instructed many, and
put their talent effectually to usury (Matt. 25:15), they were finally
apprehended by the envious children of Cain, and burned at Clausen, in
Etzlandt, A. D. 1529.
And in order to show that in all this they rejoiced in God, and also
sought to console and strengthen their brethren, they left them the
following memorial.
“Lord God, I will praise thee now and until my end; because thou hast
given me faith, by which I have learned to know thee. Thou sendest to
me thy divine word, which I am able to find and perceive that it is
from pure grace. From thee, O God, have I received it as thou knowest.
I firmly hope that it will not return unto thee void. Is. 55:11. O
Lord, strengthen my heart to this. My heart rejoices because I know
thy will. When I felt the heavy load of sin in me, which exceedingly
troubled me (Ps. 38:6), I would have had to perish and suffer
everlasting pain, hadst thou, O God, not come to me with the word of
thy divine grace. Acts 10:37. For this I will now magnify and praise
thy glorious name forever, because thou dost always show thyself a
merciful, dear Father. Cast me not off, but receive me as thy child.
Therefore I cry unto thee, help, O Father, that I may be thy child
and heir. O Lord, strengthen my faith (Luke 17:5), else, if thy help
should not succor me, my building should soon fall. Do not forget me,
O Lord, but be with me always; thy Holy Spirit protect and teach me,
that in all my sufferings I may ever receive thy consolation, so that,
valiantly fighting, in this conflict, I may gain the victory. 1 Cor.
9:25–27.
“The enemy fights a battle with me in the field in which I now am; he
would fain drive me from the field. But thou, O Lord, givest me the
victory. He ran against me with sharp weapons, so that all my limbs
quaked before the false doctrine and their constraints. But thou, O
Lord, hadst compassion upon me, and didst help me, thy son, poor man,
with thy grace, and powerful hand, and madest me to overcome. O God,
how soon didst thou hear me; thou speedily camest with thy help, and
turnedst back mine enemies; therefore I will sing praises unto thy name
in my heart, and forever spread abroad the grace which has come to me.
“Now, I pray thee, Father, for all thy children; preserve us all
forever from all the enemies of our souls. I must not trust in the
flesh (1 Peter 1:24), which perisheth and abideth not; but I will
firmly trust in thy word (Ps. 115:9), this be my consolation, on which
I rely; it shall deliver me, from all my distresses, to everlasting
rest. The hour of the last day, to which we all must come, is at hand.
Dear Lord, help us to bear the cross to the destined place, and turn
thyself to us with all grace, that we may commend our spirit into thy
hands. I sincerely pray thee for all our enemies, O Lord, however many
there may be; do not lay their sins to their charge; Lord, I entreat
this according to thy will. Acts 7:60. And thus we (I George Blaurock,
and Hans von der Reve) will depart in peace. May the good God through
grace lead us into his everlasting kingdom, as we firmly trust that he
will, and finish his holy work in us and give us strength to the end,
Amen.”
This evidently came to pass, when these two so steadfastly and boldly
died and were burned, for the truth.
HERE FOLLOWS ANOTHER CONSOLATORY ADMONITION LEFT BY GEORGE BLAUROCK TO
HIS DESCENDANTS.
God administers a righteous judgment (Ps. 7:11; Rom. 2:5), which no one
can set aside, and him who does not his will, he will judge. But thou,
O Lord, art good, and sufferest thyself to be found gracious, and all
those who use diligence to do thy will, thou acceptest as thy children.
We justly give praise and thanks to thee, through Jesus Christ, for
all thy benefits and goodness, and beseech thee to preserve and guard
us from sin. The sinner in this life brings a severe judgment upon
himself, which he shall hereafter regret; for though God faithfully
warns him, yet will he not forsake his sinful life; but when the Lord
shall come in his glory to judge, then shall the sinner repent; for no
excuse will then avail.
He now causes his divine word to be published, and instructs men, that
they should turn from their sinful life, believe in Christ, be baptized
upon faith, and obey the Gospel. Therefore, ye children of men, forsake
your sins, and remain no longer hardened, sick, wicked and blind; now
that you can find the physician, who can heal all infirmities, and
avail yourselves of his help without money. Matt. 9:12. O, how awful
will it be with the sinner who now refuses help and counsel, when he
shall be sentenced by God into everlasting pain, where he will have to
remain and suffer forever and ever. Matt. 25:46. But thou, O Lord, art
a righteous God. Thou wilt deceive no one, but wilt preserve those that
sincerely love thee, from the second death.
Thou, O Lord, art a strong God, who will cast into hell, which has now
opened wide her mouth, all the wicked and those who hate and afflict
thy children. But thy mercy is great over those who repent, and thou,
through Jesus Christ, forgivest their sins. This is what God requires:
that the whole human race should fear and love him, that they should
follow his Son Jesus Christ, and observe his divine doctrine. But when
the sinner is exhorted to the love of God, he shows by the deed that he
considers it a mockery; for this however he shall pay dearly, for God
can not be deceived by appearance.
Antichrist threatens those who fear God with great severity and
ignominy. Therefore we beseech thee, O Lord, strengthen thy feeble
vessels: but we know, that if we patiently endure all this for thy
namesake, thou, in thy faithfulness, wilt not forsake us; but dost
renew and strengthen us daily, that we may continue on thy narrow
way. Matt. 7:14. We cry to thee through Christ, for the sake of his
bitter suffering (Is. 53), in which we recognize thy faithfulness and
love; and this consoles us on our pilgrimage. Do not forsake us, thy
children, henceforth unto the end; but constantly offer us thy Fatherly
hand that we may finish our course; for when we have finished our
course, the crown is prepared by the young man (2 Esd. 2:43) who hung
on the cross for us, on which he suffered greatly for our sakes. Grant,
O Lord, that we may be thankful, so that we may joyfully behold thee,
our Father. O Father, through grace thou didst choose us, and didst not
despise to put us into thy work; grant that, when the evening comes,
that we may receive the hire with rejoicing. Matt. 20:1,8.
Through Christ thy Son make us ready for the heavenly supper, and
clothe us with thy Holy Spirit. In that supper, thy Son, our Redeemer,
shall serve us at the table. Luke 12:37. O, how blessed are they which
are called to this supper (Rev. 19:9), and who in all sorrow adhere
to Christ unto the end, even as he steadfastly suffered for us on the
cross; and thus it is with all his followers on the earth; and all
who shall keep their wedding garment undefiled to the end. Upon their
heads the young man shall set crowns. But he who is not clothed with
this garment, when the King will inspect his guests, shall be sternly
reproved, bound hand and foot, and cast into outer darkness. O Lord,
give us true love so to walk, that when we come we will not find the
door closed, as was the case with the foolish virgins, who had no oil
in their lamps, and said: “Lord, open to us,” but could not go in:
but that we may happily watch with the five wise virgins, and may
also enter into the glorious marriage feast of eternal heavenly joy,
when the King, with his trumpets, shall call and assemble his elect.
Therefore, O Zion, thou holy church of God, see that thou hold fast
unto the end that which thou hast received, and keep thyself unspotted
from sin, and thou shalt, through grace, receive the eternal crown. 1
Cor. 9:25: 2 Tim. 4:8.
VIGIL PLAITNER, A. D. 1529.
In the year 1529, Brother Vigil Plaitner, a minister of Jesus Christ,
at Scharding, in Bavaria, was condemned and executed, after great
steadfastness (Matt. 24:13), for the faith and the divine truth. He
would depart neither to the right hand nor to the left, and did not
love his life unto death (John 12:25), but surrendered it for Christ,
in order that in the abode of the righteous above he might receive it
again forever with all the saints and pious. 2 Peter 3:13.
LOUIS, AND TWO OTHERS, A. D. 1529.
In this year also a brother named Louis[228], a minister of Jesus
Christ, learned and well versed in the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin
languages, and experienced in the holy Scriptures, was executed with
the sword, at Constance, on the lake of the same name, after being long
imprisoned there. At his departure he gave many excellent instructions,
so that many were astonished, and were moved to weep with him.
[228] Louis belonged to the church of the Waldenses, whose sound
faith we have shown elsewhere. See the author cited below, in the
same place.
JOHN HUT, A. D. 1529.
In this year, John Hut[229], a faithful minister of Jesus Christ, was
apprehended for the divine testimony, at Augsburg, in Swabia, where he
was brought into a tower. Finally they ceased their severe questions
and tortures, and he was left lie as one dead. Then they went away,
leaving a light in the prison, near the straw, by which the straw was
set on fire. When they returned to the tower they found him dead. They
then carried him, dead as he was, in a chair on a wagon, before the
court, where he was condemned to be burned. His son, Philip Hut, fell
asleep in the Lord, in the church at Heim. This John Hut composed a
hymn of thanksgiving, which we sing at the memorial or supper of the
Lord; besides this he composed one or two other hymns.
[229] This John Hut was also one of the old Waldensian Brethren, See
_Bapt. Hist. p. 748_.
WOLFGANG BRANDHUBER, HANS NIEDERMAIR, AND MANY OTHERS, ABOUT SEVENTY IN
ALL, A. D. 1529.
In this year, also Brother Wolfgang Brandhuber of Passau, and Hans
Niedermair, both ministers of the word and Gospel of Christ, were
apprehended, together with many of the pious at Lintz, in the country
above the Enns, for the divine truth; they were condemned to fire,
water and the sword, and were immediately executed, in all over seventy
persons. Among these also Peter Niedermair of Hirschberg, at Gminden,
was apprehended, on St. Andrew’s eve, A. D. 1529, and though, in the
extreme fear of death, he was tempted in various ways, yet he remained
faithful and constant. Rev. 2:10; Matt. 10:22. Ultimately, through the
providence of God, he was set free, after being imprisoned there for
over three years.
Concerning said Wolfgang Brandhuber, writings are still extant in
the church, how faithfully he taught the Christian church, and also
said, that in everything which is not contrary to God, we should be
obedient and subject to the authorities, and that he strictly held to
the true baptism of Christ, and to the true Lord’s Supper, rejecting
infant baptism, the sacrament, and other antichristian abominations and
anathemas, as is shown by his writings, which are still extant.
CARIUS PRADER, WITH SEVERAL OTHER PERSONS, A. D. 1529.
About this time also Carius Prader, a minister of the church of God,
in the country of Salzburg, and several other persons were shut up
together in a house and burned. A hymn is still extant in the church
which this Carius composed.
SEVEN BRETHREN, A. D. 1529.
These seven brethren were executed together on the same day, with
the sword, for the evangelical truth, at Gmuend, in Swabia, and thus
steadfastly testified with their blood to the name of Christ, A. D.
1529. The account of it is as follows:
“I could not forbear to acquaint my brethren with what is taking place
here in Germany, even as it is known to many how the world rages and
storms against the true believers, and how she robs the servants of
God of life and property. For God, graciously looking down upon the
children of men, gave them, in the midst of their blindness, his
brightly shining word for a light, that believing it, we should avoid
all sin and shame. Many recognized this word as the truth, accepted it
with the mouth, and were called Christians, but continued nevertheless
in their sinful life, supposing that the bare name was sufficient, if
only the semblance existed. Afterwards the Lord so ordered it that his
word did effectually work in some, so that, in the language of the
prophet Isaiah (Is. 55:11), it accomplished that whereunto God sent it,
and did not return unto him void, but guided many into the right way.
And thus, those who sought to live faithfully, were hated, and despised
as anabaptists by the rest, just as though they had apostatized from
God, and turned to Belial; while they earnestly sought and desired
nothing else, than to keep God’s commandments with his assistance,
according to all their ability (1 Cor. 7:19); and yet they were
reproachfully stigmatized as anabaptists,--they who sincerely forgave
every one, assisted their neighbors by lending to them without usury,
and prayed for their persecutors and enemies (Matt. 5:44), as was seen
at the hour of their death, and who thus attested their faith with the
deed, as was publicly witnessed, A. D. 1529, in the town of Gmuend,
where the enemy employed manifold wiles with some of them, to terrify
them, without being successful however. There they had apprehended a
lad only fourteen years old, whom they put into the tower, where he
lay very severely confined almost a year, suffering many an assault,
but always remaining immovable, however frequently they came to him,
to induce him to forsake his faith. With him six other brethren, pious
men, were apprehended and imprisoned in the tower for life. There they
together praised God (Act 16:25), and comforted one another; and God
assisted them with his grace, so that they faithfully adhered to the
faith, and did not allow themselves to be moved either by threats or
terrors. When the time of their departure from this world drew near,
their death sentence was read to them, and it was added, that if they
would desist from their faith, they need have no fear, but might
return home to their wives and children. The prisoners turned to their
enemies, and replied: “We have committed our wives and children to God,
who is well able to preserve them; hence cease these words; for we are
willing and ready to die.” A ring was then drawn on the spot, as is
customarily done at executions, with the sword. As this lad stood in
the ring, to be beheaded, a count rode up to him into the ring, and
thus addressed him: “My dear child, desist from this error, and I will
give you a prebend, and always keep you with me.” The youth replied:
“Should I love my life (John 12:25), and therefore forsake my God,
and thus seek to escape the cross? this I must certainly not do; thy
wealth can be of no help to either of us, but I expect a better in
heaven”--Thus the youth fearlessly replied, adding--“in the kingdom of
my Father, who has chosen me, and who can order and equalize all things
as is best. Hence cease these entreaties; to him who has always fed and
sustained me, I desire to show obedience also in this my last distress.
To him we must call from the bottom of our heart, when the hour is at
hand, that we may depart with good cheer out of this world. If we do
not depart from him, he will give us the everlasting, glorious crown.”