from their beginning, a great hatred and bitterness against the
Anabaptists, or more properly speaking, against those baptized
according to the ordinance of Christ as history certifies; by which
they commenced very early to tyrannize over them; for we believe the
Zwinglian church was not yet ten years old when said abuse occurred.
Yet it did not stop at this, but they proceeded, the longer the worse,
in this tyranny; so that those of Zurich, A. D. 1530, emitted an edict
very much like the bloody decrees of the Roman Emperor, in which they
write as follows:
“Therefore we strictly command all the inhabitants of our country, and
those who are in any wise united with them, particularly high and low
magistrates, bailiffs, constables, judges, elders of churches, and
ecclesiastical officers, that, if they hear of any Anabaptists, they
give us information concerning them, by virtue of the oath with which
they are bound to us; that they nowhere tolerate them, or allow them
to multiply; but that they apprehend them, and deliver them to us; for
we shall punish with death, according to the purport of our laws, the
Anabaptists with all those who favor them or adhere to them; and we
shall also punish without mercy, according to their deserts, as having
violated the faith and oath which they swore to their authorities,”
those who assist, and do not report, drive away, or bring as prisoners
to us, all such persons.
This we have taken word for word from the edict, as Bullinger (contra,
etc.) has cited it. Compare the note in the preface to the _Offerboeck
der Doopsgesinde, A. D. 1615, letter Y, with P. J. Twisck’s, Chron., p.
1031, col. 1_, from different authors.
GEORGE GRUENWALD, A. D. 1530.
In the year 1530, Brother George Gruenwald, a shoemaker, and minister
of the word of God, and of his flock, was apprehended for the divine
truth, at Kufstein, on the Inn, condemned to death, and burned. Thus
he valiantly testified with his blood, that which he had confessed
and taught with his mouth, and confessed Christ, yea, his divine
truth, before men, forsaking this earthly and perishable praise, that
Christ at his day should confess him before his heavenly Father, and,
moreover, give him immortal life in the eternal glory of heaven. Matt.
25:46.
BROTHER ALDA, A. D. 1530.
A few days after the execution of the above person, Brother Alda was
also executed for the faith, at Kufstein.
GEORGE STEINMETZ, A. D. 1530.
This George Steinmetz was apprehended and beheaded for the testimony of
Jesus Christ, at Portzen, in Germany, A. D. 1530. He left the following
admonition for consolation in suffering, to all believers:
“We sincerely thank thee, O God, for thy fatherly faithfulness. No one
ought to mock at or despise his grace, lest at last, when his departure
is at hand, he regret it. O Lord, help and assist us through Jesus
Christ. God has called many to his eternal light, whom he also visits
with suffering and pain, as we see in this earth; for it seems that
here we must be refined by the fire of affliction, since we must all
enter through much tribulation into the kingdom of God, and be purified
from all sin and vice (1 Peter 1:7; Acts 14:22); for he that herein
follows Christ, walks in the true path. Christ says: “I am the Way and
the Door, the Truth and the Life; enter in by me; before me there is
yet a hedge; the cross, which each who would come to the father must
carry, stands in the way. John 10:9. And according to my experience,
I must state the truth, that the cross appears much heavier than it
really is; which deters many a one, as though he should not be able
to bear it, and hence would pass it by, and seek another way. But we
cannot come to God unless we bear the yoke of Christ. Matt. 11:29.
For he that would enter in by any other way into the sheep fold, than
through this door, the same is a thief and a murderer (John 10:1), and
shall have to suffer the vengeance of God--everlasting pain. Christ
would have such disciples as bear the cross after him, follow him in
all his ways, as I hope to show, and carry his yoke unto the end. Matt.
16:24. But he that will not bear his cross, but allows himself to be
moved and hindered by Satan, may take heed that Christ says: “Whosoever
therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before
my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men,
him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew
10:32,33. O God, sustain us to thy praise and honor, that love may not
wax cold in us. Matthew 24:12. To this end give us strength, wisdom
and understanding, through thy holy spirit, who can guide us into all
truth (John 16:13), that we may never despond, but keep good courage,
and remain steadfast and proceed straight on in the narrow way, and at
the risk of body-life, go on through Christ to the Father. John 14:6.
Praised be the Lord our God, who has called us to be his servants and
children. Him we will constantly praise forever and ever, because we
may wash our robes in the blood of the Lamb (Revelations 7:14), and
afterwards, from this brief death and suffering, go into everlasting
joy with him. With this mind this witness of Jesus Christ was beheaded
and died at Portzen, as stated above.
MARTIN THE PAINTER; WOLFGANG ESLINGER, PAIN, MELCHIOR, AND THREE
OTHERS, A. D. 1531.
In this year, Martin the painter, a minister of the word of God, and
six others from the Swabian church, were apprehended for the faith and
the divine truth. After long proceedings, they were promised, that
if they would renounce, they might go home unmolested to their wives
and children. But they answered frankly: “No,” but that they would
willingly die, and not renounce. Afterwards, having been imprisoned
almost a year, all seven were sentenced to death. They were led under
the town hall, and several articles of their doctrine were read to
them. When the first article was read Brother Wolfgang Eslinger said:
“As you judge to-day so shall God judge you when you come before his
face; God shall well know you.” Matt. 7:23.
When the third article was read, Brother Pain said: “You stain your
hands with our blood (Jer. 7:6); God shall certainly not remit it to
you, but require it at your hands.”
When the fourth article was read, Brother Melchior said: “To-day we
will testify with our blood, that that wherein we stand is the truth.”
When the fifth article was read, Brother Wolfgang Eslinger said:
“Forsake your sins and unrighteousness, and repent, and God shall never
remember it to you.” Jer. 26:13. All seven were then led under a guard,
to the place of execution. There Brother Martin, and all the others
commended themselves unto God their Lord, praying that he would grant
them a happy end, and care for his sheep. When they were brought to
the field, the miller’s servant, who was about sixteen years old, said
to the people present, that they should forsake their sins, and turn
to God, since there was no other way to heaven, than through our Lord
Jesus Christ, who died on the cross, and redeemed us. Ps. 34:14; Is.
45:24; John 14:6; Matt. 27:50. When they were brought into the ring, a
nobleman rode up to said servant, admonished and entreated him, saying:
“My son, desist from your error, and renounce it. Why do you allow
yourself to be thus persuaded? spare your young life. I will take you
home with me, and always keep you; you shall enjoy good things with
me all your life, if you obey me.” But the servant said: “God forbid
that this should ever come to pass; if I should keep this temporal life
(Jn. 12:25), and lose the eternal, I would act foolishly. I will not
do it; your wealth can help neither you nor me; I expect one that is
far better, if I persevere to the end. Matt. 10:22. I will surrender my
spirit to God, and commend it to Christ (Luke 23:46), that his bitter
suffering, which he endured on the cross, may in my case not be in
vain.” This servant was inspired by God in his purpose; for though he
was younger in years than his brethren, they were nevertheless, as far
as the purpose is concerned, of like age. Thus all seven valiantly and
joyfully confessed God and his truth, even unto death and the shedding
of their blood. The above mentioned Martin, when he was led out over
the bridge, said: “This once yet the pious are led over this bridge,
but no more hereafter.” This came true; for a short time afterwards,
such a violent storm and flood came that the bridge was demolished and
carried away.
WALTER MAIR, AND TWO OTHERS, A. D. 1531.
In the year 1531, Walter Mair, a cooper by trade, and minister of
the word of God, was apprehended with two others, at Walsburg, in
Kaernthen, and executed with the sword; and thus they steadfastly
testified in death, to the truth, and gave their lives for the covenant
of God, and for his holy word; therefore their names shall also be
found in the book of life, and the second death shall have no power
over them. Phil. 4:3; Rev. 20:6.
GEORGE ZAUNRINGERAD, A. D. 1531.
In the year 1531, Brother George Zaunringerad, a minister of the word
of God, who, through the help of Jacob Huter, had been placed in the
ministry of the word of God, in the earldom of Tyrol, was sent by
Jacob, with others, hither to the church in Moravia. Subsequently he,
because of his office and ministry, was kept in Franconia, where he was
executed with the sword, not far from Bamberg, for the divine truth;
thus testifying with his blood to his faith and doctrine, from which
he would in no wise depart, and suffering with Christ, in order that
through his grace he might also be made an heir of glory with him in
the eternal kingdom. 1 Cor. 1:5.
VEIT PELGRIMS, AT GLABBECK, A. D. 1532.
There must by no means be omitted here the manly and divinely confirmed
steadfastness of Veit Pelgrims, a German brother; who regarded nothing
so much as he did the salvation of his soul. Notwithstanding the
cruelty of those who follow the footsteps of Cain, in shedding innocent
blood, he freely confessed the Gospel, and ordered his actions and
conversation in accordance with it, in all uprightness and simplicity.
But as the world, through his holy life, was reproved of its wickedness
it could not endure it; hence he was apprehended in the winter of A.
D. 1532, at Glabbeck, in the Duchy of Juelich. He was ready to testify
with suffering to his doctrine and life; however through the aid of his
friends and relatives he was released from prison for this time. But
as nevertheless undauntedly walked, in holiness and godliness, in the
same heavenly way, he again fell into the hands of the blood-thirsty,
and had to suffer much from the wicked; on the one hand, the priests
and monks, by much crafty examining, and through wiles and strategies,
sought, though in vain, to cause him to apostatize; on the other hand,
they endeavored to deter him by severe tortures; but overcoming all
these vexations and tortures, he valiantly confirmed the truth, and
showed that above all temporal and visible things, he had in view
something higher, that is, the eternal and heavenly riches; hence,
regarding not his own life, and esteeming it blessedness to suffer for
the name of Christ, he said with remarkable frankness, he hoped that
the sheep was now ready and fat for the slaughter. The blood-thirsty,
seeing they could in no wise prevail upon this unconquerable hero and
soldier of Christ, resorted to the most extreme means which cruelty
could invent. They brought it about that sentence of death was passed
upon him. The hour having come for him to offer up his sacrifice, they
(O inhuman tyranny!) opened his left side, and poured in boiling oil.
Having then been contemptuously laid upon a sled, he was brought to the
place of execution, where he commended his soul to God and was burned
to ashes.
LAMBRECHT GRUBER, HANS BECK, LAURENCE SCHUMACHER, PETER PLAVER, HIS
SERVANT PETER, AND HANS TALLER, A. D. 1532.
In this year six brethren, named Lambrecht Gruber, Hans Beck, Laurence
Schumacher, Peter Plaver, his servant Peter and Hans Taller, were
apprehended for the divine truth, at Stertzing, in Etschland, and
greatly tortured and racked, in order to compel them to apostatize;
but they valiantly and firmly persevered in that which God had given
them, and which they had promised God in Christian baptism. They were
then sentenced to death and executed; all six valiantly testifying with
their blood to the truth of God, and greatly rejoicing (Acts 5:41) over
the day of their departure from this world, because of the suffering
and pain in the abominable wickedness of the world, which they had
to endure for a long time, also because of the awful blasphemy and
contempt of God (which causes pain to all lovers of God), which they
had to hear during their imprisonment. They took leave from us, and
admonished us not to be dull or heedless in hearing and retaining the
word of God, nor in prayer and the worship of God; for if one comes to
such places, it is necessary for him to have done so, and he regrets it
if he has spent an hour unprofitably.
CONRAD FEICHTER, AND SEVERAL OTHERS, A. D. 1532.
In this year, also Conrad Feichter was apprehended for the faith,
at Sterzing, and much pain was inflicted upon him. He was so racked
and stretched that the ungodly executioners and children of Pilate
themselves thought that he could not endure it, but would be torn
asunder. There were also some imprisoned with him, who were much
tempted by a multitude of priests and others, by perversion of the
Scriptures, with knavery, craftiness, deceit and delusion, in order
to subdue them; it was also tried to gain them by promising to leave
them in possession of home, wife, children, and life, but as they could
by no means turn them from the truth, they sentenced and forthwith
executed them; and thus they steadfastly attested the truth with their
blood.
HUGO JACOB KRÆN, AND HIS WIFE MARY, WITH TWO OTHERS, A. D. 1532.
When the word of God, through the grace of the Lord, came again to the
light, and was accepted with great desire by many, and attested and
confirmed by the life and death of a great number, said word of God
was also received and accepted (Acts 8:14; 17:11) by one Hugo Jacob
Kræn of Assersouw, his wife Mary, and two others, whose names we have
not learned. And as it was foretold by Paul, that “all that will live
godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12); and by
Isaiah that: “He that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey” (Isa.
59:15); so it was also seen in the case of these persons; for as soon
as they renounced this dark world (Eph. 6:12; 1 John 1:5), with its
carnal walk, and false, invented worship, and sought and followed the
eternal light and glory of Christ Jesus (Matt. 19:28), they were hated,
and persecuted unto death, by the children of darkness and Belial. John
15:18,19. Finally Mary, the wife of Hugo Jacob, was apprehended at
Haarlem, and after suffering many trials, was drowned at said place,
in the year A. D. 1532, enduring it with great steadfastness; thus
confirming with her death the accepted truth. Rev. 2:10. But Hugo Jacob
Kræn; with two of his fellow believers, were brought prisoners into
Gravenhage, where they had to suffer much for the truth. But as they
were founded upon a rock (Matt. 16:18), they could, by no torments, be
brought to apostatize. Therefore the servants of antichrist condemned
them to die, and this, such a terrible death, that all who saw it must
justly have pitied them! for, in the year 1532, at said place, they
were chained to stakes, a great fire built around them, and in this
manner they were roasted until they expired. And as they did not love
their lives here, but obediently surrendered them for the testimony
of Jesus, and died steadfastly; they, at the appearing of our Savior
Jesus Christ, shall, for this mortal garment of the flesh, be clothed
with the immortal, and be rewarded by God with the crown of everlasting
glory. Rev. 12:17; 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:8; Acts 22:18; 23:11; 2 Thess.
1:7; Phil. 3:21; Wis. 5:16; 2 Esdr. 2:43; 1 Cor. 9:25; 1 Pet. 5:4;
James 1:12; Rev. 2:10.
LUDWIG FEST, A. D. 1533.
In the year 1533, Ludwig Fest, a steadfast witness of the divine truth,
was sentenced to death, and executed, at Schwatz, in the valley of the
Inn, for the testimony of Jesus Christ. He admonished us not to be
selfish. In the beginning of his tribulation he besought us, by the
mercies of God, that we should not burden or grieve one another; for
when one comes to this trial, it will cause him pain; and it is no
wonder that then it should trouble him in his heart. He also desired
that we should have a good assurance concerning him, since he hoped,
with the help and power of his heavenly Father, to remain faithful,
which he also did. Rev. 2:10.
CHRISTINA HARING, A. D. 1533.
In the year 1533, a sister, named Christina Haring, was apprehended,
taken to Kitzbuehl, and there fastened to a chain; she, however,
remained steadfast in the faith. But as she was with child, and was
soon to be confined, they let her go home until she should be delivered
of her child; and though she knew that she would be apprehended again,
and might have escaped ten times, or even more, she did not flee, but
boldly remained. When she saw the officer coming, she went out to meet
him, and asked him what he desired. He said: “I have come to take you
away again;” and thus they again took her to the town of Kitzbuehl,
where shortly afterwards she was executed with the sword (which is not
usually done with a woman), for the faith, to which she steadfastly
adhered. Her body was afterwards burnt. Matt. 24:13. This courageous,
heroic woman or sister in Christ, who forsook her husband, infant,
house and home, and all temporal things, strengthened her womanly heart
with such valiant manliness, and by the grace of God so armed herself
in the faith, that she paid her vow unto the Lord, and joyfully went
to meet Christ her bridegroom, with her lamp burning, and her light
shining so that many were filled with astonishment. Matt. 25:1.
SICKE SNYDER, A. D. 1533.
About the year 1533 there was another pious hero and follower of Jesus,
named Sicke Snyder, who, according to the counsel of the Holy Ghost,
separated from the Babylonian whore, and all her false, self-invented,
imaginary worship, which was all contrary to God, and accepted
Christ Jesus; seeking to follow the unblamable footsteps of this true
Lawgiver (James 4:12), and to hear only his voice as contained in the
holy Scriptures. John 10:4. Therefore he obediently submitted to the
example and ordinance of Christ, and in accordance with the doctrines
of his word received Christian baptism upon his faith, as the sign of
a regenerated child of God, seeking thus to live and walk in obedience
toward his Creator. For this reason he was put into bonds and in prison
at Leeuwærden, in Friesland, and had to suffer much from the enemies of
the truth. 1 Tim. 6:20. And as he could by no tortures be induced to
apostatize, he was executed with the sword at said place, enduring it
with great steadfastness; thus attesting and confirming the true faith
with his death and blood. Rev. 2:13; 20:4. Hence he shall, as a good
soldier of Jesus Christ, together with all true conquerors, be clothed
in white, shining raiment, and inherit the blessing. 2 Tim. 2:3; Rev.
3:5; 1 Pet. 3:9.
Concerning this account, see, besides this, _Menno Simon contra Gellius
Faber, fol. 98._[230]
[230] See also Menno Simon’s Works, Holland Edition of 1646, page
471. Also Complete Works of Menno Simon, English Edition of 1871,
page 3.
WILLIAM WIGGERS OF BARSINGHORN, IN NORTH HOLLAND, A. D. 1534.
About the year 1534, a godfearing pious brother, named William Wiggers,
residing at Barsinghorn, a village in North-Holland, near Schagen,
was brought thence to the castle at Schagen, for the true faith and
the practice of it. In that place he was imprisoned for about eight
days, and was then beheaded with the sword, at early dawn, in the gate
of said castle, for the testimony of Jesus Christ, enduring it with
great steadfastness. And as he was a godfearing and an agreeable man,
he was often employed by the lord of Schagen to transact his temporal
business. Hence it came that when the servants of Schagen came to his
house, for the purpose of apprehending him, he supposed they had come
for former friendship and acquaintance’ sake; hence he sent his wife
to get some viands with which to treat these servants; but before she
returned, the dean with his servants, sent by the Roman antichrist,
came and took this defenseless sheep of Christ with them to Schagen,
notwithstanding the bailiff of Barsinghorn offered himself as security
for the prisoner. Wigger Hendericks, father of the beforementioned
William Wiggers, who was also secular magistrate, having seen, that
his godfearing son had, without right and reason, been thus secretly
murdered with the sword, instantly forsook his office, and would no
longer administer the secular power.
OF THE EDICT ISSUED BY EMPEROR CHARLES V. AGAINST THE ANABAPTISTS, A.
D. 1535.
_By the Emperor_: To our beloved and faithful commanders-in-chief, the
president and members of our Privy-Council, the Chancellor and members
of our council in Braband, the Governor and Councilors in Limburg,
the President and Councilors in Flanders, the Governor, President and
Councilors in Artois, the chief Bailiff in Hainault, the Councilors of
Bergen, the Lieutenant, President and Councilors of Holland, Namur,
Friesland, and Utrecht, to the Lieutenant of Over-Yssel, the Governor
of Rijssel, Douay and Orchies, the Bailiff and Councilors of Doornick
and Tournesis, the stewards of Bewest and Beoosterschelde, in Zealand,
the Provost of Valenciennes, the Bailiff of Mechlin, and all other
Judges and officers of our territories, cities and seigniories, and of
our subjects, or their governors, to whom these presents shall come,
happiness and favor.
In order to guard against and remedy the errors which many sectarians
and authors of contempt, with their adherents, have dared for some
time to sow and spread in our territories, against our holy Christian
faith, sacraments, and the commandments of our Mother the holy church,
we have at different times ordained, and caused to be executed and
proclaimed many decrees containing statutes, edicts and ordinances,
as also penalties to be incurred by transgressors, so that by means
thereof the common, simple people, and others, may beware of said
errors and abuses, and that the chief promulgators and sectarians may
be punished and corrected, as an example unto others. And since it has
come to our knowledge, that notwithstanding our aforesaid decrees, many
and various sectarians, even some who call themselves Anabaptists, have
proceeded, and still daily proceed, to spread, sow, and secretly preach
their aforesaid abuses and errors, in order to allure a great number
of men and women to their false doctrine and reprobate sect, to seduce
them, and to rebaptize some, to the great reproach and disregard of the
sacrament of holy baptism, and of our edicts, statutes and ordinances;
therefore we, intending to guard against and remedy this, summon and
command you, that, immediately upon receipt of this, you cause it to
be proclaimed within every place and border of your dominions, that
all those, or such as shall be found polluted by the accursed sect of
the Anabaptist, of whatever rank or condition they may be, their chief
leaders, adherents, and abettors, shall incur the loss of life and
property, and be brought to the most extreme punishment, without delay;
namely, those who remain obstinate and continue in their evil belief
and purpose, or who have seduced to their sect and rebaptized any; also
those who have been called prophets, apostles or bishops--these shall
be punished with fire. All other persons who have been rebaptized, or
who secretly and with premeditation have harbored any of the aforesaid
Anabaptists, and who renounce their evil purpose and belief, and are
truly sorry and penitent for it, shall be executed with the sword, and
the women be buried in a pit.
And in order better to detect these Anabaptists, their adherents and
accomplices, we expressly command all subjects, to make known and
report them to the officer of the place where they reside or shall
be found; and if any one shall know of persons of this sect, and do
not report them to the officer of the place, he shall be punished as
a favorer, adherent, or abettor of the sect of the Anabaptists; but
he who shall report or make them known, shall have, if the accused is
convicted, one third of their confiscated property.