to our judgment, but according to his divine wisdom, lest we utterly
perish. Yea, we must give praise and thanks to God also in our
tribulation, that he do not forget us, but chasten us according to his
fatherly mercy, and graciously help us to bear every burden, even as
Paul thanked God in his affliction, saying: “Blessed be God, the Father
of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our
tribulation. Amen.” 1 Corinthians 1:3,4.
PRAYER.
Merciful Father, look upon me with eyes of compassion, as thou didst
look upon the prodigal son; for to thee only, O Father, belongs praise
and honor, but unto us nothing but shame before thy face; hence, good
Father, I commit soul and body into thy divine and gracious keeping:
guide me, through Jesus Christ thy dear Son, into all things that are
well pleasing to thy divine Spirit; and bring to folly and madness the
counsel of the ungodly, and preserve us by thy divine word now and
forever. Amen.
Composed by WALTER OF STOELWIJCK.
DIRK PIETERS KROOD, PIETER TRIJNES, CLAES RODERS, PIETER CLAES JANS, OF
WORMER, IN WATERLANDT.
The word of God having, according to his will, been proclaimed in many
and various countries, and attested and confirmed by the blood of
many Christians, it came to and was accepted also at Wormer, in North
Holland, where, among others, there were Dirk Pieters Krood, Pieter
Trijnes, Claes Roders, Pieter Claes Jans. These turned their ears
away from the papistic fables, amended their corrupt life, and, in
place thereof, through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, willingly
received the word of God into their hearts, and regulated their whole
conduct according to it. 1 Thess. 2:13. And even as Christ predicted:
“The time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth
God service” (Jn. 16:2), so it was also very clearly manifested in the
case of the aforesaid persons; for because they lived according to the
word of God, they were brought prisoners to Enchuysen, and being built
upon Christ, they all remained steadfast and faithful in all this trial
and severe temptation; for which reason they were sentenced to death at
said place, and offered up their bodies as a sweet savor to the Lord,
thus obtaining a glorious crown.
With regard to this offering, we have not been able to ascertain the
year in which it took place.
JACOB AND SELI HIS WIFE, OF WORMER, A. D. 1542.
Among many others who voluntarily forsook and delivered up their
property and life for the truth of the holy Gospel, there were also
a brother at Wormer, in Waterlandt, named Jacob, and his wife Seli.
These sought and also found the pearl of great price, which was hid in
a field and for joy thereof renounced all earthly riches, the lusts of
this world, and the papal superstitions, which militate against God,
and sought to order and regulate their whole life according to this
precious treasure of the divine word. Thus it came to pass, that the
envious papists, in order to stop this, apprehended them, and brought
them to Amsterdam, where they had to suffer much for the truth. And as
they could by no temptation be moved from it, but unto death adhered to
Christ and his holy word, they were condemned to death at said place,
and burned, suffering it with great steadfastness. Thus they delivered
their bodies up to the fire, and commended their souls into the hands
of God, and are now waiting under the altar, until the number of their
fellow brethren will be fulfilled.
JAN EGTWERCKEN, CLAES MELISS, AECHT MELISS, WILLIAM HER HUSBAND, HEYNE
WALINGS, TRIJN AMKERS, CORNELIS LUYTS, CLAES DIRKS, CLAES CLAESS, AND
JONKER DIRK GERRITS VAN DEN BUSCH, NEAR KROMMENIERSDIJCK, A. D. 1542.
As the word of God was proclaimed in many places, and received with
great thankfulness by many, it was also heard, believed and accepted
in Waterlandt, on Krommeniersdijck. It wrought so effectually, that
some were by it drawn away from their sinful life and dumb idols, and
converted to the true and living God; which, among others, appeared in
the case of Jan Egtwercken, Claes Meliss, Aecht Meliss, William her
husband, Heyne Walings, Trijn Amkers, Cornelis Luyts, Claes Dirks,
Claes Claess, and Jonker Dirk Gerrits van den Busch. These together
separated from the Pope and his adherents, and put themselves under
the faithful Shepherd Christ Jesus, inclining their ears to his
heavenly voice, and preparing their bodies for his service. Rev. 18:4;
2 Cor. 6:17; John 10:4; 15:20. And as Christ predicted the cross and
persecution to his faithful followers, so the above mentioned persons
also richly experienced it; for they were apprehended and tormented
by the bloodthirsty papists, and, after suffering many assaults, put
to death, all of which they suffered in patience for the name of
Jesus, thus obtaining the crown of life; and are now waiting for the
revelation of Jesus, their Savior for their full and eternal reward.
BALTHASAR HUBMOR, AND HIS WIFE.
At the time of Zwinglius there was also one Balthasar Hubmor of
Friedberg, whom the papists called a doctor of the Holy Scriptures,
a learned and eloquent man. He was first a teacher and preacher at
Ingolstadt, and subsequently came to Reinsburg, where he preached
mightily against the Jews and their usury. Through the enlightenment of
the holy Spirit, the abomination of popery was made manifest to him,
in consequence of which he, according to the counsel of God, separated
therefrom. Subsequently he rejected, together with other errors, the
self-invented infant baptism, and taught with all his might the baptism
of believers, as commanded by Christ. But as the eyes of this dark
world can not bear the clear light of the holy gospel, and since in
this way their false faith and evil works are testified against, the
above-mentioned Balthasar Hubmor, together with many others, was hated
and persecuted by the world. After many temptations, expulsions and
imprisonments, he came to Nichlasburg, in Moravia. Afterwards they
apprehended him and his wife, and brought them to Vienna, in Austria,
where, after manifold trials and long imprisonment, he was burned to
ashes, suffering it with great steadfastness, and his wife drowned; and
thus both steadfastly confirmed with their death the faith which they
had received from God. Eph. 2:8.
Read also Sebastian Franck, on the Roman Heretics, letter B.
NOTE.--This Balthasar Hubmor published a small book, in which he
complains of Zwinglius and his followers. He writes that they brought
about, that at one time twenty persons, men, pregnant women, widows,
and young girls were miserably cast into a dark tower, and this
sentence passed upon them, that they should never more, in their
lifetime, see either sun or moon, and conclude their last days on bread
and water; so that they all, dead and alive, should remain and decay
together in the dark tower, until none should be left alive.
Thus some did not taste a morsel of bread for three days in order that
the others might have something wherewith to sustain their lives.
“O God,” he further writes, “what a terrible, severe, and rigorous
sentence against pious Christian people, of whom none could say any
evil thing, only that they, according to the command of Christ, had
received water baptism!
O sad _deformation_, we say, of the so-called Reformed! May the Lord
forgive them and be gracious to their blindly zealous souls.” See
_complaint of Balthasar Hubmor, against Zwinglius_, throughout; also,
the _Preface to the Offerboeck, A. D. 1615, letter I., etc._; also,
_Chron. van den Ondergang, etc., p. 1031, col. 2_.
LEONARD BERNKOP, A. D. 1542.
In the year 1542, Brother Leonard Bernkop was apprehended for the
faith, at Salzburg. Much was tried to induce him to apostatize, but
as he steadfastly persevered in the narrow way of the truth of God,
and there was no hope that he would apostatize, they condemned him to
death, led him out to the place of execution, and built a fire close
to him, at which they immediately roasted him; but he adhered firmly
to the Lord, and said to the bloodhounds and executioners: “This side
is roasted enough; turn me around, and scorch and roast also the
other; for through the power of God this suffering is insignificant in
comparison with the eternal.” Rom. 8:18. Thus he gained the victory
over the beast and his image, over the abomination of desolation and
his mark. Rev. 15:2. Rather than receive his mark, or do aught which
was contrary to God his heavenly Father, he, like the seven valiant and
Godfearing sons (2 Macc. 7), gave his body to be roasted and executed
by fire, which could in no wise separate him from the love of God (Rom.
8:39), hence he shall also have in his hands the harp of God, and,
together with all conquerors in the faith, who have come out of great
tribulation, shall have his mouth filled with laughter, and his tongue
with praise, and shall sing the new song with the servants of God, and
the song of the Lamb, yea, he shall forever behold the Almighty God.
Rev. 15:2; 7:14; 14:3. 1 Cor. 13:12.
HANS HUBER, A. D. 1542.
In this year, Brother Hans Huber, or Schumacher, was imprisoned at
Waserburg, in Bavaria, under the Count of Oting. Much having been
resorted to, to draw him from the faith, but he remaining quite
steadfast, constantly confessing and testifying, that this wherein he
stood was the true ground of truth, and the true faith in Christ Jesus
our Savior wherefore he also said that it was not hard for him to
suffer this for Christ’s sake, and was sentenced to death, and led out
to the place of execution. The fire having reached his face, so that
his hair and beard were singed off, they asked him whether he would
recant, and they would let him live. He however would not recant, but
remained steadfast in Christ. Hence he was immediately burnt alive,
and thus faithfully paid his baptismal vow unto the Lord Christ, and
delivered up his life as a true burnt-offering for the word of God; for
he would rather lose this temporal life, than become unfaithful to the
Lord, thus showing himself to be a steadfast lover of God.
DAMIAN OF ALGAU, A. D. 1543.
About this time, a brother named Damian, from Algau, was apprehended at
Ingolstadt, in order to draw him away from the faith; but when he could
in no wise be turned from it, he was condemned to death. On his way
to the place of execution, he admonished the people, and gave answer
concerning his faith, so that a student said that one of two things was
certain: that this man had his faith either from the wicked devil, or
from the Spirit of God, since his knowledge was so extensive, because
to all appearance he was a simple man. Some one also admonished him,
and asked him whether he would die as a pious Christian.
He replied: “Yes.”
He again asked him: “What sign will you give us by which we may know
this?”
The brother said: “Pay attention, when they burn me; the smoke shall
ascend straight to heaven.”
This also came to pass.
When he was executed, the executioner inquired the direction of the
smoke, whether he had justly executed him. The judge answered: “You
have executed him according to your pleasure; I did not judge.” Thus
this witness of God and Christ obtained the martyrs’ crown.
OF A CERTAIN DECREE PUBLISHED IN ALL WEST FRIESLAND AGAINST MENNO
SIMON, AND, CONSEQUENTLY, AGAINST ALL ADHERENTS OF HIS DOCTRINE, ABOUT
A. D. 1543.
In _Chronijk van den Ondergang, page 1104, col._ 2 and 3. we find these
words:
“About this time the servants of antichrist caused a dreadful decree to
be proclaimed throughout all West Friesland, in which all malefactors
and murderers were promised pardon for their crimes, the favor of the
Emperor, freedom of the country, and one hundred carl-guilders, if
they would deliver Menno Simon into the hands of the tormentors and
executioners.
This decree, when properly considered, indicates the extreme wickedness
and tyranny of the West Friesian Regents of those times, against those
who maintained or at least favored the true faith. All malefactors and
murderers, who certainly, according to the laws of the country, were
subject to very severe punishment, yea, to death, because of their
crimes and murders, were here accounted better than a pious Christian,
who injured no one; yea, their crimes were remitted them, and over and
above this, a large sum of money, according to that time, was promised
them, merely to deliver into the hands of the criminal judges, a single
person, who maintained the true doctrine. How much may we suppose would
they have promised them, had they been able to exterminate all orthodox
believers, and, consequently, the entire church of God? We certainly
have just cause for the belief, that this came down very severely upon
the heads of the true witnesses of Jesus in general; that is, on those
that resided in these regions; in regard to which we shall also show in
the proper place, how very unmercifully the authorities there, through
the instigation of some so-called spiritual persons, dealt with the
innocent and defenseless sheep of the flock of Christ.
GEORGE LIBICH, AND URSULA HELLRIGLING, A. D. 1544.
About the year 1544, George Libich was imprisoned for the faith and
the divine truth, at Filleburg, near Innsbruck, and as this is a
place of particular danger because of evil spirits, as is well known,
this brother therefore had much to resist, and was greatly tempted
by the Evil One (1 Peter 5:9), who tempted him in visible form. He
especially tried him in various ways during the first year. Once he
came to him in the form of a maiden, and wanted to embrace him. When
the brother knelt down and prayed, he put something into his way, to
prevent his praying. He also tried to take him off with him, but was
not able to effect it. He further came to him in the form of a youth,
and also in that of a soldier; thus trying many and various means;
but when he could not accomplish anything, he went out of the tower
at the top. He also told him much what happened among the church in
the country; that he had conversed with such brethren, and that they
had told him such and such things. But when brother George reproved
him, he finally let him be in peace, and attempted but little with him
afterward. But the enemy tempted him not only himself, but also through
his children. Thus once there came to him one wearing the garb of a
brother, and acting as one. He saluted him, saying: “The Lord be with
us, my brother,” and wished him peace, in order to seduce and deceive
him by such craftiness. But George asked him whence and from whom he
came. He answered: “From Moravia, from the church of God.” Then George
asked him what message he brought, and how matters stood there. He
told him that the church and the brethren were utterly driven away and
dispersed; that each was separated from the rest, and that it was all
over with them. Then George perceived that it was deception, reproved
him for his craftiness, of which he was well aware, and drove him
away by his earnest admonitions, which in all probability he did not
soon forget. Over and above all this, when all temptation from Satan
and his children was about to come to an end, a sister named Ursula
Hellrigling, a beautiful young woman, who had also been apprehended
for the faith, was put to him in prison, placed at the feet of George,
and much of the time left with him. It is easy to imagine, what the
devil and his seed would have liked to see. But they [these two pious
witnesses of Christ] were valiant and godfearing, and could by no
allurements be moved or caused to fall.
This George Libich knew beforehand the day and year when he was to be
released. There were several others imprisoned near him, who were all
liberated on the same day, returned to the church, and afterwards fell
asleep in the Lord.
Sister Ursula, who was imprisoned with him, through the providence of
God, also obtained release, and unharmed in her faith and conscience,
returned to the church, and there fell asleep in the Lord.
MARIA VAN BECKUM, AND URSULA, HER BROTHER’S WIFE, A. D. 1544.
In the year 1544, there was a sister in the Lord, named Maria van
Beckum, whom her mother had driven from home on account of her faith.
This having become known in the Bishopric[233] of Utrecht, and reported
to the Stadtholder, he sent one Goossen van Raesveldt with many
servants, to apprehend this maiden at her brother’s, John van Beckum,
whither she had fled. She was compelled to rise from her bed, and
accompany them; and when she saw the great number of people who had
come on her account, she asked Ursula, her brother’s wife, whether she
would go with her and keep her company. The latter answered: “If John
van Beckum is satisfied, I will gladly go with you, and we will rejoice
together in the Lord.” When Maria put this request to her brother,
he consented, and Ursula went with her. Here love was stronger than
death, and firmer than the grave. Cant. 8:6. Her mother and sister had
come from Friesland to see her; but this could not move her; she took
leave of them, for she chose to suffer affliction, rather than to have
worldly joy; hence she went with her sister Maria. They were together
brought to Deventer. There blind leaders came to them, who with
subtlety sought to win them to human institutions. But they answered:
“We hold to the word of God, and do not regard the dictates of the
Pope, nor the errors of the whole world.” Friar Grouwel also sought
to teach them much, but was not able to prove his assertions by the
Scriptures.
[233] Province.
Now as he could not overcome them, he said: “The devil speaks through
your mouth, away with them to the fire.”
They greatly rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer for the name of
Christ, and to help bear his reproach. Acts 5:41.
They were then brought to the house at Delden, where many efforts were
made to cause them to apostatize, yet all in vain. A commissary came
from the court of Burgundy, who greatly extolled the mass and all
the institutions of the Pope; but he could not prevail against the
Scriptures which they adduced. He then asked them whether they were
rebaptized. They replied: “We have been baptized once according to the
command of Christ and the practice of the apostles; for there is but
one true baptism, and he who receives it, has put on Christ, and leads
an unblamable life through the Holy Ghost, in the answer of a good
conscience.” Ephesians 4:5; Gal. 3:27; 1 Pet 3:21. He also asked them,
whether they believed that Christ was wholly present in the sacrament.
This they considered a blind question, and said; “God will have no
likeness or image, neither in heaven nor on earth (Exodus 20:4); for
he says through the prophet: ‘I, even I am the Lord; and beside me
there is no Savior.’ Is. 43:11. But as regards the Supper, we find
that Christ left it as a memorial of his death, with bread and wine;
as often as we commemorate it, we are to show forth his death till he
come.” 1 Cor. 11:26.
Now as Maria and Ursula regarded all the institutions of the Pope as
heresy, they were brought into open court at Delden, on the thirteenth
of November, before the children of Pilate and Caiaphas, where they
were sentenced to death, in which they rejoiced, praising God.
When they were led to the stake, many of the people, seeing their
steadfastness, wept. But they sang for joy, and said: “Weep not on
account of what is inflicted upon us.” “We do not suffer,” said Maria,
“as witches or other criminals, but because we adhere to Christ, and
will not be separated from God; hence be converted, and it shall be
well with you forever.”
When the time of suffering drew nigh, Maria said: “Dear sister, heaven
is opened for us; for what we now suffer for a little while, we shall
forever be happy with our bridegroom.” They then gave each other the
kiss of peace. Thereupon they prayed together to God, that he would
forgive the judges their sins, since they knew not what they were
doing; and that as the world was sunk in blindness, God would have
compassion on them, and receive their souls into his eternal kingdom.
They first took Maria, who entreated the authorities not to shed any
more innocent blood. Then she fervently prayed to God, and also prayed
for those who put her to death; whereupon she joyfully arose, and went
with such great gladness to the stake, that it cannot be told, saying:
“To thee, O Christ, I have given myself; I know that I shall live with
thee forever. Therefore, O God of heaven, into thy hands do I commend
my spirit.” The executioner swore because the chain did not suit him;
but she said: “Friend, consider what you are doing; my body is not
worthy that you should blaspheme Christ on account of it; repent, lest
you burn for it in hell.” The preacher, a teacher at Delden, turned
Ursula around, but she turned back again, and urgently said: “Let me
behold the end of my sister, for I also desire to receive the glory
into which she shall enter.”
After Maria was burned, they asked Ursula, whether she would not yet
apostatize. “No,” said she, “not for death; I will not thus forsake
the eternal riches.” They would also honor her with the sword, but she
said: “My flesh is not too good to be burned for the name of Christ.”
To one of her relatives she said: “Bid John van Beckum good night, and
tell him to serve God, to whom I am now about to be offered.” When she
came to the wood, she clasped her hands, and said: “Our Father which
art in heaven.” “Yea,” said the priest, “there you will find him.”
“Because I seek him there,” she said, “I must die this temporal death.
If I should confess him in the bread, I might live longer.” When she
stepped upon the wood, her foot slipped. “I think I am falling off,”
she said. “Stop,” cried the tyrant; “she means to apostatize.” “No,”
said she, “the block slips from under me; I will not faint in the word
of God, but constantly adhere to Christ.” Thus both remained steadfast
unto the end, and sealed the word of God with their death, in great
patience and boldness, leaving us a good example.
JOHN CLAESS, AND LUCAS LAMBERTS, AN OLD MAN, CALLED GRANDFATHER;
TOGETHER WITH SEVERAL TESTAMENTS WRITTEN BY JOHN CLAESS, WHILE IN
PRISON AT AMSTERDAM, TO HIS WIFE, CHILDREN, AND OTHER FRIENDS, IN THE
YEAR 1544.
_A testament to his wife._
An affectionate salutation in the Lord, to my beloved wife, whom I no
longer love after the flesh, but after the soul. Hear my admonition:
You know that as long as we enjoyed prosperity with Israel according to
the flesh, we were ignorant of ourselves; but now that the good Father
lays his hand upon us, we feel that we are sick, weak, miserable, poor
and naked. Therefore, my dear wife, take Jesus Christ for an example,
and behold the way in which he went before us, and that we must through
much tribulation enter into the kingdom of heaven. Jas. 5:10; 2 Tim.
3:12. Forget my flesh and all your sensuality and all your carnal
desires, and pray to God for faith that you may overcome. And I will
willingly give myself to the Lord in the same manner as he comforts my
heart by his grace. You have yet time for amendment, but I am bound
to his grace, in which I trust. Hence think not of what is past,
but persevere with a firm confidence in the Lord; he will help you
in everything for the best; give yourself up to this and always join
yourself to those who fear the Lord, for this will be for your best
interests. For “blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of
the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the
seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in
his law doth he meditate day and night.” Ps. 1:1,2.
My beloved wife, the godfearing speak of it, and thereby men depart
from evil; for by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil, and
through love every good thing is accomplished. Prov. 16:6. Awake, for
we have both been negligent. Let the word of the Lord incite you to
all good. Ask him for his holy Spirit, who can comfort you; for the
sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18. For this is the trial
which must be found in our faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried with fire. 1 Peter 1:7.