Christian from Eukeraet, and Tielleman from Nunkerken, were executed
together on the same day, with the sword, at Blankenburg; they
willingly suffered death for the testimony of Jesus, and with their
blood testified to their faith.
MARIKEN AND ANNEKEN, A. D. 1552.
Those who hold only to God and his holy word, and seek to fulfill the
latter, are not only persecuted but also imprisoned and put to death,
as was very evident, in the year 1552, at Leyden, in the case of two
women, named Mariken and Anneken, who were apprehended and brought
into a house, where they were asked by the Bailiff, what views they
held with regard to the Roman church. They replied that for the most
part it was nothing but the doctrine of devils. He further questioned
them respecting the sacrament of the priests, whether Christ was not
bodily in it. They said: “It might be a hidden devil; for God does
not suffer himself to be locked up in silver or golden caskets.” They
were then led to prison, and passing the church they said: “O den of
murderers and choir of devils!” “Why do you speak such presumptuous
words?” said the Bailiff’s servant. “Because so many a poor soul is
murdered in it,” they replied. Being kept imprisoned for a time, and
examined, they boldly confessed their faith, and firmly adhered to it,
in consequence of which they were sentenced to death. In the sentence
of the one it was charged that she had denied infant baptism, rejected
the sacrament, and, contrary to the decree of the Emperor, had attended
unlawful assemblies, and that she should therefore be put to death as
a heretic. The other, not having been baptized, would have been set at
liberty, had she been willing to apostatize from her faith, which she
was greatly importuned to do; but she remained immovable, and as she
had said: “Your bread god is eaten by spiders and worms; I will not be
a partaker of it,” and remained steadfast also in other articles, she
was likewise sentenced to death. Thus these two had to lose their lives
for the truth, to satisfy the bloodthirsty judges, who have feet that
are swift in running to mischief, and hands to shed innocent blood.
Prov. 6:18,17.
WILLIAM VAN ROBAEYS, A. D. 1552.
In this same year, a brother named William van Robaeys, was persecuted,
apprehended, examined, tortured and finally put to death, at Komen, in
Flanders, for righteousness for the truth, and for following Christ.
HENDRICK DIRKS, DIRK JANS, AND ADRIAN CORNELISS, A. D. 1552.
In the same year, three brethren, named Hendrick Dirks, Dirk Jans, and
Adrian Corneliss, were apprehended at Leyden, and examined in regard to
their faith; but when they boldly confessed it, and would in no wise
depart from it, they were also sentenced to death. Hendrick Dirks,
advancing joyfully, said: “Blessed are they that weep now; for they
shall laugh, and be rewarded with shining robes; yea, with an eternal
crown, if they strive steadfastly. This is the sabbath of the Lord,
which I have long desired; not that I am worthy to suffer for his name,
but he has made me worthy; and thus we suffer not for theft or murder,
but for the pure word of God.” Luke 6:21; Matt. 13:43; 2 Timothy 4:8;
Matt. 24:13; Is. 58:13; Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 4:15.
Dirk Jans said: “Though all men despise us, God does therefore not
despise us. Remember, lords, that on high there is a judge over all,
and believe that he will once judge and pass sentence. This suffering,”
said he, “is not so great; Christ had to suffer much more, when he shed
his blood for us He will strengthen us in what we suffer for his name;
for we suffer not for schism or anything evil; for there is no other
true faith to be found than that which we maintain. Therefore, O God,
have compassion upon me, and receive me into thine arms.” Ps. 7:11;
Matt. 25:31; Is. 53; Matt. 26:28.
Adrian Corneliss intrepidly said: “Christ has gone this way before us;
and his beloved apostles likewise, and we his servants are not above
our Lord.” Luke 24:26; Acts 14:22.
They then fell upon their knees, earnestly prayed to God (Acts
20:36), and rising, said: “They think by killing us to exterminate
the godfearing; but for one whom they kill, a hundred others shall
arise. Hence, fear not them that kill the body; but fear him who is
able to cast both soul and body into everlasting torment.” Matt.
10:28. Standing on the bench, they exclaimed: “Fear not that which is
temporal, but fear that which will last forever; for eternity is so
long.” With this, they commended their souls into the hands of God, and
offered up their burnt sacrifice. They now rest under the altar, and
wait to be clothed in shining robes, and to receive the new wine in the
throne of heaven. Matthew 26:29.
SEVERAL LETTERS WRITTEN IN PRISON, BY ADRIAN CORNELISS, INCLUDING A
PRAYER, AN ADMONITION, AND A CONFESSION OF ADRIAN CORNELISS, GLAZIER,
WHO WAS IMPRISONED AT LEYDEN, AND ALSO PUT TO DEATH THERE FOR THE
TESTIMONY OF JESUS, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, 1552.
_His Prayer to God._
O Lord of heaven and earth, who hast made all things out of nothing,
who hast given me members after the image of thy Son, I hope to offer
them up now for thy holy name; for thou art the Lord, before whom every
knee must bow, both in heaven and upon earth: hear my prayer, and let
my incense be acceptable before thee. Take not thy grace from me, a
polluted man of unclean lips; purify my mouth, that thy name may be
praised thereby. Incline thine ear to me, and thou shalt see how they
fall upon me; but it is better for me to fall into the hands of men,
than to sin in thy sight; for thine eyes are as a flame of fire, and
thy word as a sharp, two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing
asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and thou art
a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, and there is
nothing hid before thine eyes. Therefore I exclaim with David, thy dear
prophet, that it is better to fall into the hands of men, than into
thy wrath. Matt. 11:25; Gen. 1:27; Rom. 12:1; Philip. 2:10; Is. 6:5;
Susanna 23; Revelation 1:14; Heb. 4:12,13.
O Lord, lead me into the land of Haran, in which I have not so much
inheritance as to set my foot on, namely, the promised land, which
I pray thou wilt give me, out of grace, and not for my own works or
merits. Acts 7:4,5. Deliver me with Lot from this generation. Preserve
me, Lord, from the fierce teeth of the lions, which are many, yea, from
the ferocious evening wolves, that let nothing remain till the morning,
whose feet make haste to shed innocent blood. Zeph. 3:3; Prov. 1:16. O
Lord, preserve me with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that the fire
of blasphemy which proceeds out of their mouth, may not harm me. Dan.
3:27. O Lord, let my prayer be heard with that of Tobit and Sarah; hear
my prayer with that of Elijah, and receive me as a burnt-offering,
living, holy and acceptable unto thee, that the prophets of Jezebel may
be confounded, and seduce thy people no longer. Tobit 3:1,11; 1 Kings
18:36; 19:4. Lord, preserve me with Joseph from the wicked woman, that
I may rather suffer myself to be deprived of my garment, namely, my
first body; for we read: “He which is joined to a harlot is one body
with her.” Genesis 39:7; 1 Cor. 6:16. Preserve me, Lord; for I call
heaven and earth to witness, that I die innocently; for whosoever seeks
to save his life, shall lose it; and whosoever loses his life for thy
sake, Lord, and the Gospel’s, shall preserve it. 1 Macc. 2:37; Matthew
16:25. Hence, I cry with old Eleazer: “I will rather die gloriously
than live stained with abomination.” 2 Macc. 6:19.
O Lord, behold, the burning wrath of a great multitude is kindled over
us, and they shall take away certain of us, and feed the idle with
things offered unto idols; but thou, Lord, preservest me, thou givest
thy servant bread in time of need, and water when he is thirsty, and in
the day of tribulation thou forgivest sins. 2 Esdra 16:68; Sir. 2:11.
And thou hast said to thy dear prophet, that though a mother forget her
child to which she herself has given birth, yet wilt thou not forget
us; for it is thy word, Lord. Is. 49:15. Thou hast spoken through thy
dear apostle Paul: Come out from this wicked generation, and touch not
the unclean thing. Then thou wilt deliver us, and be our Father, and we
shall be thy sons and daughters. 2 Cor. 6:17,18. We now also go forth
without the camp, and will help bear thy reproach. Heb. 13:13. Lord,
teach us to pray according to thy will, that we may pray in spirit and
in truth, that we may truly call thee Father; for a son must honor
his father, and a servant his master. Mal. 1:6. Grant us therefore to
be partakers of the word which declares: These are they who have not
loved their life, but have delivered it into death; for those that
are slain by men, have a better hope to expect from God, namely, that
they shall be raised again; for thou provest thy chosen; thou triest
them as gold in the furnace, and thou receivest them as an offering of
burnt sacrifice. Ps. 66:10. Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace.
Holy Father, sanctify thy Son, that I may be found unblamable at thy
appearing. Keep me, holy Father for thy holy name’s sake. Amen. Luke
2:29; John 17:11.
_An admonition of Adrian Corneliss, to the friends._
The rich grace and peace of God our heavenly Father, who has purified
us by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost,
has enlightened our hearts, and opened the eyes of our understanding
through the hope of the Gospel, and warned us, that denying ungodliness
and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly,
in this present world, and keep ourselves unspotted from this world,
before God the Father, who will have all men to be saved, and to come
unto the knowledge of the truth, that at the time of revelation we
may have hope and consolation, and be counted among the number of the
elect. The father and his blessed Son Jesus Christ fit you for this,
now and evermore. Amen. Tit. 3:5; 2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 1:18; Tit. 2:12;
James 1:27; 1 Tim. 2:14.
We, fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, built
upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief corner stone, in whom all the building fitly framed
together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord, to the twelve tribes
which are scattered abroad through cruel edicts and severe persecution,
greeting. Eph. 2:19–21; 1 Peter 2:6; James 1:1. Hence, my dear brethren
and sisters, do not become weary because you now suffer for a season,
and have to flee from one city into another; but remember, my dear
friends, that it all conduces to your happiness, and take for an
example Tobit, with his wife and son, how he had to flee, and to be
hid naked; likewise, Matthias with his sons and those who loved him,
when he said: “Whosoever is pious and of good cheer, let him make his
testament, and follow me.” Matt. 10:23; Rom. 8:28; Tobit 1:19; 1 Macc.
2:27.
Take also Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for examples, who dwelled in tents,
and also others; for here we have no continuing city; they wandered
about in sheepskins and goatskins, in hunger, want and affliction,
of whom the world was not worthy. Genesis 12. See, my dear friends,
think not that you are the only ones, or that you are forsaken by the
Lord, when some tempest assails you; but remember that we must through
much suffering take the kingdom of God. Sir. 2:10; Acts 14:22. If the
abovementioned had been mindful of the country from whence they came
out, truly, they might have had opportunity enough to have returned;
but they declare plainly that they sought a country, a city which has
foundations, whose builder and maker is God; wherefore God was not
ashamed to be called their God. Ex. 3:6. Thus, also, my dear friends,
will he not be ashamed of us; for he says through his pious prophet
Isaiah: “Can a mother forsake her own child, to whom she herself has
given birth? Yea, she may forget it, yet will thy God not forget
thee.” Is. 49:15. Consider, therefore, how the gracious Father has
been with all the pious children. of God, and how he has preserved and
upheld them under his powerful hand, as we may clearly understand from
Abraham; for when he went into a strange country, he often had God for
his comforter. He gave Jacob courage when he fled before his brother
Esau. He fed Hezekiah three days and three nights, who complained of
the blasphemy of Sennacherib. 2 Kings 19:6. He delivered the Jews
through Judith, when they were besieged by Holofernes. Judith 13:8.
He delivered the three young men from the heat of the fiery furnace,
and was in the pit with Daniel, so that the lions did not devour him.
Dan. 3:25; 6:22. He delivered Israel from the bondage of Pharaoh. He
delivered Rahab from the shadow of death. Josh. 6:25. He saved Susanna
through Daniel. He delivered Peter from prison. He delivered John from
the Isle of Patmos. He comforted Paul by the vision on the way to
Damascus. He comforteth the apostles through the Comforter, the Holy
Ghost. He turned Joseph’s great sorrow into great joy in Egypt. Thus,
God will also turn the sorrow of every one of you into great joy, even
as he himself declares: “The world shall rejoice; but ye shall mourn
and be sorrowful; but be of good cheer, God shall turn your sorrow into
joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, but as soon as she is
delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy
that a child is born into the world. And ye now therefore have sorrow:
but I will see you again, and your sorrow shall be turned into joy, and
your joy no man taketh from you. John 16:20–22.
Therefore, my dear friends, be not afraid of the sons of men, who pass
away as grass. “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good
pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32. Be not afraid, my dear
friends, of this tyrannous generation; fear not them that kill the
body; but I will show you whom you shall fear: fear him who after you
are dead has power to cast into eternal fire. And, my dear friends, we
have here a little suffering of tribulation, but it is very small in
comparison with the everlasting torment or punishment.
John the Revelator says: Fear God, and give glory to him. Rev. 14:7.
And the prophet Esdras says: “Behold, God himself is the judge, fear
him: leave off from your sins, and forget your iniquities, to meddle no
more with them forever: so shall God lead you forth, and deliver you
from all trouble. For behold, the burning wrath of a great multitude
is kindled over you, and they shall take away certain of you, and feed
you, being idle, with things offered unto idols. And they that consent
unto them shall be had in derision and in reproach, and trodden under
foot. For there shall be in every place, and in the next cities, a
great insurrection upon those that fear the Lord. They shall be like
mad men, sparing none, but still spoiling and destroying those that
fear the Lord. For they shall waste and take away their goods, and cast
them out of their houses. Then shall they be known who are my chosen;
and they shall be tried as the gold in the fire.” Therefore, my chosen,
behold, the days of trouble are at hand, but the Lord will deliver you
from the same. Be ye not afraid, neither doubt; for God is your guide,
and the Lord will not leave you orphans; for he cares for us all, and
will preserve us as the apple of his eye. 2 Esdr. 16:67–75; Wis. 3:6;
Jn. 14:18.
Hence, faint not at the tribulation in which we are, but adhere to
the Lord, and the tempest will soon attack you; but, my dear friends,
remember, as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation
also aboundeth by Christ, since eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath
prepared for them that love him. Eph. 3:13; Matthew 7:25; 2 Cor. 1:5;
1 Cor. 2:9. Let every one therefore, that has this hope in him, purify
himself, even as he is pure, and go out from this sinful generation,
and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but
rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things
which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are
made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead,
and Christ shall give thee light. 1 John 3:3; Eph. 5:11–14.
Hence, my dear friends, if there should be yet some among you, that are
slothful or drowsy, let them wake up now, or they will be shut out with
the foolish virgins. O, my dear friends, it will not avail that some of
you know the way. O, my dear friends, knowledge puffeth up, but charity
edifieth: for it avails not to know the way, but it must be walked; and
though it is strait and narrow, and fraught with much labor, it must
nevertheless be walked. 1 Cor. 8:1; John 13:17; Matt. 7:14.
Therefore, my dear friends, who have become partakers of the heavenly
calling, make good use of the time of grace, and look not to those
who proceed so lukewarmly and slothfully; but strive to enter in at
the strait gate; for many will seek to enter in, and shall not be
able. Luke 13:24. Why, my dear friends? Because they seek to enter
in by another way, which is not commanded us. But those who enter in
by Christ, since he is the way, they are the ones that shall inherit
the city, whom the Bridegroom will make sit down at the table, and
will serve them. But, my dear friends, the lukewarm, that are neither
cold nor hot, God will begin to spew out of his mouth, who say they
are rich, and increased with goods, and know not that they are poor,
miserable, naked and blind. Hence, Solomon says: “Go to the ants, thou
sluggard, and consider their labor; they gather in the summer their
sustenance for the winter.” And Jeremiah says: “The crane and the
swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people observe not
the time.” O ye ignorant, the ox knoweth his master’s crib. Ye who
say, It will be fair weather to-morrow, and it cometh to pass; O ye,
who can discern the face of heaven and earth, why can ye not discern
among yourselves that which is right? Matt. 16:3. Therefore, my dear
friends, take heed that none of you be found slothful; but let your
loins be girded, and have your staff in your hand, to eat the passover;
for we have a passover to eat, which is Christ; Therefore let us keep
the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and
wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Ex.
12:11; 1 Cor. 7:8.
Hence, my dearly beloved friends, think it not strange, if you are
tried by the fire of tribulation, as though some strange thing happened
to you; but be partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that in the time of
revelation, you may have hope and consolation. Let none of you suffer
as a thief or murderer; yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let
him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the
time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it
first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the
gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the
ungodly and the sinner appear? Hence, Solomon says: If the righteous
are recompensed, how much more the wicked and the sinner. 1 Pet.
4:12,13,15–18; Prov. 11:31.
Therefore, my dear friends, take heed and flee the shadow of this
world, and seek not to escape the cross, so that you go into other
countries, to obtain great liberty. O no, my dear friends, but always
submit to the cross; for the children that are under the rod are
therefore obedient, fearing lest their Lord should come, and find
them sleeping; hence, they are always watchful, that they may not be
found sleeping; for as soon as the flesh obtains a little freedom,
it takes still more of its own accord. My dear friends, though I
have written this thus boldly, accept it nevertheless in good part;
for I am not your lord in this matter; but I write as my own flesh
testifies. Hence, my dear friends, walk in wisdom toward them that
are without; remain among the scattered flock of Israel; for where
blood is shed, gain is to be had; there put your pounds out to usury,
each according to the gift received from God; in honor preferring one
another; and endeavoring to show yourselves tried ministers unto God.
Col. 4:5; 1 Pet. 1:1; Matt. 25:15; Romans 12:10. Lay aside all malice
and hypocrisy, and, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the
word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord
is gracious, to whom ye have come, as unto a living stone; hence, build
yourselves up a spiritual house, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
peculiar people, that ye, as obedient children, should show forth the
praises of him who hath called you. 1 Pet. 2:1–5,9.
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; fulfill your
ministry wisely, that your treasure be not evil spoken of; and as you
were diligent in going astray from God, so give now so much the more
diligence to turn to the Lord, and abound therein. 1 Pet. 4:11; Baruch
4:28; Rom. 6:19. Do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of
the household of faith, and see that you add to your faith virtue; and
to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance,
patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly
kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity; for if these things be
in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord; but he that lacketh these
things is blind, and gropeth for the wall, and hath forgotten that he
was purged from his old sins. Gal. 6:10; 2 Pet. 1:5–9. Let it not be
so with you, my friends; make to yourselves friends of the mammon of
unrighteousness, and if you are partakers in the spiritual things,
share also the temporal things with one another, and let this be done
in order, and remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive;
for we read, John 6, that some followed the Lord, to whom he said: “Ye
follow me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of
the loaves, and were filled.” Luke 16:9; Rom. 15:27; 1 Cor. 14:40; Acts
20:35; John 6:26.
Therefore, my dear friends, labor not for the meat which perisheth, but
for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life; for man doth not
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth
of God; for “meats for the belly, and the belly for meats; but God
shall destroy both it and them.” Luke 6:27; Deut. 8:3; 1 Cor. 6:13.
Thus, my dear friends, if you live according to the Gospel, you will
be fruitful branches of the true vine Christ, comely olive branches
grafted into Christ. My dear friends, be not moved away from the Gospel
by the enemies of the cross of Christ, who would preach the Gospel
without the cross. Do not believe them, for they are those who love
your flesh, and kill your souls, and put pillows under the arms, or
under the head. Avoid them, for such serve not the Lord Jesus Christ,
but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the
hearts of the simple. For we are not ignorant of the devices of the
devil; since he can transform himself into an angel of light; what
wonder is it then that his ministers assume this appearance? Philip.
3:18; Ezek. 13:18; Rom. 16:17,18; 2 Cor. 11:14,15.
O my dear friends, a thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill;
hence, beware, lest you be deceived by them, and thus fall from your
own steadfastness. John 10:10; 2 Pet. 3:17. Therefore, hold that fast
which thou hast, that no man take thy crown; and let him that standeth
take heed lest he fall; for what hast thou that thou didst not receive?
for every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh
down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither
shadow of turning. Rev. 3:11; 1 Cor. 10:12; 4:7; James 1:17.