correctly noted[258] by the preceding writers of the History of the
Martyrs, nor was her full name[259] given, until we, by means of the
aforementioned sentence, made the necessary corrections.
[258] The year 1551 was given.
[259] She was simply called Felistis.
Besides the above, it is also worthy of note that old writers state
that she was a virtuous and honorable young maiden, and that through
her long imprisonment she became so intimate with the jailer’s wife,
that the latter employed her as maid-servant, to assist her in her
household duties.
When it happened upon a time, that the jailer’s wife had some filth
to carry out doors, but had no one around her whom she could order to
do it, Felistis said: “Shall I do it?” whereupon the jailer’s wife
replied: “Would you not run away?” Felistis said: “No.” But reflecting
a little on the matter, and considering the frailness of human
intentions, she would not undergo this test, and hence, declined to do
it, which was certainly a good resolution on the part of a seemingly
weak young maiden.
Shortly after, the old writers state, she was seen coming to the
scaffold, to be burnt, cleanly attired and having on a white apron, as
though by her outward garments she meant to indicate how purely and
uprightly a Christian virgin ought to be adorned inwardly, in order to
be acceptable before her beloved heavenly bridegroom, Christ Jesus.
Thus she offered up her sacrifice, and was numbered among the holy and
God-pleasing martyrs. Compare this with the _Martyrs Mirror of the
Defenseless Christians_, edition 1631, _page_ 125.
WOUTER VAN CAPELLE, A. D. 1553.
In the year 1553, a godfearing brother, named Wouter Capelle, was
apprehended at Diexmuyde, in Flanders, for living according to and
following the word of God, and confessed and sealed the faith of the
truth with his death and blood at said place; as an instructive example
worthy of imitation to all true believers, to look at his end, and to
follow their faith, especially the Captain of the faith, Christ Jesus,
blessed for ever. And since this witness of God suffered for the truth
and testimony of the word of God, and not for any crime, he obtained,
through the grace of God, the crown of eternal life, promised by God to
all those put to death by men for the word of God: that they shall be
raised up in great glory at the last day.
TIJS, A YOUNG MAN, AND BEERENTGE, A YOUNG MAIDEN, A. D. 1553.
In the year 1553, a bachelor, named Tijs, and a maiden by the name
of Beerentge, were drowned at Leeuwaerden, in Friesland, for the
testimony of Jesus. They were two zealous followers of Christ; for this
reason they had a great desire to meet at some time for the purpose of
rejoicing with each other in the word of God. However, this could not
well be, since Tijs was lame, and Beerentge was constantly confined
to her bed. But at last God permitted them to come together; for the
persecutors went out to apprehend the people of God, who, having
perceived this, escaped their hands for this time: however, the former
were not willing to return empty-handed, and hence, took with them
the aforementioned two invalid persons, and brought them prisoners to
Leeuwaerden, where they were confined together for some time, during
which they rejoiced very greatly with each other in the Lord their
Creator, so that love, which is stronger than death, and firmer than
hell, shone forth most fervently. Cant. 8:6. Sentence of death was
therefore then passed upon them, namely, that both should be drowned.
This was taken greatly amiss on the part of Tijs; it grieved him much,
and he said: “Cats and dogs are drowned.” Hence they sought to obtain a
transmutation of the sentence and requested to be executed on the place
of execution, so that they might obtain the crown with their beloved
brethren, and that the people present might hear and see for what cause
they died. But this was refused them, and the execution of the sentence
was proceeded with. They, about midnight, (ashamed as it were, to
put to death such infirm persons) put both together into a bag, with
their mouths gagged, threw them into a boat, and had them cast into
the moat on the outside of the wall, and having been tied to the boat,
the two were dragged along the moat until death ensued. Thus they rid
themselves of these pious lights and witnesses of Christ, whom their
eyes could not bear to look upon. Wis. 2:15. But the righteous God, who
goes with his people through water and fire (Isa. 53:2), will avenge
this deed in due time, and give these worthy children of God rest and
peace with him forever; and this murder, which was perpetrated in the
dark, will be justly avenged in his great day, when every secret shall
be brought into the light of open day.
Concerning this, see hymn in History _Liedt-boeck_.
SIMON THE SHOP-KEEPER, A. D. 1553.
About the year 1553 there was at Bergen op Zoom, in Brabant, a
shop-keeper, named Simon, who stood in the market place, to sell his
wares. When the priests passed him with their idol, this Simon did
not dare give divine honor to this idol made by human hands (Dan.
3:18), but, according to the testimony of God presented in the holy
Scriptures, would worship and serve only the Lord his God. He was
therefore apprehended by the maintainers of the Roman antichrist, and
examined in the faith, which he freely confessed, rejecting their
self-invented infant baptism together with all human commandments,
and holding fast only to the testimony of the word of God; hence he
was sentenced to death by the enemies of the truth, and was thus led
without the city, and burnt for the testimony of Jesus. Many of the
people present were therefore greatly astonished when they beheld the
great boldness and steadfastness of this pious witness of God, who thus
through grace obtained the crown of eternal life.
The Bailiff who had him executed, on returning home from this deed,
was laid upon a bed of severe sickness, and constantly exclaimed with
sorrow and remorse: “O Simon, Simon!” and although the priests and
monks sought to absolve him, they were nevertheless not able to give
him the least comfort, but he soon died in despair, an instructive and
memorable example to all tyrants and persecutors. 2 Macc. 9:9,28; Acts
12:23.
JOOS KINDT, A. D. 1553. A LETTER OR CONFESSION OF JOOS KINDT,
IMPRISONED AT KORTRIJCK, WHERE HE SUBSEQUENTLY LOST HIS LIFE AT THE
STAKE, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS, A. D. 1553, RECKONING THE BEGINNING
OF THE YEAR FROM NEW YEAR’S DAY.
Grace be with you, and peace, from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus
Christ; may he comfort and strengthen us with his Holy Spirit, that we
may be able to stand against the assaults of the devil, who, as Peter
says, walketh about us, as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour,
and resist him with a firm faith. Know then, dear friends, that I have
such a conflict against the carnal lords, insomuch that they assail me
with their sophistries, seeking to draw me from the obedience of our
dear Lord; however, I trust that the Lord will succor me, which I do
not doubt; for God, comforting his own, says through the prophet Isaiah
(49:15): “Though a mother forsake her child, yet will I not forsake
thee;” which the Lord shows in me in a wonderful manner--let every
tongue praise him. Yea, if I had as much paper as I ever wrote on, and
time to write, I could not describe the joy and gladness I experience;
yea, my joy is unspeakable.
But N. is sick, and asks that you would diligently entreat the Lord
for him; for he is ready to go into the fire, but he cannot resist
the enemies of the cross; for they assail him with sophisms, for
their teacher, the devil, knows much sophistry, which he showed when
he came to tempt our Savior in the wilderness, as is written in the
Gospel. Now, if he employed his sophistry on our Savior, I am not cast
down, though I have a little of conflict; for, dear friends, they
could easily be resisted if they used arguments, but they assail him
altogether with lies. Since their father is a liar, as our Savior also
told them, they have the nature of their father, which they partly
manifested with regard to me, all of which I cannot communicate to you;
but I hope that the Lord will give me so much grace that I may write a
little about the disputation with the carnal.
Know then, that Ronse and Polet came into the prison on Saturday
afternoon, and summoned me before them. When I came to them, I asked
them what they wished of me. They replied: “This will be told you.”
They inquired how old I was. I replied: “That I do not know; if you
want correct information on this point, you must ask my mother.”
_Ronse._ “Tell us as near as you know.”
_Joos._ “Between twenty and thirty years.” Then their clerk wrote:
“Between thirty and forty.”
_Ronse._ “When were you to confession last?”
_Joos._ “Why do you ask this?”
_Ronse._ “I want to know it.”
_Joos._ “You did not have me apprehended? you well know how it is with
me.”
_Ans._ “We do.”
_Joos._ “Of whom are you, or in whose name have you come to me?”
_Ans._ “In the name of God.”
_Joos._ “I don’t believe this.”
_Ques._ “Why?”
_Joos._ “Because you have apprehended me, to find out how it is with
me; for all whom the Lord has sent to go and teach, imprisoned no one;
for he sent them out, and commanded them, that if they came to a place,
and were not received, they should shake off the dust from their feet,
and depart from there.” Matt. 10:14.
_Polet._ “You have doubtless read, that Paul delivered some to the
devil.” 1 Cor. 5:5.
_Joos._ “Show me where Paul cast them into prison; this I want to know
of you.”
_Polet._ “I don’t know.”
_Joos._ “Why then do you undertake to quote Scriptures to any one,
which you do not understand yourself? yea, more than that, to apprehend
people, to bring them to the faith, even if your faith were good, which
I do not hold to be the case, for I do not believe that you are from
God.”
_Ques._ “Why?”
_Joos._ “Because the Lord says: ‘I will have obedience, and not
sacrifice’ (1 Sam. 15:22); and because ye do not obey him.”
_Ques._ “Wherein?”
_Joos._ “Because Christ commanded to point the erring to the right way;
now, you say that I have gone astray--why then did you not show me what
is right? for I seek nothing but what is right.”
_Ans._ “For this purpose we have come.”
_Joos._ “Then you should have come to the place where I lived.”
_Ans._ “We did not know where you lived.”
_Joos._ “You knew it well enough to send the Bailiff.”
_Ans._ “Had you been a good sheep, it would not have been necessary.”
_Joos._ “Christ left the ninety and nine, and went to seek that which
was lost.”
Then Ronse said: “Do you not believe that I am appointed your superior,
by our holy father, the Pope, and our gracious lord, the Emperor?”
_Joos._ “I know no superior save Christ.”
_Ques._ “How; don’t you recognize the Emperor at all?”
I told him, that I was well content to have him be my superior
according to the flesh. Then they wrote that I recognized no superior
according to the spirit save Christ, and the Emperor according to the
flesh.
Ronse then said: “When were you to confession last, tell me this?”
_Joos._ “I do not wish to speak to you here.”
_Ques._ “Why?”
_Joos._ “I shall speak before the lords in full court.”
“There,” said they, “it would be at the risk of your life, if you
should say anything of consequence. Tell me,” said he, “what do you
think of infant baptism?” Being urged to speak, I replied: “Nothing.”
_Ronse._ “Yea, in what baptism then do you believe?”
_Joos._ “I know of but one faith, and one baptism.”
_Ronse_. “How long since you were baptized?”
_Joos._ “Half a year, or thereabout.” This they noted down.
_Ques._ “What do you hold concerning the Roman church?”
_Joos._ “I do not hold the least article of all they hold.”
This was also written down. They asked me so much, that I said to them:
“I have freely confessed my faith, and am ready to go alive into the
fire for it; hence be content that you know my faith.” They asked a
great deal. I said: “Go away from me; I regard you as enemies of the
cross of Christ; hence, go away from me, for you know the ground of my
faith, which I have freely confessed to you. Do therefore to me what
you please; for it is through the grace of the Lord that I have these
members, and I am also ready to give them up by the grace of the Lord,
yea, to present them for his holy praise.” 2 Macc. 7:11. They spoke
much, but I said: “Go away from me, and come no more where I am, for
you are against God. Matt. 12:30. Do you not fear the Lord? See what is
written Matt. 13, concerning the tares of the field. Now since you say
that I am evil, the Lord has commanded that it should be left to grow
until the harvest.”
_Ans._ “If we were to let it grow up, you would corrupt us all.”
_Polet._ “Does not Augustine say”--
Joos. “Don’t speak of Augustine, for I do not know him; I hold no
doctrine save that of the apostles and prophets, and of the words which
our Savior brought from high heaven, from the mouth of his heavenly
Father, and sealed with his precious blood; for this I want to go into
the fire; but Augustine, Gregory, Ambrose, these I know not.”
_Ronse._ “Yea, do you not believe that our blessed Savior is concealed
in the holy sacrament?”
_Joos._ “I do not believe this.”
_Ronse._ “Where then is he?”
_Joos._ “At the right hand of his heavenly Father, and he will at the
last descend with the glory of his Father, to judge the quick and the
dead. Fear this strict judgment, and amend your ways; put on sackcloth
and clothing of hair; repent, and go to the people, whom you keep
running after your false worship; warn them, for you murder their
souls, since you say that you have the key of the kingdom of heaven,
from the time of St. Peter, and that the same has always remained in
your possession. Well does Christ say that you have the key, and that
you will not enter yourselves, and those that desire to go in you
hinder.” Matt. 23:13.
_Ronse._ “Who baptized you? did Jelis the Baptist, baptize you?”
_Joos._ “You know how it is with me; be satisfied.”
_Polet._ “It was Adam Pastor.”
_Ronse._ “Or David Joris.”
I kept silent.
_Ronse._ “Joos, tell me who were your sponsors?”
_Joos._ “I know of no sponsors.”
_Ronse._ “Your witnesses?”
_Joos._ “I have told you that it took place; hence be content
therewith; for I have such confidence in the Lord, that I trust he will
keep the door of my mouth so that I shall tell you nothing, though you
should tear me to pieces.”
They asked me a great deal. I said: “Go away from me; for you are not
of God.” They replied: “We are.” I said: “Away! go away from me, go
from me, and come no more where I am.” Much more yet took place, but it
would take too long to write it. Finally they went away, and I was led
back into my cell.
On Sunday I was taken to the house of the Judges where the court was
assembled. There were also present there Salome, Sir Cornelis, Dean
of Kestenne, Ronse, and Polet. I was placed in the middle, firmly
bound, and held by two thief-catchers. I said: “My lords, what is your
wish?” _Ronse._ “This will be told you.” They then read the confession
of my faith, which they had written in prison, and asked me whether
I was still of the same mind. I replied: “Yes; I am still ready to
go into the fire for it.” Ronse asked whether I did not believe that
Christ had taken his flesh from Mary. I said: “No.” Then it seemed as
though Sir Cornelis would faint away; he blessed and crossed himself
much, and all were horrified. There was a little discussion about it;
but they, like dragons, breathed their poison into the judges, each
taking a judge, and said: “True, it is written so; but he has not the
understanding; the Scriptures want to be understood.” And they adduced
many far-fetched sophisms, and filled the ears of the lords, and asked
me many sophistical questions. I said: “I have confessed my faith to
you; be satisfied therewith; and I pray you, not that I am worthy of
it, but by the crimson blood of our dear Lord, let me in peace; you
have my faith, and hold me in your hands here: be satisfied, and do
what you please.”
Then Ronse asked me whether I had not been present somewhere, and
adjured me three times by my baptism, that I should tell who was
present. I told him that I would not tell him one word. Ronse said:
“You have denied your baptism; Menno will take it ill, that you
deny your baptism.” I said: “My faith and baptism I know, but with
your adjuration I have nothing to do; I thereby know that you are
sorcerers.” Then Polet said: “We may swear.” I replied: “See Matt. 5,
whether he does not prohibit swearing altogether.” They said: “No.” I
said. “Yes.” Then Polet looked into a Bible which they had brought with
them, a large book, and it read there just as I had said.
Thereupon Sir Cornelis said: “The Bible is false; our Latin Bible
reads differently.” I said: “Do you bring false books to me? Why do
you say it is false? And it is privileged--why then do you let them
circulate with privilege, seeing you examine them?” He replied: “I did
not examine them.” I said: “Some of the learned men at Louvain.” Then
Ronse whispered to Sir Cornelis Roose and said: “It is true, they are
examined, and were good, but the printer had a boy, who misprinted
them, while his master was gone to town. Ronse asked me how it came
that I so easily believed a man whom I perhaps would never more see,
and suffered myself to be baptized by him; and that I would not believe
them, whom I saw daily, yea, them who were present and had instructed
me at this time and before, as they said, and why I would not believe
my pastor, who daily preached the gospel. I replied [that I did not
believe him] because he was a liar, and that I had heard him preach
that it could nowhere be found written that Mary was a mother and a
virgin. But (he said) because their church taught it, therefore it had
to be believed. Therefore, said I, I will not hear him, since I had
read the contrary in Isaiah (7:14), and in Matthew and in other places.
Having thus heard lies proceed out of your mouth, I after this heard
neither you nor any other, and I hope by the grace of the Lord I never
shall.” He said: “No.” I said: “Yes, and I offer my body to the rack,
against yours.” But he had no desire for it, and said: “What! should I
go to the rack? You assert that our church is not good, because we are
not blameless; are you blameless? There are such of your people that
have committed murder, because men would not believe them, nay, would
not adhere to their doctrine.” I said: “Did you see this in me, or
anything else that is unseemly? I am here in the hands of the judges,
that they punish me for it.” Ronse said: “We know nothing of this kind
of you.” I said: “Then don’t tell me what another does, nor consider
me bad on account of the misdeeds of others. No one is to bear the
burden of another; you are not to bear mine, nor I yours. The soul that
sinneth, it shall die.” Gal. 6:5; Ezekiel 18:20.
Much more yet was said by them, but it is not worth while to write it.
They also said that Christ had said that the scribes and the Pharisees
sat in Moses’ seat, and that he had commanded us to do after their
commandments, but not after their works; therefore, said they, do what
we advise you, but do not after our works, since Christ teaches this.
Matthew 23:1,2. I asked: “Who did Christ say sat in Moses’ seat?”
_Ans._ “The Pharisees.” I asked again: “Does this Scripture belong to
you?” _Ans._ “Yes.” I said: “Then you confess that you are of their
generation?”
Then Sir Cornelis, the parish priest, asked me why I did not believe in
one article of the Roman church. I doubtless believed that Christ was
crucified, which the Roman church also believes, which was certainly
an article; and why I believed that Matthew’s gospel was gospel, which
was nowhere written; [he also said that] he would show me that Paul
wrote before the evangelists. I then said: “Show me that Paul wrote
before Matthew.” Sir Cornelis said: “What have you to do with that?” I
replied: “Should I have nothing to do with it? my life and soul are at
stake, according to what you say.” Sir Cornelis said: “He is overcome.”
I said: “Be silent, you are not worthy of being spoken to, and see that
you do not say in my absence, that you overcame me, or that I have the
devil in me, or condemn me among the simple people, and deceive them
still more.” Then Ronse said: “You are damned, if you remain so.” I
said: “Why?” Ronse replied: “Because you believe not.” I said: “I do
believe, and I adhere so firmly to my faith, that I would rather go
into the fire, than transgress a single point.”
Much more took place which would be too long to write. Finally I was
led back into prison, where two shackles were put on me. I said: “I am
ready, not only to suffer myself to be shackled, but also to die the
most ignominious death for the name of the Lord.” Acts 21:13.
On Monday Polet and the fat-monger came, and asked me how it was with
me. I told them that it had never been as well, for which I praised
the Lord. They said that they were very glad of it. Polet then said:
“Joos, how can your cause and your church be good--the Germans have
a congregation, and the English have one; but where are the members
of your congregation? You alone are not a church. Let us hear whether
you are also a flock, and who your members are.” Then said I five or
six times: “Get thee behind me, and depart from me, Satan;” whereupon
they both ran away. Then I said: “Now you speak; at the judgment
another shall speak.” Thus I saw them no more. I have heard that I
am to be severely tortured; for they think to obtain from me all the
particulars; but I trust the Lord, that he will keep my lips. Hence,
pray the Lord for me, that he will succor me, for they thirst for much
blood; but they can do no more than the Lord permits them. Therefore I
commend myself into the hands of the Lord; and anything you may hear
which is not in this letter, regard as lies. In token of the truth I
hope to seal this letter with my blood. To this end may God give his
grace, that his name may be praised thereby.
ANOTHER LETTER OR CONFESSION OF JOOS KINDT.
_To the praise of the Father._
I Joos Kindt, imprisoned for the testimony in Jesus Christ, entreat
and admonish all dear friends, and all dear brethren and sisters in
the Lord, with the grace of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
entreating by this grace, that they not only heed or live according
to my entreaty or admonition, but that each (as I hope by the help of
God) will heed the warning of the Lord, and that each endeavor to amend
his sinful life, which I doubt not everyone does who fears the Lord
with all his heart; for the Scripture says: “He that feareth the Lord
will do good; yea, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” Sir.
15:1; 1:14. Since then the fear of God guides us to virtue, let us fear
the Lord; for Christ Jesus requires this of us with his blessed lips,
when he says: “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to
kill the soul; but fear him which after he hath killed, hath power to
cast soul and body into eternal damnation.” Matt. 10:28. Therefore I
admonish you with these words, and not with them alone, but with the
whole sum of the Scriptures, that each will strive to keep them (Luke
12:28); for Christ says: “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of
mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his
house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and
the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was
founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine,
and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built
his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came,
and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great
was the fall of it.” Matt. 7:24–27.