“How old are you?” _Ans._ “Twenty-seven years.” _Quest._ “When were you
to confession last?” _Ans._ “I confess every day, and acknowledge that
I am a sinner.” _Quest._ “What do you think of the sacrament?” _Ans._
“I esteem it highly.” _Quest._ “What do you think of the sacrament
which the priest gives on Easter?” _Ans._ “Nothing.” _Quest._ “Christ
said: ‘Take, eat; this is my flesh.’” _Ans._ “It is true; but he
spake it to those who were obedient to him.” _Quest._ “Are you also
rebaptized?” _Ans._ “I know of no rebaptism; I was baptized once, and
that according to the teaching of God.” _Quest._ “How long ago?” _Ans._
“About a year and a half.”
Then Pieter was put into a dungeon, and having been there for about an
hour, was again taken before the lords, and asked anew: “Pieter, are
you seduced? Will you not suffer yourself to be instructed?” _Ans._
“Yes, gladly; he that rejects reproof and instruction is miserable.
Prov. 10:17. Take a Testament, and instruct me.” _Quest._ “We are no
teachers; will you not suffer yourself to be instructed by priests?”
_Ans._ “God is the best priest; he will instruct me, and to this I
shall adhere by the grace of God.” _Quest._ “Some vagabond has been
preaching to you.” They further said that they had read in the Old
Testament, that many children were baptized. Pieter replied: “I have
read nothing about this; I have read that Christ commanded to baptize
believers. Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; that it was practiced by the
apostles, Acts 2:38; and that Peter taught: ‘Repent, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, and ye shall receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your
children,’” etc. He also quoted John 3.
Then they said: “Pieter, you are deceived; are your brethren also thus
minded?” He replied: “What do I know about my brethren? I can speak
of what God has given me; that I know.” He further quoted the words
of Christ, where he says: Go into all the world; preach and teach: he
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Mark 16:16. Also, that
Christ came to John at the Jordan, to be baptized of him, in order that
he might fulfill all righteousness for us, to be an example, that we
should follow his steps. Matt. 3:13,15; 1 Pet. 2:21. And after Christ’s
suffering the apostles, who were his body and church, practiced it.
Concerning their supper, he confessed, that he thought nothing at all
of it. They admonished him with the Gospel, which he regarded as all
right, but not as having been said with reference to their church; for
Christ, said he, said to his apostles: “Take, eat; this is my body,
which is broken for you.” Also the cup: “Drink ye all of it; for this
is the cup of the new testament in my blood, which is shed for many for
the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:26–28.
Christians are to observe it, as Paul teaches the Corinthians, where it
is clearly expressed. 1 Corinthians 10:16. They said that the supper
which they eat and drink was true flesh and blood, and asked me whether
we did not also thus eat and drink it. I replied: “Christ said: ‘The
flesh profiteth nothing, eaten outwardly; but the word is spirit and
life.’ John 6:63. And our church is not without the body of Christ.”
A BRIEF ADMONITION FROM PIETER WITSES.
Christ said, Matt. 24:5: “Many shall come in my name, saying, I am
Christ; and shall deceive many;” which words are true; for when you
confess your sins to them, they forgive them, as they say. This they
have carried on since the Gospel has been hid, and they do it yet. Paul
also foretold this to Timothy (1 Tim. 4:2; 2 Tim. 3:2); Christ says,
Matthew 7:15: “Beware of false prophets,” etc., and John also writes
much concerning this, in the tenth chapter of his Gospel. Also, Jude
and Peter. But these are as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and
destroyed; they speak evil of the things that they understand not.
Again: They hatch cockatrice’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web. Is.
59:5. They daub the wall with untempered mortar, and put pillows under
men’s arms. Ez. 13:10,18. And although the church flee into caves, the
confession abides forever. They cannot resist: for they deny the power
of God; they love the broad way; the cross of Christ is foolishness to
them. 2 Tim. 3:5; 1 Cor. 1:18.
Concerning these, God gave me something to speak. I perceive nothing
but the abomination of desolation of which the prophet Daniel speaks,
and of which Christ also says that he will scarcely find faith upon
earth. Dan. 9:27; Luke 18:8. But be of good cheer; and fight in faith,
well knowing that it is the word of truth, which cannot fail. Upon
this, through the grace of Christ, I have built and he will keep me,
and I will daily trust in him, knowing and feeling confident that there
is no power, might, or dominion in heaven or on earth, save only of
him. Hence, give diligent heed; prove yourselves in your consciences,
as to what you seek--every work will be made manifest. Read and examine
diligently for it greatly concerns us all. The authorities can by
no torturing seduce one, but the erring spirits come with deceitful
snares, in the name of Christ; but we are sufficiently warned. Matt.
7:21; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:5; Tit. 1:10; Rom. 16:17; Philip. 3; 2
Pet. 2. Jude 1.
My dear friends, they thus assail me with questions as much as they
can. Give the young and simple hearts good instruction regarding the
Lord’s Supper, for I know what happens to me. If the house is truly
built upon the corner-stone, it cannot fall. Let every one take good
heed; for the time of trial is at hand, and we know that it will not
always stop at mere words; for Christ himself suffered. If they laid
their hands on his blessed body, they will do the same to us. Let us
arm ourselves with the word of God; for the word of God is the true
door. It is the bread of life. The time of weeping is come; hence our
deliverance is nigh. Let us pray for grace. 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 believe not in the word? 1 Pet.
4:17. My brethren, do not forget us poor sheep in your prayers, for us
who for the truth are kept in bonds by the authorities. Care for them
that live among you; for Christ will say: “I was naked, and you clothed
me,” etc. Matt. 25:36. Pray and watch; the abomination of desolation is
drawing nigh; cease not, but be of good courage, for greater is he that
is in us, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4. I affectionately
desire, that you be diligent, lest you be deceived, for the times now
are perilous. Know, that whenever I was brought before them, I kept
down my own thoughts, and prayed Almighty God, that he would open my
mouth according to his good pleasure, and believe it freely, he gave
abundant comfort to the humble. They assented to me in many things,
when I spoke with them with a meek spirit by the grace of God. My
dear friends receive it kindly. May the Lord preserve you from wicked
deceivers. Pray and watch, the times are perilous; and do not forget us
in your prayers, and visit us sometimes, it is very edifying; may the
Lord preserve us all.
PIETER WITSES TO HIS WIFE.
My dear chosen wife, abide in God, and mingle not with the wicked; for
if the righteous draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him, says
the Lord. John 2:28; Ps. 1:1; Heb. 10:38. The time of my departure
seems to be nigh; may it take place with God. When the hour of parting
comes, fear not, but guard your lips. My dear wife, abide in the grace
of God given you.
DAVID AND LEVINA, A. D. 1554.
In the year 1554, there was imprisoned at Ghent, in Flanders, for
following Christ and living according to God’s commandments, a young
brother named David, who, when examined, freely confessed his faith.
Being asked what he thought of the sacrament, David said, that he
considered it nothing else than idolatry. Then a priest said to him:
“Friend, you err greatly, that you so readily confess your faith, for
it will cost you your life, if you do not change your mind in time.”
Thereupon David sweetly replied: “I am ready to shed my blood for the
name of Christ, even though it should be here in this place; for God
is my salvation, who will keep me, and preserve me from all evil.”
The priest said: “It will not be as good as though you were put to
death secretly here in this place; but you will be burnt publicly at
the stake, for an everlasting reproach.” He was then brought into the
court, where he was condemned to death, and his sentence was read,
namely, that he had fallen from the true faith into heresy, and was
therefore, according to the imperial edict, sentenced to be strangled
and burned. David said: “No one will ever be able to prove by the
scriptures, that the faith for which I must now die is heresy.”
There was also sentenced to death with him a woman named Levina, who
rather forsook, not only her six dear children, but also her temporal
life, than her dear Lord and Bridegroom Jesus Christ. Arriving on
the scaffold, David attempted to kneel down in order to offer up
his prayer to God, but he was prevented, and they were immediately
driven away to the stakes, standing at which, David said to Levina:
“Rejoice, dear sister; for what we suffer here is not to be compared
with the eternal good that awaits us.” Rom. 8:18. When about to offer
up their sacrifice, both exclaimed: “Father, into thy hands do we
commend our spirits.” A little bag of gunpowder was tied to each of
them, whereupon they were strangled and burned. But there happened a
manifest miracle of God; for though they were completely burned, and
the fire was as good as extinguished, David was seen to move his head,
so that the people exclaimed: “He still lives.” The executioner seized
the fork, and thrust it three times into his bowels, so that the blood
flowed out; yet even after this he was still seen to move, hence, the
executioner threw a chain around his neck, and bound him to the stake,
and thus broke his neck.
Thus these two valiantly fought their way through, firmly trusting in
God, who did not let them be confounded, since they had firmly built
their building upon the only foundation; wherefore they shall never
perish, but abide forever.
WILLIAM VAN LOUVAIN, A. D. 1554.
In the year 1554, there was put to death for the testimony of the
truth, at Ghent, in Flanders, a pious witness of God, named William
Van Louvain, the grandfather of Jan Doom. He did not suffer for any
crime or heresy, but only for the testimony of the truth, in a good
conscience, having renounced the Babylonian whore, together with her
lovers, and all her false worship, and united himself with Christ,
following him with the whole heart in the regeneration, and through
faith, overcoming this world with all that is therein, whereby he
finally, through grace, obtained the end of the faith, that is, eternal
salvation, through Christ Jesus.
PIETER WITH THE LAME FOOT, JAN DROOGHSCHEERDER, HANS BORDUERWERCKER,
AND FRANS SWEERDTVEGER, A. D. 1555.
In the year 1555, the young nobleman Jan van Immerseele having become
Margrave, four brethren were apprehended at Antwerp, for the testimony
of the truth, namely, Pieter with the lame foot, Jan Drooghscheerder,
Hans Borduerwercker, and Frans Sweerdtveger, who, as they valiantly
adhered to it, and could not be brought to apostatize, were finally
sentenced to death, and had to lay down their lives publicly in the
market place, for the name of the Lord, for which he will well reward
them.
TANNEKEN VAN DER LEYEN, A. D. 1555.
In said year there was also apprehended at Antwerp, a young maiden from
Ghent, named Tanneken van der Leyen, who loved God and his truth more
than all that was in the world; hence, since she preferred the doctrine
of Christ and his apostles to all human doctrine, and immovably adhered
to it, she was condemned to death, and drowned in the Scheldt.
BARTHOLOMEW THE POTTER, A. D. 1555.
Bartholomew the potter, who was a vessel of honor in the house of
God (2 Tim. 2:20), was also apprehended for his faith, at Antwerp,
examined, much afflicted, and, finally, sentence having been
pronounced, publicly put to death in the market place, as a pious
witness of Jesus Christ.
ROMMEKEN PUT TO DEATH, A. D. 1555.
About this time, also Rommeken, a noted child of God, publicly declared
and sealed with his blood the divine truth, in the market place at
Antwerp; wherefore Christ will also declare and confess him before his
Father in heaven.
HANS PICHNER, OF SAL, A. D. 1555.
In the year 1555, Hans Pichner of Sal, was apprehended at Vorst, in
Etschland or Vintschgau, and taken by the beadles to Schlanters, before
the Judge, who was a dreadful tyrant and of a very fierce disposition.
He immediately examined John, rigorously questioning him, that he
should betray the one that had lodged him; but when he would not do
it, he was speedily tortured from the first day. All their torturing,
however, was in vain, and they were greatly vexed that they could
obtain no information from him. Several times he was stripped, and,
while being tortured, left suspended by cords for several hours, yea,
he was so stretched, that he could not stand upon his feet, or take a
single step, nor bring his hand to his mouth to eat; yet he was not to
be seduced, but remained steadfast in the Lord. After this, they bound
him hand and foot, and kept him imprisoned in a dark dungeon for more
than six months. They also brought to him many men of worldly erudition
(if peradventure they might be able to draw him away from his faith),
as priests and monks, also some noblemen, who mightily assailed him
for two days and one whole night; but they were put to shame; for he
convinced them with the truth, and was not to be intimidated.
After this, they sentenced him to death, and led him out to the place
of execution, where he exhorted the people, who had gathered in great
numbers, to repentance. Finally, he was placed with his back, in a
sitting posture, against a block of wood, and thus beheaded; for they
had racked and tortured him so lamentably that he was unable to kneel.
But he nevertheless adhered firmly to the Lord and his truth; therefore
God kept him in the hour of his temptation, and he shall henceforth not
be hurt of the second death; he shall not see the eternal fire, but
shall enter into an innumerable company of angels, to the supper and
marriage of the Lamb, clothed in linen clean and white, where will be
exceeding joy for ever and ever. Rev. 3:10; 2:11; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 3:20.
CHRISTIAN EXECUTED WITH THE SWORD, IN THE YEAR 1555.
In the year 1555, a brother named Christian was apprehended, in
Bavaria, and taken to Worms, and although he had been in the church
only a short time, he nevertheless faithfully adhered to the divine
truth, which he had embraced and confessed, and firmly kept until death
what he had promised God in the covenant of his Christian baptism;
and, through divine power and strength, testified to the faith with
his blood. He was executed with the sword, at Worms. Thus he fought
a good fight even unto death, strove for the truth, safely finished
his course, and refused to be led astray, preferring a valiant death
to a shameful life. Hence, there is promised to him the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, at the last day, will give him, and unto
all them that love his appearing. 2 Tim. 4:8.
DIGNA PIETERS, AFTER ENDURING MUCH AFFLICTION, PUT INTO A BAG AND
DROWNED, IN PUTTOX TOWER, AT DORDRECHT, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS
CHRIST, ON THE 23D OF NOVEMBER, 1555.
A. D. 1555, unholy hands were laid, at Dordrecht, in Holland, upon
several of the saints of God, of whom, among others, there is mentioned
by name, a godfearing woman, named Digna Pieters, who, being a
citizeness of said city, had at the same time a citizenship also in the
spiritual city of God, that is, in the church of Jesus Christ on earth,
yea, also, because of her integrity, in the new and heavenly Jerusalem,
which is above, in which, and of which, she was regenerated by the word
of truth.
On account of the faith which she had in common with the dear friends
and children of God, she was imprisoned, and severely proceeded against
in various ways, for the purpose of causing her to apostatize from the
faith. But as they could make no progress in the matter, since she
was founded upon the immovable corner-stone, that is, Christ Jesus,
they resolved to put an end to her citizenship, and at the same time
also to her life. Thereupon it followed that the chamber of justice,
through the instrumentality of the bench of judges and the council of
said city, with public striking of the bell, disfranchised her, before
the steps leading up to the city hall, on the 17th of November of said
year, to be further dealt with as the lords of said chamber should find
or judge proper.
Concerning this, there remains, though almost obliterated by age, the
following act in the book of records of said city, in the keeping of
the secretary there:
_Actum per Campanam,[261] the 17th of Nov., 1555._
[261] _Actum per Campanam_, i. e. done through the bell (or striking
of the bell).
Whereas Digna Pieters, citizeness of this city, at present a prisoner,
has, without pain of iron bonds, openly confessed before the bench
of judges, and the council of this city, to have been rebaptized,
etc.,[262] also to have held conventicles, contrary to the faith, holy
sacraments, and other services and ceremonies of the holy church;
therefore, the council of the aforesaid city has disfranchised said
Digna Pieters, and disfranchises her by these presents, further to be
proceeded against, as the aforesaid council, according to the exigency
and circumstances of the case, shall deem proper.
[262] _And to hold pernicious views with regard to baptism_, etc., it
seems to read here.
Thereupon follows in said book, how the chamber of justice proceeded
against her, six days afterwards, in regard to which the following
words are found.
_Digna Pieters drowned._
To-day, the 23d of November, A. D. 1555, Digna Pieters, by virtue of a
certain sentence given and pronounced[263] by the bench of judges, and
the council of this city, (by the mouth of Wouter Barthouts, Judge in
the law) was put into a bag, and drowned, in Puttox Tower.
[263] Whether it was customary in the city at that time, to read in
court sentences of death passed in matters of faith, we have not been
able to ascertain.
Extracted from the book of records of the city of Dordrecht, commenced
the last day of October, 1554, and concluded the 16th of June, 1573.
This was the end of this valiant heroine of Jesus, who, though she
was secretly murdered in a tower, like Joris Wippe and others, will
hereafter, in the great day of the Lord, be brought openly to light;
then it shall be seen what difference there will be between those who
did this, and her who suffered it, since every one shall receive in his
body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Cor.
5:10.
This Puttox Tower, where this martyrdom took place, stood close by the
gate of the _Grootehooft_ of the city of Dordrecht; but it afterwards
fell by reason of great age, or as a signal warning of God on account
of this murder. In its place stands now a house, in the gable of which
these words are carved in hard stone:
“Through the falling of Puttox-Tower
I was built, and stand to this hour.”
As to the persons who in said year administered criminal (or capital)
justice, and, consequently, executed this work, they were, according to
John Beverwijck’s history of the government of the city of Dordrecht,
the following: Adrian van Blyenbergh Adriaenss, Bailiff; and nine
Judges as follows: Jacob Adriaenss; Philips van Beverwijck Ogierss;
Maerten Schrevel Dirckss; Jacob Oem Sir Jacobss; Pieter Muys Jacobss;
Schrevel Sir Ockerss; Wouter Barthouts; Cornelis van Beveren Sir
Claess; Wouter van Drenkwaert Sir Wilmss.
But whether all these judges, together with the bailiff, concurred in
the aforesaid sentence; or whether Wouter Barthouts, who was present
at her death, was the chief instigator of this work, is not expressed;
however, it seems that the majority did not have much pleasure in it,
since Wouter Barthouts alone, as it seems, with the executioner and the
servants of justice, was present at the death of this woman.
RENEWAL OF THE PREVIOUS BLOODY DECREES OF EMPEROR CHARLES V., AGAINST
THE BAPTISTS OR SO-CALLED ANABAPTISTS, BY PHILIP II., KING OF SPAIN, A.
D. 1556.
Up to this time, Emperor Charles V. was alone, or at least chiefly
responsible for the shedding of the blood of the saints in the
Netherlands, as also for the most cruel tyrannies which, through
the instrumentality of the Inquisition, and through what followed
afterwards, were inflicted upon them, by fire, water, sword, and
otherwise; but in this year, his son, Philip II., King of Spain,
following in his father’s footsteps (instead of lightening the
constraint of conscience) caused all the previous bloody and cruel
decrees which his father had issued against the so-called heretics, to
be renewed and confirmed, especially the most cruel decree published
on the 25th of September, 1550, the contents of which we have reserved
until the present time, but will now, as renewed A. D. 1556, adduce
here, however not with all its particulars, but only so far as it was
directed (principally) against the Anabaptists and their doctrine.
In the book in which the prince of Orange, William I., defends himself
against the false charges, which his adversaries sought unjustly to
bring against him, printed 1569, mention of this is made (_p. 165,
letter L. VI._), in the following words.
_Of the ordinances and decrees made for all times, and for general
observance, and proclaimed everywhere, from the 25th of September,
1550, and renewed and confirmed by his Royal Majesty in the year 1556._
We likewise forbid all lay persons, and others, to converse or dispute
concerning the holy Scriptures, whether openly or secretly, especially
in doubtful and difficult matters; or to teach, expound or interpret
the holy Scriptures to others, unless they [who do so] be theologians
and versed in divinity and spiritual law, and approved by some notable
university, or others authorized thereto by the ordinary of the place;
be it well understood, however, that this is not to be regarded as
relating to those who simply and exclusively converse together on the
aforesaid holy Scriptures, adducing thereto the expositions of holy
and approved doctors; but to those who, in order to seduce others, or
to teach and instruct them in that which is forbidden, maintain and
teach, contrary to the ordinances of our mother, the holy church, evil
and false propositions and doctrines, who are notoriously considered
heretics; or to preach, defend, allege or maintain, openly or secretly,
any doctrines of the aforementioned authors.
On pain, that if any be found to have acted contrary to any of the
above stated points, they shall be punished as seditious persons, and
disturbers of our realm and the common peace, and be executed as such:
Namely, the men with the sword, and the women buried alive; that is,
if they will not maintain or defend their errors; but if they persist
in their errors, opinions, or heresies, they are to be executed with
fire; and in every case all their property is declared confiscated, and
forfeited for our benefit.
And as regards what we had ordained in our previous decrees and our
last ordinances, that from the day they had acted contrary thereto, or
had fallen into the aforesaid errors, they should be disqualified from
disposing of their property, and that all alienations, gifts, cessions,
sales, conveyances, transfers, testaments, or last wills, made and
executed by them from said day on, should be null, invalid and void.
Again (_page 168_): Since many, from our aforesaid countries, suspected
of heresy, especially of the sect of the Anabaptists, change their
place of abode, to infect the simple in places where their character
is not known; we, in order to guard against this, will, ordain, and
decree, that none of the inhabitants of our aforesaid Netherlands,
of whatever state, quality or condition he be, shall be admitted or
received into any city or village, of said countries, there to live,
except he bring with him a certificate from the parish-priest of the
place where he last resided.