girded a sword to his side to slay the giant with it; but David was not
accustomed to it, since he was a shepherd, and he laid aside the sword,
and took his sling, with which he smote the giant on the head, so that
the latter fell to the ground, whereupon David took the giant’s sword,
and cut off his head. Therefore, my chosen brethren and sisters in the
Lord, let us turn neither to the right, nor to the left, since we have
so great a king, who will not forsake us, if we remain faithful to him;
he is so faithful that has promised it that I cannot doubt it; for the
city into which we shall come is full of all good things, but it lies
in humility. 2 Esdr. 7:6.
Know, dear brother N., and sister N., that I give you a hymn for
remembrance, and will hereby commend you to the Lord, until we come
upon mount Zion, and there sing the new song with all God’s chosen. 2
Esdr. 2:42. Dear brother and sister, when I composed this hymn, a great
torment and temptation came upon me, so that I was very sorrowful, and
it seemed to me that the Lord had utterly forsaken me. I fell down upon
my knees, and wept bitterly before the Lord, and prayed for strength
and power. And the Lord heard my prayer and lifted me up again; for
he does not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able, and will
with the temptation make also a way to escape, that we may be able
to bear it. 1 Cor. 10:13. I then received such grace and joy, that
for joy I composed this hymn, to the edification of my fellow men.
Greet J. de H. much with the peace of the Lord, and you, N., greet
your master likewise much with the peace of the Lord, and say good
night to your wife; I cannot offer her peace, for it is written: “Woe
unto them that comfort men with a vain hope.” Know, dear friends,
that I greatly rejoiced when I went to the court, so that it seemed
to me that there could be no joy like this, that I should confess my
Lord and God, before the world. The Bailiff asked me whether I was
rebaptized. And the Holy Ghost spake through my mouth and said that I
was baptized according to the doctrine of Christ, and that they were
Anabaptists,[265] since they baptize against Christ, hence the name by
which you call us, belongs to you. And I asked them to let me go to
my brethren, since we had the same faith, but they gave me no answer.
Thus, my dear friends, we will await you under the altar.
[265] The reader will understand this otherwise obscure assertion,
when we state that it is based upon an ingenious application of
the Dutch adverb _weder_, _weer_, the first part of the word
_Weerdoopers_, (Anabaptists),--which may mean _against_ as well as
_again_. _Translator._
JERONYMUS, LAURENS VAN GUELDERS, PIETER THE MILLER, JACOB VAN YPERES
AND MAERTEN THE WALLOON, A. D. 1557.
In the same year, 1557, there were also apprehended at Antwerp, five
brethren of Christ, named Jeronymus, Laurens van Guelders, Pieter the
miller, Jacob van Yperes, and Maerten the Walloon, who trusted so
firmly in the promises of God, and were so fervently united to the
love of Christ, that they were not to be drawn away therefrom by any
man, nay, not even by great promises, severe persecutions, perilous
temptations, or threatenings with the sword; for which reason all five
were beheaded in prison, for the testimony of their faith, and firm
adherence to the same; and even as they lost their heads for the truth,
so God shall set them as heads to convict and judge those who judged
them.
MARGRIETE, WIFE OF JERONYMUS, KLAERKEN AND JANNEKEN OF DEXTELAER, A. D.
1557.
In the year 1557, there were drowned in prison, at Antwerp, three
women, namely, Margriete, wife of the aforementioned Jeronymus, and
Klaerken and Janneken of Dextelaer, because they steadfastly adhered to
the truth, and would not depart from it. After being drowned, they were
ignominiously thrown naked into the Scheldt; but they shall be clothed,
and enter in honor, with their bridegroom, to the marriage of the Lamb,
where they, together with all the chosen of God, shall joyfully sing
the new song, and live in eternal, imperishable joy.
ALGERIUS, A YOUTH, A STUDENT OF PADUA, MISERABLY BURNED FOR THE
TESTIMONY OF JESUS, AT ROME, A. D. 1557. A CONSOLATORY LETTER FROM
HIM.[266] AN ACCOUNT OF HIS SACRIFICE.
[266] In this letter we found so much wisdom, holiness, and
excellence, that we have read it innumerable times with attention
and deep emotion. It kindled our love to God, and our zeal, not only
to live with Christ, but also, if necessary, to die with him and for
his holy truth. O that we were worthy, that his holy name might be
praised through us unworthy creatures!
To my beloved brethren and fellow-servants of Jesus Christ, who have
gone out of Babylon unto mount Zion, whose names I do not omit without
cause, grace, peace and mercy from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen. In order somewhat to sweeten or
take away the pain which you suffer on my account, I would communicate
to you the sweetness which I experience, that you may rejoice with me,
and shout for joy with thanksgiving in the presence of the Lord.
I will tell to the world an incredible thing, namely, that I have found
infinite sweetness in the bowels of the lion. And who will in any wise
believe what I am going to relate here? who can believe it?
In a dark hole I have found pleasure; in a place of bitterness and
death, rest and hope of salvation; in the abyss or depths of hell, joy;
where others weep, I have laughed; where others fear, I have found
strength; who will believe this? In a state of misery I have had very
great delight; in a lonely corner I have had most glorious company, and
in the severest bond, great rest. All these things, my fellow-brethren
in Jesus Christ, the gracious hand of God has given me. Behold, he that
at first was far from me, is now with me, and him whom I knew but a
little, I now see clearly; to whom I once looked from afar, him I now
behold as present; he for whom I longed, now offers me his hand; he
comforts me; he fills me with joy; he drives from me bitterness, and
renews within me strength and sweetness; he makes me well; he sustains
me; he helps me up; he strengthens me. O how good is the Lord, who does
not suffer his servants to be tempted above that they are able! O how
easy, pleasant and sweet is his yoke! Is there any like God the Most
High? who sustains and refreshes those that are tempted; he heals them
that are bruised and wounded, and restores them all together. Is. 41;
43:20. None is like him. Learn, most beloved brethren, how sweet the
Lord is, how faithful and merciful; who visits his servants in trial
(Is. 43:2); who humbles himself and condescends to be with us in our
huts and humble abodes. He gives us a cheerful mind and peaceful heart.
But will the blind world believe these things? No; she will much rather
say (since she is unbelieving): You will not be able long to endure the
heat, cold and discomfort of this place. And how then will you be able
to bear the cross, the thousand-fold contempt, wrong, reproaches, and
undeserved ignominy? Will you not regard your dear native country, the
riches of this world, your parents, rank and honor at the court? Will
you be able entirely to dismiss from your mind your glorious learning,
which strengthens and recreates for all labor spent? Will you lose so
much for nothing, yea, all the labors you have undergone, your much
watching, laboring and assiduity? For what purpose have you labored and
studied so much, even from your very youth up?
But, last of all, have you then no fear at all of death, which awaits
you, though you are innocent? O what extreme folly and ignorance it is,
to be able with a single word to avoid all this, and to escape death,
and yet you will refuse to do it! O what a despicable thing it is to
be able to obtain something from such excellent, just, godfearing,
wise and good (or pious) councilors and illustrious men,[267] and
voluntarily to refuse to receive anything.
[267] The powerful nobility or aristocracy of Venice is meant here.
But hearken, ye blind and mortal men, what is hotter and more intense
than the fire which is prepared for you? What is colder than your own
heart, which is yet in darkness, and has no light at all? John 1:5.
What is harder and more confused and restless than your life? What
is more ignoble and repulsive than your age? Tell me, my dear, what
country or home is sweeter than the heavenly? 2 Cor. 5:1. What treasure
is greater than eternal life? And who are our parents and friends,
except those alone who keep the word of God? Where are greater joy,
riches, and honor than in heaven? Tell me, ye ignorant, is not all
learning given to know God, whom if we do not know in truth, all our
labor, watching and exertion, yea, all our undertakings are expended
to no purpose? Answer me, ye unhappy men: what comfort or balm can he
have, who misses God, who is the cure and refreshing of all? Ex. 15:26.
How can he say that I fear death, if he himself is dead in sins, and
thus prefers death to life? 1 Tim. 5:6. For if Christ is the way, the
truth, and the life, can life be found out of Christ? The heat is to
me a refreshing pleasure, and winter a joy in the Lord. I who do not
fear the burning of the fire, shall I be afraid of simple heat? Is he
tormented by ice, who consumes, melts, and falls asleep in the love of
God?
This place is indeed hard and severe for the guilty and evil-doers;
but to the innocent and righteous it is very pleasant and sweet; hence
issues honey; hence flows the heavenly drink; here wells up milk; here
springs forth the abundance of all good things.
It is true that this place is esteemed lonesome and base: yet it is to
me as a spacious valley, and one of the most excellent places in the
world.
Tell me, ye miserable men, whether I could have a pasture or meadow
more pleasant than this; for here I behold kings, princes, states and
nations; here I see war (or conflict); these cut in pieces, the others
victorious; some that have fallen into low estate, others who have
attained to great honors.
Here is Mount Zion; here I rise and enter into heaven; Jesus Christ
stands before my eyes; around me stand the fathers, prophets,
evangelists, apostles, and all the servants of God. He (the Lord)
embraces and nourishes me; these exhort me, those show me holy things;
these comfort me, others escort me with music and song.
Shall I now say that I am alone, among so many? For here I have whom I
may take for companions, comforters and examples, since I see some that
are crucified, some beheaded; some stoned; others cut in twain; some
roasted; others fried in pans, ovens, and chaldrons of oil; some whose
eyes are put out; others whose tongue is cut out; these with their skin
pulled over their head; others with hands and feet cut off; some that
are cast into fiery furnaces; others given as food to wild beasts; yea,
it would require too much time, were I to relate it all. Finally, I
see still others, who have suffered manifold tortures and martyrdoms,
and this only because they now live and are free from all pain. And
for all these there is but one remedy, one medicine, which can cure
all their infirmities; and this remedy gives to me also strength, and
life, and cheerfulness to suffer all these fears and afflictions, which
are but momentary, and not worth speaking of: this is the hope which
I have placed in heaven. I do not fear those who unjustly revile and
persecute me, since he that dwells in heaven, will reject and extirpate
them, but will heal and restore these. I shall not be afraid if a
thousand surround me; for the Lord my God will always deliver me; he
is my shield and protector; he is my comfort; he is my head; he will
beat down those who oppose me without cause; he will break the teeth
of sinners: for salvation, blessing, might and dominion are his. The
reproach which we suffer for Christ’s sake gives us nothing but joy
and gladness; for it is written: If ye be reproached for the name of
Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon
you. 1 Pet. 4:14. If we, then, are so assured of our salvation, we are
not to regard the unjust reproaches of those who revile us.
On the earth I have no continuing city or place of rest; my home and
country are in heaven; I seek the new city of Jerusalem, which I see
before me, which comes to meet me. Behold, I am already on the way;
there is my sweet home, my riches, my parents and my friends, my
pleasure and my honor; I have no fear that I shall miss them.
All these earthly things are but shadows; they are all transient, and
a vanity of vanities to those who miss the hope and essence of eternal
life.
The accomplishments, arts, or gifts which God has given me, were at
first pleasant companions and recreations; now they yield me holy
fruits. It is true, I have sweated, suffered cold, and, as much as
I was able, watched night and day; but this my labor has tended and
redounded to make me more perfect; there never passed a day or hour
without some improvement. Behold, the true countenance of God has been
revealed over my life, and the Lord has caused me to experience great
joy in my heart. In him alone I shall rest in peace, 1 Pet. 1:8.
Who will now dare say that I have lost my age and years? Who will
say that I have lost my courage? For my soul has said: “The Lord is
my portion; therefore will I seek him.” Lam. 3:24. Hence since dying
in the Lord is no dying, but leading a blessed life, why then does a
reprobate to God oppose me, to prevent me from dying? All this will be
the greatest joy, if I only may taste the cup of the Lord. And what
surer pledge of my salvation could I find? Has he not said: “Men will
do unto you what they have done to me?” John 15:20. Therefore let this
fool keep silence, who has now so long deceived himself in the light
of the sun. Let the blind world cease, I say, to imagine such things.
For I will say with the apostle: Neither tribulation, nor distress,
nor famine, nor nakedness, nor care, nor persecution, nor sword shall
be able to separate us from the love in Christ. We are killed all the
day long: we are lead to death like sheep for the slaughter. Romans
8:35,36. Thus we are partakers with Christ, who has said that the
disciple is not greater than his master, and the servant not more than
his lord. He also left us the command, that each should take up his
cross and follow him.
Comfort yourselves, O most beloved fellow servants of God, comfort
yourselves, for we fall into manifold temptations. Let our patience
be perfect in every place, since these things are promised us here on
earth, for it is written that those who kill us will think that thereby
they are doing God a holy service and sacrifice. John 16:2. Hence fear
and death are only parts and things which teach us to understand our
calling, and we rejoice in a future life, and shout joyfully in the
Lord, since we are (far from all sin) beaten, and delivered unto death.
For it is better to suffer for righteousness’ sake (if thus it be the
will of the Lord) than for evil-doing. We have an example in Christ,
and the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, and the children
of unrighteousness put them to death according to their manner and
custom. Behold what do we know? Blessed are they that have continued
steadfast! We rejoice in our innocence and (God-given) righteousness.
God will punish them that persecute us.
I have been called a fool, since I do not conceal the knowledge of God,
and do not care whether I speak in secret or openly; to which I could
reply with a single word. “O poor man, who or what are you, who do not
see the sun, and never once think of God’s words.”
My dear, remember the words of Christ: Ye are the light of the world.
A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a
candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth
light unto all that are in the house. Matthew 5:14,15. And in another
place he says: Ye shall be brought before governors and kings, and
others. Therefore, fear not them which kill the body; but much rather
him which is able to kill the soul. Whosoever therefore shall confess
me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in
heaven. Matt. 10:18,28,32.
Since then the Lord has spoken so plainly of this subject, by what
authority then do they advise and seek to persuade me? For I shall
never forsake the counsel of God, and follow the advice of men, since
it is written: “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.” Ps. 1:1.
I shall never deny Christ, but will confess him whenever it is
necessary. I shall not esteem my life more highly than my soul; I
shall not exchange the future for the present. O how little does he
understand and know who thinks us to be in the way of folly. Wis. 5:4.
I do not deem it to be improper, though I do not please the so-called
most mighty, just, wise, merciful, good and illustrious senators of
this place, whose grace is offered me, if I apostatize.
But since we are instructed by the apostles of the Lord, that we must
obey God rather than men, etc., therefore I do not accept this grace of
them.
I wish that they were more perfect in the sight of the Lord; it is
true, they are mighty here, but they should also perfect themselves
in the Lord: they are indeed just, but they are still without Christ,
who is the foundation of righteousness; they are wise, but where
the beginning of wisdom is, there is also the fear of God; they
are called merciful, but I wish that they might be more patient or
subdued in Christian charity; they are good, but I wish them the
foundation of goodness, namely, the best and most high God; they are
called illustrious, but they have not accepted our Savior, the most
illustrious.
Hear, therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges
of the ends of the earth; serve the Lord with fear, and approach him
with trembling. Receive instruction, and understand it, lest the
Lord be angry, and ye perish from the right way. Why do ye rage, O
ye people; and ye nations, why do ye imagine vain things against the
Lord! Ye kings of the earth, and ye princes, why are ye united together
against Christ, the Holy One of God? How long will ye seek lies, and
hate truth. Be converted, and turn to the Lord our God, and harden
not your hearts. For one cannot but know that he who persecutes God’s
servants, persecutes God himself; since he has said: “Whatsoever men
shall do unto you, they shall do to me, and not to you.” Zech. 2:8.
But, my dear, pray tell me, in what manner I have deserved to be
condemned? Is it that I have not answered the most illustrious
senators, my lords, according to their pleasure? If I have said
anything, it was not I at all that said it, since the Lord says that
before the authorities it will not be us that speak, but the Spirit
of our Father which will be in us. Matt. 10:30. Now, if the Lord is
faithful and true, which he is in truth, I am innocent. It was he who
made me speak. And what am I, that I could withstand the will of God?
Acts 11:17. Therefore, he that would reprove such words, reproves the
word of the Lord, who worked in me. But if he thinks that the Lord is
not to be reproved, O then let him not accuse me any more, since I
am innocent of this work; for I did what I would not, I spoke what I
thought not. But if the things which I have spoken are not good and
true, and this is found and proven to me, then I will confess that they
proceeded from me alone, and not from God; but if I have said things
that are good and proved, and cannot with justice be reproved, whether
we will or not, it will have to be acknowledged that they proceeded
from the Lord. Now, if all this is so, who then will accuse me? The
most wise people? Who will condemn me? The most righteous judges? (who
are nevertheless unwise and unjust.)
Do what you will: shall the words of the Lord be made void? shall the
gospel be of account no longer? Certainly not; but the kingdom of God
shall be only the more precious and sweet to the true Israelites, and
come the sooner to the chosen of Jesus Christ. But they who do such
things, shall experience the great judgment of God. They that kill the
righteous shall not escape unpunished. 2 Thessalonians 1:6.
O most beloved, lift up your eyes, and take to heart the counsel of
God. Not long ago the Lord showed you a sign of pestilence, in order
to lead you to repentance; but if this will not be received, he will
unsheathe the sword entirely, and smite with the sword, pestilence
and famine the people which exalts the horn against Christ. May God,
through his mercy, avert this scourge from this place. To all believers
their most zealous servant, the imprisoned and bound Algerius.
Written in the most delightful pleasure garden of the prison, called
Leonia, the 12th of July, A. D. 1557.[268]
[268] Some had given 1555 as the year, but this is an error.
HOW ALGERIUS WAS OFFERED UP.
This Algerius,[269] though very young in years, was a student from the
kingdom of Naples, and studied at Padua, where a brother who spoke
his language came to him, of whom he diligently inquired the way and
the will of the Lord, listening very earnestly, and was forthwith
baptized into the Lord’s death, which he immediately afterwards
manfully and undauntedly as a bold hero and young soldier of Christ,
forcibly proved with the deed, and sealed with his blood, and thus
became like his master, since he was also, even as Christ, when he
came up out of Jordan, immediately assailed by the enemy, the tempter
and his instruments, and cast into prison, in which he went through
and endured many severe conflicts, but was always greatly strengthened
and comforted with great joy, by the Lord, whom he had set before his
eyes, as his present writing abundantly shows, which he wrote in prison
at Padua to the brethren in Italy, to strengthen and comfort them in
their sorrow, which had come upon them on his account, because they
were solicitous for him as being a novice in the faith. But the Lord
clothed him with great power, and hence, through him, as one of his
chief weapons, glorified his name. For after many temptations, he was
sent to Venice, where the entire Senate or nobility tried to prevail
upon him, as did the tempter finally try to do with Christ, and meant,
by solemn entreaties, flattery, and the offer of all manner of worldly
aid and friendship, certainly to catch and alienate him, which was not
one of the least darts; but, as an immovable pillar, he rejected it all
and despised it for Christ’s sake, in order that he might with Moses
and Paul win and keep Christ alone. Matt. 4:8; Eph. 6:16; Phil. 3:8;
Hebrews 11:26.
[269] Some old writers did not know that this youth, Algerius,
shortly before his death, had, through baptism which he received upon
his faith, united with the cross-bearing Church of the Anabaptists;
hence they ignorantly ascribed to him another religion.
When they could not prevail upon him, though they tried for a long
time, he was therefore sent to Rome, and delivered to the Pope, where
he finally, after severe and hard imprisonment, offered up his life
in great steadfastness, as a sweet savor, to the Lord, very eagerly
and joyfully following in the footsteps of all his forefathers and
the glorious confessors of Christ; and thus he richly partook of the
sufferings of his Lord and Master; yea, his end was crowned with great
triumphant praise even also by all his despisers, and thus the desired
cup was drained.
Many different means having been tried with him, he was at last
sentenced to be burnt, but not in the same manner as others, who were,
also on account of the faith, with shortened pain, executed according
to the Italian or French custom of being first hanged and strangled,
and then burnt. But this pious Algerius was held in greater honor by
the Lord Christ, and for this reason also had to begin and bring to a
triumphant issue a far more exalted and honorable conflict.