baptism, as also a defense against the adversaries, in regard to the
same matter, and delivered it all to the lords of justice of the city
of Cologne. Concerning this, see our Account of Holy Baptism, for the
year 1558.
GOVERT JASPERS, PUT TO DEATH A. D. 1558.
About this time a lay brother by the name of Govert Jaspers, with two
others, left the monastery of the Cross-brethren at Goes. However, they
did not continue together long; for one of them utterly forsook the
good way, and accepted the love of this world; the other, from fear
of persecution, went to Friesland, where he became a brother in the
church, and died a pious man; but this Govert Jaspers was apprehended
by the bailiff, soon after he left the monastery, as he was sitting
in the field, reading in a Testament. He was brought to the city
of Brussels, in Brabant, where he had to suffer much, yea, finally
even death, for the testimony of the truth, in which he steadfastly
persevered, and thus, as a valiant soldier of Jesus Christ, pressed
through the strait gate, in order to take by force the kingdom of God,
which he had preferred far above all the kingdoms of this world.
MAERTEN BOSSIER SUFFERED, A. D. 1558.
About the same time there was apprehended at Werwijck, in Flanders,
for the truth, one brother Maerten Bossier, who, after much temptation
and trial, also had to suffer temporal death (by burning); but now the
second death shall have no power over him.
ABSALOM VAN TOMME, OR THE SINGER, A. D. 1558.
All that would follow Christ, must take his cross upon them; this was
experienced by one brother Absalom van Tomme, or the Singer, who was
apprehended for the truth, at Kortrijck, in Flanders, in the year 1558.
After he had been examined, and had made confession of his faith, he
was severely assailed with threats and tortures, in order to cause him
to apostatize; but he remained steadfast in everything, and firmly
trusted in God, so that he was sentenced to death, and burned, showing
himself a good disciple or servant of Christ, who did not wish to be
above his Master, but like him, namely, to suffer with him, in order to
enter into the kingdom of God, even as Christ had to suffer, to enter
into his glory.
WILLEM VAN HAVERBEKE, A. D. 1558.
Willem van Haverbeke also not only suffered persecution for the name
of the Lord, but also suffered himself to be apprehended, and to be
led before lords and princes, where he freely confessed his faith, and
steadfastly continued in the same, no amount of suffering, pain or
torment being sufficient to cause him to apostatize, so great was the
love of God shed abroad in his heart; hence he was finally condemned,
and confirmed the same with his death, at Kortrijck, in Flanders, in
the year 1558.
DANIEL VERKAMPT, A. D. 1558.
About this time, also a young man named Daniel Verkampt, after
suffering much persecution, was apprehended at Kortrijck, in Flanders,
for living truly according to the word of God. Being sharply examined
by the deans of Ronse and Polet, he willingly and freely confessed his
faith, and said that he would firmly adhere to it even unto death; but
of his fellow-believers he would betray no one.
Thereupon Ronse and Polet summoned the mother of this young man before
them. She was a little old woman, and walked with a staff. When she
appeared before them, they told her with severe words, that according
to the imperial decree she had forfeited life and property, for having
harbored her son, whom they had found to be a heretic.
To this she meekly replied: “My lords, shall I forfeit life and
property, for having now and then given shelter to my own son in his
distress--whom I carried under my heart, brought forth in pain, and
nourished in affliction--when he is neither a thief nor a rogue, but
is called the most excellent young man of our village; and this merely
because you say that he is a heretic? I think that if the Emperor
were present, from whom you say you have a decree, he would say that
you abuse his decree against me, and he would commend me, that the
mother’s heart was moved with compassion for her child, that has never
merited anything else. Truly, my lords, this is contrary to your proper
wisdom and urbanity; for, know, that if in that hour when you came
to apprehend him, I could have concealed him from you in my body, by
carrying him again for nine months, giving him birth, and raising him,
as I have done once, God knows how gladly I would have done it.” This
she said with such pathos, that all the lords who were present and
sat in court declared her innocent, and said that she had not acted
contrary to the nature of a true mother’s heart; and hence the mother
was set at liberty, but the son had to purchase with fire the constancy
of his faith, and the love of God, with which he was inflamed, and was
burnt for the testimony of Jesus Christ, who will make him free forever.
MARCUS DE LEDERSNIJDER, A. D. 1558.
Not long after the above, also a brother named Marcus de Ledersnijder
was apprehended for the truth, at Kortrijck, in Flanders, who, having
been much importuned and tortured, yet constantly remaining steadfast,
was condemned to death, and burned with fire, thus offering up his soul
to God, who also most graciously accepted it.
JACOB DE MELSELAER, A. D. 1558.
In the year 1558, Jacob de Melselaer, a brother, was apprehended
at Antwerp, for living according to and keeping the word of God;
who, after much examination and torment, as he would not renounce
or apostatize, was condemned to death, and brought forth into the
market place, with a gag in his mouth, to prevent him from speaking.
Nevertheless, he went to death with boldness, and valiantly testified
with his blood to the faith he had confessed.
LOUWIJS DE WEVER, A. D. 1558.
In this same year brother Louwijs de Wever was beheaded in prison at
Antwerp, for the confession of and steadfast adherence to his faith.
FRANS TIBAN AND LITTLE DIRK, A. D. 1558.
A short time after this, also two brethren named Frans Tiban and Little
Dirk, were apprehended for their faith, at Antwerp, examined, tortured,
afflicted with much torment, and, finally, as they would in no wise
apostatize, condemned to death, and beheaded in prison.
HENDERICK LEERVERKOOPER, ANTHONIS AND DIRK DE SCHILDER, A. D. 1558.
Three brethren, namely, Henderick Leerverkooper, Anthonis and Dirk de
Schilder, were also apprehended at Antwerp, for the truth; who, as
diligent followers and true sheep of Christ, had to taste death for his
sake, being executed with the sword.
WAECHLING DIRKS, MAERTEN SCHOENMAECKER, AND ADRIAEN PIETERS, A. D. 1558.
In the year 1558, Waechling Dirks, Maerten Schoenmaecker, and Adriaen
Peters, all three of them natives of Wijnckel, were apprehended for the
Gospel and the divine truth, and as they steadfastly adhered to the
same, without departing therefrom, all three were finally condemned at
Gravenhage, in Holland, and put to death, as pious witnesses of Jesus
Christ, and are now awaiting the crown of life.
WOUTER VAN HONSCHOTEN, A. D. 1558.
In this year, a young brother named Wouter van Honschoten was
apprehended, at Honschoten, in Flanders, for following the word of God,
and as he freely confessed his faith, and would in no wise depart from
it, he was finally sentenced to death and to the fire, and was burnt as
a pious witness of God.
JACOB DE SWARTE, HANSKEN VAN DEN BROECKE, AND OTHERS, A. D. 1558.
In the year 1558, a brother named Jacob de Swarte (son of Jan de
Swarte), and Hanscken van den Broecke, went from Ostende to Bruges,
to hear the preaching of the word of God, and were apprehended there,
together with others. No sufferings being sufficient to deter or
separate them from the love of God, they were finally sentenced to
death, and thus valiantly ended their lives for the testimony of the
Gospel, about St. John’s day, in midsummer.
HANS DEN DUYTSCH, A. D. 1558.
About this time, also a brother named Hans den Duytsch was apprehended
at Antwerp; who freely confessed his faith, and would firmly adhere
to it; for he chose rather to die a temporal death for the truth, and
thus gain eternal life, than to purchase a short wicked life with
everlasting death. They had him beheaded in the prison, whereupon they,
like madmen, threw his body into the Scheldt.
SANDER HENDRICKS, HANS DE SMIT, HANS VAN BURCULO, PIETER IN DE
VETTEWARIJE, ARENT AND GERAERT PASSEMENTWERKER, IN THE YEAR 1558.
Very soon after, also six brethren, namely, Sander Hendricks, Hans de
Smit, Hans van Burculo, Pieter in de Vettewarije, Arent and Geraert
Passementwerker, were publicly put to death for the truth, in the
market place, in the presence of all the people. They all valiantly
confessed the name of Christ, and are now waiting for the crown of
glory, which is promised to all heroes of the Lord.
GRIETGEN, TANNEKEN, LIJNTGEN, AND STIJNTGEN OF AIX-LA-CHAPELLE, A. D.
1558.
Not long after the above, also four sisters, named Grietgen, Tanneken,
Lijntgen and Stijntgen of Aix-la-Chapelle were apprehended at Antwerp,
on account of their faith, and severely examined; but as they could
in no wise be moved therefrom, and fought as heroines for the name of
Christ, always firmly adhering to the truth, they were finally tied
crooked and drowned in prison.
JANNEKEN AND NOELE, A. D. 1558.
There was also a young maiden named Janneken apprehended for her faith,
at Antwerp; who, when she appeared before the lords, freely confessed
her faith. The Margrave said: “Janneken, if you will renounce, I will
show you favor; do according to my will, and I will give you your
life.” But she replied: “The life that you would give me, I desire not;
for your promises are vain and as wavering as a reed, and would only
bring me into greater sorrow: cursed is every one that trusts in man.”
Jer. 17:5.
There was a preacher named Balthazar, who endeavored to make her
believe that God was in the sacrament; however, she would not confess
it, but said: “You thus disgrace God in your body; but read the Lord’s
Prayer once.” And when he read it, she said: “There, you see, you read
that he is in heaven, and how dare you say then, that he is in the
sacrament?”
In the court she was asked by the Bailiff, whether she was rebaptized.
She said: “Question me in regard to my faith, and I will freely confess
it to you; or are you ashamed of it? I confess one baptism, which must
follow faith, and does not pertain to infants, but requires previous
amendment of life.” The Bailiff said: “We have done enough to gain you;
if you had suffered yourself to be prevailed upon to recant, you should
have done well.” She replied: “You have loved my flesh, but not my
soul, which you would have gladly devoured; but God will receive it as
a child, and make it an heir. And though you are now a Bailiff in your
glory, you will deplore it in the judgment of God, and wish that you
had rather been a herdsman[272] in the fear of God”. Thereupon she was
sentenced to death, and, having commended her spirit into the hands of
God, was drowned in a tub, together with another woman, named Noele.
[272] See note in a former page.
ADRIAEN VAN HEE, JOOS MEEUWENS, WILLEM, GOOSSEN AND EGBERT DE
HOEDEMAECKER, AND LAMBERT VAN DOORNICK, A. D. 1558.
As the Jews in the time of the apostles envied the assemblies of the
Christians, and disturbed them wherever they could, so have also
their successors, the ministers of antichrist, universally done,
which appeared also in the year 1558, near Doornick, where some
Christians and faithful children of God had assembled, in order to be
refreshed, edified and bettered by the preaching of the word of God.
They were also spied out, dispersed, partly scattered, and six of them
apprehended, namely, Adriaen van Hee, cutler, Joos Meeuwens, Willem
de Hoedemaecker, Goossen de Hoedemaecker, Egbert de Hoedemaecker, and
Lambert van Doornick. They were together brought to Doornick, and
having been imprisoned there a fortnight, they were condemned to death
for their steadfast adherence to the true faith in God, and taken
without Doornick, into a forest belonging under the jurisdiction of
Hainault, and there burnt, as pious witnesses of God, who shall not
taste the fire of hell, but shall live in joy with all the chosen of
the Lord.
JORIS WIPPE, JOOSTEN’S SON, PUT TO DEATH AT DORTRECHT, A. D. 1558.
Joris Wippe, when he still lived in the darkness of popery, was a
burgomaster at Meenen in Flanders, his native place; but having
subsequently come to the knowledge of the Gospel, he had to flee
the country, and went to live at Dortrecht, in Holland, where he
established himself as cloth-dyer. When he had lived there for a while,
and was becoming known, he, through the instigation of the enemies
of the truth, was summoned to appear before the lords in the large
church. Somewhat alarmed on this account, Joris consulted with several
drapers, for whom he dyed, and who were men of influence, as to what he
should do. They, placing entire confidence in the magistracy, deemed it
advisable that he should appear before them, and hear what they had to
say to him.
When he came there, and the lords saw him, they were filled with
consternation, and would have preferred that he had taken their summons
as a warning to secretly make his escape, since they did not thirst
much for innocent blood; but as he had appeared, the Bailiff, when
Joris was about to leave the church, seized him as one who, according
to the imperial decree, had forfeited life and property. This happened
on the 28th of April, 1558.
After his apprehension, the lords tried every means to save him from
death; he was sent to Gravenhage (that is, to the court of Holland),
and there examined; but as he was a resident of Dordrecht, and had been
apprehended there, he was sent back thither, and ultimately put to
death there.
He left behind him a good testimony as regards his liberality to the
poor; for when he was sentenced to death, the executioner lamented with
tears in his eyes, that he had to put to death a man who had so often
fed his wife and children, and would rather forego his office, than put
to death this man, who had done so much good to him and others, and had
never harmed any one. Hence he was finally drowned, in the night, in
a wine cask filled with water, by one of the thief-catchers, who, at
the command of the lords, performed the executioner’s office on him,
pushing him backward into the water. Thus he offered up his life to
the Lord, on the first of October, being forty-one years old. The next
day he was hung by his feet to the gallows, in the place of execution,
as an object of derision to the people, being thus, like his Master,
numbered among the malefactors. The day following, several criminals
were scourged and banished; whereupon the executioner, after he had
executed this punishment, still lamenting the death of Joris Wippe,
said: “They have crucified Christ, and released Barabbas.”
He wrote several letters in prison, three of which have come into
our possession. He doubtless would have written more; but great
watchfulness was exercised that he should have no ink, so that he wrote
his last letter (to his children) with mulberry juice.
NOTE.--Inasmuch as we, after long search in the archives of this city,
found the sentence of death of this friend of God, Joris Wippe, and
copied it ourselves from the criminal records of this city, we deem it
well to add it here, so that the truth of the above account concerning
the death of this man may appear the more clearly and incontrovertibly.
_Sentence of death of Joris Wippe done and pronounced in the chamber
(of justice), the 4th of August, 1558._
Whereas Joris Wippe, Joosten’s son, born at Meenen, in Flanders, has
dared to have himself rebaptized, and has held[273] pernicious views
concerning baptism, according to testimony and truth, and all the
evidence which the Judges and the council have seen and heard with
regard to it, and according to his own confession, therefore, he
shall, to the honor of God,[274] and the edification of the lords and
the city,[275] be drowned in a cask, and his body then be brought to
the place of execution, and there be hung to the gallows, and his
property shall be confiscated, and placed in the lord’s exchequer.
[273] _Has held_, etc.; an error of the writer of this sentence; for
Joris still held these views at that very time.
[274] How can God be honored by what he has forbidden?
[275] What edification could the lords derive therefrom, who, by
doing this, made themselves tyrants, yea, murderers?
_Extracted from the book of criminal records of the city of Dortrecht,
commenced on the last of October, 1554, and ended on the 16th of June,
1573._
This is the first sentence of death publicly pronounced upon any one
with regard to matters of faith, which we found in this book. As to
whether it was pronounced in the chamber of justice, in the presence
of the lords alone, or publicly proclaimed in court, before all men,
is not expressed; nor is it of much importance to know. This much is
certain, that his death resulted in consequence.
But since, according to the testimony of old writers, the executioner
was not willing to execute this man, and the lords of justice
themselves were not a little troubled in this matter, though they
had allowed themselves to be persuaded by the priests and monks, the
execution of the sentence pronounced was postponed for over seven
weeks, namely, from the 4th of August until the first of October, A. D.
1558.
The following night, having commended his soul into the hands of God,
he was drowned in a wine cask, by one of the thief-catchers, as related
above, in the Vuylgate at Dortrecht, where he was imprisoned.
_Further Observation._--According to John van Beverwijck’s account of
the government of the city of Dortrecht, the following persons sat in
court when sentence of death was passed upon this pious man:
Adriaen van Blyenberg Adriaens (who also sat in court when sentence was
passed upon Digna Pieters), Bailiff of Dortrecht; together with nine
judges: Mr. T. Schoock Sir Pieters; Cornelis Krooswijck Jans; Frans
Anthoniss; Mr. Aert van der Lede Sir Staess; Willem Boucquet Blasiuss;
Adriaen van Nispen Gerrits; Frans Adriaens; Heyman van Bleyenbergh
Adriaens; Cornelis van Beveren Claess.
But whether they all unanimously passed this sentence, is not stated;
however, it appears that the majority concurred therein, which can not
have taken place without grief and compunction of conscience on their
part, since but a short time before they had sought to get rid of the
doomed man, and for this purpose had sent him to the Hague, to the
court of Holland, that he might be judged there; but when he returned
they sentenced him to death--certainly a lamentable matter on their
part; but on the part of the martyr a matter of rejoicing, since death
was for him the entrance to an eternal and blissful life.
_The first letter of Joris Wippe, written to his wife, when he was
sent from Dortrecht to the Hague._
The eternal joy and gladness which ear has not heard, nor eye seen, nor
has entered into the heart of man, this same joy and gladness I wish
you my dearest wife and sister, whom I love in God, for a heartfelt
salutation. Amen.
My most beloved wife and sister in the Lord, I wish you the joy of the
Holy Ghost in your heart, for a heartfelt greeting in God our Savior
and Lord; which joy of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there
is no law; and they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the
affections and lusts. Gal. 5:22–24.
Therefore my dear wife in the Lord, take heed to yourself, that you
abound with this precious Spirit; for of that with which one is filled
he will bring forth. Regard not the joy and pleasure of this world; for
whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to
his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the
Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7,8. O
dear sister in the Lord, let us “not be weary in well doing; for in due
season we shall reap if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity,
let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the
household of faith.” Gal. 6:9. Hence, pray always with all prayer,
watching and supplication in the Spirit, in all your requests to the
Lord (Eph. 6:18), and let your modesty and obedience, and your love to
God, be an example and pattern to all our dear obedient children, whom
the holy Lord has given us, to the praise and glory of his Father. And
use diligence in teaching and admonishing them; and chastise them, lest
the Lord requires them at your hands. Do your very best, so that I may
see you all again at the resurrection of the just. Luke 14:14. Be well
content, and always fix your heart and mind upon the living God; for he
will not forsake the widow and the fatherless; but his eyes behold the
afflicted widows and fatherless, and his ear is open unto their prayer.
Hence, be patient, and commit all your concerns to the Lord; he will
be a kind Protector to you. If you remain faithful to him, he will be
faithful to you; he will not be wanting on his part.
I further let you know, that my mind and heart are still fixed upon the
living God, and I trust by his great mercy not to separate from him,
and I daily wait for my redemption. I thought that your sister had just
come in time to witness my offering. I knew nothing to the contrary for
a time; but my hour had not come yet: the Lord knows how to reserve
his own for the proper time. O dear wife, pray the Lord for me as long
as I am in this poor, weak flesh. I trust to remember you also in my
prayers, and I most affectionately thank you in the Lord for sending me
so kind an exhortation, which is food for the soul; I also thank you
for the temporal things.
Herewith I commend you to Almighty God, and to the word of his grace.
Amen. Greet all the brethren and sisters much in the Lord.
Written by me, Joris Wippe, your husband and brother in the Lord,
imprisoned at the Hague, in Holland, for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
_The second letter of Joris Wippe, written to his wife, when he,
through those of Dordrecht, lay imprisoned at the Hague._
Everlasting joy, grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, through
Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and the joy of the Holy Ghost in your
heart and conscience, be with you, my most beloved wife and sister in
the Lord; I wish it to you as an affectionate salutation in the Lord,
and to all our dear children, whom God has given us; to him be praise
forever and ever. Amen.
My most dearly beloved wife and sister in the Lord, I salute you with a
loving heart in the Lord with the salutation of Christ, and also all my
dear obedient children, whom the holy Lord has given us to the praise
and glory of his Father. My most beloved wife in the Lord, I also
inform you with joy that my mind, heart and soul are still fixed upon
the living God and Father, through Jesus Christ his dear, beloved Son,
our Savior; and I trust, through his fatherly love, which he shows to
me poor, unprofitable servant, through his great mercy, not to separate
from him and his holy word; for his word is truth, and his commandment,
life everlasting. He went before us with much misery and tribulation;
we must follow his footsteps, since the servant is not above his Lord.
For he has so kindly admonished us with regard to this, saying: If
they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you, if they have
excommunicated me, they will also excommunicate you; and all these
things will they do unto you, because they have known neither me nor my
Father. John 15:20,21.
Hence, my dear wife, whom I love in God, be well content, and fix your
whole heart and hope upon the living God; he will not leave you an
afflicted widow, with all your fatherless children; for his eyes are
upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry, and he will
succor the cause of the widow and the fatherless. Ps. 34:15.