I was apprehended. Now I remember the words of the apostle, that I
have had godly sorrow, and that godly sorrow worketh repentance to
salvation. 2 Cor. 7:10. Yea, I had such sorrow at times, that I did
not know whither to turn, and sometimes cried to the Lord with a loud
voice, saying: “O Lord, crush my old heart, and give me a new heart
and mind, that I may be found upright before thine eyes.” Ezek. 36:26.
I said to my dear husband: When I apply the rule of the Scriptures to
my life, it seems to me as though I must perish. Well may I say with
David: “Mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as a heavy burden
they are too heavy for me.” Ps. 38:4. I said: “My dear husband, pray
the Lord for me; I am so harassed--the more I direct my thoughts to
the Lord, the more the tempter assails me with other thoughts.” 1 Pet.
5:8. Thus I cried to the Lord, and said: “O Lord, thou surely knowest
that I desire nothing but to fear thee.” My husband would comfort me
sometimes; it seemed to him that I did nothing but what could stand in
the sight of the Lord. I said: “I have not my first love” (Rev. 2:4);
therefore I grieve, so that I cannot sleep. There is no hope to die
unto sin, I apprehend to live a long time yet; though I strive never so
much to reform, yet I remain as vile as ever: “O wretched man that I
am, whither shall I go?” Rom. 7:24.
I should have written more to you, but the messenger came and informed
me that we were to go [die]. My dearly beloved friends, such was the
joyful sentence my husband, and I, and our brother heard: we showed
each other such love, and had such a glad heart. I thanked the Lord
so greatly, that the lords all heard it. They bade me keep silence,
but I spoke fearlessly. When we had heard our sentence, all three of
us spoke, and said that they had condemned righteous blood, and other
words. My dear husband spoke so friendly, and said so often, with a
glad countenance, that all the people beheld it: “Yes, we thank the
Lord!”
Herewith I commend you to the Lord. Hasten to come to us, and that we
may live with each other in eternity.
_Another letter or confession of Claesken._
When we were before the full council, we were addressed by the
Procurator General of the council, who presented to the lords a general
statement of what we had confessed before the commissary, and made
a long speech, how long we had not been to church, that we had not
had our children baptized, and that we were Anabaptists, and said
that according to the decree we had forfeited our lives, and that our
property had lapsed into the hands of the King. Thus he accused us
before the lords, and harangued us upon life and property, and when
he had related how and where we had received our baptism, he asked us
whether we would adhere to our baptism. We boldly and fearlessly said
with a glad heart, that we had received one baptism according to the
command of the Lord. Our brother Jacques said that if the contrary
could be proven to him with the word of the Lord, he did not want to
act contrary to his word.
My husband said that he would adhere to his baptism. And I said, as
our brother had said, that we had received one baptism according to
the word of the Lord. Every time he said: “Just as you think.” He then
asked us, whether we did not wish an advocate. Our brother said: “The
Lord is our Advocate.” 1 John 2:1. With this we went away. We went from
the council glad and joyful, though it was to cost our lives. Acts 5:41.
Since that time, my husband and our brother appeared once before the
pastor of the Old Court, and on Sunday in Lent all three of us were
before the steward, our brother first; he had a long conversation with
him; and proved it to him with the Scriptures, so that he could not
say a word against it, except that it was from the devil, since there
were many in hell, and that ours were the worst; thereupon my husband
was brought before him, and then I. When I appeared before him, he
began to speak of infant baptism, of my baptism, the necessity of
eating the flesh of Christ, and many other things. I said: “You need
not bring these matters up; it is not given me to dispute with you. I
tell you flatly, I will adhere to that wherein the Lord has called me.”
He replied that the devil had called me. I said: “Is it the nature of
the devil now, to desist from evil, and do good? It is with us as the
prophet says: He that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey. Is.
59:15. Thus it has gone with us; from the first day that we forsook
our vain, wicked life, we were hated of every one, as Christ says:
‘Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.’” Matt. 10:22. He
says: Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have
no more that they can do; but fear him which hath power to cast soul
and body into hell. Luke 12:4,5; Is. 51:7. Yes, him alone we fear. He
insisted that I should express myself with regard to infant baptism,
and the eating of the flesh of Christ. I said: “It is not worth while
for me to answer your questions; they are so useless. I have told it
to you enough; I shall tell you no more;. we have had enough of it.”
I said: “Wake up, and give heed; you certainly see that it is not in
human power what the Lord enables us to do, that we can leave our dear
children, yea, joyfully resign our lives, for the honor of God.” I
said: “Take heed what you do, we are God’s holy people, his chosen.
Though all your learned men in the whole world should agree, they
cannot prove to us with the word of the Lord, that we believe or act
contrary to the Word.” He said that we at least did not believe that
the apostles ate the flesh of Christ, and drank his blood, and Christ
says: “Take, eat, this is my body.” I said: “Christ took the bread,
gave thanks, brake it, and gave it to his apostles. When he took the
bread, brake it, and gave it to them, the bread was certainly no flesh;
he surely did not give them his living body to eat, when he stood alive
among them; but he gave his body for redemption, not for them alone,
but for all who should believe in him.” However, he was not to be
convinced, but held to his old tune.
Our brother had proved everything to him so clearly with the
Scriptures, that he could not say a single word against it. Our brother
spoke very loud in order that those who stood without the chancery
should hear how clearly he proved it to him. I also spoke as loud as I
could, with a glad heart; whatever the Lord gave me to utter I spoke
fearlessly; to relate all of which would take too long. He constantly
reiterated that we had the devil in us, that the devil transformed
himself into an angel of light in us, that we were possessed of the
devil of pride, and that we must forever go into the abyss of hell.
Thus he did every time we were before him. I said: “As lightly as you
consign us to the abyss of hell, so highly are we exalted with the
Lord.”
As regards infant baptism he knew nothing to say, except Christ says:
You must be born again of water and of the Spirit. John 3:5. I said:
“Children cannot understand the new birth; Christ said this to the
adult; hence we have put off our old life, and put on a new life. We
well know that our children are saved before the Lord.” He then cited
David, how he was born in sin. Ps. 51:7. Our brother had explained it
to him clearly, yet he remained as ignorant as ever. When we had ended
our conversation, I asked him what my husband said. He replied: “Your
husband also persists in his views.” I said: “What will you do with my
poor husband, who cannot read a word?” He replied: “Your damnation will
be greater than that of your husband; because you can read, and have
seduced him.” With this I left him. Afterwards Claesken, her husband,
and brother Jacques were drowned, for the testimony of the truth, at
Leeuwarden, in Friesland, in March 1559.
JELIS DE GROOT, AND MAHIEU VAN HALEWIJN, A. D. 1559.
At Kortrijck, in Flanders, there were two godfearing and simple
brethren, one named Jelis de Groot, the other Mahieu van Halewijn,
who would much rather suffer affliction with the people of God, than
enjoy every vain pleasure with the wicked world; which affliction they
also could not escape; for in the year 1559 they were apprehended,
and immediately examined concerning their faith, which they freely
confessed, and adhered to unto the end, notwithstanding the threats
made against, and the torments inflicted upon, them on this account,
so that they were finally sentenced to death for their steadfastness,
and, as valiant heroes of God, publicly, in the sight of many, passed
through temporal death, to await, with their fellow-brethren, gone
before, under the altar, the day of their avenging. Rev. 6:9.
KAREL VAN TIEGEM, A. D. 1559.
About the same time there was also apprehended at Kortrijck, for the
love of God, and living according to his word, a brother named Karel
van Tiegem, who was not ashamed freely to confess Christ his Lord
before men, and to make a good confession of his faith, in which he
also persevered unto the end; but however greatly he was tormented,
he would not implicate others; hence the rulers of this world seizing
occasion against him, as Pilate, instigated by the priests to remain
Caesar’s friend, did against Christ, condemned him to death, and caused
him to be burnt with fire; wherefore they must expect the sentence of
eternal fire, which shall have no power over him.
WOLFGANG MAIR, AND WOLFGANG HUEBER, IN THE YEAR 1559.
In this year 1559, two brethren, named Wolfgang Mair and Wolfgang
Hueber, were apprehended for the faith, in the district of Lutzenburg,
and taken to Titmain, whence they were brought to Saltzburg, in both
of which places they had to suffer and experience great torment and
tyranny. Wolfgang Mair was twice brought to the rack, stripped each
time, and severely tortured; but he could not be induced to say aught
that was contrary to his faith. The secretary said: “You must tell who
took you into his house or lodged you; or you will have to die upon
the rack.” He replied: “If I die, I die; I will nevertheless not say
aught against my conscience, nor betray those that have done me good.”
Then they left off torturing, and priests came to them with manifold
allurements, and labored long and much with them; they also sought to
turn them with many threats and entreaties, and denied all hope to
them, with many blasphemies, all of which they earnestly contradicted,
defending the truth with great zeal, since the Lord gave them such
strength, that they had already surrendered their lives for the truth.
After this there was much consultation concerning them, especially
among the priests; once it was resolved to imprison them for life; but
God brought to nought this purpose. Afterwards they were much tempted
yet by one and the other, of those who wanted to make them renounce
their faith; but it was in vain, they put them all to shame with the
Word of God, and freely declared to them, that their faith was the way
of divine truth in Jesus Christ, to which they would steadfastly adhere
by the help of God, no matter what anybody should say or undertake
against it. Thereupon they were taken back from Saltzburg to Titmain,
to be sentenced to death. When their sentence was read they vigorously
contradicted it, saying that it was not true, and that their faith
was profitable unto all things, and that it was neither heresy nor
deception.
When they were led out of the city, some women wept for compassion,
that they were thus to be put to death on account of the faith; but
they said: “You need not weep on our account; but weep for yourselves,
and for your sins.” They also sang for joy that their end and
redemption were so near at hand.
When they were at the place of execution, brother Wolfgang Mair cried
to the people: “Today I will offer unto my God a true burnt sacrifice,
pay my vows, and testify with my blood to the divine truth.” Thus they
were executed with the sword, and then burnt with fire, cheerfully,
valiantly and boldly resigning their temporal life, to inherit eternal
life.
Some who were the principal cause of their imprisonment and death were
signally smitten by the judgment of God, so that some of them died soon
after, while others did not meet with a natural death, but were so
touched by God, that it was easy to see that they were visited by the
wrath of God.
JAN JANS BRANT, A. D. 1559.
In the year 1559, on the 9th of November, it happened that a brother
by the name of Jan Jans Brant, was apprehended for following Christ
and the gospel, at Geervliet, in South Holland. When he was examined
by the learned, he steadfastly adhered to his faith, and confessed it
freely, saying further: “This is the true way to eternal life, which
is found by so few, and walked by a still smaller number; for it is
too narrow for them, and would cause their flesh too much pain.” On
account of these and like words, they became embittered against him
more than against any malefactor, so that they would have made away
with him in a fortnight, had not his life, through the intercession of
certain persons, been spared a little longer, so that in all, he lay
in prison one month. Afterwards they sentenced him to be drowned in a
sack, for which he was well prepared. The executioner tied him into
a sack, and cast them from the high Hofbrugh.[279] The sack bursting
open, the executioner struck him with a stick on his body, so that he
called from the water: “O how you murder me!” Many were moved to pity,
that he had to die so miserably. Thus he offered up his sacrifice, and
rests now from his labor, and is awaiting the glorious Sabbath spoken
of in Isaiah, yea, the rest with Christ in Paradise. Philip. 2:17; Rev.
14:13; Luke 23:42.
[279] Name of a bridge.
TRIJNKEN KEUTS, A. D. 1559.
Trijnken Keuts was a widow who lived in the city of Maestricht. Having
come to the knowledge of the divine truth through the holy gospel, she
in her simplicity laid the matter to heart, and continued day and night
in earnest prayer, until the Lord further enlightened her with the
clear, shining light of his divine grace, and endowed her with power
of faith, so that she, believing and penitent, had herself baptized,
upon the true faith, in the name of Jesus Christ, a member of the body
and church of Jesus Christ; and as she lived according to her faith and
no longer resorted to the papal idolatries, but abstained from every
abomination, and entered upon a new life, the venomous beast could not
endure this, and she was therefore accused and reported as a heretic
to the authorities of said city. Thereupon the burgomasters cited her
to appear in the Landtskroon (the house in which the burgomasters
and the council hold their court). When she received this summons,
through a servant of the burgomasters, she went to the Landtskroon.
Arriving there, she was asked and examined by the burgomasters, in
regard to what had been reported to them, as to whether it was so with
her; and when she frankly answered them, and confessed the truth,
they imprisoned her there. Having been confined for a time, in the
meanwhile undergoing many importunities and conflicts, she was finally
caused to be rigorously examined by the priests (one of whom was a
Dominican monk), before whom she freely confessed her faith. When asked
whether she was rebaptized, she replied: “I was baptized upon my faith
according to the doctrine of Christ;” in regard to which they had yet
many more words together; but she adhered to the truth. The priests
also questioned her concerning the sacrament, whether she did not
believe that when the priest had pronounced five words over the bread,
Christ was present in it, essentially with flesh and blood, just as
he had hung on the cross. Trijne said that she believed that Christ
had ascended to heaven, and was sitting on the right hand of God, his
heavenly Father. And she asked, saying: “How should he come into the
bread?”
When she thus steadfastly adhered to the truth, these priests condemned
her to be burnt to ashes here, and to burn forever in hell. Trijne
said: “When you, in a few days, will follow me before the judgment seat
of God, you will find it to be otherwise.” Upon this judgment, Trijne
was delivered to the Bailiff and the Judges, by whom she was sentenced,
that she should be led forth, according to the imperial mandate, and be
burnt to ashes; which Trijne gratefully received, willingly submitting
to it. She was therefore, with her mouth gagged, led to the Vrijthof,
where she put off her tabernacle, and was burnt to ashes, having
commended her soul into the hands of God. 1 Pet. 1:14. This occurred in
the year 1559, on Palm-eve, in Lent.
It was currently reported as true, that one of the aforementioned
priests, namely, the Dominican monk, three days after Trijnken was
offered up and burnt, was unexpectedly (he not having been known to be
sick), and secretly found dead in his cell, and that he was being eaten
up by lice; but what part God had in this matter, this we leave to his
righteous judgment, who will give to every one his merited reward.
FRANSKEN VROEVROUWE, NAENTGEN LEERVERKOOPSTER AND PLEUNTGEN VAN DER
GOES, A. D. 1559.
There were also at Antwerp three sisters, namely, Fransken Vroevrouwe,
Naentgen Leerverkoopster, and Pleuntgen van der Goes, who were kindled
with the love of God, and, as lambs and sheep of Christ, heard and
followed the voice of their Shepherd, so that, having been apprehended
on this account in the year 1559, they steadfastly adhered to the truth
amidst all solicitations, tortures and sufferings; hence all of them
finally died for the name of Christ, being drowned in a vat, in the
prison.
But those who condemned them to death, must therefore expect from the
Lord the severe judgment that shall come upon them on this account.
Matt. 7:2.
BETGEN, NEELKEN, AND MARIKEN FRANSS, IN THE YEAR 1559.
In this year also three other sisters, namely, Betgen, Neelken, and
Mariken Franss, were apprehended at Antwerp, for living according to
their faith in God, and as they, with a firm confidence, as those that
were born of God, steadfastly contended for the accepted truth, they
were finally sentenced to death and drowned. Thus they had to press
their way through the strait gate, this temporal death, in order to
enter in, and inherit, together with all the valiant witnesses of God,
his eternal and imperishable kingdom.
ADRIAEN PAN AND HIS WIFE, A. D. 1559.
In the year 1559, also Adriaen Pan, the faithful friend of Christ, and
his wife, were in the claws of the wolves, at Antwerp, in Brabant,
where they, through the grace of God, endured severe imprisonment and
cruel examinations; but through true faith and living hope they were
so firmly united to their Captain, Christ Jesus, that they could by
no means be brought to apostatize. Hence they were condemned to death
by the rulers of darkness, who knew not the light of truth; and thus
Adriaen Pan was most miserably put to death with the sword, his wife,
who was pregnant, bearing it all for Christ’s sake, however much it
pained her. After she had given birth to her child, she was drowned,
suffering it with great steadfastness. And thus they entered into
eternal rest with the Lord.
_A letter by Adriaen Pan, written in prison, in the year 1559._
Grace and peace from Gd our heavenly Father, through the merits of
Jesus Christ his beloved Son, with the true illumination of the Holy
Ghost, we wish all lovers of the eternal truth. Amen.
My dearly beloved and longed-for brethren, whom we love from the bottom
of our hearts, and bear in our hearts, as those with whom we are one
soul and one body, though we are now apparently deprived of you, you
are nevertheless the more in our hearts, and we entreat you, that no
one will faint at our tribulations to which we are now subjected;
for we hope that you will be rejoiced to hear it, since we know for
certain, that it is for the truth. 2 John 1:1; Acts 4:32; Eph. 3:13; 1
Thess. 3:3.
Peter says: Let none of you suffer as an evil-doer, or as a thief; but
if you suffer as a Christian, happy are you; for the glory and Spirit
of God rest upon you; but on their part he is evil spoken of. Paul
says that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us; yea, that eye
hath not seen, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love him. As the sufferings of
Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. My
dear brethren, how should we not be of good courage, when we hear such
comforting words! My dear friends, the more tribulation there is to try
us, the more we are comforted. This we experienced at the start, when
we were apprehended, when they assailed the house, as though they meant
to destroy it with all that was in it. Then was my heart strengthened,
as though I was a different person. True, my wife was somewhat
distressed before they laid hands on us; but when she saw that it had
to be, fear left her, as a garment put off, and she began to sing:
“_Dus weest bedacht, ende op hem wacht; Want by sal komen als een dief
in der nacht._”[280]
[280] Take heed therefore and watch for him; for he shall come as a
thief in the night.
For we had not expected them yet, and had packed our things, intending
to depart soon; but the Lord ordered it otherwise, praised be he
forever. As they were busily engaged in plundering, I would fain
have sung: _Noyt meerder vreught in my en was, dan nu is in desen
tijden._[281] But I restrained myself from singing, because I thought
that many more trials were awaiting me yet; but the Lord be praised,
who does not suffer us to be ashamed. Ps. 25:3. They began to upbraid
us much concerning Munster and Amsterdam; but I told them that I was
innocent in the matter, and that it was for the truth that we suffered.
I also said: “I am not yet thirty-three years old; how then could I
have been there?” Some railed, others lamented: but I said: “Weep not
for us, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.” Methinks, we
could well have said with David: “Though I were compassed about by ten
thousands of people, who should come upon me, I should not fear them;
yea, they have compassed me about; they compass me about like bees, but
in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.” Psalm 3:6; 118:12.
[281] I never had greater joy than at this present time.
My dear brethren, we do not say this, to boast, but for joy, and to
thank God for the great power and strength which he grants us; and
for the joy of all lovers for the truth, who may hear this. Pray for
us that we may continue steadfast unto the end. We beg you to receive
our few lines in good part. The 15th day of our imprisonment, and the
9th of May. My wife and I salute you much, and all with whom we are
acquainted, or who may inquire after us.
_Another letter by Adriaen Pan, written after he was sentenced._
Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, through the merits of
Jesus Christ, with the true illumination of the Holy Ghost, we wish all
lovers of the eternal truth. Amen.
My dear N., I still remember you at the end of my life, and pray
Almighty God to comfort you with his Spirit, and instruct you with all
spiritual wisdom and understanding that may conduce to your salvation.
Col. 1:9. I further inform you, that I was on the rack the 2d of June,
and on the 16th day I was brought into court, where they asked me
whether I was baptized, or rebaptized. I asked whether I was permitted
to speak. They consented. I said that I believed all that was written
in the law and in the prophets, and would live and die by what Jesus
Christ and his apostles taught and commanded; and that I was baptized
upon acknowledgment of my sins, that I was sorry for them, and upon
confession of my faith, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Ghost. Thereupon they sentenced me; hence I expect nothing else
than that they will do their will with the body; may the Lord receive
the spirit. I am quite ready to live and die for the name of the Lord.
I cannot sufficiently praise and thank God, that he has called me to
suffer for his name. O my dear N., I am of good cheer; the Lord, I
trust, will give me strength unto the end. I cannot say that I ever had
a happier day in prison, than when I was apprehended, and when I was
sentenced. My dear N., be of good cheer; it will soon be over here; and
let us not fear them that kill the body; but Christ tells us whom we
shall fear. I and my wife salute you most affectionately with the peace
of the Lord. Receive my brief letter in good part; I would fain have
written you more, but I am not much gifted for it; however, I thank the
Lord for all that he has given me.
Greet the dear friends much, with whom we are acquainted, or who
inquire after us. Farewell!
Written by me,
ADRIAEN PAN.