JESUS CHRIST, AT GHENT, IN FLANDERS, A. D. 1559.
_A confession written by Hans de Vette, at Ghent, where he was
imprisoned with eleven others, in the year 1559, touching his
examination._
On the first Friday after Whitsuntide there were imprisoned at Ghent
for the word of the Lord, the following named persons: Pieter Coerten
of Meenen, Kaerle Tanckreet of Nipkerck, with Proentken, his wife,
of Belle, Jacob Spillebout, Abraham Tanckreet, and Maeyken Floris of
Nipkerck, Anthonis van Cassel, Hans de Smit, Marcus his brother, Hans
de Vette, with Maritgen, his wife, of Waesten, and Tanneken, the wife
of J. de S. These had been delivered by treachery to the Procurator
General, who, with three thief-catchers, took them away prisoners from
their lodging place, in the evening.
The next day we were visited by the authorities, who asked us, each
separately, for our names, and where we came from, which we told them.
They then asked us whether we confessed another baptism than infant
baptism, and whether we had also received another. We all renounced
idolatrous infant baptism, and confessed that we had received Christian
baptism, except Marcus de Smit, who confessed that he had not yet
received it, but that if he had opportunity, he wished to receive it
with all his heart. They then asked us whether we desired learned men
to instruct us; that they would send us some, and just such as we
wanted, ecclesiastics or secular men; they also said that they should
not hurry us. But since they almost always asked us separately the same
questions, I, the writer of this, said that by the grace of the Lord I
wanted no other instruction than I had received, though an angel should
come from heaven. Gal. 1:8.
Besides this, they nevertheless, about eight days afterwards, sent one
Friar Peter de Backer (who had partly spied us out), with one of his
companions,--two false prophets, called Jacobines, as I believe. After
we had appeared before them, and exchanged a few words, we came to
infant baptism, which he declared to be a divinely instituted doctrine,
saying that circumcision was a figure of it; also, that the apostles
had baptized entire households, and that Christ had commanded it, John
3. But when I had proven to him, that he had not spoken the truth,
and that the apostles had baptized none without faith, as is clearly
found in the Acts of the Apostles, he endeavored to speak about another
article, saying that we should not be able to agree. But I told him
that I desired to see the first finished before proceeding further, and
begged him to repent, proving to him, that their worship was a rotten
and putrid idolatry, contrary to all the commandments of God, and a
human plant; and that God’s commandments were sufficient for us, that
no lies need be added to them, and that it availed nothing to regard
what God has not commanded. Then he said that I was deceived, and had
looked too much at their abuses: that it was true there were some
abuses in their church, but that the principal of what was observed in
it, was good. After many words we parted.
A few days afterwards the Dean of Ronse, an inquisitor in the country
of Flanders, came, and with him, said Peter de Backer, who had visited
us first, and other false prophets. When I appeared before them, the
Dean asked my name. I replied that my name was Hans de Vette. Then he
asked me whether I was married. I replied: “Yes.” He then asked me
whether my wife was also of Waesten. I replied: “Yes.” He asked me
how long I had been married. I said: “Not very long.” He asked me, in
what church and by what parish priest I had been married. I asked him
whether we found anything said in the Scriptures, that a parish priest
was required for it. He said that in the world whores and knaves come
together without parish priests. Then I said that I had done this
according to the direction of the Scriptures, as permitted by Paul,
in order to avoid fornication, it being better to marry than to burn
(1 Cor. 7:2,9); whores and knaves on the contrary will much rather
burn than marry, as is abundantly seen and heard in this wicked world
in many thousands of instances. He then said that this was a small
matter, and that if I had done nothing more, it could easily have
been arranged; however, I should only tell him where it took place. I
told him that I did not intend to tell him. Then he adjured me by the
living God, that I should tell him; but I made no reply. Thereupon he
asked me why I had not continued in the faith of the Roman church,
and in her worship. My reply was, that I had separated from her so as
not to become a partaker of her plagues, since darkness can have no
communion with light, nor Christ with Belial, nor the righteous with
the unrighteous, etc. Hence we must come out from among her. Rev. 18:4;
2 Corinthians 6:14,17.
He then asked me what I thought of the seven sacraments, part of which
he named to me. I replied that I considered them utterly worthless,
because of all the abominable idolatry observed by them; but since the
Lord has commanded us to confess his name before men, I said that I
would confess my faith to him. He said that I should. I then began
to make my confession; as that I believed in one God, the Creator of
heaven and earth, sea and waters, and all there is therein; and who
created man after his image. Him alone we must serve, honor, worship,
and love with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our
thoughts, since he alone is good; forsaking all idols, whether of
gold, silver, stone, metal, wood, bread, or of whatever other make or
substance they may be, even as they are rejected and prohibited in the
holy Scriptures; for we know that an idol is nothing in the world, 1
Cor. 8:4.
As I continued to speak, the Dean of Ronse said to me that I was making
it too long, to write it all down. “You would make us too much work,”
he said, “if you should thus confess your faith from the beginning of
the Bible.” “I also believe,” said he, “what you have said here; but
what do you say of the sacrament of baptism as used in our church; to
which every one must come, in order to be saved?” I replied that I
considered infant baptism worthless, since it was not commanded of God.
He said that circumcision was a figure of it, and that all the children
that were not circumcised in the Old Testament, or are not baptized
in the New Testament, must be damned. I then said, in accordance with
his own words: “Then the female children in the Old Testament must all
be damned.” He became angry, and said that what I advanced was only
sophistry. I told him that he should be ashamed to say that children
were damned, to whom as the Lord says, the kingdom of heaven belongs.
He said that I lied in this. And another priest told me that one of
Paul’s disciples writes that he had learned infant baptism from his
teacher, Paul. Thereupon I said that Paul writes that we should not
be shaken in mind, neither by spirit nor by word, nor by letter, as
sent from them; or even though an angel from heaven should come, and
teach us anything different from what is written in the holy Gospel, he
should be accursed. 2 Thess. 2:2. I also asked him to show me where the
Lord had commanded to baptize children, or to prove that the apostles
baptized infants; which he could not do.
Again, he asked me how long ago I had been baptized. I replied: “Not
yet a year.” He asked me where and by whom I had been baptized; but I
did not tell him. He then adjured me three times by the living God,
and by the baptism which I had received, that I should tell him. I
said that Caiaphas so adjured Christ. He replied that Christ spoke. I
said that Christ spoke for himself; but that when he was questioned
concerning his disciples, he did not speak.
He then asked me what I held concerning the sacrament of the altar. I
told him that I considered it nothing less than an unclean, rotten,
putrid idolatry, and an abomination before God. He asked: “How? Do you
not believe that he is present in it in flesh and blood, just as he
walked upon the earth, or as he hung upon the tree of the cross?” “Far
be it from me,” said I, “that I should believe that Christ’s flesh and
blood are here upon earth; for Christ himself said to his apostles,
that we should always have the poor with us, but that we should not
always have him.” Matt. 26:11.
He thereupon told me that he was not thus present in the sacrament,
but that it was in spiritual substance, and that I did not understand
the matter; but that this argument had been established many centuries
before my time; for when Christ held his supper he said, he took the
bread and gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my
body.” I replied that the bread which Christ gave to his disciples,
he gave them as an emblem of his body which was to be broken for
them; even as he has represented himself by figures in many places of
Scripture. In John (15:1) he says: “I am the true vine;” yet in reality
he was no vine, but he compared himself to a vine. Thus the bread which
Christ brake for his disciples, was spiritually a figure of his body;
for he says in John 6; “Flesh and blood profit nothing; but the words
that I speak are spirit and life.” He said that this was irrelevant;
“for if Christ were not present,” said he, “how could we eat damnation
thereby?” But I replied: “If it were the flesh and blood of Christ;
we would not eat damnation thereby: for Christ says himself; ‘Whoso
eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life.’ John 6:54.
Hence these words must not be understood literally, but spiritually,
namely, that if one who was still a drunkard, or covetous, or an
idolater, or the like, should go to the Lord’s Supper with the church
of Christ, whose head is Christ, such an one would be unfit to break
bread with the members of Christ, not discerning Christ’s body.” 1 Cor.
11:29. Then he said that there were many among us, who were drunkards,
adulterers, and the like, and that they were well known to him. I then
asked him: “Who are they?” He said: “J. de R.” I then asked him where
he lived. He replied: “I shall not tell you.” I said that I well knew
if there were such in our church, and were known, they would, according
to the Scriptures, be put away and excluded. 1 Cor. 5:11.
He then asked me, who had baptized me. And when he could not learn it
from me, he adjured me, but I did not tell him. Then his secretary
said: “I will wager you a pot of wine, that you will tell it before a
fortnight has passed;” but I would not bet. He then asked me how often
I had observed the Supper. I replied that I had sometimes observed
it, when opportunity offered itself, with many dear brethren and
sisters. He asked: “With whom? what are their names?” I gave him the
name of one of them, whom he specially named in his question. He then
inquired concerning others, whether I regarded them as my brethren, or
whether they were only friends or novices; “for I have learned all this
Flemish,” said he, “about novices [_aencomelingen_, i. e. newcomers],
friends and brethren.” I said: “I thought you were from Brabant; do
you understand so much Flemish?” “I hardly know what I am.” he said;
“perhaps I am a foundling.” “Yes,” said I, “John’s Revelation (13:1)
speaks of a beast, which rose up out of the sea; you may belong to that
race.”
He then asked me whether I did not believe that Jesus Christ had
assumed flesh and blood from Mary. I replied that I believed that the
Word which was in the beginning with God, and by which the world was
created, became flesh. Then he said that according to the flesh he was
David’s son. I replied: “If he is David’s son, Christ himself says: How
then doth David call him Lord?” He said that Christ only adduced this
to the Pharisees by way of argument; but Matthew, said he, describes
his generation from Abraham to Mary. I replied, that Matthew traces
the generation of Christ only to Joseph, the husband of Mary of whom
Christ was born; and Luke says that Jesus was supposed to be the son of
Joseph. “But,” said he, “do you not believe that Mary is the mother of
Christ?” I said: “Yes; Christ says: ‘Whosoever shall do the will of my
Father, the same is my mother, sister and brother.’” Matt. 12:50.
He then said that Christ was of the seed of the woman. But I told him,
that women had no seed themselves: for as the woman is of the man,
even so is the man also by the woman. 1 Cor. 11:12. Then he said that
he was of Mary’s substance and blood. But I replied that Christ said
to the Jews, that he was from above, but they from beneath; “ye are of
this world,” he said; “I am not of this world.” John 8:23. Moreover,
the apostle says: “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second
man is the Lord from heaven.” 1 Cor. 15:47. I then told them that
they should repent of their unrighteousness, persecution, and false,
idolatrous doctrine. They said: “We have the true doctrine.” I said
that Paul nevertheless commands us to avoid such as command to abstain
from meats, which God has created for the use of them that believe; and
who forbid to marry, and have their conscience seared with a hot iron;
for it is better to marry than to burn; but you people, contrary to the
Scriptures, command to abstain from meats, and forbid to marry, and
will rather burn than marry. 1 Tim. 4:2,3; 1 Cor. 7:9.
_Dean._ “We do not forbid to marry.”
_Hans._ “Certainly you do; you know that because of your commandment a
person may neither eat meat nor marry, in Lent, and on many other days;
and you have entered into a covenant that restrains you from marrying;
but you commit such fornication that it is a shame to speak of it,
as is daily seen from the bastards that are brought to your houses,
and Paul says that we shall not eat with such, namely, fornicators,
drunkards, etc., but that they are to be delivered unto Satan, for the
destruction of their flesh.” 1 Cor. 5:5.
_Dean._ “We are not so bad; we do not want to deliver them to Satan, we
are so much the better.”
_Hans._ “Poor man, would you be better than Paul? But all that is told
you is of no avail; for you will not repent; but if you want to dispute
with us in the market or any other public place, we are ready, in hopes
that some of the ignorant might be drawn thereby.”
_Dean._ “This shall not be; who should judge there? boatmen,
fish-mongers, and the like? That would be just the way to excite a
tumult; but we are fools that we dispute so much with you; the proper
way to do would be, simply to tell you our faith, and if you will not
believe it, pass sentence.”
We had many other words yet as about the worshiping of saints, the
Pope of Rome, confession, fasting, purgatory, and the sleeping of the
saints, which it would take much too long to write. The foregoing I
have written down from memory, even as they often occurred; but since
it happened long ago, I should not be able to write it down word
for word. But since I well know that it is of no avail to tell them
anything, and that they are arrogant and shameless, I sometimes give
them very brief answers, offering to dispute with them in public, which
they refused. They often put the same questions repeatedly to our
brethren and sisters that are in bonds with us, who are all still of
good cheer, the Lord be praised; for we feared the false prophets much
more before we spoke with them, than afterwards. But the Lord knows how
to give his chosen a mouth in such hours as he has promised, better
than we can imagine; for those who seemed weak when not in bonds, are
so courageous, that it is astonishing to see and hear it. The Lord
alone be praised forever and ever. Amen.
The Dean also asked me whether we did not pray for him. I said: “Yes.”
“What do you people call me?” said he; “Do you call me Saul?” I
replied: “I have sometimes heard you called the Inquisitor (they all
laughed); sometimes the Dean of Ronse.” He said: “That is my name.” We
had many more words yet; however partly from lack of paper, I forbear
writing more; but I beg all who see this, to receive it in good part,
And if possible, let a copy of this be sent to our acquaintances at
Antwerp, and one to our acquaintances in the West.
Thereupon these twelve friends (whose names are mentioned in the
beginning of Hans de Vette’s letter) all courageously laid down their
lives for the truth. First four valiantly passed through the conflict,
who offered up their burnt-sacrifice in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and a short time afterwards, six others, who, after steadfast
confession of their faith, were also brought forth, and being asked
whether they would not yet recant, they answered: “No,” but if they had
committed any crime, they should be dealt with accordingly. They were
speedily sentenced to death as heretics, and when they were taken out
to death in two wagons, two monks sat beside them, who prevented them
from speaking much, so that they could only with great difficulty speak
a word or two, namely: “Fear not them that kill the body; for after
that they have no more that they can do;” but, O men, repent, for the
apostle says that he that lives after the flesh shall die. Rom. 8:13.
When they were led into a hut of wood and straw in which they were
to be burnt, they manifested great joy, and commending their souls
into the hands of God, they put off the corruptible, to put on the
incorruptible.
There remained yet two pregnant women, who, after giving birth to their
children, and lying in, were both secretly beheaded in the count’s
castle. Thus all these, continuing steadfast unto the end, went to rest
with the Lord and shall also enter into eternal joy with him, in the
company of all the dear children of God. Matt. 25:21; John 1:12.
MAEYKEN KATS, OF WERVICK IN FLANDERS, MAGDALEENTKEN, AECHTKEN OF
ZIERICKZEE, OLD MAEYKEN, GRIETGEN BONAVENTUERS, AND MAEYKEN DE KORTE,
A. D., 1559.
On the 20th of May 1559, the Margrave of Antwerp, seeking one upon
whose head a price of three hundred guilders was set, went forth with
many servants, and surrounded and entered two houses, in which they
found six sisters, namely, Maeyken Kats, Magdaleentken, Aechtken of
Zierickzee, Old Maeyken, Grietgen Bonaventuers, and Maeyken de Korte.
But however much they searched the houses they could not find the one
whom they sought. Then the Margrave wished these women in Hoboken
Heath. But nevertheless, when he could not accomplish his purpose, he
took all six with him, and shut them in a dark prison. Afterwards they
were examined. They freely confessed their faith, and could not be
brought to recant, neither by the imperial decree, nor by threats or
torture; nor did they betray any one. Hence, on the 18th of June; the
first three were sentenced to death, and drowned in prison by night.
Afterwards, on the 11th of October, the other three were also condemned
to death; old Maeyken, the honorable widow, who was worthy of double
honor, was drowned, while Grietken Bonaventuers and Maeyken de Korte
had to taste death by the sword (unusual with women) for the truth, for
which their Lord, whom they loved and did not forget, will likewise
not forget them, but gladly receive them into his kingdom and joyfully
feast in paradise.
A LETTER FROM MAEYKEN DE KORTE.
My dear sister, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free
course, and be fruitful in all longsuffering and holiness, to wait for
him with patience; for he shall come quickly, and bring his reward
with him; he is faithful that promised, who also will do it. 2 Thess.
3:1; Rev. 22:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:25. It is as I say: our life is
a continual conflict upon earth. Know that I am of tolerably good
cheer; the flesh is pretty well, the Lord be praised. We are here
indeed as the filth of the world, and constantly long to get home,
and for a building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. We,
according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein
dwelleth righteousness. 1 Cor. 4:13. How ought we to be prepared with
a godly life! I often find myself cast down; I also discover so many
shortcomings in me, and that there is so much yet to die unto; I have
to commit it all to the Lord, with an humble heart, and trembling,
contrite spirit, asking him for grace, and not for justice. I feel that
the more I humble myself, the more the mighty God works in me, and
pours his grace into me. Then I cry most bitterly, fall upon my knees,
and thank my God, and say: “O my Lord and God, what am I, child of
Adam, that thou art mindful of him;[282] thou hast given him dominion
over all thy works. Whence is it that thou dost visit us so abundantly,
and dost so graciously open unto us thy treasures, and causest the
bright morning star to arise and shine in our hearts, and hast drawn
us out of this dark night to the imperishable light?” What shall we
render unto him, my dear sister, but a penitent and contrite heart, and
a broken spirit, with love and great gratitude; there rests the spirit
of the Lord, says David. Let us love one another fervently, for God is
love, and constantly exhort each other, lest we wax cold through the
deceitfulness of sin; so that God may be glorified in us, and we may be
delivered from pride, and from unreasonable and wicked men; for all men
have not faith. The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen and keep us. 1
John 4:8; Heb. 3:13; 2 Thess. 3:2. Know, that my sisters were here, and
desired to have a word of comfort from me. The Lord gained the victory.
I do not know how it is with me, I do not feel drawn to them, just as
though they were not related to me; I cannot rejoice, though I see
them, and it seems to me that they are afraid of me. They caused me so
much cross. They had sent a monk named Balten here, to examine me, and
were willing to give him three caps, if he should be able to convert
me. He came with fine words, but I would not speak, being sick at the
time. Then my sisters said: “Why do you not speak?” I replied: “I have
no desire at present; we have talked with him so often; he well knows
our intention.”
[282] An implied substitution of gender, peculiar to the genius
of the Dutch (as also, the German) language; the exclaimant,
losing sight of her own individuality, views herself only
as a representative of Adam’s race, and recipient of God’s
munificence.--_Trans._
This irritated Balten, and he complained greatly of me, that I
had strongly resisted the Scriptures, that I maintained salvation
erroneously, and that I had no hope. Then they wept greatly, but it
was all the same to me, whether he kept silence or spoke. He made
all leave the room, only my two sisters; he and I remaining. He then
entreated me much, saying: “My dear Maeyken, have compassion upon your
poor soul.” I boldly replied: “This I hope to do.” “Say that you are
sorry, and that you have erred; it is sufficient, and you need say no
more; an instrument shall immediately be drawn up for you, according
to my direction, and I myself and your two brothers-in-law will sign
it. It shall remain a secret, and all shall be done for you that is
possible; give your consent to it, my dear sister.” Then I was moved
in my spirit, and said: “You may give your head rest, yours is all
lost labor; I am not at all inclined to say that I am sorry. I am so
sorry for it, that if I had not done it, I should yet do what I have
in mind. I want to abide in it by the help of God, neither entreaties,
nor tortures, nor death, nor life shall turn me, and I want to die
therein; hence do not torment me.” Phil. 4:13. I wish I could speak
with Lauwerens Huysmaeker, and see all of you; but I must be patient.
I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace; greet Andries,
and Mattheus. I greet you both; greet Lauwerens, and Hans; greet
Adriaen much, and Lauwerens’ wife, and the wife of Lauwerens the
broom-maker, and Hansken’s wife.
A TESTAMENT WRITTEN BY JELIS BERNAERTS TO HIS WIFE, WHEN HE LAY IN
PRISON AT ANTWERP, WHERE HE WAS PUT TO DEATH FOR THE WORD OF THE LORD,
A. D. 1559.
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, my dear and most beloved wife
and sister in the Lord, according as his divine power hath given
unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the
knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are
given unto us exceeding great and precious promises. 2 Pet. 1:2,3.