that I am still of good cheer, and that I am also well according to
the flesh, which I hope is the case also with you and those with you.
But I should like to hear that it is your determination to follow the
Lord in all righteousness; for we know not when the Lord will visit us,
that we must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, where every
one will receive his reward, according to that he hath done, whether
it be good or bad. Hence, dear Maeyken, be obedient to the Gospel ere
that day comes, since it will come as a thief in the night (1 Thess.
5:2); for this is the true way that leads to life eternal, which has
sometimes been presented to you, and besides which there is salvation
in no other; for Christ says: “I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Now if Christ is himself the
way, the truth, and the life, let us seek to follow the truth, and to
walk this way, that we may have life. For it is written, that the Lord
shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them
that believe, and for the punishment of all them that have not obeyed
the Gospel, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord. 2 Thess. 1:7.
Dear Maeyken, though sometimes persecution, tribulation and distress
arise, yea, bonds and imprisonment, as is daily seen in us and in
others who want to be obedient to the truth; let us not on this
account cease to walk this way, or to follow the truth. For Christ
says: The world shall rejoice, but ye shall mourn and be sorrowful;
but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. John 16:20. Hence, dear
Maeyken, regard not father or mother, or children, nor anything that
is in the world; for Christ says: He that loveth aught more than me
is not worthy of me. He that loveth father or mother more than me is
not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is
not worthy of me. Matt. 10:37. For to be carnally minded is death,
yea, enmity against God, because it is not subject to the law of God,
but this is a carnal mind: to love father, mother, children, or aught
that is of the world, more than God, or for their sakes to cease to
follow the truth, or on account of temporal occupation, or temporal
loss, or because we have many children and have anxiety how we are to
provide food for them. Christ says: Seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness; and all that you need shall be added unto you.
Matt. 6:33. Therefore do your best herein, my dear Maeyken, this is my
heart’s request of you, this I pray you.
I also inform you, that I was at the Ypres fair. Having returned to
Antwerp, our cousin Hendrick and I took a walk out of the city, so
that it grew rather late; and when we drew near the city, we met the
servants (or thief-catchers) of the city, who apprehended us, so that
we could not escape their hands and keep our faith. Therefore, dear
Maeyken, though the Lord has now so ordered it, that I have been
apprehended, and the time is come that the Lord will visit me, be not
discouraged, neither grieve very much, though I know that you will
grieve; but do not grieve too much, lest you have to take to your bed,
or fall sick; for it is for the truth. Some of the hardest things for
my flesh to bear are, that I must leave you and the children, that I
cannot help you to provide food for them, nor be a protector, and that
you are not minded like we are; but I hope that this will come about
in course of time. Hence, dear Maeyken, do your best to be obedient to
the Gospel, that, if we never see each other again according to the
flesh, we may find each other hereafter. I should have liked to see
and converse with you once more; but my time is but brief perhaps. It
also would be very hard for you and for me, to part from each other,
although it is very hard for me now, though we do not talk with each
other: but we must love God above everything else; rather forsake all,
than forsake God. Hence, if you come here, or intend to do so, do your
best to follow the truth, and to bring up the children in the fear of
the Lord. Herewith I commend you to the Lord. Written at Antwerp, in
bonds. This occurred on Sunday evening after the Ypres fair. By me
Lenaert P., your husband. Greet me Franse much, and tell him to pray
the Lord for me, that I may finish my course to the praise of the Lord.
A TESTAMENT OF LENAERT PLOVIER, WHICH HE LEFT HIS CHILDREN, WHILE
IMPRISONED FOR THE WORD OF THE LORD, AT ANTWERP, WHERE HE LAID DOWN HIS
LIFE IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 1560.
Dear and much beloved children N., aged, etc., when your father was
taken from you, it was not for any crime, but for the testimony of
Jesus, and because I loved you unto death, and I wish that when you
have reached the years of understanding, you would seek your salvation,
as Christ has taught us. Matt. 6:33. Hence I have written you a brief
admonition, that when you have come to the years of understanding, you,
remembering this, may seek your salvation.
Therefore, dear children, see that you obey your mother, and honor
her, for it is written: Honor thy father and thy mother, that thou
mayest live long in the earth, and that it may be well with thee;
for he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put
to death. Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:2,3; Ex. 21:17. And be not obstinate, or
gainsaying, or quarrelsome, but kind. Neither lie; for it is written:
The mouth that lieth slayeth the soul; for a liar has no part in the
kingdom of God, nay, his part shall be in the burning lake. Wis.
1:11; Revelation 21:8. Be industrious with your hands, so as to help
your mother gain a living. Gen. 3:19; Eph. 4:28. Be not backward in
learning to apply yourself to books, so that when you have attained
to years of understanding, you may seek your salvation. Be always
modest in your words, as becomes children. And when you have come to
years of understanding, take a Testament, and see what Christ has left
and commanded us there; for all Scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Tim. 3:16,17. For the grace
of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us
that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly in this present world; for man doth not live by
bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the
Lord. Tit. 2:11,12; Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4.
Behold, dear children, that the word of the Lord is food for the soul,
by which the soul must live; and he that does not govern his life
according to these words, is threatened with eternal damnation, as
Christ says: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3. Hence Christ says:
“Repent ye, and believe the gospel; for the axe is laid unto the root
of the trees: therefore, every tree which bringeth not forth good
fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Mark 1:15; Matt. 3:10.
Therefore, dear children, see that you escape punishment; for those who
do not obey the Gospel shall be punished with everlasting destruction
from the presence of the Lord. 2 Thess. 1:9.
O dear children, behold what punishment, shall come upon him who does
not obey the Gospels--eternal banishment from the face of God, and
everlasting punishment. Hence, dear children, prepare while you have
time. Though some tribulation may arise over those who seek to obey the
Gospel, it will not last long when compared with that which is eternal:
for we must enter into the kingdom of God through much tribulation.
Acts 14:22. Therefore Peter says: “Think it not strange concerning the
fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened
unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s
sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also
with exceeding joy.” 1 Pet. 4:12,13. Even Christ our teacher and master
had to enter into the kingdom of God through tribulation and suffering;
and the servant cannot be more than his master; but it must be enough
for the servant that he be as his master. Matt. 10:24,25. Hence he
says that he came not to bring peace upon earth, but a sword; for he
saw beforehand, that the world should ill endure it, even as from the
beginning it could not endure it; for they persecuted the prophets from
the beginning, though they boasted that they had God for their Father;
yet they could not endure the good things the prophets told them, nor
their warnings; hence they persecuted, yea stoned and killed them; they
did not even know Christ himself, who did so many signs and mighty
works among them, but crucified him. O dear children, lay to heart what
Paul says: “All that will live godly shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim.
3:12); and neglect not, on account of a little suffering, to seek your
salvation: for these sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us; for as the sufferings of Christ
abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ; for it is
written: “Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye
may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful
unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Because thou hast
kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of
temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell
upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast,
that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar
in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write
upon him the name of my God; yea, to him that overcometh will I give to
eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God;
yea, he shall not be hurt of the second death; yea, he that overcometh,
the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his
name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my
Father, and before his angels; yea, to him that overcometh will I grant
to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down
with my Father in his throne.” Rev. 2:10; 3:10; 2:7,11; 3:5,21.
Yes, dear children, behold what beautiful promises are given to those
who overcome. Hence, fear not men, who can afflict us here for a short
time only; for after this tribulation we shall rest from all our
labors, under the altar, with those who were also slain for the word
of God, and shall appear with many thousand saints, clothed with white
robes, and palms in their hands, crying with a loud voice, Salvation to
our God which sitteth upon the throne, and the Lamb. They shall hunger
no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them,
nor any heat; for the Lord will be their light, and shall wipe away
all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no night there; and they
shall need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God shall
give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever. Rev. 14:13;
6:9; 7:9,10,16,17; 22:5.
Therefore, dear children, lay this to heart; look to these beautiful
promises given to them that overcome, and not to those who apostatize,
for these are written in the earth. Rev. 2:7; Jer. 17:13. Hence, dear
children, see that you fear the Lord, while he gives you time; for he
shall come when it is not expected. Watch therefore, and wait for his
coming. Is. 55:6; Matt. 25:13.
This is the testament I leave you. Written at Antwerp, in prison, where
I was confined for the testimony of Jesus. By me, your father,
LENAERT PLOVIER.
NICHOLAS FELBINGER AND JOHN LEYTNER, IN THE YEAR 1560.
In the year 1560 brother Nicholas Felbinger, or Schlosser, a willing
minister of the word of God, who was on trial yet, was apprehended,
with another brother by the name of John Leytner, not far from
Neumarkt, in Bavaria, where they had come on the first day after
Judica,[285] in Lent, on their flight on account of the faith. They
were taken to Neumarkt, where they were twice examined by the Judge
and his assessors, and interrogated especially with regard to infant
baptism. But having clearly and thoroughly shown that Christ had not
commanded it, but only the baptism of adults, who hear, understand,
believe, and accept the word of God, they were, early next morning,
placed in a cart, and, escorted by horsemen and guards, sent to
Landshut, where each was imprisoned separately, and Nicholas kept
chained. Afterwards the council met, and summoned them before them;
they spoke much with them, but could accomplish nothing.
[285] Fifth Sunday in Lent.
They then sent two learned men, namely, two Dominicans, to them, who
conversed with them about the sacrament, infant baptism, and why they
had left the papal church; but the brethren answered them from the word
of God, that they had to leave it.
Hence they then tried them by torture, racking them severely,
especially most severely when they wanted to know where they had
lodged, and whither they intended to go. But Nicholas said: “We are not
bound to tell you these things.” They asked: “Why?” He said: “Because
you confiscate their property, torture and kill them for it, and sin
against them. Should we betray those who do us good? we do not betray
even our enemies--why then our friends?” They said: Then we will not
cease to torture you, till you tell us, and left them lying on the rack
a long time, until the executioner himself interceded in their behalf,
and said; “Do desist; for though they be tortured all day, you will get
nothing out of them.”
Then the Judge became enraged, and called them rogues and condemners of
others. But brother Nicholas said: “We condemn no one; but your sins
condemn you, if you do not desist from them, this we testify according
to the truth.”
The superior Judge asked: “What is truth?” The brother replied: “You
would not understand it, though I should tell you; for you know as much
what truth is, as did Pilate, who asked the same question.” John 18:38.
After this, two doctors were sent from the monks to them, a distance
of over nine leagues; who endeavored in many and various ways to turn
them, but were not able to do it. Likewise the chancellor and the lord
of Landshut came to them once, and assailed them; but they found them
steadfast in their faith, and had to leave them steadfast, being unable
to gain them by their false and seductive counsels.
Two priests and a doctor in the Scriptures then came to them, and
vehemently argued with them about infant baptism; but Nicholas
vigorously withstood them with the Scriptures, and drove them from him.
After these, the chancellor and several Dominicans came to them, and
sought to move them by suavity; but they valiantly withstood all the
gates of hell, fully assured that they stood in the divine truth, which
they faithfully and thoroughly defended, and said that they wanted to
adhere to it in the simplicity of Christ. Thereupon the chancellor
said to brother Nicholas: “Are you simple? I cannot believe this; a
hundred might come, before there should be one who could defend himself
like you; but I consider you an enthusiast, even as many are found at
present, who roam about without reason.” But they boldly confessed and
defended their faith, and God gave them a mouth and wisdom which the
others were not able to resist. Luke 21:15.
After all this, they were sentenced to death by the children of Pilate,
and brother Nicholas’ tongue was tied fast, that he should not speak to
the people at the place of execution; towards the close, however, his
tongue was freed so much that the two brethren could converse together.
John Leytner, whom the executioner proceeded to execute first, said to
Nicholas: “Dear brother, if my death should terrify you, go forward
first, and I will wait for the last.” But brother Nicholas said: “O
no, O no; I do not dread it.” And thus John valiantly offered his neck
to the sword, and was beheaded, Nicholas beholding it with intrepidity
and boldness, as though it did not concern him. He then advanced also,
knelt down, and offered his head, which was struck off for his faith,
as had been done to the other. Thus these two testified to the divine
truth with their blood, which took place on the 10th of July, 1560.
JORIS AND JOACHIM, A. D. 1560.
A. D. 1560 there were brought before the court at Antwerp two pious
Christians, named Joris and Joachim. As they were standing as sheep
for the slaughter before the lords, the Bailiff asked Joris whether he
was rebaptized. He replied: “I am baptized according to the doctrine
of Christ, as he commanded his apostles, saying: Go and preach to all
nations. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved. Matt.
28:19; Mark 16:16. Hence they must first be taught and believe, and
then be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Ghost.”
The Bailiff also asked Joachim whether he was baptized. He replied: “I
hold to one baptism, one faith, one Lord, and God.” Eph. 4:5,6.
Then the lords sentenced them according to the King’s mandate,
whereupon Joachim, hearing his sentence, said: “My lords, we thank you
for your trouble with us; but may God forgive you the blindness of your
heart, and grant that you may become enlightened”.
As they were coming out of the court, they said: “We are not ashamed of
the Gospel” (Rom. 1:16); and while walking in the street, they sang:
“O Lord forever in my thought thou art;
My soul doth long to be close to thy heart.”
Ps. 143:8.
Thereupon Joachim said: “Fear not them that kill the body; for
hereafter, when they mourn, we shall rejoice.” Luke 6:23.
Thus they as giants in the faith pressed through the strait gate to
the new Jerusalem. After they had come to the place where they were
to offer up their burnt sacrifice, they gave each other the kiss of
peace. Standing at the stake, Joachim said: “O Father, forgive them
that inflict this suffering upon us; but we thank thee that thou hast
made us worthy to suffer for thy name; therefore, O Lord, assist us,
and succor us with thy help in this last extremity.” Joris said: “Lord,
thou knowest that I have sought thee and my salvation; and for this
cause I must now die. Therefore, O Lord, receive me graciously.” He
further said: “Citizens of Antwerp, fear not; though we die for the
truth, Christ our Lord went before us, and we must follow him.” They
then began to sing this farewell hymn: “Farewell, brethren and sisters
all,” etc. Thereupon they commended their spirits into the hands of
God, and ended their lives in the fire. They now lie under the altar,
and wait to be clothed with white linen raiment, and to shine forth as
the sun in the kingdom of the Father, where they shall be served with
new wine and heavenly bread. Rev. 6:9; 19:8; Matt. 13:43; 26:28; Rev.
2:17.
WILLEM DE KLEERMAECKER, A. D. 1560.
In the year 1560 a brother named Willem de Kleermaecker was apprehended
for the truth, and sentenced to death, at Antwerp.
Having been brought into the court, he was asked by the Bailiff,
whether he was rebaptized. He replied: “Why do you ask concerning my
baptism, and not regarding my life and faith; then you could pass a
right judgment upon me, and this people could follow it?” The Bailiff
asked again whether he was not rebaptized. Willem said: “You want but
one word, and I made a confession before this: judge rightly, and
once more consider the matter well. The Bailiff asked whether he was
rebaptized. Willem said: “You alone have asked me until this; may I
not now ask you?” The Bailiff said: “Answer first; then I shall tell
you.” Willem said: “I wish you would once think of that day that shall
burn as an oven, when the ungodly shall perish like stubble.” Mal.
4:1. He further said: Mark 16:16 it is written: “He that believeth
and is baptized shall be saved.” The Bailiff said: “You are not asked
concerning that.” Willem said: “Infants cannot believe; therefore I had
myself baptized upon my faith.”
The lords then went in, and Willem said to the people: “Repent and
amend your ways.” The Bailiff forbade him to speak, but he said: “Do
let me speak; for it cannot last long.” Presently the lords returned,
and Willem said: “My lords, judge not according to the King’s decree,
if you do not want to be lost; but think of that day which no one can
escape, in which you will regret it, unless you become converted.” He
was then sentenced, and his sentence read to him; whereupon, though it
was still early in the morning, he was taken to the market place, and
there strangled and burnt at the stake. Thus he fought his way through
as a valiant soldier of Christ.
JOHN KORBMACHER, GEORGE RAECK AND EUSTACE KUTER, A. D. 1560.
In the same year, on the first Friday after St. Martin’s day, brother
John Korbmacher, a minister of the word of God and of his church (who
was frequently sent out into the work of the Lord), was apprehended for
the faith and the word of God, near Rosenhaus, in Bavaria, together
with George Raeck, a deacon, and another brother named Eustace Kuter,
who were together taken to Innspruck, and there delivered over to the
authorities. John Korbmacher, on account of his being a minister, was
taken to Fulleburg, where he was put into a deep tower full of vermin;
bats fluttered about him; mice carried off his victuals, and numerous
spooks haunted his abode, so that it would have terrified a person not
possessed with a firm trust in God.
When the lord wanted to speak with him, he had him called by name, that
he should quickly get ready and prepare himself for suffering. The
other two brethren were imprisoned at Innspruck, in the Krauterthurm;
and all three remained in confinement until the close of the year 1560.
Afterwards, on the 2nd of January, the authorities severely examined
John Korbmacher, as also Eustace, and George Raeck, each separately.
They faithfully answered many articles, all of which were written down,
together with their confession concerning them, and this was then sent
to Vienna and elsewhere, as something new.
After this they were led back into the aforementioned towers or
prisons, where they remained until the Friday after St. Vitus’ day,
which was the 13th of June, when they were sentenced to death. On
that occasion a great multitude was present, and the brethren spoke
boldly to the lords of the court and jurors, showing to them, that the
sentence and judgment which they passed upon them in the sight of God,
since they condemned innocent blood, should rise up for a testimony of
their condemnation. And when they said that they had to judge according
to the imperial decree and mandate, John Korbmacher said: “O you
blind judges, we must certainly judge according to our own heart and
conscience, if we want to render an account of it before God. Hence, if
you judge according to the imperial mandate, how will you answer for it
before God?” And Eustace said: “What have we to do with the imperial
mandate that you read it to us? Read our confession, which we have
testified with the holy, divine and biblical Scriptures to be the truth
of God, for which we must suffer.” Thus they boldly spake, and exhorted
the people to repent. The brethren George Raeck and Eustace were led
out of the court first, when George began to cry to the people, to
repent, desist from sin, and also enter upon the way of truth, since it
was the truth for which he was to be executed to-day.
Then John Korbmacher was also led out, so that they joyfully met at
the place of execution, and praised God. A brother named Leonard Dax,
went to them, and shook hands with them, and they took farewell of one
another; on account of which they greatly rejoiced, and praised God,
that they had seen a pious brother yet, who should inform the brethren
and the church of their end. Then John Korbmacher, the minister, began
to speak to the people, and to admonish them, to repent of their sins,
and to follow the truth of God, that they might not be damned, but
saved in Christ Jesus. Yea, he lifted up his voice with the utmost
boldness, and said: “What I have taught and confessed is the divine
truth, and I will testify to it with my blood.” Thus he did not cease
to preach repentance, so that the judge said several times: “O John,
stop a little.” John then stopped for a little while; but presently
he spoke again, so that he became almost hoarse from speaking. Almost
up to their last moment they exhorted the people to repentance; nor
were they prevented from speaking, but full liberty was given them
to speak. They were also permitted to converse with each other. They
also fervently prayed to God, praising and glorifying him, that he had
hitherto kept them courageous and steadfast, and praying him that he
would continue to thus faithfully keep them until death (which was now
at hand), and receive their spirits into his hands, now that body and
soul were about to separate.