were particularly mentioned. First: They do not believe that the holy
body of Jesus Christ is in the sacrament, but observe the Supper as
Christ observed it with his disciples. Secondly: They do not believe
in infant baptism, but in the baptism of adults; as Christ commanded
it. Thirdly: They believe in marriage (which article they confessed,
and did not deny); and the like articles, which were written there,
and read; as also, what they thought and confessed of the Roman
church; but this was written in as vituperative language as it had been
possible for the Judge to put it.
They were then led to the place of execution, called the Schweinacker,
near the Schafhuetten. There Eustace, who was feeble and sick according
to the flesh, was beheaded first. After him brother George Raeck
cheerfully stepped forward to the executioner, and exclaimed with a
joyful heart: “Here I forsake wife and children, house and home, body
and life, for the faith and the divine truth. He then knelt down, and
the executioner beheaded him also.
John Korbmacher was reserved for the last, who, when he beheld the
other two lying there beheaded, said: “My brethren, you who have
overcome shall inherit all things.” The executioner then took him, tied
him to a ladder, kindled the fire, and threw him alive into the same.
He also laid the two beheaded bodies upon a pile of wood, and burnt
them to ashes.
Thus did they testify their faith in Christ with their word, life and
death, yea, voluntarily and patiently, with their body and blood,
confessing that God gave them such strength as a blessing; and thus
they with firm confidence departed from this world to go to the eternal
fatherland.
SOETGEN VAN DEN HOUTE, AND MARTHA, A. D. 1560.
At this time also a pious woman named Soetgen van den Houte fell
into the hands of the persecutors of the truth, so that after severe
assaults and imprisonment she testified and confirmed the faith of the
ever enduring truth with her death and blood, on the 27th of November,
1560, in the city of Ghent; and with her another woman, named Martha.
Soetgen van den Houte also states that her husband had previously
likewise valiantly trodden the wine-press of suffering and fearlessly
testified the truth, and gave his life for it, as the following
testament clearly shows.
A TESTAMENT OF SOETGEN VAN DEN HOUTE, WHICH SHE LEFT HER CHILDREN,
DAVID, BETGEN AND TANNEKEN, FOR A MEMORIAL, AND FOR THE BEST, AND WHICH
SHE CONFIRMED WITH HER DEATH, AT GHENT, FLANDERS.
_In the name of the Lord_:
Grace, peace and mercy from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
this I wish you, my dear little children, David, Betgen, and Tanneken,
for an affectionate greeting, written by your mother in bonds, for a
memorial to you of the truth, as I hope to testify by word and with my
death, by the help of the Most High, for an example unto you. May the
wisdom of the Holy Ghost instruct and strengthen you therein, that you
may be brought up in the ways of the Lord. Amen.
Further my dear children, since it pleases the Lord to take me out of
this world, I will leave you a memorial, not of silver or gold; for
such jewels are perishable: but I should like to write a jewel into
your heart, if it were possible, which is the word of truth, in which I
want to instruct you a little for the best with the word of the Lord,
according to the little gift I have received from him and according to
my simplicity.
In the first place, I admonish you, my most beloved, always to suffer
yourself to be instructed by those who fear the Lord; then you will
please God, and as long as you obey good admonition and instruction,
and fear the Lord, he will be your Father and not leave you orphans.
For David says: What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he
teach in the way that he shall choose. Ps. 25:12. He also says: The
eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in
his mercy; to deliver their soul from death. The angel of the Lord
encampeth round about them that fear him. O fear the Lord, ye his
saints: for there is no want to them that fear him; for the fear of the
Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Ps. 33:18,19; 34:7,9; 111:10.
Therefore, dear children, learn to fear the Lord, and you will receive
wisdom. The wise man says: A wise son heareth instruction. Whoso loveth
correction and instruction loveth knowledge. A wise son feareth and
escheweth evil. A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son
putteth his mother to shame. He that walketh with wise men shall be
wise; but the companion of fools shall be like them. He that refuseth
correction and instruction destroyeth his own soul; but he that heareth
reproof will become wise.
O my most beloved, depart not from correction. The wise man says:
Chasten thy son while there is hope. Prov. 19:18.
Hence, my most beloved, grieve not when you are corrected, and speak
not crossly to those who correct you. A soft answer turneth away wrath;
but grievous words stir up anger. Prov. 15:1. If you are crossly spoken
to, learn to answer kindly, and you will be loved by all men: for
humility and meekness are acceptable to both God and men.
Furthermore, my dear children, I admonish you, to beware of lying;
for liars have no part in the kingdom of God. Rev. 21:8. It is also
written: Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, and he whose mouth
lieth, his soul shall die. Prov. 12:22; Wisdom 1:11. Therefore, my dear
children, beware of it; for he that deals in lies is loved by no one.
My dear children, keep this in your hearts; my dear lambs, guard your
tongue, that it speak no evil; neither practice deceit with your lips;
nor be guilty of backbiting, for thereby come contention and strife;
but Paul teaches us, to live peaceably with all men if it be possible.
1 Pet. 3:10; Romans 12:18.
My most beloved, keep this sent you from your mother; and obey your
parents; and those whose bread you eat, and all who admonish you to
virtue. Eph. 6:1. Always be diligent to do your work, wherever you be;
for Paul says that if any will not work, neither shall he eat. 2 Thess.
3:10.
It is also written: “Be diligent to labor, that you may have to give to
him that needeth.” Eph. 4:28. Hence, turn not your face away from the
poor. “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall
cry himself, but shall not be heard.” Prov. 21:13. Tobit taught his
son, saying: “Son, if thou hast abundance, give alms accordingly: if
thou have but little; be not afraid to give according to that little.”
Tob. 4:8. Alms given of one’s labor is acceptable to God. The wise man
says: Alms purge out sin. We also read of Cornelius and Tobit that
the angel said: Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial
before God, whom thou didst beseech with tears, and didst leave thy
dinner to go and bury the dead. Acts 10:4; Tob. 12:13.
Therefore, be diligent in prayer, and love the poor: for Christ also
was poor for our sakes. 2 Corinthians 8:9. Be therefore also merciful,
even as your heavenly Father is merciful; for such shall be blessed,
and shall obtain mercy. Also learn to be meek and lowly in heart; for
such are blessed and shall inherit the earth. Luke 6:36; Matt. 5:5. And
blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.
Hence, my dear children, let no impure thoughts remain in your hearts,
but engage yourselves with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and evil
thoughts will have no room. Neither let filthiness proceed out of your
mouth; for of this an account will have to be given. Eph. 5:19,4; Matt.
12:36.
Furthermore, my most beloved, wherever you be esteem yourselves as
the least, and be not wise in your own conceit, but always suffer
yourselves to be instructed by those who are above you, and always
be silent when others speak. Humble yourself beneath all men; for
whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; but he that shall humble
himself shall be exalted. Matt. 13:12. For Christ, who is the greatest,
made himself the least, for an example unto us. Ps. 8:6; John 13:13.
And, as is written: The greater thou art, the more humble thyself and
thou shalt find favor before the Lord; for the power of the Lord is
great, and he is honored of the lowly. Sir. 3:18,20.
My children, be also just in all your dealings; for in the way of the
just there is life, and in the beaten path there is no death. It is joy
to the righteous to do that which is right, but fear to evil-doers.
Further, choose to earn your bread by the labor of your hands, and to
eat your bread with peace. Seek not to be a merchant, nor be anxious
for great gain. Better is little with the fear of God, than great
treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dry morsel, and quietness,
than a house full of sacrifices with strife. Prov. 15:16; 17:1.
My children, love not dainties, nor wine. He that desires costly feasts
will not become rich; but be content with the labor of your hands.
Overtax no one, but be satisfied with what is reasonable, as you have
seen of me. Be burdensome to no one, as long as you can obtain the
things needful. It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35.
And Paul says: If ye have food and raiment, be therewith content. 1
Tim. 6:8.
Hence, my dear children, take an example from this, and always go on in
the ways of the Lord with sobriety and thankfulness, as you have heard
me read of Daniel, of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who were selected
by the King of Babylon, to be nourished with the same wine and meat
which the King drank and ate at his table, in order that they might be
beautiful, to serve the King. But they would have nothing but pulse and
water; they wanted to observe the law and commandments of their fathers
with sobriety and thankfulness in the fear of God, and they were fairer
and fatter than those who ate of the King’s dainties. Dan. 1.
Thus faithfully they walked in the ways of the Lord, with prayer and
supplication made themselves acceptable to him; therefore God did great
things through them, and delivered them from the den of lions, and out
of the fiery furnace. And Joseph: when he was sold into Egypt, desired
no dainties, nor wine, because the Egyptian women sought to seduce him;
but he feared God, and God preserved him. He pleased God by sobriety
and prayer, so that he was appointed ruler over Egypt. Deut. 37, 39, 41.
My dear children, take an example from this, in your youth, and you
will please God, and he will keep you from all seduction.
O my lambs, you are still in your youth, in your infancy; you have
yet your part in your Father’s kingdom, see that you keep it well and
do not as Esau did, who gave his inheritance or birthright for a mess
of pottage; not regarding his father’s blessing, he gave it away for
perishable food. Gen. 25:33. But Jacob chose the better part, and was
obedient to God and his father, walking the ways of the Lord with all
righteousness.
My most beloved, seek instruction, so that you may be taught, and know
which is the true way; for you may now choose life or death, good
or evil; whichever you desire, shall be given you (Sirach 15:17);
namely, if you delight in evil, so that you choose the pleasures of
the world (from which springs all unrighteousness), namely, lying and
cheating, gambling, playing, swearing, cursing, backbiting, hatred,
envy, drunkenness, banqueting, excess, idolatry, covetousness,
lasciviousness, vanity, filthy conversation, dancing, and so forth;
which things, though the world does not consider them sins, but
amusements, are nevertheless abominations in the eyes of the Lord. 1
Pet. 4:3.
Therefore, my dear children, take heed; if you take pleasure in these
things, you sell your birthright or the inheritance from your father,
for a mess of pottage, namely, for a few temporal pleasures, which
lead you to damnation. See whether all the great multitude do not
choose to walk this way. Hence Esdras has truly said that there is much
more earth found, to make earthen vessels, than gold, to make golden
vessels. And as the wave is greater than a drop, so there will be more
that will be damned. 2 Esd. 8:2,3; 9:15,16. For many are called, but
few are chosen, for they do not heed their call; as Christ says: My
sheep hear my voice, and they follow me; but these follow the great
multitude of the ungodly and false prophets. John 10:27.
Hence Isaiah says: Hell hath opened her mouth wide, to receive the
proud and all that do unrighteousness, and all that will not repent.
Is. 5:14.
Therefore, behold, my most beloved, if you suffer yourselves to be
instructed in virtue, you will follow the voice of the Lord, as from
the time of Abel until now many who suffered have done; they were
rejected, despised, persecuted and killed because they would not follow
the wicked world and her false prophets.
Behold, my most beloved, choose rather to suffer affliction with the
children of God, so that you may be rewarded with them; for they are
the ones to whom belong all the beautiful promises, but they must
suffer much, for the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the
violent take it by force. Matt. 11:12. It is also written: Ye must
through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of heaven. For David
says: We are led to death as sheep for the slaughter. And Paul says:
We which live are always delivered unto death. It is also written: Ye
shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be
sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. Ye shall have
tribulation for a little while, but be of good cheer and be faithful
unto death, and I will give you a crown of life. Revelation 2:10. In
the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world. John 16:33. And God shall wipe away all tears from
their eyes. We further read: “The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his
wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should
be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the
righteousness of saints.” “Blessed are they which are called unto the
marriage supper of the Lamb.” Rev. 19:7–9. “Then shall the righteous
shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father.” Matt. 13:43.
See, my most beloved, this is the better part and reward of all those
who fear the Lord, walk in his ways and keep his commandments. These
are they to whom the Lord says: Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye few
men of Israel: I will not leave you orphans; but I will be your God,
and ye shall be my people; and I will keep you as the apple of mine
eye; yea, if ye keep my commandments, though ye were cast out unto the
uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather you from thence, and
will bring you unto the place that I have chosen. Is. 41:14; 51:7;
Zech. 2:8; Deut. 30:4; Neh. 1:9.
O who would not love such a Lord and Father, who has chosen us, as he
chose Israel, and has given us his commandments and laws, namely, his
Gospel, which teaches us to do his will, and his pleasure; and such he
has made heirs of all the riches of heaven. Is. 49:7.
O my dear children, I have written this in tears, admonishing you out
of love, praying for you with a fervent heart, that, if possible, you
might be of this number. For when your father was taken from me, I
did not spare myself day or night to bring you up, and my prayer and
solicitude were constantly for your salvation, and even while in bonds
my greatest care has always been that my prudence did not enable me to
make better provision for you. For when it was told me, that you had
been taken to Oudenarde, and thence to Bruges, it was a hard blow for
me, so that I never had a greater sorrow. But when I thought that my
coming or providing could not help the matter, and that for Christ’s
sake we must separate from all that we love in this world I committed
all to the will of the Lord, and I still hope and pray constantly, that
he in his mercy will preserve you, as he preserved Joseph, Moses and
Daniel in the midst of wicked men. And he will do this, if you give
diligence to follow the truth; then the angel of the Lord will be with
you, even as he was with Tobias, guiding him until he brought him to
his father’s house, where he rejoiced with his father and his friends,
thanking God for his great goodness. Tobit 7:11.
Thus also, if you will follow good instruction, it will guide you
safely through every danger, and bring you to your Father’s house,
where there is such joy prepared, that ear has not heard, nor eye seen,
nor has it entered into the heart of man, what joy is prepared for the
elect; but to the elect God has revealed it by his Holy Spirit. Is.
64:4; 1 Corinthians 2:9,10.
May the word of the Father bring you to this, through the mercy of the
Son, and may the wisdom of the Holy Ghost strengthen you, that you may
apprehend it. Amen.
David, my dear child, I herewith commend you to the Lord. You are the
oldest, learn wisdom, that you may set your sisters a good example; and
beware of bad company, and of playing in the street with bad boys: but
diligently learn to read and write, so that you may get understanding.
Love one another, without contention or quarreling; but be kind to
each other. Let the one that is wise bear with him who is simple, and
admonish him with kindness. Let the strong bear with the feeble, and
help him all he can, out of love. Let the rich assist the poor, out
of brotherly love. Let the younger obey the older in that which is
good. Admonish one another to be industrious, so that people may love
you. Exhort one another to good works, to modesty, honorableness and
quietness. Always care for one another; for the time has come, that
love shall wax cold; yea, if it were possible, the very elect would
be deceived. Matt. 24:12,24. Hence, take heed and learn diligently to
search the Scriptures, so that you may not be deceived; but always hold
to the first and second commandment, which will teach you aright. Do
not easily believe it, when evil is told you of another, but examine
the matter; and make no commotion when you are slandered, but bear it
for Christ’s sake.
Love your enemies, and pray for those who speak evil of you, and
afflict you. Rather suffer wrong, than that you should grieve another;
rather suffer affliction than that you should afflict another; rather
be reproached, than that you should reproach another; rather be
slandered, than that you should slander another; rather be robbed, than
that you should rob another; rather be beaten, than that you should
beat another, and so forth.
Behold, my most beloved, all this is wrought through brotherly love,
and is all comprehended in the second commandment; hence, you must
constantly see that you do not seek solely your own profit, but always
care for those with whom you have dealings, whether they be young or
old.
Further, my dear children, Betgen and Tanneken, my beloved lambs,
I admonish you in all these same things, as that you obey the
commandments of the Lord, and also obey your uncle and aunt, and your
elders, and all who instruct you in virtue. To those whose bread you
eat, you must be subject in all that is not contrary to God. Always
diligently admonish yourselves to do your work, and you will be loved
wherever you live. Be not quarrelsome, or loquacious, or light minded:
or proud, or surly of speech, but kind, honorable and quiet, as
behooves young girls. Pray the Lord for wisdom, and it shall be given
you. Diligently learn to read and write, and take delight therein, and
you will become wise. Take pleasure and engage in psalms, hymns and
spiritual songs. Seek for the _only_ joy. Learn to please the Lord from
your youth, as did the holy women and virgins, as Judith. Judith 8.
Esther also was a virgin who feared God; she was adorned with humility,
was gracious, honorable, kind, and humble of heart; hence she pleased
King Ahasuerus above all the other virgins. Esther 2:17. But in her
high estate she was not proud; though she shone in royal apparel,
she humbled her heart, with fasting and prayer to the Lord, for her
brethren, that they might be delivered out of the hands of their
enemies; she did not esteem herself better than one of the least of her
brethren.
See, my most beloved, when you have attained the years of
understanding, see that you adorn yourselves with good works,
namely, the works of the Spirit, that is, with all manner of
goodness, gentleness, meekness, humility, obedience, long suffering,
righteousness, modesty, honorableness, purity, peaceableness,
steadfastness, mercifulness, wisdom, diligence in good works, faith,
hope and love; to love God above all that is in the world, and to do to
your neighbor as you would have men do unto you, on which hang all the
law and the prophets. Gal. 5:22,23; Matt. 22:37,40.
Behold, my dear children, this is the adornment of the saints, etc.
O my most beloved, labor for such a wedding garment, so that you may
enter in among the number of the children of God to the marriage of the
Lamb, where they shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their
Father. Rev. 19:7; Matthew 13:43.
May the strong hand of the Lord bring you to this; may he lead you as
he led Israel out of Egypt, and bring you to the New Jerusalem, that we
may see each other with joy in the day of the resurrection.
Herewith I commend you to the Lord, the God of Abraham, the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob; may he keep you to the end of your lives.
Amen.
My dear children, this I leave you as a memorial or testament. If you
put it to good use, you will gather more treasure by it, than if I had
left you many riches, which are perishable; for the riches of this
world may be lost through fire, war, or misfortune.
Hence, he is not wise who sets his heart upon anything that is
perishable, since we have no assurance of it for an hour; we must leave
it all behind; therefore, grieve not, though what we had is scattered
or lost, as the prophet says: We are a prey to every one. Is. 59:15.
Hence you are to thank the Lord yet, that he let us have it until I
have brought you up so far: and if you walk in all righteousness, the
Lord will give you enough. Take an example from Tobias. Tob. 4:19.
David also says that the righteous shall not want, nor his seed go
begging bread. Ps. 37:25.
Therefore covet no one’s property or treasures; nor envy any one
because he has more than you. Neither regard any person for his gifts,
but follow the little flock, who walk truly in love; for love is the
bond of perfectness, and the command of love is superior to all others.
Luke 12:32; Col. 3:14. Therefore, see constantly that you follow those
who walk most in love; for the tree is known by its fruit, though these
are hid from all men; but Christ was too, and the servant is not better
than his lord. Matt. 10:24.
Herewith I will bid you adieu; adieu my dear children, and adieu all my
dear friends.
My most beloved, though our adversaries tell you, that your father and
I are not of the same faith, do not believe them; for he confessed the
truth concerning baptism and the incarnation of Christ, in all that he
was able to comprehend, and he valiantly testified to righteousness,
giving his life for it, pointing out to you for an example, the same
way which the prophets, the apostles and Christ himself went. He had
to go before through the conflict with much tribulation and suffering,
and leave his children behind for Christ’s sake; hence do likewise, for
there is no other way.[286] Give diligence to read the Testament. Amen.
[286] From what is related here, it appears that also Soetgen van den
Houte’s husband died for the truth, as a valiant witness of Jesus;
although we have not been able to learn the time, place and manner of
his death.
A LETTER OF SOETGEN VAN DEN HOUTE TO HER BROTHER AND SISTER, AS ALSO TO
HER CHILDREN.
_Written out of love_:
The peace of the Lord be with you; my dear brother and sister, know
that I have received two letters, with their contents, and I thank you
most cordially for all the friendship you have ever shown me, and shall
yet show me, I hope, in my three lambs whom I leave behind, commending
them to the Lord and to those whom he shall direct thereto in his grace.
Herewith I take leave once more; I think it is now the last time. We
are of such good cheer to offer up our sacrifice that I cannot express
it. I could leap for joy when I think of the eternal riches which are
promised to us as our inheritance, and to all who persevere in what the
Lord has commanded us. Matt. 10:22. I know not how I shall praise the
Lord that he has chosen Martha and myself to this estate, us who are
such poor, simple lambs, for we have never been esteemed in the world,
except as outcasts; and that God has chosen such rejected, miserable,
simple worms of the dust, that he will work through us, that we should
be his witnesses, we who are not worthy of ourselves to receive the
very least gift which the Lord might bestow, etc.