to those who are here the most rejected, if they call upon him with
confidence and firmly place their hope in his grace unto the end; it
were impossible that the Lord should reject them. Hence I pray all that
love the Lord, that they humble their hearts, for the Lord says through
the prophet Isaiah: “I will dwell with him that is of a contrite
Spirit, and of a broken heart, and trembleth at my word.” Is. 57:15;
66:2.
Yea, those who thus humble themselves before the Lord, and do not think
themselves to be something before God, and before men, them shall God
exalt and enrich with heavenly riches. Matt. 23:12. Remember how Christ
chose humility, when he left the glory of his Father and descended
into the lower parts of the earth. From obedience to his Father,
and out of great love he became man; with great humility he came to
serve us, suffered pain and reproach, enduring it with patience and
longsuffering, out of obedience to his Father, even unto death, until
he had finished all, so that he might save us. Philip. 2:8. O what love
did he show us by his anxiety and sighing, when he said, according to
his humanity: “How am I straightened till it be accomplished!” Luke
12:50.
O my most beloved, consider our Leader, Jesus Christ, how he regarded
the humility of Mary, that he would be born of her. And though she
was chosen to such a high estate, she humbled herself, saying: Behold
the handmaid of the Lord. For God hath regarded the low estate of
his handmaiden; therefore, henceforth all generations shall call me
blessed. For his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to
generation; for he hath scattered the proud. He hath put down the
mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled
the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. To
the poor the gospel is preached. Blessed are they which do hunger and
thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled. Luke 1:38,48,
etc.; 7:22; Matt. 5:6.
O my dearest, my heartfelt desire and request is, for the last time,
that you give diligence to walk in love, simplicity, and harmony among
yourselves, always in the fear of God, that you may be filled with the
heavenly good things, and satisfied now and forever. Amen.
Herewith I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace. May
he comfort, strengthen, stablish you all with his Spirit, that you may
finish that whereunto you are called, to the praise and glory of the
Lord, so that you may rejoice together, and set down at the Lord’s
table, where he shall serve us with new wine, in the kingdom of God,
his Father.
This was written when we had eaten our last supper, as far as we know.
Herewith I bid adieu to all my brethren and sisters. I and Martha, my
sister in the Lord, salute you much with the peace of the Lord, for the
last time all who are known to us or not, wherever they be. We rejoice
in the Lord, we bid adieu till we meet above, in the New Jerusalem.
Heb. 12:22.
Read this last farewell to all who desire to hear it, before you send
it away; and then send it to my sister Betgen.
Further, my dear child Betgen, I rejoice greatly that the Lord spared
me so long, that I was made glad before my death through your letter,
by which you have strengthened me. I pray the Lord to strengthen and
confirm you with his Spirit, that you may go on thus, and follow that
which is best, as you wrote to me.
O my dear lambs, see that you do not spend your youth in vanity, or
pride, or drinking, or gluttony, but in sobriety and humility in the
fear of God, and diligence in every good work, that you may be clothed
with the adornment of the saints, so that God may make you worthy
through his grace, to enter in to the marriage of the Lamb, and that we
may see you there with joy. Your father and I, and many others, have
shown you the way. Take an example from the prophets and apostles, yea,
Christ himself, who all went this way; and where the head has gone
before, there the members must certainly follow.
Herewith I will commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace.
This is my last farewell, my dear lambs; always remember each other in
love; diligently learn to read and write, and obey every one in that
which is good. When your brother David and Tanneken come to you, greet
one another with a friendly kiss of peace, in my name.
Herewith I bid you adieu, my dear child Betgen; adieu, my dear children
David and Tanneken; adieu, all my dear brethren and sisters, and
friends everywhere.
Once more we say adieu; greet uncle and aunt much with the kiss of
peace, in my name.
Written by me Soetgen van den Houte, your mother in bonds; written in
haste (while trembling with cold), out of love for you all. Amen.
JOOST JOOSTEN, BURNT AT VEER, IN ZEALAND, A. D. 1560.
It occurred in the year 1560, that at Veer, in Zealand, there was
apprehended a young brother named Joost Joosten, a native of Goes,
a small town in Zealand, who was considerably versed in the Latin
language. When he was a student of about fourteen years, it happened
that King Philip was in Zealand, and that this Joost Joosten was
singing choral in church, in the organ-loft, as is customary in
papistic churches. The King was so delighted with the lad’s singing,
that he wanted to take him with him to Spain; on which account Joost
kept himself concealed for six weeks, as he did not want to go
away. Thus, he afterwards became converted to the true faith, and,
consequently, was baptized upon his faith, and thus led a Christian
life. This the enemies of the truth could not endure: hence they
apprehended him when he was eighteen years old. He had to suffer many
assaults, and divers times attempts were made to draw him from the
faith. He disputed with four inquisitors concerning many articles of
faith; they made strenuous efforts to draw him over to their religion.
When they could not move him with such means, they tortured him
dreadfully, especially with instruments called iron _teerlingen_, which
they thrust into his knees so that they came out again at the ankles.
But all this he steadfastly endured with great patience, and faithfully
kept the treasure which he had in an earthen vessel. Hence the children
of Herod sentenced him to death by burning; which they executed on him
on a Monday before Christmas. On his way to death he rejoiced greatly
in the Lord, and sang yet as he was going into the hut of straw in
which he was burnt, the last verse of the hymn composed by himself,
which begins thus: “O Lord, thou art forever in my thoughts.” He also
wrote a confession of faith, of five sheets of paper, which, however,
through course of time has been lost.
KOOLAERT, THE COOPER, A. D. 1561.
At Honschote, in Flanders, there was apprehended for the truth, in
the year 1561, a brother named Koolaert the cooper, who, after freely
confessing his faith, was taken to Wijnoxberge, and as he also there,
notwithstanding the tortures inflicted upon him, would depart neither
to the right nor to the left, he was sentenced to death, and burnt
alive, about St. Martin’s day, for the testimony of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
JOOS VERBEECK, A. D. 1561.
On the 7th of June 1561 the Margrave of Antwerp went out with a large
retinue, well armed with sticks and staves, and they apprehended Joos
Verbeeck, a minister of the word of God and of his church. On the
9th he was examined; he confessed his faith very freely, as also his
ministry; of which the Margrave and the lords made much sport. He was
also very severely tortured; but God kept his lips in everything, so
that he inculpated no one. Although he was treated so unmercifully that
a rope broke in two on his body, and that in four days he had to go to
the rack twice, and was once scourged till his blood flowed, he bore
all patiently; this, however, he greatly lamented, namely, that they
had broken, or lamed by torturing, his right hand, and thus disabled
him from writing.
On the 20th day of the month he was brought into court, where the
Bailiff asked him whether he was rebaptized. He answered: “Ask me
for my faith, which I confessed in prison before the lords and the
Margrave”. The Bailiff then asked him what he thought of infant
baptism. He said: “I confessed that it is not of God, but a human
institution.” The Bailiff asked again whether he was rebaptized, and
said: “Say yes or no; for I know you will not lie; therefore, tell me
the truth.” He said: “I was baptized upon my faith, as Christ teaches.”
Matt. 28, Mark 16.
Having confessed his faith, baptism and doctrine, he could not well say
much more. The lords concluded his sentence, he, in the meantime saying
to the people: “Dear citizens, I have lived here eleven years, and no
one can complain of me, since I have never wronged any one, and my life
and doctrine agree with the word of God.” “That is true,” exclaimed a
brother: upon hearing which, the thief-catchers arose and searched for
this brother, but did not find him.
Joos said: “O that I might publicly defend myself against the priests
who came to me in prison; as Paul could do before Agrippa; but we are
forbidden to speak.” Acts 26:2.
Coming out of the court, he said: “He that delivered Daniel out of the
den of lions, will also preserve me; for what I suffer is for the name
of the Lord, and not for evil-doing.”
“That is true,” cried a brother; and others cried: “Fight valiantly,
dear brother.” Joos boldly and cheerfully said: “Dear citizens, thus
must all the children of God suffer; this way was trod by the saints of
God, the prophets, and so many pious men.”
When he approached the little house, yea, stood before the door of
the hut in which he was to offer up his burnt sacrifice, he cast his
eyes up to heaven, saying: “O holy Father, assist thy servant in this
extremity.” The executioner’s servant wanted to thrust a gag into his
mouth, to prevent him from speaking; but he did nevertheless not keep
silence, for he was heard to exclaim: “O Lord, thou Son of David, have
compassion upon me.”
The executioner performed his task, trembling with fear. When the fire
was kindled, Joos cried: “O heavenly Father, into thy hands I commit
my spirit. O Lord of hosts, who didst separate me from my mother’s
womb, succor thy servant in this last extremity, since I suffer for thy
name.” Jeremiah 1:5; Gal. 1:15. Once more he cried: “O heavenly Father,
into thy hands I commend my spirit.” And with this, he quietly offered
up a fiery sacrifice, for an example and pattern to us all.
A BRIEF LETTER FROM JOOS VERBEECK, WRITTEN IN PRISON AT ANTWERP, TO HIS
WIFE.
Grace and mercy from God our heavenly Father, and our Lord Jesus
Christ, be to my dear wife and sister in the Lord, for an affectionate
greeting, all the days of your life, in the true earnestness of the
Holy Ghost. Amen.
I greet you and all my five children most affectionately. Bring them up
in the nurture of the Lord, and behave yourself as becomes holy women,
in order to teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands,
to be discreet, chaste, and obedient to their husbands; and firmly
persevere in the same rule in which you stand. Eph. 6:4; Tit. 2:2.
May the Lord fit you for every good work that becomes your calling.
Herewith I commend you to Almighty God, and to the word of his grace;
may he grant that we may see each other in eternity.
By me, Joos Verbeeck, your husband, and brother in the Lord; written
at Antwerp in prison,--where I am confined for the testimony of Jesus
Christ--with my left hand, with great trouble, as my right hand has
been tortured lame.
Greet all the friends, especially the ministers.
JULIUS KLAMPHERER, A. D. 1561.
In the year 1561, brother Julius Klampherer, from Italy was imprisoned
at Venice, for his faith and the divine truth. Again and again they
arraigned and examined him, and disputed with him, to cause him to
apostatize; but he always defended himself wisely. He was permitted to
put in writing that which he discussed, concerning his faith, with the
papistic commissaries appointed for this purpose, and thus to defend
himself, and give an account of his faith in his own hand-writing. When
he had done this, and steadfastly adhered to it, they finally sentenced
him to be cast into the depth of the sea; whereupon he answered and
said: “This is nothing strange to me, for it was told me in the
beginning of my conversion, that I must expect to die for the testimony
of the truth; but it does seem strange to me, that the lords of Venice
concur in such a purpose, and do not consider or weigh, that at the
last day they will have to give an account before God, for innocent
blood.”
Thereupon they replied to him, that they did not ask him concerning
this. And as they did not relish what he said, they did not allow him
to say anything further, but hurriedly remanded him to prison.
And being resolved to execute the sentence which they had pronounced,
and to proceed with it, they, according to their custom, since he had
been a priest, desecrated him, and then, in the dusk of an evening,
under the pretense of leading him before the lord, took him out and
unexpectedly cast him into the depth of the sea, and drowned him.
However, he had expected nothing else; hence he was joyful, and
constantly sang and praised God with a glad and valiant heart, until he
obtained the crown of the pious martyrs and faithful witnesses of Jesus
Christ. And though they drowned him secretly by night, yet it will be
revealed at the great day of the Lord, and severely avenged.
LAUWERENS VAN DE WALLE, ANTONIS SCHOONVELT, KALLEKEN STRINGS, AND
MAEYKEN KOCX, A. D. 1561.
In the year 1561 several brethren and sisters, after suffering much
persecution, took up residence near Ypres in Flanders, at a place
called _ten Hoogensiecken_. Having left money, property, friends and
kindred, to follow Christ, and live there in quietness, engaging in
tape-weaving, in order to gain a living by their trade, they were
spied out while they sat and worked together, and the inquisitor came
to apprehend them. He was accompanied by a large force well provided
with sticks, swords and ropes, and they arrived just at the time when
Antonis, who had made them a visit, and had taken leave, stood at the
door, ready to go.
As they thus arrived with great noise, Stijntgen Potvliets (who was
pregnant) ran out of the house first, and was apprehended. Karel N.
also ran out at the door, and master Klaas (who was a great persecutor,
and fellow helper of the inquisitor) pursued him, struck at him with a
bare sword, and though Karel was wounded by it, yet he escaped. Maeyken
Kocx (who was also pregnant) was attacked by the inquisitor, who held
a naked sword in his hand, and as she cried aloud to him to spare her
child, and he acted in a very bloodthirsty manner, he, like a madman,
wounded himself.
Lauwerens van de Walle, Antonis Schoonvelt, and Kalleken Strings were
also apprehended, but Hendrick N. made his escape.
While they were being bound, they comforted one another much with
the word of God, and when they were brought out of the house, they
cheerfully spoke to the neighbors, saying: “Can anyone complain of us?
It is for the name of Christ that this is inflicted upon us; we need
not be ashamed of it.” Matt. 10:22; 1 Pet. 4:16.
On their way to town, Kalleken commenced to sing a hymn. Then said
master Klaas: “The apostles did not sing, as you do; nor do I want to
dance; why then do you sing?” Antonis said: “Sister, do not fear these;
just sing as much as you want to;” and Lauwerens helped her sing. When
they came into the city, there was a great concourse of people, and
they made known the word of God by singing and speaking. Among other
things, Lauwerens said: “That we are apprehended, is not on account of
evil doing, but because we live according to the word of God.”
Kalleken Strings said: “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life (Matthew 7:14); repair to it, do good
and forsake evil, and fear not the rulers of this world, but buy
Testaments, read therein the counsel of God, and follow it.” They were
then confined in the court of the prison, where they remained for
several months and days, patient and of good cheer, waiting until they
should offer up their sacrifice, and being visited and comforted in
the mean time by many brethren and sisters. They were also sometimes
examined in regard to their faith, which they freely confessed, and
from which no pain or suffering could induce them to depart.
Finally, having suffered many tortures, on the rack as well as
elsewhere, Lauwerens van de Walle, Antonis Schoonvelt, and Kalleken
Strings, as they adhered valiantly and steadfastly to the truth, were
delivered by the inquisitor into the hands of the secular authorities,
to be dealt with according to the import of the royal decree. In
delivering them, the inquisitor also, in the hearing of the ignorant
people, read severe charges (as he thought) against them, as,
among other things, that they confessed the Pope of Rome to be the
antichrist. 1 John 2:18. That they held the Roman church to be the
whore of Babylon. Rev. 17:5. That they pronounced the sacrament to be
an abominable idol, etc.
Thereupon Lauwerens commenced to say that he had not said or confessed
this without a fuller explanation. He was instantly and savagely told
to keep silence, but he said: “Thieves and murderers are allowed to
have some one who speaks for them; but you have brought it about that
neither a procurator nor an advocate may speak for us; hence we must
speak for ourselves.”
Kalleken Strings also, who sat there with her head resting on her hand,
exhausted from excessive torture, let her voice be heard boldly.
On the testimony of the inquisitor, Lauwerens van de Walle and Antonis
Schoonvelt were both sentenced by the authorities, to be publicly
strangled and burnt at the stake, and to this end a scaffold with two
stakes, as also wood and straw, was prepared in the market place.
They were brought out with their arms tied together, and coming to
the place where they were to be offered up, they fell down upon their
knees, and prayed to God. When they had arisen, the executioner asked
their forgiveness for what he was about to do, and they kindly forgave
him, according to the teaching of Christ. Matt. 6:14.
Lauwerens said with a loud voice to the authorities, that of a truth
he would gladly forgive them and all who were guilty in the matter.
He also boldly said, like the third of the Maccabean brethren: “These
limbs God from heaven gave; therefore I will willingly surrender them
for his law’s sake.” 2 Macc. 7:11. As they went into the hut, both
cried farewell to all the brethren and sisters scattered in many
countries, cities and villages, and with this commending their spirits
into the hands of God, they departed this world.
In the month of October of the same year, also Kalleken Strings, a very
fine and well-bred maiden, was delivered to the secular authorities.
She was modest, fearless and steadfast, so that neither many fair
promises of riches and money, or temporal prosperity, nor pain or
severe torments (though she was tortured to such an extent, that she
was taken from the rack for dead), could in any wise draw her from her
faith; yea, even her mother, when she visited her in prison for this
end, could not move her, nor accomplish her purpose, but hearing and
seeing her daughter’s steadfastness and kind treatment of her, she
said: “My daughter is better than I am.”
Afterwards she was also sentenced to be strangled and burnt; whereupon
she said: “You have now sentenced me to the fire, according to the
Emperor’s decree; fear the judgment of God, which he shall hold, to
condemn you to eternal fire.”
When it was thought that Kalleken was about to be executed, a great
multitude of people flocked together from far and near, to see it.
Seeing this, and fearing a disturbance, the authorities did not have
her brought forth; only the executioner came out of the city hall, and
said to the people, that she was dead already. Thus, the people went
away, thinking that she had been privately beheaded.
But early the next day, and unexpectedly, no scaffold having been
erected, but other preparations made, she was brought into the market
place, and when she had offered up her prayer to God, and commended
her spirit into his hands, sentence was executed on her, and thus she
departed this world, going with a burning lamp to meet her bridegroom.
Matt. 25:1.
In the meantime, Stijntgen Potvliets, not continuing steadfast, was set
at liberty; but Maeyken Kocx, who remained immovable, was retained and
kept until she was delivered of her child, and was out of childbed,
whereupon (though her heart clung dearly to her husband and children,
yet loving God above all, and, out of love to him, adhering to the
truth known and accepted, esteeming this precious treasure of greater
value than her own life) she was sentenced to be publicly strangled and
burned at the stake, which was also executed. Commending her spirit
into the hands of God, she joyfully departed this world, well knowing
that she should inherit eternal joy, and be permitted to enter in with
the five wise virgins, when the cry shall be made at midnight: “Behold,
the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”
ORVEL, JAN AND PLEUNIS, A. D. 1561.
About this time Orvel, Jan and Pleun were severally apprehended for
the truth, at Cologne, and as they steadfastly confessed the truth,
and could not be moved by any kind of torture or crafty seduction,
but remained faithful, they were finally taken out on the Rhine, and
drowned, having commended their souls into the hands of God, in the
year 1561.
FEANCHOYS VAN ELSTLANDT, A. D. 1561.
A brother, Franchoys van Elstlandt, also called France van Meenene, a
mason by trade, went from Meenene to Arien in French Flanders, to work
at his trade there, and thus earn his living. There, on St. Denis’
day, the ninth of October 1561, just as he was leading a horse to
water for the master for whom he worked, he was apprehended, because
he did no longer worship the priest’s idol, and when he, after many
solicitations, threats, and much suffering, would not renounce his
faith, he was finally, on the 21st of October, burnt alive, as a
witness of God. On this occasion, a monk shamelessly cried: “Go, thou
accursed, from this into the eternal fire.” But Franchoys bore it with
patience, committing vengeance unto God, who will judge righteously in
due time.
JOHN SCHUT, A. D. 1561.
In the year 1561 another valiant hero and soldier of Jesus Christ,
named John Schut, fell into the hands of the tyrants and persecutors,
for following Christ, and living according to God’s holy word, in the
city of Vreden, in Westphalia. There he suffered and, through the grace
of God, endured, severe imprisonment and threats of death. When brought
bound before the lords, to give an account of his faith, he freely
confessed the same, saying that he believed according to the word of
God:
1. They asked him concerning his baptism, and what he held in regard
to infant baptism. He replied that he was baptized upon his faith, as
Christ his faithful Savior has commanded us in Mark 16, that baptism
is to be given only to believers, and not to ignorant children, and
that he had never read of infant baptism in the holy Scriptures, and
that it could therefore by no means be proven with the word of God, but
that baptism belonged only to those who had amended their sinful life.
They angrily asked him, whether he would not give up these views. He
answered that it were by no means expedient for him, to forsake the
word of God, and die an eternal death, but that he would rather suffer
for the truth, though the pain should be as great again.
2. In regard to the Lord’s Supper, he also thoroughly confessed before
them that it must be observed according to the institution of Christ,
and that we must by it remember, with an humble heart, his bitter
sufferings and innocent death, and how he shed his precious blood on
the cross for us poor sinners.