not of Mary’s flesh and blood. But as this point is a principle article
of our Christian faith, he likewise answered thoroughly upon it, saying
that he had never read this assertion of theirs in the word of God. He
asked them: “How could he be of the earth whom God the Father sent down
from heaven? But he was conceived of the Holy Ghost by the pure virgin
Mary, and became man through the effectual power of the Most High, so
that the holy thing which was born of her is called the Son of the most
high God, without partaking in the least or most of man’s polluted
or sinful flesh. But the Word, according to the testimony of John,
became flesh or man, so that the glory of the only begotten Son of the
Father was handled and seen. Thereby the promises of God concerning his
proceeding from the seed of David, are completely fulfilled in Christ,
through whom we all who were lost have been redeemed and reconciled to
God.
4. They asked him concerning their magistracy, whether they were not
of God. He replied: “Yes, for the protection of the pious, and the
punishment of evil-doers; they are ordained of God to rule their
dominions in peace.”
5. They asked him what he held in regard to marriage. He replied that
a man and a woman are united together in marriage, and that such union
may not be dissolved, save on account of adultery; following herein the
teaching of Christ, Matt. 19.
6. They asked him concerning uproar and sedition. But he answered
that he did not approve of such evil things; but that he and his
fellow-brethren, on the contrary, were taught to love their enemies,
and to do good to them that do us evil, and persecute us. And
that with truth nothing else should ever be heard of him and his
fellow-brethren.
7. They asked him who his captain was. He replied that it was Christ
with his doctrine, who had called him in peace. And to this his
faithful Savior, and his blessed doctrine he hoped to adhere, and to
confirm it with his death and blood.
Thereupon he was sentenced by these tyrants, and executed with the
sword. The chief judge who had passed this sentence, riding by the
body of John Schut, a few days after his execution, called out
mockingly: “Schut, sing us a song;” for Schut had been cheerful in his
tribulation, and sung much in prison and on his way to death. Upon this
the judge was struck with apoplexy, and never spoke again, but died
in a short time; which by many was looked upon as the vengeance and
punishment of God upon him.
Concerning this account, read his own hymn, in the old hymn book; it
begins: “_O Heer ick magh wel klagen._”
JAN, HENDRICK, BASTIAEN, HANS, MARIKEN VAN MEENEN, BEETKEN VAN BRUGH,
AND LIJNTGEN, THE 15TH OF AUGUST, A. D. 1561.
A. D. 1561, there were imprisoned at Antwerp in Brabant, for the
testimony of Jesus, seven pious witnesses of the truth, named Jan,
Hendrick, Bastiaen, Hans, Mariken van Meenen, Beetken van Brugh and
Lijntgen. All these had the house of their faith built so firmly and
immovably upon their head and corner-stone Christ Jesus, that neither
the philosophy and crafty seduction, nor the tyranny and violence of
the papists could in any wise bring them to apostatize, but their faith
was found much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be
tried with fire (1 Pet. 1:7); so that they, on the 15th of August of
said year, at said place, surrendered their lives for the truth, and
obtained the end of their faith, eternal salvation, through the grace
of God, and are waiting now to receive, together with all the pious,
the crown of everlasting glory, in eternity.
Read, concerning this, the beautiful long hymn composed for the
comforting of these prisoners, and dedicated to them, in the second
hymn book. It begins: “_Lieve broeders wy groeten u met sangen._”
TWELVE CHRISTIANS AT BRUGES: ADRIAEN BRAEL, LUCAS HENDRICKS, MARIJN
AMARE, NIKASEN AMARE, HANSKEN LISZ, ANDRIES DE MEULENAER, ANTHONIS
KEUTE, HANSKEN PARMENTIER, JAN N., JELIS OUTERMAN, FRANCIJNTGEN
MEULENAERS, MAEYKEN TRAMS, IN THE YEAR 1561.
In the year 1561, on the evening before St. Martin’s day, some
Christians were assembled together, at Bruges, in Flanders, who
instructed one another with the word of the Lord, concerning the
amendment of life. When the lords learned of this, they sent
thither the servants of the Bailiff, who came running in, and cried:
“Surrender, or we will run you through; and deliver up all your arms
and books.” They replied: “We are not a people who seek to avenge
themselves; but we leave vengeance to God, who will avenge it in due
time.” They were then fettered, two and two together, and taken to
prison; they walked on boldly, comforting one another with the word
of God. Three escaped, namely, Rutsaert, and his wife, and one named
Maeyken; but the others who were imprisoned were joyful. Francijntjen
Meulenaers said to Maeyken: “Dear sister, let us remember that the
kingdom of heaven is nigh, and let us be sincerely faithful to our
bridegroom.”
Jelis and Hansken Parmentier each sang a hymn for joy. On St. Martin’s
day they were brought before the lords, where they boldly confessed
their faith, as also, that they had been baptized aright according to
the command of Christ.
These ten brethren and two sisters remained in prison for about thirty
days, where they praised and thanked God, and prepared themselves to
suffer for his name. During this time they were once more brought
before the lords, where they again confessed their faith, and said that
they would firmly adhere to it.
Afterwards, on the 10th of December, six of them were offered up,
namely, Adrian Brael, Lucas Hendricks, Marijn Amare, Nikasen Amare,
Hansken Lisz, and Andries Meulenaer, who, boldly comforting one
another, said, among other things: “Now the fight is fought, the course
almost finished, the faith kept, and henceforth, as Paul says, the
crown of life is prepared for us.” 1 Tim. 4:7,8; Jas. 1:12.
The following day, the 11th of December, the other six were put to
death, namely, Teunis Keute, Hansken Parmentier, Jan, Jelis Outerman,
Francijntgen Meulenaers, Maeyken Trams, who also boldly and joyfully,
with their lamps, and adorned with their wedding garments, went to meet
their bridegroom, with such great love that for his sake they did not
fear bitter death. Francijntgen called to one of her acquaintances,
enjoining her cordially to greet the brethren and sisters in the Lord,
and to tell them that she so gladly suffered for the name of the Lord,
and would boldly fight, together with her bridegroom.
Thus all these, the first as well as the last six, were strangled and
burnt for the name of God and his truth. They are now at rest, and wait
for the coming of our Lord, who will avenge their sufferings.
JAN HULLE, AT YPRES, A. D. 1561.
As it is found that the wolf will generally follow his innate ravenous
nature, and therefore the sheep can make no firm compact with him, but
stand in constant danger of being devoured by him, so it appeared in
the year 1561 in the city of Ypres, in Flanders, where a godfearing
lamb of Jesus Christ, namely, an old man named Jan Hulle, was seized
and apprehended by these devouring wolves. He there had to undergo and
endure many severe conflicts with them, not on account of any crime,
but only for living according to the word of God, from which they by
tyranny sought to draw him and make him apostatize. But as he, as
behooves an obedient follower of Jesus Christ, had yielded himself
under the voice of his only Shepherd, he fled from these strangers,
and would not hear them. On this account he was condemned to death
by the lords of this world, and was thus burnt at said place. In all
this he, as a valiant soldier of Jesus Christ, armed himself with
patience, and, through faith, steadfastly endured all these sufferings
inflicted upon him. And as he herein was not ashamed of Christ and his
truth but openly confessed him before lords and princes, and testified
and confirmed it with his death and blood; therefore Christ, when he
comes in the clouds of heaven, in the glory of his Father, will not be
ashamed of him, but confess him before his Father, and set him on his
right hand, and bid him with all the blessed to enter into the kingdom
prepared for them from the beginning, that is, into the eternal glory
of heaven.
PIETER VAN MALDEGEM, PIETER VAN MALE, JACQUES BOSTIJN, AND LAUWERENS
ALLAERTS, A. D. 1562.
In the year 1562, four brethren, named Pieter van Maldegem, Pieter van
Male, Jacques Bostijn, and Lauwerens Allaerts, were apprehended at
Ghent, in Flanders, because they no longer sought to follow the Roman
church, but the commandments of God. When they were examined, they
freely confessed their faith, and valiantly contended for the truth,
with the spiritual sword of the word of God; and as they in no wise
could be moved therefrom, they were sentenced to death, and had to
testify with their blood to the name of Christ. They now rest under the
altar, and wait until the number of their brethren be fulfilled, that
they may be rewarded, and vengeance taken on their enemies.
VIJNTGEN, GOUDEKEN, AND JANNEKEN DE JONKHEER, BETGEN VAN MALDEGEM, AND
SIJNTGEN VAN GELDER, A. D. 1562.
In the same year there were also apprehended at Ghent three sisters,
namely Vijntgen, Goudeken, and Janneken de Jonkheer, and two others,
namely, Betgen van Maldegem, and Sijntgen van Gelder. All five freely
confessed their faith, and undauntedly adhered to it unto death--which
they had to suffer for it--and firmly clung to the love of their
bridegroom Jesus Christ. Hence they shall also, when the cry is made
at midnight, go to meet him with their burning lamps, and with oil in
their adorned vessels, and shall, as ready virgins, go in with him to
the marriage of the Lamb.
GULJAME VAN DALE, A. D. 1562.
Shortly after, also an imprisoned brother named Guljame van Dale, who
adhered so firmly to the truth and love of God that he feared no pain,
suffering, fire or sword, had, for following Christ (whom he thanked
that he had made them worthy for it), to taste bitter death, at Ghent.
Hence Christ shall exalt him, and give him to inherit his eternal
kingdom of heaven full of imperishable joy.
JELIS STRINGS, WITH PIETER AND JELIS POTVLIET, A. D. 1562.
Jelis Strings, a thoughtful young single man, and a man named Pieter
Potvliet, with his brother Jelis Potvliet, a young man, all three
natives of Tielt, in Flanders, having come to the knowledge of the
divine truth, and joined the church of God, finally, after suffering
much persecution, took up residence at Wervijck, where they supported
themselves by tape weaving. Thus it happened about the middle of the
summer of the year 1562, that one night the inquisitor came with many
servants, surrounded the house, entered the same, and apprehended these
three brethren.
When daylight came, they were put into a wagon, securely bound, the
inquisitor and his company riding alongside on horseback. They were
thus taken through Meenen to Kortrijck, a distance of about three
hours walking, where they remained in confinement for three months,
very closely guarded, and had many discussions in reference to the
faith, with the inquisitor and other ecclesiastics; but they valiantly
and steadfastly adhered to the truth known and accepted. Hence, the
inquisitor and the lord of Everbeke (in whose dominion they had been
apprehended), and a great company on horseback and on foot, took
these pious witnesses of the truth, in a wagon, back the same way,
to Werwijck, where, in the market place, called the _Steenacker_, an
enclosure had been prepared, together with stakes and wood, to burn
them. But as it had rained excessively, while they were on the way
between Meenen and Werwijck, so that the wood and straw, prepared for
the purpose, had become very wet, and as the Bailiff also was averse to
cause them to be burnt, all three were sentenced to be beheaded.
First Jelis Strings was brought forth, who, as he was going to death,
said, among other things: “Because I believe that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of the living God, born of the Virgin Mary, I must die.”
Thereupon a monk, who walked at his side, instantly said: “You lie.”
Jelis further said, concluding his remark: “And because I believe that
the Pope is the antichrist.” Finally, kneeling down, he said with
a trembling voice: “O heavenly Father, into thy hands I commend my
spirit.” A few moments more, and the executioner had dispatched him,
and covered the dead body with wood, that the others who were to follow
should not see it lie there. Pieter Potvliet was next brought forth,
who, on his way to death, said: “It has been so before for the name of
the Lord.” He also quoted, in confirmation of his faith, from Eph. 4:5,
that there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, etc. And having kneeled
down, he also exclaimed: “O heavenly Father, into thy hands I commend
my spirit.” The executioner soon wielded his sword, dealing him five
strokes, on shoulder, head and neck, before he finished his work on
him; whereupon he covered the dead body, as he had done the others.
Jelis Potvliet (still young in years) was the third one brought forth,
who, as he was going to death, quoted, among other things, the words of
Christ: “Fear not them that kill the body,” etc. And kneeling down, he
also said: “O heavenly Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit”--but
before he had fully uttered the last word, his head was off. Their
bodies were placed upon wheels, between Werwijck and Meenen, but soon
after secretly taken down and buried by some of their fellow believers.
Of Jelis Strings two letters are still extant, which he wrote while in
prison at Kortrijck, and which we have added here for the gratification
of the Christian reader.
THE FIRST LETTER OF JELIS STRINGS.
Grace, mercy and peace from God our heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ, the Son of the Father in truth and in love. May he strengthen
and confirm you people, who now have to suffer persecution for a little
while, and may he grant you to be strengthened with might in the inner
man, and that Jesus Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, and you
be rooted and grounded in love, so that you may be able to comprehend
with all the saints of God, the height, and depth, and length and
breadth of his mercy, and to rightly walk and remain immovable therein
unto the end of your life; this we wish you all who love the Lord, for
a cordial greeting, dear brethren and sisters in the Lord.
Further, after all greetings, be pleased to know that we are tolerably
well yet, the Lord be praised forever for his grace. Pray the Lord for
us that he will order it according to his will. We are of pretty good
courage, the Lord be praised.
Further, I earnestly pray you, that you will rightly instruct the
simple in the faith, concerning all things, and frequently speak of
these things in the exhortation, for there is great need of it. They
greatly torment those that are imprisoned, when they perceive that they
are weak, yea, as much again as them that are sure of their faith.
And you that are weak take it well to heart, and be not ashamed to
ask questions for the benefit of your souls, until you have a good
understanding, before it comes to the test. Take this warning to heart,
for it is such a blessed assurance, if one is sure of his faith. For
Sirach says: “A man whose heart is established is like a house which is
firmly bound and nailed together; it feareth not though a storm arise.”
Sir. 22:16. Thus, dear friends, let us also build upon Christ Jesus;
this must be the foundation, namely, his word; for Christ himself says:
He that heareth my word, and doeth it, I will show whom he is like: He
is like a man who proceeded to build his house; but he digged deep, and
laid the foundation upon the rock: though floods and rains come against
it, it remaineth standing, for it is founded upon the rock. But he that
heareth my word, and doeth it not, is like unto a foolish man that
buildeth his house upon the sand: when the floods come, or the winds
blow, it falleth, and great is the fall of it. Matt. 7:24–27. Observe
friends, he says: great is the fall of it. Hence, dear friends, dig
deep, which, according to my understanding, means, to examine and take
well to heart, so that we may not be found fools; for James admonishes
us to be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving our own
selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like
unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth
himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of
man he was. But whoso examineth himself in the law of God, and is a
doer of the word, and not a hearer only, this man shall be blessed.
Jas. 1:22–25, Yea, Christ Jesus says himself: Blessed are they that
hear the word of God, and keep it. Luke 11:28. John also, admonishes
us: Blessed are they that hear the words of the prophets, and keep
those things which are written therein.
Behold, dear friends, if we hear his word, and keep it well in our
hearts, we are entitled to all these promises of blessedness; for it is
the true food of the soul, by which all Christians must be fed, if they
are to live; for Christ says that man lives not by bread alone, but by
every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Matt. 4:4. Yea, as
the prophet Jeremiah says, in the 15th chapter, verse 16: Lord, thy
word sustains me, since I have obtained it; and thy word is the comfort
and joy of my heart. Solomon, also, says: Every word of God is pure,
and they are a shield unto them that put their trust therein. Prov.
30:5. Therefore, dear friends, let us always put our trust in God’s
word; it will not deceive us; for John says: These sayings of God are
true; heaven and earth shall pass away, but the words of God shall not
pass away. Rev. 19:9. O dear friends, let us heed it well, for it is
what will judge us in the last day; for Christ says: I shall not judge
you; but the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge you in the
last day. John 12:48. O dear friends, if it is that which will judge
us, then we must well examine, and constantly prove ourselves, whether
our life accords with the word of God; and carefully view ourselves in
it as in a mirror, whether there is nothing condemnable in us; and if
we find aught in us that is unclean, then let us do according to the
counsel of the prophet, who says: “Wash ye, make you clean; put away
the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil, learn
to do well; seek judgment; relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless,
plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the
Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” He says: “If
ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if
ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth
of the Lord hath spoken it.” Is. 1:16–20.
Dear brethren and sisters, let us not be disobedient, nor murmur
against God, like Israel, who were rejected for it. 1 Cor. 10:10. If
we have heard his voice to-day, let us not harden our hearts, but let
us take care that we do not forsake the promise of entering into his
rest, and that none of us be found to remain without; for we have been
sufficiently admonished and invited, as was also Israel; but the word
preached them did not profit them; because they did not firmly believe
it. Hebrews 3:7,6; 4:2. But let us have a steadfast faith, like Joshua
and Caleb had, who feared neither the great stature of the Canaanites,
nor the strength of their cities, though their walls reached up to
heaven. Num. 13:30. Mark, their walls were high, and the inhabitants
of the land were like giants; they were only grasshoppers in their
sight. But Caleb and Joshua trusted in God, and said: God is with us;
their defense is taken from them; we shall devour them like bread. Num.
14:9. And by their faith they overcame everything, and entered into the
promised land. Joshua 3:17.
Thus, dear friends, also our enemies are great, strong and numerous;
but if we have a faith like Caleb and Joshua, so that we do not see
our own strength, but go out from ourselves, and rely upon Him with
the whole heart, then we shall come off conquerors; for David says:
“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring
it to pass. Ps. 37:5. Solomon, too, says: “Trust in the Lord with all
thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5,6. Yea,
Paul, also, says: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and
be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is
my helper, and I will not fear what man will do unto me.” Heb. 13:5,6;
Deut. 31:6. Yea, David says: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not
want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside
the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths
of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with
me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Ps. 23:1–4.
O dear friends, where do we find such a God in Babylon? he says: When
thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through
the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through,
the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle
upon thee. Yea, he says: The mountains shall depart, and the hills be
removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the
covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on
thee. Isa. 43:2; 54:10. Brethren and sisters, if we have such a God,
who helps thus in time of need, who are we, that we should be afraid
of men, and of the children of men that must perish like grass. Isa.
51:12. Yea, Christ himself said: Fear not them that kill the body; but
fear him that hath power to cast soul and body into damnation. Matt.
10:28. Behold, friends, though the sufferings of Christ abound in us,
so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 2 Cor. 1:5. Therefore,
let us sincerely humble ourselves and keep his commandments, and pray
before him with tears, that he will show us mercy according to his
pleasure, so that, as we now have to mourn on account of their pride,
we may rejoice after this distress, because we do not follow the sins
of our fathers, who forsook their God, and went after strange gods,
wherefore the Lord delivered them into the hands of their enemies.
1 Pet. 1:6; Deut. 32:16. Therefore, dear brethren who are elders,
comfort the people with your words, and admonish them to remember that
our fathers were tried in many ways, and had to overcome manifold
temptations, in order that they might be proved whether they served God
with their hearts. Thus, Isaac, Jacob and Moses remained steadfast, and
had to overcome much affliction; but the others, who would not accept
affliction, but impatiently murmured against God, were destroyed by the
destroyer and by serpents. But let us remember that we are chastised
of God, to make us better, and not for our destruction, and that the
punishment is far less than our sins. For whom the Lord loveth he
chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. But if ye be
without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards,
and not sons. Hebrews 12:6,8. Hence, dear friends, let us be patient
in this tribulation for a little while; for the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall
be revealed in us. Romans 8:18. But the God of all grace stablish,
strengthen and settle us all, this I wish you all for a greeting. 1
Pet. 5:10.
I, Peter, greet you much, and earnestly desire that you would see to my
wife; she hopes to do her best, she told me. We ask you to pray for us,
that we may finish our course to the praise of God and the salvation
of our souls. We also enjoin you, that if Pauwels has not moved, he
would better do so; we advise it for the best. We would write more
explicitly, but we fear that the letter might fall into wrong hands.
I, Pieter Potvliet, greet you much, and give you a testament. Continue
steadfast and immovable in the work of the Lord; see that your labor be
not in vain. I commend you to God.
By me, JELIS STRINGS.
THE SECOND LETTER OF JELIS STRINGS.