but they apprehended her, and thrust her from him. Also a lad wanted
to greet him, whom they seized likewise, but the count commanded them
to let him go. Before he arrived at the place of execution, he looked
around him and said: “I have many people present on my day. It were a
pity indeed, if all these should perish.” And when he was now about
to die, he said aloud: “O God, thou dost know full well, for what I
have striven and what I have sought in my life, from the beginning,
day and night.” And to the count he said: “You well know, sir count,
how you have treated me; but I have forgiven you all; it is all out of
my heart.” And thus terminated the life of this pious man, he being
executed with the sword. Now, as to what was his confession before
and afterwards, what he met with in prison, and how he admonished,
comforted and strengthened his brethren, all this may be found in the
following letters written by him.
THE FIRST LETTER, WHICH MATTHIAS SERVAES WROTE FROM PRISON TO H. K.,
HIS BROTHER IN THE LORD, AND ALSO TO HIS OTHER FELLOW MEMBERS.
The saving grace of God and the peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, be multiplied to all believers, through the ministration and
unction of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Further, my most beloved brethren in the Lord, I inform you that I am
still very well, both according to the flesh and the spirit, in body
and in soul, outwardly and inwardly. For I esteem it all very good
whether it be joy or sorrow, yea, life or death; for I live not to
myself, nor do I die to myself; for whether I live, I live unto the
Lord, and whether I die, I die unto the Lord; for I am in his hand,
and I am sure that no man shall pluck me out of it; yea, I now look
upon death as gain; I have a desire to depart, and to be with Christ,
my Lord; for whatever I meet with, all tends to my comfort. Romans
14:7,8; 2 Cor. 5:15; John 10:28; Philip. 1:21,23. I am now confined
here for the promotion of the Gospel, and my bonds become manifest only
to the praise of the Lord, I trust, and not to mine own, and to the
consolation of all the pious that are under like chastisement, and to
the strengthening of their purpose. Hence I rejoice in my sufferings,
that I am counted worthy by the Lord to suffer reproach for his name
(of which I nevertheless count myself unworthy), to fill up that which
is behind of his afflictions, and entailed on his members. Colossians
1:24. And as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so I find my
consolation abounding much more by Christ, who abundantly comforts me
in all my sufferings, and by his help I shall succeed, and also all
those who recognize him as the supreme good, and are thereby induced to
love him above all, so that they gladly hate and depart from everything
for his sake, that they may be loved only by the Lover. That we may do
all this from filial love, this I wish you and me, and all those who
sincerely desire it, through Jesus Christ, firmly and unwaveringly unto
the end. Amen.
Further, my L. B. H., and all that are appointed to watch over the
souls of men, exercise your office with diligence, that you may not be
found slothful, drowsy or negligent in it; but that you may be faithful
watchmen, who truly and honestly lead out and feed the flock of Christ,
and this with all humility and meekness; yea, as a father over his
children who severely reproves the wrong-doing of his children; and
though he cannot bring them to the point where he would like to have
them, yet his fatherly nature will not allow him to forget them, so
that he should not regard them as his children; and though his heart
is often grieved by their disobedience and folly, he does not cease to
chasten and instruct them, hoping that they will yet become obedient;
and though it causes him much sadness and sorrow, he does not regard
it, nor ceases to admonish, chasten and correct them. Thus do also
you; give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to reproof, and this
with all discretion, in the fear of the Lord, not too severely,
lest they become embittered; neither too leniently, lest they wax
slothful and negligent. 1 Tim. 4:13; Col. 3:21. Hence apply to them
oil and wine, as did the true Samaritan to the wounded man. I think
you understand what I mean. Be therefore not slothful or careless with
the gift that has been bestowed upon you; be faithful to him that has
esteemed you faithful, and accepted you as his ministers, and stewards
of his mysteries. But it is required in stewards, that a man be found
faithful. Hence be diligent laborers of the Lord in his vineyard,
and faithful builders in his house. And put the pound which you have
received from the Lord diligently out upon usury, and remember the
punishment of the slothful servant, who did not give his money into the
bank, but put it into a napkin and hid it in the earth.
Remember it, I say, my dear brethren, and let it be a warning to you,
even as Solomon says that the field of the slothful, and the vineyard
of the man void of understanding were a warning to him, when he says:
“I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man
void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns,
and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof
was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon
it and received instruction.” Prov. 24:30–32. Thus also you, my dear
brethren, be careful, and diligently dig through the vineyard of the
Lord, with the plow or the hoe which breaks in pieces the hard stones,
which is the word of God (Jer. 23:29); so that the nettles and thorns
may not oppress, destroy or choke the good seed that has been sown.
Take also the sharp, two-edged sword (Eph. 6:17), and cut off clean
the unfruitful, evil and dry branches, that the others may be more
healthy and vigorous to bring forth fruit. Inspect also carefully the
wall of the vineyard; if it begins to give way anywhere, prop up that
part; if there are any openings in it, go to work and close them; and
if it has fallen down in any place, build it up again speedily, that
the little foxes may not run into the Lord’s vineyard, and dig up and
spoil it. Cant. 2:15. And what more shall I say? Faithfully feed the
flock of Christ, and watch with all carefulness over the souls of men.
1 Pet. 5:2. Take heed also, that you administer needed reproof, and
act and judge without respect of persons, and remember that judgment
is God’s, and not yours. Deut. 1:17. Weigh, therefore, every matter in
the balance of the divine word, so that when you reprove, judge, or
forgive anything, it may be truly reproved, judged or forgiven also
before the judgment of God, and thus your reproof agree with God’s
reproof, your judgment with God’s judgment, and your forgiveness with
God’s forgiveness. Take heed also, that you do not carry avoidance too
far, lest it prove a stumbling-block to you. For avoidance is good
indeed if it is not abused; however its purpose is solely to avoid
offenses (to which end it is instituted); hence we must take heed that
we do not, while seeking to avoid little offenses by it, cause greater
ones. Matt. 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 2 Thess. 3:14. Bestow great
attention upon the first commandment with promise, namely: “Children,
obey your parents in the Lord.” Eph. 6:1. This is an express word;
hence be careful herein. Show a friendly face to all apostates, and
admonish them with all kindness to that which they have surrendered
and forsaken, and from which they have fallen; I mean such as receive
admonition; for blasphemers and mockers are to be left alone. 2 Thess.
3:15; Tit. 3:10.
Dear brethren, I do not write you this as something new, but to remind
you of the old; for I should like to see carefulness exercised, and
that one Scripture should not be observed so strictly and rigidly as
thereby to violate another. For sometimes some resort to avoidance all
on a sudden, without the least discretion, and pity for the fallen.
Hence I advise carefulness. For if we are to have the mind of our Lord
Jesus; yea, are to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect, then
let us from the heart consider his longsuffering, and how he has borne
with us, and let us also show ourselves thus toward our fellow-servant,
that we may give offense to no one, neither to the world, nor to the
church of God. Philip. 2:3,5; Matt. 5:48; Col. 3:12; Matt. 18:29; 1
Cor. 10:32. And be also not slothful in seeking men’s souls; wherever
you have some hope, there go. Say not: “It will be labor lost.” Put
your hand to the plow first, in the fear of the Lord, and ask him to
give the blessing; but you do the planting and watering. Pray the Lord
to give the increase. And if then your endeavors are unsuccessful, you
are free. For I have often felt accused, that we have not much more
sought men’s souls, to the praise of the Lord.
O brother, beware of contentious tongues. Where-ever you go, there make
peace, if it can be done by the grace of God. O my dear brother, how
greatly I am grieved on account of what was done in the upper country.
Not, that you should think that I am doubtful; O no, my brother; for I
am still of the same mind as indicated in the letter which I wrote to
them; but I am fearful simply of the discord, by which many who would
like to see it remedied, and are innocent, might perish. I do not know
what account can be given for this before God. O that those who are
found guilty in this matter might fall down with weeping before God,
and repent of their sins! Thus I am also concerned about the lower
country, and should like to see them helped, and put under good order,
for I find them still wanting in many things; yet I sincerely love
them, but I should like to see them yet put off much of their pride,
and that they would consider what kind of people they ought to be, and
to what they are called, so as to govern themselves accordingly, and
that the elders do not stay at home when meeting is held. I do not
say that it can be remedied right away. Do you also heartly receive
it. O my dear brethren, be little and low in your own eyes, and be
not self-complacent, so as to think: I have done this, and the like.
It is nothing; the Lord, and he alone, does all things, and this by
man. Hence, give him alone the praise. And let no one esteem himself
better than others; yea, let each esteem other better than themselves.
And let all submit one to another, and in lowliness of mind let each
serve the other. Philip. 2:3; Eph. 5:21. And I desire of all brethren
and sisters, that they beware of all those who leave the church. And if
you can tell L. to advise with himself in the time of Grace; for how
shall he be able to give an account in the day of judgment? For his own
conscience, if he properly considers the matter, will accuse him. O L.,
O L., come back; for you are not in the best way. O my brethren, how
much I had to suffer on account of the many factions! Hence beware of
divisions. Seek peace, if you can, and ensue it. 1 Peter 3:11.
O my dear brethren, what liars I have had before me! Cassander, a
man little and feeble of body, who led astray Joachim Suycherbacker,
visited me, and laid many little snares, to take captive my mind. He
read to me a book printed in Latin, which stated that infant baptism
was considered a clear commandment and a unanimous practice throughout
the whole world, no one gainsaying it, and he declared, though not
with power of divine Scripture, that they had received it from the
apostles; and when I denied this with the New Testament, they asked
me, how, if I denied and did not believe this, I could believe that
the New Testament was true; for, said he, we had the latter from them,
who recognized infant baptism as right; and that there had been many
other writings that were also called apostolical, but were nevertheless
not acknowledged as authentic, but rejected by them; but that they
testified that all teachers confessed that this (namely, the New
Testament,) was the true apostolical doctrine, as also their baptism.
They wanted to know, how, if we meant to reject one, we would maintain
the other; for, said they, you must believe it from them, else you
could not know it. Thus, also with baptism; and he further said that if
we were right, it would follow from it, that there was no church for
1,500 years.
Of this nearly all treated who conversed with me: for many and various
persons visited me. There was there one who, as they said, had just
come from Egypt; him they also brought to me, and he claimed that in
Egypt they had received infant baptism from the eunuch who was baptized
by Philip, and that he knew of no other baptism; but that if an adult
person that had not been baptized desired baptism, the faith should
first be presented to such an one. This, they said, had always been
the sole practice there, and that if any one opposed it, they said to
him: “We have this practice from the apostles.” But I denied it all
with the New Testament, and said, that whatever agreed with the same,
I would gladly accept, and believe by the help of God; and nothing
else. Then I had to hear again, that the New Testament had been handed
down to us by the teachers; otherwise, if we did not have it from
them, we could not tell whether it were true or false. This they said
many times. I replied to them: It did not avail the King of Assyria
anything, that God used him for the conversion of his people, since
he did not become converted himself. Isaiah 10:5. Thus also it did
not help Pharaoh, in his wickedness, that the power of God was made
known and manifest to him. Thus, also, Caiaphas was not benefitted by
his prophecy concerning Christ (though the same was true), because he
himself was not obedient to the doctrine of Christ. With this I gave
God alone the praise, saying that we had his word from him. Thereupon
they began to seek to move me by many entreaties and solicitations; but
when they could accomplish nothing thereby, they commenced to threaten
me severely; and when they perceived that all this was of no avail,
but only labor lost, they tortured me and our brother Herman, which
happened on the 17th of July. But thanks be to the good God--who does
not forsake his own, but, in time of suffering and affliction, comforts
them at the right time--he kept our lips, so that they did not obtain
one word (according to their will) from us, concerning what they asked
us. Herman, however, was soon released. The chief reason why we were
tortured, was, that we should tell how many teachers there were, what
their names were, where they lived, where in the city I had taught, how
many I had baptized, where the ministry was imposed upon me, and what
teachers were present upon that occasion; and that I should acknowledge
the magistrates as Christians, and infant baptism as right. Then I
pressed my lips together, committed it to God, and suffered patiently,
remembering the words of the Lord, where he says: “Greater love hath
no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye
are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” John 15:13,14. I
also remembered that John says that we ought to lay down our lives for
the brethren. 1 John 3:16. It seems as though I must suffer much yet;
however, the Lord alone holds it in his hand; nor can I pray otherwise
than that the will of the Lord be done.
O my brethren, knowledge or talk is of no account here, but a living
faith which is adorned with the power of love, patience, hope, and
with obedience, and that through the power of faith one can say with
the three men Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: O Nebuchadnezzar, we are
not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God, whom
we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he
will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto
thee, (O antichrist) that we will not serve thy god, nor worship the
image, or the two golden calves which thou hast set up. Dan. 3:16–18.
And that, if they should attempt to instruct one with high-sounding
words of human wisdom, yea, with soft words and entreaties (Col.
2:4,8), we could say through the power of faith: “Begone, I want none
of your advice;” and should then keep his lips sealed. But if one
enters into more discussion with them than necessity requires, he will
not escape unharmed. Hence I wish that all prisoners were instructed in
this matter.
Few days pass that we do not talk together; yet, I observed as much
brevity as possible in confessing and speaking, though frequently three
or four hours were spent in this manner. O warn all prisoners, whenever
you can, that they refuse everything; and remember us day and night, by
praying to God. Thus we are also minded toward you, and I desire that
you greet all believers much with the kiss of love, in our name.
O, how all believers lie at my heart, so that I very seldom forget
them; yea, I remember them with earnest prayers and requests (as much
as is possible to me through the grace of God) before the Lord. I
cannot write you much, for writing is more precious than gold with me.
Do not write us; as to the reason why, ponder it yourselves. The God of
Israel keep you and us. Amen.
Matthias Servaes, your brother and prisoner of the Lord for the truth’s
sake. As regards the children the bringing up of whom devolves upon the
church, I adhere to the opinion you have heard of me. The grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. Amen.
THE SECOND LETTER, WHICH MATTHIAS SERVAES, OF KOTTENEM WROTE IN PRISON
TO HIS BROTHER.
The saving grace of God be with us all. Amen. I desire that as soon as
possible a Dutch Testament be procured for my wife (who then was not
imprisoned), for she cannot read the German print.
Further, my dear brother, I inform you that I am alone now, but the
Lord is with me. It seems evident to me, that I shall have little
opportunity of seeing our brethren that are also imprisoned, and it is
quite probable that for the first my condition shall not be the best.
Hence I know not how to thank God enough, and though I should like to
be with my brethren, yet I prefer it much more as it is; for since it
pleases God thus, I also deem it the best and most conducive to my
salvation. And though it grieves me not a little, yet I do not count
it pain, because the Lord has so ordered it with me. The following
Thursday, the same morning that they brought me, at a very early hour,
from the Franken tower, to our prison, our brethren were also to be
tortured, for the tapers and candlesticks stood near the rack, and
everything was ready; but when they brought me there, they began to
talk with me, and to question me; and before they had done questioning
me, and I had confessed my faith and office before many of them, and,
in turn, had also put many questions to them, to which I was impelled
by certain reasons, half the day had slipped by, and after long and
much talking, when they could not answer me any further (for which
I gave the praise to God alone, and not to me), one of them (he who
had chiefly done the questioning and talking) said to me that baptism
was our greatest error. Thereupon I replied: “If that is our greatest
error, and you therefore apprehend and rack us, why do you not first
place the abominable errors and ungodly life of the priests by the
side of ours, and then judge one against the other, without respect of
persons, as before the eyes and the judgment of God; and, whichever
error then be found the greater, visit summary punishment upon it (if
you have any for it).” But he did not deign me a reply.
When I perceived this, I said: “We are nevertheless also human beings,
and you no more; nor can I, from fear of God, esteem you more than
men. Hence, consider the matter well, and do not deal so cruelly and
tyrannically with us; for the Lord will visit and punish all violence,
and he is the Judge over all this. Amos 5:12. Remember also, that in
due time you will have to let us stand by the side of you, when the
Lord will judge you and us together; for, as the Scripture says, we
shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ; and there every one
shall receive in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it
be good or bad. Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:16. Yes, then your judgment will
appear again, and be sifted there by the Lord. And I desire of you, my
dear sir, that you do not take this as an insolent answer or threat,
but accept it as a warning; for as such I say it to you, because I wish
you eternal rest, as well as I wish it to my own soul. Therefore lay
it well to heart, and take good heed how you deal with us.” Here it
rested, and thus our brethren were for this time exempted from torture,
and I put in their stead. They led me to the rack (where I still lie)
and wanted to torture me simply because I would not tell where I had
been with Henry last, and how many teachers there were, and where they
lived. When they had asked me this many times, I wanted to know of them
the reason, why they were so anxious to know it; whereupon the count
replied to me: “If we were to tell you this, you would probably answer
that you did not want to betray any one.” Then I said; “You answer
yourself;” after which I spoke several times with him yet. As they
persisted in demanding to know this, and the sole object was treachery,
I determined to give the matter into their hands before proceeding to
confess; hence I told them to retire into their own hearts and confess
the truth, as before God in Heaven, and then to say whether they would
or dared advise me this. In this manner I asked them several times, but
received no answer; and thus they desisted and turned away from me, and
said among themselves: “The matter were well enough, if it would not
finally give rise to an insurrection.”
I commend you all to God. I have not the time, for the present, to
write you more. Remember us always before the Lord. Amen.
MATTHIAS SERVAES, of Kottenem.
THE THIRD LETTER OF MATTHIAS SERVAES, WRITTEN TO J. N.
Peace and joy in the heart, through the operation of the Holy Ghost,
be multiplied unto you, and unto all believers that are in Christ
Jesus. Amen. Yea, also unto those who are willing to recognize God as
the supreme good, and desire, solely from love, as an obedient child
his father, to serve and follow him with a true and firm confidence,
through faith in Jesus Christ, steadfastly and immovably unto the end.
Amen.
Dear brethren, we have received the breakfast you sent us, thanks to
God for it. I send you in return a little out of my poverty; receive
it also with thanks, and communicate it to our other fellow members,
wherever it is profitable for edification and improvement, wherever
it is needful, wherever it is edifying for the hearers. Whenever you
compose, write or speak anything, do all to the praise of the Lord, and
compose it for a hymn of thanksgiving, through Christ, to the God of
heaven, that he has given his people such a faith, which is not dead,
but works by love, so that they have forsaken and hated everything, and
out of love (such as a child owes to his father), adhered faithfully to
their God even unto death. But leave out the Count and everything else,
as much as possible; for he says that he has been vilified in the hymn
of Thomas the Printer which was certainly not the intention, though it
is taken thus. He says that though he meant it well, he was reprehended
for it by many. Therefore, my brother, whatever you do in word and in
deed, do all to the praise of the Lord, and give thanks to God the
Father through him.
Furthermore, my dear brother, I inform you, that Henry Altruyscher,
who resides in the Egelstein, and generally retails red wine there,
has been here to see me. He entered into conversation with me, and
wanted to know whence I had my office or ministry. But I recognized
him, and wanted him to tell me his name. He said he did not know
that. But I asked further, and said: “Do not people call you Henry?”
He said several times that he did not know. Then I told him to go
away and repent, since I did not want to talk with him. The Count was
displeased, and incensed at me, and determined to persuade me to engage
in conversation with Altruyscher; but I said: “No; I will not do it.”