Flanders, and a fuller by trade, who had also been Lady van Meessen’s
porter, was apprehended at Meessen. When he had confessed his faith, he
was greatly tortured; the first time with screws; the second time, he
was drawn up high by his thumbs, with heavy iron weights attached to
his feet, and thus severely scourged; but being ruptured, he was not
put to the rack. And when these tortures and other threats could not
move him to desist or apostatize from the truth he had accepted and
apprehended, he was finally sentenced to be burnt. And thus he was put
to death for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, with so small a
fire that the smoke suffocated him; which took place without Meessen,
at the Spring gallows, in November 1568.
JAN VAN PARIS, PIETER VAN CLEVES, HENDRICK MAELSCHALCK, AND LAUWERENS
PIETERS, A. D. 1568.
Jan van Paris, Pieter van Cleves, Hendrick Maelschalck, and Lauwerens
Pieters, had not yet united with the church, but were novices and ready
to unite; hence going to hear the word of God preached, they were
apprehended, at Ghent, in Flanders, in the year 1568, and taken to the
Count’s Castle. After a bold confession of, and steadfast adherence to,
the faith, they were sentenced in Passion-week, to be strangled and
burned. But when they had mounted the scaffold, the Spanish Provost
(there being at that time nineteen companies of Spanish soldiers in
Ghent), seeing that it was the intention to strangle them, compelled
the executioner to fetch other appliances. Hence the executioner spoke
to the commander-in-chief, who ordered him, contrary to the sentence
pronounced, to burn them alive. The Provost also severely kicked and
beat the brethren.
In the meanwhile the executioner fetched a basketful of chains. When
the brethren heard that they were to be burnt alive, they raised their
voices and sang: “I call upon thee, O heavenly Father.” Then the
Spaniards beat them so dreadfully with sticks, that the eye of one fell
out on his cheek. And thus they were burnt alive, the Spaniards loudly
vociferating, and throwing sticks into the fire at a rapid rate, as
desiring to have part in this madness, as though they thought to do God
service thereby.
THIS HENDRICK MAELSCHALCK, ON THE 26TH OF JANUARY 1568, WROTE THE
FOLLOWING LETTER FROM PRISON AT GHENT.
We wish you abundant grace, joy, peace, and mercy, and eternal
salvation, from God, our heavenly Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this
present evil world, according to the will of God our Father, to whom be
praise, glory and honor, and power and thanks, for ever and ever. Amen.
After wishing you all grace and salvation, we would inform you, Goelken
our beloved friend[295] in the Lord, and all dear friends that fear the
Lord, that we four prisoners at Ghent, for the testimony of our Lord
Jesus Christ, are still well according to the flesh, and according to
the spirit we thank and praise the Lord, that he thus strengthens us
by his grace; for it is still our mind and purpose, by his grace and
mercy, always to adhere to the Lord, and to depart from him neither for
life nor death. Praise and thanks to the Lord, who thus strengthens us
by his grace, since we are weak and miserable. But through the help
of the Lord we have been able to endure so far, and we trust through
the same Helper to persevere unto the end; for in that he himself was
tempted, he is able also to succor and deliver them that are tempted.
For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee; so that we
may boldly say with the apostle: “The Lord is my helper.” Phil. 4:13;
Heb. 2:18; 13:5,6.
[295] The word used in the original denotes a female friend.--TR.
Now, dearly beloved brethren, if God is with us, who can be against
us; for all men are but the works of his hands, and he has created
everything, and has power to bring it to nought again at his pleasure;
why then should we be afraid of mortal men? Rom. 8:31; Is. 51:12.
Surely, we must much rather fear this God; for he alone it is that can
save and condemn, and though we should escape the hands of men, we
cannot escape him. Hence we will rather say with Susanna: “It is better
to fall into the hands of men, than to sin in the sight of the Lord.”
Sus. 23.
Therefore, dear friends, we trust by no means to forsake the Lord, but
always to go on to the promised land, to possess it, which is full of
all good things; to this end, may the Lord strengthen, confirm and fit
us by his grace and mercy, and all them that fear and accept him.
I, Hendricks, have written you all, dear friends, a little about the
state of our minds. Further, I would kindly entreat you, always to
continue steadfast in the fear of the Lord; for they that fear the
Lord will do good things, and those who love him will strive to do
his pleasure, and humble themselves before him. If ye fear God, says
the prophet, depart not from him, but enter into the eternal joy and
gladness. They that fear God shall attain to a good end, and in the day
of their death they shall be blessed. Therefore, dear friends, let us
always fear the Lord with all our heart and mind; let us obey him and
keep his word, for they are blessed that hear the word of God, and
keep it, and they are also those who love him, and keep his word, and
he that loves him is known of him. But he that saith, I know him, and
keepeth not God’s commandments, is a liar, and in him the love of God
is not perfect. Luke 11:28; John 15:10; 1 John 2:4; 4:18. Therefore, my
dear friends, let us love him, because he first loved us, even as Paul
testifies that, though he was rich, yet he became poor, that we through
his poverty might be rich; yea, he who knew no sin was made sin for us,
that we might be made the righteousness of God through him. 2 Cor. 8:9;
5:21. Hence, seeing we well know that the Lord has loved us thus, and
so abundantly shed his grace upon us, let us all take good heed that
his grace be not bestowed in vain upon us; for we are made partakers of
him, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.
Hebrews 3:14.
Hence, dear friends, as ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk ye in him; rooted and built up in him, and established
in the faith, as ye have been taught (says the apostle), well knowing
that it is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. Col. 2:6,7; 1
Pet. 5:12. Therefore, always give diligence to make your calling and
election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall, says
Peter; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly
into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2
Pet. 1:10,11. Therefore let us hold fast the profession of our faith
without wavering, and let us always watch diligently, and wait for
the Lord, even as good and faithful servants, that he do not come at
an inopportune moment for us; but that we may always be prepared, as
were the five wise virgins, who had trimmed their lamps, and went in
to the marriage. But the five foolish virgins had to remain without.
Matt. 25:4. Hence, dear friends, let us not be as were the foolish,
but as the wise. Herewith we commend you to our dear Lord, and to the
comforting word of his grace; may he strengthen and confirm you all,
and us all, in all truth and righteousness. Amen.
Further, cordially beloved friend Goelken, and all other friends
who read this, accept this in good part, which I have written in my
weakness; for I do not think myself worthy to exhort you, since I am
fully aware that you are well taught of God. But I have done this from
love, because I heard that you desired to have something from us; hence
receive this kindly.
Further, should you wish to know something about our imprisonment, as
to whether it will not soon be at an end with us, we would inform you
that we do not hear much about it. We had expected to offer up our
sacrifice before Christmas, for we had heard said, it should be very
soon; however, now we hear nothing of it, but by the grace of God we
are constantly expecting it. Affectionately beloved friends in the
Lord, pray for us, that we may continue steadfast unto the end, and
offer up an acceptable sacrifice unto the Lord. We trust to do the same
for you, according to our weakness. Furthermore, we send you three new
hymns, as a cordial and friendly greeting. Though they are simple,
receive them in good part, for it has been done from love. Farewell,
till in eternity. Amen. Greet your husband very much, and Grietgen your
sister, and Bet., and Cor. Versw., and Anna van L.; and Susanna also
greets you all very much. We further greet all them that fear the Lord.
Written by me, Hendrick Maelschalck, imprisoned at Ghent for the
testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ; on the 26th of January, 1568.
Cordially, affectionately and much beloved friends, the Lord has truly
said that he shall come as a thief in the night; for yesterday I had
concluded and sealed the foregoing letter, thinking to send it to you;
but it happened, that the next morning all four of us were examined,
of which we knew little when we wrote the preceding conclusion. Hence
I say that the Lord has truly said that he shall come as a thief in
the night. 1 Thess. 5:2. Thus, all four of us were examined, one after
another, in the presence of two commissaries. They asked us many simple
questions, which it would be too tedious to relate. But they did not
ask us concerning our faith, except whether we were not baptized or
rebaptized. Jan van Paris said that he was baptized; Lauwerens said
that he was not baptized according to the Scriptures; Pierken said
that he was not baptized; and I said that we were not Anabaptists,
and that I was not baptized. They asked Pierken, whether if he should
be released, he should have himself baptized. He answered: “Yes, if I
were fit for it.” They also asked him, whether he would renounce his
opinion. He replied: “I do not consider it an opinion, but the true
faith.” They then asked me whether I would not renounce my belief
or opinion. I told them that I had renounced lies, and followed the
truth. Hence, if I were to renounce, I should renounce the truth; but
by the grace of the Lord I hoped to adhere to it. In this manner they
continued to ask, so that it would be too tedious to write it. To Jan
van Paris they said that we should soon be dispatched, and that we
should be patient for nine or ten days yet; they also said that they
should send us men who should instruct us, and if we desired to hear
them, we might do so. Hence we expect to have priests here; but we
trust to keep our eyes open, for we well know what they seek. Thus,
dear friends, all of you, we are of good cheer, the Lord be praised
and thanked forever; and by the grace of the Lord we trust to keep
the faith, whether it be life or death. Thus, dear friends, we think
our confinement will not last much longer; for it seems that we have
been delivered over to the lords of the council, and that they have
orders from the Duke of Alva to dispatch us, and that the Bailiff and
the Judges have nothing more to do with us. Hence we take leave from
you all, dear friends, and pray you always to be diligent. We hope to
go before; may the Lord by his grace and mercy strengthen and fit us
thereto. Amen. Written on the 27th of January, 1568. By me,
HENRY MAELSCHALCK.
“And fear not them which kill the body; but him which hath power to
cast both soul and body into eternal darkness.” Matt. 10:28.
JACOB DIRCKS, WITH HIS TWO SONS, ANDRIES JACOBS AND JAN JACOBS, A. D.
1568.
In this bloody and perilous time of persecution, also pious Jacob
Dircks and his two sons, Andries Jacobs and Jan Jacobs fell into the
hands of the tyrants. This Jacob Dircks, a tailor by trade, resided
with his family at Utrecht, and as he was spied out there as one
belonging to the persuasion of the Mennists, and as the lords wanted to
apprehend him he from fear of the tyrants fled to Antwerp. His wife,
who did not hold these views, still remaining there for some time, the
thief-catchers seized their property, and took about half of it. While
Jacob Dircks resided with his family at Antwerp, his wife died there,
and he and his aforementioned two sons, though having escaped the hands
of the tyrants at Utrecht, subsequently fell into the claws of the
wolves at Antwerp, where the trial of their faith was found much more
precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire (1
Pet. 1:7); so that they were together condemned to be burnt, each at
a stake, only for the divine truth, and living according to it, and
not on account of any crime committed. On their way to death, Jacob
Dirck’s youngest son, named Pieter Jacobs, met them, who, as he in
his great sadness and sorrow, put his arms around his father’s neck,
was instantly most cruelly seized by the thief-catchers, and thrown
under the feet of the people following. With what sorrow the father
and the brothers beheld this is easily imagined. When the father and
his two sons had each been placed at a stake, he said: “How is it my
dear sons?” Each replied; “Very well, my dear father.” Andries Jacobs
being betrothed at the time, his bride and his sister viewed from a
distance with sorrowful hearts and weeping eyes this offering, how
their bridegroom and brother, forsaking a temporal bride, and temporal
relationship, chose the eternal Bridegroom Christ Jesus above all
visible things. Thus these heroes were strangled, each at a stake and
then burnt, sealing the truth with their death and blood on the 17th of
March 1568. Therefore they shall also, for their severe travail, hear
the sweet and welcome voice of Christ: Ye good and faithful servants,
ye have been faithful over a few things, I will make you rulers over
many things; enter ye into the joy of your Lord. And, again, the King
will say: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25:23,34.
This narrative is recorded from the accounts of trustworthy persons,
who witnessed this offering themselves.
KAREL DE RAET, AND GRIETGEN HIS WIFE, HANSKEN IN’T SCHAECK, WILLEM DE
SNIJDER, WITH CHRISTIJNTGEN HIS WIFE, A. D. 1568.
On the third of May 1568 some brethren were assembled at Tillegem,
near Bruges, in Flanders, to hear the word of God preached, when they
were unexpectedly set upon by some who had come out to get may-poles,
and five of them were apprehended, namely, Karel de Raet, a shepherd,
born at Wingen; Hansken in’t Schaeck, called Hansken Koordedraeger,
from the Schaeck at Kortijck; Willem de Snijder of Honschote; and two
others who, since they did not valiantly adhere to the truth, are not
worthy to have their names recorded here. The wife of Karel de Raet,
and that of Willem de Snijder, were not apprehended with them, nor
had Karel’s wife as yet united with the church, but was ready for it.
Thus it happened, when these men had been apprehended, that Maerten
Lem, a burgomaster of Bruges, went out, about twelve o’clock in the
night, with the watchmen, and first apprehended Christijntgen, Willem
Snijder’s wife, and when a watchman was desirous of turning Maerten
Lem off from the house where Grietgen, Karel de Raet’s wife was to be
sought for, and they were rapidly walking along the fortress, between
the Asses Gate and Jerusalem, Grietgen with two of her children
unexpectedly met them, which caused Maerten Lem to say: “See, God gives
this whore into our hands;” and he asked her: “Where are you going?”
Greatly amazed, she replied: “To church.” Thereupon he said: “It is no
time now to go to church. Where is your husband?” She answered: “You
know it well.” He asked whether the two children were baptized. She
said: “No.” “Have they no name then?” he asked. “Yes,” she replied.
“Well how is this?” said he; “have they a name before they are
baptized?” She replied: “Dogs and other animals receive names; how much
more should children, that are created after the image of God? I was
not aware that my lords of Bruges are so blind yet.” “If you want to
talk this way,” said Maerten Lem, “You shall be burnt.” “I know it,”
she replied; “but then the crown of life is prepared for me.” And thus
these two women were likewise taken to prison, where much vexation,
pain, and suffering were inflicted upon them, as also upon the three
men mentioned, to draw them from the faith; but all in vain. Hence,
first the men were sentenced to be burnt on the Hillige, near Bruges,
where they also boldly offered up their sacrifice; and a few days
after, also the two women, because they steadfastly adhered to God, and
his truth, were sentenced, and burnt in the castle in Bruges. And they
now wait together for the coming of him that shall come to avenge all
their sufferings.
JAN DE SMIT, DANIEL DE PAEU, DANIEL VAN VOOREN, AND PASSCHIER WEYNS, A.
D. 1568.
In the year 1568, at Ghent, in Flanders, also four brethren were
apprehended, namely, Jan de Smit, Daniel de Paeu, Daniel van Vooren and
Passchier Weyns, who boldly confessed their faith and all the articles
in regard to which they were examined, and were not ashamed of God
and his word, but valiantly and undauntedly contended for the truth
accepted and apprehended; against all that withstood them, unwaveringly
even unto death, which they therefore tasted, as valiant soldiers;
first, Jan de Smit, and shortly after, the other three. But they
obtained to live forever where the new wine will be given them to drink
in the Father’s kingdom.
VALERIUS SCHOOLMASTER MARTYRED, A. D. 1568.
A. D. 1568, a godfearing, pious brother, called Valerius Schoolmaster,
having in his time exercised the functions of schoolteacher at Hoorn,
in Holland, and at Middelburgh in Zealand, was apprehended for the
testimony of Jesus, at Brouwershaven, in Zealand. He was a zealous
follower of Christ, and would not hide the talent he had received in
the earth, but put it with great diligence out upon usury; so that in
paths and highways, wherever he saw a fit opportunity, he exhorted the
people with the word of God, threatening the sinner with the terrible
punishment and vengeance which at the speedy appearance of Christ
from heaven will fall upon all ungodliness; and, again, comforting
the penitent with the great and glorious promises and rewards which
the Lord God at the end of the world will give to all believers. In
consequence of this he incurred the displeasure of benighted men, who
can neither hear nor endure the light of the Gospel, so that once he
was put in bonds at Goes, in Zealand, but was released again, keeping
his faith. Finally, however, he was apprehended at Brouwershaven,
in the district of Zierickzee, where he suffered many assaults and
long imprisonment, but by the grace of God, overcame everything, and
attested and sealed the faith of the truth with his death and blood,
and thus, through grace, obtained the crown of eternal life.
He also was not idle during the time of his imprisonment, but wrote
two excellent little books, well worth reading, and sent them from
prison. The first is entitled, _Of the Decrease and Decay of the
Apostolical Church_; and _Of the Rise of Antichrist, and how the Light
of the Gospel is obscured by him_. Written in the sixtieth week of his
imprisonment; together with an earnest exhortation to apostates from
the word of God, that they may seek the grace of the Almighty betimes,
while he is yet to be found.
The other book bears the title, _The Proof of Faith_; in which he
teaches with great earnestness, to count this world and all visible
things nothing but mere loss and dung, so only Christ be won. Wherefore
he exhorts all believers, to become poor for Christ’s sake, and to
expect riches hereafter with God in heaven. Hence he greatly commends
the poverty and piety still remaining in Menno Simon’s S. G., and says
that herein he puts to blush many others. We have therefore added
here, for his remembrance, the first part of said book, that by this
little the reader may judge of all the remainder, which would be too
long to adduce here in full. He wrote it the fourteenth week of his
imprisonment. Read it with attention.
“Natural, impartial reader or hearer, who have any understanding, you
may well know and imagine that a man that is so depraved and wicked,
and has done so much evil, as to insure his death, in case he were
apprehended, ought to be afraid of committing any more evil, lest
at last he be apprehended and put to death. But if he do not cease
from evil he may at last be apprehended for his crimes. Then, when
imprisoned, he may reflect and concern himself night and day, how he
may escape or obtain his liberty, whether by strategy, violence or
breaking out--and all this, that he might prolong his uncertain life
for a little while, which, though he should escape, he must ultimately
relinquish. And if a poor prisoner cannot help himself, he may consider
whether some good friend cannot assist him. And if his friend fail
him, he may meditate whether the judges might not be merciful to him,
at whose feet he may fall, and implore them to spare him in mercy;
moreover, he may promise thoroughly to reform, and that he will commit
such or like misdeeds no more all the days of his life. And when the
prisoner has done this much, yea, all that he knows to do, and all his
plans, and everything else, prove of no avail, he may in desperation
give up all courage. And when he sees the monk coming, he may become
greatly alarmed, knowing that his confessor (who with lies and vain
consolation may promise him eternal life, thereby seeking to assure
his soul) is the harbinger of his death; and when the doomed man hears
the court pronounce his sentence of death, he may become still more
afraid and dismayed. And when at last he is led to death, and beholds
the instrument of his death, the gallows, wheel, stake, or water, he
may most of all fear and quake, so seized with mortal dread and horror
as though he were dead while still living, unless he be assured by the
priests or some other liars, of his salvation, in which case he might
be of good cheer--one in this way, another in another way. And if some
one should bring to this doomed criminal under the sword or at the
stake, good news assuring him of his life, and tell him to arise and
he himself should kneel down in the malefactor’s stead, how joyfully
should the latter with gratitude accept his transient life! But Christ,
who gives redemption and eternal life by his death, few are willing
gratefully to accept aright and unto repentance. John 3:16; Col. 1:14;
Is. 53:4.
“Now, suppose that the doomed criminal were a filthy, unclean harlot,
imprisoned for a crime, or for having herself alone committed (if it
were possible) all the wickednesses and sins ever perpetrated by the
whole world, for which she were condemned to the most shameful death
that could be devised; and the King should send his only, beloved son
from his kingdom and glory into great poverty, imprisonment, suffering
and an innocent death, in the stead of the unclean harlot, who by all
manner of contempt and evil-doing had angered the King, and merited
death a thousand times, but is now nevertheless, out of grace, through
the death of the King’s son (on condition of her amending) reconciled
to the King, made at peace with him, liberated from prison, and
delivered from death, and remains alive, a partaker and heir of all
the riches of the King; ought she not to accept this great love and
grace, love the King, amend her ways, and be greatly afraid of vexing
the King any more all her life, who cleansed her, forgave all her evil
deeds, paid all her debts, espoused her as his beloved queen, exalted
her into his glory, and protected her as himself from all enemies? But
if she should not amend (according to her promise), should again anger
the King, and do worse than before, were this not great ingratitude,
worthy of sorer punishment than before? Hereby we may prove ourselves,
whether we that are redeemed through the grace of God, also keep the
promise of amendment. And though all this were to happen thus, a thing
which was never heard of or seen, nor ever occurred; yet, since it were
but temporal and of short duration, it is not an adequate comparison to
that which is eternal and intransient, namely, the love of God, which
has come to us through Christ his beloved Son.