testimony of the truth, in Briel, reckoned to Holland, on the Maese,
Maerten Pieters of Maesland, a village situated near Delft in Holland
and with him Grietgen Jans, wife of Adriaen Heynsen, a weaver of
Swartewael. Maerten Pieters was beheaded with the sword, and Grietgen
Jans was burnt at the stake, in the town, whereupon their dead bodies
were taken down, and conveyed out of the town, to the place of
execution, called the Nieuwe Noordt. Here Maerten Pieters was laid upon
a wheel, and his head upon a stake. And Grietgen Jans was again tied
to a stake, and thus given for food to the fowls of the heaven. Ps.
79:2. And all this they suffered for the testimony of the truth, were
in no manner charged with any evil works, but accused simply on account
of having united with those called Mennists, and having, according to
the doctrine of Christ, been baptized upon their faith, seeking thus
to please their Creator, according to all their ability. Therefore
they have a firm and sure promise from God: that all who have been put
to death by men, for the testimony of Jesus, shall receive again in
great glory at the resurrection of the dead these their members, which
are here sown in dishonor, being made like unto the glorious body of
Christ, and shall live with him in unspeakable joy forever and ever. 2
Maccabees 7:11; Philip. 3:21; 1 Cor. 2:9.
This account of the sacrifice of these pious witnesses of God is taken
from the book of criminal sentences of the town of Briel, commenced on
Bamis,[303] in the year 1564, and now, the 3d of June 1616, extracted
from it by the clerk of said town.
[303] Perhaps St. Bartholomew’s day.--TRANS.
DIRK WILLEMS, A. D. 1569.
[Illustration: DIRK WILLEMS SAVING HIS CAPTOR’S LIFE.]
In the year 1569 a pious, faithful brother and follower of Jesus
Christ, named Dirk Willems, was apprehended at Asperen, in Holland,
and had to endure severe tyranny from the papists. But as he had
founded his faith not upon the drifting sand of human commandments,
but upon the firm foundation stone, Christ Jesus, he, notwithstanding
all evil winds of human doctrine, and heavy showers of tyrannical
and severe persecution, remained immovable and steadfast unto the
end; wherefore, when the chief Shepherd shall appear in the clouds
of heaven and gather together his elect from all the ends of the
earth, he shall also through grace hear the words: “Well done, good
and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I
will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy
Lord.” 1 Pet. 5:4; Matt. 24:31; 25:23. Concerning his apprehension,
it is stated by trustworthy persons, that when he fled he was hotly
pursued by a thief-catcher, and as there had been some frost, said
Dirk Willems ran before over the ice, getting across with considerable
peril. The thief-catcher following him broke through, when Dirk
Willems, perceiving that the former was in danger of his life, quickly
returned and aided him in getting out, and thus saved his life. The
thief-catcher wanted to let him go, but the burgomaster, very sternly
called to him to consider his oath, and thus he was again seized by
the thief-catcher, and, at said place, after severe imprisonment and
great trials proceeding from the deceitful papists, put to death at a
lingering fire by these bloodthirsty, ravening wolves, enduring it with
great steadfastness, and confirming the genuine faith of the truth with
his death and blood, as an instructive example to all pious Christians
of this time, and to the everlasting disgrace of the tyrannous papists.
NOTE.--In this connection, it is related as true from the trustworthy
memoirs of those who were present at the death of this pious witness of
Jesus Christ, that the place where this offering occurred was without
Asperen, on the side of Leerdam, and that, a strong east wind blowing
that day, the kindled fire was much driven away from the upper part of
his body, as he stood at the stake; in consequence of which this good
man suffered a lingering death, insomuch that in the town of Leerdam,
towards which the wind was blowing, he was heard to exclaim over
seventy times: “O my Lord; my God,” etc., for which cause the judge or
bailiff, who was present on horseback, filled with sorrow and regret at
the man’s sufferings, wheeled about his horse, turning his back toward
the place of execution, and said to the executioner; “Dispatch the man
with a quick death.” But how or in what manner the executioner then
dealt with this pious witness of Jesus, I have not been able to learn,
except only, that his life was consumed by the fire, and that he passed
through the conflict with great steadfastness, having commended his
soul into the hands of God.
As we have come into possession of the sentence which these rulers of
darkness passed upon this friend of God, we have deemed it well, to add
it here for the benefit of the readers, in order that reading the same,
they may be able to perceive the truth of this matter.
COPY.--Whereas, Dirk Willems, born at Asperen, at present a prisoner,
has, without torture and iron bonds (or otherwise) before the bailiff
and us judges, confessed, that at the age of fifteen, eighteen or
twenty years, he was rebaptized in Rotterdam, at the house of one
Pieter Willems, and that he, further, in Asperen, at his house, at
divers hours, harbored and admitted secret conventicles and prohibited
doctrines, and that he also has permitted several persons to be
rebaptized in his aforesaid house; all of which is contrary to our holy
Christian faith, and to the decrees of His Royal Majesty, and ought
not to be tolerated, but severely punished, for an example to others;
therefore, we the aforesaid judges, having, with mature deliberation
of council, examined and considered all that was to be considered in
this matter, have condemned and do condemn by these presents in the
name, and in the behalf, of His Royal Majesty, as Count of Holland,
the aforesaid Dirk Willems, prisoner, persisting obstinately in his
opinion, that he shall be executed with fire, until death ensues; and
declare all his property confiscated, for the benefit of His Royal
Majesty. So done this 16th of May, in presence of the Judges, Cornelis
Goverts, Jan van Stege Jans, Adriaen Gerritts, Adriaen Jans, Lucas
Rutgers, Jan Jans, and Jan Roelofs, A. D. 1569.
Extracted from the records of the town of Asperen, and after collation
this copy was found to agree [with the original], the 15th of October
1606. Acknowledged by me, the town clerk of Asperen.
T’ Sheerenbergh.
HENDRICK ALEWIJNS, HANS MARIJNS VAN OOSTEN, AND GERRIT DUYNHERDER, A.
D. 1569.
In the year 1569 there were imprisoned for the testimony of Jesus, at
Middleburgh, in Zealand, the following pious sheep and followers of
Christ: Hendrick Alewijns, a purse-maker by trade, and Hans Marijns
van Oosten, with Gerrit Duynherder. These suffered from the ministers
of antichrist manifold assaults, and threats and tortures terrible
to the flesh, all of which they, through faith and the power of God
(which was in them) patiently and valiantly resisted. And after they
had suffered all this for Christ’s sake, they were together burnt alive
at said place, on the 9th of February 1569, confirming the belief of
the ever-abiding truth with their death and blood, and now serve as
a beacon to all true believers, that they may follow their unfeigned
faith. Phil. 3:17.
The Hendrick Alewijns mentioned here was in his time a very zealous
follower of Christ, and was elected and chosen by the brethren to
serve the church of God with the word of the holy Gospel, in which he
was very diligent, and, though young in the service, he exceedingly
abounded and increased in the work of God. 2 Cor. 8:19; Luke 1:2; 1
Tim. 4:15. And though he had neither silver nor gold, nor temporal
means, yet his hands gained him and his wife and children a livelihood,
and he sought to minister to the flock of Christ not for the milk and
wool, but this hero followed the good, true and faithful Shepherd
Jesus, and willingly, of a ready mind, ministered to the work of God,
wherefore, at the appearance of the chief Shepherd, he shall receive
the imperishable crown of honor. Acts 3:6; 20:34; Matt. 10:16; Ezek.
34:3; 1 Pet. 5:2,4.
During the time of his imprisonment he also did not forget his brethren
and sisters, but wrote beautiful letters, descriptions and hymns,
worthy of being read, to them, as also to his three little orphans;
some of which have previously already appeared in print. We pray the
reader attentively to read those adduced here, the first of which was
sent to the beloved children of God in Zealand, and reads as follows:
_An epistle from Hendrick Alewijns, sent to the beloved children of God
in Zealand, written in his prison at Middleburgh, where he steadfastly
testified to the truth of God with his death, on the 9th of February,
A. D. 1569._
A most Christian greeting and salutation in the Lord! Hendrick
Alewijns, unworthy, a weak brother and simple companion in the faith
in God, a partaker of his sufferings, also of patience, and of the
hope of eternal life, with all the saints, all through the grace of
God, unmerited. Grace, peace, the mercy of God, salvation, prosperity,
and everything good from above, through Christ Jesus, constantly to be
kept stirred up, and the ardent impelling of the Holy Spirit, even unto
the blessed end, these things I wish all my beloved friends, brethren,
sisters, and companions, from God the Father, through Jesus Christ our
dear Lord, Redeemer and Savior. Amen. This I send as a greeting, in a
good intention, from the very depths of my love, to you, as my special
acquaintances and friends, to exhort and stir up one another to good
devotion, while absent, yet in one hope of the kingdom and glory of
God, though I am now confined at a distance from you.
My very kind, especially peaceable and ever well-meaning friends,
seeing before me my departure from this life, and having time to write,
I gladly turn to your love for a little while, to give you intelligence
and glad tidings, which, I presume, is according to your wish and
desire. Behold, be it known to you all, that I, your friend, am still
prospering in the Lord, in both respects, that is, in body and soul, in
the unchanging determination, to endeavor with a good resolution, to
keep body and soul surrendered to and in God, pleasing to you to hear,
and to my salvation. May God grant this to the blessed end of my faith,
O dear Lord. Amen.
Further, the cause of my writing to you, and to your love, is also
to ask you to help me pray in my behalf, for steadfastness in God’s
truth, and that I may live in his grace, and for God’s faithful
assistance towards me. I inform you that I am of very good cheer in
my imprisonment, tribulation, sorrow, reproach, and suffering for
righteousness’ sake; and also I have, with all the saints, in my
tribulation, a bright prospect, the hope and consolation of the Spirit,
and the rich promises of God to succor us in this present time, who
also assures us of eternal life hereafter, of which so abundantly
mention is made in the Scriptures.
In the first place, I know, consider, and firmly believe with many
saints, according to the abundant testimony of the Scriptures, that God
is faithful in keeping his promises. Read Deut. 32:4; Numbers 23:19;
1 Cor. 10:13; 1 Thess. 5:24; 2 Tim. 2:13. He will not suffer us to be
tempted above that we are able to bear, but will with the temptation
also make a way to escape. He does not leave his children comfortless.
He will with his Spirit defend us before kings and princes, as much
as will be needful at the time. He will, and knows how to, deliver
the godly out of temptation. He says: “I will never leave thee, nor
forsake thee.” Therefore I will trust in the Lord, and not fear what
man shall do unto me. Heb. 13:5,6. What can flesh do? says Paul.
Again: If God be with us, who can be against us? and God is with us,
if we are with him, mark. Romans 8:31; 2 Chron. 15:2. Again: We are
troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not
in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.
Again: Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ
Jesus. 2 Cor. 2:14. Again: Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the
world. 1 John 5:4. For which cause we faint not (because of God’s
consolation); but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is
renewed day by day. 2 Cor. 4:16. Again: I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me. Philip. 4:13. O how blessed is the man
that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the
crown of life, which God has promised to them (he says, to them) that
love him. James 1:12.
And since God is so faithful in all his promises, as said, we press
straight on with righteousness, as though we beheld God, and saw no
adversaries; as though we saw no decree, fire, water, or sword. For
who is he that will harm us, if we be followers of that which is good?
as Peter assures us. 1 Peter 3:13. Also Paul says: Who shall separate
us from the love of God? etc. Rom. 8:35. Who will pluck our Shepherd’s
sheep out of his hand? No one. John 10:28. But one can and may indeed
himself stray out of his hand. Again it is written: No evil shall
happen to him that feareth God; for when he is tempted, he shall be
delivered again. Mark, John says: There is no fear in love (1 John
4:18); understand, such fear as departs from the way of rectitude.
Yea, such fearless ones run through patience (mark, through), not out
of, but into, the conflict that is set before us, and look not at the
dreadful tyranny, but unto Jesus, the Captain, the Author and Finisher
of our faith. Heb. 12:2.
And these comforting promises of God, here partly mentioned and touched
upon, behold, speak, and treat chiefly only of God’s keeping, assisting
and strengthening us, in this time, and in the sufferings of this
present time.
But, friends, how much greater and more valuable must be the
consolation, reward, and the crown of eternal life, of which so much is
said in other places, of God’s eternal life, kingdom and glory, which
are promised to those that overcome and patiently endure, as will here
in part follow.
In the first place, observe in the Book of Wisdom, concerning the day
of judgment, and the glory of God’s elect: Then shall the righteous man
stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him,
and made no account of his labors. Wis. 5:1. Again: The righteous live
for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them
is with the Most High. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom,
and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand. Verses 15, 16. Mark well,
an eternal reward. Again: The souls of the righteous are in the hand
of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. In the sight
of the unwise they seem to die, and their departure and going from us
are taken for destruction; but they are in peace. For though they have
much suffering (he says, much suffering) in the sight of men, yet is
their hope full of immortality, and having been a little chastised,
they shall be greatly rewarded; for God proves them, and finds them
worthy for himself. Wis. 3:1–5. Yea, here they shall suffer strait
things, but hope for the wide: but they that have lived wickedly, and
yet have suffered the strait things, shall not see the wide, alas, no.
2 Esdr. 7:18. Again, 2 Macc. 7:36: My brethren, who now have suffered
themselves to be martyred for a short time, now wait for everlasting
life, according to God’s promise (he says, everlasting life according
to God’s promise). Again, also the promises of our Lord Jesus Christ
himself: That all who have followed him in the regeneration (he says,
in the regeneration) and have forsaken everything dear to them, house,
home, wife, children, etc., and their own life, shall receive a hundred
fold in this time, and hereafter everlasting life; and shall also sit
with him upon thrones, and help judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matt. 19:28.
Again: Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are
ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from
their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil,
for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy:
for, behold, your reward is great in heaven (he says, in heaven).
Luke 6:21. Mark, heavenly consolation. Again, Paul says: “Blessed be
God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies,
and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by
the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the
sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth
by Christ.” 2 Cor. 1:3–5. Again: He that soweth to the Spirit shall
of the Spirit reap life and peace. O friends, let us therefore not be
weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap without ceasing
(he says, without ceasing). Gal. 6:8,9. O friends, let this claim your
joyful consideration and attention. Now no chastening for the present
seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward (he says,
afterward) it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them
(he says, them) which are exercised thereby. Heb. 12:11. Again, in Paul
we further find: It is a faithful saying (he says, a faithful saying):
For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer,
we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us. 2
Timothy 2:11,12.
Again, in Peter, also we read: Beloved, think it not strange concerning
the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing
happened unto you (he says, as though some strange thing happened unto
you): but be partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that, when he shall be
revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Pet. 4:12,13.
Behold, such and similar beautiful promises, and heavenly consolations
for the hereafter, yea, such in great abundance, make tribulation
sweet, precious and light. For our light affliction, which is but
for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight
of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the
things which are not seen; which are nevertheless true. 2 Corinthians
4:17. Hence it is impossible for these to be plucked out of the hand of
our Shepherd. Yea, God is faithful, and not unrighteous to forget your
work and labor of love, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and
do minister. 1 Cor. 10:13; Hebrews 6:10.
Now, mark well, the beautiful promises of God mentioned here, and
many similar ones, point and reach farther than God’s help in the
distress of this present time; the promises for the present time
being essentially different ones, as said above. But these are full
promises and a reward for the hereafter, in eternal, imperishable,
yea, unspeakable or inexpressible glory, even as Peter says of these
unspeakable things: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again
unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not
away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time
(mark, in the last time). Wherein ye shall rejoice with joy unspeakable
(mark, unspeakable) and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith,
even the salvation of your souls. (Mark who). He says: Ye who now for a
season, if need be, are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that
the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that
perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and
honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen,
ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice
with joy unspeakable, as already quoted. 1 Pet. 1:3. Justly does Esdras
say of the incomprehensible and unspeakable recompense of God: Thou
canst not find out my judgment, or in the end the love that I have
promised unto my people. 2 Esdr. 5:40.
Happy those venturesome ones who now sow liberally to the Spirit in
every manner, without becoming weary (Gal. 6:9); for it will not be
lost, will not spoil, rot, rust, or become moth-eaten.
Observe and read Matt. 6:19; Luke 12:33; 1 Timothy 6:19. O brethren,
our faithful God is surely faithful. The alms of a man is as a signet
with him, and he will keep the good deeds of a man as the apple of the
eye; and afterward he will rise up and reward them, and render their
recompense upon their heads. Sir. 17:22,23. Observe: Thus we may well
say with Sirach: “We have had labor for a little season, and have found
great comfort.” 51:27.
O friends, let us not be weary in sowing and well-doing, for our
reward, according to the promises of God, is great in the time to
come, as has been heard, and is unfathomable, incomprehensible and
unspeakable. Nevertheless, it is now revealed to his saints, by his
Spirit, 1 Cor. 2:10. It is an eternal and exceeding weight of glory. 2
Cor. 4:17.
Now, all attentive [readers], who firmly believe, know and hope
this with all their heart and from the depths of their soul, and
also understand, on what conditions, and to whom, and to whom not,
this glorious kingdom is promised and sure. Such an intelligent and
far-seeing Christian is so rich in hope toward God, so firmly anchored
in his soul, that he completely and humbly surrenders himself soul and
body to a faithful Creator, however, in well doing without boasting. 1
Pet. 4:19.
Yea, we confess and declare with all saints rich in hope, that this
present time is short, and that the sufferings of this time, for
righteousness, are small, and, hence, not worthy to be compared with
the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:18), as will here
follow.
Believers lightly esteem the sufferings of this present time, because
of the hope, promise, and reward.
In the first place, the youngest of the seven brothers in Maccabees
spoke thus out of his joyful hope: “My brethren, who now have suffered
themselves to be martyred for a little while, now wait for eternal
life according to God’s promise.” 2 Macc. 7:36. Again, in Solomon we
read: Having been a little chastised (mark, a little), they shall be
greatly rewarded. Wis. 3:5. Again, in Peter, also: Ye who now for a
season (he says, for a season), if need be, are in heaviness through
manifold temptations, etc. 1 Pet. 1:6. Again: The God of all grace, who
hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye
have suffered a while (he says, a while), make you perfect, stablish,
strengthen, settle you. 1 Pet. 5:10.
These and other like passages esteem the sufferings of this present
time short, small and light, and the reproach of Christ greater riches
than the treasures of this world. Heb. 11:26. The fearful woman in
travail, of whom Christ speaks, has anguish in her hour of travail,
but afterwards she rejoices, and forgets the anguish. John 16:21.
And these, who are thus strong in God, though weak and nothing of
themselves, who are thus surely fixed in faith, hope, and the love of
God, these (I say these) say with Paul: “Who shall separate us from the
love of God.” “For I am persuaded,” he says, “that neither death, nor
life ... shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 8:35. For if God be with them, who can be
against them? Verse 31.
But it were fearful presumption, to boast, or say, yea, to think,
without God and a good conscience toward him, that we can do anything
of ourselves. Such arrogancy, boasting and self strength, as in the
case of inconsiderate Peter, are nothing, even as the independent,
severed branch, without abiding in its vine, can do nothing. John 15:6.
And as those impotent individuals who took upon them to cast out Satan
in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preached (Acts 19:13), even so can no
powerless man boast without God; he must first calculate whether he
dare with ten thousand go out against twenty thousand, according to
the counsel and words of Christ. Luke 14:31. Therefore, he that would
glory, let him glory in the Lord: If the Lord will, and we live. Jer.
9:23; 1 Cor. 1:31; James 4:15. And if he be with him, no one can be
against him. Rom. 8:31. And God is with them if they are with God. Then
they can do all things through Christ, which strengthened them. By
their God they can leap over a wall, run through a troop, and overcome
the world. The gates of hell cannot prevail against them; for love with
its patient hope and firm faith can do all things through the grace
of God. Mark well, they who thus closely, firmly and boldly cleave to
God, become stronger in the conflict, as Sirach says. Sir. 2:3. Cleave
therefore unto God, and depart or waver neither to the right nor left,
that you may continually wax stronger.