are all taught of God. Hence, dear brethren and sisters, I know of
nothing special to write you, save that we should always take heed
well to keep that which is committed to our trust, that no man take
our crown, for Peter says: The devil walketh about as a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, 1 Tim.
6:20; Rev. 3:11; 1 Peter 5:8. O we shall be well rewarded, if we hold
the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. Herewith I will
commend you all unto the Lord, and to the rich word of his grace, which
is able to build us all up for his heavenly kingdom. Amen. And I kindly
pray you, also to see to my child a little as much as you can. I have
also requested this of the sister at Vlissingen, and of Christian. You
may advise together as is best; for I must now part from it, so that
I cannot take care of it. But I am heartily satisfied with this, and
am ready to forsake not only wife and child, but also body and life,
if the Lord will only keep me, as he has hitherto done, and will yet
do. O dear brethren and sisters, we are all of such good cheer. I and
Hendrick and Gerrit greet you all much. Greet Hendrick and Maeyken much
in my name, and Adrian and Gerrit Coelemey, and your companion Lieven,
and Huybert; further, Yde and her husband, and Jacob Wit, and the rest
of the brethren, and to all whom it is convenient to greet. Bid them
all farewell in my name. Written on the third of February, in the year
1569, after I have been advised of my sentence. Farewell altogether,
and be valiant always. I trust that we shall see one another again.
Communicate to Geertgen occasionally something of the profit, as seems
best to you; and do with her what is best, this I earnestly ask of you.
By me, Hans Marijns, your unworthy brother in the Lord, with what is in
my ability for your best, for this time.
ANPLEUNIS VAN DEN BERGE, A. D. 1569.
This Anpleunis van den Berge, because he had permitted, in the year
1556, that the word of God was truly and openly preached on his land,
and that he had lodged some of the brethren, had to leave his own
house and property, and conceal himself, and sojourn with other good
friends (so severe was then the persecution against the Christians),
until, finally, while walking on the road, he was apprehended, and
this only because one who saw him walking, said: There goes the man
who permitted preaching on his land. And though he offered to give to
the officer that apprehended him his purse containing fifty pounds
Flemish, if he would let him go, he was nevertheless taken along into
prison at Kortrijk, where he, after a bold confession of his faith,
was very severely tortured, by scourging as well as otherwise; but as
he would in no wise apostatize from his faith, or implicate any of his
fellow-members, he was finally sentenced to death, and burned, in the
year 1569, thus obtaining a house and inheritance which shall never be
taken from him. 2 Cor. 5:1.
JASPER DEN TASCHRINKMAKER, A. D. 1569.
At Antwerp, about the year 1569, there was apprehended a brother, named
Jasper den Taschrinkmaker, who, when he was examined concerning his
faith, boldly confessed it, and would allow no entreaties, threats or
tortures to swerve him from it, so that because of his steadfastness he
was sentenced to death as a heretic, and offered up his sacrifice by
fire. Hence the eternal fire shall not destroy that which he has built
upon the foundation Jesus Christ.
DIRK ANOOT AND WILLEM DE ZAGER, IN THE YEAR 1569.
When the Duke of Alba tyrannized with great violence against the
Gospel, as Antiochus against the law, 2 Macc. 7, there were brought
prisoners into Ypres, in Flanders, in the year 1569, one Dirk Anoot,
of Westvleteren, and one named Willem, a wood-sawyer, who, as they
could in no wise be drawn from the truth by tribulation, fear, or any
suffering inflicted upon them, were finally condemned and sentenced to
the fire, and were then brought into the market place, before the city
hall, with a stick fastened in their mouth, that they should not speak.
There each was placed at a stake and burned. Thus they, as those who
did not love their life, but delivered it up for the Gospel, offered up
their bodies as a burnt sacrifice unto God, their Lord.
TANNEKEN VAN DER MEULEN, JAECXKEN VAN HUSSELE, AND JAECXKEN TEERLINGS,
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1569.
At Ghent in Flanders also three sisters were apprehended on account of
the faith, namely Tanneken van der Meulen, Jaecxken van Hussele, and
Jaecxken Teerlings, who had to leave, for the Lord’s sake, five little
children, whom she commended to a faithful keeper and Provider, since
she had to help her two imprisoned fellow sisters contend for his name,
in which all three of them evinced such manful courage unto death, that
even the tyrants were amazed at it, who shall be still more amazed,
when they shall hear the sound of the trumpet, and see that these with
all the children of God shall be taken up into everlasting joy and
gladness, while they themselves standing on the left hand will have to
go into everlasting sorrow, and that the time of repentance shall then
be utterly taken away from them.
JOOST GOETHALS, ROELANDT AND PIETER STAYERT, JANNEKEN ROELANDS AND
JANNEKEN DE JONCKHEERE, IN THE YEAR 1569.
In the year 1569, at Ghent, in Flanders, there were apprehended for the
faith, three brethren and two sisters, namely, Joost Goethals, Roelandt
and Pieter Stayert, Janneken Roelands and Janneken de Jonckheere.
These had to resist many examinations, trials and temptations, but
remained valiant in everything unto death, so that they were tried
as gold in the fire; nor did that fail which they had built upon the
corner stone Christ; wherefore they shall, for having been faithful
here over a few things, be made rulers with the good and faithful
servant over many things, and enter into heaven into the joy of their
Lord. Matt. 25:23.
CHRISTOFFEL BUYZE, LAURENS VAN RENTERGEN, JOOST MEERSSENIER, AND
GRIETGEN BAETS.
Not long after the above there were also apprehended at Ghent three
brethren and one sister, namely, Christoffel Buyze, Laurens van
Rentergen, Joost Meerssenier, and Grietgen Baets. These, in order
to follow Christ, gladly took up his cross, and had to suffer much
reproach, temptation, and pain in the narrow way; but in all this
they courageously persevered, and could in no wise be induced to
apostatize, so that they finally had to lay down their lives for the
name of Christ, and with him press through the strait gate, in order
that they might take the kingdom of God by force, where they in the new
Jerusalem, shall have him for an everlasting light, and shall with all
those who have valiantly contended for the truth, live in everlasting
and imperishable joy.
OLD PIETER, JAN WATIER, JAN VAN RAES, WOUTER DENIJS, FRANCAIS THE
CARPENTER, AND KALLEKEN, THE WIDOW OF ANPLEUNIS VAN DEN BERGE.
As the Jews did to the Shepherd, so their successors do still to his
sheep, which was evident in the year 1569, when they, having come from
Kortrijck to Meenen, apprehended there a brother named old Pieter; but
not yet satisfied with this, they returned on the Friday before Easter,
in the night, and apprehended Jan Watier, Jan van Raes, Wouter Denijs,
Francais the Carpenter, and Kalleken, the widow of Anpleunis van den
Berge (which latter had previously been offered up). These were so
tightly bound that it was pitiful to behold. Jan Watier said: “If there
is any one here from Komen, greet my wife, and tell her to fear God.”
These were then conducted to Kortrijck, where they lay for three weeks,
so closely guarded that no one could come to them, to comfort or speak
to them. They were also very severely tortured, in order that they
should mention others: but God kept their lips. The old man, Jan van
Raes, was put on the rack twice, but he nevertheless betrayed no one.
When John Watier was led back to prison, it was a lamentable sight to
behold how he had been tortured, all his limbs appearing to have been
broken.
When they were led to the court, they said: “Now truth is fallen in
the street, and equity cannot enter.” Is. 59:14. There they (the five
brethren and one sister) comforted and cheered one another with the
word of God. 1 Thess. 4:18. There the innocent were sentenced to be
burned, and delivered to the hangman or executioner. Longing for their
Father’s land, to be in peace with him forever, they boldly came forth,
and Pieter sighed and cast up his eyes, saying: “O Lord, succor thy
servant, and strengthen him in his last extremity; and do not account
this as sin to them, but convert them; for they know not what they
do.” Jan Watier said to the lords: “If we have done amiss to you in
anything, do forgive us; we gladly forgive you all that you have done
amiss to us; but let the innocent blood you have shed satisfy you, and
do not shed any more.” Pieter said to the people: “If you would enter
into life, seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and
all that you further need shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:33. He
further said: “This is the strait gate by which we enter in; here we
are going home, where we shall be this evening.” Wouter Denijs said: “O
Lord, reprove them with the hammer of thy divine word, that they may
perceive, whom they have pierced, and be converted.” John 19:37. Pieter
again said: “These members, which God has given me, I will gladly
surrender for his honor; for hereafter, when I rise, he shall give them
to me again.” 2 Macc. 7:11.
When they had all finished their prayer, and were standing bound at the
stakes, they confidently exclaimed: “O heavenly Father, into thy hands
I commend my spirit.” Thus all these six friends passed through the
conflict, as faithful regenerated children of God, and elect sheep of
Christ, who remained steadfast unto the end, and with their sacrifice
took their blessed departure out of this world.
Wouter Denijs also wrote several letters from prison, three of which
have come into our hands, and follow here.
THE FIRST LETTER OF WOUTER DENIJS, TO HIS WIFE.
A cordial greeting to you, my beloved wife and children, and to father,
and to my brothers, sisters and all my friends according to the flesh,
and to all that are known to me, who fear God from a pure heart. This
fear, from a pure heart, may the Almighty God grant you through his Son
Jesus Christ.
My beloved wife, and my children, whom I love next to God, lay this
to heart, for I have written it with great diligence. Behold, I think
(and know nothing to the contrary) that you will receive nothing
further from me; hence if you would be saved let my words abide in your
ears, I therefore pray you from the depths of my heart, through Jesus
Christ, always to instruct and admonish my and your children with great
diligence in the fear of God, as long as the Lord will let you remain
together. I further request you, always to restrain them, lest they
rule over you. You have such a striking example in some whom I will
not mention here, not deeming it best; but I will let it be as it is;
every one will give an account of himself. Romans 14:12. Therefore, my
dear and beloved, I pray you for Christ’s sake, to walk in the fear
of the Lord; and use more diligence in seeking your salvation, than
you have hitherto done; and be not ashamed to ask questions in matters
pertaining to salvation, but let us be ashamed before the Lord of our
misery and nakedness; for when the Lord visits us, every one would like
to be found glorious and spotless, and blameless in weakness. For when
one gets into bonds, it is such a blessed thing to have peace in one’s
conscience; or even if one should be laid upon his death-bed. Hence
Peter admonishes us: “Let them that suffer according to the will of
God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a
faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:19. And the apostle exhorts us that every
one should seek to excel in good works. Tit. 3:8. And Christ says in
his Gospel: He that forsaketh not lands and house, father and mother,
wife and children, yea, his own life, is not worthy to be my disciple.
Luke 14:26.
Therefore, every one that would be saved must obey his Savior, as the
word of the Lord everywhere declares. Hence use diligence to hear and
follow the word of God; for, without the word of God salvation cannot
be found, however grandly the false prophets boast themselves. For
from the beginning of the world the righteous had to suffer from the
unrighteous, and be persecuted, for if the Prince of our salvation
himself suffered, being an example and pattern unto us, that we should
follow him; we may well see that the servant is not better than his
Lord. Hence let every one that would be saved make entreaty to the
Lord, from the depth of his heart and with tears, without ceasing. And
I pray you, my dear wife, to teach our children to read and write, if
it be possible for you, in order that they may be able to search for
themselves. John 5:39.
Thus, my dear and much beloved wife, whom next to God I loved above
all men, lay this to heart, and let the same be done by all that shall
see it or hear it read. And I pray you, brother and sister, and all
who truly know Christ, and love his appearing, that, when they attain
to years of understanding, you will exercise an oversight and care
not only over mine, but all that are in like condition; and charge
Hansken at Proentken’s, occasionally to admonish Pieter, and to search
whereunto we are called, and for what testimony his father was burned
at Wervijke, in Flanders. Acts 23:11.
And I beseech every one that would be saved, not to neglect the grace
of God. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of
salvation; let every one take heed now. On the twenty-first day of
April, about eleven o’clock, I received a letter here, which was
welcome to me. However, I will pass this by, and go on. Know that we
are still of good courage, and had I been able, I would have sent you
something; but this I send you all as a greeting, and for a remembrance
to my children, and I request of you who remain there, to keep this
till they attain to their understanding, if it be possible for you, if
peradventure the Lord should grant grace, and knowledge of the truth,
as I trust he will do. I entreat every one from the depth of my heart,
and with tears, before God, to excuse my weakness kindly and in love.
I deplore it before God and men, that I have not been more of a light,
and that the talent which I have received has gained so little profit.
Hence every one may take good heed, and always be watchful; for
I testify before God and men, that I have not lightly come here.
Therefore let every one take heed, I pray you, that you do not lightly
receive this; for, know that I have not lightly written it; with this
warning I acquit myself of all responsibility. Let every one take heed.
Written by me, your husband and dear friend,
WOUTER DENIJS.
THE SECOND LETTER OF WOUTER DENIJS AND HIS FELLOW-PRISONERS, TO HIS
BRETHREN AND SISTERS IN THE LORD.
The unfathomable grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all dear
brethren and sisters, and all dear friends who desire to walk in the
true and pleasant fear of the Lord; and with the overseers of the true
bride of Christ; this we wish as a heartfelt greeting, namely, we
brethren and sisters, Jan van Raes, Francais the carpenter, Jan Watier,
of Komen, Old Pieter, Wouter Denijs, and Kalleken van den Berge, who
are in bonds here at Kortrijck for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Further, dear friends, we inform you in regard to our first
examination, that we were sharply and severely examined concerning our
brethren, leaders and teachers, as to who they are, where they live,
and what their names are.
Hence we pray you, dear friends, that you do not lightly inquire
concerning one another’s names or places of abode; for when we get
into bonds, we have to suffer great distress on account of it; but
the Lord be praised forever, who has hitherto kept our lips; however,
we are greatly threatened with the torture. We therefore kindly ask
you, diligently to entreat the Lord for us, and for all our brethren
that are in bonds at Ghent, Antwerp, and all other places; that the
Lord may strengthen them. And we heartily ask you, to see to our wives
and children, and to admonish them in the fear of the Lord, as you
should like to have done to yours; and to see that you protect their
property as well as you can. And know that it is still our purpose to
fight through by the grace of the Lord. Kallaken, and Stijntgen and
Jaentgen, her two daughters, are confined together, and greet you much;
and as regards their purpose it is also tolerably well with them. But
we pray you, dear friends in the Lord, diligently to search his word,
and to admonish one another while you are out of bonds; for I fear
that they will yet greatly scatter the church, since they are still
thirsting much for blood, even more than the judge. For as Jannes and
Jambres vehemently withstood Moses, so do these violently resist the
truth. They intend to scatter the whole flock at Meenen. Hence let
every one keep as quiet as he can, and if you receive any warning,
whether verbal or otherwise, heed it; for if I, Wouter Denijs, had
heeded it three or four nights, I would perhaps not be imprisoned.
But I thank the Lord for his grace; I thought it should cause me far
more sorrow; but now I find that the Lord is wonderful and mighty in
his deeds; he who does not leave his children comfortless, for which I
can never fully praise or thank him. Pieter heartily asks the church
to forgive him; for what he said was spoken from great consternation,
and the man is wonderfully sorry on account of it, and has wept many a
tear because it happened. We kindly pray you, to remember us in your
prayers, as being imprisoned with us, for we now much need the prayers
of the saints. And do not lightly receive our letter, for we have good
reason to write this, since we are far more ardent in remembering our
fellow-prisoners than we were before we were in bonds. For you may
know how this letter was written, namely, with a little stick cut off
of a counter, and with ink made of red earth. Further, dear friends, I
heartily pray you to admonish Ariaenken, my wife. Though matters now
thus stand with her, I trust in the Lord, that she will not remain
under the subjection of Egypt with her carnal friends, since she has
been spoken to. I hope for the best.
No more, but farewell; we commend you to God, and to the word of his
grace.
Written by me, Wouter Denijs, commenced on the nineteenth, and finished
the twentieth, by the grace of the Lord, to whom be praise and honor
forever. Amen.
A THIRD LETTER OF WOUTER DENIJS AND HIS FELLOW-PRISONERS.
Let every one take heed, though I do not write much or very learnedly,
which is something that is not in me. Receive this from me in good
part, as I trust you will do. These greetings and warnings I send
to those indicated in my preceding letters, and further to those
who are principally of my acquaintance, and to all that walk in the
fear of God, and love his appearing, and desire to follow this; and
I admonish every one to be diligent in searching the word of God.
Exhort one another in love, and copy this for my dear and beloved
wife, and preserve these three letters: this I heartily pray you. Take
further solicitations for your salvation, and let it be read to you
occasionally. Grieve not on my account, but grieve before God because
of your sins. Think not within yourselves, that you are without sin,
but always have an humble estimate of yourselves before the Lord; for
James says: If any man think that he serveth God, and bridleth not
his tongue, this man’s religion is vain. James 1:9. Therefore, my
beloved, comfort yourselves in the Lord, and think that he has called
me hereunto; and I trust by his power, through the help and strength
of him who counts me worthy for this, not to depart therefrom for any
torture. And I firmly trust that the Lord counts, and shall make, me
worthy for it; and I shall firmly trust in him with a pure heart
unto the end; for I may well say hitherto, that the Lord is showing
me, and five or six others with me, such abundant grace, that it were
impossible for me to describe it with the pen; for we scarcely know of
our bonds, but are together in fervency of spirit. Hence I admonish
you all to pray with greater diligence than I have sometimes done,
for the prisoners, as the apostle exhorts us. Let, therefore, every
one be diligent to pray in love; for we find that they that are in
bonds pray much more fervently for those who are out of bonds. Thus I
will conclude writing. Let every one be quick to see how the life and
doctrine of the learned and wise of this world accord with the life of
our Lord, Christ Jesus, our Savior.
Herewith I commend you to the faithful Creator, and to the word of his
grace.
Written by me, WOUTER DENIJS, And my fellow-prisoners.
COPY OF A LETTER WRITTEN FROM PRISON, AT ANTWERP, BY A YOUNG WOMAN,
NAMED NELLEKEN JASPER, OF BLIJENBERG, WHO LAID DOWN HER LIFE AT THE
FORMER PLACE, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS DIVINE WORD.
Grace and peace be from God the eternal and Almighty Father, through
Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins into the hands of the
enemies, and received much suffering from sinners, that he might
deliver us from this evil and perverse world, according to the will of
his Father. To him be praise, and honor forever and ever. Amen.
This bleeding and crucified Jesus Christ I wish all dear brethren and
sisters in the Lord, and all those that fear God from the heart, as
a cordial greeting, and endowing of your mind. Further, my heartily
beloved friends, and chosen in the Lord, please know that my mind is
still unchanged, and desire to adhere to the eternal truth all the days
of my life, as long as there is breath in my body. I am of good cheer;
praise, glory and thanks be to the Lord evermore for the great grace
which he shows me, for I have from the very beginning been of such good
cheer. Yea, he gives such joy into my heart, that I cannot express it,
and I cannot fully thank the Lord for the great benefits he shows me.
Know further, my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, that I was
before the lords. There were four of them: the Margrave, two judges,
and the clerk of the criminal court. When I entered the room, I did
reverence to them, and the Margrave said: “Well, my daughter how are
you?” I replied: “Very well, sir.” The Margrave asked me whether I
had not sat myself tired. I answered: “Yes, my lords, if it were your
pleasure to make away with me, it would be very welcome to me.” The
Margrave said: “How so, my daughter, you must not speak thus; you must
give up your opinion, and the King will pardon you.” I said: “You have
put my father and mother out of the way, and the two boys, but me you
have left sitting here, which greatly grieves me.” The Margrave said:
“How so, my daughter; if I should have put you out of the way with your
father and mother, it would not seem good to me; since you are not yet
baptized, the King will pardon you.” The judges asked: “Is she not yet
baptized?” “No,” replied the Margrave. I said: “No; it is true, I am
not yet baptized; but if I were released this evening, I should have
it done to-morrow, if it were possible.” Then they sighed over me, and
I said: “The two boys were likewise not baptized.” They replied: “It
is true; they would not desist from their opinion; efforts enough were
made in regard to them.” I said, “I will likewise not depart from my
faith.” They told me that I should then not fare better. I said I was
well satisfied with it; though they should roast me on a gridiron, or
boil me in oil, yet I trust by the grace of the Lord not to depart from
the truth, as long as there is breath in me; “and for this,” I said,
“I am of good cheer and would rather see it to-day than to-morrow.” I
firmly hope and trust in the Lord, that he will help me, and have fixed
my confidence in his word, where he says: “O my chosen, fear thou not:
I shall preserve thee in the fire and in the water, and I shall not
suffer thee to be tempted above that thou art able to bear.” Then they
said: “Daughter, you are deceived; your father and your mother deceived
you; they compelled you to it; you were under their subjection; you did
it through fear; but now you are free from them, and have your own free
will; hence, let it go; the King will pardon you; you are young yet;”
and other similar words. I said that I wanted to keep what I had. They
said that I should advise with myself. I told them that I had my advice
with me, and had sufficiently advised with myself.