I suppose so. Did you not hear yourselves yesterday, that that * * *
bishop of the Anabaptists at first also wanted to deny everything; but
when he perceived that I was so well acquainted with the matter, he
acknowledged that there were some among them, who taught and practiced
these things in secret, and when I soundly berated and convicted him
with plain and conclusive arguments, he denied it no longer. Bah, why
then should I not also have liberty to accuse and convict this one of
it? Am I not come here to instruct and convert him? I think I am. See
with what we are tormented. Why does he deny a matter which is true? *
* * One may certainly talk here, I suppose?
_Herm._ Then I may also reply to you, that this matter is not true,
because these things are lies; and I presume that Jacob, my fellow
brother did well reply against it.
_Fr. Corn._ Yes, until I told him that the Anabaptists at Amsterdam and
elsewhere, in Holland, ran stark-naked through the streets, men, women,
boys and maidens, and said to one another: “My spirit desires your
flesh.” Bah! was this not a fine thing, eh?
_Herm._ No, this was not a fine thing; and hence we never regarded such
as our brethren.
_Fr. Corn._ Bah! why would you deny it so strongly; for it is well
enough known, that you Anabaptists do not regard the sacrament of
marriage at all, because for a very little matter you loose and sever
the marriage bond.
_Herm._ Since you bring so many untrue charges against us in regard
to our marriage, I must ask you something respecting marriage that
concerns you, and which is certainly no lie, for Paul writes thus
to Timothy, in the fourth chapter (first epistle): “Now the Spirit
speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from
the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot
iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which
God hath created to be received with thanksgiving.
_Fr. Corn._ Tush, tush, hold your tongue; for we do not want any more
preaching here; bah, begone, get you hence. * * *
_Herm._ If I could be gone from here, I would no longer listen to your
blasphemies and lies.
_Fr. Corn._ Ah, you accursed, hardened, petrified Anabaptist, how the
devils in hell (whither you will shortly go) will sit in your accursed
mouth, with burning pitch, brimstone, tar, and Greek fire; just wait.
_Herm._ No; but I shall go under the altar which John saw in his
Apocalypse, as is written in the sixth chapter, to the souls of them
that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they
held; who cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and
true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on
the earth?
_Fr. Corn._ Yes, the devil’s martyr you will be. * * * But this
preaching would probably last all night; hence I go to my convent, and
let you preach as long as you will, you damned, accursed Anabaptist,
Sacramentarian, Trinitarian, and marriage dishonorer that you are; see.
In the meantime one of the aforesaid two martyrs, namely, Jacob de
Roore, or the chandler, while imprisoned, wrote several letters replete
with holy and divine things, which we deem it profitable to communicate
to the reader; they are the following:
THE FIRST LETTER OF JACOB THE CHANDLER, WRITTEN TO HIS WIFE.
The eternal, imperishable wisdom of God our heavenly Father, the great
love of his Son our Lord Jesus Christ, and the power of his Holy
Spirit, for the comforting of your mind, these I wish you my very dear
and beloved wife, as a cordial greeting from God, through Jesus Christ
our Lord and Savior. Amen.
My affectionately beloved and chosen wife, be pleased to know that my
mind is tolerably well, the Lord be praised forever for his grace,
except that I am very sorrowful for your and for the children’s sake,
since I love you and them from the heart, so that I know of nothing
under heaven for which I would be willing to leave you; but for the
Lord and his invisible riches we must forsake everything, through the
love of God, which is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.
Hence Christ says: “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not
worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not
worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me,
is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:37,38. And he also says: If any man
come to me, and hate not his father, and mother,... he cannot be my
disciple. Luke 14:26. Yes, brothers and sisters, wife and children, and
our own life also, with all that we possess, or we cannot be Christ’s
disciples; although this hatred extends only so far as these things
cleave to us, to draw us away from Christ. Hence we must overcome and
forsake them through the love of God, for thereby we prove that we
love God above all, with all our strength, and with all our ability,
which is the greatest commandment in the law, of which Paul says: “The
end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good
conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” 1 Tim. 1:5. By this love and faith
one must confess Christ unfeignedly, and not forsake him for father
or mother, for wife or children, or for his own life. Hence Solomon
writes: “Love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the
coals thereof are coals of fire, and a flame of the Lord. Many waters
cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would
give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be
contemned.” (Sol. Song 8:6,7); for it cannot be bought with riches, but
it is given for nought by God, through the Holy Ghost, to those that
seek him in truth.
Therefore, I pray you, my dear wife, that you seek to possess your soul
in patience, and do not grieve too much on account of this my trial,
which happens through God’s permission. For I had thought to come and
take leave, and to send you away with H., or with some one else; but
the Lord did not permit me--he knows why it is. Still I am grieving
much on your account, for I leave you in great distress. But I hope
that the Lord, who has taken me from you, will help you and provide for
you, according to his promise, since he feeds the ravens and little
animals, because they are his creatures; how much more then shall he
provide for his elect, who cry day and night unto him? Therefore did
Peter say: Cast all your care upon the Lord; for he careth for you. 1
Peter 5:7. As also David says: The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou
givest them their meat in due season. Ps. 145:15.
Thus, my dear wife, trust in the Lord, this I pray you; for he that
ministereth seed to the sower, will also minister bread for your
food. 2 Cor. 9:10. And move to the country of C., where there is much
tranquillity. And the brethren said, that they would assist us in
whatever they could. I had made such good arrangements, that I hoped
that it would please you well, which I intend to let you know yet.
Furthermore, I pray you, my dear and much beloved wife, that you do
the best with my children, to bring them up in the fear of God, with
good instruction and chastening, while they are still young; for with
the rod their back is bowed, and they are brought into obedience to
their parents. Hence it is written: He that loveth his son causeth him
oft to feel the rod; and he that spareth his rod, hateth his son: but
he that loveth him instructeth him betimes. Sir. 30:1; Prov. 13:24.
For instruction must accompany chastisement: for chastisement demands
obedience, and if one is to obey, he must first be instructed. This
instruction does not consist in hard words, or loud yelling; for this
the children learn to imitate; but if one conducts himself properly
towards them, they have a good example, and learn propriety; for by
the children the parents are known. And parents must not provoke their
children to anger, lest they be discouraged; but must bring them up
with admonition and good instruction. Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21.
Thus, my dear and much beloved wife, do the best with them, this I
pray you; and take heed to yourself, that you may receive the end of
your faith, even the salvation of your soul, 1 Peter 1:9. And do not
faint because of the tribulation which we must suffer, but remember
how the innocent lamb, Christ Jesus, had to suffer from the beginning
in the faithful. Hence the Lord says: “He that toucheth you, toucheth
the apple of mine eye.” Zech. 2:8. To Paul he said: Saul, Saul, why
persecutest thou me? And Paul said: Who art thou, lord? He said: I
am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou persecutest. Acts 9:4,5. Not that he
persecuted Christ according to the flesh; for the latter had died,
before he persecuted: but he persecuted the Christians, in whom Christ
lived according to the spirit; for they do not live to themselves,
but Christ lives in them. Rom. 14:7. Hence, when they suffer, they
do not suffer for their own name, but for the name of Christ; for if
they lived to themselves, they would not be in trouble, for the world
would love them; but because they are not of the world, and because
Christ has chosen them from the world, therefore the world hates them.
John 15:19. Hence Peter says: If ye suffer for the name of Christ,
happy are ye: for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on
their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
1 Peter 4:14. For they are comforted by the same Spirit, so that we
know: As the sufferings of Christ abound in them, so their consolation
also aboundeth by Christ, namely, if they suffer with him, they shall
also rejoice with him; for their light affliction, which is but for
a moment, worketh for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight
of glory; because they look not at the things which are seen, but
at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are
temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians
1:5; 2 Tim. 2:12; 2 Cor. 4:17,18. Hence Paul says: I reckon that the
sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us; for we know that, if our earthly
house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God,
a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, where mortality
will be swallowed up of life; for there shall be no more death, neither
sorrow, neither any heat, for God shall wipe away all tears from their
eyes. Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 5:1; Heb. 11:10; 2 Cor. 5:4; Rev. 21:4; Is.
25:8.
Then they shall leap as the calves of the stall; then they shall
triumph upon Mount Sion, have palms in their hands, and receive the
crown of honor, which God has prepared for all them that love him and
his appearing. Mal. 4:2; 2 Esd. 2:42; Wis. 5:16.
Thus, my dear wife, comfort yourself with these words, and be patient
in your tribulation, this I pray you; for though I am thus taken from
you, think that we are not assured of each other; for we must all die,
and the Lord has long permitted us to be together, considering the
perils in which we walked.
There have been so many within our time, who had to leave each other,
some through imprisonment, some dying of sickness. But there is no
more glorious death, than that for the name of Christ; for not all
are made worthy of God to suffer for his name, for this is acceptable
with God, says Peter, 1 Pet. 2:20. Hence he and John went their way
rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Acts 5:41.
O my dear and beloved wife, it would greatly rejoice me if I could hear
that you were of good cheer; for every time that I have written your or
the children’s names, I could not refrain from weeping. Nevertheless,
as regards my own self, I am of reasonably good cheer, the Lord be
praised for his grace; so that I would not have thought it before my
apprehension--so weak did I find myself. Hence Christ did truly say:
I will not leave you comfortless; but I will come to you. John 14:18.
Herewith I will commend you, my dear and much beloved wife, to the
Lord, who is able to keep your treasure, and to give you an inheritance
with all them who through faith in Jesus Christ shall be sanctified.
May the Lord Almighty strengthen you by his Spirit. Amen.
Written on the 24th of April, by me, Jacob, your husband. Have this
copied, and keep it in remembrance of me; for I do not know whether I
can write you any more. Greet all the brethren and sisters much in my
name, and all them that fear God; my children B. and his wife; your
brother T. and his wife; J. and F. T. and F. his brother; J. de L. and
his wife; and my friends at Kortrijck.
_Alle die lijden na den Wille Godts, wilt hierop mercken,
Die bevelen haer Zielen den getrouwen Schepper met goede wercken._
(1 Pet. 4:19.)
JACOB, your husband.
THE SECOND LETTER OF JACOB THE CHANDLER, TO THE CHURCH.
Affectionately beloved brethren, much grace and mercy be unto you from
God our heavenly Father, through Christ Jesus his only begotten Son,
our Lord and Savior, through whom the Holy Ghost is given us, that
we should be led by him, and guided into all truth, in order thus to
be a light in this world, so that we might with a good conscience,
praise our Father who is in heaven; to this end may the Lord give his
grace, that it may so remain with me, and with all my beloved brethren
and sisters, to the end of their life, this I wish them as a friendly
greeting and cordial adieu.
Furthermore, my dear brethren, know that, while in the country of C.,
I was greatly prompted, to appear among you once more, that we might
once more enjoy ourselves together; but the Lord prevented it by my
imprisonment. Yet, I could not forbear to write you a little, in order
to exhort and refresh your minds, so that, as you received the Lord
Jesus Christ, you might go on in him, and be rooted and built up in
him, and abound therein with thanksgiving. Col. 2:6,7. For, my dear
brethren and sisters, if we do not abide in him, it is all labor
lost, and we cannot be partakers of his abundant riches, which he
has prepared for us in heaven; for we are made partakers of Christ,
if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.
Heb. 3:14. And if we draw back, his soul will have no pleasure in us.
Heb. 10:38. Yes, dear friends, if we abide not in him. We are like a
branch that does not abide in the vine, and forthwith withers. It is
therefore cut off from the vine, and cast into the fire; for it is of
no other use to men, for the prophet says: One cannot make a wooden
pin of it. Ezek. 15:5. Hence, according to the words of Christ, such
Christians who do not abide in Christ, will be cut off, and cast into
the fire of hell; for they are of no use to Christ in heaven; hence
there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither
whatsoever worketh abomination, [or maketh a lie:] but they which are
written in the Lamb’s book of life. Rev. 21:26. Therefore I exhort you,
my dear brethren, with the apostle John: Abide in him, that, when he
shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him
at his coming (1 John 2:28); that we may then not be like the foolish
virgins who had to remain without with shame, because they had taken
their lamps and no oil in them. For what can it avail us, that we have
simply been baptized, and separated from popery, as though we would be
virgins who did not want to remain in such spiritual whoredom; and yet
do not have the love of God in us, by which to lead a pure and chaste
conversation, to the honor of our Bridegroom; in this case we are
foolish to think that by such conduct we can please Christ. For David
says: “The King’s daughter shall be brought unto the King in glorious
adornment.” Ps. 45:14. Therefore love is the bond of perfectness; for
he that abides in love abides in God; for God is love. Through this
love we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous.
Col. 3:14; 1 John 4:8; 5:3.
Thus, my dear brethren and sisters, let your loins be girded about,
and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait
for their lord [when he will return from the wedding]; that, when he
cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are
those servants, whom the Lord [when he cometh] shall find watching.
Luke 12:35–37. For these are wise virgins, who have learned to know
the Bridegroom; who know that he takes pleasure in their beauty; whose
beauty lies not outwardly in braided hair, or in putting on of apparel;
but inwardly in a chaste conversation, in a modest behavior, which is
manifested before all men. 1 Tim. 2:9; 1 Peter 3:3. These virgins are
baptized not only with water, but with the Holy Ghost and with fire;
for they do not only guard against outward idolatry, but will not
consent to sin in anywise: nor do they love the world, or the things
that are in it; for therein lies not the love of the Father. For all
that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world, by
which so many a Christian is seduced; even as it is the cause of
ruin to many a young girl, when she begins to get proud. Then she
becomes desirous after fine clothing; then the young fellows make their
addresses to her, who at first do not speak of carnal indulgence, for
this would be too blunt for an honorable maiden; but they seek first to
incite her heart to love, after which carnal sin will the more readily
be consented to.
Thus also, my dear brethren, Satan goes to work with many a Christian;
he does not at first tempt them to idolatry, for they would rather
suffer themselves to be burnt, when they are pure in their conscience,
than resort to idolatry. But he shoots such arrows at them, that they
become earthly-minded, seek their own more than that which is Christ’s
or their neighbor’s, and dissipate their minds in their occupation and
in traffic, and thus the love of the world is apprehended, and temporal
riches are cherished more than the eternal. Think, my brethren and
sisters, when Satan has gained this point, how easily then one consents
to serve idols, and to wed the world; and thus the door is opened wide
to Satan, for the light has become darkness, and the day is changed to
night, in consequence of which one’s shame or nakedness is not seen;
for they are alienated from the life of God through the blindness of
their heart. Eph. 4:18. Therefore, dear brethren, take heed, lest
there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief [in departing from
the living God]. But exhort one another daily, while it is called
To-day: lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Heb. 3:12,13. And take heed that no one neglect the grace of God, lest
any root of bitterness spring up, and thereby many be defiled. 2 Cor.
6:1; Heb. 12:15. Therefore endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in
the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3), having the same love among yourselves,
that you may not be a stumbling-block or offense to one another. But
if you see any brother or sister err from the way of truth, run after
him, and instruct and admonish him in a meek spirit, until he becomes
a Christian, or until he strays into some carnal works; that you may
be natured and minded as Christ, and not abuse his ordinance; for one
can be too severe as well as too indulgent in reproving. Thus, my dear
brethren, have good care for one another, and let each take heed to
himself; for this is a perilous time, and love is seen to wax cold in
many. Therefore let each lift up the hands which hang down, and the
feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest you stumble
like a lame man, and be not slothful in your business, but be fervent
in spirit, and redeem the time; for your time here may perhaps be
short, for Satan is stirred up to wrath, knowing perhaps that he has
but little time. Heb. 12:12,13; Rom. 12:11.
Therefore, my dear brethren, be vigilant everywhere, and faint not on
account of the tribulation which is now seen; but trust only in the
Lord, for he has said: I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So
that we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear
what man shall do unto me.” Heb. 13:5,6. For the sufferings which men
inflict upon us are transient; hence Christ says: “Be not afraid of
them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do;
but fear him, which after he hath killed hath power also to cast soul
and body into hell.” Luke 12:4,5. But if we suffer with him, we shall
also rejoice with him.
Therefore, my dear brethren, be faithful unto death, and you shall
receive the crown of life. Revelation 2:10. Think, dear brethren, if
the children of this world were promised the crown of Spain on some
condition, how diligently they would work, how joyfully they would run
to obtain it. How much more ought we to be joyful in our tribulation,
and with patience run the race that is set before us, since the
crown of life is promised us, with which the crown of Spain cannot
be compared; for this is a perishable crown, and its glory is not to
be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Therefore
Moses chose rather to live in affliction with the people of God, than
to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of
Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect
unto the recompense of the reward. Heb. 11:25,26.
My dear brethren and sisters, may the Lord through faith give you such
a heart and vision, that you may with Moses and all the saints of God
know what God has prepared for them that love him; for the righteous
shall live forever, for the Lord is their reward, 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, and they shall shine forth
as the sun in the throne of heaven. Wis. 5:15,16; Matt. 13:43.
Hence the apostle writes: “If our earthly house of this tabernacle were
dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens.” 2 Cor. 5:1. By this the apostle indicates,
that though our earthly body be put to death here, it shall rise
again, and be shed about with heavenly glory. Therefore he writes:
“Our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior
Jesus, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned
like unto his glorious body.” Phil. 3:20,21; Tit. 2:13. By this he
again indicates, how gloriously the body will be changed after the
resurrection; now it is weak, then it shall become strong; now natural,
then spiritual; now mortal, but then immortal; for this corruptible
must put on incorruption, and this mortal, immortality; then shall the
terrible death be swallowed up in victory; then shall the last enemy,
which is death, be destroyed; then shall be no more death, neither
sorrow, nor any heat; then shall the tears be wiped away from the eyes:
then shall they inherit all things with Christ, because they have
overcome; then shall he lead them to the fountain of living water,
and feed them with the hidden heavenly bread, that they shall neither
hunger nor thirst any more; there shall the spiritual Solomon dwell in
perfect peace with the spiritual Israel, for all his enemies shall be
made his footstool.
Therefore, my dear brethren and sisters, be steadfast and immovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that
your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor. 15:58.
Herewith I commend my dear brethren and sisters to the Lord, who is
able to keep your treasure, and to give you an inheritance among all
them that are sanctified. Pray the Lord for me, that I may contend
steadfastly, and continue in the hope in which I (the Lord be praised
forever) still stand at the present time. And I pray you, dear
brethren, do the best with my wife and children.
Written by me, Jacob the Chandler, your weak brother and minister, on
the 18th of April.
_Alle die lijden na den Wille Godts, wilt hierop mercken,
Die bevelen haer Zielen den getrouwen Scheppers met goede Wercken._
(1 Peter 4:19.)
THE THIRD LETTER OF JACOB THE CHANDLER, TO HIS CHILDREN.
May the same God that blessed Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, also bless you
my children, with all manner of spiritual blessings in heavenly places,
that you may from your youth learn to know the Lord, and fear and obey
him all the days of your life. This is the most special request that I
make to God, that you may be eternally saved, and that the name of the
Lord may be praised through you; unto which name be praise and glory
now and forever. Amen.
My children, hear the instruction of your father, and forsake not the
law of your mother (Prov. 1:8; 4:1); be always ready to do what you
are commanded of God, that is, that you shall from your youth learn to
know, fear and obey him; for obedience springs from the fear of God,
and the fear of God comes through the knowledge of God.