interrupted me too much. I said that their hope was vain, or something
similar, and this because of their sins, as the prophet says: “Your
iniquities have separated between you and your God.” Then they became
angry, especially the jailer, and I thought they ought not to get
angry. I further said that it now is as the prophet says: “He that
departeth from evil maketh himself a prey, and, as Christ says, is
hated by all men. Is. 59:15; Matt. 10:22. They all interrupted me
again, and finally said that I should be led away. And there sat a man
there, who said to the jailer, that he would first give me a drink.
Then we had many words again, but I could never quite properly finish
what I wanted to say, though I would have liked so much to finish it,
on account of an honest man that was there, who reproved the jailer
himself, because he became so angry. Then the jailer brought me a glass
of wine, and I thanked him, saying: “To your health!” He asked me why I
did not say: “God bless you.” I replied: “We ought not to take the name
of the Lord in vain, as the drunkards and fornicators do.” This made
them so angry that they had me led away without giving me the drink.
God be thanked and praised for his great grace that he gives his own
all that is necessary to their salvation. I am told, my sisters, that
they only did this to see whether I would not depart from the Lord; yet
I know that they did not once urge me to forsake my faith.
Excuse this simple letter. I greatly long for the day of our
deliverance; I was so rejoiced the night that I heard that we were so
near our deliverance, that for joy, the tears streamed from my eyes.
The Lord be praised for his great grace. We trust to await our time
with patience. They perhaps thought to frighten me by it; but I rejoice
in it, God be praised, who gives me such strength. O my sisters, should
one not rejoice at the prospect of so soon being delivered from all
sorrow through the grace of the Lord? O that we were fit for it, what
a great joy this would be for me! Yet I expect it through the Lord’s
great grace, though I am not worthy of it. O that matters were so far,
that the fiery furnace were prepared. O that it were so far, that I
were standing in the strait gate, where flesh and blood must be left
behind; then it should soon be over.
O my dear sisters, I am of such good cheer, and I receive such strength
from the Lord, that I can not express it, praise be to him forever for
his great grace which he shows me. I find it to be true: he that trusts
in the Lord alone has in his sufferings such joy of heart, that no one
can know it, save he that experiences it.
Farewell; I commend you to God in grace. Pray God, the Lord for me; I
will do the same for you.
Written by me your weak brother,
ABRAHAM PICOLET.
TIJS JEURIAENSS AND JAN CLAESS, A. D. 1569.
In this dark bloody reign of antichrist two other pious brethren
fell into the hands of the tyrants, one of whom was a minister of
the word, named Tijs Jeuriaenss, residing in North Holland, at Karop
in Waterland. The name of the other was Jan Claess, born near Wesop,
and residing in the same town; he was still a single man, about
twenty-five years of age. And as said Tijs Jeuriaenss had gone to
Muyen near Amsterdam, to serve the church of God in the word, while
said Jan Claess in company with some others went to Muyen to hear the
exhortation. Thus he was apprehended with Tijs Jeuriaenss, and brought
to the castle of Muyen, where they remained in imprisonment for about
half a year, and were then sent to the Hague, where they were also
kept confined for about half a year, and were then sent back to Muyen,
at which place after about three months both were sentenced to be
strangled and burnt at the stake. This was so done, and they were burnt
black in their faces with reed, and were each put at a stake outside of
the dyke, in the reed, at Muyen, for food to the birds. And as these
pious witnesses of God suffered all this, not on account of having
committed any crime (upon which alone the secular power has a right
to visit punishment), but only for the truth of the word of God, and
a good conscience, they are under the blessed promise of God, who has
said: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:10. And as they have here
for Christ’s sake delivered up their bodies unto death, for a living
sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God, in confirmation of the truth,
so they shall receive these their mortal and corruptible bodies again
in the resurrection of the just, in eternal, glorious immortality, and
shall live forever with Christ, whom they confessed here.
The particulars of this offering we have received from the lips of
Symon Fijts, teacher of the church of God in Tessel, who was present in
a chamber at their apprehension, and visited them in prison, and with
his own eyes witnessed their steadfast departure from this world.
This Tijs Jeuriaenss was a very zealous follower of Christ, who in his
long imprisonment also wrote many excellent letters for the consolation
of the godfearing, some of which have long before this been published
in a separate book; treating, among other things: of the bringing in
and incarnation of Jesus Christ, and, again, of his departure; and
also of the free will of man. Of these letters we, in order to avoid
prolixity, present two to the reader; they are as follows:
The manifold grace of our God, and the abounding, deep love of his Son
Jesus Christ, with the unsearchable, rich mercy of our dear Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son and
delivered us from this present evil world, according to the will of
God and our Father, and the communion, love, joy, comfort and mighty
power of his Holy Spirit, we wish to all dear brethren and sisters, and
all our fellow-believers; also much wisdom, patience, a valiant faith,
immovable hope, the breast-plate, helmet and armor of our God, certain
victory, the triumphant, two-edged sword of the Spirit, and the power
of God through the blood of the Lamb. To this high God and Lord, and
his blessed Son be power, strength, might, praise, honor, and glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
I desire out of a pure heart, with the prophet Daniel, imprisoned in
Babylon, from pure love, to open the windows of my heart toward the
pleasant city of my God, Jerusalem, now to look lovingly upon her
with a glad heart, and to show her a joyful face out of pure love;
and thus to turn the eyes of pleasant desire to her, and to show her
out of pure love a pleasant, glad and joyful countenance, with the
sound of rejoicing; for Jerusalem signifies, vision of peace. This
adorned and pleasant city of Jerusalem was shown by the angel of God
to the apostle John. Rev. 21:10. He saw it in the Spirit and in a
vision, with a joyful heart, and confessed that Jerusalem is a vision
of peace, and therefore it cannot be beheld but through the vision of
peace. John saw her in a vision, and discerned her by the Spirit of
truth; hence no one can now see her but by the vision of the Spirit,
and through the Spirit of truth. This city has the glory of God; her
streets are like unto gold, yea, of pure gold. Verse 21. Here is the
river of life, clear as crystal. 22:1. In short, here is the pleasant
tree, which yields her fruit every month; the leaves of it are for
healing, for they are fruits of life. This city has high walls, twelve
foundations, and twelve gates. 21:12,19. She has also twelve watchmen,
with twelve trumpets, the pleasant sound and glorious voice of which
rejoice my soul. This is that joyful, pleasant and sweet voice which
delighted John; for it is like the voice of harpers playing on their
harps. 14:2. The sound and voice of all kinds of music in Babylon
caused the Babylonians to kneel down and worship the high image (Dan.
3:7); but this sound causes my soul to rejoice with the joy of the Holy
Ghost. This city is far more glorious than all other cities, for her
builder and maker is God. Heb. 11:10. This city comes down from heaven,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a voice out of
heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God; for God will dwell with
them, and he shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Rev. 21:2,3,4.
Behold, here is the spiritual Solomon of the spiritual tabernacle or
temple. Here is the spiritual sea which is carried by twelve oxen. 1
Kings 7:23. In short, here every thing is spiritual; according to the
request of Peter, lively stones in this living or spiritual temple or
house. 1 Pet. 2:5. Here the golden vessels filled with incense are
brought to the altar of the Lord. These golden vessels filled with
incense are poured out before the Lord, for they are the prayers of the
saints. Rev. 5:8. Thus everything is renewed in spirit and in truth.
For here is the spiritual paradise planted or founded by God himself.
Here men eat of the tree of life. Here is the spiritual Adam, of which
the literal was a figure, after whose image all Christians strive, till
they are like unto him in weakness, for they must be conformed to the
image of his Son. Romans 5:14; 8:29. Here has also the spiritual Eve
and bride of this spiritual husband come forth, through the spiritual
sleep, and is thus flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bones. Gen.
2:23; Eph. 5:30. There is also here, in spirit and in truth, the
spiritual ark seen by John. Rev. 11:19. Here we enter in a spiritual
manner into the ark of God, through the baptism of Jesus Christ,
inwardly prompted to it by fire and the Holy Ghost, and outwardly all
the evil carnal lusts washed with water; yea, baptized into his death.
Rom. 6:3. For as by the flood all flesh perished, so must now also
perish, through baptism, all lust of the flesh, and die without the
ark, which is represented by the former, 1 Peter 3:20,21. Here is the
spiritual dove, which brought the spiritual olive branch into the ark
of the Lord; for as the dove brought an olive branch in her mouth into
Noah’s ark, to show that the flood was abating, so the Holy Ghost came
down in the form of a dove upon Christ, to show that he was the Son
of God, as had been said to John the Baptist: “Upon whom thou shalt
see the Spirit descending, he it is.” John 1:33. In the second place,
to show that the flood or punishment had departed, and joy and glad
tidings were come.
Behold, this is the spiritual dove, as Esdras says: Of all the fowls
thou hast chosen thee one dove. 2 Esd. 5:26. And Christ Jesus says to
his disciples: Be harmless as doves. Matt. 10:16. These doves bear the
pleasant olive branch, which is Christ, to all those that with Noah
desire and apprehend it by faith. I desire once more, with the eyes
of love, and with the vision of peace, to turn my heart and mind with
John to the glorious woman (Rev. 12:1) since the Lord has shown her to
me through faith and the vision of his word; for her beauty has drawn
me, her loveliness inflames me, I am inclined to her, she has with her
sweet singing conquered my heart, she has captivated me with her lovely
eyes, she has bound me with heavenly bonds, for her bond is the girdle
of truth, the bond of peace and love. Ephesians 6:14; 4:3; Col. 3:14.
I have on account of her forgotten my father’s house. How charming and
lovely is this woman, how glorious is her raiment! This woman has a
crown of twelve stars upon her head; she is also clothed with the sun,
and the moon is under her feet, and two wings also are given her to
escape from the dragon. This woman is spiritual, and hence she must
be viewed with spiritual eyes; all the proud and vain-glorious cannot
behold her beauty; she is clothed with the sun, with the clear sun of
understanding and of truth, says the Scripture.
I rejoice with John, for he says: “Let us be glad and rejoice, [and
give honor to him:] for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his
wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should
be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the
righteousness of saints.” Revelation 19:7,8.
Whosoever now hears this woman falls in love with her, and he who
lovingly turns his eyes and face to her, and beholds her beauty, is
captivated by her loveliness, for she is the Queen of the Son of the
Most High God. This woman pours out the unadulterated sweet wine which
comes from the true vine. Over this woman or city of Jerusalem I will
rejoice with David and say: “I had rather be a door keeper in the house
of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Ps. 84:10. O
Jerusalem, thou city of God, glorious things are spoken of thee; for
the Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
Ps. 87:3,2. O Jerusalem, thou most beautiful, most pleasant, and most
glorious city, above all royal cities! O Jerusalem, thou pleasant city
and vision of peace, over thee is the King of Peace, the Mighty God,
and Lord is his name. Is. 9:6. behold these are the pleasant looks
which mine eyes cast upon thee; these are the windows of joy through
which I behold thee. Once more I must through the window of the divine
truth view thy glory; mine eyes and face are thus fixed upon thee, that
the tears run down my cheeks. I cannot turn mine eyes and face from
thee; though the winds blow into my face, that the tears flow from
mine eyes, I will dry them with the beautiful, lovely, pure, and white
handkerchief with which my most beloved has given me to dry them, that
I may behold her so much the more clearly. Behold, thus I will now with
the beloved prophet David turn my heart’s delight to thee, and thus
give thee the desire of my heart, and say: “Jerusalem is builded as a
city that is compact together: whither the tribes go up, the tribes of
the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name
of the Lord. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the
house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper
that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy
palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace
be within thee.” Ps. 122:3–8. Peace be with you all. Keep thy foot when
thou goest to the house of God. Concerning this house read Isaiah 2;
Micah 4.
We poor prisoners in the Lord, and bound of Jesus Christ, for the
testimony of our God, and for the incontrovertible truth of our dear
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; also severed and banished for still
holding fast to the truth and to this testimony; wish salvation, joy,
gladness, love, comfort, strength, and the fellowship, operation and
power of the Holy Ghost to all our dear brethren and sisters, that are
rejected and oppressed by the proud, for the true knowledge of Jesus
Christ and the fear of God, for a proof of their severe blindness and
pride, and for a proof of patience and pure fear of God in all of you;
in short, for a proof, that through the power of our God you are kept
in the faith, and also for a confirmation of his word, that the gates
and fiends of hell cannot cast you down. May the strong God with his
mighty power and word henceforth keep us all through the abundant
riches of his grace; to him be for it praise, honor, glory, power,
might, and strength in glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Out of pure, brotherly, unfeigned love, and from the inmost of our
soul and the depth of our heart, with a pure conscience toward all
banished, oppressed, burdened, and distressed souls, I write this
simple and plain letter to you, out of a pure heart, as a drop of
morning dew, dropping down for the refreshing, cooling and comforting
of your hearts; hence I beseech you with all my strength, yea, from the
inmost depth of my heart, and by the cross and sufferings of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and also by his bitter death and his precious blood shed
for us all, discern and comprehend it with pure, clear eyes, ears and
hearts. O brethren and sisters, behold and consider diligently from
what the mighty power, Spirit and word of the Lord have delivered you.
The hand of the Lord has powerfully delivered you, that you might not
be punished with the severe darkness and blindness into which many
are fallen. God has also well preserved you from all the plagues and
sorceries of Egypt, while so many now lose their birthright.
O brethren and sisters, take heed to it. Because you firmly and
confidently hope in the living God; therefore the consuming, and
devouring, severe fire (which devours all around it) has not been able
to devour or consume you, though all heat, cunning, and craftiness were
used in Babylon’s fiery furnace; yea, my friends, though the lions of
Babylon gnashed their teeth, you have, like Daniel, not been harmed by
them, God be forever praised for it. Hence, my most beloved brethren
and sisters, whom I love with all my heart, from this, and much more,
the power of the Lord has preserved you, for through his victory you
have triumphed, and shall triumph, till you receive the end of your
faith, even the salvation of your souls. Amen. 1 Pet. 1:9.
I beseech you all with an unfeigned faith, open your heart once, and
consider and lay to heart in spirit and in truth these words of the
prophet: “Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s
sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified; but he shall appear to your joy,
and they shall be ashamed, saith the Lord.” Ps. 66:5.
In another place he says: I sat not in the assembly of mockers, nor
rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with
indignation. Jer. 15:17.
In the third place, mark with an attentive heart the words of the
prophet: I will also leave in the midst of thee (saith the Lord) an
afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the
Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies;
neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they
shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O
daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the
heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken away the judgments,
he hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even the Lord, is
in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day
it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not
thy hands be slack. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;
he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his
love, he will joy over thee with singing. I will gather them that
are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the
reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that
afflict thee. Zephaniah 3:12–19; Is. 43; 41:14.
The prophet Ezekiel also says: Because with lies ye have made the heart
of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad, and strengthened the
hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way,
that I should save his life. Ezekiel 13:22; Jer. 23:14.
See, my worthy, chosen brethren and sisters, here you have comfort and
joy in these and other, similar passages, in which you can with the
afflicted in Israel find joy and gladness; hence these passages belong
to you. For it has been done out of the true fear of God, and because
we feared in our conscience, we renounced them (God be praised),
according to the word of the prophet (Jer. 15:17) and the teaching of
the apostle; for I declare before the Lord, and before his angels and
hosts, yea, that I am ready with all my heart, and desirous, by the
help and grace of the Lord, to testify to this with my flesh, blood and
death. This is the solid ground of truth, firm and incontrovertible.
I doubt not that they, are wrong, and we, through the grace of God,
right. Thus I longingly expect to testify with a joyful mind to their
wrong, even unto death, and also to confirm my faith and little gift.
May the Lord strengthen me and my fellow-prisoner. But we must first
drink the bitter cup with fear and trembling. O that we might taste it!
for I have already given myself to him who was first given for me.
Hence, I further pray for the sake of the fellowship and unity of the
Spirit, that every one love the brotherhood. 1 Pet. 2:17: O brethren
and sisters, take heed thereto with a pure heart and faithful love; for
we have all been made to drink into one Spirit, and are baptized into
one body. 1 Cor. 12:13. Therefore serve one another diligently in love:
cleave to Christ’s body, abide with your members, and neither separate
nor divide. Let each esteem other better than themselves, and you will
remain together with peace and joy; (Philip. 2:3); the merciful God
grant this to you and us all. Amen.
In the third place, I further pray by the power of the Spirit, and
by the conqueror Jesus Christ, yea, I beseech you by the love of the
Father toward us,--the words are full of joy, spirit and gladness--:
As my heavenly Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye
in my love. John 15:9. O brethren and friends, take heed to it; love
must be according to the example of Christ firm and sure, for therein
love is revealed, known and shown to us, yea, herein love stands fast;
declared by the death, blood and confession of his Son. O friends, my
most beloved, this is the true measuring-reed, according to John’s
writing. Rev. 11:1. Consider this in the depth of your heart.
In the fourth place, I further beseech your love, consider with an
attentive heart, and inwardly and outwardly, with a live, sober mind,
prove, measure and correct yourselves with the word of God, and follow
and hold fast the same. O hold fast to the word of God, and you will
never be deceived.
In the fifth place, I beseech all my brethren and sisters, as one that
loves you with all his heart, if you would have your souls saved,
receive the warning of the Holy Ghost, that in the latter times many
shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits. 1 Tim.
4:1.
O brethren and chosen sisters, consider, and learn to know the lying
spirits. O diligently try the spirits by faith, and the knowledge
of the word of God. 1 John 4:1. Distinguish the good and the evil
consciences of men. O discern and learn to know with diligence them
whose minds are corrupt, also who have the form of godliness, but deny
the power of the Spirit. These and other points despise not; let them
never depart from your heart, but hold them fast according to the word
of God; try all spirits, and measure them therewith, and you will know
what form or appearance they have. O brethren, beware with a pure fear
of God, beware every way, that no one set up his reason or conscience
as a head, and relapse into his old natural state. But much rather let
the heart and conscience grow and increase according to the word of
God. Let your understanding be of the unadulterated milk, and of the
wine from the pure vine Christ. Refresh your heart with the living
waters. Hold fast to the fountain and rock unto death.
Lastly, I beseech your love yet, by the crying of Jesus Christ, by the
weeping of the apostle Paul (Philip. 3:18), and by the many tears of
the prophet Jeremiah, diligently to attend to and consider, and, with a
living and working faith to hold fast to and not depart from the solid
ground, and immovable foundation in Sion. 1 Pet. 2:6. My brethren, we
longingly expect to have to go hence; help us, therefore, to contend
for the faith (Jude 3) and to defend it unto death. We hope by his
power and strong grace, help and consolation to go before you, if it is
his divine will. We have already given our bodies to him who bought our
souls with his precious blood. 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Peter 1:19.
Thus, my dear brethren and sisters, we will herewith bid you adieu, and
take leave for this time; if it were the will of the Lord, I would from
the heart that it might be our final farewell and adieu till in life
eternal--his divine will be done with us.
We greet all brethren and sisters that love us in the faith, especially
those that are banished, out of a pure, brotherly, unfeigned, sound
love, with the mighty power, the word and peace of our dear Lord Jesus
Christ, till in his eternal glory. Amen.
Further, do not forget us poor, miserable, weak fellow-members, and
receive our letter in good part, it is written out of love. We would
have written more, but it is now not necessary; besides, we may soon be
debarred from it, for we are chained together like horses. We expect,
as the bailiff says, a letter from the stadtholder as to what he shall
then do with us.
The Spirit of peace, love, joy, peace; comfort and grace be upon all
the godfearing, especially do we wish much good to the banished, who,
for the testimony of the truth, through their faith, have overcome the
wicked and still overcome in Christ. The Spirit of peace be with your
spirit. Amen.
Written on the 15th day of our imprisonment. I hope that through the
grace of God we are bound with a strong chain of love; love abides
steadfast unto death. By me,
TIJS JEURIAENSS.
I beseech all my brethren and sisters, and you, as a prisoner in the
Lord, by the mercies of God, and by the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon
shaken in mind, or be troubled neither by spirit nor by word, nor by
letter as from us. 2 Thessalonians 2:1,2. This is the faithful warning
of Paul to his friends.