it should please God, that we might be worthy of being remembered
by you in your holy prayers, harping and hallelujahs, and that we
with you, and you with us, might forever rejoice. Greet therefore,
in our name, all the saints of God, and you among yourselves, with
pure hearts, holy and bent knees, uncovered heads, in the holy name
of our God, with the pleasant kiss of peace, embrace and bless one
another cordially in fervent love. Once more I commend you to the
faith of God’s elect, the health of Jesus Christ, the knowledge of God
that leads to godliness, and to the hope of eternal life; and remain
invincible forever. The Lord be praised forever. Amen.
Written by me TIJS JEURIAENSS, your weak, poor and miserable brother,
from our bonds, A. D. 1569, the 5th day of February, imprisoned in the
Hague for the testimony of the truth.
WILLEM JANSS FROM WATERLAND, AFTER TERRIBLE TORTURES BURNED ALIVE AT
AMSTERDAM, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST ON THE 12TH OF MARCH, 1569.
About two weeks after the death of the aforementioned hero of God,
Pieter Pieterss Beckjen, there was also (entirely for his sake) put to
death, in the same place at Amsterdam, another valiant champion and
soldier of Christ, who loved the truth more than his own life, named
Willem Janss, born in Waterland, and residing at Doornickendam, the
circumstances which led to his death being as follows:
This Willem Janss having heard that his dear fellow brother Pieter
Pieterss Beckjen was about to offer up his sacrifice, and to deliver
his body to the fire, for the truth, at Amsterdam, he made great haste
also to appear at this time at the place of execution, at Amsterdam, in
order that he might witness the death of his brother, and, if possible,
strengthen him in the faith in his extremity.
However, when he arrived at the city, he was a little too late, the bar
having already been let down on account of the execution. But his zeal
was so great, that he had no rest till he might see his beloved friend
either alive or dead: hence he, for a certain sum of money, had the bar
unlocked and made haste to be present at said offering.
When Pieter Pieters Beckjen was brought forth to die, this valiant hero
and friend of God, standing over against the place of execution, on the
steps of the weighing office, called to him with a loud voice, saying:
“Contend valiantly, dear brother.”
He was immediately also seized by the persecutors, thrown into prison,
twice severely and horribly tortured, and, when he would in no wise
apostatize, he was two weeks after the death of his dear brother,
sentenced to the fire, to be burned alive, at the same place where his
brother had died; which was also done to him after he had commended his
soul into the hands of God.
The foregoing was recorded long ago, from credible witnesses, though
the date, or time when it occurred was not correctly stated;[315] which
we have corrected according to the import of the following sentence,
which was pronounced upon him on the day of his death, in the court at
Amsterdam, in which also all the circumstances upon which the rulers
of darkness at that time founded his death are expressed. It reads as
follows:
[315] The time of the death of Willem Janss, as also of Pieter
Pieterss Beckjen, had from of old been fixed in the year 1567; but
this was two years too early, as appears from the adjoined sentence.
_Sentence of death of Willem Janss from Waterland._
Whereas Willem Janss, from Waterland, residing at Doornickendam,
present here as a prisoner, unmindful of his soul’s salvation, and
the obedience which he owed to our mother the holy church, and to His
Royal Majesty, as his natural lord and prince despising the ordinances
of the holy church, has never been to confession; and only once in his
life, about eight years ago, to the holy, worthy sacrament; has further
undertaken several times to go to the assembly of the reprobated
and accursed sect of Mennonists or Anabaptists; also, about six or
seven years ago, rejecting and renouncing the baptism received by him
in his infancy of the holy church, been rebaptized, and afterwards
received the breaking of bread three or four different times, after the
manner of the aforementioned sect, has also exhorted said sect as a
teacher; and on the 26th of February ultimo, when one Pieter Pieterss
Beckjen, bargeman, was to be executed in this city, on account of said
sect, he, the prisoner, standing among the people, undertook yet to
strengthen said Pieter Pieterss in his obstinacy, calling with a loud
voice these or similar words: “Contend valiantly, dear brother,” and
though he, the prisoner, by my lords of the court as well as by divers
clerical persons, has been urged and repeatedly admonished to leave
the aforementioned reprobated sect, and to return to our mother the
holy church, he nevertheless refuses to do the same, continuing in
his stubbornness, and obstinacy, so that he, the prisoner, according
to what has been mentioned, has committed crime against divine and
human majesty, as by disturbing through said sect the common peace and
welfare of the land, according to the import of the decrees of His
Majesty existing in regard to this, which crimes, for an example unto
others, ought not to remain unpunished; therefore, my lords of the
court, having heard the demand of the lord Bailiff, and having seen the
confession of the prisoner, and having had regard to his stubbornness
and obstinacy, have condemned said prisoner, and, by these presents do
condemn him to be executed with fire according to the decrees of His
Majesty; and declare all his property confiscated for the benefit of
His Majesty aforesaid. Done in court, the 12th of March, A. D. 1569, in
presence of all the judges, by advice of all the burgomasters.
_Of the twofold torturings of the aforesaid martyr
according to the record of said secretary._
This delinquent was tortured twice, according to the sentence of the
judges, namely, the 26th of February, and the last of the same month,
A. D. 1569, as appears from the records of the confession.
Thus extracted from the book of criminal sentences of the city of
Amsterdam, preserved in the archives of said city.
N. N.
JAN QUIRIJNSS, OF UTRECHT, A SKIPPER, AFTER BEING TWICE TORTURED,
EXECUTED WITH FIRE, OR BURNT ALIVE, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST,
AT AMSTERDAM, ON THE 12TH OF MARCH, A. D. 1569.
On the same day that the aforementioned friend of God, Willem Janss,
from Waterland, was put to death by fire, there was also, in the same
city of Amsterdam, by the same judges, in the same court, and for the
same reason, sentenced to death and the fire, a certain pious brother,
named Jan Quirijnss, a native of Utrecht, and by trade a skipper; who,
though he was a citizen of the city of Amsterdam, had nevertheless
his citizenship in the new and heavenly Jerusalem, to obtain which,
he pressed through the strait gate, so that he left his flesh on the
posts, all of which appears from the following sentence, which was
pronounced about an hour before his death; and which, though drawn up
very odiously by the papistic rulers who then reigned at Amsterdam,
nevertheless, when considered impartially, sufficiently shows the truth
of what we have just said. The contents of it, except the title, are
word for word as follows:
_Sentence of death of Jan Quirijnss, of Utrecht, a skipper._
Whereas Jan Quirijnss, skipper, born at Utrecht, citizen of this city,
at present a prisoner, unmindful of his soul’s salvation, and the
obedience which he owed to our mother, the holy church, and to His
Royal Majesty, as his natural lord and prince, undertook, contrary
to the ordinances of the holy church, and to the great contempt of
the holy baptism received by him in his infancy, to have himself
baptized by the teachers of the reprobated and accursed sect of the
Mennonists, about seven years ago; also, afterwards, at two different
times, according to the manner of said sect, to receive the breaking
of the bread; and several times attended the assembly of said sect,
and this even within a year: and, moreover, has always so despised
the ordinances of the holy church, and does still despise them, that
he has been neither to confession nor to the holy, worthy sacrament,
except once about twelve years ago; to which reprobated and accursed
sect he, the prisoner, still persistently clings, refusing to return
to our mother, the holy church, notwithstanding he has repeatedly, by
divers clerical persons, and also by the court of this city, been urged
thereto and thus instructed; so that he, the prisoner, according to
what has been mentioned, has committed crime against divine and human
majesty, as disturbing by his sect the common peace and welfare of the
land, according to the decrees of His Majesty; therefore, my lords of
the court, having heard the demand of my lord the Bailiff, and seen
the confession of the prisoner, and having had regard to his great
stubbornness and obstinacy, have condemned him, and by these presents
do condemn him, to be executed with fire, according to the decrees of
His Majesty; and declare all his property confiscated for the benefit
of His Majesty aforesaid, without prejudice to the privileges of this
city in all other matters. Done in court, in presence, etc.
_How said martyr was twice tortured, according to the record of the
secretary of said place._
The aforesaid person was twice tortured, namely on the fourth and fifth
of March, A. D. 1569, and this according to the sentence of the judges,
as appears from the records of the confession.
Thus extracted from the book of criminal sentences of the city of
Amsterdam, preserved in the archives of said city.
N. N.
CORNELIS JANSS OF HAERLEM, A SAILOR, BURNT FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS
CHRIST, AT AMSTERDAM, ON THE 12TH OF MARCH, A. D. 1569.
At the same time, and in the same court, there also received his
sentence of death, Cornelis Janss, a sailor, a native of Haerlem
according to the body, but born again of God from heaven according to
the soul. However, he had not yet received baptism upon his true faith,
which (though he had not been able to find an opportunity for it) he
greatly deplored even at his very last, since the Lord has said: “Thus
it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” Matt. 3:15.
In short, sentence was pronounced upon him, that he should like the
preceding martyrs (Willem Janss and Jan Quirijnss) be put to death with
fire; concerning which we have obtained, from the book of criminal
sentences, of the city of Amsterdam, a true copy of his sentence of
death, as also, how he was twice examined by torture, or on the rack,
and when all this took place; which copy we will faithfully annex here,
for the greater confirmation of this matter: it reads as follows:
_Sentence of death of Cornelis Janss of Haerlem, sailor._
Whereas Cornelis Janss, sailor, born at Haerlem, citizen of this city,
at present a prisoner here, unmindful of his soul’s salvation,[316] and
the obedience which he owed to our mother, the holy church, and to His
Imperial Majesty, as his natural lord and prince, has apostatized from
the holy church, so that he, despising her ordinances, has never in his
life been to confession, nor to the holy worthy sacrament; and has also
several times attended the assembly of the reprobated and accursed sect
of the Mennonists, in this city, as well as lately, before the last
frost, in the town of Middleburgh, in Zealand, being then so hardened
in said sect, that he still, as prisoner, declares that he regrets
that he is not rebaptized, and has not received the breaking of bread,
adding that he would have done this if he had had a convenient time
for it; to which reprobated and accursed sect, he, the prisoner, still
persistently clings, refusing to return to our mother, the holy church,
notwithstanding he has repeatedly, by divers clerical persons, and also
by the court of this city, been urged thereto, and instructed; so that
he, the prisoner, according to what has been mentioned, has committed
crime against divine and human majesty, as disturbing the common peace
and welfare; therefore, my lords of the court, having heard the demand
of my lord the Bailiff, and seen the confession of the prisoner,
and having had regard to his great stubbornness and obstinacy, have
condemned said prisoner, and by these presents do condemn him to be
executed with fire, according to the decree of His Majesty; and declare
his property confiscated without prejudice to the privileges of this
city in all other matters. Done in court, in presence, etc.
[316] A great calumny which the writer of this sentence cast upon
this good man, as though he had been forgetful of his soul’s
salvation.
_Touching the two torturings of the aforesaid martyr, according to the
record in the book of criminal sentences of the city of Amsterdam._
The aforesaid person was twice tortured, according to the sentence of
the judges, namely, on the fourth and the sixth of March, A. D. 1569,
as appears from the records of the confession.
Thus extracted from the book of criminal sentences of the city of
Amsterdam, preserved in the archives of said place.
CLEMENT HENDRICKSS, A SAIL-MAKER, BURNT FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS
CHRIST, AT AMSTERDAM, ON THE TWELFTH OF MARCH, IN THE YEAR 1569.
The awful fury and blood-thirstiness of the papistic rulers in the city
of Amsterdam continued, and on the same day pronounced sentence of
death upon a fourth person of said Anabaptistic religion, named Clement
Hendrickss, a sail-maker by trade.
He, though possessing a living, effectual and holy faith, yet through
want of opportunity or some other reason had also, like the preceding
martyr, Cornelis Janss, not yet received baptism upon his faith, which
grieved him not a little when he was in bonds; but he did not on this
account cast away his hope in the grace of God, since this had not been
omitted through contempt of this holy ordinance of Christ, but from
want of opportunity, on account of the pressure of persecution.
The authorities of the abovementioned city also viewed it in this
light, and sentenced him to the fire, according to the imperial decree,
as though he had already been baptized upon faith, because he confessed
being desirous of it. This severe punishment of death he valiantly
and steadfastly endured, and was thus numbered by the pious, with the
number of the faithful martyrs of Jesus Christ, though according to
the judgment of the papists he died as a heretic, as appears from the
following sentence which was publicly read to him in court, just before
his death, by the rulers of darkness, in these words:
_Sentence of death of Clement Hendrickss, sail-maker._
Whereas Clement Hendrickss, sail-maker, citizen of this city, at
present a prisoner here, unmindful of his soul’s salvation,[317] and
the obedience which he owed to our mother, the holy church, and to His
Imperial Majesty, as his natural lord and prince, has so apostatized
from the holy church, that he, despising her ordinances, has for
five years and longer been neither to confession nor to the holy
sacrament, and has at three different times attended the assembly of
the reprobated and accursed sect of the Mennonists, the last time about
a year ago; and is so hardened in said sect, that even while a prisoner
he has declared that he is sorry that he is not rebaptized, and has not
received the breaking of bread; and has also repeatedly attended the
meetings; to which abovementioned reprobated sect of Mennonists, he,
the prisoner, still persistently clings, refusing to return to our
mother, the holy church, notwithstanding he has repeatedly, by divers
clerical persons as well as by the court of this city, been urged
thereto and instructed; so that the prisoner, according to what has
been mentioned, has committed crime against divine and human majesty,
as disturbing by his sect the common peace and welfare; therefore, my
lords of the court, having heard the demand of my lord the Bailiff,
and seen the confession of the prisoner, and having had regard to his
great stubbornness and obstinacy, and duly considered everything,
have condemned said prisoner, and by these presents do condemn him to
be executed with fire, according to the decrees of His Majesty; and
declare all his property confiscated for the benefit of His Majesty
aforesaid, without prejudice to the privilege of this city in all other
matters. Done in court, in presence, etc.
[317] How often shall it be said in these Amsterdam sentences, of the
true believers, that they were unmindful of their soul’s salvation,
whereas this was their sole object?
_Of the torturing of the abovementioned Clement Hendrickss, and when
this took place._
The aforesaid person was tortured, according to the previous sentence
of the judges, on the fourth of March, A. D. 1569, as appears from the
records of the confession.
Thus extracted from the book of criminal sentences, preserved in the
archives of the city of Amsterdam.
N. N.
* * * * *
Here follow several letters from the aforementioned martyrs, the first
from Jan Quirijnss, and the other from Clement Hendrickss.
A LETTER OF JAN QUIRIJNSS, IMPRISONED WITH CORNELIS JANSS AND CLEMENT
HENDRICKSS, AT AMSTERDAM, WHERE ALL THREE WERE BURNED FOR THE TESTIMONY
OF JESUS CHRIST.
The eternal, almighty and merciful Father, who by his mighty arm led
his chosen out of the house of the bondage of Pharaoh, keep and confirm
you, my beloved sister in the Lord, with the power of his Holy Spirit,
to so do his will that you may be found spotless and blameless in all
peace, and in all righteousness, truth, zeal, and love, unto the end;
this grant you the almighty and strong Lord, who is alone wise and
just; to him be praise, honor, glory, and gratitude, now and forever.
Amen.
Very dear and much beloved sister in the Lord, whom I greatly love
according to the spirit, I have undertaken, by the saving grace of God,
to write you a little, as you requested of me poor servant; for I deem
myself unworthy of writing to another--it were more necessary that some
one should write to me. For, dear sister, I find so much lacking in me,
that, when I call upon the Father, I fear that I am not his child, for
I do not half his will. But, dear sister, though we are compassed by
vile flesh, we will not give up courage, but firmly keep on, and always
pray without ceasing, and give him the praise, and constantly thank him
for his unspeakable kindness which he has shown us simple children.
Eph. 2:7. O what great grace has appeared to us! O what love has been
shown us! O what light has arisen to us! O what excellent, precious,
hidden treasure has been given into our earthen vessels! That which
is hid from the wise and prudent, he has now revealed unto us poor,
simple children. Matt. 11:25. The clear truth is now made known to us;
the beautiful, shining light has shined into a dark place; the clear
radiance has been given into our hearts, whereby we are illumined with
the uncovered, clear light, through Christ Jesus, this gracious Lord of
lords. 2 Pet. 1:19; 2 Corinthians 4:6.
He took away the great darkness out of our dark hearts and yielded
himself, this merciful Jesus Christ, to be a shining light unto us, as
John says: “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and
declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we
lie, and do not the truth.” 1 John 1:5,6. Therefore, dear sister, take
heed to the light, and let it be a lamp unto your feet, and a light
unto your path, as David says (Ps. 119:105), that you may not stumble
by day, but may always see before you wherever you go; for the darkness
is passed, and the true light now shines. 1 John 2:8. He has delivered
us from the power of darkness [and called us] into his marvelous light,
who, as Peter says, in time past were not a people, but are now the
people of God. Col. 1:13; 1 Pet. 2:9,10. For this reason we may well be
glad in our hearts, and rejoice, and say with David (Ps. 124:7): “The
snare is broken, and we are escaped; we are delivered out of the jaws
of the lion, in which we were imprisoned,” that is, in this dismal,
abominable, subtle, wicked world, which lieth in wickedness. 1 Pet.
5:19.
The God of this world, that rules in the children of unbelief, has so
blinded the minds of them that they believe not, and so stopped their
hearts, that they cannot see or perceive in the least, nor taste that
the Lord is gracious. 2 Cor. 4:4. With them we all had our fellowship,
and had our conversation in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the
desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children
of wrath, even as others. Eph. 2:3. But the rich, merciful and kind God
looked with his gracious eyes upon us poor sinners, and stretched forth
his blessed hand, and has now extended it to us, and has delivered and
brought us out of the pit of death and tied up and healed our wounds;
our hungering and thirsting souls he has satisfied with the bread of
life, and refreshed with the water of the Holy Ghost; he did not let us
lie in our blood, he did not desire to pass by us, he did not let us
perish with hunger; when we asked for bread he did not give us a stone;
neither did he let us go thirsty, but refreshed our famishing souls
from the clear fountain of living water. O that we had never spent
money for that which is not food! but we have largely spent our money
for bitter gall and vinegar, and for false, corrupt leaven. O that
we had thought of this gracious host, who gives it for nought to all
that ask him (Rev. 21:6); and none that come to him will be cast out.
Hence, my dear sister, let us desire the rational, unadulterated milk,
as new born babes, that are born again from above of God, through Jesus
Christ, 1 Peter 2:3; John 3:3. Let us take good heed to and firmly
keep our new birth; for John says: “Whosoever is born of God, doth not
commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because
he is born of God.” John 3:9.
O that we might take an example from Esau, who sold his birthright
for a mess of pottage. O how little did he esteem his salvation; but
afterwards, when he sought it with tears, he was rejected; for he
found no place of repentance. Gen. 25:33; 27:38; Heb. 12:17. But, dear
sister, let us diligently take heed, that we hold fast that which we
have, which has been given us from above of him who is the giver of all
good. Rev. 2:25; James 1:5,17. And if we ask anything according to his
will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hears us, in whatsoever we
ask, we know that we have the petition that we desire of him. 1 John
5:14,15. Is this not a gracious Lord? Yes, assuredly, and he is a Lord
rich over all them that call upon him; only place your trust firmly
upon him, and put your will into God’s will, and all will be well.