porcelain-maker, prisoner, has confessed without torture and iron
bonds, that about thirteen years ago, she, rejecting the Christian
baptism received by her in her infancy, was rebaptized at Amsterdam,
contrary to our Catholic faith, and the unity of the holy Roman church,
and also in contempt of the decrees of His Royal Majesty, our most
gracious lord; and what is still worse, though she has been instructed
for the best concerning her error and heresy, she still obstinately
persists therein; therefore, the judges, having heard the demand made
in conclusion by Jacob Foppens, Bailiff, of this city of Haarlem, in
the name of His Majesty, as Count of Holland, against said prisoner,
that she should be condemned by their sentence, to be conducted to the
scaffold here, and executed with fire, until death should ensue; and
all her property confiscated for the benefit of His Royal Majesty,
according to the decrees of His Majesty aforesaid; have, by reason of
what has been mentioned, condemned said Anneken, Jan Ogiers’ daughter,
prisoner, and by these presents do condemn her to be executed with
water and drowned here in the city-hall, until death ensues, and the
body to be buried under the gallows; and declare all her property
forfeited for the benefit of His Majesty. Thus read from the city-hall,
by the sound of the bell, on the 17th of June, A. D. 1570, in presence
of Jacob Foppens, Bailiff, Mr. Gerrit van Ravensberge, Mr. Lambrecht
van Roosvelt, Mr. Huge Bol van Zanen, Aelbrecht van Schagen, Mr.
Gijsbrecht van Nesse, Wouter van Rollandt, and Frans Janss Teyng,
judges.
Extracted from the first book of penal sentences of the city of Haarlem
(beginning A. D. 1539, and concluding the 27th of October, A. D. 1582;
preserved in the archives of the city of Haarlem) and, after collation,
found to accord with it; by me, the undersigned, secretary of the
aforesaid city, the 14th of July, A. D. 1659.
The abovementioned sentence, we obtained, after much trouble, from the
hands of the secretary of civil and criminal matters, or clerk of the
criminal court of the city of Haarlem, through the instrumentality of
one of our good friends, H. V., just as the same was read in court
at the hour of the death of the aforesaid woman, and is still at
the present day found in the city records of that place; from the
particulars of which we have written the account that precedes the
sentence.
BARBER JANS, A. D. 1570.
At Haarlem in Holland, in the year 1570, a woman, named Barber Jans,
was apprehended, because she had apostatized from the Romish church,
and endeavored to be a follower of Christ; who, having boldly confessed
her faith, and firmly adhering to it, was sentenced to death on the
13th of February, and secretly drowned for the Gospel’s sake, and then
burned to ashes.
ALLERT JANSS, A. D. 1570.
In the same year 1570, on the 13th of April, also a pious brother,
named Allert Janss, was brought prisoner to Haarlem; who, after many
temptations and assaults, because of his steadfastness in the divine
truth, on the 6th of May, after the sentence had been pronounced,
boldly went to the stake, to be burnt alive to ashes, and thus offered
up a sacrifice, well-pleasing to God, and serving as an example to all
the godfearing.
ANDRIES N., WITH HIS FATHER AND BROTHER, A. D. 1570.
In this same year also a brother named Andries N., because he, having
died unto the world, had entered the service of God, was apprehended
at Antwerp, and about the same time also his father and brother, who,
being imprisoned together, rejoiced in the Lord, that they were counted
worthy to suffer for his name, which they also boldly confessed before
the secular rulers, and professed a good profession of their faith, to
which they firmly adhered, notwithstanding the sufferings or vexations
which, by subtilty, promises and threats, were inflicted upon them on
this account; so that they persevered unto the end in the truth, in the
true faith, and in the love to God. All three were then sentenced and
burnt, and thus, offering up their sacrifice, as a sweet smelling savor
unto God, helped to fulfill the number of their brethren that had gone
before.
ANDRIES N., A. D. 1570.
In this same year 1570, there was also apprehended in Haarlem, for his
faith and the truth, a brother named Andries N., who was tortured very
cruelly for the space of three hours, but nevertheless, then as well
as in other temptations and sufferings, always steadfastly adhered to
his faith. Finally he was sentenced to death and burned, and thus, as a
valiant soldier of the Lord, fought a good fight; hence, he is worthy
not only to be remembered here for an example and perpetual memorial,
but also to inherit the kingdom of his heavenly Father, which is
prepared for all the pious.
JORIS VAN MEESCH AND JACOB LOWIJS, ABOUT 1570.
Christ says to his disciples: The brother shall deliver up the brother
to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up
against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall
be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the
end shall be saved. Matt. 10:21,22. This also appeared about the year
1570 (for we do not know the exact time), when two pious followers of
Christ, named Joris van Meesch and Jacob Lowijs, were apprehended at
Ghent, in Flanders, where, after many temptations and severe threats
(from the papists) they were put to death, testifying to and confirming
the faith of the eternal truth with their blood. Hence, they shall at
the last day be graciously accepted of God, and receive the crown of
eternal glory at the hand of the Lord.
* * * * *
I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good
to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you,
and persecute you.
JAN THE RIBBON WEAVER, JOOST THE WHEEL-WRIGHT WITH HIS WIFE, MAERTEN
VAN WYJCKE WITH LIJSKEN HIS WIFE, AND JELIS THE MASON, IN THE YEAR 1570.
In the year 1570 there were apprehended at Antwerp, and put to death
at the same place for the testimony of Jesus, the following godfearing
persons: Jan the ribbon-weaver, Joost the wheel-wright with his wife,
Maerten van Wijcke with Lijsken his wife, and Jelis the mason’s tender.
Lijsken, however, the wife of Maerten van Wijcke, was kept imprisoned
for one year, and then, on the 2d of May, 1571, burnt alive at said
place.
Thus these six pious, godly persons were martyred by the tyrants and
blood-thirsty, not on account of any crime, much less for any heresy,
but only for following the genuine faith of the truth. Herein the
latter followed the footsteps of their forefathers, the false prophets,
who thus persecuted and killed the upright followers of the truth from
the beginning. Hence, it is to be feared, that they will repent when it
is too late, and will also receive the same recompense with those whose
works they herein followed. But those who followed the true prophet
Christ Jesus in true obedience and upright faith, shall, on the other
hand, upon mount Zion, be clothed in white raiment, by their Bridegroom
Christ Jesus for whose sake they suffered this, receive palms in their
hands, and be crowned with crowns of eternal glory, which no one shall
ever be able to take from them.
FAES DIRCKS, AND TWO OTHERS, A. D. 1570.
In the year 1570, on the 7th of April, there was apprehended for
the word of God and the testimony of Jesus, at Gouda, in Holland, a
pious follower of Christ, named Faes Dircks, a chair-maker by trade.
Afterwards, the 27th of May, he was very unmercifully and tyranically
tortured by the blood-thirsty servants of antichrist, and led forth
under the blue sky, and on the 30th of May of the same year, put to
death, and burned for the genuine faith of the truth, following the
footsteps of his Lord and Master Christ Jesus. Some time prior to this
two other pious followers of Christ were put to death at Gouda, for the
testimony of Jesus, one of whom according to the counsel of God, was
not yet baptized upon his faith; but the God of all grace, who knows
the heart, mind and thoughts of all men, accepted in him the will for
the deed. Thus they suffered with Christ, and shall be received with
him into eternal glory, at that time when all the earthly, carnal
generation of men shall weep and lament over themselves eternally.
Subsequently, when Gouda was taken by the troops of the prince of
Orange, it was deliberated upon to exhume the priest who had been
the cause of the imprisonment and death of said Faes Dircks, and
of the dispersion and persecution of many of those who feared God.
They afterwards changed their mind, but hired a man for about four
guilders, who took down the bones of Faes Dircks from the scaffold,
and opened the grave of the aforesaid priest, who had previously
died, and been interred in the church of the Franciscans, near the
high altar, and then laid the bones of Faes Dircks upon the body of
the priest; thus deriding this traitor, because he had deemed the
godfearing unworthy to live with him in the same town, and, after their
death, their bodies unworthy of burial, but they had to be given as
food to the birds of heaven. But at the speedy coming of Christ from
heaven, this idolatrous priest shall find, when it will be too late for
repentance, who of them both will be acknowledged and accepted by the
chief Shepherd as an acceptable sheep, or as a rejected goat.
Concerning this martyr Faes Dircks we have obtained three examinations,
namely, two without torture and one on the rack, just as the same have
been extracted by the secretary there from the town records of Gouda,
which we therefore will communicate to our fellow believers for the
greater confirmation of the foregoing account; they read as follows.
COPY OF THE CONFESSIONS MADE BY FAES DIRCKS IMPRISONED HERE IN
THIENDEWEGS GATE.
_First Examination._
The 11th of May, 1570, the Bailiff of Gouda brought to examination
the hereinafter mentioned person; there being present, Gijsbert Jan
Maertenss, and Gerraert Huygen, burgomasters, Dirck Andries, Mr.
Heyndrick Jacobs, Mr. Cornelis Heyndricks, judges.
Faes Dircks, chair-maker, about thirty-one years of age, says that he
is a native citizen of Gouda, and that on last Easter day he heard the
pastor of Gouda preach; that those who go to the Lord’s table do not
receive roasted, sodden or raw meat, but that they receive the roasted
flesh of our Lord, roasted on Good Friday, on the tree of the cross.
Hence, hearing this, he went out of the church, since he did not feel
well at this, nor deem himself worthy to receive it, and did not go to
the Lord’s table.
He says and confesses, that he does not consider the sacrament of the
altar real flesh and blood, and this for the reason that there is but
one God.
He also confesses, that about a year ago he was baptized at Rotterdam,
and that he did not know the one that baptized him, but that the latter
delivered an exhortation, saying that the Lord had said: “That all that
believe and are baptized shall be saved.”
He further says, that the one who baptized him baptized him in the name
of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and that water was poured
over his head out of a basin, and that there were present ten or twelve
persons, one of whom was named Wiert Claess, of Gouda.
When asked whether Euwout the barber, and Dirck Jacobs, the shoemaker,
or others from Gouda were not also present with him at Rotterdam, he
says, “No,” but that Wiert Claess was present there, and that to his
knowledge Wiert was not baptized at that time.
NOTE.--Here follow some more questions and answers, which are treated
of in the following examination; hence we have omitted to place them
here. In conclusion the secretary wrote: Thus done on the days and in
the presence aforesaid, in the Thiendewegs Gate; I being present as
secretary of Gouda.
JORIS JACOBS.
_Second Examination._
The 19th of May, 1570, the Bailiff brought Faes Dircks, the second
time to examination, in the presence of the pastor of Gouda, Mr Joost
Boorgoos, Gijsbert Jan Maertenss, Jan Gerritts Pels, and Gerrit Huygen,
burgomasters, Gerrit Gerrit Bouwenss, Dirck Andriess, Mr. Heyndrick
Jacobs, Floris Gijsberts, and Mr. Cornelis Heyndricks, judges.
The aforementioned Faes Dircks, when he was asked whether he still
persisted in and adhered to what he said and confessed on the 11th of
this month, replied that he still adhered to it.
He says, that he believes in Almighty God, and in Jesus Christ, who
was born of the virgin Mary. He also says, that infants cannot be
regenerated, since they have no understanding to believe, and that
water cannot save them.
When he was asked whether he did not believe that Christ Jesus is in
the holy sacrament he says, “No, since there is not more than one God,
and he is in heaven, and not herein the sacrament.” He says that he
considers himself a sheep of Christ, and that he regards Christ as his
Shepherd, and that he knows no other shepherd.
When he was asked who baptized him, he says that he does not know, and
that he never saw the one that baptized him, either before or since,
and that no one was present there from Gouda, except Wiert Claess, who
brought him there, and that he [Faes Dircks] arrived in the place on an
evening, and staid there the whole night and the following day, until
the evening when he was baptized; this took place at Rotterdam, in a
house, in a large garret.[318]
[318] Behold here the strait of the believers in those times, who to
hear the word of God, occasionally had to spend whole days and nights
in order to attend the meeting.
NOTE.--Here follow again some questions and answers, which are more
fully explained in the third and last examination, and which we have
omitted in order to avoid repetition. The secretary then, after stating
the time when, the place where, and the persons in whose presence this
took place, again subscribes himself, by the name of Joris Jacobs,
secretary of Gouda.
_Third examination, on the rack._
On the 27th of May, 1579, Johan Pieterss, Mayor of Gouda, in the name
of Sir Cornelis Mylo, castellan and bailiff of the city of Gouda,
brought Faes Dircks to the torture, in the presence of Gijsbert
Jan Maertens, Gerritt Huyge Hapkooper, burgomasters; Gerrit Gerrit
Bouwenss, Dirck Andriess, Dirck Janss Lonck, and Mr. Cornelis
Heyndricks, judges.
Faes Dircks being asked whether he still adheres to the confession
which he made on the 19th of this month, says that he still adheres to
it.
When brought to the torture, and asked, in whose house he was baptized,
he said he did not know, but subsequently understood that it took place
at the house of a shoemaker named Michael, residing near the East Gate,
at Rotterdam.
He says that when he was baptized, about eight or nine others were
baptized with him, among whom were Dirck Jacobs, a shoemaker, and Jan
Adrienss, a tanner, and that the wife of Michael, the shoemaker, and
Wiert Claess, were present when the baptism took place, but that Wiert
was not baptized.
When asked whether Euwout the barber, Jan Aertss, the weaver, and Jan
de Bagijn were also present when he was baptized, he says “No,” and
he says further that Dirck Jacobss and the tanner came early in the
morning before daylight into the house where they were baptized.
He says that the one who baptized him had a strange language, and
talked somewhat loud.
He says, that a woman named Maertjen Philips, residing in the Cingel,
is of his faith, and also Willem Janss, cutler, Wiert Claess, and Jan
Aertss, weaver.
When asked whether Euwout the barber was of the same persuasion and
faith with him, he says that he does not know, and that he has not had
any conversation with him in regard to matters of faith, but that he
has been at his house. He says that he does not know whether Jan de
Bagijn is also of the same faith as he that speaks or not.
Again: The above confession was then read to the aforesaid Faes Dircks,
under the blue sky, without torture and iron bonds, and being asked
whether he adhered to it, he replied that he did, and that he desired
mercy, and not justice. Done in the presence of the full court.
JORIS JACOBS.
NOTE.--Since not only the three aforementioned examinations, but also
the sentence of death of said friend of God, were sent us by the
present secretary of the town of Gouda, we will add the latter here, as
it reads in the original, that no one may in any wise doubt what has
been related.
EXTRACT FROM THE BOOK OF CRIMINAL SENTENCES OF THE TOWN OF GOUDA.
_Faes Dircks executed with fire._
Whereas Faes Dircks, native citizen of this town of Gouda, at present a
prisoner, has confessed, without torture and iron bonds, under the blue
sky, before my lords of the court, that about a little over a year ago
he was rebaptized at Rotterdam, by a man whom he does not know; that he
also for two years back has rejected communion with the holy church,
our mother, and does not believe in the holy, worshipful sacrament of
the altar, in which lies the salvation of man: without that said Faes
Dircks has been willing to repent of this, to be instructed otherwise,
but has added, that he would not listen to him that desired to instruct
him, and to turn him from his error and heresy, all this being contrary
to the written laws and decrees of His Royal Majesty published at
different times in these countries; therefore the judges with the
mature deliberation of the council, having examined and weighed all
that is of importance in this case on the behalf and in the name of
the King of Spain, as Count of Holland, Zealand and Friesland, our
common lord and prince, have condemned the aforesaid Faes Dircks, at
present a prisoner, and condemn him by these presents, to be brought
to the scaffold without this town, and there to be executed with fire;
and declare all his property confiscated for the benefit of His Royal
Majesty; unless the aforesaid Faes Dircks depart publicly before the
church, from his aforesaid heresy, and declare and confess that he
has been led astray and deceived; in such case the judges reserve to
themselves the punishment to be inflicted upon him for his crime, the
same to be according as they shall find proper pursuant to the decrees
of His Majesty aforesaid.[319]
[319] That is, in this case, he would have been executed with the
sword, but as he remained steadfast, it did not come to this.
Done by Jan Claess Diert, and Simon Pieters, burgomasters, summoned,
Gijsbert Jan Maertenss and Gerritt Huyges, burgomasters, Dirck Ottes
van Slingerlandt, judge, summoned, Gerrit Gerrit Bouwenss, Dirck
Andriess, Mr. Heyndrick Jacobs, Dirck Janss Lonck, Mr. Cornelis
Heyndricks, judges, and announced to Dirck van Necq, judge, summoned.
Published on the 30th of May, in the year 1570. Subscribed.
JORIS JACOBS, Secretary of Gouda, A. D. 1570.
ADRIAEN PIETERS AND BARBER JOOSTEN, IN THE YEAR 1570.
In the year 1570, there were imprisoned at Haarlem in Holland, a
brother named Adriaen Pieters, and a sister named Barber Joosten,
not on account of any crime or heresy, but only because they sought
to follow Christ in the regeneration, for which they were envied by
the servants of antichrist, who sought with many tyrannical means to
draw them from Christ, and to make them follow their self-invented
idolatry which militates against God. But these, as giants in the
faith, valiantly resisted, through the grace of God, the snares of
Satan. Hence, they were condemned and sentenced to death by the rulers
of darkness. Adriaen Pieters was burnt, and Barber Joosten was drowned
in great steadfastness, and thus they both remained faithful to the
Lord their God unto death and hence out of grace, obtained the crown of
eternal life.
MAERTEN KARETTIER, A. D. 1570.
Maerten Karettier of Busbeke, who also would rather suffer affliction
with the children of God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a
season, and live in joy with the world, was apprehended for his faith
at Rijssel and there made a good confession of it and evinced great
steadfastness, for which reason he finally, as a valiant witness of
God, had to taste death.
LIJNTGEN KEMELS, A. D. 1570.
In like manner, there was also apprehended, at Luyck, a sister named
Lijntgen Kemels, who, after having made a good and steadfast confession
of her faith, was burnt there, and thus went boldly, with her lamp
burning, to meet her bridegroom, who also joyfully took her as a wise
virgin in to his [marriage] feast.
JOOST VERKINDERT AND LAUWERENS ANDRIESS, BOTH PUT TO DEATH FOR THE
TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, AT ANTWERP, THE 13TH OF SEPTEMBER, A. D.
1570.
_A letter of Joost Verkindert to his wife, mother, brother, and sister;
written on the 7th of June, being the ninth day of his imprisonment._
Grace and mercy from God the heavenly Father, and the merits of our
dear Lord Jesus Christ, who redeemed us on the tree of the cross by
the shedding of his precious blood, when we were yet his enemies,
together with the consolation of the Holy Ghost, who comforts all
afflicted hearts; all this I wish you together as a friendly and
heartfelt greeting. I wholly commend myself to you, and also thank
you all for the love shown me, and the exhortation and consolation in
my present great tribulation, which I must now receive as permitted
and foreordained by the Lord. For Christ says: “The very hairs of
your head are all numbered. Matthew 10:30. Nevertheless, in going
out I was apprehensive of meeting the officer, which also happened,
since the plan of meeting together at that time was not well-timed;
however all things must have a cause. I must relate to you something
about our apprehension, how the bailiff with some of his servants met
me and Lauwerens and asked: “Whence do you come? and whither are you
going?” Hearing this we were both greatly consternated, so that they
instantly perceived what kind of people we were. They immediately
bound us, and conducted us above; and while they were leading us they
greatly cursed us and called us rogues. Having arrived at the prison,
they forthwith examined Lauwerens alone. Afterwards I was also brought
before them, and was asked, whether I had received another baptism
besides the one received in my infancy. I asked him in return, what
he had to say against me. He said: “You are rebaptized; your servant
has told me.” I answered: “Let me alone; I shall to-morrow confess
my faith before the Margrave.” But he was not satisfied with that,
for he had a note-book to write in; and when he could obtain no other
information from me, he became angry and said: “I shall make you say
yes or no.” I said: “My lord, be satisfied for this time.” And when he
saw that he could not obtain anything further from me, he made me sit
in the Emperor’s chair, and thus they left me, I thinking that they
were going for the executioner. While lying there alone I was troubled
by various thoughts; moreover Satan greatly tormented me with wife and
children, sustenance, and many other temptations, on account of which
I heartily wept, calling to God for succor, and began to measure my
life and conversation with the word of God, from the beginning of my
Christian life up to this present day, and found no cause just enough
to cease from all the severe labor which I had done. Though I have
often transgressed the commandment of God, yet it was not done wantonly
and I found grace with God.
The next day we were both brought into the tower where Lauwerens was
tortured. They further asked me concerning my age and faith, all of
which I freely confessed to them, and was not ashamed. They asked
whether I had a wife. And when I had said “Yes,” they asked whether
I had children. I said “Two.” They asked what their names were, and
whether they were baptized. I answered: “They are not baptized, for
I recognize no infant baptism; we also find in the Scriptures but
one baptism upon faith, as Christ left it to us, and his apostles
practiced.” When I pronounced the names of the children, they laughed,
because the children had names without being christened. We further had
many other words, which it would take too long to relate; hence I write
this to you very briefly for I am so closely guarded, that no one can
speak with me; nor have I ever conversed with Lauwerens alone. Hence,
keep quiet about everything, for I am apprehensive of being tormented
still much more, of which I am greatly afraid according to the flesh;
for they have here so many tortures, chains for suspending, pulley,
cords, and rack, on which I was tortured, as you know.
O friends, let all of you heartily entreat the Lord for me; and cause
prayer to be made for me. Acts 12:5. O I pray the Lord with tears;
yea, I water my couch with my tears before the Lord (Ps. 6:6), that he
should make me worthy of him through his grace.
Herewith I commend you to the Lord and bid you all adieu.
Written in bonds by me,
JOOST VERKINDERT, Unworthy prisoner in the Lord.
NOTE.--He was apprehended on the 30th of May, and put to death on the
13th of September of the same year.
ANOTHER EDIFYING LETTER AND EXHORTATION OF JOOST VERKINDERT, WRITTEN IN
HIS IMPRISONMENT, THE 20TH OF JUNE, TO THE CHURCH OF GOD AT A.