yourselves, but commit your cause to the Lord. He who was the strongest
and of the best courage when we were first apprehended, and with whom
to be together was a joy to us, moreover, who remained very valiant in
the torture, lies now also in the mire; hence trust not in yourselves.
Further, dear friends, they let us lie here, so that in six weeks no
one looked after us, save that the commissary had our sister Trijntgen
brought above, to ask her concerning one from Ghent whom they did
not know; they also inquired after other friends from Ghent, but did
not obtain their wish. Then we expected our sentence since we knew
nothing else but that we should offer up our sacrifice. At the last two
Franciscans came to me; however they had not been sent. They unlocked
the doors, and asked how it was with me. “As God will,” said I. “Yes,”
said they, “and as you will too.” We talked of the Gospel: they asked:
“How do you know that it is the Gospel?” I said: “I know this well, for
Christ has sealed it with his blood.” One of them became angry. I said:
“Be still, or wait a little; you treat us worse than Jews; for the Jews
are tolerated for tribute, but us you put to death.” Then he became
angry again and said: “Your rascality puts you to death.” “We have
done nothing amiss,” said I. He wanted to go away, and cried aloud.
“Be meek,” I said. “Yes,” said they, “this is your word: O Father,
forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Then he went off. Once
there came also two Beguines,[327] who wanted to say much to my fellow
prisoners. I said: “May one also baptize something else than men?”
“No,” said they, “no beasts.” I said: “Why then do you baptize bells?”
That was customary they said; “it is an old custom that when there is
a bad storm we ring the bells; then it passes away.” I said: “Yes,
when the worst is over, you begin to ring, and thus you think that it
helps.” Then they said: “It is not good for the people to come to him.”
[327] Nuns of the order of St. Bega.
I can also not hide from you, how unmercifully they dealt with our
sister: they tied her clothes together in the middle, but completely
bared the upper part of her body. Then said our sister (who is still
a young girl): “Never yet was such shame inflicted upon me.” “You
inflict it upon you yourself,” they said. Further, my dear brethren and
sisters, who shall see or hear read this our brief letter, we inform
you all thereby, that our mind is still valiant and unchanged; that
we do not exhort you more, is attributable to our little knowledge;
for which I hope you will excuse us. Know, my beloved friends, that we
greatly rejoice with exceeding joy, because we received letters from
you; for it refreshes our inward man.
Now, my very chosen dear brethren and sisters, we prisoners, beseech
you most earnestly, that you will now take heed to yourselves, and to
your walk; for my much beloved brother and sister, when one comes to be
thus confined, then only he finds, that the way is narrow and the gate
strait, that leads unto life; yea, many shall strive for it, but not
enter in, because they are not of the right number. Therefore, my dear
and in God beloved brother and sister, examine daily the inmost of your
heart when the daily fear comes upon you, and do not hide your sins,
lest you sink under them; for you cannot conceal them from the Lord--he
has eyes like flames of fire. O my chosen, you can deceive no one but
yourselves. We have an example in David, when he sent the man into the
battle, and wrote that he should be put in the forefront of the hottest
battle, and where there were valiant men opposed to Israel; in order
that he might obtain the wife. What did Nathan say to the king? There
was a man who had many sheep, and there was a man that had one only
sheep; and he that had many sheep took from the man that one sheep,
and slew it. Then David himself judged that he [David] was worthy of
death; but he went and watered his couch with his tears. 2 Sam. 11:14;
Ps. 6:6. See, my dear brother and sister, let us ever watch and take
heed, and if we are overtaken by any evil, let us not be too good to
repent, but with David and Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:12) confess our
sins, and we shall find grace before God. O my dear and chosen brother
and sister, had this been done in Friesland, and every one looked into
his own heart, it would never have turned out so badly. But when every
one is proud and says: “Show me my guilt;” thinking, I will not yield,
what should the people say? yea, I will resign my honor and ministry. O
friends, had they taken heed, and every one examined his own heart, and
willingly repented, no one would have fallen into such great trouble.
Hence, my beloved, always keep in the obedience of the Gospel, and do
not suffer yourselves to be moved by every wind of doctrine, but abide
in that before which you have bowed your knees; remember that Paul
says: Though an angel from heaven should come and preach any other
gospel, let him be accursed. Gal. 1:8. And beware of the abominable
marrying out of the church, which some of you would introduce; and
behold Israel, how they had to forsake the heathen wives. Therefore,
my dear friends, take diligent heed, as long as it is called to-day;
and let us always diligently build on the temple, with the sword of
the Spirit at our side, that we may resist the enemies, lest they take
our glory. For we have received a talent, which the Lord shall require
again at our hands; and if he finds us faithful, he will make us rulers
over many things. Hence, my chosen, let us ever take earnest heed,
always diligently to keep the pearl of great price which we have found,
lest robbers take it from us; for if it is taken from us we are ruined.
Hence keep good watch, and think, dear brethren and sisters, that if
a piece of gold were given you not larger than a penny, and it were
said to you: “Keep this but three or four years, and there shall come
a dearth, which shall last a year; and keep this piece so long, and
you shall buy for it enough to keep you from want; but if you lose it,
you must die of hunger;” how closely would you guard it--would you not
every day, when the time drew near that you would be in need of it, see
whether you had not lost it? I think, every hour. See, my chosen, you
that have received the faith, to you this money is given, to keep it as
long as you live; and if you keep it unto the end, you shall receive
eternal life for it.
Thus, my much beloved, now that you know that the day is approaching
when you must have it, take earnest heed lest you lose it; for if
you should lose it the last day, it could avail you nothing; though
one had kept it a hundred years, it could not avail him anything; as
the prophet says: “If a man hath done good all his life, and walked
uprightly, and turned himself to unrighteousness, all the good that he
hath done before shall avail him nothing, See, how the Lord requires
obedience of us, as the prophet Samuel said to Saul: “The Lord
delighteth more in obedience, than in sacrifices.” 1 Samuel 15:22. And
consider also the man of God, how he was punished by the Lord because
he had hearkened to the false prophet, and not done what the Lord had
commanded him. 1 Kings 13:24. Behold Israel, when they had sinned, they
had to turn their backs before their enemies: Josh. 7:12. And Christ
himself says: “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”
John 15:14. Yea, he that endureth to the end shall be saved (Matthew
10:22); for it lies neither in the beginning nor in the middle. Hence,
look diligently before you, lest ye be deceived; for Christ has truly
said, that many false prophets shall rise and cry: “Here is Christ,
there is Christ.” Matt. 24:11,5. Therefore, my chosen, beware, lest you
be deceived. They went out from us, says the apostle; but if they had
been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us. 1 John 2:19.
Herewith I will commend you to the Lord, and to the rich word of his
grace. Know, that our brother Claes still suffers great pain in his
limbs, on account of his age; and our sister Lijntgen has also great
pain in her shoulders; but Trijntgen and I do not ail. Now we prisoners
greet you very cordially; also all the churches and lovers of the truth
in the neighborhood; by name, P. J. and your wife; and I thank you
most heartily for your letter. Greet W. in my name, and send it to L.
J. in Molqueeren, in Friesland, and also, to Jan de P. and to those of
Amsterdam; I have also written something for him, which put with it,
and see that this also gets to Embden, to my beloved brother and his
wife. My dear brother, and dear sister, grieve not for us, for your
mother and sister are of very good cheer; and tell Machtelken, rather
to beware of Harmen; he seeks to bring her into the mire; if he can
get out, I have heard him say, he will make a good Christian of her.
We also salute our scattered fellow-believers. Now, my affectionately
beloved brethren and sisters, remember us prisoners in your prayers
and assemblies, for the earnest prayer of the faithful avails much. We
expect from day to day to offer up our sacrifice. And, dear friends, do
write us.
Written in great fear and distress, in the prison at Deventer, after
having been imprisoned nine weeks.
THE THIRD LETTER OF YDSE GAUKES, WRITTEN IN PRISON IN DEVENTER.
The grace of God our heavenly Father, who created and made heaven and
earth; and the love of his beloved Son, our Lord, Redeemer and Savior,
which is Jesus Christ, by whom he has delivered us from eternal enmity
and the torment of hell; and the power of the Holy Ghost, who works
in all his elect; this we wish all our known, and also our unknown,
brethren and sisters, and all lovers of the truth, as a most cordial
and affectionate salutation. Amen.
Further, my very elect brethren and sisters, fellow-believers of our
most holy faith, by the grace and mercy of God, branches on the vine
of the Lord; we prisoners, confined for the testimony of the truth,
intend to write you yet a little, by which you may remember us; if the
Lord permits it that you may get this little out of the lions’ den;
for we think and trust that our Lord will soon deliver us, and that
we shall have no time any more to write to you. If we did not have my
sister, we would fare very meagerly and suffer hunger; but now we have
a sufficiency; may the Lord reward it, and recompense it a hundredfold
to them that show us mercy.
Now, my dear and much beloved brethren and sisters by the obedience of
the Gospel, know that according to the flesh we are still tolerably
well, and in the faith unchanged, and are sure that it is the right
truth, and that no other will ever be found neither now nor in
eternity, for we are sure, and find the Lord faithful in all his
promises; as he says, that he will not forsake his own, but keep them
as the apple of his eye; and that he will not suffer them to be tempted
above that they are able, but will with the temptation also make a way
to escape; wherein we also firmly trust. Hence, my dear chosen brethren
and sisters, beseech the Lord heartily for us, that he will give us
power and strength when the hour of suffering is at hand; for our
persecutors greatly threaten us, that they will torture us in this and
that manner, and roast us alive with a large fire placed at a distance
from us.
Therefore, my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, help to pray the
Lord for us, since of ourselves we have nothing but all weakness, and
are compassed about with frail flesh. But we find abundant comfort
when we consider the word of the Lord, and his promises to those who
strive valiantly unto death, and cleave to them; for he that remains
steadfast shall receive the promises, since he never yet has forsaken
any that trusted in him, and who think of the fight which our captain
Christ Jesus fought for us, so that they willingly follow him. Hence,
we joyfully wait for our redemption, though they threaten us much, they
can do us no more than what the Lord permits them; and whatsoever the
Lord permits them, to that we will resign ourselves, for our flesh,
with which we have offended the Lord so often, has merited it more
than a thousand times. Furthermore, my dear brethren and sisters, we
expect from day to day to be offered up, for we thought we should offer
up our sacrifice when our fellow prisoners offered up theirs. Now,
my much beloved brethren and sisters, you that have submitted to the
obedience of the Gospel, and have with Noah entered into the ark, and
are with Lot gone out of Sodom, and with Moses out of Egypt, through
the Red Sea, and choose rather to suffer affliction with the children
of God, than to enjoy, with Pharaoh, the pleasures of sin for a season;
therefore now, my dear friends, be valiant with righteous Noah, who
firmly trusted in the Lord’s promises, and with patience waited for
the day promised him by the Lord, namely, an hundred and twenty years.
See, my dear brethren and sisters, who are still in this tabernacle,
and have with Noah received a promise, that there shall come a day that
will be upon all flesh; if you are then found upright before the Lord,
you shall with Noah be forever saved. And obey the Lord with Lot, and
firmly believe what God commands you, for he wants his commandments
kept, as we have an example in Lot’s wife, that she was turned into
a pillar of salt; and further in Israel; when they observed his laws
and commandments, no one was able to harm or hinder them; as we have
an example in the children of Israel, to whom the promised land was
promised; but they did not obtain it, because they did not trust in the
Lord; for of six hundred thousand not more than two entered into the
promised land; but their descendants were led through Jordan by Joshua,
and the Lord mightily helped them, so that they according to the Lord’s
command went around Jericho with the ark of the covenant, and the walls
fell.
See, my dear, beloved brethren and sisters, if we trust in the word of
the Lord, and keep his commandments, and always walk according to the
Lord’s rule, and call upon the Lord day and night, he will fight for
us. Yea, our enemies shall not be able to harm us, but they shall be
confounded. But if the righteous forsake the Lord, they must turn their
backs before their enemies, as we read in Joshua, concerning Achan and
others, also of Saul, who was the first king of Israel; when the Lord
had commanded him, to go forth to fight against the Amalekites, and to
spare no one, he went, but did not keep the Lord’s command; hence the
Spirit of the Lord departed from him, and the Lord set David in his
stead; on which account he persecuted David. And thus the righteous
have ever had to suffer from the unrighteous: Jacob, from Esau; Abel,
from Cain, because his offering was acceptable before the Lord, and
his brother’s not; hence he was killed by Cain; and this generation is
still in the world.
See, my much beloved and chosen brethren and sisters, to whom the
truth, which is hid from so many thousands is revealed, and who have
received grace from God; let us show obedience to the Lord, as did
our father Abraham, who is the father of the faithful; and Jephthah,
who did not spare his only daughter, but willingly offered her up to
the Lord. Judges 11:39. Hence, my dear brethren and sisters, let us
diligently fear the Lord, and observe his commandments, and he will
be gracious unto us. Therefore, my very dear and beloved brethren and
sisters, only be faithful unto the end, and neither be terrified, nor
fear; though this generation has now great power to crush and kill the
people of God, they can do no more than the Lord permits them. Hence
let us keep good watch for our souls, and always be vigilant; for the
Lord says himself: Watch and pray; for the Lord shall come as a thief
in the night. O, my dear brethren and sisters, that we might then not
be found idle or drowsy, but with the five wise virgins always have
oil in our lamps, and ever be ready and watch for the coming of our
bridegroom, so that with Gideon we may be found worthy; for they were
not all accepted; only three hundred were found worthy. Judges 6:12.
Even as also Christ himself says, that many are called, but few chosen.
Matt. 20:16; 22:14.
Hence, my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, let us diligently
pray to God with a fervent heart, that we may be known and reckoned
with the little flock, and that we may be stones in the Lord’s temple,
and branches on the Lord’s vine, and valiantly follow our Lord and
Bishop even unto the end; and it shall be well with us; and walk in all
righteousness and holiness, and always be mindful of the day of the
Lord, and not depart from the Lord’s way; and he will have compassion
upon us and be gracious unto us. For he shall separate the sheep from
the goats, and say to them on his right hand: Come, ye blessed, inherit
the kingdom prepared for you. And to them on his left hand: Depart from
me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire. Matt. 25:32. O how lamentable
will it then be with those who here have feared men more than the Lord;
yea, who now say: The Lord is gracious and merciful, which is true; but
he is also righteous, and wants his commandments kept. Hence, O dear
people, think of the day of which Peter says: “That one day is with the
Lord as a thousand years.” 2 Peter 3:8. How lamentably it will then be
deplored! See, my dear brethren and sisters, my materials are about to
give out; hence I must conclude. We prisoners will therefore herewith
bid you adieu, namely we four; our names you well know; let this reach
Jan de P., our sister Lijntgen’s brother. We prisoners cordially salute
you with the word of the Lord, and are still of good cheer, and trust
to offer up a willing sacrifice to the Lord; the Lord God strengthen
us with his Holy Spirit. And, dear brothers Bauke, Symon, and Pieter,
who are my brothers according to the flesh, take care for your souls;
though you are young yet, do not depend on that; you know neither the
day nor the hour, and enough is revealed to you, that you well know
that it is the truth. Herewith I will send you my last adieu, as I do
not think that I will see you anymore; but see that we may meet one
another again with joy.
Now, my dear brother Bauke and your wife, your mother and sister, and I
your brother, salute you and all acquaintances most cordially; I send
you our last salutation here, and may the Lord make us worthy, that
hereafter we may meet one another again with joy. Claes greets you
very cordially, and we also greet much all those that have remembered
us by writing, and we are much rejoiced in this, that you still have
such delight in the truth. Herewith we bid our dear brethren and
fellow-believers of our faith our last adieu; may the Lord keep you all
in righteousness and holiness.
Written in our dark prison, with bad materials; hence receive it in
good part. Given the ninety-fifth day of our imprisonment, the 14th of
June, in the year 1571, in Deventer.
DOUWE EEUWOUTS, A. D. 1571.
They who seek truly to follow the words and commandments of God often
have to suffer great contempt and persecution from the learned of this
world, as was well seen at Leeuwaerden, in Friesland in the case of
a brother named Douwe Eeuwouts, who on the 3d of January of the year
1571, for the name of Christ, had to leave five little children alone
in the house, and suffer himself to be imprisoned in a dark dungeon,
where he had to remain confined with criminals for a long time, which
he, though longing to be offered up, patiently suffered. Afterwards
he was examined by the bishop and others, who greatly tormented him,
in order to cause him to recant, but all in vain. They asked him
concerning his faith, which he freely confessed. They also greatly
praised up to him the Pope’s trumpery; but he said, he would keep to
the commandments of God, and let go the commandments of men. He also
proved, that their hours, mass, confirmation, anointing, exorcising,
and other things, were not in accordance with the word of God; and
he further besought them, that, now that he had confessed his faith,
they should not torment him any more, but cut short his sufferings
and troubles; for he was ready to give up his life for the truth,
knowing that he might then expect the crown of life. Finally the
bishop condemned him as a heretic, and delivered him to the secular
judges, that they should deal with him according to the king’s decree,
for these so-called Christians, like the Pharisees, can put no one
to death. But in consequence of the bishop’s delivering him, Douwe
Eeuwouts, after long imprisonment, was sentenced to death on the
12th of October, A. D. 1571, to be drowned the following night. When
he heard this sentence, he showed himself valiant as a giant in the
faith, not terrified by impending death, but greatly longing for the
new Jerusalem; and sat in the room with his head uncovered, thanking,
praising, and praying to his heavenly Father, till the hour of his
departure had come. They then took him, and tied him in a bag, when he
began to sing: “I poor lamb on the heath.” Many that were there praised
his boldness, that he went to death so voluntarily and joyfully.
Thus he most joyfully departed this temporal sorrow, and ended his life
in the water, and now rests under the altar, and there waits for the
eternal joy which is promised to all of God’s dear children.
HANS MISEL, A. D. 1571.
In the year 1571, Hans Misel, a weaver, who was yet a young man, at
Langensmeer in Swabia, was asked by some persons to read and speak
from the word of the Lord; and as he declared to them the way of the
truth, he was betrayed, and reported at Warthausen. The lady who
then resided there, sent her clerk thither, who came with servants,
surprised the brother, drew his sword, and with the hilt of the same
several times struck the brother on the heart or breast, berating
him fearfully, and saying, he had power to do this and more. He also
struck him with the blade of the sword, and said he had authority to
thrust him through with it, and kill him. But the brother did not allow
himself to be intimidated, but with gentle words said to the clerk,
that he should calm himself, and not carry on so. The clerk bound him
himself, and they took him with them to Barthausen, and kept him that
night in a house, where they reveled and caroused, and made sport of
and ignominiously treated the brother, the whole night. When day came,
they conducted him into the castle, and confined him in a tower,
where many priests came to him, who greatly labored with and tempted
him; but all that came to him had to retire from him with shame. The
executioner also had to do his part to try him; they greatly racked
and tortured him, but could not move him to renounce his belief or to
do anything that was contrary to the faith. When they had finished all
their temptations, and he remained steadfast, and would not depart a
single step from the way of faith and of the divine truth, the lady
of the castle sent for the priests, and said to them, that she was
a woman, and knew little how he ought to be dealt with; they should
advise her as to what ought to be done with him. Here the lady had hit
upon the right counselors, even as though one were to ask the wolf what
ought to be done with the sheep; for they immediately presented to her
the imperial law and mandate, and thus adjudged him worthy of death,
according to the way of their fathers, who also gave counsel concerning
Christ and cried: Away with him, he is worthy of death; we have a law,
and by the same he ought to die. John 19:15,7. Thus it happened that
he was sentenced to death; several in the council however would not
give their voice; but this was of no avail, the devil, who works in the
children of unbelief, was master of the game.
Now when he was to be executed in the morning, his friends came in the
night, and wanted to help him out of the tower. They dug until they
came almost to him, so that he heard them. He warned them, that they
should not dare do this, since he should not come out to them through
the hole; hence they had to let it go. And as the sentence had come,
that he was to be executed, they wanted to give him something to eat
first; but he would not eat, and when he heard that his last hour had
now come, he requested to be left alone in peace, in a corner for a
little while, which they granted him, without knowing why he requested
this; however, they had him watched, to see what he should do, and
what he intended. He raised his hands to heaven, and offered up an
earnest and sincere prayer to God, and also praised God, that he had
permitted him to see this hour, and had counted him worthy thereto; and
prayed that he would give him power and courage for it, that he might
die the death of an upright and manifest witness of God. He then also
faithfully thanked God for all the benefits which he had ever shown
him, and also prayed that God would assist him now in this last hour,
which was at hand, and thus commended himself into the hands of the
Lord his God.
The executioner said: “This man is bolder than we all.”
When he had finished praying, he came forward again to the people with
smiling lips, and was willing to die. The confessor of Warthausen went
with him when he was taken out, and wanted that he should renounce, and
have mercy on himself. But he said, that they should renounce and turn
from their whoredom, villiany, and the idolatrous, ungodly life, into
which they were sunken.