ceasing in many places, certain friends, on account of the severe
tribulation and small opportunity for making a living, went from
Flanders to England; among which number were also one Hendrick Terwoort
and Jan Pieterss. While living in their simplicity, in London, to
earn bread for wife and children, it occurred in the year 1575, on
Easter-day, that the assembly met in a suburb, to hear the word of
God. Having thus engaged together in prayer to God, the constable (for
they had been spied out) came in, fiercely and insolently, and called
them devils, asking them who was their preacher. He wrote down their
names, and made the women promise, to remain there together until
further orders. Thus these friends remained there till the constable
returned. He called off their names, and drove them before him as sheep
are led to the slaughter, and conducted them to prison, there being
twenty-five persons, of which number two escaped without any violence.
They were confined two days in the South Fort in the Mersey, and were
then released on bail, but soon after summoned to appear in St. Paul’s
church, where the bishop and other eminent teachers and persons were
assembled. There four questions were put to them, which were as follows:
1. Whether Christ, our Savior, had not assumed his flesh from the body
of Mary?
2. Whether it is lawful for a Christian to swear an oath?
3. Whether Christians ought to have their children baptized?
4. Whether it is lawful for a Christian to administer the (criminal)
office of the magistracy?
These questions these friends could not answer in the affirmative, but
they denied one and all of them because they had not read them in the
holy Scriptures with which our belief must agree. But they confessed
that they had read of a magistracy which God has appointed in every
country, for the protection of the good, and the punishment of the
evil. When these friends, through the fear of God, could not follow
the learned in these their questions, the bishop, and also the others,
inveighed against them in a very brutal and furious manner, saying
that the law should be applied to these people; if not, they would
themselves lay hands on them. And because one of the prisoners spoke a
little more than the rest, they said: “This is their captain; you shall
no longer scatter your evil seed in our country,” and they shut him
up by himself. And the Bishop showed them a large letter, saying very
sternly: That the court has given orders, that all strangers should
have to subscribe the above mentioned four questions, and he who would
do this might remain in the country free and without molestation, but
all that were found obstinate herein should be put to a terrible death.
Let every one consider this, subscribe and deliver himself from danger.
These cruel and unchristian threats terrified some, so that through
the weakness of the flesh five of them apostatized from the truth, and
refused to lose their bodies for the name of Christ. Having caught
these in their net, they did not rejoicingly lay these found sheep
(as they were regarded by them) upon their shoulders, according to
Christ’s teaching; but, on the contrary, they exposed these five, for
a disgrace, in St. Paul’s church-yard, with a fagot tied on their
shoulders, as a token that they were worthy of burning, with which they
stood there till the bishop had concluded his sermon, and gave a letter
into their hands, saying: That these people were seduced, but that this
was the truth, which was taught there; and that they should give bail,
that they would unite with the Dutch (Duytsche) church, and thus become
their brethren. The other friends who steadfastly adhered to the truth
were brought before the bishop twice afterwards, and it was sought, by
severe threats with the decree, to constrain them to subscribe, or they
would have to die a terrible death. When the Bishop could by no manner
of means cause these friends to apostatize, he delivered them over to
the Mayor, and they were put into severe imprisonment with malefactors,
where these fourteen women and a lad were confined for some time with
great tribulation and sorrow, by frequently being threatened with a
cruel death. But the matter ultimately took a different turn, so that
they released these women, and drove them, as innocent lambs (whom it
was easy to compel), with halberds and armed men, (as though they had
to guard a city) to the ship. But the young lad they tied to a cart,
and scourged him out [of the city] with a whip, which caused him to
say: “This is for the name of Christ.” When they were on board the
ship, to embark for Gravesend, a letter was given to the skipper, which
stated, that these people were not worthy to come among Christians. The
other five brethren were brought forth again, and with great severity
urged to subscribe, or in default of which to be burnt in Smithfield.
Thereupon Jan Pieterss replied with a valiant heart, that this was a
small matter. The Bishop sternly asked: “What does he say?” When he
had understood Jan Pieterss correctly, he presumptuously said: That
such heretics must be shunned; and that he did now expel them from his
church, as bad members. Thereupon Hendrick Terwoort said: “How can you
expel us from your church, when we have never yet been one with you?”
The Bishop answered: “That this was all the same, and that in England
there was no one that was not a member of God’s church.” Thus they put
these friends of Christ into Newgate, confining them very securely,
and tormented them with manifold temptations, with disputations, and
[threats of] a cruel death.
But when these friends, as men in the faith, steadfastly endured all
this, they, very unmercifully, cast them into a deep dungeon, infested
with filthy and noxious vermin, which was a dreadful and unhealthy
place to be confined, so that one of the friends, named Christiaen,
died there in a short time. Once an English teacher [minister] came
to them, and laying his hands upon them, and falling down upon his
knees, cried aloud: “Lord, convert their heart;” and naming the devil,
said: “Depart from them, thou wicked one.” But as these men, through
the grace of God, and for the love to him, bore all this, finally a
letter was shown them, containing eight articles: That all strangers
must subscribe to, and whether it were not right to put to death such
vagabond heretics; together with the abovementioned articles. Thereupon
sentence was sent from the court upon Jan Pieterss and Hendrick
Terwoort, that they should both be publicly burnt. This sentence was
also assented to by the common people, by subscribing, that such
heretics should be put to death.
On the Sunday following intelligence was brought to them, that they
should be burnt in three days; and they were at the same time also
asked, whether they desired any postponement. Hendrick Terwoort
answered: “If it has to be according to your intention, make haste in
the matter, for we would rather die than live, that we may be delivered
from this dreadful vermin.” But it was delayed until Friday, when
they were brought forth early in the morning, to be put to death in
Smithfield.
On their way to death Jan Pieterss said: “We need not be ashamed of
this way, since many prophets went the same before us.” And thus they,
as defenseless sheep of Christ, following the footsteps of their
Master, went boldly to death for the name of Christ. An English teacher
who was present derisively said before all the people: “These people
do not believe in God.” Thereupon Jan Pieterss replied: “We believe in
one God, our heavenly Father almighty, and in Jesus Christ his Son.”
When they stood at the stakes, they were once more tormented [with the
demand] to subscribe to the articles referred to, and on condition that
they should subscribe to them, they were promised pardon. Thereupon Jan
Pieterss spoke thus: “You have labored with all your might to bring us
over to you; but now that you cannot accomplish your purpose, we are
placed at the stake.” Thereupon one of their preachers excused them,
saying: “That this came through the council alone, and that it was also
the will of the queen, that they should be put to death.” Jan Pieterss
replied: That they who were the teachers of the queen ought to instruct
her differently; and that therefore our blood shall be required at your
hands. Thus, on the 22d of July of said year, 1575, both were burnt
alive, and confessed the word of truth with their death. But the other
two prisoners, Gerrit van Byler and Hans van Straten, after much misery
and distress, were set free, unharmed in their faith.
It is also deserving of the consideration of every intelligent person,
how utterly incompatible with the Christian faith such unchristian and
cruel proceedings and sentence as seen here, are, since the Christians
are described as sheep and lambs sent out among cruel, ravening wolves.
Matt. 10:16; Luke 10:3. Who then can believe with a good conscience,
that these English preachers are the true sheep of Christ, seeing they
so signally brought forth in this the fruit of wolves, since according
to the teaching of Christ, the tree shall be known by its fruit.
And these preachers are to be censured so much the more yet, since
they regard as a principal article of their faith, that God Almighty
before the foundation of the world elected a certain small number of
men, which can in no wise be decreased or increased, but who shall
infallibly all be saved. And that God Almighty, on the other hand,
rejected the great majority of men, who shall likewise infallibly be
lost. And that the will or ability which God has given man, can do no
more in the way of inducing acceptation of God’s gracious conversion,
than dead men are able to resurrect from temporal death. If it stands
thus with man’s conversion, how utterly unfounded is then the course
of these English preachers, who by such tyrannical means sought to
force the faith and conversion (according to their idea) upon these
poor defenseless prisoners, by threatening them with a terrible death.
It appears from this, that they do not believe their principal article
themselves.
This occurred under the reign of Queen Elizabeth, in the eighteenth
year of said reign.
He that will, may read this account also in an old printed hymn, which
was then composed concerning the offering up of these friends.
EXTRACT FROM A WRITING BY GERRIT VAN BYLER’s OWN HAND, HANDED TO US BY
HIS SON JAN VAN BYLER; WRITTEN IN PRISON, AT LONDON, AND CONFIRMATORY
OF THE FOREGOING.
First of all he states that they, more than twenty-five of them being
assembled in prayer to God, on Easter-day, were surprised, apprehended,
and put into the Queen’s prison, where they were confined till the
third day, that they had to give bail for a large amount of money,
etc., some one going security for it; and we, writes G. van Byler,
kept our word.
(From here on we shall follow G. van Byler’s own words.)
We were then brought before Her Majesty’s Bishop, to confess our faith,
which we did.
When we came before the bishop, there were assembled there: Mr. George,
James King, John Wheelwright, two aldermen, and a French preacher.
Again: we came before the lords and their servants; they presented to
us four questions, and thereupon said: “Say yes or no.”
_1. Ques._ Whether Christ had not assumed his flesh and blood from the
virgin Mary?
We replied: That he is the Son of the living God.
_2. Ques._ Whether infants must not be baptized?
We replied: That we could not understand it so, since we had not found
it in the holy Scriptures.
_3. Ques._ Whether a Christian may administer the [criminal] office of
the magistracy?
We replied: That our conscience did not allow it, but that we
recognized it as the servant of God, as we read.
_4. Ques._ Whether a Christian, in case of necessity, may not swear?
We replied: That our conscience did likewise not allow it, because
Christ, in Matthew, had said: “Let your communication be, Yea, yea;
Nay, nay.”
Then we kept silence. The bishop said that our crimes therein were very
great, so that we should not inherit the kingdom of God. O Lord, do not
avenge it!
The bishop then said to us all, that they should conduct us back into
the Mersey, whence we had come out, and keep us confined there.
A young brother, who being questioned first, boldly declared the truth,
was severely accused for it, and taken from us to Westminster, where he
was confined by himself, which grieved us greatly.
While we were thus imprisoned, Mr. George came, and said: That if we
would adhere to the Church, he would release us, and free us from our
bonds, to which end, he said, he had orders from the bishop. But we
adhered valiantly to the truth of Jesus Christ; he is our Captain, and
no other; yea, in him is all our trust.
My dear brethren and beloved sisters, let us courageously persevere,
till we are taken hence. The Lord shall give us to drink of the new
wine. O Lord, strengthen our faith! As we have received the Lord Jesus
Christ, so let us go on, valiantly trusting in him.
When we thought that the conflict was almost over, it was only the
beginning of it. We were put in irons, and each separately confined,
with fetters on our legs. This lasted a little more than three weeks.
In the mean time we had to appear before the lords again, when we were
told that we should be burnt, which was grievous for the flesh; but we
called to God in our distress, that he would strengthen us, as he had
strengthened Israel.
On the morning of the day before Whitsuntide we were two and two
coupled together, and brought before the lords (which was the fourth
time), and we remembered the word of the Lord: “When ye are brought
before lords and princes, fear not what ye shall speak, for it shall be
given you in that hour.” Hence we trusted in the Lord.
When we had been brought there, the lords again presented to us the
aforementioned four questions, and urged us to sign them. But we said,
we would adhere to the word of the Lord.
We were then taken away and each separately confined, and fettered as
previously. The women and one young brother were taken to Newgate,
whence they were conducted on board a vessel, and carried away; and the
brother was tied to a cart and whipped out of the city.
We were then released from our fetters for about five days, which,
however, were put on us again, and then we looked for the end.
After this, two Dutch preachers, sent by the bishop, came and gave a
letter to the jailer.
Thereupon, on the 2d of June, we were bound again, led forth, and
brought before the lords, who again presented to us the aforementioned
four questions, and after this had been done, they sent us into Newgate
prison, where the other friends had been confined.
Then we expected our end in a day or two, for which we greatly longed,
for the imprisonment was severe; however it was not yet the Lord’s will.
When we had been confined there about eight days, one of our brethren
was delivered from the flesh, and died a godly death, at which all of
us were called to be present, to witness it.
In the mean time we were confined among many thieves and criminals, to
whom the bishop, as also a preacher, said that they should take care
not to be seduced by us.
After many storms Mr. Godfrey and two others came, and we were confined
in cages, so that we could not converse with our neighbors.
And as a thunder clap, death was, from day to day, announced to us,
by hanging, burning, and otherwise; however, the Lord strengthened
us, praise be to his holy name. They also told me before, that when
I should be in the heat of the flames, I could not bow or beckon for
pardon; hence I should do it before, said they, for the less pain the
better; so that I should not have to suffer much in death.
Thus we waited for death from day to day; we thought little of our
lives, though it was grievous for the flesh, and consoled ourselves
with the thought that once, at all events, we had to die.
My severest conflict was, that I had to leave my dear wife and all my
little innocent children. After twelve days two of us were informed,
that they should have to die by fire on the third day; whereupon on
Tuesday, a stake was erected in Smithfield; but the execution did not
take place.
On Wednesday much people were gathered, to behold the death of our two
friends; however, they dispersed again. But this was done for the sake
of intimidation, to draw our friends and us from the faith. But on
Friday, two of our friends, namely, Hendrick Terwoort and Jan Pieterss,
were taken from prison and led forth to be offered up.
Jan Pieterss said as he was going out: “This way went all the pious
prophets, as also Christ our Savior, which has been thus from the
beginning of days, from the time of Abel.”
These two were put at a stake in Smithfield, and strove through by
force, in the midst of the fire, thus becoming a sacrifice before the
Lord, which they offered up to him alive.
NOTICE.--Here follows in this writing a hymn, with the remark, that
Jan Pieterss Wagemaker, who was burned at this time, composed the same
before his death, in prison. It treats of the sufferings of all the
righteous, until Jesus Christ and his apostles, and many martyrs, and
begins thus:
_Hoort Vriendekens al te samen,
Een lied heb ik gestelt, etc._
And concludes with this stanza:
_Die dit lied heeft begonnen,
Hy was seer teer en krank:
Had hy den strijd gewonnen
Het ware wel sijnen dank.
Den strijd was in saysoene.
Als hy dit eerstmael sank;
Te Londen was ’tte doene
Daer hy was in bedwank._
Then follows another hymn, which concludes thus:
_Die dit lied heeft begonnen,
Verblijd was hy al in den geest,
Uyt liefden was hy daer toe gedrongen,
Als hy lag in benouwen meest.
Tot God was alleen sijn verlangen,
Die hem kan sterken totten end,
Te Londen daer hy lag gevangen,
In Nieuwgeet seer wel bekent._
Again, another stanza.
_Wy zijn, O Heer! nu in den strijd,
Och! wilt ons doch bewaren,
Van ons vyanden, nu ter tijd,
Die ons benouwen aen allen zijd’,
O! Heer, ons doch bevrijd!
Op dat wy wel volherden.
O God gy zijt een Heere groot,
Sterkt ons altijd in onsen nood._
After that, the following words were written by Gerrit van Byler:
_Hope of Believers_: Though they condemn me here upon this earth, I
nevertheless certainly believe with the prophet David (Ps. 27:13): That
I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living; hence I
rejoice in the Lord, and am of good cheer and undismayed, assured that
my Redeemer liveth. _Spes mea in Deo._[338]
[338] My hope is in God.
In Newgate, at London, in September, in the year 1575. Written by me.
GERRIT VAN BYLER.
EXTRACT FROM THE APPENDED MATTERS IN THE OLD MARTYRS MIRROR, EDITION OF
1631, PAGE 964, COL. 2.
We received, too late, a certain chronicle of England, by Egmont Howes,
a nobleman in London, printed A. D. 1615, by Thomas Dauwson, in which,
on page 678, the following is related, as having occurred under Queen
Elizabeth, A. D. 1575:
On Easter-day, being the 3d of April, about nine o’clock in the
forenoon, there was discovered a gathering of Dutch Anabaptists,
Hollanders, in a house beyond the Aldgate; seventeen of whom were
apprehended, and four cast into prison.
On the 21st of May, on Whitsuntide eve, one man and ten women, Dutch
Anabaptists, were condemned, in the Consistory of St. Paul’s church, to
be burnt in a place called Smithfield; however, after much labor and
pains with them, only one woman turned, and the rest were banished from
the country.
On the 22d of July two Dutch Anabaptists were burned in the place
called Smithfield, who died in great terror, weeping and crying. So far
the aforementioned author.
We have deemed it well to add this here, since it serves to confirm
the foregoing; as also, to testify that they did not suffer for any
reviling against Her Majesty (as circulated by some), but only for
their faith. And this is the more authentic, because it was recorded by
the hand of their adversaries.
TWO LETTERS WRITTEN BY THESE IMPRISONED FRIENDS, AS WE HAVE FOUND THEM
IN A SMALL, OLD, PRINTED BOOK.
We poor and despised strangers, who are in persecution for the
testimony of Jesus Christ, wish all men, of whatever race or office,
from God, that the Lord would grant them a long peace, so that we may
live in peace among one another, in all godliness, to the praise and
glory of the Lord, and the salvation of the soul.
Since we are by so many persons, both with word and pen, very unjustly
accused and slandered, we are for this important reason constrained
briefly, in writing, to present the ground of our faith, and thus make
it known as follows:
We are not addressed, and interrogated concerning our faith, with a
meek spirit, as the holy Scriptures teach; but reproach is heaped upon
reproach, and lie upon lie, to increase and augment our afflictions and
sorrows; and because they also have no pity for our poor weak women
and children. Our country and kindred, and our property, we had to
leave (partly, because of the great tyranny), and fled as lambs before
wolves, only for the true evangelical truth of Jesus Christ, and not
for any sedition or heresy, as the Munsterite errors or abominations
were, and as (God forbid!) is reported of us. We fain would that our
whole faith and life were written on our forehead, so that every one
might know and see what we believe, and what we seek and desire here
upon earth. There should nothing be found but a true faith in full
accordance with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and an unblamable life,
seeking to provide bread for our wives and children, even as God has
commanded and as the Scriptures teach, 1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:8;
Eph. 4:28; 1 Thess. 4:11. O that our persecutors knew that this is the
desire of our hearts, they certainly could not but have great pity and
compassion upon us poor, despised strangers, if there be any human pity
and compassion in them at all, and they would, according to the words
of the Lord, have compassion upon us, as the prophet says: “Bring the
poor that are afflicted to thy house.” Is. 58:7. Moses says: “If a
stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him; but the
stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among
you, and thou shalt love him as thyself.” Lev. 19:33,34.
Mark well that God commands to love the stranger as one’s own self.
Who is in misery and dwelling in a strange country, that likes to be
despised, and driven out of it with his fellow-believers, and suffer
great loss besides? Hence Christ says: “All things whatsoever ye would
that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law
and the prophets.” Matt. 7:12. O that they would deal so with us,
according to natural equity, and the evangelical truth (of which our
persecutors so greatly boast), how soon should the persecutors cease,
and the lying and slandering mouths be stopped. For Christ and his
own persecuted no one, but in his true Gospel taught the contrary, as
he says: “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; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in
heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good.”
Matt. 5:44,45. This is the doctrine left by Christ and his apostles,
as they themselves declare, even as Paul says: “Even unto this present
hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted,
and have no certain dwelling place; and labor, working with our own
hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being
defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are
the offscouring of all things unto this day.” 1 Cor. 4:11–13. Paul
further says: “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution.” 2 Tim. 3:12.
From all this it is demonstrable, that those who have the true
evangelical doctrine and faith will persecute no one, but will
themselves be persecuted. If it be said to us, that we are persecuted
for our heretical faith, according to Paul’s teaching, and because God
has commanded to kill the false prophets (Deut. 13:9), we reply thus:
Paul says, that we are to reject (avoid) a man that is a heretic, after
the first and second admonition. Tit. 3:10. He does not say: Drive
them out of the country and city without hearing or admonishing them.
Besides, one must also know who are heretics: namely, those who advance
a doctrine that is beside and contrary to the word of the Lord. But no
man can convince us of this; that is, that our doctrine and faith are
contrary to the doctrine of Jesus Christ and his holy apostles, as the
sequel will show.