must be taken from you, though I would most gladly have remained with
you, to help you on, and to bring you up in the fear of God, but it
was not the Lord’s pleasure, for if it were not for the Lord’s sake,
it were impossible for me, thus to leave your mother and my dear son,
for I know of no person, nor any treasures so great in the whole world,
that for it I should be willing to leave you, but for the sake of
Christ Jesus all must be forsaken; for Christ says: If any man forsake
not all, father and mother, sister, brother, husband, wife, child, yea,
and his own life also, with all that he possesses, he is not worthy of
me; and if any man love aught more, he cannot be his disciple; since
it is the will of God, that we must part, and I cannot speak with you
orally, I would write a little for instruction in the fear of God, as
the wise man says: “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and
forsake not the law of thy mother.” Prov. 1:8. Be ever ready to do
what is commanded you of God, that is, that you are to learn from your
youth to know, fear and obey him; for obedience proceeds from the fear
of God, and the fear of God proceeds from the knowledge of God. Hence
Solomon writes: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”
Proverbs 1:7. For a child that knows his father, that he is so honest
and righteous, that he will not have his children to run with other
children in the street, fight, quarrel, and speak bad words, or bring
home stolen things; children that know their father thus, are afraid
to do such things, thinking: If I do this, I shall be beaten. Prov.
13:24. Thus also, my dear son, the Lord is a righteous God, who will
not tolerate sin; but he will punish them that commit it; hence we must
fear him, and not commit sin. For the fear of God drives out sin, and
he that fears God will do good. Prov. 16:6; Sir. 15. As Solomon says:
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of wisdom, to depart from the snares
of death. Proverbs 14:27. For, my dear son, the wages of sin is death.
Rom. 6:23.
Hence, since the fear of God drives out sin, we avoid by it the cause
through which we incur death, that is, sin.
Therefore, my dear son, endeavor from your youth to walk in the fear of
the Lord, so that you will at no time consent to sin, and not forget
the commandments of the Lord your God. But fear the Lord, while he may
be feared; for they that fear the Lord walk in the right way. Prov.
14:2. “For the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and to
depart from evil is understanding.” Job 28:28.
Hence, my child, fear the Lord and depart from evil; for the prophet
Jeremiah says; “How good it is for a man, to take upon him the yoke of
the Lord from his youth; and for one that is forsaken, to be patient,
when he meeteth with adversity.” Lam. 3:27,28. And Ecclesiasticus
says: “My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou
find wisdom till thine old age.” Sir. 6:18. And beware of all evil
companions, that might seduce you to affiliate with the world; for the
world lieth in wickedness, and shall perish with all its lusts. 1 John
5:19; 2:17.
Therefore, my dear child, love not the world, neither the things that
are therein; for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and
the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father,
but of the world, vs. 15,16. Hence abstain from fleshly lusts, which
war against the soul. 1 Pet. 2:11; Gal. 5:16. Paul also says: “Flee
youthful lusts.” 2 Tim. 2:22. For youthful lusts have plunged many into
perdition.
My child, heed the instruction of your father, and forget it not.
Prov. 4:1. Refrain your tongue from backbiting, and beware of lying.
Ps. 15:3. For the mouth that lieth slayeth the soul. Wis. 1:11. For
liars have no part in the New Jerusalem, but their part is in the fiery
lake that shall burn with fire and brimstone: which is the second
death. And the backbiter causes much contention and strife; he also
raises discord and envy, and separates good friends. Moses writes:
“Let there be no backbiter or slanderer among you.” Lev. 19:16. Hence,
my son, beware of backbiting; and wherever you live or go in and out
in a house, be reserved, and tell not out of the house what happens
within; and keep silent about all that ought to be kept secret, and
you will make yourself beloved. And always be faithful to people, and
beware of stealing, for it is a great sin, for thieves have no part in
the kingdom of God: nor is a thief trusted or loved by any one, but
wherever he comes his hands are watched.
Thus, my dear son, always acquit yourself honestly in the fear of God,
and beware of all sin and transgression; and it shall be well with you
at the last day, when the Lord shall reward every one according to his
works, such as he has done, whether it be good or bad. My son, remember
that it is written: Honor thy father and mother; that thou mayest live
long on the earth. Ex. 20:12; Ephesians 6:2,3. For this is the first
commandment with promise in the law. But the greatest honor which
children show their parents, is that they are obedient to them, in all
that is not contrary to the Lord and his commandment. Hence, my dear
son, though you lose me, be not impudent to your mother, but obey her
the more; for the sole care will now be upon her. Therefore, my child,
grieve her not in your life, for in Ecclesiasticus it is written: He
that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer; and he that angereth his
mother is cursed of God. Sir. 3:16. Hence love her, and remember how
much pain she suffered for your sake, and how she bore you, under her
heart, and shall have much to suffer yet, to bring you up, and to earn
a livelihood. Tob. 4:4; 2 Mace. 7:27.
Hence, my dear child, apply yourself from your youth to labor and
industry, and when you are grown up and can earn something, let your
mother profit by it; and always labor diligently and willingly,
and do not think it irksome to do your best, to help your mother
gain a livelihood, for before she has done it for you. And beware of
being idle or slothful, for from idleness proceeds much evil; and
slothfulness makes thieves of children, and thus they finally come to
a bad end. Hence, my son, never desire it, but labor, working with
your hands that which is honest, that you may have to give to him that
needeth. Eph. 4:28.
Herewith I will commend you, my dear son, and your mother, to the
Lord--O bitter parting; yet for His sake who is able to provide for
you, and to keep you from all evil I hope to leave you. The Lord grant
you his grace, that you may grow up in the knowledge of God, through
the Holy Ghost; so that you, according to the sentence of the righteous
judgment of God (Rom. 2:5), may be found righteous for his kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, to whom be praise and glory
forever and ever. Amen.
Written by me, your father. Adieu, my dear son, whom I love more than
any silver or gold or precious stones; but God must be the dearest.
Adieu; love conquers all things; once more adieu, my dear son; read
over often this which your father has written you out of love; and
comfort your mother, and always be kind to her in all subjection in the
fear of God; the Lord grant grace, that this be so. Amen.
RAPHEL VAN DEN VELDE.
THE LAST LETTER FROM RAPHEL VAN DEN VELDE, WRITTEN TO HIS WIFE AFTER HE
HAD RECEIVED THE MESSAGE THAT HE WAS TO DIE.
Grace and peace, love, patience, longsuffering, kindness, power and
strength in your faith, this I, Raphel, wish you my dear and in God
beloved wife and sister in the Lord, as an affectionate adieu; the Lord
grant you and us all grace, that we may hereafter see one another in
the eternal joy. My love, I thank you for your letter, which you sent
me for a comfort in my last extremity. And I also thank Kestijntgen
heartily; and her dear husband also thanks her, and now bids an
affectionate adieu; the Lord grant you grace, that you may follow him
at the proper time; and he also thanks you, that you the last time so
cheered and rejoiced his heart; adieu, adieu. I wrote this after I had
received the message that I must die, which was to me a joyful message,
according to the spirit. But it seems that the flesh now and then is
inclined to shrink back, which is not surprising, for it is touched by
it.
Herewith, my love, I will commit and commend you and my dear son to the
Lord; he will provide for you in soul and body, this is my confidence
to God. My love, be resigned to my sufferings and death, for all
men must once die, and many a man loses his life in an ignominious,
dreadful and unhappy manner; but this is for the most glorious cause
that one can find, and the most blessed work that one can do, and
though it is attended with distress, yet the reward will make ample
amends. O my love, be resigned and of good cheer, and Kestijntgen our
sister too; and thank God, that you had such husbands, who confessed
the truth, with all might and great power, and with much labor. Thanks
be unto God, who has helped us to triumph. 2 Cor. 2:14. We may now say
with the apostle Paul: The fight is fought, the course is finished, the
faith is kept; the crown of life is now ready for us. 2 Tim. 4:7,8. O
Lord, what a glorious comfort. O my love, remember frequently what I
have written you for the edification and consolation of your mind; and
forget me, for it is a sealed fact, that the dead will not return.
Herewith I bid you adieu, adieu, adieu, flesh and blood, adieu, adieu,
farewell.
Written in my extremity, by me, your dear husband and brother in the
Lord.
RAPHEL VAN DEN VELDE.
TO CLAES SCHEPENS.
The eternal grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, and the
kindness and love of his Son, and the fellowship and consolation of the
Holy Ghost, be with you my dear brother and sister in the Lord, as an
affectionate greeting and perpetual adieu in this time. The Lord grant
his grace, that we may hereafter see one another in eternity. Amen.
After much affectionate greeting and loving reverence to you, let me
please inform your love, that my mind is still unchangeably fixed, to
confess and serve the Lord, according to my weak ability, all the days
of my life; and I also have the same good confidence concerning you;
which I also partly understand from what you write in your letter, by
which I was comforted, when I heard it read. May the Lord always grant
you to grow up, and to be strengthened and increased in the same, to
his praise, and to the salvation of your souls. Amen.
Further, dear brother and sister in the Lord, I inform you how it goes
with me in my bonds, namely, that I am very much resigned, the Lord
be thanked for his great grace; the Lord comforts and strengthens me
so and makes my bonds so light, that I sometimes scarcely know that I
am imprisoned; and he takes away my fear, and rejoices my heart, and
gives me new strength. 2 Cor. 1:5; Is. 40:31. And though the false
prophets shoot their deadly arrows at me, the Lord so faithfully
preserves me, that it does not harm, but rather rejoices me, though
they have assailed me very subtly, with many fair words, and I had to
resist very many, and to hear from my father, and Lieven de Kroock, and
Maeye Moeye, and our cousin Pieter, and Daniel de Keyser. Those who
apprehended me were with me on Ash Wednesday, and they led me upon such
a high mountain, and offered me so many fair promises without power, if
I had wanted to listen to them; but thanks be to God, who always helps
us to triumph. Yea, they said so much to me, that I think it could
not be written on four sheets. Lieven de Kroock said at first, that
I had devils in me by the score, and that he saw them sitting on my
shoulders. Then said I: “Will you not take down one?” And it seemed to
me, they sought to make me drunk, but I would not drink, though they
tormented me greatly to do it; but the Lord gave me strength to resist
it. I further inform your love, that my father was with me again to-day
alone, and tormented me greatly; but I told him, that he should be
satisfied, since I did in no wise wish to forsake the Lord. And he told
me, that you were also spoiled of and driven from your possessions,
which greatly grieved me when I heard it. But, my dear brother and
sister in the Lord, be of good cheer, and patient in your tribulation
and affliction; for we must know, that it is given unto us, not only
to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for his name. Phil. 1:29. And
Christ himself says: If any man forsake not all for my name’s sake, he
cannot be my disciple; and if any man love aught more than me, he is
not worthy of me. Luke 14:26,27.
Hence, my much beloved friends, think of the words of Tobit, when he
had also become so poor, for the Lord’s sake: “My child,” he says,
“true, we are poor; but be of good cheer, we shall have much wealth,
if we fear God, do good, and shun sin.” Tob. 4:21. For, dear and in
God beloved friends, we are children of the saints, and hope for a
life which God shall give to those who stand up for him and continue
steadfast in the faith. Therefore do not become weary in the way of
the Lord, and do not faint because of the tribulation, but persevere
firmly, until you are taken hence. I further understand from your
letter, that it is your intention to remove; which I pray you myself to
do, since they greatly seek your life, and ask you much concerning me.
And Maeyken Moeye said, that it was your fault, that I was here; but I
said: “No.” Furthermore, dear brother and sister, I entreat your love,
that you would remember me with a fervent heart in your prayer to God,
that I may fight a good fight, and finish my course, to the salvation
of my soul; I hope to do the same also for you, and that the Lord will
prosper you on your journey, in soul and body. I now bid your love, my
dear and in God beloved brother and sister in the Lord, an affectionate
and perpetual adieu. The same great, omnipotent, almighty God, who
led Jacob, when he had to flee, guide also you, and bring you into
everlasting rest. Amen. Adieu, farewell, farewell, adieu, adieu.
I Raphel van den Velde (the writer of this) also greet your love most
heartily with the peace of the Lord.
Love overcomes all things.
Your beloved weak brother.
JERONYMUS SCHEPENS.
LOUWERENS THE SHOEMAKER, A. D. 1576.
In the year 1576, at the time of the Spanish Fury (on the 4th of
November), there was in confinement at Antwerp a godfearing, pious
brother, named Louwerens the Shoemaker, for no other reason, than
that he would not follow the world and all its false inventions and
wickedness (in which she lies), but forsook it, and sought with the
people of God to lead a godly life, and to follow Christ in the
regeneration. He was therefore apprehended and tormented with great
and dreadful tortures, by the enemies of the truth, the blood-thirsty
papists. They tortured him in such an unchristian-like and tyrannical
manner, that his body was completely crippled, for in the Spanish Fury
the prisons were opened, and the prisoners ran out, so that the jailer
said: “Louwerens, run out too.” He answered: “Whither shall I run? for
I am so crippled, that I cannot earn my bread.” And remaining thus in
confinement, he was, after the Spanish Fury was over, brought forth,
and confirmed the faith of the truth with his death and blood, at said
place. Therefore, at the glorious appearing of Christ from heaven, he
shall receive the glorious crown, which no man shall ever take from
him; and having been thus planted with Christ in the likeness of his
death, he shall also forever be a partaker with him of the glorious
resurrection. Rev. 20:4; Acts 1:11; 2 Thess. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:8; John
16:22; Rom. 6:5.
HANS BRET, A. D. 1576.
Hans Bret, who was about twenty-one years old, and the son of one
Thomas Bret, an Englishman, was (besides his daily labor which he
performed in the service of his master) very diligently concerned and
engaged with the study of the word of the Lord, in which he constantly
exercised himself in the morning and evening also, generally, exhorting
with edifying, profitable and instructive passages from the holy
Scriptures, those with whom he had intercourse, to a virtuous and godly
life. He would also not spend Sunday idly, but truly sanctifying and
observing it, generally sought together a number of new converts, to
whom he diligently went in all kindness, giving out to them in the
fear of God some edifying questions from the Scriptures, whereby he
exhorted them to repent and desist from their sinful life, showing them
the indignation which God shall pour out upon the children of unbelief
and unrighteousness, and the gracious promises of salvation which are
promised in eternal life to the penitent children of faith. This his
exhorting he did with such becoming earnestness and edifying doctrine,
that many sought to be with him, perceiving in him the powerful work
of God and his advancement in the knowledge of Christ, with which he,
though so young in years, was very richly filled, and which he also did
not keep to himself alone, but allowed it to break forth and flow from
him without fear, to the profit and advantage of his neighbor. 2 Cor.
3:5; Phil. 3:8; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Cor. 10:33.
But the devil, the enemy of righteousness, and envier of the increase
of virtue and of the church of Christ, could not long tolerate or
endure this; for, perceiving in this servant the godly zeal in the
truth, and assiduity to convert the erring, he, by his instruments
(blood-thirsty men, who always have dishonored the temple of God,
murdered his sheep, slain his saints, shed their blood, and given their
flesh as meat to the beasts of the field), sought to trouble this
servant of God with affliction, and to hinder the brightness of his
light, which he also partly effected and accomplished; for about two
months after he had been baptized upon the confession of his faith,
according to the command of Christ, in the name of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost, there came, on the sixth day of May, in the
year 1576, about nine o’clock in the evening, the Bailiff of Antwerp,
with many servants, to the house of Hans Bret’s master, who had been
betrayed with all his household. They closely guarded this house
from behind, where it had two exits, as well as in front, with armed
men and beadles, and then knocked at the front door, which Hans Bret
came to open (not knowing that those who thirsted for the blood of
his master and his household, and for his own, stood before it), and
asked who was there. They said: “Open,” and pretended that they wanted
to buy something. In the meantime, hearing that they had inserted an
instrument in the door, to open it from the outside, he began to think
that they were the wolves and tyrants, who came to devour the innocent
and harmless sheep of Christ, and did not open the door to them; but
they managed to open it from without, which perceiving, Hans Bret ran
into the house, where his master with his wife and several other women
sat eating, and warned them of it, who all quickly rose up and ran to
the rear, thinking (as also Hans Bret) to escape by the back door;
but when they opened this, the Bailiff’s beadles showed themselves
with great cruelty, speedily apprehending and capturing all whom God
permitted them, among whom there was also this servant of God; but his
master and several others with him were wonderfully and remarkably
delivered and preserved through the hand and assistance of God. Jer.
1:8; Acts 26:17. Behold, thus did this innocent sheep of Christ fall
into the hands of the wolves, and was confined in prison, only for the
faith in the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the practice of the
same.
Now, how he conducted himself in his bonds; how they, through wiles and
snares, fair promises and severe threats, sought to move him from, and
despoil him of, the salvation of his soul; and how they, because he
had written some letters to his brethren and friends, cast him into a
loathsome dungeon; together with the various disputations which he had
with the priests and soul-seducers, and also how he answered them, and
what boldness he manifested through the help of God; all this you will
find fully treated and revealed in the following letters written by him.
When he had been confined about eight months, the tyrants finally went
to the utmost of their power in the case of this servant of God and
faithful follower of Christ, and, on Friday before Derthien-Avondt, in
the year 1577, had him brought into court, whither he went very boldly,
since his bonds were not for any crime, evil, or unrighteousness,
but for the doctrine of his Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, for
righteousness and truth, for which the children of God have always had
abundantly to suffer, who have helped Christ to bear his cross, as a
true ensign that they are Christ’s servants, disciples and followers.
Being brought before the lords and judges, he was asked, whether he
had been baptized upon his faith, which he finally confessed and
acknowledged, not ashamed of what he had done by the command of his
Lord and Master Christ Jesus, though he certainly knew that they did
not ask him to be taught of him, but only to get a word from his
mouth by which they might sentence him to death. When the lords and
criminal judges had heard this Christian confession, they rose up and
went to sentence him to death; and having returned from their evil
consultation, they pronounced and declared their sentence over this
servant of God: that he should publicly be burnt alive at the stake
till death should ensue.
When he had received his sentence, he was conducted back to prison,
undismayed and of good courage, where he doubtless addressed some
Scriptural remarks to the common people, as setting forth the cause of
his imprisonment and suffering not to be any evil or crime, but the
faith of the pure and saving truth, which the world cannot endure.
Romans 10:9.
Thus he (Hans Bret) was brought back from the court into prison, and
confined and held there till the following day, which was Saturday;
then, in the morning, the executioner came to him into prison, in order
to screw fast his tongue, close his mouth, and prevent his speaking. O
miserable work!
Murderers, and the very worst criminals have the privilege and
permission of freely using their tongue; but, behold here a follower
of Christ, a child of God, a servant of faith, one separated from
the world, in whom dwells righteousness and no cause of death is
found--behold, how he is prepared for death by closing his mouth
and screwing fast his tongue, that the truth may not be proclaimed,
righteousness not heard, nor any testimony be given of the name of
Christ. O Christ, look down, and succor thy saints.
When the executioner had come to him, he commanded him to put out his
tongue, which he (faithful and pious servant of God), willingly did,
since he had not a member on his body, which he was not willing to
deliver up to suffering for the name of Christ, being well assured that
all the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared
with the joy and glory which God has promised them that overcome. Matt.
10:22; Romans 8:18; Rev. 2:7.
And when he put out his tongue, the executioner fastened it with a
piece of iron, and screwed it very tight with a vise or screw, and then
touched the end of the tongue with a hot iron, that swelling, the screw
might not slip off or become loose. O bitter cruelty and great tyranny.
When they had thus closed his mouth, and screwed fast his tongue, the
fire with which he was to be offered up being already prepared in the
market place, they led him forth, with his hands tied together, from
prison, and placed him into a wagon, to convey him to the market place,
to the spot where his sacrifice for the word of truth was to take place.
It is said that they took this wagon for the reason that the way
that leads from the prison to the market place, could not well be
walked, because of the burnt houses which had been set on fire by the
Spaniards, at the taking of Antwerp.
When he stepped into the wagon, he saw several persons of his
acquaintance, whom he boldly and joyfully beheld, showing by his
actions the desire which he had to come to the place where his
sacrifice was to take place. He affectionately bowed his head, and
greeted divers persons with the head, expressing and manifesting his
steadfastness by his countenance and actions, all to the praise of God,
who bestows such strength and power upon his saints, as being their
protector, refuge, help, power, strength, and strong bulwark in all
distress, tribulation, sorrow, and suffering inflicted upon them by the
world for the true saving faith in Jesus Christ. Matt. 28:20; Ps. 18:2;
Matt. 16:16.