fire, he lifted himself up, and being clothed with Christian glory,
descended from the wagon, being of good courage in God, strong in
faith, and persevering in the conflict. With folded hands, he bowed
his knees to the earth, humbly casting his eyes up to heaven, thus
preparing himself to worship his Lord and God, and to commend himself
to him, even as behooves every Christian believer. Luke 23:46. But when
those blood-thirsty men saw this, they could not tolerate or endure it
(which they nevertheless permit criminals to do, who are put to death
for their evil deeds); but very hurriedly and quickly pulling him up
from the ground, they prevented him from calling to God upon his knees,
and with great cruelty conducted him to the stake. To suffer all this,
he went into the hut (constructed of straw and wood), humbly and meekly
stepping to where they placed him at the stake, and made him fast by
putting chains around his body, all of which he endured with great
steadfastness for the word and truth of Christ. And as he thus stood
in the hut, at the stake, they finally kindled the fire, thus burning
alive and devouring this lamb, whose body, indeed, was burnt, but whose
soul was received into paradise, into joy and blessed rest, because he
confessed Christ, who has promised salvation to them that endure.
Thus did this young and pious Christian, aged about twenty-one years,
end his life, and offer and deliver up his body for the word of God, in
the year 1577, on Derthien-Avondt, and thus he became a witness among
the witnesses of Jesus, a confessor among the confessors of Christ, a
Christian conqueror among the soldiers of the Lord, a soul among the
souls of Christ at rest under the altar, a faithful servant among the
servants of Christ, whose reward is the crown of eternal, imperishable
life.
Here follow some letters which Hans Bret wrote during his imprisonment.
THE FIRST LETTER OF HANS BRET, WRITTEN ON MONDAY AFTER WHITSUNTIDE, A.
D. 1576, AT ANTWERP, IN PRISON, TO HIS DEAR AND BELOVED MOTHER.
Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, through his only Son
Christ Jesus, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost, for the increase of
your faith, and to the salvation of your soul, this I wish you, my
heartily beloved mother, from the very depth of my soul. Amen.
Most dearly beloved mother, let me please inform you, that I am
well according to the flesh, thanks to the good God; but according
to the spirit, I thank the Lord, and praise him for his unspeakable
grace, that he gives me strength by his Holy Spirit, so that my mind
is unchanged, the Lord be thanked. And I trust in the Lord that he
will give me strength by his Holy Spirit, even as he through grace
has hitherto done to this hour, to me poor man, for which the Lord
be praised forever. For from him alone we expect our strength, to
withstand these cruel wolves, so that they can have no power over our
souls, for they are more cruel than wolves--they are not satisfied
with our body, that they tear that; but they seek to devour and kill
our souls, as I told three priests. Is. 40:29; Zeph. 3:3. However,
according to the words of Christ, they cannot harm our souls; for
when they have done all that they can (however not without the Lord’s
permission), they can but kill our body, which I gladly suffer for the
name of Christ, and have a desire to be delivered from this flesh, and
to be in joy with Christ, who has prepared for us a dwelling not made
with hands, but which is eternal in the heavens. Rom. 7:24; 2 Peter
1:14; Phil. 1:23; 2 Cor. 5:1. We now look not at the things which are
seen, but hope in the things which are not seen--in the imperishable,
to be crowned with the crown of eternal life, yea, to be clothed in
fine, white linen, and to rest with the souls that are under the altar,
that were slain for the word of God, until the number of our brethren
is fulfilled, who shall also be killed, according to the testimony of
John in his Revelation. 2 Esdras 2:43; Rev. 19:8; 6:9,11.
Therefore I long, dear mother, from one Saturday to another, to offer
up my sacrifice. I had so fondly hoped, that I should this day offer up
my sacrifice, but it has not pleased the Lord; hence I hope to offer up
my sacrifice next Saturday, if it please the Lord, and to have with the
Lord that joy and gladness which ear has never heard, and of which the
heart of man cannot conceive, yea, which is prepared for the righteous,
who were not ashamed to confess the name of the Lord before this
adulterous generation, as long as they had breath to speak, in their
bodies, yea, until they were deprived of speech. 1 Pet. 1:8; 1 Cor.
2:9; Mark 8:38. Therefore, my dearest mother, rejoice, and thank the
Lord, that he counts me, your son, an unworthy man, worthy to suffer
for his name, and to offer up my body to him, to the praise of his holy
name. Acts 5:41; Rom. 12:1.
For, my dear mother, there happens to me nothing but what has happened
to all God’s righteous ones, from the beginning of the world until this
present day. If they killed Christ, the Author of faith, in whom was no
sin, what shall they do to the servants? for the disciple is not above
his master, says Christ. Hence console yourself, my dear mother, and
rejoice therein; for they can do no more to me, than the Lord permits
them. For the Lord says: That the very hairs of our head are all
numbered. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without his will; but of
how much greater value are we than the sparrows. Matt. 10:29–31. Yea,
he says that we are not to fear them that kill the body, for they have
no power over the soul. Hence be resigned, and pray the Lord for me and
my fellow prisoners.
My mother, I would write you more for your consolation, but I hope that
you are better comforted of the Lord, than I should be able to comfort
you with my writing; and I also forbear so that you may learn something
about how it goes with our imprisonment, for otherwise my paper would
not suffice. For I presume that you greatly desire to hear it, even as
I desire to hear from you, as to how you are. I hope that you, as also
all of you, are well, both according to body and soul, for which I pray
the Lord, and remember all of you in my prayer to the Lord. Remember
also, in your prayers, us poor prisoners according to the flesh, but
rich according to the spirit, as I also hope to remember you, for
James says that the prayer of the righteous avails much (James 5:16);
that we may finish our conflict with joy, for we have to strive not
only against flesh and blood, or the priests of Jezebel, but against
invisible spirits, namely the enemy, who always seeks to hinder and
quench that which is good, with deception and lies; yea, I fear that
you will hear, or have already heard, through the great falsehoods
which the enemy of the truth is spreading, that I wanted to listen to
the priests. Yes, they do not hesitate to tell great falsehoods here in
this prison, for they went twice in one day to N., and told her that
I wanted to listen to the priests; yea, the great priest, the Dean,
was not ashamed to speak abominable falsehoods to N., in order to rob
her, by deception and lies, of her salvation, with these words: “Your
servant wants to hearken to us, and to repent;” and other like words
which Satan (who was a liar from the beginning) knows how to use; so
that she has to endure no small conflict, from the priests, as well as
from her brother, who causes her great conflict. As regards N., her
friends exert themselves very greatly to procure her release; but in
what manner, I do not know. I have exhorted her that she should take
heed, which to rehearse here would be too long. She has told me, that
her mind is unchanged, and that she does not want to be ashamed of the
truth.
Touching N., I know so far nothing but good, and that her mind is all
right, the Lord be thanked; for she longs with me only for the day
of our deliverance from this flesh, and to offer up our sacrifice.
For yesterday evening, which was Whitsuntide-evening, about eleven
o’clock I spoke with N.; then she was somewhat grieved, because she
had said to the priests, that she would listen to them in whatever
agreed with the word of God; because she thought that the priests had
thereby gotten some occasion to say of her that she wanted to hearken
to them. Hence I comforted her about this, and told her that I myself
should say it, and that there was nothing evil in it, since their
abominable idolatry is contrary to the word of God, and can never agree
with it, for there is a great difference between darkness and light.
Is. 5:20; 2 Corinthians 6:14. And as regards myself, I thank the good
God, who beholds me, unworthy man, with his eyes of mercy, and gives
me strength by his Holy Spirit, to confess his word and truth before
this adulterous generation; yea, who counts me, poor miserable man,
worthy that I am to offer up my body to him, to the praise of his holy
name. Phil. 2:17. O my mother, thank and praise, with me, the good God,
who looks upon me, unworthy man, with his eyes of mercy, through his
Son Christ Jesus; who shows me so many benefits. How shall I be able
sufficiently to praise and glorify him for the unspeakable grace and
mercy that he is showing to meward, here in this lions’ den. Thank now
the Lord with me for his goodness which he shows us through his Son
Christ Jesus, for which praise be to him now and forever. Amen.
I hope now to write you a little, relating very briefly how my
examination by the priests passed off.
The first time that I spoke with the priests, which according to my
recollection, was about eight days before Whitsuntide, there came
the Dean, that great, large priest, with another priest, whom we are
wont to call the inquisitor (my master knows him well), and who cries
and storms the most. We talked for a long time, and I reproved their
idolatry, as much as the Lord by his Holy Spirit gave me utterance.
Hence this priest began to speak of the Supper, and asked me, whether
that was not the real body which Christ gave to his disciples, and his
blood. I said: “No.” Then the priest began to clamor and to rave, and
talked very abusively, saying that it were better if I had concerned
myself with making my confectionery, or selling groceries, than
with the Scriptures. I said: “I may concern myself with reading the
Scriptures, for Christ says: Search the Scriptures; for they are they
which testify of me.” John 5:39. Then the Dean said: “Hear those who
have studied the Scriptures all their life.” “Yes,” said I, “they study
amiss.” “I ask you,” I said, “where did Paul study or go to college?
show me this with the Scriptures.” “Did he not?” “No.” “Did he not go
to Ananias?” said the Dean. “Yes; but he did not study there.” Then he
began again to talk abusively, and they said that the devil had me by
the throat. Matt. 12:24.
While we were thus talking, there came another priest, a Jesuit, so
that there were three of them sitting there. Then the priest again
commenced to speak of the Supper. Therefore I asked them: When Christ
gave the bread to his disciples, and said: Take, eat; this is my body:
this do in remembrance of me; whether Christ himself remained sitting
there? He said: “Yes.” I said: “Hence it is not to be understood so”
(as you say); and I told him that he did not understand the Scriptures.
I said that a carnal man cannot understand that which is spiritual,
for, says Paul, it is foolishness unto him. 1 Cor. 2:14. Then he cried:
“What can you say about me, am I a drunkard?” _Ans._ “Your idolatries
bear witness what you are, and also the Scriptures reveal your horrible
idolatry, which is an abomination in the sight of God; yes, I am sorry
that you are so in error.” They cried: “You err.” The Jesuit cried
every time, that the devil had me by the throat, and that I was a
proud fool; and other like words. I said: “I rejoice that I am thus
despised for Christ’s sake.” They clamored so loudly, that one could
scarcely utter a sentence. The Dean cried to the others: “_Domine,
Domine_;[343] let him go, we shall gain no laurels with him.” But
the priest commenced again to talk of the Supper. I told him that he
had to understand it spiritually, and proved it to him with several
Scriptures, as, John 1:29: “Behold the Lamb of God.” Again, 15:1: “I am
the true vine.”
[343] Lord, Lord.
If I were to relate all, though I had much more paper, I should cover
it with writing. We then spoke of baptism; he asked me why children
might not be baptized. [I replied]: Because Christ did not command it,
nor the apostles teach it.
Then he adduced several Scriptures that were quite to the contrary,
John 3, and others. I showed him, that Christ there did not teach
water baptism, but that he had taught it in Matt. 28 and Mark 16; and
I stated what baptism signified; to whom it pertains, and that it is
horrible to hear that they want to save children by baptism, whereby
they deprive Christ of the honor. Rom. 6:3; John 3:16; Acts 4:12. When
we had talked thus for a long time, the Dean cried to the priest:
“Hear, hear, Lord; Audi, audi, Domine; let him go; we waste our time
with him, and he remains as obstinate as ever.” I said: “I am sorry
that you will not listen to the truth; it is all in vain, it is only
casting pearls before swine.” Matt. 7:6.
Then the Dean became very angry, so that I soon parted from them, for
it was getting late. I must be brief, for my paper is giving out.
Afterwards I talked yet with a priest alone, on Whitsuntide evening; so
that the priest went away from me, when I told that he should show to
me, that Christ and his apostles, in this manner, went about the street
with an idol, with torches, lanterns and bells. Ps. 112:4; Bar. 6:4.
He would not talk with me long; we talked a little about the Supper
and baptism, but not long, for the priest went away, and I began to
admonish him a little. But I must be brief. Though you hear much said
that I wanted to hearken to the priests, believe it not; but be fervent
in prayer, for in the end it shall be made manifest.
Mother, I pray you, that you will send the letter herewith enclosed,
which I have written to my brother D. in England, to him; and if there
be anything written in it that is not suitable, erase it. And I pray
you, write him my faith. I would write it myself, but through want of
paper I cannot. Write him that he may know for what I deliver up my
body to the burning; for I presume that many will write that which
is not the truth. Thus, dear mother, it is time to stop, for want of
paper. I greet you, my mother, and also all my dear sisters, with a
holy kiss of peace; and greet also from me those whom you well know,
also my master, yea, and all the friends. G. and my sister K., the
Lord be with you and us all, and keep you. Thus, my dearest mother,
farewell, and the Lord be with you; for I think that you will see my
face no more in this life, nor do I know whether I shall have another
opportunity to write. Thus, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob be with
you all. Amen.
By me your son, imprisoned for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
HANS BRET.
ANOTHER LETTER FROM HANS BRET, WRITTEN AND SENT TO HIS BROTHER DAVID,
WHO LIVED ABROAD, AND HAD NOT YET COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH.
Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, through his only Son
Jesus Christ, our Savior; the comfort and power of the Holy Ghost,
furthering to a true faith; the true heavenly wisdom, the true
regeneration, the fear of God, this I wish my dear and affectionately
beloved brother, to the salvation of your soul. Amen.
My dear brother, the reason of my writing is to inform you of my
imprisonment, so that you may not think that it is for any evil or any
infidelity or heresy, as many evil tongues may probably pretend and
report, thereby to grieve you and harden your heart, that you should
not believe the genuine truth, but remain in your belief; for Satan
constantly walks about men, as Peter says (1 Peter 2:8), as a roaring
lion, seeking whose soul he may devour and draw away from that which is
good, for he is the enemy of all good, who always hates and seeks to
resist that which is good.
But, dear brother, do not listen to such, for it is the suggestion of
Satan; but give ear to the word of God, the genuine truth, as James
says, and let it be ingrafted in your soul, that it may save your soul,
whereby you may live forever. Jas. 1:21.
Hence, my beloved, awake once from the sleep of sin, and Christ
shall give you light (Eph. 5:14); for you have walked in sin and
unrighteousness long enough; it is about time to flee sin and shun
unrighteousness, that you be not punished with all the ungodly, who
have not lived according to the will of God, nor hearkened to the
truth, but have walked according to their own lusts. They follow
the lusts of their flesh, and live, as Paul says to the Galatians
(5:19–21), in pride, covetousness, drunkenness, adultery, strife,
hatred, contention, and other like works.
O dear brother, let such works not be found with you; for such, says
Paul, cannot inherit the kingdom of God, for such carnal life is an
abomination in the eyes of God, for Paul says to the Romans, that such
carnal-mindedness is enmity against God, and cannot please God. For the
wages of sin is eternal death, but the gift of God is eternal life, 1
Cor. 6:10; Ps. 5:5; Rom. 8:7; 6:23.
My dear, flee such works, and turn to the Lord and you shall live.
Is. 55:3. Remember the instruction which Tobit gave his son, when he
says: My son, let not pride dwell or rule in your heart. Tobit 4:13.
For Ecclesiasticus says: That pride is hateful before God, and that it
is the beginning of all sin, and he that has to do with it shall be
destroyed with many curses. Sir. 10:13. Thus shun now all pride and all
sin, and set yourself to serve the Lord, renouncing all the lusts of
the flesh.
Seek ye the Lord, says the prophet, while he may be found, and call
ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the
unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he
will have mercy upon him. Is. 55:7.
My dear brother, turn to the Lord while you have time; wait not until
death with the amendment of your life, like many who say, that if
they have an hour in which to repent, it is enough for them. O do not
thus defer it, nor follow such counsel, but follow the counsel of
Ecclesiasticus, who says: Repent while thou art still able to sin. And
again: Make no tarrying to return to the Lord, and do not put it off
from day to day; for the wrath of the Lord shall come forth suddenly.
Sir. 5:17. Hence there is no time to be set, for we are not assured of
one hour, nor any one how long he will live. Job 14:1.
Hence remember the words of Christ, who says that he shall come as a
thief in the night; if the good man of the house knew at what hour the
thief would come, he would watch, and not suffer his house to be broken
through. Luke 12:39. Seeing then, that we have neither hour nor time,
watch constantly with the wise virgins, who were not found sleeping,
when the bridegroom came. Matt. 25. If you would therefore enter in
with the Bridegroom to the marriage, as did the wise virgins, put away
from you (as the prophet says, Isa. 1:16) all that is evil, and the
Lord shall be your God, and you shall be his son.
My dearest brother, love that which is good, and it shall be well with
you; fear the Lord with all your heart, and your soul shall lodge in
goodness, and your seed shall inherit the earth; for the prophet David
says: That the eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, and that
hope in his mercy; and he shall deliver their soul from death; for
the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Ps. 25:13; 33:18,19;
111:10.
Hence have God always before your eyes in what you do, and you shall
prosper in it; always love that which is good, and hate that which
is evil, that the Lord may be with you, as you have spoken, says the
prophet Amos, 5:14. Follow the advice of Paul, Romans 12:21, where he
says: Overcome evil with good. O then it shall be well with you, and
you shall find rest in your soul. Matthew 11:29. Let there be found in
you once the true faith which worketh by love, and which has so far
not brought forth much fruit in you. Gal. 5:6. Hence it is time now to
awake once and seek Christ, whereby you may live and enter by the right
door into the sheepfold. Jn. 11:25; 10:7.
Hence give ear now to the voice of Christ, who says: If thou wilt
enter into life, keep the commandments. Consider well that the Lord
would have us practice his word and truth, and not do like many who
indeed have the word of God in their mouth, and hear it, but do not
live according to it, but suffer it to enter in at one ear, and out
at the other; yea, what is more yet, though they well know that sin
and unrighteousness must be shunned and avoided, as soon as they have
heard the word, they go on again in sin, in drunkenness, in adultery,
in gambling, etc. But to take the Testament or Bible into their hands,
to read, and to spend their time in godliness, that were far too much;
but they follow their own lusts, namely, the lust of their father, the
devil, for he delights in all such works: for he that committeth sin is
of the devil, says John; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. John
8:44; 1 John 3:8. Hence, dear brother, have no fellowship with such
persons, but seek such as fear the Lord and live according to his word,
and keep it, for Christ says: Blessed are they that hear the word of
God and keep it. Luke 11:28. Now you may perceive that they are blessed
(saved) who keep the word of God, and govern themselves in accordance
with it. For in Matthew 7:23, Christ declares that he shall say to all
those who shall not have kept his word, nor practiced it: “Depart from
me, ye workers of iniquity; I know you not.” O brother, take good heed,
that you do not hear this voice, but that you may hear that glad voice,
with all God’s righteous ones that have lived according to the word of
the Lord: “Come, ye blessed, inherit the kingdom of my Father, prepared
for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25:34. What a joy it
will be to hear this, for the good that have walked in the fear of the
Lord.
My brother, give ear now to the word of the Lord, that we may meet
there, and hear the glad voice, which I pray the Lord that he will
grant us through his only Son, Christ Jesus. Amen.
Brother, I must stop, for my paper is giving out; hence take this
simple letter in good part, for I have written it out of love; and
ponder it well, for it is not my word, but the word of the Lord, for
his mouth has spoken it. Amen.