Lord, that he so graciously assists your weak brother with his Spirit
and word. All those that shall read or hear read this my letter, I
pray out of brotherly love, that you will bow the knees of your heart
before the Most High, that he may strengthen us by his Spirit, so that
we may finish to his holy praise the work which he has begun in us.
For, friends, we expect nothing else, but that we shall be offered up,
especially I and Michiel; and this on account of several things that
we confessed in our examinations. They first asked me my age. I said:
“About fifty years.” They asked whether I was rebaptized. I said:
“No;” but told them that I had suffered myself to be baptized in the
name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, upon the confession
of my sins, for which I was heartily sorry, and upon the confession
of my faith in Christ Jesus, that he is the Son of the living God.
This was written down. They asked how long ago that was. I said:
“Twenty-six years last Christmas.” They wondered that I had ruled so
long. _Question_: “Are you in the ministry of the deaconship, or have
you been in it?” I freely confessed that I was in the ministry, though
I said I am not worthy of it. They further asked me whether I exhorted,
or had exhorted. I said: “No.” They asked me whether not lately a man
had been here, that had preached in the place. I was silent. After
much questioning, however, I told them, that we were not allowed of
God to implicate or accuse any one. Finally they told me all the
circumstances, namely, that Jan de Wever had been in the city, and that
on a certain night a receiving of members had taken place secretly,
three or four having been taken in; and they briefly said that our
sister who was confined with us had confessed it, for they had tortured
her. And they asked me, whether Hans had lodged at my house; they knew
all about it, I could not contradict it, but had to admit it. They said
that this had been prohibited. I answered that I did not regret having
lodged him, and if it were to do again, I should gladly do it. This
that I did not regret it, was ill received.
They also asked me, whether I had advised, or consented, to send for
Jan de Wever. I said: “Yes, with all my heart.” This also was ill
received; but I care little if they did receive it ill, for they
receive every thing in the very worst way. Thus they went with it to
the lords of the council, according to what I have since learned; and
besides, they must have fuller advice from the court.
I have written this briefly, for to write all would have been too
long, because I have not enough materials to write every thing. I
should like it, if this letter or a copy of it would be sent to those
of Harlem. There was once without my knowledge a letter sent by those
of Harlem, and found in the house of Michiel Buyse, which brought
severe charges against me, in regard to one hundred pounds which had
been sent to the poor, and which I was said to have received; and also
concerning a legacy of twenty-four pounds, of Joost Daems. I replied
thereupon, that I had never seen the letter, which is the case; but
these letters cause great grief. I have received as many letters as any
man in Flanders or Brabant; but I cleared myself from every important
imputation. However, tribulation and bonds must come from somewhere;
and, moreover, the Lord be thanked, I do not trouble myself about it.
I am satisfied with every thing that the Lord has sent me. God the
Lord suffers it to happen, that he may thereby prove, whether there is
any thing in my heart that is displeasing to him, or whether I love
aught more than him; for the Lord is jealous, and he will be alone the
dearest, of which he is also well worthy, for he has dearly purchased
us, namely, with the precious blood of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ;
hence we must also prove in the power of our faith, that we love him
above husband, wife or child, house, field, gold, silver, and the last
and dearest pledge, that is our own life.
When one is thus brought to the touch-stone, then it is made manifest
upon what one has built, whether it be gold, silver, precious stones,
or wood, hay, or stubble; for every one’s work shall then be made
manifest, as by fire. Hence, I counsel my dear brethren and sisters in
the Lord, that are now at liberty, that you will wake up manfully, for
it may easily come to pass, that persecution will also arise among you,
as now in Flanders; for this liberty we also had about seven years.
Hence, all true soldiers in Christ Jesus are always to equip themselves
with the armor of righteousness, having on the helmet of salvation and
the breast-plate of righteousness, girded with the girdle of truth,
having the sword of the Spirit, and the shield of faith, wherewith one
is able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. But, friends, the
slothful would sometimes allow their weapons to stand in a corner, and
thus they would easily rust; and when there would be a necessity for
conflict, that the enemy (who walketh about as a fierce lion) should
come upon us, then alas! they would have to be sought in the corner,
completely rusted over, and thus the enemy should surprise us by
strategy. Therefore Paul gives good advice, saying: “Watch ye, stand
fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be
done with charity.” 1 Cor. 16:13,14.
Friends, I should write more, but you are yourselves taught of God; and
as the anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no
lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in it. 1 John 2:27.
I will herewith commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace.
Take my presumptuous letter in good part.
Know, brother, that I have written my daughter a testament letter, in
case our life here should soon close.
By me, your weak brother in the Lord, on the 13th of January, 1589,
imprisoned for the truth. Amen.
JOOST DE TOLLENAER.
THE SECOND LETTER FROM JOOST DE TOLLENAER.
I wish you, my heartily beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord (who
as scattered strangers are dispersed in every country, driven and
persecuted from their lands, cities, houses, and goods, and this
for the testimony of Jesus Christ), grace, peace and mercy from God
our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ his only begotten Son our
Lord and Savior, through whom we have become partakers of the divine
promises in his holy name, for he has cleansed us by the washing of
regeneration in his holy blood, and chosen us from all kindreds of
the earth, for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
acceptable to God by Christ. May he strengthen and confirm my dear and
in God beloved brethren and sisters, with his Holy Spirit, in the inner
man, to the praise and glory of the great, invincible God of heaven and
earth, that you may shine as bright lights among the heathen nations
among whom you dwell as scattered strangers, so that many thousands may
take hold of your skirts, and say: My dear, we will go up with you;
for we see that the Lord is with you. Zech. 8:23. To this end may the
Lord give you his blessing, to the praise, glory and honor of his holy,
great and adorable name.
After wishing all Christian salutation to you, my dear and in God
beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, and hearing by our last
examinations, of the 23d and 28th of March, that the time of our
pilgrimage may very soon be at an end, I felt constrained by brotherly
and simple love, to write you, my dear friends a little, thereby making
known to you joyful tidings, namely, that, by the grace of the Lord, I
and my fellow-prisoners are of good courage in soul and body, to adhere
to the holy truth as long as we have the breath of life in us, having
committed body and soul into God’s powerful keeping--for you welcome
news, and for us a happy portion. May God through grace grant this to
us, as servants unworthy of being partakers of his sufferings. But I
rejoice in the spirit with all my heart, that God has called me to such
grace, of which the world is not worthy, because of the unbelief of
their hearts.
Further, my dear and affectionately beloved brethren and sisters in
the Lord, it is our cordial request to all the elect, that fear God
from the heart, truly and fervently, in a holy faith which worketh by
love, that you will bow the knees of your heart before the almighty
God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to pray for us prisoners,
as imprisoned with them, and for us that suffer adversity, as being
yourselves also in the body; so that we may gloriously accomplish the
end of our faith (which through the grace of God we confessed before
this evil and wicked generation, who are enemies of the cross of
Christ), and yield our bodies a sacrifice acceptable unto God through
Jesus Christ, to the praise of his great name, the edification of our
neighbor, and for a light unto the world; this is the prayer of us all.
Furthermore, dear friends, I find in this my tribulation, afflictions
and bonds and reproach, that happened to me, unworthy one, for the
righteousness of God, that God is faithful in all his promises; who
does not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able, but makes
with the temptation also a way to escape. He does not leave his people
comfortless; he will with his Spirit answer for us before kings and
princes, as much as we shall need in that time. He has said: “I will
never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hence, I will rely on the Lord,
and not fear what man shall do unto me. Though they now break the
earthly house of this tabernacle, we know assuredly, that for the
righteous there is a dwelling prepared in heaven, which is not made
with hands, but is eternal; for which house my soul has a heartfelt
desire. For, friends, there is always a very great conflict, outwardly
and inwardly; for within flesh and blood manifest their nature, which
must be resisted by faith; outwardly, against the pride of the world
and the false prophets, and lying spirits, against which we must fight
valiantly with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. O
friends, I have already well proved it; for I have been assailed by
them twelve different times, six times by the secular authorities, and
six times by the false prophets. The authorities said to me, that I had
a spirit of pride in me and such evil opinions; and that I therefore
would not suffer myself to be moved. I asked them, whether that was
great pride, that I suffered myself to be spoiled of all my property,
of wife and child, and finally to be a spectacle to all men; that I
shall be burnt at the stake, and thus my flesh be given for food to the
beasts and to the birds of heaven. They said again: “Yes, you pride
yourself therein.” I said: “No, but we rejoice because we have become
partakers of Christ’s sufferings.”
I warned them, that they should take heed, before they laid their hands
upon those that seek to practice their faith in peace, that have done
injury to neither you nor yours. They said that we were rebels and
seditious, and seduced many simple hearts, and drew them to our faith,
and that we were worthy of greater punishment than thieves and robbers.
I said: “We seduce no souls; but your false prophets seduce many
thousands of souls by their doctrine and false religion, which they
practice under a semblance of holiness.”
They looked at me sternly. Many other things were said, which I do
not deem necessary to write. And as further regards their asking
for my age, and how long I had been in the faith, and concerning my
deaconship, I have written it in my other letter, which some of you may
have read, as I understand from a letter which I received yesterday.
The same came very welcome to me; for, friends, it does so much
good, when letters of comfort and warning arrive, yea, they are more
acceptable than many pieces of gold. For, friends, a line written by
the labor of another, tastes much better than if one had ten times more
with himself.
Further, friends, ten or twelve days afterwards the authorities sent
two learned men, the parish priest of St. John, and a canon, who also
had much to say and made a very long speech, finally asking me, why I
had departed from the mother, the Catholic Roman Church. I very briefly
said that I did not regard it as the true, holy church. They asked:
“Why?” I said: “Because there is nothing else practiced than a false,
invented religion.” This they took very ill, and very many things were
said upon it, very much as it was with our friends in former times.
And in about ten or twelve days after that, they came again and brought
with them the priest Michielken, who is an apostate, and has by this
time become a priest. Then the parish priest, whose name is Sir Jan
van Dale, said to me: “Do you know Sir Michielken?” I said: “Yes.” He
said: “Why do you not also turn from your heresy, as Sir Michielken
has done? If your belief were good, he would not have departed from
it, and returned to the mother, the holy church.” I said that he had
departed from the holy church of God, to the worship of idols and to
the doctrine of devils. They asked: “What is idolatry in our church?”
I said: “In the first place, all the images that stand in it, before
which you burn candles, offer sacrifice, and bow your knees.” They
said that the images were the books for the simple, and the mass and
sacrifice which they performed, were all holy prayers. I said: “If all
were good, as you say, you should put it into Flemish or into Dutch, so
that the simple might be taught. For this purpose you have the Gospel
book, from which you might teach. But you are afraid, that the people
might learn too much from it.” In short, we also had very many words in
regard to the sending of preachers, and of infant baptism; but I deem
it unnecessary to write much about it, for it all goes the same way as
is written in the _Offerboeck_; for if I were to write all, I should
not be able to put it on seven or eight sheets of paper; and much of it
I have also forgotten, for it occurred at so many different times.
Finally there came the pensionary Schoockman with his son, who is clerk
of the criminal court. He ordered that I and Michiel Buyse should come
together, to speak with him. Hence I prayed the Lord, that he would
keep me according to his promise. Then I went down stairs, and when I
and Michiel got there, we respectfully saluted him, and he also bade
us a good evening. He asked us together, whether we did not tire of
being in prison so long. _Answer._ “We must be patient therein.” “Yes,”
said he, “it is your fault, and you inflict it upon yourselves; if
you would suffer yourselves to be moved, and would depart from your
opinion, all should be well, for it is only vain-glory and a spirit of
pride, that impels you to it.” I told him as I said before, that this
which demands the sacrifice of body and property was not pride. He
strenuously defended the Roman Empire, and greatly exalted the church
of the priests, that it had been from the time of the apostles until
now. He also adduced many unscriptural arguments, which are not worthy
of being written. And again, he said: “Though there are some abuses, it
is therefore none the less the faith. I am well aware, that there are
priests who might live more virtuously; but we must not look to their
works, but hearken after their words.” Michiel said: “A good tree bears
good fruit, which a bad tree does not.”
In the second place, I said; “My lords, we have the truth, and I
hope by the grace of God, that we shall adhere to it unto the end.”
He also made many words, saying, that he had come out of compassion
which he had for us; “and inasmuch,” said he, “as you will not hearken
to the clergy, I come of my own accord, finding myself constrained
thereto, hoping that you would hearken to me more.” For (said he, and
smote his breast) if it had not been for him, it would already have
been over with us, but he had prevented it. We also know, that he has
very great influence, with the Court as well as with the lords of the
city, for in many things in the government of the city, his wishes,
to a great extent, are consulted. Thus he finally said (smiting his
breast once more), that we should have to die; “for,” said he, “it
has been determined by the lords of the council of Flanders, by the
high council, by the Court, and by His Highness the Prince of Parma.”
Thereupon I joyfully replied, saying: “The will of the Lord be done
with us; to this end (once to die), are we born.”
“Yes,” said he, “the dying is a small matter, but that you shall
hereafter go into perdition!” for he had previously damned us many
times. Hence, Michiel answered, that judgment belonged to God. Then
he said: “Perhaps you say that we are damned.” Thereupon, I said, “We
do not condemn those that are without us; God will judge them.” But,
friends, they are a presumptuous, proud tribe, and they blaspheme God
and his holy temple without any fear. He further also said: If we would
renounce, he should do his best with His Highness, though he should
have to travel to the Court himself, which should cost a good deal.
Thus, friends, it seems, according to what we hear, that though we
should forsake the faith, we should still be in peril of death. And
thus he finally left us, begging us to think of his words. “I hope,”
said he, “that the Holy Spirit will work in them.” But we had another
hope, namely, that God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ shall
strengthen us by his Spirit, that we may abide in the truth unto the
end of our life.
Friends, we were with him over two hours. And we used few words, except
now and then, when we could not pass something by, which required a
reply; for much speaking is of little avail, and they say that they
come to teach us; but we do not want to be taught by them. This the
priests said to me alone, for we were examined separately, except this
last time.
And about five or six days after, he sent his son to us once more,
asking us, whether we had attended to and considered this matter.
Thereupon we said that we wanted to adhere to the faith in Jesus
Christ, as we confessed from the first. Hence, he left us, which was on
the 28th of March.
Thus, my affectionately beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, we
daily expect the day of our redemption, that we might offer up our
sacrifice. I had almost forgotten to state that the pensionary had
told us: “You may perhaps be taken unawares some night, when you will
least expect it.” Hence, God knows what they have in mind. They have
no power over us, except the Lord permit them. God is our strength and
power, and the sword of our conquest. And though we must suffer for his
sake, we must possess our souls with patience, remembering, that the
apostle says (1 Pet. 2:20), that it is acceptable with God, to suffer
for well-doing; though, dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, the
world does not regard it as acceptable, for (1 Corinthians 1:18) it
is written: “That the preaching of the cross is to them that perish,
foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God, which
power God works by his Spirit, to the comfort and strengthening of
their mind.
Hence, my dear brethren and sisters, watch ye, stand fast in the faith,
quit you like men, be strong, and let all your things be done with
charity, so that you may grow up and increase, and not depart in love,
in hope, in faith, which is a precious treasure, that we have received
in our earthen vessels through the Holy Spirit. Keep it diligently with
great carefulness, for part of us have long labored for it, and through
light minded carelessness one is so soon spoiled of it, and then all
labor that has been done is lost. For if the righteous man shall turn
away, says the Lord, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. He forsakes
the fountain of living waters, and they that depart from him shall be
written in the earth, neither shall their names be found in the book of
life. Heb. 10:38; Jer. 2:13; 17:13; Philippians 4:3.
Hence, watch in the faith, and let us exercise as great care for our
spiritual treasure which we have through grace received by faith in
Christ Jesus, as many a man exercises for his perishable treasures,
which thieves and robbers covet, as sometimes appears; as for instance
in my own case, and that of Michiel my fellow-prisoner; for they have
robbed us of nearly everything. And many are of such a disposition,
that they like to acquire temporal wealth, not properly considering
the words of Paul, that such fall into temptation and great snares. 1
Tim. 6:9. And covetousness, which Paul calls idolatry (Eph. 5:5), has a
long cloak, so that one cannot easily get at it. And they gather great
treasures for their children, which is opening a wide door by which to
introduce them into the world. But the best treasure which can be left
to children, is this: To instruct them from their youth to fear God;
to present to them the word of the Lord, as far as their understanding
can comprehend it, and as the forefathers taught their children, to
fear God, shun sin, and do good, as we have examples in Abraham, who
commanded his children after him; likewise in Susanna; also in old
Tobit, who taught his son from his youth to fear God; and also in Sara,
the daughter of Raguel.
Friends, diligently search the Scriptures, which will sufficiently
instruct you. Let us always follow that which is good, and exhort and
provoke one another to good works, to excel therein. Hence, I write
once more as before; for the axe is now already laid at the root of
the trees, and every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn
down and cast in the fire. Matt. 3:10. And that we be not like the five
foolish virgins; that when the bridegroom comes we be not sleeping, so
that we may then not have to go and buy the oil to burn in our lamps.
Hence, the faith which worketh by love shall shine gloriously before
the Lord. For not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of God; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven. Matthew 7:21.
Hence Christ says: “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and
keep it.” Luke 11:28. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear
the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written
therein: for the time is at hand.” Rev. 1:3. Let us continue in
Christ’s word, and we shall also be his disciples, and remain such
forever. John 8:31.
Further, my affectionately beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord,
we find in all the Scriptures, that all the holy patriarchs, prophets,
and apostles were moved to teach and exhort us to peace, love and
unity; for the apostle says: “The peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil.
4:7. Peter says: “Unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye
love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not
of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which
liveth and abideth forever.” 1 Pet. 1:22,23. O friends, where love,
peace and unity exist in the church, there is exceeding wealth. The
Psalmist truly says: “How pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together
in unity! it is like precious ointment. Ps. 133:1,2. But where there is
discord, there the hearts must grievously sigh over one another, and
eat their bread with mourning; and thus the feast days (when the bread
of the Lord should be broken in the Lord’s church, in remembrance of
the abundant benefits of the Lord) are turned into days of mourning,
which to behold causes great sorrow to the simple; as, alas! is to
be lamented with weeping eyes at Harlem and concerning several other
churches that are infected with such diseases, which is a sorry thing
for me and others with me in our countries to hear. May the complaint
thereof ascend to the Lord in high heaven.
O that God would grant grace, that they could bear one another in love,
and that the principal ones would bow themselves under the mighty hand
of God, and deny themselves, for the holy will of the Lord and for
the sake of his church. I should hope that it would not give them an
evil conscience, if they submitted to it for the sake of peace, and if
every one were little in his own eyes; how well it should go, and how
soon everything should be peacefully settled! O friends, let us bow
the knees of our hearts before the Lord, that Christian unity among
one another may come upon the spiritual Israel, so that a triumphant
thanksgiving with joy and gladness in the spirit may be observed in
all the churches. Hence seek peace, and pursue after it. Heb. 12:14.
Consider the word, _pursue_; for when a man pursues something, he goes
after it with haste. O friends, it is more than time for you to make
peace and unity, lest haply the Lord punish in wrath. For no one is
assured, that there will always remain liberty in the country; there
will perhaps be a change in the country there, as there is in Flanders
and Brabant.