apostles, an excommunication, whereby the disorderly, who pervert their
faith in improper works must be punished, as Christ and Paul declare.
It must be used with those that have entered into the communion of the
saints and been baptized into one body with them, but relapse into any
carnal works, as in adultery, whoredom, murder, drunkenness, idolatry,
and the like. Matthew 16:19; 1 Cor. 5:11; 1 Tim. 5:20.
Hence, my child, when you attain to your understanding, defer not to
take up the cross, as much as you value your soul, for it is written:
“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife,
and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also,
he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and
come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26,27. Hence everything
must be forsaken for the Lord’s sake, for Christ also says in the
same chapter: “Whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath cannot be my
disciple.” Verse 33.
Therefore, my dear child, look not at the great multitude, but remember
the time of Noah, how few there were saved when the world perished by
the flood. And that from the five cities of Sodom and Gomorrah there
were left but three persons.
Hence, my dear child, separate also from the spiritual Sodom, that you
be not a partaker of her sins, and receive not of her plagues. Rev.
18:4. It is also written, 2 Cor. 6:17,18; 7:1: “Come out from among
them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean
thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and
ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” Having
therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves
from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in
the fear of God. For the time will come when they shall lament it, who
have spent their life here in that which was not proper; for when they
shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them,
as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 1 Thess.
5:3.
Hence, my dear child, Paul says: “But ye are not in darkness, that that
day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light,
and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be
sober. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be
drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, watch
and be sober.” Verse 4. As also Peter says: “Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing
that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in
the world.” 1 Pet. 5:8,9.
We also believe in a resurrection of the flesh, at the last day, of the
good and of the evil, of the just and the unjust, so that all that are
in the grave, shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that
have done good shall come forth unto the resurrection of eternal life;
and they that have done evil shall come forth unto eternal damnation.
John 5:28,29.
Hence, my dear child, order your paths according to the holy
Scriptures, which will show you the right truth; for he that seeketh
findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Hence, pray the
Lord for help and assistance, for he is the giver of every good thing;
that after this life you may hear the welcome voice: “Come, ye blessed
of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation
of the world: for I was a hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty,
and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and
ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye
came unto me. Matt. 25:34.
Hence, my dear child, exercise yourself herein, and have your delight
in it; do according to Tobit’s advice: If thou hast much, give much; if
thou hast little, give little, and that with a faithful heart. Tobit
4:8.
O my dear child, be mindful of what I have written you, and be always
faithful and obedient to people, in all that is not contrary to the
truth; and be diligent in your labor, courteous, gentle and meek; for
the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.
Eph. 5:9.
Herewith I commend my dear child to the Lord, and to those that fear
God.
This was written by me your father, Bartholomeus Panten, on the same
day that I was tortured for the name of the Lord; some of it before the
torturing, and some after it. Let all of you that read this, or hear it
read, bear in mind, and not be surprised, though this has taken place,
for the apostle Peter says: Beloved, think it not strange, as though
some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are
partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that in the time of revelation ye may
be glad with exceeding joy, if ye are now reproached here for the name
of Christ. Amen. By me,
BARTHOLOMEUS PANTEN.
MICHIEL HAZEL, A. D. 1592.
In this year, 1592, also one Michiel Hazel, after he had been
imprisoned over four years, for the Christian faith, was beheaded in
prison, at Witling, in the country of Wurtemberg, on the seventh day
of the month of July, continuing firm, steadfast and of good cheer in
the Lord, though he had to suffer much misery and tribulation in the
time of his imprisonment. For a long time he was confined, not knowing
but that he should have to remain in confinement all the days of his
life; yet he would not forsake the faith and the divine truth, no
matter what might come upon him, even though it were death. Hence even
the unbelieving had to give a good testimony of him; for the castellan
himself said: This was a good man; and that if such a man did not get
into heaven, he would not venture to knock; yea, that if he should come
to such an end, he should rejoice over it from the heart.
THOMAS HAN, A. D. 1592.
In the year 1592, on the twelfth day of May, also Thomas Han, of
Nicktsburg, was imprisoned for the faith, at Freiburg, in Bavaria; he
was also very severely tortured and racked, and in order that he should
tell what they wanted, and renounce his faith, they had him suspended
by ropes from eight until eleven o’clock. But he answered them: “You
have my body; do with it what you will; you shall not deprive me of my
soul, and I shall also not tell you what you want, nor betray any one;
though you extract the veins out of my body, one after another, and
cut away a strip from my skin every day, yet I will not renounce, nor
depart from the truth.” They applied to him many words of reproach,
as that he was a deceiver, and had seduced many to the sect of the
Anabaptists. But he said to them: “It is the true, Christian baptism,
and not anabaptism; and if I could convert the whole world, I would
gladly die three times if it were possible.”
When he had been in confinement about seven weeks, he was (since he
could not be brought to recant) on the 8th of July brought into the
council house to be sentenced. As this took place, he turned to the
people and exclaimed thrice with a loud voice: “Honor and thanks be
to God, that it has come to this, and that this is his will.” The
executioner then bound him, and wanted to place him into a wagon, but
he said: “I will walk to death, even as also Christ our Lord walked to
death;” and he thereupon commenced to sing. The beadle enjoined him
silence, but the executioner said: “Let him alone.” In going out, a
priest joined himself to him, and also other persons went with him. The
priest asked (when he refused to be instructed) whether he thought,
that he and his like alone were righteous, and that the rest were all
damned. But brother Thomas answered: “We endeavor to live piously, and
shun sin; but those who will live in sin, we put away from us, and do
not tolerate them; yet we condemn no one; but every one that commits
sin is condemned by his evil works, and this we tell them.” Thereupon
the priest said: “We also reprove sin.” The brother said: “How should
you reprove, for where the shepherd is not good, how then should the
sheep be good? You are false prophets, how then should you reprove
falseness?” And he further said to the priest: “Go away, you false
prophet; I cannot behold you any longer.” Thereupon the priest began
to exalt his sacrament, that it was the true body and blood of Christ,
and that whosoever partakes of it has no sin. The brother said: “You go
around with your sacrament, and sell it for money, even as Judas sold
and betrayed the Lord; but we observe the Lord’s supper in remembrance
of him, according to his command.”
He then asked the priest, where there was anything written of the
sacrament. The priest became silent, and did not know what to answer,
except that he said: “It is written in the Bible.” Thomas asked:
“Where?” The priest said: “Paul writes of it in the fifteenth chapter.”
The brother said: “That is not so;” and then went on to say: “Do go
away from me, you false prophet.” When they arrived at the place of
execution, the executioner asked whether he wanted to pray. This he
did, and then said: “I have finished my prayer; proceed now, for I wish
to get out of this world.” He then knelt down, and the executioner
quickly drew forth the sword, to frighten him, and then begged him
three times for God’s sake, to renounce, and he would let him go. But
the brother said: “Renounce I will not; but proceed with your work,
for it must be.” Thus the executioner beheaded him, he peacefully
commending his spirit to God. The executioner then placed the body
upon the wood, and singed it a little, and then buried the severed
head with the body. And though there was a strong wind that day, yet
the smoke of the fire ascended straight up to heaven, as can also be
testified by all who saw it. This happened at Freiburg, in Bavaria, on
the 8th of July, A. D. 1592.
MATTHEUS MAIR, A. D. 1592.
[Illustration: MATTHEUS MAIR DROWNED.]
The same year 1592, on Mary Magdalene’s day, Mattheus Mair was
apprehended at Wier, in the district of Baden. This was brought about
by a priest, who upon coming out of the church, and noticing the
brother, sent his servant maid after him, to see whether he should
leave the village. He further commanded her, that she should so speak
to him, as though she also wanted to become of his persuasion, and
would like to go with him to his people; in the meantime he should
come, and send other persons there, who should speak with him. With
such words the maid delayed the brother, till the priest sent out some
peasants, who apprehended him, and conducted him into the town of
Baden. Six days after, namely, the 28th of July, as he would not follow
them, nor renounce his faith, the ungodly pack of priests proceeded
with him; however, what they talked with him, or what he answered them,
this they did not allow to come to the light. When he was led forth
to death, there were present his brother-in-law and several of his
friends, who interceded for him, and also offered to give money for
him; but they could obtain nothing, yea, not even to speak with him.
Now as he was going forth to death, he asked among the people, where
his brother-in-law and friends were, and how they might come to him;
saying that he had to charge them, that they should tell his brethren
and sisters, to take care of his wife and child, for they were with a
pious people. This he spoke aloud among the people. Then one of his
friends among the people consoled him and said, that he should not
yield, but be valiant; he should soon have overcome. Thereupon one
smote the friend, who had said this, for it, and said that he was
also a heretic, and ought to be treated like the rest. Now when the
executioner had thrust brother Matheus into the water, he drew him out
again three or four times, and each time asked him whether he would
recant. But he always said, No, as long as he was able to speak; hence
he was drowned, on the twenty-ninth day of the month of July, through
the power of God steadfastly persevering in the faith. There was much
said about his death, by high and low, as that they had murdered him,
and the traitorous Judas and priest were cursed; for this Matheus was
a well-known, good and pious man; hence God also gave him power to
continue steadfast in the faith unto his end.
NOTE.--The envy of some of the Calvanists in the town of Middelborgh
was at this time so great against the defenseless sheep of Christ, who
had come to them from various papistic towns, to escape the distress
and persecution, and expected to rest under their protection, that they
paid no attention, and had no regard, neither to humble supplications
nor the repeated commands of the Prince of Orange, who in the years
1577 and 1578 had given orders to the magistrates there, to let these
people dwell in peace; but disturbed the peace of said people, and
the practice of their religion. Hence Maurice, the oldest son of the
aforesaid Prince, of honorable memory, following the footsteps of
his father, issued, for the third time, a prohibition concerning the
oppressing of the aforesaid people, to the end that they might now
certainly obtain liberty of conscience, as appears from the following
act:
_Transcript._
Maurice, born Prince of Orange, Count of Nassau, Marquis van der Vere,
to the honorable, most learned, wise, discreet, dear, particular, etc.
That which has been brought to our knowledge, on behalf of Mailjaert
de Poorter, and Joost Leonisse, sawyers and wood-sellers, residing in
the town of Middelborgh, you will learn at length from the accompanying
request; and though we do not doubt at all, but that you will conduct
yourselves, with the supplicants, in the points of their request
and complaint, entirely according to the import of the resolution
previously taken with regard to this, by the Lords States of Holland
and Zealand; and will conform to such acts and letters as have been
granted to the supplicants and their fellow brethren in the same
profession, in the time of our lord and father the Prince of Orange, of
worshipful memory; yet we would nevertheless hereby earnestly request
you, seeing this matter concerns not only the town of Middelborgh
in particular, but these United Provinces in general, that you will
regulate yourself according to the import of the aforesaid resolutions,
in all quietness and friendship, allowing the aforesaid supplicants and
their fellow brethren to enjoy such liberties as have been granted them
by said resolutions and acts respectively, until the aforesaid Lords
General States of these United Provinces shall have further considered
and disposed of the aforesaid matter. And besides that, we deem it
reasonable and just, it is our pleasure.
And hereby, honorable, most learned, wise, discreet, dear, particular,
we commend you to God.
Gravenhage, on the 4th of March, 1593.
Signed:
Your very good friend, MAURICE DE NASSAU.
The superscription was: _To the honorable, wise and discreet, our dear,
particular Burgomasters, Judges and Rulers of Middelborgh_, and was
sealed with his Excellency’s seal.
Below was written: _Compared with the original, and found to agree with
it_.
J. MILANDER.
_Further Observation._--Upon this followed, it appears, some rest,
so that the scattered flock of Christ began to increase some at that
place, and to extend its membership. In the meantime, however, [in the
dominion] of popery they were still persecuted to death; of whom, among
others that lost their lives there, the following have come to our
notice; from which the distress of that time, though there was rest in
some places, can be inferred and judged.
AELTGEN BATEN, AND MAEYKEN WOUTERS, A. D. 1595.
Aeltgen Baten was an aged woman, and Maeyken Wouters a young woman
of about twenty-four years. Both were born at Sonhoven, in the
seignioralty of Vogelsanck, belonging under the territory of Luyck,
and resided there. Through the grace of God they obtained the true
knowledge of the holy gospel, believed the same, amended their lives,
according to its requirements, and had themselves baptized upon the
faith in Jesus Christ, according to his divine commandment and the
practice of his dear apostles. As this however could not be tolerated,
complaints were entered against them at Luyck, where the Court is held,
and where orders were given to bring them thither as prisoners, which
was done in the following manner: The lords of Luyck have certain
beadles, called trappers, whom they send through the country whenever
they want to have any one apprehended. They sent fourteen of these
trappers from Luyck to Sonhoven, to apprehend these two women, or any
others, and to bring them to Luyck. They first captured Aeltgen, and
afterwards Maeyken and her brother (who was still very young), who had
made themselves ready and it was the intention of both of them, if
their father should have been taken, to go with him and not to forsake
him; but as they did not catch the father, her brother also escaped the
trappers.
Thus they began to conduct these two lambs to Luyck; but as they, on
their way to Luyck, had to pass through Hasselt, a town about a league
distant from Sonhoven, these two lambs were spoken to by many of their
acquaintances at Hasselt, and it was greatly lamented, that they had
to go to Luyck, into prison, and much sympathy and solicitude was
expressed for them. Maeyken said to them: “If the Lord has so ordered
it, I would rather go to Luyck (namely, for the testimony of Christ),
than home. And thus they proceeded through the city, and went to
Luyck, in all a distance of about eight leagues. When they got there,
they were imprisoned ten weeks in the official’s tower. During this
time, they showed each other great love, tending as it appears, much
to edification and encouragement; for the young sister would gladly
have borne in her own body, if it had been possible to do so, all
the hardships which her dear, old sister suffered. They endured much
vexation, being threatened, frightened, and also entreated, in order to
turn them from the faith.
Once the bishop’s chaplain came to the young sister, with bland words,
and brought a can of wine with him, in the hope that he should overcome
her. With words of greatest suavity he presented to her the matter;
yea, he got down upon his knees, and with folded hands begged her to
recant and to believe the Romish church. But Maeyken proved herself
faithful, and repelled the devil’s deceit, so that the tempter went
away. On another occasion, a man from her village, who was acquainted
with her, came to Luyck. He had heard that it was reported that she
should have to die, and his soul was set on fire, and the matter
excited his carnal sympathy, thinking: “And must that young girl die?”
Hence he thought with himself, that he would talk with her, in order to
see whether he might not move her. He therefore went to her in prison,
and called Maeyken out alone, and said: “My dear Maeyken, O that you
would obey, and yield a point, to be released from these bonds. When
you get out, you can live as before.” Thereupon she replied: “My dear
friend (calling him by name), would you advise me this, that I should
forsake God and become a child of the devil?” The man said: “Then you
will have to die.” Thereupon Maeyken said: “I should rather have this
come to pass with us, than enjoy the light of day.” When the man heard
this, he became silent, so that he turned around with weeping eyes,
and said nothing more to her. They were both tortured and suspended
on Thursday night; but they remained silent and fainted away. Then
they poured water over Maeyken, upon which she cried aloud; but more
than that they did not obtain from either. During the night they lay
together quietly. On Friday night they sang with great joy. Having
been thus imprisoned for a long time, they were finally brought into
the official’s court, and condemned according to their spiritual law.
When they heard their sentence, they thanked the Lord with a joyful
heart, yea, with a laughing mouth. They then delivered these two
persons over to the secular judge, who received them, and placed them
again in his prison, in which they suffered great distress for a few
days, on account of the uncomfortable condition of the prison. However
the Lord ordered it, so that they took consolation and courage in the
Lord, and Aeltgen’s husband sent her money and blankets for her needs,
for which she thought she had no further use, and hence refused it
altogether. She asked her dear sister Maeyken, whether she would have
it. Maeyken said: “I have as little need of it as you, my dear sister;”
for they trusted soon to live in all fullness and joy with the Lord.
“Yes,” said Aeltgen, “if the door stood open, I should not wish to go
away.” And since in all their sufferings they were so joyful in God,
they thanked God in heaven in their hearts, and sang praises to him in
prison.
Afterwards they wanted to sentence them by the secular law, which it
was said, was done by four judicial persons, or judges, namely, that
these two persons should be drowned (for the word of God), by being
cast alive, bound, from the Meuse bridge. On that same Saturday there
came to them to Luyck two men from their locality, to ask both of them,
whether they had some word to send yet. Coming thus unbeknown, they
found them in a chamber, where sat the lords to sentence them, and they
were standing in their midst, and when Aeltgen saw her acquaintance she
said to him: “Nephew, have you come to visit us once more? we trust to
offer up our sacrifice within one hour; we thank you heartily for it,
and I request you to please tell my husband, to bring up my children
in the fear of God.” Maeyken also said: “Do bid my father and mother
many adieus.” This they spoke while standing among the lords, expecting
their sentence. The men tarrying a little, one of the lords bowed
himself before Maeyken, begging her to recant and to believe in the
Romish church; and her life should be spared. Thereupon Aeltgen said:
“We want to die, as Christ’s apostles did.” Now when their last hour
was approaching, both were brought forth from prison. Hence, both of
them being rejoiced, they began to sing and to thank and praise God;
but alas! the poor lambs could not long enjoy this; for what is granted
to thieves and murderers, namely, to speak, of this they were deprived,
and they were conducted back to prison, where their mouths were gagged,
and they were thus, as dumb lambs, led to the slaughter and death. When
they arrived on the Meuse Bridge, many and various reports of this
matter were circulating among the common people. When they arrived at
the place appointed, the executioner began to bind them, but they had
to keep silent, until the executioner loosed the cloth that was before
their mouths, and tied it over their eyes. Then Aeltgen first said:
“O Lord, this is a beautiful city indeed; would that it repented with
Nineveh;” and commending herself to God, the executioner forthwith
cast her from the bridge down into the water, and she was instantly
drowned.
The executioner then also released Maeyken’s mouth, so that she
was heard to speak, saying to the executioner: “Grant me, that in
my greatest extremity I may pray to God and call upon him.” The
executioner said: “Pray to our lords the magistrates, and believe with
us in the Romish church; and you shall save your life. Maeyken said:
“I have never done amiss to the magistrates; hence I also need not to
worship them;” but the executioner gave her a short answer, and giving
her no time, cast her down from the bridge immediately; she did not
sink instantly as Aeltgen, but with blooming cheeks she drifted upon
the water for a long time, until, it is said, she had reached the lower
side of the city.
Thus these two Christians ended their lives to the honor of God, on the
24th of July, 1595.
HERE FOLLOWS A LETTER WHICH MAEYKEN WOUTERS WROTE FROM PRISON TO HER
PARENTS, AND TO OTHERS OF HER FELLOW BELIEVERS.
The abundant mercy of God our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ
his only Son our Lord, this I wish you, my dear father and mother,
brothers and sisters, whom I love much from the heart, but our heavenly
Father above all, for he has called me, that I should help him bear his
sufferings, for which I have asked him many times, if I might be worthy
of it. Hence I followed him with great joy.