lay to heart these and similar passages of holy Scripture, and would
fight no more against the high God, for it will be required of them at
that day, before the judgment seat of Christ. Since faith is a pure
gift, which comes from God alone, and hence can neither be given nor
taken away by any man, however highly esteemed he may be. All princes
and rulers ought also to commit the matter of faith to the Creator
of all things, who alone is the discerner of the hearts and reins of
all men, and who knows and beholds the hidden thoughts and intents
of the heart, clear and uncovered before his eyes; before whose high
majesty both the judge and the condemned must finally appear together.
He will judge the world in righteousness, and offer faith to every
one. Acts 17:31. He shall then judge according to truth, as to who
believed and walked righteously or falsely. Hereunto we would from
the inmost of our soul, counsel and entreat all lords and princes,
as for their own welfare. O that God Almighty would be pleased to
grant all princes and lords who have received the sword of justice,
the grace, that they would use their sword and authority no further
than only upon the bodies and goods of men in civil matters, for the
punishment of evil-doers, and the protection of the good; to which
end the same has been given them of God; and would let God Almighty
be the Lord and Judge over the faith, souls, and consciences of men,
which unquestionably belongs to him (blessed be he) alone. And that
they would moreover consider, how very short and uncertain man’s life
is, and how soon these earthly kingdoms can pass from one nation to
another. And if the incoming lords hold different views than the former
ones, city and country are instantly in great danger of revolt, uproar
and destruction, if they want to force all their subjects to the
religion which they have accepted; or the common people must resort to
dissimulation and hypocrisy, to escape the punishment threatened; for
such lords seldom lack preachers who for the sake of great prebends are
willing to preach according to the pleasure of the lords.
And O that men would once consider, how many thousands of persons have
for many centuries been deprived of life and property, on account
of religious differences, because the magistrates (through the
instigation of their preachers) would force them to their religion;
which nevertheless wrought no improvement, but the conflict remained
uninterrupted. But how utterly blind and unreasonable they proceed in
this matter, it is easy to perceive; since we certainly, most clearly
and abundantly find, that even the Lord’s apostles, which he had sent
and highly enlightened, could bring but a very small proportion of
men to one religion, and that in their time, besides the innumerable
multitude of unbelievers and persecutors of the truth, were also many
false apostles and deceitful workers, who preached Christ out of envy
and strife, and not sincerely; so that Christ was preached in many
ways, in season and out of season. 2 Cor. 11:13; Philippians 1:15,16.
Who then shall believe that in this last and evil time, in which
iniquity prevails, whole countries and kingdoms can be brought into the
obedience of the apostolical doctrine, through the sword and constraint
of the magistracy? The more so, since Christ himself says, that at his
coming it shall be as it was in the days of Noah and Lot. Luke 17:26.
Hence the Lord Jesus also seems to ask doubtfully: Whether, when the
Son of man cometh, he shall find faith on the earth?
For the number of believers has from the beginning of the world been
very small among the children of men; and not all men have faith,
as Paul says; and the whole world, according to the teaching of the
apostle, lieth in wickedness; and all that is in the world, the lust of
the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the
Father, but of the world, and the world and the lust thereof shall pass
away; and Solomon seems to compare this world and all her ungodliness
to a magnificently adorned woman, in the attire of a harlot, subtle,
wild and stubborn, so that her feet could not abide in her house;
whereby she seduced and deceived the foolish youth, so that he followed
her in wickedness.
Compare with it now this present evil world; how one can see every
city and country polluted with pride, boasting, cursing and swearing,
tippling houses, tennis-courts, dancing halls, and shameful brothels,
or houses of ill-fame, where one can perceive, with open eyes, what
a countless multitude of people, especially of the young, gorgeously
arrayed and adorned in honor of the world and the devil, allow
themselves to be lured and seduced thither; whereas it is certainly
known, and also unanimously acknowledged, by all the one another
opposing sects, according to the express words of God, that the end of
such a life and walk, without true fruits of repentance, is eternal
death. Nevertheless, we do not find that the preachers, to prevent this
wickedness, work with the authorities to punish and root out in every
respect, by rigorous decrees and corporal penalties, this indubitable
evil and soul deception; but in the point of religion (in which through
the craftiness and subtlety of men, there are so very many articles of
contention and doubtful and conflicting views) we see them labor with
all their might, to punish, exterminate, and use constraint upon the
faith and consciences of others, though the latter cannot be accused
of any of the evils mentioned. Yet experience teaches, that many of
these preachers are themselves so uncertain and wavering in their
faith, that they would rather change their faith many times, according
to the desire of the authorities, as the chameleon its color, before
they would on this account forsake their large salary. Hence it is
our hearts’ wish and earnest prayer to all rulers, that they would be
pleased not to hearken to such treacherous preachers, who seek the
loss and destruction of other people; but that they would use their
authority for the punishment of evil doers and the protection of the
good; so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life under them, in all
godliness and honesty; and at the last day may, together find comfort
and grace before the judgment-seat of Christ, when we all shall stand
so greatly in need of grace and comfort. To this end may the Lord
strengthen and keep us by his Spirit. Amen.
CONCLUSION OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
We will take leave of this sixteenth century with a certain conclusion
appended to the Martyrs Mirror of the year 1631; wherein we will say
nothing, as far as respects the sense of the same, but what our dear
fellow believers have said in that work.
We have here presented to you, kind reader, many beautiful examples
(as we have found them in printed works of former times, as well as in
those of more recent date, from different regions, from the criminal
records of city and country), of men, women, youths and maidens, who
faithfully followed their Savior, Christ Jesus, in the true faith,
feared God from the inmost of their soul, and with a pure heart sought
eternal life; who flourished and shone as bright lights, before all the
world, in the love and power of God, their mouths flowing in wisdom
with the holy word and doctrine of the Lord; which appeared more in
the manifestation of the Spirit, than in elegant language or human
wisdom; for their thoughts, words and actions were all to please their
Leader and only Shepherd, for whose name’s sake they gladly delivered
up their lives into temporal death, as not seeking to possess a worldly
and peaceful kingdom here upon this earth, but, as true strangers, to
journey to the eternal and heavenly fatherland, well knowing and having
experienced, that they that will live godly must suffer persecution.
There must also be noticed the difference between the children of God
and the children of unrighteousness, between the persecuted and the
persecutors, because we know, and it can clearly be shown from the
holy Scriptures, that from the beginning of the world the unrighteous,
whose works were evil, always envied, reviled, persecuted and oppressed
those that were righteous and practiced virtue, for an unreasonable
zeal impelled them to it. And it has been observed, that many times the
teachers or leaders, who ought to have taught and led the people to
the true religion, and into the way of life, misled them to idolatry
and into the way of error and death. The shepherds, who ought to have
carefully fed the sheep of the Lord with the word of God, and protected
them against the ravening wolves, have fattened themselves, and paid
no attention to the flock, but presented to them mostly human doctrine
and the reasonings of their own mind; clothed themselves with the wool
of the sheep, and thus, in the appearance of sheep but the nature of
wolves, themselves been disturbers and devourers of the flock, or
have delivered them into the talons of the eagle, and the teeth of
the lion. So also, the ministers of God, who were endowed with great
honor and dominion by the Lord, and who had received the sword to
punish the wicked and to protect the good, did not content themselves
with these high offices and honor, but, abusing their power, through
instigation or ignorant zeal, laid their hands in the Lord’s husbandry,
and inconsiderately plucked off the wheat for the tares; and though
it tended to the salvation of the oppressed, it was nevertheless a
presumptuous procedure, thus to root out, destroy and thoughtlessly
condemn with an unjust judgment, the green plants in the Lord’s field,
before the harvest; for no one but the Lord himself can truly know who
is worthy of the fire or of the garner.
Hence there are no savants upon earth wise enough to step into any
office of the only wise God, and to execute the judgment which he has
reserved for himself; for who can fathom man’s heart, save he that sees
all things, and knows all mysteries, who penetrates the hearts and
reins, and knows the thoughts of all men. Such things indeed are not
man’s province, for men are often, though they think they are standing,
cumbered with sin, unbelief and perverted views, much more than they
are aware of; and all that men know and believe here is but in part.
Besides, the examiners of the faith can easily be blinded or deceived
by lies and a hypocritical life.
Hence those who would defend persecuting and killing for matters of
faith, and represent and urge it as right, accomplish no good by their
fury, but instead of good wheat they gather much impure chaff, and
fill the sheepfold with dissembling, hypocritical goats. And if any
one thinks, that it does not behoove a king or prince to tolerate all
sorts of doctrines, persuasions or heretics in his country, but that
he may practice such a religion in it, as he understands to be needful
for the salvation of his subjects, and to prohibit all others; such a
one must also consider this, that if in any country several princes,
differing in religion, should come to rule one after another, and each
one, seeking to enforce his faith, pollute the land with the blood of
its inhabitants, such a country would be nothing else than a hell,
or a pool full of disquietude and oppression, where the minds of men
would be in such lamentable misery, as ships, which on the dreary and
turbulent ocean are rocked hither and thither in the storm by all
sorts of winds, till they at last suddenly perish. But how can they so
greatly hate and cast out any one for the faith, even though he should
err? this is not the nature of the children of God, who do not oppress
even the unrighteous, even as it is not the nature of the sheep to
devour the wolves, but to flee from them, and suffer devouring.
And why will they force any one to the faith, which only God can give
to man? He that errs, errs for himself; if he falls, he falls unto his
Lord, who can and will lift him up again, for he calls and invites
every one to it, offering to him water and fire, life and death; each
may choose what he will. And this choosing, seeking or finding of
a faith to his salvation, is certainly as free to every citizen or
inhabitant, as it is to the king or prince; for does not Christ call
to him all that are burdened and heavy laden? Hence no one may think,
that such calling concerns only the rulers, and that it is enough
for the subjects, to look to and follow them. O no! each shall have
to give an account for himself; for at the last judgment every one’s
heart, whatever his rank or title, shall be equally closely searched;
the counsel of every heart shall be made manifest; each shall receive
reward according to his own works; and it shall not concern only
the princes or the shepherds. No one shall there be responsible for
another, but every one shall find his own burden heavy enough to carry.
However, one need not be surprised, as though some new or strange thing
happened, if God thus tries and purifies his elect. For if even the
Prince of life and of salvation had to enter into his glory through
much suffering; if the way to get into the joyful kingdom was so narrow
for him, how shall his followers get there, except by the same way?
What guilt was there in him? What wickedness, uproar, or crimes did he
commit? Why was this harmless, innocent, spotless Lamb (which sought
the harm of no one, but the welfare of all) persecuted so malignantly?
What made the blind scribes so incensed at him? and why were they so
exceedingly eager to follow the advice of inconsiderate Caiaphas?
And was not the cause of all this the fact that mad ignorance urged
them on? which so ofttimes inflamed the heads of the people, so that
they (as though it had been a great service to God) wanted to exercise
dominion over the minds as well as over the bodies of men, and use the
sword to constrain the faith as well as to civil unity. However not
all rulers were infected with this madness, for it was seen that the
Gentiles, who were called strangers to the knowledge of God (as Felix,
Festus, Agrippa, Gallius, and the like), were more considerate in well
administering the office they had received, in careful maintenance of
the common peace, and, according to Gamaliel’s wise counsel, committing
to God the dominion over the faith, than the envious Jews, who
according to the promise ought to have been children of God and true
branches in the true olive tree. And thus we see, that God, who does
all things according to his good pleasure, at some times and places,
still grants such authorities who do not compel their subjects in
matters of faith, but only seek their peace and welfare; even as we in
our time lived to see a Polish and also a French king, who did not so
strictly examine their subjects concerning their faith, nor investigate
whether the same agreed with the common belief; but solely, whether
their course of action tended to hinder or advance the welfare of the
country, which they considered with sincere love and sought to promote.
Herein also not too much praise can be bestowed upon the Lords States
of the United Netherlands, who, however vehemently they have sometimes
been incited to it, do also not consent to such blind zeal in the way
of constraint of conscience and investigation of faith. And since we
are commanded to pray God for the magistrates, that we may lead a
quiet, peaceable and godly life under them, how much more are we bound
to thank God for his loving kindness, who also grants us the grace,
that we may dwell under the protection of such authorities who oppose
the wicked zeal of these blood-thirsty tyrants of conscience (as we
have now enjoyed it in this country for about fifty years), and who
according to their ability execute their offices, leaving the dominion
and investigation of man’s heart and conscience to God.
We are also most solemnly bound to pray the Most High for them, that
he will constantly keep them in this purpose, and moreover give them
wisdom and understanding, so to rule their country and people, that all
may tend and conduce to the peace of the subjects and the honor of God;
that he may also give them such believing hearts, that they may truly
know whereto they are set here by God, and, finally, walk before him
in such a godfearing manner, that at the last day (when the crucified
Jesus Christ shall appear with his mighty angels, in the clouds of
heaven, as an almighty Potentate, Victor and glorious King, to execute
vengeance upon all those that have not known God, and not obeyed the
Gospel) they may also be glorified with all God’s saints, and appear
with the elect believers in the resurrection and the revelation of the
heavenly glory, to be clothed with the same, by the power of Christ,
and with him to inherit the imperishable glory in perfection, and
possess it forever and ever, without end. Amen.
AN ACCOUNT OF THOSE WHO SUFFERED IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY,
FROM 1600 TO 1660.
SUMMARY OF THE MARTYRS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
[After the preceding, sixteenth century closed with the burying alive
of Anneken van den Hove, in the year 1597, the following, seventeenth
century commenced, not without threats, and the shedding of the blood
of the pious witnesses of the Lord.
The first year of this century begins with a decree (though not unto
death), published by those of Groeningen and Sneeck against the
Anabaptists.
Huybert op der Straten. Trynken his wife, Pieter ten Hove, and Lysken
te Linschoten, near Witgensteyn, for the aforementioned faith, led
around the gallows, scourged and banished from the country, in 1601.
Hemes Nimrich, a teacher of the aforementioned people, and others, four
years subsequently, namely, 1605, near Steyn, scourged out of the city,
Hemes having first been led through under the gallows.
Marcus Eder and Hans Poltzinger apprehended on the 24th of April, of
the same year, at Nimbach, in Bavaria, and on the 26th of the same
month taken to Riet; and, for the steadfastness of their faith, finally
put to death with the sword, and burnt with fire, on the 26th of
August, A. D. 1605.
Hans Landis beheaded in the city of Zurich; further observations
touching the circumstances of his death; for the year 1614.
An account respecting a certain prohibition published by those of
Aerdenborgh against the Anabaptists, and what was done by the Lords
States General of the United Netherlands for the abolishment of the
same.
An extract from certain letters of said Lords States to the Lord of
Haultain, Governor of Sluys, as also to the bailiff and magistrates of
Aerdenborgh, for the cessation of the oppression began A. D. 1619.
A decree of those of Deventer against the Mennists or Anabaptists, A.
D. 1620.
A note touching severe slanders against the Anabaptists in Holland, and
how they, by a certain confession of faith, defended themselves before
the States of said country, A. D. 1626.
The inauguration of the last Swiss persecution, as also the cause of
the same, A. D. 1635.
The progress of the inauguration of said persecution in the castles
Wadischwyl, Knonow and Groeningen, as also in the consistory, at
Zurich, A. D. 1636.
Concerning said persecution, and the manner in which twelve brethren
were apprehended, and imprisoned in the place Othenbach, at Zurich, as
also how it terminated, A. D. 1637.
Hans Meyli, Sr., and his son’s wife, conducted to Zurich and
imprisoned, A. D. 1638.
This year (1639), fruitful of martyrs and martyresses, many having
suffered in prison, at Zurich, in body as well as in life; an account
of whom is given in order; namely; Catharina Mulerin; the four sisters,
Barbara Meylin, Ottila Mulerin, Barbara Kolbin, and Elizabeth Meylin;
as also, Elizabeth Hilzin; the brethren, Hans von Uticken, Burckhardt
Aman, Jacob Egly, Ully Schedme, surnamed Schneider, Jacob Rustenhel of
Horgerberg, Stephen Zehender of Byrmensdorf, Ulrich Schneider, with his
two sons, Henry Gutwol of Lehnmer, Hans Jacobs Hess, as also his wife.
A certain manifesto published by those of Zurich in excuse of the
persecution commenced, answered and refuted by the persecuted; in the
aforesaid year 1639.
Werner Phister, and his son’s wife, as also Gallus Schneider, Rudolph
Bachman, and Ulrich Muller, put to death in the year 1640, at Zurich,
in the prison Othenbach.
A supplication of those of Amsterdam to the council of Zurich, for
mitigation of the persecution; as also the answer, A. D. 1642.
Felix Landis (the son of Hans Landis) dies of hunger and want in prison
Othenbach, A. D. 1642; his wife delivered out of her bonds.
Rudolph Suhner, a young lad, follows in the footsteps of the aforesaid
Felix, and also dies of want, A. D. 1643.
A number of women suffer much for the truth, namely, Elizabeth
Bachmanni, Elsa Bethezei, Sarah Wanry, Verena Landis, Barbara Neff, and
Barbly Ruff, about A. D. 1643.
Henry Boiler dies bound in prison, A. D. 1644.
A certain letter from Switzerland, touching the threats made by those
of Berne against the Anabaptists in those parts, A. D. 1645.
Mention is made, A. D. 1650, of a decree published by those of
Schaffhausen against those called Anabaptists.
A certain mandate proclaimed against the Anabaptists, three years
later, namely, 1653.
Ully Wagman and another brother, both imprisoned; Ully dies A. D. 1654,
while the other brother remained in prison long afterwards.
A certain letter from Mackhenheym, in defense of the brethren
persecuted in Switzerland, sent to Amsterdam, A. D. 1658.
Seven teachers apprehended at Berne, namely, Ully Bogart, Anthony
Hinnelberg, Jegly Schlebach, Hans Zaug, Ully Baumgartner, Christian
Christians, and Rudi Peters. See year 1659.
A decree published by those of Berne, against those called Anabaptists,
on the 9th of August, A. D. 1659.
A record of what the Lords States of the United Netherlands did with
those of Berne, for the mitigation of the aforesaid decree, by letters
of recommendation, as also of letters of recommendation of some Dutch
cities in particular, for the same purpose; A. D. 1660.
Herewith this whole work, and consequently the whole Book of Martyrs,
is abridged and concluded.]
* * * * *
This century will be brief, and extend not over much more than half
a century. Neither will the martyrizations that occurred in it be so
severe as those in any of the preceding centuries. Beheading people,
or suffering them to die of want in prison, will be the severest
punishments that were inflicted according to the body upon the
following witnesses of the Lord. In the meantime, when the north wind
of persecution began to blow its fiercest, according to the course of
the times, the pleasant south wind of rest and liberty from persecution
intervened. The most, however, mischief in this brief century, in the
parts of Zurich and Berne, was caused by such as called themselves
Reformed; others, who bore the same name, and especially the rulers
of the United Netherlands (as being friends of peace, and enemies of
constraint of conscience), opposed it, and kindly and in a fatherly
manner protected the innocently persecuted ones, according to all their
ability.
This work begins with Groningen and Sneeck in Vriesland, and ends with
Zurich and Berne, in the confines of Switzerland. This is the order
which we shall follow.
OF A DECREE PUBLISHED BY THOSE OF GRONINGEN AND SNEECK AGAINST THE
ANABAPTISTS, A. D. 1601.
With the beginning of this century, when the constraint exercised
by the papists upon the faith and conscience of the pious, began
to cease somewhat, some who had separated from popery, and yet
nevertheless retained the disposition of the papists, in the matter
of oppressing others for their religion, poured out their bitterness
not only upon those who had formerly oppressed them, but principally
upon such as had never done them evil, but always good; however, not
unto death, nor severe punishment of the body, but lighter and lesser
penalties, of which those of Groningen and Sneeck were the inventors
and inaugurators. Which decree, as far as it is directed against the
Anabaptists, we shall copy literally.
THE DECREE.[349]
[349] Let no one take offense at the words of this decree; for we
desired to give them unchanged.