Zurich) was a pious and godfearing brother of the church in Horgerberg.
He was apprehended, and imprisoned in Othenbach, in which place he was
treated most unmercifully; for he was not given anything to eat for
many days, so that even some criminals that were confined near him
in another place, took pity on him, and with difficulty, managed to
get some food to him, through an opening between them. But when the
door-keeper perceived this, he was put into another prison. Finally,
however, they gave him some food; but he was so impaired in his body
(through shrinking of his bowels, as it seems, on account of having
suffered hunger so long), that he could not bear food any more, but
prepared himself for death.
Yet in his greatest distress he was carried to church, during the
sermon, where he, O dreadful inhumanity! was thrown under a bench; but
he soon after gave up the ghost, which he had commended into the hands
of God.
His wife Adelheid Egli, who was also imprisoned in Othenbach, was kept
there almost four years.
In that time she was treated not only unmercifully, but also
shamefully; they threw her into many a stinking corner, stripped her
twice in her bonds, and for a time took away her clothes from her every
night; however, she afterwards, with a good conscience, escaped from
her bonds.
But in the meantime the authorities had broken up their family, put
out the children among strangers, and then sold house and furniture,
realizing from it 5000 guilders, all of which they kept for themselves.
However the cast out and forsaken ones comforted themselves herein
according to the words of the apostle: “Ye took joyfully the spoiling
of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better
and enduring substance.” Hebrews 10:34. Compare _Jer. Mang., Tract of
the year 1645, fol. 13, A. B._, with _M. Meyli, Tract, dated 1658, fol.
7, num. 8_.
NOTE.--The time of the imprisonment and death of this martyr, and of
the following ones, which we have fixed about the year 1642 and 1643,
is not really expressed in the Swiss manuscript, but is inferred from
the circumstances.
RUDOLF SUHNER, ABOUT A. D. 1643.
They also apprehended a young lad, named Rudolf Suhner, who, though
young in years, was old in the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
He was kept confined nearly two years in Othenbach, during which time
he was forced to hard labor.
In the meantime they made his life so bitter to him, by severe threats
and terrible representations, that he, through fear of the impending
distress, consented to go to church with those that had imprisoned him,
whereupon he was released. But soon after, reflecting on his fall,
he experienced great sorrow, sincerely wept over his sins, and again
prepared himself for the conflict set before him.
Thereupon he was again apprehended, and confined in the aforementioned
place, but kept much harder than before. For, for a time all food
was denied him (even as had been done to Felix Landis), so that some
criminals, who were confined close to him, filled with compassion on
his account, poured to him some warm liquid food, through a crevice in
the wall.
Finally, when in consequence of having suffered hunger so long, he was
so weakened, that he could not live any longer, he requested once more,
that they would, in his great distress, allow him a little warm food,
which the jailer made known to the lords. This, however, they jointly
refused to grant, in order to cause him, if possible, to apostatize.
But finally one of the lords, beholding his misery, gave permission
that they should give him some thing to eat again. Which when it was
done, he could eat or bear it no more, and thus died famishing in his
bonds; for which the Lord shall hereafter, at his heavenly table,
reward him with eternal satiation. “Blessed are ye that hunger now: for
ye shall be filled.” Luke 6:21. Compare _Jer. Mang., Tract, fol. 14.,
A._, with _Tract, M. Meyli, fol. 7, num. 8_.
THREE SISTERS, NAMELY, ELIZABETH BACHMANNI, ELSSA BETHEZEI, AND SARAH
WANRIJ, ABOUT A. D. 1643.
The army of God, which at this time prepared itself for the conflict
and the sufferings of Jesus Christ, consisted not only of men, who are
sometimes judged to be the strongest, but also in women, for God’s
power is made strong in weakness, which appeared in the case of three
pious heroines of God, namely, Elizabeth Bachmanni, from the Groeningen
Bailiwick, the wife of Hans Jaggli, of Bartschwyl; Elssa Bethezei, from
the Knonow Bailiwick, the wife of Jacob Isselme; Sarah Wanrij, from
the Horgerberg, the wife of Hans Phister, all of whom, imprisoned and
bound in the dungeon Othenbach and in the hospital, for the testimony
of Jesus Christ, lost their lives through want, hardships, and misery.
All this they endured in the fear of God as well as patiently. They
counted their departure from this life as the beginning of the future.
And so, their unrest was truly the entrance to the rest of the saints,
who shall hereafter, for this brief suffering, which they endured for
the name of the Lord, rejoice forever. “For our light affliction, which
is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory.” 2 Cor. 4:17. Compare the above with _Tract, Meyli_,
dated 1658, _fol. 8, A., num. 1, 2, 3_.
VERENA LANDIS, A. D. 1643.
An old sister, named Verena Landis, was surprised in the night in her
own house, with dreadful raging and storming; in consequence of which
she was so frightened that she fainted, yea, became sick, and hence
could not go with the thief-catchers.
When they could not get her away, she had to promise to remain a
prisoner in her house, which promise she kept.
But as they treated her very harshly, and provided her with very bad
food, certain death ensued a short time afterwards, and she thus
departed this life with a joyful hope and cheerful heart; for which the
Lord hereafter, because it was done for his name’s sake, shall crown
her with the life of bliss, and deliver her from eternal death. “There
shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there
be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev. 21:4.
_Jer. Mang., Tract, fol. 15, B._, compared with _Tract, M. Meyli, fol.
8, A._
BARBARA NEEFF, ABOUT A. D. 1643.
This woman was very near her confinement, when she was driven hither
and thither through the persecution.
After she was delivered and had lain in three days, she was betrayed
and apprehended.
She was forthwith, in the bitter cold of winter, taken to prison,
a distance of four hours’ walk; in which she, on account of the
intolerable cold, her health became irrevocably ruined, so that she,
though she was released from prison previous to her death, she died
soon after, and is now resting with her soul under the altar of God.
Compare _Jer. Mang., Tract of the year 1645, fol. 16, A._, with _M.
Meyli, Tract, fol. 8_, after the three women first mentioned, _num. 1_.
BARBLY RUFF, ABOUT A. D. 1643.
The persecutors did not rest, but continued, so that having hastily
entered into the Knonow Bailiwick, they fell upon another sister, named
Barbly Ruff, who was likewise enceinte; in consequence of which this
good woman was so exceedingly frightened, it happened so unexpectedly,
that the pains of travail came upon her, and she was therefore not able
to accompany her captors.
Therefore she was fastened to a chain in the house of her
brother-in-law, and the family or servants there enjoined to guard her
well.
But when she had been delivered of her child, and had gained a little
strength, although not yet quite recovered from all the hardships she
had suffered, she, when it was not expected, escaped into another
district, but since her life had been greatly weakened through the
persecution she had suffered she died soon after; which she bore
willingly and patiently, with a valiant and steadfast mind, to the
praise of the Lord, entering into the saints’ rest, and waiting for
the day that shall hereafter comfort her and all the pious. _M. Meyli
Tract, dated 1658, fol. 8, B., compared with Jer. Mang., Tract of the
year 1645, on the name Barbly, etc._
NOTE.--About this time, 1643, there were also apprehended for their
faith, two sisters, namely, Martha Lindne and Annill Blau, very
well known and noted women. Martha was imprisoned in Othenbach,
and threatened with the executioner, who stood beside her, if she
should not reveal the poor fund, which was intrusted to her husband;
which when she had pointed out, they took the whole of it and kept
it, it amounting to about 1,000 dollars. Annill being enceinte, was
fastened to a chain in the hospital till she was delivered. But, as
many interceded for her, and especially through the intercession of
the chief curate, Printiger, she was released, and went to the Lower
Palatinate, where she and her husband, named Moneth Meylich, who,
on account of the steadfastness of his faith, had also endured much
persecution, tribulation and imprisonment, settled down, and (nothing
to the contrary being known) they still live, enjoying prosperity
through the blessing of God. _Compare tracts of M. Meyli and Jer.
Mang., on the names above referred to._
HENRY BOLLER, ABOUT A. D. 1644.
It continued to be a common custom to let people die in prison.
This appeared also in the case of a godfearing brother, named Henry
Boller,[358] from the Seignioralty Wadischwyl, a man of very great age,
and very infirm according to the body.
[358] In the last tract he is called Hans Boller, but in the first,
Henry, which we have followed in our account. It must also be
noticed, that in the Swiss manuscript the time of this occurrence is
not expressly noted for the year 1644; but from the circumstances we
have inferred, that it took place about said year, as we have also
noted.
He was apprehended, and taken to the aforementioned prison Othenbach at
Zurich, and there put in bonds.
But as they treated him most unmercifully and without the least
compassion, his many years and natural infirmity were not able to bear
up under it; hence, having commended his spirit into the hands of God,
he died there in prison: but he shall be rewarded for this in the day
of resurrection, when there will be fulfilled what the prophet says:
“Thy dead men (O God!) shall live, together with my dead body shall
they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as
the dew of herbs.” Is. 26:19. _Compare Tract, Jer. Mang., fol. 16, A.,
with the account of M. Meyli, fol. 6, B._, though, through a mistake in
copying, instead of Henry, it reads Hans.
NOTE.--On the 11th of June of the year 1644 there was apprehended an
old brother from the Horgerberg, named Conrad Stricke, who, though
he had been apprehended outside of the Zurich jurisdiction, was
nevertheless imprisoned at Zurich, in the place Othenbach, and put in
chains every night.
So was also his wife apprehended, and imprisoned in the same place;
however, she, through a certain means, keeping her faith, escaped
again; but the aforementioned Conrad, her husband, was not so
successful, so that he remained in severe imprisonment until the close
of the year 1645, after which time we have learned nothing of him or of
his deliverance. _See Jer. Mang. Tract, edit. 1645, on the name Conrad._
OF A CERTAIN WRITING FROM SWITZERLAND, TOUCHING THE THREATS MADE BY
THOSE OF BERNE AGAINST THE ANABAPTISTS IN THOSE PARTS, A. D. 1645.
Now when some brethren and sisters in the Swiss dominions had died
in prison, of misery, want, hunger and grief, but five still lived
in confinement, the remaining ones who were yet out of bonds, when
they were threatened, especially by those of Berne, that they should
expel them all from the country, and seize their goods, and sell them,
had recourse, next to God, with an humble and friendly letter, to
their fellow believers in Holland and elsewhere in the Netherlands,
requesting that they should everywhere fervently call upon God the Lord
in their behalf, for comfort and grace, to the end that they might
patiently endure that which might come upon them according to the
flesh, for his holy name’s sake.
This letter was written the 22d of July, old style, in the year of our
Lord 1645, and was signed by
Hans Duster, at Baltzen, an elder }
in the word of the Lord. } From the Berne
Ruth Kunstel, at Muchem, a minister } jurisdiction.
in the word of the Lord. }
Ruth Hagen, an elder. } From the
Hans Mully, a minister. } Zurich
Hans Stuss, a minister. } jurisdiction.
What followed therefrom, and how it subsequently went with those who
were imprisoned, can be seen in a subsequent account, in a marginal
note, in connection with Ully Wagman.
But as to how the poor wanderers that were not imprisoned managed in
their misery and poverty, we have received no clear information, but it
can be sufficiently inferred from the sad condition of affairs.
AN EDICT PUBLISHED BY THOSE OF SCHAFFHAUSEN AGAINST THOSE CALLED
ANABAPTISTS, ABOUT THE YEAR 1650.
The persecution of the sheep of Christ remained at this time not
confined in the limits of Zurich and Berne; but as a fire of gunpowder,
or a flash of lightning, rapidly passes from one place to another, so
it went also here; for also those of Schaffhausen, being one of the
Swiss cities designated by the name of Cantons, following the footsteps
of their fellow believers, took, even as the former, to banishing the
defenseless people who, having hitherto peaceably lived under their
protection, were called Anabaptists.
There was however some time set them, in which they might leave with
their families; hence the distress of those whom this befell was not so
great as that of those of whom we made previous mention, and of whom we
shall hereafter speak.
All this was caused by a certain edict published for this purpose,
which, if it were necessary, could be adduced here; but for certain
reasons we are compelled to be brief, and to abridge our account as
much as is possible.
OF A CERTAIN MANDATE PUBLISHED BY THE PRINCE OF NEUBURG, AGAINST THE
ANABAPTISTS (SO CALLED), ABOUT THE YEAR 1653.
Even as an innocent lamb that has escaped the wolf, at last falls into
the claws of the bear, so it went also at this time; inasmuch as some
of the defenseless followers of the meek Jesus, daring no longer to
trust themselves in the Swiss confines, under the dominion of the
Zwinglian Reformed, fled hither and thither, and thus also, as it
appears, into Bergsland, the dominions of Guliche, and elsewhere, where
the Roman Catholic Prince of Neuburg, William Wolfgang ruled, and where
the Anabaptists had lived in peace for many years, under toleration.
But now it came to pass, about the year 1653, that the same Prince,
instigated, as it is supposed, by certain envious and malignant
Jesuits, also opposed all those that were called Anabaptists within the
limits of his dominion; insomuch that he, by a certain public mandate,
banished these people, in whatever part of his dominion they were
resident, however with these conditions:
1. That all Anabaptists who had become such by apostatizing from the
Romish religion, should have to leave without delay.
2. That all other Anabaptists, who had not apostatized from the
Romanists, but had proceeded out of themselves, if they owned no real
estate, should have to leave within half a year.
3. That all like conditioned Anabaptists, who owned real estate, and
were engaged in an established mercantile business, should be granted
for their removing, in order first to save their property, two years,
etc. All this was accompanied with certain threats.
This was executed by his order, and published without any delay in
every place of his dominion where it is customary to make proclamation;
however, at Glabbeeck, in the country of Guliche (from where we have
received information concerning this matter), it was done on the last
of January of the year 1653.
In the meantime divers supplications for mitigation of the
aforementioned edict were delivered to the Prince; to which, as it
appears, he would in a measure have been inclined: but before this
was done, he departed this world; hence that which had already been
published remained in force with his successor.
Hence the aforementioned people had to leave those parts, and every one
had to look out where he might best go; in which the Lord God showed
many of them the grace that they were peaceably and joyfully received
in the places whither they went, especially in the country of Cleves,
under the Elector of Bradenburg, and in the Netherlands.
“When they persecute you in this city,” says the Lord, “flee ye into
another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the
cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” Matt. 10:23.
ULLY WAGMAN, AND ANOTHER BROTHER, IN THE YEAR 1654.
There was some respite or abatement, as it appears, between the years
1644 and 1654, in the Zurich dominions, inasmuch as we have not learned
of any one having died in prison, from bad food or maltreatment (though
some, of those whom we previously, and also in the margin, made
mention of, had been apprehended a considerable time previously); but
when the year 1654 was come, we again learn of the death of a pious
Christian there.
They aimed at the leaders of the church, especially at those who
ministered in the word of God. Among these they had apprehended,
and imprisoned at Zurich, in the convent Othenbach, a very dear and
worthy man, who, from a faithful heart, with the gift he had received
from God, took heed to the church of Jesus Christ, and cared for it
spiritually; his name was Ully Wagman.
But as in his imprisonment he was treated very harshly and rigorously,
he felt that his death was near, and having commended his soul unto
God, he departed this life. Compare both of the aforementioned tracts.
With him there was imprisoned another brother, who after Ully’s death
(since he did not want to apostatize, nor to go to church with his
opponents) remained in confinement about two years longer, namely,
until the 2d of October, A. D. 1656. But as to how it subsequently
ended with him, we have not learned. _M. Meyli, Tract edition 1658._
Meanwhile: the former lost his life, while the latter remained in
bonds. The Lord will hereafter pronounce a righteous judgment upon
those who have done and those who have suffered this: the dead that die
in the Lord are blessed: those imprisoned for the testimony of Jesus
Christ shall be brought into the liberty of the children of God; and on
the other hand, those who imprisoned shall be imprisoned and bound with
the woeful bonds of darkness; those who put to death the pious, or were
the cause of their death, and have not repented of it, will, it is to
be feared, not escape the second and eternal death. O that those who
may be guilty in this matter, and are still living, might repent before
their death! O that from persecutors they would become true followers
of Christ and of his saints! O that they might be saved! This we also
wish them out of pure love and from the heart.
NOTE.--Already prior to the year 1645 they had at divers times brought
this and that one of the scattered flock of Christ prisoner to Zurich,
and confined them in Othenbach. Among these there were particularly
five brethren, namely, Jacob Aussilly, Jacob Gachnauer, Jacob
Baumgarter, Hans Huber, and another, named Henry. With these it went,
consecutively, as follows:
Jacob Aussilly, from the county Kiberg, was imprisoned in Othenbach
already in the year 1644, stripped of his clothes, dressed in a long
gray coat, and fastened to a chain.
Jacob Gachnauer, from the Groeningen Bailiwick, was first with his
wife driven out of the country, his family broken up, the children
expelled and thrust into poverty, house and furniture sold, and the
proceeds thereof delivered into the hands of the authorities. But
when he subsequently undertook to come back into the country, to seek
his scattered children, he met the persecutors on the way, who also
imprisoned him in Othenbach, deprived him of his clothes, dressed him
in a gray coat, fastened him to a chain, and dealt with him as with the
preceding brother.
Jacob Baumgarter, an old man of seventy years, had prior to this time
been imprisoned five times on account of his faith, but had escaped
every time; but when he was now apprehended, and also brought to
Othenbach, there was no hope of deliverance, for they also fastened him
to a chain, likewise deprived him of his clothes, and, as had been done
to the former, also dressed him in a gray coat. Moreover, he was for a
time fed on bread and water, stripped twice, and put in irons twice,
and also in fetters and handcuffs, etc.; his house and homestead were
sold for 500 guilders, and the money delivered to the authorities.
Hans Huber, from the Horgerberg, was first imprisoned with eleven other
brethren, for the faith’s sake, from which bonds he was delivered
with his companions; but he was subsequently again apprehended, and
imprisoned in a strong place at Othenbach; and as he was fettered and
chained, there was no prospect for him to be released without the
miraculous help of God.
In the meantime, his wife and her sister, two aged women, were driven
into exile, also because of the faith.
The last, named Henry, had divers times also been severely persecuted
for the testimony of Jesus Christ, and had also been imprisoned; but
he was now confined with the others, in a way which made deliverance
almost an impossibility.
They were all chained, and stripped of their usual garments, and
dressed, in the aforementioned manner, for a mockery and reproach, in
long gray coats.
Thus they persevered until the last of August of the year 1645, being
the time when we heard of them for the last time; how it further went
with them, we have not been able to ascertain.
In the meantime there cannot be withheld from them the name of pious
witnesses of Jesus Christ; since they professed a good profession, and,
moreover, suffered all this for his name’s sake. See _Tract, Mang., of
the year 1645, completed the 15th of September_.
OF A CERTAIN WRITING FROM MACKENHEYM, BEING A DEFENSE OF THE PERSECUTED
SWISS BRETHREN, OR REFUTATION OF A LETTER ACCUSING THEM, SENT FROM
ZURICH TO AMSTERDAM, A. D. 1658.
When all the aforementioned outrages perpetrated on the Swiss brethren
gave rise to much censure on the part of some people, against the
authors of said outrages, a certain letter was sent from the city of
Zurich to one of the merchants at Amsterdam, in which the cause of the
persecuted brethren was represented in the blackest hues, but the cause
of their persecutors, in the fairest colors; consisting principally
in the assertion, that those who were persecuted there were quite a
different class of people, and of another faith and practice, than
their fellow-believers in the Netherlands, namely, that they were
disobedient, stubborn, etc.
This letter having arrived at Amsterdam, it was found good to send the
same (either the original or a copy of it) to the Swiss brethren; to
the end that they might obtain from them a correct and true explanation
with regard to this matter.
Thereupon they wrote an answer upon the 20th of March, old style, or
the 30th of the same month, new style, A. D. 1658, and sent the same,
together with the confession of their faith to the ministers of the
church of God at Amsterdam.
Therein it is stated, among other things, concerning the slander of
disobedience, that even the Zurich lords of both estates had often
confessed to them (the prisoners), that they had been to them very dear
and obedient subjects, that is in common or civil matters, yea, that
in the matter of doing right they serve as lights and examples unto
others. Again, that they had nothing to complain of them, save only
that they would not go to church with them, etc.
It is then stated in said letter, that they had nevertheless been
reduced to extreme desolation and misery, in regard to which these
words are found:
“They apprehended the old and sick, women enceinte and in childbed,
together with their innocent babes, and treated said persons in
various ways, with great harshness and cruelty; yea, they seized all
whom they could get into their power, so that at one time there were,
in confinement, thirty-seven persons, of whom many men and women, in
consequence of the dampness and long confinement, were very grievously
injured in their health, and sixteen persons had to die in these
prisons,” etc.