ministers from Alsace (whose names on account of the present peril, we
will not mention), in the year 1658, in the month and on the day given
above.
SEVEN TEACHERS AND ELDERS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST IMPRISONED AT
BERNE, NAMELY, ULY BOGART, ANTHONY HINNELBERG, JEGLY SCHLEBACH, HANS
ZAUG, ULY BAUMGARTER, CHRISTIAN CHRISTIANS, AND RHODE PETERS, IN THE
YEAR 1659.
The little flock of Christ having fled from the confines of Zurich to
the regions of Berne, could at this time also there obtain no freedom,
inasmuch as those of Berne, following the footsteps of those of Zurich,
also undertook to lay hands on them, but especially on the shepherds
and leaders of the church, in order that they might by this means, as
it seems, cause the more terror among the innocent sheep and lambs of
the scattered flock of Christ.
Seven of the teachers and principal elders of the church were
apprehended, for whom special prisons were prepared, namely, Uly
Bogart, Anthony Hinnelberg, Jegly Schlebach, Hans Zaug, Uly Baumgarter,
Christian Christians, and Rhode Peters.
These were for a while kept very hard at work, and very poorly fed
with heavy food, spelt and rye, to make good the expenses they caused;
besides that much reproach, contumely and vituperation was heaped upon
them.
They were first told, that they should be kept confined in this manner
until the end of their life; in which they patiently comforted and
surrendered themselves to the grace of the Lord. However, when they saw
that there was no hope of dissuading these people from their faith and
religion, they determined upon another plan (according to what we have
been informed from Alsace), namely, that they should have to choose
one of these three things: 1. To go with them to church; or, 2. Be
perpetually banished to the galleys; or, 3. To have to die by the hands
of the executioner.
Certainly a hard and difficult choice; for the first proposition
concerns the soul, and the last two the body: by choosing one of these
things doubtless either the soul or the body, or even both together,
should be imperiled.
If one denies his faith, he does violence to his conscience; or if he
adopts another religion, contrary to his heart and mind, he exposes his
soul to extreme danger, yea, to the peril of damnation.
If one on the other hand will keep his faith, not bend or violate his
conscience, and maintain and defend the religion which he has accepted
and thinks necessary to salvation; he brings, in such case, his body
in distress, so that he must wander about in misery, or meet with an
untimely and violent death.
However, in such a case, it is necessary to consider, that the soul is
of infinitely greater importance than the body, which latter at all
events must once, when the soul shall continue, be put off. Hence heed
ought to be taken to the instruction of Christ, where he says: “And
fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul:
but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in
hell.” Matt. 10:28.
As to what was done in this matter, either on the part of the
prisoners, or by those who kept them imprisoned, we have not been able
to learn; it is certain, however, that they remained in confinement
as late as A. D. 1659, which sufficiently indicates the immovableness
of their faith, wherein the Lord, who is gracious, be pleased to
strengthen them by his good Spirit, so that they, striving steadfastly,
may hereafter, with all the saints, of whom we have mentioned many in
this book, receive the blessed crown of unfading glory from the Lord.
SEVEN HUNDRED PERSONS OPPRESSED AND PERSECUTED AT BERNE.
In the year 1671 there arose again a severe persecution against the
Anabaptists, in said dominion of Berne; which persecution was so
rigorous and long-continued, that it seemed that the authorities would
not desist, until they should have utterly driven that people out of
their dominion, or exterminated them. In consequence of this it also
happened, that about seven hundred persons, small and great, found
themselves compelled to leave their abode, forsake their property,
and, many of them, also their kindred, together with their earthly
fatherland, and betake themselves with the others to the Palatinate, in
hope that the Lord should so order it, that they might find a place of
abode there. We were eye witnesses, as to how it went when they arrived
there, and we inspected place after place whither they had come to find
abodes.
However, as we, just before we went thither, had received, from the
persecuted people themselves, as well as from others who wrote in their
name, and as they told them, several letters, which plainly state the
circumstances and condition of this persecution, just as we had heard
it from their own lips, we deemed it advisable, to insert the same
here, in order that the Christian reader, reading them, may fancy to
himself, that he hears the account, not of ear or eye witnesses, but
even of the very people that suffered said persecution. The letters
read as follows:
EXTRACT FROM THE FIRST LETTER, DATED THE 7TH OF APRIL, 1671, FROM
OBERSULTZEM.
As to the request of the friends, concerning the situation of our
Swiss brethren in the Berne dominion, the facts are, that they are
in a very sad condition, as we have learned from the lips of the
fugitives that have arrived here, some of whom are still in my house.
They say: That they are daily hunted with constables, and, as many
as they can get, taken prisoners to the city of Berne, so that about
four weeks ago about forty, men and women, were in confinement there.
They have also scourged some, and banished them from the country, one
of whom has arrived here. They also scourged a minister in the word,
and then conducted him out of the country, into Burgundy, where, when
they arrived there, they first branded him, and let him go among the
Walloons. However, as he could talk with no one, he had to go about
three days with his burnt body, before his wounds were dressed and he
obtained some refreshments; being in such a condition, that when they
undressed him for the purpose of binding up his wounds, the matter ran
down his back, as a brother who helped dress the wound told me himself.
This friend arrived in Alsace together with two women and a man, who
had also been scourged and banished. Hence they proceed very severely,
and, as it seems, will not desist from their purpose, until they shall
have utterly banished from their country and exterminated this harmless
people.
It also appears that nothing further can be done in favor of these
persecuted brethren; for besides that the friends at Amsterdam and
elsewhere labored for several years in the matter, so that several
favorable letters of recommendation from the Lords States of Holland,
as also in particular from the city of Amsterdam, and also of other
persons of quality, were sent thither to the magistrates; also, in
the year 1660, an Express named Adolf de Vreede, was sent to them;
however, he did not effect much for the benefit of our friends there.
Hence, I cannot see that the friends at present will be able to effect
anything that would tend to the relief of our persecuted brethren
there. We will have to await with patience the deliverance which the
Lord our God may be pleased to grant them.
EXTRACT FROM THE SECOND LETTER FROM OBERSULTZEM, THE 23D DAY OF MAY,
1671.
The persecution of our friends continues as rigorous as before, so
that we are surprised, that they do not make more speed in leaving the
country. Now and then one or two come straggling down; but the most
of them still stay above Strasburg, in Alsace. Some go into the woods
and chop wood; others go to the mountains and work in the vineyards,
in the hope, as it appears to me, that by-and-by tranquillity will be
restored, and that they might then be able with the greater convenience
to return to their forsaken abodes; but I fear, that it will not pass
over so soon, and that they will find themselves greatly deceived in
their hope.
The magistrates at Berne caused six of the prisoners, among whom was a
man with nine children, to be fastened to a chain, and to be sold for
the sea, to be used as galley slaves between Milan and Malta; but as
to what they propose to do with the other prisoners, cannot really be
learned. One of the prisoners, an old man of about eighty years, died
in prison. May the Lord comfort them in their sorrow, and strengthen
them in their weakness, so that they may patiently bear the cross, and
strive faithfully unto the end, for the truth of the gospel, and thus
be enabled ultimately to obtain the promised salvation and crown of
life. Amen.
EXTRACT FROM THE THIRD LETTER FROM OBERSULTZEM, THE 13TH OF OCTOBER,
1671.
Hendrick de Backer, most esteemed friend and beloved brother in Christ.
I wish you and yours much grace and peace from God our Heavenly Father,
through our Lord Jesus Christ, as a friendly greeting. Amen.
This is in reply to your request touching the condition of our
persecuted Swiss brethren. The facts are, that on the 11th ult., it
was resolved in the full council at Berne, to send the male prisoners
that are young and strong also upon the galleys, even as they have
before this done to six of them; but the old and feeble they would
either send elsewhere, or keep them in perpetual confinement. Learning
of this resolution, and being moved to compassion, a certain gentleman
in Berne went to the magistrates, and requested that they would be
pleased to postpone sending away the prisoners until he could go to
their fellow-believers, residing in Alsace, and see whether they
would be responsible for the prisoners, by promising that the latter,
after leaving the country, should return no more without consent.
This he obtained, and coming into Alsace to our friends, he presented
the matter to them, who, as soon as they had heard it, forthwith
accepted the conditions, and promised, in case the authorities at Berne
should be pleased to send the prisoners to them, that they would be
responsible for them, and aid them in obtaining other abodes. This
our friends, as I understand, promised this gentleman (his name was
Beatus), not only orally, but also gave it to him in writing. Thereupon
he promised them again to do his best with the authorities of Berne,
and hoped to obtain so much from them, that they should bring the
prisoners as far as Basle, from where the friends might take them away
with them. Hence, we long to meet them, daily expecting to hear that
they have arrived in Alsace, or that they shall come over here to us.
At this moment there have arrived at my house, four Swiss brethren with
their wives and children, who say, that also many others are on the
way, since the persecution and search are daily increasing. Concluding
herewith, I commend you, after a Christian and brotherly greeting, to
the Most High, for your eternal salvation.
Your affectionate friend and brother in Christ.
JACOB EVERLING.
EXTRACT FROM THE FOURTH LETTER, DATED NOVEMBER 2D, 1671.
Concerning our Swiss friends, they are now coming this way in large
parties, so that there have already arrived over two hundred persons,
and among them are many old, gray headed people, both men and women,
that have reached seventy, eighty, yea, ninety years; also a number
that are crippled and lame; carrying their bundles on their backs, with
children on their arms, some of good cheer, some also with tearful
eyes, particularly the old and feeble persons, who now in their
great age are compelled to wander about in misery, and go to strange
countries, and many of them having nothing on which to sleep by night,
so that I and others with me, have now for about two weeks had to make
it our regular work, to provide shelter and other necessaries for them.
We are also in daily expectation of still more, so that we hope, that
when the people have mostly left the country, the prisoners also will
be released. Farewell.
* * * * *
The sequel was, that continually more and more of the expelled
fugitives came down from Switzerland into the Palatinate, in all nearly
seven hundred persons, old and young, among whom were families of
eight, ten, and as many as twelve children, who had scarcely been able
to bring with them enough for their traveling expenses, as appears from
the following extract:
FIFTH EXTRACT FROM THE SAME, OBERSULTZEM, ON THE 5TH OF JANUARY, 1672.
There has arrived in the region above Heidelberg, a man, being a
minister in the North, having twelve, mostly very young children,
but having, as I understand, brought with him only four rix-dollars
in money, and a very poor horse. Some others have brought with them
some money, but many nothing at all, so that after close examination
there was found among two hundred and eighty-two persons, one thousand
and forty-six rix-dollars. And in the Alzey Bailiwick, among two
hundred and fifteen persons, six hundred and eight rix-dollars. In
the Darmstein Bailiwick, there were found one hundred and forty-four
persons; but as to what their means are, I have not learned; but from
appearances I judge them to be the most indigent. In short, we find
that their number consists of about eighty full families, then further,
widows, single persons, and husbands and wives that had to forsake
their companions, because the latter, being attached to the Reformed
Religion, could not make up their minds to leave; in all, six hundred
and forty-one persons, whose funds amount to no more than the little
sum already stated; so that you can easily calculate, that considerable
assistance will be necessary. Besides these, we understand, there are
about one hundred persons more sojourning in Alsace, whom we also
expect by the fore part of the year. Farewell. Thus far the extracts
from the letters.
Subsequently the brotherhoods residing in the provinces of the United
Netherlands, in March of the same year, 1672, sent some from their
midst to the Palatinate, who traveling everywhere to the persecuted
brethren, and hearing and seeing them, not only found the above
related, to be true, but also, that already some of the last mentioned
had come over from Alsace, who, bringing also, like the others, no
funds with them, were, together with these, aided and comforted by the
common assistance of the wealthy churches or brotherhoods of the United
Provinces.
Moreover, they learned from some of the forty prisoners themselves
that they had all been released, and, according to the request of the
above mentioned gentleman, been brought to Basle, and there turned over
to their brethren, with whom they then together removed. But when the
chiefest of them were asked why they had not left sooner and sought
such places, where they might have lived with more freedom according
to their conscience, seeing the authorities had not prevented their
leaving, they gave different reasons for it, of which the following
ones were not the least:
1. They said that they say that the churches greatly waxed and
increased, so that, though under the cross, they nevertheless
flourished as a rose among thorns, and that further increase could
daily be expected, because many persons manifested themselves, who
saw the light shine out of darkness, and began to love the same and
seek after it; that the ministers considering this in their heart,
found themselves loth to leave the country, fearing that thereby this
promising harvest might be lost, and thus many fall back from their
good purpose; and hence, they chose rather to suffer a little than to
leave, in order that they might yet rescue some souls from perdition,
and bring them to Christ.
2. A second reason was, that they could not so easily take their
departure to other countries, because there are among them many divided
families, of whom the husband or the wife is in the church, while the
companion still attended the public church, in which case, if the
latter would not follow their persecuted companions, also to forsake
everything and leave the country, it caused great inconvenience and
sorrow; that there were even divers ministers not exempt from this
difficulty, and there were also two ministers there in the Palatinate,
who had wives that were not in the church, and whom they (having
secretly been warned by a good friend), also had had to leave by night,
and take to flight, without knowing as yet whether their wives should
follow them, or whether they, loving their property more than their
husbands, should remain there in the land, and forsake their husbands.
That such cases created the more sorrow and difficulty, because the
authorities granted liberty to such remaining persons, whether women
or men, to marry again and seek other companions. These and other
reasons had prevented them from departing uncompelled out of their
earthly fatherland; but induced them, rather (as they had now done), to
wait until they should see that they could no longer remain there and
preserve a good conscience.
Truly, it is to be lamented that at this time, when the light of the
gospel has shone so long to the protestants, there are nevertheless
still found among them those who think it good to persecute such who in
every respect are good and pious subjects, and differ from them only in
certain points concerning the Christian religion. O, how little there
is regarded by such conduct, the teaching of our Savior, to do unto
others as we would have them do unto us. And yet such complain of the
persecution that is inflicted in France, Hungary, and elsewhere upon
their brotherhoods. But what do you think, might they not with justice
be replied to in the same manner in which the Apostle Paul replied to
the Jews: Rom. 11:21,[359] etc.? Certainly, very justly.
[359] This is evidently an error, and Rom. 2:21 seems to be the
passage had in view by the author.--TRANS.
We conclude this recital with this earnest prayer, namely, that God
the Lord would be pleased so to direct the hearts of those that are in
authority, that we may under their reign and dominion lead a peaceable
and quiet life, in all godliness and honesty. And if it should be, that
the great God might deem it good, to permit the persecution of his
believers here or there, that he might then be pleased to abide with
them with his fatherly care and comfort, and through grace grant that
their afflictions may be accompanied with patience, their faith with
steadfastness, and their virtues with faithfulness; all to the honor
of his name, that can never be praised enough, and to the salvation of
their souls, through Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
HANS HASLIBACHER, A. D. 1571.
In connection with the above account of the persecutions that came
upon the Swiss brethren, we do not deem it out of place to add the
following, namely: That a certain old and pious brother (commonly
called Haslibacher, because he was born at Haslibach); was apprehended
for his faith, and brought to Berne, where in prison he was handled
very severely, and cruelly tortured; but when he, notwithstanding this,
steadfastly adhered to his faith, there came to him in the prison,
soon after, one Friday, several preachers, who disputed with him,
against whom he so bravely conducted himself, in defending his simple
confession of faith, that they could accomplish nothing with him.
Thereupon the preachers came to him again the following day, being
Saturday, speaking more harshly to him, and severely threatening him,
that if he did not renounce his faith, his head should be laid before
his feet. Upon this, the good old man courageously replied, that he
should in no wise renounce his faith, but would steadfastly adhere
to the same, since he felt perfectly assured that his faith was so
acceptable to God, that he should by no means forsake him in distress
and death.
Thereupon it happened, as is credibly related, that in the following
night from Saturday until Sunday he was comforted and strengthened by
a Divine vision, and exhorted to adhere steadfastly to his accepted
faith; and that, though they should severely threaten him, even so that
they should put him to death with the sword, he should nevertheless not
be terrified, for the Lord should be at his side, and not suffer that
he should feel any pain from it.
Now when on Monday the preachers again came to him and disputed with
him as before, endeavoring to move him from his faith, adding, that if
he did not renounce, he should be punished with death the next day.
Haslibacher boldly answered: “I am ready to suffer my head to be struck
off, much rather than apostatize from my faith.”
Thereupon, when the preachers left him, and he in the evening fell
into a deep sleep which lasted until midnight; it is said that he had
a dream in which it was shown him that they would behead him (through
which he was suddenly awakened), and it was made known to him in a
special manner, that he should be punished with the sword, but that
there should be given three special signs, whereby his innocence would
appear before men.
NOTE.--As reference has been made to three signs, which however,
are not mentioned, but are given in the hymn (the last one of the
_Gesangbuch der Taufgesinnten_), we will in order to complete the
account, here insert this hymn in full. We will, however add, that
neither this hymn nor the list of Swiss martyrs, copied by Hans
Loersch, following it, were contained in the Holland editions of the
Martyrs Mirror, but were afterwards added in the German editions. The
hymn which also appears only in part in the German, is here given
entire.--_Publishers._
Give ear, kind friends, and help who can,
To sing about an aged man,
Who hailed from Haslibach;
Hence, Haslibacher was he called,
And lived in parish Summiswald.
Since our dear Lord permission gave,
To men t’accuse him as a knave,
Because of his true faith;
Hence bound they him with rigor stern,
And led him to the town of Berne.
And though he was imprisoned here,
And tortured with torments severe,
For holding to his faith;
Yet did he steadfast still remain,
In torture, anguish, and in pain.
One Friday morning, mark my words,
There came some educated lords,
Into his prison hold;
And in dispute did him enlist,
That he should from his faith desist.
Our Haslibacher then and there,
Gave all their babblings to the air,
For thus he straightway said:
“My faith I never will forsake,
Though life and body you should take.”
On Saturday these learned men
Came to his prison-hold again,
And thus with threats they spake:
“Thou must renounce thy heresy,
Or else thou shalt beheaded be.”
Instant he answered with bold heart:
“From this my faith I’ll ne’er depart,
But firmly cleave thereto;
For God accepts my faith as right,
And he’ll protect me by his might.”
And when night’s sable garb was spread,
God’s angel came with might and said,
In Haslibacher’s ear:
“’Tis God who me to thee doth send,
To comfort thee before thy end.
“Moreover I will counsel thee,
Not wavering in thy faith to be,
But strong therein remain;
For God accepteth thy belief--
He’ll keep thy soul and bring relief.
“And though they threaten with the sword
To execute thee, let their word
In thee cause no dismay:
For at thy side I will remain
To succor thee from every pain.”
And thus again, when Monday came,
Those tutored men, of priestly fame
To Haslibacher went,
And sorely him with words they ply,
That his belief he should deny.
“If not,” they said, and meant it too,
“To-morrow’s morn brings death to you.”
But Haslibacher said:
“This body you may put to death--
I’ll give my head, but not my faith.”
When night again her mantle spread,
Deep sleep fell on his weary head,
Until the clock struck twelve.
He dreamed he was in daylight fair,
Led forth to be beheaded there.
This wakes him up, as well it might,
And lo, about him all is light.
A book before him lies,
An angel’s holy voice explains:
“Read what this little book contains.”
And when he reads the book he finds
That his tormentors set their minds,
That they would him behead.
But God would let three signs appear
To show th’ injustice he should bear.
When he had read it to the end,
Night’s darkness did again descend,
And sleep his eyelids closed,
Till daylight brought these murderous men,
Into his prison cell again.