provinces of Holland and West Friesland, have informed us, that
they, for the performance and promotion of matters of consideration
and importance, most deeply concerning them and their own (for which
purpose we also, several weeks ago, granted our favorable letters of
recommendation) had deemed it necessary, to dispatch to Switzerland
and the adjacent countries, the honorable Adolph de Vrede, we have,
according to the manner customary here, in such cases, deemed it
well, hereby to request His Roman Imperial Majesty, all Kingdoms,
Republics, Princes, Potentates, States and estates, also the Rulers of
Cities and Places, Friends and Allies of this State, or maintaining
neutrality with the same, and especially the Kings, Republics, Princes,
Potentates, and Lords in the aforesaid parts, together with all
others that shall see this or to whom it shall be shown; that they
will render and show, and also suffer to be rendered and shown, the
aforementioned Adolph de Vrede, during this his coming journey, in
going, stopping, as well as returning, all aid, favor and assistance,
whereto an opportunity may present itself, which we are ready to return
and acknowledge, at all occurrences and opportunities, to His Most
High aforesaid Imperial Majesty, said High Kings, said High Republics,
Princes, Potentates, said Noble States, Estates, and Rulers of Cities
and Places, as also to their subjects and inhabitants respectively,
to each according to the opportunity and propriety of the State and
Country.
Given in our assembly, under our hand and seal, and the signature of
our recorder. In the Hague, on the 9th of March, 1660.
JOHAN BARON VAN REEDE, at Renswoude.
_By the order of said High Lords States General in the absence of the
Recorder._
_J. Spronssen._
Besides that which was done by their High Mightinesses, for the
release; or at least for the alleviation of the condition of the
persecuted Swiss friends in the confines of Berne and Zurich also some
separate cities of the United Netherlands, particularly in the province
of Holland, who were sincerely opposed to the constraint exercised over
the faith and the practice of the dictates of conscience, reproved
their co-religionists in Switzerland, especially the rulers of the
city of Berne, and admonished them to gentleness; yet all this, in a
courteous, friendly and discreet manner.
Of this, in order not to adduce too much of a matter, we shall not
quote the whole, but only that which, by the burgomasters and rulers of
the city of Rotterdam, was written to this end, in Latin, and sent to
the rulers of Berne, which, translated into the Dutch, as sufficiently
expressing the sense of the whole, we will present to the well-disposed.
COPY.
(Translated from the Latin.)
_To the Rulers and Councilors of the City and Republic of Berne, the
Burgomasters and Rulers of the City of Rotterdam wish all happiness
and prosperity._
Noble, honorable, highly respected Lords, esteemed Friends: It is
but a few days ago, that there was presented to us, from the elders
of the church, which, from their predecessor,[361] Menno, is called
the church of the Mennonites, a request, in the name of said church,
containing long complaints; that their fellow-believers, under the
odious name of Anabaptists, are proceeded against with such fury in
your E. E. city, that, in consequence of the edicts, they are not
allowed (though they are harmless and not accused of any crimes), to
remove with their possessions and temporal effects out of your E. E.
city and jurisdiction, and go elsewhere, yea, that some, solely out of
hatred against their faith, are deprived of their goods, and confined
in prison.
[361] First one, etc., another translation has it.
They the supplicants, request, that we, through our intercession,
should endeavor, to avert, if possible, the punishments decreed against
their brethren; which their request, being founded upon just arguments,
if they at all are founded on truth, we, by virtue of our duty and
office, could not ignore.
Hence we request your E. E. Highly-esteemed Lords, yea, we beg your E.
E., for the sake of religion and the faith in Christ; which we have
in common with your E. E., that your E. E. would be pleased, either
utterly to abolish the aforesaid exceedingly severe decrees enacted
against the innocent, erring or wandering ones, or, if your E. E.
should not deem this compatible with the situation of your State, of
which the judgment belongs to your E. E., would at least permit, that
the afflicted people, after selling their real estate, and arranging
their matters, may remove with their means to where they may expect
more tranquillity and safety.
As far as we are concerned, Honorable Lords, we have ever since the
foundation of this city held, that this class of people can quite
safely be tolerated in the state, without injury to the Republic.[362]
[362] Here follows a brief parenthesis, which can be omitted without
changing or diminishing the sense; namely: “If they are only separate
from the mad way of the Old,” etc.
And for this our judgment we have to thank Prince William of Orange,
of blessed memory, who through his valor established for us freedom
of conscience, whom the entreaties and perverse zeal of a class of
evil disposed men never could move, to refuse the Mennonites any civil
privileges. And, truly, we have not yet regretted it, having never
found, that the Mennonites, under the cloak of religion (which alone is
pernicious for all Republics), have ever sought to brew any thing in
the state; but, on the contrary, that they have always with a cheerful
and willing mind rendered custom and taxes, and all that a subject
owes to his prince, yea, that they relieved, with their very liberal
contributions, the Reformed that were elsewhere suffering trouble for
their faith, and again recently, the Vaudois, our fellow-believers,
when they, upon the instigation of the pope’s ministers, were miserably
maltreated by the duke of Savoy.
It is not hid from us, highly esteemed Lords, that certain madmen,
through a wrong and perverse zeal, endeavor to persuade your E. E. by
arguments that the tolerating of the Mennonites is injurious for the
Republic; but they do this with such arguments, the weight of which
was never sufficient to induce us, to oppress the Mennonites with any
severe edicts.
For, that they do not consider the office of magistracy lawful for
a Christian, and religiously abstain from the swearing of oaths
(with which two points they are principally charged), this cannot be
detrimental to the Republic; seeing they do not refuse obedience to
the magistrates, to whom, though they command something onerous, they,
constrained by their conscience, consider themselves in duty bound
to obey; and will be so bound to their naked declaration, that, when
convicted of broken faith and of falsehood, they are willing to submit
to the punishment of perjurers.
Which things, as long as they continue unchanged we cannot see, what
harm the Republic has to expect therefrom.
That some, through pious, or even superstitious, fear, abstain from the
magisterial office, and from the swearing of oaths, what will those say
against it, who under the truly glorious name of Reformed, follow the
tyranny of the Pope, and under the favor of the excellent titles of
reformation and purity of faith introduce popery, with regard to the
cruelty of which, as it was practiced in former times, in this city,
especially against the Mennonites, as often as the remembrance of it,
preserved in our records, burdens our thoughts, our souls are seized
with horror and we rejoice that through the blood shed in former times
our necks have been freed from the yoke of the furious harlot.
All of which, highly esteemed Lords, if it is properly considered by
your Excellencies, we indulge the hope, that your E. E. will either
abolish the severe decrees against the Mennonites, or, at least, after
the example of those of Schaffhausen, one of the Swiss cantons, and the
example of the Roman Catholic Prince of Neuburg, grant the afflicted,
erring (or wandering) ones sufficient time to arrange their affairs,
and to settle down elsewhere.
Which, highly esteemed Lords, when it shall have been done, your E. E.
shall have performed an act that shall be acceptable unto God, glorious
for the name Reformed, salutary for the erring (or wandering) ones, and
pleasing to us, who are united with your E. E. by the close bond of
religion, and able to serve as an example to all those that boast of
the glorious name of the meek Savior.
We pray God Almighty, to enlighten your E. E. Persons and Republic with
the radiance of his truth, and to preserve you in lasting prosperity.
In Rotterdam, the 14th of February, 1660,
Your E. E. Excellencies’ affectionate friends, burgomasters and rulers
of the city of Rotterdam, and in the name of the same.
W. VAN DER A. A.
This then was the laudable and good work of our high authorities in
this land of the States General, as well as of the authorities in
particular cities; far different from the disposition of those who
instituted the aforementioned oppressions and persecutions; wherefore
we sincerely wish and pray that God the Almighty Lord, would therefore
be pleased to be their shield and exceeding great reward.
Verily every one shall receive reward according to his works. The
martyrs who suffered for the truth of God, for their faithfulness and
steadfastness unto the end; the persecutors who afflicted the pious,
for their cruelty and tyranny, if they died unconverted and without
repentance; the saviors and deliverers (that is the good authorities),
who sought to defend the oppressed and persecuted, to help them, and
to rescue them from the claws and teeth of rapacious, blood-thirsty,
unreasonable men, falsely so called, for the salvation and deliverance
which they with regard to this effected for the harmless and innocent.
In the meantime we wish every one the best, even our enemies; for by
the means of their cruelty the pious are tried, made martyrs, and
brought to that state which makes truly and infinitely happy, namely,
to the eternal and blessed life. For this is thankworthy, if a man for
conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 1 Pet. 2:19.
PRAYER FOR THE SECULAR POWER.
O, thou God and Lord of hosts, who hast appointed governments in all
countries, forgive those authorities who have laid their hands on Thy
saints, and touched the apple of thine eye; let the blood of those whom
they have killed not cry vengeance upon them, lest thy wrath be kindled
against them; let it not be laid to their charge in thy great day of
judgment, which shall be hereafter.
Let those who do not yet cease to rage against thy sheep, and to
scatter thy dearly purchased church, be brought to the right, so that
they may be converted before their death, and, from persecutors, become
true followers of thy church.
On the other hand, the authorities whom thou hast set in our
fatherland, the blessed Netherlands, that are at present free from the
constraint of conscience, free from domineering over the most holy
faith, and above all, free from the blood of thy servants and saints,
be pleased to bless them, out of thy heavenly habitation, with the
abundance of thy wisdom and grace, a foretaste of which thou hast
permitted them to have already, many years ago.
Let thy church, which is without external armor shield, sword, or arms,
rest under their protection, as under a shady vine or fig tree, in
honesty and godliness; so that thy people may be multiplied, and many
that are still in error, be guided into the true, right, and only way
that leads to life.
Guide us so into thy ways, that we may not in any wise be a
stumbling-block or offense for them; so that the liberty which they
grant us in the practice of our religion, which we owe to thee, may not
be taken from us because of an improper walk on our part.
Be pleased to let our children and descendants (if it be best for their
salvation), enjoy this pleasant peace which we receive under their
protection.
O, Lord God, grant that none of these authorities, or of those that
are ruled by them, perish; but that they may all be kept and eternally
saved, through Jesus Christ thy beloved Son, to whom be praise, now and
forever. Amen.
Remember me, O my God, for good. Neh. 13:31.
Into thine hand I commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God
of truth. Ps. 31:5.
ADVERTISEMENT.
When this book had been printed and fully concluded, we unexpectedly
received several things pertaining to the last Swiss persecution in
the confines of Zurich and Berne; principally concerning, however,
the Berne edict of the 9th of August, in the year 1659, and what was
graciously effected and accomplished by the E. E. honorable Lords
Burgomasters of the city of Amsterdam, for mitigation of the same, as
also for the release of our already imprisoned friends, and of their
goods.
Concerning the edict, it must be stated, that what we shall place here
is not the whole, but only the first part of the same, being really a
preparation for the extract of the edict shown page 1070, col. 2; for
this, when added to that which is placed there, constitutes the whole
edict.
The people of this century are very inquisitive, not so much however,
from a true hunger of souls as from a spiritual lickerishness. This
work could have consisted just as well, if the following had not been
added, since in the aforementioned extract; printed in the place above
referred to, the execution and punishment of the imprisoned Anabaptists
who adhered to their faith is set forth, which is the principal point
to be noticed. On the other hand in what follows here, only an address
is made to the so-called spiritual and secular persons of rank, of the
church, in the jurisdiction of Berne, with regard to their offices: in
connection with which some preparation is made for the searching out
and apprehension of the aforementioned people.
But in order, also, if possible to satisfy the inquisitive in this
respect, and withal to show that we have in no wise omitted anything
that might be necessary, we have deemed it advisable to add this here.
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that
whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. John 16:2.
NOTE.--Though this properly has reference to banishing, ejecting or
expelling from the Jewish synagogues, it can also be applied to all
banishment for the sake of religion.
FIRST PART.
_Of the Edict of those of Berne, in Switzerland, against the (by them
called) Anabaptists, dated the 9th of August, A. D. 1659._
We the bailiff and councilors, of the city of Berne, send to every
one of our officers, preachers, and those who administer any office,
both spiritual and secular, in all towns, counties, seignioralties
and tribunals of our German dominions,[363] and hereby make known:
That since the reformation of the Christian religion, there have been
emitted, from time to time, by our laudable and pious forefathers, and
by us, persuant to our Christian reminding and command, admonitions
and ordinances, how and by what means, and with what zeal and earnest,
the errors of the hypocritical and seductive sect of the Anabaptists,
that has crept in, which is rejected by all Christian authorities
from the infallible foundation of the word of God, as being an evil,
dangerous, pernicious leaven, because they reject the lawful protection
of the magistracy,[364] through which much baneful harm can be caused
to country, people and ranks, are to be opposed and averted, yet, by
constant experience we must see and learn that such orders do not meet
with real attention and execution, in consequence of which negligence
this evil has rather increased than decreased until this time.
[363] A certain copy of this edict adds here these words: “Our
gracious good will and greeting, etc.”
[364] This is utterly false, since the so-called Anabaptists have
never rejected; but much rather honored and highly esteemed the
lawful protection of the magistracy, as they also still do at the
present day. But quite differently did the most laudable rulers of
the common Dutch cities, judge of this and especially those of the
city of Amsterdam, who gave the Anabaptists, who had lived among
them from of old, and do still live among them, the name of good
citizens and subjects, who were found wanting on no occasion, etc.,
as sufficiently appears from their letters of A. D. 1660.
But in order that the same may not be permitted further to pursue its
pernicious and seductive course, but may earnestly be checked, and as
far as possible utterly abolished, we have caused diligent inquiries
to be made, in regard to the default in not executing and obeying
of the commands and ordinances we have emitted, and held a careful
deliberation as to what might be the most expedient to do in this
matter, as also, to whom it pertains, by virtue of office and duty, to
take care, that these errors and all that is contrary to the confession
of the Swiss evangelical faith, be not tolerated in our dominions,
and among our God-committed and entrusted, dear subjects, but, on the
contrary, that our own maybe led to the true knowledge of God, and kept
therein.
As to the means which we have deemed well to be employed in, and for
this our intention and purpose, they consist in two chief points.
_First, namely, in the removing of the principal causes of offense to
which the so-called Anabaptists object, in order to separate themselves
from the common Christian assemblies._
_Second, in the course of proceeding that shall be observed against
those that are attached to said sect._
Concerning the first point, it comprises and requires a Godly and
virtuous life and conversation; also proper punishment of open
slanders, and attention is therefore to be given that the officers,
both spiritual and secular, for the better heeding and evincing of
their duty, be, in the following, earnestly admonished. The virtuous
life of the officers, with which every one shall seek to be a light
to his subjects, can particularly serve as a good example herein,
and prevent further offense; consisting chiefly in this, that they
diligently attend preaching and practice other Christian works, so
that such apostate persons may at no time take occasion to say, as has
already happened, that the things of which they are accused in this
respect are neglected also by our own people, and even by the officers.
But the preachers shall be edifying, both by being zealous in their
church ministry, and by conducting themselves honestly, godly, and
inoffensively in their life, so that especially, of the preachers,
no evil reports be heard. The duty of their calling also consists
principally in this, that they rightly divide the doctrine of truth,
and apply the same to the profit of every one; also, that they, as
often as an opportunity presents itself, show forth the errors of
the Anabaptists, and effectually, but yet in the spirit of meekness,
refute them from the foundation of the holy Scriptures, well answer all
objections, and fully convince them, as also that they better instruct
their churches and hearers.
But the officers in general, spiritual as well as secular, especially
of the places where such people live, shall, every one in his calling,
so perform and do their duty, as before the eyes of the omniscient God;
they shall also together, in general as well as in the consistory,
sincerely labor with zeal and diligence, that the open vices of
whoredom, lasciviousness, cursing, and swearing immoderate eating and
drinking, and like wickedness, be strictly and without connivance,
punished according to the edicts and ordinances emitted by us, virtue
and honesty thereby planted, and thus they who would excuse their
departing from the church by such offensive life, be deprived of all
occasion.
But to this, our chief point, belongs especially the invocation of
God, that he will grant his blessing and increase, to the public
proclaiming of the pure doctrine, and keep Satan in check, so that
not, under the dissemblance of simplicity, the noxious and pernicious
weed of hypocrisy, of disobedience to God, of base contempt of the
public worship, the holy sacraments, and other holy institutions, as
also of the duty and propriety due to us, the Christian magistracy, be
propagated.
The second chief point, as to how such people are to be dealt with,
consists of two points.
1. _How the same are to be detected and brought to light._
2. _How those that are detected are to be proceeded with._
Concerning the first: As these people are hard to be taken, since some
are concealed by others, even by those to whom they are related by
marriage or other ties, particularly by those with whom there is little
knowledge of God, and zeal for religion to be found, and they hold
their gatherings mostly by night, in hid or otherwise unknown places;
therefore our officers shall with all diligence, according to their
oath and official duty, also on pain of punishment for connivance,
be admonished and bound themselves, and through their sub-officers
and servants, to search for them, especially the teachers, as much as
possible, and to have them followed whether in the mountains or in
valleys, forests and wildernesses, with all possible means, in order to
apprehend or capture as many of them as possible.
In order now the better to know and discover them and their
adherents, our church ministers, as appointed shepherds, shall with
like diligence, and in accordance with their literal, sworn oath,
be admonished, obligated and bound, every one of them, particularly
in places where this sect is found, with two or three of the church
council in his pastorate, to go round from house to house at least
twice a year, and properly to write down all those that belong in the
church, that is, men and women, old and young, and to keep a stricter
eye on them, so that they may all attend the preaching, catechization,
common prayers, and particularly also use the holy sacraments; those
who stay away and do not bring their children to holy baptism at the
proper time or not at all, and thereby are guilty of apostasy from the
church, not only at all times to make known these by name to the chief
bailiff appointed, but also to indicate to him the persons and their
places of abode, as far as known; also to neglect nothing of all that
is required for the managing of such persons.
However, in order that not again something be lacking in the execution
of this so necessary work, even as has hitherto been the case, or that
it otherwise be slackened and omitted, through want of the necessary
zeal, our officers together with the preachers are strictly charged to
carry out this order with the proper effect, in sincere earnestness,
without regard of persons. And that herein no negligence or connivance
be exercised by them, much less that they allow themselves to be turned
therefrom by any scruples, as being forbidden, improper means, or on
account of any advantage, lest they incur our disfavor.
The second article of the second chief point concerns the manner
of proceeding against those that are detected and captured by the
aforesaid means: whether the same be teachers and seducers, or their
adherents, and that are seduced.
Thus far the first part of the edict, which as yet mentions no corporal
punishment, but only the apprehending and capturing of the (by them
so-called) Anabaptists. The other part then follows, page 1070, col. 2,
beginning with these words:
“The teachers of whom one or more, by close search,” etc.
Thereupon it follows, in what manner they are to be punished, either by
depriving them of their goods, utterly banishing them from the country,
conducting them under safe escort to the boundaries of the country, and
if they, contrary to the banishment, etc.