Thieleman J. van Braght · 85 of 210

Old Book of the Martyrs Mirror · Part 23

Peter's second letter, in which he takes leave

Herewith we commend you all, dear brethren, to the Lord, wishing that you may finish your course to the praise of the Lord, so that you may obtain the crown, and remain steadfast unto the end, in order that you may obtain salvation; for no one obtains the prize, except he strive valiantly. I Cor. 9:24; II Tim. 2:5. Run, therefore, that you may obtain the prize; fight as soldiers of the Lord; firmly resolve to take no thought how or what you shall speak when you shall be brought before the magistrate, for God the Lord suffers not His own who trust in Him to be confounded. Matthew 10:19. Though they are arraigned as malefactors, yet He does not forsake His own; for though weeping come in the evening, joy shall return in the morning. Ps. 30:5. And though He, to chasten us, be angry for a moment, yet through His mercy He keeps us alive. Heb. 12:8; Isa. 54:8. Hence, we are not forsaken by Him, though we have more adversity than the world.

My brethren, the servant is not greater than his Lord or Master. Remember, that though Christ was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, and though He was exalted, yet for our sakes He suffered and accepted reproach, that we through His poverty might be made rich, and through His reproach become heirs of His promises. II Cor. 8:9. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, and help bear His reproach. Heb. 13:13. Let us long for the future possessions. And be not in darkness, nor overcharged with eating or drinking; neither entangle yourselves with the cares of this life; walk as children of the light; be always ready like those who constantly wait for their lord; for He will come as a thief in the night. Luke 21:34; 12:36; Rev. 3:3. Make yourselves ready, take the staff into the hand, gird up your loins, and journey to the promised land; you shall possess it, if you do not fall into unbelief. It is pleasant and beautiful; we have seen it from afar, for which we thank and praise the Lord.

On this account, we desire of you, lovers of the truth, that you help us thank the Lord. For I once made a vow to the Lord, that I would live to Him all the days of my life (Luke 1:75), which He has helped me fulfill, for which I praise Him, and have often earnestly done so, with outstretched arms. The reason I write this, is, that you may not forget to thank and praise the Lard, for He is greater than all our lives; for you cannot so magnify Him that He is not still more wonderful. Sir. 43:30. Continue in His words, and keep His commandments. Love one another sincerely. I Pet. 1:22. We also praise Him for His faithfulness according to His promises, which He shows in us, in that we cannot sufficiently describe the joy He gives us; for in the beginning of our confinement, when we were imprisoned, we were joyful and fearless, likewise before the lords, and were filled with joy also afterward an the bridge and in our prison. Moreover, we hope that God will give us boldness unto the end.

Hence, our dear brethren, be not terrified, if they inflict more than one death upon us, since much can be done in a quarter of 'an hour, yet it is as nothing to the pain of hell, and not worthy to be compared to the future joy. For after we have suffered this distress, and pass through this strait, we expect joy and amplitude; then shall all our tears be wiped away, and we shall weep and cry no more, but pass from one joy to another. O my brethren, strive to enter into His joy. Lead henceforth a Christian life and see that the Gospel be not evil spoken of on your account. Rom. 14:16. Be always meek, and have an unspotted conscience, and whatsoever you take in hand remember the end, that you will not do amiss. Matt. 11:29; Sir. 7:36. And forget not the ardency of the spiritual reformation in the beginning of the Christian life, lest when you think you are a perfect Christian, reformation of life be still necessary. We commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace. We, Jan, Pleun, and Peter, greet you in the Lord. Pray the Lard for us, that we may finish our course to His praise. We also pray for you.

CONFESSION OR DEFENSE OF FAITH, OF JAN, THE

OLD CLOTHES BUYER, WHEN HE LAY IN

PRISON AT ANTWERP, A. D. 1551

Question. "What do you think of infant baptism?"

Answer. "I do not think it to be anything but a human institution."

Ques. "By what then will you prove or maintain your baptism?"

Ans. "Mark 16."

Ques. "What are your views concerning the sacraments?"

Ans. "I have nothing to say of the sacraments of men, but the Supper, as Christ held it with His apostles, I approve and esteem; for I think there are many who do not know what sacrament means."

Ques. "What do you think of the Roman church?"

Ans. "Nothing, but I esteem the Christian church, which is the church of Christ."

Ques. "What do you hold concerning the host which the priest holds in his hand? do you not believe that our Lord is in it with flesh and blood?"

Ans. "No; for it is written, Acts 1, that He shall come again in like manner as He ascended into heaven."

Ques. "What do you think of the pope?"

Ans. "That he is the antichrist." I Thess. 2:3.

Ques. "What do you think of the mass, ceremonies, and confession observed in the church?"

Ans. "Nothing, since the tree from which they spring, is good for nothing."

Ques. "Where were you baptized?"

Ans. "My lords, if you know it, why do you yet ask me?"

The bailiff then said: "I adjure you by your baptism, that you tell us where you were baptized." Matt. 26:63.

Ans. "My baptism I ,hold to be good and right; but your adjuration I do not regard."

They then read to me the names and surnames of all that had been baptized with me and said: "Assuerus has confessed it to us." I then said: "It is true."

Ques. "Who baptized you?"

Ans. "It does not behoove me to tell."

Ques. "We shall make you tell."

Ans. "My flesh is before you; do with it as you please."

WILLEM THE CABINETMAKER, BEHEADED IN

CLEVES; WINDEL RAVENS ALSO PUT TO

DEATH THERE, A. D. 1551

(Copied from an old Writing*)

Willem, the cabinetmaker, resided in Weesz, a village belonging to the country of Cleves; he was a very peaceable and pious man, who on account of the Christian faith had to leave his native country, and when he would not conform to the world, he was brought prisoner from Weesz to Cleves, and having there been imprisoned for about a year, finally beheaded. He wrote several letters from prison.

When Willem the cabinetmaker was to be condemned by the judges at Cleves, Claes Meselaer, one of them, would not sit in the court to condemn him, but pretended sickness and went to bed. The Burgomaster, therefore, with the six judges, came to his bedside, to obtain his assent to the sentence. He said he did not want to condemn so pious a man. Thereupon the Burgomaster said: "By this you will incur the great displeasure of our gracious Prince and lord." Claes replied: "I will rather incur the displeasure of Duke William, than of the Most High." "Then I will take it upon myself," said the Burgomaster, who was afterward visited by the avenging hand of the Lord, so that he was tormented by lice, and lost his speech for a time, and thus died in great misery. But Claes Meselaer

* This copy was sent to us by some one from the country of Cleves, as a very old relic.

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resigned his office of judge, and died a brother in the church. Besides him, another brother, named Windel Rauens, was put to death at Cleves; who like the aforesaid, exchanged his life for death, after he had commended his soul into the hands of God.

MARIA OF MONJOU, A. D. 1552

As it is known and manifest according to the testimony of the divine Scriptures, that all who have been righteous, and lived godly in Christ Jesus, have had to suffer, from the beginning of the world, so this Maria, as a pious, God fearing woman, also partook of said suffering. For as she, according to the requirement of the Scriptures, had been baptized upon the true faith, as a member of the body of Christ, and had conducted herself for a time in an edifying manner among the brethren and all men, the envy of the dragon manifested itself, and the bailiff of Monjou caused her to be brought and imprisoned at Monjou, where she remained in confinement over a year. And though she had to suffer much, yet she bore it with joy. Her constant admonition to all the pious was, that they should walk in love, and hold fast the covenant of Jesus Christ. Eph. 5:2. She was herself constantly endeavoring to present her body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, and that she might be built up a spiritual house well adorned inwardly with the Word of.God. Rom. 12:1; I Pet. 2:5.

The authorities tormented her for three days in succession, but could not induce her to forsake her faith, since she would adhere to Christ; for according to the Scriptures, no one is ever confounded, who fears God from the heart. The bailiff entreated her to go to church and he would release her, and give her her board for a whole year; but she would not consent, but desired to adhere to Christ, and to give her life for His sake; whereupon she was condemned to be drowned.

On her way to the water, she sang with a joyful heart, because this day had come, and she had lived to see this hour; and thus she proceeded, like a sheep is led to the slaughter, in the hands of Pilate, even as they did with Christ, as the Scripture testifies: "They shall kill you, and think that they do God service." John 16:2.

On the way, Maria said: "I have been the bride of a man; but today I hope to be the bride of Christ, and to inherit His kingdom with Him." As they approached the water, one of the hypocrites said: "O Maria, repent, or it will not go well with you." At the water, they delayed with her over two hours, thinking that they could induce her to apostatize, forsake the truth, and follow them. Thereupon Maria said: "I adhere to my God; proceed with what you have come here for; the wheat is in the straw; it must be threshed, so the Word of God has begun, and must be finished." With this, she undressed, willingly surrendered herself, and said: "O heavenly Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit," and was thus drowned, and died, confessing the name of God, and sealing it with her death to the consolation of all believers.

BARBEL PUT TO DEATH A. D. 1552

About this time, also a pious, God fearing woman, named Barbel, was drowned, at Guelich, because she had forsaken popery and idolatry, and become obedient to the holy Gospel. I Cor. 10:14.

WILLEM OF BIERCK, CHRISTOFFEL FROM GEISTENS,

CHRISTIAN FROM EUKERAET, AND TIELLE;

MAN FROM NUNKERKEN, A. D. 1552

The four brethren, Willem of Bierck, Christoffel from the Geistens, Christian from Eukeraet, and Tielleman from Nunkerken, were executed together on the same day, with the sword, at Blankenburg; they willingly suffered death for the testimony of Jesus, and with their blood testified to their faith.

MARIKEN AND ANNEKEN, A. D. 1552

Those who hold only to God and His holy Word, and seek to fulfill the latter, are not only persecuted but also imprisoned and put to death, as was very evident, in the year 1552, at Leyden, in the case of two women, named Mariken and Anneken, who were apprehended and brought into a house, where they were asked by the bailiff, what views they held with regard to the Roman church. They replied that for the most part it was nothing but the doctrine of devils. He further questioned them respecting the sacrament of the priests, whether Christ was not bodily in it. They said: "It might be a hidden devil; for God does not suffer Himself to be locked up in silver or golden caskets." They were then led to prison, and passing the church they said: "O den of murderers and choir of devils!" "Why do you speak such presumptuous words?" said the bailiff's servant. "Because so many a poor soul is murdered in it," they replied. Being kept imprisoned for a time, and examined, they boldly confessed their faith and firmly adhered to it, in consequence of which they were sentenced to death. In the sentence of the one it was charged that she had denied infant baptism, rejected the sacrament, and, contrary to the decree of the Emperor, had attended unlawful assemblies, and that she should therefore be put to death as a heretic. The other, not having been baptized, would have been set at liberty, had she been willing to apostatize from her faith, which she was greatly importuned to do; but she remained immovable, and as she had said: "Your bread god is eaten by spiders and worms; I will not be a partaker of it," and remained steadfast also in other articles, she was likewise sentenced to death. Thus these two had to lose their lives for the truth, to satisfy the bloodthirsty judges, who have feet that are swift in running to mischief, and hands to shed innocent blood. Prov. 6:18, 17.

WILLIAM VAN ROBAEYS, A. D. 1552

In this same year, a brother named William van Robaeys, was persecuted, apprehended, examined, tortured and finally put to death, at Komen, in Flanders, for righteousness for the truth, and for following Christ.

HENDRICK DIRKS, DIRK JANS, AND ADRIAN COR;

NELISS, A. D. 1552

In the same year, three brethren, named Hendrick Dirks, Dirk Jans, and Adrian Corneliss, were apprehended at Leyden, and examined in regard to their faith; but when they boldly confessed it, and would in no wise depart from it, they were also sentenced to death. Hendrick Dirks, advancing joyfully, said: "Blessed are they that weep now; for they shall laugh, and be rewarded with shining,robes; yea, with an eternal crown, if they strive steadfastly. This is the Sabbath of the Lord, which I have long desired; not that I am worthy to suffer for His name, but He has made me worthy; and thus we suffer not for theft or murder, but for the pure word of God." Luke 6:21; Matt. 13:43; II Tim. 4:8; Matt. 24:13; Isa. 58: 13; Acts 5:41; I Peter 4:15.

Dirk Jans said: "Though all men despise us, God does therefore not despise us. Remember, lords, that on high there is a judge over all, and believe that He will once judge and pass sentence. This suffering," said he, "is not so great; Christ had to suffer much more, when He shed His blood for us. He will strengthen us in what we suffer for His name; for we suffer not for schism or anything evil; for there is no other true faith to be found than that which we maintain. Therefore, O God, have compassion upon me, and receive me into Thine arms." .Ps. 7:11; Matt. 25:31; Isa. 53; Matt. 26:28.

Adrian Corneliss intrepidly said: "Christ has gone this way before us; and His beloved apostles likewise, and we His servants are not above our Lord." Luke 24:26; Acts 14:22.

They then fell upon their knees, earnestly prayed to God (Acts 20:36), and rising, said: "They think by killing us to exterminate the God fearing; but for one whom they kill, a hundred others shall arise. Hence, fear not them that kill the body; but fear him who is able to cast both soul and body into everlasting torment." Matt. 10:28. Standing on the bench, they exclaimed: "Fear not that which is temporal, but fear that which will last forever; for eternity is so long." With this, they commended their souls into the hands of God, and offered up their burnt sacrifice. They now rest under the altar, and wait to be clothed in shining robes, and to receive the new wine in the throne of heaven. Matthew 26:29.

SEVERAL LETTERS WRITTEN IN PRISON, BY ADRIAN

CORNELISS, INCLUDING A PRAYER, AN ADMONI;

TION, AND A CONFESSION OF ADRIAN CORNE;

LISS, GLAZIER, WHO WAS IMPRISONED AT

LEYDEN, AND ALSO PUT TO DEATH THERE

FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS, IN THE

YEAR OF OUR LORD, 1552

His prayer to God

O Lord of heaven and earth, who hast made all things out of nothing, who hast given me members after the image of Thy Son, I hope to offer them up now for Thy holy name; for Thou art the Lord, before whom every knee must bow, both in heaven and upon earth; hear my prayer, and let my incense be acceptable before Thee. Take not Thy grace from me, a polluted man of unclean lips; purify my mouth, that Thy name may be praised thereby. Incline Thine ear to me, and Thou shalt see how they fall upon me; but it is better for me to fall into the hands of men, than to sin in Thy sight; for Thine eyes are as a flame of fire, and Thy Word as a sharp, two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and Thou art a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, and there is nothing hid before Thine eyes. Therefore I exclaim with David, Thy dear prophet, that it is better to fall into the hands of men, than into Thy wrath. Matt. 11:25; Gen. 1:27; Rom: 12:1; Phil. 2:10; Isa., 6:5; Susanna 23; Rev. 1:14; Heb. 4:12, 13.

O Lord, lead me into the land of Haran, in which I have not so much inheritance as to set my foot on, namely, the promised land, which I pray Thou wilt give me, out of grace and not for my own works or merits. Acts 7:4, 5. Deliver me with Lot from this generation. Preserve me, Lord, from the fierce teeth of the lions, which are many, yea, from the ferocious evening wolves, that let nothing remain till the morning, whose feet make haste to shed innocent blood. Zeph. 3:3; Prov. 1

16. O Ldrd, preserve me with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that the fire of blasphemy which proceeds out of their mouth, may not harm me. Dan. 3:27. O Lord, let my prayer be heard with that of Tobit and Sarah; hear my prayer with that of Elijah, and receive me as a burnt offering, living, holy and acceptable unto Thee, that the prophets of Jezebel may be confounded, and seduce Thy people no longer. Tobit 3:1, 11; I Kings 18:36; 19:4. Lord, preserve me,with Joseph from the wicked woman, that I may rather suffer myself to be deprived of my garment, namely, my first body; for we read: "He which is joined to a harlot is one body with her." Genesis 39:7; I Cor. 6:16. Preserve me, Lord; for I call heaven and earth to witness, that I die innocently; for whosoever seeks to save his life, shall lose it; and whosoever loses his life for Thy sake, Lord, and the Gospel's, shall preserve it. I Macc. 2:37; Matt. 16:25. Hence, I cry with old Eleazer: "I will rather die gloriously than live stained with abomination:".,II Macc. 6:19.

O Lord, behold, the burning wrath of a great multitude is kindled over us, and they shall take away certain of us, and feed the idle with things offered unto idols; but Thou, Lord, preservest me, Thou givest Thy servant bread in time of need, and water when he is thirsty, and in 'the ,day of tribulation Thou forgivest sins. II Esd. 16:68; Sir. 2:11. And Thou has said to Thy dear prophet, that though a mother forget her child to which she herself has, given birth, yet wilt Thou not forget us; for it is Thy Word, Lord. Isa. 49:15. Thou hast spoken through Thydear apostle Paul: "Come out from this wicked generation, and touch not the unclean thing. Then Thou wilt deliver us, and be our Father, and we shall be Thy sons and daughters." II Cor. 6:17, 18. We now also go forth without the camp, and will help bear Thy reproach. Heb. 13:13. Lord, teach us to pray according to Thy will, that we may pray in spirit and in truth, that we may truly call Thee Father; for a son must honor his father, and a servant his master. Mal. 1:6. Grant us therefore to be partakers of the Word which declares: "These are they who have not loved their life,, but have delivered it into death; for those that are slain by men, have a better hope to expect from God, namely, that they shall be raised again; for Thou provest Thy chosen; Thou triest them as gold in the furnace, and Thou receivest them as an offering of burnt sacrifice." Ps. 66:10. Lord, now let Thy servant depart in peace.. Holy Father, sanctify Thy Son, that I may be found unblamable at Thy appearing. Keep me, holy Father for Thy holy name's sake. Amen. Luke 2:29; John 17:11.

An admonition o f Adrian. Corneliss, to the

friends

The rich .grace and peace of God our heavenly Father, who has purified us by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, has enlightened our hearts, and opened the eyes of our understanding through the hope of the Gospel, and warned us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts; we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, and keep ourselves unspotted from this world, before God the Father, who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge 'of the truth, that at the time of revelation we may have hope and consolation, and be counted among the number of the elect. The Father and His blessed Son Jesus Christ fit you for this, now and evermore. Amen. Tit. 3:5; I I Cor. 4:6; Eph. 1:18; Tit. 2:12; Jas. 1:27; I Tim. 2:4.

We, fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom all the building fitly framed together graweth unto a holy temple in the Lord, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad through cruel edicts and severe persecution, greeting. Eph. 2:19-21; I Peter 2:6; James 1:1. Hence, my dear brethren and sisters, do not become weary because you now suffer for a season, and have to flee from one city into another; but remember, my dear friends, that it all conduces to your happiness, and take for an example Tobit, with his wife and son, how he had to flee, and to be hid naked; likewise, Matthias with his sons and those who loved him, when he said: "Whosoever is pious and of good cheer, let him make his testament, and follow me." Matt. 10:23; Rom. 8:28; Tobit 1:19; I Macc. 2:27.

Take also Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for examples, who dwelled in tents, and also others; for here we have no continuing city; they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, in hunger,. want and affliction, of whom the world was not worthy. Genesis 12. See, my dear friends, think not that you are the only ones, or that you are forsaken by the Lord, when some tempest assails you; but remember that we must through much suffering take the kingdom of God. Sir. 2:10; Acts 14:22. If the above mentioned had been mindful of the country from whence they came out, truly, they might have had opportunity enough to have returned; but they declare plainly that they sought a country, a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God; wherefore God was not ashamed to be called their God. Ex. 3:6. Thus, also, my dear friends, will He not be ashamed of us; for He says through His pious prophet Isaiah: "Can a mother forsake her own child, to whom she herself has given birth? Yea, she may forget it, yet will thy God not forget thee." Isa. 49:15. Consider, therefore, how the gracious Father has been with all the pious children of God, and how He has preserved and upheld them under His powerful hand, as we may clearly understand from Abraham; for when he went into a strange country, he often had had God for his comforter. He gave Jacob courage when he fled before his brother Esau. He fed Hezekiah three days and three nights, who complained of the blasphemy of Sennacherib. II Kings 19:6. He delivered the Jews through Judith, when they were besieged by Holofernes. Judith 13:8. He delivered the three young men from the heat of the fiery furnace, and was in the pit with Daniel, so that the lions did not devour him. Dan. 3:2 .5; 6:22. He delivered Israel from the bondage of Pharaoh. He delivered Rahab from the shadow of death. Josh. 6:25. He saved Susanna through Daniel. He delivered Peter from prison. He delivered John from the Isle of Patmos. He comforted Paul by the vision on the way to Damascus. He comforteth the apostles through the Comforter, the Holy Ghost. He turned Joseph's great sorrow into great joy in Egypt. Thus, God will also turn the sorrow of everyone of you into great joy, even as He Himself declares: "The world shall rejoice; but ye shall mourn and be sorrowful; but be of good cheer, God shall turn your sorrow into joy. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world. And, ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your sorrow shall be turned into joy, and your joy no man taketh from you." John 16:20-22.

Therefore, my dear friends, be not afraid of the sons of men, who pass away as grass. "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32. Be not of raid, my dear friends, of this tyrannous generation; fear not theln that kill the body; but I will show you whom you shall fear: fear him who after you are dead has power to cast into eternal fire. And, my dear friends, we have here a little suffering of tribulation, but it is very small in comparison with the everlasting torment or punishment.

John the Revelator says: "Fear God, and give glory to him." Rev. 14:7. And the prophet Esdras says: "Behold, God himself is the judge, fear him leave off from your sins, and forget your iniquities, to meddle no more with them forever: so shall God lead you forth, and deliver you from all trouble. For behold, the burning wrath of a great multitude is kindled over you, and they shall take away certain of you, and feed you, being idle, with things offered unto idols. And they that consent unto them shall be had in derision and in reproach, and trodden under foot. For there shall be in every place, and in the next cities, a great insurrection upon those that fear the Lord. They shall be like mad men, sparing none, but still spoiling and destroying those that fear the Lord. For they shall waste and take away their goods, and cast them out of their houses. Then shall they be known who are my chosen; and they shall be tried as the gold in the fire." Therefore, my chosen, behold, the days of trouble are at hand, but the Lord will deliver you from the same. Be yd not afraid, neither doubt; for God is your guide, and the Lord will not leave you orphans; for He cares for us all, and will preserve us as the apple of His eye. II Esd. 16:67;75; Wisd. 3:6; Jno. 14:18.

Hence, faint not at the tribulation in which we are, but adhere to the Lord, and the tempest will soon attack you; but, my dear friends, remember, as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ, since eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart; of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. Eph. 3:13; Matt. 7:25; II Cor. 1:5; I Cor. 2:9. Let everyone therefore, that has this hope in him, purify himself, even as He is pure, and go out from this sinful generation, and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light; for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. I John 3:3; Eph. 5:11-14.

Hence, my dear friends, if there should be yet some among you, that are slothful or drowsy, let them wake up now, or they will be shut out with the foolish virgins. O my dear friends, it will not avail that some of you know the way. O my dear friends, knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth; for it avails not to know the way, but it must be walked: and though it is' strait and narrow, and fraught with much labor, it must nevertheless be walked. I Cor. 8:1; John 13:17; Matt. 7:14.