Thieleman J. van Braght · 89 of 210

Old Book of the Martyrs Mirror · Part 27

Know, that on the afternoon of the day called St. Thomas, in Babel, as I was lying in the cell I have always occupied, I saw and heard that carnal and worldly lords came into the prison, and also the chief bailiff. The servants then came and said

"Joos, come out." Then said I in my heart: "O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise." Ps. 51:15. With this I came in before them. Then Ronse and Polet both lifted their caps, and said: "Joos, God. greet you," and nodded their heads to me. I also lifted my cap, saying: "I esteem God worthy of such greeting, yea, and more, I am ready to give back these members which He has given me through His gracefor His name and to His praise; I deem the Lord worthy of so much; for He has deemed us of sufficient value in His sight to die a better death for us." Then the inquisitors said: "Joos, have you not yet considered the matter? Will you not yet desist?" I said: "Yes, always from doing evil. Why did you not ask me this, when I yet ran in wickedness, and practiced all manner of unrighteousness?" They replied: "You could have gone and heard the sermons." They also inquired concerning my faith, which I freely confessed. Then they said: "Speak to us, and tell us whether you have not yet considered the matter." I said: "I will not speak to you; for you are not of God; how should I believe in you? Christ died for me; in this I believe; but you would not, be willing to die for me; neither this dean nor that (there were two deans present, Ronse and Olymaecker); neither this curate nor that, would be willing to die for me. I am imprisoned for my life; set me free and die for me." Ans. "Who teaches this?" I said: "Christ. He says: `The good shepherd loves his sheep, and gives his life for his sheep.' John 10:11. You say that I shall be damned, if I persist in my purpose." Ronse said: "Yes." I said further: "It is surprising, then, that you should kill me; seeing, therefore, that I hold a purpose for which I shall be damned; let me go until I exchange it for a better." Ans. "We will leave you." "Yes," said I, "and deliver me over." Matt. 27:2. Polet said

"Paul delivered some into the hands of the devil." I Cor.. 5:5. I said: "So do you also; you have damned me; hence, be satisfied, without delivering me into the hands of the judges. Paul did not do so, nor did Christ teach it in Matt. 28 and Mark 16, where He says: 'Go, and preach the gospel to every creature.' Christ says not: `Them that will 'not believe you, shut into cells, or put great fetters on their legs.' Did they all believe Christ, who heard Him preach? Did all believe the apostles, who heard them?" Rom. 10:16. Ans. "No." Joos. "Were they put to death, then, who did not believe the apostles." Ans. "No." "How comes it then, that the apostles did not do this, and that you, who say that you are vice regents of the apostles, dare put us to death? even admitting that we were evil, as you say, but you have a better opinion of us, than you say?" Polet said' "That I will tell you have you not read how Elijah put to death the priests of Baal!" I said: "Yes; and this is just what is wanting yet to subdue you; for you serve Baal even more than they did, and you carouse and banquet with Jezebel much more than they did?" Ans. "What does that concern you? You are always looking to our works." I said: "Christ has taught me to know the tree by the fruit, and says that a corrupt tree cannot bear good fruit, nor a good tree evil fruit," etc. And I further said

"Since your works are not good, I do not believe you to be good." Ques. "Are you good?" Joos. "You do not hear me say this; there is none good but God alone, and though we were to say that we are good, which we do not, you, on the other hand, say that we are evil, and this for the reason you told me when we were in the hall of justice, namely, that when men will not believe us, we kill them." Ronse. "I say this yet." Joos. "Where did you see this in me; since you say that I taught the people? did I kill any ore or hurt a single hair, on account of my doctrine, which you say I teach as an opinion?" Am. "We do not know anything of such a character of you." Joos. "But I know such things of you; you burn or murder those who will not adhere to your false worship. You have justly judged yourselves in this matter." II Samuel 12:7. Ans. "This brings us no further; let us dispute about the faith?" Joos. "I will not dispute here alone." Then they said: "Do you acknowledge yourself vanquished?" and would have delivered me to the judges, had I said, yes. I replied

"No; wherein have you overcome me? I have said it not once, but fifty times: Show me a better way, with the word of the Gospel, and I will renounce."

Ans. "Let us begin then." Joos. "Very well, before the hall of justice, near a big fire, and the one that is overcome shall be cast into it." Am. "This will not be granted you." The under bailiff then said: "You seek to make disturbance," Joos. "You have made it by apprehending me; if you had let me work, Kortrijck would not be in the condition it is in now; it was not in such a state for seven years." Polet. "You will not be taken there, and this for the reason that you may not spread your poison." Joos. "You ought to come before the hall of justice, and the more people present, the. better, for if I have the lies, and you the truth axe you ashamed of the truth before the people? Take me there, and show me that I am in the wrong, and you will stop the mouths of the people, and when you have overcome me, say: `This is the man who has taught contrary to the Christian faith; we now prove to him with the Scriptures, that he is in the wrong,' and then throw me into the fire, and the people will be edified. If you will not do this, you are not willing that the people should know the truth." Rouse. "You will not be brought thither to speak; when you are brought there, speaking on your part will be prevented." Joos. "Why? the people have their five senses, and he that hath five senses, will hear whether I speak good or evil." Rouse. "You will be prevented from speaking there." Joos. "Do it then; put me boldly into a bag, and smother me by night, so that no one will see it; if He sees it, who searches the hearts and reins, enough people see it; and He will see it, and avenge Himself; I leave it to Him, for I am ready any way, to put off this flesh, whether in the fire or in the water, before the hall of justice or here in this fire (the fire on the hearth); it is not big enough, make it bigger."

They then again proposed' to me to dispute, and said that they were sent from God, and appointed His vice regents. I said: "This is not so; for you have bought your benefices, or they have been given you, or you have gained them by serving; but those whom God has sent, from the beginning of the world, have been sent differently." They said that they would prove it to me by the Scriptures, that they were sent. I said: "Prove it?" Am. "This is it, that to Peter the key was given, and he was pope, and it was given to him and his successors." Joos. "Show me, that anything is said there about successors?" Ans. "This will be shown you." Joos. "Show me then?" Then Ronse read from a Testament, Matt. 16, from the place where Christ asks: "Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am?" to where He says: "I will give unto thee the keys;" but there was nothing said about successors. He then said: "You have heard it, have you not, Joos? it is so long: I would read further, but it is too long a task?" Joos. "I desire that you read on." Rouse. "How far?" Joos. "To where it speaks about successors." Rouse. "You have heard that he says: `Upon this rock I will build my church.' Hence it is founded upon St. Peter, and he was pope." Joos. "Christ is the foundation, as Paul says (I Cor. 3:11): `Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.' But Peter is not the foundation, nor did Christ found the church upon Peter, but upon the confession of his faith where he confesses: 'I confess that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God;' therefore, Christ is the foundation. But," said I, "let us speak about the key; you skip from the key to the church; you say that I run from one thing to another, stick to your text yourselves, and show me, as you have asserted, that Christ says: 'I give unto thee the key, and unto thy successors.' " They replied: "We shall show it to you. But listen, it is this," said Polet, and produced a sophism. I said: "You cannot satisfy me with arguments; show it to me in the book?" Then Ronse said: "We know it by heart, and so do you; hear us repeat it from memory?" I said: "Read it?" They replied

"Is it not the same whether we read or speak it? Joos, hear what I shall tell you?" I said: "Telling will not satisfy me."

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When they would not read it, I addressed the chief bailiff, and Roegaergijs, and said: "My lords, I demand that you assist me in this matter, and compel them to read it; else I say that you are tyrants and not judges." Then said they, "Read it to him." Thereupon they read Matt. 16. Ronse read, and when he could not find it, he turned as white as a sheet, and then said: "It is not here." Polet said: "These words are not there, but the sense is in Matt. 28." He then read: "I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." I said

"This is not where he says: `I give unto thee the keys, and unto thy successors."' Polet. "Would you have just these very words; they are not here; why make so much ado about it?" Joos. "No, but because you will say you will show it to me." Rouse. "Be silent, you are not worthy to speak." Joos. "Why should I keep silence, when you with your false mandates have brought about, that neither proctor, nor attorney, nor friend may speak for us; if you are not willing to let me speak, you ought to have let me remain in my cell; but I shall keep silence neither for you nor any one else; I am neither a thief, nor a murderer, nor a ravisher of women; why should I forbear speaking? I shall defend myself, because my life is at stake, and not keep silence as long as I can move my tongue; but do you N. keep silent; you are not worthy to speak, you soul murderers, you enemies of the cross of Christ." Again they proposed to me to dispute. I said: "Before the hall of justice, but not here." Am. "You will not be taken there." Joos. "Well then, do as you please; I have confessed my faith to you when I first came here, and I have told you more than fifty times before, and tell you again, that I think nothing of all your trumpery, nor of a single point held by the Roman church." Rouse. "Do you think nothing of the sacrament? Let us hear what you think of it?" Joos. "An idol, a little flour; and if I had your oil, I would grease my shoes with it." Rouse. "We can hear that you are audacious enough."

Then a contention arose, and they thought to fall upon me; but I defended myself valiantly with the Word of the Lord, as behooves a servant who loves his master. And the Lord gave me such a mouth to speak, that for three hours I did not make one assertion, which they were able to refute. Then the incarnation was made the subject of discussion, which they would carry out to the dead letter. Matt. 1: The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David. Thereupon I said that in Matt. 22:41 it was written: "Then Christ asked the scribes and the Pharisees: `What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him the son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word."' I also told them of the figure of Melchisedec, and the last chapter of

Revelation, that He is the root of David; which they would not hear, but adhered to their dead text.

When I perceived that they would not acknowledge their error, I said: "If you want to speak of the incarnation, or of any other matter of the faith, come before the city hall." Then Polet said: "Who should judge there, who is right or wrong?" I said: "These good lords." Polet said "They do not understand the Scriptures." I said "They understand them well enough for you, to dispute here, or in the hall of justice; hence they ought also to understand them, to dispute in the city hall. And if they do not understand the Scriptures, then they ought to feel ashamed that they are judges in this matter, when they do not understand the Scriptures." So much was said, that as much paper as I could hold in my hand would not suffice me to write down all their sophistry. I commend all dear friends, and all brethren and sisters in the Lord, into His hands, and entreat them all, to arm themselves wisely, for it is necessary; and when they come as far as I am, not to engage in disputation, for, if it were possible, they would draw us away from the truth. Know, that I am of such good cheer, that it would be impossible for me to describe the joy or gladness I have, and I hope that the seal of this letter will be the putting off of my body. To this end, lnay the Lord give me His grace, that His name may be glorified thereby; for I seek nothing but the glory of the Lord. Nothing more; I commend you to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace. Pray the Lord for me; I will gladly pray Him for you also.

Thep say that Christ by origin is David's Son; If He be David s Son, He's not the Father's Son: For no one has two Fathers 'twere unnatural; He's God's only Son, and not creatural.

ELIZABETH AND HADEWIJK; OF WHOM THE FOR

MER WAS DROWNED AT LEEUWARDEN, AND

THE LATTER ESCAPED DEATH, IN THE

YEAR OF OUR LORD, 1549

This Elizabeth was of a noble family, and had in her youth been put by her parents into the convent of Tieng, near Lier near East Friesia, there to learn various arts, and also the Latin language. There she accidently, or rather through the direction of God, came into possession of a Latin Testament, by the constant reading of which and meditating upon it she obtained so much knowledge of the will or God, that she became distressed on account of her state of life, and seeing no chance to alter her life according to the rule of said Word in the convent, much less under the parental roof, she resolved, after much conflict and reflection, secretly to escape from the convent, trusting to the fatherly providence of Almighty God for help and guidance. To this end, she made an agreement with a milkmaid of the convent, that she should change clothes with her, and thus assist her to escape from the convent early in the morning, in the guise of a milkmaid; which having been accomplished, she first came to Lier, and without her knowing it, to a certain house, in which there lived Anabaptists, who upon learning her circumstances and condition, took her in, and instructed her still more fully in the way of God, and, after some time, fearing that search might be made for Elizabeth, brought her to Leeuwarden, and there left her with a pious sister of the Anabaptistic church, named Hadewijk, with whom she was afterward apprehended.

This Hadewijk was married to a certain drummer of the company quartered at Leeuwarden, who, having neither to go marching, nor to mount guard, etc., worked in a certain shop to gain a livelihood for his wife and children. There was working there together with him a very pious Anabaptist brother* who at that time was put in bonds and condemned to death for the sake of his religion. Said company having been ordered to the place of execution, when this pious brother was to be offered up, to form a circle around him, to prevent an uproar, the aforesaid drummer objected to serve in. his capacity as a drummer at that time and under such circumstances which he also indicated to his wife Hadewijk, who opposed him in this matter, and advised him to proceed in the discharge of his duty. This then he resolved to do; but as he was first also to get himself partially in. toxicated, in order to feel less of compassion for the innocently doomed man, but this intoxication, instead of depriving him of his sense of compassion, only increased it, and he became so bold that he told the spectators of the piety and virtues of this martyr so well known to him, why he was so maltreated, how wickedly the authorities, instigated by the clergy, acted in this matter, and that it were better to apprehend and treat after this manner, wicked men, whoremongers, adulterers, unrighteous, and such like, of whom there were plenty in the city, yea, even among the clergy. Some laughed, others laid it to heart; some said

"The drummer is drunk;" others: "He is crazy," etc. But when he had become sober and was himself again, he reflected on what he had done, and what in all probability he now had to expect, and resolved to leave the city of Leeuwarden, his company, and the Roman church. H'e entreated his wife to go with him, but she could not approve of it, and after his departure, never knew whither he had gone. But coming to reflection some time after, she inquired after the Anabaptists, found opportunity to attend the exhortations, embraced the faith, and was not only baptized upon her faith, but also suffered herself to be apprehended together with Elizabeth. Being confined in a separate room from Elizabeth, it was announced to her that on the following day she should be examined and have to defend herself in a considerable

* It is supposed that this was probably Sikke Snijder.

number of articles, which caused her exceeding great distress and anxiety of heart, especially since she could neither read nor write, and was more pious and willing than experienced. Hence, she earnestly importuned God, that the exceeding good and man loving Father would be pleased to look with compassion upon her, His poor handmaiden, whose inability and unfitness He knew best, and not to try her above her ability, but to deliver and save her by His divine hand, whereupon a voice came to her while she was thus engaged in prayer, exclaiming: "Hadewijk I" Looking up and around her, and seeing no one, she continued in her fervent prayer. A second time she heard the voice, but again seeing no one, she persevered in her supplications until the same voice said to her the third time: "Hadewi jk, I tell thee, come out!" Seeing the door open, she put on her hood, and went out of the prison, but did not know where to conceal herself. She went provisionally into the church, where she soon heard those who came there relate that the gates of the city had been closed because a certain Anabaptist woman had escaped from prison, no one knowing how, there being great reason to suspect sorcery in the matter, for which reason very diligent search was being made for her everywhere. Just as she left the church she heard the drummer in the street exclaim that whoever could point out her person, should receive one hundred guilders, but whoever concealed her should forfeit one hundred and fifty guilders, which increased her fear more and more. Trusting herself by no means into her own house, and yet compelled to seek shelter somewhere, she went to the house of her former master and mistress, whom she, before she was married, had served very faithfully for sometime, and who therefore thought much of her. These she entreated whether they would not please give her shelter in this distress, but they refused to do it; whereupon she went away as in despair, and came before the priest's house, where lived a certain half witted fellow, well known to her, whom she, as he was standing at the door, addressed, asking him to conceal her; which he did, taking her up into the garret, and providing her with food and drink; but in the night he came to her, and made indecent advances to her. Here the embarrassment was greater than ever; she had to deal with one who was strong of body and passions, with whom reasoning had little influence; if she made an outcry her life was in danger; she therefore lifted up her soul, and betook herself to her Redeemer, and called upon Him for help in this great distress, and also entreated this fellow to desist from so evil a deed, because it would be adultery and she had a husband; and adulterers and adulteresses had to burn forever in hell; whereupon he left her in peace and went away, saying: "The jade is too wise in the Scriptures; I have no chance with her." The next day he went to the Zuypmarket, to Hadewijk's brother in law, who daily brought buttermilk there for sale, and told him that he had, unknown to anyone, concealed his sister in law in the priest's house, and advised him to come with his boat to the back stairs of the priest's house, there to take her into the boat, and carry her out of the city through the floodgate, which he did, and thus this lamb Hadewijk, through the miraculous hand of God, escaped the claws of the ravening wolves, fled to Emden, and lived the remainder of her life in the meetinghouses of the Anabaptists, where she fell asleep in the Lord.

Remmeltje Wubbers, from whom I have this account, heard it only frequently from her parents and others, but also from the woman who attended Hadewijk in her last sickness, to whom Hadewijk related it with her own lips.

OF A PIOUS BROTHER WHO WAS PUT TO DEATH FOR

THE WORD OF GOD, IN THE CITY OF VUREN

IN FLANDERS, A. D. 1553

About the year 1553, there was put to death with the sword, in the city of Vuren, in Flanders, for the testimony of Jesus, a God fearing, pious brother, who had to endure many severe conflicts from the papists, the adversaries of the truth; but as a valiant hero of Christ he would not fear them that kill the body, but sought much rather to please Him who after this temporal death has power also to cast into hell, into everlasting fire, where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. He therefore comforted his sorrowful wife, who was pregnant, and whom he loved dearly, with the Word of God, fearing that adversity was in store for her; that she should not regard the torments inflicted upon him for the Word of God. They sentenced him to be executed with the sword; hence he took affectionate leave from all his brethren, and, as a humble lamb, following the footsteps of his Leader Jesus, ascended the scaffold; but the evening wolves, which let nothing remain until the morning, by which and other fruits they may be known, retained their wolfish nature, so that they killed this friend of God with seven cruel blows, and finally sawed off his head, so that through great sorrow many a tear was shed by the people who were present and witnessed this martyrdom. His poor, pregnant wife lamented greatly, so that she died with her fruit from excess of grief. Many witnessed this heinous murder, perpetrated by the bloodthirsty; but the great and faithful God, who regards the sufferings of His own, as though the apple of His eye had been touched, will avenge this in due time. O how will these bloodthirsty men excuse themselves, when the chief Shepherd shall appear in the clouds, and require an account of this matter! But those faithful heroes and adventurers of God, who did not dare deprive their Creator of His divine honor, but would serve Him rightly according to His Word, and gave their lives therefor, they have the promise from the mouth of Jesus, that He will confess them before His Father in heaven, that it is the Father's good pleasure to give this little flock His glorious kingdom, and that all who here suffer with Christ for righteousness' sake, shall rejoice forever with God. Matt. 10:32; Luke 12:8, 32; Matt. 5:10.

Concerning this, read hymn in the old hymnbook.

PIETER WITSES, A MASON, STRANGLED AT THE

STAKE, AT LEEUWARDEN, AND HIS CONFES;

SION WHILE IMPRISONED IN THAT CITY

WHERE HE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR

THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS, IN

THE YEAR 1553

In Questions and Answers

Question. "What is your name?" Answer. "Pieter Witses." Ques. "How old are you?" Ans. "Twenty seven years." Ques. "When were you to confession last?" Ans. "I confess everyday, and acknowledge that I am a sinner." Ques. "What do you think of the sacrament?" Ans. "I esteem it highly." Ques. "What do you think of the sacrament which the priest gives on Easter?" Ans. "Nothing." Ques. "Christ said: `Take, eat; this is my flesh."' Ans. "It is true; but He spake it to those who were obedient to Him." Ques. "Are you also rebaptized?" Ans. "I know of no rebaptism; I was baptized once, and that according to the teaching of God." Ques. "How long ago?" Ans. "About a year and a half."

Then Pieter was put into a dungeon, and having been there for about an hour, was again taken before the lords, and asked anew: "Pieter, are you seduced? will you not suffer yourself to be instructed?" Ans. "Yes, gladly; he that rejects reproof and instruction is miserable. Prov. 10:17. Take a Testament, and instruct me." Ques. "We are no teachers; will you not suffer yourself to be instructed by priests?" Ans. "God is the best priest; He will instruct me, and to this I shall adhere by the grace of God." Ques. "Some vagabond has been preaching to you." They further said that they had read in the Old Testament, that many children were baptized. Pieter replied: "I have read nothing about this; I have read that Christ commanded to baptize believers. Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; that it was practiced by the apostles, Acts 2:38; and that Peter taught: `Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children,"' etc. He also quoted John 3.

Then they said: "Pieter, you are deceived; are your brethren also thus minded?" He replied

"What do I know about my brethren? I can speak of what God has given me; that I know." He further quoted the words of Christ, where He says

Go into all the world; preach and teach: he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Mark 16:16. Also, that Christ came to John at the Jordan, to be baptized of him, in order that He might fulfill all righteousness for us, to be an example, that we should follow His steps. Matt. 3:13, 15; I Pet. 2 21. And after Christ's suffering the apostles, who were His body and church, practiced it.

Concerning their supper, he confessed, that he thought nothing at all of it. They admonished him with the Gospel, which he regarded as all right, but not as having been said with reference to their church; for Christ, said he, said to His apostles: "Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you." Also the cup: "Drink ye all of it; for this is the cup of the new testament in my blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." MatthevA, 26:26-28.