The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians who baptized only upon confession of faith, and who suffered and died for the testimony of Jesus, their savior, from the time of Christ to the year A.D. 1660

Hence, my young lamb, for whose sake I still have, and have had, great sorrow, seek, when you have attained your understanding, this narrow way, though there is sometimes much d...

Know, that I have wept much, because you were grieved on my account, having heard that I said that I had often spoken to you about moving away from Assuerus, and that you did no...

The last time was the 13th of June, when I spoke with four priests at once, but not so much as at other times; I was asked whether I would not repent. I said: “Yes, I want to de...

Thus, Hans Symons, Cornelis the shoemaker, and Mattheus, confessed as also, I unworthy one, and I hope to keep it to the praise of the Lord, but not through my own power or meri...

By the particular succession is understood the succession of teachers, from person to person, in a particular church, at a separate place, and sitting on a throne prepared for t...

I hope to explain to you, dear brother, the cause of my imprisonment, so that you may not grieve, but rejoice, and thank the Lord for it. I thank the Lord, that he has opened my...

Therefore see, my most beloved lamb, how faithfully Christ and his apostles have warned us of the false and subtle serpent, that we should not suffer ourselves to be deceived by...

5. I further believe and confess, that there is a holy Christian church, which is the communion of the saints, and the assembly of the believing and righteous, which is the temp...

Hence Paul calls love the bond of perfectness.[347] Herewith I will bid my dear and in God beloved mother, a Christian farewell and final adieu. Adieu my chosen, beloved mother...

This rite consists in this, that a minister of the Gospel, according to the institution of Christ, and the usage of his apostles, takes bread and wine for a holy purpose, breaks...

The grace and peace of God the heavenly Father, the love of his beloved Son, together with the comfort joy, and gladness of the Holy Ghost, this I wish you as a friendly greetin...

One of the judges said to me: “If Christ is not of Mary’s flesh, then the promise is not fulfilled yet.” I said: “It is not written that Christ is of Mary’s flesh.” This Dean sa...

My dearest wife, whom I wedded before God and his church, and took to wife according to the ordinance of the Lord, I wish you comfort, joy and gladness in all your great sorrow...

We further have from the word of God the Supper, or breaking of bread, which the Lord himself instituted, and commanded his apostles, for a remembrance of his sufferings and dea...

It is said that they took this wagon for the reason that the way that leads from the prison to the market place, could not well be walked, because of the burnt houses which had...

These words do in no respect concern innocent children, for they do not have the old birth, from the original sin which condemns them, as some would prove, because David says: I...

Thus these two were brought upon the scaffold, and they frequently smiled and nodded to those whom they knew, and who stood before them. Harmen then fell upon his knees and pray...

Further, I earnestly pray you, that you will rightly instruct the simple in the faith, concerning all things, and frequently speak of these things in the exhortation, for there...

The unfathomable grace and mercy of our heavenly Father, the abundant love of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the co-operation of his Holy Spirit, always be multiplied to you beloved...

_Inquisitor._ “Why did you have yourself baptized?” _Claesken._ “The Scriptures speak of a new life. John first calls to repentance, Christ himself also, and afterwards the apos...

Hence, my good friends, take heed, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief [in departing from the living God]. But exhort one another daily while it is called to-d...

Furthermore, dear W., if it were possible, and you should be in the city, I should from the heart like to converse orally with you, which (as it seems to me) could very easily b...

I likewise tell you to leave the others be where they are except they sincerely come back in the matter of marriage, and the other articles, and humble themselves before God, an...

Who, in his office as king, as a victorious prince has vanquished death, the devil, hell, and all our enemies, and has prepared a place for the members of his kingdom; ruling wi...

But when she was brought forth and placed at the stake, he lost consciousness, fell to the ground, and remained in this condition until his mother and the rest were burnt. After...

I have written this, not to cast you down, but for the reason that you saints of God should rejoice with me in the Holy Ghost, and help me thank the Lord, that he has so faithfu...

The reason of my writing is further to inform you, that I have been before the lords once, and they questioned me concerning my faith, which I confessed to them. And they asked...

See, my dear son Raphelken, since the Lord has so ordered it, that I must be taken from you, though I would most gladly have remained with you, to help you on, and to bring you...

To the scattered saints and the others at Dortrecht, grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, and the co-operation of the Holy Spirit, ever...

My dearly beloved and chosen brethren and sisters, and all lovers of the unfeigned and eternal truth, I wish you the true, penitent faith, which works by love, and avails before...

Therefore, my dear brethren, be faithful unto death, and you shall receive the crown of life. Revelation 2:10. Think, dear brethren, if the children of this world were promised...

In the seventh place, you strewed sweet roses and down before my feet, and made the bank slippery that I might glide off, saying: Mind not what those who deceived you without th...

Nothing special for this time, but I herewith take leave and farewell from you my dear father and mother, and from all my dear brothers and sisters; and for my sake do not forge...

Continuing, he explains the words of Peter, Acts 2:39: “For the promise is unto you, and to your children,” etc.; from which the opponents were frequently wont to prove (in thei...

The grace and peace of God the Father, and the great mercy and love of the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who was sent by the Father, out of grace, for the salvation of all those w...

At another time they took Maeyken alone, but had me come too. When I came, and was there, I perceived that they showed us great friendship and promised much to set us into the s...

Then Eberhard, the chaplain, said that he too did not believe that this flesh and blood should inherit the kingdom of God. I also said: “We shall be changed.” Now, he that would...

I Jacob, imprisoned for the name of the Lord our God, grace, peace, mercy and love from God our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who delivered himse...

Grace, peace and mercy from God the heavenly Father; also steadfastness in the faith, and constant adherence to God in all temptations and tribulations, by the power and operati...

In the third place, I believe in the Holy Ghost, who is an eternal Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, which Spirit I confess to belong to both the Father and the Son, proceeding...

But when I told it to our persecutors, they said that they also had been persecuted; whereupon I told them, that they only suffered persecution when they were too weak and feebl...

I also beseech you, by the mercy of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, that you neglect not, to thank and praise God the merciful dear Father day and night, through Christ his dear Son...

Herewith I will draw to a close with my discourse, and commend you to the Almighty Lord, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, who has given you to me, and...

Further, the cause of my writing to you, and to your love, is also to ask you to help me pray in my behalf, for steadfastness in God’s truth, and that I may live in his grace, a...

Thus, my much beloved, now that you know that the day is approaching when you must have it, take earnest heed lest you lose it; for if you should lose it the last day, it could...

I desire out of a pure heart, with the prophet Daniel, imprisoned in Babylon, from pure love, to open the windows of my heart toward the pleasant city of my God, Jerusalem, now...

I further pray you, my dearest daughter, that you first of all love and obey your dear, beloved mother. If your beloved mother gets to be an aged woman, always show her great ho...

O see, my dear sister, how richly those are rewarded who love and fear God. O why should we not fear and love the Lord with all our hearts, who will so richly reward us for it,...

_Ans._ “If this is all you want to know, it is written that the Lord said to his apostles: ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth...

My affectionately beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, I wish you from the depth of my heart, for an adieu, that you may always prosper in soul and body. I Maeyken, your we...

He wrote it all down. He asked me who the one was that had baptized me, where it had taken place, and who and how many had been at my father’s house. I said: “I do not want to t...

Concerning man’s free will, read: “Let him do what he will, he sinneth not; let them marry. Nevertheless he that standeth steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath p...

In the tenth place she was asked whether the saints had not ascended up to heaven. But she confessed that no one has ascended up to heaven, but Christ our Protector and Savior,...

When he had finished praying, he rose and went boldly toward the executioner, so that neither his face nor his color changed, but he knelt down again so intrepidly, that the exe...

The love of God, the communion of the Holy Ghost, and the love of the Father, who gave his only Son for us all, keep, strengthen and confirm you and us all unto the end, that we...

Finally, I declare unto you once more in the name of my Lord: Amend your life and ways, believe the gospel, and flee idolatry. But if you yet think that you do not worship them,...

See, my dear children, here I have briefly set forth to you in writing my faith, that you may know, in what faith your father died; and I hope that it may serve for your instruc...

_Fr. Corn._ Bah, * * * you miserable Anabaptist * * * for such * * * letters I do not care * * * do you understand this? And do you know nothing else to say? Bah, you do not ans...

_Ans._ “Though they burn me to-morrow, or put me into a bag, I care not; as the Lord has ordained it, so it must be, and not otherwise; I will adhere to the Lord.”

This church of God, that is, all believers, are, as members of one body, joined together by faith and the bond of love; they are like-minded one toward another according to Chri...

Furthermore, my child, yield your heart under the obedience of the truth. And always be desirous to hear the word of God, and seek, when you attain to your understanding, to bet...

Of the good and virtuous works which the believers are to manifest from their faith as fruits of gratitude, read: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your goo...

“Lord God, I will praise thee now and until my end; because thou hast given me faith, by which I have learned to know thee. Thou sendest to me thy divine word, which I am able t...

Eight days after, he was brought out again, and the lord with six others examined him; but being unable to accomplish anything, they remanded him to prison. After another eight...

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7; Deut. 6:4; Mark 12:29; 1 Cor. 8:6; Gal. 3:20.

In the second place, we must take up our cross, namely prepare ourselves for suffering, according to the teaching of Jesus Syrach, who says: “My son, if thou come to serve the L...

My dear little children, it is true, it is true I say, you are yet too childish, the oldest as well as the youngest, to understand the holy Bible, and also that which I shall te...

Eight days after the sacrifice of the preceding persons, a woman named Catharine was also sentenced to the fire. While yet in prison, she was greatly tormented by the monks, in...

But since God always remembers his own for the best, even when in the greatest fear, and never entirely forgets them, he strengthened some in their imprisonment, so that they tr...

The saving grace of God and the peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, be multiplied to all believers, through the ministration and unction of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

After this they cried as loud as ever, and demanded the young constable, and also the Bailiff and the members of the court. And as the servants were in a story of the tower belo...

After all heartfelt greeting written to you my beloved wife and sister in the Lord, of whom I am now deprived through the bonds in which I now am for the testimony of our Lord J...

Thus, my most beloved, that by these you are a partaker of the divine nature, if you flee the corruptible lusts of this world, as you have also done, and by renouncing the same,...

Therefore, my dearly beloved lamb, let the trying of your faith work patience, and let patience have her perfect work (Jas. 1:3,4), and remember the words of the wise man: A pat...

I wanted to inform you of this very briefly, my dear brother; for I have not time to write much; besides, I am closely watched. And I desire that you walk steadfastly in the fea...

Whereas Maerten Janss, corn porter, citizen of the city of Delft, and Jan Hendrickss of Swartewael, steersman, prisoners, have confessed, without torture and iron bonds, to belo...

Not long after the above there were also apprehended at Ghent three brethren and one sister, namely, Christoffel Buyze, Laurens van Rentergen, Joost Meerssenier, and Grietgen Ba...

We had yet much more discussion on this subject, so that he did not know which way to turn. He asked from Deut. 17:12, upon which passage he founded it, that the priests had the...

_Of the withdrawing from and avoiding of apostate and separated members_, is confessed: As separation is commanded by God for the reformation of sinners, and the maintenance of...

They shall be confounded with their people, who prophesy lies in the name of the Lord; they shall be punished with Zedekiah and Ahab who shamefully sin, and seduce the Israel of...

Furthermore, Beliken, my love, I understand it to be your request, that I shall write to you once more, which it is impossible for me to refuse you; yet I am unworthy to write t...

Furthermore, my dear and much beloved father and mother, I inform your love, how they dealt with me when I was first apprehended. I had been invited out in the evening, which wa...

Whereas Cecilia, daughter of Jeronymus, of Wormer, has joined the doctrine, sect and heresies of the Anabaptists, having been rebaptized, and holding pernicious views in regard...

The 23d of August was the day fixed for the execution of the minister, Hans, and brother Henderick. They were brought before the court into the vault near the pillory. Much peop...

O God! behold now from thy high throne the misery of thy servants, how the enemy persecutes them because it is their purpose to walk in the narrow way, and how abominably they a...

In the meantime, some in the room treated Michael Sattler most unmercifully, heaping reproach upon him. One of them said: “What have you in expectation for yourself and the othe...

“Well then,” said we, “You know the ground of our faith, which we have freely confessed to you; you may now do with us as you please (Jer. 26:14), as far as God will permit; but...

The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Blessed be God, the heavenly Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all co...

My husband said that he would adhere to his baptism. And I said, as our brother had said, that we had received one baptism according to the word of the Lord. Every time he said:...

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11; Heb. 5:13.

And as the sun in the heavens is endowed by God with a glorious splendor, so that it is the eye of the world, which illuminates the darkness, and spreads its beautiful light ove...

In the third place, I let you know that my wife has been here, and brought me your kind greeting, which I was very glad to hear; as also that she desires to follow that which is...

See, my friends, from all these words it can clearly be understood, that Christ cannot be excluded from the unity or from God; since God in the Scriptures is frequently expresse...

Jan van den Wege, having risen early one morning, and then, about seven o’clock, gone with his cousin to market, was apprehended at the fish market at Ghent in Flanders, by mast...

Grace be with you, and peace, from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ; may he comfort and strengthen us with his Holy Spirit, that we may be able to stand against the ass...

After all cordial salutation, my much beloved wife and sister in the Lord, I affectionately pray you, that you will prove valiant in your tribulation and distress, and ever look...

And is that which has been witnessed at Salzburg not a lamentable matter; namely, that eighteen persons were burned together on the same day, only for the doctrine of Christ, wh...

Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you, my dear and in God beloved wife; and the supreme Comforter, the Holy Ghost, be with you and...

George Frick of Wirzberg, a tailor, confessed that on last St. Gallus’ fair he was rebaptized by one Benedict, who belonged to their faith, at Philip Kopfler’s, in the Ful. He a...

Consider what this charity is, and you shall be able to accept for the best whatever the Lord sends you. How should I be able to express it, love is the nature of God: may it be...

Therefore, learn now to understand further, what proceeds from sin, and what are the wages of sin, for these are damnation and death. Rom. 6:23. It is enmity against God, becaus...

Heyndrick then said to the people: “Dear citizens, repent, for it is more than time. Live according to God’s commandments and the words of the holy Gospel.” And he called again...

_Jac._ I have read much in the holy Scriptures concerning the breaking of bread in remembrance of the broken body of Christ, Matt. 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; Acts 2; 1 Cor. 11; but o...

Since, then, Christian baptism is of such a nature that it was ordained and commanded by Christ only upon faith, repentance, and reformation, and was practiced and taught by his...

Furthermore, dear friends, I find in this my tribulation, afflictions and bonds and reproach, that happened to me, unworthy one, for the righteousness of God, that God is faithf...

Hence, the words of Christ declare, that teaching must take place before and after baptism, in order that the person baptized may use diligence to observe, after baptism, the Go...

_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.” _Ans._ “This will not be grante...

A. D. 1560, also three imprisoned sisters, namely, Deaf Betgen, Betgen of Ghent, and Lijsken Smits, were sentenced to death and drowned in a tub, in the city of Antwerp, because...

Hence, O my dear brother, let us help the author of our faith, the Lord Jesus Christ, bear all his reproach, and let us, as Paul says, follow after holiness, without which no ma...

David, my dear child, I herewith commend you to the Lord. You are the oldest, learn wisdom, that you may set your sisters a good example; and beware of bad company, and of playi...

Govert said: “God has commanded us through Christ, as is recorded in the sixteenth chapter of Mark, that all who believe and are baptized shall be saved, and that those who do n...

Maerten Karettier of Busbeke, who also would rather suffer affliction with the children of God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, and live in joy with the world, was...

Therefore, my chosen in the Lord, we will not be afraid of their threats and blows, though they run like mad dogs. The Lord holds their hearts in his hand; they cannot hurt a ha...

_Jac._ I too believe that Paul thereby means antichrist. But does not the Pope of Rome do the very works of antichrist? Does he not command you, that you are not to marry? Does...

The word of God having, according to his will, been proclaimed in many and various countries, and attested and confirmed by the blood of many Christians, it came to and was acce...

The beginning of my life was unprofitable, proud, puffed-up, drunken, selfish, deceitful, and full of all manner of idolatry. And when I attained maturity, and began to be my ow...

After this second mandate there followed in the aforesaid city and its jurisdiction the hoped for peace, at least so that we have learned of no note-worthy disturbance or obstru...

The following Thursday the Bailiff came, with two judges, and a commissary from the Hague; they asked me many questions, which I could not answer, and also demanded to know wher...

Whereas Willem Janss, from Waterland, residing at Doornickendam, present here as a prisoner, unmindful of his soul’s salvation, and the obedience which he owed to our mother the...

_Fr. Corn._ What a devilish question this is; bah, who is there that could answer to such an accursed question? Bah, see once, with what this * * * bishop, Jacob the weaver, doe...

“O vain consolation! for what kind of repentance can that be, when one is no longer able to commit sin and wickedness? it is nothing but mocking the Lord, sinning presumptuously...

We believe and confess, according to the holy Scriptures, that these our first parents, Adam and Eve, did not continue long in this glorious state in which they were created, bu...

Thus, my affectionately and so greatly beloved sister, when we think on and well consider these words, why should we not gladly forsake all that we have for the name of Christ,...

They also asked me whether I did not believe in God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost: three persons, and one true God. I said: “I find but one person in the Scripture...

Besides this, they nevertheless, about eight days afterwards, sent one Friar Peter de Backer (who had partly spied us out), with one of his companions,--two false prophets, call...

After manifold persecution, slaying, and burning of the true followers of Christ, there was also a pious brother, by the name of Louwerens Janss, a shoemaker by trade, who chose...

Therefore let us be resigned, and say within ourselves: O Lord, Almighty King, all things are in thy power; if it is thy will to restore unto me my husband, there is none that c...

Shortly after this decree of Nero, a violent and unmerciful persecution of the Christians manifested itself in all the countries which were under the Roman dominion; which perse...

_Herm._ I have not studied the symbol of Athanasius; for it is enough for me, that I believe in the living God, and that Christ is the Son of the living God, as Peter believed (...

_A clear account of the foregoing matters is contained in the following letter, written by one Jaques de Somere (a member of the Calvinistic church, resident at that time in Lon...

No true Christian of the Anabaptists of this day will stumble at the fact that the first martyrs have not confessed so many articles of faith as the last ones, or as are confess...

_Herm._ After I should have truly and unfeignedly confessed, that I had erred in the faith, and after I should have my unbaptized children baptized in your church, would I then,...

Who is there so ill versed in the word of God, as to suppose that he is to understand by the words _city of God_ and _the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High_, etc.,...

Now he that will be a good and faithful disciple of Christ and serve his Lord in faithfulness, must willingly bear all that is laid upon him for the Lord’s sake, for Paul says:...

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...

Very shortly after, Arent, Ursel’s husband, was also notified to prepare himself for death, which he willingly received, and prepared himself accordingly. Before he was led fort...

On Monday afternoon, from soon after three till about six o’clock, as I think, I was with three priests, who wanted to tell me so much; but I first made them confess their faith...

But before he allowed matters to proceed so far, he addressed her with these soft words: “How gladly would I spare thee! O that thou mightest renounce before thy death thy perve...

See, my affectionately beloved, sanctified brethren and sisters, who are partakers of the kind and nature of our common, most holy, Christian faith, I say, of the kind and natur...

Having been brought into the court, he was asked by the Bailiff, whether he was rebaptized. He replied: “Why do you ask concerning my baptism, and not regarding my life and fait...

_From the year 71 till the year 111._--It is stated that between these years there flourished Ignatius, who was the second bishop of Antioch after Peter, and, according to the c...

They begged me much, that I should suffer my self to be instructed, there was not a day that they did not pray for us. They also frequently said that I had strange views, and th...

Thus they suspended this godfearing aged woman (who could neither read nor write) by her hands, even as Christ had been, and by severe torturing sought to extort from her the na...

Almost a year after this, after very long imprisonment, Janneken Cabiljaus and Kalleken Steens, were sentenced to death, placed alive into the fire, and burnt to ashes, as valia...

Herewith I commend you to the Lord, and as regards my case, I know nothing special to write you. I expected this week, that they would dispose of the matter; but it seems to me,...

This is explained still further by the holy evangelist John, who says, chap. 20:19,22,23, that Christ, after his resurrection, standing in the midst of his disciples, breathed o...

In this year, Brother Oswald of Jamnits, was imprisoned for the faith, at Vienna, in Austria, and various means were tried to cause him to apostatize. The citizens came to him i...

But whether they all unanimously passed this sentence, is not stated; however, it appears that the majority concurred therein, which can not have taken place without grief and c...

This Algerius,[269] though very young in years, was a student from the kingdom of Naples, and studied at Padua, where a brother who spoke his language came to him, of whom he di...

In that day, when all hidden things must come to light, such empty and artificial excuses will not avail. Hence, now is the time to consider how unchristian it is, to persecute...

Jacques replied: “O no my lady, believe; if it were permitted among us, to resist the evil with the carnal sword, know, that no seven men should have brought me here, and I shou...

Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Cesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews went to him, and desired favor...

PIETER VAN OLMAN, OR VAN WERWIJCK, PUT TO DEATH AT GHENT. ALSO A LETTER, WHICH THE SAID PIETER VAN OLMAN, OR VAN WERWIJCK, WROTE IN PRISON IN THAT CITY, WHERE HE GAVE HIS LIFE F...

Hence, my dear child, order your paths according to the holy Scriptures, which will show you the right truth; for he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be o...

On their way to town, Kalleken commenced to sing a hymn. Then said master Klaas: “The apostles did not sing, as you do; nor do I want to dance; why then do you sing?” Antonis sa...

This evangelical doctrine, given for admonition and consolation, many faithful witnesses of Christ have taken to heart, who voluntarily surrendered their lives for his holy name...

Again: “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord, nor the disciple above his master. If they have persecuted me, they will (he says, they...

As regards our present condition, the Lord be praised for it, whom we cannot thank enough for the joy, that he has counted us worthy to suffer for his name, and for the joy give...

“First,” he writes: “all nations were taught, and then they were baptized with water; for it is impossible for the body to receive the mystery of baptism aright, if the soul has...

Concerning these, God gave me something to speak. I perceive nothing but the abomination of desolation of which the prophet Daniel speaks, and of which Christ also says that he...

We have, through faith, received Christ, the Son of God, as our Prophet, Priest, King, Shepherd, Friend, and Bridegroom; and in this we must go on and grow stronger. This, Paul...

In the second place we have this example in the Testament, first in the case of John and the churches in Asia, how lamentably they had decayed; yet John did not make use of exco...

The last, named Henry, had divers times also been severely persecuted for the testimony of Jesus Christ, and had also been imprisoned; but he was now confined with the others, i...

This I wish you as a friendly greeting, my dear and beloved wife and sister in the Lord, together with all fellow believers of our most holy faith; informing you, that our mind...

The unfathomable and abundant great grace and mercy of God our heavenly Father, given and bestowed upon us through Jesus Christ the Son of the true and living God, and Jesus Chr...

But finally, having entered into a controversy with Crescens, a Cynic philosopher, and having vanquished and confounded him, by the power of divine arguments, his uncertain life...

In the year 1573, there were put to death at Ghent in Flanders, for the genuine faith of the truth, and for following Christ, Francoys van Leuven (the son of Willem van Leuven....

When Chorus, the king of the Germans, in the time of Valerian, and Aurelian, yea, up to the time of Probus, devastated France, he found among other martyrs who dwelt separated f...

_The priest’s prayer over the red-hot iron._--”‘Lord God! we pray thee that thou wouldst clearly manifest the truth in this thy servant; thou, O God, who hast in former times do...

Then the Bailiff said that I should name the persons, or he would torture me. _Ans._ “Sir Bailiff, who taught you this?” Then the Bailiff said that he had power to do thus with...

Therefore, my dear brethren and sisters, faint not at my tribulation which I now suffer, but let it be your glory. Eph. 3:13. For, who art thou, says the Lord by the prophet, th...

The wife of this Hans Ring, four days after having been confined, and being yet very sick, was unexpectedly so assailed and distressed by the magistrates’ beadles, with furious...

With the beginning of this century, when the constraint exercised by the papists upon the faith and conscience of the pious, began to cease somewhat, some who had separated from...

Know, dear father and mother, that I have been before so many lords and authorities, also priests and Jesuits, who sought nothing but to murder my soul. But the Lord our God gav...

Her husband, Piersom, often said of his aforesaid wife that it was astonishing how well she was versed in the Scriptures. For whenever he could not find a passage, he would ask...

Claes Leeks, a native of Ostende, was summoned to the town-house, in the year 1548, on account of certain reports that were circulating about him. Having arrived there, he was e...

He laughingly asked me: “Have you the Spirit of God?” _Jac._ “My lord, you must not ask me this in jest; for I do not boast of it; nevertheless, I trust through the grace of God...

When we thought that the conflict was almost over, it was only the beginning of it. We were put in irons, and each separately confined, with fetters on our legs. This lasted a l...

On account of this they dealt with him so cruelly and tyranically, that they could not wait until the return of his wife, whom they might then also have made to tread this way o...

The inconvenient seasons of the year, the heat of summer, the cold of winter, the wetness of spring and fall, together with the contingencies of thunder, lightning, hail, snow,...

Concerning the withdrawing from, or shunning the separated, we believe and confess, that if any one, either through his wicked life or perverted doctrine, has so far fallen that...

_A. D. 716._--_Bapt. Hist., page 534_, D. Vicecomes (_lib. 3, cap. 5_), quotes from Germanus, a father at Constantinople, who lived in the time of Leo Isauricus, that it was sti...

Continuing, he shows in the same place (Rom. 6) that in him that is to be baptized, there must be three invisible things: 1. Faith. 2. The soul, which is washed from sin. 3. The...

A certain book of ceremonies by the ancient Beroldus is introduced; what we read in it concerning baptism: namely, of the first address made to the novices at baptism, the way o...

One of them, who in consideration of his extreme youthfulness had, through compassion, been restored to his mother, was placed by the latter with her own hands upon the wagon in...

O how good were it for all tyrannical men, if they would consider and lay to heart these and similar passages of holy Scripture, and would fight no more against the high God, fo...

NOTE.--We here place one papist against another: Thuan against Radulph. In the meantime, we are induced to receive the best testimony concerning said martyrs from these two diff...

On the third of May 1568 some brethren were assembled at Tillegem, near Bruges, in Flanders, to hear the word of God preached, when they were unexpectedly set upon by some who h...

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 espec...

As soon as he had spoken these words, two dreadful, hungry lions were let out to him from their pits, who instantly tore and devoured him, leaving almost nothing, or, at least,...

_Jac._ “Yes; my lord, you say that our sect has existed only twenty or thirty years, but it has always been the case that those who would live godly in Christ Jesus, have had to...

Grace and peace from God the Father through Jesus Christ, and the co-operation of the Holy Spirit, be multiplied to you, my much beloved brother, and to all that seek their salv...

Two days and one month after the apprehension of the last mentioned witness of Jesus Christ, namely, on the 25th of October, 1639, there also died in the dungeon Othenbach, very...

After he had been in confinement at Munich three years, to the astonishment of every one, he was released, and made cardinal and bishop of Tusculum, by Pope Martin V., whose fee...

Marginal note, how, seven years afterwards, namely, A. D. 991, the Normans came from Denmark into Germany, and there, for about forty years, greatly vexed the Christians; and th...

_Article VIII._ And, consequently, we maintain, that there is no other mediator and advocate with God the Father, than Jesus Christ. But as regards the virgin Mary, we hold, tha...

The Proconsul said: “Thou shalt not gain much by this name; but listen to me, and sacrifice to the gods; that thou mayest be honored by the princes, and be our friend.”

These words as it appears are taken from the address of the prophet Jeremiah to the Israelites who were in bondage, in Babylon, saying as in a hasty and affrighted voice: “Flee...

Then he says: “At another day you shall be made acquainted in proper order with the things that are expedient for this mystery” (that is, baptism). In like manner, Christ teache...

In the same year in which the abovementioned Bulgarian tyrant reigned and instituted so much wickedness against the Christian believers, namely, A. D. 842, the kings of the Fran...

When it is said, in Canon 21, that the Paulianists and Photinians shall be rebaptized, it establishes, that, according to the Holy Scriptures, not every baptism is a genuine or...

In the year 1531, Walter Mair, a cooper by trade, and minister of the word of God, was apprehended with two others, at Walsburg, in Kaernthen, and executed with the sword; and t...

Thereupon he asked me when I came to Emden, and where I had taken up residence, and whether I had been directed to these people, I answered: “Yes.” _Com._ “Who directed you?” _J...

And if our aforesaid councilors find, that in good justice, according to right and reason (in regard to which we charge their consciences), any mitigation or alteration is prope...

When the Emperor Domitian, who had banished him to the aforesaid island, was dead, and Nerva reigned in his stead, he was delivered and brought back to Ephesus, where he had pre...

These two Emperors (namely, Diocletian and Maximian) jointly governed the empire, in harmony and constancy, and remained undivided. However, when they had reigned about ten year...

Forthwith one of those who had carried him, fearing the severe examination, or the rack, apostatized from the faith; for which reason we deem his name unworthy of a place here;...

Thomas, surnamed Didymus, that is, twin, was a native of Galilee, and his occupation, as it appears, that of a fisherman. John 11:16. Concerning his parents and the time of his...

In another place there is quoted, from Reinerius, this accusation against the Waldenses: “They also censure many things in the (papal) sacraments, and say that the baptism of in...

Here the reason is shown, why many, though baptized with water, are not renewed in the spirit of their mind; however, the blame is charged upon the candidates themselves, and no...

Marcella was the mother of Potamiena (of whom the ancients speak in such commendatory terms, as having also laid down her life for the faith; but whom we pass over, on account o...

For the year 1540, mention is made of the churches in Thessalonica, who were said to have remained unchanged in faith from the time of the apostles, and agree with the Anabaptis...

We heartily wish that we had been able to give an account also of their valiant deeds, wise discourses, acts of patience and resignation, and every thing that took place in conn...

How could it be then, that Peter sat as bishop of the church in the city of Rome? and, what is still more--for a considerable number of years! unless it be said that Peter aband...

Such was the end of this upright man Stephen, to whom the honor of Jesus Christ was dearer than his own life. It is stated to have taken place in the year thirty-four after the...

Moreover, every intelligent person knows that books that are written in the form of dialogues, do not always express the author’s individual views, but that frequently the views...

The aged, who have neglected their youth and middle life, and are now come to the eleventh hour,[16] and yet are still not working in the Lord’s vineyard, may here behold person...

_A. D. 1425._--About this time Peter Torea was executed at Speyer, in Germany, and others in Roman countries; because they confessed the truth and opposed the Roman superstition...

Also A. D. 1340, Conrad Hager, having about this time, taught for twenty-four years, that the mass was by no means a sacrifice either for the living or the dead, and, that the t...

_About the year 160._--Gratianus quotes the words of the Lord: “When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another;” and says then: “Here Jesus Christ teaches that Chris...

_Perfecti_, that is, perfect; by this name were called those who applied themselves to faith and godliness to the full extent of their ability, so that they seemed to be perfect...

France, which used to be called a free and frank country, yea, a kingdom of liberties, is now so devoid of freedom for the consciences of the true believers, that scarce a corne...

_Inq._ “Jacques, though there have been wicked popes, cardinals, bishops, priests, and monks, there have, on the other hand, also been good ones; do you not know that the good g...

Sanctus, who was a deacon, or one who ministered to the poor, was tormented with red-hot plates of copper, which were applied to his belly. Being questioned, in the meantime, in...

In the same year, 1538, Offrus Greizinger, also a minister of the word in the Earldom of Tyrol, was apprehended. He was sought on the mountains and in the valley, and spied on b...

What kind of persons these catechumens were, and how they were instructed before baptism in the doctrine of the faith, called the catechism, has already been sufficiently explai...

Perhaps some one may think, in which of the preceding words is infant baptism spoken against? which is nevertheless so distinctly asserted by Jacob Mehrning and H. Montanus. We...

_A. D. 364._--It is recorded that in or about the second year of Julian, the Apostate, there lived and wrote the very learned, yet humble, Ephrem, surnamed Syrus, who, in writin...

[96] The foregoing quotation from Tertullian is ambiguous in the Holland language and appears to have been so also in the original. Dr. Karl Ad. Heinrich Kellner, Prof, of Theol...

This Benjamin was a deacon of the Christian church in Persia, who, when opportunity offered itself, also proclaimed the doctrines of the holy gospel to the people, at which Gero...

As to the dates 869 and 884, to which the history of said Johannes has been referred by him, some one might think that this could not very well be reconciled, which may, however...

_A. D. 1415._--At this time John Huss lived, who, having examined and studied the books and writings of John Wickliffe (of whom we said in the preceding century, that he opposed...

Thus, my very dear wife, despair not, when you are tried by the Lord; for after he has wounded, says Job, he can heal again; for he kills, and makes alive again, he leads into h...

This doctrine, however, did not die with him, seeing mention is made of his followers much later (namely A. D. 586), that they at that time, under the leadership of one Peter, B...

In refutation of those who accuse Origen of apostasy, A. Mellinus writes (though he does not wish to defend his misconceptions or errors, as he calls them): “If this account of...

The council held at Carthage, under Aurelius, against those who denied original sin, infant baptism, and predestination, adopts resolutions entirely different from the decree of...

Afterwards his wife, Martha Lindingerin, was apprehended and confined at Othenbach, in a very damp prison. For a time she was very harshly treated, and also severely tempted in...

Beloved reader! I could not forbear to translate these records, just as they were, for the most part word for word; not only because I have found them to be true and genuine in...

“In the city proper there was imprisoned, accused as a heretic, a man of blameless life and conversation, as I learned from those with whom he resided, by the name of Jan van Ku...

From this it appears that this doctrine of baptizing only upon true faith, was accepted by very many at that time; for otherwise it would not have been necessary for the Emperor...

It is stated that about A. D. 750, there lived two very eminent men, Albert, surnamed Gallas, that is, of Gaul or France, and Clement, surnamed Scotus, that is, of Scotland. Bot...

With few steps we shall make a long journey, and our course will be not less wonderful than sad. The places through which we will first travel are the mountains of Lombardy, nea...

If then, in baptism, the water is ineffectual without the word, and the word has no virtue unless it is believed, as Albinus declares, he flatly opposes infant baptism, since th...

To accept Christ for one’s bridegroom, to enter his chamber, is certainly not the work of children, but of believers. Those accept Christ for their bridegroom, who betroth thems...

It is stated, that about A. D. 1155 there were in the above part of France, certain simple but truth-loving peasants, who, pointing to no other author of their doctrine or belie...

The words of his account are as follows: “A. D. 1242, the Waldenses had to suffer much from popery, on account of their faith and religion. At this time, about two hundred perso...

21. “Mass is read by a mass-priest, who is hired to do it for money, or a yearly salary; he comes clothed in strange attire, after Jewish fashion, with a drinking cup of silver...

_A. D. 1330._--At this day said Waldenses were greatly oppressed by the inquisitors, in the Kingdoms of Bohemia and Poland (see the large _Book of Christian Martyrs, fol. 483, c...

Then he shows how holy, divine, and blessed a thing it is, to have joined one’s self by baptism to the nobility of Christ, that is, to his church. It is truly wonderful, how aff...

Mark, my beloved, how Christ was treated, who never had sinned, neither was guile found in his mouth; how he suffered, and all this for our sakes, who was the Lord of lords, and...

All of which has moved us to Christian compassion, and we could therefore not forbear, but, on the contrary, have deemed it well, hereby to request you very kindly and neighborl...

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 t...

“Contemplate the suffering which these pious martyrs endured, and how wonderfully God wrought with them; how manfully, constantly and patiently they fought, through the effectiv...

When he heard this he looked at me sharply, and did not know what to say. “Do you not believe,” said he “that when the priest has pronounced the words, our Lord is in the bread,...

_A. D. 1242._--At this time, said people had to suffer much from popery, on account of their faith and religion, which in the bishopric of Toulouse alone, appeared in the case o...

_A. D. 487._--Many now, from time to time, separated from the Roman church, rejecting her superstitions and invented ordinances of worship, and desiring to have no fellowship wi...

[126] Concerning these martyrs, we have not found that anything has been laid to their charge, as regards the uprightness and steadfastness of their faith (as has been stated re...

In the second book of the first part of the _History of the Waldenses_, by _Jean Paul Perrin_, translated by _J. M. V., 3d chapter, page 74, col. 2_, there is an account of one...

This is confirmed by what Baronius says, namely, that war was waged by the Pope and his adherents, against the aforesaid princes, for the reason that the latter would not persec...

NOTE.--It appears from several ancient writers, that the Waldenses, or, at least, people who held the same belief, existed long before the year 1170, yea, before 1160; seeing th...

However, it is not our purpose to write here of all these things; partly, because this, through default of the authors, cannot be done circumstantially; and partly, because we o...

And, as a bride is received by her bridegroom; so also shall all true children of God then be received with body and soul through grace, by Christ Jesus, and be admitted to this...

Several volunteers have worked on the post-processing of this complex e-book and I acknowledge the efforts of those who preceded me with respect to correcting spelling and other...

_A. D. 1474._--D. V. P. Groningensis so clearly exposed at this time the darkness of popery that his friends called him a light of the world. Although he could expect nothing be...

But though Christ is the true Shepherd, he has ordained divers ministries in the church (1 Corinthians 12:5) to oversee the sheep, and to lead them to the pasture; for though th...

For, my dearest and beloved sister in the Lord, in this miserable and sorrowful world we are counted a prey to every one, as the prophet tells us. Isaiah 59:15. Yea, Christ Jesu...

Therefore, dear sister, look to the pious, and not to the weak; look unto Jesus Christ the author and finisher of the faith, as Paul says, and suffer not yourself to be led astr...

Thus we humbly pray God for Her Majesty’s long life, prosperous reign, and eternal salvation. We doubt not but that she will be pleased to show us poor prisoners and strangers s...

When he was led forth before the stone court, they said to him: “Behold, there is the image of our Lord; bow down before it.” But he replied that he dared not do it; that they s...

Therefore, ye blessed, inure yourselves to all the hardships of the soldier, for the exercise and strengthening of the mind and body. You are now marching in a good contest, in...

Proper nouns: ---------- Adriaen Peters → Adriaen Pieters Andries → Andriess Annetge → Annetgen Apamia → Apamea ARMENTIERSS → ARMENTIERS Arragon → Aragon Baumgartner → Baumgarte...