Part 160

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 the Scriptures will say. Yet see, is this without the Scriptures? Just as if I had relied upon the fair words of men. No, no; had it depended on fair speeches, you would have laid enough snares for me; your works constantly testify to this. See, my good friend, I think that this is enough for you, namely, my own faith and confession; and I pray you, not so to damn and condemn little infants, and this for Adam’s transgression, lest you be condemned and damned; since Christ, by his death, has redeemed us therefrom, as was stated when I was with you; for Paul says: “As by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Rom. 5:18. John says; “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29, [Paul says] to the Galatians: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law.” Galatians 3:13. And to the Ephesians: “That he abolished in his flesh the enmity, on the cross.” Moreover, he has promised them his kingdom, when he says: Suffer little children to come unto me ... for of such is the kingdom of God. And he received them, blessed them, laid his hands on them, and said: Except ye receive the kingdom of God as a little child, you shall not enter therein. Mark 10:14 to 16; Luke 18:16,17; Matt. 19:14,15. Now when he says, _of such_, there is no difference, even as Paul says; that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin. But you separate them, and say that it is only spoken to Jewish children, as though they were Jewish children, I replied that you should prove this to me by the Gospel; but you could not do it, and gave me no answer. For Christ showed his divine miracles on the children of the Gentiles as well as on those of the Jews, as, for instance, on the Gentile woman and the centurion’s servant; and he gives this testimony concerning the centurion, that he has not found so great faith in Israel. And enough other such examples.

Finally, I beg you to make the best allowance for my simple writing, for it is rustic work. If I had received better talents from God, I should indeed desire to do better; but now I thank him for what he does give me. Farewell.

Below there was written: I, Jan Gerritts Ketelaer van Tessel, confess but one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one Spirit, and one Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all. I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Yea, the Lord Jesus comes. Ephesians 4:4–5; Rev. 3:11.

ANOTHER LETTER FROM JAN GERRITS, TO HIS ACQUAINTANCES.

After all affectionate greeting, dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, here is what you requested of me. I have complied with your wish, according to my feeble ability, as much as in me is; for which I most heartily thank God the Father and his beloved Son Jesus Christ, that he does not forsake his own, but always helps them to gain the victory; for his gracious eyes are ever upon his own, and his ears are constantly open to their prayers. Ps. 34:15. For it is written: When thou passest through water and fire, I will be with thee. Is. 43:2. Hence I give him alone praise and honor for his great succor and working, which he has shown in me poor sinner, in my tribulation, suffering and pain, yea, thus, my dear brethren, that the dogs, lions, and bears have not been able to harm me, however much they bark, roar and growl; for the Lord was my protector; even as I put my hope of faith in him, that through his great grace he will also preserve me unto the end; for if God is with us, who can harm us, and if the Lord keeps the house (as David says), who can injure it. My friends, I wish I could describe to you the state of my heart and mind when I was suspended, and severely beaten for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ; for his word, and his bitter suffering which he endured for us poor sinners, was thus present with me that I thought of nothing else. Behold, my brethren and sisters, how the Lord can keep and protect his own that trust in him, even as the apple of his eye. I would further inform you, my dear brethren and sisters, that they first plied me with questions, namely, what my name was, where I was born, how old I was, and how long I had lived in Tessel. In the second place: When I received baptism? _Ans._ “Five years ago.” _Ques._ “Where did it take place?” _Ans._ “I do not wish to tell you.” Then they rejoined: “You will be made to tell,” and pointed to the executioner, saying, further: “If you are asked concerning the truth, you certainly ought to tell it.” _Ans._ “All that concerns the faith, I am willing to tell you; but God has not commanded me to tell this.” In the third place they asked me: Whether my wife was also of this persuasion? _Ans._ “No, I regret to say.” In the fourth place: Who had administered it? _Ans._ “I do not wish to tell you.” _Ques._ “Was it N.?” _Ans._ “God has not commanded me to tell it; and even if I should tell you, he does not reside in the King’s dominions.” _Ques._ “Christ, when he was placed before the authorities, answered when he was interrogated; why then will you not do the same?” _Ans._ “When he was asked questions that concerned the honor of his Father, and his own divinity, he answered; otherwise, he was silent. Anything that you may ask me concerning his law, word, commandments or prohibitions, I am willing to confess before emperors, kings, dukes, counts, princes, and other lords, and not to keep silent concerning it.” He forthwith briefly said to the executioner: “Seize him.” In short, when they laid hold of me, I fell down prostrate and besought the Lord for his assistance. He immediately said to the rackers: “Lift him up.” Thus, they fell upon me, and dealt with me as the Lord our Master was dealt with, when he was divested of his garments. They tied my hands behind my back unmercifully, blindfolded me, drew me up, and then beat me, belaboring me as though I had been a tree, so that the rods cracked like hemp stalks. They said: “Speak; if you have a dumb devil in you, we will soon drive him out.” But the Lord, blessed be his holy name, closed my mouth, so that not a single exclamation of pain, nor any other sound, escaped my lips; for the suffering of our Lord, as already said, and his testimony, so filled my heart, that it is impossible to express it. In short, when they saw that faintness seized all my members, they said: “Let him down; perhaps the dumb devil will speak sooner then”. When they let me down, I fell with my head against the boards; they therefore took me and set me upon a bench, where I would have fainted again, had they not held me. They stood there like lions and bears, demanding that I should answer their questions; but the Lord was my help and strength, praise and glory be to him for his grace, so that nothing escaped my lips.

Then the president said: “Have you no stout rods to drive out this dumb devil?” He replied: “No; but I have rope.” They would have blindfolded me again, but he said: “Let him see it.” When he struck, I thought: O Lord, thou seest it, and closed my eyes. Yea, my friends, if they had continued to beat as long as there was breath, I think they would have got nothing out of me; so was the strength of the Most High with me. When they saw that it was of no avail, they fetched the hundred pound weight, and hung it to my feet. Then went my heart to the Lord: Keep, keep, my treasure. In short, all their endeavors proved fruitless. Then they asked whether I understood Latin. I replied: “Yes, as much as it is.” _Ques._ “Do you understand French?” _Ans._ “No.” _Ques._ “Where did you go to school?” _Ans._ “At Delft.” _Ques._ “When?” _Ans._ “At the time when Delft was burned.” They also asked me whether I had read the books of Menno or Dietrich Phillips? “Yes,” I said; for Boshuysen had taken my doctrinal books, namely, the _New Creature_, by Menno, and the _Spiritual Restitution_, by D. P. They asked me how I had come by it. My lips were sealed. Then the order was: “Fetch water! candles! the dumb devil must come out.” But the Lord was my preserver, for which I cannot thank him enough. Sir. 43:30. Finally, the order was given: Loose him; he must cool off a little; we shall give it to him better yet. As they were leaving I told them to take heed what they were doing; the day of the Lord should also come upon them; thus they left me. My dear brethren and sisters, herewith I bid you my last adieu, with the peace of Christ. I would have written more, but time does not permit me. If it pleases the Lord, I want to stand at the stake with him. The Lord be with you all. Amen.

ADRIAEN DEN BURRY, A. D. 1565.

After manifold persecution and fearful tyranny against the flock of Christ, there was also apprehended, in the year 1565, at Oudenaerde, in Flanders, a faithful brother named Adriaen den Burry, who, after undergoing and enduring manifold temptations, and severe conflicts against the devil and his tools, was burnt at said place, in the year 1565, and testified to and confirmed the upright and genuine faith of the truth with his death and blood, to the true conviction of all bloodthirsty tyrants and persecutors, and all carnal men, who seek to walk the broad way to eternal damnation, according to the lusts of their flesh, and to the consolation and strengthening of all true believers, that they might follow this friend of God in true obedience, even as he followed Christ, wherefore his name is written in the book of life, and worthy to be recorded in this book, for long remembrance.

WILLEM DE DUYCK, A. D. 1565.

In the year 1565, at Ghent in Flanders, brother Willem de Duyck, after much tribulation and unwavering steadfastness, being not willing to apostatize in any wise, also had to bear witness with his blood to the name of Christ, and suffer temporal death for it; wherefore he shall also, at the resurrection, with all the children of God, hear the blessed words: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25:34. Then shall he as one of the righteous enter into life eternal.

CONRAD KOCH, A. D. 1565.

This Conrad Koch was kindled with the light of the knowledge of God, when this light, in these latter days, began to rise again, along the river Rhine as well as in the country of Berg, and the truth of the holy Gospel commenced to shine. Hence he sought, by the divine help, to leave the darkness, and to walk in this brightly shining light; he forsook popery and the worldly and ungodly life, and betook himself to the church of the Lord, heard and laid to heart the word of the Lord, believed the Gospel, and was baptized, according to the command of Christ, upon faith in Christ Jesus, and confession of his sins, and accordingly, conducted himself in a brotherly and Christian manner in the church, and, in weakness, showed himself edifying and honorable toward all men. But as he that walks in darkness cannot bear or endure the light, and the envy of the adversary works in his followers, this man was envied by the papists, and accused to the intendant of the revenue; who was judge and ruler of the country in the name of the prince of Juelich. Thereupon the intendant sent his servants to Houf, where Conrad lived, and they apprehended him; he was ready, and as a lamb, willingly went with them to Loewenburg, one of the seven castles which, on account of their high situation, can be seen from a great distance. There they brought Conrad into the tower, and placed him in severe confinement, in which he remained nearly half a year; however, he was greatly comforted by the Lord, though he had to suffer much hunger.

The intendant ofttimes browbeat him and threatened him most severely, that his life should be taken if he should refuse to renounce his faith. They tried him very hard with entreaties and solicitations, then with hunger, and also with threats to put him to death; but he remained immovable. His heart was of good cheer.

Now when he had boldly confessed his faith, and no tortures could intimidate him, and the time drew near that he was to die for the truth and depart from this world, the door of his prison was opened, and he went of his own accord, free and unfettered, from the tower of Loewenburg to the village of Houf. His guide was Barabbas, that is a malefactor who went with him. His departure took place in great secrecy; and thus he came to Houf, which is some distance from Loewenburg. But even as Christ was crucified, and Barabbas released, so it was also here. Conrad was taken to the town-hall of Houf, where it was proposed to him, that if he should renounce his faith, his young life should be spared, and his liberty be given him.

Manifold wiles were employed against him with great deceitfulness. The sophists sang things sweet and sour, saying: “Go to church at least once a year and if they do not preach the pure and clear truth, stay away from it thenceforth.” One of these hypocrites said to Conrad: “My dear Conrad, though we be false, subtle and evil, it cannot harm your soul; do you only fear God and keep peace with all men; what is it to you if our faith is little.” Conrad replied to the magistrates: “O you ministers of God, you must know that God wants no hypocrites. This was seen exemplified in old Eleazar, who would rather surrender his life than dissemble. 2 Macc. 6:24. Therefore I also hope to die before I go into your congregation.” Conrad further said: “Christ is the head of the church; he that would please him must show himself a member of his body; now, one must not sever himself from Christ the captain. With this head I want to remain, though it cost my flesh and blood.” They asked Conrad what he thought of infant baptism. He said: “Of this I can only think that it is also one of the Pope’s greatest abominations; however if you can prove it by the word of God, I will suffer myself to be instructed by the church of the Lord.” “O God,” said Conrad, “to thee I bring my complaint; O God, what calamity this, that they put to death those who speak the truth! They can certainly not allege that I have committed anything criminal, and yet they malignantly seek to kill me. O Lord, forgive them.” The mandate of the prince of Juelich was then read to him, whereupon the judges passed sentence, upon which the intendant broke the staff. The sentence was, that Conrad should suffer death, if he did not recant. And when he had been thus sentenced twice, they took him out [to the place of execution]. When he arrived there, he began to sing: “O God, how gently thou dost chasten me. Reach me thy gracious hand, that my flesh may now shun all sin, vice and shame, that I may rend the old garment, and have eternal joy with thee. Christ, I praise thee, O my supreme God, that I have lived to see this day and hour, that I may now testify to thy name with my blood. My dear brethren and sisters, I commend you all to the Lord. Keep the Gospel of Christ firmly fixed in your hearts; this I leave you for an admonition: fear God, and be valiant; be my followers, even as I am willing to follow Christ the Lord, and to deliver up my life.” And thus they put this pious man to death with the sword secretly, so that many did not hear of it. When thieves and murderers are condemned there it is customary to let the whole land know it; but the pious are murdered in secrecy, which is a shame for the judges. Thus Conrad was beheaded with the sword standing and proved himself a faithful witness of the sufferings of Christ, at Houf, in the land of Berg, which belongs to the prince of Juelich and Cleves.

In the year 1565, under the same intendant, who was a very bloodthirsty man, also seven other persons, four brethren and three sisters, had been previously apprehended. These four brethren were also sentenced that they should be put to death, if they refused to renounce their faith. But the Lord protected them, and delivered them all out of prison unharmed in their faith, for this bloodthirsty tyrant was smitten by God with sudden death, so that the prisoners were liberated from prison, keeping their faith, and adhering to the truth.

HERE FOLLOW TWO LETTERS WHICH CONRAD KOCH WROTE FROM PRISON.

_First Letter._

Grace, peace and mercy from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, is what I, Conrad Koch, a prisoner in the Lord, in Loewenburg, wish my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord. Amen.

I herewith inform you, that I had a call from the executioner, and they tried me hard with words, but did not torture me. The Lord kept me, so that I did not consent to them. Then they said that they would go to dinner, and then return and torture me. But before meal time was over yet, the intendant returned to me and told me much about the prince’s preacher, that I should let him come and see me once more, since he knew the errors which we held. I replied: “I do not want him; the word of the Lord has taught me. Did I not tell you, that I want no preacher?” He said: “It is true; but still I wish you would do my will so much as to say that you want him to come to you. Though you do not agree then, all right; it does not matter, so we only get rid of the man.” I replied: “I do not want to lay the cross of Christ aside.” Then he said: “Then I cannot alter it,” and left me.

Thus, my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, did the Lord preserve me from them. Pray the Lord faithfully for me, to keep me in his faithful word unto the end of my life, that I may adhere to it; for I am still of good hope, and willing with all patience to await, by the help of the Lord, all that he shall suffer to befall and come upon me for his name’s sake. May he not suffer more to be laid upon me, than I am able to bear, that his name may not be blasphemed through me. Hence help me entreat the Lord; I expect also not to forget to remember all my dear brethren and sisters, nor all those that fear the Lord. May the Lord come to our assistance, that we may pray according to his will, so that we may be heard with all the pious; to this end, may the Lord help us by his grace. Amen.

I have also been informed that our fellow-members at Cologne have been released from prison; the Lord be praised for his great love which he manifests toward us in these latter days, preserving us so safely from the deceitful serpents, who come to us so subtly with fair words, which are nothing but mere hypocrisy employed by them to seduce us from the covenant of the Lord. From this, may the Lord preserve all those who have accepted his covenant. Amen. Herewith I commend you to the Lord.

THE SECOND LETTER, WRITTEN TO HIS BROTHER A. OF B.

Grace, peace, and a heart steadfastly fixed upon the Lord, is what I wish you, A. of B., my dear brother in the Lord, and I thank the Lord for the letter you wrote me. Thanks to the Lord for it, and I also request of you, my dear brother, that you help me to entreat the Lord, that I may become worthy of what you wished me, and desired of me. However, I still have a good hope, thanks to the Lord for it. I also am still willing to suffer for his name’s sake; but may he give me strength for it. Amen.

I also desire you, my dear brother, to wish our brother H. K. much good in my name. May the Lord make us worthy of every good thing; however, I cannot write you as much as I should like to see you have. May the Lord, according to his great mercy, give us what will tend to our salvation. Amen. And I ask you to wish all my brethren and sisters with whom the Lord will cause you to come in contact, much good, and to admonish them to faithfully pray the Lord, to uphold me in his faithful word until death. I expect not to forget to remember you, as much as shall be possible for me. May the Lord assist us to pray in true love, so that we may be heard, and hereafter, with all the pious, inherit his kingdom; to this end, may the Lord help us. Amen.

I also inform you, that on Halloween two priests visited me, who desired to take me to church; and when I did not consent to it, they commended me to the Lord; there were also three judges here, and did their best; but the Lord preserved me, praise and thanks to him for it, and may he preserve you and me as long as we live. Amen. O my dear brethren and sisters, beseech the Lord diligently for me, that, since he suffers me, unworthy servant, to be cast into prison, it may redound to his praise, and to my salvation; this I desire with all my heart. May the Lord come to your and my assistance.

Herewith I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace. Amen.

I, Conrad Koch, have written this letter from Loewenburg, in prison, A. D. 1565.

MATTHIAS SERVAES, OF KOTTENEM, A. D. 1565.

As this Matthias Servaes was an elder and teacher of the church, it happened, A. D. 1565, that one evening he had met with some friends at a certain place in Cologne, to minister unto them with the Gospel. But there was a Judas, to whom this was known; the same went and fetched the double watch, who immediately came fully armed, and entering the house in which the meeting was held from the rear, broke up the meeting and captured the flock, with beating, raging and fury; but those assembled went with them like sheep, to the Beyen tower. There all their names were taken down, and they were brought into other, separate places. They were asked with great importunity, who their teacher was; in response to which question, Matthias Servaes himself confessed that he was the man. They sought to draw him from Christ and his holy word, attempting it in various ways, with deception and subtilty, with entreaties and threats; and as he repelled all these wiles, he was severely tortured; however, he was not terrified by any torture or pain, but firmly kept in his heart that which God had revealed to him. Afterwards, in the morning, he was taken to prison, where also many a snare was laid to catch his soul. From prison he was brought bound before the penal court, where the imperial mandates were read to him, and he was delivered into the power of the executioner, to be put to death by the latter, according to the mandate.

Matthias was ready, and suffered himself to be led like an innocent lamb to the slaughter. He lifted up his eyes toward heaven, folding his hands, and said: “O my Father, I praise thy name, that I am counted worthy of this.”

Much people flocked together, to see this; some of them felt sympathy for him, and said: It is a pity indeed, that this fine man has to die for such a deed.

On the way a young woman happened along, who wanted to speak to him; but they apprehended her, and thrust her from him. Also a lad wanted to greet him, whom they seized likewise, but the count commanded them to let him go. Before he arrived at the place of execution, he looked around him and said: “I have many people present on my day. It were a pity indeed, if all these should perish.” And when he was now about to die, he said aloud: “O God, thou dost know full well, for what I have striven and what I have sought in my life, from the beginning, day and night.” And to the count he said: “You well know, sir count, how you have treated me; but I have forgiven you all; it is all out of my heart.” And thus terminated the life of this pious man, he being executed with the sword. Now, as to what was his confession before and afterwards, what he met with in prison, and how he admonished, comforted and strengthened his brethren, all this may be found in the following letters written by him.

THE FIRST LETTER, WHICH MATTHIAS SERVAES WROTE FROM PRISON TO H. K., HIS BROTHER IN THE LORD, AND ALSO TO HIS OTHER FELLOW MEMBERS.