Part 240
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 was begotten of sinful seed; and in sin did my mother conceive me. This psalm David made, when he had committed adultery with Bathsheba, and was reproved by the prophet Nathan. Then he lamented on account of the inborn sin from Adam, but it was not accounted unto his condemnation, because of the promised seed which had been promised to Adam and Eve, namely, Christ Jesus, who reconciled Adam’s transgression and took the original sin upon himself, as 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. Thus also Martin Luther declares, writing on the fifteenth chapter of John: “That original sin was taken away through Christ, and that since Christ’s advent it does no more condemn any one. Since, then, original sin was taken away through Christ, and no longer condemns any one, there is also no sin can condemn infants if they die without baptism: for the children shall not die for the iniquity of the father, saith the Lord.” Deuteronomy 24:16; 2 Kings 14:6; 2 Chronicles 25:4; Ezekiel 18:20. Hence it is a great sin before God, to demand that the children be baptized for the sake of original sin, or that they shall not be saved. Those who demand this, esteem Adam’s sin greater than the merits of Christ: they also seek salvation more in the water than in the blood of Christ, which is openly contradicting the Scriptures, since it is so clearly declared “that the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:19; Rev. 1:5; Heb. 9:12.
That they also want to argue, that circumcision is a proof for the validity of infant baptism; this can not be. Reason, if children were to be baptized as they were circumcised, only the male children would have to be baptized, and not the female, for the female children were not circumcised, but only the male children. Paul does not apply circumcision to baptism, but to the circumcision of the heart, which is a circumcision of the spirit. Rom. 2:29; Col. 2:11; Philip. 3:3. God commanded Abraham to use circumcision on the eighth day; this commandment Israel kept until Christ came, and they did not change it, whether in little or in much, but adhered to the eighth day, and did not want to follow their reason and say: that when children die before the eighth day without circumcision they are damned; but they would obey God and his commandments and would not follow their own wisdom. In this manner we in the New Testament are also to use baptism: Namely, at the time Christ commanded it; that is, on believers, and we are not to follow our own opinion in the matter of baptism, that we should use it before the proper time on speechless and unreasonable children; because God has not commanded it, and it has not been his will. Had it been the will of God, that infants should be baptized, as they were circumcised when they were eight days old, God would doubtless have commanded it with an express command, that children should be baptized, even as well as he commanded to circumcise the children. Christ would also have received baptism in his infancy, as well as that he was circumcised when he was eight days old. But now this was not the will of God; hence he did also teach otherwise, and received it himself in a different manner. For Christ came to John, and desired that he should baptize him, as he also did. By this he teaches us, and has shown us by examples, that they who are to be baptized must have a desire for baptism.
That the preachers assert that Origenes received infant baptism from the apostles, this cannot be; for Origenes lived a hundred years after the time of the apostles, as history testifies. But it is very surprising that the learned are trying to prove any thing by Origenes, since Martin Luther so strenuously rejects him. They write and say what some Romish bishops or popes instituted, and proved the same from the historian Platina. They write thus: “That Pope Innocent commanded to baptize children as soon as they were born.” The same is contained in a book printed at Magdeburg, entitled a “Prayer Book, new from the holy Scriptures.” Again, Sebastian Franck’s _Chronika_, and Adriaen van Bergen write that Ignius the tenth Pope instituted the sponsors in baptism. This is the reason why we cannot see the propriety of infant baptism: because it is instituted and commanded by men, and the holy Scripture does not know such a baptism, but knows only the baptism that is taught upon faith, as said before.
We are also branded as profaners of the sacrament and forgetters of God. To this we reply: We neither profane nor forget the sacrament of our Lord Jesus Christ, but hold it in great gratitude, and remember, whenever we observe it, the great love which Christ showed us on the cross, when he suffered his body to be broken, and shed his sacred blood for our sakes; and thus we show forth the death of the Lord, as Paul says: “As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” 1 Cor. 11:26. This is our faith concerning the sacrament. That we do not receive it from the preachers, and observe it with their church, is for three reasons.
The first reason is: That the minister or dispenser must be blameless according to the teaching of Paul; he must rule well his own house, and have his children in subjection, and his wife must be faithful in all things. 1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6. In the second place, the church that is to eat of the bread must be a blameless church (Eph. 5:27), as Paul says: “For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Paul further says: “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no not to eat.” 1 Cor. 5:7–11. Since we openly find such works in their church, the word of God forbids us to observe the Lord’s sacrament with them.
The third reason is: because they do not observe their sacrament according to the practice of Christ and his apostles, for they took bread, and break it, and gave it to the people. Matt. 26:26; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23; Acts 2:42; 20:11. But the priests break no bread, but give unbroken wafers. The wafers were instituted by Pope Alexander. Christ commands it to be done in remembrance of him (1 Cor. 11:24); the priests say that it is to be done, partly, for the forgiveness of sins. These are the reasons why we dare not observe it with them, through the fear of God, for we dare do nothing but what the word of God teaches us. And we observe it with a blameless dispenser, in a blameless church who fear God, with bread and wine, according to the practice of the Lord and his apostles, in the houses, as Christ and the apostles did.
This is our faith and confession concerning holy baptism: that it may be given to none other but adults that believe, and know themselves what they are receiving, even as they who eat of the bread of the Lord must have understanding and faith, and must examine themselves. Because we thus rightly observe these two sacraments according to the command of Christ, hence it partly comes, that the preachers are so exceedingly hostile to us. It grieves them, that they should lose their profit. They know not what evil things they can falsely tell the authorities and the common people, in order that they should not tolerate us in any city or country. They pretend that there are so many thousands of us in the country, who want to take possession of countries and cities; whereas no such thoughts have entered into our hearts, for it is impossible to take possession of countries and cities without violence and bloodshed. And if we had such a liberty as would permit us to commit murder, and to deprive an other of his property, we would also have liberty to let our children be baptized by the priests; then we would not need to allow ourselves to be driven from our possessions and paternal inheritances, from our ease into great misery, as a reproach to all. If we had such a heart as is reported of us, we would suffer all this in vain, for they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God, as Paul says. Gal. 5:21. “A lie,” says Sirach, “is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught. A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie.” Sir. 20:24,25. For they had also invented this lie against Paul, that he had made an uproar, and had brought from the wilderness four thousand secret murderers. Acts 21:38. But with regard to us they have still magnified the lie, and speak of many thousands as being of our faith. We have not so easy a faith, that they flock to us in crowds; only here and there may be a household, which are very solitary and few, as a sparrow alone upon the housetop, like the pelican of the wilderness, an owl of the desert, a lily among thorns, and the apple tree among the trees of the wood, which brings forth good fruit (Ps. 102:7,6; Cant. 2:2,3; Ps. 1:3), as a penitent life, to deny one’s self, and to hate his own life, otherwise he cannot be Christ’s disciple. Luke 14:26. They that are Christ’s, crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts. Gal. 5:24. He that says he abides in Christ ought himself also to walk, even as Christ walked. 1 John 2:6. Christ says that there are few that walk in his way, in the way which leads unto life, and that find it. It is hid from the scribes and wise of this world. Base things, and things which are most despised, hath God chosen, and things which are not, to them it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Thus Christ and his apostles declare that there are few who have the true faith, and know the way. As also the prophet laments: “The faithful fail from among the children of men.” Psalm 12:1. For iniquity abounds, so that, if it were possible, the very elect should fall into error, as Christ himself says: “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8. Hence there will be few believers at Christ’s coming, and have also been few from the beginning of the world. As namely, in the time of Noah, only eight believing souls. In Lot’s time, there were only three believers. In the time of Israel, there were eight hundred false prophets against one. Also, four hundred false prophets, to one [true] prophet. 1 Kings 18.
Thus the perverse have always outnumbered the righteous. This is our open confession before God and all men: that the faith and heart of every one of us is of such a nature, that we do not desire in any wise to injure our enemies that persecute us, or to wish them evil; but we desire from the depths of our hearts, to pray for them, and if they should need us, we would most heartily serve them according to our ability, for they know not but that they are right, and are therein doing God great service. John 16:2. Even as they will hereafter have to confess, as it is written in the fifth chapter of Wisdom; but it shall then be too late for them. For this reason the promise of eternal salvation is ours; as Christ himself said: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven.” Matt. 5:11,12. This promise have they that are persecuted here. But to those that persecute here, woe is prophesied, as Christ says: “Woe unto you, scribes, who kill the prophets; fill up the measure of your fathers.” The apostle says: “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl, for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.” James 5;1–3,6. If it be replied, that they do not want to shed our blood, but only order us out of their cities and countries, we answer: Though there is no where a place for us, still we must certainly live some where; hence we must for this reason go to bloody countries, whence we fled, partly, because of the great tyranny, where the blood of the saints is poured out like water. But when that great day of the Lord will come, when men shall say: “Ye mountains and hills, fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;” then it shall be found how guilty they have been of our blood. For they shall have judgment without mercy, that have shewed no mercy. For with what measure a man has meted, it shall be measured to him again.
Hence we request and pray, for the sake of Jesus Christ, that what we have written be received in good part, since it has been done out of pure love, for a warning against the punishment of the Lord, lest you sin against us; since we are the true strangers and people of God, who are persecuted for the true doctrine of Jesus Christ and his holy apostles. May the eternal and merciful God look with gracious eyes upon all his afflicted children, who are hated by so many, and not give to the beasts the souls of thy turtle doves, for his great and holy name’s sake. Ps. 74:19.
O Lord, shorten the days, and look upon the reproach of thy people, which they must suffer every day for the sake of the holy testimony of the Gospel, through thy dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
(_End of the first letter._)
_As then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Gal. 4:29._
* * * * *
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised. Heb. 10:23.
ANOTHER LETTER OF THE PRISONERS: IN WHICH WE VINDICATE OURSELVES OF THAT WHICH IS REPORTED OF US, AND BRIEFLY NOTICE THE PRINCIPAL POINTS OF OUR FAITH, AS IS STATED MORE FULLY BELOW.
We poor prisoners, named Hendrick Terwoort and Jan Pieterss, lying in bonds in the Mersey, for the testimony of Jesus Christ, and from there sentenced to death, to be burnt to ashes at the stake, whereunto we have willingly prepared ourselves here, this 10th of April, A. D. 1575, in London.
Further, we poor prisoners kindly ask, that you will accept in good part our simple writing to your Honor: for the reason that we do this, is because we are very sorry that your Honor is not well satisfied with the simple answer made by us; which has caused us briefly to write your Honor, in order that you may better understand and know what views we have in regard to it. Hence we have also briefly written our confession concerning it.
This is the confession of our faith of God our heavenly Father.
1. We believe in one only God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and of the earth, as is written, Gen. 1:1; in whom Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and all the prophets believed. Heb. 11.
2. We further believe in Jesus Christ the only Son of the Father, who was in the beginning with God. Mic. 5:2; John 1:1; 1 John 1:1. And when the fullness of the time was come, which God had promised, this Word became flesh, and was born of the house of David, Rom. 1:3, of the pure virgin Mary, espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, who is blessed above all other women. We believe that this true Son of God, by many signs and miracles which he did, proclaimed to us the word of his Father. And after that he was delivered up to the Jews, he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, died and was buried. Matt. 27:1; Mark 15:1; Luke 23:1; John 18.
3. We also believe that this same Jesus Christ is true God and man, and suffered for our sins. Isaiah 53:5. And when we were his enemies, he suffered a bitter death for us, that those who believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.
4. We also believe that this our Savior was raised up from the dead, Matt. 28:6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6; John 20:9, even as he had foretold. Matthew 17:9; Mark 9:9; Luke 9:22. And is sitting at the right hand of his Father. Mark 16:19; Acts 7:55.
5. We furthermore believe in the Holy Ghost, even as is written, 1 John 5:7, saying that there are three that bear record in heaven: The Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one.
6. We also believe in the communion of the saints, whose prayers avail much for us, 1 John 1:3;[341] James 5:16. We also believe in a holy church, in which are those who believe in Jesus Christ, who by one Spirit are baptized into one body, even as Paul says, 1 Cor. 12:13. And Jesus Christ is the head thereof, namely of the holy church, even as it is written, Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:18.
[341] In the margin.
We believe and confess, that this holy church has power to close and to open, to bind and to loose, and whatever is bound upon earth is also bound in heaven, and whatever is loosed upon earth is also loosed in heaven, Matt. 16:18,19. We also believe that God has ordained in this holy church, apostles, prophets and teachers, 1 Cor. 12:28, bishops and deacons. 1 Tim. 3.
7. We believe in and confess also a baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, even as the Lord Jesus Christ commanded us and ordained (Matt. 28:19), and as the apostles practiced (Acts 2:38), and as they wrote with regard to it (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; Galatians 3:27; Eph. 4:5; 1 Pet. 3:21). And we believe that all those that have received this baptism are members of the body of Jesus Christ, in the holy church. 1 Cor. 12:13.
8. As further regards the holy Supper of Jesus Christ, we believe and confess even as Christ said with reference to it, as is written, Matt. 26:26: As they were eating the supper, Jesus took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave it to his disciples, and said: Take, eat; this is my body. And he also took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying: Drink, and divide it among yourselves; for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins: this do in remembrance of me. Matt. 26:26; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:17,19. We believe as Paul declares, saying: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Cor. 10:16. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:54.
9. We also confess and believe in a marriage state, as being an ordinance of God, as we read, Gen. 2:24. A man and a woman joined together in the name of the Lord, in the holy church. 1 Corinthians 7:2. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. Eph, 5:31. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matt. 19:6. For marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Heb. 13:4.
10. We further believe and confess that magistrates are appointed and ordained of God, Wis. 6:3; Sir. 17:17; Rom. 13:1, for the punishment of the evil, and the protection of the good; to which magistrates we desire from the heart to be obedient, even as is written (1 Pet. 2:13): “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake. For they bear not the sword in vain. Rom. 13:4. And Paul further teaches us, that, first of all, we are to make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty; for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved. 1 Tim. 2:1. He further teaches us, that one should be subject to principalities and powers, obey magistrates, and be ready to every good work. Tit. 3:1. Hence we would kindly beg your Majesty, that you would rightly understand our meaning: that is, that we do not despise the august, noble, and gracious Queen, and her wise council, but esteem Her Majesty worthy of all honor, and we also desire to be subject to her in all that we can; for we confess with Paul as stated above; for she is the minister of God; and that whosoever resists this power resists the ordinance of God; for rulers are not a terror to them that do good, but to those that do evil. Hence we confess that we owe, and are ready to give, to the secular power, custom, tribute, honor and fear, even as Christ himself taught us, saying: “Render unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” Matt. 22:21. Hence, since she is a minister of God, we would kindly entreat Her Majesty, that she would be pleased to show mercy to us poor prisoners, even as the heavenly Father is also merciful to us.
We hereby do not consent at all to those who would resist the higher powers, but confess with all our heart, that one must be obedient and subject to them, as we have stated above.
11. Furthermore, to the question put to us, whether we would not be willing to swear any oath, we reply: That we do not find ourselves free in our conscience, that we may do this, because, as is written, Christ says (Matt. 5:33): “Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: but I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Further, also James teaches us (Jas. 5:12), saying: “But above all things, my brethren, swear not; neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay. For these reasons we dare in no wise swear.
12. We further believe in the resurrection of the dead, as is written Isa. 26:19: Job 19:25; Daniel 12:2; John 5; 1 Cor. 15:12; 1 Thess. 4:16. That men shall rise from the dead in their own body, Job 19:26; Isa. 26:19; 1 Cor. 15, when the Lord shall come in the clouds, with his angels, when he shall judge every man according to his deeds, Matthew 25:31; Rom. 2:6.
13. We furthermore believe all that is contained in the holy Scriptures, both in the Old and New Testament. And we poor prisoners make humble entreaty, if we have in any wise done amiss to Her Majesty, or her subjects, praying them, to forgive us for it, and be merciful unto us, even as the heavenly Father is merciful; for we are a poor, simple people, of humble knowledge and understanding, and we are sorry that we cannot write more courteously. Hence we beg your Highness, that your Majesty would accept our simple writing in good part.
Herewith we will commend your Royal Majesty to the Lord for this time; the Lord be with you and us all. Amen.
Written in our imprisonment, in London, on the 21st of July, in the year of our Lord 1575, by
HENDRICK TERWOORT, JAN PIETERS.