Part 258
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 opened. Hence, pray the Lord for help and assistance, for he is the giver of every good thing; that after this life you may hear the welcome voice: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was a hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Matt. 25:34.
Hence, my dear child, exercise yourself herein, and have your delight in it; do according to Tobit’s advice: If thou hast much, give much; if thou hast little, give little, and that with a faithful heart. Tobit 4:8.
O my dear child, be mindful of what I have written you, and be always faithful and obedient to people, in all that is not contrary to the truth; and be diligent in your labor, courteous, gentle and meek; for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. Eph. 5:9.
Herewith I commend my dear child to the Lord, and to those that fear God.
This was written by me your father, Bartholomeus Panten, on the same day that I was tortured for the name of the Lord; some of it before the torturing, and some after it. Let all of you that read this, or hear it read, bear in mind, and not be surprised, though this has taken place, for the apostle Peter says: Beloved, think it not strange, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that in the time of revelation ye may be glad with exceeding joy, if ye are now reproached here for the name of Christ. Amen. By me,
BARTHOLOMEUS PANTEN.
MICHIEL HAZEL, A. D. 1592.
In this year, 1592, also one Michiel Hazel, after he had been imprisoned over four years, for the Christian faith, was beheaded in prison, at Witling, in the country of Wurtemberg, on the seventh day of the month of July, continuing firm, steadfast and of good cheer in the Lord, though he had to suffer much misery and tribulation in the time of his imprisonment. For a long time he was confined, not knowing but that he should have to remain in confinement all the days of his life; yet he would not forsake the faith and the divine truth, no matter what might come upon him, even though it were death. Hence even the unbelieving had to give a good testimony of him; for the castellan himself said: This was a good man; and that if such a man did not get into heaven, he would not venture to knock; yea, that if he should come to such an end, he should rejoice over it from the heart.
THOMAS HAN, A. D. 1592.
In the year 1592, on the twelfth day of May, also Thomas Han, of Nicktsburg, was imprisoned for the faith, at Freiburg, in Bavaria; he was also very severely tortured and racked, and in order that he should tell what they wanted, and renounce his faith, they had him suspended by ropes from eight until eleven o’clock. But he answered them: “You have my body; do with it what you will; you shall not deprive me of my soul, and I shall also not tell you what you want, nor betray any one; though you extract the veins out of my body, one after another, and cut away a strip from my skin every day, yet I will not renounce, nor depart from the truth.” They applied to him many words of reproach, as that he was a deceiver, and had seduced many to the sect of the Anabaptists. But he said to them: “It is the true, Christian baptism, and not anabaptism; and if I could convert the whole world, I would gladly die three times if it were possible.”
When he had been in confinement about seven weeks, he was (since he could not be brought to recant) on the 8th of July brought into the council house to be sentenced. As this took place, he turned to the people and exclaimed thrice with a loud voice: “Honor and thanks be to God, that it has come to this, and that this is his will.” The executioner then bound him, and wanted to place him into a wagon, but he said: “I will walk to death, even as also Christ our Lord walked to death;” and he thereupon commenced to sing. The beadle enjoined him silence, but the executioner said: “Let him alone.” In going out, a priest joined himself to him, and also other persons went with him. The priest asked (when he refused to be instructed) whether he thought, that he and his like alone were righteous, and that the rest were all damned. But brother Thomas answered: “We endeavor to live piously, and shun sin; but those who will live in sin, we put away from us, and do not tolerate them; yet we condemn no one; but every one that commits sin is condemned by his evil works, and this we tell them.” Thereupon the priest said: “We also reprove sin.” The brother said: “How should you reprove, for where the shepherd is not good, how then should the sheep be good? You are false prophets, how then should you reprove falseness?” And he further said to the priest: “Go away, you false prophet; I cannot behold you any longer.” Thereupon the priest began to exalt his sacrament, that it was the true body and blood of Christ, and that whosoever partakes of it has no sin. The brother said: “You go around with your sacrament, and sell it for money, even as Judas sold and betrayed the Lord; but we observe the Lord’s supper in remembrance of him, according to his command.”
He then asked the priest, where there was anything written of the sacrament. The priest became silent, and did not know what to answer, except that he said: “It is written in the Bible.” Thomas asked: “Where?” The priest said: “Paul writes of it in the fifteenth chapter.” The brother said: “That is not so;” and then went on to say: “Do go away from me, you false prophet.” When they arrived at the place of execution, the executioner asked whether he wanted to pray. This he did, and then said: “I have finished my prayer; proceed now, for I wish to get out of this world.” He then knelt down, and the executioner quickly drew forth the sword, to frighten him, and then begged him three times for God’s sake, to renounce, and he would let him go. But the brother said: “Renounce I will not; but proceed with your work, for it must be.” Thus the executioner beheaded him, he peacefully commending his spirit to God. The executioner then placed the body upon the wood, and singed it a little, and then buried the severed head with the body. And though there was a strong wind that day, yet the smoke of the fire ascended straight up to heaven, as can also be testified by all who saw it. This happened at Freiburg, in Bavaria, on the 8th of July, A. D. 1592.
MATTHEUS MAIR, A. D. 1592.
The same year 1592, on Mary Magdalene’s day, Mattheus Mair was apprehended at Wier, in the district of Baden. This was brought about by a priest, who upon coming out of the church, and noticing the brother, sent his servant maid after him, to see whether he should leave the village. He further commanded her, that she should so speak to him, as though she also wanted to become of his persuasion, and would like to go with him to his people; in the meantime he should come, and send other persons there, who should speak with him. With such words the maid delayed the brother, till the priest sent out some peasants, who apprehended him, and conducted him into the town of Baden. Six days after, namely, the 28th of July, as he would not follow them, nor renounce his faith, the ungodly pack of priests proceeded with him; however, what they talked with him, or what he answered them, this they did not allow to come to the light. When he was led forth to death, there were present his brother-in-law and several of his friends, who interceded for him, and also offered to give money for him; but they could obtain nothing, yea, not even to speak with him.
Now as he was going forth to death, he asked among the people, where his brother-in-law and friends were, and how they might come to him; saying that he had to charge them, that they should tell his brethren and sisters, to take care of his wife and child, for they were with a pious people. This he spoke aloud among the people. Then one of his friends among the people consoled him and said, that he should not yield, but be valiant; he should soon have overcome. Thereupon one smote the friend, who had said this, for it, and said that he was also a heretic, and ought to be treated like the rest. Now when the executioner had thrust brother Matheus into the water, he drew him out again three or four times, and each time asked him whether he would recant. But he always said, No, as long as he was able to speak; hence he was drowned, on the twenty-ninth day of the month of July, through the power of God steadfastly persevering in the faith. There was much said about his death, by high and low, as that they had murdered him, and the traitorous Judas and priest were cursed; for this Matheus was a well-known, good and pious man; hence God also gave him power to continue steadfast in the faith unto his end.
NOTE.--The envy of some of the Calvanists in the town of Middelborgh was at this time so great against the defenseless sheep of Christ, who had come to them from various papistic towns, to escape the distress and persecution, and expected to rest under their protection, that they paid no attention, and had no regard, neither to humble supplications nor the repeated commands of the Prince of Orange, who in the years 1577 and 1578 had given orders to the magistrates there, to let these people dwell in peace; but disturbed the peace of said people, and the practice of their religion. Hence Maurice, the oldest son of the aforesaid Prince, of honorable memory, following the footsteps of his father, issued, for the third time, a prohibition concerning the oppressing of the aforesaid people, to the end that they might now certainly obtain liberty of conscience, as appears from the following act:
_Transcript._
Maurice, born Prince of Orange, Count of Nassau, Marquis van der Vere, to the honorable, most learned, wise, discreet, dear, particular, etc.
That which has been brought to our knowledge, on behalf of Mailjaert de Poorter, and Joost Leonisse, sawyers and wood-sellers, residing in the town of Middelborgh, you will learn at length from the accompanying request; and though we do not doubt at all, but that you will conduct yourselves, with the supplicants, in the points of their request and complaint, entirely according to the import of the resolution previously taken with regard to this, by the Lords States of Holland and Zealand; and will conform to such acts and letters as have been granted to the supplicants and their fellow brethren in the same profession, in the time of our lord and father the Prince of Orange, of worshipful memory; yet we would nevertheless hereby earnestly request you, seeing this matter concerns not only the town of Middelborgh in particular, but these United Provinces in general, that you will regulate yourself according to the import of the aforesaid resolutions, in all quietness and friendship, allowing the aforesaid supplicants and their fellow brethren to enjoy such liberties as have been granted them by said resolutions and acts respectively, until the aforesaid Lords General States of these United Provinces shall have further considered and disposed of the aforesaid matter. And besides that, we deem it reasonable and just, it is our pleasure.
And hereby, honorable, most learned, wise, discreet, dear, particular, we commend you to God.
Gravenhage, on the 4th of March, 1593.
Signed:
Your very good friend, MAURICE DE NASSAU.
The superscription was: _To the honorable, wise and discreet, our dear, particular Burgomasters, Judges and Rulers of Middelborgh_, and was sealed with his Excellency’s seal.
Below was written: _Compared with the original, and found to agree with it_.
J. MILANDER.
_Further Observation._--Upon this followed, it appears, some rest, so that the scattered flock of Christ began to increase some at that place, and to extend its membership. In the meantime, however, [in the dominion] of popery they were still persecuted to death; of whom, among others that lost their lives there, the following have come to our notice; from which the distress of that time, though there was rest in some places, can be inferred and judged.
AELTGEN BATEN, AND MAEYKEN WOUTERS, A. D. 1595.
Aeltgen Baten was an aged woman, and Maeyken Wouters a young woman of about twenty-four years. Both were born at Sonhoven, in the seignioralty of Vogelsanck, belonging under the territory of Luyck, and resided there. Through the grace of God they obtained the true knowledge of the holy gospel, believed the same, amended their lives, according to its requirements, and had themselves baptized upon the faith in Jesus Christ, according to his divine commandment and the practice of his dear apostles. As this however could not be tolerated, complaints were entered against them at Luyck, where the Court is held, and where orders were given to bring them thither as prisoners, which was done in the following manner: The lords of Luyck have certain beadles, called trappers, whom they send through the country whenever they want to have any one apprehended. They sent fourteen of these trappers from Luyck to Sonhoven, to apprehend these two women, or any others, and to bring them to Luyck. They first captured Aeltgen, and afterwards Maeyken and her brother (who was still very young), who had made themselves ready and it was the intention of both of them, if their father should have been taken, to go with him and not to forsake him; but as they did not catch the father, her brother also escaped the trappers.
Thus they began to conduct these two lambs to Luyck; but as they, on their way to Luyck, had to pass through Hasselt, a town about a league distant from Sonhoven, these two lambs were spoken to by many of their acquaintances at Hasselt, and it was greatly lamented, that they had to go to Luyck, into prison, and much sympathy and solicitude was expressed for them. Maeyken said to them: “If the Lord has so ordered it, I would rather go to Luyck (namely, for the testimony of Christ), than home. And thus they proceeded through the city, and went to Luyck, in all a distance of about eight leagues. When they got there, they were imprisoned ten weeks in the official’s tower. During this time, they showed each other great love, tending as it appears, much to edification and encouragement; for the young sister would gladly have borne in her own body, if it had been possible to do so, all the hardships which her dear, old sister suffered. They endured much vexation, being threatened, frightened, and also entreated, in order to turn them from the faith.
Once the bishop’s chaplain came to the young sister, with bland words, and brought a can of wine with him, in the hope that he should overcome her. With words of greatest suavity he presented to her the matter; yea, he got down upon his knees, and with folded hands begged her to recant and to believe the Romish church. But Maeyken proved herself faithful, and repelled the devil’s deceit, so that the tempter went away. On another occasion, a man from her village, who was acquainted with her, came to Luyck. He had heard that it was reported that she should have to die, and his soul was set on fire, and the matter excited his carnal sympathy, thinking: “And must that young girl die?” Hence he thought with himself, that he would talk with her, in order to see whether he might not move her. He therefore went to her in prison, and called Maeyken out alone, and said: “My dear Maeyken, O that you would obey, and yield a point, to be released from these bonds. When you get out, you can live as before.” Thereupon she replied: “My dear friend (calling him by name), would you advise me this, that I should forsake God and become a child of the devil?” The man said: “Then you will have to die.” Thereupon Maeyken said: “I should rather have this come to pass with us, than enjoy the light of day.” When the man heard this, he became silent, so that he turned around with weeping eyes, and said nothing more to her. They were both tortured and suspended on Thursday night; but they remained silent and fainted away. Then they poured water over Maeyken, upon which she cried aloud; but more than that they did not obtain from either. During the night they lay together quietly. On Friday night they sang with great joy. Having been thus imprisoned for a long time, they were finally brought into the official’s court, and condemned according to their spiritual law. When they heard their sentence, they thanked the Lord with a joyful heart, yea, with a laughing mouth. They then delivered these two persons over to the secular judge, who received them, and placed them again in his prison, in which they suffered great distress for a few days, on account of the uncomfortable condition of the prison. However the Lord ordered it, so that they took consolation and courage in the Lord, and Aeltgen’s husband sent her money and blankets for her needs, for which she thought she had no further use, and hence refused it altogether. She asked her dear sister Maeyken, whether she would have it. Maeyken said: “I have as little need of it as you, my dear sister;” for they trusted soon to live in all fullness and joy with the Lord. “Yes,” said Aeltgen, “if the door stood open, I should not wish to go away.” And since in all their sufferings they were so joyful in God, they thanked God in heaven in their hearts, and sang praises to him in prison.
Afterwards they wanted to sentence them by the secular law, which it was said, was done by four judicial persons, or judges, namely, that these two persons should be drowned (for the word of God), by being cast alive, bound, from the Meuse bridge. On that same Saturday there came to them to Luyck two men from their locality, to ask both of them, whether they had some word to send yet. Coming thus unbeknown, they found them in a chamber, where sat the lords to sentence them, and they were standing in their midst, and when Aeltgen saw her acquaintance she said to him: “Nephew, have you come to visit us once more? we trust to offer up our sacrifice within one hour; we thank you heartily for it, and I request you to please tell my husband, to bring up my children in the fear of God.” Maeyken also said: “Do bid my father and mother many adieus.” This they spoke while standing among the lords, expecting their sentence. The men tarrying a little, one of the lords bowed himself before Maeyken, begging her to recant and to believe in the Romish church; and her life should be spared. Thereupon Aeltgen said: “We want to die, as Christ’s apostles did.” Now when their last hour was approaching, both were brought forth from prison. Hence, both of them being rejoiced, they began to sing and to thank and praise God; but alas! the poor lambs could not long enjoy this; for what is granted to thieves and murderers, namely, to speak, of this they were deprived, and they were conducted back to prison, where their mouths were gagged, and they were thus, as dumb lambs, led to the slaughter and death. When they arrived on the Meuse Bridge, many and various reports of this matter were circulating among the common people. When they arrived at the place appointed, the executioner began to bind them, but they had to keep silent, until the executioner loosed the cloth that was before their mouths, and tied it over their eyes. Then Aeltgen first said: “O Lord, this is a beautiful city indeed; would that it repented with Nineveh;” and commending herself to God, the executioner forthwith cast her from the bridge down into the water, and she was instantly drowned.
The executioner then also released Maeyken’s mouth, so that she was heard to speak, saying to the executioner: “Grant me, that in my greatest extremity I may pray to God and call upon him.” The executioner said: “Pray to our lords the magistrates, and believe with us in the Romish church; and you shall save your life. Maeyken said: “I have never done amiss to the magistrates; hence I also need not to worship them;” but the executioner gave her a short answer, and giving her no time, cast her down from the bridge immediately; she did not sink instantly as Aeltgen, but with blooming cheeks she drifted upon the water for a long time, until, it is said, she had reached the lower side of the city.
Thus these two Christians ended their lives to the honor of God, on the 24th of July, 1595.
HERE FOLLOWS A LETTER WHICH MAEYKEN WOUTERS WROTE FROM PRISON TO HER PARENTS, AND TO OTHERS OF HER FELLOW BELIEVERS.
The abundant mercy of God our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, this I wish you, my dear father and mother, brothers and sisters, whom I love much from the heart, but our heavenly Father above all, for he has called me, that I should help him bear his sufferings, for which I have asked him many times, if I might be worthy of it. Hence I followed him with great joy.
My dear father and mother, think not (though I am bodily separated from you and the flock of Christ) that my Bridegroom will forsake me; think what he has said: Though a mother should forsake her child, yet will I never forsake mine elect, whom my heavenly Father has given me. Is. 49:15. Hence if it is his pleasure, I shall soon be delivered. But if you now deliver me with temporal wealth, you deprive our Bridegroom of his honor, and believe not that he will deliver me.
Hence, my dear father and mother, grieve me no more about paying the costs; for you have burdened me greatly, day and night, because I sent word to you so many times, that you should not ransom me, and you did not write me an answer.
Hence, my dear father and mother, speak with our friends, so that I may receive a comforting letter from you or from the others, which would be to me a great joy; for otherwise I desire no comfort from men, only from our heavenly Father alone, who is able to provide for us.
O dear friends, if I continue steadfast in that which my heavenly Father lays upon me, what great treasure I hope to gather thereby, which will fall to me hereafter, which is a great joy to me. O my dear father and mother, is this not a greater joy to you, than if I had not done according to your will, and had gone off with a young man, as you have doubtless heard of other girls? Hence rejoice and make melody to the Lord in your hearts, because the Lord has made me, unworthy one, worthy thereto and you have brought me up to God’s praise. Remember that there is still more written, where the Lord says: Blessed are ye, when men persecute and revile you for my name’s sake; rejoice and be exceeding glad then, for great shall be your reward in heaven. Matt. 5:11,12.