Part 265
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 raging and cursing, that she, in the attempt to save herself as it seems, unexpectedly fell into a gutter, where she could not be found or helped out for the time being; but afterwards, having been found, she was there fastened to a chain, and the people in the house commanded with severe threats, not to let her leave the house.
Finally, however, through the aid of some of her friends, she escaped by night, and, being very weak yet, was carried into another region. Compare _Tract, Mang._ with _Tract, Meyli_, on the names above referred to.
OF A CERTAIN SUPPLICATION ADDRESSED AND DELIVERED BY THOSE OF AMSTERDAM, IN FEBRUARY, 1642, TO THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ZURICH, FOR MITIGATION OF THE PERSECUTION RAISED; AND OF THE ANSWER WHICH, IN JUNE OF THE SAME YEAR, FOLLOWED THEREUPON, BY THOSE OF ZURICH.
The laudable magistrates of the city of Amsterdam, in Holland, having an aversion to the proceedings of their fellow-associates at Zurich, on the 20th of February 1642, through the urgent request of the Anabaptists, at Amsterdam, with regard to the distress of the Swiss brethren, sent an humble supplication to the burgomasters and the council of the city of Zurich, in order, if possible, to obtain some mitigation of the persecution commenced against the Anabaptists there.
This supplication having safely and properly arrived and been delivered there, could nevertheless obtain nothing in this direction, save only an unfriendly and irritating reply; which was drawn up by them on the 18th of June, of the same year, and sent to the good magistrates of Amsterdam, and consequently also to the Anabaptists there, accompanied by three of their previously emitted manifestoes of the year 1639, wherein, as we have noticed for said year, nothing but reproach and contumely (though without cause) was heaped upon said persecuted people.
We could here adduce this letter of the Zurich lords, as we have a correct copy of it; but as it contains nothing but unkindness and acrimony, without the least justice or information, and the following work sufficiently declares from what spirit it proceeded, we deem it unnecessary and unworthy, to accord it a place here; without, however, despising said lords, since we are commanded to love even our enemies, and to pray for them that persecute us. Matt. 5:44.
FELIX LANDIS, WITH HIS WIFE ADELHEID EGLI, ABOUT A. D. 1642.
Felix Landis (the son of Hans Landis, who, A. D. 1614, was beheaded at Zurich) was a pious and godfearing brother of the church in Horgerberg. He was apprehended, and imprisoned in Othenbach, in which place he was treated most unmercifully; for he was not given anything to eat for many days, so that even some criminals that were confined near him in another place, took pity on him, and with difficulty, managed to get some food to him, through an opening between them. But when the door-keeper perceived this, he was put into another prison. Finally, however, they gave him some food; but he was so impaired in his body (through shrinking of his bowels, as it seems, on account of having suffered hunger so long), that he could not bear food any more, but prepared himself for death.
Yet in his greatest distress he was carried to church, during the sermon, where he, O dreadful inhumanity! was thrown under a bench; but he soon after gave up the ghost, which he had commended into the hands of God.
His wife Adelheid Egli, who was also imprisoned in Othenbach, was kept there almost four years.
In that time she was treated not only unmercifully, but also shamefully; they threw her into many a stinking corner, stripped her twice in her bonds, and for a time took away her clothes from her every night; however, she afterwards, with a good conscience, escaped from her bonds.
But in the meantime the authorities had broken up their family, put out the children among strangers, and then sold house and furniture, realizing from it 5000 guilders, all of which they kept for themselves.
However the cast out and forsaken ones comforted themselves herein according to the words of the apostle: “Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and enduring substance.” Hebrews 10:34. Compare _Jer. Mang., Tract of the year 1645, fol. 13, A. B._, with _M. Meyli, Tract, dated 1658, fol. 7, num. 8_.
NOTE.--The time of the imprisonment and death of this martyr, and of the following ones, which we have fixed about the year 1642 and 1643, is not really expressed in the Swiss manuscript, but is inferred from the circumstances.
RUDOLF SUHNER, ABOUT A. D. 1643.
They also apprehended a young lad, named Rudolf Suhner, who, though young in years, was old in the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
He was kept confined nearly two years in Othenbach, during which time he was forced to hard labor.
In the meantime they made his life so bitter to him, by severe threats and terrible representations, that he, through fear of the impending distress, consented to go to church with those that had imprisoned him, whereupon he was released. But soon after, reflecting on his fall, he experienced great sorrow, sincerely wept over his sins, and again prepared himself for the conflict set before him.
Thereupon he was again apprehended, and confined in the aforementioned place, but kept much harder than before. For, for a time all food was denied him (even as had been done to Felix Landis), so that some criminals, who were confined close to him, filled with compassion on his account, poured to him some warm liquid food, through a crevice in the wall.
Finally, when in consequence of having suffered hunger so long, he was so weakened, that he could not live any longer, he requested once more, that they would, in his great distress, allow him a little warm food, which the jailer made known to the lords. This, however, they jointly refused to grant, in order to cause him, if possible, to apostatize. But finally one of the lords, beholding his misery, gave permission that they should give him some thing to eat again. Which when it was done, he could eat or bear it no more, and thus died famishing in his bonds; for which the Lord shall hereafter, at his heavenly table, reward him with eternal satiation. “Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled.” Luke 6:21. Compare _Jer. Mang., Tract, fol. 14., A._, with _Tract, M. Meyli, fol. 7, num. 8_.
THREE SISTERS, NAMELY, ELIZABETH BACHMANNI, ELSSA BETHEZEI, AND SARAH WANRIJ, ABOUT A. D. 1643.
The army of God, which at this time prepared itself for the conflict and the sufferings of Jesus Christ, consisted not only of men, who are sometimes judged to be the strongest, but also in women, for God’s power is made strong in weakness, which appeared in the case of three pious heroines of God, namely, Elizabeth Bachmanni, from the Groeningen Bailiwick, the wife of Hans Jaggli, of Bartschwyl; Elssa Bethezei, from the Knonow Bailiwick, the wife of Jacob Isselme; Sarah Wanrij, from the Horgerberg, the wife of Hans Phister, all of whom, imprisoned and bound in the dungeon Othenbach and in the hospital, for the testimony of Jesus Christ, lost their lives through want, hardships, and misery.
All this they endured in the fear of God as well as patiently. They counted their departure from this life as the beginning of the future. And so, their unrest was truly the entrance to the rest of the saints, who shall hereafter, for this brief suffering, which they endured for the name of the Lord, rejoice forever. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” 2 Cor. 4:17. Compare the above with _Tract, Meyli_, dated 1658, _fol. 8, A., num. 1, 2, 3_.
VERENA LANDIS, A. D. 1643.
An old sister, named Verena Landis, was surprised in the night in her own house, with dreadful raging and storming; in consequence of which she was so frightened that she fainted, yea, became sick, and hence could not go with the thief-catchers.
When they could not get her away, she had to promise to remain a prisoner in her house, which promise she kept.
But as they treated her very harshly, and provided her with very bad food, certain death ensued a short time afterwards, and she thus departed this life with a joyful hope and cheerful heart; for which the Lord hereafter, because it was done for his name’s sake, shall crown her with the life of bliss, and deliver her from eternal death. “There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Rev. 21:4. _Jer. Mang., Tract, fol. 15, B._, compared with _Tract, M. Meyli, fol. 8, A._
BARBARA NEEFF, ABOUT A. D. 1643.
This woman was very near her confinement, when she was driven hither and thither through the persecution.
After she was delivered and had lain in three days, she was betrayed and apprehended.
She was forthwith, in the bitter cold of winter, taken to prison, a distance of four hours’ walk; in which she, on account of the intolerable cold, her health became irrevocably ruined, so that she, though she was released from prison previous to her death, she died soon after, and is now resting with her soul under the altar of God. Compare _Jer. Mang., Tract of the year 1645, fol. 16, A._, with _M. Meyli, Tract, fol. 8_, after the three women first mentioned, _num. 1_.
BARBLY RUFF, ABOUT A. D. 1643.
The persecutors did not rest, but continued, so that having hastily entered into the Knonow Bailiwick, they fell upon another sister, named Barbly Ruff, who was likewise enceinte; in consequence of which this good woman was so exceedingly frightened, it happened so unexpectedly, that the pains of travail came upon her, and she was therefore not able to accompany her captors.
Therefore she was fastened to a chain in the house of her brother-in-law, and the family or servants there enjoined to guard her well.
But when she had been delivered of her child, and had gained a little strength, although not yet quite recovered from all the hardships she had suffered, she, when it was not expected, escaped into another district, but since her life had been greatly weakened through the persecution she had suffered she died soon after; which she bore willingly and patiently, with a valiant and steadfast mind, to the praise of the Lord, entering into the saints’ rest, and waiting for the day that shall hereafter comfort her and all the pious. _M. Meyli Tract, dated 1658, fol. 8, B., compared with Jer. Mang., Tract of the year 1645, on the name Barbly, etc._
NOTE.--About this time, 1643, there were also apprehended for their faith, two sisters, namely, Martha Lindne and Annill Blau, very well known and noted women. Martha was imprisoned in Othenbach, and threatened with the executioner, who stood beside her, if she should not reveal the poor fund, which was intrusted to her husband; which when she had pointed out, they took the whole of it and kept it, it amounting to about 1,000 dollars. Annill being enceinte, was fastened to a chain in the hospital till she was delivered. But, as many interceded for her, and especially through the intercession of the chief curate, Printiger, she was released, and went to the Lower Palatinate, where she and her husband, named Moneth Meylich, who, on account of the steadfastness of his faith, had also endured much persecution, tribulation and imprisonment, settled down, and (nothing to the contrary being known) they still live, enjoying prosperity through the blessing of God. _Compare tracts of M. Meyli and Jer. Mang., on the names above referred to._
HENRY BOLLER, ABOUT A. D. 1644.
It continued to be a common custom to let people die in prison. This appeared also in the case of a godfearing brother, named Henry Boller,[358] from the Seignioralty Wadischwyl, a man of very great age, and very infirm according to the body.
[358] In the last tract he is called Hans Boller, but in the first, Henry, which we have followed in our account. It must also be noticed, that in the Swiss manuscript the time of this occurrence is not expressly noted for the year 1644; but from the circumstances we have inferred, that it took place about said year, as we have also noted.
He was apprehended, and taken to the aforementioned prison Othenbach at Zurich, and there put in bonds.
But as they treated him most unmercifully and without the least compassion, his many years and natural infirmity were not able to bear up under it; hence, having commended his spirit into the hands of God, he died there in prison: but he shall be rewarded for this in the day of resurrection, when there will be fulfilled what the prophet says: “Thy dead men (O God!) shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs.” Is. 26:19. _Compare Tract, Jer. Mang., fol. 16, A., with the account of M. Meyli, fol. 6, B._, though, through a mistake in copying, instead of Henry, it reads Hans.
NOTE.--On the 11th of June of the year 1644 there was apprehended an old brother from the Horgerberg, named Conrad Stricke, who, though he had been apprehended outside of the Zurich jurisdiction, was nevertheless imprisoned at Zurich, in the place Othenbach, and put in chains every night.
So was also his wife apprehended, and imprisoned in the same place; however, she, through a certain means, keeping her faith, escaped again; but the aforementioned Conrad, her husband, was not so successful, so that he remained in severe imprisonment until the close of the year 1645, after which time we have learned nothing of him or of his deliverance. _See Jer. Mang. Tract, edit. 1645, on the name Conrad._
OF A CERTAIN WRITING FROM SWITZERLAND, TOUCHING THE THREATS MADE BY THOSE OF BERNE AGAINST THE ANABAPTISTS IN THOSE PARTS, A. D. 1645.
Now when some brethren and sisters in the Swiss dominions had died in prison, of misery, want, hunger and grief, but five still lived in confinement, the remaining ones who were yet out of bonds, when they were threatened, especially by those of Berne, that they should expel them all from the country, and seize their goods, and sell them, had recourse, next to God, with an humble and friendly letter, to their fellow believers in Holland and elsewhere in the Netherlands, requesting that they should everywhere fervently call upon God the Lord in their behalf, for comfort and grace, to the end that they might patiently endure that which might come upon them according to the flesh, for his holy name’s sake.
This letter was written the 22d of July, old style, in the year of our Lord 1645, and was signed by
Hans Duster, at Baltzen, an elder } in the word of the Lord. } From the Berne Ruth Kunstel, at Muchem, a minister } jurisdiction. in the word of the Lord. }
Ruth Hagen, an elder. } From the Hans Mully, a minister. } Zurich Hans Stuss, a minister. } jurisdiction.
What followed therefrom, and how it subsequently went with those who were imprisoned, can be seen in a subsequent account, in a marginal note, in connection with Ully Wagman.
But as to how the poor wanderers that were not imprisoned managed in their misery and poverty, we have received no clear information, but it can be sufficiently inferred from the sad condition of affairs.
AN EDICT PUBLISHED BY THOSE OF SCHAFFHAUSEN AGAINST THOSE CALLED ANABAPTISTS, ABOUT THE YEAR 1650.
The persecution of the sheep of Christ remained at this time not confined in the limits of Zurich and Berne; but as a fire of gunpowder, or a flash of lightning, rapidly passes from one place to another, so it went also here; for also those of Schaffhausen, being one of the Swiss cities designated by the name of Cantons, following the footsteps of their fellow believers, took, even as the former, to banishing the defenseless people who, having hitherto peaceably lived under their protection, were called Anabaptists.
There was however some time set them, in which they might leave with their families; hence the distress of those whom this befell was not so great as that of those of whom we made previous mention, and of whom we shall hereafter speak.
All this was caused by a certain edict published for this purpose, which, if it were necessary, could be adduced here; but for certain reasons we are compelled to be brief, and to abridge our account as much as is possible.
OF A CERTAIN MANDATE PUBLISHED BY THE PRINCE OF NEUBURG, AGAINST THE ANABAPTISTS (SO CALLED), ABOUT THE YEAR 1653.
Even as an innocent lamb that has escaped the wolf, at last falls into the claws of the bear, so it went also at this time; inasmuch as some of the defenseless followers of the meek Jesus, daring no longer to trust themselves in the Swiss confines, under the dominion of the Zwinglian Reformed, fled hither and thither, and thus also, as it appears, into Bergsland, the dominions of Guliche, and elsewhere, where the Roman Catholic Prince of Neuburg, William Wolfgang ruled, and where the Anabaptists had lived in peace for many years, under toleration.
But now it came to pass, about the year 1653, that the same Prince, instigated, as it is supposed, by certain envious and malignant Jesuits, also opposed all those that were called Anabaptists within the limits of his dominion; insomuch that he, by a certain public mandate, banished these people, in whatever part of his dominion they were resident, however with these conditions:
1. That all Anabaptists who had become such by apostatizing from the Romish religion, should have to leave without delay.
2. That all other Anabaptists, who had not apostatized from the Romanists, but had proceeded out of themselves, if they owned no real estate, should have to leave within half a year.
3. That all like conditioned Anabaptists, who owned real estate, and were engaged in an established mercantile business, should be granted for their removing, in order first to save their property, two years, etc. All this was accompanied with certain threats.
This was executed by his order, and published without any delay in every place of his dominion where it is customary to make proclamation; however, at Glabbeeck, in the country of Guliche (from where we have received information concerning this matter), it was done on the last of January of the year 1653.
In the meantime divers supplications for mitigation of the aforementioned edict were delivered to the Prince; to which, as it appears, he would in a measure have been inclined: but before this was done, he departed this world; hence that which had already been published remained in force with his successor.
Hence the aforementioned people had to leave those parts, and every one had to look out where he might best go; in which the Lord God showed many of them the grace that they were peaceably and joyfully received in the places whither they went, especially in the country of Cleves, under the Elector of Bradenburg, and in the Netherlands.
“When they persecute you in this city,” says the Lord, “flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.” Matt. 10:23.
ULLY WAGMAN, AND ANOTHER BROTHER, IN THE YEAR 1654.
There was some respite or abatement, as it appears, between the years 1644 and 1654, in the Zurich dominions, inasmuch as we have not learned of any one having died in prison, from bad food or maltreatment (though some, of those whom we previously, and also in the margin, made mention of, had been apprehended a considerable time previously); but when the year 1654 was come, we again learn of the death of a pious Christian there.
They aimed at the leaders of the church, especially at those who ministered in the word of God. Among these they had apprehended, and imprisoned at Zurich, in the convent Othenbach, a very dear and worthy man, who, from a faithful heart, with the gift he had received from God, took heed to the church of Jesus Christ, and cared for it spiritually; his name was Ully Wagman.
But as in his imprisonment he was treated very harshly and rigorously, he felt that his death was near, and having commended his soul unto God, he departed this life. Compare both of the aforementioned tracts.
With him there was imprisoned another brother, who after Ully’s death (since he did not want to apostatize, nor to go to church with his opponents) remained in confinement about two years longer, namely, until the 2d of October, A. D. 1656. But as to how it subsequently ended with him, we have not learned. _M. Meyli, Tract edition 1658._
Meanwhile: the former lost his life, while the latter remained in bonds. The Lord will hereafter pronounce a righteous judgment upon those who have done and those who have suffered this: the dead that die in the Lord are blessed: those imprisoned for the testimony of Jesus Christ shall be brought into the liberty of the children of God; and on the other hand, those who imprisoned shall be imprisoned and bound with the woeful bonds of darkness; those who put to death the pious, or were the cause of their death, and have not repented of it, will, it is to be feared, not escape the second and eternal death. O that those who may be guilty in this matter, and are still living, might repent before their death! O that from persecutors they would become true followers of Christ and of his saints! O that they might be saved! This we also wish them out of pure love and from the heart.
NOTE.--Already prior to the year 1645 they had at divers times brought this and that one of the scattered flock of Christ prisoner to Zurich, and confined them in Othenbach. Among these there were particularly five brethren, namely, Jacob Aussilly, Jacob Gachnauer, Jacob Baumgarter, Hans Huber, and another, named Henry. With these it went, consecutively, as follows:
Jacob Aussilly, from the county Kiberg, was imprisoned in Othenbach already in the year 1644, stripped of his clothes, dressed in a long gray coat, and fastened to a chain.
Jacob Gachnauer, from the Groeningen Bailiwick, was first with his wife driven out of the country, his family broken up, the children expelled and thrust into poverty, house and furniture sold, and the proceeds thereof delivered into the hands of the authorities. But when he subsequently undertook to come back into the country, to seek his scattered children, he met the persecutors on the way, who also imprisoned him in Othenbach, deprived him of his clothes, dressed him in a gray coat, fastened him to a chain, and dealt with him as with the preceding brother.
Jacob Baumgarter, an old man of seventy years, had prior to this time been imprisoned five times on account of his faith, but had escaped every time; but when he was now apprehended, and also brought to Othenbach, there was no hope of deliverance, for they also fastened him to a chain, likewise deprived him of his clothes, and, as had been done to the former, also dressed him in a gray coat. Moreover, he was for a time fed on bread and water, stripped twice, and put in irons twice, and also in fetters and handcuffs, etc.; his house and homestead were sold for 500 guilders, and the money delivered to the authorities.
Hans Huber, from the Horgerberg, was first imprisoned with eleven other brethren, for the faith’s sake, from which bonds he was delivered with his companions; but he was subsequently again apprehended, and imprisoned in a strong place at Othenbach; and as he was fettered and chained, there was no prospect for him to be released without the miraculous help of God.
In the meantime, his wife and her sister, two aged women, were driven into exile, also because of the faith.