Part 93

And, as a bride is received by her bridegroom; so also shall all true children of God then be received with body and soul through grace, by Christ Jesus, and be admitted to this glorious joy, where they shall see God as he is, in his unspeakable glory, together with all the heavenly hosts. Then shall their robe of mourning, or the mortal clothing of the flesh be put off, and the immortal be put on; and they shall be clothed in white, shining raiment, and together with all God’s chosen ones, be fed by the son of God, whom they confessed in the world, with the hidden heavenly bread, and shall eat of the tree of life, and drink out of the living fountain of water, and, being as the angels, shall, with joyful tongues and mouths, in gladsome voices, to the honor of the lamb, their bridegroom, sing the new song, with unspeakable, glorious joy, which no one can take away from them; but they shall be kings and priests of God, and shall live and reign with Christ for ever and ever.

May the God of grace and mercy, and of all comfort, who has from the beginning called us to this his heavenly kingdom and glory, endow us unworthy children of men with his good spirit, make us worthy of him and draw us to him-ward, that we may follow and run after this high prize, and by grace receive the same, through Jesus Christ, and enjoy it for ever. Amen.

Of the everlasting kingdom of heaven, and its King, read: “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace.” Hebrews 12:28.

“My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36.

“Receive the gift that is given you, and be glad, giving thanks unto him that hath called you to the heavenly kingdom.” 2 Esdr. 2:37; Col. 1:13; Ps. 22:28.

Read further how this eternal King, Christ Jesus, at his second coming from heaven, after the dead shall have arisen, and the eternal judgment been held, shall receive all the members of his kingdom in this his everlasting glorious kingdom of heaven, where they shall behold God in unspeakable glory. “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25:34.

But the righteous live for ever more; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand.” Wis. 5:15,16; 1 Peter 5:4; 2 Timothy 4:8; Rev. 2:10; Jas. 1:12.

“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thess. 4:17,18; 1 Cor. 2:9; 1 Peter 1:8; John 16:22.

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2; Philippians 3:20,21.

“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Col. 3:4.

“Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. Thine heart shall meditate terror.” Is. 33:17,18.

Of all who from a true faith shall show forth the required spiritual virtues, and shall continue to the end in this divine calling, read: “If ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10,11.

_Here is the patience and the faith of the saints._ Rev. 13:10.

We feel now that we have fulfilled the promise which we made in the beginning concerning the matter of holy baptism, and other articles of Christian worship; with which, we trust, those who fear God and love the truth will content themselves; hence we conclude this, and proceed to the steadfast martyrs who in the sixteenth century suffered for the name of Jesus Christ, and his holy truth.

AN ACCOUNT OF THOSE WHO SUFFERED IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

SUMMARY OF THE MARTYRS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

[Mention of the inquisition which from the year 1492 continued to 1660. It is noticed for the year 1501.

Persecution of the orthodox Christians in Hungary briefly, and plainly shown, for the year 1507.

Two years after this, there is brought to remembrance another persecution of the same people, in the principality of Mecklenburg, near Mooren, two years later, presented and noted for the year 1509.

Several persons who opposed popery in various points of doctrine; as, Nicholas Rus, Bernhard Liblinensis, John Picus, John Hilten, William Budaeus, John Bugenhagius, etc.; some of whom also felt the sting of the Roman scorpion, referred to in a note for the years 1509, 1510, 1512, 1513, 1520, etc.

The decree which by the Romanists was published, in the Netherlands, against all who believed otherwise than the Roman church, and what misery resulted thereupon, circumstantially noticed for the year 1521.

In a note for the year 1522 mention is made of Charles Stadius, and for the year 1524, of Henry Zutphaniensis, touching their faith and death.

Beginning of the old _Martyr’s Mirror of the Defenseless Christians_, together with the emendation from various creditable chronicles, memoirs, testimonies, etc.

The first martyrs mentioned are Hans Koch and Leonhart Meister; both of whom lost their lives for the truth of the holy Gospel, at Augsburg, A. D. 1524.

Then follow so great multitude of professors of Christ, who gave their lives for his name’s sake; as well as so great a number of accounts of bloody decrees, examinations, sentences, and memorable memoirs, that it is impossible to enumerate them. From the year 1524 until 1597, almost until the close of the century, the pious martyrs were apprehended, tormented, and put to death by fire, water, sword, burying alive; with which last manner of death this century is concluded.]

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A great door is opened unto us to the arena of the martyrs and blessed followers of Jesus. None of the previous persecutions endured by the orthodox martyrs are to be compared to the present one. We have come through the time of fifteen centuries, each consisting of one hundred consecutive years; but we must confess that we did not meet with what we have seen, or, at least, that which we shall see here. The length of the time, the severity of the persecution, and the number of the martyred persons shall testify to this.

It is true, that fifteen hundred years extend over a longer period of time than about a hundred and fifty of like years; and that the persecutions which occurred during this long time, when put in the balance, would be heavier than this last one, as well as the number of the persons who were persecuted; but never in the preceding fifteen centuries did any persecution continue for so long a time without alleviation; never was then in so short (though actually long) a time so much innocent blood shed; never were there in so small a space so many dark prisons, deadly tribunals, scaffolds, fiery stakes, and other instruments of death erected and made use of as were at this time in Germany and in the Netherlands.

To prove this, without unnecessary words, we will forthwith enter upon our task, beginning with Germany, and ending with the Netherlands.

SEVERE INQUISITION AGAINST THE BELIEVERS, ABOUT THE YEAR 1501.

The inquisition of which we gave an account in the first book, for the year 1492, continued against the orthodox believers, as is firmly believed, even until this time; so that many who were subjected to the same, and remained steadfast, had to suffer themselves to be put to death; who, in the sight of God, came to an honorable, but in the eyes of the world, a shameful and not less miserable end, but who shall hereafter, with Christ their Savior (who herein preceded them), be clothed with everlasting honor and joy, yea, be crowned as victorious kings in the heavenly Zion, according to his promise: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Rev. 2:10.

Concerning the beginning of this inquisition see the first book, for the year 1492, and how the same continued until this time and long after, compare _Hist. Georg., lib. 6. Pieter Bor, lib. 3. Orsprong der Nederlandtsche Beroerten, fol. 9–12. Tooneel Nicol., fol. 87. Guil. Merulae, Tract. 9, 47. Eman. van Met._ (old edition), _fol. 40. Retuald Gonsalv., in de H. Spanish Inquisition_ throughout. _Hist. Wenc., fol. 187. Chron. Phil. Mel., lib. 5. Hist. Alons. de Vlb., lib. 2_, with _Chron. van Ondergang, page 899, col. 1, 2, page 900, col. 1, 2_.

PERSECUTION OF THE ORTHODOX BELIEVERS IN HUNGARY, A. D. 1507.

That the old Waldenses, or orthodox believers, whose sound confession we have shown elsewhere, were now severely oppressed and persecuted in Hungary; insomuch that they were necessitated to deliver a defense of their faith against the unfounded accusations on account of which they suffered persecution, to Uladislaus, King of Bohemia, we have partly shown in the Account of Holy Baptism, for the year 1507, and it is confirmed by H. Boxhorn, in his tract concerning this matter, _fol. 27_; compared with _P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 930, col. 2_.

ANOTHER PERSECUTION OF THESE PEOPLE IN THE PRINCIPALITY OF MECKLENBURG, NEAR MOOREN, A. D. 1509.

_A. D. 1509_, old writers state, that the aforementioned old Waldenses, on account of the envy of the Pope and papists, could no longer enjoy their liberty in confessing and practicing their true belief, in the principality of Mecklenburg, near Mooren. _See the last mentioned chronicle, page 937, col. 2, ex Catal. Test., fol. 902._

NOTE.--_A. D. 1509._--At this time, Nicholas Rus vigorously taught and wrote against the Pope, saying: 1. That letters of indulgence were nothing but subtle deceptions to rob the plain and simple people of their money. 2. That the Pope does not have as much power as people suppose. 3. That the Popes, cardinals, bishops, and prelates were leading lascivious lives, etc. 4. That saints ought not to be invoked.[223] This Nicholas had many hearers in the principality of Mecklenburg, but from necessity, because of the papists, was soon compelled to leave the place. He went to Wismar, but there also he had no abiding place. See the authors last mentioned, for the year 1509.

[223] This fourth article the writers enumerate as the third.

_A. D. 1510._--Bernhard Liblinensis taught and wrote at this time: 1. That it is impossible that the whole world should obey a single man, as is the Pope. 2. That the popes themselves were not of one mind; for the one prohibits that which another has instituted to be observed. 3. That therefore it is sufficient to believe in Christ, and to obey him alone. _Chron. van den Ondergang, page 939, col. 2_, compared with _Catal. Test., fol. 911_. However, what befell him as punishment from the Pope on this account, is not stated.

_A. D. 1512._--John Picus, John Hilton, and others, vigorously spoke at this time against the abuses of popery, severely reproving their (the Popes) life, deeds, and doctrine. However, what they suffered because of this, is not indicated. See the last mentioned chronicle, _page 946, col. 1_; also, _Joh. Munst., fol. 203, 204_.

_A. D. 1513._--William Budaeus, a very learned man in France, wrote at this time in a book: 1. The popes and bishops originate war between princes and potentates; while they by rights ought to advise and help to peace. 2. They fill the world with pride, avarice, gluttony, drinking, lasciviousness, whoredom, adultery, and other shameful things, surpassing in these vile deeds the laity. 3. They are Epicures, who do not care for eternal life, as they show by their works; and they are to their hearers the cause of eternal damnation. As to the end or death of this man, however, we have likewise found no account. Compare _P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 949, col. 1_, with _Catal. Test., fol. 908. Joh. Munst., fol. 208_.

_A. D. 1520._--John Bugenhagius, surnamed Pomeranus, a remarkably kind and moral man, was at this time very well known through his writings. Among other things he says, in a little book, treating of Unborn Infants, that men erred for twelve centuries with regard to infants, whom (by rights) they could not, yet greatly desired to, baptize. Two days before his death there was an eclipse of the sun. He died at Wittenberg, aged 73 years. Compare the last mentioned chronicle, _page 985, col. 1_, with _Leonh., lib. 7. Jac. Verh. Afb., fol. 28, 30, 32_.

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The time now draws near, when the account of the last of those who suffered death, in our old Book of Martyrs begins. We speak of those who gave their lives for the truth since the great Reformation, or, at least, since the establishment of the worship of God in the year 1524, and from that time forward. In the meantime it will be well for us to notice that the martyrs of whom we shall speak were of the profession of the Waldenses, even as were the preceding ones, of whom we have previously spoken. All the labor which we took upon ourselves from the middle of the twelfth century, tended to follow the line of these people. This has been our aim continually up to the present time, and, in this, as we hope, we have not been unsuccessful; yea, we trust that we have shown this to a certainty. In the meantime the intelligent, to whom we gladly submit the matter, may judge with regard to it. The first work which is now before us, is to unite the first martyrs with the last, and to follow up what we have written with that which was written before. In order to give no offense to any one, we intend to leave the old accounts unchanged, excepting a few discrepancies and typographical errors; as well as what we shall add of our own from the testimonies of old writers; which shall be plainly distinguished. By following this method, we hope to accomplish our purpose successfully.

OF THE DECREE WHICH BY THE ROMANISTS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE NETHERLANDS, ABOUT THE YEAR 1521, AGAINST ALL WHO BELIEVED OTHERWISE THAN THE ROMAN CHURCH; AND WHAT MISERY RESULTED THEREFROM.

_About A. D. 1521_, at the time of Emperor Charles V., a decree was made and issued by those of the Roman church, on account of the Lutherans and Zwinglians, against all those who were opposed to the Roman profession, and hence, also against the Anabaptists; who were all threatened with cruel punishments of death, as appears from the following account in the _Chron. van den Ondergang, p. 975, col. 2_.

The account is as follows:[224] “From it was made, A. D. 1521,” says the writer, “the first prohibition or decree concerning religion, and brought into the Netherlands without the consent of the States, etc.; so that they (this and like decrees) were rather tolerated than confirmed by the States; the more so since they were greatly favored by the Pope and the clergy, as tending to promote obedience towards the mother--the Roman--church, and generally no complaint was heard from any of the common people against it; that is, against the first.

[224] In the following a few words are changed, without altering the sense, however.

By virtue of this decree all who believed otherwise than the Roman church, or who had such books in their possession, or harbored such heretics or people, and all those whom the magistrates were commanded to apprehend, were strictly sentenced to death; and not only these, but also all who in any wise were suspected of heresy; every Roman Catholic being required to denounce every suspected person, who, upon the testimony of two witnesses, were, according to the instruction of the judges, sentenced to death, their property confiscated, and one third of it given to the accusers and witnesses, though said witnesses had but little to say, only so that they were known as good Catholics by their pastor or priest.

If any one from fear took to flight, no one was allowed to intercede for him, or plead his innocence, neither the father for the child, nor brother for brother; but he was condemned on account of his flight, and his property confiscated.

Though one did even desist from his so-called error, and suffered himself to be better instructed, as it were, by the pastor, according to the Romish manner, he had nevertheless to die. No greater mercy was shown him than that he was not put to death by fire, but executed with the sword.

The women were buried alive, and no judge could mitigate these decrees, unless he was willing to be regarded as a protector of the heretics, and be proceeded against as such.

From this decree (the one first spoken of) made by imperial power and authority, others were produced, and issued, almost every year.

And by virtue of these decrees, none might have in his possession, buy, give, carry, read, or communicate, the doctrines, writings or books, of the Lutherans, Zwinglians, etc. (he also makes mention of the Mennonites), or dispute about them; neither might they confer or dispute with any one about the holy Scriptures, or read the same to others, except (Romish) theologians or doctors of divinity, or those who were properly licensed.

No one was allowed knowingly to receive suspected persons (called heretics) into his house, to lodge them, to give them food, clothes, or money; but had to report them immediately, all on pain of death and confiscation of property”.

Extracted from various Biographies of Emperor Charles V., _Chron. Mich., 4th part_; _Chron. Sleyd., lib. 1, 2, to 25_; _Hist. Alons, Ulloœ, lib. 1–5_; _Chron. Hed., fol. 682_; _Chron. Saxon., fol. 649_; _Chron. Franc_, (old edition), _fol. 62, 63_; _Chron. Petr. Bor., lib. 1. Caprit., lib. 3. Pantal., lib. 3_; _Hist. der Mart. Doopsges., lib. 1. Eman. van Met., lib. 1_; _Mer., fol. 960_; _Chron. Petr. Scriv., fol. 593_; _D. Andries Hondd., lib. 1, cap. 15_; _D. Dirck Veli., lib. 2_; _Manl., fol. 255_; _W. Baud., lib. 16, an old chronicle of the life and deeds of Charles V., throughout_, _etc._

NOTE.--A. D. 1522, Charles Stadius also declared his views, at this time, among the learned; he secretly held with the Anabaptists, says Leonhard Krantz in his _German Chronology, lib. 7._ Others, however, ascribe a different belief to him, which is not found with the Anabaptists; namely, that he said, that Christ, through his blood, had also redeemed the (fallen) angels. _Conrad Schless, 1st part, cap. 5_, compared with _P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 994, col. 2_. What happened to him, however, on account of his belief, is not stated.

_A. D. 1524._--Henry Zutphaniensis was horribly put to death for the Gospel of Christ, by Ditmarish peasants. See the above cited _Chronicle, p. 1001, col. 1_. Also, _Rab., part 3_; _Sleyd., lib. 4_.

THE MARTYRS MIRROR --OF THE-- DEFENSELESS CHRISTIANS.

OLD BOOK.

ENLARGED AND IMPROVED FROM VARIOUS CREDIBLE CHRONICLES, MEMOIRS, TESTIMONIES, ETC.

[The following Part of the Martyrs Mirror, was not originally written by van Braght, but was the outgrowth of a compilation from different authors, and published in different editions, which from time to time were enlarged and improved. The original book, as appears from the writings of Samuel W. Pennypacker, of Philadelphia, Pa., was published in Holland, in 1562, under the title, _Het Offer des Heeren_. Later editions were printed in the years 1567, 1570, 1576, 1578, 1580, 1589, 1595, and 1599. In 1617, a large quarto edition, containing 863 pages, written by Hans de Reis and Jacques Outerman, and printed by Zacharias Cornelisz, at Hoorn, was published, bearing the title, _Historie der Warachtighe getuygen Jesu Christi_. This book was succeeded by a folio volume of ten hundred and fifty-six pages, printed at Hærlem, by Hans Passchiers, von Wesbusch, in 1631, entitled, _Martelœrs Spiegel der Werelose Christenen_, that is, _The Martyrs Mirror of the defenseless Christians_. This book, our author, van Braght, embodies as “Second Part,” in his own work under the title of _The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the defenseless Christians_, as he says, without change, except where some correction was needed, adding, however, such matter as seemed profitable and necessary. This will explain to the reader the above remark: “Old Book.”--_Publishers._]

HANS KOCH AND LEONHARD MEISTER, DESCENDANTS OF THE ANCIENT WALDENSES, BOTH PUT TO DEATH AT AUGSBURG, FOR THE TRUTH OF THE HOLY GOSPEL, A. D. 1524.

From A. D. 1160 until this time (A. D. 1660) we have followed according to our ability the trail and footsteps of the ancient Waldenses, of which we have by no means, until this time, lost sight; neither have we now lost sight of them, but still keep them in view.

This appeared in the case of two pious men of said profession (which agrees with that of the Anabaptists) who, loving the truth of Christ, which they maintained more than their own lives, were put to death at Augsburg, in Germany, in accordance with the rigor of the court, there, in the year 1524.

Concerning this, we read in _Jacob Mehrning’s History of Baptism_ the following words, translated from the German: “From these Bohemian and Moravian Old Waldensian brethren afterwards sprang several excellent men; as, among others, Hans Koch and Leonhard Meister, who were both put to death at Augsburg, A. D. ----.[225] _Bapt. Hist., page 748._

NOTE.--The year 1160 was the time in which Peter Waldo appeared against popery, at Lyons, in France, and made a sound confession, of which we gave an account in the first book. As regards his descendants, this Hans Koch and Leonhard Meister are counted as none of the least of them; as also, afterwards, Michael Sattler, Leonhard Keyser, John Hut, etc. See _Jac. Mehr., Bapt. Hist., page 748_.

PRAYER OF HANS KOCH AND LEONHARD MEISTER.

The following earnest prayer to God was spoken by Hans Koch and Leonhard Meister before their death, and left for the consolation of all their fellow believers: