MARTYRS
MIRROR
By the Emperor: To our beloved and faithful commanders-in-chief, the president and members. of our Privy-Council, the Chancellor and members of our council in Braband, the Governor and Councilors
in Limburg, the President and Councilors in Flanders, the Governor, President and Councilors in Artois, the chief Bailiff in Hainault, the Councilors of Bergen, the Lieutenant, President and Councilors of Holland, Namur, Friesland, and Utrecht, to the Lieutenant of Over-Yssel, the Governor of Rijssel, Douay and Orchies, the Bailiff and:Councilors of Doornick and Tournesis, the stewards of Bewest and Beoosterschelde, in Zealand, the Provost of Valenciennes, the Bailiff of Mechlin, and all other judgesand officers of our territories, cities and seigniories, and of our subjects, or their governors, to whom these presents shall come, happiness and favor.
In order to guard against and remedy the errors which many sectarians and authors of contempt, with their adherents, have dared for some time to sow and spread in our territories, against our holy Christian faith, sacraments, and the commandments of.our mother the holy church, we have at different times ordained, and caused to be executed and proclaimed many decrees containing statutes, edicts and ordinances, as also penalties to be incurred by transgressors, so that by means thereof the common, simple.people, and others, may beware of said errors and abuses, and that the chief promulgators and sectarians may be punished and and corrected, as an example unto others. And since it has come to our knowledge, that notwithstanding our aforesaid decrees, many and various sectarians, even some who call themselves Anabaptists, have proceeded, and still daily proceed, to spread, sow, and secretly preach their aforesaid abuses and errors, in order to allure a, great number of men and women to their' false doctrine and reprobate sect, to seduce them and to rebaptize some, to the great reproach and disregard of the sacrament of holy baptism,. and of our edicts, statutes and ordinances; therefore we, intending to guard against and remedy this, summon and command you, that, immediately upon receipt of this, you cause it to be proclaimed within every place and border of your dominions, that all those, or such as shall be found ,polluted by the accursed sect of the Anabaptist, of whatever rank or condition they may be, their chief leaders, adherents, and abettors, shall incur the loss of life and property, and be brought to the most extreme punishment, without delay; namely, those who remain obstinate and,continue in their evil belief and purpose, or who have seduced to their sect and rebaptized any; also those who have been called prophets,' apostles or bishops -these shall be punished with fire. All other persons who have been rebaptized, or who secretly and with premeditation have harbored any of the'aforesaid Anabaptists, and who renounce their evil purpose and belief, and are truly.sorry and penitent for it, shall be executed with the sword, and the women be buried in a pit.
And in order to better detect these Anabaptists, their adherents and accomplices, we expressly command ail subjects, to make known and report them
to the officer of the place where they reside or shall be found; and if any one shall know of persons' of this sect, and do not report them to the officer of the place, he shall be punished as a favorer, adherent, or abettor of the sect of the Anabaptists; but he who shall report or make them known, shall have, if the accused is convicted, one third of their confiscated property.
Moreover, we prohibit all our subjects from asking for mercy, forgiveness, or reconciliation for the aforesaid Anabaptists, or from presenting any petitions for this purpose, on pain of summary punishment; for because of their evil doctrine, we will not have or permit that any Anabaptists shall have any mercy shown them, but that they shall be punished, as an example unto others, without any dissimulation, favor or delay. And in order to do this with all that pertains to it, we give each and all of you full power and special command.
Given at Brussels, under our counterseal, stamped here in the margin, on the tenth .day of June, in the year 1535. Subscribed by the Emperor and his council, and signed Pensart.
In the year 1535, there was a pious brother, named Peter Koster, who had been sexton of the church at Sardam, in North Holland. But having come to the knowledge of the truth; he was ordained a teacher of the church, and because of the persecution, went to reside at Amsterdam, where he was apprehended by the bailiff, having been reported by a woman living in his neighborhood, who through ill-directed zeal revealed the place where he had concealed himself. And as this took place at a time when some wicked rebellions and conspiracies were taking. place in the world, this friend of God was suspected of this matter; but it appeared from his own writings, as well as in his confession, that he was innocent, and various credible witnesses testify that he, had always sincerely opposed these things. Nevertheless, as he had been baptized upon faith, according to the command and ordinance of Christ, and,.moreover, had been a teacher, he was sentenced to death, and executed with the sword, at Amsterdam, and is now awaiting, with all the pious, the reward which Christ has promised, saying, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven." Matthew 5:11, 12.
In the year 1535, three brethren and two sisters named Sybrant Jans, Hendrick Gijsbrechts van Campen, Steven Benedictus, Femnietgen, daughter of Egbert, and Welmut, daughter of Jans, were apprehended at Hoorn, in West Friesland, because they no longer sought to obey the Roman church; but the commandments of God. When they were examined, they freely confessed their faith, principally with regard to baptism. When they were asked whether they had been rebaptized, they answered in the affirmative, saying that they were not sorry for it; that they had been baptized according to the ordinance of Christ, to the remission or burying of their sins, and the putting on of Christ, with the answer of a good conscience towards God. Rom. 6:4; I Pet. 3:21. The rulers of darkness, perceiving that they were not sorry for it, and intended valiantly to adhere to their faith, sentenced them to death, pursuant to the imperial edict, as the following sentence, which they pronounced upon them clearly shows., "Whereas M. Anthony Sonck, Bailiff, has entered legal complaint against Sybrant Jans, Hendrick Gijsbrechts van Campen, Steven Benedictus; Femmetgen, daughter of Egbert, and Welmut, daughter of Jans, that, contrary to the written laws, and contrary to our Christian faith, and the edict of his imperial Majesty our most gracious lord, they were rebaptized, without having .repented of it, and without having obtained remission therefor, therefore. we determine that each and all of them have forfeited their lives and property, and that they be executed, namely, the men with the sword, and their bodies to be placed upon the wheel, and their heads upon stakes, and the women drowned with a stone tied to their necks; and desire that the judges pass sentence accordingly.", "My lords of the court, having heard the answer and defense of the aforesaid defendants, by which, they openly, confess that .they were rebaptized, without having obtained remission therefor, deem it just, through .their sentence, that all the aforesaid persons, according to. the edict of his imperial Majesty, and the written laws, have forfeited their lives and pro-perty, by virtue of the privileges of this city, and that all are to die, namely, the men to be executed with the sword, their bodies placed upon the wheel, and their heads upon stakes, unless the lords are willing to show them mercy, especially those who renounce and are penitent; and the women to be drowned with a stone tied to their necks or bodies. Passed in the presence of all the judges and three burgomasters, the seventh of June, A. D. 1535."
This sentence having been given, they were led forth to death; they went boldly to the place of execution; and among other things said, "The servant is not greater than his master; if they have done this in the green tree, what will they do in the dry," and the like. Having come to the place prepared for this purpose, they were beheaded. The two women were led to the sea, where stones were tied to their necks, and they were cast in, and drowned. Their bodies were ignominiously left to float about'
for a long time, until the rulers were moved to have them taken out and buried.
Christian reader, here you can clearly see why and for what reasons these people had to die; that what some blind zealots of idolatrous popery say, falsely charge and say is not true, namely, that no one was put to death because of his religion or faith, but on account of their rebelliousness and crimes. But how falsely and shamelessly they act herein, may be judged from this single fact that the same year when these persons were put to death, the siege of Munster took place, and that they were not accused of, much less participated in, this wicked crime. But herein they show the nature of the old Pharisees, who, when they brought Christ to death, did not say, that it was on account of His good doctrine that He had to die, but for His blasphemy. This is the way of all tyrants, that, besides inflicting suffering and death upon the innocent, they also heap upon them false accusations. But when the day cometh that shall come, they shall see whom they have pierced, and say with astonishment, "Behold, these are they whom we had sometimes in derision, and a proverb of .reproach: we fools accounted their life madness, and their end to be without honor: how are they numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints?" Wisd.5:3-5.
(Copy of a certain old document), "It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation," which our Saviour spoke and left for our instruction, saying, "Whosoever will save his, life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose it for my- sake, or the gospel's, shall save it" unto life eternal. Matt. 16:25; Luke 9:24.
This evangelical doctrine, given for admonition and consolation, many faithful witnesses of Christ have taken to heart, who voluntarily surrendered their lives for His holy name's sake, looking to the promises, aryd the glorious reward which shall be given them not in this, but in the future world; for in the third chapter of Wisdom we read, "The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seem to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality, and having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering." Verses 1-6.
This a glorious testimony, and well accords with the words of the holy apostle Paul, that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom ofheaven (Acts 14:22); as also our Saviour says that the way is narrow, and the gate is strait, that leadeth unto life; and that there are few who walk in it; few, when compared to the great multitude and majority who choose the broad way, and walk through the wide gate, to their own destruction and eternal perdition.
Few were found at Sardis, who had not defiled their garments; nevertheless these few were to be crowned as conquerors, clothed in white raiment, and their names were not to be blotted out of the book of life; and the Son of God shall confess their names before His Father and His angels, which is promised to all that overcome. Rev. 3:5. This was taken to heart by those who did not look upon what is visible and perishing, but upon the invisible, as appears in the pious witnesses and martyrs of Christ, who, for Christ's sake, gladly forsook not only all their property and the distinction which they enjoyed in this world, but also their own lives; for neither persecution, nor any creature in the world could deter them from the love of God and Christ. Rom. 8:39.
Among others, it was seen also in the case of a manful hero and armed soldier of Christ, named Andrew Claessen of Drourijp, a village in Friesland, situated between Leeuwaerden and Franneker; who, A. D. 1535, under the Stadtholder George Schenck, was apprehended, brought to Leeuwaerden, beheaded on the sixteenth of March, and placed upon a wheel. This took place three days after his imprisonment; however, the pious secretly took him down and buried him; and his soul is now also resting under the altar of God.
He had seven children, who after the death of their father had to wander about in poverty and misery, yet were supported by some kindly disposed persons, though not without peril. These things we have recorded from the testimony of their descendants, who, to this end, have sent us their written attestations, from the town of Franneker, in Friesland, dated March the 13th, 1658, and subscribed,
JOUKE WYBES.
In this year, also seven brethren, namely, Hans Beck, Wolfert Schneider, Christian Alzeiter, Balthasar Gesel, Wolfert from Getzenberg, Hans Maurer, and Peter Kranewitter, from Gofedaum in Etschland, were apprehended. Various things were resorted to with them, in order to conquer them, and to draw them away; but as they could not be prevailed upon, but adhered to their faith and to the truth, they were sentenced to death by the children of Pilate, who, through the advice of the high priest, delivered them to the executioner, who had to bring the matter to a close. Thus they were put to death., mightily admonishing the peo-
ple to repent, and that this was the divine truth, showing that no impure, false, idle, or heedless hearts can stand the test. Wolfert had once apostatized, and consented to the will of the wicked; but afterwards deplored and bewailed his course. When after a few days he was again called before the judge, he again confessed the Lord, and said that the devil had deceived him in what he had done against God. He was then put back into the tower to the others, and with them steadfastly suffered death, and in this manner they together testified with their blood to the truth, at Gofedaum.
In the year 1536, on St. Margaret's day, in the morning, the Bailiff at Zierichzee apprehended three brethren and one sister, named Peter Gerrits, Peter Joris, Peter Leydecker, and Johanna Mels, whom he took with him half dressed, and put them in prison, where they were confined for seven weeks; but no suffering or misery inflicted upon them could induce them to apostatize. When they were examined, and many human institutions were presented to them, which they endeavored to refute with the Word of God, the Burgomaster said, "We care not for your Word of God, but hold to the mandate of the Emperor, and shall ignominiously exterminate all those who act contrary to it."
They answered, "Lord Burgomaster, by this you prove yourself to be a protector of the kingdom of Babel and of Bel for which you will indeed reap some reward here on earth, but hereafter, with antichrist and the crowned beast, eternal damnation in the lake of fire." I John 2:18; Revelation 13; 19:20.
They were then placed upon the rack, though contrary to their privileges, for they were mere citizens; however, they would not apostatize, though they were tortured so that the blood ran down their feet: but they trusted in and cried to God alone. After being tortured, they were brought up above again, where they comforted each other with the Word of God. I Thess. 4:18.
Finally, on the 4th of September, they were sentenced to death. They were brought bound upon the scaffold, yet came forth boldly and humbly, as lambs of Christ, and finally knelt down, saying with Stephen, "Lord Jesus, receive our spirits into Thy hands." Acts 7:59. They were all then speedily beheaded, their bodies burned, and their heads placed upon stakes. Thus they offered up their sacrifice.
In the beginning of the year 1536, Jerome Kels of Kufestein, Michael Seifensieder of Wald in Bohemia, and Hans Oberacker from Etschland weredispatched to go into the Earldom of Tyrol. Acts 13:2. But when they arrived at Vienna, in Austria, they were apprehended, having been betrayed by the host with whom they had lodged. Acts 4:3; 5:26. While they were eating supper, the people tried to ascertain their character by drinking to their health; but when they perceived that they would not respond, the host had some paper brought, and wrote a letter in Latin, which, among other things, read as follows, "Here are three persons who appear to me to be Anabaptists." But he did not know that Brother Jerome understood Latin. Then said Jerome to the other brethren, they would watch together, let things go as the dear Lord should please. Two hours afterwards the constables came and brought them bound before the judge, and when they had been examined they were put in prison.
Eight days afterwards the judge had them brought before him and his assessors, where they were told to recant. Brother Jerome said that they themselves should forsake their unbelief, and not so falsely bear the name of God, or of Christ. Thereupon the judge became highly incensed at Jerome, and when the latter said they were no Christians, the judge said, "You are a desperately wicked fellow." And though he was asked this as much as ten times, he constantly confessed as before. The assessors then said, "This reprobate fellow is not worthy that your wisdom should become enraged at him." They were then led back into prison, and the judges were highly offended at Jerome and his brethren. After another eight days the judge again summoned all three before him, taking to him three of the most wicked priests. When these would speak with Jerome, contemned our calling, reviled our faith, and said that they were sent to instruct them regarding their error, Jerome boldly and fearlessly said, "We are in the right way: our calling is from God, and Christ has taught us that we should not hear a stranger's voice." John 10:5. He also said, "We are willing to give an answer to every man, and to show the ground of our hope; but with monks and priests, who are sent by the pope, who is the antichrist, we do not desire to speak, for they are great rogues, whoremongers, perjurers, deceivers and seducers, even as these."
Thereupon the judge said, "My good Jerome, you do not yet know these good lords." Jerome said, "God is my Lord, but not they." Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21. He then, for almost two hours and a quarter gave answer concerning the mass, original sin, infant baptism, calling, and their awful, idolatrous sacrament. Then followed many entreaties that he should regard his dear life, wife and child, and take to heart their sincere promise; and that he should pray to God; they would also. But he said that they had the truth and would adhere to it, they might do what they pleased, and as they could also not overcome the other brethren with their poison, the judge remanded them to
prison, in which they sang comforting hymns together, and rejoiced in God. And as, they could hear each other, they, called to one aother, comforting and strengthening one another. They also delivered their written confession of faith, with full proof from the holy Scriptures, to the lords at Vienna, and to the judge.
To the aforesaid 'brother Hans Oberacher the day of the Lord appeared three times, as he informed us from prison, and he 'saw unutterable things, with the eyes of the spirit, as also with his bodilyeyes; he saw the condition of the children of God, and how great grace they received from God ,' on the other' hand, how mighty and terrible this day is for the wicked; so that he prayed that God would never let him incur this wrath, which is so great and dreadful upon wickedness. Mal. 3:17; 4,:1, 2.
Many attempts having been made to,prevail upon these brethren, and they remaining steadfast in the faith, as strong soldiers, and lovers of God, they were condemned to death by the children of Pilate, and burned to ashes, at Vienna, on the Friday preceding iudica, in I:xnt of the aforesaid year.
In this year, George Vaser, a minister of the Lord and His church, and Brother Leonhard Sailer, his companion, were apprehended at Neudorf, in Austria, where they were passing through, and were put in the stocks there. The next day, the Judge of Metling, and the whole council, as also other people with them, came and asked him on what account they we're imprisoned there. They replied, "For the faith of Christ, and the divine trpth."
They then took them, and brought them into the market town of Metling, a distance of several furlongs from Neudorf, and two leagues from Vienna. On the whole way they testified with great boldness to the truth, and with many words declared'to them the judgment of God, so that the judge and all the ,others were amazed and dared not say a single word against it. Thereupon they put them all into, the common prison, in which they met with ail manner of ungodly and shameful impropriety on the part of their fellow prisoners, which daily caused them great sorrow of heart, so that they would rather have been cast into an offensive dungeon where they would not have beers obliged to listen to this impiety. .
During their imprisonment they were much questioned with regard to infant baptism, the sacrament, and that we call them all ungodly and unbelieving; but' they told them, that, as regards infant baptism, they were entirely welcome to it, and also said, "Because they called themselves Christians; but falsely bore the name of Christ, and did not'move with a finger the least of Christ's commandments; therefore they should know that they were of the devil (John 8:44); and if theywould not repent of their sins, God would destroy their false boast, so that they, with the whole world, and the rich man would be cast into the abyss of hell, which would certainly come to pass, though they now did not believe it. Having been in prison nearly a whole year, and being fully prepared for death; yea, of good courage and cheer, and joyful in the Lord, they prayed that the Lord, the gracious God, would deliver them from this mortal tabernacle, and this wicked, blind world; for they had a good hope and great joy and a sincere desire to depart, and expected every hour, to die manfully and boldly, through the help and power of God, for the divine truth, and for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, notwithstanding all the pain and suffering, which might be inflicted upon them.
However, through a special providence of God, they were wonderfully liberated, unharmed in their consciences, and came in peace to the church at Trasenhofen, and were joyfully received in the spirit, as good, worthy and beloved brethren.
In the following year, at the request of some of the zealous, the above-mentioned George Vaser, was sent to Pechstall, in Austria, where he gladly began to teach the Word of the Lord, notwithstanding he had just come out of the prison at Metling. He gathered the believers, and established a church, according to the command of God. But he could not escape a certain deceiver, a genuine tool of all treachery, who, under a false appearance, pretended to learn the grounds of the truth of him as a minister, but, in the meantime appointed many servants, commanding them at a suitable time to apprehend this George Vaser, which they faithfully did..
He was then subjected to much cruel torturing, and while in prison was tempted in manifold ways
but he remained very steadfast and faithfully followed unto death Him whom he had proclaimed in the faith; thus testifying with his blood (being executed with the sword), to the faith and the truth of God. Matt. 24:13; John 10:4; I Peter 5,:l.
In the year 1537, also Sebastian Glasmacher and Hans Gruenfelder were apprehended for the faith and divine truth, at Imst. in the upper valley of the Inn. They were executed with the sword, and then burned. They confessed the Lord and His holy Word and truth with great gladness. A countless multitude were present at their execution. Hans called and spoke with a very loud voice, admonishing and warning the people, to the best of his ability; so also did Sebastian, and-in this they continued, until their death. This greatly astonished the people.
!! Their bones however could not be wholly
burned; hence they were afterwards thrown into the water. The heart also of the one could not be burned, which was no doubt for a remarkable testimony. John 15:27, .
In this year 1537, also Hans Peiz, a minister of the Gospel, and several of. his fellow believers were apprehended for the divine truth, at Passau; on the Danube. They were imprisoned along time, suffered much, and, together with others, who confessed their faith and the truth, fell asleep in prison, after great steadfastness; and heroic piety.
In this same year 1537,Brother Hans Wucherer was apprehended in Bavaria, and with him another brother, named Hans Bar tel, a weaver. They were taken to Mermes, Where they were confined for sixteen days, and were twice examined by Caiphas and the priests, and twice. through the torture. They were asked what they believed concerning the sacrament. They spoke mightily against it, that it was an abomination, and an idol before the Lord; and that it was not to be believed, that they 'could give the body of Christ, with flesh and blood, just as He hung on the cross to eat so many hundred thousand times; but they said that the supper was a memorial of His suffering, death and the shedding of His blood, by which fie redeemed us, Matt. 26: 25; Luke 22:19. T o commemorate this; and to search their hearts, is the purpose for which believers, who are members of His body, or His church, are to observe it, with sincere thanksgiving to Him. They then asked them concerning infant baptism and what they held of their priests and churches. They spoke against all these according to the truth. They then questioned them about their viewsregarding their matrimony, and the Ten Commandments. To this they also gave their reply. They were then brought bound to Bruckenhausen, where each was separately put in chains in prison.' Six times they were brought forth and examined, in order to induce them to'recant, which if they would do, mercy would be shown them. But they would in no wise exchange the divine grace for the favor of the world, since they felt assured that they were in the true faith and in the truth of God.
The seventh time .the priests came to them into the prison; but they adhered constantly to God. They also greatly tortured them, severely racking Hans, and Brother Bartel twice, without, however, prevailing upon them. '
The eighth time the judge came to them, together with three others: After maltreating them fearfully, he sentenced them to' be burned; but they .hoped in the Lprd, to'rcmairi faithful and steadfast unto the end, in the divine truth, through the unspeakable riches and power of God. They were then burned for the faith, valiantly testified to the truth, and obtained the crown of the martyrs of Christ.
In the year 1537, there was at Cassel, in Flanders, a God-fearing pious brother, whose name was Philip Keurs, a joiner by trade. And since he had also separated from this present wicked world, and had entered upon the peculiar way of the cross, which leads to the kingdom of God, he, like his Lord and Master, Jesus, was hated, despised and persecuted by the servants of this world, so that he finally, fell into the hands of tyrants, who cruelly maltreated him with severe imprisonment. But as he was not founded upon drifting sand, but upon the immovable Rock (Matt. 7:24, 26; 16:18), he remained steadfast in every respect, as gold which is tried in the fire. I Pet. 1:7. And since nothing could move him to swerve from the truth, he was sentenced to death at said place; in this manner confirming the faith of the truth with his death and blood. And as he here became a partaker of the sufferings of his Lord and Master Christ Jesus, so he shall also, when His glory shall be revealed, receive and enjoy great gladness and joy, and in eternity the crown of everlasting ,glory. II Tim. 4:8.
(Copied from certain very old testimonies)
In the year 1538, in August, there were apprehended' in the town ten or seventeen men and women, who were said to have been rebaptized, all of them humble (or poor) people, etc., except a goldsmith, who was among the number, whose name was Paul Vandruynen, and who was said to be their teacher.*
This Paul, together with three other men, was strangled alive and burned, upon a scaffold at Vucht, on the ninth of September.
The other three were named: Michael Stevens of Oosterhont, a potter; John Block of Ghent, a tapemaker; and Adrain of Gravenhage, also a tapemaker.
A rope was tied into the mouth of each that they should not speak or cry aloud.
Two 117inorites and two Dominicans were also present, who wanted to say much to them, and show them a crucifix; but they would not look at it, saying that they had God in their hearts, and, therefore, would worship neither wood nor stone; they also prayed for those who put them to death, and said that the servant was not better than his master, and that they did willingly die in His name, but would not listen to the monks.
The trial was conducted by a commissary from the court, named Sir. Adrian van de Grave a licentiate in both laws. He had with him a man of the aforesaid sect, whose misdeed had been remitted to
him (probably an apostate), who pointed out their residences.
To said commissary seven judges were added, who together sentenced them; namely: Sir Goosen van der Stege, Gisbert Heyn, and Matthew Stooters, in the ring.
The four other judges were: Hendrick Pelgrim, alias Ketelaer; Sir Hendrick Luysterisan van der Stege, Heyligengoestmeister, and Govert Symons, jailer.
On the eleventh of September, at the afore-said place, three women and one man were strangled, who were said to be rebaptized; one of whom was the wife of Paul, the teacher, here also monks were present, to induce them to renounce.
Paul's wife said, "O Lord, enlighten the eyes of those who inflict this suffering upon us, that they may see what they are doing. I thank Thee, O God, that Thou countest me worthy to suffer for Thy name's sake."
The Dominican said to another woman, "Will you not adhere to the holy church?"
She said, "I adhere to God; is this not holy church enough for me?"
The Dominican then said to the man, John van Capelle, "Ask God to forgive you for having set a bad example unto us."
He answered, "I did not err, but dealt with the Word of God, and am sorry that I have been so long in darkness. I entreat you, citizens, read the Gospel, and live according to it; forsake your drunkenness, knavery, cursing and crossing yourselves," etc.
The third woman said, "O God Almighty, do not lay upon me more than I can bear," etc. Thus they gladly died.
The aforesaid Paul and his wife had an infant of nine months, which was still unbaptized; this they took from the mother in prison and baptized it. Lord Philip van Doorn, dean of St. John, Postulia, wife of Sir John van der Stegen, and Anna, wife of Sir Goosen van der Stegen acted as sponsors to said child.
All of them were then put to death, and on the fourteenth of September, at six o'clock in the morning, a young man of the above named sect was also beheaded.
Thus far the old document sent to us from Friesland. Compared with the account in the History van den Opgang van's Hertogenbosch, by Borre van Uytrecht, concerning the persons who were brought thither as prisoners.
NOTE.-It appears that the entire above account was written by some one who had not yet come to the faith; since he calls the true faith of said persons who were put to death a sect; of whose death he seems to have been an eye witness; hence we can assume this with the greater confidence, since it is certain that the opponent of a belief will not embellish, but much rather speak against it.