MARTYRS
MIRROR
Grace and peace be from God the eternal and Almighty Father, through Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins into the hands of the enemies, and received much suffering from sinners, that He might deliver us from this evil and perverse world, according to the will of His Father. To Him be praise, and honor forever and ever. Amen.
This bleeding and crucified Jesus.Christ I wish all dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, and all those that fear God from the heart, as a cordial greeting, and endowing of your mind: Further, my heartily beloved friends: and chosen in the Lord, please know that my mind is still unchanged; and desire to adhere to the eternal truth all the days of my life, as long as there is breath in my body. I am of good cheer; praise, glory and thanks be to the Lord evermore for the great grace which He shows me, for I have from the very beginning been of such good cheer. Yea, He gives such joy into my heart, that I cannot express it, and I cannot fully thank the Lord for the great benefits He shows me.
Know further, my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, that I was before the lords. There were four of them: the margrave, two judges, and the clerk of the criminal court. When I entered the room, I did reverence to them, and the margrave said, "Well, my daughter how are you?" I replied, "Very well, sir." The niargrave asked me whether I had not sat myself tired. I answered, "Yes, my lords, if it were your pleasure to make away with me, it would be very welcome to me." The margrave said, "How so, my daughter, you must not speak thus; you must give up your opinion, and the king will pardon you." I said, "You have put my father and mother out of the way,. and the two boys, but me you have left sitting here, which greatly grieves me." The margrave said, "How so, my daughter; if I should have put you out of the way with your father and mother, it would not seem good to me; since you are not yet baptized, the king will pardon you." The judges asked, "Is she not yet baptized?""No," replied the margrave. I said, "No; it is true, I am not yet baptized; but if I were released this evening, I should have it done tomorrow, if it were possible.." Then they sighed over me, and I said, "The two boys were likewise not baptized." They replied, "It is true; they would not desist from their opinion; efforts enough were made in regard to them." I said,"I will likewise not depart from my faith." They told me that I should then not fare better. I said I was well satisfied with it; though they should roast me on a gridiron, or boil me in oil, yet I trust by the grace of the Lord not to depart from the truth, as long as there is breath in me,"and for his," I said,"I am of good cheer and would rather see it today than tomorrow." I firmly hope and trust in the Lord, that He will help me, and have fixed my confidence in His Word, where He says, "O my chosen, fear thou not; I shall preserve thee in the fire and in the water, and I shall not suffer thee to be tempted above that thou art able to bear." Then they said, "Daughter, you are deceived; your father and your mother deceived you; they compelled you to it; you were under their subjection; you did it through fear; but now you are free from them, and have your own free will; hence, let it go; the king will pardon you; you are young yet;" and other similar words. I said that I wanted to keep what I had. They said that I should advise with myself. I told them that I had my advice with me, and had sufficiently advised with myself.
They told me to think that they also had a soul, and wanted to be saved. I told them that there were many who would be willing to rejoice with Christ, but few that wanted to suffer with Him. They said that it did not depend on suffering. I said that Christ Himself had to suffer: how much more we? They did not reply to this, but said, "Forsake.your opinion; we shall send you learned men into a little room alone;" and asked me what learned men and ecclesiastics I wanted. I told them that I did not want any, but that I wanted to keep what I had. They said that I must be forever damned if I should die in this condition, and that my father and mother, and brothers, were glad if they could be here and repent. I told them that I knew better. We had many more words, which it would take me too long to write; besides, I have forgotten much of it. Thus, my affectionately beloved brethren and sisters, whom I love from my inmost heart, it is my heartfelt prayer and request of you, that you would entreat the Lord in my behalf, that I may finish it to the praise of the Lord, and to my eternal salvation. Amen.
Dear friends, I must yet pass through a great wilderness, for it is desolate and perilous here; yea, I must yet tread through thistles and thorns; but the crown of life is prepared for us; for it is the right truth, and no other shall ever be found. O my dear lambs, do not depart from the Lord; He will not permit you to be tempted above that you are able to bear; for He is a faithful succorer, a strength in weakness, and a comforter in sorrow to those that are afflicted in heart. Let us nestle close into His arms, and cast all of our care upon Him, for He cares for us, and will Himself watch over- us; that we may partake of the supper with all the saints in heaven, where Christ Himself will gird Himself, and serve at the table. Herewith I will commend you to the Lord, and to the mighty Word of His grace; may the peace of God rule in your hearts. I heartily greet all our dear brethren and sisters, and all those that fear God from the heart, with the peace of God.
By me, Nelleken Jasper, a maiden of Blijenberg, your unworthy sister in the Lord; the 12th of December, A. D. 1569. Send me a letter occasionally; for it will be very welcome to me.
It is a fact known to those who have read with attention the history of Holland for the years 1533, 1534, 1535, and some of the following, that the external condition of the so-called Defenseless Anabaptists (Weerloose Doopsgesinden) was very sad and at the same time in a state of confusion; not only through the severe persecutions by which they were scattered into every quarter, but especially also through the insurrection of such as, without being defenseless, also taught the baptism of adults; because these by falling into abominable practices, furnished cause that all those who opposed infant baptism were looked upon by the authorities, as though they also had part or guilt in such improper and abominable doings. And since all who taught the baptism of adults were indiscriminately called Anabaptists, and under this name persecuted alike, it was sometimes scarcely possible for those who saved their lives by flight, to know when some were apprehended or put to death, whether they were of the number of their defenseless brethren and sisters, or not; as also, how many they were, and what were their names.
For this reason there were in those years, and, as may be inferred from history, also in later times, and in divers places, many pious witnesses put to death, whose number and names have not been ascertained so clearly, that they could be placed among the number of their fellow combatants in this book, to serve as patterns of utmost fidelity in the confession of the truth, to succeeding generations.
In this number there have also been embraced up to the present time various men and women who were put to death at Amsterdam; whose sentences came into our hands, while this Bloody Theatre was being reprinted; they were obtained from the book of sentences from said city of Amsterdam, preserved in the archives there. From these sentences it is clearly evident that they were not put to death on account of insurrection or any other misconduct, but simply because they departed from Romish institutions, opposed infant baptism, and had adopted the baptism which is administered upon confession of sins, and faith in Christ our Lord.
Hence we deem it our duty, to make known here also these persons, and to place them with those with whom they in their lifetime valiantly fought unto the end under one banner of Christ Jesus our Lord; and with whom they also rest from their labors, till the time that they shall together, in the resurrection, be made partakers of the incorruptible crown of glory.
We heartily wish that we had been able to give an account also of their valiant deeds, wise discourses, acts of patience and resignation, and every thing that took place in connection with their sufferings and death. However, none of these things have come to our knowledge, having through the adverse circumstances of those times, probably never been divulged by those who could and would have made them known to those unacquainted with them, or to posterity; even as those sorrowful times caused this with regard to many martyrs, since of some it has scarcely been possible to record their number and the place of their offering.
Whereas Grietje Arents, a maiden of Limmen, has had herself rebaptized, holding pernicious views concerning the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the faith and ordinances of said church, and the written laws and decrees of the Emperor, our gracious lord; and, moreover, was banished by the Court of Holland, for the aforesaid reason, from these countries of Holland, Zealand and Friesland, on pain of death, without that she, the prisoner, has hitherto manifested a willingness to repent, but has suffered the time of grace granted by his imperial majesty to pass by; therefore, the judges, having heard the demand made against her by the bailiff in behalf of his imperial majesty, and the answer and confession of the aforesaid Grietje, and having considered the circumstances of this case, have condemned said Grietje by sentence to be executed by water, as has been done by the executioner. Done the last day of December, A. D. 1534, in the presence of the whole court.
This Grietje Arents, according to the contents of the sentence, had first been banished, however, as clearly appears, for no other reason than that she did not believe like the Roman church, for which reason also, since she persisted therein, she was put to death; but why she returned to the place from which she had been banished, is not known; however, we may well infer, since nothing else is laid to her charge in this sentence, that the cause thereof was likewise a matter of faith and conscience.
Extract as above, Fol. 49, verso
Whereas Jan Pauw, blockmaker, Arent Janssen of Gorckum, tradesman, Barent Claessen of Swol, fuller, Jan van Gink, Hendrich Biesman of Maestricht, Cornelis Willemsse of Haerlem, cabinetmaker, Arent Jacobssen, Keyser, of Moonickendam, and Willen Janssen of Zutphen, have had themselves rebaptized, and have accepted the covenant of the Anabaptists, holding pernicious views concerning the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the faith and ordinances of said church, and the written laws and decrees of his imperial majesty our gracious lord; therefore, the judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the officer concerning them, and their defense and confession,
and having considered the circumstances of the case, have condemned the aforesaid persons by sentence, to be executed with the sword and put to death, on the scaffold erected for this purpose in the marketplace of this city; and, moreover, their heads to be placed upon stakes, and their bodies upon wheels, for an example unto others, as was done immediately afterwards. Done the 6th day of March, A. D. 1535; in the presence of the whole court.
Concerning Jan Pauw there is still another, separate sentence, that on the 29th of December, 1534, he was tortured, by sentence of the judges, in order to learn from him who had baptized, and who had been baptized at his house; however, since that sentence contains nothing but this order to torture him, we have not deemed it necessary to add it here verbatim.
Extract as above, Fol. 51
Whereas Jan Jacobssen, of Normandy; inhabitant of this city, Adriaen Cornelissen of Sparrendam, and Gerrit Claessen of Oudenyerop, have entered into the covenant of the Anabaptists, and been rebaptized, holding pernicious views concerning the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith and the ordinances of said church, and the written laws and decrees of his imperial majesty our gracious lord; therefore, my lords the judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the bailiff, in behalf of his imperial majesty against the aforesaid persons, and their defense and confession, and having considered the circumstances of their crime, have condemned the aforesaid persons by sentence, to be executed with the sword and put to death, by the executioner, on the scaffold erected in front of the city hall, of this city, and, moreover, their heads to be placed upon stakes, and their bodies upon wheels, for an example to others; as was done by the executioner; and we furthermore declare their property confiscated for the benefit of his imperial majesty as count of Holland, of those who are not citizens of this city, and of the citizens, to the sum of one hundred pounds, according to the privileges of this city. Done on the 15th of May A. D. 1535, in the presence of the bailiff, Ruysch Janssen and Goossen Janssen Rekalff, burgomasters, and all the judges.
In the public histories of that time mention is made only of the beheading of three men on that day, without anything evil being laid to their charge, except simply that they were counted among the Anabaptists. And since this sentence charges them with no crime, insurrection, or any misconduct, which in that time of violence, when that riot at Amsterdam had but recently happened, would very probably have been done, had there .been any grounds for it, it can readily be inferred that these men were pious persons, who are worthy to be placed with the other faithful soldiers of Christ our Lord.
Extract as above, Fol. 51. verso
Whereas Baef Claes, a maiden, Grietje Maes; Gerrit's widow, Barbara Jacobs, a maiden of Haserwoude, Breght Elberts, a maiden, Adriana Ysbrant, a maiden, Trijn Jans of Munnickendam, and Lysbeth Jans, a maiden from Benskop, have been rebaptized, holding pernicious views concerning the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith and the ordinances of said church, and the written laws and decrees of his imperial majesty our gracious lord, without that they have hitherto shown any penitence; therefore, the judges, having heard the demand made by the bailiff in the behalf of his imperial majesty against them, and their answer and confession, and having considered the circumstances of this case, have condemned the aforesaid persons by sentence, to be executed with water and put to death by the executioner; as was done by the executioner; and furthermore declare their property confiscated for the benefit of his imperial majesty as count of Holland, of those who are not citizens of this city, and of the citizens, to the sum of one hundred pounds, according to the privileges of this city. Done on the 15th of May, A. D. 1535; in the presence of the bailiff, Ruysch Janssen and Goossen Janssen Rekalff, Burgomasters, and all the judges.
These seven women, according to the import of this sentence, were put to death on the same day with the following nine, and yet public histories mention nothing about them; which is a matter of little surprise for the reason that the drowning of those who were condemned to death on account of religion took place at night, when they, with stones tied to their necks, were cast down into the water from the Herring-packers' Tower (then called the Holy Cross Tower), as appears from the description of Amsterdam, by Dr. Dapper, Fol. 443.
Extract as above, Fol. 52. verso
Whereas Leentgen, Jan van Rheenen's wife, Adriana Jans, a maiden from Benskop, Goechgen Jans, of Lubik, born at Goude, Leentgen Hendrix, a maiden of Hertogenbosch, Griet Pieters Mollen, a maiden, Marritge, Nadminx, a maiden of Alkmaar, Aeltje Gillis, a 'maiden from Benskop, Jannetje Jans, a maiden of Utrecht, Aeltjen Wouters, born at Asperen, have been rebaptized, and betaken themselves to the sect and heresy of the Anabaptists, holding pernicious views concerning the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith and the ordinances of said church; and to the written laws and decrees of his imperial majesty our gracious lord, without being willing to repent of it; therefore, my lords the judges, having heard the demand made by the bailiff against them in behalf of his imperial majesty, together with their answer and confession, and having considered the circumstances of this case, have condemned the aforesaid persons by
sentence, to be executed with water and put to death by the executioner, as was done by the executioner; and furthermore declare their property confiscated for the benefit of the emperor as count of Holland, of those who are not citizens of this city, and of the citizens, to the sum of one hundred pounds, according to the privileges of this city. Done on the 15th of May, A. D. 1535, in the presence of the bailiff, Goossen Janssen Rekalff, Burgomaster, and all the judges.
The public writers of those times also make mention of these women, but without stating anything more than their number, and that they were drowned. This sentence, however, not only makes known their names, but from it also their innocence is evident.
Extract as above, Fol. 59. verso
Whereas Pietersen, alias Borrekiek, born at Leyden, has entered the covenant of the Anabaptists, and been rebaptized, holding pernicious views concerning the sacraments of the holy church contrary to the holy Christian faith and the ordinances of said church, and the written laws and decrees of his imperial majesty, our gracious lord, and, moreover, had previous knowledge of a meeting held a certain time ago, at Leyden, by adherents of the afore-mentioned sect, without giving information thereof to the authorities of said city; therefore, my lords the judges, having heard the demand of my lord the bailiff, and having considered the circumstances of his misconduct, have condemned said delinquent by sentence, to be executed with the sword, and put to death on the scaffold, by the executioner, his head to be put upon a stake, and his body to be quartered and hanged to a wheel, for an example to others; as was done by the executioner; and, furthermore, declare his property confiscated for the benefit of the emperor as Count of Holland. Done, etc., in presence as above in the preceding sentence.
Extract as above, Fol. 70. verso
Whereas Hendrick van Maestricht, at the time when the boat, loaded with Anabaptists, was about to sail to Geelmuyden, has joined the sect of the Anabaptists, by the imposition of the hand, performed on him by one Claes Enkhuysen, and has since allied himself and kept fellowship with said people, conversed with them at different places, and advised and induced several others to join the aforesaid sect, contrary to the decrees ordained and caused to be published by his imperial majesty our gracious lord against the aforesaid sect and its adherents, without that the aforesaid Hendrik has, improved the time of grace, but rejected it; therefore, my lords the judges, having heard the demand made by the bailiff in behalf of his imperial majesty, against the aforesaid Hendrik, together with his answer and confession, and having maturely considered the circumstances of this case, have condemned the aforesaid Hendrik van Maes richt by sentence, to be executed with the sword and put to death by the executioner, and his body to be placed upon a wheel, and his head upon a stake, unless it be that the lords, out of grace, be pleased to grant him the church yard; which sentence was afterwards executed by the executioner. Done on the 10th of June, A. D. 1536, in the presence of the bailiff, all the burgomasters excepted, Cornelis Buyk, Syverts, Claes Gerritsse, Mattheus Claes Doeden, Jan Ryser Janssen, Pieter Willemsse Kantert, and Symon Marttensse Dircx, judges.
Extract as above, Fol. 77. verso
Whereas Albert Reyers, alias Oldeknecht, born at Bolswaert, in Friesland, has for several years resorted to the society, intercourse and fellowship of persons tainted with heresy and evil doctrines, and has been found with them in divers conventicles, and has also held such in his own dwelling, where the writings and sacraments of the holy church, and the articles of the holy Christian faith were subjected to improper disputation, teaching and treatment, so that the afore-mentioned Albert, having become infected thereby, spoke and believed evilly of the holy sacrament of the altar and other sacraments; also of the ordinances and customs of the holy church, to the scandal of good Christians, contrary to the holy Christian faith, and the decrees and edicts of his imperial majesty our gracious lord; therefore, the judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the bailiff against the afore-mentioned Albert Reyers, together with his answer and confession, and having duly considered the circumstances of this case, have condemned said Albert, according to the aforesaid decrees, by sentence, to be executed with the sword and put to death by the executioner, and his body afterwards to be placed on a wheel, and his head upon a stake; and, furthermore, declare his property confiscated to the sum of one hundred pounds, according to the privileges of this city. So done on the 12th day of April, in the year 1537, in presence of the bailiff, Claes Gerritsse Deymans and Gerrit Meeuwess, Burgomasters, and Gerrit Meeuwess and all the judges.
Extract as above, Fol. 77. verso
Whereas Ahdries Harmans of Gelre, has undertaken at different times and place to dispute concerning the Scriptures, and to hold conventicles, where the Scriptures, and the sacraments and ordinances of the holy church were subjected to improper teaching and treatment, whereby the aforesaid Andries, having fallen into error and heresy, also taught these views to others, and tainted them therewith, and has also for a certain time spoken and believed evilly and heretically, and does still believe so, concerning the holy sacrament of the altar, and other sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith, and against the decrees of his imperial majesty our gracious lord;
therefore, the judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the bailiff against the aforesaid Andries, together with his answer and confession, and having maturely considered the circumstances of his misdemeanors, condemn said Andries, according to the afore-mentioned decrees, to be executed with the sword and put to death by the executioner, and afterwards his body to be placed upon a wheel, and his head upon a stake, for an example to others; and furthermore, declare his property confiscated for the benefit of the lord, to the sum of one hundred pounds, according to the privileges of this city. So done on the 12th of April 1537, in presence of the bailiff, Claes Gerrit Deymans and Gerrit Andries, burgomasters, and all the judges.
This execution was performed by the executioner immediately after the sentence was pronounced.
Extract as above, Fol. 78. verso
Whereas Thymon Hendricx of Campen, three years ago or thereabouts, was rebaptized, and entered into the covenant and heresy of the Anabaptists, holding pernicious views concerning the holy Christian faith, and the sacraments and ordinances of the holy church contrary to the truth of the holy faith and against the decrees published in regard to this, by his imperial majesty our gracious lord, therefore, the judges having heard the demand made by the bailiff of this city, in behalf of his imperial majesty against the afore-mentioned Thymon Hendricx, together with his answer and confession, and having duly considered the circumstances of the aforesaid case, condemn said Thymon, according to the afore-mentioned decrees, by sentence, to be executed with the sword and put to death by the executioner, and his body afterwards to be put upon a wheel, and his head upon a stake, for an example to others; and, furthermore, declare his property confiscated for the benefit of the lord. So done on the 12th of April 1537, in the presence of the bailiff, Claes Gerrit Deymans and Gerritt Andries, burgomasters, and all the judges.
This execution was performed by the executioner immediately after the sentence was pronounced.
Extract as above, Fol. 93
Whereas Jan Janssen van dem Berg in the country of Cleves, a year ago or thereabouts, was rebaptized in the city of Delft, by one Claes with the lame hand and has entered into the covenant and heresy of the Anabaptists, holding pernicious views concerning the holy Christian faith, and the sacraments and ordinances of the holy church, contrary to the truth of the holy faith, and against the decrees emitted in regard to this by his imperial majesty our gracious lord; therefore, the judges, having heard the demand made by the bailiff of this city in behalf of his imperial majesty, against the aforementioned Janssen, together with his answer and confession, and having duly considered the circumstances of the aforesaid case, condemn said Jan Janssen, according to the aforesaid decrees, by sentence, to be executed and put to death by the executioner, and his body then to be put upon a wheel, and his head upon a stake, for an example to others; and furthermore, declare his property confiscated for the benefit of the lord. Done on the 7th of July, A. D. 1539, in the presence of all the burgomasters, Joost Buyk Sybrant, Jan Willemss, Albert Dirksen, Willem Stitchel, and Floris Floriss.