PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians
Braght, Thieleman J. van (Thieleman Janszoon) · 1,152,781 words · 1675 reading sections
Articles Or Charges Against Michael Sattler.
Pray that reapers may be constrained into the harvest; for the time of threshing is nigh at hand. Luke 10:2. The abomination of desolation is manifest among you; the chosen servants and handmaidens of God are marked with the name of their Father on their foreheads (Rev. 13:16); the world rises up against those who are …
667 wordsSECTION 602Leonhard Keyser, A. D. 1527.
Bear in mind most beloved members of the body of Christ, what I indicate by this scripture, and live according to it, and if I be offered up to the Lord, do for my wife what you would for me. The peace of Jesus Christ, and the love of the heavenly Father, and the grace of their Spirit, preserve you unspotted from sin, …
741 wordsSECTION 603Thomas Hermann, And Sixty-Seven Others, A. D. 1527.
Seb. Frank, in his _Chron. der Rom. Kett._ letter L., gives the following account of this matter: “Having been brought a prisoner to Scharding, he was taken to the fire by three executioners, bound cross-wise on a ladder, and thrust into the fire. When he called upon Christ Jesus the ropes fell from his body and were …
653 wordsSECTION 604Thomas Hermann, And Sixty-Seven Others, A. D. 1527.
_Ques._ “Do you then, not fear death, which you have never tasted?” _Ans._ “This is true; but I shall never taste death, for Christ says: ‘If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.’ (John 8:51.) The rich man tasted death, and shall taste it forever.” (Luke 16:23.) _Ques._ “What do you hold concerning the sac…
650 wordsSECTION 605Thomas Hermann, And Sixty-Seven Others, A. D. 1527.
In the middle of the week she was brought before the Court, and when she came into the hall, the monk went up to her, and held the crucifix before her face, saying: “Do recant before sentence is passed.” But Weynken turned from the crucifix, saying: “I adhere to my Lord and God; neither death nor life shall separate me…
670 wordsSECTION 606John Walen, With Two Of His Fellow Brethren, A. D. 1527.
Then the monk exclaimed: “Mother Weynken, will you gladly die as a Christian?” _Ans._ “Yes, I will.” _Ques._ “Do you renounce all heresy?” _Ans._ “I do.” _Monk_: “This is well. Are you also sorry that you have erred?” _Ans._ “I formerly did err indeed, and for that I am sorry; this however is no error, but the tru…
413 wordsSECTION 607Leonhard Schoener, A. D. 1528; And After Him About Seventy Others.
In the year 1528, Leonhard Schoener of Becklasburg was apprehended. He was a minister of God, and was well versed in the holy Scriptures, and also in the Latin language. He faithfully taught the true baptism of Christ and his apostles, the true Lord’s Supper, and the articles of the Christian faith; yea, the word of Go…
1,025 wordsSECTION 608Hans Schlæffer And Leonhard Frick, In The Year 1528.
In the year 1528, Brother Hans Schlæffer, formerly a Roman priest, but afterwards a teacher of the word and Gospel of Christ, a highly gifted man, was apprehended at Schwartz, in the valley of the Inn, and with him Brother Leonhard Frick. They tried him greatly with many severe tortures, and disputed with him, through …
656 wordsSECTION 609Hans Schlæffer And Leonhard Frick, In The Year 1528.
“O God, I beseech thy grace; do not impute to me my sins, since Christ atoned for them before I was born. Rom. 5:10. I was thine enemy, and thou hast loved and graciously accepted me, and given for my redemption the innocent blood of thy beloved Son (1 Pet. 1:19), though I still experience in me much molestation from r…
580 wordsSECTION 610Leopold Schneider, A. D. 1528.
This Leopold Schneider was beheaded as a pious witness of the suffering of Christ, for the truth, at Augsburg, A. D. 1528. He left the following admonition for the comfort and instruction of others: “My God, I will praise thee in my last hour, thee who art high above in heaven, I will praise thee with heart and mouth,…
410 wordsSECTION 611Eighteen Persons Burned At Salzburg, In The Year 1528.
These eighteen persons, besides many others, were kindled with zeal in the fear of God, and had turned to God from the world and its idolatry, and been baptized upon faith in Christ, entering upon obedience towards his holy Gospel. This the adversaries could not endure; these eighteen were therefore apprehended, and fi…
460 wordsSECTION 612Little Hans Of Stotzingen, A. D. 1528.
Wolfgang Ulman, a celebrated and excellent man in matters of faith, after maintaining and practicing the faith for some time, was burned, together with his brother and ten other persons, all steadfastly testifying to their faith with death, at Walzen, about the year 1528. Subsequently also Hans Pretle, who had been a …
625 wordsSECTION 613Hans Feierer, With Five Brethren And Three Sisters, A. D. 1528.
In the same year 1528, Thomas and Balthasar, both ministers of the Gospel, and with them one Dominicus, were apprehended, condemned to death, and burned, suffering it very steadfastly, for the faith and the divine truth, in the city of Bruenn, in Moravia. But before they were apprehended, they advised the council, that…
298 wordsSECTION 614Three Brethren And Two Sisters, A. D. 1528.
A. D. 1528, Three brethren and two sisters were put in prison at Znaym, in Moravia. There was a Judge at Znaym, called Sir Louis, who greatly hated the brethren, as was manifest in the imprisonment of these brethren and sisters. With stern words he asked the council what they intended to do with the Anabaptist heretics…
537 wordsSECTION 615Nine Brethren And Three Sisters, A. D. 1528.
In this year 1528, nine brethren and three sisters were apprehended at Bruck, on the Mur, in Steyermark. They were condemned for their faith, and taken in bonds out of the city, to the place of execution; but they were glad and of good cheer, and said: “This day we will suffer in this place for the word of God, and off…
298 wordsSECTION 616Vilgard And Caspar Of Schoeneck, About The Year 1528.
These two were beheaded for the truth, at Ries, in the Fluchtthal, near Brixen, and thus died as faithful witnesses of Christ, leaving the following admonition to their brethren: “Hearken, all of you, and take to heart, that God will visit all sinners great and small, who now despise him and revile his name, and do no…
521 wordsSECTION 617Hans Langmantel With His Man-Servant And Maid-Servant, A. D. 1529.
In the year 1529, those of Basel imprisoned nine of those who were baptized according to the command of Christ; six[227] of whom, as they write, were banished. [227] After many disputations three of the nine apostatized; the rest remaining steadfast, were banished. They further write, that at Bomburg, a castle in th…
899 wordsSECTION 618George Blaurock, And Hans Van Der Reve, A. D. 1529.
About this time, George, of the house of Jacob, called Blaurock, having for about two or three years, in Switzerland, but particularly in the earldom of Tyrol, whither he had gone, spread and proclaimed the doctrine of the truth, that he might put his talent to use (Matt. 25:15), and by his zeal for the house of God be…
791 wordsSECTION 619George Blaurock, And Hans Van Der Reve, A. D. 1529.
Several other villains of this class manifested themselves, especially one whose name was Peter Lantz, and one named Pranger. Some went about by night with much craftiness, acted in the same manner, and went to places and houses where they expected to find of these people; but God gave them the recompense which they de…
753 wordsSECTION 620George Blaurock, And Hans Van Der Reve, A. D. 1529.
This evidently came to pass, when these two so steadfastly and boldly died and were burned, for the truth. HERE FOLLOWS ANOTHER CONSOLATORY ADMONITION LEFT BY GEORGE BLAUROCK TO HIS DESCENDANTS. God administers a righteous judgment (Ps. 7:11; Rom. 2:5), which no one can set aside, and him who does not his will, he wi…
868 wordsSECTION 621John Hut, A. D. 1529.
In the year 1529, Brother Vigil Plaitner, a minister of Jesus Christ, at Scharding, in Bavaria, was condemned and executed, after great steadfastness (Matt. 24:13), for the faith and the divine truth. He would depart neither to the right hand nor to the left, and did not love his life unto death (John 12:25), but surre…
553 wordsSECTION 622Seven Brethren, A. D. 1529.
About this time also Carius Prader, a minister of the church of God, in the country of Salzburg, and several other persons were shut up together in a house and burned. A hymn is still extant in the church which this Carius composed. These seven brethren were executed together on the same day, with the sword, for the e…
765 wordsSECTION 623Seven Brethren, A. D. 1529.
At this, a great tumult arose among the people, with spears and other weapons, and each spoke of the matter as he understood it. And thus they died through the sword, as pious heroes, and became a sacrifice unto the Lord, as faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ, A. D. 1529. While these seven brethren were still in priso…
487 wordsSECTION 624Anna Of Freiburg, A. D. 1529.
This Anna of Freiburg was zealous in the fear of the Lord and as she believed in Christ, and was baptized upon faith in him, and thus sought to arise with Christ; and walk in newness of life, the adversary could not endure it; therefore Anna was envied, accused, apprehended by his ministers, and after steadfastly suffe…
532 wordsSECTION 625Four Brethren And Four Sisters.
Daniel Kopf, a minister of the word, was apprehended with six other persons, at Bairisch-Graitz, in Steyermark; he and two brethren were sentenced to the sword, while the four sisters were drowned. They testified with their body and life, that this is the true way (Matt. 7:14; John 14:6) to eternal life in Christ Jesus…
709 wordsSECTION 626Four Brethren And Four Sisters.
Mankager of Fuessen, a journeyman shoemaker, confessed that in the forepart of the summer, about St. James’ day, he was baptized, at George Karniter’s of Kunen, by one George of Chur, in Switzerland, who had been a priest, but had resigned said office, and was burned in the summer, at Clausen. He did not believe in inf…
878 wordsSECTION 627Anna Maler, And Ursula, A. D. 1529.
Elizabeth, sister of the aforementioned Agatha, confessed that in the early part of the summer she was baptized at Breitenberg, by Brother Blaurock, according to the command of the Lord Christ, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. In the sacrament and mass of the priests she did not believe, since it…
256 wordsSECTION 628Nine Brethren, Several Sisters, And Another Sister. A. D. 1529.
About the year 1529, the knowledge of the truth began to shine also in the places on the river Rhine, so that divine zeal and the fire of God arose, which the priests, by instigating the authorities, strenuously attempted to stop. First nine brethren and several sisters were apprehended for the faith, in the city of Al…
449 wordsSECTION 629Two Other Brethren, And Two Sisters, A. D. 1529.
Thus they meant to extinguish the light of the truth and the fire of God; but it was kindled only the more. They then apprehended a man, a woman, a man-servant and a maid-servant. Whoever embraced the faith, and desired to separate from the ways, society and idolatry of the world, was apprehended by them. In several pl…
412 wordsSECTION 630George Bauman, A. D. 1529.
One of the last brethren whom they executed in the town of Creitze, was Philip of Langenlonsheim. When the executioner struck off his head, something flew into his face, so that he put up his hands to it, which was well noticed by the people; however, they knew not what it was, or why he did it. Then the saying went ab…
707 wordsSECTION 631George Gruenwald, A. D. 1530.
“Therefore we strictly command all the inhabitants of our country, and those who are in any wise united with them, particularly high and low magistrates, bailiffs, constables, judges, elders of churches, and ecclesiastical officers, that, if they hear of any Anabaptists, they give us information concerning them, by vir…
286 wordsSECTION 632George Steinmetz, A. D. 1530.
A few days after the execution of the above person, Brother Alda was also executed for the faith, at Kufstein. This George Steinmetz was apprehended and beheaded for the testimony of Jesus Christ, at Portzen, in Germany, A. D. 1530. He left the following admonition for consolation in suffering, to all believers: “We …
699 wordsSECTION 633George Steinmetz, A. D. 1530.
When the third article was read, Brother Pain said: “You stain your hands with our blood (Jer. 7:6); God shall certainly not remit it to you, but require it at your hands.” When the fourth article was read, Brother Melchior said: “To-day we will testify with our blood, that that wherein we stand is the truth.” When t…
451 wordsSECTION 634Veit Pelgrims, At Glabbeck, A. D. 1532.
In the year 1531, Walter Mair, a cooper by trade, and minister of the word of God, was apprehended with two others, at Walsburg, in Kaernthen, and executed with the sword; and thus they steadfastly testified in death, to the truth, and gave their lives for the covenant of God, and for his holy word; therefore their nam…
789 wordsSECTION 635Hugo Jacob Kræn, And His Wife Mary, With Two Others, A. D. 1532.
In this year, also Conrad Feichter was apprehended for the faith, at Sterzing, and much pain was inflicted upon him. He was so racked and stretched that the ungodly executioners and children of Pilate themselves thought that he could not endure it, but would be torn asunder. There were also some imprisoned with him, wh…
543 wordsSECTION 636Christina Haring, A. D. 1533.
In the year 1533, Ludwig Fest, a steadfast witness of the divine truth, was sentenced to death, and executed, at Schwatz, in the valley of the Inn, for the testimony of Jesus Christ. He admonished us not to be selfish. In the beginning of his tribulation he besought us, by the mercies of God, that we should not burden …
347 wordsSECTION 637Sicke Snyder, A. D. 1533.
About the year 1533 there was another pious hero and follower of Jesus, named Sicke Snyder, who, according to the counsel of the Holy Ghost, separated from the Babylonian whore, and all her false, self-invented, imaginary worship, which was all contrary to God, and accepted Christ Jesus; seeking to follow the unblamabl…
268 wordsSECTION 638William Wiggers Of Barsinghorn, In North Holland, A. D. 1534.
About the year 1534, a godfearing pious brother, named William Wiggers, residing at Barsinghorn, a village in North-Holland, near Schagen, was brought thence to the castle at Schagen, for the true faith and the practice of it. In that place he was imprisoned for about eight days, and was then beheaded with the sword, a…
729 wordsSECTION 639Peter Koster, A. D. 1535.
And in order better to detect these Anabaptists, their adherents and accomplices, we expressly command all 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 sh…
752 wordsSECTION 640Peter Koster, A. D. 1535.
“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 writt…
721 wordsSECTION 641Peter Koster, A. D. 1535.
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 of heaven (Acts 14:22); as also our Savior 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 compa…
313 wordsSECTION 642Seven Brethren, A. D. 1536.
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 t…
591 wordsSECTION 643Jerome Kels, Michael Seifensieder, And Hans Oberacker, A. D. 1536.
In the beginning of the year 1536, Jerome Kels of Kufestein, Michael Seifensieder of Wald in Bohemia, and Hans Oberacker from Etschland were dispatched 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 lodg…
692 wordsSECTION 644George Vaser, And Leonhard Sailer, A. D. 1536.
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 Judica, in Lent of the aforesaid year. In this year, George Va…
517 wordsSECTION 645Sebastian Glasmacher, And Hans Gruenfelder, A. D. 1537.
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 com…
306 wordsSECTION 646Hans Wucherer, And Hans Bartel A. D. 1537.
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 a long time, suffered much, and, together with others, who confessed their faith and the truth, fell asleep in prison, after great steadf…
450 wordsSECTION 647Philip De Keurs, A. D. 1537.
In the year 1537, there was at Cassel, in Flanders, a Godfearing 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 …
658 wordsSECTION 648Philip De Keurs, A. D. 1537.
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 th…
267 wordsSECTION 649Leonhard Lochmair, And Offrus Greizinger, A. D. 1538.
In the year 1538, Brother Leonhard Lochmair, a minister of the word, in the Earldom of Tyrol, was apprehended, and taken to Brixen, where a great number of priests practiced all manner of craftiness with him, until they caused him to apostatize. They then demanded of him, that he should go about the country for a whole…
671 wordsSECTION 650Michael Wideman Or Beck, A. D. 1538.
After another eight days, they again came to him, called him before them twice, but did not remain with him long, because he laid before their eyes their rascality, roguery, and unrighteousness. After much suffering and tribulation he was then sentenced to death by the children of Pilate, placed alive into the fire, a…
357 wordsSECTION 651John Styaerts, And Peter, A. D. 1538.
In the year 1538, the brethren Martin of Vilgraten, and Caspar Schumacher, were both apprehended for the divine truth, at Michelsberg, in Priesterthal, and, after great steadfastness, sentenced to death, and executed with the sword; thus manfully persevering in the faith unto the end. They were of good cheer in their b…
603 wordsSECTION 652Hans Seyel, And Hans Of Wels, A. D. 1538.
In the same year, 1538, on Wednesday before Christmas, Hans Seyel of Mur, and Hans of Wels, were apprehended for the faith and the divine truth, at Sandweid, in Kaernthen. After valiant steadfastness in the faith, they were condemned to death and executed with the sword; thus, even unto death, boldly testifying with th…
336 wordsSECTION 653Great Persecution In Austria, A. D. 1539.
In the year 1539, one sister Apollonia, wife of Leonard Seyle, having been with him in the upper country, was apprehended in the Earldom of Tyrol, and brought to Brixen; but, through the immutable grace and power of God, who valiantly aided her womanly heart, she constantly and firmly continued in the true faith, and i…
750 wordsSECTION 654Great Persecution In Austria, A. D. 1539.
When they were again informed of the decision of the church, they willingly entrusted themselves to the Lord, manifested patience in all tribulation, as others of the pious, and made a good confession before many witnesses. While they were yet at Falkenstein, King Ferdinand sent his Marshal, several doctors from among …
709 wordsSECTION 655Great Persecution In Austria, A. D. 1539.
The cause of this great distress of the pious was solely, that in antichristendom they testified against the idolatrous and unrighteous life and ways of the priests, for which, as an abomination, God should once severely punish them, and make an end with them and their sins. Hence, King Ferdinand gave the crew of pries…
656 wordsSECTION 656Great Persecution In Austria, A. D. 1539.
But since God always remembers his own for the best, even when in the greatest fear, and never entirely forgets them, he strengthened some in their imprisonment, so that they trusted in God with a good assurance and hope, that he would work for and show them a deliverance. Therefore they prayed with the others in the f…
490 wordsSECTION 657Anna Of Rotterdam, Put To Death In That Place, A. D. 1539.
The following is the Testament which Anna of Rotterdam left and presented to her son, Isaiah, on the twenty-fourth of January, A. D. 1539, at nine o’clock in the morning, as she was preparing herself to die for the name and the testimony of Jesus, and took leave of her son, at Rotterdam. Isaiah, receive your testament…
836 wordsSECTION 658Anna Of Rotterdam, Put To Death In That Place, A. D. 1539.
If you, therefore, desire to enter into the regions of the holy world, and into the inheritance of the saints, gird your loins, and follow after them; search the Scriptures, and it shall show you their ways. John 5:39. The angel who spake to the prophet said: “There is also another thing: A city is builded, and set upo…
938 wordsSECTION 659Tjaert Reynerts, A. D. 1539.
O holy Father, sanctify the son of thy handmaiden in thy truth, and keep him from the evil, for thy name’s sake, O Lord. Thereupon she sealed this with her blood, and thus, as a pious heroine and follower of Jesus Christ, she was received among the number of the witnesses of God who were offered up. About the year 15…
616 wordsSECTION 660Arent Jacobs, With His Wife And Eldest Son, A. D. 1539.
Even as it was in the time of Esau and Jacob, that he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit (Gen. 27:1; Galatians 4:29), so it was also abundantly witnessed in this time; which, among others, appeared in the case of one godfearing brother named Arent Jacobs, and his wife and eldest…
253 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.