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
Jan Wouterss.
I was tortured a week ago Saturday, and again the following Wednesday. Thus I now bear in my body the marks of the sufferings of Christ; which I might have easily escaped, had I been willing to tell what was demanded of me. I should in that case have acted contrary to the Scriptures, contrary to love and my conscience,…
274 wordsSECTION 1322The Fourth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Wife.
Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and the co-operation of the Holy Ghost constantly be multiplied in you my most beloved wife, for consolation in your pilgrimage, for the strengthening of your faith, for comfort in your tribulation, to the praise of God, and the sal…
693 wordsSECTION 1323The Fourth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Wife.
O how inconsiderate are all those who lightly esteem, yea, reject all these glorious promises because of this brief suffering. Yea, what is this suffering when it is over, it is not to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18. I wrote the foregoing letter yesterday, and now I have just been be…
654 wordsSECTION 1324The Fourth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Wife.
The promises are thus: “Here tribulation, hereafter joy.” Further, consider how joyfully you would have taken my hand, had my parents loved the truth; but now that you and I have seen the day that they love the truth, it is a special joy. Hence I pray you, show them as much honor and friendship as lies in you, for my,…
716 wordsSECTION 1325The Fifth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Wife And Daughter.
Adieu, my only daughter; your beloved father shall be crowned a king by our dear Lord. Hence be resigned and be an obedient daughter, and diligently read the holy Scriptures. Live according to them, and we shall meet again and rejoice forever, without end. Amen. Finished on the fourth day of March, A. D. 1572, by me, …
984 wordsSECTION 1326The Fifth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Wife And Daughter.
Yea, I fear, that it will go yet as Christ says: “When the Son of man shall come, will he find believers on the earth?” Luke 18; 8. O my most beloved wife, I can no longer watch over you by the help of the Lord, nor strive for you; strive now for yourself, with earnest prayer to God. He will not forsake you, though I m…
799 wordsSECTION 1327The Fifth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Wife And Daughter.
O I was in hopes that I should alone seal it with my blood; but another weak lamb has fallen into the hands of the wolves, and this very strangely. One would have thought that she was certainly not in much danger. She came into my masters’ house, and was held. When my time was fulfilled, I also fell into their hands; I…
721 wordsSECTION 1328The Fifth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Wife And Daughter.
But I am also daily afflicted in this, that our dear church--many poor souls--are scattered so, and must wander about in foreign countries, yea, some of them having nothing to lay hold of, and yet the poor children must be fed. O there is a lack of cheerful givers in this distressing time. Nothing special further for …
509 wordsSECTION 1329The Sixth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Only Daughter In Particular.
The eternal, almighty, good God, who by his word created heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that therein is, be with you. Because I sought him in my simplicity, for the salvation of my soul, I am imprisoned by his enemies, which I will forgive them. But though I am imprisoned, and have also suffered for it, I have …
734 wordsSECTION 1330The Sixth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Only Daughter In Particular.
Thus, my dearest daughter, lay it to heart, despise it not, for it is of great importance to you; and diligently search (when you have received understanding from the Lord) the holy Scriptures, and you will find, that we must follow Christ Jesus, and obey him unto the end; and you will also truly find the little flock …
841 wordsSECTION 1331The Sixth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Only Daughter In Particular.
I further pray you, my dearest daughter, that you first of all love and obey your dear, beloved mother. If your beloved mother gets to be an aged woman, always show her great honor; and always do your best with her; it is a commandment of the Lord which has a promise. For if you do not love your dearest, beloved mother…
393 wordsSECTION 1332The Seventh Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Father And Mother.
The eternal merciful God, full of all comfort, grant you, my dearest, beloved father, and my dearest, venerable mother, his grace through Christ, and confirm the love of you both through his Holy Spirit; so that you may pass this short time to the praise of God, as a light to the world, a pattern, to your children, and…
706 wordsSECTION 1333The Seventh Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Father And Mother.
From this it is sufficiently obvious, that the way is very narrow for the flesh, which must remain here; this must be ventured, or one cannot be worthy of being a disciple of Christ. But I trust that with Jacob we shall all desire the beautiful Rachel, namely, the kingdom of heaven, but this cannot be, we must first h…
780 wordsSECTION 1334The Seventh Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Father And Mother.
It is no wonder, that this happens to me; consider John, than whom a holier has not been born of women, and who lived so austere a life, but yet was imprisoned and put to death; yea, Christ himself, Stephen, Peter, James, who did so many miracles, and so many good works, and were nevertheless put to death. Hence Christ…
815 wordsSECTION 1335Jan Wouterss Van Kuyck.
Adieu in this transient world. O that you knew what joy I have; you would, I hope, be still more resigned. Finished this second day of March, My hand is somewhat better again; I bear in my body the marks of our Lord. The faith is kept. I have striven unto blood; in this the holy name of the Lord be glorified forever. A…
895 wordsSECTION 1336Jan Wouterss Van Kuyck.
It is now, out of great love, declared to you beforehand, by your very familiar brother-in-law, before that day comes upon you as a thief in the night; as the warning came in the first world, so it does still. Hence, if you would with Noah and his house be saved and protected, betake yourself under the protection of th…
719 wordsSECTION 1337Jan Wouterss Van Kuyck.
In the third place, he says: If any preach any other gospel than I have preached, let him be accursed. Gal. 1:8. Yea, though it were an angel from heaven (mark well) yet his doctrine must not be received, if it is anything different. How should we receive for the purpose of honoring God with it, that which has proceede…
650 wordsSECTION 1338The Ninth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Youngest Three Sisters.
Herewith I bid you, my beloved sister, adieu. Farewell. Written in my bonds, on the fifth day of March, A. D. 1572. By me, your beloved brother-in-law, (in the Vuylpoort at Dortrecht). Affectionately written to you, my three beloved sisters, by me your beloved imprisoned brother, imprisoned for well-doing, and for th…
810 wordsSECTION 1339The Ninth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Youngest Three Sisters.
Hence exercise yourselves and read the word of the Lord, which will profit you in all things, how you may walk circumspectly in order to please the living God, and to be saved. And then the Spirit of Christ will guide you into all things, and you shall yourselves be taught of God. And he shall with the finger of his Ho…
728 wordsSECTION 1340The Ninth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Youngest Three Sisters.
[331] Evidently an allusion to Isaiah 27:1, where (see German version) two serpents seem to be indicated. Thus, my dearest, beloved three sisters, I will commend and trust to you and my only brother, that you will fear and love God all your life, which will last but a short time when compared to the ages of eternity.…
527 wordsSECTION 1341J. V. K.
THE TENTH LETTER FROM JAN WOUTERSS, TO HIS OLDEST BROTHER-IN-LAW AND SISTER. Grace and peace from God the heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord and Savior, and the co-operation of his Holy Spirit, always be multiplied to you both, for the conformation of your faith, and for consolation on your pi…
1,363 wordsSECTION 1342J. V. K.
Thus drunkards, idolaters, and the like, know how to help themselves with the Scriptures; but alas! with such fig-leaves they wrong themselves, and suffer themselves to be led by the learned like the ox to the slaughter. O dear Lord, I heartily pray thee, enlighten the eyes of our enemies, as thou didst to Paul, who al…
427 wordsSECTION 1343Jan Wouterss Van Kuyck.
THE ELEVENTH LETTER FROM JAN WOUTERSS, TO P. J., HIS YOUNGEST BROTHER-IN-LAW. Grace and peace from God the Father through Jesus Christ, and the co-operation of the Holy Spirit, be multiplied to you, my much beloved brother, and to all that seek their salvation with all their heart, in the name of Jesus Christ; that we…
1,130 wordsSECTION 1344Jan Wouterss Van Kuyck.
A CONFESSION OF FAITH, TO THE BAILIFF AND THE COUNCIL THEN RESIDING IN DORTRECHT, BY JAN WOUTERSS; TOGETHER WITH A BRIEF EXPLANATION EXHORTING THEM TO REPENTANCE. To my honorable lord the Bailiff, and my honorable lords the burgomasters, aldermen and the council of the city of Dortrecht. I, Jan Wouterss, your prisoner…
824 wordsSECTION 1345Jan Wouterss Van Kuyck.
I also confess, that I did not marry my wife secretly, that no one should see it, but before the church of God; for marriage is honorable, but whoremongers and adulterers God will punish. Heb. 13:4. O my God, count it not sin to him who took me away; for it is a bitter cup to me to part from wife and child, because we …
675 wordsSECTION 1346Jan Wouterss Van Kuyck.
A LETTER FROM ADRIAENKEN, JAN’S DAUGHTER, OF MOLENAERSGRAEF, WRITTEN TO HER HUSBAND, WHILE SHE WAS IN PRISON, IN THE VUYLPOORT AT DORTRECHT, WHERE SHE WAS BURNT WITH JOHN WOUTERSS VAN KUYCK, THE 28TH OF MARCH, AS PREVIOUSLY SHOWN. Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lor…
736 wordsSECTION 1347Jan Wouterss Van Kuyck.
Hence we are of good cheer; whatever the Lord suffers to come upon us, is all for our good, for in tribulation he forgives sin; therefore his holy will be done for our profit, that is, for our salvation, which is our greatest desire, wherefore we endure everything, and are patient, according to the example of Job, the …
585 wordsSECTION 1348A Letter To Said Adriaenken Jans In Her Bonds. Sent By Her Husband.
To the dear wife of my heart, Adriaenken Jan’s daughter, out of love, to strengthen your heart Amen. We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29. Grace and peace, wisdom and comfort, be with you, my much beloved dear wife and sister in the Lord, from God our heavenly Father; through the great love of his Son Jesu…
669 wordsSECTION 1349A Letter To Said Adriaenken Jans In Her Bonds. Sent By Her Husband.
See, my fair one, you will be one of that number whom John saw under the altar, who were clothed in white robes; and will help fulfill their number, and the great multitude of whom the angel told Esdras, 2 Esd. 2:45. For when the number, or the company of the righteous is fulfilled, the rewarding will soon take place. …
716 wordsSECTION 1350A Letter To Said Adriaenken Jans In Her Bonds. Sent By Her Husband.
Ah! Jan’s daughter, my dear wife and sister in the Lord, if we were to recount all the glorious promises which the Lord has promised them that continue faithful in their temptation, it would take too much time to write it all. Herewith I commend you my dear wife and sister in the Lord, to God, and to the rich word of …
661 wordsSECTION 1351J. Van Dort.
Adieu, be resigned in the Lord, my dear wife and sister in the Lord; take my simple letter in good part, for it has been written from a good intention. Written with much sorrow and labor. Nothing more for this time, only the Lord keep you in a godly life, and preserve you from the second death. Amen. By me, your dear…
683 wordsSECTION 1352J. Van Dort.
All the property of these prisoners was immediately written down and confiscated, so that the women and children had to flee deprived and stripped of everything, which was lamented by many. In consequence of these things the people in Nieuwvaert were so terrified, that many dared not stay there any longer, the more so,…
747 wordsSECTION 1353J. Van Dort.
Shortly after, when Cornelis de Gijselaer and Arent Block were also led to death to be burnt, Arent dropped a letter which he had written, thinking that some one of the friends would pick it up and get it, but unfortunately, it fell into the hands of the tyrants, who immediately had the two taken back to prison, whereu…
664 wordsSECTION 1354J. Van Dort.
Then he cried: “O Lord, be merciful to me poor sinner! Who am not worthy to suffer for thy name, but thou hast made me worthy thereto.” Finally he exclaimed: “O Lord, receive my spirit into thy hands.” And with this his life was ended he thus departing this world through fire. Jan Hendrickss was likewise gagged, to p…
668 wordsSECTION 1355A Letter From Jan Hendrickss, Written In Prison At Delft, To His Wife.
The God of all grace, who has called us from the power of darkness into his eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ, and married us with an everlasting love, as the prophet says, the same grant you, my dear wife, according to the riches of his grace and glory, to be strengthened with might by his Holy Spirit in the inner…
901 wordsSECTION 1356A Letter From Jan Hendrickss, Written In Prison At Delft, To His Wife.
In the third place, I beseech you to be patient in the afflictions that come upon you for Christ’s sake, for patience is a very good thing for Christians, for Christ says: “In your patience possess ye your souls.” Luke 21:19, and Paul likewise says: “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of Go…
862 wordsSECTION 1357A Letter From Jan Hendrickss, Written In Prison At Delft, To His Wife.
Let your meditation be in the word of the Lord, day and night concern yourself in his commandments and statutes, and watch for his coming, and long for it, and avoid all appearance of evil, and act not as though you might live many years yet, but walk before the Lord just as if you were to die immediately. And let the …
717 wordsSECTION 1358A Letter From Jan Hendrickss, Written In Prison At Delft, To His Wife.
Therefore, my most beloved, comfort yourself with these promises for he is faithful that promised; and wait for them with patience and long suffering: and I hope to wait for you under the altar. Hebrews 10:23; Rev. 6:9,11. Herewith I will commend you to God, who brought Israel through the Red Sea, and through the wild…
467 wordsSECTION 1359Some Examinations Of Jan Hendrickss.
Since some brethren have requested me to write them something concerning what the lords have asked me touching my faith, when I was before them, I can therefore not refuse to write them a little in regard to the answer which I gave them according to the simple fisherman’s understanding which the Lord has given me; the …
680 wordsSECTION 1360Some Examinations Of Jan Hendrickss.
He then asked whether I did not know that I was baptized in my infancy, “I have heard it said,” said I, “but I do not remember it.” “This indeed I believe” said the Bailiff. “What man was it that baptized you, and where was he from, and what was his name?” _Ans._ “I did not ask him what his name was, I had never seen h…
1,449 wordsSECTION 1361Some Examinations Of Jan Hendrickss.
A few days after I was taken below again before my lord the Bailiff and a young priest, the chaplain of the Old Church, and thus three of us were in the sheriff’s hall. The priest then began to relate how he had had a conversation with a man, and that they had had many words together concerning the holy-Scriptures, and…
694 wordsSECTION 1362Some Examinations Of Jan Hendrickss.
Thus we had many words. I said that it was written that the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands, neither is worshiped with men’s hands. Acts 17:24,25. “Yes,” said the priest, “as though he needed any one; for he does not need us, but we need him.” Then he asked me what I held concerning the matter, or the…
878 wordsSECTION 1363Some Examinations Of Jan Hendrickss.
Thereupon I replied: “Paul was then a prisoner, and that magistrate was an unbeliever; but show me once where they had magistrates in their church.” “Yes.” said the priest, “if unbelievers did this, how much more believers.” I asked where the apostles had baptized bells. He said: “We do not baptize bells.” “What do you…
1,013 wordsSECTION 1364Some Examinations Of Jan Hendrickss.
The Bailiff then rang the bell, and the beadles came. I then said to the priest: “If my lord had not been present, I would not have made so many words with you.” “That I believe,” said the priest. I took off my cap and bade them good evening, and they me. And I said to the pastor and begged him, that if I had spoken an…
1,136 wordsSECTION 1365Some Examinations Of Jan Hendrickss.
Then the priest said that Peter had killed two persons. _Ans._ “You cannot prove that to me, neither by word nor deed.” Then he read from a German Testament, that Ananias and his wife sold their possessions; and did not bring all and lay it at the apostles’ feet, but kept back a part of it. Then Peter said: Ananias, wh…
686 wordsSECTION 1366Another Letter By Jan Hendrickss, To Maerten Janss, His Fellow-Prisoner.
Written by me, JAN HENDRICKSS. The eternal God of all grace, who has called us with a heavenly calling, from the power of Satan into his eternal, marvelous kingdom, strengthen and confirm you, my brother Maerten Janss, with his holy word, and give you the power of the Spirit, that you may be able to resist all the wic…
716 wordsSECTION 1367Another Letter By Jan Hendrickss, To Maerten Janss, His Fellow-Prisoner.
Behold, my dear brother, thus it is also with us now; the great temptation and vexation, conflicts without, and fears within, which happen to us daily, these are our pains which precede delivery, whereby we may perceive, that the time of delivery is fast approaching; but as soon as we are delivered, then we shall remem…
1,022 wordsSECTION 1368Jan Hendrickss.
Written, A. D. 1572, in my bonds, by me, ANOTHER LETTER FROM JAN HENDRICKSS TO POUWELS AND AECHTGEN, HIS BROTHER AND SISTER, FOR AN ADMONITION TO THEM, AND FINALLY FOR A FAREWELL. The God of all grace, who has called us from the power of darkness into his eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord, grant you acco…
712 wordsSECTION 1369Jan Hendrickss.
In short, conduct yourselves so according to your weakness, that no one may justly have much to complain of you. And serve the Lord with all your heart and purpose; incline your thoughts to God, and let your eyes ever be upon him, even as the eyes of the servant are upon his master, and the eyes of a maiden upon her mi…
896 wordsSECTION 1370Jan Hendrickss.
Dear brother and sister, my heart’s great desire of you is, that you have an eye upon our brothers Cornelis H. and Jacob H., and our sister Leentgen H., and direct them in the fear of God as much as you can. But above all, have your eye upon my children, and show them and my wife as much love as you can; for my glass i…
874 wordsSECTION 1371Hans Knevel, A. D. 1572.
[334] Thus spake also the enemies of the prophet Amos, saying: Amos hath conspired [against thee in the midst of the house of Israel:] the land is not able to bear all his words. Amos 7:10. And thus it was also said of Christ: “He perverts the nation.” Luke 23:2. Thus extracted from the book of criminal sentences o…
844 wordsSECTION 1372Hans Knevel, A. D. 1572.
Hans said that he was well satisfied, and thus they parted. Afterwards these prisoners of the Lord were for three consecutive days brought before a priest, who endeavored with all his might to make them believe his false doctrine, telling them many things concerning their old custom, which this friend of God did not de…
712 wordsSECTION 1373Hans Knevel, A. D. 1572.
* * * * * Persecuted, but not forsaken. 2 Cor. 4:9. MATTHEUS BERNAERTS, CALLED MATTHEUS VAN LINCKEN, ADRIAEN ROGIERS, MAERTEN VAN DER STRATEN, AND DINGENTGEN OF HONSCHOTEN, A. D, 1572. In the year 1572, the 4th of December, there were burned at Ghent in Flanders, in the Friday Market, for the testimony of Jesus, wit…
745 wordsSECTION 1374Hans Knevel, A. D. 1572.
In short, I believe and confess with many saints of God, that Christ is the Son of the living God, even as Peter confessed him, with many apostles, Nathanael, Martha, the thief, the angel Gabriel, the Father from high heaven, and many Christian witnesses. This only Son of God revealed and made known to us the will of t…
1,352 wordsSECTION 1375Hans Knevel, A. D. 1572.
Thus the children of God are called and chosen from this dark, wicked world to the light of Jesus Christ, that their works, which are done in God, may reprove the world and bring to light its wickedness; therefore they are enraged against them, after the manner of Cain. Because Abel’s sacrifice was acceptable before th…
865 wordsSECTION 1376Hans Knevel, A. D. 1572.
Dear children, be faithful wherever you live, or wherever you are be good and faithful to all men; and beware of stealing, for thieves have no place in the kingdom of God, for it is an abominable, great sin; hence let neither your eye nor your heart covet ought of that which is not yours, for a thief is nowhere liked, …
782 wordsSECTION 1377Hans Knevel, A. D. 1572.
Herewith I will now bid adieu to my dear children and take my leave from them; the Lord grant them his abundant, rich blessing, that they may grow up in a becoming godly life, and increase in the knowledge of Christ. O my dear children, neglect not to thank your Lord and God before eating and drinking (Deuteronomy 8:1…
317 wordsSECTION 1378Mattheus Bernaerts.
A THANKSGIVING BEFORE AND AFTER EATING, WHICH MATTHEUS BERNAERTS, CALLED VAN LINCKEN, COMPOSED IN HIS PRISON AND SENT TO HIS CHILDREN. _Before eating._ O taste and see that the Lord is good, who has created these creatures, and given them to those that believe, to be used by them with thanksgiving, to the praise and …
708 wordsSECTION 1379Mattheus Bernaerts.
Therefore, my dear wife, let us bear our cross patiently for a little while yet; and let us consider how much our dear Lord suffered for us, even as the prophet says: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we estee…
618 wordsSECTION 1380Another Letter By Said Adrian Rogiers, Written In Prison To His Wife.
An affectionate loving salutation to you my most dearly beloved wife, whom I wedded before God and his glorious church. Further, after all proper and Christian salutation, let me please inform your love, that I, the Lord be forever praised, am in tolerably good health according to the flesh, and according to the spiri…
961 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.