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
Adrian Rogiers.
Further, my very dear wife, I commend you to the Lord, and to his word full of all comfort and consolation, asking you to take my letter in good part, and kindly requesting that you will also remember me by writing, for I am often exceedingly desirous to hear from you. I heard that you tried hard to come to me, but it…
834 wordsSECTION 1382Adrian Rogiers.
Hence, O my dear lamb, let us in all things show ourselves true members of Christ, and think as Paul says: “If we suffer with Christ, we shall also reign with him.” 2 Tim. 2:12. Let us therefore lay aside all malice, and shun the sin which doth beset us, and follow after holiness, without which no man shall see the Lor…
364 wordsSECTION 1383The First Letter From Maerten Van Der Straten To His Wife.
At this time yet another pious brother, named Maerten van der Straten born at Kortrijck in Flanders, with his wife, named Beliken van der Straten, fell into the hands of the enemies of the truth, so that after manifold temptations their faith was found much more precious, than perishable gold, which is tried by fire. H…
866 wordsSECTION 1384The First Letter From Maerten Van Der Straten To His Wife.
Hence I hope that he will exercise mercy above justice over us, since he sees our tribulation, and knows that I, for my part, am not able to bear it, because my weakness is so great; for among all that fear God there is no one so imperfect as I am. For my miserable weakness is so manifold, that I often bewail it with t…
940 wordsSECTION 1385The Second Letter From Maerten Van Der Straten To His Wife.
Written by me, your dear husband and brother in the Lord. I Maerten van der Straten, your dearly beloved husband and brother in the Lord, wish you my affectionately beloved wife and sister in the Lord, Beliken van der Straten, much grace and mercy from God our heavenly Father; and may the love of his Son always be mul…
1,119 wordsSECTION 1386Third Letter From Maerten Van Der Straten, To His Wife.
Thus, O my chosen, dearest love, let us for a little while help the Lord bear his reproach; for it is a faithful saying, says Paul: “If we suffer with Christ, we shall also reign with him, and if we die with him we shall also live with him; and then all tears shall be wiped away from our eyes, and all our tribulation, …
819 wordsSECTION 1387Third Letter From Maerten Van Der Straten, To His Wife.
But, my dearly beloved, let us not therefore despond, though we are now tried in the furnace of affliction, for the prophet says: “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law, that he may have patience in the day of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the Lord wil…
691 wordsSECTION 1388The Fourth Letter From Maerten Van Der Straten, To Anna Servaes.
Once more I take leave, and bid you adieu; O adieu, Beliken, my dearest. Greet from me them that are with you. Adrian also greets you much. Written by me, your dear husband and brother in the Lord. Pray for me. I, Maerten van der Straten, your unworthy friend and brother, wish you, my beloved, dear sister in the Lor…
1,118 wordsSECTION 1389The Fifth Letter Of Maerten Van Der Straten, To Servaes Janss.
Further, my dear sister, I do not, because of my small gift, know much more to write you, but commend you to the Lord, and to the rich, comforting word of his grace. I moreover pray you to excuse the plain, simple letter which I, your unworthy servant, have written, who am the weakest in Israel, yea, not worthy to unlo…
662 wordsSECTION 1390The Fifth Letter Of Maerten Van Der Straten, To Servaes Janss.
Hence, O my dear brother, if you be visited at any time, out of bonds as well as in, be not grieved, nor become weary in the way of the Lord, though it is narrow and straight; for it is better to suffer affliction for a little time with God’s children, than to possess all the treasures of Egypt; for though man, as Chri…
700 wordsSECTION 1391Maerten Van Der Straten.
Furthermore, my dear brother, I pray you, that you will excuse this simple letter which I, unworthy one, have written, for it were better that you would write to me; but in order to fulfill your request I could not forbear to do it. Greet your dear wife, and also the acquaintances, in my name. Beliken van der Straten,…
899 wordsSECTION 1392Maerten Van Der Straten.
Thus, dear friends, when you are distressed, call upon the Lord, and do not let the waters of Marah (Ex. 15:23) become too bitter for you, but remember, that according to Paul’s words we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Even as also Christ teaches us in the Gospel, saying: “The kingdom of he…
696 wordsSECTION 1393Willem De Rijcker, And Christoffel Fierens, A. D. 1572.
From us your dear friends, At Meenen, in Flanders, on the 5th of December, A. D. 1572, there were sentenced to death as heretics, two pious witnesses of God, named Willem de Rijcker and Christoffel Fierens. When they were brought out to die, they came fearlessly, like two sheep for the slaughter. A brother said to Wil…
668 wordsSECTION 1394Jan Smit, A. D. 1572.
[335] In Dutch, _Vagevuur_ from _vagen_ or _vegen_, to scour [and also to _sweep_] and _vuur fire_; hence a play on words, which cannot be rendered into the English without the loss of the humorous effect which it has in the original tongue.--_Trans._ About the year 1572 there was also another pious, godfearing bro…
335 wordsSECTION 1395Pierijntgen Loosveldt, Or Neckers, A. D. 1572.
At the close of the year 1572, there was apprehended at Meenen, in Flanders, for the truth and the word of God, a spinster, about forty-three years old, named Pierijntgen Loosveldt, or Neckers. While kindly ministering to a sick person, she was walking out at a certain time, when she met the chief Bailiff, Joncker Jan …
750 wordsSECTION 1396Pierijntgen Loosveldt, Or Neckers, A. D. 1572.
In the sixth place she was asked whether she did not believe that Christ had assumed his flesh from Mary. But she confessed that he was from above, and had come down from the Father; that the Word had become flesh, even as John says: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our e…
735 wordsSECTION 1397Pierijntgen Loosveldt, Or Neckers, A. D. 1572.
After she had thus been most rigidly examined, they sought through the learned of this world to instruct her for the purpose of causing her to recant; but when neither entreaties or threats could move her, but she declared herself willing rather to die, than to apostatize, she had to go upon the rack stripped of everyt…
474 wordsSECTION 1398Jan Van Ackeren, A. D. 1573.
About the year 1573, there were imprisoned for the testimony of Jesus, at Ghent, in Flanders, Michiel van Bruyssel and Barberken his wife. Because they were not of the world, but had by God been chosen out of the world, therefore the world, which only loves its own, hated, persecuted and oppressed them. But they, as wi…
662 wordsSECTION 1399Jan Van Ackeren, A. D. 1573.
Further, my very dear and beloved sister, I inform you, that at the visit my heart was greatly rejoiced by you, because I saw your great joy and gladness in the Lord, your complete self-renunciation, and the resignation of your heart and mind, in the Lord, for which we cannot thank and praise the Lord enough, that he h…
937 wordsSECTION 1400Jan Van Ackeren, A. D. 1573.
See, my dear sister in the Lord, such is our Friend and Bridegroom; hence rejoice, you betrothed of the Lord, for he that has chosen you from among many thousands is fairer than all the children of men. Therefore, my dear sister in the Lord, adorn yourself with the fine linen of righteousness (Revelation 19:8) in hono…
525 wordsSECTION 1401A Letter From Sijntjgen Van Rousselare.
_Grace and peace._ Written at Antwerp, in prison, I, Sijntgen, who am unworthy, am imprisoned for the testimony of the Lord, and daily expecting my sentence; the Lord grant us, that we may offer up our sacrifice to his praise and glory; and to the salvation of our souls. Amen. The great grace and mercy of God the Fath…
946 wordsSECTION 1402A Letter From Sijntjgen Van Rousselare.
O my sister in the Lord, my desire is, to go and rest under the altar, with all my dear brethren and sisters who freely delivered up their lives unto the death, and are resting under the altar; I hope that we shall soon come to them, for we are of good courage here, by the grace of the Lord, to take, with Caleb and Jos…
670 wordsSECTION 1403Lippijntgen Stayaerts, Sijntgen Barninge, Or Lame Sijntgen, A. D. 1573.
FRANCOYS VAN LEUVEN, HANSKEN VAN OUDENAERDEN AND GRIETGEN VAN SLUYS, IN THE YEAR 1573. In the year 1573, there were put to death at Ghent in Flanders, for the genuine faith of the truth, and for following Christ, Francoys van Leuven (the son of Willem van Leuven. separately mentioned in this book), the uncle of Jan Do…
446 wordsSECTION 1404Jacob Van Den Wege, A. D. 1573.
This Jacob van den Wege, born at Ronse, in Flanders, was a nephew of Mr. Claes, who was a colleague of the Dean of Ronse, in his time, probably, the most prominent and zealous inquisitor and persecutor of the Christians in that country. As Jacob had come to the knowledge of the truth, and followed it with ardent love, …
858 wordsSECTION 1405Jacob Van Den Wege.
Written in my bonds, by me, your dear husband and brother in the Lord. ANOTHER LETTER FROM JACOB VAN DEN WEGE, TO HIS WIFE, AND HIS BRETHREN AND SISTERS. _Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14._ I, Jacob van den Wege, imprisoned for the invincible truth, wish my dear in God…
1,059 wordsSECTION 1406Jacob Van Den Wege.
In the first place, I believe and confess one only, eternal, almighty God the Father, of whom are all things. Him I confess to be a living God, who created and made heaven, earth, the sea, and all that in them is, even as both the Old and New Testaments highly extol and worship him in his worthiness; as an invisible an…
842 wordsSECTION 1407Jacob Van Den Wege.
Thus I confess with the apostle, that the eternal Word of the Father, in whom alone was the light and the life of men, became flesh, and dwelt upon the earth, and they beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. Even as John testifies and says: That which was from the…
703 wordsSECTION 1408Jacob Van Den Wege.
In short, I believe and confess that Jesus Christ was sent by God, and that God testified of him, that he is his Son. Now, he that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record…
691 wordsSECTION 1409Jacob Van Den Wege.
In the fourth place, I also believe all that this only God spake by his holy prophets and apostles, and he himself declared and taught with his own mouth; and confess from this same teaching of the Gospel, a holy Christian church, which is the communion of the saints, and congregation of the believers, new creatures, a…
1,092 wordsSECTION 1410Jacob Van Den Wege.
In the sixth place, I further confess from the word of God, a true Supper, with bread and wine, by which we are to shew Christ’s sufferings, and his death, and also to remember the new covenant, or testament, which he made with his people, and sealed and confirmed with his blood. Even as Christ himself instituted the s…
704 wordsSECTION 1411Jacob Van Den Wege.
But though Christ taught his apostles all this, we do not find it written, that the ordinance was used in Christ’s time by any disciple, with regard to those who having transgressed or apostatized, caused offenses; and this because of the law, which came to an end in the death of Christ, and because the body was not ye…
1,058 wordsSECTION 1412Jacob Van Den Wege.
Let the reader be informed that Jacob van den Wege, the writer of the preceding letter, owing to want of opportunity did not further carry out or write down the articles of faith, though he was sufficiently informed in all, and continued therein steadfastly unto death. ANOTHER LETTER FROM JACOB VAN DEN WEGE, WRITTEN I…
1,088 wordsSECTION 1413Another Letter By Jacob Van Den Wege.
Written with my own hand, on the last day of April. Farewell. Amen. My fellow prisoners also greet you most cordially with the peace of the Lord. By me, I Jacob, imprisoned for the name of the Lord our God, grace, peace, mercy and love from God our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who deli…
704 wordsSECTION 1414Jacob Van Den Wege.
Written on the 4th of July, A. D. 1573. Keep this in remembrance of me your weak brother in the Lord, and do not forget me and my fellow prisoners in your prayers; we will do likewise according to our weak ability. THE LAST WORDS WRITTEN BY JACOB VAN DEN WEGE, AFTER HE HAD RECEIVED WORD THAT HE WAS TO DIE. I, a priso…
259 wordsSECTION 1415Jacob Van Den Wege.
MAEYKEN VAN DEVENTER, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, AT ROTTERDAM IN HOLLAND, A. D. 1573. Not only those of the city of Ghent, in Flanders, of whom we have just spoken, but also those of Rotterdam, in Holland, again imbrued their hands at this time in the blood of the saints. This appeared in the case…
442 wordsSECTION 1416A Testament Made By Maeyken Van Deventer For Her Children.
My children according to the flesh, but, alas! not according to the spirit, here is a testament, which I, your mother, leave you, namely, Albert, Johan, Egbert, Truyken, my dear children. The Lord bless you, as Isaac blessed his son Jacob, that he should be a ruler over his brethren. My children in the flesh, I must le…
1,160 wordsSECTION 1417A Testament Made By Maeyken Van Deventer For Her Children.
Hence, my dear children, press through the strait gate, for strait and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it, and still less that walk it; but wide and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that walk therein. Matt. 7:13,14. Therefore, my children, heed the ch…
1,232 wordsSECTION 1418A Prayer By Said Maeyken Van Deventer.
Therefore, my children, love your neighbor heartily, and this with a liberal heart. Let the light of the gospel shine in you. 2 Cor. 4:4. Deal your bread to the hungry, clothe the naked, and do not suffer anything to remain with you double, since there are enough that lack. Is. 58:7. And whatsoever the Lord grants you,…
672 wordsSECTION 1419A Prayer By Said Maeyken Van Deventer.
But when she was brought forth and placed at the stake, he lost consciousness, fell to the ground, and remained in this condition until his mother and the rest were burnt. Afterwards, when the people had gone away, having regained consciousness, he went to the place where his mother had been burnt, and hunted in the as…
816 wordsSECTION 1420Maeyken Wens.
Written in my bonds by me, The grace and peace of God the Father, and the great mercy and love of the Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who through grace was sent by the Father to the salvation of all those that have died unto their sins, and are thus risen with Christ unto newness of life; and the eternal, unfathomable joy,…
675 wordsSECTION 1421The Fourth Letter From Maeyken Wens, Written To Her Son.
My dear son, yield yourself to that which is good: the Lord will give you understanding. I give you this as my last adieu to you. My dear child, heed the Lord’s chastening; for whenever you do evil, he will chasten you in your mind; desist, then, and call to the Lord for help, and hate that which is evil, and the Lord …
544 wordsSECTION 1422The Fifth Letter From Maeyken Wens, Written To Jan De Metser, Minister.
* * * * * Fear not them which kill the body. _Love God above all; he it is who is, and shall be._ The rich grace and peace of God the Father, and the love of Jesus Christ; may he be your comforter. Though we must now die, we are better off than you who remain in this vale of tears; however, one must bide the time wi…
556 wordsSECTION 1423Maeyken Wens.
* * * * * So persecuted they the prophets. FIVE PIOUS CHRISTIANS, HANS VAN MUNSTDORP AND JANNEKEN MUNSTDORP HIS WIFE, TOGETHER WITH MARIKEN, LIJSKEN, AND MAEYKEN, ALL BURNED TOGETHER AT STAKES, AT ANTWERP, IN THE YEAR 1573. The awful murderer’s den of the city of Antwerp, though full of stakes, slain bodies, and the…
1,133 wordsSECTION 1424Maeyken Wens.
Herewith adieu and farewell. Bide the time with patience; be patient in the conflict, and rejoice in hope. Let me know, if you can, whether you have received it. Always remember me kindly in your fervent prayers. I hope also not to forget you, whom I would carry in my heart, if it were possible. This butter, it seems t…
744 wordsSECTION 1425Maeyken Wens.
Hence, my young lamb, for whose sake I still have, and have had, great sorrow, seek, when you have attained your understanding, this narrow way, though there is sometimes much danger in it according to the flesh, as we may see and read, if we diligently examine and read the Scriptures, that much is said concerning the …
674 wordsSECTION 1426Maeyken Wens.
Hence, my dear Janneken, do not accustom your mouth to filthy talk, nor to ugly words that are not proper, nor to lies; for a liar has no part in the kingdom of heaven; for it is written: “The mouth that lieth slayeth the soul.” Hence beware of this, and run not in the street as other bad children do; rather take up a …
948 wordsSECTION 1427Maeyken Wens.
Thus, my dear child, this way the prophets and apostles and many thousands of other godfearing persons went before us, for an example unto us; and Christ himself did not spare himself for us, but delivered up himself unto death for our sakes--how then should he not give us all things? Hence, my dearest lamb, seek to fo…
733 wordsSECTION 1428Maeyken Wens.
Then our joy shall not be taken from us. Though they have separated us here, so that we are taken from you, and must go before you, know that it was the Lord’s will; if it had been his pleasure, he could easily have ordered it otherwise. Hence, my dear child, be content; he knows what he has determined concerning you,…
660 wordsSECTION 1429Janneken Munstdorp.
By me your dearest mother, imprisoned for the Lord’s sake. NOTE.--With this testament we also received a letter which the same Janneken van Munstdorp wrote to her dear father and mother, who, as it seems, had not yet come to the true faith; who are by her exhorted to the best, and to whom she in the meantime commends …
721 wordsSECTION 1430Janneken Munstdorp.
If I did not want to be saved, I should seek an easy life as gladly as others; for he that would fear God must expect all these, tribulation, suffering, bonds, and imprisonment, and we can nowhere have a free place; for it is given unto us not only to believe in God, but also to suffer for his name. Hence, my dear fath…
756 wordsSECTION 1431Janneken Munstdorp.
Further, dear father, I inform you that I sent letters with Hans van der Dam, but I have not yet received an answer. If I am taken hence, make inquiries whether there is still anything left; it would come my child in good stead. I also wrote my child a testament, to remember me and its father by it. When it attains to …
345 wordsSECTION 1432Janneken Munstdorp.
ANOTHER LETTER FROM JANNEKEN MUNSTDORP, WIFE OF HANS VAN MUNSTDORP, TO HER SISTER; WRITTEN WHEN SHE WAS CONFINED IN PRISON AT ANTWERP, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, AND SENTENCED WITH THREE OTHERS TO BE BURNT; WRITTEN AT ONE O’CLOCK IN THE NIGHT, THE 5TH OF OCTOBER, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1573. The abundant and …
964 wordsSECTION 1433Janneken Munstdorp.
O my dear and much beloved, chosen sister, whom I greatly love from the heart, and this out of a godly love, you have shown me so much friendship, and assisted me in need, that I cannot fully requite you, since I am now but a poor, weak creature, and about to pay all that I owe, whether according to the flesh or accord…
1,052 wordsSECTION 1434Susanneken And Kalleken Claes, A. D. 1573.
I shall seal this with my blood. Adieu, adieu, my dearest brethren and sisters, with your little lamb, and also mine, which I bore under my heart. I have written this for you yet after I was sentenced, after one o’clock in the night; however, it was not irksome to me. I take leave and bid you adieu once more, till we m…
398 wordsSECTION 1435Anthonis Ysbaerts, A. D. 1573.
While the Duke of Alva so dreadfully persecuted, and tyrannized over, the believers, there was also apprehended and put to death, for his faith and the practice of the truth, at Tielt, in Flanders, one Anthonis Ysbaerts, who had been a servant of the High Bailiff of Ghent, and consequently often attended the executions…
761 wordsSECTION 1436Anthonis Ysbaerts, A. D. 1573.
FIFTY-FOUR PERSONS, BRETHREN AS WELL AS SISTERS, NAMELY, THIRTY-SEVEN AT ANTWERP, AND SEVENTEEN AT BRUSSELS, VERY UNMERCIFULLY BURNT FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, IN THE YEAR 1574. After manifold and long tyranny, torturing, murdering and killing of the children of God, it further occurred, in the year 1574, thro…
637 wordsSECTION 1437Hans Peltner, A. D. 1574.
At Bruges, in Flanders, in the year 1574, there were also apprehended for following and practicing the doctrine of Christ and his apostles, one Adriaen Hoedemaecker, called Kort Adriaentgen [Short Adrian] of Ghent, and one Mattheus Keuse, and after they had been in confinement for a time, they were, for the steadfast c…
679 wordsSECTION 1438Hans Peltner, A. D. 1574.
It happened in the year 1573, the 18th of September, that I came to Oldenborn, where I met the Bailiff, who requested me to go with him, saying that he had something to tell me. When we had entered his house, he asked me where I lived. I replied: “In Bechsterswaegh.” He then asked me how old I was; I said that I did no…
654 wordsSECTION 1439Hans Peltner, A. D. 1574.
After I had been in confinement six weeks and a half, they took me to the Poorte, where was the pastor of Nyehoof (who was pastor of Enchuysen) with an advocate. These asked me on what I had determined. I said that I would adhere to the word of the Lord. They then produced a letter, in which was written all that I had …
692 wordsSECTION 1440Hans Peltner, A. D. 1574.
They said that infants were born in original sin. I said: “Christ made us free, and called the children to him, declaring that to such belongs the kingdom of God.” _Priest._ “Flesh or blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; hence we must be born of water and of the Spirit: therefore it follows that infants must be bap…
887 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.