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
Hans Peltner, A. D. 1574.
He further admonished me, that I should suffer myself to be instructed by the holy Church, which had stood for fifteen hundred years, while our sect had existed only fifty years, for Menno Symons had first introduced it. _Reytse._ “There were from the beginning of the world two classes of people, a people of God and a …
1,310 wordsSECTION 1442Hans Peltner, A. D. 1574.
After I had been in prison twelve weeks, they led me into the castellan’s house, where were the bishop with a councillor, the pastor of Oudenhoof, the pastor of Nyehoof, the pastor of Jorwert, and the bishop’s commissary. After they had taken their seats, they called me, and when I came in I took off my hat and sat as …
717 wordsSECTION 1443Hans Peltner, A. D. 1574.
ANOTHER CONFESSION WHICH REYTSE AYSESS MADE BEFORE THE BISHOP, ON THE 5TH OF JANUARY, A. D. 1574. The love of God, the communion of the Holy Ghost, and the love of the Father, who gave his only Son for us all, keep, strengthen and confirm you and us all unto the end, that we may hereafter come to the Shepherd Jesus Ch…
951 wordsSECTION 1444Hans Peltner, A. D. 1574.
The bishop said that Christ did not say of his own flesh that it profiteth nothing, but of other flesh; hence, since the Lord so clearly says it, we must eat his flesh, and drink his blood, if we are to be saved; for he said that Paul says: Is this not the cup of blessing? Hence you cannot contradict what Christ and Pa…
745 wordsSECTION 1445Hans Peltner, A. D. 1574.
The bishop said that I could not prove it with John’s baptism. I said that Christ himself came to John, and requested it of John. John refused it to the Lord. The Lord said: “Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness;” and John suffered him. Why do you say that I can not prove it with…
1,154 wordsSECTION 1446Hans Peltner, A. D. 1574.
Then he arose and hastened away, but I overtook him in another room, where we conversed for a little while about infant baptism and other things. Finally he said that he could not remain any longer, since he was to stand godfather to a child, I begged him not to do it; “for” said I, “The child is as good as you can mak…
844 wordsSECTION 1447An Epistle Or Exhortation Of Reytse Aysess, Written To The Friends.
Written by me, your beloved brother in the Lord. O dear friends, fear not, neither be surprised, when you are tried by manifold temptations which may come upon a Christian, and also do come upon him in bonds and imprisonment, as I now find, it is grievous according to the flesh, but very light according to the spirit,…
536 wordsSECTION 1448Another Confession Of Reytse Aysess, Made Before The Commissary.
After I had been imprisoned nineteen weeks, I was brought before the commissary of the royal court, who first demanded an oath of me, that I should tell the truth. I said: “The Lord has forbidden us to swear in any wise; hence I do not want to take an oath.” Then he said that I should answer to his questions with yes a…
375 wordsSECTION 1449A Letter From Reytse Aysess, Written To His Father.
Dear father, some time when it suits you, write me something concerning your intentions or purpose, as to where you intend to live, and how your temporal affairs stand, also in regard to my sister, and also some consolation, for this rejoices me much. I further inform you that there are now two other prisoners with me…
591 wordsSECTION 1450A Letter From Reytse Aysess, Written To His Mother.
My dear mother, I wish you the gracious, eternal, merciful Father, and the love of God, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost, as a greeting; and the Father of peace rule in your heart. Amen. My very dear and affectionately beloved mother, who bore me in your own body, and brought me into the world with great pain, yea, w…
1,013 wordsSECTION 1451A Letter From Reytse Aysess, Written To His Mother.
O dear mother, take in good part what I have written here, for it has been done out of love. Know, dear and much beloved parents, that in the eighteenth week of my imprisonment I was before the bishop, where were assembled at least eight or nine persons. The bishop spoke first, that I should betake myself to the holy …
453 wordsSECTION 1452A Letter From Reytse Aysess, Written To His Wife.
Grace, peace, mercy, love, and unity from God our heavenly Father, be with you my dear and beloved wife; may the almighty God keep you and me, and bring us into eternal life. Amen. See, my dear and much beloved wife, whom I took before God and his church, I am greatly troubled and grieved on your account, and pray the…
400 wordsSECTION 1453Another Letter From Reytse Aysess, Written To His Wife.
Grace, peace, mercy, unity, and love be with you, my dear wife and sister in the Lord; may the almighty God comfort you in your misery and tribulation which you have on my account. Behold, my very dear and beloved wife and sister in the Lord, whom I took before God and his church, the eternal almighty God console you …
592 wordsSECTION 1454Sentence And Death Of Reytse Aysess.
After Reytse Aysess had confessed his faith with all boldness before the lords and princes, and had taken leave from his good friends, he was finally brought before the lords and sentenced to death. His sentence reads as follows: Whereas it has appeared to the Court of Friesland, that Reytse Aysess, at present a priso…
907 wordsSECTION 1455Hendrick Pruyt, A. D. 1574.
About the year 1574 there was another pious brother, named Hendrick Pruyt, born at Harderwijck, in Guelderland, and a seaman by occupation, who came and sailed in the Zuyder Zee, on the coast of Friesland. And as a Spanish colonel was stationed at Wurckom, who was a zealous servant of the King of Spain, and a great war…
689 wordsSECTION 1456Hendrick Pruyt, A. D. 1574.
His wife in the mean time giving birth to two sons, the report of it, together with the circumstance that the children were not brought to baptism, brought them into the rumor and suspicion of heresy, so that they, after accusation, in the beginning of the year 1754 (the children being then a year and three months old)…
502 wordsSECTION 1457Ph. Valckenissen.
The words, _concludit capitaliter_, translated into Dutch [English], means substantially, that the bailiff demands [the prisoner’s] life and property forfeited in his behalf. The word _judicatum_ means, that the lords pass sentence. This certifies the same. NOTE.--I have another authentic copy of this demand made by t…
553 wordsSECTION 1458Claes Van Armentierss, And Lijntgen, A Young Maiden, A. D. 1575.
In the year 1575 there was burnt alive at Antwerp, for the faith of the truth and the testimony of Jesus, a god-fearing, pious brother, named Claes van Armentiers, a lace-maker; and with him, a young maiden, named Lijntgen, a servant-maid. Claes van Armentiers, having been imprisoned first, said Lijntgen called to him …
813 wordsSECTION 1459Claes Van Armentierss, And Lijntgen, A Young Maiden, A. D. 1575.
These cruel and unchristian threats terrified some, so that through the weakness of the flesh five of them apostatized from the truth, and refused to lose their bodies for the name of Christ. Having caught these in their net, they did not rejoicingly lay these found sheep (as they were regarded by them) upon their shou…
673 wordsSECTION 1460Claes Van Armentierss, And Lijntgen, A Young Maiden, A. D. 1575.
On the Sunday following intelligence was brought to them, that they should be burnt in three days; and they were at the same time also asked, whether they desired any postponement. Hendrick Terwoort answered: “If it has to be according to your intention, make haste in the matter, for we would rather die than live, that…
675 wordsSECTION 1461Claes Van Armentierss, And Lijntgen, A Young Maiden, A. D. 1575.
First of all he states that they, more than twenty-five of them being assembled in prayer to God, on Easter-day, were surprised, apprehended, and put into the Queen’s prison, where they were confined till the third day, that they had to give bail for a large amount of money, etc., some one going security for it; and we…
689 wordsSECTION 1462Claes Van Armentierss, And Lijntgen, A Young Maiden, A. D. 1575.
We were then released from our fetters for about five days, which, however, were put on us again, and then we looked for the end. After this, two Dutch preachers, sent by the bishop, came and gave a letter to the jailer. Thereupon, on the 2d of June, we were bound again, led forth, and brought before the lords, who a…
670 wordsSECTION 1463Gerrit Van Byler.
Again, another stanza. _Wy zijn, O Heer! nu in den strijd, Och! wilt ons doch bewaren, Van ons vyanden, nu ter tijd, Die ons benouwen aen allen zijd’, O! Heer, ons doch bevrijd! Op dat wy wel volherden. O God gy zijt een Heere groot, Sterkt ons altijd in onsen nood._ After that, the following words were writte…
802 wordsSECTION 1464Gerrit Van Byler.
Mark well that God commands to love the stranger as one’s own self. Who is in misery and dwelling in a strange country, that likes to be despised, and driven out of it with his fellow-believers, and suffer great loss besides? Hence Christ says: “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to…
724 wordsSECTION 1465Gerrit Van Byler.
Neither do we seek salvation in our works, as is reported of us; but we believe that we shall be saved only through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. Nor do we boast of being without sin, but confess ourselves every moment as sinners before our God. But from presumptuous sins we must refrain, if we would be saved: …
707 wordsSECTION 1466Gerrit Van Byler.
That they would also accuse us of being disobedient to the magistracy, because we do not have our children baptized, to this we reply: “We desire to obey the magistracy in all things not contrary to the word of God. That we do not have our children baptized by the priest, this we omit not from stubbornness or presumpti…
666 wordsSECTION 1467Gerrit Van Byler.
That they also adduce the words of Christ: “Suffer the children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of God,” as a proof for baptizing the children, we answer: That the kingdom of God is theirs we heartily admit; but that they are therefore to be baptized, we do not admit, for the reason that Christ did not bapt…
1,000 wordsSECTION 1468Gerrit Van Byler.
That the preachers assert that Origenes received infant baptism from the apostles, this cannot be; for Origenes lived a hundred years after the time of the apostles, as history testifies. But it is very surprising that the learned are trying to prove any thing by Origenes, since Martin Luther so strenuously rejects him…
682 wordsSECTION 1469Gerrit Van Byler.
This is our faith and confession concerning holy baptism: that it may be given to none other but adults that believe, and know themselves what they are receiving, even as they who eat of the bread of the Lord must have understanding and faith, and must examine themselves. Because we thus rightly observe these two sacra…
679 wordsSECTION 1470Gerrit Van Byler.
Thus the perverse have always outnumbered the righteous. This is our open confession before God and all men: that the faith and heart of every one of us is of such a nature, that we do not desire in any wise to injure our enemies that persecute us, or to wish them evil; but we desire from the depths of our hearts, to p…
653 wordsSECTION 1471Gerrit Van Byler.
ANOTHER LETTER OF THE PRISONERS: IN WHICH WE VINDICATE OURSELVES OF THAT WHICH IS REPORTED OF US, AND BRIEFLY NOTICE THE PRINCIPAL POINTS OF OUR FAITH, AS IS STATED MORE FULLY BELOW. We poor prisoners, named Hendrick Terwoort and Jan Pieterss, lying in bonds in the Mersey, for the testimony of Jesus Christ, and from t…
652 wordsSECTION 1472Gerrit Van Byler.
7. We believe in and confess also a baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, even as the Lord Jesus Christ commanded us and ordained (Matt. 28:19), and as the apostles practiced (Acts 2:38), and as they wrote with regard to it (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; Galatians 3:27; Eph. 4:5; 1 Pet. 3:…
737 wordsSECTION 1473Gerrit Van Byler.
We hereby do not consent at all to those who would resist the higher powers, but confess with all our heart, that one must be obedient and subject to them, as we have stated above. 11. Furthermore, to the question put to us, whether we would not be willing to swear any oath, we reply: That we do not find ourselves fre…
443 wordsSECTION 1474A Letter From Jaques De Somere, Sent To His Mother, At Ghent.
_A clear account of the foregoing matters is contained in the following letter, written by one Jaques de Somere (a member of the Calvinistic church, resident at that time in London), and sent to his mother, Tanneken van der Varent, residing at Ghent, in Flanders; in which city he subsequently became a pensionary, while…
719 wordsSECTION 1475A Letter From Jaques De Somere, Sent To His Mother, At Ghent.
Thereupon they replied that they could not believe this in their consciences, and that they would hold to their first confession. Hence they were from there conducted back to prison; but on the way ten or twelve of them (seeing in what danger they were, and that they had a good opportunity to escape, since only one or …
775 wordsSECTION 1476A Letter From Jaques De Somere, Sent To His Mother, At Ghent.
When they saw this they changed said articles and supplication to some extent and delivered it to My Lord of Bodley, who, having conferred with the bishop about the matter, returned them the following day with the answer that he was sorry for their sakes, but that there was no hope at all of mercy, except they were wil…
826 wordsSECTION 1477A Letter From Jaques De Somere, Sent To His Mother, At Ghent.
As regards the two young men that are still left, they continue as firm and steadfast as ever, and daily expect to have the same punishment inflicted upon them. Lucas and I sought, if it were possible, to help them out of prison (four days after the others had been executed), and had with much talking brought the matt…
766 wordsSECTION 1478Jaques De Somere.
I would write you more about this matter, if time did permit me. Hence I will conclude here, and pray the Lord, that he will strengthen you and all the godfearing and lovers of the truth, in virtue and godliness, to the salvation of the soul. Amen. Your obedient son, * * * * * Wherefore, let them that suffer accordi…
713 wordsSECTION 1479Jaques De Somere.
Finally, we believe that he is the promised seed of the woman that has bruised the serpent’s head; we also believe, all that is further written concerning him in the holy Scriptures; and we place the hope of our salvation solely in his death and resurrection. But herein alone is the difference, that we can as yet not f…
661 wordsSECTION 1480Jaques De Somere.
What cause you have thus to think of us, we do not know; however, we can assure you of this, that we seek with all our heart to serve the only God and Christ in a good conscience, and to edify our neighbor as far as is possible to us. Hence we willingly accept whatever the holy Scriptures declare to us, and wish that …
719 wordsSECTION 1481Paul Glock, A. D. 1576.
Therefore those who should deal with us on this wise, offer us this alternative, either temporal or eternal death: temporal, if we adhere to what our conscience declares to be right, or the truth; eternal, if we act and speak contrary to our conscience. But we have a better hope of her Royal Grace, which has hitherto n…
846 wordsSECTION 1482Paul Glock, A. D. 1576.
When he gave them such an answer, they were astonished that he could so answer them in his sickness, and did not come to him any more for a long time, to dispute with him. They also said: “Though your cause be right and good, it can yet not be tolerated, for it has never been tolerated.” Brother Paul said: “Yes, the un…
984 wordsSECTION 1483Paul Glock, A. D. 1576.
When he said such things to them, they looked at each other, as though they wanted to say: “We do ill with such a confession of Christianity.” They then began to speak of the Supper, and asked him what he thought of it. He answered: “I think much of it, when it is observed as Christ ordained it; but as you observe it, …
352 wordsSECTION 1484Matthijs Binder, A. D. 1576.
Matthijs Binder, a minister of the word of God, was apprehended for his faith and the testimony of Jesus Christ, at Neffen, in the country of Wurtemberg, and taken to Stuttgart, and thence imprisoned in chains at Maulbronn, where he was much examined and disputed with, by the first physician of the Prince, by the chief…
450 wordsSECTION 1485The First Letter From Raphel Van Den Velde, Written To His Wife.
Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, be with you, my dear and in God beloved wife; and the supreme Comforter, the Holy Ghost, be with you and console you, and lighten your heart in all your tribulation and affliction, which I well know, are exceedingly great. Hence I hope to write yo…
854 wordsSECTION 1486The First Letter From Raphel Van Den Velde, Written To His Wife.
I would write you much more about it, but I leave it till another time. Hence, my dear wife, let us thank God for his grace. On Monday I did not think that I was approaching such a happy week, and as regards the bruises from my torture, I hope that it will be well; but it must have its time. Be not grieved on account o…
864 wordsSECTION 1487The First Letter From Raphel Van Den Velde, Written To His Wife.
Herewith I will commend you, my dearest wife and sister in the Lord, to the almighty God and to the rich word of his grace; adieu, my love. O you have been such a good and excellent housekeeper to me; O my love, I thank you from the depths of my heart for your great faithfulness and willing service, which you have so …
882 wordsSECTION 1488The First Letter From Raphel Van Den Velde, Written To His Wife.
Here, dear brethren and sisters altogether, you may have heard whether I suffer temptation or not, but I write it only very briefly, else it would take much too long to write it. But the Lord be thanked for his great grace, who so faithfully strengthens me and governs my mouth to his praise. Though the outward man peri…
618 wordsSECTION 1489Raphel Van Den Velde.
ANOTHER LETTER FROM RAPHEL VAN DEN VELDE WRITTEN TO HIS BRETHREN AND SISTERS. I Raphel, wish you my dear B. and C. and K. my dear sister in the Lord, a steadfast mind, constant, immovable in the fear and love of God, that you, by such a constant, strong, firm, and immovable faith, hope, and love to God and your neighb…
738 wordsSECTION 1490Another Letter From Raphel Van Den Velde, Written To His Wife.
Further, dear B. and S. and K. S., I pray your love, that you will take good heed to yourselves, for this new president proceeds very severely--the Lord change his heart and open his eyes. Rather leave the city, for they will watch their time even if it should be a year after this. They have very many on paper, but who…
770 wordsSECTION 1491Another Letter From Raphel Van Den Velde, Written To His Wife.
I Raphel, your husband, imprisoned for the Lord’s sake, wish you my dear wife and sister in the Lord, much grace, mercy and peace, from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the true Father over all kindreds that are in heaven and upon earth; that he would grant you, according to the riches of his goodness,…
786 wordsSECTION 1492Another Letter From Raphel Van Den Velde, Written To His Wife.
Further, my dear wife, I cannot forbear to write your love briefly also, though it is done with many tears, to comfort and rejoice your heart, and this by the word of God, for this must now be all our comfort, even as the prophet David says: “O Lord, unless thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in mi…
828 wordsSECTION 1493Another Letter From Raphel Van Den Velde, Written To His Wife.
Therefore Solomon says: “Beware of murmuring, which avail nothing, for though we had spent all that we have in the world, and the Lord would prove us with poverty, as he did Israel, our anxiety could avail us nothing. Hence we must cast our care on the Lord, who cares for us; for he permitted Israel to suffer hunger, t…
1,104 wordsSECTION 1494Another Letter From Raphel Van Den Velde, Written To His Wife.
Therefore Christ rightly spake: “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also; for the servant is not greater than his lord, nor the disciple above his master.” John 15:20; Matthew 10:24. For the angel said to Tobit: “Since thou didst please God, thou …
810 wordsSECTION 1495Another Letter From Raphel Van Den Velde, Written To His Son.
Therefore, my dear sister, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor. 15:58. Herewith I commend you, my love, to the Lord, and to the rich word of his grace, who is able to keep your treasure, and to give you an inheritanc…
691 wordsSECTION 1496Another Letter From Raphel Van Den Velde, Written To His Son.
Hence, since the fear of God drives out sin, we avoid by it the cause through which we incur death, that is, sin. Therefore, my dear son, endeavor from your youth to walk in the fear of the Lord, so that you will at no time consent to sin, and not forget the commandments of the Lord your God. But fear the Lord, while …
714 wordsSECTION 1497Another Letter From Raphel Van Den Velde, Written To His Son.
Hence, my dear child, apply yourself from your youth to labor and industry, and when you are grown up and can earn something, let your mother profit by it; and always labor diligently and willingly, and do not think it irksome to do your best, to help your mother gain a livelihood, for before she has done it for you. A…
294 wordsSECTION 1498Raphel Van Den Velde.
THE LAST LETTER FROM RAPHEL VAN DEN VELDE, WRITTEN TO HIS WIFE AFTER HE HAD RECEIVED THE MESSAGE THAT HE WAS TO DIE. Grace and peace, love, patience, longsuffering, kindness, power and strength in your faith, this I, Raphel, wish you my dear and in God beloved wife and sister in the Lord, as an affectionate adieu; the…
439 wordsSECTION 1499To Claes Schepens.
The eternal grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, and the kindness and love of his Son, and the fellowship and consolation of the Holy Ghost, be with you my dear brother and sister in the Lord, as an affectionate greeting and perpetual adieu in this time. The Lord grant his grace, that we may hereafter see one …
859 wordsSECTION 1500Louwerens The Shoemaker, A. D. 1576.
I Raphel van den Velde (the writer of this) also greet your love most heartily with the peace of the Lord. Love overcomes all things. Your beloved weak brother. In the year 1576, at the time of the Spanish Fury (on the 4th of November), there was in confinement at Antwerp a godfearing, pious brother, named Louwerens…
279 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.