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
Werner Phister And His Son’S Wife, In The Year 1640.
The progress of the years brought no cessation of the persecution, nor could aught of what was adduced by way of excuse avail anything. This was clearly evident, for the year 1640 had scarcely come when the Wadischwyl district began again to resound with persecution, insomuch that the servants of the authorities there …
350 wordsSECTION 1622Rudolph Bachman, A. D. 1640.
A very old man named Gallus Schneider, from the Seignioralty Wadischwyl, was also apprehended in the year 1640, brought to Zurich, and there imprisoned in the convent dungeon (Othenbach). He was kept in irons sixteen weeks, and very harshly treated, until he finally, when his faith had been sufficiently tried, and bee…
584 wordsSECTION 1623Ulrich Muller, A. D. 1640.
On the 31st of August of the year 1640, there was apprehended Ulrich Muller, a minister of the word of God, in the county of Kiberg. He was taken from there to Zurich, where he was confined in the council house, and a few days afterwards imprisoned in the convent dungeon at Othenbach. Here they treated him most unmer…
659 wordsSECTION 1624Felix Landis, With His Wife Adelheid Egli, About A. D. 1642.
The laudable magistrates of the city of Amsterdam, in Holland, having an aversion to the proceedings of their fellow-associates at Zurich, on the 20th of February 1642, through the urgent request of the Anabaptists, at Amsterdam, with regard to the distress of the Swiss brethren, sent an humble supplication to the burg…
630 wordsSECTION 1625Rudolf Suhner, About A. D. 1643.
They also apprehended a young lad, named Rudolf Suhner, who, though young in years, was old in the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ. He was kept confined nearly two years in Othenbach, during which time he was forced to hard labor. In the meantime they made his life so bitter to him, by severe threats and terrible…
550 wordsSECTION 1626Barbara Neeff, About A. D. 1643.
An old sister, named Verena Landis, was surprised in the night in her own house, with dreadful raging and storming; in consequence of which she was so frightened that she fainted, yea, became sick, and hence could not go with the thief-catchers. When they could not get her away, she had to promise to remain a prisoner…
287 wordsSECTION 1627Barbly Ruff, About A. D. 1643.
The persecutors did not rest, but continued, so that having hastily entered into the Knonow Bailiwick, they fell upon another sister, named Barbly Ruff, who was likewise enceinte; in consequence of which this good woman was so exceedingly frightened, it happened so unexpectedly, that the pains of travail came upon her,…
375 wordsSECTION 1628Henry Boller, About A. D. 1644.
It continued to be a common custom to let people die in prison. This appeared also in the case of a godfearing brother, named Henry Boller,[358] from the Seignioralty Wadischwyl, a man of very great age, and very infirm according to the body. [358] In the last tract he is called Hans Boller, but in the first, Henry, …
660 wordsSECTION 1629Henry Boller, About A. D. 1644.
The persecution of the sheep of Christ remained at this time not confined in the limits of Zurich and Berne; but as a fire of gunpowder, or a flash of lightning, rapidly passes from one place to another, so it went also here; for also those of Schaffhausen, being one of the Swiss cities designated by the name of Canton…
647 wordsSECTION 1630Ully Wagman, And Another Brother, In The Year 1654.
There was some respite or abatement, as it appears, between the years 1644 and 1654, in the Zurich dominions, inasmuch as we have not learned of any one having died in prison, from bad food or maltreatment (though some, of those whom we previously, and also in the margin, made mention of, had been apprehended a conside…
704 wordsSECTION 1631Ully Wagman, And Another Brother, In The Year 1654.
Hans Huber, from the Horgerberg, was first imprisoned with eleven other brethren, for the faith’s sake, from which bonds he was delivered with his companions; but he was subsequently again apprehended, and imprisoned in a strong place at Othenbach; and as he was fettered and chained, there was no prospect for him to be…
679 wordsSECTION 1632Ully Wagman, And Another Brother, In The Year 1654.
SEVEN TEACHERS AND ELDERS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST IMPRISONED AT BERNE, NAMELY, ULY BOGART, ANTHONY HINNELBERG, JEGLY SCHLEBACH, HANS ZAUG, ULY BAUMGARTER, CHRISTIAN CHRISTIANS, AND RHODE PETERS, IN THE YEAR 1659. The little flock of Christ having fled from the confines of Zurich to the regions of Berne, could at…
603 wordsSECTION 1633Seven Hundred Persons Oppressed And Persecuted At Berne.
In the year 1671 there arose again a severe persecution against the Anabaptists, in said dominion of Berne; which persecution was so rigorous and long-continued, that it seemed that the authorities would not desist, until they should have utterly driven that people out of their dominion, or exterminated them. In conseq…
656 wordsSECTION 1634Seven Hundred Persons Oppressed And Persecuted At Berne.
The persecution of our friends continues as rigorous as before, so that we are surprised, that they do not make more speed in leaving the country. Now and then one or two come straggling down; but the most of them still stay above Strasburg, in Alsace. Some go into the woods and chop wood; others go to the mountains an…
633 wordsSECTION 1635Fifth Extract From The Same, Obersultzem, On The 5Th Of January, 1672.
Concerning our Swiss friends, they are now coming this way in large parties, so that there have already arrived over two hundred persons, and among them are many old, gray headed people, both men and women, that have reached seventy, eighty, yea, ninety years; also a number that are crippled and lame; carrying their bu…
764 wordsSECTION 1636Fifth Extract From The Same, Obersultzem, On The 5Th Of January, 1672.
2. A second reason was, that they could not so easily take their departure to other countries, because there are among them many divided families, of whom the husband or the wife is in the church, while the companion still attended the public church, in which case, if the latter would not follow their persecuted compan…
515 wordsSECTION 1637Hans Haslibacher, A. D. 1571.
In connection with the above account of the persecutions that came upon the Swiss brethren, we do not deem it out of place to add the following, namely: That a certain old and pious brother (commonly called Haslibacher, because he was born at Haslibach); was apprehended for his faith, and brought to Berne, where in pri…
661 wordsSECTION 1638Hans Haslibacher, A. D. 1571.
On Saturday these learned men Came to his prison-hold again, And thus with threats they spake: “Thou must renounce thy heresy, Or else thou shalt beheaded be.” Instant he answered with bold heart: “From this my faith I’ll ne’er depart, But firmly cleave thereto; For God accepts my faith as right, And he’ll pro…
652 wordsSECTION 1639Hans Haslibacher, A. D. 1571.
With this he bowed his knees in prayer, And when the Paternoster there, He earnestly had prayed, He said: “To God I’ve given my cause, Act now, according to your laws.” Down comes the sword, when lo, the head Springs in his hat, as he had said; And all the signs were seen-- The sun was red and looked like blood…
653 wordsSECTION 1640Hans Haslibacher, A. D. 1571.
The teachers, of whom, by close search; one or more can be apprehended, shall forthwith, by the Bailiff, be conducted here into our orphan house, for safe keeping; in order that the necessary steps for their conversion may be taken there, or, if they persist in obstinacy, proper punishment be exercised. In the meantime…
678 wordsSECTION 1641Hans Haslibacher, A. D. 1571.
2. Just as little can they be recognized and tolerated as subjects, who will not acknowledge (as subjects are bound to acknowledge), that their authorities are from God, and with God, without which acknowledgment there can be no obedience; but as the Anabaptists will not admit, that the office of magistracy is compatib…
679 wordsSECTION 1642Hans Haslibacher, A. D. 1571.
We herewith also declare and prohibit with equal strictness, that no one, whoever he be, shall lodge or give shelter to native or foreign Anabaptists, whether they be related to him or not; or to help encourage their meetings, preaching, etc., whether by granting them the use of houses or barns, or by aiding them with …
726 wordsSECTION 1643The States, Etc.
These three documents, since we have received true copies thereof, we shall, as much as concerns this matter in particular, present to the well-disposed reader, and accord them a place in this book, for a laudable memorial of what the States General of these blessed United Netherlands have herein done. _To the city of…
562 wordsSECTION 1644The States, Etc.
Besides this writing of their High Mightinesses to the lords of Berne, there was drawn up also the following, to those of Zurich, which (excepting a few words expressed in the foregoing, and hence not necessary to be repeated), we will present here. _To the city of Zurich in Switzerland_: Noble, very respectable, wis…
362 wordsSECTION 1645Copy.
_The States General of the United Netherlands, to all who see this or hear it read, greeting._ _Be it known_: Whereas divers merchants and inhabitants of the chiefest provinces of Holland and West Friesland, have informed us, that they, for the performance and promotion of matters of consideration and importance, most…
474 wordsSECTION 1646Copy.
(Translated from the Latin.) _To the Rulers and Councilors of the City and Republic of Berne, the Burgomasters and Rulers of the City of Rotterdam wish all happiness and prosperity._ Noble, honorable, highly respected Lords, esteemed Friends: It is but a few days ago, that there was presented to us, from the elders o…
705 wordsSECTION 1647Copy.
Which things, as long as they continue unchanged we cannot see, what harm the Republic has to expect therefrom. That some, through pious, or even superstitious, fear, abstain from the magisterial office, and from the swearing of oaths, what will those say against it, who under the truly glorious name of Reformed, foll…
338 wordsSECTION 1648Prayer For The Secular Power.
This then was the laudable and good work of our high authorities in this land of the States General, as well as of the authorities in particular cities; far different from the disposition of those who instituted the aforementioned oppressions and persecutions; wherefore we sincerely wish and pray that God the Almighty …
621 wordsSECTION 1649Advertisement.
When this book had been printed and fully concluded, we unexpectedly received several things pertaining to the last Swiss persecution in the confines of Zurich and Berne; principally concerning, however, the Berne edict of the 9th of August, in the year 1659, and what was graciously effected and accomplished by the E. …
353 wordsSECTION 1650First Part.
_Of the Edict of those of Berne, in Switzerland, against the (by them called) Anabaptists, dated the 9th of August, A. D. 1659._ We the bailiff and councilors, of the city of Berne, send to every one of our officers, preachers, and those who administer any office, both spiritual and secular, in all towns, counties, se…
680 wordsSECTION 1651First Part.
But the preachers shall be edifying, both by being zealous in their church ministry, and by conducting themselves honestly, godly, and inoffensively in their life, so that especially, of the preachers, no evil reports be heard. The duty of their calling also consists principally in this, that they rightly divide the do…
685 wordsSECTION 1652First Part.
However, in order that not again something be lacking in the execution of this so necessary work, even as has hitherto been the case, or that it otherwise be slackened and omitted, through want of the necessary zeal, our officers together with the preachers are strictly charged to carry out this order with the proper e…
460 wordsSECTION 1653The Superscription Of The Letter To The Government Of Berne.
Thereupon followed the promised letters of recommendation to the rulers of Berne as well as to those of Zurich, reading as follows: _To the very honorable and highly esteemed lords, our good friends, the lords burgomasters and pensionaries of the city of Berne_, Very honorable and highly esteemed lords: A very conside…
611 wordsSECTION 1654The Superscription Of The Letter To The Government Of Zurich.
_To the very honorable and highly esteemed lords, our good friends, the lords burgomasters and syndics of the city of Zurich._ Very honorable and highly esteemed Lords: A very notable number of our citizens, who with regard to their religion are called Anabaptists, have shown us, that those of their persuasion have no…
652 wordsSECTION 1655The Superscription Of The Letter To The Government Of Zurich.
The very good example of the aforementioned rulers took such great effect in the hearts of some of the leaders in the French church of said city of Amsterdam, that they were also moved, and kindled with a holy zeal of compassion, to labor in like manner, by friendly petitions, to the magistrates as well as to the membe…
420 wordsSECTION 1656P. Van Braght.
TERTULLIAN’S CONSOLATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE MARTYRS IN PRISON IN THE TIME OF THE HEATHEN EMPERORS, IN THE YEAR 200. Ye blessed and chosen martyrs of Jesus Christ, receive from me also, somewhat that may tend to your spiritual refreshment, in addition to the temporal comfort and maintenance with which the lady, t…
727 wordsSECTION 1657P. Van Braght.
Still, we would hereby compare the life of the world and the prison life; the spirit gains more in prison than the body loses. Nay, the body loses not the necessaries of life, in consequence of the providence of the church and love of the brethren. But the spirit, moreover, makes such acquisitions as are every way adva…
746 wordsSECTION 1658P. Van Braght.
We are not unacquainted with the declaration of the Lord Jesus: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” We ought, therefore, not to fear or be dismayed, since the Lord declares that the flesh is weak; but he has told us beforehand, that the spirit is willing and ready, in order that he might know which should b…
573 wordsSECTION 1659--A--
Abraham of Cholchester burned, 332 " put to death, 533 " Picolet, 783 " " letter of, 784 Absalom van Tomme, 560 Address of Zeno to Candidates, 208 " to the worldly minded, 14 " " " young, middle-aged, and old, 14 Ado Trevirensis, baptism, A. D. 1076, 253 Adrian, a bishop punished, 210 " Corneliss and others, …
597 wordsSECTION 1660--B--
Babylas of Antioch beheaded, 130 Balthasar Huber and his wife, 448 Baptism _in the first century_, 61 Baptism of John, 61–62 " " Jesus, 62 " commanded by Christ, 62 " practiced by the apostles, 62 " testimony of the apostles, 63 " not to be administered to infants, 63 " testimony of the fathers, 64 " _in the …
563 wordsSECTION 1661" A. D. 1090, 254
" _in the twelfth century_, 260 " Waldenses on, 261 " Rupert Tuiciensis on, 261 " D. J. Vicecomes, 262 " Ludovicus Vives on, 263 " Petrobrusians, 263 " Arnulph, Bishop of Lyons, 263 " Hildebert, Bishop of Mayence, 263 " Arnald of Brescia on, 263 " Henricus Petri Tholossanus, 263 " _in the thirteenth century_,…
378 wordsSECTION 1662--C--
Calapodius put to death, 126 Carius Prader and others, 417 Carpus and others put to death, 111 Casper Tauber, 399 Cassian put to death by his scholars, 170 Catharina, a maiden, beheaded, 177 " Mulerin, 1052 Catharine of Thou, 329 Catharine burnt at the stake, 485 Cecilia put to death, 126 Charge of William I.…
407 wordsSECTION 1663--D--
Damian of Algau, 449 Daniel Kopf, with two brethren and four sisters, 419 " Verkampt, 560 " Kalvaert, 640 " de Paeu, 696 " van Vooren and Passchier Weyns, 696 David and Levina, 528 Deaf Betgen, Betgen of Ghent and Lijsken Smits, 615 Decree of Pope Lucius III against the Waldenses, 286 " Ilphonsus, king of Arag…
263 wordsSECTION 1664--F--
Edict against the Christians, in the years 284 and 302, 139 " of Theodosius and Honorius against the Anabaptists, 191 " first version--second version, etc., of above, 191 " second by those of Zurich, 422 " by Charles V, 426 " against Mennonists, 1047 " " Anabaptists, 1063 " " " , 1070 " what was done for mitiga…
448 wordsSECTION 1665--H--
Gaius of Alexandria exiled, 135 Gallus Schneider, 1059 Geleyn Corneliss, 885–886 George Wagner, 401 " Blaurock and Hans van der Reve, 415 " " memorial of, 416 " " consolatory admonition, 419 " Bauman, 422 George Gruenwald, 423 " Steinmetz, 423 " Zaunringerad, 424 " Vaser and Leonhard Sailer, 430 " Libich an…
656 wordsSECTION 1666--J--
Huybert op der Straten, Trijnken, his wife, and others, 1044 Ignatius devoured by wild beasts, 102 Inquisition by Pope Innocent III against the Albigenses and Waldenses, 287 " cruel mode of, 298 " continued, 298 " commenced in the Netherlands, 299 " of believers, 307 " continuation, 307 " mode of, 316 " rules…
655 wordsSECTION 1667--J--
" Segers, letter to his wife, 496–497 " Segers’ wife’s, letter to husb’d, 498 " Segers, letter to his wife, 499 " " " Big Henry, 506 " " last letter to his wife, 501 " " wife, Lijsken’s confession and death, 502 Jeronymus and others, 548 Jeronymus Schepens, 974 " " letter to Claes Schepens, 983 Jesus crucified…
347 wordsSECTION 1668--L--
Kalleken Strings and others, 627 " Steens and Herman, 638 " widow of Anpleunis van den Berge, 727 Karel van Tiegem, 593 " " den Velde and Proentgen, his wife, 637 " Halling, 676 " de Raet and Grietgen, his wife, 696 Klaerken and Janneken, 548 Klaes, Christian, Hans and others, 638 Konrad Schumacher, 552 Koola…
310 wordsSECTION 1669--M--
Macar burned at Alexandria, 129 Maerten the Walloon and others, 548 " Pieters and Grietgen Jans, 710 " van Wyjcke with Lijsken, his wife, 808 " Karettier, 810 " v. d. Straten, 900 " " " " with Beliken, his wife, 907 " v. d. Straten, 1st letter, etc., 907 " " " " 2d " , 908 " " " " 3d " , 909 " " " " 4th " , 9…
506 wordsSECTION 1670--P--
Naentgen and others, 484 " Leerverkoopster, 594 Name of these people (Turilupins), 312 Narcissus put to death, 126 Neeltgen and Trijntgen, 805 Nelleken Jasper of Blijenberg, letter, 730 " Jaspers and others, 832 Nemesius burned, 130 Neon crucified, 139 Nicholas Felbinger, 618 " Geyer, 675 Nikasen Amare at Br…
653 wordsSECTION 1671--R--
" " an admonition, 527 " " letter to his wife, 527 " with the lame foot, 529 " de Backer and others, 547 " the miller and others, 548 " van Eynoven, examination, 552–556 " van Maldegem, 630 " van Male, 630 " the shoemaker, 638 " van Oosthove, 640 " van der Meulen, 640 " van Cleves, 694 " Pieters Beckjen bur…
424 wordsSECTION 1672--S--
Saerken van Duerhove, 830 Samson and Sydonius and others, 223 Sanctus persecuted, 112 Sander Hendricks, Hans de Smit, Hans van Burculo and others, 561 Sander Wouterss of Bommel burnt, 898 Sarah Wanrij and others, 1061 Sebastian Glasmacher and Hans Grueufelder, 430 Second coming of Christ, 31 Secular authority, …
381 wordsSECTION 1673--T--
Tanneken van der Leyen, 529 " " " Meulen, Jaecxken van Hussele and Jaecxken Teerlings, 727 " Walraven, 956 Ten persecutions under Nero, 76 Ten persons at Dortrecht burned, 831 Tertullian’s views, 116 " consolation and encouragement to the early martyrs, 1080 Teunis van Houstelraed, 477 Tharacus put to death, 1…
378 wordsSECTION 1674--W--
Ulli Schedme or Schneider, 1055 Ully Wagman, 1063 Uly Baumgartner and others, 1065 Ulpian cast into the sea, 175 Ungodly life of Popes, 54 Ulrich Schneider, 1055 " Muller, 1059 Uprightness of these people, 312 Urban of Antioch beheaded, 130 Urticinus beheaded, 95 Valedictory, 19 Valerianus put to death, 126 …
453 wordsSECTION 1675*** End Of The Project Gutenberg Ebook The Bloody Theatre, Or Martyrs Mirror Of The Defenseless Christians ***
Ydse Gaukes and Anneken, his wife, 844 " " first letter, 846 " " second letter, 847 " " third letter, 849 Young man burnt, 854 Zenobia beheaded, 141 Zenobius " , 141 NOTICE.--The reader will observe that in this index the names of persons are arranged alphabetically after the first names instead of the surnames.…
356 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.