Dear friends, at the time of the apostles there arose seven different sects among them, but the true doctrine was therefore not to be rejected. Now, though many wicked miscreants have arisen under the Gospel, the word of God has not depreciated: he that would be saved must submit to it. Romans 9:6. In the time of the righteous Tobit all Israel worshiped golden calves, which king Jeroboam had caused to be made; he [Tobit] alone adhered to the Lord his God, and did what he had commanded him.
Friends, look not to the multitude, but to the word of God, which will not deceive you. “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm; but blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord.” Jer. 17:5,7. I trust in this, that he prays to his Father, not only for those who were with him, but also for all them who shall turn to him through the word. John 17:20. May the good Father, through his only Son Jesus Christ, give you a true understanding, that you may henceforth learn to know him. 2 Tim. 2:7.
ACCOUNT OF THE SENTENCE PASSED ON JOHN CLAESS, AND THE OLD MAN NAMED LUCAS LAMBERTS OF BEVOREN, ALSO CALLED GRANDFATHER; AND HOW THEY DIED.
When John Claess, and Lucas Lamberts, an old man of eighty-seven years, called grandfather, came into court, they greeted each other with a kiss.
John Claess said to the grandfather: “My dear brother, how do you feel?”
The grandfather replied pleasantly with a glad countenance: “Quite well, my dear brother.”
Then said John Claess: “Fear neither fire nor the sword; O what a joyful feast will be prepared for us before the clock strikes twelve!”
Upon this they were separated.
The bailiff then said: “You are rebaptized.”
John Claess answered: “I was baptized upon my faith, as all Christians ought to be, according to the Scriptures; read this.” Matt. 28:19.
They said to him again: “You belong to the accursed Anabaptists, who originate strange sects, opinions, errors and contention among the people.” Acts 16:20; 17:6.
_John Claess_: “We are not such people; we desire nothing else than the true word of God; if I am to suffer therefor, I demand the seven judges.”[234]
[234] We have in our possession the original sentence of these two persons; but as the gist of the same is given here, it is not necessary to adduce it verbatum.
He was then asked whether he did not confess that he was rebaptized four years ago or thereabouts.
John Claess replied: “Three years ago or thereabouts I was baptized as all Christians ought to be.”
The court said: “You acknowledge it then?”
_John Claess_: “Yes.”
_Court_: “Well, since you confess it, we have full power from the seven judges.”
_John Claess_: “Can I not obtain the full court? it is granted even to thieves and murderers, why should it not be granted to me?”
The four judges then went out to pronounce the sentence.
Lifting up his voice, John Claess said: “O merciful Father, thou knowest that we do not desire revenge” (Rom. 12:19), and he wrung his hands, saying: “O merciful Father, grant them thy Spirit, that thou mayest not count this to them as wickedness.” Acts 7:60.
The four judges now returned into the court, and sat down to declare the sentence, saying: “John Claess, a native of Alkmaar, who has taught the people false doctrines, errors and new opinions--”
Upon this John Claess answered: “It is not so.”
The lords of the court then forbade John Claess to speak, and good John Claess observed silence, that he might hear his sentence. They then proceeded with their sentence, and said to the clerk: “Read his crime.” He read that he had caused to be printed at Antwerp six hundred books, which he had concluded with Menno Simon, and scattered abroad in this country, containing strange opinions and sectarianisms, and had kept school and held meetings, to introduce errors among the people (Acts 17:6), which is contrary to the decree of the Emperor, and our mother the holy church, and which it is not proper for my lords of the court to tolerate, but to correct.