The Persecution by the Duke De Alva, in the Netherlands — The Netherlands

THE PERSECUTION BY THE DUKE DE ALVA, IN THE NETHERLANDS.

WHEN the light of the gospel was much spread abroad in the Netherlands, King Philip of Spain sent the Duke de Alva with a great army to root out the professors of it, who exercised unparalleled cruelty against all sorts of persons, both of the nobility and commons, permitting his. soldiers to ravish honest matrons and virgins, many times causing their husbands and parents to stand by and behold it. This duke, on a time, boasted at his own table, that he had been diligent to root out heresy; and that, besides those which he had slain in the war, in the space of six years he had put above 18,OOO persons into the hands of the common hangman.

His son, Don Frederic, being sent by him to Zutphen, was received by the burghers, without any opposition. He was no sooner entered, but he fell to murder, hang, and drown many of the inhabitants, spewing infinite cruelties upon wives and virgins, not sparing infants. From thence marching to Naerden, in Holland, the inhabitants made an agreement with him, and he entered the town peaceably. But never did Turks or Scythians commit more abominable cruelties; for when the burghers had given the best entertainment they could to him and his soldiers, he caused it to be proclaimed, that they should all assemble themselves together in the chapel of the hospital, where they should be made acquainted with the laws, according to which they should hereafter govern themselves. But when these poor people were thus assembled, he commanded his soldiers to murder them all, without sparing one. The men were massacred. The women were first ravished, and then murdered. The children and infants had their throats cut. In some houses they tied the inhabitants to posts, and then set fire to the houses, and burnt them alive. So that in the whole town, neither man, wife, maid, nor child, old nor young, were spared. At last the town was wholly razed to the ground.

After this, Don Frederic besieged Haerlem, which held out against him for a long time, but at last, their provision being spent, they lived upon. the flesh of horses, dogs, cats, and such like. At last, this also failing them, they were forced to surrender the town upon composition, by which they were to pay 24O,OOO florins, to redeem themselves and town from spoil. Don Frederic, having thus got the town into his hands, commanded, that at the tolling of the great bell all the burghers and soldiers should bring in their arms into the state-house; that the townsmen should go into the cloyster of Zyel, the women into the cathedral-church, and the soldiers into another church. This done, all the ensign bearers were singled out and imprisoned, and whilst the poor burghers were guarded in the church, the perfidious Spaniards plundered their houses. The next day Don Frederic caused 3OO men to be hanged and beheaded. The next day Captain Riperda and his lieutenant were beheaded, and a godly minister, called Stcnibach, was hanged, and 247 soldiers were drowned in the sea of Haerlem. The next day a great number were executed, and the day following 3OO more soldiers and burghers lost their heads, and with them a godly minister, called Simon Simonson. Presently after three of the principal men lost their heads, and shortly after all the English and Scotch were beheaded before the hospital door. In the mean time a party of soldiers that lay without in a sconce, were all starved to death.

Not long before, the strong town of Valenciennes, in Hainault, having set up the free exercise of the reformed religion amongst its inhabitants, was besieged by an army under the Seignior of Noircarmes. The siege lasted about three months; and the citizens having no hopes of relief, at last treated, and surrendered the city upon good conditions. But Noircarmes, being entered, he kept the city gates shut for several days, and most perfidiously hanged all the French soldiers, with all the ministers and Protestant merchants, and confiscated their goods.

Hitherto we have seen an account of the general persecution; let us now take a view of some particular martyrs. In 156O, there was in Flanders one JOHN HERWIN, a soldier, of a very dissolute life. God having put it into his heart to go into England, he accordingly came to London, in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign, and by God's good providence was entertained in a brewer's family, where both master and servants feared God. His master caused him to go often to the Dutch church, where, by the ministry of the Word, he first began to taste, and afterwards more and more to increase in the saving knowledge

of CHRIST. And after a while he returned back into Flanders, and was laid wait for by the popish bailiff at Furne.

This occasioned his removal to Honscot. The bailiff, being informed of him there also, went in the night with his serjeants, and apprehended him. By the way they met with some drunkards in the streets; whereupon the bailiff said, " They say, we have many gospellers in this town, but it little appears by these disorders." Herwin hearing him, said, " Is drunkenness a sin, Mr. Bailiff The bailiff answered, " What of that" Herwin replied, "Why then do you not commit these men to prison, seeing it is your officeto punish vice, and protect them that fear God" To this the bailiff answered not. Then Herwin was put into prison, where he behaved himself so virtuously, that every one admired him. It being somewhat long before he was called before the magistrate, he was much troubled at it, his heart being inflamed with an holy zeal to confess Jesus CHRIST before his judges. Yet many of the brethren were very fearful off him, considering what his former life had been, and what a novice he was, as yet, in the profession of the gospel. At last, according to his heart's desire, he was brought before the sheriff.

There was a priest provided to dispute with him; to whose questions Herwin answered, with such soundness of judgment and modesty, that it easily appeared, he had profited well in CHRIST's school. He admonished his judges to examine the doctrine of the church of Rome by the true touchstone of God's Word, whereby they might easily see how contrary it was to the Scriptures. Having made a confession of his faith, he craved justice one way or other; but they still urged him to, recant. To which he answered, "My faith is not built upon man's opinion, but the Lord has taught me to eschew evil, and to do good." He was then returned to prison.

In prison he used to recreate himself by singing of psalms, and the people often flocked together to the prison door, to hear him. This so enraged the popish clergy, that they sought to hinder him from singing; and for this end, they caused two desperate malefactors to be put into the same room with him. But within a few days, these villains broke prison and escaped, leaving Herwin' an opportunity to escape also; but he, fearing that his flight might be prejudicial to other godly persons in the city, upon whom it would be charged, resolved rather to remain there, than to flee. Presently after, news was brought him, that sentence of death was passed upon him; whereupon he thanked God for advancing him to so high an honor, as to be accounted worthy to suffer for his name.. He testified the joy which he felt in his soul, by a letter he wrote to the Brethren, wherein he exhorted them to constancy, and perseverance in the doctrine of the truth, which they had received from God. Within a few days after, he was carried forth to hear his sentence at which time the magistrate, by earnest entreaties, and large promises, sought to bring him to a recantation; promising, that thereupon he should be presently released. Herwin, refusing their offer of life upon those terms, was bound and carried into a chapel, where they celebrated the mass; but he, to show his detestation of their idolatry, turned his back, winked with his eyes, and stopped his ears. At the elevation of the host, one asked him, if Jesus CHRIST was not now between the priest's hands To which he answered, " No, he is in heaven, at the right hand of his Father." Then sentence of death was read against him.

As he was going to execution, he said to the people, See here, how this wicked world rewards the poor servants of Jesus CHRIST. Whilst I was a drunkard, a player at cards and dice, living in all dissoluteness and ungodly behavior, I was never in danger of these bonds; yea, then I was counted a good fellow, and at that time, who but I But no sooner I began, through God's grace, to seek after a godly life, than presently the world made war upon me, and became mine enemy. Yet this discouraged me not; for the servant is not better than his Lord. Seeing they persecuted him, no question but they will persecute us." At the place of execution, one gave him his hand, and comforted him. Then he began to sing the 3Oth psalm, whereupon a friar interrupted him, saying, " Oh John, turn, there is yet time and space." The martyr, disregarding his words, turned his back upon him; and some of the company said to the friar, " Turn You, you hypocrite." Then Herwin finished his psalm, many joining with him therein. Then said the friar,

" Be not offended, good people, to hear this heretic sing of God." The people answered, " Hold thy peace, you Balaamite, here is nobody offended." There were present at least 4OO, that encouraged the martyr to continue to the end, as he had well begun. He answered, "Brethren, I fight under the standard, and in the quarrel of my great Lord and Captain Jesus CHRIST." Then he prayed, and so went into the cabin made with faggots, saying to the people, " I am now going to be sacrificed. Follow ye me, when God of his goodness shall call you to it." He was then first strangled, and afterwards burnt to ashes.

In 1561, one JOHN DE BOSCANE was apprehended in Antwerp, who, for his constancy in religion, was condemned to death. But the magistrate fearing an uproar if he should put him to death publicly, (knowing. that he was a man free of speech, and beloved of the people) resolved for this cause to drown him secretly in the prison. For this end, a tub with water was provided, and an executioner sent to drown him. But the water was so shallow, and the martyr so tall, that he could not possibly be drowned therein. Then the executioner gave him many wounds and stabs with a dagger, and so this holy martyr ended his life. About the same time, another servant of Jesus CHRIST, whose name was JOHN DE BUISONS, having made a bold confession of his faith, was in the same city sentenced to death: and because they durst not execute him publicly, they sent and beheaded him privately in prison.

In 1568, there were apprehended in Antwerp, one SCOBLANT, JOHN DE HUES, JORIS COOMANS, who, being cast into prison, were very joyful, confessing that nothing befell them, but by God's Divine providence. In a letter, which they wrote to the brethren, were these words, Seeing it is the will of God that we should suffer for his name, and in the quarrel of his gospel, we certify you, dear brethren, that we are joyful. And however the flesh continually rebels against the Spirit, counselling ever and anon according to the advice of the old serpent, yet we are all assured, that CHRIST, who has bruised, and will still bruise the serpent's head, will not leave us comfortless. We are indeed sometimes pricked in the heel; yet we are not discouraged, but keep our faith close to the promises of God. Be not therefore dismayed for our bonds and imprisonment, for it is the good will of God towards us; and therefore we pray that he will give us grace to persevere constantly unto the end." Shortly After, Scoblant was brought to his trial, where he made a good confession of his faith, and so was condemned. Returning to prison, he earnestly requested the-jailor that he would not suffer the friars to come and trouble him: " For," said he, a they can do me no good, seeing the Lord has already sealed up the assurance of my salvation in my heart, by his Holy Spirit. I am now going to my spouse, and putting off this earthly mantle, to enter into his celestial glory, where I shall be freed from all superstitions. Would to God that I might be the last that these tyrants should put to death, and that their thirst. might be so quenched with my blood, that the poor church of CHRIST might henceforth enjoy rest and quiet." Before he went forth to execution, he sung the 4Oth psalm with his fellow-prisoners, then said the Lord's prayer, and so kissing each other, they commended one another unto God with many tears. Being led forth and tied to the stake, he was burned alive, calling upon the name of the Lord.

JOHN HUES died in prison, whereupon Joris wrote thus to his friends, " Brethren, I am now left alone, whereas we were three in number. John Hues is now dead in the Lord:' and yet I am not altogether alone, seeing the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is with me. He is my exceeding great reward, and will not fail to reward me so soon as I shall have laid down this earthly tabernacle. Pray unto God that he will strengthen me to the end; for every hour I expect the dissolution of this house of clay." When he was brought before the judges, and examined of his faith, he answered freely, and proved what he said by the holy Scriptures. Being asked, whether he was resolved to die for the faith which he professed, he answered, " I will not only venture to give my body, but my soul also for the confirmation of it." Being condemned, he was shortly after burnt, dying with much comfort.

The persecution growing hot in Flanders, one GILES ANNIC$, and JOHN his son, removed to Emden. But by reason of their sudden departure, they could not take their wives with them; whereupon in the year 1568,they returned back to fetch their wives, who were at Renay. On account of the danger, they durst not go into the town openly, but took up their lodging in the evening at an honest man's house, called Lewis Meulin. That very night, the enemies had appointed to make a secret search after such as professed the gospel. As they passed by this house, they saw the light of a candle in it; wherefore they forced open the door, and took these two, together with their host, prisoners; God having appointed them to bear witness to his truth. After they had been in prison a while, they were all three condemned for heretics; and presently after, Giles, the father, was burned. John, the son, being fetched to execution, when he saw the man that first apprehended him, he called to him, saying, " I forgive thee my death:" and so he, with Lewis Meulin, were both beheaded.

About the same time there was also a godly widow apprehended and cast into prison. Her crime was, that about two years before she had suffered a minister to preach in an out-house on the backside of her dwelling. She was very charitable in relieving the poor, and every way showed the fruits of a true saving faith. After seven months' imprisonment, she was condemned to die, and a priest coming to hear her confession, she spoke to him with such a divine grace, and with a spirit so replenished with zeal, that he went from her with tears trickling down his cheeks, saying, " I came to comfort you, but I have more need to be comforted of you." When she was carried to execution, she went with much boldness and joy of heart, and having her head cut off, sweetly slept in the Lord.

There was also one CHRISTOPHER GAUDERIN, that at first was brought up under the abbot of Henane; but the abbot dying, he betook himself to the weaving of linen, and quickly grew expert in his trade. But having been trained up in a bad school, when the Sabbath came, he spent riotously what he had gotten all the week. Through God's mercy, it so fell out, that a godly man working with him, would often tell him of the danger of his present condition, exhorting him rather to distribute his gettings to the poor, assuring him, that if he spent his money so wastefully, God would call him to account for it. These, with the like exhortations, wrought so upon him, by the grace of GOD, that he began to change his course, and instead of frequenting taverns, he became a diligent hearer of sermons, and gave himself much to reading of the holy Scriptures; so that not long after, he was called by the church to the office of a deacon, which he discharged carefully and faithfully. Shortly after, having occasion to go to a place called Oudenard, to distribute some alms to the poor there, he was apprehended. The bailiff, who had formerly seen him in the abbot's house, asked him, how he came to turn heretic " Nay," said he, " I am no heretic, but a right believing Christian, and what I learned of him, I am now ashamed to remember." In prison he had many disputes about his faith, which he so maintained and defended, by the Word of GOD, that he silenced all his adversaries. Some told him, that he would cast himself away in his youth, being but 3O years old. He answered, "Man's life consists but of two days; the day of his birth, and the day of his death, and therefore he must needs die once. And for my part, I am now willing by death to pass into eternal life."

When news was brought him in the evening, that he must die the next day, he retired, and poured out his soul in prayer unto God till ten o'clock. After he had rested, he did the like the next morning. Having ended his prayer, he put on a clean shirt, and washed himself, saying to his fellow prisoners, " Brethren, I am now going to be married; I hope, ere noon, to drink of the wine of the kingdom of heaven." When he came down, he found three other prisoners that were to suffer with him. These four exhorted and encouraged one another to suffer patiently. Then came a friar, saying, That he came to convert then." To whom CHRISTopher said, "Away from us, you seducer of souls, for we have nothing to do with thee." The hangman coining to put gags in their mouths, one of them said, " What shall

we not have liberty at this our last hour to praise God with our tongues" CHRISTopher answered, " Let not this discourage us, the more wrong our enemies do to us, the more assistance we shall find from God;" and so ceased not to comfort them, till himself was gagged also. Their sentence was, that they should be hanged for hearing sermons; and so with admirable constancy, they yielded up their souls to God. One of them, being a woman, was condemned to be beheaded, because she had sung psalms, and exhorted her neighbors out of the Word of God. Her body was grown very feeble, so that she was caused to sit on a stool, where she received three blows with a sword; yet she constantly sat till she received the crown of martyrdom.

About the same time there was in a town, a mile distant from Ghent, a minister, whom it pleased the Lord to illuminate with the saving knowledge of his gospel. Whereupon he became a diligent and faithful preacher of it, both in his life and doctrine; yea, he went from house to house, exhorting and comforting every one as he had occasion, out of the Word of God; and above all, laboring with them to beware of the abominable superstitions of the papacy. The popish clergy of Ghent, having intelligence thereof, fearing lest by this means, their doctrine and authority would come into contempt, caused him to be apprehended and cast into a dark hole, where he remained bearing his affliction patiently, and calling upon God night and day, praising him for accounting him worthy to suffer for his name's sake. Whilst he lay there, many good people came to visit him, receiving such instructions and consolations from him, that they could not be drawn to leave him, till necessity enforced; neither then could they depart, without abundance of tears. The priests and friars sought by all means to draw him to a recantation, but to no purpose, for he still kept himself close to the Word of GOD, which so vexed them, that at last they procured his condemnation to be hanged. The Spanish soldiers, who carried him to execution, would needs have him burned, binding him and straining him exceedingly with cords, and on the way, abused him shamefully with mocks and scoffs, thrusting him forwards, and striking him. The captain also gave him a blow on the face with his gauntlet, which much disfigured him. At last they thrust him into a little cabin, piled with faggots, and so burnt him, continually calling upon GOD, till he resigned his spirit.

In 1568, there was a goldsmith of Breda, who had long been a deacon of the church in that place, named PETER CouLoGUE. The church often met in his house, for the service of God. The popish adversaries, being much enraged thereat, cast him into prison; at which the faithful were much grieved, and endeavored to visit and comfort him. The enemies taking notice of this, removed him to the castle. During his abode there, though all others were excluded from him, yet his maid-servant brought him his food daily, never ceasing to comfort him out of the Word of GOD, as well as she was able; for which, at length, they imprisoned her also. This she was right glad of, thinking herself happy to suffer for righteousness' sake. Not long after, Coulogue was put to torment, which he endured patiently. Then they fetched Betkin, the maid, also to it; whereupon she said, “My masters, wherefore will you put me to this torture, seeing I have no way offended you If it be for my faith's sake, you need not torment me; for as I was never ashamed to make a confession thereof, no more will I now; but will, if you please, freely show you my mind therein." Yet for all this, they would have her to the rack, whereupon she again said, " If I must needs suffer this pain, I pray you give me leave to call upon my God first." This they consented to; and whilst she was fervently pouring out her prayers unto GOD, one of the commissioners was surprised with such a fear and terror, that he fell into a swoon, and could not be recovered again, by which means the poor maid escaped racking.

Shortly after, they were condemned to be burnt, and as they were led to execution, there was much lamentation among the people. Peter and Betkin prayed earnestly unto God to strengthen them, and perfect the good work that he had begun. The courage and constancy of the maid so wrought upon many of the people, that not considering the danger, they brake through the multitude, embracing the prisoners, and praising God for their constancy, saying, " Fight manfully, for the crown is prepared for you." At the place of execution, Betkin, with a cheerful and amiable countenance, spoke thus to the people, " Dear brethren and sisters, be always obedient to the Word of GOD, and fear not them that can kill the body, but have no power over the soul. As for me, I am now going to my glorious spouse, the Lord Jesus CHRIST." Then falling upon their knees, they prayed to the Lord with great devotion. The executioner, fastening them to the stake, strangled Peter, Betkin encouraging him till he yielded up the ghost, and till the fire had taken hold of herself. In the flames she was heard to magnify the Lord, till she yielded up her spirit into his hands.