A Confession of Faith

To my honorable lord the bailiff, and my honorable lords the burgomasters, aldermen and the council of the city of Dortrecht. I, Jan Wouterss, your prisoner, not for any crime, but for the sake of my faith, which is nevertheless right before my God, wish you, you ministers of God, that He would grant you all a prosperous, peaceful, healthy, long life, and understanding to use your office rightly, in punishing the evil (that is, evildoers), and protecting the good. Romans 13, verse 3.

Further, the reason for my writing is that I confessed my faith briefly, but did not add the explanation. So I am putting this in writing, in order not to summon my honorable lords again and cause them trouble. I confess that I was a zealous papist in my youth, which I heartily regret, for then no good fruits came from me. Afterward God opened my blind eyes, so that I should no longer serve dumb idols, but the living God alone, who created me. And He revealed to me and gave to me, a poor, sinful man, the faith of the truth, by which we are saved. This faith is, as the Scripture says: "This faith and the inward baptism constrained me to the obedience of his word, to fulfill his righteousness." So I confess that I was baptized upon my faith, and this of my own desire, according to the command of Christ, renouncing the devil, the world, the pope, and his adherents.

I confess Christ Jesus alone as the way of the truth, and the life. And there is no other name given to men by which we can be saved, except through Christ alone. I further confess that it is certain that the customs of the priests and of all the "shaved" are the broad way to damnation. They are human institutions, an abomination to God, and plants which our heavenly Father has not planted; so they are cursed as well, for no other foundation can be laid than the one that is laid, which is Christ alone. Those of the pope's adherents who undertake to be leaders are blind leaders, and if the blind lead the blind, says Christ, both will fall into the ditch. Everyone who will not believe it, or cannot, because of his sins, must come to know it after death by pain (Second Esdras 9, verse 12); so repent truly now. Further, my honorable lord bailiff thinks that I am in error, or that my faith is of no account. To this I reply: "If this were true, then my fruits would be evil, which always prove more than mere confession; but now, by the help of God, I have walked in it for so many years, from my youth even until now, according to my weakness, avoided all bad company, diligently and quietly earned my living, and eaten my own bread, from which I am now taken away, as though I were a murderer." O Lord, forgive them, for they do not know what they do; I forgive them. O my dear lords, repent, for he who touches us touches the apple of the eye of my God.

I also confess that I have attended the assembly of the believers so often that I cannot count it. For the supreme King has given us a promise in it, saying: "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matthew 18, verse 20. The apostle commands us in His name not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, but to exhort one another, and to stir up love and good works. Hebrews 10, verses 25 and 24. I confess that I have never been in an assembly to harm anyone (think on this). I confess that for many years I have not been to the priests' confession and their sacrament, and this because I think nothing of it; moreover, I confess that I am a sinful man, and need every day to confess my sins before my God, and daily to die to sin, more and more, which I regard as the best confession. But the sacrament I recognize as a little baked cake, and wine, until it is consumed by the aforementioned of my [other] men, and nothing else, but not as the flesh and blood of Christ; He comes no more into the hands of sinners. [n1063-3] He does not dwell in temples made with hands (Acts 7, verse 48), but in heaven, from where He will come to judge the quick and the dead, that is, believers and unbelievers. But I confess that I am well satisfied with Christ's breaking of bread, the practice of the apostles among the believers, in remembrance of the body and blood of Christ, and this not with drunkards, the proud, strikers, adulterers, murderers, idolaters, harlots, rogues, and so on.

I also confess that I did not marry my wife secretly, so that no one should see it, but before the church of God; for marriage is honorable, but whoremongers and adulterers God will punish. Hebrews 13, verse 4. O my God, do not count it sin to him who took me away; for it is a bitter cup to me to part from wife and child, because we love one another so much. I also confess that my child has not been baptized by the priest, nor by anyone else, for by that I would despise the holy blood of Christ.* But this is my firm belief, that Christ has made atonement for infants, and that Christ's baptism belongs to none but those who believe with all their heart, as Cornelius with his family, Paul, and others; of this aforementioned faith I am sure through the grace of God, and I know certainly that there is no other, nor ever will be. [n1063-1] I have not founded myself upon the wind, but solely upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, to the wicked an offense, and to the good a defense and salvation. If I must innocently suffer for this unadulterated faith, I can consider that my Lord Jesus Christ, whose servant I, a poor, sinful man, am, fared no better at the hands of the authorities of that day, and this through the instigation of the learned. O my honorable lords, repent, amend your ways and your doings. Jeremiah 7, verse 3. And I also proclaim repentance to all my lords still living who are guilty of the innocent blood of Joris de Ve.,* who will soon come forth, shining in God's glory, with great joy. [n1063-2] For the day of the Supreme Judge is at the door: this is apparent from the pestilence, dearth, rumors of wars, and many other signs. O my honorable lords, be cordially warned of the evil which is to come upon you, for it is done out of love and friendship, and not through bitterness; for beyond doubt, we must all appear before the Supreme Judge. There everyone will give account of himself, and receive according to what he has done; there excuses or regrets will not avail. Romans 14, verse 12; Second Corinthians 5, verse 10. Oh, reflect; it will soon come to pass, and none can escape it.

Further, I did not reply to all the questions of my honorable lord the bailiff, who demanded of me that I should tell the truth, which I have done in the confession of my faith; of this I am certain. But the other questions I dare not answer, for Christ has taught me: "Do to men as you would have them do to you; love your neighbor as yourself; love your wife, honor your parents," and so on. For this reason I have refrained, and I am sure that in this my Supreme Judge will justify me, when we shall appear together before His judgment seat; for I have not done it out of any disregard for my honorable lord the bailiff. I have also refused your learned men the presentation, for I am so sure of my faith that [I am convinced that] all those who speak against it are in error. So do not regard it as coming from obstinacy on my part, but from the assurance of my faith.

Finally, deal mercifully with me, an innocent one, and consider that I too am a man; for hereafter he "shall have judgment without mercy, who has shown no mercy." James 2, verse 13. I confess one Lord, one faith, one God, one Father of all, who is above all, and in all believers. I believe only what the holy Scriptures say, and not what men say. Farewell. Written in my bonds.