Mattheus Mair, in the Year 1592

The same year, 1592, on Mary Magdalene's day, Mattheus Mair was arrested at Wier, in the district of Baden. This was brought about by a priest who, coming out of the church and noticing the brother, sent his maidservant after him, to see whether he would leave the village. He further ordered her to speak to him as though she too wanted to be of his persuasion, and would like to go with him to his people; meanwhile he himself would come, and send other people there, who should speak with him. With such words the maid held the brother back, until the priest sent out some peasants, who arrested him and took him into the town of Baden. Six days later, namely, the 28th of July, since he would not follow them or renounce his faith, the ungodly pack of priests proceeded against him; however, what they said to him, or what he answered them, they did not let come to light. When he was led out to death, his brother in law and several of his friends were present, who pleaded for him, and also offered to give money for him; but they could obtain nothing, indeed, not even permission to speak with him.

Now as he was going out to death, he asked among the people where his brother in law and his friends were, and how they might come to him; saying that he had to charge them to tell his brothers and sisters to take care of his wife and child, for they were with a pious people. He said this aloud among the people. Then one of his friends among the people comforted him, and said that he should not yield, but be valiant; he would soon have overcome. At this someone struck the friend who had said this, for it, and said that he was a heretic too, and ought to be treated like the rest. Now when the executioner had thrust brother Mattheus into the water, he drew him out again three or four times, and each time asked him whether he would recant. But he always said, "No," as long as he was able to speak; and so he was drowned, on the twenty ninth day of the month of July, persevering steadfastly in the faith through the power of God. Much was said about his death, by high and low, namely that they had murdered him, and the traitorous Judas and priest were cursed; for this Mattheus was a well known, good and pious man; and so God also gave him power to remain steadfast in the faith to his end.

NOTE. The envy of some of the Calvinists in the town of Middelborgh was at this time so great against the defenseless sheep of Christ, who had come to them from various papist towns to escape the distress and persecution, and expected to rest under their protection, that they paid no attention and had no regard, either to humble supplications or to the repeated commands of the Prince of Orange, who in the years 1577 and 1578 had given orders to the magistrates there to let these people live in peace; but they disturbed the peace of these people, and the practice of their religion. And so Maurice, the oldest son of the prince named above, of honorable memory, following in the footsteps of his father, issued for the third time a prohibition against the oppressing of these people, so that they might now certainly obtain liberty of conscience, as appears from the following act:

Transcript

Maurice, born Prince of Orange, Count of Nassau, Marquis van der Vere, to the honorable, most learned, wise, discreet, dear, particular, and so on.

What has been brought to our knowledge on behalf of Haijaert de Poorter and Joost Leonisse, sawyers and wood sellers, living in the town of Middelborgh, you will learn in full from the accompanying request; and though we do not doubt at all that you will deal with the supplicants, in the points of their requests and complaint, entirely according to the substance of the resolution previously adopted on this matter by the Lords States of Holland and Zealand; and that you will conform to such acts and letters as have been granted to the supplicants and their fellow brothers in the same profession, in the time of our lord and father the Prince of Orange, of worshipful memory; yet we would nevertheless hereby earnestly request you, seeing that this matter concerns not only the town of Middelborgh in particular, but these United Provinces in general, that you will govern yourself according to the substance of the resolutions named above, in all quietness and friendship, allowing the said supplicants and their fellow brothers to enjoy such liberties as have been granted them by the said resolutions and acts respectively, until the said Lords General States of these United Provinces have further considered and settled this matter. And besides that we consider it reasonable and just, it is our pleasure.

And hereby, honorable, most learned, wise, discreet, dear, particular, we commend you to God.

Gravenhage, on the 4th of March, 1593.

Signed:

Your very good friend,

MAURICE DE NASSAU.

The address read: To the honorable, wise and discreet, our dear, particular burgomasters, judges and rulers of Middelborgh; and it was sealed with his excellency's seal.

Below was written: Compared with the original, and found to agree with it.

J. MILANDER.

Further Observation. After this, it appears, some rest followed, so that the scattered flock of Christ began to grow somewhat in that place, and to widen its membership. In the meantime, however, [in the dominion] of popery they were still persecuted to death; of those who lost their lives there, the following, among others, have come to our notice; from which the distress of that time, though there was rest in some places, can be inferred and judged.