Progress of the Inauguration of the Aforesaid Last Swiss Persecution

In the following year, namely 1636, on the 17th of March, also on the 17th of August of the same year, and also on the 8th of September, and toward the close of the year, but finally in May of the following year, 1637, nearly all the Anabaptists, brothers as well as sisters, in the parts of Switzerland, but chiefly in the territory of Zurich, were summoned before certain persons, political as well as ecclesiastical, whom the authorities had appointed for that purpose.

First, in the castles Wadischwyl, Knonow, and Groeningen, where they all had to give their names and surnames, which were written down.

The second time, again in the same castles, where they were told that they were to conform to the common form of worship in the churches; which they refused.

The third time, at Zurich, in the consistory (though not all of them, but only some), where they disputed with them about three articles of religion, namely, about baptism, the Supper, and church discipline, or evangelical excommunication. So when they had declared their views on these points, and also on the whole foundation of their faith, and had asked the committee whether one could not be saved with such a faith, they received this answer: "Yes, one could be saved with it." However, in the evening (this had taken place during the day) they were again greatly reviled, reproached, and threatened concerning their faith; for, as the proverb says: "When the fox's skin does not reach, they use the lion's pelt."

The fourth time, again in the same consistory, where they were told that they should declare all their movable and immovable property, with the promise that not one stiver of it should be taken. This they did openly and stated it all; so all their property was written down and registered, and they were then put under arrest.

The fifth time, again in the aforementioned castles, for which purpose a letter of safe conduct was given them. Here they were asked what they had decided about conforming to the common worship, and so on, which they had been ordered to consider. Then a letter from the high bailiff, by order of the high authorities, was read to them, which stated that if they would not go to church, and in this obey the authorities, they would be imprisoned in certain places, and could expect no mercy.

In the meantime the aforementioned brothers and sisters frequently asked permission to leave the country (namely, with their property), but consent was never given; only two things were offered them, of which they might choose one, namely,

(1) that they must go to church with them; or, (2) that they must die in the prisons in which they were to be confined.

The first they would not promise or agree to, and so they had to expect the second.

This is the manner of the proceedings that went before the last persecution of the believers in Switzerland. Jer. Mang., Tract, folio 2, A. B.; also, M. Meyli, folio 3, A. B.