Of a Certain Supplication Addressed and Delivered by Those of Amsterdam

The praiseworthy magistrates of the city of Amsterdam, in Holland, having an aversion to the proceedings of their fellow associates at Zurich, on the 20th of February, 1642, at the urgent request of the Anabaptists at Amsterdam concerning the distress of the Swiss brothers, sent a humble supplication to the burgomasters and the council of the city of Zurich, in order, if possible, to obtain some easing of the persecution begun against the Anabaptists there.

This supplication arrived safely and was properly delivered there, but it could nevertheless obtain nothing in this direction, except only an unfriendly and irritating reply; this was drawn up by them on the 18th of June of the same year, and sent to the good magistrates of Amsterdam, and consequently also to the Anabaptists there, accompanied by three of the manifestoes they had issued earlier, in the year 1639, in which, as we have noted for that year, nothing but reproach and insult (though without cause) was heaped upon this persecuted people.

We could present this letter of the Zurich lords here, since we have a correct copy of it; but as it contains nothing but unkindness and bitterness, without the least justice or information, and the work that follows sufficiently shows from what spirit it came, we consider it unnecessary and unworthy to give it a place here; without, however, despising these lords, since we are commanded to love even our enemies, and to pray for those who persecute us. Matthew 5, verse 44.