First Part

Of the Edict of those of Berne, in Switzerland, against the (by them called) Anabaptists, dated the 9th of August, in the year 1659

We the bailiff and councilors of the city of Berne send to every one of our officers, preachers, and those who administer any office, both spiritual and secular, in all towns, counties, seignioralties and tribunals of our German dominions,* and hereby make known that since the reformation of the Christian religion there have been issued, from time to time, by our praiseworthy and pious forefathers, and by us, in keeping with our Christian reminder and command, admonitions and ordinances stating how and by what means, and with what zeal and earnestness, the errors of the hypocritical and seductive sect of the Anabaptists, which has crept in, and which is rejected by all Christian authorities on the infallible foundation of the Word of God as an evil, dangerous, destructive leaven, because they reject the lawful protection of the magistracy,** through which much ruinous harm can be caused to country, people and ranks, are to be opposed and turned aside. Yet by constant experience we must see and learn that such orders do not meet with real attention and execution, and through this negligence this evil has increased rather than decreased up to this time. [n1279-2]

But so that it may not be allowed to pursue its destructive and seductive course any further, but may be earnestly checked and, as far as possible, utterly abolished, we have had diligent inquiries made concerning the failure to execute and obey the commands and ordinances we have issued, and have held careful deliberation as to what might be most expedient to do in this matter, and also as to whom it belongs, by virtue of office and duty, to see to it that these errors, and everything contrary to the confession of the Swiss evangelical faith, are not tolerated in our dominions, or among our dear subjects committed and entrusted to us by God, but that, on the contrary, our own may be led to the true knowledge of God, and kept in it.

As to the means which we have thought good to employ in and for this our intention and purpose, they consist of two chief points.

First, namely, in removing the principal causes of offense to which the so-called Anabaptists object, in order to separate themselves from the common Christian assemblies.

Second, in the manner of proceeding that shall be followed against those who are attached to the said sect.

Concerning the first point, it includes and requires a godly and virtuous life and conduct, and also proper punishment of open slanders, and attention is therefore to be given that the officers, both spiritual and secular, for the better observing and showing of their duty, be earnestly admonished in what follows. The virtuous life of the officers, by which every one shall seek to be a light to his subjects, can serve as a particularly good example in this, and prevent further offense. It consists chiefly in this, that they diligently attend preaching and practice other Christian works, so that such apostate persons may never have occasion to say, as has already happened, that the things of which they are accused in this respect are neglected by our own people also, and even by the officers.

But the preachers shall be edifying, both by being zealous in their church ministry and by conducting themselves honestly, in a godly manner, and without offense in their lives, so that no evil reports may be heard, especially of the preachers. The duty of their calling also consists chiefly in this, that they rightly divide the doctrine of truth and apply it to the profit of every one, and also that, as often as an opportunity presents itself, they set forth the errors of the Anabaptists and refute them effectively, yet in the spirit of meekness, from the foundation of the holy Scriptures, answer all objections well, and fully convince them, and also that they better instruct their churches and hearers.

But the officers in general, spiritual as well as secular, especially in the places where such people live, shall each one in his calling so perform and do his duty as before the eyes of the all knowing God. They shall also labor together, in general as well as in the consistory, sincerely, with zeal and diligence, that the open vices of whoredom, lewdness, cursing and swearing, immoderate eating and drinking, and like wickedness, be punished strictly and without connivance, according to the edicts and ordinances issued by us, and virtue and honesty thereby planted, and that so those who would excuse their departing from the church by such offensive life be deprived of all occasion.

But to this, our chief point, belongs especially the calling upon God, that He will grant His blessing and increase to the public proclaiming of the pure doctrine, and keep Satan in check, so that, under the pretense of simplicity, the harmful and destructive weed of hypocrisy, of disobedience to God, of base contempt of the public worship, the holy sacraments, and other holy institutions, and also of the duty and respect due to us, the Christian magistracy, may not be spread abroad.

The second chief point, as to how such people are to be dealt with, consists of two points:

1. How they are to be detected and brought to light.

2. How those who are detected are to be dealt with.

Concerning the first: Since these people are hard to catch, because some are hidden by others, even by those to whom they are related by marriage or other ties, particularly by those in whom little knowledge of God and zeal for religion is to be found, and since they hold their gatherings mostly by night, in hidden or otherwise unknown places, therefore our officers shall, with all diligence, according to their oath and official duty, and also on pain of punishment for connivance, be admonished and bound themselves, and through their subofficers and servants, to search for them, especially the teachers, as much as possible, and to have them pursued, whether in the mountains or in valleys, forests and wildernesses, by every possible means, in order to seize or capture as many of them as possible.

Now in order the better to know and discover them and their adherents, our church ministers, as appointed shepherds, shall with like diligence, and in accordance with their literal, sworn oath, be admonished, obligated and bound, every one of them, particularly in places where this sect is found, to go round from house to house at least twice a year with two or three of the church council in his pastorate, and properly to write down all those who belong to the church, that is, men and women, old and young, and to keep a stricter eye on them, so that they may all attend the preaching, the catechizing, the common prayers, and particularly also make use of the holy sacraments. And as for those who stay away, and do not bring their children to holy baptism at the proper time or not at all, and are thereby guilty of apostasy from the church, they are not only always to make these known by name to the chief bailiff appointed, but also to point out to him the persons and their places of residence, as far as these are known, and also to neglect nothing of all that is required for the handling of such persons.

However, so that something may not again be lacking in the execution of this so necessary work, as has been the case until now, or that it be otherwise slackened and left undone through want of the necessary zeal, our officers together with the preachers are strictly charged to carry out this order with the proper effect, in sincere earnestness, without regard for persons. And they are to practice no negligence or connivance in this, much less allow themselves to be turned from it by any scruples, as though these were forbidden, improper means, or for the sake of any advantage, lest they incur our disfavor.

The second article of the second chief point concerns the manner of proceeding against those who are detected and captured by the means named above, whether they are teachers and seducers, or their adherents who are seduced.

So far the first part of the edict, which as yet mentions no bodily punishment, but only the arresting and capturing of the (by them so-called) Anabaptists. The other part then follows, page 1130, column 1, beginning with these words

"The teachers of whom one or more, by close search," and so on.

Then it follows in what manner they are to be punished, either by depriving them of their goods, banishing them utterly from the country, conducting them under safe escort to the borders of the country, and if they, contrary to the banishment, and so on.

NOTE. This edict, having been proclaimed in the Berne dominion, soon after arrived in Holland, and caused no small sorrow in many well-meaning hearts among the Anabaptists there, who were moved with heartfelt sympathy for their dear fellow believers, the more so since some of them were already in severe imprisonment, and others, in the territory of Zurich, had now for many years been deprived of the use of their property.

So in various Dutch cities, but especially in the city of Amsterdam, certain men delegated for the purpose presented, in the name and by the order of their churches, to the noble, honorable lords burgomasters of that place, the distress of the oppressed friends named above, and made a formal request for favorable letters of recommendation to the magistrates of the cities of Berne and Zurich respectively, for the release of the prisoners named above, and the restoring of their goods, and so on. This was signed with the names of H. Vlaming, W. J. V. Coppenol, and G. Grates.

When this request had been delivered, the noble, honorable lords burgomasters and rulers of the city named above very fatherly and kindly consented to the matters presented, giving thereupon this appointment

The burgomasters and rulers of the city of Amsterdam have consented to grant the letters of recommendation requested above.

Done this 29th of January, 1660, and signed,

N. NICOLII.

Then followed the promised letters of recommendation to the rulers of Berne as well as to those of Zurich, reading as follows