The Superscription of the Letter to the Government of Zurich

To the very honorable and highly esteemed lords, our good friends, the lords burgomasters and syndics of the city of Zurich.

Very honorable and highly esteemed lords: A very notable number of our citizens, who with regard to their religion are called Anabaptists, have shown us that those of their persuasion have now for several years been compelled, because of edicts published against them, to leave their homes and goods in the canton of Zurich, without being granted leave to take their aforementioned goods with them, or to enjoy the profit and income from them, even to this day.

It is for this reason, then, that our said citizens, sympathizing in their hearts with their fellow brothers and sisters because of their distress, have, out of Christian as well as human zeal, asked letters of recommendation from us, so that by means of them they may have favorable access to your noble lordships, to bow down before you, and to entreat you with respect and proper submission, to have compassion and pity for those of their church; giving them, or those whom they have authorized, the liberty and reasonable time to dispose of their aforesaid goods, which lie under your lordships' jurisdiction, so that they may convey them away to wherever they may think it convenient or necessary.

They are a class of people who, under our government and that of our predecessors, have lived very peaceably for many years, and still live so, in this city, as also in various other cities of this state; contributing with all diligence to the support of the Republic everything that is imposed upon them, and discharging the duty of good citizens and subjects; who have on no occasion that presented itself been found lacking in showing their Christian zeal in an uncommon manner against those of the Reformed religion; even as they also still recently, when our brothers the Vaudois were so cruelly scattered, contributed in this city alone, upon our recommendation, even to the sum of about 7,000 pounds Dutch money, to be used for the support and comfort of the said Vaudois.

It is therefore for this reason, very honorable and highly esteemed lords, that we, in consideration of it, could not refuse this present act of our Christian love to these our worthy citizens, interceding for them with you, and praying your lordships in favor of their fellow brothers and sisters: if your lordships cannot allow this poor people to live under your government as we do here, that you would at least be pleased to deal a little more gently with them, granting them, after the example of those of Schaffhausen, and also of the Duke of Neuburg, a Roman Catholic prince, the liberty and proper time to dispose of their goods and effects, in order that they may accordingly convey or transport them to wherever they shall think proper; in which we in no way doubt that your lordships will do a true work of equity and mercy. We also assure you that we on our part shall in no way fail to show our reciprocal and mutual duties, in everything in which your lordships shall think it well to commit it to our intercession, as being truly and sincerely, very honorable and highly esteemed lords, very affectionately yours, and ready to serve your lordships. The burgomasters and rulers of the city of Amsterdam.

The 2nd of March, 1660.

By order of my said lords.

Subscribed: N. NICOLAI.

So the noble and most praiseworthy rulers of the city of Amsterdam acted, as fathers over their dear children, full of compassion and mercy, in the matter of the afflicted and oppressed Swiss friends. God be their shield and very great reward. May He bless their wise rule. May He grant that their days may last as the days of heaven and earth.

The very good example of the aforementioned rulers took such great effect in the hearts of some of the leaders in the French church of the said city of Amsterdam, that they too were moved, and kindled with a holy zeal of compassion, to work in the same way, by friendly petitions to the magistrates as well as to the members of the consistory of the cities of Berne and Zurich, for the deliverance and release of the oppressed.

With regard to this, we could, if it were necessary, show their own writings. Truly, a miracle of the Lord! Who would ever have thought that Zion's deliverance should come by this way? But it is here as the apostle has said for the comfort of the pious: We know that all things work together for good to those who love God. Romans 8, verse 28. We are persecuted, but not forsaken. Second Corinthians 4, verse 9.