Account of Those Who Suffered in the Sixteenth Century
Of the Decree which by the Romanists was Published in the Netherlands
OF THE DECREE WHICH BY THE ROMANISTS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE NETHERLANDS, ABOUT THE YEAR 1521, AGAINST ALL WHO BELIEVED OTHERWISE THAN THE ROMAN CHURCH; AND WHAT MISERY RESULTED THEREFROM
About the year 1521, in the time of Emperor Charles the Fifth, a decree was made and issued by those of the Roman church, on account of the Lutherans and Zwinglians, against all who were opposed to the Roman profession, and hence also against the Anabaptists; all of whom were threatened with cruel punishments of death, as appears from the following account in the Chron. van den Ondergang, page 975, column 2.
The account is as follows:* "From it was made, in the year 1521," says the writer, "the first prohibition or decree concerning religion, and brought into the Netherlands without the consent of the States, and so on; so that they (this and like decrees) were rather tolerated than confirmed by the states; the more so since they were greatly favored by the pope and the clergy, as tending to promote obedience toward the mother, the Roman church, and generally no complaint was heard from any of the common people against it; that is, against the first.
By virtue of this decree, all who believed otherwise than the Roman church, or who had such books in their possession, or harbored such heretics or people, and all those whom the magistrates were commanded to arrest, were strictly sentenced to death; and not only these, but also all who were in any way suspected of heresy. Every Roman Catholic was required to denounce every suspected person, who, upon the testimony of two witnesses, was, according to the instruction of the judges, sentenced to death, his property confiscated, and one third of it given to the accusers and witnesses, though these witnesses had but little to say, only so that they were known as good Catholics by their pastor or priest.
If anyone took to flight out of fear, no one was allowed to intercede for him, or plead his innocence, neither the father for the child, nor brother for brother; but he was condemned on account of his flight, and his property confiscated.
Even though one did desist from his so-called error, and let himself be better instructed, as it were, by the pastor, according to the Romish manner, he had nevertheless to die. No greater mercy was shown him than that he was not put to death by fire, but executed with the sword.
The women were buried alive, and no judge could soften these decrees, unless he was willing to be regarded as a protector of the heretics, and be proceeded against as such.
From this decree (the one first spoken of), made by imperial power and authority, others were produced and issued, almost every year.
And by virtue of these decrees, no one might have in his possession, buy, give, carry, read, or pass on the doctrines, writings or books of the Lutherans, Zwinglians, and so on (he also makes mention of the Mennonites), or dispute about them; nor might they confer or dispute with anyone about the holy Scriptures, or read them to others, except (Romish) theologians or doctors of divinity, or those who were properly licensed.
No one was allowed knowingly to receive suspected persons (called heretics) into his house, to lodge them, or to give them food, clothes, or money; but had to report them at once, all on pain of death and confiscation of property.
Extracted from various Biographies of Emperor Charles the Fifth, Chron. Mich., 4th part; Chron. Sleyd., books 1, 2, to 25; Hist. Alons, Ullw, books 1 to 5; Chron. Hed., folio 682; Chron. Saxon., folio 649; Chron. Franc. (old edition), folios 62, 63; Chron. Petr. Bor., book 1. Caprit., book 3. Pantal., book 3; Hist. der Mart. Doopsges., book 1. Eman. van Met., book 1; Mer., folio 960; Chron. Petr. Scriv., folio 593; D. Andries Hondd., book 1, chapter 15; D. Dirck heli., book 2; Man., folio 255; W. Baud., book 16, an old chronicle of the life and deeds of Charles the Fifth, throughout, and so on.
NOTE. In the year 1522, Charles Stadius also declared his views, at this time, among the learned; he secretly held with the Anabaptists, says Leonhard Krantz in his German Chronology, book 7. Others, however, ascribe a different belief to him, which is not found with the Anabaptists; namely, that he said that Christ, through His blood, had also redeemed the (fallen) angels. Conrad Schless, 1st part, chapter 5, compared with P. J. Twisck, Chron., page 994, column 2. What happened to him, however, on account of his belief, is not stated.