Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians

Old Book

ENLARGED AND IMPROVED FROM VARIOUS CREDIBLE CHRONICLES,

[The following part of Martyrs Mirror was not originally written by van Braght, but grew out of a compilation from different authors, and was published in different editions, which from time to time were enlarged and improved. The original book, as appears from the writings of Samuel W. Pennypacker, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was published in Holland in 1562, under the title Het Offer des Heeren. Later editions were printed in the years 1567, 1570, 1576, 1578, 1580, 1589, 1595, and 1599. In 1617 a large quarto edition was published, containing 863 pages, written by Hans de Reis and Jacques Outerman, and printed by Zacharias Cornelisz, at Hoorn, bearing the title Historie der Warachtighe getuygen Jesu Christi. This book was followed by a folio volume of 1,056 pages, printed at Haerlem by Hans Passchiers von Wesbusch in 1631, entitled Martelaers Spiegel der Werelose Christenen, that is, The Martyrs Mirror of the defenseless Christians. Our author, van Braght, includes this book as [n566-1] "Second Part," in his own work, under the title of The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the defenseless Christians, as he says, without change, except where some correction was needed, though he added such matter as seemed profitable and necessary. This will explain to the reader the above remark: "Old Book." Publishers.]