George Blaurock, and Hans van der Reve, in the Year 1529

About this time George of the house of Jacob, called Blaurock, had for about two or three years spread and proclaimed the doctrine of the truth in Switzerland, but particularly in the earldom of Tyrol, where he had gone, so that he might put his talent to use (Matthew 25, verse 15), and by his zeal for the house of God be a means of salvation. He was apprehended with his companions at Gusodaum, condemned for the faith, and burned alive not far from Clausen, for these articles, namely: that he had forsaken his office as priest, which he had formerly exercised in popery; that he disregarded infant baptism, and taught people a new baptism; that he rejected the mass; that he likewise rejected the confession of the priests as founded by them, and that the mother of Christ is not to be invoked or worshiped. For these reasons he was executed, and laid down his life, as befits a soldier and hero of the faith. On the place of execution he earnestly spoke to the people, and pointed them to the Scriptures.

The love of the truth having begun to burn among the nations, and the fire of God having thus started, many were put to death for the testimony of the truth in the earldom of Tyrol, especially in the following places: in the Gusodein district, at Clausen, Brixen, Stertzing, Balzen, Neumark, Katren, Terlen, Gundersweg; in the valley of the Inn; at Imst, Ketersberg, Stejen in the Spruckthal, Schwatz, Rattenburg, Kufstein and Kitzbuehl. [n596-1] In these places a great multitude of believers constantly testified with their blood to the truth, through fire, water and the sword. Thus the people of God, as well as the great persecution, increased daily. Jacob Huter became one of the overseers and teachers in the earldom of Tyrol, and not long after, with his people, united with the church which was in Moravia. After Jacob Huter moved with his people from the earldom to Moravia, partly compelled by great persecution, the tyranny in the earldom of Tyrol became more violent every day, so that the pious had but few places where they could remain, and many of them were apprehended and put to death in various ways for the faith. To this end the priests violently and furiously proclaimed from the pulpit that care should be taken to ferret them out, and to destroy them with fire and sword. Much money was also repeatedly offered and promised to those who should inform against them, by which means they were several times betrayed. They were sought in every way, in forests and in houses, wherever their presence was suspected; in every place, also in closed gardens, which had to be opened, or they would be broken open and searched. There was a Judas, called Prabeiger, who made use of his subtle artifice, thinking to obtain a large reward. He went to the authorities and betrayed them all, bringing with him bailiffs and children of Pilate, with swords, spears and staves, and went before them, just as Judas the traitor did, Matthew 26, verse 47. They caught a great number, and dispersed the rest. Not long after, when they assembled again, another Iscariot, called George Frueder, showed himself. He went to the priests, saying that if they would pay him, he would go, and none of the brothers would be able to hide himself from him. Then the priests, the generation of the scribes and Pharisees, gave him money and good wages, and also a letter. This rogue then went out, assumed the form and semblance of an angel, and visited now and then such as he suspected of having knowledge of this matter. He inquired everywhere in the Pusterthal where the brothers were, and how he could find them, asking for help to this end. With much weeping the rogue made this request, pretending that he could not rest until he was with them. Thus he deceived them, so that he finally came to them. He appeared before them very sad, humble and tender, as one who seeks to repent and to amend his way. He then very suddenly said: “My brothers, grant me this, and wait a little while, and I will go home and fetch my wife and child.” Many thoughts came to the minister, and he said to him: “If you are false of heart, and your intention evil, God will certainly find you, and you will speedily bring down His judgment upon you.” But he said: “Oh no, God preserve me from that; come with me into my house.” Thus he went away, and hurried to the judge, the magistrate, and the priests, who came with force, with swords and sticks, and apprehended the brothers and sisters.

Several other villains of this class showed themselves, especially one whose name was Peter Lantz, and one named Pranger. Some went about by night with much craftiness, acted in the same manner, and went to places and houses where they expected to find these people; but God gave them the recompense which they deserved, so that they might have wished that they had never been born.

Besides the above-mentioned George Blaurock there was also one Hans van der Reve, both of whom belonged to the number of those who sincerely received the truth of the holy Gospel, and helped found and build the Christian church, in the time when the truth had long been obscured in popery and by other errors. And when they had thus for a time faithfully exercised their ministry, edified and instructed many, and put their talent effectually to usury (Matthew 25, verse 15), they were finally apprehended by the envious children of Cain, and burned at Clausen, in Etzlandt, in the year 1529.

And in order to show that in all this they rejoiced in God, and also sought to comfort and strengthen their brothers, they left them the following memorial:

“Lord God, I will praise You now and until my end, because You have given me faith, by which I have come to know You. You send me Your divine Word, which I am able to find and perceive is from pure grace. From You, O God, I have received it, as You know. I firmly hope that it will not return to You void. Isaiah 55, verse 11. O Lord, strengthen my heart for this. My heart rejoices because I know Your will. When I felt the heavy load of sin in me, which troubled me exceedingly (Psalm 38, verse 6), I would have had to perish and suffer everlasting pain, had You, O God, not come to me with the Word of Your divine grace. Acts 10, verse 37. [n596-2] For this I will now magnify and praise Your glorious name forever, because You always show Yourself a merciful, dear Father. Do not cast me off, but receive me as Your child. Therefore I cry to You: help, O Father, that I may be Your child and heir. O Lord, strengthen my faith (Luke 17, verse 5); otherwise, if Your help does not sustain me, my building will soon fall. Do not forget me, O Lord, but be with me always; may Your Holy Spirit protect and teach me, so that in all my sufferings I may always receive Your comfort, and so, fighting valiantly in this conflict, I may gain the victory. First Corinthians 9, verses 25 to 27.

“The enemy fights a battle with me in the field where I now am; he would gladly drive me from the field. But You, O Lord, give me the victory. He ran at me with sharp weapons, so that all my limbs quaked before the false doctrine and their constraints. But You, O Lord, had compassion on me, and helped me, Your son, a poor man, with Your grace and powerful hand, and made me overcome. O God, how soon You heard me; You quickly came with Your help and turned back my enemies; therefore I will sing praises to Your name in my heart, and forever spread abroad the grace which has come to me.

“Now I pray You, Father, for all Your children; preserve us all forever from all the enemies of our souls. I must not trust in the flesh (First Peter 1, verse 24), which perishes and does not abide; but I will firmly trust in Your Word (Psalm 115, verse 9); let this be my comfort, on which I rely; it will deliver me from all my distresses to everlasting rest. The hour of the last day, to which we all must come, is at hand. Dear Lord, help us to bear the cross to the appointed place, and turn to us with all grace, that we may commend our spirit into Your hands. I sincerely pray You for all our enemies, O Lord, however many there may be; do not lay their sins to their charge; Lord, I ask this according to Your will. Acts 7, verse 60. And so we (I, George Blaurock, and Hans van der Reve) will depart in peace. May the good God through grace lead us into His everlasting kingdom, as we firmly trust that He will, and finish His holy work in us, and give us strength to the end. Amen.”

This evidently came to pass when these two so steadfastly and boldly died and were burned for the truth.