Thomas van Imbroeck, the 5th of May

At Cologne, on the Rhine, a God-fearing brother named Thomas van Imbroeck, a printer's servant, was arrested for the truth in the year 1557, and imprisoned in a tower. When he was afterwards examined concerning baptism and marriage, he met them with the Word of God in such a manner that they stopped examining him further, and put him into another tower. His wife wrote him a letter, exhorting him to fight valiantly, and to hold firmly to the truth. For these comforting words he thanked her affectionately, and showed from many Scriptures that the righteous have always suffered, and that he stood before God with a good conscience, void of offense, to follow them, to forsake wife, children, and all visible things, and to take up the cross of Christ and follow Him, for which he prayed to God that he might be found worthy. Afterwards two priests came to him, who disputed with him about infant baptism; but they disagreed among themselves, for the one held that the infants who died unbaptized were damned, while the other admitted that they were saved. They insisted that he should be converted. But he said: "What I maintain, the Scriptures have taught me, and if anyone will teach me a better way from the Scriptures, I will gladly follow him." They said: "You despise our church, and refuse to be taught by us." He replied

"That I condemn your church and do not come under your communion is for this reason, that you do not keep your church pure; for perjurers, whoremongers, and the like are pious brothers among you." They also asked him why he did not have his children baptized. He answered: "The Scriptures teach no infant baptism, and those who are to be baptized according to the Word of God must first believe." Then they said that he was a heretic, but they were not able to prove it. He was then brought to the rack, where he was sharply examined, but not tortured, though the executioner had everything ready for it; for the lords were not agreed among themselves. This happened three different times. After this he was brought into the house of the count, who would gladly have set him free, had he not so greatly feared the imperial decree and the displeasure of the bishop. Thomas, however, was bold, of good cheer, and ready to lay down his life for the name of Christ, and to hold so firmly to the truth and the love of God that neither fire, water, sword, nor anything else should move him from it. When they took him away from the house of the count, he suffered much temptation all night from the count's people and others, who undertook to teach and instruct him, but all in vain; for they were such as were themselves not instructed or taught by God.

Finally he was brought before the high court, where he was condemned to death in the presence of the count, who then, for the first time, pronounced judgment, staining his staff with Christian blood. Thus he was beheaded, as a pious witness of Jesus Christ, for his steadfast continuance in the faith, on the 5th day of March, 1558, being twenty-five years old.

From his prison he wrote letters to his wife and brothers, and also a confession of his faith concerning baptism, of which a special book has been published, all of which is very instructive and comforting to the God-fearing, as you shall see from the following part, which is here presented to you.

A letter by Thomas van Imbroeck, written from

prison to his wife and brothers

Much grace and peace from God the heavenly Father, who is a true Father; for He shows His fatherly faithfulness to all His children, according to His promise, when He says: "I will be a Father to them, and they shall be my sons and daughters." May this Father so speak to your hearts that you may believe me with a good conscience, that you are His children, and it will not fail you.

This grace I wish you, my dear wife, and also the wife of my Lord (you understand whom I mean), through the Author and Finisher of life, Jesus, to whom alone we must take refuge, that we may become conformed to Him in this world, according to the words of the prophet, who says: "He has no form or comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and we hid, as it were, our faces from him." Isaiah 53, verses 2 and 3.

But what does the Scripture say: "Therefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name . . . and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Therefore I think it necessary for us, O wife of the Lord, to reflect on this; for though we are now the reproach of all men, indeed, as the filth and offscouring of everyone, so that they say: "Away with him, for he is not fit to live;" they shall in due time confess and say: "Behold, how are they now numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints. We accounted their life madness, and their end to be without honor." Wisdom 3, verses 5 and 4. Now we sigh, but when He shall come for whom we wait, then they shall sigh, and be distressed with great pain, who shall be without hope; for their worm shall never die, and their fire shall not be quenched.

Therefore there is a great difference between the pious and the ungodly; for the souls of the righteous are in the hands of God, and no torment shall touch them, for their hope is full of immortality. Wisdom 3, verses 1 and 4.

This, my brothers and sisters, we are to consider well; for if we look back, we are still looking at deadly or mortal things, and the comforting words of Paul cannot apply to us, where he says: "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." Second Corinthians 4, verses 17 and 18.

Now I know that wife and children are visible, and though they are dear to me, yet I will count them but dung, and say: "From now on I know no man after the flesh; but the knowledge of the spirit abides forever." Philippians 3, verse 8; Second Corinthians 5, verse 16. And so I hope to know you all when we shall appear together in the eternal joy, which is prepared from the beginning for those who are not ashamed of Christ; but this is not to be ashamed, when we, as malefactors, go outside the gate for Christ's sake, and help Him bear His reproach, outside the camp. Hebrews 12, verse 13. [n786-1]

Therefore I desire that the rich seek no excuse, and say: "Indeed, I cannot forsake everything; it would create great wonderment and sensation before the world if I should so completely forsake my rank." Indeed, they would imagine that they were doing too much in this. Ah, no! He who is over all, God blessed forever, humbled Himself much more than this; for He was King over all, and Lord of the whole world, even as David in spirit calls Him Lord: He did not come to be served, but to serve all; for He became the servant of us all, that He might make us free. Romans 9, verse 5; Philippians 2, verse 7; First Timothy 6, verse 15; Revelation 17, verse 14; Matthew 20, verse 28; John 8, verse 36.

If we therefore have received freedom through Him, let us be grateful, and not cast it from us; for it has a great reward, though some say we ought not to serve God for the reward. This view, I say, is not right; for I say with Paul: "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." First Corinthians 15, verse 19.

Yet let no one think that he shall be justified and saved by his good works alone; for this we must ascribe wholly to the grace of God, and to the merits and innocently shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, who works the good in us.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, beware of such spirits; for they would experience greater perfection, but fail in the things which are least. Hold to the doctrine you have learned. One thing I desire and request: that the simple may be better and more thoroughly instructed, lest your labor be burned in the fire; for the Scripture does not say in vain: "Because he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to succor those who are tempted," for experience brings perfect wisdom, even as Paul says. "Blessed be . . . the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ" ; indeed, through Him, I say, we shall gain the victory; for He is our life, and to die is gain for us, since He says: "Though you were dead, yet you shall live." Hebrews 2, verse 18; Second Corinthians 1, verses 3 to 5; John 11, verse 25; Second Timothy 2, verse 11.

Therefore it is good to die with Christ; for He was raised up by the glory of His Father, and therefore will draw to Him all that the Father has given Him. Romans 6, verse 4; John 12, verse 32. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, and my dear wife, let us be valiant; for the apostle says: "My strength is made perfect in weakness." Second Corinthians 12, verse 9. Therefore I think it good to be in weakness (mark), if it is followed by being in reproach, distress, persecution, and fear for Christ's sake.

Indeed, if the Lord should count me worthy to testify to His name with my blood, how greatly would I thank Him; for I hope not only to bear these bonds with patience, but also to die for Christ's sake, that I may finish my course with joy; for I would rather be with the Lord than live again in this abominable, wicked world; however, His divine will be done. Amen.

And if anything should still be defective in my life, in that I may not have been diligent enough (which I confess), may the Lord blot it out and purge it, through the fire of His love and mercy, in the blood of Jesus Christ, through which everything must be purified and purged. First John 1, verse 7.

Dear brothers and sisters, I desire that you will all pray to God for me, that He will keep us through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Another letter by Thomas van Imbroeck, written in prison to his wife

May grace, peace and mercy from God the heavenly Father, and the pure love of His Son Jesus Christ, be perfect in your heart, my dear wife, that you may thereby be drawn from all visible things to the invisible and eternal, through the help and cooperation of His Holy Spirit, who is the Governor and Guide of the children of God; to Him be glory and praise forever and ever, Amen.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for His great and unspeakable grace, which He has imparted to us through His gracious goodness, and has drawn us into the kingdom of His Beloved Son, through whom we have received redemption from all our sins, in His blood. Ephesians 1, verse 3.

Therefore it is right and just that we should not cease to serve Him constantly with great humility, as grateful and obedient children, and not despise the grace which has been given us, but diligently consider why and for what purpose it has been given us, namely, that we should use it and gain by it, that we may hear the sweet voice which says

"Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things." Matthew 25, verse 21.

Be admonished by this, that the merchant sold all that he had, and bought the field in which the treasure lay. Matthew 13, verse 44. Thus you also should think now, that you willingly give your husband to the Lord, like Jephtha, who offered up his daughter to the Lord; or remember also Abraham, the pious father of all the faithful, who did not become weak in faith, but willingly delivered up his son Isaac to show obedience to the mighty God, who gives life and breath to all men. Judges 11, verse 39; Hebrews 11, verse 17.

Remember also patient Job, who in his trial said with all meekness: "Naked I came out of my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1, verse 21.

Oh, James may well say: "You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord." James 5, verse 11. And Paul also says: "Consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself." Hebrews 12, verse 3. He knew no sin; but we must confess that we deserve more punishment than we suffer, though it is profitable, as it is written that He chastises us for our benefit, and that all things work together for good to us. Romans 8, verse 28.

Therefore I desire of you, my dear friend, that you be of good cheer in the Lord, and do not grieve, for I have clearly perceived that you have lost flesh and become emaciated. Rejoice with me, and thank God that we are not bastards, but that He receives us as a Father, indeed, as children and fellow heirs of His kingdom, who here on earth receive the same reward with His Son, and this for the sake of His testimony.

Why should we not suffer the evil, seeing that we have received the good from Him? However, if we would sorrow, we have cause enough for it, for godly sorrow I mean; for we may truly lament that we are still very unfit; even as you write me, that you cannot pray well, even as I also; alas, I am imperfect. James 4, verse 3. But the reason for it, in my opinion, is this, that we are not sufficiently displeased with ourselves, and also that we do not perceive the thorns that are in our flesh.

May the Lord have compassion on us, and open the eyes of our understanding, so that we may hate sin, even as God Himself hates it; for then He takes pleasure in us, even as holy David also does when he says: "Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak: O Lord, heal me, for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sorely vexed; but You, O Lord, how long? Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for Your mercies' sake. . . I am weary with my groaning; all night long I make my bed swim; I water my couch with my tears." Psalm 6, verses 2 to 4, and verse 6.

But where are the tears which we have shed, my dear wife, over our past sins, when our souls were wounded even to death, indeed, sunk into hell? True, we sing: "I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me:" but it would be far better for us to lament out of deep distress of heart, and to pray with a broken, contrite and fervent heart, if we experience the same, now that tribulation and suffering come upon us in the flesh.

Thus Esther also learned to pray, where she says: "O my Lord, You alone are our King: help me, a desolate woman, who have no helper but You; deliver us and help me; for You know all things; O Lord, You know that I hate the glory of the unrighteous, and abhor the bed of the uncircumcised, and that I abhor the sign of my high estate." Second Esther 14, verses 3 and 15.

We must observe here that the pious woman had an aversion to the costly apparel, and hated it more than she loved it. Do you also beware of it, and reprove it sharply in those whom you see given to it; for it does not proceed from a humble heart. The proverb says: "Don't put moths into the fur;" neither must we give the flesh occasion for sin, since it is, alas, evil enough without that. Galatians 5, verse 13.

Therefore, my dear sister, do not respect persons; for the faith of Jesus does not allow respect of persons (Deuteronomy 1, verse 17; James 2, verse 1); but reprove what is evil with all kindness and humility, out of love, and show yourself in all things a pattern of good works and sobriety to all women, with piety and silence; for he who does not bridle his tongue deceives his own heart, and his religion is vain.

Therefore I affectionately exhort you, while you now have time, that you will use all diligence; for it is not enough that we confess the name of the Lord with the mouth in prison, but we must first demonstrate our confession in power; for we know that he who transgresses out of prison sins just as much as he who sins in prison, though through weakness, while the other sins from wantonness.

Therefore take heed to yourselves, and be always prepared; for we do not know the hour. Watch therefore, and keep your garments clean, lest you walk naked, and your shame become manifest. Be always ready for conflict; for David says: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones: not one of them is broken." Psalm 34, verses 19 and 20. "He saves the poor from the sword of the ungodly, and the needy from the hand of the mighty."

Job 5, verse 15. Job further says: "Happy is the man whom God corrects: therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty: for he makes sore, and binds up: he wounds, and his hands make whole." Job 5, verses 17 and 18.

Paul also says that he wants to know Christ, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death; if by any means (he says) I might attain to the resurrection of the dead. Philippians 3, verses 10 and 11. Therefore we must mourn with Him, that we may also rejoice with Him. Does not Christ say

"Blessed are those who mourn and lament; for they shall be comforted; indeed, the tears shall be wiped away." Matthew 5, verse 4. And the Lord does not forsake the widow who is oppressed, as it is written: "He hears the prayer of the distressed and oppressed, and He does not despise the prayer of the widows, if they pour it out before Him with lamentation and sighing; indeed, their tears ascend to heaven, and the Lord will hear them." Sirach 35, verse 24.

Therefore let us be resigned, and say within ourselves: "O Lord, Almighty King, all things are in Your power; if it is Your will to restore my husband to me, there is no one who can resist Your will. You have made heaven and earth, and all that is contained in the circuit of heaven. You are Lord of all things. You preserve us as the apple of Your eye, and have said through the mouth of David that we shall cast our burden upon You; for You will sustain us, and will never let the righteous be moved." Psalm 55, verse 22. Then your prayer will be fulfilled, as you write me, that you cannot pray otherwise than only: "Lord, Your will be done." And I wish to God for you, that this may be found in you in truth, and not as Israel cried to the Lord, when they drew near to Him with their mouth, and magnified Him with their tongues; but their heart was not right with Him, and they were not found faithful in His covenant. Isaiah 29, verse 13. But those who keep His commandment shall pray, and whatever they ask (in accordance with His will) shall be granted to them. John 15, verse 16.

Therefore be of good courage, and bring up your children in good manners, and in the fear of God, that their natural propensities may be mortified; and take an example from yourself, how you bring them up in their weakness, with great labor and trouble, and give the breast to those to whom the Lord has commanded milk to be given.

You are also to give them the rod, according to the command of the Lord, when they transgress and are obstinate; for this is also food for the soul, and drives out the folly which is bound up in their hearts. Proverbs 23, verses 13 and 14. Remember the words of Sirach, where he says (chapter 7, verse 26): "Do not show yourself cheerful to your daughter, nor laugh with her, lest she become bold against you, and you have to bear shame on her account in the end. But teach her the law of our God, that she may put her hope in the Almighty and Most High, and may never forget the benefits bestowed upon us through Christ."

I also ask you that they, as far as possible, be kept away from intractable children; do not allow them to run about in the streets, but keep them with you as much as possible, that you may have joy and sorrow with them; and do not forget the kind of widow mentioned by Paul in his letter to Timothy (First Timothy 5, verse 4); but place your hope firmly in the Lord, and wait for Him with patience.

Now I understand that you would gladly die; but when I was still with you, and we lived together in peace, then life was no cross for you. Remember therefore now what I often told you, namely, that it is good for the believer to have tribulation and distress, that we may learn to say with Paul: "We groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven, if it may be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this body are burdened, and would rather be absent from the body, and present with the Lord, than to walk in his absence in much affliction." Second Corinthians 5, verse 2. Alas, friend, how few there are who say this; I mean among those who enjoy peace and rest.

Therefore thank the Lord, that He has given this grace, and has perhaps removed me from your sight for the best; for He is a jealous God; He will be loved the most, and have sole possession of the human heart. And you have also asked Him to remove from your path everything that might be in the way of your salvation. Therefore think that He is proving us both, and let us willingly take the yoke upon us, and count it all joy. James 1, verse 2. For what are the sufferings of this world? Nothing but a dream, as David says: "When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter." Psalm 126, verse 1.

Thus it is with us as with a woman in labor; when the child is brought forth, she would not give it up, because of the pain she had before. So also we, when we have been delivered of the child, would not take the whole world for it.

Therefore take good heed that you be not startled or frightened, so that the child may be born in due time. Take food and nourishment from the husband Christ, that you may have strength for labor; and do not neglect to receive the true food, the Word of God. Remember Israel, who were satisfied with bread from heaven. May the Lord give you a sound soul, and a fervent stomach of love, so that the food may be well digested. Amen.

May the grace of the Lord be increased to you, my dear wife. Be always subject to the God-fearing, and associate with the pious, and pray God to keep me in the truth; for truth abides and is strong forever; it lives, and will prevail forever.

Greet all the saints with the kiss of love, and all who love the Lord Jesus, and tell them to be kind; for God is the Hero and Captain, who so faithfully helps in time of need. He is like a shower upon the parched earth in a dry summer. Thus He refreshes the afflicted souls that thirst for Him; He is a shadow from the heat of the sun. Matthew 11, verse 28; Isaiah 55, verse 1; Isaiah 25, verse 4.

Tell the brothers and sisters to take care of the novices, and to pray earnestly for me. I will also pray for them, as much as is in my power. Remember my bonds. The Lord be with your spirit. Amen.

Your dear husband, Thomas van Imbroeck,

imprisoned for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

P.S. This Thomas van Imbroeck composed an excellent confession of baptism, and also a defense against the adversaries in regard to the same matter, and delivered it all to the lords of justice of the city of Cologne. Concerning this, see our Account of Holy Baptism, for the year 1558.