Jacques D'Auchy, Imprisoned in the Year 1558, but Put to Death at Leeuwarden

A Confession of faith of Jacques d'Auchy, made when in prison in the city of Leeuwarden, in Friesland; which confession he afterwards sealed with his death.

I believe in one only God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, as is written, in whom Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and all the prophets believed. Genesis 1, verse 1; Hebrews 11.

I believe in Jesus Christ the only Son of the Father, who was from the beginning with God. And when the time which God had promised was fulfilled, this Word became flesh, and was born of the house of David, of a pure virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David; and this virgin is blessed among women. I believe that this true Son of God proclaimed the word of His Father through many signs and wonders. And after this He was delivered up to death under Pontius Pilate, and crucified and buried. I believe that this same Jesus Christ suffered for us. When we were His enemies, He suffered death for us, so that those who believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. I believe that this our Savior was raised up from the dead, as He had predicted, and sits at the right hand of God His Father. John 1, verse 14; Micah 5, verse 2; Galatians 4, verse 4; Romans 1, verse 3; Matthew 1, verse 18; Luke 1, verse 42; John 15, verse 24; Matthew 27, verse 2; Isaiah 53, verse 7; Romans 5, verse 10; John 3, verse 16; Matthew 28, verse 6; Mark 16, verses 9 and 19; Acts 7, verse 56.

I also believe in the Holy Ghost, as testified by John in his first epistle, 5th chapter, and 7th verse, where he says: "There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." I also believe in the communion of the saints, whose prayer avails much. James 5, verse 16.

I also believe in the holy church, in which are those who believe in Jesus Christ, who by one Spirit are baptized into one body, as Paul says; and Christ Jesus is the Head of it, namely, of the holy church, as is written. First Corinthians 12, verse 13; Ephesians 5, verse 23; Colossians 1, verse 18.

I believe that this holy church has power to open and to shut, to bind and to loose; and whatever they bind on earth is also bound in heaven, and whatever they loose on earth is also loosed in heaven. I believe that God has ordained in this holy church, apostles, prophets, teachers, bishops and deacons. Matthew 16, verse 19; First Corinthians 12, verse 28.

I also believe and confess a baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, even as commanded and ordained by our Lord Jesus Christ, and practiced and written of by the apostles. And I also believe that all who have received this baptism are members of the body of Jesus Christ, in the holy church. Ephesians 4, verse 5; Matthew 28, verse 19; Acts 2, verses 38 and 41; Acts 16, verse 31; Romans 6, verse 4; Colossians 2, verse 12; First Corinthians 12, verse 13.

With regard to the holy supper of Jesus Christ, I believe and confess what Christ has said concerning it, as is written: "As they were eating the supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it; and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink, and divide it among yourselves; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins: do this in remembrance of me." I believe this according to the declaration of Paul, who says: "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?" "Whoever eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." Matthew 26, verse 26; Luke 22, verse 14; First Corinthians 10, verse 16; John 6, verse 54.

I confess marriage to be an ordinance of God; namely, a man and a woman united in the name of the Lord, in the holy church. For this reason a man shall leave father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife: and the two shall be one flesh. Therefore they are no more two, but one flesh. What God has joined together, therefore, let no one separate. The bed is undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Genesis 2, verse 24; First Corinthians 7; Matthew 19, verses 5 and 6; First Corinthians 6, verse 16; Hebrews 13, verse 4.

I also confess that fasting and praying is very profitable, as practiced by the apostles. Matthew 6, verse 16; Acts 13, verse 2.

I regard the words of Saint James as good and true, where he says: "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another that you may be healed." James 5, verse 16. I believe that this must be done with an upright heart.

I also confess that the higher powers are ordained of God, for the punishment of the evil, and the protection of the good; for they do not bear the sword in vain; to which powers the Scriptures command us to be subject, and instruct us to pray for them, so that, as Paul says, we may lead a quiet and peaceable life. Paul also calls the power the minister of God. Therefore, since he is the minister of God, I would ask him that he would be pleased to show me mercy, even as God is merciful. I hereby disclaim all fellowship with those who would resist the power with the sword and violence, which I regard as a doctrine of devils. Wisdom 6, verse 3; First Peter 2, verse 13; Romans 13, verses 1 and 4; First Timothy 2, verse 2.

I also believe in the resurrection of the dead, as it is written, that all men shall rise from the dead in their own bodies, when the Lord shall come in the clouds, with His angels; then He shall judge every one according to his works. Daniel 12, verse 2; Job 19, verse 25; Matthew 25, verse 31; Matthew 16, verse 27.

In short, I believe all that a true Christian is bound to believe of the holy church; and I believe with my whole heart in the articles of the faith, and will live and die in them. I hereby renounce all false doctrines, heresies and sects, which are not in accordance with God and His Word. And if I have erred in any respect through false doctrine, I pray the Almighty God to forgive me through His great love and mercy.

Also, if I have sinned in any matter against the Emperor, the king, or others, I pray them to forgive me through the great love and mercy of God.