Jan, Hendrick, Bastiaen, Hans, Mariken van Meenen, Beetken van Brugh, in the Year 1561

In the year 1561, seven pious witnesses of the truth were imprisoned at Antwerp in Brabant for the testimony of Jesus. Their names were Jan, Hendrick, Bastiaen, Hans, Mariken van Meenen, Beetken van Brugh and Lijntgen. All of these had the house of their faith built so firmly and immovably upon their head and cornerstone, Christ Jesus, that neither the philosophy and crafty seduction, nor the tyranny and violence of the papists, could in any way bring them to apostatize, but their faith was found much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tried with fire (First Peter 1); so that on the 15th of August of that year, at that place, they surrendered their lives for the truth, and obtained the end of their faith, eternal salvation, through the grace of God, and are waiting now to receive, together with all the pious, the crown of everlasting glory, in eternity. [n858-2]

Concerning this, read the beautiful long hymn that was composed for the comforting of these prisoners, and dedicated to them, in the second hymn book. It begins: "Lieve broeders, wy groeten u met sangen."