Jan Gerrits, Burnt at the Hague, in the Year 1564

A testament by Jan Gerrits, made while imprisoned at the Hague for the testimony of Jesus Christ, in December, in the year 1564

Grace and peace from God the heavenly Father, and His Son Jesus Christ, be with you. Amen.

My dearest and much beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, I inform you that I have received your letter, which I read with great joy; for its aim is, in the first place, to urge steadfastness in the faith, and a perfect end, and this through Jesus Christ. Therefore I entreat the heavenly Father with all my heart and mind, that not only I, but all who fear God may come to an upright end, according to the will of God, as I hope. For I have suffered stripes and great pain, and this, according to the words of John, for the brothers and sisters. First John 3, verse 16. I desire to suffer not only this, but also, if it is the will of God, to die for His name, Word and truth, no matter what kind of death it may be; for I would not have thought that it would last so long. But since not a hair of my head can be hurt without the Lord's permission, I want to await the end with Him, in patience, as is fitting for a Christian.

Therefore, my much beloved brothers and sisters, it is my heartfelt request that you and all who fear God will entreat the Lord for me, your weak brother, that I may receive the end of my faith; for the prayer of the righteous accomplishes much, and is effective. First Peter 1, verse 9. They use every trick to rob me of the beautiful treasure which I have received from God; but I trust the Lord, that He will preserve me.

In the second place, dear brothers and sisters, it is a great joy for me and the Lord, to learn that the vineyard of the Lord is growing, and that its branches are spreading wide, bringing forth upright fruits of the most high God, which I have so long desired. So I thank my God and yours, that I hear what you have written, and I rejoice that the light is rising in every nook and corner, and shines over every mountain, as I hear from many friends who come to comfort me in my bonds. Therefore, my dear friends, be diligent, everyone according to the gift he has received from God, and put it out diligently at interest, so that you may gain much, and may hear these words of the Lord: "Well done, you good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter in to the marriage of the Lord." Matthew 25, verse 21.

So let everyone build up the house with living stones, that it may become a glorious priesthood, and that they may offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. First Peter 2, verse 5. We may always be of good cheer in the Lord, for His power is so great with those who fear Him, that all death, devil, hell, fire and sword must yield to Him. All this cannot hinder those who are built upon Christ; for we can do all things through Him who makes us worthy, and through His love everything is overcome, and it casts out fear (First John 4, verse 18), as I can indeed say. For when I was brought into the king's hall, and stood there almost an hour before the lords came, and saw how everything was being made ready to torture me, I thought again and again in my mind: "O Lord, unless You now help me, I am utterly lost;" and I prayed Him to give me a mouth to speak to His praise and glory, and to close it against everything that would blaspheme His holy name and that of my neighbor.

While I spoke in this way, and they were getting ready to torture me, I felt neither fear nor dread; however, they handled me in a very severe and fierce manner, so that the president said: "Why will you not tell the truth?" Answer. "Because Christ spoke nothing but what tended to the glory of His Father, and what concerned His own divinity; about all other things He was silent. And I want to do the same. Wherever His honor and the doctrine of His commandments are concerned, I do not want to be silent, either before emperor, or king, or duke, or count." Instantly the order was

"Handle him without gloves: a drowned calf is a small risk." Behold, my dear brothers and sisters, how unmercifully they treated me. Nevertheless, the Lord was with me, blessed be His holy name; I had no control of myself, but the Lord directed my mouth, so that they could get nothing according to their will. See, my dear friends, how faithful the Lord is; He does not let the one who trusts in Him be put to shame. Sirach 2, verse 10.

So I write again: always be of good cheer in the Lord, and admonish one another at all times, for Peter considers it fitting and profitable to help bear one another's burdens, and this in love; for whether one member suffers, all the members suffer with Him; or whether one member is honored, all the members rejoice with Him. Second Peter 1, verse 13; First Corinthians 12, verse 26.

In the third place, I let you know that my wife has been here, and brought me your kind greeting, which I was very glad to hear; as also that she desires to follow what is best, according to her feeble ability. For she confesses that the life she has led until now is evil, as we may indeed all confess that ours also was unprofitable in times past. Titus 3, verse 3. So I entreat you, my dear brothers and sisters, that you would keep a watchful care over her, and admonish her to a better life, and this in love; and if you should be able to accomplish anything, and write it to me, it would greatly rejoice me. If you write to me before I offer up my sacrifice to God, send your letter to my aged mother, or to N., and I shall get it. Moreover, I gave her some spices, namely, a nutmeg, three or four handfuls of ginger, and some cloves, that she should give them to J. C., or to someone else, that they should be cut up in pieces and properly distributed around, as a perpetual greeting, and this in the Lord. Here upon earth, an eternal adieu in Christ, peace and farewell, in case this is the last opportunity, before we all meet in the presence of Christ, and there see one another in His glory. Amen.

My much beloved brothers and sisters, I have lived with you, and I rejoice that you are so courageous in building the city and the temple of Jerusalem, which have lain waste and in ruins for so many years. So do not lose courage, brothers and sisters, though you are mocked and reviled as Israel was. When they rebuilt the wall (mark), they grew stronger as they worked. Though the enemies raged, so that the work might not go forward, they still did not stop it, but kept watch all the more diligently, holding in one hand the spear or the sword, and in the other the trowel, and were of good cheer, for God was with them and fought for them. Nehemiah 4. Behold, my dear friends, let us take an example from how valiant these heroes were; they were not daunted by their enemies. So let us also do, however much they cry out or write, indeed revile and say: "Behold, these people come, and want to lay a new foundation for the city, and do not know an a from a b. Where did they get this? Where did they learn it? We have studied at universities, and spent our money for this purpose. Now, should these asses come and teach us? One is nothing but a cobbler; another, a weaver or furrier, and these want to quote Scripture. Let them stay at their trades; that [quoting Scripture] is our province; nor will we tolerate it; it must be opposed with fire, water, and the sword." Nevertheless, let us not fear or be intimidated, however much the dogs bark and the lions roar; for God, who is with us, is a strong God. He will preserve His own, and help them gain the victory. They can do no more than what the Lord permits them. My dear brothers and sisters, excuse this simple letter of mine; it was for the most part written in haste, the day after I received your letter. With this I will commend you once more to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace. Tell the friends in Vlieland that I affectionately greet them with the peace of the Lord, and that they shall contend valiantly for the law of the Lord. Pray to the Lord for me; I will also pray for you; do not forget me in your prayers; think as though you were imprisoned too. Hebrews 13, verse 3. Farewell. The fear of the Lord preserve you all. Amen.

I also send you here another letter; perhaps it may refresh you in the assault you suffer from the adversaries of baptism. [What prompted me to write it is a controversy] which I had with a Lutheran preacher. The following is a reply to his letter, which he sent me, since we had often talked together. The Lord be with your spirit. Amen.