Tijs Jeuriaenss and Jan Claess, in the Year 1569

In this dark, bloody reign of antichrist two other pious brothers fell into the hands of the tyrants. One of them was a minister of the Word, named Tijs Jeuriaenss, who lived in North Holland, at Karop in Waterland. The other was named Jan Claess, born near Wesop and living in the same town; he was still unmarried, about twenty-five years of age. And since the said Tijs Jeuriaenss had gone to Muyen near Amsterdam, to serve the church of God in the Word, while the said Jan Claess went to Muyen in company with some others to hear the exhortation. Thus he was arrested with Tijs Jeuriaenss and brought to the castle of Muyen, where they remained in prison about half a year. They were then sent to the Hague, where they were also kept confined about half a year, and were then sent back to Muyen, at which place, after about three months, both were sentenced to be strangled and burned at the stake. This was done, and their faces were burned black with reed, and each was put on a stake outside the dike, in the reed, at Muyen, for food for the birds. And since these pious witnesses of God suffered all this, not for having committed any crime (the only thing the secular power has a right to punish), but only for the truth of the Word of God and a good conscience, they are under the blessed promise of God, who has said: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5, verse 10. And since they have here for Christ’s sake given up their bodies to death, as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God, in confirmation of the truth, they shall receive these mortal and corruptible bodies again in the resurrection of the just, in eternal, glorious immortality, and shall live forever with Christ, whom they confessed here.

The particulars of this offering we have received from the lips of Symon Fijts, teacher of the church of God in Tessel, who was present in a chamber at their arrest, and visited them in prison, and with his own eyes witnessed their steadfast departure from this world.

This Tijs Jeuriaenss was a very zealous follower of Christ, who during his long imprisonment also wrote many excellent letters for the comfort of the God-fearing. Some of these were published long before this in a separate book, treating, among other things, of the bringing in and incarnation of Jesus Christ, and again of His departure, and also of the free will of man. Of these letters we present two to the reader, in order not to be too lengthy; they are as follows

The manifold grace of our God, and the abounding, deep love of His Son Jesus Christ, with the unsearchable, rich mercy of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, who has brought us into the kingdom of His dear Son and delivered us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father, and the fellowship, love, joy, comfort and mighty power of His Holy Spirit, we wish to all dear brothers and sisters, and to all our fellow believers; also much wisdom, patience, a valiant faith, immovable hope, the breastplate, helmet and armor of our God, certain victory, the triumphant, two-edged sword of the Spirit, and the power of God through the blood of the Lamb. To this high God and Lord, and to His blessed Son, be power, strength, might, praise, honor and glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Out of a pure heart I desire, with the prophet Daniel imprisoned in Babylon, out of pure love, to open the windows of my heart toward the pleasant city of my God, Jerusalem, and now to look lovingly upon her with a glad heart, and to show her a joyful face out of pure love; and so to turn the eyes of pleasant desire to her, and to show her out of pure love a pleasant, glad and joyful countenance, with the sound of rejoicing; for Jerusalem means vision of peace. This adorned and pleasant city of Jerusalem was shown by the angel of God to the apostle John. Revelation 21, verse 10. He saw it in the Spirit and in a vision, with a joyful heart, and confessed that Jerusalem is a vision of peace, and therefore it cannot be seen except through the vision of peace. John saw her in a vision, and discerned her by the Spirit of truth; so no one can see her now except by the vision of the Spirit, and through the Spirit of truth. This city has the glory of God; her streets are like gold, indeed, of pure gold. Verse 21. Here is the river of life, clear as crystal. Chapter 22, verse 1. In short, here is the pleasant tree, which yields her fruit every month; the leaves of it are for healing, for they are fruits of life. This city has high walls, twelve foundations and twelve gates. Chapter 21, verses 12 and 19. She has also twelve watchmen, with twelve trumpets, whose pleasant sound and glorious voice make my soul rejoice. This is that joyful, pleasant and sweet voice which delighted John; for it is like the voice of harpers playing on their harps. Chapter 14, verse 2. The sound and voice of all kinds of music in Babylon made the Babylonians kneel down and worship the high image (Daniel 3, verse 7); but this sound makes my soul rejoice with the joy of the Holy Spirit. This city is far more glorious than all other cities, for her builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11, verse 10. This city comes down from heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God; for God will dwell with them, and He shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 21, verses 2, 3 and 4. Behold, here is the spiritual Solomon of the spiritual tabernacle or temple. Here is the spiritual sea which is carried by twelve oxen. First Kings 7, verse 23. In short, here everything is spiritual; according to the request of Peter, living stones in this living or spiritual temple or house. First Peter 2, verse 5. Here the golden vessels filled with incense are brought to the altar of the Lord. These golden vessels filled with incense are poured out before the Lord, for they are the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5, verse 8. Thus everything is renewed in spirit and in truth. For here is the spiritual paradise, planted or founded by God Himself. Here men eat of the tree of life. Here is the spiritual Adam, of whom the literal one was a figure, after whose image all Christians strive, until they are like Him in weakness, for they must be conformed to the image of His Son. Romans 5, verse 14; Romans 8, verse 29. Here also the spiritual Eve and bride of this spiritual husband has come forth, through the spiritual sleep, and is thus flesh of His flesh and bone of His bones. Genesis 2, verse 23; Ephesians 5, verse 30. Here too, in spirit and in truth, is the spiritual ark seen by John. Revelation 11, verse 19. Here we enter in a spiritual manner into the ark of God, through the baptism of Jesus Christ, inwardly prompted to it by fire and the Holy Spirit, and outwardly all the evil carnal lusts washed with water; indeed, baptized into His death. Romans 6, verse 3. For as all flesh perished by the flood, so now all lust of the flesh must also perish through baptism, and die outside the ark, which the former represented. First Peter 3, verses 20 and 21. Here is the spiritual dove, which brought the spiritual olive branch into the ark of the Lord; for as the dove brought an olive branch in her mouth into Noah’s ark, to show that the flood was going down, so the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove upon Christ, to show that He was the Son of God, as had been said to John the Baptist

“Upon whom you shall see the Spirit descending, he it is.” John 1, verse 33. In the second place, to show that the flood, or punishment, had departed, and that joy and glad tidings had come.

Behold, this is the spiritual dove, as Esdras says: “Of all the fowls you have chosen for yourself one dove.” Second Esdras 5, verse 26. And Christ Jesus says to His disciples: “Be harmless as doves.” Matthew 10, verse 16. These doves bear the pleasant olive branch, which is Christ, to all those who with Noah desire it and take hold of it by faith. Once more I desire, with the eyes of love and with the vision of peace, to turn my heart and mind with John to the glorious woman (Revelation 12, verse 1), since the Lord has shown her to me through faith and the vision of His Word; for her beauty has drawn me, her loveliness inflames me, I am inclined to her, she has conquered my heart with her sweet singing, she has captivated me with her lovely eyes, she has bound me with heavenly bonds, for her bond is the girdle of truth, the bond of peace and love. Ephesians 6, verse 14; Ephesians 4, verse 3; Colossians 3, verse 14.

For her sake I have forgotten my father’s house. How charming and lovely is this woman, how glorious is her clothing! This woman has a crown of twelve stars upon her head; she is also clothed with the sun, and the moon is under her feet, and two wings are given her as well, to escape from the dragon. This woman is spiritual, and so she must be seen with spiritual eyes; all the proud and vainglorious cannot see her beauty; she is clothed with the sun, with the clear sun of understanding and of truth, says the Scripture.

I rejoice with John, for he says: “Let us be glad and rejoice, [and give honor to him:] for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Revelation 19, verses 7 and 8.

Whoever now hears this woman falls in love with her, and whoever lovingly turns his eyes and face to her, and sees her beauty, is captivated by her loveliness, for she is the Queen of the Son of the Most High God. This woman pours out the unadulterated sweet wine which comes from the true vine. Over this woman, or city of Jerusalem, I will rejoice with David and say: “I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalm 84, verse 10. O Jerusalem, you city of God, glorious things are spoken of you; for the Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Psalm 87, verses 3 and 2. Jerusalem, you most beautiful, most pleasant and most glorious city, above all royal cities! O Jerusalem, you pleasant city and vision of peace, over you is the King of Peace, the Mighty God, and Lord is His name. Isaiah 9, verse 6. Behold, these are the pleasant looks which my eyes cast upon you; these are the windows of joy through which I see you. Once more I must view your glory through the window of the divine truth; my eyes and face are so fixed upon you that the tears run down my cheeks. I cannot turn my eyes and face from you; though the winds blow into my face, so that the tears flow from my eyes, I will dry them with the beautiful, lovely, pure, white handkerchief that my most beloved gave me to dry them with, so that I may see her so much the more clearly. Behold, so I will now turn my heart’s delight to you with the beloved prophet David, and thus give you the desire of my heart, and say: “Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together: where the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, to the testimony of Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love you. Peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces. For my brothers and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within you.” Psalm 122, verse 3. Peace be with you all. Keep your foot when you go to the house of God. Concerning this house read Isaiah 2; Micah 4. [n979-1]

We poor prisoners in the Lord, and prisoners of Jesus Christ, for the testimony of our God, and for the incontrovertible truth of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; also cut off and banished for still holding fast to the truth and to this testimony; wish salvation, joy, gladness, love, comfort, strength, and the fellowship, working and power of the Holy Spirit to all our dear brothers and sisters who are rejected and oppressed by the proud, for the true knowledge of Jesus Christ and the fear of God, as a proof of their severe blindness and pride, and as a proof of patience and pure fear of God in all of you; in short, as a proof that through the power of our God you are kept in the faith, and also as a confirmation of His Word, that the gates and fiends of hell cannot cast you down. May the strong God from now on keep us all with His mighty power and word, through the abundant riches of His grace; to Him be praise, honor, glory, power, might and strength in glory for it, forever and ever. Amen.

Out of pure, brotherly, unfeigned love, and from the inmost part of our soul and the depth of our heart, with a pure conscience toward all banished, oppressed, burdened and distressed souls, I write this simple and plain letter to you, out of a pure heart, as a drop of morning dew, falling down for the refreshing, cooling and comforting of your hearts; therefore I beg you with all my strength, indeed, from the inmost depth of my heart, and by the cross and sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ, and also by His bitter death and His precious blood shed for us all, to discern and understand it with pure, clear eyes, ears and hearts. O brothers and sisters, look and consider diligently what the mighty power, Spirit and Word of the Lord have delivered you from. The hand of the Lord has powerfully delivered you, so that you would not be punished with the severe darkness and blindness into which many have fallen. God has also kept you well from all the plagues and sorceries of Egypt, while so many now lose their birthright.

O brothers and sisters, take heed to it. Because you hope firmly and confidently in the living God, the consuming, devouring, severe fire (which devours everything around it) has not been able to devour or consume you, though all heat, cunning and craftiness were used in Babylon’s fiery furnace; indeed, my friends, though the lions of Babylon gnashed their teeth, you, like Daniel, have not been harmed by them. God be forever praised for it. Therefore, my most beloved brothers and sisters, whom I love with all my heart, the power of the Lord has preserved you from this and from much more, for through His victory you have triumphed, and shall triumph, until you receive the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Amen. First Peter 1, verse 9.

I beg you all with an unfeigned faith, open your heart once, and consider and lay to heart in spirit and in truth these words of the prophet

“Your brothers who hated you, who cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified; but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed, says the Lord.” Psalm 66, verse 5. [n979-2]

In another place he says: “I did not sit in the assembly of mockers, nor rejoice; I sat alone because of your hand: for you have filled me with indignation.” Jeremiah 15, verse 17.

In the third place, mark the words of the prophet with an attentive heart: “I will also leave in the midst of you (says the Lord) an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord has taken away the judgments, he has cast out your enemy: the King of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of you: you shall not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear not: and to Zion, Let not your hands be slack. The Lord your God in the midst of you is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over you with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over you with singing. I will gather those who are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of you, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict you.” Zephaniah 3, verses 12 to 19; Isaiah 43; Isaiah 41, verse 14.

The prophet Ezekiel also says: “Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad, and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, that I should save his life.” Ezekiel 13, verse 22; Jeremiah 23, verse 14.

See, my worthy, chosen brothers and sisters, here you have comfort and joy in these and other similar passages, in which you can find joy and gladness with the afflicted in Israel; so these passages belong to you. For it was done out of the true fear of God, and because we feared in our conscience, we renounced them (God be praised), according to the word of the prophet (Jeremiah 15, verse 17) and the teaching of the apostle; for I declare before the Lord, and before His angels and hosts, indeed, that I am ready with all my heart, and desirous, by the help and grace of the Lord, to testify to this with my flesh, blood and death. This is the solid ground of truth, firm and incontrovertible. I do not doubt that they are wrong, and that we, through the grace of God, are right. So I long to testify with a joyful mind to their wrong, even to death, and also to confirm my faith and my little gift. May the Lord strengthen me and my fellow prisoner. But we must first drink the bitter cup with fear and trembling. Oh, that we might taste it! For I have already given myself to Him who was first given for me.

Therefore I pray further, for the sake of the fellowship and unity of the Spirit, that everyone love the brotherhood. First Peter 2, verse 17. O brothers and sisters, take heed to it with a pure heart and faithful love; for we have all been made to drink into one Spirit, and are baptized into one body. First Corinthians 12, verse 13. Therefore serve one another diligently in love. Cleave to Christ’s body, stay with your members, and neither separate nor divide. Let each esteem others better than themselves, and you will remain together with peace and joy (Philippians 2, verse 3); may the merciful God grant this to you and to us all. Amen.

In the third place, I pray further by the power of the Spirit, and by the conqueror Jesus Christ, indeed, I beg you by the love of the Father toward us; the words are full of joy, spirit and gladness

“As my heavenly Father has loved me, so have I loved you: continue in my love.” John 15, verse 9. O brothers and friends, take heed to it; love must be firm and sure, according to the example of Christ, for in it love is revealed, known and shown to us; indeed, in this love stands fast, declared by the death, blood and confession of His Son. O friends, my most beloved, this is the true measuring reed, according to John’s writing. Revelation 11, verse 1. Consider this in the depth of your heart.

In the fourth place, I further beg your love, consider with an attentive heart, and inwardly and outwardly, with a living, sober mind, test, measure and correct yourselves by the Word of God, and follow and hold fast to it. Oh, hold fast to the Word of God, and you will never be deceived.

In the fifth place, I beg all my brothers and sisters, as one who loves you with all his heart, if you would have your souls saved, receive the warning of the Holy Spirit, that in the latter times many shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits. First Timothy 4, verse 1.

O brothers and chosen sisters, consider, and learn to know the lying spirits. Oh, diligently test the spirits by faith, and by the knowledge of the Word of God. First John 4, verse 1. Distinguish the good and the evil consciences of men. Oh, discern and learn to know with diligence those whose minds are corrupt, and also those who have the form of godliness but deny the power of the Spirit. Do not despise these and other points; let them never depart from your heart, but hold them fast according to the Word of God; test all spirits, and measure them by it, and you will know what form or appearance they have. O brothers and sisters, beware with a pure fear of God, beware in every way, that no one set up his reason or conscience as a head, and fall back into his old natural state. But much rather let the heart and conscience grow and increase according to the Word of God. Let your understanding be of the unadulterated milk, and of the wine from the pure vine Christ. Refresh your heart with the living waters. Hold fast to the fountain and rock until death.

Lastly, I still beg your love, by the crying of Jesus Christ, by the weeping of the apostle Paul (Philippians 3, verse 18), and by the many tears of the prophet Jeremiah, to attend to and consider diligently, and with a living and working faith to hold fast to and not depart from the solid ground and immovable foundation in Sion. First Peter 2, verse 6. My brothers and sisters, we long to have to depart; help us, therefore, to contend for the faith (Jude, verse 3) and to defend it until death. We hope by His power and strong grace, help and comfort to go before you, if it is His divine will. We have already given our bodies to Him who bought our souls with His precious blood. First Corinthians 6, verse 20; First Peter 1, verse 19.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, we will now bid you farewell, and take leave for this time; if it were the will of the Lord, I would wish from the heart that it might be our final farewell and goodbye until in life eternal. His divine will be done with us.

We greet all brothers and sisters who love us in the faith, especially those who are banished, out of a pure, brotherly, unfeigned, sound love, with the mighty power, the word and peace of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, until in His eternal glory. Amen.

Further, do not forget us poor, miserable, weak fellow members, and receive our letter in good part; it is written out of love. We would have written more, but it is not necessary now; besides, we may soon be kept from it, for we are chained together like horses. We expect, as the bailiff says, a letter from the stadtholder as to what he shall then do with us.

The Spirit of peace, love, joy, peace, comfort and grace be upon all the God-fearing; especially do we wish much good to the banished, who, for the testimony of the truth, through their faith, have overcome the wicked and still overcome in Christ. The Spirit of peace be with your spirit. Amen.

Written on the 15th day of our imprisonment. I hope that through the grace of God we are bound with a strong chain of love; love abides steadfast until death. By me, TIJS JEURIAENSS.

I beg all my brothers and sisters, and you, as a prisoner in the Lord, by the mercies of God, and by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us. Second Thessalonians 2, verses 1 and 2. This is the faithful warning of Paul to his friends.