BARTHOLOMEUS PANTEN, MICHIEL THE WIDOWER, AND KALLEKEN N., A. D. 1592.
In the year 1592, in the month of July, there were apprehended at Ghent in Flanders, for the practice of the word of God, two brethren and a sister, named Bartholomeus Panten, Michiel the widower, and Kalleken N., who suffered much temptation, and were severely examined, by the priests, the Jesuits, and also by the pensionary, before whom they freely and fearlessly confessed their faith, to which they adhered steadfastly without departing from it. Thereupon it happened, that the sister was released from her bonds and set at liberty. But the brethren were severely tortured, in order that they should apostatize from their God, and indicate their fellow-brethren. But God, who does not forsake his own, but keeps them as the apple of his eye, so succored them, that they were enabled to adhere steadfastly to him and his word, and to keep their lips from bringing their neighbor into trouble. Hence they were finally sentenced to death as heretics, for the testimony of Jesus Christ, and having first been hanged to the gallows, and strangled, in the Count’s castle, they were then buried without in the gallows’ field. And as they helped the Lord Jesus Christ bear his reproach, so they shall also be received up with him into his glory full of honor and light, to live with him forever in joy and gladness.
We have also added here, for the benefit of the reader, the letters which Bartholomeus Panten wrote in his bonds.
THE FIRST LETTER FROM BARTHOLOMEUS PANTEN, WRITTEN TO HIS BROTHER KAREL, RESIDING AT HARLEM.
After an affectionate greeting to you, my beloved brother, without forgetting your wife and household, I inform you, that through the grace of the Lord I am well in body; and as regards the spirit, it is my purpose, by the help of the Lord to adhere to the truth unto the end, which I also wish you. Further, my beloved brother, I inform you of the condition in which I now am, that is, that I am now imprisoned at Ghent, together with another man and a woman, for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the truth of the Gospel, for which the other man and I have been tortured, and I have unworthily suffered: and they threatened to inflict still further sufferings on us. But Peter says: “And be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts;” since they cannot do to you more than is permitted them of God. 1 Pet. 3:14,15. And Paul says to the Corinthians: “For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened.” 2 Corinthians 5:1–4.
Thus, my dear brother, I see no other way to attain to eternal life than to bear the cross which God has laid upon us, as Christ says: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matt. 16:24–26. But the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us, for which cause, says Paul, we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:16–18. Know, that I had temptation from the Jesuits and priests, and from the pensionary, but by the help of God I have hitherto resisted all these storms, and hope that he will further help me by his Spirit and power, without which we are not able to do anything; for of myself I have nothing but all weakness, misery and imperfection, which I have lamented with tears before God, praying him, that he would not enter into judgment with me, without his grace, for there shall no living soul stand innocent before him.
Herewith I commend you to God, and remember the words of Paul, where he says: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit. Eph. 4:1–4. And to the Colossians: Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:13–15. And to the Galatians: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain-glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens. . . . For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. Gal. 5:25,26; 6:1–5. Again, in James 5:19,20 we read: Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. James 5:19,20. And Peter says: Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Pet. 4:8. For John says: “Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that ye should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother.” 1 John 3:10–12.
Hence, my dear brother, be kind and affectionate with one another, and forgive one another, even as God has forgiven you through Christ. Paul also says: “Warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”
Herewith, my dear brother, I bid you adieu, if we should see each other no more.
Written in my bonds, to Karel Panten, my brother, by me,