But when, as before, their good resolution and firm faith could not be changed, they were finally again released upon the aforementioned, condition, but afterwards, having proved what they had to expect, they did not again appear before them without safe-conduct. But all these things were but the beginning of sorrows. Compare Tract, Jer. Mang. after the preface, fol. 1, A., with Tract, M. Meyli, fol. 2, A.
PROGRESS OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE AFORESAID LAST SWISS PERSECUTION, IN THE CASTLES WADISCHWYL, KNONOW, AND GROENINGEN, AS ALSO IN THE CONSISTORY AT ZURICH, IN THE YEARS 1636 AND 1637.
In the following year, namely, 1636, on the 17th of March, also on the 17th of August of the same year, and also on the 8th of September, and towards the close of the year, but finally, in May of the following year, 1637, nearly all Anabaptists, brethren as well as sisters, in the parts of Switzerland, but principally, in the territory of Zurich, were summoned before certain persons, political as well as ecclesiastical, whom the authorities had delegated thereto.
First in the castles Wadischwyl, Knonow, and Groeningen, where they all had to make known their names and surnames, which were written down.
The second time, again in the same castles, where they were informed: That they should conform to the common mode of worship in the churches; which they refused.
The third time, at Zurich, in the consistory (however not all, but only some), where they disputed with them about three articles of religion, namely, about baptism, the Supper, and church discipline, or evangelical excommunication; so that when they had declared their views touching these points, as also concerning the whole foundation of their faith, and asked the committee, whether one could not be saved with such a faith; they received for an answer: “Yes, one could be saved with it.” However, in the evening, this having occurred during the day, they were again greatly reviled, reproached, and threatened with regard to their faith; for, as the proverb says: “When the fox’s skin does not reach, they use the lion’s pelt.”
The fourth time, again in the same consistory, where it was told them: That they should indicate all their movable and immovable property; with the promise that not one stiver should be taken therefrom; which they candidly did and declared; hence all their property was written down and registered, and they were then put in arrest.
The fifth time, again in the aforementioned castles, to which end a letter of safe-conduct was given them. Here they were asked, what they had resolved as regards conforming to the common worship, etc., which they had been enjoined to consider; whereupon a letter from the high Bailiff, by the order of the high authorities, was read to them, which contained: That if they would not go to church, and therein obey the authorities, they should be imprisoned in certain places, and have to expect no mercy.
In the meantime the aforesaid brethren and sisters frequently requested permission to leave the country (namely, with their property), but consent was never granted; only two things were offered them, of which they might choose one, namely, 1. That they should have to go to church with them; or, 2. That they should have to die in the prisons in which they were to be confined.
The first they would not promise or consent to, and hence had to expect the second.