In the year 1529, those of Basel imprisoned nine of those who were baptized according to the command of Christ; six[227] of whom, as they write, were banished.
They further write, that at Bomburg, a castle in the dominion of Basel, some of the chief Anabaptists were imprisoned by one Bartholomew Sincken who was castellan there. However, what they ultimately did with them, the record does not state. Compare this with the account in the preface to the Offer-boeck der Doopsgesinde, of the year 1615, letter Y, p. 2.
HANS LANGMANTEL WITH HIS MAN-SERVANT AND MAID-SERVANT, A. D. 1529.
Hans Langmantel, a wealthy citizen and of noble descent, during the re-establishment of the churches in Germany, received with his man-servant and maid-servant the truth of the Gospel, and, kindled with zeal, they believed the truth, forsook their sinful life, and were baptized upon their faith in Christ Jesus, for the remission and forgiveness of their sins; on which account all three were imprisoned, and, after enduring many assaults and torments, they were finally put to death for their faith, which they constantly confessed. Hans Langmantel and his man-servant were beheaded with the sword, while the maid-servant was drowned in the water. When they were still in severe confinement they sent the following, as a thank offering and prayer to God, which they made use of in prison, to their brethren, for consolation, admonition, and as a memorial, about A. D. 1529.
“O God, our heavenly Father, come with the power of thy Holy Spirit, that thou mayest rejoice our mind, heart and soul; give all three of us a manful heart, that in this anguish we fight and overcome. Rev. 2:7. Hold us with thy right hand, for thou art our strength; fight the battle for us (Ex. 14:14), and watch over us in distress, that we may stand in the conflict, and not go back when it is at its height. Therefore, O Lord, keep watch over us, and take care of us in this extremity, now that the wicked rise up against thy word, and would drive us from it. O God, preserve us in thy keeping, that we may not faint and abandon thy word. Let us enjoy the faithfulness which thou hast shown us through thy Son Jesus Christ; and in order that we may always earnestly contemplate this, send us thy Holy Spirit, and kindle in us the fire of thy divine love; lead us, thou who didst teach it in deed, that we may also exercise ourselves therein, and observe and practice it as thy dear children, that this gift may come upon us, and that, even as we are called, we may by it order our lives in this thy truth, maintain peace and unity, and love one another in truth with a pure heart. To this end, O God, let the light of thy divine glory illuminate us, that we may walk in it. O Lord, keep us in it as thy dear children, and let us never became obscured by the abominable darkness of this world, which has gained the upper hand with all unfaithfulness, and which will be followed by death. But thou, our Father, dost love equity. In thee there is no darkness (1 John 1:5); but the world is hardened with it. But thou art the eternal light, which penetrates the darkness; that we may no longer be children of the night, but children of the day. Watch over us with thy Holy Spirit, and teach us thus to go on in this light with delight and joy according to thy divine nature.
“O God, we beseech thee for one thing more: Send us to this end thy Holy Spirit, endue us with his power, renew our hearts, and make us strong in thee, that we may obediently hear thee in thy obedience, and praise thy name. When this world rises, and opposes thy words, so that our soul sighs to thee in all severe distresses by which they seek to tear us away, then, O Lord, grant us to look to thee for aid, and help us to overcome. Grant, Lord, that we may not stain ourselves by any sin or guilt, and take from our flesh the fear by which they would draw us away, and stop us in this work; that, when they shall lead us to death, we may not waver in the conflict, but may go to meet thee with all the pious in the true, adorned wedding garment, at the marriage feast, prepared for thy Son, when he shall receive his bride with everlasting joy and delight. Lord, assist us in every anguish and distress, and in the pain of death; give us the heavenly bread; send us thy Comforter, for God is the Comforter of the miserable. He makes the poor rich, and strengthens the feeble; he can refresh the weary and give strength to the faint, that they may come to thee. Through thee they overcome, who have now entered the conflict, to fight for the truth. In Christ, thy Son, help us to win the field on this earth, yea, in him alone. Be thou alone our Helper, protect us with thy sword, that we may together, as thy heroes, obtain the crown, and be forever with thee. Amen.”
GEORGE BLAUROCK, AND HANS VAN DER REVE, A. D. 1529.
About this time, George, of the house of Jacob, called Blaurock, having for about two or three years, in Switzerland, but particularly in the earldom of Tyrol, whither he had gone, spread and proclaimed the doctrine of the truth, that he might put his talent to use (Matt. 25:15), and by his zeal for the house of God be a means of salvation, was apprehended with his companions, at Gusodaum, condemned for the faith, and burnt alive not far from Clausen, for these articles, namely: That he had forsaken his office as priest, which he had formerly exercised in popery; that he disregarded infant baptism, and taught people a new baptism; that he rejected the mass; that he likewise rejected the confession of the priests as founded by them, and that the mother of Christ is not to be invoked or worshiped. For these reasons he was executed, and laid down his life, as behooves a soldier and hero of the faith. On the place of execution he earnestly spoke to the people, and pointed them to the Scriptures.
The love of the truth having begun to burn among the nations, and the fire of God having thus started, many were put to death for the testimony of the truth, in the earldom of Tyrol, especially in the following places: In the Gusodein district: at Clausen, Brixen, Stertzing, Balzen, Neumark, Katren, Terlen, Gundersweg; in the valley of the Inn; at Imst, Petersberg, Stejen in the Spruckthal, Schwatz, Rattenburg, Kufstein and Kitzbuehl. In these places a great multitude of believers constantly testified with their blood to the truth, through fire, water and the sword. Thus the people of God, as well as the great persecution increased daily. Jacob Huter became one of the overseers and teachers in the earldom of Tyrol, and not long after, with his people, united with the church which was in Moravia. After Jacob Huter removed with his people from the earldom to Moravia, partly compelled by great persecution, the tyranny in the earldom of Tyrol became daily more vehement; so that the pious had but few places where they could remain and many of them were apprehended, and put to death in various ways, for the faith. To this end the priests violently and furiously proclaimed from the pulpit, that care should be taken, to ferret them out, and to destroy them with fire and sword. Much money was also repeatedly offered and promised to those who should inform against them; by means of which they were several times betrayed. They were sought in every way, in forests and in houses, wherever their presence was suspected; in every place, also in closed gardens, which had to be opened, or they would be broken open, and searched. There was a Judas, called Prabeiger, who made use of his subtle artifice, thinking to obtain a large reward. He went to the authorities, and betrayed them all, bringing with him bailiffs and children of Pilate, with swords, spears, and staves, and went before them, just as Judas the traitor did, Matt. 26:47. They caught a great number, and dispersed the rest. Not long after, when they again assembled, another Iscariot, called George Frueder, manifested himself. He went to the priests, saying that if they would pay him, he would go, and none of the brethren should be able to conceal himself from him. Then the priests, the generation of the scribes and Pharisees, gave him money and good wages, and also a letter. This rogue then went out, assumed the form and semblance of an angel, and visited now and then such as he suspected of having knowledge of this matter. He inquired everywhere in the Pusterthal, where the brethren were, and how he could find them, desiring assistance to this end. With much weeping the rogue made this request, pretending that he could not rest until he were with them. Thus he deceived them, so that he finally came to them. He appeared before them very sad, humble and tender. As one who seeks to repent and to amend his way. He then very suddenly said: “My brethren, grant me this, and wait a little while, and I will go home and fetch my wife and child.” Many thoughts came to the minister and he said to him: “If you are false of heart, and your intention evil, God will certainly find you, and you shall speedily bring down his judgment upon you.” But he said: “O no, God preserve me from that; come with me into my house.” Thus he went away, and hastened to the judge, the magistrate, and the priests, who came with force, with swords and sticks, and apprehended the brethren and sisters.
Several other villains of this class manifested themselves, especially one whose name was Peter Lantz, and one named Pranger. Some went about by night with much craftiness, acted in the same manner, and went to places and houses where they expected to find of these people; but God gave them the recompense which they deserved, so that they might have wished that they had never been born.