In like manner, Gerrit van Kempen was burned for the testimony of Jesus Christ, at Wislen.
THREE BRETHREN AT ANTWERP, OF WHOM THE OLDEST WHO WAS SPOKESMAN WAS NAMED JAN, A. D. 1550.
The malice of the priests was so great that they could not bear it, that those who sought in quietness to serve God the Lord in simplicity and sincerity should reside in Antwerp; but they so instigated the Margrave, that rather than lose his office, he went about to apprehend them, and having to this end sent out his servants, he arrested three of them, which caused the priests great joy. The captive brethren, on the other hand, also rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer for the name of the Lord. They were sharply examined concerning their faith, of which they made a good confession, with regard to baptism, and the sacrament, as well as to other articles; and though greatly assailed with subtlety by the priests, and the doctors of Louvain, they so sagaciously defended themselves with the Scriptures, that the Margrave himself declared that he had never heard so clear an exposition of the Scriptures, and that if he were with them only two weeks they should persuade him. Thereupon the brethren said: “Judge yourselves, whether it is not the true faith and the truth for which we pledge our lives, and from which we will not depart, but persevere therein to the praise and the glory of the Lord, who did not forsake us, even when we were sitting in darkness.” Heb. 10:28; Matt. 24:13; Heb. 13:5; Matt. 4:16.
Now when the doctors produced many Scriptures in a perverted and wrong manner, the brethren said: “How dare you be so presumptuous as to teach the way of the Lord so pervertedly?” One of the doctors replied: “It is because we are not willing to be imprisoned and in fear and tribulation with you; but in about seven or eight years I will promulgate the truth aright, and make great gain by it.” “Poor man!” said one of the brethren, “you trust in a vain hope, since you are sure of neither evening nor morning, hour nor time,” which came true; for he died shortly after. Luke 12:20. “Behold,” said they, “you acknowledge yourselves, that we have committed no crime; why then will you take our lives?” The council said: “The decree of the Emperor commands us to put you to death.” “Take then,” said they, “the decree with you into the judgment of the Lord, and see what it will avail you; indeed nothing.”
They were then sentenced, each to be burned at a stake. This sentence did not terrify them; but they greatly rejoiced, and comforted each other. The council said to the youngest: “Pray the Margrave, and he will very probably release you.” “O no,” replied he, “I will suffer with my brethren for the truth.” Thus they went together gladly and boldly to the stakes, saying to one another; “We go in peace to the peaceable house of God, there to obtain an everlasting habitation.” They also prayed for the lords, that God would not lay this deed to their charge, but enlighten them, that they might come to repentance. Finally, standing at the stake, they cried out: “Heavenly Father, receive our spirits into thy hands,” and thus they offered up their sacrifice as true children of God.
ANTHONY VAN ASSELROYE, A. D. 1550.
The Lord Jesus said to Peter, who was not only a lamb of Jesus Christ, but also a faithful shepherd, elder and overseer of the flock: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” “This spake he,” says John, “signifying by what death he should glorify God.” John 21:18,19. Here no great bishopric, benefice, or yearly stipend is promised to the high apostle Peter, by his master Christ Jesus, for this his faithful service, which he should begin and carry out in watching and feeding the sheep and lambs of the Lord; but much rather tribulation, bonds, and the bitter death with which he should meet. John 16:33; 15:20.
But even as his Master entered through tribulation and suffering into his glory, so it was his will, that his servants should follow his footsteps. This was exemplified, about the year 1550, in the case of one Anthony van Asselroye, a faithful follower of Christ and his chosen apostle Peter. He also bowed his neck under the easy yoke of our Lord Jesus, following him from the whole heart in the regeneration, so that he was chosen by the church of God, to feed and pasture, like Peter, the souls of the sheep of the Lord with the word of God; which he faithfully did in that dark, perilous and bloody time, until he fell into the hands of the blood-thirsty papists, who bound him, and carried him whither he would not; for no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous to the flesh, but grievous. Heb. 12:11.
Thus this teacher and elder was compelled to tread the bloody wine-press, and suffered and endured many torments from these persecutors. And as he patiently passed through all this, and no tyranny could move him to apostatize, he was condemned and put to death, and thus torn and devoured by these ravening wolves, according to the flesh, but in no wise according to the Spirit. But even as this hero and soldier of Jesus Christ obediently followed Christ and his faithful followers, in the faith and the regeneration, so he, at the appearing of the Lord, shall sit with them upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matt. 19:28. There he shall receive again, in glorious immortality, like unto the glorious body of our Lord Jesus Christ, the members which he delivered into bitter death, for the truth and the name of the Lord, and shall live with him forever. Philip. 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:17.
Peter Bruynen, who was offered up at Antwerp, A. D. 1551, confesses that he received Christian baptism upon his faith, by said Anthony van Asselroye.