Further, my dear child Betgen, I rejoice greatly that the Lord spared me so long, that I was made glad before my death through your letter, by which you have strengthened me. I pray the Lord to strengthen and confirm you with his Spirit, that you may go on thus, and follow that which is best, as you wrote to me.
O my dear lambs, see that you do not spend your youth in vanity, or pride, or drinking, or gluttony, but in sobriety and humility in the fear of God, and diligence in every good work, that you may be clothed with the adornment of the saints, so that God may make you worthy through his grace, to enter in to the marriage of the Lamb, and that we may see you there with joy. Your father and I, and many others, have shown you the way. Take an example from the prophets and apostles, yea, Christ himself, who all went this way; and where the head has gone before, there the members must certainly follow.
Herewith I will commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace. This is my last farewell, my dear lambs; always remember each other in love; diligently learn to read and write, and obey every one in that which is good. When your brother David and Tanneken come to you, greet one another with a friendly kiss of peace, in my name.
Herewith I bid you adieu, my dear child Betgen; adieu, my dear children David and Tanneken; adieu, all my dear brethren and sisters, and friends everywhere.
Once more we say adieu; greet uncle and aunt much with the kiss of peace, in my name.
Written by me Soetgen van den Houte, your mother in bonds; written in haste (while trembling with cold), out of love for you all. Amen.
JOOST JOOSTEN, BURNT AT VEER, IN ZEALAND, A. D. 1560.
It occurred in the year 1560, that at Veer, in Zealand, there was apprehended a young brother named Joost Joosten, a native of Goes, a small town in Zealand, who was considerably versed in the Latin language. When he was a student of about fourteen years, it happened that King Philip was in Zealand, and that this Joost Joosten was singing choral in church, in the organ-loft, as is customary in papistic churches. The King was so delighted with the lad’s singing, that he wanted to take him with him to Spain; on which account Joost kept himself concealed for six weeks, as he did not want to go away. Thus, he afterwards became converted to the true faith, and, consequently, was baptized upon his faith, and thus led a Christian life. This the enemies of the truth could not endure: hence they apprehended him when he was eighteen years old. He had to suffer many assaults, and divers times attempts were made to draw him from the faith. He disputed with four inquisitors concerning many articles of faith; they made strenuous efforts to draw him over to their religion. When they could not move him with such means, they tortured him dreadfully, especially with instruments called iron teerlingen, which they thrust into his knees so that they came out again at the ankles. But all this he steadfastly endured with great patience, and faithfully kept the treasure which he had in an earthen vessel. Hence the children of Herod sentenced him to death by burning; which they executed on him on a Monday before Christmas. On his way to death he rejoiced greatly in the Lord, and sang yet as he was going into the hut of straw in which he was burnt, the last verse of the hymn composed by himself, which begins thus: “O Lord, thou art forever in my thoughts.” He also wrote a confession of faith, of five sheets of paper, which, however, through course of time has been lost.
KOOLAERT, THE COOPER, A. D. 1561.
At Honschote, in Flanders, there was apprehended for the truth, in the year 1561, a brother named Koolaert the cooper, who, after freely confessing his faith, was taken to Wijnoxberge, and as he also there, notwithstanding the tortures inflicted upon him, would depart neither to the right nor to the left, he was sentenced to death, and burnt alive, about St. Martin’s day, for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ.