The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians / who baptized only upon confession of faith, and who suffered and died for the testimony of Jesus, their savior, from the time of Christ to the year A.D. 1660

by Thieleman J. van Braght

First Letter.

Grace, peace and mercy from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, is what I, Conrad Koch, a prisoner in the Lord, in Loewenburg, wish my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord. Amen.

I herewith inform you, that I had a call from the executioner, and they tried me hard with words, but did not torture me. The Lord kept me, so that I did not consent to them. Then they said that they would go to dinner, and then return and torture me. But before meal time was over yet, the intendant returned to me and told me much about the prince’s preacher, that I should let him come and see me once more, since he knew the errors which we held. I replied: “I do not want him; the word of the Lord has taught me. Did I not tell you, that I want no preacher?” He said: “It is true; but still I wish you would do my will so much as to say that you want him to come to you. Though you do not agree then, all right; it does not matter, so we only get rid of the man.” I replied: “I do not want to lay the cross of Christ aside.” Then he said: “Then I cannot alter it,” and left me.

Thus, my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, did the Lord preserve me from them. Pray the Lord faithfully for me, to keep me in his faithful word unto the end of my life, that I may adhere to it; for I am still of good hope, and willing with all patience to await, by the help of the Lord, all that he shall suffer to befall and come upon me for his name’s sake. May he not suffer more to be laid upon me, than I am able to bear, that his name may not be blasphemed through me. Hence help me entreat the Lord; I expect also not to forget to remember all my dear brethren and sisters, nor all those that fear the Lord. May the Lord come to our assistance, that we may pray according to his will, so that we may be heard with all the pious; to this end, may the Lord help us by his grace. Amen.

I have also been informed that our fellow-members at Cologne have been released from prison; the Lord be praised for his great love which he manifests toward us in these latter days, preserving us so safely from the deceitful serpents, who come to us so subtly with fair words, which are nothing but mere hypocrisy employed by them to seduce us from the covenant of the Lord. From this, may the Lord preserve all those who have accepted his covenant. Amen. Herewith I commend you to the Lord.

THE SECOND LETTER, WRITTEN TO HIS BROTHER A. OF B.

Grace, peace, and a heart steadfastly fixed upon the Lord, is what I wish you, A. of B., my dear brother in the Lord, and I thank the Lord for the letter you wrote me. Thanks to the Lord for it, and I also request of you, my dear brother, that you help me to entreat the Lord, that I may become worthy of what you wished me, and desired of me. However, I still have a good hope, thanks to the Lord for it. I also am still willing to suffer for his name’s sake; but may he give me strength for it. Amen.

I also desire you, my dear brother, to wish our brother H. K. much good in my name. May the Lord make us worthy of every good thing; however, I cannot write you as much as I should like to see you have. May the Lord, according to his great mercy, give us what will tend to our salvation. Amen. And I ask you to wish all my brethren and sisters with whom the Lord will cause you to come in contact, much good, and to admonish them to faithfully pray the Lord, to uphold me in his faithful word until death. I expect not to forget to remember you, as much as shall be possible for me. May the Lord assist us to pray in true love, so that we may be heard, and hereafter, with all the pious, inherit his kingdom; to this end, may the Lord help us. Amen.

I also inform you, that on Halloween two priests visited me, who desired to take me to church; and when I did not consent to it, they commended me to the Lord; there were also three judges here, and did their best; but the Lord preserved me, praise and thanks to him for it, and may he preserve you and me as long as we live. Amen. O my dear brethren and sisters, beseech the Lord diligently for me, that, since he suffers me, unworthy servant, to be cast into prison, it may redound to his praise, and to my salvation; this I desire with all my heart. May the Lord come to your and my assistance.

Herewith I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace. Amen.