Jan, Hendrick, Bastiaen, Hans, Mariken Van Meenen, Beetken Van Brugh, and Lijntgen, the 15th of August, A. D. 1561.
A. D. 1561, there were imprisoned at Antwerp in Brabant, for the testimony of Jesus, seven pious witnesses of the truth, named Jan, Hendrick, Bastiaen, Hans, Mariken van Meenen, Beetken van Brugh and Lijntgen. All these had the house of their faith built so firmly and immovably upon their head and corner-stone Christ Jesus, that neither the philosophy and crafty seduction, nor the tyranny and violence of the papists could in any wise bring them to apostatize, but their faith was found much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire (1 Pet. 1:7); so that they, on the 15th of August of said year, at said place, surrendered their lives for the truth, and obtained the end of their faith, eternal salvation, through the grace of God, and are waiting now to receive, together with all the pious, the crown of everlasting glory, in eternity.
Read, concerning this, the beautiful long hymn composed for the comforting of these prisoners, and dedicated to them, in the second hymn book. It begins: “Lieve broeders wy groeten u met sangen.”
TWELVE CHRISTIANS AT BRUGES: ADRIAEN BRAEL, LUCAS HENDRICKS, MARIJN AMARE, NIKASEN AMARE, HANSKEN LISZ, ANDRIES DE MEULENAER, ANTHONIS KEUTE, HANSKEN PARMENTIER, JAN N., JELIS OUTERMAN, FRANCIJNTGEN MEULENAERS, MAEYKEN TRAMS, IN THE YEAR 1561.
In the year 1561, on the evening before St. Martin’s day, some Christians were assembled together, at Bruges, in Flanders, who instructed one another with the word of the Lord, concerning the amendment of life. When the lords learned of this, they sent thither the servants of the Bailiff, who came running in, and cried: “Surrender, or we will run you through; and deliver up all your arms and books.” They replied: “We are not a people who seek to avenge themselves; but we leave vengeance to God, who will avenge it in due time.” They were then fettered, two and two together, and taken to prison; they walked on boldly, comforting one another with the word of God. Three escaped, namely, Rutsaert, and his wife, and one named Maeyken; but the others who were imprisoned were joyful. Francijntjen Meulenaers said to Maeyken: “Dear sister, let us remember that the kingdom of heaven is nigh, and let us be sincerely faithful to our bridegroom.”
Jelis and Hansken Parmentier each sang a hymn for joy. On St. Martin’s day they were brought before the lords, where they boldly confessed their faith, as also, that they had been baptized aright according to the command of Christ.
These ten brethren and two sisters remained in prison for about thirty days, where they praised and thanked God, and prepared themselves to suffer for his name. During this time they were once more brought before the lords, where they again confessed their faith, and said that they would firmly adhere to it.
Afterwards, on the 10th of December, six of them were offered up, namely, Adrian Brael, Lucas Hendricks, Marijn Amare, Nikasen Amare, Hansken Lisz, and Andries Meulenaer, who, boldly comforting one another, said, among other things: “Now the fight is fought, the course almost finished, the faith kept, and henceforth, as Paul says, the crown of life is prepared for us.” 1 Tim. 4:7,8; Jas. 1:12.
The following day, the 11th of December, the other six were put to death, namely, Teunis Keute, Hansken Parmentier, Jan, Jelis Outerman, Francijntgen Meulenaers, Maeyken Trams, who also boldly and joyfully, with their lamps, and adorned with their wedding garments, went to meet their bridegroom, with such great love that for his sake they did not fear bitter death. Francijntgen called to one of her acquaintances, enjoining her cordially to greet the brethren and sisters in the Lord, and to tell them that she so gladly suffered for the name of the Lord, and would boldly fight, together with her bridegroom.
Thus all these, the first as well as the last six, were strangled and burnt for the name of God and his truth. They are now at rest, and wait for the coming of our Lord, who will avenge their sufferings.