ANDREW SMUEL AND DIRK PIETERS. THE DEFENSE AND CONFESSION OF FAITH WHICH THEY MADE AT AMSTERDAM BEFORE THE COMMISSARIES, AND CONFIRMED WITH THEIR DEATH, IN THE YEAR 1546.

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever, Amen. Hear my confession to the princes of this world. In the first place, they inquired concerning my faith. I therefore said to them: “A scribe came to the Lord, and asked him, saying: Master, which is the great commandment? The Lord said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and thy neighbor as thyself; this is the greatest commandment, and there is no other. The scribe answered and said: Thou hast answered well, that there is one God, and to love him with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love our neighbor as ourself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

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To this they replied: “We know that there is one God; but do you believe, that when the priest stands at the altar, God is in his hands?”

I said, “No. Stephen said: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of the Almighty Father.” Acts 7:56.

They again said: “Then you do not believe that he is there?”

I said, “No.”

Question: “We have been told, that when your pastor went on one side of the street, and you and two others on the other, you gave no honor either to him or to the sacrament; is this true?”

Answer: “Yes.”

Ques. “Why did you do this?”

Ans. “I will tell you, my lords: the Lord says through the prophet Isaiah, chapter 2, verse 8: They worship the work of their own hands: that which their own fingers have made: and the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.”

Ques. “Did you do it for the reason that it was made by the hands of men?”

Ans. “Yea, my lords, because I would not offend my Lord and my God with it.”

Ques. “How long ago is it since you went to confession the last time?”

Ans. “About two or three years.”

Ques. “Why so?”

Ans. “Because the Lord has said: Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.

Ques. “Did you do it on this account?”

Ans. “Yes.”

Ques. “How long is it since you attended the sacrament?”

Ans. “Also about two or three years.”

Ques. “Why so?”

Ans. “Because Paul says: Christ presented to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph. 5:27.

Ques. “Did you do it because you were not worthy of it?”

Ans. “Yes, because I have spots and wrinkles.”

Ques. “What do you believe concerning the holy church?”

Ans. “I know of no holy church, except the congregation of the apostles, of which Christ is the corner stone.”

Ques. “We well know this, that there was a holy church then.”

Ans. “Can another foundation be laid, than that is laid? 1 Cor. 3:11. Paul says to the Galatians, in the first chapter: I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another Gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you, than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other Gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it. Gal. 1:6–12. He further says, to the Corinthians: For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Cor. 2:2.

Ques. “Well, what do you hold concerning Mary the mother of God?”

Ans. “Much, for she humbled herself before the Lord, and was exalted through her humility.”

Ques. “You have answered well. What do you hold with regard to purgatory?”

Ans. “I know of only two ways.” Matt. 7:13.

Ques. “Do you know your pastor well?”

Ans. “I know him well by sight; but I have never spoken to him, nor he to me.”