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.”