Joos Kindt, A. D. 1553. A Letter Or Confession Of Joos Kindt, Imprisoned At Kortrijck, Where He Subsequently Lost His Life At The Stake, For The Testimony Of Jesus, A. D. 1553, Reckoning The Beginning Of The Year From New Year’S Day.

Joos. “Christ left the ninety and nine, and went to seek that which was lost.”

Then Ronse said: “Do you not believe that I am appointed your superior, by our holy father, the Pope, and our gracious lord, the Emperor?”

Joos. “I know no superior save Christ.”

Ques. “How; don’t you recognize the Emperor at all?”

I told him, that I was well content to have him be my superior according to the flesh. Then they wrote that I recognized no superior according to the spirit save Christ, and the Emperor according to the flesh.

Ronse then said: “When were you to confession last, tell me this?”

Joos. “I do not wish to speak to you here.”

Ques. “Why?”

Joos. “I shall speak before the lords in full court.”

“There,” said they, “it would be at the risk of your life, if you should say anything of consequence. Tell me,” said he, “what do you think of infant baptism?” Being urged to speak, I replied: “Nothing.”

Ronse. “Yea, in what baptism then do you believe?”

Joos. “I know of but one faith, and one baptism.”

Ronse. “How long since you were baptized?”

Joos. “Half a year, or thereabout.” This they noted down.

Ques. “What do you hold concerning the Roman church?”

Joos. “I do not hold the least article of all they hold.”

This was also written down. They asked me so much, that I said to them: “I have freely confessed my faith, and am ready to go alive into the fire for it; hence be content that you know my faith.” They asked a great deal. I said: “Go away from me; I regard you as enemies of the cross of Christ; hence, go away from me, for you know the ground of my faith, which I have freely confessed to you. Do therefore to me what you please; for it is through the grace of the Lord that I have these members, and I am also ready to give them up by the grace of the Lord, yea, to present them for his holy praise.” 2 Macc. 7:11. They spoke much, but I said: “Go away from me, and come no more where I am, for you are against God. Matt. 12:30. Do you not fear the Lord? See what is written Matt. 13, concerning the tares of the field. Now since you say that I am evil, the Lord has commanded that it should be left to grow until the harvest.”

Ans. “If we were to let it grow up, you would corrupt us all.”

Polet. “Does not Augustine say”—

Joos. “Don’t speak of Augustine, for I do not know him; I hold no doctrine save that of the apostles and prophets, and of the words which our Savior brought from high heaven, from the mouth of his heavenly Father, and sealed with his precious blood; for this I want to go into the fire; but Augustine, Gregory, Ambrose, these I know not.”

Ronse. “Yea, do you not believe that our blessed Savior is concealed in the holy sacrament?”

Joos. “I do not believe this.”

Ronse. “Where then is he?”

Joos. “At the right hand of his heavenly Father, and he will at the last descend with the glory of his Father, to judge the quick and the dead. Fear this strict judgment, and amend your ways; put on sackcloth and clothing of hair; repent, and go to the people, whom you keep running after your false worship; warn them, for you murder their souls, since you say that you have the key of the kingdom of heaven, from the time of St. Peter, and that the same has always remained in your possession. Well does Christ say that you have the key, and that you will not enter yourselves, and those that desire to go in you hinder.” Matt. 23:13.

Ronse. “Who baptized you? did Jelis the Baptist, baptize you?”

Joos. “You know how it is with me; be satisfied.”

Polet. “It was Adam Pastor.”

Ronse. “Or David Joris.”

I kept silent.

Ronse. “Joos, tell me who were your sponsors?”

Joos. “I know of no sponsors.”

Ronse. “Your witnesses?”

Joos. “I have told you that it took place; hence be content therewith; for I have such confidence in the Lord, that I trust he will keep the door of my mouth so that I shall tell you nothing, though you should tear me to pieces.”

They asked me a great deal. I said: “Go away from me; for you are not of God.” They replied: “We are.” I said: “Away! go away from me, go from me, and come no more where I am.” Much more yet took place, but it would take too long to write it. Finally they went away, and I was led back into my cell.