THE FIRST LETTER OF LAUWERENS VAN DER LEYEN.

Grace and peace be unto all the brethren residing at Emden, especially to my two brothers, and Tonijntgen, Lieven’s wife. May the Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and us all, through his divine Spirit. Amen.

I, Lauwerens van der Leyen, imprisoned for the testimony of Jesus Christ on the 21st of May. On the 22d I confessed my faith before the Prometeur, Mr. Claes; for he came alone, in hopes that I should say what he wanted to hear; but the Lord kept my lips. Asked, before whom I had been to confession and to the sacrament on Easter, I replied: “Before Mr. Lieven Biestman, but not last Easter; for he has been dead for two or three years.” I was asked: “Do you not believe that God is in the sacrament in flesh and blood?” I said: “No.” What then do you think the sacrament to be? “An idol,” I replied. I was asked whether I did not believe in the Roman church, of which the Pope is the head. I replied: “No; for I loathe the Roman church, for 610 she is utterly contrary to the truth; but I believe in the apostolical church, of which Christ is the head.” What do you think of infant baptism? “I regard it as worthless and an abuse; for I renounce my first baptism.” “Then you are not baptized?” I said: “No.” “Is baptism not necessary, then?” I replied: “Yes, it is necessary to perfection.”

“Why then are you not baptized?” I replied: “I was not good enough yet.” “Why?” “Because I was too much involved in this world; for I was, and am still, greatly in debt, and I thought that if I should be apprehended, people would say that I was a cheat, and thus many should be offended; for this reason I forbore to receive baptism. But I consider it good and right, and want to live and die herein; and though I have not been baptized, the Lord in his mercy will save me, through his sufferings and precious blood; for I believe all that a Christian is bound to believe; and herein I will abide, you may do with me what you please; for I am now in your power.”

I was further asked what I believed concerning the incarnation; whether I did not believe that Christ came from Mary’s flesh and blood. I said: “I believe as the Scriptures testify concerning it, John 1 and Luke 1.” And I stated it at length. Thus it remained, and I had to note it down. This was the severest assault; it lasted two or three hours.

On the 24th of May the Dean of Ronse and two others came. He approached me with many fine words, and said: “Lauwerens, you must suffer yourself to be instructed; it will not do for you to depend upon a few lay men, who have made stockings for thirty or forty years.” I replied: “Do you think that I depend upon men? he that trusteth in man is cursed, as the Scripture says. I put my trust in God alone, and in his living word; and herein I will abide as long as God grants me life.” Jer. 17:5; 1 Tim. 6:17. But they wanted with many words to show me, that God was in the sacrament; however, I would not believe it at all. With these words we parted, having been together at least two hours.

Written in haste, by me, Lauwerens van der Leyen, the 25th of May, A. D. 1559.