# Three Brethren At Antwerp, Of Whom The Oldest Who Was Spokesman Was Named Jan, A. D. 1550. [Previous page: GERRIT VAN KEMPEN, A. D. 1550.](/en/stories/mm-gerrit-van-kempen-a-d-1550/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: ANTHONY VAN ASSELROYE, A. D. 1550.](/en/stories/mm-anthony-van-asselroye-a-d-1550/) The malice of the priests was so great that they could not bear it, that those who sought in quietness to serve God the Lord in simplicity and sincerity should reside in Antwerp; but they so instigated the Margrave, that rather than lose his office, he went about to apprehend them, and having to this end sent out his servants, he arrested three of them, which caused the priests great joy. The captive brethren, on the other hand, also rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer for the name of the Lord. They were sharply examined concerning their faith, of which they made a good confession, with regard to baptism, and the sacrament, as well as to other articles; and though greatly assailed with subtlety by the priests, and the doctors of Louvain, they so sagaciously defended themselves with the Scriptures, that the Margrave himself declared that he had never heard so clear an exposition of the Scriptures, and that if he were with them only two weeks they should persuade him. Thereupon the brethren said: “Judge yourselves, whether it is not the true faith and the truth for which we pledge our lives, and from which we will not depart, but persevere therein to the praise and the glory of the Lord, who did not forsake us, even when we were sitting in darkness.” Heb. 10:28; Matt. 24:13; Heb. 13:5; Matt. 4:16. Now when the doctors produced many Scriptures in a perverted and wrong manner, the brethren said: “How dare you be so presumptuous as to teach the way of the Lord so pervertedly?” One of the doctors replied: “It is because we are not willing to be imprisoned and in fear and tribulation with you; but in about seven or eight years I will promulgate the truth aright, and make great gain by it.” “Poor man!” said one of the brethren, “you trust in a vain hope, since you are sure of neither evening nor morning, hour nor time,” which came true; for he died shortly after. Luke 12:20. “Behold,” said they, “you acknowledge yourselves, that we have committed no crime; why then will you take our lives?” The council said: “The decree of the Emperor commands us to put you to death.” “Take then,” said they, “the decree with you into the judgment of the Lord, and see what it will avail you; indeed nothing.” They were then sentenced, each to be burned at a stake. This sentence did not terrify them; but they greatly rejoiced, and comforted each other. The council said to the youngest: “Pray the Margrave, and he will very probably release you.” “O no,” replied he, “I will suffer with my brethren for the truth.” Thus they went together gladly and boldly to the stakes, saying to one another; “We go in peace to the peaceable house of God, there to obtain an everlasting habitation.” They also prayed for the lords, that God would not lay this deed to their charge, but enlighten them, that they might come to repentance. Finally, standing at the stake, they cried out: “Heavenly Father, receive our spirits into thy hands,” and thus they offered up their sacrifice as true children of God. ## Original source [Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#Page_479) [Edition details](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65855) [Previous page: GERRIT VAN KEMPEN, A. D. 1550.](/en/stories/mm-gerrit-van-kempen-a-d-1550/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: ANTHONY VAN ASSELROYE, A. D. 1550.](/en/stories/mm-anthony-van-asselroye-a-d-1550/) --- Page: https://history.truechristian.church/en/stories/mm-three-brethren-at-antwerp-of-whom-the-oldest-who-was-spokesman-was-named-jan-a-d-1550/ [Contribute a correction or addition](https://github.com/trueChristian/history.truechristian.church/issues/new?title=Correction%3A+Three+Brethren+At+Antwerp%2C+Of+Whom+The+Oldest+Who+Was+Spokesman+Was+Named+Jan%2C+A.+D.+1550.&body=%23%23+Page+or+topic%0AThree+Brethren+At+Antwerp%2C+Of+Whom+The+Oldest+Who+Was+Spokesman+Was+Named+Jan%2C+A.+D.+1550.%0A%0APage%3A+https%3A%2F%2Fhistory.truechristian.church%2Fen%2Fstories%2Fmm-three-brethren-at-antwerp-of-whom-the-oldest-who-was-spokesman-was-named-jan-a-d-1550%2F%0A%0ARecord%3A+mm-three-brethren-at-antwerp-of-whom-the-oldest-who-was-spokesman-was-named-jan-a-d-1550%0A%0ADate+currently+shown%3A+1550%0A%0A%23%23+Correction+or+addition%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Sources+and+evidence%0APlease+include+book%2Fpage+references%2C+archive+links%2C+or+first-hand+documentation.%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Image+credit+%28if+applicable%29%0ACreator%2C+source%2C+and+permission+or+public-domain+basis.%0A%0A%0A%0ASubmitted+for+review%3B+this+issue+does+not+publish+changes+automatically.)