# A Confession Of Faith, To The Bailiff And The Council Then Residing In Dortrecht, By Jan Wouterss; Together With A Brief Explanation Exhorting Them To Repentance.

16th century (source section) · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: A CONFESSION OF FAITH, TO THE BAILIFF AND THE COUNCIL THEN RESIDING IN DORTRECHT, BY JAN WOUTERSS; TOGETHER WITH A BRIEF EXPLANATION EXHORTING THEM TO REPENTANCE.

Century of containing source section; exact event date not assigned

To my honorable lord the Bailiff, and my honorable
lords the burgomasters, aldermen and the
council of the city of Dortrecht. I, Jan Wouterss,
your prisoner, not for any crime, but for the sake
of my faith, which is nevertheless right before my
God, wish you, you ministers of God, that he would
grant you all a prosperous, peaceful, healthy, long
life, and understanding rightly to use your office,
in punishing the evil (that is, evil-doers), and protecting
the good. Rom. 13:3.

Further, the reason of my writing is, that I briefly
confessed my faith, but did not add the explanation.
Hence I put this in writing, in order not to summon
my honorable lords again, and cause them trouble.
I confess that I was a zealous papist in my youth,
which I heartily regret, for then no good fruits proceeded
from me. Afterwards God opened my blind
eyes, to serve no longer dumb idols, but the living
God alone, who created me. And he revealed to
and gave me, poor, sinful man, the faith of the
truth, by which we are saved. This faith is, as the
Scripture says: This faith and the inward baptism
constrained me to the obedience of his word, to fulfill
his righteousness. Hence I confess, that I was
baptized upon my faith, and this with desire, according
to the command of Christ, renouncing the
devil, the world, the pope, and his adherents.

I confess Christ Jesus alone as the way of the
truth, and the life. And there is none other name
given to men, whereby we can be saved, except
through Christ alone. I further confess that it is
certain that the customs of the priests and of all the
“shaved” are the broad way to damnation. They
are human institutions, an abomination to God, and
plants which our heavenly Father has not planted;
hence they are also cursed, for there can no other
foundation be laid, than that is laid, which is Christ
alone. Those of the pope’s adherents who undertake
to be leader’s are blind leaders, and if the
blind lead the blind, says Christ, both shall fall into
the ditch. Every one that will not believe it, or cannot,
because of his sins, the same must know it after
death by pain (2 Esd. 9:12); hence repent truly
now. Further, my honorable lord Bailiff thinks that
I am in error, or that my faith is of no account.
881
To this I reply: If this were true, then my fruits
would be evil, which always prove more than mere
confession; but now I have by the help of God
walked therein for so many years, from my youth,
even until now, according to my weakness, avoided
all bad company, diligently and quietly earned my
living, and eaten my own bread, from which I am
now taken away, as though I were a murderer.
O Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they
do; I forgive them, O my dear lords, repent, for he
who touches us touches the apple of the eye of my
God.

I also confess that I have attended the assembly
of the believers, so often that I cannot count it.
For the supreme King has given us a promise
therein, saying: “Where two or three are gathered
together in my name, there am I in the midst of
them.” Matt. 18:20. The apostle commands us in
his name, not to forsake the assembling of ourselves
together, but to exhort one another, and to provoke
unto love and to good works. Heb. 10:25,24.
I confess that I have never been in an assembly to
harm any one (think on this). I confess that I have
not for many years been to the priests’ confession
and their sacrament, and this because I do not
think anything of it; moreover, I confess, that I am
a sinful man, and need every day to confess my
sins before my God, and daily to die unto sin, more
and more, which I regard as the best confession.
But the sacrament I recognize as a little baked cake,
and wine, till it is consumed by the aforementioned
or by [other] men, and nothing else, but not as the
flesh and blood of Christ; he comes no more into
the hands of sinners. He dwelleth not in temples
made with hands (Acts 7:48), but in heaven, whence
he shall come to judge the quick and the dead, that
is, believers and unbelievers. But I confess that I
am well satisfied with Christ’s breaking of bread,
the practice of the apostles among the believers, in
remembrance of the body and blood of Christ, and
this not with drunkards, proud, strikers, adulterers,
murderers, idolaters, harlots, rogues, etc.

I also confess, that I did not marry my wife secretly,
that no one should see it, but before the
church of God; for marriage is honorable, but
whoremongers and adulterers God will punish.
Heb. 13:4. O my God, count it not sin to him who
took me away; for it is a bitter cup to me to part
from wife and child, because we love one another so
much. I also confess that my child has not been
baptized by the priest, neither by any one else, for
thereby I would despise the holy blood of Christ.332
But this is my firm belief that Christ has made
atonement for infants, and that Christ’s baptism
belongs to none but those who believe with all their
heart, as Cornelius with his family, Paul, and others;
of this aforementioned faith I am sure through the
grace of God, and know certainly, that there is no
other, nor ever will be. I have not founded myself
upon the wind, but solely upon the foundation of
the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being
the chief corner-stone, to the wicked an offense,
and to the good a defense and salvation. If
I must innocently suffer for this unadulterated faith,
I can think, that my Lord Jesus Christ, whose servant,
I poor, sinful man am, fared no better at the
hands of the authorities of that day, and this through
the instigation of the learned. O my honorable
lords, repent, amend your ways and your doings.
Jer. 7:3. And I also proclaim repentance to all my
lords still living, who are guilty of the innocent
blood of Joris de Ve.,333 who shall soon come forth,
shining in God’s glory, with great joy. For the day
of the Supreme Judge is at the door: this is apparent
from the pestilence, dearth, rumors of wars,
and many other signs. O my honorable lords, be
cordially warned of the evil which is to come upon
you, for it is done out of love and friendship, and
not through bitterness, for beyond doubt, we must
all appear before the Supreme Judge; there every
one shall give account of himself, and receive according
to that he hath done; there excuses or regrets
will not avail. Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10. O,
reflect; it will soon come to pass, and none can escape
it.

Further, I did not reply to all the questions of
my honorable lord the Bailiff, who demanded of me
that I should tell the truth, which I have done in
the confession of my faith, of this I am certain; but
the other questions I dare not answer, for Christ has
taught me: Do to men as you would have them do
to you; love your neighbor as yourself; love your
wife, honor your parents, etc. For this reason I
have forborne, and I am sure that in this my Supreme
Judge will justify me, when we shall together
appear before his judgment seat; for I have not
done it out of any disregard for my honorable lord
the Bailiff. I also have refused your learned men
the presentation, for I am so sure of my faith, that
[I am convinced that] all those who speak against it
are in error. Hence do not regard it as proceeding
from obstinacy on my part, but from the assurance
of my faith.

Finally, deal mercifully with me innocent one,
and think that I too am a man; for hereafter he
“shall have judgment without mercy, that hath
shewed no mercy.” Jas. 2:13. I confess one Lord,
one faith, one God, one Father of all, who is above
all, and in all believers. I believe only what the
holy Scriptures say; and not what men say. Farewell.
Written in my bonds.





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