# Algerius, A Youth, A Student Of Padua, Miserably Burned For The Testimony Of Jesus, At Rome, A. D. 1557. A Consolatory Letter From Him.266 An Account Of His Sacrifice.

1557 · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: ALGERIUS, A YOUTH, A STUDENT OF PADUA, MISERABLY BURNED FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS, AT ROME, A. D. 1557. A CONSOLATORY LETTER FROM HIM.266 AN ACCOUNT OF HIS SACRIFICE.

Source heading; not independently verified

To my beloved brethren and fellow-servants of
Jesus Christ, who have gone out of Babylon unto
mount Zion, whose names I do not omit without
cause, grace, peace and mercy from God our Father,
and the Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Amen. In order somewhat to sweeten or take
away the pain which you suffer on my account, I
would communicate to you the sweetness which I
experience, that you may rejoice with me, and
shout for joy with thanksgiving in the presence of
the Lord.

I will tell to the world an incredible thing,
namely, that I have found infinite sweetness in the
bowels of the lion. And who will in any wise believe
what I am going to relate here? who can believe it?

In a dark hole I have found pleasure; in a place
of bitterness and death, rest and hope of salvation;
in the abyss or depths of hell, joy; where others
weep, I have laughed; where others fear, I have
found strength; who will believe this? In a state of
misery I have had very great delight; in a lonely
corner I have had most glorious company, and in
the severest bond, great rest. All these things, my
fellow-brethren in Jesus Christ, the gracious hand
of God has given me. Behold, he that at first was
far from me, is now with me, and him whom I
knew but a little, I now see clearly; to whom I once
looked from afar, him I now behold as present; he
for whom I longed, now offers me his hand; he
comforts me; he fills me with joy; he drives from
me bitterness, and renews within me strength and
sweetness; he makes me well; he sustains me; he
helps me up; he strengthens me. O how good is
the Lord, who does not suffer his servants to be
tempted above that they are able! O how easy,
pleasant and sweet is his yoke! Is there any like
God the Most High? who sustains and refreshes
those that are tempted; he heals them that are
bruised and wounded, and restores them all together.
Is. 41; 43:20. None is like him. Learn,
most beloved brethren, how sweet the Lord is, how
faithful and merciful; who visits his servants in trial
(Is. 43:2); who humbles himself and condescends
to be with us in our huts and humble abodes. He
gives us a cheerful mind and peaceful heart.

But will the blind world believe these things?
No; she will much rather say (since she is unbelieving):
You will not be able long to endure the
heat, cold and discomfort of this place. And how
then will you be able to bear the cross, the thousand-fold
contempt, wrong, reproaches, and undeserved
ignominy? Will you not regard your dear
native country, the riches of this world, your parents,
rank and honor at the court? Will you be
able entirely to dismiss from your mind your glorious
learning, which strengthens and recreates for
all labor spent? Will you lose so much for nothing,
yea, all the labors you have undergone, your much
watching, laboring and assiduity? For what purpose
have you labored and studied so much, even
from your very youth up?

But, last of all, have you then no fear at all of
death, which awaits you, though you are innocent?
O what extreme folly and ignorance it is, to be able
with a single word to avoid all this, and to escape
death, and yet you will refuse to do it! O what
a despicable thing it is to be able to obtain something
from such excellent, just, godfearing, wise
549
and good (or pious) councilors and illustrious men,267
and voluntarily to refuse to receive anything.

But hearken, ye blind and mortal men, what is
hotter and more intense than the fire which is prepared
for you? What is colder than your own heart,
which is yet in darkness, and has no light at all?
John 1:5. What is harder and more confused and
restless than your life? What is more ignoble and
repulsive than your age? Tell me, my dear, what
country or home is sweeter than the heavenly?
2 Cor. 5:1. What treasure is greater than eternal
life? And who are our parents and friends, except
those alone who keep the word of God? Where are
greater joy, riches, and honor than in heaven? Tell
me, ye ignorant, is not all learning given to know
God, whom if we do not know in truth, all our
labor, watching and exertion, yea, all our undertakings
are expended to no purpose? Answer me,
ye unhappy men: what comfort or balm can he
have, who misses God, who is the cure and refreshing
of all? Ex. 15:26. How can he say that I fear
death, if he himself is dead in sins, and thus prefers
death to life? 1 Tim. 5:6. For if Christ is the way,
the truth, and the life, can life be found out of Christ?
The heat is to me a refreshing pleasure, and winter
a joy in the Lord. I who do not fear the burning
of the fire, shall I be afraid of simple heat? Is he
tormented by ice, who consumes, melts, and falls
asleep in the love of God?

This place is indeed hard and severe for the
guilty and evil-doers; but to the innocent and righteous
it is very pleasant and sweet; hence issues
honey; hence flows the heavenly drink; here wells
up milk; here springs forth the abundance of all
good things.

It is true that this place is esteemed lonesome and
base: yet it is to me as a spacious valley, and one
of the most excellent places in the world.

Tell me, ye miserable men, whether I could have
a pasture or meadow more pleasant than this; for
here I behold kings, princes, states and nations;
here I see war (or conflict); these cut in pieces, the
others victorious; some that have fallen into low
estate, others who have attained to great honors.

Here is Mount Zion; here I rise and enter into
heaven; Jesus Christ stands before my eyes; around
me stand the fathers, prophets, evangelists, apostles,
and all the servants of God. He (the Lord) embraces
and nourishes me; these exhort me, those
show me holy things; these comfort me, others
escort me with music and song.

Shall I now say that I am alone, among so many?
For here I have whom I may take for companions,
comforters and examples, since I see some that are
crucified, some beheaded; some stoned; others cut
in twain; some roasted; others fried in pans, ovens,
and chaldrons of oil; some whose eyes are put out;
others whose tongue is cut out; these with their
skin pulled over their head; others with hands and
feet cut off; some that are cast into fiery furnaces;
others given as food to wild beasts; yea, it would
require too much time, were I to relate it all.

Finally, I see still others, who have suffered manifold
tortures and martyrdoms, and this only because
they now live and are free from all pain. And for
all these there is but one remedy, one medicine,
which can cure all their infirmities; and this remedy
gives to me also strength, and life, and cheerfulness
to suffer all these fears and afflictions, which are but
momentary, and not worth speaking of: this is the
hope which I have placed in heaven. I do not fear
those who unjustly revile and persecute me, since
he that dwells in heaven, will reject and extirpate
them, but will heal and restore these. I shall not be
afraid if a thousand surround me; for the Lord my
God will always deliver me; he is my shield and
protector; he is my comfort; he is my head; he
will beat down those who oppose me without cause;
he will break the teeth of sinners: for salvation,
blessing, might and dominion are his. The reproach
which we suffer for Christ’s sake gives us nothing
but joy and gladness; for it is written: If ye be
reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for
the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.
1 Pet. 4:14. If we, then, are so assured of our salvation,
we are not to regard the unjust reproaches
of those who revile us.

On the earth I have no continuing city or place
of rest; my home and country are in heaven; I seek
the new city of Jerusalem, which I see before me,
which comes to meet me. Behold, I am already on
the way; there is my sweet home, my riches, my
parents and my friends, my pleasure and my honor;
I have no fear that I shall miss them.

All these earthly things are but shadows; they
are all transient, and a vanity of vanities to those
who miss the hope and essence of eternal life.

The accomplishments, arts, or gifts which God
has given me, were at first pleasant companions and
recreations; now they yield me holy fruits. It is
true, I have sweated, suffered cold, and, as much
as I was able, watched night and day; but this my
labor has tended and redounded to make me more
perfect; there never passed a day or hour without
some improvement. Behold, the true countenance
of God has been revealed over my life, and the Lord
has caused me to experience great joy in my heart.
In him alone I shall rest in peace, 1 Pet. 1:8.

Who will now dare say that I have lost my age
and years? Who will say that I have lost my courage?
For my soul has said: “The Lord is my portion;
therefore will I seek him.” Lam. 3:24. Hence
since dying in the Lord is no dying, but leading a
blessed life, why then does a reprobate to God oppose
me, to prevent me from dying? All this will be the
greatest joy, if I only may taste the cup of the Lord.
And what surer pledge of my salvation could I find?
Has he not said: “Men will do unto you what they
have done to me?” John 15:20. Therefore let this
fool keep silence, who has now so long deceived
himself in the light of the sun. Let the blind world
cease, I say, to imagine such things. For I will say
with the apostle: Neither tribulation, nor distress,
nor famine, nor nakedness, nor care, nor persecution,
nor sword shall be able to separate us from the
love in Christ. We are killed all the day long: we
are lead to death like sheep for the slaughter. Romans
550
8:35,36. Thus we are partakers with Christ,
who has said that the disciple is not greater than his
master, and the servant not more than his lord. He
also left us the command, that each should take up
his cross and follow him.

Comfort yourselves, O most beloved fellow servants
of God, comfort yourselves, for we fall into
manifold temptations. Let our patience be perfect in
every place, since these things are promised us here
on earth, for it is written that those who kill us will
think that thereby they are doing God a holy service
and sacrifice. John 16:2. Hence fear and death
are only parts and things which teach us to understand
our calling, and we rejoice in a future life, and
shout joyfully in the Lord, since we are (far from all
sin) beaten, and delivered unto death. For it is better
to suffer for righteousness’ sake (if thus it be the
will of the Lord) than for evil-doing. We have an
example in Christ, and the prophets, who spoke in
the name of the Lord, and the children of unrighteousness
put them to death according to their manner
and custom. Behold what do we know? Blessed
are they that have continued steadfast! We rejoice
in our innocence and (God-given) righteousness.
God will punish them that persecute us.

I have been called a fool, since I do not conceal
the knowledge of God, and do not care whether I
speak in secret or openly; to which I could reply
with a single word. “O poor man, who or what are
you, who do not see the sun, and never once think
of God’s words.”

My dear, remember the words of Christ: Ye are
the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill
cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and
put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it
giveth light unto all that are in the house. Matthew
5:14,15. And in another place he says: Ye shall be
brought before governors and kings, and others.
Therefore, fear not them which kill the body; but
much rather him which is able to kill the soul.
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,
him will I confess also before my Father which is in
heaven. Matt. 10:18,28,32.

Since then the Lord has spoken so plainly of this
subject, by what authority then do they advise and
seek to persuade me? For I shall never forsake the
counsel of God, and follow the advice of men, since
it is written: “Blessed is the man that walketh not
in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the
way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
Ps. 1:1.

I shall never deny Christ, but will confess him
whenever it is necessary. I shall not esteem my life
more highly than my soul; I shall not exchange the
future for the present. O how little does he understand
and know who thinks us to be in the way of
folly. Wis. 5:4.

I do not deem it to be improper, though I do not
please the so-called most mighty, just, wise, merciful,
good and illustrious senators of this place, whose
grace is offered me, if I apostatize.

But since we are instructed by the apostles of the
Lord, that we must obey God rather than men, etc.,
therefore I do not accept this grace of them.

I wish that they were more perfect in the sight of
the Lord; it is true, they are mighty here, but they
should also perfect themselves in the Lord: they
are indeed just, but they are still without Christ, who
is the foundation of righteousness; they are wise,
but where the beginning of wisdom is, there is also
the fear of God; they are called merciful, but I wish
that they might be more patient or subdued in
Christian charity; they are good, but I wish them
the foundation of goodness, namely, the best and
most high God; they are called illustrious, but they
have not accepted our Savior, the most illustrious.

Hear, therefore, O ye kings, and understand;
learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth;
serve the Lord with fear, and approach him with
trembling. Receive instruction, and understand it,
lest the Lord be angry, and ye perish from the right
way. Why do ye rage, O ye people; and ye nations,
why do ye imagine vain things against the
Lord! Ye kings of the earth, and ye princes, why
are ye united together against Christ, the Holy
One of God? How long will ye seek lies, and hate
truth. Be converted, and turn to the Lord our God,
and harden not your hearts. For one cannot but
know that he who persecutes God’s servants, persecutes
God himself; since he has said: “Whatsoever
men shall do unto you, they shall do to me, and not
to you.” Zech. 2:8.

But, my dear, pray tell me, in what manner I
have deserved to be condemned? Is it that I have
not answered the most illustrious senators, my lords,
according to their pleasure? If I have said anything,
it was not I at all that said it, since the Lord says
that before the authorities it will not be us that
speak, but the Spirit of our Father which will be in
us. Matt. 10:30. Now, if the Lord is faithful and
true, which he is in truth, I am innocent. It was he
who made me speak. And what am I, that I could
withstand the will of God? Acts 11:17. Therefore,
he that would reprove such words, reproves the word
of the Lord, who worked in me. But if he thinks
that the Lord is not to be reproved, O then let him
not accuse me any more, since I am innocent of this
work; for I did what I would not, I spoke what I
thought not. But if the things which I have spoken
are not good and true, and this is found and proven
to me, then I will confess that they proceeded from
me alone, and not from God; but if I have said
things that are good and proved, and cannot with
justice be reproved, whether we will or not, it will
have to be acknowledged that they proceeded from
the Lord. Now, if all this is so, who then will accuse
me? The most wise people? Who will condemn
me? The most righteous judges? (who are nevertheless
unwise and unjust.)

Do what you will: shall the words of the Lord be
made void? shall the gospel be of account no
longer? Certainly not; but the kingdom of God shall
be only the more precious and sweet to the true Israelites,
and come the sooner to the chosen of Jesus
Christ. But they who do such things, shall experience
the great judgment of God. They that kill the
righteous shall not escape unpunished. 2 Thessalonians
1:6.

551

O most beloved, lift up your eyes, and take to
heart the counsel of God. Not long ago the Lord
showed you a sign of pestilence, in order to lead you
to repentance; but if this will not be received, he
will unsheathe the sword entirely, and smite with the
sword, pestilence and famine the people which exalts
the horn against Christ. May God, through his
mercy, avert this scourge from this place. To all believers
their most zealous servant, the imprisoned
and bound Algerius.

Written in the most delightful pleasure garden of
the prison, called Leonia, the 12th of July, A. D.
1557.268





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