# Another Letter From Hans Bret, Written To His Beloved Mother, The 19th Of July 1576.

16th century (source section) · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: ANOTHER LETTER FROM HANS BRET, WRITTEN TO HIS BELOVED MOTHER, THE 19TH OF JULY 1576.

Century of containing source section; exact event date not assigned

The unspeakable grace, peace and mercy of God
our heavenly Father, who is a Father full of grace
and truth, through the bitter suffering and death
of our only Savior Christ Jesus, who washed and
cleansed us from all our sins and unrighteousnesses;
the power of the Holy Ghost, for the increase of
your faith, to resist all the enemies of truth; this
I wish you, my affectionately beloved mother, for
the salvation of your soul. Amen.

My dearest mother, whom I love from the heart;
my chosen mother, who gave birth to me in pain
and anguish, from whose body I came forth; I, your
son, who am now confined at Antwerp, in prison,
for the word of truth, commend myself to you from
the bottom of my heart, and thank you, my dear
mother, for the great benefits you have shown me
from the beginning of my existence until the present
day, that you have cared for my necessities, and
are still caring for me. But especially do I thank
you, my dearest mother, that through the comforting
letter you wrote me, you exercise a care for the
salvation of my soul.

O, when I began to read the letter, and understood
that it was from you, my mother, then my
tears began to flow, so that I could hardly finish
reading the letter, because of the many tears that
flowed from my eyes; for I had thought that I
should hear from you no more. I was so rejoiced
by your consoling instruction, and that you followed
the example of Tobit, who also gave instruction to
his son.

O I thank, yes, I thank you, my dear mother,
that you thus exhort me to steadfastness and boldness,
to confess the name of Christ, which I hope
to do by the help of the Lord, who alone is my
helper and my strength, to resist the principalities
and powers of this world, the spirits of the air, as
Paul says (Eph. 6:12), yea, these priests of Jezebel,
who thirst for the blood of the righteous that walk
in the ways of the Lord, who, according to the
word of Christ, seek to walk the narrow way, and
to forsake their own life, as also, sin, unrighteousnesses
and carnal lusts, and seek to please the Lord
in righteousness, according to the will of God, in
holiness. 1 Thess. 4:3. These are rejected, despised,
and persecuted, yea, imprisoned; their end
is to be killed, because they seek to walk the way
in such a manner, that they may please the Lord.
Hence Esdras says: The way is narrow, and cannot
be walked without danger. 2 Esd. 7:8. This we
may well consider.

Behold, there were two brothers in the world,
namely, Cain and Abel. Abel sought to walk the
narrow way and to please the Lord with his offering,
with which the Lord was pleased and had respect
to it, because he and his offering were good.
Cain sacrificed to the Lord, but his offering did not
please the Lord, because he was evil; hence the
Lord had not respect to his offering. Then Cain
was angry at his brother Abel, and slew him.
1 John 3:12.

Consider Lot in Sodom, how they assailed his
house through their wickedness, and wanted to
commit fornication with the angels that had entered
into his house. Again, Abraham had to forsake his
country, and went to sojourn in a strange country,
where he was a stranger, and had to live in tents.
Again, behold Isaac, who walked in the ways of his
father Abraham, and served the Lord; he was hated
by the Philistines; for they went and stopped the
well which his father Abraham had digged; yea,
that was not enough yet, but King Abimelech commanded
him to leave his dwelling place. Genesis
26:14.

Jacob was hated and persecuted by his brother
Esau, who also sought to kill him.

Joseph was by his brethren cast into a pit, and
sold to the Ishmaelites; and chose rather to flee
from the wife of the captain of the guard, leaving
his mantle behind than to comply with her desire.

So, dear mother, I will also rather lose my life,
than do what they command. The children of Israel
were also afflicted. If I were to tell further all that
happened to all God’s prophets, I fear my paper
should not suffice; such and similar examples,
namely, concerning Christ, the author of faith, how
he was persecuted in this life; yea, he had hardly
been born, when his mother Mary had to flee with
him. She nourished him up in poverty, yea, he was
in poverty, for he himself says: “The foxes have
holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the
Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Matthew
8:20. Behold, how it further went with him:
they crucified him; his feet and hands were pierced;
the gave him vinegar and gall to drink; and his
side was pierced with a spear, from which flowed
blood and water.

Observe, thus it went with our Captain Christ Jesus;
thus he concluded his days in poverty and with
reproach, was scourged, beaten, mocked, and
crowned on his head with a crown of thorns. O I
cannot sufficiently tell all that he suffered for us
poor men, to save us and yet these Pharisees are not
ashamed to rob his honor, saying that we are saved
by baptism; whereas the Lord Christ sanctifies and
cleanseth from sin. O how sad it makes me when I
hear this; the Lord forgive them. Yea, if Christ
were here now, they would kill him yet.

Thus we have an example in our Captain Christ,
yea, in his dear apostles. Paul too, suffered much
991
for the name of Christ. Consider how many others
yet have suffered since the time of Christ and the
apostles, unto the present day.

Since, then, my beloved mother, so many have
suffered, and we are compassed about, as Paul says,
with so great a cloud of witnesses; I say with Paul:
I rejoice in my sufferings which I endure for Christ’s
sake. Heb. 12:1; Col. 1:24. Hence rejoice also,
that Christ wants me, your son, to whom you have
given birth, a poor, unworthy man, worthy to suffer
for his holy name, so that I long to be delivered
from this flesh, and to be with Christ, in whom I
now believe, yet not see; but then I shall behold
him; and partake of the joy which the heart of man
has never conceived of, neither can tongue express
the great joy that is prepared for the good. They
shall be clothed in fine, white linen; they shall be
crowned with the crown of eternal life; they shall
sit upon Mount Sion, and sing the new song, so
that I may say as David says: “A day with the
Lord is better than a thousand in joy and gladness
here.” Rom. 7:24; Luke 23:42; 1 Pet. 1:8;
1 John 3:2; Rev. 19:8; 2:10; 1 Esd. 2:42; Psalms
84:10.

O dear mother, who would now want to remain
here, when such joy is prepared for the good, which
shall last forever. There we shall neither hunger
nor thirst any more, there we shall feel neither heat
nor cold, so that I may say with Paul: I reckon
the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to
be compared with the glory which shall be revealed
in us. Rom. 8:18.

Hence, then, dear mother, in consideration of
this, I need not think it strange, though I suffer for
the name of Christ, for his word and truth; since all
God’s righteous ones, from the beginning of the
world have suffered. Hence Peter says: “Think it
not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try
you, which means tribulation, affliction and persecution.”
1 Pet. 4:12. For the prophet David says:
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the
Lord delivereth him out of them all.” Ps. 34:20.
Paul well says: “That we must through much tribulation
and affliction enter into the kingdom of
heaven.” Acts 14:22.

Behold, my dear mother, what consolation we
have, so that when it pleases the Lord to try our
faith, that we should not be grieved in the trial; for
he says: “Unto us it is given not only to believe in
Christ, but also to suffer for his sake.” Philip. 1:29.
Paul, who cared well for the flock of Christ, did not
forbear to reveal to those who wanted to walk according
to Christ’s ways, and tread the narrow way
trod by few, that they must suffer persecution, in
order that when affliction, tribulation, persecution
or reproach comes, we should not think it strange.
2 Tim. 3:12.

Hence Christ also says: In the world ye shall
have tribulation; and comforts his disciples, in order
that they should not be grieved in the tribulation,
and says: “Be of good cheer: I have overcome the
world.” John 16:33. He also teaches his disciples,
that they should not fear tribulation or reproach;
for when they, namely, the rulers of this world,
have done all, they can but kill the body, but the
soul they cannot harm. But he teaches us whom
we shall fear, namely, him that hath power to cast
soul and body into the eternal fire, which shall burn
forever, where shall be weeping and gnashing of
teeth. Luke 12:4,5; Matt. 22:13.

O how sorrowful shall they then be, that have
feared the kings and princes of this world more than
the Lord, who is the Lord of lords, the God of
gods, the King of kings, who, as David says, can
make and crush the heart of the kings and princes
of this world like potsherds. 1 Tim. 6:15. Why
then should we fear? for the Lord says by the
prophet Zechariah: “He that toucheth you, toucheth
the apple of mine eye.” 2:8.

Consider what Christ says; He that rejecteth or
despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth
me, despiseth him that sent me. Luke 10:17.
Again Christ says: Blessed is he that is despised
for my sake; for great is his reward in heaven.
Matt. 5:11,12.

Hence, my dearest mother, comfort yourself with
these and similar words of Christ, and rejoice with
me, and thank and praise the Lord, that you are
counted worthy to be persecuted for his name.
Follow now the advice of Paul: be patient in tribulation,
and continue instant in prayer. Philip. 4:4;
Romans 12:12; Thess. 5:17.

Remember the consolation of Moses, with which
he comforted the children of Israel, saying: “Be
strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be
afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that
doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake
thee.” Deut. 31:6. Hence, my mother, though our
enemies are many, and I am here in the midst of
the hand of the enemy, yet I will say with the
prophet David: “Lord, now thou art with me, and
art my helper, I will not fear, though I were compassed
by many thousands.” Again with the
prophet David: “The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength
of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Though death
should come upon me, I will not fear; for the Lord
is ever with me to strengthen me.” And again:
“He is my fortress; I will not fear, though the
earth be removed, and the mountains be carried
into the midst of the sea.” Ps. 27:1; 23:4; 18:3;
46:2.

Thus, my dear mother; press with me, by force,
through the straight gate; that is, through affliction
and persecution, for Christ says: “The kingdom
of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it
by force.” Matt. 11:12. I also hope to take it by
force, through the strength which the Lord gives
me to resist the cruelty of these fell lions, that are
not satisfied with the blood of the righteous, but
seek, through their subtle words and fair speeches,
yea, with invented lies, (according to the advice of
their father the devil, as Christ says; for he was a
murderer and deceiver from the beginning of the
world), to devour and slay their souls, and to deprive
them of their inheritance, namely, of eternal
life, which they obtained through the shed blood of
Christ our only Savior. John 20:31. But the Lord
be forever praised and thanked, that he keeps and
delivers us, so that they cannot harm our souls; for
992
when they have done all that they can do, they
have no more power than to take this temporal life,
which I gladly resign for Christ’s sake, for I know
and doubt not that the Lord shall give me a better,
which he promises to all the good that have not
been ashamed to confess his word and truth before
this adulterous generation. Hence Christ says:
“He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it
again.” Matt. 10:39. Not a life that shall perish, but
that will endure forever, an incorruptible life, a life
that shall endure forever in joy. Therefore my
dear mother, my soul longs for this life; though
flesh and blood should remain at the stake, yet I regard
it not; rather than that I should suffer myself
to be spoiled of my inheritance, namely, eternal life,
for a little of temporal life. Oh no! God forbid; for
I now regard not this visible, but the invisible, the
eternal and imperishable.

O my chosen mother, think not that there is
aught that might rob me of my salvation, for Paul
says; Who can separate us from the love of God?
Neither hell, the devil, nor death. Christ has conquered
all, so that I may say: O hell, where is thy
pain? O death, where is thy power? Christ has
vanquished death; Christ has bruised Satan’s head,
so that he can but bite the heel, which he indeed
does, but that is of no account. Who therefore,
says Paul, can lay anything to the charge of God’s
elect? It is Christ that justifieth. Who is he that
condemneth? It is Christ that died. Rom. 8:35;
Heb. 2:14; Rom. 8:33,34.

Hence, my dear mother, be armed with me, and
all God’s righteous ones, as Paul says, with the armor
of God on your body, the helmet of salvation
upon your head, and the sword of the Spirit in
your hand; and above all, take the shield of faith,
wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery
darts of the wicked one, for the prophet says: Be of
good courage; you shall at last climb upon the devil’s
shoulders. Eph. 6:13; Bar. 4:25.

Therefore my mother, if you should hear any
thing of me that is not true—for the devil is crafty,
and deals much in lies, to grieve the righteous—do
not hearken to it; as I also trust that you will not:
for my mind is unchanged, for which I thank the
living God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
and to his name be praise for ever and ever, through
his only Son Jesus Christ our Savior, who strengthens
me, poor, unworthy, despised man with his
Holy Spirit, to resist all the enemies of the truth,
who seek to spoil me of my salvation (Col. 2:8),
for which they have no power, for the Lord is my
strength, as the prophet says: He is my song; I
shall with joy draw water out of the well of the Savior.
Is. 12:2,3. Again the Lord says by the
prophet Isaiah; I the Lord thy God will hold thy
right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not: I will help
thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye few men
of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy
Redeemer. Is. 41:13,14. Of whom should we be
afraid, for the Lord hath said it. Therefore, my
mother, take courage with me, to overcome, like
Joshua and Caleb, the great and strong giants, the
princes of this world, and not to fear them, and thus
to take the promised land, the kingdom of heaven.
Of whom should I be afraid, when we have this
glorious consolation, that they that trust in the
Lord, shall not be ashamed, for the prophet says
that the Lord will not forsake the righteous even
unto death; yea, the Lord says by the prophet Isaiah:
“Can a mother forget her child, that she
should not have compassion on the fruit of her
womb? and though she forget, yet will I not forget
thee; for I have graven thee upon the palms of my
hands, saith the Lord.” Ps. 25:3; Is. 49:15,16. Remember,
again, how the Lord speaks by the
prophet Malachi, saying: The Lord has a book of
remembrance before him, in which he has written
all them that fear him, and he shall deliver their
souls from death. Mal. 3:16. Happy are those
then, that have feared the Lord, for David says:
“Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord.” They
who then have not been ashamed to walk in the
ways of the Lord, their names are recorded in
heaven in the book of life. Luke 10:20. Hence rejoice
with me, my mother; I should like to write
you still more, that you would always walk in the
ways of the Lord, and never depart therefrom, and
bring many to the knowledge of the truth, but my
paper is failing me. I pray you, my dear and beloved
mother, take this little knowledge and simple
writing from me in good part, for I write you out
of love, and impart to you of this little gift which
the Lord, through his unspeakable grace, has given
me, unworthy man.

You further write me in your consoling letter,
whether I have any lack of the necessaries of life.
O no, I have enough, the Lord be thanked. You
also write in your letter, that if I desired you, I
should write so, and you should come, though you
had to pay for it with your blood. O my dear
mother, why should I desire this; I shall never desire
it, for you could not help me. For my refuge
is the Lord alone; he is my helper; he it is that
gives me strength to overcome and to go to battle
valiantly. Hence, my mother, walk prudently, for
they are cruel to shed the innocent blood. However,
they can do no more than the Lord permits
them. If I were to write more concerning it, my
paper should not suffice, for I intend to relate to
you yet, that I have been twice more with the priests
since I wrote the letter to you, so that in all I have
been before the priests four times; but twice I wrote
you a little; hence I also hope to write you a little
now. The third time I spoke with the Dean, but
mostly against the inquisitor, for he wants to be
master; his name is Pardo. We talked much of the
Supper, and there was present a Bailiff, the new one,
and a man that could speak English. I heard Pardo
talk much of the Supper, which was contrary to the
word of the Lord; and he asked me, whether it was
not true that Christ gave his apostles his own body,
and that his disciples ate it. I said that he gave his
disciples bread, and what they ate was bread; and
that he gave his disciples wine, and what they drank
was wine, and not changed, as you say.

I showed them how it was to be understood, both
the bread and the wine; I would repeat it here, but
my paper would give out. We then spoke of the
baptism of infants; I said that he should show to me
993
with the Scriptures, that Christ taught to baptize
infants, and that the apostles followed or practiced
it. They said: Christ said and taught, John 3:5:
“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” I said:
“Christ there did not speak of water baptism, but
Christ teaches of baptism in Matthew 28 and Mark
16,” and I told them the text.

Then the man said: “A fool cannot believe; hence
he cannot be baptized; he is therefore damned.” I
said: “Christ says not: Go teach fools. I ask you,”
said I, “whether a fool can be taught?” He answered:
“No.” He then asked me, whether the
fool was damned. I said: “I may judge no one; I
leave the fool in the hands of the Lord.” Thus, to
be brief, the man asked me whether I had been in
England. I said: “Yes.” “What sort of people,”
said he, “were those that were put to death?” I
said: “I believe that they were Menno’s people.”
He said: “No,” and that they were Puritans. I
said: “No.” He said that I was of that people,
that I was also a Puritan. I said that I did not know
them; that it was the first that I heard of it. I said
that he should tell me, what sort of a people it was,
and what kind of a faith they have. But he would
not tell me that. They said more, but it would take
too long to relate it.

The last time was the 13th of June, when I spoke
with four priests at once, but not so much as at
other times; I was asked whether I would not repent.
I said: “Yes, I want to desist from sin from
day to day.” No, whether I would not hearken to
the ecclesiastics and the Roman Catholic church? I
said: “I thank the Lord, who has instructed me,
and opened my eyes, and brought me into the right
way; and I desire to be instructed by the Lord still
more.”

Thus they wrote a letter, that they would deliver
me over to the lords; that I was an obstinate heretic,
and would not hearken to them; and they wrote
that they had done their best, so that they would
not talk with me any more. Thus I was released
from the priests, and delivered to the authorities, so
that I expect to hear my sentence on the 22d of
June, and to offer up my sacrifice on the 23d. The
Lord grant me strength unto the end, to the praise
of the Lord and the salvation of my soul. The Lord
grant me the spirit of boldness, that I may finish
my conflict with joy.

Thus, my dear mother, cleave to the Lord. The
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob be with you, and
keep you. The Lord preserve your going out and
coming in, now and forever. Num. 6:25.

My dear mother, I greet you with a holy kiss of
love (1 Pet. 5:14), for I think that you will see me
no more in this flesh, nor I you, my mother. Farewell,
the Lord be with you, my mother; I go before,
and shall wait for you in the kingdom of
heaven, there we shall see each other in joy and
gladness.

I bid you adieu; once more, farewell. The Lord
be with you forever, for I know not whether I shall
write you any more; I think that it is the last time.
I greet you once more, my dear mother, who have
given birth to me in pain and anguish. Greet cordially
my dear brother D., and admonish him to
walk in the ways of the Lord, to the salvation of
his soul; this I pray you, my mother, even as I
also trust, and doubt not that you will also do.
Greet my beloved sister K. A., with T. and W.
Greet also those whom you well know, also my beloved
master, whom I love from the heart; and G.
The Lord be with you all, now and forever. Amen.

My affectionately beloved mother, whom I love
from the depth of my soul, I leave you here, and
enter into joy, and shall behold Christ, in whom I
now believe, not seeing him; and you remain here
in this distressful world, where nothing else can be
expected than tribulation, affliction and persecution,
so long as it pleases the Lord. The Lord comfort
you in all tribulation, and be with you now and forever.
Amen.

Written by me your son, whom you well know,
at present confined in prison at Antwerp, for the
word of the truth, and for the confession of God’s
holy word; I expect my sentence, to be burnt alive
at a stake, if it pleases the Lord, to the praise of his
holy name.

Jan Bret.





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