# Eleven Brethren And A Sister, At Antwerp; Harman Timmerman, Jan Van Hasebroeck, Pieter Verlonge, Gerrit Van Mandel, Jan Van Mandel, Jan De Schaper, Jan Wiljoot, Jan Van Doornick, Willem Van Poperinge, Maeyken His Wife, Jan Koopman, Hans His Servant; A. D. 1569.

1569 · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: ELEVEN BRETHREN AND A SISTER, AT ANTWERP; HARMAN TIMMERMAN, JAN VAN HASEBROECK, PIETER VERLONGE, GERRIT VAN MANDEL, JAN VAN MANDEL, JAN DE SCHAPER, JAN WILJOOT, JAN VAN DOORNICK, WILLEM VAN POPERINGE, MAEYKEN HIS WIFE, JAN KOOPMAN, HANS HIS SERVANT; A. D. 1569.

Source heading; not independently verified

In the year 1569, at Antwerp, there was apprehended,
examined, tortured and finally sentenced
to death, for living according to the word of God,
and the testimony of the truth, twelve pious Christians,
namely, Harman Timmerman, Jan van Hasebroeck,
Pieter Verlonge, Gerrit van Mandel, Jan
van Mandel, Jan de Schaper, Jan Wiljoot, Jan van
Doornick, Willem van Poperinge, Maeyken, his
wife, Jan Koopman, and Hans his servant. One of
them, however, died in prison, from the effects of
the torture. Seven were burned alive before Easter,
their mouths having been screwed together with
screws; and the last mentioned four, in like manner,
on the 20th of May of said year.

Here follows a brief yet thorough and Christian
confession of faith, of the one Being, God the Father,
Son and Holy Ghost, and of the eternal Godhead
of Christ the Son of God; also of the incarnation,
visibleness, suffering and death of the eternal and
only begotten Son of the living God, our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ; which, by this here mentioned
hero and witness of Jesus, Herman Timmerman, was
written as an answer and refutation to a letter that
had been sent him; and to which he so effectually
testified and confirmed with, his blood and death.
We have added the same here, for the benefit
of the reader. We ask you to read it with Christian
regard and attention; we hope that you will be
instructed and bettered by it. It reads as follows:

In the first place, my friend, you desire us to
write to you, whether we confess that the Father
and the man Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are
one Being. Our answer is, that we confess, that
there is one Father, and one Son, and one Holy
Ghost, and that with these words, namely, Father,
Son and Holy Ghost, the only and Almighty God
was expressed by Christ himself, Matt. 28:19. This
then is our belief, namely, that we confess, that
when the Father was, there was also the Son; for
the Father never was without the Son. For as the
Scriptures testify of the Father, that he is eternal,
and that all things are through him; so they also
testify of the Son, that his goings forth are from
the beginning, from the days of eternity; and all
things were created by him. Mic. 5:1; Col. 1:16;
Jn. 1:3; Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:2. Likewise, also through
the Holy Spirit; for all things were made by him,
who has one will and work with the Father and the
Son, as may well be understood from these words
where the Scriptures testify that the Holy Ghost
says: Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work
whereunto I have called them. 2 Esd. 16:62; Psalm
33:6; Acts 13:2. See, my friends, here the Holy
Ghost says that he calls them to this work; now
735
Paul says, that Jesus Christ has called and sent him.
Acts 26:16. And in the epistle to the Galatians we
read, that God called him, and separated him from
his mother’s womb, to reveal his Son by him. Galatians
1:15,16. From these words the unity can
clearly be understood. And there are still other
passages which testify concerning the Holy Ghost,
that he appoints the ministers or bishops in the
church of God, which he has purchased with his
own blood, and that he also dispenses the gifts.
Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 12:11.

From these words it is easy to understand the
unity and operation of the Holy Ghost, which he
has with the Father and the Son, so that he cannot
be excluded from the unity. Nor can the Son: for
he says: I and the Father are one, John 10:30;
which unity and Son of God he is according to the
person as well as according to the Spirit; for he is
frequently, according to his humanity called the Son
of God, as you may read where the centurion said:
“Truly this is the Son of God.” Matt. 27:54. And
Paul says, that we are reconciled to God by the
death of his Son. Rom. 5:10. Again, that God
did not spare his Son, 8:32. And John says, that
the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from
all sin. 1 John 1:7; 4:10. And Luke says: That
which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son
of God. Luke 1:35. And to the Galatians: that
God sent forth his Son, who was born of a woman.
Gal. 4:4. Now he who is the Son of God, and
whom he has given for our propitiation (1 Jn. 4:10),
was certainly born of Mary in the form of a human
person. And Isaiah says: Unto us a child is born,
unto us a Son is given: and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting
Father (Is. 9:6), and other things, which
God says of himself, and which John the Baptist
and Christ declare concerning himself. Read Isaiah
where it is written: “Behold, your God. For,
behold, the Lord Sabaoth cometh; he shall feed
his flock like a shepherd.” Is. 40:9.

Also in Ezekiel God says: I will myself attend to
my sheep. Ezek. 34:11. Now Christ says, that he is
the Shepherd of the sheep, and that the sheep are
his own. Zechariah says: Smite the Shepherd, and
the sheep shall be scattered, and in John we read,
that Christ is the Bridegroom, who has the bride;
and in the epistle to the Ephesians [we are taught],
that he gave himself for her, that he might prepare
himself a glorious church. Eph. 5:25. Christ also
is the Lamb of God, and in Revelation we read
that the marriage of the Lamb is come, and that
his wife has made herself ready. Rev. 19:7. Hence
we can clearly understand from these words, that
Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom and husband of his
church, which husband by the prophet Isaiah is
called God: “For thy Maker is thine husband,” he
says; “the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer
is the Holy One of Israel; the God of the
whole earth shall he be called.” Is. 54:5.

See, my friends, from all these words it can
clearly be understood, that Christ cannot be excluded
from the unity or from God; since God in
the Scriptures is frequently expressed by the word
Christ, as you may read in Timothy, where Paul
calls Christ our Savior, and also calls God our Savior;
and in other places, where God is called our Savior.
Read 1 Tim. 1:1. And God says through Isaiah:
I am the Lord; and beside me there is no Savior.
Is. 43:11; 45:5. Now the Scriptures testify, that
man’s salvation lies in the sacrifice of the body
of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, as we above quoted
to you some passages; as, that we are reconciled to
God by the death of his Son: the body died, and,
as Peter says: by his stripes we were healed: his
body suffered the stripes. 1 Pet. 2:24. And Isaiah:
With his stripes we are healed: the stripes were inflicted
upon the body. Is. 53:5.

See, my friend, it is therefore clear from these
words, that Christ cannot be excluded from God
with body and spirit, since God ascribes to himself
that which Christ has done, as we explained above
concerning the Shepherd of the sheep. And Christ
ascribes to himself that which God does, as may
frequently be understood from the Scriptures; so
that the inference is clear, that they have one will
and work: for what things soever the Father doeth,
these also doeth the Son likewise. And as the
Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them;
even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. John
5:19,21. Hence the works of the Son of God can
be ascribed to none other than to God, so that the
Son cannot be excluded from God. When therefore
the word God is named, Father, Son and Holy
Ghost are thereby expressed. Thus confess we the
only God.

You further desire an answer in regard to the
passages which speak of the one God, whether thereby
any other than the Father is named. I understand
your question thus: Whether Christ, who
died, is also comprised in the expression one God?
Rom. 1:8; 5:8; John 5:18; 1 John 5:9.

Answer. In the first place you quote Deut. 6:4,
where Moses said: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our
God is one God;” and says still further in the same
chapter: “Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God,
as ye tempted him in Massah.” v. 16; Matt. 4:7.
See, my friend, they tempted this one God, who by
Paul is called Christ, where he says: “And let us
not tempt Christ, as some tempted him.” 1 Corinthians
10:9. Now I understand from your letter,
that you would exclude Christ from God; I understand
it by the passage you quote (John 17), by
which you would prove that Christ is not God. Our
answer concerning this passage is: They that confess
Jesus Christ in truth also confess him God, since
God is expressed by the word Christ, as we have
proven above from the words of Paul. You further
quote the language of Hezekiah, where he said: O
Lord God of Israel, thou art alone God; thou hast
made heaven and earth. 2 Kings 19:15. By these
words you would prove that Christ is excluded from
the one God. And you write in your letter that the
one God of whom Hezekiah spoke made heaven
and earth; and you exclude Christ from the one
God; hence you must also exclude him from the
creation of heaven and earth, and must first refute
all these witnesses that testify concerning Jesus
Christ, that all that is made was made by him.
Read John 1:3; Col. 1:9; Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:2;
736
Ps. 33:6. When you shall have refuted all these
witnesses, and excluded Christ from all the works
of God, then I shall admit your view, that Christ is
not comprised in the expression, one God.

You further say that God is invisible and lives
forever, but that Christ was seen, and that he died,
and that the child was without knowledge, and that
it grew up in wisdom; concerning which you shall
hear our views afterwards from the confession of our
faith, which we prove from the Scriptures, which
latter we must believe. Furthermore, you say that
God knows the times, and that the Son does not
know them. Matt. 24:36; Mark 13:32. Our answer
is, that Christ speaks this according to his humiliation;
for there are other passages which testify
concerning him, that he knows all things; as where
Peter said: “Lord, thou knowest all things;” and
Christ did not contradict him, saying: “No, Peter,
I do not know the last day.” He did not even reply
to it. Again, when the disciples said to him:
“Now are we sure that thou knowest all things.”
John 16:30. You further say that God knows the
hearts of all the children of men. Ps. 7:9; Jeremiah
11:20; 17:10; 12:3. We say that Christ also knows
them; for he knew what was in man, and needed
not that any should testify of man. 2 Tim. 4:8; Revelation
2:23; John 2:25. And Christ said: I know
you, that ye have not the love of God in you. John
9:42. And in John 6:61, we read that Jesus knew
in himself that his disciples murmured at it. But
that you write concerning the revelation of John,
that God gave him the same, this does not imply
that he [Christ] does not know anything. You
further say that God is Almighty, and does all things
without the assistance of any one. Answer: Above
we have proven that Christ Jesus and the Holy
Ghost are comprehended in the word God, or you
must prove that the Father does some things without
the Son or the Holy Ghost, contrary to the
words of Christ where he says: What things soever
the Father doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
And: My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
And: As the Father raiseth up the dead, and
quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom
he will. John 5:19; 17:21. And if we are to honor
the Son as we honor the Father, as the Father requires,
we must certainly confess him God, for the
Father is honored as God, and if we now deny the
Son, we have neither the Father, nor the Son, and
we are also the spirit of antichrist. 1 John 2:22.
And as God did the miracles by him, so he,
again, did them by the Father. And he said to two
blind men: Believe ye that I am able to do this to
you? And they believed it and were helped. Matthew
9:28. This I state, that you may know that
he frequently ascribes to himself the works which he
does, and sometimes to his Father; in order that
you may know that they are one God, who worketh
all things. You say that God requires the Holy
Spirit, which is true. Now you must observe that a
certain thing is sometimes ascribed to God the
Father, and sometimes to the Son; for we read,
John 3:16, that God so loved the world, that he
gave his only Son. Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:9. And
John 10:17, we read that Christ says, that he lays
down his life; no man takes it from him; but he lays
it down of himself. Again, that he gives his flesh for
the life of the world. John 6:51. And that he also
imparts the Holy Ghost, and also sent him to his
disciples. John 20:22; 16:7,13; 15:26; Luke 24:49.

You further quote 1 Cor. 15:28. Our answer is,
as above: That sometimes a work is ascribed to the
Father and sometimes to the Son; that all men
might know that they are one. For we read that
God the Father set Jesus Christ at his own right
hand in the heavenly places. Eph. 1:20. And we
also read, that the Lord sat down on the right hand
of the Majesty on high, Heb. 1:3. Therefore my
friend, you may well take heed before you proceed
in such a weighty matter, and first well prove with the
word of Christ and his apostles, that you do not run
away with a word, without first proving whether it
agrees with all the words of God. Farewell, and
read with the understanding.

Our belief and ground concerning the incarnation
of Jesus Christ is, that we confess and believe,
that the only begotten Son of God, who was with
the Father before the foundation of the world (John
17:24), and was in the form of God (Phil. 2:6), was
foreordained before the foundation of the world;
whose goings forth are from the beginning; by
whom the world was made, John 1:3; Col. 1:16;
Heb. 1:2; and who, though he was rich, became
poor for our sakes, and came forth from the Father,
came into the world; came down from heaven; and
through the power of the Most High was conceived
in Mary, and became man in her. For the Word
became flesh (John 1:14), so that it was seen with
the eyes, and handled with the hands; of the word
of life. 1 John 1:1. Born of Mary (Luke 2:7); given
unto us as a son (Is. 9:6), and crucified, died, and
buried for us; raised from the dead, for God raised
up his child Jesus (Acts 3:15; 10:40; 1 Thessalonians
1:10); and he ascended up where he was before
(John 6:62), for he that descended is the same
also that ascended, Eph. 4:10. We also believe,
that the Son of God, when the time was fulfilled,
became Abraham’s son, David’s son, Abraham’s
seed, the Son of man, and the son and fruit of Mary,
when he became man; not that the Son of God
took his origin or beginning from Abraham, or
David, or Mary; for we have above shown by the
Scriptures, that he was with the Father before the
foundation of the world; and was before Abraham
was. John 8:58. We therefore believe, that Jesus
Christ, without any division, visible or invisible,
mortal or immortal, wholly and entirely, is the first-begotten,
own, true, Son of God, as all believers
have confessed him, as we can read in the holy
Scriptures. Peter confessed him as the Son of the
living God. Likewise also John the Baptist confessed
him; for he said: I saw, and bare record that
this is the Son of God. John 1:34. Nathanael said:
“Rabbi, thou art the Son of God.” Martha in like
manner confessed that he was the Christ, the Son
of the living God, who had come into the world.
John 11:27.

This is our confession concerning the incarnation
of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now if some one should
ask us whether we do not believe that the Son of
737
God assumed flesh and blood, in which he dwelt;
and that the Son of God remained the same as he
was, invisible, immortal, unchangeable, as is the
Father; we answer thus: If it were true that the Son
of God remained invisible, immortal and unchangeable,
as the Father, and assumed flesh and blood
from Mary, in which he dwelt, it could not be said
with truth, that the Son of God became man; but
according to truth it would have to be said, that the
Son of God assumed a man, in whom he dwelt; for
to assume is to assume, and to become is to become,
and assuming cannot be called becoming. There
further follows from it, that if the Son of God remained
invisible, as the Father, he could not be
crucified, and in this case he that hung on the cross,
is not the Son of God; for he was seen, and God
has but one Son. It further follows from it, that if
the Son remained invisible, God did spare his Son,
contrary to the words of Paul, where he says, that
God spared not his Son, but delivered him up for
us all. Rom. 8:32. And God would in this case
also not have given us his Son, contrary to the
teaching of John, where he says: “God so loved the
world, that he gave his only Son.” John 3:16.

Furthermore, if he remained immortal, it can not
be said, that we are reconciled to God by the death
of his Son, contrary to Paul, where he says, that we
are reconciled to God by the death of his Son.
Rom. 5:10. Nor can it be said that the blood of
Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. It can
only be said that the flesh and blood of Mary
cleanses us from all sin, contrary to the teaching of
John, where he says, that the blood of Jesus Christ
his Son cleanseth us from all sin. Nor can it be
said, that God raised up his child Jesus; for if
he did not die, he did not raise him up, contrary
to the teaching of Paul, 1 Thessalonians 1:10;
Acts 2:24; 10:40. Now if some one should ask
us, whether we believe, that the Son of God was
changed; we answer, that we believe, that the Son
of God for our sakes was changed so much that he
became what he was not, namely, he, who before
was rich, for our sakes became poor. And he, who
was in the form of God, became man; for the Word
became flesh, so that it was seen with the eyes and
handled with the hands. And he, who before was
invisible, became visible; and arose from the dead;
and ascended up where he was before. For he that
descended is the same also that ascended; and he
sits on the right hand of the Majesty on high, and
is our advocate, our mediator, and ever lives to reconcile
us. See, my friend, thus confess we the love
which God has shown toward us. So that Jesus
Christ humbled himself for our sakes, became lower
than the angels, and was found in fashion as a man.
Phil. 2:8; Heb. 2:7. Behold, my friend, this is the
answer to the remark that the child grew up in wisdom.
For when he became like unto man, as Paul
teaches, he became in all things like unto his brethren.
Heb. 2:17. Now, another man grows up in
wisdom; therefore the Son of God humbled himself,
put himself in our stead before God his Father, and
took upon him our sins, and paid for them in our
stead, so that in our place he cried to God with
strong crying and tears, and offered up [prayers
and supplications] unto him that was able to save
him from death. Heb. 5:7; Matt. 27:46. Not, my
friend, that he needed to be saved on the part of
his own person. Now if some one should ask us,
whether by such an incarnation as you have confessed
here he did not lose his Sonship, and unity
with God, we answer: We have proven above by
the Scriptures, that Jesus Christ was the Son of
God before every creature (Col. 1:15), and was
with the Father before the foundation of the world;
whose goings forth are from the beginning and from
eternity. And he did not lose his Sonship by his
incarnation; for, while he was man, the Father confessed
him as his Son. Matt. 3:17; 17:5; Mark
1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22. And Christ said, that he
was the Son of God. John 10:36. Likewise did
Peter. Matt. 16:16. John the Baptist, Nathanael,
Martha, and Thomas confessed him as their Lord
and God. And Christ said: I and the Father are
one. From these words it is easy to understand,
that by his incarnation he did not lose his first identity
and unity; for the Son of God could become
man, so that he died; but nevertheless remain God
and the Son of God. For we read concerning the
first man Adam, who was a figure of Christ, that
God made him of the earth, so that Adam became
a living soul, flesh and blood, capable of suffering
and dying, and yet remained earth; for God said:
Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Rom. 5:14; Gen. 1:19; Sir. 17:1. Abraham also
confessed, that he was dust (earth). Gen. 18:27.
Now, when the word earth is named, everything is
comprised in it, that is earth and takes its origin
from the earth. Now Adam and Abraham, who
were earth died, and all men who are of the earth,
will be able to die; but the earth on which we walk
can not die. Nevertheless, both are earth, and both
are comprehended in the term earth. Now, when
the word God is named, everything is comprised in
it, that is God, and all that has its origin from and
with God; namely, with the word God, we express
Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Now the Scriptures
testify, as we have abundantly stated above, that
the Son of God became man, so that he was seen,
and that he died; but the Father and the Holy
Ghost did not die. Nevertheless, God reconciled
the world, and purchased his church by his blood;
for God was made manifest in the flesh. Read Baruch
4:22. For God is man’s Savior. Read Isaiah
43:11; 1 Tim. 1:15; Tit. 1:4. Now if Christ’s body
were of the earth, in which body our propitiation
lies, as Peter teaches, that we were healed by his
stripes, and Isaiah, that we are healed by his stripes;
and Paul, that we are reconciled by his death; then
the earth must be our savior, and not God; and
John must have spoken falsely, when he said, that
the Word, which he called God, became flesh. And
before we will believe that Christ’s body is of Mary’s
blood, we want to see this assertion pointed out to
us in the Scriptures, word for word, and we will say
nothing against it: for we must believe as the Scriptures
teach us. John 7:38. And if any one wishes
to accept our faith, we will show him word for word
where this is written, namely, that the Word became
738
flesh. Farewell. Read with the understanding.

Harman Timmerman.

From Jan van Hasebroeck three letters have fallen
into our hands, which we have likewise added here
for the benefit of the reader.





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