# First Part.

17th century (source section) · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: FIRST PART.

Century of containing source section; exact event date not assigned

Of the Edict of those of Berne, in Switzerland,
against the (by them called) Anabaptists, dated
the 9th of August, A. D. 1659.

We the bailiff and councilors, of the city of
Berne, send to every one of our officers, preachers,
and those who administer any office, both spiritual
and secular, in all towns, counties, seignioralties and
tribunals of our German dominions,363 and hereby
make known: That since the reformation of the
Christian religion, there have been emitted, from
time to time, by our laudable and pious forefathers,
and by us, persuant to our Christian reminding and
command, admonitions and ordinances, how and by
what means, and with what zeal and earnest, the
errors of the hypocritical and seductive sect of the
Anabaptists, that has crept in, which is rejected by
all Christian authorities from the infallible foundation
of the word of God, as being an evil, dangerous,
pernicious leaven, because they reject the lawful
protection of the magistracy,364 through which
much baneful harm can be caused to country, people
and ranks, are to be opposed and averted, yet,
by constant experience we must see and learn that
such orders do not meet with real attention and
execution, in consequence of which negligence this
evil has rather increased than decreased until this
time.

But in order that the same may not be permitted
further to pursue its pernicious and seductive course,
but may earnestly be checked, and as far as possible
utterly abolished, we have caused diligent inquiries
to be made, in regard to the default in not executing
and obeying of the commands and ordinances
we have emitted, and held a careful deliberation as
to what might be the most expedient to do in this
matter, as also, to whom it pertains, by virtue of
office and duty, to take care, that these errors and
all that is contrary to the confession of the Swiss
evangelical faith, be not tolerated in our dominions,
and among our God-committed and entrusted, dear
subjects, but, on the contrary, that our own maybe
led to the true knowledge of God, and kept therein.

As to the means which we have deemed well to
be employed in, and for this our intention and purpose,
they consist in two chief points.

First, namely, in the removing of the principal
causes of offense to which the so-called Anabaptists
object, in order to separate themselves from the common
Christian assemblies.

Second, in the course of proceeding that shall be
observed against those that are attached to said sect.

Concerning the first point, it comprises and requires
a Godly and virtuous life and conversation;
also proper punishment of open slanders, and attention
is therefore to be given that the officers, both
spiritual and secular, for the better heeding and
evincing of their duty, be, in the following, earnestly
admonished. The virtuous life of the officers, with
which every one shall seek to be a light to his subjects,
can particularly serve as a good example
herein, and prevent further offense; consisting
chiefly in this, that they diligently attend preaching
1077and practice other Christian works, so that such
apostate persons may at no time take occasion to
say, as has already happened, that the things of
which they are accused in this respect are neglected
also by our own people, and even by the officers.

But the preachers shall be edifying, both by being
zealous in their church ministry, and by conducting
themselves honestly, godly, and inoffensively in
their life, so that especially, of the preachers, no
evil reports be heard. The duty of their calling
also consists principally in this, that they rightly
divide the doctrine of truth, and apply the same to
the profit of every one; also, that they, as often as
an opportunity presents itself, show forth the errors
of the Anabaptists, and effectually, but yet in the
spirit of meekness, refute them from the foundation
of the holy Scriptures, well answer all objections, and
fully convince them, as also that they better instruct
their churches and hearers.

But the officers in general, spiritual as well as
secular, especially of the places where such people
live, shall, every one in his calling, so perform and
do their duty, as before the eyes of the omniscient
God; they shall also together, in general as well as
in the consistory, sincerely labor with zeal and diligence,
that the open vices of whoredom, lasciviousness,
cursing, and swearing immoderate eating and
drinking, and like wickedness, be strictly and without
connivance, punished according to the edicts
and ordinances emitted by us, virtue and honesty
thereby planted, and thus they who would excuse
their departing from the church by such offensive
life, be deprived of all occasion.

But to this, our chief point, belongs especially the
invocation of God, that he will grant his blessing
and increase, to the public proclaiming of the pure
doctrine, and keep Satan in check, so that not, under
the dissemblance of simplicity, the noxious and pernicious
weed of hypocrisy, of disobedience to God,
of base contempt of the public worship, the holy
sacraments, and other holy institutions, as also of
the duty and propriety due to us, the Christian
magistracy, be propagated.

The second chief point, as to how such people are
to be dealt with, consists of two points.

1. How the same are to be detected and brought
to light.

2. How those that are detected are to be proceeded
with.

Concerning the first: As these people are hard
to be taken, since some are concealed by others,
even by those to whom they are related by marriage
or other ties, particularly by those with whom
there is little knowledge of God, and zeal for religion
to be found, and they hold their gatherings mostly
by night, in hid or otherwise unknown places;
therefore our officers shall with all diligence, according
to their oath and official duty, also on pain of
punishment for connivance, be admonished and
bound themselves, and through their sub-officers and
servants, to search for them, especially the teachers,
as much as possible, and to have them followed
whether in the mountains or in valleys, forests and
wildernesses, with all possible means, in order to
apprehend or capture as many of them as possible.

In order now the better to know and discover
them and their adherents, our church ministers, as
appointed shepherds, shall with like diligence, and
in accordance with their literal, sworn oath, be admonished,
obligated and bound, every one of them,
particularly in places where this sect is found, with
two or three of the church council in his pastorate,
to go round from house to house at least twice a
year, and properly to write down all those that belong
in the church, that is, men and women, old and
young, and to keep a stricter eye on them, so that
they may all attend the preaching, catechization,
common prayers, and particularly also use the holy
sacraments; those who stay away and do not bring
their children to holy baptism at the proper time or
not at all, and thereby are guilty of apostasy from
the church, not only at all times to make known
these by name to the chief bailiff appointed, but also
to indicate to him the persons and their places of
abode, as far as known; also to neglect nothing of
all that is required for the managing of such persons.

However, in order that not again something be
lacking in the execution of this so necessary work,
even as has hitherto been the case, or that it otherwise
be slackened and omitted, through want of the
necessary zeal, our officers together with the preachers
are strictly charged to carry out this order with
the proper effect, in sincere earnestness, without regard
of persons. And that herein no negligence or
connivance be exercised by them, much less that
they allow themselves to be turned therefrom by any
scruples, as being forbidden, improper means, or on
account of any advantage, lest they incur our disfavor.

The second article of the second chief point concerns
the manner of proceeding against those that
are detected and captured by the aforesaid means:
whether the same be teachers and seducers, or their
adherents, and that are seduced.

Thus far the first part of the edict, which as yet
mentions no corporal punishment, but only the apprehending
and capturing of the (by them so-called)
Anabaptists. The other part then follows, page 1070,
col. 2, beginning with these words:

“The teachers of whom one or more, by close
search,” etc.

Thereupon it follows, in what manner they are
to be punished, either by depriving them of their
goods, utterly banishing them from the country,
conducting them under safe escort to the boundaries
of the country, and if they, contrary to the banishment,
etc.

Note.—This edict having been proclaimed in the
Berne dominion, soon after arrived in Holland, and
caused no small sorrow in many well-meaning
hearts among the Anabaptists there, who were
moved with heartfelt sympathy for their dear fellow
believers, the more so since already some of them
were in severe imprisonment, and others in the confines
of Zurich, had now for many years been deprived
of the use of their property.

Hence, in various Dutch cities, yet especially in
the city of Amsterdam, there was presented, by certain
men delegated thereto, in the name and by the
order of their churches, to the noble, honorable
1078
lords burgomasters of said place, the distress of the
aforementioned oppressed friends, and a formal request
made for favorable letters of recommendation
to the magistrates of the cities of Berne and Zurich
respectively, for the release of the aforementioned
prisoners, and the restitution of their goods, etc.
This was subscribed with the names of H. Vlaming,
W. J. V. Coppenol, and G. Grates.

This request having been delivered, the noble,
honorable lords burgomasters and rulers of the
aforementioned city, very fatherly and kindly consented
to the matters presented, giving thereupon
this appointment:

The burgomasters and rulers of the city of Amsterdam
have consented to grant the above requested
letters of recommendation.

Done this 29th day of January, 1660, and subscribed,

N. Nicolai.

Thereupon followed the promised letters of recommendation
to the rulers of Berne as well as to
those of Zurich, reading as follows:





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