# Paul Glock, A. D. 1576.

1576 · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: PAUL GLOCK, A. D. 1576.

Source heading; not independently verified

In the year 1576, Paul Glock, who had been
imprisoned without intermission for nearly nineteen
years, in the country of Wurtemberg, came to his
deliverance, after he had suffered much during his
imprisonment, and at first been greatly tormented
and tortured, and at such times been tempted in
many and various ways, by the authorities as well
as by noblemen and Lutheran preachers; they tried
him with hard imprisonment and also with light
imprisonment. In the year 1566 they did not try
him for a whole half year, and also permitted him
to go out several times, on his promising them with
his word, that he would not go away without their
knowledge. Subsequently, when the court-chaplain
of the prince and others examined him, and he still
firmly adhered to his faith, and would not regard
their magistracy, sword, and war, as in harmony
with Christianity; they said that he was not worthy
of going among the people; that he must remain
in confinement all the days of his life, even until his
death, or until he should say that they were good
Christians. In the year 1567 he was sick, from
Epiphany until St. John’s day, being very feeble
and miserable, lame in his hands, and also in his
knees, so that he was not able to stand up. He also
had great pain in his mouth, so that for some time
he could eat no bread, and there was no hope that
he would ever get well again. When his enemies
learned of this, they thought, “Now is our time,”
and sent two priests to him, who were to dispute
with him, and to persuade him, in regard to infant
baptism and the sacrament, and that they should
convert him to themselves, since God so visited
him with sickness. But brother Paul said: “Show
me a Christian flock that has grown up by your
preaching, doctrine and faith, and I will unite with
it; and if there be anything in me that is contrary
to God, I will lay it aside and forsake it, and adopt
that which is better.” Then the two priests said:
“The Christian church cannot be pointed out with
the finger.” Brother Paul said: “It is evident what
false prophets you are; Christ showed his church
and disciples, when he stretched out his hand over
his disciples, and said: Whosoever shall do the will
of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my
brother, and sister, and mother. Matt. 12:50. Also:
A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. 5:14.
Further: Ye are the light of the world. The apostle
Peter also speaks of it, where he says: Ye are a
chosen generation, a holy nation. 1 Pet. 2:9. Paul
also shows her [the Christian church] where he says:
Ye are the temple of the living God, the seal of mine
apostleship. 2 Cor. 6:16; 1 Cor. 9:2. But since
you do not know her, you are the children of the
night and of darkness, and not members of the body
of Christ; and since you cannot show me Christ’s
body, how should I trust and commit myself to
you, that you should make a Christian of me, when
you have not yet shown me one Christian in your
church. You are even as Ahab’s four hundred false
prophets; into whose deceitful mouth a false spirit
has been put, to deceive the whole world; yea, you
are the thieves and murderers that now come to kill
and steal.” 1 Kings 18; John 10:8.

When he gave them such an answer, they were
astonished that he could so answer them in his
sickness, and did not come to him any more for
a long time, to dispute with him. They also said:
“Though your cause be right and good, it can
yet not be tolerated, for it has never been tolerated.”
Brother Paul said: “Yes, the ungodly and
the world could not tolerate Christ, his apostles, or
any of the righteous; so also you, for you are ungodly,
unrighteous, and wicked men, whose belly is
their god. Philip. 3:19.

In the year 1572 the preachers of the Prince came
to him the third time, to the castle of Hohenwithing,
talked much with him, and examined him concerning
many things. In the year 1573 they had
him brought into the city of Aurach, where then
were the preachers and the steward of the country
(who is the next after the Prince), and they disputed
with him about infant baptism. They said: “Children
have faith, and hence they are justly brought
to baptism; for the apostle says: Without faith it is
impossible to please God.” Heb. 11:6. But Paul
said: “The apostle does not say this of children,
nor does he speak to children, but with adults; and
he further says in the same place: He that cometh
to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Now
place before me a child, and if it shows so much
confession and faith, then baptize it freely.” They
said: “A child needs no confession.” “Then it
also needs no baptism,” said he. Then they were
silent about that, and began to speak of the magistrates,
saying that they were Christians, since the
apostle calls them God’s ministers. The brother
replied: “The apostle calls them ministers (Romans
13:4) because of the council, and the council does
not belong in the house of God or Christ.” They
said: “The council does certainly belong in the
house of God.” The brother said: “Then show
973
me a lawful magistracy in the house or church
of Christ; for the apostle ordained all offices in the
house of God: hence show me where he ordained
the princes or worldly kings with their offices in the
church.” Then the preachers began and said:
“Cornelius was a centurion over soldiers, and became
a Christian.” Acts 10:1. They also mentioned
Sergius Paulus, and said that he had been the deputy
of the country. Acts 13:7. Then the brother
asked them, whether they also believed that the
apostle had preached the Gospel to them, by which
they had to become believers, and whether, also,
the apostle had been a true follower and teacher
of Christ. They answered: “Yes.” He asked further:
“did he also judge in a worldly manner—bear
a sword?” They said: “No; but he wielded
a spiritual sword and judgment.” “As you then
also confess,” said the brother, “you also well
know that the apostles preached the Gospel to Cornelius
and Sergius Paulus; also that the people
wanted to make Christ a king, and that he fled
(John 6:15); again: The princes of the Gentiles
exercise dominion over them; but it shall not be
so among you; ye shall not resist evil (Matt. 20:25;
5:39): from all this they could easily learn that in
following Christ they could not administer any
worldly magistracy or governorship; or if they
wanted to be like Paul, who says: ‘Be ye followers
of me, even as I also am of Christ.’ ” 1 Corinthians
11:1.

Thereupon they were silent, and then began and
said: “God forgives all men or sinners, however
great their sins may be.” The brother answered
and said: “I believe this too, if they truly repent
and are sorry for their sinful works.” But he asked
them, whether they also likewise forgave their fellow
members and brethren, when they had sinned.
They said: “Yes.” He said: “Why then do you
hang your criminals, and help them to the gallows
and the wheel; seeing you have forgiven them their
sins, and they are your brethren?” Then they
laughed over their own folly, and finally said: “For
this reason the magistracy is ordained, that they
should punish that which is evil.” The brother
said: “Is repentance then a crime too?” The
preachers said: “No; but it is a benefit.” The
brother said: “Has the magistracy then power or
a command from the Old or the New Testament,
that they may put to death the righteous or penitent
(as you say that they have eaten your sacrament,
and are also become Christians)?” They
said: “They must nevertheless be punished, as a
warning to others.” The brother further asked,
whether they also believed that, when by their
preaching of infant baptism and the sacrament, they
made such a criminal in prison pious, and he would
accept the two articles, he was then a Christian, and
could be regarded as a Christian? The preachers
said: “Yes.” The brother said: “If he is then
become a believer, as you say, he has also been
sealed with the Spirit of God, according to the
words of Paul; is this not your belief too?” They
said: “Yes.” The brother said: “Then his body
must also be a temple of God, because the Holy
Ghost dwells in him.” 2 Cor. 6:16. They said:
“Yes.” “See once then,” the brother said, “how
you act, how you dishonor the temple of God,
hanging it to the gallows; do you not know what
the apostle says: If any man dishonor the temple
of God, him shall God also dishonor and destroy?
1 Cor. 3:17. Behold your magistrates, what fine
Christians they are, if they thus slay the penitent
and dishonor the temple of God, if it is as you
say and confess.”

When he said such things to them, they looked
at each other, as though they wanted to say: “We
do ill with such a confession of Christianity.” They
then began to speak of the Supper, and asked him
what he thought of it. He answered: “I think
much of it, when it is observed as Christ ordained
it; but as you observe it, I do not think anything
of it, and it is also vain to speak much with you
about it.” Then they were silent.

Finally the steward of the country began to speak
in Latin with the court preacher, and when they
had finished speaking, the preacher asked the
brother, if he would leave the country, and not
return into it any more, then they would release
him from prison. The brother replied: “If you
will give me a letter, that where I go, they shall
freely receive me, I will leave your country.” They
said they could not do this. Thereupon he answered:
“Then I can also not leave your country;
but I will remove out of it, and if I return into it,
and do that by which I merit the sword, then
use it.” This pleased them well. Then the steward
of the country again spoke much in Latin to the
preacher, and then said to the brother; “If you
will be pious for yourself, or abide in your belief,
and no more seduce any one, we will release you
yet.” The brother answered: “If I am wrong, use
the sword, for this is your office; but if I am right,
then it is also right for him that hears and learns
something good from me, and according to this
I will govern myself.” Then the preacher said:
“We will not force you to the faith, but we will always
keep you imprisoned, so that you will not
seduce any others.” They then had him brought
back to prison; thus he had to suffer and endure
imprisonment quite innocently, only for his faith
and for the sake of the divine truth; and this for
about nineteen years.





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