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16th century (source section) · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: 

Century of containing source section; exact event date not assigned

This way was trodden by the dead under the altar,
who cry, saying: Lord, Almighty God, when wilt
thou avenge the blood that has been shed? White
robes were given unto them, and it was said to
them; Wait yet for a little season, until the number
of your brethren that are yet to be killed for the
testimony of Jesus, be fulfilled. Rev. 6:9–11.
These also drank of the cup, and are gone above
to keep the eternal, holy Sabbath of the Lord. This
is the way in which walked the twenty-four elders,
who stand before the throne of God, and cast their
crowns and harps before the throne of the Lamb,
falling down upon their faces, and saying: Lord,
unto thee alone be praise, glory, power, and strength,
who shalt avenge the blood of thy servants and ministers,
and shalt through thyself gain the victory.
Great be thy name, Almighty, which was, and is,
and is to come. Rev. 4:8,10.

In this way walked also those who were marked
by the Lord, and received the mark Thau upon
their foreheads (Ezek. 9:6), who were chosen from
among all nations of men, who were not defiled
with women (understand this), and who follow the
Lamb whithersoever he goeth. Rev. 14:4.

Behold, all these had to drink of the cup of bitterness,
as will also all those have to do, who are still
wanting to complete the number and fulfillment of
Zion, the bride of the Lamb, which is the new Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven (Rev. 21:2), the
city and throne of God, in which the glory of the
great King shall be seen, when the feast of tabernacles
will be kept and celebrated in the days of
eternal rest and joy. Zech. 14:16.

Behold, all these could not attain to this, without
first suffering judgment and chastisement in their
flesh; for Christ Jesus, the eternal truth, was the
first, when it is written: “The Lamb slain from the
foundation of the world.” Rev. 13:8. So Paul
says: Thus it pleased the Father, that all whom he
predestinated from eternity, he called, elected, justified,
and made to be conformed to the image of
his Son. Rom. 8:29,30. Our blessed Savior also
says: The servant is not above his Lord; but it is
sufficient for him, that he be like his Lord and
Master. Matt. 10:24. Also Peter says: “The time
has come that judgment must begin at the house of
God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end
be of them that obey not the Gospel of God? And
if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the
ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1 Pet. 4:17,18.
Read also in Proverbs(11:31): “Behold, the righteous
shall be recompensed in the earth: much more
the wicked and the sinner.” See, my son, here you
can hear that no one can come unto life, except
through this way. Therefore enter in through the
strait gate, receive the chastisement and instruction
of the Lord, bow your shoulders under his yoke,
and cheerfully bear it from your youth, with thanksgiving,
rejoicing and honor; for he accepts or receives
no son, whom he does not chasten. Hebrews
12:6. Paul further says: If you forsake the chastisement,
whereof they were all partakers, ye are bastards,
and not children, and shall be cast out from
the inheritance of the children of God.

If you, therefore, desire to enter into the regions
of the holy world, and into the inheritance of the
saints, gird your loins, and follow after them; search
the Scriptures, and it shall show you their ways.
John 5:39. The angel who spake to the prophet
said: “There is also another thing: A city is builded,
and set upon a broad field, and is full of all good
things: the entrance thereof is narrow, and set in a
dangerous place to fall, like as if there were a fire
on the right hand, and on the left a deep water: and
one only path between them both, even between the
fire and the water, so small that there could but
one man go there at once. If this city now were
given unto a man for an inheritance, if he never
shall pass the danger set before it, how shall he receive
this inheritance?” 2 Esd. 7:6–9. See, my
son, this way has no retreats; there are no roundabout
or crooked little paths; whosoever departs to
the right or to the left, inherits death. Behold, this
is the way which is found by so few, and walked by
a still far smaller number; for there are some who
well perceive that this is the way to life; but it is
too severe for them; it pains their flesh.

Therefore, my child, do not regard the great
number, nor walk in their ways. Remove thy foot
far from their paths, for they go to hell, as sheep
unto death; even as Isaiah says: “Hell hath enlarged
herself, and opened her mouth without measure;
and their glory, and their multitude . . .
shall descend into it.” Is. 5:14. “It is a people of
no understanding: therefore he that made them will
not have mercy on them.” Is. 27:11. But where
you hear of a poor, simple, cast-off little flock
(Luke 12:32), which is despised and rejected by the
world, join them; for where you hear of the cross,
there is Christ; from there do not depart. Flee the
shadow of this world; become united with God; fear
him alone, keep his commandments, observe all his
words, to do them; write them upon the table of
your heart, bind them upon your forehead, speak
day and night of his law and you will be a pleasant
tree and a sprout in the courts of the Lord, a beloved
plant growing up in Zion. Ps. 92:13. Take
the fear of the Lord to be your father, and wisdom
shall be the mother of your understanding. If you
know this, my son, happy are you if you do it.
John 13:17. Observe that which the Lord commands
you, and sanctify your body to his service,
that his name may be sanctified, praised, and made
glorious and great in you. Be not ashamed to confess
him before men; do not fear men; rather give
up your life, than to depart from the truth. If you
lose your body, which is earthly, the Lord your
God has prepared you a better one in heaven.
2 Cor. 5:1.

Therefore, my child, strive for righteousness unto
death, and arm yourself with the armor of God.
Be a pious Israelite, trample under foot all unrighteousness,
the world and all that is in it, and love
only that which is above. 1 John 2:15. Remember,
that you are not of this world, even as your Lord
and Master was not. John 15:19. Be a faithful disciple
of Christ; for none is fit to pray, unless he has
become his disciple, and not before. Col. 1:7; John
9:31. Those who said: “We have left all,” also
438
said: “Teach us to pray.” Luke 18:28; 11:1. They
were those for whom the Lord prayed, and not the
world (John 17:9); for when the world prays, they
call upon their father, the Devil, and desire that his
will be done, as is also the case. Therefore, my
son, do not become like them, but shun and flee
them, and have neither part nor fellowship with
them. Rom. 12:2; 2 Pet. 1:4. Do not regard that
which is before your eyes, but seek only those
things which are above. Col. 3:1. O my child, be
mindful of my admonition, and forsake it not. May
the Lord cause you to grow up in his fear, and fill
your understanding with his Spirit. 2 Peter 3:18.
Sanctify yourself to the Lord, my son; sanctify your
whole conduct in the fear of your God. Lev. 20:7.
Whatever you do, do it all to the praise of his
name. Honor the Lord in the works of your hands,
and let the light of the Gospel shine through you.
Love your neighbor. Deal with an open, warm
heart thy bread to the hungry, clothe the naked,
and suffer not to have anything twofold; for there
are always some who lack. Matt. 26:11. Whatever
the Lord grants you from the sweat of your face,
above what you need, communicate to those of
whom you know that they love the Lord (Genesis
3:19; Ps. 112:9); and suffer nothing to remain
in your possession until the morrow, and the Lord
shall bless the work of your hands, and give you
his blessing for an inheritance. Deut. 28:12. O my
son, let your life be conformed to the Gospel, and
the God of peace, sanctify your soul and body, to
his praise. Amen. Phil. 1:27; 1 Thess. 5:23.

O holy Father, sanctify the son of thy handmaiden
in thy truth, and keep him from the evil,
for thy name’s sake, O Lord.

Thereupon she sealed this with her blood, and
thus, as a pious heroine and follower of Jesus Christ,
she was received among the number of the witnesses
of God who were offered up.





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