# The First Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Brother-In-Law And His Sister, Which Treats Of His Examination And Torture.

16th century (source section) · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: THE FIRST LETTER FROM JAN WOUTERSS, TO HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW AND HIS SISTER, WHICH TREATS OF HIS EXAMINATION AND TORTURE.

Century of containing source section; exact event date not assigned

The abundant grace of God, the love of Christ,
and the co-operation of the Holy Ghost, be constantly
multiplied with you beloved, my dear brother-in-law
858and brother in the Lord, and your much
beloved wife our dear sister, with all pious saints,
who are zealous for righteousness, so that through
this zeal and desire the name of God may be magnified;
for they that are such are a light in the
world, and a joy and pattern to their neighbor, for
they constantly seek to please their neighbor in that
which is good unto edification, that they may with
all the godfearing be found diligent followers of
Christ. If we do thus, I have hope in the Lord,
that we shall all get where Christ our Lord is, who
strengthens us, and helps us to triumph, as may be
read hereafter. Amen.

After this cordial salutation out of a pure heart, I
unworthy one, and least member in Christ, cannot
forbear to write you briefly, for a remembrance to
you all, and for your comfort and encouragement;
for I cannot keep this unspeakable joy of the Holy
Ghost to myself alone, but must impart something
to your love. But how can joy be a remarkable
thing, if one has not experienced anxiety; but I unworthy
one have tasted this, the Lord be glorified
therein. Amen.

First, when I was apprehended for the obedience
of Christ, I was interrogated concerning my faith,
which I plainly confessed; but afterwards they asked
for certain names, namely, for my wife, my mother,
my master, and who baptized, and married me, and
for other things. Thereupon I replied, that I had
resolved in my heart not to name any one, for I intended
to answer for myself, and would not be a
traitor. The Bailiff threatened that he should make
me tell, etc.

Having been confined there all the time during
the cold winter, I was brought, the Saturday after
St. Peter’s day, up to the torture loft, where the instruments
stood in readiness. The Bailiff asked me
first of all concerning my master, and then regarding
others, and said, that I should also have to tell
him what he should ask me. They entreated me;
they threatened me; and said: “Though we know
nearly all, and your master is possibly gone already,
we will nevertheless hear it from your lips; hence
do not suffer your limbs to be broken, but tell it
voluntarily; else we shall deliver you to the executioner,
and then you will have to do it.” When
they could obtain nothing from me, the upper part
of my body was stripped, in the bitter cold, my
hands were tied behind my back and made fast to
the loft, and also my feet were bound, and I was thus,
with my eyes blindfolded, drawn up by my hands,
after I had been entreated to have a regard to my
fine trade. And he said, that I should spare my
members, my members which God had given me,
for I had no power over one hair of my head.

As I kept silent, I was scourged with rods, and
the stripes fell mostly on my abdomen. Having
been thus treated, I was let down and again asked;
but the Lord be praised, they obtained nothing
from me, though I had drank that bitter cup. I
was then drawn up again, and scourged as before.
O flesh, you must suffer now, I thought. While I
was thus suspended in agony, a halberdier ran from
the loft and said: “I would rather be dead than
that man;” because he only stood there and beheld
it.

When I did not reply in regard to anything, the
executioner said: “What, will you not answer my
lords? Reply to my lords; or have you a dumb
devil in you?”

They asked me whether I would advise with myself
until Monday, and then tell them the truth (as
they call it), in regard to all. I kept silent and
thought, why should I advise with myself; I do not
want to tell you anyway. I prayed within myself,
that the Lord should not suffer me to be tempted
above that I was able. I also openly called upon
the Lord, and prayed that he would forgive them.
The jailer once thought that I was beside myself;
but I know nothing about that. The executioner
imagined he would make me tell; he had had [he
said] so many of our people under his hands, who
eventually had to tell everything; but the faithful
Helper in distress kept my lips. They then released
me, and themselves gave me a respite that I should
advise with myself until Monday; but if I should
then not do it, I should be dealt with in an extraordinary
manner; and they threatened me much, so
that it was dreadful to hear. They said this was yet
of the least, that it was only child’s play compared
to other, future tortures. But when I looked at myself,
and beheld my body which was bloody from the
scourging; for that was certainly one of the severest
pains, I thought to myself: Is this only child’s play?
The jailer went away, and said to his wife: “They
will torture the man to death.” In short, I was so
tortured that they had to dress and undress me.
All this the vile flesh had to bear, which has so
often grieved me, and would constantly walk in the
crooked path, to gratify its lusts; it had deserved
yet more. This having taken place in the afternoon,
I was not well able to sleep in the night, but
counted the striking of the clock all night, and
during the night I moaned most lamentably. But
afterwards I received a great, peaceful joy and gladness
of the Holy Ghost, so great that I cannot adequately
describe it; because the Lord had so faithfully
kept my lips, and not suffered me to be confounded
in my confidence, which I poor, simple
servant had already before I was apprehended; but
herein the Lord proved me unworthy servant,
praised be his name for evermore.

Now when my sufferings became noised through
the city, there were worldly people who rejoiced
that I had kept my lips sealed: and if such people
can rejoice, how much more shall the godfearing rejoice,
and praise God.

Further, the appointed day drawing nigh, I earnestly
prepared myself for it, and made supplication
to my God, that he would not chasten me unworthy
servant according to my sins, according to
his justice, but according to his fatherly mercy, that
he would keep my lips, and alleviate the pain, as he
had done the first time.

When the hour approached, my flesh feared, and
my soul was afraid, for it had tried it; but I comforted
myself as much as I could, thinking: “You
will not suffer hereafter, where it will last forever;
and this is but a little time.” When I came upon
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the torture loft, on Tuesday (it was delayed a day),
I was asked, to what conclusion I had come. I said,
that my conscience would not allow it; I could not
do what they requested.

They said: “You can; we take that upon ourselves.”
I said: “Every one must stand for himself.”
They said: “How can your master or your wife
get into trouble; for they are gone already; what
harm can it do the place where you were baptized?”
“I think,” said the Bailiff, “that it took place at
your master’s; but I do not know it for certain; and
he that baptized, and he that married you, has left
the king’s country, for it was so long ago.” The
secretary’s servant also said to me: “Why will you
conceal it? the pains are too great, and in the end
you will do it after all, even as those of Breda.”

They concluded, that they would send me a
learned man, who should prove to, or instruct, me
with the Scriptures, that I could do it.

When they were assembled together in another
place, the Bailiff asked, in what I was troubled.
Thereupon the prior said: “You can well do it, and
name your neighbor, for if you are the true people,
they will then with you receive the crown of martyrdom;
but since you are not, then also hate the
wicked, even as God hates them.”

O abominable expositor! whose exposition tends
only to destruction. O Lord God, convert their
hearts, who thirst so greatly after innocent blood.
As we could not agree, we separated.

The following day (which was Wednesday) I was
brought forth again, and asked as before. I said,
that I could not do it; my conscience did not allow
it; if I did it, I think my heart would never be at
rest; hence I would rather die with a peaceful heart,
than live with a troubled conscience. The Scriptures
teach us: Do to men as you would have them
do unto you; love your wife; love your neighbor
as yourself. Matt. 7:12; 22:39.

The Bailiff said: “You love your neighbor more
than yourself.” I rejoined, that one ought to lay
down his life for his brother. 1 John 3:16. When
with many words, entreaties and threats they could
get nothing out of me, the executioner again seized
me, and I again humbly entreated my God, as before
in the first conflict.

I was then stripped, and my hands tied behind
my back; and I was much entreated, that I should
do it. Thus I was drawn up, but not fastened below;
I expected to be laid upon the rack.

When I had been drawn up, and could not answer
according to their will (for the seed of God
remained in me), he scourged me upon my lacerated
skin, which caused me great pain. And he
said: “How does this suit you? thus I will tear
open your old wounds;” and he threatened me in
an extraordinary manner. He then let me down
again, and placed me before the lords, upon the
rack, sitting with my eyes blindfolded, as an Ecce
Homo.330 And he asked, whether I would not yet
tell it to my lords. I replied, that I could not do it;
hence he drew me up again, which caused me great
pain; and when he shook me, and jerked the rope,
the pain was increased. When they could obtain
nothing from me, they let me down, and gave
me time for consideration till the next day. But
while I was suspended, the Bailiff said: “Your face
is as sweet as that of an angel, but your heart is
harder than Pharaoh’s heart.” I said: “This is
not so; and the Lord will make it manifest hereafter;
I have in my simplicity sought my salvation.”

And when the executioner began to dress me,
I said to him: “O friend, how you have treated
me; you have not for a long time thus treated a
rogue, who felt it so long afterwards as I.” Then
he answered, saying: “They confess, but you will
not confess; and the weather is cold, and it cannot
come so quickly.”

When the Bailiff heard this, he said to me: “You
are worse than a rogue; for these have sinned, but
you have apostatized from God, and denied him;
hence he forsakes you in your distress.” I said:
“If this is true, I am a poor man; but I have a
better hope.” “Yea,” said he, “you are a strayed
sheep; the wolves have taken you away, and devoured
you,” etc. He also told me, that we people
did not get baptized until we were first tried between
two naked women. I said, that no such thing
obtained with us. They also talked to me about
David Joriss. I disavowed him and all his adherents.
The executioner said that we held the belief,
that infants that died in their mothers’ womb cannot
be saved. I denied it. Another said, we had to give
a pound Flemish when we were baptized, whether
we had it or not. I think the Bailiff said this, for
besides he said that in the church only three stivers
or thereabouts are given, when one has a child baptized.
I denied that too. O offense, offense! what
have you done already, whereby the innocent have
had to suffer? for the wicked soon take cause,
though they should hear false testimony, even as
was the case with regard to our Lord himself, and
Stephen. In short, the number of the infamous
things said was exceedingly great, and, I suppose
that to some the infamous speeches and their threats,
are almost as grievous as the tortures. Hence patience
is especially needful, in order to overcome
in this conflict. Christ may therefore well say:
“Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart;
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt. 11:29.
That this is a true doctrine, I indeed now experience.
He, the Lord himself from heaven, who was
mightier than all men, suffered shame, reproach
and contempt, and thus took possession of his own
kingdom (Luke 24:26); how then should we not
bear it, who are but for a little time subjugated by
our enemies.

Hence I unworthy servant beseech all the godfearing,
that you forget not, constantly to learn of
Christ, for he is meek and lowly in heart; and also
possess your souls in patience, and you shall find
rest, for patience is our strength. To be patient,
and thus wait for the help of the Lord, is a good
thing; for in Proverbs it is written, that a patient
man is better or greater than a strong man. Lamentations
3:26; Prov. 16:32. Take for an example,
Abraham, Jacob, Moses, the three youths, Daniel,
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the seven brothers and their mother, Job, the
prophets, and the end of our Lord.

Thus, my most beloved, trust God, and believe
in him, he will help you, since he has promised it.
But if you do not trust him, consider whether you
also believe, that God is almighty and true, even
as you believe, that by his word he created heaven
and earth, and the sea and all that in them is.
David testifies, and rejoices in it that he is a God
who is ready to help. He further says, that he is
a buckler to all those who trust in him. Yea, his
angels encamp round about us, to keep us. But if
we do not trust him, how then shall he help us?

When I again expected the hour of my temptation,
I, unworthy servant, besought the Lord my
refuge, that he would also keep me the third time,
as he, through his grace, had done twice; so that
I should not be confounded, and that they should
not deprive me of my boast (that is, the good purpose
of my heart in the beginning), so that I might
keep the faith in a pure conscience. Then I hope
to praise, glorify and magnify thy holy name, to
the joy of the pious saints, and to the babes, as a
comfort and a sweet savor of life, that, smelling it,
they may thereby be refreshed and strengthened,
to become the bolder in the truth, which is the
strongest of all, and will always conquer (1 Esdras
4:38); and not regard what men, who must perish
like grass, may do to us, since it is manifestly found,
that the Lord’s hands are not shortened, but that
he always assists the pious, as David testifies. For,
dear Lord, if I did not continue valiant, what a
great sorrow would it be for the young babes, and
to what great blasphemy it would give rise. I beseech
thee, O heavenly Father, have compassion
on me, poor sinful man, and remove from me the
rest of the cup, if it is possible; and if it is not
possible, thy will alone be done. Lord, help me to
triumph, for thou knowest how the stripes of men
taste. I commit myself into thy hands; though they
exceedingly threaten me, they have not power to
harm one hair of our head, thou must first permit
them; but thy holy will be done to my salvation.
O Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. Acts 7:60.

Now when I had thus prepared myself, I heard
that they were torturing our beloved sister, my fellow-prisoner.
It seemed to me, that she was also
drawn up, and let down again. When she would
not confess, she was drawn up again, and was then
also made fast below by her feet. When she had
suffered the anguish for a while, she was let down
again, and carried away. Then thought I: Now
comes my turn; now they will come and take me
poor lamb out of the pen, to the slaughter. While
thus waiting, I much consoled myself, thinking, how
soon a man is unmade; for it seems to me that she
scarcely suffered the torture half an hour.

When I had thus with Abraham delivered up
my only son, that is; my flesh, the Lord suddenly
interposed and turned my tribulation into great joy.
In the first place by this, that the Lord had also
kept the lips of that weak lamb; and in the second
place, that it seems that they are satisfied with
the sufferings which I have undergone before my
sacrifice.

I have written this, not to cast you down, but for
the reason that you saints of God should rejoice
with me in the Holy Ghost, and help me thank the
Lord, that he has so faithfully helped me; and that
you may know how wonderfully God works in his
elect; as also a pious witness of Christ, Karstiaen L.,
has testified in his letter, and Joris the dyer, who
was a witness of the truth with me here; and would
not name those that were dead, for he said in himself:
“If the devil comes upon the first step, he also
comes higher.” O I think one loses his strength,
in a measure, thereby; for I thought, though they
do not know my master, and though I also know
that he is gone, together with my dear, beloved
wife, and others, yet they would not be satisfied,
they are determined to torture me, and I want to
be silent in regard to the one as well as to the other;
it will now be made manifest, how the Lord helps
those that trust in him. O what a joy is the victory
through Christ; now my faith in Christ is tried, my
fear of God, and my confidence which I had already
before I came into bonds, my love to God and to
his holy church, as the gold in the furnace and
upon the touch-stone; for other trials can be borne
tolerably well, when one has enough and can go
where he pleases; but when one, with Job, is touched
in his skin (Job 2:4,5), when the skin is lacerated,
so that the blood flows, and this is repeated after
four days, that touches the quick. O thou daughter
of Zion, thou bride of the Lamb, be not dismayed,
the Lamb shall gain the victory; be of good courage
in the short conflict that is set before you, for all
things are promised to him that overcometh; he
that continueth faithful unto death shall receive the
crown of life, and shall not taste eternal death, or
the everlasting torment. I do not know that my
torture lasted over two hours in all; but the threatening,
the contempt, and the tormenting lasted
somewhat longer. My most beloved, is this not a
small torment? should one therefore forsake the
truth? should one therefore deny the Lord, and
burden his conscience by mentioning names? nay,
when one is nevertheless frequently subjected to
suffering. O no; the Lord himself fights the battle
for us; to him alone be praise forever. Amen.

Thus, you beloved and saints of God, who have
become partakers of the heavenly calling through
Jesus Christ, despond not, nor be afraid of them
that kill the body, for they have no power over the
soul. I, unworthy one, have espied for you the help
of the Lord; hence I bear witness of him, that he
is a faithful helper in distress, as is written of him;
yea (he says by the prophet), though a mother forget
the son of her womb, whom she brought forth,
yet will I not forsake nor forget thee. Is. 49:15;
Heb. 13:5.

Hence, all you that believe the Lord’s promise,
continue steadfastly. O that no one from despondency
may keep back from any calling or ministry of
the saints, according to ability; for no one may live
to himself, or withhold himself; so that the work of
the Lord may always be carried on with readiness;
and help bear one another’s burdens; if it goes thus,
it is a joy, and the work can be carried on without
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murmuring; and know, whatsoever good thing any
one does, the same shall follow him. Eph. 6:8.

Excuse me for writing in general; I hope that the
faint-hearted will hereby gain a little courage and
confidence through my bonds; yea, I hope, that the
afflicted will become more cheerful because such
great help is found with the Lord, who is nevertheless
not seen, for I testify to you with the apostle:
“Though our outward man perish, yet the inward
man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction,
which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while
we look not at the things which are seen, but at the
things which are not seen.” 2 Cor. 4:16–18.
Now I can write and testify to the same with regard
to this, that the suffering is light, because it is short;
for when all my tortures were over, I do not know
that I felt as much pain afterwards as I once suffered
for a time from a little ulcer, of which my dear wife
well knows, and that I had to bear and found no
promise for bearing it. But if we bear this suffering
for the Lord’s sake, all the principal promises are
ours; yea, there are no more glorious or greater
promises than these, namely: that they who submit
to the sufferings of Christ, and through Christ overcome,
to them the crown of life is promised; and
there is also this testimony in our hearts, that we
are not bastards; yea, we shall be honored and
crowned by Christ himself. For this holy estate I
know that I am not worthy; but the merciful, good
God does nevertheless count me worthy to bear this
reproach for his name’s sake; praise to him forever.
Amen.

Herewith I will conclude this, asking you to excuse
my simple letter; and I will commend you all,
and particularly my most beloved brother-in-law,
and my dearest sister, to the Lord, who is able to
finish the good work which he has begun in you,
that you may receive a full reward with Jesus Christ
our Lord, whether I will go before, and await you
there, that we may then live together in eternal joy.

To this end may the good God grant his grace,
so that no one, because of this little torment, may forsake
the way of eternal life, and thus become like the
fearful and faint-hearted servants (Judg. 7:3), who
cannot go into battle with Gideon, who do not believe
in God, nor can set their seal to it, that God is
faithful, almighty, and true. What there is promised
to such in the Scriptures is manifest, namely, eternal
torment, as to sorcerers and idolaters. Rev. 21:8.
What will it avail them to have borne the name of a
Christian, if one does not continue steadfast? then
we must ignominiously perish, like the ten unbelieving
spies. Num. 14:37. What does it avail to have
been delivered out of Egypt, if one does not believe;
for the unbelieving will all be destroyed? What did
it avail Lot’s wife to have gone out of Sodom: for
she looked back? Hence, all you beloved saints of
God, strive valiantly for the truth unto death. And
always have such a mind in you; and the Lord shall
fight your battle, and you shall then, if you wait
with patience for it, rejoice in the end, even as I do
now. For a confirmation of the truth, read the holy
Scriptures; there you will find how the Lord fought
for Israel, for Daniel, Gideon and Jehoshaphat, and
for others; though they had but little people, yet
such great numbers were slain, that they could not
take away the spoil in three days. 2 Chron. 20:25.

Furthermore, it is necessary and very profitable,
to write comforting letters and send them to the
miserable, forsaken ones, for they are greatly comforted
thereby. Let every one do his diligence in
this respect, as much as possible, and put forth your
best endeavors herein, and pray the Lord for suitable
means, without detriment to any one; likewise
also, to visit them; but above all, constantly to pray
for them, and to lift up holy hands with Moses, till
they have finished the fight, and overcome against
their flesh, against the sting of sin, and against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, wherein Satan
works. Hence let every one lay to heart what the
apostle says: “Remember them that are in bonds,
as though ye were in bonds. Heb. 13:3. When one
member suffers, the other members suffer with it.”
1 Cor. 12:26.

Herewith adieu on this earth to all the godfearing;
be of good courage; for courage lost, battle lost.
I cordially greet you all in the Lord, but particularly
my dearest brother-in-law and his beloved wife
I thank you heartily for all your great friendship.

Commenced the last Thursday in February, and
finished the first of March. I unworthy servant bear
the marks of the Lord above both my hands and
on my body; the name of the Lord be praised forever.

By me confined as a prisoner in the Vuylpoort,
for the obedience of the gospel, I said to the jailer:
Though I could knock the jail into pieces with my
fist, I should not want to do it, lest he should get
into trouble on my account.

Jan van Kuyck.





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