# Thomas Van Imbroeck, The 5th Of May, In The Year 1558.

1558 · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: THOMAS VAN IMBROECK, THE 5TH OF MAY, IN THE YEAR 1558.

Source heading; not independently verified

At Cologne, on the Rhine, a godfearing brother,
named Thomas van Imbroeck, a printer’s servant,
was apprehended for the truth, in the year 1557,
and imprisoned in a tower. When afterwards examined
in regard to baptism and marriage, he met
them with the word of God, in such a manner that
they desisted from examining him further and put
him into another tower. His wife wrote him a letter
exhorting him to fight valiantly, and to adhere firmly
to the truth. For these comforting words he affectionately
thanked her, and showed by many Scriptures
that the righteous have always suffered, and
that he stood with a good conscience void of offense
before God, to follow them, forsake wife, children,
and all visible things, and take up the cross of
Christ, and follow him, for which he prayed God
that he might be found worthy. Afterwards there
came to him two priests, who disputed with him
concerning infant baptism; but they disagreed among
themselves; for the one would have that the infants
that died unbaptized were damned, while the other
admitted that they were saved. They insisted that
he should become converted. But he said: “That
which I maintain, the Scriptures have taught me,
and if any one will teach me a better way from the
Scriptures, I will gladly follow him.” They said:
“You despise our church, and refuse to be taught
by us.” He replied: “That I contemn your church
and do not come under your communion, is for the
reason that you do not keep your church pure; for
perjurers, whoremongers, and the like are pious
brethren among you.” They also asked him why
he did not have his children baptized. He answered:
“The Scriptures teach no infant baptism, and those
that are to be baptized according to the word of God,
must first believe.” Then they said that he was a
heretic, but were not able to prove it. He was then
brought to the rack, where he was sharply examined,
but not tortured, though the executioner had everything
ready for it; for the lords were not agreed
among themselves. This happened three different
times. After this he was brought into the house of
the count, who would gladly have set him at liberty
had he not so greatly feared the imperial decree and
the displeasure of the bishop. Thomas, however,
was bold, of good cheer, and ready to lay down his
life for the name of Christ, and to adhere so firmly
to the truth and the love of God, that neither fire,
water, sword, nor any other thing should move him
therefrom. When they took him away from the
house of the count, he suffered much temptation all
night from the count’s people and others, who undertook
to teach and instruct him, but all in vain;
for they were such as were themselves not instructed
or taught of God.

Finally he was brought before the high court,
where he was condemned to death, in presence of
the count, who then; for the first time, pronounced
judgment, staining his staff with Christian blood.
Thus he was beheaded, as a pious witness of Jesus
Christ, for his steadfast continuance in the faith,
on the 5th day of March, 1558, being twenty-five
years old.

From his prison he wrote letters to his wife and
brethren, and also a confession of his faith regarding
baptism, of which a special book has been published,
all of which is very instructive and comforting
for the godfearing, as you shall see by the following
part, which is here presented to you.

A letter by Thomas van Imbroeck, written from
prison to his wife and brethren.

Much grace and peace from God the heavenly
Father, who is a true Father; for he shows his fatherly
faithfulness to all his children, according to his
promise, when he says: I will be a Father unto
them, and they shall be my sons and daughters.
May this Father so speak to your hearts, that you
may believe me with a good conscience, that you
are his children, and it will not fail you.

This grace I wish you, my dear wife, and also the
wife of my Lord (you understand whom I mean),
through the Author and Finisher of life, Jesus, to
whom alone we must take refuge, that we may become
conformed to him in this world, according to
the words of the prophet, who says: “He hath no
form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him,
there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is
despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows,
and acquainted with grief, and we hid as it were
our faces from him.” Is. 53:23.

But what says the Scripture: “Wherefore God
also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name
which is above every name . . . and that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to
the glory of God the Father.”

Hence I deem it necessary for us, O wife of the
Lord, to reflect on this; for though we are now the
557
reproach of all men, yea, as the filth and offscouring
of every one, so that they say: “Away with him,
for he is not fit to live;” they shall in due time confess
and say: “Behold, how are they now numbered
among the children of God, and their lot is among
the saints. We accounted their life madness, and
their end to be without honor.” Wis. 3:5,4. Now
we sigh, but when he shall come for whom we wait;
then they shall sigh, and be distressed with great
pain; who shall be without hope; for their worm
shall never die, and their fire shall not be quenched.

Hence, there is a great difference between the pious
and the ungodly; for the souls of the righteous
are in the hands of God, and there shall no torment
touch them, for their hope is full of immortality.
Wis. 3:1,4.

This, my brethren, we are to consider well; for if
we look back, we still look upon deadly or mortal
things, and there cannot apply to us the comforting
words of Paul, where he says: “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. 4:17,18.

Now I know that wife and children are visible,
and though they are dear to me, yet I will count
them but dung, and say: “Henceforth know I no
man after the flesh; but the knowledge of the spirit
abideth forever.” Philip. 3:8; 2 Cor. 5:16. And
thus I hope to know you all when we shall appear
together in the eternal joy, which is prepared from
the beginning for them that are not ashamed of
Christ; but this is not to be ashamed, when we, as
malefactors, go without the gate, for Christ’s sake,
and help him bear his reproach, without the camp.
Heb. 12:13.

Hence I desire that the rich seek no excuse, and
say: “Yea, I cannot forsake everything, it would
create great wonderment and sensation before the
world, if I should so completely forsake my rank.
Yea, they should imagine that they were doing too
much in this. Ah no! he who is over all, God blessed
forever, humbled himself much more than this; for
he was King over all, and Lord of the whole world,
even as David in spirit calls him Lord: he came not
to be ministered unto, but to minister unto all; for
he became the servant of us all, that he might make
us free. Rom. 9:5; Philip. 2:7; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev.
17:14; Matt. 20:28; John 8:36.

If we therefore have received freedom through
him, let us be grateful, and not cast it from us; for
it has a great reward, though some say we ought
not to serve God for the reward. This view, I say,
is not right; for I say with Paul: “If in this life only
we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”
1 Cor 15:19.

Yet, let no one think, that he shall be justified
and saved by his good works alone; for this we must
wholly ascribe to the grace of God, and to the merits
and innocently shed blood of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who works the good in us.

Therefore, my dear brethren, beware of such spirits;
for they would experience greater perfection, but
fail in those things which are least. Adhere to the
doctrine you have learned. One thing I desire and
request: that the simple may be better and more
thoroughly instructed, lest your labor be burned in
the fire; for the scripture says not in vain: “In that
he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to
succor them that are tempted; for experience
brings perfect wisdom, even as Paul says: Blessed
be . . . the Father of mercies and the God of all
comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in
any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves
are comforted of God. For, as the sufferings of
Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth
by Christ; yea, through him, I say, we shall
gain the victory; for he is our life, and to die is gain
for us, since he says: “Though you were dead, yet
shall you live.” Heb. 2:18; 2 Cor. 1:3–5; John
11:25; 2 Tim. 2:11.

Hence it is good to die with Christ; for he was
raised up by the glory of his Father, and, hence,
will draw unto him all that the Father has given
him. Rom. 6:4; John 12:32. Therefore, my brethren,
and my dear wife, let us be valiant; for the
apostle says: “My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Cor. 12:9. Hence I deem it good, to be
in weakness, (mark) if it be followed by being in reproach,
distress, persecution, and fear for Christ’s
sake.

Yea, if the Lord should count me worthy to testify
with my blood to his name, how greatly would I
thank him, for I hope not only to bear these bonds
with patience, but also to die for Christ’s sake, that
I may finish my course with joy; for I would rather
be with the Lord, than live again in this abominable,
wicked world; however, his divine will be done.
Amen.

And if anything should be defective yet in my
life, that I may not have been diligent enough (which
I confess), may the Lord blot it out and purge it,
through the fire of his love and mercy, in the blood
of Jesus Christ through which everything must be
purified, and purged. 1 John 1:7.

Dear brethren, I desire that you will all pray to
God for me, that he will keep us, through Jesus
Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Another letter by Thomas van Imbroeck, written
in prison to his wife.

May grace, peace and mercy from God the heavenly
Father, and the pure love of his Son Jesus
Christ, be perfect in your heart, my dear wife, that
you may thereby be drawn from all visible things
to the invisible and eternal, through the help and
co-operation of his Holy Spirit, who is the Governor
and Guide of the children of God; to him be glory
and praise forever and ever, Amen.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ for his great and unspeakable grace, which
he has imparted to us through his gracious goodness,
and has drawn us into the kingdom of his Beloved
Son, through whom we have received redemption
from all our sins, in his blood. Eph. 1:3.

Hence it is right and just that we ought not to
cease constantly to serve him with great humility
558
as grateful and obedient children, and not disesteem
the grace which has been given us, but diligently
consider why and for what purpose it has been given
us, namely, that we should use it and get gain by it,
that we may hear the sweet voice which says: “Well
done, thou good and faithful servant, thou hast been
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler
over many things.” Matt. 25:21.

Be admonished by this, that the merchant sold all
that he had, and bought the field in which lay the
treasure. Matt. 13:44. Thus you should also think
now, that you willingly give your husband to the
Lord, like Jephtha, who offered up his daughter to
the Lord; or remember also Abraham, the pious
father of all the faithful, who did not become weak
in faith, but willingly delivered up his son Isaac to
show obedience to the mighty God, who gives life
and breath to all men, Judg. 11:39; Heb. 11:17.

Remember also patient Job, who in his trial with
all meekness said: “Naked came I out of my mother’s
womb, and naked shall I return thither; the
Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed
be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21.

O, James may well say: “Ye have heard of the
patience of Job, and have seen the end of the
Lord.” Jas. 5:11. And also Paul says: “Consider
him that endured such contradiction of sinners
against himself.” Heb. 12:3 He knew no sin; but
we must confess that we deserve more punishment
than we suffer, though the same is profitable, as is
written that he chastises us for our benefit, and that
all things work together for good to us. Rom. 8:28.

Hence I desire of you, my dear friend, that you
be of good cheer in the Lord, and do not grieve,
for I have well perceived that you have lost flesh
and become emaciated. Rejoice with me, and thank
God that we are not bastards, but that he receives
us as a Father, yea, as children and fellow heirs of
his kingdom, who here on earth receive like reward
with his Son, and this for the sake of his testimony.

Why should we not suffer the evil, seeing we
have received the good from him? However, if we
would sorrow, we have cause enough for it, for
godly sorrow I mean; for we may with truth lament,
that we are still very unfit; even as you write me,
that you cannot pray well, even as I also, alas! am
imperfect. Jas. 4:3. But the reason of it, in my
opinion, is this, that we are not sufficiently displeased
with ourselves, and also, that we do not perceive
the thorns that are in our flesh.

May the Lord have compassion upon us, and
open the eyes of our understanding, so that we may
hate sin, even as God himself hates it; for then he
takes pleasure in us, even as also holy David when
he says: “Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am
weak: O Lord, heal me, for my bones are vexed.
My soul is also sore vexed; but thou, O Lord, how
long? Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me
for thy mercies’ sake. I am weary with my groaning;
all the night make I my bed to swim; I water
my couch with my tears.” Ps. 6:2–4,6.

But where are the tears which we have shed, my
dear wife, over our past sins, when our souls were
wounded even unto death, yea, sunk in hell? True,
we sing: “I acknowledge my transgressions, and
my sin is ever before me:” but it were far better for
us, to lament from deep distress of heart, and to pray
with a broken, contrite and fervent heart, if we experience
the same, now that tribulation and suffering
happen to us in the flesh.

Thus also Esther learned to pray, where she says:
“O my Lord, thou only art our King: help me,
desolate woman, which have no helper but thee; deliver
us and help me; for thou knowest all things;
O Lord, thou knowest that I hate the glory of the
unrighteous, and abhor the bed of the uncircumcised,
and that I abhor the sign of my high estate.”
2 Esther 14:3,15.

We must observe here that the pious woman had
an aversion for the costly apparel, and hated it more
than she loved it. Do you also beware of it, and reprove
it sharply in those whom you see given to it:
for it proceeds not from a humble heart. The proverb
says: “Don’t put moths into the fur;” neither
must we give the flesh occasion for sin, since it is,
alas! evil enough without that. Gal. 5:13.

Therefore, my dear sister, do not respect persons;
for the faith of Jesus does not suffer respect of persons
(Deut. 1:17; Jas. 2:1); but reprove that which
is evil with all kindness and humility, out of love,
and show yourself in all things a pattern of good
works and sobriety to all women, with piety and
silence; for he that bridles not his tongue, deceives
his own heart, and his religion is vain.

Hence I affectionately exhort you, while you have
time now, that you will use all diligence; for it is
not enough, that we confess the name of the Lord
with the mouth in prison, but we must first demonstrate
our confession in power; for we know that he
who transgresses out of prison, sins just as much as
he that sins in prison, though through weakness,
while the other, sins from wantonness.

Therefore take heed to yourselves, and be always
prepared; for we know not the hour. Watch therefore,
and keep your garments clean, lest you walk
naked, and your shame become manifest. Be always
ready for conflict; for David says; “Many
are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord
delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his
bones: not one of them is broken.” Ps. 34:19,20.
“He saveth the poor from the sword of the ungodly,
and the needy from the hand of the mighty.”
Job 5:15. Job further says: “Happy is the man
whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou
the chastening of the Almighty: for he maketh sore,
and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make
whole.” 5:17,18.

Paul also says, that he wants to know Christ, and
the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of
his sufferings, being made conformable unto his
death; if by any means (he says) I might attain unto
the resurrection of the dead. Philippians 3:10,11.
Hence we must mourn with him, that we may also
rejoice with him. Does not Christ say: “Blessed
are they that mourn and lament; for they shall be
comforted; yea, the tears shall be wiped away.”
Matt. 5:4. And the Lord does not forsake the
widow that is oppressed, as it is written: “He hears
the prayer of the distressed and oppressed, and he
559
does not despise the prayer of the widows, if they
pour it out before him with lamentation and sighing;
yea, their tears ascend to heaven, and the Lord will
hear them.” Sir. 35:24.

Therefore let us be resigned, and say within ourselves:
O Lord, Almighty King, all things are in
thy power; if it is thy will to restore unto me my
husband, there is none that can resist thy will.
Thou hast made heaven and earth, and all that is
contained in the circuit of heaven. Thou art Lord
of all things. Thou preservest us as the apple of
thine eye, and hast said through the mouth of David,
that we shall cast our burden upon thee; for
thou wilt sustain us, and never suffer the righteous
to be moved. Ps. 55:22. Then will your prayer be
fulfilled, as you write me, that you cannot pray
otherwise than only: Lord, thy will be done. And I
wish to God for you, that this may be found in
you in truth, and not as Israel cried to the Lord,
when they drew near him with their mouth, and
magnified him with their tongues; but their heart
was not right with him, and they were not found
faithful in his covenant. Is. 29:13. But they that
keep his commandment, shall pray, and whatsoever
they shall ask (in accordance with his will) shall be
granted unto them. John 15:16.

Hence be of good courage, and bring up your
children in good manners, and in the fear of God,
that their natural propensities may be mortified;
and take an example from yourself, how you bring
them up in their weakness, with great labor and
trouble, and give the breast to them to whom the
Lord has commanded milk to be given.

You are also to give them the rod, according to
the command of the Lord, when they transgress and
are obstinate: for this is also food for the soul, and
drives out the folly which is bound up in their
hearts. Prov. 23:13,14. Remember the words of
Sirach, where he says (Sir. 7:26): “Shew not thyself
cheerful to thy daughter, nor laugh with her, lest
she become bold against thee, and thou have to
bear shame on her account in the end. But teach
her the law of our God, that she may put her hope in
the Almighty and Most High, and may never forget
the benefits bestowed upon us through Christ.

I also pray you, that they, as far as possible, be
kept away from intractable children; do not allow
them to run about in the streets, but keep them
with you as much as possible, that you may have
joy and sorrow with them; and forget not the kind
of widow mentioned by Paul in his letter to Timothy
(1 Tim. 5:4); but place your hope firmly in the
Lord, and wait for him with patience.

Now I understand that you would gladly die; but
when I was still with you, and we lived together in
peace, then life was no cross for you. Remember
therefore now what I often told you, namely, that it
is good for the believer to have tribulation and distress,
that we may learn to say with Paul: “We
groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with
our house which is from heaven: if so be that being
clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that
are in this body, are burdened, and willing rather to
be absent from the body, and to be present with the
Lord, than to walk in his absence in much affliction.”
2 Cor. 5:2. Alas! friend, how few there are
that say this; I mean among those who enjoy peace
and rest.

Therefore thank the Lord, that he has given this
grace, and perhaps removed me from your sight for
the best; for he is a jealous God; he will be loved
the most, and have sole possession of the human
heart. And you have also asked him to remove
from your path everything that might be in the way
of your salvation. Hence think that he is proving
us both, and let us willingly take the yoke upon us,
and count it all joy. Jas. 1:2. For what are the
sufferings of this world? Nothing but a dream, as
David says: “When the Lord turned again the
captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter.” Psalm
126:1.

Thus it is with us as with a woman in travail;
when the child is brought forth, she would not surrender
it, because of the former pain. So also we,
when we have been delivered from the child, we
would not take the whole world for it.

Hence take good heed, that you be not startled
or frightened, that the child may be born in due
time. Take food and nourishment from the husband
Christ, that you may have strength for labor; and
neglect not to receive the true food, the word of
God. Remember Israel, who were satiated with
bread from heaven. May the Lord give you a sound
soul, and a fervent stomach of love, so that the food
may be well digested. Amen.

May the grace of the Lord be increased unto you,
my dear wife. Be always subject to the godfearing,
and associate with the pious, and pray God to keep
me in the truth; for truth abides and is strong forever;
it lives, and will forever prevail.

Greet all the saints with the kiss of love, and all
who love the Lord Jesus, and tell them to be kind;
for God is the Hero and Captain, who so faithfully
succors in time of need. He is like a shower upon
the parched earth in a dry summer. Thus he refreshes
the afflicted souls, that thirst for him; he is
a shadow from the heat of the sun. Matt. 11:28;
Is. 55:1; 25:4.

Tell the brethren to take care of the novices, and
to pray earnestly for me. I will also pray for them,
as much as is in my power. Remember my bonds.
The Lord be with your spirit. Amen.

Your dear husband, Thomas van Imbroeck,

imprisoned for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

P. S. This Thomas van Imbroeck composed an
excellent confession of baptism, as also a defense
against the adversaries, in regard to the same matter,
and delivered it all to the lords of justice of the
city of Cologne. Concerning this, see our Account
of Holy Baptism, for the year 1558.





---

Page: http://history.truechristian.church/stories/mm-thomas-van-imbroeck-the-5th-of-may-in-the-year-1558/

[Contribute a correction or addition](https://github.com/trueChristian/history.truechristian.church/issues/new?title=Correction%3A+Thomas+Van+Imbroeck%2C+The+5th+Of+May%2C+In+The+Year+1558.&body=%23%23+Page+or+topic%0AThomas+Van+Imbroeck%2C+The+5th+Of+May%2C+In+The+Year+1558.%0A%0APage%3A+http%3A%2F%2Fhistory.truechristian.church%2Fstories%2Fmm-thomas-van-imbroeck-the-5th-of-may-in-the-year-1558%2F%0A%0ARecord%3A+mm-thomas-van-imbroeck-the-5th-of-may-in-the-year-1558%0A%0ADate+currently+shown%3A+1558%0A%0A%23%23+Correction+or+addition%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Sources+and+evidence%0APlease+include+book%2Fpage+references%2C+archive+links%2C+or+first-hand+documentation.%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Image+credit+%28if+applicable%29%0ACreator%2C+source%2C+and+permission+or+public-domain+basis.%0A%0A%0A%0ASubmitted+for+review%3B+this+issue+does+not+publish+changes+automatically.)