# Tijs Jeuriaenss And Jan Claess, A. D. 1569.

1569 · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: TIJS JEURIAENSS AND JAN CLAESS, A. D. 1569.

Source heading; not independently verified

In this dark bloody reign of antichrist two other
pious brethren fell into the hands of the tyrants,
one of whom was a minister of the word, named
Tijs Jeuriaenss, residing in North Holland, at Karop
in Waterland. The name of the other was Jan
Claess, born near Wesop, and residing in the same
town; he was still a single man, about twenty-five
years of age. And as said Tijs Jeuriaenss had gone
to Muyen near Amsterdam, to serve the church of
God in the word, while said Jan Claess in company
with some others went to Muyen to hear the
exhortation. Thus he was apprehended with Tijs
Jeuriaenss, and brought to the castle of Muyen,
where they remained in imprisonment for about half
a year, and were then sent to the Hague, where
they were also kept confined for about half a year,
and were then sent back to Muyen, at which place
after about three months both were sentenced to be
strangled and burnt at the stake. This was so done,
and they were burnt black in their faces with reed,
and were each put at a stake outside of the dyke,
in the reed, at Muyen, for food to the birds. And
as these pious witnesses of God suffered all this, not
on account of having committed any crime (upon
which alone the secular power has a right to visit
punishment), but only for the truth of the word of
God, and a good conscience, they are under the
blessed promise of God, who has said: “Blessed are
they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:10.
And as they have here for Christ’s sake delivered
up their bodies unto death, for a living sacrifice holy
and acceptable unto God, in confirmation of the
truth, so they shall receive these their mortal and
corruptible bodies again in the resurrection of the
just, in eternal, glorious immortality, and shall live
forever with Christ, whom they confessed here.

The particulars of this offering we have received
from the lips of Symon Fijts, teacher of the church
of God in Tessel, who was present in a chamber at
their apprehension, and visited them in prison, and
with his own eyes witnessed their steadfast departure
from this world.

This Tijs Jeuriaenss was a very zealous follower
of Christ, who in his long imprisonment also wrote
many excellent letters for the consolation of the godfearing,
some of which have long before this been
published in a separate book; treating, among other
things: of the bringing in and incarnation of Jesus
Christ, and, again, of his departure; and also of the
free will of man. Of these letters we, in order to
avoid prolixity, present two to the reader; they are
as follows:

The manifold grace of our God, and the abounding,
deep love of his Son Jesus Christ, with the unsearchable,
rich mercy of our dear Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath translated us into the kingdom of
his dear Son and delivered us from this present
evil world, according to the will of God and our
Father, and the communion, love, joy, comfort and
mighty power of his Holy Spirit, we wish to all
dear brethren and sisters, and all our fellow-believers;
also much wisdom, patience, a valiant faith,
immovable hope, the breast-plate, helmet and armor
of our God, certain victory, the triumphant, two-edged
sword of the Spirit, and the power of God
through the blood of the Lamb. To this high God
and Lord, and his blessed Son be power, strength,
might, praise, honor, and glory, forever and ever.
Amen.

I desire out of a pure heart, with the prophet
Daniel, imprisoned in Babylon, from pure love, to
open the windows of my heart toward the pleasant
city of my God, Jerusalem, now to look lovingly
upon her with a glad heart, and to show her a joyful
face out of pure love; and thus to turn the eyes
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of pleasant desire to her, and to show her out of
pure love a pleasant, glad and joyful countenance,
with the sound of rejoicing; for Jerusalem signifies,
vision of peace. This adorned and pleasant city of
Jerusalem was shown by the angel of God to the
apostle John. Rev. 21:10. He saw it in the Spirit
and in a vision, with a joyful heart, and confessed
that Jerusalem is a vision of peace, and therefore it
cannot be beheld but through the vision of peace.
John saw her in a vision, and discerned her by the
Spirit of truth; hence no one can now see her but
by the vision of the Spirit, and through the Spirit
of truth. This city has the glory of God; her streets
are like unto gold, yea, of pure gold. Verse 21.
Here is the river of life, clear as crystal. 22:1. In
short, here is the pleasant tree, which yields her
fruit every month; the leaves of it are for healing,
for they are fruits of life. This city has high walls,
twelve foundations, and twelve gates. 21:12,19.
She has also twelve watchmen, with twelve trumpets,
the pleasant sound and glorious voice of which
rejoice my soul. This is that joyful, pleasant and
sweet voice which delighted John; for it is like the
voice of harpers playing on their harps. 14:2. The
sound and voice of all kinds of music in Babylon
caused the Babylonians to kneel down and worship
the high image (Dan. 3:7); but this sound
causes my soul to rejoice with the joy of the Holy
Ghost. This city is far more glorious than all other
cities, for her builder and maker is God. Heb. 11:10.
This city comes down from heaven, prepared as a
bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a
voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle
of God; for God will dwell with them, and he shall
wipe away all tears from their eyes. Rev. 21:2,3,4.
Behold, here is the spiritual Solomon of the spiritual
tabernacle or temple. Here is the spiritual sea
which is carried by twelve oxen. 1 Kings 7:23.
In short, here every thing is spiritual; according to
the request of Peter, lively stones in this living or
spiritual temple or house. 1 Pet. 2:5. Here the
golden vessels filled with incense are brought to the
altar of the Lord. These golden vessels filled with
incense are poured out before the Lord, for they
are the prayers of the saints. Rev. 5:8. Thus everything
is renewed in spirit and in truth. For
here is the spiritual paradise planted or founded by
God himself. Here men eat of the tree of life.
Here is the spiritual Adam, of which the literal
was a figure, after whose image all Christians strive,
till they are like unto him in weakness, for they
must be conformed to the image of his Son. Romans
5:14; 8:29. Here has also the spiritual Eve
and bride of this spiritual husband come forth,
through the spiritual sleep, and is thus flesh of his
flesh, and bone of his bones. Gen. 2:23; Eph. 5:30.
There is also here, in spirit and in truth, the spiritual
ark seen by John. Rev. 11:19. Here we enter
in a spiritual manner into the ark of God, through
the baptism of Jesus Christ, inwardly prompted to
it by fire and the Holy Ghost, and outwardly all
the evil carnal lusts washed with water; yea, baptized
into his death. Rom. 6:3. For as by the flood
all flesh perished, so must now also perish, through
baptism, all lust of the flesh, and die without the
ark, which is represented by the former, 1 Peter
3:20,21. Here is the spiritual dove, which brought
the spiritual olive branch into the ark of the Lord;
for as the dove brought an olive branch in her
mouth into Noah’s ark, to show that the flood was
abating, so the Holy Ghost came down in the form
of a dove upon Christ, to show that he was the
Son of God, as had been said to John the Baptist:
“Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending,
he it is.” John 1:33. In the second place, to show
that the flood or punishment had departed, and joy
and glad tidings were come.

Behold, this is the spiritual dove, as Esdras says:
Of all the fowls thou hast chosen thee one dove.
2 Esd. 5:26. And Christ Jesus says to his disciples:
Be harmless as doves. Matt. 10:16. These doves
bear the pleasant olive branch, which is Christ, to
all those that with Noah desire and apprehend it by
faith. I desire once more, with the eyes of love, and
with the vision of peace, to turn my heart and mind
with John to the glorious woman (Rev. 12:1) since
the Lord has shown her to me through faith and
the vision of his word; for her beauty has drawn
me, her loveliness inflames me, I am inclined to her,
she has with her sweet singing conquered my heart,
she has captivated me with her lovely eyes, she has
bound me with heavenly bonds, for her bond is the
girdle of truth, the bond of peace and love. Ephesians
6:14; 4:3; Col. 3:14.

I have on account of her forgotten my father’s
house. How charming and lovely is this woman,
how glorious is her raiment! This woman has a
crown of twelve stars upon her head; she is also
clothed with the sun, and the moon is under her
feet, and two wings also are given her to escape
from the dragon. This woman is spiritual, and
hence she must be viewed with spiritual eyes; all
the proud and vain-glorious cannot behold her
beauty; she is clothed with the sun, with the clear
sun of understanding and of truth, says the Scripture.

I rejoice with John, for he says: “Let us be glad
and rejoice, [and give honor to him:] for the marriage
of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made
herself ready. And to her was granted that she
should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for
the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Revelation
19:7,8.

Whosoever now hears this woman falls in love
with her, and he who lovingly turns his eyes and
face to her, and beholds her beauty, is captivated
by her loveliness, for she is the Queen of the Son
of the Most High God. This woman pours out the
unadulterated sweet wine which comes from the true
vine. Over this woman or city of Jerusalem I will
rejoice with David and say: “I had rather be a
door keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell
in the tents of wickedness.” Ps. 84:10. O Jerusalem,
thou city of God, glorious things are spoken
of thee; for the Lord loveth the gates of Zion more
than all the dwellings of Jacob. Ps. 87:3,2. O Jerusalem,
thou most beautiful, most pleasant, and
most glorious city, above all royal cities! O Jerusalem,
thou pleasant city and vision of peace, over
thee is the King of Peace, the Mighty God, and
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Lord is his name. Is. 9:6. behold these are the
pleasant looks which mine eyes cast upon thee;
these are the windows of joy through which I behold
thee. Once more I must through the window
of the divine truth view thy glory; mine eyes and
face are thus fixed upon thee, that the tears run
down my cheeks. I cannot turn mine eyes and face
from thee; though the winds blow into my face, that
the tears flow from mine eyes, I will dry them with
the beautiful, lovely, pure, and white handkerchief
with which my most beloved has given me to dry
them, that I may behold her so much the more
clearly. Behold, thus I will now with the beloved
prophet David turn my heart’s delight to thee, and
thus give thee the desire of my heart, and say:
“Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact
together: whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the
Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks
unto the name of the Lord. For there are set
thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house
of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they
shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy
walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my
brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say,
Peace be within thee.” Ps. 122:3–8. Peace be
with you all. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the
house of God. Concerning this house read Isaiah 2;
Micah 4.

We poor prisoners in the Lord, and bound of Jesus
Christ, for the testimony of our God, and for
the incontrovertible truth of our dear Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ; also severed and banished for
still holding fast to the truth and to this testimony;
wish salvation, joy, gladness, love, comfort,
strength, and the fellowship, operation and power
of the Holy Ghost to all our dear brethren and
sisters, that are rejected and oppressed by the
proud, for the true knowledge of Jesus Christ and
the fear of God, for a proof of their severe blindness
and pride, and for a proof of patience and pure
fear of God in all of you; in short, for a proof, that
through the power of our God you are kept in the
faith, and also for a confirmation of his word, that
the gates and fiends of hell cannot cast you down.
May the strong God with his mighty power and
word henceforth keep us all through the abundant
riches of his grace; to him be for it praise, honor,
glory, power, might, and strength in glory, forever
and ever. Amen.

Out of pure, brotherly, unfeigned love, and from
the inmost of our soul and the depth of our heart,
with a pure conscience toward all banished, oppressed,
burdened, and distressed souls, I write this
simple and plain letter to you, out of a pure
heart, as a drop of morning dew, dropping down
for the refreshing, cooling and comforting of your
hearts; hence I beseech you with all my strength,
yea, from the inmost depth of my heart, and by
the cross and sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and also by his bitter death and his precious blood
shed for us all, discern and comprehend it with
pure, clear eyes, ears and hearts. O brethren and
sisters, behold and consider diligently from what the
mighty power, Spirit and word of the Lord have
delivered you. The hand of the Lord has powerfully
delivered you, that you might not be punished
with the severe darkness and blindness into which
many are fallen. God has also well preserved you
from all the plagues and sorceries of Egypt, while
so many now lose their birthright.

O brethren and sisters, take heed to it. Because
you firmly and confidently hope in the living God;
therefore the consuming, and devouring, severe fire
(which devours all around it) has not been able to
devour or consume you, though all heat, cunning,
and craftiness were used in Babylon’s fiery furnace;
yea, my friends, though the lions of Babylon gnashed
their teeth, you have, like Daniel, not been harmed
by them, God be forever praised for it. Hence, my
most beloved brethren and sisters, whom I love
with all my heart, from this, and much more, the
power of the Lord has preserved you, for through
his victory you have triumphed, and shall triumph,
till you receive the end of your faith, even the salvation
of your souls. Amen. 1 Pet. 1:9.

I beseech you all with an unfeigned faith, open
your heart once, and consider and lay to heart in
spirit and in truth these words of the prophet:
“Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out
for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified;
but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be
ashamed, saith the Lord.” Ps. 66:5.

In another place he says: I sat not in the assembly
of mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because
of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.
Jer. 15:17.

In the third place, mark with an attentive heart
the words of the prophet: I will also leave in the
midst of thee (saith the Lord) an afflicted and poor
people, and they shall trust in the name of the
Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity,
nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be
found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie
down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O
daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and
rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
The Lord hath taken away the judgments, he hath
cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even the
Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see
evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem,
Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thy
hands be slack. The Lord thy God in the midst
of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over
thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy
over thee with singing. I will gather them that are
sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee,
to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold,
at that time I will undo all that afflict thee. Zephaniah
3:12–19; Is. 43; 41:14.

The prophet Ezekiel also says: Because with lies
ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom
I have not made sad, and strengthened the hands
of the wicked, that he should not return from his
wicked way, that I should save his life. Ezekiel
13:22; Jer. 23:14.

See, my worthy, chosen brethren and sisters,
here you have comfort and joy in these and other,
similar passages, in which you can with the afflicted
in Israel find joy and gladness; hence these passages
belong to you. For it has been done out of the true
790
fear of God, and because we feared in our conscience,
we renounced them (God be praised), according
to the word of the prophet (Jer. 15:17)
and the teaching of the apostle; for I declare before
the Lord, and before his angels and hosts, yea, that
I am ready with all my heart, and desirous, by the
help and grace of the Lord, to testify to this with
my flesh, blood and death. This is the solid ground
of truth, firm and incontrovertible. I doubt not
that they, are wrong, and we, through the grace of
God, right. Thus I longingly expect to testify with
a joyful mind to their wrong, even unto death, and
also to confirm my faith and little gift. May the
Lord strengthen me and my fellow-prisoner. But
we must first drink the bitter cup with fear and trembling.
O that we might taste it! for I have already
given myself to him who was first given for me.

Hence, I further pray for the sake of the fellowship
and unity of the Spirit, that every one love the
brotherhood. 1 Pet. 2:17: O brethren and sisters,
take heed thereto with a pure heart and faithful
love; for we have all been made to drink into one
Spirit, and are baptized into one body. 1 Cor. 12:13.
Therefore serve one another diligently in love:
cleave to Christ’s body, abide with your members,
and neither separate nor divide. Let each esteem
other better than themselves, and you will remain
together with peace and joy; (Philip. 2:3); the
merciful God grant this to you and us all. Amen.

In the third place, I further pray by the power of
the Spirit, and by the conqueror Jesus Christ, yea,
I beseech you by the love of the Father toward us,—the
words are full of joy, spirit and gladness—:
As my heavenly Father hath loved me, so have I
loved you: continue ye in my love. John 15:9. O
brethren and friends, take heed to it; love must be
according to the example of Christ firm and sure,
for therein love is revealed, known and shown to us,
yea, herein love stands fast; declared by the death,
blood and confession of his Son. O friends, my
most beloved, this is the true measuring-reed, according
to John’s writing. Rev. 11:1. Consider
this in the depth of your heart.

In the fourth place, I further beseech your love,
consider with an attentive heart, and inwardly and
outwardly, with a live, sober mind, prove, measure
and correct yourselves with the word of God, and
follow and hold fast the same. O hold fast to the
word of God, and you will never be deceived.

In the fifth place, I beseech all my brethren and
sisters, as one that loves you with all his heart, if
you would have your souls saved, receive the warning
of the Holy Ghost, that in the latter times many
shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits. 1 Tim. 4:1.

O brethren and chosen sisters, consider, and
learn to know the lying spirits. O diligently try the
spirits by faith, and the knowledge of the word of
God. 1 John 4:1. Distinguish the good and the
evil consciences of men. O discern and learn to
know with diligence them whose minds are corrupt,
also who have the form of godliness, but deny the
power of the Spirit. These and other points despise
not; let them never depart from your heart, but
hold them fast according to the word of God; try
all spirits, and measure them therewith, and you
will know what form or appearance they have. O
brethren, beware with a pure fear of God, beware
every way, that no one set up his reason or conscience
as a head, and relapse into his old natural
state. But much rather let the heart and conscience
grow and increase according to the word of God.
Let your understanding be of the unadulterated
milk, and of the wine from the pure vine Christ.
Refresh your heart with the living waters. Hold
fast to the fountain and rock unto death.

Lastly, I beseech your love yet, by the crying of
Jesus Christ, by the weeping of the apostle Paul
(Philip. 3:18), and by the many tears of the
prophet Jeremiah, diligently to attend to and consider,
and, with a living and working faith to hold
fast to and not depart from the solid ground, and
immovable foundation in Sion. 1 Pet. 2:6. My
brethren, we longingly expect to have to go hence;
help us, therefore, to contend for the faith (Jude 3)
and to defend it unto death. We hope by his power
and strong grace, help and consolation to go before
you, if it is his divine will. We have already given
our bodies to him who bought our souls with his
precious blood. 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Peter 1:19.

Thus, my dear brethren and sisters, we will herewith
bid you adieu, and take leave for this time; if
it were the will of the Lord, I would from the heart
that it might be our final farewell and adieu till in
life eternal—his divine will be done with us.

We greet all brethren and sisters that love us in
the faith, especially those that are banished, out of
a pure, brotherly, unfeigned, sound love, with the
mighty power, the word and peace of our dear
Lord Jesus Christ, till in his eternal glory. Amen.

Further, do not forget us poor, miserable, weak
fellow-members, and receive our letter in good part,
it is written out of love. We would have written
more, but it is now not necessary; besides, we may
soon be debarred from it, for we are chained together
like horses. We expect, as the bailiff says, a
letter from the stadtholder as to what he shall then
do with us.

The Spirit of peace, love, joy, peace; comfort and
grace be upon all the godfearing, especially do we
wish much good to the banished, who, for the testimony
of the truth, through their faith, have overcome
the wicked and still overcome in Christ. The
Spirit of peace be with your spirit. Amen.

Written on the 15th day of our imprisonment. I
hope that through the grace of God we are bound
with a strong chain of love; love abides steadfast
unto death. By me,

Tijs Jeuriaenss.

I beseech all my brethren and sisters, and you,
as a prisoner in the Lord, by the mercies of God,
and by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by
our gathering together unto him, that ye be not
soon shaken in mind, or be troubled neither by
spirit nor by word, nor by letter as from us. 2 Thessalonians
2:1,2. This is the faithful warning of
Paul to his friends.

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