# Mattheus Mair, A. D. 1592.

1592 · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: MATTHEUS MAIR, A. D. 1592.

Source heading; not independently verified

MATTHEUS MAIR DROWNED.

The same year 1592, on Mary Magdalene’s day,
Mattheus Mair was apprehended at Wier, in the
district of Baden. This was brought about by a
priest, who upon coming out of the church, and
noticing the brother, sent his servant maid after him,
to see whether he should leave the village. He further
commanded her, that she should so speak to
him, as though she also wanted to become of his
persuasion, and would like to go with him to his
people; in the meantime he should come, and send
other persons there, who should speak with him.
With such words the maid delayed the brother, till
the priest sent out some peasants, who apprehended
him, and conducted him into the town of Baden.
Six days after, namely, the 28th of July, as he
would not follow them, nor renounce his faith, the
ungodly pack of priests proceeded with him; however,
what they talked with him, or what he answered
them, this they did not allow to come to
1033
the light. When he was led forth to death, there
were present his brother-in-law and several of his
friends, who interceded for him, and also offered to
give money for him; but they could obtain nothing,
yea, not even to speak with him.

Now as he was going forth to death, he asked
among the people, where his brother-in-law and
friends were, and how they might come to him;
saying that he had to charge them, that they should
tell his brethren and sisters, to take care of his wife
and child, for they were with a pious people. This
he spoke aloud among the people. Then one of
his friends among the people consoled him and said,
that he should not yield, but be valiant; he should
soon have overcome. Thereupon one smote the
friend, who had said this, for it, and said that he
was also a heretic, and ought to be treated like the
rest. Now when the executioner had thrust brother
Matheus into the water, he drew him out again
three or four times, and each time asked him
whether he would recant. But he always said, No,
as long as he was able to speak; hence he was
drowned, on the twenty-ninth day of the month of
July, through the power of God steadfastly persevering
in the faith. There was much said about his
death, by high and low, as that they had murdered
him, and the traitorous Judas and priest were
cursed; for this Matheus was a well-known, good
and pious man; hence God also gave him power to
continue steadfast in the faith unto his end.

Note.—The envy of some of the Calvanists in
the town of Middelborgh was at this time so great
against the defenseless sheep of Christ, who had
come to them from various papistic towns, to escape
the distress and persecution, and expected to rest
under their protection, that they paid no attention,
and had no regard, neither to humble supplications
nor the repeated commands of the Prince of Orange,
who in the years 1577 and 1578 had given orders to
the magistrates there, to let these people dwell in
peace; but disturbed the peace of said people, and
the practice of their religion. Hence Maurice, the
oldest son of the aforesaid Prince, of honorable
memory, following the footsteps of his father, issued,
for the third time, a prohibition concerning
the oppressing of the aforesaid people, to the end
that they might now certainly obtain liberty of conscience,
as appears from the following act:

Transcript.

Maurice, born Prince of Orange, Count of Nassau,
Marquis van der Vere, to the honorable, most
learned, wise, discreet, dear, particular, etc.

That which has been brought to our knowledge,
on behalf of Mailjaert de Poorter, and Joost Leonisse,
sawyers and wood-sellers, residing in the town
of Middelborgh, you will learn at length from the
accompanying request; and though we do not doubt
at all, but that you will conduct yourselves, with
the supplicants, in the points of their request and
complaint, entirely according to the import of the
resolution previously taken with regard to this, by
the Lords States of Holland and Zealand; and will
conform to such acts and letters as have been
granted to the supplicants and their fellow brethren
in the same profession, in the time of our lord and
father the Prince of Orange, of worshipful memory;
yet we would nevertheless hereby earnestly request
you, seeing this matter concerns not only the town
of Middelborgh in particular, but these United
Provinces in general, that you will regulate yourself
according to the import of the aforesaid resolutions,
in all quietness and friendship, allowing the
aforesaid supplicants and their fellow brethren to
enjoy such liberties as have been granted them by
said resolutions and acts respectively, until the
aforesaid Lords General States of these United
Provinces shall have further considered and disposed
of the aforesaid matter. And besides that,
we deem it reasonable and just, it is our pleasure.

And hereby, honorable, most learned, wise, discreet,
dear, particular, we commend you to God.

Gravenhage, on the 4th of March, 1593.

Signed:

Your very good friend,

Maurice de Nassau.

The superscription was: To the honorable, wise
and discreet, our dear, particular Burgomasters,
Judges and Rulers of Middelborgh, and was sealed
with his Excellency’s seal.

Below was written: Compared with the original,
and found to agree with it.

J. Milander.

Further Observation.—Upon this followed, it appears,
some rest, so that the scattered flock of
Christ began to increase some at that place, and to
extend its membership. In the meantime, however,
[in the dominion] of popery they were still persecuted
to death; of whom, among others that lost
their lives there, the following have come to our
notice; from which the distress of that time, though
there was rest in some places, can be inferred and
judged.

![Illustration from Martyrs’ Mirror](/sources/martyrs-mirror/images/i2082.jpg)



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Page: http://history.truechristian.church/stories/mm-mattheus-mair-a-d-1592/

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