Guido de Brès

Even as King Philip II oppressed the Protestants in Spain and the Netherlands, the writings of Luther and Calvin had found their way into the Netherlands. Notwithstanding the laws, these writings were distributed all over, and the more they were read amongst the people, the greater the number became who rejected the errors of Rome and wished to return to the obedience of the Word of God. These believers soon felt a need to unite with each other, and new congregations originated at many places. Young preachers, who had received their training at the college of Geneva, came to Holland to preach the gospel there also. The congregations welcomed them with gladness and were built up and extended by their service.

The assemblies of the believers had to be kept in the strictest secrecy because inquisitors went through the country to cast into prison all those that were accused of heresy. In spite of all this, the leaders of the different congregations found an occasion to gather together to speak about the interests of the Church. The need was felt to have a Confession of Faith in which the members of the congregation would find the expression of their faith. In Paris, the Reformed leaders had the courage to convene a synod in one of the suburbs while the stakes were smoking. In this synod they composed a Confession which they presented to the king with a plea to judge their cause righteously. A Flemish preacher, Guido de Brès, composed, with the help of some other ministers, a Confession for the Church in the Netherlands. They took the French Confession for an example and made only such changes as were necessitated by circumstances.

This Confession was sent to Geneva where it was published. In the year 1563, the Protestants sent a copy to Philip of Spain, together with a letter in which they lamented the injustices inflicted upon them. They declared that they would gladly die if they could be justly convicted of stirring up revolt. They likewise requested the king to judge whether the doctrines which they confessed were according to the Holy Scriptures, and if so, to then protect them against the oppression. In the same year they sent a copy of this Confession to all of the authorities of the different provinces of Holland. We know that their complaint was not heard, but their work has not been in vain. The Confession which they composed has remained the foundation or basis of the Reformed Church.

Guido de Brès, whose name is thus connected with the Belgic Confession of the Reformed Church, had been a stained-glass artist, but when he was converted unto the Lord, he felt an earnest need to preach the gospel. For a considerable time, he traveled from one town to another preaching the gospel to friends and enemies. Because he felt that he lacked the necessary training for the office of a minister, he set out for Geneva to prepare himself there for the administration of the gospel. He had scarcely returned to the Netherlands, having been ordained to ministry, when he wrote the Confession of Faith, as we have mentioned before. Sometime later he was called by the congregation at Valenciennes (France) to be their pastor, and for a considerable time he served that congregation with his gifts.

In the year 1567, Valenciennes was the scene of a severe conflict. The Protestants had taken up arms to resist those who oppressed and persecuted them. The government had ordered her troops to march against them and punish them for this resistance. Their commander, Noircarmes, besieged Valenciennes. Within the city, Guido de Brès and Peregrin de la Grange were strengthening the believers. With increasing fierceness, the city was battered by the enemy until finally the people of Valenciennes could not hold out any longer. Noircarmes had promised to spare the lives of the inhabitants if they would surrender, and trusting his word they gave up and opened the gates.

It was now evident that this promise was not in good faith. When the enemy marched into the city, all those that were suspected as heretics were killed. De Brès and de la Grange had a chance to escape but were pursued and overtaken. They were first taken to Doornik and thereafter to prison back in Valenciennes. Burdened with chains they were cast into a prison and condemned to be put to death on the gallows. They were glad that they were counted worthy to suffer for the cause of the Lord. A noblewoman, Countess de Reux, visited the prisoners on a certain occasion as they lay heavily chained in the dungeon. She wanted to see how such Protestants endured their suffering. In a sympathizing manner she exclaimed, “Poor men, I do not understand how you can stand this any longer, and sleep, eat, and drink with such heavy chains on hand and foot.” De Brès replied, “Madame, our sleep in this dungeon is more restful than the sleep of many a ruler upon his soft bed! Now we are suffering for the name of our Lord, but one day we shall reign with Him. The crown of eternal life is awaiting us above. The noise of these fetters is music in our ears; it is the prelude to the harping of God’s angels.”

These men had a wonderful peace in their heart. They could not deny the Truth, and their conscience testified that they were faithful to the Lord. Their bands were more welcome to them than golden rings.

When they were led to the place of execution, they rejoiced greatly that the day had arrived upon which they would obtain the blessedness and glory of heaven. May 31, 1567, was the day of their death—their crowning day. On the way they yet admonished the people to remain faithful unto the Lord notwithstanding the threatenings and hatred of their enemies. Even when they had already mounted the ladder (another historian writes that they were beheaded), they turned themselves once more to the bystanders and admonished them to be obedient to the authorities except when God’s will was contrary to the commandments of men. They were not allowed to speak to the people any longer. De Brès kneeled to pray but was not allowed to do so. They were cast off the ladder, and a few moments later their suffering had ended. They received grace to remain faithful unto the Lord to the end.

There were now two faithful witnesses less in the land, but the Lord raised up many others in their stead. The work of God’s Spirit was not to be resisted. Especially in the Netherlands was this statement verified: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”

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