THE INQUISITOR’S SECRETARY

(continued)

For a moment it was quiet. Nothing but the footsteps of the men in the dark corridors could be heard.

“Am I deceiving myself?” suddenly a voice said in a corner of the room. “I believe to recognize the voice of a man who was expected to be here at Christmas!” It seemed that the person who said this purposely avoided the mentioning of names.

“You may freely call me by my name, my friend,” was Harm’s reply. “But, wait just a few minutes. When I get a light I shall no doubt recognize you, and although your voice does not sound strange to me, I must nevertheless make sure that I am not dealing with a spy.” Sooner than Harm Hiddesz had expected, the servant returned, and after a while the light of a candle and the flames of some faggots gave an entirely different aspect to the gloomy room.

A few moments later the servant returned once more with a large kettle of hot barley water and placed a loaf of bread on the only wooden bench in the entire room. Harm asked the servant to have someone sent for his mantel at Hannes’s house, which the man gladly consented to do himself in return for a sizable payment, while he allowed the prisoner to write a few words on a slip of paper.

After the servant had left, there was some stirring in the corner and a man walked over to Harm, calling him by his name.

Amazement and joy expressed themselves on the face of the preacher. He recognized Folkert, the truck gardener, at whose house near the Gallows Gate he had been expected on Christmas Day. The two men greeted each other with the utmost warmth and joy. This meeting on the pathway of persecution and suffering was a great comfort to them.

“Why, friend, must I meet you here?” Harm said to Folkert. “And have you been here a long time?”

“Since the day before Christmas, dear friend. But I am not an object of pity, even though I have suffered much from the cold and discomfort here, as I did not have the money to buy anything from the jailer beside what he is supposed to give us. On the contrary, for I have spent here hours of heavenly communion with my Redeemer and Saviour. In the darkness He was my Light, the Star of Judah, at whom my eyes were allowed to gaze. When I spent the Christmas season here in solitude, I meditated on the incarnation of the only-begotten Son who according to the counsel of the Father bore the sin and guilt of His elect people and obtained eternal salvation for them. I rejoiced in God, and the Lord granted me that I could sing Psalms in the night. And now that He has deemed me worthy to witness to the faith which His Spirit had wrought in my heart, I am, in spite of my bondage, freer than a bird and richer than a king!”

“Why, friend,” Harm said, “if that is the way it is with you, then I rejoice with you. This truly is a confirmation of what Paul said; ‘We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.’ “

“That I have experienced,” Folkert said, “for with David I could say: ‘He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.’ Even this noon, when we broke our meager piece of bread and had nothing else to drink but the cold water from the jar, I could say with gladness in my heart, ‘Lord, thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over’! And now the Lord brings you here and prepares through your hand our table.”

Folkert looked rather longingly at the kettle that was singing on the fire and at the large loaf of whole-wheat bread which the jailer’s servant had brought in. Although the spiritual man in Folkert sang praises, it was obvious that his body had suffered want for several days. Brotherly Harm shared the simple food which to Folkert looked like a festive meal. As soon as Harm had broken the bread and filled Folkert’s stone cup, the latter walked over to the corner of the room which Harm had not yet noticed.

“Come on, mother,” Folkert said, “take a warm drink. It will do you good!”

Astonished, Harm went over to the group. On the straw two women were huddled together and both eagerly reached for the warm barley water and shared the contents of the cup together.

“This woman,” Folkert said, pointing at the younger of the two, “is a poor woman who frequently attended our meetings. She is a widow, and is now separated from her children after her neighbors betrayed her. And the other one,” Folkert continued, pointing at the older woman, “is her sister. She is a “relapse” (a “relapse” was a person who during the trial renounced his belief. Usually such a person was condemned to death by the inquisitors when he fell into their hands a second time) but she is determined, with God’s grace, not to deny the Lord and His cause again. Isn’t that right, Mrs. Baltens?”

“Ah, my dear friend Folkert, how I have regretted that I, like Peter, in the hour of danger have valued the safety of my body higher than the honor of Christ. It is my fervent desire that He will give me, miserable wretch, the necessary strength lest I succumb a second time.”

“And you, mother,” Harm asked, “do you feel strong enough to face the coming trial? Don’t you dread the prospect of possibly having to lay down your life for the Name of the Lord?”

“At times,” replied the woman, “my flesh trembles at the thought of a martyr’s death at the hands of the cruel wicked, but when grace reigns in my heart, I can be not only reconciled with, but also rejoice in, the fact that I shall be offered as a drink offering for the Lord Jesus. Nevertheless, there are times that I am bowed under one great burden which I hope the Lord in His time will take away from me entirely. I am a poor widow. My older son is a boy of twelve and I have also a younger one who is just three years old. These poor lambs are now with strangers. During the night it is as if I hear little Leonard call for his mother! And that makes me scared and it oppresses me until I commit my burdens to the Lord again for a time. May he increase my faith and loosen me from everything outside of Him!”

When she said this, the woman began to cry and lifted her folded hands up to heaven.

“Poor mother,” Harm Hiddesz sighed. “The Lord leads you through deep ways. But cling to Him, lean and rest upon his unchangeable faithfulness. He will not forsake you, nor leave you. I, too, am greatly afflicted. This very afternoon I saw my only child, also a boy of twelve years old, depart, but I may believe that my Adrian now sings God’s praises before the throne of the Lamb.”

It seemed that Harm’s last words had touched the most tender snares of the woman’s heart because she now started to weep out loud.

“Let the woman weep,” Harm said. “I shall tell her how my Adrian passed away. And I shall remind her, in the name of the Lord, and to her comfort, of God’s promise by the mouth of Isaiah: ‘As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.’ “

Then Harm Hiddesz recounted everything that had happened during the last few days while he stayed at Hanne’s — his first miraculous escape, the death of his child, and his capture. And if the flickering of the dying candle light had not reminded them that it was getting late, they would have kept talking and telling each other their experiences.

So the two men and two women knelt together, and the Lord Jesus, who said “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them,” was at that late hour also in the cell of “The Stone.”

Harm Hiddesz had spent only two days there — days of mutual comforting and encouraging — when the Fleming returned from his trip to The Hague. From the Inquisitor he brought orders with him to have Harm Hiddesz, the “relapse,” and her sister removed to Amsterdam.

The Lord of Duivenvoorde, determined as he was, had immediately after Bridget’s visit sent a messenger to The Hague to claim the prisoner Harm Hiddesz, something which, on account of the existing judicial practices of those days, could hardly be refused.

Del Castro had learned of the nobleman’s action at the Court of the Hague, and now made haste to get his prey to a safe place. So Harm Hiddesz had to be removed with the utmost speed to Amsterdam, outside of the jurisdiction of the Court of Holland; and the Fleming had been charged to get a wagon to transport the preacher and the two women under sufficient protection.

We shall not describe the farewell scene when the trio said goodbye to Folkert. The pious gardener embraced all three as if they were his brother and sisters whom he would not see again on this earth.

It grieved him that he was not included in the Fleming’s orders; but Harm, who had a word of comfort for each one of them, told him that the Lord certainly must have other plans for him, that He no doubt had some work for him to do, and that therefore he did not have to appear before the court yet.

To make Folkert’s continued stay at “The Stone” — be it for a shorter or longer period of time — somewhat bearable, Harm gave him a few coins which would have more influence on the jailer than the softest words.

In a crude, linen-covered wagon, accompanied by two armed horsemen, Harm Hiddesz and the two women began their trip to Amsterdam.

(To be continued)

Marriage

by Rev. H. Rijksen

(continued)

We have in the course of time discussed marriage as a Godly institution, the call to marriage, the preparation for marriage, lawful and unlawful degrees of blood relationship of those that are to be married, the broken engagement, and the compulsory marriage. Now we would like to discuss the marriage bond.

Marriage is a bond that binds both of the married young people together and keeps them bound together. The Form for the Confirmation of Marriage mentions this so-called bond at various times. It speaks in the Form of those “who desire to have their marriage bond publicly confirmed before this church”. The prayer of the Form says: “The Father of all mercies ... bind you in true love and faithfulness”, and also: “Since Thou hast called and united these two persons in the holy state of firmation of marriage, it is recorded in the Gospel, “How firm the bond of marriage is.” So the Form for the Confirmation of Marriage emphasizes many times that marriage is a bond.

We have to reflect on the nature and quality of the bond in our own marriage. We must examine to see if that bond is there and is maintained in the necessary manner. There are people who carefully examine a package before they send it by post to see if it is packed well enough, if the twine which is around it is strong enough, but who have never investigated to see if there is something wrong in their marriage bond.

As we speak about the bond in marriage and ascertain the nature and quality of that bond, the marriages fall into three categories: the ideal, the ordinary, and the unfortunate marriage.

Everyone who is going to be married thinks nothing else than that his marriage will be the ideal marriage. However, both of the persons who have now been married for several years look at their marriage a little differently than they did in the first times of their impractical dreams of love. The ideal marriage has now become an ordinary marriage similar to the marriages of many others who live around them.

Oh, no doubt, there are ideal marriages in the sense of extraordinary marriages where everything is really different than with ordinary people; rosy and sunny and overly tender. These are mostly in books and poetry for there are few in reality that in the long run at least cannot withstand uncommon circumstances.

There are a great many ordinary marriages. Those are by far the most common in our circles. Bands, intertwined by roses, are as a rule not strong enough to pull the marriage wagon.

Also, there is a third group which, alas, also exists in our circles, and that is the unfortunate marriage; that is the marriage which according to the opinion of both married persons should never have been performed. Those who are acquainted with them think precisely the same.

We hope to speak more fully about the ordinary and the unfortunate marriage the following time, the Lord willing.

(To be continued)

WARNINGS BY THE WAYSIDE.

MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,—

It is my heartfelt prayer:—”The blessing of the Lord be upon you.” What do I mean by “the blessing of the Lord”? I mean a saving knowledge of the Truth—a real religion. Every boy and girl possesses an immortal soul; every boy and girl is hastening to an eternal destination — heaven or hell. O that the God of Truth might be pleased to write the solemn word “Eternity” in your consciences! Every rising sun— every night we go to our beds— eternity is drawing nearer and nearer to us. And who can tell how soon we, yea, the youngest boy or girl, may enter into eternity?

“Only this frail and fleeting breath

Peserves me from the jaws of death;

Soon as it fails, at once I’m gone,

And plunge into a world unknown.”

And now, my dear young friends, it is my earnest desire that the Holy Spirit might help me to speak to you. I want to speak words of truth, words of counsel, words of warning, words of soberness and simplicity. I hope the Lord will put the right words into my mouth. I want to lay the foundation of what I hope to say to you on the word of advice which Solomon gave in the days in which he lived: “Ponder the path of thy feet”. The word “ponder” means “consider, think upon, weigh well.” The pathway of life is beset with many snares and pitfalls, and traps for the young. We sing,

“Childhood’s years are passing o’er us,

Youthful days will soon be gone;

Cares and sorrows lie before us,

Hidden dangers, snares unknown.”

One of the great objects of Sunday Schools and Catechisms is to show you the dangers and pitfalls in the pathway of life. The Word of God is full of solemn warnings, which your teachers try to set before you. I want to call your attention to some of these warnings.

I have often learned a lesson when journeying about the country from the signs set up by the wayside. I have no doubt my young friends have all seen such notices and warnings as: “Dangerous Corner;” “Treaspassers will be Prosecuted;” “School;” “Beware of the Cross-Roads;” Beware of the Dog;” and many such cautions to the passers-by. I want to glean some helpful advice for boys and girls, and gather some moral teaching from these varied warnings and illustrate by them some of the good counsel contained in the Word of God.

SCHOOL.

The first warning I shall mention is one we see in well-nigh every town and village—”School,” a warning to all who drive cars and other conveyances. The word “School” suggests the thought that many boys and girls are now at school. I would warn you of the great importance of schooldays. At school you have lessons set before you which are to fit you to be useful and honourable citizens in the world in which you live. Time wasted at school can never be regained, and many who have grown up to years of manhood look back with sadness and say, “I wish I had made better use of my schooldays; if only those days would come again how much more diligent I would be.” Make the best use of your time at school that you may be well equipped to commence the battle of life when schooldays are over.

We are living in strenuous times — times when human wisdom has attained great height in conquering difficulties, in invent ing new things, and even bringing to light knowledge our fathers never knew—so that it is essential that boys and girls going out into the world should be well grounded in knowledge, else they enter on life’s journey at a disadvantage.

A house must have a good, solid foundation to stand the storms, and a store of useful knowledge laid up in the mind is a good foundation for a life of usefulness in the busy work-a-day world. You may not at present be a brilliant scholar, yet take courage. David Livingstone, the great African traveller, was but a poor lad who could not enjoy the benefit of a school education, so he studied his lessons as best he could while he was working at the loom in a large mill. He placed the open book upon the loom and, as he moved from side to side, would read a line or so until he had read the page and mastered the lesson. He became one of the greatest missionary explorers the world has known, opening up the dark continent of Africa to the light of the world. At his death his body was carried from the interior of Africa to the coast by the natives, who had learned to love him because of his kind treatment of them. Thence his body was brought to England and buried in Westminster Abbey, the whole English nation mourning his loss.

I often think, boys and girls, you little realize the importance of schooldays and the value of the knowledge your teachers seek to impart of you. I would warn you to be punctual—Be in Time. I earnestly hope that the young people whom I now address will make the most of their schooldays and gather a useful store of knowledge to help them when they leave school to take up honorable careers in the occupation of every-day life. “Ponder the path of thy feet” at school.

Next month’s warning—MIND THE STEP.

John Calvin

(1509–1564)

CALVIN IN FRANCE

(continued)

In those days the people believed anything the priests taught them. To mention only a few relics: some hairs of John the Baptist, a tooth of the Lord Jesus, a piece of wood of the cross of the Lord, and even “real” blood were preserved and worshipped, all kept in shrines for the people to look at. If the Lord Himself had not delivered John Calvin out of that church, he would have stayed in it all his life. The Lord’s ways however were different, as we shall see.

JOHN CALVIN

2. In Paris

The religious situation in Paris, the capital of France, was different from Noyon where Calvin lived. The schools and colleges were famous; students from many countries came to study in Paris, the center of learning in those days.

Paris however was not strictly Roman Catholic any more. Foreign students had brought “heresies” into the city, schools and colleges. Even professors began to teach that salvation cannot be earned by good works, nor bought with money of indulgences, but that it is a free and sovereign gift of God! Such an indulgence, a piece of “official” paper, sold by Tetzel and others in behalf of Pope Leo X, promised the people who bought them forgiveness of sins committed in the past but also in the future for themselves and for their relatives.

When John Calvin arrived in Paris, he found many students discussing the “new doctrine” and arguing about the “Lutheran heresies.” Calvin listened, but sided in with those who defended the Roman Catholic heresies.

There were a few things, however, which the Lord used to open Calvin’s eyes. These were:

a. the influence of Prof. Lefèvre and Prof. Cordier

b. persecutions

c. meeting with his cousin

Prof. Lefevre teaching at the Sorbonno in Paris.

a. Prof. Jacques Le fèvre, a distinguished teacher at the Sorbonne University in Paris, who at an age of 70 was “pricked in his heart”, now taught his students that God saves sinners by grace alone. His teachings had an enormous influence since it pleased God to bless his lessons to many. One of them was William Farel of whom we hope to hear more later. Calvin heard from others about Lefèvre and his teachings and this made him doubt whether the mother church was always right. Especially by the lessons of his teacher and friend, Prof. Cordier, Calvin underwent a change. Was it inwardly?

b. Persecutions

One day—it was Christmas eve 1525—John Calvin walked all alone in a park not far from school, steeped in thoughts. Suddenly he was awakened as out of a dream. He looked up and what did he see? A procession. He heard some churchbells ring. Why? He wondered. What is going on? Anxious to know more about this procession he walked to the street. He saw a few priests leading the procession followed by a youth with a rope round his neck, pushed and pulled forward by some fanatic Roman Catholics. When John Calvin saw this, and noticed that he was barefooted and without a hat on his head, despite the winter cold, he asked someone: “What has this young man done? Is he a thief?” “He is worse than a thief” was the answer. “He is a murderer. He killed many people with his new doctrine. He dares to teach that our Holy Church is a false church and that we must not pray to Mary.”

In the meantime the procession had arrived in front of the Notre Dame Church where that youth, James Pavanne by name, was to be burned; a pile was erected and James was bound to the stake. The priests tried to make him recant his words and to come back to the “mother-church”, but all in vain. He asked permission to address the people who were gathered round the pile. In a few words he gave such a clear testimony of the hope God had wrought in his soul, that the people were greatly astonished and impressed. It pleased the Lord to bless these words to the hearts of many. The number of those whose eyes were opened by the last words of that young martyr James Pavanne, was so great, that some leaders of the church said: “We wish Pavanne had not spoken, even if it had cost the church a million of gold.”

To those who were impressed, belonged also John Calvin. He began to wonder whether it were possible that the church was erring in some points of the doctrine. Then he met his cousin Olivetanus who also studied in Paris and who by grace was privileged to embrace the Lutheran doctrine, since his eyes were opened for what God’s word teaches us that by the works no flesh will be justified. Could he keep from speaking about the wonderful things God had revealed unto his soul? No, he could not. Let us listen:

c. The conversation between Olivetanus and John Calvin.

After Olivetanus explained the so called new doctrine; that purgatory is an invention of men; that a broken heart and a contrite spirit is a gift from the Lord and that salvation could not be bought by obtaining indulgences from Tetzel or any other man, John Calvin answered, “I will have none of your new doctrine, think you that I have lived in error all my days?”

(to be continued)

Sin has undone our wretched race,
But Jesus has restored,
And brought the sinner face to face
With his forgiving Lord.

This we repeat, from year to year,
And press upon our youth;
Lord, give them an attentive ear,
Lord, save them by Thy truth.

Blessings upon the rising race!
Make this an happy hour,
According to thy richest grace,
And Thine almighty power.

We feel for your unhappy state,
(May you regard it too)
And would a while ourselves forget,
To pour our prayer for you.

We see, tho’ you perceive it not,
Th’ approaching, awful doom;
O tremble at the solemn thought,
And flee the wrath to come!

Dear Saviour, let this new-born year
Spread an alarm abroad;
And cry, in every careless ear,
“Prepare to meet thy God!”

— John Newton

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