Selcart (20)

CHAPTER 12

Escape out of jail

Among the members of the little congregation under the cross who, in spite of the attention paid to them and the searching for them by informers of the Inquisition, still found opportunities to gather together, there was great concern regarding the imprisonment of Selcart’s daughter. They were concerned because it was always possible that a less than careful comment by Martha would enable the Inquisition to trace the places where they worshipped or the names of the church attendees. They might learn about the congregations because Selcart and his family had also been very sympathetic to brethren in need and in the support of the congregations in their afflicted state.

In spite of the anger of priests and the great danger which threatened every member of the congregation, the bond of brotherly love remained strong. The common suffering brought them closer together, and the pressure from the outside resulted in the body of the congregation becoming stronger to provide opposition to the powers which sought to destroy them. One person’s need became everyone’s need even though the number of those who were blessed with earthly goods in the congregation was small, and the congregations, by and large, were made up of a poor, miserable, forsaken group. This need knitted them closely together and also resulted in a rich spiritual growth; the congregations of the Lord spread out in number, and the gates of hell could not prevail against them in spite of fire and sword.

Early the next morning, Adriaan spent his time walking around in front of the gate of the jail, in the hopes of meeting Brechtje. First, she had to be informed of the plan. Adriaan had no doubt she would immediately agree when asked to help them in their endeavors

In those days there also began some early resistance against the dreaded oppressor. Some wondered, “Do we have to patiently stand by while our wives and children are brought as lambs to the slaughter? Do we continue to sit with our hands on our laps while the fires are being lit under the stakes in our market places, and the blood of our brothers flows like a river?” Others of a more subdued nature kept their eyes on Prince William of Orange who was, in spite of many disappointments, their hope in fighting to get rid of the hated enemy from their soil.

Yet, they did not wish to remain completely laid back. “Can’t we do something to get Martha and Cors out of prison, out of the hands of the Inquisition?” This question was asked by one of the women who was present at a nightly gathering at the home of Klaas Peters. The sons of Cors who were present awaited with great anxiousness for the answer to this question.

One of the men who was present described in detail the deplorable conditions of the prisoners and came to the conclusion that it would only be possible to do something underhanded or by some type of trick to fool the jailers. It would be impossible for their small group to mount any kind of attack on the prison, and it would also lead to the most terrible persecutions of the congregation.

They also considered how it would be possible to bring about an escape from the jail. The niece of the jailor would certainly be willing to work along with them, and it is likely that Dries could be swayed with a sizeable bribe of money. However, how would they get that much money in hand, and who would be willing to deal with Dries?

Adriaan, the son of Cors, was immediately ready to assume that role. He was young and of a fiery nature, and he was ready to do what was needed to get his father and Martha out of the hands of the Inquisition. There were some who thought that the attempts should be made by an older and more experienced person, but Adriaan defended his plan to free the prisoners with so much enthusiasm that the group decided to entrust him with the attempt.

Everyone worked hard to get some money together, and Matthew Jacobs would take it upon himself to gather as much as possible from among the farmers in Naaldwijk. Adriaan went home with his brother Cornelius, and they spent many hours that evening discussing the plan and the anticipation of seeing their dear father again.

Early the next morning, Adriaan spent his time walking around in front of the gate of the jail, in the hopes of meeting Brechtje. First, she had to be informed of the plan. Adriaan had no doubt she would immediately agree when asked to help them in their endeavors. After spending several hours waiting, his courage began to sink. Suddenly, Brechtje appeared with a basket on her arm on her way to the market.

Adriaan approached her with a large smile on his face and, completely taken in with the thought of freeing his father and Martha from the jail, briefly told her what had been decided at the gathering in the house of Klaas Peters and what was expected of her.

(To be continued)

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