Through the illumination and grace of the Lord, I continued daily to examine the scriptures, and was soon considered by some, though undeservedly, as being an Evangelical preacher. Every one sought my company-the world loved me and had my affections, yet it was said that I preached the word of God, and was a clever man.

Afterwards it happened, before I had been aware of the existence of brethren, that a pious, patient man, named Sicke Snyder, was hanged at Leuewarden for having his baptism renewed. It sounded strange to me, to hear a second baptism spoken of. I examined the scriptures, and meditated on them assiduously and earnestly, but could find nothing in them concerning infant baptism. After I had discovered this, I conversed with my pastor on the subject; and after much discussion, we carried it so far that he had to confess, that infant baptism had no scriptural foundation. Notwithstanding all. this, I dared not trust my own understanding, but consulted several ancient authors. They taught me that children were to be washed by baptism from their original sin. I compared this doctrine with the scriptures and found that it made baptism take the place of the blood of Christ.

Afterwards, desiring to know the grounds for infant baptism, I went and consulted Luther. He taught me that children were to be baptised on account of their own faith. I perceived that this also was not in accordance with the word of God.

Next I consulted Bucer. He taught that infants were to be baptized that their baptism would cause those, who had their training, to be more careful in bringing them up in the way of the Lord. I perceived that this doctrine too, was without foundation.

I then consulted Bulliger. He directed me to the covenant and circumcision.* This I found incapable of being substan-tiated by scripture.

Having thus observed that authors varied greatly among themselves, each following his own opinion, I became convinced that we were deceived in relation to infant baptism.

Shortly after, I went to the village in which I was born, called Witmarsum.-Covetousness and a desire to obtain a great name, were the inducements which led me to that place.

*Most Christian denominations teach that baptism supercedes the now abrogated rite of circumcision.-Translator.

There I spoke much concerning the scriptures without spirituality or love, even as all hypocrites do.-I made disciples of my own stamp, such as vain boasters and light-minded persons, who, alas! like myself, took but little of scriptural instruction to heart. And though I was able now to understand much of the scriptures, yet I wasted that knowledge, through the lusts of my youth, in an impure, sensual, unprofitable life. 1 sought nothing but gain, ease, favor of men, splendor, repu tation and honor, even as they all generally do, who embark in the same course of life.

Thus, my reader, I obtained the knowledge of baptism and the Lord's supper, through the illumination of the Holy Ghost, -through much reading of the scriptures, and meditating upon them, and through the gracious favor and gift of God, but not by means of the service of misleading sects, as it is reported of me. I hope that I write the truth and do not seek vain glory; though some, doubtless may have contributed to my assistance in the pursuit of truth, yet will I, for this, render thanks to the Lord forever.

Meanwhile it happened before I had resided there one year, that some had almost broke in upon us with baptism, but whence the first beginners were, or where they resided, or who they properly were, is unknown to me; neither have I ever seen them.

Afterwards the sect of Munster* made inroads, by whom many pious hearts in our quarter, were led into error. My soul was much troubled, for I perceived, that though they were zealous, they erred in doctrine. I exerted my feeble efforts, as far as I was able, in opposing them by preaching and exhortations. I conferred twice with one of their leaders, once in private, and again in public; but my admonitions availed nothing, because I did that myself which I well knew was not right.

The sect to which allusion is here made, produced great commotion in the ecclesiastical and political state of Germany, about the year 1524. They were headed by one Muntzer, who pretended that he was destined by Providence to correct existing abuses, and to give to the people the true liberty of the gospel. They involved all Germany in a civil war, which is usually called the "war of the peasants." This war cost Germany the lives of fifty thousand of her citizens. An immense body of this sect was defeated by the Saxon princes, and Munster taken and put to death.-Translator,

sons.

The report spread far abroad, that I could silence these per. All looked to me. I saw that I was the leader in this combat the surety of the impenitent-all depended upon me. This pained my heart; I sighed and prayed: Lord help me lest I make myself partaker of other men's sins. My soul was troubled and I reflected, if I should gain the whole world, and live a thousand years, and at last have to endure the wrath of God, what would I have gained?

Afterwards the poor straying flock, who wandered as sheep without a shepherd, after many severe edicts and slaughters, assembled near my place of residence, called Oude Cloistre, and, alas! through the ungodly doctrine of Munster, drew the sword to defend themselves, which the Lord commanded Peter to put up in the sheath.

The blood of the slain, although they were in error, grieved me so sorely that I could not endure it-I could find no rest in my soul. I reflected upon my carnal, sinful life-my hypocritical doctrine and idolatry, in which I continued daily under the appearance of godliness. I perceived that these zealous persons would willingly have resigned their lives and their estates, though they were in error, for the principles which they maintained. I was one of those who had discov ered to them some of their abominations, and yet I myself. remained satisfied with my unrestrained life, and known defilements. I wished only to live comfortably and without the cross of Christ.

Thus reflecting, my soul was grieved beyond endurance. I meditated with myself-I miserable man! What shall I do? If I continue in this way and live not agreeably to the word of the Lord-if I refuse to exert my limited talents to rebuke, by the aid of the word of God, the learned hypocrisy, the impenitent lives, the perverted baptism, Lord's supper, and the false worship of God-If I, through bodily fear, refuse to shew them the right foundation of truth, or forbear to use my pow ers to direct the wandering flock, who would gladly do their duty if they knew it, to the true pasture of Christ-Oh how shall their shed blood rise against me in the judgment of the Almighty, and pronounce sentence against my miserable soul.

My heart trembled in my body. I prayed to God with sighs and tears, that he would give to me, a troubled sinner, the gift of his grace, and create a clean heart within me ; that through the merits of the blood of Christ, He would gra

ciously forgive my unclean and unprofitable life, and bestow upon me, wisdom, candor and fortitude, that I might with sincerity, preach his adorable name and holy word, and make manifest his truth to his praise.

I began in the name of the Lord to preach publicly from the pulpit, the word of repentance-to direct the people into the narrow path-and through scripture to reprove all ungodliness and sin-all idolatry and false worship-and to present the truth concerning baptism and the Lord's supper, according to the doctrine of Christ.

I faithfully warned every one in relation to the abominations and crimes of Munster, concerning kings, polygamy, wealth, the sword, &c. till about the period of nine months, when the gracious Lord granted me his fatherly spirit and aid; then I voluntarily renounced all my worldly honor and reputa tion-my unchristian conduct, masses, infant baptism, and my unprofitable life, and willingly submitted to poverty and distress, and to the yoke of Christ. In my weakness I feared the Lord I sought out the pious, and though they were few in number, I found some, who were zealous and maintained the truth. I confered with the wicked, and through the word and power of God, reclaimed some from the snares of damnation, and gained them to Christ. The hardened and rebellious, I commended to the Lord. Thus, my reader, the God of merey, through the benign influence of his grace, exerted upon the heart of me a miserable sinner, produced in me a new mind, humbled me in his fear, taught me to know myself in part, turned me from the way of death, and called me into the narrow path of life-to the communion of his saints. To him be praise forever more.

About one year thereafter, at which time I exercised myself in writing and in reading the word of God in secret, it happened that six, seven or eight persons came to me, who were of one heart and one soul with myself, in their faith and life, and as far as man can judge, were unblamable, separated from the world and subdued to the cross. They cordially abhorred not only the sect of Munster, but the anathemas and abominations of all other worldly sects. With much solicitude, they kindly requested me to reflect on the sufferings, the oppression and distress of those souls whose spiritual hunger was great, whilst the faithful stewards were few. They desired that the talents.

which I had unmeritedly received from the Lord, might be applied to advantage.

When I heard this my heart was greatly troubled. Trouble and fear were on every side; for on the one hand I was sensible of my limited talents, my great ignorance, my weak nature, the timidity of my flesh, the unbounded wickedness, perversity and tyranny of the world, the powerful sects, the subtlety of different minds, and the heavy cross that would press me, should I comply with their solicitations: On the other hand, I saw the miserable starving condition of the christians; for I was aware that they erred as innocent sheep which have no shepherd.

At last, after much prayer, I placed myself and these circumstances before the Lord and his church, in order that we might pray to the Lord for a season, that should it accord with his holy will, he would give me such a mind and heart as would enable me to say with Paul, "Wo is me, if I preach not the gospel;" for Christ says, "That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing, that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together, in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matt. 18.)

Thus my reader, behold, I was not called to serve among the followers of Munster, nor of any other seditious sect, (as it is falsely reported concerning me) but I have been called by a people who were ready to receive Christ and his word, led a penitent life in the fear of God, served their neighbors in love, bore the cross, sought the welfare and salvation of all men, loved righteousness and truth, and abhorred wickedness. Thus they manifested, that they were not such perverted persons as they are slanderously reported to have been. But they were true Christians, though unknown to the world; if we otherwise believe that Christ's word is true, and his holy life and example unmblameable.

Thus have I, a miserable sinner been enlightened of the Lord, converted to a new mind, fled from Babel, went into Jerusalem, and finally I have, though unworthy, advanced to this high and arduous station.

When the persons before mentioned, did not desist from their supplications, and my own conscience in some degree made me uneasy, (although in weakness) because I saw the great hunger and need, already named, I surrendered myself,