Complete Theological Works

Menno Simons' exit from the Papacy.

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The foundation and teaching of the Ancients regarding infant baptism.

They taught me that children must be washed of their original sin original: Erf-sonde through baptism. I compared this to the Scriptures and realized that it was contrary to the blood of Christ.

Luther’s teaching on infant baptism.

After that, I went to Luther Martin Luther (1483–1546), the primary figure of the Protestant Reformation., for I desired to know his reasoning; he taught me that children should be baptized upon their own faith. I saw that this, too, was not in accordance with the Word of God.

Bucer’s teaching on infant baptism.

Thirdly, I went to Bucer Martin Bucer (1491–1551), a German Reformer based in Strasbourg who sought middle ground between various Protestant factions., who taught me that they should be baptized so that they might be more diligently watched over and raised in the ways of the Lord; I saw that this also had no biblical foundation.

Bullinger’s teaching on infant baptism.

Fourthly, I went to Bullinger Heinrich Bullinger (1504–1575), the successor of Zwingli in Zurich and a major figure in the Reformed tradition., who pointed me toward the Covenant and Circumcision; I likewise found that this could not stand according to the Scriptures.

My enlightenment regarding infant baptism.

When I noticed on all sides that these writers differed so widely in their fundamental reasoning, each following his own ingenuity, I then saw clearly that we had been deceived regarding infant baptism.

Witmarsum, two and a half hours from Franeker.

A short time later, I was chosen for another village called Witmarsum, in which I was born. Out of a lust for profit and a desire for a greater name, I moved there. There, I spoke much from the Word of the Lord, though without Spirit or Love, just as all hypocrites do. Through this, I produced followers like myself—namely, vain boasters, frivolous talkers, who (alas) like myself, had little regard for the gravity of the matter.

And although I could acknowledge much from the Scripture, I nevertheless wasted that knowledge on my youthful lusts in an impure, carnal life without any fruit. I sought nothing but gain, ease, the favor of men, splendor, name, and honor, just as all those commonly do who sail in the same ship.

See, my reader, thus I obtained the knowledge of both Baptism and the Supper through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, through much reading and pondering of the Scriptures, and out of God’s gracious favor and gift—and not through the service or means of the "seductive sects," as I am accused of. I hope that I write the truth and seek no vain glory. Yet, if any men have contributed anything to this end, I wish to give eternal thanks to the Lord.

In the meantime, it happened, when I had lived there about a year, that several people came forward with "the baptism" This refers to believers' baptism or "Anabaptism," which was then a new and controversial practice.. But where the first practitioners came from, or where they belonged, and who they actually were, has remained unknown to me to this hour; I have never seen them in my life.

The beginning of the Münsterites.

Then the sect of Münster The Münster Rebellion was a radical Anabaptist movement that seized the city of Münster in Westphalia. Menno Simons strongly opposed their use of violence. broke out, by which many pious hearts in our quarter were also deceived. My soul was in great distress, for I noticed that they were zealous, yet they erred in doctrine. I set myself against them with my small gift, with preaching and exhortation, as much as was in me. Twice I dealt with one of their leaders—once in secret and once openly.

But my exhortation did not progress, because I was still doing that which I well knew was not right.

The fact that the unrepentant appealed to me gave me my first reflection. Matthew 26:26.

The report spread far and wide that I could stop their mouths. They all appealed to me, whoever and however they were. I saw before my eyes that I was the champion and guarantor of the unrepentant, who all relied on me. This gave me no small blow to my heart; I sighed and prayed: Lord, help me, that I may not load the sins of other people upon myself.

My soul became troubled, and I thought of the end—namely, that if I were to win the whole world and live a thousand years, and yet at the last had to bear God’s punishing hand and wrath, what would I then have gained?

Matthew 26:52.

After that, those poor misled sheep, who wandered as those who had no true shepherds, after many cruel Edicts original: Placcaten — official proclamations or decrees, often carrying the force of law and used to mandate religious persecution., murders, and killings, came together at a place near my location called Oude Klooster The "Old Cloister" (Bloemkamp Abbey) near Bolsward, which was occupied by radical Anabaptists in 1535 and subsequently besieged and destroyed by government forces.. There (alas) through that godless teaching of Münster, contrary to Christ’s Spirit, Word, and Example, they drew the sword in defense—the very sword that the Lord commanded Peter to put back into its sheath.

When this had thus occurred, the blood of these people, though they were deceived, fell so hotly upon my heart that I could not endure it, nor find rest in my soul. I reflected on my impure carnal life, as well as my hypocritical teaching and idolatry, which I still practiced daily in appearance, without any desire, against my soul. I saw with my own eyes that these zealous children gave their lives and property willingly for their convictions (though not in a healthy doctrine), and I was one of those who had partly uncovered the Papal abominations to some of them, yet I still remained in my comfortable life and known abominations, only so that I might enjoy the ease of my flesh and remain away from the Cross of the Lord.

Reflecting on all this, my soul gnawed at me so much that I could no longer suffer it. I thought to myself: I, miserable man, what am I doing? If I remain in this state and do not commit myself to my Lord’s Word in the knowledge I have received; if I do not rebuke the hypocrisy of the learned, and that unrepentant carnal life, and their perverted Baptism, Supper, and false worship with the Lord’s Word according to my small gift; if I do not uncover the true foundation of truth for fear of my flesh; if I do not point those innocent wandering sheep, who would so gladly do right if they only knew how, to the true pasture of Christ as much as is in me—oh, how will that shed blood (though shed in error) rise up against you in the Judgment of the Almighty and Great God, and pronounce justice over your poor miserable soul before your God!

The change of my heart.

My heart trembled within my body; I prayed to my God with sighs and tears, that He would grant me, a sorrowful sinner, the gift of His—