Martyrs Mirror: Editor’s Note
The following work is set forth in its entirety, including footnotes which have been added in brackets either preceding or following the reference points. The first 18 chapters provide an overview of Gospel history, beginning with Adam and Eve and proceeding to the present time of the publication, 1660. The remaining chapters are devoted to a detailed record of the sufferings and martyrdoms of God’s people through the ages who have been identified as Baptists. Although the author identifies the history of God’s people as Church history, we believe a more accurate designation would be Christian history. Nevertheless, the sentiments of the author are well intended and his overview of history is informative to the reader.
This work of well over 1000 pages is one of the fullest records of Christian martyrdom compiled. In addition to the reported sacrifices made by our forefathers, these pages also affirm the Baptist Faith and Polity of the churches of Christ since our Lord established the first congregation in Jerusalem. It is for these reasons Christians would do well to study these chapters with increasing interest.
May the blessings of Christ abound upon His churches worldwide.
AHB Library
Thieleman J. Van Braght (1625-1664) was an Anabaptist who is best known for writing a history of the Christian witness throughout the centuries entitled “The Bloody Theater or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians who baptized only upon confession of faith, and who suffered and died for the testimony of Jesus, their Saviour, from the time of Christ to the year A.D. 1660” (1660).
Thieleman J. Van Braght, Martyrs Mirror
