“By the rivers of Babylon there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. We hung our harps on the willows in the midst thereof.” Ps. 137:1,2. [79] In 1659 the hand of God was laid heavily upon my brother, in that he was visited with a severe sickness, so that to all appearance, it seemed that he would not recover. _P. van Braght._ FIRST PART. [Illustration: THE BLOODY THEATRE OR MARTYRS’ MIRROR OF THE NON-RESISTANT ANABAPTISTS BY THIELEM J. V. BRAGHT 1660.-1886.] THE BLOODY THEATRE --OR-- MARTYRS MIRROR --OF THE-- ANABAPTISTS OR DEFENSELESS CHRISTIANS, WHO SUFFERED AND WERE SLAIN FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, THEIR SAVIOR, FROM THE TIME OF CHRIST UNTIL THE YEAR A. D. 1660. AN ACCOUNT OF THE HOLY BAPTISM OF THE MARTYRS IN THE FIRST CENTURY, That is, from the first year of the ministry of Jesus Christ to the year 100. SUMMARY OF THE BAPTISM IN THE FIRST CENTURY. [We have begun with the baptism of John, who in Holy Scripture is properly called _the Baptist_, because he was the first and chief one who truly administered baptism with all that pertains to it; concerning which we have noted the time, place, persons, etc. From there we proceeded to Christ and the command which he gave concerning baptism; thence to the apostles, and how they fulfilled Christ’s command. But, since the apostles who wrote of baptism did not live to the close of this century, we, in order to accomplish our design, resorted to the fathers who lived shortly after the apostles, and wrote on baptism; and thus the first century is concluded with their testimony.] We shall begin to give an account, from century to century, up to the present day, or at least, to the time of our fathers, how that the true baptism upon faith, with rejection of infant baptism, has always obtained, and been practiced, according as it was possible, by the true church of God, or at least, by some of the orthodox believers, according to the freedom, or the oppression prevailing at any particular time; and that this same faith, on account of which the world calls us Anabaptists, was begun by God, through John, was confirmed by Christ, and propagated and maintained by the apostles as well as by their successors, till the time of our fathers; together with an account of the persons who suffered for that faith. Coming, then, to the article of baptism we shall thus begin and finish the subject: In the first century, embracing chiefly the time of Christ and his holy apostles, we shall place, not by inferences, but through express words, that which Holy Scripture has to say in regard to it, as being the foundation of the matter, and afterwards, that which is recorded by trustworthy authors. CONCERNING THE BAPTISM OF JOHN.