Published in 1564, the Ausbund was the first Anabaptist hymnal. The authors of the Ausbund were imprisoned at the time of its creation, awaiting trial for their unpopular beliefs. Its songs explain the Anabaptist message and commemorate the movements’ martyrs. The Eighteenth Hymn tells the story of Anna Jansz’s last words to her son Isiah. Its lyrics were taken almost entirely from the testament Jansz wrote on the day of her execution. Thus the hymn was both an inspirational message and a way to preserve the historical record of Anabaptist activity. As you read the lyrics, ask yourself what Jansz’s hopes were for the next generation of Anabaptists. What connections can you make between her goals in writing her testament and the goals of the imprisoned Anabaptists who created the Ausbund?

There usually is great joy

When one begets small children

From the Lord God,

And instructs them in God’s teaching

About good customs, discipline, and honour,

So that they honour their parents.

Annelein received permission

To see her son in Rotterdam,

As her death drew near.

Isaiah hear my testament,

My last will before my death

Now comes from my mouth.

I am going on the path of the prophets,

The martyrs’ and apostles’ way;

There is none better.

They all have drunk from the cup,

Even as did Christ Himself,

As I have heard it read.

All the priests of the King

Travelled on this path alone.

From the beginning they came

To stand upon this road,

As God’s true sons and children.

This I have truly understood.

These same children under the altar,

Who are a great multitude,

Are described in the Apocalypse:

How they were killed and murdered

And executed with the sword,

Persecuted and banished.

They cried out to God: O Lord!

Righteous and Truthful One,

How long until you bring order to the earth

Among people everywhere?

And take revenge on only those

Who with great insolence

Have shed blood everywhere,

Murdering innocent people?

Are you willing to punish them

So they no longer cause dishonour,

Driving your own out of the land,

Continuing in their sin?

God gives to all [His children] a white robe,

And consoles them with the answer:

To them must still be added

Those who will also be judged

Until the number of the pious

Is filled and completed.

The twenty-four great elders

Come before God’s throne

And lay down their crowns,

Honouring the Lamb of God,

Together with all the heavenly hosts

Who live under the sun.

All of the pious children of God

Who received the baptism

Sealed upon their brow

Also came this way,

Following the Lamb wherever it went,

Serving [the Lamb] with desire.

Such people must enter this valley,

And all drink from the bitter cup

Until the number is fulfilled.

Zion, the worthy bride of God,

To whom the Lamb itself is betrothed,

Who has calmed the wrath of God.

Therefore my dearly beloved son,

May you wish to do my will,

And follow my teaching.

If you know a people who spurn every luxury

And pleasure of this world,

May you wish to join them.

They are despised and rejected

By this wretched world.

They must carry Christ’s cross,

And have no secure place

Because they keep God’s word.

They often are hunted down.

God lives with such people,

Who are mocked by the world.

Keep company with them.

They will show you the true way,

Lead you away from the path of evil,

Guide you away from hell.

Fear no one; set your life

Completely on the pure teaching.

Set aside your body and earthly goods.

Christ bought you at a dear price,

Delivered you from the eternal fire

With His worthy blood.

May the Lord sanctify you, my son,

Sanctify your conduct.

May you live in the fear of God

Wherever you are in this entire land.

In all the work you may do,

Do not resist God.

Share your bread with the hungry,

Leave no person in need

Who professes Christ.

Also clothe the naked,

Have pity on the sick.

Do not distance yourself from them.

If you cannot always be with them,

Show your good will.

Comfort the imprisoned,

Welcome guests cheerfully into your home,

And don’t let anyone drive them out.

Then your reward will be greatest.

Both your hands should be ready

To do the works of mercy,

To give twofold offerings;

This is spiritual and worldly work:

To set the prisoners free, strengthen the weak;

Then you will truly live.

For the rest of what God gives you

You will be taught by the sweat of your brow

By God and the prophets,

To give always to God’s people.

May they be happy with you;

Give to them what they ask of you.

Do not let falseness come from you,

Then you may have good hope.

God also will reward you

In His Kingdom in the other world.

He will bestow it twofold;

There should be no doubt of this.

On the one thousand five hundredth

And thirty-first year

Annelein paid with her life,

Which in virtue soft and mild

Was for Christians a beautiful model,

Given in death as well as in life.

Laus Deo

Source: C. Arnold Snyder and Linda A. Huebert-Hecht, eds., Profiles of Anabaptist Women: Sixteenth-Century Reforming Pioneers (Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 1996), pp. 345–348.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER