Thus they meant to extinguish the light of the truth and the fire of God; but it was kindled only the more. They then apprehended a man, a woman, a man-servant and a maid-servant. Whoever embraced the faith, and desired to separate from the ways, society and idolatry of the world, was apprehended by them. In several places they filled all the prisons with them, intending to deter them by fear; but they sang and rejoiced in prison, so that their enemies who had cast them into prison were more troubled and afraid than the prisoners. They knew not what to do with them, especially since it was only on account of the faith.
ABOUT THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY PERSONS PUT TO DEATH FOR THE FAITH, NEAR ALTZEY, PURSUANT TO THE IMPERIAL MANDATE, A. D. 1529.
The Palsgrave then, in pursuance with the imperial mandate, in a short time, caused about three hundred and fifty persons to be executed for the faith; especially his Burgrave at Altzey, namely Dietrich von Schoenburg, caused many in the town of Altzey to be beheaded, drowned and otherwise put to death; even as the lords who came to the church, and at that time were residents in Altzey, saw themselves how they were taken from the houses in which they were known to be, and led as sheep to the place of execution. They could in no wise be persuaded to apostatize, but went joyfully to meet death; while the others were being drowned, and executed, the rest who were yet alive and waited for death sang until the executioner took them. They were very steadfast in the truth confessed, and, assured in the faith which they had received from God, conducted themselves as valiant soldiers. Matt. 10:22. All the learned and great of this world were confounded by them. 1 Corinthians 1:25,26.
Some whom they did not wish to execute they tortured and maimed their bodies; of some they cut off the fingers, others they burned crosses on their foreheads, and subjected them to much wanton injury; so that even the aforesaid Burgrave said: “What shall I do? the more I cause to be executed, the more they increase.” Ex. 1:22.
This Burgrave Dietrich, who had shed much innocent blood, died a sudden and terrible death, as he was rising from his table. _Chron. van den Ondergang, page 1029, col. 1_, from the old _History of the Baptist Martyrs, lib. 1_.