“My lords of the court, having heard the answer and defense of the aforesaid defendants, by which they openly confess that they were rebaptized, without having obtained remission therefor, deem it just, through their sentence, that all the aforesaid persons, according to the edict of his imperial Majesty, and the written laws, have forfeited their lives and property, by virtue of the privileges of this city, and that all are to die, namely: The men to be executed with the sword, their bodies placed upon the wheel, and their heads upon stakes, unless the lords are willing to show them mercy, especially those who renounce and are penitent; and the women to be drowned with a stone tied to their necks or bodies. Passed in the presence of all the judges and three burgomasters, the seventh of June, A. D. 1535.”
This sentence having been given, they were led forth to death; they went boldly to the place of execution, and among other things said: “The servant is not greater than his master; if they have done this in the green tree, what will they do in the dry,” and the like. Having come to the place prepared for this purpose, they were beheaded. The two women were led to the sea, where stones were tied to their necks, and they were cast in, and drowned. Their bodies were ignominiously left to float about for a long time, until the rulers were moved to have them taken out and buried.
Christian reader, here you can clearly see why and for what reasons these people had to die; that what some blind zealots of idolatrous popery say, falsely charge and say is not true, namely: That no one was put to death because of his religion or faith, but on account of their rebelliousness and crimes. But how falsely and shamelessly they act herein may, be judged from this single fact that the same year when these persons were put to death, the siege of Munster took place, and that they were not accused of, much less participated in, this wicked crime. But herein they show the nature of the old Pharisees, who, when they brought Christ to death, did not say that it was on account of his good doctrine that he had to die, but for his blasphemy. This is the way of all tyrants, that, besides inflicting suffering and death upon the innocent, they also heap upon them false accusations. But when the day cometh that shall come, they shall see whom they have pierced, and say with astonishment: “Behold, these are they whom we had sometimes in derision, and a proverb of reproach: we fools accounted their life madness, and their end to be without honor: how are they numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints?” Wis. 5:3–5.
ANDREW CLÆSSEN OF DROURIJP, BEHEADED FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, UNDER THE STADTHOLDER GEORGE SCHENCK, AT LEEUWAERDEN, A. D. 1535.
(_Copy of a certain old document._)
“It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation,” which our Savior spoke and left for our instruction, saying: “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose it for my sake, or the Gospel’s, shall save it” unto life eternal. Matt. 16:25; Luke 9:24.
This evangelical doctrine, given for admonition and consolation, many faithful witnesses of Christ have taken to heart, who voluntarily surrendered their lives for his holy name’s sake, looking to the promises, and the glorious reward which shall be given them not in this, but in the future world; for in the third chapter of Wisdom we read: “The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seem to die: and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality, and having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.” Verses 1–6.