In this same year, a brother named William van Robaeys, was persecuted, apprehended, examined, tortured and finally put to death, at Komen, in Flanders, for righteousness for the truth, and for following Christ.
In the same year, three brethren, named Hendrick Dirks, Dirk Jans, and Adrian Corneliss, were apprehended at Leyden, and examined in regard to their faith; but when they boldly confessed it, and would in no wise depart from it, they were also sentenced to death. Hendrick Dirks, advancing joyfully, said: “Blessed are they that weep now; for they shall laugh, and be rewarded with shining robes; yea, with an eternal crown, if they strive steadfastly. This is the sabbath of the Lord, which I have long desired; not that I am worthy to suffer for his name, but he has made me worthy; and thus we suffer not for theft or murder, but for the pure word of God.” Luke 6:21; Matt. 13:43; 2 Timothy 4:8; Matt. 24:13; Is. 58:13; Acts 5:41; 1 Peter 4:15.
Dirk Jans said: “Though all men despise us, God does therefore not despise us. Remember, lords, that on high there is a judge over all, and believe that he will once judge and pass sentence. This suffering,” said he, “is not so great; Christ had to suffer much more, when he shed his blood for us He will strengthen us in what we suffer for his name; for we suffer not for schism or anything evil; for there is no other true faith to be found than that which we maintain. Therefore, O God, have compassion upon me, and receive me into thine arms.” Ps. 7:11; Matt. 25:31; Is. 53; Matt. 26:28.
Adrian Corneliss intrepidly said: “Christ has gone this way before us; and his beloved apostles likewise, and we his servants are not above our Lord.” Luke 24:26; Acts 14:22.
They then fell upon their knees, earnestly prayed to God (Acts 20:36), and rising, said: “They think by killing us to exterminate the godfearing; but for one whom they kill, a hundred others shall arise. Hence, fear not them that kill the body; but fear him who is able to cast both soul and body into everlasting torment.” Matt. 10:28. Standing on the bench, they exclaimed: “Fear not that which is temporal, but fear that which will last forever; for eternity is so long.” With this, they commended their souls into the hands of God, and offered up their burnt sacrifice. They now rest under the altar, and wait to be clothed in shining robes, and to receive the new wine in the throne of heaven. Matthew 26:29.
SEVERAL LETTERS WRITTEN IN PRISON, BY ADRIAN CORNELISS, INCLUDING A PRAYER, AN ADMONITION, AND A CONFESSION OF ADRIAN CORNELISS, GLAZIER, WHO WAS IMPRISONED AT LEYDEN, AND ALSO PUT TO DEATH THERE FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD, 1552.
_His Prayer to God._
O Lord of heaven and earth, who hast made all things out of nothing, who hast given me members after the image of thy Son, I hope to offer them up now for thy holy name; for thou art the Lord, before whom every knee must bow, both in heaven and upon earth: hear my prayer, and let my incense be acceptable before thee. Take not thy grace from me, a polluted man of unclean lips; purify my mouth, that thy name may be praised thereby. Incline thine ear to me, and thou shalt see how they fall upon me; but it is better for me to fall into the hands of men, than to sin in thy sight; for thine eyes are as a flame of fire, and thy word as a sharp, two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and thou art a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, and there is nothing hid before thine eyes. Therefore I exclaim with David, thy dear prophet, that it is better to fall into the hands of men, than into thy wrath. Matt. 11:25; Gen. 1:27; Rom. 12:1; Philip. 2:10; Is. 6:5; Susanna 23; Revelation 1:14; Heb. 4:12,13.