[260] It is supposed that this was probably Sikke Snijder.
Remmeltje Wubbers, from whom I have this account, heard it not only frequently from her parents and others, but also from the woman who attended Hadewijk in her last sickness, to whom Hadewijk related it with her own lips.
OF A PIOUS BROTHER WHO WAS PUT TO DEATH FOR THE WORD OF GOD, IN THE CITY OF VUREN IN FLANDERS, A. D. 1553.
About the year 1553, there was put to death with the sword, in the city of Vuren, in Flanders, for the testimony of Jesus, a godfearing, pious brother, who had to endure many severe conflicts from the papists, the adversaries of the truth; but as a valiant hero of Christ he would not fear them that kill the body, but sought much rather to please Him who after this temporal death has power also to cast into hell, into everlasting fire, where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. He therefore comforted his sorrowful wife, who was pregnant, and whom he loved dearly, with the word of God, fearing that adversity was in store for her; that she should not regard the torments inflicted upon him for the word of God. They sentenced him to be executed with the sword; hence he took affectionate leave from all his brethren, and, as a humble lamb, following the footsteps of his Leader Jesus, ascended the scaffold; but the evening wolves, which let nothing remain until the morning, by which and other fruits they may be known, retained their wolfish nature, so that they killed this friend of God with seven cruel blows, and finally sawed off his head, so that through great sorrow many a tear was shed by the people who were present and witnessed this martyrdom. His poor, pregnant wife lamented greatly, so that she died with her fruit from excess of grief. Many witnessed this heinous murder, perpetrated by the bloodthirsty; but the great and faithful God, who regards the sufferings of his own, as though the apple of his eye had been touched, will avenge this in due time. O how will these bloodthirsty men excuse themselves, when the chief Shepherd shall appear in the clouds, and require an account of this matter! But those faithful heroes and adventurers of God, who did not dare deprive their Creator of his divine honor, but would serve him rightly according to his word, and gave their lives therefor, they have the promise from the mouth of Jesus, that he will confess them before his Father in heaven, that it is the Father’s good pleasure to give this little flock his glorious kingdom, and that all who here suffer with Christ for righteousness’ sake, shall rejoice forever with God. Matt. 10:32; Luke 12:8,32; Matt. 5:10.
Concerning this, read hymn in the old hymn-book.
PIETER WITSES, A MASON, STRANGLED AT THE STAKE, AT LEEUWARDEN, AND HIS CONFESSION WHILE IMPRISONED IN THAT CITY WHERE HE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS, IN THE YEAR 1553.
_In Questions and Answers._
_Question._ “What is your name?” _Answer._ “Pieter Witses.” _Quest._ “How old are you?” _Ans._ “Twenty-seven years.” _Quest._ “When were you to confession last?” _Ans._ “I confess every day, and acknowledge that I am a sinner.” _Quest._ “What do you think of the sacrament?” _Ans._ “I esteem it highly.” _Quest._ “What do you think of the sacrament which the priest gives on Easter?” _Ans._ “Nothing.” _Quest._ “Christ said: ‘Take, eat; this is my flesh.’” _Ans._ “It is true; but he spake it to those who were obedient to him.” _Quest._ “Are you also rebaptized?” _Ans._ “I know of no rebaptism; I was baptized once, and that according to the teaching of God.” _Quest._ “How long ago?” _Ans._ “About a year and a half.”