Having, through the grace of God, undergone and endured manifold assaults, by way of numerous examinations and threats from the bloodthirsty, he died in great steadfastness for the testimony of Jesus. He was not put to death at the place of execution, but secretly murdered by night. Until quite recently trustworthy persons were still living, who early in the morning, after the night in the forepart of which he had been murdered, saw him in his leather clothes, lying dead in his blood. He now rests under the altar of Jesus, awaiting, with God’s chosen, a blessed resurrection and eternal life.
The abovementioned traitor, Mr. de Wael, was not long after this deed most severely smitten by God in punishment for his murderous treachery, in consequence of which he departed out of this world in a most awful manner, as a solemn and significant warning to all that are inclined to follow his example in this respect; for he was soon driven from Leeuwarden, with great reproach and ignominy from the common people, so that the boatman, who was to convey him away, was with him in danger of his life, so that he begged most urgently that his life might be spared; for the traitor was most unmercifully pelted with stones by the common people and the children, and ignominiously reproached for his treachery, being called a Judas, rogue, miscreant and arch-heretic. To his great disgrace and reproach they sang of him the following verses, which had been composed by Jacques:
“He said: I had to find you-- Now from my oath I’m free; Submit and let us bind you; To prison go with me.”
And also:
“And is it right your dealing, Before the Lord and men? The time is surely coming When you will doubtless ken,” etc.
God the Lord had also punished him with severe leprosy, with which he was likewise most ignominiously taunted. Whenever they had sang a stanza of said hymn, they would derisively exclaim: “You leprous Judas and treacherous rogue, do you ken it now?” The stones increased the longer the more, so that the boatman who was to convey him away, saw his own life imperiled, and cried out that he had to convey him off by order of the lord. Thus he was driven from Leeuwarden with great disgrace and ignominy, and had to roam about from place to place, an object of scorn and contempt, until he was finally consumed by leprosy, and, like Antioch and Herod, died a terrible and premature death, an example to all his followers. 2 Macc. 9:9; Acts 12:23. The reports among the common people concerning this matter, are of a still much more horrible nature, than the account we have given here.
CONFESSION OF A WOMAN CALLED CLAESKEN, WHO LAID DOWN HER LIFE FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS, A. D. 1559.
_Questions and answers between the commissary and Claesken._
The commissary first interrogated me concerning my name, the place I was from, my age, and other like things. He then asked me: “Are you baptized?” Claesken. “Yes.” _Com._ “Who baptized you?” _Cl._ “Jelis of Aix-la-Chapelle.” _Com._ “The deceiver; he himself has renounced his belief. How did he do when he baptized you?” _Cl._ “He baptized me in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” _Com._ “Where did you receive baptism?” _Cl._ “At Workum, in the field.” _Com._ “Were there others present?” _Cl._ “Yes.” _Com._ “Who were they?” _Cl._ “I have forgotten.” _Com._ “What brought you there?” _Cl._ “I have forgotten.”
I could truthfully give this answer both times.
_Com._ “Are your children not baptized?” _Cl._ “My youngest two are not.” _Com._ “Why did you not have your children baptized?” _Cl._ “Because I was satisfied with them as the Lord had given them to me.” _Com._ “Why were you so satisfied with Abraham and Sicke, and not with Douwe; you had Douwe baptized?” _Cl._ “I did not know it then.” _Com._ “What did you not know then?” _Cl._ “What I know now.” _Com._ “What do you know now?” _Cl._ “What the Lord has given me to know.” _Com._ “What has the Lord given you to know?” _Cl._ “That I cannot find it in the Scriptures, that this ought to be.” _Com._ “How long have you not been to church?” _Cl._ “Not for nine or ten years.”