“But the monks did nothing but vehemently preach against this slackness, and hesitated not to proclaim from the pulpit, that the Bailiff had apprehended him merely to have himself painted by him.
“Hence, this poor man, after many tortures, inflicted upon him in order to extort from him the names of his master and comrades; was burned on the 28th of March, A. D. 1572, on the New Fortification, together with Adriaenken Jans, a woman from Molenaersgraef.” Thus far, Johan van Beverwijck.
Hence the account of the death of these persons is certain and reliable, nor is it doubted by any one that we have ever heard here in this city; the well-disposed will therefore be satisfied therewith.
* * * * *
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Cor. 4:17.
TOUCHING THE PERSONS THAT WERE THEN IN THE COURT OF JUSTICE, AND CONSEQUENTLY, SAT IN JUDGMENT IN REGARD TO THIS SENTENCE; THEY WERE THE FOLLOWING:
Jan van Drenckwaert Boudewijnss, aged between twenty-nine and thirty years, being then Bailiff of Dortrecht.
Arent van der Mijle Sir Corneliss, burgomaster of the community, who had gone out of office about the close of the year 1570, but had now, the 6th of March, been re-elected.
Together with (according to the law of said city) nine judges: Cornelis Sir Hendricks; Adriaen van Mosyenbroeck Sir Govertss; Adriaen Koninck Dirckss; Arent Hendricks; Gijsbrecht Janss, treasurer; Michiel van Beveren Sir Pieterss; Mr. Jan van Muylwijck Sir Franss; Pieter Kool Sir Huygenss; Damas Sir Wouterss, surrogated by Jan Adriaenss.
These we have extracted from the register of the lords of justice of the city of Dortrecht, who reigned in the year 1572, according to the account of the aforesaid Johan van Beverwijck, in the book referred to, where he treats of the government of the city, for the year 1572.
But whether they all together concurred in this sentence, or only some of them, by a majority of votes among them, is not expressed, nor do we consider it of much importance to know, since it is sufficient for our improvement and edification to have learned the unwavering faith and steadfast death of the aforesaid martyrs, who died under their reign.
Concerning the death of these friends two hymns were composed at that time, in the first of which the following words among others were sung, touching the cause and time of their imprisonment:
_Terstond daer na zijn Brieven gekomen, Te Dordrecht aen den nieuwen Schout, Die seer jonk is van jaren, etc._
Right after, letters came: To the new Bailiff at Dordrecht, Who is very young of years, etc.
In the other this is sung concerning their death:
_Adriaenken Jans is eerst omgebrocht, ’t Welck Schout Jan Drenkwaert heeft versocht._
First Adriaenken Jans was put to death Who requested the bailiff Jan Drenkwaert.
And afterwards:
_Jan Wouterss sprak, met goed bescheyd, Dit is den dag der saligheyd. Swygt, sprak den Onderschout. Waerom soude ik (seyde hy) ’tspreeken laten, Myn woorden zijn niet quaed, noch stout. Adriaenken look haer oogen voorwaer, Om haren Bruydegom te behagen klaer; Die rust nu in den Heer, En is de pyn van den brand ontgaen, Alleen door sijn genade meer. Jan Woutersz heeft hem aen den pael gerecht, Doen lachre by [van vreugd’] als een vroom knecht, En beval soo God Synen geest in Syne handen,[329] Die was sijn Toevlucht, Borgt, en Slot. Oorlof heeft hy geroepen aldaer, Aen Broeders en Susters in’t openbaer, Met woorden soet, U wil ik den Heer bevelen, Die voor ons heeft gestort sijn bloed. Dees twee schaepkens zijn door, voort tempeest, Wat heeft al [haer] lijden mi geweest? Sy hebben de Kroon Der Martelaren verworven, Die hebben sy nu voor haer loon._
[329] _In’s heeren Handen, seyt den Schrijber._
Jan Wouterss clearly spake: This is the day of salvation. Be silent, said the underbailiff. Why should I, he said, forbear to speak? My words are neither bad nor bold. Adriaenken too looked forward, To please her Bridegroom. She rests now in the Lord, And has passed the fire’s pain, Through his bountiful grace alone. Jan Wouterss placed himself at the stake, Then laughed for joy, as a pious servant, And thus commended his spirit Into the hands of the Lord, Who was his Refuge, Fortress and Castle. Farewell, he sweetly called To the brethren and sisters openly: I will commend you to the Lord, Who shed for us his blood. These two lambs have now passed through, Away tempest! What were now all their sufferings? They obtained the martyr’s crown, Which now they hold as their reward.