In the year 1588, Pieter Saymer was apprehended at Freiburg in Bavaria; having staid there over night, in an inn, with a landlord, and about to proceed on his way in the morning, a beadle seized and apprehended him. He was then conducted to Berckhausen, and very briefly examined, and continuing steadfast, was taken back to Freiburg. The third day after, the judge himself had him brought out of prison, and advised him to renounce. But he answered: “I cannot renounce the true faith in Jesus Christ, nor the keeping of God’s commandments, though it should cost me body and life.” Then his end was announced to him, and the staff broken over him, which caused his heart to leap for joy, and he greatly thanked and praised God, saying then: I have one head, and if I had two, or still more, I would rather suffer them all to be cut off, than to renounce my faith.
There was much people present, and some wept over him when he was led out; but he said: “You need not weep over me, for I am of good cheer in God;” and he sang for joy, which the priests would not tolerate, neither the actuary. There came a simple man, a fisherman, to him and said: “Dear Pieter, renounce, and spare yourself.” But he said: Be silent, you neither know nor are able to comprehend what there is at stake for me. He then knelt down and offered up his prayer to God in heaven, and while he thus kneeling performed his prayer, the executioner struck off his head, which when it fell down to the ground, rolled about wonderfully, and finally lay still with the face turned toward the executioner, at which the people greatly marveled.
Thus, he testified with his blood to the faith and the divine truth, and obtained the crown of eternal life, which occurred on the 8th of July, 1588.