In the second place, I said; “My lords, we have the truth, and I hope by the grace of God, that we shall adhere to it unto the end.” He also made many words, saying, that he had come out of compassion which he had for us; “and inasmuch,” said he, “as you will not hearken to the clergy, I come of my own accord, finding myself constrained thereto, hoping that you would hearken to me more.” For (said he, and smote his breast) if it had not been for him, it would already have been over with us, but he had prevented it. We also know, that he has very great influence, with the Court as well as with the lords of the city, for in many things in the government of the city, his wishes, to a great extent, are consulted. Thus he finally said (smiting his breast once more), that we should have to die; “for,” said he, “it has been determined by the lords of the council of Flanders, by the high council, by the Court, and by His Highness the Prince of Parma.” Thereupon I joyfully replied, saying: “The will of the Lord be done with us; to this end (once to die), are we born.”
“Yes,” said he, “the dying is a small matter, but that you shall hereafter go into perdition!” for he had previously damned us many times. Hence, Michiel answered, that judgment belonged to God. Then he said: “Perhaps you say that we are damned.” Thereupon, I said, “We do not condemn those that are without us; God will judge them.” But, friends, they are a presumptuous, proud tribe, and they blaspheme God and his holy temple without any fear. He further also said: If we would renounce, he should do his best with His Highness, though he should have to travel to the Court himself, which should cost a good deal. Thus, friends, it seems, according to what we hear, that though we should forsake the faith, we should still be in peril of death. And thus he finally left us, begging us to think of his words. “I hope,” said he, “that the Holy Spirit will work in them.” But we had another hope, namely, that God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ shall strengthen us by his Spirit, that we may abide in the truth unto the end of our life.
Friends, we were with him over two hours. And we used few words, except now and then, when we could not pass something by, which required a reply; for much speaking is of little avail, and they say that they come to teach us; but we do not want to be taught by them. This the priests said to me alone, for we were examined separately, except this last time.
And about five or six days after, he sent his son to us once more, asking us, whether we had attended to and considered this matter. Thereupon we said that we wanted to adhere to the faith in Jesus Christ, as we confessed from the first. Hence, he left us, which was on the 28th of March.
Thus, my affectionately beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, we daily expect the day of our redemption, that we might offer up our sacrifice. I had almost forgotten to state that the pensionary had told us: “You may perhaps be taken unawares some night, when you will least expect it.” Hence, God knows what they have in mind. They have no power over us, except the Lord permit them. God is our strength and power, and the sword of our conquest. And though we must suffer for his sake, we must possess our souls with patience, remembering, that the apostle says (1 Pet. 2:20), that it is acceptable with God, to suffer for well-doing; though, dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, the world does not regard it as acceptable, for (1 Corinthians 1:18) it is written: “That the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God, which power God works by his Spirit, to the comfort and strengthening of their mind.