Dirck Mieuwess, in the Year 1571

After much persecution, murdering and burning of the true followers of Christ, a pious brother named Dirck Mieuwess was also arrested at Vlissingen in Zealand; and after a long imprisonment the bailiff and the jailer allowed him to do certain services for the benefit of their households, and because of this he, together with some of his fellow prisoners, was often allowed to leave the prison. So when a favorable opportunity came, some of the prisoners escaped and advised Dirck Mieuwess to flee with them, which this friend of Christ refused to do, fearing that by this the jailer, who had allowed him to go out, would get into trouble. Remaining in prison, he was sentenced on the 6th of March, 1570, before Easter, to be tortured on the rack; and the following year, namely, in the year 1571, on the 8th of May, he was burned at that place, showing great steadfastness, and offered up his temporal and corruptible body as a sweet-smelling savor to the Lord of heaven and earth; not suffering as a thief or a murderer, nor as one who seeks other people's property, but only for the truth of Christ and a good conscience. First Peter 2, verse 19. So the promises of Christ are sure to him, who has said: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5, verse 10.