Reytse Aysess of Oldenborn Put to Death for the Testimony of Jesus Christ

The first letter of Reytse Aysess, written in his

prison, how he was betrayed, arrested and

put into bonds by the bailiff, called Andries

Grief, and boldly and fearlessly

acknowledged and confessed his

faith

It happened in the year 1573, on the 18th of September, that I came to Oldenborn, where I met the bailiff, who asked me to go with him, saying that he had something to tell me. When we had entered his house, he asked me where I lived. I replied: "In Bechsterswaegh." He then asked me how old I was; I said that I did not know exactly. He further asked me where I had stayed overnight. I said: "In my father's house." He asked me whether H. had not been there; to this I made no reply. Then he pressed me so hard about it that I finally said, "Yes." He then asked me about many others. I kept silent for a long time. Finally, after many temptations, I said that W. had also been there, and that we had formerly been very close friends; and after some other conversation which we had together I was silent. He then put fetters on me, and wanted to instruct me from the ancient fathers of fifteen hundred years ago, and from other writings not contained in the New Testament. I said that I would accept no other writings than the New Testament.

The next day, in the morning, the substitute of Leeuwaerden came, who tempted me very much, to tell who all had been at my father's house; but the almighty God kept my lips. So they took me to Leeuwaerden, and cast me into a dungeon, in which there were eight who cared nothing for God. There I at first became very sorrowful, and day and night called upon the Almighty God, that He would keep me; and He enlightened my heart, for which I praise and thank the eternal Father for His great benefits shown to me. After I had been confined there five days, they brought me into another prison, to a lord, for which I praised and thanked God.