Michael Vischer, in the Year 1587

In the year 1587, about Whitsuntide, Michael Vischer was imprisoned for the faith at Ingolstadt, in Bavaria. When he had been confined about twelve weeks, and much had been tried with him by monks, Jesuits and in other ways, and he still would not follow their false doctrine and idolatry, but firmly held to the faith which he had accepted, acknowledged and confessed, he was finally sentenced to death, that he should be executed on Friday the 6th of August, if he would not renounce it. But since he looked for a better and eternal life, he remained unmoved and steadfast in the faith. So on the aforementioned day, about eight o'clock in the morning, he was brought from the prison before the council house, and sentence was read to him there: that since this Anabaptist had for about twenty years adhered to Anabaptism (as they call it), and had also seduced several others into it, and would in no way allow himself to be moved from it, he must die for it. For the imperial mandate and decree is that such people shall not be allowed or tolerated, but punished with fire and sword. Then he was led out to the place of execution, for which he was willing and ready, going there gladly. A Jesuit and a monk went with him and wanted to instruct him; but he did not listen to them, and told them to go away from him. So they went ahead to the place of execution, and there said to him that since he had to die, he should prepare himself for it; and they held a crucifix before his face, saying that he should look upon Him who had died for us. But he shook his head and said: "Christ my Redeemer is in heaven; therefore I deny all human handiwork." He also said to the executioner: "Come here; there is nothing else left to do. I will valiantly hold to the faith and die in it." With that he knelt down, bold and undismayed. God gave him such power and strength that he stood steadfast to the end, in the way of truth, to eternal life in Jesus Christ. The executioner became terrified at his fearlessness, so that he could not execute him properly, but had to cut off his head as it were,* and because of this he was in no small peril of his life. [n1180-2]