Pieter Saymer, in the Year 1588

In the year 1588, Pieter Saymer was arrested at Freiburg in Bavaria; having stayed there overnight, in an inn, with a landlord, and being about to go on his way in the morning, a beadle seized and arrested him. He was then taken to Berckhausen, and examined very briefly, and since he remained steadfast, he was taken back to Freiburg. On 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 was broken over him, which made his heart leap for joy, and he thanked and praised God greatly, saying then: "I have one head, and if I had two, or still more, I would rather let them all be cut off than renounce my faith."

There were many 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, nor would the actuary. A simple man, a fisherman, came to him and said "Dear Pieter, renounce, and spare yourself." But he said: "Be silent; you neither know nor are able to understand what is at stake for me." He then knelt down and offered up his prayer to God in heaven, and while he was kneeling and praying, the executioner struck off his head. When it fell to the ground it 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 to the divine truth, and obtained the crown of eternal life. This happened on the 8th of July, 1588.