Rudolph Bachman, in the Year 1640

Just as the young were not spared because of the bloom of their life, so not the least compassion was shown to old age and declining years; indeed, not even to those who were very feeble and infirm in body.

Among these was Rudolph Bachman, from the Wadischwyl district, who was arrested in the year 1640; and since he was not able to walk, because of his great age, weakness and infirmity in the flesh, he was put on a sled and so carried from his house to the prison, which was a great distance away.

Afterward he was placed in chains for a time, in the nearest hospital, and, because of the steadfastness of his faith, was not released from them until he died.

But for this he will hereafter, being freed from the eternal bonds of darkness, be admitted into the liberty of God's saved children; on the other hand

"He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity." Revelation 13, verse 10.

Then it will be seen what difference there will be between God's true servants and those who have afflicted them; for everyone will receive the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad. Second Corinthians 5, verse 10. Compared with Tract. M. Meyli, dated 1658, folio 6, B., number 3, and so on.

NOTE. Now, in the year 1640, there was also arrested Henry Schnebbi, from the Seignioralty Knonow, a God fearing brother, who was cast into prison with a number of criminals at Zurich, at whose hands he suffered much ill treatment; however, he was finally released. Tract. Jer. M., and so on.

In the year 1641, Hans Rudolf Bauman, a very God fearing man and a minister of the Church of Jesus Christ at the Horgerberg, was also taken to Zurich, and there confined in the convent prison, where he was kept very closely for over sixty weeks, fed for a considerable time on bread and water, and put in iron bonds; and so he fell into a severe sickness.

In the meantime, on a certain Good Friday, through the help of some of his imprisoned fellow brothers he escaped; but since he, because of his sickness, was not able either to walk or to stand, he was picked up and carried for a considerable distance, so that he escaped the persecutors' hands.

After this his house and homestead were sold, and his wife and children driven out of them. The sale brought 3,000 guilders, which the authorities seized and kept for themselves. But the Lord will reward every man according to his righteousness, and according to his faithfulness. First Samuel 26, verse 23. Compared with Tract. Jer. Mang., folio 12, A., and so on.