Leopold

This Leopold Schneider was beheaded as a pious witness of the suffering of Christ, for the truth, at Augsburg, in the year 1528. He left the following admonition for the comfort and instruction of others:

"My God, I will praise You in my last hour; You who are high above in heaven, I will praise You with heart and mouth, for You are worthy of it; strengthen my faith (Luke 17, verse 5), now that I must go on this pilgrimage of suffering; remember me in mercy in the severe conflict. I commend my spirit into Your hands (Luke 23, verse 46); in You I rejoice. Christ, help me to stand in my sufferings. Heavenly Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. Because I cannot forsake Your Word, I am hated, and they seek to separate my body from the soul. Therefore I call upon You, O God, for gracious help; I trust in You, for I have no other comforter. That which is so clearly written, Mark 16, verse 16: 'He who believes and is baptized shall be saved,' can certainly not be contradicted by anyone; therefore it is to be heeded. O you blind, why are you troubled and grieved because the command of Christ is observed? Acquaint yourselves with the holy Scriptures, and you will find what Christ the Son of God has commanded us to do. I beseech you all, beloved brothers and sisters, that you would firmly trust in God, and do not let my bitter death grieve you; for God will richly reward it; we must one day take our leave of this vale of sorrow. The Scripture clearly declares that he who would have laughing and joy here shall afterward mourn and weep: Luke 6, verse 25; we must suffer here with patience; may the Lord grant that it be done innocently. He who would bring his gift here to the altar, and remembers that his brother has something against him, must leave his gift at the altar, and first go and be reconciled to his brother, and then come and offer his gift. Matthew 5, verses 23 and 24. Therefore, I beseech You, O God, graciously to forgive those who put me to death. I commend my spirit and soul into Your hand, O God; deliver me out of all my distresses, and never turn away from me; deprive my flesh of all its power, that I may overcome and be victorious in You. Amen." Revelation 2, verse 11.