Three Brothers and Two Sisters, in the Year 1528

In the year 1528, three brothers and two sisters were put in prison at Znaym, in Moravia. There was a judge at Znaym, called Sir Louis, who greatly hated the brothers, as was plain in the imprisonment of these brothers and sisters. With stern words he asked the council what they intended to do with the Anabaptist heretics, since they had a royal command and mandate, and yet did not have them executed. He said that he would go to the king himself, and inform him of their disobedience; but if they would have them executed, he would haul the wood to burn them with his own horses. Then the council answered and said: "Dear Sir Louis, we will entrust them to you; do with them as you please; it is committed to you." Then he had the wood hauled with his own wagon, and had the three brothers and two sisters burned. They were put to death quickly, paying to God, who allowed this true burnt offering, the vow they made in baptism, and fighting to the death for the divine truth they had confessed.

This Louis, driven by the hatred and envy of the old serpent, was not yet satisfied with the blood of the pious and innocent sheep of the Lord, and had to fill up the measure of his judgment. He ordered money to be given to those who would tell him where the brothers met. When a house had been pointed out to him, he took bailiffs and watchmen, and went with them to the place. There Judge Louis stepped without noticing into an opening in front of the house, used for lowering wine, and sprained his foot. He fell down and cried out pitifully that they should lift him up, and let the rascals go. The brothers heard the noise, and escaped from the house. After this Louis fell sick to death, and as he lay there in his agony and severe sickness, he suddenly began to cry out: "O the Baptists, the Baptists!" He said nothing else, but repeated this cry countless times. At last he roared like an ox, and like a wild beast, and bit his own tongue, and foam and blood ran out of his mouth, so that his wife and children could not stay with him; only his servant woman, who was devoted to him, stayed with him until he was choked to death in his own blood. This servant woman told what had happened to Brother Bastelwart, who was a minister. None of his relatives like to have it spoken of; and it was a common saying among the people that he had shed innocent blood. Proverbs 6, verse 17; Jeremiah 7, verse 6; Jeremiah 22, verse 3. And so God has often (more than is shown in this book, or can be told) checked the wicked with examples like this, so that by it His work might make greater progress among His people, to His praise, and to the salvation of many who seek what is right, and the amendment of life; for if God had not always upheld His work, the enemy would in time have put it out, and not have left one spark or seed of truth remaining; but this God does not permit him to do.