Hans Langmantel with his Manservant and Maidservant, in the Year 1529

Hans Langmantel, a wealthy citizen and of noble descent, during the reestablishment of the churches in Germany, received with his manservant and maidservant the truth of the Gospel, and, kindled with zeal, they believed the truth, forsook their sinful life, and were baptized upon their faith in Christ Jesus, for the remission and forgiveness of their sins. For this reason all three were imprisoned, and, after enduring many assaults and torments, they were finally put to death for their faith, which they constantly confessed. Hans Langmantel and his manservant were beheaded with the sword, while the maidservant was drowned in the water. When they were still in severe confinement they sent the following, as a thank offering and prayer to God, which they used in prison, to their brothers and sisters, for consolation, admonition, and as a memorial, about the year 1529.

"O God, our heavenly Father, come with the power of Your Holy Spirit, that You may make our mind, heart and soul rejoice; give all three of us a courageous heart, that in this anguish we may fight and overcome. Revelation 2, verse 7. Hold us with Your right hand, for You are our strength; fight the battle for us (Exodus 14, verse 14), and watch over us in distress, that we may stand in the conflict, and not turn back when it is at its height. Therefore, O Lord, keep watch over us, and take care of us in this extremity, now that the wicked rise up against Your Word, and want to drive us from it. O God, preserve us in Your keeping, that we may not faint and abandon Your Word. Let us enjoy the faithfulness which You have shown us through Your Son Jesus Christ; and so that we may always earnestly consider this, send us Your Holy Spirit, and kindle in us the fire of Your divine love; lead us, You who taught it in deed, that we may also exercise ourselves in it, and observe and practice it as Your dear children, that this gift may come upon us, and that, even as we are called, we may by it order our lives in this Your truth; maintain peace and unity, and love one another in truth with a pure heart. To this end, O God, let the light of Your divine glory shine upon us, that we may walk in it. O Lord, keep us in it as Your dear children, and let us never be darkened by the abominable darkness of this world, which has gained the upper hand with all unfaithfulness, and which will be followed by death. But You, our Father, love what is right. In You there is no darkness (First John 1, verse 5); but the world is hardened with it. But You are the eternal light, which pierces the darkness; that we may no longer be children of the night, but children of the day. Watch over us with Your Holy Spirit, and so teach us to walk in this light with delight and joy according to Your divine nature.

"O God, we ask You for one thing more: Send us, to this end, Your Holy Spirit, clothe us with His power, renew our hearts, and make us strong in You, that we may obediently hear You in Your obedience, and praise Your name. When this world rises up and opposes Your words, so that our soul sighs to You in all the severe distresses by which they seek to tear us away, then, O Lord, grant us to look to You for aid, and help us to overcome. Grant, Lord, that we may not stain ourselves with any sin or guilt, and take from our flesh the fear by which they would draw us away, and stop us in this work; that, when they lead us to death, we may not waver in the conflict, but may go to meet You with all the godly in the true, adorned wedding garment, at the marriage feast, prepared for Your Son, when He will receive His bride with everlasting joy and delight. Lord, help us in every anguish and distress, and in the pain of death; give us the heavenly bread; send us Your Comforter, for God is the Comforter of the miserable. He makes the poor rich, and strengthens the feeble; He can refresh the weary and give strength to the faint, that they may come to You. Through You they overcome, who have now entered the conflict, to fight for the truth. In Christ, Your Son, help us to win the field on this earth, indeed in Him alone. You alone be our Helper, protect us with Your sword, that we may together, as Your heroes, obtain the crown, and be forever with You. Amen."