Seven Brothers, in the Year 1529

These seven brothers were executed together on the same day, with the sword, for the evangelical truth, at Gmuend, in Swabia, and thus steadfastly testified with their blood to the name of Christ, in the year 1529. The account of it is as follows

"I could not keep from letting my brothers know what is taking place here in Germany, even as it is known to many how the world rages and storms against the true believers, and how she robs the servants of God of life and property. For God, graciously looking down upon the children of men, gave them, in the midst of their blindness, His brightly shining Word for a light, so that believing it, we should avoid all sin and shame. Many recognized this Word as the truth, accepted it with the mouth, and were called Christians, but still continued in their sinful life, supposing that the bare name was enough, if only the appearance existed. Afterwards the Lord so ordered it that His Word did work effectually in some, so that, in the language of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 55, verse 11), it accomplished that for which God sent it, and did not return to Him empty, but guided many into the right way. And thus those who sought to live faithfully were hated, and despised as anabaptists by the rest, just as though they had fallen away from God and turned to Belial; while they earnestly sought and desired nothing else than to keep God's commandments with His help, according to all their ability (First Corinthians 7, verse 19); and yet they were reproachfully branded as anabaptists, they who sincerely forgave everyone, helped their neighbors by lending to them without usury, and prayed for their persecutors and enemies (Matthew 5, verse 44), as was seen at the hour of their death, and who thus attested their faith with the deed, as was publicly witnessed, in the year 1529, in the town of Gmuend, where the enemy used many schemes with some of them, to terrify them, without succeeding however. There they had arrested a lad only fourteen years old, whom they put into the tower, where he lay very severely confined almost a year, suffering many an assault, but always remaining immovable, however often they came to him, to induce him to forsake his faith. With him six other brothers, pious men, were arrested and imprisoned in the tower for life. There they praised God together (Acts 16, verse 25), and comforted one another; and God helped them with His grace, so that they faithfully held to the faith, and did not allow themselves to be moved either by threats or terrors. When the time of their departure from this world drew near, their death sentence was read to them, and it was added that if they would give up their faith, they need have no fear, but might return home to their wives and children. The prisoners turned to their enemies, and replied: " We have committed our wives and children to God, who is well able to preserve them; therefore stop these words; for we are willing and ready to die. " A ring was then drawn on the spot, as is customarily done at executions, with the sword. As this lad stood in the ring, to be beheaded, a count rode up to him into the ring, and addressed him in this way: " My dear child, give up this error, and I will give you a prebend, and always keep you with me. [n603-1] " The youth replied: " Should I love my life (John 12, verse 25), and therefore forsake my God, and thus seek to escape the cross? This I must certainly not do; your wealth can be of no help to either of us, but I expect a better one in heaven. " Thus the youth fearlessly replied, adding, " in the kingdom of my Father, who has chosen me, and who can order and equalize all things as is best. Therefore stop these entreaties; to Him who has always fed and sustained me, I desire to show obedience also in this my last distress. To Him we must call from the bottom of our heart, when the hour is at hand, that we may depart with good cheer out of this world. If we do not depart from Him, He will give us the everlasting, glorious crown."

At this a great tumult arose among the people, with spears and other weapons, and each spoke of the matter as he understood it. And thus they died through the sword, as pious heroes, and became a sacrifice to the Lord, as faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ, in the year 1529. [n603-2]

While these seven brothers were still in prison, they together, each giving his own mind, wrote and practiced the following, and sent it to their brothers.

The first made the following prayer: "Out of the depths of my soul I cry to You, O God; hear my cry. Send Your Holy Spirit, even as You, Christ, have until now not withdrawn, but graciously imparted Him to me. We rely on what You have commanded us; but the heathen seek to kill us." Psalm 130, verse 1.

The second prayed: "The flesh is weak, O Lord; You well know that it fears the least pain; therefore, fill us with Your Holy Spirit, which we ask of You from the bottom of our hearts; so that we may continue steadfast to the end, and cheerfully and bravely enter upon the suffering which now awaits us, and that we may fear no agony or pain." Matthew 26, verse 41; Matthew 10, verse 22.

The third prayed: "The spirit is willing and ready to desire the suffering. O Lord, hear our prayers, through Jesus Christ Your Son. We also pray for our enemies, who, alas! are so ignorant that they do not know what they are doing, and take no thought of Your wrath." John 15, verse 16; Matthew 5, verse 44; Luke 23, verse 34.

The fourth prayed: "We beg You, O Father, and dear Lord, through Christ Your Son, increase Your little flock. Kindle in them and also in us Your divine life, and our hearts will rejoice; for our hearts hunger and thirst after this." Matthew 6, verse 9; Luke 12, verse 32; Second Corinthians 3, verse 18; Matthew 5, verse 6.

The fifth prayed: "O God, You have received us in grace, and made us Your ministers. Through Your divine help we have also willingly fulfilled Your ministry in our weakness. Keep us still further firm in Your Word; we desire to obey You from now on as well; come to our aid, and be our Comforter." First Corinthians 1, verse 4.

The sixth prayed: "You, Lord God, are my Protector; we will cling to You, and then pain will not seem severe to us; though they take our life from us, You have prepared it for us forever in heaven, and though here we suffer reproach and pain, it shall not be in vain."

The seventh said: "The body, life, soul, and all members we have received from You, O God; these we will now offer up to You, to the praise of Your holy name. It is only dust and ashes. We commend our spirits into Your hands. Amen." Romans 12, verse 1; Genesis 1, verse 7; Luke 23, verse 46.