Martin the Painter; Wolfgang Eslinger, Pain, Melchior, and Three Others, in the Year 1531

In this year, Martin the painter, a minister of the Word of God, and six others from the Swabian church, were apprehended for the faith and the divine truth. After long proceedings, they were promised that if they would renounce, they might go home undisturbed to their wives and children. But they answered frankly: "No," but that they would willingly die, and not renounce. Afterwards, having been imprisoned almost a year, all seven were sentenced to death. They were led under the town hall, and several articles of their doctrine were read to them. When the first article was read, Brother Wolfgang Eslinger said: "As you judge today, so God will judge you when you come before His face; God will know you well." Matthew 7, verse 23.

When the third article was read, Brother Pain said: "You stain your hands with our blood (Jeremiah 7, verse 6); God will certainly not forgive you for it, but will require it at your hands."

When the fourth article was read, Brother Melchior said: "Today we will testify with our blood that what we stand in is the truth."

When the fifth article was read, Brother Wolfgang Eslinger said: "Forsake your sins and unrighteousness, and repent, and God will never remember it against you." Jeremiah 26, verse 13. All seven were then led under a guard to the place of execution. There Brother Martin and all the others commended themselves to God their Lord, praying that He would grant them a happy end, and care for His sheep. When they were brought to the field, the miller's servant, who was about sixteen years old, said to the people present that they should forsake their sins and turn to God, since there was no other way to heaven than through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the cross and redeemed us. Psalm 34, verse 14; Isaiah 45, verse 24; John 14, verse 6; Matthew 27, verse 50. When they were brought into the ring, a nobleman rode up to that servant, admonished and urged him, saying: "My son, give up your error, and renounce it. Why do you allow yourself to be persuaded in this way? Spare your young life. I will take you home with me, and always keep you; you will enjoy good things with me all your life, if you obey me." But the servant said: "God forbid that this should ever happen; if I should keep this temporal life (John 12, verse 25), and lose the eternal, I would act foolishly. I will not do it; your wealth can help neither you nor me; I expect one that is far better, if I persevere to the end. Matthew 10, verse 22. I will surrender my spirit to God, and commend it to Christ (Luke 23, verse 46), so that His bitter suffering, which He endured on the cross, may not be in vain in my case." This servant was inspired by God in his purpose; for though he was younger in years than his brothers, they were nevertheless, as far as the purpose is concerned, of like age. Thus all seven valiantly and joyfully confessed God and His truth, even to death and the shedding of their blood. The above-mentioned Martin, when he was led out over the bridge, said:

"This one time yet the pious are led over this bridge, but never again after this." This came true; for a short time afterwards such a violent storm and flood came that the bridge was demolished and carried away.