Peter Koster, in the Year 1535

In the year 1535 there was a pious brother named Peter Koster, who had been sexton of the church at Sardam, in North Holland. But when he came to the knowledge of the truth, he was ordained a teacher of the church, and because of the persecution he went to live at Amsterdam, where he was arrested by the bailiff, reported by a woman living in his neighborhood who through misdirected zeal revealed the place where he had hidden himself. And as this took place at a time when some wicked rebellions and conspiracies were happening in the world, this friend of God was suspected of this matter; but it appeared from his own writings, as well as in his confession, that he was innocent, and various credible witnesses testify that he had always sincerely opposed these things. Nevertheless, since he had been baptized upon faith, according to the command and ordinance of Christ, and had moreover been a teacher, he was sentenced to death and executed with the sword at Amsterdam, and is now awaiting, with all the pious, the reward which Christ has promised, saying: "Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven." Matthew 5, verses 11 and 12.