Hans Wucherer, and Hans Bartel, in the Year 1537

In this same year, 1537, Brother Hans Wucherer was arrested in Bavaria, and with him another brother, named Hans Bartel, a weaver. They were taken to Mermes, where they were held for sixteen days, and were twice examined by Caiphas and the priests, and twice through the torture. They were asked what they believed concerning the sacrament. They spoke mightily against it, that it was an abomination and an idol before the Lord, and that it was not to be believed that they could give the body of Christ, with flesh and blood, just as He hung on the cross, to eat so many hundred thousand times. But they said that the Supper was a memorial of His suffering, death and the shedding of His blood, by which He redeemed us. Matthew 26, verse 25; Luke 22, verse 19. To commemorate this, and to search their hearts, is the purpose for which believers, who are members of His body, or His church, are to observe it, with sincere thanksgiving to Him. They then asked them about infant baptism, and what they held concerning their priests and churches. They spoke against all these according to the truth. They then questioned them about their views regarding their matrimony, and the Ten Commandments. To this they also gave their reply. They were then brought bound to Bruckenhausen, where each was separately put in chains in prison. Six times they were brought out and examined, to induce them to recant; and if they would do this, mercy would be shown them. But they would in no way exchange the divine grace for the favor of the world, since they felt assured that they were in the true faith and in the truth of God.

The seventh time the priests came to them in the prison; but they held constantly to God. They also tortured them greatly, racking Hans severely, and Brother Bartel twice, without, however, prevailing upon them.

The eighth time the judge came to them, together with three others. After mistreating them terribly, he sentenced them to be burned; but they hoped in the Lord to remain faithful and steadfast to the end, in the divine truth, through the unspeakable riches and power of God. They were then burned for the faith, valiantly testified to the truth, and obtained the crown of the martyrs of Christ.