Arent Jacobs, with his Wife and Eldest Son, in the Year 1539

Just as it was in the time of Esau and Jacob, that he who was born after the flesh persecuted him who was born after the Spirit (Genesis 27, verse 1; Galatians 4, verse 29), so it was also abundantly witnessed in this time; which, among others, appeared in the case of a God-fearing brother named Arent Jacobs, and his wife and eldest son. They lived in the Rijp, and being born again from above of God, and seeking the eternal inheritance which is reserved for such in heaven, they were hated and persecuted to death by the followers of Esau, who brought them as prisoners from the Rijp to Monickendam, in North Holland, where they had to suffer much for the truth. But since they were built upon Christ, and let no torments lead them away, they were sentenced at that place, in the year 1539, to suffer death by drowning, which was accordingly done. For this purpose heavy stones were used, which the executioner was not able to lift, so that the prisoners had to help him. So, like irrational beasts, they were cast into the water, with stones tied to their necks, and so departed this life. Thus they did not love their lives, but surrendered them to death for the witness of Jesus, who at His glorious coming will raise their rejected bodies from the dead, and crown them with immortality in heaven. Revelation 12, verse 11; Revelation 20, verse 4; Second Thessalonians 1, verse 7; Philippians 3, verse 21; Second Timothy 4, verse 8.