Francis of Bolsweert, in the Year 1545

At Bolsweert, in Friesland, there was a true lamb of Christ named Francis, who lived uprightly in the fear of God. Job 1, verse 1. He was therefore arrested and taken in a sleigh to Leeuwaerden, where he was asked before the council why he would not swear, nor observe the Supper with them in the church. He answered: "My lords, Christ teaches us that we must not swear at all; and because you people are unbelieving and unclean, I will not keep fellowship with you." At these words the lords were offended, and said: "We are neither thieves nor murderers; what uncleanness, then, do we have? But it seems to us that you hold a false doctrine, and there are still more heretics of that kind, all of whom we intend to wipe out completely." Francis said: "My lords, do not be angry; but you high priests, show me the false doctrine which I hold, and show it from the Bible, for I have brought one with me; come and instruct me from it."

The lords then took counsel with the priests of Jezebel, and said: "He has despised our mass; he condemns our customs, and we have a strict mandate, which we must obey, and according to it he must die." So he was sentenced to be burned to ashes on the eve of Palm Sunday, in the year 1545. For this sentence he fearlessly thanked the lords, and said: "I will forgive you all of this from my heart, wishing that the Spirit of God would enlighten you to reformation, so that you may repent and live according to the Word of God; I now go to the holy city, and to the inheritance of my Father." He was then led to death, as a sheep to the slaughter. Many who saw it wept; but he said: "Do not weep, but prepare yourselves to die to your sins, for this is the true way to enter into life." He also spoke many other comforting words.

After he had prayed openly: "Lord God, receive my soul and guide it into Your peace," the executioner began his work. Having stripped him of his clothes and fastened him to the stake, he was about to strangle him with a rope, when the rope broke and he fell down. This frightened the executioner, and he tried to burn him to ashes quickly with much peat and wood; but God showed His miraculous power, so that the fire lost its natural force, and the body could not be burned entirely; because of this the lords became angry at the executioner, and said that he had not brought enough wood; but it was the will of God that he should be received in this way into the number of the martyrs.