Claes Lecks, in the Year 1548

Claes Lecks, a native of Ostende, was summoned to the town house in the year 1548, because of certain reports that were going around about him. When he arrived there, he was examined about his faith, and, making a good confession, he was put in prison. [n683-1] He was a man of very good reputation, because of the many alms he gave to the poor. When he was examined, he renounced the papistic, Roman church, and also infant baptism, which he refuted with the holy Scriptures. Then, since he steadfastly held to his faith in God, he was sentenced to be strangled and burned. As he was being led out to death, the priest held out the crucifix to him to kiss it, which he refused to do. The priest also said to the people:

"Pray for this deceiver; for he is going from this fire into the eternal fire." To this he simply replied:

"This is what you say, but I have a better assurance." So he offered up his sacrifice as a true child of God.