Teunis van Haustelraed, in the Year 1550

Since this Teunis van Haustelraed was a zealous man in the fear of God, and very diligent with the talent which the Lord had committed to him, to get gain for the Lord, to bring many to the knowledge of the truth, and to strengthen in it those who had received the truth; and since he thus most faithfully oversaw and served the church of Christ, he was finally arrested and imprisoned at Limmick, a city in the province of Juelick, where he had many a severe contest with many subtle and shrewd spirits, and had to suffer and endure many torments for his faith. The controversy was chiefly about infant baptism and the sacrament, in which he did not agree with the papists. And since he could not be overcome or moved by them, but held firmly to the truth, he was finally condemned to be burned. They led him out of the city into the open field, and there burned him to ashes, about the year 1550.

While he was still in prison, he remembered his brothers and sisters with a comforting admonition, which he sent to them from prison; it reads as follows:

"O God, grant that in my great suffering I may press toward You without ceasing, and not fear any pain or death. Indeed, dear Lord, I ask You, who are God over all things, that I may not be ensnared by whatever may and will yet come upon me, which I shall suffer with Christ, to salvation; for I know that the crown of life is prepared for those who persevere in this. Therefore, O you pious ones, do not despair, but earnestly turn to your Captain Christ, for He can win the field; and He shall come on the last day, in flaming fire, and hold a severe judgment over all the ungodly. He shall then say to the sheep on His right hand, 'Come, inherit the kingdom of my Father, prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' Matthew 25, verse 34. O all you Christians, cast from you all that burdens you, and stand with your loins girded, and watch for the Lord. Hebrews 12, verse 1; Luke 12, verse 35.

"If you are righteous, become still more righteous; for, believe me, you will need it all. O all you members of Christ together, I ask you, wake up now, so that you may not be sleeping when the Bridegroom comes; for then the wise will be admitted to salvation, but the foolish will be shut out into eternal damnation. Matthew 25, verse 10.

"The Lord, to whom the talent entrusted to you belonged, will come again, and strictly ask what each one has gained. He shall then commend the wise, saying, 'Enter into the joy of your Lord.' But the slothful will be reproved for his wickedness, and handed over to torment. Matthew 25, verse 26. O you lambs of the Lord, feed now, so that you may become ready, and may not be unprepared when you are to come to the wedding. Otherwise the king will say, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' Then the man, having no good answer, will be speechless. But the king will command him to be cast into everlasting darkness. Matthew 22, verse 13.

"Do not become buyers of lands, but rather sell, you who are invited, and give to the poor. Luke 14, verse 18; Matthew 19, verse 21. O dear brothers and sisters, have compassion on the poor, and comfort and help them. I have nearly fought the fight, and my course will soon be finished; God grant that I may keep the faith, and the crown of life will be prepared for me. Second Timothy 4, verse 8. O Lord, raise up faithful servants, and make them rulers over Your household, so that they may give them food in due season. Matthew 24, verse 45. Pious Christians, I give you this as a brotherly farewell, for your good. It was written with a faithful heart, and I hope to seal it with my blood."