Wouter van Capelle, in the Year 1553

In the year 1553, a God-fearing brother named Wouter Capelle was arrested at Diexmuyde, in Flanders, for living according to and following the Word of God, and at that place he confessed and sealed the faith of the truth with his death and blood; as an instructive example, worthy of imitation, to all true believers, to look at his end, and to follow their faith, especially the Captain of the faith, Christ Jesus, blessed forever. And since this witness of God suffered for the truth and testimony of the Word of God, and not for any crime, he obtained, through the grace of God, the crown of eternal life, which God has promised to all who are put to death by men for the Word of God: that they shall be raised up in great glory at the last day.

TIJS, A YOUNG MAN, AND BEERENTGE, A YOUNG MAIDEN, IN THE YEAR 1553

In the year 1553, a bachelor named Tijs, and a maiden by the name of Beerentge, were drowned at Leeuwaerden, in Friesland, for the testimony of Jesus. They were two zealous followers of Christ, and for this reason they greatly desired to meet at some time, so that they might rejoice with each other in the Word of God. But this could not easily be, since Tijs was lame, and Beerentge was constantly confined to her bed. But at last God allowed them to come together; for the persecutors went out to arrest the people of God, who, perceiving this, escaped their hands for that time. However, the persecutors were not willing to return empty-handed, and so they took with them the two invalid persons named above, and brought them as prisoners to Leeuwaerden, where they were confined together for some time, during which they rejoiced very greatly with each other in the Lord their Creator, so that love, which is stronger than death and firmer than hell, shone out most fervently. Song of Songs 8, verse 6. Sentence of death was therefore then passed on them, namely, that both should be drowned. Tijs took this greatly amiss; it grieved him much, and he said: "Cats and dogs are drowned." So they sought to have the sentence changed, and asked to be executed at the place of execution, so that they might receive the crown with their beloved brothers and sisters, and that the people present might hear and see for what cause they died. But this was refused them, and the carrying out of the sentence went forward. About midnight (ashamed, as it were, to put such infirm persons to death) they put both together into a bag, with their mouths gagged, threw them into a boat, and had them cast into the moat outside the wall; and, having been tied to the boat, the two were dragged along the moat until death followed. So they rid themselves of these pious lights and witnesses of Christ, whom their eyes could not bear to look upon. Wisdom 2, verse 15. But the righteous God, who goes with His people through water and fire (Isaiah 53, verse 2), will avenge this deed in due time, and give these worthy children of God rest and peace with Him forever; and this murder, which was committed in the dark, will be justly avenged in His great day, when every secret shall be brought into the light of open day. [n746-2]

Concerning this, see the hymn in the History Liedtboeck.