Gotthard of Nonenberg and Peter Kramer, in the Year 1558

Gotthard of Nonenberg and Peter Kramer were both faithful men, who walked to edification among the brothers in the duchy of Berg, where the truth of the Gospel began to shine again at that time, and very many came to the faith and knowledge of the truth. So these two men were called and chosen ministers of the church and providers for the poor [deacons], an office they took up and faithfully filled for a time. And as they sought to live godly in Christ Jesus, the result was that they had to suffer persecution, as also appeared, for both were arrested in one night and brought to Winnick. There the steward took them, to vent his arrogance upon them, and to treat them with contempt. But they firmly resolved in their hearts to hold to the truth.

They lay there in prison a long time, and had to endure many temptations and conflicts meant to make them forsake the truth; in that case they would be free to return to their wives and children, and their lives would be spared. But the love which they had for their Lord would not let them abandon the truth and turn to the doctrines of men. They much rather forsook their wives and children, and their temporal possessions, indeed, finally even their lives, flesh and blood, which they would rather give up as spoil, so that they might enjoy the crown, and that their names might be found in the book of life. When the time for their trial had come, they were brought before the learned, who used many subtle stratagems against them. But these men, with the divine help, turned back all their subtle and insidious wiles undauntedly and fearlessly, and sought no other counsel or way; but as Christ had gone before, so they strove to bear His cross after Him. At this they were sentenced to be executed with the sword.

When they were brought out of prison, to be taken to the place of execution, these men were and remained firm and immovable as a wall, determined to hold to the truth, and not to separate from the faith. When all saw their boldness, and perceived that they were upright, pious persons, and had to die simply because of their faith, nearly everyone wept: the steward, the judges, the deputy, and the executioner, as well as the common people. But the hearts of these people were full of gladness, and they sang joyfully with a cheerful mind. Again they were approached with various wiles, the comfort of life being held out to them, in order to bring them into despondency. This continued a long time, until two o'clock in the afternoon; so long did the steward delay the matter, thinking to frighten them, in hopes that they would turn. For this reason he made strenuous efforts to bring them over to his views, so as to get them to go to church and hear the doctrine of the priests. But when the steward did not succeed in bringing them over to his views, he called the executioner, into whose hands the prisoners were delivered. The executioner acted with reluctance, and received them with tears; for his heart failed him. But Gotthard said to him: "How I have longed for this day; why do you delay so long?" When the executioner began to bind them, he said to them: "Dear men, do not be afraid; for Christ also was bound innocently." When the steward heard these words he said to the executioner: "You must not speak in this way." Then Peter said, "We will hold firmly to the covenant of the Lord, which we trust we shall not break." Then Gotthard began to speak, and said: "Here we must suffer tribulation. He who would be crowned hereafter must fight valiantly now. As the bridegroom went before, so the bride must enter into joy through much suffering and tribulation. This we are taught by the words of Christ. The fact that the Lord was executed between two murderers lightens the cross and the affliction; so we fear neither slaying nor killing. For if they have done this in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry? Luke 23, verse 31. The servants of God must drink the sour wine now, here upon earth; but when we come to Christ, we shall drink new and sweet wine with Him. Matthew 26, verse 29. We must first bear affliction." With this they stretched out their hands, and willingly let themselves be bound, which astonished many. Indeed, the common people were amazed, and said: "What a marvelous thing we see here! These men are so willing to go to death, when they could easily obtain their liberty." Gotthard said: "We do not die, but pass through death into life eternal, to God and to all His dear children; of this we have a sure hope; so accept this death with joy, and trust that we shall please God." When the time had come for them to die, they rose to their feet, called upon God in heaven, and, as brothers in Christ, and as a token of brotherly love and unity, kissed each other with the sweet kiss of peace, as those who were united with God; and so they were beheaded standing. But since they were executed unjustly, the executioner said, with great fear and trepidation, that he would never execute such men again.

After their heads had been severed from their bodies, the common people began to go home; but the steward called out to them, saying: "Do not be in such a hurry, but first help bury these pious men; they did not die for any crime; they are neither thieves nor murderers; they were pious in life and conduct; they embraced a faith which the lords and princes could not understand, and so they had to suffer." So these pious witnesses of God were buried, and the seed of their blood did not remain without fruit in that place. To God be all the glory. Amen. This happened about the year 1558.