Joris and Joachim, in the Year 1560

In the year 1560 two pious Christians named Joris and Joachim were brought before the court at Antwerp. As they stood as sheep for the slaughter before the lords, the bailiff asked Joris whether he had been rebaptized. He replied: "I am baptized according to the doctrine of Christ, as He commanded His apostles, saying, 'Go and preach to all nations. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.' Matthew 28, verse 19; Mark 16, verse 16. So they must first be taught and believe, and then be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost."

The bailiff also asked Joachim whether he had been baptized. He replied: "I hold to one baptism, one faith, one Lord, and God." Ephesians 4, verses 5 and 6.

Then the lords sentenced them according to the king's mandate; and Joachim, hearing his sentence, said: "My lords, we thank you for your trouble with us; but may God forgive you the blindness of your heart, and grant that you may become enlightened."

As they were coming out of the court, they said: "We are not ashamed of the Gospel" (Romans 1, verse 16); and as they walked in the street, they sang

"O Lord, forever in my thought You are;

My soul longs to be close to Your heart."

Psalm 143, verse 8.

Then Joachim said: "Do not fear those who kill the body; for afterward, when they mourn, we will rejoice." Luke 6, verse 23.

So they, as giants in the faith, pressed through the strait gate to the new Jerusalem. After they had come to the place where they were to offer up their burnt sacrifice, they gave each other the kiss of peace. Standing at the stake, Joachim said: "O Father, forgive those who inflict this suffering upon us; but we thank You that You have made us worthy to suffer for Your name; therefore, O Lord, assist us, and come to our aid with Your help in this last extremity." Joris said: "Lord, You know that I have sought You and my salvation; and for this reason I must now die. Therefore, O Lord, receive me graciously." He further said: "Citizens of Antwerp, do not fear; though we die for the truth, Christ our Lord went before us, and we must follow Him." They then began to sing this farewell hymn: "Farewell, brothers and sisters all," and so on. Then they commended their spirits into the hands of God, and ended their lives in the fire. They now lie under the altar, and wait to be clothed with white linen garments, and to shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of the Father, where they will be served with new wine and heavenly bread. Revelation 6, verse 9; Revelation 19, verse 8; Matthew 13, verse 43; Matthew 26, verse 28; Revelation 2, verse 17.