Julius Klampherer, in the Year 1561

In the year 1561, Brother Julius Klampherer, from Italy, was imprisoned at Venice for his faith and the divine truth. Again and again they arraigned him, examined him, and argued with him, to make him apostatize; but he always defended himself wisely. He was allowed to put in writing what he discussed about his faith with the papist commissioners appointed for this purpose, and so to defend himself and give an account of his faith in his own handwriting. When he had done this, and steadfastly held to it, they finally sentenced him to be thrown into the depths of the sea; to which he answered and said: "This is nothing strange to me, for I was told at the beginning of my conversion that I must expect to die for the testimony of the truth; but it does seem strange to me that the lords of Venice agree to such a purpose, and do not consider or weigh that at the last day they will have to give an account before God for innocent blood."

Then they replied to him that they were not asking him about this. And since they did not like what he said, they did not allow him to say anything further, but hurriedly sent him back to prison.

And being resolved to carry out the sentence they had pronounced, and to proceed with it, they, according to their custom, since he had been a priest, desecrated him; and then, in the dusk of an evening, under the pretense of leading him before the lord, took him out, unexpectedly threw him into the depths of the sea, and drowned him. But he had expected nothing else; so he was joyful, and constantly sang and praised God with a glad and valiant heart, until he received the crown of the pious martyrs and faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ. And though they drowned him secretly by night, it will still be revealed at the great day of the Lord, and severely avenged.