Conrad Koch, in the Year 1565

This Conrad Koch was kindled with the light of the knowledge of God, when this light, in these latter days, began to rise again, along the River Rhine as well as in the country of Berg, and the truth of the holy Gospel began to shine. So he sought, by God's help, to leave the darkness and to walk in this brightly shining light. He forsook popery and the worldly and ungodly life, and went over to the church of the Lord; he heard the Word of the Lord and took it to heart, believed the Gospel, and was baptized, according to the command of Christ, upon faith in Christ Jesus and confession of his sins. Accordingly he conducted himself in a brotherly and Christian manner in the church, and, in weakness, showed himself edifying and honorable toward all people. But since he who walks in darkness cannot bear or endure the light, and the envy of the adversary works in his followers, this man was envied by the papists, and accused to the intendant of the revenue, who was judge and ruler of the country in the name of the prince of Juelich. Thereupon the intendant sent his servants to Houf, where Conrad lived, and they arrested him. He was ready, and like a lamb he willingly went with them to Loewenburg, one of the seven castles which, because they stand so high, can be seen from a great distance. There they brought Conrad into the tower and put him in severe confinement, where he remained nearly half a year. However, he was greatly comforted by the Lord, though he had to suffer much hunger.

The intendant often browbeat him and threatened him most severely, saying that his life would be taken if he refused to renounce his faith. They tried him very hard with pleadings and appeals, then with hunger, and also with threats to put him to death; but he remained immovable. His heart was of good cheer.

Now when he had boldly confessed his faith, and no tortures could frighten him, and the time drew near that he was to die for the truth and depart from this world, the door of his prison was opened, and he went of his own accord, free and unfettered, from the tower of Loewenburg to the village of Houf. His guide was Barabbas, that is, a criminal who went with him. His departure took place in great secrecy, and so he came to Houf, which is some distance from Loewenburg. But just as Christ was crucified and Barabbas released, so it was here also. Conrad was taken to the town hall of Houf, where it was put to him that if he would renounce his faith, his young life would be spared, and his liberty given him.

Many tricks were used against him with great deceit. The sophists sang things sweet and sour, saying: "Go to church at least once a year, and if they do not preach the pure and clear truth, stay away from it after that." One of these hypocrites said to Conrad: "My dear Conrad, though we are false, crafty and evil, it cannot harm your soul; only fear God and keep peace with all people; what is it to you if our faith is little." Conrad replied to the magistrates: "O you ministers of God, you must know that God wants no hypocrites. This was seen as an example in old Eleazar, who would rather give up his life than pretend. Second Maccabees 6, verse 24. Therefore I also hope to die before I go into your congregation." Conrad said further: "Christ is the Head of the church; whoever would please Him must show himself a member of His body; now, one must not cut himself off from Christ the Captain. With this Head I want to remain, though it cost my flesh and blood." They asked Conrad what he thought of infant baptism. He said: "Of this I can only think that it is also one of the pope's greatest abominations; however, if you can prove it by the Word of God, I will let myself be instructed by the church of the Lord." "O God," said Conrad, "to You I bring my complaint; O God, what a calamity this is, that they put to death those who speak the truth! They certainly cannot claim that I have done anything criminal, and yet they spitefully seek to kill me. O Lord, forgive them." The mandate of the prince of Juelich was then read to him, whereupon the judges passed sentence, upon which the intendant broke the staff. The sentence was that Conrad should suffer death if he did not recant. And when he had been sentenced in this way twice, they took him out [to the place of execution]. When he arrived there, he began to sing: "O God, how gently You chasten me. Reach me Your gracious hand, that my flesh may now shun all sin, vice and shame, that I may tear off the old garment, and have eternal joy with You. Christ, I praise You, O my supreme God, that I have lived to see this day and hour, that I may now testify to Your name with my blood. My dear brothers and sisters, I commend you all to the Lord. Keep the Gospel of Christ firmly fixed in your hearts; this I leave you as an admonition: fear God, and be valiant; be my followers, even as I am willing to follow Christ the Lord, and to give up my life." And so they put this pious man to death with the sword secretly, so that many did not hear of it. When thieves and murderers are condemned there, it is customary to let the whole land know it; but the pious are murdered in secret, which is a shame for the judges. Thus Conrad was beheaded with the sword standing, and proved himself a faithful witness of the sufferings of Christ, at Houf, in the land of Berg, which belongs to the prince of Juelich and Cleves.

In the year 1565, under the same intendant, who was a very bloodthirsty man, seven other persons, four brothers and three sisters, had also been arrested previously. These four brothers were likewise sentenced to be put to death if they refused to renounce their faith. But the Lord protected them, and delivered them all out of prison unharmed in their faith, for this bloodthirsty tyrant was struck by God with sudden death, so that the prisoners were set free from prison, keeping their faith, and holding to the truth.