Lauwerens Verkamer, in the Year 1569

In the year 1569 a pious follower of Christ named Lauwerens Verkamer was arrested in 's Hertogenbosch, in Brabant, for the single reason that he could not follow the Romish priests and monks in their self-invented idolatry, but separated from it and joined the true members of our Lord Jesus, seeking to keep and practice His holy commandments with them in true obedience. For this reason he was persecuted in a very hostile manner by the papistical and anti-Christ-minded, so that at the beginning of January he left Antwerp with many others, intending to take up residence at Nimeguen. But though the rest went to Holland, he, while on the journey to Nimeguen, was arrested by the sheriff of 's Hertogenbosch and brought there a prisoner on the 5th of January, and suffered a very harsh and tyrannical imprisonment. None of his good friends were allowed to visit him, nor could he tell anyone by letter of his distress and his harsh imprisonment. So unmercifully and maliciously was he kept. For since he was a man of distinguished family and large means, and had with him many books of his worldly affairs, these bloodthirsty men could find out his circumstances, which made his situation worse. But his firm, unwavering steadfastness in the true saving faith was shown in him; for in the year 1569, about the end of June, he was burned by the enemies of the truth, in great constancy, and sealed the faith of the eternal truth with his death and blood, and put off this mortal clothing of the flesh in true obedience. For this, on the last day, he will be clothed by the true Bridegroom Christ Jesus with the immortal clothing, and rewarded with the crown of eternal glory. Second Esdras 2, verse 45; First Corinthians 15, verse 58; Second Timothy 4, verse 8.