This is What Hendrick Alewijns Delivered to the Lords at the Rack

Most worthy officers, justiciaries, and all my lords, who in the name and by the authority of the king are to be my judges and examiners, and who are present here: give a hearing to me, the condemned Hendrick Alewijns, now ready here for the torture by your sentence. See, I find myself inwardly constrained, and urged without ceasing, not to fail to point out and make known to you all the outrages you have committed on me and on those like me, who are innocent of wicked crimes and have not deserved legal punishment.

In the first place, let it be clearly, sacredly and Scripturally shown, announced and declared to you that our matters, or mine, are not misdeeds or crimes, but a law of God, matters of faith and of the spirit; so they ought to and must be judged spiritually and with the spirit, for a natural man cannot understand them; they are foolishness to him. First Corinthians 2, verse 14. Consider this freely and thoroughly.

In the second place, a Christian must be charged with articles of faith, and with the Scriptures, without being notorious for rebellious deeds of the flesh, as I am not, God be praised for it, so that I am not under the punishment of justice, but entitled to protection and praise from that same justice. Romans 13, verse 3. Also, that the man of God who seeks in such simplicity the kingdom, honor and praise of God is not answerable to your justice in matters of doctrine and worship. On this you have doctrine and examples enough. But one must be subject to the authorities in good works. Titus 3, verse 1. Justiciary power is given by God only for the punishment of the wicked and the praise of the good, and for the protection of those who do well. The innocent and the righteous you shall not kill, says God. Exodus 23, verse 7.

In the third place, there is shown to you clearly, and with the testimony of the holy Scriptures, and this out of love and in the spirit of meekness, the great crime of the tyrants who in this matter of the innocent sin against God Himself, and in His people touch the apple of His eye, indeed, fight against God, and kick against His goads; likewise your certain woe, doom and course in the time to come, when our Lord and righteous Prince will sit in judgment, and take all your power away from you, as is written in Judith: "Woe to the nation that rises up against my kindred; for God will take vengeance on you in the day of judgment; He will put fire and worms in their flesh, so that they will be burned, and feel it forever." Judith 16, verse 17. They will have no resurrection to eternal life. Second Maccabees 7, verse 14. God will not spare them. Second Esdras 15, verse 25. They will groan, and be terrified and amazed at the appearing of the children of God, seeing their glory, and will say: "These are the ones whom we distressed and oppressed, and whom we deprived, as being mad, erring spirits, of honor, possessions and life." And further: "The wicked troubles the righteous; he draws out his sword, and bends his bow. But the Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming; He helps the poor and needy. He kills the righteous; but his sword will enter his own heart, and his bow be broken in pieces." Psalm 37, verse 12.

Christ Himself reproves, condemns and threatens all these bloodguilty ones, saying: "How can you escape the damnation of hell?" Matthew 23, verse 33.

So also Saint James reproves and laments most grievously, that they have condemned and killed the just, who did not resist them. James 5, verse 6. Not in vain is it written in Isaiah: "Woe to you spoilers! Do you think that you will not also be spoiled? And you despisers! Do you think that you will not also be despised? When you have made an end of spoiling and despising, you will also be spoiled and despised, says the Lord." Isaiah 33, verse 1. Therefore, my lords, let it have your hearty consideration; for it is not I who wrote it. Like Gamaliel (Acts 5, verse 35), let me, a weak man who is nevertheless a witness of the word and truth of God, give you a friendly warning. This vengeance of God was understood and experienced by the cruel king and mighty tyrant, and he felt that it is an evil thing to touch the people of God, because of the help of their God, whose vengeance no one can escape if any wrong is done to His people. Second Maccabees 1. This order he sent in great haste to all his governors: "Desist from this people." Holofernes would not understand or believe this instruction and warning of the wise Achior. Judith 5.

My lords, accept this kindness of mine in good part. I have not done it in order to be released from the sentence pronounced, which is not customary, and hardly in your power, and you still remain the friend of the world and of the king, which you are determined to remain at any rate. James 4, verse 4; John 19, verse 12. But I ask you nevertheless to deal mercifully with me, however, as far as is consistent with the proper course of the sentence you have imposed, and as you can answer for it at court. It is better that I suffer than you; for I know why I suffer. I suffer for a good conscience toward God, and this is acceptable with God; and I am a partaker of Christ's sufferings. First Peter 2, verse 19; and chapter 4, verse 13. I am tortured in order to make me speak contrary to the great commandment of love (Matthew 22, verse 38); but love does no evil; love endures all things, bears all things, and does not grow weary. First Corinthians 13, verse 7. O my lords, think whether it is not so. The wicked can appease you with lies, and say no when it is yes, and yes when it is no; but we can only suffer and speak the truth. Have compassion, then; yes, as you would want it done to you when my judge will come, when you will be greatly afraid, and stand in need of help. May God forgive you all the wrong done against me, as I forgive you, and as I would have it done to me in regard to all my sins. Amen.

O wise counsel of Gamaliel! Where are you heeded now? In this the children of God are made known, and the children of the devil: whoever does not do righteousness is not of God. First John 3, verse 10. "Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it." Matthew 7, verse 13.