# Conrad Koch, A. D. 1565. · Page 1 of 2

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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 commenced to shine. Hence he
sought, by the divine help, to leave the darkness,
and to walk in this brightly shining light; he forsook
popery and the worldly and ungodly life, and
betook himself to the church of the Lord, heard and
laid to heart the word of the Lord, believed the Gospel,
and was baptized, according to the command
of Christ, upon faith in Christ Jesus, and confession
of his sins, and accordingly, conducted himself in a
brotherly and Christian manner in the church, and,
in weakness, showed himself edifying and honorable
toward all men. But as he that 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 apprehended him; he was
ready, and as a lamb, willingly went with them to
Loewenburg, one of the seven castles which, on account
of their high situation, can be seen from a
great distance. There they brought Conrad into the
tower, and placed him in severe confinement, in
which he remained nearly half a year; however, he
was greatly comforted by the Lord, though he had
to suffer much hunger.

The intendant ofttimes browbeat him and threatened
him most severely, that his life should be taken
660
if he should refuse to renounce his faith. They tried
him very hard with entreaties and solicitations, 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 intimidate 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 malefactor who
went with him. His departure took place in great
secrecy; and thus he came to Houf, which is some
distance from Loewenburg. But even as Christ was
crucified, and Barabbas released, so it was also here.
Conrad was taken to the town-hall of Houf, where
it was proposed to him, that if he should renounce
his faith, his young life should be spared, and his
liberty be given him.

Manifold wiles were employed against him with
great deceitfulness. 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 thenceforth.” One of these
hypocrites said to Conrad: “My dear Conrad,
though we be false, subtle and evil, it cannot harm
your soul; do you only fear God and keep peace
with all men; 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 exemplified in old Eleazar,
who would rather surrender his life than dissemble.
2 Macc. 6:24. Therefore I also hope to die
before I go into your congregation.” Conrad
further said: “Christ is the head of the church; he
that would please him must show himself a member
of his body; now, one must not sever himself 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 suffer
myself to be instructed by the church of the Lord.”
“O God,” said Conrad, “to thee I bring my complaint;
O God, what calamity this, that they put to
death those who speak the truth! They can certainly
not allege that I have committed anything
criminal, and yet they malignantly 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 thus sentenced twice, they
took him out [to the place of execution]. When he
arrived there, he began to sing: “O God, how
gently thou dost chasten me. Reach me thy gracious
hand, that my flesh may now shun all sin,
vice and shame, that I may rend the old garment,
and have eternal joy with thee. Christ, I praise
thee, O my supreme God, that I have lived to see
this day and hour, that I may now testify to thy
name with my blood. My dear brethren and sisters,
I commend you all to the Lord. Keep the Gospel
of Christ firmly fixed in your hearts; this I leave you
for an admonition: fear God, and be valiant; be my
followers, even as I am willing to follow Christ the
Lord, and to deliver up my life.” And thus 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 secrecy, 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.



## Original source

[Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#Page_660)

[Edition details](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65855)

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