# Dirk Willems, A. D. 1569. · Page 1 of 2

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DIRK WILLEMS SAVING HIS CAPTOR’S LIFE.

In the year 1569 a pious, faithful brother and follower
of Jesus Christ, named Dirk Willems, was apprehended
at Asperen, in Holland, and had to endure
severe tyranny from the papists. But as he
had founded his faith not upon the drifting sand of
human commandments, but upon the firm foundation
stone, Christ Jesus, he, notwithstanding all
evil winds of human doctrine, and heavy showers
of tyrannical and severe persecution, remained
immovable and steadfast unto the end; wherefore,
when the chief Shepherd shall appear in the clouds
of heaven and gather together his elect from all the
ends of the earth, he shall also through grace hear
the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant;
thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make
thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy
of thy Lord.” 1 Pet. 5:4; Matt. 24:31; 25:23.

711

Concerning his apprehension, it is stated by trustworthy
persons, that when he fled he was hotly
pursued by a thief-catcher, and as there had been
some frost, said Dirk Willems ran before over the
ice, getting across with considerable peril. The
thief-catcher following him broke through, when
Dirk Willems, perceiving that the former was in
danger of his life, quickly returned and aided him
in getting out, and thus saved his life. The thief-catcher
wanted to let him go, but the burgomaster,
very sternly called to him to consider his oath, and
thus he was again seized by the thief-catcher, and,
at said place, after severe imprisonment and great
trials proceeding from the deceitful papists, put to
death at a lingering fire by these bloodthirsty, ravening
wolves, enduring it with great steadfastness,
and confirming the genuine faith of the truth with
his death and blood, as an instructive example to all
pious Christians of this time, and to the everlasting
disgrace of the tyrannous papists.

Note.—In this connection, it is related as true
from the trustworthy memoirs of those who were
present at the death of this pious witness of Jesus
Christ, that the place where this offering occurred
was without Asperen, on the side of Leerdam, and
that, a strong east wind blowing that day, the
kindled fire was much driven away from the upper
part of his body, as he stood at the stake; in consequence
of which this good man suffered a lingering
death, insomuch that in the town of Leerdam,
towards which the wind was blowing, he was heard
to exclaim over seventy times: “O my Lord; my
God,” etc., for which cause the judge or bailiff, who
was present on horseback, filled with sorrow and
regret at the man’s sufferings, wheeled about his
horse, turning his back toward the place of execution,
and said to the executioner; “Dispatch the
man with a quick death.” But how or in what
manner the executioner then dealt with this pious
witness of Jesus, I have not been able to learn, except
only, that his life was consumed by the fire,
and that he passed through the conflict with great
steadfastness, having commended his soul into the
hands of God.

As we have come into possession of the sentence
which these rulers of darkness passed upon this
friend of God, we have deemed it well, to add it
here for the benefit of the readers, in order that
reading the same, they may be able to perceive the
truth of this matter.

Copy.—Whereas, Dirk Willems, born at Asperen,
at present a prisoner, has, without torture and
iron bonds (or otherwise) before the bailiff and us
judges, confessed, that at the age of fifteen, eighteen
or twenty years, he was rebaptized in Rotterdam,
at the house of one Pieter Willems, and that he,
further, in Asperen, at his house, at divers hours,
harbored and admitted secret conventicles and prohibited
doctrines, and that he also has permitted
several persons to be rebaptized in his aforesaid
house; all of which is contrary to our holy Christian
faith, and to the decrees of His Royal Majesty, and
ought not to be tolerated, but severely punished,
for an example to others; therefore, we the aforesaid
judges, having, with mature deliberation of
council, examined and considered all that was to be
considered in this matter, have condemned and do
condemn by these presents in the name, and in the
behalf, of His Royal Majesty, as Count of Holland,
the aforesaid Dirk Willems, prisoner, persisting obstinately
in his opinion, that he shall be executed
with fire, until death ensues; and declare all his
property confiscated, for the benefit of His Royal
Majesty. So done this 16th of May, in presence
of the Judges, Cornelis Goverts, Jan van Stege Jans,
Adriaen Gerritts, Adriaen Jans, Lucas Rutgers, Jan
Jans, and Jan Roelofs, A. D. 1569.

![Illustration from Martyrs’ Mirror](/sources/martyrs-mirror/images/i1437.jpg)

## Original source

[Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#i1437)

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

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