# Douwe Eeuwouts, A. D. 1571.

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They who seek truly to follow the words and
commandments of God often have to suffer great
contempt and persecution from the learned of this
world, as was well seen at Leeuwaerden, in Friesland
in the case of a brother named Douwe Eeuwouts,
who on the 3d of January of the year 1571,
for the name of Christ, had to leave five little children
alone in the house, and suffer himself to be
imprisoned in a dark dungeon, where he had to remain
851
confined with criminals for a long time, which
he, though longing to be offered up, patiently suffered.
Afterwards he was examined by the bishop
and others, who greatly tormented him, in order to
cause him to recant, but all in vain. They asked
him concerning his faith, which he freely confessed.
They also greatly praised up to him the Pope’s
trumpery; but he said, he would keep to the commandments
of God, and let go the commandments
of men. He also proved, that their hours, mass,
confirmation, anointing, exorcising, and other things,
were not in accordance with the word of God; and
he further besought them, that, now that he had
confessed his faith, they should not torment him any
more, but cut short his sufferings and troubles; for
he was ready to give up his life for the truth, knowing
that he might then expect the crown of life.
Finally the bishop condemned him as a heretic, and
delivered him to the secular judges, that they should
deal with him according to the king’s decree, for
these so-called Christians, like the Pharisees, can
put no one to death. But in consequence of the
bishop’s delivering him, Douwe Eeuwouts, after
long imprisonment, was sentenced to death on the
12th of October, A. D. 1571, to be drowned the following
night. When he heard this sentence, he
showed himself valiant as a giant in the faith, not
terrified by impending death, but greatly longing
for the new Jerusalem; and sat in the room with his
head uncovered, thanking, praising, and praying to
his heavenly Father, till the hour of his departure
had come. They then took him, and tied him in a
bag, when he began to sing: “I poor lamb on the
heath.” Many that were there praised his boldness,
that he went to death so voluntarily and joyfully.

Thus he most joyfully departed this temporal sorrow,
and ended his life in the water, and now rests
under the altar, and there waits for the eternal joy
which is promised to all of God’s dear children.



## Original source

[Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#Page_851)

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

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