FEANCHOYS VAN ELSTLANDT, A. D. 1561.

A brother, Franchoys van Elstlandt, also called France van Meenene, a mason by trade, went from Meenene to Arien in French Flanders, to work at his trade there, and thus earn his living. There, on St. Denis’ day, the ninth of October 1561, just as he was leading a horse to water for the master for whom he worked, he was apprehended, because he did no longer worship the priest’s idol, and when he, after many solicitations, threats, and much suffering, would not renounce his faith, he was finally, on the 21st of October, burnt alive, as a witness of God. On this occasion, a monk shamelessly cried: “Go, thou accursed, from this into the eternal fire.” But Franchoys bore it with patience, committing vengeance unto God, who will judge righteously in due time.