Jacques Dosie At Leeuwaerden.

The provincial having come, he began to speak, and said: “Will you not believe in the sacrament, which Christ himself instituted?”

Jacques. “My lord, Paul says that the bread is broken in remembrance of him, and that the cup of blessing is the communion of the blood of Christ.” 1 Cor. 11:24; 10:16. Thus he ended his words.

Lady. “I consider this the worst thing in you, that you will not have the children baptized; for all Germany and every kingdom regards your doings as heresy.”

Jacques. “My lady, it is indeed true that we are everywhere despised, and, like the apostolical band, evil spoken of in all the world; but do not think that such shall therefore perish at the last day.” 1 Cor. 4:9; Matt. 5:11; 2 Pet. 2:2.

Lady. “My dear child, behold, I pray thee, come over to our side, and repent, and you shall get out of this trouble, and I promise to procure your release.”

Jacques. “My lady, I thank you very much for your affection and favor towards me; but I will not change my faith, to please mortal man; unless it be proven to me with the Scriptures, that I err; for I have given myself entirely to God, to be his friend, and herein I hope to live and die.” Galatians 1:10; Phil. 3:8; John 15:14.

Lady. “My son, behold this multitude of men; I have compassion for you, and entreat you, repent of your baptism and do not remain so obstinate; if you, so young a child, should die for this cause, it would be a heavy cross for my heart; hence see that you are released, and may go home.”

Jacques. “My lady, I can not see that there is any crime at all in my baptism, seeing I herein have not followed my own, but the holy institution of our Lord Jesus Christ; had I been able to find another, better way to the kingdom of God, it would not have happened; for I was inclined with my whole heart to seek the Lord my God.” Isaiah 56:6.

Lady. “Should they then all err, so many learned men that have been before you; do you dare be so presumptuous as this?”

Jacques. “My lady, in Israel four hundred prophets were against the single Micaiah, who alone spoke the truth, and was kept imprisoned on bread and water; which King Ahab experienced in his distress, but too late.” 1 Kings 22:27; 2 Chronicles 18:5.

The lady finally said: “I find many good things in you; but your greatest error I consider to lie in your baptism, which does not seem to me to be of God.”

In this manner she had him brought before her many times; but as he, young in years, but old in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (Wis. 4:8; 1 Corinthians 14:20), had built his foundation upon the rock Jesus Christ, he valiantly repelled all the subtle devices of Satan—whether consisting in many severe threats, or in fair promises of the kingdom of this world (Matt. 4:8)—with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; and as nothing could move him to forsake Christ, he was condemned to death by the rulers of the darkness of this world (Eph. 6:12), and thus testified and confirmed the true faith of the truth with his death and blood, and, through grace, obtained the crown of everlasting glory.

Concerning this, see a hymn in the Gulden Harp, beginning: Tot Leeuwaerden op eenen dagh.