# Peter Gerrits, Peter Joris, Peter Leydecker, And Johanna Mels, A. D. 1536.

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In the year 1536, on St. Margaret’s day, in the
morning, the Bailiff at Zierichzee apprehended
three brethren and one sister, named Peter Gerrits,
Peter Joris, Peter Leydecker, and Johanna
Mels, whom he took with him half dressed, and
put them in prison, where they were confined for
seven weeks; but no suffering or misery inflicted
upon them could induce them to apostatize. When
they were examined, and many human institutions
were presented to them, which they endeavored to
refute with the word of God, the Burgomaster
said:

“We care not for your word of God, but hold
to the mandate of the Emperor, and shall ignominiously
exterminate all those who act contrary
to it.”

They answered: “Lord Burgomaster, by this
you prove yourself to be a protector of the kingdom
of Babel and of Bel for which you will indeed
reap some reward here on earth, but hereafter,
with antichrist and the crowned beast, eternal damnation
in the lake of fire.” 1 John 2:18; Revelation
13; 19:20.

They were then placed upon the rack, though
contrary to their privileges, for they were mere
citizens; however, they would not apostatize,
though they were tortured so that the blood ran
down their feet: but they trusted in and cried to
God alone. After being tortured, they were
brought up above again, where they comforted
each other with the word of God. 1 Thessalonians
4:18.

Finally, on the 4th of September, they were sentenced
to death. They were brought bound upon
the scaffold, yet came forth boldly and humbly, as
lambs of Christ, and finally knelt down, saying with
Stephen: “Lord Jesus, receive our spirits into thy
hands.” Acts 7:59. They were all then speedily
beheaded, their bodies burned, and their heads
placed upon stakes. Thus they offered up their
sacrifice.



## Original source

[Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#Page_429)

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

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