# Gotthard Of Nonenberg And Peter Kramer, A. D. 1558.

1558 · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: GOTTHARD OF NONENBERG AND PETER KRAMER, A. D. 1558.

Source heading; not independently verified

Gotthard of Nonenberg and Peter Kramer were
both of them faithful men, who walked to edification
among the brethren in the duchy of Berg, where the
truth of the gospel began to shine again at that
time, and very many came to the faith and knowledge
of the truth. Thus these two men were called
and chosen ministers of the church and providers for
the poor [Deacons], which office they assumed, and
for a time faithfully discharged, and as they sought
to live godly in Christ Jesus, the consequence was
that they had to suffer persecution, as also appeared,
since both were apprehended in one night, and
brought to Winnick. There the steward took them,
to vent upon them his arrogance, and to treat them
with contumely. But they firmly resolved in their
hearts, to adhere to the truth.

They lay there in prison a long time, and had to
endure many temptations and conflicts in order to
make them forsake the truth, in which case they
should be free to return to their wives and children;
and their lives should be spared. But the love
which they had for their Lord would not permit
them to abandon the truth, and turn to the doctrines
of men. They much rather forsook their
wives and children, and their temporal possessions,
yea, finally, even their lives, flesh and blood, which
they would rather give for a spoil, that they might
enjoy the crown, and that their names might be
found in the book of life. When the time for their
trial had come, they were brought before the
learned, who employed many subtle stratagems
against them. But these men, with the divine help,
repelled all their subtle and insidious wiles undauntedly
and fearlessly, and sought no other
counsel or way; but as Christ had gone before, so
they endeavored to bear his cross after him; whereupon
they were sentenced to be executed with the
sword.

When brought forth from prison, to be taken to
the place of execution, these men were and remained
firm and immovable as a wall, and determined to
adhere to the truth, and not to separate from the
faith. When all saw their boldness, and perceived
that they were upright, pious persons, and had to
die simply on account of their faith, nearly every
one wept; the steward, the judges, deputy, and executioner
as well as the common people. But the
hearts of these people were full of gladness, and they
joyfully sang with a cheerful mind. Again they
were approached with various wiles, the comfort of
life being held out to them, in order to bring them
into despondency. This continued for a long time,
until two o’clock in the afternoon; so long did the
steward delay the matter, thinking to intimidate
them, in hopes that they should turn. For this reason
he made strenuous efforts to bring them over to
his views, so as to induce them to go to church,
and hear the doctrine of the priests. But when the
steward did not succeed in bringing them over to
his views, he called the executioner, into whose
hands the prisoners were delivered. The executioner
acted with reluctance, and received them
with tears; for his heart misgave him. But Gotthard
said to him: “How I have longed for this day;
why do you delay so long?” When the executioner
began to bind them, he said to them: “Dear
men, be not afraid; for Christ also was bound innocently.”
When the steward heard these words he
said to the executioner: “You must not speak in
this manner.” Then Peter said: “We will adhere
firmly to the covenant of the Lord, which we trust
we shall not break.” Thereupon Gotthard began to
speak, and said: “Here we must suffer tribulation.
He that would hereafter be crowned, must fight
valiantly now. As the bridegroom went before, so
the bride must enter into joy through much suffering
and tribulation. This we are taught by the words
of Christ. The fact that the Lord was executed between
two murderers, lightens the cross and affliction;
hence we fear neither slaying nor killing. For
if they have done this in the green tree, what shall
be done in the dry? Luke 23:31. The servants
of God must drink the sour wine now here upon
earth; but when we get to Christ, we shall drink new
and sweet wine with him. Matt. 26:29. We must
first bear affliction.” With this, they reached forth
their hands, and willingly suffered themselves to be
bound, which astonished many. Yea, the common
people were amazed, and said: “What marvelous
thing behold we here! these men so willing to go
to death, when they could easily obtain their liberty.”
Gotthard said: “We do not die, but pass
through death into life eternal, to God and to all his
dear children; of this we have a sure hope; hence
accept this death with joy, and trust that we shall
please God. When the time had come for them to
die, they rose to their feet, called upon God in
heaven, and, as brethren in Christ, and as a token
of brotherly love and unity, kissed each other with
the sweet kiss of peace, as those that were united
with God, and were thus beheaded standing. But
since they were executed unjustly, the executioner
said with great fear and trepidation, that he should
never execute such men again.

After their heads had been severed from their
bodies, the common people began to go home; but
the steward called out to them, saying: “Don’t be
in such a hurry, but help bury these pious men
first; they did not die for any crime; they are neither
thieves nor murderers; they were pious of life and
conduct; they embraced a faith which the lords and
princes could not understand, and hence they had
to suffer.” Thus these pious witnesses of God were
buried, and the seed of their blood did not remain
without fruit in that place. To God be all the glory.
Amen. This happened about the year 1558.

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