Matthias Servaes, Of Kottenem, A. D. 1565.

As this Matthias Servaes was an elder and teacher of the church, it happened, A. D. 1565, that one evening he had met with some friends at a certain place in Cologne, to minister unto them with the Gospel. But there was a Judas, to whom this was known; the same went and fetched the double watch, who immediately came fully armed, and entering the house in which the meeting was held from the rear, broke up the meeting and captured the flock, with beating, raging and fury; but those assembled went with them like sheep, to the Beyen tower. There all their names were taken down, and they were brought into other, separate places. They were asked with great importunity, who their teacher was; in response to which question, Matthias Servaes himself confessed that he was the man. They sought to draw him from Christ and his holy word, attempting it in various ways, with deception and subtilty, with entreaties and threats; and as he repelled all these wiles, he was severely tortured; however, he was not terrified by any torture or pain, but firmly kept in his heart that which God had revealed to him. Afterwards, in the morning, he was taken to prison, where also many a snare was laid to catch his soul. From prison he was brought bound before the penal court, where the imperial mandates were read to him, and he was delivered into the power of the executioner, to be put to death by the latter, according to the mandate.

Matthias was ready, and suffered himself to be led like an innocent lamb to the slaughter. He lifted up his eyes toward heaven, folding his hands, and said: “O my Father, I praise thy name, that I am counted worthy of this.”

Much people flocked together, to see this; some of them felt sympathy for him, and said: It is a pity indeed, that this fine man has to die for such a deed.

On the way a young woman happened along, who wanted to speak to him; but they apprehended her, and thrust her from him. Also a lad wanted to greet him, whom they seized likewise, but the count commanded them to let him go. Before he arrived at the place of execution, he looked around him and said: “I have many people present on my day. It were a pity indeed, if all these should perish.” And when he was now about to die, he said aloud: “O God, thou dost know full well, for what I have striven and what I have sought in my life, from the beginning, day and night.” And to the count he said: “You well know, sir count, how you have treated me; but I have forgiven you all; it is all out of my heart.” And thus terminated the life of this pious man, he being executed with the sword. Now, as to what was his confession before and afterwards, what he met with in prison, and how he admonished, comforted and strengthened his brethren, all this may be found in the following letters written by him.

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