Martyrs Mirror 656ACCOUNT OF THE SENTENCE , PASSED ON JOHN CL2RSS, AND THE, OLD MAN NAMED LUCAS LAM; BERTS OF BEVORgN, ALSO CALLED GRAND= FATHER; ANDHOW THEY DIED

When John Chess, and. Lucas Lamberts, an old man of eighty seven years, called grandfather, came into court, they greeted each other with a kiss.

John Claess said to the grandfather: "My dear brother, how do you feel?"

The grandfather replied pleasantly with a glad countenance: "Quite well, lily dear brother."

Then said John Claess: "Fear neither fire nor the sword; Oh, what a joyful feast will be prepared for us before the clock strikes twelve I"

Upon this they were separated.

The bailiff then said: "You are rebaptized."

John Chess answered: "I was baptized upon my faith, as all Christians ought to be, according to the Scriptures; read this." Matt. 28:19 .

They said to 'him again: "You belong to the accursed Anabaptists, who originate strange sects, opinions, errors and contention among the people." Acts 16:20 ; 17:6 .

John Class': "We are not such people; we, desire nothing else than the true Word of God; if I am to suffer therefore, I demand the seven judges. "*

He was then asked whether he did not confess that he was rebaptized four years ago or thereabouts.

John Chess replied: "Three years ago or thereabouts I was baptized as all Christians ought to be."

The court said: "You acknowledge, it then?"

John Class : "Yes."

Court: "Well, since you confess it, we have full power from the seven judges."

John Class: " Can I not obtain the full court? it is granted even to thieves and murderers, why should it not be granted to me? ",

* We have in our possession the original sentence of these two persons; but as the gist of the same is given here, it is not necessary to adduce it verbatim.

The four judges then went out to pronounce the sentence.

Lifting up his voice, John Claess said: "O merciful Father, Thou knowest that we do not desire revenge" ( Rom. 12:19 ), and he wrung his hands, saying: "O merciful Father, grant them Thy Spirit, that. Thou mayest not count this to them as wickedness." Acts 7:60 ,

The four judges now returned into the court, and sat down to declare the sentence, saying: "John Ciaess, a native of Alkmaar, who has taught the people false doctrines, errors and new opinions "

Upon this John Claess answered: "It is not so."

The lords of the court then forbade John Claess to speak, and good John Chess observed silence, that be, might hear his sentence. They then proceeded with their sentence, and said to the clerk: "Read his crime." He read that he had caused to be printed at Antwerp six, hundred books, which he had concluded with enno Simons, and scattered abroad in this country, containing strange opinions and sectarianism, and had kept school and held meetings, to introduce errors among the people ( Acts 17 . :6), which is contrary to the decree of the Emperor,, and our mother the holy church, and which it is not proper for my lords of the court to tolerate, but to correct.

Here John, Chess reproved them as before, saying: "They are not sectarianisms, but it is the Word of God." Acts 24:14 ,

Then the lords of the court said: "We sentence you to death, to be executed with the sword, the body to be placed on the wheel, and the head upon a stake; we do not sentence you, but the court does."

As John Claess went out of the court, he said

"You citizens bear witness that we die for no other reason than for the true Word of God." This occurred in the court. Having ascended the scaffold, John Claess audibly addressed the people with these words: ,"Hear, ye citizens of Amsterdam; lie it known unto you, that I suffer not as a thief or murderer, or because we have sought the property or life of others. However, do not understand me as justifying or exalting myself; but I come with the prodigal son, and depend only on the pure Word of God."

Upon this' the executioner struck him on his breast. John Chess turned around, and exclaimed with .a. loud voice:

"O Lord, forsake me not, now or in eternity. Lord, Thou Son of David, receive my soul."

Thus the dear brother John Chess confirmed the Ward of God with his crimson blood, his head then being placed upon a stake, and his body on the wheel, as food for the birds and wild beasts. And the old grandfather of eighty seven years, also willingly, for the truth of Christ Jesus, yielded his hoary head and beard to the sword of these tyrants. They now rest together under the altar.