Martyrs Mirror 879GEORGE FRIESEN, A CABINETMAKER, AND WILL; IAM VAN KEPPEL, A. D. 1562

This George Friesen, a cabinetmaker, and William van Keppel, formerly a mass priest, were both apprehended at Cologne, A. D. 1562, for the evangelical truth. When William was sought and found he willingly went with his captors, who first took him into a tower of the city, where, however, he did not remain long, since they removed him into the count's dungeon, whither those were taken who were condemned to death. In this dungeon he found said Georee Friesen, who was his brother in the Lord, and also a prisoner, and whose company was a great comfort to him.

Manifold were .the nets spread and the snares laid, to catch their souls; but the principal ado and clamor was about infant baptism, which their adversaries claimed to be right; but as they could not prove it by the Word of God, they employed human wisdom, but to God be the praise, with this they could not move these men. Now the lords entreated them, now they severely 'threatened them with torture and death; but the prisoners rejoiced in it. The others said things sweet and things bitter, but this could not move the prisoners, for through the help of the Lord their hearts stood firm as a wall.

The count offered to give George money, and his servant maid to wife, if he would renounce his faith. But George would adhere to the truth and said to the count: "Your servant maid, riches, or money cannot take me to God, but I have chosen something better, for which I hope to strive." There also came to William a subtle individual, who made him fair promises and said that he would take him to England, who would soon have: drawn the net of delusion over his head if the Lord had not succored and preserved him.

When the last hour arrived that they were to be prepared for the offering, for which they greatly longed, they were both brought out of prison the count's dungeon to the house of the count, into a hall, at one o'clock in the night. There much arrogant and scornful language was used against them, and they were much tormented, to which George said nothing. William, also, answering but little. This continued half the night, till break of day or twilight, when the two prisoners were hurriedly taken to the Rhine, where they were to be drowned.

When George saw how hurriedly they were taken to the Rhine in the early morning, he called to the count, saying: "Sir count, what becomes of the promise you made us? for you said that you should put us to death in broad daylight." But no one paid attention to these words, but they were hurried to the place where they were to be put to death, namely the Rhine. And thus were fulfilled the words of David, where he says: "They have privily slain the upright." Ps. 11:2 . May the Lord forgive them, for they know not what they do.

When they were taken out on the water, in a boat, William divested himself of his clothes, and laid his hands upon his feet, to be bound thus; for he thought that he was to be drowned and get home first. But this was not to be his fate, they made him put his clothes on again, and told him that he should wait.

And thus George was compelled to be the first one, to be made ready for an offering. When he was ready for death, he took brotherly leave from William, and they kissed each other with a holy kiss of love. Then George was thrown over board, and drowned in the Rhine, thus. testifying with his death that he was a partaker of Christ's sufferings, to receive at His hands, through grace, the crown upon mount Sion, and rejoice forever with Him. II Esd. 2:43 .

After George was drowned, the executioner said to William: "Put on your clothes; I will take you to the shore, and there behead you." William, through the grace of God, was willing and ready for it, and said: "You may do with me whatever God wills and permits."

When they came on shore, they set William at liberty. The executioner said to him: "Go your way." Whether they did this because William had been a priest, and they would have had to desecrate him, before putting him to death, and whether they therefore rather released him, than go to such trouble is not known.