HANS HUBER, A. D. 1542.
In this year, Brother Hans Huber, or Schumacher, was imprisoned at Waserburg, in Bavaria, under the Count of Oting. Much having been resorted to, to draw him from the faith, but he remaining quite steadfast, constantly confessing and testifying, that this wherein he stood was the true ground of truth, and the true faith in Christ Jesus our Savior wherefore he also said that it was not hard for him to suffer this for Christ’s sake, and was sentenced to death, and led out to the place of execution. The fire having reached his face, so that his hair and beard were singed off, they asked him whether he would recant, and they would let him live. He however would not recant, but remained steadfast in Christ. Hence he was immediately burnt alive, and thus faithfully paid his baptismal vow unto the Lord Christ, and delivered up his life as a true burnt-offering for the word of God; for he would rather lose this temporal life, than become unfaithful to the Lord, thus showing himself to be a steadfast lover of God.
DAMIAN OF ALGAU, A. D. 1543.
About this time, a brother named Damian, from Algau, was apprehended at Ingolstadt, in order to draw him away from the faith; but when he could in no wise be turned from it, he was condemned to death. On his way to the place of execution, he admonished the people, and gave answer concerning his faith, so that a student said that one of two things was certain: that this man had his faith either from the wicked devil, or from the Spirit of God, since his knowledge was so extensive, because to all appearance he was a simple man. Some one also admonished him, and asked him whether he would die as a pious Christian.
He replied: “Yes.”
He again asked him: “What sign will you give us by which we may know this?”
The brother said: “Pay attention, when they burn me; the smoke shall ascend straight to heaven.”
This also came to pass.
When he was executed, the executioner inquired the direction of the smoke, whether he had justly executed him. The judge answered: “You have executed him according to your pleasure; I did not judge.” Thus this witness of God and Christ obtained the martyrs’ crown.