When John Claess, 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, my dear brother.”
Then said John Claess: “Fear neither fire nor the sword; O what a joyful feast will be prepared for us before the clock strikes twelve!”
Upon this they were separated.
The bailiff then said: “You are rebaptized.”
John Claess 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 Claess: “We are not such people; we desire nothing else than the true word of God; if I am to suffer therefor, I demand the seven judges.”[234]
He was then asked whether he did not confess that he was rebaptized four years ago or thereabouts.