He replied: “Not yet.”
Fije said: “Here is the sheep for which you are wanted.”
The executioner then went up to Fije, tore open his shirt, took the cap from his head, and filled it with gunpowder. Standing at the stake at which he was to be strangled, Fije exclaimed: “O Lord, receive thy servant.”
He was then strangled and burnt, and thus fell asleep in the Lord. The common people cried out, saying: “This was a pious Christian; if he is not a Christian, there is not one in the whole world.”
JACOB CLAESS OF LANTSMEER, AND CECILIA JERONYMUS HIS WIFE, BURNT IN GREAT CONSTANCY FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, AT AMSTERDAM, IN THE YEAR 1549.[250]
The tribulation, anguish and distress of the beloved friends and children of God continued; for they did not cease to persecute and kill them, yea, to put them to death in a dreadful, miserable and lamentable manner, which, in the year 1549, appeared also in the city of Amsterdam, in Holland, in the case of two pious and very godfearing persons, named Jacob Claess of Lantsmeer, and Cecilia Jeronymus of Wormer, who, as they, after suffering many assaults, conflicts and tribulations from secular as well as ecclesiastical persons, who sought to draw them away from the faith, remained constant, were sentenced to the fire as heretics, which punishment of death they steadfastly endured, on the 9th of November, A. D. 1549, as appears from the following two sentences, which were publicly pronounced on the day of their death, in the court of Amsterdam; true copies of which, obtained by us through the clerk of the court there, we shall adduce here, for the further confirmation of said matter.
SENTENCE OF DEATH OF JACOB CLAESS OF LANTSMEER.
Whereas Jacob Claess of Lantsmeer has joined the doctrine, sect and heresies of the Anabaptists, having been rebaptized, and holding pernicious views in regard to the sacraments of the holy church, contrary to the holy Christian faith, the ordinances of the holy Christian church, and the written laws and decrees of his Imperial Majesty our gracious lord; and, moreover, obstinately persists in his errors and heresy, notwithstanding the instruction which has been given him concerning the true faith; therefore, my lords the Judges, having heard the demand made by my lord the Bailiff, in the name of his Imperial Majesty, concerning said Jacob Claess, together with his confession, and having considered the circumstances of said case, sentence said Jacob Claess, pursuant to the aforesaid decrees, to be burnt by the executioner, and, furthermore, declare his property confiscated for the benefit of his Imperial Majesty, as Count of Holland. So pronounced, and executed by the executioner, on the 9th of November, A. D. 1549, in the presence of the Bailiff, Sir Hendrick Dirks; Burgomaster, Jan Willems; Claes Meeuwess, Simon Claess Kops, Florus Marts, Jan Claess van Hoppen, and Hendrick Jans Croock, Judges.
Jacob Claess was subjected to the torture on the 22d of October, A. D. 1549.
Extracted from the book of criminal sentences, in the keeping of the secretary of the city of Amsterdam.