Mariken, an old woman of seventy-five years, was asked whether she would confess her sins to the priest.
She replied: “I am sorry that I ever confessed my sins to the mortal ears of the priests.”
Seeing some brethren, Govert turned his face and joyfully comforted them, saying among other things: “I pray God, that you may be thus imprisoned for his glory, as I now am.”
The bailiff very fiercely said: “Be still, for your preaching is of no account here.”
“My lord bailiff,” said he, “I speak only five or six words, which God has given me to speak; does this give you so much pain?” And when the people murmured on this account, he said: “This has been witnessed from the time of righteous Abel, that the righteous have suffered reproach; hence be not astonished.” The two servants that stood by him said “You must not speak; the bailiff will not have it; hence be still.”
Immediately God closed his mouth, which grieved many. Gillis was not questioned, and he said nothing at all; but they were led back to prison, where they rejoiced together, and sang: Saligh is den man, en goet geheeten;; and also the forty-first psalm. The bailiff then came into prison, and asked Govert, whether he had considered the matter; to which he replied: “Unless you repent, the punishment of God shall come upon you.” The bailiff looked out of the window, and said: “Will God damn all this multitude of people?”
Govert replied: “I have spoken the word of God to you; but I hope there are still people here who fear God?”
The bailiff then turned to Anneken, and asked her what she had to say to it.
She replied: “Lord bailiff, twice I have been greatly honored in this city, namely, when I was married, and when my husband became emperor; but I never had a joy that did not perish, as I now have.”
On his way to death, Govert delivered an excellent admonition, reproving the wicked railing, and said: “Be it known to you, that we do not die for theft, murder or heresy, but because we seek an inheritance with God, and live according to his word.”