Thereupon they went away, having been engaged with me from eight o’clock until half-past eleven in the forenoon.
This is what I said on that occasion. Dear friends, be not discouraged, though what I have written presents rather a gloomy aspect; the Lord helps his own; if the Lord had not helped me, it would not have been possible for me to bear it; but we can do all things through him who strengthens us, that is, Christ. And as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so also our consolation aboundeth by Christ, 1 Cor. 10:13; Ps. 46:1; Philip. 4:13; 2 Corinthians 1:5.
Here I will let this matter rest. I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus, spoken of by Paul. Gal. 6:17.
On Sunday morning they came, and read to me my examination, and asked me whether it was correct. Then I remembered the words of the prophet: “They are evening wolves, that let nothing remain till the morrow, yea, whose feet run swiftly to shed innocent blood.” Zeph, 3:3; Prov. 1:16. I then asked the bailiff, whether he was not yet sated with innocent blood, since he was so diligent in the way of unrighteousness. He replied: “I do not put you to death.” I said: “The Emperor’s edict puts us to death; but you ought therefore be satisfied with what you have, and not ask for more. By what will you prove that you may put us to death? It is written: If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone; if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more; and if he will still not hear, tell it unto the church; and if he will then not hear, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.” Matthew 18:15–17. Here the Scripture says nothing about putting to death.
Bailiff. “We have another Scripture, where Paul says: The powers are not ordained in vain; for God himself has ordained them.” Rom. 13:1.
Adrian. “Yes, for the protection of the good, and the punishment of the evil (1 Peter 2:14); but it seems to me the order is inverted, that they are for the punishment of the good, and the protection of the evil.”
Bailiff. “We shall prove to you from books, that we may put you to death.”
Adrian. “You can not do this with the gospel?”
Under bailiff. “What do you know about the gospel?”
Adrian. “It is written: Repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mark 1:15.