There was a councilor at Harlingen, by the name of Mr. de Wael, who very diligently sought Jacques, addressed him in a friendly manner, and invited him to his house, saying that he had a letter for him. When Jacques arrived there, he cordially welcomed him, and urged him much to be his guest, seeming to be kindled with great love for old acquaintance’ sake. When he learned that Jacques could not stay, he, with friendly words, but the heart of a Judas, asked him to come again, and bring of his wares and work with him, ostensibly for the purpose of buying of him, Jacques being a peddler. In the meantime he secretly sent a messenger to Leeuwarden, to the council, for a commissary and a bailiff. When Jacques came again to him, he affably greeted him, sending in the meantime for the bailiff. When the latter arrived, the traitor malignantly said: “Apprehend him, behold, this is the man.” Thus they handled him with great severity, saying: “Hold still,” and searched him all over.

Then Jacques said: “O my lord, what have you done, that you have thus betrayed me, who trusted you with my life and all my property? Why do you seek my life, and thirst thus for my blood?” He replied: “Be content and suffer yourself to be bound: you must go with me to the prison.” He said he had to do this, to fulfill his oath, and read to Jacques his cruel, tyrannous mandate. He also made very strict inquiry for four other men. Jacques replied that he would not betray or deceive any one, but if he had aught against him, or had heard any one complain of him, he should tell him of it. The traitor replied that he had not heard anything of the kind, and that he was not apprehended on account of any crime, but simply because he had adhered to heresy; he, moreover, asked him whether he was not an Anabaptist. Jacques denied having adhered to heresy, and being an Anabaptist, saying that he had received but one baptism, according to the word of the Lord, upon his faith. When asked concerning the Roman church, Jacques replied that it was not of God. Upon this the traitor was seen to sigh deeply, his countenance simulating great sorrow as he said: “Oh! Jacques, must you fall into my hands?” Jacques replied: “My lord, I had placed confidence in you, on account of our old acquaintance, and because I had intercourse with you so long; but I will gladly and from my heart forgive you for this, and it is my earnest desire that the Lord may have mercy upon you.” He thanked Jacques for this favor, opining that in this he had not sinned before God, since he had to act according to his oath. Jacques said: “Do you consider this transaction right before God and men? the time will come when you will find it otherwise.” Wisdom 5:2. He then sent Jacques into the room and said to him: “You will be examined at Leeuwarden concerning your faith and doctrine.” While Jacques was imprisoned there, his wife came to him, upon which this friend of God was filled with great sorrow and anxiety, beholding her in such exceeding grief since she was also pregnant. The turnkey thrust her from him with great cruelty, but many of the bystanders most heartily wept with her, and entreated the turnkey, saying: “O let her go to him;” but it could not last long. Jacques said to her: “O my beloved, go home, and comfort yourself in the Lord; for I am imprisoned here for the word of God; and it will tend neither to your shame nor disgrace, since I have injured no one.” She said: “May the Lord strengthen you in the truth; for after this conflict there is prepared for you an eternal crown. O that I could die with you, and inherit that blissful life with you, then my heart would rejoice.” Jacques said: “O sister in the Lord, let not this grieve you, though I must go a little before you; it is the Lord’s will.” The turnkey could not bear this, but said: “Begone, quick!” Thereupon Jacques entreated him, saying: “O let us alone with God for a little while.” And thus these two dear lambs were separated, but hope to meet again at the resurrection of the just, where wailing and parting will be heard no more forever. Philip. 3:11; Rev. 7:17; 21:4; Is. 25:8.

Having, through the grace of God, undergone and endured manifold assaults, by way of numerous examinations and threats from the bloodthirsty, he died in great steadfastness for the testimony of Jesus. He was not put to death at the place of execution, but secretly murdered by night. Until quite recently trustworthy persons were still living, who early in the morning, after the night in the forepart of which he had been murdered, saw him in his leather clothes, lying dead in his blood. He now rests under the altar of Jesus, awaiting, with God’s chosen, a blessed resurrection and eternal life.

The abovementioned traitor, Mr. de Wael, was not long after this deed most severely smitten by God in punishment for his murderous treachery, in consequence of which he departed out of this world in a most awful manner, as a solemn and significant warning to all that are inclined to follow his example in this respect; for he was soon driven from Leeuwarden, with great reproach and ignominy from the common people, so that the boatman, who was to convey him away, was with him in danger of his life, so that he begged most urgently that his life might be spared; for the traitor was most unmercifully pelted with stones by the common people and the children, and ignominiously reproached for his treachery, being called a Judas, rogue, miscreant and arch-heretic. To his great disgrace and reproach they sang of him the following verses, which had been composed by Jacques:

“He said: I had to find you—

Now from my oath I’m free;

Submit and let us bind you;

To prison go with me.”

And also:

“And is it right your dealing,