When George saw how hurriedly they were taken to the Rhine in the early morning, he called to the count, saying: “Sir count, what becomes of the promise you made us? for you said that you should put us to death in broad daylight.” But no one paid attention to these words, but they were hurried to the place where they were to be put to death, namely the Rhine. And thus were fulfilled the words of David, Where he says: “They have privily slain the upright.” Ps. 11:2. May the Lord forgive them, for they know not what they do.
When they were taken out on the water, in a boat, William divested himself of his clothes, and laid his hands upon his feet, to be bound thus; for he thought that he was to be drowned and get home first. But this was not to be his fate; they made him put his clothes on again, and told him that he should wait.
And thus George was compelled to be the first one, to be made ready for an offering. When he was ready for death, he took brotherly leave from William, and they kissed each other with a holy kiss of love. Then George was thrown over-board, and drowned in the Rhine, thus testifying with his death that he was a partaker of Christ’s sufferings, to receive at his hands, through grace, the crown upon mount Sion, and rejoice forever with him. 2 Esd. 2:43.
After George was drowned, the executioner said to William: “Put on your clothes; I will take you to the shore, and there behead you.” William, through the grace of God, was willing and ready for it, and said: “You may do with me whatever God wills and permits.”
When they came on shore, they set William at liberty. The executioner said to him: “Go your way.” Whether they did this because William had been a priest, and they would have had to desecrate him, before putting him to death, and whether they therefore rather released him, than go to such trouble is not known.
AN ADMONITION WHICH GEORGE FRIESEN SENT FROM PRISON.
I proclaim unto you, O men, one and all, a new message and glad tidings, through the word of the Lord, which is, that you shall turn from your sinful life to God that your sins may be forgiven; cleanse your hearts, and forsake the world and its false show to which it lends so beautiful an aspect.
Behold, I proclaim unto you much joy, which I experience, as Christ the Son of God promised, saying: “I will not leave you comfortless.” Those who trust in me, them will I help bear their sorrow, and deliver them out of all distress. For he himself bound up our putrefying wounds, and healed them, which none other could do. Luke 10:34. He healed us without merit on our part; when we were yet enemies, he washed us with clean water, and sent us the Comforter, the Holy Ghost—as the faithful gracious Savior Christ promised—who shall bring to our remembrance all that we have heard. Rom. 5:10; Ezek. 36:25; John 14:16. If we firmly abide in him, and bring forth good fruits, he will give us a mouth and wisdom, as his divine word says, if we diligently live according to his will; yea, such a mouth he will give us, that none of the wise of this world, who are yet in sin, and fail of the truth, shall be able to contradict us. Luke 21:15.
I daily find that, as the raging waves of the sea, driven by fierce winds, cast up their mire and dirt, and cannot rest, so it is also with these; if there were anything good in them, it would come to light. Isaiah 57:20. Now, even as the flowers of the field drop off, so it goes with those who consider too late; for the grass withereth, and the flower fadeth; but the word of God abideth forever. Is. 40:8.
I find still another matter which concerns me greatly, namely, that so many shall knock and say: Lord, open unto us, and let us enter in also; to whom the Lord shall say: I know you not; and that it will avail them nothing to say: Did we not believe that thou art the true God, and that he whom thou anointedst, and whom the Jews mocked is thy Child? Luke 13:25, If they persist in their evil deeds, anguish shall come upon them, so that they shall cry, woe, woe, upon all the priests of Baal who have deceived them here, and who now sit in Moses’ seat, persecute Christ, and honor Baal, saying: Do according to our words, and not after our works; by which they show that they do not walk aright. Matt. 23:2. O generation of vipers, who hath made you believe that you shall escape the wrath of God and the damnation of hell? Can the Lord not say to them: If you were so wise as to know me, why then did you not seek me by following the kingdom of my Father. Therefore, depart from me, all ye hypocrites, to the devil and his angels, into the lake of fire, and eternal damnation. Matt. 7:23. But you, brethren and sisters, who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9), make yourselves sincerely ready in these latter times, for the marriage supper; and do not suffer yourselves to be deprived of the food that is set before you, lest you perish with hunger; cling firmly to Jesus Christ; see that you lose not those things which you have wrought; and let no one lead you astray on this earth, nor be afraid of the princes of this world; for when they shall appear before the face of Christ, they will all be put to shame. 2 John 8; Matt. 24:4; 10:28.