Fox's Book of Martyrs: Or A History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Triumphant; Deaths of the Primitive Protestant MartyrsFoxe, John
HistoryHistory
Fox's Book of Martyrs: Or A History of the Lives, Sufferings, and Triumphant; Deaths of the Primitive Protestant Martyrs
Foxe, John
Church history; Martyrs; Persecution
Tobias Steffick was remarkable for his affability and serenity of
temper. He was perfectly resigned to his fate, and a few minutes before
his death spoke in this singular manner, "I have received, during the
whole course of my life, many favours from God; ought I not therefore
cheerfully to take one bitter cup, when he thinks proper to present it?
Or rather, ought I not to rejoice, that it is his will I should give up
a corrupted life for that of immortality!"
Dr. Jessenius, an able student of physic, was accused of having spoken
disrespectful words of the emperor, of treason in swearing allegiance to
the elector Frederic, and of heresy in being a protestant: for the first
accusation he had his tongue cut out; for the second he was beheaded;
and for the third, and last, he was quartered, and the respective parts
exposed on poles.
Christopher Chober, as soon as he stepped upon the scaffold said, 'I
come in the name of God, to die for his glory; I have fought the good
fight, and finished my course; so, executioner, do your office.' The
executioner obeyed, and he instantly received the crown of martyrdom.
No person ever lived more respected, or died more lamented, than John
Shultis. The only words he spoke, before receiving the fatal stroke,
were, "The righteous seem to die in the eyes of fools, but they only go
to rest. Lord Jesus! thou hast promised that those who come to thee
shall not be cast off. Behold, I am come; look on me, pity me, pardon my
sins, and receive my soul."
Maximilian Hostialick was famed for his learning, piety, and humanity.
When he first came on the scaffold, he seemed exceedingly terrified at
the approach of death. The officer taking notice of his agitation, he
said, "Ah! sir, now the sins of my youth crowd upon my mind; but I hope
God will enlighten me, lest I sleep the sleep of death, and lest mine
enemies say, we have prevailed." Soon after he said, "I hope my
repentance is sincere, and will be accepted, in which case the blood of
Christ will wash me from my crimes." He then told the officer he should
repeat the song of Simeon; at the conclusion of which the executioner
might do his duty. He, accordingly, said, Lord! now lettest thou thy
servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen
thy salvation; at which words his head was struck off at one blow.
When John Kutnaur came to the place of execution, a Jesuit said to him,
"Embrace the Roman catholic faith, which alone can save and arm you
against the terrors of death." To which he replied, "Your superstitious
faith I abhor, it leads to perdition, and I wish for no other arms
against the terrors of death, than a good conscience." The Jesuit turned
away, saying, sarcastically, The protestants are impenetrable rocks. You
are mistaken, said Kutnaur, it is Christ that is the rock, and we are
firmly fixed upon him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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