ity of escaping from prison and being
asked why he did not avail himself of it, he replied, "I would not do
the keepers so much injury, as they must have answered for my absence,
had I gone away." When he was sentenced to be burnt, he fervently
thanked God for granting him an opportunity, by martyrdom, to glorify
his name. Perceiving, at the place of execution, a great quantity of
fagots, he desired the principal part of them might be given to the
poor, saying, a small quantity will suffice to consume me. The
executioner offered to strangle him before the fire was lighted, but he
would not consent, telling him that he defied the flames and, indeed, he
gave up the ghost with such composure amidst them that he hardly seemed
sensible of their effects.

In the year 1543 and 1544, the persecution was carried on throughout all
Flanders, in a most violent and cruel manner. Some were condemned to
perpetual imprisonment, others to perpetual banishment but most were put
to death either by hanging, drowning, immuring, burning, the rack, or
burying alive.

John de Boscane, a zealous protestant, was apprehended on account of his
faith, in the city of Antwerp. On his trial, he steadfastly professed
himself to be of the reformed religion, which occasioned his immediate
condemnation. The magistrate, however, was afraid to put him to death
publicly, as he was popular through his great generosity, and almost
universally beloved for his inoffensive life, and exemplary piety. A
private execution being determined on, an order was given to drown him
in prison. The executioner, accordingly, put him in a large tub; but
Boscane struggling, and getting his head above the water, the
executioner stabbed him with a dagger in several places, till he
expired.

John de Buisons, another protestant, was, about the same time, secretly
apprehended, and privately executed at Antwerp. The number of
protestants being great in that city, and the prisoner much respected,
the magistrates feared an insurrection, and for that reason ordered him
to be beheaded in prison.

A. D. 1568, three persons were apprehended in Antwerp, named Scoblant,
Hues, and Coomans. During their confinement they behaved with great
fortitude and cheerfulness, confessing that the hand of God appeared in
what had befallen them, and bowing down before the throne of his
providence. In an epistle to some worthy protestants, they express
themselves in the following words; Since it is the