Hendrik Voes, and Johann van Esschen, two Augustinian friars and the first martyrs of the Reformation, were burned at the stake on July 1, 1523. They reportedly were heard singing the Te Deum as the smoke and flames engulfed them.
We praise You, O God: we acknowledge You to be the Lord.
All the earth worships You, the Father everlasting.
To You all angels cry aloud: the heavens and all the powers therein.
To You cherubim and seraphim continually cry “Holy, Holy, Holy: Lord God of Sabaoth”.
Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of Your glory.
The glorious company of the apostles praise You.
The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise You.
The noble army of martyrs praise You.
The holy church throughout all the world acknowledges You;
The Father of an infinite majesty;
Your honorable, true, and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
You are the King of glory, O Christ.
You are the everlasting Son of the Father.
When You took upon Yourself to deliver man, You did not abhor the Virgin’s womb.
When You had overcome the sharpness of death, You opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You sit at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
We believe that You shall come to be our judge.
We therefore pray You, help Your servants whom You have redeemed with Your precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with Your saints in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save Your people, and bless Your heritage.
Govern them and lift them up for ever.
Day by day we magnify You; we worship Your name ever,
world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let Your mercy light upon us as our trust is in You.
O Lord, in You have I trusted; let me never be confounded.
Author unknown
4th century
