Dirk’s Decision, by John Kaiser

A True Story of Costly Christian Compassion

Excerpt from a story of Dirk Willems, as told by John A. Kaiser. Willems was an Anabaptist captured and imprisoned for his faith in 1569. This story is of his escape from his imprisonment.

Dirk Willems was born in Asperen, Gilderland, in the Netherlands, (southern Holland), about 500 years ago. So, why mention him now?

…

Hoping to escape his pursuers, Dirk ran across a frozen body of water which might have been expected to cause his pursuers to hesitate; but one bold fellow followed Dirk onto the ice. However, because he was heavier than Dirk, or because Dirk’s passage had weakened the ice, the ice broke underneath this pursuer, and with a shriek he sank into the freezing water, calling for help.

Dirk heard that call, and, knowing what it might cost him, he turned back and rescued his pursuer and helped him to shore. It is said that the rescued pursuer begged to allow Dirk to go free, but he was reminded of his oath to his master. And Dirk knew that if he turned and ran again, his pursuer might suffer further. So Dirk was taken to a different prison—one from which he could not so easily escape.

At his trial, Dirk was challenged to give up his beliefs and to conform to the doctrine and practice of the Roman Catholic Church. Because he refused to do so, he was condemned to be burned to death. We are told that he was tied to a stake and burned alive, and that he met his death bravely, repeatedly confessing his dependence upon God’s aid to bear his sufferings. Dirk paid a very great price to show kindness to his enemy.

After telling the story, John Kaiser calls attention to Dirk’s obedience to his Lord, our Lord’s obedience to his Father, and an hymn related to our Saviour’s love for us.

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you. Luke 6:27

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6

But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Such Scriptures and others inspired the following hymn.

1. My blessed Saviour, is thy love
So great, so full, so free?
Behold I give my love, my heart,
My life, my all, to thee.

2. I love thee for the glorious worth
In thy great self I see;
I love thee for that shameful cross,
Thou hast endured form me.

3. No man of greater love can boast
Than for his friend to die;
Thou for thine enemies wast slain!
What love with thine can vie?

4. Though in the very form of God,
With heav’nly glory crowned,
Thou didst a servant’s form assume,
Beset with sorrow round.

5. Thou wouldst like wretched man be made
In everything but sin,
That we as like thee might become
As we unlike had been:

6. Like thee in faith, in meekness, love,
In life in ev’ry phase;
From glory thus to glory changed,
Till we behold thy face.

7. O Lord, I’ll treasure in my soul
The mem’ry of thy love;
And thy dear name shall still to me
A grateful odor prove.

8. Thy friends, the excellent on earth,
Shall be my chief delight;
And when alone, I’ll make thy law
My study day and night.

9. Where thou dost pitch thy tent, and where
Thy honour deigns to dwell,
There I’ll fix mine, and there reside,
There thy love’s wonders tell.

10. The pledges of thy love shall there
Revive this heart of mine;
Thy love, more fragrant and more sweet
Than bowls of generous wine.

Joseph Stennett (1663-1713) wrote “Self-Consecration to God” / “My blessed Saviour, is thy love.” It first appeared in Stennett’s Hymns in Commemoration of the Sufferings of our Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, Compos’d for the Celebration of His Holy Supper in 1697 (No. 22, pages 27-29). In the margins, Stennett lays out about two dozen references to Bible verses that are related to his hymn. They can be seen at the link above. The original has 10 stanzas, but most song books use only 4 or 5.

This common meter hymn has been set with a number of common meter tunes, including St. David by Thomas Ravenscroft. Sometimes the words are mistakenly attributed to his grandson, Samuel Stennett.

Joseph Stennett was an English Particular Baptist minister and hymnwriter. He pastored the Seventh Day Baptist Church in London from about 1690 until his death in 1713.