John Brenz of Wurtenburg was a Christian reformer in the days of Martin Luther. He was hated by the king who finally employed a troop of Spanish cavalry to arrest him.
On hearing this, Brenz immediately cast himself on God, and while in prayer he heard as it were a human voice say: "Take a loaf of bread and go into the upper town; and where thou findest a door open, enter and hide thyself under the roof."
He at once acted accordingly, and found only one open door—and that the last door on the street. Unnoticed, he entered the house and climbing to the loft, crept on his hands and knees behind some lumber and straw, and lay hidden in a corner.
The next day the Imperial troops entered the town and set a military watch at all the gates. Then they entered every house and systematically examined every room, probing beds, chests and straw lofts with their swords and spears.
Brenz, listening through the wall to what was spoken outside, knew from day to day how the hunt for him was proceeding. For fourteen days it continued until every house had been searched. The one in which he lay hidden was the last to be entered by the soldiers. Their spears which were thrust into the straw came as near as possible without touching his body. Then with joy he heard the word of command: "March! he is not here."
Brenz had not lacked food during his long concealment. The loaf of bread which he took with him as directed would have been insufficient. But the very first day, to his amazement, a hen came up to the garret and laid an egg, and that without the usual cackling. She quietly did the same the next day—and so on for fourteen days in succession. The fifteenth day she did not come and Brenz heard the people in the street say: "They are gone at last."
He was free! What an example of God's care for His servants whom He has sent forth to make known His 'truth and love to a lost and perishing world!