JOHN BRENZ of Wurtenburg was a Christian reformer. He was hated by the king who at one time employed a troop of cavalry to arrest him.
On hearing this, Brenz immediately cast himself on God and while in prayer he heard as it were a 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 door — and that the last one — open. Unnoticed, he entered, and climbed up to the loft. Then he crept on his hands and knees behind the lumber and straw, and lay hidden in a corner.
The next day the imperial troops entered the town and set a close watch at all the gates. They then entered every house and examined every room, probing beds, chests and straw lofts with their swords and spears.
Brenz, listening to their voices outside, knew from day to day that the search was still proceeding. For fourteen days it continued till every house had been examined. The one in which he lay hidden was the last to be searched. The spears thrust into the straw came as near to him as possible, but missed him.
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 children!
Messages of the Love of God 6/1/1975