A Brighter Day Begins with His Word.

Braght, Thieleman J. van (Thieleman Janszoon) • SECTION 604

Thomas Hermann, And Sixty-Seven Others, A. D. 1527.

← The Bloody Theatre, or Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians

_Ques._ “Do you then, not fear death, which you have never tasted?”

_Ans._ “This is true; but I shall never taste death, for Christ says: ‘If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.’ (John 8:51.) The rich man tasted death, and shall taste it forever.” (Luke 16:23.)

_Ques._ “What do you hold concerning the sacrament?”

_Ans._ “I hold your sacrament to be bread and flour, and if you hold it as God, I say that it is your devil.”

_Ques._ “What do you hold concerning the saints?”

_Ans._ “I know no other Mediator than Christ.” (1 John 2:19.)

_Ques._ “You must die, if you abide by this.”

_Ans._ “I am already dead.” (Gal. 2:19.)

_Ques._ “If you are dead, how can you speak?”

_Ans._ “The spirit lives in me; the Lord is in me, and I am in him.” (John 14:20.)

_Ques._ “Will you have a confessor, or not?”

_Ans._ “I have Christ, to him I confess; nevertheless, if I have offended any, I would willingly ask them to forgive me.”

_Ques._ “Who has taught you this opinion, and how did you come to it?”

_Ans._ “The Lord, who calls all men to him; I am also one of his sheep; therefore I hear his voice.” (John 10:27.)

_Ques._ “Are you alone called?”

_Ans._ “No; for the Lord calls to him all that are heavy laden.” (Matt. 28:11.)

After many like words Weynken was led back to prison. During the two following days she was entreated and tempted by various persons, namely, by monks, priests, women, and her nearest friends. Among others, a woman came to her, prompted by sincerity, who commiserated her after this manner:

“Dear mother, can you not think what you please, and keep it to yourself? then you will not die.”

Weynken replied: “Dear sister, I am commanded to speak, and am constrained to do so; hence I cannot remain silent about it.”

_Wom._ “Then, I am afraid, they will put you to death.”

_Ans._ “Though they burn me to-morrow, or put me into a bag, I care not; as the Lord has ordained it, so it must be, and not otherwise; I will adhere to the Lord.”

_Wom._ “If you have done nothing else I hope you will not die.”

_Ans._ “As for me, it matters not; but when I come down from the hall, I cry bitterly, and it grieves me to see that these good men are all so blinded; I will pray the Lord for them.”

Two Dominican friars also came to her, the one as a confessor, and the other as an instructor. The latter showed her the crucifix, saying: “See, here is your Lord and your God.” She answered: “This is not my God; the cross by which I have been redeemed, is a different one. This is a wooden god; throw him into the fire, and warm yourselves with him.” The other asked her in the morning of the day when she was to die, whether she would not receive the sacrament, adding that he would willingly administer it to her. She said: “What God would you give me? one that is perishable, and is sold for a farthing?” And to the priest or monk, who rejoiced that he had read mass that day, she said that he had crucified God anew. He said:

“It appears to me that you have fallen unto error?”

Weynken replied: “I cannot help it, my Lord and my God, to whom be eternal honor, praise, and thanksgiving (Rev. 4:11), has thus given it unto me.”

_Ques._ “What do you hold concerning the holy oil?”

_Ans._ “Oil is good for salad, or to oil your shoes with.” 1 Tim. 4:4.

Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.

Project Gutenberg source record →