Claes Leeks, a native of Ostende, was summoned to the town-house, in the year 1548, on account of certain reports that were circulating about him. Having arrived there, he was examined respecting his faith, and, making a good confession, he was committed to prison. He was a man of very good reputation, on account of the many alms which he gave to the poor. When he was examined, he renounced the papistic, Roman church, and also infant baptism, which he refuted with the holy Scriptures. Thereupon, as he steadfastly adhered to his faith in God, he was sentenced to be strangled and burned. As he was being led out to death, the priest presented the crucifix to him to kiss it, which he refused to do. The priest also said to the people: “Pray for this deceiver; for he is going from this fire into the eternal fire.” To this he simply replied: “This is what you say, but I have a better assurance.” Thus he offered up his sacrifice as a true child of God.
Elizabeth was apprehended on the 15th of January, 1549. When those who had come to apprehend her entered the house in which she lived, they found a Latin Testament. Having secured Elizabeth, they said: “We have got the right man; we have now the teacheress;” adding: “Where is your husband, Menno Simon, the teacher?”
They then brought her to the town-house. The following day two beadles took her between them to prison.
She was then arraigned before the council, and asked upon oath, whether she had a husband.
Elizabeth answered: “We ought not to swear, but our words should be Yea, yea, and Nay, nay; I have no husband.”
_Lords_: “We say that you are a teacher, and that you seduce many. We have been told this, and we want to know who your friends are.”
_Elizabeth_: “My God has commanded me to love my Lord and my God, and to honor my parents; hence I will not tell you who my parents are; for what I suffer for the name of Christ is a reproach to my friends.”
_Lords_: “We will let you alone in regard to this, but we want to know whom you have taught.”
_Elizabeth_: “Oh no, my lords, let me in peace with this, but interrogate me concerning my faith, which I will gladly tell you.”
_Lords_: “We shall make you so afraid, that you will tell us.”
_Elizabeth_: “I hope through the grace of God, that he will keep my tongue, so that I shall not become a traitoress, and deliver my brother into death.”
_Lords_: “What persons were present when you were baptized?”
_Elizabeth_: “Christ said: Ask them that were present, or who heard it.” John 18:21.
_Lords_: “Now we perceive that you are a teacher; for you compare yourself to Christ.”
_Elisabeth_: “No, my lords, far be it from me; for I do not esteem myself above the offscourings which are swept out from the house of the Lord.”
_Lords_: “What then do you hold concerning the house of God? do you not regard our church as the house of God?”
_Elizabeth_: “No, my lords, for it is written: Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them.” 2 Corinthians 6:16.
_Lords_: “What do you hold concerning our mass?”
_Elizabeth_: “My lords, of your mass I think nothing at all; but I highly esteem all that accords with the word of God.”
_Lords_: “What are your views with regard to the most adorable, holy sacrament?”
_Elizabeth_: “I have never in my life read in the holy Scriptures of a holy sacrament, but of the Lord’s Supper.” (She also quoted the Scripture relating to this.)
_Lords_: “Be silent, for the devil speaks through your mouth.”
_Elizabeth_: “Yea, my lords, this is a small matter, for the servant is not better than his lord.”