At the close of the year 1572, there was apprehended at Meenen, in Flanders, for the truth and the word of God, a spinster, about forty-three years old, named Pierijntgen Loosveldt, or Neckers. While kindly ministering to a sick person, she was walking out at a certain time, when she met the chief Bailiff, Joncker Jan de Carmago, who apprehended her, and asked where she resided. She pleasantly replied that she did not live very far off, and gave him the fairest words, in order to be released. But it was all of no avail; she had to go to prison, and on the second day, when she had not had much time for consideration, she was summoned before the lords, and examined concerning her faith, which she freely confessed.
In the first place she was accused that she had attended improper assemblies, contrary to the Emperor’s decree. But Pierijntgen held that she had used diligence to follow Christ, and to shun the evil, and to go out from them, and join the good, knowing that Christ says: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matt. 18:20. And these assemblies she could not forsake, though it should cost her her life.
In the second place she was asked whether she had not had herself rebaptized. She confessed that she had suffered herself to be baptized according to the command of Christ, which they considered Anabaptism, not at all regarding the instance of the disciples who, though they had received John’s baptism, did nevertheless, after they had heard the preaching of Paul, suffered themselves also to be baptized in the name of Jesus. And that one must first believe on Jesus Christ, and be baptized upon such faith, according to the teaching of the Scriptures, which also say, that baptism is a burial of sin and the answer of a good conscience.
When they asked her, who was present when she was baptized, she did not confess it, however hard she was threatened.
In the third place they asked her, whether she did not regard the priests as the vicars of Christ, who had power to forgive sin; and that whatever they bound or loosed had to remain bound or loosed. But she could not confess that they are such vicars of Christ who are not minded as he is; for he is the true Shepherd, who laid down his life for his sheep, while the priests do the very opposite. He is the true Mediator between God and men (1 Tim. 2:5), and his Father’s vicar. He is the open, clear Fountain (Zech. 13:1), who calls to him all those who are burdened and laden with sin. He is the true pool with five entrances, of which John tells (John 5:2), and all who truly repent shall receive the forgiveness of their sins. Luke 24:47. No one was found worthy to open the book with seven seals, but the Lamb Jesus Christ. Rev. 5:1. He is the right door; it is of no avail whether any one will open or shut, the ungodly must remain without. John 10:9; Rev. 22:15.
In the fourth place she was asked, whether she did not confess that the body of Christ was in the sacrament or wafer, when the priest had pronounced the words over it, and consecrated it in the mass. But she could regard the mass, with all that pertained to it, for nothing more than a plant, planted by men, which God should root up. Matt. 15:13. But she confessed that Christ had left us the Supper to be observed in remembrance of him, according to Paul’s doctrine, and thereby to shew the Lord’s death. 1 Cor. 11:25,26.
In the fifth place she was also asked whether she did not confess that infant baptism was necessary for salvation, and for the washing away of the original sin which has adhered to us from Adam. But her confession was, that one could receive but one baptism, and that only they are worthy of it who forsake sin, or repent, and believe in the name of Jesus Christ; and that it was also not a washing away of sin, but the answer of a good conscience, and that the blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin. Ephesians 4:5; Acts 2:38; 1 Pet. 3:21; 1 John 1:7.