Afterwards they wanted to sentence them by the secular law, which it was said, was done by four judicial persons, or judges, namely, that these two persons should be drowned (for the word of God), by being cast alive, bound, from the Meuse bridge. On that same Saturday there came to them to Luyck two men from their locality, to ask both of them, whether they had some word to send yet. Coming thus unbeknown, they found them in a chamber, where sat the lords to sentence them, and they were standing in their midst, and when Aeltgen saw her acquaintance she said to him: “Nephew, have you come to visit us once more? we trust to offer up our sacrifice within one hour; we thank you heartily for it, and I request you to please tell my husband, to bring up my children in the fear of God.” Maeyken also said: “Do bid my father and mother many adieus.” This they spoke while standing among the lords, expecting their sentence. The men tarrying a little, one of the lords bowed himself before Maeyken, begging her to recant and to believe in the Romish church; and her life should be spared. Thereupon Aeltgen said: “We want to die, as Christ’s apostles did.” Now when their last hour was approaching, both were brought forth from prison. Hence, both of them being rejoiced, they began to sing and to thank and praise God; but alas! the poor lambs could not long enjoy this; for what is granted to thieves and murderers, namely, to speak, of this they were deprived, and they were conducted back to prison, where their mouths were gagged, and they were thus, as dumb lambs, led to the slaughter and death. When they arrived on the Meuse Bridge, many and various reports of this matter were circulating among the common people. When they arrived at the place appointed, the executioner began to bind them, but they had to keep silent, until the executioner loosed the cloth that was before their mouths, and tied it over their eyes. Then Aeltgen first said: “O Lord, this is a beautiful city indeed; would that it repented with Nineveh;” and commending herself to God, the executioner forthwith cast her from the bridge down into the water, and she was instantly drowned.
The executioner then also released Maeyken’s mouth, so that she was heard to speak, saying to the executioner: “Grant me, that in my greatest extremity I may pray to God and call upon him.” The executioner said: “Pray to our lords the magistrates, and believe with us in the Romish church; and you shall save your life. Maeyken said: “I have never done amiss to the magistrates; hence I also need not to worship them;” but the executioner gave her a short answer, and giving her no time, cast her down from the bridge immediately; she did not sink instantly as Aeltgen, but with blooming cheeks she drifted upon the water for a long time, until, it is said, she had reached the lower side of the city.
Thus these two Christians ended their lives to the honor of God, on the 24th of July, 1595.
HERE FOLLOWS A LETTER WHICH MAEYKEN WOUTERS WROTE FROM PRISON TO HER PARENTS, AND TO OTHERS OF HER FELLOW BELIEVERS.
The abundant mercy of God our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, this I wish you, my dear father and mother, brothers and sisters, whom I love much from the heart, but our heavenly Father above all, for he has called me, that I should help him bear his sufferings, for which I have asked him many times, if I might be worthy of it. Hence I followed him with great joy.
My dear father and mother, think not (though I am bodily separated from you and the flock of Christ) that my Bridegroom will forsake me; think what he has said: Though a mother should forsake her child, yet will I never forsake mine elect, whom my heavenly Father has given me. Is. 49:15. Hence if it is his pleasure, I shall soon be delivered. But if you now deliver me with temporal wealth, you deprive our Bridegroom of his honor, and believe not that he will deliver me.