sisters much spiritual wisdom and consolation through the Holy Ghost,
especially to my dear wife and children, whom I greatly love; but the
almighty Lord must be the nearest, as you are yourselves taught from
the word of God. Hence, my dear wife, whom I love, I write you this
little for a parting letter in this world. Adieu my love, the Lord
lighten your tribulation; and my most beloved sister in the Lord,
namely, my mother: O mother, be of good cheer in the Lord; the God of
all comfort deliver you from your tribulation. And Sijntgen, Grietgen,
and Claerken, my dear sisters in the Lord, always be at peace with one
another, and comfort one another in love. Adieu, all of you. I now go
to deliver up my life for the name of the Lord. Written the day that
I received word that I must die. Adieu Tanneken, my oldest daughter,
and Grietgen (O that the Lord might take you), and Betgen my youngest
daughter, adieu.
Written in my bonds, by me, your dear husband and brother in the Lord.
JACOB VAN DEN WEGE.
MAEYKEN VAN DEVENTER, PUT TO DEATH FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST,
AT ROTTERDAM IN HOLLAND, A. D. 1573.
Not only those of the city of Ghent, in Flanders, of whom we have just
spoken, but also those of Rotterdam, in Holland, again imbrued their
hands at this time in the blood of the saints. This appeared in the
case of a very pious and godfearing heroine of Jesus Christ, who, a
native of Deventer according to the flesh, was nevertheless from the
heavenly Jerusalem, born again of God; whose name here upon earth
was Maeyken van Deventer, while her inward and spiritual name was
known only to God, and recorded in the secret book of God’s perpetual
remembrance.
She was apprehended for her saving faith, in the city of Rotterdam, in
Holland, without any fear from the neighboring cities, as the city of
Dortrecht had already a year before, under the reign of the Prince of
Orange, William I., capitulated, no longer to shed innocent blood on
account of the faith; which had taken place in July, A. D. 1572, while
this occurred about the middle of the year 1573.
They did not stop at imprisonment, but proceeded further with her, so
that when she could not be turned from her steadfast and true faith,
sentence of death was speedily pronounced upon her, that she should be
put to death, as an immovable and obstinate heretic. O God, how couldst
thou tolerate it!
This sentence was speedily executed on her by the executioner, so that,
having commended her soul into the hands of God, she left her body upon
earth as a prey.
_Observation concerning the death sentence of Maeyken van Deventer._
We have taken much trouble, to obtain, if possible, the death sentence
of this pious woman Maeyken van Deventer, as well as of others of our
dear fellow-believers that were put to death at Rotterdam; but we have
been informed by the secretary there, who searched for it, that in the
year 1600, just fifty-nine years ago, there was a great fire in the
city hall, whereby the examinations and death sentences of said martyrs
were all burned, together with all that had been recorded with regard
to this, previous to the year 1600, as we also, for the year 1572,
showed to have occurred at Breda; certainly a lamentable matter, which
might cause to pass into oblivion that which we ought constantly to
remember, namely, the steadfast death of the saints. To prevent such
oblivion, we have deemed it necessary to notice this matter more fully
than has ever before been done. This by way of notice.
A TESTAMENT MADE BY MAEYKEN VAN DEVENTER FOR HER CHILDREN.
My children according to the flesh, but, alas! not according to the
spirit, here is a testament, which I, your mother, leave you, namely,
Albert, Johan, Egbert, Truyken, my dear children. The Lord bless you,
as Isaac blessed his son Jacob, that he should be a ruler over his
brethren. My children in the flesh, I must leave you young; may the
Most High permit us to meet in the world to come, which shall Be done
before long by the Father, who will paternally bless us with his most
holy name. This I expect from day to day, that, when it pleases the
Lord, I may offer up my life and body for his holy name’s sake, and I
trust that this will not be deferred, and that the good Lord will not
forget me any longer. When you hear this, sorrow not, as the world
does, which has no hope, or knows not where they shall be; but thank
the Most High, that you had a mother who was found worthy to shed her
blood for the name of the Lord, and who, through his great grace and
mercy, may be counted as a witness or martyr. Hence, my children,
respect this testament which I leave you.
I cannot leave you gold or silver, nor can I give you treasures of
this world, as the world gives to her children; for this I did not
take with me, but left it to your carnal father; and this I also did
not seek, but I sought the eternal riches, which are imperishable. Do
you also seek this way, and you shall live forever; and follow this
testament and the instruction which I here write you. Even as Christ
Jesus our forerunner left such to us for an everlasting testament, and
sealed it with his blood; such a testament I also leave you, and will
likewise seal the same with my blood, even as the blessed Jesus did. My
children, do not set at naught or lightly esteem this; be not heedless:
it is better than gold, for it will save your souls. If you do what I
write you, you shall see me again in great glory, and you shall be as
kings and queens; but you must keep yourselves from this corruptible
world, for it shall pass away with all its lusts.
Hear, my children, the instruction of your mother, and incline your
hearts to understanding, and open your ears to hear the words of my
mouth, for I seek the salvation of your souls; believe me, and no one
else, that you may come to me and live forever. Behold, my children, I
hold before you the way of my Bridegroom, and our forerunner, Christ
Jesus, who went before me, which leads to the truth, as the Lord has
commanded me; and behold, I take up my cross, and follow the Savior of
the whole world. Do so too, my children; I shall go before you, without
looking back, for this is the way of the prophets and martyrs, and
behold, I shall now drink the cup which they drank. I now go the way
which Christ Jesus, the Lord full of all grace and truth, who laid down
his life for his sheep, went; this cup I must drink, as Christ says:
I have a cup to drink of, and a baptism to be baptized with; and how
am I straitened till it be accomplished! Matthew 20;22; Luke 12:50.
And having thus passed through, he calls his sheep, and his sheep hear
his voice, and follow him whithersoever he goeth, for this is the way
to the living fountain; this way went the priestly kings coming from
the rising of the sun, as is written in Revelation (Rev. 16:12), and
entered into eternity. And behold, they had to drink of this cup,
and to go this way, who are now under the altar, crying and saying:
Lord almighty Father, how long dost thou not avenge our blood on them
that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given them, and it was
answered unto them: Bear yet for a little season, till the number of
your brethren that shall also be killed yet for the testimony of Jesus
Christ be fulfilled. Rev. 6:9–11. These also drank of the cup, and
ascended up to enjoy the eternal Sabbath of the Lord. And of this cup
also those had to drink who are crowned, have palms in their hands,
and are clothed in white. 2 Esd. 2:42. Yea, this is also the way trod
by the four and twenty elders that stand before the throne of God, and
cast their crowns from their heads, and their harps before the throne
of the Lamb, and falling down upon their faces, say: O God, to thee
alone be praise, honor and glory, power and strength, forever and ever.
Lord almighty God, who wilt speedily avenge the blood of thy servants
and ministers, thine be the victory; magnified be thy name, which
is, and which was, and which is to come. Rev. 4:10,11. This way also
walked the marked of the Lord, who had the mark in their foreheads, who
were chosen out of all the kindreds of men, who were not defiled with
women, but follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. 7:3; 14:3,4. Behold,
these had to drink the bitter cup, and also all those that are still
lacking of the number and fulfillment of Zion, which is the bride of
the Lamb, and the new Jerusalem, which shall descend out of heaven, in
which city and throne the glory of the great King shall be revealed and
seen, when the marriage feast shall be kept and celebrated in the day
of the high and holy Sabaoth, the Lord their God, which is the day of
their rest and joy, 6:11; 21:10. Behold, all these first suffered the
judgment in their flesh, and had to bear the punishment of this world,
for Jesus Christ was the first one, as is written: “The Lamb slain from
the foundation of the world;” and Paul says, that whom he did foreknow
he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son. Rev.
13:8; Rom. 8:29. Christ our Savior also says, that the servant is not
better than his lord, nor the disciple above his master; but it is
enough for the disciple, that he be as his master. Matthew 10:24,25.
This also Peter declares to us, who says that the time is come that
judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at
God’s elect, what shall the end be of them that have not believed the
Gospel of God? and if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the
unrighteous appear? 1 Peter 4:17,18.
Hence, my dear children, press through the strait gate, for strait and
narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find
it, and still less that walk it; but wide and broad is the way that
leadeth to destruction, and many there be that walk therein. Matt.
7:13,14.
Therefore, my children, heed the chastening and instruction of the
Lord, and bow your shoulders under his yoke and easy burden, and
bear it patiently from your youth, thanking him with great honor,
for he receives no sons whom he does not chasten, for if you forsake
chastisement after this manner, whereof we all are become partakers,
you are not children, but bastards, and you shall be cast out of your
Father’s inheritance. Heb. 12:6.
Hence, my dear children, gird your loins, and follow Christ, and
neither fear nor rest till you have found this way. And search the
Scriptures: they shall show you the way of life, for the angel says
to Esdras: Behold, a city is builded, and set upon a broad field, and
is full of all good things: the entrance thereof is narrow, and set
in a dangerous place to fall, like as if there were a fire on the
right hand, and on the left a deep water: and one only path between
them both, even between the fire and the water, so small that there
could but one man go there at once. If this city now were given unto a
man for an inheritance, if he never shall pass the danger set before
it, how shall he receive this inheritance? 2 Esd. 7:6–9. Behold, my
children, this way has no retreats; there are also no by-ways, that lie
on the right hand or on the left; this is the way which is found by so
few, and trod by still fewer; yea, there are indeed some that see it
who well know that this is the way unto life, but it is too hard for
them; it hurts them far too much.
Therefore, my children, regard not the great multitude, neither walk
in their ways; refrain your feet from their path, for they go to
hell, even as sheep to the slaughter, as the prophet Isaiah tells us,
saying: “Hell hath opened wide her mouth, that there may enter in the
princes of the earth, and the common people.” For it is a people of no
understanding; therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them.
Prov. 1:15; Isa. 59:7; 5:14; 27:11.
But, my children, remember what I write, and wherever you hear that
there is a plain, rejected little flock, that is despised and cast out
by this world; join them; and wherever you hear of the cross of Christ,
depart not away. But flee the shadow of this world, go to God; fear
him alone; keep his commandments; remember all his words to do after
them; write them upon the tables of your heart, and bind them on your
forehead, and speak of his statutes night and day, and you shall be a
pleasant branch in the garden of the Lord, yea, a beloved plant growing
up in Zion.
My children, call the fear of the Lord your Father, and wisdom and
understanding shall be your mother. If you do this, my children, the
Lord shall bless you, and sanctify your body for his service, that
his name may be sanctified through you, and magnified to his glory.
Confess him before men, that he may also confess you before his
heavenly Father. Yea, forsake your life, my children, rather than
that you should depart from the truth. And follow me; I go before
you as a valiant soldieress, who is prepared for the war or conflict
of the Lord, that I may deliver up my life for the name of the Lord.
My children, I, your mother, the instrument whereby you have been
brought into this sorrowful world, desire your salvation. Believe me
what I write you and have left you, and no one else, except what they
say agrees with the holy Scriptures. If you do this, you shall come
to me, and I to you. If you lose your body, which is of the earth,
the Lord has prepared you a better in heaven. Hence, my children,
strive valiantly unto death for the truth and for righteousness, and
arm yourselves with the armor of God, that you may be found valiant
Israelites; trample down the world and all unrighteousness that is
therein; love or seek only that which is above, and remember that you
are not of the world, even as your Lord and Master was also not of the
world. John 15:19; 17:16. And be diligent, that you too may be found
disciples; whatsoever you shall ask then, shall be done unto you; for
no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost, for the
true worshipers shall worship God in Spirit and in truth; for these
Christ prayed, and not for the world, for when the world prays, it
calls upon the devil, and they desire that his will be done in them.
John 15:7; 1 Cor. 12:3; John 4:23; 17:9. Hence, my dear children, do
not become conformed to it; flee from it, and have no fellowship with
it. Rom. 12:2; Eph. 5:11. Regard not what is fair to the eyes, for it
is all vanity; seek only those things which are above, and set your
affection on things above, and not on things on the earth. Col. 3:1,2.
Let your eyes ever look to the Lord and always labor with prayer and
supplication, that you may ever be with him in heart. Heb. 12:2. Let
your laughter be turned to weeping, for we are pilgrims here upon
earth; and let there be nothing in this world, which can rejoice you,
for it is all vanity, and passes away. Jas. 4:9; 1 Peter 2:11; 2 Cor.
4:18. Beware of covetousness with regard to earthly riches, for this
is the true foundation of perdition. Luke 12:15; 1 Tim. 6:9. Remember
me. The Lord cause you to walk in his fear, and fill you with his
Holy Spirit and sanctify your understanding and mind. My children, be
circumspect in all your conversation, and whatsoever you do, therein
let the name of the Lord be praised and blessed. Col. 3:17. And guard
your lips, that you may not take the name of God into your mouth in
vain, for this is a great unrecognized sin; and do not use the name of
God, except you do it with great reverence, with bended knees, and with
uncovered head, or it will be accounted ill to you. Ex. 20:7. Pray God
that you may learn to know him, and be not ashamed to confess and honor
him, who can save your souls; for the Lord will not tolerate that his
people deny him, for it is enough that the world dishonors and denies
him; hence let us honor, praise and glorify his holy name with the
whole heart, for it is written, that whosoever takes the name of the
Lord in vain is worthy of death.
Therefore, my children, love your neighbor heartily, and this with a
liberal heart. Let the light of the gospel shine in you. 2 Cor. 4:4.
Deal your bread to the hungry, clothe the naked, and do not suffer
anything to remain with you double, since there are enough that lack.
Is. 58:7. And whatsoever the Lord grants you, that possess with
thankfulness, not only for yourselves, but also for your neighbor,
and seek not your own profit, but that of your neighbor. In short,
my children, let your life be conformed to the gospel of Christ. And
the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working
in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, that your whole
spirit, soul and body may be found blameless unto the appearing of our
Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, power and majesty forever and
ever. Amen. Heb. 13:20,21; 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
A PRAYER BY SAID MAEYKEN VAN DEVENTER.
O holy Father, sanctify the children of thy handmaiden in thy truth,
and keep them from all evil, and from all unrighteousness, for thy holy
name’s sake. O almighty Father, I commend them unto you, since they are
thy creatures; care for them, for they are thy handiwork; so that they
may walk in thy paths. Amen.
MAEYKEN WENS, AND SOME OF HER FELLOW-BELIEVERS, BURNT FOR THE TESTIMONY
OF JESUS CHRIST, AT ANTWERP, A. D. 1573.
The north wind of persecution blew now the longer the more through the
garden of the Lord, so that the herbs and trees of the same (that is
the true believers) were rooted out of the earth through the violence
that came against them. This appeared, among other instances, in the
case of a very godfearing and pious woman, named Maeyken Wens, who
was the wife of a faithful minister of the church of God in the city
of Antwerp, by the name of Mattheus Wens, by trade a mason. About
the month of April, A. D. 1573, she, together with others of her
fellow-believers, was apprehended at Antwerp, bound, and confined in
the severest prison there. In the meantime she was subjected to much
conflict and temptation by so-called spirituals (ecclesiastics), as
well as by secular persons, to cause her to apostatize from her faith.
But when she could by no manner of means, not even by severe tortures,
be turned from the steadfastness of her faith, they, on the fifth day
of October, 1573, passed sentence upon her, and pronounced it publicly
in court at the aforementioned place, namely, that she should, with her
mouth screwed shut, or with her tongue screwed up, be burnt to ashes as
a heretic, together with several others, who were also imprisoned and
stood in like faith with her.
Thereupon, the following day, the sixth of October, this pious and
godfearing heroine of Jesus Christ, as also her fellow-believers that
had been condemned with a like sentence, were brought forth, with
their tongues screwed fast, as innocent sheep for the slaughter, and
each having been fastened to a stake in the market place, deprived,
by fierce and terrible flames, of their lives and bodies, so that in
a short time they were consumed to ashes; which severe punishment of
death they steadfastly endured; hence the Lord shall hereafter change
their vile bodies, and fashion them like unto his glorious body.
Philip. 3:21.
_Further observation._
The oldest son of the aforementioned martyress, named Adriaen Wens,
aged about fifteen years, could not stay away from the place of
execution on the day on which his dear mother was offered up; hence he
took his youngest little brother, named Hans (or Jan) Mattheus Wens,
who was about three years old, upon his arm and went and stood with him
somewhere upon a bench, not far from the stakes erected, to behold his
mother’s death.
But when she was brought forth and placed at the stake, he lost
consciousness, fell to the ground, and remained in this condition until
his mother and the rest were burnt. Afterwards, when the people had
gone away, having regained consciousness, he went to the place where
his mother had been burnt, and hunted in the ashes, in which he found
the screw with which her tongue had been screwed fast, which he kept in
remembrance of her.
There are at present, 1659, several grandchildren (well known to us)
still living of this pious martyress, who are named after her.
Touching the others, her fellow-believers, who were put to death with
her, we are not able, because it is so long ago, to give their names,
but it appears to us, that they are those who are mentioned in the next
following account (that is, the women[336]) since it is stated of them,
that they were, on the same day, namely the sixth of October, 1573,
also put to death, at Antwerp, by fire. This by way of notice.
[336] These are called: Janneken Mumstdorp, Mariken, Lijsken.
THE LETTERS AND TESTAMENTS OF MAEYKEN WENS, WIFE OF MATTHEUS WENS,
MASON, IN HIS LIFE-TIME A MINISTER OF THE CHURCH OF GOD AT ANTWERP;
OFFERED UP THE 6TH OF OCTOBER, 1573.
_Bemint Gott boven al: op den Steen,
Daer de vreugde is seer kleen;
Maer ik hope ’t sal hier haest zijn gedaen
Als ’t God belieft my in genade ’t ontfaen._
Grace and peace from God the Father, through Jesus Christ his only
begotten Son, who grant you wisdom and understanding, that you may
wisely govern yourself and your children, and bring them up in the fear
of God, to which end may the good Father strengthen you, and the Holy
Ghost comfort you in your tribulation. This is the greeting and wish
of my heart to you my dear and much beloved husband in the Lord. After
all salutation, I inform you that I am still tolerably well according
to the flesh, and also according to the spirit I trust I am doing the
best; but my best is nothing special, and I regret, that I am not more
thankful for all that comes upon me, for it is all the work of the
Lord. We ought to thank the Lord in adversity as well as in that which
is agreeable to the flesh; for if the Lord takes all from us, he takes
from us no more than what he has lent us, for it belongs to us no
longer than it pleases the Lord. O that I could always thank the Lord
as well when the flesh suffers adversity, as when it prospers--then we
can thank the Lord indeed.
O my dear friend, I should never have thought that parting should come
so hard to me as it does. True the imprisonment seemed hard to me; but
that was because they were so tyrannical; but now the parting is the
hardest of all.
O my very dear and beloved husband, pray the Lord heartily in my
behalf, to remove the conflict from me; for it is in his power, if it
is his pleasure. Truly the Lord has said: He that does not forsake
everything is not worthy of me; for the Lord well knew that it would
come hard to the flesh. But I hope that the Lord will also help me
through even as he has helped many, and for which I can simply trust
him. O how easy it is to be a Christian, so long as the flesh is not
put to the trial, or nothing has to be relinquished; then it is an easy
thing to be a Christian.
Herewith I will conclude my letter, and commend you and your children
to the Lord, that you may walk in wisdom, to the edification of your
neighbor, and the salvation of your soul. I commend you to the Lord,
and to the rich word of his grace: this is the good greeting and wish
of my heart. As regards further the visiting, you may do in the matter
according to your pleasure; for I should indeed often desire your
visit, were it not for the expense. But if you want to make your heart
glad, you may come; I dare say nothing else, except that it costs so
much, else I should desire to have you come soon. If you come, go to no
expense in the way of bringing anything with you, as it costs far too
much. No more for this time, except that you may prosper in soul and
body; this is my desire. Greet the acquaintances in the Lord much in my
name, and also the friends according to the flesh. My companions also
greet you much. My children also come in for a share.
Written in my bonds by me,
MAEYKEN WENS.
THE SECOND LETTER FROM MAEYKEN WENS, WRITTEN TO HER HUSBAND.
The grace and peace of God the Father, and the great mercy and love
of the Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who through grace was sent by the
Father to the salvation of all those that have died unto their sins,
and are thus risen with Christ unto newness of life; and the eternal,
unfathomable joy, comfort, and fellowship of the Holy Ghost, strengthen
and keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, to whom be glory
forever and ever. Amen.
After all cordial salutation to you my very dear and beloved husband
and brother in the Lord, I inform you that my heart is still fixed to
offer up a sacrifice to the Lord, the Lord be praised for the great
grace which he shows to me poor, miserable creature. And I am also
tolerably well according to the flesh, as I trust through the grace
of the Lord that it is also with you, my most beloved in the Lord.
Nothing more for this time, but I commend you to the Lord and to the
words of his grace; this is the good wish and greeting of my heart.
Farewell. Pray for me.
By me, your dear wife and sister in the Lord.
MAEYKEN WENS.
THE THIRD LETTER FROM MAEYKEN WENS, WRITTEN IN PRISON AT ANTWERP, THE
21ST OF APRIL, A. D. 1573, TO HER SON.
_Always fear God and love him above all._