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"...The church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
I Timothy 3:15
Weynken:
A Widow Burnt to Death in The Hague
From The Martyrs Mirror
On the 15th of November, 1527, Weynken, daughter of Claes, was brought prisoner from the castle of Woerden to the Hague, whither on the 17th day of the same month, came also the count of Hooghstraten, Governor in Holland. On the 18th, the aforesaid Weynken was arraigned before the governor and the full council of Holland.
There a woman asked her: “Have you well considered the things which my lords proposed to you?”
Ans. “I abide by what I have said.”
Ques. “If you do not speak differently, and turn from your error, you will be subjected to an intolerable death.”
Ans. “If power is given you from above I am ready to suffer.” John 19:11.
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.” (I 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.
Monk. “This is not the will of the Lord; the will of God is your sanctification.”
The Executioner. ‘‘Mother, cleave to God and do not suffer yourself to be drawn away from Him.”
In the meantime this pious heroine went alone undauntedly to the bench, and stationed herself at the stake at which she was to be burned, saying “Is the bench firm; will I not fall?”
The executioner then made ready the ropes with which he was to strangle her. The woman took off her neckerchief or veil, and put the strap around her neck.
Monk. “Mother Weynken, will you gladly die as a Christian?”
Ans. “Yes, I will.”
Ques. “Do you renounce all heresy?”
Ans. “I do.”
Monk. “This is well. Are you also sorry that you have erred ?”
Ans. “I formerly did err indeed, and for that I am sorry; this however is no error, but the true way, and I adhere to God.”
When she had said this, the executioner began to strangle her, which when she felt it, she cast down her eyes and closed them, as though she had fallen into a sleep, and gave up the ghost, on the twentieth day of November, A. D. 1527.