ELIZABETH, A. D. 1549.

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.”

Lords: “You speak from a spirit of pride.”

Elizabeth: “No, my lords, I speak with frankness.”

Lords: “What did the Lord say, when he gave his disciples the Supper?”

Elizabeth: “What did he give them, flesh or bread?”

Lords: “He gave them bread.”

Elizabeth: “Did not the Lord remain sitting there? Who then would eat the flesh of the Lord?”

Lords: “What are your views concerning infant baptism, seeing you have been rebaptized?”

Elizabeth: “No, my lords, I have not been rebaptized. I have been baptized once upon my faith; for it is written that baptism belongs to believers.”

Lords: “Are our children damned then, because they are baptized?”

Elizabeth: “No, my lords, God forbid, that I should judge the children.”

Lords: “Do you not seek your salvation in baptism?”

Elizabeth: “No, my lords, all the water in the sea could not save me; but salvation is in Christ (Acts 4:10), and he has commanded me to love God my Lord above all things, and my neighbor as myself.”

Lords: “Have the priests power to forgive sins?”

Elizabeth: “No, my lords; how should I believe this? I say that Christ is the only priest through whom sins are forgiven.” Heb. 7:21.

Lords: “You say that you believe everything that accords with the holy Scriptures; do you not believe the words of James?”

Elizabeth: “Yea, my lords, why should I not believe them?”

Lords: “Does he not say: Go to the elder of the church, that he may anoint you, and pray over you?” James 5:14.

Elizabeth: “Yea, my lords; but do you mean to say that you are of this church?”

Lords: “The Holy Ghost has saved you already; you need neither confession nor sacrament?”

Elizabeth: “No, my lords, I acknowledge that I have transgressed the ordinance of the Pope, which the Emperor has confirmed by decrees. But prove to me that I have transgressed in any article 465 against my Lord and my God, and I will cry woe over me, miserable being.”