Maria van Beckum, and Ursula, her Brother's Wife, in the Year 1544

In the year 1544, there was a sister in the Lord named Maria van Beckum, whom her mother had driven from home because of her faith. [n666-1] When this became known in the Bishopric* of Utrecht and was reported to the Stadtholder, he sent one Goossen van Raesveldt with many servants to arrest this maiden at her brother John van Beckum's, where she had fled. She was made to rise from her bed and go with them; and when she saw how many people had come for her, she asked Ursula, her brother's wife, whether she would go along and keep her company. She answered: "If John van Beckum is satisfied, I will gladly go with you, and we will rejoice together in the Lord." When Maria brought this request to her brother, he consented, and Ursula went with her. Here love was stronger than death, and firmer than the grave. Song of Songs 8, verse 6. Her mother and sister had come from Friesland to see her; but this could not move her. She took leave of them, for she chose to suffer affliction rather than to have worldly joy; so she went with her sister Maria. They were brought together to Deventer. There blind leaders came to them, who cunningly tried to win them over to human institutions. But they answered: "We hold to the Word of God, and do not regard the dictates of the pope, nor the errors of the whole world." Friar Grouwel also tried to teach them much, but he could not prove his claims by the Scriptures.

Now since he could not overcome them, he said: "The devil speaks through your mouth. Away with them to the fire."

They greatly rejoiced that they were worthy to suffer for the name of Christ, and to help bear His reproach. Acts 5, verse 41.

They were then brought to the house at Delden, where many efforts were made to make them fall away, yet all in vain. A commissary came from the court of Burgundy, who greatly praised the mass and all the institutions of the pope; but he could not prevail against the Scriptures which they brought forward. He then asked them whether they had been rebaptized. They replied: "We have been baptized once according to the command of Christ and the practice of the apostles; for there is only one true baptism, and he who receives it has put on Christ, and leads a blameless life through the Holy Ghost, in the answer of a good conscience." Ephesians 4, verse 5; Galatians 3, verse 27; First Peter 3, verse 21. He also asked them whether they believed that Christ was wholly present in the sacrament. This they considered a blind question, and they said: "God will have no likeness or image, neither in heaven nor on earth (Exodus 20, verse 4); for He says through the prophet: 'I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no Savior.' Isaiah 43, verse 11. But as regards the Supper, we find that Christ left it as a memorial of His death, with bread and wine; as often as we commemorate it, we are to show forth His death until He comes." First Corinthians 11, verse 26.

Now since Maria and Ursula regarded all the institutions of the pope as heresy, they were brought into open court at Delden, on the thirteenth of November, before the children of Pilate and Caiaphas, where they were sentenced to death. In this they rejoiced, praising God. When they were led to the stake, many of the people, seeing their steadfastness, wept. But they sang for joy, and said: "Do not weep because of what is inflicted on us." "We do not suffer," said Maria, "as witches or other criminals, but because we hold to Christ and will not be separated from God; so be converted, and it will be well with you forever."

When the time of suffering drew near, Maria said: "Dear sister, heaven is opened for us; for what we now suffer for a little while, we shall be happy forever with our bridegroom." They then gave each other the kiss of peace. Then they prayed together to God, that He would forgive the judges their sins, since they did not know what they were doing; and that since the world was sunk in blindness, God would have compassion on them, and receive their souls into His eternal kingdom. They first took Maria, who begged the authorities not to shed any more innocent blood. Then she prayed fervently to God, and also prayed for those who put her to death; upon which she rose up joyfully, and went to the stake with such great gladness that it cannot be told, saying: "To You, O Christ, I have given myself; I know that I shall live with You forever. Therefore, O God of heaven, into Your hands I commend my spirit." The executioner swore because the chain did not suit him; but she said: "Friend, consider what you are doing; my body is not worthy that you should blaspheme Christ because of it; repent, or you will burn for it in hell." The preacher, a teacher at Delden, turned Ursula around, but she turned back again, and urgently said: "Let me see the end of my sister, for I also desire to receive the glory into which she is to enter."

After Maria was burned, they asked Ursula whether she would not yet fall away. "No," she said, "not for death; I will not forsake the eternal riches in this way." They would also honor her with the sword, but she said: "My flesh is not too good to be burned for the name of Christ." To one of her relatives she said: "Wish John van Beckum good night, and tell him to serve God, to whom I am now about to be offered." When she came to the wood, she clasped her hands, and said: "Our Father who is in heaven." "Yes," said the priest, "there you will find Him." "Because I seek Him there," she said, "I must die this temporal death. If I should confess Him in the bread, I might live longer." When she stepped onto the wood, her foot slipped. "I think I am falling off," she said. "Stop," cried the tyrant; "she means to fall away." "No," she said, "the block is slipping out from under me; I will not waver in the Word of God, but will hold to Christ constantly." So both remained steadfast to the end, and sealed the Word of God with their death, in great patience and boldness, leaving us a good example.