862J Judith Zins-Penninck (1631-1664) [Caton, William, translator]

Some worthy proverbs left behind by Judith Zins-Penninck, to be read in the congregation of the saints· Translated into English by one that testifieth, that God is no respecter of persons, for whosoever worketh righteousness, and feareth him, of what nation, countrey, trib or language soever he or she be, such find acceptance with the Lord. W.C.

London : printed for William Warwick, 1663. Price. $ 4,500

Quarto [2], 10 p.  Signatures; Bound in modern plain wrapers

Judith Zinspenning, daughter Conrad Zinspenning and Catharina de Mol who were Mennonite, and afterwards a Baptist. Judith was married in 1652 to the Mennonite physician Jacob Willemsz Sewel. She showed such a deep religious inclination that her father said: “It is a pity that this girl is not a boy, who then in time might become an eminent instrument in the church.” Judith joined the Quakers in 1657, after hearing William Ames. She became an eloquent minister, visited England in 1663, was author of A Serious Reproof to the Flemish Baptists, 1660, a Book of Proverbs (translated into English by William Caton, London, 1663), An Epistle, and other short books. She died at Amsterdam on 10 September 1664, aged 34. Her husband predeceased her.

“You foolish Virgins, how have you been sleeping away your precious time“

With Quakerism she found the lively inner “Spirit.” The Sewels left the Mennonites and became ardent “instruments” of Quakerism. The Sewel home became a place for Quaker meetings. She was the first woman to lead worship services.

In 1663 she traveled to England with William Ames’ successor William Caton, where she developed further intimate contacts with the Quakers. She preached and wrote several books, including Een ernstige berispinge aen de leeraers van de ulaemsche doops-gesinde gemeinte ende de leeden derselve In Amsterdam : [publisher not identified], 1660 . She became a victim of a plague epidemic on her return to The Netherlands. Years later her son noted Dutch historian and lexicographer Willem Sewel published her writings in Eenige schriften en zendbrieven. . . nu tot verderen dienst gemeen gemaakt (1684). He also included a warm tribute to her in his Historie.  

The present work is in fact a letter comprised of a series of proverbs of various lengths and on a great variety of subjects, focused on achieving wisdom and love through service and obedience to God and by supporting “them that are stumbling.” The work is signed in type “Your Friend and Sister, Judith Zins-Penninck” and datelined at the end from Colchester on June 2, 1663. The text is an English translation by Quaker William Caton (1636-1665) of the original Dutch. Zins-Penninck (or Zinspenning, as her name is sometimes found) was a deeply religious Mennonite until she was converted to Quakerism by missionary William Ames in 1657. She became a valuable missionary herself, hosting Quaker meetings at her house and preaching the Quaker doctrine in England in 1663, the same trip that produced the present work. Sadly, she contracted the plague on her way back from England to the Netherlands and died the next year.

•Note. The subsequent history of William Bradford in America, his work, and
his connection with the Keith schism, is part of Pennsylvania history.
ºNote. Judith Zins-Penninck or Zins-Penning, was a Dutch woman, the wife
of Jacob Williamson Sewel, and the mother of William Sewel, the well-known Quaker
historian. She died at Amsterdam, in the, 7th month, 1664. A copy of the above
tract, which is somewhat rare, is in the Haver ford College Library. (See Smith’s
Catalogue of Friends’

ESTC No.: R25223; Wing Z13; Smith, J. Descriptive catalogue of Friends’ books, II, p. 979.

https://datb.cerl.org/estc/R25223

Locations :1) Folger Shakespeare, 2)Friends Historical Society of Swarthmore College, 3)Harvard, 4)Haverford, 5)Huntington, 6)Yale .

I could not find any book by Judith Zins-Penninck in APC . In the 1906 book auctions records I only found this !

“William Warwick, bookseller in Colchester (?), 1663. His name is found on the imprint to a pamphlet entitled Some Worthy Proverbs Left Behind by Judith Zins-Penninckt to Be Read in the Congregation of the Saints.’ Translated into English by one that testifieth that God is no respecter of persons, for whosoever worketh righteousness, and feareth him, of what Nation, Countrey, Tribe or Language soever he or she be, such find acceptance with the Lord. W[illiam] C[aton], London, Printed for William Warwick, 1663.”

W. Warwick also printed “A Testimony,” etc., to Edward Burrough, in 1662; and William Ames’s “Sound out of Zion,” in 1663. The imprint, as given by Smith, “London. Printed and are to Be Sold by William Warwick,” would seem to imply that in 1662 and 1663, Warwick was resident in London, and not Colchester, as the Dictionary supposes. (Smith 1 : 367 ; 1 : 28.)”