vain or light-minded, but who, by patient continuance in well-doing,
seek for eternal life; hereunto he has called and chosen us, that we
should be holy and without blame before him in love; for such a holy
church he has chosen, which has not spot or wrinkle, but that should
walk holily and unblamably before him in love. Rom. 2:7; Eph. 1:4;
5:27. Therefore be holy in all your conversation; since it is written:
“Ye shall be holy, for I am holy.” Lev. 11:45. O see my dear brethren,
it is time for you to take heed; for the axe is now laid at the root
of the trees; every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit shall be
hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matt. 3:10. “For not every one that
saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but
he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 7:21.
For, being dead unto sin, and purified by the knowledge of the truth,
you must not be empty, lest the devil take with him the seven spirits
and return into you, and the last state be worse than the first.” Rom.
6:11; Matt. 12:45.
“Let not sin reign therefore in your mortal body, that ye should obey
it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments
of unrighteousness unto sin; but yield yourselves unto God, as those
that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of
righteousness unto God;” and “pray that your flight be not in the
winter, neither on the Sabbath day;” and be not found in darkness, dear
brethren, lest that “day should overtake you as a thief.” Rom. 6:12,13;
Matt. 24:20; 1 Thess. 5:4. For if ye do so, ye shall be children of
light and of the day; for they are not the children of God, who boast
of the faith, but do not fulfill it with the works, for Christ says:
“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” John 13:17. For
he that knows it, and does it not, is likened unto a fool; and the
servant that knows the will of his lord, and does it not, shall be
beaten with many stripes. Matt. 7:26; Luke 12:47. But those who believe
with the heart, and do as they believe, are the true children of God,
and shall also be accounted believers in the kingdom of heaven. Hence I
counsel you, and beseech you with Peter, that, giving all diligence you
add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge,
temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness;
and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness,
charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that
ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ; but an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly
into everlasting life. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and
cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old
sins. 2 Pet. 1:5–8,11,9. Therefore, purify your souls in obeying the
truth, in true, unfeigned love of the brethren, and love one another
with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed,
but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth
forever. 1 Pet. 1:22,23. Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and
place all your hope in God; have fervent love among yourselves, and
be of one mind; mind not high things, but condescend to men of low
estate; let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth nor
spend your time in vain conversation, which increases only unto more
ungodliness; but speak that which is good to the use of edifying that
it may minister grace unto the hearers: let your speech be always
with grace, seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6); for Peter says: “If any
man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;” (1 Pet. 4:11) that
you may be an example unto all men; for Christ says: “Ye are the salt
of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savor, it is thenceforth
good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of
men.... Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but
on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”
“Ye are the light of the world.” “Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in
heaven.” Matt. 5:13,15,14,16. And Peter says: Have your conversation
honest among the Gentiles; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as
of evil doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good
conversation in the fear of God. 1 Pet. 2:12, 3:16.
He further says: “He that will love life, and see good days, let him
refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it. For
the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open
unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do
evil.” 1 Pet. 3:10–12. Hence, take good heed, that the angry face of
the Lord do not look down upon you; for in the last day the ungodly
shall exclaim: “O ye hills and mountains, fall upon us, and cover us,
that we may not see the angry face of him that sitteth on the throne.”
Hos. 10:8; Rev. 6:16. And Christ says: “Except your righteousness shall
exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no
case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:20. Again, except ye be
converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the
kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 18:3.
See, my dear brethren and sisters, if you are not thus humble, give
diligence that you become so; for Christ’s words are no lies; he says:
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not eaten and
drunk in thy presence? and in thy name have cast out devils? But then
will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that
work iniquity.” Matt. 7:22,23; Luke 13:26. And Paul says: He that
lives after the flesh, shall die. Rom. 8:13. O friends, there is a
great number of you, that are like unto asses and mules, which are so
lazy that they have to be urged on with blows and kicks. O this is not
walking according to love. Lift up the hands that hang down, and the
feeble knees; you have slept long enough, for Paul says: “Awake thou
that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee
light!” Heb. 12:12; Eph. 5:14. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek
those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of
God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Col. 3:1,2.
O, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, be followers of God, as
chosen children; and walk in love, as he also hath loved us and hath
given himself an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling
savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it
not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness,
nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient, but rather
giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean
person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance
in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Be ye not therefore partakers
with them. For ye were sometime darkness, but now are ye light in the
Lord: walk as children of light; for the fruit of the Spirit is in
all goodness and righteousness and truth. And have no fellowship with
the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians
5:1–5,7–9,11. I therefore admonish you, as fellow helpers, for the Lord
says: I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in a day of salvation
have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now
is the day of salvation. Let us give no offense in anything, that the
ministry be not blamed; but in all things approve ourselves as the
ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in
distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in nakedness, in
perils, under the sword; by pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering,
by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of
truth, by the power of God, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and
good report, as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well
known; as dying and, behold, we live; as chastened and not killed; as
poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all
things. 2 Cor. 6:1–10; 11; 26,27.
My dear friends, my mouth is open unto you, out of brotherly love,
and I humbly beseech you, let this mind be in you, which was also in
Christ Jesus, showing such love with the deed among yourselves; for
this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that ye should
love one another; for he that loveth not, abideth in death. But whoso
hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth
up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in
him? My dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, let us no longer love
in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 2 Corinthians 6:11; Philip. 2:5;
1 John 3:11,14,17,18; 4:8. Always remember the poor, and let each
give according to his ability, with joy; for God loveth a cheerful
giver, and Paul says: “He that sheweth mercy, let him do it with
cheerfulness.” Tobit 4:7; 2 Cor. 9:6; Rom. 12:8. For, consider once,
whether, if you were as fervent in love, as you have been in the world,
you would not as easily know to find two or three stivers to give to
the poor, as you found them for drinking or gambling purposes? Not my
dear friends, that I would burden or oppress you, only that each show
his love herein, according to his weak ability; for you cannot take
your possessions with you. You may take me for an example; for they
have taken everything, yea, all the money we had, and asked us yet
whether we did not have more.
It is therefore far better, that you help the poor with it, than that
the lord[251] have it, and if you are willing to give your life for
your brother, how much more ought you to assist him with your temporal
goods! that it be as it is written: “They that gathered much had
nothing over, and they that gathered little had no lack.” 1 John 3:16;
Jas. 2:16; Ex. 16:18: And see to it also, that all be done honestly,
that it be as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness, and that
the offering be acceptable unto the Lord. For the administration of
this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but aboundeth
also in many thanksgivings to God. 2 Cor. 9:5,12. Hence give diligence,
to show your love herein, that the Lord may be glorified and thanked
thereby, and that you may approve yourselves in all things as ministers
of God. 1 Pet. 4:11. Read what Paul says to the Corinthians; he will
teach you how to conduct yourselves herein; and I humbly beseech you,
that when you have read it, you will also act according to it; for it
is necessary.
[251] The worldly ruler.
Furthermore, I beseech all of you young married people, that you live
together in all humility, simplicity and harmony. Young wives, submit
yourselves unto your husbands, in the fear of God: and you, young men,
love your wives as your own selves; support and bear them with all
humility and kindness, and affectionately admonish and instruct them
with the word of the Lord; for you know neither the day nor the hour
when the Lord shall separate you. 1 Pet. 3:1; Eph. 5:22; Matt. 25:13.
Take me and my wife for an example,--how soon the Lord separated us, to
his glory. Hence, live together in all humility, so long as the Lord
permits you to be together: for your time is short here, seeing the
Lord delights to have his chosen with him. Job 14:1. And furthermore,
I beseech you, my dear brethren, that you also give diligence to get
usury (Matt. 25:27); for I trust in the Lord, that through seeing and
hearing this, many shall yet turn to the truth, and I will also do my
best with those who come here to see me. And gather the poor, scattered
flock, for which I am greatly concerned; for they scarcely know where
to go or dwell, and are in greater distress than we here. Acts 8:1–4.
But be of good cheer, my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord; though
we enjoy more freedom than you, be patient in your persecution; you
shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Lord shall
deliver you. Matt. 10:23. Be diligent, therefore, in assembling
together, and in comforting and admonishing one another with the word
of the Lord, that love may not wax cold among you. Matt. 24:12.
Thus, admonish and instruct one another in the love of God: and I
beseech you, not to forget us in your prayers, and now and then to
write a letter to my wife, to comfort her, since she will be confined
a long time yet. I would further tell you, that I am in great joy, and
cannot sufficiently praise and thank my Lord day and night, for his
great love shown us, in that he has made both of us worthy to suffer
for his name; and for the power and strength he shows in us, and for
his promises given us; for this is the hour for which I so long prayed
the Lord, not considering myself good enough, that I should be worthy
to suffer for his name. Therefore I am so rejoiced, because my hour is
come, that I shall be delivered from this flesh.
Thus strengthen yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of
our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Now unto him that is able to
keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence
of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be
glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Greet
one another with a holy kiss of peace. Jude 21,24,25; 1 Cor. 16:20.
Let all the friends hear this letter; for I have written to you out of
brotherly love, and am sorry that I can write to you no more. I commend
you all to the Lord. Salute G. S. H. D. in the Lord--whom I sincerely
love,--and also all brethren and sisters in the Lord. Receive this
brief admonition in good part (Heb. 13:22); for my spirit impelled me
to admonish you a little.
Written in prison, by me,
JEROME SEGERS.
A LETTER FROM JEROME SEGERS, WRITTEN TO HIS WIFE LIJSKEN DIRCKS.
The grace and mercy of God the Father, the loving kindness and love
of the Son, and the communion and peace of the Holy Ghost, who is
sent us by the Father, through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for
the consolation and joy of all true and faithful children of God, and
by whom we are impelled, taught and led; the same keep your hearts,
understanding and mind in Christ Jesus, to the praise and glory of the
Father, to the salvation of your afflicted soul, and to the edification
of all brethren and sisters that fear and love the Lord; to this only
wise God, be glory, honor, power and strength, for ever and ever. Amen.
I wish to you, my dear wife, a true, genuine, godly love, a true,
unfeigned, penitent faith, which works by love, a firm hope and
confidence in God, and a firm steadfastness in your faith towards God
the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. To him I commend you, and to the
word of his grace; and since I cannot converse orally with you, my dear
wife Lijsken, I have, with the help of God, written to you a little
from the word of the Lord; for though we are absent from each other in
the flesh, yet are we present in the Spirit; for I remember you day and
night in my prayers, beseeching the Lord to strengthen you with his
Spirit of truth, since I well know that you will have much conflict
yet, before you will be released; and I also know that you will be
greatly tempted by the cunning foxes and ravening wolves, yea, which
are much more lions and dragons; yea, a generation of vipers, who will
not spare your soul, but destroy, devour and murder it.
Hence Paul says: “Beware lest any man spoil you through false
philosophy and the sleight of men, whereby they lie in wait to
deceive.” Col. 2:8; Eph. 4:14. Yea, Christ himself has warned us in
this respect, saying that in the latter days many false prophets, and
many false Christs, shall arise, insomuch that, if it were possible,
they should deceive the very elect; but this is impossible; for the
Lord preserves them with his strong arm, so that the gates of hell
cannot harm them. Matt. 24:24; 16:18. Yea, Paul says: “That in the
latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits, and doctrines of devils; forbidding to marry, and commanding
to abstain from meats, which God hath created.” 1 Tim. 4:1,3. And: Let
no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh
the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Eph. 5:6. Christ
has also warned us of the doctrine of the Pharisees; yea, of those
who come in sheep’s clothing; for inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Matt. 16:6; 7:15,16. Even as Paul
says: Marvel not, that the ministers of antichrist will transform
themselves into ministers of God; since Satan himself can transform
himself into an angel of light; for they come in a feigned holiness,
and will speak lies. 2 Cor. 11:14,15.
Therefore see, my most beloved lamb, how faithfully Christ and his
apostles have warned us of the false and subtle serpent, that we
should not suffer ourselves to be deceived by the old serpent, which
is the devil and Satan, who seeks nothing but to bring our souls into
everlasting damnation; even as Peter says that he walks about us as a
roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; him resist with a firm faith.
Rev. 12:9; 1 Peter 5:8. Therefore I beseech you, my dear wife, from
the bottom of my heart, since we are so faithfully warned of the false
prophets, who have nothing but the doctrine of devils, and seek nothing
but to ruin and devour souls: therefore I beseech you once more, not
to hearken to them, and to have nothing to do with them; for Paul
says: “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but
rather reprove them.” Eph. 5:11. Yea, John says that he that has not
the doctrine of Christ, has not God. 2 John 9. And Paul says: “Though
an angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which
I have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Gal. 1:8. If they
then have not God, and have nothing but a false, heretical, accursed
and devilish doctrine, how can they teach us anything good? Therefore
Christ and his apostles have so faithfully warned us, that we should
not suffer ourselves to be deceived by the cunning foxes, and subtle
philosophy and craftiness; for there shall never any other foundation
be laid, than that is laid, namely Christ, upon whom you have founded
and built; and no other Gospel may be preached, than that which is
preached, in which you believe, and for the testimony of which you are
also in bonds.
Hence, I beseech you, my dear wife Lijsken, by the mercies of God,
constantly to have the word of the Lord before your eyes, and not to
suffer yourself to be moved from your faith, by the sleight of men,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive you; for I know that you will
suffer much temptation yet. Therefore, my most beloved, look not unto
men; for cursed is the man, says the prophet, that trusteth in man;
yea, the fear of man bringeth a snare, says the wise man. Jer. 17:5;
Prov. 29:25. And regard not the torture of flesh and blood; for this
is the heat of the sun, yea, the storms by which the work of the Lord
is tried. Matt. 13:6; 7:25. Hence confess Christ now, and he shall
confess us before his heavenly Father; for he will try the third part
with fire, as gold in the furnace, and all that remains shall be found
pure gold. Matt. 10:32; Zech. 13:9; 1 Peter 1:7. You have partly passed
through the trial, and have remained steadfast in it, eternal glory,
praise, and honor to the Lord, and may the gracious Lord strengthen
you, that as you have commenced, you may be found pure gold before God
and all his church.
Thus, my most beloved, continue steadfast in the doctrine of Christ;
for now is the day of which Christ spoke, that we should be brought
before lords and princes, for a testimony to his name, and that we
should be rejected by all men; but he that shall endure unto the end,
the same shall be saved. Matt. 10:18; 24:13. And Christ says: “If they
have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; and the time cometh,
that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. But
these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may
remember that I told you of them. And these things will they do unto
you, because they have not known the Father nor me.” John 15:20;
16:2,4,3. Behold, my dear wife, thus Christ has warned us how they
should deal with us. Therefore, my dear, fear not, neither despond,
though you now are confined with Daniel in the den of lions; trust in
the Lord, and he will preserve you, that they shall not destroy you;
he will also deliver you from their teeth, that they shall not tear
you. Forsake him not and he will not forsake you; for he says: He that
despiseth you, despiseth me; he that persecuteth you, persecuteth me;
he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye. Luke 10:16; Acts
26:14: Zech. 2:8.
If they then do not persecute us, but the Lord, fight valiantly, as
a pious soldier of Christ, and contend for his glory. And even as he
fought unto death, so by the grace of God do also you; for Paul says,
if a man strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive
lawfully. 2 Tim. 2:5. Therefore, my dear, put on the whole armor of
God, and be not ashamed to confess his word before men, but always
remember the words of Christ: “Whosoever shall confess me before men,
him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven; but
whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him also shall
I be ashamed before my heavenly Father. For whosoever shall seek to
save his life shall lose it; but whosoever loses his life for the sake
of the Gospel, shall find it. But he that loveth aught more than me,
cannot be my disciple; yea, no man, having put his hand to the plow,
and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. And Paul says: It is
a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with
him; but if we deny him, he also will deny us. Eph. 6:11; Matt. 10:32;
Mark 8:38; Matthew 16:25; 10:37; Luke 9:62; 2 Tim. 2:11,12.
Hence, my most beloved, do not forsake the Lord; for we are nothing
but dust and ashes, yea, nothing but mortal flesh, which must die in
dishonor, but is raised in glory. Gen. 18:27; 1 Corinthians 15:43.
Be patient, therefore, in tribulation; for it is the true way, which
leads to life eternal, which all the saints of God, the prophets
and apostles, yea, Christ himself went, all having to drink of this
cup. Therefore look not to death, but through death, lest another
come before you, and take your crown. Hence, my most beloved, be
long-suffering in your tribulation, and patient in suffering, and wait
for your deliverance, even as the husbandman waits for his fruits; for
blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he
shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them
that love him. James 1:12. For Christ says: “Blessed are they which
are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.” Matt. 5:10. Behold, we count them happy which endure,
says James. Jas. 5:11. Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that we should follow his steps: forasmuch then as Christ
hath suffered, arm yourself likewise with the same mind. 1 Peter 2:21;
4:1. With this agree the words of John, who says that Christ laid down
his life for us, and that we ought also to lay down our lives for the
brethren. 1 John 3:16.
Hence, be not discouraged, chosen and beloved, at their threatening;
but praise and glorify the Lord in this matter; for Christ says:
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, for my
name’s sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward
from my Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:11,12. My dear, this is
not said that we should be sad, but that we should rejoice that we are
worthy to suffer for his name. Paul says: Ye have not received the
spirit of bondage again to fear; but the spirit of adoption, whereby
we cry, Abba, Father. The spirit itself beareth witness with our
spirit, that we are the children of God; if so be that we suffer with
him, that we may be also glorified together; for the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall
be revealed in us; for eye hath not seen, nor heart known, neither
mouth confessed, but God alone, what shall be revealed to those that
love him, and keep his word. Rom. 8:15–18; 1 Cor. 2:9. And Paul says
that it is not enough for you to believe in him, but also to suffer for
his name. Philip. 1:29.