conflict; for he will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are
able; but will with the temptation also make a way for you to escape.
1 Cor. 10:13. For though a mother forget her child, yet will I not
forget thee, says the Lord. Is. 49:15. He will preserve you as the
apple of his eye. Zech. 2:8. Therefore, fear not men, who perish like
grass (Is. 51:12); but valiantly journey with Joshua and Caleb to the
promised land; wait with Noah for the day of the Lord; for Christ says:
My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me; but the voice of strangers
they hear not; and no man shall pluck them out of his hand, since it
is impossible, that the elect of God should be deceived; as Paul says:
Who shall separate us from the love of God? Nay, no torments of this
world; “for we know that all things work together for good to them that
love God; for our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh
for us a far more exceeding weight of glory.” John 10:27; Rom. 8:35,28;
2 Cor. 4:17. Since it is the will of the Lord, I hope that this your
trial will also be for your good; for the Lord has appointed your time,
which we cannot pass. Hence, fear not, for God is your captain; he is
your strength; he is your guide (2 Esdr. 16:76); forsake him not; he
will not forsake you; trust in him, and you shall not be ashamed (Ps.
31:1), be faithful unto death, the crown of life is prepared for you.
Rev. 2:10. I desire willingly to offer up my body to the praise of
God, yea, not only my body, but if every member, yea, every hair were
a body, I would, through the power of God, offer them all up to the
praise of the Lord, in order to obtain his promises; for what manner
of love the father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the
sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him
not. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and we know that, when he
shall appear, we shall be like him.” John 3:1,2. Yea, Peter says that
we shall be partakers of his divine nature; yea, we shall be where
Christ himself will be, and shall with him judge all nations; yea, we
shall follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth; yea, we shall sing the
new song on mount Sion, and we know assuredly that, if our earthly
house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God,
eternal in the heavens. 2 Peter 1:4; John 12:26; Matt. 19:28; Rev.
14:4; 2 Esdr. 2:42; 2 Cor. 5:1. Who would exalt this corrupt, decaying
flesh, which is nothing but a heap of earth, over these beautiful
promises! O see, what beautiful promises Christ has given his own, who
remain steadfast unto the end; for there is no other way to eternal
life, than this way; for all righteous souls, from the beginning, have
had to suffer, and thus gain possession of the Kingdom of God. Gen.
4:8. Hence, my most beloved wife, since there is no other way, be a
willing bride, prepared to receive your bridegroom; and you shall then
be crowned with praise and honor.
Thus, my most beloved, I have written a few things, with which you may
somewhat strengthen yourself through the word of the Lord; for Christ
says: The world shall rejoice, and ye shall be sorrowful; but be of
kind cheer; I have overcome the world; and your sorrow shall be turned
into joy, and your joy no man taketh from you; for he that worketh
in us is stronger than he that is in the world. John 16:20. And John
says that our faith is the victory that overcometh the world. 1 John
5:4. Always remember Lot’s wife (Gen. 19:26), and the man of God who
was slain by the lion, because he had eaten bread contrary to God’s
command, being deceived by the false prophet. 1 Kings 13:1. Thus you
also, suffer yourself in no wise to be deceived by false prophets; but
fight with the prophet David against Goliath, and you shall devour
him like bread; for the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the
violent who remain steadfast take it by force; for Joshua and Caleb
took the promised land by force, and those that were not steadfast,
could not enter into it. Hence, be not dismayed, though you are tried
here for a little season; for it is his will. Therefore, receive
willingly from his hand whatever he sends you; for Paul says: “We know
that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Rom.
8:28. For Christ means to show his wonderful power and strength in
you, against the dragons and the generation of vipers, yea, against
the ravening wolves, who daily resist Christ, and fight against you
to destroy you. But be bold and trust in Christ; he will not forsake
you; for he is your strength. He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7); he is
your Protector, by whom you shall overcome all your adversaries; for
he shall feed you with the bread of life, yea, with the bread of
understanding, and give you the water of wisdom to drink, and shall
comfort you in all your tribulation, and impress into your heart a firm
and steadfast faith, which they shall not be able to resist. Sir. 15:3.
For he who has begun this good work in you, will, through his grace and
power, also carry out and finish it, to his praise, to the salvation
of your soul, and to the edification of all them that fear the Lord.
Philippians 1:6. To this God, who can deliver you from all tribulation,
and preserve you from all the snares of the devil, and from all false
doctrine, be praise, honor, power and strength, for ever and ever. Amen.
See, my dear wife, as I can not help you with my weeping, or with my
blood, I have written a few things; to comfort you, and for a memorial
or a testament, that you may remember me by it, how I walked before
you; for I hope to seal this letter with my blood, namely, that it is
nothing but the pure truth, for which I desire to lay down my life,
to the praise of the Lord and the edification of all that fear him.
I pray the Lord that he will let you follow me as I through his grace
hope to go before you; and I trust in the Lord that he will let you
follow me thus, and have confidence in you, that you will follow me
thus steadfastly, through the grace of the Lord; and I pray the Lord,
that he will let the fruit grow up to his praise, that it may also be
found worthy to suffer for his name. Thus I have commended the fruit to
the Lord, who is more able to preserve you and it, than I am. And that
the Lord will preserve you, I do not doubt. I hope that my blood will
be the seal of this letter.
Thus I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace, that he
will keep you in all righteousness, holiness and truth; and though we
must separate here, I know, and firmly trust in the Lord, that we shall
be together in life eternal; hence, I will freely bring my offering.
O that I might suffer for you; I should gladly offer my flesh for you.
I am sorry that I can write to you no more. I herewith commend you to
the Lord. Be not solicitous about the child; for my friends will take
good care of it, yea, the Lord will care for it. Hendrick of Deventer
salutes you much in the Lord, whom he entreats day and night for you,
that you may continue steadfast unto the end.
ANOTHER LETTER FROM JEROME SEGERS TO HIS WIFE.
Grace, peace, heartfelt joy, through the knowledge of Jesus Christ, be
with you, my dear wife Lijsken in the Lord. I wish you, my dear wife
Lijsken, an ardent love to God, and a joyful mind to Christ Jesus.
Know, that I remember you day and night in my prayers, supplicating
and sighing to God for you; for I am very sorrowful on your account,
because you have to be imprisoned so long; and I would fain wish, had
it been the will of the Lord, that you had been released; but now the
Lord has willed it otherwise, because he means to try you, and to
reveal his power and strength in you, against all those who resist the
truth. Hence, I can do nothing against the will of the Lord, lest I
tempt him; but I will much rather praise and thank him, that he has
made us both worthy to suffer for his name; for thereto are all his
chosen lambs elected; for he has redeemed them from among men, as first
fruits unto God. Rev. 14:4.
Furthermore, my most beloved, I have greatly rejoiced until this hour,
praising and thanking the Lord for having fitted us for this purpose;
but when I heard from you, that your sorrow was greater than your lips
could express, it caused me to weep many tears, and grieves my heart;
for it is a great affliction. And I understood that it is because you
often told me to depart from Assuerus, which I did not do; this has
cost me many a tear, and I am very sorry; yet I can do nothing against
the will of the Lord (Rom. 9:19), and had it been his will, he would
have provided a deliverance for us; but he has appointed our bounds,
which we can not pass. Job 14:5; Tob. 13:2. Thus, we cannot escape
from the Lord; hence let us not be grieved at his work, but much
rather, as Christ says, let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for
great is our reward in heaven; and as Peter says, we ought to praise
and glorify God on this behalf. Matt. 5:12; 1 Peter 4:16. O my dear,
this is not said that we should sorrow. Be patient, therefore, in your
tribulation and suffering; for Paul says that all things work together
for good to them that love God; hence, I have confidence in the Lord,
that it will also be for your good, that you have to be imprisoned so
long. Therefore receive willingly at his hand whatever he sends you;
for he suffers no one to be tempted above that he is able. Hence,
be a partaker of the sufferings of Christ; for all that are without
chastisement, are bastards, and not sons. Heb. 12:8. And James says:
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he
shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them
that love him. James 1:12.
Be therefore a follower of Christ, patiently and joyfully take up your
cross, and follow him with gladness, since he has suffered so much for
our salvation; hence let us also suffer for his praise. Since our hour
has now come, let us joyfully strive for the crown of life, which is
prepared for us.
Therefore I pray you, my love, that you will not sorrow any longer;
for the Lord will preserve you as the apple of his eye; yea, though a
mother forget her child, yet shall I not forget thee, says the Lord,
yea, my sheep hear my voice, says the Lord, and they follow me, and
no man shall pluck them out of my hand. Therefore, my most beloved,
be content, and trust in the Lord; he will not forsake you. Moreover,
I learned partly from my sister, that you also grieved because you
were not more patient with me. See, my dear lamb, you have not been
obstinate towards me, and we have not lived together otherwise than
we were in duty bound to live; why then will you grieve. Be content;
Christ will not lay it to your charge, for he will not remember our
sins. I thank the Lord, that you have lived so humbly with me as
you did. Gladly would I be imprisoned for you for a whole year, on
bread and water, yea, and then die, a tenfold death, if you could be
released. O that I could help you with my tears and with my blood,
how willingly should I suffer for you; but my suffering can avail you
nothing. Hence, be contented; I will pray the Lord still more for you.
I have written this letter in tears, because I heard that your grief
is so very great. I pray you, that you will write to me how you are.
Herewith I commend you to the Lord.
A LETTER FROM LIJSKEN, JEROME’S WIFE, WHICH SHE WROTE TO HIM IN PRISON
AT ANTWERP, A. D. 1551.
Grace and peace be to both of us from God the Father, and the love
of the Son, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with us, to the
strengthening, consolation, joy, and salvation of our souls.
My beloved husband in the Lord, know that at first the time seemed very
long to me, because I was not used to imprisonment, and heard nothing
but temptations to depart from the Lord. They said: Why do you trouble
yourself with the Scriptures; attend to your sewing. It seems that
you would follow the apostles; where are the signs which you do? They
spake with different tongues, after they had received the Holy Ghost.
Mark 16:17; Acts 2:4. And they said: Where is your language which you
received through the Holy Ghost? But it is sufficient for us, that we
have believed through their word, as John tells us, where Christ says:
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe
on me through their word. John 17:20. Herewith I commend you to the
Lord; the grace of God be with us always.
Thanks be to God the Father, who had and showed such love to us, that
he gave his dear Son for us; may he give us such love, joy, wisdom, and
such a steadfast mind, through Christ, and through the power of the
Holy Spirit, that we may prevail against all ravenous beasts, dragons,
serpents, and all the gates of hell, which are now using great subtlety
to seize, deceive, destroy, and seduce our souls. Well may we therefore
humbly pray the Lord without ceasing, day and night; for the devourer
walks about us, seeking whom he may devour; for we are not ignorant of
his designs. But though they are very crafty, yet the Lord’s hand is
not shortened, in them that love him, and do his will; for the eyes
of the Lord are upon those that love him, and his ears are open unto
their cry; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. Is.
59:1; Ps. 34:15,16. Hence, let every one take good heed, that the face
of the Lord be not against him; for the soul that sinneth, it shall
die, unless he repent before the Lord come. But we are not assured of
the time when the Lord will come; for he shall come as a thief in the
night. 1 Thessalonians 5:2. Hence, we may well pray the Lord for one
another, that our flight be not on the Sabbath-day, when we are idle,
nor in the winter, when we have no fruit on our trees, for every tree
which bringeth forth not good fruit shall be hewn down, and cast into
the fire; but every tree that beareth good fruit, he shall purge,
that it may bring forth fruit abundantly. Matthew 24:20; 3:10; John
15:2. The mouth of the Lord also tells us: “If any man sin willfully
... there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful
looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the
adversaries. The law of Moses was so strict, that he who transgressed
it had to die without mercy under two or three witnesses; of how much
sorer punishment shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under
foot the Son of God?” Heb. 10:26–29. The Holy Ghost also declares:
“If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him; if we suffer
we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
2 Tim. 2:11–13. Seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud
of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth
so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set
before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame; who threatened not, when he suffered for our sins unto the
salvation of our souls. Hebrews 12:1,2; 1 Peter 2:23. Thus we also, my
most beloved in the Lord, to his praise, and to the consolation of all
dear friends. I wish to us both the crucified Savior for an everlasting
joy and strength. I trust to the Lord, who alone is wise, and who has
given his wisdom only to the simple, the innocent and outcasts of this
world, that he will comfort us till our travail is over. Rev. 12:5.
My dear husband in the Lord, whom I married before God and his church,
and with whom they say I have lived in adultery, because I was not
married in Baal; but the Lord says: Rejoice, when all men shall speak
evil of you, for my name’s sake: rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for
great is your reward in heaven. Matt. 5:11,12.
Know, that I have wept much, because you were grieved on my account,
having heard that I said that I had often spoken to you about moving
away from Assuerus, and that you did not do it; be content concerning
this, my most beloved in the Lord; if it had not so been the will of
the Lord, it would not have happened; the Lord’s will must be done,
for the salvation of both our souls, for he will not suffer us to
be tempted above that we are able. Be of good cheer therefore, my
most beloved in the Lord, and rejoice in him as before, praising and
thanking him for having chosen us to be imprisoned so long for his
name, having been found worthy thereto; he knows for what end he has
ordered it so. Though the children of Israel were a long time in the
wilderness, yet, had they been obedient to the voice of the Lord, they
would have entered the promised land with Joshua and Caleb. Thus also
we are here in the wilderness, among these ravening beasts, which daily
spread out their nets, to catch us (Ps. 35:8); but the Lord, who is so
strong, does not forsake his own, who trust in him; he preserves them
from all evil, yea, as the apple of his eye; hence let us be content
in him, joyfully and patiently take up our cross, and wait with a firm
confidence for the promises which he has given us, not doubting them,
for he is faithful that promised; that we may be crowned on mount Sion,
and adorned with palms, and may follow the Lamb. I pray you, my beloved
in the Lord, be of good cheer in him, together with all dear friends,
and pray to the Lord in my behalf. Amen.
A LETTER FROM JEROME SEGERS TO HIS WIFE.
Grace and peace be with you from God the Father, and the mercy and love
of the Son, and the power and communion of the Holy Ghost strengthen
your faith, heart, mind and understanding in Christ Jesus. Amen. This I
wish to my beloved wife, whom I before God and his holy church espoused
as my own wife. Even as Abraham took Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, and Tobias,
the daughter of his uncle to wife; so did I take you to wife, according
to the word and command of God, and not as this wicked, blind world.
For this reason I praise and thank the Lord night and day, that he
spared us so long, till we became acquainted in part with each other,
and had attained unto the knowledge of the truth; on which account
they say that we lived in adultery, because we were not married like
this idolatrous generation, in an idolatrous, carnal, vain, proud, and
gluttonous manner, which is nothing but an abomination in the eyes
of God. On this account they slander us, as they did Christ. Matt.
12:24. And though they may tell you to attend to your sewing, this
does not prevent us; for Christ has called us all, and commanded us
to search the Scriptures, since they testify of him; and Christ also
said that Magdalene had chosen the better part, because she searched
the Scriptures. Matt. 11:28; John 5:39; Luke 10:42. Moreover, my most
beloved, though they ask you where your signs and tongues are, this
must not hinder you; for the believers whom Peter and John baptized
did not speak with tongues, but it was enough for them, that they
believed in Christ. Acts 2:38. And also Stephen, who was full of the
Holy Ghost, did not speak with tongues; nor did any of the bishops or
teachers who were with Paul, perform signs, and speak with tongues;
yet they taught the word of God blamelessly. And Paul says that the
Holy Ghost distributes his gifts in the church; one has the gift of
healing; another of prophecy; another of speaking with tongues; another
the working of miracles; another the gift of exhortation; another of
showing mercy; another of firm faith; and all these worketh the Holy
Spirit, through whom they mutually assist each other to their own
edification, and thus grow into a holy temple; and let every man abide
in the same calling wherein he was called. 1 Cor. 12:7; Eph. 4:16;
2:21; 1 Cor. 7:20. Moreover, it is enough for us, that Christ prayed
not only for his disciples, but also for those who should believe on
him through their word. John 17:20.
Behold, my beloved wife in the Lord, how gladly the ravening wolves
would murder the souls of the simple, with their lies and subtlety,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive, in order to bring your soul into
eternal death. Hence, beware of them, and hearken not unto them, since
they are very crafty; but do as Christ says: My sheep hear my voice;
they hear not the voice of strangers; hence no man shall pluck them out
of his hand. See, my beloved, how Christ has warned us of this time;
let us therefore look well before us, lest the subtle serpent deceive
us. And know, that I have also been before the lords once, when I
called to you, and that I then spoke in such a manner, that they let
me in peace; though the others were arraigned twice after this, yet
I was left unmolested. Once I also had a discussion with the priests
in regard to the calling,[252] in which I so reproved them with the
word of the Lord, that they became so angry that they struck on the
table with their fists, and did not know what to say; for they said
that Peter was a pope, and that St. Andrew read the first mass. I
replied that they could not prove it in truth, and told them they were
seducing spirits, and held the doctrine of devils. Then they went away.
[252] Calling or sending of ministers.
Moreover, know, my beloved wife in the Lord, I am sorry that you wept;
for, when I heard that you grieved, I prayed the more fervently to the
Lord, day and night, for you, and know assuredly, that he will preserve
you as the apple of his eye. I constantly praise the Lord, that he has
made us both worthy to suffer for his name, for which cause I greatly
rejoice. When I read your letter, and learned how it was with you, and
that you wished the crucified Christ to me, for a salutation, my heart
and my spirit leaped up for joy in my body; so that I could not finish
reading the letter, but had to bow my knees before the Lord (Eph.
3:14), and praise and thank him for his strength, consolation and joy,
although I was afflicted on account of our brethren and you, because
you have to be imprisoned there so long. I have committed you, together
with the fruit, into the hands of the Lord, being confident beyond
a doubt, that he will give you the same joy which he gives to me,
and keep you unto the end. I experience such joy and gladness in his
promises, that I never think on these torments, but only on the great
promises which he has given to those who remain steadfast unto the end.
I have such gladness, consolation and joy as I never had, yea, such
joy, that I cannot utter or describe it, yea, that I did not believe
that a person could have such joy in prison; for day or night I can
scarcely sleep for joy, nor sufficiently thank and praise the Lord; for
it seems as though I had not been here a day yet. Sir. 43:30. O that I
might break my heart into pieces, and give it to you and our brethren!
O that I could help them with my blood; I should so gladly suffer for
them!
O my beloved in the Lord, I now experience how mightily, strongly and
fatherly he preserves those who trust in him, and seek nothing but his
glory; yea, what strength, consolation and joy he gives them; and how
ignominiously he permits them to fall, who trust in men, and forsake
and deny him; so that they get a torturing conscience, a sorrowful
heart, and dreadful horror, yea, look for nothing but eternal damnation
and the pain of fire, and expect to hear the terrible words: Depart
from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire; for the face of the Lord is
against them that do evil. Matt. 25:41; Ps. 34:16. Behold, therefore,
my beloved wife in the Lord, let us look unto Jesus the Finisher,
how he went before us into death, for our salvation; for, behold,
the crown of life is prepared for us; we shall sit with him upon his
throne; we shall be clothed in white robes. Herewith I commend you unto
the crucified Christ for consolation and joy; that he will keep you,
satisfy you with his divine word, feed you with the bread of life and
of understanding, and give you to drink the water of wisdom and the
unadulterated milk, from the fountain of life. May he keep your soul
unto salvation. Amen.
A LETTER FROM LIJSKEN, JEROME’S WIFE.
The grace, peace, joy and love left by Christ to his disciples be unto
you. I earnestly beseech him, that he will give us such love and such
a steadfast mind, that we may be found fit to receive the beautiful
promises which he has given to us, if we continue steadfast unto the
end. To this Christ be praise and honor forever and ever. Amen.