the unfathomable mercy, and great love which he has shown us, that we
should be his sons and daughters, if we overcome, even as he overcame.
2 Cor. 6:18; Rev. 3:21. O, well may we say that true faith, which works
by love, and which will bring us to glory, if we suffer with him is
actuated by things not seen. Gal. 5:6; Romans 8:17; Heb. 11:1. Let us
consider, dear friends in the Lord, what great love worldly men have
towards one another. There are some in prison, I have heard say, who
rejoiced when about to go to the rack, because they should then be
nearer those whom they loved, though they could not come together in
person. Hearken, my beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, if the
world has such love, what love, then, ought we to have, who expect such
glorious promises! I also have before me the beautiful example of a
bride, how she adorns herself, to please her bridegroom of this world.
O, how ought we then to adorn ourselves, to please our bridegroom! O
that we might be adorned as were the five wise virgins with oil in
their lamps, to meet our bridegroom, that we might also hear the sweet
voice: Come, ye blessed, inherit the kingdom of my Father. I pray the
Lord day and night, to give us such fervent love, that we may not
regard the torments which they may inflict upon us; yea, may say with
the prophet David: “I fear nothing of all that men can do unto me.” Ps.
118:6. And this our pain, which is light and temporal, is not worthy to
be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18.
Since, then, it is the will of the Lord that with Daniel I must remain
so long in the den of lions, and await the howling and ravening wolves
and lions, and the old serpent, which was from the beginning, and shall
be unto the end; therefore, I entreat all my dear brethren and sisters,
to remember me in their prayers; I will gladly do the same, according
to my ability. O my dear friends, how can I sufficiently thank my
heavenly Father, that he has made me poor sheep fit to remain in bonds
so long for his name’s sake. I pray the Lord day and night, that this
my trial may tend to the salvation of my soul, to the praise of the
Lord, and to the edification of my dear brethren and sisters. Amen.
Nicholas op de Suyckeruye brought two priests to me, to instruct me,
whom I answered by the grace of the Lord. They told me they were
sorry that I had embraced this opinion, which they could not call a
faith, but only an opinion, since we observed nothing commanded by
the Christian church. I replied to them: “We desire to do or believe
nothing but what the church of Christ commands us; but we will have
nothing to do with the temple of Baal, or with other temples made with
hands, after the doctrines and commandments of men, and not after
Christ. With these we will have nothing at all to do; for Stephen says
that the Most High dwells not in temples made with hands; but he said
that he saw the heavens opened, and Christ sitting on the right hand
of his Almighty Father. Acts 7:48,56. And Paul says, that we are the
temple of the living God; if we do his will, he will dwell and walk in
us. 2 Corinthians 6:16. They said that they were the sent, and those
who sit in Moses’ seat. I replied to them, that in that case the woes
spoken of in Matt. 23 applied to them. They asked me whether I meant to
say that he who taught me these things, was sent of God. I said: “Yes;
I assuredly know that he is sent of God.” They then asked me, whether
I knew how a teacher ought to be. I answered: “A teacher must be the
husband of one wife, blameless, having his children in subjection, no
drunkard, winebibber or whoremonger.” 1 Tim. 3:2. They replied: “If
we do wrong, it will fall on our own heads; the Lord is merciful.” I
then asked, whether they would sin upon the mercy of God, and said it
was written that we should not add sin unto sin, and say: “The Lord is
merciful.” Sir. 5:5. We said much more; but it would take too long to
relate it.
I told them that they were ever learning, and never able to come to a
right knowledge of the truth. 2 Tim. 3:7. They then said that Christ
said to his apostles: “To you it is given to understand, but to others
in parables.” Matt. 13:11. I replied: “They who now rightly understand
it, to them it is also given.”
Finally they crossed themselves over and over and said that I should
find it out when I should stand before the judgment. That is true, I
said: we shall there be appointed judges, to judge this disobedient and
adulterous generation. Matt. 19:28. With this they went away. I also
told them, that they had come from Satan, to murder my soul.
Once more I wish to my dear husband in the Lord, and to myself, the
crucified Christ, as an imperishable joy and love, forever. Amen.
Know, my dear husband in the Lord, when I read that you rejoice so
greatly in the Lord, I could not finish reading the letter, but had to
pray the Lord, that he would give me the same joy, and keep me unto the
end, so that we may offer our sacrifice with joy, to the praise of our
Father who is in heaven, and to the edification of all dear brethren
and sisters. Herewith I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his
grace. Know, that I thank you very much for the letter you wrote me.
The grace of the Lord be with us always.
ANOTHER LETTER FROM LIJSKEN TO HER HUSBAND.
The abundant grace of God be with us both always, and the love of the
Son, and his unfathomable mercy, and the joy of the Holy Ghost be with
us forever. Amen. To him who has begotten us again from the dead, be
praise forever and ever. Amen.
I wish to us both the crucified Christ for the protector and guardian
of our souls; may he keep us in all righteousness, holiness and truth
unto the end. And he will preserve us as his sons and daughters, yea,
as the apple of his eye, if we hold the beginning of our confidence
steadfast unto the end. Hebrews 3:14. Hence, let us trust in him, and
he will never forsake us, but preserve us, as he has preserved his own
from the beginning of the world, and will let no temptation come upon
us, but such as is common to man. Heb. 13:5; 1 Cor. 10:13.
The Lord is faithful, says Paul; he will not suffer us to be tempted
above that we are able. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who has made us fit to suffer a short, transient affliction for
his name, through his beautiful promises, which he has given us and
all those who remain steadfast in his doctrine. We may suffer here a
little, but we shall be greatly rewarded. Wis. 3:5.
My dear, beloved husband in the Lord, you have partly passed through
the trial, and have remained steadfast, eternal praise and glory to
the Lord for his great grace! And I beseech the Lord with tears, to
make me also fit, to suffer for his name; for all his chosen lambs are
appointed thereto, since he has redeemed them from among men, to be the
first-fruits unto God. Rev. 14:4. Yea, we know, as Paul says, that if
we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him; if we be dead with
him, we shall also live with him. 2 Tim. 2:12,11. Hence, let us not
despise the chastening of the Lord; for, whom he loveth he chasteneth,
and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth, as Paul tells us. Heb.
12:5,6. Herewith I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his
grace and glory; with which he will glorify us, if we adhere to it unto
the end. The grace of the Lord be with us.
A LETTER FROM JEROME SEGERS TO HIS WIFE.
The grace, joy, and peace from God the Father, and the loving kindness
and love of the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the communion and
consolation of the Holy Ghost, strengthen, console and confirm and keep
us, both in all righteousness and holiness unto the end. To him be
praise forever and ever. Amen.
I wish to my chosen wife in the Lord, and to me, eternal joy, and the
imperishable and incorruptible life, and may he grant, that we both
adhere unchangingly to his divine word and eternal truth, unto the end;
which he will also do, since he has promised it to us, if we continue
faithful in what he has given us, and are willing to contend for it for
his glory, even as he contended for our salvation, and was obedient to
his Father unto death. If we also continue thus faithful unto death,
we shall receive the crown of life, and inherit eternal life with him,
and he will never forsake us; for the Lord will or can do nothing
contrary to his word, for his word shall never pass away. Matt. 24:35.
And he has so faithfully promised to keep us, if we do not forsake
him; so that no one shall pluck us out of his hand; he will keep us as
the apple of his eye, yea, as his sons and daughters. For, behold, my
beloved, how faithfully he preserved those who faithfully served him;
even as Noah was preserved in the ark, as Lot was led out of Sodom, as
Jacob was preserved from his brother Esau, who sought to kill him, and
as Joseph was preserved from his brothers, the sons of Jacob, Joshua
and Caleb from all the heathen, and entered into the promised land,
David before Goliath; Susannah before the false witnesses: Daniel from
the lions; and many other examples too lengthy to recite. Hereby we
may perceive, how faithfully he preserves those who sincerely fear and
love him, and how ignominiously they fall who forsake him, as we may
see from the beginning of the world, how it perished, on account of
its wickedness, and how Lot’s wife was punished. Esau could not find
his birthright again, and the whole house of Israel perished in the
wilderness. See, my beloved wife, all this the Lord permitted to happen
not only for the sake of those who had sinned, but also for our sakes,
that we should see, how Christ is with the righteous, and preserves
them, and how he forsakes and brings to nought the ungodly; for Paul
says: “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our
learning.” Rom. 15:4.
Hence, let us diligently take heed, that we seek, fear and love
the Lord from the bottom of our heart, faithfully serving, and not
forsaking him; for Christ says: “He that is not with me is against
me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth” (Luke 11:23); even
as we daily see how mightily he preserves those who trust in him,
and how soon they fall who forsake Christ, and put their trust in
man. Therefore, my beloved wife in the Lord, let us trust in the Lord
Almighty, constantly look to Jesus, the Captain and finisher of our
faith, always keep the crucified Christ before our eyes, faithfully
follow him as he went before us, and patiently take up our cross,
always remembering the words of Christ, where he says that they shall
kill us, and will think that they do him service; and remembering that
this is told us beforehand, that when it happens to us, we may not
be offended; for the servant is not greater than his lord. And these
things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father,
nor me. John 16:3. For the preaching of the cross is to them that
perish, foolishness, but unto us, the power of God. 1 Cor. 1:18. Hence,
let us 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 deny me before men, him will I also deny
before my Father which is in heaven, and before his holy angels. Matt.
10:32,23. Let us firmly trust in him, and he will not forsake us; for
he does not forsake his own, but he prayed his heavenly Father, that
where he is, he will that we shall be with him. John 17:24.
Hence, let the world call us heretics and Anabaptists and condemn us
as much as they please; for Paul says: “Who shall lay anything to
the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that
condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again,
who is ever at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession
for us. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us
all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things! Now, if
God so loved us, when we were yet enemies, how much more shall we be
preserved from wrath, seeing we are justified through his blood: for
being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we
stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we
glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not
ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the
Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Rom. 8:33,34,32; 5:10,1–5.
My dearly beloved, let us therefore firmly trust the Lord, and
patiently wait for his promises, even as the husbandman waits for his
fruits; and let us not forsake him, and he will not forsake us. I have
committed us both and also the fruit into his hands, to do his divine
will with us, that his name may be glorified thereby, and that it may
tend to the salvation of our souls, and to the consolation and joy of
all that fear the Lord, and I firmly trust him, and doubt not, that he
will preserve us as his sons and daughters, yea, as the apple of his
eye. Know, that I rejoiced greatly, when I read your letter and that
you write, that you pray the Lord with weeping eyes, to make you fit to
suffer for his name. My beloved, be not anxious, but pray the Lord with
a humble heart, to give us what is best for our souls, which he will
doubtless do, and will not tempt us above that we are able. May he keep
us in all righteousness, holiness and truth, unto the end.
Know also, my beloved, that they greatly tortured me, to find out the
midwives where our sisters lay in child-bed; but the Lord, who kept my
lips, was stronger than all their tortures. Eternal praise and glory be
to the Lord, who does not forsake his own. They obtained no names from
me, save one or two, which they had read to me from a letter, and which
I told them, to see what they would say. But they asked me whether I
was making sport of them, and tortured me still more, demanding that
I should tell them concerning the women, and others, or they would
torture me till the next morning, and stretch me a foot longer than I
was. They told Gileyn to rack, and his assistant racked vigorously, and
Gileyn poured my body full of water. They had me lying stark-naked on
the bench, with nothing but the shirt to cover my shame. I was bound
to the bench with four cords, so that it seemed to me, as though my
head and legs were severed; but they obtained nothing more, praise and
glory be to the Lord. When they released me, two or three of them had
to lift me from the bench, and dress me; yea, it would not have been
possible to endure the pain without the help of the Lord. They told me
to consider the matter, and become a good son of the Roman church, and
that I should indicate all those whom I knew, or they would deal more
severely with me. I replied that I had not erred, and would far rather
die than forsake my faith. They then said that they would come again;
but they can do no more than the Lord permits them. John 19:11. Eternal
praise to the Lord, who has made us fit for this, may he further fit us
to become children of his Kingdom. Amen. My beloved wife, I commend you
to the Lord and to the word of his grace.
A LETTER OF JEROME SEGERS TO BIG HENRY, WHO WAS ALSO IMPRISONED THERE,
IN THE YEAR 1551.
The grace and peace of God the Father, and the great mercy and love
of the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who was sent by the Father, out
of grace, for the salvation of all those who are dead unto their
sins, and thus have risen with Christ into newness of life, and the
eternal, unfathomable joy, consolation and communion of the Holy Ghost,
strengthen your heart, understanding and mind in Christ Jesus. To him
be praise forever and ever. Amen.
I wish you, Henry, my dear brother in the Lord, whom I love from the
bottom of my heart, for the steadfastness of our faith in Christ Jesus,
true, penitent faith, which works by love, which you have, and a firm,
constant mind, and steadfastness unto the end in this same effectual,
saving faith. Col. 2:5; Hebr. 3:14. I am greatly rejoiced at your
steadfastness, that you are again so cheerful and content, the Lord be
praised forever. I pray the Lord night and day, to strengthen you with
his divine word, and confirm you in the faith, preserve you in the den
of lions, as he preserved Daniel and keep you with his strong arm, and
to give you the New Jerusalem for an inheritance, which he will also
do, for he is faithful that promised. Heb. 10:23.
Therefore, my dear brother in the Lord, let us fight manfully against
all devouring beasts; for life is prepared for us; and let us not be
afraid of their threatenings, nor be terrified by their tortures, for
they can do nothing without the will of the Father. 1 Pet. 3:14; John
19:11. The Lord will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are
able. The Lord is our Captain, whom will we fear? The Lord is with us,
who can be against us? For he will preserve us as the apple of his eye,
yea, as his sons and daughters; for no man shall pluck his sheep out of
his hand, yea, it is impossible for God’s elect to be deceived. Matt.
24:24.
Hence, behold my dear brother in the Lord, be not dismayed, though
they growl and snarl at you in an ugly manner; they can do nothing
else to you. Let us fight valiantly against all dragons and lions. Put
on the armor of God, take the sword of the Spirit, and resist them
undauntedly, and regard no one; they will have to take to flight; for
the sword which the Lord has given us is much too sharp for them, and
the Lord helping us to fight, who is there able to prevail? For our God
is a consuming fire, which devours his enemies. Deut. 4:24.
Hence, I pray you, my dear brother, not to let it grieve you, though
they keep you so long in this den of lions; for hereby the Lord tries
us, since he tries his chosen as gold in the furnace. Therefore be
patient in your tribulation; for where no conflict is, there is no
victory; hence, we must have conflict, if we are to overcome; but
he that overcometh shall inherit all things. Rev. 21:7. Let us,
therefore, take up the cross with humility and patience, and wait for
our promises, even as the husbandman waits for his fruits; and let us
keep the Lord before our eyes, and be faithful to him unto death, for
we must here suffer a little, but we shall be greatly rewarded; for he
will set us upon his throne, and give us to eat of the hidden heavenly
bread, and make us pillars in the temple of his God. Rev. 2:10, Wis.
3:5; Rev. 2:17; 2:12. Herewith I commend you to the Lord, and to the
word of his grace; may he strengthen you in his righteousness unto the
end. Furthermore, I let you know, that I have been told that you heard
I had forsaken the Lord; I was greatly surprised at this. It is not so,
nor ever shall be; but they have said it to draw you off and trouble
you. They have lied about me; for I have never stood otherwise in my
faith, than is proper, and am still of the same mind as I was when I
lay with you, the Lord be praised. I have never wavered, for I would
rather be tortured ten times a day, and ultimately be roasted on a
gridiron, than forsake my faith, which I have confessed.
Therefore, though they tell you ever so much about my having
apostatized, believe it not, for the devil does this, in order to
seduce and deceive you thereby; for by the grace of God I shall never
forsake the Lord. But I have been sick in my flesh for many days;
however, my spirit was so much the stronger. I prayed the Lord, to send
me still more suffering, if it would conduce to my salvation, and he
gives me more and more strength and consolation, for which I cannot
sufficiently thank him. Herewith I commend you to the Lord. When you
sing aloud, I can well hear you. I thank the Lord, that he still gives
you so much strength that I hear you sing.
LAST LETTER OF JEROME TO HIS WIFE, WRITTEN THE NIGHT WHEN HE WAS
SENTENCED; HE WAS PUT TO DEATH ON THE 2d OF SEPTEMBER, A. D. 1551.
Grace and peace from God the Father, the unfathomable mercy of the Son
our Lord Jesus Christ, and the loving kindness and communion of the
Holy Ghost be unto you, for an everlasting consolation, joy, gladness,
and strength in your bonds, tribulation, sufferings, and vexation in
your labor, and for strength in your faith, love and tribulation. To
him be praise for ever and ever. Amen.
I wish unto you, my dearly beloved, chosen wife in the Lord, the
true, genuine, penitent faith, which works by love, and a very firm,
immovable, steadfast mind in my and your most holy faith. I further
wish you the crucified Christ for a bridegroom, who has chosen you
for a daughter, bride and queen. To this King of the Most High, to
the everlasting Father and jealous, loving God, I have now commended
you, my beloved in the Lord, that he will now be your Comforter and
Bridegroom, since he has called and taken me first, with which I am
well content, seeing that it was the will of the Lord; eternal praise
and glory be to the Lord for his great power which he has manifested in
us.
Therefore, my most beloved in the Lord, do not complain, or grieve
much, because he has taken me first; for he has done all for our best,
that I should be an example unto you, and that you may follow me as
valiantly as I, through the grace of the Lord, who has made us both
worthy to suffer for his name, shall go before you. O my dear lamb, I
humbly entreat you, not to listen to the papists or other sophists,
but steadfastly to follow your bridegroom, your immovable bridegroom.
Follow his footsteps, and fear not their threats, nor let their
tortures terrify you; for they can do no more than the Lord permits
them; they cannot hurt a hair of your head without the will of the
Father which is in heaven. Matt. 10:30.
Hence, fear not, but continue firmly and steadfastly in the doctrine
of Christ, and in the right truth; for the Lord will not forsake you,
but will preserve you as the apple of his eye; yea, as his daughter and
child, since it is impossible for God’s elect to be deceived; for his
sheep hear his voice, and follow him; but they hear not the voice of
strangers. Hence, no man shall pluck them out of his hand; for he is
their Shepherd and Protector. Hence, fight valiantly, my chosen lamb,
for the glory of the Lord, even as he fought so valiantly, for the
salvation of our souls. Be therefore of good cheer, even though you
have to lie yet a little longer in this den of lions. Your deliverance
is nigh; it tarries not, but comes; and when he comes that will come
with power, he will receive you as his bride and queen; for it is his
pleasure to have his chosen with him, since he delights in beholding
them; and the day of the Lord is at hand. Habakkuk 2:3; Ps. 45:14; Isa.
13:6.
Therefore, my dear wife in the Lord, fight valiantly now, and fear not
man, but rather say with Susanna, that you would much rather fall into
the hands of man, than into the hand of God; for it is a fearful thing
to fall into the hands of the living God. Susanna 24; Heb. 10:31. Go to
meet the Lord with ardent love as you have done hitherto by the grace
of the Lord, who works in you; and fight valiantly, for the crown of
life is prepared for you, since to those that overcome all things are
promised, and they shall also inherit all things; for Christ says:
“Blessed are ye, when all men speak evil of you; for great is your
reward in heaven.” Matt. 5:11. He also says: “Blessed are they which
are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.” The Lord also said that when they have brought us before lords
and princes, and tortured and killed us, they shall yet think to have
done him service thereby. John 16:2. Therefore, trust firmly in Christ
alone, and the Lord will not forsake you, and the crown of life is
prepared for you.
Herewith I will commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace,
and take leave of you, here in this world; for I do not expect to see
your face any more; but I hope to see you under the altar of Christ
before many days. Therefore, my beloved wife in the Lord, though the
world counts us liars, and separates us bodily, yet the merciful Father
will soon bring us together again under his altar, together with our
brother; for I do not doubt it, but am firmly trusting in him; for I
have commended us three into his hands, to do his divine will with us,
whereby his name may be most praised and thanked, to the salvation of
our souls, and to the consolation and strengthening of all those that
fear the Lord, and serve and love his name; this he will also do, I
doubt not; for he does not forsake his own who trust in him; hence I go
with a glad heart, to offer up my sacrifice to the praise of the Lord.
If I could yet have come to you, I would have done so; but Joachim
would not have it. But Christ will soon bring us together again under
his altar; this men will not be able to prevent. Herewith I bid you
adieu, till we meet under the altar. I commend you to the Lord. Big
Henry salutes you much in the Lord. See, my dear wife in the Lord, the
hour is now come that we must part; and thus I go before, with great
joy and gladness, to my and your heavenly Father (John 20:17), and I
most humbly entreat you, not to grieve on this account, but to rejoice
with me. Rom. 12:15. However, I am sad in one respect, because I leave
you among these wolves; but I have commended you and the fruit to the
Lord, and know assuredly, that he will preserve you unto the end, and
herein I rest content. Be valiant in the Lord.
HOW LIJSKEN, JEROME’S WIFE, VALIANTLY FOUGHT, AND CONFESSED THE GROUND
OF HER FAITH BEFORE ALL THE PEOPLE, REMAINING STEADFAST UNTO THE END;
AND HOW THEY BY NIGHT PUT HER INTO A BAG, AND THREW HER INTO THE
SCHELDT, SHE THUS SEALING HER FAITH WITH HER DEATH.