“I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good
courage.” Josh. 1:5,6. Again: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear
not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go
with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deut. 31:6. Mark
here the advantage of freely trusting in God’s promise. Hence such a
pious people say thus in their hearts: “O Lord God of Israel, there
is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest
covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee
with all their hearts.” 2 Chron. 6:14. Observe well who they are: he
says, [that walk before thee] with all their hearts. Whose rock and
fortress is the Lord; who is their God, deliverer, consolation, and
shield; the horn of their salvation; their high tower and refuge; their
Savior who saves them from all violence. 2 Sam. 22:2,3. These are also
they who have set the Lord always before them; hence he is at their
right hand, and they shall therefore not be moved, says David. Ps.
16:8. Mark here boldness, and its power. But the fear of man bringeth
a snare: (mark) but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.
Ps. 29:25. Mark: he that is with God, and with whom God is. David says:
The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in
the time of trouble. Ps. 37:39.
But, dear friends, if one is not pious, pure in heart, and prepared
for temptation as a servant of God, when this temptation assails and
terrifies him; if he is not found in a pure conscience, genuine love of
God and his neighbor, in a pious life, firm faith, sober vigilance, and
armed against every assault; but is an impotent follower, a niggard, a
sleeper, or hypocrite, then, O friends, God will forsake him; for David
says: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”
Ps. 66:18. “The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer
of the righteous.” Prov. 15:29. Yea, it is true; for God heareth not
sinners (mark, those who continue in sin); but if any man fear God, and
doeth his will (doeth, it says), him he heareth. John 9:31.
Hence I conclude and counsel with wise Jesus Sirach: “My son, if thou
come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation;” he says,
prepare thy soul for temptation. Sir. 2:1. Again, also with Christ:
Strive to enter in at the strait gate. Yea, take heed that thy fear of
God be not hypocrisy; lest God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down
thereby in the midst of the congregation, because thou camest not in
truth to the Lord, and thy heart was full of deceit and falseness. Sir.
1:28. Behold, such cannot overcome; but only those who are in favor
with their God, as is mentioned in Judith 5.
Now, there is further to be noticed the patience of which the pious
have need in many tribulations. Heb. 10:36. Also, what great advantage,
profit, gain, and acquisition are, and will be, obtained by tribulation
and patience, follows here in part. Meditate on it.
In the first place, the encouraging words of Judith: Thus Abraham,
Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and all whom God loved, remained steadfast and had
to overcome much affliction (he says: much affliction). But the others,
who would not receive affliction in fear of God, but blasphemed and
murmured with impatience against God, were destroyed by the destroyer
and by serpents. Let us therefore not be impatient in this affliction,
but confess that it is a punishment from God, much less than our
sins deserve, and believe that we are chastised as his servants, for
correction, and not for destruction. Judith 8. O how wisely does
Solomon speak of it: He that is patient is prudent, and it is his glory
to pass over a transgression. Prov. 19:11. Again: He that is patient is
wise; but he that is impatient reveals his folly. 14:29. And again: A
patient man is better than a strong man; and he that ruleth his spirit
than he that taketh a city. 16:32. Mark how lovely, praiseworthy and
advantageous godly patience is, as Jeremiah testifies: It is a precious
thing to be patient, and to wait for the help of the Lord; Yea, that a
man that is forsaken, be patient when something befalleth him; and puts
his mouth in the dust, and wait for the help of the Lord, and give his
cheek to the smiter, and suffer much reproach, for the Lord will not
cast off forever. Lam. 3:26.
Again, Sirach says: An humble man will wait for the time which will
bring him comfort. For though his cause be oppressed for a time, yet
shall the pious praise his wisdom. Sir. 1:23,24. Of this we have
examples in Job and in “the end of the Lord.” Jas. 5:11. Also in Tobit,
for God permitted affliction to come upon him--why? That posterity
might have an example of patience in him, as also in holy Job. An
angel said to this Tobit (when he complained that he could not see the
light of heaven); Have patience, God shall soon help thee, which also
came to pass. Tob. 5:12. Paul does truly say that whatsoever things
were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through
patience and the comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. But,
friends, mark well, where no promise nor godly tribulation is, there is
certainly no need of patience; but where the aforesaid are, O there is
need of patience. Heb. 10:36. For we know, says Paul, that tribulation
worketh patience, and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and
hope maketh not ashamed. Again, also, Christ’s own words concerning
patience: “Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there
shall not a hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your
souls”. Luke 21:17–19.
Again, Paul advises us to all patience in all our distress, and to
approve ourselves therein as the ministers of God, in much patience,
in afflictions, in necessities, in stripes, in imprisonments, (yea, in
imprisonments), in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; 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 the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by
honor and dishonor, by evil report, yea, as deceivers and yet true.
Mark, in how many things a patient minister of God is tried, that is,
in these and similar things (2 Cor. 6:4),--mark, a minister of God, and
whereby he is shown to be such. Again, James would have us count it all
joy when we fall into divers temptations; knowing this (he says), that
your faith, if it be genuine, worketh patience. But patience must be
constant unto the end. Jas. 1:2.
Behold, thus we must with patience (with patience, says Paul), run the
race that is set before us, looking unto the Captain of our faith, the
young man who will set the crown of reward upon our heads, on Mount
Sion. Heb. 12:1; 2 Esd. 2:43.
Behold, all this is obtained as the profit and reward of patience, as
in the case of Christ, and of all holy martyrs; and it must all be
seen by faith, and waited for with patience, as James advises, saying:
“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of our Lord, and like
the husbandman, let us also wait for our harvest and joyful time of
reaping. Jas. 5:7. O then the liberal sowers, who have sowed to the
Spirit shall reap without ceasing. Gal. 6:9.
Dear friends, let us now, as at the right time, also at the right time,
sow liberally to the Spirit and in hope, with joy and not wearying; for
in due time it will fill our garner with sheaves as large as in 1 Pet.
1:16.[304] For God will not forget our work and labor, as has already
been said.
[304] Evidently a misquotation.--TRANS.
To sum it all up in a few words: “Blessed is the man that endureth
temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life;
which God hath, promised to them that love him.” Jas. 1:12. Now, this
promise, inheritance, reward, and crown meets the wants of every
one; but only few relish the notable conditions upon which these is
promised, namely, obedience to the word of God, complete renunciation
of ourselves, and the cheerful, voluntary bearing of our cross. For
Paul says: “Unto us it is given, not only to believe on him, but also
to suffer for his sake.” Philip. 1:29.
Mark, friends, that it is certainly his pleasure, that the servant be
as his lord. Matt. 10:25. Hence Christ in his time assured his servants
and disciples of so much sorrow, tribulation, reproach, suffering,
and of death, for his name’s sake. He did not give it to them as his
opinion, not as something which might eventually, or perhaps come to
pass, but positively assured them that it should befall them, as will
here follow, and, in part, be shown. In the first place, Christ’s own
words: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye
therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men:
for they will deliver you up (he says, they will deliver you up) to the
councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall
be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony
against them and the Gentiles.” Matt. 10:16–18.
Again: “The brother shall,” he says, shall, “deliver up the brother to
death, and the father the child; and the children shall rise up against
their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall” he
says, shall, “be hated of all men for my name’s sake.” Verses 21, 22.
Again: “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not
greater than his lord, nor the disciple above his master. If they have
persecuted me, they will (he says, they will) also persecute you; if
they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these
things will they do unto you for my name’s sake.” John 15:20,21.
And again: These things have I spoken unto you that ye should not
be offended. They shall (he says, they shall) put you out of the
synagogues; yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think
that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you,
because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have
I told you, that when the time shall come, (mark well) ye may remember
that I told you of them. 16:1–4. Paul, also, says that we must through
much tribulation (he says, _must_ through much tribulation) enter into
the kingdom of God: Acts 14:22. And that all (he says, all) that will
live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12.
Now, dear friends, mark, if it must be so, and also will be so; as has
been mentioned in part, and is certain, then, in the name of God, let
it be [borne] willingly, and let us not regard the fearful tribulation
and distress, but look far beyond, as said before, and be mindful of
the comfort contained in the declaration that this temporal tribulation
is not worthy to be compared with the eternal glory (Rom. 8:18); and
let us also remember that this evil and unrighteous world is not fit
for, and was not worthy of, that blessed crown for suffering for
righteousness’ sake. Heb. 11:38.
But they are fit who have followed Christ in the regeneration, and
forsaken all that is dear to them here. Matt. 19:28. Remember also,
brethren, that they who are, or would be, without this chastisement,
are bastards, and not sons. Heb. 12:8. Thus, tribulation is certainly
promised us believers, as has been heard.
With regard to this, I counsel with Sirach and many others. If we
would serve God, let us do it with earnestness, lest we tempt him
(Sir. 18:23); for he that would be God’s servant, must prepare (mark,
prepare) himself for temptation, and always labor in the work of the
Lord, that, whether we be present with him, or whether we be here,
absent from him, we may always please God; and every one of us must
strive to be (not to think, or boast [of being], but to be), the chief
in good works, as also Peter says: “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye
look for his coming, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace,
without spot, and blameless.” 2 Pet. 3:14. O how we must be prepared
then with a holy conversation, and with godliness. Every man that hath
this hope in him must purify himself, even as he (whom we look for) is
pure. 1 John 3:3. He that is holy, must become still holier; and he
that is pure, still purer. To become holier and holier behooves us,
since we call upon such an Holy One as our Father, who judges without
respect of persons, as Peter says, and this according to every man’s
work. Hence, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear, and it
will then be with us as Peter says: Let all them that suffer according
to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him with good
works (mark, with good works), as unto a faithful Creator. 1 Peter
4:19. Let no one here understand salvation by good works, but salvation
with good works; good works without meriting salvation, (mark well)
for salvation is of grace, thanks to our Lord Christ, as in Gal. 2:16,
and still clearer in Eph. 2:7.[305] This I say is my advice, that we
also thus prepare our souls, and commit them to him as unto a faithful
[Creator], with good works without boasting (without boasting), as his
unprofitable servants, who would fain be perfect. Luke 17:10. Finally,
dear friends, let us not seek to save our life, which, at all events,
we must eventually lose; but let us always entreat our God for strength
to suffer, that we may finish our course as valiant adventurers. Amen,
dear Lord, Amen.
[305] 17, the original has it; but this is evidently an error.--TRANS.
Here now follow instances of exemplary adventurers of former
times--pious persons that were persecuted, greatly hated, and put to
death; mark, how, by whom, and also why these things always happened;
namely, in order that we need not think it strange, when we become
partakers of the same sufferings and death.
In the first place, pious, good Abel was slain by Cain, out of hatred
on account of his piety. Lot was greatly vexed by the wanton Sodomites,
because of his virtue and righteousness. David was persecuted by
Saul, Shimei, and by Absalom his son, for his glory and own kingdom.
The man of God from Judah was threatened by Jeroboam, because of his
prophesying against Jeroboam’s gods and his altar. 1 Kings 13. The
holy and mighty prophet of God, Elijah, and many others who were put
to death in his time; he had to flee from the place, and was greatly
persecuted by Jezebel, on account of his prophetic miracles which he
wrought through God. 1 Kings 19. Micaiah was imprisoned by the king,
who fed him with the water and bread of affliction, because he opposed
the four hundred false prophets of Jezebel with the Spirit and holy
word of God. 1 Kings 22:27. Urijah, a prophet, and also a fugitive, was
brought back, and slain with the sword by King Jehoiakim, on account
of his message from God, the prophecy against Jerusalem and the land
of Judah. Jer. 26:20–23. Jeremiah, a prophet of God, was cast by the
princes into the miry pit to die, because he would not cease to preach
and prophesy in the name of the Lord. Jer. 38:6. Zechariah, a priest’s
son, and prophet of the Lord, was stoned at the commandment of the
king, because he had prophesied nothing but calamity for them, because
they had forsaken that which was good, and transgressed the word of
God. 2 Chron. 24:21. Mark, for what reason each one of these was put to
death.
The three young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were by King
Nebuchadnezzar cast into a furnace heated seven times more than it was
wont to be heated--in which God nevertheless preserved them on account
of their trust in him--and this because they would not honor neither
worship the King’s self-made image, idol and buffoonery. Daniel 3:19.
Daniel, a most worthy and holy prophet of God, was by the worshipers of
the dragon, out of hatred and envy, cast into the den of lions, against
the will and power of the king; God, however, preserved and delivered
him. This was done, because he, fearing no man, nor the king’s plain
and strict commandment, openly worshiped, honored and confessed his God
alone, with the windows open toward Jerusalem. _Hist. of the Destr.
of the Drag._ Dan. 6:10. Mark, are not the pious subtilly sought?
Yes, sought and found. O Lord, all the steadfast pious in Israel were
scattered, and most atrociously slain by Antiochus. Why? Mark, because
they circumcised their children, according to God’s commandment, would
eat no swine’s flesh, according to the prohibition of the law, and
refused to follow the heathen customs, since they were unclean and
contrary to the law. 1 Macc. 1. Again, on another occasion, all the
Jews were everywhere caught like wild beasts, bound, chased, dragged
off, conveyed away in ships, and doomed to a general massacre, from
which latter, however, they were miraculously delivered by the hand of
God. They were thus tormented by King Ptolemy, because they would not
be compelled by him to depart from the law of God, sacrifice to idols,
and adopt heathen customs. 3 Macc. No fair reason, friends; and so it
is still. Again, in the second book of the Maccabees the same thing is
enacted. A cruel decree of said King Ptolemy, which whoever should not
obey, was to be put to death instantly. 2 Macc. 6:9.
Some were burnt. Two women had their infants tied or hanged to their
breasts, and were thus led in derision round about the city, and
finally cast headlong over the walls. Mark, why? Because they adhered
steadfastly to the law of God, and had circumcised their children.
Thus also Eleazar, an aged man of ninety, was slain by Antiochus. Why?
Because of his unfeigned steadfastness in refusing to eat swine’s
flesh, or to pretend to eat it. Again, also a pious mother and seven
steadfast sons were by King Antiochus roasted in red-hot pans, with
the skin of their heads pulled off, and their tongues cut out. 2 Macc.
7. Why? Mark, because they would in no wise eat swine’s flesh contrary
to the law, because it was forbidden. And similar instances in the Old
Testament.
In the New Testament, also, we find instances of a like character.
In the first place, the holy forerunner of Christ, John the Baptist,
was beheaded by Herod. That good man; why did he kill him? Mark,
because he reproved Herod for an improper and shameful liaison. The
good Christ Jesus was also hated by the world, because he testified of
its evil works. Yea, without guilt or cause worthy of death, Pontius
Pilate the judge, through the hatred of the Jews, delivered him up, and
put him to death. The holy apostles, also, were frequently apprehended,
scourged, and forbidden to preach in the name of Jesus, by the council
of the priests. Why? In order that the name, doctrine and church of
Jesus should not spread and increase.
Stephen, a deacon, and pious witness of Jesus, was stoned by the
stiff-necked. Why? Because they could not resist his spirit, wisdom,
and doctrine. The church at Jerusalem, in the beginning, was dispersed
and scattered abroad throughout the land of Judea, by the Jews.
And Saul, the persecutor, went hither and thither with letters and
authority to apprehend and vex any whom he should find of this way or
persuasion, in order to hinder the doctrine, faith and way of Christ.
And, yet, to be brief, some were vexed by Herod; he killed James with
the sword, and seeing that it pleased the people, he apprehended also
Peter, and guarded him with sixteen servants, and bound him with two
chains, with doors closed, through the hatred of the Jews; but an angel
delivered him. Acts 12:1. Let us therefore not wonder at this as though
it was something strange.
Now, in conclusion, receive my eternal adieu, and brotherly greeting.
Behold, I have written this to my dear friends, brethren and sisters
in the Lord, in humility, with a good intention, and in love, for
three special reasons. The first reason is, to communicate to you
welcome news, namely, an account of my prosperity, good health and
cheerfulness, in both respects, that is, in soul and body; and to stir
you up to aid me in praising, thanking, and praying to God for all his
grace and comfort, shown towards me unworthy one here, and also towards
us all. Of this comfort (by which I also am comforted of God) it has
been my endeavor to communicate to you a share, according to your wish
and desire already referred to, and I send it to you as a honey-comb,
perfume of roses, balm, incense and myrrh, from Eden’s pleasure garden
as it were, fruits of the heavenly paradise; as a fruit, sample,
perfume and delectation for you, to be inwardly contemplated with
attention; yea, as a signal token to you of my joy and peace which I
feel to have with God, in union and in one spirit. O, I, unworthy and
unprofitable servant of my Lord, that I enjoy peace with my Christ, and
the fellowship of his Spirit. Rom. 8:15; 1 Cor. 6:17; Gal. 3:26. Be it
said to his praise, it is all through his merciful faithfulness, and
great, unmerited grace. I glory in the Lord, and in his power; we have
received from him this precious treasure in our weak earthen vessels;
hence, if it is preserved, the excellency of the power is of God, and
not of us; O not of us, but by grace we are what we are. Jer. 9:24; 2
Cor. 4:7.
The second reason is, that, since you are partakers with me of the
same hope, reward and comfort, I might awaken in you a refreshing,
devotion, renewed joy in the promises, and inward gladness, by pointing
out our comfort mentioned, consisting in doctrine and examples of the
Scriptures, as noticed here in part, thereby showing my favor, love and
affection towards you all, as remembering you in the Lord.
Thirdly and lastly, also for the reason that I might make many of you
my debtors, to do the same in their turn, that is, to send us a letter,
in token of your steadfast continuance in love, for our comfort and
joy, and the acknowledgement of your remembrance of us, according
to the doctrine, debt and obligation towards prisoners; as in Matt.
25:36; Acts 12:5; 2 Tim. 1:16; Heb. 13:3. This from you would be most
acceptable to us three prisoners here--O as welcome as the perfume of
opening roses, incense and myrrh from the bowers of Zion, the vineyard
and pleasure-garden of our God; which has hitherto happened to us so
very little, far too little, almost as though your love to us had
ceased. Stop! lest I wound you or some one else by words spoken with no
evil intent; for I do not have reference to the necessaries of life.
O no; we thank God and our careful friends most heartily for these.
Accept from me in good part all that is good, and interpret all my love
according to love; this I earnestly pray for the Lord’s sake. Let no
one misapprehend my labor of love, by interpreting it, or thinking, as
though I had done this or the like from desire for honor and praise,
or from any hankering after a gift from any one, or after any carnal
or earthly communion; for it was love which, out of a pure intention,
prompted me to it. O Lord, thou knowest it all.
Yes, my friends, pure love thinketh no evil; however, she sees, finds
and reproves evil. Examples of this are, Ananias, Simon the sorcerer,
the Corinthian fornicator, etc. Acts 5:1; 8:9; 1 Cor. 5:1.
And now, dear friends, brethren and sisters, I again commend you to
God, and to the word of his grace (as the salutation of Paul), which
is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them
which are sanctified. Be saluted, strengthened, comforted, and of good
cheer in the Lord.
Watch and pray. By me, HENDRICK ALEWIJNS, and my fellow prisoners, all
of us of good cheer. Farewell. Given in November, A. D. 1568.
Yes, dear friends, before this letter left my hands, two of us were
brought before the court; dear Gerrit Jans Duynherder, our pious
brother and myself. And behold, we are kept in durance, as sufficiently
sentenced, and both of us expect to die very soon now. O Lord! O Lord!
into thy hands, O faithful Creator! we commend our soul and spirit.
Amen.
O beloved church of God, take care of my three poor, dear little
orphans, that are without parents, without possession, or inheritance.
Adieu, my dear children; adieu, all my friends. This is going before
you all, and following after my Lord Christ, in his footsteps. Lord,
assist thy servants unto the last, unworthy and unprofitable though
they be.
THIS IS WHAT HENDRICK ALEWIJNS DELIVERED TO THE LORDS AT THE RACK.