always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that
your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor. 15:58. For you shall
receive reward by it. Matt. 20:9. If you sow to the Spirit, you shall
of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Gal. 6:8. If we sow in tears, we
shall reap with joy; for our shame we shall receive honor, and for
confusion we shall rejoice, says the prophet. Is. 61:7. O let us be
content then--we shall be such a glorious people; and with patience
wait for it, and think of the glorious promise that he has promised
us. 1 John 2:25. He also will do it, he will not delay his promise (2
Peter 3:9); only let us continue valiantly, rejoicing in hope, patient
in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer, not slothful in our
business, but fervent in spirit, a burning love in our hearts (Romans
12:10, etc.), and the Lord through love grounded and rooted in us (Eph.
3:17), so that no one may be able to separate us from the love of God,
nothing of all that may come upon us for the name of Jesus Christ,
and for his testimony. Romans 8:35. Let therefore no one beguile us
of our reward, but let us evince from our faith virtue, and let our
moderation be known unto all men. Colossians 2:18; 2 Peter 1:5; Philip.
4:5. The Lord is at hand, be careful for nothing; for it is soon over;
our time, dear sister, is so short, if we well consider it. 1 Cor.
7:29. Hence let us pass our short time in the fear of God, and be sober
and vigilant; for our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith.
1 Peter 5:8,9. As James says: resist the devil, and he will flee from
you. James 4:7. Yes, dear sister, he walks about us very craftily; now
with this, now with that, whether outwardly or inwardly with our evil
flesh, which is our greatest enemy, with whom we have most to contend;
the Spirit against the flesh, the flesh against the Spirit: these are
contrary the one to the other, so that we do not the things that we
would. Gal. 5:17. But Paul gives us comfort, when he says: Walk in the
Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. v. 16. O that
we were as fervent in spirit, as diligent in good works, in seeking
eternal life, as we are in seeking earthly treasures, worldly things,
which must nevertheless perish and remain here; and that we might love
God’s commandments above gold or precious stones; we should be such
blessed children, we should continually have less and less conflict.
But alas! it is sometimes the case, that greater endeavors are made
for these temporal things, than for the abiding riches that are in
heaven, which shall nevertheless endure forever. In writing this I do
not mean that this is the case with you; for I well perceive that you
seek the Lord with all your heart. Hence, my dear sister, let us lay
to heart the words of the apostle, who warns us against the tempter;
lest we also be deceived by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his
devices (2 Cor. 2:11), that is, that he aims to capture God’s children
in his net by lies and envy, since he has been the father of lies from
the beginning (John 8:44), as he has shown in the case of the first
man, as is written in Wisdom: “God created man for eternal life; but
through the envy of the devil death came into the world; and they that
are of his part do follow him. 2:23,24. Thus he also comes to us with
his emissaries, with whom we have a hard conflict, yea, those who went
out from us being the most troublesome to us, so that we find that
the Scripture is fulfilled, namely, that in the latter days it should
be as John says: “Little children it is the last time: and as ye have
heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists;
whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but
they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt
have continued with us: but they went out that they might be made
manifest that they were not all of us.” 1 John 2:18,19. See, dear
sister, thus the apostle warns us; for they are not all Abraham’s
children that are of Abraham’s seed. Rom. 9:7.
Therefore, dear sister, look to the pious, and not to the weak; look
unto Jesus Christ the author and finisher of the faith, as Paul says,
and suffer not yourself to be led astray by certain vain talkers who
undertake to turn you aside. Heb. 12:2; Tit. 1:10. Christ says that in
the latter days many false prophets shall arise in his name (O mark,
in his name); insomuch that, if it were possible, even the very elect
should be deceived. Matt. 24:24. But he that endureth to the end shall
be saved; the elect shall not be deceived. Be valiant in your mind,
and always pray without ceasing, with prayer and supplication in the
Spirit. Meditate day and night in the law of the Lord, that you may be
a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his rich
good fruit in his season; whose leaf shall not wither (Ps. 1:2,3); and
that you may be a fruitful branch in the vine Christ Jesus. For David
says: “The righteous shall never fall, but shall stand forever like
mount Zion”; yea, the righteous shall never be removed, says Solomon.
Psalm 125:1; Prov. 10:30.
Let us therefore finish our course with joy, and strive lawfully (2
Tim. 2:5); for no one is crowned, except he strive lawfully, as did the
pious forefathers, who placed their hope in God, whom they faithfully
served. He did not forsake them, nor did they forsake him; they bowed
their necks under the scepter of Christ Jesus, as the pious Esther
also bowed her neck. 2 Esther 14:2. O take heed to this; though the
righteous must suffer much here, and be deprived of all human help
and comfort, let us turn our eyes to the succorer Jesus Christ, who
will not forsake us. Can a mother forsake her child? Yea, though she
forsake it, yet will I not forsake thee, says the Lord. Is. 49:16. He
that touches us, touches the apple of his eye. Zech. 2:8. Who should
not fear such a God, who always preserves and protects his poor people?
For the joy which he has promised us, sweetens everything. He that ever
cometh shall inherit all things. Rev. 21:7. They shall sit with Christ
Jesus in his throne, even as he sat down with his Father in his throne.
Revelation 3:21. Yea, he shall gird himself, and go before us, and
serve us at table. Luke 12:37. How the righteous shall shine forth then
in the kingdom of his Father! How they shall leap up then as calves
of the stall! How the righteous shall then shine, as sparks that run
among the stubble! how they that did not love their lives unto death
shall then triumph and sing the song, and, with palms in their hands
and crowns upon their heads, thank, praise, and magnify the name of the
Lord! In short, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered
into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that
love him. Matt. 13:43; Malachi 4:2; Wis. 3:7; John 12:25; Rev. 14:3; 2
Esdras 2:46; 1 Cor. 2:9.
Hence, let every one that has this hope in him purify himself, even as
he is pure. 1 John 3:3. But the God of all grace, who has called us
by his glory and power, strengthen and confirm you, my beloved, dear
sister in the Lord, with the power of the Holy Ghost, unto the end.
Amen. 1 Peter 5:10.
Herewith I will commend you, my beloved sister in Christ, to the Lord,
and to the word of his great grace. Receive this my short, simple
letter in good part, for I have written it out of true, unfeigned
brotherly love, this the Almighty Lord knows. Hence I pray you, receive
this from me in good part; for he that fears God receives everything
for the best. Always hold fast your first love unto the end, and the
fervent love to God and the brethren (Rev. 2:4; 1 Peter 4:8); may the
Almighty, eternal and strong God grant you this. Amen.
* * * * *
Greet all my friends in my name, especially M. S’s daughter, G. R. W.,
and further all that know me. Several that were with me when I wrote
this greet you; also Cornelis Janss greet you. The grace of the Lord
Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
FIVE LETTERS OF CLEMENT HENDRICKSS, SENT FROM HIS PRISON IN AMSTERDAM,
WHERE HE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH; TOGETHER
WITH JAN KRIJNSS AND CORNELIS JANSS MENTIONED ABOVE.
_First letter, sent to one of his acquaintances, named Grietgen Dircks._
Know, dear Grietgen Dircks, that I am still of good courage in the
flesh, and that my mind is still unchanged and fixed to fear the Lord,
the Lord be thanked; I can never thank the Lord enough for it.
I sometimes am much grieved that I unworthy one have at times grieved
you so much. I can easily imagine that many are grieved on my account,
as I have heard, that it is said that I have apostatized from my faith,
which is not true, the Lord be praised. So far they have asked me only
simple questions; if they would only not ask more closely, this I
sincerely desire; but I fear that I already am where I must stay. The
Lord grant unto me what is for my salvation. I trust in him, that he
will give me strength, that I may continue to his praise, and to the
salvation of my soul. Our other three brethren have already fought the
fight; if it is the Lord’s will, he may also take me home. On Friday I
yet knew nothing to the contrary, but that I should also offer up my
sacrifice; and my mind was quite ready for it, the Lord be thanked; I
can never thank him enough, that he so faithfully succors me. I trust
only in him, and he that trusts in him shall not be ashamed; for he
does not forsake his own who trust in him alone. Be so kind and greet
all the brethren very much in my name, and tell them to pray for me,
that the Lord would strengthen me unto my last extremity; for the
prayer of the faithful and righteous avails much; this is my sincere
request. Acts 12:5,12; James 5:16. Herewith I will commend you to the
Lord, if we should see each other no more with the eyes of the flesh;
take this in good part, and tell my sister what I have written you;
for she is as yet under the impression that I have apostatized from my
faith--the Lord is the discerner of all hearts. Acts 1:24.
By me Clement Hendrickss, unworthy prisoner in the Lord.
_The second letter of Clement Hendrickss._
Grace, peace and mercy from God our heavenly Father, through Jesus
Christ his only beloved Son, who gave himself for us, out of great
love, to deliver us from the bond of death; this fervent love, with
the power and strength of the Holy Ghost, I wish you my very dear and
beloved N., as a token of gratitude, and for consolation and strength,
now and forever. Amen.
Further, my very dear and beloved, beloved by God, the heavenly Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ, out of true Christian, brotherly love I
cannot well forbear to write your love briefly as to how it still is
with me in my bonds. I cannot thank and praise the Lord sufficiently,
that he so comforts me in my tribulation, and that my mind is still
fixed to fear the Lord with all my heart all the days of my life,
according to my weak ability. Furthermore, very dear and beloved, I
poor and unworthy one have undertaken to write you a little, though
I am unfit to do so; but it is done out of true Christian, brotherly
love; hence accept it from me in good part.
O my very dear and beloved, what a beautiful consolation it is to
us, that Christ says: Blessed are they which are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5:10.
Christ also says: Whosoever doth not take up his cross, and follow me,
is not worthy of me; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall
find it. Luke 9:23,24. Paul, further, says all that will live godly
in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12. Many are the
afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of them
all. Ps. 34:19. Therefore, my very dear and beloved, the prophets
suffered, yea, Christ himself, and also all the pious witnesses of
Jesus Christ even unto the present day. Hence, let your loins be girded
about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that
wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding, that, when
he cometh and knocketh they may open unto him immediately. Blessed
are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching:
verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to
sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. Luke 12:35–37.
Hence, my dear and much beloved, what a beautiful comfort this is to
us! For it is written: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for
them that love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9. He that shall endure unto the end,
the same shall be saved. Matt. 24:13. And Esdras saw upon the mount
Sion a great people, whom he could not number, and they all praised
the Lord with songs. And in the midst of them there was a young man
of a high stature, taller than all the rest, and upon every one of
their heads he set crowns, and was more exalted; at which he [Esdras]
marveled greatly. So he asked the angel, and said: Sir, what are these?
He answered and said: These be they that have put off the mortal
clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God:
now are they crowned, and receive palms. Then he asked the angel: What
young person is it that crowneth them, and giveth them palms in their
hands? And he answered and said: It is the Son of God, whom they have
confessed in the world. 2 Esd. 2:42–47.
Behold, my dear and much beloved in the Lord, what is our life? It is
even a vapor, or as a smoke that is driven by the wind, not knowing
whence it cometh, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth
away. Jas. 4:14. But our dying is nothing less than an introduction
into eternal life, to reign with God and Christ. Christ says: He that
believeth in me is passed from death unto life. John 5:24. If we die
through him, we live in him, for God is not the God of the dead, but
of the living; and Abraham believed in him, and all believers live in
God. Matt. 22:33; Jas. 2:23. Though they suffered death, they were the
friends of God, so that he says: He that toucheth you, toucheth the
apple of my eye. Zech. 2:8. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath
bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore
the world knoweth you not, because it knew him not. Therefore, my
dear and much beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not
yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear
we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man
that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 1
John 3:1–3. We know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were
dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens, that we may be clothed upon with it. 2 Cor.
5:1,2. Yea, saith Paul, as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so
our consolation also aboundeth by Christ; whether it be comfort or
tribulation, it is all for our salvation, if we suffer as the saints
suffered, that is, for the testimony of the word of God. 2 Cor. 1:5,6;
Revelation 6:9. Paul further says: If we suffer with him, if we die
with Christ, we shall live with him. 2 Tim. 2:11,12. He further says;
that our earnest expectation is nothing less than the manifestation
of the sons of God, that is, we desire and long so greatly for the
appearing of our Lord in the clouds, that we may be caught up to
him in the clouds, and become like him. Rom. 8:19; Matt. 24:30; 1
Thessalonians 4:17. While we are in these tabernacles, we are burdened;
for we would rather be clothed upon with the immortal and heavenly
glory with which Christ shall glorify us. He that hath wrought us for
this selfsame thing is God, who hath given unto us the earnest of the
faith, through faith and trust in his Son. 2 Cor. 5:4,5.
Hence, my dear and much beloved, even as it is also written; Though
our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For
our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a
far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at
the things which are temporal, but at the things which are eternal.
2 Cor. 4:16–18. Herewith I commend you to the Lord; may he bless and
keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and upon us all,
and be gracious unto us. Num. 6:24,25. Greet the brethren much in my
name, where it is convenient. I will commend you all to the Lord until
the appearing of our Lord. The peace of the Lord be with you now and
forever. Amen.
Written in bonds, on Christmas Monday, by me,
CLEMENT HENDRICKSS, Unworthy prisoner in the Lord.
_Third Letter of Clement Hendrickss, to his father and mother._
I wish you, my dear and beloved father, and my dear and much beloved
mother, the Spirit of truth, and the knowledge of the faith, according
to the mind of Christ Jesus, a clear vision and an open heart in all
divine matters and in the word of God, thereby rightly to discriminate
which is light or darkness, lies or truth, yea, flesh or spirit; in
order that you may not be deceived, but firmly adhere to the word of
God, so that you may receive a full reward, and lose none of those
things which you have hitherto wrought through your faith. 2 John 8.
Further, my dear and much beloved father and mother, whom I well
remember in my bonds, and still pray for you every morning and evening,
that the Lord would comfort you in your sorrow, which you have for me,
poor, unworthy man, who am not worthy that you should sorrow for me.
Furthermore, my dear and much beloved father and mother I inform your
love, that I have undertaken to write your love a little, as to how
it still is with me, and that it is still my purpose to fear the Lord
with all my heart, with all my strength, and with all my soul, as long
as I remain in the flesh, for which I can never sufficiently thank
and praise the almighty, great and only wise God for his unspeakable,
yea, incomprehensible grace, which he has hitherto shown me and still
daily shows me through Jesus Christ and the supply of his Spirit.
Philip. 1:19. For this I thank the almighty God, and bow the knee of
my heart (Prayer of Manasses) before the Father full of grace, who is
a true and righteous God of mercy, and a God that comforts us all with
his holy word. Therefore, my dear and much beloved father and mother,
sorrow not for me poor, unworthy man, but much rather rejoice herein,
and praise the Lord for it, that he has called and made worthy your
son, to suffer for his holy word and his Gospel. And we find, that the
apostles and the prophets, yea, Christ himself, had to suffer according
to the flesh, from evil and perverse men. Hence my dear father and
much beloved mother, do not grieve too much, and be content herein,
as much as is possible for you, this I most kindly ask you for the
name of the Lord. And always comfort yourselves with the words of
Christ where he says: He that loveth aught more than me is not worthy
of me; and every one that forsaketh, house, home, lands, and father
and mother, shall receive a hundred-fold. Matt. 10:37; Luke 14:26;
Matt. 19:29. Therefore, my dear and much beloved father and mother
what else can we meet with in this life, than with great poverty? And
what is man’s life? nothing but as the flower of the field: the grass
withereth and the flower fadeth; and as a vapor, that appeareth for a
little time and then vanisheth away. Isaiah 40:6,7; Jas. 4:14. Further,
my dear and much beloved father, I am of good courage to offer up my
sacrifice, and to suffer for the name of the Lord; for Christ says:
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess
also before my Father which is in heaven. Matt. 10:32. Christ also
says: Let your light shine before men. 5:16. And I fain would, when I
am to offer up my sacrifice, that they would place me on a wagon and
carry me around town, and scourge me four times, that I might let the
light shine before this evil, blind and perverse generation; for I am
not ashamed to suffer for the Gospel. Rom. 1:16. For I shall not suffer
as a thief, or a rogue, or robber, or evil-doer, but I shall suffer
as a Christian. 1 Peter 4:15,16. For if we suffer for evil-doing, what
profit is it to us? but if we suffer for well-doing, this is acceptable
with the heavenly Father. 2:20. Furthermore my dear and much beloved
father and mother, I inform your love that they have let me know that I
should commit myself into the hands of the clergy; then they thought I
should get out of here. Thereupon I sent back word to them, that I had
no intention of doing this, and that they should go to no trouble about
it.
Hence, my dear and much beloved father and mother, be not dismayed on
account of this, I humbly pray you for the name of the Lord, for of
such things a Christian ought not to be ashamed. For there was Joseph,
who was tempted by the Egyptian woman; and she had caught him by his
coat or mantle, and wished to commit whoredom with him; and she would
not let him go; but he fled from her, and left the mantle or coat in
her hand, rather than commit this great sin with her. Therefore, my
dear and much beloved father and mother, if the whore of Babylon takes
hold of our coat or mantle, that we should commit whoredom with her,
rather let go, through the grace of the Lord, your coat or mantle,
namely, your temporal life, than that you should commit whoredom with
her. Revelation 17:1,2.
Furthermore, my dear and much beloved father and mother, I ask you
very humbly, with weeping eyes, for forgiveness for all that I have
done amiss against you by word or deed, or by any thoughts, that you
will forgive me. It seems that my time will soon be here now, when I
shall offer up my sacrifice. Hence my dear and much beloved father and
mother, I will commend you to the Lord, and bid you adieu till the
appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. The peace of the Lord be with you
forever and ever. Amen.
Written by me, your beloved son, in my bonds.
CLEMENT HENDRICKSS, Unworthy prisoner in the Lord.
_Fourth letter of Clement Hendrickss, to his father and mother._
A most friendly greeting to you my beloved father and mother. I inform
you, that I am still of good courage and well, as I hope that also you
are.
Further, my dear and much beloved father and mother, I inform your
love how it is with me, according to the body, in my bonds. I cannot
thank and praise the Lord enough for it, that he so comforts me in my
tribulation, and that it is still my fixed purpose to fear the Lord as
long as I am here, though flesh and blood should suffer on this account.