Christ, who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood;
together with the consolation of the Holy Ghost, who proceeds from the
Father and the Son, to comfort all them that are in any tribulation and
affliction for his holy name’s sake. To him be praise, honor, glory,
dominion, power and majesty, forever and ever. Amen. This we wish you
all as a friendly greeting, my beloved brethren and sisters in the
Lord. We prisoners for the testimony of our dear Lord Jesus Christ
inform you, that it is still tolerably well with us according to the
flesh; but as regards the spirit, we would that it were better, for we
are compassed about with such a vile, evil flesh, which always lusts
against the will of God, and shrinks much from suffering; however we
must suffer and fight, if we are to overcome. For, dear brethren and
sisters, the crown lies not at the beginning nor in the middle, but at
the end; there the conflict lies; then the gold is tried by the fire of
affliction, which no one knows better, than those who have been tried
therein.
It is indeed true what the apostle says: “No chastening for the present
seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth
the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised
thereby.” Heb. 12:11.
Further, my dear friends, brethren and sisters, we pray you by the
great love of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you be all of the same mind,
and let there be no discord among you nor any strife about any matter;
but let each seek to be wise and prudent in that which is good, and
simple in what is evil, remembering the words of the apostle where he
says: “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort
of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being
of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or
vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also
on the things of others. Yea, let this mind be in you, which was also
in Christ Jesus,” who, though he was rich, became poor for our sakes,
that through his poverty he might make us rich, and purify unto himself
a holy church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; which he
hath purchased with his own blood, that they should be holy and without
blame, and walk in love. Philip. 2:1–5; 1 Cor. 10;14; 2 Corinthians
8:9; Eph. 5:26,27; Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:4.
This church has now for a time suffered much sorrow; may the complaint
ascend to the merciful Father in heaven, concerning the misery and
sadness that have come upon Zion. But the God of all grace be praised
for his great mercy which he has yet shown the church at Antwerp, which
continues still in good peace and unity (as I think); wherefore there
is great joy and gladness there according to the spirit, but great
distress according to the flesh. For the Lord tries his people with
tribulation and distress, as Christ 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 my Father, nor me.” John 16:2,3. For
if they had known him, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
1 Corinthians 2:8. And though the persecution is not so severe in some
places, the Lord can nevertheless try men by other means, by strife,
discord, strutting and boasting, reveling and banqueting, in short by
carnal works, all of which are not according to our vocation. Not, dear
friends, that I would here accuse any one; but out of brotherly love we
exhort every one; for before God nothing can be hid, for he will bring
to light all that is done in secret. 1 Cor. 4:5.
Therefore, my dear friends, let us not deceive the Lord; for his eyes
are as a flame of fire, and he is a mighty, powerful and strong God,
and sees everywhere in secret and openly; hence he may well be feared,
for he has not spoken a single word in vain, as he says by the prophet,
that the word which goeth forth out of his mouth does not return unto
him void, but does accomplish all that he pleases. Rev. 1:14; Is. 55:11.
My affectionately beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, receive
this letter from your poor, weak brother in good part; for it has been
written at the request of some brethren, if peradventure you might be
comforted and refreshed a little by our simple epistle, for we have
written these few lines out of cordial affection, and because we should
exhort one another while it is called to-day; for we hope soon, by the
grace of the Lord, here to put off our flesh. Heb. 3:13; 2 Pet. 1:14.
O friends, the way that leads into life is so strait and narrow; but
the way that leads into hell is so broad and easy for the flesh. Truly
indeed does the prophet Isaiah say, that hell has opened wide her
mouth, and both princes and the common people descend into it, yea,
they go to hell like sheep to the slaughter. Is. 5:14.
Hence, my dear friends, let us take diligent heed, that we may not have
received the grace of God in vain; but let us constantly remember the
days of our illumination, and how little we then were in our own eyes,
when we humbled ourselves under the mighty hand of God, yielding up
ourselves entirely, to serve the Lord in holiness and righteousness
acceptable before him. Heb. 10:32; 1 Pet. 5:6; Luke 1:75. For we were
then all like Saul when he was anointed king, who was of the least of
the tribes of Israel and little in his own eyes. But when he became
proud, the Lord rejected him. For the Lord said to Samuel: “Go and
tell Saul to destroy Amalek from the earth, both man and beast.” But
Saul followed his own judgment and spared the king, and the best of
the oxen, and of the sheep, to sacrifice them to the Lord; whereby he
transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and was disobedient to his
voice, notwithstanding the Lord desired obedience and not sacrifice,
1 Sam. 15.
Behold, dear friends, for what a small matter Saul was
rejected; hence let us take good heed, for he is still the same God.
This is also the case with part of us, that we take too great liberty
in our faith, in consequence of which we are rejected, and then do
not know ourselves where the fault lies. Now a spirit of contention
comes upon us, causing the pious to sigh and mourn: so that thereby
division and schism are wrought in the church of God, which mostly
occurs where Christians have great liberty. How much it is now like
it was in the days of Israel; when they were in peace [from without],
they waged war against one another, so that many thousands fell, when
they fought against the Benjamites. Judg. 20. Hence, my dear brethren
and sisters, let Christ Jesus be an example unto you, who has called
us in peace. 1 Cor. 7:15. For the fruit of the Spirit is all manner of
goodness, righteousness, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Eph. 5:9. And let
us take good heed that we do not become like the church of Laodicea,
which was neither cold nor hot, and thought she was rich and increased
with goods, and had need of nothing. But the Spirit answered her,
saying: “I command thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that
thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed,
and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine
eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Rev. 3:18. Hence, it is
daily necessary to exhort one another with the word of the Lord, which
is the true mirror and plumb-line by which to measure our life and
conversation according to our weakness. I say according to our weak
ability; for if God should enter into judgment with us, no one could
stand before him. Ps. 143:2. Hence, no man may or can justify himself
before God. But we must always remain debtors, remembering that we come
short in many things. Matthew 6:12.
Let us therefore take diligent heed, and have our predecessors
constantly before our eyes, namely, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses,
and all the prophets, who were strangers and pilgrims on the earth,
and sought a country, a city that had foundations, whose builder and
maker was God; and experienced tribulation and affliction, stripes and
imprisonments; of whom the world was not worthy. Heb. 11. And Christ
Jesus himself had not so much in the world as upon which to lay his
blessed head, for he says: “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the
air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
Matt. 8:20. But he had to flee away everywhere (Matt. 2:13), even as
his members must still do at the present day. For he who confesses
Christ Jesus in power is a prey to every one, and is cursed, and
banished as a rebel and heretic, yea, condemned to and exterminated
with the severest death that they can devise. May the complaint ascend
to God in high heaven, of the great and miserable blindness. They
perpetually cry: “The decree must be observed,” not once considering
whether it is right or wrong; though some nevertheless say that no one
ought to be put to death for the faith’s sake.
Thus, my dear brethren and sisters, we must with Jeremiah commit our
cause to the Lord, and pray for the blindness of our enemies, that the
Lord would enlighten them, so that they may see whom they pierce, and
how they fight against the Lamb, which shall yet overcome them. Jer.
11:20; John 19:37; Rev. 17:14.
Further, dear brethren and sisters, we pray you in general, that you
remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which
suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body (Heb. 13:3);
also, that we may joyfully put off our flesh here upon earth, to the
praise of the Most High, and to the edification of our neighbor,
that the name of the Lord may not be blasphemed through us. I, Joost
Verkindert, Lauwerens Andriess, and Nelleken Jaspers greet you (who
are in like faith with us) with the peace of the Lord, commending you
to the crucified Jesus Christ, who may rule in your hearts. To him be
praise, glory, dominion, power, and majesty forever and ever. Amen.
Receive our simple letter and exhortation in good part, for it has
been written out of true brotherly love; though you are yourselves
abundantly taught of God, and we ought rather to be taught and exhorted
of you, for we find that we have too many defects and imperfections to
exhort others. But, dear friends, we also admonish ourselves hereby,
and pray the Lord without ceasing, that we might be found worthy of
him, to meet him in the resurrection of the dead. 1 Thess. 4:17.
O friends, watch and pray; for ye know neither the day nor the hour.
Matt. 25:13. Farewell.
Written in my bonds, by me,
JOOST VERKINDERT, Unworthy prisoner in the Lord.
ANOTHER LETTER FROM JOOST VERKINDERT, WRITTEN THE 26TH OF JUNE, FROM
PRISON, TO HIS AFOREMENTIONED BROTHER, W.
Grace, joy and peace from God the heavenly Father, and our dear Lord
Jesus Christ, who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own
blood, and the consolation of the Holy Ghost, who is the comforter of
them that are in any tribulation and sorrow. To him be praise, honor,
glory, dominion, power, and majesty forever and ever. Amen. This I
wish you for a friendly and cordial greeting, my very dear and beloved
brother W., with your dear wife J.
Know further, that I am still tolerably well, according to the flesh,
and as regards the spirit, I hope through God’s great and unspeakable
grace to finish this great and severe conflict with the help of the
Most High--from whom we must expect help and comfort--to the praise of
his holy name, to the edification of our neighbor, and to the salvation
of our souls; which salvation cannot be bought or obtained with gold
or silver, nor with anything that is in the world, but only by a
living and active faith in Jesus Christ. Gal. 5:6. I also received a
salutation from you, together with the things that were sent to us,
which much exhorted us, and was a great consolation in our tribulation,
so that we rejoiced, and praised and thanked God, that there are still
such good-hearted brethren, who remember us poor, weak prisoners.
O dear brethren and sisters, always remember us in your prayers, that
the Lord may strengthen us, so that we may put off our flesh with joy
here upon earth; for it is sometimes much afraid of the gag and of
being burnt alive, which is nevertheless very soon over. But when I
think of the fire that shall burn and last forever, I thank the Lord,
that he has made me worthy to confess his holy name among this evil and
perverse generation, the eyes of whose hearts the god of this world has
blinded. 2 Cor. 4:4.
O they shall yet greatly lament at the last day, that they have thus
shed innocent blood, which has been so until now, even from the
beginning, and shall continue, I presume, unto the end; for the holy
Scriptures abundantly testify of the sufferings of the holy fathers,
how they all were strangers and pilgrims here upon earth, and after
much tribulation and affliction fell asleep in the Lord; for they
firmly trusted that God’s promises should not fail them, as Christ also
says: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass
away. Matthew 24:35.
O dear brother, whom I love from the depth of my heart, cease not
(because of my tribulation, which is great) to serve the Lord; for we
have the truth, as the Holy Ghost bears me witness in my conscience.
But great care has to be exercised; for Satan brings forth everything
that can be imagined, and he makes it so great and grievous, that I
often pray and call upon the Lord with tears, to help and deliver me.
I also call to remembrance the days of my illumination (Heb. 10:32),
how little I was then in my own eyes, and that neither flesh nor blood,
nor any one under heaven, advised me to do this; but great terror and
fear of eternal death and of the cruel fire of hell, which (as I read)
should come upon all the world; for I found myself then like others
in all manner of worldly lusts, yea, altogether earthly and carnally
minded, upon whom the wrath of God comes. Also that there was no other
means than this, by which to be saved; hence, I entirely committed
myself to the Lord, and have also, with much sighing and mourning,
traveled through the wilderness of this world, compassed about with an
evil flesh, which has never yet advised me to anything good: yea, if
I had not fled for refuge to the word of the Lord, I would have been
utterly overthrown in the wilderness of this world, for flesh and blood
greatly desired to be one with the world, since they always shrank from
suffering. But when I with David went into the sanctuary of God, and
there beheld the recompense of the world, and how soon they are cut
off, and that they were blots, and not children; and also remembered
that it is written: “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh
flesh his arm; yea, cursed be their going out and coming in.” Ps.
73:17; Deut. 32:5; Jer. 17:5; Deut. 28:19. However fine a captain one
may choose, to prosper in the world, flesh and blood are nevertheless
the ultimate object herein; for experience has taught me this; nor am
I surprised at it, since men are now of no other material, than were
the children of Israel. How often did the Lord sigh over them, and what
great trouble did he have with them? Hence we may daily take good heed,
and be up and doing, that no one may take our crown.
Therefore, my dear brethren and sisters, be not troubled, that Fra. Ha.
Jo. Ta. have gone back to Egypt, which does not surprise me. But let
it be an example unto you, that they were overthrown in the wilderness
of this world (1 Cor. 10:5); and do you take better courage (as I
trust you will), and constantly keep before your eyes the pious that
were before us; for he that flees out of the conflict, does not get
the crown, for there is but one victory comprised in the Scriptures by
which we are to be crowned. 1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Tim. 2:5; Rev. 2:10.
O dear brethren and sisters, we now look through quite different eyes
as to what salvation depends on than when we were out of bonds; for out
of bonds I never could pray to God as I now sometimes do.
Further, my dear brother, I commend to you my wife, whom I love from
the heart; desiring and requesting of you, that you will exercise
Christian care over her, the more so, since she desires to remain a
widow; for the holy Scripture commands us to visit the widows and
orphans in their affliction. James 1:27. Hence, be the more diligent
to aid her in everything wherein she may need your counsel, in order
to gain a livelihood for herself and my children; so that she may not
become despondent.
O my dear brethren, this I exhort you with tears, for if the Lord had
not taken me from them, I could have provided for them myself according
to my weakness; but now the Lord has ordered it otherwise with me,
since he knows best what we need, and what is for our best. Hence, I
will also leave them for the Lord’s sake; for, dear brother R., my wife
has been with me, and we ate together a parting meal, and thus took
final adieu from each other. Think for yourself, how bitter a parting
it was, for I know that she also loves me from the heart.
Hence, if the Almighty Lord did not give strength and power, it would
not be possible to endure and overcome it; but through him we can do
all things. Philip. 4:13. Hence, I commit my cause now as before to
the Lord, declaring that it is not on account of any crime, heaven and
earth bear me witness herein, and God, who searches heart and reins,
also knows very well my object in this matter.
Furthermore, dear W., if it were possible, and you should be in the
city, I should from the heart like to converse orally with you, which
(as it seems to me) could very easily be done, by giving a piece of
money. But as you now live so far away, I fear it cannot well be done
since it is so inconvenient for you; and in such case I hope to be
patient herein; for we neither know nor hear when we are to die, nor
have any priests assailed as yet; but a secular man came to see us once
and assailed us. Neither have we been spoken to by the authorities,
since we were tortured the first time; for as we hear, the Margrave
has had a sore leg. Thus we do not know if we shall be tortured any
more or not. They would indeed like to find out much from us, but I
hope that the Most High will keep our lips; for though one were to tell
them something, they are not satisfied with that, but want to know more
and more.
Hence, my dear brother and sister in the Lord, we pray you, and all
them that inquire after us, to remember them that are in bonds, as
bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves
also in the body. Heb. 13:3. And pray the Lord heartily for us; we will
also pray for you. Lauwerens, my fellow prisoner, and I, greet you all
with the peace of the Lord, together with all our acquaintances in the
Lord that are over there from here. Let all of you remain like minded,
and the God of peace will be with you; and let there be no strife among
you. Rom. 12:16; 15:5. Remember me, my dear brother and sister; I hope
to await you under the altar, where all tears shall be wiped away from
our eyes. Herewith I will commend you to the crucified Christ Jesus;
may he strengthen our hearts and minds, and direct them into all that
is acceptable before him. Herewith I bid you adieu. Adieu, my beloved
brother and sister.
ANOTHER LETTER OF JOOST VERKINDERT, WRITTEN ON THE 2ND OF JULY, FROM
PRISON, TO HIS WIFE.
Grace, joy and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ;
together with the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, who proceeds from both the
Father, and the Son, to comfort all them that are in any tribulation
and affliction; may he be multiplied in you, to whom be praise, honor,
glory, dominion, power, and majesty, forever and ever. Amen. This I
wish you as a cordial and friendly greeting, my dear, beloved wife and
sister in the Lord, whom, with my children, I love from the depth of my
heart, whose absence is to me such a great affliction in my bonds, that
I many and many a time call upon the Lord with weeping eyes, to take
from me that which is too heavy for me. But I remember the words of the
apostle, where he says: Let my grace be sufficient for thee; I shall
not leave thee, nor suffer thee to be tempted above that thou art able.
2 Cor. 12:9; 1 Cor. 10:13. For I know, that as long as man is in this
life, he cannot be without conflict. Job 7:1.
Further, my beloved, I have heard that we may probably soon offer up
our sacrifice; but we know not the time. Hence, I very often pray the
Lord with tears, to take from me the snare of death, in order that I
may offer up my soul with joy to the Lord. And I hope through the great
and unspeakable grace of God, that my soul shall be received in safe
hands, not through my merits, but out of grace and because of the hope,
that Christ with his faithful mouth says: “Whosoever shall lose his
life for my sake or the gospel’s, the same shall find it hereafter.
Mark 8:35; Matt. 10:39. And: Whosoever shall confess me before men,
him will I confess also before my heavenly Father, and before his holy
angels; but whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny in
the glory of my heavenly Father. Matt. 10:32,33. Thus, my most beloved,
there is no better advice for us than to cleave to the truth, so that
we may hereafter receive the eternal crown from the hand of the Lord.
Know, furthermore, that I am much surprised that my brother W. does not
write a letter: for if he, or any one else should desire to write us
something, you could easily send it to us, as you also do; for it can
be done quietly. I also hear that mother is in H., with whom we would
so gladly have spoken once more, since it is very easy to come to us
here, if one will not begrudge the money. For though the lord does not
come into the prison, he does not trouble himself with anything but
simply that for which he comes. Furthermore, my beloved, J. de B. told
me that he had been with you, and that you wept much on my account;
wherefore, when I heard this, I was also filled with much sorrow. But,
my chosen, comfort yourself in the Lord, and let us commit the matter
to him, and pray for those who afflict us with this; for, Vengeance
is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord. Rom. 12:19. O my beloved, I
feel indeed, that as long as I live I must bear you in my heart, but
nevertheless, God above all; for God is a jealous God (Ex. 20:2), and I
also give him the praise for the kindness which he has shown me poor,
weak servant, and still daily shows me.
Herewith I will commend you to the crucified Christ Jesus, and to the
word of his grace. Lauwerens, my fellow prisoner, and I, greet you and
all our acquaintances in the Lord very much with the peace of the Lord.
Write to me occasionally, for a letter from you is more pleasing to
me than gold and silver. If time should overtake us, I bid you adieu.
Adieu, my beloved, and always persevere steadfastly. Written in my
bonds, by me,
JOOST VERKINDERT, Your dear husband.
ANOTHER LETTER OF JOOST VERKINDERT, WRITTEN FROM PRISON, ON THE 12TH OF
JULY, TO HIS MOTHER.
Grace, joy and peace from God the heavenly Father, and our Lord Jesus
Christ, who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
together with the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, who proceeds from both the
Father and the Son, to comfort all them that are in any tribulation and
affliction for his holy namesake; may he be multiplied in you; unto
whom be praise, honor, glory, dominion, power, and majesty, forever and
ever. Amen. This and all divine virtues, I wish you as a cordial and
friendly greeting, my dear and beloved mother and sister in the Lord.
I inform you by this that I am still tolerably well according to the
time, and I trust that you are well, too. My mind also is still fixed
to adhere to the eternal truth, and not to forsake the same, whether
it mean life or death; for Peter says, that there is none other name
under heaven, given to men, whereby to be saved, than only through the
name of Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12; 10:43. Therefore, my dear mother, it
is necessary that we constantly, according to our weak ability, seek
to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ; for John says: “Whosoever
transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.
He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, hath both the Father and the
Son.” 2 John 9.