from God our heavenly Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, and the
co-operation of the Holy Spirit, ever be multiplied to you all, for
consolation on your pilgrimage, so that you may be patient in your
tribulation, that patience may have her perfect work in you, so that
you may neither weary nor faint in that which you have accepted for
the salvation of your souls, which has come and been brought to us by
Christ; therein we are glad, so that we can rejoice in our temporal
affliction. Remember Christ’s prophecy, where he says: “Ye shall weep
and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be sorrowful,
but your sorrow shall be turned into joy, which no man shall be able
to take from you.” John 16:20,22. O dearest, if we could enter the
kingdom of God with ease, how could we speak of the narrow way and the
strait gate; but because of the tribulation we can say this, that one
must walk in the same, and press through the strait gate, and take the
kingdom by force, through much affliction and adversity; which confirms
the word that the servant is not better than his lord. If our Head had
to take his own kingdom through much suffering and contempt, if they
called the master of the house Beelzebub, should they not call them of
his household likewise? Luke 24:26; Matt. 10:24,25.
In order to pass through all this, and to continue steadfast unto the
end, trust in God, and believe his word, even as you believe that
he has created heaven, earth, the sea, and what therein is; and he
will help you, and fight the battle for you, so that you will not be
confounded. For if God be for us, says the apostle, who can be against
us? He that spared not his own Son, how shall he not with him also
freely give us all things? The almighty, good God grant his grace to
this end, that you may neither waver in nor doubt God’s promises; and
fear shall depart from you, and you will not care what men can do to
you, and will possess your souls in patience till the day that shall
comfort you. Amen.
After this cordial wish to all you beloved, I unworthy servant could
not forbear, though my gift is small, to write your love a little,
to strengthen the older, and to give courage to the younger, so that
every one may persevere steadfastly in the conflict that is set before
us, always to make sure, by the fruits of your faith, your calling and
election; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly
in the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Pet.
1:10,11. What more would you have?
Therefore, thou beautiful daughter of Zion, fear not, since your
entrance is prepared so abundantly.
O thou fairest among women, therefore the filthy wrinkles that
disfigure thee must be put from thee. Cant. 1:8. O thou fair bride
of Christ, constantly adorn thyself more and more with the wedding
garment of righteousness, and also trim your lamps with glorious faith
and imperishable love, that you may not lack these, as did the foolish
virgins, but that you may ever possess them abundantly, that thereby
the light of Christ may shine in you, and be manifested by you, to the
praise of God, the edification of your neighbor, the salvation of your
souls, and as a light to the world, and for a testimony unto them.
Although they then hate you, because the bright, morning star, Christ
Jesus, has arisen in your hearts, bear it, and be not surprised at it,
for Christ, who is the light himself, was hated and cast out by the
darkness before you. 2 Pet. 1:19; John 1:5.
It does not care for your person, but because the truth is in you,
which the darkness, that is the world, tramples under foot, wherefore
you become a prey to every one. But fear not therefore; O thou
warrioress, go on to your promised reward; the truth that is in you
shall overcome, for it is the strongest. O thou fair queen, remember
at all times, how loathful and unwashed thou didst lie in thy blood as
an outcast, and that the most mighty, richest and eternal King, the
fairest above all men, chose thee, washed thee, purchased thee with his
own blood, and accepted thee as his queen. And if we always think of
our redemption, it is, or ought to be, an admonition, to cleave to the
royal Bridegroom alone, and not to forsake him through wantonness or
presumption, and run to others; for he that forsakes him, him he will
also forsake. His jealous love cannot bear or tolerate it, that one
loves another more than him; such a one is not worthy of him. O not so;
not for anything; though you be surrounded as a lily among thorns, and
though the bramble has usurped the government of the world (Cant. 2:2;
Judges 9:14), cease not therefore to give forth your sweetness, the
fair fragrance of the lily, your beautiful grapes, and your fatness as
olive branches; so that every one may be found a sweet savor of Christ
in his calling; the poor, that they be diligent in their labor, if they
can earn a stiver or a half, so that they may have a clear conscience
before the Lord.
Again, that those who have abundance give abundantly; but those who
do not have it in abundance, that they communicate the same with a
faithful heart. If this is done, and every one proffers his assistance,
the ministers can serve with a joyful heart, especially if there are
few ministers.
Further I write unto you, you threescore valiant men (Cant. 3:7),
always have strong courage, always be well prepared with the sword of
the Spirit at your side, to protect this lovely bride from all harm or
nightly terror, bringing into captivity every thought that exalteth
itself against the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5.
Guard well, with a faithful heart, this pleasure garden of the Lord,
that the cunning foxes that creep in may not nestle therein, that the
rooting swine do not come and dig it up, whereby the young sprouts
often lose their strength and wither. Psalm 80:13. Though you then may
sometimes have to meet false brethren, turn not back on that account,
nor faint; for if you turn back, what should the others do?
Hence be of strong courage in the Lord; since the Spirit of the church
has chosen you for the work of the Lord, offer your heads, and take
your life into your hands, and go forth in the name of the Lord. If
they threaten you, think: We are in the hand of the Lord; you are but
dust and ashes; the Lord will preserve us. Think: We are not better
than our brethren. Though it then comes to pass, that one’s time is
fulfilled, that his course is finished, that he must be tried as gold,
before kings, lords, and the rulers of the darkness of this world, to
praise the name of the Lord; go forward nevertheless, and take for your
example those valiant heroes, as Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Samson,
Gideon, David, the prophets and the apostles, and consider the former
times, how mightily the Lord trampled upon the necks of their enemies,
as Joshua said to his valiant men, that the Lord should do to all that
did set themselves against them; hence he said: fear not. Josh. 10:25.
Most beloved, excuse my simple letter; though it is very simple, yet,
whatever its defects, think that I hereby manifest in a measure my
boldness and my affection towards you, which I, unworthy one, have had
and still have towards you; yea I have this confidence by the grace of
the Lord, that no one shall be able to separate me from the great love
which I have towards you and the Lord.
Hence I am of good cheer in all that comes upon me, for I find our Lord
very faithful; that he is a true helper in time of need, who does not
forsake his own; for I have now by the help of the Lord striven unto
blood, kept the faith, and received great consolation in my heart, so
that I can rejoice in my suffering, and this through the aid of your
prayers, and by the co-operation of the Holy Spirit. Yea, I cannot tell
you the great joy which I now have because the Lord has kept my lips.
Hence I beseech you all most affectionately, rejoice, and praise the
Lord with me, that he has so faithfully succored his poor servant, and
has alleviated my pain, and made a way to escape, so that I was able to
bear it.
O most beloved, is this not a great consolation, that the holy and
good God has made himself our debtor, and has promised us (mark, by
promising an obligation is incurred), saying; “Though a mother forget
the son of her womb, yet will I not forget thee”? says the almighty
Lord, if we do not forsake him, and do not sell our birthright as
lightly as did Esau, for a little life; concerning which Christ says:
Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it. Luke 17:33. Alas!
he loses it badly that will not find it again; but well does he lose it
who will again find an imperishable one.
This is certainly the promise of Christ, this he has merited for us by
his righteousness and suffering; but we must also faithfully strive
unto death for the truth, and purify our souls by obedience to the
truth, to persevere in this short conflict: Therefore take unto you the
armor of God, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery and
subtle darts of the wicked. Gird your loins with the girdle of truth;
put on the breastplate of righteousness; have your feet shod with the
gospel of peace, so that you may be ready in all things; above all,
take the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation--that is, the
living hope--and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
and always pray with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Eph.
6:13–18; Luke 12:35; 1 Thess. 5:8. With these weapons you can overcome
all your enemies, in patience and meekness.
To this end you have many testimonies in the Scriptures, and also I
unworthy one, your known weak brother, bear witness, that these are the
true weapons; for I can now write of this because of the victory that
I have gained through Christ Jesus, who always helps me to triumph. To
him alone be praise, honor and might forever and ever. Amen.
Herewith I will commend you my dearest fellow-helpers, brethren and
sisters to the almighty God and the rich word of his grace, who is able
to strengthen you all, and to finish the good work that he has begun in
you, and to bring you into his everlasting kingdom. Amen.
Herewith I bid you all adieu in this evil world full of all wickedness,
with Christ Jesus our bridegroom I will await you, and there meet you
again in fullness of joy; the Lord grant his grace hereunto. Amen.
Finally I humbly make this request, that if I have grieved any one by
word, conduct, or deed, you will heartily forgive me; I likewise do
so from the heart, but I wish that it had been better with me in this
respect. Farewell, be of good courage.
Written by me, your weak brother and humblest member, imprisoned for
the testimony of the gospel of Christ, at Dortrecht, on the 3d of
March, in the year 1572.
JAN WOUTERSS.
I was tortured a week ago Saturday, and again the following Wednesday.
Thus I now bear in my body the marks of the sufferings of Christ;
which I might have easily escaped, had I been willing to tell what
was demanded of me. I should in that case have acted contrary to the
Scriptures, contrary to love and my conscience, and should die with a
troubled heart; many hearts should have been grieved; but now I trust
that many will rejoice with me, and be glad and bold, and praise God.
Thus, let all of you firmly resolve in your hearts to do those things
that are of good report, honest, and pleasing to God (Philip. 4:8);
call upon the Lord for strength, and be assured in your hearts, that he
hears your prayer. Ps. 145:19. Present to him in your prayer his own
promises, and you shall not be confounded, for he hears the prayer of
the poor, says David. Also rejoice together, that our enemies obtained
nothing by the torture from our dear sister, my fellow prisoner.
Therefore praise the Lord, ye saints. Ps. 147. I unworthy one cordially
greet you all in the Lord, in his name, with the love and peace of
Christ. I thank you all for your Christian fellowship. O most beloved,
let that which you have heard and accepted from the beginning abide in
you, and beware of those that would take it from you; for I unworthy
one testify that you stand in the unadulterated truth; fulfill the same
in the fear of God, and you shall have peace.
Written by me, in bonds,
JAN WOUTERSS KUYCK.
THE FOURTH LETTER FROM JAN WOUTERSS, TO HIS WIFE.
Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ our
Lord and Savior, and the co-operation of the Holy Ghost constantly
be multiplied in you my most beloved wife, for consolation in your
pilgrimage, for the strengthening of your faith, for comfort in your
tribulation, to the praise of God, and the salvation of your soul. Amen.
After this my cordial salutation to you my chosen sister and most
beloved wife, my love towards you is great, but my love for the eternal
truth is greater yet; the same helps me to overcome all my enemies.
In this great victory I greatly rejoice, since I have now been in the
conflict twice. For the sake of this victory: in which Christ alone,
who is the genuine truth, helps us so valiantly to triumph, heartily
rejoice with me, and magnify and thank the name of the Lord. I now know
how the cup of suffering tastes, but I did not know that the good God
works in us with such wonderful power; for I received such peaceful
joy in my heart that I was amazed. This was shortly after I had been
tortured; yet I was greatly threatened that I should be tortured again
the following Monday, but I thought that the faithful God could keep
my lips also a second time; and I prayed and entreated him greatly to
manifest it on me (as it is a small matter for him), that I should not
be confounded in my first boasting, or purpose of my heart, so that my
neighbor should not be grieved, nor any one open the mouth of slander
on my account.
And the eternal good God kept my lips in the second torturing; and I
was threatened again, but my determination never weakened, such grace
did the Lord give me; but when I earnestly prepared myself for it, and
with Abraham offered up my only son, that is, my flesh, that he should
do his holy will to my salvation, the Lord turned my anxiety into joy;
yea, that my eyes overflowed for gladness, because the Lord had kept
the lips of our sister, my fellow-prisoner, and, in the second place,
that they were satisfied with my suffering. I also, a few days before
I was tortured, had received the glad news that you were able to say
with your mouth, though you could pull me out with your arm, you should
not do it if I were valiant or resigned; which rejoiced my heart, that
the good Lord thus strengthens and comforts you by his Holy Spirit.
The eternal, good God be praised forever, that he shows to us unworthy
ones such great tokens of mercy and love. O my dearest lamb, how shall
we be able sufficiently to thank the Lord for it? Yes, I have joy in
my heart, that the Lord has counted me, poor man, worthy to suffer so
much reproach, and contempt, and so many threats and stripes. Herewith
the Lord proves me, even as he proved his dearest chosen ones, as to
whether I fear him, sincerely, trust him in the greatest distress, and
love him from the heart. My heart leaped up in my body, as it seems
to me, for joy, because we have such a good dear God. I thought that
I loved him, but now that my skin is touched, he proves this best
himself. Job 2:4,5.
But, my chosen, be not dismayed on this account; this vile flesh has
merited yet much more, but the Lord chastens us according to his mercy.
Thus my faith is tried as gold in the furnace; now all the glorious
promises of the Lord belong to me; henceforth there is laid up for me
the crown of eternal life; yea, our King, Christ Jesus, will honor me
himself. Luke 12:37. O alas! of this I know myself that I am unworthy;
but our Lord has obtained it from his heavenly Father, that he may
do this to us, that our joy may be full, and that we should console
ourselves with his promises in our tribulation.
O how inconsiderate are all those who lightly esteem, yea, reject all
these glorious promises because of this brief suffering. Yea, what is
this suffering when it is over, it is not to be compared with the glory
that shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18. I wrote the foregoing letter
yesterday, and now I have just been before the Bailiff and two judges
and the secretary. The Bailiff asked me whether I would not yet tell
the truth. I said that I had done so. “Yes,” said he, “as much as you
wanted to.” Then the demand of the bailiff was read to me, setting
forth that I had apostatized from the Christian Catholic faith or
Roman Church, and had been rebaptized by the Anabaptists, and married
my wife. That having been admonished by divers learned men in regard
to this error, I persisted in the same; and he further added, that
the royal decree prescribed that I should be punished by being burnt
alive at the stake; but if I recanted, the sword, possibly also the
church-yard should be my portion.
Then I replied that I had not (or never) apostatized from the Christian
faith; nor do I know [said I] any Anabaptists; I have been baptized but
once upon my faith; infant baptism I do not regard as baptism, and when
I was a child I did as a child, even as my parents led me.
Further, I desire grace from the Most High, for if I apostatized from
my faith, I think that I should be eternally lost; but if I adhere to
it I hope to be saved by the grace of the Lord.
All this was written. I told them, that they should do as they expected
to answer for it before the Supreme Judge. I demanded that they should
tell me whether I had wronged any one; that I might defend myself.
Then he said that I had seduced my wife, and my child, and had helped
to seduce still others, and had held meetings in nooks and corners by
night, and at unseasonable times, contrary to the royal decree. I said:
“Who was injured thereby?” And I was led away again, for they could not
bear my words. My fellow-prisoner was also brought forward then, but
she too remained valiant.
I now hope that we shall soon be released from all our labor and
vexation. Thus, my dearest upon this earth, I hope that you shall soon
be rejoiced still more, when you will hear of my deliverance. What more
can they do? they cannot harm the soul; what more have they then, than
that which must remain here? It is certainly very profitable to me
to be present with the Lord. Though this earthly house or habitation
perish, we expect a better in heaven, which is eternal, yea, which is
like unto Christ’s glory. What greater eternal joy shall we then have,
when we shall shine like sparks among the stubble, yea, like the sun;
then shall we leap like calves of the stall for joy. Wis. 3:7; Matthew
13:43; Mal. 4:2.
Hence comfort yourself with these and other promises, and hold fast
that which you have heard from the beginning, as I trust with all my
heart that my most beloved lamb will do.
And when I have fallen asleep, then, my most beloved wife and dearest
sister, you are released; conduct yourself in your widowhood to the
praise of the Lord, to the edification of your neighbor, as a pattern
to our most beloved, only daughter, and as a light to the world, and to
your soul’s salvation. Endure and persevere in the unadulterated truth
wherein you stand; though you be tried so that one conflict succeeds
another, count it all for your salvation; always prepare your heart for
patience, and the day shall come that will comfort you.
The promises are thus: “Here tribulation, hereafter joy.” Further,
consider how joyfully you would have taken my hand, had my parents
loved the truth; but now that you and I have seen the day that they
love the truth, it is a special joy.
Hence I pray you, show them as much honor and friendship as lies in
you, for my, for our little daughter’s, and for the truth’s sake, as I
trust you will do; and if you engage in any traffic, see that you keep
yourself unspotted from the world. Jas. 1:27. If they assail you with
words, so that you are constrained to tell how much the goods cost you;
tell it simply, without adding any further words, by yes, or by no for
that would not become us. But if you do not find yourself strong enough
herein, abandon that traffic, for you can get along with a little; if
it is not fat it is lean; the godly are soon satisfied. But if you
continue in any business, take care that it does not get too large,
lest your heart become surcharged, so that you can ill perform your
prayers. Luke 21:34.
Thus, remember what the Holy Scriptures counsel you for the best,
and you will prosper according to the soul, as I trust you will. And
continue instant in prayer, as becomes holy widows; pray for faithful
laborers, for all the saints, for prisoners, for apostates, for kings,
princes, the rulers of this world; especially when you see sects or
contention arising in the church, which must be, in order that they
that are tried may be made manifest. Although the elders should lose
courage (which God forbid), continue in earnest prayer to God, as you
have an example in the holy widow Judith (Jud. 8): and always adorn
yourself with a meek and quiet spirit, which will adorn you more than
all jewels, as Peter and the Scriptures teach you (1 Pet. 3:4). and as
you are taught of God himself; and possess your soul in patience, and
you shall find peace in the Lord, and in your heart. Be also of good
courage your chief Captain and best Bridegroom still lives, and he
will keep and feed you and our only daughter; for though I should have
to wander about with you for a while yet, it must all come from him
nevertheless. My most beloved, I have shown you a little faithfulness
in my bonds, by having applied my hands to labor, so that I might not
be an expense to you, and that you might have a little left to meet you
in your labor; which is a great joy.
For I hope and trust concerning you, my dear, chosen, most beloved
wife, that you will not change your state; for the good God has given
you a special gift for which praise be to him forever.
But not, my most beloved, that I would cast a rope around your neck,
as though I would forbid you it. O no; the apostle counsels you
what is best. 1 Cor. 7:40. I married you for life, and thank you as
affectionately as I can for your dear, good companionship, faithfulness
and love, of which I deem myself in a great measure unworthy. Now
the only good, merciful God has called me, unworthy one, to a higher
state, and you can offer me, your most beloved on earth, for no higher
state to the Lord. Thus console yourself with the others, for your
tribulation shall last for a short time only.
Thus I will write you, my dearest, adieu in this evil world, and will
commend you to the faithful almighty God, for he alone is able to keep
you from the evil, and to bring you into his eternal kingdom.
O holy Father, I, thy weak servant, humbly beseech thee in my bonds,
that thou wilt keep my most beloved wife, and my only daughter, and
all the godfearing, from the evil, and sanctify them in thy name. O
heavenly Father, hear me, unworthy one, through Jesus Christ; that we
may all enter into thy eternal joy, and no one remain without. To this
end, may the good God grant his grace. Amen.
Adieu, my only daughter; your beloved father shall be crowned a king
by our dear Lord. Hence be resigned and be an obedient daughter, and
diligently read the holy Scriptures. Live according to them, and we
shall meet again and rejoice forever, without end. Amen.
Finished on the fourth day of March, A. D. 1572, by me, your dear
husband, imprisoned for the testimony of the Gospel of Christ, to the
praise of God. Amen.
JAN VAN KUYCK.
I salute you cordially in the Lord with the love and peace that shall
endure forever.
THE FIFTH LETTER FROM JAN WOUTERSS, TO HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER.
The unfathomable grace and mercy of our heavenly Father, the abundant
love of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the co-operation of his Holy
Spirit, always be multiplied to you beloved, my chosen on earth, for
consolation on your pilgrimage, for the steadfastness and confirmation
of your faith, to the praise of God, and to the salvation of your
soul; that you may always be a light in this world, and also edify
your dear, only daughter, and your neighbor, in that which is good; so
that you may always be like unto fruit-bearing branches, for to this
are all believers appointed. If another decreases and becomes weary,
do you constantly increase, and let your increasing become manifest
before God and men, knowing that the good works will follow you; and
it will be an ornament to your wedding garment when you shall appear
before the supreme Bridegroom; when the slothful, the sleepers--who
are sufficiently awake to seek that which is perishable only too
much--shall stand naked, then you shall be gloriously appareled.