Another Letter of Joost Verkindert, Written on the 2nd of July

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 those who 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. Your absence is such a great affliction to me in my bonds that many and many a time I call on the Lord with weeping eyes, to take from me what is too heavy for me. But I remember the words of the apostle, where he says: "Let my grace be sufficient for you; I will not leave you, nor allow you to be tempted above what you are able." Second Corinthians 12, verse 9; First Corinthians 10, verse 13. For I know that as long as a man is in this life, he cannot be without conflict. Job 7, verse 1.

Further, my beloved, I have heard that we will probably soon offer up our sacrifice; but we do not know the time. So I very often pray to the Lord with tears, to take from me the snare of death, so 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 will be received into safe hands, not through my merits, but out of grace and because of the hope that Christ with His faithful mouth says: "Whoever loses his life for my sake or the gospel's, the same will find it hereafter." Mark 8, verse 35; Matthew 10, verse 39. And: "Whoever confesses me before men, him will I also confess before my heavenly Father, and before his holy angels; but whoever denies me before men, him will I also deny in the glory of my heavenly Father." Matthew 10, verses 32 and 33. So, my most beloved, there is no better advice for us than to hold fast 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 anyone else, should want 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 except 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; therefore, 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, says the Lord." Romans 12, verse 19. O my beloved, I do feel that as long as I live I must bear you in my heart, but nevertheless God above all; for God is a jealous God (Exodus 20, verse 2), and I also give Him the praise for the kindness which He has shown me, a poor, weak servant, and still shows me daily.

With this 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 the time should overtake us, I bid you farewell. Farewell, my beloved, and always persevere steadfastly. Written in my bonds, by me,

JOOST VERKINDERT,

Your dear husband.