Another Letter of Joost Verkindert Written in Bonds to his Wife on the 20th…

The unspeakable grace of God the Father, the love of His beloved Son our Lord Jesus Christ, together with the comfort, joy and gladness of the Holy Ghost; this I wish you as a cordial and friendly greeting, my very dear and beloved wife and sister in the Lord. I let you know that I am still reasonably well, considering the time, for which I thank and praise the Lord for His great grace, trusting to hear the same from you.

Know further that the letters which mention the disputes with the priest do not contain all the words we had together, for he also quoted: "He who converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death" (James 5, verse 20); telling us that if we would be converted, we would be set free, and allowed to go where we pleased. He spoke with an angelic air, often with folded hands, adding in effect that he would stand in our place at the judgment of God, and that we did not have the truth; so that it seems to me that if a man were not firmly built on Christ, he would have to perish. But praise and thanks be to almighty God, that all the sharp arrows which he shot did not harm or injure me, for God was with me. He also said that not many rich followed Christ, but many poor and plain people; but many signs and miracles were worked by the apostles, by which, he said, the rich, and also kings and princes came to the faith; and since he is very free with words, he quoted many other fragmentary passages of Scripture, and makes himself very plain. In short, he made a fine display, but did not sell anything. If we had sought the temporal life, however, he certainly painted it for us in very fair colors; but praise and thanks be to almighty God for His great grace, for to this day my mind is still resolved rather to die honorably than to live in disgrace. For there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved except only the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 4, verse 12); for He alone is the way and the entrance to eternal life. O my beloved, this way has no side paths, and those who leave it go to death. Flesh and blood would indeed live longer still, but the spirit would rather be unfettered and present with Christ (Second Corinthians 5, verse 8); for as long as we live we are in many dangers, since in a short time we may lose what we have long labored for.

Therefore we may indeed cry constantly to God to keep us poor pilgrims in this dismal wilderness, where serpents spew fire, indeed, where wolves run swiftly until evening to shed innocent blood; but, my beloved, He who is with us is much mightier than he who is with the world; for God is with us, but with the world, an arm of flesh. Oh, that we might be found among those of whom John writes, saying: "These are they who came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, nor thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike them, nor any heat. For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them to living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Revelation 7, verses 14 to 17. And also: "These are they who were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they who follow the Lamb wherever he goes." And again: "These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits to God and to the Lamb." Chapter 14, verse 4. Also: "Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try those who dwell on the earth." Chapter 3, verse 10.

O my beloved, if we were there, the journey would have been safely finished. Nevertheless, I have a living hope; for God does not desire our death. So let us always be bold, and comfort ourselves with the words of Christ, where He says: "They shall put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the time is coming when whoever kills you will think that he is doing God service. And these things they will do to you, because they have not known the Father, nor me." John 16, verses 2 and 3. "For if they had known him, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." First Corinthians 2, verse 8. Let us take as an example all the holy fathers, who met with all sorts of tribulation and affliction, and proved themselves a sweet savor of Christ in those who are saved, and in those who perish a savor of death. Second Corinthians 2, verses 15 and 16. For the Lord has appointed a day on which He will render to every man according to his works (Psalm 62, verse 12); and it seems to me that the day of the Lord is at hand; so let us possess our souls in patience, that we may be able to stand before Him on that day. Luke 21, verse 19.

With this I will commend you, my beloved, to the crucified, bleeding Christ Jesus, and to the rich Word of His grace. Lauwerens, my fellow prisoner, and I greet you and all our acquaintances very cordially with the peace of the Lord. Do your best for my little orphans. By me,

JOOST VERKINDERT.

Your dear husband, and unworthy prisoner in the Lord. Written in my bonds, on the 20th of August.