A Letter from Lauwerens Andriess, the Fellow Prisoner of Joost Verkindert

The eternal, abundant and rich grace and mercy of God the heavenly Father, and the pure love, joy and peace of the Son, together with the comfort of the Holy Ghost, who proceeds from both the Father and the Son, to comfort those who are in any tribulation: this I wish you, my dear sister in the Lord, beloved of God, as a friendly greeting, to strengthen you in your great tribulation, in which you also now are for the sake of the Lord's holy name and of the Gospel, which Gospel He left us and sealed with His precious blood, that He might thereby cleanse and wash us from all our uncleanness, and present us to Himself holy and blameless, without spot or wrinkle, indeed, that He might thereby prepare for Himself a holy people zealous of good works. Ephesians 5, verses 26 and 27; Titus 2, verse 14. To Him be praise, thanks, glory, honor, power, and majesty, forever and ever. Amen.

After all proper greetings, my dear and beloved sister in the Lord, whom I love from the depth of my heart because of our regeneration, I inform you that I and your dear husband are still reasonably well according to the flesh; and as regards the spirit, it is still the purpose of us both to hold to the eternal truth by the great help of the Lord, without whom we can do nothing, and from whom we must also constantly look for help and comfort. And He, according to His promise, does not allow us to be tempted above what we are able to bear, but with the temptation also makes a way to escape. First Corinthians 10, verse 13. Indeed, He is a faithful helper in distress, who has never yet forsaken His own who continued in His fear and firmly trusted in His Word; for He gives to everyone who asks Him, and does not will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance, so that we should be to the praise of His glory. Matthew 7, verse 7; Second Peter 3, verse 9; Ephesians 1, verse 12. Hence, "If you then are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth; for you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you* also appear with him in glory. [n1014-2] Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry; for which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience." Colossians 3, verses 1 to 6. Therefore, let all bitterness, conceitedness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice; and be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you. [n1014-1] Be therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us. Ephesians 4, verses 31 and 32; Ephesians 5, verses 1 and 2. And Christ says: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples." John 13, verses 34 and 35. And Peter says: "Have fervent charity among yourselves; for charity shall cover the multitude of sins" (First Peter 4, verse 8); and love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13, verse 8. But we must love God above all, as is written: "If any man comes to me, and does not hate his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." Luke 14, verse 26. And further: "He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." Matthew 19, verse 37. Thus, we must love Him above all, and for His name forsake everything, and entirely deny ourselves. Matthew 16, verse 24. [n1014-3] Hence, my dear sister, be content, and do not grieve beyond measure on this account; for it is the will of the Lord, and His will must be done. We must part here once. So hasten, that we may all meet together when men shall no longer be able to part us. May the good and almighty Lord, full of grace and truth, make us fit for this. Amen.

Farewell, and accept this in good part.