Another Letter from Maeyken Deynoots, to her Brother and Sister

I, a prisoner of the Lord, greet you from the inmost of my heart, my very dear and affectionately beloved brother and sister J. and Andries, who are now in great tribulation and sorrow because of the sad parting. Oh, be patient in all your tribulation, continuing steadfast in prayer, and rejoicing in hope, which does not make us ashamed, my dear brother and sister in the Lord. Oh, it is a good thing to be patient, and to wait for the help of the Lord; for he who fears God is comforted after temptation, and after chastisement he finds favor. The Lord does hide His face for a moment, but with everlasting kindness He will have mercy on us. Isaiah 54, verse 8. Therefore, my dear sister Janneken, comfort yourself with the Lord's holy Word; though you are now as it were a forsaken and heartstricken wife, it is but a little while, and your sorrow shall be turned into everlasting joy; for your maker is your husband; the Lord of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall He be called, verse 5. O you warrioress of God, contend valiantly against your flesh and blood, and continue steadfast until death, and there shall be given you the crown of eternal life, with full joy, which no one shall take from you. Andries, my dear brother, that you parted from us with great sorrow, and that you desire to be with us, this you must commit to the Lord, for everything must have its due time. They did not lack the power, when they said to me: "Woman, you must come with us." I said: "In the name of the Lord." They greatly desired you. I said: "If it were the Lord's will, you would get him." I went again very willingly; then I greeted our dear brothers with the kiss of peace, since love impelled me to it. I believe my brother and fellow prisoner has informed you how it went further, and of the proceedings with us, as far as he knows them; I cannot write anything about it, for lack of paper. My dear brother and sister, I thank you heartily for your good exhortation, faithful warning, and sweet consolation, and I wish before God that the same may be done for you in your distress. I read it with many tears, and time and again thanked the Lord, who through His great grace remembers His poor, weak, imprisoned and bound children, and does not forget them. Comfort and admonish one another with the same words, my dear brother and sister in the Lord, and kiss one another once for me; I hope to do as you said. With this I will commend you to the Lord, and to the comforting Word of His grace, and with this bid adieu to all dear brothers and sisters in the Lord; I know of no one who is known to me, whether he is far or near, of whom I do not think. Adieu with an inward holy kiss of love and peace. Adieu, and pray the Lord for us; I pray day and night for you. Adieu, my dear brothers and sisters. Adieu, adieu, adieu, with tears: adieu, keep firmly on, until you are taken away. This adieu I write to you all. Excuse this simple letter.

Written by me, your weak sister in the Lord, in the castle of Rijpermonde, where I am imprisoned and bound with iron chains or fetters, for the eternal truth's sake. I long for the day when I shall offer up my sacrifice; however, I hope to wait for it with patience. In the year 1571.

MAEYKEN DEYNOOTS.