The First Letter from Jan Wouterss, to his Brother-in-Law and his Sister

The abundant grace of God, the love of Christ, and the cooperation of the Holy Ghost be constantly multiplied with you, beloved, my dear brother-in-law and brother in the Lord, and your much beloved wife our dear sister, with all the pious saints who are zealous for righteousness, so that through this zeal and desire the name of God may be magnified; for those who are such are a light in the world, and a joy and a pattern to their neighbor, for they constantly seek to please their neighbor in what is good, to edification, so that with all who fear God they may be found diligent followers of Christ. If we do this, I have hope in the Lord that we shall all come to where Christ our Lord is, who strengthens us, and helps us to triumph, as may be read hereafter. Amen.

After this cordial greeting out of a pure heart, I, unworthy one and least member in Christ, cannot keep from writing to you briefly, for a remembrance to you all, and for your comfort and encouragement; for I cannot keep this unspeakable joy of the Holy Ghost to myself alone, but must impart something of it to your love. But how can joy be a remarkable thing if one has not experienced anxiety? I, unworthy one, have tasted this; the Lord be glorified in it. Amen.

First, when I was apprehended for the obedience of Christ, I was questioned concerning my faith, which I plainly confessed; but afterwards they asked for certain names, namely, for my wife, my mother, my master, and who baptized me and who married me, and for other things. To this I replied that I had resolved in my heart not to name anyone, for I intended to answer for myself, and would not be a traitor. The bailiff threatened that he would make me tell, and so on.

Having been confined there all through the cold winter, I was brought, on the Saturday after Saint Peter's day, up to the torture loft, where the instruments stood ready. The bailiff asked me first of all concerning my master, and then regarding others, and said that I would also have to tell him whatever he should ask me. They entreated me; they threatened me; and said: "Though we know nearly all of it, and your matter may already be gone, we will nevertheless hear it from your own lips; so do not let your limbs be broken, but tell it willingly; otherwise we shall deliver you to the executioner, and then you will have to do it." When they could get nothing from me, the upper part of my body was stripped, in the bitter cold, my hands were tied behind my back and made fast to the loft, and my feet were bound too, and so, with my eyes blindfolded, I was drawn up by my hands, after I had been entreated to have regard for my fine trade. And he said that I should spare my limbs, my limbs which God had given me, for I had no power over one hair of my head.

As I kept silent, I was scourged with rods, and the stripes fell mostly on my abdomen. Having been treated in this way, I was let down and questioned again; but the Lord be praised, they got nothing from me, though I had drunk that bitter cup. I was then drawn up again, and scourged as before. O flesh, you must suffer now, I thought. While I was hanging there in agony, a halberdier ran from the loft and said: "I would rather be dead than that man;" because he had only stood there and looked on.

When I did not answer about anything, the executioner said: "What, will you not answer my lords? Answer my lords; or do you have a dumb devil in you?"

They asked me whether I would think it over until Monday, and then tell them the truth (as they call it) about everything. I kept silent and thought, why should I think it over? I do not want to tell you anyway. I prayed within myself that the Lord would not let me be tempted beyond what I was able to bear. I also called upon the Lord openly, and prayed that He would forgive them. The jailer thought at one point that I was out of my mind; but I know nothing about that. The executioner imagined he would make me tell; he had had [he said] so many of our people under his hands, who in the end had to tell everything; but the faithful Helper in distress kept my lips. They then released me, and of themselves gave me a delay, that I should think it over until Monday; but if I should not do it then, I would be dealt with in an extraordinary manner; and they threatened me much, so that it was dreadful to hear. They said that this was still the least of it, that it was only child's play compared with other tortures to come. But when I looked at myself, and saw my body, which was bloody from the scourging; for that was certainly one of the severest pains, I thought to myself: Is this only child's play? The jailer went away, and said to his wife: "They will torture the man to death." In short, I was so tortured that they had to dress and undress me. All this the vile flesh had to bear, which has so often grieved me, and would always walk in the crooked path to gratify its lusts; it had deserved still more. Since this took place in the afternoon, I was not well able to sleep in the night, but counted the striking of the clock all night, and during the night I moaned most pitifully. But afterwards I received a great, peaceful joy and gladness of the Holy Ghost, so great that I cannot describe it adequately; because the Lord had kept my lips so faithfully, and had not let me be put to shame in my confidence, which I, poor, simple servant, had already before I was apprehended; but in this the Lord proved me, unworthy servant, praised be His name forevermore.

Now when my sufferings became known through the city, there were worldly people who rejoiced that I had kept my lips sealed; and if such people can rejoice, how much more shall those who fear God rejoice, and praise God.

Further, as the appointed day drew near, I earnestly prepared myself for it, and made supplication to my God, that He would not chasten me, unworthy servant, according to my sins, according to His justice, but according to His fatherly mercy, that He would keep my lips, and lessen the pain, as He had done the first time.

When the hour approached, my flesh feared, and my soul was afraid, for it had tried it; but I comforted myself as much as I could, thinking: "You will not suffer hereafter, where it would last forever; and this is only for a little time." When I came up on the torture loft, on Tuesday (it was put off a day), I was asked what conclusion I had come to. I said that my conscience would not allow it; I could not do what they asked.

They said: "You can; we take that upon ourselves." I said: "Everyone must stand for himself." They said: "How can your master or your wife get into trouble, for they are gone already? What harm can it do the place where you were baptized?" "I think," said the bailiff, "that it took place at your master's; but I do not know it for certain; and he who baptized you, and he who married you, has left the king's country, for it was so long ago." The secretary's servant also said to me: "Why will you conceal it? The pains are too great, and in the end you will do it anyway, like those of Breda."

They decided that they would send me a learned man, who was to prove to me, or instruct me, from the Scriptures, that I could do it.

When they were assembled together in another place, the bailiff asked what it was that troubled me. Then the prior said: "You can well do it, and name your neighbor, for if you are the true people, they will then receive the crown of martyrdom with you; but since you are not, then hate the wicked also, even as God hates them."

O abominable expositor, whose exposition tends only to destruction! O Lord God, convert their hearts, who thirst so greatly after innocent blood. Since we could not agree, we parted.

The following day (which was Wednesday) I was brought out again, and questioned as before. I said that I could not do it; my conscience did not allow it; if I did it, I think my heart would never be at rest; so I would rather die with a peaceful heart than live with a troubled conscience. The Scriptures teach us: "Do to men as you would have them do to you; love your wife; love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 7, verse 12; Matthew 22, verse 39.

The bailiff said: "You love your neighbor more than yourself." I answered that one ought to lay down his life for his brother. First John 3, verse 16. When with many words, entreaties and threats they could get nothing out of me, the executioner seized me again, and I again humbly entreated my God, as before in the first conflict.

I was then stripped, and my hands were tied behind my back; and I was much entreated to do it. So I was drawn up, but not made fast below; I expected to be laid upon the rack.

When I had been drawn up and could not answer according to their will (for the seed of God remained in me), he scourged me upon my torn skin, which caused me great pain. And he said: "How does this suit you? In this way I will tear open your old wounds;" and he threatened me in an extraordinary manner. He then let me down again, and set me before the lords, upon the rack, sitting with my eyes blindfolded, as an Ecce Homo.* And he asked whether I would not yet tell it to my lords. [n1052-1] I answered that I could not do it; so he drew me up again, which caused me great pain; and when he shook me, and jerked the rope, the pain was increased. When they could get nothing from me, they let me down, and gave me time for consideration till the next day. But while I was hanging there, the bailiff said: "Your face is as sweet as that of an angel, but your heart is harder than Pharaoh's heart." I said: "This is not so; and the Lord will make it manifest hereafter; I have in my simplicity sought my salvation."

And when the executioner began to dress me, I said to him: "O friend, how you have treated me; you have not for a long time treated a rogue like this, who felt it so long afterwards as I do." Then he answered, saying: "They confess, but you will not confess; and the weather is cold, and it cannot come on so quickly."

When the bailiff heard this, he said to me: "You are worse than a roelle, for these have sinned; but you have fallen away from God, and denied Him; so He forsakes you in your distress." [n1052-2] I said:

"If this is true, I am a poor man; but I have a better hope." "Indeed," said he, "you are a strayed sheep; the wolves have taken you away, and devoured you," and so on. He also told me that we people did not get baptized until we were first tried between two naked women. I said that no such thing was done among us. They also talked to me about David Joriss. I disavowed him and all his followers. [n1052-3] The executioner said that we held the belief that infants who died in their mother's womb cannot be saved. I denied it. Another said that we had to give a pound Flemish when we were baptized, whether we had it or not. I think the bailiff said this, for besides he said that in the church only three stivers or thereabouts are given, when one has a child baptized. I denied that too. O offense, offense! What have you already done, by which the innocent have had to suffer? For the wicked soon find a cause, though they hear false testimony, even as it was with our Lord Himself, and with Stephen. In short, the number of the shameful things said was exceedingly great, and I suppose that to some the shameful speeches and their threats are almost as grievous as the tortures. So patience is especially needful, in order to overcome in this conflict. Christ may therefore well say: "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls." Matthew 11, verse 29. That this is a true doctrine, I now indeed experience. He, the Lord Himself from heaven, who was mightier than all men, suffered shame, reproach and contempt, and so took possession of His own kingdom (Luke 24, verse 26); how then should we not bear it, who are subjugated by our enemies for only a little time.

So I, unworthy servant, beg all who fear God that you do not forget to keep learning of Christ, for He is meek and lowly in heart; and also possess your souls in patience, and you shall find rest, for patience is our strength. To be patient, and so to wait for the help of the Lord, is a good thing; for in Proverbs it is written that a patient man is better, or greater, than a strong man. Lamentations 3, verse 26; Proverbs 16, verse 32. Take for an example Abraham, Jacob, Moses, the three youths, Daniel, the seven brothers and their mother, Job, the prophets, and the end of our Lord.

So, my most beloved, trust God, and believe in Him; He will help you, since He has promised it. But if you do not trust Him, consider whether you also believe that God is almighty and true, even as you believe that by His Word He created heaven and earth, and the sea and all that is in them. David testifies, and rejoices in it, that He is a God who is ready to help. He further says that He is a shield to all those who trust in Him. Indeed, His angels camp around us, to keep us. But if we do not trust Him, how then shall He help us?

When I again expected the hour of my temptation, I, unworthy servant, begged the Lord my refuge that He would keep me the third time also, as He had done twice through His grace; so that I should not be put to shame, and that they should not rob me of my boast (that is, the good purpose of my heart in the beginning), so that I might keep the faith in a pure conscience. Then I hope to praise, glorify and magnify Your holy name, to the joy of the pious saints, and to the babes, as a comfort and a sweet savor of life, so that, smelling it, they may be refreshed and strengthened by it, to become the bolder in the truth, which is the strongest of all, and will always conquer (First Esdras 4, verse 38); and not regard what men, who must perish like grass, may do to us, since it is plainly found that the Lord's hands are not shortened, but that He also helps the pious, as David testifies. For, dear Lord, if I did not continue valiant, what a great sorrow it would be for the young babes, and to what great blasphemy it would give rise. I beg You, O heavenly Father, have compassion on me, poor sinful man, and take from me the rest of the cup, if it is possible; and if it is not possible, Your will alone be done. Lord, help me to triumph, for You know how the stripes of men taste. I commit myself into Your hands; though they threaten me exceedingly, they have no power to harm one hair of our head; You must first permit them; but Your holy will be done to my salvation. O Lord, do not lay this sin to their charge. Acts 7, verse 60.

Now when I had prepared myself in this way, I heard that they were torturing our beloved sister, my fellow prisoner. It seemed to me that she was also drawn up, and let down again. When she would not confess, she was drawn up again, and was then also made fast below by her feet. When she had suffered the anguish for a while, she was let down again, and carried away. Then I thought: Now comes my turn; now they will come and take me, poor lamb, out of the pen, to the slaughter. While I waited in this way, I comforted myself much, thinking how soon a man is unmade; for it seems to me that she scarcely suffered the torture half an hour.

When I had thus, with Abraham, given up my only son, that is, my flesh, the Lord suddenly intervened and turned my tribulation into great joy. In the first place by this, that the Lord had also kept the lips of that weak lamb; and in the second place, that it seems they are satisfied with the sufferings which I have undergone before my sacrifice.

I have written this, not to cast you down, but for the reason that you saints of God should rejoice with me in the Holy Ghost, and help me thank the Lord, that He has helped me so faithfully; and that you may know how wonderfully God works in His elect; as also a pious witness of Christ, Karstiaen L., has testified in his letter, and Joris the dyer, who was a witness of the truth with me here; and he would not name those who were dead, for he said within himself: "If the devil comes upon the first step, he also comes higher." Oh, I think one loses his strength, in a measure, by it; for I thought, though they do not know my master, and though I also know that he is gone, together with my dear, beloved wife, and others, yet they would not be satisfied, they are determined to torture me, and I want to be silent about the one as well as about the other; it will now be made manifest how the Lord helps those who trust in Him. Oh, what a joy is the victory through Christ; now my faith in Christ is tried, my fear of God, and my confidence which I had already before I came into bonds, my love to God and to His holy church, as the gold in the furnace and upon the touchstone; for other trials can be borne tolerably well, when one has enough and can go where he pleases; but when one, with Job, is touched in his skin (Job 2, verses 4 and 5), when the skin is torn open, so that the blood flows, and this is repeated after four days, that touches the quick. O you daughter of Zion, you bride of the Lamb, do not be dismayed; the Lamb shall gain the victory; be of good courage in the short conflict that is set before you, for all things are promised to him who overcomes; he who continues faithful to death shall receive the crown of life, and shall not taste eternal death, or the everlasting torment. I do not know that my torture lasted over two hours in all; but the threatening, the contempt, and the tormenting lasted somewhat longer. My most beloved, is this not a small torment? Should one therefore forsake the truth? Should one therefore deny the Lord, and burden his conscience by mentioning names? No, not when one is nevertheless frequently subjected to suffering. Oh, no; the Lord Himself fights the battle for us; to Him alone be praise forever. Amen.

So, you beloved and saints of God, who have become partakers of the heavenly calling through Jesus Christ, do not lose heart, nor be afraid of those who kill the body, for they have no power over the soul. I, unworthy one, have spied out for you the help of the Lord; so I bear witness of Him, that He is a faithful helper in distress, as is written of Him; indeed (He says by the prophet), though a mother forget the son of her womb, whom she bore, yet I will not forsake nor forget you. Isaiah 49, verse 15; Hebrews 13, verse 5.

So, all you who believe the Lord's promise, continue steadfastly. Oh, that no one out of despondency may hold back from any calling or ministry of the saints, according to ability; for no one may live to himself, or withhold himself; so that the work of the Lord may always be carried on with readiness; and help bear one another's burden; if it goes this way, it is a joy, and the work can be carried on without murmuring; and know, whatever good thing anyone does, the same shall follow him. Ephesians 6, verse 8.

Excuse me for writing in general terms; I hope that the fainthearted will by this gain a little courage and confidence through my bonds; indeed, I hope that the afflicted will become more cheerful, because such great help is found with the Lord, who is nevertheless not seen, for I testify to you with the apostle: "Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." Second Corinthians 4, verses 16 to 18. Now I can write and testify the same with regard to this, that the suffering is light, because it is short; for when all my tortures were over, I do not know that I felt as much pain afterwards as I once suffered for a time from a little ulcer, which my dear wife knows well, and which I had to bear and found no promise for bearing. But if we bear this suffering for the Lord's sake, all the chief promises are ours; indeed, there are no more glorious or greater promises than these, namely, that to those who submit to the sufferings of Christ, and overcome through Christ, the crown of life is promised; and there is also this testimony in our hearts, that we are not bastards; indeed, we shall be honored and crowned by Christ Himself. For this holy estate I know that I am not worthy; but the merciful, good God does nevertheless count me worthy to bear this reproach for His name's sake; praise to Him forever. Amen.

With this I will conclude, asking you to excuse my simple letter; and I will commend you all, and particularly my most beloved brother-in-law, and my dearest sister, to the Lord, who is able to finish the good work which He has begun in you, that you may receive a full reward with Jesus Christ our Lord, where I will go before you, and await you there, that we may then live together in eternal joy.

To this end may the good God grant His grace, so that no one, because of this little torment, may forsake the way of eternal life, and so become like the fearful and fainthearted servants (Judges 7, verse 3), who cannot go into battle with Gideon, who do not believe in God, nor can set their seal to it, that God is faithful, almighty, and true. What is promised to such in the Scriptures is plain, namely, eternal torment, as to sorcerers and idolaters. Revelation 21, verse 8. What will it help them to have borne the name of a Christian, if one does not continue steadfast? Then we must perish in shame, like the ten unbelieving spies. [n1052-4] Numbers 14, verse 37. What does it help to have been delivered out of Egypt, if one does not believe; for the unbelieving will all be destroyed? What did it help Lot's wife to have gone out of Sodom, since she looked back? So, all you beloved saints of God, strive valiantly for the truth to death. And always have such a mind in you; and the Lord shall fight your battle, and you shall then, if you wait for it with patience, rejoice in the end, even as I do now. For a confirmation of the truth, read the holy Scriptures; there you will find how the Lord fought for Israel, for Daniel, Gideon and Jehoshaphat, and for others; though they had but few people, yet such great numbers were slain that they could not carry away the spoil in three days. Second Chronicles 20, verse 25.

Furthermore, it is necessary and very profitable to write comforting letters and send them to the miserable, forsaken ones, for they are greatly comforted by them. Let everyone be diligent in this, as much as possible, and put forth your best efforts in it, and pray the Lord for suitable means, without harm to anyone; likewise also, to visit them; but above all, to pray for them constantly, and to lift up holy hands with Moses, till they have finished the fight, and have overcome against their flesh, against the sting of sin, and against the rulers of the darkness of this world, in which Satan works. [n1052-5] So let everyone lay to heart what the apostle says: "Remember those who are in bonds, as though you were in bonds." Hebrews 13, verse 3. "When one member suffers, the other members suffer with it." First Corinthians 12, verse 26.

With this, farewell on this earth to all who fear God; be of good courage; for courage lost, battle lost. I cordially greet you all in the Lord, but particularly my dearest brother-in-law and his beloved wife. I thank you heartily for all your great friendship.

Begun the last Thursday in February, and finished the first of March. I, unworthy servant, bear the marks of the Lord above both my hands and on my body; the name of the Lord be praised forever.

By me, confined as a prisoner in the Vuylpoort, for the obedience of the gospel. I said to the jailer: "Though I could knock the jail to pieces with my fist, I would not want to do it, lest he should get into trouble on my account."

JAN VAN KUYCX.