The Sixth Letter from Jan Wouterss, to his Only Daughter in Particular

The eternal, almighty, good God, who by His word created heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that is in them, be with you. Because I sought Him in my simplicity, for the salvation of my soul, I am imprisoned by His enemies, and I will forgive them for it. But though I am imprisoned, and have also suffered for it, I have never yet regretted that I sought my salvation in my simplicity; for I am created for salvation through Jesus Christ, for good works, that I should walk in them, and afterward rise to everlasting life. Ephesians 2, verse 10; John 5, verse 29. Therefore, my only daughter, listen to the instruction of your beloved father. So, what I tell you from the Scriptures is this: "Consider the wickedness of the world, the learned along with the magistrates, and their adherents, how they shed innocent blood; they are called spirituals and Christians." So I beg you, my dearest daughter, do not follow them, for they do not walk in the right way; to this I bear witness. And read the holy Scriptures, and when you have come to your years, consider and ponder them well; and then pray the Lord for understanding, and you will be able to discern good from evil, lies from truth, the way of perdition, and the narrow way that leads to eternal life. And when you then see pomp, boasting, dancing, lying, cheating, cursing, swearing, quarreling, fighting and other wickedness, such as drinking to intoxication, kneeling down before wood, stone, gold, silver, or bread, think then

"This is not the right way; these are not the works of Christians, as the holy Scriptures teach. Such works do not come from the Spirit of God, but from the spirit of Satan." The Scriptures testify that those are Christ's who have the Spirit of Christ, or who are led by that same Spirit. Romans 8, verses 9 and 14. And so that you may be found a true Christian, do not follow those people; do not follow them, even though they allure you in an inviting way and promise you fine things. Pay no attention to that, but leave the broad way they are on, so that you do not share in their eternal plagues. Consider the examples of the Scriptures in this matter, which happened in the first world; for all who had departed from God, and did not believe Noah's preaching, and paid no attention to his words, were drowned. So too Sodom and Gomorrah, who daily troubled righteous Lot; those who would not go out with him were burned. It will go the same way with those who do not believe the true Noah, that is, Christ Jesus; for He preached it in this world, saying first: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Mark 1, verse 15. Just as Noah had warned and preached before the flood came, so Christ preached, and had His apostles preach, repentance, and still has it done daily, by me, unworthy one, your beloved father, and by other servants of Christ. [n1057-1] But what good does it do them? Not many repent; they stay with the great multitude; we are little esteemed, for we are a plain, small and unlearned people. But Christ could well foresee the hardness of the people; so He says in the Gospel: "As it was in the days, or times, of Noah; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until Noe entered into the ark; so shall it also be at the coming of the Son of man," that is, Jesus Christ. Matthew 24, verse 37. Then the day of the Lord shall be like a burning oven. Malachi 4, verse 1. Crying and lamenting will then do wicked, unbelieving men no good, for then there will be no time to obtain grace. But now is the acceptable time, the day of salvation; now is the time of grace, the jubilee of the Lord, until the terrible day of the Lord comes. Isaiah 49, verse 8; Deuteronomy 15, verse 1. Then He shall say to those who would not believe the Gospel, but followed the multitude: Depart, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. But to those who followed Him in this life to the end, He shall say: "Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matthew 25, verses 41 and 34.

So, my dearest daughter, take it to heart; do not despise it, for it is of great importance to you. And diligently search the holy Scriptures (when you have received understanding from the Lord), and you will find that we must follow Christ Jesus, and obey Him to the end; and you will also truly find the little flock who follow Christ. And this is the sign: they lead a penitent life; they avoid what is evil, and delight in doing what is good; they hunger and thirst after righteousness; they are not conformed to the world; they crucify their sinful flesh more and more every day, to die to sin, which wars in their members; they strive and seek after what is honest and of good report; they do evil to no one; they pray for their enemies; they do not resist their enemies; their yes is yes, and their no is no; their word is their seal; they are sorry that they do not live more holily all the time, and for this reason they often sigh and weep. But do not let this be the only sign by which you may know who follows Christ; they are also these, namely, those who bear the cross of Christ, for He says: "If anyone will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9, verse 23. For He has said: "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." John 15, verse 20. But now someone might say, and persuade people, that He said this to His apostles. But the apostle Paul declares to them and says that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Second Timothy 3, verse 12. The prophet also says that he who takes up the truth becomes everyone's prey; for what is pure and clear cannot come forth. Isaiah 59, verse 15. By this you may understand, my dear daughter, who follow Christ, to be saved through Him. Beware of sin, that you do not commit it; and join these cross bearers, so that you may come to Christ, who bore the cross for us; for we must follow His footsteps, and be like our Lord, the disciple like his master; and as we suffer with Him, so we shall forever rejoice with Him. But, my only daughter, whom I love from the heart, I beg you, do not fear this present suffering, so that you do not on this account hold back from seeking your salvation; that would be too great a folly. Now that I have suffered it myself, I say with the apostle that the suffering which comes upon us for Christ's sake is light and temporary, and works for us an exceeding weight of glory. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ, and He always helps us to triumph, so that we keep the faith in a pure conscience; for it is blessed, says the apostle, if we endure beatings for doing well. So rejoice that your dear father has suffered and endured threats, contempt and beatings for doing well; I say for doing well, because I would not walk with the world the broad way to everlasting torment, which all will receive who do not turn and follow Christ in the narrow way. The Word of Christ is always the judge; so let no one think hard of me. John 12, verse 48.

In the second place, I also suffered because I loved my neighbor as myself, and would not name him. So be resigned, and always remember that your beloved father did not suffer as a thief or a murderer, but as a Christian, of which I need not be ashamed, and neither need you; let those be ashamed themselves who do evil; no one needs to be ashamed of what is good. Though we are despised by men, who perish like grass and vanish like a vapor, what do we care for mortal man? If we only please the immortal God, all is well, for He will praise us. The praise of men is perishable. So we pay it no regard, and do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; after these we follow and strive, and we choose with Moses rather to suffer affliction with the children of God than to live in the lusts of the world, for we have respect to the reward of Christ. There I will now go ahead, and wait a little while for you and your dear mother. So I ask you very affectionately, my dearest, only daughter, take the words of my letter to heart, so that you seek your salvation with all your heart, in following Christ. He will help you as well as He helps me, and has helped others who lived in my time and before. Christ is the way to eternal life; so keep His commandment, which is life everlasting. John 12, verse 50.

I ask you further, my dearest daughter, that above all you love and obey your dear, beloved mother. If your beloved mother comes to be an aged woman, always show her great honor; and always do your best for her; it is a commandment of the Lord which has a promise. For if you do not love your dearest, beloved mother, how can you love our dear Lord, whom you do not see? But I hope and trust, my only, dear daughter, that you will do your best; and I was very glad to hear in my bonds that you conduct yourself so well, and are so resigned. Thank the Lord, that He has spared your beloved mother, so that you may get along better. But as the time of the saints, of the prophets, of Christ, the apostles, and other saints is fulfilled, so my time is also now being fulfilled, according to the providence of God, that I should from now on rest in Christ. So I go the way of the prophets and apostles, believing what the holy Scriptures say, that Christ Jesus alone is our Savior, and seeking to be saved by His blood, His merits, and His sufferings alone. Many evil things are said of us, of not one of which are we guilty; but we must suffer it all for Christ's sake, and take His kingdom by force, for the violent take it by force. Matthew 11, verse 12. Our enduring all things is our power and force, and by patience, meekness and longsuffering we get through everything by the help of the Lord. May He grant you, my beloved daughter, and your dearest mother, the same patient, good spirit, to overcome in all the tribulation which you have together, or may yet have, for the name of the Lord, to His praise and your soul's salvation. Amen. [n1057-2]

With this, adieu in this wicked world, and be of good cheer together. Written and completed this 4th of March, in the year 1572. By me your beloved father, imprisoned at Dortrecht for the obedience of Christ, and this to the praise of God. Amen.

O merciful heavenly Father, who have so specially chosen and loved me, unworthy one, I, who am but dust and ashes, commend to You my dearest wife and my dearest, only daughter.

Written by me in bonds, at Dortrecht.

JAN WOUTERSS KUYCK.