The Ninth Letter from Jan Wouterss, to his Youngest Three Sisters

Affectionately written to you, my three beloved sisters, by me your beloved imprisoned brother, imprisoned for doing good, and for obedience to the Gospel, which is no shame to me before the Almighty, who has created us, but is a great honor to Him, for His power is made manifest through us poor men, who suffer and endure stripes and contempt for His name's sake, and still hold to the truth. So we pay no regard to these wicked men, who are nothing but dust and ashes, and will vanish away like a vapor; but those who do the will of God will remain forever. Though our earthly tabernacle perishes, as it must perish one day, we look with patience for a better one in heaven, which cannot perish. And since we are assured of this in our hearts, we do not faint, but are willing to be freed from this vile flesh, which is prone to sin from infancy, and to be at home, resting with Christ our Lord. But before we reach this rest, we must first labor a little and fight against our enemies, who have been, and still are, very many. Understand this well: we get through this, and this through Him who strengthens us, who is Christ our Lord, who fights for us, so that we keep the faith and see our desire upon our enemies; and we can rejoice in our sufferings, because of the victory which we obtain through Christ. And striving in this way, we enter into rest. Yes, our dear Lord strengthened me so, that I was not disturbed by all the torturing. It seemed to me that I could embrace the bailiff, so friendly was my heart toward him, when I was not yet dressed after the torture.

See, my dear, beloved sisters, I have made it known to you beforehand, that the Lord of lords is a faithful helper in time of need. So I urge you together, do not fear men, but fear this almighty Lord; for they cannot harm one hair of the people of God, unless they first receive the power from our Lord on high, and He will not allow them more than we are able to bear, and will always, with the temptation, make a way to escape, so that we will be able to bear it. First Corinthians 10, verse 13. The souls of the righteous are always in the hand of God, and the torment of death will not touch them. Wisdom of Solomon 3, verse 1. He is able to lessen the pain, as He did for me. Praise to Him forever for His great faithfulness. Amen.

Mark by this the wonderful deeds of God, that He so faithfully helps those who believe and firmly trust in Him, whom they do not yet see.

So I know of no greater friendship to show you at this time, than to reveal to you the wonderful deeds of God, that you may rejoice in them with me, and that you may also be awakened to your salvation, to seek it in Christ Jesus alone, through His holy Word, which teaches us, first of all, repentance, and to believe in the Gospel, in which Christ has said: "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink without cost. Whoever believes in me, as the Scriptures have said, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water. He spoke this of the Holy Spirit, which those who believe in Christ should receive." John 7, verse 37. So I entreat you most affectionately, to turn to the clear wine, Christ Jesus; you will receive it without price. So lead a penitent life constantly, and pray with a longing heart for saving faith; hunger and long to receive it from Christ, as you would long to receive bread when you are hungry; and you will receive it, and will bring forth the fruits of the Holy Spirit, namely, love, peace, gentleness, patience, longsuffering, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; and so in all the virtues you are to prove yourselves in obedience and in a meek and quiet spirit, as dear children of God, and always prepare and adorn yourselves for this, and not with gold, silver, or costly clothing, for by that one conforms to the world, to please her. But I counsel you for the best, that you do not do these things, lest you be punished with the world by the future judge, Jesus Christ, whom they despised and cast out, together with the prophets, apostles, and many saints, and also your brothers and sisters. So do not seek to please the wicked world, but Him who created you, that you may be saved through Jesus Christ.

So exercise yourselves and read the Word of the Lord, which will profit you in everything, how you may walk carefully in order to please the living God, and to be saved. And then the Spirit of Christ will guide you into all things, and you will be taught by God yourselves. And He will write inwardly upon the tablets of your heart with the finger of His Holy Spirit.

So always listen to Him, and you will be His friends; indeed, He will be your brother; and if you follow Him to the end, you will possess what Christ possesses. There I will now go ahead of you, and wait for you there a short time, hoping that you will follow, for your salvation's sake. Then when our beloved father, and our beloved mother, my dearest and beloved wife, and my dear, only child, my only brother, my dear, beloved sisters, and other close friends, when we shall meet together (as I hope) in God's kingdom, what greater joy could we have? So take heed that this does not fail us, and that none of us be found remaining outside. Love one another; set one another a good example; let each one seek to be the first in good works and in the fruits of faith. Be diligent in reading, and warn one another against sin, for the other, crooked serpent* is very subtle in drawing you away, and in displaying the lusts of the world, to allure you by them, in order to keep you from God. [n1060-1] He will lay his ambushes and his many nets and snares; but always continue steadfastly in the fear of God, and do not listen to him, and he will flee from you; and think how he deceived Eve and Adam, and the whole first world, with the exception of eight persons. And it is still the same spirit; so keep diligent watch, often resort to fasting and prayer, and always live soberly, so that your flesh does not overcome you; for this is the worst enemy, for wherever we are, he is always with us, and is constantly advising us to evil. He always strives against the Spirit; for it is very painful to the flesh that it cannot fulfill its lust, and that it is subdued by the Spirit. But, dearest sisters, if it should happen that Satan takes you unawares (since he never rests, but is always seeking whom he may devour), always rise again, and do not give yourselves up to become servants or handmaids of sin, but take better heed; it is for your warning. So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, and seek from now on to purify your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit, and run from now on in the conflict that is set before you and all the God-fearing; so that you may not be found among those who become weary and dissatisfied in the way of the Lord, as I have known many to do. For all the God-fearing are tried by conflict; for how should they overcome, if there were no conflict? But to those who overcome, the kingdom and an eternal crown are promised as a reward. And the holy Scriptures also teach you to honor father and mother; so do not forget this, but help them in everything in which they may need you, and always offer your willing service; for this will be pleasing to the Lord, and our dear, beloved, venerable father, and our dear, beloved, venerable mother, can then rejoice, because their children have found delight in keeping God's commandments, by which one can escape the coming wrath of God. And when their days are fulfilled, they can depart in peace and quietness, and commit the keeping of their souls in doing good to a faithful Creator, and this because this good Lord has also called their dear children to the faith, and they have lived to see that they have found delight in the truth, and take it up, which has so long been trampled under foot, just as the whole world still does in its ignorance. Again, because they leave behind them believing children, for a child who fears God is better than a thousand who are ungodly; for children who do not fear God are to believing parents an affliction from the Lord, which cannot easily be healed.

So, my dearest, beloved three sisters, I will commend and entrust to you and my only brother, that you will fear and love God all your life, which will last only a short time compared with the ages of eternity. The fear of God teaches us to beware of evil; and to love God is to keep His commandments, as Christ says: "If you love me, keep my commandments."

The Scripture also says: "The fear of the Lord drives out sin; it is also the beginning of wisdom."

Sirach 1, verses 21 and 27. So I entreat you all, love the wisdom of God above gold, and it will come and meet you; and when you have received much understanding and wisdom, do not exalt yourselves in it, as though you were somebody; but thank the Lord for it, that He gives it into your keeping, and always apply it for the purpose for which He has given it to you, for He appoints you only stewards over it. And when the Lord then sees that you are faithful over His property, that you do not let it lie idle, nor squander it, but that you are lights in the world, as pleasant olive twigs of Christ, pleasant branches, beautiful stones in the temple of the Lord, He can entrust much more to you still, so that you may bring forth fruit more abundantly, bride of Christ, as a people of God, as members, as sisters and brothers of Christ, indeed, as a royal priesthood. But when the other, crooked serpent sees this, he will envy you most, and will work against you through the children of unbelief, in whom he now works, and in whom he has always worked. But, my dear sisters, always be of good courage, and take faith as a shield, with which to protect yourselves always, and you will quench and resist his fiery darts; and be armed also with the other spiritual weapons of God, as the apostle teaches, Ephesians, chapter 6, and you will remain steadfast, and be saved. May the good, eternal, almighty God, who lives in eternity, who rejoices with His holy angels over one sinner who repents with all his heart, make you all, my beloved sisters and brother, fit and perfect for His heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ His only Son, and by the cooperation of His Holy Spirit, so that you may always have your delight in the right way of the Lord, as David says; for they [His judgments] are true and righteous, and more precious than fine gold, and sweeter than the honeycomb (Psalm 19, verses 9 and 10); use all diligence to accomplish this, and this to the salvation of your souls. Amen.

With this I will bid you, my much beloved three sisters, adieu in this sorrowful, passing world, and I thank your love for all your friendship.

Written in my bonds, and finished on the sixth day of March, by your beloved brother, for a remembrance to you all. In the year 1572.

J. v. K.