The Eleventh Letter from Jan Wouterss, to P. J., his Youngest Brother-in-Law

Grace and peace from God the Father through Jesus Christ, and the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, be multiplied to you, my much beloved brother, and to all who seek their salvation with all their heart, in the name of Jesus Christ; that we may be able to stand, by the help of the Lord, in this last conflict that is set before us, and may patiently finish it, for an example to our neighbor, for a light to the world, for the salvation of the soul, and for the praise of God. Amen.

After this heartfelt wish of mine, I cannot keep from writing you a little, if perhaps I and you may be somewhat refreshed by it. In the first place, know that I cannot thank our God enough for His grace, that He has called me, unworthy, poor, vile man, to this state, by which I perceive the great love He has for me, unworthy as I am; He chastens me according to His mercy, thereby confirming that I am not a bastard. O what great grace this is, that the good God seeks my salvation, which salvation has been, and still is, the only thing I have sought and prayed for, as I wrote to you before my imprisonment, asking you to help me pray; that the Lord would give and let come upon me whatever is for my salvation, which I trust of His grace that He, out of great mercy, does, and will do according to His promise and goodness, and not according to my righteousness, for His grace knows better than I do what I need. Therefore His will be done for my salvation, to take me away from the evil that so often arises through the work of Satan, which he works in the children of unbelief; for I have found from my youth that one trouble and difficulty follows on the heels of another. And whoever seeks from the heart his own salvation and the welfare of the church often has to suffer the pains of travail. Moreover, one has much in himself to die to and to put to death, and must fight constantly, so that one is seldom without conflict, just as Paul was, and also many pious witnesses of God; but all who do not grow weary, and who overcome, shall inherit all things, and to those who overcome the crown is promised. Therefore let no one become faint or weary, knowing and believing that we have such a strong champion, who cannot be conquered, but from whom the wicked must flee. Paul says: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8, verse 31. The Lord said to Abraham: "Do not be afraid; I am your shield, and your exceedingly great reward." Genesis 15, verse 1. The Lord said, indeed commanded him, that he should be of good courage, and not be afraid or dismayed; He promised always to be with him, wherever he should go (so He was also with His faithful servant Moses), and [told him] that he should meditate day and night on the law of God. (Oh, in this I fall far too short, which I heartily regret), that he should not depart from it either to the right or to the left, and that his way should be prosperous and full of blessings, and that he should trample his enemies under foot and devour them like bread. Indeed, God sent His angel, as He had promised, as a champion, so that the Lord Himself fought the battle. Oh, is this not a faithful God! Who should not trust in His powerful Word? And though we do not see Him outwardly, yet we daily behold His creation, which through the power of His Word still stands in its strength, even if it is only a little flower out of the earth.

Therefore, though a storm comes upon us now and then, let us rely firmly upon the word and promise of the Lord; so that we do not sink with Peter, but pass over this raging sea to the Lord, always praying to Him, in faith, and with firm confidence in His Word, for strength, like those who are never satisfied. I, unworthy servant, now in this state, experience His faithfulness well; praise be to Him forever. He has promised to help us, and not to forsake us, as He says through the prophet: "Can a mother forget the son of her womb, that she should not have compassion on him? Even if she should do this, yet I will not forsake you." Isaiah 49, verse 15. He is also the strength of the poor, a sure refuge, and a true helper in time of need. Indeed, He preserves His own as the apple of His eye, in water, in bonds, and in the fire; therefore whoever afflicts His chosen afflicts Him, as the Lord said to Saul: "Why do you persecute me?" and whoever does good to His chosen in His name does good to Him. Therefore let everyone persevere steadfastly, and do good cheerfully without growing weary, for in due time we also shall reap without ceasing; and the good shall rise to everlasting life. We are created for good works through Christ. Therefore let everyone bring forth good fruit, which he is appointed to bring; and God our heavenly Father will be honored, and will purify us still more, so that we may bring forth fruit still more abundantly, and grow up to the [measure of the] stature of the fullness of Christ; and so doing we shall wait for the coming of our Lord and Bridegroom, and this with patience, for patience is the strength of the God-fearing. Nothing special further at this time, except hold fast what you have, and be faithful even to death, for your faith and mine is the unadulterated truth; carry it out in the fear of God, by the help of the Lord, and you shall have peace with the Lord, according to His promise. Be of good cheer this short time of your pilgrimage; do not sorrow for me; and though I am now baptized with the baptism of suffering, and drink the cup of affliction, it is for my salvation. From now on I expect, through the grace of the Lord, the crown of life. What does it matter? We must part sometime; if I had died of the plague, or of something else, all to whom my person is dear would certainly have to miss me; and it is plain that I do not suffer as an evildoer, but because I have accepted Christ Jesus, and this I do not regret at all. I greet you, my dear wife, and yours, and all the God-fearing, cordially in the Lord. Pray for me, and have prayer made for me. Amen.