Another Letter by Jacob van den Wege

I, Jacob, imprisoned for the name of the Lord our God: grace, peace, mercy and love from God our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord, who gave Himself up for our sins while we were still enemies, to redeem us from this present evil world and purify for Himself a people zealous of all good works. Romans 5, verse 10; Galatians 1, verse 4; Titus 2, verse 14. This I wish my dear sister in the Lord as a loving greeting. Amen.

After this greeting, my dearly beloved sister in the Lord: just as we are both born of one mother according to the flesh, so I hope that according to the spirit we are also born of one God. For we confess and believe in one eternal God, Creator of all things, and by faith He has given us new birth with the Word of truth, so that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures, as the apostle says: "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves him that begot, also loves him that is begotten of him." Therefore, he who loves God, and is begotten of Him, must love the brothers, for he who does not love his brother remains in death, and whoever hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. James 1, verse 18; First John 5, verse 1; First John 3, verses 14 and 15. Hence Peter says: "Purify your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit, to a sincere love of the brothers, being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever." First Peter 1, verses 22 and 23. As Paul also says: "Therefore be followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet-smelling savor." Ephesians 5, verses 1 and 2. My dear sister, therefore put on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a quarrel against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you must also do. And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father through Him. Colossians 3, verses 12 to 17.

So, my dear sister, walk devoutly in all things at all times, and be faithful to Him who has called you out of darkness into His light, from lies into the truth, and from hatred into love; and for this you are called, that you should walk in the light, in the truth, and in love; and by this, says Christ, all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. Indeed, my dear sister, the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of sincere faith. First Peter 2, verse 9; John 12, verse 35; Ephesians 5, verse 8; John 13, verse 35; First Timothy 1, verse 5.

With this I commend you to the Lord, and to the comforting Word of His grace. May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13, verses 20 and 21.

Written on the 4th of July, in the year 1573. Keep this in remembrance of me, your weak brother in the Lord, and do not forget me and my fellow prisoners in your prayers; we will do the same according to our weak ability.

JACOB VAN DEN WEGE.