The Third Letter from Maeyken Wens, Written in Prison at Antwerp

Always fear God and love Him above all

My dear child Adriaen, my son, I leave you this as a testament, because you are the oldest, to exhort you to begin to fear our dear Lord, for you are getting old enough to see what is good or evil; think of Betteken, who is about as old as you are. My son, from your youth follow what is good and depart from evil: do good while you have time, and look at your father, how lovingly he went before me with kindness and courtesy, always instructing me with the Word of the Lord. Oh, if I had followed after him in that way, how light my bonds would be! So, my dear son, beware of what is evil, so that you will not have to lament afterwards: "Had I done this or that; for then, when it has come as far as it now has with me, it will be too late." Hear the instruction of your mother: hate everything that is loved by the world and by your sensuality, and love God's commandment, and let it instruct you, for it teaches: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself," that is, forsake his own wisdom, and pray: "Lord, Your will be done." If you do this, the anointing of the Holy Ghost will teach you all that you are to believe. First John 2, verse 27. Do not believe what men say, but obey what the New Testament commands you, and ask God to teach you His will. Do not trust in your understanding, but in the Lord, and let your counsel remain in Him, and ask Him to direct you into His ways. My child, learn how you are to love God the Lord, how you are to honor your father, and all the other commandments which the Lord requires of you. Whatever is not contained in it, do not believe; but whatever is contained in it, obey. Join yourself to those who fear the Lord, and depart from evil, and through love do all that is good.

Oh, do not regard the great multitude, or the ancient custom, but look at the little flock, which is persecuted for the word of the Lord, for the good persecute no one, but are persecuted. When you have joined them, beware of all false doctrine, for John says: "Whoever transgresses, and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son." Second John, verse 9. The doctrine of Christ is mercy, peace, purity, faith, meekness, humbleness, and full obedience to God.

My dear son, yield yourself to what is good; the Lord will give you understanding. I give you this as my last farewell to you. My dear child, heed the Lord's chastening; for whenever you do evil, He will chasten you in your mind; stop, then, and call to the Lord for help, and hate what is evil, and the Lord will deliver you, and good will come to you. May God the Father, through His beloved Son Jesus Christ, grant you His Holy Spirit, so that He may guide you into all truth. Amen.

This I, Maeyken Wens, your mother, have written while I was in prison for the Word of the Lord; may the good Father grant you His grace, my son Adriaen. Write me a letter telling what your heart says, whether you desire to fear the Lord; this I should like to know. But you must write it better than the last two letters were written; the one which Maeyken Wils brought, however, was good.

Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as to a faithful Creator. First Peter 4, verse 19.