A Letter which Hans van Munstdorp Wrote to his Wife

An affectionate greeting to you, my beloved wife, whom I love from the heart, and cherish greatly above every other creature, and must now forsake for the truth, for the sake of which we must count all things loss, and love Him above all. I hope that, though men separate us here, the Lord will join us together again in His eternal kingdom, where no one will be able to part us, and we will reign forever in the heavenly home. So I tell you, my beloved wife, that my mind is still fixed without wavering on holding to the eternal truth. [I hope] by the grace of the Lord that this is also the purpose of your mind, which I would rejoice to hear. With this I urge you, my beloved lamb, with the apostle: As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith. Do not let yourself be moved from your purpose by philosophy or the empty deceit of men, by which they seek to seduce the hearts of the simple, showing them the apple of pleasure in fair colors, so that they are deceived, as some here have been, as you know. Pierijntgen has also tasted the apple, as I understand; so, my faithful lamb, take heed and do not lust after evil things. First Corinthians 10, verse 6. And do not look back with Lot's wife, or you will become like her. Genesis 19, verse 26. Remember the word of the Lord: "No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9, verse 62. So, my beloved lamb, always remember, as the prophet says, the crown that will come in the end, and the vengeance that will come upon the ungodly. The prophet says: "Woe to the rebellious children who forsake the Lord, the fountain of life; woe to them, for those who depart from him will be written in the earth." Isaiah 30, verse 1; Jeremiah 17, verse 13. So, my beloved, do not listen to them, for their work will be found to be wood, straw and stubble in the day of vengeance, and it will be burned with fire, as is written. First Corinthians 3, verses 12 and 13. Therefore, my beloved lamb, whom I love and cherish so affectionately as my own soul, persevere steadfastly, this I ask of you, until you are taken away, as I trust you will do. And do not regard flesh or blood, for it must all pass away. Though we have here a rejected and vile body, the Lord will fashion it like His own glorious body, on the condition that we hold to the truth until death. Philippians 3, verse 21; Revelation 2, verse 10. Take this in good part. Always remember the eternal riches. With this I greet you in the Lord, out of heartfelt love, and your companions as well; gladden one another in the Lord, be glad in the lions' den, and trust in the God of Daniel.

With this, adieu and farewell. Await the time with patience; be patient in the conflict, and rejoice in hope. Let me know, if you can, whether you have received it. Always remember me kindly in your fervent prayers. I hope not to forget you either, whom I would carry in my heart, if it were possible. This butter, it seems to me, came from Grietgen Wevels. I greet you most warmly with it. Adieu and farewell, my lamb, my love; adieu and farewell to all who fear God; adieu and farewell, until the marriage of the Lamb in the New Jerusalem. Be valiant and of good cheer; cast the troubles that assail you upon the Lord, and He will not forsake you; hold fast to Him, and you will not fall. Love God above all; have love and truth; love your salvation, and keep your promises to the Lord.

NOTE. Through a certain good friend, a very affectionate and comforting testament of Janneken Munstdorp, the wife of Hans van Munstdorp, has been put into our hands. She wrote it in prison at Antwerp, after the offering up of her husband, when she was in daily expectation of death, to her dear little daughter, to whom she had given birth in prison, and who was now only about a month old, for a lasting remembrance, farewell, and adieu from this evil world. It reads as follows