Another Letter from Christiaen Rijcen Written to a Brother

The eternal, imperishable wisdom of the Father, and the love of the Son, and the illumination of the Holy Ghost, this I wish my very dear and beloved brother N., as an affectionate greeting in the Lord. Amen.

And after all salutation, I inform my dear and beloved brother that I am still in fairly good health according to the flesh; and according to the spirit, it is my purpose, by the help of God's goodness, to hold to the Lord as long as I live.

Further, my beloved brother, I have learned that my children are at your house, and that you are to keep them until my wife comes home, in which you show me great friendship, that you have done this; and I also ask you, my dear brother, that if you should have a small room that you could spare, my wife might live with you as well until the Lord brings about a change with me; and if they should take my life from me, I would like it very much if you would help her get to Bruges, to make her living there, or back to Holland, wherever it should please her to go. For, my beloved brother, women who are in such a situation have need of help and comfort; so I ask you, do your best in this matter; remember that James says that true religion is to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1, verse 27. And, my dear brother, though I must now suffer a little for the Lord's sake, do not let this deter you from following the Lord, but let it make you the more zealous to build the house firmly upon the rock, so that when such storms come, it may stand. And do not neglect to exhort one another with the gifts that the Lord has given you, so that no one may be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin; and also to provoke one another to love and good works, so that should it be tomorrow or the day after, that any of you should come into bonds, you may then be strong through the Lord, and through the power of His might, to resist all those who exalt themselves against the knowledge of Jesus Christ. For Paul makes known how we are to arm ourselves with the armor of God, saying that the loins must be girded about with truth, and the breast protected with righteousness, and the feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; and above all, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Ephesians, chapter 6. Thus, my beloved brother, such weapons are of good service to him who is tried as I am now tried.

So, my dear brother, I beg you, pray the Lord for me, that I may overcome all; and in my place also assist my wife and children; this I ask of you; and greet N. N., and above all, greet your wife much in my name.

Written on the 17th of January, by me,

CHRISTIAEN RIJCEN.