Another Comforting Letter from Christiaen Rijcen, Written to His Wife, in which He Exhorts Her to Perseverance in the Fear of God

I, Christiaen Rijcen, imprisoned for the Lord's sake, wish my very dear and beloved wife the eternal wisdom of the Father, and the love of the Son, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost, as an affectionate greeting.

And after all greeting, I inform my very dear and beloved wife that I am not very well at present, for I have pain in my head, and I am in great tribulation for your sake and the children's, because I cannot help you earn a living. Yet I hope that the Lord, who has taken me from you, will help you and provide you with what you will need, for the promises He has made are faithful. He says: "Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." And Peter says: "Cast all your care upon the Lord; for he cares for you." So, my dearest love, flee for refuge only and entirely to the Lord; for he who gives seed to the sower will also give you bread for food.

Know further, that I received your letter, and I thank you from my heart for the comforting treasures you sent me. Knowing that they gave me great joy, when I heard your mind, and that you still confirm me in the truth, to continue valiant in the Lord until death. I hope to do so by the grace of God, and to obtain the glorious promises. And I also ask you, my dear wife, always take heed to yourself, so that afterward, by the grace of the Lord, we may rejoice together where joy will last forever. If it can no longer be here in this world, may it certainly be afterward, so that we may then rejoice eternally; though we must now sow in tears, so that we may then reap with joy. So, my dearest love, be of good courage, and thank God that we are worthy to suffer for His name; for this is how the saints went before, and we too must enter the kingdom of God through much tribulation. It is now my turn; perhaps it may soon be your turn. So, my dear wife, work diligently to please the Lord and to serve Him faithfully, so that when He comes to you, you may be watching; for blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when He comes, shall find doing so: He shall gird Himself, and make them sit down to eat, and will come forth and serve them. Luke 12, verse 37. So, my dear wife, always continue steadfast in the word of the Lord, and do not lose heart at my tribulation which is now present; but be the more diligent to serve the Lord, and always keep yourself pure, my dear wife; this I ask of you, as I hope that you will do. And take great pains to set the children to work, the best you can; and always conduct yourself with discretion toward them, so that they may learn discretion; and so do the best in all things; this I ask of you. I do not know yet what they will do with me. I now sometimes hear reports that they will leave me in confinement until I turn and adopt the Romish religion. But the Lord, to whom I have committed the matter, can soon bring about a change, if it is His will; so I commit my cause to Him. Last Tuesday I had the pastor of Houten here with me, and we had many words together, but he did not know much to say from the Scriptures. However, it would take too long to write all that we said; but at parting, as he was leaving, he said that if I would listen, he would soon help me out. I said that I would do the best; so we parted from each other.

Thus, my very dear and beloved wife, my hope and confidence are fixed on the Lord, to serve and obey Him all the days of my life, by His divine help and power.

With this, I commend you and my children to the Lord and to the rich Word of His grace. Amen. Greet warmly in my name all the acquaintances who live near you, and give this letter to N., your landlord, and greet him warmly from me. Nothing more this time, but farewell. In haste, on the 5th of March. By me, CHRISTIAEN RIJCEN.

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, so that when his glory shall be revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you. First Peter 4, verses 12 to 14.