Christiaen Rijcen Informs his Wife

I must inform you of one thing more, my dear wife, namely, that all last week I kept hoping that I would receive my sentence; but it did not come. So I longed for it all the more, and waited daily for comfort, which did not come; as I think, my dear wife, you have done too. But I have now committed it to the Lord, and hope to wait with patience for the day that will comfort us; and I ask you, my dear wife, to do the same. I further inform you, my dear wife, that for about eighteen or nineteen days I was confined with an iron on my leg, with a log, upon the straw, which was quite uncomfortable, and always in my clothes. But the Lord be praised, it did not grieve me, but I thought that we must follow the Lord through want and adversity, just as the saints went before. But now I have good comfort and am very well in body, and Joost shows me great friendship, more than I will be able to repay him. And, my wife, I ask you, have as few words with those of Hontschote as you can, in case the authorities should perhaps hear that you were there, and send word of it to those of Bergen. But if you can speak to N. [do so;] he often comes to Bergen. But, my dear wife, if you have any word to send me, tell it to N. or N., who will deliver the message to me; and do not fail to write to me how it is with you and the children, and how you get along. Nothing more for this time, but be commended to the Lord, and to the rich Word of His grace. Amen. By me, your husband.

CHRISTIAEN RIJCEN.