The Second Letter from Joost de Tollenaer

I wish you, my heartily beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord (who as scattered strangers are dispersed in every country, driven and persecuted from their lands, cities, houses, and goods, and this for the testimony of Jesus Christ), grace, peace and mercy from God our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior, through whom we have become partakers of the divine promises in His holy name, for He has cleansed us by the washing of regeneration in His holy blood, and chosen us from all kindreds of the earth, for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Christ. May He strengthen and confirm my dear brothers and sisters, beloved in God, with His Holy Spirit in the inner man, to the praise and glory of the great, invincible God of heaven and earth, that you may shine as bright lights among the heathen nations among whom you dwell as scattered strangers, so that many thousands may take hold of your skirts, and say: "My dear, we will go up with you; for we see that the Lord is with you." Zechariah 8, verse 23. To this end may the Lord give you His blessing, to the praise, glory and honor of His holy, great and adorable name.

After wishing all Christian salutation to you, my dear brothers and sisters, beloved in God, in the Lord, and hearing by our last examinations, of the 23rd and 28th of March, that the time of our pilgrimage may very soon be at an end, I felt constrained by brotherly and simple love to write a little to you, my dear friends, thereby making known to you joyful news, namely, that by the grace of the Lord I and my fellow prisoners are of good courage in soul and body, to hold to the holy truth as long as we have the breath of life in us, having committed body and soul into God's powerful keeping — for you welcome news, and for us a happy portion. May God through grace grant this to us, as servants unworthy of being partakers of His sufferings. But I rejoice in the spirit with all my heart, that God has called me to such grace, of which the world is not worthy, because of the unbelief of their hearts.

Further, my dear and affectionately beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, it is our heartfelt request to all the elect, who fear God from the heart, truly and fervently, in a holy faith that works through love, that you will bow the knees of your heart before the Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to pray for us prisoners, as imprisoned with them, and for us who suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body; so that we may gloriously accomplish the end of our faith (which through the grace of God we confessed before this evil and wicked generation, who are enemies of the cross of Christ), and yield our bodies a sacrifice acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, to the praise of His great name, the edification of our neighbor, and for a light to the world; this is the prayer of us all.

Furthermore, dear friends, I find in this my tribulation, in the afflictions and bonds and reproach that happened to me, unworthy one, for the righteousness of God, that God is faithful in all His promises; He does not let us be tempted above what we are able to bear, but makes with the temptation also a way to escape. He does not leave His people comfortless; He will with His Spirit answer for us before kings and princes, as much as we shall need in that time. He has said: "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." Therefore I will rely on the Lord, and not fear what man shall do to me. Though they now break the earthly house of this tabernacle, we know assuredly that for the righteous there is a dwelling prepared in heaven, which is not made with hands, but is eternal; for which house my soul has a heartfelt desire. For, friends, there is always a very great conflict, outwardly and inwardly; for within, flesh and blood show their nature, which must be resisted by faith; outwardly, against the pride of the world and the false prophets, and lying spirits, against which we must fight valiantly with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. O friends, I have already proved it well: for I have been assailed by them twelve different times, six times by the secular authorities, and six times by the false prophets. The authorities said to me that I had a spirit of pride in me, and such evil opinions; and that I therefore would not let myself be moved. I asked them whether it was great pride that I let myself be robbed of all my property, of wife and child, and finally to be a spectacle to all men; that I shall be burned at the stake, and thus my flesh be given for food to the beasts and to the birds of heaven. They said again: "Yes, you pride yourself in that." I said: "No, but we rejoice because we have become partakers of Christ's sufferings."

I warned them that they should take heed before they laid their hands on those who seek to practice their faith in peace, who have done injury to neither you nor yours. They said that we were rebels and seditious, and seduced many simple hearts, and drew them to our faith, and that we were worthy of greater punishment than thieves and robbers. I said: "We seduce no souls; but your false prophets seduce many thousands of souls by their doctrine and false religion, which they practice under a semblance of holiness."

They looked at me sternly. Many other things were said, which I do not think necessary to write. And as further regards their asking my age, and how long I had been in the faith, and concerning my deaconship, I have written it in my other letter, which some of you may have read, as I understand from a letter which I received yesterday. The same came very welcome to me; for, friends, it does so much good when letters of comfort and warning arrive; indeed, they are more acceptable than many pieces of gold. For, friends, a line written by the labor of another tastes much better than if one had ten times as much of his own.

Further, friends, ten or twelve days afterward the authorities sent two learned men, the parish priest of Saint John, and a canon, who also had much to say and made a very long speech, finally asking me why I had departed from the mother, the Catholic Roman Church. I very briefly said that I did not regard it as the true, holy church. They asked: "Why?" I said: "Because nothing else is practiced there than a false, invented religion." This they took very badly, and very many things were said about it, very much as it was with our friends in former times.

And in about ten or twelve days after that, they came again and brought with them the priest Michielken, who is an apostate, and has by this time become a priest. Then the parish priest, whose name is Sir Jan van Dale, said to me: "Do you know Sir Michielken?" I said: "Yes." He said:

"Why do you not also turn from your heresy, as Sir Michielken has done? If your belief were good, he would not have departed from it, and returned to the mother, the holy church." I said that he had departed from the holy church of God, to the worship of idols and to the doctrine of devils. They asked: "What is idolatry in our church?" I said: "In the first place, all the images that stand in it, before which you burn candles, offer sacrifice and bow your knees." They said that the images were the books for the simple, and that the mass and sacrifice which they performed were all holy prayers. I said: "If all were good, as you say, you should put it into Flemish or into Dutch, so that the simple might be taught. For this purpose you have the Gospel book, from which you might teach. But you are afraid that the people might learn too much from it." In short, we also had very many words about the sending of preachers, and about infant baptism; but I think it unnecessary to write much about it, for it all goes the same way as is written in the Oferboeck; for if I were to write it all, I should not be able to put it on seven or eight sheets of paper; and much of it I have also forgotten, for it occurred at so many different times.

Finally there came the pensionary Schoockman with his son, who is clerk of the criminal court. He ordered that I and Michiel Buyse should come together, to speak with him. So I prayed the Lord that He would keep me according to His promise. Then I went downstairs, and when I and Michiel got there, we respectfully greeted him, and he also bade us a good evening. He asked us together whether we did not tire of being in prison so long. Answer: "We must be patient in it." "Yes," said he, "it is your own fault, and you bring it upon yourselves; if you would let yourselves be moved, and would depart from your opinion, all would be well, for it is only vainglory and a spirit of pride that drives you to it." I told him, as I said before, that this which demands the sacrifice of body and property was not pride. He strenuously defended the Roman Empire, and greatly exalted the church of the priests, saying that it had been from the time of the apostles until now. He also brought forward many unscriptural arguments, which are not worthy of being written. And again, he said:

"Though there are some abuses, it is therefore none the less the faith. I am well aware that there are priests who might live more virtuously; but we must not look to their works, but listen to their words." Michiel said: "A good tree bears good fruit, which a bad tree does not."

In the second place, I said: "My lords, we have the truth, and I hope by the grace of God that we shall hold to it to the end." He also made many words, saying that he had come out of the compassion which he had for us; "and inasmuch," said he, "as you will not listen to the clergy, I come of my own accord, finding myself constrained to it, hoping that you would listen to me more." For (said he, and struck his breast) if it had not been for him, it would already have been over with us, but he had prevented it. We also know that he has very great influence, with the court as well as with the lords of the city, for in many things in the government of the city his wishes are to a great extent consulted. Thus he finally said (striking his breast once more) that we should have to die; "for," said he, "it has been determined by the lords of the council of Flanders, by the high council, by the court, and by His Highness the Prince of Parma." Thereupon I joyfully replied, saying: "The will of the Lord be done with us; to this end (once to die) we are born."

"Yes," said he, "the dying is a small matter, but that you shall hereafter go into perdition!" for he had previously damned us many times. So Michiel answered that judgment belonged to God. Then he said: "Perhaps you say that we are damned." Thereupon I said, "We do not condemn those who are outside of us; God will judge them." But, friends, they are a presumptuous, proud tribe, and they blaspheme God and His holy temple without any fear. He further also said: "If we would renounce, he would do his best with His Highness, though he should have to travel to the court himself, which would cost a good deal." Thus, friends, it seems, according to what we hear, that though we should forsake the faith, we should still be in peril of death. And so he finally left us, begging us to think about his words. "I hope," said he, "that the Holy Spirit will work in them." But we had another hope, namely, that God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ shall strengthen us by His Spirit, so that we may remain in the truth to the end of our life.

Friends, we were with him over two hours. And we used few words, except now and then, when we could not pass something by which required a reply; for much speaking is of little avail, and they say that they come to teach us; but we do not want to be taught by them. This the priests said to me alone, for we were examined separately, except this last time.

And about five or six days after, he sent his son to us once more, asking us whether we had attended to and considered this matter. Thereupon we said that we wanted to hold to the faith in Jesus Christ, as we confessed from the first. So he left us, which was on the 28th of March. Thus, my affectionately beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, we daily expect the day of our redemption, that we might offer up our sacrifice. I had almost forgotten to state that the pensionary had told us: "You may perhaps be taken unawares some night, when you will least expect it." So God knows what they have in mind. They have no power over us, except the Lord permit them. God is our strength and power, and the sword of our conquest. And though we must suffer for His sake, we must possess our souls with patience, remembering that the apostle says (First Peter 2, verse 20) that it is acceptable to God to suffer for doing well; though, dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, the world does not regard it as acceptable, for (First Corinthians 1, verse 18) it is written: "That the preaching of the cross is to those who perish foolishness; but to us who are saved it is the power of God, which power God works by His Spirit, to the comfort and strengthening of their mind."

So, my dear brothers and sisters, watch, stand fast in the faith, acquit yourselves like men, be strong, and let all that you do be done with love, so that you may grow up and increase, and not fall away in love, in hope, in faith, which is a precious treasure that we have received in our earthen vessels through the Holy Spirit. Keep it diligently with great carefulness, for part of us have long labored for it, and through light-minded carelessness one is so soon robbed of it, and then all the labor that has been done is lost. For if the righteous man shall turn away, says the Lord, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. He forsakes the fountain of living waters, and those who depart from Him shall be written in the earth, neither shall their names be found in the book of life. Hebrews 10, verse 38; Jeremiah 2, verse 13; chapter 17, verse 13; Philippians 4, verse 3.

So watch in the faith, and let us exercise as great care for our spiritual treasure, which we have through grace received by faith in Christ Jesus, as many a man exercises for his perishable treasures, which thieves and robbers covet, as sometimes appears; as for instance in my own case, and that of Michiel my fellow prisoner; for they have robbed us of nearly everything. And many are of such a disposition that they like to acquire temporal wealth, not properly considering the words of Paul, that such fall into temptation and great snares. First Timothy 6, verse 9. And covetousness, which Paul calls idolatry (Ephesians 5, verse 5), has a long cloak, so that one cannot easily get at it. And they gather great treasures for their children, which is opening a wide door by which to bring them into the world. But the best treasure which can be left to children is this: to instruct them from their youth to fear God; to set before them the Word of the Lord, as far as their understanding can comprehend it, and as the forefathers taught their children, to fear God, shun sin, and do good, as we have examples in Abraham, who commanded his children after him; likewise in Susanna; also in old Tobit, who taught his son from his youth to fear God; and also in Sara, the daughter of Raguel.

Friends, diligently search the Scriptures, which will sufficiently instruct you. Let us always follow what is good, and exhort and stir up one another to good works, to excel in them. So I write once more as before; for the axe is now already laid at the root of the trees, and every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Matthew 3, verse 10. And that we may not be like the five foolish virgins; that when the Bridegroom comes we be not sleeping, so that we may then not have to go and buy the oil to burn in our lamps. So the faith which works through love shall shine gloriously before the Lord. For not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of God; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7, verse 21.

So Christ says: "Blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it." Luke 11, verse 28. "Blessed is he who reads, and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep the things which are written in it: for the time is at hand." Revelation 1, verse 3. Let us continue in Christ's word, and we shall also be His disciples, and remain such forever. John 8, verse 31.

Further, my affectionately beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, we find in all the Scriptures that all the holy patriarchs, prophets, and apostles were moved to teach and exhort us to peace, love and unity; for the apostle says: "The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4, verse 7. Peter says: "To unfeigned love of the brothers, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and remains forever." First Peter 1, verses 22 and 23. O friends, where love, peace and unity exist in the church, there is exceeding wealth. The Psalmist truly says: "How pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like precious ointment." Psalm 133, verses 1 and 2. But where there is discord, there the hearts must grievously sigh over one another, and eat their bread with mourning; and thus the feast days (when the bread of the Lord should be broken in the Lord's church, in remembrance of the abundant benefits of the Lord) are turned into days of mourning, which to behold causes great sorrow to the simple; as, alas! is to be lamented with weeping eyes at Harlem and concerning several other churches that are infected with such diseases, which is a sorry thing for me and others with me in our countries to hear. May the complaint of it ascend to the Lord in high heaven.

Oh, that God would grant grace, that they could bear with one another in love, and that the principal ones would bow themselves under the mighty hand of God, and deny themselves, for the holy will of the Lord and for the sake of His church. I should hope that it would not give them an evil conscience if they submitted to it for the sake of peace; and if everyone were little in his own eyes, how well it would go, and how soon everything would be peacefully settled! O friends, let us bow the knees of our hearts before the Lord, that Christian unity with one another may come upon the spiritual Israel, so that a triumphant thanksgiving with joy and gladness in the spirit may be observed in all the churches. So seek peace, and pursue after it. Hebrews 12, verse 14. Consider the word, pursue; for when a man pursues something, he goes after it with haste. O friends, it is more than time for you to make peace and unity, lest the Lord perhaps punish in wrath. For no one is assured that there will always remain liberty in the country; there will perhaps be a change in the country there, as there is in Flanders and Brabant.

So, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, I and my fellow prisoners ask you, and this with bended knees and a sad heart, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (before whom every knee must bow, and who shall also without respect to persons repay everyone according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad), that you will make peace and unity with the Lord; for blessed are the peacemakers, says Christ; for they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven; so that the pleasant mountain of the Lord, and the holy city of Jerusalem, may be found in glorious appearance, with all her pleasant fountains, from which the waters of the Holy Spirit spring forth abundantly, into the hearts of the elect and holy citizens and of the household of God, who are firmly founded upon the foundation of the prophets and apostles, of which Christ Jesus is the true cornerstone.

With this I will bid my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord a final farewell and Christian adieu, until we meet where parting shall be no more, which is in the new, heavenly Jerusalem, where the King of kings shall reign forever with the scepter of His eternal, imperishable kingdom. I herewith commend you to the Lord, and to the comforting, rich Word of His grace, by which Word we are called in peace, to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Hold valiantly to the truth, and pray the Lord for us, as already written; we hope to do the same for you, according to our weak ability. I hope that the Lord will keep us to the end of our life. O friends, I have such a heartfelt desire for the day of my redemption, to rest under the altar, Christ Jesus, with all our dear brothers and sisters who have been put to death before us for the testimony of Jesus Christ, who did not spare their lives, but willingly surrendered them for His holy name's sake.

Thus, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, hasten, too, and bring your hearts under the bloody banner of Jesus Christ, to help bear His reproach outside the camp of the Lord, and this out of pure love without fear. For he who fears has torment; but perfect love casts out fear. First John 4, verse 18. O friends, where such love is, there love is stronger than death, and jealousy hard as hell; the coals of it are coals of fire, and a flame of the Lord, so that many waters cannot quench love. Song of Songs 8, verses 6 and 7. So let all that you do be done in love, and be steadfast and immovable, and abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. I hereby humbly ask you to take my simple writing in good part, though it has not been well arranged. For, friends, far be it from me that I should think myself fit to exhort, but I need to be exhorted myself; but I include myself in everything that I have written here, for it has been done out of simple, brotherly love, this the Lord knows; and I hope by the grace of God to confirm it with my death, as seems probable according to what we hear. The Lord strengthen us in our last extremity with His Spirit, who is a helper in distress.

Finally, my dear brothers, rejoice, be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Second Corinthians 13, verse 11. Watch in the faith!

By me, a weak brother, a feeble member of the body of Christ, too undeserving for all the mercy of God, and unworthy of His grace, to suffer. O Lord, make me, unworthy one, worthy. Michiel Buysen and Sijntgen Wens greet you much with the peace of the Lord. JOOST DE TOLLENAER.