A Letter from Jerome Segers, Written to his Wife Lijsken Dircks

The grace and mercy of God the Father, the loving kindness and love of the Son, and the communion and peace of the Holy Ghost, who is sent to us by the Father, through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the consolation and joy of all true and faithful children of God, and by whom we are moved, taught and led; may the same keep your hearts, understanding and mind in Christ Jesus, to the praise and glory of the Father, to the salvation of your afflicted soul, and to the edification of all brothers and sisters who fear and love the Lord; to this only wise God be glory, honor, power and strength, forever and ever. Amen.

I wish you, my dear wife, a true, genuine, godly love, a true, sincere, penitent faith, which works by love, a firm hope and confidence in God, and a firm steadfastness in your faith toward God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. To Him I commend you, and to the Word of His grace; and since I cannot speak with you face to face, my dear wife Lijsken, I have, with the help of God, written you a little from the Word of the Lord; for though we are absent from each other in the flesh, we are present in the Spirit; for I remember you day and night in my prayers, begging the Lord to strengthen you with His Spirit of truth, since I well know that you will have much conflict yet before you are released; and I also know that you will be greatly tempted by the cunning foxes and ravening wolves, which are indeed much more lions and dragons; indeed, a brood of vipers, who will not spare your soul, but destroy, devour and murder it.

So Paul says: "Beware that no one robs you through false philosophy and the trickery of men, by which they lie in wait to deceive." Colossians 2, verse 8; Ephesians 4, verse 14. Indeed, Christ Himself has warned us about this, saying that in the last days many false prophets, and many false Christs, will arise, so that, if it were possible, they would deceive even the elect; but this is impossible, for the Lord preserves them with His strong arm, so that the gates of hell cannot harm them. Matthew 24, verse 24; Matthew 16, verse 18. Indeed, Paul says: "That in the last times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods, which God has created." First Timothy 4, verses 1 and 3. And

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience." Ephesians 5, verse 6. Christ has also warned us of the doctrine of the Pharisees; indeed, of those who come in sheep's clothing, for inwardly they are ravening wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Matthew 16, verse 6; Matthew 7, verses 15 and 16. Just as Paul says: "Do not marvel that the ministers of antichrist will transform themselves into ministers of God, since Satan himself can transform himself into an angel of light; for they come in a pretended holiness, and will speak lies." Second Corinthians 11, verses 14 and 15.

Therefore see, my most beloved lamb, how faithfully Christ and His apostles have warned us of the false and subtle serpent, that we should not let ourselves be deceived by the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, who seeks nothing but to bring our souls into everlasting damnation, just as Peter says that he walks about us as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; resist him with a firm faith. Revelation 12, verse 9; First Peter 5, verse 8. Therefore I beg you, my dear wife, from the bottom of my heart, since we are so faithfully warned of the false prophets, who have nothing but the doctrine of devils, and seek nothing but to ruin and devour souls; therefore I beg you once more not to listen to them, and to have nothing to do with them; for Paul says: "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Ephesians 5, verse 11. Indeed, John says that whoever does not have the doctrine of Christ does not have God. Second John, verse 9. And Paul says: "Though an angel from heaven preach any other Gospel to you than that which I have preached to you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1, verse 8. If they then do not have God, and have nothing but a false, heretical, accursed and devilish doctrine, how can they teach us anything good? Therefore Christ and His apostles have so faithfully warned us, that we should not let ourselves be deceived by the cunning foxes, and by subtle philosophy and craftiness; for no other foundation will ever be laid than that which is laid, namely Christ, on whom you have founded and built; and no other Gospel may be preached than that which is preached, in which you believe, and for the testimony of which you also are in bonds.

So I beg you, my dear wife Lijsken, by the mercies of God, always to have the Word of the Lord before your eyes, and not to let yourself be moved from your faith by the trickery of men, by which they lie in wait to deceive you; for I know that you will suffer much temptation yet. Therefore, my most beloved, do not look to men; for cursed is the man, says the prophet, who trusts in man; indeed, the fear of man brings a snare, says the wise man. Jeremiah 17, verse 5; Proverbs 29, verse 25. And do not regard the torture of flesh and blood; for this is the heat of the sun, indeed, the storms by which the work of the Lord is tried. Matthew 13, verse 6; Matthew 7, verse 25. So confess Christ now, and He will confess us before His heavenly Father; for He will try the third part with fire, as gold in the furnace, and all that remains will be found pure gold. Matthew 10, verse 32; Zechariah 13, verse 9; First Peter 1, verse 7. You have partly passed through the trial, and have remained steadfast in it, eternal glory, praise and honor to the Lord; and may the gracious Lord strengthen you, so that as you have begun, you may be found pure gold before God and all His church.

So, my most beloved, continue steadfast in the doctrine of Christ; for now is the day of which Christ spoke, that we should be brought before lords and princes, for a testimony to His name, and that we should be rejected by all men; but he who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10, verse 18; Matthew 24, verse 13. And Christ says: "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; and the time is coming when whoever kills you will think that he is doing God service. But I have told you these things, so that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. And they will do these things to you, because they have not known the Father nor me." John 15, verse 20; John 16, verses 2, 4 and 3. See, my dear wife, so Christ has warned us how they would deal with us. Therefore, my dear, do not fear, and do not lose heart, though you are now shut up with Daniel in the den of lions; trust in the Lord, and He will preserve you, so that they will not destroy you; He will also deliver you from their teeth, so that they will not tear you. Do not forsake Him, and He will not forsake you; for He says: "Whoever despises you despises me; whoever persecutes you persecutes me; whoever touches you touches the apple of my eye." Luke 10, verse 16; Acts 26, verse 14; Zechariah 2, verse 8.

If then they do not persecute us, but the Lord, fight bravely, as a godly soldier of Christ, and contend for His glory. And just as He fought to the death, so by the grace of God do you also; for Paul says: "If a man strives for the mastery, he is not crowned unless he strives lawfully." Second Timothy 2, verse 5. Therefore, my dear, put on the whole armor of God, and do not be ashamed to confess His Word before men, but always remember the words of Christ: "Whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him I will also be ashamed before my heavenly Father. For whoever seeks to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for the sake of the Gospel will find it. But he who loves anything more than me cannot be my disciple; indeed, no one who has put his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. And Paul says: It is a faithful saying: For if we are dead with him, we will also live with him; but if we deny him, he also will deny us." Ephesians 6, verse 11; Matthew 10, verse 32; Mark 8, verse 38; Matthew 16, verse 25; Matthew 10, verse 37; Luke 9, verse 62; Second Timothy 2, verses 11 and 12.

So, my most beloved, do not forsake the Lord; for we are nothing but dust and ashes, indeed, nothing but mortal flesh, which must die in dishonor, but is raised in glory. Genesis 18, verse 27; First Corinthians 15, verse 43. Be patient, therefore, in tribulation; for it is the true way, which leads to life eternal, the way that all the saints of God, the prophets and apostles, indeed, Christ Himself, went, all having to drink of this cup. Therefore do not look to death, but through death, lest another come before you and take your crown. So, my most beloved, be long suffering in your tribulation, and patient in suffering, and wait for your deliverance, just as the farmer waits for his fruits; for blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1, verse 12. For Christ says: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5, verse 10. See, we count those happy who endure, says James. James 5, verse 11. Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow His steps; since then Christ has suffered, arm yourself likewise with the same mind. First Peter 2, verse 21; First Peter 4, verse 1. With this agree the words of John, who says that Christ laid down His life for us, and that we ought also to lay down our lives for the brothers. First John 3, verse 16.

So do not be discouraged, chosen and beloved, at their threatening; but praise and glorify the Lord in this matter; for Christ says: "Blessed are you, when men revile you, and persecute you, for my name's sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is our reward from my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5, verses 11 and 12. My dear, this is not said so that we should be sad, but that we should rejoice that we are worthy to suffer for His name. Paul says: "You have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the spirit of adoption, by which we cry, Abba, Father. The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together; for the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed in us; for eye has not seen, nor heart known, nor mouth confessed, but God alone, what will be revealed to those who love him, and keep his word." Romans 8, verses 15 to 18; First Corinthians 2, verse 9. And Paul says that it is not enough for you to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His name. Philippians 1, verse 29.

So, my most beloved, be a willing bride, and prepare for the conflict; for He will not let you be tempted beyond what you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way for you to escape. First Corinthians 10, verse 13. For though a mother forget her child, yet I will not forget you, says the Lord. Isaiah 49, verse 15. He will preserve you as the apple of His eye. Zechariah 2, verse 8. Therefore do not fear men, who perish like grass (Isaiah 51, verse 12); but bravely journey with Joshua and Caleb to the promised land; wait with Noah for the day of the Lord; for Christ says: "My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me; but the voice of strangers they do not hear; and no one will pluck them out of his hand, since it is impossible that the elect of God should be deceived;" as Paul says: "Who will separate us from the love of God?" No, no torments of this world; "for we know that all things work together for good to those who love God; for our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding weight of glory." John 10, verse 27; Romans 8, verses 35 and 28; Second Corinthians 4, verse 17. Since it is the will of the Lord, I hope that this trial of yours will also be for your good; for the Lord has appointed your time, which we cannot pass. So do not fear, for God is your Captain; He is your strength; He is your guide (Second Esdras 16, verse 76); do not forsake Him; He will not forsake you; trust in Him, and you will not be ashamed (Psalm 31, verse 1); be faithful to death, and the crown of life is prepared for you. Revelation 2, verse 10. I desire willingly to offer up my body to the praise of God, indeed, not only my body, but if every member, indeed, every hair, were a body, I would, through the power of God, offer them all up to the praise of the Lord, in order to obtain His promises; for what kind of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. "Beloved, now we are the sons of God, and we know that, when he appears, we will be like him." John 3, verses 1 and 2. Indeed, Peter says that we will be partakers of His divine nature; indeed, we will be where Christ Himself will be, and will with Him judge all nations; indeed, we will follow the lamb wherever he goes; indeed, we will sing the new song on Mount Sion, and we know for certain that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, eternal in the heavens. Second Peter 1, verse 4; John 12, verse 26; Matthew 19, verse 28; Revelation 14, verse 4; Second Esdras 2, verse 42; Second Corinthians 5, verse 1. Who would exalt this corrupt, decaying flesh, which is nothing but a heap of earth, above these beautiful promises! Oh, see what beautiful promises Christ has given His own, who remain steadfast to the end; for there is no other way to eternal life than this way; for all righteous souls, from the beginning, have had to suffer, and so gain possession of the kingdom of God. Genesis 4, verse 8. So, my most beloved wife, since there is no other way, be a willing bride, prepared to receive your bridegroom; and you will then be crowned with praise and honor.

So, my most beloved, I have written a few things, with which you may somewhat strengthen yourself through the Word of the Lord; for Christ says: "The world will rejoice, and you will be sorrowful; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world; and your sorrow will be turned into joy, and your joy no one takes from you; for he who works in us is stronger than he who is in the world." John 16, verse 20. And John says that our faith is the victory that overcomes the world. First John 5, verse 4. Always remember Lot's wife (Genesis 19, verse 26), and the man of God who was killed by the lion, because he had eaten bread contrary to God's command, being deceived by the false prophet. First Kings 13, verse 1. So do not let yourself be deceived in any way by false prophets; but fight with the prophet David against Goliath, and you will devour him like bread; for the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent who remain steadfast take it by force; for Joshua and Caleb took the promised land by force, and those who were not steadfast could not enter into it. So do not be dismayed though you are tried here for a little while; for it is His will. Therefore receive willingly from His hand whatever He sends you; for Paul says: "We know that all things work together for good to those who love God." Romans 8, verse 28. For Christ means to show His wonderful power and strength in you, against the dragons and the brood of vipers, indeed, against the ravening wolves, who daily resist Christ, and fight against you to destroy you. But be bold and trust in Christ; He will not forsake you; for He is your strength. He cares for you (First Peter 5, verse 7); He is your Protector, by whom you will overcome all your adversaries; for He will feed you with the bread of life, indeed, with the bread of understanding, and give you the water of wisdom to drink, and will comfort you in all your tribulation, and impress on your heart a firm and steadfast faith, which they will not be able to resist. Sirach 15, verse 3. For He who has begun this good work in you will, through His grace and power, also carry it out and finish it, to His praise, to the salvation of your soul, and to the edification of all those who fear the Lord. Philippians 1, verse 6. To this God, who can deliver you from all tribulation, and preserve you from all the snares of the devil, and from all false doctrine, be praise, honor, power and strength, forever and ever. Amen.

See, my dear wife, since I cannot help you with my weeping, or with my blood, I have written a few things, to comfort you, and for a memorial or a testament, that you may remember me by it, how I walked before you; for I hope to seal this letter with my blood, namely, that it is nothing but the pure truth, for which I desire to lay down my life, to the praise of the Lord and the edification of all who fear Him. I pray the Lord that He will let you follow me, as I through His grace hope to go before you; and I trust in the Lord that He will let you follow me thus, and I have confidence in you, that you will follow me thus steadfastly, through the grace of the Lord; and I pray the Lord that He will let the fruit grow up to His praise, that it may also be found worthy to suffer for His name. So I have commended the fruit to the Lord, who is more able to preserve you and it than I am. And that the Lord will preserve you, I do not doubt. I hope that my blood will be the seal of this letter.

So I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of His grace, that He will keep you in all righteousness, holiness and truth; and though we must part here, I know, and firmly trust in the Lord, that we will be together in life eternal; so I will freely bring my offering.

Oh, that I might suffer for you; I would gladly offer my flesh for you. I am sorry that I can write to you no more. I herewith commend you to the Lord. Do not be anxious about the child; for my friends will take good care of it, indeed, the Lord will care for it. Hendrick of Deventer greets you warmly in the Lord, whom he entreats day and night for you, that you may continue steadfast to the end.