Another Letter from Jerome Segers to his Wife

Grace, peace, heartfelt joy, through the knowledge of Jesus Christ, be with you, my dear wife Lijsken in the Lord. I wish you, my dear wife Lijsken, an ardent love to God, and a joyful mind to Christ Jesus. Know that I remember you day and night in my prayers, pleading and sighing to God for you; for I am very sorrowful on your account, because you have to be imprisoned so long; and I would gladly wish, had it been the will of the Lord, that you had been released; but now the Lord has willed it otherwise, because He means to try you, and to reveal His power and strength in you, against all those who resist the truth. Therefore I can do nothing against the will of the Lord, lest I tempt Him; but I will much rather praise and thank Him, that He has made us both worthy to suffer for His name; for to this all His chosen lambs are elected; for He has redeemed them from among men, as first fruits to God. Revelation 14, verse 4.

Furthermore, my most beloved, I have greatly rejoiced until this hour, praising and thanking the Lord for having fitted us for this purpose; but when I heard from you that your sorrow was greater than your lips could express, it caused me to weep many tears, and it grieves my heart; for it is a great affliction. And I understood that it is because you often told me to depart from Assuerus, which I did not do; this has cost me many a tear, and I am very sorry; yet I can do nothing against the will of the Lord. (Romans 9, verse 19), and had it been His will, He would have provided a deliverance for us; but He has appointed our bounds, which we cannot pass. Job 14, verse 5; Tobit 13, verse 2. So we cannot escape from the Lord; therefore let us not be grieved at His work, but much rather, as Christ says, let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is our reward in heaven; and as Peter says, we ought to praise and glorify God on this behalf. Matthew 5, verse 12; First Peter 4, verse 16. O my dear, this is not said so that we should sorrow. Be patient, then, in your tribulation and suffering; for Paul says that all things work together for good to those who love God; so I have confidence in the Lord that it will also be for your good, that you have to be imprisoned so long. Therefore receive willingly at His hand whatever He sends you; for He allows no one to be tempted beyond what he is able. So be a partaker of the sufferings of Christ; for all who are without chastisement are bastards, and not sons. Hebrews 12, verse 8. And James says

"Blessed is the man who endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1, verse 12.

Be therefore a follower of Christ; patiently and joyfully take up your cross, and follow Him with gladness, since He has suffered so much for our salvation; so let us also suffer for His praise. Since our hour has now come, let us joyfully strive for the crown of life, which is prepared for us.

Therefore I ask you, my love, not to grieve any longer; for the Lord will preserve you as the apple of His eye; indeed, though a mother forget her child, yet I will not forget you, says the Lord; indeed, my sheep hear my voice, says the Lord, and they follow me, and no one shall pluck them out of my hand. Therefore, my most beloved, be content, and trust in the Lord; He will not forsake you. Moreover, I learned in part from my sister that you also grieved because you were not more patient with me. See, my dear lamb, you have not been obstinate toward me, and we have not lived together otherwise than we were bound in duty to live; why then will you grieve? Be content; Christ will not lay it to your charge, for He will not remember our sins. I thank the Lord that you have lived so humbly with me as you did. Gladly would I be imprisoned for you for a whole year, on bread and water, yes, and then die a tenfold death, if you could be released. Oh, that I could help you with my tears and with my blood; how willingly would I suffer for you. But my suffering can do nothing for you. So be content; I will pray to the Lord still more for you. I have written this letter in tears, because I heard that your grief is so very great. I ask you to write to me how you are. With this I commend you to the Lord.