A Letter from Lijsken, Jerome's Wife

Grace and peace be to both of us from God the Father, and the love of the Son, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with us, to the strengthening, consolation, joy, and salvation of our souls.

My beloved husband in the Lord, know that at first the time seemed very long to me, because I was not used to imprisonment, and heard nothing but temptations to depart from the Lord. They said: "Why do you trouble yourself with the Scriptures; attend to your sewing. It seems that you want to follow the apostles; where are the signs that you do? They spoke with different tongues, after they had received the Holy Ghost." Mark 16, verse 17; Acts 2, verse 4. And they said: "Where is your language that you received through the Holy Ghost?" But it is enough for us that we have believed through their word, as John tells us, where Christ says: "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe on me through their word." John 17, verse 20. With this I commend you to the Lord; the grace of God be with us always.

Thanks be to God the Father, who had and showed such love to us that He gave His dear Son for us; may He give us such love, joy, wisdom, and such a steadfast mind, through Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, that we may prevail against all ravenous beasts, dragons, serpents, and all the gates of hell, which are now using great cunning to seize, deceive, destroy, and seduce our souls. We may well therefore humbly pray to the Lord without ceasing, day and night; for the devourer walks about us, seeking whom he may devour; for we are not ignorant of his designs. But though they are very crafty, the Lord's hand is not shortened in those who love Him and do His will; for the eyes of the Lord are on those who love Him, and His ears are open to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Isaiah 59, verse 1; Psalm 34, verses 15 and 16. So let everyone take good heed that the face of the Lord not be against him; for the soul that sins shall die, unless he repents before the Lord comes. But we are not assured of the time when the Lord will come; for He will come as a thief in the night. First Thessalonians 5, verse 2. So we may well pray to the Lord for one another, that our flight not be on the Sabbath Day, when we are idle, nor in the winter, when we have no fruit on our trees; for every tree that does not bring forth good fruit will be cut down and cast into the fire; but every tree that bears good fruit, He will purge, that it may bring forth fruit abundantly. Matthew 24, verse 20; Matthew 3, verse 10; John 15, verse 2. The mouth of the Lord also tells us: "If anyone sins willfully . . . there remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation, which will devour the adversaries. The law of Moses was so strict that whoever broke it had to die without mercy under two or three witnesses; how much worse punishment will he be thought worthy of, who has trampled underfoot the Son of God?" Hebrews 10, verses 26 to 29. The Holy Ghost also declares: "If we are dead with him, we will also live with him; if we suffer, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we do not believe, yet he remains faithful; he cannot deny himself." Second Timothy 2, verses 11 to 13. "Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame; who did not threaten when he suffered for our sins for the salvation of our souls." Hebrews 12, verses 1 and 2; First Peter 2, verse 23. So we also, my most beloved in the Lord, to His praise, and to the comfort of all dear friends. I wish for us both the crucified Savior for an everlasting joy and strength. I trust in the Lord, who alone is wise, and who has given His wisdom only to the simple, the innocent and the outcasts of this world, that He will comfort us until our travail is over. Revelation 12, verse 5.

My dear husband in the Lord, whom I married before God and His church, and with whom they say I have lived in adultery, because I was not married in Baal; but the Lord says: "Rejoice when all people speak evil of you for my name's sake; rejoice, and be exceedingly glad; for great is your reward in heaven." Matthew 5, verses 11 and 12.

Know that I have wept much, because you were grieved on my account, having heard that I said I had often spoken to you about moving away from Assuerus, and that you did not do it; be content about this, my most beloved in the Lord. If it had not been the will of the Lord, it would not have happened; the Lord's will must be done, for the salvation of both our souls, for He will not let us be tempted beyond what we are able. So be of good cheer, my most beloved in the Lord, and rejoice in Him as before, praising and thanking Him for having chosen us to be imprisoned so long for His name, having been found worthy of it; He knows for what end He has ordered it so. Though the children of Israel were a long time in the wilderness, if they had been obedient to the voice of the Lord, they would have entered the promised land with Joshua and Caleb. So we too are here in the wilderness, among these ravening beasts, which daily spread out their nets to catch us (Psalm 35, verse 8); but the Lord, who is so strong, does not forsake His own, who trust in Him; He preserves them from all evil, indeed, as the apple of His eye; so let us be content in Him, joyfully and patiently take up our cross, and wait with firm confidence for the promises which He has given us, not doubting them, for He is faithful who promised; that we may be crowned on Mount Sion, and adorned with palms, and may follow the Lamb. I ask you, my beloved in the Lord, be of good cheer in Him, together with all dear friends, and pray to the Lord on my behalf. Amen.