A Letter from Jerome Segers to his Wife

Grace and peace be with you from God the Father, and may the mercy and love of the Son, and the power and communion of the Holy Ghost, strengthen your faith, heart, mind and understanding in Christ Jesus. Amen. This I wish to my beloved wife, whom I married before God and His holy church as my own wife. Just as Abraham took Sarah, and Isaac Rebecca, and Tobias the daughter of his uncle, as his wife, so I took you as my wife, according to the Word and command of God, and not as this wicked, blind world does. For this reason I praise and thank the Lord night and day, that He spared us so long, until we came to know each other in part, and had come to the knowledge of the truth; for which they say that we lived in adultery, because we were not married like this idolatrous generation, in an idolatrous, carnal, vain, proud and gluttonous manner, which is nothing but an abomination in the eyes of God. For this they slander us, as they did Christ. Matthew 12, verse 24. And though they may tell you to attend to your sewing, this does not stop us; for Christ has called us all, and commanded us to search the Scriptures, since they testify of Him; and Christ also said that Magdalene had chosen the better part, because she searched the Scriptures. Matthew 11, verse 28; John 5, verse 39; Luke 10, verse 42. Moreover, my most beloved, though they ask you where your signs and tongues are, this must not hinder you; for the believers whom Peter and John baptized did not speak with tongues, but it was enough for them that they believed in Christ. Acts 2, verse 38. And Stephen too, who was full of the Holy Ghost, did not speak with tongues; nor did any of the bishops or teachers who were with Paul perform signs and speak with tongues; yet they taught the Word of God blamelessly. And Paul says that the Holy Ghost distributes His gifts in the church; one has the gift of healing; another of prophecy; another of speaking with tongues; another the working of miracles; another the gift of exhortation; another of showing mercy; another of firm faith; and the Holy Spirit works all these, through whom they help one another to their own edification, and so grow into a holy temple; and let every man remain in the same calling in which he was called. First Corinthians 12, verse 7; Ephesians 4, verse 16; Ephesians 2, verse 21; First Corinthians 7, verse 20. Moreover, it is enough for us that Christ prayed not only for His disciples, but also for those who should believe in Him through their word. John 17, verse 20.

See, my beloved wife in the Lord, how gladly the ravening wolves would murder the souls of the simple, with their lies and cunning, by which they lie in wait to deceive, in order to bring your soul into eternal death. So beware of them, and do not listen to them, since they are very crafty; but do as Christ says: "My sheep hear my voice; they do not hear the voice of strangers; and so no one shall pluck them out of his hand." See, my beloved, how Christ has warned us of this time; let us therefore look well before us, so that the crafty serpent does not deceive us. And know that I too was before the lords once, when I called to you, and that I then spoke in such a way that they let me be; and though the others were arraigned twice after this, I was left undisturbed. Once I also had a discussion with the priests about the calling,* in which I so reproved them with the word of the Lord that they became so angry that they struck the table with their fists, and did not know what to say; for they said that Peter was a pope, and that Saint Andrew read the first mass. [n722-1] I replied that they could not prove it in truth, and told them they were seducing spirits, and held the doctrine of devils. Then they went away.

Moreover, know, my beloved wife in the Lord, that I am sorry you wept; for when I heard that you grieved, I prayed the more fervently to the Lord, day and night, for you, and I know for certain that He will keep you as the apple of His eye. I praise the Lord constantly, that He has made us both worthy to suffer for His name, and for this I greatly rejoice. When I read your letter, and learned how it was with you, and that you wished the crucified Christ to me for a greeting, my heart and my spirit leaped up for joy in my body; so that I could not finish reading the letter, but had to bow my knees before the Lord (Ephesians 3, verse 14), and praise and thank Him for His strength, consolation and joy, though I was afflicted on account of our brothers and sisters and you, because you have to be imprisoned there so long. I have committed you, together with the fruit, into the hands of the Lord, being confident beyond a doubt that He will give you the same joy which He gives to me, and keep you to the end. I experience such joy and gladness in His promises, that I never think of these torments, but only of the great promises which He has given to those who remain steadfast to the end. I have such gladness, consolation and joy as I never had, indeed, such joy that I cannot utter or describe it, indeed, that I did not believe a person could have such joy in prison; for day or night I can scarcely sleep for joy, nor thank and praise the Lord enough; for it seems as though I had not been here a day yet. Sirach 43, verse 30. Oh, that I might break my heart into pieces, and give it to you and our brothers and sisters! Oh, that I could help them with my blood; I would so gladly suffer for them!

O my beloved in the Lord, I now experience how mightily, strongly and like a father He keeps those who trust in Him, and seek nothing but His glory; indeed, what strength, consolation and joy He gives them; and how shamefully He lets them fall who trust in men, and forsake and deny Him; so that they get a tormenting conscience, a sorrowful heart, and dreadful horror, indeed, look for nothing but eternal damnation and the pain of fire, and expect to hear the terrible words: "Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire; for the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." Matthew 25, verse 41; Psalm 34, verse 16. Look, therefore, my beloved wife in the Lord, let us look to Jesus the Finisher, how He went before us into death, for our salvation; for see, the crown of life is prepared for us; we shall sit with Him upon His throne; we shall be clothed in white robes. With this I commend you to the crucified Christ for consolation and joy; that He will keep you, satisfy you with His divine Word, feed you with the bread of life and of understanding, and give you to drink the water of wisdom and the pure milk, from the fountain of life. May He keep your soul to salvation. Amen.