Algerius, a Youth, a Student of Padua

To my beloved brothers and sisters and fellow servants of Jesus Christ, who have gone out of Babylon to Mount Zion, whose names I do not leave out without cause: grace, peace and mercy from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen. To sweeten or take away some of the pain that you suffer on my account, I want to share with you the sweetness that I experience, so that you may rejoice with me, and shout for joy with thanksgiving in the presence of the Lord.

I will tell the world an incredible thing, namely, that I have found infinite sweetness in the bowels of the lion. And who will in any way believe what I am about to tell here? Who can believe it?

In a dark hole I have found pleasure; in a place of bitterness and death, rest and the hope of salvation; in the abyss or depths of hell, joy; where others weep, I have laughed; where others fear, I have found strength. Who will believe this? In a state of misery I have had very great delight; in a lonely corner I have had the most glorious company; and in the severest bonds, great rest. All these things, my fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, the gracious hand of God has given me. Behold, He who at first was far from me is now with me, and Him whom I knew only a little I now see clearly; the One I once looked to from afar I now see as present. He for whom I longed now offers me His hand; He comforts me; He fills me with joy; He drives bitterness from me, and renews strength and sweetness within me; He makes me well; He sustains me; He lifts me up; He strengthens me. Oh, how good is the Lord, who does not allow His servants to be tempted beyond what they are able to bear! Oh, how easy, pleasant and sweet is His yoke! Is there anyone like God the Most High, who sustains and refreshes those who are tempted? He heals those who are bruised and wounded, and restores them completely. Isaiah 41; Isaiah 43, verse 20. None is like Him. Learn, most beloved brothers and sisters, how sweet the Lord is, how faithful and merciful; who visits His servants in trial (Isaiah 43, verse 2); who humbles Himself and stoops to be with us in our huts and lowly dwellings. He gives us a cheerful mind and a peaceful heart. Oh, that we were worthy, that His holy name might be praised through us unworthy creatures!

But will the blind world believe these things? No; it will much rather say (since it is unbelieving): "You will not be able to endure the heat, cold and discomfort of this place for long. And how then will you be able to bear the cross, the thousandfold contempt, the false reproaches, and the undeserved disgrace? Will you not think of your dear native country, the riches of this world, your parents, your rank and your honor at the court? Will you be able to put entirely out of your mind your glorious learning, which strengthens and refreshes you for all the labor you have spent? Will you lose so much for nothing, indeed, all the labors you have undergone, your long watching, your toil and your diligence? For what purpose have you labored and studied so much, even from your very youth?

But, last of all, have you then no fear at all of death, which awaits you, though you are innocent? Oh, what extreme folly and ignorance it is, to be able with a single word to avoid all this and to escape death, and yet to refuse to do it! Oh, what a despicable thing it is to be able to obtain something from such excellent, just, God-fearing, wise and good (or pious) councilors and illustrious men,* and of your own will to refuse to receive anything. [n782-2]

But listen, you blind and mortal men: what is hotter and more intense than the fire that is prepared for you? What is colder than your own heart, which is still in darkness and has no light at all? John 1, verse 5. What is harder, more confused and more restless than your life? What is more ignoble and repulsive than your age? Tell me, my dear, what country or home is sweeter than the heavenly one? Second Corinthians 5, verse 1. What treasure is greater than eternal life? And who are our parents and friends, except those alone who keep the Word of God? Where are there greater joy, riches and honor than in heaven? Tell me, you ignorant ones, is not all learning given so that we may know God? And if we do not know Him in truth, all our labor, watching and exertion, indeed, all our undertakings, are spent to no purpose. Answer me, you unhappy men: what comfort or balm can he have who misses God, who is the cure and refreshing of all? Exodus 15, verse 26. How can he say that I fear death, if he himself is dead in sins, and so prefers death to life? First Timothy 5, verse 6. For if Christ is the way, the truth and the life, can life be found outside of Christ? The heat is a refreshing pleasure to me, and winter a joy in the Lord. I who do not fear the burning of the fire, shall I be afraid of mere heat? Is he tormented by ice, who is consumed, melts and falls asleep in the love of God?

This place is indeed hard and severe for the guilty and for evildoers; but to the innocent and righteous it is very pleasant and sweet. From here comes honey; from here flows the heavenly drink; here milk wells up; here springs forth the abundance of all good things.

It is true that this place is considered lonely and low; yet to me it is like a spacious valley, and one of the most excellent places in the world.

Tell me, you miserable men, whether I could have a pasture or meadow more pleasant than this; for here I see kings, princes, states and nations; here I see war (or conflict); these cut to pieces, the others victorious; some who have fallen into a low condition, others who have risen to great honors.

Here is Mount Zion; here I rise and enter into heaven; Jesus Christ stands before my eyes; around me stand the fathers, prophets, evangelists, apostles, and all the servants of God. He (the Lord) embraces and nourishes me; these urge me on, those show me holy things; these comfort me, others escort me with music and song.

Shall I now say that I am alone, among so many? For here I have those whom I may take as companions, comforters and examples, since I see some who are crucified, some beheaded, some stoned, others cut in two; some roasted, others fried in pans, ovens and cauldrons of oil; some whose eyes are put out, others whose tongue is cut out; these with their skin pulled over their head, others with hands and feet cut off; some who are cast into fiery furnaces, others given as food to wild beasts. Indeed, it would take too much time if I were to tell it all.

Finally, I see still others who have suffered many kinds of tortures and martyrdoms, and this only because they now live and are free from all pain. And for all these there is only one remedy, one medicine, which can cure all their infirmities; and this remedy gives me also strength, and life, and cheerfulness to suffer all these fears and afflictions, which last only a moment and are not worth speaking of. This is the hope which I have placed in heaven. I do not fear those who unjustly revile and persecute me, since He who dwells in heaven will reject them and root them out, but will heal and restore these others. I shall not be afraid if a thousand surround me; for the Lord my God will always deliver me; He is my shield and protector; He is my comfort; He is my head; He will beat down those who oppose me without cause; He will break the teeth of sinners; for salvation, blessing, might and dominion are His. The reproaches which we suffer for Christ's sake give us nothing but joy and gladness; for it is written: [n782-3] "If you are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." First Peter 4, verse 16. If we, then, are so assured of our salvation, we are not to take notice of the unjust reproaches of those who revile us.

On earth I have no continuing city or place of rest; my home and country are in heaven; I seek the new city of Jerusalem, which I see before me, which comes to meet me. Behold, I am already on the way; there is my sweet home, my riches, my parents and my friends, my pleasure and my honor; I have no fear that I shall miss them.

All these earthly things are only shadows; they all pass away, and are a vanity of vanities to those who miss the hope and the substance of eternal life.

The accomplishments, arts or gifts which God has given me were at first pleasant companions and pastimes; now they yield me holy fruits. It is true, I have sweated, suffered cold, and as much as I was able, watched night and day; but this labor of mine has tended and worked to make me more perfect; no day or hour ever passed without some improvement. Behold, the true countenance of God has been revealed over my life, and the Lord has made me experience great joy in my heart. In Him alone I shall rest in peace. First Peter 1, verse 8.

Who will now dare to say that I have lost my age and years? Who will say that I have lost my courage? For my soul has said: "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will seek him." Lamentations 3, verse 24. Since, then, dying in the Lord is no dying, but the leading of a blessed life, why does one who is reprobate to God oppose me, to keep me from dying? All this will be the greatest joy, if only I may taste the cup of the Lord. And what surer pledge of my salvation could I find? Has He not said: "Men will do to you what they have done to me?" John 15, verse 20. Therefore let this fool keep silent, who has now for so long deceived himself in the light of the sun. Let the blind world stop, I say, imagining such things. For I will say with the apostle: "Neither tribulation, nor distress, nor famine, nor nakedness, nor care, nor persecution, nor sword shall be able to separate us from the love in Christ. We are killed all the day long; we are led to death like sheep for the slaughter." Romans 8, verses 35 and 36. So we are partakers with Christ, who has said that the disciple is not greater than his master, and the servant not more than his lord. He also left us the command that each should take up His cross and follow Him.

Comfort yourselves, O most beloved fellow servants of God, comfort yourselves, for we fall into many kinds of temptations. Let our patience be perfect in every place, since these things are promised us here on earth, for it is written that those who kill us will think that in doing so they are offering God a holy service and sacrifice. John 16, verse 2. So fear and death are only parts and things that teach us to understand our calling, and we rejoice in a future life, and shout joyfully in the Lord, since we are (far from all sin) beaten, and delivered to death. For it is better to suffer for righteousness' sake (if this is the will of the Lord) than for evildoing. We have an example in Christ, and in the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, and the children of unrighteousness put them to death according to their manner and custom. Behold, what do we do now? Blessed are those who have remained steadfast! We rejoice in our innocence and (God-given) righteousness. God will punish those who persecute us.

I have been called a fool, since I do not conceal the knowledge of God, and do not care whether I speak in secret or openly; to which I could reply with a single word. "O poor man, who, or what are you, who do not see the sun, and never once think of God's words."

My dear, remember the words of Christ: "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all who are in the house." Matthew 5, verses 14 and 15. And in another place He says: "You shall be brought before governors and kings, and others. Therefore do not fear those who kill the body, but much rather Him who is able to kill the soul. Whoever therefore shall confess me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 10, verses 18, 28 and 32.

Since, then, the Lord has spoken so plainly on this subject, by what authority do they advise me and seek to persuade me? For I shall never forsake the counsel of God to follow the advice of men, since it is written: "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful." Psalm 1, verse 1.

I shall never deny Christ, but will confess Him whenever it is necessary. I shall not value my life more highly than my soul; I shall not exchange the future for the present. Oh, how little he understands and knows who thinks we are in the way of folly. Wisdom 5, verse 4.

I do not consider it improper, though I do not please the so-called most mighty, just, wise, merciful, good and illustrious senators of this place, whose grace is offered to me if I apostatize.

But since we are instructed by the apostles of the Lord that we must obey God rather than men, and so on, therefore I do not accept this grace from them.

I wish they were more perfect in the sight of the Lord. It is true, they are mighty here, but they should also perfect themselves in the Lord; they are indeed just, but they are still without Christ, who is the foundation of righteousness; they are wise, but where the beginning of wisdom is, there is also the fear of God; they are called merciful, but I wish they might be more patient, or more restrained, in Christian love; they are good, but I wish them the foundation of goodness, namely, the best and most high God; they are called illustrious, but they have not accepted our Savior, the most illustrious.

Hear, therefore, O you kings, and understand; learn, you who are judges of the ends of the earth; serve the Lord with fear, and approach Him with trembling. Receive instruction, and understand it, lest the Lord be angry, and you perish from the right way. Why do you rage, O you peoples; and you nations, why do you imagine vain things against the Lord? You kings of the earth, and you princes, why are you united together against Christ, the Holy One of God? How long will you seek lies, and hate truth? Be converted, and turn to the Lord our God, and do not harden your hearts. For no one can help knowing that he who persecutes God's servants persecutes God Himself; since He has said: "Whatever men shall do to you, they shall do to me, and not to you." Zechariah 2, verse 8.

But, my dear, tell me, in what way have I deserved to be condemned? Is it that I have not answered the most illustrious senators, my lords, according to their pleasure? If I have said anything, it was not I at all who said it, since the Lord says that before the authorities it will not be we who speak, but the Spirit of our Father who will be in us. Matthew 10, verse 30. Now, if the Lord is faithful and true, which He truly is, I am innocent. [n782-4] It was He who made me speak. And what am I, that I could withstand the will of God? Acts 11, verse 17. Therefore he who would reprove such words reproves the Word of the Lord, who worked in me. But if he thinks that the Lord is not to be reproved, oh, then let him accuse me no more, since I am innocent of this work; for I did what I did not will, I spoke what I did not think. But if the things which I have spoken are not good and true, and this is found and proved to me, then I will confess that they came from me alone, and not from God; but if I have said things that are good and proved, and cannot justly be reproved, then whether we will or not, it will have to be acknowledged that they came from the Lord. Now, if all this is so, who then will accuse me? The most wise people? Who will condemn me? The most righteous judges (who are nevertheless unwise and unjust)?

Do what you will. Shall the words of the Lord be made void? Shall the Gospel count for nothing any longer? Certainly not; but the kingdom of God shall be only the more precious and sweet to the true Israelites, and shall come the sooner to the chosen of Jesus Christ. But those who do such things shall experience the great judgment of God. Those who kill the righteous shall not escape unpunished. Second Thessalonians 1, verse 6.

O most beloved, lift up your eyes, and take to heart the counsel of God. Not long ago the Lord showed you a sign of pestilence, in order to lead you to repentance; but if this is not received, He will draw the sword all the way, and strike with the sword, pestilence and famine the people that lifts up its horn against Christ. May God, through His mercy, turn this scourge away from this place. To all believers their most zealous servant, the imprisoned and bound Algerius.

Written in the most delightful pleasure garden of the prison, called Leonia, the 12th of July, in the year 1557.* [n782-5]