A Letter from Maeyken de Korte

My dear sister, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be fruitful in all longsuffering and holiness, to wait for Him with patience; for He will come quickly, and bring His reward with Him; He who promised is faithful, and He will also do it. Second Thessalonians 3, verse 1; Revelation 22, verse 12; First Thessalonians 5, verse 25. It is as I say: "Our life is a continual conflict on earth." Know that I am in fairly good cheer; the flesh is fairly well, praise the Lord. We are here indeed as the filth of the world, and we constantly long to get home, and for a building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. First Corinthians 4, verse 13. How we ought to be prepared with a godly life! I often find myself cast down. I also discover so many shortcomings in me, and that there is so much still to die to; I have to commit it all to the Lord, with a humble heart, and a trembling, contrite spirit, asking Him for grace, and not for justice. I feel that the more I humble myself, the more the mighty God works in me, and pours His grace into me. Then I cry most bitterly, fall on my knees, and thank my God, and say

"O my Lord and God, what am I, child of Adam, that You are mindful of him,* You have given him dominion over all Your works. [n822-1] How is it that You visit us so abundantly, and so graciously open Your treasures to us, and cause the bright morning star to rise and shine in our hearts, and have drawn us out of this dark night to the imperishable light?" What shall we render to Him, my dear sister, but a penitent and contrite heart, and a broken spirit, with love and great gratitude; there the spirit of the Lord rests, says David. Let us love one another fervently, for God is love, and constantly exhort each other, so that we do not grow cold through the deceitfulness of sin; so that God may be glorified in us, and we may be delivered from pride, and from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all men have faith. The Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and keep us. First John 4, verse 8; Hebrews 3, verse 13; Second Thessalonians 3, verse 2. Know that my sisters were here, and wanted to have a word of comfort from me. The Lord gained the victory. I do not know how it is with me; I do not feel drawn to them, just as though they were not related to me. I cannot rejoice, though I see them, and it seems to me that they are afraid of me. They caused me so much cross. They had sent a monk named Balten here to examine me, and were willing to give him three caps, if he could convert me. He came with fine words, but I would not speak, since I was sick at the time. Then my sisters said: "Why do you not speak?" I replied: "I have no desire at present; we have talked with him so often; he knows our intention well."

This irritated Balten, and he complained greatly about me, that I had strongly resisted the Scriptures, that I held a mistaken view of salvation, and that I had no hope. Then they wept greatly, but it was all the same to me whether he kept silent or spoke. He made everyone leave the room, only my two sisters, he and I remaining. He then pleaded with me a great deal, saying: "My dear Maeyken, have compassion on your poor soul." I boldly replied: "This I hope to do." "Say that you are sorry, and that you have erred; that is enough, and you need say no more. A document will be drawn up for you at once, according to my direction, and I myself and your two brothers-in-law will sign it. It will remain a secret, and everything possible will be done for you; give your consent to it, my dear sister." Then I was moved in my spirit, and said: "You may give your head rest; yours is all wasted labor. I am not at all inclined to say that I am sorry. I am so sorry for it that if I had not done it, I would still do what I have in mind. I want to remain in it by the help of God; neither pleading, nor torture, nor death, nor life will turn me, and I want to die in it; so do not torment me." Philippians 4, verse 13. I wish I could speak with Lauwerens Huysmaeker, and see all of you; but I must be patient.

I commend you to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace; greet Andries, and Mattheus. I greet you both; greet Lauwerens, and Hans; greet Adriaen warmly, and Lauwerens' wife, and the wife of Lauwerens the broom maker, and Hansken's wife.