A Letter Written by Jelis Bernaerts to Brothers and Sisters

Grace and peace from God our heavenly Father, and His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who gave Himself for our sins, so that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of His Father; to Him be praise, honor, glory and thanksgiving, now and forever, Amen. Galatians 1, verse 4; Revelation 5, verse 13.

My most beloved wife and sister in the Lord, and all dear brothers and sisters of the church at Gh., after I was sentenced to death, my heart felt moved to write something to you, and to my beloved wife, whom I commend to you and to the Word of God, out of a true, affectionate heart, and genuine, unfeigned brotherly love, which I have for you even to death. So this is my brotherly exhortation and letter to you all: do not fear those who can kill the body, since after that they can do no more. And, as Peter says: "Do not be afraid of their terror, and do not be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts." First Peter 3, verses 14 and 15. And as he further says (dear brothers and sisters in the Lord): "Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: but rejoice, since you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; so that when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy." First Peter 4, verses 12 and 13. The apostle might well exhort us to rejoice; for I can write it with truth, since everything has now come upon me except death; however, sentence has been passed upon me. In the first place, I had great joy according to the spirit when I was delivered into bonds; and though many thoughts and misgivings came to the flesh, yet I rejoiced according to the spirit, that I had been chosen by God to suffer for His name. In the second place, when I had confessed my faith before the authorities, and was then greatly tortured, I felt that God was with me; for He gave me such strength that no matter what sufferings and tortures they inflicted on me, they could get nothing out of me but what tended to the praise of the Lord, and to my salvation; therefore they became angry, and asked me whether I would not tell yet; for, said they, "We have power to torture you like this every day." I said: "My body is before you; do with it as you please." After all this had taken place, my joy was still greater; I could not express the praise of the Lord, nor thank Him enough for the grace He gave me, that I was counted worthy to suffer for His name, and to seal His Word with my blood; for the marks which I then received, and the pain, remained in my body to the last day; the Lord be praised forever, since I well deserved to be chastised for my sins and transgressions. Afterwards I was twice brought before a monk. The first time he wanted to know my faith. I said: "Ask the authorities before whom I confessed it." He then began to talk a great deal about incarnation and baptism. When he had finished speaking, I asked him whether he meant by this to maintain his ground, or whether he meant that I should question him and prove the contrary to him; but he would not hear my defense, and began to rail greatly against Menno and his books, which, as he said, he had read much, and had found many lies in them. I said: "Bring them all here, and let us discuss them for a week." He replied: "You are not the man; so much trouble will not be taken with you." We had many other words yet about his doctrine and his church, which would take too long to write. And so I left him.

Afterwards I was brought before him again, when another was with him. He wanted to dispute much about the sacrament, baptism, and incarnation. But I said: "You would not let me defend it when I was with you the last time; so I do not want to speak with you now." He was not satisfied with this, and said he would compel me to speak, with the instruments of the Margrave; he also asked me whether I was ashamed of my faith. I replied: "I was not ashamed to confess it before the authorities; but I do not want to have anything to do with you people." We resolved among ourselves that we would all do so; and I would advise everyone to observe this, for it profits nothing to dispute with them, since they are carnal men. I was then sentenced to death, and my joy became complete, so that I could not express it, since my deliverance was so near, and I considered the words of the apostle, where he says: "Rejoice, since you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; so that, when his glory should be revealed, I might be glad with exceeding joy;" and what he further says

"If you are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you; on their part he is spoken evil of, but on your part he is glorified." First Peter 4, verses 13 and 14. When I thought on this, and on other passages of Scripture, and when I saw how fleeting tribulation and suffering were, and what beautiful promises were given me, and that I was to enter into rest with my dear brothers and sisters who went before and are under the altar, and wait for all our fellow brothers and sisters who must yet follow us, then all tribulation had to flee from me, when I saw this with the spirit.

Therefore, my dear brothers, I do not write this to you out of vainglory, but for the comfort and strengthening of your hearts, so that you may not be afraid of those who can kill the body, since after that they can do no more; but that you, dear brothers and sisters, may always be manful, and always remember your leaders, who have spoken the word of God to you, just as Paul says: "Remember those who have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God: follow their faith, considering the end of their conversation." Hebrews 13, verse 7. So, my most beloved, always give attention among yourselves to exhortation, to reading, to prayer; and do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together, but exhort one another to love and good works, and be firmly united in love, and use hospitality to one another; always be of one heart and of one soul among yourselves, so that when you come into bonds (if this be the will of the Lord) your heart may be unencumbered.

With this I commend you to the Lord, and to the Word of His grace. Amen. Farewell, farewell to you all, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Written by me, Jelis Barnaerts, to you, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, from the bottom of my heart, and out of true love. Amen.