Here Follow Two Letters which Conrad Koch Wrote from Prison

First Letter

Grace, peace and mercy from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ is what I, Conrad Koch, a prisoner in the Lord, in Loewenburg, wish my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord. Amen.

I inform you here that I had a visit from the executioner, and they tried me hard with words, but did not torture me. The Lord kept me, so that I did not consent to them. Then they said that they would go to dinner, and then come back and torture me. But before mealtime was over, the intendant came back to me and told me much about the prince's preacher, saying that I should let him come and see me once more, since he knew the errors which we held. I replied: "I do not want him; the Word of the Lord has taught me. Did I not tell you that I want no preacher?" He said: "It is true; but still I wish you would do this much of my will, and say that you want him to come to you. Even if you do not agree then, all right; it does not matter, as long as we only get rid of the man." I replied: "I do not want to lay the cross of Christ aside." Then he said: "Then I cannot change it," and left me.

So, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, the Lord preserved me from them. Pray the Lord faithfully for me, that He will keep me in His faithful Word to the end of my life, so that I may hold to it; for I am still of good hope, and willing with all patience to await, by the help of the Lord, all that He will allow to befall and come upon me for His name's sake. May He not allow more to be laid upon me than I am able to bear, so that His name may not be blasphemed through me. So help me plead with the Lord; and I expect not to forget to remember all my dear brothers and sisters, nor all those who fear the Lord. May the Lord come to our assistance, so that we may pray according to His will, and so that we may be heard with all the pious; to this end, may the Lord help us by His grace. Amen.

I have also been informed that our fellow members at Cologne have been released from prison; the Lord be praised for His great love which He shows toward us in these latter days, keeping us so safely from the deceitful serpents, who come to us so subtly with fair words, which are nothing but sheer hypocrisy used by them to draw us away from the covenant of the Lord. From this, may the Lord preserve all those who have accepted His covenant. Amen. With this I commend you to the Lord.