A Letter from Jacques Mesdagh

I, Jacques Mesdagh, imprisoned at Kortrijck for the Word of God and the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, apprehended the first of March, 1566, wish you, my dearest and much beloved chosen sister, from the bottom of my heart and from my inmost soul, that you may always prosper, and be well in soul and body; and grace, mercy, peace, joy, love, a living spiritual hope, a true evangelical mind and trust, a true unfeigned faith which works by love, and the illumination, comfort and communion of the Holy Ghost, be to you as a grace from God the heavenly Father, and through our Lord Jesus, by whom this grace has come to us; for Paul says: "The grace of God [that brings salvation] has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2, verses 11 to 14). For He came and preached the Gospel of peace to us who were far off, and to those who were near. Therefore we are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, whom the builders rejected (Ephesians 2, verses 17, 19, and 20; Matthew 21, verse 42); who His own self bore our sins, in His own body, on the tree, that we, being dead to sin, should live to righteousness; by whose stripes we were healed. For we were as sheep going astray; but we are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to God and His Father; to Him be praise, glory and dominion, and thanks forever and ever. Amen. First Peter 2, verses 24 and 25; First Timothy 6, verse 15; Revelation 1, verses 5 and 6.

This I wish you, my dearest chosen sister in Jesus Christ our Savior, whom I love from the depth of my heart and from my inmost soul, as an affectionate and friendly greeting, and for a perpetual remembrance, my dear lamb, since it may easily happen that we shall soon have to separate here; for it seems that the abominable beast thirsts greatly for our blood. Revelation 13, verse 1. But I hope that though we must now separate here for the Lord's name, we shall nevertheless hereafter meet together in life eternal, where there will be nothing but joy and gladness, which will endure forever and ever; there tyrants will not be able to separate or harm us; for when they have killed the body, they have no more that they can do, as Christ Himself says. Luke 12, verse 4.

Hence, my affectionately and much beloved sister, do not be afraid of their threats, neither be troubled. Even as the Lord also spoke through the prophet Isaiah: "Listen to me, you that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; do not fear the reproach of men, neither be afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool; but my righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation." For "I am he that comforts you: who are you, that you should be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass?" Isaiah 51, verses 7, 8, and 12. "For behold, the day comes that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, indeed, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But to you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise." Malachi 4, verses 1 and 2. "And everlasting joy shall be upon their head, they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away." Isaiah 51, verse 11. "Indeed, the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." Matthew 13, verse 43. "And they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them to living fountains of water: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Revelation 7, verses 16 and 17. "And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain." Revelation 21, verse 4. "For he that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death; and he shall inherit all things, and receive the crown of life."

Therefore, O my dear and chosen sister Susannah, let us always faithfully adhere to Christ our Bridegroom, even to death, so that hereafter we may altogether receive the crown of life, and may hear, in the great day of the Lord, the welcome voice: "Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;" when He shall say to the others

"Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25, verses 34 and 41.

Oh, what a great difference there will then be between those who obeyed and feared the Lord, and those who did not obey or fear Him; the latter will have their part in the lake which will burn with fire and brimstone, which is the second death; but the former in eternal life. Revelation 21, verse 18; John 3, verse 16.

For he that hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal. Christ also said: "Whoever will lose his life for my sake shall find [or keep] it." Hence, my dearest and much beloved sister, whom I love with all my heart, let us in this always be of good courage and cheer in the Lord, though the tyrants deprive us of our temporal life for the Lord's name, and separate us; for we know, says Paul, that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, whose builder and maker is God. Second Corinthians 5, verse 1; Hebrews 11, verse 10.

O my dear and much beloved sister, that we had put off this body of our earthly house in Christ Jesus, and were thus at home with Him, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like His glorious body; for here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come, as the apostle says. Philippians 3, verse 21; Hebrews 13, verse 14.

Oh, that we were there in the beautiful and delightful city, which is full of all good things, where they will need neither sun nor moon, nor the light of a candle, to give them light, for the glory of God shall lighten them, and they shall reign forever and ever. Revelation 21, verse 23; chapter 22, verse 5. But we must here first go the narrow way, as Christ Himself said (Matthew 7, verses 13 and 14), before we can enter there; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there are who go in at it; but strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life, and few there are that find it; and still fewer, alas! who desire to walk it, since sometimes it is so hard for the flesh. For here in this wicked world not much besides tribulation and suffering is promised to those who desire to walk the narrow way, to follow Christ, and to live godly, in this vale of tears, according to their weak ability; for, in the first place, Paul expressly says: "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Second Timothy 3, verse 12. "For truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter; indeed, truth fails; and he that departs from evil makes himself a prey." Isaiah 59, verses 14 and 15.

O my chosen sister, whom I love in God since the Lord has given us so much grace that we have found the way of peace, this is the true grace of God in which you stand, says Peter. Oh, let us always walk faithfully in it to the end, according to our feeble ability, though we must here for a short time have tribulation and suffering for the name of Christ; for we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14, verse 22. And also Christ Himself says: "In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16, verse 33. He also says

"Truly, truly, I say to you, that you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour has come; but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers the anguish no more, for joy that a man is born into the world. And you therefore now have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you." Verses 20 to 22. So we too are with child, and in travail, so that we can scarcely draw our breath, as is also written in the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 26, verse 18);* but when we too have here brought forth all tribulation and sorrow, and have put off our body in the Lord, we also shall hereafter rejoice with tongues unspeakable, though we are now here in the pangs of delivery, my dear and much beloved sister, for the name of Christ, namely, in tribulation and suffering for a short time, and hated of all men; for Christ Himself says: "You shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved." Matthew 10, verse 22. And Paul also says: "For to you it is given on behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Philippians 1, verse 29.

But, my very dear and chosen sister in the Lord, whom I love with true, unfeigned, godly and brotherly love, it will hereafter not be to our detriment, all that we have suffered here for the name of Christ; for He will reward us for it with joy most abundantly; for as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ. Second Corinthians 1, verse 5. For it is a faithful saying. Paul also says, "If we are dead with him, we shall also live with him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us." Second Timothy 2, verses 11 and 12. And Christ Himself says, "If we confess him before men, he will also confess us before his Father, who is in heaven."

Hence, my dear lamb, let us always give diligent heed that we here in no way forsake Christ our Bridegroom, on account of the sufferings which men may inflict upon us; for the time that we have to spend here is very short, compared with eternity. Though we should be compelled all the days of our life to lie in a dark dungeon for the name of the Lord, it could not yet be compared to eternity, and to the glory which shall be revealed in us; for Paul says: "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us; for our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." Romans 8, verse 18; Second Corinthians 4, verses 17 and 18.

Therefore, O my most beloved sister, let us not look at that which is temporal and perishable; but let us always wholly renounce ourselves, and daily take our cross upon us, to follow Christ faithfully and willingly in all that may come upon us for His holy and glorious name's sake; and think and look on the reward and the beautiful promises, which will endure forever. Let us always comfort ourselves with the beautiful promises of the Lord, which He has given to His own who fear and love Him, and obey Him in everything to the end.

Thus, my dear and much beloved sister Susannah, let us constantly obey Him in all things, to do His divine will to the end, according to our weak ability, and always wait with great patience for His beautiful promises, as did all the pious, holy men who died according to faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. They had trials of cruel mockings and scourgings, yes, and moreover of bonds and imprisonment; they were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword; they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy; they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth, and were obedient to their God. For by faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should afterward receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And by faith Moses, when he had come of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect to the recompense of the reward. Hebrews 11.

Thus, my affectionately and much beloved chosen sister, let us, too, always be obedient to God our heavenly Father, even to death, and also rather choose, as Moses did, to suffer affliction with the people of God for a little season, here in this vale of tears, and to look at the beautiful promise which is to be realized hereafter; for eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. First Corinthians 2, verse 9.

Oh, see, my dear sister, how richly those are rewarded who love and fear God. Oh, why should we not fear and love the Lord with all our hearts, who will so richly reward us for it, since not a single word of His promises shall fail, for He is so faithful that promised it; though we must suffer tribulation and persecution here for a little while, for the name of Christ our Lord. For if the holy men and prophets, and the apostles, had to suffer, yes, Christ Himself, who is one Head and Master, how much more ought we, who are poor, sinful and frail men, to suffer, if we want to be found little members of His body; for the members are surely not better than the head, nor the servant greater than his lord, says Christ Himself. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my sayings, they will keep yours also. If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15, verses 20, 18 and 19. And John also says in his epistle: "Do not marvel, my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life." First John 3, verses 13 and 14.

See, my dear lamb, how it has been told us beforehand that we must be hated and reviled by the world. Hence, let us not be surprised, though this comes upon us in this evil, wicked, perverse, and blind world for the name of Christ; but let us rejoice in it, that we are partakers of Christ's sufferings; so that, when His glory shall be revealed, we may also be glad with exceeding joy, as the apostle Peter says: "If you are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you." First Peter 4, verses 13 and 14. And Christ says: "Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven." Matthew 5, verses 11 and 12. He also says:

"Blessed are those who weep now, for they shall laugh." Luke 9, verse 21. Oh, see, my dearly beloved chosen sister, what consoling words these are, again, for those who are here reviled and persecuted for the name of Christ, and have tribulation and suffering. Oh, how can we grieve on this account, or become weary or faint, when this comes upon us for the name of Christ, seeing that so great comfort and reward are promised hereafter to those who are faithful to Him until death, as is written, Revelation 2, verse 10: "Be faithful until death, and I will give you a crown of life." O my dear lamb, console and rejoice yourself with the comforting Scriptures left to us for the refreshing and strengthening of our mind and faith, when you are persecuted and driven from city to city, and they inflict tribulation and suffering upon you for the name of Christ, as may easily happen yet, since I hear that the cruel and abominable beast begins to exalt itself greatly again over the little flock of the Lord. But they have no more power than the Lord permits them to have, though they greatly exalt themselves, and rage, as though they were determined utterly to annihilate the little flock, as is evidently their purpose. But the Lord holds everything in His hand; He who can bring to nothing the counsel of the ungodly will, I trust, order it all well, according to His divine will. Let us always firmly trust and hope in Him, and cast all our care upon Him; for it is He who cares for us, says the apostle Peter. First Peter 5, verse 7. For whom did the Lord ever forsake, of those who firmly trusted in Him? And did anyone ever trust in the Lord and was confounded? Or did anyone abide in His fear and was forsaken? Or whom did He ever despise, that called on Him? Sirach 2, verse 10. Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget you, says the Lord through the prophet. Isaiah 49, verse 15. And Christ says: I will not leave you comfortless. John 14, verse 18.

Therefore, my most beloved, let us always be content with such things as we have; for He has said: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So that we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me." Hebrews 13, verses 5 and 6. For whoever believes on him shall not be ashamed. " And if God is for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? " says Paul. Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ who died, yes, rather, who is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who then shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, " For your sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For no creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord." Romans 8, verse 31. Hence, my affectionately beloved sister, who is he that will harm you, if you are a follower of that which is good? And do not be afraid of their threats, neither be terrified, if they persecute you, and inflict suffering and tribulation upon you; for it is better that you suffer for well-doing, if it be God's will, than for evil-doing. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, Peter continues, if, when you are buffeted for your faults, you take it patiently? But if when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow His steps; who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile again; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. First Peter 3, verses 13 and 14; chapter 2, verses 19 to 23.

Hence, my dear sister, let us always take diligent heed to ourselves, to walk in Christ's footsteps to the end, according to our poor, weak ability; and when they persecute and afflict us for the truth, let us also commit vengeance* to Him who will judge righteously, and before whom all things are naked and opened (Hebrews 4, verse 13); and, as Christ Himself teaches us, pray for those who persecute and afflict us, that they would repent, and turn from all this wickedness to the truth, so that they might also all be saved, and lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth, says Paul, First Timothy 2, verses 3 and 4; for He is longsuffering, and not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Second Peter 3, verse 9.

But now they will not repent nor turn from all evil to the knowledge of the truth; for they still delight in persecuting the people of the Lord, and in shedding innocent blood, even as the prophet Isaiah says: [n920-1] "Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. They do not know the way of peace, and there is no judgment in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever goes in them shall not know peace." Isaiah 59, verses 7 and 8. And Paul also says: "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their tongues; their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known; there is no fear of God before their eyes." (Romans 3, verses 13 to 18), as may be seen and heard in every direction, so that it is lamentable that so many are deceived, and walk in the broad way, erring so deplorably from the true way of truth which leads to life everlasting; and, what is more, those who want to turn to the way of truth, they would gladly prevent from it if they were able. But they will greatly rue it hereafter, if they do not repent; but alas! it will be too late then, when they will say to the mountains and rocks: "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?" Revelation 6, verses 16 and 17; Hosea 10, verse 8; Luke 23, verse 30. "And they shall [says Isaiah 2, verse 19] go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty; when he arises to shake the earth terribly." And in John's Revelation it is further written: "In those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them; and shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb, and the smoke of their torment ascends up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night who worship the beast and his image: and whoever receives the mark of his name, and whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 9, verse 6; chapter 14, verse 11; chapter 20, verse 15. Then they will get their reward for having thus lorded it over the little flock, and lived after the thoughts of their wicked hearts, and tormented and persecuted the people, and slain those who desired to live, according to their weak ability, according to the word and doctrine of the Lord. But those who have suffered for the truth and the Word of God will then be much better off and happier than those who have persecuted them, and inflicted tribulation and suffering upon them, and lived in wickedness and iniquity; for when the Lord will begin to say to them: "I do not know where you are from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity," there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth; "for not everyone," Christ further says, "who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Luke 13, verses 27 and 28; Matthew 7, verse 21.

O my affectionately and greatly beloved sister, let us always see well to it, and take good heed to ourselves, that we always do the will of the Father, according to our weak ability even to the end, so that we may not hear with the others: "Depart from me, all you that work iniquity," and thus with them receive reward in the fiery lake which will burn with fire and brimstone; which is the second death (Revelation 21, verse 8); but that we may enter into the kingdom of heaven with all the elect children of God, where it will endure forever and ever. All that we have suffered here, and this for a short time, for the name of the Lord, namely, persecution, tribulation, or affliction, will then in no way be to our detriment. Matthew 5, verses 11 and 12.

O my most beloved, always be resigned and patient in all tribulations and sufferings which may come upon you for the name of Christ; and let us always diligently watch and pray, and prepare ourselves, till Christ comes, and constantly "lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself," lest you faint in your distress, and be wearied in the way of truth, and in the love of Christ, on account of all that men may do to you. But always think of Christ's great love toward us, how much He suffered for us poor sinful men on the tree of the cross, and shed His blood for us, as the four evangelists testify, in order to redeem and save us; for, surely He "has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows . . . the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53, verse 4.

O my dear beloved sister, if Christ so loved us that He suffered for us in the flesh, let us arm ourselves likewise with the same mind, as Peter says, First Peter 4, verse 1. And also Paul: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God, did not think it robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2, verses 5 to 8. And "though he was the Son of the living God, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered;" for He said Himself: "I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me" (John 6, verse 38); and though He prayed His Father to take the bitter cup from Him, He nevertheless said: "Not what I will, but what you will." Mark 14, verse 36.

Behold, my dear lamb, how Christ our Head abased and humbled and utterly renounced Himself, and was obedient to His heavenly Father, even to the death of the cross, and became poor for our sakes (Second Corinthians 8, verse 9), that He might in all things be an example to us (First Peter 2, verse 21), and redeemed or reconciled us in the body of His flesh through death (Colossians 1, verses 21 and 22); and we have the forgiveness of sins, through His blood, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1, verse 7. Hence, my dear sister, let us also, in return, love Christ even to death, and always walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. Ephesians 5, verse 2. Therefore let us also willingly deliver up ourselves for His holy name; always wholly forsake ourselves; renounce our own will and mind; abase and humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God; no longer live to ourselves, but to Him who died for us and rose again (Second Corinthians 5, verse 15), and always be obedient to Him, constantly fearing and serving Him all the days of our life, in all righteousness and holiness (Luke 1, verses 74 and 75), as obedient children, so that we may not resort to former lusts, in which we were when we did not yet know Christ, even as Peter says: "But as he who has called you is holy, so be holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written: Be holy; for I am holy." First Peter 1, verses 15 and 16; Leviticus 19, verse 2. "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace," says Paul. For, do you not know, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? Hence, as you have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity, leading to iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness, leading to holiness. What fruit did you have then in those things of which you are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death, says Paul. For the wages of sin is death. For if you live after the flesh, you shall die; but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. And you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. Romans 8, verse 6; chapter 6, verse 16; chapter 8, verses 13 and 14; Second Corinthians 6, verses 16 to 18.

Therefore, O my most beloved sister in Christ Jesus, let us always separate ourselves entirely from all worldly lusts and desires, and touch nothing unclean, but constantly cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and continue in the fear of God, according to the Spirit, constantly to serve and honor the Lord all the days of our life, that we may be of His sons and daughters; for if we are His sons and daughters, we shall also be heirs in His eternal kingdom and possession. Romans 8, verse 17. Hence let us always give diligent heed, constantly to fear and serve Him alone, according to our weak ability, to the end; for we cannot acceptably serve two masters, that is, God and the world, for, "Do you not know," says James, "that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." Matthew 6, verse 24; James 4, verse 4. John, also, says: "If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." First John 2, verses 15 to 17. Paul, also, teaches us: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Romans 12, verse 2.

Therefore, my affectionately beloved sister, let us by no means love this world, nor be conformed to it, nor again lust after this wicked world, to run with it to the same excess of riot (First Peter 4, verse 4), or else we will perish with it; but let us go on constantly in the true way of truth, in newness of life, to serve the living God all the days of our lives (Hebrews 9, verse 14), without looking back to Sodom; and let us always take good heed and do what the holy Scriptures teach and admonish us to do, so that we may rejoice in eternity with God our heavenly Father, and with the Lamb on Mount Sion; for "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished for all good works." Second Timothy 3, verses 16 and 17. Therefore let us always take good heed to the holy Scriptures, and accept them for doctrine, reproof and correction, so that we may thereby fit ourselves for every good work; and let us always exhort one another with them, and take heed, as the apostle teaches us, where he says

"Take heed, brothers and sisters, that there be in none of you an evil heart of unbelief, departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; so that none of you is hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end." Hebrews 3, verses 12 to 14. O my beloved sister, always be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, "since you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord," says Paul. First Corinthians 15, verse 58. John also says: "Look to yourselves, that you do not lose the things which you have worked for, but that you receive a full reward. For whoever transgresses, and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, does not have God; but he who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son." Second John, verses 8 and 9. Oh, hold fast what you have, so that no one takes your crown; and always be faithful to Christ your Bridegroom, to death; this I ask of you, my dear lamb. And always be patient in all your tribulations and sufferings, and establish your heart; for the coming of the Lord draws near. Behold, the judge stands before the door, and we count those happy who endure, says James. James 5, verse 8.

Therefore be patient, and comfort yourself with the words of God; for it becomes a Christian both to hope and to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3, verse 26. Let the peace of God rule in your heart. Colossians 3, verse 15. He who has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation [and good hope] through grace, comfort your heart, and establish you in every good word and work, and sanctify you wholly, so that your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, who will also do it. And may He grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your heart by faith; and that you may be rooted and grounded in love. Ephesians 3, verses 16 and 17. This I pray Almighty God from the depth of my heart, to grant to you, and me, and all who fear and love Him.

O my dear chosen sister, whom I love so greatly with all my heart, I should not be able to describe to you, I think, with what true, unfeigned, godly and brotherly love I love you. Oh, always adhere valiantly to the true, pure truth and doctrine of Christ, as I, through the grace of the Lord, most confidently trust you will do, though I write this way.

O my dearest sister, I also trust, through the great grace and mercy of the Lord, to do myself, according to my weak ability, all that I have written to you; for it is still my unwavering mind and purpose rather to lay down my life, even if it should be tomorrow, than to forsake the truth. For I am still willing to give up my life for Him who gave it to me, if it comes to this; and again, if it is His divine will that I am to remain in iron bonds for a long time yet, I will also gladly suffer it for His holy name; for He suffered so much for us. And I cannot fully thank or praise the Lord for the great grace, mercy and benefits which He has shown me in prison; and for patience, so that the lying in bonds has affected me so little that it seems to me you could hardly believe how little it has affected me. I am not aware, it seems to me, that I was imprisoned, or that it lasted too long, or that I was imprisoned in this way; eternal praise, glory and thanks to the Lord, for His abundant grace and mercy. However, I have sometimes wished, if it could have been, to be with you, if it had been for the good of my soul, and the Lord had permitted it; and this chiefly because of the love which I have toward you, and you toward me. My dear lamb, the Lord be praised, I have never grieved much on account of it, since it was for the name of the Lord, and I know that we must one day separate here. Though we should be together here a hundred years yet, the time of separation would still come, and it is better to die honorably than to transgress the law of God and live in disgrace, as is written in the second book of the Maccabees (chapter 6, verse 19). And Christ also said: "Whoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall preserve it. But whoever loves father or mother, or sister, or brother, or wife, or children, more than me, the same is not worthy of me." Luke 17, verse 33; Luke 14, verse 26.

Therefore, my dearest, when it comes so far that we are apprehended and put into bonds, everything must be forsaken for the sake of His holy will and name, if we wish to be of His number (Revelation 6, verse 11); for he who does not forsake all that he has cannot be His disciple.

Thus, my affectionately and so greatly beloved sister, when we think on and well consider these words, why should we not gladly forsake all that we have for the name of Christ, and why should we be sad, burdened or troubled when this comes upon us for the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, since Christ Himself has foretold it. I cannot fully thank and praise Him for His great, unspeakable grace and mercy, which He daily shows me, that my mind and purpose are so gladly, joyfully and tranquilly fixed upon the Lord. It is at present as well with me according to the spirit as it ever was, I think; praise, glory, honor and thanks be forever to the eternal, almighty, merciful God, for His great grace and kindness, that He, through His Holy Spirit, so strengthens and comforts me, a poor, simple, weak, frail servant, in my mind and purpose; and I pray God always to strengthen, confirm and comfort me by His Holy Spirit to the end, and also all those who fear Him, and to give us what is most needful to us all for the salvation of our souls.

Herewith I will commend you to the Lord, and take affectionate leave of you, with the comforting and delightful Word of His grace, in regard to this matter, for this time. O my dearest S.J.H., excuse my simple letter and the small talent I have received from the Lord; for I have written it out of true, unfeigned, godly and brotherly love, which I bear toward you, my dear, chosen sister, of which the Lord is my witness, who knows all hearts, and tries the reins, and before whom all things are naked and open. Jeremiah 17, verse 10; Acts 15, verse 8. And all that I have written to you here, my dear lamb, I wish also, from the bottom of my heart, as a heartfelt and affectionate greeting, and for a perpetual memorial, to my deeply beloved father and brother, whom I both love so affectionately. Let all of you pray the Lord for me, that I may accomplish and finish what I have begun, to my soul's salvation, to His praise and honor, and to the edification of my fellow men. I trust to pray the Lord most diligently for you, according to my weak ability. Greet one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen. First Peter 5, verse 14.

This last has been written in the year 1567, on the ninth day of September, by me, Jacques Mesdagh, after being imprisoned for eighteen months, in iron bonds, for the testimony of Jesus Christ our Lord, for the sake of the Word of God, and for the right truth. Herewith I take cordial leave of you. Adieu, dear friends.