The First Letter of Wouter Denijs, to his Wife

A cordial greeting to you, my beloved wife and children, and to father, and to my brothers, sisters and all my friends according to the flesh, and to all who are known to me, who fear God from a pure heart. May the Almighty God grant you this fear, from a pure heart, through His Son Jesus Christ.

My beloved wife, and my children, whom I love next to God, take this to heart, for I have written it with great diligence. Behold, I think (and know nothing to the contrary) that you will receive nothing more from me; so if you would be saved, let my words remain in your ears. I therefore pray you from the depths of my heart, through Jesus Christ, always to instruct and admonish my children and yours with great diligence in the fear of God, as long as the Lord will let you remain together. I further ask you always to restrain them, so that they do not rule over you. You have such a striking example in some whom I will not mention here, not thinking it best; but I will let it be as it is. Everyone will give an account of himself. Romans 14, verse 12. Therefore, my dear and beloved, I pray you for Christ's sake to walk in the fear of the Lord; and use more diligence in seeking your salvation than you have until now; and do not be ashamed to ask questions in matters pertaining to salvation, but let us be ashamed before the Lord of our misery and nakedness; for when the Lord visits us, everyone would like to be found glorious and spotless, and blameless in weakness. For when one comes into bonds, it is such a blessed thing to have peace in one's conscience; or even if one should be laid on his death bed. So Peter admonishes us: "Let those who suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as to a faithful Creator." First Peter 4, verse 19. And the apostle exhorts us that everyone should seek to excel in good works. Titus 3, verse 8. And Christ says in His Gospel: "He who does not forsake lands and house, father and mother, wife and children, indeed, his own life, is not worthy to be my disciple." Luke 14, verse 26.

Therefore everyone who would be saved must obey his Savior, as the Word of the Lord declares everywhere. So use diligence to hear and follow the Word of God; for without the Word of God salvation cannot be found, however grandly the false prophets boast of themselves. For from the beginning of the world the righteous had to suffer from the unrighteous, and be persecuted; for if the Prince of our salvation Himself suffered, being an example and pattern to us, that we should follow Him, we may well see that the servant is not better than his Lord. So let everyone who would be saved make entreaty to the Lord, from the depth of his heart and with tears, without ceasing. And I pray you, my dear wife, to teach our children to read and write, if it is possible for you, so that they may be able to search for themselves. John 5, verse 39.

So, my dear and much beloved wife, whom next to God I loved above all men, take this to heart, and let the same be done by all who see it or hear it read. And I pray you, brother and sister, and all who truly know Christ, and love His appearing, that when they come to years of understanding, you will exercise oversight and care not only over mine, but over all who are in the same condition; and charge Hansken at Proentken's to admonish Pieter from time to time, and to search what we are called to, and for what testimony his father was burned at Wervijke, in Flanders. Acts 23, verse 11.

And I beg everyone who would be saved not to neglect the grace of God. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation; let everyone take heed now. On the twenty-first day of April, about eleven o'clock, I received a letter here, which was welcome to me. However, I will pass this by, and go on. Know that we are still of good courage, and had I been able, I would have sent you something; but I send you all this as a greeting, and as a remembrance to my children. And I ask you who remain there to keep this until they come to their understanding, if it is possible for you, if perhaps the Lord should grant grace, and knowledge of the truth, as I trust He will do. I entreat everyone from the depth of my heart, and with tears, before God, to excuse my weakness kindly and in love. I lament it before God and men, that I have not been more of a light, and that the talent which I received has gained so little profit.

So everyone may take good heed, and always be watchful; for I testify before God and men, that I have not come here lightly. Therefore let everyone take heed, I pray you, that you do not receive this lightly; for know that I have not written it lightly. With this warning I acquit myself of all responsibility. Let everyone take heed.

Written by me, your husband and dear friend,

WOUTER DENIJS.