Copy of a Letter Written from Prison

Grace and peace be from God the eternal and Almighty Father, through Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins into the hands of the enemies, and received much suffering from sinners, so that He might deliver us from this evil and perverse world, according to the will of His Father. To Him be praise and honor forever and ever. Amen.

This bleeding and crucified Jesus Christ I wish all dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, and all those who fear God from the heart, as a heartfelt greeting and an endowing of your mind. Further, my dearly beloved friends, chosen in the Lord, please know that my mind is still unchanged, and that I desire to hold to the eternal truth all the days of my life, as long as there is breath in my body. I am of good cheer; praise, glory and thanks be to the Lord evermore for the great grace He shows me, for I have been of such good cheer from the very beginning. Indeed, He gives such joy into my heart that I cannot express it, and I cannot thank the Lord enough for the great benefits He shows me.

Know further, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, that I was before the lords. There were four of them: the margrave, two judges, and the clerk of the criminal court. When I entered the room, I bowed to them, and the margrave said: "Well, my daughter, how are you?" I replied: "Very well, sir." The margrave asked me whether I had not grown weary of sitting. I answered:

"Yes, my lords, if it were your pleasure to do away with me, it would be very welcome to me." The margrave said: "How so, my daughter? You must not speak like that. You must give up your opinion, and the king will pardon you." I said: "You have put my father and mother out of the way, and the two boys, but you have left me sitting here, which grieves me greatly." The margrave said:

"How so, my daughter? If I had put you out of the way along with your father and mother, it would not seem good to me; since you are not yet baptized, the king will pardon you." The judges asked: "Is she not yet baptized?" "No," replied the margrave. I said: "No, it is true, I am not yet baptized; but if I were released this evening, I would have it done tomorrow, if it were possible." Then they sighed over me, and I said: "The two boys were not baptized either." They replied: "It is true; they would not give up their opinion; efforts enough were made with them." I said, "I will not depart from my faith either." They told me that I would then fare no better. I said that I was well satisfied with it; though they should roast me on a gridiron or boil me in oil, I still trust, by the grace of the Lord, not to depart from the truth as long as there is breath in me, "and for this," I said, "I am of good cheer, and would rather see it today than tomorrow." I firmly hope and trust in the Lord that He will help me, and I have set my confidence on His Word, where He says:

"O my chosen, do not fear; I will preserve you in the fire and in the water, and I will not let you be tempted beyond what you are able to bear." Then they said: "Daughter, you are deceived; your father and your mother deceived you; they forced you into it; you were under their authority; you did it out of fear; but now you are free from them, and have your own free will; so let it go; the king will pardon you; you are still young;" and other words like these. I said that I wanted to keep what I had. They said that I ought to take counsel with myself. I told them that I had my counsel with me, and had taken counsel with myself enough.

They told me to consider that they also had a soul, and wanted to be saved. I told them that there were many who would be willing to rejoice with Christ, but few who wanted to suffer with Him. They said that it did not depend on suffering. I said that Christ Himself had to suffer: how much more we? They did not reply to this, but said:

"Give up your opinion; we will send learned men to you in a little room alone;" and they asked me what learned men and clergymen I wanted. I told them that I did not want any, but that I wanted to keep what I had. They said that I must be damned forever if I died in this condition, and that my father and mother, and my brothers, would be glad if they could be here and repent. I told them that I knew better. We had many more words, which it would take me too long to write; besides, I have forgotten much of it. So, my affectionately beloved brothers and sisters, whom I love from my inmost heart, it is my heartfelt prayer and request of you, that you would plead with the Lord on my behalf, that I may finish this to the praise of the Lord, and to my eternal salvation. Amen.

Dear friends, I must yet pass through a great wilderness, for it is desolate and dangerous here; indeed, I must yet tread through thistles and thorns; but the crown of life is prepared for us; for this is the right truth, and no other will ever be found. O my dear lambs, do not depart from the Lord; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you are able to bear; for He is a faithful helper, a strength in weakness, and a comforter in sorrow to those who are afflicted in heart. Let us nestle close in His arms, and cast all our care upon Him, for He cares for us, and will Himself watch over us; so that we may partake of the supper with all the saints in heaven, where Christ Himself will gird Himself, and serve at the table. With this I will commend you to the Lord, and to the mighty Word of His grace; may the peace of God rule in your hearts. I heartily greet all our dear brothers and sisters, and all those who fear God from the heart, with the peace of God.

By me, Nelleken Jasper, a maiden of Blijenberg, your unworthy sister in the Lord; the 12th of December, in the year 1569. Send me a letter occasionally; for it will be very welcome to me.