A Letter by Abraham Picolet, Written to his Sisters

Love God above all, attend to the Word of the Lord, and have your delight in it. Matthew 22, verse 37; Psalm 1, verse 2.

The abundant great grace and eternal peace of God our heavenly Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort — may He grant you Christian wisdom, unchanging faith, a steadfast mind, and a true understanding of the divine word in truth; this I wish you, my beloved sisters, with all my heart. Amen. Romans 1, verse 7; Second Corinthians 1, verse 3; Matthew 24, verse 13.

Know, my sisters, that I, Abraham your brother, imprisoned for the Word of God, let your love know that I receive such strength and courage from the Lord that I hope not to depart from Him; and since He does not forsake me, I trust, by the help of the Lord, to confess His divine Word before the blind men as long as there is breath in me, for He helps us remarkably, so that I see and feel it, thanks to Him for the grace which He shows me, poor sinner, for which I can never praise Him enough. Acts 12, verse 3; Revelation 1, verse 9; Hebrews 10, verse 38; Hebrews 13, verse 5; Matthew 10, verse 31; Second Corinthians 2, verse 14; Psalm 37, verse 39. After all proper and friendly greetings, know, my sisters, that it often gave me joy to hear from you that you too trusted to follow the Lord, to hold to the eternal truth all the days of your life, and to serve and fear Christ; for He is the way, the truth and the life. John 14, verse 6.

He that obeys Him shall inherit eternal joy, since He promises eternal joy to them that love Him and keep His commandments; and His commandments are not grievous, and His promises are true. First John 5, verse 3. Therefore, my beloved sisters, since you know His will, and the great grace which He has given your love, take heed that you keep His commandments according to your weak ability; for He does not require more than that you do what you can. O dear lambs, believe the Gospel, and walk the narrow way, which is only a foot wide, and which leads to eternal life; for many shall seek for it, and shall not be able to get there. Luke 13, verse 24. For not all that cry, Lord, Lord shall enter in; but they that do the will of the Father which is in heaven. Matthew 7, verse 21. My beloved sisters, strive for the strait gate, namely, eternal life. Since you hear the voice of the Lord (John 10, verse 27), see that you obey His words, and put away all that belonged to your former way of life, namely, the old Adam (Ephesians 4, verse 22), that is, the works of the curse, all uncleanness, evil desires, pride, presumptuous conceit, lying, cheating, strutting and boasting, evil speaking, deceit, hatred, envy, and the like. For, dear lambs, this is idolatry, and upon such come the wrath and anger of God, and they shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven, nor inherit it, but everlasting destruction and eternal damnation are their part (if they are not converted), in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death; where there will be only weeping and gnashing of teeth, and where their worm shall not die, but they shall be tormented forever and ever. Ephesians 5, verse 6; Second Thessalonians 1, verses 8 and 9; Revelation 21, verse 8; Mark 9, verse 46.

O my dear lambs and sisters, depart therefore from evil, for God shall hold judgment without mercy upon all unbelieving and disobedient men who have not obeyed the Word of the Lord, but rejected and condemned it, indeed, have persecuted and killed them that would fear the Lord. For, my beloved, God did not spare the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and He did not spare the old world, nor Sodom and Gomorrah, but turning them into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example to those that commit ungodliness. Second Peter 2, verses 4 to 6.

Therefore, my beloved sisters, let us not be weary in doing good, though we must suffer a little for the name of the Lord. Blessed are you, and rejoice, says Christ, if you suffer for righteousness' sake: for great is your reward in heaven. Matthew 5, verses 10 and 12. For, my beloved sisters, so they did to the prophets that were before us. Suffering and affliction in the flesh are promised to all the God-fearing, as the apostle Paul says: "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Second Timothy 3, verse 12.

Mark, my beloved, how Christ was treated, who had never sinned, and in whose mouth no guile was found; how He suffered, and all this for our sakes, who was the Lord of lords, and the King of kings. First Peter 2, verse 22; Revelation 19, verse 16. O dear sisters, consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, who, when He was struck, did not threaten, but committed vengeance to God, who judges righteously. Hebrews 12, verse 3; John 18, verse 22; First Peter 2, verse 23. And He that was rich, for our sakes became poor; indeed, He left His divine dwelling, took upon Him the form of a servant, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross, and was more like a worm than like a man. Second Corinthians 8, verse 9; Philippians 2, verses 7 and 8; Psalm 22, verse 6. Therefore, God has given Him a name which is above every name, that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of them that are in heaven and on earth. Philippians 2, verses 9 and 10. The apostle Peter says: "Beloved brothers and sisters, since Christ has suffered for us, arm yourselves with the same mind; for to this we are called, that we should follow his steps." First Peter 4, verse 1; First Peter 2, verse 21. As Christ also says

"If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." Matthew 10, verse 25; John 15, verse 20. Mark, my dear sisters, whether more comes upon us than has been promised us. But all these things they will do to you for my name's sake, says Christ. Matthew 10, verse 22; John 15, verse 21. And further: "The time comes, when whoever kills you will think that he does God service. And these things they will do to you, because they have not known the Father, nor me." John 16, verses 2 and 3. The Lord also says: "But these things I have told you, that when the time shall come, you may remember that I told you of them." Verse 4. See, my dear sisters, so nothing comes upon us but what has been promised us, and what Christ Himself had. Therefore we must put off all that is a hindrance to the salvation of our souls, namely, all the lusts of the flesh, all the works of darkness (First John 2, verse 16; Romans 13, verse 12; Colossians 3, verse 8), and follow the crucified Jesus Christ, our Savior, and obey Him; for he that says that he knows God, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; and he that says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk even as Christ walked. First John 2, verses 4 and 6. Mark, my sisters, fear the Lord, take courage in the Word of the Lord, search the Scriptures diligently, and entreat God the Lord, indeed, press Him day and night with prayer and supplication, and He will grant you to understand and to do what is necessary for your salvation. As Christ said, His Spirit shall teach us, and we shall be taught of the Lord; for of ourselves we have nothing but all manner of weakness.

Thus, my sisters, pray to the Lord, who says: "Ask, and you shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened to you; seek, and you shall find; seek the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all that you need shall be added to you." Matthew 7, verse 7; Matthew 6, verse 33. Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near; the Lord is so merciful toward them who seek to fear Him (Isaiah 55, verse 6; Jonah 4, verse 2), my sisters, as He says Himself: "Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11, verses 28 to 30); "and his commandments are not grievous."

See, my beloved, how the Lord calls us to repentance; therefore follow Him; for if one does what he can, the Lord is satisfied. He can well preserve him that trusts in Him. Repent therefore of your sins which you committed in your ignorance, before you knew the Lord (First Timothy 1, verse 13; First Peter 1, verse 14); mourn and weep to the Lord, and He will have compassion on you. For the time past of your life may suffice you to have done the will of the Gentiles, when you did not know God, and were very far from Him, when you walked in your lusts, in sensuality, in carousing, in banqueting, in strutting and boasting. First Peter 4, verse 3. Therefore, my sisters, since the Lord has revealed His truth to you, see now that you serve Him faithfully, and do not fear men, who kill the body; for after that they have no more power, and all the evil which they can do us is that they can help us into rest through the great grace of the Lord. Matthew 10, verse 28; Luke 12, verse 4. Confess Christ before men, and He will confess you before His Father in heaven, and say: "Come, you blessed, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matthew 10, verse 32; Matthew 25, verse 34. Therefore be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, which is created after God. Put away lies, and speak the truth. Be followers of God, as His chosen children, and walk in love, in quietness, in kindliness, in gentleness. Ephesians 5, verses 1 and 2. Flee youthful lusts, and follow righteousness, love and peace, with all them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart; for the servants of the Lord must not be contentious or quarrelsome, but gentle to all men. Second Timothy 2, verses 22 and 24.

Adorn yourselves then, my sisters, with a chaste way of life. First Peter 3, verses 2 and 3. Be gentle to all men. Be subject to your Lord, for He shall most gloriously reward you. Choose rather to suffer a little affliction with God's children than to enjoy a little of the pleasures of this world for a season; for the end of these is eternal perdition. Hebrews 11, verse 25. Let us then help bear the reproach of the Lord; through His great grace it will be most gloriously rewarded to us, when He will say: "Well done, you good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your Lord." Hebrews 13, verse 13; Matthew 25, verse 21.

Mark, my dear sisters, how gloriously it shall then be rewarded to us. Therefore make great haste to fear the Lord; for we live today, but do not know whether we shall live tomorrow. Be therefore watchful to fear the Lord; take courage; lift up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees; and take diligent heed, for we do not know when the Lord will come. Hebrews 12, verse 12; Matthew 24, verse 42. The day of the Lord draws near; it comes as a thief in the night, when it is not expected. First Thessalonians 5, verse 2. Therefore do not look to men, for there are few that fear the Lord. Think how many there were when the whole world perished, and yet there were but eight who feared the Lord. Also, how many were saved when Sodom and Gomorrah perished. O think how few entered into the promised land, only Joshua and Caleb; the rest all perished because of their wickedness (as it still goes with many on account of their wickedness), and because they would not believe God's words, but resisted, vexed and persecuted the righteous; and if these too will not repent, they shall all likewise perish, for all those are for an example to us. Luke 13, verse 3.

Therefore, my dear sisters, take heed that it does not come upon us also in this way; for men are punished for sin, as the prophet says: "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God." Isaiah 59, verse 2. Behold, so men are condemned for their wickedness and unbelief. Mark 16, verse 16.

O my dear sisters, it is true that some suffering does come upon us for the name of the Lord; but as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Jesus Christ, and this little suffering is not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Second Corinthians 1, verse 5; Romans 8, verse 18. O dear friends, how delightful it will be there, where the mountains drop with sweet wine, and are covered with lilies and roses; with all this joy the Lord will fill His children. Second Esdras 2, verse 19. Therefore let us fear and love the Lord without wearying; for he that loves God will do good and hate evil. Psalm 34, verse 14.

O dear lambs, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him and keep His commandments. First Corinthians 2, verse 9; First John 5, verse 3. Oh, consider what great joy there will then be for them that have loved God and confessed Him in the world. Second Esdras 2, verse 47. Oh, that this joy were rightly considered; I think we would use more diligence to fear the Lord, and not be afraid of men, that kill the body. Oh, how many there would be who would follow the Lord's steps; for He is not willing that any should perish, but that they should repent, and that He might save them. Second Peter 3, verse 9. But it is, my dear sisters, as the prophet says: "With seeing eyes they do not see, with hearing ears they do not hear, nor do they understand, for their hearts are hardened, they stop their ears, and they cover their eyes; lest they should see, or hear, or understand with their heart." Isaiah 6, verses 9 and 10; Matthew 13, verses 14 and 15; Acts 7, verse 57.

Oh, mark, my dear lambs, whether it is not so also now; they love and much prefer fighting, strutting, boasting, banqueting, drinking, and committing all kinds of abominations, rather than to repent and that the Lord might save them. These are cursed children, says the apostle; they forsake the right way, and what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves; they deceive and are deceived. Second Peter 2, verses 14 and 15; Jude, verse 10; Second Timothy 3, verse 13.

O dear lambs, turn from all the lusts of the world, for their damnation does not slumber. Second Peter 2, verse 3. Take heed, now that the Lord has made known His truth to you, that you obey Him and walk as obedient children of light in love and peace. Ephesians 1, verse 13; Ephesians 5, verse 8. Love one another, and always admonish one another with the word of the Lord. What is there that surpasses love? (First Corinthians 13) What greater joy can men have, than to love one another. Always bear with one another, and take everything in good part, and the Lord will also love you. Ephesians 4, verse 2. Be kind to one another. Give diligence to fear the Lord, and to search His divine Word. Press Him with supplication and prayer, and do not fear men, who today are lords, and tomorrow are eaten by worms. The Lord will not forsake you, as you can well see in my case, and also in the case of all those that have feared Him with all their heart. The Lord preserves His own, even as He says: "Can a woman forget her child? Though she forgets it, yet he will not forget us." Isaiah 49, verse 15. No, who can pluck these out of His hand whom His Father has given Him. John 10, verses 28 and 29.

O dear sisters, adorn yourselves, and put on the armor. Ephesians 6, verse 11. Gird to your side the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; be well shod, and have on the armor of righteousness; and put on your head the helmet of salvation, that you may be able to resist the subtle assaults of the devil, since he walks about day and night, as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. First Peter 5, verse 8. Therefore be followers of God; the Lord will preserve you.

And know, my sisters, that on the sixth day of this month, in the afternoon, I was brought before N. N. (who, I heard, certainly came in the name of the procurator general, or of his subordinates), and before the jailer and another man, where they were drinking wine at the table. As I came before them the jailer, in the presence of them all, said to me

"Abraham, you must go before the court on Tuesday." His wife, who was also present with those that served at the table, said: "They have three weeks' respite." The jailer said: "Because the Duke of Alva is coming here, they must go through." He did most of the speaking. I said that I was very well satisfied with it. He asked me whether I was well satisfied. I replied: "Yes, if it is the Lord's will, I am quite well satisfied." They asked me whether I made so little of that at which Christ so greatly trembled, and said: "Father, if it is possible, take away this cup from me." Mark 14, verses 33 and 36. They further asked me whether I did not wish that I were released, and if the doors were open, whether I would not go out. I said, "Yes," if they opened the doors I would go out; but as this was not the case now, that I thanked the Lord for all that He sends upon me. I also said that he, or they, had no power to release me without the consent of the Duke of Alva, or the like. They asked me whether I did not wish to break out. I replied that if I knew I should bring him into trouble I would have no desire to be out, or to break out. They said that it would cost him his neck. I said that if this was the case I did not wish to be out. In the further progress of our conversation they asked whether they should not be saved, or something similar. I said: "The apostle John says: 'He that says, I know God, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar.'" First John 2, verse 4. I could not properly finish what I wanted to say, for they interrupted me so much that I do not know myself what answer they gave me. I also said that the apostle says that whoremongers, drunkards, murderers, liars, proud men, revilers, gluttons, and the like, shall not inherit the kingdom of God, and that they have no God. First Corinthians 6, verses 9 and 10. They interrupted me again, for the Lord gave me a mouth to say so much that they could not well bear it. They said that what I said was true enough, if men died in it; but if they had time yet to call upon the Lord for forgiveness, then, they thought, they should yet be saved. I replied that it was too dangerous a thing to depend upon such a calling; for often such petitioners for forgiveness, when they recover, go back into their old ways; and I said I supposed that they were probably such men too. Then they interrupted me again, and I admonished them that they should repent and be sorry for their sins before they felt the day of their death approaching. They asked whether we were all saved. I replied that the Lord promises salvation to them that do His will, and do not deny Him, though they have to suffer much here for His name. Matthew 7, verse 21. Of such the apostle says: "By grace are you saved." Ephesians 2, verse 8. For though we do all that we can, we are still unprofitable servants, and must rely upon the grace of God. Luke 17, verse 10; Acts 15, verse 11.

Here I should have liked to quote some more scriptures, but they interrupted me too much. I said that their hope was vain, or something similar, and this because of their sins, as the prophet says

"Your iniquities have separated between you and your God." Then they became angry, especially the jailer, and I thought they ought not to get angry. I further said that it is now as the prophet says: "He that departs from evil makes himself a prey," and, as Christ says, is hated by all men. Isaiah 59, verse 15; Matthew 10, verse 22. They all interrupted me again, and finally said that I should be led away. And there sat a man there, who said to the jailer that he would first give me a drink. Then we had many words again, but I could never quite properly finish what I wanted to say, though I would have liked so much to finish it, on account of an honest man that was there, who reproved the jailer himself, because he became so angry. Then the jailer brought me a glass of wine, and I thanked him, saying: "To your health!" He asked me why I did not say: "God bless you." I replied: "We ought not to take the name of the Lord in vain, as the drunkards and fornicators do." This made them so angry that they had me led away without giving me the drink. God be thanked and praised for His great grace, that He gives His own all that is necessary to their salvation. I am told, my sisters, that they did this only to see whether I would not depart from the Lord; yet I know that they did not once urge me to forsake my faith.

Excuse this simple letter. I greatly long for the day of our deliverance; I was so filled with joy the night that I heard that we were so near our deliverance, that for joy the tears streamed from my eyes. The Lord be praised for His great grace. We trust to await our time with patience. They perhaps thought to frighten me by it; but I rejoice in it, God be praised, who gives me such strength. O my sisters, should one not rejoice at the prospect of so soon being delivered from all sorrow through the grace of the Lord? O that we were fit for it; what a great joy this would be for me! Yet I expect it through the Lord's great grace, though I am not worthy of it. Oh, that matters were so far along, that the fiery furnace were prepared. Oh, that it were so far, that I were standing in the strait gate, where flesh and blood must be left behind; then it should soon be over.

O my dear sisters, I am of such good cheer, and I receive such strength from the Lord, that I cannot express it; praise be to Him forever for His great grace which He shows me. I find it to be true: he that trusts in the Lord alone has in his sufferings such joy of heart that no one can know it, except he that experiences it.

Farewell; I commend you to God in grace. Pray God the Lord for me; I will do the same for you.

Written by me your weak brother,

ABRAHAM PICOLET.