Five Letters of Clement Hendrickss, Sent from his Prison in Amsterdam

First letter, sent to one of his acquaintances, named Grietgen Dircks

Know, dear Grietgen Dircks, that I am still of good courage in the flesh, and that my mind is still unchanged and fixed to fear the Lord, the Lord be thanked; I can never thank the Lord enough for it.

I am sometimes much grieved that I, unworthy one, have at times grieved you so much. I can easily imagine that many are grieved on my account, since I have heard that it is said I have fallen away from my faith, which is not true, the Lord be praised. So far they have asked me only simple questions; if only they would not ask more closely, this I sincerely desire; but I fear that I am already where I must stay. The Lord grant me what is for my salvation. I trust in Him, that He will give me strength, so that I may continue to His praise, and to the salvation of my soul. Our other three brothers have already fought the fight; if it is the Lord's will, He may also take me home. On Friday I still knew nothing to the contrary, but that I should also offer up my sacrifice; and my mind was quite ready for it, the Lord be thanked; I can never thank Him enough, that He so faithfully helps me. I trust only in Him, and he who trusts in Him will not be ashamed; for He does not forsake His own who trust in Him alone. Be so kind as to greet all the brothers and sisters very much in my name, and tell them to pray for me, that the Lord would strengthen me to my last extremity; for the prayer of the faithful and righteous avails much; this is my sincere request. Acts 12, verses 5 and 12; James 5, verse 16. With this I will commend you to the Lord, if we should see each other no more with the eyes of the flesh; take this in good part, and tell my sister what I have written you; for she is still under the impression that I have fallen away from my faith. The Lord is the discerner of all hearts. Acts 1, verse 24.

By me Clement Hendrickss, unworthy prisoner in the Lord.

The second letter of Clement Hendrickss

Grace, peace and mercy from God our heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ His only beloved Son, who gave Himself for us, out of great love, to deliver us from the bond of death; this fervent love, with the power and strength of the Holy Ghost, I wish you, my very dear and beloved N., as a token of gratitude, and for consolation and strength, now and forever. Amen.

Further, my very dear and beloved, beloved by God, the heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, out of true Christian, brotherly love I cannot well keep from writing your love briefly about how it still is with me in my bonds. I cannot thank and praise the Lord enough, that He so comforts me in my tribulation, and that my mind is still fixed to fear the Lord with all my heart all the days of my life, according to my weak ability. Furthermore, very dear and beloved, I, poor and unworthy one, have undertaken to write you a little, though I am unfit to do so; but it is done out of true Christian, brotherly love; so accept it from me in good part.

O my very dear and beloved, what a beautiful consolation it is to us, that Christ says: "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5, verse 10. Christ also says: "Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it." Luke 9, verses 23 and 24. Paul, further, says all who will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Second Timothy 3, verse 12. Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34, verse 19. Therefore, my very dear and beloved, the prophets suffered, indeed, Christ Himself, and also all the pious witnesses of Jesus Christ even to the present day. Hence, let your loins be girded, and your lights burning; and you yourselves like men who wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding, so that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he comes will find watching: truly I say to you, that he will gird himself, and make them sit down to the meal, and will come forth and serve them. Luke 12, verses 35 to 37. Hence, my dear and much beloved, what a beautiful comfort this is to us! For it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have there entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love him." First Corinthians 2, verse 9. He who endures to the end, the same will be saved. Matthew 24, verse 13. And Esdras saw upon Mount Sion a great people, whom he could not number, and they all praised the Lord with songs. And in the midst of them there was a young man of a high stature, taller than all the rest, and upon every one of their heads he set crowns, and was more exalted; at which he [Esdras] marveled greatly. So he asked the angel, and said: "Sir, what are these?" He answered and said: "These are those who have put off the mortal clothing, and put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God: now they are crowned, and receive palms." Then he asked the angel: "What young person is it that crowns them, and gives them palms in their hands?" And he answered and said: "It is the Son of God, whom they have confessed in the world." Second Esdras 2, verses 42 to 47.

Behold, my dear and much beloved in the Lord, what is our life? It is only a vapor, or like a smoke that is driven by the wind, not knowing where it comes from, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. James 4, verse 14. But our dying is nothing less than an entrance into eternal life, to reign with God and Christ. Christ says: "He who believes in me has passed from death to life." John 5, verse 24. If we die through Him, we live in Him, for God is not the God of the dead, but of the living; and Abraham believed in Him, and all believers live in God. Matthew 22, verse 33; James 2, verse 23. Though they suffered death, they were the friends of God, so that He says: "He who touches you touches the apple of my eye." Zechariah 2, verse 8. Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world does not know you, because it did not know Him. Therefore, my dear and much beloved, now we are the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And every man who has this hope in him purifies himself, even as He is pure. First John 3, verses 1 to 3. We know 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, that we may be clothed with it. Second Corinthians 5, verses 1 and 2. Indeed, Paul says, as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ; whether it be comfort or tribulation, it is all for our salvation, if we suffer as the saints suffered, that is, for the testimony of the Word of God. Second Corinthians 1, verses 5 and 6; Revelation 6, verse 9. Paul further says: [n986-1] "If we suffer with him, if we die with Christ, we shall live with him." Second Timothy 2, verses 11 and 12. He further says that our earnest expectation is nothing less than the manifestation of the sons of God, that is, we desire and long so greatly for the appearing of our Lord in the clouds, that we may be caught up to Him in the clouds, and become like Him. Romans 8, verse 19; Matthew 24, verse 30; First Thessalonians 4, verse 17. While we are in these tabernacles, we are burdened; for we would rather be clothed with the immortal and heavenly glory with which Christ will glorify us. He who has wrought us for this same thing is God, who has given us the earnest of the faith, through faith and trust in His Son. Second Corinthians 5, verses 4 and 5.

Hence, my dear and much beloved, even as it is also written: Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are temporal, but at the things which are eternal. Second Corinthians 4, verses 16 to 18. With this I commend you to the Lord; may He bless and keep you, may the Lord make His face to shine upon you and upon us all, and be gracious to us. Numbers 6, verses 24 and 25. Greet the brothers and sisters much in my name, where it is convenient. I will commend you all to the Lord until the appearing of our Lord. The peace of the Lord be with you now and forever. Amen.

Written in bonds, on Christmas Monday, by me,

CLEMENT HENDRICKSS,

Unworthy prisoner in the Lord.

Third Letter of Clement Hendrickss, to his father and mother

I wish you, my dear and beloved father, and my dear and much beloved mother, the Spirit of truth, and the knowledge of the faith, according to the mind of Christ Jesus, a clear vision and an open heart in all divine matters and in the Word of God, thereby rightly to discern which is light or darkness, lies or truth, indeed, flesh or spirit; so that you may not be deceived, but firmly hold to the word of God, so that you may receive a full reward, and lose none of those things which you have so far accomplished through your faith. Second John, verse 8.

Further, my dear and much beloved father and mother, whom I well remember in my bonds, and I still pray for you every morning and evening, that the Lord would comfort you in your sorrow, which you have for me, poor, unworthy man, who am not worthy that you should sorrow for me. Furthermore, my dear and much beloved father and mother, I inform your love that I have undertaken to write your love a little, as to how it still is with me, and that it is still my purpose to fear the Lord with all my heart, with all my strength, and with all my soul, as long as I remain in the flesh, for which I can never sufficiently thank and praise the almighty, great and only wise God for His unspeakable, indeed, incomprehensible grace, which He has so far shown me and still daily shows me through Jesus Christ and the supply of His Spirit. Philippians 1, verse 19. For this I thank the almighty God, and bow the knee of my heart (Prayer of Manasses) before the Father full of grace, who is a true and righteous God of mercy, and a God that comforts us all with His holy Word. Therefore, my dear and much beloved father and mother, do not sorrow for me, poor, unworthy man, but much rather rejoice in this, and praise the Lord for it, that He has called your son and made him worthy, to suffer for His holy Word and His Gospel. And we find that the apostles and the prophets, indeed, Christ Himself, had to suffer according to the flesh, from evil and perverse men. Hence, my dear father and much beloved mother, do not grieve too much, and be content in this, as much as is possible for you, this I most kindly ask you for the name of the Lord. And always comfort yourselves with the words of Christ where He says: "He who loves anything more than me is not worthy of me; and everyone who forsakes house, home, lands, and father and mother, will receive a hundredfold." Matthew 10, verse 37; Luke 14, verse 26; Matthew 19, verse 29. Therefore, my dear and much beloved father and mother, what else can we meet with in this life, than with great poverty? And what is man's life? Nothing but the flower of the field: the grass withers and the flower fades; and like a vapor, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Isaiah 40, verses 6 and 7; James 4, verse 14. Further, my dear and much beloved father, I am of good courage to offer up my sacrifice, and to suffer for the name of the Lord; for Christ says: "Whoever therefore will confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 10, verse 32. Christ also says: "Let your light shine before men." Matthew 5, verse 16. And I would gladly have them, when I am to offer up my sacrifice, place me on a wagon and carry me around town, and scourge me four times, so that I might let the light shine before this evil, blind and perverse generation; for I am not ashamed to suffer for the Gospel. Romans 1, verse 16. For I shall not suffer as a thief, or a rogue, or robber, or evildoer, but I shall suffer as a Christian. First Peter 4, verses 15 and 16. For if we suffer for evil doing, what profit is it to us? But if we suffer for well doing, this is acceptable with the heavenly Father. First Peter 2, verse 20. Furthermore, my dear and much beloved father and mother, I inform your love that they have let me know that I should commit myself into the hands of the clergy; then, they thought, I should get out of here. Thereupon I sent back word to them, that I had no intention of doing this, and that they should go to no trouble about it.

Hence, my dear and much beloved father and mother, do not be dismayed on account of this, I humbly pray you for the name of the Lord, for of such things a Christian ought not to be ashamed. For there was Joseph, who was tempted by the Egyptian woman; and she had caught him by his coat or mantle, and wished to commit whoredom with him; and she would not let him go; but he fled from her, and left the mantle or coat in her hand, rather than commit this great sin with her. Therefore, my dear and much beloved father and mother, if the whore of Babylon takes hold of our coat or mantle, that we should commit whoredom with her, rather let go, through the grace of the Lord, your coat or mantle, namely, your temporal life, than that you should commit whoredom with her. Revelation 17, verses 1 and 2.

Furthermore, my dear and much beloved father and mother, I ask you very humbly, with weeping eyes, for forgiveness for all that I have done wrong against you by word or deed, or by any thoughts, that you will forgive me. It seems that my time will soon be here now, when I shall offer up my sacrifice. Hence, my dear and much beloved father and mother, I will commend you to the Lord, and bid you farewell till the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. The peace of the Lord be with you forever and ever. Amen.

Written by me, your beloved son, in my bonds.

CLEMENT HENDRICKSS,

Unworthy prisoner in the Lord.

Fourth letter of Clement Hendrickss, to his father and mother

A most friendly greeting to you, my beloved father and mother. I inform you that I am still of good courage and well, as I hope that you also are.

Further, my dear and much beloved father and mother, I inform your love how it is with me, according to the body, in my bonds. I cannot thank and praise the Lord enough for it, that He so comforts me in my tribulation, and that it is still my fixed purpose to fear the Lord as long as I am here, though flesh and blood should suffer on this account.

Furthermore, my dear and much beloved father and mother, I inform your love how they dealt with me when I was first arrested. I had been invited out in the evening, which was on a Wednesday, and we were speaking of going home. Then the watch met us, and we had no light with us, whereupon we were taken up above by the watch, where sat Floris den Bral, who asked us where we came from, and whether we had not been at a meeting of the new religion. We said: "No." He asked whether we would confirm this with our oath. I said to him: "Will you not believe my word? I mean to tell you the truth." But he insisted on the oath, and we would not swear, then he said: "Take them back below." And we were at once taken to the rear, into the dungeon, as though we had been thieves or rogues. The next morning we were taken above, and they brought me first before the lords, having bound my hands behind my back, as though I had been a thief. Then the bailiff asked me and said: "Clement." And I said: "Sir bailiff." He asked: "How many times have you attended the meetings of the Mennists?" I kept silence and gave him no answer. And he insisted hard upon knowing it, whereupon I was led away into a room by myself. Then the others were brought before the lords, and asked concerning their faith. They confessed their faith, and then I was again brought before the lords, and he again asked me how often I had attended the meetings. He wanted to know whether I had been there ten times. I said: "No." Eight times? "No." Seven times? "No." Three times? "Yes." Then he asked me who had been the preacher. I said: "I am not minded to tell it." He also wanted me to tell in what house I had been, and what people had been there. I told him that I was not minded to tell him. He said that he would make me tell it. I was then taken back into the dungeon. The day following I was again taken up before the lords, and the bailiff asked me whether I would not yet tell him who had been the preacher, where it had been, and what people had been present. I told him that I was not yet minded to tell it, and said: "I am in trouble, and I do not wish to bring anyone else into trouble; you have me here, deal with me according to your pleasure." Jeremiah 26, verse 14. Then the bailiff said to the judges: "I demand that he be put on the rack, in order to tear out all the particulars." [n986-3] And he said: "Take him to the rear;" and I was taken to the rack, where I was stripped, and my shirt tied before my body. So I was placed in a sitting posture on the rack, and my eyes blindfolded. Then the bailiff came to me, and asked me whether I would not yet tell it. I told him that I was not yet minded to tell it. Thereupon I was laid upon the rack, and tied to it with seven ropes. On my head there were two knots, which lay on my forehead; and a cord on each of my great toes, and the others around my body. The ropes were twisted together with billets of wood, and I expected nothing else but that he would twist the ribs in my body to pieces. Urine was also poured into my mouth, and as I lay there in pain, I was also scourged on my breast. The Lord knows how they dealt with me. Through the severe pain I named four persons; but I hoped that they were not in town. This lasted about half an hour. I said to them that they should put a rope around my throat, and dispatch me at once. When they loosed the ropes, I was not able to get up by my own efforts; the servants had to help me up. I was then taken back into a dungeon. The next day I was again brought above before the lords, and if it had not been for Joost Buyck, I would have been tortured again, though I was scarcely able to walk. Then the bailiff asked me whether I would not have a monk come and see me. I said that he might stay away. He said: "You have to hear a dog bark; can you not hear a man talk?" I was then taken back into the dungeon, and a priest and a monk came to dispute with me. They began to talk much of this and that, and to tell many fables; but I kept silence, and let them talk on; and they got angry because I did not reply to them more, and one of them said that I had the devil in me. Four days after, I was taken above again, when they told me that I should prepare myself for Saturday. I said: "Whenever it pleases the Lord I am ready." I was then taken back into the dungeon, and expected nothing else than that I should offer up my sacrifice on Saturday, and even on Saturday I had no other expectation but of offering up my sacrifice. There came a priest to me, and would have me confess to him. I said that I did not want to confess to him, since he could not forgive my sins; I said: "The best confession is to confess to the Lord my God." Then the bailiff with two judges came to me, and said that they would wait with me two weeks yet; but I was of such good courage to offer up my sacrifice, as though I had known nothing of death. Philippians 2, verse 17. And so I am still of such good courage, as though I knew nothing of imprisonment. It began to vex me that it is deferred so long. I long to be out of the flesh, and am quite cheerfully resigned to offer up my sacrifice; the Lord does not forsake His own who trust in Him. Furthermore, my dear and much beloved father, I inform you that I received your letter, and I was glad to learn that you are so well content in this.

Further, my dear father and mother, I will bid you farewell, if it be the Lord's pleasure, till the appearing of our Lord. The peace of the Lord be with you forever. Amen. By me,

CLEMENT HENDRICKSS,

Unworthy prisoner in the Lord.

Fifth letter of Clement Hendrickss

I wish you, my dear and beloved in the Spirit and according to the truth, as I trust, in the knowledge of the faith, and in the mind of Christ Jesus, a clear vision, and an open heart, in all divine matters, and in the Word of God, thereby rightly to discern which is light or darkness, lies or truth, indeed, flesh or spirit; so that you may not be deceived, but hold firmly to the Word of God, so that you may receive a full reward.

Further, my dear and much beloved, I cannot well keep from writing you a little, how it still is with me in my bonds, and that my mind is still fixed to fear the Lord with all my heart, with all my strength, and with all my soul, for which I can never fully thank and praise the almighty, great and all wise God, for His unspeakable, indeed, incomprehensible grace which He has so far shown me and still daily shows me, through Jesus Christ, and the supply of the Spirit. For this I thank the almighty God, and bow the knee of my heart before the Father full of grace and truth, who is the true Father full of grace, and the God of all comfort, who can comfort us when we are in tribulation and distress. Second Corinthians 1, verses 3 and 4. Hence, my dear and faithful, keep well this good treasure, which is committed to you, given you of God through grace; for faith is the gift of God. Romans 12, verse 3. By it the elders obtained a good report, and assurance in their hearts, through the ancient word of the Spirit of Christ, who had testified before with their spirit, that they were the children of God, and heirs of all the glorious promises. Hebrews 11, verse 2; First Peter 1, verse 11. Hence they willingly forsook everything, and esteemed it nevertheless much more and greater riches, to suffer affliction with the children of God, than to enjoy all the temporal pleasures of this world; for they had respect to the recompense of the reward, and to that which was eternal and not temporal. Hebrews 11, verses 25 and 26; Second Corinthians 4, verse 18. For faith looks to that which does not appear here now, nor is seen with carnal eyes, but which is beheld by the inner, hidden man, and by the eyes of the heart; and hence they hold it fast, as though they saw it before their eyes, and could touch it with their hands; for they judge Him faithful who promised, that He will also do it, for He cannot deny Himself. Hebrews 11, verses 1 and 11; Hebrews 10, verse 23; Second Timothy 2, verse 13. Therefore, my dear and faithful, look not at the things which are seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. Second Corinthians 4, verse 18. And Christ says

"He who loves anything more than me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10, verse 37. And in another place He says: "Everyone who forsakes house, home, lands, and father and mother, indeed, also his own life, will receive a hundredfold." Matthew 19, verse 29. Hence we must forsake everything here, and love nothing more than the living God, and show it with works and by the deed, that we are the children of God, and not bastards. The righteous must through much affliction enter into the kingdom of heaven; but the Lord helps them in all their afflictions; He does not allow His own to be tempted above what they are able, but has with the temptation also made a way to escape. Psalm 34, verse 19; First Corinthians 10, verse 13. But the ungodly He reserves to the day of judgment to be punished. Second Peter 2, verse 9.

Hence, my dear and much beloved, remember Joseph, who was tempted by the Egyptian woman to commit whoredom with her; and she had taken hold of his coat or mantle, and would not let him go; but he fled from her, and left the coat or mantle in her hand, rather than commit this great sin with her. Therefore, my dear and much beloved, if the harlot of Babylon takes hold of our coat or mantle, rather let go, by the grace of God, your earthly coat, namely, your temporal life, than that you should be compelled to commit whoredom with her; well knowing that our mortal clothing must first be put off before the immortal can be put on. Second Esdras 2, verse 45. And if our earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building in heaven, a house not made with hands, but which is eternal. Second Corinthians 5, verse 1.

Furthermore, my dear and much beloved, I have undertaken to write you a little yet, of the words of Christ, where He says: "If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter [that he may remain with you forever]; even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive . . . . Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you will see me, and you know me, says the Lord." John 14, verses 15 to 17, 19 and 20. In another place Christ also warns us, saying: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit . . . . Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire." Matthew 7, verses 15 to 17, and verse 19.

With this I bid you farewell with the sure Word of His grace, until His coming. The peace of the Lord be with you forever and ever. Amen. Receive this my brief letter in good part.

Written in my bonds out of love, by me,

CLEMENT HENDRICKSS,

Unworthy prisoner in the Lord.