# A Letter From Reytse Aysess, Written To His Mother. · Page 2 of 2

[Previous page: A LETTER FROM REYTSE AYSESS, WRITTEN TO HIS MOTHER.](/en/stories/mm-a-letter-from-reytse-aysess-written-to-his-mother/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: A LETTER FROM REYTSE AYSESS, WRITTEN TO HIS WIFE.](/en/stories/mm-a-letter-from-reytse-aysess-written-to-his-wife/)

O dear mother, take in good part what I have
written here, for it has been done out of love.

Know, dear and much beloved parents, that in
the eighteenth week of my imprisonment I was before
the bishop, where were assembled at least eight
or nine persons. The bishop spoke first, that I
should betake myself to the holy Catholic faith, and
he should set me at liberty; and other words that
he said. If I would not do this, they would cut me
off as a heretic and an obstinate and disobedient
person, who is opposed to the ordinances of the
Roman Church. Finally I opened my mouth, very
joyfully, and said: “Do what you will and can
answer for before God, for I do not want to forsake
my faith, for either death or life.” They said that
I should advise with myself, or amend, since eternity
was so long. Reytse. “Because eternity is so
long, therefore I want to take heed; if eternity were
not so long, I would not sit in these bonds.”

Finally they asked me all the articles anew, and
I confessed them. Then they read the sentence to
me, but I did not understand it well, as it was
written in Latin. It was: That they delivered me
over as a heretic, who would not suffer himself to be
953
instructed with the ordinances of the holy Church;
and they gave me over into the hands of the judges;
together with certain documents pertaining to this
matter. Finally I sat there with uncovered head,
and defended myself with many remarks, speaking
joyfully, that they should take heed not to bring
harm to themselves by laying violent hands on me.
The bishop said that he would rather fast two
weeks with water and bread, than pass sentence
upon me.

Finally, when they had finished their business,
they went away. After they had gone, a priest
remained, who reviled much, and had much to
say, and wanted to dispute with me a whole night;
but I would not, because they had delivered me
over already; for he had come of his own account.
Then he went away, and I had to go back to prison;
nevertheless, I am not dismayed. The Lord God has
brought me thus far; I hope through his great
grace, that he will help me further, for I know that
he is the One that helps me; without him I can do
nothing. Hence praise the Lord always, and glorify
him forever and ever. I commend you to the
Lord, for he is our Redeemer and Helper in all our
tribulation and distress.

Written by me in the twentieth week of my imprisonment.

Reytse Aysess.



## Original source

[Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#Page_953)

[Edition details](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65855)

[Previous page: A LETTER FROM REYTSE AYSESS, WRITTEN TO HIS MOTHER.](/en/stories/mm-a-letter-from-reytse-aysess-written-to-his-mother/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: A LETTER FROM REYTSE AYSESS, WRITTEN TO HIS WIFE.](/en/stories/mm-a-letter-from-reytse-aysess-written-to-his-wife/)

---

Page: https://history.truechristian.church/en/stories/mm-a-letter-from-reytse-aysess-written-to-his-mother/part-2/

[Contribute a correction or addition](https://github.com/trueChristian/history.truechristian.church/issues/new?title=Correction%3A+A+Letter+From+Reytse+Aysess%2C+Written+To+His+Mother.+%C2%B7+Page+2+of+2&body=%23%23+Page+or+topic%0AA+Letter+From+Reytse+Aysess%2C+Written+To+His+Mother.+%C2%B7+Page+2+of+2%0A%0APage%3A+https%3A%2F%2Fhistory.truechristian.church%2Fen%2Fstories%2Fmm-a-letter-from-reytse-aysess-written-to-his-mother%2Fpart-2%2F%0A%0ARecord%3A+mm-a-letter-from-reytse-aysess-written-to-his-mother--b00009-o000000%0A%0ADate+currently+shown%3A+16th+century+%28source+section%29%0A%0A%23%23+Correction+or+addition%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Sources+and+evidence%0APlease+include+book%2Fpage+references%2C+archive+links%2C+or+first-hand+documentation.%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Image+credit+%28if+applicable%29%0ACreator%2C+source%2C+and+permission+or+public-domain+basis.%0A%0A%0A%0ASubmitted+for+review%3B+this+issue+does+not+publish+changes+automatically.)
