# Jan Gerrits, Burnt At The Hague, For The Testimony Of Jesus Christ, The 15th Day Of December, A. D. 1564. · Page 2 of 2 [Previous page: JAN GERRITS, BURNT AT THE HAGUE, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, THE 15TH DAY OF DECEMBER, A. D. 1564.](/en/stories/mm-jan-gerrits-burnt-at-the-hague-for-the-testimony-of-jesus-christ-the-15th-day-of-december-a-d-1564/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: A LETTER FROM JAN GERRITS TO THE LUTHERAN PREACHER.](/en/stories/mm-a-letter-from-jan-gerrits-to-the-lutheran-preacher/) Hence I write again, always be of good cheer in the Lord, and admonish one another at all times, for Peter deems it expedient and profitable to help bear one another’s burdens, and this in love; for whether one member suffer; all the members suffer with him; or whether one member be honored, all the members rejoice with him. 2 Peter 1:13; 1 Corinthians 12:26. In the third place, I let you know that my wife has been here, and brought me your kind greeting, which I was very glad to hear; as also that she desires to follow that which is best, according to her feeble ability. For she confesses that the life which she has hitherto led is evil, as we may indeed all confess that ours also was unprofitable in times past. Tit. 3:3. Hence I entreat you, my dear brethren, that you would exercise a watchful care over her, and admonish her to a better life, and this in love; and if you should be able to accomplish anything, and write it to me, it would greatly rejoice me. If you write to me before I offer up my sacrifice to God, send your communication to my aged mother, or to N., and I shall get it. Moreover, I gave her some spices, namely, a nutmeg, three or four hands full of ginger, and some cloves, that she should give them to J. C., or to some one else, that they should be cut up in pieces and properly distributed around, as a perpetual greeting, and this in the Lord. Here upon earth, an eternal adieu in Christ, peace and farewell, in case this be the last opportunity, before we all meet in the presence of Christ, and there see one another in his glory. Amen. My much beloved brethren, I have lived with you, and rejoice that you are so courageous in building the city and the temple of Jerusalem, which have lain waste and in ruins so many years. Hence do not lose courage, brethren, though you be mocked and reviled as was Israel. When they rebuilt the wall (mark), they waxed stronger as they worked. Though the enemies raged, that the work might not progress, yet they did not cease from it, but kept watch the more diligently, holding in one hand the spear or the sword, and in the other the trowel, and were of good cheer, for God was with them and fought for them. Neh. 4. Behold, my dear friends, let us take an example, how valiant these heroes were; they were not daunted by their enemies. Thus let us also do, however much they cry or write, yea, revile and say: “Behold, these people come, and want to lay a new foundation to the city, and do not know an a from a b. Whence have they this? where did they learn it? We have studied at universities, and spent our money for this purpose. Now, should these asses come and teach us? One is nothing but a cobbler; another, a weaver or furrier, and these want to quote Scripture. Let them remain at their trades; that [quoting Scripture] is our province; nor will we tolerate it; it must be opposed with fire, water, and the sword.” Nevertheless, do not let us fear or be intimidated, however much the dogs bark, and the lions roar; for God, who is with us, is a strong God; he will preserve his own, and help them gain the victory. They can do no more than what the Lord permits them. My dear brethren, excuse this my simple letter; it was for the most part written in haste, the day after I received your letter. Herewith I will commend you once more to the Lord, and to the word of his grace. Tell the friends in Vlieland, that I affectionately greet them with the peace of the Lord, that they shall contend valiantly for the law of the Lord. Pray the Lord for me; I will also pray for you; do not forget me in your prayers; think as though you were imprisoned, too. Heb. 13:3. Farewell. The fear of the Lord preserve you all. Amen. I also send you here another letter; perhaps it may refresh you in the assault you suffer from the adversaries of baptism. [What prompted me to write it is a controversy] which I had with a Lutheran preacher. The following is a reply to his letter, which he sent me, since we had often conversed together. The Lord be with your spirit. Amen. ## Original source [Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#Page_654) [Edition details](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65855) [Previous page: JAN GERRITS, BURNT AT THE HAGUE, FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, THE 15TH DAY OF DECEMBER, A. D. 1564.](/en/stories/mm-jan-gerrits-burnt-at-the-hague-for-the-testimony-of-jesus-christ-the-15th-day-of-december-a-d-1564/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: A LETTER FROM JAN GERRITS TO THE LUTHERAN PREACHER.](/en/stories/mm-a-letter-from-jan-gerrits-to-the-lutheran-preacher/) --- Page: https://history.truechristian.church/en/stories/mm-jan-gerrits-burnt-at-the-hague-for-the-testimony-of-jesus-christ-the-15th-day-of-december-a-d-1564/part-2/ [Contribute a correction or addition](https://github.com/trueChristian/history.truechristian.church/issues/new?title=Correction%3A+Jan+Gerrits%2C+Burnt+At+The+Hague%2C+For+The+Testimony+Of+Jesus+Christ%2C+The+15th+Day+Of+December%2C+A.+D.+1564.+%C2%B7+Page+2+of+2&body=%23%23+Page+or+topic%0AJan+Gerrits%2C+Burnt+At+The+Hague%2C+For+The+Testimony+Of+Jesus+Christ%2C+The+15th+Day+Of+December%2C+A.+D.+1564.+%C2%B7+Page+2+of+2%0A%0APage%3A+https%3A%2F%2Fhistory.truechristian.church%2Fen%2Fstories%2Fmm-jan-gerrits-burnt-at-the-hague-for-the-testimony-of-jesus-christ-the-15th-day-of-december-a-d-1564%2Fpart-2%2F%0A%0ARecord%3A+mm-jan-gerrits-burnt-at-the-hague-for-the-testimony-of-jesus-christ-the-15th-day-of-december-a-d-1564--b00015-o000000%0A%0ADate+currently+shown%3A+1564%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.)