Mr. Jelis Matthijss, Put To Death For The Testimony Of Jesus Christ, At Middleborgh, In The Year A. D. 1564.

Christ has well said: “For the poor always ye have with you.” John 12:8. Hence he shall say at his righteous day: All that ye have done unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done unto me. Matt. 25:40. From this it follows, my dear sheep, that the words of Paul will also be verified, namely: He which soweth sparingly (here) shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully . . . for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. 9:6,7. My affectionately beloved sheep in the Lord, though I thus write, I nevertheless know that you are taught of God and his Holy Spirit, and that this will do more for you than all I can write; yet, from heartfelt Christian love, I write it to you; for the reason, that you may remember the former times, when you were so diligent in all manner of unrighteousness, sparing no expense in the way of numerous costly banquets or feasts, yea, in pomp and display, which God abominates. O think once, my dear sheep, what delight you then took [in these things]. O, should you now not give the much more diligence in the things which God has commanded you, to lay up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt. O we should be able now to spare a bit of money occasionally, to give to poor saints, just as easily as we formerly could provide large amounts, to spend in unrighteousness. O my dear, beloved children, I do not write this to oppress your hearts, but that your love may increase yet more and more from day to day: For you know not how much time you will have yet, or when robbers may get possession of your treasure. Further, my faithful sheep, it is my fatherly request, that you live together in peace, harmony and unity. Help to bear in love one another’s burdens, since you know not how long you will live together; and remember that you are called children of peace, since your King and Prince is the King and Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6); hence you must be found children of peace, as I also trust you are, though I thus write.

Herewith I will commend you to the great Shepherd of the sheep, who, I faithfully trust, will keep you under the shadow of his wings; if you only continue in his statutes and commandments, and depart on no account out of his hand, then I am certain that no one shall pluck you out of his hand. Once more I beseech you, and this by the wounds of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, and also for the sake of the eternal salvation of your souls, that you will take to heart my letter and faithful admonition written at the close of my life; and do not let it lie unused among you after my departure, nor look upon it then as a dead history or fable; but receive it as a testament, and let it be a perpetual memorial to you, and remember me by it, how I was an example unto you, according to my weakness, and follow my footsteps which I trust to walk before you through the power of my God, namely, to adhere to the truth unto the end, to testify to you and to all who seek to fear God with a pure heart, that this is the true grace of our God, as Peter says, yea, the sure road and highway to eternal life; wherein you now stand. 1 Pet. 5:12; Ps. 25. Hence, let no one divert you from your present purpose, or cause you to 649 waver, but give more and diligence to make your calling and election sure. O, if you do these things, my dear sheep, you shall never fall; but an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10,11. Watch rigidly therefore in righteousness all the days of your life; for it is necessary indeed. I also kindly request that you receive this prescription in love; for I have certainly written it out of Christian love. Herewith I want to bid you all adieu, until in eternity. Amen.

Furthermore, my affectionately beloved sheep in the Lord, as regards how it is with me and my fellow combatants, know that it still tends to the promotion of the Gospel. Know also, that the Lord faithfully succors me in my conflict and defense, and has given me strength to gain the victory, and delivered me out of the mouth of hell, and the teeth of the lions. I believe I have been in combat with them ten or twelve times; the others, however, they did not torment so much. In short, I hope that the fight is fought, the course finished, the life [faith] kept. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of glory, which, I hope, no creature shall ever take from me; for faithful is he that has begun this good work in me; he will doubtless help me finish it, according to the good purpose of my heart, so that I may pass through Jordan unharmed. Philip. 1:6. May God grant us his grace. Amen.