# The Fourth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Wife. · Page 2 of 3 [Previous page: THE FOURTH LETTER FROM JAN WOUTERSS, TO HIS WIFE.](/en/stories/mm-the-fourth-letter-from-jan-wouterss-to-his-wife/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: THE FOURTH LETTER FROM JAN WOUTERSS, TO HIS WIFE.](/en/stories/mm-the-fourth-letter-from-jan-wouterss-to-his-wife/part-3/) Then I replied that I had not (or never) apostatized from the Christian faith; nor do I know [said I] any Anabaptists; I have been baptized but once upon my faith; infant baptism I do not regard as baptism, and when I was a child I did as a child, even as my parents led me. Further, I desire grace from the Most High, for if I apostatized from my faith, I think that I should be eternally lost; but if I adhere to it I hope to be saved by the grace of the Lord. All this was written. I told them, that they should do as they expected to answer for it before the Supreme Judge. I demanded that they should tell me whether I had wronged any one; that I might defend myself. Then he said that I had seduced my wife, and my child, and had helped to seduce still others, and had held meetings in nooks and corners by night, and at unseasonable times, contrary to the royal decree. I said: “Who was injured thereby?” And I was led away again, for they could not bear my words. My fellow-prisoner was also brought forward then, but she too remained valiant. I now hope that we shall soon be released from all our labor and vexation. Thus, my dearest upon this earth, I hope that you shall soon be rejoiced still more, when you will hear of my deliverance. What more can they do? they cannot harm the soul; what more have they then, than that which must remain here? It is certainly very profitable to me to be present with the Lord. Though this earthly house or habitation perish, we expect a better in heaven, which is eternal, yea, which is like unto Christ’s glory. What greater eternal joy shall we then have, when we shall shine like sparks among the stubble, yea, like the sun; then shall we leap like calves of the stall for joy. Wis. 3:7; Matthew 13:43; Mal. 4:2. Hence comfort yourself with these and other promises, and hold fast that which you have heard from the beginning, as I trust with all my heart that my most beloved lamb will do. And when I have fallen asleep, then, my most beloved wife and dearest sister, you are released; conduct yourself in your widowhood to the praise of the Lord, to the edification of your neighbor, as a pattern to our most beloved, only daughter, and as a light to the world, and to your soul’s salvation. Endure and persevere in the unadulterated truth wherein you stand; though you be tried so that one conflict succeeds another, count it all for your salvation; always prepare your heart for patience, and the day shall come that will comfort you. The promises are thus: “Here tribulation, hereafter joy.” Further, consider how joyfully you would have taken my hand, had my parents loved the truth; but now that you and I have seen the day that they love the truth, it is a special joy. Hence I pray you, show them as much honor and friendship as lies in you, for my, for our little daughter’s, and for the truth’s sake, as I trust you will do; and if you engage in any traffic, see that you keep yourself unspotted from the world. Jas. 1:27. If they assail you with words, so that you are constrained to tell how much the goods cost you; tell it simply, without adding any further words, by yes, or by no for that would not become us. But if you do not find yourself strong enough herein, abandon that traffic, for you can get along with a little; if it is not fat it is lean; the godly are soon satisfied. But if you continue in any business, take care that it does not get too large, lest your heart become surcharged, so that you can ill perform your prayers. Luke 21:34. Thus, remember what the Holy Scriptures counsel you for the best, and you will prosper according to the soul, as I trust you will. And continue instant in prayer, as becomes holy widows; pray for faithful laborers, for all the saints, for prisoners, for apostates, for kings, princes, the rulers of this world; especially when you see sects or contention arising in the church, which must be, in order that they that are tried may be made manifest. Although the elders should lose courage (which God forbid), continue in earnest prayer to God, as you have an example in the holy widow Judith (Jud. 8): and always adorn yourself with a meek and quiet spirit, which will adorn you more than all jewels, as Peter and the Scriptures teach you (1 Pet. 3:4). and as you are taught of God himself; and possess your soul in patience, and you shall find peace in the Lord, and in your heart. Be also of good courage your chief Captain and best Bridegroom still lives, and he will keep and feed you and our only daughter; for though I should have to wander about with you for a while yet, it must all come from him nevertheless. My most beloved, I have shown you a little faithfulness in my bonds, by having applied my hands to labor, so that I might not be an expense to you, and that you might have a little left to meet you in your labor; which is a great joy. ## Original source [Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#Page_867) [Edition details](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65855) [Previous page: THE FOURTH LETTER FROM JAN WOUTERSS, TO HIS WIFE.](/en/stories/mm-the-fourth-letter-from-jan-wouterss-to-his-wife/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: THE FOURTH LETTER FROM JAN WOUTERSS, TO HIS WIFE.](/en/stories/mm-the-fourth-letter-from-jan-wouterss-to-his-wife/part-3/) --- Page: https://history.truechristian.church/en/stories/mm-the-fourth-letter-from-jan-wouterss-to-his-wife/part-2/ [Contribute a correction or addition](https://github.com/trueChristian/history.truechristian.church/issues/new?title=Correction%3A+The+Fourth+Letter+From+Jan+Wouterss%2C+To+His+Wife.+%C2%B7+Page+2+of+3&body=%23%23+Page+or+topic%0AThe+Fourth+Letter+From+Jan+Wouterss%2C+To+His+Wife.+%C2%B7+Page+2+of+3%0A%0APage%3A+https%3A%2F%2Fhistory.truechristian.church%2Fen%2Fstories%2Fmm-the-fourth-letter-from-jan-wouterss-to-his-wife%2Fpart-2%2F%0A%0ARecord%3A+mm-the-fourth-letter-from-jan-wouterss-to-his-wife--b00011-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.)