The Fourth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Wife.

For I hope and trust concerning you, my dear, chosen, most beloved wife, that you will not change your state; for the good God has given you a special gift for which praise be to him forever.

But not, my most beloved, that I would cast a rope around your neck, as though I would forbid you it. O no; the apostle counsels you what is best. 1 Cor. 7:40. I married you for life, and thank you as affectionately as I can for your dear, good companionship, faithfulness and love, of which I deem myself in a great measure unworthy. Now the only good, merciful God has called me, unworthy one, to a higher state, and you can offer me, your most beloved on earth, for no higher state to the Lord. Thus console yourself with the others, for your tribulation shall last for a short time only.

Thus I will write you, my dearest, adieu in this evil world, and will commend you to the faithful almighty God, for he alone is able to keep you from the evil, and to bring you into his eternal kingdom.

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O holy Father, I, thy weak servant, humbly beseech thee in my bonds, that thou wilt keep my most beloved wife, and my only daughter, and all the godfearing, from the evil, and sanctify them in thy name. O heavenly Father, hear me, unworthy one, through Jesus Christ; that we may all enter into thy eternal joy, and no one remain without. To this end, may the good God grant his grace. Amen.

Adieu, my only daughter; your beloved father shall be crowned a king by our dear Lord. Hence be resigned and be an obedient daughter, and diligently read the holy Scriptures. Live according to them, and we shall meet again and rejoice forever, without end. Amen.

Finished on the fourth day of March, A. D. 1572, by me, your dear husband, imprisoned for the testimony of the Gospel of Christ, to the praise of God. Amen.

Jan van Kuyck.

I salute you cordially in the Lord with the love and peace that shall endure forever.