The Seventh Letter Of Matthias Servaes, Written From Prison To J. N. And His Brethren.

Hence I desire of all prisoners, that they guard their lips, and bridle their tongues. While the wicked is before you, as David says (Ps. 39:1), make not haste to speak, lest you deceive your heart; and wait with patience until Christ speaks in you, or his Spirit, according to his promise, through you. Matt. 10:20. And though you reply not to every question, you need not be ashamed of it, for he who was the wisdom of God, namely, Christ, was also not ashamed of it, as the scriptures of the Old and the New Testament sufficiently testify. And if you are asked concerning others who are still at large or in prison, as to whether they are of our number or not, or whether they are baptized or not, you may reply: “I am not imprisoned here for another, but for myself; hence, I may speak for myself, and not for another.” And if they then threaten you with the torture or long imprisonment, let them threaten, let them torture; only do you firmly trust in the Lord, and they shall not be able to do more than God, who has the king’s heart in his power, will permit. Prov. 21:1. If it then be the will of the Lord, that you suffer, remember that you often said: Lord, thy will be done. And, surely, if you firmly trust the Lord, the very hairs of your head are all numbered, and not one of them will fall from it without the Father’s will. Matt. 6:10; 10:30; Luke 12:7.

Therefore, fear not their threats in the least, and be not terrified; but submit to the Lord with patience and long-suffering in all that befalls you on account of the truth. Trust God; he will not forsake you even unto death. Amen.

But if I could see, my dear fellow members, that it might promote the glory of God, and your, and their salvation, if you should answer all their questions, I would not only admonish you to wait until they ask you, but I would heartily urge you by entreaty and admonition, to tell and confess it to them of your accord, before they ask you. But how they herein seek the glory of God, and the welfare and salvation of your, yea, of their own, souls, this I will leave to the consideration and impartial judgment of every godfearing lover of the truth.

Therefore guard your lips, my beloved, as said above. I have composed a hymn, doing it not from wantonness; hence I wish that it be sung not to my honor, but to the praise of God.

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Dear brethren, faithfully remember me in your prayers. I greet you all with the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ; he that loves him not is Anathema, Maran-atha. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with us all. Amen.