# A Letter From Jerome Segers To The Brethren And Sisters.

16th century (source section) · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: A LETTER FROM JEROME SEGERS TO THE BRETHREN AND SISTERS.

Century of containing source section; exact event date not assigned

The eternal joy, peace and grace of God the Father;
and the unfathomable mercy, favor, and love
of the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who has been
sent through grace, by God the Father, to the salvation
of all those that are born again with him,
through his imperishable word or gospel, and do
his will; and the deep and unspeakable consolation,
power, strength, and communion of the Holy Ghost,
who is sent by both from heaven, to the everlasting
consolation, joy, and gladness of all true, penitent
and obedient children of God, who have amended
their life, and thus have risen with Christ, through
his gospel, into newness of life. May this only God
strengthen you all in his eternal truth, and uphold
you with the mighty word of his grace in all righteousness,
holiness and truth unto the end, and keep
your understanding, and your hearts and minds
in Christ Jesus. To him be praise, honor, glory,
might, power, and strength forever and ever. Amen.

My dearly beloved and chosen brethren and
sisters, and all lovers of the unfeigned and eternal
truth, I wish you the true, penitent faith, which
works by love, and avails before God, and a pure,
chaste and holy conversation and walk in the fear
of God, and an ardent love to God our heavenly
Father, and your neighbor, and to his eternal, clear
and unchangeable truth. And I pray the Lord for
you day and night without ceasing, that he will
open the eyes of your understanding, and enlighten
your hearts with knowledge, that you may know
that it is the truth, and that he will strengthen you
with his divine word, and confirm you in the faith,
that you may walk in this truth, in all humility and
meekness, being a light to all men, and may continue
steadfast unto the end. I also pray the Lord,
that he will keep you from all ravening wolves, that
have gone out from us, and will yet rise up among
you, who will not spare the flock, and from all false,
heretical and satanic teachers, who rise up under
the name of Christ, and come forth in a semblance
of holiness, as though they were sent by Christ,
while they have proceeded from and are sent by the
devil. Acts 20:29; 2 Cor. 11:15.

Therefore, my dear brethren, be vigilant, watch
and pray; for it is very necessary; and remember
after my departure, that I warned you from prison
against false prophets. Thus, with the help of God,
I have briefly written to you, and with Peter exhorted
you, well knowing that shortly I must put
off my mortal clothing and sleep with my brethren
and sisters in Christ. Though you are yourselves
taught and strengthened in this present truth, I
nevertheless deem it profitable to admonish you yet
a little more, if haply thereby some one may be bettered,
edified and strengthened, the name of the
Lord be praised and thanked, and I be remembered,
how I have been an example unto you in that which
the Lord gave me, and have walked among you in
all humility. Tit. 2:7.

Hence I admonish you now, my dearly beloved
brethren and sisters in the Lord, and beseech you
with Paul, by the mercies of God, that you present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God, which is your reasonable service. And be not
conformed to this evil, wicked and perverse world,
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that you may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect will of God. Rom. 12:1,2;
Eph. 5:17.

O my dear brethren, I earnestly beseech you,
that you will all amend your lives, and forsake the
world and its lusts, and will look to the life of
Christ, how he walked before us; for John says:
“He that would boast of Christ ought himself also
so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:6.

Behold, my dear friends, it is not enough that
we are baptized in the name of Christ, that we are
called brethren or sisters of Christ, and bear the
name of Christians. O no, all this cannot save; for
John says: “Little children, let no man deceive you:
he that doeth righteousness is righteous. He that
committeth sin is of the devil. In this the children
of God are manifest, and the children of the devil.”
John 3:7,8,10. And Christ says: “Ye are my
friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” John
15:14. Again: “If a man love me, he will keep my
words and commandments; and he that hath my
commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth
me.” John 14:23,21. For John says: “He
that saith he loveth God, and keepeth not his commandments,
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
1 John 2:4. And you know that a liar has no part
in the kingdom of God. Rev. 21:8. Therefore, be
not Christians with the mouth, nor with the tongue,
but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18. For it is
utterly in vain to bear the name of Christ, so long
as we are not conformed to him in word, work and
thought; for Paul says: “Whom he did foreknow,
he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image
of his Son, that he might be the first-born among
many brethren.” Rom. 8:29. If he then has called
and predestinated you, use diligence that you become
conformed to him, so that you may be found
true Christians in deed when you come into the
tribulation in which we now are; for though we
are in it now, to-morrow you may also be in it.
Therefore watch and pray; for you know neither
the day nor the hour; and be diligent to please the
Lord; for we must all appear before the judgment
seat of Christ; that every one may receive the
things done in his body, according to that he hath
done, whether it be good or bad. 1 Thess. 4:1;
2 Cor. 5:10.

Now, as the Lord is to be feared, I counsel and
humbly beseech you, to conform your life to the
gospel. For, to bear the name of a Christian, and
to be called a brother, avails nothing; but the fulfilling
of the commandments of God alone; for I
have seen many among us who boast of being
Christians, who love Christ with the tongue, but
with the deed forsake him (Tit. 1:16), which is
greatly to be deplored; for they are like counterfeit
money, which from the outside seems to be good
gold; but, when brought to the touch-stone, or to
the fire, it is nothing but copper within. Thus they
walk among the pious, as though they were true
Christians; but when the Lord begins to try them
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in tribulation, it is seen that all is built upon the
sand, and that they love their belly more than
Christ, as appears now in the case of those that are
in bonds with us; for so long they allowed themselves
to be called pious brethren, but now they
talk differently. Matt. 13:21; 7:26; Rom. 16:18.

Therefore, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters
in the Lord, all who desire to offer up an acceptable
sacrifice to the Lord, take us for an example (Jas.
5:10) and be followers of us, and be no longer so
slothful or lukewarm in love; so that, when you are
also imprisoned, you will not sorrow because you did
not lead a better life; for with this the devil tempts
us night and day. Hence I warn you, out of brotherly
love, to take heed to yourselves while you have
time; for Paul says: “The grace of God that bringeth
salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us
that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we
should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this
present world, looking for that blessed hope, and
the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that
he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify
unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good
works.” Tit. 2:11–14; Eph. 5:2.

Behold, my dear friends, such a people Christ has
chosen, who are not vain or light-minded, but who,
by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for eternal
life; hereunto he has called and chosen us, that we
should be holy and without blame before him in
love; for such a holy church he has chosen, which
has not spot or wrinkle, but that should walk holily
and unblamably before him in love. Rom. 2:7;
Eph. 1:4; 5:27. Therefore be holy in all your conversation;
since it is written: “Ye shall be holy, for
I am holy.” Lev. 11:45. O see my dear brethren,
it is time for you to take heed; for the axe is now
laid at the root of the trees; every tree which bringeth
not forth good fruit shall be hewn down, and
cast into the fire. Matt. 3:10. “For not every one
that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my
Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 7:21. For, being
dead unto sin, and purified by the knowledge of the
truth, you must not be empty, lest the devil take
with him the seven spirits and return into you, and
the last state be worse than the first.” Rom. 6:11;
Matt. 12:45.

“Let not sin reign therefore in your mortal body,
that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither
yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness
unto sin; but yield yourselves unto God, as
those that are alive from the dead, and your members
as instruments of righteousness unto God;” and
“pray that your flight be not in the winter, neither
on the Sabbath day;” and be not found in darkness,
dear brethren, lest that “day should overtake you
as a thief.” Rom. 6:12,13; Matt. 24:20; 1 Thess.
5:4. For if ye do so, ye shall be children of light
and of the day; for they are not the children of God,
who boast of the faith, but do not fulfill it with the
works, for Christ says: “If ye know these things,
happy are ye if ye do them.” John 13:17. For he
that knows it, and does it not, is likened unto a fool;
and the servant that knows the will of his lord, and
does it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Matt. 7:26; Luke 12:47. But those who believe
with the heart, and do as they believe, are the true
children of God, and shall also be accounted believers
in the kingdom of heaven. Hence I counsel you,
and beseech you with Peter, that, giving all diligence
you add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance,
patience; and to patience, godliness; and to
godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness,
charity. For if these things be in you, and
abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren
nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ; but an entrance shall be ministered unto
you abundantly into everlasting life. But he that
lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off,
and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old
sins. 2 Pet. 1:5–8,11,9. Therefore, purify your
souls in obeying the truth, in true, unfeigned love of
the brethren, and love one another with a pure
heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible
seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God,
which liveth and abideth forever. 1 Pet. 1:22,23.
Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and place
all your hope in God; have fervent love among
yourselves, and be of one mind; mind not high
things, but condescend to men of low estate; let no
corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth
nor spend your time in vain conversation, which increases
only unto more ungodliness; but speak that
which is good to the use of edifying that it may
minister grace unto the hearers: let your speech be
always with grace, seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6);
for Peter says: “If any man speak, let him speak
as the oracles of God;” (1 Pet. 4:11) that you may
be an example unto all men; for Christ says: “Ye
are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his
savor, it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be
cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. . . .
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a
bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto
all that are in the house.” “Ye are the light of the
world.” “Let your light so shine before men, that
they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:13,15,14,16.
And Peter says: Have your conversation honest
among the Gentiles; that, whereas they speak
evil of you, as of evil doers, they may be ashamed
that falsely accuse your good conversation in the
fear of God. 1 Pet. 2:12, 3:16.

He further says: “He that will love life, and see
good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and
his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew evil,
and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous,
and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the
face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
1 Pet. 3:10–12. Hence, take good heed, that the
angry face of the Lord do not look down upon you;
for in the last day the ungodly shall exclaim: “O
ye hills and mountains, fall upon us, and cover us,
that we may not see the angry face of him that sitteth
on the throne.” Hos. 10:8; Rev. 6:16. And
Christ says: “Except your righteousness shall exceed
the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees,
491
ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of
heaven.” Matt. 5:20. Again, except ye be converted,
and become as little children, ye shall not
enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 18:3.

See, my dear brethren and sisters, if you are not
thus humble, give diligence that you become so; for
Christ’s words are no lies; he says: “Many will say
to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not eaten
and drunk in thy presence? and in thy name have
cast out devils? But then will I profess unto them, I
never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Matt. 7:22,23; Luke 13:26. And Paul
says: He that lives after the flesh, shall die. Rom.
8:13. O friends, there is a great number of you,
that are like unto asses and mules, which are so
lazy that they have to be urged on with blows and
kicks. O this is not walking according to love. Lift
up the hands that hang down, and the feeble knees;
you have slept long enough, for Paul says: “Awake
thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and
Christ shall give thee light!” Heb. 12:12; Eph. 5:14.
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things
which are above, where Christ sitteth on the
right hand of God. Set your affections on things
above, not on things on the earth.” Col. 3:1,2.

O, my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, be
followers of God, as chosen children; and walk in
love, as he also hath loved us and hath given himself
an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling
savor. But fornication, and all uncleanness,
or covetousness, let it not be once named
among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness,
nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient,
but rather giving of thanks. For this ye
know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person,
nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance
in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Be
ye not therefore partakers with them. For ye were
sometime darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord:
walk as children of light; for the fruit of the Spirit
is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. And
have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians
5:1–5,7–9,11. I therefore admonish you, as
fellow helpers, for the Lord says: I have heard thee
in a time accepted, and in a day of salvation have
I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time;
behold, now is the day of salvation. Let us give no
offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed;
but in all things approve ourselves as the ministers
of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities,
in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in
tumults, in nakedness, in perils, under the sword;
by pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by
kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by
the word of truth, by the power of God, by honor
and dishonor, by evil report and good report, as deceivers,
and yet true; as unknown, and yet well
known; as dying and, behold, we live; as chastened
and not killed; as poor, yet making many rich; as
having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
2 Cor. 6:1–10; 11; 26,27.

My dear friends, my mouth is open unto you,
out of brotherly love, and I humbly beseech you,
let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,
showing such love with the deed among yourselves;
for this is the message that ye heard from the
beginning, that ye should love one another; for he
that loveth not, abideth in death. But whoso hath
this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need,
and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him,
how dwelleth the love of God in him? My dear
brethren and sisters in the Lord, let us no longer
love in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 2 Corinthians
6:11; Philip. 2:5; 1 John 3:11,14,17,18; 4:8.
Always remember the poor, and let each give according
to his ability, with joy; for God loveth a
cheerful giver, and Paul says: “He that sheweth
mercy, let him do it with cheerfulness.” Tobit 4:7;
2 Cor. 9:6; Rom. 12:8. For, consider once, whether,
if you were as fervent in love, as you have been in
the world, you would not as easily know to find two
or three stivers to give to the poor, as you found
them for drinking or gambling purposes? Not my
dear friends, that I would burden or oppress you,
only that each show his love herein, according to
his weak ability; for you cannot take your possessions
with you. You may take me for an example;
for they have taken everything, yea, all the money
we had, and asked us yet whether we did not have
more.

It is therefore far better, that you help the poor
with it, than that the lord251 have it, and if you are
willing to give your life for your brother, how much
more ought you to assist him with your temporal
goods! that it be as it is written: “They that
gathered much had nothing over, and they that
gathered little had no lack.” 1 John 3:16; Jas. 2:16;
Ex. 16:18: And see to it also, that all be done honestly,
that it be as a matter of bounty, and not as of
covetousness, and that the offering be acceptable
unto the Lord. For the administration of this service
not only supplieth the want of the saints, but
aboundeth also in many thanksgivings to God.
2 Cor. 9:5,12. Hence give diligence, to show your
love herein, that the Lord may be glorified and
thanked thereby, and that you may approve yourselves
in all things as ministers of God. 1 Pet. 4:11.
Read what Paul says to the Corinthians; he will
teach you how to conduct yourselves herein; and I
humbly beseech you, that when you have read it,
you will also act according to it; for it is necessary.

Furthermore, I beseech all of you young married
people, that you live together in all humility, simplicity
and harmony. Young wives, submit yourselves
unto your husbands, in the fear of God: and
you, young men, love your wives as your own
selves; support and bear them with all humility and
kindness, and affectionately admonish and instruct
them with the word of the Lord; for you know
neither the day nor the hour when the Lord shall
separate you. 1 Pet. 3:1; Eph. 5:22; Matt. 25:13.
Take me and my wife for an example,—how soon
the Lord separated us, to his glory. Hence, live
together in all humility, so long as the Lord permits
you to be together: for your time is short here,
seeing the Lord delights to have his chosen with
him. Job 14:1. And furthermore, I beseech you,
492my dear brethren, that you also give diligence to
get usury (Matt. 25:27); for I trust in the Lord,
that through seeing and hearing this, many shall
yet turn to the truth, and I will also do my best
with those who come here to see me. And gather
the poor, scattered flock, for which I am greatly
concerned; for they scarcely know where to go or
dwell, and are in greater distress than we here.
Acts 8:1–4. But be of good cheer, my dear brethren
and sisters in the Lord; though we enjoy more
freedom than you, be patient in your persecution;
you shall not have gone over the cities of Israel,
till the Lord shall deliver you. Matt. 10:23. Be
diligent, therefore, in assembling together, and in
comforting and admonishing one another with the
word of the Lord, that love may not wax cold
among you. Matt. 24:12.

Thus, admonish and instruct one another in the
love of God: and I beseech you, not to forget us
in your prayers, and now and then to write a letter
to my wife, to comfort her, since she will be confined
a long time yet. I would further tell you, that
I am in great joy, and cannot sufficiently praise and
thank my Lord day and night, for his great love
shown us, in that he has made both of us worthy
to suffer for his name; and for the power and
strength he shows in us, and for his promises given
us; for this is the hour for which I so long prayed
the Lord, not considering myself good enough, that
I should be worthy to suffer for his name. Therefore
I am so rejoiced, because my hour is come,
that I shall be delivered from this flesh.

Thus strengthen yourselves in the love of God,
looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto
eternal life. Now unto him that is able to keep you
from falling, and to present you faultless before the
presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the
only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty,
dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Greet one another with a holy kiss of peace. Jude
21,24,25; 1 Cor. 16:20.

Let all the friends hear this letter; for I have
written to you out of brotherly love, and am sorry
that I can write to you no more. I commend you
all to the Lord. Salute G. S. H. D. in the Lord—whom
I sincerely love,—and also all brethren and
sisters in the Lord. Receive this brief admonition
in good part (Heb. 13:22); for my spirit impelled
me to admonish you a little.

Written in prison, by me,

Jerome Segers.





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