# A Letter From Jerome Segers, Written To His Wife Lijsken Dircks.

16th century (source section) · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: A LETTER FROM JEROME SEGERS, WRITTEN TO HIS WIFE LIJSKEN DIRCKS.

Century of containing source section; exact event date not assigned

The grace and mercy of God the Father, the
loving kindness and love of the Son, and the communion
and peace of the Holy Ghost, who is sent
us by the Father, through the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ, for the consolation and joy of all true
and faithful children of God, and by whom we are
impelled, taught and led; the same keep your
hearts, understanding and mind in Christ Jesus, to
the praise and glory of the Father, to the salvation
of your afflicted soul, and to the edification of all
brethren and sisters that fear and love the Lord;
to this only wise God, be glory, honor, power and
strength, for ever and ever. Amen.

I wish to you, my dear wife, a true, genuine,
godly love, a true, unfeigned, penitent faith, which
works by love, a firm hope and confidence in God,
and a firm steadfastness in your faith towards God
the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. To him
I commend you, and to the word of his grace; and
since I cannot converse orally with you, my dear
wife Lijsken, I have, with the help of God, written
to you a little from the word of the Lord; for though
we are absent from each other in the flesh, yet are
we present in the Spirit; for I remember you day
and night in my prayers, beseeching the Lord to
strengthen you with his Spirit of truth, since I well
know that you will have much conflict yet, before
you will be released; and I also know that you will
be greatly tempted by the cunning foxes and ravening
wolves, yea, which are much more lions and
dragons; yea, a generation of vipers, who will not
spare your soul, but destroy, devour and murder it.

Hence Paul says: “Beware lest any man spoil
you through false philosophy and the sleight of men,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” Col. 2:8;
Eph. 4:14. Yea, Christ himself has warned us in
this respect, saying that in the latter days many
false prophets, and many false Christs, shall arise,
insomuch that, if it were possible, they should deceive
the very elect; but this is impossible; for the
Lord preserves them with his strong arm, so that
the gates of hell cannot harm them. Matt. 24:24;
16:18. Yea, Paul says: “That in the latter times
some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits, and doctrines of devils; forbidding
to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats,
which God hath created.” 1 Tim. 4:1,3. And:
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because
of these things cometh the wrath of God upon
the children of disobedience. Eph. 5:6. Christ has
also warned us of the doctrine of the Pharisees; yea,
of those who come in sheep’s clothing; for inwardly
they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by
their fruits. Matt. 16:6; 7:15,16. Even as Paul
says: Marvel not, that the ministers of antichrist
will transform themselves into ministers of God;
since Satan himself can transform himself into an
angel of light; for they come in a feigned holiness,
and will speak lies. 2 Cor. 11:14,15.

Therefore see, my most beloved lamb, how faithfully
Christ and his apostles have warned us of the
false and subtle serpent, that we should not suffer
ourselves to be deceived by the old serpent, which
is the devil and Satan, who seeks nothing but to
bring our souls into everlasting damnation; even as
Peter says that he walks about us as a roaring lion,
seeking whom he may devour; him resist with a
firm faith. Rev. 12:9; 1 Peter 5:8. Therefore I
beseech you, my dear wife, from the bottom of my
heart, since we are so faithfully warned of the false
prophets, who have nothing but the doctrine of
devils, and seek nothing but to ruin and devour
souls: therefore I beseech you once more, not to
hearken to them, and to have nothing to do with
them; for Paul says: “Have no fellowship with the
493
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
them.” Eph. 5:11. Yea, John says that he that
has not the doctrine of Christ, has not God.
2 John 9. And Paul says: “Though an angel from
heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that
which I have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
Gal. 1:8. If they then have not God, and
have nothing but a false, heretical, accursed and
devilish doctrine, how can they teach us anything
good? Therefore Christ and his apostles have so
faithfully warned us, that we should not suffer ourselves
to be deceived by the cunning foxes, and
subtle philosophy and craftiness; for there shall
never any other foundation be laid, than that is laid,
namely Christ, upon whom you have founded and
built; and no other Gospel may be preached, than
that which is preached, in which you believe, and
for the testimony of which you are also in bonds.

Hence, I beseech you, my dear wife Lijsken, by
the mercies of God, constantly to have the word of
the Lord before your eyes, and not to suffer yourself
to be moved from your faith, by the sleight of
men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive you; for
I know that you will suffer much temptation yet.
Therefore, my most beloved, look not unto men;
for cursed is the man, says the prophet, that trusteth
in man; yea, the fear of man bringeth a snare, says
the wise man. Jer. 17:5; Prov. 29:25. And regard
not the torture of flesh and blood; for this is
the heat of the sun, yea, the storms by which the
work of the Lord is tried. Matt. 13:6; 7:25. Hence
confess Christ now, and he shall confess us before
his heavenly Father; for he will try the third part
with fire, as gold in the furnace, and all that remains
shall be found pure gold. Matt. 10:32; Zech. 13:9;
1 Peter 1:7. You have partly passed through the
trial, and have remained steadfast in it, eternal
glory, praise, and honor to the Lord, and may the
gracious Lord strengthen you, that as you have
commenced, you may be found pure gold before
God and all his church.

Thus, my most beloved, continue steadfast in
the doctrine of Christ; for now is the day of which
Christ spoke, that we should be brought before
lords and princes, for a testimony to his name, and
that we should be rejected by all men; but he that
shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Matt. 10:18; 24:13. And Christ says: “If they
have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;
and the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you
will think that he doeth God service. But these
things have I told you, that when the time shall
come, ye may remember that I told you of them.
And these things will they do unto you, because
they have not known the Father nor me.” John
15:20; 16:2,4,3. Behold, my dear wife, thus
Christ has warned us how they should deal with
us. Therefore, my dear, fear not, neither despond,
though you now are confined with Daniel in the
den of lions; trust in the Lord, and he will preserve
you, that they shall not destroy you; he will also
deliver you from their teeth, that they shall not
tear you. Forsake him not and he will not forsake
you; for he says: He that despiseth you, despiseth
me; he that persecuteth you, persecuteth me; he
that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye.
Luke 10:16; Acts 26:14: Zech. 2:8.

If they then do not persecute us, but the Lord,
fight valiantly, as a pious soldier of Christ, and contend
for his glory. And even as he fought unto
death, so by the grace of God do also you; for Paul
says, if a man strive for masteries, yet is he not
crowned, except he strive lawfully. 2 Tim. 2:5.
Therefore, my dear, put on the whole armor of
God, and be not ashamed to confess his word before
men, but always remember the words of Christ:
“Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will
I confess also before my Father which is in heaven;
but whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my
words, of him also shall I be ashamed before my
heavenly Father. For whosoever shall seek to save
his life shall lose it; but whosoever loses his life for
the sake of the Gospel, shall find it. But he that
loveth aught more than me, cannot be my disciple;
yea, no man, having put his hand to the plow, and
looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. And
Paul says: It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead
with him, we shall also live with him; but if we deny
him, he also will deny us. Eph. 6:11; Matt. 10:32;
Mark 8:38; Matthew 16:25; 10:37; Luke 9:62;
2 Tim. 2:11,12.

Hence, my most beloved, do not forsake the
Lord; for we are nothing but dust and ashes, yea,
nothing but mortal flesh, which must die in dishonor,
but is raised in glory. Gen. 18:27; 1 Corinthians
15:43. Be patient, therefore, in tribulation;
for it is the true way, which leads to life eternal,
which all the saints of God, the prophets and apostles,
yea, Christ himself went, all having to drink
of this cup. Therefore look not to death, but
through death, lest another come before you, and
take your crown. Hence, my most beloved, be
long-suffering in your tribulation, and patient in
suffering, and wait for your deliverance, even as
the husbandman waits for his fruits; for blessed is
the man that endureth temptation: for when he is
tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the
Lord hath promised to them that love him. James
1:12. For Christ says: “Blessed are they which
are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:10. Behold,
we count them happy which endure, says James.
Jas. 5:11. Christ also suffered for us, leaving us
an example, that we should follow his steps: forasmuch
then as Christ hath suffered, arm yourself
likewise with the same mind. 1 Peter 2:21; 4:1.
With this agree the words of John, who says that
Christ laid down his life for us, and that we ought
also to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John
3:16.

Hence, be not discouraged, chosen and beloved,
at their threatening; but praise and glorify the Lord
in this matter; for Christ says: “Blessed are ye,
when men shall revile you, and persecute you, for
my name’s sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad;
for great is your reward from my Father which is in
heaven.” Matt. 5:11,12. My dear, this is not said
that we should be sad, but that we should rejoice
that we are worthy to suffer for his name. Paul
says: Ye have not received the spirit of bondage
494
again to fear; but the spirit of adoption, whereby we
cry, Abba, Father. The spirit itself beareth witness
with our spirit, that we are the children of God; if so
be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified
together; for the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which
shall be revealed in us; for eye hath not seen, nor
heart known, neither mouth confessed, but God
alone, what shall be revealed to those that love him,
and keep his word. Rom. 8:15–18; 1 Cor. 2:9.
And Paul says that it is not enough for you to
believe in him, but also to suffer for his name.
Philip. 1:29.

Hence, my most beloved, be a willing bride, and
prepare for the conflict; for he will not suffer you to
be tempted above that you are able; but will with
the temptation also make a way for you to escape.
1 Cor. 10:13. For though a mother forget her
child, yet will I not forget thee, says the Lord.
Is. 49:15. He will preserve you as the apple of his
eye. Zech. 2:8. Therefore, fear not men, who
perish like grass (Is. 51:12); but valiantly journey
with Joshua and Caleb to the promised land; wait
with Noah for the day of the Lord; for Christ says:
My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me; but
the voice of strangers they hear not; and no man
shall pluck them out of his hand, since it is impossible,
that the elect of God should be deceived; as
Paul says: Who shall separate us from the love of
God? Nay, no torments of this world; “for we
know that all things work together for good to them
that love God; for our light affliction, which is but
for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding
weight of glory.” John 10:27; Rom. 8:35,28;
2 Cor. 4:17. Since it is the will of the Lord, I hope
that this your trial will also be for your good; for
the Lord has appointed your time, which we cannot
pass. Hence, fear not, for God is your captain; he
is your strength; he is your guide (2 Esdr. 16:76);
forsake him not; he will not forsake you; trust in
him, and you shall not be ashamed (Ps. 31:1), be
faithful unto death, the crown of life is prepared for
you. Rev. 2:10. I desire willingly to offer up my
body to the praise of God, yea, not only my body,
but if every member, yea, every hair were a body, I
would, through the power of God, offer them all up
to the praise of the Lord, in order to obtain his
promises; for what manner of love the father hath
bestowed upon us, that we should be called the
sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not,
because it knew him not. “Beloved, now are we
the sons of God, and we know that, when he shall
appear, we shall be like him.” John 3:1,2. Yea,
Peter says that we shall be partakers of his divine
nature; yea, we shall be where Christ himself will
be, and shall with him judge all nations; yea, we
shall follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth; yea,
we shall sing the new song on mount Sion, and we
know assuredly that, if our earthly house of this
tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of
God, eternal in the heavens. 2 Peter 1:4; John
12:26; Matt. 19:28; Rev. 14:4; 2 Esdr. 2:42;
2 Cor. 5:1. Who would exalt this corrupt, decaying
flesh, which is nothing but a heap of earth,
over these beautiful promises! O see, what beautiful
promises Christ has given his own, who remain
steadfast unto the end; for there is no other way
to eternal life, than this way; for all righteous souls,
from the beginning, have had to suffer, and thus
gain possession of the Kingdom of God. Gen. 4:8.
Hence, my most beloved wife, since there is no
other way, be a willing bride, prepared to receive
your bridegroom; and you shall then be crowned
with praise and honor.

Thus, my most beloved, I have written a few
things, with which you may somewhat strengthen
yourself through the word of the Lord; for Christ
says: The world shall rejoice, and ye shall be sorrowful;
but be of kind cheer; I have overcome the
world; and your sorrow shall be turned into joy,
and your joy no man taketh from you; for he that
worketh in us is stronger than he that is in the
world. John 16:20. And John says that our faith is
the victory that overcometh the world. 1 John 5:4.
Always remember Lot’s wife (Gen. 19:26), and the
man of God who was slain by the lion, because he
had eaten bread contrary to God’s command, being
deceived by the false prophet. 1 Kings 13:1. Thus
you also, suffer yourself in no wise to be deceived
by false prophets; but fight with the prophet David
against Goliath, and you shall devour him like
bread; for the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence,
and the violent who remain steadfast take it by
force; for Joshua and Caleb took the promised land
by force, and those that were not steadfast, could
not enter into it. Hence, be not dismayed, though
you are tried here for a little season; for it is his
will. Therefore, receive willingly from his hand
whatever he sends you; for Paul says: “We know
that all things work together for good to them that
love God.” Rom. 8:28. For Christ means to show
his wonderful power and strength in you, against
the dragons and the generation of vipers, yea,
against the ravening wolves, who daily resist Christ,
and fight against you to destroy you. But be bold
and trust in Christ; he will not forsake you; for he is
your strength. He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7); he
is your Protector, by whom you shall overcome
all your adversaries; for he shall feed you with the
bread of life, yea, with the bread of understanding,
and give you the water of wisdom to drink, and
shall comfort you in all your tribulation, and impress
into your heart a firm and steadfast faith, which
they shall not be able to resist. Sir. 15:3. For he
who has begun this good work in you, will, through
his grace and power, also carry out and finish it, to
his praise, to the salvation of your soul, and to the
edification of all them that fear the Lord. Philippians
1:6. To this God, who can deliver you from
all tribulation, and preserve you from all the snares
of the devil, and from all false doctrine, be praise,
honor, power and strength, for ever and ever.
Amen.

See, my dear wife, as I can not help you with my
weeping, or with my blood, I have written a few
things; to comfort you, and for a memorial or a testament,
that you may remember me by it, how I
walked before you; for I hope to seal this letter with
my blood, namely, that it is nothing but the pure
truth, for which I desire to lay down my life, to the
495
praise of the Lord and the edification of all that fear
him. I pray the Lord that he will let you follow me
as I through his grace hope to go before you; and I
trust in the Lord that he will let you follow me thus,
and have confidence in you, that you will follow me
thus steadfastly, through the grace of the Lord; and
I pray the Lord, that he will let the fruit grow up
to his praise, that it may also be found worthy to
suffer for his name. Thus I have commended the
fruit to the Lord, who is more able to preserve you
and it, than I am. And that the Lord will preserve
you, I do not doubt. I hope that my blood will be
the seal of this letter.

Thus I commend you to the Lord, and to the
word of his grace, that he will keep you in all righteousness,
holiness and truth; and though we must
separate here, I know, and firmly trust in the Lord,
that we shall be together in life eternal; hence, I will
freely bring my offering.

O that I might suffer for you; I should gladly
offer my flesh for you. I am sorry that I can write
to you no more. I herewith commend you to the
Lord. Be not solicitous about the child; for my
friends will take good care of it, yea, the Lord will
care for it. Hendrick of Deventer salutes you much
in the Lord, whom he entreats day and night for
you, that you may continue steadfast unto the end.





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