# A Letter From Reytse Aysess, Written To His Father.

16th century (source section) · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: A LETTER FROM REYTSE AYSESS, WRITTEN TO HIS FATHER.

Century of containing source section; exact event date not assigned

Dear father, some time when it suits you, write
me something concerning your intentions or purpose,
as to where you intend to live, and how your
temporal affairs stand, also in regard to my sister,
and also some consolation, for this rejoices me
much.

I further inform you that there are now two other
prisoners with me; they are old men, and we agree
tolerably well; for they have been confined with me
for about a month, and we have spoken somewhat
of the way of the Lord. They are willing to exchange
that which they have for something better,
and they think that they need salvation as much as
I do. They have indeed formed the good resolve,
to live no more unto sin, but to be transformed into
newness of life, which I am glad to hear; but God
knows the heart. I further let you know that one
evening the colonel’s wife came before the prison,
just as we were about to be fed. She therefore first
asked how many prisoners there were here. They
told her. Then she asked what their crimes were.
Then one excused himself, as best he could. She
then asked me, what my crime was. I said that my
crime for which they held me was not very great.
She had heard of me, and said I should suffer myself
to be instructed by those who were wiser than I.
I said, I would suffer myself to be instructed with
that which was right. She further said that people
said that I did not believe in the Father, nor in the
Son, and also not in the Holy Ghost; which I earnestly
contradicted, and said that I thought much
thereof, and that my faith was resting thereon, and
that if I did not believe in the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Ghost, I should not be worthy to live.
Then she inquired what it really was. The castellan’s
son said that I did not believe in the mass.
Then she became angry, and I said that I did not
believe in the ordinances of men, as, namely, infant
baptism, and their sacrament—that the blessed
Lord was not present in it, but I believed that he
was in the throne of eternal life. She became angry
and said that if their were no executioner, she would
rather put me to death herself, than that I should
live. And she gave the two prisoners that are with
me seven stivers, and forbade them to give me anything
of it, and warned them, that they should not
allow themselves to be seduced by me, and went
away. Furthermore, dear father, deliver to my
wife, at the first opportunity, the letter which I
have written her, and exhort her to that which is
good, this I affectionately pray you, and all my dear
friends; my dear old mother above all, and my two
sisters, and my young brother, that he conduct himself
well, when he gets a little more understanding;
and also my poor child, for whose poor soul I am
so greatly concerned, that it may please the Lord.
But I hope the Lord will take it into his kingdom,
before it commits sin. Walk in love. Eph. 5:2.
Further, dear father, I would desire a Testament,
if you could send me one; for I have had our
brother’s Testament for a very long time, and he
needs it himself, and has it now again.

Written in my bonds, by me, your dear son.

Reytse Aysess.





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