# The Eleventh Letter From Jan Wouterss, To P. J., His Youngest Brother-In-Law.

16th century (source section) · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: THE ELEVENTH LETTER FROM JAN WOUTERSS, TO P. J., HIS YOUNGEST BROTHER-IN-LAW.

Century of containing source section; exact event date not assigned

Grace and peace from God the Father through
Jesus Christ, and the co-operation of the Holy
Spirit, be multiplied to you, my much beloved
brother, and to all that seek their salvation with
all their heart, in the name of Jesus Christ; that
we may be able to stand, by the help of the Lord,
in this last conflict that is set before us, and may
patiently finish it, for an example to our neighbor,
for a light to the world, to the salvation of the soul,
and to the praise of God. Amen.

After this my heartfelt wish, I cannot forbear to
write you a little, if peradventure I and you may
be refreshed somewhat thereby. In the first place,
know that I cannot fully thank our God for his
grace, that he has called me, unworthy, poor, vile
man to this state, whereby I perceive the great love
which he has to me, unworthy one; he chastens
me according to his mercy, thereby confirming that
I am not a bastard. O what great grace is this,
that the good God seeks my salvation, which salvation
has been, and still is, the sole object of my
seeking and praying, as I wrote to you before my
imprisonment, to help me to pray, that the Lord
would give and let come upon me what is for my
salvation, which I trust his grace that he, out of
great mercy, does, and will do according to his
promise and goodness, and not according to my
righteousness, for his grace knows better than I
what I need. Hence his will be done for my salvation,
to take me away from the evil, which frequently
arises through the work of Satan, which he
works in the children of unbelief; for I have found
from my youth, that one trouble and difficulty follows
upon the heels of another. And he that from
the heart seeks his salvation and the welfare of the
church, often has to suffer the pains of travail.
Moreover, one has much to die unto and mortify
in himself, and constantly to fight, so that one is
seldom without conflict, even as Paul and also many
pious witnesses of God; but all who do not become
weary, and who overcome, shall inherit all things,
and to them that overcome the crown is promised.
Let therefore no one become faint or weary, knowing
880
and believing that we have such a strong champion,
who cannot be conquered, but from whom the
wicked must flee. Paul says: “If God be for us,
who can be against us?” Rom. 8:31. The Lord
said to Abraham: “Fear not; I am thy shield, and
thy exceeding great reward.” Gen. 15:1. The
Lord said, yea, commanded him, that he should
be of good courage, and not be afraid or dismayed;
he promised always to be with him, wherever he
should go (thus he was also with his faithful servant
Moses), and [told him] that he should meditate
day and night on the law of God. (Oh! herein
I fall far too short, which I heartily regret), that he
should not depart therefrom either to the right or
to the left, and his way should be prosperous and
full of blessings, and he should trample his enemies
under foot and devour them as bread. Yea, God
sent his angel, as he had promised, as a champion,
so that the Lord himself fought the battle. O is
this not a faithful God! who should not trust in his
powerful word? And though we do not see him
externally, yet we daily behold his creation, which
through the power of his word still stands in its
strength, though it be but a little flower out of the
earth.

Hence, though a storm come upon us occasionally,
let us firmly rely upon the word and promise
of the Lord; that we do not sink with Peter, but
pass-over this raging sea to the Lord, always praying
him, in faith, and with firm confidence in his
word, for strength, as those that are never sated.
I, unworthy servant, now, in this state, well experience
his faithfulness, praise to him forever. He has
promised to assist us, and not to forsake us, as he
says by the prophet: Can a mother forget the son
of her womb, that she should not have compassion
on him? though she do this, yet will I not forsake
thee. Isa. 49:15. He is also the strength of the
poor, a sure refuge, and a true helper in time of
need. Yea, he preserves his own as the apple of
his eye, in water, in bonds, and in the fire; hence,
he that afflicts his chosen afflicts him, as the Lord
said to Saul: “Why persecutest thou me?” and
he that does good to his chosen in his name, does
good to him. Hence let every one persevere steadfastly,
and do good cheerfully without wearying,
for in due time we shall also reap without ceasing;
and the good shall arise unto everlasting life. We
are created unto good works through Christ. Hence
let every one bring forth good fruit, unto which he
is appointed; and God our heavenly Father will be
honored, and purify us still more, that we may
bring forth fruit still more abundantly, and grow
up unto the [measure of the] stature of the fullness
of Christ; and so doing we shall wait for the coming
of our Lord and Bridegroom, and this with patience,
for patience is the strength of the godfearing.
Nothing special further for this time, but hold
fast what you have, and be faithful unto death, for
your and my faith is the unadulterated truth, which
perform in the fear of God, by the help of the Lord,
and you shall have peace with the Lord, according
to his promise. Be of good cheer this short time
of your pilgrimage; sorrow not for me; and though
I am now baptized with the baptism of suffering,
and drink the cup of affliction, it is for my salvation.
Henceforth I expect through the grace of the Lord
the crown of life. What does it signify? once we
must part; if I had died of the pest, or of something
else, all to whom my person is dear would
certainly have to miss me; and it is manifest that
I do not suffer as an evil doer, but because I have
accepted Christ Jesus, and this I do not at all regret.
I salute you, my dear wife, and yours, and all the
godfearing, cordially in the Lord. Pray for me,
and cause prayer to be made for me. Amen.





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