The Sixth Letter From Jan Wouterss, To His Only Daughter In Particular.

The eternal, almighty, good God, who by his word created heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that therein is, be with you. Because I sought him in my simplicity, for the salvation of my soul, I am imprisoned by his enemies, which I will forgive them. But though I am imprisoned, and have also suffered for it, I have never yet regretted that I sought, in my simplicity, my salvation; for unto salvation I am created through Jesus Christ, unto good works, that I should walk in them, and hereafter arise to everlasting life. Eph. 2:10; John 5:29. Therefore, my only daughter, attend to the instruction of your beloved father. Thus, what I tell you according to the Scriptures is this: Consider the wickedness of the world, the learned with the magistrates, and their adherents, how they shed the innocent blood; they are called spirituals and Christians. Hence I beseech you, my dearest daughter, do not follow them, for they walk not in the right way, to this I bear witness. And read the holy Scriptures, and when you have attained your years, consider and ponder it well; and pray the Lord for understanding then, and you shall be able to discern good from evil, lies from truth, the way of perdition, and the narrow way that leads unto eternal life. And when you then see pomp, boasting, dancing, lying, cheating, cursing, swearing, quarreling, fighting, and other wickedness, such as drinking to intoxication, kneeling down before wood, stone, gold, silver, or bread, think then: This is not the right way, these are not the works of Christians, as the holy Scriptures teach. Such works proceed not from the Spirit of God, but from the spirit of Satan. The Scriptures testify that they are Christ’s who have the Spirit of Christ or are led by the same. Rom. 8:9,14. And in order that you may be found a true Christian, do not follow those people; follow them not, though they allure you in an inviting manner, and promise you fine things; do not regard that, but depart from the broad way on which they 871 are, that you do not become a partaker of their eternal plagues. Consider the examples of the Scriptures in regard to this, which happened in the first world; for all who had departed from God, and did not believe Noah’s preaching, and did not regard his words, were drowned. Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah, who daily vexed righteous Lot; they who would not go out with him, were burned. Thus it shall also go with those who do not believe the true Noah, that is, Christ Jesus; for he preached it in this world, saying first: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mark 1:15. Even as Noah had warned and preached, before the flood came, so Christ preached, and caused his apostles to preach, repentance, and still causes it to be done daily, by me, unworthy one, your beloved father, and by other servants of Christ. But what does it avail them? not many repent; they remain with the great multitude; we are lightly esteemed, for we are a plain, small and unlearned people. But Christ could well foresee the hardness of the people; hence he says in the Gospel: As it was in the days, or times, of Noah; they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until Noe entered into the ark; so shall it also be in the coming of the Son of man, that is, Jesus Christ. Matt. 24:37. Then shall the day of the Lord be as a burning oven. Mal. 4:1. Crying and lamenting will then avail wicked, unbelieving men nothing, for then there shall be no time to obtain grace. But now is the acceptable time, the day of salvation, now is the time of grace, the jubilee of the Lord, until the terrible day of the Lord comes. Is. 49:8; Deuteronomy 15:1. Then he shall say to those who would not believe the gospel, but followed the multitude: Depart, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. But to those who followed him in this life unto the end, he shall say: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25:41,34.

Thus, my dearest daughter, lay it to heart, despise it not, for it is of great importance to you; and diligently search (when you have received understanding from the Lord) the holy Scriptures, and you will find, that we must follow Christ Jesus, and obey him unto the end; and you will also truly find the little flock who follow Christ. And this is the sign: they lead a penitent life; they avoid that which is evil, and delight in doing what is good; they hunger and thirst after righteousness: they are not conformed to the world; they crucify their sinful flesh more and more every day, to die unto sin, which wars in their members; they strive and seek after that which is honest and of good report; they do evil to no one; they pray for their enemies; they do not resist their enemies; their words are yea that is yea, and nay that is nay; their word is their seal; they are sorry that they do not constantly live more holily, for which reason they often sigh and weep. Let not this, however, be the only sign by which you may know who follows Christ; but [they are] also these, namely: who bear the cross of Christ, for he says: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23. For he has said: If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. John 15:20. But now some one might say, and persuade people, that he said this to his apostles. But the apostle Paul declares to them and says that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12. The prophet, also, says that he that takes up the truth becomes every one’s prey; for that which is pure and clear cannot come forth. Is. 59:15. Hereby you may understand, my dear daughter, who follow Christ, to be saved through him. Beware of sin, that you do not commit it; and join these cross-bearers, that you may come to Christ, who bore the cross for us; for we must follow his footsteps, and be like our Lord, the disciple like his master; and as we suffer with him, so shall we forever rejoice with him. But, my only daughter, whom I love from the heart, I beseech you, fear not this present suffering, so that you do not, on this account, forbear to seek your salvation; this would be too great a folly; for now that I have suffered the same, I say with the apostle, that the suffering which comes upon us for Christ’s sake is light and temporal, and works for us an exceeding weight of glory. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ, and he always helps us to triumph, so that we keep the faith in a pure conscience; for it is blessed, says the apostle, if we endure stripes for well doing. Hence rejoice, that your dear father has suffered and endured threats, contempt and stripes for well doing; I say for well doing, because I would not with the world walk the broad way to everlasting torment, which all shall receive who do not turn and follow Christ in the narrow way. The word of Christ is always the judge; hence let no one think hard of me. John 12:48.

In the second place I also suffered because I loved my neighbor as myself, and would not name him. Be therefore resigned, and always think that your beloved father did not suffer as a thief or murderer, but as a Christian, of which I need not be ashamed, nor need you; but let them be ashamed themselves who do evil; one need not be ashamed of that which is good. Though we are despised of men, who perish like grass, and vanish as a vapor, what care we for mortal man: if we only please the immortal God, all is well, for he will praise us. The praise of men is perishable. Hence we do not regard it, and look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; after these we follow and strive, and choose with Moses rather to suffer affliction with the children of God, than to live in the lusts of the world, for we have respect to the reward of Christ. Thither I will now go before, and wait for you and your dear mother a little while. Hence I pray you very affectionately, my dearest, only daughter, take the words of my letter to heart, so that you seek your salvation with all your heart, in following Christ. He will help you as well as he helps me, and has helped others who lived in my time and before. Christ is the way to eternal life; hence keep his commandment, which is life everlasting. John 12:50.

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I further pray you, my dearest daughter, that you first of all love and obey your dear, beloved mother. If your beloved mother gets to be an aged woman, always show her great honor; and always do your best with her; it is a commandment of the Lord which has a promise. For if you do not love your dearest, beloved mother, how can you love our dear Lord, whom you do not see. But I hope and trust, my only, dear daughter, that you will do the best; and I was very glad to hear in my bonds, that you conduct yourself so well, and are so resigned. Thank the Lord, that he has spared your beloved mother, so that you should get along better. But, as the time of the saints, of the prophets, of Christ, the apostles, and other saints, is fulfilled, so my time is also now being fulfilled, according to the providence of God, that I should henceforth rest in Christ. Thus I go the way of the prophets and apostles, believing what the holy Scriptures say, that Christ Jesus alone is our Savior, and seeking to be saved by his blood, his merits, and his sufferings alone. Many evil things are said of us, of not one of which are we guilty; but we must suffer all for Christ’s sake, and take his kingdom by force, for the violent take it by force. Matt. 11:12. Our enduring all things is our power and force, and by patience, meekness and longsuffering we can get through everything by the help of the Lord. May he grant you, my beloved daughter, and your dearest mother, the same patient, good spirit, to overcome in all tribulation which you have together, or may yet have, for the name of the Lord, to his praise and your soul’s salvation. Amen.

Herewith, adieu in this wicked world, and be of good cheer together. Written and completed this 4th of March, A. D. 1572. By me your beloved father, imprisoned at Dortrecht for the obedience of Christ, and this to the praise of God. Amen.

O merciful heavenly Father, who hast so specially chosen and loved me unworthy one, I, who am but dust and ashes, commend to you my dearest wife and my dearest, only daughter.

Written by me in bonds, at Dortrecht.

Jan Wouterss Kuyck.