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 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.