PIETER BRUYNEN, JAN, PLEUNIS, AND JAN THE OLD CLOTHES BUYER, AND ANOTHER BROTHER, ALL PUT TO DEATH, ON THE 2d OF OCTOBER, A. D. 1551, AT ANTWERP.
_A letter from Pieter Bruynen van Weert, which he wrote in prison at Antwerp, where he and four others were put to death for the word of the Lord, on the 2d of October, A. D. 1551._
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God of mercies, who has with his divine word begotten us again unto a lively hope, reserved in heaven for us, who by the power of God are preserved in the faith, and tried for the kingdom of God, wherefore we suffer, for which thanks be to the Lord, because he has chosen us thereto, and made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Rom. 1:7; Jas. 1:18; Col. 1:12. Therefore, dear brethren, be valiant and fearless, and walk with a firm and unchanging faith before God and his church, and firmly resolve, not to depart from the Lord, nor to separate from his love, on account of any distress or tribulation; and he can give you assistance and comfort, when you are forsaken, being deprived of all human help and consolation; for he comes to the help of him that forsakes and denies himself, since he dwells and will dwell alone in the hearts of men, and will not have it that we should serve anyone but him. Matt. 4:10. Thus, be established and built up in him, and let love increase among you, whereby one sustains the other, and each joyfully endeavors to be the chiefest in virtue. Pay no regard to the walk of the slothful and heedless, to follow their example, namely those who are called Christians in ease of life (Matt. 11:8), adornment of clothing, or external appearance; but consider those whose life and confession of faith conform to the doctrine of Christ; so that you may go neither too high nor too low, neither too broad nor too long. Eph. 3:18. For many go astray by looking to one another, in consequence of which they grow cold.
Hence, my dear brethren, if you be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, that your mind may be directed towards the incorruptible, and let your hope be set on the things which are not seen, and be patient herein; for there must be patience, if we would receive the promise. 2 Corinthians 4:18; Heb. 10:36. Stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Jas. 5:8. Put off the old man, and put on the new man (Colossians 3:9,10); deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and be transformed by the renewing of your minds. If you would be partakers of the resurrection of Christ, know, that you must first have crucified the old man, that the body of sin may be destroyed. Rom. 6:6. And do not become weary in well-doing, since your labor shall not be in vain; for you are made partakers of Christ, if you hold the beginning of your confidence steadfast unto the end. 1 Cor. 15:58; Heb. 3:14. Be therefore not shaken by anything, neither be afraid of the sons of men, who pass away as grass; for they can do you nothing without God’s permission. But fear God for this is perfect wisdom. Humble yourselves before him; for the great Glory is honored by the lowly. Count yourselves always with the humble, and you shall be great in the eyes of God. Do not think yourselves to know something, or to be something, lest you deceive yourselves. Always forsake yourselves, and regard not those who may inflict evil or suffering upon you, though you be wronged; for this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. Matt. 5:39; 1 Pet. 2:19. Hence, be patient in your tribulation, and be partakers of the sufferings of Christ, that you may inherit the promise; for the reproach suffered here is brief when compared with the eternal joy. Rom. 12:12; 1 Pet. 5:1. And this light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; for though our life is poor, yet we shall be rewarded with much wealth. And though death reigns over us now, an east wind shall come from the Lord, and dry up his torments. For it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. 1 Cor. 15:43,44. Hence, the house of this tabernacle must be dissolved, if we would obtain the building prepared us by God. We need therefore not fear them that kill the body, since they cannot harm the soul; for the greatest of which they deprive us, is also that for which God will give us the greatest reward; and after that they have no more that they can do to us. Matt. 10:28. Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, watch in prayer, always giving thanks unto God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, for his abundant grace, and that he has made known unto us his will, manifested the savor of his knowledge, and given us the most glorious and precious promises; who were sometime estranged in our minds by wicked works, and alienated from the life of God, of which we had no hope in the promises. But after that the kindness of God appeared toward us, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, in whom we are sealed until the time of redemption, who is the earnest of the future inheritance, and who assures us, and bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God, and teaches us all things, and who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. To God the Father, who only hath immortality, and to whom alone belong power and might, praise and glory, be honor and thanks, through Christ our Lord, for his unspeakable grace, now and forever. 1 Pet. 1:13; Eph. 1:9; 2 Corinthians 2:14; Eph. 4:18; Tit. 3:4,5; Eph. 1:13,14. Rom. 8:16; 1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Tim. 6:16; Rev. 4:11.