The eternal, imperishable wisdom of God our heavenly Father, the great love of his Son our Lord Jesus Christ, and the power of his Holy Spirit, for the comforting of your mind, these I wish you my very dear and beloved wife, as a cordial greeting from God, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
My affectionately beloved and chosen wife, be pleased to know that my mind is tolerably well, the Lord be praised forever for his grace, except that I am very sorrowful for your and for the children’s sake, since I love you and them from the heart, so that I know of nothing under heaven for which I would be willing to leave you; but for the Lord and his invisible riches we must forsake everything, through the love of God, which is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.
Hence Christ says: “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:37,38. And he also says: If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother,... he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26. Yes, brothers and sisters, wife and children, and our own life also, with all that we possess, or we cannot be Christ’s disciples; although this hatred extends only so far as these things cleave to us, to draw us away from Christ. Hence we must overcome and forsake them through the love of God, for thereby we prove that we love God above all, with all our strength, and with all our ability, which is the greatest commandment in the law, of which Paul says: “The end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” 1 Tim. 1:5. By this love and faith one must confess Christ unfeignedly, and not forsake him for father or mother, for wife or children, or for his own life. Hence Solomon writes: “Love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, and a flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.” (Sol. Song 8:6,7); for it cannot be bought with riches, but it is given for nought by God, through the Holy Ghost, to those that seek him in truth.
Therefore, I pray you, my dear wife, that you seek to possess your soul in patience, and do not grieve too much on account of this my trial, which happens through God’s permission. For I had thought to come and take leave, and to send you away with H., or with some one else; but the Lord did not permit me--he knows why it is. Still I am grieving much on your account, for I leave you in great distress. But I hope that the Lord, who has taken me from you, will help you and provide for you, according to his promise, since he feeds the ravens and little animals, because they are his creatures; how much more then shall he provide for his elect, who cry day and night unto him? Therefore did Peter say: Cast all your care upon the Lord; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7. As also David says: The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Ps. 145:15.
Thus, my dear wife, trust in the Lord, this I pray you; for he that ministereth seed to the sower, will also minister bread for your food. 2 Cor. 9:10. And move to the country of C., where there is much tranquillity. And the brethren said, that they would assist us in whatever they could. I had made such good arrangements, that I hoped that it would please you well, which I intend to let you know yet.