Affectionately beloved brethren, much grace and mercy be unto you from God our heavenly Father, through Christ Jesus his only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior, through whom the Holy Ghost is given us, that we should be led by him, and guided into all truth, in order thus to be a light in this world, so that we might with a good conscience, praise our Father who is in heaven; to this end may the Lord give his grace, that it may so remain with me, and with all my beloved brethren and sisters, to the end of their life, this I wish them as a friendly greeting and cordial adieu.
Furthermore, my dear brethren, know that, while in the country of C., I was greatly prompted, to appear among you once more, that we might once more enjoy ourselves together; but the Lord prevented it by my imprisonment. Yet, I could not forbear to write you a little, in order to exhort and refresh your minds, so that, as you received the Lord Jesus Christ, you might go on in him, and be rooted and built up in him, and abound therein with thanksgiving. Col. 2:6,7. For, my dear brethren and sisters, if we do not abide in him, it is all labor lost, and we cannot be partakers of his abundant riches, which he has prepared for us in heaven; for we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. Heb. 3:14. And if we draw back, his soul will have no pleasure in us. Heb. 10:38. Yes, dear friends, if we abide not in him. We are like a branch that does not abide in the vine, and forthwith withers. It is therefore cut off from the vine, and cast into the fire; for it is of no other use to men, for the prophet says: One cannot make a wooden pin of it. Ezek. 15:5. Hence, according to the words of Christ, such Christians who do not abide in Christ, will be cut off, and cast into the fire of hell; for they are of no use to Christ in heaven; hence there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, [or maketh a lie:] but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Rev. 21:26. Therefore I exhort you, my dear brethren, with the apostle John: Abide in him, that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming (1 John 2:28); that we may then not be like the foolish virgins who had to remain without with shame, because they had taken their lamps and no oil in them. For what can it avail us, that we have simply been baptized, and separated from popery, as though we would be virgins who did not want to remain in such spiritual whoredom; and yet do not have the love of God in us, by which to lead a pure and chaste conversation, to the honor of our Bridegroom; in this case we are foolish to think that by such conduct we can please Christ. For David says: “The King’s daughter shall be brought unto the King in glorious adornment.” Ps. 45:14. Therefore love is the bond of perfectness; for he that abides in love abides in God; for God is love. Through this love we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not grievous. Col. 3:14; 1 John 4:8; 5:3.
Thus, my dear brethren and sisters, let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord [when he will return from the wedding]; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord [when he cometh] shall find watching. Luke 12:35–37. For these are wise virgins, who have learned to know the Bridegroom; who know that he takes pleasure in their beauty; whose beauty lies not outwardly in braided hair, or in putting on of apparel; but inwardly in a chaste conversation, in a modest behavior, which is manifested before all men. 1 Tim. 2:9; 1 Peter 3:3. These virgins are baptized not only with water, but with the Holy Ghost and with fire; for they do not only guard against outward idolatry, but will not consent to sin in anywise: nor do they love the world, or the things that are in it; for therein lies not the love of the Father. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world, by which so many a Christian is seduced; even as it is the cause of ruin to many a young girl, when she begins to get proud. Then she becomes desirous after fine clothing; then the young fellows make their addresses to her, who at first do not speak of carnal indulgence, for this would be too blunt for an honorable maiden; but they seek first to incite her heart to love, after which carnal sin will the more readily be consented to.