We poor prisoners in the Lord, and bound of Jesus Christ, for the testimony of our God, and for the incontrovertible truth of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; also severed and banished for still holding fast to the truth and to this testimony; wish salvation, joy, gladness, love, comfort, strength, and the fellowship, operation and power of the Holy Ghost to all our dear brethren and sisters, that are rejected and oppressed by the proud, for the true knowledge of Jesus Christ and the fear of God, for a proof of their severe blindness and pride, and for a proof of patience and pure fear of God in all of you; in short, for a proof, that through the power of our God you are kept in the faith, and also for a confirmation of his word, that the gates and fiends of hell cannot cast you down. May the strong God with his mighty power and word henceforth keep us all through the abundant riches of his grace; to him be for it praise, honor, glory, power, might, and strength in glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Out of pure, brotherly, unfeigned love, and from the inmost of our soul and the depth of our heart, with a pure conscience toward all banished, oppressed, burdened, and distressed souls, I write this simple and plain letter to you, out of a pure heart, as a drop of morning dew, dropping down for the refreshing, cooling and comforting of your hearts; hence I beseech you with all my strength, yea, from the inmost depth of my heart, and by the cross and sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ, and also by his bitter death and his precious blood shed for us all, discern and comprehend it with pure, clear eyes, ears and hearts. O brethren and sisters, behold and consider diligently from what the mighty power, Spirit and word of the Lord have delivered you. The hand of the Lord has powerfully delivered you, that you might not be punished with the severe darkness and blindness into which many are fallen. God has also well preserved you from all the plagues and sorceries of Egypt, while so many now lose their birthright.
O brethren and sisters, take heed to it. Because you firmly and confidently hope in the living God; therefore the consuming, and devouring, severe fire (which devours all around it) has not been able to devour or consume you, though all heat, cunning, and craftiness were used in Babylon’s fiery furnace; yea, my friends, though the lions of Babylon gnashed their teeth, you have, like Daniel, not been harmed by them, God be forever praised for it. Hence, my most beloved brethren and sisters, whom I love with all my heart, from this, and much more, the power of the Lord has preserved you, for through his victory you have triumphed, and shall triumph, till you receive the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Amen. 1 Pet. 1:9.
I beseech you all with an unfeigned faith, open your heart once, and consider and lay to heart in spirit and in truth these words of the prophet: “Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified; but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed, saith the Lord.” Ps. 66:5.
In another place he says: I sat not in the assembly of mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation. Jer. 15:17.
In the third place, mark with an attentive heart the words of the prophet: I will also leave in the midst of thee (saith the Lord) an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken away the judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thy hands be slack. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee. Zephaniah 3:12–19; Is. 43; 41:14.