See, my dear, beloved brethren and sisters, if we trust in the word of the Lord, and keep his commandments, and always walk according to the Lord’s rule, and call upon the Lord day and night, he will fight for us. Yea, our enemies shall not be able to harm us, but they shall be confounded. But if the righteous forsake the Lord, they must turn their backs before their enemies, as we read in Joshua, concerning Achan and others, also of Saul, who was the first king of Israel; when the Lord had commanded him, to go forth to fight against the Amalekites, and to spare no one, he went, but did not keep the Lord’s command; hence the Spirit of the Lord departed from him, and the Lord set David in his stead; on which account he persecuted David. And thus the righteous have ever had to suffer from the unrighteous: Jacob, from Esau; Abel, from Cain, because his offering was acceptable before the Lord, and his brother’s not; hence he was killed by Cain; and this generation is still in the world.
See, my much beloved and chosen brethren and sisters, to whom the truth, which is hid from so many thousands is revealed, and who have received grace from God; let us show obedience to the Lord, as did our father Abraham, who is the father of the faithful; and Jephthah, who did not spare his only daughter, but willingly offered her up to the Lord. Judges 11:39. Hence, my dear brethren and sisters, let us diligently fear the Lord, and observe his commandments, and he will be gracious unto us. Therefore, my very dear and beloved brethren and sisters, only be faithful unto the end, and neither be terrified, nor fear; though this generation has now great power to crush and kill the people of God, they can do no more than the Lord permits them. Hence let us keep good watch for our souls, and always be vigilant; for the Lord says himself: Watch and pray; for the Lord shall come as a thief in the night. O, my dear brethren and sisters, that we might then not be found idle or drowsy, but with the five wise virgins always have oil in our lamps, and ever be ready and watch for the coming of our bridegroom, so that with Gideon we may be found worthy; for they were not all accepted; only three hundred were found worthy. Judges 6:12. Even as also Christ himself says, that many are called, but few chosen. Matt. 20:16; 22:14.
Hence, my dear brethren and sisters in the Lord, let us diligently pray to God with a fervent heart, that we may be known and reckoned with the little flock, and that we may be stones in the Lord’s temple, and branches on the Lord’s vine, and valiantly follow our Lord and Bishop even unto the end; and it shall be well with us; and walk in all righteousness and holiness, and always be mindful of the day of the Lord, and not depart from the Lord’s way; and he will have compassion upon us and be gracious unto us. For he shall separate the sheep from the goats, and say to them on his right hand: Come, ye blessed, inherit the kingdom prepared for you. And to them on his left hand: Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire. Matt. 25:32. O how lamentable will it then be with those who here have feared men more than the Lord; yea, who now say: The Lord is gracious and merciful, which is true; but he is also righteous, and wants his commandments kept. Hence, O dear people, think of the day of which Peter says: “That one day is with the Lord as a thousand years.” 2 Peter 3:8. How lamentably it will then be deplored! See, my dear brethren and sisters, my materials are about to give out; hence I must conclude. We prisoners will therefore herewith bid you adieu, namely we four; our names you well know; let this reach Jan de P., our sister Lijntgen’s brother. We prisoners cordially salute you with the word of the Lord, and are still of good cheer, and trust to offer up a willing sacrifice to the Lord; the Lord God strengthen us with his Holy Spirit. And, dear brothers Bauke, Symon, and Pieter, who are my brothers according to the flesh, take care for your souls; though you are young yet, do not depend on that; you know neither the day nor the hour, and enough is revealed to you, that you well know that it is the truth. Herewith I will send you my last adieu, as I do not think that I will see you anymore; but see that we may meet one another again with joy.