Now when I had thus prepared myself, I heard that they were torturing our beloved sister, my fellow-prisoner. It seemed to me, that she was also drawn up, and let down again. When she would not confess, she was drawn up again, and was then also made fast below by her feet. When she had suffered the anguish for a while, she was let down again, and carried away. Then thought I: Now comes my turn; now they will come and take me poor lamb out of the pen, to the slaughter. While thus waiting, I much consoled myself, thinking, how soon a man is unmade; for it seems to me that she scarcely suffered the torture half an hour.
When I had thus with Abraham delivered up my only son, that is; my flesh, the Lord suddenly interposed and turned my tribulation into great joy. In the first place by this, that the Lord had also kept the lips of that weak lamb; and in the second place, that it seems that they are satisfied with the sufferings which I have undergone before my sacrifice.
I have written this, not to cast you down, but for the reason that you saints of God should rejoice with me in the Holy Ghost, and help me thank the Lord, that he has so faithfully helped me; and that you may know how wonderfully God works in his elect; as also a pious witness of Christ, Karstiaen L., has testified in his letter, and Joris the dyer, who was a witness of the truth with me here; and would not name those that were dead, for he said in himself: “If the devil comes upon the first step, he also comes higher.” O I think one loses his strength, in a measure, thereby; for I thought, though they do not know my master, and though I also know that he is gone, together with my dear, beloved wife, and others, yet they would not be satisfied, they are determined to torture me, and I want to be silent in regard to the one as well as to the other; it will now be made manifest, how the Lord helps those that trust in him. O what a joy is the victory through Christ; now my faith in Christ is tried, my fear of God, and my confidence which I had already before I came into bonds, my love to God and to his holy church, as the gold in the furnace and upon the touch-stone; for other trials can be borne tolerably well, when one has enough and can go where he pleases; but when one, with Job, is touched in his skin (Job 2:4,5), when the skin is lacerated, so that the blood flows, and this is repeated after four days, that touches the quick. O thou daughter of Zion, thou bride of the Lamb, be not dismayed, the Lamb shall gain the victory; be of good courage in the short conflict that is set before you, for all things are promised to him that overcometh; he that continueth faithful unto death shall receive the crown of life, and shall not taste eternal death, or the everlasting torment. I do not know that my torture lasted over two hours in all; but the threatening, the contempt, and the tormenting lasted somewhat longer. My most beloved, is this not a small torment? should one therefore forsake the truth? should one therefore deny the Lord, and burden his conscience by mentioning names? nay, when one is nevertheless frequently subjected to suffering. O no; the Lord himself fights the battle for us; to him alone be praise forever. Amen.
Thus, you beloved and saints of God, who have become partakers of the heavenly calling through Jesus Christ, despond not, nor be afraid of them that kill the body, for they have no power over the soul. I, unworthy one, have espied for you the help of the Lord; hence I bear witness of him, that he is a faithful helper in distress, as is written of him; yea (he says by the prophet), though a mother forget the son of her womb, whom she brought forth, yet will I not forsake nor forget thee. Is. 49:15; Heb. 13:5.