I further pray you, my dearest daughter, that you first of all love and obey your dear, beloved mother. If your beloved mother gets to be an aged woman, always show her great honor; and always do your best with her; it is a commandment of the Lord which has a promise. For if you do not love your dearest, beloved mother, how can you love our dear Lord, whom you do not see. But I hope and trust, my only, dear daughter, that you will do the best; and I was very glad to hear in my bonds, that you conduct yourself so well, and are so resigned. Thank the Lord, that he has spared your beloved mother, so that you should get along better. But, as the time of the saints, of the prophets, of Christ, the apostles, and other saints, is fulfilled, so my time is also now being fulfilled, according to the providence of God, that I should henceforth rest in Christ. Thus I go the way of the prophets and apostles, believing what the holy Scriptures say, that Christ Jesus alone is our Savior, and seeking to be saved by his blood, his merits, and his sufferings alone. Many evil things are said of us, of not one of which are we guilty; but we must suffer all for Christ’s sake, and take his kingdom by force, for the violent take it by force. Matt. 11:12. Our enduring all things is our power and force, and by patience, meekness and longsuffering we can get through everything by the help of the Lord. May he grant you, my beloved daughter, and your dearest mother, the same patient, good spirit, to overcome in all tribulation which you have together, or may yet have, for the name of the Lord, to his praise and your soul’s salvation. Amen.
Herewith, adieu in this wicked world, and be of good cheer together. Written and completed this 4th of March, A. D. 1572. By me your beloved father, imprisoned at Dortrecht for the obedience of Christ, and this to the praise of God. Amen.
O merciful heavenly Father, who hast so specially chosen and loved me unworthy one, I, who am but dust and ashes, commend to you my dearest wife and my dearest, only daughter.
Written by me in bonds, at Dortrecht.