Let the reader be informed that Jacob van den Wege, the writer of the preceding letter, owing to want of opportunity did not further carry out or write down the articles of faith, though he was sufficiently informed in all, and continued therein steadfastly unto death.
ANOTHER LETTER FROM JACOB VAN DEN WEGE, WRITTEN IN HIS BONDS, TO OTHER PRISONERS.
The unfathomable abundant grace and mercy of God the heavenly Father, the peace; holiness and merits of our Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, and the joy, comfort and power of the Holy Ghost. This only, eternal and almighty God, who alone is holy and good, grant you, my dear and most affectionately beloved sisters in the Lord, who are now imprisoned for the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ, this my salutation, yea, the Lord grant it to you through his great goodness and benevolence; this I wish you from the depth of my heart, as an affectionate and cordial greeting. Amen.
Further, after all unfeigned Christian salutation, let my dear sisters in the Lord, please, be informed, that we three prisoners, who now are also in bonds, in Ghent, in the count’s castle, for the testimony and doctrine of our Savior Jesus Christ, are still of good cheer, and not changed in the least in our purpose to suffer with Christ, and to strive for the truth. And we are also ready not only to endure poverty, reproach, imprisonment, and bonds, but also to die for the name of the Lord, if it be his pleasure; and all this by his great and mighty power, with which he strengthens us through his great grace; to him be praise, thanks and glory forever.
From your letter I also understood that it is still well with you four, on account of which I and my fellow prisoners were much rejoiced, and I pray God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has chosen us hereunto from our birth, and through his great mercy and love has given us his abundant grace, that he would keep and strengthen us unto the end with his Holy Spirit, that his name may be praised and honored forever through us all, for the edification of our neighbor, and the salvation of our souls. O my dearly beloved sisters in the Lord, let us continue steadfastly, and take good heed, that we do not neglect the grace of God which he has so faithfully shown us, but well improve it, for through neglect one may soon lose that for which he has labored so long, and then it is sometimes very difficult to find it again. Hence I say, let us take good heed, and hold fast that which we have, that no one take our crown. For if we continue steadfast in that which we have, we shall without any doubt be saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Heb. 12:15; Rev. 3:11; Matt. 10:22; Acts 15:11. And to this end (namely, to be saved) we have already begun; may God grant us strength, that we may be able to carry it out to his praise and to the salvation of our souls. For God knows, that on earth we seek no other riches or honor, than the honor of his name and the salvation of our souls, for which salvation we now with great patience endure here so much affliction amidst sorrowing and sighing (all of which rises from reproach and imprisonment), together with manifold conflicts and temptations.
But, my most beloved, let us not become despondent in tribulation and affliction, nor let us think it strange, as though some strange thing happened unto us, for from the beginning of the world the righteous had to suffer; but let us rejoice herein that we are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, well knowing that if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him. 1 Pet. 4:12,13; 2 Tim. 2:12. For Paul says, that it is given unto us, not only to believe on Christ, but also to suffer for his sake; for we must through much tribulation and affliction enter into the kingdom of heaven. Philip. 1:29; Acts 14:22. But the sufferings of this world are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us, who look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them who love him and keep his commandments; but he hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit. Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:18; 1 Cor. 2:9,10. Hence, my dear sisters, we ought to be comforted by these promises, and work with a joyful heart in the vineyard of the Lord, patiently endure the heat of the sun, and not fear what man shall do unto us, for we know, and are sure through our faith, that if they kill our body, our Redeemer liveth, and that he shall hereafter raise us up from the earth, and then we shall in our flesh see God; our eyes shall behold him and not another. Job 19:25. And Paul says, that we look for the Savior, Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that he may fashion it like unto his glorious body. Philip. 3:20,21. Then shall we be caught up in the air to meet him, to inherit eternal life, and then shall he fill our hearts with joy, and comfort us, and make us glad after our tribulation, shall wipe our tears from our eyes, and shall reward our labor, for sorrow and mourning shall flee away from us, and everlasting joy shall be upon our heads, 1 Thess. 4:17; Rev. 7:17; Isaiah 51:11. Yea, all this shall happen to us through his great grace and if we firmly persevere and take good heed, and abide steadfast unto the end in that which we have, we shall be saved. Herewith I will commend you to the Lord, that he will keep you my dear sisters in the Lord, with the strong power of his Holy Spirit. And take my brief unfeigned letter in good part, for I had almost not written you at all, because of my ignorance and simplicity; but through your request I dared not forbear.