O see, my dear and much beloved chosen sister, what more shall I wish you? or what more shall I write you than I have written? But I repeat, and this from abundant, pure and fervent love to God, with the holy, chosen apostle Peter, where he writes to you, and also to us, and to all men: “Purify your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, and see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The sun is risen, and hath withered the grass, and the beauty of it is perished: but the word of the Lord endureth forever. 1 Pet. 1:22–25. O dear sister, what a good ointment and blessed doctrine this is which Peter has here taught us by the Holy Ghost. O yes, what a precious medicine this is which the Lord has left us by his apostles, by which the soul can be purified and healed. Hence let us open our ears, and unlock our hearts, that we may hear with our ears and understand with our hearts, what the obedience of the truth teaches us. For it is Jesus Christ, the genuine truth, with all the precious medicines of grace and mercy, and the sweet-smelling oil of love, whereby we purify our souls, and by no other.
Hence, O dear sister, let us hear this truth, and obey it; for he proceeded from the Father, yea, came from and was sent by him, a teacher from heaven, to teach us the way of truth, and the life, which he was himself; and all that he has heard and seen from his Father, he has taught us, in order to purify our souls, and save them for ever; for he teaches us, saying: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 8:42; 1:4; 14:6; 8:38; 3:5.
O dear sister, earnestly pray the Lord for a right understanding of this regeneration, which must be effected from above, of water and of the Spirit, since otherwise we cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. Hence, let us pray with a firm confidence and a strong faith, yea, pray with an unwavering mind to God the Most High, in spirit and in truth; and it shall be given us, as he himself says: “For every one that asketh receiveth,” says the Lord Jesus Christ. Matt. 7:8. Let us therefore so ask him that we may receive it, that is, understand the regeneration, and live in accordance therewith, and then remain forever and constantly regenerated unto the end. O yes, so born from above, that whereas there was nothing before, there is something now; and whereas formerly we knew nothing but lying and cheating, together with presumptuous pride, proud cursing, fighting, swearing, evil speaking, and lived in much pleasure of the flesh, we now speak the truth from the heart, and walk in the truth, as children that are born of the truth; and live in the fear of our God, with an humbled heart, in lowliness, gentleness, and in great joy of the Spirit, and no longer go to dumb idols, to worship or honor them, nor do we go into their Baal’s dens, where nothing but the commandments of men are taught, which doctrines destroy men’s souls, and with which the devil has destroyed the whole world, for his name is destroyer. Rev. 9:11. O yes, dear sister, whenever we went there, we saw them perform their mass and abominable idolatry, which are but fables and commandments of men, and instituted by the same destroyer, the devil. And when they elevate their abominable idol, every one must fall down before it, and worship and honor it. O what abominable idolatry this is! Sentence has long ago been pronounced upon them; for idolaters, says Paul, have no part in the kingdom of God: but their part, says John, is in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 1 Cor. 6:9; Rev. 21:8. Hence, O dear sister, keep away from idols, and touch not the unclean thing, and let us be turned from idolatry to the service of the living God, to serve him, for he alone is to be heard, praised, honored, worshiped, served, and loved, forever. Yes, dear sister, let us thus apprehend the meaning of Christ, that we be truly turned from the power of this world, where there is nothing but darkness, namely, the night of sin (1 Thess. 5:7; Rom. 13:12); to the day of grace, where shines in the beautiful Sun of righteousness, Jesus Christ, with all his promises and grace (Mal. 4:2; Rom. 6:14); and from lies to the truth, and from unrighteousness and wickedness to righteousness and good works; and thus demonstrate in power, that we are regenerated in humility of heart and spirit, love one another with brotherly love out of a pure heart, and have peace with all men, if it be possible; yea, as ye would that men should do to you, so do you also to them: for this is the law and the prophets, says Christ, who is the infallible truth. 1 Pet. 1:22; Rom. 12:18; Matt. 7:12.
Let us therefore well consider this, that we may not err; for we would indeed be willing that men should show us much favor and mercy, and always live peaceably with us; hence let us also always show much favor and mercy to all men, and do them many kindnesses, thus showing love to them, and seek to live in peace and love with one another, and with all men. Yes, dear sister, let us so purify our souls as Peter says: “Purify your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, and love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” 1 Pet. 1:22,23. O yes, dear sister, let us so follow the advice of Peter, that we obey the truth of Christ, and through obedience purify our souls, and be truly born from above, of water and of the Spirit, which must be effected from high heaven, whereby we must be born again, namely, of the water, as Christ says: “He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive.) John 7:38,39. And by the words of truth, as Christ himself says: “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63. O yes, dear sister, this is the true water and the true Spirit, whereby we must be born again from above, if we are to see the kingdom of heaven; for Christ gives and sends the Holy Spirit from above down upon every one whom he sees prepared; and his word he also brought from above, and hence this regeneration is effected from above. John 15:26; 8:26; 3:3,7.
Therefore, dear sister, let us take good heed, that we well keep this regeneration, and constantly, all the days of our life, walk before the eyes of the Lord in holiness, as the truly regenerated children of God, who are not born of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, namely, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. Hence, my dear and much beloved sister, if you are truly in this regeneration, which has been effected in you from above, show forth the nature of that of which you are born, so that you have all your conversation in heaven, and are no longer minded toward flesh and blood, nor anything that is visible, as Paul says, but towards that which is invisible. Philip. 3:19,20. For Paul says, that our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding, and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:17,18. Hence let us remain steadfast, and look at and believe only that which is invisible. For Peter says: “At the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Pet. 1:7–9. O yes, dear sister, let us do according to the doctrine brought us from above through the Holy Ghost, that we purify our souls, and be born again from above of water and of the Spirit, so that we may see the kingdom of heaven, and forever possess it through the grace of the Lord; and let us always firmly trust and believe in the invisible God, and in the Lord Jesus Christ our Redeemer, and the Savior of the world, so that our souls may be forever saved. O yes, that we may be with all the elect and regenerated children of God, and with all the saints of the supreme God of heaven and earth, and with the heavenly, great, and beautiful host of the holy angels of God, in unspeakably great glory and joy, and glorious and imperishable brightness; and may forever reign with the Lord of lords and King of kings, in great glory, and in exceedingly great joy, and then, with all the great heavenly, holy hosts, from great joy of heart, forever praise, glorify, honor, and sanctify with great honor, the exalted name of the Lord; for, glory belongs to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will toward men. Luke. 2:14. Herewith, my dear sister, I commend you to the Lord, and to the words of his eternal grace. Amen.
Written out of great, fervent, brotherly love, to you Cijntgen, my dearly beloved chosen sister, as a perpetual and blessed memorial in the Lord, by Hansken, your poor, miserable and weak brother, who is imprisoned at Ghent, in the Sausselet, for the true word of the Lord. Remember me in your prayers to God, so that through me poor, miserable man, who am weak, the exalted, holy name of the Lord may be honored and praised forever; for it is good to sing praises unto our God. Amen. Ps. 147:1.
THE SECOND LETTER FROM HANSKEN VAN DEN WEGE.
The eternal, abundant, unfathomable, great grace and mercy of God the heavenly Father, which came by Jesus Christ, the only and true Son of God; and the great humility and meekness, holiness and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ the Savior of the world, together with the great power, consolation and full joy of the Holy Ghost; this I wish you from the depth of my heart, and from the inmost of my soul, my dear and much beloved friend Jacob Kesij, and mother Martijntgen; this is my perpetual and blessed wish and holy salutation to you, and to all men that fear and love the Lord, and call on him out of a pure heart; yea, may the Lord of eternal grace grant you this my blessed wish and holy salutation, and make you wise in that which is good, and simple in that which is evil, so that you may with Job be found perfect and upright, fearing God, and eschewing evil. Amen. Rom. 16:19; Job 1:1.
Further, my dear and beloved friends Jacob and Martijntgen, I pray you from the depth of my heart, and by the great and fervent love and mercy of God, and by Jesus Christ the Son of God, and this by his merits, bitter death, bleeding wounds, and his precious blood, which he suffered to be shed on the cross to purchase us, and to redeem us from the bonds of death; yea, I beseech you and say with the apostle Paul: “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22. O take heed to it, and follow faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God, and he that believeth not shall be damned, says Jesus Christ our Lord. Heb. 11:6; Mark 16:16. Hence, O dear Jacob and Martijntgen, turn, turn, and follow the true faith, which worketh by love (Galatians 5:6), yea, by the fervent love of God, without which [faith] no one can now or ever please God, as Paul says. Hence take good heed, that you confirm the faith with love, and follow love with all the strength of your heart, the nature of which love consists in meekness and gentleness. Yea, charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth. 1 Corinthians 13:4. Hence I repeat it, see well to it, that you follow this beautiful fruit of love, and that it may be found with you forever so that you may adorn your faith with true love, and thus please God and be saved. Therefore, O my dear friends, follow faith, love, and also peace with all men. For it is a wisdom that is from above, and is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness[325] is sown in peace of them that make peace. James 3:17,18. Hence, make peace, and continue therein, that the peace of the Lord may rule in your hearts (Col. 3:15), and bring forth the fruit of righteousness to the praise of the Lord, and to the salvation of your souls. O yes, dear Jacob and Martijntgen, do thus according to my request, and the admonition of Paul, and you will not be deceived. Follow all this righteousness which is by faith (Rom. 3:22), with all your heart, and with all your strength and ability; pray, lament, call, and weep in spirit and in truth, to God the heavenly Father, for grace and mercy; yea, trust and hope in him with all your heart, and with steadfastness, and the Lord, who is full of all goodness (Psalm 118:1), will be gracious unto you according to his great goodness, and unfathomable mercy; for the Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil; for the Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Joel 2:13; 2 Pet. 3:9. Yea, this is his will; for Christ says: Repent, ye, and believe the Gospel. Mark 1:15. Hence receive this good doctrine, so that you repent and bring forth genuine fruits of repentance, and thus flee youthful lusts. And love not the world—which liveth in pleasure, as John says—neither the things that are in the world; for if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. 1 John 2:15–17. Hence I tell you once more: flee carnal and youthful lusts in this world, that you be not condemned with the world. Gal. 5:16; 1 Corinthians 11:32. O yes, turn from this wicked generation, who live in pleasure, for they are dead while they live, as Paul says. 1 Tim. 5:6. Therefore, O Jacob and Martijntgen, turn away, turn away from this wicked way of the ungodly, so that you may not with them be punished without mercy by the Lord; for God will rain lightnings, fire and brimstone upon the ungodly, and reward them with a tempest. Rev. 18:4; Gen. 19:24; Exodus 9:24; Ps. 7:12. For the Lord is righteous, and loves righteousness, so that according to his righteousness he cannot let sinners go unpunished; hence flee youthful lusts, but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on God out of a pure heart. Ps. 11:7; 2 Tim. 2:22. Yes, dear Jacob and Martijntgen, follow this high gift of the Lord, namely, the wisdom that is from above; yea, I say, follow after it, and bring forth genuine fruits of repentance, and it shall be well with you. And always humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, and be no longer high-minded, but fear with great humility of heart and of the spirit, before God the heavenly Father; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 1 Pet. 5:6; Rom. 11:20; 1 Pet. 5:5. Hence I repeat it: humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; for whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted, says Jesus Christ our Lord. Luke 14:11. Therefore, O dear Jacob and Martijntgen, follow righteousness, and strive for it with all your power and all the diligence of your heart; and sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto you. John 5:14. And learn henceforth truly to fear the Lord with all your heart; and learn to love him with all your strength, so that your names may be written in the book of life, and you may thus through God’s great grace be forever saved, and may, with all the holy angels in heaven, and with the great heavenly host, with the Lord of lords, in unspeakably great joy, glory and brightness, reign forever in heaven, where the great and holy name of the Lord will be forever praised, glorified and honored; for glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14.
Herewith, I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace. Amen. Written by me,