Hence I beseech you all most affectionately, rejoice, and praise the Lord with me, that he has so faithfully succored his poor servant, and has alleviated my pain, and made a way to escape, so that I was able to bear it.
O most beloved, is this not a great consolation, that the holy and good God has made himself our debtor, and has promised us (mark, by promising an obligation is incurred), saying; “Though a mother forget the son of her womb, yet will I not forget thee”? says the almighty Lord, if we do not forsake him, and do not sell our birthright as lightly as did Esau, for a little life; concerning which Christ says: Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it. Luke 17:33. Alas! he loses it badly that will not find it again; but well does he lose it who will again find an imperishable one.
This is certainly the promise of Christ, this he has merited for us by his righteousness and suffering; but we must also faithfully strive unto death for the truth, and purify our souls by obedience to the truth, to persevere in this short conflict: Therefore take unto you the armor of God, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery and subtle darts of the wicked. Gird your loins with the girdle of truth; put on the breastplate of righteousness; have your feet shod with the gospel of peace, so that you may be ready in all things; above all, take the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation—that is, the living hope—and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; and always pray with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Eph. 6:13–18; Luke 12:35; 1 Thess. 5:8. With these weapons you can overcome all your enemies, in patience and meekness.
To this end you have many testimonies in the Scriptures, and also I unworthy one, your known weak brother, bear witness, that these are the true weapons; for I can now write of this because of the victory that I have gained through Christ Jesus, who always helps me to triumph. To him alone be praise, honor and might forever and ever. Amen.
Herewith I will commend you my dearest fellow-helpers, brethren and sisters to the almighty God and the rich word of his grace, who is able to strengthen you all, and to finish the good work that he has begun in you, and to bring you into his everlasting kingdom. Amen.
Herewith I bid you all adieu in this evil world full of all wickedness, with Christ Jesus our bridegroom I will await you, and there meet you again in fullness of joy; the Lord grant his grace hereunto. Amen.
Finally I humbly make this request, that if I have grieved any one by word, conduct, or deed, you will heartily forgive me; I likewise do so from the heart, but I wish that it had been better with me in this respect. Farewell, be of good courage.
Written by me, your weak brother and humblest member, imprisoned for the testimony of the gospel of Christ, at Dortrecht, on the 3d of March, in the year 1572.
Jan Wouterss.
I was tortured a week ago Saturday, and again the following Wednesday. Thus I now bear in my body the marks of the sufferings of Christ; which I might have easily escaped, had I been willing to tell what was demanded of me. I should in that case have acted contrary to the Scriptures, contrary to love and my conscience, and should die with a troubled heart; many hearts should have been grieved; but now I trust that many will rejoice with me, and be glad and bold, and praise God.