After this my heartfelt wish, I cannot forbear to write you a little, if peradventure I and you may be refreshed somewhat thereby. In the first place, know that I cannot fully thank our God for his grace, that he has called me, unworthy, poor, vile man to this state, whereby I perceive the great love which he has to me, unworthy one; he chastens me according to his mercy, thereby confirming that I am not a bastard. O what great grace is this, that the good God seeks my salvation, which salvation has been, and still is, the sole object of my seeking and praying, as I wrote to you before my imprisonment, to help me to pray, that the Lord would give and let come upon me what is for my salvation, which I trust his grace that he, out of great mercy, does, and will do according to his promise and goodness, and not according to my righteousness, for his grace knows better than I what I need. Hence his will be done for my salvation, to take me away from the evil, which frequently arises through the work of Satan, which he works in the children of unbelief; for I have found from my youth, that one trouble and difficulty follows upon the heels of another. And he that from the heart seeks his salvation and the welfare of the church, often has to suffer the pains of travail. Moreover, one has much to die unto and mortify in himself, and constantly to fight, so that one is seldom without conflict, even as Paul and also many pious witnesses of God; but all who do not become weary, and who overcome, shall inherit all things, and to them that overcome the crown is promised. Let therefore no one become faint or weary, knowing and believing that we have such a strong champion, who cannot be conquered, but from whom the wicked must flee. Paul says: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Rom. 8:31. The Lord said to Abraham: “Fear not; I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” Gen. 15:1. The Lord said, yea, commanded him, that he should be of good courage, and not be afraid or dismayed; he promised always to be with him, wherever he should go (thus he was also with his faithful servant Moses), and [told him] that he should meditate day and night on the law of God. (Oh! herein I fall far too short, which I heartily regret), that he should not depart therefrom either to the right or to the left, and his way should be prosperous and full of blessings, and he should trample his enemies under foot and devour them as bread. Yea, God sent his angel, as he had promised, as a champion, so that the Lord himself fought the battle. O is this not a faithful God! who should not trust in his powerful word? And though we do not see him externally, yet we daily behold his creation, which through the power of his word still stands in its strength, though it be but a little flower out of the earth.
Hence, though a storm come upon us occasionally, let us firmly rely upon the word and promise of the Lord; that we do not sink with Peter, but pass-over this raging sea to the Lord, always praying him, in faith, and with firm confidence in his word, for strength, as those that are never sated. I, unworthy servant, now, in this state, well experience his faithfulness, praise to him forever. He has promised to assist us, and not to forsake us, as he says by the prophet: Can a mother forget the son of her womb, that she should not have compassion on him? though she do this, yet will I not forsake thee. Isa. 49:15. He is also the strength of the poor, a sure refuge, and a true helper in time of need. Yea, he preserves his own as the apple of his eye, in water, in bonds, and in the fire; hence, he that afflicts his chosen afflicts him, as the Lord said to Saul: “Why persecutest thou me?” and he that does good to his chosen in his name, does good to him. Hence let every one persevere steadfastly, and do good cheerfully without wearying, for in due time we shall also reap without ceasing; and the good shall arise unto everlasting life. We are created unto good works through Christ. Hence let every one bring forth good fruit, unto which he is appointed; and God our heavenly Father will be honored, and purify us still more, that we may bring forth fruit still more abundantly, and grow up unto the [measure of the] stature of the fullness of Christ; and so doing we shall wait for the coming of our Lord and Bridegroom, and this with patience, for patience is the strength of the godfearing. Nothing special further for this time, but hold fast what you have, and be faithful unto death, for your and my faith is the unadulterated truth, which perform in the fear of God, by the help of the Lord, and you shall have peace with the Lord, according to his promise. Be of good cheer this short time of your pilgrimage; sorrow not for me; and though I am now baptized with the baptism of suffering, and drink the cup of affliction, it is for my salvation. Henceforth I expect through the grace of the Lord the crown of life. What does it signify? once we must part; if I had died of the pest, or of something else, all to whom my person is dear would certainly have to miss me; and it is manifest that I do not suffer as an evil doer, but because I have accepted Christ Jesus, and this I do not at all regret. I salute you, my dear wife, and yours, and all the godfearing, cordially in the Lord. Pray for me, and cause prayer to be made for me. Amen.
A CONFESSION OF FAITH, TO THE BAILIFF AND THE COUNCIL THEN RESIDING IN DORTRECHT, BY JAN WOUTERSS; TOGETHER WITH A BRIEF EXPLANATION EXHORTING THEM TO REPENTANCE.
To my honorable lord the Bailiff, and my honorable lords the burgomasters, aldermen and the council of the city of Dortrecht. I, Jan Wouterss, your prisoner, not for any crime, but for the sake of my faith, which is nevertheless right before my God, wish you, you ministers of God, that he would grant you all a prosperous, peaceful, healthy, long life, and understanding rightly to use your office, in punishing the evil (that is, evil-doers), and protecting the good. Rom. 13:3.
Further, the reason of my writing is, that I briefly confessed my faith, but did not add the explanation. Hence I put this in writing, in order not to summon my honorable lords again, and cause them trouble. I confess that I was a zealous papist in my youth, which I heartily regret, for then no good fruits proceeded from me. Afterwards God opened my blind eyes, to serve no longer dumb idols, but the living God alone, who created me. And he revealed to and gave me, poor, sinful man, the faith of the truth, by which we are saved. This faith is, as the Scripture says: This faith and the inward baptism constrained me to the obedience of his word, to fulfill his righteousness. Hence I confess, that I was baptized upon my faith, and this with desire, according to the command of Christ, renouncing the devil, the world, the pope, and his adherents.
I confess Christ Jesus alone as the way of the truth, and the life. And there is none other name given to men, whereby we can be saved, except through Christ alone. I further confess that it is certain that the customs of the priests and of all the “shaved” are the broad way to damnation. They are human institutions, an abomination to God, and plants which our heavenly Father has not planted; hence they are also cursed, for there can no other foundation be laid, than that is laid, which is Christ alone. Those of the pope’s adherents who undertake to be leader’s are blind leaders, and if the blind lead the blind, says Christ, both shall fall into the ditch. Every one that will not believe it, or cannot, because of his sins, the same must know it after death by pain (2 Esd. 9:12); hence repent truly now. Further, my honorable lord Bailiff thinks that I am in error, or that my faith is of no account. To this I reply: If this were true, then my fruits would be evil, which always prove more than mere confession; but now I have by the help of God walked therein for so many years, from my youth, even until now, according to my weakness, avoided all bad company, diligently and quietly earned my living, and eaten my own bread, from which I am now taken away, as though I were a murderer. O Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they do; I forgive them, O my dear lords, repent, for he who touches us touches the apple of the eye of my God.
I also confess that I have attended the assembly of the believers, so often that I cannot count it. For the supreme King has given us a promise therein, saying: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matt. 18:20. The apostle commands us in his name, not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, but to exhort one another, and to provoke unto love and to good works. Heb. 10:25,24. I confess that I have never been in an assembly to harm any one (think on this). I confess that I have not for many years been to the priests’ confession and their sacrament, and this because I do not think anything of it; moreover, I confess, that I am a sinful man, and need every day to confess my sins before my God, and daily to die unto sin, more and more, which I regard as the best confession. But the sacrament I recognize as a little baked cake, and wine, till it is consumed by the aforementioned or by [other] men, and nothing else, but not as the flesh and blood of Christ; he comes no more into the hands of sinners. He dwelleth not in temples made with hands (Acts 7:48), but in heaven, whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead, that is, believers and unbelievers. But I confess that I am well satisfied with Christ’s breaking of bread, the practice of the apostles among the believers, in remembrance of the body and blood of Christ, and this not with drunkards, proud, strikers, adulterers, murderers, idolaters, harlots, rogues, etc.
I also confess, that I did not marry my wife secretly, that no one should see it, but before the church of God; for marriage is honorable, but whoremongers and adulterers God will punish. Heb. 13:4. O my God, count it not sin to him who took me away; for it is a bitter cup to me to part from wife and child, because we love one another so much. I also confess that my child has not been baptized by the priest, neither by any one else, for thereby I would despise the holy blood of Christ.[332] But this is my firm belief that Christ has made atonement for infants, and that Christ’s baptism belongs to none but those who believe with all their heart, as Cornelius with his family, Paul, and others; of this aforementioned faith I am sure through the grace of God, and know certainly, that there is no other, nor ever will be. I have not founded myself upon the wind, but solely upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone, to the wicked an offense, and to the good a defense and salvation. If I must innocently suffer for this unadulterated faith, I can think, that my Lord Jesus Christ, whose servant, I poor, sinful man am, fared no better at the hands of the authorities of that day, and this through the instigation of the learned. O my honorable lords, repent, amend your ways and your doings. Jer. 7:3. And I also proclaim repentance to all my lords still living, who are guilty of the innocent blood of Joris de Ve.,[333] who shall soon come forth, shining in God’s glory, with great joy. For the day of the Supreme Judge is at the door: this is apparent from the pestilence, dearth, rumors of wars, and many other signs. O my honorable lords, be cordially warned of the evil which is to come upon you, for it is done out of love and friendship, and not through bitterness, for beyond doubt, we must all appear before the Supreme Judge; there every one shall give account of himself, and receive according to that he hath done; there excuses or regrets will not avail. Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10. O, reflect; it will soon come to pass, and none can escape it.
Further, I did not reply to all the questions of my honorable lord the Bailiff, who demanded of me that I should tell the truth, which I have done in the confession of my faith, of this I am certain; but the other questions I dare not answer, for Christ has taught me: Do to men as you would have them do to you; love your neighbor as yourself; love your wife, honor your parents, etc. For this reason I have forborne, and I am sure that in this my Supreme Judge will justify me, when we shall together appear before his judgment seat; for I have not done it out of any disregard for my honorable lord the Bailiff. I also have refused your learned men the presentation, for I am so sure of my faith, that [I am convinced that] all those who speak against it are in error. Hence do not regard it as proceeding from obstinacy on my part, but from the assurance of my faith.
Finally, deal mercifully with me innocent one, and think that I too am a man; for hereafter he “shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy.” Jas. 2:13. I confess one Lord, one faith, one God, one Father of all, who is above all, and in all believers. I believe only what the holy Scriptures say; and not what men say. Farewell. Written in my bonds.