THE SECOND LETTER FROM MAEYKEN WENS, WRITTEN TO HER HUSBAND.
The grace and peace of God the Father, and the great mercy and love of the Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who through grace was sent by the Father to the salvation of all those that have died unto their sins, and are thus risen with Christ unto newness of life; and the eternal, unfathomable joy, comfort, and fellowship of the Holy Ghost, strengthen and keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
After all cordial salutation to you my very dear and beloved husband and brother in the Lord, I inform you that my heart is still fixed to offer up a sacrifice to the Lord, the Lord be praised for the great grace which he shows to me poor, miserable creature. And I am also tolerably well according to the flesh, as I trust through the grace of the Lord that it is also with you, my most beloved in the Lord. Nothing more for this time, but I commend you to the Lord and to the words of his grace; this is the good wish and greeting of my heart. Farewell. Pray for me.
By me, your dear wife and sister in the Lord.
Maeyken Wens.
THE THIRD LETTER FROM MAEYKEN WENS, WRITTEN IN PRISON AT ANTWERP, THE 21ST OF APRIL, A. D. 1573, TO HER SON.
Always fear God and love him above all.
My dear child Adriaen, my son, I leave you this for a testament, because you are the oldest, to exhort you that you should begin to fear our dear Lord, for you are getting old enough to perceive what is good or evil; think of Betteken, who is about as old as you are. My son, from your youth follow that which is good and depart from evil: do good while you have time, and look at your father, how lovingly he went before me with kindness and courteousness, always instructing me with the word of the Lord. O if I had so followed after him, how light would be my bonds! Hence, my dear son, beware of that which is evil, that you will not have to lament afterwards: Had I done this or that; for then, when it is as far as it now is with me, it will be too late. Hear the instruction of your mother: hate every thing that is loved by the world and your sensuality, and love God’s commandment, and let the same instruct you, for it teaches: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, that is, forsake his own wisdom, and pray: “Lord, thy will be done.” If you do this, the anointing of the Holy Ghost will teach you all that you are to believe. 1 John 2:27. Believe not what men say, but obey that which the New Testament commands you, and ask God to teach you his will. Trust not in your understanding, but in the Lord, and let your counsel abide in him, and ask him to direct you into his ways. My child, learn how you are to love God the Lord, how you are to honor your father, and all other commandments which the Lord requires of you. Whatsoever is not contained therein, believe not, but whatever is contained therein, obey. Join yourself to those that fear the Lord, and depart from evil, and through love do all that is good.
O regard not the great multitude, or the ancient custom, but look at the little flock, which is persecuted for the word of the Lord, for the good persecute none, but are persecuted. When you have joined them, beware of all false doctrine, for John says: “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9. The doctrine of Christ is mercy, peace, purity, faith, meekness, humbleness, and full obedience to God.
My dear son, yield yourself to that which is good: the Lord will give you understanding. I give you this as my last adieu to you. My dear child, heed the Lord’s chastening; for whenever you do evil, he will chasten you in your mind; desist, then, and call to the Lord for help, and hate that which is evil, and the Lord will deliver you, and good will come to you. God the Father, through his beloved Son Jesus Christ, grant you his Holy Spirit, that he may guide you into all truth. Amen.