Cornelis and Hans told nothing. I have much to write yet, but the time is too short. I hope to write to-day yet, if it is the Lord’s pleasure. I wish that H. T. would once come out. I greet you all most affectionately. It was well that J. T. went away yesterday, for the Margrave came soon after, But I cannot write you much more, for the time until day-break is too short.
Herewith I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace. Pray the Lord diligently for us, for he that asketh receiveth. I dare not let my thoughts dwell much on the children and you; it is so exceedingly hard for me to part from you and them. Satisfy all the friends as best you can, for I am tolerably well content, only it grieves me much on their account; however, the Lord has ordered it so.
By me, your weak husband, Christian Langedul, in prison at Antwerp, the 12th of August, 1567.
I have not fully recovered yet from the torture, as may be imagined; but I trust it is all well; do not grieve too much about it. If J. T. could bring along my account book, I should be glad; I should show him everything, or write it down for him. Bring us something to seal letters with.
Another letter of Christian Langedul, in which he shows the assurance of his mind, the nothingness of his own self, his love to his son-in-law, J. T., and, lastly, the fear which they had of being tortured again, and why.
Grace, mercy, and joy in the Holy Ghost, from God our heavenly Father, through Christ Jesus, this I wish you, my chosen and greatly beloved wife in the Lord, and all them that love his appearing. 2 Tim. 4:8.
Dearly beloved wife in the Lord, I hope you partly know by this time how it is with me, by the two letters I wrote you yesterday, which I hope you have already received. In them I wrote to you partly concerning the state of my mind, which is still unchanged, praise the Lord forever for his grace, which he gives to me, poor, unprofitable and exceedingly great sinner; for I deem myself unworthy and unfit for this glory, to which the Lord now calls me. Of myself or by my own strength I cannot attain it; hence I hope by his grace to adhere unto the end to the truth and the faith once delivered to the saints; for I am assured in my heart, and have certainly known it all the time of my pilgrimage (which is now about twelve years—true, only a short time, and imperfectly spent), that there will never be found another. Hence I hope to adhere to it, only by the strength and grace of the Lord, and not through my own; and I hope by the grace of God to rejoice, by my death, all those whom I may at any time in my life have grieved. And I hope that all those whom I may have wronged in any way will forgive me, since I have always been very ready to forgive, whenever any one wronged me; I hope that all men and the Lord will also do so towards me. I am greatly concerned for J. T., for I know his kindness; hence I will let this suffice, and wish him, as I have often done, true faith. This the Lord must give him; but he must also pray for and heartily desire it. O that I might die another death for him, and all the friends, that they might be saved; how gladly I should do it! O! J. T., how much you have done for me, and, I hope, will yet do for my weak wife (your mother), and my children, on whom I dare not let my thoughts dwell much. She (your mother) is a woman who fears God with all her heart. Associate with her, for she will seek nothing but your common salvation. I will let this suffice for the present, else I should not have time to send this letter. I wrote you yesterday that I hoped to write to you during the day, but I could not do it; Mattheus and I lay in bed until two o’clock, so greatly were we afraid, because the Margrave came here to torture Cornelis again, and we feared that we should also be tortured a second time, of which we had a great dread, more than of death, for it is an excruciating pain. Cornelis was tortured and scourged to such a degree the second time, that three men had to carry him up, and they say that he could scarcely move a member, except his tongue. He sent word to us, that if they come again it is his opinion it will finish him. Thus the Margrave did not come yesterday, but we expect him to-day again; may the Lord help us, for it is a horrible pain. Yesterday I received a small basket with eatables and a night-cap from J. T. I have lent the night-cap to Mattheus, and should like to have another, when convenient, as also a comb, and a Testament, a hymn book, or something else to read, that we may delight ourselves a little with the word of the Lord. There is a turnkey here, by the name of Pieter, who will see that we get it. Enclosed I send you a little memento, and W. D. B.’s account. Yesterday evening we were told that J. T. and P. V. D. tried hard to get to me; but it could not be, because the Margrave had said that he should come again; however, he did not come, for he attended a great banquet at Mansfeld.
While I am sitting here, and writing, we are informed that the Margrave will hold a penal court to-day; I hope it is for us. Pray for us. I hope God will strengthen us by his power, which surpasses everything. O that we might be delivered thus soon; but I am afraid it will not be.
Herewith I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace. Always adhere to the truth, which, and nothing else, I have confidence you will do. I heartily greet you and all the godfearing with the peace of the Lord; and Mattheus does the same. Greet all the friends, especially grandmother, most heartily, when convenient. Mattheus would say to you and all the godfearing, that if he has grieved you in that he did not guard his lips better, he is sincerely sorry for it. Written in bonds, at Antwerp, on the 13th of August, 1567, by me, your weak husband,
Christian Langedul.