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LETTER TO THE BRETHREN IN AMSTERDAM.*

Jesus said to Martha: I am the resurrection, and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. (John XI. 25, 26.)

CHOSEN BRETHREN AND SISTERS IN THE LORD:-Since I hear that the fire of the pestilence is spreading itself among you, I am constrained by love, which 1 bear towards you and all the pious; (because I know that all flesh is afraid of death, and the death of our friends is grievous to us) to visit you with a letter of consolation, who are encompassed by the heavenly light, and are called to the communion of Christ; so that you might watch new, and at all times, for the coming of the Lord; prepare yourselves in all things to meet death. For Paul says: It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. (Heb. IX. 27.) And Sirach says; All flesh waxeth old as a garment, for the covenant from the beginning is: THOU SHALT DIE. (Sirach XIV. 17.)

If we then adhere closely to Christ with a regenerated and. penitent soul; and truly believe his word, and faithfully follow his footsteps; and are governed by his Holy Ghost . . . Then shall we live in, with and through him eternally; and we shall not be hurt of the second death. (Rev. II. 11.) Though we were, in times past even as others, dead in sin, full of avarice, unchastity, pride, hatred, envy, idolatry and all manner of wickedness, children of hell and of the devil. (Eph. II. 3, 12.) For all things are forgiven to the penitent and believing through the death of Christ, and satisfied with his blood, and reconciled by the only peace-offering of his innocent and painful death.

• This letter is the conclusion of his writings, and is the second letter to his beloved brethren and sisters in Amsterdam; written that they should visit each other in the time of pestilence, and not fear death.

So that Paul says: There is therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit; for the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death, (Rom. VIII. 1, 2.) Therefore, be of good cheer, and be grateful; praise Him who has redeemed you by the power of his word, from the dominion of sin and death; and called you through the spirit of his grace to the inheritance of his glory. Again, I say, laud him, and that with a pious and pure conscience, with an unblamable and holy life by faith.... So that when the true householder, the king and bridegroom of our souls comes, he may not find you sleeping, and cast you unprepared into eternal darkness, close the door upon you and give you a portion with the gentiles. Therefore: Be sober, vigilant! (1 Pet. V. 8.) Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you. (John XII. 25.)

Faithful brethren! be strong in the Lord, be of good cheer; for all your doings, life and death are in the hands of the Lord. Yea, the hairs of your head are all numbered. (Matt. X. 30.) And without his will, not one can fall from your head. The number of your days are before him; yea, the time of your life is measured as to a hard-breadth. Therefore, fear not; but willingly assist and serve each other in time of distress. Be not slow to visit the sick; for that shall make you beloved, as Sirach says. (Sir. VH. 35.) And you ought out of unfeigned love, as John says: To lay down your lives for the brethren. (1 John III. 16.)

For this you know, that a virtuous son, servant, or bride, fears not the coming of the father, lord or bridegroom, but that there is nothing but desire and hope, as long as they have not yet arrived. For John says: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear. (1 John IV. 18.)

You also know, that a wearied laboror is desirous of rest, and a drooping soul of consolation. And I doubt not, nor yon, my dear children, that you are assured of a quiet conscience in God, that he is your Father; and that Jesus Christ is your Lord, and you his servants; that he is your bridegroom, and you his spouse. Why you must endure so much misery, toil, anguish of mind, shame and disgrace, from a perverse, idle generation, for his blessed and holy name's sake-whom you ought to make known to the whole world, without hypocrisy, in order that they may turn to God as true penitents.

Therefore, we must not fear death so greatly, which is but a rest from sin, an entrance to a better life; nor must we be grieved so much on account of our friends, who fell asleep in the Lord; as those who do not expect the reward of the saints.

But, let us, therefore, lift our heads with joy, gird the loins of our minds with truth, and prepare for the heavenly Canaan, that we may inherit the only and eternal Joshua, Christ Jesus, the inheritance and kingdom, which are appointed to us; and thus be released from the arduous and tedious way of our pil grimage, which we have to make through this untrodden wilderness Then we shall rest in eternal joys..

O chosen brethren and sisters! How highly and gloriously they are endowed of God, who are here, through grace, freed from the body of sin, redeemed from the vanity of perishable things, received into the holy tabernacles of peace, called to the eternal, great and holy sabbath! There the crooked, old serpent will no more sting them in their heels, neither pain nor misery shall touch them; and the last enemy, death, shall be overcome and swallowed up. Then their tears will be wiped off, and their souls will enjoy a true rest and peace, in Paradise and the pleasure garden of grace, in Abraham's bosom, under the altar of God. (Rev. VI. 9.) They came out of great tribulations, they stand upon Mount Sion, in white robes, worshipping before the throne of GOD and the LAMB; and rest for a little season, till the number of their fellow-servants be fulfilled. (Rev. VI. II.) And then be together changed into the glory of Christ; (Phil. III. 21.) to shine as the sun. (Matt. XIII. 43.) And thus come to the eternal festivity, the eternal joys, prepared for all the chosen in heaven through Christ's blood and death.

O! How holy and happy are they who are called of Christ to this holy day, and come to it dressed in clean garments? Come, sing the pleasing and joyful hallelujah, in your hearts, and thank him, who has ordered all this toward them, by the spirit of his love, through grace, and has chosen you with them to the same. Reflect upon this, and be comforted.

Nothing more; but fear your God, with all your hearts; serve him in truth; maintain union, love and peace among you; watch and pray; be patient in your conflicts; seek that which is best; follow after that which is good; be friendly towards one another; willingly obey your teachers, and remem

ber them and me in your prayers. May the God of peace, our merciful Father, through his blessed Son, Jesus Christ, bless you now and forever, to abound more in righteousness and perfect love.

MENNO SIMON,

Your fellow brother, and lover of your souls in truth.

FOR OTHER FOUNDATION CAN NO MAN LAY THAN THAT IS LAID, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST. (Cor. III. 11.)

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