A FAITHFUL RELATION of the STATE and the LAST WORDS & DISPOSITIONS Of certain Persons whom God hath taken to himself, out of the Church reform and separated from the world, which formerly was assembled at Herfort and Altena, and now at present at Wiewert in Friesland.  
written originally in french By PETER YVON, their Pastor.  
At AMSTERDAM, Jacob vande Velde at the corner of the Short Niesell. Anno 1685.   

THE PREFACE.  
ALTHOUGH God hath given us great matter of praising & thanking him for his grace which he hath bestowed on all our Brethrens and Sisters, whom we have seen to pass over to him through death, since he hath form his Work amongst us at Herfort, until this day; yet however it came not in our minds to collect together their last words, or to keep a particular record of ●heir last dispositions. True it is we did this in some measure in respect of that faithful servant of ●he Lord Mr. de Labadie, whom God hath made use of in a special manner for the forming of this Work of his; and likewise after ●hat God had taken hence into his heavenly Kingdom, his humble servant our worthy & most blessed ●ister Mistress Anne Mary van Schur●an. Yet we have not made haste, to bring to light those points of edification, which we have noted concerning them both, and which may be seen in the description of their lives, which, if God please, shall be put forth to the glory of his grace. If therefore we do renew at present the memory of those who died happily among us, it is indeed the Lord who give● occasion thereunto, and showeth how that he willeth this from us, for the edification of our neighbours, and to the acknowledgement and thanks for his grace an● love which he hath showed t● them and us.  
Of four souls whom the Lor● hath taken to himself out of o●● Assembly in the last year 1680. an● in the begin of this present ye●● 1681., the first was our very worthy Sister Mistress Huyghens. An● for as much as she after a glorio●● and triumphant manner hath passed over into his bosom, after h●● happy departure, we found ourselves disposed to note certain circumstances & words which went ●efore it, and came most lively ●nto our minds, as well for our ●wn comfort as for the comfort of ●er friends, and of diverse others who in her life time did know & ●ove her very much. That which was written concerning it, being ●y little and little communicated from one to another, hath done ●ery much fruit, and hath edified much divers upright souls into whose hands it came. And for as ●uch as God hath continued to comfort us after the same manner, ●y those whom like incorruptible plants, he hath translated from ●arth into heaven: we have believed that we were bound to give ●ome witness of the grace of God ●hat was upon them, and to preserve some remembrance thereof, ●o the glory of his goodness and ●ove for their souls. This is that which gave occasion to those fou● descriptions which shall be found first hereafter, which being made common by the press may be read by more persons, and likewise without all doubt will be of more profit than formerly. And just after this collection was made, God doth again give us special matter to renew the remembrance of those blessed ones of ours who died, by the happy decease of my very worthy and beloved Brother and fellow-labourer Master Dulignon, a faithful Pastor of this Church, after he had lived here below for near the time of fifty years. In the fifth description in this book certain circumstances of his life and death shall be seen, until a larger and more particular information thereof shall be given in the life of Master d● Labadie.  
By this occasion we have found ourselves to be disposed to cal● to mind some of the last words and chief circumstances of our other brethrens and sisters, which are gone to the Lord since the year 1672. until the last year 1680. And seeing that the remembrance of that good which God hath done to them, might be for edification, so we thought that we aught not to keep it in silence and forgetfulness. Therefore the last description will show what in their divers states hath most of all touched our hearts, and that which of some hath been noted, or hath remained most lively in our thoughts.  
The Righteous perisheth, saith the Prophet, and no man layeth ●t to heart, and merciful men are ●aken away, none considering ●hat the Righteous is taken away from the evil to come Isay. 57: 1., from that evil which is to come ●pon the earth. The want of observing that which God doth is great and very common, and those that fear the Lord, must take heed thereof, and contrariwise must seek to elevate themselves up to God, in observing what his hand worketh and doth in his grace and divine love. If we must draw fruit out of the holy words of the living, so than we aught to do the same in a special manner out of the lively words of those that die in the Lord, and are taken up into his Glory. We all are going to eternity, and every moment of our lives are as so many steps made towards it. And so every one goeth thitherward by little and little, and cometh to it commonly before he thought on it, or waited for it. Time is given to us for to make provision for eternity; and unhappy are those who lose and neglect it, and bestow it not for him who will save to all eternity those who have lived for him, and have laid to heart his divine glory, JESUS is come to open heaven to us, whether it be when he came down from heaven to us, or when he ascended thither, triumphing over hell, death, and sin. How just than is it, that all those who love him should follow him into that glorious mansion place with gladness, and in being ravished with that inexpressible joy which is proper to Christians? We shall see some amplifications hereof, out of which faithful souls will without doubt take matter of praising and glorifying him who worketh such things in his Saints.  
Furthermore we do not think ●hat any who have any knowledge of Church-history and the holy Scriptures, will think it strange that we give to one an o●her the names of Brethrens and Sisters, as may frequently be seen ●n this book. Otherwise one should not remember that it was the name wherewith the old Israel called one an other, according to the intention and words of the Lord. A man than likewise would have forgotten the command of Christ which he gave to all those that are his, namely to regard each other as children of one and the self same Father that is God; and have little knowledge of the stile of the Apostles when they speak of Christians, or writ unto them The heathens as we may see in Tertullian and Minutius Felix, did admire at it that the Saints did give to each others such names, and that the faithful men called even their wife's Sisters, according to the language of the Apostle Paul. But we need only to read what these two Authors writ concerning it, the one in his apologetic or answer for the Christians, and the other in his Octavius, as also Justinus and Athenagoras in their defences, ●nd Clemens Alexandrinus in his Stromates, for to be convinced ●hat it is the language of the Christians, and to see what great ●nd visiable grounds they have to ●ive each other this name.   

THE LIFE & DEATH Of divers SERVANTS OF GOD.  
Some of the last words and senses of Mrs. Huyghens, our worthy Sister, being deceased at Wiewert in Frieslant the 30. of January in the year 1680▪  
WE need not to speak any thing whereby to make known this Servant of God, because she is sufficiently known in these provinces. Though she might have had in the world all that is commonly sought there in, yet she hath despised it even from her youth. In these times wherein corruptions are very extreme, she was one of the first of her condition, who durst make open profession of godliness, treading under her feet the vanities and false advantages of the world. She did for a long while seek after that which God in a special manner caused her to find in the last years of her age. Her patience in her sufferings and pains hath been notable long ago: especially in the 27. year of her age, when there was necessity to cut a canker out of her breast, wherewith the Lord had visited her for her trial, & to be glorified in her, causing her to suffer as she did. The wicked world seeing her strength and courage, which in this case did appear, and being neither willing nor able to give honour to God and Jesus Christ, would rather say that the woman at Gorcum, who did cut her, had bewitched her, than to acknowledge the support and help, which God's Grace in this necessity had afforded unto her. The inward trials of her soul, for a long time, have been greater than the trials of her body. At soon as she had spoken with that servant of God Mr. Labadie in the year 1666. when we came into these provinces, she found her heart inwardly joint with that grace, which God had laid in the heart of his instrument. And she felt lively in her mind, that it was the same thing that so long she had sought for: which caused her to say with great joy to divers of her friends, I have found a Man of God. She followed God at his call, and nothing was able to keep her back in his way. Yet however, it hath cost her much to be throughly purged: but she hath always found, especially in the last years of her life, how good and faithful God hath been to her in all his deal with her, and in all those ways which he hath taken with her soul. He hath employed her, since we came in Friesland, to do much good to divers, both in respect of soul and body. One soul amongst others, whom God would ●urn to himself by her means, in a very evident and extraordinary manner, did serve to confirm that she was indeed an instrument in the hand of God, to do the works of his love ●nd grace.  
The 6. of January 16●0. she was inclined to go and walk in the orcherd, although she was hardly able to go ●o far, being already not very well to ●as. From thence she did cast her eyes upon our churchyard, which she could see from that place, with this impression that the Lord would shortly 'cause her body to be brought thither. And God even at that time not giving her much sense of his grace, she remained in some sadness before him. Being sat down and a beam of the sun shining on her face through the trees, she felt a lively impression that God would yet 'cause his glorious face to shine upon her; and withal perceiving that on't beam of God, being more lively and clearer than that of the sun, did touch her heart and soul, and gave her the sense that after her departure out of the world God would certainly 'cause her to enter into his glory, to be always with him.  
In this sickness, which did continued some time, before she kept her bed, she had a deep impression, that God would speedily take her out of the world. And though she found herself burdened with many diseases, which pressed her on all sides, yet she said always that her whole heart was disposed to leave herself to God, and not to use many remedies, entreating that we would but commit her to the Lord, and his divine hand, in which she found all her rest. And this she spoke with such an affection which penetrated her heart, and did put her above herself and all her weaknesses. The counsel of God, said she, must needs be fulsilled: It is his will that I should suffer, sometimes after one manner, and sometimes after another. Lea●●e me to the Lord.  
Her last weaknesses did continued some months. They took their beginning with great pains in her loins, and with a fit of the gravel: to which she was much subject. Afterwards she began to vomit very much, not being well able to retain that which she took for her sustainance. She looked upon this inconvenience as was that of an other person amongst us, which was not thereby remarkably weakened. But for her it was very incommodious, especially at night time, for than she suffered much, and passed the same many times without closing  
As long as she could she remained upon her legs, having kept her bed wholly but a few days. But she should have done it sooner, if love had not powerfully supported her, and made her to forget herself and her uneasiness, to help her brothers and sisters. This forgetting & denying of herself hath been very evident & special. Some months since the Lord in his providence applying her a new to help the sick among his children, she said that she felt as the last outgoings of her haert to God, to bestow the remainder of her strength with love on him and those that are his. We did many times admire, how she did at day time go and come with so much zeal & strength, when she had passed the night before so ill & with so much unease. But we saw that we must leave her to God & his Spirit, and to his love which did press her to do for his children what she did.  
She could hardly be persuaded that we should consult with the Doctor, one of our friends, and yet lesle that he should come to visit her: But at last she consented to it, giving way to our hearty desires, and to the affecttions of our tenderness and love, which did move us, if it was possible and pleasing to God, to give her some help or ease. The Doctor was much comforted, and glad in God, when he visited her, and found her soul in that frame, in which it was, though he saw very well, that little help could be given to her body.  
She had a great hunger & thirst to the word of God, & did cherish herself up oftentimes, that she might hear speaking of him in the assembly of his children: for this was her great joy & comfort. A few days before her dissolution she was yet in the assembly, & found herself thereby as wholly refreshed, comforted & lifted up to God.  
Two days before her death, as we came out of the assembly, & I told her that one point was handled which did much agreed with her state, and that all of us were touched very much there with, the children of the Lord with a tender acknowledgement calling to mind the works of her love, she answered in deep humility: Alas what have I done for them! I have received more demonstrations of their love in two days, than I have given them all the days of my life. But if God should again restore me, o with what heart & love & joy would I serve them!  
In the same day in the morning by time she had a great desire to speak with me, & to tell me That the Lord did confirm my words to her heart, that he did more & more draw near to her, that he shown himself to her soul, that he came & was come; and though he was not altogether near at hand, that yet he gave, in beholding of him, to enjoy his rest, to feel his peace, & to give herself wholly into his hands. From that time also we saw in her a new enlargement of spiritual life, divine strength & pure joy in God & CHRIST her Saviour. And even to her last breaht, she gave special cause of comfort, holy joy & blessing of God, to all those which have seen and heard her.  
For as much as by all what was given to her, she got no ease, & that even the best things and that which did always help her before, did seem now to be become quite contrary to her; she rejoiced in the Lord oftentimes, because he had taken away from her all creature help, that so he might take away from her all stay & support which at any time she might have placed in them, and she said many times with a great impression: No more creatures, I need the Creator.  
On the same day, she did entreat those who were about her bed, that they should sing the 42 psalm.  

Like as the hart doth breath & bray  
The well springs to obtain,  
So doth my soul desire alway  
With the Lord to remain etc.   
whereby she was so much moved, that she did even melt in tears & in tenderness of heart & love for God, for whom she groaned without ceasing.  
A little after, my Brother Dulignon, who by reason of his great indisposition had not yet been out of his chamber, coming to visit her, though it was bad weather, and the cold something sharp, she was so very sensible of it, that she could not sufficiently express it, saying she was unworthy of all the love that, was shown to her, which however, as she said, she could not resist; adding there unto, that what was told her by my worthy Brother, did pull up her heart to God, to make her speedily to fly up to him.  
That which most constantly and tenderly did affect her heart, was that she had not sufficiently glorified the goodness and mercy of the Lord, which she found to be so great and excellent: That, said she, goeth through my heart. And lifting up her soul to God, she added: I do sink, I do sink in thy bottomless gulf, O my God. O my Father, art thou so good to such a sinner, that thou dost pardon me all my sins, my manifold sins, my infinite sins! And turning herself a little to our sister van de P. she said: My beloved sister, O how great a grace! I would very willingly go to the house of my Father, however I have deserved that he should say, Stay there thou naughty child, stay yet longer in the world. The night which was between sunday and monday, our sister van de P. with an other watching by her, they saw that she had great pains and suffered more than ordinarily, especially by the general convulsions of her sinews, through all her body; but she endured it with so much patience and acknowledgement of the help which was given to her, that they could not but be touched therewith, and be sensible of it Pray the Lord for me, said she. And as soon as she was something eased, she instantly desired that they would be pleased to take some rest, it being a trouble to her that they did it not.  
On sunday evening our sister van de P. relating to her, that I found myself to be thus employed before God about her and her state, that I had scarce any thing else in my heart and houghts, and that I felt, that God was good to her, and would in a special manner be so: She answered, Lord what dost thou not let me hear, who am so unworthy! My God, thou art willing even to overburden me with thy goodness! The Lord giving me more opportunity to come unto her, than to my dear Brother Dulignon, she accepted all whatsoever I said unto her, with so much tenderness and thankfulness, for the love and care which God made us to have for her, that she was wholly taken up therewith. On the one side her deep humility was the cause that she felt herself to be unworthy of so many visits; but on the other side her desire to it was so great, and her joy for it so lively and powerful, that she could not keep it in.  
My Brother Dulignon telling her, Beloved Sister, you shall die in such manner as we ourselves would desire to die: her heart was lively touched thereby, and with great affection going out to the Lord.  
On monday at noon whilst we were at dinner, she entreated again our sister van de P. to sing the first verse of the 42. Psalm. And after she had sung it in French, and sung it over again in Dutch, our sister Huyghens did sing it with her with such fullness of heart and loudness of voice, that we could hear it below; and one should not say than, that her end was so near by. Afterwards our sister van de P. sung to her these three verses out of one of our songs.  

O come, and let us give all glory to the Lord,  
Who is the Lamb of God; praise him with one accord.  
Who in his mercies great, and goodness infinite,  
Unto his wedding feast himself us doth invite;  
Who gives to us his grace, great bounty in his love.  
Who can than choose but fly with wings to him above,  
Where when we shall arrive nothing shall wanting be,  
Where when our souls shall come, we shall all fullness see.  
O, come therefore, come godly Bridegroom, come:  
Come, Lord, unto thy glorious kingdom.  
Exalted be on earth thy kingdom dear.  
The like say he which ever this doth hear.  
Come speedily, o Lord, we the adore:  
Yea come, o Lord, again we thee implore.  
O joyful word, Yea I come speedily,  
Aglorious word, a word most lovely.  
Amen, Lord come, and make no more delay  
According to thy truth our hearts do say,  
So saith thy Spirit, Lord: so by thy grace.  
Thy Spouse: O Jesus, let us see thy face.   
Wherewith all she joined herself in a special manner, & desired that the same might be repeated to her again, by reason of that special savour which she had therein.  
Being oftentimes visited by divert of the children of the Lord, she said when they were gone: O how lovely doth the Lord make them! A brother seeing her to suffer, and being thereby moved very much, did say: Worthy sister, I pray to God that it may be his will to lessen your pains. I am tenderly moved to see you suffer so much; But I cannot bemoan you, because I see you by the means here of to draw near to the Lord, & to your full deliurance. Which thoughts she embraced with joy and special pleasure.  
Our Sister van de P. having said unto her, We do believe indeed that the Lord will take you to himself, but we hope that he will give us yet first more opportunity, to show to you the love which the Lord hath given to us for you; She said on the moonday evening: Well my sister, I now may very well go: for I have certainly received sufficient proofs of your love. And where as they were talking, who were to watch the night of the day after, she asserted: There need no care for that, there will be no need of it. And withal she asked, Are not they to wash to morrow? o I hope that the Lord Jesus will wholly wash my soul to morrow. And the next day, which was the day she died, she said, having respect to these two things, Have not I told it to you? She was as ravished, when she thought thereon, that she should be without sin, and wholly made white in the blood of JESUS CHRIST, & throug the full effusion of his Spirit upon her: O, said she, not to sin any more, not to be able to sin any more, what great happiness is that!  
The night which was between monday & tuesday, our sister van S. watching with our sister C. who did usually take care of the sick with Mrs. Huyghens, she shown much thankfulness to God, because he did somethingh assuage her pains, although her anguishes were yet great; and she received with much tenderness & humility that service which was done to her, saying: Behold, how much service do I want? It is good that men do something enter into the state of the sick; one should sometimes think that they have no need of so many things. She did not think on herself but with relation to others, and through that sense which charity did give to her. This made her in a special manner to say to our brother D. taking him by the hand: My brother, many have asked me whether I had any thing to say to them, & I had nothing: but I will tell you: For as much as at present you are to have the special care for the sick, that you do wholly & with great application give you self thereunto. O how much have you helped me, said she more than once to our Sister van S. If you had not been so strong as to raise me up oftentimes, I had failed in my anguishing. What a faithful help have you been to me.  
On Tuesday morning she found herself wholly faint in all her limbs, and to be taken with a sleep which did nothing but make her more heavy. Whereupon she said very sensibly, Now God will give some change.  
The Doctor being come some time afterwards, & finding her to be so weak, that many remedies were not to be given unto her any more, she was very glad, seeing that God did make her by degrees draw nearer & nearer to her end, and that no help was to be expected any more from the creatures, being not to live any longer here below. O how do I rejoice, said she, that the opinion of the Doctor is not contrary to mine!  
About an hour after dinner out sister Y. saying to her: My worthy sister, God hath made you to pass through many trials, and now long ago: Yes, said she, the Lord hath tried me indeed; but however, he hath been always with me. Yet she was even than in great anguish, in which she found herself after she had slumbered a little while. And when she felt death to approach, she said, Shall I not more see our beloved Brethrens, our worthy Pastors? (We were just gone down with the Doctor.) This than was told us, & coming presently to her, we found her in great faintness, and we lifted up ourselves to God (as we frequently did,) offering up unto him for an oblation this worthy soul, & giving her over in the hands of the Lord JESUS, her great & faithful Shepherd.  
She was at that time in unusual anguishments, which caused such great & sudden changes in her, that one could clearly see, that she hastened much towards her end, and that likely it would not be long, before she should attain to it. It seemed sometimes, as if she should be gone in those faint fits, but she came to herself again. The first word that she said, speaking to the Doctor, was: O Sir, how good is it to live & die among the children of God How much help and support doth one receive from them! o how great a good is it! And for as much as I said unto her, My worthy sister, we cannot help you, nor give you any ease; she did answer with great feeling of heart: Yea indeed you can help me, and you do help me. But the mind & heart, where with she did speak this & so many other things, are not well to be expressed.  
The Doctor, which had a special love to our house, said to her, that it would have been a great grief to him, if he had not been with her that day, and that having had particular acquaintance with her, she should have gone to the Lord, without having seen her in that comfortable state wherein he saw her. And because, cause, as he added, even as Solomon saith, it is better to go into the house of mourning, than into the house of feasting, for there is the end of all flesh, and the living doth lay it to heart: she thereupon answered with a laughing mouth and joyful heart: A house of mourning? No Sir, this is no house of mourning; it is a house of laughter, and a house of joy. Do not you behold the heart of my dear brothers and sisters? Do not you see how joyful they are? and how they thank God for the grace which he showeth unto me? And though by reason of my weakness they do not now sing out aloud, O they will do it hereafter, as soon as I shall have passed over to the Lord. And turning herself towards us, she proceeded on to say: Is it not true, worthy brethrens and sisters, that you do rejoice, and that you will praise the Lord for my deliverance? O do it, do it, I pray you, as soon as I shall be gone to my God. And applying herself in a special manner to our sister van de P. she said: Will not you do it my dear sister? Will not you praise the Lord? I pray, do it.  
The Doctor being willing to make her to take something, she said divers times, I have no need any more, I have no need of a cordial, desiring to acquaint them that she had her cordial in her heart. And one telling her that it was but a little of the spirit of lemons, she replied, Do not speak to me of any more spirits. And when thereupon I said unto her, My sister, you are dead unto the creatures, you must have the holy Ghost for your cordial; she said divers times: Yea my worthy Brother, yea it is he, and he alone, whom I do want. We saw her indeed dead unto the expectation of any remedies, and it troubled her to hear us speak of it; not by reason of any natural contrariety, for she had none in the lest against the most loathsome things before her sickness, when the Lord would have it to be: but because her heart and mind was so much taken up with God, that she could not so much as think on that which is here below. And likewise we found that all things did her hurt, and the Doctor said, that he saw that nothing was more fit for her than the wine sponge, which from time to time during her sickness we were want to give unto her, to strengthen her. Her anguishments being again grown very great, I did present her before the Lord, praying unto him for the continuance of the assistance of his divine grace & power to his servant, that was suffering before his eyes and at his feet. Where upon falling in a great faintness, she laid herself down upon her pillow, saying: I lose myself in God for ever. A little after my Brother Dulignon saying unto her, Well my worthy Sister, the Lord will come, and will speedily come; she encouraged herself to tell him: Yea my worthy brother, yea indeed he cometh. Which she repeated three or four times, with so much tenderness of heart, that we clearly saw that her heart was wholly penetrated, and burning with love towards the Lord Jesus. Afterwards she fell into a little sleep, which did continued for about the space of a quarter of an hour. And for as much as we did see continually, that she did always come out of those slumberings with great anguish, we therefore did admire to see her coming out of this, so full of life and spiritual strength, by which it did evidently appear, that the Lord was come yet nearer unto her, and that the sense of his lovely presence had, as it were, even wholly refreshed and renewed her. Being indeed full thereof, she could not keep herself from crying out with a loud voice and special strength: O how good is the Lord! O how good is he! My God, art thou so good to me! My God, my Father, could I at any time conceive it? O how great is God Let every one lose himself in him, and in his goodness; Yea let every one lose himself in him, and give himself wholly over unto Him. But it would not be possible to relate all the words and expressions, where with her heart and mouth, for the time of more than half an hour did overflow, with such a lifting up of her mind to God, and union of her heart with Jesus Christ, that all those that did hear and see her, were holily taken up with it, not being able to do any thing else but thank God from the bottom of their hearts, for this plentiful effusion of his Spirit and Grace, of his light and love, wherewith he had so much filled up this vessel, that it did run over in such a pure, affectionate and loving manner. And for as much as we were come round about her bed, to see her to finish her course and triumph, she looked round about her upon every one of us with great pleasure, and praised God that she found herself to be compassed about with such a number of God's children: These are, said she to the Doctor, my worthy Brothers and Sisters. O how lovely are they! Indeed, the love which God had given to her for all his children, is not to be expressed.  
Afterwards because we saw that her mouth began to grow something dry, and we asked her if she would not drink, she answered, Not, but I go to drink, I go to drink the waters of life: there will be quenching and refreshment. And turning herself about to our sister van de P., she said: Did not I tell you that to day I should be washed in that great lavour of the blood of Jesus? And this shall be. I drown myself, said she, in that Sea, yea in that great Sea. And we saw that her heart and soul did even float away in love to God, sinking in the bottomless ocean of his mercy and of the blood of Christ her Saviour.  
She spoke with an inexpressable sense of the beauty, glory, and loveliness of the Lord Jesus: oftentimes repeating these words, O what is he not!  
Having kept silence some time, she said, I go to embrace him in the name of you all. And turning herself unto me, she said: tell it, I pray you, to our two brethrens which are absent, that I am going to embrace the Lord Jesus in their name & though name of you all.  
Worthy brethrens & sisters, said she, with a special affection, and a very great impression, Fear not death, it is not bitter: not it is sweet, it is sweet & good. Be not afraid of it, it is very well to be born. The bitterness of death is past; adding unto it who was it that said so? But I speak it in an other sens. And when I answered her, He who spoke those words, thought that he should not die, but you say them, seeing death coming on & embracing it: I, said she, so it is that I mean.  
She said, Fear not to go to God: Do not you hear it, brethrens and sisters? It is good to lose ourselves in him: than we are truly save. O how do I feel it and have experience of it! I did not think that death was so sweet. And shortly after: I die every minute, and yet I live still. God worketh no miracles to free us from the cross. I must suffer, God will have it to be so, and I likewise.  
How sad and terrible a thing would it be to me, said she, if God now should be terrible to my soul: Death would be untolerable to me.  
Being in great anguish and growing faint, she said In what great anguish am I! But it is only according to the body, it is only from without, within there is room.  
She said to the two brethrens H. with great sense: How good is the Lord, ●hat he hath brought you in his house, in the ●idst of his children.  
Taking by the hand our sister C. who had employed herself with her ●bout medicines and the sick, as well within the house as without, she said ●nto her: You will lose nothing, I do surely trust that God will provide in all things. He will show that he hath no need of this iustrument, which till now he hath been pleased to make use of. Have the same confidence.  
The Doctor with great affection ●king his leaf of her, and telling her ●hat she should proceed to fight the ●od fight, and that she should re●ive the crown of life; she answered ●ith gladness of mind, and a great ●otion of heart: Sir, I have no need to ●●ght, the Lord Jesus hath vanquished & overcome all.  
Turning herself to our sister V she said: You must lose yourself more in the Lord. Our safety is in that loss. There is no other way but this.  
Our sister's van S. having received a letter from Mrs. Verbrugge, which was sealed with black sealing-wax, and having opened it in the steed of our sister Huyghens who could not do it, they told me the contents thereof. I there upon going to our worthy sister, said unto her, I bring you good tidings, your cousin Arnoldina is gone before you to heaven; there you will found her: for she is deceased, after that she had received divers great proofs of gods grace: she said O is it true, my worthy Brother, is that sweet child even gone before me? The Lord be praised for it, the Lord hath done according as I felt. The Lord hath made me to feel it. And she added to it:  
" Did not I tell you so, my sisters turning herself to our sister van S. 〈◊〉 whom she had spoken this.  
Again having slumbered a little, after she had expressed many most inward and stirring affections when she awakened, she said: Thus to die even sleeping what an easy death is that.  
After she was fallen into faintness, and was come to herself again, she said: I am not always the like in anguish. And I having told her a little before, that the Lord JESUS would lead her through the shadow of death, she did answer me: Jea indeed, it is but a shadow of death, that I am passing through.  
Between six & seven a clock, she said looking on our Sister vande P., which supported her: My beloved Sister, must I yet dye in your arms?  
She had said unto her before with great affection: The Lord is come, He is come. And afterwards she repeated, being full of joy: To be so near, to be so near to God, what happiness is that! I go now to enjoy an other life.  
Our sister vande P. saying that the Doctor had said, that a bout s●ven a clock some alteration would be seen, which he understood of death; and she adding thereunto after her meaning, that it would be after one manner or an other: She answered: Loving Sister, tell me not of an other manner, being as I am now so near by the Lord.  
My heart being full of the sense of God's goodness, which did so plentifully effuse itself upon her, and I telling her: Did not I tell you, from the Lord, that he would thus deal with you; She answered: Yes my worthy Brother, it is because you did better know Him than I  
And while as at divers times she had shown much zeal for the souls of her Friends, and a fervent desire that God through his grace might be glorified in them, I therefore asked her a few hours before her death, if she did desire that I should writ any thing in particular to her sister Mistress Verbrugge, and to Mr. Huyghen● her Brother. And she answered me: Nothing but that I leave them to the Lord, that I have committed them unto him, and that in love I do tenderly salute them. And ask her yet, shall not I do the same to Madam van O. She answered, Should not you? you knows how much I have always loved her with her worthy Sisters.  
Our Sister Magdalene, whose happy decease shall likewise be found here, telling her two months before her end, that she did as yet feel some fear, when she beheld death; she said to her cheerfully: You must come & see me die, for I shall not live long any more; and than you will have no more fear for death.  
Even as in her life-time she had a great zeal for the elect of God, and the establishment & enlargement of the kingdom of JESUS CHRIST in their souls, which was the chief matter of her desires & prayers: so likewise she did in a special manner enlarge them in her last hour. Not by any motion of her own, or any thing that would as prevent the Lord by doing that which he did not, or more than he did or found good to do: For in this thing she had received much light from the Lord, and she humbled herself before him for that mixtur of her own work in times past, with that which should have been only the Lords work but her heart went forh with much tenderness to God for his Elect, that are in so much danger in the midst of the world. And she did show that she was especially sensible, whether it was of the state of those on whom God by his Grace had truly wrought, and that did yet remain compassed about with great darkness and wants, or whether it was for the state of those elect who had not yet heard of Christ. It is not to be expressed how tenderly sensible she was there of.  
She said that she would pray to the Lord Jesus for the conversion of the poor Indians, for whom she had a very special zeal, being contented, she said, if God should give her life and did make some of us to go there, to be one of the first, notwithstanding her weakness, sickliness, and years.  
Oftentimes in the sense of her infirmity she said very meekly: I beseech you, pray unto the Lord for me, for I am sure I have need of his grace and strength to endure my pains.  
Some time before she died, she said to me in much humility: My worthy Brother, I have not desired pardon of you for all the pains which I have given to you. And I answering her, the Lord JESUS hath forgiven and attoned all, she replied, This I had likewise thought.  
A little before her death she did desire to have some beer for refreshment, refusing the rinnish wine which was presented unto her, and which she could not well endure in her sickness. A little after she said, Let me now stretch out myself, for it is done, it is done. Whereupon she fell into a softsleep which was the very sleep of death, for she deceased in the Lord half a quarter of an hour after, with a very great rest, peace & tranquillity.  
On this manner hath this soul so much beloved by God & his Children, happily finished her course. She was, to say indeed, not very sick, but only the two last days of her life, for before that, there was as much likelihood that God would restore her again, as that he would take her out of this world to himself. God gave her to the very last such a great presence of spirit; such a lively memory, such a solidity of judgement, so holy & courageous a confidence, and so perfect a knowledge of all whatsoever her heart did love in God, that one might clearly see, that there was in her an other life than that of the body, which did support, inaminate and more enliven her, than at any time before. She is now with God, and resteth in his bosom from her labour. She is blessed being dead in the Lord, his Grace having prevented her, his Glory having received her, and the works of her love which God gave her to do, having followed her. She looked little on them in her life-time, but yet lesle in her death. And God who is good & faithful to those that belong to him, hath crowned in her with his Glory the gifts of his Grace, which in Christ he had imparted unto her. The Lord JESUS be for evermore praised for the accomplishment of his work in her, and to him be given the honour & glory, by all those who shall read this writing, the which we make common by aiming thereat & wishing for it, by the sense of his Spirit, and his divine love.  

The last words and dispositions of Hilletje, the daughter of our Brother Hans Simons.  
GOd hath been pleased to give us a new argument of his mercy & grace over this his flock, by taking away, in his unspeakable love, a lamb from the midst of the same to himself. It was the daughter of our brother Hans Simons our carpenter, whom God was pleased to visit with a pining sickness, and great pains, especially at her latter end. But withal he did give her such an amiable patience, perfect resignation of herself to his will, and tender & inward desire to go to him & to die, that she might be able in heaven fully to glorify him, that we have cause to praise him with all our heart for all what he hath done about this good child to the end. Some time before she came to keep her bed, reading in the Scripture, she lighted on the History of Hagar & her child, on● whom the Lord had compassion in the wilderness, whereas otherwise it must have perished with thirst; and the person with whom she did work, ask her what she had read, and what therein had touched her heart, she answered thereupon sensibly: I do admire to see that God doth harken to the voice & weeping of a child, and hath compassion thereon. Being asked some time before her death, whether she did believe that God by this sickness would take her to himself, she answered; Yes I believe he will; however I hope it of his goodness. And being yet asked wherefore she was so desirous thereof, she said: To be freed from sin. She added to it," All that I desire of God, is that he may be pleased throughly to purge me, I hope God in his mercy will come unto me, and take me to himself, I am so glad that I may suffer, to go to God O how great a good is that! I feel, said she, that God is with me, and causeth me to feel his peace: and I pray to him that he may be with me to the end, although I am very much unworthy of it. One time among the rest having desired to speak unto me, she said that she had felt God would have her to tell me, That she was very sorry, because she had been so little penitent for her sins; but that she did feel, she must remain to the end in the Spirit of repentance, for to go in that state to God. I likewise believe, said she, that God in his mercy will forgive me my sins for JESUS CHRIST his Son's sake, whose Grace I do need so much. Pray to God, saith she at another time to those that were round about her, that even to the end I may keep myself before him, in the Spirit of repentance. Before this, my heart came with much a do to prayer, but now at present it goeth as of itself to the Lord & without the lest labour. Being asked, if God should leave it to her choice, whether she would live or die, what she would rather choose, she answered with much sensibleness: I do very much wish to go to God; I am afraid of this life, and I love death rather, because I hope that God by the means thereof will fully unite me with himself. When she was in very great anguish, and she was told, that likely the Lord would speedily come, than she cried out, from the bottom of her heart, O were I so happy! Being told of JESUS CHRIST, how that he was the only Redeemer of our souls, and that there was no other Name given under heaven, through which we could be saved: than she answered: O I feel it so, these words do lively move me. O how beautiful is he! How good is the Lord JESUS, said she with much tenderness. Being asked whether she could thus leave her Father, she answered affectionately, O yes; giving proof that she did rejoice very much, that she might go to an other & a better Father, than he whom God had given her here, although in his love. Being further-more asked, what her mind was when she was in such anguish, and whether she was not sorry that she must suffer so much: O not, said she, when such anguishments come, than I think by myself, Presently, presently it will be ended, and I shall go to the Lord; and the joy which I feel for this, doth so strengthen me, that me thinks that it doth yet keep me here. I do not fear death, said she with a merry countenance, for I hope that afterwards I shall not sin any more against the Lord. But I must yet suffer more; I have not deserved to die such a soft death. But yet she died a little while after, after that she had divers times cried out: God will be my Redeemer: Jesus is my Saviour. And so she died in his arms dying the death of the Righteous, to whom God doth give Grace, and whom he receiveth into his Glory. This is the first child, which being come to knowledge, God took from the midst of us; and he was pleased to give us comfort there of in his love, showing how he had blessed that care which we have had for her soul, of which she likewise was very sensible, giving thanks with much love to those who had more particularly instructed her: even as also she hath testified to her Friends, when she spoke with them or wrote to them.   

The last words and dispositions of heart of our most worthy Sister Dulignon, deceased in the Lord at Wiewert in Friesland the 28. December 1680.  
GOd having given this soul from her childhood some feelings & taste of his Spirit, this in some measure kept her back from seeking the vanities & pleasures of this world, and did give her some inclination to that which she did not yet know. He eldest Sister Vincentia vander Haar being the first of the three sisters, who found herself pressed to seek the Lord, in denying the world; she, who was the second, did feel something in her heart, which did secretly draw her of from what she saw, & did not suffer her to be contented with that, wherewith the common sort of those who are called pious (with whom all three of them began to converse) did in their judgement to easily content themselves. She came purposely in Zealand with her eldest sister, to hear Master de ●abadie there: and God afterwards ●n his providence ordering it, that ●hey did hear us oftentimes in the Hague, so he gave them at the first ●uch an inclination & compliance with what he caused them to hear & ●ee, that they were of the first, whom in that place did perceive that ●ESUS CHRIST must be followed wholly in an other & more live●y & earnest manner.  
Particularly our worthy & most ●appy Sister, to whom God had given a special grace of simplicity & holy innocency, having felt the blessing of God upon that which he caused her to hear to the good of her soul, & God's providence keeping us than at Amsterdam, after that he had drawn us out of Zealand, she felt a great inclination to come thither; and having obtained leave to come from her Mother, she took part with that good & grace which God did there show to us. The Lord than came very much to her, and caused himself to be felt very sensibly in her heart. With that impression of grace which she had there received, she returned again for a time to the Hague, where the Lord JESUS caused himself to be felt very inwardly present with her soul, and made himself known to her after an unusual manner: which did inflame her with new love towards him, and gave her such an affection to his amiable & holy person, that she afterwards did never lose the same.  
The Lord afterwards by his special providence having brought us t● Herfort in Westphalia, she came there with some others, of whom God was pleased to compose our assembly; and he hath given her generally that grace, all the time that he hath left her amongst us, to be there and live as a true member of this body of JESUS CHRIST, which he had in a special manner purchased & sanctified to himself. Her grace did appear sometimes more & sometimes less, but we have always perceived in her a ground of innocency, simplicity & purity, which was for great comfort, and which appearing more from time to time, did in a special manner enlarge & show itself in the last time & years of her life.  
For the most part of the time that we were in Friesland, she was visited with a great & long continuing weakness; but she bore the same with a wonderful strength & courage of mind, and hath given us great matter of thanking God for the assistance & support of his Spirit & grace.  
An ague joining with her ordinary weakness, at seven months' end she was delivered of her last child; God in a special manner strengthening her by his Spirit, and the love of his will and ways concerning her. Afterwards by the continuation of her fits of the ague she did grow much weaker, although sometimes it seemed as if she did something recover. During all this time she did in a special manner comfort and edify us. And I can say, that as oftentimes as I talked with her, which was frequently, I never went away from her without thanking God, for the enlargement and increase of his grace in her, having thought oftentimes, after that I had divers times presented her before the Lord in prayer, that what the Lord did in her soul, was a great argument that he caused her to draw near to eternity, and that likely he would not tarry long before he was to take her into his glory, for as much as he did set forth the work of his grace in her in such a visible and unusual manner.  
Nine days before her death, finding herself to be a little better, she took courage to writ to her worthy husband my brother Dulignon at the Hague, desiring to give him that comfort, and to answer that sweet and tender love, which he did show to her by his letters, which she did always receive with deep humility. These are some of the words of her letter: Your great love maketh me to be wholly ashamed. I who am unworthy to be compared with you, what have I suffered, or what do I suffer in comparison of you? If I did not commit you and your sufferings to the Lord, my heart would be wounded through with smart: but God is specially good to me therein, that he taketh away from me all encumbrances for what matter soever it be. The which I perceive to be as a gift of his good hand, unto which I have offered, and yet do offer myself up, both for time and for eternity, in life and death. You may hold yourself assured, that I do not desire the help and comfort of my sisters, although their presence would be acceptable to me, for the lest help which they can show to you, is more to me than all my comfort. Though you are a far of, yet methinks sometimes that my arms reach you, but it is in faith. The Lord grant that it may be once in deed, if it be his good william.  
The thursday before her happy decease, she said to that sister who did help her to rise: I hope this will be the last time, that I shall have need to have my bed to be made: to morrow is my ague day, o if the Lord would sand me such a good ague, as that it might take me away, and might make me to go to him, how joyful would it be to me, and how happy would I be! Being afterwards to take something, she said as with grief, what must I yet feed this body, which I would so willingly put of? A certain sister coming to visit her, she said: Thus we shall go to the Lord the one before & the other after. Wait with patience for deliverance from him. There is but little time between both. The one a little sooner, and the other a little later, but thus we shall all go unto him.  
On friday the ague came sooner & stronger than it did before. In she evening she had a faint fit, whilst they did make her head-pil●ows. But she came again to herself, taking a little wine, and said withal with a joyful countenance: 〈◊〉 I thought that the happy minute 〈◊〉 was come, I knew not whether I 〈◊〉 would tell it you. Wherhfore? ●●sked that sister: Because I was afraid, said she, that you would give me something to keep me here.  
Having spoken with her that day too or three times, I went to see her ●gain, and found her in that hope ●●at God would soon come to her. ●●t night about three a clock, that ●●fter which commonly helped her, ●eing with her with one more be●●des, and telling her, because she found her so weak: Well my sister, the Lord is coming: so she looked upon her with a joyful countenance and said, Is it true? Do you see me to be much changed? And withal she looked upon her hands & fingers, th●● seemed to her already to be grow● blue: which did increase her hope, that her dissolution did draw near, and that she should soon be with the Lord, to remain for ever with him, I love you all hearty, said she to all those that stood round about her, and I can say, that since the time that I have known God, I have in truth not loved the world, no●● those that did love the world, whatsoever they were; and that my heart did not go forth, but unto those that feared & served God▪ The world & flesh & blood have been nothing to me, in comparison of God's children.  
When they did show to her he● little child, she said: My child, my life is gone over into you. God hath placed you in my steed, hope that you will be better than The Lord JESUS bless you. And the day after speaking to her other child Benjamin, she said, My child I go to the Lord, love him & fear him. He hath caused you to be born among his children, you will not have so many occasions, as I have had to displease him. I have not educated you for myself, but for the Lord, that you may better serve him than I. I aimed at nothing else but that, and all that I wish for you is, that you may live for God & for his glory.  
On that Saturday, which was the day of her happy dissolution, she had great anguish of heart, which made her at the first to complain: for otherwise all the time of her sickness, and during her manifold pains & fits of the ague, the lest complaint was not heard at all, suffering with such patience & quietness of mind, which sufficiently manifested the presence of God in her soul, and her inward union & complacency with him.  
The same day in the morning she said to us: God makes me for an example of his mercy, how unprofitable a servant I have been in his house. This she said with special relation to this that she had been sickly for diven years, and not been able to communicate, to the help & service of the other children of the Lord, that which her love did put in her, and made her wish to be able to do. Hereunto she added: What cause than have you all, to hope on his mercy! Though I am, said she, unworthy of that grace, to keep myself at the feet of JESUS, yet he gives me a full witness that I am his, and that he will never cast me away.  
She said, Notwithstanding my unfaithfulness, and though I have not lived for his glory, as I aught to have done, yet he is so good to me now. He sealeth unto me the pardon of my sins, and he will now at present take me to himself. O how good is he! How merciful & gracious is he!  
Turning herself to me, she did entreat me, that I would writ to my worthy Brother Dulignon, That she did go with so great joy to the Lord: This, said she, will comfort him in the state wherein the Lord keepeth him. She ad●ed moreover: I pray, do not writ unto him, when God shall have taken me to himself, that I am dead, but that I live. For I shall live more than ever before, living to the Lord, who is our life. She asked me than, whether her soul should likewise en●oy that good, as to see the glorified body of the Lord JESUS, be●ore she should behold it with the ●yes of her body after the resurrection? And it being told her, yes, ●ou shall, as well as the Angels, which have no bodies; so was she hereupon wholly taken up with ●oly joy, and added thereunto: O how happy a thing will it be, that we shall be able to draw near to his holy person!  
And for as much as she suffered much by reason of the anguish of her heart they gave to her a little Besor for her ease, but she would hardly take it, saying: That will serve for an other one, as for me I go to God, and whether it be with more or lesle anguish, is it not all one? That doth not deserve the Besor.  
She had said before to some one: Let none tell the child, that his mother is dead, but that she is a life in God, that she is with the Lord Jesus in heaven. I know not, said she, this word Death seems to be so strange in this case, me thinks ti doth not express the thing very well: for to go to the Lord, is indeed not to die. Not, I shall not be dead.  
She likewise h at said to that person, Tell my sisters Vincentia & Mary, when you shall see them, that I pray to God with all my heart, that he be pleased to bless them, and though they have not been here, that there hath been nothing wanting to me; the love of God & of his children having plentifully provided in all things.  
She said to us from time to time, Do you think that the Lord will speedily come? And I having answered her, that yet that very day she was to go to God, she cried out for joy, O what good & glad message do you bring me! And telling her furthermore, that there would be no night for her any more, she protested that this was her only wish, and that she desired not more.  
And afterwards turning herself about to us, she said: I can say that I wish to all of you with all my heart the same good, and that you were all in the same state as I be. And answering her that such wishes are not usually made, but that indeed it was the greatest which she could wish to us, because there was no greater good than that good whereunto God did call her, than she said: I have oftentimes thought that if we should take a voyage to sea, and the Lord should than by shipwreck take us all to himself, that it would be a great comfort that we might thus all go together to him.  
She said, One may be very well assured, that death hath nothing terrible for the children of God.  
And furthermore she said, From my youth God hath made himself sensible to my soul, though I did not than know him, and my heart was yet blind: But thereby he did hinder me from being able to take my delight in the world & what is in the world: and as soon as I had found the pure Spirit of the Lord in his Servants, I said by myself: This is it which thou hast sought for, and by this thou must keep thyself.  
I can well say it (went she forth with a feeling which was very lively & pure) for God hath done it, and it is not but for his glory: that when the Lord JESUS made himself known to my soul, the world from that time forth did vanish away from my eyes, and since it hath remained always vanished. And I could not comprehend, how that souls, which have felt JESUS, could afterwards love any thing else but JESUS.  
About noon one of our sisters ask her, whether she would not make use of some broth of veal, or something else, so she answered with joy of heart, That I had told her that there would be no more night for her, and that she could very well subsist so long without using any thing; adding thereunto, that when she had taken any thing, thereby her anguish was more increased.  
About the same time, when they had shut her courtains, these words were heard to come out of her bosom: O God, thou canst do all things; might it please thee to shorten the time! having no other desire but to be hastily with the Lord.  
Her anguishes were oftentimes very great, so that they did hinder her for some time to speak & to say any thing: but afterwards she came out of them again with new strength and vigour, and with a renewing of her joy, because she looked upon that continual falling again into those fits of anguish, as so many steps which she made towards the Lord JESUS her Saviour, the beloved of her heart & the eternal Bridegroom of her soul.  
In the afternoon being come again to see her, and ask her how she found herself: I wait, said she, for the Lord: blessed is that servant, which waiteth for his Lord, he will not be surprised. At another time being in great anguish, she said to me: The Lord, my worthy Brother, will have us to wait upon him, is it not true? One must wait till his minute be come, it is the greatest we can expect.  
O how ready is the Lord JESUS, said she to some sisters who came to see her, to receive sinners, which are sorry, that they have noth been sufficiently for him, when they do take their refuge to his divine merits, and do trust their souls into his hands. And speaking to some of our brethrens, she said, Be faithful to the Lord JESUS, my brethrens; walk before his face, take but away what may hinder him from having communion with your souls, and you will found that he is wholly ready to 'cause himslf to be felt on your heart. To be able to say unto the Lord, my God, I desire none but thee in heaven & on earth, what wilt thou have me to do, that gives a great strength, and maketh men to walk with heads lifted up. I have found that many times by his Grace.  
When I said unto her, is it not a great good to have served such a good Master? she answered me: One doth not repent, but only that one hath not sufficiently served him.  
Benjamin again coming before her bed, she said to him: My child, I can say nothing else to you, but what I have already said. Fear the Lord always, and be very obedient to those that instruct you, than you will come to live for ever with your Mother in heaven.  
She said to a certain sister, who for tenderness of heart did weep seeing her: One must not weep, one must rejoice, and praise the Lord. Do not you see, how much cause he gives thereunto? and speaking to that sister who takes care for the little children, she said, God bless you, my worthy sister, with the little ones, take care of them, and that according to the Lord.  
I having told her at noon, Well my worthy Sister, now is the day half passed, she answered, Are you than yet of the same opinion, my worthy Brother? Do you believe yet that even this day I shall go to my Redeemer and my God? And at evening going to supper, I asked her, because she seemed to have gotten a little strength again, whether she was not willing to take something? And she answered with sadness: Must I yet eat, what sad tidings! I made in myself an other reckoning: yet if God please I will try it. And our Brother who hath the care of the sick, having told her before that she had gotten a little more strength, she gave him this answer: Do you likewise bring had tidings: you have told me that I was so near to my end. She had before that thanked him, and that Sister that helps him, with much tenderness for their love, and for so many arguments as she had received thereof, especially in her sickness.  
After meal coming to see her again, and finding her in greater anguish, she said, as she had done at other times, that her hope did increase. And speaking of my worthy Brother her husband, whose state had appeared as near to eternity as was that of hers, she said, That she expected to see him in heaven, and never to be separated from him again.  
After that we had again presented her before the Lord as a sacrifice, according to the feeling which he gave me, that it might please him to hear the great & ardent affection of his child and faithful handmaid, who alone went out to him, she did yet bosom out these words: I would say with my mother, as she said at the end of her life, I can not more. And turning herself towards me, she said: I have never yet been in such an anguish, my worthy brother. To which I answered that she did put me in mind of our worthy thy Sister Huyghens, who likewise told me the same a little before her end, but that God took her to himself half an hour after. This did 'cause her such joy, that her countenance thereby was changed. A little after she yielded up her spirit, the joy remaining imprinted in her face & eyes, which I did shut unto her, praising God for that unspeakable happiness, unto which he had received this soul, who was so beloved & dear to CHRIST & his children.  
I can say to the glory of God, that I do not believe, that one can easily imagine in any a greater, a more perfect, and a more permanent longing for death, than what we have seen in her; a fuller assurance of going to eternal happiness, a more perfect unsetlement from all what she left in the world; more forgetfulness and holy contempt of herself; and more innocent simplicity in the outgoings of her heart to God & to JESUS her Lord & Saviour, who having prevented & accompanied her with his Grace, was pleased to give her to partake of his eternal Glory, after ●he had lived here on earth the time of 31 years.   

The last words and dispositions of our most happy sister Magdalene Henry, which decensed in the Lord February 1. in the year 1681. with some of the most remarkable circumstances of her life.  
SHe was born at Metz of parents of the Romish Religion. Her father, which was a Chirurgent, and a man well to pass, dying when she was but three years old, ●eft her in the hands of her mother, which was very worldly, and who desiring to bring her up according to the world, did oftentimes beaten her ●n her youth, because she would ●ear no locks & ruffles. Even from ●hat time she was against all those va●itys, and felt an averseness from ●he pride of her mother, who did especially exceed therein. God at ●hat time drawing her heart lively. unto him, gave unto her a general desire, that she might be able to know him, and to serve him in truth. Oftentimes when she went to the mass & vesper, and there prayed to God, she felt in her heart, that that manner of worshipping God was not acceptable unto him: and having once heard some body speaking of the holy Scriptures, which she might not read, she felt a great & inward desire, to seek out such people which might be able to teach her, in what manner God would be worshipped.  
Even from that time she resolved, after that she had pondered all things well, and was a long while in her heart urged thereunto, to betake herself upon her journey, without knowing where to go; hoping that God would guide her, and let her found that which she felt was her duty to seek. Than she spoke with a messenger, which went a foot from Metz to Frankfort, being than 19 years & a half old, desiring him that he would take her with him, though she knew no body there, and likewise did not at all understand the Germane tongue. The messenger not being willing to take her with him, except her mother would give consent thereunto, so her mother consented, being weary of the continual opposition of her daughter against her worldly mindedness. Her Guardian, which was not unwilling to keep her goods in his hands, was likewise well contented that she should go where it pleased her. So that the messenger took upon him to take her with him, God fitting all things thereunto according to her wish. She thought indeed at first, to get into her hands the goods which by her father did belong unto her, and could likewise have done it, according to the laws of the country, if she had stayed there but 6 months longer, that is till the age of twenty years: but this was to her impossible, for when she did pray most unto the Lord, that he would make his will known to her concerning this point, so she felt herself to be constrained very much to departed, being greatly afraid that she might hap to die in these 6 months; without yet knowing what the Lord required of her soul, that she would rather leave all there, and follow the inclination of her heart, which she did perceive was from God. Which likewise she did, and that without ever lookink back after what she had left in the hands of her Friends, and whereof she hath not enjoyed the lest thing.  
Thus she went away from Metz towards Francfort with this messenger, and likewise another man and his wife, who also went to that place. In the way she found an unspeakable joy, because that she saw herself to be out of Metz, and in freedom to be able to seek the Lord, until she had found him. The way did not seem to her to be long, and god preserved her in a special manner in the same. Being come to Francfort, she was recommended to the Countess of Hanau, which having understood that she sought to be instructed in the reformed Religion, did direct her to a very good Lady of Cassel, wife of the Marshal Haxhausen, which did receive her with a heart so full of love, that she could not have expected or desired more, though she had been her own mother. God had some short time before powerfully touched and changed the heart of that young Lady, so that she went earnestly about to change the train of her worldly life, which she had led. She changed her house as into a church, in which she caused God to be served with all her power, and did rejoice that she could likewise receive there & help this stranger, who did earnestly seek God. And seeing that Magdalene, though ●he did seek to be instructed in the ●ruth, yet would not make confession of the reformed Religion, except ●he was fully convinced in her conscience, that God did require such from her, she did deal with our sister with great tenderness & special circumspection: not willing that she ●hould be disturbed in or urged to any thing, yet giving her all occasion that she might be instructed. Wherein our sister did see the tender & fatherly providence of God towards her. The conversation & acquaintance of this Lady, and especially her decease, which was very edifying, did very much confirm her in that hope which she had, to found the truth in the reformed Religion. But afterwards she was kept back for some time to receive the same, by reason of the bad example of those with whom she did frequently converse, and especially by that of a Candidate in Divinity, which concerned himself with the instruction of others in the house, but was himself so profane, as to make a scoff & laughingstock of the words of the holy Scripture; and yet besides by the evil example of the French Minister of cassel, which being invited to dinner to the place where she dwelled, that he might have opportunity to speak with her, during dinner did nothing else but speak of meat & drink, of good wine, and meat well prepared, & that after a very fleshly & offensive manner.  
Now when she was in great strait, to know what she should do, praying to God night and day, and turning, as it was, into a skelleton by sorrow, and with a great desire which did even consume her away, to know the right way which leadeth to God: So one day when she kept herself in prayer before Him, she got this impression, that she must not be taken up with those wicked ones which profess the reformed Religion, but that the Religion in itself, or the truth which therein was professed, in opposition to the papacy, was truly according to God's heart. And for as much as she was oftentimes disquieted, thinking whether she had not done amiss in leaving her mother, and the fifth commandment coming often in her mind; than was her heart touched lively by the Lord, when she was before him in prayer, and it was as if this word was said to her by JESUS CHRIST, Will you for my sake not deny your mother? Which at the first was very grievous for her to do, but yet from that time it became easy to her by the strength of him who had applied to her that word and command. All this made her to resolve to give herself over to all whatsoever the Lord should require of her; and after she had prayed to him with many teras, that he would not suffer her, to take upon her the profession of the protestant doctrine, for any respect of men which should gladly see it, and that he would hinder that no such thing might be mixed therewith, so she found herself fully resolved thereunto, and she made her confession before a Germane minister, whose language she had than learned, and whom she hought to fear God more than others. So God brought her to the knowledge of the truth & of the sound doctrine. But her heart seeking a life which in some measure might agreed therewith, and having always wished to be with people that did serve God in truth, she was inclined to go for Holland, to see if God would fulfil her desire. But coming there, she was very sad to found the contrary in the first house, where however she stayed three years, and there the Mistress of the house requiring that she should say something contrary to the truth, she answered with great affection, that she would rather die the most contemptible death, than to wound her conscience thereby. Yet nevertheless the little help she had, & the evil example she saw there were partly the cause that her soul went by degrees far of from the Lord, and that she found herself in a very sad condition. Thus having in this & other occasion displeased her Mistress, she went away from her, and was recommended to Madam of Sommelsdyck to educate a son of her daughter Madam of Ossenbergh, in which she did perform her duty with love, and instructing him she did withal herself increase in knowledge. Afterwards she came in service with the daughter of her Lady, and did in the end remain with Mistress of Sommelsdyck our Sister, whose heart at that time the Lord had touched, with three others of her sisters, and who gave her perfect means to serve God, when from time to time the Lord made us to come in the Hague, and also stay theresome time. In the year 1670 she went with her Mistress to Rynbergh, and I afterwards by God's Providence going into Germany, & stopping a few days at the afore mentioned place with Madam of Ossenbergh, she was there freed from that sad state & condition, in which her soul had been for divers years, and wherein she had suffered very much within, and likewise had sinned very much in her spirit against the Lord: which was to her as painful as death. That which she had heard about the state of Job, gave her light & strength, and did revive her hope again, which she in her temptation & conflicts had lost very much. And likewise the Lord JESUS made himself one time very sensible to her heart, and gave her a great impression of the mystery of his cross, which remained lively with her for a long time.  
God having brought us at Herfort, she came likewise there, and because she did know by long experience, that with all those affections which God had given her, she was but little dead to herself, she said in the way, that she found herself as if she was carried to the slaughter. And in that place likewise she was much beset by God's truth & his Spirit, until she was through his grace & love conquered quite after an other manner unto him. The Lord did communicate himself to her very sensibly from time to time, and in a special manner at Sonderens near Herfort. But because her self-love did very much mix itself with that grace which she did receive, God hath now & than exercised her by inward trials, and by divers temptations & desertions, wherein she hath been to suffer, and constrained of●en times to lose herself in the hands of God, whether it was at Altena, or here in Friesland. But the Lord hath been indeed good to her in all her way, and after that he had made her to submit unto him, she was in her last sickness (which did continued long, and having begun with a third day ague, was changed into a daily ague, and at the last into a dropsy) a great comfort to us, by reason of that soft, humble, and patiented disposition, whereby she was given over to God, and wherein he granted her to bear the same always, and that through the special enlargement of his grace upon her.  
When this sickness began to take its course, she felt lively in her heart, that God did call her to suffering and to much suffering; but she said withal, as she had done at more times, that God did give her a love to suffering, and that she for the love of Jesus her Saviour did bertily embrace that part of his cross which it should please him to give her. And all that time that she hath kept her bed, she hath made it evident, that this love was inward & true, and that she did a fresh receive this grace from the Lord, not only in sense, but in truth. She likewise felt what God did in her was such, that she could not doubt but if he should restore her again, she would live and be wholly after an other manner for him, than till that time she had done. And in the beginning her ague fits coming first against night she gave thanks to God that he granted her to be able to do something at day time, to serve him and his Children.  
A certain morning, when the night before she had been very bad, 〈◊〉 being come to visit her, and desiring her to put me in mind again of ●he most special circumstances of ●er former life, which she did with much presence of spirit, and a very ●ively feeling of that grace which God had bestowed upon her; giving me there by means to note concerning her former conversation, what ●hus far I have done.  
God in this sickness hath touched ●er heart very lively about her for●er sins, but for as much as he humbled her before him for her corruptions, and caused her in uprightness, to take her refuge to his grace, and to the blood of Jesus Christ her Saviour: so we saw the same so evidently to vanish away, that we could not but be sensibly moved thereby. We can say that right the contrary to what was most natural and proper to her, did appear always in her, and that the grace of Jesus Christ did 'cause itself to be well seenand felt in her in this last and happy time, in which he was pleased to take her to himself.  
She said, I many times think when I lie in my hot fit, and am so thirsty, without daring however to drink much, O, when I shall come to the Lord, how shall I drink, O how shall I drink, how shall I quench my thirst!  
Once coming to visit her, she desired very sensibly that I should pardon her, and likewise my worthy Brother, for all the pains which she had given to us in the guidance of he● soul. She did likewise entreat with all her heart all those that were in th● house of the Lord, that they would pardon her the faults which from time to time she had committed against them, and those defects which ●n such occasions might have appeared; earnestly entreating me that 〈◊〉 should tell them of it in her name.  
One of our sisters afterwards com●●ng to her, she said to her: Although ●●t present I be withered and dry, and ●ave but little feeling, yet however I ●●●e feel that it would grieve me if I was yet 〈◊〉 stay longer in this life. I have always ●een very desirous after the comforts and ceilings of God, but now I leave myself to ●●e Lord, and am fully contented to die in ●hat state of barrenness. My Lord Jesus, said she furthermore, is come to seek ●is lost sheep, and be giveth me hope that he will bring me into his eternal Sheepfold.  
Which being confirmed to her by his sister, she lifted up her eyes to ●eaven, and said with much sense ●nd tears: Is is possible my Lord that ●●ou wilt do for me that great good, for ●e whoam such a great sinner!  
God gave her after that a wonderful quietness of heart, so that she ●aid unto me with much love and thankfulness: I have nothing 〈◊〉 fight against, the Lord Jesus hath overcome all. She added hereunto, I had never believed, that the● Lord would give me such great 〈◊〉 peace, and so discharge me from all things.  
I have, said she, before hung fas● to my children, but now not more, 〈◊〉 leave them by the grace of the Lord wholly into his hands, and in those of his Children. I had a special love for the eldest, because sometimes I saw some beam of the Lord in him: and I hope likewise tha● the Lord will show mercy and grace to him.  
Some days afterwards she said to me, that if God pleased she should y●● live here longer, she must be resolved to it 〈◊〉 but that she could well say that it should no● be without sensible mortification. And furthermore she said, sighing to th● Lord from the ground of her heart 〈◊〉 O when will it be that my God will come 〈◊〉 when will he approach to take me to himself! And telling her that she short●● should have no need of our brothe● who taketh care of the sick, she answered with a joyful mind: I have oftentimes wished that the time might come, that he might have no more occasion to take pains about me, and I would hearty thank him for all what he hath done for me in love, and I am willing to do it, ●ven from this time; hoping that we should tell her, that there was nothing for her to use for the recovery of her health, and that there was nothing to be expected but her happy departure.  
Telling her that being to go to the Lord, she should say unto him with all her heart that word of Ste●hen the first martyr, which I had always much loved: Lord Jesus re●eive my spirit: she answered very affectionately, O that blessed and very lovely word! and she did repeat it with 〈◊〉 great savour, and with a lively ●nd very tender sense.  
Some one at that time coming to ●ifit her, she said unto him, My ●eart is at rest. I know not what else to ●●y, I rest in the Lord. He knows that 〈◊〉 am weak, and he is strong for me. And he afterwards telling her, that God was very good to her, and that he did all things well: O, said she taking up the word, O he doth all things so well, he maketh all things so well that one can not wish them to be better. An other person who also was there saying unto her as she went away; the Lord strengthen you my sister she answered, Alas what should I be, if he did it not!  
The Lord being willing to take her speedily to himself, and without the presence of many, did found i● good some days before whilst w● were in the Assembly, to make h●● so weak, that she thought she should than die, as there was also much likelihood of it. That sister which wa● with her, and likewise her husband our Brother, were at that time much comforted, to see her in the state wherein she was. She said diver● times, My good Jesus, my belove. Lord, will you come to take me to thyself? My Jesus will you be so good to me 〈◊〉 that even this day thou wilt make me 〈◊〉 come unto thee? And telling her● You do wish very much to go to the Lord Jesus? she answered with all her heart, O yes, my dear Sister, this is all my good, o did he but come, that good Lord. O how specially good hath God been to me, that he hath brought me to his Work among his Children! Can we dare to pretend to that good which there he hath shown to us? O how good is God O how good hath he been unto me: But I have not felt it sufficiently. Where upon she did in uprightness humble herself for her sins, being ashamed before God and his Children, with much lively feeling and humility of heart. She said, I have oftentimes shown a spirit which was hardly to be contented in respect of that good God, and who hath been so good to me. O how much cause have our worthy Brethrens had to tell me of that! Furthermore she said, looking upon her corruption: I have a thousand and thousand times admired at that great mercy of my God, who was willing to show mercy to such a creature as I am, and I have with myself oftentimes said before him, Lord is it possible, that you should have received such an evil creature! She added to it, I condemn all my sins, and do humble myself before the Lord for them, and I pray to God and his Children to forgive them all.  
A little while after being much moved she said: My good Jesus, wilt thou be so merciful to me, that at present thou wilt fully wash me clean in thy Blood? o how great is that grace! how unworthy am I of it! Come my Lord Jesus, draw me quickly unto thee, My Lord Jesus, I desire none but thee.  
That sister which talked with her, asked if she desired any thing of her, and she answered, I have nothing upon my heart, except if you be pleased to have a little eye, particularly upon the children, when God shall have taken me to himself. This I entreat of you simply, as she proceeded, because I found myself inclined thereunto, and not because of the lest encumbrance which I have thereunto: no I have none by the Grace of God, not more than if I had no children, nor anything in the world. When we go to God, than we must set all things a side. God and the soul, and no more. Likewise I can tell you with an upright heart, that the only desire which I have, is to go to my God & to JESUS my Saviour.  
And yet proceeding on she said: Though I am very unworthy, yet he causeth me to feel his holy rest, and leads me to him without care That sister saying to her, Than you do departed in rest, and you shall enter as with full sail into the blessed haven of glory, into the bosom of the living God? so the answered: Yes, JESUS CHRIST my good Lord reacheth the hand to me. He will draw me, and give me the happiness to arrive there I doubt not on it, I trust on JESUS my Lord.  
After that she had been silent some time, she began to pray & to groan after the coming of God and JESUS Christ to her, and turning her face she said: My worthy sister, pray fervently that my God may come, and that his good Spirit may support me to the end. Death is a way which is something narrow, pray to the Lord Jesus, that he may lead me through it. And a little after waxing feign, she further said, I believe that I shall thus softly go away.  
One of our sisters being than come to her bed, and talking with her about the happiness of those who die in the hands and love of Christ, she said to her very sensibly: I have earnestly entreated the Lord Jesus, that he would come, and he hath answered me. He cometh, and is come. And lifting up her arms, and clapping them together, she went on, yea me thinketh I do already embrace the Lord Jesus. Yet than she was in great distress, and endured much by reason of a general convulsion of her sinews. And this sister, telling her, that she suffered much, but that it was the way which we must pass to come to the lord Jesus she answered with a laughing mouth, which expressed the great contentment of her heart: O that is nothing at all, I do much rejoice at it: for all this bringeth me nearer to Jesus.  
Likewise from the beginning of this sickness she had a great impression that God would take her to himself by the way of suffering: O said she, suffering is so good to me, I have so much need of it; me thinketh, if an other of God's children did suffer my pains, the same would bear them wholly after an other manner; yet however I must acknowledge, that the Lord Jesus hath given me something of his patience. For he indeed it is, (as she went on with an unspeakable tenderness towards the Lord Jesus Christ) it is he alone who giveth it to me, I know that of my se●● I am nothing else but impatience and rebellion.  
God a little while after gave us that comfort as to see her all together, and to bless him for that state wherein he kept her. We came than to her, because it did seem that even yet on that day she was to pass over to the eternal mansion of our heavenly Father. And she, being cherished and comforted to see us roundabout her, cried out praising God: O noble company which thou givest unto me my God at this my departure! O could I take you all with me, said she to us! O what great good is it, to have served the Lord from the heart! O how do I love you! going on speaking to the Lord Jesus, Thou art my good Lord and my Saviour. All whatsoever the Lord made me to say, whether speaking to her, or praying and presenting her before the Lord, had a lively entrance into her heart, and it kept her as in a holy ecstasy of spirit, so that we were all lively touched therewith, praising and glorifying God, for pouring for I● his grace upon her, Telling her t●en: my beloved sister indeed you go unto the Lord with all your heart, and there is nothing that keepeth you here. Not a thread, said she, with such a lively feeling, as that even the sound of her voice could sufficiently witness that she spoke from the inward bottom of her heart. We telling her that one of our sisters, who with the rest could not come unto her, because she was sick, did expect shortly to see her in heaven, hoping that God likewise in a short time would take her out of the world, so she answered very sensibly, and being wholly penetrated with that great happiness which is in dying in the Lord: God grant her that grace. Tail her that I wish it to her with all my heart.  
However God found it good to defer her deliverance as yet, and to give her some ease. And against night seeing she complained that she slumbered much, and one told her, that she should but rest because her work was done, Christ having done it for her, and was come himself to d●● it in her, than she answered, O if that were not, I should not be so quire.  
The same person having desired to watch with her for the night, thinking that likely it would be the last, so she said to her, awakening after she had taken a little rest, O my worthy sister, I am afraid that you will be deceived, and that I shall not yet go to heaven.  
Besides God would yet exercise her with suffering, and some days after, being in great anguish by reason of the water which did even choke her heart, than she said, I can say as did David, the waters an come unto my soul.  
Being very much taken up with that good which God had done to her by that aid & conduct which he had given unto her in his Church, she than said withmuch sensibleness of heart to a sister, O what great cause have we to be faithful to God  
Her pains and distress growing very great, and God giving her a lively feeling, that she must bear the same wit● more patience, so she passed one night in some anguishs of heart before his Face, confessing her sins, and feeling herself unworthy to be received into his grace. But God so ordering it that I did speak to her in the morning, she than lifted up her self again, and strengthening herself and giving herself a fresh over to God, she spoke with great affection, I will embrace all the words of the Lord, And wait for him in a patiented and humble spirit: pray to the Lord, I beseech you, that he may be pleased to make me truly humble.  
The next night God did again very sensibly draw near to her, and did fill her with so much joy, that she could not contain the same nor express it, My God doth come, she cried out. My God what do not I own to thee, I wait on thee, and will always wait on thee. And although she had been very weak yet however she went to sing with a loud voice the 31 psalm, O Lord I put my trust in thee, and some words of the song of Mary on the feet of Jesus 
* In a certain Book of ours called Holy Songs. . And that sister which watched with her saying to her, the Lord will soon 'cause you to sing the new Song of Jesus our King, she answered with fullness of heart, Yea I shall sing it with all the desire of my soul, and I shall satisfy myself therewith.  
She hath sometimes had a great fear for death, which caused her indeed much trouble; but one of us ask her if she had not now lost the fear of death, so she answered yes I have, and so perfectly that not so much as the shadow thereof remained. It is God who hath done it, I could never deliver myself from it. But the Lord hath done it in a moment. I am his creature, I give myself over into his hands.  
At last God would deliver her, according to her great desire. It was on a saturday before noon, the first of February, that he came so unexpected to take her to himself, that scarce any should have known it, if the good dispensation of God had not ordered it so that than I was with her. She did for two or three days seem to be much better than formerly. I had spoken with her on fry day, the day before her death, and admonished her of something which God required of her, which she did receive with a humble heart, and a great affection, and did practise it with great faithfulness. In the morning finding herself better, and the Lord seeming to be willing to lengthen her sufferings, she than prepared herself to bear them with new strength and love. But it was within few hours after that God came to end it. His Spirit moving me to go to visit her before meal, so I found her in great anguish, and after that I caused something to be given to her for her refreshment, and she had spoken to me some words with much heart and love, and assuring me she was dying, so I presented her to the Lord Jesus Christ, after that I had with some words strengthened her▪ This being done she slept in the Lord softly, yielding her spirit in the arms of her husband which supported her, and in the presence of divers brothers and sisters, who than were come unto her. Thus God hath finished her course, giving us infinite matter for to thank and praise him for the ●nercy which he hath showed to this his handmaid, and for that eternal good which he hath communicated unto her in his blessed bosom, whereunto he hath received her for ever. She was than come to the 40. year of her age.   

The general dispositions and last feelings of Mr. Dulignon, faithful Pastor of this Church.  
MASTER Dulignon, my very worthy Brother and faithful fellow-labourer in the work of the Lord, was born at Marvegeols in the Province of Languedock of a father who loved him in a special manner, & spared nothing for his education, whether it was with himself, or at Angouleme where he made him to begin his studies, or at Saumur where he did continued the same, or in his journeys for Holland and England, from whence he came again to Paris, where he remained about two years. Beginning there to get an averseness to the world and train thereof, than he felt some inclination to the study of divinity, as being fit to draw him of from all affections to this age, and to 'cause him to turn his thoughts towards heaven. Mr. Drelincourt, who had him in love and estimation did show himself to be very glad for his resolution, conceiving great hopes that it would tend to the good of God's Church, if he gave himself to the building up of it. And his father gave willingly his consent thereunto, though he had formerly other thoughts concerning this worthy son. All this made him resolve to go to Geneva, where he thought to found more help to the end which be propounded to himself, and had than yet but a weak aim to it. As soon as he was come there, and had heard Mr. de Labadie, his heart was as captivated by the special and unusual matters which he found in that Man of God. And even from that time he took his resolution to put himself under his oversight. And going to visit him he desired that he might devil in his family: and so he came to his house, notwithstanding the other recommendations, which he had to other persons and Ministers at Geneva. Even as the Lord had than already brought me to that place, and I dwelled with Mr. de Labadie, whom I have known and loved from my youth at Montauban, so my worthy Brother and I felt than first a tender and mutual friendship to arise in our hearts, which the grace of God did sanctify, and in success of time did make so firm and perfect as might be seen, and which through his mercy shall never end.  
The customs of the world being very deeply rooted in the heart of my worthy Brother, they therefore were not so suddenly rooted out: but after divers great fits, he at the last gave himself wholly up unto the Lord, and yielded himself uprightly into his hands, denying himself with all his heart. Than we could first love one the other truly. And than likewise God made us one heart and one soul, through his Spirit and love. Divers of our friends had with us gotten a taste in the truth of Christian life, which Mr. de Labadie did set forth with an admirable force and with a light and purity which was fit to enlighten others, and to touch their heart, but they were not faithful, and coming again to themselves did return to the accustomed train of the world. But God, who in his goodness from my childhood had given me a lively impression of his service, and did much increase the same whilst I was at Geneva, gave me that great comfort to be able to go to him in the company of this faithful friend in whom he did work in such a powerful manner, and whom he did join together with me very nearly and intimately with his faithful servant Mr. de Labadie. We did so spend together the two last years of our staying at Geneva, that our heart with reason, was much touched therewith, as often as we since that time have thought on it. The Lord was very good to us, and did vouchsafe to communicate himself so to our souls, that we own him eternal thankss for his mercy and grace.  
M. de Labadie having done towards the reformation of Geneva during seven years' time, all what his zeal and the extraordinary grace of God wherewith he was endowed did put him in mind, and to which it had set him on; and seeing how little real fruit he gathered for the Lord, although great alterations did hap from time to time, and he was followed by a great concourse of people, and was much regarded, and heard with much applaus; so he resolved to accept of the call which he had to go to Middelborgh, which was sent to him without any particular expectation, although long before we had firmly believed and expected, that the Lord should draw us out of Geneva, by the ways which himself should prepare thereunto. He than opening this way, we all three perfectly felt, (after we had oftentimes consulted the Lord in prayer) that it came from him, and that it would be the way, whereby he would give us means that we might come to do his work in these united Provinces. We were in hopes that we should be able there to produce more true and essential fruits, than at Geneva, a city which giving itself the name of Jerusalem, was truly like to her in this, that she did wonderfully presume upon the outward privileges which it had received from the Lord, and did hold herself much contented with a worship of God, very like unto that whereby formerly Jerusalem thought to be able to satisfy him. As for the rest she did much harden herself against the word that the Lord caused to be offered to her, grieving very much the spirit of that faithful servant of God, which did wholly burn with zeal for the welfare and reparation of the Church, which he found in all places to be much decayed and deformed.  
Mr. Dulignon my very worthy and blessed brother, being with me fully resolved to accompany this Man of God in all the ways which it should please the Lord to take with him, and being more than ever inclined, to dedicated ourselves to the building up of the Kingdom of Go● and to the help and salvation of h●● Elect, so we were fully determine● to go with him. But for as much a● on the one side it was very hard fo● Mr. de Labadie to get out of Geneva because the people would not l●● him go, and without doubt woul● have hindered him, if they ha● known the time of his departure. An● on the other side he would have ru● great danger if the Savoyers, whic● did spy out his passage, and others o● the Romish Religion, had gotte● knowledge thereof; therefore we we●● forced to stay till the providence o● God itself should offer to us som● convenient opportunity. Even 〈◊〉 also it happened. And after such 〈◊〉 manner that we with reason di● admire at it, and were together freed from all danger. A Colony o● Waldenses or inhabitants of the Valley of Premont, being persecute● for the truth, were resolved to g● over to Germersem in the Paltz▪ near by H●ydelbergh, and we●● just at that time to pass through Geneva and Switzerland, which likewise was the way which we were to pass through. Mr. de Labadie having acquainted the chief of them the thoughts which we had to join ourselves with them, and in their company, but unknown, to go to the Paltz, so this was received by him with great joy, as who long ago had known the reputation of Mr. de Labadie, and had much love for him after that he had heard him to preach at Orange and Geneva. The only difficulty which occurred, was that having not letpass but only for eighty persons, so we should have given occasion by the increase of the number, in popish places, which we were to pass, to make an examination which might have discovered us. But God himself took order therewith, even at that time when they were to departed, ●n as much as three of the eighty persons were suddenly taken sick; and being necessitated to stay at Geneva, they left their three places open, which we supplied: so that the number of the persons which was mentioned in the letpass did remain entire. Having than changed our , Mr. de Labadie, Mr. Dulignon, and I, with the break of day we went out of Geneva, and came to the vessel of these good people, who did wait for us at the lake Leman about half an hour going from Geneva. We were there received with great love, although we were at the first unknown to the most of the persons; but in time as they came to know that they had Mr. de Labadie in their company, they than were very glad for it. But they kept it always very secret. We went through divers dangers in our passage through the Switsers' cantons country which are of the Romish Religion, especially at Philipsburgh and at Brisack; but the Lord delivered us out of all, and himself gave us opportunity to make a Church of our vessel, and to be able therein to preach his word mornings and evenings and more times of the day. Those good people shown themselves especially glad that they had us with them, and they did wis● much that they might have my Brother or me to continued with them to have a Pastor after their own heart. But God called us elsewhere. We than at the last came into these Provinces with Mr. Menuret, whom we had known and Gods providence caused us to meet at Heidelbergh.  
Being come to Utrecht where we were received with great affection, by Mr. Voetius, Mistress Van Schurman, and all her friends: than Mr. de Labadie did presently protest that he was resolved to have a war with the world in his assembly at Middleburgh, preparing himself either to drive it out of the same, or else to be driven out of it by them. Being come there we found that assembly ●n a miserable and deplorable state; ●nd those that most feared God, longing and waiting for the coming of Mr. de Labadie, for to take order a●out divers horrible misrules which were found as well in the heads 〈◊〉 members, so he took it presently to hand with faithfulness and zeal, and the Lord gave us all a large field to labour in, both in public and in particular for the welfare of souls and for the reformation of that poor Church, which the world had almost swallowed up. But all those which would not hear any thing to be spoken of the reformation of life joining together, and being afterwards assisted by the wallish Synod, wherewith we had oftentimes to do, and the last time about the business of Mr. Wolzogen, so we had not a little to suffer in those 4. years' time whilst we were in that place. In the mean while the Lord employed my worthy Brother in many things, as well in Holland as at Utrecht, and even here in Friesland. And he made use of him for the good of his Work, and for the edification of many souls, whether at Rotterdam where he was much beloved by Mr. de Rochefort, and where having preached the word of the Lord for some time, the whole consistory in the occasion gave an authentic witness in his favour; or in a special manner at the Hague, where he stayed frequently a long time, the Lord there blessing singularly his word and conversation, even as also in other places, and accompanying it with the assistance of his grace, for the instruction and the help of many. God afterwards having brought us to Amsterdam, and after divers great trials calling us also to Herfort, than he went to speak to the Lady the Princess Elizabeth, to try her dispositions, in which she shown herself to be confirmed in a special manner after she had seen and spoken with our Brother, making it known to many what great satisfaction she had in that which she found in this servant of God. When we were come to Herfort, than the Lord enlarged his grace and Spirit more and more in my worthy Brother, and did use him to his service, whether it was in that place or whether it was again in Holland or at Altena by Hamborrow, where he did afterwards gather us all together, and did continued to power out his blessing upon our souls and assembly. When in that place the Lord had taken to himself his faithful servant Mr. de Labadie, than I and my worthy Brother felt ourselves as newly united again, and very narrowly bound, having never had the lest difference between us in the guidance of God's work amongst us. He came here in Friesland to view the place before we came over, and having stayed afterwards at Altena with a part of our assembly, so he followed us some time after for our mutual comfort. And so it was here where first appeared that evil with which the Lord visited him, to the glory of his Name and to manifest his grace in a special manner, at the end of his life.  
Having a very moist head, he was much incommodated by many sharp defluctions, which formerly whilst we were yet at Middleburgh, did use to fall upon his eyes even so far as that he was like to lose his sight thereby; and afterwards divers times upon his heart: which did oftentimes 'cause sudden faintness. And it seems that those humours having changed their course, did fall upon his chin and there did form an evil, which divers did believe to be a sort of canker, but which at the end was found to be otherwise.  
He was therefore feign to suffer much pain; whether because of the evil itself, or by the very painful cures which were used about it. The first was at Amsterdam, under the oversight of Doctor Helvetius, who dealt with him in much affection & love, at the house of our worthy Brother Mr. Bardewisch, which was very glad to have him to stay with him as long as his cure should require it.  
When they were come to an incision to begin the curing of his evil, which was done by Corrosives, he suffered all with very great patience, and at that time he did writ to me divers things that were very moving, of which I make no difficulty here to relate some extracts of them. Thus he uttered himself about his state Jannuary the 14. 1679. If the Lord was not my strength, I should soon fail, but he doth not withdraw his goodness from me. He will continued the same to me, if it be his good pleasure, to all whatsoever his will shall be concerning me in this my particular state. The hand of the Lord is nothing at all hard, but contrarily is very soft towards me, and truly it is the hand of such a father as our God is. He keepeth me by his grace prepared to all his divine will, and whatsoever he shall will, I hope of his infinite love, he will grant me to will the same with him, and to love it with all my heart. He hath showed me very real arguments of his love, and as I did say but yesterday, I feel that I am a sinner whom he Loveth. In his letter of the 17. are found these words: It is a very real comfort to be given up unto the will of the Lord, and in all things to depend on him. How lovely is that way, to leave one self wholly unto him! how necessary and comfortable! if souls oftentimes did know better what is to be found therein, they would not found so much trouble to go in it. But self-love blindeth men, and maketh them most miserable that suffer themselves to be possessed therewith. On the 20. he wrote to me these words: That part which love maketh you to take in that which concerneth me, giveth me special matter to praise and thank the Lord, and I pray to him to grant me that I may glorify him, for all his goodness towards me, the remaining part of my life, in expectation of the eternal praise and love which I wish to give him, even as he is infinitely worthy there of. The Lord maketh me from day to day to feel his soft hand, but I do very well found that I must not lesle depend on his liberty, than at that time when this evil is most sensible to me. He can if he thinketh it fit, yet again visit me with it, and he might sand me also a geater and more real. He hath all power over me, who have deserved nothing but his wrath. On the 26. he did writ with much tenderness of heart, and with an impression of humility, wherewith his heart was so full and so much penetrated: I am in some measure ashamed, my worthy Brother, that for such a small inconvenience, you do all partake so much in that which I suffer. That tenderness moveth me much; but I feel before the Lord, that it passeth above what my condition is and requireth in his presence, yet for as much as it pleaseth him to give that heart, I therefore like and accept with love and thankfulness the demonstration thereof. This very thing is a fruit and issue of his goodness towards me through his Children: and I thank him for it, even as I feel very well that I am thankful to them for it, and especially to my worthy Brother, who doth demonstrate the same so much to me. It is true till this time the Lord hath been pleased to keep me from time to time in some suffering, and perhaps his way will be to let me pass through more of the same. It is also true that his hand, who hath prepared all this for me doth support and strengthen me by much goodness, causing me to love his way, and to have a will to glorify him therein. But surely, my worthy Brother, I am very sensible before him that all things are very imperfect, & very far of from that which I own him and he requireth from me. I am satisfied through his long-suffering and mercy in all my imperfections, especially because they are to me a particular cause to humble myself under him. But he will have us to know well by experience that all our sufficiency is from him, and that without him we can do nothing. he is not only the cause and support of all the good which is in us, but he is also the perfection thereof. He will be all this in me & all whatsoever more is necessary according to his pleasure, in all whatsoever he shall require to the eternal glory of his Name. The 28. I received from him a letter out of which I shall relate these following words which did show that his cure was to continued, as also it did; My disposition is not so well as it hath been for some days since, because my pains have increased my fevers, and have taken away much of the rest which formerly I had, the Lord will lessen the one and give the other as it shall please him. There is nothing to be said about any thing that he doth, he be blessed for it for evermore. The cure of my accident is like to continued, if the Lord of his goodness doth not shorten it. For as much as our sister M. doth writ to you hereof, I will say not more concerning it. I take part with the suffering of our sister Y. And I wish that I may be able to show it more particularly. But God, who is not only our supply but also our truth in all things, will also supply that want of the demonstration of my heart which I wish I could do to her. I entreat her that she love his Dominion. He will not have us to bear the name of his subjects in vain. He is our Lord and our King: We will call him so, and we do well for he is so. And that he cometh to us in all such manner as he doth is to make us to have experience as well of the truth as of the lovingkindness of this his Dominion over us. The 4. of February he wrote unto me concerning his state with these words: what concerneth my condition I know not what to writ unto you, but I feel very well that my cure, if God will be pleased to give it me, must come from him. Those that labour about it do it with affection, but the blessing must only come from him, without which nothing can be done. They have hitherto made use of corrosives, which have caused pain to me; but the hand of the Lord, which is likewise the hand of our Father, hath supported me. What concerneth the future, I believe it must be much left to him, and as for me I well perceive, that it is his will that I must remain always in a total resignation of myself to him: and that portion is much to be beloved. He is my God and likewise will be my good Father to all eternity according to his good pleasure. This is enough to me. I am satisfied with all whatsoever his will shall be concerning me, if it pleaseth him always to continued to me that spirit and heart, as I hope this of his infinite mercy. He did writ unto me the 7. of the same month: It pleaseth the Lord in small things to instruct me much, whether it be in respect of himself and of his wonderful help, or in respect of myself, to 'cause me to have experience how greatly and continually I have need of the Spirit of God without exception of any. But how tender is his love! How powerful is his strength! How lovely is his faithfulness! How confirming is his presence, and all his ways suitable to his wisdom and love, especially when it pleaseth him to let our souls see something of that wisdom, wherein he bestoweth all things on those that are his, yea even to the lest thing. I do receive my lessons, my worthy Brother, in little, even as the great Believers and men of God have received theirs in greater ways, and in occasions which were proportioned to the great measure of grace, and according to the special purposes of the Lord concerning them. I do however wish that in a special manner I may praise him the remaining part of my life and for ever, for that which his mercy vouchsafeth to do in me, to instruct me more concerning myself and him. The same accidents which God sendeth to the world and to his own, must certainly be looked upon entirely with an other eye in the one than in the other; and even as in the dispensing of them he hath quite differing aims, so likewise we must use & receive them otherwise as men commonly do; the Lord having no other aim in his designs about those that are his, but to do them more good, and to make them more acceptable to him that he may have more his divine pleasure in them. On the 14. he uttered this truth in one of his letters: I have sometimes been touched herewith, that as the Lord hath caused us lively to feel, that as it was his will we should see nothing but him in the way of lovingkindness & light, wherein he hath caused us to walk a long time; he would likewise teach us, not to see nor will any thing but him in the way of any suffering he doth sand to us. And indeed he is no lesle in this last as in the former. Yea he causeth many times such a true & pure joy to be found therein, that all other contentment can not be compared therewith. On the 21. He did writ to me these following words, Our state is reasonably well by the goodness of the Lord, and he hath showed the same to me in particular very much, having supported me during those pains, which thus far have been necessary for the curing of my evil, and strengthening me when they are but a little lesle, and not bringing upon me such heavy fevers which by their continuance according to their ordinairy course would quickly have brought me down. But it is the lovingkindness of this good Physician & Father, whom I must acknowledge, and for which I must thank him. What concerns my accident in particular, they took of a crust yesterday, which was made by the corrosive, and seeing it was very thick, they think that it is gone pretty deep towards the bottom of the evil. The Lord who doth direct & dispose all things according to his mind & good pleasure, will put an end to it, when it shall please him, if his divine will be so. He maketh us to love his will, which causeth our separation according to the body to continued longer, than hath been thought, but I hope he will give so much the more comfort, when his good hand will 'cause all meet together again. I recommend the condition of our sick to his love, and I pray to him that through the same he may bless them in all what he sendeth unto them. Likewise the state of the souls of all the brethrens and sisters, whether those that are nearer by or further of, toucheth me sensibly, and I pray Likewise to the author of that great mercy which i● shown to our souls, that he will increase the same to them, and confirm them therein, and make them faithful to the same, and to grant them to walk worthily of the same before him. That pure Spirit is very little to be found, and happy is he who hath a little true oil in his lamp. O what 〈◊〉 great gift is that! and how much are we bound to despise all things for it, yea also to deny ourselves that we may purely possess the same. I pray to the Lord with all my heart, that he may be pleased to let this sense go into the ground of my heart, and as into the marrow of every one of those whom his love will give to us, even as also of those whom his love hath already given to us. There are indeed few lamps, which burn in the presence of God, or which be in state to burn throug the good & pure Spirit, and if the Lord in some measure doth grant us that benefit, what do not we own to this love? I do greet with much tenderness all the Church of the Lord which he hath form amongst us, and as many he calleth thereunto, and those who do endeavour to please him, and to serve him in truth. And although I do not name them by name, yet they are not therefore lesle present to me in my spirit, and the condition of each of them doth nothing the lesle go to my heart. After this cure had continued long, and my worthy Brother had suffered very much by the continual application of corrosives, so it pleased the Lord to close the wound which his hand had made, as he did writ unto me April the●● in these words: From this day throug the goodness of the Lord, they began to put a little leaden plate upon the wound, as being closed up. I have no more pain on it, and it seemeth that the Lord will end all things through his goodness. He grant me of his infinite mercy that I may live wholly a new life to his glory, and to the glory of Jesus Christ his beloved Son, my Saviour & King to all eternity,  
He had divers times an inclination on to writ a common letter to those whom the Lord in his love hath joined to us, and in his House doth keep gathered under his oversight, giving us hope that he will fully unite them with this his House and Body. And his incommodity not having hitherto permitted him to do it, so he did it the 15. of of the same month. And because the affections which he uttereth therein and the exhortations which ●he maketh, are very pure and edifying, it hath there fore seemed good to me here to relate them, as they are expressed in the letter following.  
My beloved brethrens and sisters, I have oftentimes had a mind to writ unto you, to give you some special witness of that holy love which God hath laid in our hearts for your souls, but the Lord having hindered it sometimes by the disease wherewith he hath been pleased to visit me, I therefore have thought that his Spirit provideth in all things through himself in those who have received him, and that he also hath granted you abundantly to be led and helped in the way of the Lord which he hath made to you, by my worthy Brother your faithful pastor. So I have thus far contented myself as to let you know with how much tenderness I am mindful of you, and to pray the Lord that it may please him to continued his mercy to you, and to multiply that precious grace which he showeth to you together with us, that is in truth and only to seek his divine Face. And I hope that he hath not rejected that prayer which in my weakness I was inclined to make for your souls. He is good, and taketh pleasure in the lest groan which his Spirit formeth in us to his glory. I likewise have desired to admonish you in his love that you should wholly and for all things trust on him, we are but to pray for his grace that the spirit of his glory may inanimate us and lead us in all things. And should he deny us that which his Spirit and love maketh us to desire for his own sake? That can not be: for he is unchangeably faithful to the Love which he hath for himself, and for all that which thereof he poureth out into our hearts, to make us to draw near to him. Make account above all things of that good to know him so as he causeth himself to be known to you. For there is great darkness upon the earth, and perhaps the same will grow yet more heavy; God in his just judgement finding it good that his truth should still keep itself much hidden, whether it be by reason of men's hardness or by reason of error. My beloved it is very seldom that one shall hear a word of pure truth, and if one cometh to hear any it is commonly weakly and little in the spirit. Let this go lively into your hearts, even as it aught to touch us all holily and to make us fear. Truly the Lord is good to our souls, and we have great matter to humble ourselves before him, and to be ashamed he vouchsafing to give us to partake of the pure grace of his beloved Son, and to place us in the holy ways of his pure and true service. Let the greatness and purity of the calling whereof you are made partakers, pull you yet more out of yourselves, and exalt you above all thinghs, It is from God, and it must join us with him. It is above nature, and it must put us above nature, whether it be within us, or without us. It is spiring all, and consequently it mus● make us to live after the spirit▪ and make us to deny all what i● flesh. We aught to lay this mor● to heart, that it renewing us in tha● purity whereof it maketh an impression, it may more draw al● our hearts and minds out of themselves, and may make them mor● to live of him who is the Author thereof. Be not weary to walk is those ways which the Lord Jesu● Christ hath trodden out and consecrated to you by his blood. They lead you to the eternal communion with God: and instead o● being affrighted from them, rene● yourselves rather oftentimes i● that Spirit which causeth us to wall therein. We have many time more cause to be ashamed because we have almost done nothing as i● fit, than to think that we have walked & runned well. The Lor● Jesus went with great steps to the cross to die for us, and how slowly do we go to the place where we shall found life! Let us blush & be ashamed for it, even as it is fit, & renewing our strength in him, in whom we can do all things, let us go anew and walk in the presence of God, of Jesus Christ, and of his Spirit, in the ways of his love and his service. Although now for some time I have not had the comfort of seeing your faces, yet however, I have some times felt, beholding you in the Spirit, that the Lord hath been well pleased with you, and that he would multiply his grace and mercy to you from day to day. But beloved brethrens and sisters, must not we seek the same in a spirit wholly new? And will we be wearied to love the same, and to walk there by? The Spirit which maketh them to be found every day so lovely is a new Spirit given to that end, and he likewise worketh new things in those that have received him. I pray you beloved be not cast down about any thing, that you may not grow faint in the way which the Lord hath made to us: for he will strengthen us unto all things through the holy Spirit of his strength: and if through his love for him, we are indeed willing to be strong, the weakest shall have so much given to him that neither the flesh, nor the world, nor the hell shall be able to overcome him. Be faithful to suffer yourselves to be humbled and broken, through the Spirit of truth and purity which the Lord causeth you to feel, and through which he speaketh unto you, and presseth you with love. There is no life of Christ in us but so far as we are dead to our selves; and his Spirit doth not purely enlarge itself but after that our own Spirit is denied and broken. The more we resist God, so much the more labour we shall have: for who hath resisted him and had peac●e; We therefore exhort you Brethrens and Sisters, and we beseech you, yea urge you in that lovely name of the Lord Jesus, before whom every knee in heaven and in earth must bow itself, that you suffer his Spirit to destroy in you all whatsoever is against him, that so he may have full power in you and over you, and may possess and lead you as his beloved Children. Have not you already felt many times that his Kingdom is infinitely soft and sweet, and is not exalted, but upon the overthrow of the kingdom of sin, of pride, and of self-love? Let this spiritual experience & foretaste of the Kingdom of God (which is neither meat nor drink, and doth not consist in words, nor in thoughts nor feelings, but in spirit; being nothing but truth, righteousness, & peace and joy in the Holy Ghost) exalt you as yet more above yourselves, and all what you have known according to men, according to the flesh, and according to your former conversation; and let it make you to approach unto, yea inwardly to be united for ever with the Father and his children through Jesus Christ, who is the way to this Kingdom, and the King there of. God hath shown that he hath loved us, and this love hath appeared in many things which he hath done about his Work amongst us in general, and about every soul in particular who hath been faithful to him. Let not therefore any one distrust of him not of his love, and suffer himself to be surprised either by his own spirit, or by the spirit of the world, or of the tempter, having known Him that is true, and likewise received much assurance of that faithful witness, whose witness alone must be a thousand times more to us, than all whatsoever the world or the spirit of temptation may b● able to say. If we did think le●● on ourselves and more on God▪ giving ourselves fully over to hi● & to his Spirit, to work his pu●● work, we should not have s● many troubles. It is true we mu●● endure some to be purged out & to be strengthened, but they would be much lesle, especially for some, who to often & to much are turned again to themselves. But this bad returning to one's self must have an end, together with the life of the old man; and indeed it is fit yea and time, that we should deny all what is of our own, and go out of ourselves, and to go into Christ, and suffer him to possess, and to lead us. I pray in the tender love of the Lord, those whom his Spirit doth upbraid particularly of this sinful returning to themselves, that they may in truth humble themselves before him; and without being cast down after an human manner, or to keep themselves up with their own thoughts, imaginations, temptations or also with their own corruptions otherwise as is convenient, that they suffer themselves to be purged out in good earnest, and denying themselves to go anew to him again, who alone must possess them. The truth doth not weaken those who with all their heart● will live to God. Contrarily it doth strengthen them, and it is to them a Spirit of life and holy strength. Love the same all of you, I beseech you, for the truth i● wholly lovely, when one hath the right heart to love it. I greet you all beloved in the Lord, and by name. Although here I do not put down the names, yet however I name you in my spirit, and I pray to God affectionately, that he may be pleased to multiply his true love to you, and renew to you the inclination to his holy service, and to make you faithful & fit for to glorify him in Spirit and in Truth. Be you of his true worshippers, and let him be your God & Saviour, both now & for evermore. His blessing be upon you, and the Spirit of peace, of purity, and grace, which is given to all those that love him, rest in your hearts, and possess the same in all things. This I wish to you my wellbeloved, in love & feeling. I think with tenderness on the children, and I exhort them earnestly to walk in the fear of the Lord, and according to his divine will, as being separated from the world by a special Providence, and called for to obey & serve him, by such a goodness of God which in these days is very rare.  
About the same time he had likewise written a letter to one of our sisters which found herself inclined to writ to him what she felt concerning his suffering, and what part that all his sheep had always taken there in. And because that which there upon he expresseth is very much tending to edification, I will therefore join it to that which we have already seen and related of him. He than did writ to her in these words: The bands of God and of his Spirit are glorious bands, and even as they do unite us in him, who can never be enough known nor loved, so likewise they have something which can not well be expressed nor comprehended, le● them tie us yet more strait together, in binding us fast unto him the Author and the End thereof. Our communion with him, and with those that are his, in him, is the work of his almighty and eternal love. Let us than look upon the same as that which is more than common, and so far as it is given to us to enjoy that great good, let us with all our hearts bless and love him who giveth it to us. I have great cause to thank him for his goodness and patience towards me, and I have no lesle cause to humble myself under his divine hand, and to learn to be more obedient unto him, and to be more compliable with all whatsoever his will shall be concerning me. His ways about those that are his, (〈◊〉 being dispensed through an infinite love) are instructing, and I feel sometimes that I must come more instructed and more humble out of that way wherein he hath been pleased to hold me some time; and I trust to him, that as he doth no thing in vain about those to whom he hath given a heart which seeketh in truth to please him, that he will not deny me that grace, to be able in some measure to answer the sense which I have thereof. My former disease hath been accompanied with much sweetness, and I can hardly see any other thing therein. You likewise, and others with me have found how good it is to be and to remain under his hand, when it pleaseth him to keep us under it; let our little experience teach us more that obedience which we own him, & let it make us to draw nearer to him, seeing he vouchsafeth to come to us in so much love, than even when he cometh to us to make us to suffer any thing. If that which seemeth to be a severity is such a great good, what is not his goodness and friendship itself, when he is pleased in some measure to show the same according to what they are? Though you, as likewise our worthy sisters have not written to me but by my worthy Brother, I have not therefore any thing lesle felt the tenderness of your hearts, and the portion which you take in my state. And although there had been nothing written at all to me of that which the Lord hath caused his Children to feel about me, I would have comforted myself with the sense of their love. Those good hearts and that good Spirit, which the Lord giveth to those that are his, are to much inclined to feel all what is of the communion of those who are united in God and in Christ, than that they should fail in the duties of love which do oblige them. And I am likewise sensible, that even as they with tenderness of heart have taken part in that which hath been allotted unto me, so likewise that I have had part, and still have in all what ever the Lord hath done about them, and doth continued to do in his goodness and presence; now he seemeth to 'cause my return unto you to approach, so I do very well found the sensible attraction of that holy fellowship which he hath made between our hearts in him.  
The Lord at that time having restored my very Worthy Brother, gave him opportunity to go to Rotterdam, and to the Hague, and to Utrecht to satisfy the desire of divers; after which in his faithful Providence, he brought him again to us, to our mutual and special comfort. Even as he did very tenderly love his sheep, so likewise was he tenderly beloved by them, and he feeling a special love towards me, so I felt likewise such a great full and inward agreement of heart with him, that I can not express the same, even as this is known to God, and hath appeared before his Children amongst us. So that we thanked the Lord together for that mutual consolation which he gave to us, and which did very sensibly elevate us to him. His zeal for God's glory and the salvation of souls was greater and more lively than ever, and he applied himself with much feeling of heart to the making of our great Catechism or Christian instruction, which came out in print a few days before the Lord took him out of this world into his eternal glory. He applied him wholly anew to the cure of his worthy flock, edifying them by word, example and guidance, and together with me providing for them all necessary help, which his working love did incline him without ceasing to afford them. But before the summer was wholly passed, we saw his evil to grow again, by the falling down of the same humours, and it did increase even so much, that it was judged to be absolutely necessary to come to a total extirpation. We endeavoured to have an experienced Chirurgent to come from the Hague, which had showed love to us, but the providence of God not permitting him to come, so it was the desire of my Worthy Brother, after he had taken counsel about it with our Doctor (who hath showed to him even to his end a very tender and unusual affection) that one of our brothers who for some time before exercised himself in Chirurgery, ●nd whose hand the Lord hath blessed 〈◊〉 divers occasions, should do the ●●peration. The pains which my ●●ery worthy Brother did suffer in ●his cutting of his evil were not common, for the evil having spread it ●●lf very f●rr, and more than outwardly did appear, so they were con●rained to take away a great part of ●is chin, yea even to come more ●●en once to it, which, seeing it was ●one in the quick flesh, did cause extreme pains. But surely the grace of ●he Lord, and the strength of his spirit did in that occasion appear so powerfully in him, that even those ●ery hearts that are lest sensible ei●her of love or pain, might have ●●en moved thereby. He suffered ●ll without moving of himself, with 〈◊〉 patience which could not proceed ●ut from the extraordinary assistance ●f Jesus Christ our Lord. We saw ●●en in him a lively image of his ●oly suffering, and of that heart ●ith which he hath suffered before the eyes of God his Father.  
My worthy Brother had an inclination, before he was cut, to speak with divers of us: which he did with so much light and presence of Spirit, with so much purity of heart, that every one did even melt into tears, and in a special manner was drawn up to the Lord Christ wh● was pleased to show himself to us as suffering in his faithful Servant, He gave a glorious testimony of th● good ways of the Lord, of whose infinite goodness he could not sufficiently boast, even in this his way with him. Afterwards he sat down in the chair, whereon he was to suffer, with as much quietness o● mind, as if he went to sit at the tabl● to meat, and with such valour, which apparently could not proceed bu● from God and the power of his love● The Doctor which was present whe● the work was in doing, was move● therewith and especially edified 〈◊〉 even as we likewise who had ver● great cause to thank the Lord for th● faithful assistance of his grace towards him, as likewise for the assistance which he gave to our brother who wrought in the cure, and who therein behaved himself to the great satisfaction of the Doctor.  
After that the evil was cut out, my Worthy Brother not being in state for to speak, would yet in the midst even of his greatest and most lively pain utter out some words to tell us, That the Lord was good and very good: that we should thank him, and more than he himself; and that we should pray to the Lord, if he did put it into our hearts, that in his mercy he would take him to himself.  
A few days after we found the wound to be yet in a very slight state, and that much of the evil was yet remaining. For even as it was not closed up in its skin so it had spread itself much abroad, and was gone a great deal further as one could well believe, or judge from without. Yet the wound which was made was very deep; the pains which our worthy Brother must therefore suffer have been very sensible & of long continuance; his weakness was great, and the hope of taking the evil quite away by cutting or otherwise was but little. All this made us to conclude, that we were to cut not more, the Patient being in no condition to suffer it; although on the other side we likewise saw that unless the Lord should extend his helping hand in an extraordinary manner, we should in a short time be deprived of our worthy Brother, after he should have endured yet much pain. The Doctor was sensibly greeved for it & was wounded in his heart: but the Lord, who gave us more than ever to take our refuge unto him, did support our hearts by Faith, and by the hope which he gave to us upon his almighty hand. When I said unto my very worthy Brother what we judged of his state, he said, Every will of God is good; and not being able to speak more by reason of his wound, so he caused them to give him a writing table, on which he did writ these words: By the Grace of God, I wish not to live here below, but I am very willing to go to him, and give myself over to his mercy from whom I expect all. But now I should be able to say nothing else, but that the power of God is able to restore all things, and I feel some joy in my mind that I do as more fall into his divine hands. A little after he added these words, I should nor be willing to neglect any thing which the providence of God doth offer to me, for it is the token of his will and of his work; but God doing all things as he doth, that is as I think, to make me to lose and found myself more in him. Perhaps he will likewise have me more to see the end of human power, to show us what he is to us in his love when it pleaseth him.  
Our Sister Huyghens speaking to him of his apparent death, so he said, We will follow the Lamb whethersoever it f●●ll lead us. Believe you that he will take me to himself, o bless him, bless him for it. He said to some other body, with feeling of heart, and in a spirit of humility whereof he was commonly very full, I am weak, and strong: weak in myself, and strong in God; and more than I can say. The two next ensuing days the wounds did grow worse and worse, so that all appearance of healing did by degrees more and more vanish away. But the Lord did put into the heart of our brother that had him in cure, to apply to him a certain oil, which might do no hurt to the wound but much good, if it should please God to give his blessing to it. This remedy did in few days so much consume the evil, and almost without pain, or it did rather so vanish away, by the powerful and efficacious will of the Lord, that there was nothing more seen of it, and the wound was put into so good a state, as one might wish. The Lord would thus show us what he is able to do when it pleaseth him; and that when he doth not the things, it is not because they are to hard or not to be done, but because it is not his time or well pleasing to him.  
When my worthy Brother did run the greatest danger, than one of our brethrens had expressed in a song the state and dispositions of our heart in relation to him, and likewise those of the heart of our beloved patient, even as that may be seen in our spiritual songs in french, in page 178. And for as much as divers of us went to visit him in the evening, talking one with an other before his bed of the ways of the Lord towards his Children, and particularly towards us, so I cau●ed to be read that song, which was very much stirring up, and fit to make us to lift up our hearts to the Lord. Whereby our worthy Brother took occasion to utter to us divers of his feelings, which were so ●ender, pure, and full of humi●ity, love, and thankfulness towards God, for the love towards him which he had given to his Children, that we can not think on ●t, without having our hearts to be ●ively moved therewith. I telling ●im among others, that the Lord caused us to feel and to express that which his Spirit had wrought in truth, and that he would give us an example of suffering, so he said with a tender and deep sense of his heart, which did wring tears out of ours as well as out of his eyes: The love of God and of his Children make me ashamed. The good which hath been is from the Lord. He hath supported me, and dealt with me according to his mercy; but there hath been also much defect and mixture of my own withit. God hath thought on a poor earthworm. He hath heard the groan of his Children. All, must be much ascribed to that Spirit which the Lord hath given to his Church. Telling him yet that the Lord had done good to us all, in that way which he had hel● about him, that he had taught us much, and that there is no more but an appearance of evil in all whatsoever he doth about those that are his, all that which is essential therein being nothing else but good, so ●he answered us with a heart which was wholly taken up with the love of the Lord. That he did wish with all his heart that God would continued to him all the days of his life the lively impression of that which he had done to him, although he should live yet two or three times longer than he had. The Lord (said he) hath done me much good. I would not for all what is in the world, but I had received, the good which the Lord in that way hath done to me.  
The wound by God's blessing visibly running together, was at the last closed up by the last hand which he himself did put to it, so that my worthy Brother was thereby not so much as hindered in his speech, and had again the means to be able by his words to edify the House of the Lord, even as he had done so much by his manifold sufferings, and by the heart which therein he shown, to the glory of his Grace who gave it him. If I should tell you all whatsoever about this great matter the Lord hath made us to feel, those which have not seen that which we have seen, would think that I do make it greater: but I can tell in truth, that the remembrance thereof doth never come to our minds, but we feel our hearts to be inflamed with love to God & to the cross of his Son, which a fresh he was pleased to make so loving & precious, by the experience thereof which he hath given to us in his faithful Servant.  
I have found among his papers a writing, which I do believe he made a little after that the Lord had perfectly healed him. And for as much as it is very fit to make us to see, what were his feelings at that time, as likewise the grace wherewith the Lord had filled his heart, I therefore found good to join it to this, for the edification of all those that shall read it, and who must be very unsensible of that which the Lord worketh in those that are his, if their hearts are not touched therewith. He than therein doth utter himself.  
Great God, whose goodness is a bottomless depth, which one can neither fathom out, nor sufficiently praise, open my heart in songs of praise, and grant me that there may flow out of it even streams of blessing and thanksgiving, for the good which according to thy pleasure thou dost to me.  
I was come even to the grave, the bonds of death had compassed me. An old & deadly evil, a gnauwing venum did eat away my flesh. I might have been numbered up among the dead, and nothing was able to deliver me from it. Divers means, yea even the art of men did seem to be unprofitable. All was come as to the last end & extremity without appearance of restauration, when it pleased thee Lord almighty, to come to my help, and through thyself to do that which none but thou couldst do.  
Thou wast indeed willing to use thy creatures, and to employ their hands, which thy grace sanctifieth; but thou hast done this only for to cover thine there by a little. In this thy help which thou hast done, thou wast willing to show thyself and to hid thyself. To show thyself in doing that which none but thou couldst do. And to hid thyself, by covering the presence of thy wholesome hand, with that of thy Children as with an acceptable cloud,  
Thou hast given them light and knowledge, thou hast strengthened them, thou hast led them, and put them to this work, thou hast taken them as instruments between thy divine fingers, and hast done what in thy goodness thou wouldst do.  
Thou hast also caused the love and the trust which thy Children have to come as to the end, that their love towards thee and even their love towards me, although wholly unworthy, might burst out more in its holy flame. It pleased thee to give them love, and to kindle their hearts with adivine zeal to pray to thee, and to entreat thee for me for that which thy compassion would grant to them. They did call, and were heard, they did pray, and thou didst grant their desires. Thy name be blessed therefore for evermore. O how beautiful are thy works o my God how pure is thy gouvernment, and how easy are thy ways, how lovely and worthy of thee, my God I found it in some measure, and my soul is full of the sense thereof to declare it, and to give thee glory for it.  
But it is not only in this thing that thy goodness doth give me this lesson. it is already a long while ago that thou hast been pleased, my God, to teach me this by experience, and I aught now to be a master therein, whereat I am yet a child and an ignorant scholar, after all that which thou hast done to form me, and to make me wise and knowing in the wonderful knowledge of thy ways.  
The works of thy mercy, thy deliverance according to soul and body, thy help, thy support, thy assistance & the glorious works of thy divine power towards me, o Lord, they are even as without number. I do not found any day or hour in my life, in which I may not see some proof of thy goodness, yea many proofs together.  
Thou, my God, hast kept me from my birth. Thine eyes did look upon me when I was yet in my mother's womb. Thy fingers have form me there. Thou hast wrought me together, composed me, animated & kept me. That imperfect thing hath from tha● time been under thy care. This unshapen lump of flesh & blood, this vessel of earth & mud although it be compacted together in a hea● of sin, hath been an object of thy wonderful care.  
How oftentimes hast thou not kept me from death even from my childhood? I have been compasse● about therewith for divers year● and it wanted little but I had bee● a prey to it, by reason of the continual pine and sickliness, in which I have spent my childhood, but thou wast willing to spare me, because thou hadst laid up for me that costly good to know thee, and Jesus thy son, my Saviour & King. I should than have perished, both in soul & body; but thou hast preserved this temporal life to me, to give me part of that eternal life. Thou hast sustained this body and my weak nature, to make me to arise in spirit & to live again in Grace.  
Out of how many dangers hath not thy hand ridd' me in success of times, O my God what long-suffering hast thou not showed me, in bearing with me that am so sinful & so guilty! What mercy, that I have not been a thousand times consurned! But thou hast done this, O Lord, because thou wouldst make thy grace & long●● suffering to abound, where guilt and sin did abound. My sins have been very great, and thy mercies have been infinite.  
O noble love, O glorious goodness and wonderful long suffering how shall I praise thee! How shall I utter any thing of that which I feel, although my feeling is as nothing to the thing itself, which is infinite, as thou thyself, o God, art infinite.  
Furthermore, Lord, thou hast done good to me, and an infinite good, for the evils which I have done against thee without number. Thou hast pursued me with lovingkindness, when I did most of all flee from thee in my wickedness. Thou hast necessitated me to accept of thy Grace, thou hast forced me to go into thy royal house, and to take part of the wedding feast of thy well-beloved, thou hast pulled o● from me my old garments of sin & fillthiness, and thou hast clothed me with a costly garment, for 〈◊〉 eat with them that are the guests o● thy good pleasure.  
The number of these benefits & the greatness of Grace maketh 〈◊〉 to stand astonished, and if thou by thy efficacious working didst not assure me of the truth thereof, their excellency would have caused me to bring them into question.  
What goodness and kindness hast not thou caused me to feel, how unfaithful and imperfect soever I did yet remain! What help and assistance, o my God, have not I found in all my need and agonies! All things have risen up against my soul to destroy it, but thou hast preserved & ridd' it.  
O God of my salvation, how oftentimes hath thy hand supported me, when I was come to the uttermost extremity! The bottomless pit hath even opened sometimes itself to devour me, the most dreadful terrors have fallen upon me. The violence of hell is come to run against my poor soul, their crafts have been employed in many and divers manners for to ensnare it. And who hath ridd' them away, but thou, o my God, through thy faithful and untired love!  
If thou hadst not been who thou art, o my God, infinitely doing good, I had been destroyed without remedy.  
O how great are thy mercies, o my God, which thou showest towards those whom thou lovest! O how great & noble is thy love! it is not limited but by itself, even as it doth not end but in itself.  
If that which is good was to have come from me, I had never done it, nor desired it. If so be that perseverance was to have come from my faithfulness I had perished a thousand times, and if my preservation had not been but of myself, I should not have been any thing else but an object of thy wrath, and a subject of destruction.  
But o my God, glory, honour, and love be given unto thee for evermore, because thou dost make that thy Elect are not what they are, either in Grace or in Glory, but by thy grace and gift, and because that thou in thy free but all mighty love dost fulfil in them, that which thou wilt have them to be before thy presence.  
O high mercy, o wonderful love who can comprehend thee! Thy thoughts towards us are wonderful. Thy mercies are invaluable. The works of thy Spirit are incomprehensible: and what thou dost lay up for those that are thine & dost faithfully fulfil in them, is to be praised for ever. Let me therefore praise thee for it, o my God, the days of my life. Let me without ceasing declare what thou art and what thou dost for and in them that are thine.  
I am o my God, as in a special manner thy miserable one, and that patiented for whose healing thou dost take care through thine infinite forbearance.  
I commit many faults and thou dost pardon them. I am in a certain sense as a riddle to myself, seeing how oftentimes I do sin, & yet how much there is pardoned to me, and how much I am loved. O my God, let thy great love here after show itself more, in making me such as I aught to be. If I have been a servant of whom much is endured, make me to be an obedient & faithful Child.  
Lord thou givest me plentiful matter to praise thee, let me than praise thee without ceasing. My God my desire is that even when I am asleep, my bones, my flesh, and soul may praise thee & be only employed about thee: thou dost compass her about with so much goodness, thou dost protect her from so much evil, thou workest in her so much good, that I have need, o my God an eternity, to praise thee for it.  
I hope I shall fulfil my great defects, when the eternity of thy Grace shall have enriched my poverty, and shall have placed me above all my miseries. Than thy goodness shall fill up, not only my vessel, but even also the emptiness of this life. I shall than say to all Angels & Archangels what thou hast done to my soul. I will tell it to thy whole numberless family. I will show them thy grace, and declare thy benefits to them, showing them the wounds of which thou hast cured my soul. But above all I will go to thee, my God and to thee o Jesus my Preserver, according to the impetuous drift which the eternal and perfect grace of thy love will give to me, and I shall lay down before thy feet, not only the crown of thy pure bounty, but even my whole being. I will adore thee, and annihilate myself, I shall flow away & sink in thy love, and in the Spirit of thy praise.  
This doth at present this faithful soul, with all her desire and love, with all her desire and love, and according to the tender & affectionate promises which she hath done to her God thereof, even as we see in this writing which is much edifying, and very fit to make known the inward part of this most humble soul and faithful Servant of Jesus Christ. Furthermore these following words have been found among his papers, which show what than did particularly touch his heart: I do lively feel in my heart that the expression of the humility, meekness, poverty, and the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ, must be as the way in which I must walk, and the path in which I must run the remainder of my life. The Lord who giveth to me this feeling, which I love and will close up in my heart, will by his divine finger engrave it therein, not only to continued to me the remembrance thereof, but by his Grace to be faithful to it, if he will keep me yet sometime in this life.  
After that the all-powerfull and all-good hand of our heavenly Father had thus even as miraculously restored him, so he spoke to all his sheep in such a pure and heart stirring manner in the Assembly, that it did sufficiently appear that there was come even as a new life in his soul, and that the love of God and of his glory, of Christ and of his Kingdom, of the Church and all his Elect did more than ever burn in his heart, and caused there more lively and more heavenly flames to arise. He likewise did by letters to many show the sense of thankfulness, wherewith he did a new bind himself to God and to his service, at the same time when he by an inward and upright humility did count himself unworthy to be again employed thereto by God's Spirit and his holy Providence. Of all those letters which he did writ about this, and whereof we could found copies I shall relate but two, which show the spirit wherewith he was wholly possessed. The one was to Mr. Bardewisch and his wife who, according to the tender love which they had for him, did greatly partake with him in his state, and in the danger wherein he had been: And the other to my mother in which he uttereth divers moving and pure feelings, which without doubt will be desired to be seen. The first was of the 23. of February of the year 1680 last passed in these words.  
My worthy Brother and my worthy Sister, you have been sad and comforted for me, God having been pleased to make you partakers with me in all whatsoever it hath pleased him to sand to me, and it is fit that I should show you how that I have not been unsensible of your love, and that whilst I thank you in his love, I do likewise invite you to praise him with me. It would be little if we should but partake of that which mutually doth concern us, if we did not yet more narrowly partake in giving thanks for the same to him, who sending to those that are his all things for good, will also be praised and thanked for the same by them all. I am to small and to weak, to be able to acknowledge as is fit the lest of his benefits, which he hath showed to me in this his last visitation; but however I will praise him for it by his grace a●l the days of my life. And join your selves to me, if you please, to pay to him with me this holy duty. It is indeed best for those to whom God hath manifested himself in his grace, to departed out of this life as changing house, for to be with Christ, who is given to them for a Saviour and Head, but in the order of those benefits, which he bestoweth upon those that are his in this warfare, he is willing that we should thankfully acknowledge all the help which he giveth in those divers states wherein it pleaseth him to place us: especially when they are accompanied with the demonstrations of his love, to make himself sensible to our souls, and to cause even all what he hath sent to us, to turn to such a great good as is that of our greater sanctification and communion with Christ. I hope of his mercy that he will 'cause me to draw some such fruit out of all that which is past. I do expect all from that love which I have oftentimes found and felt to be infinite; and likewise I am very willing to witness it, that giving ourselves over to this divine love, more than at any time, which in all things without exception of any watcheth over us, we likewise all may experimentally know that it is high, deep, and truly infinite. He by hi● Grace hath granted me to be prepared to go to him for ever, to long for him as for my God to whom I have consecrated myself; but he hath yet been pleased to defer the accomplishment of his mercy to my soul, and yet would make me to found that the same was very great in all what he hath done for me. But what shall I say? In all what he doth, whether he doth it or doth it not, he is always good, and knoweth how to make himself to be felt and found that he is infinitely lovely. Praise him with me for this my worthy brother and sister, and for as much as you likewise in your own persons have tried his faithful care for you, let us all say one with an other in a lively sense of what he is, that his lovingkindness is great, and continueth for ever. His holy Name be blessed for all things. Let Jesus be very much beloved, and praised by the souls of us all; and that good Spirit of God, which hath vouchsafed to take us under his conduct, and who doth strengthen us, comfort us, and raiseth us up again, and causeth us to rejoice in that steadfast hope that once we shall see him, he also be blessed and adored for evermore. It hath pleased the Lord wholly to close up that which was remaining of my wound, so that nothing else is remaining, but that I faithfully thank him for all what he hath done, and that I keep myself busy in his love, to make that holy use which I aught to make of that life which he hath as newly given to me again. But he will also grant me this grace, besides all those others that I have need of, that I may fulfil the offering of myself which I have made to him for ever. It is good to live for him, and yet better to die in him, to enjoy with him his eternal life. Our worthy Sister Huyghens hath made us clearly to see, that which his Spirit giveth us to believe. We do likewise taste it, and have trial of it, so much as the Lord pleaseth to give us; but she hath caused us at leisure to see that grace which God bestoweth upon those that are his, and to hear, taste, and feel it. And he doth undoubtedly give us such appearances of his faithful and mighty love, that our hearts may enlarge themselves in him, and that by a more full yielding of ourselves over into his hands, he may more possess us. Worthy Brother and Sister, let him therefore more than before at any time be our King and only Possessor. Let us live to him, and not live but for him, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  
The letter which he did writ to France to my mother is nothing lesle edifying: and for as much as the Lord for divers years in his love hath exercised her with great pains of the ●gout, which causeth to her much suffering, and keepeth her for the most part as bound to her chair or bed, ●o he gives her witness of the goodness of the way of suffering and of ●he cross which God layeth upon his Children: and uttering to her what ●e hath found thereof in those that are his, he encourageth her to continued to suffer before God in the Spirit & love of Christ, which doth delight himself in his suffering members on earth. These are the words of his letter. God at present gives me an opportunity which obligeth me, Mistress and much honoured Sister, to give you thanks for the remembrance which you have had of me, and the share which you have taken in that state in which it hath pleased him to place me, and now by his good hand to help me again out of it. He was willing to 'cause me to feel his Divine goodness, in that way which he hath kept about me: and what have I to say, when he is willing to 'cause a sinner to taste th● sweetness of his love who is as littl● worthy of the chastisement of hi● love, as the consolation thereof His hand hath for a little while cas● me down, and it doth likewise raise me up again, and in such 〈◊〉 manner as that his almighty lov● can be discerned therein. H● himself hath so softly and lovely supported me, that I must praise him for it for evermore, and neve● think on it without pouring forth tears of love and thankfulness. H● likewise was pleased to streng than me through his great love▪ which he hath poured forth into the hearts of his Children in this hi● Church, and into those of divers others, who not being there according to the body, yet have thei● hearts much there, amongst whic● I see you to be one, my much be loved Sister, and I thank you th● you was pleased to be mindful 〈◊〉 me. The Lord hath made use 〈◊〉 your son, my worthy & faithful Brother, to give you knowledge of my state, but I receive the testimony of your love as descending yet from a higher original, than from that sensible mean which hath given occasion thereunto. I look upon it as coming from him who is Love itself, and he who whilst he maketh himself to be loved for himself sake, doth also incline the hearts of those whom he possesseth to all those that are in his love. Now he hath loved us in his infinite mercy, and he maketh me to love him through his love, and to desire to love him more, yea with all that wherewith I shall at any time be able to love him. This than is enough for to kindle in our hearts an holy fire which never shall be quenched. In this sense I consider your love, and thank you for the same in him who gives to the ceilings of affections & thankfulness which come from his Spirit all their praise and worth. I have long kept as hidden in my heart, divers feelings of love and holy esteem of that grace which God hath bestowed upon you. But he makes m● to publish or at the lest to discover, that which in some measure hath been as covered: for which I thank him, being hearty glad with a holy gladness that I have occasion to tell you before you● death or before mine, that I am sensible of the work of his Grace in you with much tenderness and that it is so dear and acceptabl● to me as if it was of mine own mother: I would hereof give you upright tokens, if the Lord would be pleased to give me there unto opportunity. He hath made you to be one of his beloved Children▪ and besides, mother of a son whom in his grace he hath given to me to be my elder Brother, although according to nature I am older the● he. And the benefit which therein the Lord hath done to me is so precious, that I put it amongst the most special ones, wherewith hi● mercy hath favoured me. Likewise I can tell you that he is more worthy to me than I can ex-press, and his love is to me more than the love of all others. The Lord did 'cause that as soon as we saw and knew one the other, that we did love one the other so, as that we have left all former friendship. But the grace of God, and his calling towards us, his counsel and holy service, hath since united our hearts in such a manner, that neither death nor any other thing shall ever be able to violate this union: contrarily it shall increase, so much as we shall make progress towards him, woe is the great and eternal foundation of the love of his Saints. As to what remaineth Mistress I can not forbear to tell you that I am sensible of that state wherein the Lord hath been pleased to put you, he hath taught me by some experience to be sensible of the trials of those whom he doth somewhat particularly visit; and I pray to him in the same sense of my heart, which I have had sometimes upon my sick bed that he will give you ease & strength. He will undoubtedly do it, and you will have experience of it, and found it to the glory of his Name, feeling more than ever that it is good to rely upon the Lord, and upon his faithfulness; which never fails when there is occasion for it▪ He doth not visit you (as you know very well & his good Spirit hath taugt you) but that he may make you more conformable to him▪ And is it not a great good, to carry some lineaments of God, who was crucified for the love which he hath had for some of his creatures? You are of the number of those for whom he gave his soul, and spil● his blood. He will mark you herewith by that suffering which he sends to you, that by his own token you may not only be acknowledged for one of his, bu● that also his love may yet more appear upon you. Rejoice therefore▪ Mistress and my very worthy Sister, in this love, with which nothing is to be compared. God will exalt you to the cross of Christ● but afterwards he will 'cause you to climme up to himself, and establish you in his House in his joy & eternal Glory. Our warfare will not continued long, and we see by Faith not only the end of our race, but we see him also who stands at the end, and who is all our joy. He hath his delight to see us to walk in his ways inanimated with his love. Our warfare is not concealed from him. He seethe & feels it himself more than we, and his bosom is opened to receive us for ever therein. I wish you from henceforth the divine sweetness and strength thereof, praying to him, with my whole heart, that he may perfect in you the works of his Grace to the eternal glory of his son.  
The Lord having thus comforted ●s the second time, by granting us ●gain his faithful Servant, & thereby ●iving us such special matter to rejoice for his goodness, & to praise ●is might and his love that doth all ●hings well; did found good for the third time to put us in the sam● trial, by which at the last it pleased him to take to himself th● humble, patiented and complying soul whom he by so many way had prepared to go and behold him in the blessed day of eternity and glory. Although we had cause to believe, that his evil was perfectly c●red, yet however it ceased not to appear again, by the falling down 〈◊〉 the self same sharp humours which h●● caused the first. Which a new obliged us to offer up ourselves and ou● worthy Brother, into the sovereign hands of our God, who made it mo●● apparent to us that there was but little means to cure this evil by outward remedies or by cutting and co●rosifs. And because at that time the● acquainted us, that there were tw● persons at Amsterdam, which coul● cure the very canker itself by another way, we did believe, after tha● we had taken some assurance thereof, that it might not be amiss tha● our Brother should go to Amsterdam, before the evil should comfurther to see if the Lord would be pleased thereby to prevent those sad consequences, which this disease at the last might produce. My worthy Brother having special inclination thereunto, went again to Amsterdam, lodging with the same friends of ours, which received him with a new tenderness of heart, and have showed him a very faithful and tenderly affected love.  
Being there, after that he had heard some Doctors about his state, he was inclined to try the remedies of a person which promised that thereby he would go to the very ground and root of the evil, and hoped to take it quite away. In the beginning there seemed to be some expectation of it the sore affording matter, and seeming to take the course of ordinary wounds. But the cure continuing and our worthy Brother suffering, and growing weak by the torments, we had new cause to offer him up to God, that he should do with him according to his adorable pleasure, perceiving well, that if the Lord should not give some change, he would come to leave us at the last, either by the increase of the evil, or else by his weakness which such remedies might 'cause. He knowing how tenderly affected we were with the Lords trying of him, and fearing that it might go to near to our hearts▪ he wrote to me these words with strength of spirit and heart, whe● yet he was very bad: I pray yo● my worthy Brother, and with you all our Brethrens and Sisters, tha● you will not be cast down because of my condition: and even as I a● lively affected with this that you● hearts keep themselves continually before the Lord for my sake, so pray you likewise that you prai● and thank him in the joy of h●● good Spirit, who is able to give 〈◊〉 a thousand reasons to glorify him.  
About the same time he wrote a le●ter to one of our sisters, who than w●● at Utrecht, these words: You wis● my very worthy Sister, as you 〈◊〉 testify in your letter, that t●● Lord may keep me longer yet 〈◊〉 this life. But do you think that I can be to you yet a help and comfort in any thing? If it be so, than I wish it with you: for if it pleaseth God; I am willing to do for his Elect and Children all what he shall enable me to do for them; but if not, what should we else wish but to go out of this world, that we may be with him? let us look upon the things as they are, and so as the light of his divine word doth show them to us, and than let us judge whether there is any thing real but this, which must make us to love life. I had some lively feeling yesterday that it is a very lovely thing to prepare one self to go unto God, and that the word whereby a soul may speak to itself on this occasion, is very comfortable, saying with herself, The time approacheth come, let us arise, let us go unto him who hath loved us from all eternity, and who hath also granted us to love him for ever, and to give our ●●lves wholly unto him. God in his will and good pleasure, must be our All here on earth, and in himself our All eternally above. The Spirit, which he hath given to us worthy Sister, as likewise to his other Children in all ages, tellet● us this, and maketh us so to feel i● in the innermost parts of our hearts, although one doth not all ways receive sensibly the vertu●● thereof.  
The person at Amsterdam wh●● had my worthy Brother in hand and who had pretended that h●● would work with no other remedy but inward, to drive the evil, a●● he said, to the outward parts, di● afterwards believe that he wa● bound to cut of the excrescencies, seeing that it continued to long ear it fe●● away of itself. Which together wit● the use of sharp corrosives did cau●● to my worthy Brother very sensibl● smart, and likewise took much 〈◊〉 way the hope that this man shoul● bring it to a perfect cure. Likewise the Lord did evidently show that b● would not use his service to this end Persons that have an affection for us and who shown themselves to be very sensible of the state of our worthy Brother, spoke to us of a french Chyrurgent, in the Hague, which was renowned for having a great secret to cure such kind of maladies. I did writ concerning it to my Brother ●o acquaint him of what was propounded to us: and he receiving at the same time letters in which he was very urgently desired to put himself into the hands of that Chyrurgent. We began to give heed to it, although as my worthy Brother did writ to me, ●e had trouble to pass through so many hands.  
But there was than no more to be expected from him who had him in care, whose remedies were the apparent 〈◊〉 cause of so many very painful accidents after which followed great weakness, and a cough which continued with him until the Lord did deliver him from all suffering, and translated him into his Kingdom. Being in this state he wrote to me with much feeling: My soul doth praise the Lord, and my heart doth adore him in all things with love and reverence. He is great and is good. I give myself to him and to his eternal good-pleasure. My present condition seemeth to be very far from any ecovery, for my strength is almost spent. My body is as broken, and my accidential in a state much worse than before for it hath been growing downward for some time. But the Lord is a● the end of all, and above all, and hi● holy will shall be my strength▪ my life and my All for evermore After that he further witnessed thi● disposition in which his soul was with these words: I will tell you m● worthy Brother, that the Lord a● present giveth me but this one sens● and mind, which is to leave my sel● wholly to him, to follow him i● that which he shall require of me whether in suffering or in dying and in that manner as he shall thin● fit: and that in this since I have only to follow that which he shall she● to be his pleasure. Me thinketh b● hath done all things thus far t● bring me to this mind, and to make me to rest therein. And he granteth me likewise so to do by his grace; and if it pleased him to do something more, even as I will neither limit his goodness nor his power therein, this would be something extraordinary and above the expectation which at present he giveth me.  
For as much as his evil did visibly grow worse, and no time was to be lost if he was yet to pass over into other hands, so the French Chyrurgent, whereof I have spoken, came to him the second time to see him at Amsterdam, and having given more contentment than at first, so my worthy Brother consented to the importunate entreaty which was made to him, that he should put himself under his cure; and the frost coming in, and not suffering a longer delay he went in a barge to the Hague, there to expect what should be the Lords last will about him. My worthy Brother did than writ unto me: If this is the way by which the Lord will lead me to death, it will likewise be the way to go to him for whom I long: and I am very sensible through his grace that this would be the full measure of his mercy towards me, and the accomplishment of the desires which the Lord through his good Spirit hath put in the bottom of my heart. Far well my very worthy Brother whom I do embrace with my whole heart, and with you all our worthy Brethrens and Sisters, and the called of the Lord, to whom I wish all blessing and increase of grace, even as likewise all the children, whom I do all embrace in this Spirit without exception. The Lord made us than in a special manner to humble ourselves before him filling us with that sense which was expressed in the words of Christ in the garden Gethsemane: Father, if it be possible let this cup pass by: if not thy will be done: about which we did discourse the second time when we were assembled, submitting ourselves with the heart to what his hand should found good to do with our worthy Brother, whom we gave up to him, and put him anew into his hands. Hereupon as weak as he was he wrote to me these words: Having understood that the Lord hath inclined your hearts to humble yourselves before him for my sake, who am a fit subject for it, so I have felt almost the same of that which God hath caused you to experience about his grace and divine presence: and following the steps of the same Spirit I found myself in a real and more than ordinary disposition, to lay myself down with his Church, and in some measure more than she at his divine feet. Both the words concerning which you have spoken, have touched me very much, & the last words of the Lord Jesus, are some times those whereby my heart goeth to God his Father and to him. The Lord who by his H. Spirit hath moved your hearts thus to humble yourselves, will also be pleased with the smell of your prayers for his Son's sake. I pray to him and thank him with all my heart, that whilst he keepeth me in a very simple frame, and as one of his creatures, which such as it is hath given itself over into his hands. He giveth me a very real sense of his presence, and I can not but expect all things from his infinite goodness, whatsoever it shall please him to do. A little while after I did writ unto him that his wife our worthy Sister was in extraordinary weakness, whom the Lord with him did cause to draw near to her dissolution, even as we have seen in that writing which containeth her last words and dispositions, and about this he wrote to me these words: I had not expected that which you have written to me concerning the weakness of my Sister. It hath very sensibly touched my heart. But the Lord having made me to behold it in him, it gave me presently to adore him, and to give all over to him in that spirit which the knowledge and love of him do require of us. And in that as in many other things, he hath made me to found, that through his grace towards us he is indeed all to us; and that in the ground we are nothing, nor will any thing, but in and for him. I know not whether he hath fulfiled his will whereof he hath given much likely hood. If it hath pleased him so to do it is without giving me as yet any particular feeling thereof. yet I do not stay there. And through his goodness I do adore, praise, and thank him, that his mercy towards his daughter and handmaid should be accomplished, to his glory and our common consolation, and in the good savour of the grace of the Lord Jesus. I have loved her, and yet do love her if she be yet a mongst us, with a love more tender and worthy of God than I ever did before. But if God of his infinite love hath made her to put of all remainders of mortality and imperfection, taking her to himself, than I feel that I love her wholwith with an other love, and such as agreeth with that state wherein she should be. In the mean while, until we understand more particularly the way of God towards her, we shall endeavour to continued in the spirit of compliance, adoration, and embracing of every will of God both towards her and towards us all. In the following letter I acquainted my worthy Brother that God in his love had taken her to himself, with so much edification & comfort as the Lord did it. And he wrote unto me the affections of his heart in these words: I have properly nothing to do but to praise and thank God, about that which he hath been pleased to do in my worthy wife, whom he was pleased to take to himself. So much as his Spirit and providence hath made me to be near related to her, so much doth the same Spirit oblige me through his grace towards her to praise him, to acknowledge his work, to comply with it, and to love it with all my heart. and I likewise thank the same good and faithful Spirit, that it may please him to work this in me. The work of God is good and beautiful, and I see nothing in it but what must make it all the remaining part of my life precious, lovely and comfortable. The Lord hath enlarged the ground of his Spirit in his handmaid, at the lest in some measure. For I know and feel even as God many times by his Spirit hath made me to see, that there were yet many other properties of his grace and strength wholly lovely in her, according as he giveth them particularly to certain simple and innocent souls. But he hath caused his mercy towards her, and the divine fruitfulness and virtue which is in those who have well received his Spirit, to appear so much, that I have nothing but to praise the Lord for what be hath done. He doth not suffer me to have an other mind about it, and although there is something sensible which transiently doth present itself to me, upon the remembrance that she is n●● more with us according to the fleshy yet the truth, and even that sen●● according to the Spirit, and of th● state wherein the Lord hath taken her away, as likewise of tha● wherein he hath put her, do●● truly swallow up all. And by th●● grace of the Lord I love it with a●● my heart, that I can not see her n●● possess her but in him. The goo● favour which it pleased her heavenly Bridegroom to pour for● coming to take her to him, an● which hath spread forth itself on a● your hearts, and will remain the● as long as her memory shall be present with us, this is yet a special matter of joy to me. She was n●● for making much noise about a●● thing. All was as shut up in her simplicity, innocency, and p●● faith. But God had pleasure 〈◊〉 cause the spikenard and sweet smiling spices that were hidden in 〈◊〉 soul, to give some savour. N●ther do I wonder at it, that 〈◊〉 your hearts have been tender 〈◊〉 wards her, for God had given her a love to his work and Church amongst us, which was something special, and had a respect to the holy Body of Jesus, to the which I did oftentimes perceive that she had a singular and holy inclination. I can not forbear to acknowledge, yea and witness the lively sense which I have of the love which you, and divers brethrens and sisters in a special manner, and the whole Church in general have showed to her. In an other letter he did yet again utter to me what in success of time did touch him about this matter, in these words: I continued by the goodness of the Lord to feel the great good which he hath done to his handmaid and daughter, and whereof it hath pleased him to 'cause something to issue down upon us, but especially upon me: which obligeth me all my life-time to praise and thank him as in a special sense of the spirit. The good things and benefits of God are not transitory or fading away, even as those of the world which are ●othing but vanity & changeableness, whereas those that are his do remain as himself remaineth. And although the sense thereof is not always one and the same, yet their truth is so real and efficacious, that they do never present themselves to the soul, who is want to feel them, without leaving in her always a lively and divine impression. I hope that the Lord will make my worthy Sister always in some sort present to me, according to this holy truth in his grace and glory. I leave her gladly and hearty in the bosom of her true and eternal Bridegroom in which she resteth, possessing him and being possessed of him. It is enough to me, if the Lord shall be pleased, that I may be able to behold him in her by his Spirit, from time to time, and her in him, according to that unspeakable unity, which maketh them perfect, in one. The goodness of God towards her is likewise a special reason to me for to acknowledge his faithfulness, and how one hath but to wait upon him and to leave one self to him, to try his infinite favour. What concerneth the little one, which he was pleased to preserve and at present maketh it weaker, that I do likewise offer up to his infinite mercy, and to Jesus Christ, who hath said that they should bring little children to him. All is his and for him; why should we be willing to keep one moment that which he showeth to be willing to take? His holy will be done in all things. Before she passed over into the eternal bosom of ●●e Lord, my worthy Brother had written to her divers and very edifying letters, and which were full of a ●ery tender and pure love. In one ●e uttereth his heart about her in these words: Your consolation goeth to my heart, and with as much tenderness as you can desire. I am very sensible of your hearty love. And the Lord maketh me to answer it with the like or perhaps with a greater love. I beseech you that you always do hearty rest o● the Lord, who is good and friendly to us, and who through his grea● love hath poured out of his lov● with his Spirit into our hearts. Bu● you know that this love is neither weak nor encumbered, and as i● cometh from God, cleaveth t● him, and leadeth to him, so 〈◊〉 maketh us to rely on him, an● to trust him with all things. D●● it therefore, I pray you, in respect 〈◊〉 me, as of all other things. As fo● me, I am sometimes so lively touched therewith, that I say with m● self, the Lord leaveth us but o●● holy care, which is to amend o●● faults and to praise him for his ho●● goodness. I pray him that he ma● be pleased to make you faithful to his holy and tender love. 〈◊〉 much busy with him, admire h● goodness and faithful care, prai●● him for it in your heart, be diligent to please him, put yourself ofte● times in his presence, do that 〈◊〉 which he calleth you; and you w●● found that he will fill you with 〈◊〉 goodness. And because she took very sensibly part with him in his state, he wrote to her some time before: I pray you let us keep our spirits and hearts united with the Lord and his william. Let us suffer him to rule: for his Kingdom is nothing but righteousness and love. Let ufeel & acknowledge it before him, and pray him, that he will but grant that we may glorify him. He will do every thing well both with you and the little one, for he takes care for all things. We have but to leave all things to him, and to lose ourselves in his hands with love. These were the affections therewith those holy souls were full before their happy decease, which hath united them again in God to all eternity. The Lord afterwards giving our worthy Brother some ease in respect of his sore and smart, and leading our Sister Magdalene (whose last words have been seen already) to her end, he wrote to me very sensibly, and with the spirit of deep humility which was so proper to him: When I do receive any ease from the Lord, I feel that I own it as to the continual groans and prayer● of his Children, whom he doth vouchsafe to hear. And so you may believe, that all what his Spirit doth work in them in respect o● me, is for my special comfort, and gives me matter to praise and thank him, that he hath poured out into your and their hearts such a tender, continual and strong love towards me. His love through his goodness doth not withdraw itself from me, and he gives me more than ever a desire, that if it be his will that being delivered from all remainders of imperfection and sin, I may speedily go and give him the honour and glory which I own him. But we must wait on him, and suffer him to fulfil his holy Counsel, according to which all things that relate to us in this life will end. He binds and looseth us according to his good pleasure. He is tha● Lord and Master who is wholly good and Almighty; and I am hi● poor and low creature, and I will say, that I am as that Ass' colt which our Lord did use in his glorious inroad into Jerusalem. That which you writ concerning our Sister Magdalene is very stirring and comfortable, and I doubt not but it is to you a special matter of joy and holy comfort. The Lord perhaps will take divers of his Children to himself. O what great good is that for them and for us! All is prepared for nothing else but him. All must wait for him, and truly our joy must be that he taketh than this, than an other, without having any thing to encumber ourselves with. Greet her hearty my worthy Brother, and according to that spirit in which two persons, who do go from the same ground to one and the same end, and to which they both must come, can greet one the other. The Lord Jesus, who hath always been so good to her, although she hath not always sufficiently acknowledged it, bless her; and filling her with the Spirit of his grace grant that from the heart she ma● extend herself to his glory. Whe● the Lord in his love had taken thi● Sister to himself, than he wrote t● me about it, and with respect to ou● brother her husband, that whic● touched his heart, Feeling; my very worthy Brother, a little strength to writ, I was not willing to defers it. The comfort to be able in som● measure to answer your love an● that of the whole Church, doth g● to near to my heart, than that 〈◊〉 should neglect it. The work o● grace and of glory, which th● Lord hath accomplished in ou● blessed Sister Magdalene, hat● touched us much, but especially me, as who by his goodness do now something near by feel wha● great good it is to approach near to him, never to be separated from him any more. God seemeth to be willing to comfort us all, causing u● to feel that such a good is as above all good, and that our souls must rejoice at it, and in the spirit must meet him, as through a new attraction of love. I do thus feel it something, and doubt not but that the Lord doth give almost the same feeling especially to our worthy brother J. S., being accustomed in a special manner to possess the place of all whatsoever he taketh away from those of whom he seemeth to take away any thing. I desire you to greet him in my behalf, and to embrace him hearty, praying the Lord that he will bless the chlidrens with a new blessing.  
Concerning the state of my worthy Brother in respect of his grief, ●aving had sufficient proofs of the re●edys of the french Chyrurgent, and ●aving suffered much of him, he ●ound himself obliged to be dischar●ed from him; seeing by experience ●hat their effect did not answer his ●ords or promises. And Doctor Helvetius, who had directed the ●irst cure of his malady, dwelling ●ot far from the Hague, was desired ●o take the care thereof again with the Chyrurgent Bekestein. Both have done it to the end with much ●●fection and special application, ●●ving a tender feeling of his state a●● manifold sufferings. About t●● same time he thus wrote to me concerning his state: My worthy Br●ther, it is a great comfort to 〈◊〉 that I can yet from time to ti●● writ a word to you. My weakness doth not suffer me to do th●● which my heart and hand wou●● gladly do, and we must leave th● little comfort, even as all other● to him alone who governeth a●● disposeth all things, even to t●● lest, so as it seemeth him goo● The state in which it pleaseth hi● to leave me, doth yet continued 〈◊〉 in that hope, to which there is al●● much likelihood, that he hath opened to me the way, whereby 〈◊〉 shall go to him. His name be blessed for it for evermore. It is tr●● that some times I yet hope, even 〈◊〉 I do much wish, that his hand wi●● yet bring me amongst you, an● grant me there to finish my lif● and to perfect the offering of m● self which I make to him, and of the rest of my days, and of my eternity. But I leave this to him, as all other things. In an other letter he wrote to me in these words: What concerneth me, my worthy Brother, it pleaseth my good Father and Lord to keep me always as in his air, depending on his will and being ready to the same. And for as much as it pleaseth him thus to support me by his good Spirit, I praise and thank him for the state wherein he keepeth me, which causing me to continued in him to be ready for his will, doth 'cause me to taste very much the sweetness of his love. I am sometimes a little better, and sometimes again worse according to the body, but always very weak, and decaying as to the outward, yet my strength not wholly failing me. 〈◊〉 sometimes I admire at myself. 〈◊〉 grief through the goodness of God doth not grow, his hand putting bounds to it, to keep it in, without healing of it. So that at the same time when I yield myself to the Lord to go to him from this place, if it be his will; it is also my great desire to give up my ghost in the communion of his Children and amongst you; and sometimes he giveth some hopes that he will do it. Therefore we thought that if our Brother van D. after the frost should be able to come over to help us, that should be pleasing to me. But if you should have need of him there, or that it might continued to long, or that he should put himself in any danger in coming over, 〈◊〉 should not desire that the House o● the Lord should be disappointed o● the help of his love.  
And because as I was especially o● this opinion that we should not see our worthy Brother any more in thi● life, I found myself disposed to signify to him the dispositions of my hear● and of those of my worthy Brethrens and Sisters concerning him. Which I did in my letter whereof I will her● relate a part, My very worthy an● beloved Brother, it seemeth to me▪ that God calleth and presseth us to bid you as the last farewell, and to signify what we should say to you, if we stood about your bed, and you were compassed about with all his Children, where with he hath intimately united you. We do it than, my worthy Brother, in case we may not have that holy comfort, as to see you again in this life. You go to our God and to your God. You pass over to the bosom of our common Father. You approach to the dwelling-place of his glory, and you will shortly see Jesus glorified. Go, my worthy Brother, follow the Lamb which leadeth you to him, and who having brought you to him, will for ever keep you with him. We follow you in Spirit with heart and affection, The ejaculations of our love do accompany you; and even as we do very lively feel your departure, so likewise we thank our great Redeemer for the redemption which he will give you from all what you might yet endure. We do likewise very sensibly take part of that unspeakable happiness to which Jesus ou● faithful Saviour shall for ever receive you. He hath loved you▪ He hath given you to love him, and he will crown his love in you▪ He is our God, our King, and ou● All. Let him eternally rule over us. Let him fill us, possess us, and do with us according to his Divine pleasure. You shall behold the King in his glory. You shall behold him in the great day of his triumph, and seeing him you shall be satisfied with all good. All your pains shall cease with him, and you shall do nothing but praise and thank him with all his Saints, whom he hath received into his happiness, for his unspeakable grace, and for the glory where in he shall have placed you in that happy eternity. I tell you the heart of all our very worthy Brethrens and Sisters: but I tell you, my very worthy Brother, especially mine. God, who hath made us one in him by such an inward & narrow bond, will keep us for ever united together in his eternal love, and according to his good pleasure will grant us once that we shall rest together in his bosom. I embrace you, & leave & give you to him, who is and will be to you and us all what ever he shall will or do. For all what he doth it is good, and glorious to his name, & wholesome and saving to his Children.  
When I had written this letter to him, and one of our Sisters, who was with him at the Hague, telling him the same evening when he received it, you could very well go to the Lord my worthy Brother, without coming again to his House: he answered her: This could be; and if the Lord doth it tell my worthy Brethrens and Sisters, that I do go to God with all my heart, that I do remain lively convinced of those truths which he hath caused us to profess to his glory, and that I do die contented in the state and place wherein I am, although I have not the comfort of seeing them. I shall die contented, being near by a● Moses, and yet being not able to enter.  
God having given him a great love for his Children and sheep, whereof he had made him a Shepherd, he wished very simply that he might give up his ghost in the midst of us, if it was the will of our heavenly Father. And likewise on the other side seeing that there was no perfect cure to be expected, he wished that he might have ended here the last moment of his transitory life. He himself had some times this hope, as he wrote, when the Lord at the last opened the water and seemed to give means for his transportation. But it was not but only to bring over his body without life, and separated from his soul, which did rest with Christ Jesus in the happy bosom of his glory, before his body was brought here to rest, in the place where those of the other Children of the Lord were laid: which he innocently did signify to be his desire, whilst likewise he left it fully to the Lord to do there with as he should think fit, and to his Children to do what God should put in their hearts, and according as his holy Providence should permit.  
The Lord having already caused him to give a great and manifold witness of his grace and the goodness of his ways towards him, he found good at the end, and whilst my worthy Brother was at the Hague, for the most part to keep him in a state of silence or speaking little, having gotten a dry cough, and which was very incommodious to him as soon as he spoke, constraining him as wholly to gather himself together within himself before God, and to consume himself in silence and simplicity of heart as a lamb upon God's altar, or as a burning lamp which did breath out all her strength upward, to God and to Jesus his King and Saviour. Which did not hinder but that from time to time he constrained himself to utter, as there was opportunity, that which he felt of God, of his love, and of his holy Mysteries Which, once he said, were so lively and purely printed upon his heart by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, as if they were there written in great and very legible letters. He added there to, I knew before the same truths by education, and afterwards by study; but all what God doth not imprint by his Spirit is instable, and may be overturned witha shadow. Upon an other occasion he said, Humility is a very essential grace; it is better than all raptures of the senses. He said to one who came to visit him in his great weakness, Our breath indeed is between our lips, and it is the Lord truly that keepeth it there. This person speaking to him of the study of Divinity in respect of the office of preaching, he said unto him very sensibly: There is need of a special grace, and afterwards of a calling from God, and than yet God must support under such a burden. For the decay of the Church is much come from thence that men without the Spirit, and those which have not been called thereunto of the Lord, have been brought upon the pulpit. He added to it, It is certain if one doth well consider what this holy office doth require, and God not giving special measures of his Spirit, that in steed of addicting oneself thereunto, one should rather go and devil in a wood or a wilderness, even as divers holy men have formerly done. And there upon he told him something which he had known and practised by his own experience, until the Lord had obliged him to follow and to serve him in the work of the ministry, which he had laid upon him for his Kingdom and for his glory.  
That day he spoke something more than ordinarily, but he found himself much wearied in the evening, being taken with a general cold and much weakness. And as they would give him something for his refreshment and to pass the night the better, he said: Must one do so much for a body that is already half dead, and that which I shal● lay down so speedily? A little after it seemed as if he was taken with some sleep, but the cough coming upon him and continuing for two hours, did hinder him from sleeping. Yet afterwards being aske● how he found himself, he said, Ver● well, with a joyful mind and heart● contentment, yielding himself again to the arms of the Lord, and expecting from him the rest which h● should be pleased to give him the remaining part of the night. And th● Lord gave him such rest, that h● found himself in the morning to b● much refreshed.  
The next evening composing himself to rest, the cough hindered him from sleeping, even as it did ordinarily; and for as much as they woul● stay with him to help him in what h● might have need of, he refused it saying: The Lord and I alone, that goet● always best. The more one will do t●● worse it goeth. Yet he coughed tha● night very much, almost without sleeping any thing; and because they were something troubled that he had been left alone, he answered sensibly: The Lord being present is not that enough?  
The Saturday having wearied himself much, 
The 15. of F●bru.  he likewise slept little at night. But he wondered that he found himself not to be more faint for it. Yet finding himself weaker after that he was risen, he said with quietness of mind and inward contentment of heart: It will not continued long. These days will show what the issue will be. And when they did confirm it to him, he shown himself to rejoice much at it, saying: O what a good thing is it to see that the Lord is near by? He can come at all hours, and I do also expect him at all times.  
On the Sunday he desired that they should writ to Mr. Bardewisch and his wife, 
The 16.  to entreat them that they should be pleased to come to see him for the last time, if it could be done without great inconvenience. Furthermore he did with much affection admonish a person who was with him To be very faithful to the Spirit which the Lord had begun to give to her, well to die to herself, to live more than ever in the presence of God, and to give herself as anew again to Jesus Christ and his Work: and further recommending her to writ to me the feeling of her heart.  
Our Sister's van der Haer ask him whether he had not any thing in particular to tell them, he answered them: I leave you in the hand of God and of his Spirit. You know that it is much our course to leave and recommend souls to God. His Spirit will lead you, and in his time teach you all things. Refer yourselves to him, and he will do all things well. Give yourselves more than before to God and his Work, and take my worthy Brother for your Father. The Lord will take care for his Work. He hath no need of me, and he will increase his grace in others to the enlargement of his Kingdom & glory. Let us leave God to do it, for he will do all well. The same evening his Cousin coming to visit him, and showing himself to be sad to see him in that state, he said to him, It is the state in which the Lord putteth me, to 'cause me to draw near to him. Likewise I do embrace the same with love. Our life indeed here is transitory, and it is ●●ry just that we should bestow it wholly for him and for his glory. Whereupon he took leave of divers as making himself ready to go from time to eternity, and from the world to God to whom his heart went forth without ceasing.  
The next day Doctor Helvetius being come to visit him, 
The 17.  he found him very weak, so that he said perhaps the Lord will shortly make that great change. Whereunto our worthy Brother did answer, That it was to him very acceptable news: and furthermore talked much with him of that contentment which the Lord gave him, seeing his end to be so near by; for the rest thanking him for his affection and care and exhorting him to live the remainder of his days for the Lord. After which he wished to him the blessing of God upon his person & his family. In the evening our worthy brother Mr. Bar● dewisch and his wife being com● from Amsterdam, their presence was such a great joy to him, that h● seemed as to receive a new life and new strength, because his affection to them was very tender, even a● likewise theirs towards him had been very real and effectual.  
On Tuesday morning he was better, 
The 18.  and ask what kind of wethe● it was, when he heard that it continued to though, and that the Zouthsea was already open, so he informed himself if there was any means, i● the Lord should give him more strength, to bring him to Amsterdam that he might go from thence to Friesland if God thought it fit. And being told that there was, the way from the Hague to Amsterdam being grown very soft by reason of the snow, he rejoiced thereat saying, tha● he had yet courage to betake himself upon the journey if the Lord would, although, said he, I have referred all this to him. I thought not but to remove out of this life; and should the Lord yet be willing to give me that comfort to see my worthy Brethrens and Sisters, which in truth would be one of the greatest to me, which I should be able to desire here below? If than the Lord is thus purposed we must fit ourselves accordingly, yea and make some haste. The Doctor and Chyrurgent found it not unadvised, saying contrarily that the complying with a harmless desire of a sick person many times could 'cause great alteration for good. Against noon it seemed as if he had gotten more strength and even to eat with some appetite The Doctor likewise than took his last leave of him, and our worthy Brother exhorted him again very affectionately that he should live for God and his glory, wishing hearty to him the blessing of the Lord. The L●dy of Ouwerkerk, who had so continually showed towards him her tender and careful love being come to visit him, and the black more that serveth her, ask how it was with him, he let him come in to ask him, whether he had not felt any thing of God in his heart. On which the black more answering, that for some years since he was become a Christian, than said he unto him: This is not the thing that I ask you, for if you do not deny the affections of the world & love the Lord Jesus in truth, all your profession of being a Christian will not help you. And it is not Baptism in water that saveth us, nor the profession that maketh a Christian. Those whom God maketh such, he giveth them a heart which in the ground seeketh nothing else but him, and that loveth not the things of this world: and this is it whereof I ask if you have felt any thing. Further earnestly admonishing him to pray the Lord that he might be pleased to give him that precious grace.  
In the evening being much tired he said:" This is a day of much weary somness, I can not much more. Also it was nine at clock before he could betake himself to rest. After supper all but in their passing by having taken their leave of him, not to trouble him any more, he remained till midnight sitting up to his bed coughing continually, without being able to put down his head, but he began again to cough more than ordinarily. And for as much as that continued long, & as they saw that he could not be in a condition the next day to go for Amsterdam if it continued so, he said divers times with great heart stirring motion. Let the Lord do what ever he will, it shall be well. Afterwards having desired that every one should take their rest, than he laid himself down in simplicity of heart in the ●rms of God and of his Fatherly bo●om, and fell a sleep. But the person ●hat remained about his bed, heard speedily that his sleep was not ordinary but very heavy, where upon one of our Sisters van der Haer arose to ●ook after him, who found his face much altered; and yet having wa●ed him, our worthy Brother said ●nto her, That he found himself reasonably well. I found myself, said he, stronger than yesterday: so he was left to slee● again. But seeing it was as before, 〈◊〉 was thought not without reason tha● this might likely cause some change● Than our worthy Sisters both bein● come to him they found his hands t● be cold, & sweated to lay upon his face 〈◊〉 and withal they saw, as soon as the● spoke to him, that he was filled wit● the sense of the Lords coming near t● him, whereby he cried out as bein● transported with an unspeakable joy 〈◊〉 O good & most lovely Jesus, art thou so ne●● to me, what love, O my Lord, O eternal love, what goodness dost thou not show to m● What infinite mercy dost thou not show 〈◊〉 me, O my God, that thou comest so speedi●● to my soul to receive & take it into thy bosom● O beloved eternity! In this going out 〈◊〉 his heart & spirit he spoke yet dive●● other the like words, which are no● remembered, as also many other● which upon divers occasions he hat● uttered with great affection of hear●  
These last in a special mann●● could not be all remembered because they were employed to give hi● what necessary help they could, i● this unexpected and extraordinary weakness. One of our Sisters van der Haer telling him, well my Brother you go to our God, and to Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who cometh to take you to himself; he answered with an excellent stirring motion of heart and mind: O what an infinit● happiness! And speaking to her, he asked, whether she had given notice of his ●●te, and understanding that she had done it he was well satisfied, and coming again to him who possessed his heart, and who did wholly take him to himself, he said with a holy joy, and as in a spiritual exultation: O chat love, lovely Jesus! What a wonderful love is it not, that he vouchsafeth to take sinners to himself? Being asked whether he was not in anguish, he answered, Not in the lest; and our Sisters entreating him to tell them whether he found not any particular unease, he answered, Not, but I feel a power of weakness which ceaseth upon m● and leadeth me to God. They desired him to take a little cordial, which was at hand. But he had trouble to take it, desiring to have taken a little beer: But our Sisters telling him that perhaps he would be something strengthened thereby, and be able the better to speak to them he consented to it and took it with simplicity. But because his arm being already grown stiff, he brought his hand higher than his mouth, and had need to have it to be directed. Having taken that which was desired, and being asked whether he yet knew the persons, he answered no. But his heart going out always to Jesus the beloved of his soul, his tongue had yet strength enough to bosom out these words: O infinite goodness! O eternal happiness! O what love is it, that Jesus draweth near to us, and at the last receiveth us into his glory! Not being able to proceed, by reason of his weakness that overwhelmed him, and which did 'cause him to draw near to his full deliverance, and one of our Sisters telling him, that a ravishment of love besides a power of weakness did take him away to God, he than nodded with his head that it was so, and enforcing himself, he spoke yet these words, Let the Lord do. Where upon stretching himself out, he fell a sleep a little while after, in the arms of the Lord sleeping the sleep of the righteous, entering into that eternal rest which God hath prepared for his favourites, and from that time enjoying that eternal and unchangeable joy, where with the Lord Jesus hath decreed in his unspeakable love to fill all his faithful servants. And in this simple and pure manner and so full of feeling he is gone to God, and into his most blessed and happy bosom: he hath given up his soul to him, in the spirit of this tender and thankful love; and in that impression of this unspeakable and glorious joy, which is proper to the Children of God and those who go to behold the face of their Father, hath he left the world and all what is here below, to be fully and eternally united with God and Jesus Christ his Lord and Saviour.  
I have not purposed to give notice of those graces which God had communicated to our very worthy an● blessed Brother, otherwise than only by propounding that which I hav● related concerning him in this description; and I believe that thos● who shall read it in simplicity, wil● there by in some measure perceive● what spirit it was where with Go● had endowed him, and sufficiently see that light which God had powre● out into his soul, the purity whe●● with he had filled his heart, th● strength and patience which he hat● shown so much in all his torments his constant love to the will of God and how he embraced and receive● the same in all what happened, hi● intimate union with Christ Jesus his tender love for souls, his faith fullness always to bring them again t● God, his perfect resignation of tha● which with the most ground and th● most innocency he did love, th● deep humility which was so very ●minent in him, even to the end; th● joy where with he is passed through the valley of the shadow of death unt● ●e eternal day of glory, and lastly ●e simplicity of spirit and heart, ●herein he hath finished the last time ●f his transitory life on earth. God ●ad before that caused all those other ●●aces and virtues, which were gifts ●f his precious love to his soul, ●uch to appear in him; but in the ●●d he would show them all in a spexhall manner under this property of a ●●vine simplicity, which is so pure, essential, and lovely, and so un●●own to human virtue and spirit, ●hich is nothing else but formal circumstantial and custom, even than ●hen he is most naked and empty of be truth of the matter. Likewise all ●●ose, that do well belong unto the ●ord and who at all times are not ●●ly prepared to go to him, but likewise do above all things long for 〈◊〉, these have not so much need to prepare themselves for this last hour, 〈◊〉 is thought, that which is the fulfilling of all their wish and longing ●nd which they have so many times even as prevented by a lively faith and upright love. Therefore it was that Jacob and the other Patriarches, Dav●● and other Saints, although they liure under an administration which h●● much of terror and fear in it, a●● especially Stephen and the fir●● Christians, did look upon death 〈◊〉 it came with so much peace and joy●● and embraced it with so much simpl● city of heart. They fell asleep in ●●lence, and without making mu●● noise, in the arms of God and of J●sus their Saviour, even as this mo●● happy soul hath done, who said sometime before her passage to eternity that she found herself as a sheet of p●per flying in God's air, and th●● was ready to turn itself whithersover the Lord would upon the lea●● puff of his wind, whether it was 〈◊〉 live or whether to die or to chang● place, leaving itself with joy to h●● Divine pleasure, to move it an● drive it before his eyes as he shoul● found it good. The good pleasure 〈◊〉 the Lord was to translate him for eve●● into his rest, leaving to us a speciale example of Christian suffering and 〈◊〉 lively instruction how we must carryall all sorts of crosses and torments. And yet this was as hidden from this humble and pure soul: so that a certain person coming to visit him, and who seemed to be touched with that Spirit in which she saw him suffering, saying to him one time, you are indeed to us an example of suffering, ●he answered her very affectionately indeed an imperfect example. Take that of Jesus Christ which is perfect.  
The Lord had bestowed upon my worthy Brother a very special grace for the helping of souls, and to lead them in his true ways, which he knew by a lively and special experience. And this was that which made him when he spoke of them to speak thereof with so much heart, with so much light, and with so much liveliness, as that it made the truth to enter into the ground of hearts and souls. He was very good and tender about them, and withal he was very faithful to them, and did proceed to work, as there was need, with a great strength and steadfastness of spirit. His zeal for their true good did burn him inwardly and he took so trul● part with every one's state, that i● was seen indeed that he suffered wit● them that suffered, did humble himself with sinners, and did rejoice with those whom God did comfort joining himself hearty with every one to help him to bear his burden th● better. I will say no more of it, and 〈◊〉 do not say even this little, but only for such as have not known him: fo● those which have conversed with hi● have no need of it; and the impression which they have of that which th●● Lord hath laid in this vessel, is indeed much greater than that which I hav● here said to the glory of God, shal● be able to give to those others.    

ADVICE.  
HAving thus far related the last words and Dispositions of such of us, who are happily deceased, of whom we have kept more particular remembrance; we shall now say something yet concerning those whom God before them hath taken to himself, although many times we have but little to produce about them, because than we did not consider the public use which might be received there by, yet however that which we shall say concerning these, shall be as certain and faithful as that which we have related concerning those others to the glory of God & the good of his Elect. The life which God hath caused these faithful souls to live, of whom we shall now speak, could not otherwise but be crowned with a lovely & blessed death, which was for them only that great step which thus they have made to the true life, which they enjoy with Jesus Christ for ever and ever.  

The state and last Dispositions of certain persons whom God hath taken into his rest sin●ce the year 1672. until the year 1680  
THe first person whom God wa●ple ased from amongst us to deliver perfectly, 
Deceased in the year 1672. in the month of February.  was our Sister Margare● Cornelis Kruick of Gorcum, who formerly served with Master Teling, and dwelled with him in all the exercisi● of piety, which he performed in hi● house. The first inclination which she got to the work of the Lord among u● was when she dwelled at Rotterdam, with people who did hear with great savour the truths of a Christian life, by us propounded; and because she gave them some trouble, by tying herself after a human manner to divers things in which men frequently do make godliness to consist, although it doth not consist therein, they desired me to talk with her about it. Which I did according as I saw that her state did require: where by she got so much light, and was touched so lively that she from that time ●ook a course which was quite other wisezealous, upright and essential. And feeling what it was to worship and to adore God in spirit and truth, ●he was much bend and inclined unto those means which God made use of to enlighten her and to touch her heart. She was more faithful than her Master and Mistress, and went before them in the way of the Lord, who themselves took pain to keep her at Rotterdam when God called us to Herfort, and she found herself inwardly pressed to come there. God made use of one person, who disposed her Mistress so as to let her go; who shortly after himself was to her a hindrance & temptation besides others. But nothing was able to move her, nor to disturb her. She said, The whole world shall not be able to hold me. I found not only feet to go thither, but also wings to fly. Now being come to Herfort God did work so visibly and powerfully in her soul, that the work of Christ did quickly manifest itself in her, so that in testimony thereof in a little time we acknowledged her for a member of his Church amongst us. Her zeal made her untired in the service of God, and of his Children. Nothing was painful to her. Nothing was to much to her; and that was seen in her which once a holy man said concerning pure love, That she doth not know what painfulness & heaviness is, that she can not endure the name thereof, and will not have a man to speak of it. Her readiness to every will of God was very special. Sometimes in such occasions which were some trials, she said: every will of the Lord is good, and there is no difference. She did frequently enjoy a great peaceableness of mind, and an unspeakable truly heavenly joy. The Lord disposed it so that she was one of the first amongst us who was to make a journey for Holland. And for as much as at that time the world and evil men were as enraged against that work which God through his grace did form amongst us, therefore on that side we had not a little to suffer, as also of many who being helt for pious and good, were possessed with a blind and bitter zeal against that which they knew not, or even would not know. But God strengthened her in a special manner, and made her to stand fast against all. Her friends would not suffer her to dispose of her goods, which she perceiving, suffered them to keep the same without looking any more after them: and so she returned to the place where her heart was, and where God in such aspeciall manner had caused her to behold his glory, as she did writ in a letter to one of her friends. And because afterwards she went with great paces forward to wards the mark of her heavenly calling, it was told her in one of our examinations, that the Lord prepared her for to enjoy much communion with him: which God did quickly afterwards fulfil, translating her into his heavenly Kingdom. She was taken with a very burning hot fever, when we were yet at Herfort, which took her away in few days. She did suffer with much love, and referring of herself to the will and pleasure of God. It is the Lords will, said she, and likewise mine. And perceiving that the Lord drew near, than she said with great joy: I am passing over unto life; should not I than rejoice? She had much in her heart and mouth the words of one of our songs, 
In a book called Holy Songs p. 90.  in which the soul speaketh to God thus:  
O thou who art my dearest Love,  
It is my whole desire,  
On thee to place my heart above,  
alone with love entire.  
The sense of her sins which God had given to her, whether they were those which she had committed in the ways of the world, or in the ways of those that are ordinarily devout, was oftentimes very lively present with her. But her trust in Christ Jesus, and her burning love towards him consumed all. And in this disposition she went over to him, being about 24. years old, that she might for ever be united with him.  

In the month of April.  The second person whom God through his grace hath taken up into his glory, was our Brother Laurence Autein, born at Paris in France, but who lived for the most part at Middleburgh in Sealand. He was a book-binder by his trade, and from his youth he had endeavoured to serve God in some uprightness of heart. One of our Brethrens by the Providence of the Lord coming to his shop and speaking with him, his heart was touched there by, and feeling himself drawn to give himself wholly over to the Lord, we therefore a little while after at his earnest request took him into our house, being assured in himself that there he should found great helps and means to live unto God, in that faithfulness which his Spirit requireth and his word prescribeth to us. His natural disposition was something disadvantageous to him and did give him oftentimes trouble. But the Lord granting to him much faithfulness of heart, and a lively hatred against that which is evil, with an inward desire that in all things he might please God, yet not withstanding he continued steadfast unto the end in his way, and was always a comfort to us. He loved the Children of God with a tender love, and was very faithful, and gave strictly heed to all what was committed unto him, being careful of that which was of the Lord truly through his love. And for as much as he was as yet to stay at Amsterdam, with two of our Brethrens, when we went for Herfort, he afterwards received the comfort to come to us and to enjoy communion with this body of Christ, whereof his grace had made him a true member: but a wasting and pining ague, which turned into a consumption, did not long afterwards take him out of this world. And because the most of us were to devil at Zonderens, being a contry-house near by Herfort, he was desirous to be brought thither, not withstanding his weakness: and being come thither he was very glad that he might die in the midst and as it were in the arms of those with whom God had made him one heart and one soul both for time and eternity. And likewise God did soon hear his desire, and delivering him from all his sufferings he translated him eternally into his happy rest.  
The third person, whom God took from the midst of us to him whilst we were yet at Zonderens, was our Brother Samuel Spikershoff, of middle-burgh, a Baker by his trade, he had been as yet a little while amongst us, when the Lord took him away: yet this happened not until he had done his work in him in a very visible and special manner. Our brother D. his brother in law, having spoken with him divers times, at middle-burgh of the work of the Lord among us, he felt thereunto such an inward inclination, that he could not stay so long till his Brother in law was to departed, who likewise was about to come over with his household to us. God also by the effect did show that his time was short, seeing he took him to himself before his sister and brother in law were come to us. As for him the zeal which he shown to come thither, and the joy which he felt at his departure were not to be uttered. Day and night he was full of this desire, and the hope which he had that God would 'cause himself to be found of him in the midst of his Children, and to communicate himself to him, by those special means which in his love he gave amongst them, this did even transport him beyond himself, and out of all other things. On this subject he did often times sing with a lively feeling of heart the words of David Psalm 27.  

My heart would faint but that in me, 
I had sainted, if I ha' not be eeved that I schould see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.   
This hope is fixed fast:  
The Lord God's good grace shall I see,  
In life that ay shall last.   
God did hear the desire of his soul, and in his good Providence did bring him to Herfort, where presently he came to his heart to do his work there in, to the great comfort of us all. The inclination which he had to that which God did amongst us, had already begun to draw of his heart from the world, and from himself. But when he did see and hear nearby that whereof the Lord had given him so much impression whilst he was afar of, than he felt quite an other thing in his soul. Besides although he did not live long amongst us, yet the Lord even some time before his death gave witness that he was in a frame to be admitted into the number of members of his Church amongst us; and we were just ready to acknowledge him for such, when he was suddenly taken sick, and shortly afterwards he died of that sickness. But what could not than be done according to the ordinary manner, and expressly in the assembly of the Church, this was fully testified unto him in his sickness. In which God did perfect our comfort, and did very completely enlarge the work of his grace and mercy in him. And because before his sickness divers things were to be done, he therefore did betake himself to all whatsoever the Providence of God did lay before him, with such a love and courage of mind, being supported by his zeal towards God, that we could not choose but be very much touched with it, and moved to give thanks to God for that heart where with he enabled him to do all things, and for that holy forgetfulness of himself which did most manifestly appear in his whole conversation. When some times we shown some admiration at his great readiness to take upon him, and to do all whatsoever did occur, he said with a great deal of simplicity and humility: I would willingly be as Samuel, & be able to say with him in all things, speak Lord for thy servant heareth. We going for Zonderen, he remained some while with certain others at Herfort, for something which he had yet to do there. And although this did not hap without some denial of himself, yet however it was with his accustomed embracing of the will of the Lord, which he followed in all things with great love. But when he came to us in the country, whereon the one side he found himself discharged from the conversation with the people of this world, with whom he had to do in the city, and on the other side where he could as it were breathe in the pure and free air of the house of God, he said with much feeling, it is as if I was no more on earth. Neither was he there long, for presently being taken sick in a short time he passed over to heaven. Applying himself sometimes to the Lord Jesus we heard him uttering these words, my Father, teach me thy ways and finding himself at the point of going to him, he was than as wholly transported with that joy unspeakable and full of glory, whereof the Apostle Peter speaketh to the Faithful.  
He had a great and truly Christian love to the Children and servants of the Lord in common; but he shown to have a very special and tender affection for that great and faithful servant of God Mr. de Labadie as being the special instrument, where by his spirit was pleased to do so much good both to him and us. We never heard him complain in his sickness. His heart was always well at peace: it praised and blessed God without ceasing. The holy and inward joy of his mind did appear in his face, and gave to him as it were a heavenly countenance, and it did imprint something that was divine in all those who saw him and spoke with him: seeing he had many visits, not only because he loved it much, but because one could never go away from him but with comfort and joy for the grace which God did bestow upon him. One bringing some thing to him for his refreshment, he took it with acknowledgement and humility, speaking these words, Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Having need to be kopped, and he who kopped him, not being well experienced there in, he caused him much pain; but he suffered it with a laughing mouth and special patience. And when he saw that the happy instant was even come, that he should departed this world, and pass over to God, he asked if his brother in law was not yet come, and having understood that he was not come, he spoke with great assurance of faith, than I shall see him here after, for in my father's house are many mansions. Being full of the glory of Christ, he would some times cry out with love and gladness, Jesus is King. He shall rule, and his Children shall see it and rule with him. Being asked whether he was not contented with what God did, and would do to him, he answered ●ea with all my heart. And seeing he was just at his end, we presented him again before the Lord in prayer, and saw him to join with a right godly zeal in what was spoken to God. He died in prayer, although at the beginning he himself uncovered his head with the others showing his reverence for God. Thus this most blessed soul fell asleep in his arms.  
The Lord having taken to himself at Altena by Hamborrow Mr. de Labadie, whom indeed he had given to us for a Father, in that comfortable manner as shall be seen elsewhere; our Sister Elizabeth Sluiters was the fifth person amongst us, 
In the year 1674 in the month of October.  whom God took up into his full rest. She having been a long time estranged from the true and lively knowledge of God, was touched by the Spirit of God at Wesell being the place of he● birth. And after she had felt a grea● smart for her former life, and an overwhelming of her heart by reason of the weight of her sins, she also in some measure had tasted the sweetness and loveliness of grace, God causing her some times very lively to feel his presence. Yet for as much as thi● did not continued long, and she found afterwards trouble with herself, and that she was burdened with the burden of the world, and of her own corruptions, she was glad to hear that which God did amongst us at Amsterdam. Coming there and finding that which her heart did seek, she could not leave it, but went with us to Herfort: from whence she went some time afterwards to wesel, being full of joy because of that great grace which God had bestowed upon her in bringing her in the midst of his Children. She quickly returned again with full approbation of her parents to consecrated herself to God more than ever before, and to addict herself to his service. Some time afterwards God came to her soul in some special manner and communicated himself to her in love, so as that it continued with her for the most part till the time of her death. This made her commonly to be of such a quiet heart, and so joyful of spirit, so full of the praise of God, as that we could say that it was continually in her mouth, and lastly very thankful for those great and good things which Christ Jesus is come to obtain for his people. When we were come to Altena, she advanced so much in light, in pureness of heart, in spiritual discretion, in forgetting and losing of herself, and in love of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord, that we saw her as wholly to flow away in him and to burn with his divine flame. Before she was taken sick, she was much inclined to walk upon our Churchyard, there seeking and often times finding him whom her heart loved, & lifting upher soul to him from that place, which she considered as that which should be the place in which her body was to be kept. God purely & alone took her to himself, & did as it were snatch her from herself. She said some times, One single sight of ourselves, or care for ourselves doth some time's cause God's face to be hidden from us. It is a partition-wall between God and our souls. Some of us admiring to see her to be so simple and without care, there upon she said: I can not trouble myself about what is to come. This I leave and trust to my God, and to Jesus my Lord. for the present time I am only busy with one only thing, and this thing is God. And me thinketh that this one thing is enough, as the Lord Jesus hath said. She found herself to be much drawn up to God, by the means of that song, beginning thus, O Divine Possessor of my soul etc. 
Holy So●ngs p. 250.  in which is described a very pure and divine state of the soul. She sung like wise with great affection an other, in which are found these words.  
O perfect All! 
Ibid. p. 4.  O fullness of all bless! O highest good, and supreme happiness! O thou my God, how full must I needs be, when in my heart, I have obtained thee! She had furthermore a great inclination to one of our Decades in the 3. exercise, in which there is set forth a general lifting up of the mind to the Holy Trinity; and she was penetrated with a lively sense when she did sing out those pure expressions, as likewise the words of our Holy Poems, which begin thus;  
O adorable God, inflame my heart with love,  
To see thy Face with Joy, 'cause me to long for thee.  
thou to embrace alone, lift up my soul above,  
That having thee O God, I satisfied be. Which words did often times very much stir her heart, and did so draw her up to God, that her soul like that of David did sometimes faint in the outgoings of her heart to him who drew it, and who caused it to burn and to faint with love in his presence.  
She used to say sometimes, If one could one would willingly power out the grace which God hath showed to us, into the souls of our neighbours. But Jesus himself must power it out that in truth it may be his work. She said on some occasion, How can any one resist the will of God, after that it is once known? What is to be said when God declareth that he will have a thing to be done by us? We have to do no more but to love to do that lovely will of his. And further she said, It is God who chooseth and maketh our way for us. He is master of our heart and his Spirit worketh there in according to his good pleasure. She had a very lively and pure impression of the work which God had form amongst us, and she could not sufficiently express her thankfulness, that he was pleased to grant her some share there in. God being willing to take her to himself, sent her a kind of consumption, or a pining and very painful sickness; and seeing the same did continued long, therefore the remainders of her corrupted nature, which were yet in her, and which God would mortify & take away before he took her into his glory, by the means thereof had occasion to enlarge itself. So that in some cases not having been faithful enough to the Spirit of patience and purity, which the Lord ●ad caused her to feel so very much, ●●e therefore found ourselves necessiated earnestly in faithfulness and ●ove to propound this to her. Which ●e received with so much faith and compliance, that from that time we ●aw her a fresh to go in the Spirit of a ●ively and earnest repentance, which from day to day made her more acceptable to God, and more precious ●o his whole House. She said, I am ●●so●med before the face of the Lord. O how ●ath he caused the truth to be told to me! 〈◊〉 found myself there by as wholly again enlightened, and so disburdened that it is as ●f an infinite burden was taken away from my heart. O what great sinner am I! She said with great tenderness, My God if thou shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared. The 86. Psalms, Bow down thine ear O Lord etc. was than likewise oftentimes in her mouth and in her heart. Even as She always hath had a special impression of the greatness of Christ his suffering, so likewise than she was in a special man● there with affected, hearty taking her refuge to the same, and being 〈◊〉 wholly and throughly penetrated with it. She could than have bee● contented to suffer, not only as 〈◊〉 Christian, and as the image 〈◊〉 Christ, but as a penitent sinners whose portion is humility and smar● She said, I would yet very willingly suff●● more, with great tenderness, finding that this was so much due to he●●▪ Therefore she thought that she wa● not yet to die, not believing that he● full redemption was so near by, and that her suffering was so near to a●● end. But the Lord causing us to se● that her dissolution drew near, there upon we declared to her this good message, which she received in faith, from that time not doubting but God would speedily take her to himself. Likewise there was seen instantly a pure and lively joy to spread itself all over her, with a fervent longing that she might speedily go unto Jesus her Lord and Saviour. It appeared to her as if heaven was opened already. The day of eternity, where there should be no night any more, did ravish her away. The joy which there she was to have, in singing without ceasing to the praise and glory of Jesus Christ, transported her. She did entreat that the Song concerning the happy death of the faithful might be sung unto her, that which is found in our Holy Songs, joining herself there with very much, and thereby elevating herself up to God, and to Christ her King and Redeemer, with much faith and affection. We ask her what she would repay unto him in demonstration of her thanks, for all the good that she had received from him? Hereupon she answered me with a joyful countenance and with much appearance of the spirit, An eternal love. And when she could speak not more and yet understood what we said unto her, she did show forth even unto her last breath, that she had such a lively and lovely impression thereof that we could not but rejoice there at, and praise God for that visible and unusual enlargement of his life in her. In this state she yielded up her soul into the hands of God, leaving after her amongst us the good savour of Christ our Lord. She passed over unto him after she had lived here below about 23 years.  

In the year 1675. in the month of September.  The sixth person which died amongst us was our sister Sarah Moot, who having spoken with some of our sisters in the Hague did found herself to be so drawn to the work of the Lord among us, that she could not resist that attraction, but must follow it though she loved her parents very much, and was likewise loved very much by them. Certain persons sought to make her to change her resolution, but by their talking she was the more confirmed, that amongst us she should found those help 〈◊〉 which she felt that she needed, for to be made known to herself, & to serve God in spirit and in truth. She came than to us whilst we were at Altena; & I speaking with her she said to me, that she was come for no other end but because she hoped to found God amongst us, and in the best and purest manner to be lead to him, being assured, said she, that amongst us the pure doctrine was taught, and believing that the true self-denial was there more pressed & better practised than elsewhere, & if she found not that, she would than go and seek it elsewhere. I loving her openheartedness, and having received her into the house, to ●ee what God would work in her, he gave us comfort not long after by what he did in her. At the first she was something resolute in manners & fashion, and naturally bold: but this did quickly altar. And she felt that God had made her perfectly to found that which she had sought for. Since that first time till her death she never looked back to the world, which once she had left, neither thought she on any other thing, being filled by degrees more and more with the sense of thankfulness for that grace which God had showed to her not withstanding her nothingness, cor●●ption and unworthiness: for thus she spoke of herself. I had indeed much ●●ed, said she, to be humbled, for I was a gr●●t sinner, and God hath brought me to his House to let me see it. Once the Lor● convincing her that the work of grac● was not yet done in her, even as sh● had to soon believed. She was s● much moved therewith, that it ca● not be sufficiently expressed, speaking with much feeling: Is it not 〈◊〉 dreadful thing not to be a true Christian 〈◊〉 and consequently as yet to be alienated from God and his true communion? To have bee● so long his enemy, is not this a thing t● shake and tremble at it? Her parent● seeing that she continued with us 〈◊〉 doubted not but that she had foun● there that which her soul had so muc● sought after; being assured, as they afterwards said, that nothing els● was able to keep her. God by hi● grace gave her a spirit of very grea● simplicity. Her love to repentance and mortification of herself did visibly extend itself in her. She knew not how she should sufficiently acknowledge the goodness of God▪ that he gave her means to wor● in that which was good, and fo● the Children of the Lord, when before she was forced to work in vain things for the world. Her obedience to God and to all what was told her from him, was a special comfort. Her modest, earnest and contented silence did edify much. Her patience in pains and torments was very great. Her love for the Lord Jesus Christ, and her readiness and willingness for those that are his, did never say it is enough: which I say without making it greater. And yet it seemed to her a little before her death, that she did almost nothing to testify her love to God and to his Children. Herself love being to her a great burden, because God gave her a lively feeling of it, she groaned continually to be delivered thereof, in what manner and by what way it should please the Lord to do it. All these virtues and graces did appear in a special manner when God had brought us to Friesland, & some time before he took her to himself, which happened about the 36. year of her ge. The inclination which than she felt to go to God through death, was very special, but she durst not hope that so great a good was so nea● at hand to her. She was but a littl● while sick, and could not endure that we should come to help and serum her in what she wanted, believing even almost to her end that she wa● strong enoug to help herself. No● when she saw that God did certainly call her to himself, she said wit● great acknowledgement, The Lor● answereth that sense which he himself dot● give. And not being able to contain her joy she sung how weaks oever sh● was, the words of the 119 Psalms, O God, which art my part and lot, m● comfort and my stay: etc. Afterwards she said, Now I do indeed believe tha● I am going to God. Her soul ther● seemed as to be swallowed up, losing all by his remembrance and in his presence. The Lord drawing yet nearer, she was than taken with a spirit of holy exultation, and singing for gladness: I shall follow the Lamb, said she, where soever it shall go, that Lamb which hath spilt his blood to purge my soul therein. And speaking to some one, she said, He is near by, is he not? When we had offered her up to the Lord, she desired that we would do so much as to sing the Song of Jesus Lamb and King, 
In our Holy Songs.  and yet an other, of the blessed death of the Children of God. And although she did tremble for weakness, yet she made them to give her the book, to sing with us, and sung yet keeping her spectacles upon her nose, with a strength of mind which far exceeded the weakness of her body. At the end she said I can see not more; and a little while after she gave up the ghost, being full of the love of the Lord Jesus, for whom she had a special tenderness.  

In the year 1676. in the month of May.  Our Sister Susanna Spykershoff, the wife of our brother Dankers, did follow her some time after. She came to us at Zunderen with her husband, leaving Middleburgh the place of her birth & habitation without any difficulty, & all her acquaintance, showing a great zeal to follow and seek God, to the place unto which she felt him to draw their hearts. The trials and dangers which they suffered were common to both of them; as also the grace which God in his love had showed to them both. Likewise were they at Altena both of them received for members of this body of Christ, and she gave to us much comfort, both by her common conversation, and by the purging out and renewing of her, which God from time to time wrought in her. She loved her husband very tenderly; but when God did call him to an other place to the service of his Work & Children, she embraced therein his will with much love: which in her was in a special manner edifying, seeing that before when she yet lived in the world, she was want to be much encumbered, when he was from home for to do their own affairs. God having visited her with great pains of the gravel & stone, whether at Bremen, whilst a part of our Assembly was there, or afterwards at Altena & here in Friesland, she hath been a special edification to his House by her courageous mind and patience, which was animated with the love of Jesus Christ. From whom she drew virtue and strength to suffer to his glory and worthily of him. She passed over to the Lord some days after she was delivered of her last Child. God being willing to try us by the danger where in we saw her when she was delivered, and the little appearance there was that she could be helped therein, yet however she was not there at astonished, but contrarily she herself did encourage that person who served her, referring all things fully to the Lord, even as she left and trusted herself to him. She said, The Lord is with us, that is enough, all things go well. She looked upon death with great quietness, and testified, that she never had found more rest and contentment as than. And for as much as she suffered great and excessive pains in her loins, which made her sometimes to lament something; she could not forbear to say, that it was not for any thing but the body, but, she said, That God was very good to her soul. Sometimes she said, That she was not able to express the love which she had for the Children of God: and yet we saw that she left them with joy, to go to their Father, who likewise was become hers in Christ. Being scars able to speak any more, yet she gave notice with what tenderness she took part in the conversion of a soul whereof she was told, in whom the grace of God had appeared in a special manner: and a little after she yielded up her spirit into the arms of the Lord, to rest therein for ever. The years of her age were 33.  
After her followed our Sister Catharin Rooland. 
In the year 1678. in the month of April.  She having lived a very bad life in the world, did partly by God's Providence, and partly by the motion of his Spirit come to us at Amsterdam; yet being very corrupted. Whilst she was there, God touched her heart, enlightened and humbled her, and laid in her some seeds of his grace which from time to time did lively show themselves, but also oftentimes were suppressed, darkened and assaulted by her corruption, and by a certain irregularity which was proper to her nature, and to which she had formerly given full liberty. The Lord at Herfort having showed something in her which was very pure and essential, she was there received for a member, after which returning again to herself, she was to us much sorrow, and did a long time exercise the long-suffering of the Lord; but at the last God was pleased to give us much comfort of her before he took her away. When he visited her with sickness, she told us, That she did believe that she should soon die, and that for some time she had a great impression in her heart that she should not live long any more, wishing herself, said she, that she might die, in hopes that God would than come more to her, and 'cause her more to feel his grace and mercy. She was very full of this mind, and of this hope, when God came to her to do in her as it was a miracle of his grace & power. It was after that she had been sick for some weeks, that the Lord did work very lively in her, and made her from time to time to utter divers words which did lively show what he did in her heart. The evening before she died, whilst we were at table, she prayed though being withered & dry, saying: My God leave me not I pray thee. Do not surprise me in my own spirit, nor in my sins. If thou shouldest forsake me satan should prevail over me, that enemy of my soul, who hath laid so many snares for me, and hath so much sought to bring me to ruin. He is an insatiably greedy one. He can not endure that one only soul shall serve God her Creator, though there are so many that serve him. Indeed, said she, I am a miserable one in all respects? and yet what violence hath he not used to have me? I have horribly suffered of him; but indeed it hath been by my own corruption. She cryedout, Lord, I have such a hard heart, I can not humble myself, I can not altar myself. If thou shouldest leave me I should grow impatient and froward. And a little after she said, I am not worthy to lay here upon a bed, I would feign lay upon the earth and die there. O how am I ashamed to see myself laying upon a bed, whereas the Lord Jesus, the Son of David and the Son of God, did die upon a cross. My God, give me a little of thy Spirit, in these my last hours: in these last hours, my God, be thou pleased to be gracious and merciful unto me. Having with much humility entreated, that we should pray for her, and the Lord afterwards being much drawn near to her soul, she said with much affection of her heart at night between two and three the clock, that her soul was is wholly illuminated, that the Lord was come to her, that he had opened her heart, that he had taken away the fear of death from her, which she two days before the last coming of the Lord to her, had felt. To which she added, The Lord hath heard the prayers of his Children for me. what a great mercy, what an unconceivable goodness, O my Gouvernour! O how well hath God done all things! I have sinned, I have sinned: forgive, forgive, O my God, cried she, with Manasse. At an other time she said, I feel that self love would willingly be in heaven, but it will never be able to come into it; nothing can come into it but by the pure love and the only infinite mercy of God, revealed unto us in Christ Jesus. I have formerly, said she, fallen into the water: God might have suffered me to be drowned therein; but he was not willing to surprise me in my ignorance, & in my sins. He hath kept me alive till this time. O how good is God, that he doth not close my mouth, but yet suffereth me that I may move my tongue to praise his mercy. The Lord hath kept me by him and his Work as with force, by the power of his truth, and help of his faithful Servants. If I was now in the world, deprived of those means which the Lord giveth me here, how miserable indeed would be my state! It is by an infinite mercy that God hath kept me at his Work. What should not I have been if I had been left to myself! Being sensible that she had oftentimes greeved the pure Spirit of God in his Children, she said, I am unworthy to speak any more to any one: I have deserved that I should be left to lay as a beast. I have been a prater in the House of the Lord. If God should restore me again to health, I aught to be the first that should keep silence, and the last to speak, and my voice aught not to be heard in his House. I must not speak but to ashame and condemn myself. Those whom God hath well purged, it fits them to speak: and not such a sinner as I am. My Brother Dulignon coming to her in the morning, she said presently that she was unworthy to see him, & ashamed that he came to her. She said, I am unworthy that a sanctified soul, a soul that liveth to God and serveth him, should speak with me, or that I should have the happiness to speak with it. I deserve to die, without having any to speak with me. I have given so much trouble, let none take any more for me. If God suffereth yet one word more to be spoken to me, that is nothing but mere mercy. We calling her with the name of sister, she answered me: I am unworthy to be so called, I dare not call you brother. She declared that she had great grief, because in her sickness she had not given more edification, and shown that she had taken to much care about her body, She said, that her state was to her as a mystery: that she knew not what to say of it, feeling both sin and mercy. God's mercy is infinite, it is infinite, cried she; my sins also are as infinitely great, which she repeated more than once. And afterwards she said, I am a creature an evil doer, and God is that Creator that doth good. O what great a grace is the grace of repentance! O if it pleased God to give me yet some time, that I might humble myself before his Children, and justify him! When they would give her a little wine, she said, I deserve to be drenched with my corruption, and am not worthy to enjoy a drop of water. when I spoke to her of praying to God that it might please him to receive her into his Divine hands: she answered, At his feet, for it is yet to great a grace that God endureth me at his feet, and sayeth not to me, departed hence. She said, I would willingly kreep into the dust at the feet of the creatures, to show how much I wish to cast myself down at the feet of the Creator. Men call themselves commonly Christians, but what great a matter is that indeed! My Brother Dulignon a little while after coming to her again, she said You come yet again to me, I am unworthy of it? but I love it much, feeling the good which it doth to my soul. I have given you both much trouble, but God will be your eternal reward. You have told me the truth in all things. The Lord hath now put me in a state to be as a bowl, which he rolleth where he william. I know now what that word meaneth which I have heard sometimes. She had said before That which the Lord doth in me, is that he enableth me to go to him, to give myself over to his freedom, & to throw myself down at his feet, until he himself shall thrust me away, if he in his adorable justice shall think it fit, as a thing that is not worthy to be touched with his hands. God will always be found just in his doing. One might perceive the anointing of the Spirit even so far as in her very words. She entreated every one to pardon her all wherein she had done amiss to them. She said, God cometh to purge his House and to cleanse it of such an unfaithful one as I be. My body being weak, I can not speak much to you. To which she added to one whom she exhorted to purge herself throughly and to be faithful to the Lord; But I speak to you as being before God, and going to appear before him. The Lord hath received me for a member of his Church, but I have not answered this grace. Likewise upon an other occasion she said, O how great a good is it to be able to do something in the House of the Lord, although it were only to gather some wood! She was flexible and brokenhearted, making resistance in nothing, and as a Child in all things what was told her, or desired of her. At the last she fell a sleep (being about 43 years old) softly, but with great humility in God, as a guilty soul, which casteth herself down at the feet of her judge, to hear her sentence to be given, feeling herself worthy of his judgement, & yet taking great refuge to his mercy, and the blood of Christ Jesus her great Redeemer. She said, Two sorts of souls go to God: penitent; and those that love: but I will be one of the first. Her countenance had something special after her death, & her soul went out so peaceably and quietly with the last words of the prayer, wherewith we presented her before God, that it was hardly perceived.  
Our worthy & blessed Sister Mistress Schurman being passed over into God's bosom, as will be seen in her life; thereupon our very worthy Sister Mrs. van der Haer, 
In the year 1678. in the month of July.  whose three daughters with her were members of this body of Christ, and whom we looked upon as a Mother, was happily delivered by death from all remainders of weakness. In the life of Mr. van der Haer her husband, even than she had but little inclination to the common course of the world, which was oftentimes burdensome to her. After his decease she gave her Children liberty to do according to their heart in what concerned the worship of God. She received us in her house at the Hague with much love and civility, though than as yet she had but little lively feeling & impression of that which God worketh in those that are his. She came to visit us at Amsterdam; at such a time when it pleased God to bring us into many trials. And yet than it was that the Lord began to give her a taste of his Spirit, giving her such an impression of his pure truth, that she was not sufficiently able to express it, and whereof the remainders a little while after were again powerfully stirred up and made lively. Two of her daughters with her approbation being come to us at Herfort, she came with the third, thinking after some time to return with them together; but she was so happy that God himself kept her there, and revealed himself in his grace and love to her heart. The Lord Jesus wrought so lively in her, that we saw in truth a soul as was that of Nicodemus to be regenerated and born again, which she likewise wanted much. She found herself than to be so inwardly and from the bottom of her heart united with this Church of Jesus Christ, whereof God made her a member, that she could not leave the same again: and the sense of thankfulness for the grace which God bestowed upon her in her last days, was so lively and tender in her, that we took often times pleasure to hear with what taste and fullness of heart she spoke thereof. She said, what a goodness is it that God hath so received me when I sought him not but lived wholly to myself! Some times she said, What a grace is it that God hath not cast of my weak and maimed members, but will yet use them for his service. Likewise she did bestow them to all whereunto she was fit, with such a zeal and love for God and his Children, that many times it hath very lively touched our hearts. She never refused any thing that was brought to her to do, and every one brought it willingly to her, because her great inclination to keep herself employed for the Lord and his Children was known. She was very tenderly sensible of that good which she did daily receive from the Lord, and she had such a love for the Lord Jesus his Kingdom and his glory, that one might see as it was a new life come into her, when she did but speak of it. Although she was of a very great age, yet she followed the Lord in his Work until the end with an admirable courage of mind. She came with us from Altena into Friesland, having otherwise never passed over the sea. And from hence she went for Holland, not withstanding her weakness, to take order about her business, and likewise being very willing to bear witness of that which God had done in her and caused her to found among his Children. After that she had taken order about all things according to the will of God she returned again, although they were willing to keep her at the Hague. After that she did wholly fix and centre herself upon God, leading a very Christian simple and holy life before his Face. I have many times been much comforted, seeing the light which was poured forth in her soul, and the faithfulness in which she walked through the Spirit before God and the face of Jesus Christ. Her peace and the contentment of her heart did agreed with the goodness of God towards her. She said, God hath called me at the last hour, and is it not a great goodness that it pleaseth him to give me the same reward, which those shall receive that have laboured the whole day. O said she, what cause have I to thank Tetje (so she called her eldest daughter) that she hath so faithfully helped me to come out of the world! Can I ever think that God had laid up such a great good for me, who have spent myself in the course of the world? O (said she speaking to her daughters) how happy are you that you are called even in your youth, by the Lord to his service. Seeing the love of the Children of God, who did behave themselves towards her as to their mother, she said with affection of heart, O how doth not God give a hundred fold, even in this life, when one hath lost all in his hands! God hath made me to lose my three children in him, but he hath given them to me again, and besides them yet so many others. Who would have believed, said she, that God should be so merciful even to those that sought him not? He causeth my sins to pass by before me, as if I were to see all in haste, for my time is short. She having found some adherence to a child of her daughter, she was afterwards wary that she might not suffer her heart to be taken up with an other, after that God had taken the first out of the world. She was very lose of her goods, and her neglect & forgetfulness of all what she had formerly were unusual. When God laid any diseases and pains upon her she bore them with a special strength yea and with such a silence, that we were afterwards astonished to see what she had suffered, without making any mention of it. God having granted a little while before her happy decease, that we did view the state of our souls (as we do the same from time to time, whether it be to praise him for his grace, or to stir ourselves up to greater faithfulness,) & divers admonitions in the assembly having been given to her, she did receive them with so much humility, love and earnestness, that we were in a special manner comforted and edified with her inward attention before God, and with the renewing of his grace, which wrought the same in her. Likewise after that she said, that now she had no more to do, and was ready to departed from hence, if God should call her. When God came to take to himself our worthy Sister Schurman, she said unto her with joy, I will soon follow you, worthy sister. Even as likewise happened, for the Lord did not stay long to call her to himself. She shown in her sickness, which took her away in few days, that she had a great feeling of her sins, which did humble her before God & his Children. She likewise shown a great confidence on Christ her Redeemer, and a great love to go and behold his Face; and she was as much assured that he should here on earth re-establish all things as if she saw it with her eyes. Some times she said, Children, I love you all very much, but when the Lord Jesus shall call me, O how glad shall I be to leave you! She prepared herself to suffer more; but God came to end her torments speedily, taking her to himself in a very easy manner, and to the great comfort of his Children. She said two days before her death, that she did consider herself as the sacrifice upon the altar, which expected the fire from heaven to consume it. And the morning before she went to God one of her daughters being willing to give her something for her refreshment, she said Give me not more, for it is fit that I should suffer some thing before I come to my end. Some one telling her there upon, your suffering will not continued long, for I hope that before night doth come, you will be in the day of eternity, she gave this answer, What, to enjoy it so soon! I have not yet suffered enough, Should I suffer not more? I had not thought that. And so she went as with open eyes to God in the 69 year of her age, looking on d●●ths coming with joy and groaning after it, and melting in tears of love, in the consideration of that great and eternal Good, which she was going to possess. Here with was she wholly full and penetrated, and we never spoke thereof, but we were comforted, and felt the anointing of the spirit in her with joy. She loved the Lord Jesus hearty. She had a great inclination to his cross, and she was as transported, when she thought on his sovereign Dominion, which now she doth contemplate, and enjoy to all eternity.  
The last person whereof we shall speak in this last description, 
In the same year in the month of September.  is Hester Teunis of Utrecht. This person had been very grossly and much affected to the world, covetous and very fast on all things. Because she found but little help in the ordinary means which she had, saying often times that she did wholly want some thing else, and came to speak with a person, who had been with us at Amsterdam, and communicating to her that which she had there received, she felt her heart to be touched in a special manner therewith. Having had opportunity afterwards to speak with two of our Sisters at Utrecht, she resolved to come to us, to see if God would show to her mercy and grace, and make her by his Spirit an other creature. And so she came and continued with us until God in his love hath taken her away from us. A little while after she came to us, her heart was so lively touched with those truths which she heard, and got such light about her state, that she never afterwards lost the impression thereof. Yet she had much to fight against and to conquer, before she could truly give herself over to the Lord. Her corruptions were strong and deeply rooted, but the hand of God was yet stronger to root them out. His truth was as a hammer, which did beaten to pieces her hard heart, his grace did mollify it, and his love did finally conquer it, and form it into an other heart. God made her lose of flesh and blood, of the world, and of the earth, of herself and of her most inward corruptions. He gave her a hatred against herself, and such a love for his truth and Children, who made the same known to her, and whom she saw to live according to it, that she could not resist the same. She was so much ashamed because of the goodness of God, who had brought her into his house, not withstanding her having been so notoriously earthly minded, and she was so taken up with the long suffering of his Spirit, who had so long endured her there, that she could not sufficiently express it. Likewise when she went amongst persons of the world, and she was told that we did not bear with souls, but were to severe, she did always propound herself for an example, to show the great forbearance which God in this his House did cause to be exercised, towards those who in some uprightness will die to themselves and the world. She did love to be discovered to herself, and did show a great acknowledgement thereof when in faithfulness we did help her therein. God from time to time gave her very purelight. She found herself to be sometimes much affected with his Divine presence, and to be thereby delivered from her temptations, or her own human thoughts. She did as it were drink in the truth and the good word of God, when she heard it in the assemblies. Her heart, said she, did continually say Amen to all what she heard. The Lord tried her soul sometime before she died, in a special manner humbling her before his presence, and causing her inwardly to feel a bitter smart for her sins which she had committed against him. She was especially sorry ashamed and greeved for those sins where by she had made herself guilty about the Work of the Lord by her own judgement, and was more sensible of this than she could tell. In her last sickness which she got after that she had helped our sister V with much love, she said with acknowledgement, God hath taken away all my care, which kept her in great rest before the Lord, who keeping her busy with his Goodness, made her to lose the thoughts and even the sense of her suffering. She took it in love, and in the spirit of true repentance, saying, that repentance was not so soon ended, and that she had great need to continued there in to the end. I feel, said she, within such a rest and peace that I can not express it. She cried out, what goodness, what power, that God hath made such a rebellious creature obedient unto him! She received with much humility the service which was done to her: and thanked the Lord Jesus for that he had brought her to this his Sheepfold, and that likewise he took her to himself from the midst of his Children. And so she fell asleep, even as we have all cause to believe, in his arms and bosom.  
FINIS.    

THE TABLE Of those whose general State and last Dispositions and words are related in this Book.  

Mistress Huyghens. 1  
Hilletje Hanses. 35  
Mistress Dulignon. 40  
Magdalene Henry. 61  
Mr. Dulignon. 90  
Margaret Cornelis Kruick. 220  
Laurence Autein. 224  
Samuel Spikershoff. 227  
Elizabeth Sluiters. 233  
Sarah Moot. 242  
Susanna Spykershoff. 247  
Catharine Rooland. 250  
Mistress van der Haer. 259  
Hester Teunis. 267   
The End of the Table.   

Errors to be corrected.  
Pag. 3: lin. 3, 4. read a Man of God. p. 5: l. 28. r. closing her eyes. p 8: l. 19 r. gave her. l. 26. r. breath. p. 11: l. 25. r. thoughts. p. 13. l. 21. r. but. p. 14: l. 2. r. who. l. 3. r. thee. p. 52: l. 14. r. i● l. 17. r. had. l. 21. r. he may be. p. 57: l. 1. r. himself. p. 68: l. 20. r. thought. p. 81: l. 2. for thereunto r. about that. p. 82: l. 9 r. faint. p. 105: l. 28. r. greater. p. 145: l. 22. r. whereas. p. 150: l. 1. r. whom. p. 179: l. 28. r. wholly. p. 187: l. 9 r. us. p. 209: l. 4. or to. r. in. p. 240: l. 1. r. manner.  
In the margin.  
Pag. 227: lin. 4. read In the same month.