more, that I may yield up my life for your souls. I call God to witness
in my soul, that I have not written this to seek glory from you. The
glory which is not seen, but believed on in the heart is enough for me.
Faithful is that God who hath promised, and he lieth not. But already in
this world I behold myself exalted above measure by the Lord. I know
very well that poverty and hardship suit me better than wealth and ease;
yea, even the Lord Christ became poor for our sakes. Daily have I
expected to be seized, carried into captivity, or slain; but I fear none
of these things, because of the promises of heaven; for I have cast
myself into the arms of the Almighty God, who reigns everywhere, as it is
said in the Psalm, 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain
thee.' Now I commend my soul to my faithful God, whom in my
insignificance I serve as his messenger. For since with Him there is no
respect of persons, and since He has chosen me for this calling, that I
as one of the least of His people, should serve Him, what shall I render
unto the Lord for all his benefits? What shall I say or promise unto my
Lord? For I can do nothing, unless He himself give it me! But He trieth
the hearts and reins, and He knoweth how greatly I long that He may give
me to drink of the cup of His sufferings, as He has granted to others who
love Him. I pray God that He may give me perseverance, and enable me to
bear a faithful witness until my departure. And if I have striven after
anything good for my God's sake, whom I love, I beseech Him that I, with
those my new converts who have fallen into captivity, may shed my blood
for his Name's sake, even though I should never be buried, even though my
body should be torn in pieces by wild beasts. I believe firmly that if
this should befall me, I should gain my body as well as my soul; for
undoubtedly, in that day, we shall arise and shine like the sun, that is,
in the glory of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who is the Son of the living
God, as joint heirs with Christ, renewed in His image; for by Him,
through Him, and with Him shall we reign. That sun which we see, rises