Brotherly reminder and chastisement.

What this letter is. A June letter of the 29th, 1757, from Mülheim to Maria von der Leyen at Krefeld. Last winter he had written her some letters, wherein the way to her salvation was contained, and had asked her to read two or three of them again until she had them by heart. Self-denial is the only way to the spiritual life and the rest of the soul; she still seeks the things she should deny. Obedience against the own-will; no fantasizing; do not complain over others. He writes in haste, with a very sick head. Mülheim, the 29th of June, 1757.

The winter letters, and the things still sought. He had written some letters last winter, containing the way to her salvation, and requested her so often to read two or three of them again anew, until she had them right well by heart. He had therein, as otherwise always, praised the denial of yourselves, of sensual and natural pleasures, comforts, lusts, and sensitivities, as the only way. And she, dear sister, still seeks these things too much. She becomes restless and sensitive when anything unpleasant and adverse meets her, and thinks then it would not stand well with her; whereas she ought reasonably to prize such very highly and praise God. On the contrary she counts it for a grace, when she has it according to her mind, and nothing adverse is there: and even then it often stands at the worst, since the senses and nature only get nourishment.

Obedience, no fantasizing, no complaining. He has always advised her obedience, and set the following of her own-will frightfully before her. Disobedience is a witchcraft-sin. To follow the own will is the straight way to hell. She must deny all her will, and have the pliability of a child toward N. N. and N. and all others. He has also always warned her against all fantasizing, impressions and feeling, and yet her letters and her walk are full of it. Dreams and other whims of now this, now that — are they not nothing but fantasies? Have we nothing more needful to consider, to prepare for the great eternity? So long as she complains over others, so long is she still in error. Pardoned sinners and simple children complain only over themselves, and can deal with others as with angels. He writes in haste, with a very sick head; how he must walk, and how she also must, when she ever will find rest for her soul. Now he hopes it will soon become better; therefore let us pray, that God and His children may have eternal joy in us. Mülheim, the 29th of June, 1757.

A few words and echoes.

• some letters last winter. wherein the way to your salvation was contained.
• two to three letters. read again anew, until you had them by heart.
• the denial of yourselves. sensual and natural pleasures, comforts, lusts, and sensitivities.
• the only way to the spiritual life. and to the rest of the soul.
• you still seek these things too much. which you should deny.
• restless and sensitive. when anything adverse meets you.
• prize such very highly and praise God. even then it often stands at the worst.
• disobedience is a witchcraft-sin. the straight way to hell. (1 Sam. 15:23)
• the pliability of a child. toward N. N. and N. (Matt. 11:29)
• fantasizing, impressions and feeling. dreams and other whims.
• so long as you complain over others. so long are you still in error.
• pardoned sinners and simple children. can deal with others as with angels.
• in haste, with a very sick head. rest for your soul. (Matt. 11:29)
• Your / Mülheim, weak fellow-brother. the 29th of June, 1757.