knowledge. Prov. 1:7. For a child that knows his father, that he is
so honorable and just, that he will not have his children run in the
streets with other children, fight, quarrel, use bad language, bring
home stolen things: children who know their father to be thus, are
afraid to do this, knowing, that if they do this they shall be beaten.
Thus also, my dear children, the Lord is a just God, who will not
tolerate sin, but will punish them that commit it. Therefore we must
fear him, and not commit sin; for the fear of God driveth out sin, and
he that feareth God will do good. Prov. 16:6; Sir. 15:1. As Solomon
says: “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of wisdom, to depart from the
snares of death.” Prov. 14:27. For, my dear children, the wages of sin
is death. Romans 6:23. Hence, since the fear of God drives out sin,
through the fear of God, the cause which brings us into death, that is,
sin, is avoided. Therefore, my children, begin from your youth to walk
in the fear of the Lord, that you may not at any time consent to sin,
and may not forget the commandments of your Lord and God; but fear the
Lord, while he may be feared. For they that fear the Lord walk in the
right way; for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and to
depart from evil is understanding. Prov. 14:2; Job 28:28.
Hence, my children, fear the Lord, and depart from evil. For the
prophet Jeremiah says: “How good it is for a man, from his youth to
take upon him the yoke of the Lord, and for one that is forsaken, to
be patient, when he meeteth with adversity.” Lam. 3:27,28. And Sirach
says: My child, from thy youth receive instruction, till thine old age,
and thou shalt find wisdom (Sir. 6:18); for the wisdom of God teaches,
that we are to receive God’s instruction, in order to be taught
thereby, how we are to depart from evil. “For wisdom crieth without;
she uttereth her voice in the streets, saying: How long, ye little
children, will ye love childishness? and how long shall fools desire
the things that are hurtful to them? and the unwise hate knowledge?”
Prov. 1:20. For this is the nature of children; they love to run and
play in the streets, where they learn all kinds of wickedness, and
do not like to be chastised for it, and kept in the house. By this
they are known as children; for they know not how injurious this is
to them; for thereby they become alienated from the knowledge of God,
and so grow up in wickedness, that sometimes they can only with great
difficulty come to the truth. Therefore wisdom calls the children of
Israel little children, because they are sometimes so wicked, that they
want to live to themselves, and hate the chastening of the Lord, which
is nevertheless administered to them out of love, that they should not
be condemned with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:32. Therefore, my dear
children, beware of all bad company, that might seduce you to cherish
the world; for the world lieth in wickedness, and will perish with its
lusts. 1 John 5:19; 2:17. Therefore, my children, love not the world,
neither the things that are in it; for all that is in the world, the
lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is
not of the Father, but is of the world. 2:15,16. Hence, abstain from
fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. 1 Pet. 2:11. And Paul says:
Flee youthful lusts (2 Tim. 2:22); for youthful lusts have plunged many
into ruin, into lasciviousness, whoredom and many improper things.
Therefore, my children, beware of whoredom, and all unedifying conduct,
in which whoredom has often originated; as dancing and leaping, and the
practice of young men and maidens sitting together at the beer table,
drinking to intoxication, and speaking improper words, and besides
what is done in secret would be too shameful to mention. Tobit 4:12; 1
Thess. 4:3. O my children, beware of such things; for the apostle says:
All they that do such things have no part in the kingdom of God. 1
Corinthians 6:10. But when you are grown up, and cannot contain, marry
in the fear of God. Pray God to provide you a faithful helpmeet, to
walk in the fear of God, with a broken, lowly and humble heart.
My children, do not in any wise let pride rule over you in your words
or thoughts, as Tobit admonishes his son (Tob. 4:13); for the Lord
rejects such as are proud in their hearts, but he has exalted the
humble. Hence David says: “I thank thee, O Lord, that thou hast humbled
me; for before I was humbled I went astray.” Ps. 119:67. Therefore, my
children, never exalt yourselves in your hearts, but condescend to men
of low estate; for pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit
before a fall; for they become so proud, that they reject the word of
the Lord, and live according to the desires of their hearts; therefore
the Lord shall also not regard them. Rom. 12:16; Prov. 16:18; Hos. 4:6.
My children, heed the instruction of your father, and forget it not.
Refrain your tongue from backbiting, and beware of lying; for the mouth
that lieth slayeth the soul. Wis. 1:11. For liars have no part in the
new Jerusalem; but their part is in the lake which burneth with fire
and brimstone: which is the second death. Rev. 21:8. And the backbiter
causes much contention and discord, and also stirs up strife and envy,
and separates friends. Prov. 16:28. Hence Solomon says: “Where no
wood is there the fire goeth out: so where there is no tale-bearer,
the strife ceaseth 26:20. Hence he further writes: Put away from thee
a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee; as also Moses
writes: Let there be no backbiter or slanderer among you. 4:24; Lev.
19:16. Therefore, my children, beware of backbiting, and wherever you
are at home, keep your lips sealed, and tell not out of the house
what is done in it; keep still about all in regard to which silence
is expedient, then men will love you. Always be faithful to people,
and beware of stealing, for it is a great sin; and thieves have no
part in the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:10), nor is a thief trusted or
loved by any one; but wherever he goes, his hands are watched. Thus,
my children, always content yourselves honorably in the fear of God,
and beware of all sin and transgression; and do not envy one another,
for through envy Cain slew his brother, and the patriarchs sold their
brother Joseph; for envy breaks all friendship, causes a man to forget
all benefits, and is bent only upon doing harm. The envious man
rejoices not when he sees his brother or sister, but turns his face
the other way; nor is he grieved at his brother’s misfortune, but is
pleased when the latter meets with adversity. Hence James truly says:
If ye have bitter envy and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie
not against the truth.... For where envying and strife is, there is
confusion and every evil work. Jas. 3:14,16. Therefore, my children, do
not envy one another, nor any one else; but love one another out of a
pure heart, as brothers and sisters ought to; not as Cain, who was of
that wicked one, and slew his brother (1 John 3:12); but as Christ left
an example, who gave his life for us.
Hence you must also so love one another, not in word, neither in
tongue, but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18); that you may be
brothers and sisters, not only according to the flesh, but also
according to the faith of the Son of God; for he says: by this shall
all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another.
John 13:35. Hence John writes: “Beloved, let us love one another: for
love is of God: and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth
God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John
4:7,8. Hence he would have, that children should love one another with
true, unfeigned brotherly love, with a pure heart, as being born not of
natural seed, which is corruptible, but of incorruptible seed, namely,
by the word of God, which abideth forever. 1 Pet. 1:22,23.
Thus, my dear children, I pray and admonish you, love, and bear with,
one another, and let one be subject to the other; the younger shall
obey the older, that there may be no contention or discord among you.
And you, Katelijntgen and Kopken, are the oldest; when you are grown
up, take care of the other children, and help them with the labor of
your hands, thus showing mercy to them, that you may be children of
your Father which is in heaven; for you will perhaps not have your
mother very long, and then you are in duty bound to do the best for one
another.
Thus, my children, heed the instruction of your father, and forget
it not. Obey your mother: for it is proper that children should obey
their parents, as is written in Ecclesiasticus: The Lord will that
the parents should be honored by the children 3:2. For this was the
first commandment in the law, which had a promise: Honor thy father
and mother that thou mayest live long on the earth. Ex. 20:12. And the
greatest honor that children can show their parents, is, to obey them:
To obey them in everything that is not contrary to the honor of God,
but when the honor of God is concerned, parents have no power to rule
over them, but are themselves in duty bound to admonish their children,
to obey the Lord. For they had to teach the law to their children, when
they went to sleep, and when they rose up; in which law it was written,
that God must be loved above all. Deut. 6:7. Therefore children are not
bound to love their parents more than God, and godfearing parents are
not to require this, but are to exhort their children to the same, that
they should exercise themselves in the love of God, that is: keep his
commandments, and be humble before their God (Mic. 6:8), as I hope, my
children, that also your mother will do. Hence obey her in love, and
be not disobedient to her; for it is written in the law, that he that
cursed, smote or disobeyed his father or mother, had to die, so great a
sin it is before the Lord. Ex. 21:15,17.
Therefore, my dear children, though you lose me, do not be froward to
your mother, but obey her the more, for the whole care of you will
now be committed to her. Hence, my children, never grieve her in your
life; for in Ecclesiasticus it is written: He that forsaketh his father
is a blasphemer; and he that angereth his mother is cursed of God.
3:16. Therefore, love her, and remember how many pains she suffered on
your account, and how she bore you under her heart nine months, and
how she will have to undergo much yet, to earn bread for you. Tob.
4:3,4; 2 Macc. 7:27. Hence, dear children, when you are grown up,
apply yourselves diligently to labor, that you may help your mother
to gain a livelihood. And be not idle; for from slothfulness springs
much evil, for it makes thieves of children, and harlots of girls, and
thus they finally come to a bad end. Therefore, my dear children, do
not desire this, but willingly work and labor with your hands that
which is honorable, that you may have to give to him that needeth.
Ephesians 4:28. And if your mother take another husband, obey him as
your father, and honor him; for he will have to care for you, and
instruct and teach you as though you were his own children. Therefore,
you, as obedient children, are to receive, and not to despise, his
instruction. O my dear children, I, Jacob, your father, have left you
this as a testament, that you may remember me the better, and know
wherein I stood and why I died, of which you need not be ashamed, since
it was for the name of Christ. For it is for the Lord’s sake that I
leave you; there is nothing under heaven so dear to me that for it I
should be willing to leave you; but for the Lord’s sake every thing
must be forsaken, father and mother, wife and children, yea, one’s own
life, or we cannot be his disciples. Deut. 33:9. But he that for his
sake forsakes all this, shall receive a hundredfold, and hereafter
everlasting life. Matthew 19:29. Thus, my dear children, with this
confidence I leave you. The Lord grant you his grace, that I may find
you in life eternal. I now go before you the way which Christ Jesus and
all the saints of God went before us: and I know that all that will
live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12. And
Paul says: Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to
believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. Philip. 1:29. For what
we suffer; we suffer not for our own sakes, but for the Lord’s sake,
because we believe in him, and by faith follow and obey him, which the
world will not tolerate, for the prophet says: Truth is fallen in the
street; truth languisheth in prison; equity cannot enter; he that would
depart from evil, and do good, maketh himself a prey. Is. 59:14,15. As
Christ says: “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own;
but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the
world, therefore the world hateth you.” John 15:19. Hence James says:
The friendship of this world is enmity with God; if you would be the
friend of the world, you will be the enemy of God. Jas. 4:4. For my
dear children, if you would be the friend of the world, you will have
to follow the world in her improprieties and false worship; hence Paul
writes: “If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ?”
Gal. 1:10. For such love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we
should be called his children: therefore the world knoweth us not,
neither knoweth it him. 1 John 3:1. Therefore, if they have called the
master of the house Beelzebub, it is no wonder that they also call them
of his household so; for the servant cannot be above his lord, nor the
disciple above his master. Matt. 10:25,24.
Herewith I will commend you, my dear children, and your mother, to the
Lord, for whose sake I hope to leave you; who is able to care for you,
and to keep you from all evil. The Lord grant you his grace, that you
may grow up in the knowledge of God through the Holy Ghost, so that,
according to the right judgment of God, you may be found righteous
for his kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, to whom be
praise and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Written on the second and third days of May, A. D. 1569, in prison at
Bruges, where I was confined for the testimony of Jesus, under the
house of the Vrye; by me JACOB the CHANDLER.
This I send my dear children, as a brief testament; I also hope to
write them my faith, which may serve to show them upon what faith their
father died.
_Alle die lijden na den wille Godts, wilt hierop mercken,
Die bevelen haer Zielen den getrouwen Shepper met goede Wercken._
1 Pet. 4:19.
THE FOURTH LETTER OF JACOB THE CHANDLER, WRITTEN TO HIS CHILDREN; BEING
PROPERLY A CONFESSION OF HIS FAITH.
My chosen dear children, I hope briefly to write you my faith, that you
may know, that I did not die as a deceiver or heretic, but for the true
faith, which avails before God.
1. I believe and confess, that there is one true God, who created and
made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that therein is, by his
eternal, Almighty and incomprehensible Word, which was with God in the
beginning, and was God with the Father. Gen. 1:1; John 1:1,2.
2. And God on the sixth day made man after his image or likeness, that
is, according to his nature. But man did not remain as created, through
the subtilty of the serpent, in whom the devil worked, so that he
brought Adam with his whole seed into death, as is written. Gen. 3.
God created man immortal, and made him according to the image of his
own likeness; but through the envy of the devil death came into the
world, and all that are of his side follow him. Wisdom 23:24. As also
Esdras writes: The first Adam having an evil heart transgressed and was
overcome and also all them that are born of him. And he further says:
O thou Adam, what hast thou done! for though it was thou that sinned,
thou art not fallen alone, but also all we that come of thee. 2 Esd.
7:48.
3. Now when the man Adam with his whole seed had fallen into death,
the merciful Father through grace many times promised his Son, who as
a spotless lamb, that had been foreordained before the foundation of
the world, delivered us from death by his death and blood. Gen. 3:15;
1 Peter 1:19,20. And when the fullness of the time was come, he became
man, and was born of the virgin Mary, as had been prophesied concerning
him, in these words: “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.”
Is. 9:6. And again: “A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son.” 7:14.
Thus, through the power of the Most High he was conceived in Mary of
the Holy Ghost, even as the angel said to her: “The Holy Ghost shall
come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee.”
Luke 1:35. To Joseph he said; “That which is conceived in her is of
the Holy Ghost: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of
her shall be called the Son of God.” Matt. 1:20. For the Word which was
with God in the beginning became flesh, and dwelt among men, visibly
and tangibly, so that also his glory was seen, a glory as of the only
begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. He humbled himself,
and took upon himself the form of a servant, became as another man, and
was found in fashion as a man. Philip. 2:7,8. And all that he saw and
heard of his Father he taught and made known to us, and was obedient
to his Father unto death; for he was innocently sentenced by Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried, and the third day rose from the
dead. And after his resurrection he commanded his disciples to preach
the Gospel to every creature, and to baptize believers in the name of
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. And he ascended up to heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of the Father, from whence he shall come
again, in the glory of his Father, and in the clouds of heaven, to
judge the quick and the dead. Matt. 28:19; Luke 24:51; Rev. 1:7.
4. I further believe and confess, that there is a Holy Ghost, which
proceeds from the Father, and is poured out, through Christ Jesus,
upon the believing and regenerated children, as is written in Tit. 3
and Eph. 1, as an earnest of the Spirit, and as an assurance of the
mind; by which Spirit they cry, Abba, Father. Rom. 8:15. By this Spirit
they are guided into all truth, since he is also their teacher. John
16:13. By the same Spirit the prophets prophesied, since God through
him distributes the spiritual gifts to believers, for the profiting of
all. Hence the Apostle writes: “There are diversities of gifts, but
the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the
same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same
God which worketh all in all.” 1 Corinthians 12:4–6. These three names
are one true God. The Father is the Creator, who created everything by
the Son, or his Word; and by his Spirit he has also renewed all things,
and has purified believers by the Son, and by the Holy Ghost; in which
three names the Apostles were commanded to baptize believers. For there
are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the
Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1 John 5:7.
5. I further believe and confess, that there is a holy Christian
church, which is the communion of the saints, and the assembly of
the believing and righteous, which is the temple of the living God,
the pillar and solid ground of the truth, and the city of God in the
Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:15. And in this temple the Holy Ghost
is the teacher, and the apostles the laborers, who first built this
temple. 1 Cor. 3:9. As Solomon, when he wanted to build his temple,
sent out his servants, to hew out the stones from a mountain; and the
stones having been hewed, when they were brought to the work, they
joined them together, so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any
tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building; so Christ
sent out his apostles, to teach men, and to preach repentance in his
name, before they were to be baptized: for they had to be regenerated
with the hammer of the divine word, and by the incorruptible seed of
God the Father, who is a mountain and rock forever, if they were to
be a living stone in the temple of God. 1 Kings 5:17; 6:7; Dan. 2:45.
Thus the apostles, as wise builders, first built the temple, and laid
the foundation. Hence Paul says, that God has set in the church first
apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers. 1 Cor. 12:28. In
another place he says: He set some, apostles; and some, prophets; and
some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting
of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the
body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of
the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure
of the stature of the fullness of Christ. For as a body which has
many members, and yet is but one body, so also, though there are many
believers, there is nevertheless but one body, of which Christ is the
head. For Paul writes: By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body
... and have been made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:13.
And all that are in this temple or city have Christ for their Lord
and King; him they must obey; they must suffer him to rule over them,
and to bear dominion with the sceptre of his kingdom, namely, with
his Spirit and Word; for to him all power is given in heaven and in
earth. Matthew 28:18. The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed
all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honor the Son, even as
though they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth
not the Father which hath sent him. And as the Father hath life in
himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. John
5:22,23,26. He that hath the Son of God hath eternal life; and he that
hath not the Son of God hath not life. But this church has forgiveness
of sins through him; for they believe in him, and seek their salvation
in him alone, for there is none other name given them under heaven,
whereby they can be saved, than by the name of Christ; for he is made
unto them, of God, wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and
redemption. Acts 4:12; 1 Cor. 1:30. And he gave himself for them, that
he might redeem them from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a
peculiar people, zealous of good works. Tit. 2:14. These have one Lord,
one faith, one baptism, one God for their Father, and one Holy Spirit,
upon whom and through whom the temple is built and founded. Eph. 4:5,6.
6. I further believe and confess a Christian baptism, according to the
import of the word of God, as Christ commanded his apostles, saying: Go
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you. Matt. 28:19,20. And Mark 16:15,16:
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not shall be damned. Thus the apostles did according to the command of
their Lord; for on the day of Pentecost Peter opened his mouth, and
taught the people of Jerusalem, and reproved them of their sins, so
that they said: Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said
unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift
of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children,
and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall
call. Acts 2:37–39.