Part 224
We further have from the word of God the Supper, or breaking of bread, which the Lord himself instituted, and commanded his apostles, for a remembrance of his sufferings and death, as Paul writes: “The Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” 1 Cor. 11:23–29. Thus did Christ Jesus institute the Supper with bread and wine, to be used in the Christian assembly, in the name of the Lord, for a token of brotherly love and unity, for a sign that we, through his merits, by faith in his holy name, have become partakers of Christ, the true bread from heaven, as Paul declares: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 1 Cor. 10:16,17. But they that are meet for this bread must have died unto sin, and have buried it [sin] by baptism, and have risen again with Christ in a godly Christian life; they must have become new creatures in Christ, and been cleansed in his blood; they must be saved by the washing of water by the word, be flesh of Christ’s flesh, and bone of his bones; they must be partakers of the divine nature, and further flee all the perishing lusts of this world; they must also by one Spirit be baptized into one body, and have been made to drink into one Spirit. 2 Cor. 5:17; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Cor. 12:13. This Supper is wholly perverted by the world, for they hold their supper with harlots and rogues, with drunkards, adulterers, idolaters, liars, thieves, murderers, railers, and sorcerers, of whom it is written, that such shall not inherit the kingdom of God, for their part shall be in the fiery lake which shall burn with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Gal. 5:21; Rev. 21:8. They also believe that in eating the bread and drinking the cup they eat the real body of Christ, and drink his real blood, whereas Christ says to the Jews, when they also understood it carnally, even as these do still understand it, that flesh and blood did profit nothing; it is the Spirit that quickeneth: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63. We also find in many places, that Christ sat down on the right hand of his Father in heaven, and that he shall possess heaven, until the time that there will be fulfilled what God has spoken by the mouth of his prophets. Acts 3:21. And because I, my dear children, have from the heart accepted and believed these three articles, from the word of God, as from the mouth of the Lord by the Holy Ghost, and have, according to my weak ability, avoided and shunned evil, and all that is contrary thereunto, as many different abominations, idolatry, infant baptism, the idolatrous, perverted supper, auricular confession, and divers other abominations; therefore I must suffer and die. But it has been so from the beginning of the world, that the righteous have had to suffer much, as Christ says: “They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me (John 16:2,3); for “had they known him, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” 1 Corinthians 2:8. And 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.
Thus the children of God are called and chosen from this dark, wicked world to the light of Jesus Christ, that their works, which are done in God, may reprove the world and bring to light its wickedness; therefore they are enraged against them, after the manner of Cain. Because Abel’s sacrifice was acceptable before the Lord, therefore he was slain by Cain; for that which is pure and clear cannot come forth; he that departed from evil, and doeth good, is every one’s prey. Is. 59:14,15. And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12. The angel said to Tobit: “Because thou wast pleasing to God, it had to be thus; thou couldest not remain without temptation, that thou mightest be tried.” Tobit 12:13. “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub; how much more shall they call them of his household? If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” Matt. 10:24,25; John 15:20. My dear little children, what I, your father, must now suffer for, will not be to your disgrace, for it is for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence be not ashamed of it, for we cannot die a more glorious death for the Lord, than for the word of God. Peter and John departed joyfully from the presence of the council, when they had been scourged, because they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. Acts 5:41. And the same apostle says: If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 1 Pet. 4:14.
It is further my wish, my dear children, that you keep yourselves from the evil works of this world, the number of which is very great, that you be not condemned with it; for the world and all the lust thereof shall pass away, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever, yea, the Lord will keep him as the apple of his eye, and his good works as a signet. 1 Cor. 11:32; Sir. 17:22. Therefore strive from your youth for that which is best, submit your shoulders to the truth, flee all youthful lusts, and endeavor to take up the yoke of the Lord, namely, the doctrine of Jesus Christ, now in your youthful days, even until old age, yea, unto the end of your life, then a wise and perfect man will be beheld in you. Diligently search the holy Scriptures, that you may thereby go on perfect in the divine life, from which the world is alienated; and let the word of Christ be planted in you, that it may dwell in you richly in all wisdom. Col. 3:16. Remember always God’s commandment, and continually his word, which shall make your heart perfect, and give you wisdom, as you desire; for the word of the Most High is the fountain of wisdom, and her entrance are the everlasting commandments. Sirach 1:5. Through the word of God you receive godly senses that are exercised to discern both good and evil, for the holy Scriptures testify of God’s goodness, and makes the ignorant (that desire it) wise to fear God, and to flee all wickedness, and do good. For he that fears God will do good. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding. Job 28:28. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of wisdom, to depart from the snares of eternal death. Prov, 14:27. And the wages of sin is death. Rom. 6:23. Hence, my dear children, shun the cause which leads to death, that is sin, which is seen very much in those that are carnal, for the world lieth in wickedness, for sin is very lightly esteemed by them, yet the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of men, for all sin and iniquity is as a two-edged sword, the wounds whereof can not be healed. 1 John 5:19; Sir. 21:2,3. O my dear children, keep your souls with the greatest diligence, so that you also speak no iniquity with your mouth; and beware of lying, for man, says Christ, shall have to give account of every idle word which he shall have idly spoken. Matt. 12:36. Hence Paul says: Put away lying, and speak truth with one another. Eph. 4:25. For idle words shall not go free, and the mouth that lieth slayeth the soul; and liars have no part in the kingdom of God, but their part shall be in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone. Wis. 1:11; Rev. 21:8.
Dear children, be faithful wherever you live, or wherever you are be good and faithful to all men; and beware of stealing, for thieves have no place in the kingdom of God, for it is an abominable, great sin; hence let neither your eye nor your heart covet ought of that which is not yours, for a thief is nowhere liked, for wherever he goes he and his hands are watched.
Thus, my dear children, conduct yourselves honestly toward every one, and whatever you hear in the house that should be kept secret, do not proclaim in the streets, or to every one from house to house, but observe secrecy and attend to your work, and be not negligent through idleness, for idleness makes thieves of boys, and harlots of girls, which is frequently seen to happen, that daughters reach the brothel, and sons the gallows; this often comes from the fact that they are lickerish, and will not work. Hence conduct yourselves well with those with whom you are, and obey them, even as you ought to obey your father, and be not stubborn and obstinate, but obey them willingly from the heart, and treat them and all men courteously and kindly; and beware of backbiting, for this too is a great sin, a thief is a shameful thing, but a backbiter is more shameful still, for the backbiter reveals what he secretly knows. Sir. 5:14. Hence keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile. Eschew evil, and do good: seek peace, and ensue it; for the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. Ps. 34:13; 1 Peter 3:10–12. Therefore put off now all envy and backbiting (1 Pet. 2:1), and do not envy one another, nor any one, for envy destroys all friendship, and separates good friends, and through envy Cain slew his brother Abel. Out of envy the sons of Jacob cast their brother Joseph into the pit, and sold him.
O my dear children, keep constantly in the house, and do not go in the street much, when you have nothing to do there; for there one learns nothing but roguery, as fighting, playing, gambling, cursing, swearing, and to speak many unprofitable words. O children, it is very injurious for you, according to soul and body, to run in the street; but, when you do not have to work, take a Testament in your hand, and read in it; that will be very appropriate for you. And you Janneken and Joosken, you are older than your sister Mejntgen; show mercy according to your ability in assisting to provide for her board, and work diligently with your hands, that you may have to give to him that needeth (Eph. 4:28), for you are under great obligation, after my departure to do the best for one another, that you may properly help one another according to your ability. Let the younger obey the older, that there may be no contention. In this and all other things show your humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble, 1 Pet. 5:5. And those that are proud of heart he has cast down from their seats, and set them of low degree thereupon. Luke 1:52. Hence, my dear children, let not pride rule in you, in word or in deed; for David says: A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off; him that hath a high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. Psalm 101:4–6. O my dear children, be good and kind to one another, and let no spiteful words be heard from you, either to one another or to any one else. Be also obedient to my wife, your mother; for the Lord’s sake, and for my sake, for she was very dear and precious to me; but now I must leave her and you for the name of the Lord, according to the command of Christ, which I would not do for all the world, but for the Lord and the gospel’s sake we must forsake everything, father, mother, wife, child, brothers, sisters, lands, house, home, yea, moreover, even our own life, else we are not worthy to be his disciples. Matt. 10:37; Mark 8:35.
Herewith I will now bid adieu to my dear children and take my leave from them; the Lord grant them his abundant, rich blessing, that they may grow up in a becoming godly life, and increase in the knowledge of Christ.
O my dear children, neglect not to thank your Lord and God before eating and drinking (Deuteronomy 8:10); and when you lie down to sleep and when you arise, upon your knees, with folded hands, entreat him for his grace.
I now commend you and your mother, my dear in God beloved wife, to the Lord, who is able to provide for you above that we are able to ask in our prayer, in soul and body. And it is also my wish, that this testament be copied for you, and that it be preserved for Heyne and the children, in remembrance of me, and when it begins to wear out, have it copied again, that it do not perish; this I kindly request. Adieu, Heyne. Farewell, adieu, Janneken, my oldest daughter, and farewell, adieu, Joosken; farewell, adieu, Mijntken, and adieu, my dear in God beloved wife and sister in the Lord. Adieu, we must now part. The almighty God, who blessed Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, also bless you in heavenly places, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
The crucified Christ, blessed be he, be your comfort and abundant, rich treasure of grace. The peace of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you. Once more adieu.
Farewell and adieu, dear Neelken. I thank the Lord and you for the kind fellowship and the love you have shown me. I go before; the Lord direct your hearts in the love of God and the patience of Christ, that I may find you with the Lord. 2 Thessalonians 3:5.
By me, from my prison at Ghent, written on the second day of Dec. 1572.
MATTHEUS BERNAERTS.
A THANKSGIVING BEFORE AND AFTER EATING, WHICH MATTHEUS BERNAERTS, CALLED VAN LINCKEN, COMPOSED IN HIS PRISON AND SENT TO HIS CHILDREN.
_Before eating._
O taste and see that the Lord is good, who has created these creatures, and given them to those that believe, to be used by them with thanksgiving, to the praise and glory of his holy name. (Ps. 34:8; 1 Tim. 4:3.) O dearest, most gracious, merciful, eternal Father do not forget thy poor, miserable children, that are persecuted for thy holy name’s sake.
_After eating._
Let us now praise and thank the Lord, who has so graciously fed us in our bodies. Let us entreat the Father, to feed us now with the bread of eternal life, that we may with our spirits, souls and bodies that have been fed do his holy will. O dearest, most gracious, merciful, eternal Father do not forget thy poor, miserable children, that are persecuted for thy holy name’s sake. Amen.
Written by me in my prison.
MATTHEUS BERNAERTS, called van Lincken.
ADRIAN ROGIERS, BURNED FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST, AT GHENT IN FLANDERS, THE 4TH OF DECEMBER, A. D. 1572.
Here follow three letters which Adrian Rogiers wrote from his prison.
_First letter to his wife._
Out of tender love, an affectionate greeting to you my most dearly beloved wife, whom I love from the heart, this the Lord knows who knows all things, and, according to the words of Jeremiah, tries men’s hearts and reins. Jer. 17:10. Further, my love, after this my proper and Christian salutation, let me, please, inform you, that I, the Lord be praised forever, am in tolerably good health according to the flesh, and according to the spirit, God be praised, my mind is disposed to leap by our God over a wall. Ps. 18:29. However, my dearest, I trust through the goodness of God, that you are also well in soul and body, and prepared, by the help of God rather to die honorably with Eleazar, than to live with ignominy. 2 Mac. 6:19. The almighty Lord, who in time of need provides bread, and according to the words of the prophet, gives both wine and milk without price (Is. 55:1), may so strengthen and confirm you and us all, by his Holy Spirit, that we may in our present tribulation be able to bear all that comes upon us for the Lord’s sake, and may fear his name, for thereunto has God delivered us from him that was too strong for us, that we should serve and fear him in true righteousness all our lives, for Sirach says: “There is nothing better than the fear of the Lord.” Sir. 23:27. Therefore, O my dear wife, let us fear the Lord with all our heart, and in every distress let us flee to the Lord, and he will help us, for David says: The Lord lays upon us a burden, but he also helps us bear it; for we have a God that helps, and the Lord of lords that delivers from death. Ps. 68:20. For he is, says the prophet, a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, and a shadow from the heat. Is. 25:4. For he stands at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul. Ps. 109:31. But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his trespasses. Ps. 68:21. For Judith also says: Woe to the heathen that persecute my people! for the Lord Almighty shall judge them, and visit them in the day of vengeance; he shall torment their body with fire and worms, and they shall burn and weep forever. Judith 16:17. But that with which the Lord chastiseth us, O my chosen, endures but for a moment, for David says: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5. For God, says Judith, chastens us, his servants, for correction; but the ungodly he punishes to their destruction. Judith 8:27.
Therefore, my dear wife, let us bear our cross patiently for a little while yet; and let us consider how much our dear Lord suffered for us, even as the prophet says: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” Is. 53:3–7.
Hence, O my dear wife, since we know, as Peter teaches, that Christ suffered in the flesh, let us arm ourselves with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of the flesh, but to the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1,2.
Thus, my dearest, be of good cheer when the Lord tries you, for it is written: The souls of the righteous are chastised a little, but much good shall come to them; for God proves them, and finds them worthy for himself. He tries them as gold in the furnace, and receives them as a fat sacrifice. And in the time of their visitation, they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. They shall judge the heathen, and have dominion over all nations, and the Lord shall reign over them forever. For they that put their trust in him shall find that he faithfully keepeth what he hath promised; and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him; for his saints are in his mercy, and he hath care for his elect. Wis. 3:5–9.
Therefore, O my love, let us commit our cause and the distress that comes upon us to the Lord, and cast our care upon him; for he, says Peter, careth for us; and if God be for us, says Paul, who will be against us? 1 Pet. 5:7; Rom. 8:31.
Hence, O my love, let us be of good courage, and watch diligently, that, when our bridegroom comes, we may triumph with him forever and ever. Amen.
Further, my very dear wife, I commit you to our dear Lord; may he in every way be your guide, for I take leave now, and bid you adieu. Do the best for the children, as I am confident you will.
Know further, my love, that I have received your letter, for which I thank you much; greet much in my name the one that wrote it. However, you must also know that I am very much grieved that I have not heard from you so long; I beg you to let me know how it goes with you and the children.
I further bid you adieu once more; pray the Lord for me, as I do for you, and greet the acquaintances. We prisoners all greet you; pray the Lord for us.
Written in my bonds, for your best, by me your dear husband.
ADRIAN ROGIERS.
ANOTHER LETTER BY SAID ADRIAN ROGIERS, WRITTEN IN PRISON TO HIS WIFE.
An affectionate loving salutation to you my most dearly beloved wife, whom I wedded before God and his glorious church.
Further, after all proper and Christian salutation, let me please inform your love, that I, the Lord be forever praised, am in tolerably good health according to the flesh, and according to the spirit, God be praised, my mind is still disposed, to leap by my God over a wall. However, I hope and trust that you are also well in soul and body, God be thanked, and unharmed in the faith. The almighty Lord, who only, according to what David writes, doeth wondrous things, may keep and strengthen you and us all, together with his Holy Spirit, that we may live and die to his glory, and be patient in this present tribulation; and when we are tried, let us remember that we are not the only ones, but that God, according to Paul’s writing, scourgeth every son whom he loveth. Heb. 12:6. As it also appeared, that God before our time tried our fathers, as Judith tells, when the city of Bethulia was besieged, and they, because of water famine, wanted to surrender the city after five days (Judith 8:11); whereupon Judith admonished them to patience, saying: “Who are ye that ye set the Lord the time and days when to help? for this tendeth not to obtain mercy, but much rather wrath and disfavor. Let us therefore be sorry for it, and with tears seek the face of the Lord. And ye men and brethren, ye that are the rulers of the people, go to the people and tell them, how God in former times tried our fathers, whether they served him from the heart or not. Even as our father Abraham was tried by many temptations, whereby he remained the friend of God; even as also Isaac, Jacob and Moses, and all who were of the number of God’s beloved, who had to overcome through much affliction,” as Sirach teaches us, saying: My child, if thou wilt be God’s servant, prepare thyself for temptation. Endure and be constant, and depart not away, when the ungodly lure you. For as gold is tried in the fire, so righteousness is tried in the fire of affliction. But ye that fear the Lord, hope the best of him, and your comfort shall not fail. For consider the examples of the ancients, and lay them to heart; for never was any confounded that trusted in the Lord; or who was ever forsaken, that did abide in the fear of God? Sir. 2:1.