A Testament Written by Mattheus Bernaerts, Called van Lincken

The salutation.

God the heavenly Father, Creator of heaven and earth, and the waters, and all that is in them; who dwells in the light which no one can approach; whom no one has seen, nor can see (First Timothy 6, verse 1); may that same eternal, only, Almighty God grant you, my dear children, through Christ Jesus His only Son, and the power of the Holy Ghost, until you come of age, grace and mercy, wisdom and understanding, that your senses may become exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5, verse 14), so that from your youth, through the fear of God, you may learn to shun sin, and to avoid all evil and wickedness, and so grow up in the knowledge of God, that you may inherit salvation and eternal glory, and that I may find you in life eternal. This I, Mattheus Bernaerts, your father, wish for you, my dear children, Janneken, Joosken, and Mijntken, from the depth of my heart, that it may be done. Amen.

I, Mattheus Bernaerts, or Mattheus van Lincken, your father, am now confined in prison at Ghent for the Word of God. So, my dear children, my first wish is that, when you have come to years of understanding, you diligently inquire why it came about that your father had to suffer; and search also earnestly in the holy Scriptures, and by the grace of God you will readily see that it is not for any evil doing or heresy that I have to suffer, as I and my fellow brothers and sisters who have obtained like faith with me have been accused by the false prophets; but we are reproached because we firmly hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe. First Timothy 4, verse 10. In the living God, I say, who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3, verse 16. We confess that this same only Son of the Father has existed from everlasting to everlasting. For He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last, by whom all things were created, and by whom we also have reconciliation, even the forgiveness of sins. Revelation 1, verses 8 and 17; Colossians 1, verses 16 and 14. For when we were still ungodly, Christ died for us, and we were reconciled by the death of the Son of God when we were still enemies through the knowledge of evil works, and now we are reconciled by the body of His flesh through death, for the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all our sins. Romans 5, verse 8; First John 1, verse 7. He is also the innocent, spotless Lamb, who took Adam's sin upon Himself, who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth, and who of God is made for us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. First Peter 2, verse 22; First Corinthians 1, verse 30.

In short, I believe and confess with many saints of God that Christ is the Son of the living God, even as Peter confessed Him, with many apostles, Nathanael, Martha, the thief, the angel Gabriel, the Father from high heaven, and many Christian witnesses. This only Son of God revealed and made known to us the will of the Father after He rose from the dead. He gave His apostles a command, saying: "All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Go therefore, 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 whatever I have commanded you." Matthew 28, verses 18 to 20. Mark writes: "Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that does not believe shall be damned." Mark 16, verses 15 and 16. But a person must then first become converted and repent, for Christ caused repentance to be preached in His name, for the remission of sins, and to Christ all the prophets give witness, that through His name whoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins. Acts 2, verse 38; chapter 10, verse 43. And the apostles as faithful servants followed the command of Christ, as we read in Acts, where Peter taught the people of Jerusalem, saying: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and they that gladly received his word were baptized." Acts 2, verses 38 and 41. Likewise we also find concerning the eunuch from Ethiopia, that he was baptized by Philip upon the confession of his faith. Verses 37 and 38. Philip also baptized both men and women, when he had preached to them the things concerning the kingdom of God. Verse 12. Peter also commanded that Cornelius and his household be baptized, when he and all his household had by faith received the Holy Ghost. Chapter 10, verses 47 and 48. The jailer and his household also were baptized, when they had come to believe in the Lord Jesus. Chapter 16, verse 33. So the apostles baptized only believers, after they had first taught them to repent, to die to sin, and to be buried by baptism, to rise again in newness of life. Romans 6, verse 4. So baptism is a burial of sin, a washing of regeneration, the like figure to which even baptism, says Peter, does also now save us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God. First Peter 3, verse 21. For by baptism it is shown to believers that they, through Christ, are inwardly baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire, about which we have many testimonies in the Scriptures, and so enter into a covenant with the Most High, who assures them by His Holy Spirit of the grace and merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He is their God, and that they are His children.

This in brief is our belief concerning baptism, and we also renounce everything that has been instituted by men contrary to it.

We further have from the Word of God the Supper, or breaking of bread, which the Lord Himself instituted, and commanded to 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 broke 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, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you show the Lord's death till he come. Therefore whoever 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 eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body." First Corinthians 11, verses 23 to 29. So Christ Jesus instituted 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." First Corinthians 10, verses 16 and 17. But they that are fit for this bread must have died to 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. Second Corinthians 5, verse 17; Ephesians 5, verse 26; First Corinthians 12, verse 13. This Supper is completely 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. Galatians 5, verse 21; Revelation 21, verse 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 still understand it, that flesh and blood profited nothing; it is the Spirit that gives life: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6, verse 63. We also find in many places that Christ sat down at the right hand of His Father in heaven, and that He shall possess heaven until the time when there shall be fulfilled what God has spoken by the mouth of His prophets. Acts 3, verse 21. And because I, my dear children, have accepted and believed from the heart 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 to it, such as many different abominations, idolatry, infant baptism, the idolatrous, perverted supper, auricular confession, and various 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: indeed, the time comes, that whoever kills you will think that he does God service. And these things they will do to you, because they have not known the Father, nor me" (John 16, verses 2 and 3); for "had they known him, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." First Corinthians 2, verse 8. And Christ says: "If you were of the world, the world would love his own; but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15, verse 19.

So the children of God are called and chosen out of this dark, wicked world to the light, Jesus Christ, that their works, which are done in God, may reprove the world and bring its wickedness to light; therefore they are enraged against them, after the manner of Cain. Because Abel's sacrifice was acceptable before the Lord, he was slain by Cain; for that which is pure and clear cannot come forth; he that departs from evil, and does good, is everyone's prey. Isaiah 59, verses 14 and 15. And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution. Second Timothy 3, verse 12. The angel said to Tobit: "Because you were pleasing to God, it had to be so; you could not remain without temptation, so that you might be tried." Tobit 12, verse 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." Matthew 10, verses 24 and 25; John 15, verse 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. So do not be 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, verse 41. And the same apostle says: "If you are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified." First Peter 4, verse 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, so that you are not condemned with it; for the world and all its lust shall pass away, but he that does the will of God abides forever; indeed, the Lord will keep him as the apple of His eye, and his good works as a signet. First Corinthians 11, verse 32; Sirach 17, verse 22. Therefore strive from your youth for that which is best, submit your shoulders to the truth, flee all youthful lusts, and try to take up the yoke of the Lord, namely, the doctrine of Jesus Christ, now in your youthful days, even until old age, indeed, to the end of your life; then a wise and perfect man will be seen in you. Diligently search the holy Scriptures, that by them you may go on perfect in the divine life, from which the world is estranged; and let the Word of Christ be planted in you, that it may dwell in you richly in all wisdom. Colossians 3, verse 16. Always remember 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, verse 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 make 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, verse 28. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of wisdom, to depart from the snares of eternal death. Proverbs 14, verse 27. And the wages of sin is death. Romans 6, verse 23. So, 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 lies in wickedness, for sin is very lightly esteemed by them, yet its teeth are as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of men, for all sin and iniquity is as a two-edged sword, whose wounds cannot be healed. First John 5, verse 19; Sirach 21, verses 2 and 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 a man, says Christ, shall have to give account of every idle word which he has idly spoken. Matthew 12, verse 36. So Paul says: "Put away lying, and speak truth with one another." Ephesians 4, verse 25. For idle words shall not go free, and the mouth that lies slays the soul; and liars have no part in the kingdom of God, but their part shall be in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone. Wisdom 1, verse 11; Revelation 21, verse 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; so let neither your eye nor your heart covet anything that is not yours, for a thief is nowhere liked, for wherever he goes he and his hands are watched.

So, my dear children, conduct yourselves honestly toward everyone, and whatever you hear in the house that should be kept secret, do not proclaim in the streets, or to everyone from house to house, but keep it secret and attend to your work, and do not be negligent through idleness, for idleness makes thieves of boys, and harlots of girls, which is often 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. [n1078-1] So conduct yourselves well with those with whom you are, and obey them, just as you ought to obey your father, and do not be 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. Sirach 5, verse 14. So keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile. Turn away from evil, and do good: seek peace, and pursue it; for the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. Psalm 34, verse 13; First Peter 3, verses 10 to 12. Therefore put off now all envy and backbiting (First Peter 2, verse 1), and do not envy one another, nor anyone, 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, stay constantly in the house, and do not go into the street much, when you have nothing to do there; for there one learns nothing but roguery, such as fighting, playing, gambling, cursing, swearing, and speaking many unprofitable words. O children, it is very harmful for you, in 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 fitting for you. And you, Janneken and Joosken, you are older than your sister Mijntken; show mercy according to your ability in helping to provide for her board, and work diligently with your hands, that you may have something to give to him that is in need (Ephesians 4, verse 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 in all other things show your humility; for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. First Peter 5, verse 5. And those that are proud of heart He has cast down from their seats, and set those of low degree in their place. Luke 1, verse 52. So, my dear children, do not let pride rule in you, in word or in deed; for David says: "A perverse heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him will I cut off; him that has a high look and a proud heart I will not endure. My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walks in a perfect way, he shall serve me." Psalm 101, verses 4 to 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 anyone 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, indeed, moreover, even our own life, or else we are not worthy to be His disciples. Matthew 10, verse 37; Mark 8, verse 35.

With this I will now bid adieu to my dear children and take my leave of them; may 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, do not neglect to thank your Lord and God before eating and drinking (Deuteronomy 8, verse 10); and when you lie down to sleep and when you rise, upon your knees, with folded hands, entreat Him for His grace.

I now commend you and your mother, my dear wife, beloved in God, to the Lord, who is able to provide for you above what 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, so that it does 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 wife, beloved in God, and sister in the Lord. Adieu, we must now part. May the Almighty God, who blessed Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, also bless you in heavenly places, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

May 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; may the Lord direct your hearts in the love of God and the patience of Christ, that I may find you with the Lord. Second Thessalonians 3, verse 5.

By me, written from prison at Ghent, on the second day of December 1572.

MATTHEUS BERNAERTS.