A Testament from Bartholomeus Panten to his Little Daughter

My dear child, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forget it, if God permits you to grow up and you come to your understanding; and remember how I went before you, according to my limited ability, in all imperfection (which I lament before God), to enter in through the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in there; because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? My dear child, I say that it is impossible; so take heed to their fruits; for it agrees in no way with the holy Scriptures that anyone should be arrested, robbed of his property, and put to death for his faith; for neither Christ nor His disciples did this; but they themselves had to suffer from unbelievers, and were put to death by them, as it clearly appears, that Christ Himself was numbered among the transgressors, and was led to death like a lamb, and as a sheep dumb before her shearers.

So, my dear child, endeavor to follow this Shepherd, if you would be one of His sheep; for Peter declares concerning Him: "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps; who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but committed himself to him that judges righteously." First Peter 2, verses 21 to 23. So, my dear child, the author of our faith went before, as Paul declares to us: "Therefore, seeing we also are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith: who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds. You have not yet resisted to the point of blood, striving against sin." Hebrews 12, verses 1 to 4.

So, my dear child, lay this to heart, and when you come to your understanding, it is my fatherly request of you, that you will join yourself to those that fear God, who are by far the least among all people, but are yet the true congregation and church of God, who order themselves according to the ordinances of the Lord, and according to the practice of the holy apostles, namely, a baptism which is founded upon faith, and must be received as Christ has commanded, and is written in Matthew: "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 that I have commanded you." Matthew 28, verses 19 and 20. Also in Mark: "Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved." Mark 16, verses 15 and 16. Also in the Acts of the Apostles, where Peter practiced it on many. This confession of faith must not only be made with the mouth, but it must also be grasped with the heart, and shown by the works, even as John declared to the Pharisees and Sadducees, whom he saw coming to his baptism, and said: "O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance." Matthew 3, verses 7 and 8.

It must also be understood, that confession is not enough, but that sorrow of heart must also be shown by good works; that the old man with his evil works must first be put off, and that it must be done out of pure faith, as Philip said to the eunuch: "If you believe with all your heart, you may." Acts 8, verse 37. For all outward action, without renewing of the spirit, cannot please God. And the Supper we keep in remembrance of the Lord's bitter death and sufferings, as is declared [a letter] to the Corinthians: "I have received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, That 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 comes." First Corinthians 11, verses 23 to 26. Now if we are to show His death till He comes, He is not daily in their mass, nor in all their idolatry, nor in their idol, with which they visit the sick in their distress, where they say He is; this is far from the truth.

And as regards the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, we believe what the holy Scriptures declare concerning it, and are satisfied with the confession of Peter, when Christ asked His disciples who men said that He was: "Some said Jeremiah, Elias, or one of the prophets. So Christ asked his disciples: But who do you say that I am? Peter answered

Lord, you are the Son of the living God. " Matthew 16, verse 13. And as also Nathaniel testifies: " You are the King of Israel. " John 1, verse 49. Paul says: " For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. " Romans 5, verse 10. And John says: " The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. " First John 1, verse 7. And in the Acts of the Apostles it is written: " God raised up his child Jesus. " Acts 3, verse 26. Now if He raised up His child, He must certainly have been dead. And in Isaiah it is written: " A virgin shall receive [conceive], and bear a son." Isaiah 7, verse 14. If she received [conceived] him, it is my belief that she did not receive more than she brought forth; and I am satisfied with the work of God, however it may have been brought about. That I should believe that He is of her flesh and blood, of this I have no testimony in the holy Scriptures, and I am content with the confession stated above.

We further practice, according to the doctrine of Christ and of the apostles, an excommunication, by which the disorderly, who pervert their faith in improper works, must be punished, as Christ and Paul declare. It must be used with those that have entered into the communion of the saints and been baptized into one body with them, but relapse into any carnal works, as in adultery, whoredom, murder, drunkenness, idolatry, and the like. Matthew 16, verse 19; First Corinthians 5, verse 11; First Timothy 5, verse 20.

So, my child, when you come to your understanding, do not delay to take up the cross, as much as you value your soul, for it is written: "If any man comes to me, and does not hate his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." Luke 14, verses 26 and 27. So everything must be forsaken for the Lord's sake, for Christ also says in the same chapter: "Whoever does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple." Verse 33.

Therefore, my dear child, do not look at the great multitude, but remember the time of Noah, how few there were saved when the world perished by the flood. And that from the five cities of Sodom and Gomorrah there were left but three persons.

So, my dear child, separate yourself also from the spiritual Sodom, that you may not be a partaker of her sins, and may not receive her plagues. Revelation 18, verse 4. It is also written, Second Corinthians 6, verses 17 and 18, and chapter 7, verse 1: "Come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. For the time will come when they shall lament it, who have spent their life here in that which was not proper; for when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. First Thessalonians 5, verse 3.

So, my dear child, Paul says: "But you are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that are drunk are drunk in the night. But let us, who are of the day, watch and be sober." Verse 4. As also Peter says: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brothers that are in the world." First Peter 5, verses 8 and 9.

We also believe in a resurrection of the flesh at the last day, of the good and of the evil, of the just and the unjust, so that all that are in the grave shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that have done good shall come forth to the resurrection of eternal life; and they that have done evil shall come forth to eternal damnation. John 5, verses 28 and 29.

So, my dear child, order your paths according to the holy Scriptures, which will show you the right truth; for he that seeks finds, and to him that knocks it shall be opened. So, pray the Lord for help and assistance, for He is the Giver of every good thing; that after this life you may hear the welcome voice: "Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry, and you gave me food: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me." Matthew 25, verse 34.

So, my dear child, exercise yourself in this, and have your delight in it: do according to Tobit's advice: "If you have much, give much; if you have little, give little, and that with a faithful heart." Tobit 4, verse 8.

O my dear child, be mindful of what I have written you, and be always faithful and obedient to people, in all that is not contrary to the truth; and be diligent in your labor, courteous, gentle and meek; for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth. Ephesians 5, verse 9.

With this I commend my dear child to the Lord, and to those that fear God.

This was written by me your father, Bartholomeus Panten, on the same day that I was tortured for the name of the Lord; some of it before the torturing, and some after it. Let all of you that read this, or hear it read, bear in mind, and not be surprised, though this has taken place, for the apostle Peter says: "Beloved, do not think it strange, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that in the time of revelation you may be glad with exceeding joy, if you are now reproached here for the name of Christ." Amen. By me,

BARTHOLOMEUS PANTEN.