A Testament of Lenaert Plovier

Dear and much beloved children N., aged, and so on, when your father was taken from you, it was not for any crime, but for the testimony of Jesus, and because I loved you even to death; and I wish that when you have reached the years of understanding, you would seek your salvation, as Christ has taught us. Matthew 6, verse 33. Hence I have written you a brief admonition, that when you have come to the years of understanding, you, remembering this, may seek your salvation.

Therefore, dear children, see that you obey your mother, and honor her, for it is written: "Honor your father and your mother, that you may live long in the earth, and that it may be well with you; for he who curses his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death." Exodus 20, verse 12; Ephesians 6, verses 2 and 3; Exodus 21, verse 17. And do not be obstinate, or contradicting, or quarrelsome, but kind. Neither lie; for it is written: "The mouth that lies slays the soul; for a liar has no part in the kingdom of God; no, his part shall be in the burning lake." Wisdom of Solomon 1, verse 11; Revelation 21, verse 8. Be industrious with your hands, so as to help your mother gain a living. Genesis 3, verse 19; Ephesians 4, verse 28. Do not be backward in learning to apply yourself to books, so that when you have attained the years of understanding, you may seek your salvation. Be always modest in your words, as becomes children. And when you have come to years of understanding, take a Testament, and see what Christ has left and commanded us there; for all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished for all good works. Second Timothy 3, verses 16 and 17. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world; for man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. Titus 2, verses 11 and 12; Deuteronomy 8, verse 3; Matthew 4, verse 4.

Behold, dear children, that the Word of the Lord is food for the soul, by which the soul must live; and he who does not govern his life according to these words is threatened with eternal damnation, as Christ says: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3, verse 3. Hence Christ says

"Repent, and believe the gospel; for the axe is laid to the root of the trees; therefore, every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire." Mark 1, verse 15; Matthew 3, verse 10. Therefore, dear children, see that you escape punishment; for those who do not obey the Gospel shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord. Second Thessalonians 1, verse 9:

O dear children, behold what punishment shall come upon him who does not obey the Gospel: eternal banishment from the face of God, and everlasting punishment. Hence, dear children, prepare while you have time. Though some tribulation may arise over those who seek to obey the Gospel, it will not last long when compared with that which is eternal; for we must enter into the kingdom of God through much tribulation. Acts 14, verse 22. Therefore Peter says: "Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange things happened to you; but rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy." First Peter 4, verses 12 and 13. Even Christ our Teacher and Master had to enter into the kingdom of God through tribulation and suffering; and the servant cannot be more than his master, but it must be enough for the servant that he be as his master. Matthew 10, verses 24 and 25. Hence He says that He did not come to bring peace upon earth, but a sword; for He saw beforehand that the world would ill endure it, even as from the beginning it could not endure it; for they persecuted the prophets from the beginning, though they boasted that they had God for their Father; yet they could not endure the good things the prophets told them, nor their warnings; hence they persecuted them, indeed stoned and killed them; they did not even know Christ Himself, who did so many signs and mighty works among them, but crucified Him. O dear children, lay to heart what Paul says: "All who will live godly shall suffer persecution" (Second Timothy 3, verse 12); and do not neglect, on account of a little suffering, to seek your salvation; for these sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us; for as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ; for it is written: "Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be faithful to death, and I will give you a crown of life. Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try those who dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold fast what you have, that no man take your crown. Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more; and I will write upon him the name of my God; indeed, to him who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God; indeed, he shall not be hurt by the second death; indeed, he who overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels; indeed, to him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Revelation 2, verse 10; Revelation 3, verse 10; Revelation 2, verses 7 and 11; Revelation 3, verses 5 and 21.

Yes, dear children, behold what beautiful promises are given to those who overcome. Hence, do not fear men, who can afflict us here for a short time only; for after this tribulation we shall rest from all our labors, under the altar, with those who were also slain for the Word of God, and shall appear with many thousand saints, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands, crying with a loud voice, "Salvation to our God who sits upon the throne, and the Lamb." They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat; for the Lord will be their light, and shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no night there; and they shall need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever. Revelation 14, verse 13; Revelation 6, verse 9; Revelation 7, verses 9, 10, 16 and 17; Revelation 22, verse 5.

Therefore, dear children, lay this to heart; look to these beautiful promises given to those who overcome, and not to those who apostatize, for these are written in the earth. Revelation 2, verse 7; Jeremiah 17, verse 13. Hence, dear children, see that you fear the Lord, while He gives you time; for He shall come when it is not expected. Watch therefore, and wait for His coming. Isaiah 55, verse 6; Matthew 25, verse 13.

This is the testament I leave you. Written at Antwerp, in prison, where I was confined for the testimony of Jesus. By me, your father,

LENAERT PLOVIER.