A Testament of Soetgen van den Houte

In the name of the Lord:

Grace, peace and mercy from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, this I wish you, my dear little children, David, Betgen, and Tanneken, for an affectionate greeting, written by your mother in bonds, for a memorial to you of the truth, as I hope to testify by word and with my death, by the help of the Most High, for an example to you. May the wisdom of the Holy Spirit instruct and strengthen you in it, that you may be brought up in the ways of the Lord. Amen.

Further, my dear children, since it pleases the Lord to take me out of this world, I will leave you a memorial, not of silver or gold, for such jewels are perishable; but I would like to write a jewel into your heart, if it were possible, which is the word of truth, in which I want to instruct you a little for the best with the Word of the Lord, according to the little gift I have received from Him and according to my simplicity.

In the first place, I admonished you, my most beloved, always to let yourselves be instructed by those who fear the Lord; then you will please God, and as long as you obey good admonition and instruction, and fear the Lord, He will be your Father and not leave you orphans. For David says

"What man is he who fears the Lord? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose." Psalm 25, verse 12. He also says: "The eye of the Lord is upon those who fear him, upon those who hope in his mercy, to deliver their soul from death. The angel of the Lord encamps round about those who fear him. O fear the Lord, you his saints, for there is no want to those who fear him; for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Psalm 33, verses 18 and 19; Psalm 34, verses 7 and 9; Psalm 111, verse 10.

Therefore, dear children, learn to fear the Lord, and you will receive wisdom. The wise man says

"A wise son hears instruction. Whoever loves correction and instruction loves knowledge. A wise son fears and shuns evil. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son puts his mother to shame. He who walks with wise men shall be wise; but the companion of fools shall be like them. He who refuses correction and instruction destroys his own soul; but he who hears reproof will become wise."

O my most beloved, do not depart from correction. The wise man says: "Chasten your son while there is hope." Proverbs 19, verse 18.

Hence, my most beloved, do not grieve when you are corrected, and do not speak crossly to those who correct you. A soft answer turns away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs 15, verse 1. If you are spoken to crossly, learn to answer kindly, and you will be loved by all men; for humility and meekness are acceptable to both God and men.

Furthermore, my dear children, I admonish you to beware of lying; for liars have no part in the kingdom of God. Revelation 21, verse 8. It is also written

"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, and he whose mouth lies, his soul shall die." Proverbs 12, verse 12; Wisdom 1, verse 11. Therefore, my dear children, beware of it; for he who deals in lies is loved by no one.

My dear children, keep this in your hearts; my dear lambs, guard your tongue, that it speak no evil; neither practice deceit with your lips, nor be guilty of backbiting, for from that come contention and strife; but Paul teaches us to live peaceably with all men if it is possible. First Peter 3, verse 10; Romans 12, verse 18.

My most beloved, keep this sent you from your mother; and obey your parents, and those whose bread you eat, and all who admonish you to virtue. Ephesians 6, verse 1. Always be diligent to do your work, wherever you are; for Paul says that if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. Second Thessalonians 3, verse 10.

It is also written: "Be diligent to labor, that you may have to give to him who is in need." Ephesians 4, verse 28. Hence, do not turn your face away from the poor. "Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor shall himself also cry, but shall not be heard." Proverbs 21, verse 13. Tobit taught his son, saying: "Son, if you have abundance, give alms accordingly; if you have but little, do not be afraid to give according to that little." Tobit 4, verse 8. Alms given of one's labor is acceptable to God. The wise man says: "Alms purge out sin." We also read of Cornelius and Tobit that the angel said: "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God, whom you begged with tears, and you left your dinner to go and bury the dead." Acts 10, verse 4; Tobit 12, verse 13.

Therefore, be diligent in prayer, and love the poor; for Christ also was poor for our sakes. Second Corinthians 8, verse 9. Be therefore also merciful, even as your heavenly Father is merciful; for such shall be blessed, and shall obtain mercy. Also learn to be meek and lowly in heart; for such are blessed and shall inherit the earth. Luke 6, verse 36; Matthew 5, verse 5. And blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Hence, my dear children, let no impure thoughts remain in your hearts, but occupy yourselves with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and evil thoughts will have no room. Neither let filthiness proceed out of your mouth; for of this an account will have to be given. Ephesians 5, verses 19 and 4; Matthew 12, verse 36.

Furthermore, my most beloved, wherever you are, consider yourselves the least, and do not be wise in your own conceit, but always let yourselves be instructed by those who are above you, and always be silent when others speak. Humble yourself beneath all men; for whoever exalts himself shall be brought low; but he who humbles himself shall be exalted. Matthew 23, verse 12. For Christ, who is the greatest, made Himself the least, for an example to us. Psalm 8, verse 6; John 13, verse 13. And, as is written: "The greater you are, the more humble yourself, and you shall find favor before the Lord; for the power of the Lord is great, and he is honored by the lowly." Sirach 3, verses 18 and 20.

My children, be also just in all your dealings; for in the way of the just there is life, and in the beaten path there is no death. It is joy to the righteous to do what is right, but fear to evildoers. Further, choose to earn your bread by the labor of your hands, and to eat your bread in peace. Do not seek to be a merchant, and do not be anxious for great gain. Better is little with the fear of God than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dry morsel, and quietness, than a house full of sacrifices with strife. Proverbs 15, verse 16; Proverbs 17, verse 1.

My children, do not love dainties or wine. He who desires costly feasts will not become rich; but be content with the labor of your hands. Overtax no one, but be satisfied with what is reasonable, as you have seen of me. Be burdensome to no one, as long as you can obtain the things you need. It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20, verse 35. And Paul says: "If you have food and clothing, be content with that." First Timothy 6, verse 8.

Hence, my dear children, take an example from this, and always go on in the ways of the Lord with sobriety and thankfulness, as you have heard me read of Daniel, of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who were selected by the king of Babylon to be nourished with the same wine and meat which the king drank and ate at his table, so that they might be beautiful, to serve the king. But they would have nothing but pulse and water; they wanted to observe the law and commandments of their fathers with sobriety and thankfulness in the fear of God, and they were fairer and fatter than those who ate of the king's dainties. Daniel 1. [n847-1]

Thus faithfully they walked in the ways of the Lord, and with prayer and supplication made themselves acceptable to Him; therefore God did great things through them, and delivered them from the den of lions, and out of the fiery furnace. And Joseph, when he was sold into Egypt, desired no dainties, nor wine, because the Egyptian women sought to seduce him; but he feared God, and God preserved him. He pleased God by sobriety and prayer, so that he was appointed ruler over Egypt. Genesis 37, 39 and 41.

My dear children, take an example from this, in your youth, and you will please God, and He will keep you from all seduction.

O my lambs, you are still in your youth, in your infancy; you have yet your part in your Father's kingdom; see that you keep it well, and do not do as Esau did, who gave his inheritance or birthright for a mess of pottage, not regarding his father's blessing; he gave it away for perishable food. Genesis 25, verse 33. But Jacob chose the better part, and was obedient to God and his father, walking the ways of the Lord with all righteousness.

My most beloved, seek instruction, so that you may be taught, and know which is the true way; for you may now choose life or death, good or evil; whichever you desire shall be given you (Sirach 15, verse 17); namely, if you delight in evil, so that you choose the pleasures of the world (from which springs all unrighteousness), namely, lying and cheating, gambling, playing, swearing, cursing, backbiting, hatred, envy, drunkenness, banqueting, excess, idolatry, covetousness, lasciviousness, vanity, filthy conversation, dancing, and so on; which things, though the world does not consider them sins, but amusements, are nevertheless abominations in the eyes of the Lord. First Peter 4, verse 3.

Therefore, my dear children, take heed; if you take pleasure in these things, you sell your birthright, or the inheritance from your father, for a mess of pottage, namely, for a few temporal pleasures, which lead you to damnation. See whether all the great multitude do not choose to walk this way. Hence Esdras has truly said that there is much more earth found, to make earthen vessels, than gold, to make golden vessels. And as the wave is greater than a drop, so there will be more that will be damned. Second Esdras 8, verses 2 and 3; Second Esdras 9, verses 15 and 16. For many are called, but few are chosen, for they do not heed their call; as Christ says: "My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me; but these follow the great multitude of the ungodly and false prophets." John 10, verse 27.

Hence Isaiah says: "Hell has opened her mouth wide, to receive the proud and all who do unrighteousness, and all who will not repent." Isaiah 5, verse 14.

Therefore, behold, my most beloved, if you let yourselves be instructed in virtue, you will follow the voice of the Lord, as from the time of Abel until now many who suffered have done; they were rejected, despised, persecuted and killed because they would not follow the wicked world and her false prophets.

Behold, my most beloved, choose rather to suffer affliction with the children of God, so that you may be rewarded with them; for they are the ones to whom belong all the beautiful promises, but they must suffer much, for the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11, verse 12. It is also written: "Through much tribulation you must enter into the kingdom of heaven." For David says: "We are led to death as sheep for the slaughter." And Paul says: "We who live are always delivered to death." It is also written: "You shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. You shall have tribulation for a little while, but be of good cheer and be faithful to death, and I will give you a crown of life." Revelation 2, verse 10. In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16, verse 33. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. We further read: "The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." "Blessed are they who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb." Revelation 19, verses 7 to 9. "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father." Matthew 13, verse 43.

See, my most beloved, this is the better part and reward of all those who fear the Lord, walk in His ways and keep His commandments. These are they to whom the Lord says: "Fear not, you worm Jacob, and you few men of Israel: I will not leave you orphans; but I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and I will keep you as the apple of my eye; indeed, if you keep my commandments, though you were cast out to the uttermost part of heaven, yet I will gather you from there, and will bring you to the place that I have chosen." Isaiah 41, verse 14; Isaiah 51, verse 7; Zechariah 2, verse 8; Deuteronomy 30, verse 4; Nehemiah 1, verse 9.

Oh, who would not love such a Lord and Father, who has chosen us, as He chose Israel, and has given us His commandments and laws, namely, His Gospel, which teaches us to do His will and His pleasure; and such He has made heirs of all the riches of heaven. Isaiah 49, verse 7.

O my dear children, I have written this in tears, admonishing you out of love, praying for you with a fervent heart, that, if possible, you might be of this number. For when your father was taken from me, I did not spare myself day or night to bring you up, and my prayer and concern were constantly for your salvation, and even while in bonds my greatest care has always been that my prudence did not enable me to make better provision for you. For when I was told that you had been taken to Oudenarde, and from there to Bruges, it was a hard blow for me, so that I never had a greater sorrow. But when I thought that my coming or providing could not help the matter, and that for Christ's sake we must separate from all that we love in this world, I committed all to the will of the Lord, and I still hope and pray constantly that He in His mercy will preserve you, as He preserved Joseph, Moses and Daniel in the midst of wicked men. And He will do this, if you give diligence to follow the truth; then the angel of the Lord will be with you, even as He was with Tobias, guiding him until He brought him to his father's house, where he rejoiced with his father and his friends, thanking God for His great goodness. Tobit 7, verse 11.

Thus also, if you will follow good instruction, it will guide you safely through every danger, and bring you to your Father's house, where there is such joy prepared that ear has not heard, nor eye seen, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what joy is prepared for the elect; but to the elect God has revealed it by His Holy Spirit. Isaiah 64, verse 4; First Corinthians 2, verses 9 and 10.

May the word of the Father bring you to this, through the mercy of the Son, and may the wisdom of the Holy Spirit strengthen you, that you may take hold of it. Amen.

David, my dear child, I herewith commend you to the Lord. You are the oldest; learn wisdom, that you may set your sisters a good example; and beware of bad company, and of playing in the street with bad boys; but diligently learn to read and write, so that you may get understanding. Love one another, without contention or quarreling, but be kind to each other. Let the one who is wise bear with him who is simple, and admonish him with kindness. Let the strong bear with the feeble, and help him all he can, out of love. Let the rich assist the poor, out of brotherly love. Let the younger obey the older in what is good. Admonish one another to be industrious, so that people may love you. Exhort one another to good works, to modesty, honorableness and quietness. Always care for one another; for the time has come that love shall grow cold; indeed, if it were possible, the very elect would be deceived. Matthew 24, verses 12 and 24. Hence, take heed and learn diligently to search the Scriptures, so that you may not be deceived; but always hold to the first and second commandment, which will teach you rightly. Do not easily believe it when evil is told you of another, but examine the matter; and make no commotion when you are slandered, but bear it for Christ's sake.

Love your enemies, and pray for those who speak evil of you, and afflict you. Rather suffer wrong, than that you should grieve another; rather suffer affliction, than that you should afflict another; rather be reproached, than that you should reproach another; rather be slandered, than that you should slander another; rather be robbed, than that you should rob another; rather be beaten, than that you should beat another, and so on.

Behold, my most beloved, all this is wrought through brotherly love, and is all comprehended in the second commandment; hence, you must constantly see that you do not seek only your own profit, but always care for those with whom you have dealings, whether they are young or old.

Further, my dear children, Betgen and Tanneken, my beloved lambs, I admonish you in all these same things, that you obey the commandments of the Lord, and also obey your uncle and aunt, and your elders, and all who instruct you in virtue. To those whose bread you eat you must be subject in all that is not contrary to God. Always diligently admonish yourselves to do your work, and you will be loved wherever you live. Do not be quarrelsome, or talkative, or frivolous, or proud, or harsh in speech, but kind, honorable and quiet, as is fitting for young girls. Pray the Lord for wisdom, and it shall be given you. Diligently learn to read and write, and take delight in it, and you will become wise. Take pleasure and engage in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Seek for the only joy. Learn to please the Lord from your youth, as did the holy women and virgins, as Judith did. Judith 8.

Esther also was a virgin who feared God; she was adorned with humility, was gracious, honorable, kind, and humble of heart; hence she pleased King Ahasuerus above all the other virgins. Esther 2, verse 17. But in her high estate she was not proud; though she shone in royal apparel, she humbled her heart, with fasting and prayer to the Lord, for her brothers, that they might be delivered out of the hands of their enemies; she did not esteem herself better than one of the least of her brothers.

See, my most beloved, when you have reached the years of understanding, see that you adorn yourselves with good works, namely, the works of the Spirit, that is, with all manner of goodness, gentleness, meekness, humility, obedience, patience, righteousness, modesty, honorableness, purity, peaceableness, steadfastness, mercifulness, wisdom, diligence in good works, faith, hope and love; to love God above all that is in the world, and to do to your neighbor as you would have men do to you, on which hang all the law and the prophets. Galatians 5, verses 22 and 23; Matthew 22, verses 37 and 40.

Behold, my dear children, this is the adornment of the saints, and so on.

O my most beloved, labor for such a wedding garment, so that you may enter in among the number of the children of God to the marriage of the Lamb, where they shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Revelation 19, verse 7; Matthew 13, verse 43.

May the strong hand of the Lord bring you to this; may He lead you as He led Israel out of Egypt, and bring you to the New Jerusalem, that we may see each other with joy in the day of the resurrection.

Herewith I commend you to the Lord, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; may He keep you to the end of your lives. Amen.

My dear children, this I leave you as a memorial or testament. If you put it to good use, you will gather more treasure by it than if I had left you many riches, which are perishable; for the riches of this world may be lost through fire, war, or misfortune.

Hence, he is not wise who sets his heart upon anything that is perishable, since we have no assurance of it for an hour; we must leave it all behind; therefore do not grieve, though what we had is scattered or lost, as the prophet says: "We are a prey to everyone." Isaiah 59, verse 15. Hence you are to thank the Lord yet, that He let us have it until I had brought you up this far; and if you walk in all righteousness, the Lord will give you enough. Take an example from Tobias. Tobit 4, verse 19. David also says that the righteous shall not want, nor his seed go begging bread. Psalm 37, verse 25.

Therefore covet no one's property or treasures, nor envy anyone because he has more than you. Neither regard any person for his gifts, but follow the little flock, who walk truly in love; for love is the bond of perfection, and the command of love is above all others. Luke 12, verse 32; Colossians 3, verse 14. Therefore, see constantly that you follow those who walk most in love; for the tree is known by its fruit, though these are hidden from all men; but Christ was too, and the servant is not better than his lord. Matthew 10, verse 24.

Herewith I will bid you farewell: farewell my dear children, and farewell all my dear friends.

My most beloved, though our adversaries tell you that your father and I are not of the same faith, do not believe them; for he confessed the truth concerning baptism and the incarnation of Christ, in all that he was able to comprehend, and he valiantly testified to righteousness, giving his life for it, pointing out to you for an example the same way which the prophets, the apostles and Christ Himself went. He had to go before through the conflict with much tribulation and suffering, and leave his children behind for Christ's sake; hence do likewise, for there is no other way.* Give diligence to read the Testament. Amen. [n847-3]