The Fourth Letter of Jacob the Chandler, Written to his Children

My chosen dear children, I hope briefly to write you my faith, so that you may know that I did not die as a deceiver or heretic, but for the true faith, which avails before God.

1. I believe and confess that there is one true God, who created and made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that is in them, by His eternal, Almighty and incomprehensible Word, which was with God in the beginning, and was God with the Father. Genesis 1, verse 1; John 1, verses 1 and 2.

2. And God on the sixth day made man after His image or likeness, that is, according to His nature. But man did not remain as created, through the subtlety of the serpent, in whom the devil worked, so that he brought Adam with his whole seed into death, as is written. Genesis 3.

God created man immortal, and made him according to the image of His own likeness; but through the envy of the devil death came into the world, and all that are on his side follow him. Wisdom 23, verse 24. As Esdras also writes: [n972-3] "The first Adam, having an evil heart, transgressed and was overcome, and also all those that are born of him." And he further says: "O Adam, what have you done! For though it was you that sinned, you are not fallen alone, but also all of us that come from you." Second Esdras 7, verse 48.

3. Now when the man Adam with his whole seed had fallen into death, the merciful Father through grace many times promised His Son, who, as a spotless lamb that had been foreordained before the foundation of the world, delivered us from death by His death and blood. Genesis 3, verse 15; First Peter 1, verses 19 and 20. And when the fullness of the time had come, He became man, and was born of the virgin Mary, as had been prophesied concerning Him, in these words: "To us a child is born, to us a son is given." Isaiah 9, verse 6. And again: "A virgin will conceive, and bear a son." Chapter 7, verse 14. Thus, through the power of the Most High He was conceived in Mary of the Holy Ghost, even as the angel said to her: "The Holy Ghost will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you." Luke 1, verse 35. To Joseph he said: "That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost: therefore also that holy thing which will be born of her will be called the Son of God." Matthew 1, verse 20. For the Word which was with God in the beginning became flesh, and dwelt among men, visibly and tangibly, so that also His glory was seen, a glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. He humbled Himself, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, became as another man, and was found in fashion as a man. Philippians 2, verses 7 and 8. And all that He saw and heard of His Father He taught and made known to us, and was obedient to His Father even to death; for He was innocently sentenced by Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, and on the third day rose from the dead. And after His resurrection He commanded His disciples to preach the Gospel to every creature, and to baptize believers in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. And He ascended up to heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father, from where He will come again, in the glory of His Father, and in the clouds of heaven, to judge the living and the dead. Matthew 28, verse 19; Luke 24, verse 51; Revelation 1, verse 7.

4. I further believe and confess that there is a Holy Ghost, which proceeds from the Father, and is poured out, through Christ Jesus, upon the believing and regenerated children, as is written in Titus 3 and Ephesians 1, as an earnest of the Spirit, and as an assurance of the mind; by which Spirit they cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 8, verse 15. By this Spirit they are guided into all truth, since He is also their teacher. John 16, verse 13. By the same Spirit the prophets prophesied, since God through Him distributes the spiritual gifts to believers, for the profiting of all. Hence the apostle writes: "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God who works all in all." First Corinthians 12, verses 4 to 6. These three names are one true God. The Father is the Creator, who created everything by the Son, or His Word; and by His Spirit He has also renewed all things, and has purified believers by the Son, and by the Holy Ghost; in which three names the apostles were commanded to baptize believers. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. First John 5, verse 7.

5. I further believe and confess that there is a holy Christian church, which is the communion of the saints, and the assembly of the believing and righteous, which is the temple of the living God, the pillar and solid ground of the truth, and the city of God in the Spirit. First Corinthians 12, verse 13; First Timothy 3, verse 15. And in this temple the Holy Ghost is the teacher, and the apostles the laborers, who first built this temple. First Corinthians 3, verse 9. As Solomon, when he wanted to build his temple, sent out his servants to hew out the stones from a mountain; and when the stones had been hewn, and were brought to the work, they joined them together, so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was being built; so Christ sent out His apostles, to teach men, and to preach repentance in His name, before they were to be baptized; for they had to be regenerated with the hammer of the divine Word, and by the incorruptible seed of God the Father, who is a mountain and rock forever, if they were to be a living stone in the temple of God. First Kings 5, verse 17; chapter 6, verse 7; Daniel 2, verse 45. Thus the apostles, as wise builders, first built the temple, and laid the foundation. Hence Paul says that God has set in the church first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers. First Corinthians 12, verse 28. In another place he says: "He set some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." For as a body has many members, and yet is but one body, so also, though there are many believers, there is nevertheless but one body, of which Christ is the head. For Paul writes: "By one Spirit we are all baptized into one body . . . and have been made to drink into one Spirit." First Corinthians 12, verse 13. And all that are in this temple or city have Christ for their Lord and King; Him they must obey; they must let Him rule over them, and bear dominion with the scepter of His kingdom, namely, with His Spirit and Word; for to Him all power is given in heaven and in earth. Matthew 28, verse 18. The Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son: that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who has sent Him. And as the Father has life in Himself, so has He given to the Son to have life in Himself. John 5, verses 22, 23 and 26. He that has the Son of God has eternal life; and he that does not have the Son of God does not have life. But this church has forgiveness of sins through Him; for they believe in Him, and seek their salvation in Him alone, for there is no other name given them under heaven by which they can be saved, than the name of Christ; for He is made to them, of God, wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. Acts 4, verse 12; First Corinthians 1, verse 30. And He gave Himself for them, that He might redeem them from all iniquity, and purify to Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2, verse 14. These have one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God for their Father, and one Holy Spirit, upon whom and through whom the temple is built and founded. Ephesians 4, verses 5 and 6.

6. I further believe and confess a Christian baptism, according to the import of the Word of God, as Christ commanded His apostles, saying

"Go 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 19 and 20. And Mark 16, verses 15 and 16: "Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized will be saved, but he that does not believe will be damned." Thus the apostles did according to the command of their Lord; for on the day of Pentecost Peter opened his mouth, and taught the people of Jerusalem, and reproved them of their sins, so that they said: "Men and brothers, what shall we do? Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." Acts 2, verses 37 to 39.

Hereby the apostle proves that the gift of the Holy Ghost should be given not only to the Jews and their children, but also to the Gentiles, who were far from the kingdom of God, but whom God should also call to it, as the prophet Joel had foretold, that God in the latter days should pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. Joel 2, verse 28. Hence God poured out the Holy Spirit upon the Gentile Cornelius and his household (Acts 10, verse 44), in order to convince Peter and his [other] apostles that He had given power to all men by faith, to become children of God; for with such He would establish His covenant. Hence Peter commanded that they should be baptized in the name of the Lord; for they had been baptized by Christ with the Holy Ghost and with fire; by which Holy Ghost He purged their hearts from dead works, to serve the living God. Hence Peter said to those of Jerusalem: "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." Not as though sin could be forgiven through baptism, as may be seen in the case of Simon the sorcerer, who had also been baptized by Philip, but Peter said that he should have neither part nor lot in this matter. Acts 8, verse 21. But they are cleansed from sin through faith in Christ Jesus, in whose name they receive baptism; hence baptism is a sign by which something better is signified; therefore it must be received upon or through faith, for Peter says: "The like figure to which even baptism does also now save us, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God." First Peter 3, verses 21 and 22. Therefore Philip, according to the command of Christ, first taught those of Samaria, before they received baptism. Also many Corinthians that heard it, believed and were baptized. Thus baptism must be received upon faith, for the burying of sin (Romans 6, verse 4), for a washing of regeneration (Titus 3, verse 5), for a covenant of the Christian life, for a putting on of the body of Christ, for a grafting into the true olive tree and vine Christ, for an entrance into the spiritual ark of Noah (First Peter 3, verse 20), of which Christ is the true householder, as is written concerning Him: "Behold I and the children which God has given me." Hebrews 2, verse 13. And Isaiah calls him, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9, verse 6. Thus they are baptized by Christ inwardly with the Holy Ghost and with fire, outwardly with water, as the eunuch said: "Here is water; what hinders me from being baptized? And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Acts 8, verses 36 and 37.

Thus the true Christian baptism must be received according to the command of Christ, and the practice of the apostles, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, for the burying of sin, to walk with Christ in newness of life, and that we should henceforth serve sin no more.

7. I further confess a true Supper, a breaking of bread, which Christ Himself instituted, and observed with His apostles, with bread and wine. The same night in which He was betrayed, He took bread, gave thanks, 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." First Corinthians 11, verses 23 to 25. From this no one is to understand that the bread was the body itself of Christ, because He calls it His body; else we must also understand that the cup is His testament, since He calls the cup His testament. But now they are only memorials, by which His death and the testament (which is sprinkled with His blood) are to be remembered; for where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator . . . otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator lives. Hebrews 9, verses 16 and 17. Hence Christ confirmed with His death His testament which He made with the house of Israel; and let His blood be shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26, verse 28. And for such a remembrance the bread is broken, and the wine drunk, in the church, as Christ said: "This do in remembrance of me." For as the bread is broken in the church, so also was the body of Christ broken on the tree of the cross; and as no one is fed by this bread except those who eat of it, so also no one is fed, according to the soul, by Christ, who is the bread of life, except those that believe in Him. Therefore Judas could not receive Christ, though he ate of the bread; for no one has a right to the breaking of bread, except those who by faith have become partakers of Christ, and one bread with Him; and no one has a right to drink out of the cup, except he that has become a child of the new testament (which is sprinkled with the blood of Christ, First Peter 1, verse 2), and he must have the law of the Lord written in his heart, and the Lord must have become his God, so that He will remember his sins no more. Jeremiah 31, verses 33 and 34. For if we are to use a memorial, we must have that which is to be remembered by it. Hence the apostle says: "Let everyone 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 judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body" (First Corinthians 11, verses 28 and 29); for we must discern for whom the Lord gave His body. Hence, Christians, or those that would be called so, must examine themselves, whether they also have a right to the bread, for it represents much to them, since it becomes to them as a mirror. For it is one bread baked of many grains, which must be alike among one another, because they are ground, made into a dough with water, and baked with fire into one bread, so that it cannot be distinguished which was the smallest or the largest grain. Thus must we also be broken in heart, by the hammer of the divine Word (Jeremiah 23, verse 29), being united together through the communion of the Holy Ghost; and through fervent love be in union and peace with one another, and do nothing through strife or vainglory, but each esteem others better than themselves. Philippians 2, verse 3. They that have thus become one bread with Christ have a right to the breaking of bread, and may receive it in remembrance of Him, for, for such a people He gave His body; they may drink out of the cup, for they are cleansed by His blood, and have by faith obtained that which is signified by the wine. First Peter 1, verse 19. Hence Paul writes: "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. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?" First Corinthians 10, verses 16 to 18. For as Aaron and his children ate the sacrifice, and no strangers might eat of it, so no one has a right to the breaking of bread and the drinking of the cup, except only the true, regenerated children of God, who are inwardly baptized by Christ with the Holy Ghost and with fire, and outwardly with water, upon their faith, and are thus become one bread and body with Christ. And as the children of Israel had to eat the paschal lamb with unleavened bread, so also the Supper of the Lord must be observed by an unleavened people, who have purged out the old leaven, and have become a new lump, or they observe it to their condemnation. First Corinthians 5, verse 7.

Thus the bread is not His body, though Christ so calls it; but it is a memorial of His body, which He has given for us. For Christ said to His disciples: "He that receives you receives me." Matthew 10, verse 40. And He also says: "Whoever receives such a child in my name receives me." Luke 9, verse 48. These words must not be so understood, that they receive Christ bodily; but they that received such a child or His disciples did virtually as much as though they had received Christ; for they were His messengers, and they received them in His name. Paul also says that the Israelites drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, which Rock was Christ (First Corinthians 10, verse 4); though Moses with his rod did not smite Christ, but a stone, which signified Christ (Exodus 17, verse 6). For as through the smiting with Moses' rod water ran out of the stone, so that the Israelites drank; so God the Father by His power caused the water of eternal life to flow, to give drink to the spiritual Israelites; hence he says: "Which Rock was Christ." They also, he says, did eat the same spiritual meat; though they yet ate only the figurative heavenly bread in the wilderness; but God gave us the true bread from heaven (John 6, verse 50), which is Christ, of which the bread which the Israelites ate was a figure. Therefore Paul writes: "They did all eat the same spiritual meat." First Corinthians 10, verse 3. Christ and His apostles used to call the signs and figures as though they were the substance, as in the case of the two wives (Galatians 4, verse 24): Which things are an allegory; for these are the two covenants; though the wives were not the covenants, but they signify the covenants.

So one is also not to understand that the bread is the body of Christ; else the cup must also be the testament, and the wine His blood, which is not so, but they are only symbols by which His body, and His blood, which was shed on the tree of the cross, are to be remembered. Hence Christ says: "This do in remembrance of me."

8. I further also confess a Christian excommunication, or exclusion from the church, which Christ and His apostles themselves ordained and instituted, and this in a twofold manner. In the first place, Christ said to Peter and His other apostles

"Whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matthew 18, verse 18. For He previously says: "I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven." Chapter 16, verse 19. And He also says to His disciples: "Peace be to you: as my Father has sent me, even so I send you. [And when he had said this], he breathed on them, and said to them, Receive the Holy Ghost: whose sins you remit, they are remitted to them; and whose sins you retain, they are retained." John 20, verses 21 to 23. From this no one is to understand that Christ gave the apostles such power that they might govern the kingdom according to their will. God forbid; but He appointed to them the kingdom, as it had been appointed to Him by His Father; that they should govern it according to His will. Hence He made them vicegerents, because He could not remain with them. As the King of Spain, when he wished to travel out of his dominion, appointed vicegerents in his place, that they should govern the people according to his will; however, he does not make them lords over it, but he commits to them his laws, decrees and mandates. Hence, whatever they have bound or loosed here in this country, that is, what they have judged, must stand before the king, as far as they have judged according to his laws and customs; or he would not be a true king. Thus Christ also gave His apostles a rule, after which they were to govern themselves; and He, moreover, gave them His Spirit, in order that they might fully expound it to the church. Hence Christ said to them: "And if your hand offends you, cut it off: it is better for you to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that will never be quenched." The same He also says with regard to the feet and the eyes. Mark 9, verse 43. Now as among those of Corinth there was such an offensive member, who had his father's wife, Paul determined with his spirit and with the power of Christ, when they were gathered together, to deliver him to Satan, for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit might be saved. First Corinthians 5, verse 1. Hence, that which Paul bound on earth was bound in heaven, for he did it with the power of Christ; for this was the power which they had received, to cut off such offensive members, and to purge out that old leaven, that they might be a new lump. Hence he writes to the Thessalonians: "Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us." Second Thessalonians 3, verse 6. For the dead may not remain among the living, lest their offensive smell be imparted to them, and they also become unclean; hence one is to withdraw himself from all unclean brothers and sisters. The apostle also writes: "A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sins, being condemned of himself." Titus 3, verses 10 and 11; Romans 16, verse 17. Such are to be avoided, for they cause contention and offenses, that the church may not be corrupted by their false doctrine. Hence we are to have nothing to do with those who are excommunicated from the church (First Corinthians 5, verse 11), that we may not defile ourselves with them; in the second place, that they may be ashamed and repent (Second Thessalonians 3, verse 14), for it is a punishment for amendment, and not for destruction. Not as Israel's excommunication, which was done by death (Deuteronomy 13, verse 5); but we are to withdraw ourselves from all [such] brothers or sisters without regard of person; for as Moses with his severe, deadly excommunication did not make a distinction of persons, so Christ makes no distinction with His excommunication, which tends to amendment. Hence the apostle writes: "I have written to you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one not even to eat." First Corinthians 5, verse 11.

In the second place it is written, Matthew 18, where He [Christ] gives them the keys. If your brother shall trespass against you (here He does not speak of offensive members, whom He would have cut off, as is written in the same chapter; for He says): go and tell him his fault between you and him alone; if he shall hear you, you have gained your brother (that is, if he confesses his guilt, you are to forgive him, for it is not a deadly matter for which God has excommunicated him; hence you are to forgive him, even as God daily forgives you through Christ. (Ephesians 4, verse 32). But if he will not hear you, then take with you one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be to you as a heathen man and a publican, (which heathen and publicans were excluded from the covenant of the Lord). Leviticus 19, verse 17; Deuteronomy 17, verse 6. From this we may perceive that this is spoken of sins that may be adjusted between brother and brother, and concerning which the apostles had received no binding keys, except after the third admonition, and then he is not punished for the sin, though the sin is the cause, but for his disobedience. Then Peter said: "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?" Christ said: "I do not say to you, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven;" that is, as often as brothers sin against one another, they are to forgive one another, whether the sin consist in words or in works upon which excommunication is not pronounced by the Scriptures. For this is the key with which everything must be locked and unlocked, bound and loosed, or it will not stand in heaven. O my dear brothers and sisters, take good heed that it be always used rightly, and it will redound much to your peace.

9. Lastly I believe in and confess a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust. For as by one man death came upon all men, so also by one man the resurrection of the dead comes upon all men. Romans 5, verse 12. As in Adam we all die, even so in Christ we all are made alive (First Corinthians 15, verse 21); everyone in his order, for many that sleep in the dust of the earth will wake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12, verse 2. For the dead that are in the grave will hear the voice of Christ, and will come forth; they that have done good, to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation. John 5, verses 28 and 29. For their faces will be blacker than darkness, and they will be greatly terrified and sigh for anguish of spirit; for they will all be placed before the judgment seat of Christ, and will there receive according to what they have done. Second Corinthians 5, verse 10; Jeremiah 17, verse 10. Then they will say to the mountains: "Come and cover us, that we may not see the face of him that sits on the throne." Hosea 10, verse 8; Revelation 6, verse 16. Then they will begin to creep into the holes of bats, and to hide themselves in the clefts of the rocks from the terrible majesty of the Lord. Isaiah 2, verses 20 and 21. But it will not be possible; for he will come in the clouds, and every eye will see him, and they will then know whom they have pierced. Matthew 24, verse 30; Zechariah 12, verse 10; Revelation 1, verse 7. And they will see the righteous stand in great boldness, and will say

"These are they whom we once had in derision; we fools accounted their life madness: How are they now numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints!" Wisdom 5, verse 3. Then they will fear that terrible sentence; then Christ will say: "Depart, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

Matthew 25, verse 41. But the righteous will shine above the stars, indeed, as the sun, in the throne of their Father, and will be clothed in white garments, and fed with the hidden heavenly bread, and eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Then they will hunger no more, neither thirst any more; for the Lamb will lead them to the fountain of living water; and then they will inherit all things, for they have overcome. Daniel 12, verse 3; Matthew 13, verse 43; Revelation 2, verse 7; Isaiah 49, verse 10; Revelation 7, verse 17.

Behold, how glorious they will be that are accounted worthy for the resurrection of the just; for this corruptible will put on incorruption, and this mortal immortality. Now it is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. First Corinthians 15, verse 53, and verses 42 to 44. And Isaiah says: "But, Lord, your dead will live, and rise with their bodies." Isaiah 26, verse 19.* Job says: "I know that my Redeemer lives, who will hereafter raise me up from the earth. This my skin will encompass me, and in my flesh I will see God; my eyes will behold him and not another." ** Job 19, verse 25. Then the mortal clothing will be put off, and the immortal put on; then they will have palms in their hands, and a crown on their heads, and will live forever; then they will sit with Christ on twelve thrones, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel; then they will stand in great boldness before the face of those that afflicted them; then the bride will have her Bridegroom, Jesus Christ; then she will hear His beloved voice: "Come, you blessed, inherit the kingdom of my Father, prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Second Esdras 2, verse 45; Matthew 19, verse 28; Wisdom 5, verse 1; Matthew 25, verse 34. Thus I confess a resurrection of the flesh, a righteous judgment, and an eternal life. Amen.

See, my dear children, here I have briefly set forth to you in writing my faith, that you may know in what faith your father died; and I hope that it may serve for your instruction, and that you may be induced the more to follow the same; the Lord grant you His grace, that this may be accomplished.

Herewith I will commend my dear wife and children to the Lord; may He help and bless you by His Spirit, that you may all grow up in wisdom, holiness and righteousness: this I wish you with all my heart. When we are to die, I do not know.

Finished in the year 1569, in May, in my prison, at Bruges, by me, JACOB DE ROOSE, or the chandler.

Alle die lijden na den wille Godts, wilt hierop

mercken,

Die bevelen haer Zielen den getrouwen Schepper

met goede Wercken.

First Peter 4, verse 19. [n972-1]