Testimony against John van Leyden, Part 2

Therefore, as true as Christ is the first-begotten Son of God, so true he is the servant David whom the Father anointed with the holy oil, that is, with his Holy Ghost.

Again, the Lord says concerning his servant David, “My mercy will I keep for him forevermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed also will I make to endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven,” Ps. 89: 28, 29. This seed is the children; for it further reads: If his children forsake my law. Now it is manifest that this should not be understood as having reference to the carnal children of the figurative David; for they committed themselves to idolatry, and quite forsook the law of God. For this they were often punished, and, at last, cut from the olive tree as unfruitful branches, Rom. 11: 21.

Nor did the worldly kingdom of David remain unbroken; but it was destroyed; as the holy patriarch Jacob, and other prophets prophesied. And to understand it as having reference to the carnal children of David, is contrary to the epistle of Paul to the Romans, as he there says, “For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel. Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for the seed,” Rom. 9: 6—8; therefore we should not understand this seed as having reference to the carnal children, but to the spiritual seed, of which it is written: When my servant shall have given his life as a sacrifice then he shall have seed and live long. This seed are all the true children of God, which are born again, “not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God,” 1 Pet. 1: 23.

Christ says, “Behold I and the children which God hath given me,” Heb. 2: 13; and these children of God abide in eternity, eternal joy and peace shall be upon them: they shall always reign with Christ, and Christ their King has an eternal kingdom, and his throne shall be as the days of heaven. This psalm quite agrees with the words of the prophet Nathan, which he spoke unto David promising him Solomon. As we must not understand the words of the prophet Nathan as referring to Solomon alone, but rather as referring to Christ (although the words in a literal sense are spoken in reference to Solomon), thus we should not understand the words of the psalm as referring to carnal David alone, but rather to the true David, Christ Jesus. And this the following text strongly implies, which speaks of the peace of Christ. This is our confession of the promised David.

We might, by the grace of God, write a great deal more to show that Christ is our promised David; but we presume that sufficient has been written for the intelligent. We do not serve the contentious. Let them cry. Let them make unto themselves a different king, yet Christ will remain the eternal King reigning in his believing church. He is the Lord. He will not give his glory to another. He will have incense which shall be sanctified unto him. And whosoever shall make such incense unto himself, his soul shall be rooted out from Israel, Ex. 5.

None shall succeed in exalting himself to Christ and opposing truth. They may make a disturbance, but Moses and Aaron will gain the victory. Jannes and Jambres must give way and be shamed, 2 Tim. 3: 8. Korah, Dathan and Abiram may rise against Moses, but they shall perish with their confederates, Num. 16: 32.

A proud Uzziah may rise and appropriate the glory which is not due him, but he will be smitten of God, 2 Chron. 26: 16.

Hophni and Phinehas may for a time make the people transgress, and turn them from the true religion, but they shall obtain their reward, 1 Sam. 2: 12; 4: 11. Let every one take heed and remain in Christ. Sufficient of this.

By the grace of God we will also write a little about warfare, that christians are not allowed to fight with the sword, that we may unanimously leave the armor of David to the carnal Israelites; and the sword of Zerubbabel to those who build the temple of Zerubbabel in Jerusalem, which was a figure of them and a shadow of things coming. For the body itself is in Christ as Paul says, Col. 2: 9.

Now we should not understand that the figure of the Old Testament is so applied to the truth of the New Testament, that flesh is understood as referring to flesh; but the figure must answer the truth; the image, the being, and the letter, the Spirit.

If we take this view of it we shall easily understand with what kind of arms christians should fight, namely, with the word of God, which is a two edged sword, of which we will, by the assistance of God, say a few words, Heb. 4: 12; Eph. 6: 17.

Whereas the eternal God has raised his Son Christ, a Prophet unto us whom we shall hear; and whereas Christ testifies of himself that he is our only Master, therefore it is incontrovertible that we dare not accept any other doctrine but the doctrine of Christ. No strange doctrine, which is contrary to the doctrine of Christ and that which the apostles by the Holy Ghost have written and taught unto us, I say, we dare accept, Deut. 18 : 15; Acts 3 : 22; 7 : 37; Matt. 23: 9. For there may be no strange fire offered unto God. Christ will not tolerate the leaven of the Pharisees, Lev. 10: 1; Matt. 16: 8.

Moses had to make the cherubims of pure gold, Ex. 25: 18. “The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times,” Ps. 12: 6.

The Lord does not suffer his doctrine to be adulterated; he punishes all false doctrine, as he spoke about Jerusalem, “Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water,” “and I will turn my hand upon thee and purely purge away thy dross,” Isa. 1: 22, 25; thus God hates all false doctrine; and therefore the apostles admonish us that we shall abide in God’s word alone, as John says, “Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father,” 1. Jn. 2:24. Paul says that we should beware of those who raise contentions and are offended at the doctrine which he preached, that they should be separated. Yea, so strongly does Paul urge his doctrine that he says, “If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed,” Gal. 1: 8. Thus Paul teaches in all his epistles to beware of a strange gospel, and to abide in the doctrine which is not his, but of the Holy Ghost, according to the words of Christ, “For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” Now the Spirit of God speaks thus through Paul, “My brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Eph. 6: 10—17; 1 Thess. 5: 8. At another place: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled,” 2 Cor. 10: 4—6. He that is not blind will understand with what weapons the christian is to fight, namely, with the word of God; with this they should be well armored. For thus speaks the holy church: “Behold, his bed which is Solomon’s; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel; they all hold swords, being expert in war; every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night,” Cant. 3: 7, 8; that is, each one is armed with the sword of the Spirit against all the wiles of the devil, against all false doctrine. Concerning Christ it is written, “Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most Mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously, because of truth and meekness, and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee,” Ps. 45: 3—5.

Here the Scriptures say that Christ shall have a sword. What sword now shall Christ have? This he himself tells in the “Revelation,” in these words, “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth,” Rev. 2: 16.

If Christ fights his enemies with the sword of his mouth, if he smites the earth with the rod of his mouth, and slay the wicked with the breath of his lips; and if we are to be conformed unto his image, how can we, then, fight our enemies with any other sword? Does not the apostle Peter say, “For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did not sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously?” 1 Pet. 2: 21—23; Matt. 16: 24. This accords with the words of John who says, That he that abides in Christ, walks as Christ walked. Christ himself says, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me,” Mark 8: 34; Luke 9: 23. Again, “My sheep hear my voice ....and they follow me,” Jn. 10 27. And this is the voice of Christ, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Again, “Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven, for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do you more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect,” Matt. 5: 39, 43—47; Rom. 12 : 20; 1 Pet. 3 : 9; Luke 6: 34; 1 Pet. 1: 15. Behold this is the voice of Christ. All those now who are his sheep will hear his voice. But those who are not his sheep will not hear his voice, as Christ said unto the Pharisees, “Ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep.” The Pharisees thought they had Moses and the prophets, they also had a semblance of holiness; but they did not hear the voice of Christ, therefore it was all in vain. Thus it is with all those who do not submit themselves to the commandments of Christ.

It is not in the leaves of the tree, but in the fruit. And which is the right kind of fruit, Paul clearly testifies, saying, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance,” Gal. 5: 22, 23. Here we are not taught to take up the carnal sword, or to repay evil with evil. But rather as Paul says at another place, “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves; but rather give place unto wrath: For it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good,” Rom. 12: 17—21. And how can christians fight with the implements of war? Paul plainly says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,” Phil. 2: 5. Now, Christ Jesus was minded to suffer; thus, all christians must be so minded.

Christ did not suffer Peter to defend him with the sword; how can a christian, then, defend himself with the sword? Christ would drink the cup which the Father had given him; how then, can a christian refuse to drink it? Matt. 26 : 51; Luke 22 : 50; Mark 14: 47; Jn. 18: 11.

Or does any person expect to be saved by other means than those which Christ has taught us? Is not Christ the way, the truth, and the life? Is he not the door to the fold, so that none can enter into the fold but by him? Jn. 10: 9; 14: 6.

Is he not the Shepherd of his sheep, whom the sheep should follow? Is not he our Lord and Prince? And who is it that would be above his Master but he that would not suffer, as he has suffered. Who is it that would be above his master but he that is not satisfied with his Master’s doctrine? Let every one take heed. It is forbidden us to take up arms, Matt. 10: 24; Jn. 13: 16; 15: 20.

Paul says, “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men,” Titus 3: 1, 2. And the holy apostle James says, “Be patient, therefore brethren unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your heart; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. ...... Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering, affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy,” Jas. 5: 7—11. If we are to be longsuffering until the coming of the Lord, then it is, surely, forbidden to fight inasmuch as the Lord is not yet come.

And if we are to take the prophets as an example to bear with persecution, then we must put on the apostolic armor, and the armor of David must be left behind. How would it comport with the word of God, that one who boasts of being a christian, should lay aside the spiritual weapons and take up the carnal ones, for Paul says, “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will,” 2 Tim. 2: 24—26.

All of you who would fight with the sword of David, and be the servants of the Lord, consider these words, which show how a servant should be minded. If he is not to strive, how can he war? If he is to be gentle to all men, how can he then hate them and do evil unto them? If he is to be apt to teach, how can he lay aside the apostolic weapons? If he is to teach he will need them. If he is to instruct in meekness those that oppose, how can he destroy them?

If he is to instruct in meekness those that oppose truth, how can he angrily punish those that do not yet acknowledge the truth? Paul says, if God peradventure will give them repentance. But some will not wait for that, and if they even do it with good intention, still they with Uzzah lay their hands on the ark of God. Therefore I fear that it will not be left unpunished. And if they with Saul, even saved the best beasts of the Amalekites, for sacrifices unto God, yet it will not please the Lord; for it is contrary to his word. He has pleasure in obedience and not in sacrifices.

But now some say, the Lord wants to punish Babylon, and that by his christians; they must be his instruments. O, God! It would be well if we would leave the Lord to do his works, and remember the words of Ecclesiasticus: “Seek not out the things that are too hard for thee, neither search the things that are above thy strength. But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence; for it is not needful for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in secret. Be not curious in unnecessary matters,” Eccl. 3: 21—23.

For many things are shown men above their understanding, and presumption has caused many to fall, and held their understanding in vanity. It would also be well for those who ask, with the disciples of the Lord, when the kingdom of Israel is to be restored, to observe the answer of the Lord: “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power,” Acts 1: 6. But this they forget, and cry: God will shortly punish and destroy Babylon. To do this the christians must be his instruments; and this they make the simple believe; for which reason we will adduce some Scriptures. It is true that God will punish Babylon, but not by his christians; for thus speaks Jeremiah: “The Lord hath raised up the spirits of the kings of the Medes; for his device is against Babylon to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his temple.” Again: “Prepare against her the nations, with the kings of the Medes, the captains thereof, and all the rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion. And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the Lord shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant,” Jer. 51: 11, 28, 29.

I am aware that this was fulfilled against Babylon, in the Chaldee country, though the Roman Babylon shall not escape the same plague; but I have adduced this for the service of the advocates of the sword who want to prove by this Scripture of Jeremiah, that the christians shall punish Babylon, while the prophet clearly testifies that God has done this by heathen hands, and that it is his will that it shall be done by such, as is shown by Rev. 17: 16: “The ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.”

Thus it may be plainly understood from these words that the Babylonian whore shall be destroyed, not by christians; as also, that christians should not destroy. A Theudas may rise up and cause a disturbance, but he shall not succeed, Acts 5: 36. There may rise up a Judas Galilee and cause a riot, but he shall perish, and all his followers shall perish and be scattered. Let every person beware and diligently observe the Scriptures, and he shall see that the Lord himself will destroy, at his coming again, and punish all his enemies who will not submit to him. For Luke says, “It came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading;” and when his servants had given an account, he said, “But those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me,” Luke 19: 15, 27.

This Scripture clearly testifies that the Lord Christ, must first come again, before all his enemies are punished. And how Christ will come again he himself testifies, saying, “For the son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works,” Matt. 16: 27. Again, “For as the lightening cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the son of man be.” “And then shall appear the sign of the son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory,” Matt. 24: 27, 30; Mark 13: 26; Luke 17: 24. The two angels also testified how Christ would come again, saying, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven,” Acts 1: 11. From this it is plain to everybody how Christ shall come; therefore, when ye shall see Christ come in this manner then you may rest assured that all the enemies of God will be punished; and do not suppose that it shall be so before his coming again, for you will find yourselves mistaken; or else God’s word must be false, which is impossible. Luke also says, that the Lord had received the kingdom.

Of this Daniel says, “I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom, that which shall not be destroyed,” Dan. 7 : 13, 14. Here observe of whom Christ receives this kingdom, that you may see what abominable deceit it is that some say that John Van Leyden would take the kingdom, and that he who has taken it will give it unto Christ, as David gave the kingdom unto Solomon.

Further, the evangelist says, That Christ will take account with his servants, which will not be until the day of judgment; Paul says, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad,” 2 Cor. 5: 10. Jesus says, “That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment,” Matt. 12: 36. Then the faithful servants shall enter into the kingdom of their Lord; then shall the wicked be punished, and all whose names are not found written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire; for they would not confess Christ to be their king, but worshipped the beast and his image, Rev. 20: 15; 13: 8.

This parable some adulterate, and say, “The enemies of God must be destroyed before the coming of Christ, and therefore we will be the instruments to do so.” But they must come to shame; “For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee; and we will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift,” Isa. 30: 15. O, that the advocates of the sword would observe these words! Yea, those who would be angels to root up the tares! while Christ told the parable with a different understanding, saying, “The good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels,” Matt. 13: 38, 39. Inasmuch as the christians are the good seed, how then can they be the angels or reapers; or if they be the reapers, how can they be the seed? These two are quite different things, the seed and the reapers; its plainness is incontrovertible.

It is true that the christians are sometimes called angels. But we cannot always understand it, when reading of angels, as meaning the believing. There are also other angels of which it is written: “Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire,” Ps. 104: 4; 103: 20; Heb. 1:7. With these angels Christ will come, as Paul says, “The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,” 2 Thess. 1: 7, 8. These angels will be the reapers who, at the end of the world, that is, in the day of judgment, will root up all tares and cast them into the lake of fire. Until that time the tares will be left among the good seed; let none think that we should root up the tares now, or that we should now separate the goats from the sheep. “When the son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left,” Matt. 25: 31—33.

These words are as clear as the sun, yet some do not understand them, so that we may well say unto them, “O foolish Galations, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you.” Whether you are baptized on the sword or on the cross? “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain,” Gal. 3: 1—4.

What avails it that you have left Egypt if you again look back to Egypt, that is, to darkness, and leave the true light, yea, are desirous after the flesh of Egypt, that is, human doctrine, and are not satisfied with the bread from heaven? Ex. 14: 11; Num. 14: 2.

What does it avail that you are gone away from Pharaoh, if you are slain by Amalek on account of your disobedience; that is, because you fight against the will of the Lord? What does it profit that you have gone through the Red Sea with the children of Israel, if you do not enter with Joshua and Caleb, into the promised land, by firm faith in God’s word? And how we are to enter into the promised land, in the eternal kingdom of God, is testified to by Paul and Barnabas, who taught the churches that they had to enter into the kingdom through many tribulations.

Christ has not taken his kingdom with the sword, but he entered it through much suffering. Yet they mean to take it by the sword! O, blindness of man! But thus it must be, that those who will not confess Christ to be their only Shepherd, that they may be pastured by him, will have to eat of the pastures which are trampled upon; and that those who will not draw the clear, crystal water from the fount of the Savior, will have to drink the impure water which the false shepherds have made impure with their feet. And that for the reason, because they have done double evil to the children of Israel. They have forsaken the Lord, the living fountain, and have made fountains of their own which appear beautiful, but they afford no water. Therefore I admonish all beloved brethren, yea, I pray you by the mercy of God our Lord Jesus Christ, to give heed to the word of God, and do not forsake it; for you have seen your Master Christ, with the eye of faith, and you have heard his voice, saying, This is the true way, walk upon it, go neither to the right hand nor to the left.

Let every one of you guard against all strange doctrine, of the sword, of opposition and of other like things, which is nothing short of a fine cover, under which lies hidden an evil serpent which has blown its venom into many. Let every one beware of it!

Let every one behave himself in accordance with the example of the divine word, which he has received from the apostles, by faith and love. Let every one remember that Christ was taught to him in no other way but through tribulation. Abide in it. For in Christ is an upright being; he is the light of the world; he who follows him shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life, Ps. 67: 1. God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, be gracious unto us, and enlighten us that we on earth may acknowledge his way, and his salvation among the Gentiles.

All you who have tasted the kindness of the Lord, love him. The Lord upholds the upright. Be of good cheer, and doubt not; for the Lord will strengthen your souls, who patiently wait for his coming. “The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble; he sitteth between the cherubim; let the earth be moved,” Ps. 99: 1. This King the Jews scorned, and they became blind.