A Letter from Lenaert Plovier to His Wife.
Dear and much beloved wife Maeyken, after affectionate greeting, know that I am still of good cheer, and that I am also well according to the flesh, which I hope is the case also with you and those with you. But I should like to hear that it is your determination to follow the Lord in all righteousness; for we know not when the Lord will visit us, that we must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, where every one will receive his reward, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Hence, dear Maeyken, be obedient to the Gospel ere that day comes, since it will come as a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:2); for this is the true way that leads to life eternal, which has sometimes been presented to you, and besides which there is salvation in no other; for Christ says: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Now if Christ is himself the way, the truth, and the life, let us seek to follow the truth, and to walk this way, that we may have life. For it is written, that the Lord shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe, and for the punishment of all them that have not obeyed the Gospel, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord. 2 Thess. 1:7.
Dear Maeyken, though sometimes persecution, tribulation and distress arise, yea, bonds and imprisonment, as is daily seen in us and in others who want to be obedient to the truth; let us not on this account cease to walk this way, or to follow the truth. For Christ says: The world shall rejoice, but ye shall mourn and be sorrowful; but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. John 16:20. Hence, dear Maeyken, regard not father or mother, or children, nor anything that is in the world; for Christ says: He that loveth aught more than me is not worthy of me. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt. 10:37. For to be carnally minded is death, yea, enmity against God, because it is not subject to the law of God, but this is a carnal mind: to love father, mother, children, or aught that is of the world, more than God, or for their sakes to cease to follow the truth, or on account of temporal occupation, or temporal loss, or because we have many children and have anxiety how we are to provide food for them. Christ says: Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all that you need shall be added unto you. Matt. 6:33. Therefore do your best herein, my dear Maeyken, this is my heart’s request of you, this I pray you.
I also inform you, that I was at the Ypres fair. Having returned to Antwerp, our cousin Hendrick and I took a walk out of the city, so that it grew rather late; and when we drew near the city, we met the servants (or thief-catchers) of the city, who apprehended us, so that we could not escape their hands and keep our faith. Therefore, dear Maeyken, though the Lord has now so ordered it, that I have been apprehended, and the time is come that the Lord will visit me, be not discouraged, neither grieve very much, though I know that you will grieve; but do not grieve too much, lest you have to take to your bed, or fall sick; for it is for the truth. Some of the hardest things for my flesh to bear are, that I must leave you and the children, that I cannot help you to provide food for them, nor be a protector, and that you are not minded like we are; but I hope that this will come about in course of time. Hence, dear Maeyken, do your best to be obedient to the Gospel, that, if we never see each other again according to the flesh, we may find each other hereafter. I should have liked to see and converse with you once more; but my time is but brief perhaps. It also would be very hard for you and for me, to part from each other, although it is very hard for me now, though we do not talk with each other: but we must love God above everything else; rather forsake all, than forsake God. Hence, if you come here, or intend to do so, do your best to follow the truth, and to bring up the children in the fear of the Lord. Herewith I commend you to the Lord. Written at Antwerp, in bonds. This occurred on Sunday evening after the Ypres fair. By me Lenaert P., your husband. Greet me Franse much, and tell him to pray the Lord for me, that I may finish my course to the praise of the Lord.
A TESTAMENT OF LENAERT PLOVIER, WHICH HE LEFT HIS CHILDREN, WHILE IMPRISONED FOR THE WORD OF THE LORD, AT ANTWERP, WHERE HE LAID DOWN HIS LIFE IN THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 1560.
Dear and much beloved children N., aged, etc., when your father was taken from you, it was not for any crime, but for the testimony of Jesus, and because I loved you unto death, and I wish that when you have reached the years of understanding, you would seek your salvation, as Christ has taught us. Matt. 6:33. 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 thy father and thy mother, that thou mayest live long in the earth, and that it may be well with thee; for he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death. Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:2,3; Ex. 21:17. And be not obstinate, or gainsaying, or quarrelsome, but kind. Neither lie; for it is written: The mouth that lieth slayeth the soul; for a liar has no part in the kingdom of God, nay, his part shall be in the burning lake. Wis. 1:11; Revelation 21:8. Be industrious with your hands, so as to help your mother gain a living. Gen. 3:19; Eph. 4:28. Be not backward in learning to apply yourself to books, so that when you have attained to 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 unto all good works. 2 Tim. 3:16,17. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath 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 doth not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord. Tit. 2:11,12; Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4.
Behold, dear children, that the word of the Lord is food for the soul, by which the soul must live; and he that does not govern his life according to these words, is threatened with eternal damnation, as Christ says: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3. Hence Christ says: “Repent ye, and believe the gospel; for the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore, every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Mark 1:15; Matt. 3:10. 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. 2 Thess. 1:9.
O dear children, behold what punishment, shall come upon him who does not obey the Gospels—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 14:22. Therefore Peter says: “Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Pet. 4:12,13. 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. Matt. 10:24,25. Hence he says that he came not to bring peace upon earth, but a sword; for he saw beforehand, that the world should 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, yea 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 that will live godly shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12); and neglect not, 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 aboundeth by Christ; for it is written: “Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God; yea, to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God; yea, he shall not be hurt of the second death; yea, he that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels; yea, to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev. 2:10; 3:10; 2:7,11; 3:5,21.
Yes, dear children, behold what beautiful promises are given to those who overcome. Hence, fear not 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 which sitteth 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. Rev. 14:13; 6:9; 7:9,10,16,17; 22:5.
Therefore, dear children, lay this to heart; look to these beautiful promises given to them that overcome, and not to those who apostatize, for these are written in the earth. Rev. 2:7; Jer. 17:13. 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. Is. 55:6; Matt. 25:13.
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.