A TESTAMENT FROM JOOST DE TOLLENAER, TO HIS DAUGHTER.
If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. Prov. 2:3–5.
If thou wilt serve God, be in earnest with it, lest thou tempt him. Eccl. 18:23.
Be not slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. Rom. 12:11,12.
Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me. Jn. 5:39.
Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently, Jer. 48:10.
I, Joost de Tollenaer, your father, was apprehended in Ghent, and brought into the Saucelet (the city prison), in the corn market, after ten o’clock in the night, of the 13th of January, 1589, and this for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. The Lord strengthen me by his Holy Spirit unto the end of my life, and all those that are in distress, without as well as in bonds.
Betgen, this is your age, and is for your remembrance.
Betgen de Tollenaer was born on the 14th of August, A. D. 1574. God strengthen you in virtue according to his will. And if I die for the name of the Lord, the following letter is written to you for a testament, and for a remembrance all your life. But if I do not die, it is for the delight and instruction of your heart, that you should conduct yourself, to fear the Lord your God.
Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this behooves all men.