# A Testament From Joost De Tollenaer, To His Daughter. · Page 1 of 6 [Previous page: ANOTHER LETTER FROM JOOST DE TOLLENAER, TO HIS MOTHER.](/en/stories/mm-another-letter-from-joost-de-tollenaer-to-his-mother/part-2/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: A TESTAMENT FROM JOOST DE TOLLENAER, TO HIS DAUGHTER.](/en/stories/mm-a-testament-from-joost-de-tollenaer-to-his-daughter/part-2/) 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. 1020 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. By holy faith and love effectual Man is saved through Jesus Christ. May the only and merciful, almighty God, who is full of all mercy and a Father of the afflicted widows and orphans; and a Ruler of all those that trust in him, cause you, my daughter and child, to grow up in wisdom and in the knowledge of the truth, so that you may know and learn to fear the most high God, who created and made heaven and earth, the sea and all the fountains of water. May the eternal almighty Father, grant you this through Jesus Christ his only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior. Amen. Hear, my dear child Betgen, and understand my word, written to you in the name of the Lord, and let my speech enter into your heart, and receive it as a precious treasure of gold, that is, that you are from your very youth to learn to fear the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your ability; and walk in all his ways, and serve the Lord with the whole heart and soul, and keep the commandments of the Lord your God, so that it may go well with you in the land; and the Lord will give you his rich grace, and all manner of spiritual blessings. For the fear of God is an overflowing fountain of eternal life, which quickens heart and spirit, and creates a longing and desire to hear the words of God; for they strengthen the inner man in soul, spirit, and body. Hence, my dear child, endeavor from your youth to shun and avoid evil; for it will now be time to perceive and learn to discern what is good and evil. For he that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it shall be accounted sin. James 4:17. And the wise man says: That the Spirit of God does not dwell in a careless soul, nor in a body that is subject to sin. Wis. 1:4. Therefore learn henceforth to shun sin like the face of a serpent. Hence be sober, of good conduct and modest, and avoid all light company, which is carnal and worldly minded; for the world and all the lust thereof shall perish, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. 1 John 2:17. Hence have your intercourse with those that fear the Lord, and walk in God’s ways; and you shall grow up as a daughter of Sarah, which will be acceptable before the Lord. Hence, my child, if you lack wisdom, you must ask it of God: who giveth it to all men liberally, and upbraideth not. But he must ask in faith, nothing doubting, and it shall be given him. James 1:5,6. Hence ask the Lord your God humbly with bended knees, and this often and constantly. Going, standing, working, always have the Lord before your eyes, calling upon him with prayer and supplication, saying: O Lord, my Lord, direct me in thy ways; give me wisdom that comes from the throne of thy glory, and cleanse me from all my sins, that I may be worthy to become a holy temple. Give me grace that I may be meek and humble of heart, and little in my own eyes, so that thy Holy Spirit may dwell in me, and that I may grow up in thy holy divine fear; to the eternal salvation of my soul, and to the praise, glory and honor of thy holy, most worthy, adorable name. O Lord, strengthen me, miserable one, since I am but dust and ashes. O Lord, be merciful unto me, and help me forever. Amen. ## Original source [Read this passage on Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/65855/pg65855-images.html#Page_1020) [Edition details](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65855) [Previous page: ANOTHER LETTER FROM JOOST DE TOLLENAER, TO HIS MOTHER.](/en/stories/mm-another-letter-from-joost-de-tollenaer-to-his-mother/part-2/) · [Book contents](/en/sources/martyrs-mirror/#book-contents) · [Next page: A TESTAMENT FROM JOOST DE TOLLENAER, TO HIS DAUGHTER.](/en/stories/mm-a-testament-from-joost-de-tollenaer-to-his-daughter/part-2/) --- Page: https://history.truechristian.church/en/stories/mm-a-testament-from-joost-de-tollenaer-to-his-daughter/ [Contribute a correction or addition](https://github.com/trueChristian/history.truechristian.church/issues/new?title=Correction%3A+A+Testament+From+Joost+De+Tollenaer%2C+To+His+Daughter.+%C2%B7+Page+1+of+6&body=%23%23+Page+or+topic%0AA+Testament+From+Joost+De+Tollenaer%2C+To+His+Daughter.+%C2%B7+Page+1+of+6%0A%0APage%3A+https%3A%2F%2Fhistory.truechristian.church%2Fen%2Fstories%2Fmm-a-testament-from-joost-de-tollenaer-to-his-daughter%2F%0A%0ARecord%3A+mm-a-testament-from-joost-de-tollenaer-to-his-daughter%0A%0ADate+currently+shown%3A+16th+century+%28source+section%29%0A%0A%23%23+Correction+or+addition%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Sources+and+evidence%0APlease+include+book%2Fpage+references%2C+archive+links%2C+or+first-hand+documentation.%0A%0A%0A%0A%23%23+Image+credit+%28if+applicable%29%0ACreator%2C+source%2C+and+permission+or+public-domain+basis.%0A%0A%0A%0ASubmitted+for+review%3B+this+issue+does+not+publish+changes+automatically.)