# A Testament Of Soetgen Van Den Houte, Which She Left Her Children, David, Betgen And Tanneken, For A Memorial, And For The Best, And Which She Confirmed With Her Death, At Ghent, Flanders.

16th century (source section) · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: A TESTAMENT OF SOETGEN VAN DEN HOUTE, WHICH SHE LEFT HER CHILDREN, DAVID, BETGEN AND TANNEKEN, FOR A MEMORIAL, AND FOR THE BEST, AND WHICH SHE CONFIRMED WITH HER DEATH, AT GHENT, FLANDERS.

Century of containing source section; exact event date not assigned

In the name of the Lord:

Grace, peace and mercy from God the Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ, this I wish you, my dear
little children, David, Betgen, and Tanneken, for
an affectionate greeting, written by your mother in
bonds, for a memorial to you of the truth, as I hope
to testify by word and with my death, by the help
of the Most High, for an example unto you.
May the wisdom of the Holy Ghost instruct and
strengthen you therein, that you may be brought up
in the ways of the Lord. Amen.

Further my dear children, since it pleases the Lord
to take me out of this world, I will leave you a memorial,
not of silver or gold; for such jewels are
perishable: but I should like to write a jewel into
your heart, if it were possible, which is the word of
truth, in which I want to instruct you a little for the
best with the word of the Lord, according to the
little gift I have received from him and according to
my simplicity.

In the first place, I admonish you, my most beloved,
always to suffer yourself to be instructed by
those who fear the Lord; then you will please God,
and as long as you obey good admonition and instruction,
and fear the Lord, he will be your Father
and not leave you orphans. For David says: What
man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach
in the way that he shall choose. Ps. 25:12. He also
says: The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear
him, upon them that hope in his mercy; to deliver
their soul from death. The angel of the Lord encampeth
round about them that fear him. O fear
the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them
that fear him; for the fear of the Lord is the beginning
of wisdom. Ps. 33:18,19; 34:7,9; 111:10.

Therefore, dear children, learn to fear the Lord,
and you will receive wisdom. The wise man says:
A wise son heareth instruction. Whoso loveth correction
and instruction loveth knowledge. A wise
son feareth and escheweth evil. A wise son maketh
a glad father; but a foolish son putteth his mother
to shame. He that walketh with wise men shall be
wise; but the companion of fools shall be like them.
He that refuseth correction and instruction destroyeth
his own soul; but he that heareth reproof will
become wise.

O my most beloved, depart not from correction.
The wise man says: Chasten thy son while there is
hope. Prov. 19:18.

Hence, my most beloved, grieve not when you
are corrected, and speak not crossly to those who
correct you. A soft answer turneth away wrath; but
grievous words stir up anger. Prov. 15:1. If you
are crossly spoken to, learn to answer kindly, and
you will be loved by all men: for humility and meekness
are acceptable to both God and men.

Furthermore, my dear children, I admonish you,
to beware of lying; for liars have no part in the kingdom
of God. Rev. 21:8. It is also written: Lying
lips are an abomination to the Lord, and he whose
mouth lieth, his soul shall die. Prov. 12:22; Wisdom
1:11. Therefore, my dear children, beware
of it; for he that deals in lies is loved by no one.

My dear children, keep this in your hearts; my
dear lambs, guard your tongue, that it speak no
evil; neither practice deceit with your lips; nor be
guilty of backbiting, for thereby come contention
and strife; but Paul teaches us, to live peaceably
with all men if it be possible. 1 Pet. 3:10; Romans
12:18.

My most beloved, keep this sent you from your
mother; and obey your parents; and those whose
bread you eat, and all who admonish you to virtue.
Eph. 6:1. Always be diligent to do your work,
wherever you be; for Paul says that if any will not
work, neither shall he eat. 2 Thess. 3:10.

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It is also written: “Be diligent to labor, that you
may have to give to him that needeth.” Eph. 4:28.
Hence, turn not your face away from the poor.
“Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor,
he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”
Prov. 21:13. Tobit taught his son, saying: “Son,
if thou hast abundance, give alms accordingly: if
thou have but little; be not afraid to give according
to that little.” Tob. 4:8. Alms given of one’s labor
is acceptable to God. The wise man says: Alms
purge out sin. We also read of Cornelius and Tobit
that the angel said: Thy prayers and thine alms are
come up for a memorial before God, whom thou
didst beseech with tears, and didst leave thy dinner
to go and bury the dead. Acts 10:4; Tob. 12:13.

Therefore, be diligent in prayer, and love the
poor: for Christ also was poor for our sakes. 2 Corinthians
8:9. Be therefore also merciful, even as
your heavenly Father is merciful; for such shall be
blessed, and shall obtain mercy. Also learn to be
meek and lowly in heart; for such are blessed and
shall inherit the earth. Luke 6:36; Matt. 5:5. And
blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.

Hence, my dear children, let no impure thoughts
remain in your hearts, but engage yourselves with
psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and evil
thoughts will have no room. Neither let filthiness
proceed out of your mouth; for of this an account
will have to be given. Eph. 5:19,4; Matt. 12:36.

Furthermore, my most beloved, wherever you be
esteem yourselves as the least, and be not wise in
your own conceit, but always suffer yourselves to
be instructed by those who are above you, and always
be silent when others speak. Humble yourself
beneath all men; for whosoever shall exalt himself
shall be abased; but he that shall humble himself
shall be exalted. Matt. 13:12. For Christ, who is
the greatest, made himself the least, for an example
unto us. Ps. 8:6; John 13:13. And, as is written:
The greater thou art, the more humble thyself and
thou shalt find favor before the Lord; for the power
of the Lord is great, and he is honored of the lowly.
Sir. 3:18,20.

My children, be also just in all your dealings; for
in the way of the just there is life, and in the beaten
path there is no death. It is joy to the righteous to
do that which is right, but fear to evil-doers.
Further, choose to earn your bread by the labor of
your hands, and to eat your bread with peace.
Seek not to be a merchant, nor be anxious for great
gain. Better is little with the fear of God, than
great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dry
morsel, and quietness, than a house full of sacrifices
with strife. Prov. 15:16; 17:1.

My children, love not dainties, nor wine. He
that desires costly feasts will not become rich; but
be content with the labor of your hands. Overtax
no one, but be satisfied with what is reasonable, as
you have seen of me. Be burdensome to no one, as
long as you can obtain the things needful. It is
more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35.
And Paul says: If ye have food and raiment, be
therewith content. 1 Tim. 6:8.

Hence, my dear children, take an example from
this, and always go on in the ways of the Lord with
sobriety and thankfulness, as you have heard me
read of Daniel, of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,
who were selected by the King of Babylon,
to be nourished with the same wine and meat which
the King drank and ate at his table, in order
that they might be beautiful, to serve the King.
But they would have nothing but pulse and water;
they wanted to observe the law and commandments
of their fathers with sobriety and thankfulness in
the fear of God, and they were fairer and fatter than
those who ate of the King’s dainties. Dan. 1.

Thus faithfully they walked in the ways of the
Lord, with prayer and supplication made themselves
acceptable to him; therefore God did great
things through them, and delivered them from the
den of lions, and out of the fiery furnace. And Joseph:
when he was sold into Egypt, desired no
dainties, nor wine, because the Egyptian women
sought to seduce him; but he feared God, and God
preserved him. He pleased God by sobriety and
prayer, so that he was appointed ruler over Egypt.
Deut. 37, 39, 41.

My dear children, take an example from this, in
your youth, and you will please God, and he will
keep you from all seduction.

O my lambs, you are still in your youth, in your
infancy; you have yet your part in your Father’s
kingdom, see that you keep it well and do not as
Esau did, who gave his inheritance or birthright for
a mess of pottage; not regarding his father’s blessing,
he gave it away for perishable food. Gen. 25:33.
But Jacob chose the better part, and was obedient
to God and his father, walking the ways of the Lord
with all righteousness.

My most beloved, seek instruction, so that you
may be taught, and know which is the true way;
for you may now choose life or death, good or evil;
whichever you desire, shall be given you (Sirach
15:17); namely, if you delight in evil, so that you
choose the pleasures of the world (from which
springs all unrighteousness), namely, lying and
cheating, gambling, playing, swearing, cursing,
backbiting, hatred, envy, drunkenness, banqueting,
excess, idolatry, covetousness, lasciviousness, vanity,
filthy conversation, dancing, and so forth; which
things, though the world does not consider them
sins, but amusements, are nevertheless abominations
in the eyes of the Lord. 1 Pet. 4:3.

Therefore, my dear children, take heed; if you
take pleasure in these things, you sell your birthright
or the inheritance from your father, for a mess
of pottage, namely, for a few temporal pleasures,
which lead you to damnation. See whether
all the great multitude do not choose to walk this
way. Hence Esdras has truly said that there is
much more earth found, to make earthen vessels,
than gold, to make golden vessels. And as the
wave is greater than a drop, so there will be more
that will be damned. 2 Esd. 8:2,3; 9:15,16. For
many are called, but few are chosen, for they do
not heed their call; as Christ says: My sheep hear
my voice, and they follow me; but these follow the
great multitude of the ungodly and false prophets.
John 10:27.

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Hence Isaiah says: Hell hath opened her mouth
wide, to receive the proud and all that do unrighteousness,
and all that will not repent. Is. 5:14.

Therefore, behold, my most beloved, if you suffer
yourselves to be instructed in virtue, you will follow
the voice of the Lord, as from the time of Abel until
now many who suffered have done; they were
rejected, despised, persecuted and killed because
they would not follow the wicked world and her
false prophets.

Behold, my most beloved, choose rather to suffer
affliction with the children of God, so that you may
be rewarded with them; for they are the ones to
whom belong all the beautiful promises, but they
must suffer much, for the kingdom of heaven suffereth
violence, and the violent take it by force.
Matt. 11:12. It is also written: Ye must through
much tribulation enter into the kingdom of heaven.
For David says: We are led to death as sheep for
the slaughter. And Paul says: We which live are
always delivered unto death. It is also written: Ye
shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice;
and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be
turned into joy. Ye shall have tribulation for a little
while, but be of good cheer and be faithful unto
death, and I will give you a crown of life. Revelation
2:10. In the world ye shall have tribulation;
but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33. And God shall wipe away all tears
from their eyes. We further read: “The marriage
of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself
ready. And to her was granted that she should
be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the
fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” “Blessed
are they which are called unto the marriage supper
of the Lamb.” Rev. 19:7–9. “Then shall the
righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of
their father.” Matt. 13:43.

See, my most beloved, this is the better part and
reward of all those who fear the Lord, walk in his
ways and keep his commandments. These are they
to whom the Lord says: Fear not, thou worm Jacob,
and ye few men of Israel: I will not leave you orphans;
but I will be your God, and ye shall be my
people; and I will keep you as the apple of mine
eye; yea, if ye keep my commandments, though ye
were cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven,
yet will I gather you from thence, and will bring you
unto the place that I have chosen. Is. 41:14; 51:7;
Zech. 2:8; Deut. 30:4; Neh. 1:9.

O who would not love such a Lord and Father,
who has chosen us, as he chose Israel, and has given
us his commandments and laws, namely, his Gospel,
which teaches us to do his will, and his pleasure;
and such he has made heirs of all the riches of
heaven. Is. 49:7.

O my dear children, I have written this in tears,
admonishing you out of love, praying for you with
a fervent heart, that, if possible, you might be of
this number. For when your father was taken from
me, I did not spare myself day or night to bring
you up, and my prayer and solicitude were constantly
for your salvation, and even while in bonds
my greatest care has always been that my prudence
did not enable me to make better provision for you.
For when it was told me, that you had been taken
to Oudenarde, and thence to Bruges, it was a hard
blow for me, so that I never had a greater sorrow.
But when I thought that my coming or providing
could not help the matter, and that for Christ’s sake
we must separate from all that we love in this world
I committed all to the will of the Lord, and I still
hope and pray constantly, that he in his mercy will
preserve you, as he preserved Joseph, Moses and
Daniel in the midst of wicked men. And he will do
this, if you give diligence to follow the truth; then
the angel of the Lord will be with you, even as he
was with Tobias, guiding him until he brought him
to his father’s house, where he rejoiced with his
father and his friends, thanking God for his great
goodness. Tobit 7:11.

Thus also, if you will follow good instruction, it
will guide you safely through every danger, and
bring you to your Father’s house, where there is
such joy prepared, that ear has not heard, nor eye
seen, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what
joy is prepared for the elect; but to the elect God
has revealed it by his Holy Spirit. Is. 64:4; 1 Corinthians
2:9,10.

May the word of the Father bring you to this,
through the mercy of the Son, and may the wisdom
of the Holy Ghost strengthen you, that you may
apprehend it. Amen.

David, my dear child, I herewith commend you
to the Lord. You are the oldest, learn wisdom, that
you may set your sisters a good example; and beware
of bad company, and of playing in the street
with bad boys: but diligently learn to read and
write, so that you may get understanding. Love one
another, without contention or quarreling; but be
kind to each other. Let the one that is wise bear
with him who is simple, and admonish him with
kindness. Let the strong bear with the feeble, and
help him all he can, out of love. Let the rich assist
the poor, out of brotherly love. Let the younger
obey the older in that which is good. Admonish
one another to be industrious, so that people may
love you. Exhort one another to good works, to
modesty, honorableness and quietness. Always care
for one another; for the time has come, that love
shall wax cold; yea, if it were possible, the very
elect would be deceived. Matt. 24:12,24. Hence,
take heed and learn diligently to search the Scriptures,
so that you may not be deceived; but always
hold to the first and second commandment, which
will teach you aright. Do not easily believe it, when
evil is told you of another, but examine the matter;
and make no commotion when you are slandered,
but bear it for Christ’s sake.

Love your enemies, and pray for those who speak
evil of you, and afflict you. Rather suffer wrong,
than that you should grieve another; rather suffer
affliction than that you should afflict another; rather
be reproached, than that you should reproach another;
rather be slandered, than that you should
slander another; rather be robbed, than that you
should rob another; rather be beaten, than that you
should beat another, and so forth.

Behold, my most beloved, all this is wrought
through brotherly love, and is all comprehended in
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the second commandment; hence, you must constantly
see that you do not seek solely your own
profit, but always care for those with whom you
have dealings, whether they be young or old.

Further, my dear children, Betgen and Tanneken,
my beloved lambs, I admonish you in all these
same things, as that you obey the commandments
of the Lord, and also obey your uncle and aunt,
and your elders, and all who instruct you in virtue.
To those whose bread you eat, you must be subject
in all that is not contrary to God. Always diligently
admonish yourselves to do your work, and
you will be loved wherever you live. Be not quarrelsome,
or loquacious, or light minded: or proud, or
surly of speech, but kind, honorable and quiet, as
behooves young girls. Pray the Lord for wisdom,
and it shall be given you. Diligently learn to read
and write, and take delight therein, and you will
become wise. Take pleasure and engage in psalms,
hymns and spiritual songs. Seek for the only joy.
Learn to please the Lord from your youth, as did
the holy women and virgins, as Judith. Judith 8.

Esther also was a virgin who feared God; she was
adorned with humility, was gracious, honorable,
kind, and humble of heart; hence she pleased King
Ahasuerus above all the other virgins. Esther 2:17.
But in her high estate she was not proud; though
she shone in royal apparel, she humbled her heart,
with fasting and prayer to the Lord, for her brethren,
that they might be delivered out of the hands of
their enemies; she did not esteem herself better than
one of the least of her brethren.

See, my most beloved, when you have attained
the years of understanding, see that you adorn
yourselves with good works, namely, the works of
the Spirit, that is, with all manner of goodness,
gentleness, meekness, humility, obedience, long
suffering, righteousness, modesty, honorableness,
purity, peaceableness, steadfastness, mercifulness,
wisdom, diligence in good works, faith, hope and
love; to love God above all that is in the world, and
to do to your neighbor as you would have men do
unto you, on which hang all the law and the prophets.
Gal. 5:22,23; Matt. 22:37,40.

Behold, my dear children, this is the adornment
of the saints, etc.

O my most beloved, labor for such a wedding
garment, so that you may enter in among the number
of the children of God to the marriage of the
Lamb, where they shall shine forth as the sun in
the kingdom of their Father. Rev. 19:7; Matthew
13:43.

May the strong hand of the Lord bring you to
this; may he lead you as he led Israel out of
Egypt, and bring you to the New Jerusalem, that
we may see each other with joy in the day of the
resurrection.

Herewith I commend you to the Lord, the God
of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of
Jacob; may he keep you to the end of your lives.
Amen.

My dear children, this I leave you as a memorial
or testament. If you put it to good use, you will
gather more treasure by it, than if I had left you
many riches, which are perishable; for the riches
of this world may be lost through fire, war, or
misfortune.

Hence, he is not wise who sets his heart upon
anything that is perishable, since we have no assurance
of it for an hour; we must leave it all behind;
therefore, grieve not, though what we had is scattered
or lost, as the prophet says: We are a prey to
every one. Is. 59:15. Hence you are to thank the
Lord yet, that he let us have it until I have brought
you up so far: and if you walk in all righteousness,
the Lord will give you enough. Take an example
from Tobias. Tob. 4:19. David also says that the
righteous shall not want, nor his seed go begging
bread. Ps. 37:25.

Therefore covet no one’s property or treasures;
nor envy any one because he has more than you.
Neither regard any person for his gifts, but follow
the little flock, who walk truly in love; for love is
the bond of perfectness, and the command of love is
superior to all others. Luke 12:32; Col. 3:14.
Therefore, see constantly that you follow those who
walk most in love; for the tree is known by its fruit,
though these are hid from all men; but Christ was
too, and the servant is not better than his lord.
Matt. 10:24.

Herewith I will bid you adieu; adieu my dear
children, and adieu all my dear friends.

My most beloved, though our adversaries tell
you, that your father and I are not of the same
faith, do not believe them; for he confessed the truth
concerning baptism and the incarnation of Christ, in
all that he was able to comprehend, and he valiantly
testified to righteousness, giving his life for it, pointing
out to you for an example, the same way which
the prophets, the apostles and Christ himself went.
He had to go before through the conflict with much
tribulation and suffering, and leave his children behind
for Christ’s sake; hence do likewise, for there
is no other way.286 Give diligence to read the Testament.
Amen.





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