# The First Letter, Which Matthias Servaes Wrote From Prison To H. K., His Brother In The Lord, And Also To His Other Fellow Members.

16th century (source section) · Historical source

Source: Martyrs’ Mirror. Original heading: THE FIRST LETTER, WHICH MATTHIAS SERVAES WROTE FROM PRISON TO H. K., HIS BROTHER IN THE LORD, AND ALSO TO HIS OTHER FELLOW MEMBERS.

Century of containing source section; exact event date not assigned

The saving grace of God and the peace of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, be multiplied to all
believers, through the ministration and unction of
the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Further, my most beloved brethren in the Lord,
I inform you that I am still very well, both according
to the flesh and the spirit, in body and in soul,
outwardly and inwardly. For I esteem it all very
good whether it be joy or sorrow, yea, life or death;
for I live not to myself, nor do I die to myself; for
whether I live, I live unto the Lord, and whether I
die, I die unto the Lord; for I am in his hand, and
I am sure that no man shall pluck me out of it;
yea, I now look upon death as gain; I have a desire
to depart, and to be with Christ, my Lord; for whatever
I meet with, all tends to my comfort. Romans
14:7,8; 2 Cor. 5:15; John 10:28; Philip. 1:21,23.
I am now confined here for the promotion of the
Gospel, and my bonds become manifest only to the
praise of the Lord, I trust, and not to mine own,
and to the consolation of all the pious that are
under like chastisement, and to the strengthening
of their purpose. Hence I rejoice in my sufferings,
that I am counted worthy by the Lord to suffer reproach
for his name (of which I nevertheless count
myself unworthy), to fill up that which is behind
of his afflictions, and entailed on his members. Colossians
1:24. And as the sufferings of Christ abound
in us, so I find my consolation abounding much
more by Christ, who abundantly comforts me in all
my sufferings, and by his help I shall succeed, and
also all those who recognize him as the supreme
good, and are thereby induced to love him above
all, so that they gladly hate and depart from everything
for his sake, that they may be loved only by
the Lover. That we may do all this from filial love,
this I wish you and me, and all those who sincerely
desire it, through Jesus Christ, firmly and unwaveringly
unto the end. Amen.

Further, my L. B. H., and all that are appointed
to watch over the souls of men, exercise your office
with diligence, that you may not be found slothful,
drowsy or negligent in it; but that you may be
faithful watchmen, who truly and honestly lead out
and feed the flock of Christ, and this with all humility
and meekness; yea, as a father over his children
who severely reproves the wrong-doing of his
children; and though he cannot bring them to the
point where he would like to have them, yet his
fatherly nature will not allow him to forget them, so
that he should not regard them as his children; and
though his heart is often grieved by their disobedience
and folly, he does not cease to chasten and
instruct them, hoping that they will yet become obedient;
and though it causes him much sadness and
sorrow, he does not regard it, nor ceases to admonish,
chasten and correct them. Thus do also you;
give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to reproof,
and this with all discretion, in the fear of the
Lord, not too severely, lest they become embittered;
neither too leniently, lest they wax slothful
and negligent. 1 Tim. 4:13; Col. 3:21. Hence apply
to them oil and wine, as did the true Samaritan to
the wounded man. I think you understand what I
mean. Be therefore not slothful or careless with the
gift that has been bestowed upon you; be faithful to
him that has esteemed you faithful, and accepted
you as his ministers, and stewards of his mysteries.
But it is required in stewards, that a man be found
faithful. Hence be diligent laborers of the Lord in
his vineyard, and faithful builders in his house. And
put the pound which you have received from the
Lord diligently out upon usury, and remember the
punishment of the slothful servant, who did not give
his money into the bank, but put it into a napkin
and hid it in the earth.

Remember it, I say, my dear brethren, and let it
be a warning to you, even as Solomon says that the
field of the slothful, and the vineyard of the man
void of understanding were a warning to him, when
he says: “I went by the field of the slothful, and
by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles
had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall
thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered
it well: I looked upon it and received instruction.”
Prov. 24:30–32. Thus also you, my
dear brethren, be careful, and diligently dig through
the vineyard of the Lord, with the plow or the hoe
which breaks in pieces the hard stones, which is the
word of God (Jer. 23:29); so that the nettles and
thorns may not oppress, destroy or choke the good
seed that has been sown. Take also the sharp, two-edged
sword (Eph. 6:17), and cut off clean the
unfruitful, evil and dry branches, that the others
may be more healthy and vigorous to bring forth
fruit. Inspect also carefully the wall of the vineyard;
if it begins to give way anywhere, prop up
that part; if there are any openings in it, go to
work and close them; and if it has fallen down in
any place, build it up again speedily, that the little
foxes may not run into the Lord’s vineyard, and
dig up and spoil it. Cant. 2:15. And what more
shall I say? Faithfully feed the flock of Christ, and
watch with all carefulness over the souls of men.
1 Pet. 5:2. Take heed also, that you administer
needed reproof, and act and judge without respect
of persons, and remember that judgment is God’s,
and not yours. Deut. 1:17. Weigh, therefore, every
matter in the balance of the divine word, so that
when you reprove, judge, or forgive anything, it
may be truly reproved, judged or forgiven also
before the judgment of God, and thus your reproof
agree with God’s reproof, your judgment with God’s
judgment, and your forgiveness with God’s forgiveness.
Take heed also, that you do not carry avoidance
too far, lest it prove a stumbling-block to you.
For avoidance is good indeed if it is not abused;
however its purpose is solely to avoid offenses (to
which end it is instituted); hence we must take heed
that we do not, while seeking to avoid little offenses
by it, cause greater ones. Matt. 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians
5:11; 2 Thess. 3:14. Bestow great attention
upon the first commandment with promise,
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namely: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord.”
Eph. 6:1. This is an express word; hence be careful
herein. Show a friendly face to all apostates,
and admonish them with all kindness to that which
they have surrendered and forsaken, and from
which they have fallen; I mean such as receive
admonition; for blasphemers and mockers are to
be left alone. 2 Thess. 3:15; Tit. 3:10.

Dear brethren, I do not write you this as something
new, but to remind you of the old; for I should
like to see carefulness exercised, and that one Scripture
should not be observed so strictly and rigidly as
thereby to violate another. For sometimes some resort
to avoidance all on a sudden, without the least
discretion, and pity for the fallen. Hence I advise
carefulness. For if we are to have the mind of our
Lord Jesus; yea, are to be perfect as our Father in
heaven is perfect, then let us from the heart consider
his longsuffering, and how he has borne with
us, and let us also show ourselves thus toward our
fellow-servant, that we may give offense to no one,
neither to the world, nor to the church of God.
Philip. 2:3,5; Matt. 5:48; Col. 3:12; Matt. 18:29;
1 Cor. 10:32. And be also not slothful in seeking
men’s souls; wherever you have some hope, there
go. Say not: “It will be labor lost.” Put your
hand to the plow first, in the fear of the Lord, and
ask him to give the blessing; but you do the
planting and watering. Pray the Lord to give
the increase. And if then your endeavors are
unsuccessful, you are free. For I have often felt
accused, that we have not much more sought men’s
souls, to the praise of the Lord.

O brother, beware of contentious tongues. Where-ever
you go, there make peace, if it can be done by
the grace of God. O my dear brother, how greatly
I am grieved on account of what was done in the
upper country. Not, that you should think that I
am doubtful; O no, my brother; for I am still of the
same mind as indicated in the letter which I wrote
to them; but I am fearful simply of the discord, by
which many who would like to see it remedied, and
are innocent, might perish. I do not know what
account can be given for this before God. O that
those who are found guilty in this matter might fall
down with weeping before God, and repent of their
sins! Thus I am also concerned about the lower
country, and should like to see them helped, and
put under good order, for I find them still wanting
in many things; yet I sincerely love them, but I
should like to see them yet put off much of their
pride, and that they would consider what kind of
people they ought to be, and to what they are called,
so as to govern themselves accordingly, and that
the elders do not stay at home when meeting is
held. I do not say that it can be remedied right
away. Do you also heartly receive it. O my dear
brethren, be little and low in your own eyes, and be
not self-complacent, so as to think: I have done
this, and the like. It is nothing; the Lord, and he
alone, does all things, and this by man. Hence,
give him alone the praise. And let no one esteem
himself better than others; yea, let each esteem
other better than themselves. And let all submit
one to another, and in lowliness of mind let each
serve the other. Philip. 2:3; Eph. 5:21. And I
desire of all brethren and sisters, that they beware
of all those who leave the church. And if you can
tell L. to advise with himself in the time of Grace;
for how shall he be able to give an account in the
day of judgment? For his own conscience, if he
properly considers the matter, will accuse him. O
L., O L., come back; for you are not in the best
way. O my brethren, how much I had to suffer on
account of the many factions! Hence beware of
divisions. Seek peace, if you can, and ensue it.
1 Peter 3:11.

O my dear brethren, what liars I have had before
me! Cassander, a man little and feeble of body,
who led astray Joachim Suycherbacker, visited me,
and laid many little snares, to take captive my
mind. He read to me a book printed in Latin,
which stated that infant baptism was considered a
clear commandment and a unanimous practice
throughout the whole world, no one gainsaying it,
and he declared, though not with power of divine
Scripture, that they had received it from the apostles;
and when I denied this with the New Testament,
they asked me, how, if I denied and did not
believe this, I could believe that the New Testament
was true; for, said he, we had the latter from them,
who recognized infant baptism as right; and that
there had been many other writings that were also
called apostolical, but were nevertheless not acknowledged
as authentic, but rejected by them; but that
they testified that all teachers confessed that this
(namely, the New Testament,) was the true apostolical
doctrine, as also their baptism. They wanted to
know, how, if we meant to reject one, we would
maintain the other; for, said they, you must believe
it from them, else you could not know it. Thus,
also with baptism; and he further said that if we
were right, it would follow from it, that there was no
church for 1,500 years.

Of this nearly all treated who conversed with me:
for many and various persons visited me. There
was there one who, as they said, had just come
from Egypt; him they also brought to me, and he
claimed that in Egypt they had received infant baptism
from the eunuch who was baptized by Philip,
and that he knew of no other baptism; but that if an
adult person that had not been baptized desired
baptism, the faith should first be presented to such
an one. This, they said, had always been the sole
practice there, and that if any one opposed it, they
said to him: “We have this practice from the apostles.”
But I denied it all with the New Testament,
and said, that whatever agreed with the same, I
would gladly accept, and believe by the help of God;
and nothing else. Then I had to hear again, that
the New Testament had been handed down to us by
the teachers; otherwise, if we did not have it from
them, we could not tell whether it were true or
false. This they said many times. I replied to them:
It did not avail the King of Assyria anything, that
God used him for the conversion of his people,
since he did not become converted himself. Isaiah
10:5. Thus also it did not help Pharaoh, in his
wickedness, that the power of God was made
known and manifest to him. Thus, also, Caiaphas
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was not benefitted by his prophecy concerning Christ
(though the same was true), because he himself
was not obedient to the doctrine of Christ. With
this I gave God alone the praise, saying that we
had his word from him. Thereupon they began to
seek to move me by many entreaties and solicitations;
but when they could accomplish nothing
thereby, they commenced to threaten me severely;
and when they perceived that all this was of no
avail, but only labor lost, they tortured me and our
brother Herman, which happened on the 17th of
July. But thanks be to the good God—who does
not forsake his own, but, in time of suffering and
affliction, comforts them at the right time—he kept
our lips, so that they did not obtain one word (according
to their will) from us, concerning what they
asked us. Herman, however, was soon released.
The chief reason why we were tortured, was, that
we should tell how many teachers there were, what
their names were, where they lived, where in the
city I had taught, how many I had baptized, where
the ministry was imposed upon me, and what
teachers were present upon that occasion; and that
I should acknowledge the magistrates as Christians,
and infant baptism as right. Then I pressed my lips
together, committed it to God, and suffered patiently,
remembering the words of the Lord, where
he says: “Greater love hath no man than this, that
a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my
friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”
John 15:13,14. I also remembered that John says
that we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 John 3:16. It seems as though I must suffer much
yet; however, the Lord alone holds it in his hand;
nor can I pray otherwise than that the will of the
Lord be done.

O my brethren, knowledge or talk is of no account
here, but a living faith which is adorned with
the power of love, patience, hope, and with obedience,
and that through the power of faith one can
say with the three men Shadrach, Meshach and
Abednego: O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful
to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God,
whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning
fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine
hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee,
(O antichrist) that we will not serve thy god, nor
worship the image, or the two golden calves which
thou hast set up. Dan. 3:16–18. And that, if
they should attempt to instruct one with high-sounding
words of human wisdom, yea, with soft
words and entreaties (Col. 2:4,8), we could say
through the power of faith: “Begone, I want none
of your advice;” and should then keep his lips sealed.
But if one enters into more discussion with them
than necessity requires, he will not escape unharmed.
Hence I wish that all prisoners were instructed in
this matter.

Few days pass that we do not talk together; yet,
I observed as much brevity as possible in confessing
and speaking, though frequently three or four
hours were spent in this manner. O warn all prisoners,
whenever you can, that they refuse everything;
and remember us day and night, by praying
to God. Thus we are also minded toward you, and
I desire that you greet all believers much with the
kiss of love, in our name.

O, how all believers lie at my heart, so that I very
seldom forget them; yea, I remember them with
earnest prayers and requests (as much as is possible
to me through the grace of God) before the Lord.
I cannot write you much, for writing is more precious
than gold with me. Do not write us; as to the
reason why, ponder it yourselves. The God of Israel
keep you and us. Amen.

Matthias Servaes, your brother and prisoner of
the Lord for the truth’s sake. As regards the children
the bringing up of whom devolves upon the
church, I adhere to the opinion you have heard of
me. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us
all. Amen.





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