[283] The author of this confession apparently bases his argument upon a version of the Scriptures in which the preposition, or prepositions, on which his argument hinges, are different in signification, at least in his view, from those occupying corresponding positions in our English translation.--_Trans._
He also asked me, where men went to, when they leave this world. I replied: “They fall asleep in the Lord, as the Scriptures testify, namely, the believers.” Acts 7:60. He asked whither the souls went. I replied: “Paul said that he was willing to fall asleep according to the flesh, and to be present with the Lord; and thus am I minded.” 2 Cor. 5:8. He then asked where the other souls went to. _Ans._ “The Scriptures say nothing about it; neither can I say whither they go.” _Ques._ “What do you think about it? they go somewhere.” _Ans._ “I leave this to Divine Providence.”
He then asked what I thought of the resurrection of the dead. I replied: “As is written 1 Corinthians 15:53, where Paul says that this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruptible, incorruption, and that this same body shall rise.” He was unable to reply to this. He then asked me whither children went that died without baptism. I said: “Where it pleases God.” He asked whether they were saved. _Ans._ “Christ blessed the children, and said: Of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14. _Ques._ “Then you say that they are saved?” _Ans._ “If they have the kingdom of heaven, they are happy enough.” _Ques._ “Behold, they are damned, this is clear.” _Ans._ “Read Romans 5:17–19, where it says that as by one man’s disobedience death comes, so by the obedience of one life comes upon all men.” He further asked me whether I would not be obedient to the magistracy. _Ans._ “Yes, my lords, so far as it is not contrary to the command of God; for Peter says we ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29. He then asked me whether I would not swear before the lords. _Ans._ “No.” _Ques._ “We must obey the magistracy; Paul and Peter teach this.” _Ans._ “Christ says: ‘Swear not at all; neither by thy head, etc.; but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Matt. 5:34; Jas. 5:12. Also 2 Cor. 1:17. He then asked me whether we were not bound to tell the truth. _Ans._ “Yes.” _Ques._ “Tell me who your accomplices are?” _Ans._ “To accuse our neighbor is not the truth; Christ does not teach that.” He then adjured me by Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, that I should tell him. I said: “I care not for your adjuring; it is sorcery.” Then he said that we were bound to act contrary to the command of God, on account of the adjuration.
They greatly tormented me with those who brought the man that was sick of the palsy; they said that his sins were forgiven through the faith of those who brought him; and that thus it was, through the faith of father and mother, with infants, in baptism. But he does not say: through the faith of those who brought him; it simply says: seeing their faith. Matt. 9:2; Mark 2:5.
I have written this much out of love; if I have not written you truly, bear with me; but I think I have written according to the Scriptures; receive it kindly. Farewell. I must affectionately greet the friends everywhere, requesting that they pray for me. Know that I am of good cheer, the Lord be praised. The grace of the Lord be with you all. Amen.
ANDRIES LANGEDUL, MATTHEUS POTTEBACKER, AND LAUWERENS VAN DER LEYEN, A. D. 1559.