Yea, those who thus humble themselves before the Lord, and do not think themselves to be something before God, and before men, them shall God exalt and enrich with heavenly riches. Matt. 23:12. Remember how Christ chose humility, when he left the glory of his Father and descended into the lower parts of the earth. From obedience to his Father, and out of great love he became man; with great humility he came to serve us, suffered pain and reproach, enduring it with patience and longsuffering, out of obedience to his Father, even unto death, until he had finished all, so that he might save us. Philip. 2:8. O what love did he show us by his anxiety and sighing, when he said, according to his humanity: “How am I straightened till it be accomplished!” Luke 12:50.
O my most beloved, consider our Leader, Jesus Christ, how he regarded the humility of Mary, that he would be born of her. And though she was chosen to such a high estate, she humbled herself, saying: Behold the handmaid of the Lord. For God hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden; therefore, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation; for he hath scattered the proud. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. To the poor the gospel is preached. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled. Luke 1:38,48, etc.; 7:22; Matt. 5:6.
O my dearest, my heartfelt desire and request is, for the last time, that you give diligence to walk in love, simplicity, and harmony among yourselves, always in the fear of God, that you may be filled with the heavenly good things, and satisfied now and forever. Amen.
Herewith I commend you to the Lord, and to the word of his grace. May he comfort, strengthen, stablish you all with his Spirit, that you may finish that whereunto you are called, to the praise and glory of the Lord, so that you may rejoice together, and set down at the Lord’s table, where he shall serve us with new wine, in the kingdom of God, his Father.
This was written when we had eaten our last supper, as far as we know. Herewith I bid adieu to all my brethren and sisters. I and Martha, my sister in the Lord, salute you much with the peace of the Lord, for the last time all who are known to us or not, wherever they be. We rejoice in the Lord, we bid adieu till we meet above, in the New Jerusalem. Heb. 12:22.
Read this last farewell to all who desire to hear it, before you send it away; and then send it to my sister Betgen.
Further, my dear child Betgen, I rejoice greatly that the Lord spared me so long, that I was made glad before my death through your letter, by which you have strengthened me. I pray the Lord to strengthen and confirm you with his Spirit, that you may go on thus, and follow that which is best, as you wrote to me.
O my dear lambs, see that you do not spend your youth in vanity, or pride, or drinking, or gluttony, but in sobriety and humility in the fear of God, and diligence in every good work, that you may be clothed with the adornment of the saints, so that God may make you worthy through his grace, to enter in to the marriage of the Lamb, and that we may see you there with joy. Your father and I, and many others, have shown you the way. Take an example from the prophets and apostles, yea, Christ himself, who all went this way; and where the head has gone before, there the members must certainly follow.