Question 40: Do you expect a better outcome for your church than that of the former Anabaptists? ...

Question 40: Do you expect a better outcome for your church than that of the former Anabaptists? From where should this come? What is the assurance of your souls before and from God, who is impartial and who utterly humiliates and destroys all that is high and exalted, even all sects that pride and seek only themselves?

Answer: If we remain in the teaching of the New Testament, we expect this outcome, namely, that the fulfillment of our faith will be eternal life. In return for insignificant shame and suffering, we will obtain immeasurably momentous glory. We cannot testify for our descendants - as their faith is, so shall be their outcome. Nevertheless, we can say this, that the outcome of the former Baptists has turned out far better than that of all other religions. The Baptist seed is still far better than the seed of Luther, Calvin, and also that of the Catholics. These have had a completely wild, yes, bestial outcome, which is self-evident. The Jews and the Turks are scandalized by the horrible wickedness of these three religions. Not even with gallows and torture can they keep them, who are of one faith, from murdering one another in their homes, which happens often enough. What is still more horrible, they go publicly to war, and slaughter one another by the thousands. All this is the fruit of infant baptism. No Baptist will be found in war, and few in prison or on the gallows because of their crimes. The majority of them are inclined to peacefulness. It is still possible to sleep unconcernedly among them and not need to fear robbery or even murder if one has much money. It would indeed be desirable that the whole world were full of these "deteriorated" Baptists. Their outcome has turned out far better than that of many from among the Pietists who have again taken an evil turn. Hardly had they left the great Babel several years before than they voluntarily returned to it. When the beginning is like this, the outcome will be very miserable and wretched. May God keep all Baptists in His grace so that they may not turn toward evil once more and then their outcome will be as mentioned above, namely, the eternal life of joy.

[Gruber] These are the most urgent questions about your new baptism and church, that were deemed necessary to present at this time to you, dear friends, for your own sake as well as that of others. You may now consider them, and prepare your corporate, clear, and candid explanations with your accompanying reasons. You should do this in such a manner as you can dare to account for such an important matter before the countenance of Jesus Christ, all His holy angels, and the elect on the inevitable day of most strict examination of this, your new work, without contradicting His noble Spirit in your consciences or those of others.

[Mack] Beloved Friends: Upon your request, we have published in love these answers to every one of the forty points of the searching questions which you have submitted to us upon our good consciences before God. They are answered according to our faith and good conscience before the God who sent His Son out of love to the world that we should hear, believe, and have eternal life through our faith in Him. If, then, your salvation and blessedness are dear to you, hasten and bow your necks under the scepter of this great King. Believe that His teaching is true and His baptism is saving and blessed for poor sinners. Do not say, "Of what use is this water for me?" and do not try to comfort yourselves with your infant baptism, which was introduced into the world in contradiction to God’s Word. Otherwise, may this simple testimony (which is published by the Baptists at Schwarzenau upon urgent appeal) be a witness along with your own consciences, at the great Day of Judgment of the Lord Jesus, who will come with flaming fire to take vengeance on those who were disobedient to His gospel. Now, to the strangled Lamb, who alone has might and power in heaven and on earth, be praise, honor, and glory, from eternity to eternity. Amen. "Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, every one who pierced him" [Revelation 1:7]. Amen.