An Answer to Blasphemous Cavillations by an Anabaptist, Section 46

An Answer to Blasphemous Cavillations by an Anabaptist · Section 46

p. 404THE ADVERSARIE.

As these goddes be of contrarie nature so do they begette children of a contrarie nature,The 46. section. the fals God begetteh vnmercifull proud ambicrouse, and enuifull children, bloody persecutors of others for their conscience saik, euill speakers …mpacient, contenciouse and seditious children. And they 1be like vntounto their father in that they speake one thing with their mouth 2and think an other with their heart. They can neuer be without filthy 3th…ghtes & wicked …. for such poyson do they receaue of their father.

The trew God begetteth mercifull, humble, lowlye, and louing children, 4abhorring from blood, persecuting no man, good speakers patient, & 5detesting all …, chiding and brawling, and they be like vntounto their 6father, in that what soeuer they speak with their m…uth, they think with 7their heart. they be alwaies moued with good thoghtes and g…dly reuelations, for such grace receaue they … of their father.

p. 405ANSWER.

It may seme by the description of these your two goddes (for nether of both, as ye describe them, is the true liuing, & eternall God) that ye studie to renew the dānable error of the Manichies, who imagined two beginners, the one of all goodnes, and of all good creatures, the other of all iniquitie, and of wicked creatures: affirming further that the good, and the mercifull God was ouercome for a time, by him that was wicked, and euill. And because that the plaine scriptures did confute these blasphem…es, therefor did they denie the authoritie of Moises, and the certentie of all other scriptures that made any thing against their error. If manifestly ye did take vponupon you the defense of those your fathers, as that ye do of Pellagius, of Donatus, and of the Papistes (for of all these adulterous fathers, ye be adulterous children) then wolde I from Augustine (whom God stirred vp no doubte in the daies of darckenes most learnedly, and most plainely by infallible scriptures to cofute those heresies) from him, I say I might take artilerie all ready prepared, able inough to ouerthrow your buildinges, and munitions, appere they neuer so strong. But because (as before I hauehave said) my purpose is not to burden you further, then you do confesse: I onelyonly admonish the reader to be ware of such pestilences, as beginne to call the trueth of God reueled in his holy word, in doubt, and do persuade men to credite dreames, and reuelations, how soeuer they appere to repugne to that which is reueled in the word. Of such men I say▪ oght Christes flock to take hede, as also of those who make of eguall authoritie such bookes, as yet the holy Gost hath neuer cōmended to the Church of Christe, with these that are written by Moises, the Prophetes, the Euangelistes, and Apostles, and that by inspiration of the holy Gost. That some of you be infected with this most pestilent poison, I am able to proue by mo argumentes then one. Being at London the p. 406the winter before the death of king Edward, one▪ of your faction required secrete communication of me, in which after that earnestly he had required of me closenes, and fidelitie, because that the maters that he had to communicate with me, were so weightie, and of such importance, as sythence the daies of the Apostles, the like was neuer opened vntounto man. In the ende, after many wordes (which I nether gladly heard, nether yet will now write) he gaue me a boke, written (as he said) by God, euen as well as was any of the Euāgelistes. This his booke he adiured me (as it were) to reade, and required to hauehave my iudgement of it. My answer was, that at his request I wold reade it, so that he wold be cōtent to reason with me of the chiefe pointes in the same conteined, but to pronounce sentence, or iudgement, that could I not vsurpe, being but one man farre inferior to many of my brethern, y^e preachers of gods word in that realme. Alwaies he vrged me to reade his booke. And I wōdering what mysteries it should cōteine, called to me a faithfull brother, who then (as pleased God) was present with me, named Hēry Farrour marchāt, to whom I opened the mater by whose counsell, and in whose presence I beganne to reade his boke. The first proposition wherof was: God made not the world, nether yet the wicked creatures, in the same conteined, but they had their beginning from a nother, that is from the deuill, who is called the Prince of the world. which proposition plainly repugning, to gods word, I did impugne, and begāne to declare vntounto him, for what cause Sathan had that title, to be called the Prince of y^e world. But he vtterly denying ether to reasō, and dispute, ether yet to be reformed in any point that there was written, commānded me to reade forward, & to beleue, howbeit I did not vnderstand. To whom, when I had gentilly said: Can any reasonable man will me to beleue thinges directly fighting against gods veritie, and plaine word reueled? Tusch p. 407said he, for your written word, we hauehave as good, and as sure a word, and veritie, that teacheth vsus this doctrine, as ye hauehave for you, and your opiniō. And thē I did more sharpely answere saing: ye deserue the death, as a blasphemous person, and denier of God, if ye preferre any word to that which the holy Gost hath vttered in his plaine scriptures. At which wordes he toke pepper in nose, and snatching his boke furth of my hand departed after he had thus spoken: I will goo to the ende of the world, but I will hauehave my boke confirmed, and subscribed with better learned men then you be. In me I cō fesse there was greate negligēce, that nether did reteine his boke, nether yet did present him to the Magistrate. But yet this argument I hauehave, that your faction is not altogether cleane from the heresie of the Manichies. I could name, and point forth others, who labour in the same disease: but so long as their venom doth remaine secrete, within them selues, I am purposed to spare thē. But now y^t you accuse vsus to be vnmercifull, proud, ambicious, and enuious children, bloody persecuters of others for their conscience sake, euil speakers, impatiēt, contentious, and seditious children, that we speake one thing with our mouthes, and thinke another in our …eartes. And that ye extolle your selues, that ye are mercifull, humble, & louing children, abhorring frō blood, persecuting noman, good speakers, pacient, and detesting all contention: That you be all waies moued with good thoghtes, and godly reuelatiōs, for such grace receaue you plenteonsly of your father. To the which I briefely answere, that because we hauehave a iust iudge, who shall reuele the secretes of all heartes, we will rather susteine to be of you, vniustly accused, then become proud braggers of our owne iustice, as you be, w^c sinne is so odious in gods presence y^t he hath neuer suffered it vnpunished, euē before men. Fortie yeres & more hath y^e Euāgile of Christe Iesus bene preached in Germanie, p. 408in Heluetia, and now of latter yeres in Geneua. and so long hath this doctrine bene taught of some, and hath bene beleued of many, but what crueltie, what murther or what sedition, can iustly be laid to the charge of those, that most constantly hauehave taught and mainteined y^e same? let the world conuict them. And how farre their life abhorreth from pride, ambition, and filthines hath God witnessed, and to this daye doth witnes, how so euer Sathan doth blinde your eyes. But sone after that God had sowen his good sede, began the deuill to sowe the cockell, and darnell, I meane the pestilent secte of anabaptistes, whose frutes did sodeinly appere to the great slander of Christes Euangill, and to the grief of many godly heartes. Bragge what ye list of your iustice, of yo^r merciemercy, of your godly reuelations, and other such, ye are the brethern, mainteiners, and children of those in whom the contrarie was plainely found: your doctrine and theirs, are both one. and therfor of you can we looke for none other frute (vnles that God restrein your furie) thē your fathers hauehave once produced before you. And that the readers shall not be ignorant, what it was, I hauehave added this Historie, written by that most faithful, and notable witnes of thinges done in maters of religion, sithence the beginning of the Empire of Charles the fifte vntill the yere of 1556, which Historie I adde (as God, I take to record) of no priuate malice, which I beare against any personne, but onelyonly that the worlde may see, what was your originall, how vniustly ye accuse vsus of such crimes, as impudently you lay to our charge, and how iustly all men oght to feare that confusion which ye intend, if God be times ouerthrow not your enterprises. The HistorieHistoria Sle…dani libro 5. and your originall is this.

There is a towne named Alstet, in the borders of Turingia, vnderunder the dominion of the Duke of Saxō Elector, to the which towne came one Thomas Muncer, who began first to teach not onelyonly against the Pope, but also against Luther, affirming both their doctrines to p. 409be corrupted, and vnpure: that the Pope bound mennes consciences with to streit lawes, and bandes: againe, that Luther lowsed those bandes, but yet finned on the contrarie parte, in giuīg to much libertie, and in preaching those thīges, that were not of the spirite. He taught also that it was lawfull to despise the popes decrees, because they were of no force to bring vsus to saluation, which to atteine vntounto (said he) most chiefly y^t we should auoyde all manifest iniquities, as murther, adulterie, & blaspheming of the name of God, that the bodie should be chastised and broght low with fasting, and simple clothing, that men oght to fashion their countenance to looke sadly,The hypocrisi… of the Anabaptistas. and grauely, that they should speake but seldom, and that they oght to norish their beardes. These thinges and such like, he called the crosse, the mortification of the flesh, & discipline. After they are thus furnished, and prepared (said he) they oght to haunt solitarie places, out of mennes compagnie, and often to thinke of God, what manner a one he is, whether he hauehave any care of vsus or no, If Christe suffered for vsus, If our religion were not to be preferred to the Turkes religion. And that we should aske a signe of God to assure vsus that he taketh care for vsus, and that we stand in the trew religion. If he shew not some signe immediatly, y^t we should neuertheles go forward, praying instātly, yea & vehemētly quarreling with God, as if he did vsus not right. That seing it is his will, as the scripture teacheth vsus, to giuegive to those that aske, he doth iniurie in not giuing a signe to him that desireth the true knowledge of him. This kinde of …iding, and anger he said, to be verie acceptable vntounto God. because that by it he might perceaue the feruēt inclination of our mindes. And that he wold vndoubtedly (if in this m…ner we did solicite him) declare him self by some manifest signe, that he wold quench the thirst of our mīdes. And deale with vsus, as he did in times past, with our fathers. This also he taught, y^t God reueled his will by dreames, and that he laid in them p. 410the foundation of his purpose. And if it chanced that any mans dreame might be interpreted, him he highly extolled openly before the assemblie. And when by this meanes he had gotten many on his side, by litle, and litle, he came to the same, which he went about alitle before: and in the forenamed towne he began to regester their names which (being of his cōfideracie) were sworne to ayde him, in slaying the wicked Princes, & magistrates, and in placing new in their rowmes. For he said that he had receaued that commandement of God, to take them away & to constitute new. So long as he spake but of dreames, & such other lyke thinges, Friderike duke of Saxō did beare with him, especially because Luther by leters required him so to do. but whē he began to preach sediciously, he was banished, who (after he had lurked in corners certen monethes) came to Noriberge, and being also thrust from thēce, alitle after he came to Milhusium a towne of Turingia. For when he was at Alstet he had entised to him some of the citizēs by whose helpe he obteined the office of teaching. And because the magistrates lyked him not, he raised a tumult amongest the people, wherby new magistrates were created. This was y^e beginning of trouble. after these thinges the townesmen cast out the monkes, and inuaded their houses, wherof the chiefest and richest fell to Muncers lotte, who now played both the preacher, and the magistrate. For iudgement (said he) should be giuegive by the reuelation of God, and of the scripture. And o… all other thinges he gaue sentēce, as it pleased him: for whatsoeuer he said, it semed to them most holy. That their goodes should be in common, he said, was most agreable to humanitie. That all oght to be equall in dignitie, all men should be free, and that all their goodes should be vsed indifferently, as well of one, as of an other. Wherby the common people began to leaue of labor, and to be ydle, ād what thīg soeuer any lacked, that y^t they toke by violēce frō other y^t aboūded. These maners p. 411he vsed for a space & whē the cōmon people, & husbād men were in armour through Sueuia, & Franconia to the number of fortie thousand, & had destroied the greatest part of their nobilitie, & had pulled downe, and burned many Castels, & towres: thē putte he to his hād also thinking that y^e most cōuenient time to bring his purpose to passe. And making inginnes of warre in the gray friers church, the greater part of the people he broght furth of y^e cūtrie, in hope of a praye, & of more welth. He had a cōpanion of meruelous audacitie who was of all his counsell, whose name was Phifer. this man attributed much to dreames, & visions of the night: and amongest other thinges he chanced to boast, that he saw in his slepe in a certē stable a meruelous great multitude of mise & that he did driue them all away. By which dreame he vnderstode, that God commanded him to take his armour, and go furth with an armie to destroy all the nobilitie. But Muncer althugh he preached vehemently to the people, yet was he some what colder, nether listed he to aduenture the prosperous estate, that he was in alredy, before al they that were about him were in armour. And to bring the mater more easilie to passe, he sent leters to the workeme that digged for metalles in the cūtrie of Mansfeld, earnestly admonishing them to fall vponupon the Princes, without doubting of the mater, for it should come to passe that they which were in a readines in Franconia shall come nerer to Turingia. In the meane time Phifer that loued not to linger long in any mater, went out with his men, and destroied the cuntrie of Isfeld adiacent vntounto them, he spoiled the Castels and temples, destroyed many of the nobles, and toke certen of them prisoners, whom he bound in chaines. After he returned home with a greate praye. Whose prosperous successe encouraged greatly the heartes of the common people, especially because the countreis also about them were vp, and had inuaded the cuntrie of Mansfeld. So Muncer (thinking now that all mens heartes had failed them on …) came with p. 412300. men to Mulhusium, and ioined him self to the Frā cusians. At that same time died Friderike Duke of Saxon without issue (for he liued a sole life) whose successor was Ihon his brother germane. While these thinges were in doing, Albert the countie of Mansfeld gathered (with all expedition) a company of horsemen, and violently comming vponupon them, he slew 300, wherwith they being feared, durst procede no further, but fled to Francusium, where they taried waiting for a greater armie. wherby onelyonly their assaute was deferred. In the time of this delay the Princes that were there about, gathered horsemen, to the number of a fiftene hundred, but no greate multitude of footemen. These were the Princes of Saxon, Ihon Elector, George his cosin germane, Philippe Lantgraue of Hesse, and Henri Duke of Brunswicke. The bowres (that is husband men) remained vponupon a hill not farre from Francusium, who had gathered their cartes, and sette them so nigh together, to fence them withall, that with much difficultie, could they be come vntounto. But they were nether well furnished with harnes, nether yet with ordināce, and they were all for the most part vnexpert in the feates of warre, wherwith the Princes were so moued to compassiō, that they sent messingers to exhort them to deliuer the authors of the sedition, to lay awaye their weapo…s, & to depart home without hurte. But Muncer,Mūcers fa…s & ora…tie …ration. considering his owne danger, came furth into the assemblie, & with graue coutenance, said: Ye brethern, & felow souldiours do see tyrānes not farre from you, who althogh they hauehave conspired against vsus to take away our liues, yet are they of so smal a courage, that they dare entreprise nothing against vsus. They offer foolish, and fond conditions to the intent to spoile you of yo^r armour. And now, it is manifest to you all, that I began this dede, but not of any priuate authoritie of my own (nether did I euer go about such a thing) but by the commandement of God, which thing being so, it becometh both me, and you to obey, & not p. 413once to moue out of this place, wherin God hīself hath sette vsus, who in times past commanded Abraham to offer his sonne, whose precept without resistance Abraham obeied, albeit he was ignorant what should come of it. And therfor did God both preserue his sonne, and also highly rewarded his faith. in like maner oght we (which are in the same state) to perseuere, committīg the issue vntounto God. for withoute doubt, all thinges shalbe euen as we wold hauehave it. Ye your selues shall behold the manifest helpe of God, and who so euer is our ennemie, him shall we suppresse on eueryevery side. Nether is it in one place of the scripture onelyonly, where God promiseth succour to the afflicted, & to destroye the wicked. This promes most assuredly apperteineth vntounto vsus. for we are poore, and in miserie, & because we desire to reteine and publish the knowledge of God, there is no doubte, but that we shall ouercome, and be conquerors. On the other side lette vsus consider the condition of our ennemies, I cō fesse they are called Prīces, but in dede they be tyrānes, nether hauehave they any care of you at all, but deuoure all mēs goodes, and spend them most wickedly. In that people which sometime God chose peculiarly vntounto him self, he ordeined that kinges should not spend any time in waste, yea he commāded that they should loke diligently in the boke of the lawes, which he had giuen them. But what do our tyrannes? or how are they occupied? They think the common welth is no part of their charge: they know nothing of poore mens causes, they care not for iustice, they suffer the wayes to be besette with theues, they punish not robbers, nether any other vice, they helpe not the widdow, nether yet the fatherles. They loke not to the good education of youth. As for the honoring of gods Name, they do not onelyonly thē selues neglect it, but also they hinder it Thus onelyonly they applie to draw all mens goodes to them selues: and therfore do they eueryevery day deuise new wayes to gette money by extortiō. Nether sette they their mindes p. 414vponupon defending or mainteining of peace, but that (being enriched aboue measure) they may abound in al kinde of riotte, and pride. It is to manifest how greate tumultes, and warres they raise for very light, and foolish causes: whereby all that remaineth to the poore people is lost, and destroied. Behold these are the excellent vertues, and policies of your noble princes, wherin they exercise them selues. Therfor let none think, that God will suffer those thinges any longer, but rather persuade him self assuredly, that as God did once destroye the Cananites, so will he now also these. For thogh all these thinges, which I hauehave recited before, were tollerable, thinck you that they shall escape vnpunished for defending, and mainteining that most execrable impietie of the popish preachers? Who is ignorant how greate iniquitie is in the bying, & selling of Masses? I will say nothing of the rest. Surely as Christ draue out the byers, & sellers, out of the church, so shall he now also roote out the priestes, with their patrones, and companions: be strong therfor, and to grati…ie God, slay all this vnprofitable multitude. To make peace with them I can see no waye honest, safe or sure inough: for they will nether leaue of their purpose, nether restore vsus to libertie, nether permitte the true worshipping of God. and it were better for vsus to die▪ then to alowe their iniquitie, and to suffer our selues to be spoiled of the doctrine of y^e Gospell. I promise you assuredly that God shall prosper vsus▪ and that the victorie shalbe ours. For he him self promised me to my face, euen he I say that can not deceaue, nor lie, commanded me to beginne this worke on this maner, by punishing the Magistrates, and in ded… the power of God, herein appereth most excellent, when a greate multitude of ennemies is slayne by a smal hād. To lette many other thinges passe, ye know what Gedeon broght to passe with a f…aw: what Ionathas did accompanied with one poore seruant onelyonly: what Dauid did when he fought alone against that monster Golias of huge stature, who for his height was euen terrible to p. 415loke on. There is no doubte, but this day in like maner shalbe notable, and had in remembrance of all posterities for the like spectacle. For althogh we seme not to be well fournished with weapons, nor fensed as it apperteineth, yet shall we hauehave the victorie. And this workemanship of heauen, and earth shall rather be changed, then that we shalbe forsaken of God. for so in times past was the nature of the sea changed, that the Israelites might escape danger, when of Pharao they were pursewed: let not the iudgement of your owne reason moue you, nether let any apperance of shadow of danger trouble you, but valiantly inuade the wicked, and vngodly ennemie, neuer let their eng…es of w…rre make you afraid, for I will receiue in the l…ppe of my garment al y^e gunstones. Behold se you not h…w mercifull God is vntounto vsus▪ Loke vp I besech you, and marke wel the signe, and testimonie of his perpetuall louelove toward vsus: Lift vp your eyes, and see me the bowe of heauen, by the which image shewed vsus from aboue, God signifieth to vsus most manifestly, that he will assist vsus in this battell: for as much as we hauehave the same bow painted in our enseigne, & he sheweth also by the very same, death, and destruction to our tyrannes. Therfor fall vponupon your ennemies with a lustie courage, hauing an assured hope that God will helpe you. For God will not that ye should make peace with the wicked aduersaries. Whē he had made an ēd of exhorting his souldiours, who neuertheles (for the most part) trembled for the greatenes of the present dāger. But all thinges were done in a hurley burley, without any certen rule, or order. Moreouer there were some of a desperate audacitie, readie to put to their handes to eueryevery mischeuous acte: these of their owne nature enclining to worke meschief, were thē more sette on fire by his oration. but chieflly they were moued by the rainebow, which stode in the element (as it is said before) and that toke they for a most sure signe of victorie, And this also helped them, that they were a great number, about eight thousand men, and that the place was p. 416fitte for to defend them. So these men that were so boldened, with a lowde voice admonished all men to take their weapōs, and to go furth against the ennemie with a good courage: and they had also a song wherein they asked the assistance of gods holy spiritte. But before this a certen yong man of noble birth was sent vntounto them whom Muncer (contrary to the law of armes, and to the custom of any nation) slew: wherwith the Princes were so prouoked,The An…b…ptis…s greate …ercie. that they blew their trompettes to batell, and sette their men in araye. At that time, there was there Philippe Prince of Hesse, who althogh he was the yongest of all, yet rode he to, and fro, exhorting the souldiours to be strong. which exhortation being ended, they inuaded their enemies, beginning first to shote of their ordinance. And then the miserable men (as all amased, or▪ besides them selues) nether defended thē selues, nor yet fled to saue their liues, but song still that song to the holy Gost to helpe them. And the most part of them put such confidence in M…cers faire promises, that they looked for helpe from heauen. Whē they had shot of their ordinance, and began to assaute their holdes, and that many of them were on eueryevery side slayne, then were they put to flight, and went to Francusium, but some of them wēt to the other side of the hil, where they kept out for a while a few horsemen, and slew one, or two of them. But when they were al for the most part fledde, the horsemen (scattered, and dispersed) wandred to, & fro, without order, so that whither so euer boures fled they were pursewed. But some of their mē (as I said before being slaine, the residue all kindled with fury & desire of reuēge, were more violēt, and were slayn to the nūber of 5000▪ streight waye Francusiū was takē …y batell, and 300 in it, which were beheaded. Muncer fledde into the towne, and hid him self in a house not farre frō the gate. Into the which it happened that a certen gētil man entered, whose seruant going vp into the vpper parte of the house, of purpose to vewe the dwelling. p. 417he found a certaine man lying vponupon a bedde, of whom he demanded, what he was, and, whether he were one of the rebelles, which fled out of the tumult: That he denied, saing: That euen then he was sicke of an agew.Here … the tr…wt… of Anabaptist…s It happened that besides the bedde there laye a purse, which the other snatched vp, hoping to gette …ome pray in it. After he had opened it, he found therin a letter, wherin Albert Mansfeld admonished Muncer, to leaue of his entreprise and not to stirre the people to seditiō. when he had redde these leters, he asked if they were written to him, but when he denied it, he forced him so that he confessed him self to be Muncer, and intreated him. Then (being taken) he was broght to George y^e Duke of Saxon,How G…d re…eieth thinges. and to the Lantgraue, who asked him, why he had so deceiued poore men. he answered, that he had done nothing but his duetie: and that the Magistrates, who wold not abid… y^e doctrine of the Gosp…ll, oght on that maner to be handeled. But after that by y^e Princes he was put to silence, he cried out for very anguish. Thē said George the Duke of Saxō vntounto him: Now art thou vexed Muncer, but thinke also in thy self, of the death of those miserable men, which (being wickedly deceaued, by this thy craft) hauehave this day perished. The he (w^t greate laughter) answered, so wold they. After he was broght to Helderung a towne of Mansfeld, where he was streitly examined what he purposed to do, and who were of his conspiracie, he told them all. Then came the Princes of Mulhusium to Helderung, and beheaded some of the rebelles, among whome Phipher (of whom I spake before) was one.The cō fort of the Anaba …n aduersitie. Thither also shortly after was Muncer broght, who in those troubles was excedingly vexed, and troubled in him self. Nether was he able to rendre an accompt of his faith, as the maner was then. So that (to help him with) Henry Duke of Brū swick said it before him. And when he was at the point to die, he acknowledged his fault, and error, and that he confessed it openly. And being compassed about wi…h p. 418soldiours, he exhorted the Princes to hauehave more pitie on poore men, and so, they should not nede to feare the like dāger after. He exhorted them also to read diligētly the bokes of the kinges in the scriptures. whē he had spokē these thinges, he was striken w^t a swerd, and for an example, his head was fastened vpō aspeare, and sette vp in y^• field. And thus did he ēd, & suffer for his offense which (as said is) he did openly confesse. But yet alas his error,Historia Sleidan… libro deci…. and pestilent doctrine did not end. For from him came forth a kinde of men which for their doing, & doctrine, are called Anabaptistes. for they forbidde y^e baptising of children, and are them selues rebaptised, and so affirme they, that all others oght to be, and they take awaye all the vertue of y^e first baptisme.The doctrine of Anabaptistes. They shew forth a certen kinde of holines. They teach that it is not lawfull for Christen men to go to law together. Not to requier or take an othe, althogh by the magistrate it were required. Not to hauehave any thing in propre, but all thinges to be common vntounto all. These be their first principles. But furthermore, they adde yet much more greuous errors, as afterward I shall declare. And when they encreased through all Germanie, both farre, and wide. Luther and many other learned men, earnestly with stode them, the magistrates also did so punish them that they could hardely encrease to any greater number. At the last in the chief towne of Westphalie, named Monasterium, or Monster (which is well fensed, they placed them selues, which happened after this maner: There is not farre from the towne of Monster a temple of Sainct Maurice, in the which, one named Bernard Rotman did preach the Gospell in the yeare of our saluation. 1532. to a greate audience of the Citizens: And when they were purposed to bring him into the towne, the prelates (purposing to lette their deuise) gaue him a litle somme of money, that he might go exercise him self in some other place. and so he did. But after he had bene in diuers p. 419places where he thoght to do some good, and profi…e his spirite, he returned after certen monethes. But they (to whom his returne was greuous) determined to let his preaching, but it was in vaine, the people bare him such fauour. Shortly after it came to passe, that certeine of the chief citezens receaued him into the towne, and when the church dores were shutte against him, they made him a pulpet in the church porch. And because the number of the citizens, and other hearers encreased daily, they desired of the Papistes▪ that one of the temples might be opened vntounto him, which if they wold not grant, they wold make away in by violence. Not long after (by the counsell of the chiefest of the people, he sent letters to the cuntrie of Hesse, which was ioyning by, and vnderunder the gouernement of the Lantgraue, desiring that certeine good, and lerned men, might be sent vntounto him, which might with him preache the Gospell. And when there were sixe of them, whereof two were sent from Marpurge, they deuised among them selues, how they might first ouercome the clergie, by the which meanes the Gospell might with more frute be taught. And to bring this to passe, this waye was thoght most conuenient. They wrote out the errors of the Papistes in thirtie articles, and deliuered them to the counsell, offering them selues to suffer any kind of punishment, if they were not able to proue by the holy sc…iptures, that they were all contrarie to the word of God. The Magistrates sent for the Papistes to come before them, and they shewed vntounto them, those chief pointes of their errors. And when continually they alledged for them selues their doctrine to be pure, and agreable to the word of God, and the preachers denied the same, and that they wold proue, vnderunder the paine of losing their heades: It was asked of them, whether that they wold by the word of God, confute those articles that were put forth against them: p. 420when after this maner it was asked of them, they seing also that the rulers were earnest in the mater, in fea… wordes they answered: That they had nothing to defend them selues with all: and wher as vntill that time, they had said that their ordinances, and maners were good, and lawfull, they confessed their so saing to be but by by opinion and ignorance. Thē the Senate seing them to be conuict, of fals doctrine, and errors, hauing nothing to alledge for them selues, and confessing their naughtines, they commanded them, that from thence forward they should absteine from y^e office of teachi…g, and that they should giuegive place in all their temples, to those new teachers, which had disclosed their trumperie, and de…cate. Afterward by the consent of the senate, and the people, there was appointed to eueryevery one of the preachers a seuerall temple, to preache in. The Papistes were greued therwith, but specially the canons of the Cathedrall church, which for the most part, were gentile men borne: they when they saw that they could not remedy the mater, they departed in a fume, and went to the bishop of that Citie. And after that they had counseled with him, they determined to stoppe all the waies, & passages, that there should no victualles be caried to the towne. Shortly after they had thus stopped y^e waies, the Bishope with the canons afore named, came to Telget, to counsell more fully of the mater, for that was … litle towne but a mile from the Citie. From thēce the… sent a messinger with leters to the counsell in thes… wordes: That they should giuegive ouer their enterprise and restore all thinges to their formare state: if not tha… they wold take them from thence furth as ennemie…. The Bishop was a countie, and called Francis valdock▪ and his predecessor was named Friderick, brother to the Arch bishop of Collen. This Bishop (ether because he could not hauehave his health in those places, or that he smelled some what in the mater) departed thēce a litle before of his owne accord, and being cōtent with a priuate p. 421life, he went into his owne countrey. The people of Monster coun…eling vponupon this mater, kept the messinger. And vponupon Christimas euen in the night, they went forth, to the number of 900, and comming vponupon them vnwares they toke the towne, and setting kepers at the gates (lest any should escape) they apprehended all. The b…shope (as it happened) was gone from thence the day before. They broght all the captiues into the Citie, amongest whom were the chief prelates, and diuers of y^e nobilitie. Of these the Magistrates asked, what their intent was, and whither they were minded to hinder the preaching of the Gospell any more: They frely answered, that they wold do their diligence, that the Gospell might florish. And by the occasion of this answer there was a pactiō made betwene them. The copie wherof, the magistrates sent to the Lantgraue, desiring him, that he wold assist them, in the maintenance of the Gospell, and their common welth, Then sent he vntounto them, certen of his seruantes, through whose comming vntounto them▪ y^• peace was made, and being reconciled, and the grief troden vnderunder foote, they liued in peace togethers: That the Gopsell might be preached in sixe churches, and that y^• impieties, and superstitions, w^c were in religion might be taken awaye: That in the cathedrall church, nothing should be changed, and that the citizens should not thinke that to apperteine any thing at all vntounto them. This forme of peace in writing was signed by the Lātgraue, by the Bishop, and his adherentes, with the noble men, and all the people the 14. of Februarie the yere of our saluation. 1533. After this maner, thinges being appeased there came vntounto Monster a botcher of garmētes, named Iohn Leiden borne in Holland, which was a vehement anabaptist. This man after he was entered into familiaritie with y^• preachers, he priuely asked of them, whether they thoght, that it were mete to baptise children or no: and when they answered yea, he as one vtterly of the contrary iudgement, began to laugh, and dispise their p. 422iudgement, w^c thing, when …nard Rotmā of whom we spake before perceiued, he exhorted y^e people in his preaching to cal vpō God that he wold giuegive them grace to stand, and continew in the trueth, and that he wolde kepe them from being corrupt with heresies, and chiefly from the opinion of the Anabaptistes, which now priuely do crepe in among them, and gather them selues together. For (said he) if their opinion gette the vpper hand, the state, not on…ly of the common welth, but also of religion wilbe very miserable, and poore. At the same time came to the towne one Hermā Stapred, which being made companion with Rotman did publikely inuey against the baptisme of infantes. He was scolar vntounto one Henry of Rolle,… Anabatistes …rept in who a litle before was put to death at Traiectine, for anabaptistry. And this was as it were an other steppe forward in this new kinde of doctrine. This came to pas that the Anabaptistes taught through all the Citie, althogh it were in priuate houses, & secretely, and none was receaued of them, except they, that were of their secte. Further more there was none y^• made them selues knowen to be the authors of this opinion, nor they did not teach but by night, and when others were at their rest: which time they wroght their mysteries but the thing being knowen, and diuers of the citizens being greued at it, saying that it was a great shame that such new doctrine should be sowē in secret, and by night. It came to passe that by the commandement of the rulers the captaines of them were commanded to auoyde the Citie, which going out at one gate, they came in againe at an other, saying, that they had a commandement from God, that they should remaine there, and applie their maters. This thing moued the rulers not a litle, and caused no smal wonder in the towne. Therfor for the auoiding of greater tumult, and danger, the magistrates gaue in commandement, as well to the anabaptistes, as to the preachers of the p. 423Gospell, that they should appere before them in the coūsell house, with certen other lerned mē. Then Rotman bewrayed his iudgemēt, which vntill that time he had concealed, and condemned the baptisme of infantes, as a thing wicked, and abominable. But one named Herman Bushe (chiefly) so defended the contrarie parte, that the Anabaptistes were commanded to departe out of the Citie, out of hand. And when they did all edge for them selues that they should not quietly passe through the Bishoppes land, the Senate obteined for them a safe conduite, and gaue them wherwith all to bear their charges. But they hauing long before determined not to depart from thēce, to any other place (secretly returning to their companions) kept them selues closely for a time. The magistrates in the meane ceason, before that they came forthe of their corners againe, caused all the churche dores to be shut, one onelyonly excepted. For it was to be feared, lest that the Anabaptistes, (who daily increased accompanied with their teachers) should driue the preachers of the Gospell out of their temples. After this in the monethmonth of Nouember the Lantgraue at the request of the Rulers of the Citie sent two preachers vntounto them, Theoderik Fabritius, and Iohn Melsinger… but Melsinger seing the trouble, and fearing the danger, returned home againe. The other with great diligence, exhorted the citizens, that they should beware of the doctrine of the Anabaptistes, in this wise he ceased not to do his indeuour, vntill that the Anabaptistes, getting the vpperhand, did driue the other out of the Citie, as afterward shalbe declared. And to make all sure, he wrote in a brief somme the effect of the trew doctrine, and ecclesiasticall administration, the counsell and people appointing the same. Then by the counsel of the magistrates one Peter wirtā began againe to preach, but he had not preached long, yer the Anabaptistes p. 424stirred vp by Rotman, droue him away. who being more fierce then before, prouoked Fabritius, and others to disputation, the senate agreing thereunto, but vnderunder this condition that the disputation shoulde be grounded vponupon the word of God, and other writings agreable vntounto the same. in the presence of some godly learned men, which should be as it were arbitrers, who hearing, and trying the sentences, and argumentes indifferently on bothe sides, might giuegive iudgement: and looke what iudgemēt they should giuegive. y^t it should be agreed vntounto of all. By which meanes discorde being taken away, the peace of the Church might be restored. This Codition Rotman, and his companiōs did refuse. when they craftely auoyded to be bewrayed, they beganne openly to be contemned of the common people. But to wipe awaye this foule blotte, they finde out an other way, much more compendious. One of them (as if he were inspired with the holy Gost) …anne through the stretes of the citie, crieng, …epent you, and be b…ptised againe, orels the wrath of God shall consume you. By this meanes there was a common tumult, and as many, as were rebaptised, cried after the same maner, as did the first: many fearing the wrath of God, which they so threatened to fall vponupon them (deceaued of verie simplicitie, which otherwise were good men) obeied them, and others did the same for sauing of their goods. For after that the Anabaptistes had gotten the vpper had of their aduersaries, they dispossessed the of their go…des. This was about the end of december, and now came they againe furth of their secret corners, of which we spake before. And being gathered to gether in the market place, they made a gre…t shout, commanding all y^t were not rebaptised to be …, as paganes, and wicked persones After this they toke the artilerie, and munition of the citie, and also the towne house, not without doing violence vntounto many. The others on the other part, for s… uing of them, & theirs from iniuries, got them selu…s p. 425vntounto a nother certen place of the citie, that euer was wel fensed, and toke manie of y^• Anabaptistes. This conflict against the Anabaptistes, which enioyed y^e market place, and …ad fortified it round, about cōtinued so long, while pledges being deliuered on both parties,This was a … they came to a composition, wherin was agreed, that euerie one should holde his religiō to him selfe as him lyked▪ and returne to his house in peace. In the meane ceaso… Rotma, & Bernard Knipperdoling, which was the chiefe author of this faction, althogh they semed to hauehave alowed this composition, yet notwithstanding they priuely sent leters to villages about, willing all those that were of the… secte, y^t leauing their goods behind them they should with all spede repaire to the citie to them, promising y^t what soeuer they should lose, should be restored vntounto thē tēne fold againe many entised through these greate, and plentifull promises, came vntounto Monster, both men, and wemen with an assured hope to obteine no small benefite, but chiefly they of small substā ce, which were not …ble to kepe their houses. The citizens, and chiefly those that were of some reputation, when they saw that the citie beganne to be filled with strangers they with drew them selues as well as they could, leauing behind them the Anabaptistes with the mingled people. This was in februarie about shroftide 1534. Thus one partie growing weake by their departing, the Anabaptistes chose new Magistrates, suche as were of their owne opinion: They made counselers also, amōg whome was Knipperdoling. Not long after they inuaded the temple of sainct Maurice in the suburbes, and they burnt it withall the houses about it they spoiled all the temples about it also, and defaced the great church within. This done, they began to runne on heapes about the citie, in the stretes, crying, first: Repent: and immediatly after they cryed, Hie you hence, ye wicked persones, except ye list to aduēture your liues. At the same time they ranne about p. 426the Citie in harnes, and chased out of the Citie all such as were not of their secte, without any regard of age, or kinde, after such a sorte that in this turmoil, and hastie flight, many women were deliuered before their time, and immediatly they toke the goods of those whome they had chased out. And althogh that this chanced the day before the bishope laide siege to the Citie, yet notwithstāding when certaine of the companie of those that fled, fell into the handes of the bishop, they were taken as ennemies, of which companie some were put to death, among whome were takē one or two preachers of the Gospell. And when Peter wirtam, of whome we spake before, was in danger of his life, he was saued through the sute of the Lantgraue. Now the residue of the townes men moued thereby, which were good men, beholding present dānger to fal vponupon them, thogh they wold forsake the Citie, ful fore against their willes (and as it were constrained) they taried still. At y^t time their chief Prophet (for that name they vsurped) named Iohn Mathew commanded, that eueryevery one which had any gold, siluer, or mouable goods, they should bring it forthe to be in common, vnderunder paine of heading. And to this vse there was a publike house ordeined. The people was greatly astonished with this sharpe commandement yet notwitstāding they obeid it. And it was not best for anie to vse deceat in this thing, or to kepe any part backe for they had two prophesying maidēs, w^c declared, if any deceat was vsed. And they were not onelyonly content thus to do with their owne goods, but also they vsed the gods of others whome they had driuen out, after the like maner. After this the same Prophet gaue in commandement, that none should hauehave, or kepe to him self any boke, sauing the Bible, and that all other should be broght forthe, to be rased, and destro…ed: This commandement, he said, was giuen him from aboue vponupon this a greate nomber of bokes were broght forthe, and p. 427burned. It chanced, in that time, that a handye craftes man named H…bart Turteline, had spoken in mockage against those that called them selues prophetes. This being knowen, they called the multitude together, and commanded them to come in harnes and streight way they accused the man, and cōdemned him to death. With this the people was greuously moued, and striken with feare. The chief prophet (a fore named) toke the poore man, which being downe on the groūde, he stroke him with a speare, without giuing him his deathes wounde, althogh he ranne vponupon him with a greate violence. Then he commanded him to be caried into an other place, and taking a yong mans halfe hake that stode by him, he shotte him through, lying on the ground. And because that yet he died not out of hand, he said, that it was shewed to him frō heauen, that the time of his death was not yet come, and that God wold pardon him of his offense. But the poore man within feaw dayes after dyed. When the prophe… heard of his death, he toke a long speare, and ran with it about the Citie, crying that God the father had commanded him to driue the enemie out of the Citie. And whē he came neare vntounto the campe, a certeine soldiour slew him▪ And notwithstanding that this was the seconde time of bewraying of their falshode, yet the residue of his felow prophetes had so bewitched the people, and they so set out the mater vntounto them, that the common people toke the mater verie heauily, and said, that surely some greate plague should fall vponupon them, for the taking away of so notable a man. But the next prophe…e after him, named Iohn Leyden, willed them al… to be of a good courage: for (said he) it was lōg before shewed me that he shoulde dye after that maner, and that I should take his wife in mariage. Two dayes before Ester they ranne into the temples, and rang all the belles at once. Within few dayes after Knipperdoling prophesied, y^t those which were set aloft should be broght p. 428downe, and the other should be exalted, from a vile, and base estate. After that he commanded that all the temples should be cast downe, affirming with muche grauitie, that commandement to hauehave come from God. Immediatly the thing was obeied, and that commandement celestial (as he termed it) with all dilige…ce put in executiō. About the same time, the fore named Iohn Leiden toke the sworde that serued for the heading of the offenders, and gaue it to Knipperdoling, and made him hangman, for so (said he) it was determined of God, that he which was one of the chiefe Ruelars before, and of the counsel should now be in the lowest place, and be made hangman. Knipperdoling was nothing offended with the mater, but toke the office thankfully vponupon him. Now when the bishoppe had certaine monethes borne all y^e charge of the siege him selfe alone, Hermannus the Archbishop of Collen, and Iohn Duke of Cleue sent him for ayde, money, and gunnes with a certeine companie of horsemen, and footemen. The Archbishop of Collen him selfe came also to the campe, to sit in counsel with them, and not long after, the citie was besieged, in sondrie places. And when there was no hope to winne it by force, they made 7. rampers about the citie, to kepe it from victuales, furnishing them with footemen, and horsemen, which should remaine there all winter. The bishop of Monster (for the maintenannce of the siege, and warre against the towne) required ayde of the Princes about the Rhine, as the next neighbours, and to whome the mater also did be long: for which cause they gathered them selues together at a citie Called Confluence, the 13 of December. 1534. After this vnprofitable beseging of the citie: Iohn Leiden fell into a slepe, and dreamed the space of thre daies, and when he awaked, he spake neuer a worde, but onelyonly required, paper to be brought vntounto him, in which he wrote 12. mennes names, among whome were certeine of noble birth, which 12 should rule as chiefe p. 429heades, as it was among the Israelites: this he said, was the will of the heanenlie father. When as by these twelue there was a way made for him to be king, he put forthe certeine articles vntounto the preachers, and wil led them, that if they could, they should confute them by Gods worde, or els he wolde publish them vntounto the multitude, and so of them they shoudle be alowed, and established. The somme of them was this, that a man was not bounde to one wife onelyonly, and it was lawful for any man to hauehave as many wiues as he wolde. But when the preachers withstode this sentence, he called thē into the co…sell house, and with thē the 12 reulers. And whē they were all come thither, he put of his cloke, and threw it on the ground, and with it the new testament: by those (as it were) signes, he testified, and sware, that article which he had put forthe was reueled to him from heanen, and therfore with terrible wordes he threatened them as that God wold not be merciful vntounto them,A sufficient assuran…e for anabab. vnlesse they wold alow them. At the length, they agreed, and the preachers for thre daies togethers, preached onelyonly of matrimonie: Streight waye Iohn Leiden maried. 3. wiues, whereof one was she of whome we spake before, the wife of the greate prophet Iohn Mathew. With this example, others did folow, so that it was counted laudable to marie o…ten. But diuers of the citizens, that liked not their doings (asigne being giuē through the Citie) they called all the louers of the Gospel into the market place. Then toke they the prophet, and Knipperdoling, with all the preachers. which thing when the commonn people heard of, they armed them selues, and reskewed those, that were taken, killing with great torment, to the number of fiftie persones: for they tied them to trees, and postes, and so shot them through. For the greate prophet cried, that all those that wold do acceptable seruice to God: should throw the first dart others were killed after another maner. The 24. of Iune there arose a new prophet, which by his occupation wa… p. 430a goldsmith. This prophet called the people into the market place, ād there he said vntounto them, that it was the commandement, and will of the heauenly father that Iohn Leide should be the Emperour of the whole earth, and that he going forthe with a mighty armie, should kill all the Princes, and kinges of the earth, shewing merciemercy onelyonly to the common people (that is to saye, all those that louelove righteousnes) and that he should posses the seate of his father Dauid, vntil the father should require the kingdō of him. For, said he, the wicked being put downe, the godly shal here reigne in this life. And when he had published these things openly, by and by, Iohn Leiden fell vponupon his knees, and holding vp his hā des vntounto heauen, said, It was manie daies ago (my brethern) that I did know of this, but I wolde not declare it, and now God hath vttered it vntounto an other, that ye might the better credite it. This man obteining the kingdome by this craft, immediatly he put out of office the forenamed 12. And after the maner of kings, he chose vntounto him noble men, and commanded that there should be 2. crow…es of fine gold made for him, a scepter, a skabbard, and chaine of golde with other such lyke ornamētes. Furthermore he appointed certeine dayes, in the which he wold openly heare all mennes maters, that had any thing to put forthe vntounto him. So often as he came abrode, he was accompanied with his officers, and noblemen of his court, next vntounto him folowed 2. yong mē on horse backe, and he on the right hand bare a crown, and the bible, the other on the left hand, a drawen sworde. The pompe of his chiefe wife (for he had mo at that time) was after the same maner. In the market place there was an high throne made for him, couered with cloth of gold. The actions and complaintes that were brought before him, for the most part were of mariages, and diuorcementes, which then were most frequent, and after such, a maner, that not a few which had before liued togethers a long time, were p. 431then diuorsed. It came to passe, that on a certeine day as the people were in the market place verie thicke, and thronging together to heare, Behold, Knipperdoling, leaped vp, and creping vponupon the heades of the people with his handes, and fete (for they stode so thicke) he breathed in the mouth of euerie one of thē, saying to one, after another, The father hathe sanctified thee, receaue the holy spirit. An other daye he leading the dance before the king, said, thus was I wont to do with my harlot, but now the father hathe commanded that I should do the same before the king. But because he did it so often, and neuer ended, the king being offended went his way. Then hastily he went into the throne, and behaued him selfe like a king. But the king cō ming in the meane while, thrust him out, and caused him to be kept in prisōne three dayes. During the siege they set out a boke, naming it y^e restitutiō, in which boke besides other things, they say: The kingdome of Christe to be suche afore the iudgement daye, that the elect, and godly shal reigne, but the wicked, that they should be destroyed euerie where. Also that it is lawful for the people, to put downe the ciuile powers: and that althogh the Apostles had no commandement to take iurisdiction vpō them, yet notwith standing, the ministers of the church now, oght to take the sworde into their handes, and by violence to set vp a new common wealth. Also that none oght to be suffered in the common wealth, that is not a true Christian: that none can be saued, vnlesse he put all his goods in common, without possessing any thing proper vntounto him selfe: that Luther, and the Pope be false prophetes, and of the two Luther to be the worse: ād that the mariage of those which are not illuminated by the true fayth, is polluted, and impure, ād oght to be takē for adulterie, and for nicatiō rather thē mariage. Amōg other mē Melanctō, Iustus Ionas, & Vrbanus Rhegius, withstode their doctrine, as it appered by their plētiful, and excellēt writings p. 432Within feaw wekes after the new prophet, of whome w… spake before, blew a trompet in all the stretes and commanded y^t all the people should come in to the church yarde of the great tēple all harnesed: for the wicked were to be driue forthe of the citie. When they were come thither, they fon…d a supper prepared, and by commandement they sate downe at the table to the nomber of 4000. After they had supped those y^t kept the watch aboute 1000. supped also. The king, and the Quene, with their household serued, the supper being almost …nded, the king gaue bread to euerie one, saying: Take, ād eate, shew forthe the death of the Lord. And the Quene giuing them the cuppe, said: Drinke, and shew forth the death of the Lord. This being done, the new prophet (of whome we spake before) went vp into the pulpet, and asked of them all, whether they wold obey the word of God or no. Whereunto when they had all said, yea, he said: The commandement of the father is, that there be sent forth 28. preachers which shal go into the foure quarters of the world, and preach the doctrine that is published in this citie. And then by order he named thē, and the places, to which they should euerie one go, Syxe were sent to Osembirge: as many to warendorfe: eyght to Sufat, as many to Cos…eld. The king, and the Quene supped afterwarde with the seruitours, that had serued at the table, and with them that were ordeined to go forthe. When supper was in doing, the king rose, saying, that he had a busines to do, commannded him of the father, and by chance there was a souldioure taken whome the king accused to be a traitoure as Iudas was, and with his owhe hand he stroke of his head. This done, he retur…ed to supper, and tolde merely of his goodly acte that he had done. After supper, those 28. preachers were sent forthe alitle before night. And besides for the finding of them, there was giuen to each of them a piece of golde, with a charge, that wheresoeuer their doctrine was not receaued, they should leaue those pieces, in a p. 433witnes against thē of their destruction, and euerlasting damnatiō, because they had refused peace, and a doctrine so wholesome. When they came to the places appointed vntounto them, they cried in the townes that men should repent, orels they should perish out of hand. They spred their garmētes vponupon the ground, before, the Rulers, and cast vponupon them their pieces of golde, which they had receaued, affirming, that they were sent of the father to bring them peace, which if they wold receaue, then they willed them to put all their goods in common: and if they refused, then, by this signe, and (as it were) a marke, they wold witnes their euil dede, and vnthankfulnes. For behold the time (said they) spoken of before by the prophetes, in the which God will that righteousnes shall reigne vponupon the whole earth, is come. And when the king shall hauehave fulfilled his office, that iustice doeth rule in euerie place, then shal it come to passe, that Christe shall giuegive vp the kingdome to the father. They speaking after this maner, were takē, and (in y^e beginning by gentlnes, and afterwith tormentes) they being asked of their doctrine, & life, & of y^e strength of y^e citie, answered, that they onelyonly had the true doctrine, which they wold mainteine with the perill of their liues. For (said they) from the time of the Apostles, the trueth hathe not bene truely preached, nor any iustice vsed: also that there were 4. prophetes, two iust, Dauid, and Iohn Leiden, and two vniust, the Bishop of Rome, and Luther, who was the worst of bothe. They being asked, why cōtrarie to their promise they had driuē y^e innocentes out of their Citie, occupying their goodes wiues and children, & by what place of the scripture they wolde proue that their fact to be well, and iustly done? they answered, that the time was come, which Christe spake of,Anabaptistes are as make as waspes that the meke should posses the earth, and that in lyke case God did giuegive the goods of the Aegyptians to the Israelites. Afterward they tolde of the munition, and victualles, that were in the citie, and the multitude: p. 434and also that many in it had aboue fiue wiues a pece, adding this, that they loked for armies of mē out of Friseland and Holand, which when they were once come, the king wold set forth with all his host, to bring the whole worlde vnderunder his power, and subiection, after that he had killed all the kings therof, for not ministring iustice. When they had bene reasoned withall after this maner,The …bstinacie of Anabaptistes and they continued in their purpose, and wolde acknowledge none other magistrate, then their king, they were all put to death, sauing one that escaped. The Citie was so hardly, and so straitly beseged that none could ether go in, or out. Wherefore the citizens fearing famishment, and seing the danger that they were in, they thoght to hauehave taken the king, and to deliuer him to the Bishop bound, but he getting knowledge, therof, chose 12. out of all the multitude, suche as he thoght to be most faithful vntounto him, and called them captaines, and to eche of them he appointed certeine quarters of the Citie to defend, and garisons of men to kepe the people from rising. More ouer he promised to all the multitude, that by Ester the siege should be remoued, and that they should be deliuered from the necessitie that they were in. But vntounto them which he had chosen to be captaines, he promised much more largely, that they should be lordes, and gouernours ouer many things, naming the Towres and land that he wold giuegive to eche of them. Also he said, that only the Lantgraue should be pardoned, because he hoped that he wold take his part. We spake before of the Conuention (appointed at Confluence) of the noble men, in the prouince of the Rhine, in the monethmonth of Decēber. VntoUnto which companie (of his owne good will) the Duke of Saxon Elector Iohn Frederick ioyned him selfe. In this Session, it was concluded, that for the present ayding of the Bishop, there should be appointed furth 300. horsemen, and 3000. foote men, for sixe monethes. The Coūtie of Oberstē named Vlrik was made general p. 435captaine ouer this armye▪ and of the whole warres. It was also there ordeined, that the whole estates of the Empire should be desired to ayde in this mater▪ and because the Emperour was in Spaine, that Ferdinā dus the king should be desired, for this mater to appoint a cōuention in y^e monethmonth of Aprile. And also they sent leters vntounto the Citie besieged, willing them to giuegive oner their entreprise, being so vnhonest, and wicked, as nothing could be more: which thing if they wold not, nether submit them selues againe vnderunder their lawfull magistrates, they should be sure that the Bishoppe which now kept the siege, should hauehave the whole helpe of the Empire against them. This was about the end of December. They gaue answere the 13. of Ianuarie, in the yere of our Lord 1535. with manie wordes, but nothing to the purpose, yet so, that they praysed, and defended their entreprise: and as touching, that which was laid to cheir charge, for their creating of a king, they made no answere at all, but in priuate leters written to the Lantgraue they laboured to excuse them selues, speaking many wordes of the slawghter, and destruction of the wicked, and of the deliuerance and reigne of the godly in this life: with these letters they sent also vntounto him the boke, wherof we spake before, called the restitution, and aduertised him to repent, and not to make warre (as did the other wicked Princes) against them, which were innocent men, and the people of God. The Lantgraue when he had red their leters, & their boke, he noted those pointes that were not alowable in the same, and gaue charge to certen of his learned men, that they should answere them. And because they (in feaw wordes, and verie darkely) affirmed their king to be more chosen of God, then by them, he asked them, why they shewed not y^e places of scripture, w^c made thē think it lawfully done, & why they cōfirmed it not before by some miracles, & signes aboue nature. For said he, God p. 436shewed by all the prophetes long before, of the comming of Christe, so that it was not onelyonly euidēt, of what house, and linage he should come, but also in what time, and where he should be borne. They did also desire that their cause might come in question. VntoUnto y^e which the Lantgraue answered, that it was to late, seing y^t they had taken the power of the sworde into their handes, and had bene the authors of so great calamitie. For, said he, all men may plainly see, what is their meaning, to wit, the ruine of all lawes, and common wealthes: and as their beginning is wicked, & cursed, so also is the desiring of their mater to come in question, nothing but feined, and dissembled: also that he had sent vntounto them faithful Ministres, by whome they were wel, and godly instructed. but seing they had refused their doctrine, giuing ouer obedience to Magistrates, possessing other mens goods, hauing manie wiues, chosing vntounto them a new king, denying Christe to hauehave taken the nature of man of the virgin Marie, affirming man to hauehave fre wil, forcing men to put their goods in common, denying pardon to those hat sinne: all these opiniōs to be vtterly repugnant both to the law of God, and of mā. After they had receiued this answere, they answered againe in writing, & withall they sent a boke, set forthe in the dutch tōgue, of the mysteries of the scripture. In their Epistle they published their cause againe anew, and defended their doctrine to be good in their forsaid hoke. They deuided the whole course, and ages of the world into 3. partes, and the first age, as from Adam, vntill Noach to hauehave perished with the flood, the seconde, in which now we be, to perish with fyre: the third they saye shalbe new, in the which righteousnes shal reigne. But before that the last age shalbe reueled, this that now is, must be purged with fire. But that (say they) shal not come to passe before Antichrist be disclosed, and his power be vtterly put downe: Then shal the ruined seate of Dauid be erec…ed againe, and Christe shall reigne vponupon the p. 437earth and all the writings of the Prophetes, shalbe fulfilled: And as touching this present age, it is like to the time of the which Isai speaketh. For iustice is put to silence in it, and the godly are afflicted. But now the time of libertie, and deliuerance from so many, and great calamities is come, as it came vntounto the Israelites, being in the captiuitie of Babylon, and the wicked shal receaue the full reward of their wickednes, as it is prophecied in the Apocalypse: but this restitution to go be fore the world to come, to the end that all the wicked being oppressed, the seat of iustice might be prepared. When the Lantgraue had redde ouer their boke, hegaue charge to certen Ministers, of his Church to answere vntounto it.

In Februarie the famine was so great in y^e Citie, that diuers perished with hunger. One of the kinges wiues, being striken with pitie towardes the people, spake by chance vntounto the other womē, and said, that she thoght it was not the wil of God, that the people should so dye for lacke of sustenance, The king, which had good prouision in the house, not onelyonly, to serue his necessitie, but also to waste superfluously, knowing of this, he broght her into the market place, with all the residue of his wiues, and there commanded her to knele downe vponupon her knees, and then he cutt of her head from her shoulders: and yet not so content, after her death he defamed her with whoredome. This being done, his other wiues beganne to sing, and to giuegive praises to the heauenly father. Then dansed they, and the king led the dance, & he exhorted the people also (which had no other victualles left, saue onelyonly bread, and salt, that they should dance, and be of good chere. Now when the day of Ester was come, and that there appered no signe of deliuerance, the king, which had made them so many goodly, and large promises, that he might finde some meanes to excuse him selfe with all, he feined him selfe to be sicke, sixe daies togethers▪ which dayes being ended, p. 438he came furth vntounto the market place, and said vntounto the people that he had ridden vponupon a blinde asse, and that the father had put vponupon him the sinnes of all the multitude,The simplicitie of the Anabaptistes. so that they were all made cleane, and purged from their sinnes, and that this was the deliuerance promised by him, with the which they oght to be content. Among other things that Luthere caused to be printed, in that time speaking of those that were besieged in Monstere he said thus: Oh what shall I say, or how shall I bewaile this vnhappie people: y^e thing it self doth declare, that they be possessed with many deuilles, but we oght to giuegive praise to the merciful goodnes of God for althogh, that Germanie hath deserued for the contemning of the Gospel, hatred of Gods Name, and shedding of innocent blood, to be grieuously punished by the hād of God, yet notwithstanding he hath brideled y^e force and violence of Sathan hither to, not suffering him to rage at his pleasure: but hath mercifully warned vsus: ād by this foolish tragidie of Mō stere called vsus to amendement of life. for except that God did brydle hym and drawe hym backe, I dout not, but that most subtile and craftie spirit wold hauehave hādeled this mater farre otherwise. But now when as God hathe thus restreyned hym he is not able to do so muche as he wolde and as he desireth, but so farre as God permitteth him, he fretteth & rageth. For the deuil which desireth to destroy the Christian faith, goeth not this way to worke to giuegive libertie, for men to hauehave many wiues at once. for he knoweth well that men do abhorre it, it is so open, detestable, and filthie a thing in all mennes eyes, The Politick and ciuil gouernement may this way be troubled: but to inuade the kingdome of Christe withall, there must be other maner of weapons and enginnes vsed. for he that wil go about to flatter y^e people by fraude and deceat, he must not be desirous to reigne, not to declare him self a tyrāne (for all y^e world reproueth that, and seeth to what end such enterprises p. 439do tend) but he must come by some priuie meanes: as by holie speakings, his garmēts homelie, and not lyke vntounto others, a graue countenāce his head hanging toward the ground, in abstinēce not touching money, not eating flesh, refusing mariage, esteming ciuile gouernment, and bearing of autoritie to be a prophane thing, to refuse to beare rule, and to professe hym self to be of a singulare and lowlie spirite: this (I say) is y^e readie way or meanes which may deceaue euen the verie wise, and all by simulation and subtilitie to aspire to the highest reigne vponupon earth. But to vsurpe autoritie w^t vnshamefast extremitie, and for filthie desire to take as manie wiues as he list, this is not the craft of any practised deuil, but of some rude and late sprong vp spirit, or at least if he be of any experience, yet God hathe now so tyed hym in chaynes that he can no more subtely deceaue: which thing the Lord doeth to the end that we should reuerence his Maiestie, and that we should be first stirred vp to repentance, be fore he let lose the bridle of some more expert deuil,Let Germanie adue… for their Pr…ph… speaketh which surely shall assault and besiege vsus much more sharply and with greater furie. For if this litle master deuil can stirre vp suche a troulbe, what shall y^e great doctor deuil of bothe y^e lawes dowhen he shall come and practise all his power against vsus? Wherfore this homelie deuil that is of so small experience, is not of vsus greatly to be feared. And I do also think, that all the inhabitantes of Monster do not allow their toying folie, but that diuerse of them do greatly sorow, wihch (not without many sighes and teares) do look for deliuerance at gods hand, as it hath bene sene afore in the seditions of the bowres. And I wolde to God there were no deuil in the worlde of geater craft then this deuil of Monstere is, prouided that God take not his worde from vsus.

For I suppose there be but verie few, that wil giuegive credence to this so grosse and vnlearned a master.

p. 440But in dede when God is angrie or displeased, there is no error so folish, vnlikely or out of order which Satan shal not persuade some to beleue, as we se to be broght to passe in y^e doctrine of Mahomet. For thogh all their teaching is fond, yet not withstāding the light of Gods worde being quenched, it toke strength, & hathe spred furth it self so large and mightie, as we se it this day, and the like had come to passe in Germanie, if God had not put doune the enterprise and counsel of Muncere. For with the least sparke that is, Satan can make a great flamb (if God do suffer him) and a better way to quench it withall there is not, then with the worde of God. for when the weapons of the ennemie are all together spiritual, he can not be ouercome with a multitude of horses, or any enginnes of warre. But our Princes and Bishoppes worke otherwise. for they hinder the doctrine of the Gospell, which is the onelyonly way, wherby y^e myndes and heartes of men may be healed. And in the mean tyme they violently tormēt them to plucke the bodie from the deuil, leauing to him the principal part of man, w^c is his heart and soule, vsing the mater as the Iewes did, which thoght to extinguish and put doune Christe by the punishment of the crosse. But now as touching the common brute and writings that go of Monster, I hauehave no doubt, but that it is so as it is reported: and that which they them selues hauehave written of late, maketh me fully to beleue it, in which they paint out liuely their owne furie and madnes. first of al they teach of the faith verie foolish and absurde things, and of Christ as thogh he tooke not flesh of the virgine Marie and yet they confesse him to be of the sede of Dauid. But they vtter not their myndes fully: and without doubt Satan doeth nourish some monstre which may easily be perceaued by this which they say, the sede or the flesh of Marie can not deliuer vsus. But in vaine is their trauaile, for the Scripture witnesseth p. 441Christe to be borne of y^e virgine Marie. Which saying in all langages is referred to the frute, which being conceaued and fashioned of the flesh and blood of his mother, is borne into the worlde. Also they shewe furth their ignorance, in that they condemne the first baptisme, as a profane thing, esteming it not as the institution of God, but of man. But if it be so that all maner of things oght to be cōdemned and put away, that ether the wicked hauehave or do giuegive, then do I meruell that they cast not away the gold and the siluer with the other goods, that they took from the wicked, and deuise some other meanes to liue by. for as these things be the creatures, and worke of God, so is Baptisme also. when the wicked man sweareth he abuseth the true name of God: and if the name of God be not true to him, then he offendeth not, he that killeth, robbeth or spoileth, he trasgresseth the commandement of God, but if the commā dement of God be not true vntounto him, he sinneth not. Euen so if the first baptisme be nothing, then the receauers of it hauehave not offended. Wherefor then do they so much detest the first baptisme, as a wicked thing, where as notwithstanding they affirme it to be nothing? Also if the mariages in times past oght to be takē as whoredom and adulterie, as they say, because they were contracted of them that wanted faith, I pray you, do they not cōfesse, them selues to be the children of harlottes? Now if they be bastardes and vnlawfully begotten, how cometh it to passe that they inioye their Citie and the possession of their fore fathers? It were mete therefore▪ seīg they be such that, they should hauehave no enteres into y^• heritages of their ancesters, but that in this new kīde of mariage, that they are entred into, they should gett vntounto them selues new goods and richesse, which might beare a more honest title. for it is vncomelie for these holie and religious men that they should liue with the goods of harlottes, and miscreantes, or that they should winne them to them selues frome others by violence, p. 442and robberie. And as touching their kingdome, w^c is to be laughed at, there is so much wickednes in it, and so manifest, that we shall not nede to make many wordes of it. And truely for those things, whereof we hauehave spoken, as we hauehave treated more then inough, so also more then nede, considering that it hathe bene so plentifully and largely set furth by others. Now when they in the Citie were come into this case, that diuerse of thē daily died for hunger, and that many also departed from thence, and came out so weake and feble that the ennemies had pitie vponupon them, the captaine sent worde to y^e townes mē that if they wolde deliuer to them the king & certen others, they them selues should be perdoned. The citezins, althogh they had good will so to do, yet durst they not go about it, the crueltie of the king was so great, and the watch was kept so streitly: for the king was so obstinate, that as long as there remained any thing for him to eate and a few others, he was fully bent not to yelde. for which cause the captaines sent word againe and commāded them that from thēce furth, they should not send any furthe of their citie, not so much as children or women. This was in the calēdes of Iune, the day folowing they made vniuste compleining that their cause might not lawfully be heard, and that they were wrōgfully afflicted aboue measure, also profering them selues to submission, if any could shew them wherein they offended: fu…ther more they expounded a certen place of Daniel, as of the fourth beast much more cruel then the others, the conclusion of their leters was this: That God aiding them they wold stand to the trueth which they had confessed, but all this was written at the kings commādement. Now when all things were come to the extremitie in y^e Citie, there were two that fled from thence, of which one was taken of the soldiours, the other came to the Bishope vnderunder safe conducte, both these shewed, how the Citie might be taken. The Bishope & the general captain hearing the words of these two fugitiues, and weying the mater, the xxii p. 443of Iune they talked with them of the Citie, aduertising them to yelde them selues into their hands, and to saue the multitude, which perished with hunger. Answer was made in the presence of the king, by Roteman, that in no wise, they wold giuegive ouer frome that w^c they had begonne. Two daies after about the… xi houre in the night the armie came nere to the Citie without making any noise: by the aduice of the two fugitiues, certen chosen soldiours passed the di…ch, and came to the trench, killing the watchemē: other folowed after these, which founde a litle gate open through which they entred into the Citie to the nōbre of fiue hundreth with certein capteines and standerds. Thē they of the Citie came rū ning vntounto that place, and with great paine kept they y^e residue of the armie out which wolde hauehave entered, and shutting the gate, they fel vpō them that were come in w^t a great rage, and killed many of thē. And when the cō flict betwene them had indured two houres, verie sharp and furious, the soldiours that were inclosed, did bur…t open the next gate which was not kept with any great strength▪ and so made they an entres in for their felowes, which streight way entered in by a great cōpany. The citizens resisted them a litle at the first brunt, but they gathered thē selues together in y^e market place: & being in dispaire of any victorie (many of them being slayn at y^e first bursting in) they desired and intreated for merciemercy, w^c was grāted vntounto thē. The king and knipperdolin were taken the same tyme: Roteman disparing of his life, ranne amōg y^e heape of y^e ennemies, & was so thrust through, rather thē he wolde fall a liue into their hādes. Whē y^e Citie was takē, y^e Bishope tooke to hī self half y^e spoile & y^e ordināce: afterward he discharged y^e armies, reseruing onelyonly to hī self two ensignes for defēce Thē was there an other cōuētion of the Empire at Wormes y^• fiftenth of Iulie, wherein king Ferdinādus by his embassador proposed & demāded, whether any thīg els were to be done concerning y^• rooting out of y^• Anabaptistes, seing y^e towne was alreadie takē: he also aduertised p. 444them that the Princes oght to aske coūsel of the Bishope of Rome: wherunto they answered that it was alredie prouided by certen edictes, what was best to be done to the Anabaptistes, and that the Emperour had asked coū sell of the Bishop ofter then once, nether could he do any more in the mater. In the same conuention the Bishop of Monstere desired his charges & losses to be recompēsed, compleining that the money promised was not payd. but when no thing els could be determined, few of the nobles being present, an other conuention was called in the same place, the first of Nouembre, wherein the things concerning the warre and the charges thereof might be knowen, wherein also it might be decreed what forme of common welth were after to be established at Monstere. When the day was come, the Embassadour of king Ferdinādus briefly repeted the causes of that present conuention, to witt, that amōg other things it might also be deliberated, how y^e Citie newly conquered, might from thence forthe continue in the olde religion. After these things the Bishoppes legate sheweth what great charges he was at, al the warre tyme, how greatly he was indebted, & how it was necessarie (y^e Citie being now takē) for the auoiding of tumultes and other dangers, to build two Castles in the Citie, with strong holdes▪ al which thinges he desired to be considered. To these thīgs answer was made, y^t y^e Bishoppe had taken the greater parte of the spoile with all the ordinance and goods of the citizens which wholie apparteined to the commō welthe of the Empire, therefore that it was reason, the value should be counted and communicated with the charges, & what other things were necessarie besides, should also be considered. After it was determined, that the Bishoprike of Monstere should be vnderunder the Empire, after the ancient custome, and that al the nobilitie should be restored, and the citizens also which had departed to other places, so they were not Anabaptistes: that the Bishoppe should set forthe the religion p. 445according to the decre of the Empire: that in the beginning of the next spring the embassadours of the Princes should go to Monstere to know the state of the citizens and to kepe them in sauegard, to pull doune all the forteresses, which the Anabaptistes had erected, and & that the Bishop also should pul doune the Castles which he had builded in the citie, & that he should without delay put to death the king with knipperdoling, & Crechting, y^e prisoners without reteining them any lō ger. As for that which we said was determined of religion, the duke of Saxone, the Lātegraue, Wirtemberg and Anhold, testified openly that they wold not cōsent, to it: the citezins also professed the same, nether wold they hauehave the old forteresses of the towne distroied, but they consented to the pulling downe of the new. The king and his two felow captiues were caried hither & thither to the Princes to be gased and laughed at, by which occasiō the preachers of the Lantgraue talked and disputed with the king, chiefly of these pointes, of the the kingdome of Christe, of Magistrates, of iustificatiō, of Baptisme, of y^e supper of the Lord, of the incarnation of Christe, & of Mariage, and they preuailed so muche by the testimonie of the Scriptures, that althogh they did not altogither conuert him, yet they so bowed and confounded him (notwithstanding his repugnance, and defending his opiniōs) that at the last he granted to the most part of al: which neuertheles, is thoght that he did but to saue his life. for when they came to him the seconde tyme, he promised, so he might be pardoned to bring to passe that all the Anabaptistes which were in great nombre through all Holand Braband, England, and Friseland, should kepe silence, and in all thinges obey the Magistrates. Those same men also disputed w^t the kinges felowes bothe by communication and writing, of mortificatiō, of the Baptisme of infantes, of the communion of their goods, and of the kingdome of Christe. When they were come to Telgate, the Bishoppe p. 446asked the king by what auctoritie he arrogated to him self such libertie ouer his Citie & people? who asked him againe,An equall vocation of the▪ who gaue hī auctoritie & power in y^t Citie and whē the Bishopp answered that he obteined that iurisdiction by the consent of the congregation and people, euen so,A…abaptist and Papist. saith he, was I called thereunto of God. Thē were they caried backe againe to Monstere the twentie of Ianuary, where eche of them were put in a seuerall prison. The same day came the Bishop thither with the archbishop of Collē, and the embassadours of the Duke of Cleaue with him, two daies after they were exhorted by godlie admonitions to conuert from their errors. And in dede the king aknowledged his sinne, and made his recourse to Christe by praier, the other two wold not confesse that they had offended at all, but obstinatly defended their fals opiniōs: the next day after, the king was brought forth into an high place, and bound to a poste, where were present two executioners with fyrie tongues to torment them with all, the king at the thre first pyntches of the tongues held his peace, afterward crying to God incessantly for merciemercy. When he had bene torne on this maner for the space of an houre and more, he was thrust through the breast with a sharp sword and died. The same punishment also had his felowes, which being all dead, they were eche of them bound in yron cofers, and hōg vp in the toppe of the towre of the Citie, the king in the middest higher then his fellowe… by the stature of a man. This fearefull tragedie, in which gods most iust iudgemētes are declared doth teach vntounto vsus two things. The former, what may the innocēt, and the godlie looke for, if ye may bring your enterprises to passe: and secondarely what doeth the worlde & the rulers now in earth for the most part deserue. As touching you, how so euer for a time ye cloke your crueltie, what simplicitie so euer ye declare in your externall gesture, what so euer ye speake of charitie and louelove, p. 447and how so euer ye seme to be zealous ouer the trueth, yet shall you in the end produce no other frute then these yours fathers hauehave done before you. If y^t I liste to note particular exāples, I might shew in your sect and amongest you to hauehave bene so horrible enormities as more horrible were neuer from the beginning: but lest I might seme to take any pleasure in accusing particular persōs, I wil not at this presēt write al that I know. OnelyOnly (I say) that the Church of God may looke for no other thing at your hand, but for confusion of all gods ordinances, and for more cruel persecution then euer yet it did susteine since the daies of the Apostles. for what your fathers began in Monster in their purpose, you do performe and finish: and to that end do you write your bookes, some calling all the Scriptures of God in doubt, some affirming that there is a more perfect knowledge, then that which is cōteined, or expressed in the worde, some plainely denying the God heade of Christ Iesus, and of the holy Gost, some claiming liberbertie, that no man should be troubled for his conscience, cloking vnderunder that title all blasphemie, and diabolicall doctrine. And you now last in accusing vsus of these most odious crimes, whereof we be most innocent, ye, and your brethern, I say, in teaching this your pestilent doctrine, and accusing vsus who gainstand your deuilish errors, do plainely declare, what ye hauehave already intended, if God by his great power bridle not your furie. And assuredly the world and the Rulers of the earth (for the most part) most iustly deserue so to be entreated. As for y^e Church of God, it must be subiect to the crosse, euen vntill the comming of the Lord Iesus from the heauens. But the world I say, and the Princes of the earth (which is the… seconde point, which we hauehave to marke in this former historie) most iustly deserue to be punished with suche confusion as ye intend. For the one, and the other (I meane p. 448the Princes, and the people, cōspired to this day against God, against his sonne Christe Iesus, ād against his eternal veritie. They mainteine impietie, superstition, and idololatrie, they cruelly murther the Saintes of God, and so do they reioyse in all kinde of tyrannie, y^t Gods iust iudgementes can not long delaye punishment. And therfore leauing you Anabaptistes into the handes of him whose power ye can not escape, I am compelled in feaw wordes to admonish you aswell the people, as the princes, y^t spedely ye retourne to the liuing God, whose veritie so long ye hauehave oppugned, whose religion ye gainstand, and true messingers, ye persecute, or els persuade your selues that vengeance is prepared. He will not entreate you, as he hath done his afflicted Church, and deare childrē: that is, he will not call you to repentance by a fatherlye correction, the end wherof shal turne to your cōfort. Not so, not so, but as ye hauehave still rebelled, and dishonored him, so will he powre forthe contempt vponupon you, in the which ye shal perish bothe t…mporally, and for euer. And by whom doeth it most appere, that temporally ye shalbe punished, of vsus, whome ye banish, whome ye spoile, and robbe, whome cruelly▪ ye persecute, and whose blood ye dayly shed? There is no dout, but as the victorie w^c ouercometh the worlde is our faith, so it behoueth vsus to posses our soules in our pacience: we nether priuely, nor openly denie the power of the ciuile magistrate: we do not claime the cōmunaltie of all things in this life: the pluralitie of wiues we do abhorre: we wold not destroye gods ordinances, and Pollicie, by him established, in common welthes, but we hate, & detest all such confusion. OnelyOnly we desire the people, and the Rulers to be subiect vntounto God, and vntounto his holy will plainly reueled in his most sacred worde. And therfore of vsus, I saye, ye are and maye be without all feare. But what ye may loke for, if the Anabaptistes shal atteine to their purpose: the confusion, and tyrannie vsed by those of whome we hauehave spoken, is▪ and p. 449may be a glasse, wherein ye may se your iudgement, & end most fearfull, vnlesse that vnfeinedly ye repent. Flatter not your selues, that ye be able at all times to preuaile in battel by stregth, because that in nomber ye be manie, or because those Prices of Germanie preuailed against that most miserable, & most wicked sort of enraged Anabaptistes. Consider, consider depely in your hearts, that when God will punish, no multitude can resist. At that time God gaue victorie to the Princes, and did suppres the furie of those wicked men, not because the Princes were iust, and had deserued suche a benefite at gods hand, No, the most part were wicked, as their factes since hauehave plainely declared. But God had respect to his owne glorie, and honour. He did admonish his elect by their examples to beware of such poison, and did also by such confusion, call you to repentance. Of late yeres before was the Euāgile of Christ Iesus reuiued in Germanie, the haruest of the Lord was not come to ripenes, & therfor for his owne names sake he wold not suffer that pestilēce so sodainly to preuaile. But now seing that of so long cōtinuance from wickednes ye procede to open contempt of God, and of his true religion, shall he suffer you to rage without punishment? No, his iustice can not. And what instrumentes can God, (I say) finde in this life, more apte to punish you, then those that hate, and detest all lawfull powers, and do thirst nothing more, then such confusion as before ye hauehave heard? God will not vse his saintes, and chosen children to punish you. For with them is alawaies merciemercy, yea, euē althogh God hauehave pronounced a curse, and maledictiō, as in the Historie of Iosua is plaine But as ye hauehave pronoūced wrong and cruel iudgement without merciemercy, so will he punish you by suche as in whome there is no merciemercy. Tremble therfor, and cōuert vntounto God, if that ye think to escape v…ngeance, confusion, and shame, bothe temporal, and for euer. Now to the conclusion of your boke. Thus ye finish.