Anabaptism and Other Errors, Chapter 1

Anabaptism and Other Errors · Chapter 1

p. 1CHAP. I. The Originall and Progreſſe of the ANABAPTISTS.

THE late patrons of Anabaptiſm among us would make the world beleeve that this Sect had for its Author the famous Berengarius, Berengarius no Anabaptiſt.and for its fomenters four hundred years ago, the old predeceſſors of Proteſtants, commonly called Albigenſes: but who will be pleaſed to conſult the fountain of this alledgance ſhall finde Berengarius abſolved from this crime by that very mouth whence alone the ſclander did proceed.M. Tombes examin. p. 20, 21. Biſhop Guitmund lays on the back of Deacon Berengarius the load of ſo many contumelies as he is able to invent, only for his boldneſſe to oppoſe the common Doctrine of that time, the corporall preſence of Chriſts body in the bread of the Sacrament: among other things he challenges him for the denying baptiſme ro infants, but if any ſhould require a proof of this heavy charge, Guitmund profeſſes that none can be given, avowing that Berengarius did never bring any ſuch Doctrine in publick, knowing that no Scripture could be alledged for it, and that no creature would take ſuch an abſurdity from his hand (A); Juſtice therefore does require that Berengarius be freed of that crime, ſince his very adverſary confeſſeth that it was never made appear by any known profeſſion; for crimes that appear not are reputed by juſt men as not exiſting.

Concerning the Albigenſes, The Albigenſes knew not Anabaptiſme.the man that lays the ſclander of Anabaptiſm upon them is Petrus Cluniacenſis, but how unjuſtly I offer to be conſidered not only from this generall very true and confeſſed ground, that the Popiſh Writers of that time do charge theſe honeſt and pious men of Albi with many both errours p. 2and crimes, whereof all equitable men beleeve them to have been moſt innocent; but alſo from three particular obſervations: Firſt, they are not challenged by Cluniacenſis as direct and expreſſe denyers of paedobaptiſme, but for their affirming the impoſſibility of infants beleeving, and of their impoſſible ſalvation without faith, he alledges upon them by way of conſequence, that they did alſo maintain the Baptiſm of infants to be unprofitable and null (B). The learned know how much uſes to be ſaid againſt the burdening of men with all the conſequents of their tenets, eſpecially when the party rejects them, and the things themſelves have no neceſſary dependence. Secondly, the antecedent whereupon this conſequent is builded, we much doubt if ever it came in the thoughts of the Albigenſes. That theſe gracious and orthodoxe men ſhould have been ſo abſurd as to damne abſolutely all infants dying in their infancy, which never any of the groſſeſt Hereticks to this day did affirm; we muſt be pardoned to deny our beleef to ten witneſſes of much better faith then the Abbot of Cluny. Thirdly, that which Caſſander avows in that ſame place helps to evidence the ſclander of Cluniacenſis: the Valdenſes were the children and immediate ſucceſſors of the Albigenſes, many of their writs yet extant ſhew how rigid and punctuall obſervers the children were of their Fathers ways: now it is Caſſanders remark verified by the writs and known practiſe to this day of all the Valdenſes that they have been conſtant paedobaptiſts (C). He muſt therefore be a man of greater authority then any Frier or Monk of theſe dark times, who ſhall be able to perſwade that their Fathers the Albigenſes were againſt infants baptiſme.

Wherfore notwithſtanding of all which is miſalledged from Caſſander we may ſafely with all Proteſtant Writers affirm that the firſt known Fathers of Anabaptiſm were Nicholas Stock and Thomas Muncer, who in the year 1622. began to ſow the tares of that ſect in Saxony with too great ſucceſſe.Neither Melancthon nor Caroloſtadius did ever favour antipaedobaptiſm. What ſome alledge of Melancthon and Caroloſtadius their favour towards theſe men, of Melancthon it is moſt falſe as many of his writs declare (D), unleſſe it be underſtood of his good and extraordinary meek nature, whereby he was ever inclined to pity the worſt of men ſo long as there was any hope by loving dealing to do them good. Caroloſtadius indeed was a raſh hot headed man, and at the beginning p. 3did give too much countenance to the Anabaptiſts, albeit not in the point of Antipaedobaptiſme (E), ſo far as we can find; but wherein ſoever he favoured theſe fanatick men, he did quickly repent and made his publick retractations to the ſatisfaction of Luthers own minde (F).

M. Tombs by all his diligence to ſearch for ancient and renowned friends to his Clients the Anabaptiſts, does but raiſe duſt to darken the air about himſelfe: all who will be at the pains to conſider theſe very teſtimonies which he alledgeth, ſhall finde that no Divine of good fame did ever joyn with that ſect: for the ſpirit that did reign therein was ſo evidently malignant, that a ſmall meaſure of diſcretion did ever ſerve to diſcover and avoid him.

When the light of the Goſpel from the Lamp of Luther did begin to ſhine in all the corners of Germany high and low,The true originall of the Anabaptiſts. the forementioned unhappy men Stock and Muncer, did begin alſo to breath out a peſtiferous vapour for to overcloud that Golden candleſtick. Satan and Antichriſt his child got no ſo powerfull aſſiſtance againſt the Spirit of God in Luther from the Emperour Charles, The malignity of their ſpirit.although the far greateſt Prince who theſe five hundred years did ſway the Imperiall Scepter, nor from all the Biſhops of Germany, though the moſt potent Clergy that is or ever hath been in Chriſtendome, as from theſe two obſcure and ignorant creatures: for ſo ſtrong and perverſe a Devil did enter into them, as did put them into a very fair way not only to have extinguiſhed the candle of Reformation ſo ſoon as ever it began to ſhine, but alſo to have turned the remainder of light that was in all Chriſtendome into palpable darkneſſe (G). The ſpirit of Mahomet was no more helliſh in ſetting afoot moſt groſſe errors, and countenancing abominable luſts; nor was it any thing ſo much helliſh in making an open trade of bloodſhed, robbery, confuſion and Catholick oppreſſion through the whole earth, as the ſpirit of Anabaptiſme. This great and ſevere ſentence will be made good enough in the following Narrative by ſuch abundance of ſatisfactory Teſtimonies, as may convince the greateſt favourers of theſe men among us.

At the beginning the Anabaptiſts put on the viſorn of a great deal more then ordinary piety, zeal, and honeſty:Their ſingular hypocriſie. in prayer and meditation they were very frequent and long, their diſcourſes p. 4were only of matters Divine, the errours and ſuperſtitions of the time were to them abominations; for life and converſation, they ſeemed to be compoſed of all vertue; in their apparell poor and baſe; in their behaviour and ſpeech exceeding humble and grave; for charity towards all in want, ſingularly liberall (H). The errours they had, ſeemed to be very harmleſſe and innocent; they urged not only a reformation of corruptions, but the building of a Church wholly new; they preſſed that what ever had been in Popery might all be caſt away; that new Churches might be gathered conſiſting only of Saints. Beſides the Scripture they profeſſed new revelations; they required all their followers to renounce their former Baptiſm, and of new to be baptized; they ſpoke much of patient ſuffering the Croſſe, of the unlawfulneſſe to reſiſt injuries, or to puniſh by the ſword any crime; they cried down all Wars, yea all Magiſtracy, all Judicatories as unjuſt; they preached much for the Liberty of the People, and againſt the grievous burdens wherewith the great ones did load the backs of the poor Commons; they cried up an equality among all the ſons of Adam, that none might Lord it over his Brethren; alſo that all goods ought to be common among Chriſtians, that none might want, and none be tempted with ſuperfluity.

The prepoſterous pity and charity of good men towards them was the cauſe of their ſtrength.So long as they keeped themſelves within theſe bounds, orthodoxe Preachers were content to deal with them lovingly by conferences and diſputations, to keep the ſword of the Magiſtrate off them (l), and none was a more diligent ſolicitor of their indemnity then Luther with all the Princes of his acquaintance (K). But behold the fruits of this indulgence, Stock and Muncer are encouraged thereby to go on, in the ſpace of three years they did diſperſe their cockle and tares over all Germany, the people every where fell in paſſionate love with their Doctrine (L): the Maſters beholding the unexpected number and zeal of their Diſciples, without further delay did bring out all their myſteries, and what before they had delivered in corners, and in the night time to handfuls of people apart, being then confident of their ſtrength, they brought it out to the world before the Sun, and boldly did begin to put all their ſpeculations in practiſe.

Their wicked Doctrines and practiſes.They declared that they were Prophets ſent by God to teach the world the way to heaven, that after faſting and prayer they were inſpired with revelations no leſſe ſure then Scripture, which p. 5all were to beleeve and follow under the pain of damnation: that Luther and all the orthodox Preachers were falſe Prophets, worſe then the Pope and his Clergy; that all Princes and Magiſtrates muſt needs lay down their Charges, and become equall with the meaneſt; that all rich perſons behoved to give in their wealth, that all goods might be equally diſtributed; that the time of the Saints raign upon earth was come; that whoſoever refuſed to enter into their ſociety, to be rebaptized and to become members of their Churches, were without all pity to be killed. That God had reveal…d all this to them, and much more of this kinde; that he had given them a commiſſion to execute preſently this his will. Hereupon they did arm and began very nimbly to rob and kill all about them as curſed Canaanites. This Leaven did quickly run along many Provinces: many thouſands, eſpecially of the Gentry were maſſacred and their houſes burnt over their heads before they could get themſelves in a poſture of defence. (M)

Luther perceiving the horrible and unexpected malignity of that Devill who led this people, began at laſt to beſtirre himſelf,Luther juſtly did ſtir up the Magiſtrate againſt them. and to paint out unto the world the abominations of that way which before he had too much neglected; he did then exhort all Magiſtrates and people to defend the Goſpel, their lives and goods againſt theſe wicked hypocrites (N). Incontinent the Princes and Cities did arm and every where run upon theſe inraged furies, they recompenced their ways upon their own heads,Great numbers of them were ſlain. killing them where ever they could be found. In Suabland, Lorraine, and Francony, there were in one Summer ſlain at leaſt 50000 yeomen (O), & as ſome Authors relate it, a hundred thouſand (P), yea ſome report 150000. (Q), who corrupted with the ſeditious principles of their falſe Teachers, made inſurrection every where againſt the Magiſtrate. At that ſame time Muncer gathered together 8000 of the common people in Thuringia, againſt whom the gracious Princes Joh: Frederick Elector of Saxe, and Philip of Heſſe ddi march: Muncer perſwaded his followers of a moſt certain victory,The unhappy end of th…ir Author Muncer aſſuring that he would intercept in his cloak all the bullets of the enemies Cannon; but when it came to action the vanity of his promiſes did appear, 5000 of that miſ-led multitude were killed on the place, the reſt fled, Muncer was taken Priſoner, and having confeſſed his errour did p. 6ſuffer death, but in a faithleſſe, faint, and diſcouraged way (R).

Zuing…us …id oppo… their gathering of Churches in S…tze…land.This great execution upon them together with the diligence of Luther and other Divines to inform their mindes did for ſome time much compeſce that evill ſpirit and ſo much fright him out of all the bounds of upper Germany, that he did never ſince that time ſtirre much in theſe Quarters: but behold his behaviour elſewhere. Being rejected of Luther and his Diſciples, he went to try Zuinglius and his friends: unawares, and upon a ſudden great numbers of Anabaptiſts did ariſe in Zurick, Berne, Baſil, and many other parts of Suitzerland: at the beginning they diſſembled the worſt of their tenets, they dealt earneſtly with Zuinglius to gather out of the Churches he had reformed new ſeparate Congregations: many remonſtrances did they make unto him againſt the prophanity of the common multitude, and for the holineſſe that ought to be in every Church member; they alledged a neceſſity for the Saints to put themſelves in new diſtinct Churches (S). The ſame things did they preſſe upon Oecolampadius at Baſil, but when theſe grave men had rejected their motion, and demonſtrated the iniquity of their Schiſmatick way: then without more ado having ſeduced multitudes by their corner and night Sermons, they did themſelves erect without any permiſſion either of the Magiſtrates or Miniſters, their ſeparate Congregations (T), and for a viſible diſtinguiſhing Character of their way they publickly anabaptized all who did enter into their Society (V). For theſe inſolencies the Magiſtrate was offended and put ſome of them in Priſon, preſently they cried out loud of perſecution for conſcience (X), and of unjuſt condemnation before their cauſe was tried: hereupon many publick diſputations were inſtitute, Zuinglius and others in Zurick many days from morning till evening did debate with them in preſence of the Magiſtrate and all who pleaſed at great length upon all their Tenets; this ſame did Oecolampadius in Baſil, and others in Bern, the arguments and anſwers with the conſent of both ſides were written and publiſhed, by this means many received ſatisfaction, many alſo remained obſtinate in their errour and became tumultuous in their practiſes, which cauſed the moſt of them to be baniſhed out of theſe States.The reaſon of their baniſhment thence. Unto this ſeverity the Magiſtrate was forced by the danger of their principles, and their uſuall walking accordingly, where fear kept them not in order: in Chriſtian p. 7Common-wealths they counted Magiſtrates unlawfull, they took their Enthuſiaſms and revelations for Gods expreſſe commandements, and it was one of their Prophets ordinary revelations to cut off by the ſword all Magiſtrates, and whoſoever oppoſed their way, though Father, Mother, Brother, or deareſt friend, yea ſo powerfully did Satan inſinuate himſelf in their ordinary raptures, that no man could be ſecure from their cruelty, as by this example is viſible.

At Saint gall in Zwitzerland in the year 1526. Feb. 8.Their intolerable practiſes. Thomas Skyker having ſpent the whole night with a company of Anabaptiſts in their religious exerciſes, in the morning he was filled with an Enthuſiaſme, and before his Father, Mother, and whole company, he commanded in the name of God his germane brother Leonard Skyker to kneel before him, and having gotten obedience thus far, his next prank was before them all to cut off his brothers head, avowing he had an expreſſe warrant from God ſo to do (Y).

Many ſuch private murders and divers publick uproars, made the Magiſtrate every where to keep a ſevere hand over them; yet for all that could be done, they got into their hands the Town of Munſter; here the wiſdom and patience of God permitted them to act to the full, all their ſpeculations. A Story recorded by many, and needfull to be remembred to the worlds end, for a Memento unto all men to be very wary of an erroneous ſpirit, though he do appear at the firſt in the habit of the greateſt piety and innocence; the matter was thus:

In the year 1533. and 1534.The Tragedie of Munſter. by the labours of Bernard Rotman and ſome Heſsian Preachers, Munſter the greateſt and ſtrongeſt Town of Weſtphalie was perſwaded to caſt out the Popiſh corruptions; while the work of Reformation was there going on apace, the Anabaptiſts came in and immixed themſelves according to their cuſtome; for this has ever been the way of Schiſmaticks,The ordinary cuſtome of Hereticks is not to labour, but to ſpoyl the labors of others. like drones and waſps to fall upon the labours of others; they uſe not any where to be the inſtruments of any Reformation or converſion, but when that work by the labour of others is done, then they come in to ſpoyl all, preſſing upon a reformed and a converted people their fancies (Z).

When the Goſpel was flouriſhing in Munſter, King Becold enters Munſter.a certain Taylor of Leyden in Holland, one John Becold did come to Town, who at p. 8home in his own Country, had drunk in all the Anabaptiſtick ravery: the man was of a quick and ſubtill wit, a great diſſembler, inſinuating himſelf in the favour of the Miniſters, he did propone at firſt only by way of ſcruple his arguments againſt infants baptiſme (AA): but in the mean time in his ſecret conventicles over all the City, he did inſtill the whole myſtery of Anabaptiſme: The chief Miniſter Rotman did at the beginning preach zealouſly againſt that way (BB), Some of the prime Miniſters are gained to Anabaptiſme.but after that one Stapreda, a violent Anabaptiſt had eropen in to be his colleague, Rotman was gained to that party, and at a publique diſputation declared himſelf for them, notwithſtanding the other Miniſters did confute ſo clearly the Anabaptiſts grounds, that the Town Senate remained ſatisfied, and by that Edict commanded all the Anabaptiſts to depart the City (CC). The ſlackneſſe of the Magiſtrate though orthodoxe did ruine the City.But this Statute was ſo ſlackly executed, that the moſt remained ſtill in Town, and did in their night meetings ſo diligently advance their cauſe, that a great many more were conquered; upon which ſtrength waxing confident they defied their oppoſites, and came to a publique inſurrection (DD).

The Sectaries though fewer and weaker, yet by wit and induſtry did maſter their oppoſites.As yet the orthodox were the greater part, but the Schiſmaticks were the more witty and induſtrious, they managed ſo well their ſmaller ſtrength, that they became not only conſiderable, but ſo formidable, that their adverſaries were glad to indulge them their liberty and toleration which they had long deſired (EE); but behold the iſſue of that indulgence. They who of a long time had made it their great work to cry down perſecution and up toleration, when they had obtained that deſire, they did not ſtand there,By the ſtirrup of toleration the Sectaries aſcended to the ſaddle of Soveraignty. but went on every day to adde new members to their ſociety, till at laſt finding the great increaſe of their ſtrength within the City, they did invite by Meſſengers and Letters their aſſociates abroad from all quarters to joyn with them. Theſe ſummons made many ſtrangers to ſlock to the Town, upon whoſe appearance without farther delay a publick Proclamation was iſſued for all to be rebaptized, or elſe immediately to depart the City under the pain of death (FF). Many of the beſt did flee, whoſe houſes and goods were ſeized upon, yet many good people were forced to ſtay, for the Biſhop of Munſter had then blocked up the City, whereby divers of thoſe whoe offered to get out were killed and ſpoiled, and the reſt were frighted p. 9from attempting any eſcape to the Country.

The Anabaptiſts becomming abſolute Maſters of the Town,Being once Maſters of the City they preſently changed the Government. made it their firſt care to diſcharge all the former Magiſtrates, and to ſubſtitute in their place a new Senate of their own faction (GG), over which they did ſet two Conſuls, Knipperdolling and Kippenburgh, two of their moſt forward friends.They ſeiſed on the goods of all and killed whom they would. About that time a certain Baker of Harleim, John Mathie did make himſelf a great Prophet among them, this man one day did deliver as a revelation from heaven, that every one ſhould bring together all his books and papers, the Bible onelyonly excepted, of all theſe he made a faire bonfire (HH). His next command was, that every one ſhould bring forth all his money and goods under the paine of death, that all might be common (II): none durſt be bold to diſobey, Iuſtice was ſo quick and ſevere amongſt them. One Truteling a Smith for a merrie word againſt the Prophets was brought forth before the people and ſhot dead by the Prophet Mathies own hands (KK); after this Mathie pretending a Commiſſion from God went out his alone, with confidence to overthrow the whole camp of them who beſieged the City, but by the firſt of the Enemies Soldiers the falſe Prophet was killed (LL).

For all this ſo ſtrong was the deluſion,The peoples mindes being inſnared by their errours, their tyranny became irremediable. the blinded people did not open their eyes, Becold and Knipperdolling did dayly preach new viſions, Becold having lien in a trance three daies, when he awakened he appeared to be dumb, but by writing Tables he ſignified it was the command of God to change yet further the Government of the City, he ſet down the names of twelve of his greateſt confidents to be Governors and Princes over the twelve Tribes of Iſrael (MM): This was no ſooner proponed then executed. So ſoon as the holy Prophet got his mouth opened, the firſt motion he makes,They proclaimed Polygamy. was that the Preachers would conſider if it were not the will of God for the increaſe of the holy ſeed, that every one of the Saints ſhould have more wives: at the firſt, the Preachers oppoſed this abomination, but thereafter by threats and flatteries they were brought to yeeld. Becold began, and at one time married three, but at once he came to the number of fifteen together (NN). The great Prophets example was followed by many, and by all that would: many honeſt Matrons were forced to marry with any of theſe villains who liked them. This unheard of wickedneſſe did ſo imbitter the ſpirits of the remainder of ingenuous men, that they roſe up in a conſpiracy, and laid p. 10hold on Becold, Knipperdolling and the reſt of their falſe Prophets: but behold, the common people got up in a tumult, reſcued the Prophets, and killed forty nine of the honeſteſt Citizens for their aſsaying to put ſome end to their intolerable miſorders (OO).A faint and unſucceſſefull reſiſtance did haſten and confirm Becolds Kingdome.

Nothing more advances the affairs of Tyrants, then a faint imprudent & unſucceſſeful reſiſtance: Becold by this unhappy attempt of his Enemies having confirmed his authority, ſuborned one of the Prophets to preach to the people, that it was the Command of God to make Becold the King of the whole Earth, promiſing that all the Kings and Potentates of the world ſhould certainly be ſubdued by his Sword, for he was the man that ſhould rule all Nations with a rod of Iron (PP). Becold at the hearing of theſe news humbled himſelf to the ground, adored the truth of that prophecy, declared his information thereof by God ten days before, but the matter concerning his own perſon he had hitherto been ſilent, yet all now being made publick by the mouth of another Prophet,The ſplendour of Becolds Court. he did ſubmit himſelf to the will of God. No minute of time was delayed, the twelve Princes were caſhiered, the Catholick Monarch did chooſe his Chancellor, Treaſurer, Secretary, and other Officers of State and Court, a fair high throne was ſet up in the Market-place, and covered all over with cloth of gold; Becold made for himſelf, being a Taylor by his Trade, very royall ſuits of moſt gorgeous apparell of the Prieſts veſtments, which he had robbed in the Cathedrall: a ſtately Crown, Scepter and Sword were prepared for him, his Courtiers were all put in moſt ſumptuous raiment, no greater magnificence was to be ſeen at any Princes Court in the world (QQ).

Thus Becold attained the top of his ambition and luſt, but the great skill was how to keep what was gotten: for this end twenty eight Apoſtles were ſent abroad to preach over the world obedience to the King of Munſter the new Jeruſalem; but here was the miſluck, all of them but one who returned with the tidings were killed in the places where firſt they offered to preach.

His barbarous cruelty and hypocriſie.In the mean time the Town begun to be pinched with famine, one of the Kings Wives being delated for a word of compaſſion upon the ſtarving multitude, was brought forth to the Market-place, and by Becolds own hand had her head ſtruck off (RR). All the reſt of his wives did ſing a Pſalm to God for this ſo excellent an act of Juſtice, the King himſelf led all the fourteen in a dance p. 11through the ſtreets of the Town; it were long to recite all the acts of their villanous hypocriſie, at laſt the patience of God broke out upon them.

One of the Kings Secretaries undertook to bring into the Town a ſupply of men and victuals, when he was gone,His unhappy end. his way was ſtraight to the Enemy, he guided his Treaſon ſo cunningly, that on a certain night he brought a party within the Town, many were put to the edge of the ſword, the King and the principall miſ-leaders of the people were taken alive; the King was brought to acknowledge the moſt of his Errors (SS), he offered upon condition of his life to make all the Anabaptiſts in Holland, Freezland, and England to be quiet and give over their way: but theſe vain promiſes were not truſted, and ſo after ſome cruell torture, he and Knipperdolling were killed, and hung up in a cage of Iron upon the higheſt pinacle of the Cathedrall Steeple (TT).

That ſame very year 1535.Amſterdam in hazard to be a ſecond Munſter. the Anabaptiſts had a mighty deſign upon Amſterdam, and very narrowly did miſſe of their intention, to ſurpriſe that City to be a ſeat of as glorious a Kingdom as had been at Munſter, but God aſſiſted the Citizens to prevent ſuch a miſchief, albeit not without great loſſe, for ſome hundreds were killed on both ſides in theſe bloody uproars (VV).A woman Meſſias.

All this did not teach the Anabaptiſts wiſdom, ſtill they did expect a new Jeruſalem, and an earthly Kingdom, their Prophets filled. the fancies of their people with this notion more then any other. One of their women at Apezell in Suitzerland gave her ſelf out for the Queen of the world and Meſſias for all women, ſending out her twelve ſhe-Apoſtles for their converſion to her way (XX). I read alſo after the death of Becold of a ſecond King in Vtrick, who was no leſſe infamous for crimes then his predeceſſors, by open robberies he became rich, with his own hands he kil'd his poor wife that he might marry her daughter (YY).Diviſion and ſchiſmes were the Anabaptiſts ruine.

However the grievous abſurdities of the Anabaptiſts both in their doctrine and practice, as alſo the evident judgements which God & man did pour upon them, & the very great induſtry which all the great and heroick Divines of that happy time of Reformation did uſe to reclaim them, much retarded their progreſſe: yet it is marvellous to conſider their incredible increaſe in many parts of Germany and elſwhere, till God of his mercy did divide them among themſelves, and confound their Languages: p. 12their diviſions and ſubdiviſions was that which moſt of all did weaken them and ſtop their courſe.

The difference betwixt the Monaſterians and Battenburgicks.After the taking of Munſter one John Battenburg a baſtard of a good Family born at Leyden, made himſelf head of a ſtrong party, and pretended a Divine miſſion to propagate that earthly Kingdom (ZZ), which by the fatall calamity of his Townſman Becold, and his friends at Munſter had been a little interrupted: betwixt the followers of this Battenburg, and the remainder of the Monaſterian Anabaptiſts aroſe the firſt diſcord. Their ſufferings and diſappointments made them more ſober and wary then the zeal of Battenburg could approve of; for he profeſſed that ſince the Goſpel preached by Becold had been rejected by the world, the time of mercy was now expired, and nothing but wrath remained: So that his commiſſion from God was to kill all the world, only thoſe who did yeeld to his way, and were rebaptized, he might admit to be ſlaves as Iſrael did the Gibeonites (AAA). Upon thoſe grounds his followers where ever they durſt be bold, did kill all whom they met with in the fields, did rob and ſteal what ever came to their hand, in Country villages broke in upon ſleeping people, pulled ſundry out of their beds & drowned them in the firſt waters, or hanged them upon the firſt trees (BBB). They of Munſter did not approve of all theſe practiſes, therefore they were condemned as coldrife lukewarm hinderers of the Kingdom of Chriſt (CCC). This diſcord laſted for divers years, till the Monaſterians expired, and the Battenburgicks were alſo rooted out as Robbers and murderers by the ſword of the Magiſtrate.

The ſecond diviſion was greater, one Melchior Hophman a Skinner or Glover in Suabland before the Tragedy of Munſter, The ſect of the Hophmaniſts.was a prime Leader of the Anabaptiſts: In Straſburg about the year 1529 he ſeduced many, he leaned much upon Enthuſiaſms and dreams (DDD); he fancied that Straſburg was appointed of God to be the new Jeruſalem; that himſelf and ſome others were quickly to get from heaven an extraordinary calling to an Apoſtleſhip (EEE), that ſo from that Town they might preach the Goſpel to all the world, which they were aſſured would in a ſhort time be ſubdued to Chriſt by the power of the Spirit in their Miniſtery without any outward force (FFF). The violent tumults of Munſter, Hophman did not approve, theſe were the inventions p. 13of his Scholar Mathie of Harleim which he did always miſlike (GGG), albeit whilſt that Doctrine of his ſcholar did proſper in Munſter, he durſt not much contradict it; but ſo ſoon as Munſter was taken, and the chief Authors of theſe violent tenets were executed, he took then the boldneſſe openly to cry down much of the way of the Monaſterians, he preached for the office and power of the Magiſtrate, and did exibilate Polygamy (HHH); theſe were the grounds of the deadly feud betwixt Hophman and Battenburg, and both their followers, which were many thouſands of poor ſeduced ſouls.

Theſe of Hophmans party did not long agree among themſelves,Who were the Mennoniſts. one Menno the ſon of Simon a ſecular Prieſt (III) in Weſt-freezland turning Anabaptiſt, began to tax ſundry things in Hophmans Doctrine: he did reject all extraordinary and Apoſtolick calling (KKK), alſo the dreams of the Saints Kingdom upon earth (LLL), and all Enthuſiaſms (MMM), but in other things did follow the worſt of the Anabaptiſts errors: denying the truth of Chriſts humanity, ſetting up Pelagianiſm in mans freewill, maintaining a perfect inherent righteouſnes without ſin, and ſuch like conceits (NNN). A Synod for union did divide them amongſt themſelves more then ever.While the peſtiferous vapour of this evill ſpirit was ſenſibly evaniſhing by domeſtick diviſions, ſome of the wiſeſt of the ſect found ways to draw together the chief of all the four mentioned factions to a conference at Buckholt in Weſtphalie. A great Synod of prime men from all Countries where the Anabaptiſts lived did meet there; from the moſt places of lower Germany, from Freezland, from Saxony, from England alſo ſome did come (OOO). Great debates were among them, eſpecially betwixt the Battenburgicks and the Hophmaniſts, the one defending Polygamy and their uſe of the ſword againſt the world, the other oppugning both: John Mathie of Middleburg a great Doctor of the Anabaptiſts in England, was the chief Champion of of the Hophmaniſts (PPP).

Here it was where David George, a Citizen of Delph, David Georgius labours for union.did firſt become famous, this man had been a zealous oppugner of Popery, he had openly in the ſtreets upbraided both the Prieſts and Magiſtrates of Delph, in the very act of their idolatrous proceſſion: for which bold zeal he was caſt in Priſon, and had his tongue bored through, hardly eſcaping with his life (QQQ); theſe ſufferings brought to him great reſpect among the Proteſtants at p. 14home, but thereafter turning Anabaptiſt he became the greateſt and worſt Heretick to my minde that ever trod upon the earth. At the Synod of Buckholt he laboured exceeding much to draw his Brethren to concord; the Battenburgicks and Hophmaniſts had ſo ſharp debates about the magiſtrate, the earthly Kingdom of the Saints and Polygamy, that hardly they could be kept from handy blows (RRR): David George did mediate betwixt them, and drew it to this iſſue, that a mutuall toleration being granted in the points controverted, in all other things they ſhould hold one another for Brethren, and promote joyntly the common cauſe of Anabaptiſm (SSS). This Syncretiſm did not long ſtand, neither did David get thanks from either ſide for his mediation, for all did eſteem him a colluder with both ſides only for his own intereſts, driving a deſign of his own apart, differing from them all, which then was ſcarce viſible above the ground, but quickly thereafter was apparent.

Divers ſects of the Anabaptiſts evaniſhed.A little after that Synod all the parties did ſeparate more then ever one from another as Antichriſtian & falſe believers (TTT), till the moſt of their ſects did evaniſh: the Monaſterians in a ſhort time were drowned; of the Battenburgicks none doth remain, except it be a handfull in Moravia: for after the impriſonment and execution of their Leader for his manifold robberies and murders, his followers were altogether broken. The Hophmaniſts by the diligence of Bucer and Calvin at Straſburg being convinced received ſatisfaction and recanted their errours, joyning themſelves again to the Proteſtant Churches (VVV).

David George had a great ſhew of zeal and piety.The Georgians for a time did flouriſh, their Leader David was a man very pragmatick, of a vehement and perſwaſive eloquence in the acts of devotion, for ſhew ſingular, ardent and frequent in prayer (XXX), in faſtings exceſſive, abſtaining from all meat and drink ſomtimes four whole days and nights together (YYY): wonderfully confident of the abſolute truth of his tenets, ſo marvellouſly bold that he did write and profeſſed his hope by his letters and Books to perſwade the undeniable certainty of his dictates to the Emperour Charles the fifth, and to all the Eſtates of the Empire (ZZZ), eſpecially to the good Lantgrave of Heſſe, Philip; Yet his abſurdities were horrible.alſo to Melancthon, to Bucer, to Alaſco, and many more: yet his tenets are ſo horribly abſurd that Mahomet in his worſt abominations was far below him, for he taught that in the Godhead p. 15was no Trinity of Perſons, but only three ways of manifeſtation, one in Moſes, another in Jeſus, a third in himſelf; that his perſon was as far above the perſon of Jeſus, as Jeſus was above Moſes; That the writs of the Prophets and Apoſtles, that the Doctrine of the Law and Goſpel was all to be laid aſide (AAAA) as childiſh and imperfect rudiments, to be diſpelled as the twilight, by the beams of his far more perfect Doctrine. One of the greateſt perfections and ſingularities I mark in his Doctrine is that which he much inſiſts upon, the mortification of the fleſh; to this he leads by a ſingular method, he looſes the bands of Matrimony, and all other naturall and civill relations as things old and antiquate, which did oblige only during the time of Moſes and of Jeſus, but not under the clear light which his Miniſtry had brought to the world; Adulteries, fornications, inceſts, and moſt unſpeakable villanies were ſo far from being any ſins to him, that he did recommend them to his moſt perfect ſcholars as acts of grace and mortification: he was given over to be poſſeſſed with ſo beaſtly a ſpirit in the juſtice of God for a recompence of his hypocriſie and blaſphemous errours againſt the truth of God (BBBB).

Notwithſtanding of the unutterable abſurdity of his way,The extraordinary zeal of his followers. yet this beaſt was confident that the whole world would ſubmit to him, and in a ſhort time would put into his hands without any violence all their power and wealth; and indeed at the beginning he got many families of good note to follow him with incredible zeal: for all of them were willing to diſpoſe unto him their whole eſtates (CCCC), and were glad to ſeal his Doctrine with their bloud. In Delph when firſt they were put to a triall, ſeven and thirty moſt chearfully did offer themſelves to the Executioners hands, ſome to be hanged, ſome drowned, ſome burnt (DDDD). Yet leſt this zeal if too much tempted ſhould at laſt ſuccumb, the hypocriticall Heretick did alter one of his principles, and taught his ſcholars the lawfulneſſe of diſſimulation, permitting them for the ſafety of their life to deny and abjure what ever he had taught them, and giving them free liberty to joyn in the publick worſhip with any of what ever Religion among whom they lived (EEEE): by this means they got peace, and were no more any where perſecuted. He himſelf retiring from Delph to Baſil, His ſtrange enddid live there for divers years unto his death in great wealth and caſe (FFFF), as a fugitive for the true reformed Religion; he p. 16did ſo perfectly diſſemble, that he had the favour and good opinion both of the Magiſtrates and Miniſters, without the leaſt ſuſpicion of any wickedneſſe in him (GGGG); but three years after his death all his abominations were found out: and his diligence by Letters, by ſecret conferences and meſſengers to propagate his miſhant way with his whole ſtrength, whereupon his bones were digged up, and the remainder of his body burnt, as the reliques of an unexpreſſibly ſcelerate villain (HHHH).

The increaſe of the Mennoniſts.While all the other factions of the Anabaptiſts did decreaſe, the followers of the Prieſt Menno did much increaſe: they did reject the earthly Kingdom and Polygamy of the Monaſterians and Battenburgicks, alſo the revelations and extraordinary calling of the Hophmaniſts, with the moſt of the blaſphemies of David George; againſt all theſe Menno did write with paſſion (IIII): But to the point of Anabaptiſm and ſeparation from all other reformed Churches to independency, and to a number more of the Anabaptiſts tenets he did firmly adhere, alluring many thouſands to his way, who continue to this day propagating their Errour to many Countries.

The errours of the Mennoniſts.The wickedneſſe of that ſpirit which reigned in Menno, and yet rages in his followers, notwithſtanding of all their profeſſion of great piety, of ſingular modeſty and extream deteſtation of all the other ſects of Anabaptiſts, is apparent in the manifold grievous hereſies and groſſe ſchiſmes, whereinto they themſelves have of old broken out and perſevere therein to this day.

Who are pleaſed to read the late little accurate and learned Treatiſe of Clopenburgh, may perceive that the Mennoniſt dippers do oppoſe the truth of Chriſts humane nature (KKKK), that they were Maſters to Vorſtius in his deniall of the omnipreſence and ſimplicity of the Divine Eſſence and of the unchangeableneſſe of the Divine Decrees (LLLL): alſo that Arminius was their ſcholar in all his errors concerning predeſtination, redemption, grace, free-will, and perſeverance: Laſtly, that Swenkfeldius, Servetus and Socinus did learn from them not only their Anabaptiſm, but their deniall of the Trinity, their abnegation of the Godhead, both of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghoſt. (MMMM).

Their ſchiſmes.The Mennoniſts ſchiſms are no leſſe palpable then their hereſies, for however their harmony in the moſt of their errours be great p. 17enough, as in that confeſſion of faith which in the year 1624. they ſet out in common it appears, wherein with many ambiguous and deceitfull words they cover many of theſe tenets which in other writs they expreſly maintain (NNNN), yet they are not able to cover their manifold ſchiſms: for it has ever been their cuſtom upon the ſmalleſt matters to fall into ſo vehement diſcords, as have made them excommunicate one another, and remain in ſeparations refuſing communion one to annother unto this day.

Behold how ſmall an occaſion did bring them to no leſſe then four irremediable fractions (OOOO): For a light cauſe four late ſeparations among them.one of the Mennoniſts at Franeker in a publick roping did ſeem to uſe ſome couzenage in buying of an houſe, preventing by ſome ſleight of hand another man who before him had a mind to the bargain; this did ſo much diſpleaſe ſome that they excommunicated the couzener; others defended the honeſty of the man and did excommunicate them who for no cauſe as they conceived had put a cenſure upon him; hence two ſects condemning one another to this day. To reconcile both, a third party did ariſe, avowing that however the man in his bargain had uſed ſome piece of fraud, yet that it was not ſo groſſe as did deſerve excommunication. In this accommodation theſe mid men proceeded ſo far, that they were excommunicated by both the diſſenting parties, whereupon their paſſion was ſo ſtirred, that they did excommunicate them both alſo; and leſt the number of their ſchiſms ſhould be too ſmall, there aroſe a fourth party, who being diſpleaſed with the frequency of their Brethrens cenſures, did open the doors of their charity for all whom the rigour of others had excommunicated and caſt out; by this overlaſhing of their charity they did acquire from their companions the infamous title of Hamaxarii and Borboritae, as men who were content to take into their ſociety Cart loads full of polluted profeſſors (PPPP).

We will ſay no more of the Anabaptiſts over Sea,The ſtate of the Anabaptiſts in England. their number in England till of late was not great; and the moſt of theſe were not Engliſh but Dutch ſtrangers: for beſide the hand of the State that ever lay heavy upon them, the labours of their children the Separatiſts were always great for their reclaiming. Notwithſtanding of all the contentions of the Separatiſts among themſelves, yet all of them did ever joyn to write ſharp and large Treatiſes p. 18againſt the Anabaptiſts; In this Ainſworth, Johnſon, Robinſon, Clifton did ſtudy who ſhould be moſt zealous.

Independency the cauſe of their increaſe and boldneſſe.Hence it was that the Anabaptiſts made little noyſe in England, till of late the Independents have corrupted and made worſe the principles of the old Separatiſts, proclaiming for errours a liberty both in Church and State; under this ſhelter the Anabaptiſts have lift up their head, and increaſed their numbers, much above all other ſects of the Land. Their ways as yet are not well known, but a little time it ſeems will diſcover them, for their ſingular zeal to propagate their way will not permit them long to lurk: only the Confeſſion of faith which the other year ſeven of their Congregations did put forth,Their late confeſſion is neither a full nor a clear declaration of their tenets. and of late again in a ſecond corrected Edition have ſet out with a bold preface to both the Houſes of Parl. may no more be taken for the meaſure of their faith, then that Confeſſion which their elder Brethren in Holland did print not long ago in the name of all their company (QQQQ). For as the Dutch confeſſion did diſſemble a number of the groſſe hereſies which ſome of the very ſubſcribers in their publick Writs both before and after did hold out, it is even ſo with the Engliſh, for Hobſon, Richardſon, and others of the ſubſcribers have already printed divers Errours which in that Confeſſion do not appear. Moreover theſe ſeven congregations cannot preſcribe, and are no ways Leaders to a great number of Anabaptiſtick Churches over all the Land; however I ſhall ſet down ſo many of their tenets as for the time comes to my thoughts from ſome little acquaintance with a few of their writs that have fallen into my hands.

The Teſtimonies of the firſt Chapter.

(A) Caſſander p. 670. Guitmund Biſhop of Averſa, aſcribes to Berengarius Deacon of Angiers, that among other errours he overthrew the baptiſme of infants, which errour notwithſtanding he did not bring forth in publick, becauſe he knew that blaſphemy, as Guitmund ſpeaks, would not be endured by the ears of the worſt of men, and he did not ſee any place in the holy Scriptures for the maintenance of ſuch an Errour.

(B). Ibid. Theſe were their words, as by Peter Abbot of Cluny they are reported, Who beleeveth and is baptized ſhall be ſaved, from p. 19theſe words of Chriſt it is openly ſhewed that none can be ſafe except he beleeve and be baptized, that is have Chriſtian faith and receive baptiſme; for it is not one of theſe, but both together that ſaveth; whence it comes to paſſe that infants although they be baptized by you, yet becauſe through age they cannot beleeve, they ſhall not be ſaved.

(C) Ibid. The Valdenſes doe both approve and practiſe the baptiſme of infants as agreeable to the Goſpel.

(D) Sleidan p. 274. Theſe Doctrines of the Anabaptiſts were impugned chiefly by Melancthon, Juſtus Menius, Urbanus Regius, whoſe large Treatiſes of that ſubject are extant.

(E) Ibid. p. 139. Caroloſtadius diſſenting from Luther became very familiar with theſe ſecret Doctors, who did fain viſions and conferences with God, in printed Pamphlets he did cenſure Luther and his colleagues as flatterers of the Pope, and erring in the point of the Maſſe, of images, and confeſſion of ſinnes.

(F) Ibid. Caroloſtadius being put in great ſtraits, writes a book wherein very carefully he purges himſelf and demonſtrates the wrong he got by theſe who put him among the authors of ſedition, and with the book he wrote Letters to Luther intreating him to publiſh his book and to defend his innocency, whereupon Luther publiſhes an Epiſtle, &c.

(G) Heresbachius p. 141. Their Emiſſaries did creep into Liedge, Utrecht, Amſterdam, and Cullen, the chief Cities of the lower Germany, any one whereof if they had taken, all Germany had been loſt, yea all Europe: the common people every where having their eyes bent upon the ſucceſſe of that party. Sleidan lib. 5. p. 117. VntoUnto this ſo great and ſo terrible a Warre of the Commons commotion in Germany, ſome buſie Preachers did give occaſion, eſpecially Thomas Muncer. Idem p 279. lib. 10. When the wrath of God is kindled, there is no errour ſo abſurd but Satan can perſwade it, as we may ſee in the Doctrine of Mahomet; for albeit it be altogether fooliſh, yet having put out the light of the word of God it got ſtrength, and has grown to ſuch power as we ſee; and if God had not ſuppreſſed the deſign of Muncer, the ſame had befallen in Germany, for the leaſt ſparkle by Gods permiſſion Satan can augment to an infinite greatneſſe.

(H) Guy du-brez p. 4. Their ſhew before men was exceeding beautifull, for they had alwayes in their mouth charity, faith, the fear p. 20of God, mortification of the fleſh, the Croſſe, theſe were the colours by which they were painted and adorned before the eyes of the ſimple. Idem p. 16. They did ſpeak of nothing but of mortifying the old man, and of the renovation of the ſpirit, and of a life wholly dedicated to God, they did contemne altogether the world and the things thereof.

(I) Caſſander p. 672. Such are more worthy of pity and inſtruction, then of reproof and deſtruction.

(K) Sleidan lib. 5. p. 118. So long as Muncer did ſpeak of matters of that kinde Frederick and Duke of Sax did ſuffer him, eſpecially ſince Luther by his Letters did intercede for that favour.

(L) Guy du-breze p. 4. Their Doctrine on a ſudden did ſpread it ſelf over all the Country, and they gathered in a ſhort time a great people after them and rebaptized many thouſands.

(M) Sleidan lib. 5. p. 118. in Suabland and Francony there was of the Commons 40000 in Arms, they routed a great part of the Nobility, a number of whoſe Caſtles and houſes they did ſpoyle and burne.

(N) Sleidan lib. 4. p. 116. All have not the ſame opinion concerning the number of the ſlain in this Warre which in one Summer was ended, they that ſpeak leaſt ſay that 50000 were killed.

(O) Heresbachius p. 15. The Warre of the yeomens was infamous by the ſlaughter of welnear 100000 of the Commons.

(P) Pagets Hereſiography p. 39. Pontanus writeth of the deſtruction of 150000 perſons.

(R) Sleidan lib. 5. p. 124. Muncer going to dye did acknowledge his errours, and openly profeſſed his fault, his minde was exceedingly troubled and caſten down, ſo that he was not able to give account of his faith.

(S) Bulinger l. 1. p. 10. The chief of the Anabaptiſts did preſſe Zuinglius that the reformation might be carried on with greater zeal, that Peter did ſay to the faithfull, Deliver your ſelves from this untoward generation: that the Apoſtles had ſeparated themſelves from the wicked, and deſerted the common Churches, that the faithfull in Jeruſalem did conveen by themſelves apart: wherefore a ſeparation among us is required, to the end a pure Church may be gathered, conſiſting of the true children of God, who are indued by Gods Spirit, and ruled thereby. To them Zuinglius anſwers, that their ſeparation and diviſion did altogether diſpleaſe him, that they ſhould never have him to goe along with that ſeparation which they intended, p. 21for before God hee could not goe.

(T) Ib. Perceiving that they could not perform their deſires with Zuinglius help, they aſſay another way to promote their ſeparation, and to ſet up their own ſeparate Congregations.

(V) Ibid. They begin to cry down the baptiſme of infants as inſtitute not of God, but the Devill and Pope Nicholas: now ſince infants baptiſme is unlawfull and all our baptiſme null, it behoveth all men to be baptized again. Zuinglius eaſily perceived whence Anabaptiſme had flowed, and what uſe they purpoſed to make of it, to wit, for ſeparation: whereupon he gravely admoniſhed them, that they ſhould not make holy baptiſme the badge and mark of their own faction and ſchiſme.

(X) Ibid. p. 11. Some of them being put in priſon, the reſt both in the City and Country did complain heavily of violence, as if the truth were ſuppreſſed, and innocent holy men who maintained nothing but what was contained in the word of God, were refuſed hearing.

(Y) Bulinger l. 2. p. 36. In the Town of Saintgall the year 1526. Feb. 7. Thomas and Leonard Skyker meeting at night in their Fathers houſe with a multitude of their Anabaptiſtick companions, did ſpend the whole night in Sermons, diſcourſes, prayers, Enthuſiaſms, and other works of their ſect: about the Sun-riſing Thomas lays hold upon Leonard, commanding him in the preſence of his Parents and the whole company to kneel down upon his knees: having gotten this farre obedience, at the next bout he drew out his ſword, and as it were at the command of God did ſtrike off his brothers head.

(Z) Bulinger l. 3. p. 88. Since the Anabaptiſtick ſpirits ſo ſingularly illuminate muſt needs preach and ſet up Churches, how comes it that they do not go unto the places where the Goſpel yet has not been preached? onelyonly they inſinuate themſelves in theſe places where the Goſpel with great labour has been preached and Churches reformed; onelyonly in theſe places where godly men are in peace and quietneſſe the Anabaptiſts come and make trouble, ſtirring up their diſſentions and factions; ſo that thereafter many, eſpecially weak ones, know not whither to turn themſelves: But tell me I pray you, O Anabaptiſts, from what Scriptures you have learned that it is lawfull for you to fall upon other mens Churches, and without any calling Divine or humane, of your own proper accord, ſecretly and craftily begin to teach, to ſeduce and cauſe trouble?

(AA) Sleidan l. 10. p. 269. John of Leyden a forward Anabaptiſt, p. 22when he had familiarly inſinuated himſelf with the preachers of the Goſpel, did enquire of them privately how they thought that infants Baptiſme could be defended.

(BB) Bernard Rotman did publickly exhort the people to pray that their Religion might be kept pure and incorrupt from fantaſtick men, eſpecially from Anabaptiſts, who then did lurk among them: whoſe opinion if it ſhould prevail, the Eſtate not onelyonly of the Republique but alſo of Religion would be miſerable.

(CC) Sleidan ibid. By a publick Statute the Anabaptiſts were commanded to depart the Town.

(DD) Ibid. p. 270. The Anabaptiſts running together into the Market place, did cry out that all who were not rebaptized might be ſlain: they poſſeſſed themſelves of the Town Cannon, and offered violence to many.

(EE) Ibid. This broyl ended in a compoſition, whereby it was provided that every one ſhould goe home in peace, and live quietly in his own Religion.

(FF) Lambertus Hortenſius p. 17. After that in ſtrength the Anabaptiſts ſaw themſelves equall unto their oppoſites, and in boldneſſe much above them, they took in hand a malapert deſign: they did run together in many parts of the Town, and with terrible cries they frighted the people, the words of all were, Get you hence you wicked ones if you deſire not to be deſtroyed, for we will preſently kill all who refuſe to be rebaptized.

(GG) Hortenſius ibid. By this means the Anabaptiſts becomming Maſters of the Town, do frame the State according to their own pleaſure. Sleidan l. 10. p. 271. They chooſe a new Senate all of their own faction.

(HH) Ibid. Thereafter the Prophet commanded that no man ſhould keep any book but the Bible, he commanded all other books to be brought forth and deſtroyed, he ſaid he had this commandment from God: ſo a great number were brought together and all burnt with fire.

(II) Ibid. The Prophet Jo: Mathy commanded that what ever gold, ſilver, or movable goods any had, they ſhould bring it to the publick under the pain of death.

(KK) Ibid. 272. The Prophet Mathy lays hold upon the poor man, caſts him down upon the ground, and ſtrikes him through with a ſpear, and thereafter ſhoots him through with a muſquet.

p. 23(LL) Ibid. So ſoon as he came near the camp of the Enemy he was ſticked by a ſouldier.

(MM) Hortenſius p. 26. He ſaid he had a command from God to appoint twelve Judges in Iſrael, who in place of the former Magiſtrates and Senate ſhould have abſolute power to rule the State, he did chooſe out twelve of his own friends.

(NN) Guy du Breze p. 30. The great Prophet Jo: Becold of Leyden having perſwaded the lawfulneſſe of marrying more wives together, he plaid his part pretty well, for he did marry fifteen, and kept them all together.

(OO) Hortenſius p. 29. One and fifty were preſently caſt in priſon, and for two days were cruelly put to death, ſome were ſhot at a poſt, others were cut in two pieces, the reſt were beheaded, Knipperdolling was executioner to them all.

(PP) Ibid. p. 31. The Prophet Tuiſcoſcurerius did proclaim in the Market place, The Lord cals thee Becold to be King, that not onelyonly thou maiſt reign here in Sion, but alſo that thou maiſt command over the whole world, and ſubject to thy Scepter all men in the whole earth.

(QQ) Ibid. p. 33. He carried upon his head a triple crown of pure gold adorned with rich ſtones and jewels, about his neck he had a golden chain, in his hand a golden globe, &c.

(RR) Ibid. p. 46. The King publikely with his own hand did kill one of his wives, not being condemned in any Judicatory, avowing that the people ought to reſt ſatisfied that the King did approve his cauſe to God.

(SS) Sleidan l. 10. p. 283. The Haſſian Divines did ſo diſpute with Becold, that he did grant them the moſt part of the things in queſtion, and did promiſe if his life might be ſafe, to make all the Anabaptiſts of Holland, England and Freezland to be quiet and in all things obedient to the Magiſtrate.

(TT) Ibid. Being executed they were put every one in Iron-grates, and hung up upon the higheſt Steeple of the Town.

(VV) Hortenſius p. 7. By the conſpiracy of the Anabaptiſts two very famous Towns at one time were much endangered, Munſter and Amſterdam; the one through the default of the Governours was wracked, the other with the wiſdome and diligence of the Magiſtrate was preſerved.

(XX) Guy du Breze p. 60. A certain woman one of your ſiſters p. 24at Apezel in Suitzerland did teach and perſwade a number of your brethren, that ſhe was Chriſt the Meſſias of the women who did chooſe twelve Apoſtles.

(YY) Hortenſius p. 74. Ten year after the taking of Munſter one was taken in Utrecht who was appointed to be King, but not yet crowned: among other of his crimes he led aſide his wife into a wood, and there ſtruck off her head, that thereafter the more quietly and peaceably he might continue his inceſt with her daughter, but it was not long while he kill'd the damſell alſo, leſt he ſhould be betrayed.

(ZZ) Hiſtoria Davidis Georgii p. 12. John Battenburg affirmed himſelf to be ſent by God to ſet up the Kingdome of Chriſt that was fallen at Munſter.

(AAA) Ibid. p. 11. He did ſay that the grace of the Goſpel had long enough been offered, that from thenceforth all who had rejected it were to be killed with the ſword, that they who of their own accord thereafter did joyn themſelves to the Battenburgick ſect, however they might not be received in the number of children yet after the example of the Gibeonites, their life might be ſpared and they might be taken in as ſervants.

(BBB) Ibid. p. 12. Whatever they found in the fields or the villages they carried it away and deſtroyed it, they did creep in quietly, or broke in by force into the houſes of the adverſaries, and there they killed people in their beds, or cloſing the doores did burn them to death, or leading them out of their houſes did hang them upon trees.

(CCC) Battenburg did ſlander the Monaſterians as ſlack, and Apoſtates, who quickly were to be killed with the reſt of the prophane world.

(DDD) Ibid. p. 3. Hophman did lean upon the authority of Prophecies and revelations.

(EEE) He did believe and profeſſe that Strasburg was choſen of God, that as of old out of Jeruſalem the Goſpel was propagated unto all the parts of the world, ſo it ſhould be reſtored again from that Town by his Miniſtery and the labours of other new Apoſtles.

(FFF) Ibid. p. 5. He judged that no reformation was to be attempted but according to the example of the Apoſtles in the day of the Pentecoſt.

(GGG) Ibid. He did not approve Jo: Mathies Anabaptiſme, he was neither an author nor approver of tumults, but both by word and p. 25writ he did teſtifie his grief therefore, and did forewarn that the end of Corah, Dathan, and Abiram would follow that way.

(HHH) Hiſtoria Davidis Georgii. p. 14. The Doctrine of the Monaſterians about Polygamy, and the corporall reign of Chriſt was mightily impugned by the Hophmaniſts, eſpecially by John Mathy of Middleburg who had come out of England, and thereafter for Hophmans tenets was burnt at London.

(III) Ibid. Menno the ſon of Simon had lately caſt away the Prieſtly habit in the village Witmars near the Town of Bolſwerp.

(KKK) The Mennoniſts did teach that no extraordinary calling of Apoſtolick authority was to be expected.

(LLL) They taught alſo that no other eſtate of Chriſts Kingdom upon earth was to be expected, then ſuch as this day did appear, to wit, a State ſubject to the Croſſe.

(MMM) Ibid. p. 8. The Mennoniſts avowed that the Hophmanick expectation of an Apoſtolick Spirit was fanatick, and the Monaſterian hopes of reſtoring all things by violence, was ſeditious and to be condemned.

(NNN) Vide infra cap. 2.

(OOO) Hiſtoria Davidis p. 13. Some of the wiſer of the Anabaptiſts being vexed with their inward diviſions did labour much, and at laſt obtained that the chief Doctors of all ſides might meet at Buckhold a village in Weſtphalie for a friendly conference upon the chief queſtions.

(PPP) Vide ſupra HHH.

(QQQ) Hiſtoria Dav. Georgii p. 16. His tongue for a puniſhment of his boldneſſe was bored through by the Hangman.

(RRR) Ibid. p. 14. So ſharp was the diſpute that the Monaſterians were likely to have fallen upon the Hophmaniſts and killed them.

(SSS) David George, a quiet man and not tumultuous, carried himſelf as a mid man, aſſaying all things to draw the parties to ſome agreement, and he became the author and writer of the friendly tranſaction.

(TTT) Ibid. p. 10. The Battenburgicks and Monaſterians condemne their oppoſites as Antichriſts, on the other ſide the Hophmamaniſts and Mennoniſts do condemne the former as furious and ſeditious robbers, with whom they refuſed to eat.

(VVV) Ibid. p. 102. Martin Bucer gave not over to preſſe them p. 26with curteſie and arguments, while he had brought them back to the union of the Church.

(XXX) Ibid. p. 178. In prayer he was earneſt and ardent. Ibid. p. 171. Divers were aſtoniſhed with admiration at the ſhew of his humility, chaſtity, and holineſſe.

(YYY) Ibid. p. 18. He would not be inferiour unto the Monaſterians and Battenburgicks, who ſometimes for three whole dayes and ſometimes for four whole dayes did faſt from meat and drink.

(ZZZ) Ib. At laſt he did require that the Langrave would deliver the other Letters unto the Emperour Charles aſſuring that his Doctrine was not from himſelf, but from God: he confidently avowed both to the Langrave and to the reſt of the Princes, that God had revealed unto him, and had fully ſet before his eyes, yea put him in poſſeſſion of life eternall. Ibid. p. 97. The title of the writ which he ſent to Charles the Emperour and the reſt of the States was a humble and ſerious admonition written by the command of the omnipotent God, diligently to be obeyed, becauſe it contained thoſe things whereupon life eternall did depend.

(AAAA) Hiſtoria Dav. p. As Moſes is not diſgraced when he is ſaid to be obſcured and overcome by Jeſus according to the fleſh, ſo there is no injury or contumely offered to Chriſt according to the fleſh, when he is ſaid to be overcome or obſcured by Chriſt according to the ſpirit. The Doctrine of the Apoſtles was lame, childiſh, and ineffectuall for the full and ſolid underſtanding of the things of God.

(BBBB) Vide infra.

(CCCC) Hiſtoria Dav. p. 111. Some noble and wealthy families did put themſelves and all their goods in the hand of this deceiver, acknowledging and confeſſing him to be the lawfull heir and juſt poſſeſſor of them all.

(DDDD) Ibid. p. 78. None of all the followers of David were found, who did not willingly at the firſt interrogation offer and profeſſe themſelves Anabaptiſts, for all of them were prepared for Martyrdome, as if they had been going unto a marriage feaſt. Their ſhew of holineſſe in their converſation, together with their readineſſe and chearfulneſſe to ſuffer death did raviſh many with admiration, the men were beheaded, the women were drowned to the number of 35. among whom there was none who did not pant with an earneſt deſire for death, ſo far were they from acknowledging or craving pardon for any of their Errours.

p. 27(EEEE) Ibid. p. 171. He commanded both by word and writ that none of his followers ſhould communicate their tenets to others, becauſe the time was evill, in the which it behoved a wiſe man to keep ſilence, and Jacob was to put on the garments of Eſau that he might be ſafe from the danger of the wicked. Bulinger l. 2. p. 43. they taught that it was free to make confeſſion of faith, or not, according to the times: that when great dangers did preſſe, it was lawfull for the faithfull to diſſemble and be ſilent, for it was enough before God if a man in his heart did ſtick to the truth, albeit outwardly before men he did deny it, for men ought not for Religions cauſe to caſt themſelves open to death and torments, for no profit does come to God by our death, therefore for peace and quietneſſe ſake every one in the matter of Religion may conform himſelf to them among whom he lives.

(FFFF) Apocalypſis Haereſiarcharum, in Davide Georgio, comming into Baſil, he did buy a houſe in the City, and another in the Country, he obliged many by gifts, he was ſo much in alms-deeds and actions of religion, as ſaved him from the leaſt ſuſpicion, his wealth was great and his houſhold-ſtuffe rich.

(GGGG) Gangrena Clopenburgy p. 425. The crafty man by giving his oath to the Magiſtrate, and haunting Church meetings, and doing good offices to his neighbours, keeping a good houſe, his whole family going in a good faſhion, he purchaſed the favour not only of the people, but of thoſe that were in place, and did live in quietneſſe and ſplendour.

(HHHH) Ibid. Three years after his death the blaſphemous errours of the man being revealed, by an act of the Senate his papers and books were burnt by the hand of the Hangman, alſo his Coffin and bones were burnt to aſhes.

(IIII) Hiſtoria Davidis p. 139. Menno avowed that David was to be taken for Antichriſt, the Man of ſin, the Child of perdition, a falſe Prophet, a Robber and a Deceiver.

(KKKK) Clopenburg p. 63. All the Mennoniſts agree in their deniall that Chriſt is the true ſon of Mary, and Mary the true Mother of Chriſt.

(LLLL) Ibid. p. 18. That groſſe errours of the Anabaptiſts is to be conſidered, whereby with Socinus and Vorſtius they deny the immediate omnipreſence of the Divine eſſence, and ſo, the attribute of Gods infiniteneſſe.

(MMMM) Ibid. p. 10. The Mennoniſts in the myſtery of the Trinity p. 28reject the word Perſon. Ibid. p. 12. Their niceneſſe about the word Perſon is from this, that they do not unanimouſly nor conſtantly beleeve that Chriſt is a divine Perſon different from the Fathers, begotten from eternity, before his birth of the Virgin Mary. And p. 17, We ſee the orthodoxe faith of the Trinity corrupted by the Mennoniſts.

(NNNN) Clopenburg in his preface, in that harmonious diſcord of the confeſſion of all the Anabaptiſts, I laboured to take off the deceitfull faird of their Syncretiſme which doth conſiſt only in the ambiguity of words.

(OOOO) Ibid. p. 132. A few years ago among the Flemiſh Anabaptiſts three new ſects were added to the former, who excommunicate one another: The occaſion of this diviſion was Thomas Benks the Biſhop of the Anabaptiſts at Franeker, who at the rouping of a certain houſe did elude the deſign of a friend who firſt intended to buy it: this merchandize many of the Anabaptiſts did approve as honeſt, but others of them did not only diſallow it as deceitfull, but alſo pronounced that deceit worthy of excommunication. VponUpon this occaſion a rent was made, but while theſe two parties are at variance there ariſeth a third party of mid men and neutrals, who did diſallow the bargain as fraudulent, yet did not judge that fraud ſo hainous as to deſerve the rigorous cenſure of excommunication: in the mean time theſe three ſects howſoever unanimous in the chief heads of their doctrine, yet they bolted out fearfull excommunications one againſt another, and refuſed all mutuall communion.

(PPPP) Ibid. p. 431. the Hamaxarii and Borboritae were theſe Anabaptiſts, who ſeparating themſelves from the old Mennoniſts, becauſe of their rigidity in cenſuring, received in their Communion any that were excommunicated by the other Sects and ſo did heap up together all filthineſſe.

(QQQQ) Maſter Marſhals Defence againſt Tombs p. 76. The London Anabaptiſts Confeſſion is ſuch a one as I beleeve thouſands of our new Anabaptiſts will be far from owning, as any man may be able to ſay without a ſpirit of divination, knowing that their uſuall and received doctrines doe much more agree with the Anabaptiſts in Germany, then with that handfull who made this confeſſion.