the Authority and Consent of Caesar and all the states Therefore they reject that Order made and promise mutuall helpe in case that any danger be incur'd in that regard by any of them But whatsoever shall be duly resolved upon for publique good in publique Diets of the Empire therein they give assurance they will do their duty CAP. XIX City wants provision One of the Queenes pitties the poore The King beheads her for it And promises largely to the people but payes poorely BUt now provisions growing so scarce and deare throughout the citie in the moneth of February that there was no hopes but some must needs be hunger-starved one of the Queenes commiserating the peoples case did chance to say unto the others that she did not think it was the will of God to have the people thus consumed with famine The King whose Larder was well fraught not only for necessity but even to luxury hearing hereof brings her and all the other with her to the Hall Where having bade her fall upon her knees he takes off her head and being dead brands her for a whore Upon this deed the other chaunt his praise and thanke the heavenly father The king then leades a round and perswades the people that had nothing left but bread and salt to dance and to be merry But when Easter came and no deliverance did appeare The King that had beene Lavish of his promise to salve the businesse feignes himselfe sick for six dayes space at last comes forth into the Hall and tells them He had sate upon a blinde Asse and that the father had laid the sins of all the people on his back and therefore they were cleane all over nor needed any other expiation This was that deliverance which he promised wherewith they ought to be content CAP. XX. Luther writes against the Anabaptists LVther amongst other things he put forth at this time in the country Language Alas quoth he what or how shall I complaine and bemoane those wretched creatures In truth the thing it selfe doth say that Devils dwell in heapes among them But for our parts we have all reason in the world highly to advance Gods bottomlesse mercy For notwithstanding for contemning of the Gospell and reproaching of the name of God and powring forth the blood of godly men Germany deserveth sore affliction at the hands of God yet has he curbed hitherto Sathans rage and fury and doth not lay the reine upon his neck to let him rant it at his pleasure with us but is a gentle Monitor and by this Munster tragedy far from a cunning peece calls us to amendment For should not God bridle and check him in I make no question but that most subtill spirit and such a master of his craft would have managed matters at a far other rate But now since God hath maimed him sorely he stormes and rageth not how himselfe desireth and would have it but as the rope is given him For that wicked spirit which endeavors to subvert the Christian faith takes not this course to introduce polygamy because since all men see the cursed basenesse of the thing he knows it well enough they will abhor it Policy indeed and civill government may be this way disturbed but Christs kingdome must with other tooles and engines be assaulted He that will neatly toll a man into deceit and snares must not put strait for a kingdome or dominion and play the Tyrant For all men do condemne that course and see his aymes But by some hidden meanes as foot-paths come unto it To weare a rusty garbe that 's out of fashion to set ones face to gravity to hang downe the head to fast to touch no money to eat no flesh to abhorre marriage to reckon civill office or Magistracy as prophane to refuse authority to professe a singular humility of mind here lyes the way and Method to entrap a wise man by and that doth by disguise and in the darke set ope the dore to Soveraignty But by a face of brasse to claime a kingdome to take as many wives as his lust inclines him to this is not the subtilty of an artificiall Divell but some one newly at the trade Or if he be the Master of his Craft for certaine then God hath so tyed his hands that he cannot play his game more cunningly The end whereof no doubt is that we might feare his Majestie and be stirred up to repentance before he loose that beaten Souldier which surely will assault us much more to our damage For if a young Gramarian Divell can make such stirs what will they be when he comes full sayle against us as an higher graduat I meane as Lawyer or Divine Such a rude Divell therefore neede not much affright us And I also thinke this trifling stage-play likes not all those in the city but very many have sad harts about it who not without sighes and teares waite for Gods deliverance as some yeares since it proved in the insurrection of the country men And would to God there was no craftier Divell in the world than this of Munster Let God but spare his word among us in truth I am perswaded that scarce a man would heede such a homely senselesse sir Although indeed when the wrath of God is kindled there is no errour so absurd and gracelesse but Sathan can perswade it as we see befell in the doctrine forged by (a) This fellow was an Arabian of the posterity of Iâ—hmael borne meanly a out the year of Christ 597 his father was a Pagan his mother a Jew himselfe of no religion In his youth he served a Merchant and kept his camels His master dying by the help of Magick he married his Mistris left very rich Being a crafty follow and ambitious yet no schollar he makes himselfe a prophet pretends revelations goes up and downe amongst his country men awretched people never under any good government but either lived at home by robbery or else were soulders of fortune abroad and setting his fancies to their lioeptious humours gets many followers In fits of the falling sicknesse frequent with him he made believe the Angell Gabriel conversed with him which his flesh not able to beare fainted under Another of his taking cheats was that a dove being taught to feich corne at his eare passed currant for the holy ghost revealing mysteries to him Thus getting famous the Saracens his countrimen who fought under Heraclius the Emperor being denyed their pay and cal'd dogs for asking it revolt o're whom with litle difficulty Mahomet is made generall about the yeare 620. Then to make sure by the helpe of some beretiques and Jewes he compiles a forme of Doctrine called the Alcoran which is the peoples Bible and sweares the Angell Gabriel carried him to heaven and there he learnt it Some other things be taught them In truth his doctrine is a very monster patched up with scraps of Christianity Judaisme and Paganisme cramb'd with non-sense fables
forthwith a mighty Army should destroy all Kings and Princes one or other shewing mercy to the People only that is to those that do love righteousnesse and that he should possesse the seat of his father David untill the Father do require the Kingdome of him for the ungodly troden under foote the Saints must raigne even in this life This spoken openly John a-Leiden instātly faling on his knees and lifting up his hands to heaven cries out Men and brethren I have beene no stranger to this businesse for these many daies and yet I had no mind to publish it but now to put it out of doubt the Father hath made use of another Messenger Thus being then made King he forthwith Nulls the Twelve and as the Regall mode is Creates him Nobles Commands two Crownes a Scabbard Chaine Scepter with other such like Badges of state to be provided for him of the purest Gold Then he appointed certaine daies of hearing in all causes that required his Cognizance As often as he came in Publique he was attended with his officers and nobles of his Court. Next to him followed too young men mounted He on the right with a Crowne and Bible the other with a naked sword In like state was his Principall wife attended for he had many at that time In the hall there was erected a lofty throne of state covered with Cloth of Gold The Complaints and suits before him for the most part were of marrying or divorcing a thing now thredbare with them Insomuch that some who many yeares had lived together were now first put asunder But on a time the People standing very thick and crowded in the hall to heare Loe Cnipperdoling leapeth up and Scrabling by all foure on the Crowd he wanders to and fro upon their Tops and gaping wide mouthed on them saith to them severally The Father hath Sanctified thee receive the Holy Ghost Another day leading a dance before the King quoth he thus my litle whore and I sometimes are want to do But now the Father bad me do the same before the King And when he never would have done the King went forth offended at him Then he mounts up the throne and Playes Rex himselfe But the King the while returning puls downe my man and claps him three dayes up in prison CAP. XII A booke Printed for the Raigne of Saints And confuted THe siege continuing they write a booke publish it their Title is The Restitution Herein with other stuffe they broach That Christs kingdome shall be such before the last day of Judgment that all the ungodly every where extinct the Godly and the Elect shall raigne They tell us also that the people may turne off their Magistrates and though the Apostles were not commanded to take the Civill power into their hands yet the present Ministers of the Church ought to clayme title to the Sword and to enforce a new forme of Government Moreover that none but true Christians might be suffered in the Church and that none could be saved except they would relinquish all propriety in the Estate they had and make it common For Luther and the Pope of Rome they were both false Prophets yet Luther was the worser of the twaine And as to unbelievers Marriage t is polluted and impure nor to be reckoned say they than for whoredome and adultery Those their opinions were oppugned chiefely by Melancthon Justus Menius and Vrbanus Rhegius whose writings upon this Subject are extant very cleere and full CAP. XIII New Apostles Their Comission A few weekes after the new-sprung Prophet Spoken of before by Sound of Trumpet throughout all the Streets proclaimes that all should make appearance in their Armes at the Cathedrall-Porch because the enemy must be sent packing from the Citie At their coming thither they find a supper ready Being bad about 4000 sit downe unto it after they sup that were the while upon the guard about 1000. The King and Queene with their houshold Servants wait Having eaten and supper almost ended the King himselfe reaching bread to every one saith Take eat shew forth the death of the Lord The Queene holding out the cup saith Drink and shew forth the death of the Lord. This done the foresaid Prophet steps up into a pulpit askes them whether they would obey the word of God All saying yea quoth he It is the fathers command that Teachers of the word should be sent forth about eight and twenty who going into the foure quarters of the world may preach the doctrine famous in this City Then names he them directs the way that every one should take Six were dispatched to Osenbruge as many unto Warendorse eight unto Susat the like number unto Cosfield Afterwards the King and Queene sit downe to supper with their other servants and those appointed for the progresse At supper the king starts up sayes that he hath a litle businesse the father hath commanded It chanced there was a certaine Souldier taken him as another Judas the King accused of treason and himselfe beheads him This done he returned to supper and merily brags of that his brave exploit Having sup'd the foresaid 28 are sent away within night a litle and besides provisions for their journy every man hath his peece of Gold which in the places where their doctrine is refused they are bid to leave behind them as a token of their future destruction and eternall ruine for contempt of peace and such a saving doctrine CAP. V. The Apostles behaviour And entertainement where they come WHen they departing came into their severall places with a loud out cry through the streets That men repent or looke for suddaine ruine They spread their garments on the ground before the magistrate and threw the Golden peeces that they had receiv'd thereon assuring them that the father sent them to offer peace unto them which if they would imbrace they must make common what they had but if they did refuse then hereby as an earnest they did protest against this wickednesse of theirs and ingratitude For now the time is come whereof all the Prophets spake when through all the world God will have righteousnesse be embraced And when the King in doing of this dutie shall bring the businesse unto such a passe that righteousnesse raigne in every place then shall it be that Christ deliver up the Kingdome to his father Talking at this rate they are laid hold off and freindly first then on the rack examin'd of their faith and life and of the Cities Strength They answer that only they themselves held the true Doctrine and they would beare witnesse to it at the perill of their lives For from the very Apostles time neither had the word of God beene truly taught nor any righteousnesse set a foot There are in all foure Prophets and no more two righteous ones David and John a-Leiden two wicked the Pope and Luther and this the worser of the twaine Being asked why against their
Munster and Abingdon Or the Open Rebellion there and Unhappy Tumult here Bred in the same wombe THAT From Sleidans Comm. L. 10. THIS From eye and eare witnesses With Marginall Notes of MVNCER and MAHOMET Faithfully communicated to English Readers in a Booke and Postscript For A seasonable Caution to the British Nation And A serious check to rash and Giddy spirits By W. H. 2 Tim. 3 1 2 3 4. In the last daies perillous times shall come for men shall be lovers of their owne selves despisers of those that are good Traytors heady high minded c. Matth. 24.24 For there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very Elect. Mark 13.37 What I say to you I say to all WATCH OXFORD Printed by HENRY HALL Printer to the University for ROBERT BLAGRAVE 1657. The Books Request Heare me but out My Judge before Thou sentence pass I 'le ask no more The Translators Preface Serious Reader THe Husbandman was not more diligent to sow his corne than the a Matth. 13.25 Enemy was to scatter tares among it The Event doth prove this was no lesse propheticall than Historicall Where ever was a Christian Reformation set on foot but a Devilish Deformation dog'd it at the very heeles Let a Church for Christ be setting up 't is hard but Sathans Chappell mates it To spie abroad for observations of this kind is to overlooke the beame at home Aske but the seven yeares past with us and you shall quickly find this land hath not injoyed its Sabbath from this sort of Sowers yet Not but that we see and thankfully acknowledge a hopefull harvest of better fruits But when the Laborers are so few already that a designe should drive so Jehu-like to keepe off others yea turne off these though such as Christ hath set on worke and prospered in it to the bringing in of all or most that are not yet abroad to turne off these I say sure this makes plaine to halfe an eye there is no freind at worke Yet do not we see those spirits wide as Dover and Newcastle from one another and themselves too oft meete here And to cry downe the publique Ministry as eager as they to cry up b Diana A plot Act. 19.28 whether lesse Christian or Humane I cannot tell Let me say nothing the thing it selfe will speake that since their time who were immediately called from heaven the Godly-learned Ministers were the men that planted water'd yea and soyld with their very blood the Church of Christ in every age Were they not those that under God did first deliver our soules from Antichristian bondage at the utmost perill of their owne bodies Witnesse Luther Zuinglius Caluin Latimer Ridly Hooper Bradford and that cloud of others staked at the fire in England Who else have beene the spirituall Fathers to the thousands of faithfull holy soules now gone to heaven for the hundred yeares last past with us and other places yea and begat to grace and knowledge those therewith endued whose violence now against them labours to make requitall with worser than Cashiering for their service Which were it once effected and no publique Ministry longer left among us into what a dolefull heathenish hellish plight those many hundred parishes too ignorant and prophane already in these Nations would be quickly cast specially since we see the Devill and his drudges are not idle Reader let thy sad thoughts resolve thee O dismall day when Judgment sends a famine Amos 8.11 not of bread but of the word of God Nu. 21.5 upon a Land that fell to loathing of it We know with God all things are possible but know not why to looke for miracles and leave off such a course himselfe appoynted and from heaven so long and often hath approved And then for inhumanity what is more barbarous than that so many hundred families of Godly Ministers to whom we are so nearely related as men in a manner of the same flesh and blood with our selves and to whom we owe so much as Christians should for no other fault but their well deserving at our hands be turned out of their propriety and sent a begging against all right and reason as we speake all Law and Conscience Blessed be God our former Governours have washed their hands of any such like businesse and we nothing doubt but that such speciall grace is present with those now present at the Helme that they will continue to abhor it And we trust through mercy notwithstanding all the catching at the stirrup by some furious spirits they never shall be able to dismount the Riders to get themselves into the saddle Let what there will be uppermost t is sadly feared if not plainly manifest such a businesse lyeth at the bottome Should which time come what fence another mans propriety can get when the Ministers shall lie common you 'le quickly see unto your Costs Meane while for a Comment on the whole Reader Ibeseech the read well consider the ensuing story where thou shalt Find a pretended zeale for setting up Christs Kingdome on the earth made usher oh most dreadfully to the verydregs of villanies spit from Hell The truth of which said story on understanding and indifferent person will ever call to question But yet because absurdities are so much in fashion let me intreat the scrupulous person for such there are too many to consider what beames of evidence he shuts his eyes against How likely is it we should be abused in a businesse First So publique not done in a Corner This Story 1. Publique but the principall City of Westphalia Munster 2. So many Councils sitting in the Empire about it 3. An Army of many thousands raysed for it 4. And a siege almost a yeare and halfe before the City ere it could be taken with yet much more like that Secondly 2. La'e Anno. 1517 Ann. 1536 and so late After Luther had began the Reformation some nine-teene yeares and now just sixscore since those stirs were ended Thirdly 3. Neare so neare us not in Tartary China or the Indies though thence we have intelligence that goes for currant but in Germany and that part thereof that borders on the Low Countries almost at home Lastly 4. And having multitudes of Authētique Authours and that hath so many credible Authors Luther Melancthon Bullinger Menius and Rhegius with scores of others were it worth the while that might be named And now these 1. so far from Papists as first restorers of the Gospell 2. Men of eminent piety 3. That lived in the same Country 4. At the same time spectators in a manner of the whole businesse from first to last And for this Author Mr Sleidan He was a Protestant one fearing God and then living there and of great esteeme and credit amongst all professors of the Gospell and deservedly famous for his writings to past and present and succeeding ages
and which is of speciall notice one that tooke not any thing upon meere heresay but all either of his owne knowledge or out of publique Records He that will not yet believe it doubts happily of our bloody Marian daies the eightie eight Invasion the powder Plot the fight at Edg-Hill It may be whether the woman that bred and brought him forth be his owne mother And so is worthy not of words but stripes for gaining his assent Touching the Translation onely thus much It was so much my care some happily will call it superstition to tread exactly in the Authors steps saving the divisions into chapters and contents thereon that I would not step aside to take up any the proprieties of our English speech that lay on either hand as we passed along But this too as the rest is humbly cast at ingenuous Criticks feet If any say Sure those with us against Infant Baptisme are not of kin unto the Germanes mentioned in this story I answer That it is no doubt with me but that many Godly precious soules are found amongst them whose hearts would rise at the very hearing of this hellish tragedy whose soules establishment in the grace of God we pray for and whose Christian fellowship we gladly should embrace and mourne to see the folly that keeps them at such a distance Yet truly in this houre of temptation many many seeming stars have fallen from heaven and this our age hath spoken more to carnall reason for Saints finall Apostacy than all Arminian arguments Yea to speake our hearts whoso shall please but heedfully to feele the pulse and mark the face of many leaders now adayes among them I feare wil be too apt to say I find some John a-Leidens Fellowes For my part I will leave it to the Readers judgment whether that Spirit that biddes so faire as both at once to pull downe the publique Ministry and roote up the settled Magistracy looke not so like him as if it were his owne begotten This is a truth of Gods owne teaching Jer. 17.9 that the heart is deceitfull above all things and desperately wicked who can know it And we our selves by sad experience have often learn't it that many have thought it utterly impossible for them ever to incline unto such wretched courses as afterwards they have beene mad in When the Prophet told Hazael what mischiefe he should sometimes do in Israel Is thy servant a dog quoth he to do this But the event made it truer than he was aware of 2 Kings 8.13 with 10.32 c. 13.324 22. whilst be wanted power to effect it And truly Reader here with us they are but young daies yet allthough alas every moment thriveth but too fast towards a dismall noone To conclude this use at least this story serves us to that trembling to behold Gods righteous judgments against abused kindnesse where ever we find this spirit working in another thoug with the smoothest face we stop it what we may and for our selves to watch and pray lest we fall into temptation The History of John a-Leyden The Anabaptist King in Munster CHAP. I. The Introduction Of T. Munster And Anabaptists in generall WEe are coming now to the seige of Munster the principall City of Westphalia save that something must be further fetched even from the first beginning of those stirrs till their Authors punishment upon the taking of the City Of Thomas (a) The story is briefely thus Muncer having lest the Preaching of the Gospell fell to new Doctrine inveighs not only against the Pope but Luther also At first he taught against Prophanesse would have the body Curbd with fasting and meane attire was for a grave set face litle talke private meditation c. Then we must aske of God a signe that he did love us and chide him too if he gave us none That God revealed his will in dreames that revelations with the Scripture must be our Rule withall community of goods did best become us and all to be of equall ranke At last ungodly Magistrates must be downe in order whereto he gets 8000 men together and exherts them to fightagainst their princes by this time with an Army neere them tells them they knew t' was not his fancy but Gods Comm and that set them on this worke And helpe from heaven should make them Conquerors As for their Bullets he would receive them all in his owne Coate And Loe saith he what a gracious God we have Behold the taken of his everlasting favours Lift up your eyes and see the Raine-bow in the Heavens which since we have its picture in our Colours Showeth plainely God will be with us in the Battell to our enemies Raine At the encounter Muncers Party is quick'y routed 5000 slaine in the field 300 more in a Towne they ran too Muncer was hid in a house by the Gate Thither comes in a noble mans servant to see the house gets up the staires finds one in bed askes whether he be one of the Rebels Muncer saith no But that he had beene sick a great while of a feaver The Servant Spyes apurse Catch'd it with hope to have a Prize Opening he findeth letters unto Muncer from the Earle of Mansfeild to for beare Rebellion Then askes him whither they were sent to him or not on his denyall the servant threatneth to dispatch him he prayes him to hold and confesseth he is Muncer Then on the Rack crying out for paine they bid him now remember how many silly soules his Villany had destroyed to day He with a mighty Laughter sayes Themselves desired it Yet at the Point of death he publikely confessed his fault But for Example sake his head cut off was fastened to a speare and Placed in the miale of the Camp This was in Germany the yeare 1525. Muncer's his sedition amongst the Rable his doctrine and his end our fift booke made report By him was hatched that brood of men who for their Practise and opinion are called Anabaptists of whom also something hath beene said allready For they for bid Baptizing litle ones are rebaptized themselves affirming All men else should do the same and cleerly Null the former Bapistme They pretend unto an outward dresse of Holinesse Teach Christians should not goe to Law beare Civill office make oath maintaine propriety but leave all things Common They began with These then matters farre more beynous as I shall shew anon And whereas Germany was farre and neere infested with them Yet Luthers and most other learned mens oppositions to them with the Magistrates narrower eye upon them tooke so that they could hardly Sowder into a Considerable Number At last they fixed in the aforesaid City strongly fortified CAP. II. B. Rotman first brings the Gospell to Munster The Popish Clergy oppose But in vaine And are silenced It fell out thus hard by this Munster is St Maurice Church There did one Bernard Rotman in the yeare of our Redemption 1532 with great
Concourse of the Citizens preach the Gospell and when they had some thoughts of getting him into the City the Popish Priests to prevent it give him a pretty summe of moneyes to exercise himselfe some other where He takes his leave and having veiw'd some Places where he might improve his parts a few moneths after comes back againe They angry at his returne would faine have put him off from Preaching But all in Vaine the People being taken with him Soone after he is entertained in the City by certaine of the Cheifest Citizens and when the Church was shut against him they make a Pulpit for him in the Porch without But the number of the Citizens and his hearers encreasing dayly They require the Preists to set open the Church or they would breake it up In the Nicke of this He by Advice of those the People chose theretoo dispatcheth letters into Hassia that was neere them of the Lantgraves Jurisdiction to desire that some learned Godly men might bee sent unto him there to sow the Gospell with him Two hereupon are sent from Marpurgh Upon their comming six of them get together and consult of the quickest course to set the Popish Clergy packing that the Gospell might succeed the better The best expedient found hereto was this They draw up the Popish Errors and digest them into some thirty heads Those they deliver to the (a) Or Common Councell that Ruled the City Senate with this resolution That if they did not Prove by the word of God All those waged war therewith they would submit to any punishment The senate Calls the Preists into the Court and propose the Errours whereof we spake And because they ever bare in hand their doctrine to be pure and grounded on the word of God which the Preachers now deny and offer to make good upon their lives They aske them whether they would confute by Scriptures what should be objected They thus demanded and perceiving that the Senate was in very earnest in the businesse make a short Answer That they had just nothing to defend their cause withall but whereas hitherto they did pretend their way was right and good t was from opinion and their Ignorance The Senate then since they convicted of their errors and false doctrine could say nothing for themselves but confesse their naughtinesse command them henceforth not to medleany more with taching but give way in all the Churches to these new Teachers that had unmasked their knavery On this the People too concurring with the Senate the Churches were Assigned to them respectively where to teach CAP. III. The Bishop instigated by the silenced Pricsts blocks up the City this party is surprised by the Citizens Indentures of Peace are mutually Signed THat Businesse bred ill bloud among the Preists them especially of the Cathredrall Church for the most part all of Noble Bloud They none other shift being left depart in rage applying to the Bishop of that City Whereupon Councell had it was resolved to block up all the waies that no provision might come to the City A little after the waies being all and every where beset the Bishop with those of whom I spake to promote their worke the better comes unto Tolget a little Towne some one mile distant from the City Thence letters are dispatched unto the Senate to this purpose That they forbeare their Course restore their former State or to be taken as Enemies The Bishop was Earle Francis Waldec next before him had beene Frederick owne Brother to the Archbishop of Colen But He whether because he had not well his health there or that he smelt out something not long before of his owne accord had left the Place and to live private returned him home into his Countrey They of Munster well pausing on the businesse deteine the Messenger and the night before Christs birthday about 900 Sallying forth unlooked for take both the little Towne and making good the Gates that none might scape All that were in it The Bishop as fell out was gone the day before The prisoners were forthwith brought into the City Amongst them were the eminentest of the Clergy and some also of the Nobility The Senate askes them what their pleasure is if they meane to stop the Preaching of the Gospell They freely Anlwer Their endeavors should not be wanting to promote that doctrine Hereon they strike the bargain A Copy whereof the Senate sent the Lant-grave with all beseeching for the Gospels sake and publike good to have his helping hand He sendeth some of his owne to them by whose Mediation t' was concluded that their hearts agreed and distast removed both sides should cherish peace The Gospell to be preached in six Churches all superstitious and ungodly worship turn'd packing in the Cathedrall Church no alteration to be made nor the City reckon that in any case belonging unto them This forme of their agreement was signed by the Lantgrave the Bishop and his Party the Nobility and all the people Feb. 14. the yeare of our redemption 1533. CHAP. IIII. Leiden arriveth Starteth Anabaptisme Rotman opposeth publiquely A disputation is entred Rotman revolts And the Anabaptists are banished THings thus appeased there came to Munster a certaine Holland (a) That is a mender of old Clothes Botcher one John a-Leiden an eager Anabaptist He at the first insinuating into a familiar discourse with them would use to aske the Preachers of the Gospell whither they thought that Infants duly might be baptized They saying yea He that was warped quite Crooked on the other side begins to laugh scorne thereat Which taken notice of Bernard Rotman of whom before exhorts the People in his Sermon to pray that sound doctrine might be preserved with them and kept incorrupt from fanatique Persons the Anabaptists especially who at this time did Creepe amongst them and get in peoples company whose opinion should it prevaile woe would it be not only to the state of Common-wealth but also of Religion Just then almost comes thither Herman Strapeda who being made Rotmans Colleague publikely Inveighs against Poedobaptisme His Master was one Henry Rolls whom they of Vtrecht before this time a little had punished for Anabaptisme This fellow was indeed another step to this new kind of doctrine And now the Businesse was of such a Pitch that most of all the talke about the City was of Anabaptists Though things were yet but closely Carryed For none could be admitted but who were of their Sect. And then the Authors did not openly professe these things nor teach them but by night and when others were asleepe then only were their holy exercises But the businesse coming out when very many of the Citizens were enrag'd at it crying out T' was base an upstart Tenet should be scattered privily and by night The Senate ordered That the Authors should be gone the City But they going forth return'd another way Vapouring That they had Command from God to stay and There in
much as women and Children This was the first day of June Next day they answere complaining that they could not have a lawfull hearing and that they were ill dealt with far beside their merit in the soarest manner that if any would discover their errour to them they should be ready to their duty Then they unfold a place of Daniel about the fourth beast which was by far the cruellest of them all The close of the letter was by Gods blessing they would abide by this confession of the truth But all this was thus written by the Kings appointment CAP. XXIII Two Revolters suggest a way to take the City Their counsell embraced And the City taken Rotmans desperate end The King and Cnipperdoling taken Prisoners BUt now when things within the Citie were brought unto the lowest ebbe out ran two of them One taken by the Souldiers the other upon paroll comes to the Bishop and both tell the way to take the City Oberstene and the Bishop having heard the revolters talke and the businesse duly weighed on June the 22 by parle advise the townesmen to yeeld themselves and save the starving multitude They in the presence of the King answer by Rotman yet so as to hold on their course Two dayes after about eleven a clock by night the forces drew downe silently to the Citie and by the industry of one of those revolted the forlorn having slaine the centiness get thorow the trench into the bulwark others at their heeles find a wicket open and about five hundred with some captaines and their collours threst through into the City There then the townesmen in a body made others halt that were breaking in at last with much adoe repulse them and clapping fast the gate fall on those gat in allready putting many to the sword And when a sharpe dispute held thus for two houres space the Souldiers thus shut in teare up by strength of hand the gate next to them where the guard was weake and cleere an entrance for their fellowes who instantly rush in with a mighty Ocean And when at first the townesmen stood their ground and had made good the Hall the case appearing desperate and many slaine they at the first assault cry quarter and obtaine it Here now the King and Cnipper doling both are taken prisoners Rotman past hopes of escaping that he might not fall into their hands alive Chargeth the enemies body and is ran through The city being taken halfe the plunder and the Armes the Bishop taketh to himselfe Then the Army is disbanded two Collours only kept to be his guard CAP. XXIV Another Dyet of the Empire THere followes upon this another Diet of the Empire at Wormes about the 15 day of July Therein King Ferdinand by his Legates doth propose and aske whether the Citie being now possessed course should be farther taken for the utter rooting out of the Anabaptists Adviseth also that the Princes move the Pope about the Counsell They answere what course to take with Anabaptists is provided for allready by certaine Edicts For a counsell the Pope hath more than once beene solicited thereunto by Caesar nor would they make they said any further progresse in it At the same meeting the Bishop of Munster desireth that his charge and dammage might be repaired and complaineth that the monies promised were not yet come in When no proceedings farther could be had and few Estates were present another meeting was appointed about the first day of November when there should be hearing had of the accounts and charges of the warre and resolved upon what forme of government for the time to come at Munster should be established When that day came the Legate of King Ferdinand reports the causes of the calling this Assembly namely among other things that it might be also thought on how the Citie lately taken might be henceforth setled in its old Religion Then the Bishops legate shewes them how great expences he was at throughout the war how deepely he was run in debt how though the Citie now were taken yet to prevent disturbance and all danger he was enforced to raise two Cittadels in the City and to garison them Upon all which he desireth consideration may be taken T' was answered that the Bishop was possessed allready of both the greater part of the spoiles and all the Armes yea and the Citizens goods all which indeede belong unto the Empire that it was meet to have the things being prized compared with the charge what more was wanting care should be had thereof After t was resolved that the Bishop of Munster as heretofore should be subject to the Empiretall the Nobility he restored and the Citizens also so they were not Anabaptists that were wandered unto other places for religion that the Bishop follow the decrees of the Empire in the beginning of the spring next yeare that the Legates of the Princes go to Munster take Cognizance of the Citizens conditions save the innocent demolish all the forts raised by the Anabaptists and that the Bishop also pull downe the Cittadels raised by himselfe within the Citie For the King and Cnipperdoling and Cretchting that were prisoners let him punish them without longer stay at the first opportunity according to their demerits As to that we told you was resolved on about religion the Princes of Saxony the Lantgrave of VVirtemberg and Anhalt publiquely protested their dissent the same professed the Cities also and they would not have the ancient fortifications of the City to be demolished for the new they were content CAP. XV. The King and his fellow prisoners carryed about to the Princes Debates with them THe King and his two fellow prisoners were carried up and downe unto the Princes to be looked and laughed at Through this occasion the Lantgraves Preachers get a conference with the king and the list is entred specially on these Articles Of the Kingdome of Christ The Magistrate Justification Baptisme the supper of the Lord the incarnation of Christ and marriage Wherein they went so farre by proofe of Scripture that the man for all his wrastling to make good his ground was though not fully turn'd yet bent and weakned so that at the last he almost granted all Which yet 't is thought he did in hopes to save his life For when they came the second time unto him he promised if he might be spared that he would make the Anabaptists growne so numerous in Holland Brabant England Friezland all to be still and submit in all things to the Magistrate The same men then enter disputation with his fellowes both by word and writing Of Mortification Paedobaptisme Community of goods and the kingdome of Christ CAP. XXVI The Kings discourse with the Bishop His and his fellowes Punishment WHen they were brought to Talget the King being asked by the Bishop by what authority he durst to arrogate such licence on his City and his people Askes him againe and who gave him the Rule and Government there
when the Bishop answered that he had it by consent of the Colledge and the people he replyes God called him thither Then on the 19 day of January they are brought back to Munster and put in severall prisons The same day also thither came the Bishop and with him the Legates of the Archbishop of Colen and Prince of Cleve The two dayes following were spent in godly admonition to reclaime them from their errour and the king indeed confessed his sin and praying made his application unto Christ for Succour But the other two neither did acknowledge any fault and stiflly stood upon their vindication Next day the King brought forth upon a scaffold is bound unto a stake Two Executioners are standing by him and tongs burning hot At the three first pinches he spake not a word but afterwards continually imploring God for mercy when he had beene torne this fashion for an houre or more by a sword at last thrust through his heart gave up the Ghost His fellowes fared alike Being dead they are all made fast in severall Iron cages and hung upon the highest tower of the City The King indeede betwixt them both and about the stature of a man above them The POSTSCRIPT Of the Tumult late at Abingdon §. 1. Indifferent Reader SOme yeares are past since first the story and its preface gone before were dressed and ready in that very garbe unto a little trimming now thou findst them in but had never put the foot I am perswaded over the threshold of their owne doore no not so much as to take the ayre with a freind or two much lesse to have rambled up and downe the Country at this rate they do had not the sad condition of a froward age and serious conscience of serving soules perhaps thine owne for one to passe by freinds desires conspired in a restlesse importunity to force them to this posture What rellish the Essay it selfe or this profession concerning it will find with persons over-byassed by the prejudice of their owne spirits consequently what returne of thankes at the same hands such a venture will bring in needs no diviner to presage However on supposall that the costs when well cast up will not enflame the totall past possibility of being cleer'd off even to a token and something spare by the meere assurance of the designes integrity nakedly to promote the publique interest as is the case nor quite forsaken of all hopes to speede therein I hope the supposed inconvenience will be somewhat ballanced and this attempt of Christian service sufficiently abetied That we are all apt to be so fond of the Bird of our owne neast so to fancy the issues of our owne minde as to make our jealousy burne like frie at whatsoever carryeth but the appearance of a non-compliance with this our in dulgence is not to be denyed Oh that it were bewailed What other reason to instance there can be assigned that such a signall Monument as this Munster tragedy is of the Almighties vengeance against mans turning grace in to wantonnnesse should be so much out of credit with the present successours of their faith and practice at least from whence they are denominated that instead of being looked upon and trembled at and warning tooke thereby 't is cause enough but with too many of them to enroll him for an enemy in despite of the purest ayme to act the freind therein that shall perswade thereto It is somewhat lighter I confesse since a chiefe Apostle hath beene put to that Apology Am I therefore become your Enemy because I tell you the truth Gal. 1.16 P. 2. A Presage of things with us §. 2. But the proofe of this is now no longer beyond the seas having landed on our Coasts some yeares agoe and taken up its Quarters in every County if not most townships of the English Nation Our wonder is the lesse because though more is the pity and the rather that it is so litle laid to heart the Old knowne enemy to all concernments of Christianity having bankrupt there both cash and credit is shuffling the cards to play ore his game once more with us Their imputation that it may be would be gamesters unto this suggestion as savoring purely of a spirit overgrowne with melane choly that feares its owne shadow and cries out when there is none to hurt him may easily raise dust enough sutably to his method that chaseth darknesse for his worke as being prince thereof to convoy a plot without observance by a purblind eye but really hath little efficacy to put off men for trees to a firmer sight and none at all to blesse him with the happinesse of a dissappointment to his feare that labours under it For my owne part without dissembling for now it is no time for silence when the very Ecchoes of seditious language makes almost every hill and vale to ring againe to me nere did a cloudy lowring morning speake lowder for some stormes a brewing then do the discontents amongst us avowed and triumphed in even to the clowding of the very aire with the smoake thereof portend some fire at bottome with the gentlest gale ready to enflame Whoever will be at the cost but by looking ore the former story only to observe the Germane Monsters shape and compare it with that Embryon hatching you will see anon but alas too fast in England the sonle indeede of actuall insurrection is through mercy not yet infused I shall be confident of finding him remote enough from rejecting this sad presage as purely Melancholicall §. 3. Let us a while say nothing of the Bookes in print Grounded on common discourss â—â— although those say enough let us meddle not with publique prayings and speakings which yet speake plaine to the point in hand only attend a litle unto what is growing unto table talke common discourse in every mouth almost of those reteining to our male-contented spirits What comes it to The Saints must rule T is true in Scripture sense but when or how we will spare to aske it here It seemes t is plaine with them they do not then as yet do not they meane themselves alone can any thinke Why else one dram or two of charity left for the people not their owne would bid them spare the paines of seeking what they have already The ungodly must come downe we do not doubt it neither in the sense of Scripture still But who are they if the Judgment alwaies must be their owne as to be sure it shall when once they rule the roast May I speake the feares of others the honest Presbyterian and Independant will be in the number or which comes to one the godly not of their perswasion Else for the ranting royall Enemy 't is seene by all he is humbled pretty well allready at least is not a man of Power now and therefore not therein intended The present Powers how litle mercy have they at their hands Not of God