IN the year 1521 and the year insuing, there arose a certain number of mutinous and seditious persons, who secretly made Factions: they chiefly dwelt in the quarters of Saxony, which bordered upon the River Salah; among whom their chief was Nicholas Stork. They dreamed dreams, and said, Nicholas Stork, and his accomplices, they preached dreams, That they spake familiarly with God by Visions, they preached their dreams for truths and Divine Oracles; and because that there should come a new world, wherein should dwell righteousness: Therefore they ought to exterminate all the wicked, with all the Princes and unbe­lieving Magistrates, oppose Magi­strat [...]s from off the earth (they called all those unbelievers which were not of their Sect and Faction.) From out of this School came Thomas Muntzer, Dr. Balthazar Hub­more, Melchior Rink, John Hutt, John Deuter, Lodovike Het­zer, &c. All these boasted that they familiarly conferred with the Lord. In their teachings, they with heat of affection did de­fame and detract from the Ministers of the Gospel: and Ministers. afterward with the like violence fell upon the Magistrate, thinking that if they could make void these two Orders unto the Church, the wolves might safely fall upon and dismember the Flock; where­fore these wolves, (i. e.) these false Teachers, have alwayes principally set themselves against the Ministers of the Church, and the Magistrates, to see if they could drive them out from [Page 2] the Flock, or at least disgust some of the sheep against their Pastors; that so estranging them from them, they might undo them.

Their Doctrine suddenly spread throughout all the Country, and in a little space they gathered much people after them, Th [...]ir Doctrine spreads, R [...]baptize thousands. and Rebaptized many thousands; insomuch as many simple people were led by a zeal without knowledge, being by their fair ap­pearance insnared. They tyed themselves unto the only simple and naked Letter of the Scripture, They va [...]ish over th [...]ir soul intentions with fair pretences. without regard to the sence thereof; they carried it very fairly before all men: for they had alwayes in their mouths, the love, faith, and the fear of God, the mortification of the flesh, and the cross; which were the garnish wherewith (that they might be of value to the simple) they painted and adorned themselves: but inasmuch as such colours were false, they lasted not long, but they soon began to fade, and without fraud to appear what they were.

Thomas Muntzer (of whom we formerly spake) said, That whosoever would be saved must firstly flye all manifest vices, Muntzers Do­ctrine. Mur­ders, Blasphemies against the Name of God: that he must chastise and macerate his body by fastings and mean apparel; that he must hold forth an austere visage, speak little, &c. he called these things the Cross ▪ the Mortification of the Flesh, and Discipline: after that he had so fashioned his people, he said, That they must withdraw from the multitude, and conversation of men; and often to think upon God, who he is, and whether he hath care of us; whe­ther Christ suffered death for us, and whether our Religion were to be preferred before that of the Turks: moreover, that we ought to ask a sign from God, to be assured whether he hath care of us, and whether we owned the true Religion: if instantly he gave not a sign, that we ought to persist and pursue in prayers, yea, lively to complain of him, as of one that doth us wrong; for seeing the Scri­pture promises that God will grant what he is asked for, he doth not well in not giving a sign to the man who desireth his knowledge. He said, That this anger and reproach was very pleasing unto God, because that he thereby saw the inclination and heart of our spirit, [Page 3] and that without doubt being thus urged, he would declare himself by some evident sign, quenching the thirst of the spirit, and doing unto us as formerly unto the Fathers. He said moreover, That Gods will was declared by dreams, and there laid the foundations of his doctrine; insomuch that if the dream of any might be interpreted, he praised him greatly in his Sermons.

After that by this means he had by little and little gained some, he discovered what he had long before plotted in the City of Alsted, which is in the Marches of Turing: He began to enroll the names of those that were entred into league with him, and by solemn Oath they promised assistance, Enrolled the names of his disciples, and swears them to assist him, to cut off the unbelie­ving Magistrates to dispatch the wicked Princes and Magistrates (for they generally account­ed all Superiours wicked) and to substitute new ones: he said, That it was given him in charge from God so to do: so did he speak of his dreams and such like things.

Frederick Prince of Saxony did at first bear with him, [...]urther inter­cedes for h [...]m, with the Ele­ctor of Saxony. and that at the request of Luther. But in the year [...]23. he set him­self seditiously to preach, and publickly to fasten not only upon Ministers of the Word, but also upon the Magistrates; and fu­riously declared that their Liberty was violated, But publickly opposi [...]g Mini­sters and Ma­gistrates is dri­ven out of Al­sted. Co [...]es to No­rimberg, and Mulhuze, where he be­comes [...] Prea­cher. and that the poor and miserable were tyrannized over, and oppressed by in­supportable Charges, and that their goods and labours were devoured by the Princes: He saw then, That it was time to be­think him; and then he was driven out of the City of Alsted; who after he had been some moneths hidden, he came to No­rimberg, and to a City of Turing called Mulhuze. Now in as much as when he was at Alsted, he had gained to his Girdle some of the Citizens of Mulhuze, by means whereof he re­ceived the charge of Preaching: And now being but in small favour with the Senate, he so wrought upon the Commonalty by Mutinies, that they chose a new Senate; Dri [...]s o [...]t the old S [...]ate, [...] a [...]. which was the be­ginning of the future stirs: afterwards the Citizens drave out the Friers, and seized upon their Monasteries: with one of the principallest and most rich of them, [...] him­s [...]lf with the spoil of Mona­steries. Muntzer furnished him­self; and for the future carried it not onely as a Preacher, but also as a Senator and Counsellor; for he said, that he must by [Page 4] his Divine Revelation judge of the Bible; Judges of the Bible. and gave sentence up­on all according to his will and fancy; and all this was received as an Oracle and Divine answer: so were they befooled by him. S [...]s seed of Sedition. In the mean while, he wrote here and there to the Sub­jects to take up Arms against their Princes, to the recovery both of their Spiritual and Temporal Liberties: this speech was so acceptable unto the people, that in the mouthes of many he was the true Prophet.

Having then changed the Magistrates of Mulhuze, and ha­ving put in Anabaptists, there arose many troubles as we have formerly declared; Taught commu­nity▪ equality of dignity. for he taught the Community of goods, and that the equality of dignity did very well resent humanity; and that all the world should abide in the liberty wherein it was first created; and that there should be an indifferent usage of goods: he said, That this was divinely revealed unto him; and that Princes and great ones must be rejected; and that the sword of Gideon was given unto him, against all Tyrants, to restore the liberty, and new Reign of Christ upon [...]th. All these pretences made the people de­sist from their ordinary labour; By this, people desist from their labour. and when they had need of any thing, they took it from those that had, whether they would or not.

Divers moneths he thus led on the train, so as in the year 1525. the Husbandmen and Labourers took up Arms in Swabe and Francony, They take up Arms, to the number of fourty thousand, who slew the greatest part of the Nobility, Kill the Nobi­lity. sackt and burnt their Castles and Fortresses; he went on to prosecute his Game, thinking the time now to be come, to bring into action what he had for­merly deliberated: he after caused them to found some Artil­lery in the Cordiliers Church; he called much people from the fields out of hopes of pillage, and to make themselves rich.

He in all his affairs consulted with a bold foolish fellow called Phifer, Phifers dream. who had dreams and visions in high esteem; and a­mong other discourse he said, ‘That in a dream he had seen multitudes of Mice in a Stable, which he had made to fly: which he interpreted so as he had command from God to take up Arms, to set himself in array to discomfit the Nobility.’

[Page] Muntzer was somewhat more cool; though he preached with great violence, yet he would not run any hazard untill that the Neighbourhood had taken up Arms: and the more easily to bring about his enterprize, he wrote unto the Labourers in the Mynes of the Territories of Mansfield, admonishing them to fall upon the Princes without any respect or consideration; for these that were ready in Francony drew near unto Turing. Thereupon Phifer, who could not forbear, took the field with his, and sack'd the Country about Isfield, pillaged the Fortres­ses and Temples (or Churches) and slew divers Gentlemen, taking others Prisoners: which having done, he returned laden with plunder; and having so well sped, the popularity were encouraged: in the mean time they skirmished and ra­vined in the Country of Mansfield; wherefore Muntzer thinking that there was a revolt in all parts, came forth from Mulhuze with 300 seditious men. Upon these stirs Albert Count of Mansfield at an instant assembled some Troops▪ of Horse, and fought Muntzer, so as 200 were left dead upon the place; the rest being astonished, withdrew, and fled toward Francuse, and sojourning there, waited for the recruit of their Army; which was the cause of retarding their stirs.

In the mean time the Princes gathered together, to the num­ber of 1500 Horse, with some Foot: the Peasants being en­camped in a Mount near Francuse, they could not easily be as­sailed, by reason of the Carts they had furnished themselves withall. The poor people being unprovided either of Arms or Artillery, and for the most part not acquainted with Souldiery; the Princes being moved with compassion, admonished them by messages, that they would deliver up the Authors of this Sedition; and that laying down their arms, every one might with assurance, and without fear of punishment return unto their houses. Muntzer then fearing his skin, advanced into the midst of the Troops, and with a stern countenance made his Oration.

His Oration being finished, the greatest part of his company, by reason of their present peril, ceased not to be much afraid, all being in disorder, and without any conduct. Yet there were in the band some bold and desperate ones bent to do mischief: they being over-forward, and ready to do evil, were inflamed the more by reason of his Speech, especially the Rainbow be­fore spoken of did encouarge them; and they judged it as a most sure sign of Victory: there was this further to their ad­vantage, that their Army was great (it being about 8000 men) and the place advantagious for their defence: these Varlets cried out, that all should take up their Arms, and with courage they came to close with the enemy, singing an Hymn, whereby they did implore the aid of the Holy Ghost. There was sent unto them to parly a young man of a Noble Family, whom Muntzer against the Law of Arms had slain; herewith the Princes being provoked, caused the Alarm to be sounded, and ordered their Battel in array.

This Oration being finished, they came to close; and no sooner were the Artillery and small shot discharged, but these poor people, as men amazed, and deprived of understanding, neither defend themselves, nor set themselves to flight for safety, but sang their vulgar song, to invoke the aid of the holy Ghost: some trusting in the promises of Muntzer, waited for succour from Heaven. The Harquebusses being discharged, they began to re-inforce the battel, and to slay them right down; then they betook themselves to flight all in a rout toward Fran­cuse: some of them drew off to the other part of the Moun­tain, and some the while bare the brunt of the battel in the Val­ley against the Horse; of whom there fell one or two: but so hotly were they pursued, 5000 Slain. that there were 5000 left in the place: soon after this slaughter the City of Francuse was taken, and near 300 prisoners, [...]00 Prisoners. which were beheaded. Muntzer having gained the City by flight, hid himself in an house near unto the Gate; whither by accident there came a Gentleman, whose Waiting-man going up to see the rooms, he found a man laid upon the bed, who asked him who he was, and whether he was not fled from the Battel, and whether he was not one of the se­ditious? By accident there lay a Purse near unto the bed; the other taketh up the booty, and having opened it, he found therein Letters, whereby Albert of Mansfield did admonish Muntzer to desist from his enterprize, and not to cause the poor people to mutiny: these Letters when he had read, he asked him, if the Letters were not directed to him? which he denied very stifly, untill being sharply threatned, craving pardon, he con­fessed [Page 9] that he was Muntzer: being taken, he was brought be­fore George Duke of Saxony, and the Lantgrave; Muntzer taken being asked of them, what had moved him so to abuse the poor people? he replied, that he had done but his duty; and that those Magi­strates that would not receive the Gospel, were so to be dealt withall. The Lantgrave puzled him, proving by Testimony of Scripture, that the Magistrates ought to be had in reverence; and that all seditions were forbidden by God; and that it was not lawful for a Christian to avenge his private quarrel: where­unto Muntzer had not to answer. Afterwards he was put unto grievous torture; and as by greatness of the pain he cried out, Tortured. George Duke of Saxony said unto him, Truly Muntzer you endure at present, but think also upon the ruine of so many people, which this day by occasion of thy sedition are slain: He answered, much laughing, that they would so have it. He was afterwards brought to Welderung a City of the Signory of Mansfield, where he was sharply drawn and put to torture, and confessed what was his deliberated purpose, and who were the Complices of his Con­juration.

The Princes being come to Welderung and Mulhuze ▪ they caused many of these seditious persons to be beheaded, and a­mong the rest, that bold fool Phifer, of whom there hath men­tion formerly bin made: then afterward Muntzer was brought into the field, who found himself very much discouraged, and overwhelmed in this extremity; so as without help he could not give account of his faith, as it commonly falls out with such in the like case: Henry of Brunswick, to help him, caused him to say after him: when he was ready to die, he confessed clearly & loudly his fault and errour; and being surrounded with Soul­diers, he exhorted the Princes to use greater pity towards the poor people, and that by this means they should not need to fear; he admonished them also to reade diligently the Book of Kings, which are in the holy Scripture: his discourse being ended, they cut off his Head. From this marvellous defeat and discomfiture several escaped, Executed who seeing their sedition profited them not, and that the Prophets were slain with their brethren [Page 10] and companions, instead of repenting, and acknowledging the pestilential venome that lay hid in their Sect, they assemble at Munster the chief City of Westphalia, Those that e­scape g [...]t into Munster. Pret [...]d humi­lity, cry out a­gainst the Ma­gistrates [...]. and at first made sem­blance of humility, holding forth nothing in them that was splendent or magnificent; yea, they reproved and cried out a­gainst all excellency, greatness and magnificency: they held forth outside-holiness, and cried out against the sword and power of the Magistrate: Riches and honour were rejected by them as loathsome vomit (at least, as they made shew of;) they spake of nothing, but of the mortification of the old man, and of the renewing of the Spirit, and of a life wholly dedicated unto God: above all, they despised the world and the things that are therein, but it was because they could not yet play their pranks, nor themselves have dominion, nor make a new world according to their model, as they afterwards shewed unto all.

Bern. Rotman preaches the Gospel with suc­cess. He and other Ministers pre­sent Articles a­gainst Popish errours.In the year 1532 Bernard Rotman began to preach the Go­spel, without the City of Munster, in the Temple of S. Maurice, and that not without great effect; insomuch as that there being certain Ministers, they presented thirty Articles unto the Ma­gistrates, wherein all the errours of the Papacy were contained; submitting themselves unto all punishment, if they did not prove all these Articles to be false, and repugnant to the Word of God. The Senate sent for the Papists, and proposed unto them those Errours: and because they had alway given them to un­derstand their Doctrine was pure, Papists are convinced, and founded upon the Word of God (which these Preachers denied, and upon their lives would evince the contrary) the Magistrates asked them, if they would by holy Writ confute what was said unto them: being thus questioned, and seeing the Senate laid the matter much to heart; in brief they answered, that they had not wherewith to defend their Doctrine; and as for what they had said of their Ordinances, and manner of doing to be good, it was but upon o­pinion & ignorance: And by the Se­nates command resign their pla­ces to the Mi­nisters. whereupon the Senate forbade them from that time forward, not to meddle with preaching, seeing they were convinced of Errours and false Doctrines, and command­ed them to resign their places unto those Teachers which had [Page 11] discovered their errours and abuses. Soon after there was as­signed to each his Temple to preach in, by the consent of the Senate; and all the City was in peace and tranquillity.

But Satan the enemy of peace and truth, Sata [...] [...] Anabaptist, who disturbs their peace▪ could not long en­dure the peace and publication of the Gospel; wherefore as he had already done in other places, with might and main he la­boured to hinder and overthrow the Gospel; and in its place to set up these seditious Anabaptists: so he did the same at Munster, to the great damage of the faithful, the destruction and infamy of the Gospel.

For in the year 1533: there came to Munster an Hollander named John Becold of Leyden, By John Be­cold a Taylor of Leyden, who by Trade a Taylor or Sewer of Garments; but rather a Raveller or tearer in pieces: he was a witty fellow, eloquent, cautelous, and very audacious, having a little read the Scripture, he could fully dissemble matters: in sum, he was a true and perfect Anabaptist; in the beginning of which familiarity, insinua [...]es him­self into the company of the Ministers. he insinuated himself into the company of the Ministers of the Gospel, and asked them whether they thought it was well done to baptize little children? they answered, Yes; and then he began to deride and jeer with disdain: he thus car­ried matters near nine moneths; often disputing against, and debating with the Ministers concerning Baptism; notwithstand­ing in the mean while, wheresoever he could, he secretly sowed the Doctrine of the Anabaptists. Then Bernard Rotman, Rotman oppo­ses them, of whom w [...] spake before, seeing the drift of the Anabaptists, in [...] sermon exhorted the people to pray unto God for his [...] that they might keep his Doctrine pure; and to preserve it from [...]he corruptions of enraged men, especially from the Anabaptists, who secretly crept in among them, and slid into their companies: for if their opinion prevailed, the state of the Commonwealth and Religion would be poor and miserable. At that very time there came to Munster one Her [...]an Staxrede, but is [...] sed [...] ­ced by his Co­adjutor Her­man Staxrede who was Rotmans Coadjutor, who seduced him▪ and caused him to turn Anabaptist, against whom he had so much combated and cried down. Henry Rolles an Anabaptist executed. This Herman had been the Disciple of Henry de Rolles, whom they of Vtrecht had lately executed, because he [Page 12] was an Anabaptist; he publickly reproved Childrens Baptism, saying, That it was an abomination before God. Because of this, there arose great stirs among the people; and those who for­merly were secretly seduced by John Becold of Leyden, Becolds disci­ples vent their opinions, hold rightly meetings now vent­ed their Opinions, and almost throughout the whole City often­times held Conventicles, and secretly assembled in private hou­ses: and their Ministers taught onely by night, when as others took their rest; which was the fittest time for the working of their mysteries. These things much provoked the Senate; and because the nightly meetings and Sermons of the Anabaptists were ill resented, B [...] the Senat [...] prohibited, com­manded to de­part; which they refuse. they were prohibited and forbidden, and com­mand issued forth to all the lovers of that Sect, to avoid the City: but they cared not for this command, and were no sooner gone out at one Gate, but they came in at another, and hid themselves in the City with their Sectaries; and boasted that they had com­mand from God not to stir, but fully and gravely to prosecute their Commission. This troubled the Senate, and they were somewhat astonished at it. Wherefore to prevent further trou­ble, it was commanded, That both Anabaptists and Preachers of the Gospel, should repair to the Town-house with the learned men. A Disputation, wherei [...] Rot­man declares himself: Her­man Bus [...]h co [...]futes him. In this Disputation Rotman, who had for some time co­vered matters, openly declared himself an Anabaptist, and con­demned Childrens Baptism, as wicked and detestable: but Her­man Busch so contradicted him, as by the Word of God he con­futed him; which may yet be proved, by the Acts drawn up by the Publick Notary. This being done, the Senate commanded the Anabaptists to depart the City; yea, and that forthwith: but again they hid themselves according to their custom, untill fair opportunity presented, that they might come in sight; and then upon a d [...]liberated rage, They fall upon a Minister Peter Wirtem. R [...]n about the City, crying, Re­pent and [...]e Re­baptized. they fell upon a Minister named Peter Wirtem, [...] he preached in a Temple or a Church by the autho­rity of the Senate, and they turned him out. Then many of them ran about the City, as if they had been divinely transported in their spirit, crying with a loud voice, Repent and be Re-baptized, otherwise the wrath of God will fall upon you. Many good people fearing the wrath of God (whereof they so much talked) and [Page 13] in their simplicity being deceived, and some for fear of losing their estates, obeyed them: for after the Anabaptists had got the upper hand of their adversaries, they turned them out, and deprived them of their estates. Take away their estates. These things were done in the year 1533, and in the beginning of 34 and when they had been hidden, they came forth out of their dens and caves, and they went all together unto the Market place with great cries and howlings, and commanded, Command all unrebaptized to be put to death, seize on their Arms and Am­munition. That all that were not Re-baptized should be put to death as Pagans and wicked: and forthwith they seized upon the Artillery, Arms, Ammunition and Town-house; the rest, namely, the Protestants and Papists, began to run, and to betake themselves to a place of the City, which was natural­ly strong, for defence both of themselves and the people; and they took sundry Anabaptists Prisoners: this lasted untill they came unto Composition, and Hostages on both sides were given; Opposed, come to Composition. and it was agreed that Every one should hold his own Religion, and return unto his own house, and live in peace.

The principal Anabaptists then were Rotman, John Becold of Leyden, Bernard Knipperdoling, Gerard Cipperbrok, Bernard Crechting.

In the mean time Rotman and Knipperdoling (the Superlatives of this faction) though they had approved of this Composition, But sent for aid to the neighbor­ing Towns. yet they sent unto the neighbouring Towns; whereby they gave notice unto those of their Sect, to leave all their goods, and repair unto them, Promise ten times more then they lost. M [...]ltitudes of the poorer sort, on hopes of pre­ferment repair to them. The Citizens l [...]ave the City: Anabaptists are Masters and Rule all. and that they should not fail to receive ten times more then they left behinde them. Great multitudes both of men and women hearkning unto these magnificent pro­mises, came in unto them, and upon hopes of preferment, re­paired unto Munster; chiefly the poorer sort, who knew not how to subsist. The Citizens and more wealthy among them, seeing the City to swarm with strangers, withdrew as fairly as they could, abandoning their place unto the Anabaptists: this was about Lent, in the Moneth of February 1534. By this means the Anabaptists became Masters, and chose a new Senate of their own party, with Consuls; among whom were Knip­perdoling and Cipperbrok: soon after they fell upon the Temple [Page 14] of S. Maurice, which was near unto the City, and burnt it with the neighbouring Edifices; Burn the Church of S. Maurice. and pillaged all the Temples, and spoiled the chief Temple. Within a few dayes after they flocking together ran about the streets, and in a dreadful manner cried out, Cry, Repent, re­pent, depart if ye will not die. Drive out all the Citizens that were not of their Sect. In this flight many women with child mis­carry. They Pillage. Repent, repent; and suddenly changed their tune, saying, Quickly depart ye wicked, if ye will not die: and at that instant in arms ran to and again, and drave out of the City all that were not of their Sect, without having regard either to Age or Sex; so as many women miscarried in these troubles and confused flight. These being driven out, they fall upon pillaging their Estates: by this every one may know by what spirit these Anabaptistical Hypocrites were led: there is no act so fello­nious, horrible, cruel and wicked, that ever was done, which they did not commit. In the beginning they talked of nothing but the Spirit and Holiness; they said, it was not lawful for a Christian to be a Magistrate, and that it was not lawful to bear Arms; but after they had brought all under their paw, and in their power, then it was lawful to take the Publick Arms, with the Town-house, and to chuse a Magistrate to their minde, yea, with rejection of him that was ordained of God; and thrust themselves into his place, and to make themselves Consuls and Senators as they have done: there is not need of much speak­ing, for the world knoweth it. Where now are the fair spee­ches of those Anabaptists? Do not resist evil: He that will take away thy coat, give him thy cloak also. These have not only pillaged and stript honest men of their clothes, but of all that they had, and have driven them miserable out of their houses, with their wives and little ones, and have exposed them to death by the Besiegers of the City.

At that time there arose in the City of Munster a great number of Prophets (for they usurped that name) the prin­cipal of whom were John Matthews of Harling, and one Pistor, Their Prophet Joh. Matthews commands all their goods to be common. who were both audacious, and prating fellows; they boasted of Visions, and of the Spirit of Prophecie. By Pro­phetical Authority, this holy Prophet commanded all the City to bring in all their Gold, Silver, and other moveable goods [Page 15] to be common, and that none upon pain of death, should re­serve any thing for his own private use: and to this end, there was a Publick house appointed. The people were very much astonished at the rigour of this Edict, yet notwithstanding o­beyed it: it was not possible to retain or conceal any portion; for there were two Maides Divineresses, who did reveal it, Divineresses re­veal such as re­tained the goods and all books besides the Bible to be burnt. if there were any that did retain any thing. Afterwards these Prophets commanded that none should keep any books except the Holy Bible; and that all others should publickly be brought forth and abolished: he said, that he received this Command from God; wherefore great numbers of books were brought together and consumed by fire.

It came to pass that an Artificer named Hubert Trutelin, Hubert Trute­lin calls them Prophets of a T— and slai [...]. who being displeased with the acting of these Prophets reproached them, calling them Prophets de Merde: he was accused, and all the people were caused to come together in their Arms: they sentenced the poor man to death; whereat the people were marvellously frighted. John Matthews the chief Prophet laid hands upon the poor man, and when as he was thrown down, gave him a stab with a Pike, without wounding him mortally, whatsoever his endeavours were; then he commanded him to be taken from thence, and that he should be carried to another place; and taking the Musket of another young man that was neer him, he shot him through with a bullet: when he was fal­ling to the ground, the Prophet said, That it was revealed unto him from heaven, that the time of his death was not yet come; and that God had accepted him to favour, though he died a few dayes after; whereof when the Prophet had notice, he took a long Pike, and violently ran through the City, crying out, that God the Father had given him in command to repulse the Enemie from the City. As he drew neer unto the Camp, John Matthew [...] slain. a Souldier called Mesnicus faced him, and shot him quite through the belly: This was the woful end of this mad Prophet: and although the fraud of these Prophets was well known, yet the people were so bewitched by them, and so deprived of their reason, that they much bewailed this their goodly Prophet, saying, That [Page 19] there would some mischief befal them, because such a Prophet was taken from them.

John Becold of Leyden commanded the second Prophet after him, to be of a good courage; because that of a long time be­fore, it had been revealed unto him, that he should come to such an end, and that he should marry his widow. Two dayes after Easter, they ran to the Churches, and rang all the Bells toge­ther: Knipperdo­ling prophe [...]ieth some dayes after, Knipperdoling prophecied, that all lofty things must be laid low, and the poor, and the mean, and the low things must be exalted; and forthwith commanded, that all the Churches should be demolished; with a very great gra­vity assuring them, that this command came from God: where­fore he was without delay obeyed, and the heavenly command (as he called it) put in execution. At the same time John Becold gave the sword unto Knipperdoling, Becold makes Knipperdo­ling Hangman, and appointed him to be executioner, because it so fell out that he was the Consul, and had administred the chief Magistrates place. Being now made Hangman, he is put in a lower rank▪ Knipperdoling made no scruple of it, which he accepts They [...]ally forth, and make a great slaughter to the number of 4000. and received this place very acceptably; and whereas the Camp had now been some months before the City, they stormed it; and of the chief Nobility, and best Captains and Souldiers there were slain before the City about four thou­sand: then all hopes of taking them by force failed. A few dayes after Whitsontide John Becold of Leyden, after that assaults had been given without effect, Becold [...] three dayes dreams, and [...] as Zacha­ry, and writes the names of 12 [...]. he went to sleep, and laid and dreamed three entire dayes together; and when he awaked, he spake to no man; but as Zacharias, John the Baptists father, so he made signs that they should bring him paper; wherein he wrote the names of twelve men, and among them of some of the best rank, who were to have the Supreme charge, and to have the whole Government as it was in Israel; for he said, it was the will of the Heavenly Father, that Munster should be governed as the heavenly Jerusalem. By this means this wicked one made way that he might be King: afterwards he proposed direct articles unto their Preachers, [...] and required them to con­firm them, by testimony of Scripture; otherwise he would bring [Page 17] them unto the people, that they might ratifie and approve them.

The sum of these Articles was, that a man was not bound to have but one Wife, The [...] con­cerning plurali­ty of wives, and that it was lawful to espouse as ma­ny as he pleased: but as their Preachers did consute this sen­tence, he assembled them at the Council-house with the twelve; where in the presence of them all he pull'd off his cloak, and cast it upon the ground with the New-Testament, and sware by these marks and signs, Swears it was so re [...]ealed to him from God, that these Articles by him proposed were revealed to him from Heaven; wherefore he threatned them, that if they consented not unto them, God would never be merciful unto them. Finally, they agreed, and were of his Opinion, and the Preachers for three dayes space spake of no­thing but of the point of Marriage. Without delay John Be­cold married three wives, He marries three wives. one of whom was the widow of the great Prophet John Matthews: others like lewd men followed his example, so as it was a praise-worthy thing to have many wives. Some of the honest Citizens were sorely displeased to see Marriage thus prophaned, and they gave a sign to gather all those together into the Market place, The Citizens are displeased, take the Prophets. The common peo­ple rescue them, and cr [...]lly tor­ture and kill 50 who loved the Do­ctrine of the Gospel; and then they ran into the Market place, and laid hands upon the Prophets, and took Knipperdoling, and all the rest of the Prophets: But the common people having notice hereof, took arms; and having rescued the Captives, kill'd about fifty with great torments, tying them to trees and posts, discharged Muskets at them: in the mean while the great Prophet cryed out, that he that would do God service, should fire first. They killed with another sort of death.

This great Prophet John Becold of Leyden having by his vision gained this point, Becold hath 15 wives at on [...]e that it was lawful for a man to take to­gether as many wives as he pleased, played his pranks; for he married but fifteen, and had them all at once; and it was lawful for any one to have six or seven: for they must thus re­new their Marriage, as they had done their Baptism. And that none might take ill what they did, they merrily coloured over their villany with testimonies out of Gods word; they brought the examples of the Patriarchs, Abraham, Jacob, Da­ [...]d [Page 18] and Solomon, and divers others, and said that the Word of [...] commanded it, saying Increase, multiply, and fill the earth. W [...]en that sentence was brought, [...] [...].23. 1 Tim. 3. That a Bishop must be unblamable, the husband of one wife, they answered, that it was clear from the text, That the Apostle required that of none but the Bishops, and that for several reasons; that he might not burthen the Church, and that he might the better attend upon his Office; but this was not forbidden to any other.

Upon the 24 of June 1534. there arose a new Prophet, by Trade a Gold-smith named John Twiscoscar; [...] new Prophet John Twiscos­car, declares that God [...] John Becold [...] the [...] he having assem­bled the people into the Market place, made known that the will and command of the heavenly Father was, that John Becold of Leyden should be made emperour of all the earth; and that [...] should march into the Field with a mighty Army, and that [...] should without making any difference destroy all Kings and Pri [...]es, pardoning only the people; that is to say, those which [...]ve [...] righteousness; that he might hold the throne of his fa­ther David, until that the Father did deliver up the Kingdom unto him; for the Saints should raign in this World, after that [...]he [...] had destroyed all the wicked. These things were brought to John Becold of Leyden, Who accepts it, who falling down upon both his knees, and lifting up his hands to heaven, said, It is several dayes since I knew this, Brethren, yet I would not divulge it; but now the Father hath made use of another Minister to perswade it. He made semblance as if he received, the Kingdom against his will; yet he laid hold on it with both hands, and had long before bri [...]ed for it, and plotted it.

and cashi [...]rs the twelve Com­manders.Being now King, he who before was but a Taylor, at that ins [...]a [...]t cashiereth the Twelve; and on the sudden attireth him­sel [...] with more then Royal Pomp and Magnificence: he chose great Lords, and commanded that they should make two Crowns of pure Gold: [...] himself [...] ▪ he bore a Scepter with a Chain of Gold; and likewise his Spurs with Rowels of Gold: in brief, he was not clad but with Silk, Velvet and Gold, which they had stollen out of the Churches: his Horses were accordingly ac­coutred: he appointed certain dayes to give audience to all [Page 19] such as addressed themselves unto him for any business; and when he went abroad, he was attended upon by his Servants, His pompous train and at­tendance. and Gentlemen of his Court: next unto him there went two young men on Horse-back magnificently clad; he that went on the right hand bare the Crown and the Bible, the other on the left hand bare a naked Sword, the Pommel whereof was of pure Gold, and richly adorned with precious Stones: the King had his Chain of Gold about his neck, and he was all glit­tering with Gold and precious Stones: he bare in his hand a Globe of Gold. His waiting-Gentlemen were twenty eight, clad like Courtiers, with garments of mixed colour of green and blew, to signifie his Heavenly and Earthly Power. Upon the Kings Girdle was written, The power of God is my strength: thus was the Name of God prophaned and blasphemed, to cloak this Villains stinking infamy. Furthermore, his Title was, The King of the New Jerusalem, King of Righteousness, through­out all the World. The pomp of his chief Wife (for he had many together) was equal to his own: his Servants were [...] in green, and bordered with a brown colour; and upon their sleeve there was a World with a little Cross about it, and two Swords thwarted a-cross. He had his Throne set up aloft, whereunto he ascended by three steps▪ and all was beset with Gold and Jewels. The Law-suits which ordinarily came before him, were for the most part about Women and Divorces, inso­much as some who had lived almost all their life long together, now separated one from another. It came to pass one day, that when the people were in the Market-place, close crouding, and in a throng to hear, that Knipperdoling leaped on their heads, and scrambling with his hands and feet being now above them, he breathed upon the men one after another into their mouthes, saying, The Father hath sanctified thee, Knipperdo­lings blasphemy receive the Holy Ghost. One day he fell a dancing before the King, say­ing, Thus I am wont to do with my Whore, but now the Father hath commanded me to do it before the King: Confesses him­self an whore­master. but because he did it too long, and would not make an end, the King was angry, and went his way. He suddenly mounted into the Throne; [Page 20] but the King surprizing him, threw him down, and three dayes kept him in Prison.

Is there not here to be seen a wonderfull rage and mad­ness? Who could have believed that any bearing humane shape, should have been left to commit things so foolish, absurd, vil­lanous and execrable? but it cannot be otherwise with such as violate, trample upon, and reject the Word of God; they are by Divine judgement smitten, so as to be an example to the Elect. But let us behold their goodly glorious King, now mounted with more then Royal Pomp: where is the spirit of these Anabaptists, who were so ready to reprove and reject others? At first they cried out against all; if they saw any Matron wear silk, or any man of fashion to wear a gold Ring, they cried down all▪ but now their glorious King Taylor omit­teth nothing, that may set forth his Pomp and State. In the beginning they would not bear to hear, that any honest man should be a Bailiff, or Governour of a Village; but soon the wind is changed, and now by command from the Father, their King is not King of a Village, but of the whole World; for so he caused himself to be styled. During this Siege, the Pro­phets of Munster published a Book, which they intituled, The Ristitution; wherein they maintained Muntzers damnable Do­ctrine, and an infinite of Errours.

Afterwards in the Moneth of August, on the day which is called S. Bartholomews, the new Prophet called John Twiscoscar sounded the Trumpet through the streets, and cried out, that All should meet in Arms about the way to the great Church; for they must give a repulse to the Enemies of the City: being thi­ther come, they finde a Supper ready, which the King had pro­vided; and by command the people did sit down, to the num­ber of four thousand: the King, Queen, and Courtiers wait­ed at the Table. Supper almost being finished, the King gave unleavened bread to all, Becolds mock-Lords Supper. saying, Take, eat, declare the death of the Lord: then the Queen presented the Cup, saying, Drink, declare the death of the Lord. Behold the brave Supper of these Anabaptists, which was rather a voluptuous Banquet, the Table [Page 21] of Devils, then the Table of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now when the Supper was ended, the new Prophet gat him up into the Pulpit, and asked them whether they would obey the Word of God? they all said, Yes: Twisc [...]s [...]ar reveals that 28 Teachers must be sent forth. he told them then that the com­mand of the Father was, that they must send Twenty eight Teachers of the Word. Then he named them in order, de­claring the place whither each should go: Six were sent to Osemberg, as many to Warrendort; eight to Susar, and as many to Corsfield.

The King and the Queen with those that served at the Ta­ble, supped afterwards, The King and Queen and the 28 Teachers sup together. and those which were appointed to be sent forth. As they were at Supper, the King rose up, and said, That he had received a Commission from the Father: whereas upon an adventure there was a Souldier which had been taken, the King accused him that he was a Traitor as Judas, and with his own hands cut off his head. This being done, he returned to sit down at Table, and by way of merriment recited what he had done. After Supper within night, they caused the twenty eight above-mentioned, to depart out of the City; and over and above their expences, they gave to every one [...] them certain pieces of Gold, to leave in such places where their Doctrine should not be received, in witness of their perdition, and eternal damnation, for their refusal of the peace and do­ctrine of Salvation.

And when they were arrived at the places assigned unto them, they began to run through the City with horrible cries, crying, Repent, repent, otherwise ye will suddenly perish: then they cast their garments upon the ground, and threw their pieces of Gold which were given unto them upon their gar­ments, assuring them that they were sent by the Father, to bring peace unto them if they would receive it: they com­manded them to put all their goods in common; if they did refuse it, by this sign, and as by a mark, they did bear witness against their ingratitude, and evil deeds: for behold the time now is come, which was foretold by the Prophets, wherein the Lord God would, that Righteousness should reign through [Page 22] all the earth: and after that the King shall have discharged his trust, and shall have so done, that Righteousness shall reign every where; Then Christ shall deliver up the Kingdome to the Father.

Upon these words they were apprehended, and in the be­ginning fairly demanded, then by the Rack examined of their faith, life, and Ammunition of the City. They answered, that they alone had the true Doctrine, which they would unto the death maintain: for since the Apostles time the Gospel was not truly preached, and that there was no righteousness; that there were four Prophets, two of which were true, namely, David George, and John Becold of Leyden; two were false, namely, the Pope, and Luther worse then the Pope. Being asked why they drave the honest people out of the City, a­gainst their faith and promise, and detained their Goods, Wives and Children; and by what Text of Scripture they could war­rant that unrighteousness? They answered, That the time was now come, wherein the Word of Christ should be fulfilled, that the meek should possess the earth; and that God in this man­ [...]er gave the goods of the Egyptians unto the Israelites: Af­ter, they declared their Ammunition and Victuals that was in the City, with their Garrison, some of whom had above five Wives. Moreover, that they looked for Souldiers from Frise­land and Holland, who being arrived, the King would take the Field with all his Army, to reduce the whole World under his power and subjection, after he had slain their Kings which did not righteousness. After they were questioned, and still per­sisted in their opinions, they were all beheaded, except one who escaped.

At the same time there arose another Prophet, called Henry Hilvers, a wicked man, subtil and wary; he came to declare un­to the King and the people, that the heavenly Father had re­vealed unto him, that three rich Cities with all their goods should be given unto them by God, namely, Amsterdam, De­venter, and Wesel. The King hearing this, set himself to con­sult with his Council, by what means they might bring these [Page 23] three Cities unto Anabaptism; and to this effect they sent cer­tain men unto these places. In the first place he sent James Campen [...] to Amsterdam, and commanded him to be Prince in that City, and ordered him John Matthews of Middleburg to be his consort: they went into Holland, and hid themselves at a Sectaries house, and there with their mischievous doctrine they impoysoned many, re-baptized their disciples, and secretly by night held Conventicles and Meetings; yea, also they scat­tered their poyson in the neighbouring Cities: for in the City of Leyden, in the moneth of January, in the year following, 1535, many were put to death for Anabaptism, and for their seditious counsels and enterprises. Moreover, in the end of the year 1534 the King sent into Friseland, John Gelen, a subtil man, and well vers'd in arms, he having formerly had charge in the Army; the King gave him good store of gold out of the spoil of the Churches, and gave him in charge to raise an Army in F [...]ise; and acted so by certain men that assisted him, that on the 30 of March 1535, he mustered up and raised an Army, and took a Monastery, and drave out the Friers, and there quartered his Camp, until his Army should augment and be compleated. George Schenck who was then Governour of Frise, speedily assaulted them as seditious persons: they valliantly de­fended themselves, but he gained the Victory and defeated them; but not without great loss: they were all cut off ex­cept sixty, who were brought to Leanard, and after were pun­ished according to their deserts. Their Captain John Gelen escaped and fled to Amsterdam, to be the author of some fur­ther sedition; where he found many Anabaptists, whom James Campense had seduced; he promised them great matters, high­ly exalting the glory and liberty at Munster, magnificently preaching the new raign of righteousness upon earth. For by this time the renown of Munster was spread, which anima­ted the courage of many; seeing so great an Army had be­sieged them, yea, and had stormed them often, with the loss of many; and that they saw the Anabaptists to persist in their purpose: many who were desirous to be freed from their debts, [Page 24] and to triumph, did greatly desire to enjoy the liber­ty of Munster. Henry Gesbell a Citizen of Amsterdam, a stout man, and of renown for Souldiery, was gained by the A­nabaptists, and was very familiar with John Gelen; who being drawn to their party by large promises, much was wrought by him: for in the conclusion 600 Anabaptists met together, with whom they intended and attempted to take Amsterdam, to set up their new raign, as they had done at Munster: for upon the 10. of May, the first and the chiefest of them, assembled in the house of Peter Gale; where after consultation they came forth into the street; for that day the Citizens were merry, and had according to a custom among them been at a Game.

About 10 a clock, the Anabaptists ran together in the streets, about the Cross, which was a publick place, crying out, Amend your lives, &c. whosoever will this night be rich and happy, let him march along with us: and as the number of their people encreased more and more, they slew part of them who [...] charge of the watch, and the other part they took [...]. Now the Citizens assembled themselves, and assaulted [...] Ana­baptists; but they carried the matter so ill, as that their Con­sul was slain, and the rest put to flight; but then they reinfor­ced their strength, and gave battel unto the Anabaptists, who were then defeated, though with much blood which then was shed; among whom John Gelen, and Henry Gesbel were slain.

James Campense was taken, and executed by the hand of Justice. Afterwards in many parts of those places of Holland, the Anabaptists raised tumults and seditions; not without loss and great damage unto several honest people, for they could not keep themselves quiet: for when they were defeated in one part, they began in another; making in secret many disciples, who waited for the restoring of the Kingdom unto Israel.

There was a certain man in the Town of Leyden, who being forced unto it by torments, confessed that the King of the A­nabaptists dwelt in Vtricht; but that he was not yet crowned, but only designed to be Prince in the Kingdom of Israel: this prisoner was not only found possessed of vessels of silver and [Page 25] gold, which by evil practise he had stoln; but also guilty of several crimes, for which he was executed: there is no doubt, but that by this King they did intend David George.

In the mean while, although at Munster their King and Pro­phets had made unto the poor people most great and magnifi­cent promises; yet now every day they were oppressed with great necessity, and chiefly through Famine, insomuch as many were starved, and died for want of bread.

The Inhabitants secretly resolved to apprehend the King, and to deliver him up unto the Bishop, and by this means to pur­chase their peace: the King making doubt hereof, and not trusting to himself; he chose twelve men, whom he judged would be most faithful unto him, and appointed them to be Captains of each Quarter of the City, that he might be in the better rest and assurance; afterwards he promised the people, that by Easter they should be freed and delivered from this siege, and all their poverty: for he hoped that the Legates which he had sent into Frise and Holland, and other Regions, having raised Souldiers, would make some stirs; and that by this means the siege would be raised before Munster: but he was deceived by his vain hopes, as we have heard (for there was a goodly dispatch of his Legates:) He promised great matters to the Captains which he had chosen; how when the Camp should be raised before the City, he would make them great Lords and Princes; and particularly he gave unto John Dents the Empire of Saxony: whereby appeared the bruitish­ness and Diabolical rage of this pleasant and goodly King Tay­lor, to promise to give that which was none of his own; and to take it away from him, to whom God had given it.

In the Moneth of February, the famine was so great, that many died through hunger and want. One of the Queens (for there were many) called Elisa, out of pity to the People, oc­casionally said, That she did not believe that it was pleasing un­to God, that the people should thus perish through famine: The King, who had store of good provision in his house, not only for necessity, but also to make good cheer; withal know­ing [Page 26] this, brought her into the Market place with all the other Queens, and commanded them all to fall down upon their knees about her; and unsheathing his sword he struck off her head from off her shoulders: and not being contented herewith, he reproached her as a bawd: the other wives fell a singing after this goodly deed, Glory be unto God in the highest; and gave thanks unto the heavenly Father: and then they fell a dan­cing; the King led the Gallia [...]d, and exhorted the poor people to leap, dance, and to rejoyce also, who had nought left but a little bread and salt.

When Easter was come, and that there appeared no sign of deliverance, the people were, and that not without cause, much grieved: The King who all along fed them with fair promises, fell sick, and continued so six dayes together, that he might cover himself with some excuse: after those six dayes, he came into the Market place, and there shewing himself, he told the people, that he had promised them deliverance: but it must spiritually be understood, and behold this was the deliverance; he said, That he had rode the blinde Ass, and that the Father had laid upon him the sins of the multitude; and that he had born them, and taken them away: and that now they were de­livered from all their sins; which was the deliverance that he had promised unto them. Thus must the poor and miserable people content themselves, to hear this execrable blasphemy. The blind Ass of this Gallant, whereupon this devillish and desperate man rode, was the poor people, that endured and did bear the enormities of such a villain, whom they adored.

If we should reckon up the miseries, calamities, and other evils which those of the City endured, it were a miserable thing to hear: divers who would not bear the famine, fled to the ene­my; not so much looking for mercy, as that their pain might be expired by death: many crawled upon their bellies in the streets, and others dyed in the wayes: it was an horrible thing to see many walking quite stripped of flesh, nothing left but skin upon the bones. Their ears, lips, cheeks, and noses were so shrunk up, as one might almost see day-light through them, as [Page 27] through a piece of Paper. Through feebleness, they could not carry their bodies: some went to the enemy disarmed, trailing a staff in their hands: whiles provision lasted, none talked of going to the enemy, but now when this was spent, then began their desolation and discontent: yet they helpt themselves as long as they could▪ They sowed in the sides of the walls, and in all waste places, rapes, pease, and such seeds, and with this they made shift to pass the Sum­mer: But when this crop was spent, then it was as Venison to them to feed on dogs, rats and mice; and when the City▪ was taken, there were but two horses left alive: many were so pres­sed with hunger, as that they did eat the flesh of dead carcasses. Finally, they boiled shoes, old leather▪ and skins, and beat them together, and put them into a pot, and mingled all sorts of mat­ter together, which they could finde: this was instead of bread; and yet this villain and wicked cheater deceived them, telling them, God tried them, to see whether they would be faithful and constant; and that certainly the Father would deliver them in a short time. Now they that would depart out of the City, to be delivered from these mischiefs, were to present themselves before the King: and there this Robber took from them all that they had; and when they were ransacked, he said, Now get you gone to the Hereticks.

The King had yet provision of Victuals in his Palace, for a­bout two Moneths; but it was only for his Courtiers. They consulted how they might victual the City. Then there stood forth one named Hansken Vander Langke-strate, he was one of the Kings Secretaries, and one in whom he confided much: he undertook to re-victual the City, and to bring in three hundred Souldiers to their assistance, and all in fifteen dayes. He de­parted out of the City, and under this pretence went unto the enemy; and for a certain sum of money sold the City unto the Bishop, offering to lose his life if he did not accomplish i [...]: the time for this Plot to be put in execution, was the even of S. Johns day, at ten a clock in the night; and that he would open the Gate unto them, provided they came without noise, to the Gate [Page 28] of the Cross. Then this Purveyour returned unto the City, and comforted the King, telling him, That he had well ordered his business; and that within fifteen dayes they should have a recruit of Victuals and Souldiers. When the day was come, he told the Watch, That this night their aid and victuals should come; and therefore when they saw them approach, that they should take heed that they made no noise, but be very quiet. At the very time appointed, at ten a clock in the night, the Gate was opened, and the enemy entred. They kill'd the Sentinels, and the Corps du Gard, having got the Word. Being thus entred into the City, the Trumpets sound an Alarm; suddenly the King and his men put themselves into a posture to fight, and to repulse the enemy back again to the Gate, which was now shut by some of the Citizens. The enemies without broke up the Gates; for they heard how they charged upon their people within: and being now entred in, they display their Colours. Those of the City abode the brunt a little at first, and were drawn up in the Market place: the Battel was very great. The King, Knipperdoling and Crechting, were taken: then Rotman seeing no hope to escape, thrust himself into the middle of the enemies, and there was run through, because he feared to be taken alive. But when the Anabaptists heard that their King was taken, their courage failed them, and they hid themselves here and there in Cellars, holes and Shop-bulks; yea, if it had been possible, would have ran into mouse-holes. They were ten dayes in pillaging the City, and they found in the Kings Pa­lace provision for 200 men for two Moneths: whereas the poor people were for a long time starved. This was called, To have things in common; when as some had to eat, and others were starved. This was like Ananias and Sapphira's dealing before the Apostle Peter.

Thus was the City of Munster taken, the 25 of June 1535. The King was three days after, by a guard of Souldiers brought to a Castle three leagues from the City, called Dulme. As soon as the Bishop perceived the King, he cried out, Oh thou wretch! how hast thou brought spoil and waste to me, and to my poor [Page 29] people! The King readily and proudly answered, lifting up himself, and despising the Bishop, said, Priest, we have not dam­nified thee one mite, but we have delivered a strong City into thine hands, which is able to stand out against all strength: yet if We have done thee damage, if thou wilt hearken unto us, we will make make thee rich. The Bishop hearing that, could not forbear laughing, and asked him, how he would do it? The King an­swered him, Get Baskets made of Iron, and cover them over with Leather, and put me in one of them, and cause me to be carried through the Country, and let no man see me, but he that shall give thee a peny; and by this means, thou shalt receive more money then thou hast spent in the War.

The better and most holy Anabaptists hung about their necks the mark and ensign of their King engraven in Brass, marked with these three letters, D. W. E. which in their language signified, The Word was made Flesh. The King had for his Title, I John by the grace of God, and by vertue of the new Kingdome to come in the Temple of God, Minister of Righteousness, &c.

Thus the King with his two Companions were carried Pri­soners here and there unto the Princes, by which means the Ministers of the Lantgrave had opportunity to confer with the King, and to dispute with him about the principal Points, viz. The Kingdome of Christ, The Magistrate, Baptism, The Incar­nation of our Lord, The Lords Supper, Marriage: and by testimonies of Scripture unto them, so acted, as though in all things they changed not: notwithstanding all the oppositions they made to defend their opinions, yet they yielded somewhat; which the King did (as some thought) in hope to save his life: for at the second time of their return, he promised them, if they would grant him his liberty, to silence the Anabaptists, which were in great numbers in Holland, Brabant, England, and Friseland, and to bring them in subjection to the Magi­strate.

The 20 of Jan. 1536. the King and his two Companions were brought back to Munster, and put in several Prisons; the two next dayes were spent in holy Remonstrances, to reduce [Page 30] them from their errours. The King acknowledged his sin, and had recourse to Christ by prayer: the other two acknowledged not their faults, but stood out. The next day the King was brought forth upon a Scaffold, and tied to a post; where were two executioners with hot burning tongs: he indured the three first pinchings of the tongs, without speaking word; afterward he ceased not to call upon the mercy of the Lord. Thus for a whole hour and more, was he torn and dismembred; and to dispatch him out of the world, he was run through with a sword: his two Companions had the like end. Their bodies were put into iron Cages, and hung upon S. Lamberts Tower, for a perpetual memorial. Let none think we recite stories of the Anabaptists, which are not to be believed, by adding there­unto of our own; God forbid that we should so do: for there are many yet living, who were eye-witnesses of these things, and present when they were done. I speak this, that none might be hindred from getting profit by this History, which is true and certain, and brought to light for the instruction of the people of God.

In the year 1535. upon the 3 of February, in the City of Amsterdam, in the street of the Salines, in the house of one John Silert, who then was far from home, there assembled seven men and five women, then called Anabaptists, among whom there was one called Theodore Sartor, who was there inspired; he lay stretched out flat upon the ground, for some space of time, before the other brethren and sisters: who in the end a­wakened; and prayer being made with great gravity, or rather fair hypocrisie, he then said, That he had seen God in his Maje­sty; also that he had a vision of all things in heaven and in hell; and that the great day of Judgement was now come: Afterwards he pulled off all his garments, not leaving so much as to cover his shameful parts withall. He commanded the rest of his brethren and sisters to follow his example, upon this pre­tence, for said he, The children of God must strip themselves, and put off▪ whatsoever is made and born of the earth; inasmuch as truth is naked, and cannot abide to be wrapped up in any thing: [Page 31] therefore, to shew themselves veritable and true, ought to unclothe themselves. The poor people hearing this, put off their clothes; and being no wayes ashamed, became quite naked. Theodore commanded them all to imitate him: he leapt out of doors in­to the publick quite naked, as also did the rest of the men and women, who followed him, crying after an horrible manner, Wo, wo, wo, Divine vengeance, Divine vengeance, &c. and in this manner they ran furiously through the City, like mad peo­ple, crying out so hideously as never was known.

Then the Citizens ran to take arms (for they knew not whe­ther the City were surprized by enemies, or what would be­come of this stir.) Finally, these impudent people were taken being quite naked; and being questioned upon the 5 of March, these seven men were beaten and scourged: the first of them cried out, Praise the Lord for evermore: another said, Lord, avenge the blood of thine: the third, Open your eyes, &c. the fourth said, Wo, wo. Afterwards the women were brought to punishment: when they were taken, they offered them gar­ments, but they rejected them, saying, That the truth ought to be naked. What men ever heard of such impudency or fury? In the ancient stories we reade of Adamites, who also went na­ked; but it was only among themselves, and at their Festival dayes: but these far surpass them.

When Adam saw himself naked, he sought for covering; and finding nothing more fit then leaves, he made use of those of a Figtree: but these, when as garments were tendred unto them, they refused them; and like dogs ran without shame. Behold what befalleth those that leave the word of God, to cleave unto dreams and Satanical illusions! but behold their madness, in that they dare attribute so much villany unto the holy Spirit of God, and to make him the author of their na­kedness: they ought to have in remembrance, with what gra­vity the Apostle Paul commandeth women to have their heads covered in the Church: what would he have said if he had seen or known women to run without shame quite naked like Bitches, who commanded that women apparel themselves in de­cent [Page 32] habit, with shamefac'dness and modesty?

The things which were done by these Anabaptists in the Towns of St. Gall in Switzerland, are not less hideous nor hor­rible then these, whereof we have already heard. For in the year 1526, two brethren which came out of the same womb, Thomas and Leonard Schitker, inhabiting neer unto the town called Mulleg; the 7. of February, by night there assembled a great number of Anabaptists in their Fathers house, who spent all the night in preaching and doing marvelous deeds, and re­ceiving of visions: at Sun-rising, upon the 8 of February, Tho­mas took his brother Leonard, and set him in the midst of his kindred, and of all the company, commanding him to fall down upon his knees: now as the rest admonished him, to do no un­beseeming thing unto his Brother, he answered them, That they needed not to fear, for he should do nothing there, but the will of the Father: in the mean while unsheathing a Sword he cut off his brothers head, who was upon his knees before them all. As all the company were smitten with great fear, and made great and lamentable complaints, Thomas who had com­mitted this Murther, suddenly flyeth out of the Town, using horrible behaviours, as the custom of the Anabaptists is to do.

This Enthusiast at that time came before the Consul in the town of St. Gall. Mr. Joachim Vadian, an excellent man and re­nowned for piety and learning, being present, this Anabaptist cryed out fearfully before him, The day of the Lord is at hand, the day of the Lord cometh: he added further, that at the break of day, there had been some great thing done, (but that he concealed the matter) and that the will of the Father was ac­complished, and that it had been steeped in Gall and Vinegar: the Consul reproved him, and chid him sharply, because of his fury and immoderate cryes, commanding him to cloath him­self, and to return to his house, and to behave himself peaceably. Suddenly his villanous murther was divulged, and he was ap­prehended and diligently examined by torture; and afterwards for his villanous fact, by the hand of the Magistrate executed and put to death. This poor Anabaptist had forgot the Do­ctrine [Page 33] of the Apostle, 1 Joh. 3.12, &c. but God by his righte­ous judgement and providence, suffered such villanous and exe­crable deeds to be committed by these persons, that these wayes may be abominated.

There was found at Appasel in the Country of Switzerland, A shee Messiah. a woman, a sister of this Sect, who taught and perswaded many of her brethren, that she was Christ the Messiah of women, and chose twelve Apostles.

That befalleth these persons, which is common to such as once stray, and turn aside from the right path, and the good old way: by how much further they are off and distant from the right path, and the more progress they make; so much the farther do they wander from the right way: after that they had built the Tower of Babel, God so confounded their lan­guage, that they understood not one another; and they are divided among themselves, yea, they have damned and excom­municated one another, and made divers Churches apart, with­out familiarity or communion together. But not to weary the Reader with such diversity, I shall only name fifteen.

• 1. In the first place, there is Thomas Muntzer with his rout.
• 2. There are the Apostolical ones, as they call themselves.
• 3. The Spiritual ones, and separated from the world.
• 4. The holy and sinless ones: these are the Prefectists.
• 5. The Silentiaries.
• 6. The Praying ones, and wholly trusting in God.
• 7. The Enthusiasts.
• 8. The great free Libertines.
• 9. The Brethren Huttikes.
• 10. The Augustinians.
• 11. The Glorians, and Triumphant Anabaptists of Munster.
• 12. Those of Melchior Hoffman.
• 13. The Meherlanders.
• 14. The Mennonites, the disciples of Menno Simons.
• 15. The Franniques, which also within these few dayes are divided.

[Page 34]Let us now come to behold some of their strange opinions; for that were a work never to be done, to describe them all. We shall begin with Thomas Muntzer, of whom mention was made in the beginning of the History.

Firstly, He wrote and taught publickly, that the Ministers and Preachers of the Gospel, were not sent of God: and that they preached not the true word of God, but were Scribes and Pharisees, preaching only the dead Letter of the Scri­pture.

Moreover, he said, That the writing of the Old Testament, and the preaching of the eternal word, was not the word of God, but was only the testimony thereof: and that we must search for the word in the internal part, i. e. in our hearts, where God hath put it, that we need not go far to seek it from without us: The Scribe-Ministers (saith he) think that faith cometh by the Scriptures and preaching, but they are very far off: for all the Scriptures lead us hither, that we must be taught and learned of God, Joh. 6.45. Isai. 54.13. Jer 31.34.

Answ.It was very needful for these Anabaptists, to begin here to set up their Sect and Faction: they must say and plainly affirm, that the Ministers are not sent of God, that they might the more withdraw the poor people from them. The Reasons which move them so to speak, as they pretend, are Pauls writing to Timothy, 1 Tim 4.12. where he saith, Be an Example, &c. where­by the Apostle sheweth it is needful for the Minister to approve his calling by purity of life, 1 Tim. 3.2. otherwise it will be vain and false; also the Bishop must be unblameable. Our new Mennonists and Franniques are of the same opinion. But in the mean while, who seeth not that they endeavour above all things, to set up their own works and righteousnesses, and Pharisee-like to judge & condemn all such as do not as many works as they? It is many times so, that Harlots will boast themselves more of their chastity then honest Matrons: so it was with the false A­postles at Corinth, that they might bring the true Apostles of Christ into disrepute; they so boasted of their own vertue and lowliness, as if the true Apostles were in no wise to be compa­red [Page 35] with them. But the Apostle is in no wise astonished at their vain and foolish braggings; yea, he plainly derided them, saying, We dare not make ours of the number, nor compare our selves with some who commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are not wise: as if the Apostle should have said, they so please them­selves in themselves, that they think and esteem, that there are none in the World equal or to be compared with themselves: they consider not the gifts wherewith others are endued, but their sight is so fixed upon themselves and their own fair deeds, as that they are perswaded, that they are the only ones, and the None-such in the world. In the mean while, the Apostle lively upbraideth them, saying, Such false Apostles are deceitful work­ers, disguising themselves into Apostles of Christ; and no marvel, saith he, for Satan transformeth himself into an Angel of light; it is no great matter then, if his Ministers trans­form themselves into the Ministers of righteousness: whose end shall be according to their works. Moreover, who know­eth not well, that Doctrine far surpasseth works? so as if the Doctrine be not sound, pure, and true; the works, how holy and fair soever they may be, will never prove the calling of a false Prophet, that he is sent from God.

If it were lawful for us to boast, it should not be in our san­ctity, perfection, and mortification, as they do; but onely in the pure mercy of God through Jesus Christ: if so be that gravity and honesty of life, were the true sign of the vocation to the Ministry, it would follow, that all honest and good peo­ple should be Ministers of the Church; but that is well known to be false, 1 Cor. 7.10. nor can it be; for there is a command for every one to walk in the calling wherein he is called, 1 Cor. 12.29. He asketh also, Are all Apostles? are all Prophets? are all Teachers? Every Christian may or ought to reade, and dis­course of Scripture; it followeth not therefore that all Chri­stians are Preachers and Ministers of the Churches, but onely those which are lawfully called; nor doth the calling cease for any failing that may be found in the life of the Called (which is [Page 36] not spoken to give occasion to make Ministers negligent; (God forbid:) but the exhortation of the Apostle Paul, is alwayes necessary to the Ministers) no more then Peter ceased to be a true and lawful Apostle, Acts 6 6. Act [...] 13 3. 1 [...] 5 22. 1 [...] 4 14. 1 Tim. 1 6 when he so grosly failed, Gal. 2.11, 12. It is well known our Ministers are called to Office by the voice and common consent of all the Church; and that after fasting and calling upon the Name of God, according to Apostolical institution, and are confirmed in their Office by imposition of hands: what reason is there for these Sectaries to say, That their Ministers are called of God, but ours onely by the world and men? if their Ministers have a special calling as the Apo­stles had, let them prove it by signs, miracles, gifts of tongues, and Apostolical Doctrine, as they did: The Church hath no need of your Ministers; for the Doctrine of Repentance, A­mendment of life, and of Remission of sins in the Name of Christ, is abundantly declared in the Church of Christ: to teach the same thing is superfluous; if you teach any other Do­ctrine, then you and your Doctrine is accursed, and not to be heard.

I shall say no other thing, then what the Apostle Paul before spake to the like glorious Ministers as theirs be, Gal. 1.18. If their spirit be so full of knowledge and light, so as they cannot contain themselves from preaching without calling; why do they not preach where the Gospel was never yet declared? they insinuate themselves into such places, where the Gospel hath been preached to the people, with great labour and hazard of life unto the poor Ministers. It is a marvel, how they will vouch­safe to enjoy, and partake of the labours of those Ministers, whom they so much hate: they secretly by fraud and deceit se­duce and disturb in such places the poor sheep of Jesus Christ, which ought not to be withdrawn from their true Pastors. I pray all the Flock of Christ, not to give heed to such strangers, but rather hearken to the voice of the Apostle, 1 Thess. 5.12, 13. Heb. 13.17.

These Sectaries do defame and reproach the Ministers, and speak all evil of them▪ but it is because they touch them at the [Page 37] quick; because they cry out upon these Wolves, and pluck the sheep-skins from off their backs, that none might be surprized by their fair appearance. Seeing the Gospel-Ministers are styled Salt of the earth, none must think strange that the Salt biteth and pricketh, and maketh it self to be Salt: the Salt biteth not where there is no wound, but it is felt where there is a raw place. It will appear then, that they have lost their spiritual senses, who say, That our Ministers are not called of God: God hath put singular honour upon the Ministers; yea, what greater could he put upon them, then by saying, He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that rejecteth you, rejecteth me? the Lord not only by words, hath recommended the Ministers unto the Church; but also by example, hath shewn what honour and reverence all ought to have them in. The holy Ghost could have taught the Ethiopian Eunuch without the Ministry of man, Acts 8. but he would maintain this order.

So Cornelius, God could have taught him by the Angel, Acts 10.5. but he is bid to send for Peter. When our Lord called Paul, he could have instructed him himself, yet he is sent to a mortal man, to receive the Doctrine of Salvation, and Baptism: be­hold, a case which fell not out by rashness, that an Angel of God should withdraw from entring upon the Ministry, Acts. 9 6. and should send him to a man, a Minister, to preach unto him. Who with a good Conscience dare then despise the true Ministry, so highly honoured of God; and to disgust men from the same, and to cause men to run after those which were not lawful Mi­nisters, but thieves, robbers, and grievous Wolves, which spare not the flock of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Let us now come to the second Point: Muntzer, after he had spued out his poison against the poor Ministers of Christ, he falls upon the word of the eternal God; and there, that he may leave nothing intire, with open throat he spits out his blasphemies. It is no marvel if he fall upon the Ministers of the Word, to speak evil of them, seeing he dareth so outragi­ously to set himself against the very mouth of God▪ Behold his own words.

[Page 38] Object. That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, and the en­ternal preaching of the word, is not the word of God; and that we must search for the word, in the internal part in the heart; and that the Ministers are much deceived, thinking that faith cometh by reading of the Scriptures, or by hearing them preached; seeing all the Scripture saith, that they shall be taught of God. These are his own words.

Answ.We plainly confess, and are not so ignorant (thanks be to God) and who knoweth not, that the external word, i. e. that the Letters written with ink upon paper, by the hand of the Writer; and that the voice sounding out of the mouth, is not the Word of God, inasmuch as it is written and spoken by man? yet we do notwithstanding affirm, that the sense of these words written, and spoken by the mouth of the Minister, is the true and indubitable Word of God: as it more plainly ap­peareth, [...]. 36.4.6, 8. where the Prophet Jeremiah commandeth Baruch to write from his mouth all the words of the Lord. The words of Jeremiah written with ink in a Book, are called the Word of the Lord.

How often do we hear in the Prophets, Thus saith the Lord! reade these Scriptures: Jer. 25.15. Jer. 20.33. 1 Pet. 1.23. Isa. 40.6. 1 Thess. 2.13. Deut. 10.18. Acts 4.31. Acts 6.2. Acts 8.14, 25. Acts 11.1. Acts 13.5, 7, 25. Acts 17.13. Acts 18.11. Heb. 13.7. Ephes. 1.13. We ought rather to give credit to so many evident Testimonies of Scripture, then unto such Ravers, who do nothing but rave and dream.

Muntzer careth not for that, but dareth give the Apostle Peter the lye. Now they which leave the Scriptures, finding out another means to come unto God, through pride, they are deprived of their senses. They pretend unto Revelations of the Spirit; and despising all reading, they mock at the simple­ness of those, which yet follow the dead and killing Letter (as they call it.) By what spirit is it, by inspiration whereof they are so highly rapt, as that they dare reject all the Doctrine of the Scriptures, as a babish and childish thing? They say, It is the Spirit of God; but it is plain mockery so to speak. For [Page 39] they must needs grant us, that the Apostles and the faithful in the Primitive Church, were inspired by the Spirit of Christ; yet none of them durst contemn the Word of God, and the holy Scriptures, but rather each of them had them in very great reverence; as we may see it by their writings, which are furnished with many testimonies from the Old Testament: and certainly thus was it promised by God, through the mouth of the Prophet, Isa. 59.21. where we see, that the Lord joyn­ed these two together, his Word and his Spirit: wherefore should we separate, what God hath by an inviolable bond con­joyned?

Moreover, Paul, who was rapt up into the third heaven, 2 Cor. 12.4. and there heard things unlawful for man to utter, notwith­standing, gave not over diligent reading, nor profiting by the Books of the Old Testament, Commanding Timothy to bring with him the Books which he had left at Troas with Carpus. 2 Tim. 4.13. 2 Tim. 3.15. 1 Tim. 4.13. Yea, he exhorts Timothy, who though he was an excellent Teacher, and well instructed in the holy Scriptures, to give himself to reading: and what praise doth he put upon the Scri­pture! 2 Tim. 3.16. I would ask these men, whether they have received another Spirit, then our Saviour promised to give his Disciples? they will not dare to vaunt of another spirit: now what Spirit our Saviour promised to send unto his Disciples, he sheweth plainly, when he saith, John 14.26. This Spirit shall not speak of himself, but should bring to their remembrance what they had for­merly heard of him. It is not the Office of the holy Spirit, that which Christ promised, to dream of dreams, of new and un­known Revelations, or to hold forth new Doctrine: but it is the work of the Spirit of God, to confirm us in that which he hath already spoken, by the Prophets and Apostles; seeing also that the Lord promiseth not to send us another Doctrine, say­ing, Hold fast that which thou hast, untill I come, Revel. 2.24. Gal. 1.8, 9. whereby it appeareth, that we ought diligently to travel, as well in hearing, as in the reading of the holy Scri­pture, if we will feel the benefit and fruit of the Spirit of God. Luke acknowledgeth the diligence of those of Berea in search­ing [Page 40] the Scriptures, Acts 17.11. To this purpose tend these Scriptures: 2 Pet. 1.19. John 5.39. Luke 4.21. Matth. 4.4. Eph. 6.16. Mat. 22.19. Luke 24.27. John 2.22.

And Paul would have a Bishop to hold fast the faithful word, Titus 1.9, &c. Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures, &c. Acts 14.24, 28.

If it were otherwise, how could we take heed to the deceits of Satan, who daily transformeth himself into an Angel of light? whereupon should our faith rest? we should be carried to and fro without any stability.

Object.But they do alledge, It were a great absurdity to subject the holy Spirit unto the Scriptures, to whom all things are to be sub­jected.

Answ.As if it were a shame and ignominy to the holy Ghost, to be alway like unto himself, and to be constant in the same word without wavering at all. If any should reduce the Spirit to an Humane, or any other Rule, it were debased, yea brought into servitude: but when we say, That the holy Ghost having once spoken, is not mutable, and changeth not discourse (now speaking one thing, and then another, as men are wont to do) who will say, that we offer any injury to the holy Ghost?

Object.But they say, He is by this means examined; which belongeth not unto men to do.

Answ.It is very clear, that it is such an examination, as he hath pleased to establish in the Church; that we may not receive the spirit of Satan instead of him: wherefore it must needs be, that the Spirit abide for ever, such as once he hath revealed and manifested himself to be in the holy Scriptures: It is no shame nor opprobry to the Spirit, for any to say of him, That it is no dishonour for him not to be mutable, nor to renounce himself. As for that which they tax the Ministers, to be Ministers of the dead letter, one may plainly see the Lords taking vengeance up­on the outrage offered unto his holy Word; smiting them with a spirit of giddiness, for having despised the true and on­ly means of coming unto God, which is the Scripture and the Word of God. In the passage of the Corinthians where [Page 41] Paul saith, The letter killeth, and the Spirit quickeneth; let any closely consider, against whom the Apostle disputeth, 2 Cor. 3 6. and they will understand his drift. It is very evident that Paul in this place, had to do with false Apostles, who preached and extolled the Law without Christ, and caused the people to recoil from Salvation purchased by Christ, and the grace of the new Cove­nant, whereunto the Lord had promised to write his Law in the heart of the faithful: Jer 31.33. Ezek. 11.19. Ezek 36. Heb 8.10. the Law then being separated from Christ, as a body without a soul; and nothing cometh from it but death, to those that are under it: it doth nothing but beat and strike the ears, without any quickening the soul, until by faith we are sent from it unto Christ, as from the Usher unto the Master; and then the Law will be found such as David sings it, The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is faithful, making wise the simple: Psal. 19 8. the com­mandments of the Lord are right, rejoycing the heart, &c. Thus must we understand how it is said, The Letter killeth: Paul calleth the Law, The killing Letter, and saith, The Spirit quick­neth; i. e. The Ministry of the Gospel, which he opposeth unto the naked Law; and he himself calleth his preaching, The Ministry of the Spirit: we must not understand this place as those dreamers, who as often as they meet with an obscure place that maketh against them, say, The Letter killeth, i. e. Ac­cording as they say, to understand the meaning of this Scri­pture this killeth, but we must come to the Spirit, i. e. to forge Allegories. Paul never thought of such fopperies, as we may see in reading the same Chapter, 2 Cor. 3.8. Luk. 24 27. It is then wret­chedly and wickedly done, to cast off the Scripture upon such pretence of the Spirit, seeing our Lord giveth us his Spirit to understand his word: as we see Christ opened the understand­ing of the two Disciples, not by making them wise in them­selves, nor setting them to look for a new kinde of word, or natural and innate in them, in rejecting the Scriptures; but that they might understand the Scriptures. After this manner the Apostle Paul exhorteth the Thessalonians not to quench the Spirit: he would not have them fly in the air, after vain and un­profitable [Page 42] speculations, without the word of God, but conse­quently he addeth, despise not prophecie: thereby shewing, that then the spirit is quenched, and suffocated, when Prophecie is rejected; Psal. 119 105. what will those poor Soules answer, who have rejected the lanthorn, which God hath given to be a light unto their feet? We confess that the external word preached by men, of it self, nor alone, cannot convert the heart, but the Spirit of God must wo [...]k internally, to beget faith in us: now this is done in good order by the preaching of the Gospel, as appears by Lydia the Purple-seller, Act. 16.14. she heard Paul preach, but the Lord opened her heart, to understand the things which Paul spake: for this cause the preaching of the Word is called seed; we know that if seed fall upon a spot of ground which is desert, and not tilled, it is lost, without producing fruit: but on the contrary, Luk. 8.15. falling upon soil tilled and well manured, it brings forth fruit in abundance. So the word of God, if it fall upon the hard and rebellious brain, it remaineth without fruit, as upon stony soil: but upon a heart prepared by the operation of the Holy Ghost, then it brings forth much fruit; and as the Husband-man when he hath sown his seed, he can do no more, he cannot make his grain to grow, but leaveth it to God: so must the Ministers do; when they have preached and sown the Word of God, they cannot make it grow, they must commend it unto God: as the Apostle saith, He that planteth is nothing, 1 Cor 3.7. and he that watereth is nothing, but it is God that must give the increase: he doth not therefore reject him that plant­eth, nor him that watereth, that is to say, the external Mini­sters; for he soon addeth, We are co-workers or labourers with God; ye are Gods husbandry, ye are Gods building. It appeareth that the Ministers are joyned in the work with God; inasmuch as God maketh use of them as instruments, and he worketh by his word, by giving vertue in the internal man: one may see as plainly as day-light, the errour of Muntzer, the first father of these Anabaptists, and that there is no rea­son in his speech.

Our Mennonists have condemned their Father in this point, [Page 43] notwithstanding there be others who maintain this opinion, or rather blasphemy, as some strange spirits, the disciples of Se­bastian Franque, who this day do renew the question: yea, some little space of time since, one of the chief of that Sect, whose name I shall forbear to declare, in the City of Frankfort, before several honest people told me, and with might and main maintained, with divers of his disciples, That the earth never bare a more abominable Idol, then that which is called the Bible; and that all the World doted upon it, looking therein for the word of God, whereas we should look for it in our hearts: and one of them redoubled it, and said in the presence of Mr. Alosco and of us all, What do you talk so much of the Scripture! I assure you on my part, I have learned more by seeing a Hen or a Capon killed, then ever I learned by all the Sermons and Lectures of the Books that ever I read. Unto whom I answered, It must needs be that you eat often of Hens and Capons, seeing you have learned so much by their death: but I pray you, said I, What good did you ever learn thereby? he answered, That he had learned to know, the obedience which Jesus Christ rendred unto God his Father upon the Cross: and that as the fowl was slain without making resistance, and that for the good and life of man; so was Jesus Christ slain for the life of mankinde: it was said then unto him, How do you know that ever there was such an one as Jesus Christ, and that he died for man? do you finde that written in the Capons belly? the Turks also do kill Capons, but they cannot reade there, that Christ was their Saviour. In the end they were ve­ry angry, and like people deprived of their sences, when they were hampered by the word of God, and by their own reasons. What man is there that would not wonder at such foolish and irrational discourse? is it not just that such people should be so handled, seeing they have rejected the word of the living God, which the Angels themselves desire to pry into, that they should be sent to School unto the bruit beasts.

Further, I come to the Proposition of Muntzer, who saith, That the Ministers are much deceived, thinking that Faith cometh [Page 44] by hearing, and that it is written, Brother shall not teach Brother any more, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know me, from the least to the greatest of them, being all taught of God.

Answ.If Ministers be deceived by so thinking, then was Paul also deceived; Rom. 10.14, 17. for he thus spake, How shall they believe, &c. yea, he saith, that the doctrine which was preached, was the word of faith: But one may easily see their pretence, which is, Totally to make void the Scripture, and the Ministry of the Gospel, to come unto Revelations. We have already shewed that God will instruct men by Ministers, Rom. 10.8. the Eunuch is sent to Philip, Cornelius to Peter, Paul to Ananias, &c. As for that passage of the Prophet, where it is said, Brother shall not teach brother, &c. the Lord would not hereby banish from out of the Church the Ministry of the Word, (God forbid) to draw men after Visions and Revelations: Now they fail, in that they do not narrowly look into the place; for the Prophet doth not say totally, that they shall not teach no more; but these are his words, They shall teach no more, saying, Know the Lord: as if he should say, Ignorance shall not possess the judgements and understandings of men, as formerly when they knew not who the Lord was: yea, even in this restauration of the Church, the true knowledge of God should become so com­mon and vulgar, that all should know how that the Son of God, who is the lively image of the Father, is descended here below upon earth, to be united unto us, being made our Bro­ther to guide us unto eternal life: We know there is a double use of Teaching: one is for those who are altogether igno­rant, to whom the first rudiments, as points of Catechism, are to be h [...]ld forth: there be others, who being entred in, must make further progress. Seeing then that none hath so profited, but that he hath need further to be taught, so it is the greatest part of our wisdome to become teachable. Paul sheweth how we should profit by teaching, if we would be Christs Di­sciples, saying, That God hath constituted Pastors and Teach­ers, Eph [...] 4. [...]1. &c. that we be not unstable, children, tossed to and fro with all winds of strange doctrine, &c. whereby it appeareth, [Page 45] that the Prophet never intended to bereave their Church of an ornament so preaious and necessary: The Prophet onely would tell us, that God would manifest himself to small and great, and that the Church should have children instructed and taught [...] God, as was promised by Isaiah. This passage then is very cle [...] behold, the Prophet saith, They shall no more teach every man his neighbour, saying, Know the Lord; and why? because, saith he, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their in­ward parts: he doth not reject the external Ministry of the Word, but he sheweth, that the knowledge of God cometh not properly by the labour and travel of men, but it is because the Lord engraveth the Law of his Word in the understanding: Ministers by their preaching strike upon mens ears; and God by engraving his Law, worketh upon and teacheth their hearts, as he dealt with Lydia at Pauls preaching. Therefore it is, Act. 16 1 [...]. that Jesus Christ, John 6.45. seeing the Jews to murmure, and storm against the external Ministry of the Word, saith, None can come unto me, except the Father who hath sent me draw him: It is written in [...] Prophets, And they shall all be taught of God; whosoever then hath heard, and learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Christ thereby sheweth, that those who have heard, and learned of the Father, do not disdain and reject the Ministry; but they come unto it, and receive profit thereby: and all this sheweth, that we are of our selves altogether indisposed to come unto this knowledge of God; for otherwise God would not promise, to cause us to walk in his statutes; and if it were in our own power so to do, and that neither great ones by their wisdom, not little ones by reason of their ignorance can mount so high, unless by the Holy Ghost they be drawn: Be­hold, the true sense of the place, so wofully corrupted by these first Anabaptists, and all they pretend unto, tends not, but after they have deprived the Church of the Ministry, and the preach­ing of the Word, to open the door unto Visions and Dreams, as they already have shewn at Munster and Amsterdam, as Muntzer their first father had begun unto them. Was it not a pleasing thing to hear this alwayes sounding from their [Page 46] mouths, The Spirit hath revealed it unto me, The Father hath commanded me? and when any brought a tes [...]imony of Scrip­ture contrary to their dreams and visions, suddenly they replied, What have we to do with the dead Letter, seeing we have the lively word of God imprinted in a living spirit? as if the holy Ghost, who is the Author of the holy Scriptures, could con­tradict himself. The Apostle Paul foreseeing that such Sects would rise up, who would despise the preaching of the Word; he adjureth his Disciple Timothy before God and the Lord Je­sus, who shall judge both quick and dead, to preach the Word, and to be instant in season &c. Satan knoweth, that he must take off men from the Ministry of the Word, when he will have them at his beck, to put into their heads what shall seem good unto him: and therefore his labour is to bring men unto this, that they might hold nothing certain; but that they finally be­ing disturbed and uncertain he might make them despair. Thus in the beginning he wrought with our Mother Eve, denying the express word of God: the Lord had said, In the day that you eat thereof, you shall dye the death. The Devil on the contrary denyeth it, and saith, No, no, you shall not dye: so n [...]w he laboureth to take from our eyes the word of God; but what may we look for afterwards, but that we may be confounded, not knowing what side to turn unto? For if we acknowledge no more the Scriptures to be the true word of God, which as the Apostle Paul saith, Was before time written for us, that we through pa­tience and consolation of the Scriptures, might have hope; what will our estate be? certainly we shall be more miserabe then the beasts; and we must give up our selves to Dreams and Fables, as those who have rejected this light, and must perish wofully.