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MUntzers Doctrine spreads, his aimes high, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 af∣firmations destractive; Asserts Anabaptisme, rests not there, but growes worse and worse in his opinions and practises; his large pro••ises to his party and the common people: he endeavours to set up himself, pretend∣ing
to restore the Kingdome of Christ; being opposed by the Landgrave, his delusive animation of his follow∣ers; their overthrow; his escape; he is found, but dis∣sembles himself; is taken, but yet obstinate; the Land∣grave convinceth him by Scripture, when being racked, he laugheth, afterward relenteth; his last words; is de∣servedly beheaded, and made an example.
ABout the year of our Redemption, M.D.XXI. and M.D.XXII. there rise up in Sawny near the Ri∣ver Sales,* 1.1 a most insolent Sect of certain Enthusiasts, among whom Nicholas Storkius was no ordinary person. These presumptuously boa∣sting that their Dreams,* 1.2 Visions, and Revelations, were inspired into them from heaven, had slily scattered it among other seditious persons of the same kidney; That the world was to be reformed by their means, which done, and the wicked utterly cut off from the face of the earth, it should be governed ••y Justice it self. All that gave not up their names, and embraced their Sect, they branded with the name of ungodly. Out of this So∣domitical lake sprung THOMAS MVNTZER,* 1.3 one that boasted that he had had communication with God. This mans doctrine incredibly spred, as being in the first place levell'd at the holy. Doctors of the reformed Religion;* 1.4 And from thence discharged at the Magistrates themseves; for the Christian flock being once deprived of these two constitutions of men,* 1.5 there were nothing to hin∣der the greedy wolves to break out into all rapine and oppression.* 1.6 And this is the reason why the wolves, that is to say, the false Teachers, have ever most vio∣lently opposed the Ministry and the Magistracy, in hopes, if possible, to draw these from the care and charge of their flocks, or at least to bring them into contempt with their sheep, which by that meanes should stray into their parties. This Muntzer did both by his teachings and writings publickly affirm; that the Prea∣chers of that time that contributed their endeavours to the advancement of the Gospel,* 1.7 were not sent by God, but were
meer Scribes, and impertinent Interpreters of the Scri∣ptures; That the Scriptures and the written word, were not the pure word of God, but only a bare Testimony of the true word; that the true reall word was something that were intrinse call and heavenly, and immediately pro∣ceeding out of the mouth of God, and consequently to be learned intrinsecally, and not out of the Scriptures, or by any humane suggestion. With the same breath he brought Baptisme into contempt,* 1.8 most inconvincibly affirming that there was no warrant from God for Paedobaptisme, or baptisme of children, and that they ought to be bap∣tized after a spirituall and more excellent dispensation.* 1.9 He further endeavoured to teach that Christs satisfa••ction for us was unnecessary, whatever honest and weak understanding men could urge to the contrary; That matri∣mony in the unfaithful and incontinent, was a pollution, meretricious and diabolical; That God discovered his will by dreames (whence it was that he was mightily in∣fatuated with them) holding that those were (as it were) communicated by the holy Ghost. Hereupon was he ac∣knowledged by his followers for some heavenly and spi∣ritual Prophet,* 1.10 and it was believed that he was thus taught by the spirit of God, without any humane assi∣stance. This doctrine did he disperse throughout all Germany by printed books and Epistles, which the tin∣der-brain'd disciples of his seditious sect were soon fir'd with, read, approved, and propagated. The same man in the yeares M.D.XXIII.* 1.11 ••nd M.D.XXIV. taught at Alsted which is a City in Saxony, near Thurin∣gia; and when not only the Ministers, but also the Ma∣gistrates lay under the lash of his calumny, insomuch that his Sermons were stuff'd with most seditious and bitter invectives against them, and pretending to groan for the return of lost liberty,* 1.12 and for the insufferable pres∣sures of the people under Tyranny, he complained of it as a great grievance, that their wealth and estates were the prey of the Magistrate, and therefore would perswade them that a remedy was timely to be applied to these things. Being for this doctrine dispatched out of Alsted,* 1.13 he comes to Norimberg, and thence without discontinuing his journey into Basil, and thence into Switzerland▪ from whence at length he came to Craco∣via,
where at a certain ••own called Griessen, he continu∣ed some weeks. In the mean time he was no lesse idle then ever, and that especially in the County of S••u••ing, where he sowed so much of his contagious seed among his factious disciples, as afterwards thrived in••o an ex∣traordinary harvest. At the same time he publickly scattered abroad his doctrine of Baptisme, and the word of God, in such sort as we have touched before. Depart∣ing out of this countrey, and wandring up and down Mulhusium in the countrey of During, he writ letters to some of the most confident to his Religion; by whose conn••enance and assistance factious spirits were some∣times more and more exasperated against the Magi∣strate. Some small time before the countrey people took up arms, he sent up and and down certain Briefes by Messengers, wherein were divers things, and among the rest was represented the greatnesse of those warlike instruments which were cast at 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon occasi∣on of this sedition, so to encourage and enflame the fie∣ry followers of his faction. For having stayed two moneths at Griessen, and that he thought he could not so much advance his designes if he ••eturned into Saxony, because his affaires prospered not according to his de∣sires in these places, he returns back to the people of During and Mulhusium. But before he was arrived thi∣ther,* 1.14 LVTHER had by letters forewarned the reve∣rend 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Mulhusium concerning him, that they should beware of him as of a destroying wolfe, and fit∣ter to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then Serpents, or whatever Mankind beares any antipathy to, for that both at Swickaw, and not long before at Alsted, he was accounted a tree suffi∣ciently evill and corrupt, which bo••e no other fruit but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and inevitable destruction; and one, who, no more then his Com••••ades, could ever be brought to make any defence of their opinions, among which was, That they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were Gods elect, and that all the children of their Religion were to be called the children of God; and that all others were ungodly, and designed to damnation. And divers other things to the same purpose were con∣tained in the aforesaid letter, which was dated from Weimaria, on Sunday, being the day of the Assumption of Mary, in the year M.D.XXIV. Muntzer in the
mean time with words plausibly sweetned,* 1.15 drew away the mindes of all he could to favour his party, and by pro∣mising mountains of gold to the common people, to the end they should cry him up with the general accla∣mations of being a true Prophet, it came to passe that a very great conflux of the dregs of the people repaired to him from Mulhusium and other places; nay, by his subtilty and the authority he had gotten, he perver∣ted the very Magistrate of Mulhusium,* 1.16 and made him a new abe••tor of his opinion. And this was the first ori∣ginal of the mischief; and thence divers other Hydra's of seditions like so many excrescencies took a suddain growth from this. For all mens goods became com∣mon, and he taught that no man had any propriety in what he enjoyed. To which he added, that it was revea∣led to him from God,* 1.17 that the Empire and Principali∣ties of this world were to be extirpated, and that the sword of Gideon was put into his hands to be employed against all Tyrants, for the assertion of true liberty, and the restauration of the Kingdom of Christ: and at this time he gave orders for the preparing of certain war∣like engines. While he was wholy taken up about these things, that is, in the following year M.D.XXV. the countrey people throughout Swedland and Fran∣conia,* 1.18 and divers other places, rise up against their Magi∣strates, forced away a great part of the Nobility, plunde∣red Towns and Castles, to be short, made an absolute de∣vastation by fire and sword.* 1.19 The Landgrave Henry be∣ing moved at these things raises a warre, and fought the countrey people, the first time near Franken••usium, the fourteenth day of May, which done, he prepared himself for a second fight to be fought the next day, which Muntzer having intelligence of,* 1.20 said by way of anima∣tion to his followers, What are those Cannon-bullets? I will receive them in my gloves, and they shall not hurt me, whereby the countrey people being encouraged, were the next day beaten by the Landgrave, five thou∣sand slain,* 1.21 and three hundred taken, who had all their heads cut off; so that, while they were ambitious of Liberty, they lost even the liberty of life it selfe. And herein was the ancient Proverb verified, Warre is most delightful to those that had never experienced it. The
discreeter part of the countrey people, having laid down their arms, put their hands to the golden plough, to hold which they had been designed, rather than to mannage Lances and Pole-axes.* 1.22 Muntzer escapes to Franken∣husium, and hid himself in a house near the Gate, where a certain Nobleman had taken up his quarters. This mans servant going up into the upper roomes of the house to see how they were accommodated, findes one lying upon a bed, of whom he enquired, whether he were of those who had escaped the fight,* 1.23 which he deni∣ed, averring that he had lain some time sick of a fever: whereupon looking about, he perceives a little bag ly∣ing carelessely near the bed side; he opens it & finds let∣ters from Albert Count of Mansfield, wherein he dehor∣ted Muntzer from his wicked purpose, and from promo∣ting the tumult already raised. Having read them, he asked him whether they were directed to him, who deny∣ing, he threatens to kil him; whereupon he cried quarter, and confessed himself to be Muntzer.* 1.24 He is taken, and brought before George Duke of Saxony and the Land∣grave, whereupon they having made him confesse that he was the cause of the popular insurrection, and sedi∣tion; he answered that he had done but his duty, and that the Magistrates who were opposers of his Evangelical doctrine, were by such means to be chastised. To which the Landgrave made answer,* 1.25 and proved it by several te∣stimonies of Scripture, that all honour is to be given to the Magistrate; and that all tumult raised in order to a mans particular revenge, was by God forbidden Chri∣stians. Here Muntzer being convinced, held his peace. Being laid upon the rack, while he cried out aloud and wept, the Duke of Saxony spoke to him to this purpose; Now thou art punished, Muntzer, consider with thy self by what unspeakable wayes thou hast seduced and brought so many to destruction! whereat Muntzer broke out into a great laughter,* 1.26 saying, This is the judg∣ment of the countrey people. But when being brought to his death, he was thrust into a close prison, 'tis won∣derful how faint-hearted he was, and stood extreamly troubled in mind, not being able to give any account of his Faith, but as the Duke of Saxony pronounced before him, and which he told him, he was to make a confes∣sion
of before God: Being surrounded with souldiers, he openly acknowledged his wickednesse, and withall addressed these words to the Princes that were present; shew mercy and compassion,* 1.27 ye Princes, lest hereafter, you incurre by my example the punishment I now suf∣fer; Read and attentively consider the holy Books of the Kings. Having said this, his head was struck off, and fastened to a stake,* 1.28 for a monument and example to others.
ANNO 1521. 1522.
Hereticks their usual pretence.
Muntzer a quick Schollar in a bad ••chool.
His doctrine spreads.
His aimes high.
The end that hereti••ks pro∣pound to them∣selves, in oppo∣sing the Mini∣stry and Ma∣gistracy.
His affirmati∣ons destructive.
Anabaptists their leading principle.
Seldom rest there, but grow worse and worse.
Sectaries like tinder, are soon on fire.
ANNO 1523; 1524.
An usual pre∣tence to raise sedition.
Hereticks rest••lesse.
Luther advi∣seth the Senate to beware of Muntzer, and his opinions.
Muntzers large promises to his party, and the common people.
Magistrates se∣duced, most ominous.
Muntzer en∣deavours to set up himself, pretending to restore the Kingdom of Christ.
An ill president soon followed.
The Landgrave raiseth a war, and fighteth Muntzer and his party.
Muntzers de∣lusive anima∣tion of his followers.
Their over∣throw.
Muntzers escape.
Is found out, but dissembles himself.
Muntzer taken, yet obstinate.
The Landgrave convinceth him by Scripture.
Muntzer when racked, laugh∣eth, but after∣ward relenteth.
His last words.
Is deservedly beheaded.