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HOFMAN a Skinner, and Anabaptist, Anno 1528. seduced 300 men and women as Embda in West-Friesland. His followers accounted him a Prophet. At Strasburg, he challenged the Ministers to dispute, which was agreed upon Jan. 18. 1532. where being
mildely dealt with, he is neverthelesse obstinate. Other Prophets and Prophetesses deluded him. He de∣luded himself, and voluntarily pined himself to death.
IN the year one thousand five hundred twenty eight,* 1.1 Melchior Hosman a Skinner of Strasburg,* 1.2 a most eloquent and most crafty man, at Embda in West Friezland, ensnared 300. men and women into his doctrine, where he conjured up Anabaptisme out of hell upon pain of damnation, whereupon being returned to the lower Provinces, who ever addressed themselves to him, he entertained them with water, bap∣tizing all promiscuously. This man upon the prophecy of a certain decrepid old man went to Strasburg, it ha∣ving been foretold him,* 1.3 that he should be cast into pri∣son, and remain there six moneths, ••t which time being set at liberty, he should, with his fellow-labourers, disperse the harvest of the Gospel through all the world. He was by his followers acknowledg'd and honour'd as a great Prophet.* 1.4 This was the great prop and pillar of the reign of Munster. Having therefore made what haste he could possible to Strasburg in order to the fulfilling of the prophecy, he there challenges the Ministers of the word to dispute,* 1.5 which offerture the Senate engaged with, upon the eleventh of Ianuary one thousand five hundred thirty and two; at which time, the mists and clouds of errors and blindnesse, were quite dispersed by the sunne of the Gospel. However, Hosman stiffely adhered to the foresaid prophecy, as also to his own dreams and visions; nor would he acknowledge him∣self overcome; but, their mildnesse having somewhat ap∣peased him, he was thence dismissed, as one judged wor∣thy of such a place where Lepers are shut up, left others be inf••cted.* 1.6 But 'tis incredible how joyful he was at that newes, out of an excessive thanksgiving to God, putting off his shoes, and casting his hat into the ay••e, is and calling the living God to witnesse, that he would live upon bread and water, before he would discover and brand the authour of that opinion. In the mean time some Prophets began to rise and keep a stirre▪* 1.7 hinting, that he should be secured for that half year, and that afterwards he should go abroad with one hundred
forty and four thousand Prophets, who should, without any resistance,* 1.8 reduce and bring the whole world un∣der the subjection of their doctrine? There was also•• certain Prophetesse who should prophecy, that, this Hosman was Eli••••, that Cornelius Polterman was Enoc•• and that Strasburg was the new Ierusalem, and she 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also dreamed,* 1.9 that she had been in a great spacious Hal••, wherein were many brethren and ••••sters fitting together, whereinto a certain young man in shining appare•• should enter, having in his hand a golden Bow••e of rich Nect••••, which he going about should taste to e••••••y one; to whom having drunk it to the dregges, there was none pretended to compare with him, but onely Polter∣man. Alas poor Melchior:* 1.10 He having nothing, yet made Master of a strong Tower, did after the example of Esdras, signify by letters that his Baptisme should be put off for two years longer, untill Africk should b••ing forth another monster, that should carry ha•• in its horns. There were many other dreams▪ and some nocturnal pollutions, which they attributed to heaven, and thought such as should have been wri••••en in Ce∣dar. But it was Melchior's pleasure to think it a mise∣rably happy kind of death,* 1.11 to die voluntarily, by pining and consuming away with hunger, thirst, and cold.
ANNO 1528.
Hosman a Skinner, and Anabaptist, se∣duced 300. men and women at Embda in West-Fries∣land.
A delusive pro∣phecy.
His followers accounted him a great Pro∣phet.
At Strasbing he challenged the Ministers to dispute, which was agreed up∣on, Jan. 11. 1532.
Being mildely dealt with, he is neverthelesse obstinate.
Other Prophets delude him.
Yet it's like, to back their prophecies, they pretended liber∣ty of conscience.
A Prophetesse deludes him.
He deluded himself.
He voluntarily pined himself to death.