An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations

When he had made an end of exhorting his soldiers, who nevertheless (for the most part) trembled for the greatness of the present danger. But all things were done in a hurly burly, without any certain rule, or order. Moreover there were some of a desperate audacity, ready to put to their hands to every mischievous act: these of their own nature inclining to work mischief, were then more set on fire by his oration. but chiefly they were moved by the rainbow, which stood in the element (as it is said before) and that toke they for a most sure sign of victory, And this also helped them, that they were a great number, about eight thousand men, and that the place was ⟨p. 416⟩fit for to defend them. So these men that were so boldened, with a loud voice admonished all men to take their weapons, and to go forth against the enemy with a good courage: and they had also a song wherein they asked the assistance of gods holy spirit. But before this a certain young man of noble birth was sent unto them whom Muncer (contrary to the law of arms, and to the custom of any nation) slew: wherewith the Princes were so provoked,¹ that they blew their trumpets to battle, and set their men in array. At that time, there was there Philippe Prince of Hesse, who although he was the youngest of all, yet rode he to, and fro, exhorting the soldiers to be strong. which exhortation being ended, they invaded their enemies, beginning first to shoot of their ordinance. And then the miserable men (as all amazed, or▪ besides them selves) nether defended them selves, nor yet fled to save their lives, but song still that song to the holy Ghost to help them. And the most part of them put such confidence in M•cers fair promises, that they looked for help from heaven. When they had shot of their ordinance, and began to assault their holds, and that many of them were on every side slain, then were they put to flight, and went to Francusium, but some of them went to the other side of the hill, where they kept out for a while a few horsemen, and slew one, or two of them. But when they were all for the most part fled, the horsemen (scattered, and dispersed) wandered to, & fro, without order, so that whither so ever boors fled they were pursued.

Whē he had made an ēd of exhorting his souldiours, who neuertheles (for the most part) trembled for the greatenes of the present dāger. But all thinges were done in a hurley burley, without any certen rule, or order. Moreouer there were some of a desperate audacitie, readie to put to their handes to euery mischeuous acte: these of their owne nature enclining to worke meschief, were thē more sette on fire by his oration. but chieflly they were moued by the rainebow, which stode in the element (as it is said before) and that toke they for a most sure signe of victorie, And this also helped them, that they were a great number, about eight thousand men, and that the place was