An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations

Further more there was none y• made them selves known to be the authors of this opinion, nor they did not teach but by night, and when others were at their rest: which time they wrought their mysteries but the thing being known, and divers of the citizens being grieved at it, saying that it was a great shame that such new doctrine should be sown in secret, and by night. It came to pass that by the commandment of the rulers the captains of them were commanded to avoid the City, which going out at one gate, they came in again at an other, saying, that they had a commandment from God, that they should remain there, and apply their matters. This thing moved the rulers not a little, and caused no small wonder in the town. Therefore for the avoiding of greater tumult, and danger, the magistrates gave in commandment, as well to the anabaptists, as to the preachers of the ⟨p. 423⟩Gospel, that they should appear before them in the counsel house, with certain other learned men. Then Rotman bewrayed his judgement, which until that time he had concealed, and condemned the baptism of infants, as a thing wicked, and abominable. But one named Herman Bush (chiefly) so defended the contrary part, that the Anabaptists were commanded to depart out of the City, out of hand. And when they did all edge for them selves that they should not quietly pass through the Bishops land, the Senate obtained for them a safe conduit, and gave them wherewith all to bear their charges. But they having long before determined not to depart from thence, to any other place (secretly returning to their companions) kept them selves closely for a time. The magistrates in the mean season, before that they came forth of their corners again, caused all the church doors to be shut, one only excepted. For it was to be feared, lest that the Anabaptists, (who daily increased accompanied with their teachers) should drive the preachers of the Gospel out of their temples. After this in the month of November the Landgrave at the request of the Rulers of the City sent two preachers unto them, Theoderik Fabritius, and John Melsinger• but Melsinger seeing the trouble, and fearing the danger, returned home again.

Further more there was none y• made them selues knowen to be the authors of this opinion, nor they did not teach but by night, and when others were at their rest: which time they wroght their mysteries but the thing being knowen, and diuers of the citizens being greued at it, saying that it was a great shame that such new doctrine should be sowē in secret, and by night. It came to passe that by the commandement of the rulers the captaines of them were commanded to auoyde the Citie, which going out at one gate, they came in againe at an other, saying, that they had a commandement from God, that they should remaine there, and applie their maters. This thing moued the rulers not a litle, and caused no smal wonder in the towne. Therfor for the auoiding of greater tumult, and danger, the magistrates gaue in commandement, as well to the anabaptistes, as to the preachers of the