An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations

At the same time they ran about ⟨p. 426⟩the City in harness, and chased out of the City all such as were not of their sect, without any regard of age, or kind, after such a sort that in this turmoil, and hasty flight, many women were delivered before their time, and immediately they toke the goods of those whom they had chased out. And although that this chanced the day before the bishop laid siege to the City, yet notwithstanding when certain of the company of those that fled, fell into the hands of the bishop, they were taken as enemies, of which company some were put to death, among whom were taken one or two preachers of the Gospel. And when Peter wirtam, of whom we spake before, was in danger of his life, he was saved through the suit of the Landgrave. Now the residue of the towns men moved thereby, which were good men, beholding present danger to fall upon them, though they would forsake the City, full fore against their wills (and as it were constrained) they tarried still. At that time their chief Prophet (for that name they usurped) named John Matthew commanded, that every one which had any gold, silver, or movable goods, they should bring it forth to be in common, under pain of heading. And to this use there was a public house ordained. The people was greatly astonished with this sharp commandment yet notwithstanding they obeyed it. And it was not best for any to use deceit in this thing, or to keep any part back for they had two prophesying maidens, which declared, if any deceit was used. And they were not only content thus to do with their own goods, but also they used the gods of others whom they had driven out, after the like manner. After this the same Prophet gave in commandment, that none should have, or keep to him self any book, saving the Bible, and that all other should be brought forth, to be razed, and destroyed: This commandment, he said, was given him from above upon this a great number of books were brought forth, and ⟨p. 427⟩burned. It chanced, in that time, that a handy crafts man named Hobart Turteline, had spoken in mockage against those that called them selves prophets. This being known, they called the multitude together, and commanded them to come in harness and straight way they accused the man, and condemned him to death. With this the people was grievously moved, and stricken with fear.

At the same time they ranne about ⟨p. 426⟩