An Answer to a Great Number of Blasphemous Cavillations

wives, whereof one was she of whom we spake before, the wife of the great prophet John Matthew. With this example, others did follow, so that it was counted laudable to marry o•ten. But divers of the citizens, that liked not their doings (assign being given through the City) they called all the lovers of the Gospel into the market place. Then toke they the prophet, and Knipperdoling, with all the preachers. which thing when the common people heard of, they armed them selves, and rescued those, that were taken, killing with great torment, to the number of fifty persons: for they tied them to trees, and posts, and so shot them through. For the great prophet cried, that all those that would do acceptable service to God: should throw the first dart others were killed after another manner. The 24. of June there arose a new prophet, which by his occupation wa• ⟨p. 430⟩a goldsmith. This prophet called the people into the market place, and there he said unto them, that it was the commandment, and will of the heavenly father that John Leiden should be the Emperor of the whole earth, and that he going forth with a mighty army, should kill all the Princes, and kings of the earth, showing mercy only to the common people (that is to say, all those that love righteousness) and that he should posses the seat of his father David, until the father should require the kingdom of him. For, said he, the wicked being put down, the godly shall here reign in this life. And when he had published these things openly, by and by, John Leiden fell upon his knees, and holding up his ham des unto heaven, said, It was many days ago (my brethren) that I did know of this, but I would not declare it, and now God hath uttered it unto an other, that ye might the better credit it. This man obtaining the kingdom by this craft, immediately he put out of office the forenamed 12. And after the manner of kings, he chose unto him noble men, and commanded that there should be 2. crow•es of fine gold made for him, a sceptre, a scabbard, and chain of gold with other such like ornaments. Furthermore he appointed certain days, in the which he would openly hear all mens matters, that had any thing to put forth unto him. So often as he came abroad, he was accompanied with his officers, and noblemen of his court, next unto him followed 2.

wiues, whereof one was she of whome we spake before, the wife of the greate prophet Iohn Mathew. With this example, others did folow, so that it was counted laudable to marie oten. But diuers of the citizens, that liked not their doings (asigne being giuē through the Citie) they called all the louers of the Gospel into the market place. Then toke they the prophet, and Knipperdoling, with all the preachers. which thing when the commonn people heard of, they armed them selues, and reskewed those, that were taken, killing with great torment, to the number of fiftie persones: for they tied them to trees, and postes, and so shot them through. For the greate prophet cried, that all those that wold do acceptable seruice to God: should throw the first dart others were killed after another maner. The 24. of Iune there arose a new prophet, which by his occupation wa