Freaks of Fanaticism, and Other Strange EventsBaring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
Religion
Freaks of Fanaticism, and Other Strange Events
Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
History; Mysticism; Patarines
The horrors which were perpetrated in Münster under the name of
religious liberty almost exceed belief. The most frantic licence
and savage debauchery were practised. The prophet took two wives,
besides his favourite sultana, the beautiful Divara, widow of
Matthisson, and his lawful wife at Leyden. These were soon
discovered to be too few, and the harem swelled daily.[195]
[195] Kerssenbroeck, p. 42. Dorpius confirms the horrible account
given by Kerssenbroeck from what he saw himself, f. 498.
"We must draw a veil," says Kerssenbroeck, "over what took place,
for we should scandalise our readers were we to relate in detail
the outrageous scenes of immorality which took place in the town,
and the villanies which these maniacs committed to satisfy their
abominable lusts. They were no more human beings, they were foul and
furious beasts. The hideous word _Spiritus meus concupiscit carnem
tuam_ was in every mouth; those who resisted these magic words
were shut up in the convent of Rosenthal; and if they persisted in
their obstinacy after exhortation, their heads were cut off. In one
day four were simultaneously executed on this account. On another
occasion a woman was sentenced to be decapitated, after childbirth,
for having complained of her husband having taken to himself a
second wife."[196]
[196] Kerssenbroeck, p. 43 _et seq._
Henry Schlachtscap preached that no man after the Ascension of
Christ had lived in true matrimony, if he had contracted marriage on
account of beauty, wealth, family, and similar causes, for that true
marriage consisted solely in that which was instigated by the Spirit.
A new prophet now appeared upon the scene, named Dusentscheuer,
a native of Warendorf. He rushed into the market-place uttering
piercing cries, and performing such extraordinary antics that a
crowd was speedily gathered around him.
Then, addressing himself to the multitude, he exclaimed, "Christian
brothers, the celestial Father has revealed to me, and has commanded
me to announce to you, that John Bockelson of Leyden, the saint and
prophet of God, must be king of the whole earth; his authority will
extend over emperors, kings, princes, and all the powers of the
world; he will be the chief authority; and none shall arise above
him. He will occupy the throne of his father David, and will carry
the sceptre till the Lord reclaims it from him."[197]
[197] _Ibid._ p. 47; Sleidan, p. 419; Bullinger, lib. ii. p.
56; Montfort., p. 31; Heresbach, pp. 136-7, "Historia von d.
Münsterischen Widerteuffer," f. 328 b; Dorpius, f. 397.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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