True News Of a notable victory obtained against the Turks.  
By the Right honourable Lord, Adolph Baron of Swartzburg, the 18. day of March last passed, Anno 1598. When as he and his Army three hours before day, came before Raab: And took in that strong and well fenced Hold and City.  
Translated out of the high Dutch copy, printed first at Nurnbergh. etc. By W.S.R.  
The true counterfeit of the Lord Adolph.   portrait of Baron Adolf zu Schwarzenberg 
Printed at London by I.R. for Richard Olive, and are to be sold at his shop in Long-lane, at the sign of the Bible.   

True News Of a notable victory obtained against the Turks.  
WIth what deceitful craft, and false practices, (the outrageous Enemy of Christendom) the Turk a few years past, through the permission of God, and for our sins, took in the strong and well defenced hold of Raab in Hungaria, and with all other Fortresses lying on the frontiers, whereby no small loss and damage is hitherto grown unto all Christendom: is well known unto many.  
But forasmuch, as GOD himself, had even so small pleasure, in such false practices, and crafty deceit of the enemy, as of our own sins, whereby we daily provoke him, that he suffereth the enemy to reign over us, he hath with his grace turned again to us, and given his Christian soldiers a heart and courage, that they and their whole company coming before the said Hold, by the power and help of GOD, have wonderfully taken and won the same. For which glorious victory, the same almighty God be praised and thanked for ever, and that he will be still assistant to his Christian people, to destroy and defend the Enemy, for his most holy Names sake, Amen.  

The whole circumstances as it happened, of the getting thereof, is contained briefly in a letter written to the emperors Majesty, as followeth.  
THE Lord Adolph of Swartzburg, being credibly informed, that the Turks of Raab, were gone forth on foraging: departed out of Camorr the 18. day of March, 1598. with certain Ensigns of well appointed Soldiers on horseback and on foot, and with the Lord Palfy, with those his Haiducks, Husserns, and certain Dutch men of Strigonia, and so secretly encamped in a vale or hollow place, about three leagues from Raab. From thence hes presently sent about midnight, a hundred chosen men on horseback and on foot, before to Raab, with certain wagons, laden with Boate-bridges, Skaling-ladders, and instruments of fireworks. But he himself with the rest of his Soldiers, followed softly after.  
In which expedition, almighty God wonderfully showed his goodness towards us.  
For even as the Christian Soldiers approached near unto Raab, and the Moon shining so light and so clear, that they might easily have been seen, perceived, and known of the Enemy: suddenly a long, thick & black cloud, covered the Moon in such sort, that they could scant discern one another.  
In which sudden darkening of the Moon: there arose also a great wind, and withal, a mist. Which wind did drive the noise of our Soldiers and their furniture back from the Enemy, and their coming so unlooked for, that they could not perceive any thing at all. When the Forward was come to Raab (without being perceived as aforesaid), they found the draw bridge down, and the Portcullis drawn up. Because the Turks of Raab, looked every hour for certain wagons of provender to come from Stulweissenburg, and feared no invasion at this time.  
Which good opportunity our men quickly perceiving, passed over the bridge to the gate, fastening the instruments of fire works, and kindling of the same, which wrought not at the very first, but yet at last with the greater force, it did tear, & break both gate, wall, and whatsoever else it lighted on, and made such way, that they in the forward, thrust into the Hold, making haste to the watch, which they killed. And certain also, took in the principal Bulwarks, and some fired the Ordinance at the gate.  
In which time, the rest of the company were not idle, but with great violence did fall in, helping their fellows, that they that came first, took the Ordinance at the Weissenburgish gate, and discharged the same from the carriage, that the Turks could not come to shoot of the same, against the rest of our people, which were yet without.  
When the Turks perceived it: they defended themselves very valiantly and manfully: whereof many that were lying in their bed, and feared no such danger, came speedily running out in their shirts, as in haste and for fear, not making themselves ready, defending themselves stoutly, but yet all in vain, for they were all killed by the Christians.  
The Lord Adolph of Swartzburg, with certain great Ordinance, went before the Castle, and with shooting opened the same, wherein he found about 600. Turks, which thought to have saved themselves, which were all slain, with the Bassa of Raab. The Bassa had in each hand a Sabel, and defended himself so stoutly and manfully, that he could not be taken alive, but was lastly thrust through by a Wallon, his head sticked upon a pole, and set over the Hungarian Bulwark.  
There were also about 300. crept underneath a Bulwark, wherein stood certain barrels of Gunpowder. Which our men coming unto, the Turks would not yield themselves, as also not looking for any favour at our hands: they set the Gunpowder on fire, split the Bulwark, spoiled themselves, and about 300. of our men, which were then upon the Bulwark. Which was a great loss, aswell to our men, as to themselves. Which if it had not happened: it was thought, we had not lost above 200. of our people.  
But in the same unlooked for skirmish (which continued five hours) there was slain of our men, about 600. And of the Turks, about 1500. men. There was taken above 300. amongst the which was a Beglerbeg, the Bassa's son, and two of his Daughters. And again, our men found about 400. Christians there, and released them.  
It was also well furnished with victuals and other provisions, and almost in every house, was great store found.  
Of Ordinance, on the walls and Bulwarks: there was 120. Pieces upon wheels, and there lie yet in the Fort 50. Pieces, without Carriages.  
Our people had also so stopped all the gates of Raab, that not one could come forth, to tell the other Turks near at hand. So that the Turks of Stulweissenburg, sent 40. Wagons of victuals and munition, gunpowder, & long Pieces, strongly conducted with Soldiers, to Raab. Which came thither even as the skirmish was ended, who knowing nothing of their great losses and hurts: ever made haste towards the Town. When they came to the Bridge, thinking no otherwise but that they were near their friends: our men did let them come in, one after another. But gave them such ill entertainment, that none escaped alive. Where unto the Lord Palfi helped well: for as they so passed in good order towards Raab, he departed out of his Bulwark with his folk, environing them behind, slaying them, that none could escape. For look what could not rearh to the Town: The same did the Lord Palsi, lay hold on, and slew.  
The true counterfeit of the Lord Palsi.  
Likewise was there many of the principallest Turks, which were gone out of Raab, on foraging (as it is noted at the beginning) coming home, and because they knew nothing of their great loss, they thought themselves more surer: but our men fell upon them, and slew them. By whom our men also found, (as thee did in the Town) great treasure, of gold, silver, precious stones, and apparel. And have brought away about 600. fair Turkish horses.  
And so, and in this manner (God be therefore ever praised and thanked) was this worthy place gotten again, which the vehement Enemy with treachery had gotten from the Christians, & without reason possessed. And especially through the manful courage of the chief General, The Lord Adolph Baron of Swartzburg, recovered and brought to Christendom. whereunto also the honourable Lord Palsi, with his retinue, truly helped.  
As the said Lord Adolph, in his first Letter to the Emperor's majesty praiseth him, that he in expedition of these affairs, behaved himself valiantly, as he also writeth of the other Captains, Lieutenants, & whole company. That they in this service of importance, behaved themselves according to his mind, and kept the order appointed them. And withal declareth, that if he might be soon helped with Horsemen and Footmen: he would with God's help, seek his good fortune, in some other place.  
When these news, were truly brought to the Emperor: his Majesty thanked GOD for such a glorious victory. And the people w●re with 18. Trumpeters, and with Drums, called to the Church, where all the whole congregation did ●ing, We praise thee o God. After which, there followed a Sermon, which Sermon, and thanksgiving being finished: There was at the Lionhouse 18. great Pieces of Ordinance, each three times shot of, for joy of the obtained victory. And through the whole City, was a joyful feast holden, to the praise and honour of God.   

A CHRISTIAN EXhortation, whereby we are admonished to give thanks with our hearts, for the obtained victory: as also to true repentance, and earnest and devout prayer.  
LIke as God in old time, by his Prophet, denounced that Israel in Assiria and jury, with their Kings and Princes, wives and children, should he carried away to Babylon, the Land destroyed, and all by reason of sin, false Doctrine, and Idolatry: yet they notwithstanding despised all warning and admonition, persecuted the Prophets, and favoured yet their sins, till that they gave the Lord cause, to thrust them out of his sight. Even so, and in like manner, hath God our Christ, in the latter days of the world, also denounced unto us, of Gog and Magog, Mesech and Thubal. which are even the Turks, Tarters, and such like people. That they with great multitudes should overrun, harry, and spoil Christendom, and all through his wrath, by reason of our sin. For thus saith the Lord, in the 38. Chapter of Ezechiell. It shall come to pass, when Gog shall come: that my anger shall go forth in my wrath, and I speak the same in my jealousy, and in the fire of anger.  
Whereby it is clear, that the Turk is nothing else, but the wrathful anger of GOD, against our sins, which he now, especially, in his gracious visitatirn, and revelation of his holy word, in all places of Christendom, findeth to be so great: that it may even now be said of us, as it is written of Israel. The children of Israel sinned against the Lord their God, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, & settled themselves against the Lord. And when the Lord said unto them, Turn away from your evil doings, and keep my commandments: They hearkened not, but stiffened their necks like the necks of their forefathers. Therefore are we threatened so much the more: in so much as in these days, we have more grace and warning through his holy Gospel, than many of our forefathers, and predecessors.  
Whereby it followeth then. What can a man do, or what will he do, when he hath God himself and the Turk, against him. But the chiefest and next way is, as he saith himself: Turn away from your evil doings, and keep my laws and commandments. For by that means we bring God again to us, and may with comfort go against our Enemies.  
And withal, let all Christian people be herewith admonished, both high and low degrees, Superiors and Subjects, touching the great danger yet to come, of the professed Enemy of Christian name (the Turk) and what Enemies else soever there be: that every one prepare himself to God, keep himself from false doctrine, and lean with all his endeavour, to the dear and precious word of God, and his holy Sacraments. To endeavour himself, as it were before God, to live according to his word, and with good conscience, both openly and secretly, to leave of from evil, and to do good. So than if every one will so do: we may then be assured of God's promises, where he saith. Turn you to me, and I will turn me to you. The which he hath showed by many notable examples amongst his people, when they were sorest oppressed of their Enemies, and in the very midst of their punishment, turned unto God: God did also turn unto them, and gave them oftentimes great fortune and victory, against their Enemies.  
For so GOD saith furthermore himself, that he will punish the Enemies of Christendom, Gog, Magog, Thuball, and Mesech, that they shall fall upon the hills of Israel, which is (as all Christian Teachers do understand it) in the lands of Christendom, into which the same Enemies shall fall: and God will finally cast the same Enemy, and all whatsoever is against his Christendom, together, into the fiery lake.  
Whereof we have now (God be thanked) a fair example, of the glorious victory, which we through God's help, had at the strong Town of Raab. Especially because God heard the hearty sighing and earnest prayers of his faithful, himself standing by, and helping our Christian Soldiers. If now the wicked (whereof alas there are always more than godly) would turn away from their evil ways, to the little heap of the godly, with true repentance, and with them call earnestly upon God: God would undoubtedly show us yet greater help. And raise up such valiant Soldiers, and give them such hearts and courage: that with the comfort of God's help, dare go under the very noses of their Enemies. Therefore let every one, for the honour of God, help, and delivery, for his own temporal prosperity and salvation, be admonished to repentance.  
For if the same have not a right passage through us: God can soon withdraw his help again, that one land after another must abide it, as Israel and juda and many Kings and kingdoms did, which heretofore were Christians, as hitherto is come to pass. And yet can God make a difference both of spiritual and worldly, with them which repent and amend: and them also which do not repent.  
But because prayer is the best armour, whereby we call upon Christ in faith: let us with hearty thanks, for the obtained victory, calling evermore to God, with heart and mouth, say, We praise thee, O God, etc.  
FINIS.