THE LAMENTATIONS OF GERMANY. WHEREIN, As in a Glass, we may behold her miserable condition, and read the woeful effects of sin. Composed by an eyewitness thereof: and illustrated by Pictures, the more to affect the Reader. Bianca Dr. VINCENT. Theol. LAMENT. 1.12. Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me, in the day of his fierce anger. LONDON, Printed by E. G. for john Rothwell, and are to be sold, at the sign of the Sun in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1638. To the Reader. BEhold here, as in a Glass, the mournful face of a sister Nation, now drunk with misery; according to what God threatened by the Prophet jeremy. Should I endeavour by all the memorable particulars, which might be accumulated, to amplify this sad theme, the third part would be sufficient to weary thee or blind thy eyes with tears, if thy heart were not adamantine. I record but a small portion of what I have seen, what I have had from sufficient testimonies. Gall and Wormwood are tasted in a drop, and so may the great Ocean. Only the thing I desire, is to move thy Christian heart to compassionate the estate of thy poor brethren, so lamentable, and almost desperate, that thou mayest (at least) by the vials of thy prayers poured out in their behalf help to appease this wrath of Heaven which is upon them. Remembering withal, that as we know not what hangeth over our own heads, so we are not ignorant of our own indeserts. Our Native Country did sometimes suffer in like manner, if not measure, as in the civil wars, and other times. Now we are free, and live in peace, every man under his own Vine, under his own Figtree; Let us not forget to be thankful for this unto the God of peace, and withal to shun those provocations, for which he maketh a fertile land barren, a populous Land desolate, even the iniquity of them that dwell therein. Thine P. Vincent. A Preface exhortatory: Touching the use which is to be made of the ensuing Narration. Men and Brethren: HEre follows (according to the Title) A true representation of the miserable estate of Germany. A most grave, serious, and weighty subject, And above all other most necessary for us to peruse, and ponder. We for the present have Haltion days. Sitting as the people under Solomon, Every man under his own Vine, and Figtree; No complaining in our streets, no carrying into Captivity. For which all honour and praise be to him, whose mercy it is that we are not consumed. And yet there may be a lengthening of our tranquillity, if we would walk worthy of those mercies which we do enjoy and learn righteousness by the judgements of God which are made manifest. One especial means effectually tending hereunto, is to be acquainted with the passages of God's providence abroad, and to make such use of his dreadful judgements as he himself in Scripture directs us to. For our information in the state of things abroad, these ensuing schedules may help such as have no better intelligence. Wherein such passages are related as may make both our ears tingle to hear them. The heads insisted on are the Arrows of the Almighty; Sword, Famine, and Pestilence, together with their pale and grisly attendants. Extortion, Rapine, savage cruelty, desolations, deaths of all kind. A sad and dismal troop. The subject on which all these evils light, is Germany; a neighbouring country well known. The Throne of Europe's Empire. This is now the Stage whereon most direful Tragedies are acted. And therein as well the Protestants, (the more the pity) as the Papists: no difference for religions sake; nor any respect of persons, ages, sexes or conditions. The Fowls of the air may therein eat the flesh of Kings, Captains, and mighty men. The flesh of horses, and them that sit on them. Yea the flesh of all men both free and bond, both small and great. Rev. 19.18. The instances and particulars which are here recorded are such as may seem incredible, and cause wondering unto astonishment, yet is there nothing but what may well be counted probable, a few things considered. As first, what God threatens in this kind for breach of his Law. Deut. 28.53, etc. Thou shalt eat the fruit or thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and daughters—. The man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eyes shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and towards the remnant of children which he shall leave: so that he will not give to any of them the flesh of his children, whom he shall eat, etc. Then what particular instances we have of like things upon like occasions in Scripture, as in the siege of Samaria, 2 King. 6.28, 29. The certainty of the generals is beyond all exception, among those that will believe any thing more than they see with their eyes, and feel with their hands. The time, and space that the wars have endured adds much to the probability of all effects avoucht. The current year making up full twenty since the beginning. During all which Germany hath been Acheldama, a field of blood. Under this word (war) more evil and mischief is comprehended than can be uttered. Weigh all things duly, the several kinds of war, foreign and domestic; by invasions, by insurrections, the same persons, and places being to day Conquerors, and to morrow conquered, over and over again, and all things every day worse and worse; we may well conclude, the one half hath not been told us. I hope none among us are so profane as to say what is this to us, be it all be true? and few so ignorant as not to know what God requireth of us in this regard. Yet it's too manifest, that most are so careless, that they need a Monitor to twit them by the ear. I have therefore partly upon entreaty, and chief for affection unto the thing itself, endeavoured briefly to speak something unto that end. The Lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord hath spoken, who can but prophesy, Amos 3.8. Salvian in his time, took great pains to prove there was a providence, when the then supposed barbarous Goths and Vandals broke in upon the Empire, as the Sea doth sometimes overflow the banks. But me thinks that alone was enough to manifest the finger of God, which bred the doubt in men Atheistical. How exceeding full is the Scripture for the proof of this? That God is Author of all Judgements, and therefore in all we ought to look up unto him. All Captains and their armies are but Sergeants under the Lord of hosts; that man of war, and God of battle. The Assyrian is the rod of God's anger, the staff in their hand is God's indignation, isaiah 10.5. There is no evil in a City but he doth it. Behold (saith the Psalmist) what desolations the Lord hath made in the earth, Psal. 46.8. If a Sparrow fall not to the ground, but according to the will of our heavenly Father, much less are millions of men mowed down with the sword, but according to his righteousness in judgement. It is also clear out of Scripture, that we ought to lay to heart those judgemements of God, which we are acquainted with, and especially his greater judgements. God sends one place to consider of another: Go ye now unto my place, which was in Shilo, where I set my name at the beginning, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel, jer. 7.12. saith God to the men of jerusalem. And who makes question, but that those Churches, Nations, Persons, and Places, which have special relation one unto another, sacred or civil, in the bonds of Religion, neighbourhood or commerce, are more especially bound mutually to consider and bemoan one another's conditions. This likewise is evident, that our Church and State, and every member of the same, aught upon special considerations, to be cordially affected with the miseries of Germany. They are of the same Religion with us, Christians as we are; our peace is the weaker for want of theirs; many of our own have suffered with them. But above all is the affliction of that Royal Lady, our Gracious Sovereign's only sister, who hath suffered already in her Royal Person, and may suffer yet more in her posterity, but God forbidden. But what is it that we must do, or learn from the state of things in Germany? The particulars are several, in several regards. In relation to God, to them, and to ourselves. In regard of God. We must acknowledge the infiniteness of his Wisdom, and unsearchableness of his judgements, and take heed of rash assigning the cause. Some lay all the blame upon the Protestants, as if their divisions among themselves, and unnecessary separation (in their phrase) from the Church of Rome, were the root of all. But is it not more likely, that Germany drinks now of the cup of wrath, because she hath long drunk of the cup of sundry great abominations? The general cause, which is sin, we all acknowledge: It were a happiness to know the special, according unto that, Foelix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas. But such a spirit of discerning God gives not unto all. They themselves best know their own ways, case and state, and therefore we may leave it unto them to consider of the special causes, whom it most concerns. But who will not fear the Lord, and glorify his Name, who only is holy, and whose judgements are made manifest, Rev. 15.4. In respect of them, first let us sympathise: grieve with them that grieve. Rom. 12.15. and weep with them that weep. We are all members of one and the same mystical body, whereof Christ is head. Our peace and security is in a great measure bound up in theirs: their troubles may increase ours; as they have already occasioned many fears, cares and expenses: Witness the great levy of soldiers at some times, and not a little chargeable Embassages from our King and State. Next of all, we are to pray for them, that God would restore peace, and make up all breaches. Giving the Lord no rest, until he make jerusalem the praise of the earth. Abraham interceded long for Sodom, how much more ought we to do the like for them? And yet further, as we have ability and opportunity, we ought to help and secure them, ministering to their necessities, receiving of their profugates, and entertaining them into our bosoms, when they fly from their own to us. Many of ours found among them a shelter from the storm in our Marian days, and do still, no doubt, bless God for our peace, notwithstanding their own wars. In respect of ourselves, there be many instructions which we may learn from the Lecture of their calamities. No privileges can finally secure a sinful people; for what have we to glory in that they had not? The seeds of all their evils are sown in our fields. There be likewise diverse duties that we should abound in the more: In repentance, lest we bring upon ourselves the like: In prayer, that God would bless our state and government, that by the wisdom thereof we may be led along in such ways as may propagate our peace unto posterity: In patience under those chastisements which we suffer. Though the hand of God hath long been upon many Cities and Towns, and his Arm be stretched out still upon some of them, yet is our misery, happiness, in comparison of theirs: If a gentle plague alone have affrighted us all, What would Sword and Famine with it do? There be also some sins in special which we ought to repent of; as drunkenness, profanation of the Lords Day, and other holy festivals, rash oaths, quickly made, and as quickly broken, together with Sacrilege, all which are most notorious, not among them alone, but among ourselves also. This we should do, but what do we? We put fare away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near: We drink wine in bowls, and anoint ourselves with the chief ointments, but are not grieved for the afflictions of joseph, Amos 6.3. & 6. This is no small sin, and if once the day of our visitation come, a small chastisement on God's part will not be all. Oh that we would consider, the Vials of God's wrath are pouring forth, as well on his own Churches for correction, as on their adversaries unto destruction. Who knows how fast the day may pass round? God's arrows are all fleet. The curse of God goeth forth over the face of the whole earth, Zacch. 5.3. If the sins of Sodom be found in Samaria, and the sins of Samaria in jerusalem, they shall all pledge each other: for God is no respecter of persons. Are there no drunkards but in Germany? Or, doth God hate sin in them alone? What are we, that God should always spare us? Many cry, Peace, Peace, and I with the Prophet jeremy say Amen. The Lord do so, the Lord perform the words of them which prophesy of nothing but good, jer. 28.6. But it's good to remember that of the Apostle, when they cry, Peace, Peace, etc. Gloss. ordin. in jer. 7.12. Quicquid illi populo fecit Deus, timeamus: cum nos similia faciamus. Yet no such clouds (blessed be God) arise over our heads, as those wherewith her horizon is darkened. But storms arise suddenly. God creates good and evil, brings both when there is no appearance or cause of suspicion. Not to fear, is cause enough to be afraid, if we could so reflect upon ourselves: As God brings light out of darkness, so darkness out of light. How fair rose the Sun upon Sodom, that day it reigned fire and brimstone? How poor a thing was a cloud like a man's hand, to prognosticate abundance of rain by? But I must manum de tabula. Well then, read on, read and spare not, read and consider, read and weep, imagine the Book to be Germany itself, their case ours, and our souls in their soul's stead. Do as Nehemiah did, when he heard of the state of jerusalem, and the Temple therein. He sat down and wept, mourned and fasted certain days, and prayed before the Lord God of Heaven, Neh. 1.4. Would we but do the like for ourselves and them, God would assuredly restore their peace, and continue ours, for which I shall ever hearty pray, and so rest A wellwisher to all the Churches of God. Imprimatur Haec Epistola. Samuel Baker. London, jan. 22. 1637. CHAP. I. Evils of Punishment are Gods, the evil of Sin is wholly ours. Whatsoever was the impulsive cause of his judgements, our wholesomest use is, to attribute them to our sins: to greater sins, greater judgements, seeing God seemeth to observe a proportion to our deserts: for, Ezek. 14.21. the Prophet speaks of four sore judgements, that is, greater and more grievous than the rest: famine, sword, pestilence, and the noisome beast. With these hath he lately visited some nations; especially Germany, before a large, populous, fertile and flourishing Country. What shall we say? were their sins greater than ours? No, but except we repent, what may we expect? the sins of Sodom were pride, idleness, and fullness of bread; and such they acknowledge theirs to have been. I have seen their peasants served in plate, they slept with downe-beds above and under them: their stoves kept them insensible of the winter's cold; they ate no dish of meat without his sauce; their plenty of corn and wine, milk and honey, fish and flesh, did equal that of any other nation whatsoever. A little labour brought them in much; delicacy of living, made them incompassionate of others sufferings; and security blinded them, that they could not see the storm a coming. Thus, while they swim in fullness and pleasure, the judgement that slept, was suddenly awaked, and the fire of war was kindled in all their coasts; which blown with the bellowes of exasperated spirits, hath depopulated their Land, and consumed their dwellings to the ground: all lieth desolate; the vineyards are not dressed, nor the fields tilled: the sword is every where drunk with blood. Famine killeth more than the sword; and the pestilence, with other Epidemicke diseases (wars attendants) devour their part also; and, which is worst of all, there is yet no end of these things. the blazing star 1617. burghers and ministers. relieved in prisson. a divine tortured with a Cat. CHAP. II. Of Extortions and exactions. TO begin with war, which began the rest, who knoweth not that this merciless fury hath there played the tyrant ever since that burning Beacon, the blazing star, gave them the alarm, 1617. which the best Astrologers expounded the sword of Germany. A prophecy I have seen, long since, written in a Book, which belonged to a canonic of Nimegon, and now in the Library at Zutphen; that a time should come, when one Fredrick should be King, and then should the Princes of Germany, the Nobility of Bohemia, and the people of both be oppressed, and war rage, beyond all precedent of former ages; this, if ever, is now fulfilled in our days. And if in such disorder, it may be possible, I will observe this order in speaking thereof: first, extortions and exactions: secondly, tortures and torments: thirdly, rape and ravishing: fourthly, robbery and pillaging: fifthly, bloodshed and killing: sixthly, burning and destroying. These shall be the scenes of this first act. Famine and pestilence shall stand for the other acts of this direful tragedy: in which, as no action or passion was simple, or single, so can I not but with intermixtion, and confusion rehearse them. For the first, as no province or part of Germany can boast of her freedom from these miseries (though some have been more free than others) so is there no Prince, nor State, which hath not suffered herein, no City, no Town, almost no person. Every half years, every months, yea, week's relation, telleth us, of hundreds, thousands, millions of rix dollars, or guldens, imposed, exacted, extorted by the Conquerors, or spoilers, for the redemption of men's lives or liberties, goods or dwellings, etc. Strange and impossible ofttimes have the ransoms been, with which they have taxed the Burghers, at the taking in of towns. And that they might have their wills in this kind, they have called the Magistrates, and Burghers into the State-houses, threatened, imprisoned, or otherwise abused them, till they condescended. At Gryphenberg, they kept the Senators shut up in a chamber of the common hall, macerating, and tormenting them so long with hunger and smoke, that some of them died. We left in Heydelberg Castle many Burghers to this their mercy; and diverse reverend Ministers, who were imprisoned, and fed with bread and water, till the charity of the reformed Churches could relieve them. Presently after, they at Frankendale surrendering the town, upon necessity, could not enjoy the articles granted them by the enemy; But were together with the grave Counselors, and other Electoral Ministers, forced to endure such conditions, as were fit for slaves and dogs, than men. Some were cast into prison, and there so handled, that many of them died through grief and sorrow. Others, though altogether exhausted, redeemed themselves with unreasonable ransoms. The goods of those that were fled, were confiscated: all the inhabitants, though they were willing to leave their houses, with all their furniture, were detained in the City, and their destruction most cruelly plotted: after like manner have others been dealt with, contrary to all oaths and promises, yea, contrary to the laws of nations and common faith. twisted out there eyes Razed offe there skin with knife's hanging up in the smoke blood sprouted at finger's end. plaining there faces piss poured down there throats CHAP. III. Of Tortures and Torments. NOt to insist on these, look we upon the cruelties which the licentious Soldier hath exercised upon the persons of the inhabitants, without respect of age, sex, dignity, calling, etc. and we shall rather think them banditoes or renegadoes, than men of arms, rather monsters than mankind. Nor Turks nor Infidels have so behaved themselves. Even Princes (sacred persons) though they never bore arms, as the old Landgrave of Hessen, and others: yea some of the female sex, as the old Duchess dowager of Wirtenberg, have been without any regard or pity, taken prisonors reviled, abused. Aronibeus reporteth from the Letters of the D. of Saxony, that some of Tilly's Soldiers caused his Subjects to be tortured, by half strangling them, and pressing their thumbs with wheels. His Soldiers, and those of Walsten, exercised yet greater cruelties in Pomerens, and thereabouts. They made the people by force to eat their own excrements: and if they would not, they thrust them down their throats and so choked some of them. Whom they thought to have hidden gold or other wealth, they have assyed, by exquisite torments to make them confess. Yea Princely personages have suffered like cruelty in this kind with meaner folk. They have wound and tied about the heads of such, strong matches or cords, and twisted the same till the blood came out of their eyes, ears, and noses, yea till their eyes started out of their heads. They have put and tied burning Matches betwixt their fingers, to their noses, tongues, jaws, cheeks, breasts, legs, and secret parts. Yea those parts which nature hideth, they have either filled with powder, or hung satchels of powder on them, and so giving fire to the same, they have in horrible manner burst their bellies, and killed them. They have with bodkins pierced, yea with knives razed, and cut the skin and flesh of many, as some Artificers deal with Leather, or other stuff of like nature. They have drawn strings and cords thorough the fleshy parts of some, the muscles of their thighs, legs, arms, etc. through their noses, ears, lips, etc. They have hung up some in the smoke, drying them with small fires, refreshing them sometime with small drink, or cold water. For these being such as were before overwhelmed with grief, they took care least in their torment they should die too soon. Some they have put into hot Ovens and so smothered or burned them. Some they roasted with straw-fires. Some have they stifled, strangled or hanged. This was great favour to be rid out of their pain. To many they have bound so hard both hands and feet, that the blood hath sprouted out at the ends of their fingers and toes. Of some they have tied both hands and feet backward together, and stopped their mouths with clouts to hinder them from praying. Some have they hanged up, with ropes fastened to their privy parts, and hearing their roaring cries, have striven to outroar and drown their cries as in sport. And yet more detestable, where they have found poor weak Creatures troubled with ruptures or burstness, they have enlarged the same by villainous means, filled them with gunpowder, and blown them up as a mine, by giving fire thereunto. Many have they trussed up on high, hanging on their feet stones and weights to stretch our their bodies. With Jizels or like instruments they have gone about to plain the faces of some, pretending that they would make it equal & smooth. Some householders have they openly gelded, in the presence of their wives and children. The mouths of some have they opened with gags, and then poured down their throats, water, stinking puddle, filthy liquids, and piss itself, saying, this is a Swedish draught. So growing sick, and their bellies swelling like a ton they have died by leisure with the greater torment. Down the throats of others, they have thrust a knotted clout, & then with a string pulled it up again to move the bowels out of their place, or show themselves exquisite in such devilish devices. And by these torments they have made some deaf, or dumb, others blind, others lame and miserable creples, if they killed them not. If an husband did entreat for the wife, or the wife for the husband, than took they the intercessor and he was tortured by them, after the same manner before the others eyes. And (which is almost beyond all credit) when these poor prisoners or patients, were suffering or dying under their hands, and crying to God in their anguish, these hellish executioners would command or force them to pray unto the devil or call upon him. Infinite and unspeakable are the cruelties, which have this last year been exercised by the furious Soldiers on all sides. And some devils among them did proceed so fare, that they consulted and devised new and exquisite tortures, which they exercised upon innocent persons. They took a Divine, (some writ a Canon in those parts, and a reverend old man) stripped him, bound him along upon his back on a Table, and a strong big Cat upon his naked belly. They beat and pricked the Cat to make her fix her teeth and claws in the poor man's belly. So the Cat & the man, partly through famine, partly through pain and anguish, both breathed their last. Some of their despicable and infamous ruytery called Croats or Crabats, have laboured much to teach their horses not only to kill men, but to eat humane and Christian's flesh, and have consulted how to find out torments more rare, cruel, and exquisite then ever. What shall we say to these devils? Phalaris, Nero, Dionysius, all other tyrants and tyrannies, are incomparable to these new stratagematists and engineers. Caucasus bred them, Tigers fed them, hell taught them, and thither I remit them. Vn●●●sse in Churches A maid Ravisched and after quartered Maids l●●pinge into Riu●●s. CHAP. IU. Of rape and ravishing. I Have said much of the former particular, and yet but little. I will now speak little of this ensuing abomination, and (I fear) too much. Rapes and ravishing scarce to be spoken or heard of, have they committed, beyond all humane modesty. Maids, and matrons, widows and wives, without distinction have they violated and forced, and that in the presence of their parents, husbands, neighbours, etc. women with child, in childbed, etc. no pen can write it, no faith believe it. No Chapel, Church, or place consecrated hath been free from the filthiest of pollutions or most sacrilegious barbarismes. The very Hospitals and Bedlame-houses have not been spared: their devilish madness hath there found subjects for their purpose. In Hossen-land, a poor lean bedlam woman, that had been kept in chains above twenty years, was by these hellhounds let lose. About her they brought diverse others, like herself, some mad, some dumb, all wretched. They tied their coats about their cares, and so used them as I shame to express. In Pameren they took the fairest daughters of the Countrey-dwellers, and ravished them in the light of their parents, making them and their friends to sing Psalms before them all the while. In Holy, I have heard some with tear●● ree●●● the villainies perpetrated by the Germane troops of Gallas and Altringer, when they besieged Mantua. Among the rest, a beautiful maid was by her parents hid in the dunghill. But they sound her out, had their pleasures of her, then cut her in pieces, hung her quarters up in the Church, and bid her friends pray to the Saints for her succour. The Sperenrenterish horsemen (as we came through Brunswick-land) took by force a young maid ten years old, and carried her into a wood to ravish her. The mother with upreard hands came running after our Coach, crying out to my Colonel, who was here a stranger without command, and could not relieve her: then saw we the two horsemen come out of the wood, where they had left the poor child dead or alive, I know not. Virtuous and chaste women have they offered to kill, or thrown their children into the fire, to make them yield. They have not spared the very Nuns in the Cloisters, but after they have entered by force, broken open their Trunked and Cossers, and taken their goods, they have likewise ravished them, and killed some of them. I know the general, a troop of whose horse having done the like, 〈◊〉 commanded them all to be hanged, but because they were not all alike guilty, they cast lots for their lives, and every tenth man died. Some have leapt into rivers, into walls, or killed themselves because they would not be subject to the filthy lusts of these hellborn furies. Not only sick and weak maids, and women have been violated till they died, but these wretches have committed like filthiness with the dead bodies. Merchants Rob●● and 〈◊〉 persons privelegdd Rifled Divines cut in peaces CHAP. V Of robbery and pillaging. NO man can now pass any where in Dutch-land, but he is rob, stripped, perhaps killed. The Merchants of Frankford, Nurenberg, Lipzig Hamburg, etc. have had too woeful experience hereof: witness of infinite this one instance. The Merchants of Basil, returning from the Mart at Strasburg, and other Fairs, to go to Shoffehausen, were set upon by the Imperialists in their lodging, and though they offered to prove themselves Merchants, and craved their lives upon their knees, yet they killed ten of them, saying they must die, because they were heretics. The rest leaving their goods and garments behind, escaped by flight stark naked in the night. The very Convoys which wait on those that travel to guard them are oftentimes as bad, almost, as a strange enemy. They watch all occasions to take from them what they have, their money and goods, their horses as they go to watering, or out of the stables in the night, spoil their wagons when they make a stand, rifle and strip and meanest persons if they straggle from the company, and so they served us all the way from Heydelberg to Hessen-land: that we knew not which was worse our friend with us, or our enemy behind us. Two Countesses of great nobility with their fair daughters and followers in distress, were entertained by us in the Castle of Heydelberg, the one immediately before, the other in the time of the siege. When our hope of subsisting began to fail, they went away with the enemy's passport. Notwithstanding which they were by them rob and rifled in their coaches of all they had, not sparing the very garments that covered them. The privileged persons of royal Ambassadors, their goods and followers cannot be secured from them, witness this year the shameful plundering of the Danish Ambassador. What quarter they give to the traveller, the like or worse they afford the inhabitants. If they escape with their lives this is all, and well too: when the time hath been that one might have traveled safe from the one end of Germany to the other with a white rod in his hand and an hundred pound in his purse. Indeed they rob one another every where out of their quarter: nor are they fellow soldiers any longer, when they have opportunity to play the thiefs. Nor God nor devil do they acknowledge, but when they swear, nor is any thing so vile but they will do it. Priests slain at Altars Altars Croats eat Children Noses & ears Cut of to make hatbandes CHAP. VI Of Bloodshed and killing. AS for killing, this is the least of all the rest. Death puts an end to all miseries; only they that survive are ofttimes the worse for want of them that are dead. To report the bloodshed of this war, would be incredible: Alsted saith, that before the King of sweden coming, it had consumed no less than 100000 If this be true, what hath it done since? how many millions have miserably perished? they have sometimes killed one another; and among other precedents, this is not least remarkable, that Gourdon and Lesley, Scotch Colonels, with Colonel Butler the Irish man, who killed Walstein, the Count of Tirskie, and other Imperial officers then ready to revolt to the Swedish party, are now, this year after the same manner, hurt or killed themselves (as is written) by Gallas his followers, upon a dispute about that former business; a document for all strangers to take heed, how they colloque with those monsters, in such dangerous actions, who love the treason, but hate the traitor. The cruelty of the Soldier towards the inhabitants of those Countries is inexpressible. Persons secular and sacred, have had the same measure. near Fryburg, Holck his Soldiers cut in pieces a reverend Minister, a man of rare learning and piety. The dogs would not lick his blood, nor touch his flesh. So his friends buried his mangled members. At Landshood in Bavier, the Soldier entering by force, killed not only all they found in arms, but the innocent inhabitants, yea, the very Priests kneeling at the Altars; and diverse other instances of like nature I could produce. Now what may the poor peasant and countrey-dwellers expect? to kill them if they resist or refuse them any thing, is but ordinary in this war: among the Imperialists is a base sort of rascally horsemen which serve them, and are called Croats. The tenth part of them are not of that Country: for they are a miscellany of all strange nations, without God, without religion, and have only the outsides of men, and scarce that too. They make no conscience of murdering men or women, old or young, yea, the very innocent babes; and like the beasts among whom they are bred, do sometimes eat them, when other food might be found: the poor people have by these been every where knocked down in the fields and ways, slaughtered, stabbed, tortured barbarously. Their fellow soldiers are not much behind them having some where left such footsteps of their cruelty, that there scarce remain living, to relate the sufferings of the dead. I have seen them beat out the brains of poor old decrepit women, as in sport, and commit other outrages of like nature, which my brevity will not permit me to relate. It is now grown so usual with the poor people to see one slain before another's face, that (as though there were no relation, no affection of neighbourhood, kindred or friendship among them) none compassionateth, almost none cryeth out, oh my father, or oh my brother. As for quarter (that is mercy, and the saving of the lives of the vanquished, when they beg it on their knees) the vanquishers have been oft times inhuman. The Croats, till of late, never gave any quarter, but killed whatsoever enemy they had at their mercy. The like did the Curlins (the regiment of hell) receive pay of them of Gaunt and Bruges, to bring the nose and ears of their enemies away to their Masters. Tilly, after the defeat of the Duke of Brunswick at Heuxt on the Maine, drew out of that town threescore poor Soldiers, and caused them all to be killed in the cold blood, before the gate, saying, that he sacrificed them to Count Mansfield their master. I could weary my reader with these examples. But I forbear. 2000 villages burnt in Bavaria No tillange nor Breeding Cattles But dringe all in to Cities CHAP. VII. Of burning and destroying. FOr burning, pulling down and ruining of Churches, Cities, Villages, the like hath not been heard. The Swedish army burned above 2000 Villages in Bavaria, in revenge of the Palatine cause: But their enemies spare neither foes nor friends. What goodly houses of the Nobility and Gentry shall you, there, see fallen down, or so defaced, as is scarce reparable without building new? From what quarter soever the army riseth they will be sure to leave some dwellings in the ashes, some in the smoke. To that pass it is now come, that every one that is a man, betaketh himself to arms. There is now no other abode, but some camp, no other plough to follow, no other employment but the war: for he that is not an actor with the rest, must needs be a sufferer among the miserable patients. No tilling of the land, no breeding of cattles: for if they should, the next year the soldiers devour it. Better to sit still, than to labour, and ler others reap the profits. Hence an universal desolation. Part of the people swarm as banished in strange Countries, as I have observed in Suisse, at Lausan, Berne, Basil etc. in France, in Italy especially the Venetian Territories. From Basil to Strasburg, from Strasburg to Heydleberg, from thence to Marpurg, I scarce saw a man in the fields, or Villages. Little better shall a man find it that traveleth from the Kingdom of France to the middle of Bohemia, from the Alps above Auspurg to the Baltique Sea, a square of land little less than thrice all Great Britain. Only here and there, as the land hath rest, the dwellers return. But alas, the fare greater part are extinguished by war, misery, or length of time. Eateing dead horses Fowls eat the dead CHAP. VIII. Of Famine. FAmine cometh next in place, a thing so grievous, that David preferred the pestilence in his choice. To see men slain by the sword, or die of contagious diseases, is not yet so grievous, as to see them die of famine, or kill to eat one another. In Samaria besieged by Benhadad K. of Syria, the famine was so great that an Ass' head was sold for 80. pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of Doves dung forfifty pieces of silver. Two women covenanted to eat their children successively: and when they had boiled and eaten the one, the other woman hid hers. In the siege of jerusalem, mice, rats, and hides were good meat, and women did dress and eat their own children, the smell whereof drew others that were hungerstarved to come to share with them. But that Cities not besieged, and a Country naturally fertile should be so ruined as not to be able, for so long a time to afford bread to a poor remnant of people, but that they must be fain to eat carian, yea dead men, yea one another living: this is pitiful, this is unheard of. Had I not been provided of Viaticum, at my coming out of Suisse famine had arrested me in Germany, for there was not any where meat for money. The Italians and Spaniards, which had been at the skirmish at Nortlingen, and without arms, wandered among the Duke of Lorraines troops at Nyburg and Brisac, were so black and feeble through hunger, that had I not given them part of my provision, I think they had rend me in pieces and eaten me. Travelling from Nieustadt toward Frankendale in a snowy day, I met, unexpected, the army of Duke Bernard, whose straggling forerunners, came riding up to me by couples, and when I looked for a worse errand, asked only for bread, which my guide gave them, so long as we had any. From thence to Manheime and Heydleberg, many dead men lay strewed on the way, especially on the fire places, which perished through cold and want. Before we were besieged last time in Heydleberg Castle, some of my patients, almost recovered of their diseases, sent me word, they were dying of famine, as indeed they did, except our canon helped to shorten their miseries. For being immediately shut up, we shot into the town night and day, almost uncessantly. Our soldiers at the first, killed more horses on a day, than they could eat, lest they should famish for want of hay, and those they threw out of the Castle, down the rock, which the enemy in the night drew into the town, (though some in so doing were slain by our shot) and so they ate our horse flesh, also our Sergeant Maior sallied with fifty men upon the enemy being 300. entrenched on the hill on the East side of the Castle, and beat them out of their works. Many were slain, some broke their necks down the rocks: but which equallized the victory, the valiant Mayor was shot dead. Our soldiers being masters of the trench, fell to ransack the enemy's knapsacks which they had left behind them. But there was nothing in them, save our horse flesh, which every day grew scarser with us: so that now we killed the horses which stood fasting and sleeping on the dunghill, not out of compassion, but necessity. Another Sergeant Maior had two very fair horses shut up, our soldiers took the one and ate him, he thinking to make sure the other, stapled him to the wall with a strong chain and a padlock, but they espying their opportunity, cut off the horse's neck, left the head in the chain, and carried away the body and ate it. At length, dogs and carian came into request, we could smell our meat afar off, and on the table it was yet more loathsome, the taste did answer the smell, yet, we ate it savourly, but our bread at last failing, we yielded to necessity. Carrion Sold in the Market As Dogs & Rats Tyteinge for Carrion CHAP. IX. Of Famine. THe armies now every where overranne the Country, devoured both Corn and Cattell: so they that had goods left offered to give all for a little belly-timber. But not so obtaining it they were fain to lie upon the streets and high ways, (a thing not usual with them) and to crave for God's sake wherewith to refresh their dying souls. But no sooner had they swallowed what was given them, but they fell down and died. Memorable is that story which Reinmannus recordeth of the Famine in Alsatia the last year, which is at this present yet worse. Valentine of Engelin a Citizen of Rufack, with the dead-burier, delivered unto the Magistrate upon their oaths, that Anne the daughter of john Ehstein confessed unto them, that she came from Colmar, where she had waited many days before the hangman's door in hope to get a piece of hors-flesh to satisfy her hunger. But not prevailing, she was now come to Rufack entreating them, that if there was the body of any young man or woman unburied, that they would give it her to eat to preserve her life. And that two women & a boy did after the same manner speak unto them, telling them that they had for a long time lived of dead men's flesh, which being published the Cloister of the Churchyard of St. Nicholas where the dead bodies were kept was locked up. Lastly, that four young maids had cut in pieces the dead bodies of another young maid of eleven years of age, and eaten every one their part. At this day it is yet worse. Many that survived the loss of all they had, have for a long time sustained themselves with roots, Acorns, green fruits, grass, thistles, and weeds, that beasts would not have eaten, whereof they grew enraged and died. The famished have been so faint, that they have not had strength to bury one another, in so much, that the dead have been eaten up of Dogs, Foxes and Wolves, and some have run mad for hunger. In some cities, the inhabitants by this famine, have been constrained to kill all unedible cattles, without any difference, and to sell them publicly: as Dogs, Cats, Rats, Mice, etc. A woman at Hanaw, that had sold dogs-flesh ordinarily to the soldiers, was in the streets assaulted by Dogs, all her garments torn off her back, that she was fain to sit down on the ground to hide her shame. And, had she not been rescued, she had been rend in pieces by the Dogs. Where any man had a beast left that he carefully kept for his necessity, some or other of his acquaintance, if he could come by it, would kill and eat it. They have snatched one from another the very stinking carrion, which had lain six or seven weaks dead and full of maggots: yea and have fought and beaten one another to get a morsel thereof, as lately happened at Dubach by Bachrack. It hath moved the great ones and governor's of these quarters unto compassion to see their people in such extreme want. In so much that the noble Earl of Falkenstein seeing his subjects crave sustenance of him, commanded his man to give them his hounds to satisfy their hunger which they presently killed and ate. 3 women killing and after eateing each other Women Eat there own Children CHAP. X. Of Famine. AS the sickness spreadeth by the contagion of infected bodies, so hath this famine increased by the neglect of Providence in the disabled and famished. When no more food was to be got, they were enraged like beasts one against another, and gathering together by troops, have watched for one another upon the high ways, and so murdered, dressed and eaten one another. Thenceforth no man could pass safe on the way or in the streets, except well armed or travelling with a convoy. And some of them have been taken and severely punished by Justice, nevertheless they have secretly lurked here and there, and set upon the passengers, as by many instances, I could show. It is not good to be alone; for where there is company, the one will help the other in distress. The hardness of these times being observed or rather felt, three maidens at Odenheim in Dirmbstein by Worms agreed to dwell together, and to partake of sweet and sour all alike. But the proverb is true, that necessity hath no law, and hunger is a sharp thorn. So pressed they were with extreme famine, that they sought one another's life to save their own. Two of them conspired together to take away the life of the third, by strangling her in bed or otherwise treacherously to kill her, and after to dress and eat her up. All which they did accordingly. Then the second resolved to strangle her companion, and cut off her head, which when she had done, her heart being hardened, she went to a village called Ridisheim to a woman of her acquaintance, called Margaret, whose husband was a Farmer, and kept himself away for a time in the town of Leyningen. The woman entertained her kindly, rejoicing that she came yet once to see her. But in the night, lying by the said woman, she cut off her head, bound the dead body upon a board and brought it to Piedessen, where she dwelled and drew it into her house. The sharpness of hunger pricking her, she had not the patience to cut the body in pieces, but did cut off the head and both the hands only, and washed and dressed them. The husband coming home miss his wife, and enquired for her at the neighbours, who told him that such a maid was seen with his wife. He went to her house, knocked at the door and asked her, if she had not seen his wife. She answered him no. But such deeds of cruelty are hardr to be concealed. Murder will out, they say, or the very bruits will discover it. He goes into he house, casteth his eyes round about, pryeth into every corner: At length he espieth an hand to stick out of the pot, which hung upon the fire. Hereupon, as overcome with grief he rageth and raileth against the murderess, threatneth her with sharp words, so that she presently confessed and revealed it. Then went he to the Justice and complained. So she was brought to Slitzey with three Musketeers. They made her hold the sodden hand in her hand, while she was examined: and so she had her sentence from the imperial officers, Burgrave Philip of Waldecke, and all the Lords of Justice, before the judgement seat. They deliberated long about her punishment, whether she should die or no, because some were of opinion, that she did it not as a rational creature but as a brute, because the appetite of food is common to us with beasts. But wickedness, though necessitated, may not ever go free. Some must be made an example for the terror of others. She was led to the common place of justice, her head cut off, and her body bound upon a wheel there to remain as a spectacle. I cannot but write with tears what followeth. — Quis talia fando Mysmidonum, Delepumve aut duri miles Vlyssis Temperet à lachrymi?— What Myrmidon, what Dolop, who that bears Arms under harsh Ulysses, but his tears Must flow at this relation? No man ever hated his own flesh. But such are the children of our bodies. It is even against nature to destroy such fruit. Yet the sharpness of hunger brought this to pass. Oh! what is that necessity which makes us break stone walls, forget the nearest and dearest relations, vanquish our natural and most powerful passions and destroy that which we so dear loved, so carefully cherished! At Oterburg in the Palatinate, a widow woman dwelling by the churchyard (her name well known) had a daughter of nine or ten years old. This child with hunger was grown so faint, that upon a time, with sorrowful eyes, she steadfastly looked upon her mother and said, sweet mother, I would willingly dye, so I were rid of my pain. Oh! would you make an end of me, than should I go from whence I came, or if I did kill you, you would be rid of your pain. The mother looking upon her again, sighing said, and what wouldst thou do with me? The child answered, very sadly, I then would eat you, for they say that man's flesh is very sweet. The mother fell a weeping, and broken with her own thoughts, as a ship tossed and beaten between two rocks, desperate necessity & her motherly affection, catcheth at her head, untyeth her hairlace, twisteth it about the neck of this innocent lamb, and so strangleth her, when it was dead, she having nor knife nor hatchet to cut it in pieces, took a spade, and therewith hewed it into gobbets, and so dressing the head and part of the body devoured it. Some part thereof she sold to her neighbours for four stivers the pound. Her child being long miss, her acquaintance asked her where it was, and how she came by that flesh. She answered it was hogs-flesh, which she had got of the soldiers, who passed that way. But perceiving the truth would come out, she at last confessed it. Whereupon she was complained of to the justice at Keysars Lauterens, and put in prison by jonker van Effren, and adjudged to an half pound of bread, and a kanne of water a day, so to expect her sentence. But being sent for out of prison and examined by the lords she told them she was happy, that she was in prison, and would be glad to lie there all her life, to slake her hunger and refresh herself with such food, her pricking pain being thereby abated. This so moved the Lords to pity, that they freed her from prison, and let her go as innocent. I cannot but record another story of like nature, of the woman of Hornebach, where was sometime the Princely school of Zwybruck, Having lately lain in childbed and wanting milk to nourish her babe, she kissed and embraced it with moist tears, and after a long discourse killed it with a knife. Afterwards she dressed and ate it. When it began to be known, she was examined before the justices. The Lords asked her, wherefore she killed her child. She made answer that mighty and intolerable hunger had made her so to do, and that it was her own fruit, of which she might better make use, then of any other. Nevertheless she was condemned to dye, and accordingly executed. Dead Corpses digged out of there Gravesto Cate Some take poison to hasten death CHAP. XI. Of Famine. I Am now weary of these lamentable relations. Yet more miserable (if more miserable can be) have ensued. They have traced the dead bodies to the place of their burial, digged them out of their graves dressed and eaten them. So that in diverse places (at Worms especially) they have been fain to set watch at the Church yards, and over the graves to keep the dead from being stolen and eaten. In Saxony at this present the case is so miserable in this kind, that no pen can express it. The Saxon-Austrian army (were they not beaten) must retreat through hunger, having famished both the inhabitants and themselves. After the same manner it is upon the Rhine, and many other parts, where the armies are or have lately been. To that extremity it is come, that some constrained by hunger, have taken poison to advance death. In a word, the very wild beasts in the woods do starve for want of prey. My Lord the Earl of Arundel travelling homewards towards Franckefort on the Maine, 〈◊〉 boor or peasant of the country, being thei● guide, and having his Legs bear, a fox pursued him, among my Lords followers, and would not forbear snatching and biting at his bare heels, (such was his hunger) till they gave him a blow in the neck, and so took him alive. Hi● eyes were sunk, his bones stuck out, and he● was so extreme lean, that his sides almost me● together. They carried him alive with them in the coach, and after a few days he died. An English gentleman arrived here the other day, who travelling from ulme's to Nurenburg, an● so through Germany for England, with such companions as guided him byways for escaping o● the soldiers, reporteth that Wolves, Foxes an● other wild beasts lie dead for want of food, an● that in some places men live only upon robbery and spoil of strangers, or one another The every being become a trade. in Basile 1633 died. 20000 in Trent 1634 died 30000 General Holcke offered 600 Rixdollers for a diuin to comfort him. CHAP. XII. Of sickness and diseases. Disease's are more feared as they are more dangerous. Great diseases for their difficulty of cure, acute or sharp diseases, because when they kill they dispatch suddenly. But Epidemic and contagious maladies have yet something more, besides their greatness, besides their acuteness to make them terrible. And that is this, that they deprive a man of the comfort of his acquaintance, neighbours, friends, kinsfolks, etc. Add hereunto that for these we seldom know any specifical remedy, for the pestilence I am sure there is none, as being Gods immediate judgement, though oft times he useth the ministry of secondary causes, for the executing of his further pleasure herein, I have made trial of all sorts of antidotes vegetable, mineral, animal, and that according to rational method, yet am I almost as fare from the cure, as ever. These diseases are oft times wars concomitants or effects. Rare it is for a great Army to stay long in a place, and not to leave some infection behind. Beyond the Dona, after the sweden departure from thence with their Armies, diseases unheard of, and the pest withal swept away a world of people. The like happened shortly after, about Nurrenberg in the high Palatinate, and on the frontiers of Boheme. Before Mastreicht, after the Town was taken, our quarters had contracted infectious sicknesses: whereof I myself had my share, being left sick in the Town of a purple Fever. But the year following both the Town and Country were grievously afflicted, with Fevers, Fluxes, and the Plague above all. The same year Elsas or Alsatia and the lower Palatinate, where the Armies of the Duke of Lorraine and the Rhinegrave had lodged, did suffer miserably in this kind. The Army of the Prince of Orange having taken Rhineberg, and marching toward Mastricke and Liege, left such infection in great Brabant, about Firkens-ward, that the inhabitants the year after were afraid of their own dwellings. About the same time, General Holck being sent by Wolstein, with 6000 to invade Saxony, sacked the City of Leipzick and committed as great outrages as Tilly's Army had done before. But such a pestilence overtook both him and his, that most of his Soldiers died like sheep of the rot. And being infected himself, he offered 600 Rixdollers for a Minister of the Gospel to instruct and comfort him. But both himself, and his Soldiers had so behaved themselves, that no Minister was to be found. In the mean all his friends & servants forsook him, except his Concubine, who stayed with him to the last. He had been both of the Religion and the Protestants party, but revolted from both. So guilty of his own perfidiousness, and the execrable murders and rapines that he had caused, he died despairing utterly of all future bliss. At length came a Minister, but Holck was dead before. The City of Basile that winter, lost above 20000. of the plague. They of the City of Trent, their neighbours rejoiced at their sufferings, as being their enemies in religion. But it fell out with them, as with Edom in Obadiah, v. 15. that mocked jacob in his distress. The Winter following, 1634. the pestilence so raged among the Tridentines, that we were forbidden to come that way, for the sick and sound were mixed together, and that City (not great) buried above 30000. Besieged in the Castle of Heidelberg I visited every day, diverse sick of the Plague, and like diseases. But in neither of these two great plagues in London, nor in any other, that I have been in did I ever find the cause so virulent, the symptoms so incorrigible, the disease so incurable. Some died raging, others were killed with their carbuncles, when the venom seemed to be expelled from the inward parts, others were swollen and discoloured, as though they had taken poison, and some that died were so spotted, as I never saw the like. If any soldier were but slightly wounded, presently it became a malign ulcer, though all good inward and outward means were used. If the infection got into a kindred, it killed parents, children, and almost all the blood, that were present. Whence I persuade myself that Hypocrates his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, the divine hand and finger of God was more conspicuous in this, than in any other visitation I had seen, though I doubt not but our food with the air might also help to empoison our bodies extraordinarily. Toward the end of the siege we had made an hospital in the roof of the house. But packing out of the Castle, we left there our sick some dying, some crying out at the windows not to be left to their sickness, famine, and death, and which was worse than the enemy, of whom how they were used we may imagine: In the Town they were much visited before we were shut up: which could not but be augmented by the multitudes of the enemy. In the siege of Hanaw were buried (most of the plague) above 22000 people, and had not God sent that sickness to diminish their numbers, they had yielded the town through want of victuals. In the same siege, Soldiers that went to the guard seeing and well, came off strucken stark blind thirty at a time. Afterwards the disease falling into their legs, the most of them recovered. In Bavier men not left to bury the dead, but Rats and mice devoured there carcases. Have pittey upon me, have pittey upon me, o ye my friends for the hand of the Lord hath touched me. CHAP. XIII. Of sickness and diseases. THe year 1635 almost whole Germany felt this punishment, in most grievous wise. In Swaben the Country of tyrol, all along the Rhine, and the Maine, it was so furiously hot, that all places were alike safe. The King of Hungary was fain to dissolve his Court and send them away into diverse Cities, for their safer abode. In Swaben the inhabitants of Memingen, Campden, and Isuen were utterly consumed, and none left. In the Country thereabout, in which were more than thirty thousand men heretofore, were not four hundred souls to be found. In the confines of Bavier the living were nothing near able to bury the dead. But Rats and Mice devoured their carcases, most horrible to behold. The low Countries smarted sore also. The University of Leyden buried thirty thousand. The Country Villages and the Hague, (where I was shut up myself) were miserably afflicted. The Infant Cardinal was forced to remove from Brussels and Antwerp, the sickness did so increase, in those places. Nimegen, Emerike, Rees, Gelder's, with other places near, were not only visited therewith (whereof the marquis of Aytona, the Spanish General, and other Commanders died) but new contagious diseases, among which were strange Fluxes, and a kind of pox unheard of. The Emperor's Army dispersing all over for want of resistance, did also scatter the contagion from their quarters at Haylbrun, through the Land of Wirtenberg, that many places hereby became utterly depopulated. But since Gallas his taking in the Towns upon the Rhine such an infection happened through the stinch of the dead unburied bodies, that in the Bishopric of Meniz alone there died of this and hunger twenty four thousand people. In Saxony, Brandenburg, Pomeren, Mecklenburg, etc. this year the pestilence with like diseases have been so universal, that these and the sword, seem to strive which shall be the greatest destroyer. The retreat of the Swedes, in which they did not only evade, but cut in pieces many of the enemy's troops, is not so famous as these calamities. The very plague consumed in Saxony the other day in the space of two months, no less than sixteen thousand souls. Insomuch that the King of Hungary hath given command, that none shall come from thence to Prague, or the Cities of Bohemia. As by the print of Hercules his foot you might guess at his stature, so by these few particulars of the miseries of some places there we may guess at the lamentable estate of the whole. The war having every where caught and raged hath left such wounds as will not in haste be recured, and perhaps posterity for some generations will see the scars. Thus is the Virgin daughter of that people destroyed with a great destruction, and with a sore and grievous plague. Go into the field, jer. 14.17. behold the slain with the sword. Enter into the City, behold them that are sick for hunger also. So are they smitten, but are not healed. They look for peace, but there is no good; for the time of health, but behold trouble. FINIS. Relinquens Theologica & quae praeterea hâc in speculâ occurrunt viris Reverendissimis (penes quos ea censendi est auctoritas) cognoscenda, infandas lamentabilis Germaniae calamitates haudquaquam reticendas, sed piâ ment memorandas censeo. Novemb. 12. 1637. G. Rodolphus Weckherlin.