der the
shield of a fanatical schism, had excited the indignation of the
virtuous and intelligent portion of the people throughout Germany.
Disregarding all existing differences upon other subjects, catholics
and protestants united in the determination that their misrule should
no longer be suffered; and that if neither the deceivers nor deceived
would listen to christian instruction and mild admonition, there was no
other course left but to root them out with the sword. The Rhenish
provinces held a convention at Coblentz, at which John Frederick, the
Lutheran electoral prince of Saxony, voluntarily appeared. At this
convention it was agreed to furnish the bishop of Munster three hundred
cavalry and three thousand foot soldiers, as auxiliaries against his
rebellious subjects. The brave Ulrich, count Oberstein, held the
command of the forces and directed the siege.

Yet Munster's walls, towers and ditches were, through the providence of
the prophets (who, in this, acted with great foresight,) in such
excellent condition, and the fanatical garrison exhibited every where
so much watchfulness and spirit, that Oberstein was convinced, that a
storm attempted under these circumstances might indeed conduct his
soldiers to butchery but would not accomplish his object. Accordingly,
after the attempt to enter the city by treason from within had been
frustrated, the commander contented himself with closely investing it
on all sides and cutting off its supplies. The light minded people
troubled themselves very little about this investment of their city, at
first, as the consequences were not immediately felt; but no sooner did
the scarcity of provisions become so pressing that the public tables
spread by order of the king could no longer be supplied, and the people
actually began to feel hunger, than their spirits began to sink, and
here and there murmurings and complaints were heard. These complaints,
to be sure, were made covertly, from fear of the iron sceptre which
weighed upon the necks of the free and privileged anabaptists; but
nevertheless they reached the ears of the king, who saw that something
must be done, however unwillingly, in conformity with the example of
his bold predecessor; and he therefore determined to try how far
fanaticism and cunning, without courage, would answer the purpose.
Besides, he was desirous of ridding himself of some of the prophets,
who were disposed to play the Samuel to his Saul, and sought to