# Balthasar Hübmaier

* Heroes of the Reformation
* EDITED BY
* Samuel Macauley Jackson
* PROFESSOR OF CHURCH HISTORY, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
* Διαιρέσεις χαρισμάτων, το δὲ αὐτὸ πνεῦμα DIVERSITIES OF GIFTS, BUT THE SAME SPIRIT.
Balthasar Hübmaier
BALTHASAR HUBMAIER.
THE ONLY KNOWN PORTRAIT. FROM AN OLD WOODCUT
Balthasar Hübmaier
THE LEADER OF THE ANABAPTISTS
BY
HENRY C. VEDDER
PROFESSOR OF CHURCH HISTORY IN CROZER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
"Die göttliche Warheit ist untödlich, und wiewohl sy sich
ettwan lang fahen lasst, geyslen, krönen, creützigen und in das
Grab legen, würdet sy doch am dritten Tag wiederumb sygreich
uferston und im ewigkeit regieren und triumphiren."
Hübmaier, Die ander Erbietung, Schaffhausen, 1524.
G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
NEW YORK AND LONDON
The Knickerbocker Press
1905
Copyright, 1905 by
HENRY C. VEDDER
The Knickerbocker Press, New York
PREFACE
ONLY two biographies of Hübmaier have hitherto appeared. The earliest of these, by Dr. F. Hoschek, was written in Bohemian and published in Brünn in 1867. It is very valuable for the later years, and contains large extracts from the writings published at Nikolsburg. For the earlier years it is less trustworthy. An English translation of the text, omitting notes and illustrative matter, was made by Rev. W. W. Everts, D.D., and published in the Texas Baptist Historical Magazine for 1891 and 1892. The other biography, in German, is by Dr. Johann Loserth, Professor of History in the University of Czernowitz, and was published at Brünn in 1893. It has never been translated.
I have leaned heavily on these authorities, and gladly acknowledge constant and great obligations to them, especially to Loserth, but the great reliance has been upon the writings of Hübmaier himself. The collection of these in the library of ​the Rochester Theological Seminary is nearly complete, and this collection has been generously put at my disposal by the librarian, Rev. Howard Osgood, D.D., by whom it was first made many years ago. But for his assistance and counsel the study of these writings would never have been undertaken, and could not have been successfully prosecuted. A number of the booklets Dr. Osgood long ago translated, and he has permitted me to use these translations freely in this biography. Other of the works I have myself translated, and the pile of manuscript has grown to such proportions as to arouse the hope that at no distant day a volume of the works of Hübmaier may be published, which, if not absolutely a complete edition, will contain everything of importance that his pen wrote.
During the summer of 1904 was fulfilled a long-cherished purpose of visiting the principal scenes of Hübmaier's labours: Augsburg, Ingolstadt, Regensburg, Waldshut, Nikolsburg. As might be anticipated, few actual memorials now remain of labours so remote, and these few are much altered by decay or "restorations," and yet such a visit is by no means valueless. Most of the illustrations ​of this work were gathered by this means, and investigation of the scene of long-forgotten events was profitable in supplementing knowledge gained from documentary sources, and correcting errors into which one who had never seen the localities would naturally fall.
Besides the authorities named, the other works that have been found directly helpful are sufficiently mentioned in the foot-notes to the text. The actual composition of the biography has occupied such time as could be spared from other engagements for about a year, but it has in reality been twenty years in the making. Let us hope that readers will not find it heavy in proportion!
    Crozer Theological Seminary,
          May, 1905.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
THE YEARS OF PREPARATION
1481–1520
CHAPTER III
HÜBMAIER AN EVANGELICAL REFORMER
1524
CHAPTER IV
HÜBMAIER BECOMES AN ANABAPTIST
1524–1526
CHAPTER V
HÜBMAIER AT NIKOLSBURG
1526–1528
CHAPTER VI
THE TEACHINGS OF HÜBMAIER
1524–1527
CHAPTER VII
HÜBMAIER THE MARTYR
1527–1528
CHAPTER VIII
THE SUPPRESSION OF THE MORAVIAN ANABAPTISTS
ILLUSTRATIONS
The only known portrait. From an old woodcut
Traditional portrait
Here Hübmaier was chief preacher, 1516-1520
The tomb in the nave is in memory of Bishop Philip William, Duke of Bavaria, and was erected in 1598
The farther part, with the towers, is part of Hübmaier's Chapel Zur Schönen Maria
Showing old tower and Hübmaier's church
From an old woodcut
Cloister wall of the Cathedral, Basel
From a mezzotint by R. Houston
From an old print
Original in the Schaffhausen archives
BIBLIOGRAPHY
HÜBMAIER'S CHIEF WRITINGS
Explanation of signs. The first letter appended to a title indicates the place where the original may be found. B = collection of Dr. Beck, now in Vienna. MA = Moravian Archives. V = Vienna, Hofbibliothek. R = copy in the library of the Rochester Theological Seminary. The letters H, L, S, appended in addition, signify that the document is reprinted by one of Hübmaier's biographers, Hoschek, Loserth, or Schreiber. For convenience these writings are frequently cited in the following pages by their numbers, as Op. 1. Op. 22, etc.
1. Achtzehn Schlussrede, so betreffende eyn gantz Christlich Leben, woran es gelegen ist. Disputiert zu Waldshut, von Doctor Balthassar Fridberger. 1524. B. H. L.
2. Eine ernstliche Christliche erbietung an einen ersamen Rath zu Schaffhusen, durch doctor Baldazar Hubmör von Fridberg Pfarren ze Walshut beschehen. 1524.
Original in Schaffhausen Archives. L., Beilage, No. 2.
3. Uon ketzern vnd iren verbrennern vergleichung der Gschrifften, zusammengezogen durch doctor Balthazer Fridbergern pfarren zu Waldsshut. 1524. B. R.
Reprinted in this volume.
4. Schlussreden die Baldazar Fridberger Pfarrer zu Waltzhut ein Bruder Huldrychs Zwinglis dem Joanni Eckio zu Ingoldstatt die meysterlich zu examinieren furbotten hat. Zürich, 1524.
Library of University of Basel. H. L. S.
5. Von dem Christlichen Touff der Gläubigen durch Balthasarn Hüebmör von Friedberg, yetz zu Waldshut ausgangen. 1525. B. R.
6. Ain Sum ains ganzen christlichen Lebens, durch Baldasaren Frydberger, Predicant, yetz zu Waldshut, etc. 1525. B. R.
​7. Ettlich beschlussreden von Doctor Paltus Fridberger zu Walzhut, allen Christen, von Undericht der Mess. Zurich. 1525. L S.
8. Balthazars Friedbergers zu Waldshut offentliche erbietung an alle christgläubige menschen, an andern tag des Hornungs beschehen. 1525. Original in the Archives of St. Gall. S.
9. Ein wahrhartig Entschuldigung und Klag gemeiner Stadt Waldshut von Schultheiss und Rath allda an alle christgläubigen Menschen, ausgegangen anno 1525. Original in the Archives of Basel. Reprinted by Strickler, Achtensammlung, i., No. 932.
10. Ein Gesprech Balthasar Hubemörs von Fridberg auff Mayster Ulrichs Zwinglens zu Zürich Tauffbüechlen von dem Khindertauff. Nicolspurg. 1526. V. R.
11. Ein Christennliche Leertafel die ein eydlicher mensch ee und er im Wasser getaufft wird vor wissen solle. D. Balthasar Huebmör vonn Fridberg. Nicolspurg. 1526. V. R. H.
12. Der Uralten und gar neuen Leeren Urtail das men die iungen khindlen nit tauffen solle bisz sy im glauben unnderricht sind. Nicolsperg. 1526. V. R.
13. Ein kurze entschuldigung D. Balthasar Huebmörs von Fridberg an alle Christglaubige menschen das sy sich an den erdichtenn unnwahrhayten so im sein miszgöner zu legen nit ergern. Nicolspurg. 1526. V. R.
14. Ein kurzes vater unser. D. Balthasar Hubmör von Fridberg. Nicolspurg, 1526. V. R.
15. Ein einfeltiger unnderricht auff die wort. Das ist der leib mein in dem Nachtmal Christi D. Balthasar Huebmörs von Fridberg. Nicolspurg. 1526. V. R. H.
16. Grund und Ursach. Das ein eydlicher mensch der gleich in seiner khindheit getaufft ist. schuldig sey, sich recht nach der Ordnung Christi ze tauffen lassen. ob er schon hundert jar allt were. D. Balthazar Hubmör von Fridberg. Nicolspurg. 1527. V. R.
​17. Von dem Khindertauff. Ekolampadius, Thomas Augustinianer Leesmaister M. Jacob Immelen M. Vuolfg. Weissenburger Balthasar Hubmör von Fridberg. Nicolspurg. 1527. V. R. H.
18. Die zwelf Artikel christenlichs glaubens ze Zürch im Wassertthurn. in Bett weis gestellt. D. Balthasar Huebmör. Nicolsburg. 1527. V. R.
19. Ein Form ze Tauffen im wasser die unnderrichten im glauben. D. Balthasar Hübmör von Fridberg. Nicolspurg. 1527. V. R. H.
20. Ein Form des Nachtmals Christi. D. Balthasar Hübmör von Fridberg. 1527. V. R. H.
Reprinted in Calvary's Mittheilungen.
21. Von der Briederlichen straff. Wo die nit ist, da ist gewiszlich auch khain Kirch ob schon der Wassertauff und das Nachtmal Christi daselbs gehalten werdent. D. Balthasar Höebmöer von Fridberg. Nicolsburg. 1527. MA. H.
22. Von dem Christlichen Bann. Wo derselb nit auffgericht und gebraucht wirdt nach dem ordenlichen und ernstlichen bevelh Christi, daselbs regirt nichts, denn sünd, schand und laster. D. Balthasar Huebmör von Fridberg. Nicolspurg. 1527. MA. R.
23. Von der Freyhait des Willens. Die Gott nach sein gesendet wort anbeut allen menschen und ihnen darin gewalt gibt seine khinder ze werden auch die waal natur seind ze bleiben lassen. G. Balthasar Huebmör von Fridberg. Nicolspurg. 1527. MA. R. H.
24. Das ander Biechlein von der Freiwilligkeit des menschens. In welchem Schrifft bezeugt wirdt, das Gott durch sein gesenndt wort allen menschen gwalt geve seine Kinder zu werden, und die wal guttes zu wollen und ze thon frey haym setze. Auch darbey die gegenschrifften des Widertayls auffgelöset. Balthasar Hübmör von Fridberg. Nicolspurg. 1527. MA. R. H.
25. Von dem Schwert. Ein Christennliche erklerung der Schrifften, so wider die Oberkeit (das ist, das die Christen nit sollent im Gwalt sitzen, noch das schwert siern) von etlichen Brüedern gar ennstlich angezogen werdent. D. Balthasar Hüebmör von Fridberg. 1527. MA. R. H.
​26. Rechenschaft seines Glaubens an den König, in 27 Artikeln.
Original in the Archives, Vienna; reprinted by L., somewhat abridged.
OTHER SOURCES
Beck, Geschichts-Bücher der Wiedertäufer in Oesterreich-Ungarn, Vienna, 1883.
    This volume of invaluable extracts from the scattered Anabaptist chronicles, and other original sources, is duly appreciated in the Preface. Dr. Beck's collection is in the possession of his family (he died in 1890), but it has been put at the disposal of Dr. Loserth and other investigators. It is the richest collection of Anabaptist literature in existence, and contains copies of a large number of scarce or unique writings.
Egli, Actensammlung zur Geschichte der Zürcher Reformation in den Jahren 1519–1533. Zürich, 1879.
    Contains several valuable documents concerning the process against Hübmaier at Zurich.
Fabri, Vrsach warumb der Widertauffer Patron uund erster Anfenger Doctor Balthasar Huebmayr zu Wien auff den zehnten Martii Anno 1528 verbrennt sey. Vienna, 1528.
    Unique and invaluable account of the Vienna process, sentence, and execution of Hübmaier. Reprinted by Loserth, as Beilage No. 10.
Fabri, Adversus Balthasarum Pacimontanum, Anabaptistorum nostri sæculi primum authorem, orthodoxæ fidei catholicæ, defensio. Leipzig, 1528.
    A small tractate of only 22 leaves. The tone is polemic, and but few facts are added to our knowledge by it.
Füsslin, Beiträge zur Erläuterung der Kirchen-Reformations-geschichte des Schweizerbundes. 5 vols. Zürich, 1741.
    A storehouse of documents of the highest value, well known to every student of the period.
​Gemeiner, Chronik von Regensburg. Regensburg, 1800–1803.
    Reprinted in vol. xiii. of Chroniken der deutschen Städte vom 14 bis ins 16 Jahrhundert. Leipzig, 1824. All important facts are given by Loserth.
Gemeiner, Geschichte der Kirchenreformations in Regensburg. Regensburg, 1792.
Kessler, Sabbata. Chronik der Jahre 1523–1539. St. Gall, 1870.
    The diary of the Zwinglian pastor at St. Gall; abounds in valuable matter, some of it to be received with caution.
Mittheilungen aus dem Antiquariate von S. Calvary & Co., Berlin. Berlin, 1870.
    This, the first volume of a projected series that was unfortunately not continued, contains a nearly complete list of Hübmaier's writings and a reprint of his tract, Ein form des Nachtmals Christi.
Ostrofrancus, de Ratisbona, metropoli Bojoariæ et subita ibidem Judæorum proscriptione. Augsburg, 1519.
    A valuable account, by a monk of the cloister of St. Emmerau, contemporary and eye-witness, of the agitation against the Jews.
Schelhorn, Beiträge zur Erläuterung der Geschichte besonders der schwäbischen Kirchen und Gelehrten. 4 Parts. Memmingen, 1772–1775.
    Part iv. contains material of use for the biographer of Hübmaier.
Schultheiss und Rath der Stadt Waldshut an die Statthalter, Regenten, und Räthe im Oberelsass. Bericht über die Thätigkeit Imers und Ulrichs von Habsperg der Auslieferung des Doctors Balthasar Hubmaier. Waldshut, 1523.
    Reprinted in Archiv für österreichischer Geschichte, vol. lxxxvii., 95–99. Very valuable.
Strickler, Actensammlung zur Schweizerischen Reformations-geschichte in den Jahren 1521–1532. 5 vols. Zürich, 1878–1884.
    This collection does for all Switzerland what Egli so well does for Zürich only. Contains some documents omitted by Egli.
​Widmann, Chronik von Regensburg. In vol. xv. of Chronik der deutschen Städte. Leipzig, 1878.
    With the chronicle of Gemeiner, this constitutes our chief source of information regarding Hübmaier's work in Regensburg.
Zwingli, Werke, erste vollständige Ausgabe durch Melchior Schuler und Joh. Schulthess. 8 vols. Zürich, 1828–1861.
ON HÜBMAIER'S BIOGRAPHY
Hoschek, Balthasar Hubmaier a počátové novokřestěnstva na Moravě. Brünn, 1867.
    A wonderfully sympathetic study, seeing that the author is a Roman Catholic, but not always to be relied on in matters of fact, and still more frequently astray in its interpretations.
Loserth, Doctor Balthasar Hubmaier und die Anfänge der Wiedertäufer in Mahren. Brünn, 1893.
    Though a Protestant, the author is less sympathetic than Hoschek, but more accurate. His study of the sources and literature has been exhaustive, and but for the help derived from his book this volume could never have been written.
Schreiber, Hubmaier, der Stifter der Wiedertäufer auf dem Schwartzwalde, in his Taschenbuch für Geschichte und Alterthum in Süd-Deutschland. 1839, pp. 1–130; 1840, pp. 153–234.
    This, the first serious attempt to write a biography of Hübmaier, still has value. It is an incomplete sketch, a promised third part, to tell the story of the work in Moravia, never having been published.
Besides these formal biographies, there are a number of excellent biographical sketches in various works of reference: Cunitz, in Herzog-Plitt, Real Encyclopädie, vi., 344 sq. Hegler, in Herzog-Hauck, Real Encyclopädie, vii., 418 sq. Stern in Allgemeine deutsche Biographie; Veesenmeyer in Staudlin and Vater's Kirchenhist. Archiv, 1826.
SOME INDISPENSABLE BOOKS
Arnold, Unparteyische Kirchen-und Ketzer-historie. 3 vols. Schaffhausen, 1740–1742.
    An old and deservedly esteemed work, not yet entirely superseded.
Bax, Rise and Fall of the Anabaptists. London, 1903.
    The author writes from the socialistic point of view, and is too anxious to show that the Anabaptists were the forerunners of modern socialism. All of his facts are selected, and some are distorted, to prove this thesis. Had the author been able to resist this advocacy of a theory, he would have produced a very valuable book. As it is, his book cannot be neglected by any student of the Anabaptists.
Bullinger, Der Widertouffen ursprung, fürgang, Secten, wasen, furnemen, und gemeine jrer leer Artikel. Zurich, 1561.
Bullinger, Reformationsgeschichte. 3 vols. Frauenfeld, 1840.
    The first-named of these two works is much the more important for our purpose. It is exceedingly valuable, when due allowance for the personal equation is made. Bullinger was strongly prejudiced against the Anabaptists, and his testimony demands critical examination and frequent correction.
Burrage, History of the Anabaptists in Switzerland. Philadelphia, 1882.
    Still the best monograph on the subject, in any language.
Cornelius, Geschichte des Münsterischen Aufruhrs. Leipzig, 1855, 1860.
    The work of a Roman Catholic (in his later years an Old Catholic), remarkable for learning and candour, but unfortunately never completed. It contains valuable documents in the Appendix to either Part.
Egli, Die Züricher Wiedertäufer. Zürich, 1878.
    A book whose value is in inverse ratio to its size. (It is a booklet of 104 pages.)
​Füsslin, Kirchen-und Ketzer-geschichte der mittelalterischen Zeit. 3 vols. Erlangen, 1772–1774.
    This supplements the author's Sabbata, and contains much documentary and other information, both interesting and valuable.
Hagenbach, J. Oekolampads Leben und ausgewählte Schriften. Elberfeld, 1859.
    An interesting biography of one who was an early friend of Hübmaier, and never became his enemy.
Heath, Anabaptism, from its rise at Zwickau to its Fall at Münster, 1521–1536. London, 1895.
    A book to which may be applied all that is said of the work of Bax above.
Jackson, Huldreich Zwingli, the Reformer of German Switzerland. New York, 1903.
    The best biography in English. Chap. xii. contains a clear and candid account of Anabaptism at Zürich and Hübmaier's treatment there.
Jackson, Selected Works of Huldreich Zwingli. Philadelphia, 1901.
Kautsky, Geschichte des Socialismus, von Plato bis zu den Wiedertäufern. Stuttgart, 1895.
    The author gives a valuable appreciation of the Anabaptists, but exaggerates the importance of the socialistic group among them.
Loserth, Die Stadt Waldshut und die vorderösterreichische Regierung in der Jahren 1523–1526, in the Archiv für Oesterreichischer Geschichte, lxxxvii., 1 sq.
Loserth, Zur Geschichte der Wiedertäufer in Mähren, in the Zeitschrift für allgemeine Geschichte, 1884, Heft 6.
Loserth, Der Communismus des Mährischen Wiedertäufer im 16 und 17 Jahrhundert. Vienna, 1894.
    These three are all valuable, the last invaluable. The first is practically reprinted in the biography of Hübmaier.
​Newman, History of Anti-Pedobaptism, from the Rise of Pedobaptism to A.D. 1609. Philadelphia, 1897.
    This gives the best account in English of the rise and general history of Anabaptism. Chaps. vii., viii., x., and xiv. include a brief, accurate, and appreciative account of Hübmaier's career.
Ott, Annales Anabaptistici. Basel, 1672.
    Like Catrou's Histoire des Anabaptistes (Paris, 1615) this is now superseded, and valuable chiefly for the documents it contains, some of which are important and not easily found elsewhere.
Schreiber, Der deutsche Bauernkrieg. 3 vols. Freiburg, 1863–1866.
    A rich and instructive collection of documents rather than a history.
Seidemann, Thomas Müntzer. Dresden, 1842.
    While still the best single book on the famous agitator, it demands considerable correction in the light of later investigations.
Stähelin, Huldreich Zwingli: sein Leben und Wirken. Basel, vol. i., 1895; vol. ii., 1897.
    The standard biography in German.
Stern, Ueber die Zwölf Artikel der Bauern. Leipzig, 1868.
    A monograph of considerable value, but the author's hypothesis that Hübmaier composed the Articles, though widely adopted as if a proved fact by writers hostile to Hübmaier and the Anabaptists, has been fully disproved by later investigation.
Strobel, Leben, Schriften und Lehren Thomä Müntzers des Urhebers des Bauernaufruhrs in Thüringen. Nürnberg, 1795.
    This small and now very scarce book is an unskilful piece of biography, but the collection of documents is of the greatest value. They include reprints of Münzer's most important writings.
Usteri, Darstellung der Tauflehre Zwinglis, in Studien und Kritiken for 1882, p. 205 sq.
​Wiedemann, Dr. Johann Eck. Regensburg, 1865.
    An excellent biography of Hübmaier's teacher, that contains original documentary matter illustrating the relations of master and pupil to about 1520.
Wolny, Die Wiedertäufer in Mähren in Archiv für Kunde österreichischer Geschichts-Quellen. 1850.
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