True newes of a notable victorie obtayned against the Turkes, by the right honourable Lorde, Adolph Baron of Swartzburg, the 18. day of March last past, anno 1598 vvhen as he and his armie three houres before day, came before Raab, and tooke in that strong and well fenced hold and cittie / translated out of the high Dutch coppy ; printed first at Nurnbergh &c. ; by W.S.R.

True Newes Of a notable victorie obtayned against the Turkes .

WIth what deceitfull craft , and false practises , ( the outragious Enemie of Christendome ) the Turk a fewe yéeres past , through the permission of God , and for our sinnes , tooke in the strong and well defenced holde of Raab in Hungaria , and with all other Fortresses lying on the frontiers , whereby no small losse and damage is hetherto growne vnto all Christendome : is well knowne vnto many .

But forasmuch , as GOD himselfe , had euen so smal pleasure , in such false practises , and crafty deceit of the enemie , as of our owne sinnes , whereby wee daily prouoke him , that he suffereth the enemy to raigne ouer vs , he hath with his grace turned againe to vs , and giuen his Christian souldiours a hart and courage , that they and theyr whole company comming before the said Hold , by the power and help of GOD , haue wonderfully taken and wonne the same . For which glorious victorie , the same almighty God bee praysed and thanked for euer , and that hee will be still assistant to his Christian people , to destroy and defend the Enemie , for his most holy Names sake , Amen .

The whole circumstances as it happened , of the getting thereof , is contayned briefely in a letter written to the Emperours Maiestie , as followeth .

THE Lord Adolph of Swartzburg , beeing credibly informed , that the Turkes of Raab , were gone forth on forraging : departed out of Camorr the 18. day of March , 1598. with certaine Ensignes of well appointed Souldiers on horsebacke and on foote , and with the Lord Palfy , with those his Haiducks , Husserns , and certaine Duch men of Strigonia , and so secretly encamped in a vale or holow place , about three leagues from Raab . From thence hes presently sent about midnight , a hundred chosen men on horsebacke and on foote , before to Raab , with certaine wagons , laden with Boate-bridges , Skaling-ladders , and instruments of fire-workes . But he himselfe with the rest of his Souldiers , followed softly after .

In which expedition , almightie God wonderfullie shewed his goodnes towards vs .

For euen as the Christian Souldiers approched nere vnto Raab , and the Moone shyning so light and so cléere , that they might easily haue been séene , perceiued , and knowne of the Enemie : suddainly a long , thick & black cloude , couered the Moone in such sort , that they coulde scant discerne one another .

In which suddaine darkning of the Moone : there arose also a great winde , and withall , a mist . Which winde did driue the noyse of our Souldiers and theyr furniture backe from the Enemy , and theyr comming so vnlooked for , that they could not perceiue any thing at all . When the Foreward was come to Raab ( without beeing perceiued as afore-said ) , they found the draw bridge downe , and the Portcullis drawne vp . Because the Turkes of Raab , looked euery houre for certain wagons of prouender to come from Stulweissenburg , and feared no inuasion at this time .

Which good oportunitie our men quickly perceiuing , passed ouer the bridge to the gate , fastning the instruments of fire workes , and kindling of the same , which wrought not at the very first , but yet at last with the greater force , it did teare , & breake both gate , wall , and whatsoeuer els it lighted on , and made such way , that they in the forward , thrust into the Holde , making hast to the watch , which they killed . And certaine also , tooke in the principall 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 fellowes , that they that came first , tooke the Ordinance at the Weissenburgish gate , and discharged the same from the carriage , that the Turkes could not come to shoote of the same , against the rest of our people , which were yet without .

When the Turkes perceiued it : they defended them selues very valiantly and manfully : wherof many that were lying in their bedde , and feared no such danger , came speedily running out in their shirts , as in hast and for feare , not making themselues ready , defending themselues stoutly , but yet all in vaine , for they were all killed by the Christians .

The Lorde Adolph of Swartzburg , with certaine great Ordinance , went before the Castle , and with shooting opened the same , wherein he found about 600. Turks , which thought to haue saued themselues , which were all slaine , with the Bassa of Raab . The Bassa had in each hand a Sabel , and defended himselfe so stoutly and manfully , that he could not be taken aliue , but was lastly thrust through by a Wallon , his heade sticked vppon a pole , and sette ouer the Hungarian Bulwarke .

There were also about 300. crept vnderneth a Bulwark , wherein stoode certaine barrels of Gunpowder . Which our men comming vnto , the Turkes would not yéeld themselues , as also not looking for any fauour at our hands : they sette the Gunpowder on fire , splitte the Bulwarke , spoiled themselues , and about 300. of our men , which were then vppon the Bulwarke . Which was a great losse , aswell to our men , as to themselues . Which if it had not happened : it was thought , wee had not lost aboue 200. of our people .

But in the same vnlooked for skirmish ( which continued fiue houres ) there was slayne of our men , about 600. And of the Turks , about 1500. men . There was taken aboue 300. amongst the which was a Beglerbeg , the Bassaes sonne , and two of his Daughters . And againe , our men found about 400. Christians there , and released them .

It was also well furnished with victuals and other prouisions , and almost in euery house , was great store found .

Of Ordinance , on the wals and Bulwarks : there was 120. Peeces vpon whéeles , and there lie yet in the Fort 50. Peeces , without Carriages .

Our people had also so stopped all the gates of Raab , that not one could come forth , to tell the other Turkes neere at hand . So that the Turkes of Stulweissenburg , sent 40. Waggons of victuals and munition , gunpowder , & long Péeces , strongly conducted with Souldiers , to Raab . Which came thether euen as the skirmish was ended , who knowing nothing of their great losses and hurts : euer made hast towards the Towne . When they came to the Bridge , thinking no otherwise but that they were néere their friends : our men did let them come in , one after another . But gaue them such ill entertainement , that none escaped aliue . Where vnto the Lord Palfi helped well : for as they so passed in good order towards Raab , he departed out of his Bulwarke with his folke , enuironing them behind , slaying them , that none could escape . For looke what could not rearh to the Towne : The same did the Lord Palsi , lay hold on , and slew .

The true counterfet of the Lord Palsi .

Likewise was there many of the principallest Turks , which were gone out of Raab , on forraging ( as it is noted at the beginning ) comming home , and because they knew nothing of their great losse , they thought themselues more surer : but our men fell vpon them , and slew them . By whom our men also found , ( as thee did in the Towne ) great treasure , of gold , siluer , precious stones , and apparell . And haue brought away about 600. faire Turkish horses .

And so , and in this manner ( God be therefore euer praysed and thanked ) was this worthy place gotten againe , which the vehement Enemy with treachery had gotten from the Christians , & without reason p●ssessed . And especially through the manfull courage of the chiefe Generall , The Lord Adolph Baron of Swartzburg , recouered and brought to Christendome . Where-vnto also the honourable Lord Palsi , with his retinue , truly helped .

As the sayd Lord Adolph , in his first Letter to the Emperors maiesty prayseth him , that he in expedition of these affaires , behaued himselfe valiantly , as hee also writeth of the other Captaines , Lieuetenants , & whole company . That they in this seruice of importance , behaued themselues according to his minde , and kept the order appoynted them . And withall declareth , that if he might be soone helped with Horse-men and Foote-men : he would with Gods help , seeke his good fortune , in some other place .

When these newes , were truly brought to the Emperour : his Maiesty thanked GOD for such a glorious victory . And the people w●re with 18. Trumpetters , and with Droms , called to the Church , where all the whole congregation did ●ing , Wee prayse thee ô God . After which , there followed a Sermon , which Sermon , and thanks-giuing being finished : There was at the Lionhouse 18. great Péeces of Ordinance , each thrée times shot of , for ioy of the obtayned victory . And through the whole Citty , was a ioyfull feast holden , to the prayse and honour of God .

A CHRISTIAN EXhortation , whereby we are admonished to giue thanks with our harts , for the obtayned victory : as also to true repentance , and earnest and deuout prayer .

LIke as God in old time , by his Prophet , denounced that Israell in Assiria and Iury , with their Kings and Princes , wiues and children , should he carried away to Babilon , the Land destroyed , and all by reason of sinne , false Doctrine , and Idolatry : yet they notwithstanding despised all warning and admonition , persecuted the Prophets , and fauoured yet their sinnes , till that they gaue the Lord cause , to thrust them out of his sight . Euen so , and in like manner , hath God our Christ , in the latter dayes of the world , also denounced vnto vs , of Gog and Magog , Mesech and Thubal . which are euen the Turkes , Tarters , and such like people . That they with great multitudes should ouer-runne , harry , and spoyle Christendome , and all through his wrath , by reason of our sinne . For thus sayth the Lord , in the 38. Chapter of Ezechiell . It shall come to passe , when Gog shall come : that my anger shall goe forth in my wrath , and I speake the same in my iealousie , and in the fire of anger .

Whereby it is cleare , that the Turke is nothing els , but the wrathfull anger of GOD , against our sinnes , which he now , especially , in his gracious visitatirn , and reuelation of his holy word , in all places of Christendome , findeth to be so great : that it may euen now be sayd of vs , as it is written of Israell . The children of Israell sinned against the Lord theyr God , which brought them out of the land of Egipt , & setled themselues against the Lord . And when the Lord sayd vnto them , Turne away from your euill doings , and keepe my commaundements : They harkned not , but stifned their necks like the necks of their fore-fathers . Therfore are we threatned so much the more : in so much as in these dayes , we haue more grace and warning through his holy Gospel , then many of our fore-fathers , and predecessors .

Whereby it followeth then . What can a man doe , or what will he doe , when he hath God himselfe and the Turke , against him . But the chiefest and next way is , as he saith himselfe : Turne away from your euill doings , and keepe my lawes and commaundements . For by that meanes we bring God againe to vs , and may with comfort goe against our Enemies .

And withall , let all Christian people be here-with admonished , both high and low degrées , Super●ours and Subiects , touching the great danger yet to come , of the professed Enemy of Christian name ( the Turke ) and what Enemies els soeuer there be : that euery one prepare himselfe to God , kéepe himselfe from false doctrine , and leane with all his endeuour , to the deere and precious word of God , and his holy Sacraments . To endeuour himselfe , as it were before God , to liue according to his word , and with good conscience , both openly and secretly , to leaue of from euill , and to doe good . So then if euery one wil so doe : we may then be assured of Gods promises , where he sayth . Turne you to me , and I will turne me to you . The which he hath shewed by many notable examples amongst his people , when they were sorest oppressed of their Enemies , and in the very middest of their punishment , turned vnto God : God did also turne vnto them , and gaue them oftentimes great fortune and victory , against their Enemies .

For so GOD sayth furthermore himselfe , that he wil punish the Enemies of Christendome , Gog , Magog , Thuball , and Mesech , that they shall fall vpon the hills of Israell , which is ( as all Christian Teachers doe vnderstand it ) in the lands of Christendome , into which the same Enemies shall fall : and God will finally cast the same Enemy , and all whatsoeuer is against his Christendome , together , into the firy lake .

Whereof we haue now ( God be thanked ) a faire example , of the glorious victory , which we through Gods helpe , had at the strong Towne of Raab . Especially because God heard the harty sighing and earnest prayers of his faithfull , himselfe standing by , and helping our Christian Souldiers . If now the wicked ( wherof alas there are alwayes more then godly ) would turne away from their euill wayes , to the little heape of the godly , with true repentance , and with them call earnestly vpon God : God would vndoubtedly shew vs yet greater helpe . And raise vp such valiant Souldiers , and giue them such harts and courage : that with the comfort of Gods helpe , dare goe vnder the very noses of their Enemies . Therfore let euery one , for the honour of God , helpe , and deliuery , for his owne temporall prosperity and saluation , be admonished to repentance .

For if the same haue not a right passage through vs : God can soone with-draw his helpe againe , that one land after another must abide it , as Israell and Iuda and many Kings and kingdoms did , which héeretofore were Christians , as hitherto is come to passe . And yet can God make a difference both of spirituall and worldly , with them which repent and amend : and them also which doe not repent .

But because prayer is the best armour , whereby we call vpon Christ in faith : let vs with harty thanks , for the obtained victory , calling euermore to God , with hart and mouth , say , We prayse thee , O God , &c.

FINIS .