in Hajec fol. 349. throughout proclaimed the 18. of September in the year 1376. where of this was the chief effect that diligent care was afterwards had that none but the Popes-creatures might beadmitted unto places of Magistracy publick Offices which might be a bridle to restraine the Commonalty And therefore Wenceslaus the King son to Charles chose 16 Germans and only 2 Bohemians in reforming of the Senates of Prague supposing that the Germans were more constant in the Pontificiall Religion as they were than the Bohemians 5. We find it also recorded that this Parisian his death approaching amongst others gave this comfort to his friends The rage of the enemies of truth hath now prevailed against us but this shall not be alwaies for an ignoble people shall arise without sword or power over whom they shall not be able to prevaile Which Prophesie where and when it hath bin fulfilled we shall hereafter acquaint you CHAP. VIII John Husse and Ierom of Prague with some other Martyrs 1. IN the year 1392. Mulhaymia called the Temple of Bethlehem was founded by a Citizen of Prague and was to be dedicated unto the Academy by the name of a Chappell whereunto Mr. Stephanus of Colon was first admitted Preacher but he dying in the year 1400. Mr. John Husse was constituted his Successour Professor in the Academy a man of an unblameable life and famous for his zeale 2. And forasmuch as he had long before that all orders were dissolute and none did his office the King Bishop Citizen Clergy Nobles onely pursuing covetousnes pride drunkennesse luxury and all manner of wickednesse having an occasion put into his hands as from above he set upon the worke publickly to oppose those publicke sins And indeed so long as he shot his darts against secular men he was highly esteemed off amongst the Divines as one out of whose mouth the Holy Ghost spake but as soone as he began to thunder against them also their minds being altered they cryed out that he was mad and the Devils Agent 3. Those that write of him tell us that the first complaints against him were put up by certain of the Nobles unto the King to wit Wenceslaus whom the Pope presented unto the German Princes as a sluggish person unprofitable unto the Empire hateful yet not infamous in Historyes because of his unwillingness to execute his Buls and his indulging the Hereticks against his will and required him to forbid Husse of his turbulent preaching But the Arch-Bishop Wolbrom denyed that it could be done because Husse had bound himself by Oath at his Ordination to speak the truth without respect of persons 4. But when in the year following this same Husse much more sharply reproved the Coveteousness Luxury and Sacriledges of Spirituall persons the Arch-bishop requested of the King the same which the Nobles did before The King answered that it could not possibly be done because Husse was obliged by oath to speak the truth without respect of persons the Lord himself thus frustrating the wicked plots contrived against this holy man as his own Instrument 5. There returned out of England the same year 1400 Ierom of Prage bringing with him the writings of Wickliffe which came into the hands of many and was received by many with good approbation some indeed approving of them among whom this Husse was chief others disliking and damning them especially the Academians who as we have formerly said did flock from divers Countries 6. In the year 1404 two English men Batchelours of Divinity one Iames and Conrade Caddelaurgh came to Prague and being entred in the Vniversity they began to move disputes concerning the Popes Supremacy and the like but shortly after were prohibited by publick command They therefore because that which was forbidden unto men was lawfull for the walls to receive caused to be painted in the Parlor where they Lodged with the consent of their Land-lord the history of Christs Passion on the one side and the pomp of the Pope and Cardinals Court on the other opposit and of this picture when Iohn Husse made mention in his preaching as of a true Antithesis betweene Christ and Antichrist great numbers of people came thither to view it 7. In the year 1408. May 24. the Articles of Wickliffe were again examined and condemned by forty Masters and an infinite number of Batchelors and it was forbid that any should teach them upon pain of banishment 8. Iohn Husse when he saw the Vniversity-men of Germany so strongly to side with the Pope deeming that something was to be done to restrain their insolency he made an Oration in a great concourse of people in Carolin Colledge asserting that the plurallity of voices belonged to the Bohemians who were natives and not to the Germans who were strangers for although Charles from the first institution granted three voices unto strangers the fourth unto the Bohemians in respect of their forcity who then studied learning in his last pattin he explicated his minde that the custome of the Parisian Vniversity should be observed Now it doth abundantly appear in France strangers have but one Suffrage but the home-bred have three the Germans being angry for this Appealed to King VVenceslaus the Bohemians do the same but the King after a yeares protraction decides the Cause for the Bohemians in the year 1409. the 27. of Sept. the Germans interpreting this a disgrace leave Prague and going into Misina a neighbouring place and there give occasion to the founding of Lipsick Erphord Schools in the mean time the Bohemians created by voices Iohn Husse their Rector 9. The Monks being thus deserted of the King Vniversity instigate the Arch-bishop Shico of Hasenburgh an unlearned man obtained in the year 1410 the 16. of Iuly that the books of Iohn Husse should be condemned and burned there were therefore burned as Eneas Silvius testifies above 200 volums fairly written adorned with golden Bosses and precious covers There are extant some Bohemian Rimes composed by one of the common people in which that unlearned censor of books was wittily jerkt for being made an Arch-bishop then he studied letters but Husse in that time wrote a tract concerning the reading of Hereticall books and instituted a particular dispute for the defence of Iohn Wickliff concerning the holy Trinity which they also burnt 10. In the year 1411. when Pope Iohn the 23. sounded an alarum against the King of Naples he gave Indulgencies to those that would take up arms for the Church One that sold those toys came to Prague and publickly in the pulpit divulged those vanities It so hapned that in three Churches some opposed them asserting the Pope of Rome must bee Antichrist who brought misery upon the Christians and stirred them up to mutuall wars Those three were taken Martia Krzidelko Iohn Hudek and Stainis Lapolek a Taylor and are carried to prison although the vniversity and towne interceded for them yet they were brought forth into the market
and Lord of us all will rest satisfied c. Charles Prince of Lichtenstein But these were general things and common to all we shall now adde some particular examples whereby a thousand of Satans stratagems will perchance more clearly appeare CHAP. XCII SHortly after the taking of Prague the Catholique Citizens were cited by the Kings Judges and examined upon oath to declare if any of them knew that the Evangelists had stubbornely spoke or done any thing which as every one answered for truth or affection-sake were received as Oracles and afterwards became the cause of death to many even alltogether innocent 2. An Act or Decree was published unto the rest of the Citizens who thought themselves received into favour in the year 1624. Febr. 23. That they had forfeited their Estates by their Rebellion neverthelesse Caesar desired not that they should be altogether sequestred but that every one should contribute part of his fortunes to support the warres And here an exact estimate of their possessions was required of every one of them upon oath And according to this confession or also by a suspition or guess which they had from their ready money a ransome of favour was imposed upon each of them for the obtaining of Pardon as they called it but indeed that they might undoe him a hundred two hundred a thousand two three four six c. thousand florences were straightwayes or at certain dayes to be paid 3. Afterwards all Non-Catholiques were April 15. forbid to be enrolled in the City-Catalogue As for those which were inscribed since the yeare 1618. all trading and negotiation was prohibited them By which Thunderbolt some were brought to faint heartednesse and others to poverty 4. Shortly after to wit May 29. Letters were hung upon the doores of the Common Halls in all Cities the tenour whereof was thus The most illustrious Prince Lord Charles of Lichtenstein c. hath understood by credible persons that certain of the late exiled Preachers do not onely lurk privily in the Cities belonging to the people of Prague but also exercise divine service about the Houses Gardens and Vineyards and thereby do draw away the People from their lawful obedience unto the Magistrate Which thing since it can be no way agreeable to his illustrious Highnesse for the dangerous example of Rebellion lately raised he therefore strictly chargeth the Judges of his sacred Majesty that they be most diligently watchfull and whensoever they find any Conventicles straightwaies taking with them publicke officers to breake into those houses without respect of persons and having apprehended the persons to arrest them whether Predicants Readers or Singers Hee hath also understood that Piccardy Songs and Rimes composed under the name of Psalmes are sung up and down not onely privatly but even publickly in Villages and streets They are therefore diligently to observe that it be amended and that nothing but what is allowed by the Catholicke church bee said or sung by any man And as great circumspection is to be used that all Schoole-masters not Catholick be expelled out of the houses in all Cities and if they shall be taught for the future that they be hailed to prison and punishment c. 5. Another Edict succeeded Sept. 13. yet somwhat more moderate whereby the Kings benevolence and all their priviledges were declared to be performed unto the people of Prague after payment of the Tax with both of which notwithstanding they rejoiced not long for that I speake not of continuall vexations for Religion sake there issued forth in the year following from the Officers of the Kingdom unto the Counsells at Prague this same Decree The supreame Officers and Judges of the Kingdome in the name and place of his Sacred Majesty doe command by their Commissioners chosen for this purpose the Consul and Senate of Prague the lesse and also of old and new c. that they perfectly instruct all Non-catholick Citizens called into the Court of the finall will and pleasure of the Kings Majesty which is no other than that all men renouncing their heresie doe betake themselves unto the Church But if any shal be found refractorily obstinate they shall signifie unto them that they are to be not onely cashiered the City but also deprived of all means of getting their livelihood Decreed in the Chancellors Court in Bohemia in the yeare 1626. Feb. 13. 6. In the yeare beginning 1627. There were supream Commissaries for Religion chosen by the Emperour whose names wee have before recited These therefore entring upon their Commission from those at Prague do send a decree to the Chieftaines of the Cities of Prague wherein after a large commendation of the Kings fatherly care for the good of his subjects as also of the Learning Godlinesse zeale and watchfulnesse of the Spirituall Pastors whereof there was such abundance at Prague and throughout the whole Kingdome and lastly of his wonderfull clemency and forbearance heretofore used toward hereticks and on the contrary lamenting the hereticks great obstinacy do now seriously protest to act for the Kings sacred Majesty and for him onely They do therefore command that each of them do cause the citizens in the Cities committed to them to be catalogued and carefully sent unto them and distributed into four rancks In the first order the native Catholicks are to be inscribed in the second those that were lately converted in the third those that have given good hopes of their conversion and in the last the obstinate c. Given as above said 7. These chief Officers give the commands unto the Kings Judges they to the Tribuns of the people and Senators and these walking from doore to doore examin the father and mother of the family the man and maide-servants and all other the Inhabitants in every house and aske them in what order they would be placed and so did accordingly These Catalogues thus made are brought to the Commissaries who when they find but few of the first second or third Order they consult with great anxiety what is necessary to be done to such a troupe of Heretickes that all tumults may be prevented At length they conclude that the heads should bee removed viz. That those men which were of any rule and authority with the people should be expelled 8. The beginning was effected upon four venerable grave Citizens of Old Prague the thundering Edict against them ommitting Court complements runs thus VVHereas with grief of heart we have observed certaine persons of Prague to be of such incorrigible obstinacy as that the Kings Majesties most indulgent care and all his fatherly admonitions for their good being nothing set by they proudly refuse good and wholsom instruction and as men incurable admit of no counsell thereby giving a dangerous example unto others which would suffer themselves more willingly to be amended In which number since these are noted Iohn Theodore Sixtus Iohn Peldrzimowsky Abraham Angel and Iohn Iacob Heydon We give command to the worthy Ioachim Salwate
and were beheaded When this was noysed abroad the vniversity running took away the bodys and in a sollemn Procession sung These are the saints who gave up their bodys for the testament of God They carry them to the Church of Bethlehem and there bury them 11. The day after Husse did propound certain theses to dispute against those superstitious indulgences and publickly with Mr. Ierom who did as strongly impugne there errors in the Schoole as Husse did in the Church shewed their vanity but when notwithstanding al this he impudently proceeded the company of Studients did violently snatch from him his Bulls they do cloth one of their own company in a whorish habit put him into a cart adorne his brest with Bulls carry him about and acclaime unto him the whore in the mean time with sweet words gesture alluring the company and distributing blessings at the length they burne all the Bulls with many of the Popes in the midst of the market 12 In the meane time the Pope cites Husse to appeare at Rome who in regard of the disswasion of the Vniversity and nobility did not appeare Pope Iohn 23 in the yeare 1413 in Iune did interdict their celebrating of Masse in regard of the presence of Huss a contumacious offender upon this when hee saw the Magistrates rage and the common people divided into contrary factions and all things to be disturbed he of his own accord leaves Prague and from towne to towne teaches the word of God untill the time that he was called to Constance to give an account of Doctrine receiving letters of safety from the Emperour Histories report how he was there handled by the Romish Councell to witte in the yeare 1415. The 6 of Iuly Husse in the yeare 1416 the 30 of May Ierom were burnt Consult the book of Martyrs CHAP. IX All Bohemia condemned 1. THe adversaries were not satisfied with their blood but suddainly took bloody Councell for the destruction of the whole nation for when the chiefe nobles of Bohemia 58 in number in the name of the whole Comonalty in the yeare 1416 the 2 of September sent letters from Prague subscribed with their own hands and signed with their own seals to the Councel complaining expostulating that their Pastor an innocent and holy man a faithfull teacher of the truth was unjustly condemned the Synod did not answer them neither did they answer the Nobility of Moravia which complained of like matters in letters of their own but the Councell writ to the persons who were besotted with the Romish superstition men in eminency namely Iohn of Mecklesburg Alsiscopeck of Dubba Alburt of Colditz intreating and obtesting them that they would regard the Romish-Catholick Church and that they would helpe the Legate of that councell Iohn Lotmislenia Bishop in oppressing Heresie and Hereticks these letters were dated at Constance in the yeare 1417 the 22 of March 2 Thus the Bohemians being incited to mutuall dissentions by the Councell contensious brawlings and hatred were exasperated every day more and more The Pristes did divulge from the Pulpit excommunications against the Husites and devoted them with direfull execrations and that they might render them the more hated used certaine lying signes amongst the rest they cast some dirt into the lamps of the wax candles and when the flame had burnt the waxe candle to the moistnesse of the dirt it was extinguished then cryed they out that God did by miracles declare that the wicked Hereticks were unworthy to enjoy the light they drove them therefore out of their society and persecuting them all manner of wayes breaking open their churches wheresoever they could which businesse in the yeare 1419 the 13 of Iuly raised such a tumult at Prague that the common people inraged threw 12 Senators of old Prague with the City Magistrate out of the windows of the Senate house who fell upon the points of speares 3 There was a new Pope elected of the Synod who was named Martine the 5 who with kind letters dated at Constance in the yeare 1418 invited the Bohemians to renounce the errors of Wicklif Husse But afterward in the year 1420 he publickly excommunicated them at Florence and excited the Emperor Kings Princes Dukes Marquesses Earles Barons Governours Cityes Common-wealths to take up armes against them and did intreat them by the wounds of Christ and their owne salvation unanimously fall upon them and quite extirpate that sacrilegious and cursed nation and promised a vniversall remission of sinnes to the most wicked person that should kill but one Bohemian 4 Sygismund the Emperour being inflamed by this incentive with all Germany and the neighbouring Kingdomes yeelded himselfe a servant to Antichristian Tyrany and in the same yeare he enters Bohemia with a strong army and wearies them with 13 years continued warre and this was called the Husite warre concerning which Eneas Sylvius writes they would rather be admired than believed of posterity in regard Siska the Bohemian Captaine and his successours did alwaies vanquish the contrary party 5 But the state of the Bohemian affaires were very confused at home when some of them stood for the Emperor and Pope others defended the use of the cup from whence they were called Calikstiles upon this ground with horrible cruelty they were inflamed to destroy each other CHAP. X. The Martyrs of Tabor 1 BUt some things are to be dâ—â—coursed of more briefly in respect of places and persons and distinctly it must be opened how the Roman faction being incited by the Antichristian alarum of Martine did persecute the faithfull 2 When after the death of Wensislaus in the yeare 1419 Sygismund took the Kingdom and by his Deâ—egates he not being present there till he came afâ—er with an army ordered severall things which dâ—d streighten the liberty of their consciences some thousands of those that imbraced the pure Religion gathered together to a stony mountaine ten miles from Prague which they named Tabor that mountaine they compassed about with a wall and constituted a common-wealth determining to defend it by armes if need were 3. The Papists and those that were called Calikstins being enraged against them persecuted them all manner of ways first when they sent their Embassadors Gallus Perstenus and Mathias Blacils for peace sake to Cuttenburg these men were cast headlong into the most deepe mines of mettall but the Cuttenburghians who were devoted to the Emperor and for the most part the Germaine nation because of the working in the mines not long after John Codeck Minister of Gurim which had admitted the Emperors party and many others both Priests and Lay people were thus served for they bought those of Tabor giving five florence for a Priest and one for a Laick which was the cause of horrid butchery 4. Thurmenus does witnesse that which followes to be found in a certaine manuscript in the year 14â—0 ther were cast in at Cuttenburg in the first mine about 1700. in the second 1038. in
day about it in which they would take some further order concerning this businesse But before that time this being discovered the Papists began to rage very violently against the Waldenses Stephanus one of the chiefest of them is consumed with fire at Vienna The rest of them some scattered into Marchia and others into Moravia and most of them brought unto Fulnerha did provide for their safety by flight 6. From this trâ—nsaction of the Bohemian brothers with the Waldenses it appeaâ—es it did arise that they were called also by the title of the Waldenses Howsoever they would never admit of it and have often complained in their printed papers that by errour that title was given to them And this they did for thâ— cause of truth and necessity for the cause of truth because they took not their Doctrine from them neither did they on their perswasion establish the unity neither were they reformed by them but desired rather in some defects to bee reformed of them For the cause of necessity because they wisely judged that the decrees published by the Magistrates against the Waldenses were no way to be derived to them but rather to be avoided Howsoever they never denied that they received the power of ordaining Ministers and by that the externall succession of them from the Waldenses although and this also oftentimes accordingly as they saw occasion they wisely did passe by in silence 7. Neverthelesse God would have the Brothers in Bohemia to be partakers of the persecution of the Waldenses in Austria against whom in the year following viz. 1468. George the King the States being solemnly called to councell did publish a bloudy Decree Which was that every one of the Peeres within the Territory of his Jurisdiction should endeavour to apprehend as many of the Piccardines as he could and having apprehended them to prosecute against them accordingly as he saw occasion by this meanes of cruelty attempting to hinder the separation 8. Many therefore were apprehended and for a long time kept in prison untill the Death of the King among whom was one of the chiefest of them by name Michael Zambergh with which unjust and cruell proceedings the Brothers being moved did write an Apology to Rokizane and to the Consistory and afterwards to the King and at last to them All altogether And it came to passe by the wonderfull Counsell of God that by the greater indeavour as they laboured to put out this sparke by so much it brake forth into a greater flame many of the Peeres to wit the Barons of Kragir Kostkie Zerotine and others submitting themselves to the Discipline of the Brothers and building Oratories for them in their Townes and Villages there being Churches by the publick Authority of the Kingdome allowed to the Calixtines insomuch that about the year 1500. they had in Bohemia and Moravia about 200. Churches and so was the Prophesie fulfilled of Mathew of Paris that an ignoble people should arise without sword or outward power over whom the Enemies of the Truth should never prevaile CHAP. XXI Abominable Lyes cast upon the Brothers I. BUt to returne back a little in the year 1471. Rokizane dyed having wrastled with dispaire and citing King George who came to visite him to appeare with him before the Tribunall of God who one moneth after followed him and Wladislaus a Polonian did succeed him a milde and a gentle Prince To whom the Brothers being againe overwhelmed with many false Accusations did write an Apology desiring him that he would suffer nothing by force to be acted on them 2. Which did so exasperate some wicked men that in the year 1476. they indeavoured by a most impudent invention to stirre up against them the hatred of all men They had suborned a most light man by art a Polender by name Lezka which if you interpret it signifies a lyar the sound agreeing with the thing who upholding that he came from the Piccardins and was an Elder amongst them would seem to discover wonderfull secrets as how in their conventicles they would blaspheme God the Virgin Mary and the Saints traduce the Sacraments with their scoffings mingle them selves incestuously after the manner of the Adamites commit murthers practise witch-craft heape up most vaste summes of money c. This man they did leade through Townes and Cities as a spectacle they brought him into their Temples where he should abjure his errours and most hainous crimes and beseeched the people to pray for him most wretched sinner and to take heed by his example of the most wicked Piccardins They tooke also his confession in writing and published it being confirmed with the seales and subscriptions of some Deanes and Priests that where Lezka himselfe could not come in person his confession might be read in the Churches to the people 3. But this indeavour of the Devill did come to nothing for the Brothers by publick writings did confute their Lyes and Lezka trembling so often to forswear himselfe in the sight of the people and to speak lies in the stead of truth refused any longer to obey them and confessed that hee was suborned to do what he did and that hee knew not any of the Piccardines 4. Howsoever this impudence and these obloquies of the Devill by the accustomed goodnesse of God did prove good for some who making experience of so great a Villany began privately and in disguises to frequent the Assemblies of the Brethren and finding it to bee farre otherwise than was reported they did associate themselves with the brothers as ' with true Christians CHAP. XXII The Brothers prescribed from Moravia into Moldavia IN the yeare 1488. Matthias King of Hungary proscribed the brothers from Moravia some hundreds of them having taken a Minister with them by name Nicholas Slansky came through Hungary and Transilvania into Moldavia unto whom some two years afterwards the Brothers sent one of their Elders Elias Krenowski with letters desiring them with patience to endure their banishment for the Truth but Moravia being not long after restored to the King of Bohemia Wladislaus being made King of Hungary after the death of Matthias the brothers were restored CHAP. XXIII The Brethren in Bohemia cited to a colloquy IN the year 1503. the most gentle King Wladislaus did again suffer himself to be transported against the brothers insomuch that he gave order that they should be delivered to the Magistrates imprisoned and at pleasure afflicted The causes of this were not only the open enemies raging against the little flocke according to their manner but certain false-brothers For a question being propounded concerning the secular power whither it were lawfull for a Christian with a safe conscience to governe as a Magistrate or to use the sword or to give or to exact Oaâ—hs many were of the negative opinion as they are now in this Anabaptist age but the greater part affirmed that it was lawfull The discent did so greatly increase that those of the negative opinion did
lay hold on that most wicked knave the Piccardine At the first all were amazed no man would lay his hand on him at the last some were found who falling on him did buffet him with their fists and beating his head against the pillar did draw him almost covered with bloud unto the prison 2. The next day he was brought into the Court the Senate and the Parson being present and being demanded whether he would speak those words again which he spake yesterday he affirmed that he would Being asked again By what Instinct he durst doe it He answered by what Instinct did Abraham depart from the Idolaters and worship the euerliving God They pressing on him to tell them precisely by whose perswasion hee durst commit so hainous a fact hee answered By whose perswasion did David oppose himselfe against the worshipping of Idolls 3. On this they cried out Hold thy peace we know these things better than thou wee need not be taught by thee Wee know that thou hast here some accomplices whom since by thy owne accord thou wilt not discover thou shalt do it by force whereupon they commanded him to be carried back to the prison and by and by to be put on the Racke but not able by torment to rack any thing from him they condemne him to the fire as an obstinate Heretick the chief Officer being desired by the Priests not to suffer him to speake as hee was going to the execution least he should infect the people with his words The Officer agreed with him to forbear speaking or otherwise he would stop his mouth Andrew promised silence and performed what he promised speaking nothing all the way but praying softly to himselfe At the last when the fire began to sindge his head he cried out Iesus the son of the everliving God be mercifull be mercifull be mercifull to me a sinner which were all the words he spake The Priests turning to the people said Behold at last he calleth on Iesus in whom he living would not believe nor reverence his Sacraments CHAP. XXVII The persecutions which the more reformed of the Calixtines did endure I. IN all these times the condition of the church of the Brothers was most heavy but neither were the Calixtines free from affliction especially the purer sort of them being those who were most zealous against the Papists for in the year 1408. Mr. Michael Polach pastor of St. Ades in old Prague a man of unblemished life and an excellent preacher with three other Parsons Mr. Wenceslaus Slane Iohn Miezta and Mr. Wenceslaus Piscene were apprehended by the command of King Wladislaus because they affirmed the Pope to be Antichrist They were carried into the Castle of Calreisteine where the first of them perished by hunger and the nastinesse of the prison the other with much adoe were dismissed by the order of the States At which time many other who were more reformed in their judgements were either driven from Prague as Mr. Mathias Macheeke professor of the University or willingly departed as Lucas Pragene Batchelour of Art an excellent man who afterwards as before I have recited was a Bishop amongst the Brothers there also forsooke the Vniversity of their own accord Mr. Iohn Snow a Physitian and others 2. On the same year the King forbad the singing of the ballads made against the abominations of the Church of Rome and because they would not refrain many of the best rank of the Citizens were apprehended and a long time detained in prison One or two of them were stead alive as Matthew Serling Martin of the golden wheele Scheynohin who was also a Citizen of Prague through the violence of the torment did break asunder 3. On this the Monks having taken new courage began more freely to inveigh against those that tooke the Sacrament in both kinds and condemned the Hussites the people variously but vainly murmuring at it The Senators also of Prague and many Papists and Germanes abusing the clemency of the King did grow so intollerably bold that some noble men who were adversaries to the Religion conspired together and on the 24 of December at night intended to put to death the chiefest of the Citizens who received the Sacrament under both kinds But they were deceived of their expectation and hope God so ordaining it that the evill returned vpon the heads of the contrivers of it For their treachery being betrayed their was a mighty Tumult in which the places of â—ustice of the three Cities and all the Monasteries were pulled downe and many of the Senators and Monks were slain This was done in the year 1413. at which though Wladislaus was much afflicted yet inquiry being made and it being found that the Papists gave the cause thereof he pardoned the inhabitants of Prague And in the year 1485 he established by Parliament an agreement betwixt the communicants under one and both kinds howsoever the hatred betwixt them and the reproachfull words did still continue 4. In the yeare 1491 on the 28 of Ianuary at Laeta Curia a chiefe Temple of the Hussites The Eucharist being administred under both kinds a German comming behind a Gentlewoman as she was drinking of the cup hee strooke her head so violently that her mouth being cleaved bloud issued forth abundantly for which notorious offence hee was apprehended and thrown into prison but not long after dismissed 5. But in the Vacation of the Arch-Bishopprick the Calixtine Priests could not receive their Ordinations but in Italy where most of them were bound to renounce the articles under both kinds and to performe obedience unto the sea of Rome which was very grievous to the Bohemians therefore in the yeare 1482. there Sanctuarensis a Bishop came into Bohemia from Italy for the love as hee said of the pure Religion whom when Augustinus Lucian and others had received with much joy and honour he died iâ— the yeare of our Lord 1493 whom whom after eleven yeares Philip Bishop of Sidon and Mutina did succeed Hee being resident sometimes at Prague sometimes at Cuttenburge did for three yeares space ordaine Calixtine Ministers which being passed they were againe enforced to flatter the Pope and Bishops of Rome so miserable was their slavery that willing to seem to have forsaken Antichrist yet they did not stick to fight under his standards 6. But some of the schollers amongst whom was Iohn Bezhink so truly hated the Pope that having received letters of commendation from the University they went as farre as Armenia to be ordained Ministers And because that there the fame had arrived of the Heresie of the Bohemians they were the more strictly examined and it being found that they agreed with them in the chiefest Articles of Religion and also in the language they were ordained Ministers in the yeare 1499. Two of those did afterwards suffer the flames of Martyrdome by the Romanes to wit Martin a Taborite with his Deacon who were both burned at Radnice CHAP. XXVIII The Persecution of the
but approve of your Christian prudence and temperance Therefore we willingly advise you publickly that however opinions may arise from other places that you adhere to this and suffer not your selfe to bee led away from this holy and pure truth For this is certaine that the church is very well provided for and is then chiefly built up and kept in unity and unanimity when the pure doctrin of the Gospell without far-fetched subtilities and emergent contentions is propounded to Christian people in simplicity of truth as it is in Psalm the 25. Let integrity and uprightnesse preserve me Dated at Wittenbergh 3. Novemb. 1575. CHAP. XL. Vnder Rodolphus the Gospellers had full liberty I. IN the year after 1576 Maximilianus being dead his sonne Rudolphus succeeded him who trod in his fathers steps hee reigned peaceably untill the year on thousand six hundred and two no persecution being in all that time concerning religion In this year it was so brought about by the private practises of the Jesuites and their instruments that Rodolphus should subscribe to and cause to be published an Edict drawne by them concerning the renewing of a Decree of Wladislaus against the Piccardines for noe other end but that their Churches might be shut up for a time the Patrons of the Brethren the Noblemen protested that it did no way concern them since these men are not such as the Piccardines are described to be and therefore Caesar did connive and looked not so narrowly after them as that they should so strictly observe his decrees herein neither was it lawfull for the enemy to presse the Orders so farre and it was related by a man of credit that the evening before the 22. of July when newes was brought to the King that Alba Regia was taken being the chiefe City of Hungary in great astonishment said I looked for some such thingâ— since this day I began to usurp the Government of God which is of consciences 2. Neither intended hee any thing else than to make good the promise of his father and to settle liberty of conscience as he declared afterwards when in the year 1609 to the Orders of the Kingdome under both kinds the Pope the Spanish faction and their counsellors not consenting thereto he committed the lower consistory and the university to be reformed at the pleasure of the Orders giving them Patents whereby this donation was confirmed to them and gave leave that the churches and schools should be inhabited or if need be should be built and forbad that any of his subjects whether Catholick or Spirituall should bee punished for his religion and obliged those Kings that should succeed him religiously to observe these things and also gave power to the Orders to make choise of some among them to bee defendors of this liberty 3. The Orders therefore reform the consistory and for quietnesse sake they chuse 3 Hussites 3 Brethren and 3 Gospellers to these they adde the 3 Professours of the University and command these twelve chosen men to order all affaires concerning Church Government throughout the Kingdome And because it was generally agreed that the confederates should bee cashiered and Church government bee according to the rule of Gods law Elias Shudim of Semanin a Hussite is chosen first Administrator and afterward to bee elected out of the ordinary sort of Ministers But concerning the brethren it is concluded the order of whose discipline was granted for the better reconciliation that they should have their Seniour being the next Colleague of the Administrator so long as the diversity of this order yet in a friendly concord should endure To whom at Prague a Church is given by the Vniversity as it were to the true off-spring of Hus called Bethlehem famous for the preaching of Hus. All which things were done with the publick acclamation of all good people and all things rung out with divine praises and were fastned to the doors of the church these lines The Temples ope'd the Lion joyes that Raph To Maxamillian kept his promised faith c. 4 The orders under both kinds made a friendly agreement with the orders under one kind for the consideration of peace and mutuall concord among them which having digested into articles they promised to enter into the Registrie of the kingdome but to be confirmed by the subscription of Caesar his Councellors But three were found who did refuse being two or three times solicited having some scruple of conscience Zaenko Adalbertus Popel de Lobkowitz Chancellor of the kingdome William Slawata â—e Chlum and Iaroslaus de Martinitz Smeczanskie Therefore they solemnely protest against the orders under both kinds that if hereafter they shall attempt any thing against this liberty granted to the whole kingdome by Caesar that then they would punish them as disturbers of the publique peace which protestation of the orders Rodolphus assenting to it is entered into the Registrie of the Kingdome and kept among the priviledges and confirmed by the same oath with other priviledges of the Kingdome by Rodolphus and his successors 5. False Hussitisme being taken away a more pure Religion flourished throughout the whole kingdome so that there was scarce one among a hundred who hid not professe the Evangelicall doctrine But alas with the liberty of Religion as usually it happens by little and little two much liberty of life began to increase and learning even among whom formerly it flourished began after a strange manner to be dissolved Wherefore this liberty bringing along with it carnall security did not please all godly men and some began to presage ill that so a horrible tempest from some Ferdinand should againe overwhelme them It was a Propheticall speech in peace my bitternesse is most bitter and fullfilled of which it followeth CHAP. XLI New stratagems of the enemies under Matthias I. I Must begin higher that the bottom of our calamity may be more apparent The occasion of the grant of this ample Religious Liberty by Rodolphus to the Bohemians and Silesians was because the Hungarians with Austrians and Moravians forsaking Rodolphus for some civile causes had created his brother Matthew Archduke King Duke and Marquis and with a great army in the year 1608. entring into Bohemia even unto Prague did not only demand the Crowne of Hungarie which was there kept but courted the Bohemians to a revolting but they with the Silesians were faithfull to him and Mathew with the Crowne of Hungarie and hope for succession in the Kingdome of Bohemia after the death of Rodolphus being sent away they asked and obtained for that they had sworne fealty to Rodolphus the former promised favour of Religious liberty and the power of the Consistorie and Vniversitie 2. In the meane time for this affront put upon him by his Brother he was very much vexed and the more because foreseeing the Spanish plots began to boad no good luck to his Bohemians and all Germanie he began to enter into new consultation with himselfe and he was
fell upon a cloth that was spread there for that purpose and so received the blow of the sword After that his right hand was cut off and was hung up with his head on an iron speare upon the high Tower of the Bridge but his carcase was wrapt in a cloth and conveyed away by some in mourning habits to a cave and a fresh cloth is spread which is observed to be done for all of them that none of those that suffered might see the Corps or bloud of those that suffered before them CHAP. LXII Wenceslaus Baron of Budowa a Monke of Graetium Lord of Klastericke and Zazadka I. THis man had an incomparable wit famous for his learning as appeareth by his writings renouned for his travels through Germany Italie France England and Turkie where he lived seven years he was very zealous deserving reverence even for his age for he was seventy years old eminent also in regard of his places of preferment For under Rodolphus he was a Counsellor and was called to the place of one of the Directors of the reformed Consistory and Academie By Matthias he was made a Counsellor and by the Order Director of the Kingdome in the vacancy until a King was elected Lastly he was President of the Court of Appeales the glory of his Country and the bright shining starre of the Church he was none that Lorded it over his inferiors but was rather a Father to them In a word he was right deare both to God and man 2. After the Victory of Ferdinand he accompanied his family out of Prague his Wife his Sonne Nurse Nephews and least he should seeme to have forsaken the Crowne whereof with one Otto he was appointed keeper he returned His house not long after was plundred even to his wearing apparell he onely saying that the Lord hath given and the Lord hath taken 3. Paulus Aretinus being Secretary of the Tribunalls talking with him for he was now kept under arrest in his owne house and being demanded that since he had b n once in the deeps why he would trust himsâ—lfe to those tempestuous storms he did answer his conscience pressed him to what he did It was Religion that perswaded him to forsake his Countrey and a good cause But I know not Gods pleasures whether he will that I should seale it with my bloud And rising up he said I am here my God dispose of me thy servant as it seemeth good in thine eyes I am full of years take from me my life that I may not see those evils which I see are now comming on my Country Being another day visited by the same party and being before acquainted of the report that went on him that for very griefe he died smiling he answered What me I had never had he happinesse to injoy so much pleasure as now bâ—hold my Paradise shewing his Bible it never yeelded me so much Nectar and Ambrosia as now I live and will live as long as God please neither I hope shal any man see that day wherein good old Budowecius was said to die with greif Being examined of the Inquisitors often he stifly maintained the equity of the cause and being condemned he said to the Judges Yee have long time thirsted after my bloud but know withall ye will find God a revenger of innocent bloud for whose cause we suffer 4. The third day before the execution hee told his dreame to his servant Zidnowskie He dreamed that he thought he saw himselfe walking in a pleasant field and thinking of the event of these things with a heavie heart when behold one comming to me offered me a booke which when I looked into I saw silken white leaves and nothing therein written but the fift verse of the thirty seven Psalme Commit thy way unto the Lord and put thy trust in him and he shall bring it to passe when he began againe to thinke what that meant another came and brought a white Robe which he cast upon him The old man awaking told it presently to his servant and as hee went on the Scaffold hee said to him Now I goe covered with the cloth of Righteousnesse that I may appeare before God in whom I hope 5. After the pronunciation of the sentence as he was going into the Crosse two Capuchins met him and told him the cause of their comming which was to afford him mercy in these straits he demanded of them what that mercy was They did answer that they might shew him the way of the Lord. He replied again I know that by the mercy of my God They again said Sir you are deceived in your opinion Unto whom hee answered I rely not on opinion on but the infallible truth for I have no other way but him who said I am the way the truth and life But they replied there is no salvation out of the Church and here they fall into discourse of the authority of the Church to trifle away the time and would gladly confine it to the Pope and Cardinals in which discourse they use vaine repetition in desiring their principles to be granted whereat the Martyr incensed said but I think your Pope is a Divel and Antichrist and the son of perdition and that Beast that was made red with the bloud of Saints depart with him to the place ye have deserved and let me alone yet if ye will learn from me the way of truth stay ye it will not be tedious to me to spend some time and pains to save your soules Here they beating their breasts and signing themselves with the sign of the Crosse they departed complaining that they never met with such a blasphemous Heretick 6. In like manner on the day of Martyrdome very early in the morning two Jesuites came into the Court and began again to trouble these holy men and when some slighted them they came to the Baron and said We perceive that this Baron is very learned we doe desire to gaine his soule and afford unto him the worke of mercy to whom he said What! would ye gaine my soule Would ye were assertained of your salvation as I am of mine the Lord be praised who by his holy spirit hath assured me of my salvation by the bloud of the Lambe The Jesuite replyed Good sir do not presume too much and assume that to your selfe whereof no man can promise to himselfe any certainty For doth not the Scripture say No man knowes whether hee have deserved grace To whom the Baron answered Is it therefore that I have need of your mercy Yee unhappy gainers of soules yee rather infuse desparation into me but ye erre not knowing the Scriptures And here hee expounded and gave them the sense of this place and brought other portions of Scripture which prove the infallibility of the salvation of beleevers Amongst others that of Saint Paul I know in whom I have believed also I know that a crown is laid up for me The Jesuit interrupting him said This Paul
said of himselfe not of others The Baron replyed Thou liest for it followes not for me onely but for all those that wait for his comming Here the Sophister was mute and the Baron went forward As for that saying No man knoweth whether he deserve grace or hatred doe you thereby seeke to coope me up pray tell me where you find it written here is the Bible where doe you find it The one said If I be not deceived in the Epistle of Paul to Timothy The Baron being very angry said Thou Asse wouldest thou teach me the way of salvation which knows so little of the word of God Satan be gone from me and tempt me not At length being confuted they went their way and stood a far off while the Martyrs prepared themseves for suffering as they use to paint Devils when they are forced to leave forsake the sinner looking as we use to say as if he had eaten Bull-beef And it is probable that nothing so much troubled Satan than that all of them slighted him and his factors 7. Presently after the Baron was called and as he went on the Scaffold he carried his head stately and stroking his long beard he said My gray hairs Behold what honour remains for you that you should be crowned wiâ—h Martyrdome and then directing his speech to God hee prayed for the Church his Country his Enemies and recomended his soule to Christ whose head being cut off was set on the Tower and his body buried CHAP. LXIII Christopher Haraâ—t Baron of Bezdruzitz and Polzciz Lord of Petzka I. HE got himself a name and much experience by his travells in Europe Asia and Affirica which he published to the world in his native language he was made by Rodolphus one of his Privy-Chamber by Matthias a Privy-Counsellour lastly by Fredericke chiefe of the Kings Chamber This was the cause why the sentence of death was pronounced against him because he was present at the expedition of the Orders in Austria and not being absolved of his former Oath took an oath to be true to Frederick which thing was as wel done by others as by him so that it was evident that these Politicians sought their pretences meerly out of the hatred they did bear unto religion 2. Going to suffer he called unto him Rosacius a Minister of the Gospell and told him how much he was troubled for his wife and children for hee knew his wives coldnesse in religion and therefore feared what hee should commit to her shee now wanting a counsellour He remembers that he left in witing something with her which he doth desire to remember and therefore desirteh the Minister to rehearse them to him First that she should be constant in the Gospell Religion nor suffer her self by any allurements to be perswaded from it for he tels ther that therein is the readiest and most infallible way of Salvation and assurance of the mercy of God by the merits of Christ being mindful of him of that which she had heard from him that he had tried all Religion and compared them with the Scriptures and that he found none more sure solid than that which he was about to seal with his bloud that we attain Salvation by the bloud of the Lamb which he is certain very shortly to find Of which glory if she would be partaker she should persevere in the same faith Secondly he prayed that she would use more clemency to his Subjects and rather ease then overcharge them with burthens last of all to command that she would have a care of her Children and bring them up in pure Religion otherwise if through carelesnesse they were seduced he would cause them to appeare before Christ his tribunal This he spake with much zeal and solemn protestations but this meer woman being perfidious to God her conscience her children and her subjects observing nothing of all this For within a while after she did marry an Apostate committed her sonnes to the tuition of Jesuites she her self swerved from her Religion and did exercise tyranny over the soules and bodies of her subjects 3. Being called forth to execution he said I have travelled so many Countries so many barbarous nations have undergone so many dangers by sea and and now I suffer innocently in my owne Country and by their hands both for whose good I and my fore-fathers spent our Estates and Lives Father forgive them As he went forth he prayed In thee O Lord have I hoped let me not be confounded for ever Going on the Scaffold he lift up his eyes and said Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit Walking on the fatall cloth that was spread on the floore he made a little stand and brake forth againe into these words In thee O Lord have I trusted in my Youth I am confident that I shall be accepted by that ignominious death of my Saviour and falling downe on his knees he added To thee O God I commend my spirit thou God true and just hast redeemed me And seeing the Executioner came not for he was a Gospeller neither did he make too much hast untill they had finished their prayers he perceiving some delay prayed againe Lord Jesus Son of David be mercifull to me and receive my spirit and the sword from behind him cut off his speech with his head CHAP. LXIIII. Caspar Kaplirz of Sulewitz a Knight 86 yeares of age I. VVHen Rosacius the Minister of the Word came to visit him after his condemnation he received him with tears in his eyes but with a merry heart with these words Behold me a miserable old man who have often intreated my God that hee would have compassion on me and take me out of this life but I have not obtained it For God hath reserved me to be a spectacle in the world and a sacrifice to himself Let Gods will be done My death indeed is disgracefull in the eyes of men but glorious in the sight of God for God will account that death precious in his sight which I suffer for his glory and truth And when the Minister would have comforted him he desired him to heare his confession and to pronounce his absolution and to have that faith and hope which he had in God strengthened by the Lords Supper Having therefore confessed himselfe a sinner but especially that in his youth he committed something according to the custome of that age to please the world he praysed God that had not suffered him to be swallowed up but had called him to a more holy and upright course of life 2. At length he said Through the mercy of my God I have preserved my trust and conscience both to God my King and Country I have faithfully served four Emperours and that now such a reward should be given unto me I leave to God the just Judge who knowes that I sought not either honour or riches by any thing which I did in this businesse But I could not winke at the
is none to help out of the 2 Kings 14 26. I will bind up thy wound and heale thy stripes and will not take away my chastisement till I have healed thee Then he continued in the Apostrophe which was in the same song Lift up thy self thou beleeving soul who art cast down with a sence of thy sinne and misery He is faithfull that hath promised who hath partly fulfilled his promise having sent a Physitian to thee viz. his sonne who hath by his own bloud provided a plaister for thy sore He will restore thee to the full when he shall raise thee up and glorifie thee c. Which are all signes of a soul wrestling with despaire though not as yet despairing 4. But although he had perhaps cast himself down for a fear of greater evills or with a hope to escape a resolution to dye yet the glory of Martyrdom doth not perish with them who as long as it is Christs cause fearing the enemies fury do themselves anticipate death which may be made probable to the Papists themselves by the authority of the Fathers to whom they in other cases attribute much Let them look upon Ambrose in his third book of Virgins relating such a thing of the Virgin Pelagia also praysing the deed Let them resort to Augustin although he answers more doubtfully of the like businesse But something may be had out of Eusebius to cause a milder opinion who in the 8. Book 12. ch writes thus What need we revive the memory of those who were burnt at Antioch with hot coals not to death but to lengthen out the punishmet which also happened to Freweynius And of others who would sooner put their right hands into the fire then touch the prophane sacrifice The tryall of which some avoiding throwes themselves headlong from the house-tops before they would be taken and fall into the enemies hands and thought rather to hasten their death then to undergo the malice of wicked men More may be there seene CHAP. 84. Matthias Borbonius a Physician AMong the condemned persons was Matthias Borbonius a most excellent and succesfull Physitian being chief Physician to three Emperours whom when the Prince Lichtenstein knew to be innocent of the civill broyles he obtained his pardon and entertained him for his chief Physician But that exceedingly vexed his enemies especially the Imperiall Judge John Chrysostome Schrepelius who induced by the hope of gain for he gaped for Borbonius his stately houses had laden him with slanders He therefore no longer able to conceale his dissembled rancour gave command to the Sergeants to set upon Borbonius in the streete of the City as he returned from the Prince and to beat him with their clubs even to his own house Which deed however it seemed to displease the Prince yet it remained unrevenged 2. This Physician is rightly accounted among the Confessors of the truth although he obtained not a Crown of Martyrdom For as often as the Prince or some privatly stirred up dealt with him seriously about changing his Religion which they often did yet it was always in vaine His answer to Smeczanius is remarkable For when he intreated him with most eloquent words and even with imbraces above his ordinary courtesie that he would turn Roman-Catholick saying Ah my Borbonius how much mightest thou promote the Catholick cause and the salvation of many by your example He replyed There is nothing more certaine then that I should disadvantage your Church if I should become a Member When he ask'd the reason he answered him Let your Honour thinke that my Conscience is so tender that it will not by any meanes suffer any violence to be used against it If I should therefore revolt when that speaks to the contrary I can expect nothing from it but gnawings and rendings and torments which will drive me headlong into despair And I departing with roaring and what honor should I be made else but an example for others to take heed of the same precipicies When he saw him so unmoveable he began to hate him and with others in the year 1623. banished him the Kingdome 3. Borbonius then went into Poland and was admitted by the King himself to practice Physick and at length he departed this life being an old man of 70 years of age at Thorun in Prussia in the year 1629 16 of December CHAP. LXXXV Noblemen of Moravia imprisoned I. A Little while after the execution at Prague 4 of June the Protestant Noblemen of Moravia who were thought above others to promote the Bohemians cause being assembled by the Emperours command were carried to prison some to Brune others to Olumitz Without doubt these had beene punished if the Emperour had not solemnly promised indempnity when they yielded themselves after the battell at Prague and the Duke of Carnovia with Bethlehem Gabor being that year Victors in Hungary had procured the liberty of some by exchanging certaine Canons others being kept in prison three yeares obtained their liberty not without the intercessions of divers men But their goods were confiscated as well as theirs who sought their safety by slight to the Emperour and afterward used and abused by the Popish Nobility and Jesuites This was onely the difference that those who were freed from prison were restored to their credit and honour but those that had escaped by flight were commanded to be held as infamous as those whose names had been fixed on the Gallowes CHAP. LXXXVI Wenceslaus de Betow a Knight I. OF their number was Wenceslaus Bitowski de Bitow Lord of Prussiwick one of the Governours of Moravia in the time of the vacancy and when Frederick created him Captaine of the Order of Knight Who when he was taken in the Marquisate of Brandenburgh in the yeare 1627. in the moneth of August and sent back into Moravia he was put to the torture by Cardinall Detrichsteine who hated him deadly and being examined a long time but in vain concerning divers questions at last he was condemned to be beheaded and couragiously underwent it on a scaffold at the Court of Brune 2. If there had been leave given to any to have visited him or accompanied him to his death wee should certainely have had something which might have been an example For he was a stout man and exceeding couragious and although formerly he was given to excesse as the custome is with such natures yet in his banishment hee gave himself wholly to reading the Scripture and meditation and amending his life so that nothing but piety and modesty and zeale for the glory of God and his owne salvation could bee observed in him But because no man was admitted to him all the time of his imprisonment except a foolish boy that was left to serve him and a noise of drummes and Trumpets was made at his execution his speeches could not be noted by any one But his perseverance in the faith worthy of a Martyr and the firmnesse of his hope did sufficiently appeare in his
farewell letters to his wife and his gestures of his comming forth and at his execution CHAP. LXXXVII The Protestant Noblemen are deprived of their Goods I. THe seventh day after the execution at Prague being 28 of Iune the confiscation of the Goods of those that were executed and those that were banished was ordered the rest of the States being brought into extreame danger wavering betweene Religion a Rock The year following a Proclamation was published wherein a general pardon of all crimes was offered to all the inhabitants of the Kingdome The summe was this That all those that were guilty of the abhominable and horrid Rebellion and consequently of Treason and all those that had already been punished and lost their priviledges honour life and Goods But Caesar out of the small clemency of the house of Austria did grant them their lives and honours and would onely have their Goods confiscate and brought into the Kings Exchequer and least any should have occasion to complain that his Imperiall Majesty winked at the keeping of their Goods who had not grievously offended It was ordered that every one of them should resign some part as a subsidue to his Imperiall Majesty to pay the debts which were contracted by this necessary War That every one should be commanded to appear at Prague within the space of six weeks beforâ— the Viceroy Lichtenstein and exhibite a confession of his fault wherein he had offended his Imperial Majesty and should detest the crime and whosoever did not appear should be excluded from all favour if any man concealed any thing of which he might be convinced he should loose the whole cause but if he did freely confesse he should hear the sentence These letters were given at Onespont 3. Feb. in the year 1622 2. There was a form of confession prescribed by which all were commanded to confesse and detest their crime which was deceitfully done as afterwards appeared For when the Princes of Germany advised the Emperour not to punish all without any difference for the Delinquency of a few persons it was answered None were punished but such as were convinced by their own confession 3. It was presently forbidden by Letters Patents sent through all the Lordships that no man should diminish or wast his Goods by selling any of them or by any other pretence translating them to any other but should possess them as he did at that present A penalty was imposed upon those that should do otherwise that whatsoever any man should send to another place should bee lost and that whosoever received any thing of another mans should pay so much of his own to the Emperour 4. Many were afterwards cited one after another to receive their final sentence even some that were dead as the L. Nicholas Bukowski de Husteizan purged two years before c. others that had been for many years bed-ridden some that were blind who could not in any thing offend whose names were found in the Registers of the Kingdom and who were thought to be rich which happened to the Lord Peter Skopek of Otradowitz Lord of Belehrade and the Lord Iohn Charvat of Bielossesky to whose charge this crime was laid that they had been present in the expedition of the States at Vienna and had shot bullets against the Emperors window of whom one had lost the use of his eies ten yeares before the other being sick of the Palsie could not move himself in his bed by this it appeared that not so much the faults of the Protestants as their goods And that appeared that they made not so exact an inquiry unto men of a meaner estate Yea I tell a truth those merry Judges turned their wickednesse to a jest and had it not seldome in their mouths when any one had purged himselfe of a fault in no wise committed by him that although he had not actuall sinnes yet he was infected with Originall sinne heresie and wealth and therefore could not bee exempt from punishment This was heard often from the mouth of Cardinall Ditrichstein That was some comfort to the Godly that they suffered not as evil doers but as Christians 5. Then were but eight dayes given to those that were warned to appear when otherwise in the businesse of mony a longer term was usually granted Those that did appear had the Articles of the crimes read to them not onely according to the confession published but whatsoever might be slanderously framed against any man Neither was time given or permitted to answer but if any one would offer or had offered to purge himself he was commanded to hear his definitive sentence in that place The form of which was That he had incurred the losse of life honour and goods but by the grace of the Imperial Majesty life and honour was given to him but onely his Goods hee owed to Caesar whether every farthing or onely a halfe third or a fourth part c. 6. So that it had an appearance of mercy that all were not deprived of all their Goods but the proceeding of the execution shewed it to bee meer cruelty For they tooke from the possessors all the Castles Townes and Villages giving them a paper for that which was left whereby they were commanded to expect the payment of their part from the Chamber But no man hath as yet seen a farthing of any payment and so by the processe of law the Protestants were deprived of their goods after a Tyrannical manner and driven into strange places some were freely received through the Cities others betooke themselves to their kindred and friends of the Popish Religion others became servants to the destroyers of their own goods few of them kept their own and their wives goods for a time by the favor of the Commissioners by bribes or by a second lying it increased there cruelty not only their immoveable Goods were taken away but there moveables also were sequestred scarce having so much as a garment left wherewith to cloath them for example sake Burjan Slebowski may be named and that did not happen to him alone but to many others who returning home at that very time when the Commissioners had entred his house to confiscate his goods he was commanded to alight and told that his coach and horses with these chests must be seized on for the Emperour 7. And because they thought that many had mony at use that they might also squeeze out this they commanded that every man should bring what bonds he had upon pain of losing the whole summe if any one did but conceale the least In Moravia there was a peculiar judicature erected for this thing which they called Grida at Nulasbergh where all were bound to appeare some were restored whole viz. those of a lesse value for an appearance of justice others were suppressed for counterfeit reasons from others a part was set apart for the Emperour If any certaine summe of money was broght u into the Kingdomes Register according to the