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
the third 1334. therefore every year in the 18. of April there was a solemne meeting at that place where a Church as yet stands and commemorations were vsually made of the Martyrs to the year 1613. which Woresowetz the chiefe master of the mint did in vaine endeavour to hinder at length it seased in yeare 1621. when persecution prevailed CHAP. XI John Krasa 1. THis was a chief Merchant of Prague who comming to trade at Preslaw a Town of Silesia where at that time Sigismund the Emperour and Fernandus the Popes Legate were met to consult about the carrying on the war against the Bohemians and upon a fit occasion in his Inne disputing strongly for the innocency of Husse who was unjustly condemned and for the partaking of the Eucharist in both kinds was taken and cast into prison 2. The next day Nicolas de Bethlehem a student was cast into the same prison who was sent by the inhabitants of Prague to Caesar at Preslaw by whom they declared themselves that if the Emperour would permit them the cup they would acknowledge him to be their King But Caesar was very cruell to the messenger 3. Krasa exceedingly encouraged him with many religious exhortations rejoycing that he had such a companion in his Martyrdome Oh my brother saith he what an honour is this that we are called to bear witnesse to the Lord Jesus Let us undergo with chearfulnesse so little trouble The fight is but short but the reward is eternall Let us remember our Lord what a cruell death hee under went for us and with what guiltlesse blood we are redeemed and what torments the Martyrs have patiently endured With these and the like words he was constantly exhorting him But when they were brought to execution and the ropes by which horses were to drag them through the City were tied to their feete Nicolas being terrified with the thoughts of death and fed by Fernandus who was then present with the hope of life presently yielded and recanted Husse his Doctrine which then began to be called Error 4. Krasa standing like an unshaken rock against all the perswasions of the Legate told them That all their hopes of any recantation from him were in vain Hee was drawne slowly through the streets the Legate at every turning inveighing against him and oftentimes commanding the hangman to stay crying to him Pitty your self and recant those errours which the Bohemians have so rashly spread abroad But he answered I am ready to dye for the Gospell of the Lord Jesus At length being brought half alive to the place of execution he was burnt This was done in the year 1420. March 14. and presently on the following Lords day being the 17 day of March the Legate commanded the excommunication of the Bohemians made by Pope Martin together with _____ to be stucke on the Church-gates and to be declared in the Pulpits CHAP. XII The Litomerician Martyrs PIchell the chief Magistrate of the City Litomericia a cruell and deceitfull man having taken four and twenty of the chief Citizens and among them his son in law put then in the highest Tower at Michaells gate At length having taken councell with some Captaines of Sigismunds and guarded with a band of Souldiers he commanded them to bee brought out half dead with hunger and cold and pronounces a sentence of death against them and causing some horses to be harnessed he sets them in carts and brings them to the bankes of Albis to drown them in the river 2. In the meane time there is a great concourse of people their Wives Children Kinsfolkes and friends crying and mourning The Consuls onely daughter comes wringing her hands and throwes her self down at her fathers feet beseeehing him to save her husbands life But her father harder than any rock commands her to leave weeping telling her she knew not what she asked What saith he cannot you have a worthier husband than this is she perceiving by these words that it was impossible to perswade him riseth Oh father saith she you shall never more espouse me to any So beating her breast and tearing her hair she followeth her husband with the rest of the people 3. When the Martyrs were brought to the bankes of Albis they are taken down from the carts and while the Ferries are preparing for there was not then a bridge over Albis as there is now they with loud voices call heaven earth to witness their innocency and take their last farewell of their wives children and friends exhorting them to constancy and zeale and cleave rather to the word of God than mans inventions and at last pray for their enemies and commend their soules to God Then being taken into the boats and brought into the middle of the river they are cast in with their hands and feet bound together and are drowned Some Officers stood upon the banks with iron forks and poles watching that none of them might be cast on the banks and saved and stabbing those that were rouled to the bank although they were half dead 4. The Consuls daughter seeing her husband leapt into the river and clasping him about the middle endeavoured to save him from drowning But shee being not able to wade by reason of the depth nor hee to unlose himselfe and having swallowed down much water she sank and was drowned together with her husband The next day they were taken up embracing one another and buried both in one grave This was done 30. day of May in the year 1421. 5. This History was shortly after engraven in Golden letters on the Church of All Saints at Litomericia for an eternall memoriall and was also to be seen in a table before St. Michaels gate and now lately in the year 1623. 8 of July was raz'd out by the command of George Michna a Commissioner for Reformation CHAP. XIII Wenceslaus Preacher at Arnostowitz with eight more burned Conrade Arch-Bishop of Prague converted 1. IN the same year when Albert of Austria sent Auxiliaries to Prague to Sigismund his father in law a party of his horse at Arnostowitz a village neer Milizine brought Wenceslaus the Curate of that place a Divine both dear to God and men with his Officiary three Country-men and four boyes the eldest of them not above eleven years of age to their Collonel at Bystrick where the quarters were The Clergy-men were apprehended for administring the other for receiving the Sacrament under both kinds that is to say of Bread and Wine The Bishop commanded Wenceslaus to abjure for the time to come the administration of the Sacrament under both kinds which if he should refuse to do he would expiate his rashnesse by fire To whom the Pastor returned a resolute and gallant answer But the Gospell doth teach me otherwise so also your owne Missalls have it you must approve what I teach or blot it out of the Bible The standers by being exâ—sperated by this liberall reply one of the Troopers strook Wenceslaus on his face with
separate themselves and had by themselves a peculiar meeting at Prague accusing the other that they did admit of the sword propounded to defend themselves by outward force This Calumny being greedily received and brought to the Kings cars was the reason that the King said What do they think to bring back Ziscâ— again to us We shall take a speedy course to suppresse this insolence The brothers hearing of it did write a new Apology to the King giving him an account of their faith and removing from themselves the late accusations and the blasphemies attributed to the Piccardins which occasioned the King by one edict to mitigate another and commanded that those of the Vniversity and the consistory should have a friendly Colloquy with the Piccardins in which the chiefest of them should endeavour by the strength of reason to recall them from their errors 2. Therefore in the Calends of January in the year 1504. The Patrons of the Brothers the Barons were commanded to bring their greatest Doctor to this Colloquie with the Academians and these of the Consistory The businesse of the Edict being deliberately canvassed although they feared treachery yet because it was held inconvenient to forsake so good a cause and to exasperate the King it was resolved that there should be a meeting they sent therefore but as Sacrifices to the slaughter Francis Lucas of Prague and Laurence Krasonice two Pâ—llars of their Church with some others who were comended to the prayers of all the Brethren There is extant an Epistle of Bohusza Kostka Baron of Postupitz Lord of Litomissa which he sent to Francis Krasoâ—ice not long after he had taken his farewell of him I conceive it to be no lost labour to insert in this place some part thereof To love life said the Baron is naturall but thou my Brother having learned better things must remember that thy life is buried in Christ which that thou mayest injoy thou must dye in Christ Thou knowest whom thou hast believed how able he is to keep thy pledge unto that day c. Be strong therefore in the Lord and in the power of his might that thou mayst fight the good fight and mayst receive a Crowne of life What is the manner of this fight thou needest not to be taught though peradventure thou mayst be admonished But that I may no longer detain thee stand fast beloved brother As far as humane providence can direct us we have provided for your safety neither will we be wanting to you But if the fury of the enemy shall prevaile and it shal please God by your death to glorifie the cause of Christ be you prepared to say with Job God hath given and let God take this life as it pleaseth him so let it be Farewell my brother Dated at Litomissa on the day of the first Martyr Stephen 1503. There is also extant the farewell of Francis Lucas to the Brethren at Bolislave a most comfortable letter 3. But God who would preserve these instruments from the jawes of the Lions Mr. Martin Poczatece not the least of the Enemies of the truth dying suddenly that morning about the break of day in which they should appear at the consistory By which example the rest were feared and the whole City meeting together they desired that the colloquy might not be in private but in publick but they pretending I know not what new businesses adjourned the disputation to another time the brothers being lovingly dismissed CHAP. XXIIII The Proclamation of King Wladislaus for the banishing of the Brothers made frustrate by the intervention of some wonderfull Iudgements The Martyrs at Bora. I. THe enemies of the truth could not bee quiet but a new destruction was againe designed to this small flocke of the brothers for Iohn Bozake Bishop of Warade in Hungary a Moravian by his birth a subtile man and burning with an implacable hatred against the enemies of the truth entring into crafty counsell with other Bishops of Hungaria and Bohemia the Queen her selfe was suborned who great with child and so neere unto her delivery that it was believed the King would deny her nothing in that estate she sollicited him for a new edict against the Piccardins and comming to his Chamber as it was afterwards known by some Gentlemen of his Bedchamber and most worthy of beliefe she desired that favour that the King would give way to so many Petitions and severely prosecute against that so much hated fraternity The King being sad to heare that request only nodded with his head but gave no answer at all 2. Presently upon this the Bishops in the presence of the King did begin to write the Coppy of the Mandate The King going into his chamber did fall on his knees and with teares besought God to forgive the guilt of those bloudy Councels and grant no successe unto them God heard his voyce and shewed some Examples of horrid Judgment on the authors of this conspiracy The first example was the Queene her selfe who before hand delighting her selfe with the immagination of it did propose unto her fancy what gratefull spectacles she should behold at Prague when being delivered of her Child she should come to that City and see the Piccardines some burned some beheaded and some stifled in the water But Oh the Judgments of God for before the time of her delivery being prevented with the pangs thereof and not able to bring forth The Physitians that they might preserve one were of opinion that the Child should be cut out of the mothers womb and the Chyrurgions being come tooke out the child alive but because it was brought into the world before its time as yet unable to see This was Ludonick who afterward succeded his father in both Kingdomes but the Mother no longer able to indure the torment did expire and with her dyed the wicked contriveances of the enemyes of the Truth for that time This was at Buda in the year 1506. on the beginning of July 3. Two yeares after this the Bishops obtained what before they attempted and the King overcome by their importunity who cryed out that sharp remedies must be used to take away such a growing Evill he commanded that all the Piccardins whatsoever without difference either of sexe or Age should be punished with the losse of life This was in the year 1508. on the tenth of August 4. Ionh Bishop of Warade and Stanislaus Sturzo Bishop of Olumitz brought this Edict unto Bohemia and a full house of the states being called gave it to them But because many of the chiefe of the Nobility complained that this Decree was made without the knowledge of the Parliament they could not consent that it should carry any force with it The execution of it therefore went on but slowly and almost eighteene moneths were spent in disputations only and debates about it 5. At the last by the cunning Artifice and proceedings of Albert Chancellor of Kolowratte and his Accomplices this bloudy Edict
peace for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation c At length kneeling downe reciting the words of the Psalm in Latine Into thy hands O Lord J commend my spirit and so holily ended his life CHAP. LXXVII Tobias Steffek a Citizen of new Prague I. ANd this man for his wisedome was chosen by the States into the number of the Directors A man of a quiet and composed temper and sincere in Religion who spent almost all the time of his imprisonment in silent sighs and tears 2. Before his execution he said I have received many good things at the hands of the Lord all my life shall I not therefore receive this cup of affliction I embrace the will of God who by the ignominious death makes me conformable to his son and by a narrow way bring me to a heavenly Kingdome Therefore I praise the mercy of God because he hath joyned me undeservedly to these excellent men that I might receive with them a crown of Martyrdome When hee was called to die hee clapped his hands and looking up to heaven with a sad countenance and weeping eyes My Saviour being about to die said father not as I will but as thou wilt thy will bee done shall I therefore who am but a worme ye dust and a shadow contradict his will Bee it farre from me yea I come willingly my God onely have mercy on me and purge me from my sinnes that no spot or wrinkle may adhere unto me that I may appeare pure in thy sight The Minister of the word seeing him so sad did comfort him with the words of God who answered Yet a little while and the Lord will take all teares from my eyes sighs griefes and mournings shall cease being exchanged for everlasting joies so hee lifted up himselfe full of sighes and yet full of hope among which perpetually praying hee rendered his spirit to God CHAP. LXXIIII John Jessenius a Doctor of Physick I. HE was a Hungarian by birth a Nobleman and famous for his learning over all Europe He was made Governor of the University of Prague Hee had the charge of an Embassie from the States in the year 1618 to the Hungarians which when he had faithfully performed being taken in his returne and brought to Vienna hee was set at liberty by Matthias the Emperour by the exchange of a certaine Italian taken by the States But Ferdinand being possessed of Prague gave order that hee should bee taken and kept with the rest Whose bloudy mind toward the Protestants and chiefly toward himselfe when he knew he expected nothing but that which happened 2. He related to his friends That being to return from Vienna to Prague he wrote on the prison wals the letters I. M. M. M. M. which when after his departure many read and could not understand Ferdinand at length entring did thus interpret them Imperator Matthias Mense Martio Morietur The Emperour Matthias shall die in the moneth of March. And taking a piece of chalke writ also a Prophesie Jessenius Mentiris Mala Morte Morieris Jessenius thou liest thou shalt die an evill death Jessenius remembring these things addded As I did not lie for Matthias deceased the same moneth so without doubt Ferdinand will doe his endeavour that it may not be said he was a false prophet as it after was effected 3. Having heard his heavy sentence he said You use us too cruelly and disgracefully but know that some will not be wanting who shall bury our heads which you ignominiously expose for a spectacle Which was done in the yeare 1631. when after Gustavus his victory at Leipsick the Elector of Saxony entring Bohemia with his Army tooke Prague the Martyrs heads were taken from the Tower on the bridge by the Count of Thurne with the Electors leave and were in a solemne manner brought into the Church ad Laetum Curium with great concourse of Nobility People and Ministers returned from banishment and after a Sermon in commemoration of the Martyrs they were delivered to certaine men to bury in a place which was not knowne by any of the enemies 4. The Iesuites tooke great paines but in vaine to convert Jessenius unto them When they urged justification by workes saith hee Although I would now passe to your side yet I am exceedingly afraid that when I have a little time to live I am not able to make up so great a heap of good works as you require and what then shal become of my salvation At this one of them said as though the victory were already gained My Jessenius if you have a wil ready to do them although you should die this very moment yet we promise that you shall presently fly into heaven Then Jessenius Ho! where is your Purgatory then designed for those who cannot fill up their number of good works here so they seeing themselves derided went away 5. Being brought upon the scaffold and turning to the Judges but scarce heard for the noise of Trumpets and Drummes hee said In vaine doth Ferdinand establish his Kingdome by Tyranny Fredericke shall yet reigne When the Hangman came and required his tongue to be cut off he readily put it out although he did before confesse That it grieved him very much to be so disgracefully deprived of that tongue wherewith hee had pleaded with applause before Emperours Kings and Princes but this base rent would bee no hinderance to his Resurrection He falls upon his knees and calling upon God after a stuttering manner was beheaded which was laid by to be set up with other heads and the body being thrust into a sack and after the execution of the rest was finished quartered under the Gallowes without the walls and hung upon four stakes CHAP. 75. Christopher Khober a Citizen of little Prague BEing endued with an Heroicke mind and elder then the other Citizens he discoursed piously of many things which were helps to constancy Among other things he exhorted them to consider how glorious is the memory of the Prophets Apostles and Martyrs also of Hus and Ierome and for no other reason but because they laid down their lives willingly for the Testimony of Iesus Christ Why therefore should they envy themselves when God would have them be in the number of this most holy company He cited the words of Ignatius I am the Corne of God and I shall be ground with the teeth of beasts We also saith he are the Corne of God sown in the field of the Church and that we may be for our Mr. we are now to be torne by beasts but be of good cheare the Church is founded in bloods and hath encreased by blood God is able to raise up a thousand worshippers of himself out of every drop of our blood for although truth does now suffer violence yet notwithstanding Christ reigns and shall reign and no man shall throw him from his throne c. 2. Being called to execution he said I come in the name of my God neither am I ashamed
to suffer these things for his glory for I know whom I have believed I have fought a fight and finished my course c. He went couragiously to the place designed for his execution as though he would wrestle with death to which when he came he stood up and said Must I dye here Well I shall not dye but live and declare the workes of the Lord in the land of the living Then pulling off his cloaths praying into thy hands Lord I commend my spirit he received the Crown of Martyrdom CHAP. 76. John Shultis Primate of Kutteberg BEing about h to come on the Scaffold he comforted himself with the words of the Psalme Why art thou so sad O my soule Hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him for his salvation given to me When that he was gone a little further he said The righteous seem to dye in the eyes of fools but indeede they go to their rest and a little after Lord Jesus Christ thou hast promised that who so comes unto thee thou wilt not cast him off Behold I now come look upon me have pitty on me pardon my sinnes receive my soul to thy self then he threw himselfe upon his face stretching out his hands and crying with a loud voice Come come Lord Iesus and do not tarry and lifting himself upon his knees he received the stroke of the sword his head was carryed to Kutteberg and was fixed on a stake before the Gate CHAP. 77. Maximillian Hostialek HE was the chief Consul of _____ a learned and pious man therefore he was admitted into the number of the directors being condemn'd to death he appeared sadder then the rest being asked the reason by the ministry of the word answered The sinnes of my youth do now come into my mind For although he knew there was nothing did remaine to condemn them which were in Christ Jesus yet that God did exercise justice as well as mercy towards his own And being called to death he said Look upon me O Lord my God and enlighten mine eyes least I sleep in death and least my enemies say I have prevailed At last he repeated the words of Simeon Now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seene thy salvation And so he was beheaded and his head put in the Market-place at _____ at the Crosse for a spectacle CHAP. 78. John Kutnaur Senator of old Prague HE was younger then all for he had scarce finished his fortieth year but yet almost superior to all in courage when the Jesuites coming to him began to speak he interrupted them said my Fathers we pray you that you would not trouble our consciences we are sufficiently furnished with comforts against the fear of death we need none of your helpe When they proceeded to speak he said we will not hear you hold your peace Why do you create unprofitable labours to your selves and trouble to us A Jesuite speaking to his companion that they were hard rocks and would not suffer themselves to be removed he answered You say right Father for Christ is a hard rock and we are firmly fixed in him 2. It is above mentioned 60. S. 9. how he did by a certaine speciall full perswasion of faith prophesie of a certaine miracle about the houre of his martyrdom and that did happen he said unto his companions I understand I am designed to be hanged but whether by the neck feet or middle I know not but howsoever it be done I care not this only is my griefe that my blood may not be mingled with yours that we may be made one Sacrifice to God 3. Being called out to die he was sprinkled with the tears of his friends between their imbraces and kisses especially at the prisons of those that were preserved Abraham Angelus Jyprechtus and Hoslawrus he did not onely not shed a teare but did couragiously speak unto them Play the men Brethren and refraine from weeping I indeed go before but it is but a short time and we shall meete in the heavenly glory And then with a Lyons face as if he were to wrestle with some body and hopeing for victory he went forward singing in his own tongue Behold the houre drawes neare c. 4. When he had finished his prayer and the Hangman coming to him and asked him pardon he gave him his purse with some mony and presently reached out his hand to be bound he did admonish him that he would do his office in a Christian manner When he went up the Ladder to be tyed to the beame that was fasten'd to the Court-window he cryed with a loud voice as if it were a certain roaring I have plotted no Treason I have committed no murther I have done no deed worthy of death but I die because I have been faithfull to the Gospell and my Country O God pardon my enemies for they know not what they do but thou Christ Jesus have pitty on me for I commit my soul unto thee Being thrown off the Ladder gave up the Ghost CHAP. 79. Simeon Sussickey HE was Kutnaurs Father in law being otherwise not much elder when he saw thorough his window the Jesuites coming turning to his coÌ„panions he said the Birds of prey are flying hither but they shall not feed on these carkases but they shall fly away hungry For God hath promised a faithfull care of his own as the apples of his eyes and therefore he will not suffer them to be seduced 2. The last night he had a great conflict with the flesh because the Scripture pronounced every one that hung upon the Crosse accursed but when that the Minister Werbenius told him that that curse was taken away by the death of Christ and ceased in him he was satisfied 3. When he heard the noise of the Ordnance he said This is a token of our approaching death let us prepâ—re our selves that we may give place to our enemies that cannot indure us We hope that we shall couragiously undergo this death but an eternall death waits for them unlesse they repent 4. Being called afterwards praying and singing he went to execution and was hanged upon the Gebbit next to his Sonne in law and after he had given up the Ghost he turning unto him which was a wonderfull thing to behold so near that their mouths touched each other Which their enemies did cavill at saying that they were such obstinate Rebels that they did not cease to plot after death CHAP. 80. Nathaniel Wodniansky WHen the Jesuites solicited him to Apostacy he said you take away our lives under a pretence of Rebellion and not content with that Do you seeke our souls Glut your selves with the sight of our bloud and be at rest But we shall leave stings in your consciences 2. When the day before his execution his son Iohn Wodniansky a married man and a Citizen of Prague bidding him farewell wept and said My father if hope of life should be offered you upon conditioon
and all At the lintell of the doore they writ this sentance in golden letters My house is a house of prayer but not thy house O most cursed Calvin They carried out of the Church the most ancient Pictures of Litomeritius Hus and Ierom and so burned them afterwards they shewed their rage against the holy Martyrs 4. How they set upon the books every one perhaps have already heard a thousand bibles that I might not mention other good books were taken away by these Furies that Antichrist might shew himself nothing inferiour to Antiochus 1 Macabees 1.5 9. commonly they burned them onely the Count of Nahud that most perverse Apostate having covered his holy books with silk and Gold for hee was sumptuous proud having taken off onely the gold and the silver commands that they should bee buried in the sink himself being present but the manner was diverse some having taken them away from the Christians did burne them privately at home simulating the modesty of Joochim 6. Jer. 23. others brought them in baskets to the market-place as was done at Fulneck others brought them in carts without the walls as was done at Zalicum and Frutnovia others brought them in heaps to the Gallows and other places destined for the punishment of mallefactors as at Hraditium so in great heaps burned them but you shall see O good men that the innocent ashes of these livelesse Martyrs being scattered through heaven and earth will spread further the doctrine which you would have abolished 5. The adversary being unmindfull of Ovid Lions vent not their rage upon the dead And the fight ends when foes are vanquished But savage Wolves and Bears not onely prey Upon the living but the dead assay imitating the cruelty of Wolves and Beares counted a part of their glory thus to expresse their rage and madnesse upon the dead continually It is a wonderfull beastiallity not to be able to endure the living above ground nor the dead under ground there are many examples of those who were by these pulled out of their graves and had their members burned at Horasdovisius in the year 1621. The monastery which the Bohemian Brethren for a long time possessed was restored to the Monkes who opened the graves of the Ministers of the word first of all the bones of Iacob Welchi both in name and in truth two worthy men buried in the year 1600. were taken up which Severinus Budetius the Warden did with an iron barre beat in pieces using with all cursing words and commanded that they should be burned in the Church-yard with the bones of Iohn Popelius Iohn Iaphet and Matthias Cobar who were buried in the year 1599. 1614. 1616. and because the Barons of Squilâ—ve the Lord of the place were buried in the same Church the wicked warden visiting their sepulchres tooke off from their bodies their rings and gold chaines and whatsoever was pretious lastly the body of Theobold Squiovius being taken out of the vault and out of the leaden chest wherein he lay he commanded it being put into a woodden coffin that it should be cast into some ditch about the Church-yard and covered over with dung 6. In the year 1623. the Church Czaslavia being taken from the Christians when they had found an Epitaph with this inscription In the year 1424 upon Thursday Iohn Lyski of Callis departed this life Governour of the Common-wealth labouring in the name and for the name of God is buried in this place Presently they put to their hands that they might remove him from thence that had rested there for the space of two hundred years within one but having digged very deep they found nothing besides dust their rage therefore being turned against the Tombstone upon which his effigies were formerly ingraven but now worne out they beat this to powder and with the dust of the grave they sprinkled it upon the ground without the church so forsooth taking revenge upon him being dead who whilest he was alive troubled them living 7. In the same yeare when that they were a purging the Church of Prague of the buried hereticks they brought out a marble-stone laid upon the grave of Rokizane and beate that to powder but they could not find the grave Lastly in the yeare 1630. when P. Lucas the Jesuite the twenty fourth of December died and there was in that place a most deep grave prepared for him there was found at the bottome a certaine bedde of brick which being plucked out there appeared putrified bones with two cups one of brasse and the other of Waxe uncorrupted and a piece of Damaske cloth the Reliques of his Priestly covering long red hairs stuck still to his skull These bones being gathered together they brought them in a basket into the Vestry untill they did know what their Superiour would command concerning them but what was afterwards done with them we doe not know but what we do declare was related to us by an eye-witnesse So Rokizane having laine in his Sepulcher about 159 years and 7 moneth for he died â—n the year 1471 the 21 of February gave place to another 8. At Trebovea there were extant some stony Statues of some dead Pastors in the Church-yard the eyes of which a Iesuite beat out with his mallet hee being himselfe blind blinded those that were before blind 9. But yet their fury did not onely express it selfe against those that were already buried I will not mention how they did deny them an honest buriall in the Church-yards and forced them to bee buried in fields gardens high-wayes and in those places that were set apart for the punishment of rogues Certainly this was too barbarous that they did altogether deny that some should bee brought out of their houses and restored to our common mother the earth for this onely end that they might vomit out their hatred against those that slept in Christ and that they might deterre the living almost killed with the stink of their carkases from the imitation of their constancy this happened to a most holy man John Mathrada Muslen preacher at Kutiberg at Saint Barbera who dying at his own house in the yeare 1625 the 4. of October who being privily returned from banishment departed the Arch-Deacon Apian denied altogether that he should be buried not suffering himself to be wrought upon either by intreaties or by offers of money at length after eight days some good men by stealth taking away his carkasse in the night time buried it in a certaine place That Belial in vain inquiring after the authors of so great wickednesse and threatning death unto them for a little while after the thirty of October the like example oâ— charity was shewed to one whom the Pastor did use with the like cruelty for a little sonne of his baptized else-where 10. Why should I produce more examples of their cruelty O that it were lawfull to write upon the fore-heads of these men that which Semirames is reported to have commanded should
at first was courteous to her Husband and the Christian Nobility and promised after her Catechising that she would be baptized but this wicked woman did boldly deceive both those that instructed her and those that were her Sponsers in baptisme for she was more cruell against Christians then Iezabel was against the Prophets 4. Whilest her pious Husband lived she cunningly dissembled that hatred which was evilly conceived against the Christians but he being buried when the Grandmother Ludomilla did undertake to educate the elder son Wenceslaus Drahomira requiring the younger Bolislawes to be under her tuition shee usurped the Government and straightway commanded by a publike Edict that the Churches should be shut against the Christians that the exercise of their Worship should be hindred She likewise prohibited Ministers from instructing the people and Schoolmasters from teaching Youth those that disobeyed were liable to imprisonment banishment and death At Prague the Magistrates were changed and the most cruell Idolaters were substituted in the places of the Christians by whose incitement the Christians were secretly openly unworthily abused and murthered without any punishment to the perpetrators of that mischief but if a Christian had killed another in his own defence ten were massacred for one 5. The insatiable crueltie of Drahomira could not be satisfied with this punishment her great desire of driving away and sudden destroying all Christians excited her to deal with Ballioius a most cruel Citizen whom she had set over the City of Prague under title of Pretor to him she doth reveal her most execrable desire and doth earnestly entreat him by fraud or force to effect this promising him a rich reward for his labour done He entertains the cursed motion and arms six hundred conspirators at his own house with them he hastens to those that were designed for slaughter but the plot being discovered to the Christians above four hundred met to defend their own lives the issue of the fight was victory on the Christians side the streets being poluted with the blood of about eight hundred that were slain 6. Drahomira did much resent the evill successe of her councell and therefore fained that tumults displeased her she commanded that the armes should bee laid downe on both sides and be laid in the city Magazine severely prohibiting any person to walk with dart or sword 7 The Christians although they suspected her treachery yet least they should seem to disobey the commands of the Magistrate brought their armes to that place to which the enemie seemed to carry theirs Drahomira commands in the silentest part of the night to set upon them being thus disarmed least in the day as lately there should be tumults made there were killed in one night by alured Ruffins more then three hundred half asleep and half naked Drahomira rejoycing at this slaughter although not satisfied speakes to the bloody Proetor at Prague to destroy christians he obeys and besets all passages and streets with Ruffins and executes and slayes all that he meetes withall untill the Christians who chose rather to dy valiantly in fighting then in slothfull idlenesse gathered themselves together who incountring with the Pâ—oetor overcame him and put him to flight and in pursuit slew this wicked person 8. Drahomira was enraged at the losse of this Minister of cruelty and when she could not destroy the Christians at Prague she intended the subversion of their Churches there being but two left in one of which the Sepulchre of her husband was both which she commanded to be burnt CHAP II The Martyr Ludomilla 1. WHilest Drahomira did thus rage against the Christians Wenceslaus who hitherto excused himself from undertaking the Government in respect of his age and studies by the advice of his Grandmother Ludomilla and the Christian nobility took the Government into his own hands and that he might establish tranquillity by the consent of his nobles he doth assign the city of Boleslavia with the adjacent grounds to bee inhabited by his brother Bolislaus and his Mother Drahomira 2. Drahomira therefore laid aside her Government but not her hatred and bloody imaginations against the Christians which did first break out against that holy Matron Ludomilla for when she perceived that Wenceslaus did favour Ludomilla more then her selfe who was his mother and by that meanes the Christian religion was much promoted she did seek til at last she found fitting instruments to accomplish her cruelty which were Juhuman Cuman who were men of the highest nobility and of impudent audacity who being sent forth by Drahomira in the night they found out the holy widdow intent at her praiers in her Oratory they break in and break down and robbing the vail from her head they strangled her her jawes being open there were some who did inflame Wenceslaus who was exceedingly disturbed for the death of his Grandmother to revenge that cruelty or if hee would be wanting they desired Commission for to do it themselves but he gravely tebuked all of them in regard they did perswade him to do that which is contrary to that duty which is owed to any mother and contrary to the modesty and patience of a Christian not remembring what the Lord sayeth vengeance is mine and I will retribute it CHAP. III. The Martyrdome of Wenceslaus Podivinius and others 1. BUt Wenceslaus was evilly requited for his pitty to his impious mother for she desiring to subject all Bohemia to Bolislaus who imitated her superstition and manners began to defame Wenceslaus and to stir up hatred against him as if he were unfit to execute the offices of a Prince which ought to bee performed not by sacred things and ceremonies but by arms and sighting at length when she perceived that he was confirmed and his name began to be glorious she did not only agitate wicked counsels concerning the taking of him away but whispered them to his Brother 2. There happened an occasion suitable to her desire Bolislaus the infant being born to whose Baptisme she honourably invites Wenceslaus to come to Bolislavia he going thither was entertained by his mother and brother with kind imbracements kisses with a delicate feast which was held til late of the night Wenceslaus when he suspected all things for a resting place went to the Church and there decreed to spend the night in sighs and praiers 3. Whilest he was thus busied his brother Bolislaus invades him being excited by his more vigilant mother to that wickednesse at first he lost his blow in regard his sword by a sudden amazement fell out of his hand but those who were hired as coadjuters in this wickednesse inflamed him with new rage and fury so he repeats his stroak and easily kills his disarmed brother who patiently receives his wound This was done in the year 929 the 28 of September which was afterward consecrated to the memory of St. Wenceslaus 4. Bolislaus when he had thus attained the Government by his boldnesse and impiety threatned prisonment and
death to all Christians and Clergy who did not depart from Bohemia his mother added that the slain should not be buried but left as food for dogges and birds this edict terrified many and caused their flight many were seized upon and tormented divers ways to death amongst the chief Podivinius who was of the Bed-chamber of Wenceslaus that was most dear and intimate with him was hanged 5. But when the revenging eye of God could not longer bear the deaths and Martyrdomes the Banishment and crosses of his own he declared a dreadfull example of his wrath upon Drahomira for on that place where the Ministers bones lay unburied the earth opened of it self and devoured Drahomira alive with the Chariot and those that were carried in it which place is now to be seen before the Castle of Prague 6. And those were punished from heaven who drew their swords and were helpers in that massacre some of them losing their reason in their rage madnesse cast themselvs headlong from high places others destroyed themselves with the same swords wherewith they had murthered the innocent furthermore that part of the Church neer which Wenceslaus was killed could never be washed from that bloud wherewith it was then sprinkled as an eternal witnes of that villany these various prodigies did so affright Bolislaus that hee dealt more mildly with the Christians 7. And though Caesar came upon him to revenge his Fratricide and Tyranny and so straightly besieged Bolislaus that hee was compelled to recall the banished Christians to restore the Churches to expiate all his former wickednesse and to promise that his children should be instructed in Christianity Religion did flourish better Heathenisme vanishing though not quite extinct when godly Bolislaus his son succeeded him CHAP. IIII. Woytichius otherwise Adalburtus Bishop of Prague with his five own Brothers were Martyred 1. FOr when Woytich the second Bishop of Prague who was the beloved pupill of Adalburtus the arch-Bishop of Magdeburgh so that he took his name and Histories call him Adalburt about the year 970. did seriously labour in converting the reliques of the Gentiles and in amending of their corrupt manners there was raised a great sedition by the fury of the Heathens which Bolislaus was necessitated to keep down by armes but VVoytichius was forced to a voluntary banishment 2. When therefore he went towards Rome the Pagans rose against his own Brothers and killed five of them together Coleborius Spitemerius Prebislaus Borita and Czalaus and make a conspiracy against their Prince but are overcome in battell 3. Woytichius being carried into Hungary by som sermons he converts to the faith and baptizes Stephen their Prince who was not long after made their King then returning home he is again banished he departs in Polonia being about to confirm that nation which was lately converted to the faith by the marriage of Dubrawka the daughter of Bolislaus the Bohemian with Miceslaus the Leader of the Polonians 4. From thence he makes his passage into Pâ—usia and there neare to Pistashium is murthered by the darts of the Infidells and is beheaded his body was redeemed from the Barbarians and carried to Guâ—sua in Polonia where he established a Bishopwrick and according to the superstitious custome of that age hee was canonised for a Saint CHAP. V. The first witnesses unto the truth against the Papacy in Bohemia 1. FOr when in these times as Histories testifie the Pope of Rome having usurped domination over other Churches would have had the rites ceremonies of his will-worship every where received and kept it happened that such things as were offensive unto the minds of the Godly were obtruded upon the Bohemians also but most especially the use of the Latine tongue in the Ordinances the unmarriageable estate of the Clergy and the maiming of the Eucharist by debarring the people of the cup in that Sacrament Of which it will not be tedious or in vain here to recite what we find expressed in our Annals because they were the first incitements unto the Bohemians and as it were the first sparks which afterward in the time of Husse burst out into open flame 2. In the yeare 965 when Boleslaus Pius had founded Episcopacy at Prague was chosen Bishop and confirmed by Hatto Arch-Bishop of Maguntium Dethmar the Saxon then Pope of Rome instituted a form of Church-government expressely charging that none should any whit decline from the rites ceremonies and Roman canting by him prescribed which the Bohemians took very ill for that the use of their native language was taken from them Now therefore Dethmar the the Bishop shortly after dying in the same year and Woytich his successours having freed Rome from the whirle wind of persecution two of the Clergy Bolehost and Mistibor with four others viz. Krzwan Rosislaw Waymire and Iarek were sent to Rome unto the Pope in the year 977 for to act with him both for the return of the Bishop and restoring unto them the use of their mother-tongue in the Ordinances who as the Annals tell us did both obtain their desires of the Pope and had sent them from the Bishop a form of Prayers writ in their natural language which is yet extant 3. But when their successours by reason of certain inhibitions issuing from Rome suffered the use of their naturall language again to fall Wratislaus Duke of Bohemia who shottly after for his heroick acts and deserts in the Roman Empire was created King sent Ambassadors to Rome and by them requested of Gregory the 7. a confirmation of the liberty heretofore solemnly granted unto them But what he obtained is manifest in Hajecius a Popish-writer who fully sets down Pope Gregory's answer page 136. which translated out of the Bohemian language for the Latine version is not extant or not to us is as followeth Gregory the Bishop servant of the servants of God to Wratislaus Duke of Bohemia health and Apostolicall benediction Amongst other Petitions your Highnesse by letters hath requested of us that we would permit you to exercise divine service in the free use of the Slavonian tongue Know therefore beloved son that we cannot by any meanes grant your Petition Because frequently meditating upon the Scripture we find that it hath been and is well pleasing to the Omnipâ—tent God that divine worship be performed in an unknown tongue least it be understood by every one and promiscuously espceially by the more ruae and ignorant for if it should be openly and commonly talked of by all it would easily come into contempt and disdain or if it could not be understood by some of the middle sort of men by their often repetition and not understanding thereof error what not may easily be hatcht which would hardly be rooted out of the hearts of men Nor can it bee pretended that the simpler sort were sometimes a little indulg'd especially after their conversion True indeed at the desires of sincere and ignorant people indulgencies were grantod in the primitive church