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
him a booke concerning the Sacraments penned by a man of a sincere opinion was whipped openly in the market place and banished The like hapned to John Kelenetz but hee was branded in the forehead because he being a Lay-man was said to administer the Eucharist to himself and his family George Lopatski being one of those that was banished when as the King had wrote that hee liked not such proceedings and had commanded the banished to be restored supposing that it had beene confirmed returned home to his house at Prague but being apprehended he was thrust into prison there murthered 4. In the meane time the Assemblies of the Kingdome being held and those wicked pragmatical men urging it it was agreed upon that the communicants under one and both kinds by the violence of those that were joyned together should bee one body but the commands of Wladislaus should bee put in execution against the Piccardins From whence arose a new persecution to the brethren their Church doores being shut up and their exercise forbidden 5. Seeing these things were so way wardly done one Matthias an Eremite a plaine man but of an holy conversation of life who came to Prague in the year 1419. and hitherto was wont to exhort the people in the streets and market places flocking unto him in great companies in the fear of God and repentance the Clergy in vaine striving to inhibit him felt the severe hand of Zahera For when he had admonished Zahera the chiefe Magistrate by letters which he wrote unto him in the year 1525 of Theologicall moderation that men should bee converted to the faith by Scripture not by imprisonments scourgings tortures and wrackings c. being invited by him to a communication was delivered to the Praetor and was kept in prison until that day Ferdinand was chosen King but afterwards he was banished the city Very Godly letters of that man dated out of the prison are yet extant CHAA. XXX Nicholas Wrzetenarz with his Hostesse Clara burned I. IN the year 1526 on the 9 day of December Nicholas Wrzetenar being well stricken in yeares and withall a learned man is accused of Piccardisme before the Senat by Jacobus Parochus and appearing according to his citation he was demanded by Zahera what he did beleeve concerning the Sacrament of the Altar answered That which the Evangelists and St. Paul taught mee to believe He that at that time sate as chiefe asked him beleevest thou that Christ is there present having flesh and bloud but he answered I beleeve that when the Ministers of Gods word doth declare to the faithful congregation the benefits which are received by the death of Christ the bread and wine are then made the supper of the Lord wherein they are made partakers of the body and bloud of Christ and the benefits received by the death of Christ What needes many words after the discussing of some questions concerning the Masse and intercession of Saints c. they do condemn him to the fire together with his Hostesse Clara being a widow of threescore yeares of age who would not deny that faith whereof she was instructed by her inmate 2. Being brought to the place of torment and being comanded to pray to the sign of the cross lifted up toward the east they utterly refused saying The law of God permitteth us not to worship the likeness of any thing either in heaven or earth we wil worship the living God of heaven who alike inhabiteth the South the West the North the East turning their backs therefore unto the image and prostrating themselves towards the West with their hands and eyes lifted up unto heaven with great ardencie of spirit they called on Christ then they tooke leave of their children and Nicholas with much cheerfulnes ascended the heap of wood there stood and did repeat the Articles of the Creed which when he had finished he looked up to heaven praied and with a loud voice said Lord Jesus Christ thou son of the living God who was born of a pure virgin and didst vouchasfe to undergo the shamefull death of the Cross e for me a wretched sinner thee alone do I worship to thee I recommend my soul be merciful unto me and forgive me all my sins Then he repeated this Psalm in latine In thee O Lord have I put my trust In the mean time the executioner had laid Clara on the pile of wood and then bound them both and casting the books which were found about them on the heap he set fire thereto CHAP. XXXI Martha Porzizia burned I. IN the next year after Martha de Porzizia a woman even beyond her sexe of an heroicke spirit being examined as well by the Masters in Colledges as by the Judges in the Common-Hall with much boldnesse gave an account of her faith and upbraideth the Hussites of folly for that they flattered the Papists the chief Magistrate admonishing her that she should prepare her garments against the time she was to be laid on the pile of wood answered I have both my petticoate and mantle command me to be led away when ye please the crier declaring openly that she had blasphemed she with a loud voice denied saying it is not so but I am condemned for that I would not confess to please the Papists that Christ was contained in the Sacrament with bones haire sinews and veins and speaking aloud to the people she said Give no credit to these Priests they are dissembling Hypo-crites Gormandizers Adulterers Sodomites Being brought forth comanded to pray unto the image of the crucifix she turned her back to it and having lift up her eyes unto heaven she said there is our God thither wee must looke and then shee hastned to mount the pile and endured the paines of the fire with a strong courage the 4 of December 1527. CHAP. XXXII A potter and a girdler burned IN the year 1528. in the reign of Ferdinand the 1. two German artificers the one a potter the other a girdler accused of Lutheranisme by the Monkes were condemned by those of Prague to the fire As they went unto the place of execution they argued so religiously out of the Scriptures that they caused teares to flow from the eyes of many being laid on the pile they exceedingly encouraged one another the girdler saying Since our Lord Iesus hath suffered very grievous things for us let us also suffer this death and rejoice that we have found so much grace and favour with him that we are accounted worthy to dy for the law of God to whom the Potter answered but I at the day of my marriage found not such rejoicing of mind as now I do And when fire was put to the wood they prayed with a loud voice Lord Jesus Christ thou in thy sufferings prayedst for thine enemies threefore wee also pray forgive the King the men of Prague and the clergy for they know not what they do and their hands are full of blood Well
great that having in his left hand his sword drawn and with his right hand seizing on the throat of Fausereus threatned a blow yet hee refrained and went out unto his sonne and charged him to put him from him this John Blosislaus minister of the breâ—hren in Moravia afterwards an elder and then an inhabitant of Vienna tooke from the mouth of Fauserus and sealed it in writing Neither did Maximilianus after that as long as he lived admit of any but such as should be well ordered governours of his conscience and was wont to say and moreover wrote to Lazarus Swendius a Baron that those men would invade Gods throne who did Lord it over mens consciences 3. Among others who if need were did instill into this good Prince peaceable principles was that discreet man John Cratis a physitian him he made choise of for his chief Doctor and esteemed of him as his speciall friend and acquaintance This man alone with Caesar going into the field for the recreation of himself was taken up into his Chariot and recounting unto Caesar with much grief the many differences in Christianity demanded of Crato among all sects that of late sprung up in the Church which he thought came neerest the Apostolicall purity answered I know not whether I may say to the brethren which are called Piccardines Caesar replied I am of that opinion Crato tooke that boldnesse to perswade the brethren whom he knew had set forth a new edition of a Germane Hymne that they should dedicate it unto the Emperour which was done in the year 1566 where the Dedicatorie epistles mentioned that al their hope was in him both for the preservation of them and their goods that his Majesty would promote the universal Reformation of the Church and encouraged him by the example of David Jehosaphat Josiah Constantine Theodosius and at length did not doubt but that he would imploy that talent which God had given him for the advancing of so good a cause even as the preface shewes which all the bookes of those Songs do prefer And it is probable that the Prince did not want a will if in regard of the policy of those men who had the Scepters of Kings in their possessions and had bound up their hands it might have been lawfull 4. In the third yeare of his reigne 1565. the haters of the truth forged a new processe against the Brethren abusing the authority of Ioachim de Nova Domo Chancellour of Bohemia who going to Vienna wrought so by continuall diligence with Caesar that hee should urge Wladislaus to subscribe though unwillingly the old Mandate with a new one against the Piccardines But the goodnesse of God had a watchfull eye ouer his and would not permit so good and innocent a Prince to have a hand in bloud or be burthened with the cries of the oppressed For when the Chancellour returned strengthned with the Princes Letters patents and scarce entring the ports of Vienna comming over the bridge Danubium it so came to passe that the yoake of the oxe being loosened the bridge cleaved asunder and hee with his train was drowned in the water six Knights only swimming out saved their lives and one young Nobleman who at length in his old age died but escaped alive to be a witnes of the daily revenging hand of God but he avouched the Religion of the Brethren for which he had had experience that God was watchfull This man saw his Lord swimming above the waters of Danubium and held him by his golden Chaine untill fishermen who were then comming toward him in a small ship came to help him So the Baron was taken up but dead but the chest wherein he had locked his deadly instruments sunke into the Sea that it was never seen any more neither was there any one that would looke after it Thuanus maketh mention of this Story in his 36 booke and reports this accident to have happened on the fourth of the Ides of December 5. Ten yeares after in the yeare 1575. Maximilianus called a Parliament at Prague and permitted all the Orders in the Kingdome under both kinds to be reconciled by the common signe of the confession of one faith the Jesuites and false Hussits endeavoured with might and main to hinder it Among other things when they had used their best endeavours by petitions and protestations alleadging that the Orders in both kinds doe not agree in their faith but that they have among them Piccardines Calvinists Lutherans c. The Orders that they might evidence their consent consulted together about the registring of a common confession for which purpose they made choise of certaine Divines who with some of the Barons Noblemen and Citizens were overseers The chiefe men of Prague brought forth the books of Hus and the Synodicall and Parliamentary decrees of the ancient Bohemians concerning Religion The greater part of the Order who stood for the Augustine confession produced this their confession as the Brethren brought forth theirs Then they compared the Articles together and the sense and manner of setting down of each part and expressed them in such forms that each part might subscribe unto them not intending to trouble themselves too much with particular and subtile Scholasticall disputations which Christian moderation and wisdome did not only then benefit them but also pleased many eminent men aswell in Germany as elsewhere for Caesar confirmed their confession of faith and did receive such as did subscribe into his Kingly protection but hee gave them not power according to their desires for the appointing of a Consistory or Academy at that time yet promising very faithfully that neither hee nor his sonne whom they had designed his successor would bee wanting in giving full satisfaction to their desires you must observe that this confession of the Orders was written in the Bohemian language and not translated into Latine neither was it printed unlesse in the yeare 1619. when aswell the University as the Consistory at Prague offered it to King Fredericke therefore in the Harmony of Confessions it is not extant and that which the Bohemians now call their Confession is the peculiar Confession of the brethren of Bohemia not the common Confession of the Orders This Mr. Bohuflaus Felix a Lobkowitz and Hassenstein being appointed by the Order to have the sole managery of the businesse tooke care to convey it into Germany and in the year 1575. submitted it to the Censure of the Divines which were assembled at Wittenburgh The Wittenburghian Divines approved of it and among others used these expressions in their answer to the Baron although this Confession be briefe and we easily observe that in the composing them the chiefest care was that they might be concisely elegantly and properly expressed for the avoiding of tediousnesse and contentions about scrupulous questions which peradventure some wrangling Sophisters in our Germany would have taxed if it had beene set forth in their owne native language We therefore cannot
bee writ upon his chests If thou hadst not beene a wicked man thou wouldest not have disturbed the quiet of the dead 11. Yet perhaps it would not bee farre from our purpose to hint out how they did expresse their rage upon the very name of Frederick meerely for the hatred of that most pious Prince who was an Evangelicall King for an Evangelicall people in the year 1622 a Citizen of new-Prague by name Mr. Iohn Libertine because that he had given the name of Frederick to his little sonne was at first without all reason tormented with the numerous souldiery and for a punishment was commanded to pay 500 Dollars it was a most usuall thing for them to pull in pieces the pictures of Frederick to trample them under their feet to digge out their eyes and ignominiously to handle all those withwhom they were found so that it was almost a capitall offence even to think of Frederick CHAP. CVI. Examples of Prodigies and punishments whereby God sometimes affrighted his enemies I. THe Godly indeed at that time were able to deplore this whirle-wind of persecution and Apostacies but onely the Lord to stay and cease it Who although he stirreth up wicked men to chastise his Church yet neverthelesse he useth severely to punish them after his paternall premonitions to reduce them when behaving themselves obstinately exceeding the measure of cruelty they become incorrigible Wee shall touch upon some of this sort 2. The first forewarnings were diverse strange sights which appeared in heaven and earth As for example the miraculous bow seen at Prague by all about the hour of execution yea such amazement seized upon the people looking thereon before execution was ended that they fled by troops from the place of Judicature into the streets no man pursuing them or declaring the cause thereof Fiery torches also were seen in the night environing the Martyrs heads which were set upon the tower and a singing heard Certaine of the Watchmen did confidently averre it but for our parts in regard we were not eye-witnesses we leave it undetermined But this is certaine that many suns were diverse times seen in the year following the sun also was seen by a great multitude of people at Prague to dart out as it were balls of fire 3. In the year 1623. exceeding thick smoak did proceed at set times from the pinacles of the chiefe Church of the Gospellers at Joyfull Court so that men supposing it to have come from fire within ran thither to quench the burning but the Towers being well searched within they found it otherwise The Iesuites because they could not deny the truth of the miracle so often repeated did interpret it to their own advantage saying the reliques of heresies do now smoak and fly up into the air 4. In the same year when upon Corpus Christi day the first solemn circumgestation or carrying about of holy bread was celebrated at Kutterberge with the noise of Trumpets Timbrels Fiddles Gunnes and the like the Heavens the Clouds being compacted on a suddain poured out such a floud of waters that within half an hour the Marchants-shops Carts and other heavy bodies did swimme in the streets which also was mingled with so great a shower of haile that not onely the windowes of Churches and houses were broken but even the sheep in the fields and the wild beasts in the woods were knocked downe some wounded and others slain 5. In the yeare 1624. in Autumn a flying Dragon flaming horribly was seen throughout all Bohemia and Silesia And that this was no whit below a miracle we may gather from hence because in the same day and houre about Sun-setting it was observed in so many and remote places that our faith could scarce elevate it self so high to credit it if it were not confirmed by a thousand witnesses 6. In the same year at Podebrade bloud flowed out for a whole moneth together the spring neare the high-way being broken up Which some have used as a Rubrick and to beget the more credit have writ the story thereof with that very bloud Nor perhaps ought wee to omit that which these eyes have seen in the same year Vpon the City-gate of Chrudim the Armes both of the King and Queene were painted with a distich written in Golden letters These were thrice at least drawne over with Chalk since the Emperors victory and all the rest being quite blotted out onely the name Fredericke at severall times became extant and legible by all 7. In the yeare following 1625. neare Beneslow then in the Dominion of Paul Michna a Fish-pond was wholly turned into bloud for the space of three dayes as also it happened in other places at other times In the confines of Moravia and Silesia great flocks of Crowes and Dawes flutted up and down which at length by a great fight continued for a whole dayes space suffered a great distruction at the village of Bartoschowitz neare Fulnek and indeed with other successe then could bee expected for the weaker part overcame the stronger some thousands of the Crowes being fastened in the Dawes-bills fell and perished without the ruine of scarce any of the Dawes The Country-men also running to behold this spectacle filled their sackes with Crowes 8. In the yeare 1626. at Prague it rained Brimstone and not long after the Image of the Crucifixe set up at Waltave-bridge was smitten and throwne downe by a Thunder-bolt In the same place Kutterberg-gate opened of its owne accord the post being removed for two or three nights to the great astonishment of the Watch-men which they were forced to averre upon oath The like wonder was seene at Prostanne in the City of Lichtensteinium 9. It cannot be deservedly spunged out of the catalogue of miracles that which we know happened to the Bibles at Zatek in that they could not be burned For when in the year 1630 the Books long before carried out of that City by the joint authority of the Magistrates were condemned and sentenced unto the fire by the Commissaries and kindled with wood-stacks piled in order without the walls upon an hill near the water-course the sacred Bibles of Simeon Swoboda all other books being consumed suffered the flames without harm saving onely that their margins were somewhat singed as also an other book of Ecclesiasticall Psalms of an old Edition both whereof are preserved for a memoriall by the Exuls of Zateck at Friburg 10. God also the revenger of wickednesse did sometimes put forth a signe of wrath and indignation against some in the very act of their villanies Many Apostates driven and tormented by the sting of conscience cried out that they were damned others not suffering the torment of conscience did hang or drown themselves And amongst others that exceeding rich Merchant at Prague Hans de White John Campan the famous Poet who after hee had changed his religion thus said to his wife this day salvation is come to our house whereto she answered this day a curse
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
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
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
Orthodox Divines under Zahera or Trahere the administrator a false Hussite IN the mean time God had stirred up in Germany couragious Luther the Thunder-bolt against the Pope at which many of the Calixtines in Bohemia being awakened resolved to imbrace the purer Doctrine of the Gospell and to seeke for the Ordination of their Ministers rather at Wittenberge then at Rome but the Devill interposed and made wonderfull obstructions 2. For when in the yeare 1523. in the moneth of January the States of Bohemia and Moravia being in a great number assembled at Prague the Pastors also of the Church being called amongst whom were of Moravia Paulus Speratus afterwards burned at Aumitz by the commandement of the Bishop and Benedist Optatus Wenceslaus Litomislius Doctor of Divinity and Iohn Charpe Orthodox men who propounded to the Regent Masters of the University twenty Articles which were as it were the forerunners of Reformation amongst which these were observable That if any man should teach the Gospell without the Additions of men he should neither be reproved nor condemned for an Heretick That mercenary Masses serving for Lucre should be abrogated That the elevation of the Hoste should by degrees be cancelled That the consecration of Herbes and such like superstitious rites should be forborn c. And whereas likewise they had constituted Gallus Zahere an Administrator of the Sacrament under both kinds and pastor at old Prague at the Church called Laeta Curia a familiar friend to Luther for he had lived heretofore at Wittenburgh and publikely extolled Luther as an excellent Instrument of Cod and afterwards incited the inhabitants of Prague to write to Luther concerning the Ordination of Ministers the hope indeed was great for a better condition in the Government of the Church but it was of a short continuance 3. For not long after this turne-coat declining to give an occasion of offence to King Lewes returned again to the falser doctrine of the Calixtines and in the Parliament held that yeare in the moneth of June he began to publish Articles contrary to the former and to solicite the renewing of the Agreement and furiously to persecute the Orthodoxe Ministers to favour the King and Papists and that on this occasion 4. The Pope understanding how the affairs were carried as well in Bohemia as Germany sent a Legate to Lewis in Hungary who comming afterward to Prague and having delivered letters to divers nay even to the consistory and to Zahere he most flatteringly did insinuate that there might be an union in the Church In the meane time Iohn Pasoke was made Consull at Prague a deceitfull cruell and superstitious man whose faction potently prevailing Zahere joined himself with that part and wrote in that nature to the Legate in the name of the consistory that it was an evident testimony that hee was delivered over to a reprobate sense for after other things hee concluded with these words As alwayes heretofore so now also wee hold nothing more deare or ancient than that we may be found constant in the body of the Church by the unity of faith and obedience to the Apostolicall seat neither can your reverence expect any thing more welcome than what it shall receive from our Legates whom shortly we wil send unto you For truly our Bohemia supporting it selfe on the most sure foundation of the most sure Rock the Catholick faith hath sustained broken al those waves of errors with which our neighbour countries in Germany have been shaken and as a Beacon placed in the middest of a tempestuous sea it holds forth a cleare light to every Sea-man and sheweth them a Haven safe from Shipwrack We trust therefore most reverend father for the busines concerning which your sacred reverence did write unto us shall bee so promoted that this divine building being established on a most sure foundation shal be preserved from ruine onely let your most sacred reverence not thinke ill of a little delay untill our Legates shall come unto you and then the walls of our Jerusalem shall be confirmed and our feet shall stand in the Courts thereof and the God of Gods shall be seen in Zion and we shall go from vertue to vertue c. Your most humble servants Mr. Gallus Zahere with all the Consistory do commend themselves unto your most venerable paternity In the time of Lent 1625. 5. Being demanded how hee durst persecute the doctrine with so great severity which so lately hee approved he answered he was with Luther for no other end then after having more diligently discovered his conversation Doctrin other Piccardins with him he might find a more easie way to oppose them which Judas that traitour did before him when he betrayed the son of man with a kisse CHAP. XXIX The Protestants banished from Prague and whipped with Rods. I. THerefore that Zahere and Passoke might the better please both the King and Pope they enforced all the Pastors and citizens to subscribe to their new Articles and those who refused were to bee banished the city In the first place sixe Pastors were proscribed Wenceslaus Poczatek Pastor of St. Gallus George Smahal Pastor of St. Henry Matin Betlem Paul de St Michaell Martin de Opatowitz and John Marussa after threescore and five of their chiefest citizens were proscribed amongst whom was Burian de Cornitz Doctour of law and Chancellour of Prague John Hlawsa who was Exconsull and others Likewise a coulour was sought for the greater cruelty a malicious invention being spread abroad concerning a certaine conspiracy of the Gospellers against the Calixtines that they might extort the confession hereof they did bring three citizens John Bonussa Matthew Hrzebenarz and Iohn Sliwkam to the rack who rather chose to suffer innocently than to bear false witnesse a thing they utterly detested in their conscience 2. In the meane time while these firebrands of sedition confirmed an agreement betweene those of Prague that no man should be questioned concerning his faith to wit the Piccardine Lutheran but that al should be restored to their former freedom enjoy the liberty of the city It was requested that an Embassador should bee dispatched to Buda unto the K. for the confirmation of this ordinance It was now lawfull for any to do what they pleased to those of a good and right opinion If one of them were found that was unwilling to pay what hee owed they would lay to his charge that he was a Piccardine some were not simply banished but shamefully brought forth as Ludovicus Pictor because at the end of his sermon hee had admonished the Monk of St. Barbara prating foolishly That it was far better that the people should be instructed out of the Gospell than be detained with such fables By the clamors of the Monke hee was laid hold on by the common people that were called together and hurried to prison and afterwards by a Serjeant was led out of the City 3. A certain Cutler because they had found about
brandishing a naked sword with his right hand entereth the City the day before Easter anno 1626. The Citizens affrighted at his comming who had before given publick tokens of his cruelty in other Cities doe forthwith that night take their flight in great multitudes thinking to lurke privily in the neighbour-villages and townes Don Martin observing this returnes to Prague and gets an Edict published for not receiving or favouring any Exile under mulct of an hundred Jmperials 5. And now when all hopes of returning were taken away from the people of Kutterberg another Edict came forth August 17. promising impunity to those that would returne Some hereupon returned but to their owne grief and dammage For in the yeare following a Senate being elected out of the most wavering Apostats whereof some and of them the Major of the City not long before a hors-courser were illiterat persons were so diversly molested with the souldiery that multitudes of them being broken with daily pressures at last shook hands with the Persecutors and submitted their necks to the Antichristian yoke others together with their wives and children leaving all behind them willingly betooke themselves to banishment CHAP. XCIIII The Reformation of Bolislavia I. THE City for 200 yeares having imbraced the Orthodox religion was made the principle seat of the Brethren and chiefly upon this account was hated by the Pope in the year therefore 1623. after the ejection of certaine Ministers they placed in their roome two crafty Capuchins who â—ndeavoured with indefatigable paines to pervert the â—nhabitants from the faith but for the space of three years notwithstanding all their cunning they scarce engaged so many Apostates as would reform the Senate 2 In the year therefore 1626 a Garrison of three bands being brought in force began to be used and first of all in February certain of the Citizens were banished others cast into prison upon the 20. of March Adam Trubacz Iohn Bukac Peter Stehlik were sequestred to strike a terrour into the rest Having given them into their hands certaine square staffs two Cubits long in which each of their crimes were ingraven the first thus Adam Trubacz is therefore sequestred because he said that there was none so powerfull who should command his Conscience also that he would not give his soul to the Devil as the rest had done on the other side of the staff was written you would have ejected your K. but now your King hath ejected you upon the third was written go to and learn to obey God and the King for he had said to the Reformers that his soul was not of so small a value as to neglect it also he asked if thâ— Emperour should destroy this soule whether he could give him another Bukatius his staffe had the same written excepting the crime which was exprest in this manner John Bukac 's is therefore sequestred because that he said that all the new Catholicks were wicked Traitors persidious to God It doth not yet appear what Stehlikius his staffe had written upon it for so soon as he was past the gates of the City he brake it and threw it away 3. After the ejection of these men when the rest did not as yet seeme to repent of what they have done they are again warned into the Court and shut up into severall Rooms and thence called out one by one and examined singly Amongst the first was Daniel Miconius Towne-Clarke upon whose enterance they hyred a certaine Rogue to stand in a corner with a weapon in his hand whom so soone as this fearefull man law from his too greedy desire of life promised to turne Catholick They being glad at so happy a beginning commanded the rest to returne and goe home and exhort them to doe the like but he going to his friends being amazed tells them of the Rogue before mentioned and that they were in danger beseeching his friends that they would bee circumspect and have a regard of themselves There was in the company of these men that were warned to appeare two Burgo-masters learned men and Mrs. of Arts by name George Kezelius and Henry Daniel of Semania Upon whom seeing the rest depend they did incourage both themselves and others exceedingly and did exhort them that they should not at all value those imaginary terrors By and by Kezelius is called out and what with sundry flatteries and what with threatnings he is wearied so long till at last unawares he desires time to consider They being contented with this demaund commands Semaninus to be sent for who being certified concerning the wavering of Kezelius began the more to bee resolved and when an old man one George Dernikarz propounded him as an example for his imitation he spit in the old mans face saying Traitor is this your constancy Also he goes on and presents himself to the Reformers unmoveable as a rock as also all the rest that followed at length Kezel us considering that his failing was greater in Gods sight than possible it could be in mans repenting himself and with a very positive answer tooke away all that hope which they conceived of him and with the rest is sent to prison 4. One Bartholomew Lang a Serivenor was one of the stourest who protested he had rather die by the sword than deny the faith he was thrust with certaine others into a stinking place designed for the racking of malefactors and there he was held for 1â— weeks his owne house and the houses of the rest in the mean time being possessed by the barbarous Souldiers But one of this Society Georg Smidarskey having contracted a disease from the stincke and filth of this prison dyed in the said prison very religiously but they could scarce procure so much favour from those wicked ones that hee might be buryed 5. When at this time and by this meanes they could shake none of their constancy they let them goe prefixing a further time to deliberate upon the businesse especially since the same yeare 1626. Behlem Gabor waging warre with the Emperour Count Mansfeilds and Wamors entering Sylesia at the same time with the King of Denmarks Army strooke a terror into these Tyrants for in August there are sent Proclamations to the Towns that it is not his Imperiall Majesties will that any man should be forced to the faith by violent meanes but that upon supposition they could not agree with his Majesty it might be lawfull for them to depart c. and this Proclamation gave these people of Bolislavia a little respite 6. But the yeare following after the warre with Hungaria was appeased and the King of Denmarks Armies were beaten out of Sylesia this tyrany againe revived and there was an Edict sent to the Senate of Bolislavia in the forme as followes To our trusty and well beloved the Major and Jurates of the Towne of new Bolislavia Trusty and well beloved we hear that many of your fellow Citizens of new Bolislavia continue still in their obstinacy adverse to
were far more in number then the other he began to devote them to all cruelties pronouncing them worthy of the Crosse the wheele yea of hell it self 3. The day following being Thomas day he compells all to appear in the Temple and he as an example to the rest going before them receives the Sacrament under one kind after dinner again he commands that notice should be given by the Bells and entring the Temple when he saw no body present for even the Monkes themselves were not as yet come he runnes out and going through the Market the streetes yea into the very houses drives all that he meetes with his stick to the Temple being entred again and there seeing M. John Felixtessius a chief Citizen and most odious unto him because a Calvinest sets upon him beating him with his knobby Club which he had taken from a certain Countrey-man standing by and followes him even to the Altar saying Thou wicked fellow who hast set thy name in the Register-book of the damned and refusest to confesse He thereupon desires the Earle that he would consider the holinesse of the place and he would deal more mildly with him but the Earle beats him still more and more about the head shoulders and hands Felix thereupon bending his knees desired help of God but the Tyrant seeing his blood in a great measure flowing out at last sayes thus to him Get thee hence O thou beast with thy cursed Calvin-blood he rising up goes out of the Temple and severall asking what had happened answers them thus My blood hath dropt from me between the Temple and the Altar but it was for his name who did abundantly powre out his blood for us 4. He being gone out of the Temple the Earl compelling the Citizens that were gathered together to confesse did furiously rage against them belching out his curses against all but beating some with his staffe and spitting in the faces of others but his cruelty did most appear in pulling of the grave beard of that most honest Citizen Wenceslaus Crosinus and strowing it about the Temple 5. Being returned home he Commands that Felix should be again called and threatens that he would act another Trajedy with him unlesse he did discover himself to be of another mind on the day following but he thinking that the morrow was not to be expected saying that nothing was done by reason but all by splene and fury withdrew himself by night leaving behind him his Mother of foure score years of age his wife and most dear Children 6. The Earl seeing his hopes and expectation failed him commands his goods to be confiscated his wife to be imprisoned and those that he had before forced to an Apostasie he now compells to subscribe to a certain paper wherein the Citizens of Rokizan did testifie that they did owe their safety to God to the Virgin Mary to the Lord Deacon of Collerate and that they did imbrace the Catholique Religion freely and with all readinesse of mind onely the cowle being the occasion of it and this they did testifie by the subscription of their hands and the Seale of the City and so that miserable Earle being so _____ as to attempt the deceiving of God Caesar and himselfe within a short time was commanded to appear at Vienna and for some facts was there imprisoned CHAP. 101. The Slanenseon Reformation SLana otherwise a City for the King yet yielded to Phalaris Martinitâ— and by him cruelly handled over whom Nicholas Hansbursky was made Captain by the same Martinitz who a little before for some fact was delivered to the Hangman of Prague and had redeemed his life by Apostasie This man that he might ingratiate himself with the Jesuits did strongly promote the persecution of the faithfull In the year 1624. he appointed a solemn procession at Slana in that pompeous feast of the Body most of the Citizens being brought to it either by deceit or force John Bleyssa being cited by him solicited to be a companion of his Idolatry refused When he asked the Reason he said As often as I have received the Lords supper so often have I obliged my self to God to shun these abominations The other telling him thou shalt not resit the Emperours pleasure he answered In these things which belong to Caesar it is otherwise but here Gods businesse is acted He inferring that there should not be meanes wanting whereby thou mayst be forced he answered God seekes willing and not forced Worshippers The end of this disputation was a publick prison where Bleyssa suffered punishment for his disobedience as they called it nine weeks 2. But John Jahoda was fined a summe of money For when he would not be present at an Idolatrous procession neither would erect an Altar before his house he being called into the Court was accused of blasphemy against God and Rebellion against the Magistrate The punishment pronounced to him was imprisonment for 9. weeks and the payment of 50. dollars to help to get a new hoast when the time of his imprisonment was run out he laid down his money protesting That he gave nothing to the Hoast for he knew no other to wash away the sinnes of the world then that which was lifted up on the Crosse but in obedience to the Magistrate who might convert this money to what use he pleased For which words being sent back to prison he was not dismissed till after a moneth and with the payment of 50. shillings But instantly driven out of the City with his wife He was a very zealous man who a little after dying of the plague at Prague he piously slept 3. John Bleyssa when he had again offended having offered his Daughter privately to a Protestant Minister to be baptized was first put into a stinking prison and after with his wife lately delivered punished with banishment The third part of his goods was onely granted unto him the other two parts being brought into the Lords Coffer But when he saw this taken away and getting nothing of the whole he committed himself to divine providence with a full confidence and indured the miseries of banishment even to death dying at Pern in Misnia 4. In the year 1626. The same Captain that he might bring a universall deluge of Apostasie brought in Souldiers and compelled some by divers tortures to a desperate obedience Among the rest he forced 50. men into a narrow place of the Court where they could not stand much lesse sit or lie While they were kept in this place three whole dayes and there having all passage out denied them they performed the work of nature Sr. Reverence it could not be but that they being troubled with the stink and likewise sad and angry should faint Therefore promising to learn they are dismissed In the same manner the wicked man handled women in his Chamber But those that loved Christ went afterward into banishment CHAP. 102. The Reformation of Prachatice THe Reformation of the Inhabitants of Prachatice