space of three yeares aâ—d in those bonds hee died and afterwards was ignominiously buried near the place of punishment at Raudnice 23. There was also in the reformation of Litomislen a certain Country-man of the village of Strakow his name I have heard but it is now slipt out of my memory who did endure a long imprisonment vexed with the insultings of the Priests and of three thousand Subjects for so many that Lordship did containe was alone found constant and immovâ—ble He being sick by reason of the filthinesse of the prison was visited by a Jesuite and of him admonished to whom he thus answered Get thee hence thou tempter this day shall I sup with Christ and a little after he died and was buried in that place where they were wont to behead Malefactors 24. Yet more admirable was the constancy of a certain Scribe there was not any of whom I could learne his name but the thing it selfe I have read from the hands of faithfull and worthy witnesses in the Town of Dobrzisse This Towne as many of the neighbouring places were given by Caesar to Don Martin de Huerda but he disliking the service of so hard a Master resigned and lived with a certain Miller in the territories of the Suticens took upon him the office of a Schoolmaster when Don Martin came to hear of this he sent thus that they should bring the Scribe and the Miller bound in chains to the Tower of Welhartiâ—z and commanded that both should be cast into a deep place of the Tower in the year 1623 upon the Wednesday from whence the Miller was a little while after sent but the Scribe was kept there a whole year even to his death the prison was so foul and noysome that both his feet were rotted off but he being endued with a great measure of faith past away the whole time in singing Psalms and hymns as if he were in the enjoyments of all delights And it is worthy the notice taking when a little while before his death it was reported that both his feet were rotted off and that his body was full of worms Don Martin not beleeving it commanded that he should be brought forth that he might see him he refused saying The Tyrant was unworthy to enjoy the sight of his body And so remaining immovably united unto Christ he died about the same time upon the same Wednesday following namely 1624. When he was brought forth the Tyrant forbad that he should be carried out through the gate of the City through which he entred in but commanded that he should be cast over the wall into a ditch and from thence carried away by a Sheepheard and buried CHAP. CIIII. George Balthasar Martyr I. THis appendix of the former chapter shewing how the persecutors dealt with the common people will be a History famous to posterity In the year 1629. the fifth day of May two and twenty country men were brought captives from the village of Zlonice into the City of Slana singing with a pleasant voyce and triumphant hymnes about the resurrection of Christ it was brought in as a matter of charge against them that having before turned Catholicks they returned to Heresie and ministred to themselves holy things Being sent into several prisons they were forthwith brought to examination the Chieftain of these was said to be one George Balthasar an inhabitant in the village of Tmanus who had no learning and yet was a preacher among them his Master therefore Bohuchwal Walkaun having a little before turned Apostate least that he should draw upon himself Caesars anger or evill surmizes accuseth him in a letter written to the Senate of Slana and therein requires that justice should be done upon such a Rebellious fellow The Senate having summoned this man to appear causeth this writing to be read by the Solicitor and asked what he would give in by way of answer He requires time and promiseth that he would answer the writing leave being given him he frames this answer which out of the Bohemian tongue we have thus translated word for word I Have understood what charge was drawne up against me by Iames Swojanovius under the name of Mr. Bohuchwal Walkaun The first article is That I have been pernicious to God my Creator and to men in obligation in that having turned Catholick I have again fallen from the Roman Catholick faith and have violated my Oath To this I answer That heretofore being in a cruell prison I was prevailed upon to sinne against God my most righteous Judge because then I was weak in the faith not trusting God that he was able to deliver his out of the hands of men but God chastised me for this my fault holding my conscience captive for a whole year together so that I could have no hope in Gods mercy and yet I recalled to mind former sinners who did upon their repentance obtain mercy at the hands of God Thereupon I cryed to my God a whole year night and day I did water my bed with my teares because I thought my selfe damned but that true and righteous God who is not the cause of our destruction neither would that a sinner should die but rather that hee should be converted and live when he saw a fit time did not hide his mercies from me for I obtained what I did desire hee sent his Angell unto mee and mine eies saw his glory brighter than the sun and there was given to me in a moment the holy spirit and I was born again there was likewise afforded me a discerning of the Spirits so that I could distinguish between good and evill and with this great gift I did likewise receive a command of reproving the sinnes of men Nor am I deceived for the Spirit of God doth not hide himself from any man to whom he is given that he should not declare to the wicked things future but mercy to the penitents and therefore I was likewise forbid by the spirit to doe any more the workes of the flesh according to the lusts of the world which had conspired together what they might against the just Judge of the living and the dead and against the anointed ones whom he hath chosen to himselfe Nor is my Mr. Walkaun ignorant of this for they did hinder me from speaking the truth for the space of four years but by how much the more they hindred me so much the more did God confirme mee by his Spirit Likewise they may remember that I came to the Pallace of Zlonice that I might declare unto them the truth and invite them to repentance even as the Lord Jesus had commanded me by his holy Spirit and so to continue for three days together Friday Sabbath day and Munday upon which last day I had also my booke with me but where he saith I am a seducer of soules I answer and affirme that it is the certain will of the Lord that all you also should hear me neither were they so strong
fell upon a cloth that was spread there for that purpose and so received the blow of the sword After that his right hand was cut off and was hung up with his head on an iron speare upon the high Tower of the Bridge but his carcase was wrapt in a cloth and conveyed away by some in mourning habits to a cave and a fresh cloth is spread which is observed to be done for all of them that none of those that suffered might see the Corps or bloud of those that suffered before them CHAP. LXII Wenceslaus Baron of Budowa a Monke of Graetium Lord of Klastericke and Zazadka I. THis man had an incomparable wit famous for his learning as appeareth by his writings renouned for his travels through Germany Italie France England and Turkie where he lived seven years he was very zealous deserving reverence even for his age for he was seventy years old eminent also in regard of his places of preferment For under Rodolphus he was a Counsellor and was called to the place of one of the Directors of the reformed Consistory and Academie By Matthias he was made a Counsellor and by the Order Director of the Kingdome in the vacancy until a King was elected Lastly he was President of the Court of Appeales the glory of his Country and the bright shining starre of the Church he was none that Lorded it over his inferiors but was rather a Father to them In a word he was right deare both to God and man 2. After the Victory of Ferdinand he accompanied his family out of Prague his Wife his Sonne Nurse Nephews and least he should seeme to have forsaken the Crowne whereof with one Otto he was appointed keeper he returned His house not long after was plundred even to his wearing apparell he onely saying that the Lord hath given and the Lord hath taken 3. Paulus Aretinus being Secretary of the Tribunalls talking with him for he was now kept under arrest in his owne house and being demanded that since he had b n once in the deeps why he would trust himsâ—lfe to those tempestuous storms he did answer his conscience pressed him to what he did It was Religion that perswaded him to forsake his Countrey and a good cause But I know not Gods pleasures whether he will that I should seale it with my bloud And rising up he said I am here my God dispose of me thy servant as it seemeth good in thine eyes I am full of years take from me my life that I may not see those evils which I see are now comming on my Country Being another day visited by the same party and being before acquainted of the report that went on him that for very griefe he died smiling he answered What me I had never had he happinesse to injoy so much pleasure as now bâ—hold my Paradise shewing his Bible it never yeelded me so much Nectar and Ambrosia as now I live and will live as long as God please neither I hope shal any man see that day wherein good old Budowecius was said to die with greif Being examined of the Inquisitors often he stifly maintained the equity of the cause and being condemned he said to the Judges Yee have long time thirsted after my bloud but know withall ye will find God a revenger of innocent bloud for whose cause we suffer 4. The third day before the execution hee told his dreame to his servant Zidnowskie He dreamed that he thought he saw himselfe walking in a pleasant field and thinking of the event of these things with a heavie heart when behold one comming to me offered me a booke which when I looked into I saw silken white leaves and nothing therein written but the fift verse of the thirty seven Psalme Commit thy way unto the Lord and put thy trust in him and he shall bring it to passe when he began againe to thinke what that meant another came and brought a white Robe which he cast upon him The old man awaking told it presently to his servant and as hee went on the Scaffold hee said to him Now I goe covered with the cloth of Righteousnesse that I may appeare before God in whom I hope 5. After the pronunciation of the sentence as he was going into the Crosse two Capuchins met him and told him the cause of their comming which was to afford him mercy in these straits he demanded of them what that mercy was They did answer that they might shew him the way of the Lord. He replied again I know that by the mercy of my God They again said Sir you are deceived in your opinion Unto whom hee answered I rely not on opinion on but the infallible truth for I have no other way but him who said I am the way the truth and life But they replied there is no salvation out of the Church and here they fall into discourse of the authority of the Church to trifle away the time and would gladly confine it to the Pope and Cardinals in which discourse they use vaine repetition in desiring their principles to be granted whereat the Martyr incensed said but I think your Pope is a Divel and Antichrist and the son of perdition and that Beast that was made red with the bloud of Saints depart with him to the place ye have deserved and let me alone yet if ye will learn from me the way of truth stay ye it will not be tedious to me to spend some time and pains to save your soules Here they beating their breasts and signing themselves with the sign of the Crosse they departed complaining that they never met with such a blasphemous Heretick 6. In like manner on the day of Martyrdome very early in the morning two Jesuites came into the Court and began again to trouble these holy men and when some slighted them they came to the Baron and said We perceive that this Baron is very learned we doe desire to gaine his soule and afford unto him the worke of mercy to whom he said What! would ye gaine my soule Would ye were assertained of your salvation as I am of mine the Lord be praised who by his holy spirit hath assured me of my salvation by the bloud of the Lambe The Jesuite replyed Good sir do not presume too much and assume that to your selfe whereof no man can promise to himselfe any certainty For doth not the Scripture say No man knowes whether hee have deserved grace To whom the Baron answered Is it therefore that I have need of your mercy Yee unhappy gainers of soules yee rather infuse desparation into me but ye erre not knowing the Scriptures And here hee expounded and gave them the sense of this place and brought other portions of Scripture which prove the infallibility of the salvation of beleevers Amongst others that of Saint Paul I know in whom I have believed also I know that a crown is laid up for me The Jesuit interrupting him said This Paul
oppression of liberty and Religion and because wee saw our selves circumvented by subtilty wee thought something was to bee done and would rather lose our lives rather than by a dull silence yeeld to the yoke and betray posterity I acknowledg that it was the will of God that we should outwardly fall who hath chosen me and my beloved fellowes in this last age to honour the truth by our bloud and to make it glorious by our constancy And although the flesh began to tremble at the hearing the sentence of death yet now by the goodnesse of God I feel no feare of it 3. When the Minister often interrupted him perswading him not to hang his salvation upon a good Conscience but upon the mercy of God thiough Christ the pious old man continued on his speech Yesterday it was told me from my Aunt Pruakovia that if I would petition â—o Prince Lichtenstein I might have a grant of my life but so as to remain in prison all the days of my life To which I answered that such a grant would be both unprofitable and inconvenient For if I should desire pardon I should give an occasion to some to suspect that I had committed some crime and had deserved death which I have not deserved Tell her therefore that I will desire pardon of him against whom I have committed many sinnes all my life but I never offended the Prince But if they should of their owne accord offer me a prison instead of death such a change would be very troublesome I am a decrepit old man and have lived long enough for when I cannot distinguish the tasts of meats or relish the sweetnesse of drinke when it is tedious to sit long and irkesome to lye when I cannot walk unlesse I lean on a staffe or be moved to and fro in others hands what profit I pray you would such a life be to me And if I can hardly endure it while it is free how shall I be able to suffer imprisonment God forbid that J should be pulled from this holy company of Martyrs 4. The next day being the Lords day having received the Lords Supper he said Behold now being reconciled to my God through Christ I have peace neither doe I feare man J will confidently say with David Let my flesh and my body be consumed but God is the rocke of my heart and my portion for â—ver Now there is nothing that may stay my thoughts on the earth besides my Nephewes for whom O servant of Christ J intreat you that you would as much as you can exhort them without intermission to piety and to imitate that constancy whereof they see an example in me although J know that you who are the fathers and shepheards of our souls are not without danger We go before but you wil follow but God keep you for his own glory and let him not suffer his Church to be wholly trampled on by the Babilonish beast 5. On the day of execution when the Minister of the word came to him hee said J had laid this miserable body upon a bed but what sleep could J have Yet J did sleep and saw two Angels comming to me who wiped my face with fine linnen and exhorted me to be ready to goe along with them But J trust in my God that J have these Angels present with me not by a dream but in truth which minister to me while J live and shall carry my soule from death into Abrahams bosome For although J am a sinner yet I am purged by the bloud of my Redeemer who was made a Propitiation for our sinnes Therefore let the houre of Death come J am prepared 6. Having put on his clothes he comanded that a garment of the finest linnen which hung down to his heels should be put over him and then said to M. Lippuch Behold I put on my wedding garment To which the other answered The garment of Christs righteousnesse adorns more gloriously within He answered again I know it but yet I desire to be adorned without for the honour of my Bride-groom At last hee put on a velvet Cloak and being called out he answered In the name of God for I did even now expect it And then being helped by his servants hee arose and bid farewell to all and went away with a slow pace by reason of the weaknesse of age Being to go down by certain steps to the scaffold he sayd Oh my God strengthen me left I fall down and become a matter of scorn to the enemies 7. When he came to the appointed place he had much ado to kneele downe being half crooked Hee desired that that the Executioner might be advised to strike as soon as ever hee should see him lie down lest hee might happen to fall by faintnesse But the Executioner seeing him so crooked and to hang down his head so much would not strike him Therefore the Minister Rosacius by the appointment of the Sheriffs said to him My Noble Lord as you have commended your soul unto Christ so now offer up your hoary head cheerefully to God and lift up your self towards heaven In the name of God answered hee and so lifting up his head as well as hee could saith Lord Jesus into thy hands J commend my spirit and then his head being cut off hee fell down CHAP. LXV Procopius Dworzecski de Olbramowitz c. I. HAving heard the sentence of death he answered Doth the Emperâ—ur promise himselfe any thing when my hâ—ad is taken off Let him take it thâ—n The next day hee said unto the Minister of the Word I have had a contention all this night with the old Adam even so as it made me sweat But thanks be to my God by whose help my soule hath overcome all temptations He added this also O Almighty God I have commended my soul to thee do thou protect it and cherish it and withall strengthen thy servant that I may not be made a derision to my enemies by any fear of death And as thou wert wont to encourage the holy Martyrs so I strongly beleeve thou wilt comfort me 2. When hee was called out to execution hee readily answered Thanks be to my God who doth now call me to himself for him I have lived and for him will I die For because my Saviour hath therefore died and risen againe that he might bee Lord both of the living and the dead I know that this soule of mine shall live and my body shall bee raised like to his glorious body 3. Comming upon the scaffold he turned himself to the Imperiall Judges and said Tell Caesar that we now undergo his just judgement but that hee shall undergo the more grievous but yet just judgement of God And while he put off his cloathes hee gave his purse with an Hungarian Ducket to the Minister of the word Behold here my last riches and these which are unprofitable for mee I resigne to you 4. And when hee saw a piece
his Gantlet and so violently that the blood did plentifully issue from his mouth and nostrills Whereupon the Bishop returned him to the Collonel who again sent him back to the Bishop who after he had made him his subject of mirth scorn for all that night on the day following being Sunday they were all brought unto the stake and fastned with such a method that these poor champions of the Truth as near as the invention of their malice could dispose of them were placed in the lap of Wenceslaus And when the Bishop did admonish them to abjure that part of the Sacrament in which the Cup is used the faithfull Curat made answer for him and his God forbid we had rather suffer under a hundred deaths than deny a truth so clearly revealed in the Gospell On this the executioner was commanded to give fire unto the faggot who immediately with the flame did send them up a gratefull sacrifice to the Almighty Wenceslaus being the last that gave up the Ghost This was done in the year 1420. on the 8 day of July 2. On which very day Conrade the Arch-Bishop of Prague being offended at such horrible cruelty having first expressed himself against the unrighteousnesse of the Papall cause and declared himself for the Sacrament under both kinds he put off his Miter to put on his Helmet and was commander in chief in the Militia of Prague against the Church of Rome having chosen four Divines of that City to be Administrators for him in the Consistory who were by name Mr. Iohn Przâ—bram Mr. Procope Pelsen Mr. Iacobell and Iohn Zeline this was the beginning of the administration of the Sacrament under both kinds which Sigismund afterwards restoring did permit unto the States and confirm by Oath 3. Howsoever the enemies of the truth did murmur themselves into tumults raged with petulant fury In this place I shal give you an heroick exploit of one of them which on this year was performed on the 26. day of December Hinck Czerwenohorsky a captain of Jarom having violently entred the Church at Kerchzim in the time of divine service he killed some and took others captive Amongst other acts of prophanenesse this was not the least that from the Communion Table he took the cup being full of wine and dranke unto his horse who having pledged him he said his horse was now one of the Reformadoes and a communicant under both kinds CHAP. XIIII Wenceslaus Swets Martin Loquis Procopius Jednooky and others 1. IN the year of our Lord 1421. on the 23 of July there was burned at Prague one Wenceslaus a Taylor by his trade who was shut up in a tub It was objected against him that at Monstrance he dishonoured the Sacrament not onely by refusing to rise but afterwards by turning his back against it 2. In the same yeare on the 26. of February Martin Loquis was apprehended being accused for renewing the error of the Waldenses in the solemnity of the Sacrament and forasfirming by a horrible prophanenes that both the bread the cup were to be given into the hands of the communicants but by the intercession of the Taborenes he was delivered from his bondage and the better to give way to the envy the madnes of the times he removed into Moravia having taken with him Procopius Iednook for his associat but being discovered as they travelled through Chrudim they were taken by Captain Denis being both manacled and fettered with Irons they were examined what their Judgement was concerning the Sacrament Martin made answer The body of Christ is in heaven for he hath but one body not many The Captain not enduring forsooth so great a Blasphemy out of the liberallity of his choller did give him a boxe on the ear and called for the hangman to devour the Hereticks with fire but Ambrose the Pastor of Hrada being happily present he desired that these two men might be bestowed on him who for fifteen dayes kept them prisoners at Hrâ—da indeavouring to make them acknowledge and râ—â—cant their errors but when he found them more resolute in their opinion he sent them to Raudnice where being thrust into a dark Dungeon he detained them for two moneths none of the people being suffered to come unto them They were elabourately tormented with variety of executions for they were consumed with fire untill their bowells came forth to confesse from whence they derived their errours and who were their accomplices at Prague insomuch that by the unadvisednesse of the pain they were inforced to discover the names of some of their friends Howsoever being advised to return from the maze of their errors into the path of truth they smiling answered not we but you must think of returning for you are drawn aside from the Word of God to the impostures of Antichrist and you do worship the creature for the Creator 3. Being therefore brought to the punishment of the fire when they were admonished by the shavelings that they would desire the peoples prayers they replied We do not need their prayers pray for your selves O Christians and for those who do seduce you that the everliving Father of Light may bring you out of darknesse Being brought to the place of punishment they were shut up in a tub both together and so committed to the fire This was done on the 21 day of August in the year of our Lord 1441. 4. Not long after there were taken at Prague some other men addicted to the same opinion amongst whom were three Divines with one Casca a Citizen and George de Clatowe and a certaine man called Abraham it was laid to their charge that they forbad the torches to be lighted at the Altar before the taking of the Sacrament CHAP. XV. Iohn Zeline 1. A Monk of the Order of Premonstrates or Exemplars was Pastor in New Prague and a Teacher in White Maryes Church one of the designed Administrators of the consistory a man more famous for his eloquence than his learning He having alwayes a most frequent audience did advance in his Pulpit the purer Doctrine of the Thaborites and was author to the inhabitants of Prague for the reformation of their Senate But Haschek de Weltsch a Captaine of old Prague whom the said Monk had often rebuked having conspired with the Senate who were half Romanists betrayed this Monk with twelve more into the Common hall at Prague and making a heady processe did suddenly behead them 2. This was done on the 9 of March in the year of our Lord 1422. which being discovered by the bloud was the occasion of a mighty Tumult For the flowing of the bloud did cause such a confluence of people that they did breake open the doores and beholding the lamentable spectable one of them brought forth the head of the Monk and shewed it to the multitude standing round about him on which so generall was the out-cry and so loud the lamentation that no pen is able to expresse it
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
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
having appealed from an inferiour to a higher Court were condemned to have their hands and heads cut off 26. Nicolaus Dionysius of the Senate of the greatter Prague was to be burnt his tongue being first cut out yet his punishment was so mitigated that he was onely to be nailed to a gallowes for the space of an houre and to depart from that place 27. Wenceslaus Bozesius was to be burnt Iohn Swelham and Joseph Kubinu to be whipt and then banished 28. Mathew Bozbonius a Phisitian should have been beheaded but Caesar taking commiseration on him onely kept him in prison 26. Casparus Vslar and Henry Kozell Senators of new Prague were to be hanged out of the window of the Court of that City but Caesar out of mercifull clemency assigned the former to perpetual imprisonment and the latter died by the sword 30. Elias Rosinu an Elder and Lucas Karbanus should have died by the sword but Caesar gave them their lives but the former was imprisoned and the other banished 31. Andrew Kacaur George Rzecitius Mich-Witman Simeon Wockez to loose their lives by the sword but Iohn Kamaritus tasted the favour of Caesar and was onely banished for the space of one whole year 32. Some other citizens Abraham Angelus Iohannes Pelzâ—zinowski c. were reserved untill Caesar were certified concerning them CHAP. LX. Twenty seven glorious Martyrs I. THe judiciall proceeding being over which lasted for the space almost of three days each sort of prisoners were carried to their severall prisons the Noblemen into the inner prison of the Castle the Citizens into the Praetors houses Some rakeshames were suborned to insult over them saying why do they not now sing The Lord reigneth The ninety ninth Psalm as it should seem being used to be sung amongst other Psalms in the time of Frederick 2. The Prince Lichstenstein going out of his Pallace and going to Mass that day as well as the next day following the wives children and the kinsfolk of each sex of the condemned persons humbly suing for their lives but answer was made that all the favour that they could now expect was that they should have leave to bury the corps of their friends And yet there were some insinuating fellowes such as would swallow bribes who tooke monies both of widdowes and orphans making faire promises to them 3. In the evening the condemned men had notice given to them that the time of their execution drew neare and that the one and twentieth day of Iune was the appointed day And therefore they did advice that each of them would have a care of his owne soule and therefore that they should send for a Jesuite or Capuchin or Minister of the Augustine Confession and so fit himselfe for death but that none of them must have any thought to have any Minister of the Order because that would not be granted unto them Which was sad newes to them because the greater part of the Martyres had beene auditors of the Brethren neither could this inhibition otherwise be taken than either from some exact or some ancient rooted malice against them or to cast a mist before the eyes of the Saxons as though Caesar did not much dislike their Order 4. Which thing being done the foresaid Jesuites and the Capuchines not staying till they were â—alled for flew thither like so many flies using many perswasions to them even to desparation and deniall of the truth and by putting some in hope of life But God so strengthned them that all those endeavours of Sathan and his Imps were in vaine whatsoever they protested to the contrary calling Heaven and Earth to witness that they shall not be guilty of their eternall damnation since that they so obstinately refused the Grace of God 5. The Ministers of the Gospell are therefore called Iohannes Rosucius from the lesser Prague went to the Castle M. Victorinus Verberius and Vitus Jakessius into the Court in old Prague Adamus Clemens into new Prague And David Lippech was with the Germans whereof three which were at this time condemned were doctors Jessenius Haunschildt and Rippell These Divines spent the remainder of time which was Sunday and Munday even unto the time of execution in religious exercise colloquies prayers and Hymnes lastly they did prepare the holy Martyrs by the administration of the Sacrament for the future agony 6. They which were of the Brethren and reformed did admit those Ministers willingly protesting that they have acknowledged them for brethren and do acknowledge them to be the Embassadors of Christ howsoever they have differed unhappily in some Articles Two onely the Baron of Budovia and Otto of Loss conferred religiously with Rosacius but did not partake of the Sacrament because happily it might give occasion of some false accusation comforting themselves with this saying believe and thou hast eaten 7. It is worthy remembrance how on the Sunday they which were in old Prague prisoners in the Praetors house did suppe For as they were conferring with M. Werbenius and even in his presence the chiefe Goaler had told them that the hour for supper was at hand they looking one upon another protested that they did not want that materiall supper yet for recreation sake they would not scorne to sit down And then one is busie laying the Napkins anâ—ther in setting on the Dishes another pouring out the water for such as would wash another having given thanks to carve to others another puts them in mind that this was their last supper upon earth but to morrow they should feast with Christ in Heaven The Master of the Court being a man of evill disposition and a Papist tooke this saying not very well who going out to some of his friends made a scoffe at it saying doth Christ provide them Cooks in Heaven Which when it was told unto them the Minister Vitus Iakessius discoursed very religiously concerning Christ his last supper here on earth and of Iudas that did trouble Christ and his Disciples One of these D. Haunschildt would eat nothing saying this pouch meaning his panch is sufficiently stuffed with wormes meat 8. In the mean while it is told them that the Barons and Noblemen were led out of the prison of the Castle into the Court of the ancient City near unto which in the market place that direful Theatre for that shambles was appointed which they as if they were going to meet with them hasten to the windows and looking out entertaine their fellow Martyrs with the forty fourth Psalm with a loud voyce while the amazed multitude flock after them in great swarms sighing and lamenting 9. After that the whole night is spent in Psalms and prayers and godly discourse and mutuall exhortations that because it pleased God to call them before others to this glory of Martyrdome they should not doubt by their true constancy to confound the world to glorifie Christ and to leave a godly example to posterity And when amongst others they sung the sixty eight Psalm occasion being
had no desire to return into their Countrey and give up themselves to such dangerous snares but commended their and the Churches cause with sighes to God 14. The Emperour in the mean time that he might preserve his Kingdome in a flourishing condition or else increase his glory fill'd the empty places of those that departed with spirituall persons to whom being advanced to the dignity of State he assign'd the first place and commanded that they should go and sit before Princes Counts and Barons which thing was never till that day heard of in Bohemia 15. He also abrogated the ancient Statutes of the Kingdom and established new ones which were printed declaring that he did confirme all the priviledges of the Kingdom except those Concerning Religion Of the free election of a King Of the use of the Bohemian language in publick Courts that he might by little little extinguish the language with the Nation Of the goods of persons that can make no wils _____ falling to the Common-wealth Of not alienating the lands from the male-stock by marriage That by the marriages of Bohemian maides with forraigners or new persons the ancient families might be thrust from their possessions or else more easily rooted out which was manifest by the effect when some were thrust out by others from fine inheritances whether they would or not As if it had been on purpose desired to oppresse every where the Kingdoms priviledges and to appoint a Government not over men but over beasts CHAP. XC Their Proceedings against the Free Cities IT followeth how tyrannically they used the free Cities Especially for that instead of an halter they placed Chief-Officers and Judges in the Cities without whose licence no man could move himself those of the Order of Knights these of Citizens But what such men even such as in the great scarcety of home-bred Romanes they were able to procure Bannites Italians or Germanes or else apostate Bohemians covetous muck-wormes who drove their own designes infamous homicides base-begotten persons Spirits such as sell persons free born Fidlers Stage players Smiths certain also not so much as A. B. C. darians without estate without any certain abode without Conscience all this we could easily demonstrate in particular and pertinent examples so that projecting villany with all impudency they obliged their faith to Antichrist under the name of Cesar for to invent treachery and lay snares for others men unworthy to have place in our writings 2. To such as these were all businesses in Cities committed upon their determination the City-Councells were commanded to depend Nor could the publick complaints of the ataxie and confusion of affaires prevaile any thing to the contrary but onely that they being unable to bear it in the yeare 1624. did afterwards displace the Capitanes or head-Officers and referred all to the Judges onely which neverthelesse were assisted by the chief of the Souldiery as a super-attendant lest the Kings affaires should suffer dammage 3. Their care in the next place was to suck juice and bloud out of the Cities which they notably effected by Taxes and Contributions for some yeares continued and extorted by the Souldiers power 4. Then the Ministers of the Churches being removed and Masse-Priests for the most part by force of Armes introduc'd they begun to compell people to frequent the Masse Marriages also were prohibited except amongst the Catholiques by which stratagem of Satan very many in every place carnally affected were brought to Apostasie and afterwards promoted to the dignity of Senators even men of no judgement or experience 5. The number of Apostates being thus augmented the Popish Senate began to be enraged against the rest of the Citizens diverse wayes which will not seem tedious particularly to describe how their proceedings were contrived onely we shall in the interim set down the generall instructions given to the Capitanes of Distresses in the yeare 1624. CHAP. XCI Articles gathered out of the Instructions given to the Capitanes of Distresses July 1624. 1. WHosoever do refuse to joyne with the Kings Majesty in point of Religion all traffick and commerce shall be debarr'd him 2. Whosoever shall permit private Preaching Baptisme or Matrimony in his house shall pay an hundred taleres or if he be not able shall suffer imprisonment six moneths But he that shall be found to harbour a Preacher in his house shall loose both goods and life 3. The ordinary Catholique Pastor of a place may not accompany any dead person which was not Catholique with ceremonies to his grave neverthelesse the funerall duties shall be paid him 4. If any shall follow his work upon Catholique holy-dayes he shall be imprisoned and shall not be dismist till after payment of ten florences 5. If any shall be caught in a victualling-house in time of Masse he shall pay ten florences and the Victualler double 6. Whosoever shall laugh at the Catholique Priest or his Sermon his words gestures and so at the Catholique rites he shall be banished and his goods confiscated 7. Whosoever shall eat flesh upon dayes prohibited without an indulgence from the Pope shall pay ten florences 8. If at any time the Master of the Family shall be absent upon the Lords day or upon festivall Masse-dayes if he be of the richer sort he shall pay four pounds of wax toties quoties if of the meaner sort two 9. Let the youth be taken notice of throughout all Cities Towns and Villages those that place their Sonnes in non-Catholique Schooles let them call them thence by the feast of All-saints under paine of 50. florences for the wealthy and of 25. for the poorer sort 10. If any bring up youth privily in his house all shall be taken from him and himself cast out of the City by the common Catch-pole 11. It shall not be lawfull for any non-Catholique to make a will but if he shall it shall be null 12. No young men whether at home with their Parents or Prentices may be admitted unto any Arts or Trades as Masters unlesse they first have learned the Catholique Religion 13. If any shall speak unbeseemingly of God the blessed Virgin the Mother of God of the Saints Ecclesiasticall rites or the famous house of Austria he shall loose his head without all pardon or favour 14. Whatsoever any Citizen painteth in his house within or without to the dishonour of the Catholique Religion he shall be carefull that it be blotted out forthwith under paine of 30. florences In like manner whatsoever shall be ingraven or painted upon Gates Temples or other publique places that they cause it to be broken in peeces or blotted out and the memorial of Christ crucified or something else set up in its place 15. The poor people in Hospitalls unlesse they shall be converted before the feast of All saints this present yeare let them be cashiered and not re-admitted unlesse they turn Catholiques c. The conclusion was this Herein the constant and unalterable will of his sacred Majesty
of honour 18. At Niclaspurg in the Tower of Cardinall Ditrichsteinius and Governour of Moravia in the year 1626 a shrill voice was heard two houres before day doubling Wo Wo Wo. Many raised by this voice the Secretaries arose at that time to their businesses and astonished with the noise heard this voice four times And because the voice seemed to sound from under the house tops they went up with lights for to know the matter they then heard the same words abundantly repeated sometimes in Dutch Weh Weh Weh other times in the Bohemian language Beda Beda Beda but so as those that stood in one corner heard the same things sounding from an opposite place when they went thither from another part so that it seemed altogether prodigious This truly hapned and was done for three nights together as is manifest by the Testimonies of eminent men who themselves were then present and became Auditors thereof amongst whom was John Wodiz by a noble Lawyer The like voice was heard at Wienna as recorded in a publicke writing 19. Nor is it unknown how that in these times certaine persons as in trances declared in divers places by hidden revelation what horrible punishments should attend the Tyrants and persecutors Amongst whom was Christina Ponitovia a Bohemian virgin whose visions writ with her owne hand and translated verbatim into Dutch are now extant in print she being commanded by him that revealed the things unto her writ also to Walsteinius the Prince certaine dehortatory letters not to persecute the faithfull under paine of temporall and eternal destruction she sent them also to Gizinia delivered them into the hands of the Princess to the great astonishment of her and Gynecius her chiefe usher she falling into an extasie at the same time in their sight The letters before they were delivered to the Prince were opened and read by Jesuites who laughed at them as a Piccardy fiction so also the Prince seemed to interpret them For he smiling said that his Lord the King had received letters from Madrid Constantinople Rome c. but he from Heaven But hee found how meet it was to jest with holy things in a short time after hee died miserably of that kind of death which Christina had foreseen and foretold though indeed he promoted the oppression of the Confessors of the truth his conscience regretting as is well known only to gratifie and please those about him 20. The Lord many times smote Ferdinand himselfe with diverse plagues for perversely hardening himself against Gods people For first of all he stirred up enemies successively against him which grievously tyred him with Warres Yet his Baal-Priests interpreted this as desired occasions of continuing the victory and trampling the heretickes on every side notwithstanding they often perceived into what streights they were brought not without hazard of their overthrow yet because all this did but contribute to harden them the more they returned againe to their wonted course 21. For shortly after the execution at Prague the Emperors Army was routed by Bethlemius in Hungary where Bukwoy himselfe a rare General was slaine Not long after the confiscation where the Goods of very many Gospellers were set to sale in the year 1623. all the Emperors Army was againe reduced to such extremity at Hodoninum in Moravia that all was given for lost had not the Count of Black-Mount imbraced conditions of peace in the Emperors behalfe which were so low and base as that he letted not to kisse Bethlemius his feet Afterwards the Subjects of Austria the lower Rebelled and much increased their extremity This likewise is very memorable the same day whereupon the first proscription of the Citizens of Prague was published July the 12. 1627. the Lord afflicted Italy by an horrible Earth-quake whereby many Townes and Villages with many thousands of men were swallowed up 22. In the interim God struck the first born of these Egyptians these principal men dying to wit Pope Paul the 5. and Gregory the 14. Philip the 3 King of Spain also Charles Albertus and John Charles Duke of Austria the Emperour Ferdinands brother his uncle his sonne and some others 22. At last when not onely Bohemia but also all Germany was full of Prodigies and yet these enemies did not cease to bring all things into confusion and to fill all places with their Tyranny and impiety God stirred up a Northerne Whirle-wind which to this day shakes the Walles of this wicked Babylon 24. To whom that Gods word might the more appear even France it self although professing the Roman-Religion not induring any longer to behold this daily Tyranny every day increasing and the growth of the Emperor brought about by the ruines and oppressions of other Kingdomes joyne counsels and strength of which passages God onely knows the issue for the present we observe the just judgement of God who knows the Nations that deal at War and to those that spill the bloud of his Saints he can give them blood to drink as he hath threatned in the 68 Psal 34. Revel 16.5.6 CHAP. CVII Concerning the remainder of the faithfull in Bohemia after all this persecution I. SO soone as the Popes sword began to prevail there were found some learned Doctors of the Church who did publickly and privately by their Sermons and writings admonish and strengthen the hearts of the people against those tempests of persecution which they apprehended comming but because God scarce at any time makes his way through the stormes and whirle-winds Nah 1.3 but at the sight of his wrath the very mountaines are covered and the rockes are dashed in pieces 1. King 19.11 so likewise it happened here that some of the Pillars of the Bohemians were overthrown to wit the greatest part of the Nobility and some part of the Ministery with the Generall ruine of all the people whereupon they rejoyced and were glad who spoiled the inheritance of the Lord because ye were glad because ye rejoiced O ye destroyers of mine inheritance because ye are growne sat as the Heifer at grasse and bellow as bulls But how the Glory of God and mans salvation was promoted by this is not knowne nor can sufficiently bee lamented 2. For because in so great a number of Apostates from the Gospell there were scarce any who were perswaded within themselves that way which they were commanded to follow was the true way of salvation but meerely out of the fear of men or else to please men or some other blind and brutish inclination most of them followes the example of the rest and offered violence to their consciences and so forsooke the truth what can wee determine otherwise concerning the whole root then to say with the Prophet Isaiah 1.4 a sinfull nation a people laden with iniquity a seed of evill doers children that are corrupters they have forsaken the Lord they have provoked the holy one of Israel unto anger they are gone backward 3. Truly you have done very praise worthy and you deserve
an Empire City of Borussia was a receptacle to very many to whom the most Illustrious Prince Christopher Rodzivillius behaved himself very bountifully in relieving the misery of their banishment as also other pious people whose hearts the Lord stirred up 12. In Hungaria the Lord stirred up the heart of the most illustrous George Rakozius now Prince of Transilvania to make his Dominions of Puchovia and Ladneseus as a sanctuary to the banished whether also some went from it self as also to the Dominions of Count Trurion Count Eleshazius the Lord Revius and others 13. In Silesia under the Government of the Emperor God strengthened the heart of Iohn Christian Duke of Briggs that he durst rather obey God than men who entertained in his Duchy many of the banished Bohemians and Moravians to whom as also to the rest under the heat of the day Isajah 16.3.4.5 Take counsell execute judgment make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noon day hide not the outcasts bewray not him that wandereth let mine outcasts dwell with thee Moab be thou a covert to them from the spoiler c. 14. Besides those before named who shunned Apostacy by their banishment In very Bohemia it self and Moravia ihe midst of these abominations God reserved to himself more than 7000 who did not bow their knees to Baal nor kist him with their mouth I do not mean Infants who cannot distinguish between their right hand and their left but men of growth who in many places under moderate Governours did not undergo such a bitter persecution as the other but kept constantly in the faith as for example many in the Dukedome of Fridland in the County of Westineus of which we spake before under the Barons of Zerotin and Waldstein and some others who suffered not their Subjects to be so tormented But let no godly man envy this their happinesse for all things are done by his disposing who said Jesus said unto him If I will that he tarry till I come what is that to thee follow thou me 15. Finally we know many of those who Apostatised do with Peter bitterly bewaile their fall and do testifie it by their letters to their ejected Ministers yea and some of them that have the benefit of Ministers and a Ministery have re-united themselves unto the Church others with great desire and anxiety of heart do wait for the time of their freedome ready upon the least occasion to be reconciled to God and the Church and therefore more fervently then the rest they do implore Gods mercy and they do importune heaven with their teares and sighs mitigating their losses with a resolute hope and expecting the Lord to come with succour to them 16. Thou therefore O our God looke upon us miserable creatures whom thou hast so humbled by afflictions that the shadow of death covers us who for thy sake are put to death every day and are carried as sheep to the slaughter Awake O Lord why sleepest thou do not cast us off for ever why doest thou turn away thy face and forget our affliction and oppressions for our life is brought down to the dust and our belly cleaves to the ground Arise O Lord help us and deliver us for thy name sake Psal 44.21 c. Israel is a scattered sheep the Lions have driven him away First the King of Assyria hath devoured him Return O Lord and be reconciled unto thy servants satisfy us right early with thy goodnesse and we will be glad and rejoice all our dayes comfort us according to the dayes where in thou hast afflicted us and for the yeares wherein we have seene evill Let thy work appear unto thy servants and thy glory unto their children Psal 90.14 Amen Amen Amen FINIS