and all At the lintell of the doore they writ this sentance in golden letters My house is a house of prayer but not thy house O most cursed Calvin They carried out of the Church the most ancient Pictures of Litomeritius Hus and Ierom and so burned them afterwards they shewed their rage against the holy Martyrs 4. How they set upon the books every one perhaps have already heard a thousand bibles that I might not mention other good books were taken away by these Furies that Antichrist might shew himself nothing inferiour to Antiochus 1 Macabees 1.5 9. commonly they burned them onely the Count of Nahud that most perverse Apostate having covered his holy books with silk and Gold for hee was sumptuous proud having taken off onely the gold and the silver commands that they should bee buried in the sink himself being present but the manner was diverse some having taken them away from the Christians did burne them privately at home simulating the modesty of Joochim 6. Jer. 23. others brought them in baskets to the market-place as was done at Fulneck others brought them in carts without the walls as was done at Zalicum and Frutnovia others brought them in heaps to the Gallows and other places destined for the punishment of mallefactors as at Hraditium so in great heaps burned them but you shall see O good men that the innocent ashes of these livelesse Martyrs being scattered through heaven and earth will spread further the doctrine which you would have abolished 5. The adversary being unmindfull of Ovid Lions vent not their rage upon the dead And the fight ends when foes are vanquished But savage Wolves and Bears not onely prey Upon the living but the dead assay imitating the cruelty of Wolves and Beares counted a part of their glory thus to expresse their rage and madnesse upon the dead continually It is a wonderfull beastiallity not to be able to endure the living above ground nor the dead under ground there are many examples of those who were by these pulled out of their graves and had their members burned at Horasdovisius in the year 1621. The monastery which the Bohemian Brethren for a long time possessed was restored to the Monkes who opened the graves of the Ministers of the word first of all the bones of Iacob Welchi both in name and in truth two worthy men buried in the year 1600. were taken up which Severinus Budetius the Warden did with an iron barre beat in pieces using with all cursing words and commanded that they should be burned in the Church-yard with the bones of Iohn Popelius Iohn Iaphet and Matthias Cobar who were buried in the year 1599. 1614. 1616. and because the Barons of Squilâ—ve the Lord of the place were buried in the same Church the wicked warden visiting their sepulchres tooke off from their bodies their rings and gold chaines and whatsoever was pretious lastly the body of Theobold Squiovius being taken out of the vault and out of the leaden chest wherein he lay he commanded it being put into a woodden coffin that it should be cast into some ditch about the Church-yard and covered over with dung 6. In the year 1623. the Church Czaslavia being taken from the Christians when they had found an Epitaph with this inscription In the year 1424 upon Thursday Iohn Lyski of Callis departed this life Governour of the Common-wealth labouring in the name and for the name of God is buried in this place Presently they put to their hands that they might remove him from thence that had rested there for the space of two hundred years within one but having digged very deep they found nothing besides dust their rage therefore being turned against the Tombstone upon which his effigies were formerly ingraven but now worne out they beat this to powder and with the dust of the grave they sprinkled it upon the ground without the church so forsooth taking revenge upon him being dead who whilest he was alive troubled them living 7. In the same yeare when that they were a purging the Church of Prague of the buried hereticks they brought out a marble-stone laid upon the grave of Rokizane and beate that to powder but they could not find the grave Lastly in the yeare 1630. when P. Lucas the Jesuite the twenty fourth of December died and there was in that place a most deep grave prepared for him there was found at the bottome a certaine bedde of brick which being plucked out there appeared putrified bones with two cups one of brasse and the other of Waxe uncorrupted and a piece of Damaske cloth the Reliques of his Priestly covering long red hairs stuck still to his skull These bones being gathered together they brought them in a basket into the Vestry untill they did know what their Superiour would command concerning them but what was afterwards done with them we doe not know but what we do declare was related to us by an eye-witnesse So Rokizane having laine in his Sepulcher about 159 years and 7 moneth for he died â—n the year 1471 the 21 of February gave place to another 8. At Trebovea there were extant some stony Statues of some dead Pastors in the Church-yard the eyes of which a Iesuite beat out with his mallet hee being himselfe blind blinded those that were before blind 9. But yet their fury did not onely express it selfe against those that were already buried I will not mention how they did deny them an honest buriall in the Church-yards and forced them to bee buried in fields gardens high-wayes and in those places that were set apart for the punishment of rogues Certainly this was too barbarous that they did altogether deny that some should bee brought out of their houses and restored to our common mother the earth for this onely end that they might vomit out their hatred against those that slept in Christ and that they might deterre the living almost killed with the stink of their carkases from the imitation of their constancy this happened to a most holy man John Mathrada Muslen preacher at Kutiberg at Saint Barbera who dying at his own house in the yeare 1625 the 4. of October who being privily returned from banishment departed the Arch-Deacon Apian denied altogether that he should be buried not suffering himself to be wrought upon either by intreaties or by offers of money at length after eight days some good men by stealth taking away his carkasse in the night time buried it in a certaine place That Belial in vain inquiring after the authors of so great wickednesse and threatning death unto them for a little while after the thirty of October the like example oâ— charity was shewed to one whom the Pastor did use with the like cruelty for a little sonne of his baptized else-where 10. Why should I produce more examples of their cruelty O that it were lawfull to write upon the fore-heads of these men that which Semirames is reported to have commanded should
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
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
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
but approve of your Christian prudence and temperance Therefore we willingly advise you publickly that however opinions may arise from other places that you adhere to this and suffer not your selfe to bee led away from this holy and pure truth For this is certaine that the church is very well provided for and is then chiefly built up and kept in unity and unanimity when the pure doctrin of the Gospell without far-fetched subtilities and emergent contentions is propounded to Christian people in simplicity of truth as it is in Psalm the 25. Let integrity and uprightnesse preserve me Dated at Wittenbergh 3. Novemb. 1575. CHAP. XL. Vnder Rodolphus the Gospellers had full liberty I. IN the year after 1576 Maximilianus being dead his sonne Rudolphus succeeded him who trod in his fathers steps hee reigned peaceably untill the year on thousand six hundred and two no persecution being in all that time concerning religion In this year it was so brought about by the private practises of the Jesuites and their instruments that Rodolphus should subscribe to and cause to be published an Edict drawne by them concerning the renewing of a Decree of Wladislaus against the Piccardines for noe other end but that their Churches might be shut up for a time the Patrons of the Brethren the Noblemen protested that it did no way concern them since these men are not such as the Piccardines are described to be and therefore Caesar did connive and looked not so narrowly after them as that they should so strictly observe his decrees herein neither was it lawfull for the enemy to presse the Orders so farre and it was related by a man of credit that the evening before the 22. of July when newes was brought to the King that Alba Regia was taken being the chiefe City of Hungary in great astonishment said I looked for some such thingâ— since this day I began to usurp the Government of God which is of consciences 2. Neither intended hee any thing else than to make good the promise of his father and to settle liberty of conscience as he declared afterwards when in the year 1609 to the Orders of the Kingdome under both kinds the Pope the Spanish faction and their counsellors not consenting thereto he committed the lower consistory and the university to be reformed at the pleasure of the Orders giving them Patents whereby this donation was confirmed to them and gave leave that the churches and schools should be inhabited or if need be should be built and forbad that any of his subjects whether Catholick or Spirituall should bee punished for his religion and obliged those Kings that should succeed him religiously to observe these things and also gave power to the Orders to make choise of some among them to bee defendors of this liberty 3. The Orders therefore reform the consistory and for quietnesse sake they chuse 3 Hussites 3 Brethren and 3 Gospellers to these they adde the 3 Professours of the University and command these twelve chosen men to order all affaires concerning Church Government throughout the Kingdome And because it was generally agreed that the confederates should bee cashiered and Church government bee according to the rule of Gods law Elias Shudim of Semanin a Hussite is chosen first Administrator and afterward to bee elected out of the ordinary sort of Ministers But concerning the brethren it is concluded the order of whose discipline was granted for the better reconciliation that they should have their Seniour being the next Colleague of the Administrator so long as the diversity of this order yet in a friendly concord should endure To whom at Prague a Church is given by the Vniversity as it were to the true off-spring of Hus called Bethlehem famous for the preaching of Hus. All which things were done with the publick acclamation of all good people and all things rung out with divine praises and were fastned to the doors of the church these lines The Temples ope'd the Lion joyes that Raph To Maxamillian kept his promised faith c. 4 The orders under both kinds made a friendly agreement with the orders under one kind for the consideration of peace and mutuall concord among them which having digested into articles they promised to enter into the Registrie of the kingdome but to be confirmed by the subscription of Caesar his Councellors But three were found who did refuse being two or three times solicited having some scruple of conscience Zaenko Adalbertus Popel de Lobkowitz Chancellor of the kingdome William Slawata â—e Chlum and Iaroslaus de Martinitz Smeczanskie Therefore they solemnely protest against the orders under both kinds that if hereafter they shall attempt any thing against this liberty granted to the whole kingdome by Caesar that then they would punish them as disturbers of the publique peace which protestation of the orders Rodolphus assenting to it is entered into the Registrie of the Kingdome and kept among the priviledges and confirmed by the same oath with other priviledges of the Kingdome by Rodolphus and his successors 5. False Hussitisme being taken away a more pure Religion flourished throughout the whole kingdome so that there was scarce one among a hundred who hid not professe the Evangelicall doctrine But alas with the liberty of Religion as usually it happens by little and little two much liberty of life began to increase and learning even among whom formerly it flourished began after a strange manner to be dissolved Wherefore this liberty bringing along with it carnall security did not please all godly men and some began to presage ill that so a horrible tempest from some Ferdinand should againe overwhelme them It was a Propheticall speech in peace my bitternesse is most bitter and fullfilled of which it followeth CHAP. XLI New stratagems of the enemies under Matthias I. I Must begin higher that the bottom of our calamity may be more apparent The occasion of the grant of this ample Religious Liberty by Rodolphus to the Bohemians and Silesians was because the Hungarians with Austrians and Moravians forsaking Rodolphus for some civile causes had created his brother Matthew Archduke King Duke and Marquis and with a great army in the year 1608. entring into Bohemia even unto Prague did not only demand the Crowne of Hungarie which was there kept but courted the Bohemians to a revolting but they with the Silesians were faithfull to him and Mathew with the Crowne of Hungarie and hope for succession in the Kingdome of Bohemia after the death of Rodolphus being sent away they asked and obtained for that they had sworne fealty to Rodolphus the former promised favour of Religious liberty and the power of the Consistorie and Vniversitie 2. In the meane time for this affront put upon him by his Brother he was very much vexed and the more because foreseeing the Spanish plots began to boad no good luck to his Bohemians and all Germanie he began to enter into new consultation with himselfe and he was
upon the Godly that they might put a fairer glosse upon their tyranny We will hereafter acquaint you how the Father of this Martyr a man of eighty yeares of age laid his life downe for Religion in the same yeare at Prostanna in Moravia CHAP. LVIII Ministers cast out of Moravia THe same year 16â—4 as in Bohemia so in Moravia the Edict was published against the Ministers and Commissaries were appointed who should see the execution done These going through all the Provinces remove the Ministers of the Gospell and at the last banish them 2. But John Jacob the greater an Italian and a man that was very rich and Iohn Ernestas Platesius a Canon of Colmucensis came unto that illustrious Baron Charles of Zerotina a man for his wisedome and other Heroieall Virtues famous through all Europe And under Matthias for the space of eight yeares pro-Mazchio and being in great favour with the house of Austria for his fidelity to them onely envied for his constancie in Religion for even at that time he maintained 24 of the fraternity in his jurisdiction for which they required that he should give satisfaction to Caesar neither could Caesar loose any priviledge thereby They say they have an express command from Ditrichsteinus the Cardinall the governour of Moravia he tells them againe that in matters of Religion he ought not to be subject to the Cardinall and therefore from the Cardinall he appeales to Caesar 3. Very willingly they agree to this and therefore doe grant him but fourteene dayes which being past and the Baron in regard of the ill disposition of his body could not goe unto Caesar the next day after the Epiphanie they returne and press hard for the execution of Caesars will yet it was left to the Barons choise whether he would promise to send the Ministers away or whether he would leave this thing for them to doe The Baron sayd that neither of these was convenient that either he should banish those whom he knew to bee the servants of Christ or that the Commissioners should prescribe it to him but that he would appeal to Caesar They protested that they ought to put in execution the commands of Caesar and therefore immediately goe into the town and make ready the citation and having called the the Burrouhg Master of the Towne require him to provide them a messenger and presently even that night that they may declare themselves to be of the number of those whom the Scripture sayth cannot take their rest unless they may doe some mischiefe or those whose sleep departeth from them except they may destroy Proverbs 4 16. commanding all that inhabite that village that they appeare next morning very early 4. The Ministers and they appeare they read Caesars Edict and aske them whether they would submit thereto to which they answer That they rely wholly upon the will of God whom in the Gospell ef Jesus Christ they serve relying therefore on Gods will and pleasure they did resolve to undergoe what punishment they would inflict since they suffered onely for the name of Jesus Christ not for any ill deeds Againe they demanded whether they will repent and returne to the Catholicke Church from which through schisme and haeresie they had departed Vnanimously they doe deny it The Commissaries dismiss them having given them some time to consider of it and that every one particularly might come in and speake for himselfe but they repeat againe their common answer that in so religious a cause as this there needed no deliberation Therefore the Commissioners in Caesars name banish them and command them to depart out of the City within eight dayes under the paine of death These godly men did obey and went into banishment for whom the Baron at his owne charge tooke care that they should be carried into Hungary 5. Going afterwards into Wienna the Baron complaines unto Caesar of the injurie done unto him by the Cardinall in Moravia and the Prince of Litchtensteine in Bohemia for there he had a town with some villages and the Ministers were there also casâ— out but all to no purpose as shall be shewed heareafter under the title of the proceedings against even the Peers and Noblemen 6. And thus the Ministers of the Gospell throughout all Moravia and Bohemia the slaves and vassalls of Antichrist are given to the Churches for Doctors blind guides to seeing men It is high time to see how they dealt with the other Orders CHAP. LIX Proceedings against Peeres Noblemen how many eminent chiâ—fmen were taken some condemned to death others to perpetual imprisonment I. THe enemies of the Gospell trained up in Phalaris and Machiavellâ— schoole aimed at topping the chiefe and principall heads of the Poppy for which thing they had a faire pretence which formerly they sought viz. The accusation of taking up armes against them for though after the fight a certaine hope of pardon was granted if laying downe their armes they would submit themselves to Caesars mercy by which slight they are caught who otherwise might have escaped but afterwards whom they had appointed for slaughter they apprehended saying that the publicke liberty without the ransome of some heads could not be redeemed 2. First of all therefore they took all such whom they could have out of the ranck of the Defenders and and Directors and then all those whom they knew had done any thing for the common good of the country and religion or feared that they might be able to do those excepted who adhered not to Ferdinand or that feared to break their faith to Frederick these they accompany going unto banishment About fifty men farre excelling others in godlinesse wisdome and courage who had passed over their younger yeares in learning in millitary affaires and in travelling the rest of their age sety apart for the Church and Common-wealth to wit by watching by shewing dangers to the imprudent adding courage to the prudent by exhorting unto concord and advising in common what they could for the best in a word the very flower of our nation the lights delights and safeguard of our Country How therefore those were examined condemned and after what manner they were punished how cheerfully they did suffer Martyrdome for the truth of the faith and liberty of the Country with my most accustomed plainness and brevity I shal declare 3. The Pipe maketh sweet musick while the fowler catcheth the birds more than three moneths nothing is heard but fair promises of favour and hope of impunity for all by gone trespasses insomuch that some came out of their lurking holes and some returned home that were exiled but when many had despaired of hoping suddenly and in one hour which was the first houre of the night even about supper time on the 20 of February in the year 1621 they laid hold on and captivated as many as they could come at for every one being in their houses unlooked for were visited by the Captaines of the City of
and Lord of us all will rest satisfied c. Charles Prince of Lichtenstein But these were general things and common to all we shall now adde some particular examples whereby a thousand of Satans stratagems will perchance more clearly appeare CHAP. XCII SHortly after the taking of Prague the Catholique Citizens were cited by the Kings Judges and examined upon oath to declare if any of them knew that the Evangelists had stubbornely spoke or done any thing which as every one answered for truth or affection-sake were received as Oracles and afterwards became the cause of death to many even alltogether innocent 2. An Act or Decree was published unto the rest of the Citizens who thought themselves received into favour in the year 1624. Febr. 23. That they had forfeited their Estates by their Rebellion neverthelesse Caesar desired not that they should be altogether sequestred but that every one should contribute part of his fortunes to support the warres And here an exact estimate of their possessions was required of every one of them upon oath And according to this confession or also by a suspition or guess which they had from their ready money a ransome of favour was imposed upon each of them for the obtaining of Pardon as they called it but indeed that they might undoe him a hundred two hundred a thousand two three four six c. thousand florences were straightwayes or at certain dayes to be paid 3. Afterwards all Non-Catholiques were April 15. forbid to be enrolled in the City-Catalogue As for those which were inscribed since the yeare 1618. all trading and negotiation was prohibited them By which Thunderbolt some were brought to faint heartednesse and others to poverty 4. Shortly after to wit May 29. Letters were hung upon the doores of the Common Halls in all Cities the tenour whereof was thus The most illustrious Prince Lord Charles of Lichtenstein c. hath understood by credible persons that certain of the late exiled Preachers do not onely lurk privily in the Cities belonging to the people of Prague but also exercise divine service about the Houses Gardens and Vineyards and thereby do draw away the People from their lawful obedience unto the Magistrate Which thing since it can be no way agreeable to his illustrious Highnesse for the dangerous example of Rebellion lately raised he therefore strictly chargeth the Judges of his sacred Majesty that they be most diligently watchfull and whensoever they find any Conventicles straightwaies taking with them publicke officers to breake into those houses without respect of persons and having apprehended the persons to arrest them whether Predicants Readers or Singers Hee hath also understood that Piccardy Songs and Rimes composed under the name of Psalmes are sung up and down not onely privatly but even publickly in Villages and streets They are therefore diligently to observe that it be amended and that nothing but what is allowed by the Catholicke church bee said or sung by any man And as great circumspection is to be used that all Schoole-masters not Catholick be expelled out of the houses in all Cities and if they shall be taught for the future that they be hailed to prison and punishment c. 5. Another Edict succeeded Sept. 13. yet somwhat more moderate whereby the Kings benevolence and all their priviledges were declared to be performed unto the people of Prague after payment of the Tax with both of which notwithstanding they rejoiced not long for that I speake not of continuall vexations for Religion sake there issued forth in the year following from the Officers of the Kingdom unto the Counsells at Prague this same Decree The supreame Officers and Judges of the Kingdome in the name and place of his Sacred Majesty doe command by their Commissioners chosen for this purpose the Consul and Senate of Prague the lesse and also of old and new c. that they perfectly instruct all Non-catholick Citizens called into the Court of the finall will and pleasure of the Kings Majesty which is no other than that all men renouncing their heresie doe betake themselves unto the Church But if any shal be found refractorily obstinate they shall signifie unto them that they are to be not onely cashiered the City but also deprived of all means of getting their livelihood Decreed in the Chancellors Court in Bohemia in the yeare 1626. Feb. 13. 6. In the yeare beginning 1627. There were supream Commissaries for Religion chosen by the Emperour whose names wee have before recited These therefore entring upon their Commission from those at Prague do send a decree to the Chieftaines of the Cities of Prague wherein after a large commendation of the Kings fatherly care for the good of his subjects as also of the Learning Godlinesse zeale and watchfulnesse of the Spirituall Pastors whereof there was such abundance at Prague and throughout the whole Kingdome and lastly of his wonderfull clemency and forbearance heretofore used toward hereticks and on the contrary lamenting the hereticks great obstinacy do now seriously protest to act for the Kings sacred Majesty and for him onely They do therefore command that each of them do cause the citizens in the Cities committed to them to be catalogued and carefully sent unto them and distributed into four rancks In the first order the native Catholicks are to be inscribed in the second those that were lately converted in the third those that have given good hopes of their conversion and in the last the obstinate c. Given as above said 7. These chief Officers give the commands unto the Kings Judges they to the Tribuns of the people and Senators and these walking from doore to doore examin the father and mother of the family the man and maide-servants and all other the Inhabitants in every house and aske them in what order they would be placed and so did accordingly These Catalogues thus made are brought to the Commissaries who when they find but few of the first second or third Order they consult with great anxiety what is necessary to be done to such a troupe of Heretickes that all tumults may be prevented At length they conclude that the heads should bee removed viz. That those men which were of any rule and authority with the people should be expelled 8. The beginning was effected upon four venerable grave Citizens of Old Prague the thundering Edict against them ommitting Court complements runs thus VVHereas with grief of heart we have observed certaine persons of Prague to be of such incorrigible obstinacy as that the Kings Majesties most indulgent care and all his fatherly admonitions for their good being nothing set by they proudly refuse good and wholsom instruction and as men incurable admit of no counsell thereby giving a dangerous example unto others which would suffer themselves more willingly to be amended In which number since these are noted Iohn Theodore Sixtus Iohn Peldrzimowsky Abraham Angel and Iohn Iacob Heydon We give command to the worthy Ioachim Salwate
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
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