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
but in regard it was found that many evills even heresies have had their rise from thence Christian order being now established it is not convenient to connive at it And therefore it cannot be granted what your people doth so earnestly but inconsiderately desire and this we forbid in the power of God and most blessed Peter exhorting thee also by the honor of the omnipotent God to withstand by all means such like vain rashnesse yea we command thee Dated at Rome anno 1079. 4. Loe here a Cover worthy the Dish for Histories do term this Gregory alias Hildebrand an ungodly man a Magician a vehement firebrand of the warres in Europe Could therefore any thing of truth or holiness be expected from him But time it was to punish the worlds ingratitude wherein the seducing power of errours should be sent into the world as the Apostle foretold 2 Thes 2. and so necessary it was that Bohemia it self but lately converted to the Faith should participate of the dimnesse which preceded the approaching darknesse and more and more be fettered with Antichristian bands Neverthelesse Bohemiâ— never committed any abominations which were visible to her through the darknesse without reluctancy and compulsion From whence it was that Rome froâ— Antiquity did often in large expressions bestow the title of Heretiques before all others upon the Bohemians 5. When in the year 1197. Peter Cardinal of Brode way being sent to Prague by Pope Celestine urgeâ— the necessity of single life and enjoyned Divorces unto those who were ordained for the Ministerie he was even upon the point of being stoned by the Priests and and Prelates Haiec. fol. 212. 6. About the year 1350. in the Reigne of Charles the fourth likewise Emperour of Rome the sacriledgious administration of the Lords Supper under one kind was first heard and seen in Bohemia under the first Arch-Bishop Ernestus of Eardubitz the Italian French and Germane Divines and Magistrates whom Charles had chosen Professors for the newly founded University of Prague very much perswading him to it Forreigners also well learned in the Arts who came thither in great troops drawing away very many by their Example 7. Certain of the Bohemians distracted by these factions apostatized and began to assert That the Custome in other places received ought not to be rejected there that the Sacrament ought not to be easily granted much lesse dailie disttibuted in both kinds and that not without the peculiar indulgence of the Arch-Bishop CHAP. VI. John Melice and Conrade Stickna 1. THese clamours increasing Mr. John Melice _____ of Prague a man descenâ—ed of a noble family and of a fervent spirit of whom â—lso menâ—ion is made in the catalogue of witnesses unâ—o the Truth whether by word or writing was theâ— first that stood out in opposition For when for his are Learning and Holinesse of life he was made Preâ—ect of the Clergy in the Cathedrall Church of _____ â—nd had a great Auditory he began to exhort the people unto a frequent communion in both kinds to comâ—lain much of spirituall desolation to rebuke divers aâ—uses abominations being much helped with the godâ—y endeavors of his faithful colleague Conrade Stickna a man eminent for Learning and Eloquence 2. These two by their zealous preaching effected amongst other things that the notorious Brothell house at Prague called Venice was throwne downe and in â—ts place Mary Magdalen church erected which perâ—dventure was a praeludium of the speedy destruction of the spirituall common Stewes 3. Neverthelesse Melicius himself hath left a writing concerning himself for some of his writings are preserved that he was pricked in conscience that he should go to Rome and there testifie that the great Antichrist was come and did then reign He prayed unto God with fasting and tears that unlesse these cogitations did proceed from his spirit he would deliver him from them but because he could find no inward quiet he went to Rome and writ upon some oâ— the cardinalls doors Antichrist is come and sittetâ— in the Church and in his conferences with many he averred the same 4. There is a Bull of Greg. the 11. now extant whereby Melice with his auditors were anathematized Hee therefore imprisoneth him but afterward perhaps for fear of the people he releaseth him iâ— the year 1366. Melice continued eight years in thâ— hatred of Antichrist and in the year 1374 and fourtâ— Nones of February he Swan like ended his life five years after the happy dissolution of his colleaguâ— Stickna CHAP. VII Mathias Janovius or the Parisian 1. MAtthias Janovius of Prague commonly called the Parisian because he continued Student in Paris nine years succeeded him he waâ— confessor unto Charles the fourth and more ferveâ—â— and zealous then his Predecessors in defending communion in both kinds He wrote many things as Oâ— the life of a Christian Of Hypocrisie Of Antichrist Of the frequent receiving of the Sacrament of the body and bloud of Christ In which booke at the end it is thus written It expresseth the work of Mr. Matthias of Paris a man famous for his admirable devotion who for his constant preaching suffered great persecution and this for the truth of the Gospell 2. Histories tell us that this Parisian together with some other learned men went to Charles promoted unto Kingly Dignity and requested him to call an Oecumenicall Councell for the churches reformation But the King returned unto them this answer That it was not in his power but belonged unto the Ghostly Father the Pope of Rome and therefore he would write in their behalfe and intreat a councell from him which after he had done the Pope was provoked and did so importune him for the punishing of those rash and hereticall men that Charles being madded with the authority of the Pope although he loved this Parisian yet commanded him to depart out of his Kingdome who though indeed he returned afterwards yet lead he the remainder of his life in private deceasing in the yeare 1394. Novemb. 30. See mention made of him in catalogo Test. Verit 3 Now Ianovius being banished the adversaries forbad and abol shed communion in both kinds not only in the Church of Aix but every where at Prague and through the whole Kingdome so that the more constant among them could not celebrate and receive the Sacrament after their accustomed manner except in private houses and after that in Woods and Caves and there not without hazzard of their lives and persecutions for they were set upon in the ways plundered beaten and drown'd in rivers so that at length they were necessitated to go together armed and in strong companies Which from that time continued untill the days of Husse 4. Letters Patents also were extorted from Charles although Hajec sayth it was sent to the Prelats of his own accord wherein an inquisition is ordained and punishment by fire determined to bee inflicted upon those who departed from the faith and ceremonies of the Church of Rome It is extant
the third 1334. therefore every year in the 18. of April there was a solemne meeting at that place where a Church as yet stands and commemorations were vsually made of the Martyrs to the year 1613. which Woresowetz the chiefe master of the mint did in vaine endeavour to hinder at length it seased in yeare 1621. when persecution prevailed CHAP. XI John Krasa 1. THis was a chief Merchant of Prague who comming to trade at Preslaw a Town of Silesia where at that time Sigismund the Emperour and Fernandus the Popes Legate were met to consult about the carrying on the war against the Bohemians and upon a fit occasion in his Inne disputing strongly for the innocency of Husse who was unjustly condemned and for the partaking of the Eucharist in both kinds was taken and cast into prison 2. The next day Nicolas de Bethlehem a student was cast into the same prison who was sent by the inhabitants of Prague to Caesar at Preslaw by whom they declared themselves that if the Emperour would permit them the cup they would acknowledge him to be their King But Caesar was very cruell to the messenger 3. Krasa exceedingly encouraged him with many religious exhortations rejoycing that he had such a companion in his Martyrdome Oh my brother saith he what an honour is this that we are called to bear witnesse to the Lord Jesus Let us undergo with chearfulnesse so little trouble The fight is but short but the reward is eternall Let us remember our Lord what a cruell death hee under went for us and with what guiltlesse blood we are redeemed and what torments the Martyrs have patiently endured With these and the like words he was constantly exhorting him But when they were brought to execution and the ropes by which horses were to drag them through the City were tied to their feete Nicolas being terrified with the thoughts of death and fed by Fernandus who was then present with the hope of life presently yielded and recanted Husse his Doctrine which then began to be called Error 4. Krasa standing like an unshaken rock against all the perswasions of the Legate told them That all their hopes of any recantation from him were in vain Hee was drawne slowly through the streets the Legate at every turning inveighing against him and oftentimes commanding the hangman to stay crying to him Pitty your self and recant those errours which the Bohemians have so rashly spread abroad But he answered I am ready to dye for the Gospell of the Lord Jesus At length being brought half alive to the place of execution he was burnt This was done in the year 1420. March 14. and presently on the following Lords day being the 17 day of March the Legate commanded the excommunication of the Bohemians made by Pope Martin together with _____ to be stucke on the Church-gates and to be declared in the Pulpits CHAP. XII The Litomerician Martyrs PIchell the chief Magistrate of the City Litomericia a cruell and deceitfull man having taken four and twenty of the chief Citizens and among them his son in law put then in the highest Tower at Michaells gate At length having taken councell with some Captaines of Sigismunds and guarded with a band of Souldiers he commanded them to bee brought out half dead with hunger and cold and pronounces a sentence of death against them and causing some horses to be harnessed he sets them in carts and brings them to the bankes of Albis to drown them in the river 2. In the meane time there is a great concourse of people their Wives Children Kinsfolkes and friends crying and mourning The Consuls onely daughter comes wringing her hands and throwes her self down at her fathers feet beseeehing him to save her husbands life But her father harder than any rock commands her to leave weeping telling her she knew not what she asked What saith he cannot you have a worthier husband than this is she perceiving by these words that it was impossible to perswade him riseth Oh father saith she you shall never more espouse me to any So beating her breast and tearing her hair she followeth her husband with the rest of the people 3. When the Martyrs were brought to the bankes of Albis they are taken down from the carts and while the Ferries are preparing for there was not then a bridge over Albis as there is now they with loud voices call heaven earth to witness their innocency and take their last farewell of their wives children and friends exhorting them to constancy and zeale and cleave rather to the word of God than mans inventions and at last pray for their enemies and commend their soules to God Then being taken into the boats and brought into the middle of the river they are cast in with their hands and feet bound together and are drowned Some Officers stood upon the banks with iron forks and poles watching that none of them might be cast on the banks and saved and stabbing those that were rouled to the bank although they were half dead 4. The Consuls daughter seeing her husband leapt into the river and clasping him about the middle endeavoured to save him from drowning But shee being not able to wade by reason of the depth nor hee to unlose himselfe and having swallowed down much water she sank and was drowned together with her husband The next day they were taken up embracing one another and buried both in one grave This was done 30. day of May in the year 1421. 5. This History was shortly after engraven in Golden letters on the Church of All Saints at Litomericia for an eternall memoriall and was also to be seen in a table before St. Michaels gate and now lately in the year 1623. 8 of July was raz'd out by the command of George Michna a Commissioner for Reformation CHAP. XIII Wenceslaus Preacher at Arnostowitz with eight more burned Conrade Arch-Bishop of Prague converted 1. IN the same year when Albert of Austria sent Auxiliaries to Prague to Sigismund his father in law a party of his horse at Arnostowitz a village neer Milizine brought Wenceslaus the Curate of that place a Divine both dear to God and men with his Officiary three Country-men and four boyes the eldest of them not above eleven years of age to their Collonel at Bystrick where the quarters were The Clergy-men were apprehended for administring the other for receiving the Sacrament under both kinds that is to say of Bread and Wine The Bishop commanded Wenceslaus to abjure for the time to come the administration of the Sacrament under both kinds which if he should refuse to do he would expiate his rashnesse by fire To whom the Pastor returned a resolute and gallant answer But the Gospell doth teach me otherwise so also your owne Missalls have it you must approve what I teach or blot it out of the Bible The standers by being exâ—sperated by this liberall reply one of the Troopers strook Wenceslaus on his face with
lay hold on that most wicked knave the Piccardine At the first all were amazed no man would lay his hand on him at the last some were found who falling on him did buffet him with their fists and beating his head against the pillar did draw him almost covered with bloud unto the prison 2. The next day he was brought into the Court the Senate and the Parson being present and being demanded whether he would speak those words again which he spake yesterday he affirmed that he would Being asked again By what Instinct he durst doe it He answered by what Instinct did Abraham depart from the Idolaters and worship the euerliving God They pressing on him to tell them precisely by whose perswasion hee durst commit so hainous a fact hee answered By whose perswasion did David oppose himselfe against the worshipping of Idolls 3. On this they cried out Hold thy peace we know these things better than thou wee need not be taught by thee Wee know that thou hast here some accomplices whom since by thy owne accord thou wilt not discover thou shalt do it by force whereupon they commanded him to be carried back to the prison and by and by to be put on the Racke but not able by torment to rack any thing from him they condemne him to the fire as an obstinate Heretick the chief Officer being desired by the Priests not to suffer him to speake as hee was going to the execution least he should infect the people with his words The Officer agreed with him to forbear speaking or otherwise he would stop his mouth Andrew promised silence and performed what he promised speaking nothing all the way but praying softly to himselfe At the last when the fire began to sindge his head he cried out Iesus the son of the everliving God be mercifull be mercifull be mercifull to me a sinner which were all the words he spake The Priests turning to the people said Behold at last he calleth on Iesus in whom he living would not believe nor reverence his Sacraments CHAP. XXVII The persecutions which the more reformed of the Calixtines did endure I. IN all these times the condition of the church of the Brothers was most heavy but neither were the Calixtines free from affliction especially the purer sort of them being those who were most zealous against the Papists for in the year 1408. Mr. Michael Polach pastor of St. Ades in old Prague a man of unblemished life and an excellent preacher with three other Parsons Mr. Wenceslaus Slane Iohn Miezta and Mr. Wenceslaus Piscene were apprehended by the command of King Wladislaus because they affirmed the Pope to be Antichrist They were carried into the Castle of Calreisteine where the first of them perished by hunger and the nastinesse of the prison the other with much adoe were dismissed by the order of the States At which time many other who were more reformed in their judgements were either driven from Prague as Mr. Mathias Macheeke professor of the University or willingly departed as Lucas Pragene Batchelour of Art an excellent man who afterwards as before I have recited was a Bishop amongst the Brothers there also forsooke the Vniversity of their own accord Mr. Iohn Snow a Physitian and others 2. On the same year the King forbad the singing of the ballads made against the abominations of the Church of Rome and because they would not refrain many of the best rank of the Citizens were apprehended and a long time detained in prison One or two of them were stead alive as Matthew Serling Martin of the golden wheele Scheynohin who was also a Citizen of Prague through the violence of the torment did break asunder 3. On this the Monks having taken new courage began more freely to inveigh against those that tooke the Sacrament in both kinds and condemned the Hussites the people variously but vainly murmuring at it The Senators also of Prague and many Papists and Germanes abusing the clemency of the King did grow so intollerably bold that some noble men who were adversaries to the Religion conspired together and on the 24 of December at night intended to put to death the chiefest of the Citizens who received the Sacrament under both kinds But they were deceived of their expectation and hope God so ordaining it that the evill returned vpon the heads of the contrivers of it For their treachery being betrayed their was a mighty Tumult in which the places of â—ustice of the three Cities and all the Monasteries were pulled downe and many of the Senators and Monks were slain This was done in the year 1413. at which though Wladislaus was much afflicted yet inquiry being made and it being found that the Papists gave the cause thereof he pardoned the inhabitants of Prague And in the year 1485 he established by Parliament an agreement betwixt the communicants under one and both kinds howsoever the hatred betwixt them and the reproachfull words did still continue 4. In the yeare 1491 on the 28 of Ianuary at Laeta Curia a chiefe Temple of the Hussites The Eucharist being administred under both kinds a German comming behind a Gentlewoman as she was drinking of the cup hee strooke her head so violently that her mouth being cleaved bloud issued forth abundantly for which notorious offence hee was apprehended and thrown into prison but not long after dismissed 5. But in the Vacation of the Arch-Bishopprick the Calixtine Priests could not receive their Ordinations but in Italy where most of them were bound to renounce the articles under both kinds and to performe obedience unto the sea of Rome which was very grievous to the Bohemians therefore in the yeare 1482. there Sanctuarensis a Bishop came into Bohemia from Italy for the love as hee said of the pure Religion whom when Augustinus Lucian and others had received with much joy and honour he died iâ— the yeare of our Lord 1493 whom whom after eleven yeares Philip Bishop of Sidon and Mutina did succeed Hee being resident sometimes at Prague sometimes at Cuttenburge did for three yeares space ordaine Calixtine Ministers which being passed they were againe enforced to flatter the Pope and Bishops of Rome so miserable was their slavery that willing to seem to have forsaken Antichrist yet they did not stick to fight under his standards 6. But some of the schollers amongst whom was Iohn Bezhink so truly hated the Pope that having received letters of commendation from the University they went as farre as Armenia to be ordained Ministers And because that there the fame had arrived of the Heresie of the Bohemians they were the more strictly examined and it being found that they agreed with them in the chiefest Articles of Religion and also in the language they were ordained Ministers in the yeare 1499. Two of those did afterwards suffer the flames of Martyrdome by the Romanes to wit Martin a Taborite with his Deacon who were both burned at Radnice CHAP. XXVIII The Persecution of the
is brought into our house hee ended his life in despair Daniel Basil professour in the University of Prague was surprized with sudden death Iohn Chytraeus Pastor at Slawkowia in Moravia as hee was ready to recant and abjure the Doctrine of the Gospell in the Church hee was strucke dumbe and from thence was carryed home being possessed with an horrible trembling all over and gnawing his tongue at last he died of unknown griefs 11. Doctor Daniel Knapper a publick professor of injuries against the Gospellers under pretence of justice and right was slain by the suborning of his wife an Adulterer who afterwards was hanged and perished Thomas Hrich was created Consul at Rokysan for his example of Apostacy given to others but within one year after upon Michaelmas-day as the other Dragon the hater and accuser of the Brethren being cast down from off the Throne of pride he vomited up his ungodly soul with bloud 12. Adam Primate of Suffick promoted the businesse of universal Apostacy with such fury in his Country that without all respect unto Consanguinity he gave out with great boasting That if his Father should rise again he would not spare hâ—m this wretch by the just judgement of God fell mad and flying up unto the highest rafters of his house from thence he cast himself down and roaring fearfully he tossed himselfe restlesly When his Step-mother running to him put him in mind of his sin saying O my Adam remember what thou hast done give glory to God speake pray He onely drawing his mouth aside and putting out his tongue in an astonishing manner breathed out his last 13. Florianus Libochovius the Governour of the Horazdovian Dominion a perverse Apostate a betrayer of the Citizens shot himself to death with a pistol bullet Hodina a Citizen of Czaslavia but a man of great unconstancy induced with hope either of reward or dignity did shew himself so eager in slaying Zisca cotinually raging with his virulent and malicious tongue against the deceased Noble-man that within a few dayes after he breathed his last either being broken with the sedulous attempt or else perishing by a peculiar vengeance 13. A certain novice Church-warden very wicked and audacious in defacing the Churches of Litomerzicium digged out the bottome of a stone Chalice above Lawrence-house-gate shortly after hee fell into a sharp disease For accusing himself of wickednesse he tore his cloathes from off his body pulled off his hair not suffering his wife or any other to come near him although for horrour and stink none could come to him At length after that he had belched up an incredible torrent of bloud through his wicked throat he was choaked by his own bloud being an utter enemy to the bloud of Christ When this was known to the whole City there was no man no not the Mason though of the Popes faction being terrified with this fresh example which would so much as touch the marble Chalice all guilded over found in the entrance of the other Church of Al-souls laid up in the wall of the larger Tower in the year 1485. and afterwards trimmed up which also was adorned with this inscription Veritas vincit Truth at last triumphs They therefore brought in a Malefactor whom they called out of prison and gave him promise to set him at liberty and give him his life if he would take the Chalice out of the wall and break it in pieces This he did for the reward of his life but a few dayes after he was re-taken at Austium and racked by a wheele 15. Tobias Konig Consul of Trutnovia a cruell Apostate and tormentor of the faithfull which adhered constantly to their Religion in the year 1629. being taken with a sudden disease and waxing as black as a coal uttered his speech like the barking of a dog and so being made a spectacle for the space of three dayes did vomit up his soul with terrible anguish 16. George Kanasz Prefect of the Dominions of the Prince of Lichtenstein in Moravia when as the day before Christ-â—ide in the year 1627 staying with Jesuites in the Prostan court the whole day he had brought many of the citizens into Apostacy he indeed at that time not professing it but was induced by the promise of a thousand crownes to whip his fellow Brethren and had sent the rest into prison after a most delicate Supper he returned in the middle of the night unto the Tower of Plumlovia being one mile distant from the city and having well drunk he slept soundly But because he had commanded that they should raise him for to celebrate the night service to the end he might triumph for the executing of so â—are an act It came to passe according to his wives after-relation that he often started and awakened himself out of his sleep supposing that he heard the ringing of bells in some other place At length fearing to be prevented he arose and made hast to the walls of the Tower and commanded the Engineer to discharge seven Canons and the eighth he would dispatch himself he therefore took the Pearch and gave fire But oh the terrible judgement of God! the Gun brake asunder and the splinters retorted upon him which tore both his legs both his thighs the one arme the one side and in fine took away the skull of his head This was the reward which this unhappy man received from divine vengeance for his treachery and tyranny But the miracle was the greater for that none of the standers by being fourteene in number were hurt or so much as touched excepting onely a certain old hunter whom he thrust out by force beyond the Bulwark to be received by the Guns if they had fallen into the bottom but his girdle sticking upon a pale which was set in hurdles for a protecting basket filled with earth did preserve him from falling untill shouting out for help he was drawn up and saved by those which were there present This he afterwards related to the Prince and obtained a priviledge that he should not be compelled to forsake his Religion Surely this was an evident example of divine vengeance yet notwithstanding blind men attributed this even as all others not to divine appointment but to blind chance 17. George of Machod Auditor and Patron of the Brethren in Moravia from his youth afterwards from a Noble-man being made a Count he became a most perverse Apostate who buried holy Bibles in stinking channels as we have noted in the chapter immediately preceeding and was punished by God after a miraculous manner with a terrible disease in his throat whereby his tongue putrified and many holes were eaten out below his chin so that whatsoever nourishment or medicines entred into his mouth did either straightway flow forth or distilled out by little and little All remedies therefore being used in vaine after his suffering cruel torments about two moneths space he breathed out his soul which was most unsteadfast and sold to Antichrist for the smoak