him with their suggestions and his wife and children with their lamentation he yielded and was taken off the wooden-horse halfe dead for he could neither go nor make use of any member so he was carried by other men to a Confessor 13. When some desired rather to die then to be forced to Apostasie it was answered That the Emperour did not thirst after their blood but onely the welfare of their soule some others put questions and they were thus answered in a scoffing manner O you affect the glory of Martyrdome but ye are base knaves and are unworthy to have any thing to glory in this Answer had John Polacicus of Franisium in Moravia who being solicited by the Souldiers and Jesuites severally to Apostasie he fell down upon his knees held up his hands and intreated That they would cut off his head rather then force his Conscience And this Answer had John Elius of Stubnecimus and others in other places and this was the true cause why in all these daily persecutions of Ferdinand Bohemia as also all Germany did not produce more Martyrs there were not wanting who would have died in maintenance of the Christian faith but there were none who would inflict death upon bare account for it was determined by these cruel Tyrants brought up in the Devills Schoole not to kill the body but the soule and therefore they had rather by lingring and continued punishments render men unstable and wavering in the truth then by their patiently maintaining the faith make them victorious they onely put them to death upon whom they had any colour of a civil crime as is manifest in these Martyrs of Prague Andreas Chebdovius a sweet and hopefull young man was thus dealt with whom they apprehended at Dorbusta as he was in his journey from Podebradium his native Countrey going to the Court of Inowen into his service he had ingaged himself at Faradissium they fastened him to a sharpe stake because he was a Messenger to carry about severall treasonable designes when neverthelesse they found nothing about him but a few Letters written from friends to friends nor by any tortures could they force him to confesse any thing and this was done in the year 1622. 14. They likewise took another course which was both tyrannical over the Consciences of men and dishonourable to God that because they see they could neither convince nor convert any one by the word of God therefore they resolved with themselves to make no use of any argument from Scripture especially to the vulgar multitude but by Authority of their Church and by force compell'd them to obedience wherefore if any man did appeal unto the Scriptures they were answered with scoffes and jeeres and taunts they accused the Scripture of imperfection of obscurity of ambiguity that it was the fountain of heresie the sanctuary of Hereticks and that Lay-men had nothing to do with it this was nothing with them nay these blasphemous wretches were not afraid with their foule mouthes to nick-name the Bible Wiblia that is in our Language vomit and so they spit in the very face of God himself wherefore they took away all religious bookes from the people that so the blind leading the blind they might over-spread the Kingdom with darknes also they perceived that the people by this meanes being deprived of all light from the word of God might more easily be overspread with the darknesse of error 15. Some of the Nobles after they had forced their Tenants into their Church and shut the doores compell them to receive the Eucharist in one kind as Severinus Talho in the village of Andercze in the County of Pilsnen in the year 1628. with his sword drawn went about in the Church and solicited those that refused to fall down and worship John Adams Czeyka in Newcitz a Town of the same County did beat the joynts of their leggs with Clubs and so forced them to fall down which was also done by William of Klenow Lord of Rupovia John Stepkenick being sent for by his Lord George Metrowsky at Mautina when he perceived that he was to be fettered and chained leapt through the window into the trench of the Castle indeavouring to scape Apostasie by his flight but he being pursued by the Guard was brought back again wounded and was therefore sent to prison at Pilsna not to be released before he had abjured his Religion the same Metrowksy kept another man of his own Ambrose Sterpothus a skinner by trade in prison a whole yeare because he continued firm in his Religion and thrice he sent the Hangman to him and commanded him to be racked and by the torments of his rack forced him to confession at length he was let go and was fined 100. Imperials the Townsmen of Knesovesia upon Slana pursued with drawn Swords the poor Countrey people that fled into the fields and brought them back again some of them wounded some they brought from the Victualling houses and forced them to confession and received the Sacrament in one kind Baron Kolowrat set Muskets to the mouthes of those that refused to receive the Sacrament after the same manner or else by gags forced their mouths open and commanded the Hoast to be thrust down perhaps in imitation of Smeczanius who was used to do so before At Ronspurg in Tosta and in certain other places these wicked reformers are reported to have gone so farre in their wickednesse as to force some of the people not only meerly to abjure the Cup but also to throwe it upon the ground and spit upon it and tread it under their feete and this was the usuall forme of abjuring the Cup and swearing to the Catholique Religion I sweare before God Almighty and the Virgin Mary and all the Saints that I am not forced but do voluntarily return to the holy Roman Catholique faith and I do professe that it alone is true ancient saving faith I do abjure the Cup neither will I partake of the Cup for ever Yea moreover I will by all possible meanes diswade my Children and those that are committed to my trust from partaking of the Cup I do also promise that I will constantly persevere in this Religion and that I will oppose men of contrary Religion so God help and the Virgin his Mother and all the Saints 17. It is not alike provided how those that were now made Catholiques should for the future behave themselves some being content that they had not once filled their lusts upon these heriticall Subjects let them alone and molested them no more yet these poor miserable Creatures when ever they had opportunity to see an Evangelicall Minister did bewaile their Apostasie and did again communicate in both kindes but others were a second time compelled especially when it was suspected that they did not in their hearts return to the Popish Church concerning which certain Edicts of the Emperour and Commissioners came forth to compell them again and again a certain
return into the profession of the Church of Rome They indeavoured what they could to restrain them and at last they had recourse unto armes again in which the Thaborites were overthrown and their defeat was so remarkable that after this they defended themselves only by the Word of God and patience This hapned in the year of our Lord 1434. 7. In the year following at a publick convention Rokizane was solemnly chosen Arch-Bishop but when the Emperour endeavoured to hinder from the solemn Rites of consecration peradventure because he did distrust a man so deceitfull he being impatient that he was thus deluded did again make a new faction and bitterly inveighed against the unrighteousnesse of the Emperor and the domineering of the Pope of Rome for fear of Caesar he for the space of 3 years withdrew himself from Prague for Sigismund not long after died so did his successour Albertus within two years space having left his son Ladislaus behind him who had his education in the Court of Frederick the Emperor 8. In this time and intervall of Government and especially not long after the sudden death of Ladislaus when George Podebrade did succeed him whom Rokizane did infinitely possesse was that of the Prophet truly fulfilled Manasses shall devour Ephraim and Ephraim Manasses and both shall be against Juda. For the Pope did rage against George Podebrade and the Calixtines who were those that used the Cup with prohibitions censures and with curses and they as eagerly did inveigh against the Pope and Monks but the truly faithfull were on both sides oppressed CHAP. XVII The Taborites persecuted I. IN the year of our Lord 1444 the Reliques of the Thaborites were utterly oppressed by force and fraud for Rokizane by himself and others most flatteringly alluring them unto him did professe that he was ready to turne to them if they could hold out unto him a purer Truth than what he did teach neither in this cause did he intend to make either himselfe or any of his Judge but that the Assembly of Divines in their publique meeting should determine of it To this the Thaborites consented and relying on the goodnesse of their cause they appeared at the assembly where after many Debates Arbitratours being chosen that should pronounce the definitive sentence which was so to be confirmed by the Authority of the Assembly that neither part for the time to come should ever again provoke one another but forthwith should join themselves to that on which the Arbitrators should pronounce the greatest truth to be 2. It was so carried for Rokyzan had on purpose betrayed the Thaborites to this assembly that the Arbitrators did pronounce the greatest truth to be on Rokizan's part and the poor simple Thaborites found themselves circumvented by deceit but not daring to go against the Agreement promised to perform it in the Rites thereof But returning home when they delayed to reform their Church George who then exercised the Kingly power comming down with his Army did closely besiege their City and struck such a terror on it that the Citizens giving it up unto him did with it deliver their Ministers into his power who throwing them into Dungeons at the Castle of Podebrad and at Lititz he killed many of them Lupatius with some others having addressed themselves to Rokizane CHAP. XVIII The beginning of the fraternity in Bohemia I. BUt when the Bohemians for certain years did in vain desire that their Arch-bishop might be invested in his Dignity having for that purpose sent so many Legates unto Rome and the Pope refused to do it unless that Rokizane should renounce the Cup The Cardinall of Saint Angelo being also sent to Prague in the year 1448. was commanded under the pretence of Treaty to call for the Agreement on the four Articles and to bring them with him which having gotten into his hands he stole away with them but was quickly overtaken and enforced to return them Rokizane finding himselfe thus deluded re-assuming new hatred against the Pope when out of the Revelations and the Prophecy of Daniel he had shewed that the Pope was the great Antichrist and we saith he vnlesse we shall withdraw our obedience from him are but a miserable and a damned crew he proceeded and told the people that the law of Christ and not the agreement on the Articles were to be held for the rules of Religion that all things from the sea of Rome were polluted foule and to be forsaken and Religion to be taken againe from the fundamentalls of the Apostles In this way he persevered so thundering against Antichrist that many believed him to be another Husse and that the hope of the new Reformation did shine forth againe 2 But when he put no hand unto the worke the more forward amongst his Auditors amongst whom one Gregory was the formost a Nobleman and Nephew unto Rokizan having joyned in counsells together they repaire to Rokizan discover the anguishes of their Conscience and desire counsell of him Who friendly entertained them and extolled their zeale and gave them some Treatises to read against the abominations crept into the Church and in this manner he the more inflamed them but perswaded them to silence and patience But when againe and againe being now more considerable in their numbers they importuned him that he would deferre any longer to exhibit in deeds what he taught in words he replyed that it was a businesse of great importance in which nothing but with deliberation was to be câ—ncluded on â— In the mean time Rokizane did attempt what he could against the Pope and consented with the Church of Greece For when the decâ—ee of the Sinod at Florence was proclaimed in which the Bohemians were the second time to be abalienated from the Church as Hereticks There was a convension of the States at Prague and a Synod of the Divines in the yeare 1450. in which by the advice of Rokizane but by the common consent of all an appeale was made to the Greeke Church and Ambassadours sent with letters to Constantinople The Greekes received the Heads of the Doctrine from them and rejoyced in their mutuall consent and letters in the testimony thereof being returned to the Bohemians they confirmed them in the faith having made a promise that they would ordain them Ministers for their Church The Letters were ingrossed in Parchment and sealed with waxe of a red colour with the subscription of the Patriarch and the chiefest of his Bishops which being afterward committed to the presse are yet extant to be seen But when these things afforded but a lingring hope Rokizane did again incourage his and gave them new hopes of a Reformation suddenly to appear for taxing divers abuses he said We â—nly now do grow on the out-side but shortly some will appear who from the depths shall draw forth the foundation of true religion 4. When in this manner for seven long yeares hee delayed to give satisfaction to the minds of
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
taken by the last verse of that Psalm where David prayes Shew some token of good upon me John Kutnaur broke out into these words Shew therefore on us some token of thy goodnesse O God whereby we thy unworthy servants may be strengthned by thy goodnesse and our enemies confounded And as it were answering for God being full of faith he saith Be of good cheare for even in this God hath heard your voyce and to morrow he will shew some wonderfull signe and will witnesse that we suffer for his cause The Minister M. Werbenius when he heard this answered They will rest satisfied herewith when they shall perceive that death which is bitter to the wicked is sweetned to you 10. Early in the morning having washed their Faces they put on clean clothes as though they were going to a wedding fitting their Dublets and jackets to their bodies and cutting their collars that being brought to the scaffold there should bee no need of a new making ready Kautnur in the meane while with others pray and earnestly desire of God that if his Majesty would bee pleased to strengthen and confirme both themselves and the people concerning their innocence And presently after the sun rising a beautifull bow appeared and compassed the heavens the Ministers the souldiers and many others go to see it But the Martyrs looked out at the window and they all see as well as those all over Prague a Rain-bow of an unusuall colour and the Heavens very clear neither was it observed that any rain had fallen for the space of two whole dayes before This sign being shewed from heaven the Martyrs lifted up their voices and hands part of them in whose company Verbenius was fell on their knees and praised God here one calls to mind the Covenant of Noah another thinketh one the Rain-bow in the Revelation about the Throne of Christs tribunall who was judge of the living and the dead and very much to comfort themselves herein 11. But as soone as this heavenly sign of grace was vanished another sign of approaching Martyrdome the noise of a gun being let off sounded in their ears which when being heard by the Ministers of the word the Champions of Christ going to each other salute one another and pray that each of them may bee strengthned they also encourage one another and exhort to fight manfully presently the Troops of horse come and some colours of footmen and encompasse the Theater wherein on their seats the Judges of Caesar with the Senators did sit the Market place the streets and al the houses are filled with numberlesse numbers of spectators 12. The Martyrs are called forth one after another and do go to their death and undergo it without daunting for whoever was called forth hastned with no lesse chearfullnesse than as if he had gone to a banquet or some other delights and it was done after the same manner by each of them as M. Rosacius doth describe speaking to the other Most loving friends farewell God give unto you the comfort of his Spirit patience and courage that what formerly with your heart your mouth and your hands ye have affirmed ye may do the like by your glorious death behold I goe before that I may see the glory of my Lord Jesus Christ ye will follow me that we may together behold the face of our Father even in this hour all sorrow departs from me and joyâ—ull eternity shall enter in And they which remained behind answered God above whether and to whom you are going prosper your journey and grant you passe happily from this vale of miseries this desart of goodnesse unto that Heavenly Country let the Lord Jesus send his Angels to meet thee Go deare Brother in thine and our Fathers house and we will follow presently we will meet in the Heavenly glory we are confident of this through him in whom we have believed 13. These and other things being accompanied by the Ministers through the yard of the Court to the Scaffold they spake with a brave resolution and with such ardency of Spirit that even the Praetors and the company of Souldiers standtng round about wept and had they not deafned the ears of the by-standers with the noise of Drums and sound of Trumpet it had been impossible but that every one had paid the tribute of one teare if not more When the Ministers returned and had reported how valiantly the one and other died the rest praysed God desiring of him the like aid of his assisting Grace 14. But it will be worth our labour to remember some thing of each of them in particular CHAP. LXI Joachâ—mus Andreas Schlik of Holeytsche Count of Assaw Lord of Swiâ—an I. HE was a man of above fifty years of age as of ancient noble family so he of very good parts For Heroicall magnâ—nimity with admirable modesty of mind a readinesse of acting businesses with a Religious care and circumspection as also with a wonderful temperature excelled in him Deservedly therfore by the Orders he was made choise of to be director of their Councels and afterwards by Fredericke he was chose chiefe Judge and made Pro-Marcio of Lusatia 2. Flying from the conquering hands of Ferdinand he went into Lusatia But the Elector of Saxony taking of him although in his youth he was his chiefe Officer and one that did deserve very well of him yet by the perswasion of I know not what Antichristian Parasite he delivered him over to the fury of the enemie With what resolution he answered the examiners is before mentioned when he had received that horred sentence of death especially that he was to be quartered and his parts to be scatered here and there he answered The losse of a sepulcher is easie when Rosatius the Minister came to him and wished to courage and fortitude he answered I thank you my Father for your good and godly wish but know that I have Gods grace and favour so that no fear of death doth trouble me once I have dared to oppose Antichrist and I shall dare to die for Christ I am now judged by the world but a more horrible judgment waits upon them 4. When on Munday morning after five of the clock he heard the report of a Gunne he said This is the signall of our death let me go first but thou O Iesus have mercy on us The Jesuits troubling him as before he resisted manfully so now when he came upon the scaffold and Seditius the Father of his sect with others called unto him saying Sir remember yet he answered pray dispatch me presently 5. When he went further on the scaffold and beheld the Sun shining very bright he said Christ thou Sonne of Righteousnesse grant that through the darknesse of death I may passe into thy eternall light then meditating he walkt about the scaffold with that gravity a countenance so composed for sober mirth that even the chief men there could scarce refrain weeping Having ended his prayers he
oppression of liberty and Religion and because wee saw our selves circumvented by subtilty wee thought something was to bee done and would rather lose our lives rather than by a dull silence yeeld to the yoke and betray posterity I acknowledg that it was the will of God that we should outwardly fall who hath chosen me and my beloved fellowes in this last age to honour the truth by our bloud and to make it glorious by our constancy And although the flesh began to tremble at the hearing the sentence of death yet now by the goodnesse of God I feel no feare of it 3. When the Minister often interrupted him perswading him not to hang his salvation upon a good Conscience but upon the mercy of God thiough Christ the pious old man continued on his speech Yesterday it was told me from my Aunt Pruakovia that if I would petition â—o Prince Lichtenstein I might have a grant of my life but so as to remain in prison all the days of my life To which I answered that such a grant would be both unprofitable and inconvenient For if I should desire pardon I should give an occasion to some to suspect that I had committed some crime and had deserved death which I have not deserved Tell her therefore that I will desire pardon of him against whom I have committed many sinnes all my life but I never offended the Prince But if they should of their owne accord offer me a prison instead of death such a change would be very troublesome I am a decrepit old man and have lived long enough for when I cannot distinguish the tasts of meats or relish the sweetnesse of drinke when it is tedious to sit long and irkesome to lye when I cannot walk unlesse I lean on a staffe or be moved to and fro in others hands what profit I pray you would such a life be to me And if I can hardly endure it while it is free how shall I be able to suffer imprisonment God forbid that J should be pulled from this holy company of Martyrs 4. The next day being the Lords day having received the Lords Supper he said Behold now being reconciled to my God through Christ I have peace neither doe I feare man J will confidently say with David Let my flesh and my body be consumed but God is the rocke of my heart and my portion for â—ver Now there is nothing that may stay my thoughts on the earth besides my Nephewes for whom O servant of Christ J intreat you that you would as much as you can exhort them without intermission to piety and to imitate that constancy whereof they see an example in me although J know that you who are the fathers and shepheards of our souls are not without danger We go before but you wil follow but God keep you for his own glory and let him not suffer his Church to be wholly trampled on by the Babilonish beast 5. On the day of execution when the Minister of the word came to him hee said J had laid this miserable body upon a bed but what sleep could J have Yet J did sleep and saw two Angels comming to me who wiped my face with fine linnen and exhorted me to be ready to goe along with them But J trust in my God that J have these Angels present with me not by a dream but in truth which minister to me while J live and shall carry my soule from death into Abrahams bosome For although J am a sinner yet I am purged by the bloud of my Redeemer who was made a Propitiation for our sinnes Therefore let the houre of Death come J am prepared 6. Having put on his clothes he comanded that a garment of the finest linnen which hung down to his heels should be put over him and then said to M. Lippuch Behold I put on my wedding garment To which the other answered The garment of Christs righteousnesse adorns more gloriously within He answered again I know it but yet I desire to be adorned without for the honour of my Bride-groom At last hee put on a velvet Cloak and being called out he answered In the name of God for I did even now expect it And then being helped by his servants hee arose and bid farewell to all and went away with a slow pace by reason of the weaknesse of age Being to go down by certain steps to the scaffold he sayd Oh my God strengthen me left I fall down and become a matter of scorn to the enemies 7. When he came to the appointed place he had much ado to kneele downe being half crooked Hee desired that that the Executioner might be advised to strike as soon as ever hee should see him lie down lest hee might happen to fall by faintnesse But the Executioner seeing him so crooked and to hang down his head so much would not strike him Therefore the Minister Rosacius by the appointment of the Sheriffs said to him My Noble Lord as you have commended your soul unto Christ so now offer up your hoary head cheerefully to God and lift up your self towards heaven In the name of God answered hee and so lifting up his head as well as hee could saith Lord Jesus into thy hands J commend my spirit and then his head being cut off hee fell down CHAP. LXV Procopius Dworzecski de Olbramowitz c. I. HAving heard the sentence of death he answered Doth the Emperâ—ur promise himselfe any thing when my hâ—ad is taken off Let him take it thâ—n The next day hee said unto the Minister of the Word I have had a contention all this night with the old Adam even so as it made me sweat But thanks be to my God by whose help my soule hath overcome all temptations He added this also O Almighty God I have commended my soul to thee do thou protect it and cherish it and withall strengthen thy servant that I may not be made a derision to my enemies by any fear of death And as thou wert wont to encourage the holy Martyrs so I strongly beleeve thou wilt comfort me 2. When hee was called out to execution hee readily answered Thanks be to my God who doth now call me to himself for him I have lived and for him will I die For because my Saviour hath therefore died and risen againe that he might bee Lord both of the living and the dead I know that this soule of mine shall live and my body shall bee raised like to his glorious body 3. Comming upon the scaffold he turned himself to the Imperiall Judges and said Tell Caesar that we now undergo his just judgement but that hee shall undergo the more grievous but yet just judgement of God And while he put off his cloathes hee gave his purse with an Hungarian Ducket to the Minister of the word Behold here my last riches and these which are unprofitable for mee I resigne to you 4. And when hee saw a piece
in my God that he will graciously accept my contrite spirit It was certaine that he had reposed some hope in the favour of men of which he was deprived 3. A certaine Canon with a Jesuite brought him upon the scaffold unto whose speeches exhortations comforts and the rest of their trifles hee seemed little to attend For hee turned himselfe from the kisse of peace as they call it and turned his backe to the signe of the crosse and falling downe on his face he prayed softly afterwards lifting up himselfe and looking up to heaven he cried out They can take away the body but they cannot take away the foul O Lord Jesus I commend that unto thee so hee ended his life being about fifty six yeares of age CHAP. LXIX William Konezchlumski HE was about seventy yeares of age and had been for some yeares deprived of the use of his feet They laid this crime to his charge that hee had aided the Emperors enemies with his counsell and wealth Being called to execution hee said I will go and die but I know not wherefore O Lord Iesus who being innocent didst undergo death grant that I may die the death of the righteous and receive my soul into thy hands CHAP. LXX Bohoslaus de Michalowtz Lord of Rugenice I. HE was a man excellent in abilities of the mind and zeale for God having deserved much both of the Kings and Kingdome of Bohemia 2. Being adjudged to die he said it was more welcome to him than if the Emperour had commanded him to live and restored him to all his goods with an addition of more For he knew their secret counsels and perceived what would follow The fear and griefe of Death saith he is but for a few hours and then comes the desired Rest Being asked with others by the Minister of the Word whether they did acknowledge themselves justly condemned to the death Hee answered If we did think that we were the causes of these evils we would not be ashamed to confesse and detest it But we will not fall downe and desire favour lest we give to man that honour which is due to God and betray our own innocency For God knowes the Papists did that secretly by their plots which we see now done They provoked us to take up armes and now they slanderously lay to our charge many things which never entred into our thoughts God is our witnesse that we sought for nothing but the liberty of Religion and in that we are overcome and condemned to die we acknowledge that God will not have his Truth defended by swords but by our bloud We will die therefore with an assured hope that our death will be a Martyrdome in the eyes of God therefore let us hasten to die that wee may bee numbred in the assembly of the holy Martyrs 3. Which desire of Martyrdome did demonstrate it selfe in the instant of death For when the Lord de Bile was called out by the Sheriffe he as if there were yet place for emulation said Why is de Bile preferred before me in death of whom I alwayes tookâ— place in life But yet arising hee embraced and kissed him saying Go before Brother according to Gods will and I will follow When in the mean time the Lord Otto Czervin Konez Chlumskie were called out in order Hee as if hee were afraid to be passed by said with a loud voice What is the matter my God Thou knowest that I resigne my selfe wholly to thee Ah doe not despise thy servant but make hast to take me away The Minister having espied the Sheriffe returning told him That that glory which he made such hast unto was now present for now they come to call you Hee exceedingly rejoycing said Praise be to thee my God that I shall now be taken out of the world that may be with Christ And went forward to meete hem 4. When the Minister of the word put him in mind of Christ his speech I will not leave you comfortlesse he added So our Saviour hath promised but he hath also added Father J will that where I am my servant also may bee that hee may behold that glorie which thou gavest me Because therefore our heavenly Father hath the same will with the Sonne I know that this is confirmed Therefore I make hast to die that I may be with Christ and see his glory c. And then he suffered Martyrdome couragiously CHAP. LXXI John Theodore Sextus HE was a man skilfull both in learning and experience eminent also in Religion a chiefe Citizen of the old City being brought to the Scaffold he received a grant of his life from Platesius a Canon his Nephew of his Sister who procured the pardon 2. Being then banished with others for Christ he is in banishment while we write these things and as a new-risen Martyr doth hitherto triumph in the Crosse of Christ CHAP. LXXII Valentine Kochan a Citizen of new Prague I. HE was a man well learned and a Mr. of Arts being about sixty years of age Because hee being in Rodolphus his time chosen a Governour of the Consistory and University in the year 1617. When Ferdinando was thrust upon them as their King he being the Deputy of the inhabitants of the City of Prague did protest That by no meanes a King should be chosen without the consent of the Moravians and Silesians much lesse crowned and by that meanes did draw so much hatred upon himselfe that he was first cast out of his Office of Protonotary in new Prague now the directorall dignity intervening he was thought worthy of death 2. Having called Mr. Rosacius he desired that the Eucharist might be administred unto him complaining much of those which did not sufficiently respect that Agreement which was made among the severall degrees of Protestants and who had promoted this Antichristian persecution by stirring up strife and debate because of some difference in opinions and Ceremonies 3. He discoursed very piously concerning many things in the time of his imprisonment and did exceedingly encourage both himselfe and others Among other things a little before the time that he was to suffer death he explained that place of Paul For our conversation is in heaven saying The faithfull while they live are in body on earth but in their conversation in heaven that is their shadow is onely here they themselves do reign indeed with Christ in the heavens much more their soules being separated from their bodies are immediately with Christ and it cannot be thought to be otherwise 4. Going on to the Scaffold he said Grant mee O God that J may passe through this valley of death and presently see thee in the land of the living for thou knowest my God that J have loved thy Word Then he sung the last verse of the 16 Psalme in meeter Bring me O Lord through the paths of life that J may see a fulnesse of joyes in thy presence c. and presently Now lettest thou thy servant depart in
peace for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation c At length kneeling downe reciting the words of the Psalm in Latine Into thy hands O Lord J commend my spirit and so holily ended his life CHAP. LXXVII Tobias Steffek a Citizen of new Prague I. ANd this man for his wisedome was chosen by the States into the number of the Directors A man of a quiet and composed temper and sincere in Religion who spent almost all the time of his imprisonment in silent sighs and tears 2. Before his execution he said I have received many good things at the hands of the Lord all my life shall I not therefore receive this cup of affliction I embrace the will of God who by the ignominious death makes me conformable to his son and by a narrow way bring me to a heavenly Kingdome Therefore I praise the mercy of God because he hath joyned me undeservedly to these excellent men that I might receive with them a crown of Martyrdome When hee was called to die hee clapped his hands and looking up to heaven with a sad countenance and weeping eyes My Saviour being about to die said father not as I will but as thou wilt thy will bee done shall I therefore who am but a worme ye dust and a shadow contradict his will Bee it farre from me yea I come willingly my God onely have mercy on me and purge me from my sinnes that no spot or wrinkle may adhere unto me that I may appeare pure in thy sight The Minister of the word seeing him so sad did comfort him with the words of God who answered Yet a little while and the Lord will take all teares from my eyes sighs griefes and mournings shall cease being exchanged for everlasting joies so hee lifted up himselfe full of sighes and yet full of hope among which perpetually praying hee rendered his spirit to God CHAP. LXXIIII John Jessenius a Doctor of Physick I. HE was a Hungarian by birth a Nobleman and famous for his learning over all Europe He was made Governor of the University of Prague Hee had the charge of an Embassie from the States in the year 1618 to the Hungarians which when he had faithfully performed being taken in his returne and brought to Vienna hee was set at liberty by Matthias the Emperour by the exchange of a certaine Italian taken by the States But Ferdinand being possessed of Prague gave order that hee should bee taken and kept with the rest Whose bloudy mind toward the Protestants and chiefly toward himselfe when he knew he expected nothing but that which happened 2. He related to his friends That being to return from Vienna to Prague he wrote on the prison wals the letters I. M. M. M. M. which when after his departure many read and could not understand Ferdinand at length entring did thus interpret them Imperator Matthias Mense Martio Morietur The Emperour Matthias shall die in the moneth of March. And taking a piece of chalke writ also a Prophesie Jessenius Mentiris Mala Morte Morieris Jessenius thou liest thou shalt die an evill death Jessenius remembring these things addded As I did not lie for Matthias deceased the same moneth so without doubt Ferdinand will doe his endeavour that it may not be said he was a false prophet as it after was effected 3. Having heard his heavy sentence he said You use us too cruelly and disgracefully but know that some will not be wanting who shall bury our heads which you ignominiously expose for a spectacle Which was done in the yeare 1631. when after Gustavus his victory at Leipsick the Elector of Saxony entring Bohemia with his Army tooke Prague the Martyrs heads were taken from the Tower on the bridge by the Count of Thurne with the Electors leave and were in a solemne manner brought into the Church ad Laetum Curium with great concourse of Nobility People and Ministers returned from banishment and after a Sermon in commemoration of the Martyrs they were delivered to certaine men to bury in a place which was not knowne by any of the enemies 4. The Iesuites tooke great paines but in vaine to convert Jessenius unto them When they urged justification by workes saith hee Although I would now passe to your side yet I am exceedingly afraid that when I have a little time to live I am not able to make up so great a heap of good works as you require and what then shal become of my salvation At this one of them said as though the victory were already gained My Jessenius if you have a wil ready to do them although you should die this very moment yet we promise that you shall presently fly into heaven Then Jessenius Ho! where is your Purgatory then designed for those who cannot fill up their number of good works here so they seeing themselves derided went away 5. Being brought upon the scaffold and turning to the Judges but scarce heard for the noise of Trumpets and Drummes hee said In vaine doth Ferdinand establish his Kingdome by Tyranny Fredericke shall yet reigne When the Hangman came and required his tongue to be cut off he readily put it out although he did before confesse That it grieved him very much to be so disgracefully deprived of that tongue wherewith hee had pleaded with applause before Emperours Kings and Princes but this base rent would bee no hinderance to his Resurrection He falls upon his knees and calling upon God after a stuttering manner was beheaded which was laid by to be set up with other heads and the body being thrust into a sack and after the execution of the rest was finished quartered under the Gallowes without the walls and hung upon four stakes CHAP. 75. Christopher Khober a Citizen of little Prague BEing endued with an Heroicke mind and elder then the other Citizens he discoursed piously of many things which were helps to constancy Among other things he exhorted them to consider how glorious is the memory of the Prophets Apostles and Martyrs also of Hus and Ierome and for no other reason but because they laid down their lives willingly for the Testimony of Iesus Christ Why therefore should they envy themselves when God would have them be in the number of this most holy company He cited the words of Ignatius I am the Corne of God and I shall be ground with the teeth of beasts We also saith he are the Corne of God sown in the field of the Church and that we may be for our Mr. we are now to be torne by beasts but be of good cheare the Church is founded in bloods and hath encreased by blood God is able to raise up a thousand worshippers of himself out of every drop of our blood for although truth does now suffer violence yet notwithstanding Christ reigns and shall reign and no man shall throw him from his throne c. 2. Being called to execution he said I come in the name of my God neither am I ashamed
to suffer these things for his glory for I know whom I have believed I have fought a fight and finished my course c. He went couragiously to the place designed for his execution as though he would wrestle with death to which when he came he stood up and said Must I dye here Well I shall not dye but live and declare the workes of the Lord in the land of the living Then pulling off his cloaths praying into thy hands Lord I commend my spirit he received the Crown of Martyrdom CHAP. 76. John Shultis Primate of Kutteberg BEing about h to come on the Scaffold he comforted himself with the words of the Psalme Why art thou so sad O my soule Hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him for his salvation given to me When that he was gone a little further he said The righteous seem to dye in the eyes of fools but indeede they go to their rest and a little after Lord Jesus Christ thou hast promised that who so comes unto thee thou wilt not cast him off Behold I now come look upon me have pitty on me pardon my sinnes receive my soul to thy self then he threw himselfe upon his face stretching out his hands and crying with a loud voice Come come Lord Iesus and do not tarry and lifting himself upon his knees he received the stroke of the sword his head was carryed to Kutteberg and was fixed on a stake before the Gate CHAP. 77. Maximillian Hostialek HE was the chief Consul of _____ a learned and pious man therefore he was admitted into the number of the directors being condemn'd to death he appeared sadder then the rest being asked the reason by the ministry of the word answered The sinnes of my youth do now come into my mind For although he knew there was nothing did remaine to condemn them which were in Christ Jesus yet that God did exercise justice as well as mercy towards his own And being called to death he said Look upon me O Lord my God and enlighten mine eyes least I sleep in death and least my enemies say I have prevailed At last he repeated the words of Simeon Now lettest thou thy Servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seene thy salvation And so he was beheaded and his head put in the Market-place at _____ at the Crosse for a spectacle CHAP. 78. John Kutnaur Senator of old Prague HE was younger then all for he had scarce finished his fortieth year but yet almost superior to all in courage when the Jesuites coming to him began to speak he interrupted them said my Fathers we pray you that you would not trouble our consciences we are sufficiently furnished with comforts against the fear of death we need none of your helpe When they proceeded to speak he said we will not hear you hold your peace Why do you create unprofitable labours to your selves and trouble to us A Jesuite speaking to his companion that they were hard rocks and would not suffer themselves to be removed he answered You say right Father for Christ is a hard rock and we are firmly fixed in him 2. It is above mentioned 60. S. 9. how he did by a certaine speciall full perswasion of faith prophesie of a certaine miracle about the houre of his martyrdom and that did happen he said unto his companions I understand I am designed to be hanged but whether by the neck feet or middle I know not but howsoever it be done I care not this only is my griefe that my blood may not be mingled with yours that we may be made one Sacrifice to God 3. Being called out to die he was sprinkled with the tears of his friends between their imbraces and kisses especially at the prisons of those that were preserved Abraham Angelus Jyprechtus and Hoslawrus he did not onely not shed a teare but did couragiously speak unto them Play the men Brethren and refraine from weeping I indeed go before but it is but a short time and we shall meete in the heavenly glory And then with a Lyons face as if he were to wrestle with some body and hopeing for victory he went forward singing in his own tongue Behold the houre drawes neare c. 4. When he had finished his prayer and the Hangman coming to him and asked him pardon he gave him his purse with some mony and presently reached out his hand to be bound he did admonish him that he would do his office in a Christian manner When he went up the Ladder to be tyed to the beame that was fasten'd to the Court-window he cryed with a loud voice as if it were a certain roaring I have plotted no Treason I have committed no murther I have done no deed worthy of death but I die because I have been faithfull to the Gospell and my Country O God pardon my enemies for they know not what they do but thou Christ Jesus have pitty on me for I commit my soul unto thee Being thrown off the Ladder gave up the Ghost CHAP. 79. Simeon Sussickey HE was Kutnaurs Father in law being otherwise not much elder when he saw thorough his window the Jesuites coming turning to his coÌ„panions he said the Birds of prey are flying hither but they shall not feed on these carkases but they shall fly away hungry For God hath promised a faithfull care of his own as the apples of his eyes and therefore he will not suffer them to be seduced 2. The last night he had a great conflict with the flesh because the Scripture pronounced every one that hung upon the Crosse accursed but when that the Minister Werbenius told him that that curse was taken away by the death of Christ and ceased in him he was satisfied 3. When he heard the noise of the Ordnance he said This is a token of our approaching death let us prepâ—re our selves that we may give place to our enemies that cannot indure us We hope that we shall couragiously undergo this death but an eternall death waits for them unlesse they repent 4. Being called afterwards praying and singing he went to execution and was hanged upon the Gebbit next to his Sonne in law and after he had given up the Ghost he turning unto him which was a wonderfull thing to behold so near that their mouths touched each other Which their enemies did cavill at saying that they were such obstinate Rebels that they did not cease to plot after death CHAP. 80. Nathaniel Wodniansky WHen the Jesuites solicited him to Apostacy he said you take away our lives under a pretence of Rebellion and not content with that Do you seeke our souls Glut your selves with the sight of our bloud and be at rest But we shall leave stings in your consciences 2. When the day before his execution his son Iohn Wodniansky a married man and a Citizen of Prague bidding him farewell wept and said My father if hope of life should be offered you upon conditioon
is none to help out of the 2 Kings 14 26. I will bind up thy wound and heale thy stripes and will not take away my chastisement till I have healed thee Then he continued in the Apostrophe which was in the same song Lift up thy self thou beleeving soul who art cast down with a sence of thy sinne and misery He is faithfull that hath promised who hath partly fulfilled his promise having sent a Physitian to thee viz. his sonne who hath by his own bloud provided a plaister for thy sore He will restore thee to the full when he shall raise thee up and glorifie thee c. Which are all signes of a soul wrestling with despaire though not as yet despairing 4. But although he had perhaps cast himself down for a fear of greater evills or with a hope to escape a resolution to dye yet the glory of Martyrdom doth not perish with them who as long as it is Christs cause fearing the enemies fury do themselves anticipate death which may be made probable to the Papists themselves by the authority of the Fathers to whom they in other cases attribute much Let them look upon Ambrose in his third book of Virgins relating such a thing of the Virgin Pelagia also praysing the deed Let them resort to Augustin although he answers more doubtfully of the like businesse But something may be had out of Eusebius to cause a milder opinion who in the 8. Book 12. ch writes thus What need we revive the memory of those who were burnt at Antioch with hot coals not to death but to lengthen out the punishmet which also happened to Freweynius And of others who would sooner put their right hands into the fire then touch the prophane sacrifice The tryall of which some avoiding throwes themselves headlong from the house-tops before they would be taken and fall into the enemies hands and thought rather to hasten their death then to undergo the malice of wicked men More may be there seene CHAP. 84. Matthias Borbonius a Physician AMong the condemned persons was Matthias Borbonius a most excellent and succesfull Physitian being chief Physician to three Emperours whom when the Prince Lichtenstein knew to be innocent of the civill broyles he obtained his pardon and entertained him for his chief Physician But that exceedingly vexed his enemies especially the Imperiall Judge John Chrysostome Schrepelius who induced by the hope of gain for he gaped for Borbonius his stately houses had laden him with slanders He therefore no longer able to conceale his dissembled rancour gave command to the Sergeants to set upon Borbonius in the streete of the City as he returned from the Prince and to beat him with their clubs even to his own house Which deed however it seemed to displease the Prince yet it remained unrevenged 2. This Physician is rightly accounted among the Confessors of the truth although he obtained not a Crown of Martyrdom For as often as the Prince or some privatly stirred up dealt with him seriously about changing his Religion which they often did yet it was always in vaine His answer to Smeczanius is remarkable For when he intreated him with most eloquent words and even with imbraces above his ordinary courtesie that he would turn Roman-Catholick saying Ah my Borbonius how much mightest thou promote the Catholick cause and the salvation of many by your example He replyed There is nothing more certaine then that I should disadvantage your Church if I should become a Member When he ask'd the reason he answered him Let your Honour thinke that my Conscience is so tender that it will not by any meanes suffer any violence to be used against it If I should therefore revolt when that speaks to the contrary I can expect nothing from it but gnawings and rendings and torments which will drive me headlong into despair And I departing with roaring and what honor should I be made else but an example for others to take heed of the same precipicies When he saw him so unmoveable he began to hate him and with others in the year 1623. banished him the Kingdome 3. Borbonius then went into Poland and was admitted by the King himself to practice Physick and at length he departed this life being an old man of 70 years of age at Thorun in Prussia in the year 1629 16 of December CHAP. LXXXV Noblemen of Moravia imprisoned I. A Little while after the execution at Prague 4 of June the Protestant Noblemen of Moravia who were thought above others to promote the Bohemians cause being assembled by the Emperours command were carried to prison some to Brune others to Olumitz Without doubt these had beene punished if the Emperour had not solemnly promised indempnity when they yielded themselves after the battell at Prague and the Duke of Carnovia with Bethlehem Gabor being that year Victors in Hungary had procured the liberty of some by exchanging certaine Canons others being kept in prison three yeares obtained their liberty not without the intercessions of divers men But their goods were confiscated as well as theirs who sought their safety by slight to the Emperour and afterward used and abused by the Popish Nobility and Jesuites This was onely the difference that those who were freed from prison were restored to their credit and honour but those that had escaped by flight were commanded to be held as infamous as those whose names had been fixed on the Gallowes CHAP. LXXXVI Wenceslaus de Betow a Knight I. OF their number was Wenceslaus Bitowski de Bitow Lord of Prussiwick one of the Governours of Moravia in the time of the vacancy and when Frederick created him Captaine of the Order of Knight Who when he was taken in the Marquisate of Brandenburgh in the yeare 1627. in the moneth of August and sent back into Moravia he was put to the torture by Cardinall Detrichsteine who hated him deadly and being examined a long time but in vain concerning divers questions at last he was condemned to be beheaded and couragiously underwent it on a scaffold at the Court of Brune 2. If there had been leave given to any to have visited him or accompanied him to his death wee should certainely have had something which might have been an example For he was a stout man and exceeding couragious and although formerly he was given to excesse as the custome is with such natures yet in his banishment hee gave himself wholly to reading the Scripture and meditation and amending his life so that nothing but piety and modesty and zeale for the glory of God and his owne salvation could bee observed in him But because no man was admitted to him all the time of his imprisonment except a foolish boy that was left to serve him and a noise of drummes and Trumpets was made at his execution his speeches could not be noted by any one But his perseverance in the faith worthy of a Martyr and the firmnesse of his hope did sufficiently appeare in his
Butcher at Colone upon the River Elve they forced and compelled to communicate in one kind his stomack began to rise and he went from the Altar and vomitted all the way home when this was told the Captain he chect him but yet let him alone because he thought it sufficient that he did obey them 18. If any through fear of those tyrannicall proceedings betooke themselves to flight their safety was not neither indeed could it be long-lived for hunger drave those out who had hid themselves in woods and secret places of mountaines as for those that fled for refuge to neighbouring places they found themselves beset with such as would betray them and so were either streightway summoned and commanded to return or brought back by the Souldiers or by such like forceible meanes certaine edicts also were published in some Villages forbidding any to entertaine or covertly to keep in his house any of them that fled and whosoever should was to pay an hundred pieces of silver Afterwards in the yeare 1628. upon the third day of March there was Proclamation made that those that should act contrary to the former command should for each nights entertainment pay an hundred pieces of silver What then should these miserable people do it was hard for them to go out of the Kingdom not being acquainted with any other language nay being ignorant both of the places and the waies and these Goliahs the troublers of those Israelites reported that the same Tragedie was acted or ere long should be acted every where 19. Hereupon some not knowing what course to take applyed themselves to desperate remedies viz. raising tumults and seditions and taking up armes not onely against the cruell Souldiery and those impostors the Jesuites but also against the lawfull Magistrate the event of whose undertakings was somewhat various the Inhabitants of the Mountainous places of Wsetinen in Moravia the Walacks by name did so defend themselves by Armes that they did not onely continue free from Apostasie but also from the power of the enemy so that by warre they could not be brought under their yoake sometimes the German and Italian Souldiers as also the Polonian Kozacks attempted to break through the passages of the Mountains and so to over-power them but in vaine so that those Alps or high Mountains of Moravia serving instead of a City of refuge these men having set an example as also some Country-men of the upper Austria who being gathered together into great bodies cut out good store of worke for Caesar were followed by the subjects of Baron Terozkius in Bohemia who being in number about 4000. took up Armes in the year 1628. in March but being vanquished by Troops suddenly assaulting them they were diversely punished Likewise in Fridland in the year 1629. sedition being sprung up among the Commissaries violently reforming in which a Jesuite was kill'd and the Commissarie scarcely escaping by flight gave occasion to many of severall places to rise up in Armes and resist their violence but presently the Souldiers of Caesar set upon them and many of the poor Country-men were slaine many taken two of those that were taken were beheaded two quartered and the rest by Apostacy saved their lives 20. Their safety was greater who perswaded themselves that by constancy alone they should prove invincible of this sort some were found of every ranck We have mentioned some Ministers before in their place we will now speak of one of the Nobility Catharine Otti of Losse formerly a Lady of Teschobuse who notwithstanding the banishment which Caesar threatned against widowes did neither forsake her Religion nor her Countrey when the Commissaries required that she should chuse one of those two things she answered them That she could not suffer banishment because she wanted an estate but yet that it was not lawfull for her to change her religion and that because of her conscience and therefore she would doe neither if that they would ordain a third thing concerning her she would leave it to their wils but commit her selfe wholly unto God hereupon they dismist her either for shame or else because it was not yet appointed that any should lose their lives meerly for religion we have already mentioned some Citizens unto which we may joyn these Martin Strausky Citizen of Daczicum and Simeon Siakowsky Citizen of Crumlovia in Moravia neither of which could be bowed by fair promises nor be prevailed upon by cruell miseries being both of them resolved to die for the faith the Adversaries therefore overcome with their patience let them out of prison and suffered them freely to take up a banished condition 21. There is also a memorable example of constancy in four handy-crafts-men in the reformation of Kossumberg for when among three hundred Subjects there were only ten that remained couragious so as to endure imprisonment It came to passe also that six of those ten unable to endure hardship and cold and famine in prison forsook their cause only foure Sigismund Krussowsky Nicholas Szarowetz John Aksamit and Laurence Karlick were left to be tormented by the hands of the Tyrants who after they were much and daily upbraided with their obstinacy were at first exposed to cold for five weeks together in the moneths of February and March and afterwards for nine dayes were pined with hunger not having a crum of bread allowed them only they had a small portion of bread of their own with which they did all that time sustain themselves drinking their own urine a Jesuite entring in with the Governour of the Castle in many words threatened them harder usage unlesse they did repent to whom Sigismund answered We willingly imbrace all afflictions famine hanging burning rather than we would sinne agâ—inst God and as they were going out he calleth out to them saying What ye do do quickly Forthwith it was commanded that twice a week and not oftner there should bee given them a mouthfull of bread and a draught of water and then they were kept apart one from the other Aksamit was left there Nicholaus thrust into the sinke of the prison saving your presence Sigismund into a furnace and none permitted to visit them at length having for the space of twenty one weekes used all meanes for the working upon them and despairing of their conversion they set a fine upon them and so banished them who with joy leaving their possessions directed their course into Polonia but Karlik having got a disease in prison died of it in his owne country 22. But wee may more rightfully bestow the praise of constancy and why not of Martyrdome upon them who even to their death endured hardship in prison of this number before this universal persecution was Iohn Burjan Kochowetz a most honest and learned man whom the Governor of Lobkowitz because that at his pleasure he would hot subscribe to the Popish superstitions caused to be bound which he although perpetually vexed with the Monkes and Jesuites did valiantly endure for the
as to snatch the book out of my hand Neverthelesse they did despise the glory of God for I ought to teach all how they might come to repentance but they had a signe given them when those three spiritual men went from me asking me a sign from Heaven but they are without excuse for they themselves held the books in their own hands and I wept greatly because they did not receive the Lords Anointed which indeed is no matter of wonder seeing even from the beginning of the world they did persecute those who being renewed of God doe good workes And it was necessary that it should so happen to me that every one might know the world to be an hater of the truth because the truth is not in it and that it also might appear that the world is an enemy of God Nothing therefore could so farre affright me nor had I respect to any thing that should hinder me from the chearfull doing of that work which God had vouchsafed to deliver unto me I would therefore know of you who are made of earth and of a lump of clay as well as I what place you will shew me that I might freely teach you without impediment if that you do refuse this there will a time come wherein you would desire to shew me a place but ye shal not have it Wherefore in the name of God I do exhort you that you would not receive this grace of God in vaine nor despise it for Gods rod is already tooke up with which God will shortly lash those that do not acknowledge his voyce There are more things for me to write unto you but seeing my selfe knowes not how to write I must have respect unto others whom I doe imploy and so briefly do conclude When I shall speak with you face to face I shall distinctly unfold all things in the mean while the grace of our Lord God be with us all Amen 2. This Epistle being read and they looking upon it as being of an unusual Stile there went to him but accesse was denyed to all others the Pastor of the place and strange Jesuites conferring with him face to face and endeavoured to disswade him from his purpose but he remitting any thing of his constancy did confesse that he was indeed a Lay man and had no learning but yet whatsoever hee did preach or afterwards should preach hee had it not from himselfe but from the Holy Spirit For so it is said he as lately I haue written and often I have said that I after that my abominable fall did speake a whole yeare in weeping but at length the Lord Jesus had mercy upon mee shewed mee his wounds with which the wound of my conscience in a moment was cured and hee gave mee also the revelation of the Holy Spirit and commanded that I should declare unto others the grace shewed to me and exhort them to repentance which I have done this foure yeares and will doe as long as my life shall last I know truly that the wicked world doth endeavour to take away my life but I am prepared to die because by my death I shall glorifie Christ Hee declared also that when hee did call upon God in the prison of Zlonice the Spirit of God answered him in his heart and spake great things which were not lawfull to be uttered as also that he was taken upon high above all the powers of this world lest there should be any which might prevaile against him As he had formerly declared all these things to the common people so he did now declare them in prison to the Jesuites themselves if they did descend to controversie about the Supper of the Lord and about one Mediator Christ c. he did fitly quote Scriptures and urged them strongly he did likewise denounce punishments to the persectuors of Gods people the seducers of souls and Masse-priests He foretold also the bringing back and gathering together of the flock of Christ now scattered abroad by the wolves 3. In fine when all these things did shew a spirit more noble than that it should be resisted they took care that hee should be brought to Prague the tenth day of August and upon the fourteenth day of the same moneth they punished him and that in such a manner as was a signe of a seared conscience for before morning light the people not knowing of it they commanded that hee should be brought forth and without the gates at the gallowes be beheaded and quartered the severall quarters being as a sight set in the high-wayes as being the members of some wicked Malefactors CHAP. CV The fury of the adversary against Churches books and the dead I. NOt without reason do we believe that the Kingdome of Antichrist was shewed to John under the forme of a beast for it doth indeed appeare before all eyes if we do but consider the cruelty and madnesse of that beast both against the living and the dead and against all things contrary to it and therefore yet it remaines to be shewed what rage they exercised against livelesse things Churches Books Images Sepulchers and the bones of the dead 2 As for the temples it is not necessary that we should remember or record how they did cleanse them from that heresie with their holy-water a superstition forsooth among them for whom this sanctification by the Word of God and prayer which the holy spirit taught the Christians 1. Timothy 4 5. is not sufficient this was ridiculous to the common people but to the wise a clear and evident token of their hatred to the word of Christ that they beat the Pulpits of the Churches from whence the Word of the Gospel sounded and the Altars from which the Sacrament was distributed under both kinds with rods and whips which was of all done in those chiefe cities Prague Iglavia Znoium the Jesuites of Prague being about to purge their Temple which under Ferdinand was granted to the Brethren they sprinkled powder upon the pavement and kindled it thinking to root out the contagion of heresie with fire and smoak 3. And because in most if not all the Churches and Towers and City-gates in memory of the religion of receiving under both kinds maintained by the sword there were erected Challices made of stone or brasse they went about to take this away a golden Chalice of great capacity in the Church at Prague was taken away in the year 1623 the 23 day of Jannuary and in its place the statue of Mary was erected the picture of Ferdinand armed with a sword against the Hereticks was placed in the room of George Rex standing by with a sword in the maintenance of the Challice at Hradicius they blotted out the picture of the cuppe which was over the doore of the house of Antonius and in the roome of it painted the Host and under that a cup turned upside downe with filthy thick water running out of it and writ this They have drunk up the dregs
of honour 18. At Niclaspurg in the Tower of Cardinall Ditrichsteinius and Governour of Moravia in the year 1626 a shrill voice was heard two houres before day doubling Wo Wo Wo. Many raised by this voice the Secretaries arose at that time to their businesses and astonished with the noise heard this voice four times And because the voice seemed to sound from under the house tops they went up with lights for to know the matter they then heard the same words abundantly repeated sometimes in Dutch Weh Weh Weh other times in the Bohemian language Beda Beda Beda but so as those that stood in one corner heard the same things sounding from an opposite place when they went thither from another part so that it seemed altogether prodigious This truly hapned and was done for three nights together as is manifest by the Testimonies of eminent men who themselves were then present and became Auditors thereof amongst whom was John Wodiz by a noble Lawyer The like voice was heard at Wienna as recorded in a publicke writing 19. Nor is it unknown how that in these times certaine persons as in trances declared in divers places by hidden revelation what horrible punishments should attend the Tyrants and persecutors Amongst whom was Christina Ponitovia a Bohemian virgin whose visions writ with her owne hand and translated verbatim into Dutch are now extant in print she being commanded by him that revealed the things unto her writ also to Walsteinius the Prince certaine dehortatory letters not to persecute the faithfull under paine of temporall and eternal destruction she sent them also to Gizinia delivered them into the hands of the Princess to the great astonishment of her and Gynecius her chiefe usher she falling into an extasie at the same time in their sight The letters before they were delivered to the Prince were opened and read by Jesuites who laughed at them as a Piccardy fiction so also the Prince seemed to interpret them For he smiling said that his Lord the King had received letters from Madrid Constantinople Rome c. but he from Heaven But hee found how meet it was to jest with holy things in a short time after hee died miserably of that kind of death which Christina had foreseen and foretold though indeed he promoted the oppression of the Confessors of the truth his conscience regretting as is well known only to gratifie and please those about him 20. The Lord many times smote Ferdinand himselfe with diverse plagues for perversely hardening himself against Gods people For first of all he stirred up enemies successively against him which grievously tyred him with Warres Yet his Baal-Priests interpreted this as desired occasions of continuing the victory and trampling the heretickes on every side notwithstanding they often perceived into what streights they were brought not without hazard of their overthrow yet because all this did but contribute to harden them the more they returned againe to their wonted course 21. For shortly after the execution at Prague the Emperors Army was routed by Bethlemius in Hungary where Bukwoy himselfe a rare General was slaine Not long after the confiscation where the Goods of very many Gospellers were set to sale in the year 1623. all the Emperors Army was againe reduced to such extremity at Hodoninum in Moravia that all was given for lost had not the Count of Black-Mount imbraced conditions of peace in the Emperors behalfe which were so low and base as that he letted not to kisse Bethlemius his feet Afterwards the Subjects of Austria the lower Rebelled and much increased their extremity This likewise is very memorable the same day whereupon the first proscription of the Citizens of Prague was published July the 12. 1627. the Lord afflicted Italy by an horrible Earth-quake whereby many Townes and Villages with many thousands of men were swallowed up 22. In the interim God struck the first born of these Egyptians these principal men dying to wit Pope Paul the 5. and Gregory the 14. Philip the 3 King of Spain also Charles Albertus and John Charles Duke of Austria the Emperour Ferdinands brother his uncle his sonne and some others 22. At last when not onely Bohemia but also all Germany was full of Prodigies and yet these enemies did not cease to bring all things into confusion and to fill all places with their Tyranny and impiety God stirred up a Northerne Whirle-wind which to this day shakes the Walles of this wicked Babylon 24. To whom that Gods word might the more appear even France it self although professing the Roman-Religion not induring any longer to behold this daily Tyranny every day increasing and the growth of the Emperor brought about by the ruines and oppressions of other Kingdomes joyne counsels and strength of which passages God onely knows the issue for the present we observe the just judgement of God who knows the Nations that deal at War and to those that spill the bloud of his Saints he can give them blood to drink as he hath threatned in the 68 Psal 34. Revel 16.5.6 CHAP. CVII Concerning the remainder of the faithfull in Bohemia after all this persecution I. SO soone as the Popes sword began to prevail there were found some learned Doctors of the Church who did publickly and privately by their Sermons and writings admonish and strengthen the hearts of the people against those tempests of persecution which they apprehended comming but because God scarce at any time makes his way through the stormes and whirle-winds Nah 1.3 but at the sight of his wrath the very mountaines are covered and the rockes are dashed in pieces 1. King 19.11 so likewise it happened here that some of the Pillars of the Bohemians were overthrown to wit the greatest part of the Nobility and some part of the Ministery with the Generall ruine of all the people whereupon they rejoyced and were glad who spoiled the inheritance of the Lord because ye were glad because ye rejoiced O ye destroyers of mine inheritance because ye are growne sat as the Heifer at grasse and bellow as bulls But how the Glory of God and mans salvation was promoted by this is not knowne nor can sufficiently bee lamented 2. For because in so great a number of Apostates from the Gospell there were scarce any who were perswaded within themselves that way which they were commanded to follow was the true way of salvation but meerely out of the fear of men or else to please men or some other blind and brutish inclination most of them followes the example of the rest and offered violence to their consciences and so forsooke the truth what can wee determine otherwise concerning the whole root then to say with the Prophet Isaiah 1.4 a sinfull nation a people laden with iniquity a seed of evill doers children that are corrupters they have forsaken the Lord they have provoked the holy one of Israel unto anger they are gone backward 3. Truly you have done very praise worthy and you deserve