upon the doors of the Court The day following the Consull was arrested nor could he have his liberty restored unlesse upon the promise of Apostacy but two Senators Matthias Litomiskie and Samuel Klatowskey because that a little before they had refused to adore the Host were bound with Iron chains and for fourteen days together grievously tormented till that they also by reason of their sufferings were forced to consent to the like Apostacy 5. The 26. day of January the Senate and the people being called together he being accompanied with Jesuites and the chief Commanders of the Souldiers enters the Court and Commands that all should submit themselves to Caesars will to Auricular Confession and should receive the Sacrament under one kind withall telling them that those that were obedient should be eased of the Souldiers but that those that were disobedient should have their burthens doubled and likewise commanding that every one in order should answer for himself whether he would promise to perform this within three weeks 6. There being none of the Senate through fear of the Tyrants refusing Wenceslaus Wysotsky Tribune of the people modestly pretending the Lawes of Conscience desires a freedom for himselfe but the furious deformator leaping out of his seat beats him about the head abused him with most cursed words among others take these Thou art an unworthy knave that thou shouldest be in this place I will command thee to be bound all fower and to be throwen into a deep Dungeon where thou shalt not see the light of Heaven and when thou hast vomited out thy wicked soule I will deliver thee to the Hangman to be buried c. Presently he commands the Praetor of the Souldiers that he should command chaines and fetters to be brought Officers were then present they bind his hands and feete with Iron and put upon his neck an Iron choller with a thick chaine from whence Manacles hung down and so bring him thus bound into the Dungeon where for the space of three weeks none being permitted to come to him no not his Wife nor Children being tormented with hard chaines and sustained with nothing but bread and water he was also continually vexed and infected by the Jesuites when that they had discovered unto him the sentence of death because that in a rebellious Sermon he sought to move tumults among the common people he seemed willingly rather to choose this then Apostasie P. Chanowskie the Jesuite said that he was possessed with the Devill and commanded that he should be more strictly bound so the good man seeing himself neither to be in likelihood of life or death being in a most weak condition does now at last consent to the auricular confession and having obtained leave to go to the bathes for the recovery of his health he betook himself to Aniburgh of Misnia intending not to return to the Tyrants 7. In like manner all the best of the Citizens did desire banishment and because that the gates were more strictly beset least that any should get out or carry away any thing of their Houshold-stuffe many went about to take out of the hands of Babylon which way soever they might even by the ruines of the walles their miserable lives or rather their soules by which way more then thousands went out leaving all to the persecutors and among these the wife of the Lord Kralitz a rich woman who having left behind her abundance of good Housholdstuffe got out of the City through a Channel of the wall by which the filth of the City was carried out and so followed her Husband 8. But if any of the banished were opprest with want for Misnia could exhaust mony out of the banished but did not know how to afford never any Councel or help they went into Bohemia seeking every where help or rather almes and so being betrayed were taken as it happened lately to two Masters â—itizens of Zalicum Mr. Lucius and Stalco which the Popish Priest the good man Woolfegang Sekera being already thrust out of pay Paulus Sekera not worthy to be a blower of Coles having taken them did punish them first with a yeares imprisonment at home afterwards Don Martin sent them into Welhartice Castle to be tormented who being by their long imprisonment deprived of their health and almost of the use of their reason they are sent away halfe alive to certain places CHAP. 99. The Reformation of Tustan DOnazelce is not accounted the meanest among the free Cities in the Kingdom which the neighbouring Germans call Tusta Przikik Jeuissek an Officer of the Kingdom did sollicit this City to a defection but in vaine and when he had made complaint of and bemoaned their obstinacy at Prague in the Colledge of the Jesuites Don Martin being by chance there present laught at him and promised that if he did not effect it he would be lyable to pay 500. Crownes 2. Taking therefore with him some of his Souldiery he enters the City and sends forth 20. Souldiers against tenne of the Senators giving them liberty of troubling them in what way they would and so by this meanes in a short time many if not all of them were forced to an Apostasie and so he receive again the pledge which he had left with the Confessour 3. But he being bitterly set against the Citizens of Tusta because not for his sake but for the sake of another they became Catholiques sets a fine upon them and so the miserable Professors of the Gospel were made like Tennis-Balles being tossed up and down to make pastime for those Tyrants CHAP. 100. The Reformation of Rokezan IN the year 1624. Zdenko Leo being a Baron is created Earl of Colourat and sent by Authority of the Prince Liktenztinus with a band of Souldiers to Rokezau do not onely plunder the Citizens of their money but do also tyrannically oppose their Religion no insolency can be thought upon which they did not give their mindes to among other things in the close of the yeare the Bohemian song concerning the coming of Christ to judgement which they were used to sing which runs thus That day shall be a day of anger a dreadfull day a swift great and terrible day c. This song was brought to him and by way of scoffe sung to the Citizens that came unto him 2. The 20. of December he calles the Citizen together and with indignation does upbraide them for their late Rebellion as also Mansfield and Seska and a certain Citizen named John Rokiszan he that was before chosen Arch-Bishop of Prague a man as they say alltogether unconstant and forthwith compelled them to write their names in three Register-books In the first the names of those which were already Catholiques there were six Apostates lately made In the second the names of those that would become Apostates in two weeks In the third the names of those which were refractory and opposite to God and Caesar but when he saw that those of the third sort
separate themselves and had by themselves a peculiar meeting at Prague accusing the other that they did admit of the sword propounded to defend themselves by outward force This Calumny being greedily received and brought to the Kings cars was the reason that the King said What do they think to bring back Ziscâ— again to us We shall take a speedy course to suppresse this insolence The brothers hearing of it did write a new Apology to the King giving him an account of their faith and removing from themselves the late accusations and the blasphemies attributed to the Piccardins which occasioned the King by one edict to mitigate another and commanded that those of the Vniversity and the consistory should have a friendly Colloquy with the Piccardins in which the chiefest of them should endeavour by the strength of reason to recall them from their errors 2. Therefore in the Calends of January in the year 1504. The Patrons of the Brothers the Barons were commanded to bring their greatest Doctor to this Colloquie with the Academians and these of the Consistory The businesse of the Edict being deliberately canvassed although they feared treachery yet because it was held inconvenient to forsake so good a cause and to exasperate the King it was resolved that there should be a meeting they sent therefore but as Sacrifices to the slaughter Francis Lucas of Prague and Laurence Krasonice two Pâ—llars of their Church with some others who were comended to the prayers of all the Brethren There is extant an Epistle of Bohusza Kostka Baron of Postupitz Lord of Litomissa which he sent to Francis Krasoâ—ice not long after he had taken his farewell of him I conceive it to be no lost labour to insert in this place some part thereof To love life said the Baron is naturall but thou my Brother having learned better things must remember that thy life is buried in Christ which that thou mayest injoy thou must dye in Christ Thou knowest whom thou hast believed how able he is to keep thy pledge unto that day c. Be strong therefore in the Lord and in the power of his might that thou mayst fight the good fight and mayst receive a Crowne of life What is the manner of this fight thou needest not to be taught though peradventure thou mayst be admonished But that I may no longer detain thee stand fast beloved brother As far as humane providence can direct us we have provided for your safety neither will we be wanting to you But if the fury of the enemy shall prevaile and it shal please God by your death to glorifie the cause of Christ be you prepared to say with Job God hath given and let God take this life as it pleaseth him so let it be Farewell my brother Dated at Litomissa on the day of the first Martyr Stephen 1503. There is also extant the farewell of Francis Lucas to the Brethren at Bolislave a most comfortable letter 3. But God who would preserve these instruments from the jawes of the Lions Mr. Martin Poczatece not the least of the Enemies of the truth dying suddenly that morning about the break of day in which they should appear at the consistory By which example the rest were feared and the whole City meeting together they desired that the colloquy might not be in private but in publick but they pretending I know not what new businesses adjourned the disputation to another time the brothers being lovingly dismissed CHAP. XXIIII The Proclamation of King Wladislaus for the banishing of the Brothers made frustrate by the intervention of some wonderfull Iudgements The Martyrs at Bora. I. THe enemies of the truth could not bee quiet but a new destruction was againe designed to this small flocke of the brothers for Iohn Bozake Bishop of Warade in Hungary a Moravian by his birth a subtile man and burning with an implacable hatred against the enemies of the truth entring into crafty counsell with other Bishops of Hungaria and Bohemia the Queen her selfe was suborned who great with child and so neere unto her delivery that it was believed the King would deny her nothing in that estate she sollicited him for a new edict against the Piccardins and comming to his Chamber as it was afterwards known by some Gentlemen of his Bedchamber and most worthy of beliefe she desired that favour that the King would give way to so many Petitions and severely prosecute against that so much hated fraternity The King being sad to heare that request only nodded with his head but gave no answer at all 2. Presently upon this the Bishops in the presence of the King did begin to write the Coppy of the Mandate The King going into his chamber did fall on his knees and with teares besought God to forgive the guilt of those bloudy Councels and grant no successe unto them God heard his voyce and shewed some Examples of horrid Judgment on the authors of this conspiracy The first example was the Queene her selfe who before hand delighting her selfe with the immagination of it did propose unto her fancy what gratefull spectacles she should behold at Prague when being delivered of her Child she should come to that City and see the Piccardines some burned some beheaded and some stifled in the water But Oh the Judgments of God for before the time of her delivery being prevented with the pangs thereof and not able to bring forth The Physitians that they might preserve one were of opinion that the Child should be cut out of the mothers womb and the Chyrurgions being come tooke out the child alive but because it was brought into the world before its time as yet unable to see This was Ludonick who afterward succeded his father in both Kingdomes but the Mother no longer able to indure the torment did expire and with her dyed the wicked contriveances of the enemyes of the Truth for that time This was at Buda in the year 1506. on the beginning of July 3. Two yeares after this the Bishops obtained what before they attempted and the King overcome by their importunity who cryed out that sharp remedies must be used to take away such a growing Evill he commanded that all the Piccardins whatsoever without difference either of sexe or Age should be punished with the losse of life This was in the year 1508. on the tenth of August 4. Ionh Bishop of Warade and Stanislaus Sturzo Bishop of Olumitz brought this Edict unto Bohemia and a full house of the states being called gave it to them But because many of the chiefe of the Nobility complained that this Decree was made without the knowledge of the Parliament they could not consent that it should carry any force with it The execution of it therefore went on but slowly and almost eighteene moneths were spent in disputations only and debates about it 5. At the last by the cunning Artifice and proceedings of Albert Chancellor of Kolowratte and his Accomplices this bloudy Edict
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
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
3. Not long after a Priest Gaudentius by name carrying the head about the City laid in a Charger did incite all that met him to revenge By reason whereof the anger of the multitude being heightned and inflamed into a fury they put to death some of the Senators others saved themselves by flight The Colledges themselves were plundered the bodies of the deceased good men were brought into the Church and solemnly interred The Preacher having heard the complaint of the people and observing such a consternation in their minds that many of them fainting away did almost tremble into death he became speechlesse himself Having recovered his spirit he did read his text out of the Acts of the Apostles the words were And godly men buried Stephen At the end of his Sermon he did fervently exhort them with many words and tears and obtestations shewing the head of Zeline to the people that what they had learned from so faithfull a Master they would be mindfull of it and give no beliefe to any who should teach the contrary although he were an Angell from Heaven CHAP. XVI The Martyrdoms under the future Hussites 1. VVE are now come to declare the Schism of those men who did professe the name of Hus and how the greater part of them did by degrees degenerate and at last did persecute the faithfull They all had a zeal according to the example of Hus their Master to oppose Antichrist But when by his remarkable death they were destitute of a discreet and couragious Captain who should contain the incensed people within the bounds of rule and order it so came to passe that they were distracted into divers opinions and nourished most grievous dissentions among themselves For the Commonalty of the people and the greatest part of the Clergy being bent only upon the Cup and from thence called Cuppeirs in the Story of Security neglected the other documents of Mr. Hus. But the Thaborites amongst whom Wenceslaus Lorenda and Nicolas Episcopius two excellent men were most eminent with some few others did presse the purity and simplicity of his doctrine in all the Articles and Ceremonies thereof On the one side it was cryed up that the Rites of the Church were not essentiall on the other side all Superstition was cried down neither were there wanting some disguised men who to promote the cause of the Pope and Emperour did kindle new flames of dissention and did stir up the hatred of the people against the professors of the pure doctrine traducing them by the hatefull name of Piccardines for you are to understand that they called the Waldenses by a nick-name Piccardines who not long before being forced from France did sit down in Austria and were now famous for the infamy of the foulest of Hereticks So distractedly did disorder confusion mannage al things I told you before how zealous Zealine was made shorter by the head There were also some found who so possessed Zisca Commander in chief of the Thaborites that he should unite himself with the Calixtines who were only and altogether for the Cup and persecute the Piccardines as he did the Papists with fire and sword 2. In the year 1427 the Administrators themselves of the Consistory of Prague Mr. Przibram and Mr. Procopius de Pelsna being at that time Chancellour of the University with Peter de Mladoniowitz and Dr. Krzostan a Physitian were first imprisoned and afterward banished for the profession of the pure doctrine It was no wonder indeed if the intrests of Rome and her Agents had not utterly dissolved them so disagreeing amongst themselves but the wonderfull goodnesse of God did otherwise dispose it which knew so wisely to temper the folly of men that neither friends nor foes had any place left for the glory of Triumph for as often as Caesar taking advantage of their dissentions did grow upon the Bohemians with his Armies they alwayes a happy peace being suddenly concluded did defend the common cause with common Arms. Zisca and Procopius leading their men and managing their affairs and God giving them success and wonderfull victories 3. The Emperor therefore with the Pope finding that they could profit nothing by the sword did imploy their cunning and having called a councell at Basilea in the year of our Lord 1432. they most curteously invited the Bohemians to a peaceable transaction promising them to give them satisfaction on the publick faith as they themselves should desire Commissioners were therefore sent unto this councell amongst whom the most eminent was John Rokizane of Prague and Nicolas Episcopius of the Taborens both famous Divines Of the nobility of that Kingdome they made choice of Procopius Generall of the Taborens and William Rastka Baron of Postupicz and others who being honourably entertained and asked what their demands were they offered four articles desiring that either the Councell would grant them or allow them by argument to defend the righteousnesse of them The Articles were these 1. That the use of the Cup may be restored to the people and that the service of the Church might be in their own tongue 2. That the Clerks or Ministers might usurp no authority in secular things 3. That the word of God might be freely preached and without disturbance 4. That there may bee publicke punishment for publick offences 4. The Legate of the Pope demanding if that they had not any more articles to propound because he heard it reported that they affirmed that the Order of the Monks were from the Divells Procopius made answer from whence otherwise could they derive their Original which was instituted neither by the Patriarks nor Prophets neither by Christ nor the Apostles c. 5. After this Delegates were deputed who on both sides for forty days together disputed on the articles And when the Bohemians could not be confuted they were drawn at last to a friendly composition John Rokizane with the hope of an Arch-Bishopprick being corrupted himself and seducing others of the Commissioners the affairs were so carried that the Bohemians promised to return unto the obedience of the Church of Rome and to observe all their traditions and their rites the use of the Cup being among other demands excepted These four Articles were afterwards named the agreement and Commissioners were sent into Bohemia from the Councell and Caesar who were to declare that the Bohemians were received into the bosome of the Church and were again to be esteemed as deer children Heere a Parliament being called Rokizane Rhetorically enough did expound himself how according to his desire he obtained these things in the fighting for which such an excesse of bloud was made and the Kingdome was made so great a Ruine He was now pleased to stile the Pope and Caesar in some other language then heretofore when he called them the Whore and the Beast 6. It gave an occasion of great grief to many especially to the zealous Thaborites to depart in this manner from the Discipline of Hus and to
said of himselfe not of others The Baron replyed Thou liest for it followes not for me onely but for all those that wait for his comming Here the Sophister was mute and the Baron went forward As for that saying No man knoweth whether he deserve grace or hatred doe you thereby seeke to coope me up pray tell me where you find it written here is the Bible where doe you find it The one said If I be not deceived in the Epistle of Paul to Timothy The Baron being very angry said Thou Asse wouldest thou teach me the way of salvation which knows so little of the word of God Satan be gone from me and tempt me not At length being confuted they went their way and stood a far off while the Martyrs prepared themseves for suffering as they use to paint Devils when they are forced to leave forsake the sinner looking as we use to say as if he had eaten Bull-beef And it is probable that nothing so much troubled Satan than that all of them slighted him and his factors 7. Presently after the Baron was called and as he went on the Scaffold he carried his head stately and stroking his long beard he said My gray hairs Behold what honour remains for you that you should be crowned wiâ—h Martyrdome and then directing his speech to God hee prayed for the Church his Country his Enemies and recomended his soule to Christ whose head being cut off was set on the Tower and his body buried CHAP. LXIII Christopher Haraâ—t Baron of Bezdruzitz and Polzciz Lord of Petzka I. HE got himself a name and much experience by his travells in Europe Asia and Affirica which he published to the world in his native language he was made by Rodolphus one of his Privy-Chamber by Matthias a Privy-Counsellour lastly by Fredericke chiefe of the Kings Chamber This was the cause why the sentence of death was pronounced against him because he was present at the expedition of the Orders in Austria and not being absolved of his former Oath took an oath to be true to Frederick which thing was as wel done by others as by him so that it was evident that these Politicians sought their pretences meerly out of the hatred they did bear unto religion 2. Going to suffer he called unto him Rosacius a Minister of the Gospell and told him how much he was troubled for his wife and children for hee knew his wives coldnesse in religion and therefore feared what hee should commit to her shee now wanting a counsellour He remembers that he left in witing something with her which he doth desire to remember and therefore desirteh the Minister to rehearse them to him First that she should be constant in the Gospell Religion nor suffer her self by any allurements to be perswaded from it for he tels ther that therein is the readiest and most infallible way of Salvation and assurance of the mercy of God by the merits of Christ being mindful of him of that which she had heard from him that he had tried all Religion and compared them with the Scriptures and that he found none more sure solid than that which he was about to seal with his bloud that we attain Salvation by the bloud of the Lamb which he is certain very shortly to find Of which glory if she would be partaker she should persevere in the same faith Secondly he prayed that she would use more clemency to his Subjects and rather ease then overcharge them with burthens last of all to command that she would have a care of her Children and bring them up in pure Religion otherwise if through carelesnesse they were seduced he would cause them to appeare before Christ his tribunal This he spake with much zeal and solemn protestations but this meer woman being perfidious to God her conscience her children and her subjects observing nothing of all this For within a while after she did marry an Apostate committed her sonnes to the tuition of Jesuites she her self swerved from her Religion and did exercise tyranny over the soules and bodies of her subjects 3. Being called forth to execution he said I have travelled so many Countries so many barbarous nations have undergone so many dangers by sea and and now I suffer innocently in my owne Country and by their hands both for whose good I and my fore-fathers spent our Estates and Lives Father forgive them As he went forth he prayed In thee O Lord have I hoped let me not be confounded for ever Going on the Scaffold he lift up his eyes and said Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit Walking on the fatall cloth that was spread on the floore he made a little stand and brake forth againe into these words In thee O Lord have I trusted in my Youth I am confident that I shall be accepted by that ignominious death of my Saviour and falling downe on his knees he added To thee O God I commend my spirit thou God true and just hast redeemed me And seeing the Executioner came not for he was a Gospeller neither did he make too much hast untill they had finished their prayers he perceiving some delay prayed againe Lord Jesus Son of David be mercifull to me and receive my spirit and the sword from behind him cut off his speech with his head CHAP. LXIIII. Caspar Kaplirz of Sulewitz a Knight 86 yeares of age I. VVHen Rosacius the Minister of the Word came to visit him after his condemnation he received him with tears in his eyes but with a merry heart with these words Behold me a miserable old man who have often intreated my God that hee would have compassion on me and take me out of this life but I have not obtained it For God hath reserved me to be a spectacle in the world and a sacrifice to himself Let Gods will be done My death indeed is disgracefull in the eyes of men but glorious in the sight of God for God will account that death precious in his sight which I suffer for his glory and truth And when the Minister would have comforted him he desired him to heare his confession and to pronounce his absolution and to have that faith and hope which he had in God strengthened by the Lords Supper Having therefore confessed himselfe a sinner but especially that in his youth he committed something according to the custome of that age to please the world he praysed God that had not suffered him to be swallowed up but had called him to a more holy and upright course of life 2. At length he said Through the mercy of my God I have preserved my trust and conscience both to God my King and Country I have faithfully served four Emperours and that now such a reward should be given unto me I leave to God the just Judge who knowes that I sought not either honour or riches by any thing which I did in this businesse But I could not winke at the
of gold coine hang about his necke wherein was engraven the Coronation of Frederick hee takes it and delivers it to one of the standers by I adjure thee that whensoever my deare King Fredericke shall recover the Throne of his Kingdome you deliver this to him and likewise tell him that for his sake I wore this even to the moment of my death and that now I lay downe my life willingly for God and my King Having thus spoken hee kneeled downe and being struck with the sword in the midst of his sighs he gave up his soul to God CHAP. LXVI Frederick de Bile Lord of Rzchlovice I. A Man of ancient credit and honesty and learned and Counsellor to the then King of Bohemia afterward appointed Governour to the States in the time of the interregnum suffered punishment patiently and piously CHAP LXVII Henry Otto de Losse Lord of Komarove A Man of a quick wit and great judgement Therefore in the time of Rodolphus hee was in the number of the Defendors of Religion and afterwards chosen one among the Governours of the Kingdome By King Frederick hee was made assistant to the Chamber of Justice and Burgrave of Carleistene with the Count of Thurne 2. He having received his sentence of condemnation said My Caesar do you indeed establish your Throne by our blood But you shall try in the day of judgement what account you shall make to God I have seen barbarous nations but I never saw or heard of the like cruâ—lty that a man should be cut in pieces their heads sent one way their hands another way and the other parts of the bodie to other places what crueltie is this Let them send one part of me to Rome another to Spain another to Turky the rest beyond the seas where they please I do beleeve that my Saviour wil gather them together again and will cloath them with my skin that I may see him with these eies hear him with these eares praise him with thâ—s mouth rejoice with this heart for ever 3. When the Minister Rosacius returned into the Court from the execution of the L. Dworzeski others in the mean time bearing the Lord de Bile company the Lord Otto like one in anextasie arose hastily out of his seat and spoke these words to him Oh how do I rejoyce at thy comming O man of God that I may with joy relate unto you what now hath hapned to me I sate in this seat troubled within my self because it had not been my fortune to have a Minister of my acquaintance who might administer absolution and the Eucharist unto me I began to grieve and indeed J do grieve that J was not present at your holy mysteries Amongst these thoughts J fell asleep and behold my Saviour appeared unto me who said My grace is sufficient for thee for J purifie thee with my bloud And then infused a drop of his bloud into my heart at the feeling of this I awaked and leaped for joy And now beleeve that J feel a wonderfull refreshing in my heart And then he added with his hands lifted up I give thee thankes most mercifull Saviour who hath beene pleased to fill mee with so much comfort and to assure me so much of thy grace Now I understand what that is Beleeve and thou hast eaten Oh now I feare death no longer I will die with joy 4. Being presently called out by the Sheriffe hee desires Rosacins to accompany him who granting it said just now the Lord Jesus appeared unto you in your sleepe now hee will appeare in a beautifull vision as hee is in his glory I am sure answered hee that hee will meet my soule with his Angels that hee may bring it to an everlasting marriage where I shall drink of a new cup a cup of joy for ever Ah this death I know shall not separate mee from him 5. Hee went forward being intent on his prayers to the Scaffold where lifting up his eyes hee cried out Behold I see the heavens open And stretching out his hand hee pointed to a place about the top of heaven where others also did observe a certain kind of brightnesse dazeling their sight Being come to the place of execution hee fell on his face and prayed silently then putting off his doublet and kneeling down cried into thy hands O Lord God I commend my spirit have pitty on mee through Jesus Christ and receive me that I may see his glory At this word hee received the stroke of the sword CHAP. LXVIII Dionisius Czervins de Cludezitz BEing conversant in Caesars Court for many years he had addicted himself to the Popish Religion The crime which was laid to his Charge was that when hee was Captaine of the Kings Castle hee let into the Castle the armed States of that first tumult in the yeare 1618. But this was onely a pretence For hee demonstrated that it was done by the command of the chief Burgrave whom he was bound to obey and by that means sufficiently cleared himselfe But because for his moderate counsells alwayes prejudicial to the Iesuits he lay under suspicion of heresie which afterwards was manifest it was thought fit that on this occasion hee should bee taken out of the way But chiefly they hoped that upon this account their whole processe should bee made lesse obnoxious to suspicion as if it were not carried on against religion when as they spared not the Catholicks themselves 2. When Mr. Rosacius administred the Eucharist to the Lord Harans and Konetzchlumskie and and for a preparation exhorted them to repose the hope of their salvation in the mercy of God and merits of Christ and related the promises made to the people of God concerning the pardon of sinnes and assurance of salvation to those that believe in Christ He being present strook his breast with tears in his eyes cryed out This also is my faith and in this J die And when absolution was conferred upon them by imposition of hands he also received it which gave them hope that he would also partake of the Eucharist with them But he separated himself from them at the Communion and kneeled downe and prayed so fervently by himselfe as was an astonishment unto the rest When every thing was ended the rest gave thanks to the Minister and he brake out into these words J also give thankes to my God who would have mee here present and for you my beloved friends I heartily rejoice at this pious and holy preparation for death Rosacius answered And to you my Lord the way of Gods grace was open and we hoped that after you had professed the same faith with us and had admitted of absolution that you would have subscribed the Testament of Christ c. He answered That might and perhaps ought to have beene done But And at this word holding his peace hee struck his breast sighed and wept and afterwards added J rest in that grace which hath happened unto me and J trust
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
space of three yeares aâ—d in those bonds hee died and afterwards was ignominiously buried near the place of punishment at Raudnice 23. There was also in the reformation of Litomislen a certain Country-man of the village of Strakow his name I have heard but it is now slipt out of my memory who did endure a long imprisonment vexed with the insultings of the Priests and of three thousand Subjects for so many that Lordship did containe was alone found constant and immovâ—ble He being sick by reason of the filthinesse of the prison was visited by a Jesuite and of him admonished to whom he thus answered Get thee hence thou tempter this day shall I sup with Christ and a little after he died and was buried in that place where they were wont to behead Malefactors 24. Yet more admirable was the constancy of a certain Scribe there was not any of whom I could learne his name but the thing it selfe I have read from the hands of faithfull and worthy witnesses in the Town of Dobrzisse This Towne as many of the neighbouring places were given by Caesar to Don Martin de Huerda but he disliking the service of so hard a Master resigned and lived with a certain Miller in the territories of the Suticens took upon him the office of a Schoolmaster when Don Martin came to hear of this he sent thus that they should bring the Scribe and the Miller bound in chains to the Tower of Welhartiâ—z and commanded that both should be cast into a deep place of the Tower in the year 1623 upon the Wednesday from whence the Miller was a little while after sent but the Scribe was kept there a whole year even to his death the prison was so foul and noysome that both his feet were rotted off but he being endued with a great measure of faith past away the whole time in singing Psalms and hymns as if he were in the enjoyments of all delights And it is worthy the notice taking when a little while before his death it was reported that both his feet were rotted off and that his body was full of worms Don Martin not beleeving it commanded that he should be brought forth that he might see him he refused saying The Tyrant was unworthy to enjoy the sight of his body And so remaining immovably united unto Christ he died about the same time upon the same Wednesday following namely 1624. When he was brought forth the Tyrant forbad that he should be carried out through the gate of the City through which he entred in but commanded that he should be cast over the wall into a ditch and from thence carried away by a Sheepheard and buried CHAP. CIIII. George Balthasar Martyr I. THis appendix of the former chapter shewing how the persecutors dealt with the common people will be a History famous to posterity In the year 1629. the fifth day of May two and twenty country men were brought captives from the village of Zlonice into the City of Slana singing with a pleasant voyce and triumphant hymnes about the resurrection of Christ it was brought in as a matter of charge against them that having before turned Catholicks they returned to Heresie and ministred to themselves holy things Being sent into several prisons they were forthwith brought to examination the Chieftain of these was said to be one George Balthasar an inhabitant in the village of Tmanus who had no learning and yet was a preacher among them his Master therefore Bohuchwal Walkaun having a little before turned Apostate least that he should draw upon himself Caesars anger or evill surmizes accuseth him in a letter written to the Senate of Slana and therein requires that justice should be done upon such a Rebellious fellow The Senate having summoned this man to appear causeth this writing to be read by the Solicitor and asked what he would give in by way of answer He requires time and promiseth that he would answer the writing leave being given him he frames this answer which out of the Bohemian tongue we have thus translated word for word I Have understood what charge was drawne up against me by Iames Swojanovius under the name of Mr. Bohuchwal Walkaun The first article is That I have been pernicious to God my Creator and to men in obligation in that having turned Catholick I have again fallen from the Roman Catholick faith and have violated my Oath To this I answer That heretofore being in a cruell prison I was prevailed upon to sinne against God my most righteous Judge because then I was weak in the faith not trusting God that he was able to deliver his out of the hands of men but God chastised me for this my fault holding my conscience captive for a whole year together so that I could have no hope in Gods mercy and yet I recalled to mind former sinners who did upon their repentance obtain mercy at the hands of God Thereupon I cryed to my God a whole year night and day I did water my bed with my teares because I thought my selfe damned but that true and righteous God who is not the cause of our destruction neither would that a sinner should die but rather that hee should be converted and live when he saw a fit time did not hide his mercies from me for I obtained what I did desire hee sent his Angell unto mee and mine eies saw his glory brighter than the sun and there was given to me in a moment the holy spirit and I was born again there was likewise afforded me a discerning of the Spirits so that I could distinguish between good and evill and with this great gift I did likewise receive a command of reproving the sinnes of men Nor am I deceived for the Spirit of God doth not hide himself from any man to whom he is given that he should not declare to the wicked things future but mercy to the penitents and therefore I was likewise forbid by the spirit to doe any more the workes of the flesh according to the lusts of the world which had conspired together what they might against the just Judge of the living and the dead and against the anointed ones whom he hath chosen to himselfe Nor is my Mr. Walkaun ignorant of this for they did hinder me from speaking the truth for the space of four years but by how much the more they hindred me so much the more did God confirme mee by his Spirit Likewise they may remember that I came to the Pallace of Zlonice that I might declare unto them the truth and invite them to repentance even as the Lord Jesus had commanded me by his holy Spirit and so to continue for three days together Friday Sabbath day and Munday upon which last day I had also my booke with me but where he saith I am a seducer of soules I answer and affirme that it is the certain will of the Lord that all you also should hear me neither were they so strong
and all At the lintell of the doore they writ this sentance in golden letters My house is a house of prayer but not thy house O most cursed Calvin They carried out of the Church the most ancient Pictures of Litomeritius Hus and Ierom and so burned them afterwards they shewed their rage against the holy Martyrs 4. How they set upon the books every one perhaps have already heard a thousand bibles that I might not mention other good books were taken away by these Furies that Antichrist might shew himself nothing inferiour to Antiochus 1 Macabees 1.5 9. commonly they burned them onely the Count of Nahud that most perverse Apostate having covered his holy books with silk and Gold for hee was sumptuous proud having taken off onely the gold and the silver commands that they should bee buried in the sink himself being present but the manner was diverse some having taken them away from the Christians did burne them privately at home simulating the modesty of Joochim 6. Jer. 23. others brought them in baskets to the market-place as was done at Fulneck others brought them in carts without the walls as was done at Zalicum and Frutnovia others brought them in heaps to the Gallows and other places destined for the punishment of mallefactors as at Hraditium so in great heaps burned them but you shall see O good men that the innocent ashes of these livelesse Martyrs being scattered through heaven and earth will spread further the doctrine which you would have abolished 5. The adversary being unmindfull of Ovid Lions vent not their rage upon the dead And the fight ends when foes are vanquished But savage Wolves and Bears not onely prey Upon the living but the dead assay imitating the cruelty of Wolves and Beares counted a part of their glory thus to expresse their rage and madnesse upon the dead continually It is a wonderfull beastiallity not to be able to endure the living above ground nor the dead under ground there are many examples of those who were by these pulled out of their graves and had their members burned at Horasdovisius in the year 1621. The monastery which the Bohemian Brethren for a long time possessed was restored to the Monkes who opened the graves of the Ministers of the word first of all the bones of Iacob Welchi both in name and in truth two worthy men buried in the year 1600. were taken up which Severinus Budetius the Warden did with an iron barre beat in pieces using with all cursing words and commanded that they should be burned in the Church-yard with the bones of Iohn Popelius Iohn Iaphet and Matthias Cobar who were buried in the year 1599. 1614. 1616. and because the Barons of Squilâ—ve the Lord of the place were buried in the same Church the wicked warden visiting their sepulchres tooke off from their bodies their rings and gold chaines and whatsoever was pretious lastly the body of Theobold Squiovius being taken out of the vault and out of the leaden chest wherein he lay he commanded it being put into a woodden coffin that it should be cast into some ditch about the Church-yard and covered over with dung 6. In the year 1623. the Church Czaslavia being taken from the Christians when they had found an Epitaph with this inscription In the year 1424 upon Thursday Iohn Lyski of Callis departed this life Governour of the Common-wealth labouring in the name and for the name of God is buried in this place Presently they put to their hands that they might remove him from thence that had rested there for the space of two hundred years within one but having digged very deep they found nothing besides dust their rage therefore being turned against the Tombstone upon which his effigies were formerly ingraven but now worne out they beat this to powder and with the dust of the grave they sprinkled it upon the ground without the church so forsooth taking revenge upon him being dead who whilest he was alive troubled them living 7. In the same yeare when that they were a purging the Church of Prague of the buried hereticks they brought out a marble-stone laid upon the grave of Rokizane and beate that to powder but they could not find the grave Lastly in the yeare 1630. when P. Lucas the Jesuite the twenty fourth of December died and there was in that place a most deep grave prepared for him there was found at the bottome a certaine bedde of brick which being plucked out there appeared putrified bones with two cups one of brasse and the other of Waxe uncorrupted and a piece of Damaske cloth the Reliques of his Priestly covering long red hairs stuck still to his skull These bones being gathered together they brought them in a basket into the Vestry untill they did know what their Superiour would command concerning them but what was afterwards done with them we doe not know but what we do declare was related to us by an eye-witnesse So Rokizane having laine in his Sepulcher about 159 years and 7 moneth for he died â—n the year 1471 the 21 of February gave place to another 8. At Trebovea there were extant some stony Statues of some dead Pastors in the Church-yard the eyes of which a Iesuite beat out with his mallet hee being himselfe blind blinded those that were before blind 9. But yet their fury did not onely express it selfe against those that were already buried I will not mention how they did deny them an honest buriall in the Church-yards and forced them to bee buried in fields gardens high-wayes and in those places that were set apart for the punishment of rogues Certainly this was too barbarous that they did altogether deny that some should bee brought out of their houses and restored to our common mother the earth for this onely end that they might vomit out their hatred against those that slept in Christ and that they might deterre the living almost killed with the stink of their carkases from the imitation of their constancy this happened to a most holy man John Mathrada Muslen preacher at Kutiberg at Saint Barbera who dying at his own house in the yeare 1625 the 4. of October who being privily returned from banishment departed the Arch-Deacon Apian denied altogether that he should be buried not suffering himself to be wrought upon either by intreaties or by offers of money at length after eight days some good men by stealth taking away his carkasse in the night time buried it in a certaine place That Belial in vain inquiring after the authors of so great wickednesse and threatning death unto them for a little while after the thirty of October the like example oâ— charity was shewed to one whom the Pastor did use with the like cruelty for a little sonne of his baptized else-where 10. Why should I produce more examples of their cruelty O that it were lawfull to write upon the fore-heads of these men that which Semirames is reported to have commanded should