A General Martyrology, Chapter 25 · History 2

A General Martyrology · Chapter 25 · History 2

p. 180The Persecution of the Church in Bohemia, which began Anno Christi, 1617.

FErdinand the second Emperour of Germany, being thus obtruded upon the Bohemians for their King, contrary to the ancient constitutions and customes of the Kingdom, and not lawfully elected thereunto,Ferdinand a Usurper. as he ought to have been, retired presently into Germany: And thereupon the enemies of the truth began to crow, and openly to threaten the Protestants: and it appeared sufficiently that Ferdinand sware to the Orders with his mouth, but in his heart to the Pope, and presently after his departure, the popish Bishops, Clergy, and Nobles, began to vex his Subjects for Religion, contrary to that assurance which the King had given to them: They attempted also the like in Prague, the Jesuites daily threatning that their Liberty in Religion should not last long.Popish malice. The first Artifice. Then did they strictly prohibit the Protestants from printing any thing unlesse licensed by the Chancellor of the Kingdom, themselves in the mean time divulging their own slanderous pamphlets and dangerous writings against the Protestants.The second Artifice.

Then instructions were given to the Captains and Judges that they p. 181should suffer no meetings in Churches except themselves were present, and except they had a Popish Priest to administer only in one kinde.

Then the Burgrave, who had the custody of the Crown,The third Artifice. and priviledges of the Kingdom, was apprehended; because in the late Parliament he had stood for the free election of a King, and delivered prisoner to one of the bitterest enemies of the Protestants.

In other places they destroyed the Churches of the Protestants.

In the begining of the year 1618 The Governors of the University and Consistory met together,The fourth Artifice. having formerly had power given them so to do, and choosing six persons, two Barons, two Knights, and two Citizens: to consult what was best to be done in this time of their enemies insolency; there presently came an injunction in Caesars name to inhibit them to call any together, and that if any man was called, he should not dare to appear upon the pain of high Treason.The States inhibited their meeting.

Notwithstanding which, the major part of the States met, and when as new prohibitions and threats were spread abroad, and the States were informed that those thunderbolts came not from the King, but from the castle of Prague, their abused patience was turned into severity, and being guarded with a great Troop, they went to the Castle, and apprehended two of the chief Authors of these troubles, and threw them headlong out of the Castle windows, together with their Secretary that was privy to all their designs: but God intending to preserve them to be the Bohemians scourges, they caught no hurt in the fall, falling upon the grasse, and greate store of papers.

Hereupon a great tumult was raised in Prague, The Jesuites banished by the States.but the States appeassed it; & the first thing they did was to banish the Jesuits out of Bohemia, as the chief contrivers of these mischiefs: then did they write to Caesar, that they had no intention against his Royall Majesty, but only to bring to punishment the disturbers of the publick peace, being authorized thereto by his Majesties Letter, and bound by their protestation: yet he resolved to revenge this Treason (as he called it) by force of Arms, and the Bohemians on the other side resolved to defend themselves, and for that end they chose thirty Directors,An Army raised against the Bohemians. and the Moravians and Silesians resolved to joyn with them, when they perceived Religion to be the cause of the quarrell. And indeed this was that which the enemies aimed at, and therefore they provoked the Bohemians by all waies, that so they might make a conquest of Bohemia, and for this end an Imperial Army presently entred the Kingdom under Dampier, and a Spanish Army under Bucquoy.

In the mean time the States resolved not to admit Ferdinand to be their King, who was so open an enemy both to their Religion and Liberties, and who was obtruded upon them without a due election: They sent also Embassadors to Franckford, where the Electors were met together to choose a new Emperour, desiring that Ferdinand might not be admitted amongst them as King of Bohemia, notwithstanding which, p. 182he was admitted and chosen Emperour: The Bohemians in the mean time choosing Frederick Elector Palatine,Frederick chosen King of Bohemia. for their King; This more enraged their enemies, so that, they sent another Army under Maximilian of Bavarie, which took two Protestant Towns by storm, and put all to the sword, and every where made great slaughter of the Protestants: Then the Imperiall Armies came to Prague, which being struck with a Pannick fear, the Protestant Army being overthrown in a set battell under the wals, and their new King fled, they delivered up the City to them,Anno 1620. Novemb. 8▪ Prague taken. the Conqueror promising to keep Articles agreed upon, but performing nothing lesse. For they did more mischief to the Church of Christ by their subtile and slow proceedings, then lately by their outragious fury, when the sword fire, and wheel were the instruments of their rage against the faithfull.

For a little before, when it was debated at Rome how they should deal with the Bohemians, and Germans after the Conquest; it was agreed, that seeing their former strong purges which they had used to expell Hereticall humours,Anno 16…7. Popish subtilty had not proved effectuall: they therefore resolved not to put them to death wherein they did glory as in Martyrdom, but rather to weary them and to change the hatefull name of Inquisition into the milder name of Reformation.The fifth Artifice.

And whereas there was a debate amongst the Imperialists at Prague, whether all the protestants should be presently banished, the negative was resolved on, because they would then carry much away with them, and so spoil the Province,The sixth Artifice. and indure their banishment with greater ease, & therefore they concluded that they must first be squeezed, and deprived of their goods: and for this end the souldiers at Prague were authorrized to plunder the houses of Noblemen and Citizens, yet this was done at several seasons,The seventh Artifice. and mostly in the night, by which meanes, as the enemies boasted, they took from the Protestants some millions of gold: For indeed hither were all their riches brought in the time of war, as to a place of the greatest security: But as this fell to the Commanders shares, so the neighbouring places were exposed to the fury of the rest, the common souldiers robbing and spoyling Villages,Plundering. Towns, and Churches, burning and killing without any restraint: The souldiers that were placed in Garrisons would not only have Free-quarter, but extorted mony from their Landlords every day.

The eight Artifice.Then were Comissions sent abroad, promising security to those Noblemen, Knights, Corporations, and Ministers, that would bring in a good Sum of money to pay the Army, which yet they would not receive as a free gift, but only desired to borrow it. Caesars protection was also promised to those that were liberall, the rest were threatned to be plundred by the souldiers.

They set down also what sums they expected from every one within such a time:The ninth Artifice. they promised also that when that was paid, the Souldiers should be removed, which made every one to bring in their Plate, Money, and Jewels the more willingly.

The tenth Artifice.Then were Commissioners sent to require certain Cities, that belonged p. 183to the Protestant Noblemen, to mantaine the standing Forces of the Kingdome, and to contribute corn for their publicke granaries: but whilest they were fed with a vaine hope of lessening and removing the souldiers, there were more listed, which raised the taxes so high as was impossible for the people to pay:Apostacy rewarded. and where as some were allured to deny the truth that they might be eased of taxes, and quarterings of souldiers, this was not performed, whereupon they complained that promise was broken with them, but the Jesuits answered them, that they had no cause to complain, for they had provided for their souls, and therefore they ought cheerfully to help the King by contributions and quarterings of souldiers, and that Hereticks must be dealt with, Popish perfidiousness.as mad men and children, from whom …f you desire to get a knife, you must shew them something else, though you never intend to give it them.

Thus the Kingdom being emptied of gold and silver,The eleventh Artifice. counterfeit and adulterate money was coined in great abundance, that so the common people might rejoyce in their plenty; but in the mean time the souldiers would rec…ive none but good money.

Gold and silver also was raised to ten times the price of it, and on a sudden the Emperour diminished the value;The twelfth. Artifice. making every piece of money to be worth but the tenth part: whereby the Bohemians were more impoverished suddenly, then if they had lain under the burden of an Army ten years.

Then was it ordered that the creditor should lose all the money that he had lent in the time of the rebellion, as they called it,The thirteenth Artifice. And thus they were first impoverished, after which the enemies insulted over them by infamous books, insolent pictures, and proud words.

Then did they send abroad their Commissioners of Reformation,The fourteenth Artifice. who in every Town and Village endeavored to bring Protestantism into disgrace, and highly to magnifie and set abroad their owne cause: The most eminent men for honour and estates are invited to Apostasie, the inferiour sort are either fooled by their examples, or compelled by thre…tnings.

Then was there an High-Court of reformers set up,The fifteenth Artifice. from which there was no appeal

In the next place the souldiers exercised barbarous Tyranny against the Ministers of Jesus Christ. One aged minister lying sick in his bed,The sixteenth Artifice. they shot him to death as he lay: The next day they robbed and murthered another; Another as he was preaching to his people,Ministers persecuted. they came into the Church; and shot him to death. Another Nobleman, and a Minister hearing of souldiers that were coming that way, conveighed themselves away into a place of safety the souldiers when they came, caught a Schoolmaster, and binding him in cords, examined him where the Lord of that place, and the Minister were, and where they had hid their treasure; he professed, that he knew neither the one nor the other, whereupon they beat him, first with their fists, then with cudgels,Barbarous cruelty. then stripping him naked, they so extreamly singed him with fire, that at last he promised to bring them where the treasure was, shewing them p. 184a ditch full of stones, which for greediness of gold they emptied, but finding nothing, they beat him afresh, and when he professed that he knew of no treasure, though through pain he had said so much, they cudgelled him, and with clods beat him into the ditch, and buried him under the stones.

Presently after they lighted on another godly Minister, whom they so miserably tortured that he …ied within five daies, shamefully abusing his daughters also whom they led away with them.

Another godly Minister for a monethmonth together they excruciated with new invented mockeries: they spit in his face, buffeted him with their fists, exposed him to be beaten by every vile rascall: They with a knot…y cord twisten about his forehead, with a stick so strained his head, that his very eyes were ready to start out: Then they let loose a wilde horse upon him, which yet leaped quite over him, and did him no harm: at last,Gods providence. with much adoe he redeemed himself with five hundred Florences.

Another Pastor they lighted on, and because he had a better estate then the former, they tormented him more, sometimes covering him over with hot burning coals, sometimes with Ice, till they had forced him to pay a thousand five hundred Florences for his ransome, though shortly after through extremity of the pain, he died.

Another Minister they fetched from his house, and miserably tortured him by twisting a cord about his head, then tied they his hands behinde him, and his legs with a small cord, intending the next morning to torture him with fire, but in the night time as he was earnest at his prayers, repeating those words, In thee O Lord is my trust, he perceived his hands and feet miraculously to be loosned,A speciall providence. Whereupon getting up, he went to the gate, where were three Watchmen, one of them standing with his hand on his sword, yet he passed by them undiscovered: When he came to the Town-gate, he was known by the Souldier that stood Sentinell, but he, being a Bohemian, was overcome by entreaty,Cruelty to Ministers. and let him passe over the bridge, whereby he escaped. Another Minister together with his wife they cruelly burnt: Another was hanged upon a crosse-beam, and making a fire under him, they broiled him to death: Another they cut into small peeces: Another Minister they sought for, but he being escaped, they took a young man in his house, laid him on his back,Prodigious cruelty. filled his mouth with gunpowder, which setting fire to, they miserably tore his jaws in pieces, and then killed him.

When some souldiers came to the house of another, he entertained them courteously, and made good provision for them, but when they knew he was a Minister,Ingratitude. they first beat him cruelly, then killed him, stripped, and plundered his house; they also burnt his Library, and would not suffer his body to be buried for seven weeks, during their abode there.

Another aged Minister and his wife, were so sorely burned by a souldier that demanded money of them, that presently after they died. p. 185Another was hung up by the privy members, being seventy years old, and his own books burnt under him, and at last was shot through, and slain.

Another was first assessed at seven hundred florences, then had his house plundred, and lastly himself was murthered. Another they caught and wounded, cutting his neck half through: but being afterwards carried by some friends to a Chirurgion, he lived about two years, but in much pain and torment.

Another being above seventy years old, they carried into the market-place, where laying him upon a fire, they burnt him to death: Another was beaten so, that he died three daies after.Anno 1622.

The Jesuites laid wait for one Pescinus, a man eminent for learning and piety, at last they suborned an Apostate to betray him,Pescinus▪ who discovering him as he rode in a Coach with a Nobleman, fourty horsemen came suddenly, and took him away: but by the importunity of some Noblemen, he was ransomed for four thousand Florences, and ended his life in banishment. Another being bound to a Tree, was made a mark for the Musquetiers to shoot at, and though they did not hit him, yet by reason of the affrightment he died within three daies.

Another being met by a notable Papist, was ran thorow with a spear: But all this was done through military licentiousnesse; Now we come to what was acted by processe of Law.

Anno 1621.The seventeenth Artifice Six Articles were exhibited to the Protestant Congregations in Prague. 1. That they should lend some thousands of pounds to Caesar for the paiment of his Army. 2. That they should publickly renounce the coming in of Frederick. 3. That they should bring into the Church the Popish Rites and Ceremonies. 4. That their Ministers should be ordained anew. 5. That the Ministers should leave their wives, or get a dispensation from the Archbishop. 6. That such as would renounce their Ecclesiasticall functions, should have publick promotions, and the favour of Caesar. But they answered unanimously, that they would doe nothing against their consciences.

Then came forth an Edict,Ministers charged with treason. wherein the blame of all the former rebellion (as they called it) was laid upon the Ministers of Prague, because they had stired up, by their seditious and lying Sermons (as they pleased to stile them) and by their writings, not only the common people, but the Nobles also against Caesar; and that they were the authors of the choice of Frederick, and that they still laboured to stirre up in the people an hatred against Caesar. Thereupon all the Ministers within Prague, were required within three daies to depart out of Prague, and within eight daies to depart out of all the Kingdom, and the Provinces belonging thereto, and never to return again; and if any under what pretence soever, should stay or returne again,Ministers banished. or if any should presume to harbour or conceal any of them, that both the one and the other should suffer death: this was Anno 1621.

p. 186Then were their Churches in Prague given to the Jesuits. It can not be expressed what lamentations and mournings there were amongst the people,The eighteenth Artifice. when thus they must leave their Pastors, and that for ever. Yet the German Ministers, whereof there were two, were suffered to continue in favour to the Duke of Saxony. Then did as many as understood Dutch, flock to their Congregations, which so vexed the Jesuits,The German Ministers banished. that they obtained, not a banishment, but a gracious dismission of them as they would have it called. Multitudes of people followed them, with great lamentations and tears, and in the field they heard their farewell sermon.

The next design was, to remove the Ministers out of other free Cities, and the Commissioners of Reformation were imployed herein: One of them with a Troop of horse coming to Slana, and going to Church, the Minister (a godly and learned man) was reading the Gospel: The Commissioner sent a souldiers to him to bid him give over, but the Minister still going on, himself went to him with his sword drawn,Blasp…emy. crying out, Thou foolish Preacher, leave off thy babling, and withall he dashed the Bible out of his hand with his sword: The Minister with eies, hands, and voice lift up to heaven, repeated often, Woe, woe unto you, you enter not into heaven your selves, and forbid them that would; Woe, woe, woe unto you. But they mocking at these words, presently laid hands on him, justling him to and fro, whereupon he said, I for the name of my Lord Jesus Christ am ready to suffer all this, and what else you shall impose. The people were much affrighted, but the chief Magistrates and many good women interceding for him, he was at last dismissed, provided that he should depart the City within three daies; and thus was this faithfull shepherd, not without the greate lamentations of his people, banished, where, about three years after he died.

In a neighbouring City, the Minister for fear of these barbarous proceedings, went a way of himself, yet the Commissioners extorted a great summe of money from his Church, and banished him in his absence. In another place they commanded the Minister to depart from his Parish within three daies, and from the City within eight daies; he modestly asking the reason of his banishment, they told him Caesar by conquest was Master of all the Churches, and that therefore he would put into them whom he pleased.

But, into the rooms of these godly Preachers, were put in unclean men,Illiterate persons put into the places of Christs Ministers. wicked, blasphemers, and men illiterate, and of no worth; and yet they could not provide for all places: so that one of their hirelings supplied divers Churches, and in stead of the wholesome food of Gods Word, he fed them with poison. Then brought the ignorant Monks out of Poland, unprofitable burthens to the earth, yet fit enough to be scourges to unprofitable and common Gospellers.

Then a Commissioner, with some Troops of horse, entring into Ctutenburg, a place famous for maintaining the Orthodox Faith, cals before him the Ministers, casts them out of their places, and puts Jesuits p. 187into their Churches: And these Jesuits urging it, the Ministers were commanded to depart out of the City gates before break of day, and out of the Kingdom within eight daies: Hereby were twenty one Ministers driven away, many Citizens accompanying them:Twenty one Ministers banished. One of them at the parting, preached upon that Text, They shall cast you out of the Synagogues; exhorting them to perseverance. All the multitude much bewailed their losse, and with great lamentations, wailing and kissing each other, they recommended themselves to the blessing and protection of the Almighty.

In every place the Ministers were cast out of their livings, some imprisonned, and after a while dismissed, and all commanded to depart the Kingdom, upon pain of death. Some were stifled with stink whilest they lay in prison.

At last, Anno 1624. an other Decree came forth from the King, whereby all the Ministers of the Gospel were commanded to depart the Kingdom, by a peremptory day prefixed, because, as was alledged,Ministers charged with sedition. they were seditious men, and seducers of the people: Yet herein they used this Artifice, that in most places this Edict was concealed, till the time was almost or altogether elapsed, so that by this means the Ministers not having time to communicate their counsels together, went into severall Provinces, and some were faigne to hide themselves in caves & dens, and those either returned privately, and visited their auditors, or comforted such as came to them in the mountains and woods, preaching and administring the Sacraments to them.

But as soon as the enemies understood it, they presently published a new decree, wherein a punishment was preposed to those that should conceal the Ministers, and a rewarde to such as should betray them: Whereupon some of the Ministers were taken and cast into prison: Then by the Jesuits were they by all waies sollicited to Apostacy; and fear of death, hunger, cold,Tentation. the stink of the prison &c. prevailed with some to renounce their Ministery: But most bore up couragiously against all storms, and at last some by paying great fines,Constancy. others by giving it under their hands, that they would never returne into Bohemia, were dismissed.

One godly Minister was examined by tortures, when, where,A Minister Martyred. and to whom he had administred the Sacraments of Baptism or the Lords Supper, &c. he answered, that he had neither laide down, nor slacked his Ministry, which he received from Christ, and not from Caesar: Being profferred life if he would change his Religion he answered, This body of mine is subject to corruption, and now it begins to decay already, Why Would you have me hinder it? Being brought forth to execution, the Crier with a loud voice proclaimed that he was guilty of sedition: But he with a loud voice said, I suffer for the truth of Christ. None of the Citizens were suffered to accompany him, yea they were threatned to be shot, if they did but look out at their windows: And that his voice might not be heard, the Drums and Trumpets sounded continually. As he was passing on, he chearfully said: This day shall my p. 188soul be with Christ: The Captain said, With the devil in hell: The Martyr replied, But you with your impious crew will run headlong thither, except ye repent. Then was his right hand cut off, wherewith he gave the Cup in the Sacrament: Then was his head cut off, his bowels taken forth, and wrapped in his shirt, his quarters set upon four stakes, and his head upon the fifth.Popish cruelty.

Then did the Commissioners go into Moravia, to a Noble Baron called Charles de Zerotina, a man for wisdom and vertue famous through all Europe, a constant professor of Religion, and one who maintained twenty four Ministers of the Brethren within his jurisdiction: They told him that they had an express command from Cardinall Ditrichsteine to expell all those Ministers out of the Country:The Vice-roy. He answered, That in matters of Religion he ought not to be subject to the Cardinall▪ and therefore from him he appeals to Caesar. Then did they grant him fourteen daies to prosecute his appeale, but the Baron being not in health; could not go in that time to Caesar, Then they came again to him, an told him that it should be in his choice whether he would send them a way himself,Courage and Constancy. or suffer them to do it; the Baron answered, that he could not banish those whom he knew to be the servants of Jesus Christ, nor could consent that they should do it: Yet that night they sent abroad their citations to require all the inhabitants of that Village to appear before them the next morning, at which time the Minister and people came; then did they read to them Caesars Edict, asking them if they would submit to it; they answered that they wholly relied upon the will of God, whom they served in the Gospell of his Son, and therefore they were resolued to undergo what punishment they should inflict, seeing they suffered only for the Name of Jesus Christ, and not for any ill deeds: Then they demanded of them, whether the would forsake their heresie, and returne to the Catholick Church; which they unanimously denied. The Commissioners would have given them time to consider of it, but they all answered, that in so religious a cause as this,Cou…age, and Constancy. they needed no deliberations; Hereupon in Caesars name they banished them, commanding them to depart within eight daies: These godly persons obeyed, and by the Baron, at his own charge they were conveyed into Hungary. The like they did in other places, so that the Ministers of the Gospel through all Bohemia and Moravia, were thrust out, and ignorant and illiterate persons set in their rooms.

The nineteenth Artifice. Summa Papavera. The chiefest Nobles imprisoned.The next design of the enemies was against the Nobles: The crime was for taking up arms for Frederick their lawfull King, against an Usurper: For though hope of pardon was granted, if laying down arms they would submit to Caesars mercy, yet divers of them were apprehended: And first they seized upon some that were of the rank of Defenders of the Kingdoms Liberties, and then all those whom they knew to have done any thing for the common good of Religion and Liberty; or feared that they might be able to do for the time to come, and all such as feared to break their faith given to Frederick. These p. 189were about the number of fifty men, famous for learning, skill in military affairs, and prudence in government, who were the light, delight and safeguard of their Countrey.

All of these in one night, and at one hour, were apprehended in their houses, when they suspected no danger, and by the Captains were commanded to get up into Wagons, and so some of them were carried to the Castle of Prague, others to the Majors house. The next day Proclamation were issued out, requiring all those that had hid themselves, or departed the Kingdom, to appear within six weeks; but they not appearing, sentence was pronounced, that all such as were guilty of Treason, should forfeit Goods, Honours and Lives, and then their names were set upon the Gallows: The next day sentence was pronounced against their Heirs, that all their Goods should be confiscate to the King.

Then did they proceed to the triall of the Noble men whom they had taken:The Nobles examined. Two Appostate Civilians were appointed to examine them, with some of the Nobility, who tired them out with a thousand impertinent questions, labouring to extort that from them whereof they were never guilty: Which one of them not able to endure, renting his garments, and opening his breasts, said, Tear into a thousand pieces this body, and search into my heart, and you shall finde nothing there but what is expressed in my Apology. A brave speechThe love of Religion and Liberty made us unsheath our swords; but seeing God would have Caesar prevail, and hath delivered us into your hand, his will be done. Others of them also stoutly maintained that their cause was not the worse, because of the successe.Success no sign of a good cause

After some time when none of these Noble men would yeild, or acknowledge themselves in an errour, or sue unto them for mercy, they proceed to execution; their judgements were committed to such as were sworn enemies to the Gospel.

After sentence was passed, it was sent to Caesar to consider of it: And he was so troubled, that he slept not that night, and the next morning calling his Confessor, he said to him, I adjure thee upon thy conscience to tell me whether I may with a safe conscience pardon these that are condemned, or whether I should suffer execution to passe on them? The Confessor answered, O Caesar, both are in thy power. Then did he with his pen pardon some, and left others to execution, with a great addition of shame and ignominy.

Presently after they were brought out singly to hear their sentence, wherein some were condemned to death,Their condemnation. others to perpetuall imprisonment, others to banishment, and some were reserved to Caesars further pleasure.

Then were each sort of prisoners carried to their severall prisons; the Noble men into the inward prison of the Castle, the Citizens to the Majors house; and as they went,Profane blasphemy. some villains were suborned to insult over them, saying, Why doe they not now sing, The Lord reigneth?

p. 190Then did the wives, children and kinsfolk of the condemned persons, humbly petition for their lives; but answer was made, that all the favour which could now be granted to them, was, that they should have leave to bury the corps of their friends.

In the evening, the condemned men, which were twenty seven in number, had notice given them of the day wherein they were to suffer; and therefor… they were advised to send for Jesuits, or Capuchins, or a Minister of the Augustine Confession, for the good of their souls; but they must expect no Minister of the Brethren, for that would not be granted to them. The Jesuits and Capuchins not staying till they were called for,Tenta…t…n resisted. flocked to them, using many perswasions, promising life, &c. if they would turn; but God so strengthened them, that all those endeavours of Satans imps were in vaine. Then were some Ministers of the Augustine Confession sent for, who spent that time which remained in Religious exercises, conferences, prayer, and singing of Psalms, and lastly by administring the Sacrament to them.

They which were of the Brethren, willingly admitted these Ministers, protesting that they acknowledged them for Brethren, though they differed from them in some things; only two of them did not partake of the Sacrament for fear of some false accusation, comforting themselves with that saying, Beleeve, and thou hast eaten.Crede quod habes & habes.

They which were prisoners in the Majors house, being called to supper, the night before they were to suffer, comforted themselves, saying, that this was their last supper on earth, but to morrow they should feast with Christ in his Kingdom; whereupon a great Papist flouted, saying, Hath Christ Cooks for you in heaven?

Blasphemy.When it was told them that the Noble men were coming to the Scaffold in the Market place, where they were to suffer, they hasted to the windows, and entertained their fellow Martyrs, with singing the 44. Psalm. The night after they spent in Psalms, prayer, godly discourse,Joy in tribulation. and mutuall exhortations, that since it pleased God to call them before others, to this honour of Martyrdom, they hoped by their constancy to confound the world, to glorifie Christ, and to leave a good example to others; and singing the 68. Psalm, where in David praies to God, to shew some token of good upon him; one of them said, Shew therefore some token of good upon us O God, whereby we thy servants may be strengthened by thy goodnes…e, and our enemies confounded: And being full of faith, he said further, Be of good chear, for even in this God hath hard your voice, and to morrow he will shew some wonderfull signe, Faith.whereby he will witnesse that we suffer for his cause.

Early in the morning they washed their faces, and put on clean clothes, as if they had been going to a wedding; and cut off the collars of their dublets, that when they came to the Scaffold, there should need no new making ready. Then did they earnestly pray to p. 191God,Prayer. that he would be pleased to confirm and strengthen both themselves and the people concerning their innocency.

Presently after the sun rising, a beautifull bow appeared, and compassed the heavens, the Ministers, souldiers, and many others looking upon it: The Martyrs looked out at the window, and saw a Rainbow of an unusuall colour, the heavens being very clear, and no rain of two daies before, whereupon falling upon their knees, they lifted up their voices and hands, praising God for this sign that he shewed from heaven. Then presently was a Gun discharged, which was a warning for their bringing forth to execution; whereupon those Champions of Christ encouraged one another,Courage. praying that each of them might be strengthened, &c. Then Troops of horse and foot came to fetch them, the streets, market-place and houses, being filled with multitudes of spectators.

The Martyrs being called forth one by one, went to their death with and undaunted courage, hasting as if they had been going to a banquet: When one was called for, he thus took his leave of the rest, Farwell most loving friends, God give you the comforts of his Spirit, patience and courage, that what formerly with your mouths you have professed, The Martyrs mutual farwell.you may confirm by your glorious death: Behold I go before, that I may see the glory of my Lord Jesus Christ; you will follow me that we may together see the face of our heavenly Father. At this houre all sorrow departs from me, and joyfull eternity shall succeed it. Then did the rest answer, God above to whom you are going, prosper your journey, and grant that you may passe happily from this vale of misery, unto that heavenly Country; The Lord Jesus send his Angeles to meet you: Go, dear brother, into thine and our Fathers house, and we will follow after, presently we shall meet in the heavenly glory, and this we are confident of through him in whom we have beleeved.

The first was the Lord Schlik, a man of admirable parts, about fifty years old: When he was condemned to be quartered,The L. Schlik. and his parts to be scattered here and there; he said, The loss of a sepulchre is easie: Being exhorted by a Minister to courage, he said, I have Gods favour so; that no fear of death doth trouble me; His faith and courage.I have formerly dared to oppose Antichrist, and I dare now die for Christ. The Jesuites troubling him when he came to the Scaffold, he shaked them off, and seeing the sun shining bright, he said, Christ thou Son of righteousness, grant that through the darknesse of death, I may passe into eternall light; and so having ended his prayers he constantly received the stroak:His Martyrdom. His right hand and head were hung on the high Tower upon the Bridge.

The Lord Wenceslaus was next, about seventy years old,The L. Wenceslaus. famous for Learning, Religion, and his travels through divers countries: His house was formerly plundered, even to his wearing apparell, he only saying, The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken away. Being asked why he would engage himselfe in Fredericks cause, he said, My conscience pressed me to do what I did; I am here, my God, His patience.dispose of me thy servant as seems good in thine eyes; I am full of years, take me out of this life, p. 192that I may not see that evill that is coming on my Country. Afterwards holding forth his Bible, he said, Behold my Paradise, it never yeelded me so much Nectar and Ambrosia as now. When he was sentenced, he said to the Judges,Psal. 119.92.Ps 119:92 You have a long time thirsted after my bloud, but know withall, you will finde God a revenger of innocent bloud, for whose cause we suffer. A Frier saying to him, You are deceived in your opinion, he answered, I rely not on opinion, but on the infallible truth of God, for I have no other way but him who said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. On the Scaffold, stroaking his long beard, he said, My gray hairs, behold what honour remains for you, that you should be crowned with Martyrdom: And so praying for the Church, his Country, his enemies, and commending his soul to Christ,His Martyrdom. his head was cut off, and set on the Tower.

The next was the Lord Harant, a man that had gained much experience by his travels in Asia, Africa, The L. Harantand Europe; his crime was that he had taken an oath to be true to Frederick, and durst not violate it. As he was going to suffer, he called the Minister to him, and told him that he much feared his wives inconstancy in Religion,His message to his wife. and therefore desired him to exhort her to constancy, and not to suffer her self to be drawn from her Religion by any allurements, assuring her that it is the infallible way to salvation. Then to exhort her to use more clemency to his subjects, rather easing then over-charging them with burthens. Lastly to require her to have a care of his children, and to bring them up in the pure Religion, &c. Being called to execution, he said, I have travelled through many Countries, through many barbarous Nations, escaped many perils by sea and land, and now suffer innocently in my own Countrey, and by them for whose sake I, and my forefathers have spent our Estates and Lives; Father forgive them. Then he said, In thee O Lord have I hoped, let me not be confounded. On the Scaffold he said, Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit: In the O Lord have I trusted from my youth; I am confident that I shall be accepted by that ignominious death of my Saviour; and falling upon his knees, he said, To thee O Lord I commend my spirit, for thou O God, just and true, hast redeemed me:His Martyrdom. and so he received the fatall stroke with the sword.

Sir Casper Kaplitz.The next was Casper Kaplitz a Knight, of eighty six years old: When the Minister came to him after his condemnation, he said, See me a miserable old man, who have often intreated my God that he would have mercy upon me, and take me out of this miserable life, but have not obtained it, for God hath reserved me to be a spectacle to the world, and a sacrifice to himselfe, 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 it was told him that he might have his life, if he would ask pardon; he answered,His courage and constancy. That he would ask pardon of him against whom he had committed many sins all his life, but he never offended the Prince, and therefore would not give occasion to suspect that he had committed p. 193some crime, for which he had deserved death, &c. God forbid therefore, said he, that I should be separated from this holy company of Martyrs. As he was going to the Scaffold, being feeble with age, he said, Oh my God strengthen me, lest I fall down, and become matter of scorn to the enemies. Being crooked with age, and hanging down his head, the executioner could not well come at his neck, whereupon the Minister said to him, My noble Lord, as you ha…e commended your soul to Christ, so now offer up your heavy head chearfully to God, and lift up your sel…e towards heaven. Then lifting up his head as well as he could, he said, Lord Jesus into thy hand I commend my spirit, His Martyr…m.and so is head was cut off.

The next was Procopius Dorzecki, …ro…p…us Dorzecki.who after his condemnation said to the Minister, I ha…e had a great contention all night with old Adam, so that it made me sweat againe; but thanks be to my God, by whom my soul hath overcome all tentations: saying further, O Almighty God, strengthen thy servant that I may not be made a derision to mine enemies by any fear of death; and as thou wa… wont to encourage thy holy Martyrs, His prayer and ….so I …trongly belee…e thou wilt comfort me. When he was called forth to execution, he said, Thanks be to my God, who doth now call me to himselfe, to him I have lived, and for him I will die; for my Saviour hath therefore died and risen again, that he might be Lord both of the living and the dead: I know that my soul shall li…e, and my body shall be raised like to his glorious body. Upon the Scaffold he said to the Imperi…ll judges, Tell Caesar that we are now under his …udgement, bu… he shall undergoe a more grievous, yet just judgement of God: And seeing a gold Medal hanging about his neck, wherein was ingraven the Coronation of Frederick, he delivered it to one that stood by, saying, I require …hee, His fi…elity to h…s P…ince.that when my dear King Frederick shall recover the Throne of this Kingdom, thou deliver him this, and tell him, that for his sake I wore it till my death, His Martyrdom.and that now I lay down my life willingly, for God and my King, and so presently after he lost his head.

The next was the L. Frederick de Bile, L Frederick de Bile.who suffered death likewise patiently and piously.

The next was the L. Hen. Otto. a man of great judgment, who having received the sentence of condemn…tion, said, O Caesar, do you indeed establish your Throne by our bloud? L. Hen. Otto.but what account will you make to God of it in the day of judgement? &c. kill my body disp…se my members whither you please: yet d… I belee…e …hat my Saviour will gather them together againe, and clothe … so that with th…s… eyes I shall see h…m, His …aith.with these ears I shall hear him, with …his to…gue I shall praise him, and rejoyce with this heart f…re…er. Afterwards when the Minister came to him, amongst other … he sai…, I was …roubled, but now I feel a wonderfull refreshing in m… heart, adding, with his hands lift up to heaven, I give thee thanks O most mercifull Saviour, Joy unspeakable.who hast be…n pleased to fill me with so much … now I fear death no longer, I will die with joy: As he was going to the …ca…fold he said to the Minist…r, I am sure that Christ Jesus will meet my soul with his Angels, that he may bring it p. 194to an everlasting marriage, where I shall drink of a new cup, a cup of joy for ever: This death I know shall not separate me from him: Upon the Scaffold lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, Behold I see the Heavens open, pointing with his hand to the place, where others also observed a certain brightnesse which dazled their eyes: after he had prayed silently,His martyrdom. he said, Into thy hands O Lord God I commend my spirit, have pitty on me through Jesus Christ, and receive me that I may see thy glory: and so he received the stroak of the sword.

The next was Dionysius Zervius formerly a Papist, but being told of the promises made to the people of God concerning the pardon of sins,Dion. Zervius. and assurance of salvation to those that believe in Christ, he struck his breast, and with tears in his eyes, cried out, This is my faith, and in this I die, I rest in the grace of Christ, and I trust in my God, that he will graciously accept my contrite spirit: When upon the Scaffold the Jesuites exhorted him, he listned not to them, but turned from the Crucifix, and falling down on his knees he prayed softly: Then looking up towards heaven, he cried, They can take away the body, but they cannot take away the soul: O Lord Jesus I commend that unto thee: and so he ended his life being fifty six years old.His Martyrdom.

The next was an aged man about seventy years old, that had been long lame:An aged man. his crime was that he had assisted Frederick with his counsel and wealth: at the time of his death, he said, O Lord Jesus, who being innocent didst undergo death, His martyrdom.grant that I may die the death of the righteous, and receive my soul into thy hands.

The Lord of RugeniaThe next was the Lord of Rugenia, a man of excellent parts, and full of zeal for God; when he was iudged to die, he said, that it was more welcome to him then if the Emperour had given him life, and restored him to his estate with addition of more: afterwards he said to the Minister:His excellent speech. God is our witnesse, that we fought for nothing but the Liberty of Religion: and in that we are overcome and condemned to die, we acknowledge, and finde that God will not have his truth defended by our swords, but by our bloud, &c. When he saw divers called out before him, he said, What is the matter my God? thou knowest that I resign my self wholly unto thee: Ah do not despise thy servant, but make haste to take me away: and when the Sheriff came for him, he rejoyced, and said, Praised be my God, that I shall now be taken out of the world, that I may be with Christ: and so he went to meet him:His martyrdom. On the Scaffold he comforted himself with that promise, Father, I will, that where I am, my servants may also be, to behold that glory which thou gavest me: Therefore (said he) I make haste to die that I may be with Christ, and see his glory, and so he suffered Martyrdom couragiously.

Val. Cockan.The next was Valentine Cockan of about sixty years old: During his imprisonment, he was full of heavenly discourse, and at the Scaffold he said, Grant me O God to passe through this valley of death, that I may presently see thee, for thou knowest my God that I have loved thy word, bring me O God through the paths of life, His Martyrdom.that I may see fulnesse of joy in thy presence: and kneeling down, he said, into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit, and so holily ended his life.

p. 195The next was Toby Steffick a man of a composed temper,Toby Steffick. and sincere in Religion: he spent most of the time of his imprisonment in silent sighs and tears: Before his Execution he said,His prayer. I have received many good things of the Lord all my life long, shall I not therefore receive this cup of affliction? I imbrace the will of God, who by this ignominious death makes me conformable to his son, and by a narrow way brings me to his heavenly Kingdom: I praise God who hath joyned me undeservedly to these excellent men, that I might receive with them the crown of martyrdom: When he was called to die, he said: My Saviour being about to die, said, Father, not as I will, but as thou wilt: thy will be done. Shall I therefore who am but a worm, yea, dust, and a shadow contradict his will? far be it from me: yea, I come willingly my God, only have mercy on me, and cleanse me from my sins, that no spot or rinckle may appear in me, but that I may appear pure in thy sight, and so he lifted up himself full of sighs, yet full of hope,His Martyrdom. and as he was praying he rendered up his spirit unto God.

Then was Jessenius, a Doctor of Phisick, called forth,D. Jessenius. a man famous for piety and learning all over Europe: Having hard his sentence, he said, You use us too cruelly and disgracefully: but know, A Prophecy.that our heads shall be buried, which you ignominiously expose for a spectacle: which afterwards came to passe, Anno 1631. when the King of Sweden with his Army took prague, and caused the Martyrs heads to be taken from the Tower, and solemnly and honourably buried. When the Hangman required his tongue to cut it off, he willingly put it out, and falling upon his knees, as he was praying, his head was cut off,His Martyrdom. his body quartered and set upon four stakes.

The next was Christopher Chober who much encouraged his fellow-Martyrs, and then cited the words of Ignatius, I am Gods corn, Christ… ▪ Chober.and shall be ground with the teeth of wilde beasts: So we (saith he) are Gods corn, sown in the field of the Church,His excellent speech. and that we may be for our Masters use, we are now to be torn by beasts: but be of good chear, the Church is founded in bloud, and hath ever encreased by bloud: God is able to raise up a thousand worshippers of himself out of every drop of our bloud: for though truth now suffers violence, yet Christ reigns, and no man shall throw him from his Throne: 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 beleeved: I have fought the good fight of faith, and finished my course, &c. then praying, into thy hands Lord I commend my spirit, His Martyrdom.he received the Crown of Martyrdom.

John Shultis was next, who on the Scaffold, said, Why art thou so sad O my soul? Hope thou in God for thou shalt yet praise him: &c.John Shultis. The righteous seem to die in the eyes of fools, but indeed they go to their rest: Lord Jesus thou hast promised that whoso comes to thee, thou willt not cast off: Behold I now come, look on me, pity me, pardon my sins, and receive my soul, to thy self: then kneeling down, he said, Come come, Lord Jesus, and doe not tarry, and so he was he headed.His Martyrdom.

p. 196Maxim. Hostialic… ▪The next was Maximillian Hostialick, a learned, and pious man: after his condemnation he was sadder then the rest, and being asked by the Minister the reason of it, he said, The sins of my youth doe now come into my minde: for though I know that nothing remains to condemn them which are in Christ Jesus: yet I know that God exerciseth justice as well as mercy towards his own: Being called to death, he said, Look upon me O Lord my God, and lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; and lest mine enemies say, We have prevailed. Afterward repeating the words of Simeon, Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, he was beheaded.

The next was John Kutnaur, who when the Jesuites began to speak to them,His Martyrdom. John Kutnaur. H…s speech to the Jesuits. said, Pray you trouble not our consciences; we are sufficiently furnished against the fear of death, we need none of your help: and when they would have proceeded, he said, Why do you create unprofitable labour to your selves, and trouble to us? Then said they one to another, they are hard rocks, and will not suffer themselves to be removed: to whom he answered, You sa… true, Christ is an hard rock, and we are firmly fixed on him. Afterwards he said to his fellow-Martyrs, I understand that I must be hanged, but whether by the neck, middle or feet, I know not, nor ca…e not; this only is my grief, that my bloud may not be mingled with yours, that we might be made one sacrifice to God: When he was called forth to execution, he was besprinckled with the tears of his friends, to whom he said, Play the men, brethren, and refrain fron weeping, I go before, but it is but a short time and we shall meet in the heavenly glory; When he was upon the ladder, he said,His speech at death. I have plotted no Treason, committed no murder, I have done nothing worthy of death; but I die because I have been faithfull to the Gospel, and my country? O God pardon my enemies, for they know not what they do: but thou O Christ have pity on me, for I commit my soul unto thee,His Martyrdom. Sim. Sussickey. and so he slept in the Lord.

The next was Simeon Sussickey, who when he saw the Jesuites comming, he said to his companions: These birds of prey are flying hither, but they shall not feed on these carcasses, but return hungry; For God hath promised to perserve his own as the apple of his eye, and therefore he will not suffer us to be seduced. The last night he had a great conflict with the flesh, because the Scripture saith, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:Tentation. but when the Minister told him that that curse was taken away by the death of Christ, he was well satisfied: He went to his death praying and singing, and being hanged next to Kutnaur which was his son in law,His Martyrdom. after he was dead, he turned towards him, and so near that their mouths touched each other: so that their enemies said, These were such obstinate Rebels that they cease not to plot after death.

The next was Nathaneel Wodnianskey, who when the Jesuites sollicited him to Apostacy,Nath. Wodnianskey. His speech to the J…su…es. he said to them: You take away our lives under pretence of Rebellion, and not content with that, you seek to destroy our souls? Glut your selues with sight of our bloud, and be satisfied with that, p. 197but we shall leave a sting in your consciences: Afterwards his own son saying to him, My Father, if hope of life should be proffered you, upon condition of Apostacy, I pray you be mindefull of keeping your faith to Christ: He answered, It is very acceptable to me my son, His counsel to his son.to be exhorted to constancy by you, but what makes you to suspect me? I rather advise and exhort you to follow your fathers steps, and to exhort your brethren, sisters, and children, His Martyrdom.to that constancy whereof I shall leave you an example: and so he patiently ended his life upon the Gallows.

The next was Wenceslaus Gisbitzky, Wen. Gesbitzkyto whom were given great hopes of life: but the Minister fearing Satans stratagems, advised him to take heed of security, and to prepare himself for the encounter of death: Upon the Scaffold, seeing his hopes frustrate, he fell on his knees, and said: We are prostrate before thee, O eternal Father, do not forsake us,His prayer. have pity on us through Jesus Christ: We would say more, but we are not able to expresse it: Into thy hands doe we commend our souls, perfect that which thou hast begun to work in us. Render to us our inheritance that we may sing Holy, Holy, Holy, His martyrdom.&c. and so in the midst of his prayers he ended his life.

There was also one Martin Fruin, an eminent Citizen of P…ague, Martin Fruin.who being taken in his own house, was scoffed at by the souldiers, beaten with their fists, and afterward cruelly tortured, and so burnt in the privy parts, that for six moneths he was troubled with most grievous pain: he was shut up in prison from all company,He is murthered. and at last was found dead in the Castle ditch under the Tower.

Presently after the execution of these holy Martyrs, all their goods were confiscated, as also of those that were driven into banishment.Their goods con…scated. Then was a Proclamation published, wherein a generall pardon of all crimes was offered to all the Inhabitants of the Kingdom, only their goods were confiscated, either in whole or in part, which must be brought into his Majesties Treasury, to pay his debts which were contracted by this necessary war: besides which, they were to make a confession of their faults in a form prescribed before Cardinall Lichtenstein, who was Caesars Viceroy, and if any did not appear,Recantation prescribed. he should lose this favour.

Hence it was that the enemies publikely boasted that none were punished but such as were convicted by their own confession. Then by Edict all were forbidden to diminish, or waste their goods,The twentieth Artifice. by selling them, or conveying them over to others: and if any man should send away his goods to another place, all should be lost: and whosoever received such goods, should pay so much of his own to the Emperour.

Yet the merry Judges turned all this to a jest, saying to divers that pleaded their innocency from having any hand in bringing in Frederick, That though they had not actuall sins, yet they were infected with the Original sin of heresie and wealth, and therefore could not be exempted from punishment.

Then did they proceed to take from the Protestants all their Castles,The Protestants beggered. p. 198Towns, and Villages, whereby they were deprived of their livelihoods, and driven into strange places: Some were forced to cast themselves upon their Popish friends, others to become servants to their own destroyers.

Afterwards all their personall Estates were sequestred, scarce leaving so much as a garment for them wherewith to cover their nakedness:Their debts and money seized on. And lest any man should should have money at use, they commanded all to bring in all their bonds, upon pain of losing all their debts, if they concealed the least: And when any considerable sum was brought in, the Kings Treasurers were at hand, who protesting that the Emperour had need of it to defray his charges of war, took it away, giving to the party a note that so much was due to him from the Emperour, which yet was never repaied.

And thus the Protestants being commanded to depart the Kingdom, the Popish party divided their confiscated goods and lands amongst themselves:The s…uldiers get most. and as it lay commodious for any of them, they added this or that Village, Town, Castle, or Lordship to their own, but the greatest part fell to strangers shares, Spaniards, Italians, or Germans which were Commanders in the Imperiall Army, instead of their pay. If any widows or Orphans had lands or goods not taken away, their popish neighbours would either circumvent them by craft, or weary them▪ out by quartering souldiers upon them, and so enforced them to sell them their lands, at what prices themselves listed to make thereof, and yet afterwards not paying that neither.

The one and twentieth Artifice. Charles de Zerotine. Another Obedi….Then did the Emperour call for the ancient Charters of the Kingdom, which he immediately rent, and threw into the fire.

The Ministers being all banished, the noble Lord Charles de Zerotine did yet not onelyonly retain his houshold-Chaplaine; but he sustained also many others privately in their Caves with bread and water; and not fearing man, he did not only give liberty to his own subjects, but to divers others in neighbouring places to resort to the holy exercises which were performed in his Castle.

The two and twentieth Artifice. Protestant Tutors banishedThen did the enemies by a new Edict publish, that all such Barons, Noblemen, and Citizens, as kept any Protestant Tutor for their children, should presently dismisse him: otherwise he should be taken and punished.

Then by another Edict all the Protestants were cast out of protection of the Laws, and were to have no benefit by them.

The enemies being every day puffed up with their successes and victories, made a Decree that all the Protestant Noblemen should presently depart out of the Kingdom,Successe makes the enemies proud. and the Emperour published a Proclamation, that to prevent all divisions which were dangerous to the Kingdom and Magistrates, therefore he was resolved no longer to tollerate any of the inferiour, much lesse of the superiour estates of either sex, who was infected with hereticall errours: And withall he granted to the superiour States the term of six moneths, to learn the holy Roman Catholick faith: and for that end he appointed Commissioners p. 199of Reformation to instruct them requiring them, to be obedient to his will, and to be diligently instructed by them, otherwise they should not be suffered to stay in the Kingdom, much less to possesse their goods: and therefore he required all those which at the end of that term of six moneths did not turn Catholicks, The Protestants all bani…ed.immediately to depart the Kingdom and never to returne again.

Hereupon they which loved Religion at their hearts, did presently separate themselves by banishment: Others sollicited Caesar by petitions, either to change the decree, or to grant them a longer time: Others there were that thinking to deceive the Emperour and Pope, did buy false testimonies of the Priests, that they had been at Confession, and communicated in one kind,False testimonies bought. and so made shew of a dissembled Apostacy, thereby to avoid banishment.

Then was the fore-named Act extended unto widows, and the Protestants children were commanded to be delivered to the care and instruction of Chatholicks, or else to be shut up in Monasteries:Protestants chi…dren taken from them. and this caused extream grief and groanes, when Noble-mens sons, and daughters, even maids that were marriageable, were pulled from their parents, and friends, and thrust into Jesuites Colleges, or Monks Cels: their Goods being taken also from them, and committed to Papists.

The cunning craftinesse of those seducing Reformers, deceived many unwary persons, whilest they told them that they might hold their former opinions;Popish subtilty only for order sake they must acknowledge the Roman Bishop to be the visible head of the Church: Hereby the simpler sort, thinking that they were not constrained to any other faith, but what they had formerly learned, thought that they might with a safe conscience promise that outward obedience. And if these seducers saw any one of more Nobility then ordinary, they presently suggested to them how much it grieved Caesar that those ancient families which had formerly been the ornaments and props of the Kingdom, should cast themselves out into banishment through there unadvisedness,Tentation. Many seduced. when they might remaine and flourish under the favour both of God and Caesar: and this ruined many of the Protestants Nobility, who preferred their earthly, before the heavenly country.

Yet above a hundred Families, leaving their inheritances, and all their possessions, went away: Amongst these was the Lord de Zerotine, Lord de Zerotine goeth into exile.who might have lived in his countrey if he would have deprived himself of the worship of God, by the losse of his Minister, or if he would have used it covertly, yet he rather chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to continue the enjoyments of his earthly possessions.

And whereas many of these Protestants were gone into Silesia, and Lusatia, the Emperour set forth a Proclamation, wherein he protested, that it was not his intention to remove them out of Bohemia and Moravia, and to suffer them in the incorporated Provinces,A cruel Ed…ct. and therefore he commanded them to depart from thence also, or else they should be p. 200brought to punishment: requiring them also to send back their children which they had carried with them, upon penalty of losing all the goods which any of them could demand in his countrey.

Presently after he published another Edict wherein he required all the Protestant wives of the Catholicks, either to reform, or to go into banishment: But when many of the chief Officers of the Kingdom had Protestant wives,Protestants wives b…nished from their husbands. and they would not indure that they should be thus divorced from them, he set forth another Edict, whereby they were tolerated till the death of their husbands, and then they should be excluded from their inheritances, and sent into banishment: And required that in the mean time they should absent themselves from all festivall and nuptiall solemnities, or else should take the lowest places after the Catholicks.

The exiles sought after.And whereas some of the Protestants did privately teturn, or stay to make the best of that little that did remain unto them: Proclamation was sent out that all such should be apprehended and imprisoned: and to warn all such as had harboured any of them, upon their allegiance, to appear before the chief Officers in the Castle of Prague: requiring that if any knew where any of them lay hid, they should secretly and suddenly attach them, and bring them to prison.

The three and twentieth Artifice. Laws repealedThen did the Emperour repeal, and disannull diverse of the ancient Statutes of the Kingdom, that made most for the peoples Liberties, as concerning their free Election of a King, &c. that he might the better every where oppresse them.

The four and twentieth Artifice.Then in all the free Cities men of base and mean quality were appointed to determine a…l businesse, and to be the chief Officers, and to these were added some of the chief of the souldiery, the better to procure subjection.

These Cities also they impoverished by taxes and contributions, which continued divers years, and were extorted by the Souldiers power.Apostates pro…moted.

Then Masse-Priests were put into the places of godly Ministers, and people were compelled to frequent the Masse: Marriages were forbidden, except amongst the Catholicks: Such as turned Apostates were promoted to all places of Magistracy in the Cities, though men of no judgement, nor experience.

Then were these Articles given to the Captains of Distresses.

The five and twentieth Artifice.1. That whosoever is not of the Kings Religion, all traffick and commerce shall be debarred him.

2. Whosoever shall suffer private Preaching, Baptism, or Matrimony in his house, shall pay a great Fine, or suffer six moneths imprisonment: but if he harbour a Preacher, he shall lose goods and Life.

3. If any shall work upon Catholick holidaies, he shall be imprisoned, and pay ten Florences.

4. It shall not be lawfull for any Non-Catholick to make a Will: if he do, it shall be null.

p. 2015. No youth shall be bound Apprentice, or learn any Art or Trade, unlesse he learn the Catholick Religion.

6. The poor people in Hospitals, except they be converted by such a day, shall be turned out, &c.

After the taking of the City of Prague, Papists were examined upon oath to declare what they knew or heard that the Protestants had spoken or done against Caesar. Then was an Act published to the rest of the Citizens, that though they had forfeited their whole estates, yet they should not be wholly sequestred, but every one should contribute part of his Estate to support the Army: all men also were required upon oath to discover what their Estates were: according to which they were injoyned to pay a ransome to obtain a pardon: yea all trading inhibited to such as were not Catholicks.

In the City of Kutterberg were abundance of silver mines, and the Inhabitants generally were zealous professors: hereupon so soon as they began to be molested for Religion, the Kings Revenue began to diminish, most of the workmen giving over the work: The King seeing this, he farms his Revenues to the Citizens for ten years,The Protestants in the silve… Mines had a promise of favour. Popish perfidiousness. promising that in the interim they should not be troubled with souldiers, nor for their Religion: and hereto he set his hand and seal: But Satan envying their place and liberties, stirs up the Jesuits, to move the King to break his Covenant within four mouths after: and the souldiers were sent thither again, and they began again to be questioned about their religion: The Citizens astonished at this manifest breach of Covenant, humbly petition that no violence might be offered to them, which would overthrow the mettall-works: But instead of answer,Souldiers quartered upon them. the Major and chief Aldermen had twenty Musquetiers apiece put into their houses upon free quarter, till they had shriven themselves to a Priest: the Souldiers domineered exceedingly, wasting these mens estates by their profuseness, and abusing them divers other waies at their pleasure: yet the patience of the one, overcame the tyranicall behaviour of the other: These godly men so long as they had it, provided for the souldiers, but when all was gone, some of them withdrew themselves from danger by flight; others resigned their houses and goods to these domineering villains: delivering the keys to them, and so departing.

When yet this prevailed not,Don Martins cruelty. the task of reforming that City was committed to Don Martin, who accompanied with a Troop of Curiassiers, and himself brandishing a naked sword, entred into the City, the Citizens trembling at his coming, hearing of the cruelty which he had exercised in other places, whereupon that very night multitudes of them betook themselves to flight, thinking to hide themselves in neighbouring villages, this caused Don Martin to get an Edict that none should harbour exiles upon a great penalty.

The year after a Senate at Kutterberg was elected out of the Apostates: the Major being a base and illiterate person, so that all the Citizens being still oppressed with the souldiers, either fled with their wives and children, leaving all behinde them, or else were fain to p. 202submit their necks to the Antichristian yoke.

The Bolislavians persecuted.The next City whither these reformers went, was Bolislavia, where the Orthodox Religion had continued for two hundred years, and it was the Principall seat of the brethren. The Ministers being ejected, they placed in their rooms two crafty Friers, that by all means sought to pervert the people, but when this prevailed not, they brought in three companies of souldiers to quarter upon them. Then were some of the Citizens banished, others cast into prison, and three of the principal was sequestered to strike a terror into the rest; the cause pretended was, because they said, as was alledged, That none had power to command their consciences, &c. But when yet the Citizens remained constant,Constancy. they were all warned to appear in the Court, and being come, they were shut up in severall rooms, and called out and examined one by one. The first was the Town-clerk, a weak and timorous man, and therefore they had set a Ruffian in a corner, with a sword in his hand, whom the fearfull man seeing, was so terrified, that he promised to turn Catholick;Apostacy. they so rejoyced at this beginning, that they dismissed all the rest, bad them consider of it, and do as the Town-clerk had set them an example.

Amongst these there were two Burgomasters, learned men, who exhorted their fellow Citizens not to be affrighted with these imaginary terrors.

Afterwards one of them being called for, was partly with threats, & partly with flatteries so wearied out, that at last he tooke time to consider of it: The other being called for, & an old man proposing the others example to him, he spit in his face, saying, Traytor is this your constancy? And so both he,Constancy. and the rest of the Citizens remained as unmoveable as a Rock. The first Burgomaster considering what he had done, and being ashamed of it,Recovery. came and gave them such a positive answer, as that with the rest he was sent to prison.

One Bartholomew Lang told them to their faces, that he had rather die by the sword, then deny his faith; whereupon with divers others he was thrust into a stinking dungeon, where they kept them prisoners for seventeen weeks, their houses in the meane time being possessed by the barbarous souldiers.

One of these godly persons died in prison: And about that time Bethlem Gabor warring with the Emperour, and Count Mansfield entring Silesia, Bethlem Gabor.with the King of Denmarks Army, these Tyrants were struck with such a terrour, that presently Proclamations came forth, that it was not his Majesties pleasure that any man should be forced to the faith, by violent meanes;Gods providence. by which Proclamation the inhabitans of Bolislavia had some respit.

But the year after, when Gabor was retired, and the King of Denmark beaten out of Silesia, their tyranny againe revived and a new Proclamation came forth to inhibit the Protestants all Trade and Commerce▪ and to command them to abjure their Heresies under pain of the severest and inevitable punishment. Hereupon some were banished, p. 203others voluntarily went into exile, others were denied traffique,A new persecution. the Friers taking away such commodities as they set to sale, so that the Citizens which stayed, were forced to take the mark of the Beast, that they might buy and sell.

In the City of Litomericia, Anno 1517. there was an unanimous agreement amongst the Citizens,In Litomeric. that none should be made free amongst them, but such as professed the reformed Religion: and that whosoever should move for the nulling of this act should be disfranchised; This continued inviolate for a hundred years till two Jesuites sued to be made free men of the City, which being denied, they entred their complaint in the Chancery, whether some of the principall Aldermen were summoned, and kept for nine weeks space, till by threats they had obtained from them to make these two men free.Popish subtilty Five moneths after one of them is made an Alderman, that so they might have their spies in every place; there were also cunning seducers sent thither to withdraw the people from their Religion.

But when this prevailed not, Anno 1625. they took the names of every Citizen, commanding them constantly to come to the Masse, and every one to s…ew his name to the Sexton, that they might know that all were there present, or else for every omission they should forfeit five pound.

Then bringing in more souldiers, they commanded all the inhabitants to be present at their idolatrous Procession, and because the Recorder came not, they sent a whole company of souldiers to plunder his house, who also abused and threatned his wife.

The year after they brought more in souldiers, quartering them in the principall mens houses, in some ten, in some twenty, and in others thirty, who abused them fearefully, but, through Gods assistance,Patience in persecution. they bore it with such admirable patience that the enemies were weary with plaguing them, and began to be more moderate; yet they published an order, that whosoever would not turn Catholick, should, with their wives and children, depart the City & Kingdom by a certain day, wherevpon many of them removed into Misnia.

At the City of Radecium they drave away the Ministers,In Radecium. and placed there a merry Archdeacon, who protested that all violent means were displeasing to him, and therefore he entertained the Citizens with jests and merry speeches, and would draw them to Taverns and Gameing houses: But when after four years triall,Tentation resisted. he found that he had not converted any one of them by these means, he brought in souldiers for his help: Then did he assemble the people, requiring them to go in Procession with him, but when none would follow, the souldiers rushed in amongst them with their drawn swords; whereupon the people ran, some one way, some another,Popish cruelty▪ others were forced to follow the Procession whether they would or no, and some for refusing were slain.

Then was a whole Regiment of souldiers sent thither, with expresse charge not to depart, till the City was reformed. The Archdeacon p. 204taking some of these, went to a Physitian that had been lame for some years, and asketh him whether he would become a Catholick? which he stoutly refused,Constancy. saying, that he had rather his half rotten carkasse should be drawn through the fields, and torn in pieces, then to do any thing against his conscience. Then were all the inhabitants called together: the City gates shut, and the people grievously threatned if they would not turn, and such as refused, were thrust into prisons, and souldiers were sent to their houses, who raged and domineered over their wives and children; wherupon they ran to their husbands with tears and intreaties,Humane infirmity. and prevailed with many of them to desire time to be given them to learn the Romish religion, only twenty eight of them, together with their wives and children forsook their earthly Estate,Constancy. and went into banishment to preserve their consciences clear.

At Bidsove.Don Martin went also to Bidsove, ten-miles from Prague, attended with his souldiers, and assembling the Citizens, he made an Oration to them to turn Catholicks, they answered, that they could not unlearn that in an hour, which they had been learning all their life, this so enraged Martin, that he assaulted the man that answered for all the rest,Popish cruelty. with a club, beating him extreamly, and then he commanded the chief Officer to carry him out of the City, not suffering him so much as to visit his house before his departure: This so terrified the rest, that they promised to be taught within a certaine time; and whereas some of them thought to save themselves by flight, sending their wives and some of their goods privately before, with whom went also some godly widows; Martin having intelligence of it, sent some souldiers after them, that stript them of their goods, and brought them back and cast them into fetters, refusing to release them, till both they and their husbands turned Catholicks.

At Zaticum.At Zaticum, another City, famous for religion, the Minister being banished, Friers were put into his place, who being assisted with souldiers used to cane those that would not bow to the Host, and because the Major and some of the Aldermen were absent at a solemn Procession, they sined them. Then came thither Don Martin, and proclaimed,Bibles burnt. that whosoever had any Bibles, or other Evangelicall bookes; if they brought them not in …, they should be fined at a hundred florences, or suffer five weeks imprisonment. As also whosoever refused to come to Masse, should pay five Florences, and three pounds of wax: All the books that were so brought, he burnt them without the wals; and for such as still stood out, he quartered Troopers upon them, which extorted mony from them day by day: Hereupon many forsook their houses, and betook themselves to the hardship of a banished life. Then did he proclaim that without his leave none should go out of the gates upon pain of death: The next day he arrested the Major, and would not release him, but upon the promise of Apostacy. Two of the Aldermen he bound with iron chains for refusing to adore the Host,Don Martins cruelty. and for fourteen daies together tormented p. 205them grievously, till he had forced their consent to the like Apostacy. Then assembling the whole Senate, he commands them presently to submit to Caesars will, to go to auricular confession, and to communicate in one kinde, promising that such as obeyed should be eased of souldiers, that the others should have their burthens doubled, requiring every one in order to answer for himselfe, whether he would promise to perform this within three weeks: One of them modestly pleading to be excused, in regard of his conscience: the furious beast fell upon him, beat him about the head, and abused him with cursed words, saying, Thou art an unworthy knave to be in this place, I will have thee bound hand and foot, and cast into a deep dungeon, and when thou hast vomited out thy wicked soul, I will deliver thee to the hangman to be buried, &c. Then he cals to his souldiers for chains and fetters, with which they bound his hands and feet, and put an iron coller about his neck, with a thick chaine, and so brought him to the Dungeon, where he was tormented for three weeks, neither wife nor children being suffered to come to him, and fed with bread and water; the Jesuites also were daily molesting him: Then was he sentenced to death, which he chose before Apostacy. Then said one of the Jesuites, he is possessed with the devil, & therefore he commanded him to be bound more straitely, whereby at last he was forced to go to auricular confession, but by that means getting out of the Prison, he fled into Misnia to escape their tyranny.

All the best Citizens did desire banishment,Exile denied to the Protestants. but the City gates were kept strictly, least any should get out, or carry out their housholdstuff; whereupon many escaped by the mines of the wall, and among these, a Lords wife, leaving all her rich housholdstuff behinde her, crept out at the common sewer, to follow her husband into banishment.

Many of the exiles in Misnia, having spent all that little which they carried with them, were forced to seek alms in Bohemia, where being betrayed, they were cast into prison, and so tormented, till some of them were almost distracted, and then they were sent away to other places; some of these were persons of good quality.

At Tusta a chief Officer of the Kingdome sollicited the Citizens to turn Catholicks, which they refusing to do,At Tusta. he complained of it to the Jesuites at Prague, whereupon Don Martin is sent thither, who entring the City, sends his souldiers into the Senators houses, licensing them to abuse them at their pleasure, so that in a short time many were forced to Apostasie. Then did that other Officer set a great fine upon the City,Apostacy. because they turned Catholicks for another mans sake, and would not do it for his: And thus the poor Protestants were abused on every hand to satisfie the lusts of these Tyrants.

Then did another Noble man, with a band of souldiers, go to the City of Rokizan, and tyrannically abuse them for their Religion, forbearing no kinde of insolency that they could think of:At Rokizan. Amongst other projects this was one; He caused all the Citizens to write their names p. 206in three books:Popish subtilty In the first such as were already Catholicks (which were but six late Apostates) In the second the names of such as would become Apostates within a fortnight, which were very few: In the third such as absolutely refused, and so were opposite to God and Caesar, and in this were almost all the names, which so enraged him, that he resolved to use all manner of cruelties,Constancy. saying, that they deserved the crosse, the wheel, yea and hell it self.

Then did he command all the Citizens to come to the Church the next day, to receive the Sacrament in one kinde; but when, coming himself to Church, he found few or none there, he runs through the streets, and into the houses, driving all that he met with to the Church with his stick. When he came thither again, he espied one John Foelix, John Foelix. Barbarous cruelty.a chief Citizen, but a Calvinist, he therefore fell upon him with a knotty club, beating him about the head, shoulders and hands, till he was all gore bloud, and then he said to him, Get thee hence thou beast, with thy cursed Calvin-bloud. Then did he rage against the other Citizens cursing them, beating some, and spitted in the faces of others: and from one of the grave Citizens he pulled off his beard, and strewed it on the floor.

After this he again sent word to Foelix, that except he changed his minde by the morrow,Foelix escapes. he would act a new tragedy with him, but that night he escaped, leaving behinde him his dear wife and children, and an aged mother of eighty years old. Then did the Earl imprison his wife, and sequestred his estate, and enforced the rest of the Citizens to subscribe that they did freely, and with all readinesse of minde, imbrace the Catholick religion.

One Martinitz was appointed to reforme the City of Slana, who substituted one Hansbursky, At Slana.an Apostate, to see this work done. This man that he might ingratiate himself with the Jesuites, appointed a solemn Procession, and either by fraud or force, brought to it most of the Citizens:John Blyssa. Amongst others, he required one John Blyssa to accompany him, but he refused, saying, As oft as I have received the Lords Supper, so oft have I obliged my self to God, and against these abominations: Then said the other, Thou shalt not resist the Emperours pleasure: But said he, In those things which belong to Caesar, I will not, but here Gods business is in hand: Then said the other, Thou shalt be forced to it: God, replied he, seeks willing, not forced worshippers; whereupon he was presently committed to prison, for nine weeks and so was another godly Citizen,Banished. and fined, and then together with his wife, driven out of the City.

Afterwards also was Blyssa and his wife banished, for procuring his childe to be Baptized by a Protestant Minister privately, and his estate was sequestred, having nothing left him to support him in his banishment.

Then by divers kindes of torments he compelled some to a forced obedience; as he did fifty men whom he shut up in a narrow room, where they could neither stand, sit, nor lie, nor have leave to go forth p. 207to ease nature: So that after three daies enduring of this pain and stink, they were forced to promise to learn the Roman religion.

The like dealing he used to divers women in his own chamber: but so soon as they could, most of them went into voluntary banishment.

The City of Prachatice they entred by force, and slew the Major, who was bringing to them the keys,At Prachatice. Prodigious cruelties. together with a thousand six hundred men, women and children, sparing none but such as fled, or hid themselves in secret places: The karcasses they left unburied for divers daies, all dirty, and shamefully naked. Afterwards when the City began again to be inhabited, the Commissioners of Reformation came thither, promising them that if they would turn Catholicks, they should have their Liberties restored to them, but if they refused, they should be restrained from all trading, and when this prevailed not, they thrust men and women, young and old into prisons, where they miserably afflicted them for four whole moneths.

The like cruely they used to all other Cities, where they shewed and used all manner of impostures, deceits, tyrannies and impudent practices, till they had rooted out the reformed Religion, and set up their idolatrous and superstitious worship in the stead of it.

The godly Ministers being generally removed,The twenty sixth Artifice. the next design of the enemies was to take all Bibles, and other profitable books out of the peoples hands, that so the heat of Religion might in time grow cold: The Friers also which were placed in the Churches: did not presently thunder, but dealt fairly, beseeching and confirming the truth of their Religion with oaths, and dreadfull cursing of themselves,Popish subtilty promising also the Emperours favour, and easing of their burthens; yea they sought by works of charity to oblige the poorer sort to them.

One Frier promised a bushell of Wheat to every one that would come to Confession; but when his Garners began to waste, he gave but half the measure, whereupon one flang away in anger, saying, What, is my soul viler then the rest? But when they perceived that they gained but few by their Fox-like subtilty, they returned to their Wolvish cruelty, compelling men to come to Masse, and taking the names of all such as absented themselves; and if any went to private religious meetings, they were fined, imprisoned and whipt.

Some godly persons being met together with a Minister, in a private Chappel, two Colonels, with some troops came upon them, encompassed the Church, rusht in with their drawn swords, took the Minister from the Communion-table, stript off his cloaths,Popish profanenesse. Christians stript. and sent him away to prison, then they cast the bread upon the earth, poured out the wine, and trampled upon it: Then they fell upon the people, stripping men and women naked, it being f…st and snow, so that many of them died; some were wounded, others so affrighted that they fell into diseases: Modestly forbids to tell how they used the women,Popish uncleannesse. even in the Church.

p. 208Then came out an Edict that whosever refused to turn Papist, whether men or women, young or old; bond or free, their names should be returned to the Council of State, who would give instructions what should be done with their persons and estates.

Marriage, Buriall and Baptism were forbidden to the Protestants, and if any did it privately,The twenty seventh Artifice. they were imprisoned, and not dismissed without Apostasie, or a great fine. Then was all trading inhibited, or means of getting their living, and at last buying of food, so that the poor people being oppressed with hunger and want, were either forced to fly, or to Apostatize.

The countrymen they fetched out of their houses, yea out of their beds,Prodigious cruelties. by troopes of souldiers, driving them like beasts before them in the sharpest cold, and filled the common prisons, towers, cellers, stables, yea and hogsties with them, where they were killed with hunger, cold and thirst.

A godly Chirurgion, with others, was cast into a place full of snakes. Another company was thrust into a stable, and all the windows stopt up, that the were almost stifled for want of breath. In some places they shut them up in privies, that they might be poisoned with the stink. In some places they mad holes, and knockt them full of iron spikes, wherein those that were shut, could neither sit nor stand, but bending and crooked: It was not possible that any man could endure this posture above two or three hours, their sinews in the mean time trembling and their members quivering, and their▪ hearts ready to faint with anguish; so that some were forced to promise to turn Catholiks, others that refused were brought back to torture.

Then the devised a prison upon the water, very narow, and not above a cubit and an half in length, wherein the prisoner could by no meanes lay himself at length, and if he turned himself unawares, he must fall into the water.

The twenty eighth Artifice.Another design was, first to assault men of greatest authority, to make them an example to the rest.

In the town of Minion the Commissioner demanded of the people a positive answer,At Minion. whether they would turn Catholicks: And one of them in the name of the rest saying, that conscience neither would nor could be forced, he was presently laid upon the ground and beaten, and still denying to turn Catholick, when he could hardly speak, he was torn in pieces; The rest affrighted at this terrible spectacle promised obedience if time were given them.

In another place the Senator refusing to turn Apostates, the cheifest of them was made to ride the wooden horse, in the market-place, for six hours space, though he was very ancient, so that he was lame and half dead, when he was taken off.

Popish malice.When any desired to die, ra…her then to forsake their Religion, it was answered: that the Emperour did not thirst after their bloud, but rather after the welfare of their souls:Death denied them. To others they said, Oh, you affect the glory of Martyrdom, but you are base knaves, and are p. 209unworthy to have any thing to glory in.

There were many who would have died in the maintenance of their Christian faith, but there were none that would inflict death upon them; for these cruel Tyrants brought up in the devils school,Prodigious▪ wickednesse. would not kill the body but the soul, and therefore they sought by lingring and continual punishments to bring them first to stagger, and then to deny the truth.

When any man desired to be convinced by Scripture,Blasphemy. they answered with scoffs and jears, accusing the Scripture of imperfection, of obscurity, of ambiguity, saying that it was the Fountain of Heresie, the Sanctuary of Hereticks, and that Laymen had nothing to do with it: They called the Bible Wiblia, which in the Bohemian language, signifies vomit. They took away all Orthodox books from the people, that thereby they might be the more easily led into error.

In some places they shut up the people in the Church and forced them to receive in one kinde;Prodigious wickedness. and if they would not fall down to the Host, they used to beat their legs with clubs, till they fell down: Some they imprisoned and racked severall times to force them to auricular confession. Of others they set open their mouths with gags, and thrust the Host down their throates. In other places they forced the people, not only to abjure the Cup, but to throw it down, and to spit upon it, and tread it under …oot.

If any to avoid this Tyranny fled into the woods and secret places hunger drave them out again, whereby they became a prey to their, adversaries; if they went to neighbouring places, some or other would betray them.

Edicts also were published, forbidding all to entertain such as fled upon pain of forfeiting a hundred pieces of silver for every nights entertainment. Yet these miserable people could not go out of the Kingdom, not being acquainted with any other language: besides, they were told that ere long the like tragedy should be acted every where

Four men of Kossenberg continuing constant after long imprisonment, they were first exposed to cold for five weeks together in the depth of winter: Then for nine daies they were pined with hunger, they having only a small portion of bread that kept life and soul together, and drinking their own urine, and when they were threatned harder usage, if they turned not, they answered, We willingly imbrace all afflictions of famin, hanging, burning, or any thing, rather then we would sin against God. Thereupon,Constancy. only twice a week there was given them a mouthfull of bread, and a draught of water. Then were they parted asunder, one thrust into the sink of the prison, another into a furnace; and none permited to visit them; and when nothing would prevail, they set a fine upon them, and banished them.

Others were kept in prisons and bonds till they died. One was kept in a filthy prison till his feet rotted off, and yet he passed away the time with singing of Psalms, as if he injoyed all manner of deligths.Comfort in …fflictions.

p. 210Another man being tired out with imprisonement, promised to turn Catholick, and was released, but presently (as himself wrote afterwards) God chastened him for this his fault, holding his conscience captive for an whole year together,Danger of Apostacy. so that he could have no hope in Gods mercy: Yet he recalled to minde former sinners, who upon their repentance obtained mercy of God: Thereupon he cried unto God a whole year together, night and day watering his bed with his tears, because he thought himself damned; but at last God (saith he) sent his Angel to me, and I saw this glory brighter then the sun, and I had gods Spirit bestowed upon me, &c. After which he was apprehended, beheaded and quartered.

Bibles burnt.The pictures of John Husse and Jerom of Prague they defaced; all the Bibles that they could meet with, they burned; the graves of the Ministers they opened, took out their bones and burnt them.

The Statutes of King Frederick they beat in pieces, and trampled them under their feet. One man they fined at five hundred Dollars, for giving his son the name of Frederick,

Before these calamities befell the Bohemians, God gave them warning by sundry Prodigies.Prodiges. In severall places divers Suns were seen together. At Prague the Sun seemed to dart out bals of fire: Also a flying Dragon, flaming horribly, was seen throughout all Bohemia and Silesia. Also a spring flowed with bloud for an whole monethmonth together. In another place a Fish-pond was wholly turned into bloud for the space of three daies.

A great flock of Crows and Daws, fought together for a whole daies space, whereby multitudes of them were slain.

At Prague it rained brimstone, and the Image of the crucifix being set up, was struck down with a thunderbolt. The gates of some Cities opened of their own accord. Many Bibles being thrown into a great fire, were untouched, only the margin a little scorched.

Gods judgment on Apostates.Many Apostates tormented by the sting of conscience, cried out, They were damned. Some to avoid these terrors hanged themselves; others drowned themselves. Some died in fearfull despaire, others died suddenly▪ One as he was about to abjure, was stricken dumb, and being carried home was possessed with a great trembling all over, and gnawing his own tongue, he died miserably.

D^r Knapper a great persecutor was slain by the appointment of his wife an adultresse,Gods judgement on persecutors. for which she was afterwards hanged. Another vomited out his ungodly soul with bloud. Another ran mad, and cast him self down from the top of his house, and so roaring fearfully he breathed his last. Another shot himself to death with his own Pistoll. Another ran mad, fell into such a disease, that none could come near him for stink, and at last was choaked with vomiting up abundance of bloud. Another being taken with a sudden disease, waxed as black as a cole, uttered his speech like the barking of a dog, and within three daies died with terrible pains. Another, by the breaking of a great gun, was torn all to pieces. Another had a terrible disease p. 211in his throat, his tongue rotted, many holes were eaten in his throat, whereout his food and medicines came, so that he died myserably.

Collected out of a Book called Historia Persecutionum Ecclesiae Bohem. written by some Bohemian exiles.