The history of the Bohemian persecution, from the begining of their conversion to Christianity in the year 894. to the year 1632. Ferdinand the 2. of Austria. Reigning. In which the unheard of secrets of policy, consells, arts, and dreadfull judgements are exhibited.

CHAP. XL. Vnder Rodolphus the Gospellers had full liber∣ty.

I. IN the year after 1576 Maximilianus being dead, his sonne Rudolphus succeeded him, who trod in his fathers steps, hee reigned peaceably untill the year on thousand six hundred and two no persecution being in all that time concerning religion. In this year it was so brought about by the private practises of the Jesuites and their instruments, that Rodolphus should subscribe to, and cause to be pub∣lished an Edict drawne by them, concerning the re∣newing of a Decree of Wladislaus against the Piccardines; for noe other end, but that their Chur∣ches might be shut up for a time, the Patrons of the Brethren, the Noblemen protested that it did no way

concern them, since these men are not such as the Piccar∣dines are described to be, and therefore Caesar did connive and looked not so narrowly after them, as that they should so strictly observe his decrees herein, neither was it lawfull for the enemy to presse the Orders so farre, and it was related by a man of credit, that the evening before the 22. of July, when newes was brought to the King that Alba Regia was taken (being the chiefe City of Hungary) in great astonishment said, I looked for some such thing••, since this day I began to usurp the Government of God, which is of consciences.

2. Neither intended hee any thing else than to make good the promise of his father, and to settle li∣berty of conscience, as he declared afterwards, when in the year 1609 to the Orders of the Kingdome under both kinds (the Pope the Spanish faction and their counsellors not consenting thereto) he commit∣ted the lower consistory, and the university to be re∣formed at the pleasure of the Orders, giving them Patents whereby this donation was confirmed to them, and gave leave that the churches and schools should be inhabited, or if need be, should be built, and forbad that any of his subjects whether Ca∣tholick or Spirituall should bee punished for his religion, and obliged those Kings that should suc∣ceed him, religiously to observe these things, and also gave power to the Orders to make choise of

some among them to bee defendors of this liber∣ty.

3. The Orders therefore reform the consistory, and for quietnesse sake they chuse 3 Hussites, 3 Bre∣thren, and 3 Gospellers, to these they adde the 3 Professours of the University, and command these twelve chosen men to order all affaires concerning Church Government throughout the Kingdome. And because it was generally agreed that the confederates should bee cashiered, and Church government bee according to the rule of Gods law. Elias Shudim of Semanin a Hussite is chosen first Administrator, and afterward to bee elected out of the ordinary sort of Ministers. But concerning the brethren it is concluded (the order of whose discipline was granted for the better reconciliation) that they should have their Seniour, being the next Colleague of the Administrator, so long as the diversity of this or∣der yet in a friendly concord should endure. To whom at Prague a Church is given by the Vniversity, as it were to the true off-spring of Hus called Bethlehem, famous for the preaching of Hus. All which things were done with the publick acclamation of all good people, and all things rung out with divine praises, and were fastned to the doors of the church these lines.

The Temples ope'd, the Lion joyes, that Raph, To Maxamillian kept his promised faith. &c.

4 The orders under both kinds made a friendly agreement with the orders under one kind, for the consideration of peace and mutuall concord among them, which having digested into articles, they pro∣mised to enter into the Registrie of the kingdome, but to be confirmed by the subscription of Caesar & his Councellors. But three were found who did refuse, being two or three times solicited, having some scru∣ple of conscience. Zaenko Adalbertus Popel de Lobkowitz. Chancellor of the kingdome, William Slawata ••e Chlum, and Iaroslaus de Martinitz Smeczanskie. Therefore they solemnely protest a∣gainst the orders under both kinds, that if hereafter they shall attempt any thing against this liberty gran∣ted to the whole kingdome by Caesar, that then they would punish them as disturbers of the publique peace; which protestation of the orders, Rodolphus assenting to it, is entered into the Registrie of the Kingdome, and kept among the priviledges, and confirmed by the same oath with other priviledges of the Kingdome, by Rodolphus and his successors.

5. False Hussitisme being taken away, a more pure Religion flourished throughout the whole king∣dome, so that there was scarce one among a hundred who hid not professe the Evangelicall doctrine. But alas! with the liberty of Religion (as usually it hap∣pens) by little and little, two much liberty of life began to increase, and learning (even among whom

formerly it flourished) began after a strange man∣ner to be dissolved. Wherefore this liberty bringing along with it carnall security, did not please all godly men, and some began to presage ill, that so a horrible tempest from some Ferdinand should againe over∣whelme them. It was a Propheticall speech, in peace my bitternesse is most bitter. and fullfilled, of which it followeth.