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. XLIX.

I. IN the meane while they appointed the Jesuites & Monks to be comissaries of the Reformation, joining unto them some one Nobleman or more, or Baron, who passing through Towns and Villages,

used their best endeavour to bring Heresie into dis∣grace, and highly to magnifie and set abroach the Roman Cause. The chief and most eminent men both for honour and estates are invited to Apostacy, the meaner and inferior sort either are fooled, by their ex∣amples, or compelled by threatnings. At length the Thunderbolt of Proscription is cast with great violence against the former Orders; and the chiefe Commissa∣ries of the Reformation, are nominated and appoin∣ted, namely the Arch-Bishop of Prague Cardinall de Harach, the Abbot of Strohavia, Parislaw, Bor∣zita Count of Matromitz, most commonly called Smeczanski, Frederick de Fallenbergh and Christoph••r Wrotislaus. This Bark of the Universal Apostacy in this Kingdome was committed to these Pilots, but through the perswasion of Smeczanius they refused to under∣take the Government thereof, except they may have absolute power of determining any thing against any man, without the compulsion of any man, or the contradiction or alteration of their sentence, even by Caesar himself, so that now in stead of the Counsell of Inquisition in Spain, a High Court of Reformers is set up, from which if they did depart, being required to have a testimony, they were many wayes troubled by the Jesuites, with divers censures, sollicitings, protesta∣tions, and temptations. If any one refused, they de∣manded of him whether at the least he would learne, if hee consented, they set him a time, or gave him

leve to make choise of his time and whosoever ad∣mitted it, it scarce goeth well with him. For pre∣sently hee had a Masse Priest appointed him, who daily would trouble them. Very many under∣went this trouble, whereby they might gain so much time, as to dispose of their affaires. But when their time being almost expired, they said, that they did acknowledge no other thing in their conscience, they were said to make a mock of Caesars power, and so run themselves into fresh dangers. But more particu∣larly we shall recount hereafter in their places how these pretty Reformers handled businesses.