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. LX. Twenty seven glorious Martyrs.

I. THe judiciall proceeding being over, which lasted for the space almost of three days, each sort of prisoners were carried to their severall prisons, the Noblemen into the inner prison of the Castle, the Citizens into the Praetors houses. Some rakeshames were suborned to insult over them, saying, why do they not now sing The Lord reigneth. The ninety ninth Psalm, as it should seem being, used to be sung amongst other Psalms in the time of Frederick.

2. The Prince Lichstenstein going out of his Pallace, and going to Mass that day, as well as the next day following, the wives, children and the kins∣folk of each sex of the condemned persons humbly suing for their lives; but answer was made, that all the favour that they could now expect was that they should have leave to bury the corps of their friends. And yet there were some insinuating fellowes, such as would swallow bribes, who tooke monies both of widdowes and orphans, making faire promises to them.

3. In the evening the condemned men had no∣tice given to them, that the time of their execution drew

neare, and that the one and twentieth day of Iune was the appointed day: And therefore they did ad∣vice that each of them would have a care of his owne soule, and therefore that they should send for a Jesu∣ite, or Capuchin, or Minister of the Augustine Con∣fession and so fit himselfe for death; but that none of them must have any thought to have any Minister of the Order; because that would not be granted unto them. Which was sad newes to them; because the greater part of the Martyres had beene auditors of the Brethren: neither could this inhibition otherwise be taken, than either from some exact or some anci∣ent rooted malice against them; or to cast a mist be∣fore the eyes of the Saxons, as though Caesar did not much dislike their Order.

4. Which thing being done, the foresaid Jesu∣ites and the Capuchines, not staying till they were ••alled for, flew thither like so many flies, using many perswasions to them, even to desparation and deniall of the truth, and by putting some in hope of life. But God so strengthned them, that all those endeavours of Sathan and his Imps were in vaine, whatsoever they protested to the contrary; calling Heaven and Earth to witness, that they shall not be guilty of their eter∣nall damnation, since that they so obstinately refused the Grace of God.

5. The Ministers of the Gospell are therefore cal∣led, Iohannes Rosucius from the lesser Prague went to

the Castle, M. Victorinus Verberius, and Vitus Ja∣kessius into the Court in old Prague. Adamus Cle∣mens into new Prague. And David Lippech was with the Germans, whereof three which were at this time condemned were doctors. Jessenius, Hauns∣childt and Rippell: These Divines spent the remain∣der of time (which was Sunday and Munday even unto the time of execution in religious exercise col∣loquies, prayers and Hymnes; lastly they did pre∣pare the holy Martyrs by the administration of the Sacrament for the future agony.

6. They which were of the Brethren and refor∣med, did admit those Ministers willingly, protesting that they have acknowledged them for brethren, and do acknowledge them to be the Embassadors of Christ, howsoever they have differed unhappily in some Articles. Two onely, the Baron of Budovia, and Otto of Loss, conferred religiously with Rosacius, but did not partake of the Sacrament, be∣cause happily it might give occasion of some false ac∣cusation) comforting themselves with this saying be∣lieve and thou hast eaten.

7. It is worthy remembrance, how on the Sun∣day they which were in old Prague prisoners in the Praetors house did suppe. For as they were confer∣ring with M. Werbenius, and even in his presence, the chiefe Goaler had told them that the hour for supper was at hand, they looking one upon another, pro∣tested

that they did not want that materiall supper, yet for recreation sake they would not scorne to sit down. And then one is busie laying the Napkins, an••ther in setting on the Dishes, another pouring out the water for such as would wash, another ha∣ving given thanks to carve to others, another puts them in mind, that this was their last supper upon earth, but to morrow they should feast with Christ in Heaven. The Master of the Court being a man of evill disposition, and a Papist tooke this saying not very well, who going out to some of his friends, made a scoffe at it saying, doth Christ provide them Cooks in Heaven. Which when it was told unto them, the Minister Vitus Iakessius discoursed very religiously concerning Christ his last supper here on earth, and of Iudas that did trouble Christ and his Disciples. One of these D. Haunschildt, would eat nothing: saying, this pouch meaning his panch) is sufficiently stuffed with wormes meat.

8. In the mean while it is told them that the Ba∣rons and Noblemen, were led out of the prison of the Castle into the Court of the ancient City, near unto which in the market place that direful Theatre for that shambles was appointed: which they, as if they were going to meet with them, hasten to the windows, and looking out entertaine their fellow Martyrs with the forty fourth Psalm with a loud voyce, while the

amazed multitude flock after them in great swarms, sighing and lamenting.

9. After that, the whole night is spent in Psalms and prayers, and godly discourse, and mutuall exhor∣tations: (that because it pleased God to call them be∣fore others, to this glory of Martyrdome,) they should not doubt, by their true constancy, to confound the world, to glorifie Christ, and to leave a godly example to posterity. And when amongst others they sung the sixty eight Psalm, (occasion being taken by the last verse of that Psalm, where David prayes, Shew some token of good upon me,) John Kutnaur broke out in∣to these words, Shew therefore on us some token of thy goodnesse O God, whereby we thy unworthy ser∣vants may be strengthned by thy goodnesse, and our enemies confounded. And as it were answering for God, being full of faith, he saith, Be of good cheare, for even in this God hath heard your voyce, and to morrow he will shew some wonderfull signe, and will witnesse that we suffer for his cause. The Minister, M. Werbenius when he heard this, answered, They will rest satisfied herewith, when they shall perceive that death which is bitter to the wicked, is sweetned to you.

10. Early in the morning, having washed their Faces, they put on clean clothes, as though they were going to a wedding, fitting their Dublets and jackets to their bodies, and cutting their collars,

that being brought to the scaffold, there should bee no need of a new making ready. Kautnur, in the meane while, with others pray and earnestly desire of God, that if his Majesty would bee pleased to strengthen and confirme both themselves and the people concer∣ning their innocence. And presently after the sun ri∣sing, a beautifull bow appeared and compassed the heavens, the Ministers, the souldiers, and many others, go to see it. But the Martyrs looked out at the win∣dow and they all see, (as well as those all over Prague) a Rain-bow of an unusuall colour, and the Heavens very clear, neither was it observed that any rain had fallen for the space of two whole dayes be∣fore. This sign being shewed from heaven, the Mar∣tyrs lifted up their voices and hands, part of them in whose company Verbenius was, fell on their knees and praised God, here one calls to mind the Cove∣nant of Noah, another thinketh one the Rain-bow in the Revelation, about the Throne of Christs tribunall, who was judge of the living and the dead, and very much to comfort themselves herein.

11. But as soone as this heavenly sign of grace was vanished, another sign of approaching Martyrdome, the noise of a gun, being let off, sounded in their ears, which when being heard by the Ministers of the word, the Champions of Christ, going to each other, salute one another, and pray that each of them may bee strengthned, they also encourage one another,

and exhort to fight manfully, presently the Troops of horse come, and some colours of footmen, and encom∣passe the Theater, wherein, on their seats, the Judges of Caesar with the Senators did sit; the Market place, the streets, and al the houses, are filled with num∣berlesse numbers of spectators,

12. The Martyrs are called forth one after ano∣ther, and do go to their death, and undergo it with∣out daunting, for whoever was called forth, hastned with no lesse chearfullnesse, than as if he had gone to a banquet, or some other delights; and it was done af∣ter the same manner by each of them, (as M. Rosa∣cius doth describe) speaking to the other. Most lo∣ving friends farewell, God give unto you the comfort of his Spirit, patience and courage, that what for∣merly with your heart, your mouth, and your hands, ye have affirmed, ye may do the like by your glorious death, behold I goe before, that I may see the glo∣ry of my Lord Jesus Christ, ye will follow me, that we may together behold the face of our Father, even in this hour all sorrow departs from me, and joy••ull eternity shall enter in. And they which re∣mained behind answered, God above whether and to whom you are going prosper your journey, and grant you passe happily from this vale of miseries this de∣sart of goodnesse, unto that Heavenly Country let the Lord Jesus send his Angels to meet thee. Go deare Brother in thine and our Fathers house, and

we will follow, presently we will meet in the Heavenly glory, we are confident of this through him in whom we have believed.

13. These and other things, being accompanied by the Ministers, through the yard of the Court, to the Scaffold, they spake with a brave resolution, and with such ardency of Spirit, that even the Praetors, and the company of Souldiers, standtng round about wept, and had they not deafned the ears of the by∣standers with the noise of Drums, and sound of Trum∣pet, it had been impossible but that every one had paid the tribute of one teare if not more. When the Mi∣nisters returned, and had reported how valiantly the one and other died, the rest praysed God, desiring of him the like aid of his assisting Grace.

14. But it will be worth our labour to remember some thing of each of them in particular.