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. LXIII. Christopher Hara••t Baron of Bezdruzitz, and Pol∣zciz Lord of Petzka.

I. HE got himself a name, and much experience by his travells in Europe, Asia, and Affiri∣ca, which he published to the world in his native language, he was made, by Rodolphus, one of his Privy-Chamber, by Matthias a Privy-Counsellour, lastly by Fredericke chiefe of the Kings Chamber. This was the cause why the sentence of death was pronounced against him, because he was present at the expedition of the Orders in Austria, and not being ab∣solved of his former Oath took an oath to be true to Frederick, which thing was as wel done by others as by him, so that it was evident, that these Politicians sought their pretences, meerly out of the hatred they did bear unto religion.

2. Going to suffer, he called unto him Rosacius, a Minister of the Gospell, and told him how much he was troubled for his wife and children, for hee knew his wives coldnesse in religion, and therefore feared what hee should commit to her, shee now wanting a counsellour. He remembers that he left in witing something with her, which he doth desire to remember, and therefore desirteh the Minister to re∣hearse them to him. First, that she should be con∣stant in the Gospell Religion, nor suffer her self by a∣ny

allurements to be perswaded from it: for he tels ther that therein is the readiest and most infallible way of Salvation, and assurance of the mercy of God by the merits of Christ, being mindful of him & of that which she had heard from him, that he had tried all Religion, and compared them with the Scriptures, and that he found none more sure & solid, than that which he was about to seal with his bloud, that we attain Salvation by the bloud of the Lamb, which he is certain very shortly to find. Of which glory if she would be parta∣ker, she should persevere in the same faith. Secondly, he prayed that she would use more clemency to his Subjects, and rather ease, then overcharge them with burthens; last of all to command that she would have a care of her Children and bring them up in pure Reli∣gion, otherwise if through carelesnesse they were sedu∣ced, he would cause them to appeare before Christ his tribunal. This he spake with much zeal and solemn protestations; but this meer woman, being perfidious to God, her conscience, her children, and her subjects, observing nothing of all this. For within a while after she did marry an Apostate, committed her sonnes to the tuition of Jesuites, she her self swerved from her Religion, and did exercise tyranny over the soules and bodies of her subjects.

3. Being called forth to execution, he said, I have travelled so many Countries, so many barbarous na¦tions, have undergone so many dangers by sea and-

and, now I suffer innocently in my owne Country, and by their hands, both for whose good I and my fore-fathers spent our Estates and Lives. Father for∣give them. As he went forth he prayed, In thee (O Lord) have I hoped, let me not be confounded for e∣ver. Going on the Scaffold, he lift up his eyes and said, Into thy hands (O Lord) I commend my spirit. Walking on the fatall cloth that was spread on the floore, he made a little stand, and brake forth againe into these words, In thee (O Lord) have I trusted in my Youth, I am confident that I shall be accepted by that ignominious death of my Saviour: and fal∣ling downe on his knees he added, To thee (O God) I commend my spirit, thou God true and just hast redeemed me. And seeing the Executioner came not, (for he was a Gospeller, neither did he make too much hast, untill they had finished their prayers) he perceiving some delay, prayed againe, Lord Jesus, Son of David, be mercifull to me, and receive my spirit: and the sword from behind him cut off his speech with his head.