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. LXXXVIII. The Protestants are prohibited from the exercise of Religion, and the benefit of the Law, even those that had not offended the Emperor.

I. IN the mean time the Ministers (as is spoken of in this place) were banished and thrust out of the Kingdome, and a great charge published, that none should receive any of them upon any pretence whatsoever. Which when they who had in no kind broken their allegiance to Caesar, or whom Caesar had already pardoned, boasted not to belong to them, they were charged by reitterated commands to dismisse them. Neither were the most part disobe∣dient to those commands.

2. Charles de Zerotine alone (as we formerly mentioned) dared to oppose himself against this cruelty, and did not onely withstand Cardinall of Ditrichstein (Governour of Moravia) and his Com∣missioners, but when he found no help here (went to Vienna, complaining to the Emperour of the wrongs of the Cardinall, that he extended that pu∣nishment to him who was innocent, which was in∣flicted on perjured persons (as they pleased to call them) and desired that right might be done to him. But he received this answer of the Emperours Coun∣sellors

who excused this proceeding: That this businesse of Reformation was badly und••rstood, as if it were instituted meerly for the imposition of pu∣nishment, when it was rather a fatherly care which the Emperor bare for the salvation of his Kingdomes and Provinces: and that the Emperor was bound, though no crime was intervened, to provide as well for the eternall salvation of his subjects, as for their outward tranquillity: At this the Baron was astonished, when hee saw those plots which had been covered with darknesse so openly manifested, and Tyranny over consciences cloaked with an ap∣pearance of piety. He went forward yet to expo∣stulate with the Emperour himself. The Emperour answered. That he would grant him nothing for his conscience. The Baron replied: That in his conscience he was obliged to God, and that he desi∣red that Caesar would not oppresse it. The Empe∣rour answered. That he did not oppress it, but that Preachers could in no wise bee granted. The Baron replied: That he could not want the holy worship of God, and that this could not be done without a Minister of the Word. And with this Protestation he departed from the Emperour not onely openly re∣taining Paul Hronovius his houshold Chaplain, but like pious Obadiah sustaining the most religious old man Iohn Lanctius above 70 years of age, & George Drastus superintendent among the brethren in Mora∣via,

and many others privately in their Caves with bread and water. And setting aside all fear of men, he doubted not to give liberty to his own subjects, but to others out of the neighbouring places of what degree soever to come to his holy exercises, which were performed in his own Castle Namesch, by Hronovius. In which thing hee had in Bohemia, the Baron of Slaupna, George Sadorius, and some few others his pious imitators: untill themselves as shall afterward be related, were commanded into ba∣nishment.

2. In the mean time when wicked men are like Euripus, neither can bee quiet, but cast out mire and dirt, as the Prophet speaks, it came to pass that they invented a new kind of rage. By banishing the in∣struments of the truth by a peculiar writ: that who∣soever of the Barons Noblemen or Citizens, did keep a Non-Catholick Tutor for their Children, should presently dismiss him: otherwise he should bee taken and punished.

4. And that all might understand that this was done seriously, and that Caesar could endure none but Roman-Catholicks, a decree was published in the year 1625. 22. of June, whereby Non-Catholicks were for ever prohibited, the use of the laws of the King∣dome.

5. The good Protestants understanding that the laws were not serviceable to them, and that nothing

was remaining in which they might appeale, when they were wronged, besides Heaven: did this one thing (those that were capable to understand this mi∣stery of iniquity) viz. Solicite God with sighs and groans to be the revenger of such malice, otherwise there was no help left.