Page:The Acts and Monuments of John Foxe Volume 3.djvu/609

speak what they would. The Bohemians in this point were of two opinions; for the protestants, and almost all the common people, said, it was not good to go, alleging the examples of John Huss and Jerome of Prague, who, going to Constance, under the safe-conduct of the emperor, were there openly burned. But the nobility, following the mind of Maynard,^[1] prince of the new House, said, that they ought to go to the council, and that they are not to be suffered who had invented those new and strange opinions of faith, and that new kind of religion, except they would render account of their doings and sayings before the universal church, and defend those things which they had openly taught before learned men. This opinion took place, and an ambassage of three hundred horse was sent to Basil, the chief whereof were William Cosca, a valiant knight, and Procopius, surnamed Magnus, a man of worthy fame for his manifold victories; John Rhochezana, preacher of Prague, Nicholas Gallicus, minister of the Taborites, and one Peter,^[2] an Englishman, of excellent, prompt, and pregnant wit. A. D. 1433. The people came in great number out of the town, and many out of the synod and council, attending before the gates to see the coming of this valiant and famous people; others gathered together in great numbers into the streets where they should pass through. The matrons, maids, and children, filled the windows and houses to behold and see, and to marvel at their strange kind of apparel and stout courageous countenances; saying, that it was not untrue which was reported of them. Notwithstanding all men beheld Procopius, saying, "This is he who hath overthrown the papists in so many battles, who hath subverted so many towns, and slain so many men, whom both his enemies, and also his own soldiers do fear and reverence;" also, that he was a bold, valiant, and invincible captain, who could not be overcome with any terror, labour, or travail.

These Bohemian ambassadors were gently received. The next day after, cardinal Julian, sending for them unto the council house, made a gentle, long, and eloquent oration unto them, to this effect.

 

The Oration of Cardinal Julian.

 

He exhorted them to unity and peace, saying, that the church was the spouse of our Saviour Christ, and the mother of all the faithful, that it hath the keys of binding and loosing, and also that it is white and fair, without spot or wrinkle, and cannot err in those points that are necessary to salvation; and that he who doth contemn the same church is to be counted as a profane, an ethnic and publican, neither can this church be represented better by any means than in this council. He exhorteth them also to receive the decrees of the council, and to give no less credit to the council than unto the gospel, by whose authority the Scriptures themselves are received and allowed. Also that the Bohemians, who call themselves the children of the church, ought to hear the voice of their mother, who is never unmindful of her children: how that now, of late, they have lived apart from their mother; 'albeit,' said he, ' that is no new or strange thing, for there have been many, in times past, who have forsaken their mother, and yet, seeking after salvation, have returned to her again; that in the time of Noah's flood, as many as were without the ark perished; that the Lord's passover was to be eaten in one house; that there is no salvation to be sought for out of the church, and that this is the garden and famous fountain of

 

1. This Maynard was afterwards a great back friend to the faithful Bohemians.
2. This Englishman was Peter Paine.