Page:The History of the Bohemian Persecution (1650).djvu/29

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The Bohemian Perſecution.
15

that not without the peculiar indulgence of the Arch-Biſhop.

Chap. VI.

John Melice and Conrade Stickna,

1. THeſe clamours increaſing, Mr. John Melice of Prague, a man deſcended of a noble family, and of a fervent ſpirit, (of whom alſo mention is made in the catalogue of witneſses unto the Truth) whether by word or writing, was the firſt that ſtood out in oppoſition. For when for his rare Learning and Holineſse of life, he was made Prefect of the Clergy in the Cathedrall Church of and had a great Auditory, he began to exhort the people unto a frequent communion in both kinds, to complain much of ſpirituall deſolation, to rebuke divers abuſes & abominations being much helped with the godly endeavors of his faithful colleague Conrade Stickna, a man eminent for Learning and Eloquence.

2. Theſe two by their zealous preaching effected (amongſt other things) that the notorious Brothell houſe at Prague (called Venice) was throwne downe, and in its place Mary Magdalen church erected, which peradventure was a præludium of the ſpeedy deſtruction of the ſpirituall common Stewes,

3. Nevertheleſse Melicius himſelf hath left a writing concerning himſelf, (for ſome of his writings are preſerved) that he was pricked in conſcience, that he

ſhould