Page:The History of the Bohemian Persecution (1650).djvu/76

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The Hiſtory of

rather to be avoided. Howſoever they never denied, that they received the power of ordaining Miniſters and by that, the externall ſucceſſion of them from the Waldenſes, although, and this alſo oftentimes accordingly as they ſaw occaſion, they wiſely did paſſe by in ſilence.

7. Nevertheleſſe God would have the Brothers in Bohemia to be partakers of the perſecution of the Waldenſes in Auſtria, againſt whom in the year following viz. 1468. George the King (the States being ſolemnly called to councell) did publiſh a bloudy Decree, which was, that every one of the Peeres within the Territory of his Jurisdiction ſhould endeavour to apprehend as many of the Piccardines as he could, and having apprehended them, to proſecute againſt them accordingly as he ſaw occaſion, by this meanes of cruelty attempting to hinder the ſeparation.

8. Many therefore were apprehended, and for a long time kept in priſon, untill the Death of the King, among whom was one of the chiefeſt of them, by name Michael Zambergh, with which unjuſt and cruell proceedings the Brothers being moved, did write an Apology to Rokizane, and to the Conſiſtory, and afterwards to the King, and at laſt to them All altogether. And it came to paſſe by the wonderfull Counſell of God, that by the greater indeavour as they laboured to put out this ſparke, by

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