Page:The History of the Bohemian Persecution (1650).djvu/80

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66
The Hiſtory of

made King of Hungary, after the death of Matthias the brothers were reſtored.

CHAP. XXIII.

The Brethren in Bohemia cited to a colloquy.

IN the year 1503. the moſt gentle King Wladiſlaus did again ſuffer himſelf to be tranſported againſt the brothers, inſomuch that he gave order that they ſhould be delivered to the Magiſtrates, impriſoned, and at pleaſure afflicted. The cauſes of this were not only the open enemies raging againſt the little flocke according to their manner, but certain falſe-brothers. For a queſtion being propounded concerning the ſecular power, whither it were lawfull for a Chriſtian with a ſafe conſcience to governe as a Magiſtrate, or to uſe the ſword, or to give, or to exact Oaths, many were of the negative opinion as they are now in this Anabaptiſt age, but the greater part affirmed, that it was lawfull. The diſcent did ſo greatly increaſe, that thoſe of the negative opinion did ſeparate themſelves, and had by themſelves a peculiar meeting at Prague, accuſing the other that they did admit of the ſword, & propounded to defend themſelves by outward force. This Calumny being greedily received and brought to the Kings ears, was the reaſon that the King ſaid, what do they think to bring back Ziſca again to us, We ſhall take a ſpeedy courſe to ſuppreſſe

this