The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 106
Chap. CVI.
I. THe Godly indeed (at that time) were able to deplore this whirle-wind of persecution, and Apostacies, but onely the Lord to stay and cease it: Who although he stirreth up wicked men to chastise his Church, yet neverthelesse he useth severely to punish them (after his paternall premonitions to reducethem) when behaving themselves obstinately & exceeding the measure of cruelty, they become incorrigible. Wee shall touch upon some of this sort.
2. The first forewarnings, were diverse strange sights which appeared in heaven and earth. As for example the miraculous bowe seen at Prague, by all, about the hour of execution: yea, such amazement seized upon the people, looking thereon, before execution was ended, that they fled by troops from the place of Judicature into the streets, no man pursuing them or declaring the cause thereof. Fiery torches also were seenin the night, environing the Martyrs heads which were set upon the tower; and a singing heard. Certaine of the Watch-men did confidently averre it; but for our parts (in regard we were not eye-witnesses) we leave it undetermined. But this is certain that many suns were diverse times seen, in the year following; the sun also was seen by a great multitude of people at Prague, to dart out, as it were, balls of fire.
3. In the year 1623. exceeding thick smoak did proceed at set times from the pinacles of the chiefe Church of the Gospellers (at Joyfull Court) so that men supposing it to have come from fire within, ran thither to quench the burning; but the Towers being well searched within, they found it otherwise. The Iesuites because they could not deny the truth of the miracle so often repeated, did interpret it to their own advantage, saying, the reliques of heresies do now smoak and fly up into the air.
4. In the same year when upon Corpus Christi day, the first solemn circumgestation (or carrying about) of holy bread, was celebrated at Kutterberge, with the noise of Trumpets, Timbrels, Fiddles, Gunnes, and the like, the Heavens (the Clouds being compacted on a suddain ) poured out such a floud of waters, that within half an hour, the Marchants-shops, Carts, and other heavy bodies , did swimme in the streets, which also was mingled with so great a shower of haile, that not onely the windowes of Churches and houses were broken, but even the sheep in the fields, and the wild beasts in the woods were knocked downe, some wounded and others slain.
5. In the yeare 1634. in Autumn, a flying Dragon, flaming horribly was seen throughout all Bohemia and Silesia. And that this was no whit below a miracle, we may gather from hence, because in the same day and houre (about Sun-setting) it was observed in so many and remote places, that our faith could scarce elevate it self so high to credit it, if it were not confirmed by a thousand witnesses.
6. In the same year at Podebrade bloud flowed out for a whole moneth together (the spring neare the high-way being broken up.) Which some have used as a Rubrick (and to beget the more credit) have writ the story thereof with that very bloud. Nor perhaps ought wee to omit that which these eyes have seen in the same year: Upon the City-gate of Chrudim, the Armes both of the King and Queene were painted, with a distich written in Golden letters. These were thrice at least drawne over with Chalk since the Emperors victory: and all the rest being quite blotted out, onely the name Fredericke at severall times became extant and legible by all.
7. In the yeare following 1625. neare Benessow, then in the Dominion of Paul Michna, a Fish pond was wholly turned into bloud; for the space of three dayes, as also it happened in other places at other times. In the confines of Moravia and Silesia great flocks of Crowes and Dawes, flutted up and down; which at length by a great fight continued for a whole dayes space, suffered a great distruction at the village of Bartoschowitz, neare Fulnek; and indeed with other successe then could bee expected; for the weaker part overcame the stronger, some thousands of the Crowes being fastened in the Dawes-bills, fell and perished, without the ruine of scarce any of the Dawes. The Country-men also running to behold this spectacle, filled their sackes with Crowes.
8. In the yeare 1626. at Prague it rained Brimstone, and not long after the Image of the Crucifixe set up at Waltave-bridge, was smitten and throwne downe by a Thunder-bolt. In the same place Kutterberg-gate opened of its owne accord, the post being removed for two or three nighrt, to the great astonishment of the Watch-men; which they were forced to averre upon oath. The like wonder was seene at Prostanne in the City of Lichtensteinium.
9. It cannot be deservedly spunged out of the catalogue of miracles, that which we know happened to the Bibles at Zatek, in that they could not be burned. For when in the year 1630 the Books long before carried out ofthat City, by the joint authority of the Magistrates, were condemned and sentenced unto the fire by the Commissaries, and kindled with wood-stacks (piled in order without the walls, upon an hill near the water-course: the sacred Bibles of Simeon Swoboda (all other books being consumed) suffered the flames without harm (saving onely that their margins were somewhat singed) as also an other book of Ecclesiasticall Psalms, of an old Edition, both whereof are preserved for a memoriall by the Exuls of Zateck, at Friburg.
10. God also the revenger of wickednesse, did sometimes put forth a signe of wrath and indignation against some in the very act of their villanies. Many Apostates, driven and tormented by the sting of conscience, cried out, that they were damned; others not suffering the torment of conscience, did hang or drown themselves. And amongst others that exceeding rich Merchant at Prague, Hans de White, John Campan the famous Poet (who after hee had changed his religion) thus said to his wife, this day salvation is come to our house: whereto she answerred, this day a curse is brought into our house. hee ended his life in despair. Daniel Basil professour in the University of Prague|, was surprized with sudden death. Iohn Chytræus Pastor at Slawkowia, in Moravia, as hee was ready to recant and abjure the Doctrine of the Gospell in the Church, hee was strucke dumbe: and from thence was carryed home, being possessed with an horrible trembling all over, and gnawing his tongue, at last, he died of unknown griefs.
11. Doctor Daniel Knapper, a publick professor of injuries against the Gospellers (under pretence of justice and right) was slain by the suborning of his wife, an Adulteresse, who afterwards was hanged and perished. Thomas Hrich, was created Consul at Rokysan, for his example of Apostacy given to others: but within one year after (upon Michael-mas-day) as the other Dragon, the hater and accuser of the Brethren, being cast down from off the Throne of pride, he vomited up his ungodly soul with bloud.
12. Adam Primate of Sussick, promoted the businesse of universal Apostacy with such fury in his Country, that (without all respect unto Consanguinity) he gave out with great boasting, That if his Father should rise again, he would not spare him: this wretch (by the just judgement of God) fell mad, and flying up unto the highest rafters of his house, from thence he cast himself down, and roaring fearfully, he tossed himself very restlesly. When his Stepmother running to him, put him in mind of his sin, saying, O my Adam remember what thou hast done: give glory to God, speake, pray. He onely drawing his mouth aside, and putting out his tongue, in an astonishing manner, breathed out his last.
13. Florianus Libochovius, the Governour of the Horazdovian Dominion, a perverse Apostate, a betrayer of the Citizens, shot himself to death with a pistol bullet. Hodina, a Citizen of Czaslavia, but a man of great unconstancy, induced with hope either of reward or dignity, did shew himself so eager in slaying Zisca (cotinually raging with his virulent and malicious tongue, against the deceased Noble-man) that within a few dayes after, he breathed his last; either being broken with the sedulous attempt, or else perishing by a peculiar vengeance.
13. A certain novice Church-warden, very wicked and audacious in defacing the Churches of Litomerzicium, digged out the bottome of a stone Chalice, above Lawrence-house-gate, shortly after hee fell into a sharp disease. For accusing himself of wickednesse, he tore his cloathes from off his body, pulled off his hair, not suffering his wife or any come near him, although for horrour and stink none could come to him. At length after that he had belched up an incredible torrent of bloud, through his wicked throat, he was choaked by his own bloud, being an utter enemy to the bloud of Christ. When this was known to the whole City, there was no man (no not the Mason) though of the Popes faction, (being terrified with this fresh example) which would so much as touch the marble Chalice, all guilded over found in the entrance of the other Church of Al-souls, (laid up in the wall of the larger Tower) in the year 1485. and afterwards trimmed up, which also was adorned with this inscription, Veritas vincit. Truth at last triumphs. They therefore brought in a Malefactor, whom they called out of prison: and gave him promise to set him at liberty, and give him his life, if he would take the Chalice out of the wall, and break it in pieces. This he did for the reward of his life: but a few dayes after, he was re-taken at Austium, and racked by a wheele.
15. Tobias Konig, Consul of Trutnovia, a cruell Apostate, and tormentor of the faithfull, which adhered constantly to their Religion in the year 1629 being taken with a sudden disease, and waxing as black as a coal, uttered his speech like the barking of a dog: and so being made a spectacle for the space of three dayes did vomit up his soul with terrible anguish.
16. George Kanasz, Prefect of the Dominions of the Prince of Lichtenstein in Moravia: when as the day before Christ-tide (in the year 1627) staying with Jesuites in the Prostan court the whole day, he had brought many of the citizens into apostacy (he indeed at that time not professing it, but was induced by the promise of a thousand crownes, to whip his fellow Brethren) and had sent the rest into prison: after a most delicate Supper, he returned in the middle of the night unto the Tower of Plumlovia (being one mile distant from the city) and having well drunk, he slept soundiy. But because he had commanded that they should raise him for to celebrate the night service, to the end he might triumph for the executing of so rare an act. It came to passe (according to his wives after-relation) that he often started and awakened himself out of his sleep, supposing that he heard the ringing of bells in some other place. At length fearing to be prevented, he arose, and made hast to the walls of the Tower, and commanded the Engineer to discharge seven Canons, and the eighth he would dispatch himself; he therefore took the Pearch, and gave fire. But oh the terrible judgement of God! the Gun brake asunder, and the splinters retorted upon him, which tore both his legs, both his thighs, the one arme, the one side, and in fine, took away the skull of his head. This was the reward which this unhappy man received from divine vengeance, for his treachery and tyranny: But the miracle was the greater, for that none of the standers by (being fourteene in number) were hurt, or so much as touched, excepting onely a certain old hunter, whom he thrust out by force beyond the Bulwark, to be received by the Guns, if they had fallen into the bottom: but his girdle, sticking upon a pale which was set in hurdles for a protecting basket filled with earth) did preserve him from falling, untill shouting out for help, he was drawn up and saved by those which were there present. This he afterwards related to the Prince, and obtained a priviledge, that he should not be compelled to forsake his Religion. Surely this was an evident example of divine vengeance: yet notwithstanding, blind men attributed this, even as all others, not to divine ment, but to blind chance.
17. George of Machod, Auditor and Patron of the Brethren in Moravia from his youth, afterwards (from a Noble-man being made a Count) he became a most perverse Apostate (who buried holy Bibles in stinking channels, as we have noted in the chapter immediately preceding) and was punished by God after a miraculous manner, with a terrible disease in his throat, whereby his tongue putrified, and many holes were eaten out below his chin: so that whatsoever nourishment or medicines entred into his mouth, did either straightway flow forth, or distilled out by little and little. All remedies therefore being used in vaine, after his suffering cruel torments about two moneths space, he breathed out his soul, which was most unsteadfast, and sold to Antichrist, for the smoak of honours.
18. At Niclaspurg in the Tower of Cardinall Ditrichsteinius and Governour of Moravia, (in the year 1626) a shrill voice was heard two houres before day, doubling, Wo, Wo, Wo. Many raised by this voice (the Secretaries arose at that time to their businesses) and astonished with the news, heard this voice four times. And because the voice seemed to sound from under the house tops, they went up with lights for to know the matter: they then heard the same words abundantly repeated, sometimes in Dutch, Weh, Weh, Weh, other times in the Bohemian language, Beda, Beda, Beda, but so as those that stood in one corner heard the same things sounding from an opposite place; when they went thither, from another part; so that it seemed altogether prodigious. This truly hapned and was done for three nights together, as is manifest by the Testimonies of eminent men, who themfelves were then present, and became Auditors thereof (amongst whom was John Wodizby a noble Lawyer.) The like voice was heard at Wienna as recorded in a publicke writing.
19. Nor is it unknown, how that in these times certaine persons as in trances, declared in divers places by hidden revelation what horrible punishments should attend the Tyrants and persecutors. Amongst whom was Christina Ponitovia, a Bohemian virgin, whose visions writ with her owne hand, and translated verbatim into Dutch, are now extant in print, she being commanded by him that revealed the things unto her, writ also to Walsteinius the Prince, certaine dehortatory letters, not to persecute the faithfull under paine of temporall and eternal destruction; she sent them also to Gizinia, delivered them into the hands of the Princess, to the great astonishment of her and Gynecius her chiefe usher, she falling into an extasie at the same time in their sight. The letters before they were delivered to the Prince, were opened and read by Jesuites, who laughed at them as a Piccardy fiction; so also the Prince seemed to interpret them. For he smiling, said, that his Lord the King had received letters from Madrid, Constantinople, Rome, &c. but he from Heaven. But hee found how meet it was to jest with holy things: in a short time after hee died miserably of that kind of death which Christina had foreseen and foretold, though indeed he promoted the oppression of the Confessors of the truth, his conscience regretting as is well-known only to gratifie and please those about him,
20. The Lord many times smote Ferdinand himselfe with diverse plagues, for perversely hardening himself against Gods people. For first of all he stirred up enemies succeffively against him, which grievously tyred him with Warres. Yet his Baal-Priests, interpreted this, as desired occasions of continuing the victory and trampling the heretickes on every side: notwithstanding, they often perceived into what streights they were brought not without hazard of their overthrow: yer because all this did but contribute to harden them, the more they returned againe to their wonted course.
21. For shortly after the execution at Prague the Emperors Army was routed by Bethlemius in Hungary: where Bukwoy himselfe, a rare General, was slaine. Not long after the confiscation, where the Goods of very many Gospellers were set to sale, in the year 1623. all the Emperors Army was againe reduced to such extremity at Hodonidum in Moravia, that all was given for lost; had not the Count of Black-Mount imbraced conditions of peace in the Emperors behalfe, which were so low and base, as that he letted not to kisse Bethlemius his feet. Afterwards the Subjects of austria the lower, Rebelled, and much increased their extremity. This likewise is very memorable: the same day, whereupon the first proscription of the Citizens of Prague was published (July the 12. 1627.) the Lord afflicted Italy by an horrible Earth-quake, whereby many Townes and Villages with many thousands of men were swallowed up.
22. In the interim God struck the first born of these Egyptians, these principal men dying (to wit) Pope Paul the 5. and Gregory the 14. Philip the 3, King of Spain, also Charles Albertus, and John Charles Duke of Austria, the Emperour Ferdinands brother, his uncle, his sonne, and some others.
22. At last (when not onely Bohemia but also all Germany was full of Prodigies, and yet these enemies did not cease to bring all things into confusion, and to fill all places with their Tyranny and impiety, God stirred up a Northerne Whirle-wind, which, to this day shakes the Walles of this wicked Babylon.
24. To whom that Gods word might the more appear, even France it self (although professing the Roman-Religion) not induring any longer to behold this daily Tyranny every day increasing, and the growth of the Emperor, brought about by the ruines and oppressions of other Kingdomes, joyne counsels and strength, of which passages God onely knows the issue, for the present we observe the just judgement of God who knows the Nations that deal at War, and to those that spill the bloud of his Saints, he can give them blood to drink, as he hath threatned in the 68 Psal. 34. Revel. 16. 5, 6.