The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII.
The Taborites persecuted.
1. IN the year of our Lord, 1444. the Reliques of the Thaborites were utterly oppressed by force and fraud, for Rokizane by himself and others most flatteringly alluring them unto him, did professe, that he was ready to turne to them, if they could hold out unto him a purer Truth, than what he did teach: neither in this cause did he intend to make either himselfe or any of his, Judge, but that the Assembly of Divines in their publique meeting should determine of it. To this the Thaborites consented, and relying on the goodnesse of their cause they appeared at the assembly, where after many Debates Arbitratours being chosen that should pronounce the definitive sentence, which was so to be confirmed by the Authority of the Assembly that neither part for the time to come should ever again provoke one another, but forthwith should join themselves to that on which the Arbitrators should pronounce the greatest truth to be.
2. It was so carried (for Rokyzan had on purpose betrayed the Thaborites to this assembly) that the Arbitrators did pronounce the greatest truth to be on Rokizan’s part: and the poor & simple Thaborites found themselves circumvented by deceit: but not daring to go against the Agreement, promised to perform it, in the Rites thereof. Bur returning home, when they delayed to reform their Church, George, who then exercised the Kingly power, comming down with his Army, did closely besiege their City, and struck such a terror on it, that the Citizens giving it up unto him, did with it deliver their Ministers into his power, who throwing them into Dungeons at the Castle of Podebrad, and at Lititz, he killed many of them, Lupatius with some others, having addressed themselves to Rokizane.