The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 35

Chap. XXXV.

The Churches of the Brethren every where shut up: and some of their Churches publiquely sold.

I.IN so sad a condition of things Satan hath his, incensors, who lay all this blame upon the Brethren, and for that cause were very diligent to bring them into hatred with the King, the Peers and the people: the King therefore giving credit to these malicious surmizes, first by open proclamation commanded all the Churches of the Brethren to be shut up. and then of five Signiories (Litomislena, Brundusina, Chlumecensi, Bydzoviensi, and Turnoviensi, which for that they were suspected of Rebellion, among other things of note, he tooke away their Peers) all the auditors of the brethren, (unlesse they had revolted to the faction (under one or both kinds) hee banished out of his confines.

2. By which thunderbolt no small part of them being cast dawne, they agreed, that they would bee more constant to God. and faithfull to their Consciences: by common consent they went into Polonia in three companies. The first gathered out of Lytomislenians, Bydzovinians, and Clumecensians, to the numbtr of 500 soules: there went with them 60 Waggons, by the County Clacensis, and the upper Silesia. Another company having Turnovians, and some Brundusians about 300 soules, they went with 50 Waggons by the mountains of Giants, and Silesia the lower, The third the same way, containing the rest of the Brundusians. Yet all of them had experience of an admirable divine protection in their journey: (for both in one and an other place they met with such as would have robbed them) and also in most places the Christian commiseration and liberality of men, yea even in Polonia (though they stood for the Pope) for at posuania (where they all met) they were courteously admitted and entertained, before the Bishop had obtained a Maudate from the King concerning the driving them out.

3. Which assoone as it came, they are forced to depart from thence, and to goe into the farthest parts of prussia, by the leave of Duke Albert brandenburgh (unto whom they had sent before some to solicite concerning a place of abode for banished men) and there they that were knowne for brethren being examined of the Lutheran Divines of Regiomontum (for they had with them Ministers of their owne, the chief of whom was Mathias Sionius the Elder one) and another town (by name Soldavia Guidzina, &c.) were shewed to them, wherein they might live quietly, and one Paulus Speratus bishop of pomesania being very courteous and charitable unto them, who in former time passing through bohemia, honoured the Church of Lytomislena, and well knew the manners and doctrine of the brethren. He rejoyced for that he had such guests at borusia, and recommended us to the Prince, who was also very friendly to us.