The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 43
CHAA. XLIII.
I. THe Governors of the University and consistory in communion under bot hkinds being warned of these and other matters (which were published in the States Remonstrance) were assembled together at Prague about the beginning of the yeare 1618, and having power formerly given them by the States and confirmed by Rodolphus his letters Patents they chose sixe persons out of severall Lordsships (two Barons, with as many Knights, and Citizens) to consult jointly what was best to be done in this time of their enemies insolence. But presently there arrived an injunction in Cæsars name, that neither the Governours should attempt to call any together, neither should any man who was called, dare to appear, and if any did contrary to this command, they should bee guilty of high treason, and that Cæsar would not acknowledge any man the Governour of his Kingdome but himself.
2. Notwithstanding the Major part of the States met, and when as new prohibitions and threatnings were spread abroad, and those States were certified by sufficient proofs, that the thunderbolts were not brought from Vienna (where Cæsar had his residence) but forg’d in, and shot from the Castle of Prague by the Deputies: Their wronged patience was suddenly changed into severity, and being guarded with a great troup, they go up to the Castle and apprehending Smeczaniuis, and Slawata, the chiefe authours of these troubles, they throw them headlong out of the Castle windowes, together with their secretary Philip Fabricius, who was privy to all their designs. This indeed was done rashly, and without mature deliberation, but they were engag’d to it by a protestation made against the disturbers of the peace in the yeare 1609 (for Pope Lewis was then absent.) The enemies look’t upon it as a miracle that none of those that were throwne downe lost their lives; but truly it was not so strange, that men falling on the soft ground strewed with papers (under the Chancery window) should remain without any hurt. It was rather a signe that God would have them preserved to be the Bohemians scourges.
3. Having begun to put their intent in practise against these men, and appealing the tumult which was upon this occasion raised through all the cities of Prague. They banished the Jesuites out of the Kingdome as the chiefe contrivers of these mischiefs, whose instruments onely these men were (in the yeare 1618. 23 day of May) which act administred a welcome occasion to the enemies, of kindling the War about Religion, wherewith all Europe is in a flame at this day. And although the Bohemians by Embassadours did protest to Cæsar that they had no intentions against his royall Majesty but onely to bring to punishment the disturbers of the publicke peace (being thereunto authorized not onely by his Majesties letters, but engaged also by their protestation made at that time) humbly beseeching Cæsar that hee would not otherwise interpret the action: Yet Cæsar by the instigations of Ferdinand and those of the league resolved to revenge this treason (as they called it) or by the force of arms and the Bohemians on the other side resolved to defend themselves by armes, and therefore chose in that Interregnum 30 directors; the Moravians and Silesians in the mean time taking the Bohemians parts, when they perceived Religion to be the cause of the quarrell.
4. It did appeare that this was that which the enemies laboured for, and that to this purpose they divers wayes provoked the Bohemians, because the Jesuites applauded themselves in this fit occasion, of a totall conquest of the Bohemians: as the States declared in their Apology of some out of their intercepted letters.
5. Those of Cæsars counsellors which did advise them to use more moderation were not regarded. The Cardinall Cleselius Bishop of Vienna, was accused by the Spanish Embassador before Cæsar as a traitor to the house of Austria, and imprisſoned, because that hee was against the War. They report, that when Cleselius affirmed that the destruction of that flourishing Kingdome would undoubtedly follow (if they were forced to a desperate defence of their liberties) Ferdinand should answer,
We would rather have the Kingdome destroyed then damned. An Imperiall Army presently rushed into Bohemia, under Generall Dampier, afterwards a Spanish under Generall Buequoy.
6. In the mean time Mathias Dies, and the Bohemians with the Moravians, Silesians, and Lusations consult whether Ferdinand who wa so open an enemy both of their Religion and Liberties, and rather obtruded on them by subtilty, than chosen by their free consent, and who had intermedled with their affaires, while Matthias was yet living, contrary to his own Letters Patents, should bee admitted to the Crown, and at last conclude that hee should not fucceed. Whereupon they send Embassadors to Franckford where the Electors were assembled for the choice of a new Emperour) to signifie this, and to desire that Ferdinand might not bee admitted among them by the name of King of Bohemia, whom they would not acknowledge for their King. But this was in vaine, for hee was admitted and afterward chosen Emperour, the Bohemians in the mean time electing Fredericke Count Palatine for their King.