The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 78
Chap. 78.
John Kutnaur Senator of old Prague.
HE was younger then all (for he had scarce finished his fortieth year) but yet almost superior to all in courage, when the Jesuites coming to him began to speak, he interrupted them, & said, my Fathers, we pray you that you would not trouble our consciences, we are sufficiently furnished with comforts against the fear of death, we need none of your helpe. When they proceeded to speak, he said, we will not hear you, hold your peace Why do you create unprofitable labours to your selves and trouble to us? A Jesuite speaking to his companion, that they were hard rocks and would not suffer themselves to be removed; he answered, You say right Father, for Christ is a hard rock and we are firmly fixed in him.
2. It is above mentioned (60. S. 9.) how he did by a certaine speciall full perswasion of faith prophesie of a certaine miracle about the houre of his martyrdom, and that did happen, he said unto his companions, I underſsand I am designed to be hanged, but whether by the neck, feet or middle I know not, but howsoever it be done, I care not; this only is my griefe, that my blood may not be mingled with yours, that we may be made one Sacrifice to God.
3. Being called out to die, he was sprinkled with the tears of his friends between their imbraces and kisses (especially at the prisons of those that were preserved, Abraham Angelus, Jyprechtus, and Hoslawrus) he did not onely not shed a teare; but did couragiously speak unto them. Play the men Brethren, and refraine from weeping, I indeed go before, but it is but a short time, and we shall meete in the heavenly glory. And then with a Lyons face, as if he were to wrestle with some body, and hopeing for victory, he went forward singing in his own tongue, Behold the houre drawes neare &c.
4. When he had finished his prayer, and the Hangman coming to him and asked him pardon, he gave him his purse with some mony, and presently reached out his hand to be bound, he did admonish him, that he would do his office in a Christian manner. When he went up the Ladder, to be tyed to the beame, that was fasten’d to the Court-window, he cryed with a loud voice, as if it were a certain roaring, I have plotted no Treason, I have committed no murther, I have done no deed worthy of death; but I die because I have been faithfull to the Gospell and my Country. O God pardon my enemies, for they know not what they do, but thou Christ Jesus have pitty on me, for I commit my soul unto thee. Being thrown off the Ladder gave up the Ghost.