The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 84
Chap. 84.
Matthias Borbonius a Physician.
AMong the condemned persons was Matthias Borbonius, a most excellent and succesfull Physician, being chief Physician to three Emperours; whom when the Prince Lichtenstein knew to be innocent, of the civill broyles, he obtained his pardon, and entertained him for his chief Physician. But that exceedingly vexed his enemies, especially the Imperiall Judge John Chrysostome Schrepelius, who induced by the hope of gain (for he gaped for Borbonius his stately houses) had laden him with flanders. He therefore no longer able to conceale his dissembled rancour gave command to the Sergeants, to set upon Borbonius in the streete of the City as he returued from the Prince, and to beat him with their clubs even to his own house; Which deed however it seemed to displease the Prince, yet it remained unrevenged.
2. This Physician is rightly accounted among the Confessors of the truth, although he obtained not a Crown of Martyrdom. For as often as the Prince or some privatly stirred up, dealt with him seriously about changing his Religion (which they often did) yet it was always in vaine. His answer to Smeczanius is remarkable; For when he intreated him with most eloquent words, and even with imbraces above his ordinary courtesie, that he would turn Roman Catholick, saying, Ah my Borbonius, how much mightest thou promote the Catholick cause, and the salvation of many by your example! He replyed, There is nothing more certaine, then that I should disadvantage your Church if I should become a Member. When he ask’d the reason, he answered him, Let your Honour thinke, that my Conscience is so tender that it will not by any meanes suffer any violence to be used against it. If I should therefore revolt when that speaks to the contrary, I can expect nothing from it but gnawings, and rendings, and torments which will drive me headlong into despair. And I departing with roaring and what honor should I be made else but an example for others to take heed of the same precipicies? When he saw him so unmoveable, he began to hate him, and with others (in the year 1623.) banished him the Kingdome.
3. Borbonius then went into Poland and was admitted by the King himself to practice Physick, and at length he departed this life being an old man of 70 years of age at Thorun in Prussia in the year 1629, 16 of December.