The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
John Krasa.
1. THis was a chief Merchant of Prague, who comming to trade at Preslaw a Town of Silesia (where at that time Sigismund the Emperour, and Fernandus the Popes Legate, were met to consult about the carrying on the war against the Bohemians) and upon a fit occasion in his Inne disputing strongly, for the innocency of Husse, who was unjustly condemned, and for the partaking of the Eucharist in both kinds, was taken, and cast into prison.
2. The next day Nicolas de Bethlehem a student, was cast into the same prison, who was sent by the inhabitants of Prague to Cæsar at Preslaw; by whom they declared themselves, that if the Emperour would permit them the cup, they would acknowledge him to be their King; But Cæsar was very cruell to the messenger.
3. Krasa exceedingly encouraged him with many religious exhortations, rejoycing that he had such a companion in his Martyrdome. Oh my brother, saith he, what an honour is this, that we are called to bear witnesse to the Lord Jessus. Let us undergo with chearfulnesse so little trouble! The fight is but shoort, but the reward is eternall; Let us remember our Lord, what a cruell death hee underwent for us, and with what guiltlesse blood we are redeemed, and what torments the Martyrs have patiently endured. With these and the like words he was constantly exhorting him. But when they were brought to execution, and the ropes by which horses were to drag them through the City, were tied to their feete; Nicolas being terrified with the thoughts of death, and fed by Fernandus who was then present, with the hope of life, presently yielded and recanted Husse his Doctrine, which then began to be called Error.
4. Krasa standing like an unshaken rock, against all the perswasions of the Legate, told them. That all their hopes of any recantation from him were in vain. Hee was drawne slowly through the streets, the Legate at every turning inveighing against him, and oftentimes (commanding the hangman to stay) crying to him. Pitty your self and recant those errours which the Bohemians have so rashly spread abroad. But he answered ‘I am ready to dye ‘for the Gospell of the Lord Jesus. At length being brought half alive to the place of execution, he was burnt, This was done in the year 1420. March 14. and presently on the following Lords day (being the 17 day of March ) the Legate commanded the excommunication of the Bohemians, made by Pope Martin, together with to be stucke on the Church-gates, and to be declared in the Pulpits.