The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 26
CHAP. XXVI.
Andrew Policka a Martyr.
HE was a Citizen of Cuttenburgh, but by reason hee had changed hi Religion, he came to Litomissa, to which place his wife being unwilling to follow him, when on a certain time he came back to see her, shee betrayed him. Therefore being taken, hee so long was vexed with the Calixtine Priests, that he promised to live againe with his wife, and to obey the Priests. This he did outwardly; but his Conscience inwardly did check him for it: therefore on a solemn day, when the Parson, his sermon being ended, had brought forth the Hoste, and placed it on the Altar, and the people falling down did worship it, Andrew being not able to contain the fire burning within him, cried out with a loud voice. Hold thy peace thou wicked Sacrificer, It is now my turn to speake. And turning to the people, he said, What doe you doe, deer Brethren, what doe you worship a God of Bread? Oh worship the living God in heaven, blessed for evermore. The Parson forbad the people to return an answer to him, and willed them to lay held on that most wicked knave the Piccardine. At the first, all were amazed, no man would lay his hand on him: at the last some were found, who falling on him, did buffet him with their fists, and beating his head against the pillar, did draw him almost covered with bloud unto the prison.
2. The next day he was brought into the Court, the Senate and the Parson being present, and being demanded whether he would speak those words again which he spake yesterday, he affirmed that he would. Being asked again, By what Instinct he durst doe it. He answered, by what Instinct did Abraham depart from the Idolaters, and worship the euerliving God. They pressing on him to tell them precisely, by whose perswasion hee durst commit so hainous a fact? hee answered, By whose perswasion did David oppose himselfe against the worshipping of Idolls.
3. On this they cried out, Hold thy peace, we know these things better than thou, wee need not be taught by thee; Wee know that thou hast here some accomplices, whom, since by thy owne accord thou wilt not discover, thou shalt do it by force, whereupon they commanded him to be carried back to the prison, and by and by to be put on the Racke, but not able by torment to rack any thing from him. they condemne him to the fire, as an obstinate Heretick. the chief Officer being desired by the Priests, not to suffer him to speake as hee was going to the execution, least he should infect the people with his words, The Officer agreed with him to forbear speaking, or otherwise he would stop his mouth. Andrew promised silence, and performed what he promised, speaking nothing all the way, but praying softly to himselfe. At the last, when the fire began to sindge his head, he cried out, Iesus the son of the everliving God, be mercifull, be mercifull, be mercifull to me a sinner, which were all the words he spake. The Priests turning to the people, said, Behold at last he calleth on lesus, in whom he living would not believe, nor reverence his Sacraments.