The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 28
Chap. XXVIII.
IN the mean time, God had stirred up in Germany couragious Luther, the Thunder-bolt against the Pope, at which many of the Calixtines in Bohemia being awakened, resolved to imbrace the purer Doctrine of the Gospell, and to seeke for the Ordination of their Ministers, rather at Wittenberge then at Rome; but the Devill interposed and made wonderfull obstructions,
2. For when in the yeare 1523, in the moneth of January, the States of Bohemia, and Moravia being in a great number assembled at Prague, the Pastors also of the Church being called, amongst whom were of Moravia, Paulus Speratus (afterwards burned at Aumitz, by the commandement of the Bishop) and Benedist Optatus, Wenceslaus Litomislius, Doctor of Divinity, and Iohn Charpe, Orthodox men, who propounded to the Regent Matters of the University, twenty Articles, which were as it (were) the forerunners of Reformation, amongst which, these were observable.
That if any man should teach the Gospell without the Additions of men, he should neither be reproved, nor condemned for an Heretick.
That mercenary Masses, serving for Lucre, should be abrogated.
That the elevation of the Hoste should by degrees be cancelled.
That the consecration of Herbes, and such like superstitious rites, should be forborn, &c.
And whereas likewise they had constituted Gallus Zahere, an Administrator of the Sacrament under both kinds, and pastor at old Prague, at the Church called Læta Curia, a familiar friend to Luther, (for he had lived heretofore at Wittenburgh, and publikely extolled Luther as an excellent Instrument of Cod, and afterwards incited the inhabitants of Prague to write to Luther concerning the Ordination of Ministers) the hope, indeed was great for a better condition in the Government of the Church, but it was of a short continuance.
3. For not long after, this turne-coat declining, to give an occasion of offence to King Lewes, returned again to the falser doctrine of the Calixtines, and in the Parliament held that yearę, in the moneth of June, he began to publish Articles contrary to the former, and to solicite the renewing of the Agreement and furiously to persecute the Orthodoxe Ministers, to favour the King and Papists, and that on this occasion.
4. The Pope understanding how the affairs were carried as well in Bohemia as Germany, sent a Legate to Lewis in Hungary, who comming afterward to Prague, and having delivered letters to divers, nay even to the consistory, and to Zahere, he most flatteringly did insinuate that there might be an union in the Church. In the meane time Iohn Pasoke was made Consull at Prague, a deceitfull, cruell and superstious man, whose faction potently prevailing, Zahere joined himself with that part, and wrote in that nature to the Legate in the name of the consistory, that it was an evident testimony that hee was delivered over to a reprobate sense, for after other things hee concluded with these words. As alwayes heretofore so now also wee hold nothing more deare or ancient, than that we may be found constant in the body of the Church by the unity of faith, and obedience to the Apostolicall seat, neither can your reverence expect any thing more welcome than what it shall receive from our Legates, whom shortly we wil send unto you. For truly our Bohemia supporting it selfe on the most sure foundation of the most sure Rock the Catholick faith, hath sustained & broken al those waves of errors, with which our neighbour countries in Germany have been shaken, and as a Beacon placed in the middest of a tempestuous sea, it holds forth a cleare light to every Sea-man, and (sheweth them a Haven safe from Shipwrack. We trust therefore most reverend father for the busines concerning which your sacred reverence did write unto us, shall bee so promoted, that this divine building being established on a most sure foundation, shal be preserved from ruine, onely let your most sacred reverence not thinke ill of a little delay, untill our Legates shall come unto you, and then the walls of our Jerusalem shall be confirmed and our feet shall stand in the Courts thereof, and the God of Gods shall be seen in Zion, and we shall go from vertue to vertue, &c.
| In the time of Lent 1625. |
Your most humble servants Mr. Gallus Zahere, with all the Consistory do commend themselves unto your most venerable paternity. |
5. Being demanded how hee durst persecute the doctrine with so great severity which so lately hee approved, he answered, he was with Luther for no other end, then after having more diligently discovered his conversation & Doctrin & other Piccardins with him, he might find a more easie way to oppose them, which Judas that traitour did before him, when he betrayed the son of man with a kisse.