The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 52
Chap. LII.
I. CIvill affaires in what manner soever setled, and the thirst of the whore of Babylon, either being slaked or more inflamed by the bloud of the Peeres (of whom on the 21 of June in the yeare 1621 they had slaine 27. With more violence now they set upon the Churches. For about the time of the birth of Christ an Edict came forth in the name of Prince Liehtenstine (Governour of Bohemia) ‘wherein all the blame of the fore-past rebellion was laid upon the Parishes of Prague, because they had stirred up by their seditious, and lying sermons and writings as well the common people, as the Peeres and Nobility against Cæsar, because they were the Authors of new and pernitious confederacies, and of creating a new King: and neither as yet do cease like turbulent rash and seditious men openly to disturb all things, and by degrees to possesse the people of Cæsars new and fresh hatred. Publickly therefore for the accommodation of quietnesse, that all those in Prague within three dayes, others throughout the whole Kingdome and united Provinces within eight dayes should be banished, and that for ever. And that if any under pretence whatsoever, shall stay within the confines of the Kingdome or should ever returne againe, or if any one should presurne to harbour or conceale them, by the same law both the one and the other shall suffer death. Dated at Prague 13 December, 1621.
2. Thus the Ministers of Bohemia (for there was care had of the Germans in favour to the Saxons) were cast out of Prague, their Churches given to the Jesuites; what drooping of the Godly, what anguish of Consciences, what lamentation of them that followed their Ministers was there, and what bidding farewell to them even for ever, cannot now bee expressed.
3. These that follow were the names of the Parishes and Ministers of them.
George Dicastus was Minister neer to the delectable Pallace, and Administrator of the Consistory under both kinds with his two Colleagues Wenzeslaus Viccarius and Iohn Lausman?
Old Prague.
M.Victorius Vurbenins of St. Nicholas.
M.Samuel Martinius of Castuly.
Jacobus Iacobides of Martins.
Vitus Iakessius of St.Gallus
Iohannes Lunacius of Giles.
Gallus Zolanius being a little before dead, a man very eminent for his Orthodoxe writings, with the Deacon John Vurssovius.
M.James Jacobus of St. Michaels.
New-Prague.
M. Tobias Adelbertus of Clemens.
Mathias Stecius of adelbert the greater.
Matthias Janda of Michaels.
Nicholas Matzick of Adelbert the lesser.
John Hartvicius of Stephens.
Adam Clemens of Wenceslaus.
John Rasaceus of St. Nicholas of the lesser Prague.
4. The Ministers of the Brethren John Cyrillus Senior of the Consistory and John Corvinus, and Paul Fabricius, Partly departed and partly hid themselves, for since their Auditours were not limited to one Parish, but were dispersed throughout Prague, for they fearing that the Church of Bethlehem, might not be taken from them, or not alwaies lawfull for them to make use of it, began to build them a Church, and had for a while to their use the Jesuites Church (being at that time void) of which when Prague was taken, they possessed themselves. In the mean while all places were full of Souldiers, and affrightments, they desired that they might not be called together in the Church of Bethlehem (for none would appeare, untill this hurly burly were over. But these multitudes ceased not but rather were encreased dayly, a publicke army once leaving off, will no easily bee brought together again.
5. And because the people of Bohemia were deprived of their Ministers, they flocked to the Geman Churches as many as understood the German language (for they had free exercise in their own Temples built in the time of Rodolphus, the one at old Prague dedicated to our Saviour, the other at the Iesser Prague dedicated to the Trinity. The Jesuites thought it better to move the Elector than to suffer this, presse hard and obtaine, that not a proscription, but a gracious dismission should be given notice of to the Ministers of Germany to bee packing on the 29 of October of the year following, M. How, and the Elector protesting agasnit it. Therefore the Ministers of the Germans went from Prague; M. Gasparus, Wagner, Mr. David Lippuck, Mr. Fabinus Natus, great company of people of both sorts follwing them. Of whom in the middst of the field with great lamentation and howling they heard their farwell Sermon.