The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 61
CHAP. LXI.
Joachimus Andreas, Schlik of Holeytsche Count of Assaw Lord of Swijan.
I. HE was a man of above fifty years of age, as of ancient noble family; so he of very good parts. For Heroicall magnanimity, with admirable modesty of mind, a readinesse of acting businesses with a Religious care and circumspection, as also with a wonderful temperature excelled in him. Deservedly therfore by the Orders he was made choise of to be director of their Councels; and afterwards by Fredericke he was chose chiefe Judge, and made Pro-Marcio of Lusatia.
2. Flying from the conquering hands of Ferdinand, he went into Lusatia. But the Elector of Saxony taking of him, although in his youth he was his chiefe Officer, and one that did deserve very well of him, yet by the perswasion of I know not what Antichristian Parasite, he delivered him over to the fury of the enemie. With what resolution he answered the examiners, is before mentioned, when he had received that horred sentence of death, especially that he was to be quartered, and his parts to be scatered here and there, he answered, The losse of a sepulcher is easie, when Rosarius the Minister came to him, and wished to courage and fortitude, he answered, I thank you my Father for your good and godly wish, but know that I have Gods grace and favour, so that no fear of death doth trouble me, once I have dared to oppose Antichrist, and I shall dare to die for Christ. I am now judged by the world, but a more horrible judgment waits upon them.
4. When on Munday morning after five of the clock he heard the report of a Gunne, he said, This is the signall of our death, let me go first; but thou Iesus have mercy on us. The Jesuits troubling him, as before he resisted manfully, so now when he came upon the scaffold, and Seditius the Father of his sect, with others called unto him, saying, Sir, remember yet, he answered, pray dispatch me presently.
5. When he went further on the scaffold, and beheld the Sun shining very bright, he said, Christ thou Sonne of Righteousnesse, grant that through the darknesse of death I may passe into thy eternall light. then meditating, he walkt about the scaffold with that gravity, & a countenance so composed for sober mirth; that even the chief men there could scarce refrain weeping. Having ended his prayers he fell upon a cloth that was spread there for that purpose and so received the blow of the sword. After that his right hand was cut off, and was hung up with his head, on an iron speare upon the high Tower of the Bridge; but his carcase was wrapt in a cloth and conveyed away by some in mourning habits to a cave, and a fresh cloth is spread, which is observed to be done for all of them, that none of those that suffered might see the Corps or bloud of those that suffered before them.