The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 68
Chap. LXVIII.
Dionisius Czervins de Cludezitz.
BEing conversant in Cæssars Court for many years he had addicted himself to the Popish Religion. The crime which was laid to his Charge was, that when hee was Captaine of the Kings Castle, hee let into the Castle the armed States of that first tumult, (in the yeare 1618.) But this was onely a pretence. For hee demonstrated that it was done by the command of the chief Burgrave, whom he was bound to obey, and by that means sufficiently cleared himselfe. But because for his moderate counsells alwayes prejudicial to the Iesuits, he lay under suspicion of heresie (which afterwards was manifest) it was thought fit that on this occasion hee should bee taken out of the way. But chiefly they hoped that upon this account their whole processe should bee made lesse obnoxious to suspicion, as if it were not carried on against religion, when as they spared not the Catholics themselves.
2. When Mr. Rosacius administred the Eucharist to the Lord Harans, and Kunetzchlumskie, and and for a preparation exhorted them to repose the hope of their salvation in the mercy of God, and merits of Christ, and related the promises made to the people of God, concerning the pardon of sinnes, and assurance of salvation to those that believe in Chrift: He being present, strook his breast & with tears in his eyes cryed out: [This also is my faith, and in this I die.] And when absolution was conferred upon them by imposition of hands, he also received it, which gave them hope that he would also partake of the Eucharist with them. But he separated himself from them at the Communion, and kneeled downe, and prayed so fervently by himselfe, as was an astonishment unto the rest. When every thing was ended, the rest gave thanks to the Minister, and he brake out into these words; I also give thankes to my God, who would have mee here present, and for you, my beloved friends, I heartily rejoice at this pious and holy preparation for death. Rosacius answered; And to you my Lord, the way of Gods grace was open, and we hoped, that after you had professed the same faith with us, and had admitted of absolution, that you would have subscribed the Testament of Christ, &c. He answered: That might, and perhaps ought to have been done. But! And at this word holding his peace, hee struck his breast, sighed and wept, and afterwards added: I rest in that grace, which hath happened unto me: and trust in my God, that he will graciously accept my contrite spirit. It was certaine, that he had reposed some hope in the favour of men, of which he was deprived.
3. A certaine Canon with a Jesuite brought him upon the scaffold, unto whose speeches, exhortations, comforts, and the rest of their trifles, hee seemed little to attend. For hee turned himselfe from the kisse of peace (as they call it) and turned his backe to the signe of the crose; and falling downe on his face he prayed softly: afterwards lifting up himselfe and looking up to heaven, he cried out. They can take away the body, but they cannot take away the soul: O Lord Jesus I commend that unto thee, so hee ended his life being about fifty six yeares of age.