The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 72
CHAP. LXXII.
Valentine Kochan, a Citizen of new Prague.
I. HE was a man well learned, and a Mr. of Arts, being about sixty years of age. Because hee being in Rodolphus his time chosen a Governour of the Consistory and University, in the year 1617. When Ferdinando was thrust upon them as their King, he being the Deputy of the inhabitants of the City of Prague, did protest, That by no meanes a King should be chosen, without the consent of the Moravians and Silesians, much lesse crowned: and by that meanes did draw so much hatred upon himselfe, that he was first cast out of his Office of Protonotary in new Prague: now the directorall dignity intervening, he was thought worthy of death.
2. Having called Mr. Rosacius, he desired that the Eucharist might be administred unto him; complaining much of those which did not sufficiently respect that Agreement which was made among the severall degrees of Protestants, and who had promoted this Antichristian persecution, by stirring up strife and debate, because of some difference in opinions and Ceremonies.
3. He discourſed very piously concerning many things in the time of his imprisonment, and did exceedingly encourage both himselfe and others. Among other things, a little before the time that he was to suffer death, he explained that place of Paul [For our conversation is in heaven] saying, The faithfull while they live are in body on earth, but in their conversation in heaven; that is, their shadow is onely here, they themselves do reign indeed with Christ in the heavens: much more their soules being separated from their bodies are immediately with Christ, and it cannot be thought to be otherwise.
4. Going on to the Scaffold, he said: Grant mee (O God) that I may passe through this valley of death, and presently see thee in the land of the living; for thou knowest (my God) that I have loved thy Word. Then he sung the last verse of the 16 Psalme ni meeter, [Bring me (O Lord) through the paths of life, that I may see a fulnesse of joyes in thy presence, &c.] and presently (Now letrest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation, &c,] At length kneeling downe, reciting the words of the Psalm in Latine, [Into thy hands (O Lord) I commend my spirit] and so holily ended his life.