The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 74
Chap. LXXIIII.
John Jessenius Doctor of Physick.
I. HE was a Hungarian by birth, a Nobleman, and famous for his learning over all Europe. He was made Governor of the University of Prague Hee had the charge of an Embassie from the States (in the year 1613) to the Hungarians, which when he had faithfully performed, being taken in his returne and brought to Vienna, hee was set at liberty by Matthias the Emperour, by the exchange of a certaine Italian, taken by the States. But Ferdinand being possessed of Prague, gave order that hee should bee taken and kept with the rest. Whose bloudy mind toward the Protestants, and chiefly toward himselfe when he knew, he expected nothing but that which happened.
2. He related to his friends, That being to return from Vienna to Prague, he wrote on the prison wals the letters, I . M . M . M . M, which when after his departure many read, and could not understand, Ferdinand at length entring, did thus interpret them: Imperator Matthias Mense Martio Morietur, The Emperour Matthias shall die in the moneth of March. And taking a piece of chalke, writ also a Prophesie, Jessenius Mentiris Mala Morte Morieris, Jessenius thou liest, thoushalt die an evill death. Jessenius remembring these things, addded: As I did not lie (for Matthias deceased the same moneth) so without doubt, Ferdinand will doe his endeavour, that it may not be said he was a false prophet: as it after was effected.
3. Having heard his heavy sentence, he said: You use us too cruelly and disgracefully: but know, that some will not be wanting who shall bury our heads, which you ignominiously expose for a spectacle. Which was done in the yeare 1631. when after Gustavus his victory at Leipsick, the Elector of Saxony entring Bohemia with his Army, tooke Prague: the Martyrs heads were taken from the Tower on the bridge, by the Count of Thurne, with the Electors leave, and were in a solemne manner brought into the Church ad Latum Curium, with great concourse of Nobility, People and Ministers, returned from banishment, and after a Sermon in commemoration of the Martyrs, they were delivered to certaine men to bury in a place which was not knowne by any of the enemies.
4. The Iesuites tooke great paines but in vaine to convert Jessenius unto them. When they urged justification by workes (saith hee.) Although I would now passe to your side, yet I ani exceedingly afraid, that when I have a little time to live, I am not able to make up so great a heap of good works as you require: and what then shal become of my salvation. At this one of them said, as though the victory were already gained. My Jessenius if you have a wil ready to do them, although you should die this very moment, yet we promise that you shall presently fly into heaven. Then Jessenius. Ho! where is your Purgatory then designed for those who cannot fill up their number of good works here? so they seeing themselves derided went away.
5. Being brought upon the scaffold, and turning to the Judges (but scarce heard for the noise of Trumpets and Drummes) hee said: In vaine doth Ferdinand establish his Kingdome by Tyranny: Fredericke shall yet reigne. When the Hangman came and required his tongue to be cut off, he readily put it out, although he did before confesse, That it grieved him very much to be so disgracetully deprived of that tongue, wherewith hee had pleaded with applause, before Emperours, Kings, and Princes; but this base rent would bee no hinderance to his Resurrection. He falls upon his knees, and calling upon God after a stuttering mariner was beheaded; which was laid by to be set up with other heads: and the body being thrust into a sack, and (after the execution of the rest was finished) quartered under the Gallowes without the walls, and hung upon four stakes.