Page:The History of the Bohemian Persecution (1650).djvu/139

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The Bohemian Perſecution.
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hearken to good Counſell. And that he might not be ſeduced, he would undertake ſome memorable thing, to wit, that he would erect an Order of Peace for the liberty of Conſciences, and that he ſhould be blameleſſe, that called upon Chriſt any way; and to the fellowſhip of this order, he would invite all Kings and Princes that were promoters of the Goſpell, and alſo Catholicks, if they would come. When he had got a Catalogue of their names, he ſigned it, and ſhowed it to them, the number being about fifty; and reading the forme of the Covenant, or ſocietie of that Order made by himſelfe, and bringing forth two gold chaines, giving to each of them one, with the enſigne of Peace made by his owne hands, of which ſort he ſaid he would make more according to the number of the ſocietie of that Order.

3. He demandeth of them, even with aſtoniſhement hearkning unto him, whether they were ready to promote ſo holy and pious reſolution. They know not, they ſay what can bee hoped for in ſo great a matter in regard of his poverty, but hee anſwered, I intended to make uſe of your two beſt endeavors on an Embaſy. Yours Rakin to the Prince of Germany, yours Schmedi to the chiefe of Bohemia and Moravia, but in the firſt place I muſt provide for the ſafeguard of my ſelfe and my Kingdome, yee ſhall therefote firſt go unto Leopaldus and give this advice unto him, and by letters written with my own

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