Page:The History of the Bohemian Persecution (1650).djvu/149

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The Bohemian Perſecution.
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the diſturbers of the peace in the yeare 1609 (for Pope Lewis was then abſent.) The enemies look’t upon it as a miracle that none of thoſe that were throwne downe loſt their lives; but truly it was not ſo ſtrange, that men falling on the ſoft ground ſtrewed with papers (under the Chancery window) ſhould remain without any hurt. It was rather a ſigne that God would have them preſerved to be the Bohemians ſcourges.

3. Having begun to put their intent in practiſe againſt theſe men, and appealing the tumult which was upon this occaſion raised through all the cities of Prague. They baniſhed the Jeſuites out of the Kingdome as the chiefe contrivers of theſe miſchiefs, whoſe inſtruments onely theſe men were (in the yeare 1618. 23 day of May) which act adminiſtred a welcome occaſion to the enemies, of kindling the War about Religion, wherewith all Europe is in a flame at this day. And although the Bohemians by Embaſſadours did proteſt to ſar that they had no intentions againſt his royall Majeſty but onely to bring to puniſhment the diſturbers of the publicke peace (being thereunto authorized not onely by his Majeſties letters, but engaged alſo by their proteſtation made at that time) humbly beſeeching ſar that hee would not otherwiſe interpret the action: Yet ſar by the inſtigations of Ferdinand and thoſe of the league reſolved to re-

venge