Page:The History of the Bohemian Persecution (1650).djvu/347

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The Bohemian Perſecution.
313

Chap. 101.

The Slanenſeon Reformation.

SLana, otherwiſe a City for the King, yet yielded to Phalaris Martinitz, and by him cruelly handled, over whom Nicholas Hansbursky was made Captain by the ſame Martinitz, who a little before (for ſome fact) was delivered to the Hangman of Prague, and had redeemed his life by Apoſtaſie. This man that he might ingratiate himſelf with the Jeſuits, did ſtrongly promote the perſecution of the faithfull. In the year 624. he appointed a ſolemn proceſſion at Slana (in that pompeous feaſt of the Body) moſt of the Citizens being brought to it, either by deceit or force. John Bleyſſa being cited by him, & ſolicited to be a companion of his Idolatry, refuſed. When he asked the Reaſon, he ſaid: As often as I have received the Lords ſupper, ſo often have I obliged my ſelf to God, to ſhun theſe abominations. The other telling him, thou ſhalt not reſit the Emperours pleaſure; he anſwered, In theſe things which belong to Cæſar it is otherwiſe: but here Gods buſineſſe is acted. He inferring that there ſhould not be meanes wanting whereby thou mayſt be forced, he anſwered, God ſeekes willing, and not forced Worſhippers: The end of this diſputation was a publick priſon, where Bleyſſa ſuf-

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