The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 23
CHAP. XXIII.
The Brethren in Bohemia cited to a colloquy.
IN the year 1503. the most gentle King Wladislaus did again suffer himself to be transported against the brothers, insomuch that he gave order that they should be delivered to the Magistrates, imprisoned, and at pleasure afflicted. The causes of this were not only the open enemies raging against the little flocke according to their manner, but certain false-brothers. For a question being propounded concerning the secular power, whither it were lawfull for a Christian with a safe conscience to governe as a Magistrate, or to use the sword, or to give, or to exact Oaths, many were of the negative opinion as they are now in this Anabaptist age, but the greater part affirmed, that it was lawfull. The discent did so greatly increase, that those of the negative opinion did separate themselves, and had by themselves a peculiar meeting at Prague, accusing the other that they did admit of the sword, & propounded to defend themselves by outward force. This Calumny being greedily received and brought to the Kings ears, was the reason that the King said, what do they think to bring back Zisca again to us, We shall take a speedy course to suppresse this insolence. The brothers hearing of it, did write a new Apology to the King, giving him an account of their faith, and removing from themselves the late accusations and the blasphemies attributed to the Piccardins which occasioned he King by one edict to mitigate another, and commanded that those of the University and the consistory should have a friendly Colloquy with the Piccardins in which the chiefest of them should endeavour by the strength of reason to recall them from their errors.
2. Therefore in the Calends of January, in the year 1504. The Patrons of the Brothers, the Barons, were commanded to bring their greatest Doctor, to this Colloquie, with the Academians and those of the Consistory. The businesse of the Edict being deliberately canvassed, although they feared treachery, yet because it was held inconvenient to forsake so good a cause, and to exasperate the King, it was resolved that there should be a meeting, they sent therefore but as Sacrifices to the slaughter, Francis Lucas of Prague, and Laurence Krasonice, two Pillars of their Church with, some others, who were comended to the prayers of all the Brethren. There is extant Epistle of Bohusza Kostka Baron of Postupitz, Lord of Litomissa, which he sent to Francis Krasonice, not long after he had taken his farewell of him, I conceive it to be no lost labour, to insert in this place some part thereof. To love life (said the Baron) is naturall, but thou (my Brother) having learned better things, must remernber that thy life is buried in Christ, which that thou mayest injoy thou must dye in Christ. Thou knowest whom thou hast believed, & how able he is to keep thy pledge unto that day, &c. Be strong therefore in the Lord, and in the power of his might, that thou mayst fight the good fight, and mayst receive a Crowne of life. What is the manner of this fight thou needest not to be taught, though peradventure thou mayst be admonished, But that I may no longer detain thee, stand fast beloved brother: As far as humane providence can direct us, we have provided for your safety, neither will we be wanting to you. But if the fury of the enemy shall prevaile, and it shal please God by your death to glorifie the cause of Christ, be you prepared to say with Job. God hath given and let God take this life, as it pleaseth him so let it be. Farewell my brother: Dated at Litomissa on the day of the first Martyr Stephen, 1503. There is also extant the farewell of Francis Lucas to the Brethren at Bolislave, a most comfortable letter.
3. But God who would preserve these instruments from the jawes of the Lions, Mr. Martin Poczatece not the least of the Enemies of the truth, dying suddenly that morning about the break of day, in which they should appear at the consistory. By which example the rest were feared, and the whole City meeting together, they desired that the colloquy might not be in private but in publick, but they pretending I know not what new businesses, adjourned the disputation to another time, the brothers being lovingly dismissed.