The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 96
CHAP. XCVI.
The Hradicensian Reformation.
I. HRadecium Reginæ, a fine and large City, being deprived of its chiefe Pastor, James Hrabæus with the rest of his Collegues, had gotten a merry Arch-Deacon John Celestine who oftentimes protested, that all violent wayes was displeasing to him, had given hope to them and to others, that would carry on their affaires with mildnesse, therefore going to the Citizens houses, or else inviting them to him, hee did every day delight their minds with his jests and merry speeches in their drinking and playing, he was an insatiable devourer of wine, and a great gamester.
2. When in whole foure yeares time, hee saw no one to be converted by this way; he put on a severe Countenance. Hee did desire that the Croation Souldier being then there, would be a helpe unto him, and therefore, gathering the Assembly together on a Holy-day, he doth explaine the missteries of the Masse, and doth invite and exhort them from the Sermon to performe the Procession; having privatly suborned some of his Army (Collegues) who might promote the busines: when then that no man would follow him (going before with the Hoste) the Croations rush into the Temple and with drawn swords compel them to follow; the people being affrighted, and fearing slaughter, run as if they were distracted, but are repulsed by some troups of his men placed in the Market-place; other some, whether they would or no, were compelled to goe that way: others, notwithstanding, escaped: but the thing was a matter of slaughter to both.
3. In the yeare 1626. The Commissioners of Reformation send the whole Brenavian Regiment hither, with an expresse command not to depart unlesse the City were reformed. The Arch-Deacon thinking to take the chief men, first he goes to some of them, bringing along with him Captaine Stranssius, and first he did imperiously inquire of Nicholas Acantius, a Phisitian dwelling hard by him (being for some years lame by reason of the paines of the Gout) whether at length he would become a Catholicke. Hee replied, as long as I feele no other notions in my heart, I can do nothing against my conscience: But the Arch-Deacon being very angry said; Your sawcinesse hath been sufficiently tollerated, there is now no place left for any sophistication. The Phisitian replied, Credit, Eye, and Conscience, will not indure to be mocked. The Arch-Deacon Replied; As longe as three or foure heads are not cut off, this Cicy will never be reduced to a better state. The Phisitian againe answered. If that you thinke that my head hinders you, you have power over it, and command it to be cut off; I would rather that this halfe-rotten Carkess should bee dragged through the fields, and torne by piecemeal, than to do any thing willingly and knowingly against my conscience. The Arch-Deacon ariseth and flings out of doores. The Captaine following him, spake with a low voice to the Phisitian, Sir you shall not want counsell, the world is large and wide enough.
4. Presently the whole Community of the Citizens are assembled together, with the inhabitants of the Suburbs , and the Gates being shut, they are caled out one after another: and struck with grievous threatenings, the fearefuller promise obedience, those which deny, are thrust into prisons: all the corners Sellers, and Roomes of the court are filled with arrested persons. Presently, the Souldiers (being licentious enough) are scattered to every ones house and rage after a most insolent manner, the fearefull Women and children and Families, runne to their arrested husband and fathers, and weary them with teares and cryes: most of their courage began to faile, and one after another doe give their hands to the enemy, and desire that some time might bee granted them to learn the Romish Religion. So one way and one fear drove these miserable wretches into the Nets of Antichrist which had been so long avoided because they did not remember that they must resist to the shedding of their bloud, and not only to imprisonment.
5. Eight and twenty onely, are found of so great a number of citizens, who would redeeme the treasures of their consciences with the losse of their earthly wealth. And going out with their families to banishment (to wit) Simon Daniel, of Semianina, Iohn Iobolecius, Iohn Zak, Iohn Nigrinus, Paul Iacobius &c. most of them learned men, Amongst whom was Aconsius, who not without trouble tooke care to be put in a coach and carried to Lesthua in Poland, whom a cettain Doctor of Divinity of Selesia, being his friend when hee dwelt in the University, and now being a companion of his banishment, wondered at his constant minde, under this most afflicted estate of body, received him with these following verses.
Above the rest of exiles I behold,
In thee Acontius what may be condol’d,
And wondered at I wonder how you came,
From your own soil so footlesse and so lame.
And that in you which I condole no lesse,
Is, those great mischiefs, which you stil oppress.
The prowesse of the soul illustrious is, unspent,
Though all the bodies vigor be deficient.
6. But Acontius did quietly finish his life in Christ after he had patiently undergone a miserable scoffing life for the space of nine yeares (in the yeare one thousand sixe hundred and thirty two February the twenty five) Simon Semianina was there made a citizen and Consull, so the others else-where.