Zisca
The real name of this zealous servant of Christ was John de Trocznow,
that of Zisca is a Bohemian word, signifying one-eyed, as he had lost an
eye. He was a native of Bohemia, of a good family and left the court of
Winceslaus, to enter into the service of the king of Poland against the
Teutonic knights. Having obtained a badge of honour and a purse of
ducats for his gallantry, at the close of the war he returned to the
in the bloody affront offered to his majesty's subjects at Constance in
the affair of Huss. Winceslaus lamented it was not in his power to
revenge it; and from this moment Zisca is said to have formed the idea
of asserting the religious liberties of his country. In the year 1418,
the council was dissolved, having done more mischief than good, and in
the summer of that year a general meeting was held of the friends of
religious reformation, at the castle of Wilgrade, who, conducted by
Zisca, repaired to the emperor with arms in their hands, and offered to
defend him against his enemies. The king bid them use their arms
properly, and this stroke of policy first insured to Zisca the
confidence of his party.
Winceslaus was succeeded by Sigismond, his brother, who rendered himself
odious to the Reformers; and removed all such as were obnoxious to his
government. Zisca and his friends, upon this, immediately flew to arms,
declared war against the emperor and the pope, and laid siege to Pilsen
with 40,000 men. They soon became masters of the fortress, and in a
short time all the south-west part of Bohemia submitted, which greatly
increased the army of the reformers. The latter having taken the pass of
Muldaw, after a severe conflict of five days and nights, the emperor
became alarmed, and withdrew his troops from the confines of Turkey, to
march them into Bohemia. At Berne in Moravia, he halted, and sent
despatches to treat of peace, as a preliminary to which, Zisca gave up
Pilsen and all the fortresses he had taken. Sigismond proceeding in a
manner that clearly manifested he acted on the Roman doctrine, that no
faith was to be kept with heretics, and treating some of the authors of
the late disturbances with severity, the alarm-bell of revolt was
sounded from one end of Bohemia to the other. Zisca took the castle of
Prague by the power of money, and on the 19th of August, 1420, defeated
the small army the emperor had hastily got together to oppose him. He
next took Ausea by assault, and destroyed the town with a barbarity that
disgraced the cause in which he fought.
Winter approaching, Zisca fortified his camp on a strong hill about
forty miles from Prague, which he called Mount Tabor, from whence he
surprised a body of horse at midnight, and made a thousand men
prisoners. Shortly after, the emperor obtained possession of the strong
fortress of Prague, by the same means that Zisca had before done: it was
soon blockaded by the latter, and want began to threaten the emperor,
who saw the necessity of a retreat.
Determined to make a desperate effort, Sigismond attacked the fortified
camp of Zisca on Mount Tabor, and carried it with great slaughter. Many
other fortresses also fell, and Zisca withdrew to a craggy hill, which
he strongly fortified, and whence he so annoyed the emperor in his
approaches against the town of Prague, that he found he must either
abandon the siege or defeat his enemy. The marquis of Misnia was deputed
to effect this with a large body of troops, but the event was fatal to
the imperialists; they were defeated, and the emperor having lost nearly
one third of his army, retreated from the siege of Prague, harassed in
his rear by the enemy.
In the spring of 1421, Zisca commenced the campaign, as before, by
destroying all the monasteries in his way. He laid siege to the castle
of Wisgrade, and the emperor coming to relieve it, fell into a snare,
was defeated with dreadful slaughter, and this important fortress was
taken. Our general had now leisure to attend to the work of reformation,
but he was much disgusted with the gross ignorance and superstition of
the Bohemian clergy, who rendered themselves contemptible in the eyes of
the whole army. When he saw any symptoms of uneasiness in his camp, he
would spread alarm in order to divert them, and draw his men into
action. In one of these expeditions, he encamped before the town of
Rubi, and while pointing out the place for an assault, an arrow shot
from the wall struck him in the eye. At Prague it was extracted, but,
being barbed, it tore the eye out with it. A fever succeeded, and his
life was with difficulty preserved. He was now totally blind, but still
desirous of attending the army. The emperor having summoned the states
of the empire to assist him, it was resolved, with their assistance, to
attack Zisca in the winter, when many of his troops departed till the
return of spring.
The confederate princes undertook the siege of Soisin, but at the
approach merely of the Bohemian general, they retreated. Sigismond
nevertheless advanced with his formidable army, consisting of 15,000
Hungarian horse and 25,000 infantry, well equipped for a winter
campaign. This army spread terror through all the east of Bohemia.
Wherever Sigismond marched, the magistrates laid their keys at his feet,
and were treated with severity or favour, according to their merits in
his cause. Zisca, however, with speedy marches, approached, and the
emperor resolved to try his fortune once more with that invincible
chief. On the 13th of January, 1422, the two armies met on a spacious
plain near Kamnitz. Zisca appeared in the centre of his front line,
guarded, or rather conducted, by a horseman on each side, armed with a
pole-axe. His troops having sung a hymn with a determined coolness drew
their swords, and waited for a signal. When his officers had informed
him that the ranks were all well closed, he waved his sabre round his
head, which was the sign of battle.
This battle is described as a most awful sight. The extent of the plain
was one continued scene of disorder. The imperial army fled towards the
confines of Moravia, the Taborites, without intermission, galling their
rear. The river Igla, then frozen, opposed their flight. The enemy
pressing furiously, many of the infantry, and in a manner the whole body
of the cavalry attempted the river. The ice gave way and not fewer than
2000 were swalled up in the water. Zisca now returned to Tabor, laden
with all the spoils and trophies which the most complete victory could
give.
Zisca now began again to pay attention to the reformation; he forbid all
the prayers for the dead, images, sacerdotal vestments, fasts, and
festivals. Priests were to be preferred according to their merits, and
no one to be persecuted for religious opinions. In every thing Zisca
consulted the liberal minded, and did nothing without general
concurrence. An alarming disagreement now arose at Prague between the
magistrates who were Calixtans, or receivers of the sacraments in both
kinds, and the Taborites, nine of the chiefs of whom were privately
arraigned, and put to death. The populace, enraged, sacrificed the
magistrates, and the affair terminated without any particular
consequence. The Calixtans having sunk into contempt, Zisca was
solicited to assume the crown of Bohemia; but this he nobly refused, and
prepared for the next campaign, in which Sigismond resolved to make his
last effort. While the marquis of Misnia penetrated into Upper Saxony,
the emperor proposed to enter Moravia, on the side of Hungary. Before
the marquis had taken the field, Zisca sat down before the strong town
of Ausig, situate on the Elbe. The marquis flew to its relief with a
superior army, and, after an obstinate engagement, was totally defeated
and Ausig capitulated. Zisca then went to the assistance of Procop, a
young general whom he had appointed to keep Sigismond in check, and whom
he compelled to abandon the siege of Pernitz, after laying eight weeks
before it.
Zisca, willing to give his troops some respite from fatigue, now entered
Prague, hoping his presence would quell any uneasiness that might remain
after the late disturbance: but he was suddenly attacked by the people;
and he and his troop having beaten off the citizens effected a retreat
to his army, whom he acquainted with the treacherous conduct of the
Calixtans. Every effort of address was necessary to appease their
vengeful animosity, and at night, in a private interview between
Roquesan, an ecclesiastic of great eminence in Prague, and Zisca, the
latter became reconciled, and the intended hostilities were done away.
Mutually tired of the war, Sigismond sent to Zisca, requesting him to
sheath his sword, and name his conditions. A place of congress being
appointed, Zisca, with his chief officers, set out to meet the emperor.
Compelled to pass through a part of the country where the plague raged,
he was seized with it at the castle of Briscaw and departed this life,
October 6, 1424. Like Moses, he died in view of the completion of his
labours, and was buried in the great church of Czaslow, in Bohemia,
where a monument is erected to his memory, with this inscription on
it--"Here lies John Zisca, who, having defended his country against the
encroachments of papal tyranny, rests in this hallowed place in despite
of the pope."
After the death of Zisca, Procop was defeated, and fell with the
liberties of his country.
After the death of Huss and Jerom, the pope, in conjunction with the
council of Constance, ordered the Roman clergy every where, to
excommunicate such as adopted their opinions, or commisserated their
fate.
These orders occasioned great contentions between the papists and
reformed Bohemians, which was the cause of a violent persecution against
the latter. At Prague, the persecution was extremely severe, till, at
length, the reformed being driven to desperation, armed themselves,
attacked the senate-house, and threw twelve senators, with the speaker,
out of the senate-house windows, whose bodies fell upon spears, which
were held up by others of the reformed in the street, to receive them.
Being informed of these proceedings, the pope came to Florence, and
publicly excommunicated the reformed Bohemians, exciting the emperor of
Germany, and all kings, princes, dukes, &c. to take up arms, in order to
extirpate the whole race; and promising, by way of encouragement, full
remission of all sins whatever, to the most wicked person, if he did but
kill one Bohemian protestant.
This occasioned a bloody war; for several popish princes undertook the
extirpation, or at least expulsion, of the proscribed people; and the
Bohemians, arming themselves, prepared to repel force by force, in the
most vigorous and effectual manner. The popish army prevailing against
the protestant forces at the battle of Cuttenburgh, the prisoners of the
reformed were taken to three deep mines near that town and several
hundreds were cruelly thrown into each, where they miserably perished.
A merchant of Prague, going to Breslaw, in Silesia, happened to lodge in
the same inn with several priests. Entering into conversation upon the
subject of religious controversy, he passed many encomiums upon the
martyred John Huss, and his doctrines. The priests taking umbrage at
this, laid an information against him the next morning, and he was
committed to prison as a heretic. Many endeavours were used to persuade
him to embrace the Roman catholic faith, but he remained steadfast to
the pure doctrines of the reformed church. Soon after his imprisonment,
a student of the university was committed to the same jail; when, being
permitted to converse with the merchant, they mutually comforted each
other. On the day appointed for execution, when the jailer began to
fasten ropes to their feet, by which they were to be dragged through the
streets, the student appeared quite terrified, and offered to abjure his
faith, and turn Roman catholic if he might be saved. The offer was
accepted, his abjuration was taken by a priest, and he was set at
liberty. A priest applying to the merchant to follow the example of the
student, he nobly said, "Lose no time in hopes of my recantation, your
expectations will be vain; I sincerely pity that poor wretch, who has
miserably sacrificed his soul for a few more uncertain years of a
troublesome life; and, so far from having the least idea of following
his example, I glory in the very thoughts of dying for the sake of
Christ." On hearing these words, the priest ordered the executioner to
proceed, and the merchant being drawn through the city was brought to
the place of execution, and there burnt.
Pichel, a bigoted popish magistrate, apprehended 24 protestants, among
whom was his daughter's husband. As they all owned they were of the
reformed religion, he indiscriminately condemned them to be drowned in
the river Abbis. On the day appointed for the execution, a great
concourse of people attended, among whom was Pichel's daughter. This
worthy wife threw herself at her father's feet, bedewed them with tears,
and in the most pathetic manner, implored him to commisserate her
sorrow, and pardon her husband. The obdurate magistrate sternly replied,
"Intercede not for him, child, he is a heretic, a vile heretic." To
which she nobly answered, "Whatever his faults may be, or however his
opinions may differ from yours, he is still my husband, a name which, at
a time like this, should alone employ my whole consideration." Pichel
flew into a violent passion and said, "You are mad! cannot you, after
the death of this, have a much worthier husband?" "No, sir, (replied
she) my affections are fixed upon this, and death itself shall not
dissolve my marriage vow." Pichel, however, continued inflexible, and
ordered the prisoners to be tied with their hands and feet behind them,
and in that manner be thrown into the river. As soon as this was put
into execution, the young lady watched her opportunity, leaped into the
waves, and embracing the body of her husband, both sunk together into
one watery grave. An uncommon instance of conjugal love in a wife, and
of an inviolable attachment to, and personal affection for, her husband.
The emperor Ferdinand, whose hatred to the Bohemian protestants was
without bounds, not thinking he had sufficiently oppressed them,
instituted a high court of reformers, upon the plan of the inquisition,
with this difference, that the reformers were to remove from place to
place, and always to be attended by a body of troops.
These reformers consisted chiefly of Jesuits, and from their decision,
there was no appeal, by which it may be easily conjectured, that it was
a dreadful tribunal indeed.
This bloody court, attended by a body of troops, made the tour of
Bohemia, to which they seldom examined or saw a prisoner, suffering the
soldiers to murder the protestants as they pleased, and then to make a
report of the matter to them afterward.
The first victim of their cruelty was an aged minister whom they killed
as he lay sick in his bed, the next day they robbed, and murdered
another, and soon after shot a third, as he was preaching in his pulpit.
A nobleman and clergyman, who resided in a protestant village, hearing
of the approach of the high court of reformers and the troops, fled from
the place, and secreted themselves. The soldiers, however, on their
arrival, seized upon a schoolmaster, asked him where the lord of that
place and the minister were concealed, and where they had hid their
treasures. The schoolmaster replied, he could not answer either of the
questions. They then stripped him naked, bound him with cords, and beat
him most unmercifully with cudgels. This cruelty not extorting any
confession from him, they scorched him in various parts of his body;
when, to gain a respite from his torments, he promised to show them
where the treasures were hid. The soldiers gave ear to this with
pleasure, and the schoolmaster led them to a ditch full of stones,
saying, Beneath these stones are the treasures ye seek for. Eager after
money, they went to work, and soon removed those stones, but not finding
what they sought after, beat the schoolmaster to death, buried him in
the ditch, and covered him with the very stones he had made them remove.
Some of the soldiers ravished the daughters of a worthy protestant
before his face, and then tortured him to death. A minister and his wife
they tied back to back and burnt. Another minister they hung upon a
cross beam, and making a fire under him, broiled him to death. A
gentleman they hacked into small pieces, and they filled a young man's
mouth with gunpowder, and setting fire to it, blew his head to pieces.
As their principal rage was directed against the clergy, they took a
pious protestant minister, and tormented him daily for a month together,
in the following manner, making their cruelty regular, systematic, and
progressive.
They placed him amidst them, and made him the subject of their derision
and mockery, during a whole day's entertainment, trying to exhaust his
patience, but in vain, for he bore the whole with true christian
fortitude. They spit in his face, pulled his nose, and pinched him in
most parts of his body. He was hunted like a wild beast, till ready to
expire with fatigue. They made him run the gauntlet between two ranks of
them, each striking him with a twig. He was beat with their fists. He
was beat with ropes. They scourged him with wires. He was beat with
cudgels. They tied him up by the heels with his head downwards, till the
blood started out of his nose, mouth, &c. They hung him by the right arm
till it was dislocated, and then had it set again. The same was repeated
with his left arm. Burning papers dipped in oil, were placed between his
fingers and toes. His flesh was torn with red-hot pincers. He was put to
the rack. They pulled off the nails of his right hand. The same repeated
with his left hand. He was bastinadoed on his feet. A slit was made in
his right ear. The same repeated on his left ear. His nose was slit.
They whipped him through the town upon an ass. They made several
incisions in his flesh. They pulled off the toe nails of his right foot.
The same repeated with his left foot. He was tied up by the loins, and
suspended for a considerable time. The teeth of his upper jaw were
pulled out. The same was repeated with his lower jaw. Boiling lead was
poured upon his fingers. The same repeated with his toes. A knotted cord
was twisted about his forehead in such a manner as to force out his
eyes.
During the whole of these horrid cruelties, particular care was taken
that his wounds should not mortify, and not to injure him mortally till
the last day, when the forcing out of his eyes proved his death.
Innumerable were the other murders and depredations committed by those
unfeeling brutes, and shocking to humanity were the cruelties which they
inflicted on the poor Bohemian protestants. The winter being far
advanced, however, the high court of reformers, with their infernal band
of military ruffians, thought proper to return to Prague; but on their
way, meeting with a protestant pastor, they could not resist the
temptation of feasting their barbarous eyes with a new kind of cruelty,
which had just suggested itself to the diabolical imagination of one of
the soldiers. This was to strip the minister naked, and alternately to
cover him with ice and burning coals. This novel mode of tormenting a
fellow-creature was immediately put into practice, and the unhappy
victim expired beneath the torments, which seemed to delight his inhuman
persecutors.
A secret order was soon after issued by the emperor, for apprehending
all noblemen and gentlemen, who had been principally concerned in
supporting the protestant cause, and in nominating Frederic elector
Palatine of the Rhine, to be king of Bohemia. These, to the number of
fifty, were apprehended in one night, and at one hour, and brought from
the places where they were taken, to the castle of Prague, and the
estates of those who were absent from the kingdom were confiscated,
themselves were made outlaws, and their names fixed upon a gallows, as
marks of public ignominy.
The high court of reformers then proceeded to try the fifty, who had
been apprehended, and two apostate protestants were appointed to examine
them. These examinants asked a great number of unnecessary and
impertinent questions, which so exasperated one of the noblemen, who was
naturally of a warm temper, that he exclaimed opening his breast at the
same time, "Cut here, search my heart, you shall find nothing but the
love of religion and liberty; those were the motives for which I drew my
sword, and for those I am willing to suffer death."
As none of the prisoners would change their religion, or acknowledge
they had been in error, they were all pronounced guilty; but the
sentence was referred to the emperor. When that monarch had read their
names, and an account of the respective accusations against them, he
passed judgment on all, but in a different manner, as his sentences
were of four kinds, viz. death, banishment, imprisonment for life, and
imprisonment during pleasure.
Twenty being ordered for execution, were informed they might send for
Jesuits, monks, or friars, to prepare for the awful change they were to
undergo; but that no protestants should be permitted to come near them.
This proposal they rejected, and strove all they could to comfort and
cheer each other upon the solemn occasion.
On the morning of the day appointed for the execution, a cannon was
fired as a signal to bring the prisoners from the castle to the
principal market-place, in which scaffolds were erected, and a body of
troops were drawn up to attend the tragic scene.
The prisoners left the castle with as much cheerfulness as if they had
been going to an agreeable entertainment, instead of a violent death.
Exclusive of soldiers, Jesuits, priests, executioners, attendants, &c. a
prodigious concourse of people attended, to see the exit of these
devoted martyrs, who were executed in the following order.
Lord Schilik was about fifty years of age, and was possessed of great
natural and acquired abilities. When he was told he was to be quartered,
and his parts scattered in different places, he smiled with great
serenity, saying, The loss of a sepulchre is but a trifling
consideration. A gentleman who stood by, crying, courage, my lord; he
replied, I have God's favour, which is sufficient to inspire any one
with courage: the fear of death does not trouble me; formerly I have
faced him in fields of battle to oppose Antichrist; and now dare face
him on a scaffold, for the sake of Christ. Having said a short prayer,
he told the executioner he was ready, who cut off his right hand and his
head, and then quartered him. His hand and head were placed upon the
high tower of Prague, and his quarters distributed in different parts of
the city.
Lord Viscount Winceslaus, who had attained the age of seventy years, was
equally respectable for learning, piety, and hospitality. His temper was
so remarkably patient, that when his house was broke open, his property
seized, and his estates confiscated, he only said, with great composure,
The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken away. Being asked why he
could engage in so dangerous a cause as that of attempting to support
the elector Palatine Frederic against the power of the emperor, he
replied, I acted strictly according to the dictates of my conscience,
and, to this day, deem him my king. I am now full of years, and wish to
lay down life, that I may not be a witness of the farther evils which
are to attend my country. You have long thirsted for my blood, take it,
for God will be my avenger. Then approaching the block, he stroked his
long grey beard, and said, Venerable hairs, the greater honour now
attends ye, a crown of martyrdom is your portion. Then laying down his
head, it was severed from his body at one stroke, and placed upon a pole
in a conspicuous part of the city.
Lord Harant was a man of good sense, great piety, and much experience
gained by travel, as he had visited the principal places in Europe,
Asia, and Africa. Hence he was free from national prejudices and had
collected much knowledge.
The accusations against this nobleman, were, his being a protestant and
having taken an oath of allegiance to Frederic, elector Palatine of the
Rhine, as king of Bohemia. When he came upon the scaffold he said, "I
have travelled through many countries, and traversed various barbarous
nations, yet never found so much cruelty as at home. I have escaped
innumerable perils both by sea and land, and surmounted inconceivable
difficulties, to suffer innocently in my native place. My blood is
likewise sought by those for whom I, and my forefathers, have hazarded
our estates; but, Almighty God! forgive them, for they know not what
they do." He then went to the block, kneeled down, and exclaimed with
great energy, into thy hands, O Lord! I commend my spirit; in thee have
I always trusted; receive me, therefore, my blessed Redeemer. The fatal
stroke was then given, and a period put to the temporary pains of this
life.
Lord Frederic de Bile suffered as a protestant, and a promoter of the
late war; he met his fate with serenity, and only said, he wished well
to the friends whom he left behind, forgave the enemies who caused his
death, denied the authority of the emperor in that country, acknowledged
Frederic to be the only true king of Bohemia, and hoped for salvation in
the merits of his blessed Redeemer.
Lord Henry Otto, when he first came upon the scaffold, seemed greatly
confounded, and said, with some asperity, as if addressing himself to
the emperor, "Thou tyrant Ferdinand, your throne is established in
blood; but if you kill my body, and disperse my members, they shall
still rise up in judgment against you." He then was silent, and having
walked about for some time, seemed to recover his fortitude, and growing
calm, said to a gentleman who stood near, I was, a few minutes since,
greatly discomposed, but now I feel my spirits revive; God be praised
for affording me such comfort; death no longer appears as the king of
terrors, but seems to invite me to participate of some unknown joys.
Kneeling before the block, he said, Almighty God! to thee I commend my
soul, receive it for the sake of Christ, and admit it to the glory of
thy presence. The executioner put this nobleman to considerable pain, by
making several strokes before he severed the head from the body.
The earl of Rugenia was distinguished for his superior abilities, and
unaffected piety. On the scaffold he said, "We who drew our swords,
fought only to preserve the liberties of the people, and to keep our
consciences sacred: as we were overcome, I am better pleased at the
sentence of death, than if the emperor had given me life; for I find
that it pleases God to have his truth defended, not by our swords, but
by our blood." He then went boldly to the block, saying, I shall now be
speedily with Christ, and received the crown of martyrdom with great
courage.
Sir Gaspar Kaplitz was 86 years of age. When he came to the place of
execution, he addressed the principal officer thus: "Behold a miserable
ancient man, who hath often entreated God to take him out of this wicked
world, but could not until now obtain his desire, for God reserved me
till these years to be a spectacle to the world and a sacrifice to
himself; therefore God's will be done." One of the officers told him, in
consideration of his great age, that if he would only ask pardon, he
would immediately receive it. "Ask pardon, (exclaimed he) I will ask
pardon of God, whom I have frequently offended; but not of the emperor,
to whom I never gave any offence should I sue for pardon, it might be
justly suspected I had committed some crime for which I deserved this
condemnation. No, no, as I die innocent, and with a clear conscience, I
would not be separated from this noble company of martyrs:" so saying,
he cheerfully resigned his neck to the block.
Procopius Dorzecki on the scaffold said, "We are now under the emperor's
judgment; but in time he shall be judged, and we shall appear as
witnesses against him." Then taking a gold medal from his neck, which
was struck when the elector Frederic was crowned king of Bohemia, he
presented it to one of the officers, at the same time uttering these
words, "As a dying man, I request, if ever king Frederic is restored to
the throne of Bohemia, that you will give him this medal. Tell him, for
his sake, I wore it till death, and that now I willingly lay down my
life for God and my king." He then cheerfully laid down his head and
submitted to the fatal blow.
Dionysius Servius was brought up a Roman catholic, but had embraced the
reformed religion for some years. When upon the scaffold the Jesuits
used their utmost endeavours to make him recant, and return to his
former faith, but he paid not the least attention to their exhortations.
Kneeling down he said, they may destroy my body, but cannot injure my
soul, that I commend to my Redeemer; and then patiently submitted to
martyrdom, being at that time fifty-six years of age.
Valentine Cockan, was a person of considerable fortune and eminence,
perfectly pious and honest, but of trifling abilities; yet his
imagination seemed to grow bright, and his faculties to improve on
death's approach, as if the impending danger refined the understanding.
Just before he was beheaded, he expressed himself with such eloquence,
energy, and precision, as greatly amazed those who knew his former
deficiency in point of capacity.
Tobias Steffick was remarkable for his affability and serenity of
temper. He was perfectly resigned to his fate, and a few minutes before
his death spoke in this singular manner, "I have received, during the
whole course of my life, many favours from God; ought I not therefore
cheerfully to take one bitter cup, when he thinks proper to present it?
Or rather, ought I not to rejoice, that it is his will I should give up
a corrupted life for that of immortality!"
Dr. Jessenius, an able student of physic, was accused of having spoken
disrespectful words of the emperor, of treason in swearing allegiance to
the elector Frederic, and of heresy in being a protestant: for the first
accusation he had his tongue cut out; for the second he was beheaded;
and for the third, and last, he was quartered, and the respective parts
exposed on poles.
Christopher Chober, as soon as he stepped upon the scaffold said, 'I
come in the name of God, to die for his glory; I have fought the good
fight, and finished my course; so, executioner, do your office.' The
executioner obeyed, and he instantly received the crown of martyrdom.
No person ever lived more respected, or died more lamented, than John
Shultis. The only words he spoke, before receiving the fatal stroke,
were, "The righteous seem to die in the eyes of fools, but they only go
to rest. Lord Jesus! thou hast promised that those who come to thee
shall not be cast off. Behold, I am come; look on me, pity me, pardon my
sins, and receive my soul."
Maximilian Hostialick was famed for his learning, piety, and humanity.
When he first came on the scaffold, he seemed exceedingly terrified at
the approach of death. The officer taking notice of his agitation, he
said, "Ah! sir, now the sins of my youth crowd upon my mind; but I hope
God will enlighten me, lest I sleep the sleep of death, and lest mine
enemies say, we have prevailed." Soon after he said, "I hope my
repentance is sincere, and will be accepted, in which case the blood of
Christ will wash me from my crimes." He then told the officer he should
repeat the song of Simeon; at the conclusion of which the executioner
might do his duty. He, accordingly, said, Lord! now lettest thou thy
servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen
thy salvation; at which words his head was struck off at one blow.
When John Kutnaur came to the place of execution, a Jesuit said to him,
"Embrace the Roman catholic faith, which alone can save and arm you
against the terrors of death." To which he replied, "Your superstitious
faith I abhor, it leads to perdition, and I wish for no other arms
against the terrors of death, than a good conscience." The Jesuit turned
away, saying, sarcastically, The protestants are impenetrable rocks. You
are mistaken, said Kutnaur, it is Christ that is the rock, and we are
firmly fixed upon him.
This person not being born independent, but having acquired a fortune by
a mechanical employment, was ordered to be hanged.--Just before he was
turned off, he said, "I die, not for having committed any crime, but for
following the dictates of my own conscience, and defending my country
and religion."
Simeon Sussickey was father-in-law to Kutnaur, and like him, was ordered
to be executed on a gallows. He went cheerfully to death and appeared
impatient to be executed, saying, "Every moment delays me from entering
into the kingdom of Christ."
Nathaniel Wodnianskey was hanged for having supported the protestant
cause, and the election of Frederic to the crown of Bohemia. At the
gallows, the Jesuits did all in their power to induce him to renounce
his faith. Finding their endeavours ineffectual, one of them said, If
you will not abjure your heresy, at least repent of your rebellion! To
which Wodnianskey replied, "You take away our lives under a pretended
charge of rebellion; and, not content with that, seek to destroy our
souls; glut yourselves with blood, and be satisfied; but tamper not with
our consciences."
Wodnianskey's own son then approached the gallows, and said to his
father, "Sir, if life should be offered to you on condition of apostacy,
I entreat you to remember Christ, and reject such pernicious overtures."
To this the father replied, "It is very acceptable, my son, to be
exhorted to constancy by you; but suspect me not; rather endeavour to
confirm in their faith your brothers, sisters, and children, and teach
them to imitate that constancy of which I shall leave them an example."
He had no sooner concluded these words than he was turned off, receiving
the crown of martyrdom with great fortitude.
Winceslaus Gisbitzkey, during his whole confinement, had great hopes of
life given him, which made his friends fear for the safety of his soul.
He, however, continued steadfast in his faith, prayed fervently at the
gallows, and met his fate with singular resignation.
Martin Foster was an ancient cripple; the accusations against whom were,
being charitable to heretics, and lending money to the elector Frederic.
His great wealth, however, seems to have been his principal crime; and
that he might be plundered of his treasures, was the occasion of his
being ranked in this illustrious list of martyrs.
More
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The Catholic Arms At Beaucaire
In May, 1815, a federative association, similar to those of Lyons, Grenoble, Paris, Avignon, and Montpelier, was desired by many persons at Nismes; but this federation terminated here after an ephemeral and illusory existence of fourteen days. In th... The Eighth Persecution Under Valerian A D 257
Began under Valerian, in the month of April, 257, and continued for three years and six months. The martyrs that fell in this persecution were innumerable, and their tortures and deaths as various and painful. The most eminent martyrs were the follo... The Fifth Persecution Commencing With Severus A D 192
Severus, having been recovered from a severe fit of sickness by a christian, became a great favourer of the christians in general; but the prejudice and fury of the ignorant multitude prevailing, obsolete laws were put in execution against the chris... The First Persecution Under Nero A D 67
The first persecution of the church took place in the year 67, under Nero, the sixth emperor of Rome. This monarch reigned for the space of five years, with tolerable credit to himself, but then gave way to the greatest extravagancy of temper, and t... The Fourth Persecution Under Marcus Aurelius Antoninus A D 162
This commenced A. D. 162, under Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Philosophus, a strong pagan. The cruelties used in this persecution were such, that many of the spectators shuddered with horror at the sight, and were astonished at the intrepidity of the... The History Imprisonment And Examinations Of Mr John Hooper Bishop Of Worcester And Gloucester
John Hooper, student and graduate in the university of Oxford, was stirred with such fervent desire to the love and knowledge of the scriptures, that he was compelled to remove from thence, and was retained in the house of Sir Thomas Arundel, as his... The History Of The Silver Child
About this time, M. Baron, counsellor of the Cour Royale of Nismes, formed the plan of dedicating to God a silver child, if the Duchess d'Angouleme would give a prince to France. This project was converted into a public religious vow, which was the ... The Installation Of The Goddess Of Reason
At length the zeal of the infuriated Atheists in France hurried them to the perpetration of one of the most ridiculous, and at the same time impious transactions which ever disgraced the annals of any nation. It was no less than a formal renunciatio... The Life And Conduct Of Dr Rowland Taylor Of Hadley
Dr. Rowland Taylor, vicar of Hadley, in Suffolk, was a man of eminent learning, and had been admitted to the degree of doctor of the civil and canon law. His attachment to the pure and uncorrupted principles of christianity recommended him to the... The Life Of The Rev John Fox
John Fox, was born at Boston, in Lincolnshire, in 1517, where his parents are stated to have lived in respectable circumstances. He was deprived of his father at an early age; and notwithstanding his mother soon married again, he still remained unde... The Life Of William Gardiner
William Gardiner was born at Bristol, received a tolerable education, and was, at a proper age, placed under the care of a merchant, named Paget. At the age of twenty-six years, he was, by his master, sent to Lisbon, to act as factor. Here he app... The Ninth Persecution Under Aurelian A D 274
The principal sufferers were, Felix, bishop of Rome. This prelate was advanced to the Roman see in 274. He was the first martyr to Aurelian's petulancy, being beheaded on the 22d of December, in the same year. Agapetus, a young gentleman, who sold... The Persecution Of Dr Aegidio
Dr. AEgidio was educated at the university of Alcala, where he took his several degrees, and particularly applied himself to the study of the sacred scriptures and school divinity. The professor of theology dying, he was elected into his place, and ... The Persecution Of Dr Constantine
Dr. Constantine, an intimate acquaintance of the already mentioned Dr. AEgidio, was a man of uncommon natural abilities and profound learning; exclusive of several modern tongues, he was acquainted with the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages, and pe... The Rev John Cardmaker And John Warne
May 30, 1555, the Rev. John Cardmaker, otherwise called Taylor, prebendary of the church of Wells, and John Warne, upholsterer, of St. John's, Walbrook, suffered together in Smithfield. Mr. Cardmaker, who first was an observant friar before the diss... The Rev Mr George Marsh
George Marsh, born in the parish of Deane, in the county of Lancaster, received a good education and trade from his parents; about his 25th year he married, and lived, blessed with several children, on his farm till his wife died. He then went to st... The Rev Mr Lawrence Saunders
Mr. Saunders after passing some time in the school of Eaton, was chosen to go to King's college in Cambridge, where he continued three years, and profited in knowledge and learning very much for that time shortly after he quitted the university, and... The Rev Robert Samuel
This gentleman was minister of Bradford, Suffolk, where he industriously taught the flock committed to his charge, while he was openly permitted to discharge his duty. He was first persecuted by Mr. Foster, of Copdock, near Ipswich, a severe and big... The Rise Progress Persecutions And Sufferings Of The Quakers
In treating of these people in a historical manner, we are obliged to have recourse to much tenderness. That they differ from the generality of protestants in some of the capital points of religion cannot be denied, and yet, as protestant dissenters... The Second Persecution Under Domitian A D 81
The emperor Domitian, who was naturally inclined to cruelty, first slew his brother, and then raised the second persecution against the christians. In his rage he put to death some of the Roman senators, some through malice; and others to confiscate... The Seventh Persecution Under Decius A D 249
This was occasioned partly by the hatred he bore to his predecessor Philip, who was deemed a christian, and partly to his jealousy concerning the amazing increase of christianity; for the heathen temples began to be forsaken, and the christian churc... The Sixth Persecution Under Maximinus A D 235
A. D. 235, was in the time of Maximinus. In Cappadocia, the president, Seremianus, did all he could to exterminate the christians from that province. The principal persons who perished under this reign were Pontianus, bishop of Rome; Anteros, a G... The Spanish Armada
Philip, king of Spain, husband to the deceased queen Mary of England, was no less an enemy than that princess to the protestants. He had always disliked the English, and after her death, determined, if possible, to crown that infamous cruelty which ... The Tenth Persecution Under Diocletian A D 303
Under the Roman Emperors, commonly called the Era of the Martyrs, was occasioned partly by the increasing numbers and luxury of the christians, and the hatred of Galerius, the adopted son of Diocletian, who, being stimulated by his mother, a bigoted... The Third Persecution Under Trajan A D 108
Nerva, succeeding Domitian, gave a respite to the sufferings of the christians; but reigning only thirteen months, his successor Trajan, in the tenth year of his reign A. D. 108, began the third persecution against the christians. While the persecut... The Words And Behaviour Of The Lady Jane Upon The Scaffold
The next victim was the amiable lady Jane Gray, who, by her acceptance of the crown at the earnest solicitations of her friends, incurred the implacable resentment of the bloody Mary. When she first mounted the scaffold, she spake to the spectators ... Their Violence And The Consequent Proceedings Of Phares Shidiak
24. Phares Shidiak came to my house to day, and wished to speak with me in private. "Yesterday morning," said he, "as I was in my room reading the New Testament, my brother Mansoor entered, drew a sword he had, and gave me a blow upon the neck. I... Thomas Benbridge
Mr. Benbridge was a single gentleman, in the diocese of Winchester. He might have lived a gentleman's life, in the wealthy possessions of this world; but he chose rather to enter through the strait gate of persecution to the heavenly possession of l... Thomas Haukes Thomas Watts Thomas Osmond William Bamford And Nicholas Chamberlain
Mr. Thomas Haukes, with six others, were condemned on the 9th of February, 1555. In education he was erudite; in person, comely and of good stature; in manners, a gentleman, and a sincere Christian. A little before death, several of Mr. H's. friends... Thomas Hudson Thomas Carman And William Seamen
Were condemned by a bigoted vicar of Aylesbury, named Berry. The spot of execution was called Lollard's pit, without Bishopsgate, at Norwich. After joining together in humble petition to the throne of grace, they rose, went to the stake, and were en... Ultimate Resolution Of The Protestants At Nismes
With respect to the conduct of the protestants, these highly outraged citizens, pushed to extremities by their persecutors, felt at length that they had only to choose the manner in which they were to perish. They unanimously determined that they wo... Visits His Relations
On the 12th of November, 1825,--says Mr. Bird--Shidiak received a letter from the patriarch, in which he threatens him, with his brother Tannoos and another Maronite youth, with immediate excommunication, unless they cease from all connexion with th... Visits His Relatives At Hadet
17. Four of the relatives of Asaad came down, and succeeded in persuading him to accompany them home. He said he could not believe, after all that has been said, that they would do him violence, and he strongly expected that his visit to Hadet would... Visits The Patriarch
6. For some time, we had been looking daily for a regular excommunication to be published by the patriarch's order against Asaad; but instead of this, a letter arrived from his holiness to-day, brought by his own brother, priest Nicholas, containing... W Coker W Hooper H Laurence R Colliar R Wright And W Stere
These persons all of Kent, were examined at the same time with Mr. Bland and Shetterden, by Thornton, bishop of Dover, Dr. Harpsfield, and others. These six martyrs and witnesses of the truth were consigned to the flames in Canterbury, at the end of... William Fetty Scourged To Death
Among the numberless enormities committed by the merciless and unfeeling Bonner, the murder of this innocent and unoffending child may be ranked as the most horrid. His father, John Fetty, of the parish of Clerkenwell, by trade a tailor, and only tw... Zisca
The real name of this zealous servant of Christ was John de Trocznow, that of Zisca is a Bohemian word, signifying one-eyed, as he had lost an eye. He was a native of Bohemia, of a good family and left the court of Winceslaus, to enter into the serv...