NEWS From Bohemia. An Apology Made by the States of the Kingdom of Bohemia, showing the Reasons why those of the Reformed Religion were moved to take Arms, for the defence of the King and themselves, especially against the dangerous Sect of jesuits.  
WITH A plain Declaration, that those who belong unto the Monasteries and Ecclesiastical jurisdiction (according unto his majesties Letters, and Agreements made between the States of the Reformed Religion and the Papists) have good right, as being Subjects of the Imperial Majesty, to the peaceable exercise of their Divine Service, and building of Churches.  
Translated out of Dutch into Latin, and thence into English, by Will. Philip.  
LONDON, Printed by George Purslow for Ralph Rounthwaite, and are to be sold at his Shop, at the Sign of the Flower de luce and Crown, in Paul's Churchyard. 1619.   

News from Bohemia. AN APOLOGY MADE BY THE STATES of Bohemia, in their Defence against the jesuits.  
WE the Barons, Knights, etc. of prague, Ruttenbergh, Cutna, and other Cities of the famous Kingdom of Bohemia, that receive the holy Sacrament of the Supper of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ, under both kinds, and with one mind and consent hold, and acknowledge the Bohemian Confession; Now at this present assembled in the Castle of prague, both in our own names, and also in the names of those that are absent, send greeting, or make known unto all men:  
That whereas, after many injuries and calamities practised and done, in former years, by the means and procurements of certain malicious and turbulent persons, not only Secular, but also in title Spiritual (as they would pretend) specially that pernicious and most dangerous Sect of jesuits, in the Kingdom of Bohemia (whose whole practices, actions, and counsels, tend only and specially, by crafty and subtle means, not only to bring our Kings sovereign Majesty, but also the States, and all the common people of the said Kingdom, that receive the holy Sacrament of the precious Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ (sub utraque) under both kinds, into the yoke and subjection of foreign power, that is, of the Church of Rome) not only by the Estates, but also by all others the Inhabitants of the said Kingdom, as well in Civil as Ecclesiastical causes, sustained and endured. In the years of our Lord 1609. and 1610. all contentions and controversies were fully pacified and ended; and to that end, by the Letters Patents of Rodulphus; the late emperors Majesty of famous Memory, as also by consent of both parts, that receive the Sacrament as well sub una, as sub utraque: that is, under one, and under both kinds, at a general Assembly or Parliament, then made and holden, it was firmly agreed upon, and generally confirmed and consented unto: that neither part should from thenceforth trouble, grieve or molest one the other; but that as well they that received sub una, and those that communicated sub altra, according to the Union made and confirmed between them, should from thenceforth, peaceably and quietly, at all times, and in all places, without interruption either of Spiritual or Temporal Authority, freely serve God; as by the said Letters Patents, Contract, and public Assembly of Parliament holden, more at large appeareth. The which also his Imperial Majesty, our Sovereign King, of his great and Princely clemency, at his entry into the reign of this his Kingdom, according to the manner and ancient custom of the Land, not only generally, but specially ratified and confirmed.  
Nevertheless, the aforesaid common enemies, as well of the King, and this Kingdom, as of all peace and quietness, have spared no means, pains, nor labour, to devise and practise, not only, how, and which way, they might procure the breach and annihilating of the said most desired and confirmed Peace; but also to effect their evil, wicked, and pernicious purposes and intents, secretly practised against this Kingdom, and the Inhabitants thereof: And to that end, (when the said Peace and Union was fully ratified and confirmed) rejecting all other points, not only refused to agree unto the said Letters Patents, and Peace made; but also utterly denied to subscribe unto the Amnestia, (whereby we, by the late emperors Rodulphus, of famous memory, consent, were fully and wholly reconciled together, and all revenge and evil will to surcease and be ended) but rather sought by all the means they could practise and devise, wholly and altogether to dissolve and exterminate the same; and to many men daily showed their wicked and malicious intent: whereas before they were not only secret, but in many causes and actions, open enemies unto this their native Country, going about to bereave and take from our present Lord and sovereign King, the assignation of this Kingdom, and to transfer the same unto another: But when they could not effect the same, and their hopes therein were altogether frustrated (for that, by God's mercy, in his time appointed, all things by the commandment of the emperors Majesty, our sovereign Lord and King, were fully confirmed) they proceeded so far, through the procurement of the jesuits, and others their adherents; again by many slanderous reports, and censures, both by word of mouth, and writing, to publish and proclaim all those in this Kingdom that receive the Communion under both Kinds, to be notorious Heretics: with whom, according to a maxim of their Papistical doctrine, they are not bound (as they teach) to keep or hold any faith or promise: giving also divers other new-fayned, and infamous names, both unto us, and the doctrine of the Gospel, to the great contempt of our Religion of receiving under both kinds; and not only that, but also in their scandalous writings affirm, all those that use the same Religion, as also, all that are not conformable to the Romish Religion, to be worthy of, and to have deserved all kind of Infamy and punishment; animating the Secular Magistrate with fire and sword, to persecute all those that profess the receiving of the Communion under both kinds.  
And the better to deceive the simpler sort of people, and to set division and enemity between those of the reformed Religion: the said enemies of this Kingdom, and the common peace thereof, sought to set those whom we, by the King's majesties Letters Patents, and his Graces special Consent, had made Protectors and superintendents of our Religion, at variance: by that means not only utterly to withdraw them from their functions, but also wholly to subvert and overthrow our Religion. For in open Assemblies, when by means of their wicked and secret conspiracies, they had sowed contention and hatred among those of our Religion: when the said Union for Religion on our parts was made, and his majesties Letters Patents in Parliament rehearsed, as also a general confirmation of all our immunities, and privileges of this Kingdom, confirmed by his sacred Majesty our King now reigning, were in specie related; (purposely to further their wicked and malicious intents:) they were by them diversly and contrarily interpreted. Sometime with great promises, and then again with threatenings of incurring the emperors majesties indignation, they sought to dissuade and terrify the said superintendents from persevering in the protection by them undertaken: and by that means made such as in their profession of Religion were not well grounded and confirmed, to doubt and to waver; bringing others, by promises and hopes of dignities, to yield to them, by fearing and doubting to be wholly disgraced and rejected of men, as also not to lose the benefit of earthly preferment; and so, ere they were aware, forsaking the Truth once by them acknowledged and received, fell from the same, to join with them in their erroneous doctrine.  
Then proceeding further, having gotten and obtained higher Offices and Dignities, not only by Princely authority, and virtue of their Offices, but also by the emperors Majesties Regent's, they found means to displace and thrust divers old and well-deserving persons of the Kingdom out of their Offices, and in the same to put other Captains and adherents of their own Religion, and by them troubled and molested the people for Religion: causing them, under pretence of temporal offences, to be punished and tormented. And such Ministers as, by authority from his Majesty, were permitted to preach the Reformed Religion, in divers Villages, they likewise displaced, and put others therein of the contrary Religion. And in the Towns of Prague, they also took such order, that those of the Papistical Religion obtained the chiefest Offices, who by subtle practices and threatenings, found means by their importunities, to deal in such sort with divers Officers, and Counsellors of the reformed Religion, that they were constrained to do whatsoever they desired and commanded.  
Forasmuch therefore, as that it toucheth us the Burghemasters and Council, both of the old, new, and lesser Towns of Prague, which are of the Bohemian Profession, and communicate under both kinds: That whereas we and our Predecessors, as also the rest of the Cities professing the Religion, by a full consent and agreement made by them and us, under our hands and Seals, at a public Meeting, when any thing was to be done and handled touching the Letters Patents, and the liberty of Religion, the principallest persons of the said Towns and Religion, as also of all other Towns of the same Profession, bound themselves faithfully to aid and assist one the other therein, upon pain of incurring perpetual shame and infamy: As also, that by the tenor of the said Letters Patents and Meetings, we were strictly bound, when or at what time soever, the Protectors of our Religion, and of the University of prague, (having any thing concerning the said Letters Patents, and our Religion to be determined and deliberated upon) together with themselves summoned, the Lords of his majesties Council, and the judges of both the Laws to determine the same, there should six persons out of each Town of prague, as also out of every other Town of our Religion, be called to those Meetings: Which we did not so well know, and that because at those Meetings, Offices in Towns and Cities of this Realm were oftentimes innovated and changed; as also, that by those of the contrary Religion, that sat and were mingled amongst us, and by other means, we and our Protectors were much hindered in our proceed; when before the emperors majesties departure from hence, express Commission was given unto the emperors Officers, all Papists, throughout the Towns of prague, that they, contrary to all ancient custom, should take upon them to inquire of the foundations of the Reformed Churches, as also to deal and meddle with the revenues thereof, and that without them and their consents, we neither could nor should determine upon, nor dispose of any cause concerning our Religion in any of our Diocese, as before we had done: All which tend to the annihilating of his majesties liberty granted unto us by his Letters Patents, and of the Union (wherein, among other things, is contained and set down, that as much as concerning those of the Religion, as also their Churches, that the emperors Majesty should not trouble himself therewith, but that they of the Religion themselves, without the Emperor, should end and determine the same) and were thereunto persuaded by them, that for because the said Protectors, having twice by their Letters summoned them to meet, we (contrary to ancient custom) sent no man of our Religion thereunto: but with them of the contrary Sect, did consult of things concerning our Religion (which they should not do) and further wrote unto the emperors Majesty, our Sovereign King, that we sent no such unto the Council to deal or speak for us, and that so we agreed and consented unto their said proceed. Adding further, that all of us, with one full and free consent, had agreed not to have any other Protector of our Cause and Religion, but only the emperors sacred Majesty: whereby what injury might thereby hereafter be done unto us, and in the mean time, to all those of our Religion, all men of equal and sound judgement may well see.  
Wherefore, perceiving ourselves to be deceived, and in an error; and further, that it was told us, that as touching the supreme defence and protection of our Religion in this Realm, in our Preface of the Bohemian Confession, which is printed, this is therein openly comprehended and set down; That all the three Estates of the reformed Religion, and their Protectors and Consistories, would have no other Defender nor Protector (next under God) but only the emperors Majesty, our most gracious and Sovereign King, and those to whom by the consent and certain knowledge of his sacred Imperial Majesty, should by all the three Estates of the reformed Religion, be chosen to have the oversight and care of their said Consistories.  
For these, and many other just and reasonable causes, we the said superior States, have at this present assembled together in the Castle of prague, both for, and in our names, and for those of all the three Estates of our religion (which have not refused, nor gone back from the protection, which for our religion is appointed, nor by no means will be drawn from it) by writing to make our reasonable excuse in this case, unto his Imperial Majesty, and therein have so much prevailed, that they once again have all faithfully protested to join with us in the same; & We for our parts have undertaken both presently, & promise in time to come, to maintain and uphold with all our power and might, even to the last gasp, all whatsoever belongeth, appertaineth unto, or concerneth the Emperor's Letters Patents, and the Contents thereof, for our defence, (so they be in such sort joined, as that the one cannot subsist without the other) and be done with his Imperial majesties consent. But that we the said three Estates of the reformed Religion may the better charge these public enemies of the King, their Country, and the peace thereof, and make it apparent what they have further practised, it is, that contrary to the lawful proceeding in the Assemblies of the State of the Land to be holden, they have made and ordained themselves as partial judges of his majesties said Letters Patents, Assemblies and Union: And perceiving that his sacred Imperial Majesty, our King & sovereign Lord, is otherwise employed in divers weighty affairs and business concerning the estate of Christendom in general, and thereby is not able to remember and think upon all the immunities and privileges, contracts, compacts, and grants concerning the Realm; that they might set his Majesty at discord with the said three Estates of the reformed religion, and to move him to grant such commission to them, (which without doubt is contrary to the said Letters Patents,) they have given out by writing to his Majesty, that in the said Letters Patents, & contract of Union, it is not contained, that such subjects as are belonging unto Cloisters, should have any right or authority to build themselves Churches; whereas that is not referred to their own judgements, but as it is said before, is committed to both parts, that is, that if any question should rise thereof, lawful judgement and determination should be made and given therein by an equal number of persons of both religions thereunto purposely appointed.  
This notwithstanding, letting pass that manner of proceeding, at their pleasures they procured a Commission from his Majesty, unto the Town of Bruna, to command them to surcease from proceeding to build their Churches begun. Which they of Bruna certifying to the Protectors and Superintendents of our Religion, by us made and appointed thereunto, and therein sought to be helped, desiring & requesting, that they might therein be aided and protected by virtue of his majesties Letters Patents, and the Unity made at the Assembly of the three Estates of the Realm, in the Parliament to that end holden: The Protectors for their parts, upon good deliberation and advice by them taken, thought it convenient to call the principal Officers, judges, the King's majesties Council of both laws concerning the reformed Religion, and withal, six persons of resort and Town (according to the Act of Parliament, and their instruction therein) to assemble and meet together in Prague, where being met, upon good deliberation they found, that not only those of Bruna, but also all others that are subject unto the Spiritualty within the Realm of Bohemia, (not only by the Articles which are in this our Apology set down in Print, but also for other reasons & causes which here for brevity sake are omitted) are participants of, and aught to enjoy the Benefits, Graces, and Privileges, which belong, and are given by the Emperor's majesties Letters Patents unto those of the reformed Religion: The said Letters Patents among other things specifying (that contrary to the same, and our securities, no Commission or Prohibition, which in any sort might hinder, or let our proceed, either from his Imperial Majesty, and his Heirs or Successors, Kings of Bohemia, nor by any other whatsoever: And that if any such should be given forth or permitted, the same should be of no force nor validity in any such case, what pretence or allegation soever should therein to the contrary be made, set down, or pretended.)  
Whereupon, when we the said three Estates and Protectors, upon good deliberation and advice, had made and given this answer unto the inhabitants of Bruna, the Hill towns, and Cloisters graves which are under the Archbishops of prague, that they should proceed to the building up of their Churches, and in the same for the honour of God, use their accustomed manner of preaching, etc. (always with this condition, that otherwise they should in all things behave themselves peaceably, honestly, and civilly, and not to stir, move, nor give occasion unto any one of the contrary Religion, much less to the Lord Abbot, or the Archbishops, as being their Superiors, of the least cause of offence or motion to anger whatsoever, either by word or deed, (as knowing well that the same is specially, and expressly forbidden) but to the contrary, that they should behave themselves towards them in all reasonable obedience concerning worldly and politic matters, as true subjects ought to do.) All we of the three Estates of the reformed Religion, at the Assembly holden in the Castle of prague, Anno 1615. by common consent of the Protectors, and under our hands in a general and free Court, did approve, ratify, and confirm it, and also at that Assembly made it known unto the Emperor's Majesty, as to our King and Sovereign Lord: as also divers and sundry old wrongs, oppressions, and injuries which were not only done and committed in the places aforesaid touching the Union, but also to the prejudice of his majesties authority Royal, unto the common people, contrary to the express meaning of his majesties Letters Patents, hoping to procure some relief and redress therein, before our said Assembly should break up.  
The said common enemies of the King, the Country, and the Peace thereof, continuing in their accustomed secret practices & devices, and persuading themselves that they could work the Emperor's Majesty as they list, they found the means that our three Estates could in no manner get any answer from his Majesty therein, before their Assembly broke up.  
And further, besides that, certain persons by their means, at common and ordinary Assemblies, Courts, & expeditions used all manner of hard proceed and courses against those of the Religion: at the last, they proceeded so far, that they brought upon our three Estates of the Religion, being the Emperor's majesties true and faithful Subjects, (besides the former over-heavy burdens laid upon us & our poor subjects) for the space of five years, being most great and intolerable taxations & contributions (towards the paying of his majesties debts) which we willingly granted unto, in hope that the same would at length be a means of vnburthening us of our wrongs. This notwithstanding, after our Assembly was broken up, (by the solicitation of divers of the Country's enemies) there could no answer from his Majesty be given unto us, and much less any help or remedy was to be had therein, but to the contrary, we were rather daily more & more wronged and oppressed, till at the last, when his Imperial Majesty was ready to departed out of the Kingdom, and going forward on his journey, lay at the Castle of Brandis, (by their procurement) he called one of the Protectors unto him, Lord Henry Mathias, Earl of Thurin, at that time Burgrave of Carlistein, etc. and in the presence of two persons said to him, That he did not acknowledge nor understand the three Estates of the reformed Religions petition concerning their grievances, to be true as they alleged, and that he had resigned his authority concerning the protection of their cause unto the Archbishop of Prague, and that he would be no more troubled therewith. And when the said Earl of Thurin humbly besought his Imperial Majesty that he would be pleased not to commit the charge of delivering that message unto him, forasmuch as it concerned all the three Estates of the reformed Religion in general, desiring his Majesty that it might please him to give order to the Lord Chancellor then being, to put the same in writing, and deliver it unto him, & he would not fail to bear it unto them to whom it appertained to deliberate further upon it: which although his Majesty granted, and gave Commission to the said Lord Chancellor to do it, yet could not the said written resolution from his Majesty be gotten nor procured from the Chancellor, notwithstanding it had been often required and sought for at his hands. And besides this, the Archbishop of prague, commanded the new Church at Cloystergrave (the building whereof cost a great sum of money, and whereunto some of the Electors, Princes of Germany, and other Noblemen, had liberally contributed) in contempt of the Gospel to be defaced, thrown down, utterly spoiled, and laid even with the ground: And likewise commanded those of Bruna (contrary to the Union) to deliver their Church unto the Abbot, and not to use it, and to leave the keys thereof in the Chancery of Bohemia: which because they denied to do, and desired that they might still have the use thereof, divers of the principallest persons among them were cited to appear in the Castle of prague, and there with great weeping, crying, and clamour, made by their wives and children, were held prisoners.  
This being done, in such manner as you have heard, and among many other things, divers and sundry grievances and oppressions in several places still were committed and done, and from the said places certified unto the Protectors, who by the common people were blamed and taxed, and charged not to have done their best endeavours to let and withstand them: We the chief Officers, the King's majesties Council, and judges of both Laws; as also six persons out of every jurisdiction of the Religion assembled together in prague at a certain day thereunto appointed: where being met, we with them, deliberately considering upon the matter, desiring to proceed peaceably and quietly therein, did nothing else in that Assembly, but only agreed, that by submissive Supplications, one directed to the Regent, the other to his sacred Majesty, which we sent unto Viana, we would humbly crave that his Majesty would be pleased to stay those violent proceed, and withal to cause those Citizens of Bruna, that were detained prisoners, to be forthwith released: And to that end also we by writing desired the States of the Marquisdome of Moravia, the Princes and States of upper and neither Siletia, and the States of the Marquisdome of higher and lower Lusuitz, being Provinces incorporated unto this Kingdom, that in submissive manner they would vouchsafe to petition unto his sacred Majesty for us. Which done, we presently agreed with the Protectors to meet together another day, in the Emperor Charles the fourth his College, the Monday after Rogation Sunday last passed, about the same matter, if in the mean time we received no answer from his Majesty of our petition. But upon the said day, when we met again, according to our determination, we understood, that in all that time there was no answer, touching the same, comen from his Majesty, and also that our troubles and oppressions were not stayed, nor diminished: but to the contrary, by the means, procurements, and malice of our enemies, that his Majesty had written a sharper letter unto the Regent, therein not only blaming the Protectors, but also all us of the three Estates of the Reformed Religion, willing him to certify the same unto the Protectors; the Contents thereof being as followeth.  
1 First, that his sacred Majesty the Emperor understood, and esteemed, that the same our meeting and Assembly, was wholly done and called, against the supreme Authority of his Imperial and Kingly person.  
2 That both the demolishing of the Church in the City of Cloystergrave, and the punishing of the disobedient Citizens of the Town of Bruna, belonging to the Cloister, were both done by his majesties own permission and commandment.  
3 That we had proceeded further in those cases, than his majesties Letters Patents permitted, or authorized to the States of either of the two Religions.  
4 And lastly, that we had used and retained Strangers in matters unlawful, and that we maintained and defended their open disobedience and mutinies against his Imperial Majesty, and sought to support them therein, which his Majesty did little expect at the hands of some of those that were the Authors of those proceed.  
Adding further (that seeing we abused his majesties gracious favour and clemency, and sought to proceed further in those matters than we ought) his Majesty would not fail to look better into, and to inquire more thereof; and therein to do justice, and to punish every one of the Offenders in that manner, according to their deserts: Prohibiting the Defenders in the mean time, until his majesties return into that Kingdom; or upon further order therein by him to be taken, not to summon such meetings any more: Withal, willing the Lord Regent, to certify and to warn the Townsmen and Inhabitants, by any means, not to appear upon any such Summons, nor to join with us, as in the said Letters more at large appeareth.  
Which Letter, We, the said States, little suspected or expected; much less, that by the means and crafty instigation of our said Enemies, in stead of obtaining our request, we should (without hearing) by his Majesty, be judged faulty, and forthwith condemned as guilty, as if the matter or cause were true indeed, as they upon bad and false information had, by their Writings, informed his Majesty; persuading themselves that if his Majesty (maliciously and craftily informed) in his Letters did avouch, and charge us, that We against the Prerogative of his sacred Imperial Person, and Kingly Authority, had summoned and called Assemblies of the Religion together, and that we maintained foreign Subjects in things unjust, against his sacred Majesty, and likewise upheld and protected them in their manifest presumptions and conspiracies, against his Imperial Dignity, and strengthened them therein: which things, in the Laws and Statutes of this Kingdom, are expressly (upon capital pain and grievous punishment) prohibited and forbidden.  
Which although we had not done, and were afterward by some of our enemies themselves cleared thereof, before his Imperial Majesty; nevertheless (being animated thereby, and having the Emperors said Letters in their hands, which they caused to be published and read among themselves, in contempt of Us, and our Religion) they sufficiently showed how ready they were, as soon as any of us should, by course of Law be called in question, for any such cause, before judgement should pass upon us (through malice in their hearts conceived against us) to verify and confirm the same.  
For it is most certain, that it was done by themselves in their secret Meetings, and that the Letter was penned by them in prague, and sent unto his Imperial Majesty to set his hand thereunto: Whereby it is evident, that if we were to be judged by them, that to their own shame and confusion, they could allege no other thing then this against us. But when as hitherto they cannot, neither dare openly assault or set upon us, yet under pretence of Right and justice, they seek to bring us (that are honest men and his majesties true and faithful Subjects) to satisfy their pleasures, into utter ruin, and loss of goods, to the great sorrow and grief of our wives, children, and friends, wholly to extinguish our Religion: And all, whatsoever we, by the King's majesties Letters Patents, as also the Concord, Union, and Agreement publicly made for our Religion with those of the contrary side in Court of Parliament, and acknowledged and confirmed to be a Law and Statute of this Kingdom, wholly to annihilate and overthrow, and by that means to stop and bar the Protectors, and all of us, (when any danger were likely to fall upon us) from daring to call and assemble us together, to prevent the same: Then the which, what can be more dangerous and perilous unto us?  
Which troubles, by them craftily brought upon us, and their sinister practices against us, we seeking to eschew and prevent, when by means of their crafty conspiracies, we could have no answer from his sacred Imperial Majesty of our humble petitions; as also that his Majesty, by the strange practices of them, and others their adherents, was so persuaded, that he believed all whatsoever they falsely devised and alleged; & would by no means credit, nor hear us speak for ourselves: Insomuch as that the very name of the Reformed Religion, and Protectors thereof, was most odious in his majesties ears, which they themselves lewdly were so bold every where to boast and brag of.  
Besides this, as it is evidently known to all men, when they would call any honest man in question, they used all the means they could (though it were against all right, reason, or orderly proceeding) to bring many men, by strange devices, into the danger of loss of life and goods; specially, such as were of the Reformed Religion: and by their judgements and decrees, made black seem white, and white black: the King's faithful and true Subjects, disloyal; and his disloyal subjects, just and true; raising and advancing evil and unfit persons to honourable Estates and Dignities; and disgracing and defaming such as were worthy of honour and desert; cruelly handling, and strangely dealing with, not only their own Subjects, but those also of the Kingdom, as well under his majesties Dominion, as the Spiritualty, for matters of Religion; and against their wills, cruelly (contrary to the manifest decrees of the Union) forced and compelled them to be of their Papistical Religion: And by the King's judges menaces and threatenings, brought divers of the Cities to that point, that they were compelled, that they should no more underwrite to be obedient at the Calling and Summons of those of the Reformed Religion, nor any more to assemble and meet together with them; and many other indirect courses. And being asked by us, whether they themselves were the Authors and Devisers of the Letter, and condemnation aforesaid made against us, they could not deny it.  
For these causes aforesaid, we have proceeded against two of their League and Confederacy: the one called William Slawatam of Chulin, and Cos-chumberk; the other jawslaws Borzita, of Martinitz, otherwise called Smetsanckii, as perturbers and violaters of the Laws and common-peace of the Land: who, for that not respecting their Offices wherein they were placed, have most shamefully and wickedly abused the same, to the great dishonour of his sacred Imperial Majesty, our sovereign King's authority, & the breach of the peace of this Realm, and have put both of them together, with the Secretary their Provoker, & as it were bondslave, who with them hath sown and raised many factions and seditions in the Towns of prague; having first found and proved them to be such persons as in truth they are, according to the old accustomed manner, out of their Offices and Dignities. Against whom certainly (because they are yet living) as also the goods and revenues of them, and of all others, that defend and excuse them; or that will tax, assail, or accuse 〈◊〉 for the same: and bewail against as many others, the violaters of the said Letters Patents, and Union, as we can by any means find out (specially against Paul Michna, a most wicked, pestiferous man; a Traitor and violater of the Laws and public peace of the Land, who from base and mean Parentage, being advanced to the Secretary's place of the Chancery in Bohemia, in short time waxed so proud, that he, together with our said Enemies, did usurp and take upon him the whole government and administration in this Kingdom, over the States, and made himself fellow with the principal Officers and judges of the Land: and despising or contemning them, boldly and rashly thrust himself into matters which belonged not unto him, and by deceits & craft wrought many mischiefs in this Land, raised factions, troubles and contentions, and by all the means he could, laboured, & sought to bereave the States of the Reformed Religion of all their Privileges, and now is gone and absenteth himself out of the Country) whom we will condignly punish according to his and their deserts. To the which end, for the good of his Imperial Majesty, and this Kingdom, our native Country, and for the defence of our wives & children, as also of the whole Realm, from all wrong and mischief, we now at this present, assembled ourselves in the Castle of prague, which we have not done of purpose in any sort to oppose ourselves against the authority Royal of his Imperial Majesty, our most gracious King, and sovereign Lord, or to wrong or hurt our loving friends and 〈…〉 of the contrary Religion (so they will live in peace) sith it is manifestly known that hereby no other Secular or Ecclesiastical person is hurt or hindered, nor any tumult or sedition made, but throughout all the Towns of prague, as also throughout the whole Realm, Peace shall be observed and kept, unless it be in such causes as are before rehearsed, and not to be avoided, and wherein we neither aught, nor can possibly do less than we have done. Wherefore we hope, that his Imperial Majesty, our most gracious King and sovereign Prince, will not otherwise interpret our meanings and actions, nor give credit to our slanderous and malicious enemies: Neither do we think that our fellow-subiects and friends of the contrary Religion, for whatsoever we shall justly do, or have done, against those that are violaters and perturbers of the Letters Patents, Covenants, Conditions, Immunities, Peace, and common Unity of this Realm, or that hereafter shall be done; and much less any other, in their own, or other men's names, either openly or secretly, will for that cause, declare or show himself to be our enemy: But rather hope, that every man, well weighing, considering, and calling to mind the reasons and causes aforesaid, and the just deserts and merits of the said persons, as also that our meaning and intent is not, nor never was, in the least manner, or in any sort, to do any thing against the emperors Majesty, our most gracious sovereign King's authority, or against the Romish Religion, and the Union between us made; will not only excuse, but also take part with us, and aid us (in all things that concern the preservation of the Privileges and Immunities of this Realm, together with the concord and mutual love, peace, and amity thereof) against all those that withstand it. Therefore we most humbly beseech his Imperial Majesty, our most gracious King and sovereign Prince, that it would please him (if need shall require) to publish another, and more large Apology, for our excuse and justification unto the world.  
Given in the Castle of prague, in our common Assembly, upon Friday, next after the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord jesus Christ. Ann. 1618.   

Reasons whereby it is showed and proved, that the people of Bohemia, that are Subjects to the Monasteries and Clergy of the same Realm, in their resorts, by the Letters Patents, and the Union, contracted and made between those of the Reformed Religion, and the Papists, have liberty to build themselves Churches, and freely to exercise their Religion therein, without interruption.  
1 FIRST, it is declared, and expressly set down in his majesties Letters Patents, that all the united members of the Reformed Religion, viz. the Lords, and Knights, as also those of prague, Ruttenbergh, and other Towns, together with their Subjects; and, briefly, all those that make profession of, and acknowledge the Bohemian Confession, no man excepted, shall and may freely and peaceably in all places, exercise their Christian Religion of communicating under both kinds, according to the said Confession, and the Unity made, and shall be suffered quietly to profess and confess their faith and Religion without interruption.  
2 That from the day of the date thereof, none of the superior free Estates, nor any of the Cities, Towns, nor Country people shall, neither by their Magistrates, nor any other person whatsoever, Spiritual or Temporal, be troubled for their said Religion, neither by force or violence be constrained or compelled to exercise the contrary Religion by any means whatsoever.  
3 Thirdly, that against the said Privilege, no Countermand, nor any other prohibition which may in any sort be, or procured, the least impediment or alteration thereof, from his Imperial Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, Kings of Bohemia, shall not be made nor granted: and if any such thing shall happen, or be enterprised and taken in hand by any one, it shall be of no force nor vigour; neither shall there be any further pursuit thereof made in Law, or otherwise directly or indirectly whatsoever.  
4 That his Imperial Majesty certifieth and giveth all supreme Officers, both present and future, to understand, that it is his will and pleasure, that the Barons, Knights, Towns of prague, Ruttenbergh, and other places, together with all their Subjects; and namely, all those that profess the Reformed Religion, and acknowledge the Bohemian Confession, by virtue of his majesties Letters Patents, shall be suffered and permitted by them, and every of them, freely to enjoy all the Articles, Clauses, and Sentences therein set down and declared, and no hindrance, let, nor interruption to be done unto them for the same, by any man; but to the contrary, that they shall aid, help, & assist them therein to the uttermost of their powers: And if it shall happen that any Spiritual, or Temporal person shall do any thing contrary to his said majesties Letters, or to the end thereby to disannul or interrupt the same, his said Majesty shall and will, as also his Heirs and Successors, Kings of Bohemia, and the States of this Realm, every one of them for their parts, proceed against every such persons, as against perturbators of the common Peace and Tranquillity of the Law, and will defend and protect the said States of the Reformed Religion, in all respects, as the Articles in the Statute of the Union concerning the peace of the Land, contain and import.  
5. And in the Articles of Union between both the religions, for the better explaining of the Letters Patents, as also in the Exchequer or Office of the Rowls or Records of the Realm, in Quaterno Emptionum argenteo, Anno 1609. it is inserted in these words, That in such places or Cities under the Kings, Queens, or the Emperor's majesties regiment, those of the reformed Religion, that have not their own particular Churches, places of burial, nor any places among those of the contrary religion, by virtue of his majesties Letters Patents, shall have power to make and prepare Churches, Hospitals, and Burying places for themselves whensoever they will.  
6. In the conjunction of the States of the Religion in Bohemia, and the Papists, with the Princes and States of the Duchy of Silesia, these words are inserted. Whosoever, unless it be the Emperor's Majesty himself, (whether he be a Spiritual, or a Temporal person, of what dignity or condition soever, none excepted) either in his Imperial majesties name, his own, or any others whatsoever, shall go about, or attempt to trouble or molest the Lords of the three Estates of the Crown of Bohemia, or the Princes and States of Silesia, or Slesia, that are of the Ausburge Confession, or any of the Subjects of the same profession, whether they be under Spiritual or Temporal, Catholic or evangelical jurisdiction in their Christian religion, Churches, Scholes, or Consistories, in any manner, or under any pretence whatsoever of right belonging before to the Catholic foundations, Cloisters, Churches, Scholes, Consistories, Rents, Incomes, or Revenues, and now at this present are used and enjoyed by these of the reformed Religion in both countries, and still remain so, and would molest them for the same, it shall be lawful for all the said States of the reformed Religion, to join and stand fast altogether, and to do their uttermost endeavour to the last drop of blood in their bodies, for the defence of the reformed Religion, Churches, Scholes & Consistories, and their appurtenances, and to hold and keep the same for their security: And that whensoever they or any of their subjects or others of their profession, that are under temporal or spiritual jurisdiction, as aforesaid, are troubled or vexed, or by any Magistrate assaulted or assailed violently, under, or by what means or pretence soever it be, as if they were seditious & Rebels, or otherwise, (as the enemies of God and his Word are wont to do, and daily practise the same, as we commonly see.) The said three Estates of the reformed Religion in the Kingdom of Bohemia, upon the first motion thereof made unto them by the Princes & States of Silesia, within one month than next after ensuing, shall levy one thousand horsemen, & two thousand footmen; at the second time, the like number; and at the third time, all the forces in Silesia, to aid and assist them: and the like shall be done by the Princes and States of Silesia, in the Bohemians behalf, if need require. Which their said conjunction, action, and unity, his Imperial Majesty shall fully & evidently confirm & allow.  
7. In his majesties Letters Patents given & granted to those of Silesia, it is likewise expressly signified and set down, that all the Subjects of the Provinces of Silesia, whether they be under Spiritual or Temporal Princes, Commanders, or hereditary Princes of duchies, Cities, Towns and Villages, and other Magistrates, none excepted, shall be therein comprehended, in these words: That none of them, whether they live under spiritual or temporal power & jurisdiction, shall be compelled to use any other religion then that they profess, neither shall be sent away, or banished from his dwelling place, nor put from his office or dignity for religion, or in any sort vexed, molested or troubled for his conscience.  
These Letters Patents granted to Silesia, were after ours, and by us and our means proceeded, neither were they largelier made to them, then to us, nor unto us then to them; & yet we as the superior members, cannot be of worse or meaner condition: besides this, the Articles in our Letters Patents, are generally & compendiously contained, but in the Silesian Patent, more expressly and particularly declared.  
8. At the making of his majesties Letters Patents touching the Union, it was not otherwise meant nor intended, then that the Cloisters are his Imperial majesties princely goods and revenues, and that he, as the superior, hath full power over them, as it is sufficiently known unto them that then were present at the time of the making of the contract.  
9 That in the Kingdom of Bohemia, the Spiritualty have no singular state as those of Moravia and other Provinces have, neither have any voice in Parliament, but are distinguished & ordered by the Emperor's Majesty among the other States, in all things concerning them.  
10. That all Ecclesiastical goods be of the archbishopric, as also of all the rest by superior right, & are under the power and disposition of the Kings of Bohemia, as the highest and supremest founders and patrons thereof.  
11. That the same Ecclesiastical goods by the Statutes of the Land, D. 40. belong to the King's Exchequer or revenue; wherefore, according to a Statute of the Realm, Anno 11. no College nor Cloister, without the King's consent, can alienate or change any thing belonging thereunto, and if they do pawn, sell, change, or alienate any thing thereof, it shall be of no force, and that whosoever doth take any thing of them in that sort, he shall restore the same again freely unto the King, or to any other to whom it shall please the King to appoint him to do it.  
12. That Spiritual men are feodaries and admivistrators of their temporal goods, only for their lifetime, and so they ought to understand it; for that the Kings of Bohemia always had right and power over their spiritual goods, to sell the same unto any of the inhabitants of the Land, without the consent of the said Spiritual persons, and to alienate and make them hereditary, and to record them for such in the Records of the Exchequer or Rolls: whereof many examples are extant in the reigns of Ferdinando, Maximilian, and Rodulphus, Emperors and Kings of Bohemia.  
FINIS.