WEE the Barons , Knights , &c. of Prage , Ruttenbergh , Cutna , and other Cities of the famous Kingdome of Bohemia , that receiue the holy Sacrament of the Supper of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ , vnder both kinds , and with one minde and consent hold , and acknowledge the Bohemian Confession ; Now at this present assembled in the Castle of Prage , both in our owne names , and also in the names of those that are absent , send greeting , or make knowne vnto all men :

That whereas , after many iniuries and calamities practised and done , in former yeeres , by the meanes and procurements of certaine malicious and turbulent persons , not onely Secular , but also in title Spirituall ( as they would pretend ) specially that pernicious and most dangerous Sect of Iesuites , in the Kingdome of Bohemia ( whose whole practises , actions , and counsels , tend onely and specially , by crafty and subtill meanes , not onely to bring our Kings soueraigne Maiestie , but also the States , and all the common people of the said Kingdome , that receiue the holy Sacrament of the precious Body and Bloud of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ ( sub vtraque ) vnder both kindes , into the yoke and subiection of forraine power , that is , of the Church of Rome ) not onely by the Estates , but also by all others the Inhabitants of the said Kingdome , as well in Ciuill as Ecclesiasticall causes , sustained and endured . In the yeares of our Lord 1609. and 1610. all contentions and controuersies were fully pacifyed and ended ; and to that end , by the Letters Patents of Rodulphus ; the late Emperours Maiestie of famous Memory , as also by consent of both parts , that receiue the Sacrament as well sub vna , as sub vtraque : that is , vnder one , and vnder both kinds , at a generall Assembly or Parliament , then made and holden , it was firmely agreed vpon , and generally confirmed and consented vnto : that neither part should from thence-forth trouble , grieue or molest one the other ; but that as well they that receiued sub vna , and those that communicated sub altra , according to the Vnion made and confirmed betweene them , should from thence-forth , peaceably and quietly , at all times , and in all places , without interruption either of Spirituall or Temporall Authority , freely serue God ; as by the said Letters Patents , Contract , and publique Assembly of Parliament holden , more at large appeareth . The which also his Imperiall Maiestie , our Soueraigne King , of his great and Princely clemencie , at his entry into the raigne of this his Kingdome , according to the manner and ancient custome of the Land , not onely generally , but specially ratified and confirmed .

Neuerthelesse , the aforesaid common enemies , as well of the King , and this Kingdome , as of all peace and quietnesse , haue spared no meanes , paines , nor labour , to deuise and practise , not onely , how , and which way , they might procure the breach and annihilating of the said most desired and confirmed Peace ; but also to effect their euill , wicked , and pernicious purposes and intents , secretly practised against this Kingdome , and the Inhabitants thereof : And to that end , ( when the said Peace and Vnion was fully ratified and confirmed ) reiecting all other points , not onely refused to agree vnto the said Letters Patents , and Peace made ; but also vtterly denyed to subscribe vnto the Amnestia , ( whereby we , by the late Emperours Rodulphus , of famous memory , consent , were fully and wholly reconciled together , and all reuenge and euill will to surcease and be ended ) but rather sought by all the meanes they could practise and deuise , wholly and altogether to dissolue and exterminate the same ; and to many men daily shewed their wicked and malicious intent : whereas before they were not onely secret , but in many causes and actions , open enemies vnto this their natiue Country , going about to bereaue and take from our present Lord and soueraigne King , the assignation of this Kingdome , and to trans-fer the same vnto another : But when they could not effect the same , and their hopes therein were altogether frustrated ( for that , by Gods mercy , in his time appointed , all things by the commandement of the Emperours Maiestie , our soueraigne Lord and King , were fully confirmed ) they proceeded so far , through the procurement of the Iesuites , and others their adherents ; againe by many slanderous reports , and censures , both by word of mouth , and writing , to publish and proclaime all those in this Kingdome that receiue the Communion vnder both Kindes , to be notorious Heretikes : with whom , according to a maxime of their Papisticall doctrine , they are not bound ( as they teach ) to keep or hold any faith or promise : giuing also diuers other new-fayned , and infamous names , both vnto vs , and the doctrine of the Gospell , to the great contempt of our Religion of receiuing vnder both kindes ; and not onely that , but also in their scandalous writings affirme , all those that vse the same Religion , as also , all that are not conformable to the Romish Religion , to bee worthy of , and to haue deserued all kinde of Infamie and punishment ; animating the Secular Magistrate with fire and sword , to persecute all those that professe the receiuing of the Communion vnder both kindes .

And the better to deceiue the simpler sort of people , and to set diuision and enemity betweene those of the reformed Religion : the said enemies of this Kingdome , and the common peace thereof , sought to set those whom we , by the Kings Maiesties Letters Patents , and his Graces speciall Consent , had made Protectors and Super-intendents of our Religion , at variance : by that meanes not onely vtterly to with-draw them from their functions , but also wholly to subuert and ouerthrow our Religion . For in open Assemblies , when by meanes of their wicked and secret conspiracies , they had sowed contention and hatred among those of our Religion : when the said Vnion for Religion on our parts was made , and his Maiesties Letters Patents in Parliament rehearsed , as also a generall confirmation of all our immunities , and priuiledges of this Kingdome , confirmed by his sacred Maiestie our King now raigning , were in specie related ; ( purposely to further their wicked and malicious intents : ) they were by them diuersly and contrarily interpreted . Sometime with great promises , and then againe with threatnings of incurring the Emperours Maiesties indignation , they sought to disswade and terrifie the said Super-intendents from perseuering in the protection by them vndertaken : and by that meanes made such as in their profession of Religion were not well grounded and confirmed , to doubt and to wauer ; bringing others , by promises and hopes of dignities , to yeeld to them , by fearing and doubting to be wholly disgraced and reiected of men , as also not to lose the benefite of earthly preferment ; and so , ere they were aware , forsaking the Truth once by them acknowledged and receiued , fell from the same , to ioyne with them in their erronious doctrine .

Then proceeding further , hauing gotten and obtained higher Offices and Dignities , not onely by Princely authority , and vertue of their Offices , but also by the Emperours Maiesties Regents , they found meanes to displace and thrust diuers old and well-deseruing persons of the Kingdome out of their Offices , and in the same to put other Captaines and adherents of their owne Religion , and by them troubled and molested the people for Religion : causing them , vnder pretence of temporall offences , to be punished and tormented . And such Ministers as , by authority from his Maiestie , were permitted to preach the Reformed Religion , in diuers Villages , they likewise displaced , and put others therein of the contrary Religion . And in the Townes of Prague , they also tooke such order , that those of the Papisticall Religion obtained the chiefest Offices , who by subtill practises and threatnings , found meanes by their importunities , to deale in such sort with diuers Officers , and Counsellers of the reformed Religion , that they were constrained to do whatsoeuer they desired and commanded .

Forasmuch therefore , as that it toucheth vs the Burghemasters and Councell , both of the old , new , and lesser Townes of Prague , which are of the Bohemian Profession , and communicate vnder both kinds : That whereas we and our Predecessours , as also the rest of the Cities professing the Religion , by a full consent and agreement made by them and vs , vnder our hands and Seales , at a publique Meeting , when any thing was to bee done and handled touching the Letters Patents , and the liberty of Religion , the principallest persons of the said Townes and Religion , as also of all other Townes of the same Profession , bound themselues faithfully to aide and assist one the other therein , vpon paine of incurring perpetuall shame and infamie : As also , that by the tenor of the said Letters Patents and Meetings , we were strictly bound , when or at what time soeuer , the Protectors of our Religion , and of the Vniuersitie of Prage , ( hauing any thing concerning the said Letters Patents , and our Religion to be determined and deliberated vpon ) together with themselues summoned , the Lords of his Maiesties Councell , and the Iudges of both the Lawes to determine the same , there should sixe persons out of each Towne of Prage , as also out of euery other Towne of our Religion , bee called to those Meetings : Which we did not so well know , and that because at those Meetings , Offices in Townes and Cities of this Realme were oftentimes innouated and changed ; as also , that by those of the contrary Religion , that sate and were mingled amongst vs , and by other meanes , we and our Protectors were much hindred in our proceedings ; when before the Emperours Maiesties departure from hence , expresse Commission was giuen vnto the Emperours Officers , all Papists , throughout the Townes of Prage , that they , contrary to all ancient custome , should take vpon them to enquire of the foundations of the Reformed Churches , as also to deale and meddle with the reuenewes thereof , and that without them and their consents , we neither could nor should determine vpon , nor dispose of any cause concerning our Religion in any of our Dioces , as before wee had done : All which tend to the annihilating of his Maiesties libertie granted vnto vs by his Letters Patents , and of the Vnion ( wherein , among other things , is contained and set downe , that as much as concerning those of the Religion , as also their Churches , that the Emperours Maiestie should not trouble himselfe therewith , but that they of the Religion themselues , without the Emperour , should end and determine the same ) and were thereunto perswaded by them , that for because the said Protectors , hauing twice by their Letters summoned them to meet , we ( contrary to ancient custome ) sent no man of our Religion thereunto : but with them of the contrarie Sect , did consult of things concerning our Religion ( which they should not doe ) and further wrote vnto the Emperours Maiestie , our Soueraigne King , that wee sent no such vnto the Councell to deale or speake for vs , and that so we agreed and consented vnto their said proceedings . Adding further , that all of vs , with one full and free consent , had agreed not to haue any other Protector of our Cause and Religion , but onely the Emperours sacred Maiestie : whereby what iniury might thereby hereafter be done vnto vs , and in the meane time , to all those of our Religion , all men of equall and sound iudgement may well see .

Wherefore , perceiuing our selues to bee deceiued , and in an error ; and further , that it was told vs , that as touching the supreme defence and protection of our Religion in this Realme , 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 haue no other Defender nor Protector ( next vnder God ) but onely the Emperours Maiesty , our most gracious and Soueraigne King , and those to whom by the consent and certaine knowledge of his sacred Imperiall Maiesty , should by all the three Estates of the reformed Religion , be chosen to haue the ouersight and care of their said Consistories .

For these , and many other iust and reasonable causes , wee the said superiour States , haue at this present assembled together in the Castle of Prage , both for , and in our names , and for those of all the three Estates of our religion ( which haue not refused , nor gone backe from the protection , which for our religion is appointed , nor by no meanes will be drawne from it ) by writing to make our reasonable excuse in this case , vnto his Imperiall Maiestie , and therein haue so much preuailed , that they once againe haue all faithfully protested to ioyne with vs in the same ; & We for our parts haue vndertaken both presently , & promise in time to come , to maintain and vphold with all our power and might , euen to the last gaspe , all whatsoeuer belongeth , appertaineth vnto , or concerneth the Emperors Letters Patents , and the Contents thereof , for our defence , ( so they bee in such sort ioyned , as that the one cannot subsist without the other ) and be done with his Imperiall Maiesties consent . But that we the said three Estates of the reformed Religion may the better charge these publike enemies of the King , their Country , and the peace thereof , and make it apparant what they haue further practised , it is , that contrary to the lawfull proceeding in the Assemblies of the State of the Land to be holden , they haue made and ordained themselues as partiall Iudges of his Maiesties said Letters Patents , Assemblies and Vnion : And perceiuing that his sacred Imperiall Maiesty , our King & soueraigne Lord , is otherwise employed in diuers waighty affaires and businesse concerning the estate of Christendome in generall , and thereby is not able to remember and thinke vpon all the immunities and priuiledges , contracts , compacts , and grants concerning the Realme ; that they might set his Maiesty at discord with the sayd three Estates of the reformed religion , and to mooue him to grant such commission to them , ( which without doubt is contrary to the said Letters Patents , ) they haue giuen out by writing to his Maiesty , that in the saide Letters Patents , & contract of Vnion , it is not contained , that such subiects as are belonging vnto Cloysters , should haue any right or authority to build themselues Churches ; whereas that is not referred to their owne iudgements , but as it is said before , is committed to both parts , that is , that if any question should rise thereof , lawfull iudgement and determination should be made and giuen therein by an equall number of persons of both religions therevnto purposely appointed .

This notwithstanding , letting passe that manner of proceeding , at their pleasures they procured a Commission from his Maiesty , vnto the Towne 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 vs made and appointed thereunto , and therein sought to be holpen , desiring & requesting , that they might therein bee ayded and protected by vertue of his Maiesties Letters Patents , and the Vnity made at the Assembly of the three Estates of the Realme , in the Parliament to that end holden : The Protectors for their parts , vpon good deliberation and aduice by them taken , thought it conuenient to call the principall Officers , Iudges , the Kings Maiesties Councell of both lawes concerning the reformed Religion , and withall , sixe persons of resort and Towne ( according to the Act of Parliament , and their instruction therein ) to assemble and meete together in Prague , where beeing met , vpon good deliberation they found , that not onely those of Bruna , but also all others that are subiect vnto the Spiritualty within the Realme of Bohemia , ( not onely by the Articles which are in this our Apology set downe in Print , but also for other reasons & causes which here for breuity sake are omitted ) are participants of , and ought to enioy the Benefits , Graces , and Priuiledges , which belong , and are giuen by the Emperors Maiesties Letters Patents vnto 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 proceedings , eyther from his Imperiall Maiesty , and his Heyres or Successors , Kings of Bohemia , nor by any other whatsoeuer : And that if any such should bee giuen forth or permitted , the same should be of no force nor validity in any such case , what pretence or allegation soeuer should therin to the contrary bee made , set downe , or pretended . )

Whereupon , when we the sayd three Estates and Protectors , vpon good deliberation and aduice , had made and giuen this answer vnto the inhabitants of Bruna , the Hill townes , and Cloysters graues which are vnder the Archbishops of Prage , that they shuld proceed to the building vp of their Churches , and in the same for the honour of God , vse their accustomed manner of preaching , &c. ( alwaies with this condition , that otherwise they should in all things behaue themselues peaceably , honestly , and ciuilly , and not to stirre , moue , nor giue occasion vnto any one of the contrary Religion , much lesse to the Lord Abbot , or the Archbishops , as being their Superiours , of the least cause of offence or motion to anger whatsoeuer , either by word or deed , ( as knowing well that the same is specially , and expresly forbidden ) but to the contrary , that they should behaue themselues towards them in all reasonable obedience concerning worldly and politike matters , as true subiects ought to doe . ) All we of the three Estates of the reformed Religion , at the Assembly holden in the Castle of Prage , Anno 1615. by common consent of the Protectors , and vnder our hands in a generall and free Court , did approue , ratifie , and confirm it , and also at that Assembly made it known vnto the Emperors Maiesty , as to our King and Soueraigne Lord : as also diuers and sundry old wrongs , oppressions , and iniuries which were not only done and committed in the places aforesaid touching the Vnion , but also to the preiudice of his Maiesties authority Royall , vnto the common people , contrary to the expresse meaning of his Maiesties Letters Patents , hoping to procure some releefe and redresse therein , before our said Assembly should breake vp .

The said common enemies of the King , the Country , and the Peace thereof , continuing in their accustomed secret practices & deuices , and perswading themselues that they could worke the Emperors Maiesty as they list , they found the meanes that our three Estates could in no manner get any answer from his Maiesty therein , before their Assembly brake vp .

And further , besides that , certaine persons by their meanes , at common and ordinary Assemblies , Courts , & expeditions vsed all manner of hard proceedings and courses against those of the Religion : at the last , they proceeded so far , that they brought vpon our three Estates of the Religion , beeing the Emperors Maiesties true and faithfull Subiects , ( besides the former ouer-heauy burthens layd vpon vs & our poore subiects ) for the space of fiue yeares , being most great and intolerable taxations & contributions ( towards the paying of his Maiesties debts ) which we willingly granted vnto , in hope that the same would at length bee a meanes of vnburthening vs of our wrongs . This notwithstanding , after our Assembly was broken vp , ( by the sollicitation of diuers of the Countries enemies ) there could no answere from his Maiesty be giuen vnto vs , and much lesse any helpe 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 Imperiall Maiesty was ready to depart out of the Kingdome , and going forward on his iourney , lay at the Castle of Brandis , ( by their procurement ) he called one of the Protectors vnto him , Lord Henry Matthias , Earle of Thurin , at that time Burgraue of Carlistein , &c. and in the presence of two persons said to him , That hee did not acknowledge nor vnderstand the three Estates of the reformed Religions petition concerning their grieuances , to be true as they alleadged , and that he had resigned his authority concerning the protection of their cause vnto the Archbishop of Prague , and that he would be no more troubled therewith . And when the said Earle of Thurin humbly besought his Imperiall Maiesty that he would be pleased not to commit the charge of deliuering that message vnto him , forasmuch as it concerned all the three Estates of the reformed Religion in generall , desiring his Maiesty that it might please him to giue order to the Lord Chancellor then being , to put the same in writing , and deliuer it vnto him , & he would not faile to beare it vnto them to whom it appertained to deliberate further vpon it : which although his Maiesty granted , and gaue Commission to the said Lord Chancellor to doe it , yet could not the said written resolution from his Maiesty be gotten nor procured from the Chancellour , notwithstanding it had beene often required and sought for at his hands . And besides this , the Arch-bishop of Prage , commanded the new Church at Cloystergraue ( the building whereof cost a great summe of money , and whereunto some of the Electors , Princes of Germany , and other Noble-men , had liberally contributed ) in contempt of the Gospell to be defaced , throwne downe , vtterly spoiled , and laid euen with the ground : And likewise commanded those of Bruna ( contrary to the Vnion ) to deliuer their Church vnto the Abbot , and not to vse it , and to leaue the keyes thereof in the Chancerie of Bohemia : which because they denyed to doe , and desired that they might still haue the vse thereof , diuers of the principallest persons among them were cited to appeare in the Castle of Prage , and there with great weeping , crying , and clamour , made by their wiues and children , were held prisoners .

This being done , in such manner as you haue heard , and among many other things , diuers and sundry grieuances and oppressions in seuerall places still were committed and done , and from the said places certified vnto the Protectors , who by the common people were blamed and taxed , and charged not to haue done their best endeuours to let and withstand them : Wee the chiefe Officers , the Kings Maiesties Councell , and Iudges of both Lawes ; as also sixe persons out of euery Iurisdiction of the Religion assembled together in Prage at a certaine day thereunto appointed : where being met , we with them , deliberately considering vpon the matter , desiring to proceed peaceably and quietly therein , did nothing else in that Assembly , but onely agreed , that by submissiue Supplications , one directed to the Regent , the other to his sacred Maiestie , which we sent vnto Viana , we would humbly craue that his Maiestie would bee pleased to stay those violent proceedings , and withall 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 Morauia , the Princes and States of vpper and nether Siletia , and the States of the Marquisdome of higher and lower Lusuitz , being Prouinces incorporated vnto this Kingdome , that in submissiue manner they would vouchsafe to petition vnto his sacred Maiestie for vs . Which done , we presently agreed with the Protectors to meet together another day , in the Emperor Charles the fourth his Colledge , the Munday after Rogation Sunday last past , about the same matter , if in the meane time we receiued no answer from his Maiestie of our petition . But vpon the said day , when we met againe , according to our determination , we vnderstood , that in all that time there was no answer , touching the same , comne from his Maiesty , and also that our troubles and oppressions were not stayed , nor diminished : but to the contrary , by the meanes , procurements , and malice of our enemies , that his Maiestie had written a sharper letter vnto the Regent , therein not onely blaming the Protectors , but also all vs of the three Estates of the Reformed Religion , willing him to certifie the same vnto the Protectors ; the Contents thereof being as followeth .

1 First , that his sacred Maiesty the Emperour vnderstood , and esteemed , that the same our meeting and Assembly , was wholly done and called , against the supreme Authority of his Imperiall and Kingly person .

2 That both the demolishing of the Church in the Citie of Cloystergraue , and the punishing of the disobedient Citizens of the Towne of Bruna , belonging to the Cloyster , were both done by his Maiesties owne permission and commandement .

3 That we had proceeded further in those cases , then his Maiesties Letters Patents permitted , or authorized to the States of either of the two Religions .

4 And lastly , that wee had vsed and retained Strangers in matters vnlawfull , and that we maintained and defended their open disobedience and mutinies against his Imperiall Maiestie , and sought to support them therein , which his Maiestie did little expect at the hands of some of those that were the Authors of those proceedings .

Adding further ( that seeing we abused his Maiesties gracious fauour and clemencie , and sought to proceed further in those matters then wee ought ) his Maiestie would not faile to looke better into , and to enquire more thereof ; and therein to do iustice , and to punish euery one of the Offenders in that manner , according to their deserts : Prohibiting the Defenders in the meane time , vntill his Maiesties returne into that Kingdome ; or vpon further order therein by him to be taken , not to summon such meetings any more : Withall , willing the Lord Regent , to certifie and to warne the Townes-men and Inhabitants , by any meanes , not to appeare vpon any such Summons , nor to ioyne with vs , as in the said Letters more at large appeareth .

Which Letter , Wee , the said States , little suspected or expected ; much lesse , that by the meanes and crafty instigation of our said Enemies , in stead of obtaining our request , wee should ( without hearing ) by his Maiestie , be iudged faulty , and forthwith condemned as guilty , as if the matter or cause were true indeed , as they vpon bad and false information had , by their Writings , informed his Maiestie ; perswading themselues that if his Maiestie ( maliciously and craftily informed ) in his Letters did auouch , and charge vs , that Wee against the Prerogatiue of his sacred Imperiall Person , and Kingly Authoritie , had summoned and called Assemblies of the Religion together , and that wee maintained forraine Subiects in things vniust , against his sacred Maiestie , and likewise vpheld and protected them in their manifest presumptions and conspiracies , against his Imperiall Dignity , and strengthened them therein : which things , in the Lawes and Statutes of this Kingdome , are expresly ( vpon capitall paine and grieuous punishment ) prohibited and forbidden .

Which although we had not done , and were afterward by some of our enemies themselues cleered thereof , before his Imperiall Maiestie ; neuerthelesse ( being animated thereby , and hauing the Emperours said Letters in their hands , which they caused to be published and read among themselues , in contempt of Vs , and our Religion ) they sufficiently shewed how ready they were , as soone as any of vs should , by course of Law be called in question , for any such cause , before iudgement should passe vpon vs ( through malice in their hearts conceiued against vs ) to verifie and confirme the same .

For it is most certaine , that it was done by themselues in their secret Meetings , and that the Letter was penned by them in Prage , and sent vnto his Imperiall Maiestie to set his hand thereunto : Whereby it is euident , that if wee were to be iudged by them , that to their owne shame and confusion , they could alledge no other thing then this against vs . But when as hitherto they cannot , neither dare openly assault or set vpon vs , yet vnder pretence of Right and Iustice , they seeke to bring vs ( that are honest men and his Maiesties true and faithfull Subiects ) to satisfie their pleasures , into vtter ruine , and losse of goods , to the great sorrow and griefe of our wiues , children , and friends , wholly to extinguish our Religion : And all , whatsoeuer we , by the Kings Maiesties Letters Patents , as also the Concord , Vnion , and Agreement publikely made for our Religion with those of the contrary side in Court of Parliament , and acknowledged and confirmed to bee a Law and Statute of this Kingdome , wholly to annihilate and ouerthrow , and by that meanes to stop and bar the Protectors , and all of vs , ( when any danger were likely to fall vpon vs ) from daring to call and assemble vs together , to preuent the same : Then the which , what can be more dangerous and perillous vnto vs ?

Which troubles , by them craftily brought vpon vs , and their sinister practices against vs , we seeking to eschew and preuent , when by meanes of their crafty conspiracies , wee could haue no answer from his sacred Imperiall Maiestie of our humble petitions ; as also that his Maiestie , by the strange practices of them , and others their adherents , was so perswaded , that he beleeued all whatsoeuer they falsely deuised and alledged ; & would by no meanes credit , nor heare vs speake for our selues : Insomuch as that the very name of the Reformed Religion , and Protectors thereof , was most odious in his Maiesties eares , which they themselues lewdly were so bold euery where to boast and brag of .

Besides this , as it is euidently knowne to all men , when they would call any honest man in question , they vsed all the meanes they could ( though it were against all right , reason , or orderly proceeding ) to bring many men , by strange deuices , into the danger of losse of life and goods ; specially , such as were of the Reformed Religion : and by their iudgements and decrees , made black seeme white , and white blacke : the Kings faithfull and true Subiects , disloyall ; and his disloyall subiects , iust and true ; raysing and aduancing euill and vnfit 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 onely their owne Subiects , but those also of the Kingdome , as well vnder his Maiesties Dominion , as the Spiritualty , for matters of Religion ; and against their wils , cruelly ( contrary to the manifest decrees of the Vnion ) forced and compelled them to be of their Papisticall Religion : And by the Kings Iudges menaces and threatnings , brought diuers of the Cities to that point , that they were compelled , that they should no more vnder-write to be obedient at the Calling and Summons of those of the Reformed Religion , nor any more to assemble and meete together with them ; and many other indirect courses . And being asked by vs , whether they themselues were the Authors and Deuisers of the Letter , and condemnation afore-said made against vs , they could not deny it .

For these causes aforesaid , wee haue proceeded against two of their League and Confederacie : the one called William Slawatam of Chulin , and Cos-chumberk ; the other Iawslaws Borzita , of Martinitz , otherwise called Smetsanckii , as perturbers and violaters of the Lawes and common-peace of the Land : who , for that not respecting their Offices wherein they were placed , haue most shamefully and wickedly abused the same , to the great dishonour of his sacred Imperiall Maiestie , our soueraigne Kings authority , & the breach of the peace of this Realme , and haue put both of them together , with the Secretarie their Prouoker , & as it were bondslaue , who with them hath sowne and raised many factions and seditions in the Townes of Prage ; hauing first found and proued them to be such persons as in truth they are , according to the old accustomed manner , out of their Offices and Dignities . Against whom certainely ( because they are yet liuing ) as also the goods and reuenewes of them , and of all others , that defend and excuse them ; or that will taxe , assaile , or accuse 〈◊〉 for the same : and bewale against as many others , the violaters of the said Letters Patents , and Vnion , as we can by any meanes finde out ( specially against Paul Michna , a most wicked , pestiferous man ; a Traytor and violater of the Lawes and publike peace of the Land , who from base and meane Parentage , being aduanced to the Secretaries place of the Chancerie in Bohemia , in short time waxt so proud , that he , together with our said Enemies , did vsurpe and take vpon him the whole gouernement and administration in this Kingdome , ouer the States , and made himselfe fellow with the principall Officers and Iudges of the Land : and despising or contemning them , boldly and rashly thrust himselfe into matters which belonged not vnto him , and by deceits & craft wrought many mischiefes in this Land , raised factions , troubles and contentions , and by all the meanes he could , laboured , & sought to bereaue the States of the Reformed Religion of all their Priuiledges , and now is gone and absenteth himselfe out of the Country ) whom we will condignely punish according to his and their deserts . To the which end , for the good of his Imperiall Maiestie , and this Kingdome , our natiue Country , and for the defence of our wiues & children , as also of the whole Realm , from al wrong and mischiefe , we now at this present , assembled our selues in the Castle of Prage , which we haue not done of purpose in any sort to oppose our selues against the authority Royall of his Imperiall Maiestie , our most gracious King , and soueraigne Lord , or to wrong or hurt our louing friends and 〈…〉 of the contrary Religion ( so they will liue in peace ) sith it is manifestly knowne that hereby no other Secular or Ecclesiasticall person is hurt or hindred , nor any tumult or sedition made , but throughout all the Townes of Prage , as also throughout the whole Realme , Peace shall be obserued and kept , vnlesse it bee in such causes as are before rehearsed , and not to be auoided , and wherin we neither ought , nor can possibly do lesse then we haue done . Wherfore we hope , that his Imperiall Maiesty , our most gracious King and soueraigne Prince , will not otherwise interpret our meanings and actions , nor giue credit to our slanderous and malicious enemies : Neither do we think that our fellow-subiects and friends of the contrary Religion , for whatsoeuer wee shall iustly do , or haue done , against those that are violaters and perturbers of the Letters Patents , Couenants , Conditions , Immunities , Peace , and common Vnity of this Realme , or that hereafter shall be done ; and much lesse any other , in their owne , or other mens names , either openly or secretly , will for that cause , declare or shew himselfe to be our enemy : But rather hope , that euery man , well weighing , considering , and calling to minde the reasons and causes aforesaid , and the iust deserts and merits of the said persons , as also that our meaning and intent is not , nor neuer was , in the least manner , or in any sort , to do any thing against the Emperours Maiestie , our most gracious soueraigne Kings authority , or against the Romish Religion , and the Vnion betweene vs made ; will not onely excuse , but also take part with vs , and aide vs ( in all things that concerne the preseruation of the Priuiledges and Immunities of this Realme , together with the concord and mutuall loue , peace , and amity thereof ) against all those that withstand it . Therefore wee most humbly beseech his Imperiall Maiestie , our most gracious King and soueraigne Prince , that it would please him ( if need shall require ) to publish another , and more large Apologie , for our excuse and iustification vnto the world .

Giuen in the Castle of Prage , in our common Assembly , vpon Friday , next after the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord Iesus Christ . Ann. 1618.