# The History of the Bohemian Persecution/Chapter 45

Chap. XL.V.
I. THey have said in their hearts (sayth the Psalmist.) Let us destroy them altogether 74. Psal. 8. Which is the constant rage and disposition of the Churches enemies, To destroy all, one after another. When therefore our enemies resolved to exercise their cruelty against us, they began the years after the victory with the Anabaptists in Moravia who possessing about 45. houses or Colledges (many families dwelling together in them) having al things in common according to their custom lived peaceably under their own discipline, troublesome or grievous to none, but beneficiall to all by their trade and callings. They banished these first in the year 1622. about Autumne (laying to their charge that they had entertained Frederick passing through Moravia, making a tryall how this would bee received, that they might more confidently, set upon the rest. They leaving their houses, lands and Vineyards (though the time of Vintage was at hand) and carrying the weaker sort with them in some hundreds of Carts, went in great troopes into the neighbouring countries of Hungaria and Tran​silvania, where they found fit seates for them, and avoided those evills, which were to be suffered by us who were left.
2. These being gone they then consulted about the election of the Piccards as they called them and Calvinists: but this succeeded not according to their minds. First, because they had many noblemen to take their parts, who had not given Cæsar any cause to suspect their fidelity. Neither could any colour bee found, why all should bee involved in the same punishment, neither could their banishment be effected so easily as the Anabaptists was, who were destitute of all humane help. Then they could not well put a difference betweene the Lutheranes and Calvinists, as they did between the Anabaptists and Protestants, and lastly it was not now a time to provoke the Princes of the reformed Religion. At length it was agreed that they should be looked upon alike, and prosecuted promiscuously, as opportunities of oppressing them should be offered.
3. By the event it appeared that it was their generall end in these actions to drive the opressed Protestants to Apostacy, and to cast out the remainder of the faithfull more easily. Which seemed to bee the pollicy of that secret counsell at Rome, which we spake of before (in the 44 Chapter 2 section) and for this Paul Michna a crafty and Pragmaticall man laboured very dilligently. Hee was borne of ​obscure Parents, (being a Butchers sonne in the towne of budus) but skillfull in the Jesuites practises, and by them first promoted to bee secretary of State, and afterwards for the paines hee tooke for the house of Auſtria against his country and religion he was Knighted, and presently after created a wealthy Baron, and at length an Earl. It is reported of him, that when the grand forgers of these plots met after the establishment of their victory to consult what was to bee done? Whether they should bee banished the Kingdome, and how they should begin, that he should answer. It was not a fit time, because they would carry many things with them, and spoile the Province and endure banishment with greater ease: They were first to bee well squeezd and deprived of all their goods, and then other things would be carried on with greater expedition. They carried on their designs by these meanes.