Protestantism in Poland and Bohemia - James Aitken Wylie

velvet cloak, bade adieu to all, and went forth at a
slow pace by reason of his great age. Fearing lest in
mounting the scaffold he should fall, and his
enemies flout him, he craved permission of the
minister to lean upon him when ascending the
steps. Being come to the fatal spot, he had much
ado to kneel down, and his head hung so low that
the executioner feared to do his office. "My lord,"
said Pastor Rosacius, "as you have commended
your soul to Christ, do you now lift up yourself
toward heaven." he raised himself up, saying,
"Lord Jesus, into thy hands I commend my spirit."
The executioner now gave his stroke, his gray head
sank, and his body lay prostrate on the scaffold.[3]
The fifth to fall beneath the executioner's sword
was Procopius Dworschezky, of Olbramowitz On
receiving his sentence he said, "If the emperor
promises himself anything when my head is off, let
it be so." On passing before the judges he said,
"Tell the emperor, as I now stand at his tribunal,
the day comes when he shall stand before the
judgment-seat of God." He was proceeding in his
address, when the drums beat and drowned his
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