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Drabicius

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(Drabitz, or Drabich), NICOLAUS, a Mystic of the 17th century, was born at Stradteiss, in Moravia, in 1585 (according to Bayle, in 1587; according to Moreri, in 1588). He became an evangelical preacher in 1616, but, in consequence of difficulties with the Protestant clergy, was obliged to leave his native country. In 1629 he went to Lednitz, in Hungary, where he supported himself by mercantile pursuits. In the mean time he turned his attention to theosophy, and claimed, after February, 1638, to have visions. He prophesied that the imperial house of Austria would end in 1657, and that in 1666 Louis XIV of France would succeed as Roman emperor. This was to be followed by the downfall of papacy, a great reformation of the Church, and the conversion of all heathen and unbelievers. By order of the Austrian authorities, he was arrested at Presburg as a political offender in 1671, and executed July 17th. His corpse and his book of prophecies were burned by the executioner. J.A. Comenius (q.v.) published the prophecies of Drabicius, together with those of other enthusiasts, under the title Lux in tenebris (1657); the second edition (1659) appeared under the title Historia revelationum Chr. Kotteri, Chr. Poniatovice, Nic. Drabicii, etc. A third edition appeared under the original title in 1665. See Bayle, Dictionary, s.v.; Arnold, Kirchen-u. Ketzerhist. (Schaffh. ed., 2:353-56); Koler, Disp. de Nic. Drabitio (Alt. 1791); Schrockh, K.G. seit d. Ref. 5:688; 7:508-9; Herzog, Real-Encyklop. 3:493.