The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, John Huss
JOHN HVS
The Life of John Huss, who dyed Anno Christi 1415.
IOhn Huss was born at a little Town called Hussinets about 18.His birth and education. miles from Prague in Bohemia under the Hercynian Wood, of mean but religious Parents, who carefully trained him up in Religion and Learning, and having profited much at Schole, he went to the University of Prague: He goes to Prague.and whilst he was a Student there, he met with our Wickliefs Books, from whence he first took light and courage to profess the Truth.
Anno Christi 1393. he Commenced Batchelor of Arts with good approbation of the whole University: and An. 1396. the commenced Master of Arts, about which time two godly Noble men of Prague built the Church of Bethlehem; Chosen Pastor of Bethlehem.and Anno 140…. Mr. Huss was chosen Pastor thereof, who fed his people with the bread of life, and not with the Popes Decrees, and other humane Inventions. The year after he was chosen Dean of the University, and Anno 1409. by the consent of the whole University he was chosen Rector of it.His faithfulness therein. He continued in the Exercise of his Ministry with admirable zeal and diligence, and faithfulness about the space of 12. years, Preaching and Instructing his People in the Principles of Divinity, which he confirmed by the holy Scriptures, and adorned by an exemplary and blameless life. He vigorously opposed the Popes proceedings, whereupon the Devil envying the peace and progress of the Gospel, stirred up Pope Alexander the fifth against him, who cited him to Rome to answer to such Articles as should be laid in against him:He is cited to Rome. whereupon Huss sent his Procters to Rome, who appeared for him answered the charge, and cleared his innocency; yet did the Pope and his Cardinals condemn him for an Heretick,Is excommunicated. and Excommunicate him; which caused the Popish Clergy, and some of the Barons of Bohemia to oppose Huss, He is banished.being thus excommunicated; and King Winceslaus banished him, but he was entertained in the Country, and protected by the Lord of the Soil … Hussinets, Gods mercy.where he preached in the Parish Church, and some places adjacent, confuting the Popish Doctrine of Merit of Works, and against the Pride, Idleness, Cruelty and Avarice of the Roman Court and Clergy, multitudes of persons resorting to his Ministry: Sometimes also he repaired to his Church of Bethlehem, and preached there.A schism at Rome. But upon the Popes death, the Cardinals being divided, chose three Popes, whereupon there was a Council called at Constance, Anno Christi 1414. unto which Council the Emperour Sigismund commanded Huss to come, giving him his safe Conduct for his coming, and return. And Master Huss relying upon the goodness of his Cause, the clearness of his Conscience,He is cited to the Council. and the Emperours safe Conduct, with a cheerful minde and undaunted spirit went to Constance, and in his journey set up writings in every City, the tenor whereof was this;His intimations as he went. Mr. John Huss Batchelor of Divinity, goeth now to the Council of Constance, there to declare his Faith which he hath hitherto holden, and even at this present doth hold, and by Gods grace will hold, and defend even to the death: therefore even as he hath manifested through all the Kingdom of Bohemia by his Letters and Intimations, willing before his departure thence to have satisfied and given an account of his Faith unto every man which should object or lay any thing against him in the general Convocation held in the Archbishop of Pragues Court: So also he doth manifest and signifie, that if there be any man in this Noble and Imperial City that can impute any Error or Heresie to him, that he would prepare himself to come unto the Council; for as much as the said Mr. John Huss is ready to satisfie every man at the said Council which shall lay any thing to his charge, as touching his Faith.
In all Cities as he passed by, especially when he entred into Germany, His kinde entertainment as he went.a great number of people resorted to him, and he was everywhere kindly entertained, especially by the Citizens and Burgesses, that he confessed in a certain Epistle that he found in no place so great Enemies as in Bohemia: and when he came to Noremberg, certain Merchants that went before having given notice of his coming, almost all the Priests that were in the City came to him, desiring him that they might talk with him in private, to whom he answered that he desired rather to declare his minde openly then in hugger mugger, and so from dinner time till night he spake before the Priests, Senators, and many Citizens, insomuch that they all had him in singular estimation and reverence.Gods judgement on his adversary. One of his great Adversaries Stanis…aus Znoma, a Bohemian, as he was going towards Constance to accuse him, was stricken by God with a great Impostume whereof he dyed.
When Mr. Huss came to Constance, he was sent for to appear before some Cardinals to give an account of his Doctrine, but he told them that he came to do it before all the Council, yet if they would force him to do it before them, he doubted not but Christ would strengthen him to chuse death for his glories sake,His courage. rather then to deny the Truth, which he had learned out of the holy Scriptures:Popish cruelty. After Examination they committed him to a filthy Prison, where, by reason of the stink, he fell sick and was like to die: In the mean time his Adversaries preferred Articles against him, wherein they had forged many things of their own heads, wresting, and perverting his godly and Orthodox sayings to a sinister sense that they might have whereof to accuse him: and thereupon desired of the Council that he might he condemned. Mr. Huss hearing of these their malicious proceedings, moved that he might have an Advocate, but that was denyed him.His writings in prison. Whilst he lay there in Prison, when he had in some measure regained his health, he wrote sundry Books. From that Prison he was removed by the Bishop of Constance to a Castle on the other side of the Rhene, where in the day time he was so laden with fetters on his Legs that he could scarce go:Popish cruelty. and every night he was fastned by the hands up to a rack against the wall: Hereupon many Noble men of Bohemia petitioned for his release, at least upon Bail, but that was denyed.
The sum of the Nobles Petition was this; The Nobles of Bohemia petition In his behalf.That whereas Mr. John Huss is freely of his own accord come to Constance under the Emperors safe Conduct, against all right and reason he is grievously imprisoned before he is heard, and at this present is tormented miserably with hunger, thirst, and fetters: though formerly at the Council of Pisa, held Anno Christi 1410. the Hereticks which were condemned, were suffered to remain at their liberty, and to depart home freely: But Mr. John Huss, neither convicted, nor condemned, no nor so much as once heard, is taken and imprisoned, when as neither King nor any Prince Elector, nor any Ambassador▪ from any University is yet come or present: and though the Lord our King, together with the Nobles and Lords here present have most instantly required and desired that his safe Conduct might not be violated, and that the said Mr. John Huss might be openly heard, being ready to render a reason of his Faith: and if he be convicted obstinately to affirm or maintain any thing against truth and the holy Scriptures, that he is ready to amend the same: yet could be never obtain this: But the said Mr. John Huss, notwithstanding all this, is most grievously oppressed with fetters and irons, and so weakned with hunger and thirst, that it is to be feared that be will die in Prison. And although the Lords of Bohemia here present are greatly scandalized with the trouble and torments of Mr. John Huss, contrary to the Kings safe Conduct: yet hitherto they have forborn to complain to the King that he might see his safe Conduct better observed, and the reproach and dishonor that is done to the Kindgom of Bohemia thereby, vindicated: and indeed they suffer these things patiently, least by any means trouble or vexation should arise to this Sacred Council by reason thereof: Wherefore we most earnestly desire and require your Fatherhoods, that for the honor of the safe Conduct granted by the King, and for the preservation and encrease of the worthy fame and renown of the Kingdom of Bohemia, and your own also, you will hasten the dispatch of Mr. John Huss his business, seeing he is in great danger by reason of his strait Imprisonment if you delay him any longer. And whereas we the Nobles of Bohemia are informed that many slanderous reports are raised by back-biters against the famous Kingdom of Bohemia, as that the Sacrament is carryed up and down in Vessels unhallowed, that Coblers do administer it, and hear Confessions, &c. We therefore require and desire you that you will give no heed to such talebearers, who herein report untruths: also we require that such back-biters may be made known, and we doubt not easily to refell the false and trivolous slanders of these naughty persons, that hereafter they shall be ashamed to appear before the Lord King and your Reverences.
But notwithstanding this, they which were appointed for his Judges, in his absence heard his Enemies, examined witnesses against him: Judged his Doctrine not by the true Touch-stone of Gods Word, but by the Popish Canons. Yet when the Council would have condemned him without hearing, the Emperour interposed, requiring that he should be first heard; but when he was brought before them,The Councils incivility. they made such a confused noise, railing upon him, that he could not speak one word. The next day when he was brought before them again, there fell out so great an Eclipse that the Sun was almost wholly darkned:A prodigy. but when Huss saw that he was like to meet with no Justice there, he appealed from them to the Pope, and from him to Christ,His appeal to Christ. for which they derided him: But when he saw the cruelty of his Judges, the malice of his Accusers, the falsehood of his Witnesses, and the rage of all the Council against him, that breathed forth nothing but fire and fagots, he kneeled down, and commended his righteous cause to the Lord Jesus Christ, begging forgiveness for his very Enemies: yet he earnestly requested even with tears the Council that they would convince him of any Error by the Word of God, and he would willingly retract it:He is condemned. but nothing prevailing, they proceeded to condemn and degrade him; whereupon kneeling down, he said,His charity. Lord Jesus Christ, forgive mine Enemies, by whom thou knowest that I am falsly accused; forgive them I say for thy great mercies sake. In degrading him they pared off the Crown of his head,Popish cruelty. and the skin with a pair of shears: and to justifie their proceedings against him, because the Emperour had given him his safe Conduct, A wicked Decree.the Council made a Decree, That Faith was not to be kept with Hereticks. His works condemned.The Roman Agents persecuted him with such eagerness, that his Works were condemned to be burnt with him. When he was brought forth to be burned, they put on his head a Tripple Crown of paper,His ornaments. painted over with ugly Divels: But when he saw it, he said, My Lord Jesus Christ for my sake did wear a Crown of Thorns; why should not I then for his sake were this light Crown, be it never so ignominious? Truly I will do it, and that willingly.His patience. When it was set upon his head,Popish malice. the Bishops said, Now we commit thy soul unto the Divel: But I, said John Huss, (lifting up his Eyes towards Heaven) do commit my spirit into thy hands O Lord Jesus Christ, unto thee I commend my spirit which thou hast redeemed.His books burnt. As he was going to Execution, they burned his Books before his face, at which he smiled, and said unto the people,His deportment at his death. Think not good people that I die for any Heresie, or Error, but only for the hatred and ill-will of my Adversaries. When he came to the place of Execution, he kneeled down, and with his Eyes towards Heaven he prayed and repeated certain Psalms, and with a merry and chearful countenance cryed often, Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit. As he listed up his head in Prayer, the Crown of paper fell off; but a Souldier taking it up, said, Let us put it on again, that he may be burned with his Masters the Divels, whom he hath served. When he rose from his knees he said,His prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, assist and help me, that with a constant and patient minde, by thy most gracious help, I may bear and suffer this cruel and ignominious death, whereunto I am condemned for the Preaching of thy most holy Gospel. And as they tyed his neck with a chain to the stake, smiling he said, That he would willingly receive the same chain for Jesus Christ's sake, who he knew was bound with a far worse chain. When the fire was kindled, he began to sing with a loud voice, Jesus Christ the Son of the living God have mercy upon me; His martyrdom.and at the third time that he repeated it, the winde drove the flame so into his face, that it choaked him.Inhumane cruelty. The heart that was found amongst his bowels, being well beaten with staves and clubs, was at last prick't upon a sharp stake, and rosted at a fire till it was consumed. His ashes were diligently gathered up, and thrown into the River Rhene. He suffered Martyrdom, Anno Christi 1415.A prophesie. He told them at his death, That out of the ashes of the Goose (for so Huss in the Bohemian language signifies) an hundred years after God would raise up a Swan in Germany, whose singing would affright all those Vultures: which was exactly fulfilled in Luther, just an hundred years after. Upon his death the Bohemians under Ziska rose in Arms, and had admirable success against the Emperour and the Papists. And this pompous act of theirs had a very tragical event, the Bohemians maintaining war against the Emperour Sigismund for 17. years after, wherein he spent abundance of treasure, lost many brave Armies, and gallant men: and during these Wars a thousand Monasteries were overthrown,Gods judgement on his persecutors. many Castles demolished, and Cities burnt: all which was a just revenging hand upon him for his perfidiousness and cruelty.
Before his going to Constance, Mr. Huss set up this Epistle upon the Gate of the Kings Palace.
Unto the Kings Majesty, the Queen,His petition to the King. and to all such as are of his Council, and to all other Nobles and Magistrates which are now in the Kings Court, I John Huss do signifie and publish, that being certainly informed that Letter…s are come from the Pope to the Kings Majesty, the contents whereof are these: That the King should extirpate all such Hereticks as are lately sprung up in his Kingdom and Dominions: But I trust in God, that this fame is blown abroad without any desert: And it shall be our part to foresee and take heed that neither the Kings Majesty nor the Noble Kingdom of Bohemia shall suffer any trouble or reproach and slander for my sake. Wherefore now of late I have sent my Letters to and fro, which with great labor an… diligence I … caused to be set up openly, with this intent, that …ight thereby cause the Archbishop of Prague to be careful and diligent about the matter, signifying openly, that if there were any man in Bohemia, which did know me to be a follower of any falle or … Doctrine, he should appear in the Archbishops Court and there declare what he thought. And forasmuch as there would none be found, or come forth which would accuse me, the Archbishop commanded me and my Procters to depart in peace. Wherefore I require and desire the Kings Majesty, which is the Defender of the Truth, also the Queen and their Counsellers, and all other Nobles and Magistrates, that they would give me a true Testimonial of this matter: forasmuch as I have oftentimes willed and attempted this, and no man bath either accused or molested me. I do it moreover to be known to all Bohemia, and all Nations, that I will with the first be present at the Council of Constance, in the presence of the Pope, and of all others that will come to that famous place: and that whosoever hath any suspition of me, that I have either taught or defended any thing contrary unto the Faith of Christ, let him come thither also, and declare before the Pope and all the Doctors of Divinity, what erroneous or false Doctrine I have at any time maintained or holden. And if he shall convince me of any Error, or prove that I have taught any thing contrary to the Christian Faith, I will not refuse to suffer Whatsoever punishment shall be due to an Heretick: But I hope and trust even from the bottom of my heart that God will not give the victory to unfaithful and unbelieving men which willingly kick and spurn against the Truth.
At the same time also Mr. Huss sent his Proctor to the Bishop of Nazareth, His request to the Bishop.who was Ordained by the Pope, Inquisitor for Heresies in the City and Diocese of Prague, requiring him that if he had found any Error in him, he would declare it openly: but the said Bishop in a publick Assembly answered that he had often talken with John Huss, and that he never found any thing in him but such as becometh a godly and faithful man, which also he attested by his Letters in writing. Shortly after also all the Barons of Bohemia being assembled in the Abby of St. James, And to the Barons.the Archbishop of Prague being present also, John Huss presented a supplication to them, wherein he most humbly desired the Barons to request the Archbishop, that if he did suspect him for any Error or Heresie, he should declare it openly: for that he was ready to suffer correction for the same at the Archbishops hands: and that if he had found no such thing in him, that then he would give him a Testimonial thereof, that being armed therewith he might the more freely go unto the Council: Hereupon the Archbishop did openly confess before all the Assembly that he knew not the said John Huss was guilty of any such thing.
Johannis Hussi opera, quae extant omnia,His works. impressa sunt Novimb…rgae in Officina Montani & Neuberi, Anno Christi 1558.