The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 3
IOHANNES HVS.
The Life and Death of John Huss.
THE faire fruit of effects, is vertually couched in the small seeds of their causes.
1 Iohn Huss is a pregnant instance thereof, whose inconsiderable, yea contemptable beginning, improved it selfe to give a blow under the fift rib in Scripture alwaies observed mortall to the man of sin.
2 It would have given much satisfaction to the reader, and more to our selves, could we present him with exact Particulars of Huss his birth and extraction. But alas we are so far from having a starre going before us to direct us to the place of his nativitie, that we finde not the least candlelight to guide us to the notice thereof. In or neere Prague we conceive him to be borne, in which University he had his education.
3. Now the learning of that age moved in a very narrow circle, in Case and Controversiall Divinity. The Schoolmen wanting the wings of the learned tongues, therewith to mount into the meaning of the Scriptures in their originall, onelyonly employed themselves in running round in the beaten path of common questions: whilst such amonst them as were of extraordinary parts, impatient to be confined within, yet unable to exceed the foresaid compasse, let out their soules, and made roome for the activitie of their mindes, by digging deepe into curious inquiries, where their best results are either unnecessarie, or certaine, or both. Wherefore Iohn Huss declining such intricate labyrinthes, betooke himselfe to finde out the right way to heaven describ'd in Gods word.
4 It happened about this time, that Richard the second of England married Anne sister to Wencelaus King of Bohemia; and although he had no children by her, yet the conversion of Bohemia may fitly be stiled the issue of this their mariage. Indeed this Queene Anne, taught our English women modestie in riding on Side-saddles; in exchange whereof the English taught the Bohemians true religion; first discov… ring the Romish superstitions unto them. For her Courtiers here did light on the bookes of Iohn Wicklief, and carried them into their owne Country, where Huss had the happinesse to read, approve, and disperse the same. See here the pedegree of the Reformation, wherein Germany may be counted the Son, Bohemia the Father, and England the Grand-father.
5. Huss hereupon began zealously to preach and propagate the truth, which for the soundnesse thereof was welcome to many, for the novelty to more. But as the Jewes Acts 22.22. heard Saint Paul pati…ntly, untill that passage, That he was sent to the Gentiles, which inraged them beyond all modesty and measure, crying out, away with such a fellow from the earth, for it is not fit that he should live; so even some Friers lent attentive eares to Huss his Sermons, till their profit began to be concerned in his confuting the gainefull errours of Rome, and their malice mustred all opposition against him. First, by order from his holinesse, the Arch-bishop of Suinco was commanded to suppresse him; but all in vaine, his commands prevailing no more with Huss, than the peoples prohibitions to Bartimeus comm…nding him silence, Marke 10.48. which onelyonly made him cry out the more a great deale. In so much that the Pope himselfe was faine to take the matter in hand.
6 Here happined a most remarkable Accident, very advantagious for the propagating of Husses doctrine. A Scisme happened in the Church of Rome betwext three Popes at the same time, so that Peters chaire was like to be broken betwixt so many sitting downe together. This conduced much to the benefit of Huss, who hereupon took advantage to decline (so good a witt having an usefull Theame, would loose nothing, in handling it) against the Chuch of Rome: Pleading that having three, it had no leagall head: That this monstrous apparition of the Man of …in, presaged his life was …hort; that these three Anti-Popes made up one Antichrist. In a word, there was opened unto …im a great doore of utterance, made out of that cracke or cleft, which now happened in this seasonable schisme at Rome.
7 It was now high time a generall Councell should be called. The Church was growne fowle with long want of scowring: however the vicious Court of Rome declined it (wonder not if theeves be unwilling to heare of an Assises) expecting that there their faults would be discovered and censured. All the world stood on the Tiptoes of Expectation, what the Councell would produce. Where for a while we leave them with the three Popes tugging one against the other; where all Three at last were deposed and Pope Martin substituted in the roome of them.
8 Huss during the beginning of this Counsell remained at Pargue, constantly preaching in his Church of Bethlehem. Where his adversaries chose out of his bookes and preaching severall Articles, which they charged against him for Hereticall. And it may seeme wonderfull, how variously the number of them is rekoned up, some times eight errours, sometimes nine, sometimes one and twenty, sometimes five and fourty, which numbers the doctors and Masters of the University of Prague, collected and objected against him. Yet none need justly admire at this difference, as if Huss his opinions were like the stones on Salsbury plain, falsely reported that no two can count them alike. The variety ariseth, first because some count onelyonly his primitive Tenets, which were breeders; whilest others count all the yong Frye of Consequences derived from them. Secondly, some were more industrous to seeke, capatious to expound, malicious to deduce far distant Consequences. Excellent at the inflaming of a Reckoning, and to discover an infant or Embryo, errours which others over looked. Thirdly, It is possible that in processe of time, Huss might delate himselfe in additionall and supplementall opinions, more than what he maintained at first. His principall accusations were, that he maintained, the Sacrament was to be ministred to the peopl… under both Kings. Secondly, That Priests in a mortall sinne might not minister the Sacrament. Thirdly, That the Popes power above other Priests, was onelyonly invented for covetousnesse. Fourthly, That Priests once ordained are not to be forbidden preaching &c.
9 For these Tenets Huss was excommunicated by Cardinall Del…hunna, a sure prop of the Romish Church. But all in vaine, seeing the Gentry and Nobility of Bohemia did highly favour him. Whereupon he was brought to the Counsell of Constance under the Safeguard of the whole Empire, and a solemne Conduct of the Emperour Sig…smun…'s double written, both in Latine and Almane, (that whether learned or unlearned might pretend ignorance thereof) drawne in a most favourable Latitude for him, and strongest legall forme, given at Spire the eighteenth of October Anno Dom. 1414. Yea when the Pope wa… informed by a Bohemian Gentleman, what liberty Huss had granted him to remaine in Constance, without any trouble, vexation, or interruption: his Holinesse replied, that if Huss had killed his brother, no violence should be offered unto him during his abode in this City.
10 But as the man possessed with a Divell, Mark 5.3. None could binde him, no not with chaines: So strong was the uncleane Spirit of Cruelty in the Romish Court, that no duplicates or double cords of safe Conducts in Dutch and Latine, granted and accepted, could protect the innocence of this godly man: but that contrary to the solemne faith formerly pledged, he was persecuted and imprisoned.
11 And now, what can be sacred, what armour of proofe against the Artillery of malice, when such Conducts are shot thorow? In vaine do men make Contracts, and stipulations when faith publickly given, the best waxe of all Inden…ures, and fairest seale of waxe, shall thus be prostituted to private designes. Had these great pretended Schollers read and seriously consider Davids Psalmes 15.4. He that sweareth to his owne hurt and changeth not, (and did not the Emperour passe on his honour, and Popes word speaking alwais in verbo sacerdatis amount to an oath:) yet had they but wayed the answere of Festus a Pagan, Acts 25, 16. It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to dye before he that is accused have his Accusers face to face, &c. They could never had adventured on so unexcusable a Marter.
12 Here we conceive we shall not unprofitably bestow our paines, if we tender a catalogue of the principal friends and Enemies of Huss, that Posterity may know who added the part of helpfull Onesiphorus to this Paul in bonds, and who were like Demetrius the Copper-smith, the active persecntors of him.
His Friends.
1. John de Glum a Bohemian Nobleman.
2. Nicholas Titular Bishop of Nazareth, who gave him an especiall testimony, though by his place the Apostolicall I…quis…or of H…r…se for the Vniversity of Prague.
3. Conrade Archbishop of Swinco, who openly cleared him.
4. Henry Latzembog, well extracted a great Advocate for Huss.
5. Wencelaus de Duba, a Gentleman and especiall pleader, for the validity of his safe conduct, when Huss was imprisoned.
6. A considerable part of the Nobility and Gentry both of Bohemia and Poland.
His Foes.
1. Stephen Paletz, principall of the Doctors of Prague.
2. Andreas de Broda, a Doctor who writ a Book against him.
3. A nam…lesse charterhouse M…ncurate of St. Sebauld in the City of Norenberge.
4. Stanisl…us Znoma a Bohemian Doctor, who coming to Constan…z, dyed by the way of an Impostume.
5. Michael de Causis, a great disputant against Huss, whose very sirname may seem to speake Phylosophy.
6. Didacus a Lumbart, esteemed a great Schollar.
7. Stok…s, an Englishman then present at the Councell, his serene Antagonist.
8. The Pope, Cour…, and Cardinals of Rome, but chiefly the Cardinall of Cambray.
Thus though Huss had many friends, yet the number, power and activity of his Foes did preponderate; so that notwithstanding his many appeales and protestations, he was cast into a stinking Prison, loaden with chaines of Iron, kept with hungry and bad Fare. But as Men thrown flat on their backs, alwayes have their faces looking up to heaven; so this godly Man, being over-thrown with the fury of his Enemies, made the more ferven…ly his addresse unto God, by a lively faith, having all his dependance on dame Providence, even in the depth of cruell Sicknesse, which in the Prison seized upon him.
13 The sentence of condemnation being at last solemnly passed upon him, Huss falling downe on his knees, Lord Iesus Christ (said he) forgive mine enemies, by whom thou knowest that I am falsely accused. How did his charity triumph over his persecutors malice? an action which will finde more commenders, than followers in our age. Whereas indeed he that revengeth himselfe of his adversarie, is but even with him, and in his owne expression cries quits with him: whiles such as forgive him, are above him; it being the Prerogative of Princes to pardon.
14 Then the seaven Bishops, who were appointed for that purpose, began to degrade Huss of his seaven Orders, and such Vestments as were the badges thereof. The best was, though they uncased him out of his other garments, they could not strip him of the white robe of his innocence. Yea, so cruelly did they act their part therein, that they resolved instead of a rasor, with sheares to pare a way a part of his crowne, left (forsooth) any relique of their holy oyle should remaine upon it. However Huss was no looser thereby, for God no doubt made good to him his promise, Revel. 2.10. I will give unto thee a crowne of life. Which did cover his deformitie, and plentifully compensate the losse of his Skin.
15 Here I confesse it was once my designe, to contract and insert the last speech of Iohn Huss to the people, but my revised thoughts disswaded me from it. For it is all so excellent, that compendium would be dispendium thereof. In it selfe the onelyonly fault thereof is the shortnesse of it, and pity it should be more abri…ged; for he that undertakes the same, will leave out as good as he chooseth in. Wherefore we remit the Reader to the entire narration of Master Fox, where his speech is recorded; which left an eccho in the eares and hearts of all that heard him.
16. Hence Huss was hurried to the stake, where the Emperour, Duke of Bavaria chanced to be present, profering him pardon but on such unworthy conditions, as Huss his conscience could not accept. He did love, but did not dote on life; as he shall never grow rich by the barga…ne, who purchaseth it with the prise of his soule; no doubt he called to mind what was written, Heb. 11.35. And others were tortured not accepting deliverance, that thay might obtaine a better resurrection. And now the fire was kindled, with which Huss must grapple, being in this kind as I take it, the first that suffered in this manner. For as for Wicklief, only his corpes were burnt after his death, more to his enemies shame; who in vaine revenged themselves on the empty Cage after the bird was flowne: whereas Huss was the first that entred the list with that furious element, and fought body to body wi…h the fire. Seriveners use with gawdy flourishes to decke and garnish the initiall caracters of copies. The like may be expected from me, seeing Huss may be tearmed a leading letter; in the patterne of patience, that semnably with rhetoricall flusculations I should endevour to adorne his memoriall. But such superfluous paines may well be spard, seeing this Letter is conspicuous enough in it selfe, died red in its own blood. Being tyed with a chaine to the stake, by chance he was turned towards the east; And here behold the Criticisme of Superstition; For some cryed out, Hee should not looke towards the East, because he was an hereticke. Whereupon his tormentors (who had power to turne his body, not to move his mind) reversed him westward. Sad indeed it is to come out of Gods Blessing into the warme sunne; but happy he that is turned out of the warme sun into Gods blessing, and deny…d the benefit and beauty of the orient beames, had the inward Comfort of heavenly grace to solace and support him.
17 A paper whereon devils were antiquely painted was put upon him, he wearing those shadowes on his head, whose Substance his enemies felt in their heart. But when the fire began to be kindled, that furious Element was more mercifull unto him then were his Executioners. For whereas fire hath a double property to burn and to stifle, here it was plea…ed to make use of the latter quality, as the milder and meeker of the twaine. Except we shall say it was rather the Pitie of the wind, than the favour of the fire, which drove the flame so full upon his face that it quickly choaked him; and may be presumed senselesse, though he moved a while after. His heart which was found amongst his bowels, fi…st beaten with staves and Clubbes, was afterwards pricked upon a sharpe sticke, and rosted at the fire apart untill it was consumed. The least remnant of his ashes were gathered up and cast into the rever of Rhine, so if possible for ever to extirpate his memory.
18 One memorable passage must not be forgotten, in the life time of Huss, which is conceived almost to amount to a prophecy, he had a dreame (as he writes in his forty fifth E…istle, being a letter written to the Lord Iohn de Clum…e) how he beheld in his Church at Bethlehem in Paris, certai…e men to race and pull out the images of Christ, and the next day (as it seemed unto hi…) many other Painters made more and fairer images than formerly; and the Painters with much people about them said, (in merriment and kind of derision) Let the Bishops and Priests come now and put out these Pictures. Hereat the people much rejoyced and Huss himselfe fell a laughing, which caused him to awake.
19 I know that generally dreames are nothing, but Fancies descant on the former dayes worke. And he that layeth too much pressure on such slender props may be layed in the dust. How ever it was verified in the event, that many worthy Christians the truest Images of Christ (as Christ is the image of God,) were by Huss his preaching and suffering converted to the truth, in defiance of all Anchristian opposition, who endeavored to deleate and expunge all im…ressions of Truth in them.
This most illustrious Lamp of Gospel Light,
Which in B…hemia, first, shon forth most bright,
By this renowned Martyres industrie,
Heavenly her…ick Huss; yet, furiously,
Affronted was by Papall enemies.
But, in the midst of this their rage, did rise,
Among themselves, a mighty Schisme and rent;
Three Anti-Popes, at Once; by which event,
Renowned Huss did great advantage gain,
The Gospels Light to propagate, maintain.
But, at the last, that Schisme being sew'd-up,
Againe, they fill their wraths and rages Cup;
And gave it Huss to drink, who, valiantly,
Drank-up the same, to deaths extremity;
And, though, they Painted-Devils plac…d on his head
,
Yet, he their rage and scorn did nothing dread.
Thus, faithlesse Rome breaking her promise given
In firey-Chariot sent his Soul to Heaven.