The Dead Yet Speaking, Biography 4
HIERONYMVS PRAGENSIS.
The life and Death of Jerom of Prague.
TRavelloursBydalph Morrison sandye. report, that the place wherein the Body of Absolon was buried, is still extant at Ieruselem, and that it is a solenme custome of Pilgrimes passing by it to cast a stone on the place; the like, in expression of their detestation of his unnaturall Rebellion against his owne father. But a well disposed man can hardly goe by the memory, or mention of Hierom of Prague, without doing his greatfull homage thereunto, in bestowing upon him, some passage in his praise and Commendation. Amongst others therefore who have raised the Heape of this good mans Monuiment, we will cast in the Contribution of our Stone also, (though but a rough and unpolished one) to advance the heigth of this History.
2 This Ierome of Prague was by his Countrey a Bohemian, though we find not the Allowing him 45… years old at his Dea…h, he was borne 1372.principall date and place of his Birth, nor the Condition of his parents. We account it more modisty, to confesse our ignorance hereof, then to wrong the Reader, by obtruding on this Beliefe our roving Conjectures for certaine Truths. But Bohemia, though she was happy to enjoy him, was not so covetous to ingrosse him, but that for his profit; and her owne honour. She lent him to other parts of Europe, there to have his Education. He travelled into France, and at Paris proceeded Master of Arts, and in the Vniversity of Collen and Hidlebury, had the same degree confirmed unto him. He was as exact in observeing, as happy in remembering, the most note worthy passages, which his judicious Eye met with in forraine Parts.
3 But there is a secret Loadstone, in every mans native Soyle, effectually attracting them home againe to their Country, their Center. This skilfull merchant for Learning, having made a long voyage to the most principall Parts and Staple places of Literature, and by that his adventure much inriched himselfe, hath a mind to returne home to his Haven, and safely arived at Prague in Bohemia. He needed no other harbenger …o send before to provide him welcome, then the fame of his owne reputation, being so well known in that place, that the City passeth for his Sir-name, and the commonly stiled Hierom of Prague. For here he had, if not his Birth, his first breeding, here he made so many pious Sermons, here he held so many famous disputations. In so much as it is questionable, whether Ierom be more honoured wth the Addition of Prague, or Prague more renowned with the name of Ierom. For sooner shall the river MVLTAW cease with her silver streames to water and divide that famous City, then the memory of Ierom be forgotten.
4 Hitherto Ierom was but a wilde stocke and ungrafted, going on with the multitude in Erronious wayes, having drunke as deepe as the rest of Romes bewitched Cupp, till his conversion hapned on this Occasion: The Bohemians which brought their lady Anne over into England to be married to our King Richard the second, brought back the books of Iohn Wicklief home with them into their Countrey. Ierom of Prague lighting on one of them, by perusing it, perceived the abominable Supersticions then used in the Church, and began by degrees, first in his judgement, to dislike them; afterwards, in his Practice, to disuse them; and lastly, in his Preaching to Confute them. Thus Contemptible beginnings, being blessed by divine Providence, proversi parents of most considerable effects.
5 But no sooner had Ierom publikely opposed the doctrine of Purgatory and prayers for the dead, but all the orders of Fryers, like a nest of Hornets, with there venomous stings were busie about him. We read of Elephants, that though their whole Body be by reason of the hardnesse of their Skinne of proofe against the sword, yet they have a tender and soft place under their Belly, wherein they are easily wounded, as appeares by the example of Eleazer in the 1. Maccabes 6.46.Maccabes, who taking advantage thereof killed one of them in fight. But O how tender are the Monkes Bellies; those Lazy Lubbers could not abide to be taught in point of Ease and profit, they are suddenly Sensible with Sorrow, if any goe about to abate of their dainty dyet, and therefore were bemadded with fury to heare Purgatory called into question, the pretended fire whereof did really heat their kitchin. But Ierom having Scripture and truth on his side, like a valliant Champion asserted his opinions in defence of Opposition, having got the Society of Iohn Huss to assist him.
6 Two Pillars there were in Solomons 1 Kings 7.15.Temple; two Olive-trees dropping oyle into the Candl…sticke in Zac…. 4.12.Zacharyes vision. Our Saviour sent his Seventy Disciples to Preach two by two. And two Witness…s Prophesied in Sackcloath till …hey were sla…ne. 1 …ke 9.1.So here God had a Paire of his Preachers, who by their mutuall Company, abated the tediousnesse of Solitarinesse, and by their invited strength twisted together, were thereby more effectually enabled against their Adversaries. One Soule might seeme to animate them both, and as they were lovely in their Lives, so in their deaths they were not long devided.
7 Now a generall Couns…ll was called at Constance, which awakened the Christian world with the expectation of the Successe thereof. Iohn Huss, out of his owne Accord, having first obtained full and free licence, to come thither and returne thence with safety, repaired to the Counsell, and there, in Confidence of God and a good Cause, proffered to defend the doctrine of Wicklief, to be sound and true both by Scripture and reason. His very name Huss which in the Bohemian Tongue Signifieth a Goose, was a plesa…t instrument ready strung and tun'd, for the wanton fingers of his Enemies, to make mirth and musicke upon it, and every dull wit was sharp enough to use a jeere made to his hand. But let them breake Iests on his name, whilest he breake their Superstitions in Earnest, and as once the Geese kept the Roman Capitall from their Enemies; so this Goose kept the Capital of Truth from the Romans. Though Naball was his name, yet fo…y was not with him, being of a Solid judgement, subtill wit, and discreet deportment in his Conversation.
8 But Huss could in no manner obtaine free Audience; yea contrary to his Assurāce, formerly granted, had his person restrained. Ierom of Prague, hearing thereof, would not stay at home, (when one hand is bound will not the other endeavour the loosing thereof?) but hasteneth to Constance, either to produce the freedome or partake of the Fetters of his Christian Brothers. Thus when one Arrow is shot, and in haz…rd to be lost, a second is sent after it, and either hi… fellow is found, or both lost together, and happy it had beene for the Church, if she had had her Quive… full of such Arrowes. Aprill 4. 1415.Ierome comming to the Counsell, makes meanes to be heard, and puts up the heads of some positions, profering publiquely to defend them, moving withall that he might have leave to come and goe with Safety confirmed unto him under the Faith of the Counsell.
9 This by no meanes could be obtained, Liberty they would freely give him to come but not to depart, and on the same tearms the Woolfe will grant free Conduct to the Lambe, to come to hi… den, but vestigi… Nulla retrorsum. Ierom hereupon finding justice obstructed, secretly departed the City, and in his returne home was taken and brought backe to the Counsell. His Adversaries much insult on his flight, as one evidence of his guilt; whereas if matter… be well weighed, seeing he could not obtaine Licence Safely to stay, Christ gave him a warrant lawfully to de…part, in those word…, not onelyonly Permissive Directive, but Injunctive, when you are persecuted in one City flee to another.
10 Then was he brought with a long Chaine about him (like Saint Paul before King Agrippa,) into the Counsell, his fetters on set purpose being shaken by those that led him, to make the more noise, to render him more ridiculous. Whereas indeed the sound of such Shackles made more melodious musicke in the eare… of the God of Heaven, then all the loud chanting & unintelligible affected singing in their Superstitious Qui…es. They baited him with railing and opprobriaus termes; but what is most remarkeable, none solidly opposed him concerning the opinions of Wicklief, whereof he was accused, but charged him with youthfull extravagancies, rather importing a Luxury of wit, then amounting to any dangerous Opinon. But principally the Master of the University of Hidelburoh objected against him, that long since, when a S…udent there, he had c…used a shield or Eschuchion to be painted, in representation of the Persons in Trinity, comparing them therein to Water, Snow and Ice.
11 Ierom denied not the fact but defended the same, Seeing God had stamped in naturall matters, some countenance… of supernaturall misteries. Thus the coeternity of the three Persons (besides the aforesaid Instance) are Shadowed ou… in the Sunne, and in light that proceedeth from it, & in a beam, that aris…th from …th. And seeing that Friars fancies most surfeit with such devices, and that more dangerous pictures neerer confining on Blasphemy, were commonly presented and priviledged by them, they of all other were most unfit to cast the first stone at him, for such innocent and harmlesse Portraitures which he had depicted. Thus they vexed him with triviall objections about unconcerning matters; but as for the maine businesse of Heresie, they presumed him to be guilty thereof, and he was never brought to a faire, and legall disputation concerning the same.
12 From the Counsell he was carried home to the Prison, and there for many dayes kept with bread and water, so that had the proudest Anchorite, pretending to the highest abstinence beene Commoner with him, it would have tired his swiftest Devotion to keepe pace with him; much other hard usage he felt for the space of a twelve monethmonth, wherein his feet were hurt in the Stocks, the Irons entered int… his Soule. So that long durance, short dyet, hard lodging, love of Life, hope of Libertie, feare of Torture, wantig friends to advise him, made such impressions upon him, that at last he was not onelyonly contented to abjure all Wickliefes opinions for false, but also to allow the murder of his deare brother Huss to be a lawfull and laudible Act of exemplary Justice.
13 Here let none Tyrannically trample on the prostrate credi… of a penitent sinner. Consider that he did not surrende… the …astle of his integrity at the first summons, but kept it a full yeer, in many a furious assault, till the Constant battery of Importunity, made at last an unhappy breach in his Soule. O there is more required to make a man valiant, then onelyonly to call an other Coward. Had we beene in Ieromes Case, what we ought to have done we know, but what we should have done God knowes. And may we here remember the Blessing which Iacob bequeathed as a legacie to one of his Sonnes, Gen. 49.19.Gad a Troope shall overcome him, but he shall overcome at the last. Let none looke to long on the intermediate fals and failings to which the best Saints of God, in this life, are Subject, but lift up their eyes to the ultimate and finall victories of Gods servants, who at last, through Christ, prove more then Conquerours.
14 But Ieromes Condition was rather impar'd then improu'd by his recantation. Great is the Differance betwixt deliverance out of dangers o… Gods giving in his due time, and forcible escapes by sinister courses, which men rashly snatch to themselves. The former is ever attended with inward joy and quiet of Conscience, the Soule Sola…cing it selfe, not onelyonly in the end attained, but also in the lawfulnsse of the means used therunto; wheras when men doe not ishue out of a danger by a doore of Gods opening unto them, but breake through the wall, (as Ierome by perjury) by violent and unwarrantable wayes, their minds are daily haunted with scruples and perplexities, even sometimes to dolefull distraction: besides, such escapes never …row prosperous, rather easing then curing, and the comfort got by them unraueleth againe, as it hapned in Ierome of Prague. By whose objuration his conscience was wounded, God offended, truth betrayed, good m…n made to grieve, and bad men to insult, the malice of his Adversari…s being no what abated in violence, but increased in subtilty. For conceiving his recantation (as indeed …t was) rather indited from his Tongue then his Heart, these Spanels resolved to Retrive the game, and to put him a fresh on the triall.
15 No fewer then 107. Articles were fr…med against him, and he brought to his purgation before the Councell, neere the titular Patriarch of Constantinople, who formerly had condemned Huss was appointed his judge; Happy had it beene, if this pragmaticall persecutor had had no more power in Constance, then he received profit from Constantinople, whence he was onelyonly qualified and dignified with an Aeriall title. Ierom most valiently and elequently assessed the truth, recanting his recantation? And protesting that nothing more troubled him in his life, then his former cowardize. Thus, as the well levelled Canon, though at the discharging by the force of the powder it recoyleth some paces backward, yet it …endeth the Bullet to the right marke. So Ierom now hit home, notwithstanging his former fearfull failing, and became the more couragious in Gods cause, yea bashfull blushing for their former faults, so becometh the faces of good men, that it maketh them looke the more beautifull.
16 Sentence of condemnation was presently passed upon him, and a paper Mite was made for him to weare, wherein red divels with monstrous visage… were depainted, done to affright the vulgar, who commonly carry their soules in their eyes, much affected wth such representations; the heathē Romans had a custome that at the Apotheosis, or Pagan Canonizing of an Emperor for a god, when his body was solemnly burned, an artificial Eagle was curiously made at the top of the Rogus or funerall pile; and people perswaded, that that soaring Eagle did withall carry and convey the Emperors soule into heaven: Or at leastwise was an Embleme of his mounting up into happinesse. Thus this pageant of painted divels was presented to the people to possesse them with an opinion, that in the same sort the Fiends of hell did arrest and seaze on the soule of Ierom, who notwithstanding would have done well enough, if the divels in flesh their present had not done more to him, then the divels in paper. This Saint rather smiling at the folly then angry at the malice of his enemies, cheerfully put the Miter on his head; Did my Savour, said he, weare a Crowne of thornes for me, and shall not I as willingly weare this foolish Cap for his sake?
17 He was fastened to the stacke, which was an …mage of wood made to resemble Iohn Huss. (sometimes deepe malice expresseth it selfe but in shallow fancies) and singing all the while, suffered (as I may say) many Marterdomes. It was almost quarter of an houre, before he gave up the ghos…, rather roasted then burnt: so as blisters, as big as Egs were raised upon his skin: the fire tormented him at distance, being made round about him. Here my soule being to be sent on two severall errands, knoweth not which first to dispatch: whether I should enveigh on the cruelty of his Murderers, who had martired all humanity in themselves, artificially skilfull to descant on the dolefull plain …ong of death, that the poore man might feele himself dye, whilest their revengefull eyes plaid the Epicures on his torment: or shall I first admire the patience of Ierom, who standing as stiffe as the stake to which he was fastened, like Eliah went up to heaven in a Chariot of fire: But to omit both, I had best adore the goodnesse of God, which gave such strength unto men, conquering the cruelty of their tormentors by their sufferings.
18 The ashes of Ierom were cast into the river of Rhine, so that he might say with David, Psalm 66.12.We went through fire and water: what the Poets fain of …he river Tayns car…ying golden sand in the streame thereof, is herein mistically verified of Rhine; now the chanell was enriched with the precious dust of this Saint: that river long since hath perchance scattered their reliqu…s to the German sea, as that to the mayne Ocean, though his memory & fame is more dispersed abroad on the Continent. All this separations of his d…t shall no… pose an omnipotent power, but that at the last day he shall have a glorious resurrection. Wicked men said of St. Paul, Away with such a fellow from the Earth, for it is not fit that he should live. God saith of his soule, of whom the world was not worthy. Both agree in this, though grounding their agreement on contray wayes, that men of great piety are not to be long lived in this world.
19 I had almost forgot a perpetuall speech of this Ierom, I summon you all (said he) a hundred yeers hence to appeare before God, and give an account of my innosent blood; severall coments are made of this text, his enemies derided his words as the fantasticall issue of an idle prayer, onelyonly wise and wary in taking the safe terme of a hundred yeers, th…t none then present might have the advantage to confute him of falshood. Others conceived the expression, a generall commination, using a certaine time for an uncertaine, amounting to this efect; that the longest lived of them all should one day be called to a sad reckoning for their cruelty. But ma…ny Protestants not content to have his words an arrow shot at rovers, but ayming at and hitting a marke, interpret them of Martin Luther, who in oriticall computation at the end of that Century (as herein to Ieromes opinions & Executer of his will herein) gave that deadly wound to that man of sin, which hath brought him to an incurable consumption attended with an hectique Fever, the infallible forerunner of the speedy approching of his finall destruction.
This brave Bohemian worthy may, indeed,
His brother Huss most worthily succeed;
And, as two Twins, for their heroick Spirit,
The one, the others honour may inherit.
For, by John Huss, Jerom was blestly ayded,
Where by the Romish rout he was invaded;
And, Jerom, hearing Huss was wrong'd by Rome,
To vindicate his quarrell, did presume.
But, in the tryall, found his heeles tript up.
Fearfull (by Romish rage) to taste his Cup;
Yet, at the last, that tempting blast ore blown,
His doubled and redoubled Zeal was shown:
Stoutly recanting his forc'd recantation,
To th' Death he hated Romes abomination.
Which did their Romish furie so enflame,
That, torturing him, they Tygers fierce became;
His head (like Huss) with painted Divels, arrayd,
His Soule to Heaven, outragious flames convayd.