evils, so that you may observe his word rather than the ordinances
of men. As long as you observe his word, no one can do you harm.
Wherefore, dearly-beloved, meditate deeply on these two things, which
are eternal and imperishable--condemnation and everlasting life. The
former will draw you into fire that lasts for ever, dreadful torments,
and a devouring and endless sojourn with devils; but in eternal life
all will be perfect joy, absence of affliction and suffering, and a
residence with God himself and his angels. For, as St Paul says--“Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of
man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” We
shall, therefore, be indeed blessed when we enjoy this beatitude,
of which the delights will be perfect and without drawback, and we
shall then behold who shall be condemned;--there all sins hidden in
the hearts of men shall be laid bare; there we shall reap a joy and
a consolation of which we shall never be deprived; there, in fine,
we shall be happy if we suffer anything here for Jesus Christ; for,
as gold is tried by fire, so shall we be proved by the cross and by
affliction, under the hand of Him that has produced the world from
nothingness. We shall therefore be happy, if we persevere to the end in
well-doing.
Let us bear in mind, dearly-beloved, that the world is wasting away,
that death is at hand, and that we are here only on a pilgrimage. Live,
therefore, first of all piously, renouncing your sins; next, aspire
to heavenly joys; and, lastly, love God with all your heart, and have
confidence in him, that he may deck you out with his glory, through
the merits of Jesus Christ, and may make you sharers in his reign. Amen.
LETTER XV.
THE PRIEST WYCHEWITZE TO JOHN HUSS AND HIS FRIENDS.
To you, dearly-beloved in the Lord, be salvation and all that is
most precious in the bosom of Jesus Christ--to you whom I love in
the truth, and not I alone, but all who have knowledge of the truth
that dwells in you, and will always remain there, through the grace
of God! I felt a most lively joy when our brethren came and bore
testimony to your true doctrine, informing us of the manner in which
you walk in the light. I have learned, dear brethren, with what rigour
Antichrist is proving you, by inflicting on believers various and most
grievous tribulations; and I feel no astonishment, if, amongst you,
as already almost everywhere in the world, the law of Christ has such
violent assaults to sustain from his enemies. Let us, then, strengthen
ourselves in the Lord our God, and in his infinite goodness: and let us
be confident that he will not permit his faithful followers to wander
aside from their object, provided we love him as we ought to do, with
all our heart. There would be no suffering borne by you, if iniquity
did not abound. Be not, therefore, shaken by any tribulation, or any
trial, supported for the sake of Christ; for we know with certitude,
that they whom the Lord judges worthy to be his children, are proved by
him in affliction: our merciful Father sends us persecutions in this
miserable world, in order to receive us afterwards into his grace.
The great Workman proves and purifies the gold, before he receives it
into his incorruptible treasury: the period of our life here below is
brief and transitory: the life which we hope for hereafter is full of
delight, and eternal. Let us, therefore, labour whilst we can to secure
our being admitted into this happy rest. What do we behold in this
perishable life, if not grief and mourning, and what ought above all to
afflict the faithful,--a too great abandonment and contempt of the law
of God.
Let us, then, strive to attain, as much as is necessary, to durable
and eternal things, detaching our souls from those which pass away and
perish. Consider the ancient fathers, the saints of the old and new
alliance: have they not all traversed this same ocean of tribulation
and persecution? Were not some sawed in two, others stoned, others put
to death with the sword? All have passed by a difficult road, and so
followed the footsteps of Christ, who said, “Let him who serves me,
follow my steps.” Wherefore, placing before you the example of so many
saints who have preceded us, and being pressed on all sides by sin,
let us patiently await the combat which is offered us, our eyes fixed
on the foundation of our faith--on that Jesus who suffered the trial
of the cross; let us implore him who suffered every indignity from the
hands of sinners to support our souls; let us combat firmly against his
enemies, loving his law, and not being false workmen; but let us act
faithfully, and labour for the Lord, in the hope of an eternal reward.
Thou, my dear Huss, my well-beloved brother in Christ, although my eyes
have never beheld thee, thy features are well known to me by faith and
affection; for this world cannot disjoin those whom the love of Christ
strongly binds together. Rejoice in the grace that has been accorded
thee: exert thyself like a valiant soldier of Christ: preach and
exhort, by thy word and thy example: recall all that thou canst into
the way of truth; for the truth of the gospel ought not to be held back
on account of some vain censures and antichristian excommunications.
Impart, then, strength to the members of Christ that are enfeebled by
Satan; and even should Antichrist be raised to the very topmost point
of power, his reign will soon finish. I rejoice, above all, that in
your kingdom, and elsewhere, God animates hearts, that support with
joy, captivity, exile, and even death, for Christ’s word.
What more shall I say to you, dearly-beloved? I know not; but I confess
that my heart would dissolve with delight, if I could thus strengthen
and console myself under the law of the Lord. I salute, from the bottom
of my soul, all the believers and faithful disciples of the truth; and,
in particular, Jacobel, thy coadjutor in the preaching of the Gospel,
requesting him to pray in his church to the Lord for me.
May the God of peace, who raised from the dead the Shepherd of the
sheep, Jesus Christ, our Sovereign Lord, render you capable of all
well-doing, in order that by his acting with you as he may deem fit,
you execute his will. All your friends, who have heard your constancy
spoken of, salute you. I desire most ardently to receive a letter from
you; for be assured that it affords me no trifling consolation.
Written at London, on the day of the Nativity of the Virgin, in the
year of our Lord 1410.[35]
FOOTNOTE:
[35] The signature runs thus:--“Vester servus cupiens in labore fieri
socius, Ricus Wychewitze, infimus Sacerdotum.”--This letter has been
erroneously attributed by several historians to Wyckliff.
SECOND SERIES.
LETTERS WRITTEN BY JOHN HUSS, AND OTHER PERSONS, AT THE PERIOD OF THE
COUNCIL OF CONSTANCE.
The letters of this Second Series were all written in the nine months
which elapsed between the departure of John Huss for the Council, in
October 1414, and the last day of June 1415, which immediately preceded
his execution. They form one of the most curious monuments of this
celebrated period, and present an irrefragable testimony in favour of
John Huss against his judges. We perceive in the early ones, by the
eagerness of the populations to flock to him on his passage, how great
was already the authority of his name and doctrines in Germany. In
reading those which come after, we are present at the grand scenes of
the Council; and had we not the concluding ones before us, we should
never perhaps know to what a degree this man, so intrepid and so firm
in his faith before God and men, was to the end filled with gratitude
towards his benefactors, torn with solicitude for his flock, full of
love toward his friends, and actuated by feelings of mercy towards his
persecutors.
The letters of this series were collected without order of date by
Peter Maldoniewitz, and were so published by Luther. We have classified
them with great care, some from the indications given by Huss himself,
and the rest in the order of the events which they narrate. Some
letters of Huss’s friends have been included in the collection, and
add to the interest of this correspondence, at once so dramatic and so
truly Christian.[36]
FOOTNOTE:
[36] For the history of this period of Huss’s life, consult _The
Reformers before the Reformation_, vol. ii., book iii.
LETTER I.
TO MASTER MARTIN.
[John Huss wrote this letter previous to his departure from Bohemia,
and left it sealed up in the hands of the person to whom it was
addressed, requesting it not to be opened until after his death.]
Master Martin, my much beloved brother in Christ, I exhort thee to fear
God, to keep his commandments, and to watch over thyself when in female
company. Be provident in listening to their confessions, that Satan may
not deceive thee by honied words; for Saint Augustin has said--“Trust
not thyself to devotion; for corruption is sometimes the greater
in proportion as the devotion is apparent; and disordered passions
may conceal themselves under a mask of piety....” Beware, then, of
incurring an irreparable loss: and I trust you will remain pure from
all commerce with women, for I have taught thee, from thy youth
upwards, to serve Jesus Christ.[37] Know, therefore, it is for having
condemned the avarice and disorderly life of priests, that, by the
grace of God, I suffer a persecution, which will soon be extinguished
by my death. I do not fear to be confounded for the name of Jesus
Christ.
I conjure thee not to seek after benefices. Nevertheless, if thou art
called to a cure, let the glory of God, the salvation of souls, and
labour alone, occupy you, and not the possession of riches. If thou
shouldst obtain a church, take not a young woman for servant, and
avoid ornamenting thy house more than thy soul; above all, bestow thy
cares on the spiritual edifice; be pious and humble with the poor, and
consume not thy estate with feasting. If thou dost not amend thy life,
and abstain from sumptuous clothing and superfluities, I fear that thou
mayest be chastened, as I myself am,--I who have used such things,
seduced by the custom and approbation of the wicked, and troubled by
a spirit of pride which is in opposition to God. From thy youth, thou
hast known my preaching and private exhortations; it is, therefore,
useless to write thee more; but I conjure thee, by the mercy of our
Lord, not to follow me in any of the vanities into which thou hast seen
me fall. Know, alas! that before receiving the priesthood, I lost much
time in playing at chess, and through this game often suffered myself
to be provoked, as well as provoked others to anger. I recommend myself
to thy prayers before God, for this sin, and for my other innumerable
transgressions. I invoke his mercy for me, that he may deign to direct
my life, and that after the victory over the perverse powers of this
age, over the flesh, the world, and Satan, he may open to me at the
day of judgment the celestial country. Adieu, then, in Jesus Christ,
with all those who keep his laws. Receive my grey gown as a mark of
my remembrance of thee; nevertheless, if thou art ashamed of the grey
colour, dispose of it for the best, and as thou thinkest proper. Thou
wilt give my white gown to the Curé, my disciple; thou wilt also give
to George or to Suzikon, sixty silver groschen, or my grey gown,
because he has faithfully served me.
_Outside the letter, Huss wrote_--
I conjure thee not to open this letter before thou hast ascertained the
certainty of my death.
FOOTNOTE:
[37] Ergo cave ne irrecuperabilem perdas, quam spero retines,
virginitatem; memento quia a juventate tua docui te servere
Christo-Jesu.
LETTER II.
JOHN HUSS TO THE BOHEMIANS PREVIOUSLY TO HIS SETTING OUT FOR THE
COUNCIL.[38]
I, John Huss, in hope, priest and minister of Jesus Christ, to all our
well-beloved and faithful brethren and sisters, who have heard from my
mouth the divine word, and who have received the mercy and peace of God
and of the Holy Ghost, I pray they may continue to walk without blame
in the truth as it is in Jesus Christ.
You know, dear brethren, that for a long time I have instructed you in
the faith, teaching you the word of the Lord, and not things foreign to
the truth; for I have always sought, seek now, and shall seek unto the
end, your salvation. I had intended, before I set out for Constance,
to refute the false testimonies, and confound the false witnesses, who
wish to bring me to the scaffold, but time has not permitted me, and I
will do it at a later period. You, then, who know these things, think
not, suppose not, that I encounter unworthy treatment for any false
doctrines. Dwell in the truth, and confide yourselves to the mercy of
God, who has given you the truth through me, his faithful preacher, to
know and defend the truth, and beware of false teachers.... As to me, I
am setting out to travel with a safe-conduct from the Emperor, to meet
and confound my numerous and mortal enemies, as will appear clearer
than the day, when they stand before me and produce against me their
false testimonies.
Mine enemies in the Council, more numerous than were Christ’s, are
found amongst the bishops, and doctors, and also amongst the princes of
this age, and the Pharisees. But I confide myself entirely to Almighty
God and my Saviour; I hope, therefore, he will grant my ardent prayer,
and put prudence and wisdom in my mouth, that I may be able to resist
them; that he may bestow on me his Holy Spirit to fortify me in the
truth; so that the gates of hell shall not be able to lead me from it,
and that I may face, with an intrepid heart, temptation, imprisonment,
and the sufferings of a cruel death.
Christ has suffered for his well-beloved; should we, then, be
astonished at his leaving us his example, in order that we may
patiently suffer all things for our own salvation? He is God, and we
are his creatures; he is the Lord, and we are his servants; he is the
Master of the world, and we are but frail mortals; he is not in want of
anything, and we are utterly destitute; he has suffered, and should not
we suffer also, especially when suffering is unto us a purification?
Truly, he who confides in Christ, and dwells in his truth, cannot
perish. Therefore, my beloved brethren, pray to him incessantly to
bestow his Spirit upon me, that I may dwell in the truth, and be
delivered from all evil; and if my death should contribute to his
glory, pray that it may come quickly, and that he may give me strength
to support my afflictions with constancy. But if it be better, in the
interest of my salvation, that I should return amongst you, we will ask
of God, that I leave the Council without a blemish; that is to say,
that I may keep back nothing of the truth of the gospel of Christ,
in order that we may distinguish its light more purely, and leave
to our brethren a fine example. Probably you may never again see my
countenance at Prague; but if the will of Almighty God should deign to
restore me to you, let us advance, then, with a better heart in the
knowledge and love of his law. The Lord is merciful and just, and gives
peace to his children in this world and after death. Let him watch over
you who has purified us by the sprinkling of his precious blood--of
that blood which is the eternal pledge of our salvation! May he permit
you to accomplish his will; and when you shall have accomplished it,
may he bestow on you peace and eternal glory, through Jesus Christ,
with all those who have dwelt in the truth!
FOOTNOTE:
[38] This letter was written in Bohemia by Huss; several translations
of it were made by his adversaries to injure him before the Council.
LETTER III.
LETTER WRITTEN FROM NUREMBERG TO HIS CONGREGATION AT PRAGUE.
Salvation be to you through Jesus Christ! Learn that from the day I
left Bohemia, I have travelled on horseback, and without concealment,
my face being uncovered. As I approached Pernau, I found the Curé and
his vicars waiting my arrival. When I entered the town[39] he drank
a large cup of wine to my health, and, with his vicars, listened,
in a spirit of charity, to my doctrine, and said that he had always
been my friend. All the Germans saw me afterwards with pleasure in
the new town. We went from thence to Weyden, where we beheld a great
crowd, as if in admiration; and when we had come to Saltzbach, I said
to the consuls and ancients of the city: “I am that John Huss, of
whom, without doubt, you have heard so much ill spoken. Behold me;
assure yourselves of the truth, by interrogating me yourselves.” After
much questioning, they received perfectly well all I said to them.
We _afterwards_ traversed Inspruck, and passed the night in the town
of Lauff, where the Curé, a celebrated purist, came, accompanied by
his vicars. I had a long conference with him; and he also received my
words with great attention. We arrived next at Nuremberg, where some
traders, who preceded us, had announced my arrival; which caused the
people to assemble in the thoroughfares, demanding which was John Huss.
The Curé, John Heluvel, wrote to me before dinner, stating his wish to
have a long conversation with me. I invited him to come, and he did so.
The citizens and masters afterwards assembled together, in the desire
of seeing and conferring with me. As soon as they came, I rose from
the table and went to meet them; and as the masters desired to argue
with me, I told them that I spoke in public, and that all who wished
to listen should hear me; and from that moment until night-time, we
discussed religious matters in the presence of the consuls and citizens.
There was present a doctor whose words were deceitful; and I perceived
that Albert, Curé of Saint Sebold, saw, with pain, the approbation
given to my doctrines. Nevertheless, all the citizens and masters
remained satisfied. “Master,” said they, “truly, all that we have just
heard is catholic; we have ourselves taught these things for many
years; we have held them to be true, and still consider them such;
truly you will return from this Council with honour.” We separated
in the best terms with each other. Know that I have not yet met with
an enemy; and in all the hotels where I stop I am well received. No
hatred is stronger against me than that of some men from Bohemia. What
more can I say to you? The nobles, Wenceslaus, and John de Chlum, act
piously and nobly towards me. They are like heralds and advocates of
the truth. God assisting, all goes on well. The Emperor is in the
kingdom; Wenceslaus Lesma follows him, and we shall arrive in the night
at Constance, where Pope John is shortly expected. We understand he
follows the Emperor at a distance of sixty miles.
[Written at Nuremberg on the Sunday before the festival of the Eleven
thousand Virgins.]
FOOTNOTE:
[39] Huss adds, _in stubam_; but the sense which he attached to this
word is doubtful.
LETTER IV.
JOHN, CURÉ OF JANOWITZ, TO THE FAITHFUL BELIEVERS OF PRAGUE.
[Fragments of a letter attributed to John, Curé of Janowitz, and
inserted in the Latin collection of John Huss’s letters.[40]]
Very dear Friends, I desire you to be informed that an auditor of the
Sacred Apostolical Palace came to our lodging with the Bishop and the
Ecclesiastical Judge of Constance. They conversed with the master;[41]
and there has been a long debate between the Pope and the Cardinals on
the subject of his interdiction. They have decided a messenger should
go from them to the master, and inform him that the Pope, of his full
power, suspends the interdiction and sentence excommunicating him,
and prays him, in order to prevent scandal and public rumour, not to
present himself in places where the Pope and the Cardinals solemnly
officiate; granting him otherwise full liberty to visit the town, the
churches, and all other places he pleases. We have understood that they
all fear the next sermon which Master John intends delivering to the
clergy; and, in fact, some one yesterday--we know not whether a friend
or an enemy--spread the report that John Huss will preach to the
clergy next Sunday in the Cathedral of Constance, and will give a ducat
to all who are present. We are at present entirely at liberty in the
town. The Master officiates every day, and acts everywhere freely. He
does not keep at a distance from the king’s council, that, in the cause
of truth, which is also his own, nothing may be undertaken against him
before the arrival of the King of Hungary.[42] The Council has not yet
taken the affair into consideration; up to this time there has not
arrived any ambassador from the king or prince, neither from Gregory
nor Benedict; and we do not think the Council will open its sittings
before several weeks. Let all those who are personally cited be careful
of themselves, and know well that their names are publicly affixed to
the church-doors. Michael Causis chants his high deeds. The Seigniors
John Lepka and Wenceslaus of Lesma are the intrepid and zealous
defenders of the truth.[43]
[Written at Constance on the Sunday before Saint Martin’s day.]
FOOTNOTES:
[40] This letter is important, as it shews in what manner Huss was
treated during the early part of his stay at Constance.
[41] With John Huss.
[42] The King of Hungary, to whom John of Janowitz here alludes, is
Sigismund, the second son of Charles IV., and brother of Wenceslaus,
King of Bohemia. This prince succeeded Robert to the imperial throne;
and the distinguished part he took in the Council of Constance is well
known. At that period he had not yet been crowned, and was usually
only designated by the titles of _King of Hungary_, and _King of the
Romans_, although he was, in fact, Emperor. To avoid all confusion, we
have already given him his imperial title, and shall continue doing so
throughout.
[43] John of Janowitz terminates his letter with the following _jeu de
mots_:--“Auca nondum est assata, nec timet de assatione, quia præsenti
anno, sabbato ante Martini festum, occurrit ipsius celebris vigilia,
ubi ante non comeduntur.”
LETTER V.
JOHN HUSS TO THE PEOPLE OF BOHEMIA AND HIS FRIENDS.
Salutation through Jesus Christ. We entered Constance after the
festival of All-Saints’ day, without having suffered injury in the
towns we passed through, and where we delivered public discourses in
Latin and German. We lodge at Constance, in the Great Square, near
the Pope’s hotel; and we have arrived without a safe-conduct.[44] The
next day, Michael Causis stuck up a notice on the church, containing
an accusation against me; he affixed his signature to it, with a long
commentary, which indicated, amongst other things, that this accusation
was directed against the obstinate John Huss, excommunicated and
suspected of heresy. I endeavour, with God’s aid, not to pay attention
to it, knowing that God has created him my enemy on account of my sins,
in order to judge whether I am willing or able to suffer something for
his name’s sake.
Lutzembock and John of Lepka have visited the Pope, and spoken to
him about me: he answered, that he did not wish to resort to violent
measures. It is rumoured, though vaguely, that Pope Benedict is coming
from Spain to be present at the Council. We have learned to-day, that
the Dukes of Brabant and Burgundy have withdrawn from the camp. The
Pope and the Council must wait for the Emperor, who is to be crowned
at Aix; and as this town is seventy miles distant from Constance, I
do not think the Emperor can be here before Christmas; the Council
will be then near its close, unless it is broken up about Easter. The
living here is exceedingly expensive, a bed costing half a florin
a-week. Horses are at a high price, and seven florins are paid for a
horse that might be bought in Bohemia for six drachms. The Seignior
John and myself have sent ours to the town of Ravensburg, four miles
from here, and I think I shall not be long before I shall want common
necessaries. Mention my uneasiness to our friends, whom it would take
too long to name severally. The Seignior Lutzembock has gone to-day
to rejoin the Emperor, and has prohibited me from undertaking any
thing before the arrival of Sigismund. I hope I shall answer before a
public audience. Many Italians and Parisians are here, but few bishops
and archbishops: the cardinals, also, are numerous. When I traversed
Constance on horseback, I was surrounded by a large crowd of horsemen,
and the multitude pressed round me. Our Bohemians have spent all
their money on the road, and are already in want. I pity greatly
their distress, but I cannot give to all. I have only kept my horse
Robstein, the swiftest horse here, and which I guard, in case I should
wish to leave this city, and rejoin the Emperor. Salute our friends,
without excepting any one. This letter is the fourth I write from a
foreign country, and I date it, Sunday night after All-Saints’ day.
Not one of our Bohemian knights is at Constance, with the exception
of the Seignior John Lepka, who has protected and conducted me like a
true knight. He preaches more than I do, and proclaims everywhere my
innocence. Pray to God to sustain my courage.
+John Huss+, servant of God in hope.
FOOTNOTE:
[44] Without a safe-conduct from the Pope. See Letter VI.