Know, my well-beloved friends, that I am well in every respect. I have
arrived at Constance without any safe-conduct from the Pope. Pray,
then, to God that he may grant me firmness; for many and redoubtable
adversaries rise up here against me, excited especially by the seller
of indulgences, the Deacon of Padua, and Michael Causis, who are
unceasingly plotting against me. Nevertheless, I fear them not, being
in hope that, after a great combat will come a great victory, and after
the victory my reward, and the confusion of my persecutors.
The Pope will not put an end to the affair: “What can I do?” says
he; “it is you who are to act.” Two bishops, however, and a doctor,
have conversed with John Lepka, that we might agree without noise. I
conceive they are afraid that I should answer in public, but I hope I
shall be permitted to do so when the Emperor is present.
We have been well received, and honourably treated in all the towns we
have passed through, and we have published declarations[45] in Latin
and German. In the imperial towns we held discussions with the masters.
The Bishop of Lubeck, who preceded us, and was a night in advance of
us, reported everywhere on the road that I was conducted in chains, in
a cart; and told the people he kept aloof from me, because I seduced
the minds of men. In consequence, whenever we approached a town, the
crowd ran to meet us, as if to a show. But this falsehood has turned
to the confusion of my enemies, and the people rejoiced on learning
the truth. Truly Jesus Christ is with me, like a valiant warrior, and
I defy all the power of my enemies. Live purely, and pray fervently,
that the God of mercy may assist me, and defend, through me, his Word.
_Written on Saint Leonard’s eve._
I think, should the Council be prolonged, I shall want for common
necessaries: ask, therefore, for some assistance for me, but only under
condition agreed on, from those whom you discover to be really my
friends. Salute our brethren and sisters, and invite them to pray to
God for me, since I am in need of it.
FOOTNOTE:
[45] Intimationes.
LETTER VII.
TO THE PEOPLE OF BOHEMIA.
May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, so that,
being delivered from sin, you may walk in grace, increase in modesty
and virtue, and enjoy, after this life, life eternal!
My well-beloved, I conjure you all who live according to God’s
law, disdain not to occupy yourselves with the salvation of souls:
be careful, when listening to the word of God, that you are not
deceived by false apostles, who do not condemn sins, but who excuse
them: they flatter the priests: they do not shew to the people their
transgressions: they glorify themselves, extol their works, and
exalt their own virtue; but they deign not to imitate Jesus Christ
in his humility, in his poverty, in his cross, in his sufferings. It
is of them our merciful Saviour has said--“False Christs and false
prophets shall rise, and deceive many.” And to warn his elect against
them, he has said to them, “Beware of false prophets, which come to
you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves; ye
shall know them by their fruits.” And truly the followers of Christ
have the greatest need to be prudent and careful; for the Saviour has
said, “insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very
elect.” Watch, therefore, my beloved, through fear of falling into the
snares of Satan. It is necessary you should be the more circumspect
in proportion as Antichrist places in your way greater obstacles. The
last judgment is nigh, death will swallow up many, but the kingdom of
God is waiting for his elect, since for them he delivered up his body.
Fear not death; love one another; and endeavour, without ceasing, to
understand the will of God. Let the terrible and formidable day of
judgment be present ever before your eyes, for fear that you may sin;
think also of the joys of eternal life, to which all your efforts
should be directed; think also of the passion of our Saviour, that you
may bear with humility all things with him and for him; for if you bear
in mind his sufferings and his cross, nothing will appear too rigorous
for you; you will accept, without murmurings, tribulations, calumnies,
outrages, chains; and, should it be required, you will not hesitate
to lay down your life for the holy truth. Know, dearly-beloved,
that Antichrist has recourse, in his rage against you, to divers
persecutions; but he has been powerless against a great number; he has
not been able even to remove a single hair from their heads; learn to
know him by my example, although he is violently irritated against me.
Wherefore, I conjure you all to intercede for me in your prayers at the
throne of God, that he may grant me wisdom, mildness, patience, as well
as strength, to keep always in the heavenly truth. It is that which
has already conducted me to Constance; and during the whole journey
I have publicly and openly declared my name, as became a servant of
God. Nowhere did I conceal myself; but in no place have I found more
dangerous or declared enemies than in this city; and I should not have
had them for adversaries, if some Bohemian impostors, for the money
which they had received, and seduced by avarice, had not persuaded them
that I mislead the people from the good way. But I have good hope, by
the mercy of our Saviour and your prayers, that I shall persevere until
death in the immutable truth of our Heavenly Father.
Know, lastly, that every one here has his duty assigned him; I alone
am neglected. It is the Pope who has regulated every thing here. I
recommend myself to our sweet Lord Jesus Christ, to the true God, to
the Son of the Virgin Mary, who ransomed us by a bitter death, and not
through our merits, from eternal punishment, from the power of the
devil and sin.
On Saint Fabin’s eve (January 19), written at Constance, 1415.
LETTER VIII.
TO THE INHABITANTS OF PRAGUE.
[Huss conjures them to remember his doctrines, and to cling to the
Word of God.]
May God be with you! I conjure you, dearly-beloved, to attach
yourselves to the cause of the Lord; for several endeavour to stifle
the word, and take away from you the Gospel of Christ, which I have
preached unto you, in order to turn men from their salvation. Reflect,
in the second place, on the slights and outrages which your nation
inflicts on you;--which hypocrites wickedly excite against you; think
of the infamies and insults heaped upon you; in a word, support all
things with joy and patience.
If Satan insults you, if Antichrist holds you in derision, he cannot
harm you more than a dog tied-up, as long as you love the Word of God
and defend it with all your power. Look at me! Satan has persecuted
me for some years past, but he has not been able to do me any harm,
because I trust in God. I will even say more, God strengthens in me
every day joy and contentment. Remember also, that to deny a thing,
is to abjure what one believes, be it the true faith or a heresy. If
a man is a Christian, and if, through fear of death or persecution,
and seduced by the wiles of the demon, he joins the sect of Jews and
Pagans, and declares on oath that he does not wish to be a Christian,
he denies the true faith. But if another has adopted a heresy; if, for
example, he does not believe Jesus Christ to be God; if, in the end, he
abjures this opinion, it cannot be said of him that he persists in his
error. Acknowledging, therefore, how much he sins who denies the truth
when he has once come to a knowledge of it, or who adheres to error or
heresy, and esteeming more than all, the Word of God, let us celebrate
his glory above all things, and live in charity with all men. Wrestle
courageously against the imposture of Antichrist, having with you your
Saviour, who strengthens you, and whom no one can vanquish. He will
not forsake you, if you do not forsake him; but will bestow on all the
faithful who believe in him, an eternal reward. I wrote these things,
not being able to come to you in person--1415.
LETTER IX.
[John Huss to a priest, whom he reminds of his duties.]
My very dear Brother,--Be zealous in preaching the Scriptures, fill the
office of a good preacher of the Gospel, remember thy vocation, and
work like a favoured soldier of Christ. Live, first of all, piously
and purely; afterwards, teach faithfully and sincerely. Be unto others
an example in every good work; leave nothing to be desired in thy
discourses; recommend virtue, and bring back those who live wickedly
to the remembrance of eternal punishment; point out the joys of heaven
to those who live in faith and piety; preach assiduously but briefly;
explain, lastly, the Holy Scriptures prudently and with profit. Take
heed of affirming any thing uncertain and doubtful, for fear of being
taken up by adversaries who delight to find their neighbour in fault,
and bring contempt on God’s ministers; exhort to confession and to the
Communion of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, under both forms, that
those who sincerely repent of their sins may often communicate.
I exhort thee, dear brother, not to frequent taverns or strangers,
in order not to live like the common run of men; for the more the
priest keeps aloof from public places, and dissipation, the more he
is acceptable to God. Nevertheless, refuse not thine assistance to
others, according to thy means. Preach with all thy might against
voluptuousness; it is a wild beast that devours men, for whom the
humanity of Christ has suffered. Wherefore, my dear friend, I conjure
you to avoid all impurity; for even when thou shalt most endeavour
to be useful, temptation will conceal itself, in order to lay hold
of thee. Shun entirely the company of young women, and trust not to
their devotion. Saint Augustin has said: “_Quo religiosior, eo ad
luxuriam proclivior, et sub prætextu religionis latet dolus aut venenum
fornicationis_.” Know, my dear friend, that their society has seduced
many, whom the life of the age has not destroyed. Introduce not, under
any pretext, women into thy dwelling, and do not hold too frequent
intercourse with them; lastly, whatever thou doest, fear God, and keep
his commandments, for so thou shalt be in the right path; thou shalt
not perish, but shalt curb thy flesh, master the world, vanquish the
demon, put on a divine spirit, find life, strengthen others, and place
on thy own head a crown of glory, which shall be given thee, by the
equitable and sovereign Dispenser of all justice.
LETTER X.[46]
TO PETER MALDONIEWITZ.
[John Huss wrote the following letters in the prison where he was
first detained, at the Monastery of the Minor Brothers, near the
Lake of Constance, outside the city walls.]
I have written nothing at present on my captivity except the letter,
if, indeed, thou hast sent it, in which I besought to be prayed for.
Thou understandest, without doubt, that I allude to the letter I
addressed to Master Jacobel, and in which I wrote: “My enemies have
said that I shall not obtain an audience, unless I, first of all,
pay two thousand ducats to the ministers of Antichrist for their
expenses.”[47] Michael[48] has brought a copy of this letter, and
the answer of Master Jacobel, which, I have reason to believe, is
severe for me. He came with the patriarch, accompanied by scribes and
witnesses, amongst whom was Master Nicholas. Stoggis stood up right in
front of me. One of the commissioners handing me the copy to read over,
asked me to declare on oath if it was mine. I answered; Yes, and I do
not believe, since the cruel salutations of Master Paletz, that any
thing troubled me more than these letters. I shudder at the wickedness
of Michael, and of his accomplices. As to Master Jacobel, who preaches
that we should beware of hypocrites, he is deceived by them more than
any one, and delivers himself up to them. I have not read his letter,
but I believe it to be severe. There were two copies in the same paper,
and I thought at first it was not an answer to mine, but a copy of the
letter of the Curé of Janowitz.
FOOTNOTES:
[46] This is the 43d in the collection of John Huss’s Works.
[47] The letter thus alluded to has not come down to us.
[48] Michael Causis.
LETTER XI.
TO THE BELIEVERS IN PRAGUE.
[A letter written from Constance, by John Huss, to the community of
Prague, during the early part of his imprisonment.[49]]
May God be with you; so that, in wrestling against Satan and the world,
you may persevere to the end. I conjure you, well-beloved, from the
prison which I inhabit, to pray to God for me, who do not blush to
bear affliction for him: pray that he may assist me; for all my life
lies in him, and your prayers. Beseech him, therefore, to grant his
Spirit unto me, that I may confess his name, even unto death. I cling
to his mercy and truth; and if at this time he deign to receive me,
let his holy will be done! But if it be his will I should live and be
restored to you, let his holy will again be blessed. I shall be in
need of his Divine assistance, although I am assured that he will not
permit me to be tried beyond my strength, and exposed to a peril that
will not ensure my salvation and yours; for the end of temptation,
should we hold fast in the truth, is to effect our salvation. Know,
dearly-beloved, that the letters I have left you, have been translated
by my adversaries, who have added to them many falsehoods. They write
so many articles and lies against me, that I have enough to do to
answer them from my prison. Their malice equals their fury. Jesus
Christ, our merciful Lord, has said to them whom he loved, “I will give
you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to
gainsay nor resist.” Remember, beloved, that I have never had anything
more at heart from the beginning than your salvation; it is in his name
that I have taught you the Word of God, and I shall never cease doing
so, even from the bottom of my prison. I do not doubt but that you
will make some mention of me.
[Written on the eve before St Fabin’s day.]
FOOTNOTE:
[49] This letter was read at Prague, in the Chapel of Bethlehem, and in
the other churches.
LETTER XII.[50]
TO JOHN OF CHLUM.
[He exhorts him not to depart, as likewise his friends, before the
end of the trial.]
Excellent Lord, I rejoice greatly at your good health, your presence
here, and the firm perseverance of your good and faithful heart in the
trouble which you take for me in my misfortunes. God has given you that
constancy to a higher degree than to any other person; he bestows you
on me for my support, and I hope it will be for your welfare in this
life and in the next.
I beseech you, then, by the mercy of God, to wait for the termination
of the affair, like a soldier of Jesus Christ. If the Seignior John of
Janowitz, who lived with us, is in good health, I ask you to keep him
also near you.
I think often with pleasure of the noble Seignior Wenceslaus Duba. I
pray you to transmit to him, saluting him from me, what I say of him in
my prison, and thank him for his undeviating fidelity. Salute also all
the other faithful Bohemians.
I accuse myself, that, on the unexpected appearance of Master
Christian, my faithful master and benefactor, I could not restrain the
tears which flowed from my eyes.
I was told you had left some time since with all your suite, but my
soul is comforted. The God of all goodness at one time consoles, at
another afflicts me; but I hope he will not forsake me in my trials.
I have again suffered horribly from the stone, from which I had never
suffered previously to my imprisonment; I have also been attacked by
fever, and seized with vomitings, and my jailors, who took me out of
the prison, thought I should have died here.
There are now presented to me many articles, heaps of falsehoods,
besides those concerning which you have already received many answers.
I have not dared reply to the writing which you transmitted to me, on
the subject of the articles of the Parisian Doctors; for I could not
do it secretly, being closely watched. It is better for me to abstain,
rather than place in peril this faithful friend whom I recommend to
you.[51]
I would willingly see you with the Seignior Wenceslaus and Master
Christian. If you speak to the vice-chamberlain, I think he will permit
you to be admitted. Converse before my guards in Latin.... I did not
dare keep the articles about my person. Make Peter copy what I have
written on the Ten Commandments of God.
If I live I will answer the articles of the Chancellor of Paris;[52] if
I die, God will answer them for me at the day of judgment.
I know not where is my faithful brother in Christ. Is Master Christian
with you? I pray you salute him, as likewise the Seignior Wenceslaus,
and the other faithful Bohemians.[53]
Torment not yourself about the living being dear here. Live as you can;
and should God permit me to leave the prison, you will not repent these
expenses.
If you see the Seignior Henry of Plumlovitz, or Stibor of Botz, salute
them for me.
It will be eight weeks to-morrow that John Huss has been confined in
this refectory.[54]
Noble and good Seignior, and defender of the truth, remain here with
constancy, you and the Seignior Henry, until the end arrives; and I
hope that our Saviour Jesus Christ will permit it to contribute to his
glory and to the ransom of my sins.
I should behold with pleasure the Emperor commanding me to transmit him
my answers on the articles of Wycliffe. Oh! if God would deign to put
wisdom in his mouth, that he might comport himself amongst the princes
as the defender of the truth!
I have finished to-day an essay on the Body of Christ; yesterday I
wrote another on Marriage. You will get them copied. Some Polish
knights, and a single Bohemian in their company, have visited me.
FOOTNOTES:
[50] _Hist. et Monum. Johann. Huss_, Epist. li.
[51] John Huss speaks twice in this letter of a friend whom he does not
name.
[52] John Gerson. Huss adds,--Scribet in manifesto _Zeleznyian_. The
meaning of this latter word is not clear.
[53] John Huss here repeats what he had said in a former part of
this letter, which is written in Latin, and is often very obscure,
indicating a certain derangement, occasioned, without doubt, by acute
sufferings.
[54] In the refectory of the Minor Brothers. The date of this letter is
thus fixed as 22d January 1415.
LETTER XIII.[55]
TO THE SAME.
[John Huss, so many times and so perfidiously questioned by his
adversaries, declares again what he acquiesces in.]
Noble and good Seignior, I have great consolation experienced, and I
implore you in the name of God not to lose patience in taking so much
trouble about me for so long a time; the God of truth and of justice
will reward you for it.
The Commissioners during several days wished to confide my affair to
twelve or thirteen head lawyers. I refused to consent to it. But, after
having written my answers to the forty-five articles of Wycliffe, as
well as to those of my own, which are alleged against me, I wrote with
my own hand a protest, by which I declared that I wished to appear
before the whole Council, and there uphold my faith. In it will be seen
the articles which have been falsely extracted from my treatise on _The
Church_, being added to and taken from, as well as the answer which I
wrote in prison, without the assistance of any book.
I have never in my life found in my misfortune a more cruel comforter
than Paletz.
All the clerks of the Pope’s chamber, as well as my keepers, treat me
with great attention. The Lord delivered Jonas from the belly of the
whale; Daniel from the lion’s den; the three young men from the fiery
furnace: and Susanna from the sentence of false witnesses; he can also
deliver me, if it should promote his glory and the preaching of his
word; if, on the contrary, my death is agreeable to the Lord, let God’s
name be blessed. If, at least, I was permitted to see only once the
Emperor with our Bohemians, I should be consoled in my affliction.
I rejoiced in the news which I have received; truly the Lord has
comforted me. I was happy to hear of the Seignior Henry Snopek being
in good health. I wish to have a Bible sent me. Do not grieve on my
account. I conjure you to treat well this faithful friend, to whom I am
under particular obligations.
FOOTNOTE:
[55] _Hist. et Monum. Johann. Huss_, Epist. lii.
LETTER XIV.[56]
TO THE SAME.
[Huss desires to have several things in his prison to beguile the
time, and fortify himself by the perusal of the Holy Scriptures.]
My good Seignior, endeavour to obtain a Bible for me, and send it by
this excellent man;[57] and if Peter, your secretary, has any ink, let
him give me some, with a few pens and an inkstand.
I have no news of my Polish servant, nor of Master Cardinal; I have
learned only that your noblemen are here with the Emperor; wherefore,
I conjure you to entreat his Majesty in my favour, and in the name of
Almighty God, who has so generously bestowed his gifts upon him, and
on account of the justice and truth which ought to be made manifest
for the honour of God and the advancement of his Church; beseech his
Majesty to deliver me from my chains, that I may be enabled to dispose
of myself, and appear before a public assembly. Learn that I have been
very ill, and have been obliged to take remedies, but that I am now
better. Salute, I pray you, the Bohemian noblemen who are at the King’s
court.
_Written in prison, and by the well-known hand of Peter our
secretary._[58]
FOOTNOTES:
[56] _Hist. et Monum. Johan. Huss_, Epist. liii.
[57] Huss transmits, without doubt, this message by one of the keepers,
whom he praises in another letter.
[58] Peter Maldoniewitz.
LETTER XV.[59]
TO THE SAME.
[He exhorts his friends to beware of the snares of his adversaries,
who, like the Corycæans, listen to and envenom all things.][60]
I have passed nearly the whole of last night in answering in writing
the articles that Paletz has drawn up; he labours directly for the
purpose of procuring my condemnation. May God pardon him, and be my aid!
They affirm that the article concerning the depriving the clergy of
their property is heretical. Make the Emperor understand that if this
article is condemned as a heresy, it will follow that he himself,
as well as his father the Emperor and King of Bohemia,[61] will be
condemned as heretics, for having stripped the bishops of temporal
wealth. Do not send a letter by any one whom you cannot answer for as
for yourself.
Tell Doctor Schmitz to beware of coming here, or Master Jerome, or any
of our friends.
I am astonished that the Emperor has forgotten me, and does not
communicate with me. Perhaps I shall be condemned before I have said a
word to him. It is for him to see if it is to his honour to act thus.
Noble and good Seignior John, my excellent benefactor, my intrepid
defender, I conjure you not to let yourself be troubled on my account,
nor for the losses from which you suffer; Almighty God will reward you
with usury. Salute, I pray you, our Bohemian Lords; I do not know any
thing concerning them, but I think that the Seignior Wenceslaus Duba is
here, as well as Henry Latzembock.
If you decide upon any thing, let me know of it. Let John Bradazk, who
is so dear to me, pray to God, with all the others, for me, and cause
the Emperor to ask for the answers signed by my hand; those I have
drawn up for the articles of Wycliffe, as well as for those imputed to
myself.
Let these answers be copied, but not shewn more than is necessary, and
let the copies not be too much multiplied, in order that the articles
may remain quite distinct. I know not if the petition will be read
which I forwarded to the Patriarch, to lay before the Council. I think
he will not present it. If it pleased God, the Emperor, by means of one
or two articles, might reduce to nothing the conclusions of the Doctors
of Prague, concerning the subtraction of property, the donation of
Constantine, and alms. I did not wish to deny these articles. It would
be necessary for the Emperor to allege some good motives, and that
these were suggested to him by some one who is not one of ours. If I
was free, I would speak alone with the Emperor. See him, in order that
the affair which concerns you, and to which you are attached, should
not be secretly transferred elsewhere, to prevent your interfering in
it any longer.