noblemen to solicit the Emperor and the Council, that what they
promised may take place; for they declared to me,--“The facts alleged
against you shall be put down briefly in writing, and in an approaching
audience you shall reply.” Our noblemen, by reminding the Emperor
and the Council of their own words, can constrain them to do what
they have promised. Then in the Council, with the assistance of God,
will I loudly proclaim the truth; for, rather than to be thus basely
stifled by them, I prefer to have my body burned with fire; but I am
anxious that every Christian shall know what are my last words. I,
therefore, in the name of the Most High, conjure my noble friends to
act with energy, and to give me a last proof of their firmness. My
trust in the Lord, noble John, my generous and most faithful friend,
is unchangeable. May God award you a fitting recompense for all your
kindness. I conjure you not to withdraw until all has been consummated.
Oh! why am I not led forth to the funeral pile, rather than be thus
prevented from being heard! I still hope that the Almighty God will
deliver me from their hands through the merits of the saints. Let me
know, I pray you, if I shall to-morrow be heard before the Council.
Salute, from me, all my friends in Bohemia, and beseech them to pray to
God for me. Should I remain in prison, it will be a great consolation
to me, during my melancholy expectation of death, to know that you
have exhorted the masters to remain steadfast in the truth, as well as
the young maiden Petra and all her family. Recommend Master Jessenitz
to take unto himself a wife. Pray my good friend Guzikon and the curé
not to be angry with me for not having paid what I owed them, for
it was totally out of my power. Let those persons who have aided me
with their money, salute my friends in Christ of both sexes, and let
them pray to God for me. No one will repay them, as well as our Lord
Jesus Christ, the money they had advanced to me, it having been done
for his service. I should, however, be well pleased that the richer
persons paid the poorer; but I fear that in some this saying may be
confirmed,--_Tzosoczy to Smyssli_.[85]
FOOTNOTES:
[84] _Hist. et Monum. Johann. Huss_, Epist. xxxv.
[85] Luther has not translated these words.
LETTER XXVI.[86]
JOHN OF CHLUM TO JOHN HUSS.
[He informs him in what terms the Emperor explained, before the
deputies of the Council, his views relative to the audience. He
afterwards gives him some intelligence of the position and health of
his friends.]
Dearest friend,--Learn that the Emperor held a conference to-day
with the deputies of all the nations of the Council relative to your
affairs, and in particular concerning the public audience. All at last
replied to him that he had certainly promised you a hearing; and
your friends insisted on your being placed in an airy and wholesome
place, that you may collect your strength and allow your mind to become
tranquil, in order that, by a short respite, you may be better able to
reply.
Therefore, in the name of God, quit not the truth in the slightest
degree, through any dread of losing this miserable life; for it is for
your greatest good that God has visited you with this trial.
Your friends in Prague are in good health, and particularly the Lord
Schopeck, who rejoices exceedingly that you are shortly about to
sustain the desired combat for the truth. We pray you earnestly to
consign to paper your final opinion relative to the communion of the
cup, and your reasons therefor, in order that it may be communicated
to our friends in proper season; for there exists some difference of
opinion on the subject amongst the brethren, and many are troubled
thereby. They refer the matter to you and to your writings.
Your friends grieve at the reply of your jailor, and particularly
Jessewitz; but the past cannot be recalled. They praise amongst
themselves, and admire greatly, your firmness.
FOOTNOTE:
[86] _Hist. et Monum. Johann. Huss_, Epist. xlvii.
LETTER XXVII.[87]
TO JOHN OF CHLUM.[88]
[John Huss replies separately to all the articles. He also enumerates
the annoyances to which he is subjected by several bishops relative
to a quantity of gold pieces which they affirm to be in his
possession.]
As well as I can remember, I know nothing more, and I am ignorant for
what object the public hearing will be given me. I have protested in
writing in presence of notaries; I have also addressed to the whole
Council a petition which I shewed to the patriarch, and in which I
demand to have permission accorded me to reply separately to each
article, as I had already replied by writing. The public audience will
perhaps be allowed me for the purpose of replying in a scholastic form,
or perhaps God will graciously permit me to preach.
I hope that, by the grace of God, I shall never depart, even slightly,
from the truth, such as I know it. Pray to Him, therefore, to protect
me!
As to what touches the communion of the cup, you possess the writing
in which I have advanced my opinion on the subject, and my reasons for
holding it. I have nothing farther to say, except that the Scriptures
and the Epistles of Paul prescribe this practice, and that it was in
use in the primitive Church. If possible, obtain permission for those
who are anxious to partake of it from religious motives, to do so;[89]
but be guided in your conduct therein by circumstances.
Let my friends not conceive any alarm at my replies in private. I
cannot see how these things could have been otherwise, since all was
decided by the Council, even previously to my being thrown into prison.
In a document published by the Commissioners, and which has been read
to me, I am called a heresiarch, and a seducer of the people. But I
hope that what I have uttered in the shade, will be, at a later period,
preached in the open day.[90]
I was interrogated, the evening of the day on which I saw John Barbat,
respecting the forty-seven articles; and I replied as I had done in my
preceding protest. Taking each article separately, they asked me if
I desired to defend it: my reply was, that I referred the matter to
the decision of the Council, as I had previously done, and I asserted
of each article, as previously, “It is true; but in such and such a
sense.” “Will you defend it?” they asked me; and my answer was, “No; I
abide by the decision of the Council.”
I call God to witness, that, under the circumstances, I saw nothing
better to reply, as I had antecedently given it under my own hand that
I should not defend any thing obstinately, but that I was ready to be
instructed. These questions were put to me, because it was reported
that I had informed the Emperor that I wished to defend three or four
articles. They even asked me what I had declared to the Emperor, and
I replied, that I had not said anything of the nature attributed to
me.[91] Michael Causis was present, with a paper in his hand, and
urging on the patriarch to force me to reply to his questions; and
whilst this was going on, some bishops entered. Michael has invented
something new. God has been pleased to allow him and Paletz to stand
against me for my sins. The former scrutinises my letters and my
writings; and Paletz brings forward all the conversations that we held
together in bygone years.
The patriarch maintained openly that I was exceedingly rich; and an
archbishop said to me, “You have seventy thousand florins.” Michael
asked me before them all, “Eh! what has become of that robe-full of
florins? How much money of yours have the barons of Bohemia in safe
keeping?” Oh! certainly I suffered much to-day. One bishop said to me,
“You have established a new law:” another, “You have preached all these
articles;” and I replied warmly and strongly, with the aid of God, and
concluded by asking, “Why do you overwhelm me with insults?”
Write nothing to me of the witnesses cited to appear, for no step has
been taken about them, either by themselves, or by the king, or by the
citizens of Prague.
FOOTNOTES:
[87] _Hist. et Monum. Johann. Huss_, Epist. xlviii.
[88] This letter appears as if it were a reply to the preceding one,
from what is said in it about the sacrament of the cup.
[89] _Si potest fieri, attentetis ut saltem permittatur per bullam
illis dari, qui ex devotione postulaverint._ It is not easy to say what
Huss meant by the expression _per bullam_.
[90] Sed spero quod quæ dixi sub tecto prædicabuntur super a tectu.
[91] John Huss adds, _Sed sicut scitis, &c._, “but as you know,” &c.,
and does not terminate the sentence.
LETTER XXVIII.[92]
[Huss replies to Peter the notary, who had encouraged him to give
proofs of constancy.
This letter, says Luther, is a noble testimony in support of the
saying of the Apostle Paul, that virtue will improve in affliction,
and God brings forth fruits in us by temptation.]
May salvation come to thee from Jesus Christ! I dare not rashly say,
with St Peter, since my fervour and courage are infinitely inferior to
his, that “though all men shall be offended because of Christ, yet will
I never be offended.”
Jesus Christ has never, in express terms, declared me to be blessed
like Peter, and has not promised me such precious gifts. I maintain,
at the same time, against several together, an attack more vigorous in
its nature and more terrible. I, however, can declare, that, having
placed my trust in Jesus Christ, I shall adhere to the truth, even unto
death, with the aid of the saints and his own.
If the Lord John of Chlum suffers any loss on my account, do thou, my
dear Peter, take thought to repair it when thou shalt have returned.
Pay attention to the master of the mint, and his wife, who imprudently
engaged themselves for me, and to all our other friends, known to the
Curé, my disciple. If any horse remains still my property, it ought to
come into the possession of Lord John, with the car.
As to thee, if Master Martin or Master Christian live, thou shalt
receive from them a part of the sixty-four or seventy pieces of money;
and I wish that this portion were larger. Bear in mind, however,
that I do not pretend, by this money, to recompense thy ardent and
unchangeable love for the truth, or the services that thou hast
rendered me, and the consolations which thou hast lavished on me in
my hours of difficulty. May God be thy great recompense for all these
things, for I possess nothing that is worthy of thy acceptance. Should
it be granted me to live at Prague; and if my return to that city is
not impossible, I would share every thing with thee like a brother. I
do not, however, form any wish to return thither, but inasmuch as it
may be in accordance with the will of the Lord in heaven. I do not know
to whom I can entrust the viatica which I still possess, and which I
had bequeathed to Master Martin. Dispose of my books according to the
directions that I sent to him, and choose for thyself from amongst
them such of those written by Wycliffe as shall please thee. I am much
alarmed for our brethren, who, I fear, will be persecuted, unless the
Lord interpose in their favour; and I am apprehensive that many will be
offended.
Salute, I pray thee, with a great affection, the Bohemian and Polish
noblemen, and render thanks, in particular, to the Lords Wenceslaus de
Duba and John de Chlum, who, I hope, will be present at the audience of
the Council.
Farewell in Jesus Christ!
FOOTNOTE:
[92] _Hist. et Monum. Johann. Huss_, Epist. xxix.
LETTER XXIX.[93]
TO ONE OF HIS FRIENDS.
[He mentions what happened to him in the audience, which was accorded
him four days before the eclipse of the sun.[94]]
The Lord, to-day, gave me a firm and intrepid heart. Two articles were
struck out, and I am in hope that a greater number will be treated in
like manner. They were all crying out, like the Jews against Jesus.
They have not yet come to the principal count, viz., to the avowal that
all the incriminated articles are found in my writings. You committed
an error in judgment in presenting the treatise against an unknown
adversary. Do not shew, with the treatise on the Church, anything
besides that against Stanislaus and Paletz.
It is well that they had desired my book to be given back to them; for
some persons cried out loudly to have it burned, particularly Michael
de Causis, whom I myself heard. I never thought that I had, in that
multitude of priests, only the brother, and a Polish doctor whom I
knew to be such. I rendered thanks to the Bishop Lytemissel, for he
said but these few words: “_Atzo Huss to bie utzmil_.”[95]
I am grateful to you for the manner in which you have arranged the
articles: it will be well to have them published under that form. The
presidents have asserted that I elsewhere published another definition
of the Church, and they wanted to know what it was.
Greet the lords who are believers, and the friends of the truth, and
pray to God in my behalf, for I have need of it. I think they will not
pardon me the opinion which I quoted from St Augustin respecting the
Church, the predestinated members, the elect, and the bad bishops.
Oh! that an audience may be accorded me, in order that I may reply to
the arguments by which they attack the articles of my treatises; many
of them, now crying out, would then be silent: but the will of God be
done!
FOOTNOTES:
[93] _Hist. et Monum. Johann. Huss_, Epist. xxxvi.
[94] This is an error of Luther’s; the first audience was given the day
before the eclipse, on June 6.
[95] The meaning of this does not appear.
LETTER XXX.[96]
TO HIS NOBLE BENEFACTORS.
[This letter teaches us in what consists the trial of spiritual
combats; it shews how true is what we confess in the Creed, that
there is but one holy and universal Church,[97] and that the riches
of this Church are common to all. Man is for his fellow-creature, an
angel and a God in misfortunes.]
I am delighted that the treatise against an unknown person has not been
discovered, as well as several others.
I have been able these latter days to nourish my soul with better
things,[98] than since Easter day until last Sunday. I imagined this
Council to contain more order and decency. May the noble John, my
friend, be blessed in eternity. I should with pleasure learn in what
state is Barbat, who refused to follow the counsels of his friends.
Since they are in possession of my book, I have not felt any want of
the work. Preserve carefully the list of the first articles, with
the proofs; and if you should want any testimonies for any of the
articles, assign witnesses. The most important article is that entitled
_All that a virtuous man does, he does virtuously_.
I am suffering from a toothach, and during the heat have been seized
with vomitings of blood. I suffered also from the stone and headach.
These are punishments for my sins, and signs of God’s love. Since they
have condemned my treatises, I pray you to suppress the last letter
written in Bohemian, which I sent to-day, in order that the people of
God should not believe that all my books are condemned, as I was afraid
of, from a letter I received yesterday.
It would be desirable that no letter written in this prison should be
known; for what God intends to do with me is still very uncertain.
I fear that Ulric may have published some of my letters. I conjure
you, therefore, in God’s name, to pay the greatest attention to the
letters--to your words and acts. Oh! how much I was consoled by
receiving your letters, and in writing you mine! I hope, with the grace
of God, that men may one day derive instruction from them.
As long as I know you remain with the young Seigniors at Constance, I
shall be comforted, even though I should be already condemned to death.
I regard it as certain that God has bestowed you on me, as angels to
strengthen and console me,--me, a weak and unfortunate man, in the
midst of my temptations. What they have been, what they are, and will
still be, the Almighty God knows. He who has compassion on me, He who
is my refuge, my support, and my deliverer, in Him have I placed my
trust.
Two delegates of the Council asked me in prison, “If I possessed
several books which I had made use of in my researches?” I answered,
that “I possessed them.” They asked me, “Where?” “In Bohemia,” I
replied. They inquired of me, “Whether I had none here?” I denied
having any, which is the fact, although I had previously brought with
me the book of Sentences, the Bible, and some other works. I learned
from them that John, my pupil, had withdrawn; and they said to me,
“Have you no other observations to offer?” “No; what I have said, is
the truth.” “Will you abjure and recant?” “No,” I replied; “but come
to the Council; there you shall hear me. I am to appear before it, and
there will I answer. Why do you tempt me? Have you come to console a
prisoner, or add to his affliction?” Then, after having again exchanged
some words, they withdrew. Take care of the books, if you have any; as
for me, I am not aware of any.
Tell Master Jessenitz, that the notary has perfidiously changed my
evidence concerning the explanation of the bull, which, as you have
heard, I strongly affirmed before the Council.
FOOTNOTES:
[96] _Hist. et Monum. Johann. Huss_, Epist. xxxvii.
[97] Catholicism.
[98] _De bonis plus comedi._ I did not think it possible to understand
these words but in a figurative manner.
LETTER XXXI.[99]
[John Huss relates with what horror and rage he was greeted by the
Council.]
I, Master John Huss, in hope, servant of Christ, and ardently desiring
that believers in Christ may not, when I shall have ceased to live,
find in my death an opportunity for scandal, and look on me as an
obstinate heretic, do take to witness Jesus Christ, for the sake of
whose word I have wished to die; and I leave in writing the remembrance
of these things for the friends of truth.
I had often declared, both in private, in public, and before the
Council, that I would consent to an inquiry, and would submit myself
to instruction, abjuration, and punishment, if it was demonstrated to
me that I had written, taught, or disseminated, any thing contrary to
the truth. But fifty doctors, who stated that they were deputed by the
Council, having been frequently corrected by me, and even in public,
for having falsely extracted articles from my works, refused me any
private explanation, and declared that they would not confer with me,
saying _You ought to submit yourself to the decision of the Council_.
And the Council mocked when, in the public audience, I quoted the
words of Christ and the holy doctors; at one time they reproached me
with misunderstanding them, and, at another, the doctors insulted
me.[100]...
An English doctor, who had already said to me in private, that Wycliffe
had wished to annihilate all science, and had filled his books and his
logic with errors, began to discourse on the multiplication of the body
of Christ in the consecrated host, and, as his arguments were weak,
he was told to be silent; then he cried out: “This man deceives the
Council; take care that the Council be not led into error as it was by
Berenger.” When he was silent, another discussed noisily concerning the
created and common essence. All began to clamour against him. I then
demanded that he might be heard, and said to him, “You argue well; I
will answer you most willingly.” He also broke down, and he added in a
sullen voice: “_This man is a heretic_.” The Seignior Wenceslaus Duba,
John de Chlum, and Peter the notary, valiant champions and friends of
the truth, know what clamours, what unworthy raillery and blasphemies
were poured upon me in this assembly. Stunned by so much noise, I said,
“I thought there was to be found in this Council more decency, more
piety, and more discipline.” All then began to listen, for the Emperor
had commanded silence to be observed.
The cardinal who presided said to me--“You spoke more humbly in your
prison.” I answered--“It is true; for then no one clamoured against
me, and now they are all vociferous.” He added--“Will you submit to an
investigation?” “I consent to it,” replied I, “within the limits which
I have fixed.” “Take this for the result of the inquiry,” resumed the
cardinal, “that the doctors have declared the articles extracted from
your books to be errors, which you ought to efface, in abjuring those
already testified against you by witnesses.” The Emperor afterwards
said--“This will soon be committed to writing for you, and you will
answer it.” “Let that be done at the next audience,” said the cardinal;
and the sitting closed. God knows how many trials I have suffered
since![101]
FOOTNOTES:
[99] _Hist. et Monum. Johann. Huss_, Epist. xv.
[100] John Huss alludes here to a discussion, not very intelligible,
on the community of the essence in the Divine Persons. We give it in
the original: Quidam autem cardinalis supremus concilii, et a concilio
deputatus in publica audientia, accepta una charta, dixit: Ecce unus
magister sacræ theologiæ præsentavit mihi argumentum istud, dicatis
ad illud. Erat autem argumentum de essentia communi, quam concessi
esse in divinis. Postea ipso deficiente, quamvis reputaretur doctor
theologiæ valentissimus, dixi sibi de essentia communi creata, quæ
est primum esse creatum communicatum singulis creaturis: ex qua ipse
volebat probare remanentiam panis materialis, sed notabiliter ad metam
nescientiæ argumenti reductus obmutuit.
[101] For the detailed account of this second audience, consult _The
Reformers before the Reformation_, vol. ii. book iv. chap. 4.
LETTER XXXII.[102]
TO HIS FRIENDS.
[He complains that the Emperor Sigismond had treated him with less
prudence than Pontius Pilate did Jesus Christ.]
Salutation in Jesus Christ. What I am informed by Peter affords me
pleasure. I do not keep his letters, but destroy them immediately. Let
not the sexterni[103] be sent me; for I fear the danger that might
accrue to the messenger and some other persons, I still earnestly
entreat that all our Seigniors may solicit collectively for me a last
audience with the Emperor; for, since he told me at the Council, that
an audience would shortly be granted me, in order that I might reply
briefly in writing, it will be a shame for him should he violate the
promise which he has given me. But I believe his word on this subject
will be as stable and firm as in the safe-conduct.
Several persons warned me in Bohemia not to rely on his safe-conduct;
others told me that Sigismond would deliver me up to my enemies; the
Seignior Mykest was one of these. Duvoki said to me, in the presence
of Jessenitz, “Master, regard it as a certainty that you will be
condemned.” I presume that he was aware of the Emperor’s intentions. I
thought the latter was well versed in the law of God and the truth. I
understand now that his wisdom is not great. He has condemned me before
my enemies. Why has he not done like Pilate, who, after having heard
the accusers, exclaimed--_I find nothing to condemn in this man_. If,
at least, he had said--“I have given him a safe-conduct. If he will not
submit to the Council I will send him to the king of Bohemia, with your
sentence and the testimonies in support of it, in order that he may be
judged by this prince and his clergy.” Sigismond, in fact, intimated
to me by Leffl, and others, of his intention to grant me an audience
whenever it might be necessary, and of his resolution to save me from
all danger, should I not submit to the judgment.
FOOTNOTES:
[102] _Hist. et Monum. Johann. Huss_, Epist. xxxiv.
[103] Sexterni, a coin of these times.
LETTER XXXIII.[104]
TO HIS FRIENDS.
[He relates the frightful visions which diversely affected him,
although events have confirmed the truth of all his dreams.]
The Lord be with you! The warning of the Lord is more precious to me
than gold and topaz. I hope, then, in the mercy of Jesus Christ, that
he will grant me his Spirit, that I may hold fast in the truth. Pray
to the Lord; for the spirit is willing and the flesh is weak. May
the Almighty God be the reward of my well-beloved Nobles, who with a
constant, fervent, and faithful heart, persevere in justice. God will
enable them to know the truth in the kingdom of Bohemia. But that they
may cling to it, it is necessary they return to Bohemia, forgetting
vainglory in order to attach themselves to a King who is neither mortal
nor subject to our miseries, but who is the King of Glory, giving
eternal life.
Oh! with what sweet pleasure did I press the hand of the Seignior John,
who did not blush to offer it to me, an unfortunate man--to me, a
heretic, in chains, despised and loudly condemned by all. I shall not
much longer hold discourse with you; salute, therefore, our faithful
Bohemians.