84
Menoflearningandpietyhadlaboredinvaintobringaboutareforminthesemonasticorders；butWycliffe，withclearerinsight，struckattherootoftheevil，declaringthatthesystemitselfwasfalseandthatitshouldbeabolished。Discussionandinquirywereawakening。Asthemonkstraversedthecountry，vendingthepope’spardons，manywereledtodoubtthepossibilityofpurchasingforgivenesswithmoney，andtheyquestionedwhethertheyshouldnotseekpardonfromGodratherthanfromthepontiffofRome。(SeeAppendixnoteforpage59。)Notafewwerealarmedattherapacityofthefriars，whosegreedseemednevertobesatisfied。\"ThemonksandpriestsofRome，\"saidthey，\"areeatingusawaylikeacancer。Godmustdeliverus，orthepeoplewillperish。\"——D’Aubigne，b。17，ch。7。Tocovertheiravarice，thesebeggingmonksclaimedthattheywerefollowingtheSaviour’sexample，declaringthatJesusandHisdiscipleshadbeensupportedbythecharitiesofthepeople。Thisclaimresultedininjurytotheircause，foritledmanytotheBibletolearnthetruthforthemselves——aresultwhichofallotherswasleastdesiredbyRome。ThemindsofmenweredirectedtotheSourceoftruth，whichitwasherobjecttoconceal。
Wycliffebegantowriteandpublishtractsagainstthefriars，not，however，seekingsomuchtoenterintodisputewiththemastocallthemindsofthepeopletotheteachingsoftheBibleanditsAuthor。Hedeclaredthatthepowerofpardonorofexcommunicationispossessedbythepopeinnogreaterdegreethanbycommonpriests，andthatnomancanbetrulyexcommunicatedunlesshehasfirstbroughtuponhimselfthecondemnationofGod。Innomoreeffectualwaycouldhehaveundertakentheoverthrowofthatmammothfabricofspiritualandtemporaldominionwhichthepopehaderectedandinwhichthesoulsandbodiesofmillionswereheldcaptive。
AgainWycliffewascalledtodefendtherightsoftheEnglishcrownagainsttheencroachmentsofRome；andbeingappointedaroyalambassador，hespenttwoyearsintheNetherlands，inconferencewiththecommissionersofthepope。Herehewasbroughtintocommunicationwith85
ecclesiasticsfromFrance，Italy，andSpain，andhehadanopportunitytolookbehindthescenesandgainaknowledgeofmanythingswhichwouldhaveremainedhiddenfromhiminEngland。Helearnedmuchthatwastogivepointtohisafterlabors。Intheserepresentativesfromthepapalcourthereadthetruecharacterandaimsofthehierarchy。HereturnedtoEnglandtorepeathisformerteachingsmoreopenlyandwithgreaterzeal，declaringthatcovetousness，pride，anddeceptionwerethegodsofRome。
Inoneofhistractshesaid，speakingofthepopeandhiscollectors:\"Theydrawoutofourlandpoormen’slivelihood，andmanythousandmarks，bytheyear，oftheking’smoney，forsacramentsandspiritualthings，thatiscursedheresyofsimony，andmakethallChristendomassentandmaintainthisheresy。Andcertesthoughourrealmhadahugehillofgold，andneverothermantookthereofbutonlythisproudworldlypriest’scollector，byprocessoftimethishillmustbespended；forhetakethevermoneyoutofourland，andsendethnoughtagainbutGod’scurseforhissimony。\"——JohnLewis，HistoryoftheLifeandSufferingsofJ。Wiclif，page37。
SoonafterhisreturntoEngland，WycliffereceivedfromthekingtheappointmenttotherectoryofLutterworth。Thiswasanassurancethatthemonarchatleasthadnotbeendispleasedbyhisplainspeaking。Wycliffe’sinfluencewasfeltinshapingtheactionofthecourt，aswellasinmoldingthebeliefofthenation。
Thepapalthundersweresoonhurledagainsthim。ThreebullsweredispatchedtoEngland，——totheuniversity，totheking，andtotheprelates，——allcommandingimmediateanddecisivemeasurestosilencetheteacherofheresy。
(AugustusNeander，GeneralHistoryoftheChristianReligionandChurch，period6，sec。2，pt。1，par。8。SeealsoAppendix。)Beforethearrivalofthebulls，however，thebishops，intheirzeal，hadsummonedWycliffebeforethemfortrial。Buttwoofthemostpowerfulprincesinthekingdomaccompaniedhimtothetribunal；andthepeople，surroundingthebuildingandrushingin，sointimidatedthejudgesthatthe86
proceedingswereforthetimesuspended，andhewasallowedtogohiswayinpeace。Alittlelater，EdwardIII，whominhisoldagetheprelateswereseekingtoinfluenceagainsttheReformer，died，andWycliffe’sformerprotectorbecameregentofthekingdom。
ButthearrivalofthepapalbullslaiduponallEnglandaperemptorycommandforthearrestandimprisonmentoftheheretic。Thesemeasurespointeddirectlytothestake。ItappearedcertainthatWycliffemustsoonfallapreytothevengeanceofRome。ButHewhodeclaredtooneofold，\"Fearnot:……Iamthyshield\"(Genesis15:1)，againstretchedoutHishandtoprotectHisservant。Deathcame，nottotheReformer，buttothepontiffwhohaddecreedhisdestruction。GregoryXIdied，andtheecclesiasticswhohadassembledforWycliffe’strial，dispersed。
God’sprovidencestillfurtheroverruledeventstogiveopportunityforthegrowthoftheReformation。ThedeathofGregorywasfollowedbytheelectionoftworivalpopes。Twoconflictingpowers，eachprofessedlyinfallible，nowclaimedobedience。(SeeAppendixnotesforpages50and86。)Eachcalleduponthefaithfultoassisthiminmakingwarupontheother，enforcinghisdemandsbyterribleanathemasagainsthisadversaries，andpromisesofrewardsinheaventohissupporters。Thisoccurrencegreatlyweakenedthepowerofthepapacy。Therivalfactionshadalltheycoulddotoattackeachother，andWycliffeforatimehadrest。
Anathemasandrecriminationswereflyingfrompopetopope，andtorrentsofbloodwerepouredouttosupporttheirconflictingclaims。Crimesandscandalsfloodedthechurch。MeanwhiletheReformer，inthequietretirementofhisparishofLutterworth，waslaboringdiligentlytopointmenfromthecontendingpopestoJesus，thePrinceofPeace。
Theschism，withallthestrifeandcorruptionwhichitcaused，preparedthewayfortheReformationbyenablingthepeopletoseewhatthepapacyreallywas。Inatractwhichhepublished，OntheSchismofthePopes，Wycliffecalled87
uponthepeopletoconsiderwhetherthesetwopriestswerenotspeakingthetruthincondemningeachotherastheanti-christ。\"God，\"saidhe，\"wouldnolongersufferthefiendtoreigninonlyonesuchpriest，but……madedivisionamongtwo，sothatmen，inChrist’sname，maythemoreeasilyovercomethemboth。\"——R。Vaughan，LifeandOpinionsofJohndeWycliffe，vol。2，p。6。
Wycliffe，likehisMaster，preachedthegospeltothepoor。NotcontentwithspreadingthelightintheirhumblehomesinhisownparishofLutterworth，hedeterminedthatitshouldbecarriedtoeverypartofEngland。Toaccomplishthisheorganizedabodyofpreachers，simple，devoutmen，wholovedthetruthanddesirednothingsomuchastoextendit。Thesemenwenteverywhere，teachinginthemarketplaces，inthestreetsofthegreatcities，andinthecountrylanes。Theysoughtouttheaged，thesick，andthepoor，andopenedtothemthegladtidingsofthegraceofGod。
AsaprofessoroftheologyatOxford，WycliffepreachedthewordofGodinthehallsoftheuniversity。Sofaithfullydidhepresentthetruthtothestudentsunderhisinstruction，thathereceivedthetitleof\"thegospeldoctor。\"ButthegreatestworkofhislifewastobethetranslationoftheScripturesintotheEnglishlanguage。Inawork，OntheTruthandMeaningofScripture，heexpressedhisintentiontotranslatetheBible，sothateverymaninEnglandmightread，inthelanguageinwhichhewasborn，thewonderfulworksofGod。
Butsuddenlyhislaborswerestopped。Thoughnotyetsixtyyearsofage，unceasingtoil，study，andtheassaultsofhisenemieshadtolduponhisstrengthandmadehimprematurelyold。Hewasattackedbyadangerousillness。Thetidingsbroughtgreatjoytothefriars。Nowtheythoughthewouldbitterlyrepenttheevilhehaddonethechurch，andtheyhurriedtohischambertolistentohisconfession。Representativesfromthefourreligiousorders，withfourcivilofficers，gatheredaboutthesupposeddyingman。\"You88
havedeathonyourlips，\"theysaid；\"betouchedbyyourfaults，andretractinourpresenceallthatyouhavesaidtoourinjury。\"TheReformerlistenedinsilence；thenhebadehisattendantraisehiminhisbed，and，gazingsteadilyuponthemastheystoodwaitingforhisrecantation，hesaid，inthefirm，strongvoicewhichhadsooftencausedthemtotremble:\"Ishallnotdie，butlive；andagaindeclaretheevildeedsofthefriars。\"——D’Aubigne，b。17，ch。7。Astonishedandabashed，themonkshurriedfromtheroom。
Wycliffe’swordswerefulfilled。HelivedtoplaceinthehandsofhiscountrymenthemostpowerfulofallweaponsagainstRome——togivethemtheBible，theHeaven-appointedagenttoliberate，enlighten，andevangelizethepeople。Thereweremanyandgreatobstaclestosurmountintheaccomplishmentofthiswork。Wycliffewasweigheddownwithinfirmities；heknewthatonlyafewyearsforlaborremainedforhim；hesawtheoppositionwhichhemustmeet；but，encouragedbythepromisesofGod’sword，hewentforwardnothingdaunted。Inthefullvigorofhisintellectualpowers，richinexperience，hehadbeenpreservedandpreparedbyGod’sspecialprovidenceforthis，thegreatestofhislabors。WhileallChristendomwasfilledwithtumult，theReformerinhisrectoryatLutterworth，unheedingthestormthatragedwithout，appliedhimselftohischosentask。
Atlasttheworkwascompleted——thefirstEnglishtranslationoftheBibleevermade。ThewordofGodwasopenedtoEngland。TheReformerfearednotnowtheprisonorthestake。HehadplacedinthehandsoftheEnglishpeoplealightwhichshouldneverbeextinguished。IngivingtheBibletohiscountrymen，hehaddonemoretobreakthefettersofignoranceandvice，moretoliberateandelevatehiscountry，thanwaseverachievedbythemostbrilliantvictoriesonfieldsofbattle。
Theartofprintingbeingstillunknown，itwasonlybyslowandwearisomelaborthatcopiesoftheBiblecouldbemultiplied。Sogreatwastheinteresttoobtainthebook，that89
manywillinglyengagedintheworkoftranscribingit，butitwaswithdifficultythatthecopyistscouldsupplythedemand。SomeofthemorewealthypurchasersdesiredthewholeBible。Othersboughtonlyaportion。Inmanycases，severalfamiliesunitedtopurchaseacopy。ThusWycliffe’sBiblesoonfounditswaytothehomesofthepeople。
Theappealtomen’sreasonarousedthemfromtheirpassivesubmissiontopapaldogmas。WycliffenowtaughtthedistinctivedoctrinesofProtestantism——salvationthroughfaithinChrist，andthesoleinfallibilityoftheScriptures。ThepreacherswhomhehadsentoutcirculatedtheBible，togetherwiththeReformer’swritings，andwithsuchsuccessthatthenewfaithwasacceptedbynearlyonehalfofthepeopleofEngland。
TheappearanceoftheScripturesbroughtdismaytotheauthoritiesofthechurch。TheyhadnowtomeetanagencymorepowerfulthanWycliffe——anagencyagainstwhichtheirweaponswouldavaillittle。TherewasatthistimenolawinEnglandprohibitingtheBible，forithadneverbeforebeenpublishedinthelanguageofthepeople。Suchlawswereafterwardenactedandrigorouslyenforced。Meanwhile，notwithstandingtheeffortsofthepriests，therewasforaseasonopportunityforthecirculationofthewordofGod。
AgainthepapalleadersplottedtosilencetheReformer’svoice。Beforethreetribunalshewassuccessivelysummonedfortrial，butwithoutavail。
Firstasynodofbishopsdeclaredhiswritingsheretical，and，winningtheyoungking，RichardII，totheirside，theyobtainedaroyaldecreeconsigningtoprisonallwhoshouldholdthecondemneddoctrines。
WycliffeappealedfromthesynodtoParliament；hefearlesslyarraignedthehierarchybeforethenationalcouncilanddemandedareformoftheenormousabusessanctionedbythechurch。Withconvincingpowerheportrayedtheusurpationandcorruptionsofthepapalsee。Hisenemieswerebroughttoconfusion。ThefriendsandsupportersofWycliffehadbeenforcedtoyield，andithadbeen90
confidentlyexpectedthattheReformerhimself，inhisoldage，aloneandfriendless，wouldbowtothecombinedauthorityofthecrownandthemiter。
Butinsteadofthisthepapistssawthemselvesdefeated。Parliament，rousedbythestirringappealsofWycliffe，repealedthepersecutingedict，andtheReformerwasagainatliberty。
Athirdtimehewasbroughttotrial，andnowbeforethehighestecclesiasticaltribunalinthekingdom。Herenofavorwouldbeshowntoheresy。HereatlastRomewouldtriumph，andtheReformer’sworkwouldbestopped。Sothoughtthepapists。Iftheycouldbutaccomplishtheirpurpose，Wycliffewouldbeforcedtoabjurehisdoctrines，orwouldleavethecourtonlyfortheflames。
ButWycliffedidnotretract；hewouldnotdissemble。Hefearlesslymaintainedhisteachingsandrepelledtheaccusationsofhispersecutors。
Losingsightofhimself，ofhisposition，oftheoccasion，hesummonedhishearersbeforethedivinetribunal，andweighedtheirsophistriesanddeceptionsinthebalancesofeternaltruth。ThepoweroftheHolySpiritwasfeltinthecouncilroom。AspellfromGodwasuponthehearers。Theyseemedtohavenopowertoleavetheplace。AsarrowsfromtheLord’squiver，theReformer’swordspiercedtheirhearts。Thechargeofheresy，whichtheyhadbroughtagainsthim，hewithconvincingpowerthrewbackuponthemselves。Why，hedemanded，didtheydaretospreadtheirerrors？Forthesakeofgain，tomakemerchandiseofthegraceofGod？
\"Withwhom，thinkyou，\"hefinallysaid，\"areyecontending？withanoldmanonthebrinkofthegrave？No！withTruth——Truthwhichisstrongerthanyou，andwillovercomeyou。\"——Wylie，b。2，ch。13。Sosaying，hewithdrewfromtheassembly，andnotoneofhisadversariesattemptedtopreventhim。
Wycliffe’sworkwasalmostdone；thebanneroftruthwhichhehadsolongbornewassoontofallfromhishand；butoncemorehewastobearwitnessforthegospel。The91
truthwastobeproclaimedfromtheverystrongholdofthekingdomoferror。
WycliffewassummonedfortrialbeforethepapaltribunalatRome，whichhadsooftenshedthebloodofthesaints。Hewasnotblindtothedangerthatthreatenedhim，yethewouldhaveobeyedthesummonshadnotashockofpalsymadeitimpossibleforhimtoperformthejourney。ButthoughhisvoicewasnottobeheardatRome，hecouldspeakbyletter，andthishedeterminedtodo。FromhisrectorytheReformerwrotetothepopealetter，which，whilerespectfulintoneandChristianinspirit，wasakeenrebuketothepompandprideofthepapalsee。
\"VerilyIdorejoice，\"hesaid，\"toopenanddeclareuntoeverymanthefaithwhichIdohold，andespeciallyuntothebishopofRome:which，forasmuchasIdosupposetobesoundandtrue，hewillmostwillinglyconfirmmysaidfaith，orifitbeerroneous，amendthesame。
\"First，IsupposethatthegospelofChrististhewholebodyofGod’slaw……IdogiveandholdthebishopofRome，forasmuchasheisthevicarofChristhereonearth，tobemostbound，ofallothermen，untothatlawofthegospel。ForthegreatnessamongChrist’sdisciplesdidnotconsistinworldlydignityorhonors，butinthenearandexactfollowingofChristinHislifeandmanners……Christ，forthetimeofHispilgrimagehere，wasamostpoorman，abjectingandcastingoffallworldlyruleandhonor……
\"Nofaithfulmanoughttofolloweitherthepopehimselforanyoftheholymen，butinsuchpointsashehathfollowedtheLordJesusChrist；forPeterandthesonsofZebedee，bydesiringworldlyhonor，contrarytothefollowingofChrist’ssteps，didoffend，andthereforeinthoseerrorstheyarenottobefollowed……
\"Thepopeoughttoleaveuntothesecularpoweralltemporaldominionandrule，andthereuntoeffectuallytomoveandexhorthiswholeclergy；forsodidChrist，andespeciallybyHisapostles。Wherefore，ifIhaveerredinanyofthesepoints，Iwillmosthumblysubmitmyselfuntocorrection，92
evenbydeath，ifnecessitysorequire；andifIcouldlaboraccordingtomywillordesireinmineownperson，IwouldsurelypresentmyselfbeforethebishopofRome；buttheLordhathotherwisevisitedmetothecontrary，andhathtaughtmerathertoobeyGodthanmen。\"
Inclosinghesaid:\"LetusprayuntoourGod，thatHewillsostirupourPopeUrbanVI，ashebegan，thathewithhisclergymayfollowtheLordJesusChristinlifeandmanners；andthattheymayteachthepeopleeffectually，andthatthey，likewise，mayfaithfullyfollowtheminthesame。\"——JohnFoxe，ActsandMonuments，vol。3，pp。49，50。
ThusWycliffepresentedtothepopeandhiscardinalsthemeeknessandhumilityofChrist，exhibitingnotonlytothemselvesbuttoallChristendomthecontrastbetweenthemandtheMasterwhoserepresentativestheyprofessedtobe。
Wycliffefullyexpectedthathislifewouldbethepriceofhisfidelity。
Theking，thepope，andthebishopswereunitedtoaccomplishhisruin，anditseemedcertainthatafewmonthsatmostwouldbringhimtothestake。
Buthiscouragewasunshaken。\"Whydoyoutalkofseekingthecrownofmartyrdomafar？\"hesaid。\"PreachthegospelofChristtohaughtyprelates，andmartyrdomwillnotfailyou。What！Ishouldliveandbesilent？……
Never！Lettheblowfall，Iawaititscoming。\"——D’Aubigne，b。17，ch。8。
ButGod’sprovidencestillshieldedHisservant。Themanwhoforawholelifetimehadstoodboldlyindefenseofthetruth，indailyperilofhislife，wasnottofallavictimofthehatredofitsfoes。Wycliffehadneversoughttoshieldhimself，buttheLordhadbeenhisprotector；andnow，whenhisenemiesfeltsureoftheirprey，God’shandremovedhimbeyondtheirreach。InhischurchatLutterworth，ashewasabouttodispensethecommunion，hefell，strickenwithpalsy，andinashorttimeyieldeduphislife。
GodhadappointedtoWycliffehiswork。Hehadputthe93
wordoftruthinhismouth，andHesetaguardabouthimthatthiswordmightcometothepeople。Hislifewasprotected，andhislaborswereprolonged，untilafoundationwaslaidforthegreatworkoftheReformation。
WycliffecamefromtheobscurityoftheDarkAges。Therewerenonewhowentbeforehimfromwhoseworkhecouldshapehissystemofreform。RaiseduplikeJohntheBaptisttoaccomplishaspecialmission，hewastheheraldofanewera。YetinthesystemoftruthwhichhepresentedtherewasaunityandcompletenesswhichReformerswhofollowedhimdidnotexceed，andwhichsomedidnotreach，evenahundredyearslater。Sobroadanddeepwaslaidthefoundation，sofirmandtruewastheframework，thatitneedednottobereconstructedbythosewhocameafterhim。
ThegreatmovementthatWycliffeinaugurated，whichwastoliberatetheconscienceandtheintellect，andsetfreethenationssolongboundtothetriumphalcarofRome，haditsspringintheBible。Herewasthesourceofthatstreamofblessing，which，likethewateroflife，hasfloweddowntheagessincethefourteenthcentury。WycliffeacceptedtheHolyScriptureswithimplicitfaithastheinspiredrevelationofGod’swill，asufficientruleoffaithandpractice。HehadbeeneducatedtoregardtheChurchofRomeasthedivine，infallibleauthority，andtoacceptwithunquestioningreverencetheestablishedteachingsandcustomsofathousandyears；butheturnedawayfromallthesetolistentoGod’sholyword。Thiswastheauthoritywhichheurgedthepeopletoacknowledge。Insteadofthechurchspeakingthroughthepope，hedeclaredtheonlytrueauthoritytobethevoiceofGodspeakingthroughHisword。AndhetaughtnotonlythattheBibleisaperfectrevelationofGod’swill，butthattheHolySpiritisitsonlyinterpreter，andthateverymanis，bythestudyofitsteachings，tolearnhisdutyforhimself。ThusheturnedthemindsofmenfromthepopeandtheChurchofRometothewordofGod。
94
WycliffewasoneofthegreatestoftheReformers。Inbreadthofintellect，inclearnessofthought，infirmnesstomaintainthetruth，andinboldnesstodefendit，hewasequaledbyfewwhocameafterhim。Purityoflife，unwearyingdiligenceinstudyandinlabor，incorruptibleintegrity，andChristlikeloveandfaithfulnessinhisministry，characterizedthefirstoftheReformers。Andthisnotwithstandingtheintellectualdarknessandmoralcorruptionoftheagefromwhichheemerged。
ThecharacterofWycliffeisatestimonytotheeducating，transformingpoweroftheHolyScriptures。ItwastheBiblethatmadehimwhathewas。
Theefforttograspthegreattruthsofrevelationimpartsfreshnessandvigortoallthefaculties。Itexpandsthemind，sharpenstheperceptions，andripensthejudgment。ThestudyoftheBiblewillennobleeverythought，feeling，andaspirationasnootherstudycan。Itgivesstabilityofpurpose，patience，courage，andfortitude；itrefinesthecharacterandsanctifiesthesoul。Anearnest，reverentstudyoftheScriptures，bringingthemindofthestudentindirectcontactwiththeinfinitemind，wouldgivetotheworldmenofstrongerandmoreactiveintellect，aswellasofnoblerprinciple，thanhaseverresultedfromtheablesttrainingthathumanphilosophyaffords。\"TheentranceofThywords，\"saysthepsalmist，\"givethlight；itgivethunderstanding。\"Psalm119:130。
ThedoctrineswhichhadbeentaughtbyWycliffecontinuedforatimetospread；hisfollowers，knownasWycliffitesandLollards，notonlytraversedEngland，butscatteredtootherlands，carryingtheknowledgeofthegospel。
Nowthattheirleaderwasremoved，thepreacherslaboredwithevengreaterzealthanbefore，andmultitudesflockedtolistentotheirteachings。Someofthenobility，andeventhewifeoftheking，wereamongtheconverts。Inmanyplacestherewasamarkedreforminthemannersofthepeople，andtheidolatroussymbolsofRomanismwereremovedfromthechurches。ButsoonthepitilessstormofpersecutionburstuponthosewhohaddaredtoaccepttheBibleastheir95
guide。TheEnglishmonarchs，eagertostrengthentheirpowerbysecuringthesupportofRome，didnothesitatetosacrificetheReformers。ForthefirsttimeinthehistoryofEnglandthestakewasdecreedagainstthedisciplesofthegospel。Martyrdomsucceededmartyrdom。Theadvocatesoftruth，proscribedandtortured，couldonlypourtheircriesintotheearoftheLordofSabaoth。Huntedasfoesofthechurchandtraitorstotherealm，theycontinuedtopreachinsecretplaces，findingshelterasbesttheycouldinthehumblehomesofthepoor，andoftenhidingawayevenindensandcaves。
Notwithstandingtherageofpersecution，acalm，devout，earnest，patientprotestagainsttheprevailingcorruptionofreligiousfaithcontinuedforcenturiestobeuttered。TheChristiansofthatearlytimehadonlyapartialknowledgeofthetruth，buttheyhadlearnedtoloveandobeyGod’sword，andtheypatientlysufferedforitssake。Likethedisciplesinapostolicdays，manysacrificedtheirworldlypossessionsforthecauseofChrist。Thosewhowerepermittedtodwellintheirhomesgladlyshelteredtheirbanishedbrethren，andwhentheytooweredrivenforththeycheerfullyacceptedthelotoftheoutcast。Thousands，itistrue，terrifiedbythefuryoftheirpersecutors，purchasedtheirfreedomatthesacrificeoftheirfaith，andwentoutoftheirprisons，clothedinpenitents’robes，topublishtheirrecantation。Butthenumberwasnotsmall——andamongthemweremenofnoblebirthaswellasthehumbleandlowly——whoborefearlesstestimonytothetruthindungeoncells，in\"Lollardtowers，\"andinthemidstoftortureandflame，rejoicingthattheywerecountedworthytoknow\"thefellowshipofHissufferings。\"
ThepapistshadfailedtoworktheirwillwithWycliffeduringhislife，andtheirhatredcouldnotbesatisfiedwhilehisbodyrestedquietlyinthegrave。BythedecreeoftheCouncilofConstance，morethanfortyyearsafterhisdeathhisboneswereexhumedandpubliclyburned，andtheasheswerethrownintoaneighboringbrook。\"Thisbrook，\"says96
anoldwriter，\"hathconveyedhisashesintoAvon，AvonintoSevern，Severnintothenarrowseas，theyintothemainocean。AndthustheashesofWycliffearetheemblemofhisdoctrine，whichnowisdispersedalltheworldover。\"——T。Fuller，ChurchHistoryofBritain，b。4，sec。2，par。
54。Littledidhisenemiesrealizethesignificanceoftheirmaliciousact。
ItwasthroughthewritingsofWycliffethatJohnHuss，ofBohemia，wasledtorenouncemanyoftheerrorsofRomanismandtoenterupontheworkofreform。Thusinthesetwocountries，sowidelyseparated，theseedoftruthwassown。FromBohemiatheworkextendedtootherlands。Themindsofmenweredirectedtothelong-forgottenwordofGod。AdivinehandwaspreparingthewayfortheGreatReformation。
(97)
Chapter6
HussandJeromeThegospelhadbeenplantedinBohemiaasearlyastheninthcentury。TheBiblewastranslated，andpublicworshipwasconducted，inthelanguageofthepeople。Butasthepowerofthepopeincreased，sothewordofGodwasobscured。GregoryVII，whohadtakenituponhimselftohumbletheprideofkings，wasnolessintentuponenslavingthepeople，andaccordinglyabullwasissuedforbiddingpublicworshiptobeconductedintheBohemiantongue。
Thepopedeclaredthat\"itwaspleasingtotheOmnipotentthatHisworshipshouldbecelebratedinanunknownlanguage，andthatmayevilsandheresieshadarisenfromnotobservingthisrule。\"——Wylie，b。3，ch。1。ThusRomedecreedthatthelightofGod’swordshouldbeextinguishedandthepeopleshouldbeshutupindarkness。ButHeavenhadprovidedotheragenciesforthepreservationofthechurch。ManyoftheWaldensesandAlbigenses，drivenbypersecutionfromtheirhomesinFranceandItaly，cametoBohemia。Thoughtheydarednotteachopenly，theylaboredzealouslyinsecret。Thusthetruefaithwaspreservedfromcenturytocentury。
BeforethedaysofHussthereweremeninBohemiawhoroseuptocondemnopenlythecorruptioninthechurchandtheprofligacyofthepeople。Theirlaborsexcitedwidespreadinterest。Thefearsofthehierarchywereroused，andpersecutionwasopenedagainstthedisciplesofthegospel。
98
Driventoworshipintheforestsandthemountains，theywerehuntedbysoldiers，andmanywereputtodeath。AfteratimeitwasdecreedthatallwhodepartedfromtheRomishworshipshouldbeburned。ButwhiletheChristiansyieldeduptheirlives，theylookedforwardtothetriumphoftheircause。Oneofthosewho\"taughtthatsalvationwasonlytobefoundbyfaithinthecrucifiedSaviour，\"declaredwhendying:\"Therageoftheenemiesofthetruthnowprevailsagainstus，butitwillnotbeforever；
thereshallariseonefromamongthecommonpeople，withoutswordorauthority，andagainsthimtheyshallnotbeabletoprevail。\"——Ibid。，b。
3，ch。1。Luther’stimewasyetfardistant；butalreadyonewasrising，whosetestimonyagainstRomewouldstirthenations。
JohnHusswasofhumblebirth，andwasearlyleftanorphanbythedeathofhisfather。Hispiousmother，regardingeducationandthefearofGodasthemostvaluableofpossessions，soughttosecurethisheritageforherson。
Hussstudiedattheprovincialschool，andthenrepairedtotheuniversityatPrague，receivingadmissionasacharityscholar。HewasaccompaniedonthejourneytoPraguebyhismother；widowedandpoor，shehadnogiftsofworldlywealthtobestowuponherson，butastheydrewneartothegreatcity，shekneeleddownbesidethefatherlessyouthandinvokedforhimtheblessingoftheirFatherinheaven。Littledidthatmotherrealizehowherprayerwastobeanswered。
Attheuniversity，Husssoondistinguishedhimselfbyhisuntiringapplicationandrapidprogress，whilehisblamelesslifeandgentle，winningdeportmentgainedhimuniversalesteem。HewasasincereadherentoftheRomanChurchandanearnestseekerforthespiritualblessingswhichitprofessestobestow。Ontheoccasionofajubileehewenttoconfession，paidthelastfewcoinsinhisscantystore，andjoinedintheprocessions，thathemightshareintheabsolutionpromised。Aftercompletinghiscollegecourse，heenteredthepriesthood，andrapidlyattainingtoeminence，99
hesoonbecameattachedtothecourtoftheking。Hewasalsomadeprofessorandafterwardrectoroftheuniversitywherehehadreceivedhiseducation。
Inafewyearsthehumblecharityscholarhadbecometheprideofhiscountry，andhisnamewasrenownedthroughoutEurope。
ButitwasinanotherfieldthatHussbegantheworkofreform。Severalyearsaftertakingpriest’sordershewasappointedpreacherofthechapelofBethlehem。Thefounderofthischapelhadadvocated，asamatterofgreatimportance，thepreachingoftheScripturesinthelanguageofthepeople。
NotwithstandingRome’soppositiontothispractice，ithadnotbeenwhollydiscontinuedinBohemia。ButtherewasgreatignoranceoftheBible，andtheworstvicesprevailedamongthepeopleofallranks。TheseevilsHussunsparinglydenounced，appealingtothewordofGodtoenforcetheprinciplesoftruthandpuritywhichheinculcated。
AcitizenofPrague，Jerome，whoafterwardbecamesocloselyassociatedwithHuss，had，onreturningfromEngland，broughtwithhimthewritingsofWycliffe。ThequeenofEngland，whohadbeenaconverttoWycliffe’steachings，wasaBohemianprincess，andthroughherinfluencealsotheReformer’sworkswerewidelycirculatedinhernativecountry。TheseworksHussreadwithinterest；hebelievedtheirauthortobeasincereChristianandwasinclinedtoregardwithfavorthereformswhichheadvocated。
Already，thoughheknewitnot，HusshadentereduponapathwhichwastoleadhimfarawayfromRome。
AboutthistimetherearrivedinPraguetwostrangersfromEngland，menoflearning，whohadreceivedthelightandhadcometospreaditinthisdistantland。Beginningwithanopenattackonthepope’ssupremacy，theyweresoonsilencedbytheauthorities；butbeingunwillingtorelinquishtheirpurpose，theyhadrecoursetoothermeasures。Beingartistsaswellaspreachers，theyproceededtoexercisetheirskill。Inaplaceopentothepublictheydrewtwopictures。OnerepresentedtheentranceofChristintoJerusalem，100
\"meek，andsittinguponanass\"(Matthew21:5)，andfollowedbyHisdisciplesintravel-worngarmentsandwithnakedfeet。Theotherpictureportrayedapontificalprocession——thepopearrayedinhisrichrobesandtriplecrown，mounteduponahorsemagnificentlyadorned，precededbytrumpetersandfollowedbycardinalsandprelatesindazzlingarray。
Herewasasermonwhicharrestedtheattentionofallclasses。Crowdscametogazeuponthedrawings。Nonecouldfailtoreadthemoral，andmanyweredeeplyimpressedbythecontrastbetweenthemeeknessandhumilityofChristtheMasterandtheprideandarroganceofthepope，Hisprofessedservant。
TherewasgreatcommotioninPrague，andthestrangersafteratimefounditnecessary，fortheirownsafety，todepart。Butthelessontheyhadtaughtwasnotforgotten。ThepicturesmadeadeepimpressiononthemindofHussandledhimtoacloserstudyoftheBibleandofWycliffe’swritings。
Thoughhewasnotprepared，evenyet，toacceptallthereformsadvocatedbyWycliffe，hesawmoreclearlythetruecharacterofthepapacy，andwithgreaterzealdenouncedthepride，theambition，andthecorruptionofthehierarchy。
FromBohemiathelightextendedtoGermany，fordisturbancesintheUniversityofPraguecausedthewithdrawalofhundredsofGermanstudents。
ManyofthemhadreceivedfromHusstheirfirstknowledgeoftheBible，andontheirreturntheyspreadthegospelintheirfatherland。
TidingsoftheworkatPraguewerecarriedtoRome，andHusswassoonsummonedtoappearbeforethepope。Toobeywouldbetoexposehimselftocertaindeath。ThekingandqueenofBohemia，theuniversity，membersofthenobility，andofficersofthegovernmentunitedinanappealtothepontiffthatHussbepermittedtoremainatPragueandtoansweratRomebydeputy。
Insteadofgrantingthisrequest，thepopeproceededtothetrialandcondemnationofHuss，andthendeclaredthecityofPraguetobeunderinterdict。
101
Inthatagethissentence，wheneverpronounced，createdwidespreadalarm。
TheceremoniesbywhichitwasaccompaniedwerewelladaptedtostriketerrortoapeoplewholookeduponthepopeastherepresentativeofGodHimself，holdingthekeysofheavenandhell，andpossessingpowertoinvoketemporalaswellasspiritualjudgments。Itwasbelievedthatthegatesofheavenwereclosedagainsttheregionsmittenwithinterdict；thatuntilitshouldpleasethepopetoremovetheban，thedeadwereshutoutfromtheabodesofbliss。Intokenofthisterriblecalamity，alltheservicesofreligionweresuspended。Thechurcheswereclosed。Marriagesweresolemnizedinthechurchyard。Thedead，deniedburialinconsecratedground，wereinterred，withouttheritesofsepulture，intheditchesorthefields。Thusbymeasureswhichappealedtotheimagination，Romeessayedtocontroltheconsciencesofmen。
ThecityofPraguewasfilledwithtumult。AlargeclassdenouncedHussasthecauseofalltheircalamitiesanddemandedthathebegivenuptothevengeanceofRome。Toquietthestorm，theReformerwithdrewforatimetohisnativevillage。WritingtothefriendswhomhehadleftatPrague，hesaid:\"IfIhavewithdrawnfromthemidstofyou，itistofollowthepreceptandexampleofJesusChrist，inordernottogiveroomtotheill-mindedtodrawonthemselveseternalcondemnation，andinordernottobetothepiousacauseofafflictionandpersecution。IhaveretiredalsothroughanapprehensionthatimpiouspriestsmightcontinueforalongertimetoprohibitthepreachingofthewordofGodamongstyou；butIhavenotquittedyoutodenythedivinetruth，forwhich，withGod’sassistance，Iamwillingtodie。\"——Bonnechose，TheReformersBeforetheReformation，vol。1，p。87。Hussdidnotceasehislabors，buttraveledthroughthesurroundingcountry，preachingtoeagercrowds。Thusthemeasurestowhichthepoperesortedtosuppressthegospelwerecausingittobethemorewidelyextended。\"Wecandonothingagainstthetruth，butforthetruth。\"2
Corinthians13:8。
102
\"ThemindofHuss，atthisstageofhiscareer，wouldseemtohavebeenthesceneofapainfulconflict。Althoughthechurchwasseekingtooverwhelmhimbyherthunderbolts，hehadnotrenouncedherauthority。TheRomanChurchwasstilltohimthespouseofChrist，andthepopewastherepresentativeandvicarofGod。WhatHusswaswarringagainstwastheabuseofauthority，nottheprincipleitself。Thisbroughtonaterribleconflictbetweentheconvictionsofhisunderstandingandtheclaimsofhisconscience。Iftheauthoritywasjustandinfallible，ashebelievedittobe，howcameitthathefeltcompelledtodisobeyit？Toobey，hesaw，wastosin；butwhyshouldobediencetoaninfalliblechurchleadtosuchanissue？Thiswastheproblemhecouldnotsolve；thiswasthedoubtthattorturedhimhourbyhour。Thenearestapproximationtoasolutionwhichhewasabletomakewasthatithadhappenedagain，asoncebeforeinthedaysoftheSaviour，thatthepriestsofthechurchhadbecomewickedpersonsandwereusingtheirlawfulauthorityforunlawfulends。Thisledhimtoadoptforhisownguidance，andtopreachtoothersfortheirs，themaximthatthepreceptsofScripture，conveyedthroughtheunderstanding，aretoruletheconscience；inotherwords，thatGodspeakingintheBible，andnotthechurchspeakingthroughthepriesthood，istheoneinfallibleguide。\"——Wylie，b。3，ch。2。
WhenafteratimetheexcitementinPraguesubsided，HussreturnedtohischapelofBethlehem，tocontinuewithgreaterzealandcouragethepreachingofthewordofGod。Hisenemieswereactiveandpowerful，butthequeenandmanyofthenobleswerehisfriends，andthepeopleingreatnumberssidedwithhim。ComparinghispureandelevatingteachingsandholylifewiththedegradingdogmaswhichtheRomanistspreached，andtheavariceanddebaucherywhichtheypracticed，manyregardeditanhonortobeonhisside。
HithertoHusshadstoodaloneinhislabors；butnowJerome，whowhileinEnglandhadacceptedtheteachingsofWycliffe，joinedintheworkofreform。Thetwowere103
hereafterunitedintheirlives，andindeaththeywerenottobedivided。
Brilliancyofgenius，eloquenceandlearning——giftsthatwinpopularfavor——werepossessedinapre-eminentdegreebyJerome；butinthosequalitieswhichconstituterealstrengthofcharacter，Husswasthegreater。
HiscalmjudgmentservedasarestraintupontheimpulsivespiritofJerome，who，withtruehumility，perceivedhisworth，andyieldedtohiscounsels。
Undertheirunitedlaborsthereformwasmorerapidlyextended。
Godpermittedgreatlighttoshineuponthemindsofthesechosenmen，revealingtothemmanyoftheerrorsofRome；buttheydidnotreceiveallthelightthatwastobegiventotheworld。Throughthese，Hisservants，GodwasleadingthepeopleoutofthedarknessofRomanism；butthereweremanyandgreatobstaclesforthemtomeet，andHeledthemon，stepbystep，astheycouldbearit。Theywerenotpreparedtoreceiveallthelightatonce。Likethefullgloryofthenoontidesuntothosewhohavelongdweltindarkness，itwould，ifpresented，havecausedthemtoturnaway。
ThereforeHerevealedittotheleaderslittlebylittle，asitcouldbereceivedbythepeople。Fromcenturytocentury，otherfaithfulworkersweretofollow，toleadthepeopleonstillfurtherinthepathofreform。
Theschisminthechurchstillcontinued。Threepopeswerenowcontendingforthesupremacy，andtheirstrifefilledChristendomwithcrimeandtumult。Notcontentwithhurlinganathemas，theyresortedtotemporalweapons。Eachcastabouthimtopurchasearmsandtoobtainsoldiers。Ofcoursemoneymustbehad；andtoprocurethis，thegifts，offices，andblessingsofthechurchwereofferedforsale。(SeeAppendixnoteforpage59。)Thepriestsalso，imitatingtheirsuperiors，resortedtosimonyandwartohumbletheirrivalsandstrengthentheirownpower。WithdailyincreasingboldnessHussthunderedagainsttheabominationswhichweretoleratedinthenameofreligion；andthepeopleopenlyaccusedtheRomishleadersasthecauseofthemiseriesthatoverwhelmedChristendom。
104
AgainthecityofPragueseemedonthevergeofabloodyconflict。Asinformerages，God’sservantwasaccusedas\"hethattroublethIsrael。\"1
Kings18:17。Thecitywasagainplacedunderinterdict，andHusswithdrewtohisnativevillage。ThetestimonysofaithfullybornefromhislovedchapelofBethlehemwasended。Hewastospeakfromawiderstage，toallChristendom，beforelayingdownhislifeasawitnessforthetruth。
TocuretheevilsthatweredistractingEurope，ageneralcouncilwassummonedtomeetatConstance。ThecouncilwascalledatthedesireoftheemperorSigismund，byoneofthethreerivalpopes，JohnXXIII。ThedemandforacouncilhadbeenfarfromwelcometoPopeJohn，whosecharacterandpolicycouldillbearinvestigation，evenbyprelatesaslaxinmoralsaswerethechurchmenofthosetimes。Hedarednot，however，opposethewillofSigismund。(SeeAppendix。)
Thechiefobjectstobeaccomplishedbythecouncilweretohealtheschisminthechurchandtorootoutheresy。Hencethetwoantipopesweresummonedtoappearbeforeit，aswellastheleadingpropagatorofthenewopinions，JohnHuss。Theformer，havingregardtotheirownsafety，didnotattendinperson，butwererepresentedbytheirdelegates。PopeJohn，whileostensiblytheconvokerofthecouncil，cametoitwithmanymisgivings，suspectingtheemperor’ssecretpurposetodeposehim，andfearingtobebroughttoaccountfortheviceswhichhaddisgracedthetiara，aswellasforthecrimeswhichhadsecuredit。YethemadehisentryintothecityofConstancewithgreatpomp，attendedbyecclesiasticsofthehighestrankandfollowedbyatrainofcourtiers。Alltheclergyanddignitariesofthecity，withanimmensecrowdofcitizens，wentouttowelcomehim。Abovehisheadwasagoldencanopy，bornebyfourofthechiefmagistrates。Thehostwascarriedbeforehim，andtherichdressesofthecardinalsandnoblesmadeanimposingdisplay。
MeanwhileanothertravelerwasapproachingConstance。Husswasconsciousofthedangerswhichthreatenedhim。
105
Hepartedfromhisfriendsasifhewerenevertomeetthemagain，andwentonhisjourneyfeelingthatitwasleadinghimtothestake。Notwithstandinghehadobtainedasafe-conductfromthekingofBohemia，andreceivedonealsofromtheemperorSigismundwhileonhisjourney，hemadeallhisarrangementsinviewoftheprobabilityofhisdeath。
InaletteraddressedtohisfriendsatPraguehesaid:\"Mybrethren，……
Iamdepartingwithasafe-conductfromthekingtomeetmynumerousandmortalenemies……Iconfidealtogetherintheall-powerfulGod，inmySaviour；ItrustthatHewilllistentoyourardentprayers，thatHewillinfuseHisprudenceandHiswisdomintomymouth，inorderthatImayresistthem；andthatHewillaccordmeHisHolySpirittofortifymeinHistruth，sothatImayfacewithcourage，temptations，prison，and，ifnecessary，acrueldeath。JesusChristsufferedforHiswell-beloved；andthereforeoughtwetobeastonishedthatHehasleftusHisexample，inorderthatwemayourselvesendurewithpatienceallthingsforourownsalvation？HeisGod，andweareHiscreatures；HeistheLord，andweareHisservants；HeisMasteroftheworld，andwearecontemptiblemortals——yetHesuffered！Why，then，shouldwenotsufferalso，particularlywhensufferingisforusapurification？Therefore，beloved，ifmydeathoughttocontributetoHisglory，praythatitmaycomequickly，andthatHemayenablemetosupportallmycalamitieswithconstancy。ButifitbebetterthatIreturnamongstyou，letuspraytoGodthatImayreturnwithoutstain——thatis，thatImaynotsuppressonetittleofthetruthofthegospel，inordertoleavemybrethrenanexcellentexampletofollow。Probably，therefore，youwillnevermorebeholdmyfaceatPrague；butshouldthewilloftheall-powerfulGoddeigntorestoremetoyou，letusthenadvancewithafirmerheartintheknowledgeandtheloveofHislaw。\"——Bonnechose，vol。1，pp。147，148。
Inanotherletter，toapriestwhohadbecomeadiscipleofthegospel，Hussspokewithdeephumilityofhisownerrors，accusinghimself\"ofhavingfeltpleasureinwearing106
richapparelandofhavingwastedhoursinfrivolousoccupations。\"Hethenaddedthesetouchingadmonitions:\"MaythegloryofGodandthesalvationofsoulsoccupythymind，andnotthepossessionofbeneficesandestates。
Bewareofadorningthyhousemorethanthysoul；and，aboveall，givethycaretothespiritualedifice。Bepiousandhumblewiththepoor，andconsumenotthysubstanceinfeasting。Shouldstthounotamendthylifeandrefrainfromsuperfluities，Ifearthatthouwiltbeseverelychastened，asIammyself……Thouknowestmydoctrine，forthouhastreceivedmyinstructionsfromthychildhood；itisthereforeuselessformetowritetotheeanyfurther。ButIconjurethee，bythemercyofourLord，nottoimitatemeinanyofthevanitiesintowhichthouhastseenmefall。\"Onthecoveroftheletterheadded:\"Iconjurethee，myfriend，nottobreakthissealuntilthoushalthaveacquiredthecertitudethatIamdead。\"——Ibid。，vol。1，pp。148，149。
Onhisjourney，Husseverywherebeheldindicationsofthespreadofhisdoctrinesandthefavorwithwhichhiscausewasregarded。Thepeoplethrongedtomeethim，andinsometownsthemagistratesattendedhimthroughtheirstreets。
UponarrivingatConstance，Husswasgrantedfullliberty。Totheemperor’ssafe-conductwasaddedapersonalassuranceofprotectionbythepope。But，inviolationofthesesolemnandrepeateddeclarations，theReformerwasinashorttimearrested，byorderofthepopeandcardinals，andthrustintoaloathsomedungeon。LaterhewastransferredtoastrongcastleacrosstheRhineandtherekeptaprisoner。Thepope，profitinglittlebyhisperfidy，wassoonaftercommittedtothesameprison。Ibid。，vol。1，p。247。Hehadbeenprovedbeforethecounciltobeguiltyofthebasestcrimes，besidesmurder，simony，andadultery，\"sinsnotfittobenamed。\"Sothecouncilitselfdeclared，andhewasfinallydeprivedofthetiaraandthrownintoprison。Theantipopesalsoweredeposed，andanewpontiffwaschosen。
107
ThoughthepopehimselfhadbeenguiltyofgreatercrimesthanHusshadeverchargeduponthepriests，andforwhichhehaddemandedareformation，yetthesamecouncilwhichdegradedthepontiffproceededtocrushtheReformer。
TheimprisonmentofHussexcitedgreatindignationinBohemia。Powerfulnoblemenaddressedtothecouncilearnestprotestsagainstthisoutrage。Theemperor，whowasloathtopermittheviolationofasafe-conduct，opposedtheproceedingsagainsthim。ButtheenemiesoftheReformerweremalignantanddetermined。Theyappealedtotheemperor’sprejudices，tohisfears，tohiszealforthechurch。Theybroughtforwardargumentsofgreatlengthtoprovethat\"faithoughtnottobekeptwithheretics，norpersonssuspectedofheresy，thoughtheyarefurnishedwithsafe-conductsfromtheemperorandkings。\"——JacquesLenfant，HistoryoftheCouncilofConstance，vol。1，p。
516。Thustheyprevailed。
Enfeebledbyillnessandimprisonment，——forthedamp，foulairofhisdungeonhadbroughtonafeverwhichnearlyendedhislife，——Husswasatlastbroughtbeforethecouncil。Loadedwithchainshestoodinthepresenceoftheemperor，whosehonorandgoodfaithhadbeenpledgedtoprotecthim。
Duringhislongtrialhefirmlymaintainedthetruth，andinthepresenceoftheassembleddignitariesofchurchandstateheutteredasolemnandfaithfulprotestagainstthecorruptionsofthehierarchy。Whenrequiredtochoosewhetherhewouldrecanthisdoctrinesorsufferdeath，heacceptedthemartyr’sfate。
ThegraceofGodsustainedhim。Duringtheweeksofsufferingthatpassedbeforehisfinalsentence，heaven’speacefilledhissoul。\"Iwritethisletter，\"hesaidtoafriend，\"inmyprison，andwithmyfetteredhand，expectingmysentenceofdeathtomorrow……When，withtheassistanceofJesusChrist，weshallagainmeetinthedeliciouspeaceofthefuturelife，youwilllearnhowmercifulGodhasshownHimselftowardme，howeffectuallyHehassupportedmeinthemidstofmytemptationsandtrials。\"——Bonnechose，vol。2，p。67。
108
Inthegloomofhisdungeonheforesawthetriumphofthetruefaith。
ReturninginhisdreamstothechapelatPraguewherehehadpreachedthegospel，hesawthepopeandhisbishopseffacingthepicturesofChristwhichhehadpaintedonitswalls。\"Thisvisiondistressedhim:butonthenextdayhesawmanypaintersoccupiedinrestoringthesefiguresingreaternumberandinbrightercolors。Assoonastheirtaskwasended，thepainters，whoweresurroundedbyanimmensecrowd，exclaimed，’Nowletthepopesandbishopscome；theyshallnevereffacethemmore！’\"SaidtheReformer，asherelatedhisdream:\"Imaintainthisforcertain，thattheimageofChristwillneverbeeffaced。Theyhavewishedtodestroyit，butitshallbepaintedafreshinallheartsbymuchbetterpreachersthanmyself。\"——D’Aubigne，b。1，ch。6。
Forthelasttime，Husswasbroughtbeforethecouncil。Itwasavastandbrilliantassembly——theemperor，theprincesoftheempire，theroyaldeputies，thecardinals，bishops，andpriests，andanimmensecrowdwhohadcomeasspectatorsoftheeventsoftheday。FromallpartsofChristendomhadbeengatheredthewitnessesofthisfirstgreatsacrificeinthelongstrugglebywhichlibertyofconsciencewastobesecured。
Beingcalleduponforhisfinaldecision，Hussdeclaredhisrefusaltoabjure，and，fixinghispenetratingglanceuponthemonarchwhoseplightedwordhadbeensoshamelesslyviolated，hedeclared:\"Idetermined，ofmyownfreewill，toappearbeforethiscouncil，underthepublicprotectionandfaithoftheemperorherepresent。\"——Bonnechose，vol。2，p。
84。AdeepflushcrimsonedthefaceofSigismundastheeyesofallintheassemblyturneduponhim。
Sentencehavingbeenpronounced，theceremonyofdegradationbegan。Thebishopsclothedtheirprisonerinthesacerdotalhabit，andashetookthepriestlyrobe，hesaid:\"OurLordJesusChristwascoveredwithawhiterobe，bywayof109
insult，whenHerodhadHimconductedbeforePilate。\"——Ibid。，vol。2，p。86。
Beingagainexhortedtoretract，hereplied，turningtowardthepeople:
\"Withwhatface，then，shouldIbeholdtheheavens？HowshouldIlookonthosemultitudesofmentowhomIhavepreachedthepuregospel？No；I
esteemtheirsalvationmorethanthispoorbody，nowappointeduntodeath。\"
Thevestmentswereremovedonebyone，eachbishoppronouncingacurseasheperformedhispartoftheceremony。Finally\"theyputonhisheadacaporpyramidal-shapedmiterofpaper，onwhichwerepaintedfrightfulfiguresofdemons，withtheword’Archheretic’conspicuousinfront。’Mostjoyfully，’
saidHuss，’willIwearthiscrownofshameforThysake，OJesus，whoformedidstwearacrownofthorns。’\"
Whenhewasthusarrayed，\"theprelatessaid，’Nowwedevotethysoultothedevil。’’AndI，’saidJohnHuss，liftinguphiseyestowardheaven，’docommitmyspiritintoThyhands，OLordJesus，forThouhastredeemedme。’\"——Wylie，b。3，ch。7。
Hewasnowdelivereduptothesecularauthoritiesandledawaytotheplaceofexecution。Animmenseprocessionfollowed，hundredsofmenatarms，priestsandbishopsintheircostlyrobes，andtheinhabitantsofConstance。
Whenhehadbeenfastenedtothestake，andallwasreadyforthefiretobelighted，themartyrwasoncemoreexhortedtosavehimselfbyrenouncinghiserrors。\"Whaterrors，\"saidHuss，\"shallIrenounce？Iknowmyselfguiltyofnone。IcallGodtowitnessthatallthatIhavewrittenandpreachedhasbeenwiththeviewofrescuingsoulsfromsinandperdition；and，therefore，mostjoyfullywillIconfirmwithmybloodthattruthwhichIhavewrittenandpreached。\"——Ibid。，b。3，ch。7。Whentheflameskindledabouthim，hebegantosing，\"Jesus，ThouSonofDavid，havemercyonme，\"andsocontinuedtillhisvoicewassilencedforever。
Evenhisenemieswerestruckwithhisheroicbearing。Azealouspapist，describingthemartyrdomofHuss，andof110
Jerome，whodiedsoonafter，said:\"Bothborethemselveswithconstantmindwhentheirlasthourapproached。Theypreparedforthefireasiftheyweregoingtoamarriagefeast。Theyutterednocryofpain。Whentheflamesrose，theybegantosinghymns；andscarcecouldthevehemencyofthefirestoptheirsinging。\"——Ibid。，b。3，ch。7。
WhenthebodyofHusshadbeenwhollyconsumed，hisashes，withthesoiluponwhichtheyrested，weregatheredupandcastintotheRhine，andthusborneonwardtotheocean。Hispersecutorsvainlyimaginedthattheyhadrootedoutthetruthshepreached。Littledidtheydreamthattheashesthatdayborneawaytotheseaweretobeasseedscatteredinallthecountriesoftheearth；thatinlandsyetunknownitwouldyieldabundantfruitinwitnessesforthetruth。ThevoicewhichhadspokeninthecouncilhallofConstancehadwakenedechoesthatwouldbeheardthroughallcomingages。
Husswasnomore，butthetruthsforwhichhediedcouldneverperish。Hisexampleoffaithandconstancywouldencouragemultitudestostandfirmforthetruth，inthefaceoftortureanddeath。HisexecutionhadexhibitedtothewholeworldtheperfidiouscrueltyofRome。Theenemiesoftruth，thoughtheyknewitnot，hadbeenfurtheringthecausewhichtheyvainlysoughttodestroy。
YetanotherstakewastobesetupatConstance。Thebloodofanotherwitnessmusttestifyforthetruth。Jerome，uponbiddingfarewelltoHussonhisdepartureforthecouncil，hadexhortedhimtocourageandfirmness，declaringthatifheshouldfallintoanyperil，hehimselfwouldflytohisassistance。UponhearingoftheReformer’simprisonment，thefaithfuldiscipleimmediatelypreparedtofulfillhispromise。Withoutasafe-conducthesetout，withasinglecompanion，forConstance。Onarrivingtherehewasconvincedthathehadonlyexposedhimselftoperil，withoutthepossibilityofdoinganythingforthedeliveranceofHuss。Hefledfromthecity，butwasarrestedonthehomewardjourneyandbroughtbackloadedwithfettersandunderthecustodyofabandofsoldiers。Athisfirstappearancebefore111
thecouncilhisattemptstoreplytotheaccusationsbroughtagainsthimweremetwithshouts，\"Totheflameswithhim！totheflames！\"——Bonnechose，vol。1，p。234。Hewasthrownintoadungeon，chainedinapositionwhichcausedhimgreatsuffering，andfedonbreadandwater。AftersomemonthsthecrueltiesofhisimprisonmentbroughtuponJeromeanillnessthatthreatenedhislife，andhisenemies，fearingthathemightescapethem，treatedhimwithlessseverity，thoughheremainedinprisonforoneyear。
ThedeathofHusshadnotresultedasthepapistshadhoped。Theviolationofhissafe-conducthadrousedastormofindignation，andasthesafercourse，thecouncildetermined，insteadofburningJerome，toforcehim，ifpossible，toretract。Hewasbroughtbeforetheassembly，andofferedthealternativetorecant，ortodieatthestake。Deathatthebeginningofhisimprisonmentwouldhavebeenamercyincomparisonwiththeterriblesufferingswhichhehadundergone；butnow，weakenedbyillness，bytherigorsofhisprisonhouse，andthetortureofanxietyandsuspense，separatedfromhisfriends，anddisheartenedbythedeathofHuss，Jerome’sfortitudegaveway，andheconsentedtosubmittothecouncil。HepledgedhimselftoadheretotheCatholicfaith，andacceptedtheactionofthecouncilincondemningthedoctrinesofWycliffeandHuss，excepting，however，the\"holytruths\"whichtheyhadtaught——Ibid，vol。2，p。141。
BythisexpedientJeromeendeavoredtosilencethevoiceofconscienceandescapehisdoom。Butinthesolitudeofhisdungeonhesawmoreclearlywhathehaddone。HethoughtofthecourageandfidelityofHuss，andincontrastpondereduponhisowndenialofthetruth。HethoughtofthedivineMasterwhomhehadpledgedhimselftoserve，andwhoforhissakeenduredthedeathofthecross。Beforehisretractionhehadfoundcomfort，amidallhissufferings，intheassuranceofGod’sfavor；butnowremorseanddoubtstorturedhissoul。HeknewthatstillotherretractionsmustbemadebeforehecouldbeatpeacewithRome。Thepathupon112
whichhewasenteringcouldendonlyincompleteapostasy。Hisresolutionwastaken:ToescapeabriefperiodofsufferinghewouldnotdenyhisLord。
Soonhewasagainbroughtbeforethecouncil。Hissubmissionhadnotsatisfiedhisjudges。Theirthirstforblood，whettedbythedeathofHuss，clamoredforfreshvictims。OnlybyanunreservedsurrenderofthetruthcouldJeromepreservehislife。Buthehaddeterminedtoavowhisfaithandfollowhisbrothermartyrtotheflames。
Herenouncedhisformerrecantationand，asadyingman，solemnlyrequiredanopportunitytomakehisdefense。Fearingtheeffectofhiswords，theprelatesinsistedthatheshouldmerelyaffirmordenythetruthofthechargesbroughtagainsthim。Jeromeprotestedagainstsuchcrueltyandinjustice。\"Youhaveheldmeshutupthreehundredandfortydaysinafrightfulprison，\"hesaid，\"inthemidstoffilth，noisomeness，stench，andtheutmostwantofeverything；youthenbringmeoutbeforeyou，andlendinganeartomymortalenemies，yourefusetohearme……Ifyoubereallywisemen，andthelightsoftheworld，takecarenottosinagainstjustice。
Astome，Iamonlyafeeblemortal；mylifeisbutoflittleimportance；
andwhenIexhortyounottodeliveranunjustsentence，Ispeaklessformyselfthanforyou。\"——Ibid。，vol。2，pp。146，147。
Hisrequestwasfinallygranted。Inthepresenceofhisjudges，JeromekneeleddownandprayedthatthedivineSpiritmightcontrolhisthoughtsandwords，thathemightspeaknothingcontrarytothetruthorunworthyofhisMaster。TohimthatdaywasfulfilledthepromiseofGodtothefirstdisciples:\"YeshallbebroughtbeforegovernorsandkingsforMysake……Butwhentheydeliveryouup，takenothoughthoworwhatyeshallspeak:
foritshallbegivenyouinthatsamehourwhatyeshallspeak。Foritisnotyethatspeak，buttheSpiritofyourFatherwhichspeakethinyou。\"
Matthew10:18-20。
ThewordsofJeromeexcitedastonishmentandadmiration，eveninhisenemies。Forawholeyearhehadbeen113
immuredinadungeon，unabletoreadoreventosee，ingreatphysicalsufferingandmentalanxiety。Yethisargumentswerepresentedwithasmuchclearnessandpowerasifhehadhadundisturbedopportunityforstudy。Hepointedhishearerstothelonglineofholymenwhohadbeencondemnedbyunjustjudges。Inalmosteverygenerationhavebeenthosewho，whileseekingtoelevatethepeopleoftheirtime，havebeenreproachedandcastout，butwhoinlatertimeshavebeenshowntobedeservingofhonor。ChristHimselfwascondemnedasamalefactoratanunrighteoustribunal。
Athisretraction，JeromehadassentedtothejusticeofthesentencecondemningHuss；henowdeclaredhisrepentanceandborewitnesstotheinnocenceandholinessofthemartyr。\"Iknewhimfromhischildhood，\"hesaid。\"Hewasamostexcellentman，justandholy；hewascondemned，notwithstandinghisinnocence……Ialso——Iamreadytodie:Iwillnotrecoilbeforethetormentsthatarepreparedformebymyenemiesandfalsewitnesses，whowillonedayhavetorenderanaccountoftheirimposturesbeforethegreatGod，whomnothingcandeceive。\"——Bonnechose，vol。2，p。
151。
Inself-reproachforhisowndenialofthetruth，Jeromecontinued:\"OfallthesinsthatIhavecommittedsincemyyouth，noneweighsoheavilyonmymind，andcausemesuchpoignantremorse，asthatwhichIcommittedinthisfatalplace，whenIapprovedoftheiniquitoussentencerenderedagainstWycliffe，andagainsttheholymartyr，JohnHuss，mymasterandmyfriend。
Yes！Iconfessitfrommyheart，anddeclarewithhorrorthatI
disgracefullyquailedwhen，throughadreadofdeath，Icondemnedtheirdoctrines。Ithereforesupplicate……AlmightyGodtodeigntopardonmemysins，andthisoneinparticular，themostheinousofall。\"Pointingtohisjudges，hesaidfirmly:\"YoucondemnedWycliffeandJohnHuss，notforhavingshakenthedoctrineofthechurch，butsimplybecausetheybrandedwithreprobationthescandalsproceedingfromtheclergy——theirpomp，theirpride，andallthevicesoftheprelatesandpriests。
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Thethingswhichtheyhaveaffirmed，andwhichareirrefutable，Ialsothinkanddeclare，likethem。\"
Hiswordswereinterrupted。Theprelates，tremblingwithrage，criedout:
\"Whatneedisthereoffurtherproof？Webeholdwithourowneyesthemostobstinateofheretics！\"
Unmovedbythetempest，Jeromeexclaimed:\"What！doyousupposethatIfeartodie？Youhaveheldmeforawholeyearinafrightfuldungeon，morehorriblethandeathitself。YouhavetreatedmemorecruellythanaTurk，Jew，orpagan，andmyfleshhasliterallyrottedoffmybonesalive；andyetImakenocomplaint，forlamentationillbecomesamanofheartandspirit；
butIcannotbutexpressmyastonishmentatsuchgreatbarbaritytowardaChristian。\"——Ibid。，vol。2，pp。151-153。
Againthestormofrageburstout，andJeromewashurriedawaytoprison。
Yetthereweresomeintheassemblyuponwhomhiswordshadmadeadeepimpressionandwhodesiredtosavehislife。Hewasvisitedbydignitariesofthechurchandurgedtosubmithimselftothecouncil。ThemostbrilliantprospectswerepresentedbeforehimastherewardofrenouncinghisoppositiontoRome。ButlikehisMasterwhenofferedthegloryoftheworld，Jeromeremainedsteadfast。
\"ProvetomefromtheHolyWritingsthatIaminerror，\"hesaid，\"andI
willabjureit。\"
\"TheHolyWritings！\"exclaimedoneofhistempters，\"iseverythingthentobejudgedbythem？Whocanunderstandthemtillthechurchhasinterpretedthem？\"
\"ArethetraditionsofmenmoreworthyoffaiththanthegospelofourSaviour？\"repliedJerome。\"Pauldidnotexhortthosetowhomhewrotetolistentothetraditionsofmen，butsaid，’SearchtheScriptures。’\"
\"Heretic！\"wastheresponse，\"Irepenthavingpleadedsolongwithyou。I
seethatyouareurgedonbythedevil。\"——Wylie，b。3，ch。10。
Erelongsentenceofcondemnationwaspasseduponhim。HewasledouttothesamespotuponwhichHusshad115
yieldeduphislife。Hewentsingingonhisway，hiscountenancelightedupwithjoyandpeace。HisgazewasfixeduponChrist，andtohimdeathhadlostitsterrors。Whentheexecutioner，abouttokindlethepile，steppedbehindhim，themartyrexclaimed:\"Comeforwardboldly；applythefirebeforemyface。HadIbeenafraid，Ishouldnotbehere。\"
Hislastwords，utteredastheflamesroseabouthim，wereaprayer。\"Lord，AlmightyFather，\"hecried，\"havepityonme，andpardonmemysins；forThouknowestthatIhavealwayslovedThytruth。\"——Bonnechose，vol。2，p。
168。Hisvoiceceased，buthislipscontinuedtomoveinprayer。Whenthefirehaddoneitswork，theashesofthemartyr，withtheearthuponwhichtheyrested，weregatheredup，andlikethoseofHuss，werethrownintotheRhine。
SoperishedGod’sfaithfullightbearers。Butthelightofthetruthswhichtheyproclaimed——thelightoftheirheroicexample——couldnotbeextinguished。Aswellmightmenattempttoturnbackthesuninitscourseastopreventthedawningofthatdaywhichwaseventhenbreakingupontheworld。
TheexecutionofHusshadkindledaflameofindignationandhorrorinBohemia。Itwasfeltbythewholenationthathehadfallenapreytothemaliceofthepriestsandthetreacheryoftheemperor。Hewasdeclaredtohavebeenafaithfulteacherofthetruth，andthecouncilthatdecreedhisdeathwaschargedwiththeguiltofmurder。Hisdoctrinesnowattractedgreaterattentionthaneverbefore。BythepapaledictsthewritingsofWycliffehadbeencondemnedtotheflames。ButthosethathadescapeddestructionwerenowbroughtoutfromtheirhidingplacesandstudiedinconnectionwiththeBible，orsuchpartsofitasthepeoplecouldobtain，andmanywerethusledtoacceptthereformedfaith。
ThemurderersofHussdidnotstandquietlybyandwitnessthetriumphofhiscause。Thepopeandtheemperorunitedtocrushoutthemovement，andthearmiesofSigismundwerehurleduponBohemia。
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Butadelivererwasraisedup。Ziska，whosoonaftertheopeningofthewarbecametotallyblind，yetwhowasoneoftheablestgeneralsofhisage，wastheleaderoftheBohemians。TrustinginthehelpofGodandtherighteousnessoftheircause，thatpeoplewithstoodthemightiestarmiesthatcouldbebroughtagainstthem。Againandagaintheemperor，raisingfresharmies，invadedBohemia，onlytobeignominiouslyrepulsed。TheHussiteswereraisedabovethefearofdeath，andnothingcouldstandagainstthem。Afewyearsaftertheopeningofthewar，thebraveZiskadied；buthisplacewasfilledbyProcopius，whowasanequallybraveandskillfulgeneral，andinsomerespectsamoreableleader。
TheenemiesoftheBohemians，knowingthattheblindwarriorwasdead，deemedtheopportunityfavorableforrecoveringallthattheyhadlost。ThepopenowproclaimedacrusadeagainsttheHussites，andagainanimmenseforcewasprecipitateduponBohemia，butonlytosufferterribledefeat。
Anothercrusadewasproclaimed。InallthepapalcountriesofEurope，men，money，andmunitionsofwarwereraised。Multitudesflockedtothepapalstandard，assuredthatatlastanendwouldbemadeoftheHussiteheretics。
Confidentofvictory，thevastforceenteredBohemia。Thepeopleralliedtorepelthem。Thetwoarmiesapproachedeachotheruntilonlyariverlaybetweenthem。\"Thecrusaderswereingreatlysuperiorforce，butinsteadofdashingacrossthestream，andclosinginbattlewiththeHussiteswhomtheyhadcomesofartomeet，theystoodgazinginsilenceatthosewarriors。\"——Wylie，b。3，ch。17。Thensuddenlyamysteriousterrorfelluponthehost。Withoutstrikingablow，thatmightyforcebrokeandscatteredasifdispelledbyanunseenpower。GreatnumberswereslaughteredbytheHussitearmy，whichpursuedthefugitives，andanimmensebootyfellintothehandsofthevictors，sothatthewar，insteadofimpoverishing，enrichedtheBohemians。
Afewyearslater，underanewpope，stillanothercrusadewassetonfoot。
Asbefore，menandmeansweredrawn117
fromallthepapalcountriesofEurope。Greatweretheinducementsheldouttothosewhoshouldengageinthisperilousenterprise。Fullforgivenessofthemostheinouscrimeswasensuredtoeverycrusader。Allwhodiedinthewarwerepromisedarichrewardinheaven，andthosewhosurvivedweretoreaphonorandrichesonthefieldofbattle。Againavastarmywascollected，and，crossingthefrontiertheyenteredBohemia。TheHussiteforcesfellbackbeforethem，thusdrawingtheinvadersfartherandfartherintothecountry，andleadingthemtocountthevictoryalreadywon。AtlastthearmyofProcopiusmadeastand，andturninguponthefoe，advancedtogivethembattle。Thecrusaders，nowdiscoveringtheirmistake，layintheirencampmentawaitingtheonset。Asthesoundoftheapproachingforcewasheard，evenbeforetheHussiteswereinsight，apanicagainfelluponthecrusaders。Princes，generals，andcommonsoldiers，castingawaytheirarmor，fledinalldirections。Invainthepapallegate，whowastheleaderoftheinvasion，endeavoredtorallyhisterrifiedanddisorganizedforces。Despitehisutmostendeavors，hehimselfwassweptalonginthetideoffugitives。
Theroutwascomplete，andagainanimmensebootyfellintothehandsofthevictors。
Thusthesecondtimeavastarmy，sentforthbythemostpowerfulnationsofEurope，ahostofbrave，warlikemen，trainedandequippedforbattle，fledwithoutablowbeforethedefendersofasmallandhithertofeeblenation。
Herewasamanifestationofdivinepower。Theinvadersweresmittenwithasupernaturalterror。HewhooverthrewthehostsofPharaohintheRedSea，whoputtoflightthearmiesofMidianbeforeGideonandhisthreehundred，whoinonenightlaidlowtheforcesoftheproudAssyrian，hadagainstretchedoutHishandtowitherthepoweroftheoppressor。\"Thereweretheyingreatfear，wherenofearwas:forGodhathscatteredthebonesofhimthatencampethagainstthee:thouhastputthemtoshame，becauseGodhathdespisedthem。\"Psalm53:5。
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Thepapalleaders，despairingofconqueringbyforce，atlastresortedtodiplomacy。Acompromisewasenteredinto，thatwhileprofessingtogranttotheBohemiansfreedomofconscience，reallybetrayedthemintothepowerofRome。TheBohemianshadspecifiedfourpointsastheconditionofpeacewithRome:thefreepreachingoftheBible；therightofthewholechurchtoboththebreadandthewineinthecommunion，andtheuseofthemothertongueindivineworship；theexclusionoftheclergyfromallsecularofficesandauthority；and，incasesofcrime，thejurisdictionofthecivilcourtsoverclergyandlaityalike。Thepapalauthoritiesatlast\"agreedthatthefourarticlesoftheHussitesshouldbeaccepted，butthattherightofexplainingthem，thatis，ofdeterminingtheirpreciseimport，shouldbelongtothecouncil——inotherwords，tothepopeandtheemperor。\"——Wylie，b。3，ch。18。Onthisbasisatreatywasenteredinto，andRomegainedbydissimulationandfraudwhatshehadfailedtogainbyconflict；for，placingherowninterpretationupontheHussitearticles，asupontheBible，shecouldperverttheirmeaningtosuitherownpurposes。
AlargeclassinBohemia，seeingthatitbetrayedtheirliberties，couldnotconsenttothecompact。Dissensionsanddivisionsarose，leadingtostrifeandbloodshedamongthemselves。InthisstrifethenobleProcopiusfell，andthelibertiesofBohemiaperished。
Sigismund，thebetrayerofHussandJerome，nowbecamekingofBohemia，andregardlessofhisoathtosupporttherightsoftheBohemians，heproceededtoestablishpopery。ButhehadgainedlittlebyhissubserviencetoRome。
Fortwentyyearshislifehadbeenfilledwithlaborsandperils。Hisarmieshadbeenwastedandhistreasuriesdrainedbyalongandfruitlessstruggle；
andnow，afterreigningoneyear，hedied，leavinghiskingdomonthebrinkofcivilwar，andbequeathingtoposterityanamebrandedwithinfamy。
Tumults，strife，andbloodshedwereprotracted。AgainforeignarmiesinvadedBohemia，andinternaldissension119
continuedtodistractthenation。Thosewhoremainedfaithfultothegospelweresubjectedtoabloodypersecution。
Astheirformerbrethren，enteringintocompactwithRome，imbibedhererrors，thosewhoadheredtotheancientfaithhadformedthemselvesintoadistinctchurch，takingthenameof\"UnitedBrethren。\"Thisactdrewuponthemmaledictionsfromallclasses。Yettheirfirmnesswasunshaken。Forcedtofindrefugeinthewoodsandcaves，theystillassembledtoreadGod’swordanduniteinHisworship。
Throughmessengerssecretlysentoutintodifferentcountries，theylearnedthathereandtherewere\"isolatedconfessorsofthetruth，afewinthiscityandafewinthat，theobject，likethemselves，ofpersecution；andthatamidthemountainsoftheAlpswasanancientchurch，restingonthefoundationsofScripture，andprotestingagainsttheidolatrouscorruptionsofRome。\"——Wylie，b。3，ch。19。Thisintelligencewasreceivedwithgreatjoy，andacorrespondencewasopenedwiththeWaldensianChristians。
Steadfasttothegospel，theBohemianswaitedthroughthenightoftheirpersecution，inthedarkesthourstillturningtheireyestowardthehorizonlikemenwhowatchforthemorning。\"Theirlotwascastinevildays，but……theyrememberedthewordsfirstutteredbyHuss，andrepeatedbyJerome，thatacenturymustrevolvebeforethedayshouldbreak。TheseweretotheTaborites[Hussites]whatthewordsofJosephweretothetribesinthehouseofbondage:`Idie，andGodwillsurelyvisityou，andbringyouout。’\"——Ibid。，b。3，ch。19。\"TheclosingperiodofthefifteenthcenturywitnessedtheslowbutsureincreaseofthechurchesoftheBrethren。
Althoughfarfrombeingunmolested，theyyetenjoyedcomparativerest。AtthecommencementofthesixteenthcenturytheirchurchesnumberedtwohundredinBohemiaandMoravia。\"——EzraHallGillett，LifeandTimesofJohnHuss，vol。2，p。570。\"Sogoodlywastheremnantwhich，escapingthedestructivefuryoffireandsword，waspermittedtoseethedawningofthatdaywhichHusshadforetold。\"——Wylie，b。3，ch。19。
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