The Missionary by Stephen N. Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · May 21, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 20.

The Missionary.

By Stephen N. Haskell

Huss Leaves for the Council.

Huss left Prague about October 18, 1414, to attend the council of Constance. He prepared himself with all necessary papers for his safety. Before leaving the Bohemian capital he took occasion to make a full confession of his faith and doctrinal views. He openly declared his purpose to render at Constance, before the assembled representatives of the Christian world, a testimony of his faith. A few days before his departure he caused to be affixed to the gates of the palace, and other public places, a notice that he was about to depart for Constance to justify himself before the council; "so that," said he, "if any one suspects me of heresy let him proceed hither and prove, in presence of the pope and the doctors, if I ever entertained or taught any false or mistaken doctrine. If any man can convict me of having taught any doctrine contrary to the Christian faith, I will consent to undergo all the penalties to which heretics are liable. But I trust that God will not grant the victory to the unbelievers—to men who outrage the truth." He also received a certificate from the bishop of Nazareth, grand inquisitor of the diocese of Prague. This certificate was remarkable, considering from whom it came. "We have always considered him to be a faithful and good Catholic, not finding in him, up to this day, any evil or error." He also received a safe-conduct from the emperor. As this was an important document, and as we shall have occasion to refer to it again, we give it entire. It was addressed to "all the secular princes," etc., and to "all our subjects:"—

"We recommend to you with a full affection, to all in general, and to each in particular, the Honorable Master John Huss, Bachelor in Divinity and Master of Arts, the bearer of these presents, journeying from Bohemia to the council of Constance, whom we have taken under our protection and safeguard, and under that of the empire, enjoining you to receive him and treat him kindly, furnishing him with all that shall be necessary to speed and assure his journey, as well by water as by land, without taking anything from him or his, at coming in or going out, for any sort of duties whatever; and calling on you to allow him to pass, sojourn, stop, and return freely and securely; providing him even, if necessary, with good passports for the honor and respect of the Imperial Majesty. Given at Spires, this 18th day of October of the year 1414, the third of our reign in Hungary, and the fifth of that of the Romans."

Huss, however, trusted in One who was mightier than man. At this time he wrote to one of his friends: "I confide altogether in the all-powerful God my Saviour; he will accord me his Holy Spirit to fortify me in his truth, so that I may with courage face temptations, prisons, and, if necessary, a cruel death." King Wenceslaus also took the precaution to appoint two faithful and valiant knights, the lords of Chlum and Duha, as special companions and protectors of John Huss. No distinguished personage ever went forth to any council with better security as far as promises and earthly protection were concerned. No person ever had greater assurance of divine acceptance than did this man of God. But notwithstanding all these precautions, he wrote to his congregation, "Probably you will never behold my face in Prague." His friends felt the same forebodings. They cautioned him against the emperor's treachery, and expressed their fears that he would never return. He was welcomed in the cities through which he passed, and he posted up public notices in Bohemia, in Latin and in German, offering to give to any one an account of his religious convictions, and to prove that he was far from cherishing anything like

heresy. At Nuremburg the magistrates formed a guard of honor, and escorted him through the streets thronged with spectators eager to catch a glimpse of the man who had begun a movement which was stirring Christendom. At every step new adherents were enlisted in his cause. At Nuremburg he also had the privilege of speaking before his opponents, and the mayor, counselors, and magistrates. The people were captivated by his preaching, and overwhelmed him with applause. At the village of Biberach, about fifty miles from Constance, he had a similar disputation with the priests and learned men of the place. So great was the enthusiasm that the people bore him in triumph through the streets. Huss wrote after reaching Constance that he had not found a single enemy on the road. His entry into Constance was far different from that of Luther into Worms a century later. His bitterest enemies from Prague came to Constance with a fixed determination that his triumph, so far as liberty was concerned, should end whenever he entered Constance. Pope John was equally bitter, and was ready for any measure against him. It was the practice of Huss, knowing the ignorance of the people on account of the negligence of their religious instructors, to leave behind him at his lodging, and wherever he stopped, a copy of the ten commandments. Once at the house of a widow, finding no better facilities, he traced them in the meal. He had written them upon the walls of his Bethlehem Chapel.

The pope with his escort was just one week in advance of Huss. Pope John also entered the city with fearful forebodings, but of a far different character. His dread arose from a guilty conscience, and a fear that he might receive some of his just deserts. The city received him with all the pomp and splendor that was customary on such occasions. He received, as presents, "a silver cup weighing five marks, four small casks of Italian wine, four great vessels of the wine of Alsace, eight great vessels of the country wine, and forty measures of oats," all of which were given with great ceremony. The pope on his part ordered a robe of black silk, glittering with gold, silver, and diamonds, to be presented to the consul. The pope, as he entered Constance, presented quite a contrast with our Saviour when he rode into Jerusalem. One circumstance, worthy of remark, occurred as the pope was making his journey. When he was on the way, he was thrown from his carriage and rolled over on the highway. His attendants came around to inquire if he was hurt, and he replied, "By the devil, I am down; I had better stayed at Bologna," and then, taking a glance at the city, he exclaimed, "I see how it is; that is the pit where the foxes are snared."

The Emperor Sigismund did not arrive until Christmas. Huss was then in prison, having been arrested a month before. During the imposing ceremonies which followed his arrival, the pope presented the emperor with a sword, with an exhortation to him to make vigorous use of it against the enemies of the church. The pope evidently had John Huss in mind when he said this, but he little thought that its first stroke would be upon himself.

During the first few weeks, Huss enjoyed freedom in Constance. Upon his arrival, word was carried to the pope, and he was asked if Huss would be safe in Constance. The pope replied, "Had he killed my own brother, not a hair of his head should be touched while he was in the city." This, however, does not sound as well as it would had he not instructed one of his cardinals to treat Huss with the utmost severity, and added to the excommunication a special bull of condemnation. S. N. H.