The Life and Times of John Huss

By Ezra H. Gillett

Table of Contents
Volume II

Depressing Circumstances of Huss — Denied an Advocate — His Letters and Conversation in Past Years Brought Forward — Want of Books — Hopelessness of his Case — Prison Reflections — Zabarella’s Form of Recantation Presented to Him — Reply of Huss — Gratitude for Kindness — Persuasions of his Friends — Argument of a Member of the Council to Overcome his Scruples — The Crime of Huss in Refusing Submission to the Council — his Unshaken Purpose — Visit of Paletz — Argument of One of the Doctors — Explanatory Letter of Huss — His Estimate of the Council — The Treatment of his Books — The Council Condemns Itself — Letter to his Countrymen at Prague — Time of Huss’ Execution Deferred — General Expectation that He Would Recant — Proposed Decree in Such a Case — Reasons of the Expectation — Hopes Excited in Huss by the Delay — Letter on the Prolonged Space Given to Prepare for Death — No Surprise to Be Felt at Tribulation — Rejoicing that his Books Had Been Read by his Enemies — The Emperor Anxious to Have Him Recant — His Firmness — His Opinion of the Emperor — Farewell Letters — Asks an Audience — Asks a Confessor — Paletz Denied Him — Visit of Paletz — Dreams of Huss — Scriptural Consolation — Chlum — Duba — Christiann — Second Farewell to Friends at Prague — Greetings — Postscript — Debts — Asks Chlum to Stay to the Last — Letters to Martin — Addresses All Classes — Malice of Causis — Huss in Prison

Persuasions to Induce Huss to Recant — Michael De Causis — the Emperor’s Absence from Constance — the Refusal of Huss to Abjure — Deputation from the Emperor — Advice of Chlum — Reply of Huss — The Deputation Fails of its Object — Fifteenth Session of the Council — Sermon of the Bishop of Lodi — the Sabbath Council’s Decree, Enjoining Silence — Sixty Articles of Wickliffe Condemned — Statement in Regard to Huss — Thirty Articles of his Condemned — He Attempts to Reply to Each — Is Silenced — Again Silenced — Entreats to Be Heard — Denies Some of the Charges — Charge of Claiming to Be the Fourth Person in the Godhead — He Indignantly Denies It — Charge against Him for his Appeal — Calls on Christ to Witness the Council’s Scoff at Appeal to Him — Contempt of Papal Excommunication — Reply of Huss — the Emperor’s Blush at the Mention of the Safe-Conduct — Sentence Pronounced against the Books of Huss — His Reply — Sentence against Huss — His Comments Upon It as Read — His Prayer — The Ceremony of Degradation — The White Robe — Address to the Assembly — Murmurs — Huss Stripped of his Sacerdotal Habits — Tonsure — Ludicrous Dispute — The Paper Crown — Remark of Huss — He Is Given Over to the Secular Arm — Is Led Out to Execution Under Charge of the Elector — Indirect Route — Burning of the Books of Huss in front of the Episcopal Palace — Crossing of the Bridge — Address of Huss, in German, to the Crowd — Huss Prays on Reaching the Place of Execution — Favorable Impression — A Confessor — The Privilege of Addressing the Crowd Is Denied — Huss Prays — His Miter Falls Off — Speaks to his Keepers — The Stake and Cords — Is Not Allowed to Face the East — The Sooty Chain — Huss Once More Asked to Recant — His Refusal — The Closing Scene — Brutality of the Executioners — Testimony of Æneas Sylvius — Why Huss Was Burned — Not for his Heterodoxy — Not his Reproof of Sin — His Attack of Profitable Abuses — The Odium Philosophicum of the Nominalists — the Persecuting Zeal of the English — The Prejudice of the Germans — Paletz and Michael De Causis — Bribery — Huss Rejects the Supremacy of the Council Over Scriptures — His Character

The Use of the Cup — Decree of the Council — Reasons on which It Was Based — History of the Use of the Cup — Jacobel’s Treatise — His Argument Characterized — Sharp Sentences — Persecution Rebuked — the Bold Tone of Jacobel’s Treatise — Gregory’s Abdication — Benedict XIII Summoned — Affair of John Petit — His Character — His Propositions Condemned at Paris — The Duke of Burgundy Appeals to the Pope — The Question before the Council — The Aspect of the Case Changed — England Allied with the Duke of Burgundy — Timidity of the Council — Disappointment of Gerson — The King of Poland and the Teutonic Knights — Sketch of the Order — Question before the Council — Paul Voladimir and his Propositions — Their Liberal Tone — Von Falkenberg — Apologizes for the Order — His Book Escapes Condemnation — Gerson’s Motives — Personal Danger — Attacked by Falkenberg — Futile Hopes

Impressions Made by the Execution of Huss — Pasquinade — Sermon of the Monk of Mayence — Its Severity — Similar Sermons — Inference — The Council Condemns Itself — Death of Huss Known at Prague — Consternation — Veneration for the Memory of Huss — Unanimity of Feeling — Voice of the University — Jerome Visited by a Deputation of the Council — Other Matters — Sigismund Zealous for the Condemnation of Petit’s Proposition — His Mission to Spain — Obstinacy of Benedict — Sigismund Prepares for his Journey — Decree of the Council — Sigismund’s Departure — Conference with Benedict — The Council in Sigismund’s Absence — Slow Progress — Disputes, Games, and Violence — Many Leave Constance — Gerson’s Sermon — The Council’s Letter to Bohemia — Its Threats — Provocation — Excitement at Prague — Jerome’s Severe Imprisonment — Presumption of his Heroism — His Recantation Explained — Qualified Submission to the Council — Unsatisfactory — Nineteenth Session — Jerome’s Second Form of Submission — His Speech, Explanatory and Introductory — How far Sincere

New Commission on Heresy — Annates — Ravages of the Turks — Conference of Benedict XIII and Sigismund — Canonization — Commission Appointed — Gerson’s Treatise — Violence and Anarchy of the Times — Narrative of Bernard Witt — Frederic of Austria and the Bishop of Trent — Measures of the Council against the Former — Caroline Constitution — Nason’s Complaint — Letter from Bohemia — Mission of the Bishop of Leitomischel — Reply of the Bohemian States — Vindication of the Bohemians Presented to the Council — The Principles Avowed by the Latter on Keeping Faith with Heretics — They Fail to Convince the Bohemians — Measures Adopted at Prague — Zisca — Permission Granted Him by Wenzel

More Lenient Feeling Towards Jerome — Nason’s Taunt — Resignation of the Commission in Jerome’s Case — A New One Appointed — Gerson on the Method of Dealing with Heretics — New Charges against Jerome — Report from the Conference with Benedict — His Terms — The Emperor’s Disgust — Spanish Propositions — Cheering Intelligence — Defection of Vincent Ferrara from Benedict — His Wonderful Career as a Preacher — His Gifts, Eloquence, and Virtues — The Emperor at Paris — He Endeavors to Secure a Peace Between France and England — Petit’s Case in the Council — Sermon of Theodoric of Munster — Invective against the Clergy

Citation of the Bohemians — The Decree — Disposition of the Council toward Jerome — His Condition and State of Mind in Prison — Refuses to Recognize his New Judges — The List of Charges against Him — His Replies — On Wickliffe — On Contumacy — Various Charges — Philosophical Subtleties — Transubstantiation — Songs Written and Sung — All May Preach — Unjust Excommunication Invalid — Indulgences — Treatment of Them that Sold Them — Papal Bulls — Pictures of the Saints — Relics — Martyrs of Prague — Favor to the Greek Church — Jerome’s Recantation Hypocritical — His Letter to Vienna — Dishonest Purpose in Coming to Constance — Will Not Acknowledge his Errors — Refuses to Fast — Demand that He Should Answer on Oath — Extended Period of Jerome’s Life Covered by the Charges — Jerome’s Replies — Admissions, Explanations, and Denials — Jerome Allowed a General Defense — His Views and Feelings — His Speech — Refers to Ancient Martyrs — University of Prague — Eulogy of Huss — His Course — Jerome’s Visit to Constance — His Treatment — His Recantation Disavowed — His Views of Wickliffe — His Substantial Orthodoxy — His Fate Sealed by his Approval of Huss — Heroism of Jerome — Poggio Bracciolini — His Letter in Praise of Jerome — Able Defense of the Latter — His Manly Bearing — His Retorts — Wonderful Powers — His Memorable Eloquence

Disposition of the Council Toward Jerome — Efforts to Save Him — His Firmness — Trying Circumstances — Twenty-First Session of the Council — Efforts to Induce Jerome to Recant and Submit to the Council — The Conference — Jerome’s Eloquent Reply — The Bishop of Lodi’s Sermon — The Necessity of Severe Measures — The Guilt of Jerome in his Presumption and Defense of his Errors — Charity of the Council in the Treatment of Jerome — How a Heretic Should Be Dealt With — Six Mischiefs Jerome Had Done by his Speech — Jerome’s Reply to the Sermon, and his own Defense — His Catholicity — His Appeal — The Sentence — Caspar Schlick’s Protest — Jerome Prepared for the Execution — His Conduct on the Way to the Stake — Scenes at the Execution — Jerome Addresses the Crowd — His Protracted Sufferings — His Death — The Dust Removed — The Earth About the Stake Carried to Prague

Absent Members of the Council Summoned — The Citation of the Bohemians Considered — The Knight De Latzembock — John Creith of Liege — Dilatory Proceedings and Tumults of the Council — The Cardinal of Cambray on the Ecclesiastical Power — The English Nation in the Council — New Members — Gerson and "the Immaculate Conception" — the Council’s Letter to Sigismund in Regard to Bohemia — Accusations against Wenzel — Sigismund’s Method for Quieting Bohemia — Ill Success of his Plan — Sermons in the Council — Vices of the Clergy Classified — Sigismund’s Defeated Projects — His Reception and Treatment in England — Council’s Proceedings against Benedict — Stipiltz and Plancha Cite Him — Scene of Their Reception — Ludicrous Incidents — Sigismund’s Return to Constance — His Reception

Affairs of Benedict — Bishop of Cuenza — The English Nation — Dispute as to the Precedence of Reform or the Election of a Pope — Measures of Reform — Sermons of Maurice and Stephen of Prague — The Cardinals Aggrieved — Demand their Passports to Leave — Refused — Divisions in the Council — Prayer for Election — State of Bohemia — Wenzel a Cipher — He Banishes Nicolas De Hussinitz — Scenes of Anarchy and Violence — The University Favors the Communion of the Cup — Peter D’Umetzow — Wenzel Leaves Prague — Urged to Return — Anniversary of the Death of Huss — Sermon on the Occasion — Eulogy of Huss — William of Rosenberg and his Vassals — Violence and Robbery — Measures of the Council — Satire on the Romish Church — the Flagellants — Sketch of their History and Doctrines — Favored by Vincent Ferrara — Gerson’s Views — Measures of the Council — Benedict XIII Deposed — Question of Reform — The Nations Divided — Sermons on Reform — English Nation — Document of the Cardinals — Reply of the Germans — Irritation of the Emperor — Alarm of the Cardinals — Death of Robert Hallam — Bribes — The German Nation Wavers — Conditions for Proceeding to a Election — Scheme of Reform — Electors Appointed — Otho de Collona Chosen Pope — Coronation — Splendor of the Procession — Incidents — Pontifical Triumph over Reform

State of Bohemia — Alarm of the Clergy who Adhered to the Council — Disorder — Flight of Wenzel — Apprehensions of the Council — Gerson’s Treatise on the Eucharist — Maurice of Prague — Sigismund’s Letter to Launa — Threatens a Crusade — His Letters to his Brother, Wenzel — Their Insolence and Duplicity — Letter of Martin V to Bohemia — Demands of the Council — Process against Such as Are Suspected of Heresy — The Bull of Martin V — Its Contents — Its Severity — Points of Examination for the Suspected — How the Trial Was to Be Conducted — Execution of Lord Cobham — Terror of a Crusade — Crusade against the Moors — Indignation of the Bohemians — Nicholas De Hussinitz — Boldness of Zisca — Course of John Dominic — He Is Convinced that Arms Are Necessary to Subdue the Bohemians

Martin V Announces his Election — Reception of the Announcement — The King of Aragon Dissatisfied — Favors Benedict — The Reformatory College — Concordats — Measures for Reform — Dissatisfaction — The Spanish Nation — Parody of the Mass — Presented to the Pope — Other Complaints — Martin V Eager to Return to Italy — Greek Church — The Emperor — Want of Money — Disappointment — Language of Gerson — King of Poland — Voladimir his Protest — Simony of Martin V — The Emperor’s Question — Anxiety of Members to Leave — Humiliation of the Council — Liberality of Martin V in Granting Indulgences — The Emperor’s Dissatisfaction — The King of Poland Aggrieved — The French Concordat — England — Spain — Italy — Martin V Leaves Constance

Reception of the Decree of the Council in Bohemia — the Reply of the Hussites — Its Propositions — Doctrines — The Celebrated Four Articles — Zisca — His Tact and Energy — His Letters to Tausch — Popular Indignation — Communion of the Cup on Tabor — Plan for Attacking Prague — Wenzel Absent from the City — Attack on the New City — Acts of Violence — Release of Prisoners Demanded at the Town House — Tumult — Assault — Germans Thrown out the Windows — New Magistrates Appointed — Continued Attack on the New City — Zisca Withdraws to Pilsen — Danger of the Citizens — The Queen Seeks Aid of the Emperor — Death of Wenzel — Its Circumstances — Projects of the Emperor — Citizens Call on Zisca for Aid — Scenes of Violence — Conflicts at Prague — Fight at the Bridge — Conflict Renewed the Next Day — Continued Skirmishes — A Truce Effected — Movements Elsewhere — Negligent Observance of the Truce — John Naakuasa Burned — Gurim Assaulted — The Succession to the Crown — Convention Summoned by Sigismund at Beraun — His Promises — Presence of the Bohemians at Beraun — Their Submission — Conditions Imposed by Sigismund — His Letter to Prague — Compliance of the Hussites — Insults Offered Them — Proceedings of Sigismund at Breslau — Hussites Divided into Calixtines and Taborites — Policy and Views of Each — The Adamites — The Fanaticism of the Taborites in Regard to the Advent of Christ — Its Effects — Danger of Dissentions

The Calixtine Nobility — Their Political Sympathies — Violence of the Imperialists — John Krasa — Nicholas of Bethlehem — The Burgomaster of Leitmeritz and his Cruelties — Twenty-Four Drowned — Reaction of Feeling at Prague — John of Zelew, the Premonstrant Monk — Circular Letters — Some of the Taborites Leave Prague — Zisca a Leader — Bohemian League — Pilsen Held by Taborites — Besieged by the Imperialists — Abandoned by the Taborites — The Latter Attacked on their Retreat to Tabor — Alarm at Prague — John, the Premonstrant Monk — Sigismund at Breslau — John Krasa — The Bull of Crusade — Its Scope and Spirit — Indulgences Promised in It — Danger to the Bohemians — Popular Feeling against Sigismund — His Directions to the Royal Governors — Success of the League against Him — Ausch Taken — Hradisch — Crusade Known at Prague — Imperialists Flee to the Castle — Covenant of the Citizens — Measures Taken — The Army of Sigismund — The Fortress of Tabor — Vissehrad in Danger — Efforts of the Emperor for Its Relief — Attack on Tabor — Defeat of the Imperialists — The Taborites Triumphant — The Lord of Rosenberg — Voticz and Hradisch Taken — Sigismund Approaches Prague — Krussina and his Horebites — Demands of Sigismund — His Cruelties — The Monasteries — Sigismund’s Army — Bohemia Between the Two Contending Parties — Sigismund Reaches Prague — Proceeds to the Castle — Czenko — the Army Encamps — Cruelties to Bohemians — The Enemy Repulsed from the Walls — Zisca Fortifies the Galgenberg — Is Attacked by the Imperialists — The Rout — Religious Exultation of the Citizens — Dissension in the Imperial Army — Acts of Violence and Cruelty — Scene at Budweis — Camp of the Imperialists Destroyed by Fire — Retaliation of the Taborites — Proposals to Negotiate — Favored by the Calixtines — Their Motives — Basis of Negotiation — Rejected by Sigismund — The Four Articles of the Calixtines — Their Apology — Coronation of the Emperor

The Taborites and Calixtines — Diverse Views of Civil Polity — Articles of the Calixtines — Articles of the Taborites — Rejected by the Calixtines — Violence of the Taborites — Their Character — Their Assemblies — Primitive Simplicity — Tabor — Scriptural Authority — Rejection of the Ceremonial of the Roman Church — The Articles Scandalize the Calixtines — Martin Loqui — Views of Prophecy — Hatred of Monasteries — Idolatry, Superstition, and Tradition — Views on Various Subjects — Letter of Æneas Sylvius — Diversity of Opinion — Valor of the Taborites — The Calixtines — Their Conservative Attachment to the Roman Church — Balance of Parties at Prague — The Barons of the Kingdom Calixtines

Retreat of the Emperor — Departure of the Taborites from Prague — Ravages of Zisca — Attack on Prachatitz — Sigismund’s Conferences with the Nobles — His Second Army and Campaign — Taborites and Calixtines Compromise Differences — Crown of Bohemia Offered to the King of Poland — Zisca and the Monks — Bohuslaus von Schwamberg — Secession of Soldiers from Zisca’s Army — Defeat of the Imperialists at Kladrub — League of Bohemian Cities with Prague — Martin Loqui — His Opinions — He Is Burned — Policy of Zisca — His Freedom from Fanaticism — Growth of the League Convention at Czaslau — Vindication of the States — Their Complaint against Sigismund — Defense of Sigismund by Cochleius — Invasion from Silesia — Zisca Loses his Sight Entirely at the Siege of Raby — Still Heads his Army — Plans of Invasion from the East and West — Ceremonies of Taborite Worship — Kuttenberg Revolts — Zisca in Danger — Extricates Himself — Victory at Deutschbrod — Disastrous Retreat of the Imperialists — Generalship of Zisca — Bishop of Leitomischel Defeated — Invasion of Moravia — The Crown of Bohemia — Executions at Prague — Corybut — Diet at Prague — Zisca Dissatisfied — Hostilities with the Calixtines — March on Koniggratz — Defeat of the Calixtines — Zisca Becomes a Taborite — Marches into Moravia — Returns — Successive Battles — Marches against Prague — Zisca’s Speech — Its Effect — Negotiations — Peace Secured — the Emperor Treats with Zisca — His Humiliation — Zisca’s Sudden Death — His Epitaph, Person, and Character

The Council of Sienna — Its Persecuting Decree — The "Orphans" — Procopius Magnus — A New Invasion — Diet at Frankfort — The Four Armies — Defeat of the Imperialists — Variance Between the Calixtines and Taborites — Convention at Beraun — It Proves Futile — Sigismund’s Claims — Measures of Procopius — His Campaigns — Martin V Urges a Crusade — Letters to the King of Poland — Diets of Presburg and Nuremberg — The Final Crusade — Letter of the Cardinal Legate — Letter of the Bohemians — Rout of the Army — Booty

Necessity of a Council — Demand for Reform — Sigismund’s Assumed Leniency — Conciliatory Plan of the Council — Dissatisfaction of the Pope — The Council of Basle Declared to Be Dissolved — The Surprise Occasioned — Reply of Cardinal Julian — the Council Resolve to Continue Their Sessions — the Legate Remonstrates with the Pope — Firmness of the Council — The Emperor — Italy — The Pope Cited — The Bohemians at Basle — Their Reception — How their Reluctance Was Overcome — Hostages Demanded — The Bohemians before the Council — Rokyzan — The Calixtine Articles Defended — Terms Offered by the Bohemians — Discussion in the Council — Unsatisfactory Issue — Return of the Bohemians to Prague — Deputation of the Council at Prague — The Ultimatum — Concessions — The Compactata — The Calixtines and Taborites at Variance — Conflict — Defeat and Death of Procopius — Strength of the Taborites Broken — Demand of the States of Bohemia — Conspiracy against Sigismund — His Resolution — His Death — Albert of Austria — George Podiebrad — The Taborite Supremacy Suppressed

Early History of the Moravians — Council of Basle — Compactata of Iglau — Course of Rokyzan — Persecuting and Violent Measures — Bands of Exiles — "The United Brethren" — Trying Period — Rokyzan’s Timidity — System of Church Order — Synods — Bishops — Foreign Sympathy Sought — the Calixtines — War Between Bohemia and Hungary — Death of George Podiebrad — Lenient Measures — Persecution Renewed — Michael Pollack — Projected Massacre — Diet of 1485 — The "Agreement" of the Brethren — Calumny — Political Influence — Persecuting Spirit of the Calixtines — Churches of the Brethren — Proposal to Extirpate the Brethren — A Disputation Appointed — Severe Edicts — Anecdote of One of the Brethren — Cruelties in 1510 — Foreign Sympathy — Erasmus — Period of Trial — Recognition of Other Christians

German Demand for Reform — Ecclesiastical Impositions — Extortion — Indulgences — Relics — Appearance of Luther — His Views Advocated at Prague — Thomas Munzer — Correspondence with Luther — He Prints the Brethren’s Confession — His Letter to Melanchthon — Deputation to Wittenburg — Papal Policy in Bohemia — Measures of the Legate — Zahera — The Reformation in Austria — Lenient Policy of Ferdinand — Capito and Bucer — Bohemian Sympathy with the Reformers — Harsh Measures against the Brethren — The Exiles — George Israel — The Baron of Shanow — Decree — Victims of Persecution — Introduction of the Jesuits — Maximilian I — Persecuting Measures Defeated — John Crato — Lenient Policy of Maximilian — The Brethren’s Bible — Reports for Union — Prosperity — The Brethren in other Lands — Rudolph II — Toleration

Protestantism in Bohemia, down to the Close of the Thirty Years’ War
1602–1650

Favorable Period — Spread of Protestantism — The Jesuits — Catholic League — Persecuting Measures of 1605 — Rudolph Forced to Repeal the Edict — Matthias of Austria — His Designs — The Demands of the States Presented — The Emperor and the States — The Latter Dissatisfied — Diet of 1609 — The Emperor Grants the Demand of the Protestants — General Satisfaction — Protestant Progress — Jesuit Encroachment — Invasion of the Archduke Leopold — Death of Rudolph — Accession of Matthias — Change of Policy — Rejection of the Complaints of the Protestants — Ferdinand II — Matthias Proposes him as his Successor — Reluctance of the States — Character and Policy of Ferdinand — His Persecution of Protestants in his States — His Bigotry — Provocation of the Protestants — Exultation of the Jesuits — the Triumphal Arch at Olmutz — A Meeting of the Protestant States Summoned — Imperial Command — The States Meet to Reply — Count Thurn — Martinitz, Slawata, and Fabricius Thrown from the Windows — Violence in the City — Letters of the States to the Emperor — The Jesuits Expelled — Ferdinand Deposed — The Elector Palatine Chosen King — Ferdinand Chosen Emperor — He Is Supported by the League — Commencement of the Thirty Years’ War — Scenes in Bohemia — Bohemia Abandoned by her Protestant Allies — Fate of Protestantism — The Jesuit Campaign — Acts of Violence — The Martyrs — Outrages Committed — Pardons — Forced Conversions — Fugitives and Exiles — The Results of Persecution — Concluding Observations