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Heroes of the ReformationHeroes of the Reformation

John HussJerome of Prague

John HussJerome of Prague

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Early in his career, Huss had the archbishop’s confidence, he preached

without problem, and was even encouraged to bring to the archbishop’s

attention abuses that might need reform.

This is the Bethlehem Chapel where he preached.

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He was also appointed one of a commission of three to investigate the alleged miracles performed by the relic

of Christ’s blood at Wylsnak which attracted great throngs of people.

He declared them to be a fraud.

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Huss was a defender of Wycliffe, and Wycliffism spread so greatly that

severe measures were employed to stamp it out.

A Prague synod forbade the teaching or preaching of Wycliffe’s ideas. Huss soon lost his position of preacher, and the university where he taught ordered

no public lectures on Wycliffe to be presented.

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A bull was issued ordering the seizure and burning of Wycliffe’s writings and 200 manuscript copies were burned

in the courtyard of archbishop’s palace amidst the tolling of the

church bells.

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But Huss kept preaching.

He wrote pamphlets defending what Wycliffe said.

He defied the pope, and the city of Prague was put under interdict.

That meant the church would not bless anything the people did. If someone died, they would not go to heaven. Marriages

were not performed by priests.

Now the city was really upset with Huss.

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The interdict was withdrawn when the king promised to make Huss stop his heresy.

Then the papacy began selling indulgences, and Huss preached in the Bethlehem Chapel

that you cannot buy forgiveness of your sins--it comes by repentance alone.

In his preaching, Huss was supported by Jerome.

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Because of the intense controversy, Huss was convinced by friends that he should

withdraw from the city.

But he kept preaching and writing outside the city.

Crowds gathered to hear him in the marketplaces (when he returned to visit)

and in the fields and woods.

Lords in their strong castles protected him.

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Here are some of the positions about which he wrote and preached:

1.The pope and the cardinals are not the church--the congregation is the church.

2. Peter was never the head of the Catholic church--Christ is the rock upon

which the church is built.

Huss had now set himself against the whole structure of the papacy.

And he was called to Constance.

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He set out on his journey on October 11, 1414.

He was accompanied by Bohemian nobles.

Along the way he was met by throngs of curious people.

He sat down in inns with local priests and talked with them.

He met with magistrates and burghers (rich citizens).

His arrival at Constance was a great sensation, and he entered the town riding through a large crowd.

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At first he was allowed freedom in the city, but all the while preparations were being made in a dungeon for his imprisonment--locks, bolts, and other strong furnishings

were put in place.

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Public hearings took place in a room crowded with cardinals, archbishops, bishops,

theologians, and other people.

When a copy of his book was shown, shouts of “Burn it!” rang out. He was not allowed to

explain his positions.Huss was charged on 39 accounts.

1515

John Huss at the Council of Constance

John Huss at the Council of Constance

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The hearings were over.

Huss passed out of the room a poor, abject heretic, a prisoner in irons, with all men

talking against him.

One man, just one man, had the courage to extend his hand to him on his way out--and

that was his friend Lord John Chlum--his friend who had ridden with him from Prague

to Constance.

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When sentence was passed on him, not one dissenting voice was lifted against it--no

member of the Council of Constance uttered a word of protest.

Huss was he was stripped of his vestments and on his head was put a cap covered with pictures of the devil. His accusers committed him to Satan, but with upturned eyes, Huss said, “I commit myself to the most gracious

Lord Jesus.”

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Huss died July 6, 1415.

One year later, on May 30, 1416, his friend and supporter, Jerome of Prague,

also died.

2020

This stone marks the place of his death.

This stone marks the place of his death.

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A statue of Huss in PragueA statue of Huss in Prague

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General Ziska

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Credits

Slide 20: Tomas Hlusta at flickr