!

John Huss was summoned to appear at council acted the part of inquisitors. They this council; and to dispel any apprehensions condemned the doctrines of Wickliffe, and, of danger, the emperor sent him a safe-con- in their impotent malice, ordered his reduct, giving him permission freely to come mains to be dug up, and burnt to ashes; which to, and return from the council. On receiv- orders were obeyed. ing this information, he told the persons who In the mean time the nobility of Bohemia delivered it, “That he desired nothing more and Poland used all their interest for Huss; than to purge himself publicly of the imputa- and so far prevailed as to prevent his being tion of heresy; and that he esteemed himself condemned unheard, which had been resolved happy in having so fair an opportunity of it, on by the commissioners appointed to try as at the council to which he was sunimoned him.

to attend."

Before his trial took place, his enemics

In the latter end of November, he set out employed a Franciscan friar, who might ento Constance, accompanied by two Bohemian tangle him in his words, and then appear noblemen, who were among the most emi- against him. This man, of great ingenuity ment of his disciples, and who followed him and subtlety, came to him in the character of merely through respect and affection. He an idiot, and with seeming sincerity and caused some placards to be fixed upon the zeal, requested to be taught his doctrines. gates of the churches of Prague, in which But Huss soon discovered him, and told him he declared, that he went to the council to that his manners wore a great semblance of answer all allegations that might be made simplicity; but that his questions discovered gainst him. He also declared, in all the a depth and design beyond the reach of an eities through which he passed, that he was idiot. He afterwards found this pretended going to vindicate himself at Constance, and fool to be Didace, one of the deepest logicians invited all his adversaries to be present. in Lombardy.

On his way he met with every mark of affection and reverence from people of all descriptions. The streets, and even the roads, were thronged with people, whom respect, rather than curiosity, had brought together. He was ushered into the towns with On his examination being finished, he was great acclamations; and he passed through taken from the court, and a resolution was Germany in a kind of triumph. "I thought," formed by the council, to burn him as a id he, "I had been an outcast. I now see heretic, unless he retracted. He was then my worst friends are in Bohemia."

At length, he was brought before the council, when the articles exhibited against him were read: they were upwards of forty in number, and chiefly extracted from his writings.*

committed to a filthy prison, where, in the day-time, he was so laden with fetters on his legs, that he could hardly move; and every night he was fastened by his hands to a ring against the walls of the prison.

On his arrival at Constance, he immeditely took lodgings in a remote part of the ty. Soon after, came one Stephen Paletz, who was engaged by the clergy at Prague manage the intended prosecution against He continued some days in this situation, Paletz was afterwards joined by Mi- in which time many noblemen of Bohemia el de Cassis, on the part of the court of interceded in his behalf. They drew up a Bane. These two declared themselves his petition for his release, which was presented users, and drew up articles against him, to the council by several of the most illustriwhich they presented to the pope, and the ous nobles of Bohemia; notwithstanding elates of the council. which, so many enemies had Huss in that Notwithstanding the promise of the em- court, that no attention was paid to it, and eror, to give him a safe-conduct to and from the persecuted reformer was compelled to Constance, he regarded not his word; but, bear with the punishment inflicted on him cording to the maxim of the council, that by that merciless tribunal.

Faith is not to be kept with heretics," Shortly after the petition was presented, then it was known he was in the city, he four bishops, and two lords, were sent by the immediately arrested, and committed emperor to the prison, in order to prevail on ismer to a chamber in the palace. This Huss to make a recantation. But he called ach was particularly noticed by one of God to witness, that he was not conscious 's friends, who urged the imperial safe- of having preached, or written, any thing nduct; but the pope replied, he never against his truth, or the faith of his orthodox ted any such thing, nor was he bound that of the emperor. While Huss was under confinement, the

Protestants. Pope John was deposed and obliged , the most heinous crimes being proved against ong which were, his attempt to poison his cessor, his being a gamester, a liar, a muran adulterer, and guilty of unnatural of

church. The deputies then represented the great wisdom and authority of the council: to which Huss replied, "Let them send the meanest person of that council, who can convince me by argument from the word of God,

*That the reader may form a judgment of his writings, we here give one of the articles for which he was condemned: "An evil and a wicked pone is not the successor of Peter but of Judas"

and I will submit my judgment to him." martyr with an air of unconcern, which ap This pious answer had no effect, because he peared to give him dignity rather than dis would not take the authority of the council grace. A serenity appeared in his looks. upon. trust, without the least shadow of an which indicated that his soul had cut off argument offered. The deputies, therefore, many stages of a tedious journey in her way finding they could make no impression on to the realms of everlasting happiness. him, departed, greatly astonished at the The ceremony of degradation being over strength of his resolution. the bishops delivered him to the emperor who committed him to the care of the duk of Bavaria. His books were, burnt at the gate of the church; and on the 6th of July he was led to the suburbs of Constance, u be burnt alive.

On the 4th of July, he was, for the last time; brought before the council, After a long examination, he was desired to abjure, which he refused, without the least hesitation. The bishop of Lodi then preached a sermon, the text of which was, "Let the When he had reached the place of exe body of sin be destroyed," (concerning the cution, he fell on his knees, sung severa destruction of heretics) the prologue to his portions of the, Psalms, looked stedfast intended punishment. After the close of the towards heaven, and repeated, "Into th sermon his fate was determined, his vindi- hands, O Lord! do I commit my spirit: tho cation rejected, and judgment pronounced. hast redeemed me, O most good and faithfu The council censured him for being obsti-God."

nate and incorrigible, and ordained, "That. As soon as the chain was put about hit he should be degraded from the priesthood, at the stake, he said, with a smiling coun his books publicly burnt, and himself deliv- tenance, "My Lord Jesus Christ was boun ered to the secular power." with a harder chain than this, for my sak

He received the sentence without the least why, then should I be ashamed of this o emotion; and at the close of it, he kneeled rusty one?" down with his eyes lifted towards heaven, When the fagots were, piled around him and, with all the magnanimity of a primi- the duke of Bavaria desired him to abjure tive martyr, thus exclaimed: "May thy in-"No," said he, "I never preached any do finite mercy, Ο my God! pardon this injus- trine of an evil tendency; and what I taugh tice of mine enemies. Thou knowest the with my lips, I now seal with my blood." H injustice of my accusations: how deformed then said to the executioner, "You are no with crimes I have been represented; how going to burn a goose, (Huss - signifyin I have been oppressed with worthless wit-goose in the Bohemian language) but in nesses, and a false condemnation; yet, O my century you will have a swan, whom yo God! let that mercy of thine, which no can neither roast nor broil." If this wer tongue can express, prevail with thee, not to spoken in prophecy, he must have mear avenge my wrongs." These excellent sen- Martin Luther, who flourished about a ce tences were received as so many expres-tury after, and who had a swan for his arm sions of heresy, and only tended to inflame As soon as the fagots were lighted, th his adversaries. Accordingly, the bishops heroic martyr sung a hymn, with so lot appointed by the council, stripped him of his and cheerful a voice, that he was hear priestly garments, degraded him, and put a through all the cracklings of the combust paper mitre on his head, on which were bles, and the noise of the multitude. painted devils, with this inscription: "A length his voice was interrupted by th ringleader of heretics." flames, which soon put a period to his life.

This mockery was received by the heroic

SECTION III:

Life, Sufferings, and Martyrdom, of Jerome of Prague.

THIS hero in the cause of truth, was born fessed the doctrines of Wickliffe, and fin at Prague, and educated in its university, ing that they had made a considerable pr where he soon became distinguished for his gress in Bohemia, from the industry and ze learning and eloquence. Having completed of Huss, he became an assistant to him his studies, he travelled over great part of the great work of reformation. Europe, and visited many of the seats of On the 4th of April, 1415, Jerome we learning, particularly the universities of Paris, Heidelburg, Cologne, and Oxford. At the latter he became acquainted with the works of Wickliffe, and translated many of them into his own language.

On his return to Prague, he openly pro

to Constance. This was about three mont before the death of Huss. He entered t town privately, and consulting with some the leaders of his party, was easily convinc that he could render his friend, no service. Finding that his arrival at Constance

publicly known, and that the council intend-swer, except in public, and was, accordingly, ed to seize him, he retired, and went to brought before the council, when, to the asIberling, an imperial town, a short distance tonishment of his auditors, and to the glory from Constance. While here, he wrote to of truth, he renounced his recantation, and the emperor, and declared his readiness to requested permission to plead his own cause, appear before the council, if a safe-conduct which was refused; and the charges against were granted to him; this, however, was him were read, in which he was accused of refused. being a derider of the papal dignity, an opposer of the pope, an enemy to the cardinals, a persecutor of the prelates, and a hater of the Christian religion.

To these charges Jerome answered with an amazing force of elocution, and strength of argument. After which he was remanded

After this, he caused papers to be put up in all the public places in Constance, particularly on the doors of the cardinals' houses. In these he professed his willingness to appear at Constance in the defence of his character and doctrine, both which, he said, had been greatly falsified. He farther declared, to his prison. that if any error should be proved against The third day from this, his trial was him, he would retract it; desiring only that brought on, and witnesses were examined. the faith of the council might be given for He was prepared for his defence, although his security. he had been nearly a year shut up in lotheReceiving no answer to these papers, he some prisons, deprived of the light of day, set out on his return to Bohemia, taking the and almost starved for want of common neprecaution to carry with him a certificate, cessaries. But his spirit soared above these signed by several of the Bohemian nobility disadvantages. then at Constance, testifying that he had used every prudent means, in his power to procure an audience.

He was, however, notwithstanding this, seized on his way, without any authority, at Hirsaw, by an officer belonging to the duke of Sultzbach, who hoped thereby to receive commendations from the council for so acceptable a service.

The most bigoted of the assembly were unwilling he should be heard, dreading the effect of eloquence in the cause of truth, on the minds of the most prejudiced. At length, however, it was carried by the majority, that he should have liberty to proceed in his defence; which he began in such an exalted strain, and continued in such a torrent of elocution, that the most obdurate heart was melted, and the mind of superstition seemed

The duke of Sultzbach immediately wrote to the council, informing them what he had to admit a ray of conviction. done, and asking directions how to proceed Bigotry, however, prevailed, and his trial with Jerome. The council, after expressing being ended, he received the same sentence their obligations to the duke, desired him to as had been passed upon his martyred counsend the prisoner immediately to Constance. tryman, and was, in the usual style of popish He was, accordingly, conveyed thither in duplicity, delivered over to the civil power; irons, and, on his way, was met by the elector but, being a layman, he had not to undergo palatine, who caused a long chain to be fast- the ceremony of degradation.

ened to him, by which he was dragged, like Two days his execution was delayed, in a wild beast, to the cloister, whence, after hopes that he would recant; in which time an examination, he was conveyed to a tower, the cardinal of Florence used his utmost enand fastened to a block, with his legs in deavors to bring him over. But they all stocks. In this manner he remained eleven proved ineffectual: Jerome was resolved to days and nights, till becoming dangerously seal his doctrine with his blood. ill in consequence, his persecutors, in order to gratify their malice still farther, relieved him from that painful state.

On his way to the place of execution he sung several hymns; and on arriving there, he knelt down, and prayed fervently. He He remained confined till the martyrdom embraced the stake with great cheerfulness of his friend Huss; after which he was and resolution; and when the executioner brought forth, and threatened with imme- went behind him to set fire to the fagots, he date torments and death if he remained ob- said, "Come here, and kindle it before my stinate. Terrified at the preparations which eyes; for had I been afraid of it, I had not he beheld, he, in a moment of weakness, for- come here, having had so many opportunities got his resolution, abjured his doctrines, and to escape."

confessed that Huss merited his fate, and When the flames enveloped him, he sung that both he and Wickliffe were heretics. a hymn; and the last words he was heard In consequence of this, his chains were ta- to say were,

ken off, and he was treated more kindly; "This soul in flames I offer, Christ, to thee!"* he was, however, still confined, but in hopes

*Jerome was of a fine and manly form, and possess

of liberation. But his enemies, suspecting ed a strong and healthy constitution, which rendered ins sincerity, proposed another form of re- his death extremely lingering and painful. He, how cantation to be drawn up and proposed to ever, sung till his aspiring soul took its flight from him. To this, however, he refused to an-its mortal habitation.

SECTION IV.

General Persecutions in Germany.

MARTIN LUTHER, by unmasking popery, testants were put to the sword. Great numand by the vigor with which he prosecuted bers were also burned at Vienna.

his doctrines, caused the papal throne to Peter Sprengler, a divine, of the town of shake to its foundation. So terrified was the Schalet, was thrown into the river, and pope at his rapid success, that he determin- drowned. ed, in order to stop his career, to engage the Wolfgang, Scuch and John Huglin, two emperor, Charles V. in his scheme of utterly worthy ministers, were burned; likewise extirpating all who had embraced the reform- Leonard Keyser, a student of the university ation. To accomplish which, he gave the of Wirtemburg: and George Carpenter, a emperor 200,000 crowns; promised to main- Bavarian, was hanged.

tain 12,000 foot, and 5000 horse, for six The persecutions in Germany having been months, or during a campaign; allowed the suspended many years, again broke out in emperor to receive one-half of the revenues 1630, on account of a war between the empeof the clergy in Germany during the war; ror and the king of Sweden; the latter being and permitted him to pledge the abbey-lands a Protestant prince, the Protestants of Gerfor 500,000 crowns, to assist in carrying on many, in consequence, espoused his cause, hostilities. Thus prompted and supported, which greatly exasperated the emperor the emperor, with a heart eager, both from against them. interest and prejudice, for the cause, under- The imperial army having laid siege to took the extirpation of the Protestants; and, the town of Passewalk, (then defended by for this purpose, raised a formidable army in the Swedes) took it by storm, and committed Germany, Spain, and Italy. the most monstrous outrages on the occasion. The Protestant princes, in the mean time, They pulled down the churches, pillaged were not idle; but formed a powerful con- and burnt the houses, massacred the minisfederacy, in order to repel the impending ters, put the garrison to the sword, hanged blow. A great army was raised, and the the townsmen, ravished the women, smothercommand given to the elector of Saxony, ed the children, &c. &c.

and the landgrave of Hesse. The imperial In 1631, a most bloody scene took place at forces were commanded by the emperor in the Protestant city of Magdeburg. The genperson, and all Europe waited in anxious erals Tilly and Pappenheim, having taken it suspense the event of the war. by storm, upwards of 20,000 persons, with

At length the armies met, and a desperate out distinction of rank, sex, or age, were engagement ensued, in which the Protest- slain during the carnage, and 6000 drowned ants were defeated, and the elector of Saxo-in attempting to escape over the river Elbe. ny, and landgrave of Hesse, both taken pris- After which, the remaining inhabitants were oners. This calamitous stroke was suc-stripped naked, severely scourged, had their ceeded by a persecution, in which the most ears cropped, and being yoked together like horrible cruelties were inflicted on the Pro-oxen, were turned adrift. testants, and suffered by them with a forti- On the popish army's taking the town of tude which only religion can impart. Hoxter, all the inhabitants, with the garrison, were put to the sword.

Among others, Henry Voes, and John Esch, were apprehended and brought to examination; when, confessing and defending their adoption of the tenets of Luther, they were both condemned to the flames, and, soon after, suffered with the fortitude of real Christians.

When the imperial forces prevailed at Griphenburgh, they shut up the senators in the senate-chamber, and surrounding it by lighted straw, suffocated them.

Franhendal, notwithstanding it surrendered upon articles of capitulation, suffered as cruelly as other places, and at Heidelburg many were shut up in prison and starved.

An eloquent and pious preacher named Henry Stutphen, was taken out of his bed at night, and compelled to walk barefoot a con- To enumerate the various species of crusiderable way, so that his feet were terribly elty practised by the imperial troops, under cut. On desiring a horse, his conductors count Tilly, would excite disgust and horror. said, in derision, "A horse for a heretic! That sanguinary monster, in his progress no, no, heretics may go barefoot." On arriv- through Saxony, not only permitted every ing at the place of his destination, he was excess in his soldiers, but actually commandcondemned to be burnt; and while suffering ed them to put all their enormities in pracin the flames, he was cut and slashed in a tice. Some of these are so unparalleled, that terrible manner. we feel ourselves obliged to mention them. Many were murdered at Halle. Middle- In Hesse-Cassel some of the troops entered burgh being taken by assault, all the Pro-an hospital, in which were principally mad

women, when stripping all the poor wretches murdered them, saying, "You must die benaked, they made them run about the streets cause you are heretics, and have got no for their diversion, and then put them to money."

death.

Wherever Tilly came, the most horrid In Pomerania, some of the imperial troops barbarities and cruel depredations ensued: entering a small town, seized upon all the famine and conflagration marked his proyoung women, and girls of upwards of ten gress. He destroyed all the provisions he years, and then placing their parents in a could not take with him, and burnt all the circle, they ordered them to sing psalms, towns before he left them; so that murder, while they ravished their children, or else poverty, and desolation followed him. they swore they would cut them to pieces Peace, at length, chiefly through the meafterwards. They then took all the married diation of England, was restored to Germany, women who had young children, and threat- and the Protestants, for several years, enened, if they did not consent to the gratifica-joyed the free exercise of their religion. tion of their lusts, to burn their children be- Even as late as 1732, above 30,000 Profore their faces, in a large fire which they testants were, contrary to the treaty of Westhad kindled for that purpose. phalia, driven from the archbishopric of A band of Tilly's soldiers met with a com- Saltzburg, in the depth of winter, with scarce pany of merchants belonging to Basil, who clothes to cover them, and without proviwere returning from the great market of sions. These poor people emigrated to variStrasbourg, and attempted to surround them: ous Protestant countries, and settled in places all escaped, however, but ten, leaving their where they could enjoy the free exercise of property behind. The ten who were taken their religion, free from popish superstition, begged hard for their lives; but the soldiers and papal despotism.

SECTION V.

Persecutions in the Netherlands.

THE glorious light of the gospel spreading God, who is in heaven." She was then ever every part of the continent, and chasing executed, but at the intercession of the bethence the dark night of ignorance, increased fore-mentioned lady, it was granted, that she the alarm of the pope, who urged the empe- should be strangled before the fagots were or to commence a persecution against the kindled.

Protestants; when many thousands fell mar- At Colen, two Protestant clergymen were tyrs to superstitious malice and barbarous burnt; a tradesman of Antwerp, named bigotry: among whom were the following. Nicholas, was tied up in a sack, thrown into A pious Protestant widow, named Wende- the river, and drowned; and Pistorius, an linuta, was apprehended on account of her accomplished scholar and student, was carreligion, when several monks unsuccessfully ried to the market of a Dutch village, and endeavored to persuade her to recant. Their burnt.

attempts, however, proving ineffectual, a A minister of the reformed church was Roman Catholic lady of her acquaintance de- ordered to attend the execution of sixteen sired to be admitted to the dungeon in which Protestants who were to be beheaded. This she was confined, promising to exert herself gentleman performed the melancholy office towards inducing the prisoner to abjure her with great propriety, exhorted them to rereligion. On being admitted to the dungeon, pentance, and gave them comfort in the she did her utmost to perform the task she mercies of their Redeemer. As soon as they had undertaken; but finding her endeavors were beheaded, the magistrate cried out to fruitless, she said, "Dear Wendelinuta, if the executioner, "There is another remainyou will not embrace our faith, at least keep ing; you must behead the minister: he can the things which you profess secret within never die at a better time than with such your own bosom, and strive to prolong your excellent precepts in his mouth, and such fe." To which the widow replied, " Madam, laudable examples before him." He was acYou know not what you say; for with the cordingly beheaded, though many of the Roheart we believe to righteousness, but with man Catholics themselves reprobated this the tongue confession is made unto salva- piece of treacherous and unnecessary bar"Still holding her faith against every barity.

ort of the powers of darkness, her goods George Scherter, a minister of Saltzburg, were confiscated, and she was condemned to was committed to prison for instructing his burnt. At the place of execution a monk flock in the truth of the gospel. While in resented a cross to her, and bade her kiss confinement he wrote a confession of his worship God. To which she answered, faith; soon after which he was condemned, I worship no wooden god, but the eternal first to be beheaded, and afterwards to be