按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
（97）
Chapter 6
Huss and Jerome
The gospel had been planted in Bohemia as early as the ninth century。 The
Bible was translated； and public worship was conducted； in the language of
the people。 But as the power of the pope increased； so the word of God was
obscured。 Gregory VII； who had taken it upon himself to humble the pride of
kings； was no less intent upon enslaving the people； and accordingly a bull
was issued forbidding public worship to be conducted in the Bohemian tongue。
The pope declared that 〃it was pleasing to the Omnipotent that His worship
should be celebrated in an unknown language； and that may evils and heresies
had arisen from not observing this rule。〃Wylie； b。 3； ch。 1。 Thus Rome
decreed that the light of God's word should be extinguished and the people
should be shut up in darkness。 But Heaven had provided other agencies for
the preservation of the church。 Many of the Waldenses and Albigenses； driven
by persecution from their homes in France and Italy； came to Bohemia。 Though
they dared not teach openly； they labored zealously in secret。 Thus the true
faith was preserved from century to century。
Before the days of Huss there were men in Bohemia who rose up to condemn
openly the corruption in the church and the profligacy of the people。 Their
labors excited widespread interest。 The fears of the hierarchy were roused；
and persecution was opened against the disciples of the gospel。
98
Driven to worship in the forests and the mountains； they were hunted by
soldiers； and many were put to death。 After a time it was decreed that all
who departed from the Romish worship should be burned。 But while the
Christians yielded up their lives； they looked forward to the triumph of
their cause。 One of those who 〃taught that salvation was only to be found by
faith in the crucified Saviour；〃 declared when dying： 〃The rage of the
enemies of the truth now prevails against us； but it will not be forever；
there shall arise one from among the common people； without sword or
authority； and against him they shall not be able to prevail。〃 Ibid。； b。
3； ch。 1。 Luther's time was yet far distant； but already one was rising；
whose testimony against Rome would stir the nations。
John Huss was of humble birth； and was early left an orphan by the death of
his father。 His pious mother； regarding education and the fear of God as the
most valuable of possessions； sought to secure this heritage for her son。
Huss studied at the provincial school； and then repaired to the university
at Prague； receiving admission as a charity scholar。 He was accompanied on
the journey to Prague by his mother； widowed and poor； she had no gifts of
worldly wealth to bestow upon her son； but as they drew near to the great
city； she kneeled down beside the fatherless youth and invoked for him the
blessing of their Father in heaven。 Little did that mother realize how her
prayer was to be answered。
At the university； Huss soon distinguished himself by his untiring
application and rapid progress； while his blameless life and gentle； winning
deportment gained him universal esteem。 He was a sincere adherent of the
Roman Church and an earnest seeker for the spiritual blessings which it
professes to bestow。 On the occasion of a jubilee he went to confession；
paid the last few coins in his scanty store； and joined in the processions；
that he might share in the absolution promised。 After completing his college
course； he entered the priesthood； and rapidly attaining to eminence；
99
he soon became attached to the court of the king。 He was also made professor
and afterward rector of the university where he had received his education。
In a few years the humble charity scholar had become the pride of his
country； and his name was renowned throughout Europe。
But it was in another field that Huss began the work of reform。 Several
years after taking priest's orders he was appointed preacher of the chapel
of Bethlehem。 The founder of this chapel had advocated； as a matter of great
importance； the preaching of the Scriptures in the language of the people。
Notwithstanding Rome's opposition to this practice； it had not been wholly
discontinued in Bohemia。 But there was great ignorance of the Bible； and the
worst vices prevailed among the people of all ranks。 These evils Huss
unsparingly denounced； appealing to the word of God to enforce the
principles of truth and purity which he inculcated。
A citizen of Prague； Jerome； who afterward became so closely associated with
Huss； had； on returning from England； brought with him the writings of
Wycliffe。 The queen of England； who had been a convert to Wycliffe's
teachings； was a Bohemian princess； and through her influence also the
Reformer's works were widely circulated in her native country。 These works
Huss read with interest； he believed their author to be a sincere Christian
and was inclined to regard with favor the reforms which he advocated。
Already； though he knew it not； Huss had entered upon a path which was to
lead him far away from Rome。
About this time there arrived in Prague two strangers from England； men of
learning； who had received the light and had come to spread it in this
distant land。 Beginning with an open attack on the pope's supremacy； they
were soon silenced by the authorities； but being unwilling to relinquish
their purpose； they had recourse to other measures。 Being artists as well as
preachers； they proceeded to exercise their skill。 In a place open to the
public they drew two pictures。 One represented the entrance of Christ into
Jerusalem；
100
〃meek； and sitting upon an ass〃 （Matthew 21：5）； and followed by His
disciples in travel…worn garments and with naked feet。 The other picture
portrayed a pontifical processionthe pope arrayed in his rich robes and
triple crown； mounted upon a horse magnificently adorned； preceded by
trumpeters and followed by cardinals and prelates in dazzling array。
Here was a sermon which arrested the attention of all classes。 Crowds came
to gaze upon the drawings。 None could fail to read the moral； and many were
deeply impressed by the contrast between the meekness and humility of Christ
the Master and the pride and arrogance of the pope； His professed servant。
There was great commotion in Prague； and the strangers after a time found it
necessary； for their own safety； to depart。 But the lesson they had taught
was not forgotten。 The pictures made a deep impression on the mind of Huss
and led him to a closer study of the Bible and of Wycliffe's writings。
Though he was not prepared； even yet； to accept all the reforms advocated by
Wycliffe； he saw more clearly the true character of the papacy； and with
greater zeal denounced the pride； the ambition； and the corruption of the
hierarchy。
From Bohemia the light extended to Germany； for disturbances in the
University of Prague caused the withdrawal of hundreds of German students。
Many of them had received from Hu