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Early Reformers
263
The Reformation Spreads
It was through the writings of Wycliffe that John Huss of Bo-
hemia was led to renounce many of the errors of Romanism and
to enter upon the work of reform. Like Wycliffe, Huss was a no-
ble Christian, a man of learning and of unswerving devotion to the
truth. His appeals to the Scriptures and his bold denunciations of the
scandalous and immoral lives of the clergy awakened widespread in-
terest, and thousands gladly accepted a purer faith. This excited the
ire of pope and prelates, priests and friars, and Huss was summoned
to appear before the Council of Constance to answer to the charge
of heresy. A safe conduct was granted him by the German emperor,
[338]
and upon his arrival at Constance he was personally assured by the
pope that no injustice should be done him.
After a long trial, in which he maintained the truth, Huss was
required to choose whether he would recant his doctrines or suffer
death. He chose the martyr’s fate, and after seeing his books given
to the flames, he was himself burned at the stake. In the presence of
the assembled dignitaries of church and state, the servant of God had
uttered a solemn and faithful protest against the corruptions of the
papal hierarchy. His execution, in shameless violation of the most
solemn and public promise of protection, exhibited to the whole
world the perfidious cruelty of Rome. The enemies of truth, though
they knew it not, were furthering the cause which they sought vainly
to destroy.
Notwithstanding the rage of persecution, a calm, devout, earnest,
patient protest against the prevailing corruption of religious faith
continued to be uttered after the death of Wycliffe. Like the believers
in apostolic days, many freely sacrificed their worldly possessions
for the cause of Christ.
Strenuous efforts were made to strengthen and extend the power
of the papacy, but while the popes still claimed to be Christ’s repre-
sentatives, their lives were so corrupt as to disgust the people. By
the aid of the invention of printing the Scriptures were more widely
circulated, and many were led to see that the papal doctrines were
not sustained by the Word of God.
When one witness was forced to let fall the torch of truth, another
seized it from his hand and with undaunted courage held it aloft.