Huss and Jerome
87
not suffer, also, particularly when suffering is for us a purification?
Therefore, beloved, if my death ought to contribute to his glory, pray
that it may come quickly, and that he may enable me to support all
my calamities with constancy. But if it be better that I return amongst
you, let us pray to God that I may return without stain,—that is, that I
may not suppress one tittle of the truth of the gospel, in order to leave
my brethren an excellent example to follow. Probably, therefore, you
will never more behold my face at Prague; but should the will of the
all-powerful God deign to restore me to you, let us then advance with
a firmer heart in the knowledge and the love of his law.”
In another letter, to a priest who had become a disciple of the
[106]
gospel, Huss spoke with deep humility of his own errors, accusing
himself of having felt pleasure in wearing rich apparel, and of having
wasted hours in trifling occupations. He then added these touching
admonitions: “May the glory of God and the salvation of souls occupy
thy mind, and not the possession of benefices and estates. Beware of
adorning thy house more than thy soul; and above all, give thy care to
the spiritual edifice. Be pious and humble with the poor, and consume
not thy substance in feasting. Shouldst thou not amend thy life and
refrain from superfluities, I fear that thou wilt be severely chastened,
as I am myself.... Thou knowest my doctrine, for thou hast received
my instructions from thy childhood; it is therefore useless for me to
write to thee any further. But I conjure thee, by the mercy of our Lord,
not to imitate me in any of the vanities into which thou hast seen me
fall.” On the cover of the letter he added: “I conjure thee, my friend,
not to break this seal, until thou shalt have acquired the certitude that I
am dead,“
On his journey, Huss everywhere beheld indications of the spread
of his doctrines, and the favor with which his cause was regarded.
The people thronged to meet him, and in some towns the magistrates
attended him through their streets.
Upon arriving at Constance, Huss was granted full liberty. To the
emperor’s safe-conduct was added a personal assurance of protection
by the pope. But in violation of these solemn and repeated declarations,
the reformer was in a short time arrested, by order of the pope and
cardinals, and thrust into a loathsome dungeon.
The pope, however, profiting little by his perfidy, was soon after
committed to the same prison. He had been proved before the council