Huss and Jerome
95
men attempt to turn back the sun in its course as to prevent the dawning
of that day which was even then breaking upon the world.
The execution of Huss had kindled a flame of indignation and
horror in Bohemia. It was felt by the whole nation that he had fallen
a prey to the malice of the priests and the treachery of the emperor.
He was declared to have been a faithful teacher of the truth, and the
council that decreed his death was charged with the guilt of murder.
His doctrines now attracted greater attention that ever before. By
the papal edicts the writings of Wycliffe had been condemned to the
flames. But those that had escaped destruction were now brought out
from their hiding-places, and studied in connection with the Bible, or
such parts of it as the people could obtain, and many were thus led to
accept the reformed faith.
The murderers of Huss did not stand quietly by and witness the
triumph of his cause. The pope and the emperor united to crush out the
movement, and the armies of Sigismund were hurled upon Bohemia.
But a deliverer was raised up. Ziska, who soon after the opening
[116]
of the war became totally blind, yet who was one of the ablest generals
of his age, was the leader of the Bohemians. Trusting in the help of
God and the righteousness of their cause, that people withstood the
mightiest armies that could be brought against them. Again and again
the emperor, raising fresh armies, invaded Bohemia, to be ignomin-
iously repulsed. The Hussites were raised above the fear of death, and
nothing could stand against them. A few years after the opening of the
war, the brave Ziska died; but his place was filled by Procopius, who
was an equally brave and skillful general, and in some respects a more
able leader.
The enemies of the Bohemians, knowing that the blind warrior was
dead, deemed the opportunity favorable for recovering all that they
had lost. The pope now proclaimed a crusade against the Hussites,
and again an immense force was precipitated upon Bohemia, but only
to suffer terrible defeat. Another crusade was proclaimed. In all the
papal countries of Europe, men, money, and munitions of war were
raised. Multitudes flocked to the papal standard, assured that at last
an end would be made of the Hussite heretics. Confident of victory,
the vast force entered Bohemia. The people rallied to repel them. The
two armies approached each other, until only a river lay between them.
The allies were greatly superior in numbers, yet instead of advancing