Basic HTML Version
60
From Here to Forever
attaining eminence, he became attached to the court of the king.
He was also made professor and afterward rector of the university.
The humble charity scholar had become the pride of his country, his
name renowned throughout Europe.
Jerome, who afterward became associated with Huss, had
brought with him from England the writings of Wycliffe. The queen
of England, a convert to Wycliffe’s teachings, was a Bohemian
princess. Through her influence the Reformer’s works were widely
circulated in her native country. Huss was inclined to regard with
favor the reforms advocated. Already, though he knew it not, he had
entered upon a path which was to lead him far away from Rome.
Two Pictures Impress Huss
About this time, two strangers from England, men of learning,
had received the light and had come to spread it in Prague. They
were soon silenced, but being unwilling to relinquish their purpose,
had recourse to other measures. Being artists as well as preachers, in
a place open to the public they drew two pictures. One represented
the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem, “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 pontifi-
cal procession—the pope 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.
Crowds came to gaze upon the drawings. None could fail to
read the moral. There was great commotion in Prague, and the
strangers found it necessary to depart. But the pictures made a deep
[63]
impression on Huss and led him to a closer study of the Bible and
of Wycliffe’s writings.
Though he was not prepared yet to accept all the reforms ad-
vocated by Wycliffe, he saw the true character of the papacy, and
denounced the pride, ambition, and corruption of the hierarchy.
Prague Placed Under Interdict
Tidings were carried to Rome, and Huss was summoned to
appear before the pope. To obey would be certain death. The king