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Two Heroes Face Death
69
dignitaries and urged to submit to the council. Brilliant prospects
were presented as reward.
“Prove to me from the Holy Writings that I am in error,” he said,
“and I will abjure it.”
“The Holy Writings!” exclaimed one of his tempters, “is every-
thing then to be judged by them? Who can understand them till the
church has interpreted them?”
“Are the traditions of men more worthy of faith than the gospel
of our Saviour?” replied Jerome.
“Heretic!” was the response, “I repent having pleaded so long
with you. I see that you are urged on by the devil.
Erelong he was led out to the same spot upon which Huss had
yielded up his life. He went singing on his way, his countenance
lighted up with joy and peace. To him death had lost its terrors.
When the executioner, about to kindle the pile, stepped behind him,
the martyr exclaimed, “Apply the fire before my face. Had I been
afraid, I should not be here.”
His last words were a prayer: “Lord, Almighty Father, have pity
on me, and pardon me my sins; for Thou knowest that I have always
loved Thy truth.
The ashes of the martyr were gathered up and,
like those of Huss, thrown into the Rhine. So perished God’s faithful
light-bearers.
The execution of Huss had kindled a flame of indignation and
horror in Bohemia. The whole nation declared him to have been a
faithful teacher of the truth. The council was charged with murder.
[73]
His doctrines attracted greater attention than before, and many were
led to accept the reformed faith. The pope and the emperor united to
crush the movement, and the armies of Sigismund were hurled upon
Bohemia.
But a deliverer was raised up. Ziska, one of the ablest generals of
his age, was the leader of the Bohemians. Trusting in the help of God,
that people withstood the mightiest armies that could be brought
against them. Again and again the emperor invaded Bohemia, only
to be repulsed. The Hussites were raised above the fear of death,
17
Wylie, bk. 3, ch. 10.
18
Bonnechose, vol. 2, p. 168.