Jan Hus
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JOHN HUSS
Jan Hus was a priest, preacher; and professor at Prague University in Bohemia when one of the popes excommunicated him in 1411, which started a riot among his supporters. The entire city of Prague was then excommunicated. This meant that its churches were closed and burial on church grounds refused. Many people then turned against him, as the cause of their troubles.
Jan Hus was invited to the Council of Constance to discuss the problems in Bohemia. His friends warned him that to attend the council would mean certain death. But the Emperor of Germany, Sigismund, and the Catholic Church, promised him safe conduct, so he went. When he got there, he was arrested and burnt at the stake.
JAN HUS
Jan Hus (John Huss) was of humble birth, born in Husinee, a town in southern Bohemia. His mother was a poor widow but she gained him a charity scholarship to attend Prague University.
Jan Hus was universally esteemed for his blameless life and gentle deportment. He was a sincere adherent of the Roman Catholic Church. To him, the Roman Church was the Bride of Christ and the pope His representative on Earth.
Jan Hus became the administrator of Prague University and priest for the king. He became the pride of the Czech people and his name was renowned throughout Europe.
SIMONY
A friend of Jan Hus, Jerome, brought him the writings of John Wycliffe from England. Jerome had studied there at Oxford, along with other Czechs, after a Bohemian princess married the King of England. Soon thereafter, two pictures began circulating together in Bohemia: one of Christ meekly riding on an ass into Jerusalem, followed by His disciples depicted barefoot with threadbare garments; and one of the pope in a procession wearing rich robes and three crowns, upon a magnificently wardrobed horse, preceded by trumpeters and followed by dazzlingly arrayed cardinals.
Jan Hus began to study the Bible to determine for himself what to make of all this. He was deeply troubled by simony, which he defined as “the conscious intent to buy or sell anything spiritual.” This would include a priest or bishop who bought or bribed his way into his office, and a layman who offered money in exchange for church services.
Jan Hus declared that a bishop who knew about a simoniac and did nothing was an accessory after the fact. He was convinced that “there are very few priests who do not have a simoniacal ordination.” He came to the conclusion that “These priests are drunks whose bellies growl with great drinking and are gluttons whose stomachs are overfilled until their double chins hang down.”
COUNCIL OF CONSTANCE
Jan Hus appeared before the Church Council at Constance. There stood the emperor, many princes, cardinals, bishops, priests, and an immense crowd of spectators, from all parts of Christendom. After being arrested, he spoke to this vast and brilliant assembly: “I determined, of my own free will, to appear before this council, under the public protection and faith of the emperor present here.” Sigismund turned deep red in the face as he realized all present knew he had betrayed a sacred trust.
Jan Hus refused to recant his writings, aimed at reforming his church. Instead he testified, “God is my witness that the principle intention of my preaching and of all my other acts or writings was solely that I might turn men from sin. And in that truth of the Gospel, I am willing gladly to die today.”
His vestments were removed from him, one by one, and each bishop present pronouncing a curse on him as part of the ceremony. They put a cap on his head; on which were painted frightful pictures of demons, and on the front of it the words “Archheretic.” Jan Hus said, “Most joyfully will I wear this crown of shame for Thy sake, O Jesus, who for me didst wear a crown of thorns.”
His persecutors said, “Now we devote thy soul to the devil.” He was tied to the stake and as the flames kindled around him he began to sing a familiar hymn. Even his enemies noted his heroic bearing. He uttered no cry of pain.
HUSSITES
His followers, the “Hussites”, later known as the Moravians, were incensed at the violation of his safe-conduct, and founded a national Czech church, which survived repeated attempts to suppress them. Year after year, vastly outnumbered defenders heavily defeated huge invading armies of Germans, ordered to assail them by the pope. The Czech people as a whole were excommunicated, a key event leading to the Reformation.
These military defeats were mysterious. One mighty force of Germans broke and fled without a battle. The soldiers claimed an unseen terror had befallen them just before they were to attack. The pope offered the next army sent to attack the Czechs papal honors, full forgiveness of any heinous crime, and a rich reward in heaven if they would kill the people in Bohemia. This army mysteriously fled the battlefield soon after the fighting began.
Both of these attacks by enormous armies, sent forth by the most powerful men in Europe, fled before the defenders of a small, feeble nation. Both times, they left an immense booty behind, which the Czechs scooped up. This was seen as a manifestation of divine power. God supernaturally terrified a brave, warlike army, fully equipped and trained for battle.
JEROME OF PRAGUE
Jerome, the colleague of Jan Hus, was arrested and charged with heresy against the Roman Catholic Church. At his trial he said, “You condemned John Wycliffe and John Huss, not for having shaken the doctrine of the church, but simply because they branded with reprobation the scandals proceeding from the clergy—their pomp, their pride, and all the vices of the bishops and priests.”
Jerome was a tall, black-bearded, hotheaded, adventurer who had traveled to Jerusalem, Paris, Lithuania, Heidelberg, Cologne, Vienna, Russia, and Hungary before he began his studies at Oxford. He won respect as one of the most able scholars of his day, which enabled him to address large crowds. Everywhere he went, Jerome created a commotion with his fiery condemnation of the corruption within the Catholic Church. He too, was burned at the stake.
My primary source for this article is the book The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White
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wow James you've done it again. Thanks for the knowledge, and insight into Christinity in it's beginnings. It's no wonder The Reformation took place.
History is fascinating. So much changes yet so much remains the same.
James-
Was this during the era of the 3 popes-I'm trying to get my head around this`! And was it John xxiii who launched the attack on Hus-the guy who was known as the anti-pope.
I admire Hus ,I believe he was a good and holy man-the church was a mess at that time!!
James, great history that led to the burning of the one man that held his Faith above his life in a twisted misconceived church, that given time he might have brought to truth, giving his end one can only speculate.
Excellent work, Sir!
Thank you for a great educational hub. They haven't changed only their methods. What a mob.
Excellent Hub James and the history that our faith we have today was built on as skewed and deceptive as it was.
Man has come a long way in his endeavours top serve a loving God, we are blessed this day we are not persecuted as the many before us.
Blessings
Hi James,
I agree with sheila b. new century, same story, different form.
Love and peace.
Forever His
What a tremendous additon to a great series.
Hus is surely one of the most overlooked fathers of the Reformation, because it is largely his ideas that evolved to predominate throughout the Protestant world today and not, as many imagine, those of Luther, Zwingli or Calvin. A most important inclusion.
Another significant point you raise is the virtual papal 'fatwa' and 'jihad' against the Czech Protestants. This is an interesting facet to reflect upon as a minister friend of mine, who has advised the US government on the Middle East peace process and has had high security insider access to the CIA, Homeland Security and the Whitehouse, tells me that Rome has long sought rapprochement with Islam with a view to relocating the papacy, if not the Vatican, to Jerusalem.
BDazzler--- Thank you very much for being my first visitor. I really like the comments you made, too. You are welcome and appreciated.
Tom Whitworth--- You are welcome, my Brother. I do appreciate the accolades. It makes a man feel good.
sheila b.--- Yes, I agree with your words. I love history. I guess it shows. :-)
itakins--- Yes, the Church was a mess at that time. Hus was a great man. Let's see . . . John XXIII 1410-1415; Alexander V 1409-1410; Gregory XII 1406-1415; Benedict XIII 1394-1417.
50 Caliber--- Welcome back my friend. Thank you very much. I agree with your words:
"the burning of the one man that held his Faith above his life in a twisted misconceived church, that given time he might have brought to truth"
Hello, hello,--- You are welcome. Thank you for visiting and commenting.
JAMES! This is an amazing bit of history!!!....There are traits here that I admire in these men.; ha It always shocks me when I read things like this that I never knew of? I still feel this happens in todays society and although no one "burns at the stake," they do suffer a big "fall" whenever anyone comes forward to defend their beliefs if they oppose the norm........I strongly believe that more people need to "step forward!" I'm actually going back in time (my time machine is here now) right now and setting them all straight! These men should have NEVER perished!!!!!!!!! Hey, you want to hop in and we can go back and start a band? ha I'm in a very silly mood ; Best, G
Great to know the fascinating history.
Hi James. I'm new to your work and this hub has whet my appetite to see what else you have written.
"Quill"--- Thank you very much for visiting my Hub and leaving your insights. We are very fortunate not to be persecuted as was Jan Hus. But the way things are headed in America, that day could come again.
I apologize for the lateness in responding to your comment. I have been away at a retreat.
RevLady--- Love and peace to you, O blessed one. Thank you for your comments.
Allan McGregor--- Thank you, my Brother. Your second paragraph adds a needful conclusion to my article. Very keen, my friend, as usual for you.
You gave me a start with your comment about relocating the papacy to Jerusalem. You continue to enlighten. I have never heard a word about this until today.
James,
Another great hub about a noble man. You are covering many of the men and events that people need to know about. Good job!
GPAGE!!! What a pleasure to hear from you here. I know how busy your schedule is and I am grateful you took the time to read my work and respond. Thank you.
I agree that people need to step forward. And we could have had a fine band together. That's for sure. One never knows.
H P Roychoudhury--- I always look forward to your comments. Thank you for reading my work.
Disappearinghead--- Welcome to the Hub Pages Community! Thank you for reading my article and for leaving your fine comments.
J D Murrah--- Thank you, J D. Coming from a learned man as yourself, this is high praise indeed. I am grateful for it.
Re. the Jerusalem relocation thing: You're welcome James. And you're unlikely to hear a whole lot about it. The guy that told me was a bona fide intermediate involved in the Irish peace process and invited by the Whitehouse to help the US in the M.E. All he would tell me is that prettry much everything the public has been told about the Iraq and Afghan wars is a fabrication. He said Osama bin Laden is a scapegoat for more sinister figures behind the scenes and although he could tell me the real reasons that we're out there, the CIA has a long arm and he didn't want his brakes to mysteriously fail one day while driving to work.
Great hub, and educational. Only God knows the agony the man went threw being burned at the stake.Courageous man.God Bless you.
Allan McGregor--- That is mysterious indeed. Some sort of cabal secretly running things, eh? Well, would that be the international bankers or the New World Order crowd? Or are they one in the same? And is Obama working for them?
stars439--- Thank you, Leon. Being burned alive has got to hurt. God Bless You, my Brother.
James A. Watkins, This is certainly another remarkable history from the chronicles of Christendom! It becomes quite clear that when one stands up for what is right against established religion they are defamed and treated heinously! Out of fear and intimidation many who once somewhat supported them sit down or straddle the fence…
I think it is admirable that when they burned Jan Haus by God’s Grace he did not cry out but sing a victory Hymn! Nor did he recant his writings of what he ferociously believed! “Perfect Love, cast out fear!” Praise God!
Manipulating and harassing others to conform to an erroneous prescribed belief; then proceeding to excommunicate them is all about control? Where does the Christian ethic of forgiveness fit in? What a misconstrued example of the “Love of God” I continue to learn that there are those who will do whatever they think is right in order to dominate and control. They have a great need to bring someone down in order to feel superior… This continues to happen today. They cannot however burn you physically but there are those who seek to discredit anyone who opposes their underhanded cultic system… Then justify it all in the name of the Lord… This is scandalous. The messiness is never a reflection of God. But a futile attempt of many to play god... This is why I always say “it is more important what the Lord knows rather than what others think...” It is so important to develop an ongoing relationship with the Lord! Know the Lord for yourself!
Thank you for sharing once again an educational sound, informative account from the annuals of Christendom. I so look forward to your well presented and concise presentations! In His love, Blessings to you my brother,
DeBorrah K. Ogans--- Fear and intimidation are powerful weapons. In religious wars it became difficult to choose sides and it was sometimes life and death. Many who just wanted to be left alone with their personal convictions were forced to take a side with great peril. Aside from religion, in wars with shifted successes on battlefields many people support the side they think is winning.
Jan Hus is a remarkable figure in history. For my next Hub on this subject I may have to bust out Foxes Book of Martyrs.
A lot of this history is absolutely about control. And forgiveness? Out the window. You are right, we need to play to an audience of one.
You are most welcome, my dear. What a joy it is for me to read your wise comments.
Thanks James, I must admit I had no previous knowledge of Jan Hus. Thank you for the well stated information. There is certainly less passion for religious beliefs or rights today.
Ah, Obama. You don't want to know what's being said about him in some arcane circles. He's a figurehead for a larger agenda that's at work. The Jesuit plot to move the papacy is well known in certain circles and much of the information is already in the public domain.
But you're right, not all conspiracy theories are mistaken. Many of these things are known at government level. The One World Order is closer than you might have supposed and Obama is on the itinerary.
Truth From Truth--- You're welcome. Thank you for visiting and for your comments.
Allan McGregor--- I apologize for the delay in responding to your comments. I have been buried in research and writing for a number of days. The One World Order does appear to be the eventuality. And Obama certainly fits the bill as the American most likely to surrender American sovereignty. Thank you for coming back and leaving your remarks.
all J , Jerome, John Wycliff, and another John-Jan Huss! thank you Sir for the history, well written as usual! Maita
prettydarkhorse--- All Js! I didn't even notice that! :-)
You are quite welcome, my dear. Thank you for bringing your smiling face and cheerful disposition to my door once again. Things have brightened up in here!
watev!
gwen— uhh . . . thank you for your comments? :)
All this information only helps me to believe that I don't put my faith in men. We can do so much research and it can become distorted with our own version or views. I trust the efforts are of good intentions in such great research but it is the man not the Roman Catholic Church that failed Jan Hus. That is why his last word where directed to God. If you put your faith in religion it will fail, whatever religion it is. Paganism is a religion. God is not religion, he is God. We all are a part of a religion that is infected by men who do evil. I'm really getting tired of the Roman Catholic Church being the culprit of such evil. It is the belly of the greedy who run the world. They believe in their own government. They will be judged accordingly by the one who rules all. Alfa and Omega, God.
Sorry, what I meant is that I'm finding so many people are targeting the Roman Catholics as the culprit of such evil. I'm catholic and would never do this to a human being. It is the man who fails us by his weakness. We are all sinners. It is only when we realize this that we are at the mercy of men. I choose to be at the mercy of God. Men kill, God saves. Religion is merely a mask for many.
Jessica— I do not put my faith in men either. My intentions are nothing but honorable. I admire Jan Hus greatly and therefore chose to write about him.
I very much appreciate your insightful commentaries. Thank you for reading my article and leaving your thoughts here for us to ruminate upon.
Jessica— I am not targeting Roman Catholics. This article is part of a series that traces the history of Christianity from its beginnings. I am getting ready to write about the Christian faith in the 17th century this week. There have been 30 installments of this series thus far. I surely agree with you that we are all sinners.
Hello James,
A very find Hub. I also read Ellen Whites book, The Great Controvesy. Well done. Great insight to publish these great lessons of history. Ohh well, there is just nothing better to do than spread the Gospel message by what ever means we can. I don't doubt that the RCC will target us somewhere along the way. They are already looking for me. They are blushing with shame. However, Christ will not let them take us out of His hands even if we are martyred for the truth. Maybe not God likes people with guts to get the work done.
lionswhelp— Thank you. I love "The Great Controversy," and "The Desire of Ages," too. God has His own reasons for choosing the vessels He does for His purposes. I appreciate your gracious words. I'll be coming over soon to check out your latest Hubs.
A very fine Hub.i want get it.
hassan7777— Thank you! Thank you very much.
The Moravians have helped move alot of folks looking for freedom of religious practice. He has impacted the life of the Americas in many ways. Including the mirgration of my family from Russia into Canada.
DomesticEngineers— I am so pleased to hear from you and to hear about your family's experience. I totally agree with your comments. Thank you for visiting and welcome to the HubPages Community! :-)
I agree with the materials the contributors have made towards the achievement of John Hus. Its quite awesome. I wish to find out if he had some weaknesses. If yes, how does it affect our contemporary church positively or negatively. Thank You.
Nche Sam Takoh
CEO FOMCAM
Nche Sam Takoh— You ask a very good question but one to which I know not the answer. Of all the research I have done on Jan Hus I find no mention of any flaws. Now, he of course had to have flaws.
Thank you for reading my work. I appreciate your excellent comments very much. And you are quite welcome.
James
James, An excellent tribute to an excellent soul! My sister Deedee (Derdriu) was talking to me t'other day about Jan Hus and things Czech; then tonight I randomly clicked on a page of your hubs and there was this very hub on Jan Hus! I admire his faith, his fortitude, his willingness to "stay the course" even after the devastating disappointment of betrayal of the promise of safe passage by the Emperor. I cannot even begin to imagine that kind of courage, which faces with dignity such a horrible, torturous kind of death in the face of the worst aspects of humanity gloating, jeering, hating, etc. It's the kind of courage, bolstered by the deep faith in God's everlasting love, which is described in one of my favourite hymns, "I vow to thee my country":
"The love that never falters, the love that pays the price, the love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice."
Your respect for this great man is clear.
Thank you for sharing. All the votes 'ceptin' funny.
Kind regards, Stessily
Stessily— You are quite welcome, my dear. I surely 'preciate you giving me "All the votes 'ceptin' funny." :-)
I think the world of Jan Hus.
I must confess I was not familiar with those song lyrics, as beautiful as they are. Thank you for sharing them with me. I had to go look to see where they came from. You have snatched the pebble!
No kidding, your sister was talking with you about Jan Hus just the other day? I mean this in the best way possible: you guys are unusual. :D
You said it best with your own moving words:
"I cannot even begin to imagine that kind of courage, which faces with dignity such a horrible, torturous kind of death in the face of the worst aspects of humanity gloating, jeering, hating . . ."
Me either, sister. God Bless You.
James
This is a powerful story James, I am blessed to read it. It also again brings home the point that it is still very possible for Christians to suffer lies told about us which might result in a martyr's death because our walk might threaten established authority.
The strange circumstances surrounding the attacks on Huss's followers is a grand testament of Jan's witness. God uses our every downfall in his service for his greater glory. I only hope that I will someday be as worthy as Jan in order to serve God as powerfully as he did.
Thank you for this beautiful story and God bless you brother.
Alexander Mark— You are quite welcome, my friend. I must confess that of all my Hubs this is truly a favorite of mine. :)
I don't know who among American Christians could be this strong today in the face of agonizing death. We still have Christian martyrs being tortured and killed in Asia and Africa.
Of course, Muslim martyrs are the opposite of Christian martyrs. The Muslims are considered martyrs for blowing up women and children. No such Christian person would be considered anything but a murderer—and rightfully so. A Christian martyr is an innocent person killed by others for believing in Christ—not suicide bombers. I only mention this because schools try to confuse the two in young minds, to equate them as part of the general anti-Christ missive to which they are committed.
Thank you for your outstanding comments. I appreciate the visit.
I can't believe they are teaching Muslim suicide bombers are martyrs - no wait, I can. The problem is the hazy equation line, such as gay rights = racial issues.
Back to the point though: As I read through the Gospels again recently, it became very clear to me that Jesus's presence enraged the Jewish spiritual leaders and they inflamed each other to action.
I love the fact they couldn't find a single witness to say what they wanted until they found two liars who were used as prompts to spur the priests to publicly accuse Jesus.
Every step of the way, they moved the process forward clumsily, searching for that hook to bring their desire to see Jesus dead to fruition. Then, when all was said and done and Jesus rose from the dead, they ignored the whole thing, spreading false rumors.
Those that seek our harm often look for the slightest ill to use to accuse us, everything they do is hard and unrewarding work - I can't understand how they can feel good about it. What I do know is they are driven by evil and it's like they are playing an off-key instrument backwards.
I see the parallel in the Jan Hus story and in smaller events in my own life (I don't mean anything grand, just attacks from our enemy through those he has enslaved) and in the lives of other believers.
It's been a while since you responded, but I am going through all my notifications (200+!) and I saw this, and as usual, you got my mental gears turning again.
Alexander Mark— Yes, you got it: that "hazy equation line."
Yes, the presence of our Lord shone a bright light on the spiritual darkness of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. Thus exposed, they reacted as most do: with violent hatred.
We must recall that though Herod made the temple magnificent, The Ark of the Covenant was gone and God's presence was no longer in the temple. Until Jesus walked in, that is.
Even after they killed Jesus and He rose from the dead, the Jews continued to persecute His followers for 40 years, during which time God patiently waited. Finally, God allowed the Romans to completely destroy Jerusalem with one million Jews killed but not one Christian died. God enabled them to escape the city before the final onslaught.
Thanks for coming back. I always enjoy it when you engage. Good man!
james
BDazzler 2 years ago
I believe that if most of modern Christendom was aware of the details of the histories you publish on hub pages we would have neither the arrogance of certainty not the intimidation of vocal opposition. Thank you for keeping these histories alive.