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though in point of creed he was a Roman catholic: but he was burned for holiness not for heresy. He had had the temerity to charge the elergy and the ruling powers with those crimes which were too flagrant to be denied, and thus he committed the unpardonable sin, for which he suffered without merey.

The death of Huss awakened in the kingdom of Bohemia a most severe spirit of resentment. A letter was drawn up by an assembly of nobles, and dispatched to the council, in which they reprobate, in the strongest terms, the persecution of John Huss, whom they justify from all charges of heresy, and lavish upon him the most exalted praise. They likewise remonstrate against the imprisonment of Jerome of Prague, whom they also declare to be a most excellent and orthodox man. These violent measures they consider as an insult offered to the kingdom, and declare themselves determined to defend, with their lives, the religion of Christ, both in its doctrines and in its ministers.

This spirited remonstrance, from so numerous a body of the Bohemian lords, rather put the synod to a stand. They had Jerome in custody, and had also meditated his death; but the repetition of such measures they feared might bring down vengeance upon their heads. In order therefore to prevent any farther wrath from the friends of reformation, they contrived by promises and by, threatenings to warp the mind of Jerome so far as to prevail on him to retract and abjure his sentiments. This eircumstance, though it is a drawback upon the character of this confessor, was not quite satisfactory to his judges; he was therefore again put to the trial, and like a true Christian hero, he presently abjured his abjuration, and returned to his former profession. Such a stand for the truth inflamed his enemies, and in

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Jerome martyred.

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spite of all their former, fears they resolved upon his death.

The treatment Jerome met with during his trial was very similar to that experienced by Huss, and similar also the formalities in passing sentence upon him. The eloquence and spiritual fervour of this great man, during these scenes, were truly remarkable; nor did these fail him even when in the flames. He died like another Stephen, calling upon God, and saying "Lord Jesus receive my spirit!" A Roman catholic writer, recording the death of these two great men, says, "They went to the stake as to a banquet; not a word fell from them which discovered the least timidity; they sung hymns in the flames to the last gasp without ceasing." Huss was enrolled on the list of martyrs, July 15, 1415—Jerome on the 30th of May the year following.

Whatever might have been the professed object of the eouncil of Constance, it is very certain little or no real reformation was effected. The members of this assembly were themselves the grand mass of corruption; it was not likely that Belzebub should cast out Belzebub. The scriptures were not made the rule of their doctrine; to appeal to these was heresy. However, it is certain that many true and strong things were said in some of their discourses on the subject of abuses, the vices of the clergy, and the general defection of the Roman church. But those that ventured thus to speak out, were men, who, after all, were the advocates of the grand abomination, and thus were clear of the heretical taint.

One famous decree passed in this grand synod, was to forbid the sacramental elements in both kinds to be given to the laity, though they acknowledged that in primitive times the believers did receive both. This prohi

Decrees of the Council.

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Chap. 3. bition had been long practised in some departments of the church, but not till the sitting of this council was it passed into an absolute law. This very circumstance gave rise to no small contention, especially in Bohemia, where matters against the papal mandate were earried with a very high hand.

At the commencement of this chapter we noticed the deposition of the three rival popes, and the election of the new one; but in the order of events, the new pope was not elected till near the breaking up of this grand assembly. The trial and execution of the two zealous reformers were acts of the council, while the church was without any visible head. The election of this grand officer was delayed, in order that the synod might lay a foundation for some reformation before any papal authority existed, which they well knew was always on the side of corruption and violence. Sigismund, the emperor, urged that the council itself should not only lay down the principles of this reform, but proceed to establish the practice before any supreme authority was set up in the person of St. Peter; for he clearly foresaw, that as soon as the power was again referred to Rome, every thing they had been aiming at would be quashed : and so it proved; for, in spite of all his remonstrance, a pope was placed in the vacant chair, who gave them fair promises, instead of taking any decided steps towards accomplishing the plan they had vainly projected.

This famous council, after having sat three years and six months, was dissolved by Martin the Fifth, A. D. 1418. The form by which the synod was brought to a termination, deserves to be briefly detailed, inasmuch as it will go to show how very corrupt the church continued in doetrine, notwithstanding all the ade that had been made about reformation. The form of the dissolution

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runs thus: “ Martin, bishop, servant of the servants of "God-at the request of the sacred council, we dismiss "it. Moreover, by the authority of Almighty God, and "of the blessed apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul, and by "our own authority, we grant to all the members of the "council plenary absolution of all their sins once in their "lives; so that every one of them, within two months af"ter the notification of this privilege has come to his "knowledge, may enjoy the benefit of the said absolution "in form. We also grant them the same privilege in "death; and we extend it to the domestics, as well as to "the masters, on condition that, from the day of the "notification both the one and the other fast every Fri"day during a whole year: and after the second year, "they shall be obliged to fast on Fridays during life, or to

do some other acts of piety, on pain of incurring the "displeasure of Almighty God, and of the blessed apostles "St. Peter and St. Paul."

At the dissolution of this council, it was resolved to call another in the course of five years, in order to earry forward the projected reform. The five years elapsed, but no council assembled, nor did holy father wish there should be any. At length, however, through the vehemence of some bent on the object, a council was opened at Pavia, which was in a short time removed to Basil. The effect of this assembly was presently seen, in pope against council, and council against pope ; and presently Council against council. A schism also was made again in the popedom, which continued to the year 1449. There is nothing in all these contentions that can be placed to the history of true religion; for which reason the detail must give place to something of more importance.

CHAPTER IV.

The Hussites, and their Leader Zisca-the United Brethren—the Waldenses-Select Characters—Review of the Century.

THE abominations of the church of Rome were now become too flagrant to be denied, and too intolerable to be borne. The violent measures adopted by the fathers of Constance only contributed to blazon their infamy, and to inspire all Europe with a spirit of hatred and revenge.

We have noticed the spirited remonstrance of the Bohemian lords; among these nobles was John de Trocznow, known in history by the name of ZISOA, he was chamberlain to Wenceslaus, king of Bohemia. This great man, one day sitting in a pensive mood, was asked by his master what he was thinking about? He replied, that he was musing on the insult offered the kingdom in the violent death of John Huss. It is out of your power or mine to revenge it," said the king; "but if you know which way to do it, exert yourself." From this circumstance arose the mighty project of Zisca, which afterward, by fire and sword, he brought to bear upon the enemies of the reformation-measures not to be justified on Christian principles; but for Zisca and his royal master such political measures were in due course, especially as the insult had been direeted against their own country, and that by the most execrable of tyrants.

The wrath of the Bohemians was enkindled against