said, ' Jerome.' And he: 'Yes, Jerome.' 'We shall make an end with this man in less than a day (the prelates said); it will be easier, for this one,' alluding to Hus, ' is the master, and this Jerome is his disciple.' Then again the king (said): 'Assuredly, I was still young when this sect arose and began in Bohemia; and behold how greatly it has grown and multiplied since!' After these words they all joyfully left the refectory."

No conjectures, however sagacious, concerning Sigismund's intentions with regard to Hus can show them more clearly than Sigismund's own words do here. As Dr. Flajshans very truly writes: "These few words, spoken in an unguarded moment, cost Sigismund the Bohemian crown.'

After the ending of the third day of Hus's trial, it was obvious to all that his condemnation and execution would take place in a few days. No one was so thoroughly aware of this as Hus himself, and his parting letters to his friends, which will be mentioned presently, are among the most precious of those that have been preserved.

If some delay yet occurred before his execution, it was because some still hoped that it might be possible to induce Hus to recant. His French enemies indeed, such as Gerson and D'Ailly, probably preferred that the Bohemian church-reformer should be publicly burnt at the stake, but Sigismund, who kept his own intentions on the Bohemian throne in view, hesitated. Strong remonstrances, couched in ever more energetic language of which I have here only been able to mention a few-continued to reach him from Bohemia and Moravia. Though he may still have thought that the death or disappearance of Hus would break the strength of the Hussite movement, he necessarily perceived that the public martyrdom of the hero of the nation might very possibly cause a revolutionary outbreak. It was, on the other hand, certain that, should Hus recant in any form, he would entirely lose his prestige

These words refer to the movement in favour of church-reform that arose in Bohemia. Some writers incorrectly see in them an allusion to Wycliffe and the Lollard troubles in England.

with the Bohemian people. If after such a recantation Hus were quietly removed to a secluded monastery in distant Sweden, Sigismund's plans on Bohemia would be greatly furthered. The council so deeply indebted to him would be quite willing to bring against King Venceslas and Queen Sophia the accusations of heresy that were already being prepared.

It would not, however, be fair to suggest that all the members of the council were devoid of pity for the pious and God-loving Bohemian priest. Among those who secretly felt sympathy for Hus was a prominent prelate whose name is not known to us. Von der Hardt's statement,1 that Hus's secret friend was John of Brogni, cardinal-bishop of Ostia, is almost certainly incorrect. This prelate, whom Hus merely describes as " pater," entered into correspondence with him. The kind-hearted priest strongly endeavoured to persuade Hus to renounce the opinions which had been condemned - not only those he had actually expressed, but also those that had been wrongly ascribed to him. Among other arguments, the "father " impressed on Hus that it was not he personally, but his superiors and the entire council which would bear the responsibility should he abandon the opinions which he had formerly held." As Dr. Lechler has well pointed out, the question whether Hus should yield to the authority of others, or rely on his own conscience, was the all-important one. "Hus had," Dr. Lechler 3 writes, "either to subject his own conscience to that of others, to that of very weighty men certainly as they included the members of a great council of the church, or to follow resolutely and fearlessly the dictates of his own conscience. The same question confronted him which afterwards

1 The form of recantation submitted to Hus is thus described: Revocationis forma a Johanne Ostiensi, cardinali Vivariensi vice-cancellario Husso proposita." (Von der Hardt, iv. 329.)

"Non moveat vos istud, quod condemnetis veritates quia non vos, sed ipsi damnant, qui sunt majores vestri, et etiam nostri de praesenti. Attendite hoc verbum: ne innitaris prudentiae tuae; multi scientifici et conscienciosi viri sunt in concilio; fili mi audi legem motris," (" Pater," M. Joanni Hus, Palacky, Documenta).

3 Dr. Lechler, Johann von Wiclif, vol. ii. p. 217. Dr. Lechler writes from the point of view of a Protestant divine.

confronted Luther when he appeared before Cajetan, at Augsburg, and again when he appeared before the emperor and the imperial diet. The same question again arose before the Protestant estates of Germany, when they appeared at Spires in 1529, and more recently before the bishops, priests, and members of the Roman Church, when the dogma of the infallible ministry of the pope was introduced. Herein," Dr. Lechler continues, "lies the greatness of Hus, that, in spite of his humility and childlike nature, in spite of his great self-distrust, he did not allow himself to be intimidated by the unanimous opinion of a great council representing so large a part of the learning, intellectual power, and ecclesiastical authority of the time, that he preferred to bear the shame of being considered an obstinate heretic, and even to suffer the pangs of death at the stake, rather than consent to a recantation which he knew to be a falsehood."]

Hus therefore declined, though in a courteous and grateful fashion, the suggestions of the kind "father." His letters in these, the last weeks of his life, are numerous and very precious. Now certain that his end is very near, he takes leave of his friends and gives his last advice and consolation to his disciples.1 These letters clearly portray his thoughts and feelings in the time that immediately preceded his martyrdom. It is therefore of interest to transcribe some parts of these letters. In one of the earliest of these letters addressed" to his Bohemian friends," Hus refers somewhat bitterly to the conduct of Sigismund. The letter is therefore important, as Sigismund's part in the condemnation of Hus has often been misrepresented and misunderstood. Hus writes: "As regards Peter,2 I am pleased. I do not keep his letters, but destroy them. Do not let them send me sheets containing six pages of paper, for I fear they may cause trouble to the messenger and

1 These letters, written some in Bohemian, some in Latin, have been frequently translated into English, the Bohemian ones from German or Latin translations. I have previously translated fragments of them in my Bohemia, a Historical Sketch, and A History of Bohemian Literature.

2 i.e., Mladenovic.

3 In Latin, sextemi. The sending of large sheets of paper probably aroused the suspicions of the gaolers and spies.

others. I also pray in the name of God that all the lords should entreat the king to allow me to be heard once more, that I may answer the accusations, as indeed the king promised at the last meeting of the council. It will be greatly to his shame if he overlooks this promise. But I presume that his word is as trustworthy as it was with regard to the safe-conduct, and in Bohemia they already told me to beware of his safe-conduct. Others said: 'He himself will deliver you into the hands of his enemies.' Lord Mikes Divoky 1 said to me in the presence of Magister Jesenic: 'Magister, know for certain that you will be condemned.' He, I think, knew the king's intentions. I thought that the king (Sigismund) understood God's law and the truth, but I find he understands them very little. He condemned me before my enemies did. Had he but followed the example of the heathen Pilate, who, having heard the accusations, said: 'I have found no fault in this man,' or had he but said: 'Behold, I have given this man a safe-conduct. If he will not submit to the decision of the council, I will send him back to the King of Bohemia with your (the council's) decision and evidence, that he (the King of Bohemia) and his clergy may pronounce judgment on him'; for he (Sigismund) let me know through Henry Lefl and others that he would grant me sufficient hearing, and, if I did not submit to the sentence, send me safely back."

On June 10-two days after the second hearing-Hus wrote the letter which of all his letters has obtained, and rightly obtained, the greatest fame.2 It is addressed To the Whole Bohemian Nation." Hus writes: "Master John Hus, in good hope a servant of God, hopes that the Lord God will grant to all true Bohemians who love and will love the Lord God, to live and die in His grace, and to reside for ever in celestial joy.. Amen.

1 Lords Mikes of Divoky and Henry Lefl, mentioned later in this letter, were courtiers of King Sigismund.

It has been frequently translated, though generally not from the Bohemian original. I translated-of course from the original-portions of this letter in my Bohemia, a Historical Sketch, and History of Bohemian Literature. I here give the letter in its entirety.

3" Veskeremu Narodu Ceskemu."

R

"Faithful in God, men and women, rich and poor! I beg and entreat you to love the Lord God, praise His word, gladly hear it and live according to it. Cling, I beg you, to the divine truth, which I have preached to you according to God's law. I also beg that if any one has heard either in my sermons, or privately, anything contrary to God's truth, or if I have written anything such -which I trust to God is not the case-he should not retain it. I further beg also that if any one has seen levity in me in word or deed, he should not retain (remember) it; but let him pray to God for me that God may forgive. I beg you to love, praise, and honour those priests who lead a moral life, those in particular who work for the word of God. I beg you to beware of crafty people, particularly of unworthy priests of whom our Saviour has said that they are clothed like sheep, but are inwardly greedy wolves. I beg the nobles to treat the poor people kindly and rule them justly. I beg the burghers to conduct their business honestly. I beg the artisans to perform their duties conscientiously and joyfully. I beg the servants to serve their masters and mistresses faithfully. I beg the teachers to live honestly, to instruct their pupils carefully, to love God above all; for the sake of His glory and the good of the community, not from avarice and worldly ambition should they teach. I beg the students and other scholars to obey and follow their masters in everything that is good, and to study for the (sake of the) praise of God, for their own salvation, and that of others. I beg all to thank Lord Venceslas of Duba, otherwise of Lestna, Lord John of Chlum, Lord Henry of Plumlov, Lord William Zajic, Lord Myska, and the other nobles of Bohemia and Moravia, as well as the faithful lords of the Polish kingdom, and to gratefully remember their zeal; for as brave defenders of God and upholders of the truth they often withstood the whole council, speaking and replying in favour of my liberation; render thanks particularly to Lord Venceslas of Duba and to the Lord of Chlum, and believe what they will tell you; 1 for they were present at the council on several days when I defended myself. These men 1i.e., on their return to Bohemia after Hus's death.

1