Wesley Corpus

They relate purely to the Church. May 14, 1415. The Nobles of Bohemia complained to the Council, “When Master John Huss came to the Council, under the Emperor's safe-conduct, he was, in violation of the public faith, imprisoned before he was heard.” They add : “And he is now grievously tormented, both with fetters, and with hunger and thirst.” June 8. His accusers brought thirty-nine articles more, and afterward twenty-six others. But both the former and the latter relate wholly to the Church. Seven more were brought next. The First of these is, “If the Pope, Bishop, or Prelate be in deadly sin, he is then no Pope, Bishop, or Prelate.” But this he himself explains in the same tract whence it is taken. “Such, as touching their deserts, are not worthily Popes or Pastors before God; yet, as touching their office, are Popes and Pastors.” After these, six more articles were exhibited; but all relate to the Church, as do nineteen more that followed them. In fine, nineteen others were preferred by the Chancellor and University of Paris. One of these was, “No man being in deadly sin is a true Pope, Prelate, or Lord.” This seems to be the same with the preceding charge; only they have mended it by adding the word Lord. Another was, “Subjects ought publicly to reprove the vices of their rulers.” It does not appear that ever he held this. In the Seventeenth Session, the sentence and condemna tion of John Huss was read and published. The Emperor then commanded the Duke of Bavaria to deliver him to the executioners; for which glorious exploit he was thus addressed by the Bishop of Landy, in the name of the Council: “This most holy and goodly labour was reserved only for thee, O most noble Prince | Upon thee only doth it lie, to whom the whole rule and ministration of justice is given. Wherefore thou hast established thy praise and renown; even by the mouths of babes and sucklings thy praise shall be celebrated for evermore.” From this whole transaction we may observe, 1. That John Huss was guilty of no crime, either in word or action; even his enemies, the Archbishop of Prague, and the Papal Inquisitor, being Judges. 2.