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scene of a painful conflict。 Although the church was seeking to overwhelm
him by her thunderbolts； he had not renounced her authority。 The Roman
Church was still to him the spouse of Christ； and the pope was the
representative and vicar of God。 What Huss was warring against was the abuse
of authority； not the principle itself。 This brought on a terrible conflict
between the convictions of his understanding and the claims of his
conscience。 If the authority was just and infallible； as he believed it to
be； how came it that he felt compelled to disobey it？ To obey； he saw； was
to sin； but why should obedience to an infallible church lead to such an
issue？ This was the problem he could not solve； this was the doubt that
tortured him hour by hour。 The nearest approximation to a solution which he
was able to make was that it had happened again； as once before in the days
of the Saviour； that the priests of the church had become wicked persons and
were using their lawful authority for unlawful ends。 This led him to adopt
for his own guidance； and to preach to others for theirs； the maxim that the
precepts of Scripture； conveyed through the understanding； are to rule the
conscience； in other words； that God speaking in the Bible； and not the
church speaking through the priesthood； is the one infallible
guide。〃Wylie； b。 3； ch。 2。
When after a time the excitement in Prague subsided； Huss returned to his
chapel of Bethlehem； to continue with greater zeal and courage the preaching
of the word of God。 His enemies were active and powerful； but the queen and
many of the nobles were his friends； and the people in great numbers sided
with him。 Comparing his pure and elevating teachings and holy life with the
degrading dogmas which the Romanists preached； and the avarice and
debauchery which they practiced； many regarded it an honor to be on his
side。
Hitherto Huss had stood alone in his labors； but now Jerome； who while in
England had accepted the teachings of Wycliffe； joined in the work of
reform。 The two were
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hereafter united in their lives； and in death they were not to be divided。
Brilliancy of genius； eloquence and learninggifts that win popular
favorwere possessed in a pre…eminent degree by Jerome； but in those
qualities which constitute real strength of character； Huss was the greater。
His calm judgment served as a restraint upon the impulsive spirit of Jerome；
who； with true humility； perceived his worth； and yielded to his counsels。
Under their united labors the reform was more rapidly extended。
God permitted great light to shine upon the minds of these chosen men；
revealing to them many of the errors of Rome； but they did not receive all
the light that was to be given to the world。 Through these； His servants；
God was leading the people out of the darkness of Romanism； but there were
many and great obstacles for them to meet； and He led them on； step by step；
as they could bear it。 They were not prepared to receive all the light at
once。 Like the full glory of the noontide sun to those who have long dwelt
in darkness； it would； if presented； have caused them to turn away。
Therefore He revealed it to the leaders little by little； as it could be
received by the people。 From century to century； other faithful workers were
to follow； to lead the people on still further in the path of reform。
The schism in the church still continued。 Three popes were now contending
for the supremacy； and their strife filled Christendom with crime and
tumult。 Not content with hurling anathemas； they resorted to temporal
weapons。 Each cast about him to purchase arms and to obtain soldiers。 Of
course money must be had； and to procure this； the gifts； offices； and
blessings of the church were offered for sale。 （See Appendix note for page
59。） The priests also； imitating their superiors； resorted to simony and war
to humble their rivals and strengthen their own power。 With daily increasing
boldness Huss thundered against the abominations which were tolerated in the
name of religion； and the people openly accused the Romish leaders as the
cause of the miseries that overwhelmed Christendom。
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Again the city of Prague seemed on the verge of a bloody conflict。 As in
former ages； God's servant was accused as 〃he that troubleth Israel。〃 1
Kings 18：17。 The city was again placed under interdict； and Huss withdrew to
his native village。 The testimony so faithfully borne from his loved chapel
of Bethlehem was ended。 He was to speak from a wider stage； to all
Christendom； before laying down his life as a witness for the truth。
To cure the evils that were distracting Europe； a general council was
summoned to meet at Constance。 The council was called at the desire of the
emperor Sigismund； by one of the three rival popes； John XXIII。 The demand
for a council had been far from welcome to Pope John； whose character and
policy could ill bear investigation； even by prelates as lax in morals as
were the churchmen of those times。 He dared not； however； oppose the will of
Sigismund。 （See Appendix。）
The chief objects to be accomplished by the council were to heal the schism
in the church and to root out heresy。 Hence the two antipopes were summoned
to appear before it； as well as the leading propagator of the new opinions；
John Huss。 The former； having regard to their own safety； did not attend in
person； but were represented by their delegates。 Pope John； while ostensibly
the convoker of the council； came to it with many misgivings； suspecting the
emperor's secret purpose to depose him； and fearing to be brought to account
for the vices which had disgraced the tiara； as well as for the crimes which
had secured it。 Yet he made his entry into the city of Constance with great
pomp； attended by ecclesiastics of the highest rank and followed by a train
of courtiers。 All the clergy and dignitaries of the city； with an immense
crowd of citizens； went out to welcome him。 Above his head was a golden
canopy； borne by four of the chief magistrates。 The host was carried before
him； and the rich dresses of the cardinals and nobles made an imposing
display。
Meanwhile another traveler was approaching Constance。 Huss was conscious of
the dangers which threatened him。
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He parted from his friends as if he were never to meet them again； and went
on his journey feeling that it was leading him to the stake。 Notwithstanding
he had obtained a safe…conduct from the king of Bohemia； and received one
also from the emperor Sigismund while on his journey； he made all his
arrangements in view of the probability of his death。
In a letter addressed to his friends at Prague he said： 〃My brethren； 。 。 。
I am departing with a safe…conduct from the king to meet my numerous and
mortal enemies。 。 。 。 I confide altogether in the all…powerful God； in my
Saviour； I trust that He will listen to your ardent prayers； that He will
infuse His prudence and His wisdom into my mouth； in order that I may resist
them； and that He will accord me His Holy Spirit to fortify me in His truth；
so that I may face with courage； temptations； prison； and； if necessary； a
cruel death。 Jesus Christ suffered for His well…beloved； and therefore ought
we to be astonished that He has left us His example； in order that we may
ourselves endure with patience all things for our own salvation？ He is God；
and we are His creatures； He is the Lord； and we are His servants； He is
Master of the world； and we are contemptible mortalsyet He suffered！ Why；
then； should we not suffer also； particularly when suffering is for us a
purification？ Therefore； beloved； if my death ought to contribute to His
glory； pray that it may come quickly； and that He may enable me to support
all my calamities with constancy。 But if it be better that I return amongst
you； let us pray to God that I may return without stainthat is； that I may
not suppress one tittle of the truth of the gospel； in order to leave my
brethren an excellent example to follow。 Probably； therefore； you will
nevermore b