John Huss - Burnt Alive

From Wickliffe to Huss - The Dawn of the Reformation
Through John Wickliffe the Lord had distributed the bible and his doctrines against popery and ignorance spread all through Bohemia. It was John Huss who took up the tenants of the reformation even to death.

Younger Years
John Huss (1380) like many of the puritans was very devout in the word. By the time he was 18 he had attended Prague university and went on to complete a bachelor of divinity. At a very young age he became the chosen pastor of Church of Bethlehem and dean of his University.

Attempts to stop Wickliffes doctrines
Wickliffes doctrines "protest-ant" against the catholic church and the then archbishop condemed his writings. This archbishop approached 4 doctors to give up their copies and prohibited them from preaching. This is where John Huss opposed him and was strong till the very end.

The Pope vs Huss - Take 1
The affairs of John Huss were made known to the pope who summoned him to appear personally at the court of Rome on his heresies. John Huss desired not to attend and because he was well liked in Bohemia the King Winceslaus, the queen and their nobles along with the university sent representatives to appear instead of John Huss. They requested to be free to preach the gospel without interference from Rome.

John Huss took to the Pen
This bought John Huss time and he wrote numerous letters and books defending their right to Protest against the catholic church. He wrote on many other doctrines such as justification which essentially was keeping the reformation moving.

Received as a Hero in Germany
Because of disunity amongst the catholic church itself where three popes reigned they needed to sort out who was the real Pope. A council was set up to sort out the problem and John Huss was summoned. On his way through Germany it was said that he received an almost heroic welcome as his works had been spreading. You can imagine his surprise.

John Huss Arrested
Reaching Constance he took lodging in a private place however Stephen Paltz was already commissioned to arrest him and bring him before a trial. His arrest was illegal and the pope made it clear he was not bound by the laws of an emperor.

The Inquisition
A council started proceedings and orders were made to dig up Wickliffes bones and burn them. Meanwhile Bohemia and Poland were interceding for Huss however the wheels were already in motion and he was bought before the court. In his defence he simply talked of Christ.

"Who is then a higher Judge than Christ? Who, I say, can know or judge the matter more justly, or with more equity?"

He was hissed at and mocked and condemned for treason. They stripped his garments and placed a paper miter on his head which had pictures of devils painted on it with the inscription. A ring leader of heretics. The bishop then said. "Now we commit thy soul unto the devil." which Huss replied heavenward "do commend into Thy hands, O Lord Jesus Christ! my spirit which Thou has redeemed."

Final Moments (1415)
With sticks piled up to his head and chains around his body he spoke "My Lord Jesus Christ was bound with a harder chain than this for my sake, and why then should I be ashamed of this rusty one". When asked to recant his doctrines he replied "No, I never preached any doctrine of an evil tendency; and what I taught with my lips I now seal with my blood"

HE WAS BURNT ALIVE

Further Reading
The Persecution of John Huss - By John Foxe
Profiles in Reform – John Huss - Solio Deo Gloria