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 . 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 .
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 .
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 traveller was approaching Constance . Huss was conscious of the dangers which threatened him . 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 safeconduct 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 .
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