6. Huss and Jerome. 109
figures of demons, with the word‘ Arch-Heretic’ conspicuous in front.‘ Most joyfully,’ said Huss,‘ will I wear this crown of shame for Thy sake, O Jesus, who for me didst wear a crown of thorns.’”
When he was thus arrayed,“ the prelates said,‘ Now we devote thy soul to the devil.’‘ And I,’ said John Huss, lifting up his eyes toward heaven,‘ do commit my spirit into Thy hands, O Lord Jesus, for Thou hast redeemed me.’” 142
He was now delivered up to the secular authorities, and led away to the place of execution. An immense procession followed, hundreds of men at arms, priests and bishops in their costly robes, and the inhabitants of Constance. When he had been fastened to the stake, and all was ready for the fire to be lighted, the martyr was once more exhorted to save himself by renouncing his errors.“ What errors,” said Huss,“ shall I renounce? I know myself guilty of none. I call God to witness that all that I have written and preached has been with the view of rescuing souls from sin and perdition; and, therefore, most joyfully will I confirm with my blood that truth which I have written and preached.” 143 When the flames kindled about him, he began to sing,“ Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me,” and so continued till his voice was silenced forever.
Even his enemies were struck with his heroic bearing. A zealous papist, describing the martyrdom of Huss, and of Jerome, [ 110 ] who died soon after, said:“ Both bore themselves with constant mind when their last hour approached. They prepared for the fire as if they were going to a marriage feast. They uttered no cry of pain. When the flames rose, they began to sing hymns; and scarce could the vehemency of the fire stop their singing.” 144
When the body of Huss had been wholly consumed, his ashes, with the soil upon which they rested, were gathered up and
142 Wylie, b. 3, ch. 7. 143 Ibid. 144 Wylie, b. 3, ch. 7.