6. Huss and Jerome. 115
“ Heretic!” was the response,“ I repent having pleaded so long with you. I see that you are urged on by the devil.” 151
Erelong sentence of condemnation was passed upon him. He was led out to the same spot upon which Huss had yielded up his life. He went singing on his way, his countenance lighted [ 115 ] up with joy and peace. His gaze was fixed upon Christ, and to him death had lost its terrors. When the executioner, about to kindle the pile, stepped behind him, the martyr exclaimed,“ Come forward boldly; apply the fire before my face. Had I been afraid, I should not be here.”
His last words, uttered as the flames rose about him, were a prayer.“ Lord, Almighty Father,” he cried,“ have pity on me, and pardon me my sins; for Thou knowest that I have always loved Thy truth.” 152 His voice ceased, but his lips continued to move in prayer. When the fire had done its work, the ashes of the martyr, with the earth upon which they rested, were gathered up, and like those of Huss, were thrown into the Rhine.
So perished God ' s faithful light-bearers. But the light of the truths which they proclaimed,— the light of their heroic example,— could not be extinguished. As well might men attempt to turn back the sun in its course as to prevent the dawning of that day which was even then breaking upon the world.
The execution of Huss had kindled a flame of indignation and horror in Bohemia. It was felt by the whole nation that he had fallen a prey to the malice of the priests and the treachery of the emperor. He was declared to have been a faithful teacher of the truth, and the council that decreed his death was charged with the guilt of murder. His doctrines now attracted greater attention than ever before. By the papal edicts the writings of Wycliffe had been condemned to the flames. But those that had escaped destruction were now brought out from their hiding-places, and studied in
151 Wylie, b. 3, ch. 10. 152 Bonnechose, Vol. II, p. 168.