The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 69

The European Union in Prophecy
6. Two Heroes
The gospel had been planted in Bohemia as early as the ninth century. The Bible
was translated, and public worship was conducted, in the language of the people. But
as the power of the pope increased, so the word of God was obscured. Gregory VII,
who had taken it upon himself to humble the pride of kings, was no less intent upon
enslaving the people, and accordingly a bull was issued forbidding public worship to
be conducted in the Bohemian tongue. The pope declared that "it was pleasing to the
Omnipotent that His worship should be celebrated in an unknown language, and that
may evils and heresies had arisen from not observing this rule."--Wylie, b. 3, ch. 1.
Thus Rome decreed that the light of God's word should be extinguished and the people
should be shut up in darkness. But Heaven had provided other agencies for the
preservation of the church. Many of the Waldenses and Albigenses, driven by
persecution from their homes in France and Italy, came to Bohemia. Though they
dared not teach openly, they labored zealously in secret. Thus the true faith was
preserved from century to century.
Before the days of Huss there were men in Bohemia who rose up to condemn
openly the corruption in the church and the profligacy of the people. Their labors
excited widespread interest. The fears of the hierarchy were roused, and persecution
was opened against the disciples of the gospel. Driven to worship in the forests and
the mountains, they were hunted by soldiers, and many were put to death. After a
time it was decreed that all who departed from the Romish worship should be burned.
But while the Christians yielded up their lives, they looked forward to the triumph of
their cause. One of those who "taught that salvation was only to be found by faith in
the crucified Saviour," declared when dying: "The rage of the enemies of the truth now
prevails against us, but it will not be forever; there shall arise one from among the
common people, without sword or authority, and against him they shall not be able to
prevail." -- Ibid., b. 3, ch. 1. Luther's time was yet far distant; but already one was
rising, whose testimony against Rome would stir the nations.
John Huss was of humble birth, and was early left an orphan by the death of his
father. His pious mother, regarding education and the fear of God as the most
valuable of possessions, sought to secure this heritage for her son. Huss studied at the
provincial school, and then repaired to the university at Prague, receiving admission
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