The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 78

The European Union in Prophecy
great sacrifice in the long struggle by which liberty of conscience was to be secured.
Being called upon for his final decision, Huss declared his refusal to abjure, and, fixing
his penetrating glance upon the monarch whose plighted word had been so
shamelessly violated, he declared: "I determined, of my own free will, to appear before
this council, under the public protection and faith of the emperor here present."--
Bonnechose, vol. 2, p. 84. A deep flush crimsoned the face of Sigismund as the eyes of
all in the assembly turned upon him.
Sentence having been pronounced, the ceremony of degradation began. The
bishops clothed their prisoner in the sacerdotal habit, and as he took the priestly robe,
he said: "Our Lord Jesus Christ was covered with a white robe, by way of insult, when
Herod had Him conducted before Pilate."-- Ibid., vol. 2, p. 86. Being again exhorted to
retract, he replied, turning toward the people: "With what face, then, should I behold
the heavens? How should I look on those multitudes of men to whom I have preached
the pure gospel? No; I esteem their salvation more than this poor body, now appointed
unto death." The vestments were removed one by one, each bishop pronouncing a
curse as he performed his part of the ceremony. Finally "they put on his head a cap or
pyramidal-shaped miter of paper, on which were painted frightful figures of demons,
with the word 'Archheretic' 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.'"--Wylie, b. 3, ch. 7. 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."-- Ibid., b. 3, ch. 7. 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.
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