The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 105

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. (See Appendix.)
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 traveler was approaching Constance. Huss was
conscious of the dangers which threatened him.

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