The letters of John Hus

by Jan Hus

CONTENTS
	PAGE

  (not included in the original table of contents)

PREFACE

v–xi

INTRODUCTION
Luther’s Discovery of Hus; Editions of the Letters; The Value of the Letters; The Judgment of Creighton	1–4
PART I
LETTERS WRITTEN BEFORE THE DEATH OF ARCHBISHOP ZBINEK
Early Life of Hus; Career at the University; Preacher at the Bethlehem; The New Nationalism; Influence of Wyclif; The Forty-five Articles; Realists and Nominalists; Hus is Drifting; Hus and Zbinek; Early Friendship	5–12
LETTER I. TO ARCHBISHOP ZBINEK (June 30, 1408)
Hus remonstrates with Zbinek for having thrown into prison a priest named “Abraham”; Speaks strongly of the condition of the Bohemian clergy	12–14
LETTER II. TO THE NUNS OF A CERTAIN CONVENT (September 1408)
On the value of virginity; Sends the nuns a song	15–17
Wheels Within Wheels; The Council of Pisa; The Expulsion of the Germans; Zbinek’s Indignation with Hus	17–19
LETTER III. TO ARCHBISHOP ZBINEK (December 1408)
Hus remonstrates with Zbinek for his treatment; He will obey the Pope in all lawful things; What he means by “neutrality”; The insults of his enemies	19–23
The Clergy Complain to Zbinek concerning Hus; His Indifference	23
LETTER IV. TO MASTER ZAWISSIUS (Autumn 1408)
Stop detraction in corners! You will some day be judged yourself; No right to call Hus a heretic	24–5
Hus Rapidly Drifts; The Burning of Wyclif’s Works; The Action of Hus; “Bishop A, B, C“; Mob Rule	25–7
LETTER V. TO THE PEOPLE OF LAUN (1410)
Hus praises their constancy; Do not avenge yourselves; Evil priests; The great alternative; The Judge is at the gate	28–30
Richard Wyche; His History; His Letter to Hus; Letters from Sir John Oldcastle; English Sympathy	30–34
LETTER VI. TO MASTER RICHARD [WYCHE] OF ENGLAND (September 1410)
Hus’s delight with Wyche’s letter; He read it in the Bethlehem; The spread of the gospel; The raging of Antichrist; Wenzel and Sophia on the side of the gospel	34–8
The Later Career of Wyche; The Troubles of Hus; Cited to Rome; Riot at Prague; Zbinek and Wenzel make Peace; Letters to be written to Pisa and the Pope; Fresh Difficulties; Death of Zbinek	38–41
LETTER VII. TO A CERTAIN MONK (January 18, 1411)
Poverty the rule of monks; Testimony of Gregory, Benedict, John Cassian, Francis, and Bernard	42–5
LETTER VIII. TO JOHN BARBATUS (May 25, 1411)
“Diverse temptations”; The true nature of obedience; The testimony of Jerome, Augustine, Gregory, “Isidore,” and Bede; “Therefore obey God rather than the Pope”	45–50
LETTER IX. TO JOHN XXIII (September 1, 1411)
Hus complains of false charges; His action as to the expulsion of the Germans; Why he did not appear when cited to Rome; Desires to be tried before the University, and will abide the consequences	51–4
LETTER X. TO THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS (September 1411)
Hus appeals to their protection; He is innocent; Willing to meet a trial at Prague	54–6
PART II
FROM THE DEATH OF ZBINEK TO THE EXILE OF HUS
Michael the Pleader; Hus Attacks the Clergy and their Vices; Trouble at Pilsen	57–8
LETTER XI. TO THE SUPREME COURT OF BOHEMIA (December 1411)
The attack of Michael; The injustice of interdicts; Willing to be tried; Why he did not go to Rome	58–61
LETTER XII. TO THE PEOPLE OF PILSEN (March 1412)
Dissension; Ye did run well; Flatterers; Their past repute; Return! The attack upon him in Pilsen; “Worst priest better than the best laymen”; “Creator of God”; Priests in mortal sin must not preach; The sons of the devil and of God	61–7
The Indulgence Controversy; Wenzel Tiem; Luther and Hus Compared; Hus’s Opposition; The Theological Faculty; Hus’s Tracts and Polemics; Jagiello and his Career	67–71
LETTER XIII. TO LADISLAUS, KING OF POLAND (June 10, 1412)
Peace with Sigismund; The depravity of the clergy; Abounding iniquity; “Woe is me if I keep silence”	71–3
Stanislaus and Palecz; Quarrel with Hus; Stephen Dolein and his Works against Hus	73–4
LETTER XIV. TO THE MONKS OF DOLEIN (Summer 1412)
The invectives of Stephen; Do not believe him; Hus’s relation to Wyclif; Why he did not go to Rome; An appeal to Stephen not to judge Wyclif or himself	75–7
Mob Rule again; Burning the Bulls; The Three Martyrs; John XXIII. and Hus; Hus Appeals to a Council; The Attack on the Bethlehem; Hus Leaves Prague	77–80
LETTER XV. TO MASTERS MARTIN AND NICOLAS MILICZIN (August 1412)
Ought he to retire? The advice of Augustine to Honoratus; Ought he to follow it?	80–82
PART III
LETTERS WRITTEN DURING THE EXILE OF HUS
A Synod at Prague; Hus’s Appeal; A New Commission; Fruitless Efforts; The Banishment of Stanislaus and Palecz; Old Town Elections; Hus in the Country; His De Ecclesia; Vast Preaching Labours; The National Party; Letters of the Exile	83–8
LETTER XVI. TO THE PEOPLE OF PRAGUE (October 1412)
The attack on the Bethlehem; The nature of abjuration	88–9
LETTER XVII. TO THE SAME (October 1412)
Thankfulness for their spirit; Be not afraid; Christ also suffered; His elect must therefore also suffer; The war of Christ and Antichrist; False prophets; The attack on the Bethlehem; The Goose has broken their nets; The conquest of the Truths; What fear shall part us from Christ? “I fear no death”; But I long still to preach; Christ the sufferer preserve you	90–97
LETTER XVIII. TO THE SAME (October 1412)
May Christ keep you free from sin; Hold fast the gospel; Ravening wolves in sheep’s clothing; Rejoice in your persecution; Take heed; His labours in preaching	97–101
LETTER XIX. TO THE SAME (October 1412)
Do not draw back; To me to live is Christ; But I would gladly die; The attack on the Bethlehem; Christ grant us perseverance	101–102
LETTER XX. TO THE FAITHFUL BOHEMIANS (December 1412)
Thoughts on Advent; The Second Advent; Lift up your heads	103–5
LETTER XXI. TO THE PEOPLE OF PRAGUE (December 1412)
The Advent is nigh; Why Hus fled; Why he does not return; Woe to the priests	105–8
LETTER XXII. TO THE SAME (December 25, 1412)
Rejoice for Christ is born to-day; The meaning of the Nativity	108–10
LETTER XXIII. TO THE SAME (January 1413)
Faint not; The attacks of his enemies; The benediction of the “Bishop who is above all bishops”	110–12
LETTER XXIV. TO THE SAME (January 1413)
The sufferings of Christ; “Our Master the Peacemaker”; “My peace I give unto you”	112–14
LETTER XXV. TO THE SYNOD OF PRAGUE (February 1413)
Heretics should be pointed out, or false accusers punished; Obedience to the Pope; The case of Master Maurice; Reasons why the judgment of the Theological Faculty should be rejected	115–17
LETTER XXVI. TO MASTER CHRISTIAN PRACHATICZ (Early in 1413)
The just man cannot be sad; Hus comforts himself with this thought; Be ready for battle; The tail of Antichrist; The abomination of the Beast; An attack on John XXIII.	117–19
LETTER XXVII. TO THE SAME (April 1413)
Reasons why Hus cannot accept a compromise with Stanislaus and Palecz; Stanislaus’s former views on Remanence; The incident of Stiekna; Do not change your benefice	119–22
LETTER XXVIII. TO THE SAME (April 1413)
Why Hus cannot agree that the Pope is the head of the Holy Roman Church; Pope Liberius and Pope Joan; The Catholic Church is wider than the Roman Church	122–8
LETTER XXIX. TO THE SAME (1413)
The views of Hus as to the Vicar of Christ; His claims and obedience; Popes may err; Pope Joan again	128–32
LETTER XXX. TO THE SAME (April 1413)
Reviews once more his position and the general controversy with Palecz and Stanislaus	132–4
Hus and Jerome; The Troubles of Jerome; The Persecution at Vienna	134
LETTER XXXI. TO MASTER JOHN SYBART IN THE UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA (July 1, 1413)
Demands the reason of their persecution of Jerome; “You are badly instructed in the theology of love”	135–7
LETTER XXXII. TO THE PEOPLE OF PRAGUE (1414)
Stand in the ways of God; Attend the preaching; The value of penitence	137–8
PART IV
LETTERS WRITTEN ON THE JOURNEY TO CONSTANCE
Sigismund Summons a Council; Sends for Hus; His Escort; Hus Prepares to Obey; Hus Sends a Notice to the Synod of his Intentions; Also to the Supreme Court; Procures a Certificate of Orthodoxy from the Bishop of Nazareth	139–43
LETTER XXXIII. TO SIGISMUND (September 1, 1414)
Hus informs Sigismund of what he has done; “Under the safe-conduct of your protection” Hus is not afraid of the Council; His troubles when cited to Rome; Prays for the King	143–5
Hus Sets off without waiting for the Safe-conduct; Sealed Letters	146
LETTER XXXIV. TO HIS BOHEMIAN FRIENDS ON STARTING FOR CONSTANCE (October 12, 1414)
His faithful labours; Sorry he cannot come and preach once more; Reasons why he has started; His foes; His consolation in Christ and His example; “Perhaps you will not see me again”; We shall “meet in the joy of heaven”	146–9
LETTER XXXV. TO MASTER MARTIN, HIS DISCIPLE (October 1414)
Converse sparingly with women; Do not run after benefices; Leave off fine clothes; Do not follow me in my frivolity or love of chess; Various legacies	149–51
Hus at Krakowec; His Escort to Constance; His Route	152
LETTER XXXVI. TO HIS BOHEMIAN FRIENDS (October 20, 1414)
Account of his journey; His reception at Nuremberg; He is much encouraged; Distributes tracts; Future plans; Gossip	152–5
“The Doctor of Biberach”; Shrewd Sale of Horses; Lodgings at Constance; The Council begins; Gossip of the Letters; The Pope and the Safe-conduct; “If Hus had Killed my own Brother”	155–7
LETTER XXXVII. TO THE SAME (November 4, 1414)
Gossip; Michael the Pleader again; The Pope and the safe-conduct; Prices in Constance; The cardinals and their horses; “My horse Rabstyn”; The goodness of Chlum	157–9
LETTER XXXVIII. TO THE SAME (November 6, 1414)
Michael the Pleader; The action of the Pope; He is preparing sermons to deliver when Sigismund comes; His herald the Bishop of Lebus; They thought it was a show! Fears for his finances	160–1
The Life of John Cardinalis; His Letter about Hus; Hus will Preach and give a Ducat to all Present; Gossip concerning the council; “the goose is not yet cooked”	162–3
LETTER XXXIX. TO THE FAITHFUL BOHEMIANS (November 16, 1414)
Beware of false prophets! The Day of Judgment is at hand; Pray for me; My journey to Constance; The Sacrament has not been interrupted	164–6
Disastrous Rumours; The Attempted Escape; The Arrest of Hus; Master Didaco; Imprisoned at the Blackfriars; Chlum and the Safe-conduct; The Powerlessness of Sigismund; The Illness of Hus; Removed to Better Quarters; A Letter from Chlum: The Efforts of Chlum; Please send Chlum your Views on the Cup	166–70
PART V
LETTERS WRITTEN DURING THE IMPRISONMENT AT THE BLACKFRIARS
Hus in Prison; His Tracts; Originals Lost; Paper Runs Short	171–2
LETTER XL. TO THE PEOPLE OF PRAGUE (January 19, 1415)
His sickness; Consolations in God; I need “your best help”; His letter falsely translated; No help but Christ; Remember my past love and toil for you	172–3
LETTER XLI. TO JOHN OF CHLUM (January 1415)
Get me a Bible, please; Asks Sigismund to release him; He has been ill	173–4
Inquisition at Work; Commission Appointed; “A Dozen Masters”	175
LETTER XLII. TO THE SAME (February 1415)
Do not be weary; The Commission at work; The kindness of his gaolers; Jonah and Susannah; Thanks for the Bible; Greetings to friends	175–6
Jakoubek and the Trouble over the Cup; The Origin of the Matter; The Views of Hus	176–7
LETTER XLIII. TO PETER MLADENOWIC (February 1415)
“Unless I first pay 2,000 ducats”; The Commission again; Michael’s spies; The simplicity of Jakoubek; “Both letters in one envelope”	177–8
LETTER XLIV. TO JOHN OF CHLUM (February 1415)
Don’t send his letters on; Sigismund ought to judge him; Procure that at his trial he be near him; No proctor save Jesus; The charges against him; The matter of the safe-conduct; The King ought not to allow him to be thrust back into prison	179–81
LETTER XLV. TO THE SAME (February 1415)
Writing all last night; The right to disendow; The action of Charles IV.; Be careful over his letters; Tell Jerome not to come; Sigismund has forgotten him; Dear Chlum, do not worry concerning expense; His replies to the Forty-five Articles; Two Articles should be quashed; Cardinalis should be careful; Palecz the arch-detective; Persecution of his adherents; Send another shirt; He would like to speak to Sigismund	181–4
LETTER XLVI. TO HIS FRIENDS AT CONSTANCE (February 1415)
His defence; Protest to the Commission; The Sacrament of the Cup; Do not worry over the Commission; Cross-examined again; He will abide by the decision of the Council; Michael and Palecz again; “You have 70,000 florins”; The citation of his adherents	184–7
LETTER XLVII. TO JOHN OF CHLUM (February 28 (?), 1415)
“Await the issue”; Greetings to friends; Racked with stone; The suspicions of the gaolers; Get permission to see him; He will answer Gerson; Don’t worry over expense; Eight weeks since he was moved here; Stand by him to the end; He has finished some tracts	187–90
Paintings on the Bethlehem Chapel; Hus and His Dreams	190
LETTER XLVIII. TO THE SAME (March 4, 1415)
Please expound his dream	191
The Answer of Chlum; Do not Worry over Dreams; The Exposition; We Rejoice in your Letters	191–3
LETTER XLIX. TO THE SAME (March 6, 1415)
“For dreams have no care”; The Bethlehem pictures; Christ is his proctor; His defence; “Take no conscious thought what ye shall say”; Be careful over the letters	193–5
Delays in the Trial; The Papal Difficulty; The Way of Cession; A Letter from Chlum; “That Tattered Bit of Paper”; The Rhymes of Hus	195–7
LETTER L. TO HIS FRIENDS (Middle March 1415)
Hus's rhymes; Susannah and Daniel; “The insults of Christ”; “This road the Master went”; “I shall not have the Sacrament at Easter”; Gerson’s charges	197–9
The Escape of Pope John; Hus Starving	199
LETTER LI. TO HIS FRIENDS AFTER THE POPE’S FLIGHT (March 21, 1415)
Greetings; The Council in confusion, the Pope fled; The Council has ignored God	200
LETTER LII. TO THE SAME (March 24, 1415)
Gaolers are fled; Nothing to eat; Make haste and see Sigismund; The designs of Constance; Procure guards from the King	201
PART VI
LETTERS WRITTEN FROM THE FRANCISCAN FRIARY
The Bishop of Constance and Hus; Removed to Gottlieben; The Months of Silence; A Papal Fellow-prisoner; Contrast of John XXIII. and Hus; A New Commission; Wyclif Condemned; His Bones to be Burnt; The Czech Efforts to save Hus; Bishop Sup-with-the-Devil; A Public Audience Granted; Hus brought back to Constance; Correspondence Recommenced	202–5
LETTER LIII. TO JOHN OF CHLUM (June 5, 1415)
Get Sigismund to stick to his promise; Do not leave him; Greetings to friends; The expenses again; “Out of sight out of mind”	205–6
The Public Audience at Last; A Crafty Plan; Tumult and Adjournment; “Do not fear for me”	206–7
LETTER LIV. TO HIS FRIENDS AT CONSTANCE (June 5, 1415)
“Like Jews against Jesus”; An account of the trial; “Let it be burnt”; No friend except the Father	207–8
Jerome of Prague; His Adventures and Arrest; Imprisonment at Constance	209
LETTER LV. TO JOHN OF CHLUM (June 6, 1415)
“To-morrow at ten”; His proposed reply; Be careful over the papers; “Jerome also will suffer death”	209–10
LETTER LVI. TO PETER MLADENOWIC (June 6, 1415)
He intends to cleave to the truth; Various legacies; No sum can repay your love; “Accept one of Wyclif’s works”; “I fear many may be offended”	211–12
The Second Audience; Better Order; “The Logic of School-lads”; Sigismund and the Safe-conduct	213
LETTER LVII. TO HIS FRIENDS IN CONSTANCE (June 7, 1415)
An account of the day’s trial; Doctors break down; “Wyclif wanted to destroy all learning”; “This fellow is deceiving the Council”; “Stick to your argument”; “I thought there would be greater order”; Cardinal Bronhiaco and Hus; “You must abjure”	214–16
Toothache; Final Audience; “A King in Mortal Sin is not a King”; “Why was John Deposed?” D’Ailli sums up; Conscience! Sigismund’s Mistake; Chlum’s Handshake; “‘That Fellow what’s his Name?’ ‘Jerome,’ they shouted”	217–18
LETTER LVIII. TO THE SAME (June 8, 1415)
Glad Occultus is hidden; Instructions to Chlum as to the depositions; Toothache; Qualify his last letter; Do not make his letters public; “God sent you as angels”; Questioned as to books; “Do you wish to abjure?” An unfair alteration of deposition	218–21
LETTER LIX. TO THE SAME (June 9 or 10, 1415)
Return to Bohemia and enter the service of the King Eternal; Chlum’s handshake; The cruel words of Palecz; His dreams again; Warnings of Jerome and Andrew the Tailor; God reward thee, Chlum	221–3
Huss Respite; Sweltering Heat; Determined to Obtain a Professed Penitent; The Real Point at Issue; A Martyr for Conscience; Truth Supreme; “The Fourth Person in the Trinity”; The Value of this Emphasis of Conscience; The Testimony of Creighton; Letters Undated	223–5
LETTER LX. TO THE SAME (After June 8, 1415)
Be careful over the letters; Veit should be careful; Jonah and Susannah; “Able to liberate poor me”; “If the Council told you that you have only one eye”; “The Lord is my protector”	225–6
LETTER LXI. TO HENRY SKOPEK DE DUBA (June 9, 1415)
Contrast in serving Christ and Sigismund; Some verses enclosed	227–8
LETTER LXII. TO A FRIEND (June 9, 1415)
Please forward the last letter to Skopek	229
LETTER LXIII. TO HIS BOHEMIAN FRIENDS (After June 8, 1415)
Sigismund and the safe-conduct; What he ought to have done	229–30
LETTER LXIV. TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF BOHEMIA (June 10, 1415)
The letter contains a series of exhortations adapted to the different classes of the nation, to whom Hus has ministered; He also mentions his past frivolity, and beseeches their gratitude to Chlum and Wenzel de Duba; “The Bohemians are our fiercest enemies”; “Support the Bethlehem”	230–33
LETTER LXV. TO HENRY SKOPEK DE DUBA (June 13, 1413)
Thanks for his letters; “Keep God’s counsels”; “Greet your wife from me”; “You will never see me again”	234
LETTER LXVI. TO MASTER MARTIN, HIS DISCIPLE (June 16, 1415)
Exhortations; If Martin is charged with heresy, what he is to reply; “The Lord still lives”; Greetings to various friends in Prague; Repayment of his creditors; “Fare well evermore”	235–7
The Incident of Hus and the “Father”; The Mystery cannot be Solved; First Letter from the “Father”	237–8
LETTER LXVII. TO THE “FATHER” (Middle of June)
Thanks for advice; Reasons why he cannot sign the paper sent him	238–9
Further Efforts of the “Father”; The Delegate from Erfurt; The “Father’s” Second Letter	239–40
LETTER LXVIII. TO THE SAME (Middle of June, 1415)
Reasons why Hus cannot “abjure”	241
The Change in Hus’s Position; Growing Firmness of Tone	242
LETTER LXIX. TO HIS FRIENDS IN CONSTANCE (After June 18, 1415)
Greetings; Bitter attack on John XXIII.; The illogical position of Palecz; Errors of the Council; Flee evil priests; Defence of the cup	242–6
LETTER LXX. TO THE SAME (June 21, 1415)
Hus’s final intentions; Thanks to Sigismund! and others	246–7
LETTER LXXI. TO GALLUS (HAWLIK), PREACHER IN THE BETHLEHEM (June 21, 1415)
Administer the Cup; The Council’s condemnation; Do not quarrel with Jakoubek; The ten thousand martyrs	248–9
LETTER LXXII. TO MASTER CHRISTIAN (June 22, 1415)
Last words and exhortations	249–50
LETTER LXXIII. TO HIS FRIENDS AT CONSTANCE (June 23, 1415)
A beautiful letter of resignation and fortitude; Palecz and Michael; “I am praying for them”; The sorrows of Jesus; “O Jesus, draw me after Thyself”	250–53
LETTER LXXIV. TO THE FAITHFUL BOHEMIANS (June 24, 1415)
Do not be terrified; The examples of the past; St. Gregory; St. Chrysostom; The troubles in store for Bohemia; The illogical condemnation of John XXIII.; The errors of the Council; Simony of its members; Why did they elect a homicide Pope? The abomination of desolation; “God will raise up after me braver men”	254–8
Sweltering Heat; Hus and Palecz; A Confessor sent; Strange Clemency	258–9
LETTER LXXV. TO HIS BOHEMIAN FRIENDS (June 25, 1415)
His difficulty in abjuring; Extraordinary casuistry; The request for a confessor; His conversation with Palecz; A song of Hus at Gottlieben	259–62
LETTER LXXVI. TO THE FAITHFUL BOHEMIANS (June 26, 1415)
The Council has condemned his Czech books; This holy Council! Its immorality and disorder; Be not afraid of its verdict; “They could not overcome God’s power in me”; St. Catherine; God is with him	262–5
The Relapse of Jerome; His Future Career and Martyrdom	265
LETTER LXXVII. TO THE SAME (June 27, 1415)
His death put off; Master Jerome; Why God has granted him a respite; The sufferings of the Saints	265–7
Hus’s Changed Views	267
LETTER LXXVIII. TO THE UNIVERSITY OF PRAGUE (June 27, 1415)
Promote the honour of God; Hus’s love for them all; His attitude to the charges; “I find no heresy in myself”; Love the Bethlehem	267–9
LETTER LXXIX. TO WENZEL DE DUBA AND JOHN OF CHLUM (Undated ?)
The service of Sigismund and Christ compared; Sigismund’s deceit	269–70
LETTER LXXX. TO JOHN OF CHLUM (June 29, 1415)
The great harlot; Rejoices at the news concerning Chlum; The sufferings and glory of Peter and Paul; Still keep on writing	270–72
LETTER LXXXI. TO WENZEL DE DUBA (June 29, 1415)
Glad that he is marrying; Serve God at home now	272–3
LETTER LXXXII. TO HIS FRIENDS IN BOHEMIA (June 29, 1415)
Last greetings to sundry friends	273–5
Sigismund’s Intended Journey; Hus’s Final Declaration; A Last Effort to Procure Recantation; The Advice of Chlum; The Answer of Hus; The Condemnation, Degradation, and Execution of Hus	276–80
APPENDIX A. A Doubtful Letter concerning the Cup	281–3
APPENDIX B. Table of Dates and Numbers in this Edition, Palackẏ, and the Monumenta	284–6