The 15th century marked the turning point in a deadly struggle between the powerful
medieval church and those few brave men who dared question the authority of her
claims.
Men like Wycliffe, Jerome, Luther, Swingly and others.
But nearly a hundred years before Luther's famous 95 cc's were nailed to the door at
Wittenberg, signalling the start of the Christian Reformation, another man,
a bohemian priest, chose to raise his voice against what he felt were abuses of
the church, and prepared the way for the dramatic events which would follow.
His name was John Huss, and this is his story.
You'll get used to the stink.
Man, I was down here before you.
Spent eight years here.
Don't mind the rats either.
If you snore loud enough, they'll stay away.
Here, that'll make you comfortable.
We don't get your kind here often.
Why'd they arrest you?
From fear of what I might say.
Well, counsel can relax.
Down here there's nobody to hear you.
It's just the rats.
December 6th, 1414.
My dear friends, I, John Huss, in hope of the priest of Jesus Christ,
address you from the dungeon at the monastery in Constance.
I have sought to defend the truth as it is in holy scripture, and to renounce
corruption.
I have taught nothing in secret, but in public have I presented my views.
My friends, when we study the scriptures, we hear God speaking directly to us.
The word of God, the truth of God, is more important than the words or
opinions of men.
All human thought must be subservient to God's word.
As long as His word is with us, He is with us.
It is our continual protection.
So, seek His word.
Seek His wisdom.
Seek His truth.
And never be afraid to defend it, for the truth shall set you free.
For the truth shall set you free.
Oh, John, I'm so proud of you.
I can hardly believe it.
A scholarship at the university, studying to become a priest.
Aren't you excited?
Yes, Mother.
I'm very happy.
It's an answer to my prayer.
You'll be the best priest in Prague.
I hope I can live up to your prayers, Mother.
You will, John.
You will.
The university, then the priesthood.
God has blessed me.
Well, Master Huss, you are among us now.
I have always believed the palace should be a place where a brilliant mind can
expand its usefulness.
It is good to have you here.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
These are difficult times.
The people are looking for guidance.
The state and the church together can shape the future of our nation.
A man of God has great opportunity for service.
I shall humbly try, in as many ways as the Almighty may dictate, and to the best of
my ability, to serve Your Majesty and the people of Bohemia.
I think you will go far.
You have distinguished yourself at the university and by your preaching.
You have great promise, if you use your talents wisely.
Wisely, in the language of the Emperor, means maintaining the status quo.
He has enjoyed a good relationship with the church and he intends to continue to
do so.
Are you suggesting I disregard the writings of Whiteliffe and play politics?
God forbid.
You know I agree with a lot of his reforms.
He was a brilliant man, wholly dedicated to his faith.
I only wish more people had listened.
But I am only a scholar.
You are a professor and a rector at the university.
Sometimes I do worry if you realize the danger that lies ahead for you if you
continue attacking corruption in the church.
I am in no more danger than you, my friend.
I love the church.
But where does it say in the scriptures that a man can buy his entrance into
heaven?
And what is wrong with having more people understand the gospel of God by hearing it
in their own language?
Our Lord Jesus told the apostles to go and spread the good word to all the people.
I am trying to do exactly that.
And so I always preached to the people in their own language, and led them in
singing and reading the holy scriptures in their own tongue.
This morning I want to share with you some of my favorite texts of scripture.
I am a man of faith.
I, like so many of you, have believed one must buy God's mercy, earn God's mercy,
work for God's mercy.
But I now know that salvation can never be found by works, no matter how good or
honest or zealous these works may be.
Listen to what the apostle Paul says in Romans chapters 4 and 5, reading the
scriptures in your own language.
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ.
Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we
rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.
My friends, these are the words of scripture, God's word, not by penance or
payments or priestly favor, but by a simple act of faith are we made right with
God and enjoy the peace of heaven.
The just shall live by faith.
God would not have us attempt to buy his forgiveness.
The Bible clearly says the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord.
My brothers, my sisters, a gift has no strings.
A gift is free, given in love.
So I say to you, spend time on your knees, beseeching God to grant you his abundant
forgiveness.
Then rise up from your knees, believing you are forgiven, and you are forgiven.
Lord, the cardinal is expecting me.
Your imminence, it's about us.
My enemies moved against me like a ravenous beast, demanding that I go to
Rome to answer charges.
All religious services suspended.
Why?
Because Hus has been defying the church.
And unless he surrenders, everyone in Prague will suffer the consequences.
We can't have our doors closed.
That can't be.
That
meant no burial rites, no sanctioning of marriages, and no worship in the churches.
To the people, being cut off from their churches was to be cut off from God.
I decided to leave Prague for a time, and to labor in the towns and villages of
my youth.
Then my friend King Sigismund summoned me, under his protection, to the city of
Constance.
He called a consul to review my teachings, and I gladly decided to come to Germany.
It is a dangerous move.
You must not go.
It may be a God-sent opportunity for me to clarify my beliefs of all Christendom.
You may be killed for your beliefs.
That's a risk I must take.
I can understand your concern, but there is no need to worry.
The emperor has promised me a safe conduct, and I shall be escorted by two of
his most trusted knights, friends of mine, Lord John of Schlum, and Lord Wenceslas of
Duba.
We'll pray for you.
Thank you.
I must be on my way.
Remember, continue to love God, and love one another.
Try to live rightly, work honestly, and defend good.
Be diligent about your salvation, and ever stand firm in God.
In a few more hours, we'll be there.
It's been a good journey, gentlemen.
So far.
What worries me is when we get to Constance.
If only the council could have seen the reception you've had along the way.
The people really love you.
They love truth.
I only hope the council will.
Rest your fears, my friends.
There may not even be a need for me to appear before the council.
I intend to seek an audience with Cardinal Anthony to explain my position to him
directly.
A man of his knowledge will surely see that I have not deviated from the word of
God.
It still worries me.
You always worry, Wenchless.
It's good to see you, Master John.
The Lord in his infinite wisdom finds ways to return the straying sheep to the flock.
I'm pleased that you realize the darkness and despair that you brought to those who
no longer have a place to worship and pray.
Our Lord and Savior accepts and protects everyone who offers him his prayers.
True.
But he expects to be worshipped in a place worthy of his glory.
Any man who has faith can rejoice in the hope of sharing his glory anywhere.
Master Huss, you are a brilliant and popular priest.
You are also very eager to distinguish yourself.
You may feel that a priest must walk on water in order to impress upon the people
the grace of our Lord.
Know your holiness.
All I want is to walk on earth among the people and help them understand better the
message of God.
In the common language.
That's the one they understand best.
Huss, the patience of the Lord should not be stretched beyond his forgiveness.
I see you still hold on to your arbitrary beliefs.
Everything I believe in has been derived from the holy scriptures.
Your interpretation of them seems to have led you along a dangerous road.
Your teachings are weakening the church.
The people look to us to protect them from the evil that lurks around them.
We are their only hope and salvation.
Therefore, we must interpret with a firm hand the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We must show the enemies of God that they will be destroyed if they stand in the way
of his almighty power.
He said, for behold, all that do wickedly shall be stubble and the day that cometh
shall burn them up.
The Lord does not wish us to forget this.
His word can never be forgotten.
Nor disobeyed.
But...
I also remember what Paul said to the Corinthians.
If I have the gift of prophecy...
and know all mysteries and knowledge...
and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains...
but have not love...
I am nothing.
I request an appearance before the council.
An appearance before the council?
Yes, to clarify my views before all the sage men of the faith.
I will not subject the Holy Fathers to your arrogant preachings.
All I want is an opportunity to prove that I am not wrong.
Wrong?
You have defied the church.
You have distorted the word of God for your own purposes.
I have served God as it is written in the infallible scripture.
Enough!
I urge you to stop before you blaspheme.
Pray that God will give you the grace to realize your abysmal mistakes and insolent
behavior...
and hope that his divine grace will help you to redeem yourself.
Events that have led me thus to this prison for these many months.
Yet I still have had no hearing before the council.
And I desire to reply with the aid of the spirit of God to all who should wish to
accuse me.
I will not, I hope, be afraid to confess the Lord Jesus Christ.
In addition, you are accused of having not only defended...
but also preached all of the scandalous, erroneous and heretical writings...
of the arch-heretic white.
But these charges against me are false.
I...
These charges are taken directly from what you have written and said.
We have witnesses.
Are you saying those charges are not accurate?
But you have taken my words out of context.
You have twisted my meanings.
You have used only portions of what I have said or written.
Let me explain.
Do you deny you said and wrote these words?
No, but not in that order.
And not for the meaning you are giving them.
This council is recessed until tomorrow.
Ah, Cardinal Anthony.
What news do you bring us?
Your Majesty's messenger has just delivered some to me.
Oh, yes.
Huss.
I only wanted to make sure that during the hearing...
Master Huss would have ample opportunity to clarify his position.
This is most important to him.
I am sure the council appreciates your interest.
However, by the time your message was delivered...
the hearing was already underway...
according to established procedures.
Good, good.
We must not forget that Master Huss is a special priest.
He has something that makes the people listen.
The chapel is always filled when he preaches.
The way he explains the gospel in everyday language is so pleasing.
And the singing in the congregation.
Ah, what a delightful innovation.
A remarkable person.
I remember the first time I heard him at the university.
He was little known then.
But I sensed immediately his special talents.
We are all entitled to our small vanities.
Mine is that I want to be remembered as the emperor who gave Huss...
a greater opportunity to serve my people.
As for the hearing...
the eyes of Bohemia are upon us.
Don't you think so?
May I request an audience with your majesty...
in private?
It is not just the eyes of Bohemia that are upon us...
but those of all Europe.
Exactly, that's what I mean.
Huss has been in prison for too long.
Your majesty knows...
the holy synod has many matters to attend to.
I have convened this synod for a most important one.
And I have been waiting long enough.
A king cannot afford to have his pledge ignored.
We must not forget that.
Also...
we must not forget that the case of master John Huss is an ecclesiastical matter.
Which means it falls under the jurisdiction of the church and not the
state.
The council fears that your...
pledge may interfere with God's justice.
I do not see how.
He is still one of my subjects.
And I am certain he is innocent.
There is testimony from numerous witnesses that shows he preaches error.
There are 23 articles reported and recorded by witnesses...
that show his teachings to be offensive...
deceitful...
and heretical.
He even claims to be the fourth person of the Godhead.
I can't believe that.
I have never heard him preach a single error.
He is a man of God with an open mind...
and truly dedicated to the faith.
I find him to be wily and obstinate.
A man hardly worthy of your trust and certainly not of your support.
As a matter of fact, the council is puzzled by it.
All he asked was a chance to explain his views to the council.
You must agree, that is a reasonable request.
I saw no harm in promising him a safe conduct.
True.
But so far he has been insolent and disrespectful.
And with your support he believes that he is invincible.
He is making a mockery of the hearing.
My intentions were fairness and justice.
Your intentions were commendable.
But obviously they are being abused.
Your pledge to him is being used to defy the church.
And as for your good faith in him...
he uses it like a weapon against the wisdom of the council.
Oh, my dear Cardinal.
You make it sound as if he is challenging a whole cathedral filled with Goliaths.
Aren't we overestimating the situation?
I should hope not.
It takes many good people to build the house of the Lord...
but only one heretic to destroy it.
You say that he is a heretic.
But I have known Huss for a long time.
The only crime he may be guilty of is pursuing the truth.
Sometimes relentlessly.
Surely every man must act in accordance with his own conscience.
You cannot charge him with that.
Your Majesty.
The council is made up of very learned men.
They come from Italy, from Spain, from Hungary, from all over Europe.
They are convened here with one preeminent concern.
The spread of heresy.
And they have one goal to uproot it.
They wish to return to their people...
and assure them that God's purposes have been served.
A king's support of one who is accused of heresy...
can have dangerous reverberations throughout Europe.
No one should be able to destroy the harmony that exists between the church and
the state.
I still say that Huss is not a heretic.
Your Majesty, that is for the council to determine.
But he is still one of my subjects.
He was assigned to my palace at my request.
Huss is not an ordinary man.
And an emperor's protection for a loyal subject...
If you sanction Huss and he is found to be an antichrist...
do you realize you will have supported the devil?
Are you prepared for the consequences?
Heads of state are not judged by the synod, my dear cardinal.
I think I can safely presume that the calendar of the council...
will not include burning an emperor.
True, Your Majesty.
But it could include excommunicating him.
Lord, I confess unto thee my own sins.
I have wasted so many hours in frivolous occupations.
May your glory occupy my mind.
He is master of the world.
Why then should we not suffer also?
Particularly when suffering is for us.
Do you have any news?
We've talked to some members, but the council is preoccupied with the election
of new leadership.
Still they could have granted me an appearance.
I'm entitled to state my position.
How many more months of this?
Your friends are deeply troubled by this outrage.
They're doing all they can.
Voices are beginning to arise on your behalf throughout Europe.
What about the emperor?
I see no help coming from the palace.
But he promised me protection.
He is very upset over the violation of his pledge to you.
Why then is he not intervening?
Why is he waiting for so long?
I say your enemies are appealing to his prejudice and fear.
They've already convinced him that he shouldn't keep his pledge to one who is
suspected of heresy.
They're forcing him to make a choice.
It's quite clear what that choice will be.
Let us help you escape.
This is a terrible injustice to be done to a man of God such as you.
There are only a few guards right now.
We can overcome them easily.
Then with our men we can take you away, out of the country if you wish.
You heard what Schlum said.
A lot of people are on your side.
You're too valuable to the faith to be left here to rot.
The Lord has guided me a long way in my search for the meaning of his word.
And he has trusted me to bring to the hearts of the people what I believe to be
his true message.
How can I continue to do so unless I can prove to the council that my beliefs are
not contrary to the word of God?
If I were to go with you now, I would be betraying his trust in me.
Thank you for your devotion.
May the grace of God be with you.
You
must try to do everything you can to stay well.
Is there anything that we can bring you?
Another pen?
Answer me, if you will.
It is also stated by that Master John Huss, in the month of June of the year of
the Lord, 1410, and as well as before and after, preaching to the people in a
certain chapel of Bethlehem and in various other places of Prague, did teach many
errors and heresy.
I call on God and my conscience to witness.
I have taught nothing contrary to scripture.
Show me where I have.
Master John, there are many witnesses against you, great and noble men with
knowledge and wisdom.
Do you reject their testimony?
Yes, until even one of them can prove from the scriptures any error on my part.
Master John, you have two choices.
You can submit entirely to the mercy of this council and we will deal with you
kindly and with love.
Or you may continue to defend your views.
But remember, there are such brilliant minds here with such convincing arguments
against your theses, that you would risk involvement in even more grievous errors
if you were to continue in this defense.
Most reverend fathers, I came to the city freely, not stubbornly to defend myself,
but humbly to submit to the instruction of this council.
I pray that you will grant me a further hearing so that I can prove that my
beliefs and teachings are not faulty.
Reverend fathers, I am willing to submit to your correction and instruction.
In that case, Master John, know that the decision of this council is as follows.
First, you are to humbly admit the error of your theses.
Second, you are to publicly renounce them.
And third, you are to accept and teach the opposite of what you have heretofore
written and preached.
John Huss, you are to recant.
To recant means to renounce an error previously held.
But since the errors ascribed to me here have never even entered my mind,
recanting them would be a lie.
Master Huss!
Wake up!
You have visitors.
It's good to see you again.
John.
The emperor has asked us to talk to you once again.
As friends.
To see where you stand.
I am grateful for his sending you here.
But what am I supposed to say?
Admit to your errors and place yourself at the mercy of the council.
My whole reason for appearing before the council was to clarify my beliefs.
I have not been allowed that.
You have told many times that your teachings and writings were full of errors
and heresies.
Believe me, if I thought myself a heretic, I would humbly recant.
Do you consider yourself wiser than the entire council?
No.
But I've appealed to the wisdom of the council.
And again, I beg to have even one member show me, from the scriptures, that I have
deviated from the word of God.
Still antagonistic.
And disrespectful.
John.
You are a man of God.
We are simply laymen.
We couldn't begin to advise you, but...
this may be your last chance.
The council intends to announce its verdict tomorrow.
It may be a short walk to the stake.
For all your friends...
and for those who love you...
please consider it.
John.
I will.
I promise.
God be with you.
And...
with you.
Erroneous against the law and against the Holy Mother Church, I would humbly desire
to recant it.
God is my witness.
Some fresh water.
Thank you.
I'm sorry about the chains.
I'm quite used to them, my friend.
Master Huss.
Could I ask you a question?
Why, of course.
It is being said...
that when you appear before the council tomorrow...
that you will renounce some of your beliefs.
To save your life.
Is there some chance of this?
You see...
we are making wagers.
How could I renounce a belief that I have never held?
Well, if it was me...
I'd say anything to escape the flames of the stake.
You have no fear of death...
when you have faith in our Lord and Savior.
You're a very brave man, Master Huss.
But
tomorrow...
There is nothing to fear about tomorrow, little John.
No matter where you are...
God is always with you.
You may be playing down by the river...
or in the fields with the goats and the geese.
Or even sleeping in your bed.
God is always with you.
And He loves you.
This sacred council has convened here today...
to consider charges against John Huss, a priest...
accused of being a disciple of the arch-heretic Whiteliffe...
and of having preached many errors and heresies.
Lies!
You are reading lies!
We have proof from witnesses who can testify to the facts just read.
Then name them!
There is no need of that here.
Your witnesses are lying!
Be silent!
If this is my trial...
why am I not permitted to speak?
Later you will have a chance to reply to all of these charges together.
But how can I reply to them together?
They must be answered separately.
Be silent!
You will not question the proper procedures of this council.
We have already heard enough...
Please, please, let me speak...
so that these people here assembled will understand that I have never held such
errors.
That I am innocent.
I order you to remain silent!
Give me the strength and words to speak that will glorify your name.
And furthermore...
we accuse Master John Huss of having appealed directly to God...
which is...
a grievous error.
The Bible says...
there is only one mediator between God and man...
the man Christ Jesus.
I entrust my case directly to him...
for he will not be corrupted by bribery...
nor deceived by false testimony.
Oh...
Heretic!
If I were a heretic...
why would I risk coming here?
I am appearing before this council...
of my own free will...
and under the public protection of the Emperor here present.
This sacrosanct synod has solemnly and carefully attended...
to the examination of all evidence presented...
which confirms that a certain John Huss...
in this sacred council here present...
a disciple not of Christ...
but rather of the arch-heretic Wycliffe...
has obstinately taught and preached these errors and heresies.
Please...
I have never been obstinate in this.
To the contrary...
I have always desired, and so do now...
to receive more relevant instruction from the scriptures.
It is truth that I seek to learn...
and would gladly be instructed...
I said, silent!
I pronounce, therefore...
that all of his teaching is to be shunned by faithful Christians.
Furthermore, to ensure that his heretical teaching...
be eliminated from the midst of the church...
this sacred synod hereby orders...
a diligent search for those writings...
including his translations of the scriptures...
into the common language...
to procure their public burning by fire.
Why does the council condemn my books?
Anyone who can read can see they contain no heresies.
They are a statement of faith in Jesus Christ.
Thus the learned members of the council have found them to be full of errors.
But they have not shown yet one erroneous word in what I have written.
Have you read my books?
I am not the one who is on trial here.
Have you personally read any of my books?
I demand silence!
And I demand an answer!
This is my life's work!
Thus you will remain silent until I have finished this sentencing...
or the guards will see that you do.
You would turn my books to ashes...
yet you have not read...
even one of them.
I demand silence!
Sticky!
It's hot enough today to roast a man without a fire.
That's the truth.
Do you think he'll recant?
I hope not!
I hate to think of us sweating like beasts in this heat for nothing.
What do you know about this man, Huss?
Nothing much.
Except... people say he's a good man.
And he believes it's not necessary to pay for blessings and forgiveness.
No wonder he's in trouble.
There's a strange idea.
Faith is enough to be forgiven.
Huss has gone the due ecclesiastical process by appealing directly to the Lord
Jesus Christ as the supreme judge.
In summary of all these various points, therefore...
this council judges him, John Huss...
as having seduced the Christian people, most of all in the kingdom of Bohemia...
and that he was not a true preacher of the gospel of Christ...
in accordance with the teaching of the holy doctors...
but was actually their seducer.
This sacred synod recognizes that John Huss is obstinate and incorrigible...
and is unwilling to recant the heresies and errors publicly defended and preached
by him.
For these reasons, this council does hereby declare that John Huss...
be deposed and degraded from the priestly order...
and from the other orders by which he has been distinguished.
Said degradation is to be carried out forthwith in the presence of this
council...
according to the order required by law.
This sacred synod of Constance...
seeing that the church has nothing more it can do with John Huss...
relinquishes him to secular judgment...
and decrees that he be given over to the secular court...
to be burned at the stake as a heretic.
May thy infinite mercy, O my God...
pardon this injustice of mine enemies.
Yet, O my God...
let that mercy of thine prevail.
O cursed Judas...
we commit your soul to the devil.
May your memory perish from the face of the earth.
Cursed is the ground you have walked on.
John Huss...
we commit your soul...
to hell.
And I commit my spirit into thy hands, O Lord Jesus...
for thou hast redeemed me.
John Huss...
this is your last chance...
to recant and abjure all your errors.
I call God to witness...
that all I have written and preached...
has been to rescue souls from sin.
There can be no turning back.
My Lord walked the paths of truth and duty...
even though it took him to cavalry.
Can I, one of his humble followers, turn back now?
To witness to God's truth...
is more important than life.
Joyfully, then, will I confirm with my blood...
all the writings and preachings...
of truths that I've held.
Into thy hands, O Lord...
I commit my spirit.
Jesus, thou Son of David...
have mercy on me.
Jesus, thou Son of David...
have mercy on me.
He says the son of David hath heard me, and hath loved me.
And he hath loved me, and hath loved me, and hath loved me.