Huss and Jerome
85
served as a restraint upon the impulsive spirit of Jerome, who, with
true humility, perceived his worth, and yielded to his counsels. Under
their united labors the reform was more rapidly extended.
God permitted great light to shine upon the minds of these chosen
men, revealing to them many of the errors of Rome; but they did
not receive all the light that was to be given to the world. Through
these, His servants, God was leading the people out of the darkness of
Romanism; but there were many and great obstacles for them to meet,
and He led them on, step by step, as they could bear it. They were
not prepared to receive all the light at once. Like the full glory of the
noontide sun to those who have long dwelt in darkness, it would, if
presented, have caused them to turn away. Therefore He revealed it to
the leaders little by little, as it could be received by the people. From
century to century, other faithful workers were to follow, to lead the
people on still further in the path of reform.
The schism in the church still continued. Three popes were now
contending for the supremacy, and their strife filled Christendom with
crime and tumult. Not content with hurling anathemas, they resorted
to temporal weapons. Each cast about him to purchase arms and to
obtain soldiers. Of course money must be had; and to procure this, the
gifts, offices, and blessings of the church were offered for sale. (See
Appendix note for page 59.) The priests also, imitating their superiors,
resorted to simony and war to humble their rivals and strengthen their
own power. With daily increasing boldness Huss thundered against
the abominations which were tolerated in the name of religion; and the
people openly accused the Romish leaders as the cause of the miseries
that overwhelmed Christendom.
[104]
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