John Hus

“The Morning Star of the Reformation”

In the year 1369 (approximately), Jan (John) was born in Husinec, sometimes called “Goosetown”, which is in the old Czech Republic- at that time the Bohemian kingdom. In his native Czech language- Hus meant “goose”

LIVING THE NEW LIFE

In the year 1369 (approximately), Jan (John) was born in Husinec, sometimes called “Goosetown”, which is in the old Czech Republic- at that time the Bohemian kingdom. In his native Czech language- Hus meant “goose”

LIVING THE NEW LIFE

He took his name from that city in which he was born- Hus.

He was born into a peasant family, and the only hope of earning a decent living was to to into the ministry.

In the year 1409, John Hus became head of the University of Prague.

17 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their thoughts. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts.

In the year 1409, John Hus became rector of the University of Prague.

17 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their thoughts. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts.

What makes him so special?

Many men of great faith throughout history, but often times the ripples their lives make are smaller than others. So it is easier to talk about those whose ripples are larger.

Augustine (300s) impacted to Wycliffe (1300’s England), and Wycliffe’s impact on Hus (1400s Bohemia), led to Hus’ impact on the Hussites who impacted the Moravians, who impacted John Wesley (1700s Methodist founder). Also Hus’ impact on Luther (1500s Germany). Luther, as you will hear next week, impacted men like Calvin (1500s France), Zwingli (1500’s Switzerland), Knox (1500’s Scotland) and on down to the Puritans of the 1600’s, which led to the Baptists and then here we are today.

The Ripple

Hus, having his eyes opened to the truth of Scripture through the teachings of Wycliffe and Augustine, spoke out against the practices and abuses of the Roman church- like indulgences.

Hus wrote a friend two years before his death and said, “Better is it to die well than to live ill. To avoid death we must not sin. To end the present life in grace is to pass out of misery.”

Being asked to recant, he turned to the assembled throng and, with tears in his eyes, refused, saying: “I fear to do this thing lest I be found a liar in the eyes of the Lord and also lest I sin against my conscience and God’s truth.

Huss then stepped down from the platform and the bishops divested him of the priestly robe and took from him the chalice they had placed in his hands, accompanying the act with the objurgation: “O cursed Judas, who hast spurned the counsels of peace and hast taken counsel with the Jews, we take from thee this cup of redemption.” To this Huss replied: “My trust is in the Lord God Almighty, for whose name I patiently suffer this blasphemy, for He will not take away from me the cup of His redemption and I firmly hope that to-day I shall drink it in His kingdom.” When all the priestly garments had been removed, the bishops proceeded to cut the prisoner’s hair, an dput a paper hat on his head with 3 devils on it, and pronounced that they delivered his soul to the devil. To this Huss, raising his hands to heaven, replied: “And I commit it to my most gracious Lord, Jesus Christ.” And referring to the cap, he said: “The crown my Saviour wore on his most sacred head was heavy and irksome. The one I wear is easy and light. He wore a crown of thorns even to the most awful death, and I will wear this much lighter one humbly for the sake of his name and the truth.”

They led him out of the town to burn him. His outer garments being removed, his hands were tied with ropes behind his back and bound to a stake. When they noticed that his face was toward the east, a position which did not befit him because he was a heretic, they turned his body so that it should face the west. His neck was then bound to the stake by a rusty chain. Two bundles of fagots were placed under his feet and, mixed with straw the pile was heaped up around his body to his chin. Addressing his executioners, he said: “The Lord Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, was bound with a harder chain, and I, a miserable sinner, am not afraid to bear this one, bound as I am for his name’s sake.

Once more an opportunity was given him to recant, this time by the marshal of the empire. “God is my witness,” Huss replied, “that the things charged against me I never preached.” And then he repeated: “In the same truth of the Gospel which I have written, taught and preached, drawing upon the sayings and positions of the holy doctors, I am ready to die to-day.” At this the two nobles struck their hands together and left.

The combustibles were then lighted, and while the flames were licking up around the helpless body, Huss sang: “Christ, thou Son of the living God, have mercy upon me.” And as he reached the line, “who art born of the Virgin Mary”—the flames were blown by the wind into his face. Almost stifled, he still was able to articulate, “Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit”; and, moving his head as if bidding farewell and in prayer, he died.

When the executioners pushed down what remained of the body held by the chain, another load of wood was brought. The skull was broken with sticks, and the heart, which had been thrust through, was burned to ashes. At the palatine’s command the garments, held by executioners, were also thrown into the smouldering flames and burned, compensation being promised for them. The ashes were then gathered up and carried in a wheelbarrow to the Rhine and thrown into the river.

In accordance with the count palatine’s instructions, not a particle was left of the body or garments that could be preserved and taken back to Bohemia to be used as a relic. But they made a mistake. What was infinitely more precious, the martyr’s memory and example, all the fires of Constance could not burn up.

He was an follower of Christ, who preached a pure life. His personality teaches us that in matters of conscience it is not only best to be obedient to God, but, what is still better, he lived according to his teachings, even to dying at the stake.

Our Take Away

gives a great example of the importance of knowing the great men of faith in times past- not to glorify men, but to see God’s faithfulness in all generations.

Each generation must make a decision of what role the Christian Bible will play. Will it be the sole authority for the Church? And for the individual? Are we truly convinced of the truth enough to die over it? Is our understanding of eternity strong enough to get us through the temporary physical trials and sufferings with peace and assurance?

Ephesians 4:10-18

“The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things.  And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.  Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their thoughts. They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts.”