Love Under Fire

Assigned to Prison and Death

Again the storm of rage burst out, and Jerome was hurried away to prison. Yet his words had made a deep impression on some, and they wanted to save his life. These dignitaries visited him and urged him to submit to the council. They presented bright prospects as reward. LF 51.4

“Prove to me from the Holy Writings that I am in error,” he said, “and I will renounce it.” LF 51.5

“The Holy Writings!” exclaimed one of his tempters. “Is everything then to be judged by them? Who can understand them till the church has interpreted them?” LF 51.6

“Are the traditions of men more worthy of faith than the gospel of our Savior?” Jerome replied. LF 51.7

“Heretic!” was the response. “I repent having pleaded so long with you. I see that you are urged on by the devil.”¹⁷ LF 51.8

Before long Jerome was led out to the same spot on which Huss had yielded up his life. He went singing on his way, his face lighted up with joy and peace. To him death had lost its terrors. When the executioner stepped behind him to light the wood, the martyr exclaimed, “Apply the fire before my face. If I had been afraid, I would not be here.” LF 51.9

His last words were a prayer: “Lord, Almighty Father, have pity on me, and pardon me my sins, for You know that I have always loved Your truth.”¹⁸ The ashes of the martyr were gathered up and, like those of Huss, thrown into the Rhine. So perished God's faithful light-bearers. LF 51.10

The execution of Huss had lit a flame of indignation and horror in Bohemia. The whole nation declared that he had been a faithful teacher of the truth. The people accused the council of murder. Huss's doctrines attracted greater attention than before, and many came to accept the reformed faith. The pope and the emperor united to crush the movement, and the armies of Sigismund were hurled against Bohemia. LF 51.11

But God raised up a deliverer. Ziska, one of the ablest generals of his age, was the leader of the Bohemians. Trusting in the help of God, the Bohemian people withstood the mightiest armies that could be brought against them. Again and again the emperor invaded Bohemia, only to be repulsed. The Hussites rose above the fear of death, and nothing could stand against them. The brave Ziska died, but his place was filled by Procopius, who in some respects was a more capable leader. LF 51.12

The pope proclaimed a crusade against the Hussites. An immense force descended on Bohemia, only to suffer terrible defeat. Another crusade was called. In all the papal countries of Europe men, money, and munitions of war were raised. Great numbers flocked to the papal banner. LF 52.1

The vast force entered Bohemia. The people rallied to repel them. The two armies approached each other until only a river lay between them. “The crusaders had the greatly superior force, but instead of dashing across the stream and engaging in battle with the Hussites whom they had come so far to meet, they stood gazing silently at those warriors.”¹⁹ LF 52.2

Suddenly a mysterious terror fell on the army. Without striking a blow, that mighty force broke and scattered as if dispelled by an unseen power. The Hussite army pursued them, and immense plunder fell into the hands of the victors. The war, instead of impoverishing the Bohemians, enriched them. LF 52.3

A few years later, under a new pope, still another crusade was launched. A vast army entered Bohemia. The Hussite forces fell back before them, drawing the invaders farther into the country, leading them to think they had already won the victory. LF 52.4

At last the army of Procopius advanced to give them battle. As the invaders heard the sound of the approaching force, even before the Hussites were in sight, a panic again fell on them. Princes, generals, and common soldiers fled in all directions, throwing away their armor. Their defeat was complete, and again an immense amount of plunder fell into the hands of the victors. LF 52.5

So for the second time a great army of warlike men, trained for battle, fled without a blow before the defenders of a small and feeble nation. The invaders were struck with a supernatural terror. The same God who scattered the armies of Midian before Gideon and his three hundred had again stretched out His hand (see Judges 7:19-25; Psalm 53:5). LF 52.6