When the idea for this book was first suggested to us by some Christian friends in Pennsylvania, the question we had to ask ourselves was "why publish a book about John Huss?" The answer became eminently clear upon reviewing the life and martyrdom of this heroic servant of God, and the history of his inspired contribution to the Christian church and the advent of the Reformation.
John Huss and other great men of God such as his brave friend Jerome of Prague, served as the bridge between John Wycliffe, the Morningstar of the Reformation and Martin Luther (whose appearance on the scene Huss was said to have foretold about 100 years earlier). By spreading the works of John Wycliffe in his native Bohemia, and by the power of his character and intellect, as directed by the Holy Spirit, John Huss took the torch of the Reformation from England to Europe and preserved it by the testimony and witness of his own blood.
There is no doubt in our mind that John Huss stands tall among those great men, used by God in establishing a new dawn as the light of the gospel dispelled the oppression of the "Dark Ages."
"The Trial and Burning of John Huss" is a reprint of a lengthy letter written as an eye-witness account by one Fra Poggius who was a participating member of the Council of Constance. This letter has been printed several times in the German language, and was translated into English in 1930.
We have also included an additional section on John Huss, reprinted from a book entitled "The Lives of the Principal Reformers, 1360-1600" by Richard Rolt, dated 1759, for the purpose of added historical perspective and clarification.
As well we have appended a section on Huss' loyal friend Jerome (or Jerom) of Prague also from "The Lives of thePrincipal Reformers. " Jerome went to Constance and appealed to the Council on behalf of his dear friend John Huss, and was likewise apprehended and put to the martyr's death as a heretic.
In both sections of this book we have endeavored to maintain the original literary style, even though in some respects it may be archaic. We have also chosen to adhere to the spelling of names found in the originals, i.e., Hus and Huss, or Jerome and Jerom. One item we did change in the sections from "The Lives of the Principal Reformers" was the old English usage of ff s for ss. (See the accompanying photograph of the original book by Rolt.)
The illustrations on the cover are from a very rare copy of a book entitled "Concilium zu Constencz", dated 1483, and are used courtesy of the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto. These hand painted pictures show (from top left): A) Pope John XXIII; B) The pope and Sigismund, the Holy Roman Emperor; C) Duke Frederick before Sigismund; D) The degradation of Huss and Huss being led to the stake; E) The burning of John Huss and disposing of his ashes; and F) Jerome being led to his death.
While we do not agree entirely with Huss' theological beliefs and teachings, it is important to remember that he did not have the benefit of nearly 500 years of Protestant heritage to draw on. Still, he was a man of exemplary faith and character, a student of the Word and a humble servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is our prayer that this book may be a blessing to each reader, and that in reading of these men who sealed their testimony with their own blood, we may be inspired to reach greater heights in our Christian lives.
Yours in Christ,
The Publisher
February, 1991