arts by much better preachers than
myself."(139)

For the last time, Huss was brought before the council. It was a vast and
brilliant assembly,--the emperor, the princes of the empire, the royal
deputies, the cardinals, bishops, and priests, and an immense crowd who
had come as spectators of the events of the day. From all parts of
Christendom had been gathered the witnesses of this first great sacrifice
in the long struggle by which liberty of conscience was to be secured.

Being called upon for his final decision, Huss declared his refusal to
abjure, and fixing his penetrating glance upon the monarch whose plighted
word had been so shamelessly violated, he declared, "I determined, of my
own free will, to appear before this council, under the public protection
and faith of the emperor here present."(140) A deep flush crimsoned the
face of Sigismund as the eyes of all in the assembly turned upon him.

Sentence having been pronounced, the ceremony of degradation began. The
bishops clothed their prisoner in the sacerdotal habit, and as he took the
priestly robe, he said, "Our Lord Jesus Christ was covered with a white
robe, by way of insult, when Herod had Him conducted before Pilate."(141)
Being again exhorted to retract, he replied, turning toward the people:
"With what face, then, should I behold the heavens? How should I look on
those multitudes of men to whom I have preached the pure gospel? No; I
esteem their salvation more than this poor body, now appointed unto
death." The vestments were removed one by one, each bishop pronouncing a
curse as he performed his part of the ceremony. Finally "they put on his
head a cap or pyramidal-shaped mitre of paper, on which were painted
frightful figures of demons, with the word 'Arch-Heretic' conspicuous in
front. 'Most joyfully,' said Huss, 'will I wear this crown of shame for
Thy sake, O Jesus, who for me didst wear a crown of thorns.' "

When he was thus arrayed, "the prelates said, 'Now we devote thy soul to
the devil.' 'And I,' said John Huss, lifting up his eyes toward heaven,
'do commit my spirit into Thy hands, O Lord Jesus, for Thou hast redeemed
me.' "(142)

He was now delivered up to the secular authorities, and led away to the
place of execution. An immense procession followed, hundreds of men at
arms, priests and bishops in their costly robes, and the inhabitants of
Constance. When he had been fastened to the stake, and all was ready for
the fire to be lighted,