The letters of John Hus/Letter 60, To his Friends staying on in Constance
LX. To his Friends staying on in Constance
(Without date: after June 8, 1415)
I still urge you for God’s sake not to let any one get a look at my letters, nor let them be made public, because I am afraid of the risk to individuals. Be careful both in word and in action. Veit, if he is to remain here, ought to be very careful.[1] I have, further, rejoiced greatly at the news that my gracious lord hath arrived.[2] Our Saviour restored Lazarus to life after he had lain four days in the grave. He preserved Jonah for three days in the fish, and sent him forth again to his preaching. He rescued Daniel from the lions’ den to write his prophecies. He saved the three children from the flames in the fiery furnace. He delivered Susannah when already sentenced and going forth to death.[3] Would He not therefore be able likewise to liberate me, poor John Hus, from prison and from death if it should be for His glory, the welfare of the faithful, and my greater good? His power is not shortened, Who by the angel released Peter from prison, when the chains fell off from his hands on the eve of his being brought forth to death in Jerusalem. His will ever be done! I pray that it may be fulfilled in me for His glory and for my sins.
One of the doctors said to me that, whatever I did, I should submit to the Council, though my whole case was good and in order, and added, “If the Council told you, ‘You have only one eye,’ although you have two, you ought to agree with the Council that it is so.” To which I replied, “If the whole world told me so, as long as I have the use of my reason, I could not say so without resisting my conscience.” But after some further talk he withdrew his remark, and said, “You are right; I did not give you a very good illustration.”
The Lord is with me as a mighty warrior. “The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?” At these times I often sing to Him the response, Lord, I suffer violence; answer Thou for me.[4] I know not what I shall say to my enemies. The Lord be with you.