Page:A history of the Inquisition of the Middle Ages, volume 2.djvu/525

 PROGRESSIVE ANTAGONISM. 5O9 been equalled by his charity and humility; he was in aU things a man of surpassing sanctity, who sought to restore the Church to Its primitive virtue and simplicity. Jerome, also, whom the uni- kTdl[/'T' ^ ^^^' '"PP^^"'^ ^^"^"^y ^^^°»**^d, was similarly lauded for his learning and strict Catholic orthodoxy, and was de- itthtth  •f"" *"'""P'^^'' ^^""«"^1^ °^«r his enemies. In this the university represented with moderation the prevailing opinion m Bohemia. The more earnest disciples did not hesi at! o declare that the Passion of Christ was the'onlv martyrdom fi to be compared with that of Huss.* " -^ "^ "i' There was evidently no middle term which could reconcile rbfesofLT"" ^*^,/™ly -tertained; and, as the Catholic nobles of Bohemia could not be stimulated to undertake a devas- tating civil war, the council naturally turned to Sigismund In December 1416, a doleful epistle was addressed to hL complain .ng that the execution of Huss and Jerome, in place o^'rep^STg heresy, had rendered it more violent than ever As though mef condemned to Satan by the Church were the chosen of God "he two heretics were venerated as saints and martyrs, their pictures faithful clergy were driven out, and their lot rendered more mis- erable than that of Jews. The barons and nobles refuse obedie^e o the mandates of the council, and will not allow them to bepr salvation and is everywhere practised. Sigismund is therefore requested to do his duty, and reduce by force%hese rebeUious her efcs. Sigismund replied that he had forwarded the document to Wenceslas, and that if the latter had not power to suZ s the heretics he would assist him with all his force. Sigismunc was in no position to undertake the task, but after waiting for n b e months he saw an opportunity of attacking his brotheif who h^d been utterly powerless to control the storm. In a circular letter of September 3, 1417, addressed to the faithful in Bohemia, he drew a moving picture of the excesses committed on the Bohemian <3lergy, compelled by Neronian tortures to abjure their faith Ss PP *6fl'"uV!"'T"; ^^-^ ^"^ *I"»""^"*- r- ^9-80, 82).-Palacky Documenta