Page:The Net of Faith.pdf/177

73 of Pelhr̄imov. In reading those pages of the   which deal with the Council of Basel we cannot be but impressed by Chelc̄icky̍'s deep shock and holy wrath at the double ethic of men who were supposed to represent western Christendom. And we realize more clearly the urgent necessity of Reformation. With all the faults that Chelcicky saw in Hussitism it still, was a clean current in the midst of the stagnant waters of medieval Christianity. Its representatives alone insisted on the removal of the several hundred prostitutes from Basel during the council session. And it was Giles Charlier who took upon himself the task of defending the presence of prostitution in Basel. In its defense he used scriptural references as well as such authorities as St. Jerome and St. Augustine.

The learned men of Basel and the Church doctors may know a great deal, said, Chelc̄icky̍, but they know nothing about a Christian life "lived in perfection and in accordance with the law of God." Chap.LXVIII, p.214*,n.1.

Chaps.LXVIII & LXXVII.

Chap.LXXVII, p.230*f.

Chap.LXXVII, p.231*.

Chap LXXVIII, p.233*f.