his sarcasm was stinging. Often, even in his sad and perilous situation, he forced the council to laughter as he exposed the absurdity of the charges against him, or met them with ridicule aud sarcasm. "When asked what he thought of the sacrament, he replied, 'First, bread in the consecration, and afterward the true body.' 'But,' said one, 'they say that you said, after consecration there remains bread.' 'Yes,' replied he, 'at the baker's.' A Franciscan monk inveighed against him: 'Silence, you hypocrite,' said Jerome. Another swore by his conscience. It is the safest way,' said Jerome, 'to carry out your deception.' One of his chief opponents he treated with derisive contempt. He spoke of him never except as 'dog' and 'ass."" Such was Jerome's defence on his second day of audience (May 23). Poggio characterizes it as able and pathetic. As he appeared at the next audience, (May 26,) the remaining accusations, with the testimony, were read, at somewhat tedious length. When the reading was ended, Jerome arose. "Since," said he, "you have listened so attentively to my enemies, it is befitting that you should give ear to me with equal readiness." Many clamored against it, but the opportunity at last was given him to proceed.1 Commencing with prayer to God for that spirit and that power of utterance which should tend to the advantage and salvation of his soul, he addressed the council in the language which we have already noted. His exposition of his own life and pursuits, It showed him great 2 says Poggio, was admirable. 1 1 Mon. Hus., ii. 359. 2 Pages 221-228. CH. VII.] JEROME ON SPECULATIVE DIFFERENCES. 235 and virtuous. The hearts of all were moved to pity. As he discussed the differences of men in matters of speculative opinion, he manifested a largeness of mind and apprehension which was worthy to be admired. "Of old, learned and holy men in matters of faith had differed in opinion, yet not to the prejudice of faith itself, but to the discovery of truth. Augustine and Jerome disagreed, nay opposed each other on some points, yet neither was on this account suspected of heresy." 1 Poggio pronounces Jerome to have been a man of most remarkable ability. "When interrupted, as he often was in his speech, by clamors, or persons carping at his language in a manner most provoking, he left not one of them unscathed. All felt his vengeance, and were put either to shame or silence. If murmurs arose, he paused and protested against the disturbance. He would then resume his speech, again and again interrupted, yet begging and beseeching them still to allow him liberty of speech, whom they would never hear again. All the confusion did not break him down. He retained throughout his firmness and self-possession. How wonderful was his memory, that never failed him, though for three hundred and forty days thrust in the dungeon of a dark and filthy prison! Yet of this grievance, which he indignantly complained, he said 'that as a brave man it did not become him to moan about it that he was treated with such indignity, but he was surprised at the inhumanity which others had shown him. In this dark prison he had no chance to read, 1 Maximi ingenii fuit, Mon. Hus., ii. 359. nor could he even see to do it.' I say nothing of his anxiety of mind by which he was harassed day after day, and which might well have destroyed his memory. Yet he adduced in his favor the authority of so many men of the highest wisdom and learning, so many doctors of the church whose words testified in his behalf, that you could not have expected more if the whole space of his imprisonment had been devoted in undisturbed leisure to the studies of wisdom. His voice was sweet, full, sonorous, impressive in its tones. His gesture was that of the orator, adapted, as occasion required, either to express indignation or to excite pity, which nevertheless he neither asked for, nor showed an anxiety to obtain. He stood before the assembly, so fearless and intrepid, not only scorning to live, but welcoming death, that you would have called him a second Cato. O man! worthy art thou to be forever remembered among men! I do not praise him in any respect in which he was opposed to the institutions of the church. I admire his learning, his extensive knowledge, his eloquence, and his skill in argument. I only fear that all nature's gifts have been bestowed to work his ruin." CHAPTER VIII. SENTENCE AND EXECUTION OF JEROME. DISPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL TOWARD Jerome. EFFORTS TO SAVE HIM. HIS HIS PROTRACTED Sufferings. — HIS DEATH. THE DUST REMOVED. THE EARTH MAY 26, 1416-MAY 30, 1416. JEROME was borne back from the council to his dungeon, there to await his final sentence. The severity of his imprisonment, which had been somewhat relaxed, was now increased. He was more strictly fettered than before. His hands, his arms, and his feet were loaded with irons. The members of the council were variously disposed toward him. Some were gratified, undoubt edly, that a stop was now to be put to his bold and agitating career. Others exulted over him as a fallen foe, and triumphed in his doom as the victim of their personal malice. Nearly all despaired of rescuing him. Those who had listened to his speech, and heard its candid and manly avowals, said to each other, "He has pronounced his sentence." Still there were many that could not thus abandon him. Numerous members of the council, embracing the most learned of the body, interested themselves in his behalf.1 Poggio is said to have employed his influence to the same purpose. The Cardinal of Florence conversed with him, and endeavored to dissuade him from the resolution he had adopted. But all was in vain. Jerome saw no honorable way of escape from the fate to which he was doomed through his refusal to abjure. He was now at last resolved, living or dying, to remain true to his convictions. He scorned any more to dissemble, as he had done, and betrayed no longer any sign of weakness or hesitation. Death by fire was not so terrible as the disgrace and guilt of a feigned recantation, the only one which it was possible for him to make. If, in the earlier period of his imprisonment, Jerome showed himself tremulous and timid, as compared with Huss, these closing hours of his trial display his character in a nobler light. His prison ex perience was aggravated by some hardships from which Huss was spared. The latter had his friends, warm and true, who refused to desert him, and remained faithful to the end. In the enthusiasm of his gratitude, he writes of the generous countenance and sympathy afforded him by the Knight John de Poggio says that after his audience, (May 26th,) "Datum deine spacium pænitendi bidno. Multi ad illum accessere viri eruditissimi, ut ip sum a sua sententia dimoverent, inter quos Cardinalis Florentinus eum adiit, ut flecteret ad viam rectam."-Mon. Hus. ii. 360. |