HUS

87

a

is

a

^

a

is,

with which his works are treated at present by the national {i.e. Bohemian) public." John of Husinec, or John Hus as he is usually called, was, according to ancient tradition, born on 6th July 1369 ; neither day nor year of his birth are, however, absolutely certain. Many tales told of the early days of Hus are taken from the records of the Bohemian brethren, written many years after his death. From the year 1400 onward authentic accounts of the events of the life of the Bohemian reformer exist, and from the year 1409 to the time of his death we have a continuous and detailed record of his life. At a very early age Hus proceeded to Prague to pursue at the university there the studies required for the purWith his usual candour pose of entering the Church. and simplicity Hus himself tells us that he originally decided to adopt the ecclesiastical career rather for the purpose of gaining a living than through any special vocation. It however, certain that during his years of study he already led pious and studious life. He that before he was ordained " he has indeed confessed had been fond of playing chess, thus wasting time and " confession, causing irritation (to his partners). Such written while he was preparing for his fatal journey to Constance, proves indeed how little he had to confess, and touching instance both of his extremely sensitive conscience and of the profound humility so characteristic of Hus. In September 1393 Hus took the degree of bachelor of arts, in the following year that of bachelor in divinity,

I

'

Letter to the "disciple Martin, dated October loth, 1414, printed in Documenta Mag. foannis Hus Vitam Doctrinam, Causam Illustrantia. have based this summary account of the career of Hus mainly on this important collection of documents, published by Palack^ in 1869.