Martyrdom

One of the key forerunners of the Reformation was Bohemian John Hus. He devoted himself to Scripture and taught that Christ, not the Pope, is Head of the Church.

In 1414, Hus was called before the Council of Constance to defend his beliefs. He was convicted of heresy and sentenced to be burnt at the stake unless he recanted.

But Hus stood firm. On the day of his martyrdom he said: "God is my witness that the evidence against me is false.… In the truth of the gospel I have written, taught, and preached, today I will gladly die." As the crackling flames consumed him, he joyfully sang a hymn.