THE

SYNODAL AGE, OR FIFTEENTH

CENTURY.

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE COUNCIL OF CONSTANCE, A. D. 1414.

THE rivalship, which existed for the papal throne, between three Popes, first suggested to the Emperor Sigismund, the King of France, and other Monarchs, the necessity of assembling a General Council; since by it alone, could schism be healed, and reformation in the Church, at this time so much wanted, be successfully attempted. They perceived, that its peace was destroyed, and that the contending Pontiffs preferred the gratification of their own ambition to every thing else. JOHN XXIII., the Successor of Alexander V., joined in the views of the Potentates, under an impression, that they would support his cause, and accordingly, appointed a Council to meet at CONSTANCE, Nov. 1, 1414; with a special promise, that he would submit to its judgment, whether his rivals did so, or not.

After the Members of the Council had deliberated; some acknowledged the legality of the Council of PISA; while the greater number disowned it, decreeing at the same time, that * John XXIII., as well as GREGORY XII., and Benedict XIII., should entirely renounce his claims to the Pontificate. Thus was John mortified by disappointment at the moment he expected a triumph; but what inflicted a still deeper wound on his feelings, was the resolution with which they vindicated the privileges of the Council. Conscious of their strength, they declared that the representatives of the Church in General Council assembled, was superior to the Sovereign Pontiff; not only when schism prevailed, but at all other times whatever. This was one of their earliest Acts.

Although John was disheartened by this rigorous sentence, he yet prepared to appear before the Council, and there to maintain, that he could not be deposed except on the score of heresy. The dissuasion of his friends, however, altered his determination; at their instance too,

* Cum vero id schisma adeò non extingueret, ut adaugeret potius, et Triumviratus Pontificius Ecclesiæ intolerabilis videretur, Concilium Constantiense anno 1414, curante Sigismundo Imp. coactum est; cujus authoritate, cum quisnam e tribus, verus esset Pontifex, dignosci non posset, singulis fasces abrogati sunt, &c. WHARTON'S Appendix to Cave's Historia Literaria, p. 75.

he was induced to resign the papal dignity, on condition, that his competitors would do the same. A renunciation to this effect, was accordingly drawn up by the Council, publicly read, and subscribed in due form by himself. Notwithstanding this solemn act, by which he bound himself to God, and to the Council, that he would voluntarily give peace to the Church, by his abdication of the Pontificate, and not leave Constance before the Council had concluded its sittings; did he forswear himself, and violate his promise.

John's flight from Constance in disguise caused some consternation; his friends in the Council maintaining, that its functions ceased on the retreat of the Pope; while the majority contended for the superiority of the Council over every person, not even excepting the Pope, in matters relating to faith, the extirpation of schism, and the general reformation of the Church. Negociations ensued between the Council and John, from which it appeared, that his only object was to gain time, and that if nothing favourable to his views occurred, he might engender strife amongst its members, and cause its dissolution. The Council, however, no way disconcerted, although worn out by his excuses, delays, and equivocations, issued citation after citation for John's appearance before them, and at last reduced him to a perfect submission to

its authority, and to an acknowledgment, that it could not err; and that he had no right whatever to the pontifical dignity! GREGORY XII. withdrew his claims to the papal chair; while BENEDICT XIII. was deposed by a solemn decree of the Council. After the extinction of this papal Triumvirate, Martin V. became the object of their choice; against whose election, however, Benedict protested to the latest hour of his life. After the death of Benedict a new competitor was set up for the Pontificate by two of the Cardinals; under the title of Clement VIII. But he was afterwards prevailed on to resign, and to leave Martin in undisturbed possession. With his resignation, the disgrace and degradation of the Church may be said to have terminated. This condensed narrative is spread through * DUPIN and † L'ENFANT ; and will appear interesting to such as wish to trace papal, and conciliar fallibility, during half a century, through the furious conflicts of Rome and Avignon.

JOHN HUSS.

Concurrent with the proceedings of the Council of Constance against John XXIII., were the initiatory steps taken against the unfortunate

* VOL. iii. pp. 9, 10, et seq.

+ History of the Council of Constance, 4to. vol. 1. pp. 2, 3,

et seq.

Bohemian, whose name heads this article. A fouler blot does not stain the page of History than the treatment, which he received at the hands of the Constantian Fathers. For their base, hypocritical, and treacherous conduct, no palliation can be offered; no excuse alleged. It forms a standing memorial of popish intolerance, which sophistry cannot obliterate, nor casuistry efface. His, to be sure, was the crime to object to Half-Communion, by which the Cup was sacrilegiously withheld from the laity; his too was the heinous crime, to say that innocence of life was more important than outward observances: but above all, his was the unpardonable crime to think for himself! That he entertained some erroneous, and superstitious notions is quite natural to suppose, from the habits of the age in which he lived; but what genuine son of the Church of England, is there existing, who would not participate in criminality such as his; who would not respect his name and reverence his memory? To him belongs the glory of pursuing the path, which was traced out, and illumined by the MORNING STAR of the Reformation, and of transmitting a bright pattern for imitation to those, who afterwards perished in the achievement of that ever blessed work.

The melancholy fate of JOHN Huss, who was burned in violation of the safe-conduct granted