Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Colossians 4:17-18
In these last days the thoughts of Hus turned once more to his old friend and comrade in past struggles, Christian Prachaticz. Christian unfortunately had somewhat fallen away. We feel the shadow of this fall cast over this last brief letter of Hus to one who had been at one period his closest correspondent.
Letter LXXII To Master Christian (dated to 22 June 1415)
“Master Christian, my master and particular benefactor, take your stand on Christ’s truth and cling to the faithful. Do not be afraid; for the Lord will shortly grant you a defense and increase the number of Christ’s faithful ones. Be kind to the poor, as you have ever been. You have, I hope, kept your chastity and fled avarice; continue to flee it, and for your own sake to not be a pluralist. Ever hold fast to the Church that the faithful may flock to you as to a kind father. Greet affectionately Master Jakoubec and all the friends of the truth. Written in chains in expectation of being burnt.”
John Hus (1369-1415) in The Letters of John Hus, with introductions and explanatory notes by Herbert B. Workman and R. Martin Pope (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1904) 249-250.
I am enjoying reading about saints related to Prague and Czech Republic (the land formerly known as Bohemia) where I head on Monday. If you don’t know his, it’s worth reading a summary here, John Hus: Faithful unto Death.
The Archbishop of Prague pressured him to stop preaching, Hus persisted. He valued biblical teaching above all use. Despite imprisonment and an offer of freedom, he said, “I would not, for a chapel full of gold, recede from the truth.”
He not only remained committed to Christ to the end, he wanted others like Christian to fear not, to care for the poor and flee avarice, and to hold fast to the Church and to truth. His words seem to echo Paul to Archippus. Take your stand and finish well.