h the guilt of murder. His doctrines now
attracted greater attention than ever before. By the papal edicts the
writings of Wycliffe had been condemned to the flames. But those that had
escaped destruction were now brought out from their hiding-places, and
studied in connection with the Bible, or such parts of it as the people
could obtain, and many were thus led to accept the reformed faith.

The murderers of Huss did not stand quietly by and witness the triumph of
his cause. The pope and the emperor united to crush out the movement, and
the armies of Sigismund were hurled upon Bohemia.

But a deliverer was raised up. Ziska, who soon after the opening of the
war became totally blind, yet who was one of the ablest generals of his
age, was the leader of the Bohemians. Trusting in the help of God and the
righteousness of their cause, that people withstood the mightiest armies
that could be brought against them. Again and again the emperor, raising
fresh armies, invaded Bohemia, only to be ignominiously repulsed. The
Hussites were raised above the fear of death, and nothing could stand
against them. A few years after the opening of the war, the brave Ziska
died; but his place was filled by Procopius, who was an equally brave and
skilful general, and in some respects a more able leader.

The enemies of the Bohemians, knowing that the blind warrior was dead,
deemed the opportunity favorable for recovering all that they had lost.
The pope now proclaimed a crusade against the Hussites, and again an
immense force was precipitated upon Bohemia, but only to suffer terrible
defeat. Another crusade was proclaimed. In all the papal countries of
Europe, men, money, and munitions of war were raised. Multitudes flocked
to the papal standard, assured that at last an end would be made of the
Hussite heretics. Confident of victory, the vast force entered Bohemia.
The people rallied to repel them. The two armies approached each other,
until only a river lay between them. "The crusaders were in greatly
superior force, but instead of dashing across the stream, and closing in
battle with the Hussites whom they had come so far to meet, they stood
gazing in silence at those warriors."(153) Then suddenly a mysterious
terror fell upon the host. Without striking a blow, that mighty force
broke and scattered, as if dispelled by an unseen power. Great numbers
were slaughtered by the Hussite army, which pursued the fugitives, and an
immense booty fel