Protestantism in Poland and Bohemia - James Aitken Wylie

century, there were about 200 of their
congregations in existence when the Reformation
broke. Imperfect as was their knowledge of Divine
truth, their presence on the soil of Bohemia helped
powerfully toward the reception of the doctrines of
Luther in that country. Many hailed his appearance
as sent to resume the work of their martyred
countryman, and recognised in his preaching the
"song" for which Huss had bidden them wait. As
early as the year 1519, Matthias, a hermit, arriving
at Prague, preached to great crowds, which
assembled round him in the streets and marketplace,
though he mingled with the doctrines of the
Reformation. certain opinions of his own. The
Calixtines, who were now Romanists in all save the
Eucharistic rite, which they received in both kinds,
said, "It were better to have our pastors ordained at
Wittemberg than at Rome." Many Bohemian
youths were setting out to sit at Luther's feet, and
those who were debarred the journey, and could
not benefit by the living voice of the great doctor,
eagerly possessed themselves, most commonly by
way of Nuremberg, of his tracts and books; and
those accounted themselves happiest of all who
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