July 6th, 1369, in a humble cottage at Husinec, in South Bohemia;
earned coppers in his youth, like Luther, by chanting hymns; studied
at Prague University; and entered the ministry, not because he
wanted to do good, but because he wanted to enjoy a comfortable
living. He began, of course, as an orthodox Catholic. He was
Rector first of Prague University, and then of the Bethlehem Chapel,
which had been built by John of Milheim for services in the Bohemian
language. For some years he confined himself almost entirely, like
Milic and Stitny before him, to preaching of an almost purely moral
character. He attacked the sins and vices of all classes; he spoke
in the Bohemian language, and the Bethlehem Chapel was packed. He
began by attacking the vices of the idle rich. A noble lady
complained to the King. The King told the Archbishop of Prague that
he must warn Hus to be more cautious in his language.

"No, your Majesty," replied the Archbishop, "Hus is bound by his
ordination oath to speak the truth without respect of persons."

John Hus went on to attack the vices of the clergy. The Archbishop
now complained to the King. He admitted that the clergy were in need
of improvement, but he thought that Hus's language was rash, and
would do more harm than good. "Nay," said the King, "that will not
do. Hus is bound by his ordination oath to speak the truth without
respect of persons."

And Hus continued his attacks. His preaching had two results. It
fanned the people's desire for reform, and it taught them to despise
the clergy more than ever.

At the same time, when opportunity offered, John Hus made a practice