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might come to the people。 His life was protected； and his labors were
prolonged； until a foundation was laid for the great work of the
Reformation。
Wycliffe came from the obscurity of the Dark Ages。 There were none who went
before him from whose work he could shape his system of reform。 Raised up
like John the Baptist to accomplish a special mission； he was the herald of
a new era。 Yet in the system of truth which he presented there was a unity
and completeness which Reformers who followed him did not exceed； and which
some did not reach； even a hundred years later。 So broad and deep was laid
the foundation； so firm and true was the framework； that it needed not to be
reconstructed by those who came after him。
The great movement that Wycliffe inaugurated； which was to liberate the
conscience and the intellect； and set free the nations so long bound to the
triumphal car of Rome； had its spring in the Bible。 Here was the source of
that stream of blessing； which； like the water of life； has flowed down the
ages since the fourteenth century。 Wycliffe accepted the Holy Scriptures
with implicit faith as the inspired revelation of God's will； a sufficient
rule of faith and practice。 He had been educated to regard the Church of
Rome as the divine； infallible authority； and to accept with unquestioning
reverence the established teachings and customs of a thousand years； but he
turned away from all these to listen to God's holy word。 This was the
authority which he urged the people to acknowledge。 Instead of the church
speaking through the pope； he declared the only true authority to be the
voice of God speaking through His word。 And he taught not only that the
Bible is a perfect revelation of God's will； but that the Holy Spirit is its
only interpreter； and that every man is； by the study of its teachings； to
learn his duty for himself。 Thus he turned the minds of men from the pope
and the Church of Rome to the word of God。
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Wycliffe was one of the greatest of the Reformers。 In breadth of intellect；
in clearness of thought； in firmness to maintain the truth； and in boldness
to defend it； he was equaled by few who came after him。 Purity of life；
unwearying diligence in study and in labor； incorruptible integrity； and
Christlike love and faithfulness in his ministry； characterized the first of
the Reformers。 And this notwithstanding the intellectual darkness and moral
corruption of the age from which he emerged。
The character of Wycliffe is a testimony to the educating； transforming
power of the Holy Scriptures。 It was the Bible that made him what he was。
The effort to grasp the great truths of revelation imparts freshness and
vigor to all the faculties。 It expands the mind； sharpens the perceptions；
and ripens the judgment。 The study of the Bible will ennoble every thought；
feeling； and aspiration as no other study can。 It gives stability of
purpose； patience； courage； and fortitude； it refines the character and
sanctifies the soul。 An earnest； reverent study of the Scriptures； bringing
the mind of the student in direct contact with the infinite mind； would give
to the world men of stronger and more active intellect； as well as of nobler
principle； than has ever resulted from the ablest training that human
philosophy affords。 〃The entrance of Thy words；〃 says the psalmist； 〃giveth
light； it giveth understanding。〃 Psalm 119：130。
The doctrines which had been taught by Wycliffe continued for a time to
spread； his followers； known as Wycliffites and Lollards； not only traversed
England； but scattered to other lands； carrying the knowledge of the gospel。
Now that their leader was removed； the preachers labored with even greater
zeal than before； and multitudes flocked to listen to their teachings。 Some
of the nobility； and even the wife of the king； were among the converts。 In
many places there was a marked reform in the manners of the people； and the
idolatrous symbols of Romanism were removed from the churches。 But soon the
pitiless storm of persecution burst upon those who had dared to accept the
Bible as their
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guide。 The English monarchs； eager to strengthen their power by securing the
support of Rome； did not hesitate to sacrifice the Reformers。 For the first
time in the history of England the stake was decreed against the disciples
of the gospel。 Martyrdom succeeded martyrdom。 The advocates of truth；
proscribed and tortured； could only pour their cries into the ear of the
Lord of Sabaoth。 Hunted as foes of the church and traitors to the realm；
they continued to preach in secret places； finding shelter as best they
could in the humble homes of the poor； and often hiding away even in dens
and caves。
Notwithstanding the rage of persecution； a calm； devout； earnest； patient
protest against the prevailing corruption of religious faith continued for
centuries to be uttered。 The Christians of that early time had only a
partial knowledge of the truth； but they had learned to love and obey God's
word； and they patiently suffered for its sake。 Like the disciples in
apostolic days； many sacrificed their worldly possessions for the cause of
Christ。 Those who were permitted to dwell in their homes gladly sheltered
their banished brethren； and when they too were driven forth they cheerfully
accepted the lot of the outcast。 Thousands； it is true； terrified by the
fury of their persecutors； purchased their freedom at the sacrifice of their
faith； and went out of their prisons； clothed in penitents' robes； to
publish their recantation。 But the number was not smalland among them were
men of noble birth as well as the humble and lowlywho bore fearless
testimony to the truth in dungeon cells； in 〃Lollard towers；〃 and in the
midst of torture and flame； rejoicing that they were counted worthy to know
〃the fellowship of His sufferings。〃
The papists had failed to work their will with Wycliffe during his life； and
their hatred could not be satisfied while his body rested quietly in the
grave。 By the decree of the Council of Constance； more than forty years
after his death his bones were exhumed and publicly burned； and the ashes
were thrown into a neighboring brook。 〃This brook；〃 says
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an old writer； 〃hath conveyed his ashes into Avon； Avon into Severn； Severn
into the narrow seas； they into the main ocean。 And thus the ashes of
Wycliffe are the emblem of his doctrine； which now is dispersed all the
world over。〃 T。 Fuller； Church History of Britain； b。 4； sec。 2； par。
54。 Little did his enemies realize the significance of their
malicious act。
It was through the writings of Wycliffe that John Huss； of Bohemia； was led
to renounce many of the errors of Romanism and to enter upon the work of
reform。 Thus in these two countries； so widely separated； the seed of truth
was sown。 From Bohemia the work extended to other lands。 The minds of men
were directed to the long…forgotten word of God。 A divine hand was preparing
the way for the Great Reformation。
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