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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
for him the respect of all parties. His followers saw with satisfaction
that their teacher was foremost among the sages and doctors of his
time. The Lord saw fit to intrust the work of reform to one whose
intellectual ability would give character and dignity to his labors.
This silenced the voice of contempt, and prevented the adversaries
of truth from attempting to put discredit upon his cause by ridiculing
the ignorance of the advocate.
When Wycliffe had mastered the learning of the schools, he
entered upon the study of the Scriptures. Every subject to which he
turned his attention he was accustomed to investigate thoroughly, and
he pursued the same course with the Bible. Heretofore he had felt
a great want, which neither his scholastic studies nor the teachings
of the church could satisfy. In the Scriptures he found that which
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he had before sought in vain. Here he saw the plan of salvation
revealed, and Christ set forth as the only advocate for man. He saw
that Rome had forsaken the Biblical paths for human traditions. He
gave himself to the service of Christ, and determined to proclaim
the truths which he had discovered.
He commenced with great prudence, but as he discerned more
clearly the errors of the papacy, he taught more earnestly the doctrine
of faith. His knowledge of theology, his penetrating mind, the purity
of his life, and his unbending courage and integrity, won for him
general confidence and esteem. He was an able and earnest teacher,
and an eloquent preacher, and his daily life was a demonstration of
the truths he preached. He accused the clergy of having banished the
Holy Scriptures, and demanded that the authority of the Bible should
be reestablished in the church. Many of the people had become
dissatisfied with their former faith as they saw the iniquity that
prevailed in the Roman Church, and they hailed with unconcealed
joy the truths brought to view in these discussions; but the papist
leaders trembled with rage when they perceived that this reformer
was gaining an influence greater than their own.
Wycliffe was a clear thinker and a keen detector of error, and he
struck boldly against many of the abuses sanctioned by the authority
of Rome. Thus he brought upon himself the enmity of the pope
and his supporters. Repeated attempts were made to condemn and
execute him for heresy; but God had given him favor with princes,
who stood in his defense. While acting as chaplain for the king, he
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