John Wycliffe
71
marks by the year, of the king’s money, for sacraments and spiritual
things, that is cursed heresy of simony, and maketh all Christendom
assert and maintain his heresy. And certes though our realm had a
huge hill of gold, and never other man took thereof but only this proud,
worldly priest’s collector, by process of time this hill must be spended;
for he taketh ever money out of our land, and sendeth naught again but
God’s curse for his simony.”
Soon after his return to England, Wycliffe received from the king
the appointment to the rectory of Lutterworth. This was an assurance
that the monarch at least had not been displeased by his plain speaking.
Wycliffe’s influence was felt in shaping the action of the court, as well
as in moulding the belief of the nation.
The papal thunders were soon hurled against him. Three bulls
were dispatched to England,—to the university, to the king, and to
the prelates,—all commanding immediate and decisive measures to
silence the teacher of heresy. Before the arrival of the bulls, however,
the bishops, in their zeal, had summoned Wycliffe before them for trial.
But two of the most powerful princes in the kingdom accompanied him
to the tribunal; and the people, surrounding the building and rushing
in, so intimidated the judges that the proceedings were for the time
suspended, and he was allowed to go his way in peace. A little later,
Edward III., whom in his old age the prelates were seeking to influence
against the reformer, died, and Wycliffe’s former protector became
regent of the kingdom.
[86]
But the arrival of the papal bulls laid upon all England a peremptory
command for the arrest and imprisonment of the heretic. These mea-
sures pointed directly to the stake. It appeared certain that Wycliffe
must soon fall a prey to the vengeance of Rome. But He who de-
clared to one of old, “Fear not; I am thy shield,” [
Genesis 15:1
.] again
stretched out his hand to protect his servant. Death came, not to the
reformer, but to the pontiff who had decreed his destruction. Gregory
XI. died, and the ecclesiastics who had assembled for Wycliffe’s trial,
dispersed.
God’s providence still further overruled events to give opportunity
for the growth of the Reformation. The death of Gregory was followed
by the election of two rival popes. Two conflicting powers, each
professedly infallible, now claimed obedience. Each called upon
the faithful to assist him in making war upon the other, enforcing his