Chapter 62—Medieval Reformers
Wycliffe
Able Teacher and Preacher—He was an able and earnest teacher,
and an eloquent preacher, and his daily life was a demonstration of
the truths he preached. His knowledge of the Scriptures, the force of
his reasoning, the purity of his life, and his unbending courage and
integrity, won for him general esteem and confidence.—
The Great
Controversy, 81
.
Lack of Fear—Wycliffe appealed from the synod to Parliament;
he fearlessly arraigned the hierarchy before the national council, and
demanded a reform of the enormous abuses sanctioned by the church.
With convincing power he portrayed the usurpations and corruptions
of the papal see.—
The Great Controversy, 89
.
Fearlessness and Humility—He fearlessly maintained his teach-
ings, and repelled the accusations of his persecutors. Losing sight of
himself, of his position, of the occasion, he summoned his hearers
before the divine tribunal, and weighed their sophistries and deceptions
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in the balances of eternal truth.—
The Great Controversy, 90
.
Huss
Preacher of God’s Word—But it was in another field that Huss
began the work of reform. Several years after taking priest’s orders he
was appointed preacher of the chapel of Bethlehem. The founder of this
chapel had advocated, as a matter of great importance, the preaching
of the Scriptures in the language of the people. Notwithstanding
Rome’s opposition to this practice, it had not been wholly discontinued
in Bohemia. But there was great ignorance of the Bible, and the
worst vices prevailed among the people of all ranks. These evils Huss
unsparingly denounced, appealing to the Word of God to enforce
the principles of truth and purity which he inculcated.—
The Great
Controversy, 99
.
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