THE

LIFE AND OPINIONS

OF

JOHN DE WYCLIFFE, D. D.

ILLUSTRATED PRINCIPALLY FROM HIS

Unpublished Manuscripts;

WITH

A PRELIMINARY VIEW OF THE PAPAL SYSTEM, AND OF THE STATE OF
THE PROTESTANT DOCTRINE IN EUROPE,

TO THE

COMMENCEMENT OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY.

BY

ROBERT VAUGHAN.

VOL. II.

SECOND EDITION,

MUCH IMPROVED.

"Quod si deficiant vires, audacia certè

Laus erit; in maguis et voluisse sat est."

PROPERTIUS.

LONDON:

HOLDSWORTH AND BALL,

18, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD.

MDCCC XXXI.

R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD-STREET-HILL,

CONTENTS.

THE LIFE OF WYCLIFFE.

CHAPTER I.

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PAGE

Origin and Effects of the Papal Schism.-Wycliffe's tract "On the
"Schism of the Popes," and other references to that event. — His
work "On the Truth and Meaning of Scripture."-His sickness at
Oxford, and recovery.—Importance attached by him to Preaching
-his laborious attention to it-reasons of his particular reverence
for that exercise.-Methods of Preaching.-Character of Wycliffe's
Manuscript Discourses.-Extracts, illustrating his manner of Exposing
the Errors and Disorders of the Ecclesiastical System-of incul-
cating the Sufficiency of Scripture-the Right of Private Judgment—
the Doctrines peculiar to the Gospel-and the various obligations,
and the means conducing, to Religious Devotedness

1

CHAPTER II.

History of attempts toward a Translation of the Scriptures into the

Language of this Country before the age of Wycliffe-by the Anglo-

Saxon Clergy--by the Anglo-Norman. — Wycliffe's purpose, as

embracing a Translation of the whole Volume, and its General Circu-

lation, strictly a Novelty. This affirmed by Knighton. Some

circumstances favourable to this enterprise.-Extracts exhibiting the

Reformer's manner of defending this effort.-The insurrection of

the Commons

37

CHAPTER III.

Transubstantiation-opposed by Berengarius-and by the Vaudois and

Albigenses-not recognised by the Anglo-Saxon Church-defended

by Lanfranc, and espoused by the Anglo-Norman Clergy.-Wycliffe's

Opposition to it.-Severe Penalties to be inflicted on all who should

favour his Opinions concerning it. His Appeal to the Civil Power

for protection.-His feeling under these Persecutions.-Analysis of

his "Wicket.”—Proceedings of Courtney, and the Synod at the Grey

VOL. II.

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b

Friars. Wycliffe favoured by the University.-State of parties in

the nation unfriendly to the efforts of the Reformers.—Inquisitorial

Statute obtained by the Clergy.-Notice of Robert Rigge, Dr. Here-

ford, Reppington, Ashton, and others

CHAPTER IV.

Persecution.-Wycliffe's devotional allusion to the evils of his time.-

Summary of his Complaint addressed to the King and Parliament.—

Effect of that Appeal.-The Reformer is forsaken by Lancaster.-His

purposes unaltered by that event.-His vigorous perception of the

bearings of the Controversy respecting the Eucharist, and his confi-

dence of ultimate success.-He appears before the Convocation at

Oxford. Substance of his Confession.-Perplexity of his Judges.—

He retires to Lutterworth.-His Letter to the Pontiff.

CHAPTER V.

State of the Reformed Doctrine on the Continent during the age of

Wycliffe.-Causes of the protection frequently afforded to its Dis-

ciples by the Secular Power.-Probable motives of the Duke of

Lancaster in patronizing Wycliffe.-The Reformer is favoured by the

Duke of Gloucester-the Queen Mother-Anne of Bohemia.—Farther

notice of Wycliffe's more distinguished followers.-Geoffrey Chaucer.

Influence of Poetry on the Reformation of the Church.—Notice of St.

Amour-of the Roman De la Rose-and of Robert Longland

CHAPTER VI.

Number of Wycliffe's Disciples.-The Lollards consisted of two classes.

-Notice of John of Northampton. - Prospects of the Reformers

under Richard the Second.-Testimony of Knighton respecting the

Number and the Character of Wycliffe's followers.-Analysis of the

Plowman's Tale.-Theological opinions of the Disciples of Wycliffe.

Character of his "Poor Priests."-Analysis of the tract, "Why Poor

Priests have no Benefices."-Notice of William Thorp

CHAPTER VII.

Notice of Wycliffe's Writings subsequent to his exclusion from Oxford

-His Trialogus-on Obedience to Prelates-on the Deceits of Satan

and of his Priests-on the Duty of Lords of Servants and Lords-of

Good Preaching Priests-on the Four Deceits of Antichrist-on the

Prayers of Good Men-of Clerks Possessioners.-Rise of the Crusade

against the Avignon Pope, and its Failure.-Wycliffe renews his

contest with the Mendicants.-His Treatise on the Sentence of the

Curse Expounded.-On Prelates and other subjects.-His Senti-

ments on War. - Extracts from his Sermons.-His Sickness and

Death

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91

124

150

. 174

CHAPTER VIII.

The Opinions of Wycliffe,

Design of the Chapter. - The Doctrine of Wycliffe respecting the

Pope's Temporal Power.-The Secular Exemptions of the Clergy.—

The General Authority of the Magistrate.-The limits of that Autho-

rity. The Obligations of the Magistrate with respect to the Church.

-The Customs of Patronage.-Tithes and Ecclesiastical Endow.

ments.-The Principles of the Reformer's theory derived in part

from the existing system.-His Reverence for the Priestly Office.-

His judgment of the Contemporary Priesthood.-A Summary of his

Doctrine relative to the Civil Establishment of Christianity and

Clerical Revenue.-His Opinions relating to Simony.-The Spiritual

Power of the Pope.—The Hierarchy.—The Religious Orders.-The

Nature of a Christian Church. -The Power of the Keys.-Purgatory

and Masses for the Dead.—The Invocation of Saints.-The Worship

of Images.-Confession.-The Doctrine of Indulgences.-The Celi-

bacy of the Clergy.-The Sacraments.-Transubstantiation.-Public

Worship.-Sufficiency of the Scriptures, and the Right of Private

Judgment.-A Summary of his Theological Doctrine

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CHAPTER IX.

Observations on the Character of Wycliffe, and on the Connexion

of his Doctrine with the Reformation of the Sixteenth Century.

Wycliffe's claim to Originality.--His Learning, and Intellectual Cha-

racter. His Patriotism and love of Mankind.-His Piety.-Luther

and Wycliffe compared.-The bones of Wycliffe burnt.-State of the

Reformed Doctrine in England, from the decease of Wycliffe to

the age of Luther.-Accession of the House of Lancaster.-Character

of the Persecutions sanctioned by Henry the Fourth.-The Doctrine

of Wycliffe survives them.-The Martyrdom of Lord Cobham

Conclusion.

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