There are many stories about the Lollards and Wycliffites, ranging from court records to tales of martyrdom. While some may be of questionable authenticity (or perhaps more extravagant than the actual event), many are true accounts of men and women who risked everything to spread a Gospel which relied upon the Bible, rather than tradition. Here is one such story:
William White, a priest, appears to have been a learned and upright character; he was a follower of Wycliffe, and resigning his priesthood and benefice, he married a godly young woman; but did not cease from his former office and duty, for he continually laboured in reading, teaching, and writing. The principal points he taught were, "That men should seek forgiveness of their sins from God only; and that the pope was an enemy to Christ's truth; and that men ought not to worship images." After several examinations, he was condemned, and burned at Norwich, in September 1424.
He is related to have been a man of such a devout and holy life, that the people greatly reverenced him, and desired his prayers, notwithstanding he was condemned to suffer as a heretic. One Margaret White [a relative?] said, that if any saints were to be prayed to, she would rather pray to him than any other. When he came to the stake, he was about to exhort the people to stand fast in the truth; but one of the bishop's servants silenced him by a blow upon the mouth. His wife followed her husband's footsteps, and confirmed many in the truth; for which she suffered much trouble.
Text from The Lollards, by George Stokes, 1838, page 30.
John De Wycliffe retains several titles, including Doctor Evangelicus [the Evangelical Doctor] from the period of his preaching, to the popular and famous Morningstar of the Reformation. But a casual internet search reveals that there seems to be no universally accepted spelling of John Wycliffe's name. The first part, John, is fairly easy and comes from the Latin name Iohannes, but there are actually upwards of twenty different ways of spelling his last name! These include but are not limited to: Wicklif, Wickliffe, Wiclefii, Wiclef, Wiclif, Wiclife, Wicliff, Wicliffe, Wyclef, Wycleff, Wyclif, Wycliffe, Wyclyf, and Wyclyffe.
What do records indicate on the subject matter? According to historian Philip Schaff, the form 'Wyclif' is found in a diocesan register of 1361 (from the reformer's tenure as warden of Balliol College), while an official state document from 26 July 1374 presents the name as 'Wiclif'. Over the last century, scholars have primarily used either 'Wyclif' or 'Wycliffe' - the latter of which continues to be my personal preference. How will future historians spell your name?
"And I shall give to you shepherds after mine heart, and they shall feed you with knowing and teaching." - Jeremiah 3:15 (WYC LV)
Doctor Wycliffe wrote numerous pages on the topic of priests & preachers, and the importance of leading a Godly life. After all, the souls under the care of the town parish depended on them! Preaching was to be the "highest service", since it is what Christ Himself spent the majority of His ministry years doing. In fact, in book one of Opus Evangelicum Wycliffe writes, "Evangelizatio verbi est preciosior quam ministratio alicujus ecclesiastici sacramenti - The preaching of the Word is a more precious occupation than the ministration of the sacraments."
Ultimately, a preacher must illustrate all of the above in his own life, living above reproach:
"A
priest should live holily, in prayer, in desires and thought, in godly
conversation and honest teaching, have God's commandments and His Gospel
ever on his lips. And let his deeds be so righteous that no man may be
able with cause to find fault with them, and so open his acts that he
may be a true book to all sinful and wicked men to serve God. For the
example of a good life stirreth men more than true preaching with only
the naked word."
A good pastor/preacher/priest to his flock should be...
- a whole-hearted follower of Christ
- a good and virtuous man
- a man of prayer
- a preacher of the Gospel with clarity
He should not...
- be a gambler
- be a drinker
- be a huntsman
- be a chessplayer (arguable!)
He has a three-fold duty:
1. Feed his sheep spiritually with the Word of God, introducing them to heaven like sheep being introduced to a rich pasture of perpetual greenery.
2. Purge his flock of spiritually diseased individuals who actively seek to lead others astray.
3. Defend his flock against spiritual wolves, and the fiery darts of the wicked one.
Much of what is said applies today not just to pastors, but all Christians. What better way to connect with everyone from Sunday School youth to unsaved coworkers than to lead a Godly life that reflect your faith!
Sources:
- G.R. Evans, John Wyclif: Myth & Reality, 39.
- Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, vol. 6, 239.
- John Wycliffe and F.D. Matthews, The English Works of Wyclif.
Further reading and exposition:
- Wycliffe's "The Pastoral Office" and "On Degrees of the Clergy".
