Page 18 - 05 John Wycliffe

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 molding 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. (Augustus Neander, General

History of the Christian Religion and Church,

period 6, sec. 2, pt. 1, par. 8. See also

Appendix.) 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;