Page 19 - 05 John Wycliffe

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.

But the arrival of the papal bulls laid upon all

England a peremptory command for the

arrest and imprisonment of the heretic.

These measures pointed directly to the stake.

It appeared certain that Wycliffe must soon

fall a prey to the vengeance of Rome. But He

who declared 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