Select English Works of John Wycliffe: Volume Two

Select English Works of John Wycliffe: Volume Two
Author: John Wycliffe
Publisher:
Total Pages: 164
Release: 2019-01-27
Genre:
ISBN: 9781795285445

Since the Introduction to the first volume was written, evidence, not hitherto noticed, has come to light, which identifies Wyclif as the author of this entire collection of Sermons beyond any reasonable doubt. This evidence consists of two distinct references made by Thomas Walden in his Doctrinale to passages, one of which will be found at p. 78, the other at p. 364, of the first volume of this work. Walden, a Carmelite friar, confessor to Henry V, and a man of great ability, died in the year 1430; his evidence, therefore, is very nearly contemporary. In ch. 86 of Book II. of the Doctrinale, he charges Wyclif with having multiplied his iniquity, 'concedens consequenter Spiritum Sanctum columbam, sicut septem spicae fuerant septem anni, et sacer panis est veraciter corpus Christi, immo et quodlibet esse, esse Deum.' The reader who will refer to Sermon XXX of vol. i. p. 78 will see that this is a plain description (though not quite a fair one, for the explanatory matter added by the preacher is omitted,) of Wyclif's commentary on the descent of the dove at the baptism of Christ. Again, in ch. 66 of Book III. of the Doctrinale, Walden says, after declaring that he could with difficulty be persuaded that the Wycliffites had derived their doctrine of clerical celibacy from their master--'Tarde igitur mihi venit ad manus, quod in vulgari dicat in sermone evangelii natalis festi beati Joannis Baptistae Witcleff. Hic possum, inquit, dubitare et tractare de statu et vitâ sacerdotum, qualiter sunt dotati et innupti contra auctoritatem divinam. Nam inhibuit Christus dotem, tam in se quam in apostolis, et approbavit nuptias apostolorum pluriumque aliorum.' This is an accurate translation of a passage which the reader will find at the top of p. 364 in the first volume. Two sections of the Sermons, published in this edition, those on the Sunday Gospels, and those on the Gospels for the Proprium Sanctorum, are thus identified with Wyclif on the authority of Thomas of Walden. But as the entire collection is found in the best and oldest MSS., and is internally connected together in various ways, the authenticity of the whole is raised to the highest degree of probability. The present volume contains the remaining two sections of the Sermons, those on the Ferial Gospels, and those on the Sunday Epistles. To these are subjoined two polemical tracts, the Vae Octuplex and the Of Mynystris in the Chirche, which accompany the Sermons in all the best MSS., and seem to have been regarded as intrinsically a part of the collection. The miscellaneous works, properly so called, are reserved for the third volume.

Select English Works of John Wycliffe: Volume One

Select English Works of John Wycliffe: Volume One
Author: John Wycliffe
Publisher:
Total Pages: 164
Release: 2019-01-07
Genre:
ISBN: 9781793318695

Dr. Shirley intended, as general Editor, to have prefixed to the works an elaborate Introduction, in which he would have endeavoured to fix the exact theological position of the writer in reference both to his own and to later times, besides probably settling, so far as the means at our disposal allow, the chronology and authenticity of the immense mass of writings ascribed to Wyclif,--a subject which Bale left in utter confusion, and which Lewis has done very little to elucidate. Such minor matters as the critical collation of MSS., the preparation of a text for the press based on such collation, the verification of references, and the illustration of the text by occasional notes, he desired to commit to the hands of an assistant or assistants; and it was thus that he asked me to take a share in the work. I gladly consented,--having indeed already formed the opinion independently, after reading the Fasciculi Zizaniorum and Dr. Shirley's admirable Introduction to that strange miscellany,--that the principal works of the reformer, particularly his English works, ought long ere this to have been given to the public. Before, however, any material step had been taken towards the execution of his plans, this good man and ripe scholar was cut off by death. A greater share of the responsibility of the edition has, in consequence, been thrown upon me than was originally intended, or than, to say the truth, I feel myself quite competent to meet. I have however spared no pains to give to the reader a faithful and readable copy of those of the original works, which it has been resolved to print, and for this purpose I have collated, in whole or in part, a number of other MSS., preserved in various libraries, with the excellent Bodleian Codex, upon which the text of the following Sermons is based. I have also entered in the following pages, and shall enter more at length in the Introduction to the third volume, on the critical questions relating to the authenticity of the various works ascribed to Wyclif, so far as the discussion is necessary in order to justify the selection of his writings which has been made.CrossReach Publications

The Life and Times of John Wycliffe

The Life and Times of John Wycliffe
Author: Religious Tract Society
Publisher: Puritan Publications
Total Pages: 151
Release: 2011-07-12
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1937466310

Wycliffe was known as the MORNING STAR of the Reformation; a star rising upon a new day. Wickliffe (or Wycliffe) was born in 1330 AD and died in 1384. He attended Oxford University, receiving his doctorate in 1372. Most of his life was spent teaching at Oxford, and studying God’s Word in Oxford’s extensive library. He was a brilliant scholar who mastered the late medieval scholastic tradition, and was recognized by John of Guant (The Duke of Lancaster) as one who was extraordinarily gifted in theology and preaching. Not only was he an able clergyman, but he was also involved in state affairs. Wickliffe performed diplomatic duties for the crown, and wrote extensively on supporting civil government. This is one of the few biographies that exist on the life of Wickliffe.