did offend, and therefore in those errors
they are not to be followed....

"The pope ought to leave unto the secular power all temporal dominion and
rule, and thereunto effectually to move and exhort his whole clergy; for
so did Christ, and especially by His apostles. Wherefore, if I have erred
in any of these points, I will most humbly submit myself unto correction,
even by death, if necessity so require; and if I could labor according to
my will or desire in mine own person, I would surely present myself before
the bishop of Rome; but the Lord hath otherwise visited me to the
contrary, and hath taught me rather to obey God than men."

In closing he said: "Let us pray unto our God, that He will so stir up our
pope Urban VI., as he began, that he with his clergy may follow the Lord
Jesus Christ in life and manners; and that they may teach the people
effectually, and that they, likewise, may faithfully follow them in the
same."(121)

Thus Wycliffe presented to the pope and his cardinals the meekness and
humility of Christ, exhibiting not only to themselves but to all
Christendom the contrast between them and the Master whose representatives
they professed to be.

Wycliffe fully expected that his life would be the price of his fidelity.
The king, the pope, and the bishops were united to accomplish his ruin,
and it seemed certain that a few months at most would bring him to the
stake. But his courage was unshaken. "Why do you talk of seeking the crown
of martyrdom afar?" he said. "Preach the gospel of Christ to haughty
prelates, and martyrdom will not fail you. What! I should live and be
silent?... Never! Let the blow fall, I await its coming."(122)

But God's providence still shielded His servant. The man who for a whole
lifetime had stood boldly in defense of the truth, in daily peril of his
life, was not to fall a victim to the hatred of its foes. Wycliffe had
never sought to shield himself, but the Lord had been his protector; and
now, when his enemies felt sure of their prey, God's hand removed him
beyond their reach. In his church at Lutterworth, as he was about to
dispense the communion, he fell, stricken with palsy, and in a short time
yielded up his life.

God had appointed to Wycliffe his work. He had put the word of truth in
his mouth, and He set a guard about him that this word might come to the
people. His life was protected, and his labors were prolonged, until a
foundation was laid for the great work o