A Compendium of English Literarure

Excerpt from A Compendium of English Literature, Chronologically Arranged, From Sir John Mandeville to William Cowper: Consisting of Biographical Sketches of the Authors, Selections From Their Works, With NotesJohn wiclif, the Blaming Star of the Reformation, that Englishman, (to use the words of Milton, ) honored of God to be the first Preacher of a general Reformation to all Europe, was born in the little village of Wiclif, near Richmond, in the northern part of Yorkshire, about the year 1324. Where he received the rudiments of his education is not known, but at a suitable age he entered the University of Oxford, where he soon dis tinguished himself, not only in the scholastic philosophy of the times, in which he surpassed all his cotemporaries, but also in the study and interpre tation of the Sacred Scriptures; so that he acquired the title of Evangelical or Gospel Doctor. In 1361 he was promoted to the headship of Canterbury Hall, and soon after, from witnessing the ecclesiastical corruptions which so extensively prevailed, he began to attack, without discrimination, both in his sermons and other pieces, not only the whole body of Monks, but also the encroachments and tyranny of the church of Rome.