From the Christiam Spectator. THE RISE OF LOLLARDISM; AND THE g-5 MARTYRDOM OF SIR JOHN

 E
{"newspaper_name": "The Litchfield County post.", "edition": "01", "page": "p1", "byline": ""}
{"character_count": 3858, "word_count": 649, "ccnet_language_score": [0.991100013256073], "ccnet_perplexity": [2061.800048828125], "fasttext_language": ["en"]}
| g e.

 The number of those sincerely devoted to

 the service and worship of Jehovah, has in

 all ages been comparatively small But a.

 side from this general fact, there have oca-

 sionally been periods, when true religion sec

 med to have almost left the world, and the

 last vestage of it just on the point of being

 plotted out forever. In such seasons, Jeho- yah has appeared by his providence, to re- stGf1 the castiyes and to build up Zion..gs. Such was remarkably the case just before the dawn of Reformation. When nearly all Christendom was overrun with popish super l stition, and the grave absurdities consequent

 on false philosophy, men were raised up

 who had sagacity to discover the errors of the times, and firmness to withstand them. Of this character were the Loliards, class of Christians that began to flourish in the

 north of Italy about the commencement of the fourteenth century ,and derived their name

 from the founder of their sect

 Rejecting the rights and observances of the Romish doctors, who, like the ancient phari-

 sees, had substituted their own traditions in place of divine commands; the Lollards, for 1 the sure foundation of their faith and hope, looked to the flaw and the testimony" They were opposed and denounced as htritics by

 all the leading men of the popish religion;

 but resistance and opposition failed of ac-

 complishing their purpose. The truth be- 1 came an object of inquiry, and men were ur- l ged on, or excited to the belief and embrace of it, by the very stimulus of the prohibition. 1 Thus was the reformed religion diffused with

 wonderful rapidty3 5o that before the death

 of LOllard himself, who subsequently died by

 martyrdom, more than eighty thousand had

 embraced his sentiments. They were scat

 tered over Austria, Bohemia, and the neigh

 boring counties. and fifty years afterwards

 made their way into England. The celebra- ted Wickliffe became convert to their doc trines, and by his labour in preaching against

 the absurd notions and exposing the vicious

 practices of the Romish clergy; and by his writings, especially by the translation of the Scriptures into his native language, did more, perhaps, than any other individual towards

 bringing forward transformation.

 Though hated and persecuted by the enc

 mics of truth, he acquired great popularity a.

 mong the common people. and some even a.

 mong the nobility were found ready to follow

 his instructions. Of this number was Sir John OIdcastle, better known by the name of lord Gotham. M

 | Like the pious St. Augustin, he had been ldevoted to pleasure in his youth, and was encouraged Tn his dissipation by the very minister of religion to whom he looked for | instruction and example. But meeting with

 the learned and pious Wiekliffe. he was led

 to reform his life, and to become firm and l zealOus asserter of the cause of true religion. This he was enabled to do more successfully,

 on account of his elevated rank. which gave vast influence to his religious opinions. and

 also by his exertions to transcribe and circu-

 late the writings of Wickhffe, and maintain-

 ing at his own expense great number of it. inerant preachers. It is not to be supposed that such conduct. even in the kings prime

 minister, was looked upon, by the Rcmish

 clergy, with indifference. Accusation was

 laid agalnst him, as being pernicious heritic, and his enemies eDtreated of the king, as

 they said. with all humility and charity.

 that his majesty would suffer themfor Christ's 1 sake to put him to death" Being brave

 soldier as well as man of talent and learn

 ing, he was great favOrite with his king, who

 was therefore by no means disposed to en-

 courage his prosecution. He promised how

 ever fo the bloody emissary of the Pope.

 Arundel. Archbishop of York, that he would