By the law of Christ, every man is bound to love his neighbour as himself; but every servant is a neighbour of every civil lord; therefore every civil lord must love any of his servants as himself; but by natural instinct, every lord abhors slavery; therefore, by the law of charity, he is bound not to impose slavery on any brother in Christ.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the moral obligation of love and equality among individuals, particularly in the context of servitude and freedom.
John Wycliffe's quote articulates the Christian principle that individuals are required to love one another as they love themselves. It argues against the moral legitimacy of slavery by asserting that every person, regardless of their standing, should treat others with love and respect, highlighting the inherent dignity of every individual as a brother in Christ.
In practice
In a speech on social justice, one might reference this quote to advocate for the treatment of all individuals with love and respect.
We should know that faith is a gift of God, and that it may not be given to men, except it be graciously. Thus, indeed, all the good which we have is of God; and accordingly, when God rewardeth a good work of man, he crowneth his own gift.
The New Testament is of full authority and open to the understanding of simple men as to the points most needful to salvation.
No man is to be credited for his mere authority's sake, unless he can show Scripture for the maintenance of his opinion.
The higher the hill, the stronger the wind: so the loftier the life, the stronger the enemy's temptations.
The gospel alone is sufficient to rule the lives of Christians everywhere - any additional rules made to govern men's conduct added nothing to the perfection already found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I shall not die, but live; and again declare the evil deeds of the friars.
...when dogma enters the brain, all intellectual activity ceases.
I would say it simply: No one can give that which he doesn't personally possess, which means we cannot transmit the Holy Spirit in an effective way, render the Spirit perceptible, if we ourselves aren't close to the Spirit.
If a man is not good, what has he to do with the rules of propriety? If he is not good, what has he to do with music?
And now have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but overacuteness of the senses?
No man can delegate,... any right of arbitrary dominion over a 3rd person; for that would imply a right in the 1st person, not only to make the 3rd person his slave, but also a right to dispose of him as a slave to still other persons. Any contract to do this is necessarily a criminal one...To call such a contract a “constitution” does not at all lessen its criminality, or add to its validity.
The most unpardonable sin in society is independence of thought.
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