No man is to be credited for his mere authority's sake, unless he can show Scripture for the maintenance of his opinion.
Interpretation
Authority must be backed by evidence or reasoning, not just by one's position.
This quote emphasizes the importance of providing justification or evidence for one's beliefs or opinions, rather than relying solely on one's authority or position. John Wycliffe suggests that credible arguments should be rooted in foundational texts or principles, encouraging critical thinking and accountability in discussions of opinion.
In practice
During a debate about religion, this quote could be used to emphasize the need for scriptural backing of beliefs.
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.
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.
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.
I was promised on a time - to have reason for my rhyme; From that time unto this season, I received nor rhyme nor reason.
The word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.
How many people worldwide are victims of this type of slavery, in which the person is at the service of his or her work, while work should offer a service to people so they may have dignity. I ask my brothers and sisters in faith and all men and women of good will for a decisive choice to combat trafficking in persons, which includes "slave labor."
Those who make some other person their job... are dangerous.
It is the distinguishing glory of Christianity not to rest satisfied with superficial appearances, but to rectify the motives, and purify the heart.
So lonely 'twas that God himself Scarce seemed there to be.
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