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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1857. Excerpt: ... Wycliffe was far from sending every private man to the Bible, to make out a creed for himself; he was only careful to warn his hearers against receiving new articles of belief, on the authority of the Pope; his own rule of faith being the same as that of Vincent of Lerins, and other Fathers of the primitive Church, viz., that alone is true, which has ever been believed by all people in all places. Wycliffe was much opposed to the doctrine of Transubstantiation, to which I have alluded in noticing the various corruptions of our holy religion. This doctrine had never been formally received by the Church of England, although it was very generally held. "Wycliffe however boldly denied that it was a primitive doctrine, and in so doing brought down upon himself the condemnation of his views by the University of Oxford, which pronounced sentence of imprisonment and suspension from office in the University, and excommunication. This was a severe sentence, and shows very plainly the spirit with which the controversy was carried on. Wycliffe was sitting in his doctor's chair, and explaining his views on this controverted point, when he was informed of the decree which had been passed. "When he recovered from his first surprise, he said that neither the Chancellor nor those who acted with him could refute what he taught: and since this decree would suspend him from performing his duties in the University, he would appeal to the King in Parliament, Richard the Se- cond being at that time on the throne. This proceeding was looked upon as a further proof of Wycliffe's heresy; but before any steps could be taken, a fearful outbreak of the peasantry occurred, which threatened for a time to overthrow the established order of society. The Archbishop of Canterbury was ...

The first interdisciplinary international scientific conference on Matthew's story of the Star of Bethlehem and the Magi was held in 2014 at the University of Groningen, and attended by world-leading specialists in all relevant fields: modern astronomy, the ancient Near-Eastern and Greco-Roman worlds, the history of science and religion. The scholarly discussions and the exchange of interdisciplinary views resulted in the present book. Its 20 chapters describe various aspects of the Star: the history of its interpretation, ancient Near-Eastern astronomy and astrology and the Magi, astrology in the Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds, and the early Christian world. An epilogue summarises the fact-fiction balance of the most famous star which has ever shone.