In this, the most famous of his works, Wyclif bases his argument on a distinct ideal of society.

All authority, to use his own expression, is "founded in grace." Dominion in the highest sense is in God alone; it is God who as the suzerain of the universe deals out His rule in fief to rulers in their various stations on tenure of their obedience to Himself.

It was easy to object that in such a case "dominion" could never exist, since mortal sin is a breach of such a tenure and all men sin.

But, as Wyclif urged it, the theory is a purely ideal one.

In actual practice he distinguishes between dominion and power, power which the wicked may have by God's permission, and to which the Christian must submit from motives of obedience to God.