History of Bible-Believing Christianity V
Bible Study at Gospel Light Christian Church, Singapore
by Pastor Dr Paul Choo
Mid-Week Teaching Service
The Lollards, Wycliffe's disciples
Wycliffe's legacy: Wycliffe left a rich legacy to England - the Bible in the English language and men trained to preach. His disciples, like him, believed that the Bible was God's perfect revelation, and that it was man's duty to obey it. Wycliffe had also taught that every man had the right to interpret the Bible - guided by the Holy Spirit. These principles of Wycliffe were the fundamental principles of the Protestant Reformation.
By the time of his death, about one third of the priests had rejected the doctrine of transubstantiation, and many of the common people had become his disciples.
"Lollards" means "singers" in Dutch. The Lollards traveled the length and breadth of England preaching wherever they could - in churches or marketplaces. Armed men stood by the preachers in case of attacks from the Romanist authorities.
Reformation cannot be mandated: In the beginning most Lollards were common folk but eventually several nobility were converted. And within ten years of Wycliffe's death, these nobles petitioned Parliament for a reformation of religion. As expected, the Romanist priests reacted violently. As England was not ready for such a change, this move brought the movement a step back. The Lollards had failed to realize that reformations are not made by passing laws but had to be first preceded by a change in men's hearts.
The king passed a law to burn all heretics (ie, those who disagreed with Romanist doctrines). Burning of heretics had never taken place in England before. Even Wycliffe's bones were later dug out and burned.
Only licensed preachers were allowed to preach after passing a "test of orthodoxy," (ie, proving that they agreed with Romanist doctrines). All lecturers in Oxford had to check the orthodoxy of their pupils every month. Translating any portion of scripture into English was forbidden.
Martyrs the seed of the church: The first English martyr was Sawtree - a priest who refused to acknowledge that the literal body of Christ was in the "host" (ie, wafer) of the Mass.
The next Englishman to be martyred was Badby - a layman who also denied the doctrine of transubstantiation. He was given several chances to recant but he refused. As he was tied to the stake, he was assured that if he paid the slightest homage to the "host," he would be set free. The kind prince feeling sorry for him stopped the fire, and pleaded with the half-burnt Badby to recant - promising him a yearly pension for the rest of his life, if he did so. The poor prince did not understand the joys of the martyr, who was eagerly anticipating his eternal crown. Badby would not have traded the stake for all the gold of England!
Many other faithful men were also willingly martyred for their faith. The blood of the martyrs watered the soil of England - and prepared it for a rich spiritual harvest a hundred years later. However, many Lollards under torture recanted of their faith - and lived a miserable life with a tortured conscience.
Because of the persecution, the Lollards had to gather in private meadows - even so they were often attacked.
England after Wycliffe: After the failed attempt by the Lollards to institute laws to reform religion, Romanist practices were instituted with greater fervor. The calendar was crowded with feast days and fast days. Church bells were rung every morning and evening in praise of Mary. All who said the Lord's Prayer and five "Hail Marys" at the morning bell were promised forty-five days pardon from purgatory.
The two basic principles of the Lollards were the absolute authority of the Scriptures, and salvation through faith in Christ's complete atonement. Being no so well versed with other biblical principles, they tended to be overly cautious in some matters. For example, they feared to swear on the Bible, they did not use musical instruments in worship and refused to participate in war.