World History 15th Century

FIFTEENTH CENTURY

NEW LIFE BEGAN TO BURST FORTH

Accomplished:
Paved the way for the move that came in the following century.
The Lollards swept through the country teaching the common people that Scripture was the ultimate authority over the church and sufficient for government of the world.
They also taught the common people that salvation is by grace.
Hus left a legacy that spoke to the heart of Martin Luther in the following century.

1402 AD, Jan Hus influenced by Wycliffe.
1412 AD, Hus preached against indulgences and the abuses of the clergy. He was excommunicated and wrote that the immoral Pope was not infallible and that Scripture was the ultimate authority over the church.
1415 Jan Hus burned at the stake for not recanting.
1444 Bruni, Italian Humanist
1483 Luther born
1484 Papal bull against witchcraft and sorcery

The Lollards were not supported by any outside benefactor, yet they were enormously successful in spreading the gospel. They spoke to whoever would listen. By the end of the fifteenth century, fifty percent of the populations were either Lollards or in sympathy with them.
Hus prophesied before his execution in 1415: "In one hundred years, God will raise up a man whose calls for reform cannot be suppressed." One Hundred years later, in 1515 Luther was converted and began declaring salvation by faith alone.
Many of the religious people rejected this restoration of the revelation of God, giving religious reasons for doing so.