A01115:1446
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the ChurchAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the Church: written by that Reverend Father, Master John Fox: and now abridged by Timothy Bright, Doctor of Physic, for such as either through want of leisure, or ability have not the use of so necessary an historyAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church: written by that Reuerend Father, Maister Iohn Fox: and now abridged by Timothe Bright, Doctour of Phisicke, for such as either through want of leysure, or abilitie haue not the vse of so necessary an history
London: printed by I. Windet, 1589
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
These words thus pronounced, Eckius the Emperors prolocutor, with a stern countenance, refused his answer, as not direct, and plain. Then Luther, considering (saith he) your sovereign majesty, and your Honours require a plain answer: this I say, and profess as resolutely as I may, without doubting, or sophistication, that if I be not convicted by testimony of the Scriptures, and by probable reasons, (for I believe not the Pope, nor general Councils, which have erred many times, and have been contrary to themselves) my conscience is so bound and captived in these Scriptures, and word of God, which I have alleged, that I may not, 1nor will not revoke any manner of thing; considering it is not lawful, nor godly, to do any thing against conscience. Hereupon I stand, and rest: I have not what else to answer, God have mercy upon me.
These wordes thus pronounced, Eckius the Emperours prolocutor, with a sterne countenance, refused his answere, as not direct, and plaine. Then Luther, considering (saith hée) your soueraigne maiestie, and your Honours require a plaine answere: this I say, and professe as resolutely as I may, without doubting, or sophistication, that if I bee not conuicted by testimonie of the Scriptures, and by probable reasons, (for I beléeue not the Pope, nor generall Councels, which haue erred many times, and haue béen contrary to themselues) my conscience is so bound and captiued in these Scriptures, and worde of God, which I haue alleadged, that I may not, 1nor will not reuoke anie manner of thing; considering it is not lawfull, nor godlie, to doe any thing against conscience. Herevppon I stand, and rest: I haue not what els to answere, God haue mercie vpon me.
- 1Luthern answereth directly.
To this answer, Eckius replied again, as insufficient, and indirect, and fled to the councils: but Luther replied, and declared, how they have erred, and were not meet to determine matters of faith. The official again answered, that could not be proved, that the councils have erred: but Luther promised to prove it: and now night approaching, the Lords arose, and departed. Upon Friday following, the Emperor signified to the States of Germany, by his letters, that he minded to extirpate Martin Luther, and his doctrine.