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Dr. Luther,
Yesterday, you admitted these writings were yours.
Will you tell us now: Do you persist in what you have written here?
Or are you prepared to retract these writings, and the beliefs they contain?
I ask pardon if I lack the manners that befit this court.
I was not brought up in kings' palaces, but in the seclusion of a cloister.
I am asked to retract these writings, but they are of different kinds.
In some, I discuss faith and good works;
If I were to retract these, I should be denying accepted Christian truths!
In others, I attack Popery,
And assail men who have afflicted the Christian world and ruined the bodies and souls of other men.
If I were to retract those, I should be like a cloak that covers evil!
Most Serene Emperor, Illustrious Princes, Noble Lords, I am only a man, and not God.
But I must defend myself, as did Jesus Christ, when He said, as I say now:
"If I have spoken evil, bear witness against me."
Martin Luther, you have not yet answered the question.
Give us a simple answer: Will you recant, or will you not?
You ask for a simple answer. Here it is.
Unless you can convince me by Scripture--
And not by Popes, or Councils who have often contradicted each other--
Unless I am so convinced that I am wrong, I am bound to my beliefs by the Text of the Bible!
My conscience is captive to the Word of God!
To go against conscience, is neither right, nor safe!
Therefore, I cannot and I will not recant!
Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.