S
Shibboleth
Guest
When Luther was before the Pope’s Legate he stated.
If the doctrine of indulgences could be proved from the papal constitution itself, he would retract.
The prelate was not able to answer this and replied: Retract, or I will send you to Rome, there to appear before the judges commissioned to take cognizance of your case. I will excommunicate you and all your partisans, and all who shall at any time countenance you, and will cast them out of the church. Full power has been given me for this purpose by the holy apostolic see. Think you that your protectors will stop me? Do you imagine that the pope can fear Germany? The pope’s little finger is stronger than all Germany put together."
If the doctrine of indulgences could be proved from the papal constitution itself, he would retract.
The prelate was not able to answer this and replied: Retract, or I will send you to Rome, there to appear before the judges commissioned to take cognizance of your case. I will excommunicate you and all your partisans, and all who shall at any time countenance you, and will cast them out of the church. Full power has been given me for this purpose by the holy apostolic see. Think you that your protectors will stop me? Do you imagine that the pope can fear Germany? The pope’s little finger is stronger than all Germany put together."