Michael Sattler, in the Year 1527

After a long trial, on the day of his departure from this world, the articles being many, Michael Sattler* asked that they be read to him again, and that he be given another hearing. The bailiff, as the governor of his lord, opposed this and would not consent to it. [n574-1] Michael Sattler then asked permission to speak. After a consultation, the judges returned as their answer that if his opponents would allow it, they (the judges) would consent. At that the town clerk of Ensisheim, as the attorney of the said Governor, spoke in this way: "Prudent, honorable and wise Sirs, he has boasted of the Holy Ghost. Now, if his boast is true, it seems to me it is unnecessary to grant him this; for if he has the Holy Ghost, as he boasts, the same will tell him what has been done here." To this Michael Sattler replied: "You servants of God, I hope my request will not be denied; for those articles are as yet unknown to me." The town clerk responded: "Prudent, honorable and wise Sirs, though we are not bound to do this, yet in order to give satisfaction we will grant him his request, so that it may not be thought that injustice is done him in his heresy, or that we desire to wrong him; therefore let the articles be read to him."