the ban. Martin LntJier and his Revolt against the Church 87 all laws; nevertheless, to prevent all unprofitable dispute, . . . we, through our herald, gave him a safe-conduct to come hither, in order that he might be questioned in our own presence and in that of the electors, princes, and estates of the Empire ; whether he had composed the books which were then laid before his eyes. . . . 18. And as soon as these books were enumerated, he acknowledged them as his own, and moreover declared that he would never deny them. And he also says that he has made many other books, which we have not mentioned herein because we have no knowledge of them. 25. Accordingly, in view of all these considerations and Luther the fact that Martin Luther still persists obstinately and {J^J^f" perversely in maintaining his heretical opinions, and conse- quently all pious and God-fearing persons abominate and abhor him as one mad or possessed by a demon, ... we have declared and made known that the said Martin Luther shall hereafter be held and esteemed by each and all of us as a limb cut off from the Church of God, an obstinate schismatic and manifest heretic. . . . 27. And we publicly attest by these letters that we order and command each and all of you, as you owe fidelity to us and the Holy Empire, and would escape the penalties of the crime of treason, and the ban and over-ban of the Empire, and the forfeiture of all regalia, fiefs, privileges, and immu- nities, which up to this time you have in any way obtained from our predecessors, ourself, and the Holy Empire; — commanding, we say, in the name of the Roman and impe- rial majesty, we strictly order that immediately after the expiration of the appointed twenty days, terminating on the fourteenth day of May, you shall refuse to give the aforesaid Martin Luther hospitality, lodging, food, or drink ; neither shall any one, by word or deed, secretly or openly, succor or assist him by counsel or help ; but in whatever place you meet him, you shall proceed against him ; if you have suffi- cient force, you shall take him prisoner and keep him in close custody; you shall deliver him, or cause him to be delivered,
