Articles or Charges against Michael Sattler (1527)
First, that he and his adherents have acted contrary to the mandate of the Emperor.
Secondly, he has taught, held and believed that the body and blood of Christ are not present in the sacrament.
Thirdly, he has taught and believed that infant baptism does not conduce to salvation.
Fourthly, they have rejected the sacrament of extreme unction.
Fifthly, they have despised and condemned the mother of God and the saints.
Sixthly, he has declared that men are not to swear before the authorities.
Seventhly, he has commenced a new and unheard of custom in regard to the Lord's supper, placing the bread and wine on a plate, and eating and drinking the same.
Eightly, he has left the order, and married a wife.
Ninethly, he has said that if the Turks should invade the country, no resistance ought to be offered them; and if it were right to wage war, he would rather take the field against the Christians than against the Turks; and it is certainly a great matter, to set the greatest enemies of our holy faith against us.
After his short defence which quoted Bible verses it is recorded "the judges laughed and put their heads together, and the town clerk of Ensisheim said, 'O you infamous, desperate villain and monk, shall we dispute with you? The hangman shall dispute with you, I assure you."
Michael said, "God's will be done."
The town clerk said, "It were well if you had never been born."
Michael replied, God knows what is good."
Town Clerk, "You arch-heretic, you have seduced the pious; if they would only now forsake their error, and accept grace."
Michael: "Grace is with God alone."
One of the prisoners also said, "We must not depart from the truth."
Town Clerk: "You desperate villain and archheretic, I tell you if there were no hangman here, I would hang you myself, and think that I had done God service."
Michael: "God will judge aright."
Thereupon the town clerk said a few words to him in Latin, what we do not know.
Michael Sattler answered him Judica.
The town clerk said, "The hangman shall convince you; he shall dispute with you, arch-heretic."
Michael: "I appeal to the Scriptures."
The judges arose, and went into another room, where they remained for an hour and a half, and determined on the sentence.
The judges having returned to the room, the sentence was read. It was as follows, "In the case of the Governor of his Imperial Majesty versus Michael Sattler, judgement is passed, that Michael Sattler shall be delivered to the executioner, who shall lead him to the place of execution, and cut out his tongue; then throw him upon a wagon, and there tear his body twice with red hot tongs; and after he has been brought without the gate, he shall be pinched five times in the same manner."
After this had been done in the manner prescribed, he was burned to ashes as a heretic. His fellow brethren were executed with the sword, and the sisters drowned. His wife, also, after being subjected to many entreaties, admonitions and threats, under which she remained very steadfast, was drowned a few days afterwards. Done the 21st day of May, A.D. 1527
from "The Martyrs Mirror"
Are we so weak that we won't even dispute the very things for which our spiritual forefathers were tortured and died at the hands of the Papists and Reformers? God have mercy upon our pitiful souls.