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To Ferdinand I.
319

Calixtine doctrine according to the Compactata, and for this faith we are ready to lay down our crown and our very lives.”

This speech made such a deep impression upon the audience that all were moved to tears and some could not refrain from sobbing aloud.

Then the king ordered the Compactata to be read, and the agreements made by Sigmund, Albert, and Ladislav, and showed how unjust it was to deprive him of privileges granted to three of his predecessors. After this, Fantin was called, and permitted to address the Assembly. We declared that the Compactata was revoked, and that communion in both kinds was now prohibited. Fantin then said: “I declare to you the will of the most holy father, which is, that you, King George, your queen, and your children should not take communion except in St. Václav’s Church on the Hradschin; that you should clear your court of all unworthy chaplains, the sowers of errors leading to damnation, and deliver them up to the Chapter of Prague for punishment; forbid all heretics to administer the sacraments, which, in their hands, are not sacraments, but blasphemies; and if you refuse to do this, you will stand before man and God guilty of perjury.” Here the king remonstrated that he had never violated his oath, and that he had witnesses who could prove this. To this Fantin replied: “It is not for you, O King, to interpret your oath, but for him who administered it.” The king then said: “I acknowledge no judge but my own conscience.” Fantin then said: “Do you dare to withstand the apostolic commands? Remember what you do; it is rebellion, not obedience, and the Pope will not leave it unpunished. His power