May 30, 1518.
Translated from Latin.
Protestation.
Since this is a theological disputation, I will herewith repeat the protestation common in high schools, in order to soothe the hearts that may have been offended by the mere text of the disputation.
First of all, I testify that I do not want to say or hold anything except what is first of all held in and from the Holy Scriptures, as well as the Church Fathers accepted by the Roman Church and recognized until now, and according to the Canons and Papal Decrees
*) The first original print of this writing appeared in the middle of August 1518 with Joh. Grüneberg in Wittenberg; then in the same year another edition of the same appeared with Melchior Lotther in Leipzig, who published it in the following year.
and can be held. But inasmuch as something cannot be proved or rejected from them, I only want to hold it as a matter that can be discussed, according to the judgment of reason and experience, while I always reserve the judgment in this to all my superiors.
Only this one thing I add, and I claim according to the right of Christian liberty, that I may take the mere opinions of St. Thomas, St. Bonaventure, or other scholastics or canonists, when they are set forth without text and proof, according to my good
I know the opinion of certain Thomists who want St. Thomas to be approved by the church in all things. It is sufficiently known how far the reputation of St. Thomas is valid. By this protestation of mine, I believe, it becomes sufficiently clear that I may be mistaken, but I cannot be a heretic, however much those who think or wish otherwise may rage and gnash.