Confession Of Jacques D’Auchy, Made Before The Commissary And The Inquisitor.

“My foundation does not rest upon men, but upon the word of God.” Inq. “Why then will you not believe, like your mother the holy church, that after the words are pronounced, the bread and the wine are changed?” Jac. “My lord, I have already told you that it is because there is nothing of this kind written in the Scriptures, for neither the bread nor the wine which Christ gave were changed.” Inq. “O, certainly it was.” Jac. “My lord, I have proven to you, that he still calls it a fruit of the vine, after the words were spoken.” Inq. “Do you not believe then, Jacques, that Jesus Christ is Almighty? and that he had power to give his disciples his blood to drink?” Jac. “I know, my lord, that he is Almighty, and that he was able to do it; and even if he had done it, my lord, has he promised you, that you people should also perform such a work?” Inq. “But is Jesus Christ not able to leave us this in his sacrament, for a testament?” Jac. “Yes, my lord, had he said so; for he had power over the winds, and the devils, to change water into wine, and to make himself invisible. Matt. 8:26; John 2:9; Luke 4:30. In short, I believe that he is 577 Almighty in all things; but a sinful man does not have this power.” Inq. “Not! if he utters the same words of Christ?” Jac. “The power does not lie in the words: this would be the same as sorcery. And if any one were to say to a sick man: ‘Be thou whole,’ in the same manner in which Christ said it, it would not heal him.” Inq. “Then you do not believe that Christ Jesus is in the bread?” Jac. “My lord, I think you have heard my resolution as to what I believe with regard to it. Christ said that we should do it in remembrance of him: now, if he were present, how could it be done in remembrance of him?” Inq. “O how these villains, Zuinglius and Calvin, have deceived you; those profaners of the sacrament, who pervert all Scripture into the contrary.” Jac. “My faith is not founded upon the doctrine of either Calvin or Zuinglius.” Inq. “Upon what then?” Jac. “Upon the word of God, and the foundation of the apostles.” Inq. “How? you do not believe the word of God.” Jac. “My lord, how should I not believe the word of God? For this same word I am a prisoner, and stand here in chains before you, to bear witness to it.” Inq. “My son, it is for the word of Satan, and not for the word of God.” Jac. “My lord, take care what you say, lest you blaspheme; for I have not quoted the word of Satan for my doctrine and faith, but the pure word of God; but you quote to me the word and exposition of men.” Inq. “It is the word of the holy teachers of the church, whom you reject; behold here the cause of your error.” Jac. “I do not reject them, but I leave them undisturbed; for I find material enough in the word of God, to lay a good foundation, and water of life enough to drink in the pure fountain, without running to the brooks or pools, which are mostly filthy and turpid.” Inq. “Well, this does not bring us any further; it is late already; since you will not believe as our mother the holy church instructs you, take heed and consider the matter well; for you are in such error, that if you die in this state, you will be damned to all the devils, in the depths of hell.” Jac. “My lord, it is written that judgment belongs to God alone; how then do you so presumptuously usurp God’s place? God will judge me.” Inq. “Jacques, this is all clear; for you do not believe, and he that believeth not is damned, says Christ.” Mark 16:16. Jac. “It is written: Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment. John 7:24. If I did not believe it, I would not quote the word of God in my defense.” Inq. “All heretics do this. Well then, pray earnestly to God, that you may return to the holy church.” Jac. “I trust through the grace of God, that I have become a member of the true and holy church, which has been cleansed and purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ.”

Thereupon he arose, and said to me: “Adieu, Jacques, see that you come to a good conclusion; for your time is short; consider the matter well.” I also bade him adieu, and told him that I was ready always to follow that which was best, in what should be proven to me by the holy Scriptures, and nothing else.