It was chiefly to maintain my subjects, Catholic or Protestant, in equal freedom, until a council, canonical, general, or national, had decided this great dispute.

I promised him to perform faithfully that which he bade me, and I regard it as one of my first duties to be as good as my word.

I have heard that some who are in my army feel scruples about remaining in my service unless I embrace the Catholic religon.

No doubt they think me weak enough for them to imagine that they can force me thereby to abjure my religion and break my word.

I am very glad to inform them here, in presence of you all, that I would rather this were the last day of my life than take any step which might cause me to be suspected of having dreamt of renouncing the religion that I sucked in with my mother's milk, before I have been better instructed by a lawful council, to whose authority I bow in advance.