Lords: “The Holy Ghost has saved you already; you need neither confession nor sacrament?”
Elizabeth: “No, my lords, I acknowledge that I have transgressed the ordinance of the Pope, which the Emperor has confirmed by decrees. But prove to me that I have transgressed in any article against my Lord and my God, and I will cry woe over me, miserable being.”
The foregoing is the first confession.
Afterwards she was again brought before the council, and led into the torture chamber, Hans, the executioner, being present. The lords then said: “We have thus long dealt with you in kindness; but if you will not confess, we will resort to severity with you. The Procurator General said: “Master Hans, seize her.”
Master Hans answered: “O no, my lords, she will voluntarily confess.”
But as she would not voluntarily confess, he applied the thumb-screws to her thumbs and forefingers, so that the blood squirted out at the nails.
Elizabeth said: “Oh! I cannot endure it any longer.”
The lords said: “Confess, and we will relieve your pain.”
But she cried to the Lord her God: “Help me, O Lord, thy poor handmaiden! for thou art a helper in time of need.”
The lords all exclaimed: “Confess, and we will relieve your pain; for we told you to confess, and not to cry to God the Lord.”