Disputation of Doctor Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of IndulgencesLuther, Martin
ReligionChristian
Disputation of Doctor Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences
Luther, Martin
Indulgences; Reformation -- Germany -- Sources
34. For these "graces of pardon" concern only the penalties of
sacramental satisfaction, and these are appointed by man.
35. They preach no Christian doctrine who teach that contrition is not
necessary in those who intend to buy souls out of purgatory or to buy
confessionalia.
36. Every truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of
penalty and guilt, even without letters of pardon.
37. Every true Christian, whether living or dead, has part in all the
blessings of Christ and the Church; and this is granted him by God,
even without letters of pardon.
38. Nevertheless, the remission and participation [in the blessings of
the Church] which are granted by the pope are in no way to be despised,
for they are, as I have said, the declaration of divine remission.
39. It is most difficult, even for the very keenest theologians, at one
and the same time to commend to the people the abundance of pardons and
[the need of] true contrition.
40. True contrition seeks and loves penalties, but liberal pardons only
relax penalties and cause them to be hated, or at least, furnish an
occasion [for hating them].
41. Apostolic pardons are to be preached with caution, lest the people
may falsely think them preferable to other good works of love.
42. Christians are to be taught that the pope does not intend the
buying of pardons to be compared in any way to works of mercy.
43. Christians are to be taught that he who gives to the poor or lends
to the needy does a better work than buying pardons;
44. Because love grows by works of love, and man becomes better; but by
pardons man does not grow better, only more free from penalty.
45. Christians are to be taught that he who sees a man in need, and
passes him by, and gives [his money] for pardons, purchases not the
indulgences of the pope, but the indignation of God.
46. Christians are to be taught that unless they have more than they
need, they are bound to keep back what is necessary for their own
families, and by no means to squander it on pardons.
47. Christians are to be taught that the buying of pardons is a matter
of free will, and not of commandment.
48. Christians are to be taught that the pope, in granting pardons,
needs, and therefore desires, their devout prayer for him more than the
money they bring.
49. Christians are to be taught that the pope's pardons are useful, if
they do not put their trust in them; but altogether harmful, if through
them they lose their fear of God.
50. Christians are to be taught that if the pope knew the exactions of
the pardon-preachers, he would rather that St. Peter's church should
go to ashes, than that it should be built up with the skin, flesh and
bones of his sheep.
51. Christians are to be taught that it would be the pope's wish, as it
is his duty, to give of his own money to very many of those from whom
certain hawkers of pardons cajole money, even though the church of St.
Peter might have to be sold.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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