poor believers?"

87. Again:--"What is it that the pope remits, and what participation
does he grant to those who, by perfect contrition, have a right to full
remission and participation?"

88. Again:--"What greater blessing could come to the Church than if the
pope were to do a hundred times a day what he now does once, and bestow
on every believer these remissions and participations?"

89. "Since the pope, by his pardons, seeks the salvation of souls
rather than money, why does he suspend the indulgences and pardons
granted heretofore, since these have equal efficacy?"

90. To repress these arguments and scruples of the laity by force
alone, and not to resolve them by giving reasons, is to expose the
Church and the pope to the ridicule of their enemies, and to make
Christians unhappy.

91. If, therefore, pardons were preached according to the spirit and
mind of the pope, all these doubts would be readily resolved; nay, they
would not exist.

92. Away, then, with all those prophets who say to the people of
Christ, "Peace, peace," and there is no peace!

93. Blessed be all those prophets who say to the people of Christ,
"Cross, cross," and there is no cross!

94. Christians are to be exhorted that they be diligent in following
Christ, their Head, through penalties, deaths, and hell;

95. And thus be confident of entering into heaven rather through many
tribulations, than through the assurance of peace.

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This text was converted to ASCII format for Project Wittenberg by
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or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at
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"Disputatio pro Declaratione Virtutis Indulgentiarum."
by Dr. Martin Luther, 1483-1546
D. MARTIN LUTHERS WERKE: KRITISCHE GESAMMTAUSGABE.
1. Band (Weimar: Hermann Boehlau, 1883). pp. 233-238.
PW #001-001La

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This text was converted to ASCII format for Project Wittenberg by
Rev. Robert E. Smith and is in the public domain. You may fre