ng, therefore, I did long since, and I have received a
reply to this effect, namely: "That no man may know fully the virtue and
extent of these Indulgences, because from the time of St. Peter onward,
Indulgences beyond number have been given and granted by divers
Pontiffs."

I have spoken likewise on this matter with certain persons that are about
the Court, and to put the matter shortly, these also are unable to give
any certain decision in the matter, but, arguing it amongst themselves,
some said that the remission of all sins may be obtained at any station;
others held and said that all Indulgences granted throughout the whole
city may be obtained at any one of the stations. Which is the truer
argument I dare not to say, beloved Fathers, but this I know full well of
mine own knowledge and experience, that Cardinals, Prelates, and others,
both men and women, throughout the whole city, are wont to be zealous in
visiting each several station; neither is it the usage there to make any
reference to the virtue or extent of the Indulgences, even inwardly, but
every man doth commit this matter to God Who alone doth know the tale of
the same, and we too ought to follow this custom. But as concerning the
gaining of the same, of which I have made mention above, the Chamberlain
of my Lord Bologna, who returned to this country a short while ago for
divers purposes, hath told me thereof by word of mouth, and he saith that
he himself was present when the Indulgences were granted. Every man that
hath made his confession and is contrite, and hath fulfilled the
conditions laid down in the letter wherein the Indulgence was
granted--that is, living in common and in the observance of the rule--may
gain the same in the church of his own monastery. And these conditions
are that he enter the church with the same intention that he would have
in Rome were he present there on the proper days for visiting the
stations; that he prostrate himself before the altar which he would have
chosen there, and pour forth his prayers or certain repetitions of the
Pater Noster as devoutly as he may: that he celebrate Mass: or visit the
several altars saying the Pater Noster or other prayers after the same
manner as that which is customary in the aforesaid city. In short, if
any man doth as is aforesaid, there is sure hope that he will gain the
Indulgences just as if he were actually present in Rome, as is set forth
also in the said letter. Therefore, be