what he now does once,[1] 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?"[2]
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![3]
93. Blessed be all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, "Cross, cross," and there is no cross![4]
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,[5] than through the assurance of peace.
- ↑ The letter of indulgence entitled its possessor to absolution "once in life and in the article of death."
- ↑ During the time when the Jubilee-indulgences were preached, other indulgences were suspended.
- ↑ Ezek. 13:10
- ↑ In a letter to Michael Dressel, 22 June, 1516, Luther had written: "It is not that man, therefore, whom no one disturbs who has peace—which is, indeed, the peace of the world—but he whom all men and all things harass and who yet bears all quietly with joy. You say with Israel: "Peace, peace," and there is no peace; say rather with Christ, "Cross, cross," and there is no cross. For the cross ceases to be a cross as soon as you say joyfully: "Blessed cross, there is no tree like you" (Preserved Smith, Luther, p. 32).
- ↑ Acts 14:22
