Page:Works of Martin Luther, with introductions and notes, Volume 1.djvu/47

 contrition is not necessary in those who intend to buy souls out of purgatory or to buy confessionalia.

. Every truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without letters of pardon.

. 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.

. 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.

. 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.

. 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].

. Apostolic pardons are to be preached with caution, lest the people may falsely think them preferable to other good works of love.

. 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.

. Christians are to be taught that he who gives to the poor or lends to the needy does a better work than buying pardons; . Because love grows by works of love, and man becomes better; but by pardons man does not grow better, only more free from penalty.

. Christians are to be taught that he who sees a man in need, and passes him by, and gives [his money] for
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