Gottfried says it is quite true that Dr. Luther in the confessional in
the city churches has earnestly protested to many of his penitents
against their trusting to these certificates, and has positively refused
to suffer any to communicate, except on their confessing their sins, and
promising to forsake them, whether provided with indulgences or not.
In his sermon to the people last year on the Ten Commandments, he told
them forgiveness was freely given to the penitent by God, and was not to
be purchased at any price, least of all with money.
WITTEMBERG, _July_ 18.
The whole town is in a ferment to-day, on account of Dr. Luther's sermon
yesterday, preached before the Elector in the Castle church.
The congregation was very large, composed of the court, students, and
townspeople.
Not a child or ignorant peasant there but could understand the
preacher's words. The Elector had procured especial indulgences from the
pope in aid of his church, but Dr. Luther made no exception to
conciliate him. He said the Holy Scriptures nowhere demand of us any
penalty or satisfaction for our sins. God gives and forgives freely
without price, out of his unutterable grace; and lays on the forgiven no
other duty than true repentance and sincere conversion of the heart,
resolution to bear the cross of Christ, and do all the good we can. He
declared also that it would be better to give money freely towards the
building of St. Peter's Church at Rome, than to bargain with alms for
indulgences; that it was more pleasing to God to give to the poor, than
to buy these letters, which, he said, would at the utmost do nothing
more for any man than remit mere ecclesiastical penances.