l"? [Matt. 23:34][10]

In addition to this, Most Reverend Father in the Lord, it is said
in the Instruction to the Commissaries[11] which is issued under
your name, Most Reverend Father (doubtless without your knowledge
and consent), that one of the chief graces of indulgence is that
inestimable gift of God by which man is reconciled to God, and
all the penalties of purgatory are destroyed.[12] Again, it is
said that contrition is not necessary in those who purchase souls
[out of purgatory] or buy _confessionalia_.[13]

But what can I do, good Primate and Most Illustrious Prince,
except pray your Most Reverend Fatherhood by the Lord Jesus
Christ that you would deign to look [on this matter] with the eye
of fatherly care, and do away entirely with that treatise[14] and
impose upon the preachers of pardons another form of preaching;
lest, perchance, one may some time arise, who will publish
writings in which he will confute both them and that treatise, to
the shame of your Most Illustrious Sublimity. I shrink very much
from thinking that this will be done, and yet I fear that it will
come to pass, unless there is some speedy remedy.

These faithful offices of my insignificance I beg that your Most
Illustrious Grace may deign to accept in the spirit of a Prince
and a Bishop, i. e., with the greatest clemency, as I offer them
out of a faithful heart, altogether devoted to you, Most Reverend
Father, since I too am a part of your flock.

May the Lord Jesus have your Most Reverend Fatherhood eternally
in His keeping. Amen.

From Wittenberg on the Vigil of All Saints, MDXVII.

If it please the Most Reverend Father he may see these my
Disputations, and learn how doubtful a thing is the opinion of
indulgences which those men spread as though it were most
certain.

To the Most Reverend Father,
Brother Martin Luther.

FOOTNOTES

[1] In the original editions the word Jesus appears at the head
of the works, and the present editors have retained the use,
which was apparently an act of obedience to the command,
"Whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the
Lord Jesus" (Col. 3:17).

[2] See Theses 18-24, 32, 52.

[3] See Thesis 27.

[4] See Thesis 75.

[5] See Theses 5, 6, 20, 21.

[6] _Gratia infusa_, meaning the working of God upon the hearts of
men, by means of which their lives become pleasing to God. Cf.
Loors' Dogmengeschicte, 4th ed., pp. 562 ff.

[7] See Thesis 5.

[8] See