de use of for their selfish purposes. He
published the sale of a general indulgence; [**] and as his expenses
had not only exhausted his usual revenue, but even anticipated the money
expected from this extraordinary expedient, the several branches of it
were openly given away to particular persons, who were entitled to levy
the imposition. The produce, particularly of Saxony and the countries
bordering on the Baltic, was assigned to his sister Magdalene, married
to Cibo, natural son of Innocent VIII.; and she, in order to enhance her
profit, had farmed out the revenue to one Arcemboldi, a Genoese, once a
merchant, now a bishop, who still retained all the lucrative arts of his
former profession.[***] The Austin friars had usually been employed in
Saxony to preach the indulgences, and from this trust had derived both
profit and consideration: but Arcemboldi, fearing lest practice might
have taught them means to secrete the money,[****] and expecting no
extraordinary success from the ordinary methods of collection, gave this
occupation to the Dominicans.

* Father Paul and Sleidan.

** In 1517.

*** Father Paul. Sleidan.

**** Father Paul, lib. 1

These monks, in order to prove themselves worthy of the distinction
conferred on them, exaggerated the benefits of indulgences by the most
unbounded panegyrics; and advanced doctrines on that head, which,
though not more ridiculous than those already received, were not as yet
entirely familiar to the ears of the people.[*] [4] To add to the scandal,
the collectors of this revenue are said to have lived very licentious
lives, and to have spent in taverns, gaming-houses, and places still
more infamous, the money which devout persons had saved from their usual
expenses, in order to purchase a remission of their sins.[**]

All these circumstances might have given offence, but would have been
attended with no event of any importance, had there not arisen a man
qualified to take advantage of the incident. Martin Luther, an Austin
friar, professor in the university of Wittemberg, resenting the affront
put upon his order, began to preach against these abuses in the sale
of indulgences; and being naturally of a fiery temper, and provoked by
opposition, he proceeded even to decry indulgences themselves; and was
thence carried, by the heat of dispute, to question the authority of the
pope, from which his adversaries derived their chief arguments against
him.[***]