uote, if it be only what he says, in the Explanation of his Final
Discourses as to the right disposition of the property of the
suppressed establishments: "The simple-minded shudder at this, because
they think it not right to change the last will of any body; but a
greater fraud lies in this than in other abuses. See: What motive
swayed those, who founded the benefices? Nothing else than because they
were falsely taught, that the mass is a sacrifice. Therefore they
dreamed they were bestowing their possessions on the poor, when they
gave to this object. But now, since we are conscious of the deceit,
that the mass is not a sacrifice, but the food of him, who eats with
faith and spiritual hunger, we may divert the property to the poor, and
withdraw it from idle bellies; yet we do this after their departure.
But here they cry out; See, thus they undertake to do away with
testaments, legacies and last wills! Answer: Here lies the rogue behind
the hedge. Has not every government its own right and custom in the
making of legacies? Who meddles with the appointment of heirs? Who
wishes to act falsely here? You have falsified more than any one else;
for you have tampered with last wills, so that that has been given to
you, which belonged to other lawful heirs, and you have done it by your
parables and false doctrines.[7] Thus what the people have as a civil
right, you claim as a divine right.... See, here we find the real
forgers of wills, who have foisted in their avarice, by pretending that
it was kindly done for the salvation of souls. But they say, if one of
his own free-will gives us his property on his death-bed, is it not
right for us to take it? Answer: no, for thou shouldst have before
given a right Christian understanding to the donor, representing things
thus: Consider not thy temporal property thine own; thou art only a
steward over it. Thou shouldst divide it among the poor, which is
pleasing to God, and shouldst not give it to those, who do not need it.
Thou seest that such property is often used, only to foster pride and
vanity in the temples, even though it is not squandered wantonly. God
has commanded, to give to the poor; do it then; and no one shall be
scandalized, if that which has hitherto been misused, is turned to the
Christian advantage of the poor. For were they who, unknowingly have
contributed to their bellies, still here, they would snatch it again
out of their hands. But no appropriating hand should be