indulgence-vendors

Updated: May 26, 2025

A rigid insistence on the fulfilment of these conditions would have greatly restricted the value of the indulgences as a means of gain, for the right to hear confession and grant absolution belonged to the parish-priests. Consequently, it became the custom to endow the indulgence-vendors with extraordinary powers.

Martin Luther - Works of Martin Luther: With Introductions and Notes (Volume I)

Commenting on this Thesis in the Resolutions, Luther distinguishes between "temporal" and "eternal" necessity. "Necessity knows no law." This is not a denial of the power of the keys, i. e., the power to forgive and retain sin, but merely that the power of the keys extends to purgatory. i. e., Merely human doctrine. An alleged statement of indulgence-vendors. See Letter to Mainz and Introduction.

Martin Luther - Works of Martin Luther: With Introductions and Notes (Volume I)

We meet them everywhere indulgences for the adoration of relics, indulgences for worship at certain shrines, indulgences for pilgrimages here or there, indulgences for contributions to this or that special object of charity. Luther roundly charges the indulgence-vendors with teaching the people that the indulgences as a means to the remission of sins. What are these indulgences?

Martin Luther - Works of Martin Luther: With Introductions and Notes (Volume I)