Topic 7/8
SERMON GIVEN BY JOHANN TETZEL
You may obtain letters of safe conduct from the
vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ, by means of which you are able to liberate your
soul from the hands of the enemy, and convey it by means of contrition and
confession, safe and secure from all pains of Purgatory, into the happy kingdom.
For know, that in these letters are stamped and engraver all the merits of
Christ's passion there laid bare. Consider, that for each and every mortal sin
it is necessary to undergo seven years of penitence after confession and
contrition, either in this life or in Purgatory.
How many mortal sins are committed in a day, how
many in a week, how many in a month, how many in a year, how many in the whole
extent of life! They are well-nigh numberless, and those that commit them must
needs suffer endless punishment in the burning pains of
Purgatory.
But with these confessional letters you will be
able at any time in life to obtain full indulgence for all penalties imposed
upon you, in all cases except the four reserved to the Apostolic See. Thence
throughout your whole life, whenever you wish to make confession, you may
receive the same remission, except in cases reserved to the Pope, and
afterwards, at the hour of death, a full indulgence as to all penalties and
sins, and your share of all spiritual blessings that exist in the church
militant and all its members.
--"Reformation Documents." Reformation Documents. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013.