The Text of a Sermon on Indulgences by Johann Tetzel

Don't you hear the voices of your wailing dead parents and others who say, 'Have mercy upon me, have mercy upon me, because we are in severe punishment and pain. From this you could redeem us with a small alms and yet you do not want to do so.' Open your ears as the father says to the son and the mother to the daughter . . ., 'We have created you, fed you, cared for you, and left you our temporal goods. Why then are you so cruel and harsh that you do not want to save us, though it only takes a little? You let us lie in flames so that we only slowly come to the promised glory.' You may have letters which let you have, once in life and in the hour of death . . . full remission of the punishment which belongs to sin. Oh, those of you with vows, you usurers, robbers, murderers, and criminals - Now is the time to hear the voice of God. He does not want the death of the sinner, but that he be converted and live. Convert yourselves then, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, to the Lord, thy God. Oh, you blasphemers, gossippers, who hinder this work openly or secretly, what about your affairs? You are outside the fellowship of the Church. No masses, no sermons, prayers, sacraments, or intercession help you. No field, vineyard, trees, or cattle bring fruit or wine for you. Even spiritual things vanish, as many an illustration could point out. Convert yourself with all you heart and use the medicine of which the Book of Wisdom says, 'The Most High has made medicine out of the earth and a wise man will not reject it.'

React: What are your initial thoughts and feeling toward the work of John Tetzel? Describe your reaction, using at least quotes from the primary source.

______What's an Indulgence?

The Roman Catholic Church to this day (look for yourself! ) claims that Jesus, Mary, and the saints did so many good works that left behind "merit" that they didn't need. That "treasury" of merit is in the possession of the Church, and that merit, says the Roman Catholic Church, can be bestowed on others as the Church wills.

According to the Roman Catholics, when God forgives, there are some sins for which he remits only the eternal punisment. There is still "temporal punishment" that must be endured, and if it is not endured in this lifetime, then it must be endured in purgatory.

Through the giving of indulgences, the Roman Catholic Church can shorten that punishment, whether on earth or in purgatory.

Why John Tetzel Was So Successful Indulgences for Future Sin

There is a story, almost certainly false, that the leader of a gang of ruffians approached Tetzel to obtain pardon through the purchase of an indulgence.

"Will indulgences forgive future sins as well?" he asked. Tetzel assured him that they would, and the young man immediately paid him.

That night, confident that he was forgiven, the young man robbed Tetzel, obtaining his money back and more.

I have now also heard this story old with a German noble as the thief.

The citizens of Europe under the rule of the Roman Catholic Church were kept in great ignorance. Superstition was rampant. Doctrines like purgatory were superb for keeping citizens in fear, and ignorance lent strength to wild ideas about demons and witches.

John Tetzel fed on those superstitious fears. It was very easy to convince people who believed that their dear mother, departed wife, or beloved child were that very moment burning in flames in purgatory that they ought to pay money to release them from their torment.

In a sense, the sale of indulgences was a way to get the poor to willingly pay taxes. John Tetzel's Sales Plummet

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the death warrant on indulgences to the cathedral door in Wittenburg. His 95 theses were powerful arguments against everything about the sale of indulgences.

Luther was a powerful salesman in his own right. He was popular both with the people and with the prince. His words were soon distributed all over Germany, and John Tetzel's indulgence sales came to an abrupt end.

Wittenberg Schlosskirche; Luther nailed his 95 thesesto this door

This, of course, aroused the ire of the pope, who was anxious to have St. Peter's Basilica built, and the rest, as they say, is history.

John Tetzel's End

With the wrath of the public aroused against him, Johann Tetzel was forced to retire to the to a monastery at Leipzig. It was at that time that Carl von Meltitz wrote up numerous accusations against him, further scandalizing his already damaged reputation. (Meltitz has since been discredited, and no one trusts anything he wrote.)

Broken and in ill health, John Tetzel passed away in 1519.