Page 27 - 03 An Era of Spiritual Darkness

punishment for their sins, and from which,

when freed from impurity, they are admitted

to heaven. (See Appendix.)

Still another fabrication was needed to

enable Rome to profit by the fears and the

vices of her adherents. This was supplied by

the doctrine of indulgences. Full remission of

sins, past, present, and future, and release

from all the pains and penalties incurred,

were promised to all who would enlist in the

pontiff's wars to extend his temporal

dominion, to punish his enemies, or to

exterminate those who dared deny his

spiritual supremacy. The people were also

taught that by the payment of money to the

church they might free themselves from sin,

and also release the souls of their deceased

friends who were confined in the tormenting

flames. By such means did Rome fill her